#catering business website

[grungepoetica]

you know what, fuck it. i'm finishing my neocities page and signing up for cohost and queuing all my stuff for the rest of the day. possibly longer.

i don't know what i'm gonna make my cohost handle yet, or how often i'm gonna use it, but the predstrogen situation has left a really bad taste in my mouth

the more i think about it, the more i don't want to deal with the performative tomfoolery this site enables within its staff

but yeah. send me happy shit in the meantime because this is fucking depressing.

[reibre4d]

HEARTSLABYUL PREORDERS JUST DROPPED

you can buy the bois as-is or you can get them bundled with a little bonus (you get their candy and have the option of adding my dorm crest designs)

[wppipcom]

Guide to Boosting Your Catering Business Online: Web Development, Marketing, and Video Editing

The catering industry has grown into a competitive yet rewarding field. To stand out, offering delicious food and exceptional service isn’t enough anymore—online presence and marketing play a crucial role in building credibility and attracting clients. With expert support in web development, marketing, and video editing, you can position your catering business for success in the digital…

[reasonsforhope]

"Shopping for clothes is already intimidating. There are so many options and styles to consider, as well as factors like sustainability and ethics.

But for people in fat, disabled, or queer and gender-nonconforming bodies, it’s even more arduous.

Nico Herzetty, Emma K. Clark, and Paul Herzetty wondered: What if there was a way people could shop — not necessarily by color or size — but by measurements, materials, and ethics?

So they set off to create their website: Phoria. 

Here, shoppers can set up a free profile, add their body measurements (and “typical fit challenges”) and peruse over 270 brands. Once these data points are entered, users can personalize their pages with “saved,” “recommended,” or “hidden” brands. 

Pages can be totally private, or shared with the community to connect over styles and brands.

Aside from fit, brands in the Phoria database (which claims to be “the largest database of plus-friendly brands”) can also be filtered as “gender-neutral,” “woman-run,” “small business,” or “natural fibers.” Users can also filter for price, preferred styles, and more.

Pictured: A screenshot of the "Fit Challenges" feature on a Phoria user's profile.

Some brands include popular names like Athleta, Levi’s, and Patagonia. Others are small businesses, like Beefcake Swimwear, or Hey Peach.

“For so many people, it feels too damn hard to find and keep clothing that fits in all the ways that really matter. So we’re doing something about it,” the Phoria website reads.

“Unlike most online shopping experiences, we center the needs of plus-size women, nonbinary, and trans people, and prioritize supporting clothing brands focused on sustainability, ethics, and inclusion.” ...

That team — made up of Clark, and Nico and Paul Herzetty — calls themselves “fat, disabled, and very, very queer.” 

“These are some of the main ways we identify, and they’re qualities that have directly impacted our ability to get dressed every day in a way that feels good,” the Phoria team introduces themselves on the website.

Pictured: A screenshot of Phoria's plus-size clothing brand database.

In addition to catering the user experience to women, non-binary, and trans people, Phoria is also a benefit corporation, or a B corp.

“We’ve legally required ourselves to consider the interests of all our stakeholders — customers, employees, the planet, and our shareholders,” the Phoria website explains.

“Our specific public benefit purpose is to reduce people’s dependence on buying mass-produced items made in unsustainable ways and to use human-centered business models to boldly challenge economic systems of inequity.” 

Right now, in the early stages of the company’s business, it doesn’t make any money.

“We’re focused on building something that genuinely solves plus-size people’s challenges around clothes shopping and supports smaller and more sustainable brands,” Phoria’s website states.

So, spreading the word seems to be of utmost importance...

Additionally, TikTok creators @couplagoofs (a queer couple named Morgan and Phoebe), recently shared a video in which they discovered Phoria. They met the website’s creators at a fat liberation event in their city and were introduced to the tool.

Quickly, commenters responded with gratitude and excitement.

“It is so disappointing to sort through pages of plus size clothes that aren’t even plus size,” a TikTok user commented. “This is gonna be such a good tool!” 

Some even shared emotional responses, speaking to the need at the heart of Phoria’s mission. 

“I’m… gonna cry,” another commenter wrote. “I’ve needed this my whole life.”"

-via Goodgoodgood, November 20, 2023

[alphajocklover]

AirBoyfriendNBoyfriend

**based off an ask I accidentally deleted, but had already written a story for. I don't remember the exact words, but I'll do my best to paraphrase. Was written with the help of my friend, editor and beta reader, @innermostthoughtsartappreciation **

'My 2 straight friends and I are going on vacation together. We went to our AirBnB but things have been weird since we got here. One of my friends seems more muscular than usual? He was already pretty tall but not he's really built. And last night I swear I heard my friends talking about sex in the other room or something? And this morning I woke up with a ring on my finger? Whats happening?'

You say this all started because you and your two friends went to an Airbnb? And you woke up with a ring on your finger?

In this case, what's happening isn’t some sort of elaborate conspiracy conducted by a shadowy cabal, nor is it some nefarious scheme by one of your friends/enemies to transform you to their liking, nor is it anything else of that sort. What happened here is very simple: you guys used the wrong AirBnB.

