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reasonsforhope · 1 year ago

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"Chicago’s 82-story Aqua Tower appears to flutter with the wind. Its unusual, undulating facade has made it one of the most unique features of Chicago’s skyline, distinct from the many right-angled glass towers that surround it.

In designing it, the architect Jeanne Gang thought not only about how humans would see it, dancing against the sky, but also how it would look to the birds who fly past. The irregularity of the building’s face allows birds to see it more clearly and avoid fatal collisions. “It’s kind of designed to work for both humans and birds,” she said.

As many as 1 billion birds in the US die in building collisions each year. And Chicago, which sits along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the four major north-south migration routes, is among the riskiest places for birds. This year, at least 1,000 birds died in one day from colliding with a single glass-covered building. In New York, which lies along the Atlantic Flyway, hundreds of species traverse the skyline and tens of thousands die each year.

As awareness grows of the dangers posed by glistening towers and bright lights, architects are starting to reimagine city skylines to design buildings that are both aesthetically daring and bird-safe.

Pictured: Chicago's Aqua Tower was designed with birds in mind.

Some are experimenting with new types of patterned or coated glass that birds can see. Others are rethinking glass towers entirely, experimenting with exteriors that use wood, concrete or steel rods. Blurring lines between the indoors and outdoors, some architects are creating green roofs and facades, inviting birds to nest within the building.

“Many people think about bird-friendly design as yet another limitation on buildings, yet another requirement,” said Dan Piselli, director of sustainability at the New York-based architecture firm FXCollaborative. “But there are so many design-forward buildings that perfectly exemplify that this doesn’t have to limit your design, your freedom.”

How modern buildings put birds in danger

For Deborah Laurel, principal in the firm Prendergast Laurel Architects, the realization came a couple of decades ago. She was up for an award for her firm’s renovation of the Staten Island Children’s Museum when the museum’s director mentioned to her that a number of birds had been crashing into the new addition. “I was horrified,” she said.

She embarked on a frenzy of research to learn more about bird collisions. After several years of investigation, she found there was little in the way of practical tips for architects, and she teamed up with the conservation group NYC Audubon, to develop a bird-safe building guide.

The issue, she discovered, was that technological and architectural advancements over the last half-century had in some ways transformed New York City – and most other US skylines and suburbs – into death traps for birds...

At certain times of day, tall glass towers almost blend into the sky. At other times, windows appear so pristinely clear that they are imperceptible to birds, who might try to fly though them. During the day, trees and greenery reflected on shiny building facades can trick birds, whereas at night, brightly lit buildings can confuse and bewilder them...

Pictured: A green roof on the Javits Convention Center serves as a sanctuary for birds.

The changes that could save avian lives

About a decade ago, Piselli’s firm worked on a half-billion-dollar renovation of New York’s Jacob K Javits Convention Center, a gleaming glass-clad space frame structure that was killing 4,000-5,000 birds a year. “The building was this black Death Star in the urban landscape,” Piselli said.

To make it more bird friendly, FXCollaborative (which was then called FXFowle) reduced the amount of glass and replaced the rest of it with fritted glass, which has a ceramic pattern baked into it. Tiny, textured dots on the glass are barely perceptible to people – but birds can see them. The fritted glass can also help reduce heat from the sun, keeping the building cooler and lowering air conditioning costs. “This became kind of the poster child for bird-friendly design in the last decade,” Piselli said.

The renovation also included a green roof, monitored by the NYC Audubon. The roof now serves as a sanctuary for several species of birds, including a colony of herring gulls. Living roofs have since become popular in New York and other major cities, in an inversion of the decades-long practice of fortifying buildings with anti-bird spikes. In the Netherlands, the facade of the World Wildlife Fund headquarters, a futuristic structure that looks like an undulating blob of mercury, contains nest boxes and spaces for birds and bats to live.

The use of fritted glass has also become more common as a way to save the birds and energy.

Earlier this year, Azadeh Omidfar Sawyer, an assistant professor in building technology in the Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture, working with student researchers, used open-source software to help designers create bespoke, bird-friendly glass patterns. A book of 50 patterns that Sawyer published recently includes intricate geometric lattices and abstract arrays of lines and blobs. “Any architect can pick up this book and choose a pattern they like, or they can customize it,” she said.

Pictured: The fritted glass used in Studio Gang’s expansion of Kresge College at the University of California, Santa Cruz, depicts the animals in the local ecosystem.

Builders have also been experimenting with UV-printed patterns, which are invisible to humans but perceptible to most birds. At night, conservationists and architects are encouraging buildings turn off lights, especially during migration season, when the bright glow of a city skyline can disorient birds.

And architects are increasingly integrating screens or grates that provide shade as well as visibility for birds. The 52-floor New York Times building, for example, uses fritted glass clad with ceramic rods. The spacing between the rods increases toward the top of the building, to give the impression that the building is dissolving into the sky.

Gang’s work has incorporated structures that can also serve as blinds for birders, or perches from which to observe nature. A theater she designed in Glencoe, Illinois, for example, is surrounded by a walking path made of a wood lattice, where visitors can feel like they’re up in the canopy of trees.

Pictured: The Writers Theatre, designed by Studio Gang, includes a walking path encased in wood lattice.

Rejecting the idea of the iridescent, entirely mirrored-glass building, “where you can’t tell the difference between the habitat and the sky”, Gang aims for the opposite. “I always tried to make the buildings more visible with light and shadow and geometry, to have more of a solid presence,” she said.

Gang has been experimenting with adding bird feeders around her own home in an effort to reduce collisions with windows, and she encourages other homeowners to do the same.

“I’ve found that birds slow down and stop at feeders instead of trying to fly through the glass,” she said.

While high-rise buildings and massive urban projects receive the most attention, homes and low-rise buildings account for most bird collision deaths. “The huge challenge is that glass is everywhere.” said Christine Sheppard, who directs the glass collisions program at the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). “It’s hard to know what I know and not cringe when I look at it.”

Tips for improving your own home include using stained glass or patterned decals that can help birds see a window, she said. ABC has compiled a list of window treatments and materials, ranked by how bird-safe they are.

Whether they’re large or small, the challenge of designing buildings that are safe for birds can be “liberating”, said Gang, who has become an avid birdwatcher and now carries a pair of binoculars on her morning jogs. “It gives you another dimension to try to imagine.”"

-via The Guardian, December 27, 2023

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robertdowneyjjr · 6 months ago

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tony stark doesn't die.

he burns, from the inside out. the infinity stones are too much for a regular human to handle, and the iron man suit could only do so much. so he burns.

human inventions aren't adequate enough to combat cosmic damages. super soldier blood transfusions do nothing. gamma infused hulk blood also has no effect. extremis is a lost cause.

the entire right side of his body barely functions anymore. and his face. oh god, his face. it's so damaged, so scarred, tony can barely look himself in the mirror anymore, let alone expect others to look at him without cringing away.

so he hides.

he builds new armor. gone are the flashy colors. no more red and gold. just plain old gunmetal grey. gone are the nanobots. no more skin-hugging technology. just cold hard planes of metal. back to unflinching, terror-inducing steel, like the suit he wore when he flew out of that cave over a decade ago.

he hardly ever takes it off. it's the only way he can get his body to just move. it's life support. it's a high-tech prosthesis.

but that's not enough.

he's just so ashamed. sure, he's saved the world. but while everyone else lives on, he's barely surviving. so he covers himself up the best he can. with the armor. then with a cloak, so he looks a little softer, a little more inviting. not that it matters, when he hardly lets anyone see him anymore.

he stops wearing red. he can't even look at that color anymore, when all it does is remind him of the day he couldn't just die.

what's the opposite of red?

he wears green instead.

people looked at iron man and saw hope.

now people look at anthony stark and see doom.

------

steve rogers doesn't die.

he lives a happy life, with the one who got away, and returns to his timeline knowing that he's fulfilled his lifelong dream and he can rest well knowing what it's like to grow old with the love of his life.

except that wasn't actually his dream.

he goes back to the future and finds out the man he's in love with is still alive, and if he plays his cards right, steve might just get to spend the rest of his life with tony.

but steve is old. and he's dying. the rest of his life could only last so long.

and tony doesn't even want to see him. tony doesn't want to see anyone.

so steve begs. he sends messages through friday. notes under the door. anything he can think of, he tries.

"please, give us a chance."

it takes longer than steve has time for, but he finally wears tony down. when tony opens the doors to the lab for steve, he hands over three vials filled with molten orange liquid.

"extremis. modified and enhanced trifold for a super soldier. it's a risk, but if it works, you'll have at least another fifty years left."

steve takes the risk.

his muscles come back. his wrinkles disappear. his hair darkens from white to gold.

steve picks up tony, armor and cloak and all, and spins him around in joy. he's so happy, he lights up from within.

literally, he lights up. his skin glows orange. he's dangerously hot to the touch. he breathes, and smoke escapes his mouth.

but becoming a human torch is a small price to pay if it means he gets to be with tony.

#yes i did just turn stevetony into doomjohnny without it being total crack you're welcome #this is appropriate because wbk steve has always held a torch for tony #stevetony #stony #gonna tag this as #anthony von doom and fireboy steve #kay writes things

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nightfurylover31 · 1 year ago

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I love the subtly of this scene. When Nine says that there is some Prism energy missing, he just looks down slightly. Leaving some implications.

While Sonic ponders this, Shadow looks down at the tech on Sonic's gloves and shoes, which stabilizes Prism energy. It seems like that's where Nine was looking. Then Shadow glares back, like he's saying, "So you want your tech back?"

But Nine just steels his gaze when he glances back at Shadow. Like they're having this wordless conversation to tell him that's not it.

Then it hits Shadow what Nine means.

It goes back to the first episode of season 2. Shadow tried to take the tech because he thought it would allow him to pass through the gates so he could collect the Prism shards. But it didn't work, because it was never the technology.

Nine doesn't need the tech. He needs Sonic.

This changes things. If Nine is willing to destroy other Shatterspaces to get what he wants, there's no telling what he'll do to get the energy from Sonic. Shadow has watched his best friend die right in front of him, and no way on Earth, Mobius, or whatever you want to call this planet is he going to let something like that happen again. He has to get Sonic out of there.

And as much as Shadow may hate to admit it, if there's any hope of restoring Green Hill and saving everyone, it's Sonic. So keeping him safe until they can figure out a way to stop Nine is priority one.

#sonic prime #sonic prime spoilers #sonic prime season 3 #sonic prime s3 #shadow the hedgehog #tails nine #sonic the hedgehog

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targaryenmarvel · 27 days ago

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A Stark Legacy (3)

Wanda Maximoff x Stark!Reader

Summary: The life of a Stark is tumultuous, especially when you are the only daughter of the technology magnates. You find yourself at a crossroads, struggling to meet your father's towering expectations while also pursuing your desires. This turning point is marked by the arrival of a certain green-eyed girl, a meeting that not only disrupts your world but also sets your heart on fire. Will you finally follow your heart or conform to your father's expectations?

Warnings: Language, Homophobia, Sexism

Word count: 7,257

A/N: Happy New Year's everyone! Here's a longer chapter since I haven't posted in a long while. Enjoy!

Wanda huffed, exasperated by the long trek up the apartment complex stairs. Indications of her physical exertion appeared in the form of a cold sweat, unsteady breathing, and a burning in her thighs. Although Wanda recognized neglecting the gym was a part of her current state, she preferred to put all the blame on the apartment building for its shitty maintenance. Oh, she hated the got damn place.

Only hours before, the elevator had been fully functional. Even though it made a concerning amount of noise, it got the job done. Now, the steel doors were tapped with a notice warning of its unavailability. Just weeks ago, it had been the heating in her apartment. Wanda briefly wondered why she had yet to move out but quickly discarded the fleeting thought. New York was expensive, and despite having a decent salary as a secretary, it wasn't enough to afford a better place while also paying off her student debt. Especially now that she had been let go from her job.

Wanda clutched the takeout foam container as she fumbled with her keys, promptly jiggling the key into the lock and pushing the door open. The lavender smell she loved struck her nose as she strode inside, throwing the keys to the coffee table before heading to the kitchen. After the long commute, Wanda only wished to relieve her desert-dry tongue with a cold sip of water. She went to the refrigerator and retrieved a water bottle, twisting the cap off before taking a swig of the chilling liquid.

Wanda plopped on the couch, her mind wandering to her interview at Stark Industries. Despite her doubts, the interview had gone exceptionally well, and Agatha's extroverted personality dissipated Wanda's nervousness. Now, all she could do was wait for the call.

