#customer service is something where you never know what to expect with the next person | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

leohtttbriar · 1 year ago

Text

not done thinking about the impact of this decision to go back in time, within in the story--the drama, the implications, the existentialist commitment--so i wrote out a possible version of the letter jadzia records for her mother, right before they switch the helm to auto-pilot (metaphorically and actually).

To my mother:

I am sorry--for my incoherence. I normally have a script for this sort of thing, but today the scripts are lost. Maybe because now everything has already been scripted, in an impossible loop. So for this, I’m expressing some unique regrets. This is the message you never hoped you would get--a message you never hoped you would get that you will enjoy far less than that message you never hoped you would get. For that and many other reasons, I am of course sorry. I don't have long. But really, I have so much time and I do not want it. (Actually, I’m sorry for saying that. I want my time in life, I promise. I am sorry for causing you pain.)

Aren’t I just sorry about so many things, now? If I could look at myself from the outside, I would even venture to call myself pathetic. Perhaps that’s what Yedrin sees—the girl who couldn’t save her friend, the girl who couldn’t move on, the girl who is now him, the girl who caused this whole nightmare to begin with.

(I expect the mission briefing being transmitted with all our farewell missives will explain who Yedrin is for you. And what it is I have done.)

The fact is, mother, I am still alive. I am just in a place where you can’t reach me. Time is trapping me, as well as several thousand promises in the shape of people. They want to live and Kira wants them to live so now I will go back to ensure it. I will do what has been reported of their history to ensure that history is written. I will marry Worf and bear countless children and when I do eventually die a generation from now, Dax will go on to another—as is custom. So you see, I am still alive and will remain so long after you read this.

What should I even ask you to mourn, is the question. I’m already mostly absent from your life, at least physically. If I were not to go on this journey back in time, I would still be so far away from you, by so many light-years, that by relative standards we would still be separated by time. Distance is time and time is space—when dealing with quantities like this. Me in a starship, you home… listening to a message I recorded for you a month ago about some organic stone that grows like a plant. (I am sorry, that you have been even for a moment an afterthought to my curiosity. Or maybe I’m not sorry, for still I’ve been gone. Caring more about stones than anything else.) My being on this planet and deliberately stranding myself two hundred years in the past is hardly going to change the status quo, excepting a handful of visits.

Yet, I am sorry. I’m sorry, too, for even trying to pretend like this isn’t the end of something. You will probably not be satisfied to know I’m doing this in service to others. I personally can’t think you selfish for preferring your daughter in the same instantaneous slice of time. But I won’t waver from this, now that it’s decided.

It’s the end of Kira’s life and it is also the end of mine. You’ll accuse me of being dramatic, but I have no intention of labeling this next performance as something as wild and unique and fresh and interesting and fun as life. There’s no real death to it, either—for someday I am will come stumbling down onto this planet again and start this letter to you over once more. Maybe.

Do you remember when I told you about the proto-universe that we had to set back in the wormhole? You said it reminded you of working with delicate coral polyps in your garden, making sure there are enough of them upon each branch, that they are flowering and not crowding, that they are able to eat. That has stayed with me for longer than you know—the image of great dark-energy corals, holding little polyp universes on their colorful bones. And your work, it is something mundane, humble—you’ll call me elitist for saying so—but it’s true. Also true is the fact that I do not wish to do humble work, even if it is beautiful like your garden. I like gardens to stay where I can think about them—in the dark—not where I have to do the digging myself, where the digging is just for planting and not for studying. You’ll say again I’m elitist for drawing that distinction. But my place is in a lab, hitting my head on a fume-hood and taking my time stirring a solution with my glass-stirrer. Because I like the sound it makes against the beaker.

I will think of your coral garden for the rest of my life. I will think of Trill and its amethyst ocean and skies and grass. I will think of my dear father and sister and, of course, you, mother. I hope you will think of me too, doing something different than planting crops: maybe living a life off-planet, discovering a smart fungus that would make father scrunch his nose in distaste…and make you smile.

I would give so many things to return to you. But, alive or not, I am now lost.

I will try to be happy—I have been assured I will find some happiness, even if now it is hard to comprehend. And I’ll play the stone-tossing games, that you taught us when were little, with my own inevitable children. We’ll do what you always showed us how to do. We’ll have a lot of fun.

Your daughter, Jadzia.

#i know first person pov fic is considered cringe but i wanted to write the letter goddamnit #had to work out some thought i had #ds9 #star trek #jadzia dax #children of time

63 notes · View notes

catszu · 8 months ago

Text

Writing Random Prompts Until I Improve

A forgotten well granted wishes, at a price

In his village, there was a legend: those who seek the Well that grants any wish, no matter low or large, would bear the consequence of their selfish aspirations.

Unfortunately for Atsumu, he was a dreamer amongst a clan of pragmatics. If it wasn’t for the overall wellness of the clan, a personal dream was no more than an intricate fallacy in which its fruition would cause havoc.

The Inarizaki clan needed dreams as little as they did memories.

He tried to live within the bounds of his clan's expectations and customs. There was no person more honorable than the clan head, Kita Shinsuke. He led the clan with compassion and selflessness. Atsumu couldn’t recall a time in which he acted in service of himself. His heart was soft but his spirit and resolve were ironclad.

So naturally, Atsumu fell in love, fast and hard, unable to stop despite his brother’s forewarnings. They all grew up together. He, Osamu, Suna, and Kita plucked herbs together, dug the earth for crops, and climbed trees to their highest peaks. They promised each other to see the world, to know its secrets. Atsumu promised to lead them all to the extraordinary. It was easy to imagine how he and Kita could be together.

When the day came to tell Kita of his budding love, Atsumu wasn’t even remotely nervous.

His confidence was short-lived.

“Atsumu, I am so sorry. I do not feel the same.”

Kita laid a gentle hand on his shoulder with a kind squeeze. It was almost worse that there was true sympathy in his eyes as he crushed Atsumu’s heart within the delicate folds of his grip.

The pain was agonizing and he spent weeks unable to leave the den, only eating or drinking the nutrients that his brother forced down his throat.

Soon after, Kita got married to Ojiro Aran, an heir of a neighboring clan. It was a happy occasion, the entirety of the clan celebrated with a festival that lasted three days.

It was then that Atsumu decided that he could no longer live with the crippling burden of a broken heart.

He searched for the well the next day. He would have a single wish: to force his heart to forget, never to allow love to bloom again.

He told nothing to his brother and Suna, leaving in the dark when the moon was at its peak. He brought only a single packed bag that was slung carelessly over his shoulder. It was said in the legend that the wishing well sat in the brush just before the mountain.

It was shrouded under foliage so dense that you’d miss it 99 times out of 100. There was magic within these forests and the closer one got to the well, the thicker the energy swelled. As the story is told, the only way to find the well is to become hopelessly lost. It acted as a great ward so that many would not abuse the power that the well held.

Atsumu aimlessly wandered through the forest, knowing that if he could find the well, it would be as the well desired, not as he chose. Eventually, when he was well and truly lost, he stumbled over something hard. He skinned his knee and both palms were rubbed raw from catching himself, dirt and debris embedded into his skin.

He rubbed the blossoming sore spots with a frown as he surveyed the ground for what tripped him. He caught sight of pale cobblestone covered in layers of dark moss. Atsumu brushed the moss away, uncovering a single aged stone with directions carved into the side.

He who seeks the grace of the well shall look no further, for it is upon him. Search thineself for what you desire and it will appear.

Atsumu read it twice, then a third time. He picked up the stone and turned it over in his palm. It was abnormally heavy and smooth to the touch. He grazed his fingers over the etching in the stone with curiosity.

The stone said that the well was here but he saw nothing. Perhaps it was a kind of key?

He searched the surrounding area, looking for any clue. He hadn’t been paying attention to where he walked, only that it was somewhere between the foothills of the mountain and his home in the plains. First, he noticed the trees. They were tall, with thick trunks and far-reaching branches that allowed very little light to spill between, encompassing the earth in darkness. Next, he noticed where his hand was touching the earth, his fingers came away with damp soil clinging to him. While the air was thick with humidity, there was no evidence that it had rained recently in the surrounding foliage. It could only mean that there was water underneath the soil, keeping it moist even without rain.

Atsumu weighed the rock in his hand, bouncing it up and away from his palm several times before catching it and slamming it into the earth. The moment it struck the ground, the thud vibrated the ground beneath. The letters carved into the white stone began to glow.

He stumbled backward, pushing away from the glowing rock as he shielded his eyes from the light. The ground rumbled beneath him as if he was enduring an earthquake.

As the shaking stopped, all the noises around him of the flora and fauna became eerily quiet. There was not a sound, no cricket or bird, not even the sound of the leaves rustling. When Atsumu dared to crack his eyes open, he realized he was no longer on the forest floor, but in a deep and wide-set cavern.

The walls were covered in brightly colored murals. They painted a picture of creatures that Atsumu had never seen before. Some were human-shaped, with familiar bodies and faces to his own, yet their lower half was that of a fish. Each figure was languidly draped across rocks, holding the hands of kneeling figures. Human, like himself.

Atsumu's heart beat rapidly within his chest and his fingers trembled where they dug into the ground underneath him. When he looked past the murals, he saw the Well. Except, that it was more a fountain than a Well.

The pool was wide, with water cascading into it from the ceiling of the cavern. There were flowers everywhere. It looked otherworldly, like he was transported to another universe. Perhaps he was. Atsumu got to his feet, careful not to trample the array of colorful flowers leading to the pool.

The water was so clear, it was like looking into glass. Atsumu’s curious reflection stared back at him. He was afraid to touch it, to disturb the serenely still waters. He couldn’t see the bottom, just the reflection of the cavern ceiling against the surface. In the legend, there were no instructions on what to do once you actually found the Well, so Atsumu was left hesitating. He had nothing to offer, only mere dreams and a broken heart.

It dawned on him suddenly that he could not ask the Well for such a gift, with nothing in return. Perhaps that is why there were dire consequences. People would come, with desires racking their hearts, encroaching on their vision, and diminishing their character. He who would disturb the beauty of the Well, would only do so in his own self interest.

With a heavy sigh, Atsumu stepped back from the well. He sat upon the shore with his head in his hands. He made the journey here, and to what end? He would go back and watch the person he loved make a life with another. Everyone he knew had a partner or a purpose.

Atsumu had nothing.

“You won’t make a wish?”

With wide eyes, Atsumu shot his head up from where it rested in his palms. There in the middle of the pool was a man with coal black eyes with hair just the same. His skin was so pale it was pearlescent and covered in inky black moles. Two, most notably, sat right above his brow, one after the other. He was the most beautiful individual that Atsumu had ever laid eyes on.

“Who are ya?” Atsumu asked, quelling the urge to reach out and trace a wet curl where it dropped on the creature's forehead.

