#hyper analyzing the rise movie

[endermen-impasta]

Rise of the TMNT: Future Study... Kinda

(( about this dude and the messy future reference in the movie ))

-- Someone made a post about the picture Casey had and how it didn't match up from Casey going to the day the war started, how the Kraang was fast to take over, so on so forth. If you don't know what I'm talking about... I kinda forgot who made that post and didn't like it BUT! I have another thing that tripped me up while watching the movie (( that IDK if someone has pointed out. )) Let's go to the time right after Raph got captured by the Kraang.

-- This moment right here --

-- Leo and Casey have a back and forth, Leo is clearly upset by Raph being captured and fears what could happen to Raph if he doesn't get rescued, clearly understanding how harmful the Kraang can be now (( since he had a near death experience and they hurt Raph -- Raph the brother seen as strong, sweet, and overall invincible { similar to how a child thinks of their parent / parents at a young age} ))

-- As all the same Casey is just focused on making sure the world and Leo survives and doesn't have to go through the hardship that he has to go through. (( clearly the highest important person to him due to seeing -- or at least being told as a kid -- the other brothers die and not having a connected relationship to )) In the moment Casey is also distressed over the fact that he FAILED the only mission he was given from the person he adored. To Casey he needed to complete the mission, not only to save the entire world from complete distortion but to him it was some sort of last task to do so Future Leonardo could rest in peace, knowing that everyone is fine.

-- Whenever Casey was presented with the object he wanted to get, Casey was relieved not thinking about how Raph would be in danger. As soon as Casey said "Nice" (( clearly being an apathetic thought at first )) Leo starts to go off how it's not "fine" or "nice" going over how they captured Raph, which caused Casey to rethink what he should be thinking of. At a stand point of silence Leo ALMOST realized something (( that would be considered completely wrong ))

-- He says "He's from the future, he knew this would happen" (( referencing that Casey is at blame for the events that happened and completely at fault for not warning them ))

-- To this Casey responds with "I didn't know this would happen, it didn't happen in my time." --

-- Let's take a step back. Casey is about the age of Leo and Donnie, (( sixteen years old )) and in the future Leo was thirty / forty before he died. Getting those ages Casey would've been alive when Leo was about twenty something years old. He wouldn't know about what happened the day of the invasion (( unless someone explained it to him -- which to the story the resistance told kids how the sky ripped open and started chaos, no one went into detail about what actually happened, or the whole day was fuzzy, some sort of forgotten memory as a way to survive the war at hand. ))

-- That scene is confusing, being that someone remembering what happened on the day of the invasion being next to nothing and how Casey knew what happened that day without even being a thought in someone's brain yet. He was an UNBORN, literally.

-- From that scene and on they went through an entire trauma enhanced movie and at the end, everyone got the good old cold glass of "here's-some-trauma-that-will-never-go-away-and-affect-your-entire-life-at-every-hour-of-your-living-breath"... So refreshing... That's all that I wanted to go over for now... I WILL be back to hyper analyze some more scenes, but for now I'ma run off and go into a coma.

(( Update, it was THIS post ))

[crazybiscuit]

Plot Twist

Pairing: Barbara Gordon x Reader Summary: Your plans to charm and comfort your girlfriend quickly fall apart much to your dismay… Warnings: Fluff but there are mild spoilers for The Babadook movie. Word Count: 740 Credits: @sweetmelodygraphics thank you for the divider! A/N: Let's pretend I'm not late by a few days… Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys and I will be using the storm as a reason to write up a few more fics!

“I would rather fight Condiment King than watch Scream again,” Barbara stated plainly, not looking up from her book. That was a bit of a harsh ranking in your opinion but the sentiment was understandable.

You let out a soft laugh, “Okay… Fair enough. How about The Babadook? I’ve never actually had the chance to watch it and I’ve heard it’s scary.”

Babs considered it for a moment as she set aside her novel, “I actually haven’t seen it either but I’ve been meaning to watch it.”

“Great,” you exclaimed, kissing her softly before standing up, “I’ll go grab us some snacks–”

She gave you a sweet grin and began setting up the movie as you left the living room. By the time you came back with a variety of candies, drinks  and fresh popcorn, you saw that she had pirated the movie much to your surprise.

“Quick question,” you began with an amused look, glancing at the redhead sitting on the couch as you set the snacks down on the coffee table next to her, “Didn’t Dick give you the password to his Max account? I mean, you might as well take advantage of the fact that you’re friends with billionaires.”

“And? I don’t like streaming services. Not secure enough,” Barb said jokingly, finally beginning the movie. 

Your expectations for the movie were not very high since you usually didn’t scare easily. You assumed this horror movie would’ve been the perfect excuse to cuddle up to your gorgeous girlfriend and comfort her, but you had clearly forgotten how unphased she was to the genre and underestimated the movie.

The first half hour had been rather uneventful as you both commented and joked about the movie but the fun quickly began to dwindle as you became hyper aware of the shadows in the dark living room.

“That book is really unsettling,” you stated, trying to focus on talking instead of the feeling of anxiety building in the pit of your stomach. Babs hummed as she sat next to you, leaning on the couch’s armrest.

“Am I crazy or is this child not acting in a relatively normal way for a neglected child..?” Babs said not at all disturbed by the movie, instead seemingly analyzing the characters behaviors.

“I don’t really care much about the kid’s behavior, the mom is starting to freak me out…,” you mumbled, “His magic tricks are sick though for a first grader.”

Barbara chuckled slightly at your comment, “Yeah, he is also pretty craftsy for a six year old.”

The red head glances at your expression and body language, finally noticing this movie was getting to you. She luckily didn’t feel the need to call you out or tease you, instead gently grabbing your hand to comfort you. You used this move as a sign to scoot closer to your girlfriend.

“Oh my God-,” you whispered anxiously as you watched the mother quickly began to spiral and lose control. You buried your face into Barbara’s hair, unable to keep focusing on the screen as the woman on screen picks up the knife while yelling at her son. Barb gave you a small apologetic smile as she ran her fingers up and down your arm. The movie went on and you could feel your anxiety rise with every second the camera panned to shadows or focused on wide shots.