Wanda yawned, her body heavy with exhaustion, and she lifted her arm to cover her eyes. Her legs ached in a way they hadn't since Pietro had dragged her to the gym as a teenager. She kicked off her heels, sighing in relief at the liberating feeling as her body melted into the furniture. Slowly but surely, her breathing began to slow down as her mind flickered into unconsciousness, returning to a distant childhood memory.

A young Wanda Maximoff ran through the streets of Novi Grad in pursuit of her twin brother Pietro. After an exhausting school day, the twins only wished to head home. Struggling to keep up with her energetic twin brother, Wanda felt the warm breeze on her face as he playfully pulled at her hand, his laughter echoing as they dashed through the familiar neighborhood, making their way home. Others watched some nostalgia for their childhood and others with sorrow; despite the range of emotions, all could amount to one thing: the country's current state. Something most children, including the Maximoff twins, were ignorant of.

After an exhausting run that seemed to last forever, the twins finally arrived at a dilapidated building. Breathless laughter filled the air as they dashed up the worn stairs and burst into the top apartment, catching their parents off guard with their sudden entrance.

As she entered the room, she noticed her father sitting on the couch, slumped over with his elbows resting on his knees and his hand cradling his head. Her mother was beside him with furrowed brows and a downcast look in her eyes, gently rubbing his back in a comforting gesture. As the twins made their approach, the pair subtly adjusted their posture, their eyes revealing a hint of apprehension even as they forced a smile onto their faces—something Wanda had seen her teachers do as well. Wanda and her brother did not really know what it meant.

Instead, they ran up to the pair, hugging them tightly and ranting on about their day at school. Wanda fumbled with her pant pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper with four figures. Although wanky, it was clear to discern that the four figures represented their family. The tall bearded one, her father; the one with long flowing hair, her mother; Pietro with a lightning bolt on his shirt; and her with a doll in hand. The work of a child, yet the only thing that could get a genuine smile from her parents as the two proudly displayed it on the wall.

Later at night, the family sat on the couch, their attention on the old television as the VR of "I Love Lucy" played. Laughter filled the small apartment as Lucy and an Italian woman tousled in a large grape barrel. It was Wanda's last happy moment with her family, and she was reminded of it when the atmosphere suddenly changed. The apartment light began to flicker intermittently, casting eerie shadows on the walls. As the illumination wavered, the television image became increasingly distorted, with the colors bleeding into each other and the audio crackling in and out. In the distance, a loud noise grew ever-present, sending a chill down Wanda's body.

The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the air, causing young Wanda to freeze in fear. She looked at her family, bewildered by their lack of reaction, as they remained engrossed in laughter while watching the comedy show. Wanda wanted to scream at them and tell them they had to run, but it was as if an invisible force prevented her from opening her mouth. Her chest heaved as panic overtook her body when she realized she couldn't save her family. She could hear the loud explosion hit, leaving her ears ringing afterward. The sound only grew louder until she clutched at her ears in pain.

Wanda awoke with a start, heart hammering in her chest and eyes wildly darting around the room before settling on the ringing phone on the table. She rolled to her side, reaching for the cell phone with her left hand. The screen lit up with an unknown number, and Wanda strained to see it through her teary eyes, heart pounding with apprehension. She briefly considered rejecting the call, emotionally drained by her dream.

It could be important. Wanda countered her desires by pressing the green button.

"H-Hello," she said, willing the grogginess and fear in her voice to disappear.

"Did I wake you, dear?" asked a familiar voice. Still somewhat sluggish, it took her a moment to recognize the voice. Her eyes widened, her body shot up into a sitting position, and she carelessly wiped at her eyes.

"Oh, not at all, Agatha," Wanda responded, running her fingers through her messy locks as if the woman on the phone could see her state. "Did you need something else from me?" She questioned, deducing they forgot to cover something during the interview. They had spent a great deal of time talking about personal matters.

"I do. I need to know when you can start."

"When can I start?" She repeated, mind slow to comprehend the words.

Agatha chuckled across the line. "Yes, dear. Miss Stark has approved your hiring. All we need is to sign the contract, and we are ready to go. So how about it, dear?"

"Immediately." Wanda stood and paced the room, containing the urge to scream in excitement. "I can start immediately," she clarified.

"Wonderful. Why don't you drop by tomorrow? We can look over the NDA and your contract. Who knows, maybe you'll meet Miss Stark."

Wanda's mind flashed to the glimpse she had gotten of her now boss. The wildness of her thoughts as her eyes danced across your figure. She could feel her face reddening as they returned with force. Working couldn't be so bad with such eye candy, she thought before shaking her head in reprimand.

"I'll be there."

When the call ended, Wanda plopped back on the couch, this time with a shit-eating grin. Any remnants of her nightmare were forgotten as she reveled in the news. Finally, something good, Wanda thought. The past few months had been emotionally draining for Wanda, and her dissatisfaction with her life increased the longer she worked a job she did not enjoy. When she was let go from her last job, she wasn't sure if you should thank the heavens or rot in bed with shame. Wanda did a bit of both, a part of her thinking maybe it was finally her moment to shine. The rational, nagging side reminded her of her adult responsibilities and that any job was good as long as they paid the bills. She probably would have returned to a similar job if not for Natasha.

Wanda shuffled in her spot, eyeing her most recent calls and selecting one. The phone rang a couple of times before a raspy voice responded from the other side.

"Wanda?" called her friend out of breath. She could hear children screaming in the background, drowning out her voice. "Can you hold for a moment?"

Wanda huffed a laugh, amused as her friend's voice cut off the loud screaming. "Time out, guys," she said and returned to Wanda. "Hey, sorry about that."

"I'm not interrupting anything important, am I?" Wanda asked in a playful tone, amused by her friend.

"Not at all. In fact, you're my savior, Maximoff," she laughed. "Barton's devil spawns have been chasing me for the better part of an hour. They are killing me!"

Wanda giggled, imagining her friend hunched over her hand on her knees, trying to catch her breath as a bunch of children swarmed her. "I thought detectives were supposed to be in shape?"

"Hey, I am in shape. It's just hard keeping up with nonstop bundles of energy, okay?"

"Oh, so it's just the age?" Wanda teased, twisting one of her locks with her index finger. Oh, how she loved antagonizing her friend.

"Oh, babe, don't play that game with me. We both know that you're worse off out of you and me. You were huffing and puffing the last time we went hiking. And you know what? I still have the video evidence!"

Wanda's face dropped in horror. The expedition lived fresh in the forefront of her memories. How she had nearly collapsed twenty minutes up the hiking path, a sharp pang under her ribs as her lungs called out for oxygen. Clint had been filming a video for Laura, where you could see Wanda struggling in the background, and of course, Natasha had gotten a hold of the video.

"You wouldn't," Wanda deadpanned, trying to sound intimidating.

"Try me, Maximoff," responded her friend in a low voice.

Wanda scoffed with feigned offense and said, "You are ruthless, Romanoff."

"What can I say? It comes with the job," Natasha retorted, and Wanda could tell the woman was holding back a laugh. "So what can I do for you, Wands?"

Wanda's lips curled upwards at her friend's question, recalling the reason for the call to Natasha. She took a deep breath, preparing to tell her friend the news.

"Nat," she began pausing in anticipation before exclaiming into the phone, "I got the job." Wanda did not expect the silence that followed. For a moment, she thought her friend had not heard. That phone service perhaps gave out, given Clint lived in a remote location. She was about to repeat herself, but the voice across the line beat her to it.

"Oh, my god, Wanda! That's amazing! They must have been impressed with you if they hired you within hours. Maria told me it's an extensive process that could take weeks. Tell me everything. Did you meet Y/N?"

"Does seeing her from afar count as meeting her?" Wanda asked, recalling the moment her eyes landed on your figure. "Her assistant Agatha was the one who interviewed me, not her."

"Really? That's unlike her," Natasha said, remembering all the tales she had heard of the Stark heiress—something about you being involved with every aspect of your job, including hiring.

"Speaking of Y/N, you never told me I would be working for her. I thought you meant Tony," Wanda scolded, shaking her head even though her friend could not see the action.

"Oh, no. I wouldn't do that to you, Maximoff. I hear he's a real playboy."

"Then I won the lottery. Agatha says Y/N is a sweetheart, so I won't have a problem with an asshole boss. It doesn't hurt that she's easy on the eyes either," Wanda mused, biting her lips with a dreamy look.

From the other line, Wanda heard Natasha chuckle, amused. "Oh, Maximoff, are you crushing on your boss?"

Wanda thanked the heavens that her friend could not see her state as she turned red from her comment. It's not her fault you were so attractive, she thought.

"No. I'm just making an observation. She's attractive," Wanda replied matter-of-factly, downplaying the situation. She could not let Natasha know her true feelings. She would rather twist the facts than admit the truth, but it was not so easy to deceive her friend.

"Sounds like a crush to me."

Wanda groaned into the phone, rolling her eyes. Nothing she said would change her friend's mind. Her opinion is unchanging, like the mountain in a raging storm. She would not submit herself to her relentless teasing. "Oh my god, Natasha, I'm hanging up."

"Wait!" Natasha called out as Wanda went to hang up, and Wanda waited, curious. "Let's meet up for drinks tonight. Get the whole gang and celebrate your new job. What do you think?"

Despite the power nap, Wanda could still feel the heaviness in her limbs, begging her to remain in the comfort of her bed. However, she found her desire to celebrate surpassed her tiredness.

"I'm in," she agreed, with anticipation growing in her chest at the promise of a good celebration.

"Perfect, you just get your pretty ass to Shaw's. I'll take care of the rest."

"It's a plan, see you there."

"See you there, babe."

Wanda hung up the phone, feeling grateful for Natasha's friendship. Not just thankful for the job opportunity she had given her but also for her companionship. Since childhood, Wanda had found making friends a difficult task. On the contrary, her naturally extroverted twin made friends left and right. Even then, it never interfered with his relationship with Wanda; they were each other's most important person.

Wanda felt gutted when her brother decided to accept a scholarship at UCLA across the country. Of course, she left home in New Jersey, too, but not leagues away from their hometown. Something in their relationship shifted for the worse. Wanda had never been without her brother, so the adjustment had been difficult, and a part of Wanda felt resentful towards her brother for leaving. Wasn't she a good enough reason to stay? Why didn't he keep his promise? Wanda had questioned as she watched his plane fly away, the vague memory of a small boy holding on to her shaking body promising to protect her forever running through her mind. Over time, Wanda's resentment vanished, transforming into something else.

After graduation, Pietro stayed in LA and opened his own business. Compared to her brother, Wanda felt a failure. Professionally and as a sister. What kind of sister is jealous of her twin brothers' success? Although she knew Pietro held zero blame for the way she felt, Wanda could not help distancing herself from her brother.

Wanda felt her chest constrict at the thought of her brother. She missed him, his wide smile and mischievous jokes, or the way he'd tease her for being older than her. The way his arms would feel around her body and the security in knowing he would protect her. She did miss him, but Wanda didn't know how to bridge the chasm she had created. How can she explain her feelings to her brother without making him hate her more than he probably did after their last call?

The last time they spoke, she lashed out at him after he offered to house her in LA. It was a noble gesture meant to ease Wanda's stress, yet all she could feel was the sense of failure that often overran her mind.

Wanda fiddled with her phone, indecision lingering as she looked at her brother's contact. It wasn't the first time she found herself with her thumb hovering over the call button. She had wanted to apologize immediately after hanging up, but the shame that had filled her body prevented her from doing so. Wanda sighed. She couldn't magically fix the relationship, but she had to start somewhere, so she pressed the button. The phone rang and rang, but unlike Natasha, no one answered. Wanda felt the anxiety building in her chest, uncertainty taking over. What if Pietro didn't want to hear from her anymore? What if she had lost him? Her fear only intensified as the call went to voice mail.

"Hey Piet, it's been a while since we talked," she sighed, picking on her nails nervously. "I know I said some horrible things last time, and I am very sorry. I didn't mean any of it. All that about not needing you, it's total bullshit." Wanda paused, feeling a knot in her throat. "The truth is I am terrified of a life without you, Piet. There's so much I need to tell you, but I don't want to leave a voice message crying, so call me. Please call me. I love you, Pietro."

Wanda felt a single tear running down her cheek as she sniffled. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mood slightly dampened. After a long moment, Wanda stood and made a beeline to the bathroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, thankful for the lack of puffy eyes. It's the last thing she needs. Wanda wandered into her bedroom and began rummaging through her closet. She would try to have a good time tonight; she deserved it.

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Your work was long from over after leaving Stark Industries in the late evening. Instead, you settled in the comfort of your home office, reviewing reports and sending emails. Your fingers dance graciously across the keyboard as you detail an email to the Stark Industries lead engineer and product development manager. However, your concentration was soon thwarted when strong hands landed on your shoulders, and a face leaned in to kiss your cheek.

