#extend loans directly

[mypoisonedvine]

𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 | neil lewis x reader

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 | a visit to gumshoe video could go one of two ways... but one way or another, you're gonna get him.

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 | varies

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | smut (18+ only), enemies to lovers, nothing too terrible just neil and reader bullying each other

this is a choose your own ending fic!! after the introduction, click to choose which way you want the story to go! each ending will have its own warnings section, so read those as well!

Technically, you always dressed well for work.  Corporate jobs require professional attire, obviously; but you were slightly overdressed today, and it wasn’t to go into the office.

Tight skirt and matching blazer, a silky-satin button-up, black heels, and thigh-high stockings with a seam up the back.  No, this wasn't how you dressed for a day in the office… this was how you dressed when you were closing a deal.

A little bell dinged as you walked into Gumshoe Video, and you looked around for a moment after you stepped inside: the decorations were… plentiful, and kitschy.  The displays were so small, and just a quick glance at some of the shelves had you frowning in confusion.  These are some seriously deep cuts… how do they make any money at this place?

Lucien came bounding up to you in an instant, hands pressed tight against his horribly out-of-fashion skinny jeans as if to hide that they were clammy already.  "Do you, uh, need help finding anything?" he asked.

You offered him a pitying smile, about to offer him a friendly ‘no thanks, but’ and then tell him why you were really here… but you were interrupted.

Jonathan, who had taken a break from sipping on a soda behind the counter, coughed to get Lucien's attention as he quickly shook his head.  He didn't seem to understand, though, looking back at you with his brows furrowed.

"Uh, ignore him,” Lucien laughed nervously.  “Are you looking for a rental?"

"Dude, she's not here to get a movie!" Jonathan snapped.  "Who dresses like that to pick up a tape?!"

"Maybe she's on her way to work!" Lucien returned sharply. "Or maybe she just came from somewhere!"

"Where?"

"My dreams!"

"No, your friend is right, I'm not here to pick up a movie," you admitted, and Lucien looked at you nervously.

"You, uh, don't like movies?" he wondered.

"I love them actually, but—"

The door to the office swung open, with Neil glaring at you from the other side of it.  "You," he announced with disdain.

"—but I'm here to speak with the owner," you finished, tilting your head and grinning at Neil.

"We have nothing to speak about," Neil assured you as he walked towards you.  

"We have multiple opportunities to discuss," you disagreed, "and my employers are very anxious that I deliver this message to you, so if we could please speak in your office—"

"Her employers?  Is this chick in the mob?!" Lucien blurted out fearfully.  "Neil, I know money's tight, but— oh fuck, was that 'small business loan' just a cover—"

"She's not from the mafia," Neil sighed.  "They actually have some morals."

You extended a hand to introduce yourself to Lucien.  After your name, you told him your job: "Head of Acquisitions, Media Giant, LLC."

Jonathan coughed again, poorly covering the sound of him saying "blood-sucking harpy" under his breath.

You smiled at him; "You really should get that cough checked out," you suggested pointedly.

“Whatever it is your puppet-masters want you to discuss with me,” Neil began, wiggling his fingers as if pantomiming a little marionette show, “you can take right over there into our women’s restrooms and shove directly up your ass.”

“Oh, that’s cute,” you smiled, “I bet you’ve been saving that one since our last little visit.  Can we go to your office now?”

“No, you can’t go in there— we just had the priest come by and bless it, we wouldn’t want your feet to burn now, would we?” Neil snarked in return.

“Fine— get it out of your system,” you encouraged.  “Say whatever’s been stuck in that pretty little head for the last month waiting for me to come back, and then we can have our meeting, alright?”

“I— well, uh—” Neil stalled, looking a little flustered as he suddenly leaned on a shelf of tapes with one hand.  “You think I’m pretty?” he mumbled nervously, running his free hand through his hair— only to put a little too much weight on the shelf and nearly tilt it over, having to scramble to catch it and make sure it was balanced again.

“Dude, pull yourself together,” Jonathan snapped at him, and Neil glared at him before looking back at you.

“Fine, okay— we can have a very brief conversation in my office,” Neil offered with a sigh, motioning for you to follow him, “but it’s going to go the same way it did last time: with me telling you hell no and you having to do the walk of shame back to your headquarters.”

“Looking forward to it,” you smiled, waving goodbye to the other men before stepping into Neil’s office as he shut the door behind you.

You watched him step around you to sit at his desk, looking at you expectantly with his legs spread and his fingers interwoven in his lap.

“Am I allowed to ask why you’re dressed like a cowboy, by the way?” you asked with a raised eyebrow, and he frowned at you as he tossed aside the hat and slipped the poncho off over his head, leaving just a much more normal outfit of jeans and a button-up underneath.

“We’re running a special on Westerns,” he explained, “it’s fun, okay?  Not that you would know fun if it smacked you on the ass and called you sweetcheeks.”

“Honey, that’s just what I call a Friday night,” you smirked as you stepped a little closer leaning against the side of his desk as he swallowed thickly.  You couldn’t just sit across from him— you needed to keep the upper hand.  “But I’m here for business.  Let’s talk business, shall we?”

“Right, business,” he frowned.  “I’m guessing your business here today is trying to buy my store, again?”

“Something like that,” you relented.

“You know, I guess I should take it as a compliment,” he grinned, leaning back further in the chair.  “Clearly, you know I’m a threat.”

“Please,” you rolled your eyes, “we’re a Fortune 500 company, and you’re a guy wearing a poncho.”

“I took off the poncho!” he defended.

“So you’re… just a guy, then,” you corrected.  “The point is, we’re not worried about you stealing our business at all.  We just think this location is going to waste.”

“You want the real estate?” he realized.

“You’re in a perfect spot, you know,” you informed him, “you just need… a little more help utilizing it.”

He sneered at you sharply.  “I don’t want anything from you.”

“You only hate me so much because you resent success,” you informed him with a sigh.  “Just because you’re broke and proud doesn’t mean making money is a sin.”

“It is when you put making money above everything else,” he replied, “like creativity and community and the authentic customer experience—”

“How exactly does Media Giant conflict with those things?” you scoffed.  “We’re a company founded on creativity— and we always foster community—”

“Spare me the doublespeak, Big Brother,” Neil scoffed, “you’re just a bunch of— of robots!  Your whole company, it’s just full of people trying to make a quick buck, top to bottom: you think the people in the back at McDonald’s give a fuck about food?  That’s what you are, the McDonald’s of the film industry.  You’d probably let a monkey work there if it could wear a nametag and convince someone to rent Fast and Furious Fifty or whatever the fuck.”

“Fine,” you sighed, “let’s just say for a moment that you’re right.  That my company is so terrible because we don’t employ people like you.”

He relaxed for a second, and you leaned in closer in hopes that he was really listening.

“This is your chance to fix that!” you explained.  “You can save us from the inside out, you know.  You can start from the bottom, be our best sales guy, and then it turns into a promotion and a raise and soon you’re climbing the corporate ladder— where you can make some real change.”

He shook his head, laughing a little.  “That’s not actually possible, it’s just a fantasy you tell all your little minions to keep them compliant.”

“It’s what I did,” you shrugged.

“You?” he realized with a laugh.  “You, in one of those navy vests and nametags, selling people tapes?”

“I’m sort of a cinephile,” you admitted.  “I wanted a job where I could talk about movies all day— and thanks to me, that Media Giant location rented out more copies of The Seventh Seal than all the rest combined.”

He stood up quickly, stepping closer to where you sat on his desk.  “Y-you like The Seventh Seal?”

“It’s a masterpiece,” you answered, speaking a little softer as he was so close, “Bergman is a genius.”

A strange look crossed over his face, a heavy-lidded sort of look as he examined you.  “Tarantino?”

“Overrated, but not bad,” you replied quickly.

“Tarkovsky?”

“Good, but hard to watch.”

“Lynch?”

You scoffed; “Don’t insult me.”

He laughed a little, crossing his arms and looking away from you.  “You could be one of the good ones,” he realized, “but you sold out.  And now you’re just a suit.”

“It’s not so bad,” you smirked, “I think you’d like a little more… structure, given the chance.”

“And that’s what you’re offering?” he pressed, and you nodded.