“Who are you?” The stranger parroted, moving closer to the shoreline that Atsumu sat at. “Who I am is irrelevant, will you wish or won’t you?” He placed a wet hand on the shoreline, his fingers the same shade of pale as the rest of him, sin the gray webbing between his fingers. His nails were human, as were the length of the arm it was attached to. Yet, he was too beautiful to be anything but magical.

“Are ya one of the creatures on the wall?”

Atsumu thought back to the beautiful humanoid figures painted just behind him, he wished to see more of the person before him, to see if he too had a tail like the others.

The creature stayed silent, viewing him warily with those starry black eyes. It did not blink, nor did it move. It simply watched Atsumu, assessing him.

It took him several long moments to realize that the creature was waiting for an answer. “Ah, sorry fer wasting yer time. I guess you’d be the guardian of a place like this? Should have figured.” Atsumu ran a hand through his hair, probably leaving smudges of dirt through his blonde locks as he did so. “Don’t ya worry. I did come here to make a wish, but I won’t. It’d be selfish.”

“Human’s do not care if they are selfish.” The creature responded, boredom laced in his tone. Whatever this being was, it did not think kindly of humans.

“Well, this one does.” Atsumu assured, slowly pushing farther away from the shore.

The creature followed him, dragging the bulk of itself onto the shore with half of its torso exposed. “You earned your arrival, wish like everyone else does. Only fortune can judge the weight of your selfishness. Your consequence will be just.”

“I had a change of heart, alright? Can ya just tell me how to get out of here an’ i’ll be out of yer pretty hair in no time.”

The creatures brows rose, clearly confused at Atsumu’s insistence to leave without making a wish. “No human is without desire, make a wish.” It demanded.

“‘Course I have desires, but i don’t hafta act on everythin’ I want. ‘S’not that important anyway. I’ll be fine eventually.” Atsumu stands then, dusting off his legs before rising to his full height. From above he could see that he was right, this creature is one of the beings painted on the wall. His tail was dark, black like midnight, but it shimmered lightly as it lazily swished underneath the water. The fan of the tail was large and thin, it elegantly swayed with the creature’s movement.

“You are not like the others.” The creature commented.

Atsumu frowned. “Nah, I’m the same as every other human. I came here for the same reason as everyone else. ‘M not better just cause I chickened out at the last moment.”

The creature looked at him inquisitively for a moment before pulling all the way onto the shore. Atsumu was wrong. The tail was not black like the creature's hair, but a deep blue. He wanted to touch it. Would it be scaly like a trout? Smooth with the direction of the scales but rough going against it? Atsumu desperately wanted to ask the creature so many questions about it, how old it was, if there were more like it. If all of them were as beautiful. If it were human, the top half of the creature’s body was starkly similar to that of a human male, but there was no telling how things worked for a magical being.

“Why?” The creature asked.

Why what? Atsumu thought. He was deeply entrenched in admiring the individual before him and couldn’t seem to recall what the creature would be asking about.

“Sorry.” Atsumu relented, “I don’t remember what we were talkin’ about.”

The creature rolled their eyes, which Atsumu found hilarious because it seemed like an extremely human thing to do. He wondered if the creature had known of other humans besides him, or if his judgment of them was like Atsumu: based purely on legend.

“Why did you ‘chicken out,’ as you say?”

“I got nothin’ ta give. Nothing that’d be worthy of receiving any gift given by the Well.”

“The trade is made complete by the consequence. So long as you are willing to endure the price, you owe nothing before your request.”

Atsumu smiled. “That’s why I’m a coward. I wouldn’t want to endure the consequences, especially not at the price of disturbing somethin’ this amazin’.” He gestured to the environment, the astounding beauty of it all. “I could never give anythin’ of worth to a place like this so I don’t have a right to take anythin’ from it either.”

The creature hummed, low and melodic–contemplative. “Change your wish then.”

“Why d’ya want me to make a wish so bad?” Atsumu asked, more than a little suspicious. An alluring pretty face and magical to boot, he wondered if this was a sort of test.

The creature continued. “If it is the consequence you are worried about, do not ask something large. If you ask for something small, the Well will grant you with it and the related consequence would be miniscule.”

Atsumu was struck by a realization then. “Oh.” He said. “I hafta make a wish ta leave, don’t I?”

The creature merely nodded.

“Alright then.” Atsumu thought for a moment before deciding. “I wish ta know what your name is.” He said, smiling brightly as he took in the stricken expression on the creature's face. The water of the pool rippled the moment the words left his lips and a sudden wind whirled around him. He heard the faint sound of whispers in a language he did not know. It sounded archaic as it reached his ears, like an ancient song being spoken. Suddenly, a name popped into his mind, as if the knowledge had always been there and he just remembered it.

Kiyoomi

All at once, the cavern walls trembled and Atsumu watched with reverence as the murals split apart, revealing a staircase.

Kiyoomi gestured to the stairs. “There. It will lead you to the forest. Pick a direction and walk, it will guide you home.”

Atsumu gaped at him. “What about my consequence?” he asked. He took stock of his body. He felt fine, physically. His heartbreak from before was still present, although muted by his shock.

Kiyoomi only offered him a small smile, his dark eyes shaped like crescents as he spoke. “It is mine as much as it is yours, for we will not see each other again so easily.”

He watched him go, slipping beneath the waters as it turned from glass to a murky shade of brown.

Atsumu walked the long distance in the forest towards home, thinking only of the creature from the Well. A punishment indeed, for all he thought about was seeing Kiyoomi once more.

#writer stuff #sakuatsu #i kinda wanna make this a series #oopsie #creative writing

9 notes · View notes

ubike-official · 2 days ago

Text

hi besties, uhhh bf update. God he is a completely different person w/me now. we were both in restrained customer service mode up until recently and now have both blossomed which is wow. love is real...

tidbits under the cut

so, as i speculated, hes def got something going on gender / sexuality wise. He told me last night he really likes to crossdress. And i was Not Surprised whatsoever bc yea... it tracks. And I just told him I'm bi, its cool regardless of how you view ur gender. Every one of my friends thought he was pretty feminine to begin with and that i was not beating the "lesbian trying to make it work with a man" allegations. I told him this, he just laughed and agreed that yea. its on purpose. He knows and likes to look cute which i whole heartedly support. I can't wait till he can come over and i dress him in my clothes and do his hair and makeup. It'll be great. He didn't clarify where it fully stemmed from besides wanting to feel pretty. but i dont think he himself knows if this is just an interest or smth deeper and thats fine. ill just support.

NSFW!!!

we didnt fuck but we've done sexual things. I did not expect it to go so well. i thought I'd be more hesitant as i am very reserved. ofc i have a sex drive i just handle it on my own. But yea, we were in the back of his car like humping with clothes on, he like fingered me over my underwear, feeling each other up, i was trying to jack him off over his underwear and missed it so i just grabbed his dick skin on skin which tbh i never expected myself to ever want to do that ever but no, yea. totally fine. enjoyable. He is SO Sensitive. its honestly so cute. Like sir, i am Just touching your back, why are you writhing like that and moaning into my ear ... have some decorum? uhh but ofc i loved it and kept going and yea. That sound is never leaving me. I had No Clue 4 months ago the guy who didnt even shake my hand on the first date would be moaning in my ear that he loves me. Thats craaaazy. Best Timeline though. We did this twice. The first time was in a daiso parking lot bc we needed to grab a present for his friend and after him doing all that, we composed ourselves and we So Normal inside the daiso. it was SOOO funny. Like damn, we're so good at customer service mood. its crazy.

i think he's lowkey got like oral fixation. I uh was messing around and was having him play bite my finger and then he took my thumb and sucked on it like He Knew What He Was Doing.... i never confirmed that all his past relationships were with women. He has never once used pronouns for any of them. honestly.... i have a feeling he's probably been with a guy at least once. But yeah,

We'll eventually do this right next time I'm home alone. he's never home alone and his parents are insane. Said getting each other off only ended bc his mom called. it was SOOO funny. we like instantly got off each other the second we heard the phone. it was SO synchronized. But yea, I'm loving it. We really really like each other. This relationship is so lesbian coded. Both bc well... it looks like it and also like he's already asking me "is it bad I'm thinking of ways to move in together? how many cats do you want?" like HAH GAAAY it's gonna be great. i found my person.

2 notes · View notes

mewmedic · 8 months ago

Text

A Deal with the Devil

Someone on the Lolita fashion subreddit asked what we can do about newbies who do not know how to find clothes outside of (the well documented scam site) Devil Inspired. I wrote the following in response and thought it was worth cross posting here.

To be very blunt: most people are too illiterate to read pinned posts (even though that should just be basic reddit etiquette) and too lazy to move their eyes to the area of their screen where there is a link to a guide that answers their questions. You can't fix stupid at a certain point, once people get stuck in their ways.

Really, the only action we could do would be to change the subreddit banner image at the top to say "PLEASE DON'T BUY FROM DEVIL INSPIRED. READ A GUIDE ON HOW TO BUY FROM TAOBAO." We probably need a pinned post saying the same thing in the title, with an explanation of taobao in the body and links to some guides. That may be absurd, but I truly think its the only bullet we have left in the chamber. Even then, most people will ignore it. It really sucks that this subreddit has become the Devil Inspired Customer Service Hotline.

There are just too many people (some millennials but especially zoomers) who lack the ability to use the internet properly. With the "enshittification" of google, people now expect human beings on reddit to answer every single one of their lingering thoughts. But let's be real, the "let me google that for you" situation existed for a decade before google started to suck. Devil Inspired is the first result when googling lolita fashion because they pay to have good SEO and be at the top. Most people are not internet savvy enough to google "[store name] scam" or "[storename] alternatives" when they encounter a new store online. That's not even getting into Devil Inspired shoving sponsor bucks down influencer's throats so they can vomit advertisements back out onto their naive audience.

I understand why a normal western person would know nothing about taobao. However, anyone with intermediate internet experience should be able to tell that Devil Inspired does not manufacture the clothes they sell. No one makes that wide of a variety of styles that quickly, plus the wide variety in photography styles (and they sometimes forget to hide the original store's watermark.) Next, they should know to reverse google image search photos from Devil Inspired's catalogue. Their last resort should be to go to the "find this dress" pinned post on this subreddit. Then, if they discover there that the dress is from a taobao store they could just google "how to buy from taobao." But they don't do any of these things because the average internet user does not know they can.

Just a few days ago we had some one here ask to be spoonfed information about gothic lolita, something they could easily find themselves. When some one kindly gave them a link to the lolita wiki, the OP had the nerve to complain because they don't like Fandom wikis. I fucking hate Fandom and have a personal beef with them, but I wouldn't complain about being spoonfed information for free from there. That person will never comprehend why people created fandom wikis in the past and they definitely won't understand why it's very hard to leave Fandom wikis. I am including this recent experience to illustrate why Devil Inspired is not the only problem here, people's attitudes just plain suck some times.

TLDR: We are fighting an unwinnable battle against people's illiteracy, refusal to learn, and Devil Inspired's fat stacks of marketing cash.