No doubt you all know that I’ve talked about EB Jewelry before. You know the jewelry company that transforms people using their products. They’re one of, if not, the biggest name in the transformation business. Still, there are plenty of other companies out there that use transformation devices and items. Most are much smaller than EB Jewelry and try to fly under the radar when it comes to being able to transform people, but they are still out there. Including the very AirBnB that you and your friends signed up for. Air-Boyfriend-and-Boyfriend. Usually only referred to as simply AirBFnBF by those who use it, they’re often mistaken for AirBnB. You probably think they should be sued for copyright infringement, but you are entirely wrong. It is shockingly near impossible to sue a company that uses magic, and not as shockingly completely not worth the hassle and complications it would cause. For a $70 billion company like the real AirBnB to sue.

Despite their similar-sounding names and acronyms, the two companies do wildly different things and cater to a rather starkly different clientele. Airbnb lets you rent different houses for short periods and market themselves for all people to use, while AirBFnBF lets you rent out different relationships for however you wish to be in them, and usually exclusively caters their services to gay men.

Here's how it works. Just like with Airbnb, you go into the app or on their website and you choose the place you want to stay at during the duration of your trip from the list of vacant places. Unlike AirBnB however, you also get to choose the people you want to become during your trip. You can customize whoever each party member becomes, and your relationship to and with each other. It’s a way for groups of people, though usually a couple, to try out different fantasies and sexual scenarios together.

What I believe must have happened was that one of your friends earnestly mistook the AirBFnBF app for the AirBnB app, and skipped the relationship settings page entirely because he didn’t understand what it was for what it was supposed to mean. Therefore, if he did do that, the app would have gone to a random fixed preset, which there aren’t a lot of for a group of three men.

I have a friend who works for AirBFnBF, and they told me you guys have probably been randomly assigned their most popular thresome preset: A Newlywed Throuple: consisting of a Hunk, a Muscle Daddy, and a Twunk. I know it sounds strangely specific, but you’d be surprised by just how many people love to use this one Throuple in particular.

You’re going to be in for a lot of surprises during these next two weeks. Including a new body, new memories, and a ludicrous amount of hot & steamy sex with your two new husbands. None of you will remember your true- selves until the two-week vacation rental is over. So until then, enjoy yourself!

That's what you’re supposed to do on a honeymoon after all. Your friends will probably be very confused when these two weeks are over. However, on the off chance they or you all enjoy being big gay hunks and having tons of hot & steamy sex with you or together, there is a permanent settlement option you can invoke. It cost a small fortune, but with how happy, hot, and horny the three of you are all acting together now, I'd bet anything you guys will make your money back in no time

[payblogs]

DARK SMS - DRAGON+ (2)

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, privacy and security have become paramount for individuals and businesses alike. Enter DarkSMS, your ultimate solution for secure, reliable communication. With a focus on providing virtual phone numbers for SMS, DarkSMS empowers users to maintain their anonymity while effortlessly receiving verification messages and engaging in private text exchanges. Our state-of-the-art text message service ensures that you can communicate confidently without compromising your personal information. Whether you're looking to streamline your business communications or protect your privacy during online transactions, DarkSMS offers a virtual SMS number tailored to meet your needs. 

Virtual Phone Number For SMS

A virtual phone number for sms is an innovative solution that allows users to send and receive text messages without the need for a traditional phone line. This service is especially beneficial for individuals and businesses aiming to enhance their communication strategies while maintaining privacy and flexibility. With the advent of digital communication, virtual phone numbers have become increasingly popular for various applications, including verification SMS and marketing campaigns.

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Additionally, many providers offer a range of features with their virtual SMS numbers, including message scheduling, automatic replies, and integration with third-party applications. These features enhance user experience and streamline communication efforts, making it easier than ever to engage with your audience.

In conclusion, investing in a virtual phone number for SMS can significantly improve your communication strategy. Whether you require it for sending verification SMS or for managing your text message service, the benefits of increased privacy, cost-efficiency, and advanced features make it a wise choice for both personal and professional use.

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One of the significant advantages of using a virtual SMS number for verification messages is that it prevents unwanted spam on personal devices and keeps personal communications confidential. Additionally, businesses can manage multiple virtual numbers, ensuring efficient handling of verification messages for various purposes—from customer registrations to secure transactions.

In conclusion, utilizing a virtual phone number for verification sms is not only beneficial for user privacy but also essential for maintaining the integrity of online interactions. Ensuring a seamless verification process with reliable text message services can significantly enhance user experience.

Text Message Service

A text message service is an essential tool in today's fast-paced digital world. It provides users with the ability to send and receive SMS messages efficiently, ensuring seamless communication at all times. Whether for personal uses, such as keeping in touch with friends and family, or business applications, where sending alerts, reminders, or promotional content becomes crucial, a reliable text message service can enhance connectivity.

Among the various options available, using a virtual phone number for SMS has gained popularity. These virtual numbers allow users to send and receive messages without the need for a physical SIM card, offering flexibility and privacy. Moreover, they are particularly beneficial for verification SMS when creating accounts on online platforms, as they help protect personal phone numbers from potential spam and unwanted contacts.