“We’ll let you keep the name, your employees… most of the decoration,” you offered, “you’ll just be technically a Media Giant franchise.  You have nothing to lose, and so much fucking money to gain.”

He sighed a little, looking at you again.  You could tell he was considering it, but not very thoroughly.  All you could do was hope for the best, and wait for an answer…

CLICK HERE FOR THE SUB!NEIL ENDING

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOM!NEIL ENDING

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Erin Reed at Erin In The Morning:

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order drastically limiting public service workers’ ability to obtain student loan forgiveness. Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, workers at government agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. But Trump's order threatens to strip that benefit—specifically targeting employees at organizations that support transgender rights or diversity initiatives. If enforced, the order could have sweeping consequences, cutting off loan relief for workers at countless nonprofits, civil rights organizations, hospitals, and schools across the country.

[...]

Both of these are common administration euphemisms for supporting transgender people and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. When viewed alongside other executive orders, the implications become even more sweeping. For example, Trump's ban on “chemical and surgical castration” could extend to organizations that provide, support, or defend the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. His education-focused executive order goes even further—under its broad language, a teacher using a transgender student’s name and pronouns could be accused of “practicing medicine without a license.”

[...

The most immediate targets are LGBTQ+ organizations operating as 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Many health centers and clinics explicitly serve LGBTQ+ populations, offering gender-affirming care for both youth and adults. These organizations are already under pressure—just recently, Whitman-Walker in Washington, D.C., removed references to transgender people and gender identity from its website in response to mounting threats, only to restore them after public backlash. Under Trump's executive order, such centers could face even greater risk, with their funding and operations directly threatened for providing essential care.

Legal organizations are also likely to face threats. If the ACLU or Lambda Legal’s defense of transgender rights is interpreted as materially aiding transgender youth in accessing care, their employees could see their PSLF eligibility revoked under the administration’s justification that they are "harming our national security and American values." While this may seem extreme, the administration has already shown a willingness to retaliate against legal opposition. It recently targeted the law firm Perkins Coie for challenging its policies, barring its attorneys from federal buildings through an executive order written explicitly against them. Now, nonprofits dedicated to challenging the administration’s actions on LGBTQ+ rights could find themselves in the crosshairs. Hospitals and schools are also at risk. Any hospital providing gender-affirming care for transgender youth would clearly fall under the administration’s prohibition, potentially jeopardizing PSLF eligibility for its employees. Teachers at schools that support transgender students could face similar consequences. The earlier-mentioned education executive order defines socially supporting transgender youth as “practicing medicine without a license,” echoing a common conservative argument that social affirmation "places them on a pathway" to medical transition. Under this broad interpretation, educators who simply acknowledge a transgender student’s identity could be targeted.

Tyrant 47’s war on trans people and their existence marches on, as the latest anti-trans move is to make trans people and their allies suffer by making them ineligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

[pepper-steam-milkshake]

Every Instance of Dazai's Ability Being Used, and the Few Times it Doesn't Work

Because I really wanted to look into the logistics of Dazai's ability, I decided that I wanted to look through every source of media (barring BEAST) I could for when his ability has been used. This includes:

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen (Light Novel)

STORMBRINGER (Light Novel)

DEAD APPLE (Light Novel, pre-manga)

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era (Light Novel)

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam (Light Novel)

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

DEAD APPLE (Light Novel)

55 Minutes (Light Novel)

This list does not include:

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency (no instances)

BEAST (Did not use)

Any instances in the anime

Any instances with general descriptions ('a guy who used his ability to nullify', 'he used his ability', etc. Was looking for instances with explicit explanation/visuals of what he does)

Spoilers ahead for all the above, and the manga through Chapter 101. Read at your own discretion.

The First Time we See it Used (Chronologically) - Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen

The first instance that Dazai's ability is ever used is on Nakahara Chuuya in Phase.01, as written below.

(Dazai) placed a hand on Chuuya's neck. "Sorry, but gravity is no longer yours to control." Dazai's skill also activated when he touched his target. He had the power to halt and nullify all skills. It was the ultimate anti-skill, no exceptions.

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen, Phase.01, Page 23

This is a classic example of Dazai's ability working traditionally, where he has direct skin-to-skin contact with Chuuya. Since Chuuya's ability is internal, as long Dazai touches him, he cannot use it.

Then, near the end of the novel, he uses his ability to nullify Arthur Rimbaud's ability against Nakahara Chuuya.

In (Dazai's) left hand was a piece of fabric: a garland he'd used as decoration for Chuuya's fake party. The long garland dragged along the ground, cleverly hidden in the shadows of floating debris. One end of the cloth was stuffed inside Chuuya's clothes. "I told Chuuya to pick up this garland when you destroyed the nearby building," Dazai said with a child-like grin. "Then I tied it to myself using my skill," Chuuya added with the scythe still piercing his arm. "I wrapped it around my entire body and made sure it was hidden underneath my clothes." "After that, I simply touched the other end." Dazai held up the cloth. "Want to guess what happened then?" "The skill affecting the cloth you touched... was nullified."

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen, Phase.04, Page 115

For that instance, instead of physical contact with the ability user, Dazai extended his ability across an object to Chuuya. This made the object nullified against Rimbaud's ability, forming a shield of sorts to block his skill from attacking further.

The First Time it's Used On a Singularity - STORMBRINGER

NOTE: I own a copy of STORMBRINGER, but at the time of making this post, I was loaning it out to a friend. With that said, I used a translation that I have read previously. If you wish to locate it, go to bsd-bibliophile's Tumblr and search from there. I don't want to directly link it for obvious reasons.

Dazai's ability is seen twice in STORMBRINGER. The first instance is near the beginning of it, as written in the translation below.

(Dazai) casually grabbed Chuuya's arm and lifted it up. At that moment, the abnormal gravitational field that surrounded them immediately disappeared, along with the insufferable pain Chuuya had felt.

STORMBRINGER, [CODE ; 01]

Like before, we have yet another example of Dazai using direct skin-to-skin contact to nullify. However, in this instance, it is used to nullify a partial singularity, as Corruption has not been fully unleashed here. (At least, that is how I am interpreting it.)

Then, near the end of STORMBRINGER:

Chuuya limply drifted in the air for several seconds before the black wings on his back slowly lowered him. Dazai caught his body. The minute he touched his body, Dazai's ability nullification activated. The self-contradictory singularity energy that sustained him retracted in on itself as the singularity's power outlet decreased. He eventually returned to normal and his gate closed. The red marks plaguing Chuuya's body pulled away. The field of gravity disappeared and the stillness of night was restored.

STORMBRINGER, [CODE ; 04]

Yet again, nullification through direct skin contact. This instance doesn't provide an exact idea of where they touched, but it's reasonable to assume he touched Chuuya on his back or something.

This is the first time Dazai's ability has been used related to a singularity.

Singularity Time - DEAD APPLE Prologue

Dazai continues to use his ability to nullify Chuuya's singularity as seen in the prologue of DEAD APPLE. Though this is not shown in the light novel or in the movie, it can be seen in the manga, as shown here:

DEAD APPLE Manga, Volume 3, Chapter 10

Dazai touches Chuuya's face to nullify corruption.

Other Instances Before Dazai Joins the ADA - The Heartless Cur and BSD Manga Chapter 12

The Heartless Cur is a short story provided in the sixth volume of the Bungou Stray Dogs Manga, which tells of how Akutagawa and Dazai first met. Akutagawa attempts to use his ability on Dazai as written below:

Akutagawa turned his own sleeve into a wide blade, and thrust it into the boy's neck without a shred of hesitation. "Not bad," Dazai said, quietly. Akutagawa was stunned. He was sure the boy should have died. However, Akutagawa's blade had vanished like mist right where it would have touched the boy's neck.

The Heartless Cur, Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #6

Then, a flashback is shown from when Dazai was mentoring Akutagawa. During that, Akutagawa attempts to use his ability against him.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #3, Chapter 12

As seen here, Dazai directly touches Rashoumon with his hand, nullifying the ability upon contact.

Dazai Gets Tested and Tests Others - Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam

Dazai gets to use his ability a whopping four times in this Light Novel, which can also be seen in the remarkably inaccurate two-episode Azure Apostle arc in the anime.