#Lolita #Lolita Fashion #EGL #jfashion #Devil Inspired #Elegant Gothic Lolita

8 notes · View notes

lucysweatslove · 2 years ago

Text

Well tonight sucked.

I don’t know what bee has flown up my sister’s bonnet but she has been… very volatile lately? Oreo pawed at Rob this evening- his way of communicating he wants to snuggle on his belly- and it was so cute my husband sent it to the group chat with me and my sister. My sister said something in jest about how we should just anticipate his needs and not make him communicate. I was joking back about how he likes communicating with us instead of having us make hasty assumptions. This got into a debate about communicating needs and desires vs anticipating them. Personally, I like when communication is direct and have no issues directly communicating expectations. My sister was saying most people want you to anticipate their needs so they don’t have to communicate.

Now in my experience, this isn’t true. Most people I have worked with do NOT like when you make an assumption and then make a choice based off of that assumption without consultation, because it could be incorrect. They like when you are thinking and anticipating a desire, but not when you strip them of the final choice (or, the choice to make the final choice). My experience is that the people who get mad at you for NOT assuming and then acting on said assumption without consultation are typically the people who would be mad at your for making those same assumptions on another day if the assumption wasn’t accurate.

Example, some customers brings in their own bags regularly for groceries. If the cashier asks, “would you like us to use your own bags today?” most people wouldn’t be angry at all, and will just say yes. They may register that the cashier remembered them and their bagging preferences. But let’s say there is a customer who gets annoyed that the cashier had to ask. Fast forward to the next week, and the customer usually brings in their own bags. If the cashier asks, “would you like us to use your own bags today?” most people wouldn’t be annoyed and just say no, I forgot my bags, [paper/plastic/a box] is fine instead. But, if the cashier assumed the customer had their own bags and didn’t, the customers on average will feel a little more annoyed. And the same customer who was pissed a week ago that the cashier asked would be among the most pissed that the cashier didn’t ask. Because for that customer, they want their needs anticipated no matter what, without communicating it, so anytime you may get it wrong, they’re going to be mad. But it is IMPOSSIBLE to know 100% of the time without any further communication.

When I shared MY experience, my sister decided to deride my experiences.

I have been in the workforce longer than she has, as I started working in college (she hadn’t). I worked at a grocery store doing “store support” which was, at its core, mostly customer service. I did a LOT of cashiering. We had boxes, not bags. Many brought their own reusable bag. Many were regulars. Sometimes they forgot. Sometimes it was in their purse and they hadn’t fished it out. I NEVER got an angry customer for asking if they’d want their groceries boxed, carried out, or in their own bag. I DID get a verbal reaming for assuming a regular knew the policy and NOT asking her upfront what she wanted. (She came in later and actually apologized to me, but you get where I’m going with this).

Anyway, I made a hasty judgment based on the fact I’ve worked actual retail-based jobs where we deal with hundreds of customers on the daily, and I’ve been in the workforce longer.

My sister got pissed about that and had to shit on the jobs I’ve done- you know, the nearly a decade I’ve been in the workforce apparently is nothing compared to her volunteering for our little sister’s grade school basketball teams, or working (truly shit hours) during her two years of clerkship + two years of residency.

She honestly thinks working in psych she deals with 4x the number of Karens as the general population deals with… like yes working in psych is demanding and psych patients are very demanding.., and I worked with them in a 100% patient facing role as a tech for over two years, longer than your residency. I didn’t say that though- I just validated that yes she has had experience too, and yes her jobs have been hard, shitty, emotionally draining in many ways.

I thought we had moved last all of this when she started getting into more semantic bullshit about communication (she was like “you’re lumping communication into one generalized category” to which I was like yes, because it IS a generalized category, that’s why it’s it own entire field of study people get degrees in?). She tried to say it’s about recognizing a pattern to anticipate needs in the future (this requires communication of some sort to know what to do about said pattern). I even tried sending a photo of Oreo snuggling the octopus to distract her and change the subject (I shouldn’t have to do that though, right, under her initial postulate? She she should just ANTICIPATE my needs right? Shouldn’t she have pattern recognition, that whenever we argue I try to retreat because I’m over it and don’t want to engage with this bullshit? No? OH because COMMUNICATION is needed! Go figure).

At one point she brought up her SO, who rob and I both don’t think is right for her and she complains about all the time, and how nice it would be and how it would take off mental load if he anticipated her needs without her having to ask. I didn’t argue any of that. I just said I understand why that is true for her. I however don’t like that, because I like to have the ability to change what I want at any point. Like, messes stress me tf out, but I would be PISSED if rob decided to “anticipate my needs” and clean my messes up. He’s done that and I HATE it. My point was- yes her experience is valid, here is my opposite experience, we have different experiences! That’s it. The whole time I tried to be neutral regarding her SO. I didn’t bring up sore spots.

Anyway she cycled BACK to the job thing and got VERY rude and belittling. I told her I wasn’t claiming to be better than her, nor did I say her job wasn’t important, valid, or customer service (I merely stated, again in a hasty judgment based on gut reaction) that I’ve been in the real world, making my own money and paying for my own life and being responsible for my own life, for longer and thus have had more real world experience. She conflated the two and then claimed I was gaslighting her “like mom” (a SUPER deep dig btw when I had worked so hard to be civil).

I tried to assert myself by saying look your work is hard, emotionally demanding, interaction-heavy, but that does NOT mean that she trumps over all of my experience- nearly a decade. I tried to remind her that I’ve done more than just the paid stuff she knows about too and gave an example. You know what her response was? “I listen to everybody in the family so of course I knew about the hotline” (no she didn’t because I actually didn’t talk about it???) and then she just went off again that I was invalidating her experience “just because I wasn’t getting laid working in a grocery store” (she kept coming back to my grocery store time but never mentioned the medical work I’ve done or even my teaching?). I have done nothing but validate her fucking work experience and how important it is, I’m just saying to GROW TF UP and realizing OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCES THAT MATTER TOO.

My final text, which she won’t see until tomorrow and likely won’t reply to in any real capacity (she’ll probs turn it onto me) was me asserting myself and boundaries. She has more medical knowledge. She does not have more knowledge on the human experience. She invalidates my work frequently, regardless of how much I validate hers. That whenever she perceives any slight against her she can get very judgmental and CRUEL no matter what the reality of the situation was. That she chooses words and actions that belittle those around her. That she doesn’t monopolize shitty, demanding work. ThT respecting others jobs doesn’t take the respect away from here. That maybe she spends so much time pretending to care about people around her that she doesn’t have two shits to give to her sister, or maybe I’m just an easy target or a safe person to lash out at. Or maybe she just truly doesn’t respect any of my lives experiences because I’m not a doctor.

And at the end I basically told her that if that was the case, to let me know. Because I know I’m going to be faced with disrespect and belittling frequently, in situations I just have to put up with because that’s medicine, but I do NOT have to put up with it from her. If she is going to treat me like I am somehow beneath her, I won’t give her opportunities to do that to me directly.

So yeah I had to assert a very strong boundary. I didn’t outright say I will never talk to her again, because that’s extreme. But I have to protect myself and my boundaries where I can. If she continues to insist that my experience is worth less than hers because we chose different paths? Fuck no I’m not going to force myself to be around that bullshit when I don’t need to. I won’t be around for holidays if she’s there. I won’t take care of her dogs or be there to listen to her when she needs an ear.

As full adults, I have never told her that her experience wasn’t valid, that it means less than anybody else’s, that her hardships aren’t real. Things were going so well post-college for us as sisters. She was even my maid of honor at my wedding. So asserting this boundary sucks. But if she can’t respect me as another human, as her equal in many ways, I don’t want to spend the emotional energy on dealing with that anymore.

I know right now is a difficult time for her in many ways and I don’t want to compound to that. But honestly, respecting me shouldn’t compound that anyway. If disrespecting me is the only way she can deal, she needs a better therapist.

(Also I want to say: for years I have felt belittled by my family, that my contributions haven’t been recognized. I can’t bring any of this up because I will be told I’m wrong. I’m so tired of this).

#personal

17 notes · View notes

luvdrcp · 1 year ago

Text

── SEO DANBI

₊˙ ◌ ⁎˚ 〇﹒﹙lee jueun. cisfemale. she/her﹚guess who was almost late for their shift at gwangtaeg gym?? that’s right, it was seo danbi! it’s a wonder their job as a yoga instructor isn’t in jeopardy. the 26 year old has been working at sunset galleria for one year and eight months, and is well known for their kind nature. on bad days, they can be rather withdrawn, though. when the mall is dead at night, they can usually be found browsing hair dyes for her next color, but don’t tell their boss!

this is basically gyuri just with some changes so that i have a clear direction i want to head with her. so what's different about gyuri besides the new face? the biggest one is the name change. well, it's just a slight difference. i really didn't need to make the change but i felt like it. but! her personality is generally the same, she just has a bigger fall off from what she wanted to be vs what she's currently doing... more mommy and daddy issues, and maybe more of an "escapist" mindset regarding her personal life.

you may have heard about the fairy residing in gwangtaeg gym through the grapevines. yes, the fairy is seo danbi and no, she does not know exactly how she got that title amongst local gymgoers.

about. (it's basically the same as gyuri so i'll do a recap)

born march 17, 1997. as the last addition to a family of five. she is the baby and her brother and sister makes sure she never forgets that. the line between being babied and just straight up being spoiled is very thin with them, but it’s surprisingly still there. one might think they'd stop as she got older. (spoiler alert: they didn't)

a “loving” father and mother who had very high expectations that all of their kids would follow in their father’s footsteps in the medical field. although she should probably cut off contact with them, she just cant bring herself to do so. they are her parents and she does love them, even if they don't share that sentiment always sought their approval. studied hard, performed well in school, taking care of her chores without being told. all she wanted was to make them happy. i mean, that was her duty as their child, right?

no matter how hard she tried to build a bridge between her and her parents, there was always something that got in the way. maybe they just didn't love her the way she loved them? either way, life went on. she got into a lot of one sided arguments with her parents, got "unofficially disowned" by them over her choice in university major. she may make jokes and laugh about it but deep down she's deeply hurt by it.

attended university away from home with a double major in psychology and health science. supported herself throughout college, working jobs while being a full time student. one of the most difficult times in her life, and really doesn't talk about it to people who didn't know her then. however, she managed to survive the hard nights and the countless moments she wanted to give up and drop out.

had a lot of different hobbies and skills she picked up during college. some of it were from her random side gigs she picked up for extra money. this is also where she got into yoga, because how else would she deal with the troubles her life brings in a healthy manner?

got her degree and is effectively not using it in the way she intended. all of that full from her parents about wanting to be a psychiatrist and she didn't even continue down that path. cue her really getting into yoga post-graduation. took a lot of classes and even got her certification.

started working as an yoga teaching assistant to have an excuse not to move back home, which later led to her working at gwangtaeg gym as an official yoga instructor.