Another significant advantage of a text message service is its scalability. Businesses can easily manage bulk messaging campaigns, automating responses and engaging customers effectively. Such services often come with features like message tracking and analytics, which provide insights into the performance of SMS campaigns and help to refine messaging strategies.

In summary, a good text message service can bridge communication gaps, ensure authenticity through verification SMS, and enhance user experience with virtual SMS numbers. Investing in a robust text messaging solution is vital for anyone looking to improve their communication channels.

Virtual SMS Number

A virtual SMS number serves as an essential tool for individuals and businesses that require a reliable means of sending and receiving text messages without the need for a physical SIM card. These numbers are increasingly popular due to their numerous advantages, especially in a world where communication happens rapidly and often through digital mediums.

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In summary, adopting a virtual SMS number can streamline communication, boost privacy, and increase operational efficiency. It is a vital asset, especially for those utilizing a virtual phone number for SMS-related services, creating a seamless experience in today's interconnected landscape.

[beesmygod]

we can all look back on and laugh at this when im wrong, but it seems like social media in its current incarnation is dying an undignified and overdue death. it turns out throwing all of humanity into one room and expecting everyone to develop a single ethos was beyond insane conceptually and the artists who built their following on social media are probably in a tail spin right now. people jumping to bluesky are insane lol. did you forget jack dorsey is the idiot who got us into this mess in the first place. why would you choose to subject yourself to this shit again. for what purpose?

the stock answer i got was that "for discoverability/audience" and if that's true thats a problem. i've been hollerin about this to anyone who would listen prior to this but the customer base of twitter (and all social media) is its advertisers. they have not been shy from the start about that fact because its the only way they generate income, as far as i know. YOU (the user) are the product. YOU (still the user) are also what draws people to the site. there is not a social media website on earth that has figured out that making a good website (which would require hiring and paying for quality labor over an extended period of time) is more likely to result in economic success than exclusively courting the businesses whose interest is in making the website worse to use with ads. at no point were our interests ever a factor.

in fact, imo, the number of people following you is not an accurate representational sample of your audience. the reasonable assumption you should make is that the vast majority of numbers involved with any website (esp those with a vested interest in showing off big numbers to VC investors or advertising execs) are inflated or just outright fake. the numbers exist solely to drive you insane and make awful people happy. the numbers cause you and everyone around you to start spontaneously spawning myths about a beast called "the algorithm" that possesses the incredible traits of being both something you can game for success or blame for your failures. it coerces you into enacting out nonsense superstitions to try to counteract or appease it in the hopes of, let's be honest, breaking it big and going viral. this way, you, the creator, do not have to do the hard work of building up a rapport with an audience. none of this goes anything but adds more numbers for the ceos to look at and nod approvingly or disapprovingly at.

the people running the world today are, without exaggeration, cartoon villains. they are deeply stupid, devoid of empathy, and open about their intent to do deeply evil acts in order to further their economic interests. trying to derive some kind of financial benefit from the creations of these unapologetic losers was always bound to be a wasted effort. the best thing i can say about twitter, a website i was banned from countless times and returned to out of stubborn desire, was that i got to make some great jokes with friends and cause some chaos lol. letting people know i have a web comic was always a secondary function once the realization of what social media was turning out to be set in like 7 years ago. any artist who insists that you have to do this or that on this or that social media site is trying to drag you down into the quagmire of online numbers poisoning.

run away!!! children heed my advice!!! the joy of creation does not lie on a path that encourages you to cater to the lowest common denominators while casting your net. just fucking have fun with it. if its not fun then it wont even be fun to do financially anyway. and isnt that, like. the point.

[yaksha-lover]

may i request vil, idia, azul and malleus with a reader (reader is their s/o) that is yuu but decided to stay in twisted wonderland and in their second year at nrc they participated in the vdc singing bc, surprise, they have an amazing voice! (i have this thought that maybe they were also in the pop music club with kalim, cater and lillia)

after the vdc many companies contacted them and after graduating at nrc they became a really popular artist

basically the boys reaction to their s/o singing at the vdc and then becoming famous, how would they react and how would they support them

thanks for the request!! sorry i took some time with it! hope you enjoy :)

Vil

Vil probably knew you were a decent singer considering you were in the pop music club

But you’ve never really sang in front of him, so your performance at the VDC definitely takes him by surprise (in a good way)

He’s super happy for you when you start getting offers from recording labels and such

Although he would’ve helped you out with his own contacts in the industry if you’d wanted

He loves that you can relate to each other even more than before

Now you understand what it’s like to be a celebrity as well, both the good and bad, bringing you two closer together

He’s super proud of you and not afraid to show it, hyping you up on all his socials and surprising you with flowers after your concert performances

He’s also very protective of you, knowing how mean and judgemental people can be, and he’s not afraid to stand up for you whenever he can

You two are definitely the celebrity power couple that all the fans love and find super cute

Idia

As much as he didn’t want to go to a social event, Idia was willing to attend just to see you perform

He starts malfunctioning as soon as he hears you sing; he can’t believe he’s with someone so talented and amazing

He’s happy for your success and knows how much you deserve it, even though it can be hard for him considering his antisocial inclinations

He absolutely becomes your biggest fan, no exaggeration

He’s the first to buy all of your merch, wears it proudly and puts up posters of you in his bedroom