It's used twice on Kunikida in a short period of time, as shown below:

The bullet tears through the air until it hits (Dazai) right between the eyes.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 127

I take the pistol I shot earlier and toss it at Dazai. He catches it, and almost instantly, it transforms back into a piece of notebook paper in his hands.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 129

Since the bullets were also created using my skill, they were nullified and vaporized by Dazai's own skill on contact.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 130

Again, direct contact with Dazai's skin gets rid of the bullets, vaporizing them, while turning Kunikida's pistol back to its original state. This is interesting to me in how Dazai's ability impacts them differently. Because the bullets were created with the pistol, the bullets vanished. However, when Dazai touched the pistol, it reverted back to notebook paper with whatever Kunikida wrote on it.

This is also the second instance where Dazai touches an object and uses his ability on it.

Then, his ability is used twice on the numbers terrorist.

"Why...?! Why won't any numbers appear?! I can't accelerate, either! Why, why, why is this happening?!" "You should've done your homework. Skills don't work on me."

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 150

What I find interesting about this is that he isn't touching an object or the ability user here. I'm assuming that since it would require to impact Dazai's skin, that is where the nullification occurred. If the ability didn't show up on his skin, would it still have been nullified? We shall never know.

However, him nullifying the ability against himself does not nullify it against anyone else. This is further encouraged by the below:

Dazai's right fist connects with the young man's face, spinning him a full 180 degrees.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 150

(Kunikida's POV) Then I look at my body to find that the numbers have vanished. Dazai must have defeated that skill user.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 151

It appears that if Dazai wants to end an ability user's ability on everyone at that moment, he has to touch that ability user physically. So, to be clear, Dazai's skin can nullify the effect of an ability on himself. Dazai touching skin-to-skin with an active ability user nullifies the effect of their ability on everyone.

Examples We See in the Present - Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

Dazai uses his ability quite a few times at the beginning of the series, but it begins to be many more chapters between once we finish with the Guild Arc. It goes from less than twenty to twenty, then, fifty. The last time (as of posting this) that Dazai has used his ability was in Chapter 101. Make of that what you will.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #1, Chapter 1

Direct skin-to-skin contact. Atsushi returns to his original human form.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #1, Chapter 4

ATSUSHI - Direct skin-to-skin contact. Atsushi returns to his original human form.

AKUTAGAWA - Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Rashoumon vanishes.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #3, Chapter 9

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Rashoumon vanishes after cutting through Dazai's bandages to his neck.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #7, Chapter 25

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Q's doll disintegrates, and the ability deactivates against Atsushi.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #7, Chapter 29

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Q's doll disintegrates, and everyone affected by the ability is released from it.

Note: Touching those affected by the ability would not nullify its impact on them. He would actively have to touch the catalyst of the ability (the doll) or Q themself.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 30

Skin-to-skin contact. Because Steinbeck's vines are in the middle of being created and used by him, Dazai touching him on the neck nullifies them and causes them to disintegrate.

I explain this because there is an instance in the future where Dazai touches Steinbeck's vines and they don't disintegrate, which I will attempt to explain.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31

Skin-to-skin contact. Dazai nullifies Chuuya's Corruption.

We Will Now Take a Break From Our Scheduled Programming - DEAD APPLE

Dazai uses his ability three times during DEAD APPLE.

The moment his fingers touched the crystals, their hard gem-like surfaces cracked, and they melted away. Drip. Trails of light suddenly transformed into a liquid-like blood, swirling around and mixing together in the air. The two lights melted into one and spun until they formed a single sphere.

DEAD APPLE, Interlude-3, Page 126

In this, he is touching Shibusawa's ability-infused objects. At least, that is how I'm interpreting it. It doesn't change the fact that the users behind them are dead, but it means they are no longer being contained.

Then, in a classic instance that I'm sure everyone will recognize:

The viscous liquid slid down Dazai's throat until eventually, long, slender fingers touched Chuuya's ghastly, corrupted face. When they made contact, it instantly nullified his skill.

DEAD APPLE, 5-4, Page 154

Skin-to-skin.

The next instance, however, is considerably interesting to me.

"Get off me," he demanded, but Dazai kept him still. "Don't move." "The hell?" Chuuya grimaced as Dazai held his head down. While glancing around, Dazai admitted, "Looks like the fog hasn't completely cleared yet, and I'd rather not have to protect you from your skill right now."

DEAD APPLE, 5-4, Page 155

By maintaining skin-to-skin contact with Chuuya, Dazai prevents Shibusawa's ability (the fog) from affecting Chuuya. Since Chuuya's ability is nullified, there is none to steal in that moment.

And Back to the Manga! - Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

This instance is not a very explicit one, but it is heavily implied that he is using his ability in this moment.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #12, Chapter 51

As per usual, skin-to-skin with Atsushi, and skin-to-ability-infused-object with Akutagawa (well, potential, as it's not active at that moment).

The next instance is in Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #22, Chapter 101. There's no specific panel or image of how exactly it works, because it's not tangible.

To be clear, Dazai nullifies the cat burglar's time control ability's effect on him. The reason for this is assuming that if it affects a certain amount of space (as stated, a few kilometers within her radius), it is technically tangible, and therefore can be viewed as touching everyone within that space. If it touches Dazai's skin, it won't impact him.

I had to think about this a lot more than I thought I would. Initially, I thought, 'it has no corporeal form or anything, it's not as if he's touching her... there's no rational explanation for why he can nullify it.' This thought was further encouraged by the fact that Fukuchi turned back time repeatedly, and Dazai couldn't have been not impacted by that.

Then, I realized that Asagiri specifically stated that there is a limited space in which her ability can take effect. By giving it a spatial limit, it is implied that it has to make some sort of barely visible contact to freeze everyone in time, as it doesn't do that for everyone else.

Asagiri, you clever son of a bitch. For fuck's sake.

These are all the instances where Dazai's ability has been successfully used. However, there are times where it fails to work. I want to explore those moments and explain why. Some are more self-explanatory than others.

He's Only Human - Dazai's Entrance Exam, BSD Manga, and 55 Minutes

There are six different points where Dazai's ability doesn't activate. I think it's important to look at them, because it shows exceptions to his ability.

The first instance is in Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam. You're going to laugh at me for putting this example in, but I feel it is necessary.

"Heh-heh. What surprised me the most was the fact that Ranpo's 'skill' isn't actually a skill at all." ...Huh? "Don't be ridiculous. As if someone without a skill could really do something like that." "That's what makes it so amazing! Listen to this. When Ranpo was thinking, I sneaked up behind him and pinched some of his hair."

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Pages 110-111

It goes without saying, but Dazai's ability can't impact an ability that doesn't exist. Ranpo's Super Deduction is imaginary, and thus, Dazai can't nullify it.

Next is a few instances in the manga.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #2, Chapter 7

Because Kyouka purposefully does not touch Dazai's skin, she could activate her ability, Demon Snow. Now, could it be said that theoretically, Dazai could've blocked this by extending his ability to his coat? Maybe. Considering previous examples, it's fair to say that if Dazai didn't want to get abducted here? He probably could've avoided it easily. Just some food for thought.

There's no visual of it in the manga, but I brought this up earlier. In Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31, Dazai and Chuuya go to rescue Q. They are entrapped by Steinbeck's roots, and Dazai has to cut them out of it. Please keep in mind that when I say this, this is based off theory alone and no direct proof, panel, animation-wise or otherwise. I believe that when Dazai is cutting Q out of the roots, odds are, he probably brushes against them with his knife-holding hand a little. Since these roots were all created together, wouldn't it be reasonable to think that they would disintegrate under Dazai's touch? Which brings up another point: why wouldn't Dazai just touch the roots if that was the case? That would be far easier than cutting them all away, unless he's intentionally trying to annoy Chuuya (which is incredibly possible but time-consuming). This makes me think that Dazai's ability can stop ability-created objects if they are still actively being made or used by the ability user, but if they are no longer attached to the user (activity-wise) and were not created from an object (like Doppo Poet or Dogra Magra for example), they remain existing.

Anyways. Sorry about the rant. Back to actual examples.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31

As Dazai will clearly state himself after recovering from this, Lovecraft's tentacles are not an ability. If it's not related to an ability, he can do nothing against it.

Then, we have 55 Minutes, which introduces this fascinating tidbit:

(Wells) "Skills that nullify other skills will not activate if the user is dead. In other words, Dazai--or rather, his body--won't be nullifying any skills since his heart has stopped."