impeccable customer service, her clients leave satisfied and typically returns. even if she's not in the middle of a class or private session, she's seen around the gym, potentially working out in her own time or helping clean equipment. happy to help any gymgoer! or at least that's how convincing she is at pretending she loves interacting with so many people.

either way, she's got a reputation for being kind! and she upholds that for the most part but some days she's just not in the mood to talk to people. tends to isolate herself, and might not be as responsive as usual, which is why some times she can be perceived as withdrawn

fun facts

one bad bleaching session way from being bald. constantly dying her hair to feel like she has control over something in her life. likely got the fairy title from locals due to her preference for unnatural vibrant colors. her scalp is probably crying for help anytime she's within 20 feet from bleach, but that's not stopping her! currently sporting what is supposed to be pink, but may look more purple to some. yes she previously did go through a red phase before the pink and no she was not okay

bad spending habits, really goes in a store and ends up buying something she probably would never use, even though she makes the silly assumption she'll get her money's worth when adding it to her cart. becomes even more of a victim when it comes to thing she finds cute, like certain decorations. i assume this would mean her room has a corner dedicated to the random stuff she bought but hasn't really found a permanent place in her home.

self aware queen! her emotional intelligence very high since those psych classes taught her a lot, esp about herself. however, she still has trouble being vulnerable with others about her emotions. she's dealing with all of that herself and it gets draining quick. on nights it gets too heavy for her, she might be spotted getting a drink or a few in hopes of forgetting whatever was plaguing her mind.

love people watching and making up random backstories for people she doesn't know. it's kind of relaxing for her, the think about the reasons behind why some people are coming to the mall and buying stuff. realizing how big the world is and how small she is in comparison to that. you might just find her on a bench or against a wall just observing.

still living with anxiety, just this time around she's been professionally diagnosed. that amongst a few other things, but it's really something she doesn't speak about. she treats it like a government secret and does her best to keep it from others because she doesn't like others worrying about her.

quick little plot ideas

she is still a shopping fanatic. potential shopping buddies still available. likely to use them as an excuse to buy things after she had set a budget for herself. or somebody that coerces danbi into buying something whenever she visits their store... not like it takes much to convince her anyway

her go-to person. she has opened up to this person more than she'd like to admit, and trusts them more than she thought she would. considers them to be like another sibling, but most of that was never shared.

casual friends. most of your conversations have no substance, but you're a familiar face and she enjoys the lighthearted exchanges you two have... she likely doesn’t even remember exactly how you two met, but all she knows she enjoys your company.

someone who stepped into gwangtaeg gym and instantly became a victim of the danbi experience™. it doesn’t matter if you are a regular or it was a one time occasion, your fate was sealed the moment you step one foot inside the gym. danbi makes small talk with any gymgoer, and you were no exception. ( this could potentially result in workout buddies or budding friendships or on the other side, could result in the other being quite annoyed with her trying to start a conversation every time they visit if they wanted peace and quiet)

failed talking stages/situationships. could be due to gyuri’s unwillingness to be vulnerable, potentially leaving the other feeling more neglected? idk she a lot of issues that could be the reason why it failed tbh.

these were just some quick ideas i thought up to compensate for still not having a plots page, but we can brainstorm ideas that suit our muses as well !!

#sunsetintro #most if not all previous plots should work but lmk if you wanna come up with something else!!#really not feeling this back and forth i'm going to have to do in order to move all my drafts here.#+ if i add something to this later / u see any typos... no u didnt <3

1 note · View note

ailogomakerr · 7 months ago

Text

The Delicate Art of Logo Redesigning: Navigating the Landscape of Rebranding

It is established that the visual embodiment of a company is the emblem. It’s your branding personality and it also encapsulates your emblem’s identity and values. However perfect you think your emblem is, it is bound to go under several iterations to keep up in a fast-paced industry of trade and business, where a emblem’s significance changes as often as the weather does. When a business matures, a scary yet necessary question arises — is it time for a rebrand? Explore the potential of revitalizing your emblem with a fresh emblem design journey, and find out if it’s time to make your mark anew with Arctic Directory.com.

In this week’s blog, we’re diving right into the do’s and `don’ts of rebranding in the complex art of emblem redesigning. Let’s shed a light on why you should take a path of rebirth for your emblem!

What’s the purpose of your rebranding?

The purpose for your rebranding shouldn’t be just for the hell of it, it should be a calculated move to the ever-changing world of the business landscape. One of the major reasons why certain emblems are up for a refresh is to maintain relevance and stay linked with an evolving audience. Your brand might work for a certain time but with the shifting preferences of consumers, societal shifts and other fads, it’s always at risk of fading into obscurity.

Dos

Market Awareness — Keeping an eye out is key. You should always be in touch and up to date with the market evolution, that is a crucial rule. It can help you understand and predict the shifting behavior of the consumers. Anticipating which fads to come next will help you get what you need with your emblem refresh.

Always a Step Ahead — keeping up with competitions is not only fun, it’s crucial for your emblem too! A refreshed new emblem might be all you need to make it stand out, capturing consumer’s attention in a saturated market.

Relevance in Culture — Part of being always a step ahead is staying attuned with social and cultural changes. These factors are absolute necessities in custom-fitting your emblem identity with the evolving values of your target demographic.

Don’ts

Impulsiveness — Never get caught up with your impulsiveness! Giving your emblem a new breath of life is not something you should take lightly. The journey is a meticulous process, not a snap reaction to a minor hurdle. Take a set back and try to assess the long-term effects of your rebranding plan on your emblem.

Disregarding Customer Feedback — Your customers’ inputs matter. Disregarding their insights will maim your emblem in the long run. It is best to keep a positive interaction and effectively engage with your audience to better know their views and expectations to ensure that your emblem is impacting them positively.

Inconsistency — Be firm and keep a consistent profile across all platforms and mediums. A scattered emblem with little to no update can confuse customers and lower the impact of your rebranding efforts.

When should I rebrand my business?

Like for most things under the sun, timing is key. In order to have timing on your side, you should know how to consider everything stated above as they will indicate the perfect moment you can execute your emblem transformation.

Dos (extended version)

Calculated Shifts — The best way to know if it’s a good idea to rebrand is when you’re doing it along with a significant strategic shift within your business. These shifts include product changes, improved services or extended target audiences. Partnering with directories like Alive 2 Directory.com can also amplify your emblem’s visibility and reach new audiences.

Old Image — Keeping a close pace with the changing times calls for a rebrand as well. If you think your current emblem exudes an outdated look or feel and no longer aligns with the company’s evolved values, then rebranding would be a good idea. A modern emblem will easily stay relevant in a contemporary scene and can be the well-deserved rebirth your business needs.

Don’ts

Change for Change’s Sake — As mentioned, your decisions should always be calculated. Stray away from impulsively making changes on your emblem just for the sake of it. There should always be a valid reason behind every move and every change that is anchored in a strategic goal.

Disregarding Customer Loyalty — Never disregard customer loyalty. Cherish you patrons as much as they support your business. If your emblem has a significant following, it is important to incorporate subtle elements from your old branding to your new one to maintain a connection with your existing supporters.

The Inspirational Journey of Starbucks Successful Rebranding Looking into industry giants is always a good way to learn. Way back in 2011, this global coffee giant went through a major emblem redesign. Starbucks completely discarded “Starbucks Coffee” from its emblem and retained the iconic Siren.

Keep in Mind

Emblem redesigning has its intricacies, being aware of the set appropriate motivations to rebrand is crucial. It is also good to remember that even the most successful businesses embark on a rebranding journey to keep up with trends and stay relevant, all while capturing new audiences in the process. The Dos in that were outlined elaborates how vital market awareness, calculated shifts, and cultural relevance is. While the Don’ts serve as a list of cautionary measures to avoid being impulsive and disregarding customer inputs. Hitting that perfect timing for a rebrand not only promises a successful redesign, but also impacts your patrons positively. First impressions last even on the vast landscape of business. The delicate process of emblem redesigning is not only taken as is, but as a powerful move towards growth and evolution. Change is always constant and embracing it head on with strategic steps up your sleeve will lead your emblem’s longevity and success.. Taken in the journey of an industry giant facing major rebranding head on. We can take this information in as inspiration for your own emblem’s journey The delicate art of emblem redesigning is not only done for the sake of change but it also serves as a testament for resilience and adaptability. May your emblem’s rebirth be one of the stories others can take inspiration from in the future. Keep taking the step towards change and make it count! This blog is from Ailogomakerr.com

#Logo design #logo creation tips #AI logo #logo maker #logo generator #logos #logo #graphic designer

0 notes

railrecipee · 9 months ago

Text

RailRecipe: Bringing Flavorful Feasts to Your Train Journey

Are you tired of the same old train food that lacks taste and variety? Say hello to a new era of train dining with RailRecipe! We're here to revolutionize your journey by delivering mouthwatering meals right to your train seat. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like never before!

RailRecipe understands that good food is essential for a memorable journey. That's why we've curated a diverse menu that caters to every palate and preference. Whether you're a fan of traditional Indian dishes, crave international flavors, or prefer healthy options, we've got something to satisfy your cravings. From spicy curries and biryanis to cheesy pizzas and fresh salads, our menu offers a delicious array of options for you to choose from.

What sets RailRecipe apart is our commitment to quality. We partner with reputable restaurants and vendors located near major railway stations to ensure that every meal is prepared using the freshest ingredients and authentic recipes. Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, guaranteeing a delightful dining experience with every bite.

Ordering food in train with RailRecipe is a breeze. Simply visit our website or download our user-friendly mobile app, browse through our extensive menu, and place your order with just a few clicks. Prefer to speak to someone directly? Our dedicated customer support team is available round-the-clock to assist you and ensure a smooth ordering process.

But convenience is where RailRecipe truly shines. No more rushing to grab a meal before your train departs or settling for subpar options at the station. With RailRecipe, your food is delivered directly to your train seat, allowing you to relax and enjoy your journey without any hassle. It's like having your own personal chef on board!

We understand that everyone has different dietary needs and preferences. That's why RailRecipe offers customizable options to cater to your specific requirements. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have any other dietary restrictions, we've got you covered. Simply let us know your preferences when placing your order, and we'll ensure that your meal is prepared just the way you like it.

At RailRecipe, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Thousands of happy customers have already experienced the convenience and deliciousness of our service, and we're committed to exceeding your expectations with every order. Whether you're traveling for work, leisure, or anything in between, RailRecipe is your go-to choice for a satisfying dining experience on the rails.

So why settle for mediocre train food when you can indulge in gourmet meals with RailRecipe? Whether you're embarking on a short journey or a cross-country adventure, let us take your taste buds on a culinary journey they won't soon forget. With delicious food delivered right to your train seat, your next trip is sure to be a deliciously delightful experience from start to finish.

In conclusion, RailRecipe is your ultimate solution for flavorful feasts on train journeys. With our diverse menu, commitment to quality, and unmatched convenience, we're here to elevate your dining experience and make your journey a memorable one. So why wait? Place your order with RailRecipe today and get ready to savor the deliciousness!