Idia is a bit insecure about dating someone so famous and talented and beautiful and kind and every other amazing things that you are

So you’ll need to reassure him sometimes that you still love him and that he’s good enough for you

He’s super shy when you talk about him in interviews, but secretly it makes him so happy for you to acknowledge him as your boyfriend

If you want it, he’ll even offer to help you out with things like editing for music videos or building a website for your brand

Will force himself to go to your concerts, as long as he can sit in the vip box alone with Ortho as the two of them cheer you on

Azul

The first time he hears you sing at the VDC, he’s of two minds about it

First and most obvious, he’s excited for this new opportunity for the both of you

Determined to help you get famous (not just so you can help promo his businesses)

Encourages you strongly when you start getting offers from companies

He’s also just very proud of you for how far you’ve made it just by yourself (you refused his resources, much to his dismay)

He does love how hard you work and truly feels you’re one of the only people who match his drive

At the same time

You’re his partner, and it’s hard for him to watch all these people thirst after you, once you become famous lmao

He loves you and it’s a bit difficult to feel like he has to share you with the rest of the world

Lowkey a bit scared that one day you’ll meet another cool celebrity and decide they’re a better match for you than an octopus

He’ll be okay once you reassure him that you’re not going anywhere

Azul supports you every step of the way, still taking time out of his busy schedule to come see you at your shows or making dinner reservations at his own restaurants

Malleus

Lilia would always speak of you being a great singer but Malleus had never actually heard you sing until the VDC

Immediately fell more in love (if that was even possible)

Your voice and demeanour were so captivating, you were truly lovely in that moment (not that you weren’t always in his mind)

He knows you’ll get offers from companies, he’s so sure of your talent and absolutely wants you to get all the recognition you deserve

He’s happy when your music starts to become more and more famous because people are finally seeing you as wonderfully he does

You deserve to be admired, as long as no one gets too close

No matter how famous you are, you’re still his after all - though few rarely test their luck with you, your boyfriend is Malleus Draconia after all

You’re quick to tell them off, anyway

Being busy with Briar Valley, Malleus doesn’t always have time to come see you in concert

But he does when he can, and he’s sure to make his visit extra special

You definitely become a beloved celebrity of Briar Valley, with all the people loving you as the royal consort, but also because of your talent and music

[stil-lindigo]

hi! since you seem to know a lot about great charities and organizations for palestine and gaza, and i was just wondering if you knew of any sites where you could by t-shirts/stickers/pins/etc that have funds that go directly to helping palestine?

if not, sorry for the question. have a good day.

hi anon - I think this post would be a really good start for you, and I also wanna say that I learn about a lot of resources like this by following @/fairuzfan, so I'd recommend you follow her as well.

I also wanna say that Welcome Merchant, for all my Australian followers, hosts a ton of Palestinian entrepeuners on their website, and that they have a pdf full of Palestinian-owned businesses in every state. A lot of the vendors do food and catering, some do clothes, some do design - this week (and afterwards of course) try to have a look and see if there's any business you might want to support!

[toskarin]

hey rin, a friend of mine enjoys composing music digitally and has a lot of respect for you as someone with more experience with that sort of thing. he has a hard time convincing the people around him to listen to the things he makes, in both the "finding an audience" way and "getting the people around him to give him their opinion on something he's working on way," and he wanted me to ask you if you could speak on your own experiences with those problems and how you've dealt with them. less related, he was also curious about your inspirations for the music that you make. i know this is a lot to cover, so if it would be easier for you to speak with him directly then please let me know

so I'll open by saying that, as far as people who can give good advice on this go, I'm probably not one of those. a lot of what I do only works because of some specific problems with my brain that are oddly adaptive to this sort of thing

that being said, this is a bit of the "tough love" kind of advice for surviving as an artist, so I'll make a second reblog for the second half of the question

this is either advice that will work or a ramble that will lead your friend to making his life unbearable, so look before you leap

-

The Easy Section, or "You've Gotta Be a Bit of a Tradie"

let's go over the business stuff quickly before I start rambling at length about the boring stuff

learn to love the work itself. "find a job you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life" is garbage, but creative work really is the one area where you should double down on this. kick back and bump your own album on release day, thinking about how every second of it is something that didn't exist before you put it together. this is what's gonna keep you above water when the wind is dead

get on bandcamp. there is nowhere better for small musicians right now. bandcamp is basically the last remaining website with an effective suggestion algorithm that caters to people who want to actively engage with music and buy it

consider getting on instagram. in the majority of places you're likely to live if you're reading this, the local music scene is on instagram. probably don't use your personal instagram for this

consider getting on soundcloud. you won't make sales through soundcloud, because it's a streaming-focused site (more on that in a moment) with a focus on passive listening, but it's pretty decent for networking, especially with digital music production. soundcloud is linkedin for deadbeats

stay off spotify. streaming generally isn't worth the trouble these days unless you're playing concerts or are otherwise already established. if you aren't uttering the words "you can find me on..." more than once a month, it's probably not worth pursuing a spotify presence to end that sentence with