You clutched the blanket closer to your frame as you tried cuddling up closer to Barbara, seeking a sense of security. Once the credits finally rolled around, you still clinged onto your poor girlfriend’s arm, lifting your head up slightly in embarrassment, “This isn’t how I envisioned tonight going…”

The woman next to you lifted her brow in curiosity as she glanced at you, “What exactly were you planning, Silly?”

You pouted in feign annoyances, cheeks hot from embarrassment as you lifted your head off her shoulder, “I thought I would be the one comforting you…”

She laughed, seeing your shy expression, “Well, maybe next time. I think you looked very cute clinging onto me.”

You let out a small huff, hiding your face in her hair once more. After a few seconds, you eventually mumbled something against her, “Do you think I could stay the night? I don’t think I’m going to sleep if I go home.”

She let out a loud laugh, eventually nodding as she softly kissed the top of your head, “Of course, Love.”

[major-knighton]

HALLOW-LEE-N movie Oct. 5th : The Creeping Flesh (1973)

This movie is strange. Definitely not a masterpiece but quite fun in its campy, Hammer way. I had a fun time but I was also laughing at many points that were probably not intended to be funny.

This movie is the story of a mad scientist ("I'm not mad!"), Pr. Emmanuel Hildern (Peter Cushing). He returns from New Guinea, where he has made a great discovery, to his house, occupied by his lab assistant and his adult daughter Penelope. We learn a few things with some clunky exposition : Penelope's mother has passed, and Penelope is strictly forbidden from discussing her or going into her room, because Daddy Knows Best. That seems to be a theme in horror.

Pr. Hildern shows his magnificent discovery : a skeleton older than Neanderthals and yet much more advanced! The proof of that advanced, hyper-intelligent mind is that the skeleton's head is huge. My dude, so is an elephant's. Also, the prop skeleton holds together, every bone attached, while all the flesh is gone. This vexes me greatly and this crappy prop caused most of my laughter during watching.

He also mentions finding Neanderthals in Australia. Which is not remotely possible.

Anyway, while washing the skeleton, Pr. Hildern noticed that the contact of water on the bones of a finger causes the flesh and skin to grow back around the bone. He quickly chops the resurrected finger off and... Goes to bed.

The next day, analyzing blood samples from the finger and cross-referencing "ancient new Guinean legends" that sound totally made up reveals that the skeleton is a great evil. And lo, his blood cells are literally Pure Evil™, they look like fucked up spiders. Hildern immediately makes a vaccine against Pure Evil™, which takes him about 5 minutes, and injects a monkey with it. When the monkey seems fine after 20 seconds at most, he jumps to vaccinating his daughter Penelope as well.

We learn another thing : Penelope's mother, an ex Parisian show girl, was not dead for many years as we thought but only recently deceased. She spent all those years locked up in an asylum run by Hildern's half brother James (Christopher Lee).

James and the Pr. seem to be sort of academic rivals. The Pr. of course knew about his wife, he's just lying to Penelope ✨for her own good✨.

Of course, by the next morning the monkey is dead after destroying his cage and Penelope has vanished from home. Who could've seen this coming?

Penelope has taken one of her late mother's dresses and gone to mingle with the sailors and prostitutes in a seedy inn. After an uncomfortable attempted assault scene, Penelope kills a man who was groping her and escapes, pursued by a mob. She finds refuge in a barn, and then kills another guy in full view of everybody. The scene of Penelope in her red dress running down the dark city streets is actually a cool shot.

Penelope is brought to her uncle's asylum, where he jumps to the frankly reasonable conclusion that her father has been experimenting on her. He brings her home and investigates the lab, where he pieces most of what's going on together. He immediately decides he needs this skeleton, but he shows a bit more restraint than his half-brother and at least waits until night to come back, break in and haul the entire skeleton - remember, it all magically holds together - into his carriage.

The carriage overturns, in the rain, and while James goes to get help, the skeleton gets proper drenched. The newly resurrected Pure Evil™ dude rises, clad in a cloak, kills the carriage driver and walks back to Pr. Hildern's house. Despite living before the invention of agriculture, and indeed houses, the Pure Evil™ dude knows to knock on the door and wait for Penelope to open the door to him.

He then kills the lab assistant and ransacks the lab, before going up to the Pr. Fade to black, and the final scene introduces a twist that casts a different light on the entire movie. The crux is this : do you believe what Pr. Hildern says, or what James says?

The end.

Now, while this movie was kind of ridiculous, it was great fun. I liked Lee's character, the smarmy, jealous brother, who clearly regards his "patients" as less than human and wishes he could experiment on any other human being. He's a jerk to the bone, and yet manages to come off looking better than his half-brother, who is a true monument to idiocy.

Lorna Heilbron's performance as Penelope was the best part for me, she really sells the demure but determined young lady in the first act, the righteous anger at being lied to about her mother, and the demented and dangerous woman in the second act.

Overall, I'd say a 6/10.

[melancholysway]

ROTTMNT Rise!Leo x Reader: Camera Shy

He’s such a cutie omg

anonymous said: If it’s not asking much, but could you please do some Headcanons or a scenario with… honestly whichever version, I’m addicted to rottmnt lately but please do with whichever you think suits better, and whichever turtle you think it might suit this scenario better or idk me lols *tucks hair* -with a reader (x reader scenario, i Hope I’m making sense lmao- could be already in a relationship or crush stage) and reader seems rather off during movie night or game night, no one seems to notice I guess (besides crushing turtle) and that seems to make them even more reclusive. Gets bad to the point when someone tries to take a pic of them or someone asks for a picture off all of them together, they jump out and say they will take it, when crushing turtle asks them to be in the picture, reader says it’s alright or it doesn’t matter and take it anyway? From Not being in the picture (doesn’t like to take pics bc of how they look, they like the whole making memories concept but hate how they look in very picture, and today it’s been hard to deal with it) do you mind doing something more on a comforting scenario?

This is for one of my good online friends, i hope you like it! <3 ily queen omg

We all know rise!Leo is a camera whore

Like the man will really snatch the camera away & put it on himself he gives no type of fucks

Y’all can clown rise leo all you want, but he’s observant. He notices EVERYTHING. everyone around him, he knows

So he knows when there’s even a slight shift with you

He’s not an over analyzer, he just knows how to read the room well and feel the vibe

And if he doesn’t like said vibe prepare to hear his mf mouth

You have a crush on Leonardo. It happens fairly quick after meeting him and his brothers. The way you met them was…peculiar. Your friend April had lost Mayhem in her bathroom mirror, and as you came over unannounced to surprise her with takeout, you were greeted with four turtles coming through her mirror along with her…er…mystic cat. 