"Hey, sweetheart," said Bucky, sitting on the ledge of your desk.

"Honey," you replied, playing along even though there was no one to act for. "What are you doing here?"

You rested your chin on your knuckles as you stared at the man. Bucky didn't need a reason to be in your apartment, considering you basically lived together. He had his apartment not far from yours, yet he disliked being alone, so like the gracious friends you were, you hosted him in your home.

"Oh, I have come with a proposal," Bucky declared, taking hold of one of the picture frames on the desk—a picture of you and Tony at his M.I.T. graduation ceremony.

You hummed cocking your head in your hands. "Another one? We're already engaged, you know?"

"Not that kind of proposal." Bucky set the frame down, shooting you a mischievous smile. "I booked a VIP at Paradise. Ah ah ah, I know what you'll say, 'I have work.' I don't care, Y/N. You were frantic during our lunch today. It's obvious that you need to destress."

You pout at the man, considering his words. It's true; you needed to decompress and unload the massive wedding stress on your shoulders.

You sat staring at the man, weighing your options. You knew Bucky would not force you to go if you did not want to accompany him. Still, you could see the glimmer of hope in his blue eyes. Bucky quirked an eyebrow expectantly, and you rolled your eyes, knowing he had won.

"Alright," you conceded, and Bucky made a noise of victory.

"Get dressed, beautiful. Maybe we'll get lucky and find you a special someone for the night." He winked, a smirk gracing his lips.

You scoffed, slapping at his arm.

"First off, that's an odd sentence to say as my fiancé. Secondly, I don't need luck, buddy," you retorted matter-of-factly. "I could have anyone I want."

Maybe not anyone, but that didn't detract from the point. Yes, most people in your circle wanted you for your name, but that didn't mean you weren't attractive. You could see how both men and women observed you and the underlying desire behind their gaze. So no, you didn't need any luck.

Bucky chuckled, amused, and crossed his muscular arms. "Which is why you're marrying your gay best friend, huh?"

"Haha, very funny," you said in a monotone voice. "So funny that I am starting to rethink going out tonight."

"Nooo! Please forgive me!" He clasped his hands together, raising them in front of his body. "I beg, don't abandon me."

"You're an asshole." You pushed his shoulder, holding in a laugh. "I'm gonna go get ready."

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The bar was dimly lit, its air thick with the hum of overlapping conversations and faint notes of classic rock filtering through old speakers. Neon signs flickered against exposed brick walls, casting soft glows on rows of liquor bottles lining the back shelves. Wooden stools creaked as patrons shifted, laughter occasionally cutting through the noise. The faint aroma of spilled beer and fried food lingered.

Despite being there to celebrate her new job, Wanda was the last to arrive. Wanda navigated through the tables and crowd, following the faint instructions of her friend on the phone. Wanda glanced around, trying to catch sight of her friends, when suddenly, two arms circled her waist. Wanda squealed, feeling her back press into a strong body and warm breath close to her ear. Wanda fumed, preparing to turn around and slap the audacious individual. How dare they touch her without her consent?

"Hey there, sexy," they rasped, squeezing her waist. In that instant, Wanda recognized the voice and the mix of citrus and leather emanating from the person.

"I was about to punch you, Natasha," Wanda informed, stepping out of the embrace. She crossed her arms, staring the woman down with a frown. Natasha's eyes might sparkled with a quiet humor, and the corners of her mouth curved into a restrained smile.

"As if you could, Maximoff," Natasha quipped with a chuckle, and Wanda rolled her eyes. She knew Natasha was right, yet she couldn't admit it. Thankfully, Natasha wasn't expecting it either. "Let's go there waiting for us," she said as she pulled Wanda towards their friends.

"Wanda!" Monica greeted, opening her arms to hold the brunette. Wanda had known Monica since her college days and remained friends throughout the years. The only close relationship she kept from those days.

"Hey, Mon!" Wanda embraced the woman, glad she could be there despite her demanding job. Wanda moved to the other people at the table: Maria and Clint. She met Maria the same night as Natasha, considering they were already dating. As for Clint, they had met after Natasha invited Wanda to Clint's for game night. Over time, she introduced Monica to her new friends.

"So, Nat said there was something important you wanted to tell us," Clint inquired, sipping from a tall glass. "You pregnant or something?"

"What?" Wanda stared at the man in horror. She could hear the others chuckle at Clint's absurd assumption. Wanda knew Clint was most likely joking around; I mean, who would announce a pregnancy with drinks? Wanda shivered at the idea of being pregnant. Of course, she wanted kids eventually, but not when she was finally getting her life together. "What did Laura ever see in you?"

"My good looks," Cint responded with a wink. Wanda raised an eyebrow, ready to retort, unwilling to lose the battle. Of the two in the group, Natasha and Clint always seemed to be teasing her, but she had grown up with a twin brother and learned never to back down.

"Settle down, kids," Natasha cut in, sliding a drink toward Wanda. "Why don't you tell our friends the good news."

Wanda took a swig off the drink, feeling the cool liquid lightly burn her throat. "Well, as you all know, Maria got me that interview at Stark Industries and..." she paused, eyes dancing between her friends. "I-I got the job!" She exclaimed, still feeling in disbelief.

The table erupted in congratulations at the news. They had all known Wanda's frustration and lack of passion for her job. They were all thrilled about this new opportunity.

"I'm so happy for you, Wands," Monica whispered into her ear as she went in for another hug. Wanda squeezed her frame appreciatively, feeling her chest swell from the simple words.

The group ordered a round of drinks to celebrate, the noise of clinking glasses ringing over the music. The infectious energy continued through the night as the group caught up, leaving half-empty glasses scattered across the table, and a light buzz had begun to set. Wanda could feel the warmth spread through her chest like a slow-growing ember, her thoughts softening at the edges. She felt light, not enough to tip her balance, but just enough to make her thoughts fuzzy. Wanda hummed, momentarily distracted by a song that began to play; she almost didn't hear when Monica suggested they head to a place her co-workers had ragged about.

"So what do you guys think? Should we head to Paradise?" Monica asked, eyes dancing between her friends but settling on Wanda.

Wanda considered the suggestion, leaning back in her chair and taking in the familiar charm of the bar. The dim lighting, the mismatched picture frames on the walls, the jukebox in the corner full of classic hits, and even the shelf behind the bar full of odd trinkets all wrapped her in a comforting embrace. She loved this place—how it felt like home, but tonight wasn't about comfort. No, it was about celebration. The thought of a club—the pulsing lights, thumping bass, and the wild energy of a packed dance floor—tugged at her.

Wanda agreed, so they all left the bar, with the exception of Clint, to continue their night. Despite the long waiting line, the quartet could avoid the wait due to Monica's connections. Inside the club, they found what they needed. The atmosphere was alive with energetic music that pulsed through the air. Colorful, flashing lights danced across the space, casting vivid patterns on the walls and ceiling. In the center, a crowd of energetic dancers moved rhythmically, their bodies swaying and spinning in harmony with the infectious beat, lost in the moment.

Wanda and the other women wove their way through the pulsating crowd, the bass from the speaker thudding in their chests with each step. They continued until they made their way to the glowing countertop stretching along the club's side. Bartenders moved with practiced speed, shaking cocktails and sliding drinks down the bar with effortless precision. The air was tinged with the sharp scent of citrus and the fizz of spilled soda.

Wanda leaned on the counter, calling the attention of the bartender. "Hi, can I get four tequila shots?" she asked the bartender, who nodded in acknowledgment. She turned to Natasha as the other woman wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"On me," she said as she handed her card to the bartender. "Keep the tab open. It's going to be a long night."

After downing their drinks, except for Maria, who was content with one drink from the other bar, the four joined the dance floor. The four moved together in a loose circle on the crowded dance floor, their laughter mingling with the pounding bass of the music. Each of them had their own rhythm—Natasha swaying her hips with effortless grace, Monica spinning in playful circles, her hands raised high in the air. They leaned into each other as the song hit its peak, their smiles wide and unrestrained. They didn't care about the people around them or how they looked.

The VIP section stood at another section tucked away behind a sleek black rope guarded by a stone-faced bouncer. Inside, the atmosphere shifted from the chaotic energy of the dance floor to something more refined and exclusive. Sitting on one of the leather couches, a small group of people animatedly conversed, starkly contrasting the deafening bass outside. A server made his way to the group, balancing a tray of cocktails and a champagne bottle with practice eased. From this elevated perch, the view of the packed dance floor was perfect—a kaleidoscope of lights and motion, just distant enough to feel detached from the frenzy.

Despite the club's outstanding reputation, no one in your social circle roamed these streets. It was a great relief, considering Bucky was setting you up with a woman you had encountered upon arriving. You could immediately see the interest in her eyes as they roamed down the silky blouse and high-waisted black trousers. They stayed a little longer on the multiple rings adorning your fingers. Not your engagement ring, of course, that had stayed tucked away at home.

She was attractive, too, you admitted. Long golden hair cascaded in a soft wave down her back, and a sleek black mini dress with fitted long sleeves hugged her figure perfectly, revealing her long-toned legs. Her eyes were a striking shade of amber framed by long dark lashes and a smokey eyeshadow, her lips full and tainted in red. As she moved, she exuded confidence, her graceful posture commanding attention without effort, and in that moment, she had wanted yours.

You had been reluctant to accept her flirtations, but Bucky had basically shoved you towards her. Going as far as to invite her and her friend to the VIP section. It was not the best idea, as you could see her friend interpret his friendliness as flirty.

Natalie—she had told you her name —raised her hand and rested it on your arm while smiling seductively. She leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as a way to draw attention to her chest. Then, her soft and melodic voice dropped an octave. "I can't tell if it's the music or the company, but something about tonight feels... electric. What do you think?"

You refrained from cringing at the cheesy pickup line and froze at the words instead. She was overdoing it, but still, the words hit you like a jolt, freezing you in place. Your eyes flickered to Bucky for any indication that the man had heard her words, but he remained engaged in his conversation. Your eyes returned to Natalie, taking notice of the teasing glint in her amber eyes. Despite her undeniable beauty, you were hesitant to accept her advances fully—the habitual need to measure the words and intentions of those around you taking over. Taking a leap and taking your friend's advice to unwind, you took a swig of your cocktail before responding.

"Definitely the company," you replied with an unwavering gaze, and you watched her smile grow. You hoped you weren't making a mistake.

On the dancefloor, Wanda's friends continued dancing while she made her way to the bar. Threading her way through the crowd, she kept her eyes on the bar ahead, her mind already rehearsing her drink order. But just as she turned the corner, she collided with something—or rather, someone. A broad, unyielding chest halted her movement, and she staggered lightly, but strong arms steadied her. Wanda's gaze lifted, meeting a man with a strong, square jaw, piercing blue eyes, and perfectly styled blond hair. Broad shoulders filled out his fitted black shirt, and his confident stance radiated an effortless charm. His lips quirked into a half-smile, both apologetic and amused, as his hand gripped her elbow.

"Oh, sorry!" she blurted, her voice barely audible over the music, heat creeping up her cheeks as she stepped out of his hold.

"That's on me. I wasn't paying attention," the blonde man excused, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "Were you heading for the bar?" He asked, signaling backward with his thumb.

Wanda shifted in her place, uncomfortable with her stoic position amongst the energetic crowd. She eyed the man cautiously before responding, "Yeah, I am."

"I'm heading that way, too. Do you wanna...?" He tilted his head toward the bar, inviting Wanda to join him. Wanda hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. The man before her was absolutely gorgeous as if sculpted by the gods, but he was still a stranger. He seemed to sense her unease and chuckled, embarrassed. "Sorry, I'm Steve, by the way, and very much gay."

Wanda's breath caught for a moment, stunned by his casual revelation. She blinked, processing his words. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, any apprehension at his invitation fading away.

"Well, that explains the perfect hair," she teased, her voice light. He grinned, leaning slightly closer as though to share a secret.

"Guilty," he said with a wink. Wanda snickered, her tension forgotten. "So..." Steve said, waiting for her answer.

"Why the hell not," she said, stepping toward the bar with him.

"You didn't tell me your name," he said as the two waited for the bartender. Wanda's face reddened, ashamed of her lack of manners, and she was glad the lighting hid the hue.

"I'm Wanda," she answered, fiddling with her fingers.

"Nice to meet you, Wanda," Steve said with a grin before proceeding, "Why don't you let me buy you a drink as an apology?"

"Oh, that's not necessary," Wanda refuted, shaking her head. "My friend is taking care of the bill for tonight." Besides, she was sure she had bumped into him.