self-promote. if you have platforms, use them. find the subreddit for your genre and post yourself on the self-promo day. consider posting some bandcamp album codes when you do this, not just so you can get word of mouth, but because someone having an album in their collection means you effectively have a permanent zero-cost advertisement for your music which will only show itself to people who are verifiably looking at something similar. companies pay dizzying sums for ads that couldn't dream of being this targetted. this is a big reason why bandcamp is THE place to be for small musicians

cross-promote and collab. work with your friends. if you don't have musician friends, go make some and then help each other out. "independent" music is a misnomer

blind yourself to the metrics. do not look at engagement metrics. pay them no mind at all. don't look at them unless you're trying to see how effective a specific, deliberate course of action was and already know what you want to find

remember that strangers are unknowable. people do things for arbitrary reasons. if you don't have someone giving you written feedback, don't make any assumptions at all about why they did something. skipped tracks and minimum-price pwyws mean nothing at all

present your stuff in a way that gives it context. why should someone care about your stuff? give them a reason. carve out an hour to really work on a nice album cover, go the extra mile and include track-by-track narrative with your dungeon synth album, or just describe what you're expecting people to buy. I firmly believe that NOMAD/VIRTUE was successful in large part because of its presentation

gimmick. gimmick gimmick gimmick. discount codes are more fun than automatic discounts, free album codes are more fun than free albums, contests are more fun than giveaways, so on so forth. lacking any physical goodies to bundle in, you should still endeavour to give people Something To Do that makes them feel like they're really engaging with your music

zero expectations, zero overhead. do not rely on the whims of complete strangers to justify whether or not you end up in the red. if you ever find yourself saying something like "I can afford to pay for a session musician because I'll just make it back" you can't afford to pay for a session musician. you're probably never getting bailed out if you eat a loss, so try not to put yourself in a situation where you can eat a loss to begin with

someone else's expectations, someone else's overhead. if someone else is paying you to make this music for a soundtrack or something, if (and ONLY if) you have the money in your hand and know you have it, you're no longer gambling. at this point, you can start to look at expenses as investment

now onto the less fun stuff. here's where I ramble for like an hour at you.

-

if there's one thing I've really had hammered in over my decade-odd as a somewhat commercial artist (in all the disciplines I've worked with, which is most of them), it's that you have to be a bit of a bitch about it sometimes

that nagging fear in the back of your head that you're annoying? it's stopping you from doing what you need to do: annoy people

with that being said, this next section is kind of...

The Rough Section, or "You've Gotta Be a Little Hard-headed"

at the end of the day, you'll often find that you are your only advocate, and that means you kinda have to get your foot slammed in a few doors if that means holding them open. this also unfortunately means that you've gotta convince yourself you're pretty good. you don't have to think you're great, but confidence is a trade skill

the last opinion people see before the first time consciously engaging with your work (which here means "the thing that primes them for how they feel about it") is yours

which brings us to the first uncomfy rule

absolutely no cutting yourself down before anyone else even gets a swing

you can be modest if you want (you don't have to), but you absolutely cannot prime people to see the flaws in your work. if 50% of people are discerning enough to notice a flaw, why make that number 100%? what do you gain from that?

if something isn't as finished as you'd have liked it to be, but you've pushed it out the door anyway (which you will sometimes have to do), you absolutely cannot prime people to consider it unfinished

if the thing is still being worked on, there's nothing wrong with being forthcoming about that, but the fastest way to make someone think of something as "inferior product" when they otherwise would never have reached that conclusion is by telling them it is

and that, of course, leads us into a bit of an inversion of the previous rule

absolutely do not take the majority of your validation from strangers

doing this is bad for a million reasons, but I see the worst of this in visual arts, where artists double down on what gets them the most engagements and lay themselves at the mercy of complete strangers who have no actual investment in them

of course, it's normal to desire validation and approval from people you respect, but if you put yourself in a position where it's possible to enter a negative feedback loop that crystallises into you no longer making art from the default response of neutral apathy from strangers, it's not a matter of when: it's going to happen to you one day

so what's the move here? spend 8 years making music you don't release like you're in a compressed time chamber? probably not. I did it that way, but I didn't get much out of it, so you probably won't either

the actual answer is that you've gotta network. you need an inner circle. you need people with shared interests so that you can gas each other's stuff up

just like everyone else, you need your friends

you need to have friends who care about you, about what you're doing, and you need to care about them and what they're doing

this is because, while self-confidence is important...

the majority of your external validation as an artist should come from your friends and peers, not strangers

it's important to have artist friends, because then you can encourage each other in ways that are personally meaningful, but having your friends behind you, whether or not they're musicians, is so incredibly important

if you're motivated exclusively by success, however you're choosing to measure that, what you're actually doing is forming a nightmarish parasocial relationship with the concept of a crowd. not even a real crowd! a fictional group that materialises when you've created "the conditions for success"

there is no such thing as a truly independent artist. if your understanding of artistic success requires competition against others, you're going to lose that competition and then explode (unfortunately common)

finding your audience as an artist (and mind you, art is a social field) is very much a process of networking, but it feels gross to say it that way, so I'll just leave that at "if you want to be known by others, you need to be willing to know others"

anyway, this doesn't really terminate in a complete sentiment. I was just transcribing a train of though

if I were to boil this down to a shorter, snappier answer that I could read comfortably read out, it'd be...