#food in train #food on train #food delivery on train #get food on train #online food order in train #irctc food order #railway food order #food on train online #order food in train #food booking on train

0 notes

armory-rasa · 2 years ago

Text

As someone who did in fact turn their hobby into a job, I completely endorse everything said above. Doing a craft for a living is a whole different beast from doing it for fun.

There’s a leatherworking roundtable I used to go to, like a stitch-n-bitch where local leatherworkers come to hang out and chat and bring projects to work on. Out of the dozen or so regulars there, I was the only one who did it for an actual, full-time living—which a few of them expressed envy for, like, “I wish I could quit my job and make a living off my leatherworking!”

...But they didn’t, actually, because they weren’t accounting for the difference between doing something for a job and doing something for a hobby.

The first time I brought in an Ezio belt to work on (because it’s a lot of tooling, and that goes faster when one is socializing), people were quite impressed—by the fifth time I brought in yet another Ezio belt, they were over it. Somewhere along the line I had an exchange that went like,

“That’s very good.”

“Thank you—though I’ve gotten a lot of practice with it, this is like the seventeenth one of these I’ve made.”

“Oh I could never make something that many times, I’d get bored.”

Well, then I hate to break it to you, dude, but you’re not going to be able to quit your job in favor of leatherworking. Doing it for a living means you no longer get to pick your projects wholly to please and entertain yourself—you’re making what other people are willing to pay you for. Sometimes that means custom work that doesn’t really jazz you, and sometimes that means your 120th Loki pauldron.

Personally, I like the balance between repetition and novelty that leatherworking affords me. If I feel like challenging myself, there are always challenges out there; and when I get an order for my 120th Loki pauldron, I’m pleased to see it, because it’s a no-stress task, I know exactly how to do every step, no guesswork required.

I like leatherworking more than any other job I’ve done, but make no mistake: it’s still a job.

So that’s a consideration. Another is that being a small-business owner tends to mean wearing a lot of hats, not just the ones you like and are good at.

You like crafting—fantastic! But do you also like bookkeeping, pricing your work, sales and customer service, writing ad copy, maintaining a web/social media presence, doing self promotion, doing market research, taking product photography, etc, etc? Because unless you have a friend/partner generously willing to do that for you, or unless you can afford to outsource it, you’re going to be handling all that yourself.

(With the exception of tumblr, I do not like social media; I suffer it because I have to, for my business.)

All of which is to say that turning a hobby into a business is not the easy logical next step after getting good at something, and not the goal that everyone should be expected to pursue, or even desire.

This pressure to turn everything you enjoy into a side hustle is downright dehumanizing—give yourself permission to be creative for its own sake, and make things just because they make you happy.

Hi, kids,

Remember it's okay to not want to do your hobby as a job. It's okay to not want to sell the things that you make. It's okay if you want to make art without taking commissions.

It's fine to completely lose enjoyment in something if you're doing it for money. It's fine to say, "I don't like doing this when I have to do it," and to just never do it.

You don't need to make your hobbies pay for themselves. You don't need to turn professional or semi-professional. You can love the freedom of starting something when you want, working on it when you want, and finishing it (or not finishing it) when you want. If you find that taking that away makes you not love the thing, that's just a lesson that you've learned. It's not a failing. It doesn't mean you're not dedicated to your art or your craft. It doesn't mean you're not doing it right.

Not everything needs to be a business. Not everything needs to have financial worth.

While we're at it, you don't need to be good at a hobby to want to do it. You don't need to have a goal of improving. If you get a guitar and you love playing it, but never get beyond cowboy chords and 4-chord songs, you're still valid. You don't have to be the best in the world to have it have worth. Your grandma's chicken enchilada recipe isn't going to rank in the top 100 enchiladas ever, but you still love them and enjoy them and they taste great. Maybe your doll faceup isn't going to look like a youtube tutorial's did, but if you liked making it, that doesn't matter.

But it's also totally fine to do things just for the response you get from other people. If you're only updating that fic because you have nine dedicated readers who want to know how it ends, that doesn't mean you're not dedicated to the story.

"This is just something I like doing," is enough. It doesn't need to be a job, or something you're good at, or a labor of love, or an otherworldly calling from a holy being. You can just make things. You can just do things. It's okay.

#making this yo business

11K notes · View notes

feuqueerfire · 2 years ago

Text

Midnight Motel Live Blogging

GMMTV really crammed some of my most anticipated 2022 shows to run at this time (Never Let Me Go, Midnight Motel, The Warp Effect), as well as My School President which I was keeping my eyes on. Think I’ll have to watch these the week they end or I’ll never catch up.

Playlist

Ep 1: Welcome to the Business (Jan 9 11)

1-1

ooh cool start

okay actually fuck idkkk maybe i’ll start this later? bc i’m in the middle of the Trials of Apollo series and also Never Let Me Go (ep 5 tmrw), which is 2 different stories already. maybe i’ll watch this on Wednesday and finish before next Tuesday so that i’m not weaving this and NLMG and trials of apollo.

aw the fact that Mote’s always out of luck and “missed the admission quota out of a top uni even though he passed the exam” sucks so fucking bad

oh Mond’s the pimp?

oh fuck Mond’s character is so scary D: I know people said so but rip

pls Mote standing and thinking of the shit possibilities of what could happen if he barges into Mond and Jan’s characters’ rooms

Oh yeah I forgot that Mote and Kat are love interests right

Aw Kat T.T

Kat’s so fun and funny

Sun’s making Kat pay her debts to him

oh, interesting in a good way about Kat mentioning working so hard

1-2

oh it’s Kat’s mom’s debt that she’s paying off

Sun kys

Mote researching the websites where customers and sellers buy-sell sex work and identifying the pain points to make their app is wholesome

pls Kat’s funny with tryna sell her services to Mote (+ his friend) and also they’re cute

pls Doy being like whyyyy tf did you bring this app to my doorstep again after we met the police and mafia last time

the dynamic between Doy and Kat not really believing Mote vs Mote being a sweet talker and knowing how to appeal to people

ooh a design for the app first this is just like my uni class

girl not pay by crypto

does Sun have photos?!?!

oh videos?!?!? is Kat and the client aware that these exist?!?!?!?! gross gross gross die die die

1-3

oof Mote and Kat are so cute. him being like “hmph, your pics on the app are catfishing for sure” and then when she elbows him, he exaggeratedly falls back ah >.<

yes Kat, come to Canada and we can kiss

Linguistics: Mote and Kat use gu-meung with each other. I think Kat and Sun also used gu-meung earlier, which surprised me a bit bc I expected Kat to use Khun w Sun or something but ig the rude pronouns make sense also

Kat saying she wouldn’t do this job if she could choose. the way they’ve been talking about sex work and prostitution is interesting in a casual way where’s a job that’s hard work and like Mote, she’s doing it bc of debt and wouldn’t do it otherwise. it’s not glamorized but the existence of it or sex workers aren’t made to be evil even though the situation sucks here

hope that Mote or Doy know what to do if things go wrong whether it be the guys are dicks like when Sun had to step in or if they refuse to give money or something

oh i see we’re getting to see them handle things like the short hair and wig, and now police are coming in. also i’ve just remembered that someone maybe dies

1-4

I don’t quite get the Big Boong thing. I know Mote pretended that Big Boong’s someone else, some big shot to make the police nervous and let it but who? why’d the cops leave?

wtf was that Kat being shot in the head scene? umm I’m hoping it’s just one of Mote’s fears and not something that comes to pass

I hope they all earn the money and pay off their debts ah

Ep 2: The Investor (Jan 12)

Ep 6 came out and I saw one person write that it’s a satisfying ending, so I’m glad

2-1

ooh they’re talking about how it’d be good if they could just legalize sex work but the police are gonna lose so much money from the bribes to leave prostitution alone that they won’t let it be legal

Mote and Kat are cute, aw

oof Mote and Kat are so non-flirtily flirty ma gudness

agh Kat’s mom was dead I thought but nope, she’s just letting her daughter pay back her loans and also coming for more money

oh noooo Kat’s flashback to how her mom disappeared from their home and so the guys who were looking for her came for Kat instead T.T

oh, this was the very first time Kat saw her mom since that incident?

hmm Sun telling Kat’s mom to never see her again. I’d assume that Sun’s romantically interested in her in any other show but he treats her like crap, so maybe he just doesn’t want them to plan and run away or smth?

wait Pom from Gifted, what are you doing here heh. Victor’s name is Pat here

is Pat gonna be the man she kills?

damn he really put a collar on her oh I hate this bc he seems so earnest and this could’ve been cute if Kat didn’t fucking hate it and Sun didn’t force here T.T

2-2

damn, not us getting the backstory on why Pat wants to have power during sex because he has no power in his personal life

oh Pat’s a billionaire, possible investor? also, that unicorn ad thing kinda maybe reminds me of whatever investing ad Mote saw in ep 1 that made him make the other app or something

oh yeah, the camera in the room that Sun has so that he can fucking watch Kat and her clients agh but now catching Kat doing work that he hasn’t assigned her

ahhh that camera was hidden by Kat? it’s for blackmailing Pat?

i love the classical music choices and also Mote thinking of possibilities and them actually showing it as if it’s happening, like Kat getting shot in the head

2-3

“I just wanna tell your you’re definitely worth more than you think?” ah so cute

Mote really is just too good with words, Kat’s right that these sorts of people just aren’t trustworthy bc they know the right things to say “How am I going to trust you, you shard-tongued jerk of a CEO?”

oh Tawi/Jay looks really different when talking with Pat’s wife than when he’s tryna get money out of Mote. Are they different people?

who’s the person that Pat’s wife talked about? Is it Mote?

okay the guy who’s terrorizing Mote isn’t actually Tawi

ah this guy is so annoying either Mote gives him money to keep the business a secret and then can’t pay back his debt in time and gets the hotel taken away OR Mote doesn’t give him money and so he tells the police about the illegal prostitution

2-4

Sun is so fucking scary, threatening June with killing her son if she doesn’t tell him what she and Kat are doing aghhh

omg so stressful. on the one hand Sun’s tryna get Doy to get him into the app by pretending he’s a client, Kat’s with Pat who’s waiting for the pitch + she saw Sun in the lobby, and Mote’s fucking phone somehow fell under the bed

ahh cliffhanger ending rip

Ep 3: Ain’t Them Bodies Cents (Jan 12)

anyway, I know Pat dies for sure because someone on a discord sent a screenshot. that’s as expected bc i’ve barely seen him in gifs or anything

3-1

oof Doy fucked up and gave Sun the invitation and whole time Mote’s like yep I trust Doy to take care of it rip

pls the chaos of Doy talking to Sun and Mote presenting to Pat while Doy and Mote are also communicating via bluetooth

pls Mond is so scary as Sun. girl “I’m the owner of their breath” kalsdj okay

Mote is much smarter than Sean is all I can say lmfao he can lie p well, even though Sun has a suspicion that Mote’s lying