You think you’re living in a fantasy world at first

She doesn’t exist or these 4 life sized turtles

But when the one in blue with red scars speaks to you and says how he’s so good-looking that he left you speechless and caused you to faint, you come to the conclusion that it’s all real.

So it’s settled, you share the takeout with April and the turtles, and you get to meet Mayhem. It’s a win-win…-win. 3 wins!

As time goes on, you become comfortable around them, you gravitate toward Leonardo. He has an encapsulating personality that honestly, anybody could fall for. If you brush past the cocky comments and large ego, Leo’s perfect.

Crushing on Leo is no easy feat. He’s hyper yet lazy, unpredictable yet calculated, and his ego is the size of a fucking Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float

If you date Leo, he’ll always attempt to get you out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t matter how, he’ll do it.

Despite being close to Leonardo, you don’t tell him about your own personal insecurities. You avoid cameras and taking photos with friends, all of that. 

You’re able to keep that in for a long time. A while, actually. Leo has no idea, his brothers have no idea, nobody knows. 

Unbeknownst to you, Leonardo likes you, too. He however, decides to not say anything for the time being. 

He flirts with you, but subtly. Small compliments here and there, occasional touch, loves to be around you? Yeah, that kind of subtle. His flirting is so painfully obvious to April yet somehow brushes past you. He’s just being friendly, right? Maybe? Or (hopefully) you beat him to the punch and confess your potential feelings for him? That's the thing, he’s not sure if you feel the same way. Sure, his occasional flirtatious manner gets you blushing like mad, but that’s normal when someone compliments you.

Back to your personal conflict.

You keep so much in including emotions that Leo just can’t read you at times. He reads actions, not minds. He can’t tell that you feel insecure about yourself in photos until the sleepover. He sees it. He finds out. Thanks to being invited to a sleepover down in the Lair. He realizes it.

And oh, does he have a mouthful to tell you when he does.

“Okay, the annual Sewer Sleepover is ending in T-minus 30 minutes people!” Donnie says, checking his watch absentmindedly. Once the sleeping portion was done, it always ended with a big friends/bros breakfast in the morning. 

“Are we taking flics?”

Raph cocks a brow and Mikey snickers, “Flics?” Donnie asks, watching as Leo gets up from his spot on the couch and stretches. 

“I’m just…wow that felt good,” cracking his back for everyone to see causes April to cringe from the noise,   “I’m trying to be hip.”

“It’s not working.” April comments, putting her eye mask back on and flopping back on her spot on the floor. 

You were participating in the 4th annual Sewer Sleepover with April and the turtles. Leo had mentioned it one day, to which Mikey suggested you join the next one as it was coming up soon. It’s today! Err, yesterday, actually. It was an amazing time, you got to hang out with your good friends, gorge on food, play video games together, and the best part: draw a penis on the sorry sucker who fell asleep first. 

It was Donnie, by the way. So it’s pretty hard right now to keep a straight face without snickering everytime you look at him, so everyone just avoided eye contact. Nobody has the heart to tell him; poor Donnie. He just looks so excited to take this photo and told April to put it at an angle to get his “good side.”

~ 

How did you get to this point? You’re sandwiched in between Raph and Leo while he puts an arm around you. As much as you’re crushing on Leo right now, you feel uncomfortable as you wait for April’s phone to finish counting down and snap a picture. The longer you wait and the more anxious you get to hear the camera snap, you begin to feel sick. 

3…

2…

1…

“Crap.” What a relief. The phone fell from the contraption April made to keep the phone standing up. Maybe she should just invest in a phone stand or something.

Before she can readjust the phone back, you swiftly leave Leo’s grip, grabbing the phone and standing behind it. 

“Here,” you start, “I can take it instead.” 

“What? No way, Y/n! You have to be in the 4th Annual Sewer Sleepover Extravaganza photo!” Leo exclaims, earning a nod from Raph and Donnie.

“Yeah,  Y/n, we can just find another spot to put it, no biggie.” April adds, yet you don’t agree. You’d really, really rather not be in the group photo. Plus, what’s so bad about being behind the camera, anyway? 

You can feel your anxiety rising as now all eyes are on you, Leo’s making it especially worse. After a few moments, you just huff in slight annoyance. 

“Guys,” You breathe, “I can take it. It’s not that serious.”

“It is! We want you in the photo too!” Raph tries to change your mind, yet you can’t be persuaded. 

“Maybe Y/n’s just camera shy. Is that it?” Donnie blurts out. Sometimes, Donnie doesn’t really think about what comes out of his mouth. Most of the time it’s just his inner thoughts, but this time, his inner thoughts are correct. 

Camera shy was just the tip of the iceberg for you. There were other factors. None of which you would be outright telling everyone, either.

“Yeah, Don,” You sigh and fiddle with your fingers, “That’s exactly it.” There’s a slew of silence that only seems to be awkward to you, and it results in the others complying and getting back in their spots for the photo. You glance at Leo as you lift up the camera and begin to count down, and he realizes he isn’t going to be able to stand next to you during the photo anymore. His eyes quickly meet yours, and when they do, you immediately hide your blush behind the phone, only for him to give a look of concern. Something just wasn’t right with you. 

~

You’re feeling better for the time being. After placing what’s just transpired in the back of your mind, you try to distract yourself by helping Mikey flip pancakes while the rest of the brothers and April (attempt) to help. Except Leo, he’s banned from the kitchen. Because of this, he’s never really sure what to do during the group breakfast cooking portion of the sleepover. That is, until, you accidentally get pancake batter on your shirt thanks to being clumsy, and you’re on your way to to wash it off in the bathroom upstairs. 

“Gah, stupid Bisquik mix,” You curse to yourself, using all the strength you have to scrub the stain out under cold running water. As you’re hunched over the sink, you fail to notice Leonardo walk past the open bathroom door, only to realize it when he clears his throat. 

“You shouldn’t be camera shy.”

As you stop scrubbing for a moment, you don’t look back at him. “It’s deeper than that, Leon.” Continuing to scrub, Leo walks into the room, his eyes focused entirely on you. 