TL;DR

the process of finding an audience is so much less about actually finding one than it is about learning to create happily whether or not you have an audience. developing an audience is the largely incidental byproduct of long-term creative efforts coupled with self-advocacy and interpersonal networking

if you want to be found by a scene, you have to participate in a scene, and if you want to participate in a scene, you need to be in the scene. so on so forth

as stupid as it might sound when I put it into words, the truth is that you can't build any kind of audience in isolation. someone has to find you somehow, and it's a lot easier to be found if you're actually somewhere that people might look

[rootedinrevisions]

The Tribal Pull: Part 2

SUMMARY: Your internship with WWE continues and as it does you seem to be getting more and more attention from The Tribal Chief. But you're determined to stay focused on your career. No matter how hard he is to ignore

OTHER PART(S): PART 1 I PART 3

WARNINGS: None for this part.

WORD COUNT: 2.9k

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to the person who sent the request for this one! I hope you enjoyed the first part and enjoy this one as well! There will be one more part coming that I am currently working on finishing!

The weeks roll on, and you settle into your role at WWE with a growing sense of confidence. You’ve earned your place amongst the interns, handling tasks with precision and professionalism. More people are starting to know your name, but it’s the attention from Roman Reigns that you can’t quite ignore.

It starts with small things. At first, Roman addresses you only in passing, asking about an assignment or a quick check-in on something you’re working on. But then, the tone of these interactions begins to shift.

One afternoon, as you walk down the hallway, heading back to your office after grabbing a quick lunch, you notice Roman leaning against the wall near catering. He’s surrounded by his usual crew, Paul Heyman included, but instead of looking deep in conversation with them, his eyes are on you.

“Hey,” he calls out casually as you approach. “You surviving all the chaos around here?”

You blink, surprised at the question. “Yeah, I’m managing,” you reply with a smile, stopping briefly. “I’m used to the chaos by now.”

Roman smirks, his eyes flicking down to the cup of coffee in your hand. “If you need another one of those to get through the day, I know where the good stuff is.”

You chuckle lightly, unsure how to respond. It’s not unusual for coworkers to exchange light-hearted comments, but coming from him, there’s a weight behind the words that you can’t quite shake off. “I’ll keep that in mind,” you say politely, before excusing yourself and moving on.

But the light exchanges continue. At first, you chalk it up to Roman’s natural charisma—he’s friendly, sure, but he’s like that with everyone, right? You tell yourself it’s nothing, and try to push it from your mind. 

One day, you’re tasked with getting Roman’s signature on several 8x10 photos for an upcoming sale on the company’s website. You walk over to where he’s preparing for a segment and hand him the folder of photos.

“You need me to sign these?” Roman asks, raising an eyebrow as he flips through them.

“Yeah, just a few for the online store,” you reply, trying to keep things casual. “No rush. I know you’re busy.”

He looks up, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’ll take care of it. But next time, just come straight to me.”

You blink, confused. “Aren’t I already...?”

Roman leans back slightly, his eyes flicking over to Paul, who is in his usual spot nearby, scrolling through his phone. “Most people go through Paul. You don’t have to.”

His words hang in the air between you, carrying a subtle but undeniable shift in tone. Roman’s eyes are locked on yours, and for the first time, you can feel the full force of his attention on you. It’s not overwhelming, but there’s a weight to it that you can’t ignore.

“Okay,” you say slowly, unsure what to make of the sudden change. “Thanks.”

You leave the interaction puzzled, but you remind yourself to stay focused. You’re here to work. You don’t have time to analyze why Roman Reigns is treating you differently than everyone else.

The work requests continue—quick video shoots, promotional content, small tasks that require Roman’s involvement. Each time, he speaks to you directly, bypassing Paul completely. It feels odd at first, but you remind yourself that he’s just being efficient. He’s a busy man, after all. If he can cut out the middle man, the small tasks get done quicker.

But then, one day, things change.

It’s nearing midnight, and you’re about to head back to your hotel after another long day. You’re walking through the lobby when you spot Roman standing by the elevators, talking to one of his cousins. You consider just passing by, but as you near the entrance, he spots you and calls out.

“Hey,” he says, motioning for you to come over.

You hesitate for a moment but quickly remind yourself that it’s just Roman. It’s fine. You walk over, giving him a polite smile.

“Everything good?” he asks, his tone casual but still carrying that same weight that’s starting to become familiar. “You look like you’ve been working hard.”

You shrug lightly. “Just trying to stay on top of everything.”

Roman nods, watching you closely. There’s a moment of silence before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. “Listen,” he says, handing it to you. “Why don’t you take my personal number? In case you ever need anything.”

Your heart skips a beat. This is... not normal. “Oh, I—” You stammer, unsure how to respond. “I mean, I don’t want to overstep...”

“You’re not,” he says firmly, his tone leaving little room for argument. “Trust me. It’s easier this way. If something comes up, you can just text me directly.”

Your hand hesitates as you take the phone, quickly entering your number. You hand it back, your mind racing. He quickly sends you a text, and you feel your own phone vibrate when you receive the text.