3-2

is Pat drunk or what? Why is he all woozy and falling? Did he take his medication too late or something? Did his wife drug his meds because there was a point made about him taking his med case before leaving

lmfao is Mote and Kat’s kiss gonna be interrupted by Pat dying

oh kinda. i thought we’d hear a gun shot sound but what happened? did he fall and hit his head and die since Pat was so off-balance?

so did Pat succeed in giving the money or no

lol the Kat butchering the body scene

3-3

pls the way Doy had to say he’s not sitting in the back w the corpse

is Sun at Kat’s home? oh fuck he’s throwing a fit

wait omg I kinda knew that Sun knew Kat when he was a child bc I’ve seen a caption bout smth like that with a clip of Sun sitting on that bench but I didn’t know she was close friends with him :0 that sucks so bad

ah shit so Sun wasn’t the one who brought her into sex work but someone else did and he was there and he seemed young

oh Sun’s terrible idk how he transformed into this hardened pimp quickly but then he said he’d pay off Kat’s debt if she transfers to his club

3-4

ofc Pat’s car has a GPS oof and ofc Pat’s wife’s cheating on him with Jay but we could guess that from last ep

not Sun waiting in room 211 with his suitcase of weapons

so Pat did start the transaction of 20 million?

ooh Kat’s tryna get away to diff city but also she stole Pat’s phone. wonder if there’s tracking on that too

Ep 4: Disappear Body (Jan 13)

4-1

Joy’s tryna get Kat to fess up or something bc of her threatened child, right?

k the current things at play is that Kat wants to access Pat’s crypto and leave for Canada, Joy wants to trick Kat possibly, Sun has come to find Kat and is threatening Mote, Jay is tracking Pat’s car and has been lead to the motel, also the debt collector mans that’s been bothering Mote wants his money as well for protection of Takkrub

oh Jay’s seeing Sun being weird with Mote in the hallway on the CCTV lmfao he can just walk in there all willy nilly. is the room Mote and Sun are in also viewable with cctv

lol I wonder if Jay will view Sun as the thread instead of Mote now and have his suspicion on him as a possible reason for Pat going missing? who knows. also i wanna know if Jay knows that Pat’s dead or not? has he searched the inside of the car? seems like no

4-2

bruv, Mote really got Sun, Jay, and the debt collector guy all in the same room wanting something from him gbye and gl “shit, this is like a fan meeting. Wait no they’re all after me.”

plsss the three of them all being like eyeee should be the one talking to Mote first, yall get out

pls the way Sun smiled and gestured and moved away as soon as the knife appeared

oh Jay killed the debt collector mans lmfao Mote’s gulping and now Jay has a gun

oh debt collected mans was called Big Off

lmfao Mote being like “he’s not my friend” and Jay being like “oh? he didn’t come to save you?”

pls it’s killing me the way Jay has to explain like “this is not an empty thread na krub. If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll kill both of you. Na?”

plssssss the arguments between Sun and Mote are so funny and Jay telling them to shut up each time like now Mote realizing Sun has a camera in Kat’s usual room

wait if the footage is there, why didn’t they show Pat falling and hitting his head agh

oh damn okay so the body wasn’t in the car even though that was the original plan. did Kat do something with it?

4-3

fuckk i’m so mad I had so many thoughts for parts 3 and 4 but it refreshed and all of it got deleted kms

I thought it was fun when in part 4 Mote started acting clever and threatening again after seeming to be bumbling and foolish in the first 3 parts.

I liked the chips and card game fantasy scene. The crew in MDL seems fairly inexperienced but they’re doing well so far

Ep 5: Blast From The Past (Jan 14)

5-1

Sun how’d you turn out like this agh

byeee they dismembered Big Off

neo appearance !

Police officer Jay sued an elite man who attacked a bus driver but the elite man got him fired?

sdlkfhj the neolouis sex noises

oof, Kat’s found out that Sun’s getting money from Kat’s mom, which is money that Kat earned from Sun

oh my fucking god, I need to kill Sun. I hope Kat kills Sun

Sun remembering Kat saving him from those guys and so finally kinda snapping out of (sexually, physically) assaulting her

5-2

this young kids Kat and Sun backstory is making me so fucking sad because they used to be friends

noooo the promise :< “when we grow up, we won’t become the kind of adults we hate”

Sun realizing he’s become the kind of adult he hated

pls Doy and texting is just aldskfj as soon as Jay gets the orders to kill/deal with the trio, he texts Mote’s phone (which Jay has currently and also doesn’t it have a password) that he can’t find it (the body) anywhere in the hotel lmfao. prev it was the thing with Sun coming while they were tryna show Pat the pitch

Kat’s a whole lot, she really is confessing? playing with Mote? in that bathroom and kissing him instead of admitting she ran away for a brief period and also stole the phone hoping for the crypto money

I wonder if Mote believes her after seeing her pretend with Pat bc I don’t think I believe her actions in that bathroom

5-3 and 5-4

Sun really tryna just make a deal with everyone huh? giving the bullet to Jay and saying to kill only Mote (also the ice cooler thing Jay’s getting the ice from is freaking me out bc at first I don’t think I registered that they hid him in the ice cooler but now that I know... hm is he in there). Telling Mote that he wants to invest in Takkrub

What did the uncle and aunt wanna tell Mote before Jay came in? Were they the ones who his the body? Like if it isn’t any of the captured trio, Doy was a possibility but then he didn’t show up for like 2 eps in the middle so I started thinking he’s less of a possibility? Or is he more of one because why did he also disappear for a bit? And it could also be uncle and aunt who someone calmly and quietly discovered and hit the body

pls I love the fantasy situations Mote goes through so much, like the convo with dead ghost Pat

naurrr flashing back to young Kat and Sun saying they’d protect each other as adult Kat tells Sun to get out of her life

oh Pat’s in the ice cooler the way they made it seem. so the one that they hit the body in had the :) sticker and then that got carted out and had more ice put in it and put out front and the new ice cooler that’s in the place of the old ice cooler doesn’t have that sticker

So would his uncle and aunt do that? The mover also deleted the CCTV footage, would they be able to do that? Doy was the one who deleted the previous CCTV footage, so would it be him? Why?

also Mote and Sun and stuff getting ice from the cooler while underneath was Pat’s body reminds me of To Sir, With Love where the maids were all having fun collecting that mushroom, whole time there’s Don’s dead body underneath

Ep 6: All Or Nothing (Jan 14)

6-1

So I guess it really was his aunt and uncle who moved the body

they let Sun walk out of the room?

6-2

did Sun take one pill and poison the fish? or what?

or is Sun stealing the meds pill box from Kat?

Sun you backstabbing bitch, him being like “we have our bullets for that” and whole time he doesn’t even have the bullet. he has me on edge fr bc I can’t tell if he’s just double-crossing Mote and Kat or double double-crossing Jay

lol the meds box is filled with stone, flashbacks to Squid Game Ep 6

oh so Sun did give Jay a defect bullet? but Jay told June to bring another gun my dudes

everyone’s got stuff under their sleeve, like Kat with Pat’s phone and Mote with the Takkrub upload of the evidence

also i don’t think their evidence is actually enough for much (like lol they themselves could’ve filled the box with poisoned pills afterwards to frame June) but I’m ignoring that

6-3

I don’t get the [A gift from Big Off] and “say hello to my little friend

oh Jay fr shot the uncle on the shoulder

bruv, I was thinking of Jay falling off the roof maybe but I didn’t think they’d do it like that lmfao

the villains really do wait to shoot until the uncle’s there or until Sun’s covering Kat huh lmfao

oh Sun is so psychologically fucked. he really is like if I die then Kat dies with me

oh the friendship bracelets were from the promise of not becoming like the adults they hated

okayyy Kat didn’t know that Sun was the same kid as before. At first I thought she did but then it was like hm but yeah she’s asked him “Are you Arthit?”

please Mond’s doing so good as Sun. the way he’s like sorry for breaking my promise and handing back the bracelet and telling her live and be better for him as he lays there dying. It goes with his character arc that he dies here because he’s too irredeemable to continue with the gang or to continue inflicting pain with his pimping but because of his backstory and helping the gang thus far, he’s also not someone who we see as an one-note evil man anymore. too evil to not die but the audience doesn’t wanna see him go down in a horrifying grotesque way either

6-4

plssss Kat using Pat’s corpse for the face ID of his crypto wallet (the reason she came back p much)

girl shut up who is Yudo, we have Tony for Doy. actually Doy can be polyam, I’d like that. or a cheater, I’ll forgive that in preperation for Moonlight Chicken

Very pretty wrapped bow for the ending.

The last ep was good but not great, I don’t think they were super clever with their action or wrap-up, although it was still pretty fun. Also no like great twist in the final ep, which is fine but nothing about the final ep really makes it stand out.

The acting was great, the script was comprehensible and well-paced, the production is good, featured sex work without villainizing the workers or the work itself. I loved Mote’s little fantasies of possible scenarios or of imagining an interaction in a different way (the card game with June, convo with dead Pat). I’m impressed by the creative team behind it.

I won’t think about this much after today I don’t think but I liked this little show.

Rating: 6.5/10

Mock Trailer

The actual show ended up being pretty much the same as that mock trailer, guess they’ve had the script done for a while. It was snappy but gave away a lot, so I’m glad I hadn’t watched most of it before watching the show (or if I had, it must’ve been like 10 months ago and I completely forgot it because only the first like 15 seconds seemed familiar and I knew the concept before going in).

Official Trailer

Once again, reveals a lot but is slightly better created than the OG, which is expected.

#ep by ep commentary #midnight motel

1 note · View note

dycefic · 3 years ago

Text

Have An Evil Day

No prompt this time, just a sequel to ‘Welcome To Evil-Mart’

Working at Evil-Mart is usually… well, it’s retail. It’s physically exhausting, you have to deal with a lot of idiots without being overtly rude, and your feet hurt. Even though the hours and pay are very good, the benefits are great, and our bosses treat us well compared to most retail employees, it’s still not what I’d call a fun job.

But it’s not what I’d call dull, either. Especially not on days like today.

I was promoted to supervisor after the Food Poisoning Incident, so I have a little more authority and a little less obligation to be pleasant and I got issued a weighted cosh because sometimes Evil-Mart customers get… feisty. I’d never had to use it, though, because those who hadn’t seen what I did to Majority Rules, either in person or on one of the cell-phone videos that circulated afterwards, had at least heard about it. They didn’t give me any trouble.

I was halfway through my shift, and the worst things that’d happened had been running out of croissants and a machine oil spill in Aisle Seven, when our greeter pressed the alarm button, which sent an alert to my handset. As front-end supervisor, that meant me, so I went over. Sam, who is unusual in the henching community for having actually aged out rather than ‘being retired’ jerked his chin in the direction of a tall, swaggering figure. “He just came in,” he whispered.

I did a full double-take before I took it in. Superdyne. Fucking Superdyne.