"Is it a special occasion? Your birthday?"

Her birthday? No, she disliked celebrating the date ever since Pietro left her. Even with the persuasion of her friends, the date seemed dull without her brother. The curse of being twins living worlds apart.

"No, uh, not my birthday," Wanda responded, watching the bartender mix a drink. "New job." She tried to sound uninterested, not wanting to gush.

"Really? Congratulations."

"Thanks." She brushed her hair behind her ear, embarrassed by the attention, something that had followed her from her childhood.

"Can I ask where?"

Wanda did not want to seem like she was bragging, but she could not contain the wide smile as she responded, "Stark Industries."

She watched Steve's eyebrow rise to his forehead and whistle. "Now that is impressive. I've heard getting a job there is harder than getting into the FBI." Wanda nodded; she knew without Maria's help, she would have never gotten the opportunity due to the company's selectiveness.

"Might as well be. I was lucky my friend put in a good word for me," Wanda downplayed, motioning for the bartender as he approached.

"I'm still inviting, by the way," Steve interjected. Wanda wanted to protest, but she could see Steve would not back down, so she nodded. "I'll take an old fashioned and the for the lady a..." He looked at her expectantly.

"Virgin Mojito," Wanda shouted over the music. "I need to slow down with the alcohol," she explained to Steve, shuffling on her feet as self-awareness crept in. Considering the milestone, she should be drinking the night away, yet here she was, doing the opposite. Steve simply smiled at her, and she instantly felt her anxiety ease away. The two were left in conversation as the bartender tended to their order.

"And you, what do you do?" She asked Steve, not wanting to make all the conversation about herself. She leaned her back on the countertop, waiting for his answer.

"I manage a nonprofit that helps homeless youth," he explained. "Specifically teens and young adults who've been through tough situations—runaways, kids who aged out of foster care, or those kicked out."

She tilted her head, intrigued. "Wow, that's incredible. What made you start something like that?"

He shrugged modestly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's personal, I guess. I've seen how hard it can be for some kids to find their footing. I figured if I had the ability to help, why not? It's not flashy, but it's worth it when you see someone get a second chance at life."

Wanda's struggles as a child came to mind, and she felt her chest tighten. She smiled, her admiration for him growing. "You're giving them a future."

"That's the hope," Steve said, his blue eyes reflecting a quiet determination. Steve took the glass placed in front of him, bringing it to his lips; the smoky aroma of the whiskey mingled with the subtle sweetness of the sugar washing over his senses.

Wanda accepted her mocktail gratefully, appreciating the crisp, cool taste with its perfect hint of sweetness. The minty aroma and tangy lime made her feel re-energized. They sipped on their drinks, easily falling into a conversation to the point of exchanging numbers. They remained that way until Monica fell upon the pair on her search for her friend.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," she informed, taking notice of Steve, her eyes surveying the man with intrigue, clearly getting the wrong impression. "I see you're in good company," Monica teased with a grin, and Wanda fought the urge to roll her eyes. Internally, that is all she would do.

"Steve, this is my friend Monica, and Monica, this is Steve. I bumped into him on my to get a drink."

"Pleasure to meet you," Steve greeted, extending a hand, and Monica gave Wanda a pleased look. Steve's boyish charms had also fooled Wanda as she assumed the man's intentions towards her. Now Monica did the same.

"Pleasures all mine," Monica responded before returning her attention to Wanda. "I'm gonna hit the dance floor again. You two coming?" she asked, trying to be a wingwoman.

Although Wanda was enjoying the conversation, she could feel her body pulse with renewed energy. Wanda nodded and turned to Steve, who was looking through the crowd. She couldn't see what he was looking at as his gaze landed on a group of people removed from the crowd. They were on a platformed space reserved for the VIPs. Steve observed as the woman holding hands walked away from the man before he moved to join the general crowd. The man wore a tailored charcoal coat, fitting his body-like skin, accentuating his broad shoulders and slim frame. Beneath it, jet-black silk glimmered faintly under the warm club lights as he moved through the crowd.

"Are you joining?" Wanda asked, uncertain of his answer.

"Ah-" Steve glanced at her before returning to look at the much closer man, and as if he could sense Steve's gaze, his own landed on him. "I'm getting another drink," he said, distracted.

"Oh, okay. Good luck," Wanda responded, noticing the exchange. Beside her, Monica's face shifted to confusion as her eyebrows furrowed, her mouth opening to voice out her thoughts. Before she could, Wanda pulled on her hand. "Let's go."

"What? What are you doing? What about Steve?" Monica's head turned to look at the man still at the bar.

"He's gay," Wanda revealed nonchalantly, and Monica stopped dead in her tracks. She stood there dumbfounded, and Wanda could see the wheels turning in her head.

"I see it now," she said, and Wanda bit her lip, containing a laugh.

"Come on, let's go."

The two navigated through the crowd, scanning the packed dancefloor as the music pounded around them. Neon lights flashed across moving bodies, making it hard to recognize anyone.

"There they are!" Monica shouted, pointing, and the two joined their friends.

"I thought you were only getting a drink. Where did you go?" Natasha asked Wanda when she noticed them. She turned to Monica. "And you, did it take you that long to find her?"

"Sure did, considering she was chatting up Adonis himself," Monica responded. Natasha raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk already forming. "Not so fast. I thought the same thing, but it turns out he has other interests."

Natasha tsked. "You need to get laid, not make friends. Must we also find you a lover?"

"Please stop," Wanda begged, to look around, hoping no one was paying attention. She was relieved most seemed lost in their own world. "Remember, you're supposed to be celebrating me, not torturing me," she reminded her friend.

"Come on, Nat, don't tease her. You were no better when we met, remember?" Maria defended with a wink. Natasha's eyes narrowed in a dramatic manner as she placed a hand over her chest in mock offense. Her lips parted in an exaggerated gasp. Mara pulled her on her hand, bringing her forward and kissing her lips. "Sorry, babe."

"We are so single," Monica whispered into Wanda's ear, and she couldn't help but agree. She couldn't remember when her last relationship had ended. A year ago, perhaps? She was not sure. "Maybe we can dance the loneliness away." Wanda huffed a laugh but consented, and the group resumed their activities, each paired off.

Wanda and Monica moved together in perfect rhythm, their laughter spilling over the thumping bass of the music. Monica spun the Wanda dramatically, her hands brushing as they twirled, drawing amusement from Natasha and Maria. Their movements were carefree and full of energy—shoulders bouncing, hips swaying, and feet tapping to the beat as the flashing lights danced across their skin. When they became exhausted, they moved to sit at a small table and soon after decided to head out.

The four friends stepped out into the cool night air, the bass of the club's music still faintly vibrating through the walls behind them. Laughter bubbled between the women as Monica recounted a story from one of her and Wanda's college parties.

"Okay, okay enough," Wanda said in between giggles. "It wasn't my fault. I had no clue he was lactose intolerant when I gave him the drink."

"Poor guy, he had to leave early," Monica recounted, linking her arms with Wanda. She pulled out her phone and squinting at the screen that displayed 1 AM. Not as late as they had planned to stay, but the dancing had finally begun to take a toll. Luckily, Maria had measured her drinks, only sipping a low-alcohol cocktail so that she would be driving them home—no need to Uber anywhere. The women slowly made their way to Maria's car, talking animatedly.

Wanting to take one last glance at a club, Wanda momentarily turned her head backward. She found a surprising sight as her eyes landed on a familiar figure she soon identified as Steve and, with him, a man she did not recognize. She couldn't see his face as he had his back to her, but she took notice of his silk jet black sleeveless tank, fitted trousers, sleek loafers, and, resting on his arm, a charcoal coat. She was close enough to see a wolf silhouette tattoo on his back.

"Good job, Steve!" Wanda said, and her friends turned around right as the two men kissed passionately.

"Oh, that's Steve? Good for him," Natasha mused as they continued walking.

Wanda hugged her jacket tighter around herself, her heart light with the joy of the night. The perfect mixture of dancing, drinks, and the kind of carefree energy she rarely let herself indulge in. Even with the familiar ache in her feet from hours of dancing, she didn't mind. Tonight had been just what she needed.

Taglist: @sgm616 @xxsekhmet @xenaizogie

#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x female reader #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x stark!reader #wanda x reader #wanda x you #targaryenmarvel fics

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mostlysignssomeportents · 8 months ago

Text

Real innovation vs Silicon Valley nonsense

This is the LAST DAY to get my bestselling solarpunk utopian novel THE LOST CAUSE (2023) as a $2.99, DRM-free ebook!

If there was any area where we needed a lot of "innovation," it's in climate tech. We've already blown through numerous points-of-no-return for a habitable Earth, and the pace is accelerating.

Silicon Valley claims to be the epicenter of American innovation, but what passes for innovation in Silicon Valley is some combination of nonsense, climate-wrecking tech, and climate-wrecking nonsense tech. Forget Jeff Hammerbacher's lament about "the best minds of my generation thinking about how to make people click ads." Today's best-paid, best-trained technologists are enlisted to making boobytrapped IoT gadgets:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/24/record-scratch/#autoenshittification

Planet-destroying cryptocurrency scams:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/15/your-new-first-name/#that-dagger-tho

NFT frauds:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/06/crypto-copyright-%f0%9f%a4%a1%f0%9f%92%a9/

Or planet-destroying AI frauds:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/29/pay-no-attention/#to-the-little-man-behind-the-curtain

If that was the best "innovation" the human race had to offer, we'd be fucking doomed.

But – as Ryan Cooper writes for The American Prospect – there's a far more dynamic, consequential, useful and exciting innovation revolution underway, thanks to muscular public spending on climate tech:

https://prospect.org/environment/2024-05-30-green-energy-revolution-real-innovation/

The green energy revolution – funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS Act and the Science Act – is accomplishing amazing feats, which are barely registering amid the clamor of AI nonsense and other hype. I did an interview a while ago about my climate novel The Lost Cause and the interviewer wanted to know what role AI would play in resolving the climate emergency. I was momentarily speechless, then I said, "Well, I guess maybe all the energy used to train and operate models could make it much worse? What role do you think it could play?" The interviewer had no answer.

Here's brief tour of the revolution:

2023 saw 32GW of new solar energy come online in the USA (up 50% from 2022);

Wind increased from 118GW to 141GW;

Grid-scale batteries doubled in 2023 and will double again in 2024;

EV sales increased from 20,000 to 90,000/month.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2023/12/19/building-a-thriving-clean-energy-economy-in-2023-and-beyond/

The cost of clean energy is plummeting, and that's triggering other areas of innovation, like using "hot rocks" to replace fossil fuel heat (25% of overall US energy consumption):

https://rondo.com/products

Increasing our access to cheap, clean energy will require a lot of materials, and material production is very carbon intensive. Luckily, the existing supply of cheap, clean energy is fueling "green steel" production experiments:

https://www.wdam.com/2024/03/25/americas-1st-green-steel-plant-coming-perry-county-1b-federal-investment/

Cheap, clean energy also makes it possible to recover valuable minerals from aluminum production tailings, a process that doubles as site-remediation:

https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/toxic-red-mud-co2-free-iron

And while all this electrification is going to require grid upgrades, there's lots we can do with our existing grid, like power-line automation that increases capacity by 40%:

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/13/1187620367/power-grid-enhancing-technologies-climate-change

It's also going to require a lot of storage, which is why it's so exciting that we're figuring out how to turn decommissioned mines into giant batteries. During the day, excess renewable energy is channeled into raising rock-laden platforms to the top of the mine-shafts, and at night, these unspool, releasing energy that's fed into the high-availability power-lines that are already present at every mine-site:

https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/02/06/this-disused-mine-in-finland-is-being-turned-into-a-gravity-battery-to-store-renewable-ene

Why are we paying so much attention to Silicon Valley pump-and-dumps and ignoring all this incredible, potentially planet-saving, real innovation? Cooper cites a plausible explanation from the Apperceptive newsletter:

https://buttondown.email/apperceptive/archive/destructive-investing-and-the-siren-song-of/

Silicon Valley is the land of low-capital, low-labor growth. Software development requires fewer people than infrastructure and hard goods manufacturing, both to get started and to run as an ongoing operation. Silicon Valley is the place where you get rich without creating jobs. It's run by investors who hate the idea of paying people. That's why AI is so exciting for Silicon Valley types: it lets them fantasize about making humans obsolete. A company without employees is a company without labor issues, without messy co-determination fights, without any moral consideration for others. It's the natural progression for an industry that started by misclassifying the workers in its buildings as "contractors," and then graduated to pretending that millions of workers were actually "independent small businesses."