Roman Reigns just gave you his personal number. You’re not sure how to feel about it.

On one hand, it’s an enormous gesture of trust and convenience—he’s making your job easier, and that’s a good thing. But on the other hand, there’s a part of you that can’t ignore the implications. Why would he give you, an intern, such direct access to him when everyone else goes through Paul? Even some of the upper management roles still had to go through Paul to communicate with Roman. Even the General Managers. Hell, even Triple H still had to go through Paul to set up meetings with Roman.

You can feel his eyes on you as you hand the phone back, and for a moment, you wonder if he knows exactly what you’re thinking.

“Thanks,” you say, keeping your tone as professional as possible. “I’ll only use it for work-related things.”

Roman smirks, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “You can use it for whatever you want.”

The words send a chill down your spine, but you force yourself to stay composed. You give him a polite nod, then excuse yourself and head for the exit.

As you walk back to your hotel room, your mind races. Roman’s interest in you is becoming clearer, but you can’t afford to let yourself get distracted. You’re here for your career, not for complicated relationships—especially not with someone like Roman Reigns. There’s an undeniable attraction, sure. But the age gap, the potential gossip, the implications of getting involved with someone so powerful in the company—it’s all too much to risk.

And yet, as you walk down the quiet hallway, you can’t help but glance at your phone, wondering what would happen if you let yourself cross that line.

The weeks continue, and you try your best to focus on your work, on staying professional. You keep telling yourself that Roman’s attention is nothing to worry about—that he’s just being friendly, that it doesn’t mean anything. But deep down, you know that something is shifting between the two of you, and it’s getting harder to ignore.

It starts with small things—things you convince yourself don’t matter. A touch on your shoulder when he passes by, the way he stands a little too close during conversations. It’s subtle enough that you can pretend it’s innocent, but there’s a current underneath every interaction that makes your heart race.

One afternoon, you’re backstage, working on logistics for an upcoming show. You’re engrossed in your clipboard, making notes on schedules and checking off tasks when you feel someone’s presence behind you. You turn around, surprised to see Roman standing there, much closer than you expected.

“Hey,” he says, his voice low and warm. “You look like you’re working too hard.”

Your breath catches for a moment, but you force yourself to smile, keeping your tone light. “Just trying to stay on top of things.”

Roman’s eyes flick to your clipboard, but instead of stepping back, he leans in slightly, his arm brushing against yours. The touch is casual, but it sends a shiver down your spine. “You’re doing more than that. People are noticing how good you are at this.”

You swallow, trying to ignore how close he is. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”

His gaze lingers on you for a moment longer, and you can feel the air between you shift. There’s something unspoken in the way he’s looking at you, something that makes your heart beat a little faster.

Roman doesn’t move away. Instead, he leans in just a fraction more, his hand resting lightly on your shoulder. “I mean it,” he says softly. “You’re really standing out.”

The warmth of his hand through your shirt makes it hard to concentrate, and for a moment, you’re frozen. It’s not like he’s being overtly inappropriate, but the way he’s looking at you, the way his touch lingers—it’s making it hard to keep up your walls. You glance around quickly, hoping no one else is paying attention to this interaction, but Roman doesn’t seem concerned.

You clear your throat, stepping back just slightly to put some distance between you. “Well, I have a lot to do before the show tonight,” you say, trying to shift the conversation back to something professional.

Roman just smiles, a knowing look in his eyes. “I’m sure you do,” he says, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. He lets you slip away, but as you walk off, you can still feel his gaze following you.

Over the next few days, Roman’s behavior becomes more daring. It’s subtle, but you notice it. The way he stands close enough that you can feel the heat of his body, the way his eyes linger a little too long on you when you talk, and the compliments that are starting to feel more personal than professional.

“You look good today,” he says one evening as you pass him backstage. His eyes sweep over you briefly, and it’s not just a casual remark—it feels like a quiet acknowledgment of something more. “That color suits you.”

You try to brush it off with a polite smile, but the compliment sticks with you long after the interaction ends. It’s the kind of thing that would make anyone’s heart skip a beat, and you’re no exception.

Despite your best efforts to remain focused, you can’t help but notice how often Roman seems to find his way into your path. Whether it’s backstage at an event, during a lunch break, or even in the hotel lobby late at night—he’s always there. Always watching.

One evening, after a particularly long day, you find yourself in the hotel lobby, waiting for an elevator to take you to your room. The doors open, and as you step inside, you see Roman coming from the other side of the hallway, heading straight for the elevator. Your pulse quickens as he slips in just before the doors close, standing next to you in the small, enclosed space.

“Late night?” he asks, his voice low as he glances at you.

“Yeah,” you reply, trying to keep things casual. “A lot of work to get done.”

Roman chuckles softly, leaning against the wall of the elevator. “You always seem to be working hard.”

“It’s an internship. I’m trying to make the most of it,” you say, shrugging lightly. But even as you speak, you can feel the tension in the air between you, thick and heavy.

Roman shifts slightly, his arm brushing against yours in the confined space. The touch is small, but it sends a jolt of awareness through you. You glance up at him, and for the briefest of moments, your eyes meet. There’s something in the way he’s looking at you, something that makes your heart race and your breath catch in your throat.