We’d all heard about his dramatic heel-turn a couple of months ago. The whole world had heard about it. Superdyne, who’d skated closer and closer to the line for years, had decided to cross it in a blaze of bloodshed. He was a villain now, he said. There’d been a whole speech about how ingratitude had driven him to it blah blah blah.

I work at Evil-Mart. I’m from a hench family. If someone becomes a supervillain because they hate Mondays or want to turn us all into dinosaurs or whatever, I don’t judge. I will sell depth-charges and laser guns to anyone who can prove they’re over eighteen without hesitation. But even we get kind of grossed out by the ‘I am forced to turn evil because I haven’t been given enough love’ thing. People who are actually so fucked up by emotional abuse or neglect or some superhero killing their family, we’re fine with them. But they don’t say that’s why they do it, and most of them need a lot of therapy to even realize it. People who actually say that’s why are entitled dickwads.

And now the dickwad had walked into Evil-Mart like he was entitled. Like he thought he was one of us.

“Lockdown protocols,” I told Sam quietly. “On my authorisation.” That takes a minute or two, though, so I went over to talk to Superdyne. “Sir, I have to ask how you even knew where to find this place.”

He smirked at me. “I have my ways,” he said smugly. He’d either bribed or beaten someone, that was my guess. “So this is where the villains shop? We all thought you went to Wal-Mart.” He laughed, like he thought it was clever.

“Yes, so you all say,” I said dryly. I didn’t feel like pretending he was the first person to make the bad joke. “My next question, sir, is what made you think it was a good idea to come in here.”

He spread his hands. “I’m one of you now!” he said happily. “I’m a bad guy! So now I guess I shop where the bad guys shop!” He looked around, frowning a little. “Although I was expecting more weapons and explosives. A… more villainous atmosphere. I didn’t know Evil-Mart had fresh produce.”

“I don’t advise buying herbs here unless you’re a magical practitioner. Some of them have… unusual effects.” A lot of our produce is normal stuff, but some of it not only isn’t legal, it doesn’t exist anywhere else.

“Oh. Well, that makes sense. But the bright lights and the bakery?”

“We have excellent gluten-free breads. In many ways, Superdyne, this is just another store. We have sales, we mark down the breads in the afternoon, we even have a PA system.” I pulled out my handset, and thumbed the button that tied it to the PA. “Attention, shoppers,” I said in my most soothing Customer Service voice, which made him grin. “Evil-Mart wishes to inform you – “ The countdown on my handset reached zero, and I turned to look at the entrance as a huge blast door thudded down. That was the last part of the sequence – staff outside the area were already in lockdown and security were on their way. I smiled, and continued almost without a pause. “- That we are in lockdown at this time, due to the presence of Superdyne in the store. Please remain calm, and be advised that security are on their way to deal with the problem. If you have a personal grudge that you wish to address with Superdyne at this time, he is standing near Register Six with a stupid expression on his face.”

He was staring at me, stunned. “But… but…” he stammered, and damned if he didn’t look puzzled. “But I’m one of you now!”

“No,” I said flatly. “You were always evil, that’s true, but you’ll never be one of us. And for the record, I’m one of the people with a personal grudge. All those henchmen you’ve killed and maimed had families, asshole… and they all shop here.”

He swung at me, then, but I spent years in hench training. Even someone super-strong can be dodged, and once I slammed my cosh into his groin a few times his punches got a lot more aimless. Around then, Tiger Ty came over the register, claws out and snarling, and I figured I should stand out of the way.

About ten minutes later, I turned on the PA again. “Clean-up to Register Six,” I called, in the same special voice. “Category 7, class three. Shoppers, please be advised that lockdown is now lifted but Register Six will be closed until clean-up is completed.”

Hunter, who��d been working Register Six, came out from underneath it. He looked a little green. Well, he was still in his teens, this was probably his first fatal mobbing. “What’s Category 7?” he asked in a shaky voice. “I haven’t heard that before.”

“Biohazard.”

“Oh. Class three?”

“Send three people. He was a juicy one.” I stepped away from a spreading puddle of blood. “Run and get a couple of caution signs we can put around this mess.” I eyed it measuringly. “And one of those fifteen-gallon plastic tubs with a lid, I’ll damage it out.”

He eyed the mess. “Are you sure that’s big enough?”

“Yeah, the average human is only about seventeen gallons by volume, and I’m not going to put all the blood and mush in there, just the big pieces.”

He gulped. “Ah. Yes, ma’am.”

I called after him when he ran off. “One of the black tubs, not a clear one!” Which honestly should only be common sense, but you can’t count on a flustered teenager to have common sense.

We frown on killing customers at Evil-Mart, up to a point… but when a particularly murderous super-hero walks into our store, well, that’s something else. I’d have to fill out a ton of paperwork, though.

I had to chase off one of Doctor Malign’s minons and two members of the Genetic Reign before the clean-up crew arrived, both of whom urgently wanted samples. In the end I scraped a few pieces of liver and unidentified organ into two of the bags we use for possibly-contaminated money just to make them go away. (They’re good customers, and it was just going to go in the trash anyway.)

By the time the clean-up was done, all the big pieces were boxed up, and I’d finished the paperwork, my shift had been over for twenty minutes, and I’d been asked to come up to the boss’s office.

“Listen, I have no issues with how you handled the situation, I want you to know that.” Mr Trent leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingertips together. “It was quick, it was efficient, and… given your personal history with Superdyne, not to mention mine and that of half of our customer base… richly deserved.”

“Yes, sir,” I said. It came out too meek, and I cleared my throat and straightened up. It’s hard not to be intimidated by Mr Trent, when you’re in the same room with him. It’s not his fault, and he does his best, but even under the strictest control his fear-inducing powers tend to unsettle anyone who gets too close. We all know he’s not doing it on purpose and we try not to show our reactions. “Do you have any orders regarding the remains?”

“Doctor Order wants them.” He rubbed his chin. “Get someone from the pharmacy to prepare samples for him, please, including brain tissue. He’s our primary supplier, and we can’t offend him. As for the rest… as you know, I’m retired, and I don’t usually participate in the Endless War.” One of his hands dropped to his left thigh. His prosthetic leg is some of Doctor Order’s best work, but the injury that led to his retirement had been brutal even by our standards. “But this is different. Superdyne came here. To our place of safety. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

I nodded. “Do you want the remains dumped somewhere public? Some kind of dramatic display?”

“No. Something more direct.” He rubbed his chin again, then tapped the intercom on his desk. “Iris, please send up Miss Fedorova from Marketing and Mr Levy from the warehouse.”

“Yes, sir,” Iris responded, and he clicked off the intercom again.

“The three of you worked together very well, during the food poisoning incident,” he explained. “And I believe they can assist us in a satisfactory conclusion.” He hesitated, then smiled ruefully. “Perhaps you should wait outside until they get here. I can tell I’m unsettling you.”

“Sir, I know you’re not – “

“Not doing it on purpose.” He sighed. “I do appreciate how hard you all work to make me feel… accepted, I really do. But I’m very annoyed right now, which makes control more difficult for me, so I think we’d both be more relaxed if you waited outside while I do my meditation exercises.”

I waited outside. When the three of us went into his office again, the miasma of low-level fear was definitely a bit lighter, and he smiled. “All right. Now, this conversation is going to be very confidential, and I will remind you all of the agreements you signed when you were employed.” We all chorused agreement, and he nodded. “Good. Now, this is very much a secret, even among Evil-Mart staff, but we do have a few online clients who are… ah… on the other side of the fence.”

Ms Fedorova blinked. “What?”

Knuckles sighed. “We ship to a few heroes,” he explained. “The ones who are… less homo than sapiens, if you get my drift.”

I didn’t, and from her expression Ms Fedorova didn’t either. Mr Trent spread his hands, drawing our eyes to his fingers. Which as a rule nobody looks at, because there’s fourteen of them, with four joints in each finger, and we know he’s self-conscious about it. “The less… purely human ones,” he said quietly. “One of the reasons I created Evil-Mart was to give those who can’t pass for human, like me, a place to be… people. To have dignity. So that the obligate carnivores weren’t reduced to living on pet-food or scavenging for scraps, so that those with complex metabolisms could get the supplements they need so that people who are still people, for all their outward differences, could shop in safety. There are a great many more monsters, demigods, abominations of science and other non-standard persons among our set than among the heroes, and I wanted to meet their needs, as well as selling weapons and Lair-away-from-home sets and so on.”

“And there are a few heroes who order from us for that reason,” Knuckles added. “The ones who can’t get medications to suit their metabolism, or need to eat things that you can’t get easily anywhere else.”

I nodded, because that much I understood. We have some very esoteric ‘dietary supplies’ that start with fresh, healthy, well-treated and disease-free prey animals frozen whole (from mouse up to calf and goat kept in stock, larger sizes by pre-order, halal and kosher certified where possible) and end with human blood (rejected blood bank stock mostly, we have an arrangement), and human flesh and organs (sourced from hospitals, morgues and crematoriums, guaranteed no murder, at least not by us). “Well, I suppose that makes sense. I’m surprised we ship to them, though.”

“Oh, they don’t know we know. It’s all assumed names and secret bank accounts.” Knuckles grinned. “But Mr Trent has all our online customers identified before we ship. And for the ones who don’t have any other options, well… we let it slide.”

“I can see why you don’t want that to get out.” Ms Fedorova tapped her chin. “What does this have to do with disposing of the body? I was planning to set up a really ghoulish display in a public place somewhere, I already have some sketches.” Marketing for Evil-Mart is… well, it includes more than designing our sale flyers.

“No. We’re going to deliver them to a hero… one of the ones who owes us… and make it very clear that just because someone decides to admit he’s a villain, that doesn’t make him one of us and it doesn’t entitle him to union services,” Mr Trent said flatly. “I want to make it crystal clear to all of them that a heel turn does not mean their sins are forgiven, or that we will accept them as anything other than a very brief amusement.”

Late that night – we were all on overtime, but it couldn’t be done in daylight – we wheeled a cart down the run-down hallway of a shoddy apartment building. “This is a terrible address for a hero,” Ms Fedorova muttered. “Are we sure he lives here?”

“I deliver here a couple of times a month.” Knuckles was pushing the cart. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Ms Fedorova cleared her throat, coughed once or twice, and suddenly her voice was deeper and her very faint Russian accent was as thick as pea soup. “This is intimidation tactic,” she said, grinning toothily. “Do not act surprised.”

I knocked on the door, but let Knuckles do the talking. “Delivery, Mr West,” he called, using the fake name the guy had been giving.

It worked… the door was unlocked and opened almost immediately. “I scheduled the order for next – “ the mark said, and then we were pushing inside, slamming the door behind us.

“Do not be alarmed, Mr… Dinoid, is it?” Ms Fedorova said, folding her arms. “Evil-Mart is knowing all along your real identity. But you are needing to eat, and we are not turning down regular business, so we make no trouble.”