He liked it when you used his nickname. Leon beats Leo for some odd reason, and it made him feel good. 

You didn’t want to admit the fact that there’s something more going on, but it’s Leo, he wouldn’t scream to the whole world your personal problems (unless you approved of course,) he had respect for others (to a degree.)

“I know, I- okay, you’re never gonna get out the stain if you’re scrubbing it like that.” 

So, you sit there in silence for a bit, watching as Leo scrubs at your shirt- the right way. Not any different from the way you were doing it, but to each their own. 

“Are you insecure?” Leo takes on Donnie’s persona at times, he says what he thinks. Like right now, where he’s not trying to intrude, but he wants to know. Is that how you feel about yourself? 

So, you tell Leo everything. It comes out like word vomit, and you’re going 100 miles per hour trying to make sense of your emotions. 

You’re insecure, you lack self-confidence, you don’t think you look good in photos, you think that you’re better off behind the camera rather in front of it. It’s something that’s been bothering you for quite awhile. That you don’t belong in group photos with your friends, as bad as it sounds. You think it’s true. You don’t belong.

“For what it’s worth,” Leo stops, just the water being the only sound in the bathroom, “I think you do.” You belong. To Leonardo, you belong. He’s midway into almost finishing getting the stain out of your shirt and says that. As your breath hitches, Leo looks up at you, his eyes once again looking at yours- thinking he said something wrong. But, he didn’t. You needed to hear that, and it coming from Leonardo made it much more meaningful. The guy you have feelings for thinks of you in such a way that makes you appreciate him. 

As the heat rises in your cheeks, you turn the other way, trying to find something in the bathroom to distract you. Those monarch butterfly shower curtains look nice, wouldn’t you say?

“Th-thanks, Leon, I…um…” You stop yourself, just because Leo lifted your spirits, doesn’t mean he likes you, does he? But he just looks so good right now, his hands on your shirt still trying to get that god forsaken Bisquick pancake mix stain out- who knew batter could be such a bitch to get out of clothing? And oh, the way his arm brushes against your skin while he’s doing it? Come on. You’re practically inhaling his scent- he always smells like this Axe spray he found while digging through Raph’s old things one day, and he abuses it so much. He thinks it’ll attract mates. Well, he’s half-correct. Though it wasn’t the reason it attracted you, it still had you in a chokehold. 

“I know what it’s like to not like the body you’re in. I mean, look at me, Y/n, A life-size mutant turtle. The average person is most likely scared of my dashing good looks.” This is Leonardo’s way of being supportive, guys. 

“Well,” You swallow, mustering up the courage to say what you’ve been thinking this whole time since knowing Leonardo, “I like the way you look.” You say it with your chest, and your assertiveness makes Leo’s eyes light up. You like Leo’s presence. It doesn’t repulse you. 

“Me too. I mean! I like YOU, wait- I like the way you look, too.” Now, Leo is a confident guy, but right now, you just had him stumble over his words. He likes you? 

“What I mean is, I think you should’ve been in the photo with us. You look great.”

He thinks you look great. 

And God, his (very hot) voice complimenting you like that? He knows what he’s doing. He’s the flirty type, everyone knows that. But, he’s flirting with you!

“It’s out.” Leo lets go of your shirt, and looking down, you just see a damp spot in the middle of it, though the stain is gone. “You actually got it all out, thank you.” 

“I’m simply a threat against any food-caused stain.” He says, puffing up his chest only to earn a small laugh from you. He smiles, looking at you, only for your eyes to meet with his. 

He suddenly gets this boost of confidence- more than usual, and pulls a Donnie.

“I think you’re like, really pretty.” 

Oh! Alright, Leo. His voice lowers to a whisper, and it seems as he’s drawing closer to you. Or are you drawing closer to him? It’s a little bit of both, a spur of the moment kind of thing. You both just…get closer. His lips come closer to yours, and when it’s up to that point where you’re too nervous to continue, Leonardo is the one to close the gap in between you two. 

His lips on yours? You could die right now. Despite Leo’s flirting, you couldn’t have seen it coming. Especially right now. His little compliments here and there now hold lots of meaning to you. 

The kiss doesn’t last long, as it’s your first kiss together. However, pulling away from Leo left you empty. You wanted more from him. Come to find out, he felt the exact same. So instead of continuing it in the bathroom, he grabs your hand and steps out into the hallway. There’s commotion coming from the kitchen, but nowhere else. Leo picks a wall for your back to lean on and you share the second kiss. His hand under your chin while the other around your waist. It’s a beautiful moment, and it feels so fucking good. Your hands play with the ends of Leo’s bandana, to which he hums into the kiss as a response. Eyes closed, oblivious to everything around you, and the feeling of your lips on Leo is truly enchanting.

“Hey Y/n I- oop-” You jolt back to reality, breaking the kiss and looking at April, who’s staring sheepishly at you and Leonardo, “Nnnnevermind, uh---oh! pancakes are kissin- I mean sizzling!” April huffs, inhaling slowly, “The pancakes are sizzling. I’ll um…leave-”

Once April goes back down toward the kitchen, far away from you and Leo, only for you both to laugh together. 

“Okay, that was so-”

“Awkward?”

“Aww, Y/n,” Leo cooes, “We’re already finishing each other’s sentences.”

Although you wanted to kiss Leo more, the food was smelling so good, and it seemed that he had the same thought. You were both starved. 

As Leo talks about how he was so ready to tell everyone with his hand in yours, he’s then brought down only for the others to tell him straight up that it was pretty obvious. 

“Like, serious?” Donnie deadpans, while Raph scolds Mikey for putting an insane amount of syrup on his pancakes. He um…enjoys syrup with a side of pancakes. “I knew it! I should’ve betted money or something.” 

Although it’ll take time to get comfortable taking photos with friends, you’re lucky enough to have someone like Leo, who'll pick you up and shower you with compliments. Anything to help you feel better about yourself.

//

taglist:

@bee-1n-space @ducky-died-inside @writingandcrying

Masterlist

[schoolofcoreai01]

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Online: Transforming Digital Experiences

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, often in ways we don’t even realize. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to recommendation algorithms on Netflix and Amazon, AI is constantly working behind the scenes to make our digital experiences smoother and more personalized. But what does the future hold for artificial intelligence online? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of AI and explore how it’s reshaping our online experiences.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

At its core, artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines. This encompasses the ability to learn, reason, and problem-solve. AI systems are designed to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. The sophistication of AI can vary greatly, from simple rule-based systems to complex neural networks that mimic the human brain.