The elevator dings, breaking the moment, and you quickly step out, relieved to have an excuse to walk away. But as you head toward your room, you can’t shake the feeling that Roman is watching you, his presence lingering in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the door behind you.

Over the next few days, Roman’s subtle flirtations become harder to ignore. He finds reasons to talk to you, to stop you in the hallway or backstage. His compliments grow more personal, and the way he looks at you leaves little doubt that he’s interested in more than just a professional relationship.

“You’ve been killing it lately,” he tells you one afternoon as you pass him backstage. “Everyone’s been talking about how hard you work.”

“Thanks,” you reply, keeping your tone polite, but distant. You can’t afford to get caught up in whatever this is. You’re here for your career, not for Roman Reigns. “Just trying to do my job.”

Roman smirks, his eyes locked on yours. “You’re doing more than just your job.”

There’s a flicker of something in his gaze—something that makes your heart race even though you know you should be pulling away. But despite your best efforts to keep your distance, you can feel the chemistry between you growing stronger with every interaction. It’s intoxicating, the way he looks at you, the way he makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room when he speaks to you.

But you can’t let yourself get distracted. You’re here to learn, to grow in your field, to land a good job after this internship ends. Getting involved with someone like Roman Reigns—especially with all the rumors and whispers that would surely follow—is a risk you can’t afford to take.

Still, as you walk away from yet another charged encounter with Roman, you can’t help but wonder how much longer you’ll be able to resist the pull between you.

* * * * *

It’s been another long day, and by the time you make it back to the hotel, exhaustion is setting in. The events, the logistics, managing talent—it’s all starting to blur together. All you can think about is getting into your room, changing into something comfortable, and finally relaxing.

You walk through the hotel lobby, eyes on the elevator ahead, your pace quickening with the thought of some well-deserved rest. The ding of the elevator arriving makes you pick up your steps, but as the doors slide open, your breath catches.

Roman is inside.

He’s standing at the back, his arms crossed casually over his chest, his dark eyes locking onto you the second you step into the elevator. You give a polite nod, pressing your floor button as the doors close. The tension is instant, palpable. You can feel the energy in the small space shift as Roman leans slightly against the wall, watching you in that quiet, confident way he always does.

“Long day?” he asks, his deep voice filling the silence.

“Yeah,” you reply, keeping your tone light. “Pretty typical for this job.”

Roman chuckles softly, his gaze never leaving you. “You’ve been handling it like a pro.”

You smile politely, grateful for the compliment but trying to stay focused. The last thing you need is another charged conversation with him, not when you’re already battling with the undeniable chemistry between you. “Just doing my best.”

There’s a pause, and the elevator hums quietly as it ascends. Roman shifts slightly, and when he speaks again, his tone is different—lower, more personal. “You know,” he says, “I gave you my number weeks ago, but you’ve only used it for work.”

Your eyes flick to his, surprised by the shift in the conversation. “What else would I use it for?”

The question comes out before you can think, and the second it does, you regret it. Roman’s lips curve into a knowing smile, and he pushes off the wall, taking a step closer to you. He’s close enough now that you can feel the heat of his body, the faint scent of his cologne filling the small space.

“I can think of a few things,” he says smoothly, his voice carrying that unmistakable confidence. His eyes stay locked on yours, as if he’s daring you to ask for more.

Your breath catches in your throat, and for a moment, you’re stunned, unsure how to respond. The elevator feels suddenly too small, too intimate. Your mind races, trying to process his words, the weight of his gaze, the unspoken meaning behind what he’s suggesting.

Before you can find your voice, the elevator dings, signaling its arrival at his floor. Roman steps back, the intensity of the moment breaking as he turns toward the doors. But before he steps out, he glances back at you, his eyes lingering for just a second longer.

“Goodnight,” he says softly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, knowing smile.

And with that, he’s gone. The doors slide shut, leaving you alone in the elevator, heart racing, mind spinning.

You stand there for a moment, replaying the conversation in your head, trying to make sense of what just happened. Roman’s confidence, his directness—it left you momentarily stunned, and now, as the elevator continues its climb to your floor, you can’t help but feel the undeniable pull between you growing stronger.

You swallow hard, telling yourself to stay focused, to remember why you’re here. But as you step out of the elevator and walk down the hallway toward your room, you can’t shake the thought of Roman’s words—the way he said them, the way he looked at you.

It lingers with you long after you close your door, settling into the quiet of your room, the tension simmering just beneath the surface.

[foldingfittedsheets]

Since you've worked in sex shop(s) I figured you would be someone that would know(?), but how would you find a good/trustworthy sex shop?

I don't want to just waltz into some side of the road sketchy place, (unless those are typical I don't really know)

Ideally, they have a website. Most reputable places have websites that have sex toys across a large range of price points. If the store only caters to porn mags and DVDs with a small wall of toys they’re not gonna have much else on offer aside from that.

Shops can still vary. I was recently pretty disappointed with an experience at a shop I expected to have better service. We went to a different location of the same business and it a was night and day improvement in product knowledge and customer service. So sometimes you get lucky and others you just hope for the best.

[bearcapitalventureslimited]

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