55 Minutes, Page 186

First, when Dazai's heart came to a stop, the blood supply to the brain would cease, and Dazai would die. When this happened, his skill would cease to exist, and other skills would start working on him again. Therefore, his wounds needed to be swiftly treated, and he'd need immediate resuscitation afterward--even the kind of resuscitation they perform at any ordinary hospital through electric stimulation. And if that worked, Dazai would going from being "dead" to being "on the brink of death." After that, Yosano could use her skill to completely heal his wounds. In other words, it should be possible to heal Dazai as long as he was on the brink of death.

55 Minutes, Page 186-187

Yeah, so if he's dead-ish? Abilities will work on him. Albeit, it's a very, very short time-frame, but it does in fact exist.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #21, Chapter 95

In this panel, Nikolai uses his ability, The Overcoat, on Dazai. This shows that yet again, as long as the ability does not touch him directly skin-to-skin, it will work as intended.

SUMMARY

Dazai's ability can be used against anyone or anything that he can touch. Examples being:

Ability users he is touching skin-to-skin with

Objects he is actively touching and willing his ability into

Abilities that are infused into external objects (ex: Rashoumon in Akutagawa's jacket, a gun created from a sheet of paper in Kunikida's notebook)

Abilities that would have direct contact with his skin (ex: the numbers skill from Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam)

Dazai's ability cannot affect:

Skill users he is not touching skin-to-skin (ex: Kyouka grabbing his jacket when abducting him so she can continue using Demon Snow)

Objects that are no longer actively a part of an ability (ex: Steinbeck's vines on Q) [ASSUMPTION]

Not abilities (Ranpo, Lovecraft)

Abilities he is not touching with his skin (ex: Nikolai's ability)

Abilities when his heart isn't beating/he's dead

So. Do with this information what you will.

Also, for shits and giggles, here's a running tally of how many times his ability has been used on an individual, and who it has failed to impact.

SUCCESSFUL NULLIFICATION

Nakahara Chuuya: six

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke: five (one time implied)

Nakajima Atsushi: three (one time implied)

Kunikida Doppo: two

Numbers Guy from DOEE: two

Q: two

Shibusawa Tatsuhiko: two

John Steinbeck: one

Arthur Rimbaud: one

Cat Burglar: at least once

FAILED NULLIFICATION

Edogawa Ranpo

Izumi Kyouka

John Steinbeck [ASSUMPTION]

Lovecraft

Yosano Akiko

Nikolai Gogol

[abboudlawfirm-tucson]

What is an example of consequential damages?

When navigating the complex world of contracts, especially in industries like construction, it’s important to understand the types of damages that may arise during a breach. One term often encountered is "consequential damages." If you’re uncertain about what these damages entail or how they might affect your situation, this article breaks it down for you. We’ll explain what consequential damages are, how they differ from other types of damages, and why they matter.

What Are Consequential Damages?

Consequential damages, also known as indirect or special damages, are losses that don’t result directly from a breach of contract but occur as a consequence of it. These are distinct from actual damages, which cover direct losses. Consequential damages often include broader financial impacts that ripple out from the breach.

For instance, consider a contractor failing to complete a construction project on time. Beyond the immediate costs of completing the project, the project owner might face additional losses like:

Lost Profits: Revenue the project could have generated if completed on schedule.

Increased Financing Costs: Higher interest payments due to extended project timelines.

Mitigation Expenses: Costs incurred to minimize the effects of the delay.

Examples of Consequential Damages

Here’s a practical example to help you better understand the concept:

The Restaurant Project

Imagine a contractor hired to build a restaurant with a completion deadline set to coincide with the busy summer season. However, the project is delayed by three months, leading to:

Lost Revenue: The restaurant misses out on summer profits.

Increased Costs: Extra interest payments on loans to fund construction.

Reputation Damage: The delay harms the restaurant’s reputation, potentially reducing future customer trust.

These examples highlight how consequential damages can significantly affect a business’s financial health.

How Do Courts View Consequential Damages?

Courts assess consequential damages based on factors like:

Foreseeability: Were these damages foreseeable when the contract was made? Both parties should have reasonably anticipated such risks.

Mitigation: Did the affected party take reasonable steps to minimize their losses?

Since these factors can vary in interpretation, it’s essential to carefully draft and review contracts to address potential risks.

The Importance of Waiving Consequential Damages

In industries like construction, many contracts include clauses waiving consequential damages to limit financial exposure during a breach. While these clauses can protect parties, they may also lead to disputes if their scope and wording are unclear. Proper legal guidance is crucial to ensure these clauses are effective and fair.

Protect Your Interests

Understanding consequential damages is critical when entering into contracts or managing disputes. These damages can significantly influence financial outcomes, and their interpretation often depends on the specifics of the contract and the circumstances of the breach.

If you’re dealing with a breach of contract or drafting a new agreement, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to protect your interests. Contact a Tucson personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and gain clarity on your legal options.

[collapsedsquid]

Exploitation by Hezbollah extends beyond the banking system. In one notable post-default development, the group began advertising loans for solar power installations (see figure 1). These pitches surged amid stricter rationing by Électricité du Liban, a general deterioration of services, inflation-bloated prices for generator power, and the lifting of a fuel subsidy.The sustainable offering appeared to dovetail with U.S. and European efforts to provide solar power to the Lebanese people as part of new humanitarian aid programs. But inspection of the details reveals cracks. Although Hezbollah-furnished solar energy is essentially cheaper than generator power, AQAH loan amounts cover only panels made by Chinese companies operating in Lebanon. In the final analysis, Hezbollah benefits, the Chinese companies benefit, and AQAH borrowers get access to electricity. But the Chinese panels do not last very long. And municipalities have somehow skirted rules against taking out loans and have borrowed from Hezbollah, meaning government institutions are directly supporting the growth of AQAH.

This piece was published June 2023 and may relate to the solar panels exploding

[mariacallous]

The April 10 legislative elections in South Korea loom especially large for President Yoon Suk-yeol. After winning his election in March 2022 by the narrowest margin in the country’s history, the conservative Yoon inherited the National Assembly elected in 2020, in which South Korea’s liberals won a historic landslide thanks to the Moon Jae-in administration’s strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of the legislature’s 300 seats, the liberal coalition won a 180-seat majority, the largest margin of victory in South Korea’s democratic history.

Two years into his five-year presidential term, Yoon has left a mark in areas that are down to the president alone. Yoon made profligate use of presidential decrees, executive orders that don’t require legislative approval. In his first year, Yoon issued 809 presidential decrees, while his two immediate predecessors, Moon and Park Geun-hye, issued 660 and 653 decrees, respectively, in their first years. Yoon also exerted influence through his appointments—most notably Park Min, the new head of the state-owned broadcaster KBS who sacked popular liberal journalists as soon as he took office. In foreign policy, Yoon capitulated to Japan’s demands to sideline World War II-era Korean forced laborers and release wastewater from the failed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, paving the way for U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation.

But in areas that require legislative assent, Yoon has been stymied. The South Korean Constitution allows the executive branch to directly propose a bill to the legislature. For the first six months of Yoon’s presidency, the National Assembly refused to pass a single bill proposed by the government. Yoon’s campaign pledge of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, pandering to the toxic misogyny rampant among young Korean men and fueling their conservative turn, has not come to pass because a reorganization of cabinet ministries requires passing a law. (Yoon has responded by simply refusing to appoint a gender equality minister.)

Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Party has leveraged its commanding majority to pass laws that could have been highly damaging to Yoon, such as providing for special prosecutor investigations of the Itaewon Halloween disaster, in which 159 partygoers died in crushing crowds in Seoul’s popular nightlife district, and the alleged stock pump-and-dump scheme on the part of first lady Kim Keon-hee. Each time, Yoon responded by exercising a presidential veto, quickly racking up nine vetoes in the first two years of his presidency—equal to the total number of vetoes exercised by six of his predecessors combined.

Naturally, the Yoon administration and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are heavily focused on recapturing the legislative majority in elections this month. Yoon was able to win the presidency by flipping a significant part of Seoul from liberal to conservative between 2020 and 2022, by pandering heavily to grievances over rising property tax. The real estate slump since Yoon’s election—Seoul’s condominium prices dipped by more than 7 percent in the past year—threatened to erode that support, as the lower condo price damaged upper-middle-class Seoul residents’ primary investment while the decreased profits and higher interest rate pushed large construction companies to the brink.