The Evolution of AI in Online Platforms

Over the past decade, the integration of AI into online platforms has progressed at an astonishing rate. Initially, AI was used mainly for basic functions like automating customer service through chatbots or personalizing marketing strategies. However, advancements in machine learning and data analytics have allowed AI to evolve into more advanced applications.

1. Enhanced User Experience

One of the most significant impacts of AI on the online world is the enhancement of user experience. AI algorithms analyze user behavior, preferences, and interactions to deliver personalized content and recommendations. Whether you’re browsing social media, shopping online, or streaming videos, AI helps tailor your experience to your interests. For instance, Netflix’s recommendation system uses AI to suggest movies and TV shows based on your viewing history, making it easier to find content you’ll enjoy.

2. Smarter Search Engines

Search engines like Google have significantly benefited from AI advancements. AI-powered algorithms analyze search queries and provide more relevant and accurate results. Machine learning models can understand the context of a query, offering results that are not only based on keywords but also on the intent behind the search. This results in a more intuitive and effective search experience for users.

3. Advanced Fraud Detection

In the realm of online security, AI plays a crucial role in detecting and preventing fraudulent activities. AI systems analyze vast amounts of data to identify unusual patterns and potential threats. For example, financial institutions use AI to monitor transactions for signs of fraud, such as unusual spending patterns or unauthorized access. This helps protect users’ personal and financial information from cyber threats.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence Online

The future of AI online is incredibly promising, with several emerging trends that are likely to shape the digital landscape.

1. Conversational AI

Conversational AI, including advanced chatbots and virtual assistants, is expected to become even more sophisticated. These systems will be able to engage in more natural and nuanced conversations, understand context better, and provide more accurate responses. This will enhance customer service across various industries, making interactions with businesses more efficient and satisfying.

2. Hyper-Personalization

AI will continue to push the boundaries of personalization. By leveraging big data and sophisticated algorithms, online platforms will offer even more tailored experiences. From personalized shopping recommendations to content that adapts in real-time to your preferences, AI will create a highly customized digital environment.

3. Ethical Considerations and Regulation

As AI becomes more pervasive, there will be increased focus on ethical considerations and regulation. Ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly and transparently is crucial. There will be ongoing discussions about privacy, data security, and the potential biases in AI algorithms. Striking the right balance between innovation and ethical practices will be essential for the future development of AI online.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly transformed the online world, enhancing user experiences, improving security, and driving innovation. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will bring even more advancements and opportunities to explore. Whether it’s through smarter search engines, personalized recommendations, or more sophisticated conversational agents, AI is set to shape the future of our digital interactions in exciting and unprecedented ways.

So, next time you enjoy a personalized playlist, receive a quick response from a chatbot, or discover a product you didn’t know you needed, remember that AI is the unseen force making it all possible. The future of artificial intelligence online is bright, and we’re only just beginning to scratch the surface of its potential.

[shereen1]

Is Your Company Sleepwalking into a Cyber Catastrophe? [Cyber Security Company] Can Help You Wake Up!

In today's hyper-connected world, data is the lifeblood of your business. Client information, financial records, intellectual property – all reside within your digital walls. But are those walls strong enough?  The ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats means even a seemingly secure company can be vulnerable.

The Alarming Rise of Cybercrime

Cyberattacks are no longer the stuff of spy movies. They're a constant threat, targeting businesses of all sizes. The statistics are sobering:

 by the time you finish reading this sentence, another company could be under siege.

Can your company afford that kind of financial blow?

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are a prime target. Hackers often view them as easier prey, lacking the robust defenses of larger corporations.

The Challenges You Face Without a Strong [Cyber Security Company]

Ignoring cybersecurity is not an option. Here's a glimpse into the potential nightmares that await:

Data Breaches: Imagine the devastation if sensitive customer information or trade secrets are leaked. The financial repercussions, regulatory fines, and reputational damage could be crippling.

System Outages: A successful cyberattack can cripple your entire IT infrastructure, grinding operations to a halt. Lost productivity, frustrated customers, and a damaged brand image can be the collateral damage.

Ransomware Attacks: These malicious programs lock down your systems, demanding a hefty ransom to regain access. Not only do you risk losing valuable data, but the extortion attempt can be a major stressor.

Compliance Issues: Many industries have strict data security regulations. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines and even legal action.

IM Solutions: Your Trusted Partner in the Digital Battlefield

IM Solutions is your one-stop shop for all things cybersecurity. We understand the unique challenges businesses face in this ever-changing threat landscape. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions that keep your data safe and secure.

Here's what sets IM Solutions apart:

Holistic Approach: We don't just sell products. We conduct a thorough security assessment, identify vulnerabilities, and develop a customized plan to address your specific needs.

Multi-layered Defense: Our solutions encompass a range of services, including network security, endpoint protection, threat detection and response, and employee security awareness training.

24/7 Monitoring and Support: We don't rest while your data is at risk. Our team is constantly vigilant, monitoring your systems and responding to threats in real-time.

Proactive Threat Intelligence: We stay ahead of the curve by constantly researching and analyzing new cyber threats, allowing us to preemptively adapt your defenses.

Cost-Effective Solutions: We believe cybersecurity shouldn't be a luxury. We offer flexible plans to fit your budget, ensuring you get the protection you need without breaking the bank.

Invest in Peace of Mind Today!

A cyberattack is not a matter of "if" but "when." Don't wait for disaster to strike before taking action. Contact IM Solutions today for a free consultation. Let our expertise be your shield against the ever-present threat of cybercrime.

Together, we can build a more secure digital future for your business.

IM Solutions – Your Trusted Partner in Cybersecurity

[amalms12]

The Rise of the AI Overlords? No, Your Powerful Business Partners!

Artificial intelligence (AI) has shed its science fiction skin and become a potent force reshaping the modern business landscape. No longer relegated to the realm of dystopian movies, AI is now a suite of powerful tools that businesses can leverage to achieve significant growth. In today's fiercely competitive environment, where customer demands are constantly evolving, staying ahead of the curve can feel like an uphill battle. But fear not, for AI offers a powerful weapon in this fight. This blog will be your comprehensive guide to understanding how AI can supercharge your business, from crafting personalized customer experiences with chatbots to making data-driven decisions that optimize your marketing campaigns. We'll delve into real-world success stories of businesses that have harnessed the power of AI, and equip you with practical steps to embark on your own AI journey.