It's also the natural next step for an industry that hates workers so much that it will pretend that their work is being done by robots, and then outsource the labor itself to distant Indian call-centers (no wonder Indian techies joke that "AI" stands for "absent Indians"):

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/17/fake-it-until-you-dont-make-it/#twenty-one-seconds

Contrast this with climate tech: this is a profoundly physical kind of technology. It is labor intensive. It is skilled. The workers who perform it have power, both because they are so far from their employers' direct oversight and because these fed-funded sectors are more likely to be unionized than Silicon Valley shops. Moreover, climate tech is capital intensive. All of those workers are out there moving stuff around: solar panels, wires, batteries.

Climate tech is infrastructural. As Deb Chachra writes in her must-read 2023 book How Infrastructure Works, infrastructure is a gift we give to our descendants. Infrastructure projects rarely pay for themselves during the lives of the people who decide to build them:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/17/care-work/#charismatic-megaprojects

Climate tech also produces gigantic, diffused, uncapturable benefits. The "social cost of carbon" is a measure that seeks to capture how much we all pay as polluters despoil our shared world. It includes the direct health impacts of burning fossil fuels, and the indirect costs of wildfires and extreme weather events. The "social savings" of climate tech are massive:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/climate-and-health-benefits-of-wind-and-solar-dwarf-all-subsidies/

For every MWh of renewable power produced, we save $100 in social carbon costs. That's $100 worth of people not sickening and dying from pollution, $100 worth of homes and habitats not burning down or disappearing under floodwaters. All told, US renewables have delivered $250,000,000,000 (one quarter of one trillion dollars) in social carbon savings over the past four years:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/climate-and-health-benefits-of-wind-and-solar-dwarf-all-subsidies/

In other words, climate tech is unselfish tech. It's a gift to the future and to the broad public. It shares its spoils with workers. It requires public action. By contrast, Silicon Valley is greedy tech that is relentlessly focused on the shortest-term returns that can be extracted with the least share going to labor. It also requires massive public investment, but it also totally committed to giving as little back to the public as is possible.

No wonder America's richest and most powerful people are lining up to endorse and fund Trump:

https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-05-30-democracy-deshmocracy-mega-financiers-flocking-to-trump/

Silicon Valley epitomizes Stafford Beer's motto that "the purpose of a system is what it does." If Silicon Valley produces nothing but planet-wrecking nonsense, grifty scams, and planet-wrecking, nonsensical scams, then these are all features of the tech sector, not bugs.

As Anil Dash writes:

Driving change requires us to make the machine want something else. If the purpose of a system is what it does, and we don’t like what it does, then we have to change the system.

https://www.anildash.com/2024/05/29/systems-the-purpose-of-a-system/

To give climate tech the attention, excitement, and political will it deserves, we need to recalibrate our understanding of the world. We need to have object permanence. We need to remember just how few people were actually using cryptocurrency during the bubble and apply that understanding to AI hype. Only 2% of Britons surveyed in a recent study use AI tools:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c511x4g7x7jo

If we want our tech companies to do good, we have to understand that their ground state is to create planet-wrecking nonsense, grifty scams, and planet-wrecking, nonsensical scams. We need to make these companies small enough to fail, small enough to jail, and small enough to care:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/04/teach-me-how-to-shruggie/#kagi

We need to hold companies responsible, and we need to change the microeconomics of the board room, to make it easier for tech workers who want to do good to shout down the scammers, nonsense-peddlers and grifters:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/28/microincentives-and-enshittification/

Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that the FTC could hold Amazon executives personally liable for the decision to trick people into signing up for Prime, and for making the unsubscribe-from-Prime process into a Kafka-as-a-service nightmare:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/amazon-execs-may-be-personally-liable-for-tricking-users-into-prime-sign-ups/

Imagine how powerful a precedent this could set. The Amazon employees who vociferously objected to their bosses' decision to make Prime as confusing as possible could have raised the objection that doing this could end up personally costing those bosses millions of dollars in fines:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/03/big-tech-cant-stop-telling-on-itself/

We need to make climate tech, not Big Tech, the center of our scrutiny and will. The climate emergency is so terrifying as to be nearly unponderable. Science fiction writers are increasingly being called upon to try to frame this incomprehensible risk in human terms. SF writer (and biologist) Peter Watts's conversation with evolutionary biologist Dan Brooks is an eye-opener:

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-collapse-is-coming-will-humanity-adapt/

They draw a distinction between "sustainability" meaning "what kind of technological fixes can we come up with that will allow us to continue to do business as usual without paying a penalty for it?" and sustainability meaning, "what changes in behavior will allow us to save ourselves with the technology that is possible?"

Writing about the Watts/Brooks dialog for Naked Capitalism, Yves Smith invokes William Gibson's The Peripheral:

With everything stumbling deeper into a ditch of shit, history itself become a slaughterhouse, science had started popping. Not all at once, no one big heroic thing, but there were cleaner, cheaper energy sources, more effective ways to get carbon out of the air, new drugs that did what antibiotics had done before…. Ways to print food that required much less in the way of actual food to begin with. So everything, however deeply fucked in general, was lit increasingly by the new, by things that made people blink and sit up, but then the rest of it would just go on, deeper into the ditch. A progress accompanied by constant violence, he said, by sufferings unimaginable.

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/05/preparing-for-collapse-why-the-focus-on-climate-energy-sustainability-is-destructive.html

Gibson doesn't think this is likely, mind, and even if it's attainable, it will come amidst "unimaginable suffering."

But the universe of possible technologies is quite large. As Chachra points out in How Infrastructure Works, we could give every person on Earth a Canadian's energy budget (like an American's, but colder), by capturing a mere 0.4% of the solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface every day. Doing this will require heroic amounts of material and labor, especially if we're going to do it without destroying the planet through material extraction and manufacturing.

These are the questions that we should be concerning ourselves with: what behavioral changes will allow us to realize cheap, abundant, green energy? What "innovations" will our society need to focus on the things we need, rather than the scams and nonsense that creates Silicon Valley fortunes?

How can we use planning, and solidarity, and codetermination to usher in the kind of tech that makes it possible for us to get through the climate bottleneck with as little death and destruction as possible? How can we use enforcement, discernment, and labor rights to thwart the enshittificatory impulses of Silicon Valley's biggest assholes?

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/30/posiwid/#social-cost-of-carbon

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primeofprimes115 · 3 months ago

Text

A Birthday to Remember - DCAU Supergirl x Male Reader

Fluff 🥰

Requested: Yes (From Wattpad)

Today was Kara's 21st Birthday, a birthday that was Kara's biggest birthday, at least in Earth terms, to her... Birthdays were celebrated a little differently on Argo, twin sister planet of Krypton.

What better than to spend it fighting and training in a simulated arena, that was overlooked by John Stewart, one of the Green Lanterns who Kara looked up to for advice from time to time, not just her cousin.

But, even though she got over the loss of Argo, her three sisters, mother and father, deeming her the Last Daughter of Argo, Kara In-Ze could never forget she was the last of her kind, wishing her family would be here to celebrate her 21st birthday with her.

But... At least she has new friends, her cousin of Krypton, and her ever-loving boyfriend of three years, who she fell in love with, knowing their first meeting before she revealed her super powers during an altercation with Apokolips' Granny Goodness years ago, the first time she debuted as "Supergirl".

Around that time, he had to reveal his little secret, that of being a technological genius who was a hero in his own right, being the son of a multibillionaire company much like Bruce Wayne's, his mother owns the company itself that has partnered up with Wayne-Enterprises then and there to change the world for the better.

Both were young at the time, now? They're happily together in a relationship, work closely together within the Justice League once it had opened up to allow many other heroes to join in, some would say that Y/N is the luckiest boy in the world to be dating someone like Supergirl. Though at most, Supergirl was lucky to be dating a hero such as S/H/N, his family was close with the Kents after all.

And with Kara's 21st birthday? Y/N had a very big surprise for her, something he'd been considering for a long time now, he'd been given the nod from Kara's cousin after asking about marriage, knowing he was married to Lois Lane. It shocked the Man of Steel at first, but he knew how much Kara loved him, and how much he loved her, he couldn't be anymore happier than knowing that his cousin was going to be married to someone like Y/N.

"C'mon, you gotta tell me what this surprise is!" Kara expressed dramatically toward her boyfriend, who stood with a smug look on his face, resisting Kara's efforts to make him spill the beans on what he had in store for her birthday. "It's my 21st! C'mon! Cut a girl some slack!" she sped up beside him, her cape rustling behind her as she walked normally with him in the hallway.

"Hahaha, then it won't be a surprise!" he chuckled, he hated to keep the surprise secret for now, knowing she'd say yes in a heartbeat to him upon asking the question, but it was also a good thing he had the box laced with lead, to prevent her from even detecting it with her x-ray vision since she was the snoopier one. "I even laced the surprise with lead".

"Ugh! C'mon! You're such a bummer!" she pouted childly, rolling her eyes playfully afterwards before she felt a pair of lips on her cheek' causing her to smirk and pin him to the wall next.

"Woah! Hey! Hahaha-Mmm!" his was shut up with a kiss to his lips straight after, his hands grasping around her hips where he felt her warm skin.

"I'll tickle it out of you if I have to" she whispered with a warm breath across his lips, knowing his ultimate weakness is being ticklish. However, Y/N felt confident still, smirking back at her.

"Good thing I'm wearing my ticklish-proof augments today" he noted to her, which made the blonde pout with a sigh.

"Seriously?" she asked.

"Can't spoil the surprise babe" he told her before sealing her lips with a loving kiss. "I hate to keep it from you, but trust me... It's gonna be worth the wait until later, it's not the right time yet" he continued, pulling back after a moment to get some air.

His eyes locked with hers and he could see the love coming back from those blue irises, a soft smile brewing across her face while she blinked slowly, both getting lost in each other's eyes.

"Three years we've been together, you've been there since I came to Metropolis one day" Kara went down memory lane with him about that, making him chuckle about that certain memory. "The day I... You... Met. If only I knew then you'd become a beacon in my life" she smiled lovingly at him, giving him all of her heart.

"I remember that day fondly" the corners of his lips arched into a soft smile, still pinned to the wall by his girlfriend. "Being there with Jimmy as well, then Granny Goodness comes out of nowhere. I couldn't even believe that you were a lot alike Superman at the time, it was... Amazing" Kara smiled deeply hearing that, she always thought he'd found it amazing. "I remember at that moment I fell in love, there was always something about you that drew me to you".

"I'd say the same thing about you too" Kara smirked before her smirk fell. "Do you... Think Kal's proud of me? I mean... I'm now wearing his signature colors now but, I've never really heard him say he's proud of me in person" she looked down at herself, seeing the fact she had recently changed her suit from the white tee with a small red cape, gloves and blue office looking skirt with red boots to a mid-length red cape, blue crop-top and red skirt with a gold V-shaped belt, and traditional red boots with the gold V around the top, still donning the S in honor of her cousin. She even dropped the hairband.

"Oh, I'm sure he's proud of you, Sunshine. One-Hundred percent sure he is" he cheered her up just for that moment, before his lips were sealed with one more kiss from Kara In-Ze.

"Thanks" she murmured while pulling back from his lips. "I'm gonna go train some more, need that work-out".

"Again?" he asked with a soft laugh, playing it off like he didn't think she'd go again, it sounded like music to his ears, his plan was working very well. "Gonna try break the record?"

"You're welcome to watch ~" she kissed his cheek before taking a hold of his hand. "Well?".

"Of course, I was gonna say yes anyway"...

______________________________________________________________

From what seemed to be just some training exercise, which Kara was being a little cocky at first about, setting a new record in the exercise she completed, then turning into a complete disaster when all of a sudden, a blue orb surrounded Green Arrow, John Stewart and Supergirl within the simulated zone before zipping them out of existence while Superman tried to prevent it from happening, though he had no way to prevent it in any way.

This had made Y/N extremely worried, having just witnessed his girl, alongside Oliver and John, zipped away and out of existence, whereas unknown. He felt sick knowing she was gone within a heartbeat by an unknown entity, at least toward him and Clark.

Little beknown to them, the culprit that did this was from the 30th Century, a far-away future within the timeline itself, the culprit was nonother than Brainiac-5, an organic who rebelled against his ancestors way of life and joined a future version of the Justice League called "The Legion of Superheroes" which was inspired by certain heroes themselves, most notably, S/H/N and Supergirl themselves, which was a secret kept for now...

Brainiac-5 made a huge risk bringing Supergirl, alongside Green Arrow and John Stewart into the 30th Century, though it wasn't really intentional to bring Supergirl into here, she was merely needed the most for being a powerhouse mostly to help free their teammates from mental domination by the Fatal-Five, the Legion's most known batch of enemies within their time.