In response, South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service audited banks for charging what the regulators claimed were overly high interest rates, in a move seen as a tactic to pressure banks to extend loans to companies that posed a credit risk. The government also delayed the publication of major economic indicators such as the previous year’s budget deficit and the rising price of consumer goods until after election day on April 10.

For its interim leader in the run-up to the election, the PPP tapped Han Dong-hoon, Yoon’s justice minister and heir apparent. Because of his patrician air and relative youth at 51 years old, Han has been hailed as representing the next generation of conservatives. In the words of conservative columnist Kim Soon-deok of Dong-A Ilbo, Han stands in contrast to Yoon in three ways: “First, he does not drink. Second, he is not a stinky old man. Third, he dresses well and speaks with refined language.” With Han at the center, the conservative party has been able to distance itself from the deeply unpopular president.

The Yoon administration also enjoyed a bump in popularity with its proposal to increase the number of medical students by 2,000—a significant jump from the current level of around 3,000. South Korea has a very low number of doctors, which has resulted in a lack of access to medical care especially outside the Seoul metropolitan area. At just 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, it’s as low as in the United States, which also has a significant and artificially created shortage, and less than half of the number of most developed countries. Doctors reacted strongly, with more than 90 percent of interns and residents going on strike. Nevertheless, the Yoon administration effectively painted doctors as money-grubbers who wished to artificially restrict the size of their ranks to protect their bottom line. With all these moves, by late February it appeared that Yoon and the conservatives had put themselves in the pole position.

Meanwhile, South Korean liberals have been mired in a civil war. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party and a former presidential candidate who opposed Yoon, began as a member of the minority faction within his party. As the Democratic Party finalized its slate of candidates in February, the legislators not aligned with Lee found themselves sidelined from running for their seats again. Many of them—including high-ranking members such as Assembly Deputy Speaker Kim Young-joo—quit the party, casting their lot with the PPP or seeking a third-party bid with former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, who lost a bitter presidential primary against Lee in 2021.

But the campaign landscape changed dramatically in March as a new third party, the Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), took the scene by storm. The RKP was founded by Cho Kuk, who was widely considered to be the heir apparent to Moon as the liberal president’s justice minister. Instead, Cho’s short time in office fueled the rise of Yoon.

As South Korea’s prosecutor general at the time, Yoon conducted a massive investigation campaign against Cho and his family, eventually putting his wife in prison for forging a service certificate that was included in their daughter’s college applications. Yoon’s prosecution of Cho galvanized the conservatives, who saw Cho as a symbol of liberal hypocrisy. Liberals, on the other hand, saw Cho as a martyr whose family was destroyed for the sake of Yoon’s quest for power.

With Yoon’s unpopularity, the latter narrative began to win out. The RKP’s slogan is not subtle: “Three years is too long,” referring to the remaining term of Yoon’s presidency. The new party quickly became the rallying flag for South Korean liberals critical of Yoon but disappointed with the Democratic Party’s internal squabbling. Even moderates began joining the RKP ranks, attracted by the clear message of punishing the Yoon administration. Within weeks of its launch, the RKP became South Korea’s most popular party with approximately 25 percent support.

A major turning point came on March 18, when Yoon made a highly publicized visit to a supermarket—a photo op to show that the president was tending to the wild increase in food prices. In January and February, the cost of food in South Korea increased by 6.7 percent year over year, with popular items like apples rising by as much as 121.9 percent in the same period, resulting in some supermarkets selling a single apple for 19,800 won (about $15).

At the supermarket, Yoon held up a bundle of scallions and said: “I do a lot of grocery shopping, and 875 won for a bundle seems reasonable.” But in most grocery stores around South Korea, a bundle of scallions typically sells for between 4,000 and 7,000 won; the supermarket that Yoon visited just happened to be running a suspiciously well-timed promotion on scallions.

Yoon’s attempt at Potemkin produce, over a household item whose price is common knowledge, instantly became fodder for viral mockery. Especially in the Seoul metropolitan area, where partisanship is relatively weak and election results tend to alternate, support for the conservatives began crashing. Yoon’s gaffe, and the rise of his nemesis Cho, is threatening to reverse the gain that South Korea’s conservatives have made in Seoul in the past two years.

Seeking to recapture the momentum, Yoon took to the bully pulpit on April 1 to exhort the striking doctors to return to work. But the government’s standoff against doctors is now losing popularity, as the public is facing the consequences of a lack of medical care, such as emergency rooms rejecting ambulances and cancer surgeries being delayed indefinitely. The newly elected head of the Korea Medical Association vowed that the doctors would not negotiate unless Yoon apologized and sacked the health minister.

In his April 1 statement, Yoon offered no compromise—a stance that has done little for conservatives as election day approaches. After the president’s address, one unnamed conservative legislator despaired: “I feel like a dinosaur looking up at the oncoming comet, sensing our extinction.”

[xettle-technologies]

What Are Micro ATM Services and How Do They Revolutionize Banking in Rural Areas?

In the age of digital transformation, access to financial services is more critical than ever. Yet, for millions in rural and semi-urban areas, traditional banking facilities remain out of reach due to the lack of infrastructure and logistical challenges. This gap is where Micro ATM Services come into play, bridging the divide and empowering communities with financial access.

What Are Micro ATM Services?

Micro ATM services refer to a portable and user-friendly banking solution that allows basic banking operations to be conducted in areas with limited or no access to traditional banking infrastructure. Micro ATMs are compact, mobile devices operated by banking correspondents (BCs), often in local shops or community hubs, where they act as an extended arm of the bank.

These devices are designed to perform essential banking functions such as:

Cash withdrawal

Cash deposit

Balance inquiry

Fund transfers

Aadhaar-enabled payment services (AEPS)

Micro ATM services are linked to the user’s bank account and utilize biometric authentication or debit card verification to ensure secure transactions. They operate through mobile or internet connectivity, making them ideal for rural and remote regions.

The Working of Micro ATM Services

A Micro ATM device is equipped with a card reader, fingerprint scanner, and sometimes a small display screen. Here’s how it typically works:

Banking Correspondent Role: A banking correspondent operates the Micro ATM. They connect with individuals who need banking services but lack access to traditional ATMs or branches.

Authentication: Customers authenticate themselves using biometric data (such as Aadhaar fingerprint verification) or by inserting their debit/credit cards.

Transaction Processing: The device connects to the customer’s bank account via a secure network, enabling transactions like withdrawals or deposits.

Transaction Completion: After processing, a receipt is generated, and the customer receives real-time updates, ensuring transparency and trust.

Revolutionizing Banking in Rural Areas

1. Accessibility and Convenience

For people living in remote areas, traveling to the nearest bank branch can be time-consuming and expensive. Micro ATM services eliminate this need by bringing banking to their doorstep. Villagers can perform financial transactions conveniently without leaving their communities.

2. Financial Inclusion

One of the main objectives of Micro ATM services is to promote financial inclusion. By offering banking services to the unbanked and underbanked populations, these devices empower people to participate in the formal economy. They also help in disbursing government subsidies directly to beneficiaries under schemes like DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).

3. Cost-Effective Banking Solution

Building and maintaining traditional bank branches in rural areas is costly and often unfeasible. Micro ATMs provide a cost-effective alternative for banks to expand their reach without significant infrastructure investments.

4. Boosting Rural Economy

With access to banking services, rural residents can save money, avail loans, and invest in small businesses, which collectively contribute to the growth of the rural economy. Micro ATM services also enable merchants to accept digital payments, further driving economic activity.

5. Enhancing Digital Literacy

By exposing rural populations to modern financial tools, Micro ATM services play a role in improving digital literacy. As people become familiar with using these services, they are more likely to adopt other digital payment methods, contributing to India’s vision of a cashless economy.

Role of Technology in Micro ATM Services

Advanced technologies have made Micro ATM services reliable and efficient. Features such as biometric authentication, real-time transaction updates, and integration with Aadhaar ensure secure and smooth operations. The portability and simplicity of these devices allow them to function even in low-connectivity areas.