From Frustrated Customers to Raving Fans: AI's Customer Experience Revolution

One of the most significant ways AI can impact your business is by revolutionizing the customer experience. Imagine a world where your customers never have to wait on hold again, or struggle to navigate a confusing website. Enter chatbots, powered by AI. These intelligent virtual assistants can answer basic customer queries 24/7, freeing up your human support team to tackle more complex issues.

But chatbots are just the tip of the iceberg. AI can personalize customer interactions to an unprecedented degree. By analyzing customer data such as purchase history and browsing behavior, AI can recommend products and services that are most likely to resonate with each individual. This hyper-personalization fosters a sense of connection and builds brand loyalty, turning frustrated customers into raving fans.

However, the impact goes beyond simple interactions. AI can also be used to personalize marketing messages and content. Imagine receiving emails or social media ads that are tailored specifically to your interests and needs. This targeted approach not only increases engagement but also significantly boosts conversion rates, leading to more sales and satisfied customers.

Here's where a digital marketing expert in Kochi can be invaluable. They can help you leverage AI to create targeted marketing campaigns that reach the right audience with the right message at the right time.

From Drowning in Data to Making Informed Decisions: AI, the Data Guru

Businesses today generate a staggering amount of data. Unfortunately, this data often remains untapped, a vast ocean with valuable insights hidden beneath the surface. But AI acts as your skilled diving team, extracting these treasures and presenting them in a clear and actionable way.

Through advanced analytics, AI can identify patterns and trends in your customer data that would be impossible to spot through manual analysis. This allows you to understand your target audience on a deeper level, anticipate their needs, and tailor your offerings accordingly. Additionally, AI can analyze sales data to predict future demand, optimize pricing strategies, and streamline inventory management.

Furthermore, AI can analyze competitor data, providing valuable insights into their marketing strategies, product offerings, and pricing structures. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions that differentiate your business and give you a competitive edge.

The benefits extend beyond customer-facing aspects. AI can analyze operational data to identify inefficiencies in your workflows and suggest areas for improvement. This can lead to cost savings, increased productivity, and a more streamlined business operation overall.

A digital marketing expert in Kochi can also help you interpret the data gleaned from AI and translate it into actionable marketing strategies. They can use this data to identify the most effective marketing channels for your target audience and develop targeted campaigns that drive results.

From Inspiration to Implementation: Real-World Examples of AI in Action

The power of AI isn't just theoretical. Businesses across various industries are already reaping the benefits of implementing AI solutions. Take Netflix, for example. Their AI-powered recommendation engine analyzes your viewing habits and suggests personalized content, keeping you glued to the screen for hours on end. This personalized approach has been a major contributor to their subscriber base and overall success.

Another example is Amazon. Their AI-powered virtual assistant, Alexa, has revolutionized the way people shop. Customers can use voice commands to order products, play music, and control smart home devices, creating a seamless and convenient shopping experience. This personalized and frictionless experience has undoubtedly contributed to Amazon's dominance in the online retail market.

The list goes on. From financial institutions using AI for fraud detection to manufacturing companies utilizing it for predictive maintenance, AI is making waves across industries. These success stories showcase the immense potential of AI and demonstrate its ability to be a powerful driver of growth.

From Fear to Action: Getting Started with Your AI Journey

While the capabilities of AI might seem daunting at first, taking a step-by-step approach makes implementing AI solutions within your business a manageable process. The first step is to identify areas where AI can add the most value to your current operations.

[twintoons-animation-studio]

The Future of 3D Animation: Trends to Watch

In the past few years, 3d animation has evolved drastically. From hyper-realistic characters to interactive experiences, multiple trends are emerging in the field of 3d animation. Here are some emerging trends in the field of 3d animation;

1. Hyper-realistic rendering –

One of the emerging trends in the field of 3d animation is real-time rendering. Because of this advancement in rendering technology animators can create hyper-realistic animations. This will help to create more realistic characters, and environment to provide their viewers more immersive experience. Virtual Reality (VR) integration will increase this hyper-realism even further.

2. Rise of artificial intelligence

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming the 3d animation industry rapidly. The integration of AI tools saves animators time by automating repetitive tasks like rigging and motion capture. AI tools can also analyze the movement of a character to make the animation more realistic while reducing the workload of the animators.

3. Virtual production –

Virtual production is reducing the differences between animation and live-action filmmaking. With the growth of technology, virtual production is going to become standard while offering many possibilities for storytelling. By using LED walls and real-time rendering engines filmmakers can create realistic digital sets for their movies.

4. Immersive storytelling –

With the advancement of technology in 3d animation, storytelling is becoming more immersive and interactive. Animations with engaging stories, attractive characters, and deep feelings will always have the most effect on viewers. Technologies like VR or AR are making animation content more engaging for the audience. This is not only helping in the entertainment industry but also education, training, and other sectors for better understanding and engagement.

5. Sustainability and Efficiency

Sustainability is also becoming an important factor in the animation industry like many other industries. The new tools in 3d animation are reducing the environmental impact. Some of the actions being taken to build a more sustainable future for 3D animation include the adoption of efficient rendering techniques, optimised workflows, and the usage of renewable energy for data centres.

6. Increased accessibility and democratization

With the advancement of technology, 3d animation tools are becoming more accessible to more number of audience. Anyone can now explore and produce their animated video more easily because of user-friendly 3D animation tools and online resources.  

In conclusion, the future of 3d animation is full of new trends and potential. Trends like real-time rendering, AI, and virtual production are shaping the 3d animation industry in a way.

Also, if you are interested in knowing more about 3d animation and how it is different from 2d animation style, you can check out our blog on “differences between 2d and 3d animation “.

[prabhatjairam]

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Digital Marketing

In this digital epoch, AI is not just a technological marvel; it's a dynamic companion that learns, adapts, and anticipates. As we traverse the realms of e-commerce, social media, and virtual landscapes, AI algorithms work tirelessly in the background, deciphering patterns, predicting preferences, and enhancing our digital encounters. AI is not a mere tool; it's an architect of experiences, a curator of connections, and a guide through the labyrinth of data. It's a revolution that transcends industries, touching everything from customer service and marketing strategies to healthcare and financial systems.