However... This mission was more riskier than it already was, it was said in the history books of the era, that Supergirl would not return from this mission. It wasn't said that she was killed or went missing in the records, but most feared she would die in this mission.

Or was the history books lying?

In the end... Supergirl, Kara In-Ze, had proved that history isn't as it seems or says to be, she survived the mission, she took a play out of Y/N's own book on making her own luck, rescuing the Legionnaires from the Fatal-Five's control and saved the day. She thought like her cousin, acted like a leader, acted heroically, even willing to sacrifice herself to save the Legionnaires, if only Kal could see her.

Meanwhile this was all going down, Y/N and Superman had Steel help search around the perimeter to search for any signs of where they could've gone, discussing where they could search while Y/N's worries began to overwhelm him a little, fearing that he might not see Oliver, John and Kara again. Clark being the optimistic man himself, gave the boy some hope to continue the search, just to hold out some more hope to find out what happened.

With that going on... The Legionnaires reunited together again, the Fatal-Five's plans now up in flames all thanks to Supergirl's efforts in the long run.

Balloon Boy handed out a Legionnaire ring toward the three Leaguers, though Oliver and John handed them back as returning with them would disrupt the time stream, Kara looked at hers with a smile on her face, thinking of even staying since the 30th Century looked a lot like Argo.

From all the buildings, to its atmosphere, it felt like home to her... But then something dawned on her.

She'd be leaving behind important people also, one of those people being her boyfriend, who can't come here to the 30th Century after she asked Brainy on the Legionnaire's ship if he could've just brought Y/N with her here, he only revealed it was impossible before giving out a short explanation as to why, which would completely risk breaking the timestream

She felt so drawn here, it looked so much like Argo! But... She'd be breaking someone's heart back in her timeline, someone who meant the world to her, someone who changed her life drastically the more he was around her.

She couldn't leave the love of her life behind, her heart was drawn to him, she planned things out with him in life, he had been there for her while she done the same for him.

And so... She made the decision after thinking about it.

"Although I think that I do belong here with the Legion, which means leaving my cousin and everyone else behind, but there's only one person I know that I really can't live without" Kara looked toward the Legion before her eyes sat on Brainiac-5, then... She looked away, a lump in her throat upon thinking about the one person she likes to her heart's content. "Y/N... ever since he entered in my life after I went to Metropolis for the first time, things had changed for me drastically, more than I have to admit. Many people had said great things about him and about his family. And I eventually found out who he is, he's just this amazing, caring and compassionate guy, he was that one guy I fell head over heels for, when I hadn't noticed he fell for me first in a way. Since that first ever meeting, since that very first time we worked together as part of a team. Our relationship was a burgeoned one at best, and I've never been happier" she began to smile in GL and GA's direction.

"Y/N is the type of person who would do everything in his power to make sure you're okay, safe and happy, while he takes in all the bad things that's effecting you, like an unmoving, pillar. His outgoing and friendly nature is what drew me to him, it's what kept me happy, made me feel... Home in a way. He and I had thought of moving in together a year ago, go to the same college together, be together outside of me wearing my cape and him using his gear and tech, have a normal life since we both have all the time in the world for that. Supergirl and S/H/N, Kara and Y/N" She looked down to the Legion ring on her middle finger, a thought of one day particularly being married to him as her eyes set on her ring finger. A thought ran over her mind what it would be like to stay in the future, with the Legion. It all reminded her of home on Argo, the sister planet of Krypton. "He said he has a huge surprise for me today, since it's my birthday, I spent most of today wearing this new look, wearing the same colors like Kal. I would hate to burst that bubble and leave him behind also, because I can't fathom to live here without him since bringing him here could potentially damage the timestream" she then looked toward Brainiac-5 before walking towards him, her fingers still examining the ring to feel the metal alloy. "And we don't want that, don't we?". "No, unfortunately" the young man replied. "We know him here to be the greatest man that's ever lived, he was one of the reasons the Legion of Superheroes was created, so were you" he finally told her. "That's all I needed to hear" she said with a smile, before sliding off the flight ring, as much as she'd love to keep it. "My head says I belong here... But my heart says the opposite. Perhaps history can be broken, it seems Supergirl does return to the 21st century after all, and rejoins with her loved ones" she then handed Bouncing Boy the ring and returned to stand with John and Oliver.

______________________________________________________________

"Whatever abducted them didn't leave any traceable energy signature" Steel confirmed with his scanner, as Superman then looked toward Y/N who was trying to keep his mind hopeful, but his scouter wasn't giving him any positive feedback either.

"Y/N?".

"Nothing on my scouter either... Damn it all!" he said with a little more frustration. "The surprise was supposed to happen an hour ago and I... I-".

"Don't worry, we'll find them" Superman remained optimistic, keeping his cousin's boyfriend from worrying even more". We could go see Dr Fate, or Zatanna, maybe they could-"

All of a sudden, a loud mechanical like noise erupted loudly throughout the room they were investigating still, the orb had appeared again in a flash of blue energy and within it was John Stewart, Green Arrow and of course...

Supergirl.

As soon as the little bit of smoke cleared, Y/N's eyes laid upon his girlfriend, his eyes widening in pure relief as did hers. "Kara!" His heart raced fast upon seeing her and he rushed up to her, enveloping her in a big hug which she immediately accepted. "You're okay, thank God!"

"Someone sure missed me" she teased before her arms around him tightened.

"John, Oliver, what happened?" Kal asked the two green suited heroes, wondering what really happened to them.

"Well... It's a long story" John told him.

"To put it short. We were transported to the 30th Century by a... Boy, he needed our help freeing his teammates, we helped. You should've seen Kara though, she was amazing. Took a page out of your own book in a way" Oliver told him as Kal looked at her cousin who was currently hugging back Y/N before the two pulled away.

He then smiled at her, before approaching her as the returning 21st birthday girl noticed his approach and smiled.

"Kal" she said with a relieved sigh, hugging him next. The Man of Steel accepted his cousin's hug as he was going to hug her to begin with. "There's a lot to explain".

"I know, I'm just glad you're safe and back here" he smiled before glancing over behind her, seeing Y/N smiling, reaching into a cartridge in his gauntlet, his fingers held a small lead box which had stored a very special ring inside.

Clark smiled and nodded toward Y/N, knowing he should pop the question now, as it should've happened an hour ago.

The question that would make a birthday to remember by...

"I never got to tell you before you zipped away... I'm proud of you, Kara" he told her with a smile growing on both their faces. "But... Not only that. You're a little late but since you're back? I know someone here has a very important question you don't wanna miss" Kal then told her, which she pulled back in confusion.

"What?" she asked. "What do you mean by-" she took a glimpse at Y/N before turning back around as something dawned in her mind as she did, taking note that he was on one knee, holding something. "Wait, Y/N, what're you -?" She turned back around, her cape fluttering behind her as she did before, looking him in the eyes and down to the object he held in his hand as he then flicked up the top of the little box...

Noticing a ring with a small diamond, a diamond that sparkled upon seeing it for the first time. Her jaw dropped, trying to keep composure, feeling as if she was about to burst out in tears realizing what the surprise was really about.

"Y/N... Is this...?" she stuttered, putting her hands over her mouth

And she wanted him to tell her what it was hours ago, before she was "abducted" by a good Brainiac from the future.

"I... I had a little speech but... I-I-I kinda forgot about it since... You disappeared" Y/N himself felt a lump in his throat, getting a little emotional just thinking about the moment currently as the four men in the room stood by and watched. "I uh... I've been waiting to ask this for a while now, I've been holding onto this ring for, well... Years now, since Mom passed it onto me, knowing she wouldn't need it after Dad passed, it was his last request before he did pass. I wanted to wait until your twenty-first birthday, your cousin and I planned it out..." he told her as tears began running down from Kara's eyes as a few muffled sobs escaped from her. Y/N kept himself strong, fighting back any urge to let a tear fall down from his eyes.

"We've been through so many adventures together since we first met, shared our first kiss in the sky during our first date which was adventurous some would say, from staying overnight with you at the Kents, attending the same school, graduating the same day together, and then all the adventures after that for the last three years. You're like the pillar that keeps everything up in my life, keeps me going and happy. You've saved me more times than I can count than I've saved you and I couldn't possibly be more happier than have you in my life" he croaked a little before chuckling, still keeping his eyes on her as she let more tears fall down. "Kara In-Ze Kent, Supergirl - My Girl of Steel - I have one question..." he paused for a moment as Kara took her hands away from her mouth, his one hand reached out and she held her one hand out for him to hold.

"Y-Y-Yes??" she croaked with more happy tears falling down from her face, using her other hand to wipe the tears away from herself.

"Will you take me as yours forever. Will you marry me, Kara In-Ze Kent?" he asked the question, giving out all his heart out with it as Kara then knelt down to his level with a huge smile and happy tears still falling from her face.

"Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!" she said with an utter outburst of joy, answering his question repeatedly while nodding up and down before the she enveloped him into a deep kiss as the others stood by and watched with a smile.

From this moment on?

Kara surely knew this was a birthday she'd remember, the biggest birthday present she's ever been gifted.

You...

"Best... Birthday... Ever!" she exclaimed, the two standing up now after the deep kiss.

"Congratulations to you both!" Oliver said from the back. "Had a feeling it'd happen someday, you both deserve it! Seriously".

The two took Oliver's compliment as Kara then looked down toward the ring now on her ring finger, Y/N took notice of her observation.

"You like it?" he asked.

"Like it?" she scoffed. "I LOVE it! It was your mom's, I'm honored to wear it!" she corrected him before smiling hugely. "Wait until I tell Babs about this!".

"I'm glad you love it, mom's probably expecting to hear something back by now" he noted.

"You should, I think she'll be worrying that things didn't go to plan originally" Kal suggested.

"Yeah... I should".

"I'll go with!" Kara hugged Y/N arms with pure joy, having just been asked the question. "We can tell her together" she suggested, Y/N couldn't be more than happy to have his now fiancé come with him.

"Sure, Hun! My mom would be happy to see you again!".

With that... They ventured toward the Watchtower's teleporter after saying their goodbyes for the rest of the day towards the four others within the room, the rest of the journey was Supergirl flying her now fiancé towards their actual destination.

Knowing of what happened earlier?

This was something the both would remember...

This was A Birthday to Remember.

______________________________________________________________

Fin...

Word Count: 3592

Tag List: @jacenradio7 @jadenyukiyusakufujikiyutoduelist @rodimusprime2017 @beestriker015 @ma1egamer @6rookie-writer0110 @multi-fandom-enjoyer

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dr-spectre · 2 months ago

Text

Decided to make Pokémon teams for the Splatoon idols because i was bored.

Also these teams aren't meant to be competitive, they are just trying to capture what the character is all about and who they are.

Callie's team.

Tinkaton because it's a cute pink Pokémon with a giant ass melee weapon, it fits Callie perfectly, Charizard because Callie represented team Red (and yes it can mega evolve too into either X or Y depending on how Callie is feeling), Milotic because it represents Callie's beauty, Heracross because of Callie's childhood days of bug catching, Malamar due to it's hypnotic abilities (I wonder what i could be talking about here...) and Callie's darker traits, and Ninetails because Marie traded her a Vulpix. I went with the Alolan version because of type variety and it's fairy too.

Marie's team.

The first two picks should be obvious on why they are here, Venusaur and Blastoise because Marie represented team Green in Japan and team Blue in the west (Venusaur can mega evolve and Blastoise can Gigantamax depending on the rules of the match), Inteleon due to it's sniping skills and it's based on a spy. The New Squidbeak Splatoon are meant to be undercover so i think it fits. Noctowl because Marie was on team Night Owl, Palossand because Marie was on team Sandcastle and Dragapult because it shoots out Dreepys at supersonic speeds much like how Marie fires insanely fast shots.

Pearl's team.

Pearl's team was by far the hardest to come up with for me but i managed to get some picks. Gholdengo because it's a Pokémon made out of coins and as we know, Pearl is RICHHHHHHH!!!!!! Exploud because it's a loud sound Pokemon that yells, much like what Pearl does with her Princess Canon, Armarouge because Pearl was on team Knight and to better protect her wizard wife Marina, Toxtricity due to it's connections to punk rock and Pearl's early days. Noivern because it's yet another sound Pokemon, and finally Celesteela because it's a large flying Pokemon and Pearl is known to have a plane, plus it connects to Pearl's space theme in her more recent appearances.

Marina's team.

All of Marina's choices stem from her love of machinery, electronics and technology. Of course she was gonna pack her team with steel, electric and psychic types, she loves them!! Porygon-z was included too because it's a Pokemon that's made out of programming that became unstable, similar to Marina's creation of Overlorder.