Xettle Technologies, a leading innovator in the financial technology sector, has made significant strides in enhancing the efficiency of Micro ATM services. By developing user-friendly and secure solutions, Xettle Technologies ensures that financial services reach every corner of the country, fostering greater inclusion and economic empowerment.

Challenges in Implementing Micro ATM Services

While Micro ATM services have been transformative, there are challenges to address:

Connectivity Issues: Rural areas often face inconsistent mobile and internet connectivity, which can hamper device functionality.

Awareness and Trust: Many rural residents are unfamiliar with digital banking tools and may hesitate to use them due to concerns about fraud or complexity.

Limited Cash Flow: Banking correspondents operating Micro ATMs may run out of cash, limiting the ability to meet customer demands.

The Future of Micro ATM Services

The future of Micro ATM service is promising, with advancements in technology poised to overcome existing challenges. Some trends include:

Improved Connectivity: The expansion of mobile networks and internet infrastructure in rural areas will ensure uninterrupted service.

Enhanced Features: Newer Micro ATM models may include multilingual support, better biometric scanners, and integration with advanced payment systems.

Policy Support: Government initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana and Digital India will continue to drive the adoption of Micro ATM services.

Conclusion

Micro ATM services are a game-changer in the quest for financial inclusion, particularly in rural and underserved areas. They bring banking closer to the people, foster economic activity, and pave the way for a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

Companies like Xettle Technologies are at the forefront of this revolution, developing solutions that make banking accessible, secure, and efficient for everyone. By addressing challenges and embracing innovation, Micro ATM services are set to play a vital role in shaping the future of banking in India and beyond.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from DeSmog Blog:

With its unparalleled purchasing power and exacting demands, fast food has long shaped agricultural systems in the United States, Europe, and China. But as major American fast food brands, like KFC, expand into so-called “frontier markets,” taxpayer-funded development banks have made their global expansion possible by underwriting the factory farms that supply them with chicken, a DeSmog investigation has found. 

In all, the investigation identified five factory-scale poultry companies in as many countries that have received financial support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC, the private-sector lending arm of the World Bank Group), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), or both since 2003, and that supply chicken to KFC. A sixth company has benefited from IFC advisory services but has not received financing. 

A review of press accounts, financial disclosures, and the companies’ websites shows this support aided these firms’ KFC-linked operations in up to 13 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

In Kazakhstan, both banks helped a Soviet-era poultry factory become a KFC supplier. In 2011, the IFC lent poultry company Ust-Kamenogorsk Poultry (UKPF) invested $2 million in refurbishing housing for chickens, among other projects. In 2016, the EBRD made a $20 million equity investment in the company’s parent, Aitas, to finance the construction of a new facility to raise and process poultry. In 2018, two years after announcing the financing deal, UKPF revealed it had become a supplier to KFC in Kazakhstan. The EBRD sold its stake in the company in 2019. 

In South Africa, the IFC helped one KFC supplier bolster its operations across the region. In 2013, the bank loaned Country Bird Holdings $25 million to expand existing operations in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. Country Bird supplies KFC in all three countries, as well as Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Three years later, in 2016, Country Bird also became KFC’s sole franchisee in Zambia.

In Jordan, the EBRD’s technical support and a 2015 loan worth up to $21 million helped poultry company Al Jazeera Agricultural Company upgrade its facilities and expand its retail presence. Al Jazeera claims to produce half the country’s restaurant-sold chicken. It includes the local franchisees of KFC and Texas Chicken (known by its original name, Church’s Chicken, in the U.S.) as clients. 

With this Global North-financed fast-food expansion comes a host of environmental, social, and health concerns in regions often unprepared to field them.

“It’s so clear that these investments are not consistent with any coherent notion of sustainable development,” Kari Hamerschlag, deputy director for the food and agriculture program at Friends of the Earth US, told DeSmog. 

Providing Financial Security for Fast Food Suppliers 

Both the IFC and the EBRD are financed primarily by the governments of developed countries for the benefit of developing countries. The IFC was founded in 1956 under the umbrella of the World Bank Group to stimulate developing economies by lending directly to businesses. Founded in 1991, the EBRD was formed to support Eastern Europe’s transition to a market economy. Since then, it has extended its geographic reach to include other regions. 

Development banks often finance companies and projects in regions that more risk-averse commercial banks tend to avoid. The idea is to help grow a company’s operations and lower the risk for private sector investors. 

Both of these development banks’ investments cover a range of sectors, including manufacturing, education, agribusiness, energy, and tourism. Because large agro-processors, such as poultry companies, can transform bushel upon bushel of local crops into more valuable products, like meat, they make especially attractive clients. 

The world’s largest restaurant company, U.S.-based Yum! Brands, owns KFC, and calls the fried chicken powerhouse, which oversees more than 30,000 locations across the globe, a “major growth engine.” 

[uneducated-author]

I've had a pet theory for a while about Cheng Xiaoshi's parents with Qiao Ling's family. Qiao Ling is shown promising Cheng Xiaoshi that her father will loan him ten years worth of rent to be paid back at a later date, but that is a not insignificant sum of money. Wouldn't it make more sense to just, adopt the kid or take up temporary guardianship?

I know that it could very believable be that Cheng Xiaoshi didn't want to live with other parents because he's so fixated on his parents returning, but the fact that her father knew that before even meeting the boy is kind of suspicious.

Like, the other parents in that scene appear to have just found out that his mother and father are missing/have left, but Qiao Ling comes directly with an offer from her father that will let Chemg Xiaoshi keep the business running. Implying that her family knew and discussed the support they could extend to the kid ahead of time.

What if Cheng Xiaoshi's parents, before they left, gave her family the money that would cover the ten years of rent, to be 'given' altruistically to Cheng Xiaoshi. More sadly, what if when they were presumed missing, they were legally dead, and the money is either from their will or life insurance? So Qiao Ling's father is trying to protect Cheng Xiaoshi?

It would be so brutal for him to find out that the family that took care of him all along had some deeper knowledge about the loss of his parents and hid that from him, but it would be so interesting see why and how they left, because if they made preparations for their son to be taken care of, there must have been higher stakes.

[jakeowen]

ok so lately i've been just telling people that i'm in grad school working three jobs because it's easier than explaining in detail but that makes it sound worse than it is but also it is pretty bad tbh. a reason (among others) i am not really on here unless i have Something To Say atm. anyway here's what my whole deal is rn.

i am technically a full-time master's student and the majority of my income is student loan money. my full-time student status is made up by a combination of below items.

my first "job" is 30 hrs/week of field work. this is a day job 4 days a week, monday - thursday, with extended evening hours on tuesdays. this job is not paid but i have been granted a stipend of $200/month with a completion bonus of $2k in april. i have to write 2 major papers and a monthly reflection/summary.

my field work also includes a state training program that is mostly completed within the hours of the first job but does include a mandatory coaching call every other friday from 9am-10am. this was not required for my degree but it will look excellent on my resumé. it has another small stipend but that's paid out halfway through and at the end.

i do also take (remote) classes. i have one class which is directly tied to the first job, which is 1-2 monday nights a month. i am required to do a presentation in this class. my other class is one wednesday evening a month revolving around its own field work and including 1 presentation and 2 major assignments.

my second "job" is the volunteer gig required for my degree tied to the second class. i have a total hours requirement--currently i am working 3 hours a week on monday evenings (2 hours on the mondays i have class) and an extra 4 hours one friday afternoon/evening a month. i have to write a monthly reflection in addition to the class assignments.

my third job is an actual job that pays money because i don't have any. i work at a dispensary for $19/hr, mostly afternoon-night shifts on fridays and weekends (& maybe some wednesday evenings i don't have class), adding up to about 15-20 hours/week.

on top of all that I joined a writing group to have something just for me, which i love but it meets on thursday evenings, with two saturday afternoon workshops a month. it is all optional and i don't have to show every week but it is very good for me so i should

i know i already put all the papers/assignments in with their respective jobs/classes but i do not think i'm going to be completing them all during working/class hours. i could do that last year but this year i have a lot more actual work to do during working hours.

also i have a dog and two cats and an apartment to take care of, and a fiancée i want to spend time with/take care of, and family i need to check on/take care of, and theoretically even friends?