From predictive analytics that anticipate consumer desires to chatbots engaging in nuanced conversations, the impact of AI on digital marketing is akin to a seismic shift, challenging conventional practices and beckoning marketers to embrace a new era of strategic innovation. Join us as we embark on a voyage into the dynamic realms where algorithms meet creativity, and the future of digital marketing takes shape under the profound influence of Artificial Intelligence.

The Rise of the Machines: Powering Personalization and Precision

AI's entrance onto the digital marketing stage has heralded a revolution in personalization. Imagine a world where your digital interactions feel tailor-made just for you – from product recommendations that seem to read your mind to advertisements that understand your preferences better than your closest confidant. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data, deciphering patterns and behaviors with a finesse that ushers in a new era of precision targeting.

Take, for instance, the curated playlists on your favorite music streaming service or the movie recommendations on your streaming platform. Behind the scenes, AI algorithms are learning your tastes, predicting what you'd like, and crafting an experience uniquely yours. In the realm of digital marketing, this translates into hyper-personalized content, ads, and offers that resonate on an individual level, fostering a sense of connection between brands and consumers.

“Harness the educational prowess of Study24hr.com, a leading online learning platform, to delve into AI courses that demystify algorithms and the practical applications reshaping industries. Elevate your expertise and stay ahead in the evolving realm of digital marketing by enrolling in Study24hr.com's comprehensive courses – a gateway to mastering the tools that redefine the future of tech-driven marketing strategies. Embrace the AI revolution with Study24hr.com, and let knowledge be your catalyst for success in the digital age.”

The Chatbot Chronicles: AI-Powered Conversations that Convert

A chat window pops up on a website, and within seconds, you're engaged in a conversation that feels as natural as chatting with a friend. This isn't magic; it's the rise of AI-powered chatbots. These virtual assistants are reshaping customer interactions, providing instant responses, and guiding users through their journey. From answering queries to recommending products, chatbots offer a seamless and efficient customer experience.

The impact of AI extends beyond mere conversations – it's about understanding user intent. Through Natural Language Processing (NLP), chatbots decipher the nuances of human language, enabling them to comprehend context, sentiment, and even detect sarcasm. As a result, brands can offer personalized assistance, address concerns, and guide users toward conversion in a conversational, human-like manner.

The Finale: AI and the Future of Marketing Mastery

As we conclude our exploration into the impact of AI on digital marketing, it's evident that we stand at the threshold of a new era. AI is not just a tool; it's a transformative force reshaping the entire landscape of digital engagement. The days of generic marketing messages are fading, making way for a future where every interaction is an opportunity to understand, connect, and convert.

In this brave new world, the fusion of human creativity with AI-powered insights unleashes unparalleled marketing mastery. The algorithms may guide, but it's the human touch that crafts the narrative, tells the story, and builds the brand. As we navigate the evolving realms of AI and digital marketing, the fusion of these forces promises not just efficiency but a symphony of experiences that captivate, resonate, and leave an indelible mark on the digital canvas.

In the grand finale of this AI-powered saga, marketers find themselves at the helm of a ship navigating uncharted waters. The future belongs to those who embrace machines' magic while keeping humanity's heart and soul at the forefront. As the curtain falls on this chapter, the impact of AI on digital marketing echoes like a resounding crescendo, promising a future where the intersection of technology and creativity paints a canvas of endless possibilities.

[speed-seo]