Knuckles rolled his eyes behind her back at how much she was hamming it up, but I waved a hand. Let her have her fun. So Knuckles started unloading the boxes onto the table while she talked. “First, your Budget Bunny Box. Your favourite, da?” The next box, smaller, plunked down. “Two fresh chickens, halal certified, healthy and having lived good life, gift for good customer.” Knuckles dumped the plastic tub on the floor. “And mortal remains of Superdyne, with note.”

Dinoid was staring at us, but that made him shift into a combat stance, his long claws spread. “The… Superdyne’s dead? And in there?”

“Well. Most of him. The big pieces.” Ms Fedorova shrugged an impressively Russian shrug. I hadn’t even known that was a thing, but when she did it, it was obvious. “You must understand, when a mob tears a man apart, it is hard to find every little piece.”

“I’m pretty sure Doctor Malign and the Genetic Reign took off with doggy bags,” I said, as if I hadn’t handed them over myself. “And Doctor Order probably has some of him too, by now. So looking out for clones would be a good idea, I don’t know if that’s in the note.”

Insofar as that reptilian face could show readable expressions, he looked shocked. “Why on earth would… why? He changed sides? And why did you bring him to me?”

“We know your address, we know you don’t want to turn us in because we’re the only ones who can supply your meals, and our boss wanted us to make this very clear.” I indicated the note. Since Ms Fedorova was hamming up her Sexy Russian Supervillain act, and Knuckles was very obvious Muscle, I figured it was on me to be the Reasonable One. “He might have stopped being a hero, but that didn’t make him one of us. That didn’t make him acceptable to us. Our boss wants it made very clear that your failures shouldn’t expect to be accepted by us… or even spared by us.”

He shifted slowly, the tip of his tail twitching. “I… see. I understand why you would reject Superdyne. He was notorious for killing and maiming people on… your side. But I know other defectors have been accepted. Philomel, for example.”

“Philomel was child of villains. She is young, she is rebellious, she sides with heroes for a while.” Ms Fedorova shrugged. “Is understandable, da? The young do foolish things. She comes home, all is forgiven.”

He nodded slowly. “Tenebrous?”

“That story I don’t know.” Ms Fedorova glanced at me.

I nodded. “Tenebrous was just a kid. He was twelve when Varide recruited him. Nineteen when he broke with the guy. Varide put a kid into combat, left him with massive PTSD, then ditched him when he had a breakdown and went too far. Mx Frantique at least made sure he had a safe place to stay and some therapy.”

“It’s happened a few times.” Knuckles rested his elbows on the cart’s handles, his inhumanly big, strong hands dangling. “But there’s a process. A system. If someone’s sponsored by a villain in good standing, like Frantique sponsoring Tenbrous, they can be accepted. Nobody gets to just choose to join. Especially not a smug, entitled prick like Superdyne.”

Ms Fedorova suddenly leaned forward, scowling. “And why are you called Dinoid? You are not dinosaur. You are clearly monitor lizard. Golden monitor, I think.” She reached out and prodded his arm. “And not healthy, either. Look at colouration! You do not keep environment humid enough. Are having trouble with shedding, da?”

Now we were all staring at her. “You’re a lizard expert now?” Knuckles asked.

She shrugged. “What? Is hobby. Mamma’s little Varanus Acanthurus are pride and joy. Sadly, cannot keep larger monitors in city. Is unkind.”

Dinoid ran a hand over his head slowly. “Not many people realize,” he said slowly. “That’s why I order from you guys. I used to get frozen… food… from a pet supplier, but then I got contacted by someone who told me there was another option.”

“Is good thing. Those pet suppliers, they are rogues. They do not keep animals healthy, can get diseases or mites from those things.” Ms Fedorova sniffed. “I would never buy from them. My babies would get sick.”

He actually chuckled, then, seeming to relax a bit. “You’re not wrong. After… this happened… I got really sick a couple of times before I figured out what to eat, and where to get it. And even the reputable suppliers don’t always have the healthiest stock.” He opened his mouth wide, making a gagging noise. “You have no idea how bad that ‘reptile food’ is. Eating whole animals may be a little disgusting, but it’s nothing to some of that stuff.”

“I believe it,” I said emphatically. “There’s a reason Evil-Mart has such an extensive pet-food line. The horror stories we hear from some of our customers… well, you’d believe it, I bet, but most humans just look confused.”

Knuckles nodded, and spread his hands. “People who can’t pass for regular humans… or even for people, the way most normies see it… are a lot more common on our side of the fence than yours. That’s why we delivered to you. We figured you really needed it.”

“Does he order from the pharmacy?” Ms Fedorova was around behind him now, examining his back. “He is having calcium deficiency, am betting. He needs nutritional supplement.”

“I take a nutritional supplement,” he said defensively.

“The one for normal-sized lizards is not enough for man-sized monitor/human hybrid,” she said firmly. “Check pharmacy section next time. We are having excellent selection of supplements for hybrids, and chart to tell you how much to take for body-mass.”

He looked back and forth between the three of us. “You people are… not what I would have expected from an evil supermarket.”

“We may be… morally challenged,” I said, shrugging, ��but we’re not heartless.” I looked around his tiny, shabby apartment. “Unlike some of your lot. I thought you were on a team. Why are you living here?”

He ducked his head. “I couldn’t live at the base,” he said, his tail drooping. “My… I made people uncomfortable. And the stipend isn’t much.”

“Isn’t much? With the merchandising deals they have?” Ms Fedorova sounded shocked, and the accent had dropped back a lot. “I know for a fact that if the accountants ever got hold of their books they’d owe more in back taxes than… well, than Evil-Mart would if our illegal product arm ever got discovered. And we pay our taxes on the legitimate stuff scrupulously.”

Dinoid blinked rapidly, though I couldn’t tell whether he was more surprised by her suddenly dropping her act or the idea that Evil-Mart pays taxes. “You do?”

“Of course. Not under that name, of course, there’s a shell company.” She sniffed. “All villains do. Al Capone, you know. We’re not getting caught that way again.”

Knuckles and I both nodded when he looked at us, and he shook his head. “Huh. Makes sense, I guess.”

“It does.” I looked around again. The place really was crappy. “I know it’s a personal question, Mr… West, but under the circumstances I’d like to know… how much is that stipend?”

He looked down at the floor for a while, then cleared his throat. “Uh. $1100 a month.”

We all stared at him. Ms Fedorova’s mouth fell open. Knuckles looked shocked, and I was horrified. “$1100 a month?!” I asked, my voice coming out louder than I’d intended. “For risking your life on a superhero team?! I have teenaged cashiers working part-time who make more than that!”

He looked almost as startled as we did. “For working a cash register?!”

“Evil-Mart pays pretty good.” Knuckles shrugged. “But that stipend is disgusting.”

“You are being exploited,” Ms Fedorova said, sounding really aghast. “That is terrible. Why, baseline henchman pay is twice that, and there are danger bonuses and…” Her voice dropped suddenly. “You don’t have a union, do you?”

“A union? Of course we don’t have a…” He trailed off. “You mean you do?”

“Of course we do. An extremely well-armed one.” Ms Fedorova folded her arms. “Henchmen And Allied Industries has represented us for generations. The last time a supervillain executed a union henchman for failure, he was boiled in oil… literally. On camera. Oh, of course some of the less reputable villains just pick up small-time trash from the streets, untrained rabble from the gangs and so on, so they can treat them as disposable, but we union members are skilled workers, with rights and protections. I bet you don’t even get overtime.”

“Of course not. Crime happens when it happens, and we have to…” He trailed off. “You guys get overtime?”

“We’re getting double time and a half for this conversation. And an extra day off.”

His eyes widened again. “Really? Wow, that’s… even when I was working a regular job, before this, I didn’t get pay like that.” He looked down at his hands and bared his teeth in what looked like an unhappy expression. “And now I can’t work anything but this kind of job. People don’t like having a scary dinosaur in their restaurant.”

There was a long pause.

“You can cook?” Ms Fedorova asked carefully.

“Yeah. I worked in my parents’ restaurant before… this.” He gestured at himself. “They were killed when we were attacked, and I was… changed.”

We all looked at each other. “After you’ve returned Superdyne’s remains to whoever you consider appropriate,” I said, grabbing a notepad and scribbling down my number, “I’d like you to give me a call. Evil-Mart is always hiring in the bakery and deli, and I mean always. Most bad guys aren’t great cooks. We don’t know why, it just seems to be one of those things.”

“You want me to join the bad guys?”

“I want you to work in a bakery. Villains and henchmen need to eat, and so do their families. Nobody’s going to ask you to rip superheroes in half, just maybe make a sandwich that won’t give anyone food poisoning.”

“That’s a regular concern?”

“Six months ago the three of us ran Evil-Mart’s physical store completely unassisted for most of a day because the only people who weren’t down with food poisoning were the ones who’d had the vegetarian and kosher meals.” I shuddered at the recollection. “Trust me. Someone who can cater staff functions without a major disaster would never have to live in an apartment like this working for us.”

“And we get full benefits, including dental.” Knuckles was shaking his head. “I bet you don’t even get hospital.”

“What hospital would take me? I always figured I’d go to the zoo and talk to the vet if – “

Ms Fedorova actually put her arms around him. “You,” she told him firmly, “are going to resign your terrible exploitative job, and then I will personally sponsor you to the union immediately. I have a spare room. You will like it. Humidity and temperature can be set just how you like, and Mamma Yelena will take you to real doctor expert in health of hybrids.”

“Those exist?” he asked, sounding a bit overwhelmed.

“Yeah, the Genetic Reign has like three of them,” I said sympathetically. “Listen, you can take some time to think it over, but you don’t have to put up with this kind of exploitation just because you don’t look human. Nearly a third of Evil-Mart’s staff can’t pass, and they’re treated just like everyone else.”

Superdyne’s dramatic demise got a lot of news coverage. Apparently it came as a real shock to the ‘good guys’ that there were some monsters even the superest villains wouldn’t embrace.

Dinoid no longer exists. Ismail Jameel works at Evil-Mart, and has expanded our fresh food lines a lot already. He’s a nice guy, and after Ms Fedorova told everyone how disgustingly he’d been exploited by those so-called ‘heroes’, he was welcomed with open arms. Literally, in at least one case – he’s dating someone from the warehouse, I’ve heard, though I don’t know who. He says we should rename the store, because we suck at being evil.

But evil is a really relative term. It can mean the blackest depravity, or a moment of viciousness, or even just ‘people on the other side’. Evil-Mart is called that because everyone, at least everyone on our side, is welcome. Plus, we all think it’s funny that the least-evil megacorporation is called ‘Evil-Mart’. What can we say? Bad guys have a sense of humour too.

Have an evil day!

#welcome to Evil Mart #good is not just good #evil is not just evil #people are complicated #and so is retail #tw graphic #tw gore #tw violence #tw murder #it's a supervillain story #supervillain shit happens #you are now warned

7K notes · View notes