[monocaelia]

Hi!!! Congrats on making it to summer break 🥳 i was hoping I couple get a matchup! My favorite romance trope is enemies (to friends) to lovers. It’s a little ✨spicy✨ but when they start understanding each other and their motivations more the soft moments they share are just 🥺 plus, they already know each other’s flaws, have seen each other at their worst, but also seen through that and seen all the things that there is to love about this person. Plus, the fact that they started out as enemies means there’s usually other outside factors that seek to keep them apart, which makes them a little star crossed and adds tension and angst (…which can add to the spicy bits too lol) any gender for the matchup is fine! Thank you queen ❤️

note : hehe hi and thank u !! i'm so excited to sleep and go swimming and hopefully visit my sister for my birthday hehe. thank u for participating !!

send me ur favorite trope or delusional song and i’ll write you something short !! [closed !!]

one person you were absolutely not expecting to be friends with due to your numerous clashes and the fact that... well, he was working with the enemy, was childe.

your first impression of him was surprisingly good; his charisma and boyish charms were difficult to see through at first. it wasn't your fault that his laugh was so infectious as he played with the local children of liyue harbor, groaning over-dramatically when one of the kids launched themself onto his back with an excited shout.

of course, your positive opinion didn't last long. it wasn't like his affiliation with the fatui was a huge secret; if anything he made it quite obvious with the way he always wore that damned red mask of his on his head and talked openly to fatui agents like they were having small talk over coffee.

sometimes you wonder if you could have been friends had he not tried to drown an entire nation for the sake of his goddess. but even then, could you forgive him for having the blood of the innocent on his hands? could you look him in the eyes for being a conniving bastard that didn't bat an eye to the poor as they begged for mercy or to extend the date for their loan collection?

you didn't know, but you knew you wanted childe out of your life and, if you could, defeated underneath the point of your blade.

you grit your teeth as childe deals a heavy blow to you. he's grinning maniacally, forcefully pushing his blades of water against your weapon as you defended yourself from him. with a last shove, the ginger jumps off of you and lands a few feet away.

"you've gotten stronger since the last time we've met, comrade. have you been sparring without me?" childe teases with a grin. the usual dark water in his gaze is lit up with a twinkle of life, though you know that it was far from anything innocent.

he was having fun fighting you to near death.

without a warning, childe makes a dash forward to slash at your side but, thankfully, you dodge him and attack him on your own. he parries without batting an eye and you watched his grin grow wider as he presses into your weapon.

"i have to say, i'm quite hurt that you would spar with anyone but me. i thought we were friends," he commented with a slight pout and your brows furrow. you shove him off of you with a grunt and point your blade directly at him.

"don't assume things on your own, tartaglia," you hiss out. it's your turn to strike; you take this moment to run up and attack. as you swing in one direction, you quickly change positions to attack him from another. childe's eyes widen for a split second before meeting your blade with his own.

"would it hurt to call me by my alias rather than my title?" childe tilts his head in a cute manner, though you know better than to fall for his tricks. with a swift movement, his other blade of water stabs at your side. unfortunately, you weren't fast enough as hydro slices through your side.

you fall to the ground with a grunt. your hand quickly clamps over the wound at your side. pain and exhilaration fills your body as you see the blood on your hands and there's only one thing on your mind; get out of there.

a pair of black boots enter your field of view and you refuse to look up. there were no ways quick ways out; even if you managed to catch him off guard, with your injuries he would be able to track you down in an instant.

a wet blade is placed underneath your chin and your face is lifted up. a smug smile grows on childe's lips as he sees your demeanor; teeth bared and brows furrowed as your eyes, your sweet eyes, are glaring directly at the harbinger standing before you.

he leans down and it takes everything in you to not bite at him.

"go on," childe hums. "be a dear and call me 'childe' and i'll fix you up."

you want him dead.

[paydayquid]

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[beardedgardenbluebird]

Understanding the Importance of Credit Ratings for SMEs, MSMEs, and Startups in India

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian economy, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and startups play a pivotal role. These entities not only drive innovation but also create significant employment opportunities and contribute extensively to the GDP. However, one of the fundamental challenges they face is access to capital. This is where the importance of a robust credit rating comes into play.

Why is Credit Rating Crucial?

1. Access to Finance: Credit ratings determine the creditworthiness of a business. A high credit rating reassures lenders of the lower risk involved in extending credit to the business. This can lead to easier access to loans, lower interest rates, and more favorable repayment terms. For SMEs, MSMEs, and startups, which typically face higher scrutiny from financial institutions, a good credit rating can open doors to essential funding.

2. Credibility with Suppliers: A strong credit rating not only helps in securing finance but also enhances the business's credibility in the eyes of suppliers. Companies with better credit ratings can negotiate better credit terms such as longer payment durations and bulk order discounts, which can significantly improve cash flow management.

3. Competitive Advantage: In a market teeming with competition, a good credit rating can serve as a badge of reliability and sound financial health. This can be particularly beneficial in tendering processes where the financial stability of a business is a key consideration.

4. Lower Borrowing Costs: Businesses with higher credit ratings can secure loans at lower interest rates. Lower borrowing costs mean that the business can invest more in its growth and development, improving profitability and sustainability over time. This is especially critical for SMEs, MSMEs, and startups, where financial leverage can determine market positioning and long-term success.

How to Improve Your Credit Rating?

Improving and maintaining a good credit rating requires a strategic approach, including timely repayment of loans, prudent financial management, maintaining a balanced debt-to-income ratio, and regular monitoring of credit reports for any discrepancies.

Need Expert Guidance?

Understanding the nuances of credit ratings and effectively managing them can be complex. This is where expert financial advisory services, such as those offered by Finnova Advisory, come into play. Finnova Advisory specializes in providing tailored financial solutions that cater specifically to the unique needs of SMEs, MSMEs, and startups in India. 

Whether you are looking to improve your credit score, secure funding, or streamline your financial strategies, connecting with the experts at Finnova Advisory can provide you with the insights and support you need to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

To learn more about how Finnova Advisory can assist your business in achieving financial excellence, visit their website or reach out directly for a personalized consultation. Remember, a robust credit rating is your gateway to not only securing finance but also establishing a strong foundation for your business's future growth and success.

[mariacallous]

Over the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, labor shortages have garnered considerable attention, including among public school teachers. Nationwide, the teacher shortage exceeds 55,000 unfilled positions, with nearly five times as many positions held by underqualified candidates. These gaps have been generated, in part, by increased pandemic-era teacher turnover and a 35% enrollment decline in traditional university teacher preparation programs in the decade preceding the pandemic. Meanwhile, interest, prestige, and satisfaction related to the teaching profession have reached 50-year lows.

In response, individual states and the federal government have proposed and enacted various policies to strengthen the teacher workforce. These policies vary widely in scope, encompassing both financial interventions (e.g., teacher pay, loan forgiveness) and non-pecuniary policies around teacher working conditions. While debate over the depths and distribution of the teacher shortage continues, public opinion of enacted and mooted policy approaches varies widely. In this context, improved understanding of public support may inform voter-conscious policymaking, especially in contexts where the effects of policies intended to attract teachers may extend beyond school walls and in instances where policy enactment requires direct voter approval.

To explore public sentiment concerning several teacher recruitment and retention policies, we fielded four questions on the fall 2022 Cooperative Election Study (CES) surveys, which were administered to a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. While many respondents support the proposed strategies, including teacher bonuses, grants, loan forgiveness, and shortened school weeks, significant partisan differences remain evident.

Public opinion in a partisan era

Policies to improve teacher recruitment and retention vary in scope; some specifically target teachers while others focus on broader economic incentives. We posed four survey questions capturing support for the following policies: 1) Expanding the federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant from $4,000 to $8,000; 2) Accelerating federal loan forgiveness programs (e.g., the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, Perkins Loan Cancellation); 3) Enacting permanent four-day school weeks (4DSWs); 4) Distributing one-time teacher bonuses between $1,000 and $5,000.

The first two proposals focus on potential federal policies to recruit and retain teachers (and broader loan relief objectives) while the latter two proposals focus on state and district approaches to teacher labor markets, primarily addressing teacher retention.