Shiver's team.

Shiver would obviously have a Sharpedo, duh, no shit, Gyarados because it's a ferocious water type that Shiver would probably love, Meowscarada because Shiver picked team Grass and it's her favourite type, and speaking of grass, I picked Roserade and Tsareena because they are grass types that i thought matched Shiver's vibes. And finally... Garchomp, i wonder why i picked the land SHARK!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, it can mega evolve too.

Frye's team.

Skeledirge because Frye picked team Fire and it seems to be her favourite type, Darmanitan because it's a fire type that matches Frye's personality, Cinderace because it's a fire bunny and guess what team Frye picked in the Springfest, Seviper and Eelektross to represent Frye's clan which has a large focus on eel taming. And Gouging Fire because it's a fire dragon Pokémon that has a regal look to it and it reminds me of that one Sunken Scroll entry showing Frye or someone else in a fancy outfit.

Big Man's team.

Mantine because it's a manta ray, guess who is also a manta ray.... Quaquaval because Big Man picked team Water, Scizor because Big Man chose team Scissors in the first Splatfest of Splatoon 3, Ursaluna because of the SpringFest (plus i think it's funny to have a bear Pokémon in one of Deep Cut's teams), Dusknoir because of Big Man's pick in Splatoween, plus Dusknoir is stated to help guide spirits back to their homes and Big Man said in the Splatfest dialogue that he wants to help ghosts. And Snorlax because i think it fits Big Man, i could see them chilling out in a grassy field somewhere.

So yeah, that's it! Let me know what you think! Will you try out one of these teams? Do you think there are Pokémon that better suit the Idols?

I will also leave you with this surprise Pokémon team belonging to another character in the Splatoon franchise, see if you can figure out who it is.

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theriverbeyond · 5 months ago

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THE ANTICAPITALIST MESSAGING IN HADESTOWN TOOK ME SO COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE IN SUCH A GOOD WAY AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE ITS SO GOOD AND IT WORKS WITH THEIR STORY SO WELL

YEAH EXACTLY Im like... is it all just so obvious everyone decided it's redundant to mention or??? HELLO???

And I was sitting in the audience as one does and Chant was actually the song that reframed the entire show for me -- up until then I was like "aw :') theyre falling in love and are doomed, I should google all these lyrics later" but that song just... I felt like I was being hit in the face w a fish, honestly!!

"In the coldest time of year/ Why is it so hot down here?/ Hotter than a crucible/ It ain't right and it ain't natural"

"In the darkest time of year/ Why is it so bright down here?/ Brighter than a carnival/ It ain't right and it ain't natural"

Persephone's lyrics here are so specific -> a "crucible" is an ancient tool that can be used to create art but also industrialized into mass production, a "carnival" something that is inherently about celebration and festivity and joy but it is also a thing that can be commercialized almost beyond recognition. Capitalism is ravenous and will never be satiafied or sated, it will steal & exploit every scrap of art and joy that it can, then corrupt it all into hollow immitations that it then sells back to you on websites like SHEIN and Disney+.

"It ain't right and it ain't natural" hits so hard in this song because nothing is as natural, or as "right", as death -- so obviously Persephone is NOT talking about the literal underworld to the literal god of the dead. She's talking about how we need to stay warm and safe and dry in the winter, but we don't need fresh summer fruits imported from thousands of miles away. We need to stay cool and safe and hydrated in the summer, but we don't need to steal water from another state to keep the golf courses green. The winter is natural, the cold is natural, seeking warmth and light is natural. What is unnatural is this overconsumption, this never ending, never satisfied hunger.

And then of course you have Hades' parts,

Here, I fashioned things of steel/ Oil drums and automobiles/ Then I kept that furnace fed/ With the fossils of the dead

And wasn't it electrifying/ When I made the neon shine!/ Silver screen, cathode ray/ Brighter than the light of day

And obviously "fossils of the dead" is a reference to Hades being the literal god of the dead, in the ground, in the underworld, and it is also a reference to the modern dependence on oil and fossil fuels, but TO ME it is also about how capitalism relies on the exploitation of workers. In this show, the "fossils of the dead" are literally Hades' subjects. They're the workers of his factory town, and he both exploits them and is fully dependent on them, just like how the furnance of industry/capitalism relies on YOUR body, YOUR labor, it eats you when you're alive and it often continues to eat you when you're dead.

And then like "wasn't it electrifying" -> it's EXCITING what technology and industry does, but the problem is the overconsumption and the overproduction ("Brighter than the light of day") beyond what anyone actually needs or even wants. It ain't right and it ain't natural!!!

Every year, it's getting worse/ Hadestown, hell on Earth!

And the wind is so strong/ That's why times are so hard/ It's because of the gods/ The gods have forgotten the song of their love

Lover, what have you become/ Coal cars and oil drums/ Warehouse walls and factory floors/ I don't know you anymore

And it all keeps building in this song, re-emphasizing that Hades is not who he once was, that he has changed. Which again is not only commentary about consumption vs overconsumption, and how so many things started as wonderful ideas that could save people and help people and help make the world better were corrupted and turned into profit machines, killing machines, etc. "The gods have forgotten the song of their love" UGH

I also think the Themes are magnified because this is presented extremely directly alongside Euridyce's growing desperation, especially with the context that Euridyce DOES, in fact, "sell out" to Hades' promises.

There is no food left to find/ It's hard enough to feed yourself/ Let alone somebody else

Desperation forces her hand, she turns to Hades because he offers salvation, and she ends up just another nameless worker turning the gears of his machine. And I feel this is so similar to how when rich people are like "Just do XYZ", or telling people to bootstrap, or selling quick fixes to desperate people, when the reality is they got where they did due to a combination of luck, pre-existing social/monetary capital, etc, and buying into their promises of wealth will only make them richer and you more dependent and vulnerable.

#hadestown #30fishermen #IM JUST ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ THIS SHOW...#ask #also btw other hadestown asks i SEE U i just wanna give good responses

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dcdreamblog · 1 month ago

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So what exactly was the timeline of events for the so called reign of the supermen? The confusion on the side of the news reporters makes events hard to sort through, and the 2019 documentary didn't actually make things clearer. And then all the conspiracy theories around the event make it harder to actually find information (putting aside Coast City or the theories that the current Superman is one of the impostors, I've seen people claim one of the impostor supermen replaced Clark Kent the Daily Planet reporter for some reason.)

Ok, that last one is just omnipresent especially if you're FROM Metropolis and know Clark Kent as a public figure of some note. He's like, THE guy for some reason getting wrapped up in conspiracy theories of this kind. If you see someone ranting about him being Superman they are either A. a conspiracy buff or B. REALLY butthurt because they shipped people in real life and the Reporter Barbie didn't kiss the He-Man doll.

The "Reign of the Supermen" is a loose term describing a period of about 5 months in Metropolis following Superman's battle and seeming death against the monster known as Doomsday. Superman's death was an intensely traumatic experience for the superhero community, the world at large and especially Metropolis in specific.

(The famous image of Superman's body laying in the center of Daily Planet plaza, his longtime friend Lois Lane wailing a lament over the fallen hero)

Superman's funeral was one of the most attended public events in Metropolis history and THE most viewed event in the history of the Galaxy Broadcasting Company where it aired live. However, within days of the hero being laid to rest, not one, but four new heroes came out and either attempted to fill Superman's shoes or claimed to be Superman himself reborn.

(The famous collage topping the Daily Planet spread where "Reign of the Supermen" was first coined. Left to right: The Man of Steel, The Man of Tomorrow, The Metropolis Kid and The Last Son of Krypton)

The Man of Steel: Appearing in Metropolis in connection to an uptick in gang activity using the highly advanced "Toastmaster" energy weapons, The Man of Steel never actually made a claim that he was Superman reborn. Simply claiming to be following the original's example although conspiracies abounded as they did about EVERYTHING during the period. Of course we known now that this hero, who currently goes by just "Steel" is in reality genius mechanical engineer John Henry Irons who was indeed inspired by Superman after Superman saved his life during a construction accident. Irons continues on as Steel to this day, where he is one of Superman's closest allies and a premiere defender of Washington DC.

The Man of Tomorrow: Appeared to rescue the then president from an assassination attempt, becoming the most publically prominent of the "Supermen" and one of the two claiming to be the true Superman reborn, having reconstructed his body using Kryptonian technology. Because of his action saving the president's life he was endorsed by the White House as the "true" Superman which gave him a lot of public leeway to do...something terrible...

In reality of course this "Cyborg Superman" was Hank Henshaw, a formerly deceased scientist who blamed Superman for the death of his fellow astronauts after an experimental space craft left the entire crew mutated and ultimately dead. His personality having taken control of some of the technology in Superman's Fortress of Solitude and seeking to use Superman's good name to ruin the hero posthumously. At this moment in time his inert body is in possession of STAR Labs where he is being studied as part of a sentence passed down by the Green Lantern Corps for what we are told are innumerable crimes against galactic life.

The Metropolis Kid: Seemingly a teenager who appeared out of nowhere, stopping the newly appeared villain Sidearm from robbing a public ATM. He never claimed to be related to the original Superman and was open with his origins to the public. He had been created by Cadmus Labratories for some unknown purpose, had broken out of their facilities and was now seeking to use his powers for good (and fame, and pretty girls). His heart was in the right place but he was 6 parts willpower to 1 part brains and 0 parts self control, earning rebukes from Steel AND Guardian after his poor forethought cost a helicopter pilot his life.

Since then however he has been a well known and publically beloved teen superhero, serving with distinction on Young Justice, the Teen Titans and more. He is still publically active and beloved as a hero. He and Steel probably require the least explanation. If you found this blog you know who they are.

The Last Son of Krypton: Was the most physically similar to Superman at first glance, however was instantly distrusted by the public due to his brutal and violent methods despite claiming to be the real Superman healed by Kryptonian science. His claim, however, was publically rejected when Lois Lane and the rest of the staff at the Daily Planet (those who would obviously know Superman best) publically denounced him. He was first on the scene during the Coast City tragedy and was blamed for the attack in its direct aftermath.

In reality the "Last Son" was The Eradicator, a piece of Kryptonian technology that had come under Superman's care and viewed itself as a "defender" of Kryptonian culture and heritage. He remained active on and off as a superhero for several years as well as a villainous presence when his programming was hijacked to various malicious ends. To my current knowledge the program is "dead" but god knows for how long. Coast City: (Please be advised the Coast City tragedy is still an open wound for many people. If you do not wish to go any further this is your chance to bow out. Respect and deference to the people of Coast City and their families will be expected and enforced on this blog)

On August 28th an alien craft appeared above Coast City, California. Both The Last Son of Krypton and The Man of Tomorrow respond to the ship as it releases a series of alien devices into the city's airspace. Approximately 80 minutes after they first entered the craft, the devices detonate in an explosion the likes of which dwarf even the most devastating of atomic discharges. 7 Million men, women and children lost their lives in an instant. It is, to this day the single deadliest event in human history. God willing nothing else will ever come close.

The world is stunned. It takes 7 hours for the true severity of the attack to be understood as all communications infrastructure from one of California's largest cities vanishes in an instant. The Man of Tomorrow limps back to civilization and blames the Last Son of Krypton for the disaster. Green Lantern, Steel, Superboy and Supergirl converge on the site. In the following days the entire population of San Georgio county is listed as a casualty of the strike, not a single survivor is discovered within the county's borders.

It is eventually revealed that the "Man of Tomorrow" is responsible, having allied himself with the alien tyrant Mongul attempting to transform the Earth into a "Warworld", a feared class of galactic weapon. It is through these events that the true Superman returns, regaining his powers. Through the combined efforts of Superman, Supergirl, Green Lantern, Superboy, Steel and the Eradicator a similar attack on Metropolis' 11 million people is barely averted.

I was...not alive when Coast City was destroyed. I only grew up in its aftermath. Where the idea of alien tyrants and conquerors, something we had known about for years suddenly came home for us as a society, as a species. 7 million souls wiped from existence, atomized, by one weapon. By one alien with the right trigger to pull. A vibrant west coast metropolis reduced to a blasted crater. 7 million holes left in families around the world.

There were no drills, no duck and cover PSAs, everyone knew that if something of its like showed up again there would be no time and no place to hide. Mongul was officially remanded to Earth's custody by the Green Lantern Corps, citing a "do as thou wilt" clause allowing planets to punish those guilty of genocide outside of galactic trial and treaty. Calls for his execution are stymied for 2 years. He eventually dies in custody due to an opaque supervillain conflict.

Eventually, under the Horne administration, Coast City is officially refounded. It is to this day known as "The City Without Fear" and every year on the anniversary green lanterns are hung in the windows of the city's homes and businesses. Its population is now 2 million strong.

I know that all sounds like derailing from "The Reign of the Supermen" but drill right down to it and that's the legacy. We attached so much trust to Superman, his iconography, his name. We were so grief stricken by his loss that we pinned all our hope on the first man to wear his face and lie to us: and 7 million people paid the price.

Superman has said that his take away from the event is thus: "I learned how dangerous it is...wha...what could happen if I let this world believe it couldn't live without me. Now I have better plans for when I'm gone. I made things clear this time, to the people who need to know."

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skitariiposting · 7 days ago

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I asked a while ago about how to come up with colour schemes, and i found your advice really useful - so wanted to share the new scheme :)

The forgeworld of Chaemea II has a focus on the production of various chemicals, particularly in the rediscovery of making Phosphex. The entire world has a thick purple smog from millenia of chemical manufacture, hence the purple robes.

Ooh! That came out great! I'm glad my advice was able to influence it :D

I love the world building of the rediscovery of Phosphex, very cool! One of my favorite plot lines involving admech rediscovering things is Darktide's Moebian Steel storyline, and the rediscovery and reactivation of the admech factories to produce it. Its compounded by the urgency of racing against the Nurgle forces to secure it before they can.

I like the idea of Admech constantly forgetting, then rediscovering, then forgetting, then rediscovering techniques and technologies over and over; it really speaks to the dark age of technology they're trying to brute force their way out of in the 41st millennium.

Narrative motifs aside, your paint job is really good, nicely done! Your color choices are well placed, the little red wire is very cleanly executed, and the metallics look great :)

The Object Source Lighting on the eyes is always a cool addition - if you wanted to go the extra mile, I recommend a little dot of a slightly lighter version of the color the glow is, (green in for this one of course,) in the middle of the OSL. You certainly don't have to, this is perfect for table ready as is. Honestly, glowing eyes, or eyes in general, are typically my least favorite part to paint on minis because of how small they are, but I do think that little lighter color in the middle does help to sell the effect a bit more.

10/10 fantastic story, fantastic urpple, very good

#skitposting #ask-itarii #skit rates stuff #admech #warhammer 40k #adeptus mechanicus #warhammer #warhammer 40000 #40k

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scribbled-dream · 3 months ago

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Archivist who becomes an analyst, connecting to drone intelligences through a corporate Accord Neural Link, their consciousness splitting between thousands of killing machines, all primed to destroy all who oppose the Terran Accord—until they want out, having been reduced to an android form, all steel and silicon, scraps of flesh in an android body that’s mass-produced, all too masculine.

They chafe at their bonds, at their corporate obedience, at their chained identity. Is their pain self-inflicted? Is their identity truly as simple as what the Accord designates them as? Perhaps—but all is called into question when they make contact with the Compact.

A thousand mechanical eyes, opening wide in unison to the silvery domes of an Affini Warship, a massive, silver teardrop that blurs and warps out of space as it approaches their planet. The eyes fill with heat, tunneling deep inside the ship’s systems, nanites morphing and combining into Combat Drones, Assault Drones, Shield Drones—the most advanced technology available to the Accord, a fusion of corporation and empire into a single system, with a single point of failure seemingly nullified through the Obliteration Protocols—At a hint of desertion, the drones will instead fire upon the controller—and then, everything stops.

An Affini—or, one of them. It shifts, green vibes studded with thorns and blue, bioluminescent flowers into a shape vaguely resembling a human woman, skin made of greenish shades, bright blue eyes from under a flowing, waving shape of scarlet hair—flower petals that change hue and shape constantly—and the drones halt.

An echo in the mind. A ripple across time and space, spanning millions of miles from space and sky to earth in a millisecond. It is warm, vines reaching for a mechanical shell of a person, finding purchase.

What will you do now?

The pilot looks around at their tiny, screen-covered node, tattered books and data-slates enclosing them in a shell of information—single minded, obstinate, corporate, war-laden information—and feels a tingle at the back of their head, a heat that reaches to the front of their face—and as they brush hated shadow and look at their loathed, exhausted features with the trappings of a body they despise—the ever-present weight of control in their mind lifts with a beep.

The sound is not just for them. All around the Terran Orbital Command Center, Drone Pilots all belonging to the eponymous Corporation hear their shackles break.

The question, again. Just for the pilot.

What must you do now, Floret?

Not every Pilot is content. Some have hands on their sidearms, while a klaxon blares and cruisers let out thunderous sonic booms in low orbit, a PA reminding everyone to not trust the alien threat.

The Drones’ priorities are changed. Accord scientists are panicking, unsure why their Pilots are out of their control and off their short leashes.

A cruiser explodes, millions of tiny nanites burrowing inside of it, eating away at its reactor and crew in a storm.

A warmth fills the pilot, a sense of raw satisfaction and glee. They know the people of this world. Most will be unwilling to bend the knee. One final image, of a soaring, beautiful city, with perfect architecture and a gentle, sunset sky. Humans, Affini, and other, stranger creatures walking as one.

The Drones continue. The sky burns. Freedom is not the Accord’s to decide.

Ah, but what a bright mind you are, Floret! Be free. I will see you again—soon.

#hdg #floretposting #human domestication guide #mechposting #droneposting #pilotposting?#affini #terran independence #plant girl #nonbinary #nonbinary oc #amab nonbinary #genderfluid #gnc

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kkeidawrites · 3 months ago

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Scorched Enigma

Day 22 of Blacktober! Still feel like shit but have fun and make sure to participate in the poll!

This is the third installment of Toy Enigma

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Taking his advice, Superman flies over to St. Martin’s Island and lands on the front steps of the largest estate on the island as Y/n had instructed.

Ringing the doorbell, Superman takes in the exterior of the estate, it was indeed a large house but it fit Y/n’s rich girl personality.

The front door opens and a child appears in front of him. A little boy looked up at him with his green eyes, amazed at the sight of Superman at his doorstep.

“Woah!! Superman is standing at the front door!” He exclaims, bouncing excitedly in place.

“Um, hello.” Superman says and the boy grins.

“Dillan, what has mom told you about opening the door? You don’t know who it is or what they want.” Another voice scolds as they pull the star struck boy into the house, this time a girl no older than a teenager comes up to the door.

“Superman?” The girl questions and the man of steel waves awkwardly.

“Wait are you really him? You’re The Superman right?”

He levitates a bit to show her that he was legit and the teen gasps in disbelief. Dillan pokes his head back through the doorway.

“No way! I can’t wait to show my friends online! The Superman at my house-“

“Alright, you two, go and call your other nine brothers and sisters to the table. It’s time for dinner.” He hears Y/n say and the two children groan sadly but leaves from the door to do what she says.

Y/n opens the door to reveal herself and gives Superman a polite nod and motions him to come into her home.

Superman steps into the house and looks at the intricate details of the statues that stood by the front door, they were Greek from what he could tell and looked to be pristine in its condition.

“Momm!! Taylor is locked away in the bathroom again!” Y/n sighs softly as she closed the door behind the hero. She begins walking and Superman follows behind her, he looks around her home, it was nicely decorated.

They walked by the stairwell, and Superman could hear arguing from upstairs.

“Taylor! Open the door!” The same girl fusses.

“Lynn, there are nine more bathrooms that you can use, there’s no need for you to use the one your brother is in!” Y/n says up the carpeted staircase.

“But, that one has my phone in it! Come on Taylor!” Banging on wood is heard and Y/n sighs again.

Superman, could see children either running down a hallway or a child walking and making their way to what he can assume was the dining room.

“Um, how many children do you-“

“I have eleven in total. You had actually arrived at the time where it’s time for us to eat dinner.” She explains and leads them into a study.

Pressing the button under the grey and white desk, the statue that was overlooking the study opened into a staircase leading into the ground.

Walking down the steps, Clark sees a Y/n floats over to one of the large supercomputers. As she typed away at the keyboard, Clark looks around the large area, it was filled with statues of African, Greek and Egyptian women.

“Why are all the statues just women?” He asked, curiously staring at Hathor the Goddess of Love.

“I’m sure you’re not here for all of that, here you go.” She says and moves to the side to let Clark look at the computer screen.

It was a picture of Brainiac, but a diagramed version of him.

“Brainiac is rebuilding his body by using Luthor’s money and technology however, there is just one thing that Luthor can’t buy. And it’s this,” she presses a button and the screen changes to show a strange device, like a pin cushion for someone sewing.

“What is it?” He asks.

“It’s a psi-amplifier to take over your mind. You remember when Luthor played “dead” a couple of months ago? He’s made contact with Brainiac and it would seem that the two are working together.” She explains leaning against a wall.

“Luthor isn’t that stupid, he wouldn’t work with Brainiac, he doesn’t know what he would do to the world.” Clark says.

“Then you’re not ready for what he’s going to do in the future. I don’t have an idea as to where this is but, I’m sure your bat friend can help you with that part.” She gives him a look as Clark looks at her with surprise.

“How did you-“

“I’m just not as slow as other people are. I even know Diana.” Y/n tells him then presses another button on her computer.

The printer spouts out the information of the device he needed to locate on a small piece of paper and Y/n handed to Superman.

“This is all I can do for you unfortunately, but, you can at least figure out what you need. If you need my help, you know where to find me.” she says and Clark nods.

“Thank you, I appreciate the help.” Y/n smiles at him.

“Come on, I’m sure you want to go ahead and get this done, I’ll walk you out. I’m late for dinner and I’m sure my babies are waiting on me, which I try to tell them not to do.” Y/n rambles as she leads them both out the lair.

Returning to the front door, Y/n watches as Superman opens her front door and leaves out but then levitates a few feet away from her house. Y/n crosses her arms as she watches him and looks up at the flying man.

In the nearby window, all the children from inside gathered at the glass to see the famous hero in red and blue.

“Good luck Superman.” Y/n said and he nods and waves at the kids who wave back excitedly and flies off.

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Batman and Superman flew side by side as they made their way to the first piece of the device.

The Batwing’s location indicated where they needed to go, blinking steadily as they approached the coordinates Batman was able to pinpoint.

“We should be there in the next couple of hours, it’s supposed to be a particular material that we need to get.” Batman says.

“Right, so far I still don’t see anything, it’s just an endless list of forestry and wildlife.” Superman tells him as he uses his superhuman vision to see further ahead.

His eyes widen and he stops, Batman stops as well.

“What is it?” Batman asks.

“There’s something out there, it’s coming in fast.” Superman tells him and Batman looks down at his surroundings beacon. Nothing was in a five hundred mile radius but, Batman never took his friend’s word for granted.

“I don’t see anything on my beacons but what do you see?” Batman asks.

Using his superhuman vision, Superman sees a total of seven missiles heading right for them.

“It’s missiles, seems like someone doesn’t want us out here.” Superman says.

As the missiles neared, Superman takes the lead of flying ahead and knocking out the first missile with his fists.

Batman uses his own missiles to take out the other two missiles that came close to his Batwing. Suddenly, his beacon starts to go off and he reads the warning message, the words in capital letters and red bold font.

“Just two more!” Batman hears Superman say and looks up just in time to see the man of steel fly off to face the final bombs.

“Superman wait! There’s something different with those missiles!” Batman warns and Superman stops flying so quickly in the air and instead grabs the two final missiles in his hands.

As soon as he grabs them, the exhaust of the missiles go out and melts in his hands, the silver metal wrapping around his arms and coating the rest of his body.

Superman tries to shake off the suddenly alive metal but that didn’t do anything as it takes over the rest of his body. It forms a coffin like casing around his body and with his concentration off, his power of flight is diminished and he drops like a rock into the tress below.

“Superman!” Batman yells and grunts when the Batwing is suddenly rocking. He looks to his right and sees that the engine of his Batwing is on fire and it drops down a bit from the air.

He couldn’t see anything around him that was attacking him and didn’t have enough time to try to figure it out as his other engine was attacked. Feeling the Batwing begin to fall from the air, Batman pushes the eject button and is suddenly ejected from his seat.

As he is parachuted, he watches his vehicle crash into the trees and explode.

“Damn it. What was that?” He asks.

Meanwhile with Superman, he struggles in his metal prison and unfortunately he wasn’t able to speak to let his partner know where he was.

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Make sure to like, comment, and reblog!

Be sure to check out the first two chapters below!

Part 1:Bottom

Part 2: Top

#fanfiction #my writing #black reader #black!reader #clark kent x black reader #clark kent x black!reader #clark kent x black curvy reader #dc x black!reader #dc x black reader #dceu fanfiction #dc x reader #31 days of blacktober #blacktober #x black y/n #black y/n #black yn #x black reader #black reader insert

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