Though the two federal policies may not be predicated directly on their public support, both have garnered significant national debate; the doubling of the TEACH grant stalled through President Biden’s American Families Plan proposal while loan forgiveness remains mired in long-term legal proceedings. Conversely, state and local policies often require direct voter support, either through local school board elections or referenda. Four-day school week policies have grown rapidly, primarily in rural locales, though recent evidence indicates largely negative impacts on student academic outcomes, while questions about their effects on parents, families, and communities remain. Teacher grants and bonuses have proliferated through COVID-19 federal relief funds, a revenue source soon due to expire.

While the efficacy of these policies to stabilize teacher labor markets may vary, our focus lies not in assessing their effectiveness but rather in documenting their public support to inform the feasibility of their enactment and sustainability through public buy-in. The pertinent portions of the CES surveys—which we partnered with YouGov to administer to a national stratified sample of approximately 1,000 adults—queried respondents on their support and opposition to these policies, also collecting their demographic characteristics (e.g., race, income, employment status), and political ideology, factors previously linked to policy support. Each question was contextualized for respondents as a potential tool to improve teacher recruitment and retention.

Polarization and partisanship frequently predict policy preferences, eclipsing demographic factors like age, race, and ethnicity, and even material self-interest. Combined with rhetoric from political leaders, partisanship can lead voters to oppose policies from which they stand to benefit. In our increasingly polarized political environment, Americans often view members of the other political party with distrust, which can lead voters to oppose policies based on political endorsements and to impede goals of the other political party. Thus, we expect partisanship to influence respondents’ preferences regarding education policy, particularly on politicized issues.

Contemporary public opinion on teacher shortage policies

On the one hand, each policy proposal garnered at least a plurality of public support. One-time bonuses (63.6%) and grants to teach in high-need schools (59.4%) were most popular; expanded loan forgiveness (47.3%) and permanent 4DSWs (40.7%) received more limited support (see Figure 1). In addition, support for each policy outstripped opposition by between 10 (4DSWs) to as many as 50 percentage points (one-time bonuses); between two and three in 10 respondents remained unsure of their support for each policy.

On the other hand, significant partisan variation underlies this support. Whereas most liberals support enacting each tactic (between 59.1% and 87.6%), only a plurality of conservatives supported one-time bonuses and a majority disapproved of the remaining strategies (see Figure 2). In fact, only slightly more than one in four conservatives indicated support for expanded loan forgiveness (26.0%) and 4DSWs (27.4%).

Only a few additional characteristics beyond partisanship predicted respondent preferences. Racial minority respondents and those holding a bachelor’s degree each indicated greater support for grants to teach in high-need schools. Additional characteristics like family income, gender, employment status, urbanicity, and age rarely, if ever, predicted policy preferences.

Situating our findings

Recently, scholars have explored partisan sorting in education, showing increasing polarization in education-focused topics, including in familiar debates concerning Common Core State Standards, public school quality, and education spending. Our findings showing partisan differences in support for these policy ideas are not entirely surprising, as some topics in education policy have become well-publicized, polarizing hot-button issues (e.g., ESAs, COVID-19 protection measures, book content, instruction discussing sex, gender orientation, and race and ethnicity).

Republican trust in institutions has been declining for several years. A summer 2023 Gallup poll shows a 34-point partisan gap in confidence in public schools, second only to the gap in confidence in the presidency. Affective partisanship and rhetoric from Republican elites also seems to have impacted Republican views of higher education. For example, a Pew Research Center survey illustrates a rapid decline in the number of Republicans who believe higher education has a positive effect “on the way things are going in the country,” declining from more than half in 2015 to only one in three in 2019. We find that these polarized views impact support for policy issues in education that have yet to feature in the so-called culture wars.

Teacher salaries: The annual Education Next Survey explores many hot-button education-focused topics ranging from perceptions of school quality to preferences for the enactment of new policies and practices. In 2022, responses to queries regarding the trajectory of teacher salaries varied widely by partisan ideology, with 70% of Democrats versus 46% of Republicans generally supporting salary increases.

The cost of education: Loan forgiveness and free two- and four-year college: Consistent with our findings, other survey results regarding loan relief showed a significant partisan divide. While 47% of Americans support some federal loan forgiveness, results from the Quinnipiac University Poll indicate a large partisan divide, with 88% of Democrats indicating approval and 81% of Republicans signaling disapproval. Similar partisan differences emerged in EdNext’s questions regarding free two- and four-year higher education, with Democrats indicating much stronger support (84% and 80%) than Republicans (44% and 36%).

Four-day school weeks: Though we found the least support for 4DSW policies (40.7%), the PDK International Poll recently indicated 53% support 4DSWs, up from 25% two decades ago. The PDK poll motivated 4DSWs with district cost savings whereas our question prioritized teacher recruitment and retention, which district leaders now typically cite as a primary objective of the policy and teachers value as a job perk.

The 2023-24 school year and beyond

As students begin the 2023-24 school year, many will return to schools either under-staffed or staffed, in part, by underqualified teachers, making post-pandemic academic recovery more challenging. Though we find a plurality of adults support a range of teacher recruitment and retention policies, even seemingly politically neutral strategies to address teacher shortages may now court a partisan divide similar to other issues in contemporary education policy, one which may feature prominently in upcoming elections. As a result, the feasibility of implementing local policies like 4DSWs and one-time teacher bonuses may hinge on the direction of local partisanship, while federal policies like loan relief may continue to languish with single-party support.

[grislyintentions]

||Personal Depiction: Aha (HC) ||

It is easy to perceive Aha as an agent of chaos and be distracted/annoyed by their joy-seeking antics but dismissing their capabilities would be a grave mistake. At their core, they are cruel in the same way children are cruel to their playthings and what out of all life would be the most entertaining to subject to the teachings of chaos? Humans.

Aha toys with the extreme emotions of intelligent creatures (love, joy, sadness, sorrow) and delights in subverting/shifting/changing the fate of others (regardless of what happens to them in the end), oftentimes with drastically devastating or different results than how they were supposed to go. They have been shown to hold a lot of influence over the movements of all living things, being able to imperceptibly and delicately manipulate their reality. But is this all a calculative approach to things? Not really. They simply do things on their own whim. [Reference: Making a Noblesse worm an Emanator to see if they can enter the Genius Society then discarding it, playing ‘pranks’ by blowing up an entire planet along with half of Akivili’s Express, interfering with the Simulated Universe and loaning their path’s blessings to those seeking to end the Aeon of Nihility and granting his blessings to the Mourning Actors because they found it ironically funny.]

All in all: Aha’s unpredictability and chaos is only a part of what their path embodies. The true crux lies in causing changes in life, be it minor or massive effects. That is what truly entertains Aha. And even if they were to be killed or defeated one day, they too would find pleasure in the unexpected nature of it all.

Demeanour

Aha’s expression of emotions are exaggerated, extreme and intense. To witness the Aeon is to be subjected to a rollercoaster of unpredictable mood swings and the sensory overload that follows. Prolonged meetings with this Aeon can often result in fainting spells, dizziness, temporary hearing loss, headaches and more.

Those who are blessed with the Elation and subsequently had their blessings stripped from them are likely to fall victim to symptoms of mania (loss of impulse control, aggression without reason, sudden onset paranoia/anxiety, delusions etc) and depressive episodes. In severe cases, it can and will lead to death.

Emanators

While Aha chooses their Emanators willy-nilly, those who are given access to the knowledge and power of his path tend to be capable of inciting large changes by instinctively knowing what, where and how to meddle with things. (One good example, given the theory and implication that Sampo is affiliated with the Masked Fools, would be how he doesn’t directly play a part in Cocolia’s confrontation or Svarog’s conflict with Wildfire. And yet he was somehow always the key to leading to the sequence of events and got to reap the rewards by watching it unfold).

His Emanators excel in their ability to disguise and can even impersonate others. They will be granted the unique understanding and perception that life is but a play and a joke: that there exists an entity (us, the player) out there, watching them go through things impassively. Some wound up losing their minds to existential dread and breakdowns. Others willingly accept that and lose their reservations about going along with what they truly wish to do.

There are, however, elements of risk when it comes to being Aha’s Emanator as well. For while it grants Emanators the power of being able to assimilate, change and disguise, the human psyche really isn’t meant to do so at an extended period of time. It could lead to the gradual diminishing and blurring between realities. As well as the inability to remember who they themselves are.

[classicquid]

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