How Personalization Boosts the Customer Experience

Personalization has become a pivotal strategy for companies looking to improve customer experience and loyalty. By tailoring products, services, communications, and more to each individual's unique needs and preferences, brands can create more meaningful and valuable interactions. So what exactly is personalization in the context of customer experience? Personalization involves using data and insights about customers to provide customized offerings, recommendations, and messaging matched to their interests and habits. For example, Netflix utilizes viewing data to serve up suggested shows and movies that align with someone's taste. Spotify creates personalized playlists and daily recommendations based on listening history and likes. Amazon recommends products a shopper may enjoy based on past purchases. While still requiring investment and effort, personalization done well can pay huge dividends in enhanced customer satisfaction, retention, and spending. This article will explore what personalization in customer experience entails, its key benefits, how leading companies implement it, tips for execution, and why it represents the future of excellent service. Benefits of Personalization What makes personalization such an indispensable strategy today? There are several key ways it boosts customer experience: Stronger Customer Relationships and Loyalty Personalized interactions make customers feel valued as individuals. When a brand caters to specific needs, it builds rapport, trust, and connection. Rather than feeling anonymous, customers experience a thoughtful brand that understands them. This fosters loyalty and emotional attachment to the company. Increased Sales and Revenue Catering to customer preferences also leads to higher sales. Recommending relevant products makes it more likely purchases will occur. Personalized promotions encourage engagement. When done strategically, customization drives more transactions and higher order values. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction and Retention Personalization improves both customer acquisition and retention. By providing tailored recommendations and offers before purchase and during the customer lifecycle, personalization keeps buyers happy and engaged for the long-term. Satisfaction also rises when service is customized to how each person likes to interact. Personalization in Retail Retail demonstrates how product recommendations enhance the shopping experience. For example, when visiting Amazon, the site suggests products based on the customer's category browsing, purchase history, and items in their cart or wish list. This enables a hyper-customized store. At a more advanced level, some brands now offer apps that track in-store activity using beacons. This allows sending deals on products the customer viewed or tailored advice. Personalized retail experiences increase sales and demonstrate the value of customization. Role of Data in Enabling Personalization How do companies enable this customized experience? The key ingredient is data. Robust personalization requires collecting and analyzing information about customers to discern their preferences. This data can come from: - Account Information: Details like demographics, contact info, purchase history. - Browsing and Search Behavior: Viewing certain products, content topics, keywords. - Interactions: Email opens, store visits, service requests, ratings and reviews. - Third-Party Sources: Data partnerships can supplement internal information. Advanced analytics comb through this data to identify trends and patterns. Those insights inform how offerings and messaging adapt to different customer segments and individuals. Personalization in Customer Service Personalization also strengthens post-purchase interactions. Many brands now track service history and preferences to customize support: - Zappos tags customer accounts with preferences like "avoid small talk" to adapt service style. - Apple logs support interactions and devices owned. This lets agents reference specifics and provide personalized follow-up. - Salesforce offers guided solutions based on past service inquiries. Self-service gets tailored to each user. Personalized service demonstrates the brand cares about customers as people, not tickets. It also optimizes support efficiency. Impact on Sales and Revenue So does personalization really drive revenue? Statistics say yes: - Personalized product suggestions lead to 10-30% sales increases. Recommendations convert at much higher rates. Source - 63% of consumers are more likely to return to brands providing personalized experiences. Lifetime value rises when customers come back frequently. Source - 52% say personalized promotions make them more likely to purchase. Tailored deals persuade people to buy. Source - Buyers are 3-4X more likely to spend more for better, customized service. Personalization adds perceived value. Source The numbers confirm personalization's stellar ROI. The revenue impact spans both new customer acquisition and nurturing long-term loyalty. Top Companies Succeeding at Personalization Let’s look at a few stellar examples of personalization in action: Netflix: Pioneered personalized movie and show recommendations based on viewing history and ratings. This drives its binge-watching model. Spotify: Creates Discover Weekly playlists utilizing musical tastes and listening habits. Daily mixes also showcase preferred genres and new songs a user may like. LinkedIn: Tailors content and notifications in the feed based on profile data like role, industry, and interests. Helps ensure users see relevant content. Instagram: Leverages hashtags and liked posts to populate an Explore feed with content aligned to the user’s tastes. Starbucks: Rewards app tracks purchase history and lets customers choose favorite store, drink customizations, payment methods, and more to speed up ordering. Tips for Implementing Personalization Ready to start boosting customer experience with Customization? Here are best practices to drive success: Collect Customer Data As discussed earlier, personalization requires extensive data to discern customer preferences and behaviors. Build capabilities to gather information from all channels and touchpoints. Analyze Behavior and Trends Leverage analytics to process data into insights about customer segments and individuals. Identify meaningful patterns that inform customization. Adapt Offerings and Communications Let data guide how products, promotions, content, and conversations get tailored to maximize relevance for each customer. Employ Personalization Software Solutions like Optimizely and Evergage help create personalized experiences at scale. They provide capabilities like website customization, product recommendations, and tailored messaging. Personalization in E-Commerce E-commerce represents a prime opportunity to implement Individualization strategies. For example: - Product recommendations based on browsing history and past purchases - Customized deals and promotions aligned to customer interests - Personalized search results factoring in preferences and behavior - Emails and push notifications with relevant content recommendations - Loyalty programs with tailored rewards or exclusive offers These tactics make shopping online feel specialized for each buyer. Key Takeaways Customization provides a way to achieve new levels of customer understanding and intimate, valuable interactions. Key points: - Adapt products, services, and communication to align with individuals' unique needs and tastes - Collect in-depth customer data and analyze it to discern preferences - Personalization improves satisfaction, retention, lifetime value, and ultimately revenue - Leading companies already succeeding with personalization set the standard - Make personalization a priority by starting tactical execution informed by customer insights With personalization underpinning the customer experience, brands can foster strong connections and demonstrate their commitment to understanding customers as individuals, not transactions. While requiring an investment, personalized experiences pay off in enhanced lifetime engagement and brand loyalty. Read the full article

[face-swap]

Unveiling the Future: Face Change AI and the Deep Fake Face Generator Revolution

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, one of the most intriguing and controversial advancements is the emergence of Face Change AI and Deep Fake Face Generators. These technologies have the power to reshape our perceptions of reality and raise critical ethical concerns.

The Rise of Face Change AI: Face Change AI, driven by sophisticated algorithms, has revolutionized the way we manipulate and alter facial features. Gone are the days when photo editing was limited to simple touch-ups; now, AI allows for seamless and realistic face transformations. This technology, often used for entertainment and creative purposes, has found applications in movies, social media filters, and even virtual reality.

Delving into Deep Fake Face Generators: Taking face manipulation to the next level, Deep Fake Face Generators utilize deep learning techniques to create hyper-realistic video and image manipulations. These generators analyze vast datasets to generate faces that appear authentic and convincing. While these tools have incredible potential for various industries, they also pose significant challenges, especially in the realm of misinformation and privacy.

Ethical Dilemmas and Concerns: The surge in popularity of Face Change AI and Deep Fake Face Generators has triggered ethical concerns. The ability to create lifelike videos and images raises issues related to consent, identity theft, and the spread of misinformation. As these technologies become more accessible, it is crucial to establish ethical guidelines to prevent misuse and protect individuals from potential harm.

Legal Implications and Challenges: Governments and legal systems worldwide are grappling with the legal implications of deep fake technology. Questions about privacy violations, defamation, and the authentication of digital content have become more complex than ever. Policymakers are working to strike a balance between technological innovation and safeguarding individual rights.

Addressing the Concerns: To counteract the negative consequences of Face Change AI and Deep Fake Face Generators, researchers and technologists are developing advanced detection mechanisms. These tools aim to identify manipulated content, enabling users to differentiate between genuine and altered media. The ongoing efforts in this direction are crucial for maintaining trust and transparency in the digital landscape.

In the face of this rapidly evolving technological landscape, it is essential to approach Face Change AI and Deep Fake Face Generator with a balanced perspective. While these innovations bring immense creative potential, they also raise serious ethical and legal concerns. As we navigate this uncharted territory, responsible usage and vigilant oversight are paramount. To explore these technologies ethically, visit face-swap.com, a platform dedicated to promoting responsible and creative use of face-changing AI.

Our website is the perfect resource for further details.

Face Swap Movie Maker

deepfake celebrity

[back-and-totheleft]

Do we ever learn from history?

Ask any journalist who has interviewed Oliver Stone, and you’re prone to hear the same story. He is hardly the man you might expect from his movies, argumentative and hyper-caffeinated. He speaks in an even, measured tone of voice. His arguments are thoughtful and intelligently reasoned.

For more than two decades, Stone has been lambasted by historians (for his expansive, conspiracy-minded re-examinations of the Kennedy assassination in 1991’s “JFK”); by the moral guardians (for his scabrous satire of our sex-and-violence-obsessed culture, 1994’s “Natural Born Killers”); and most recently even by the critics who used to champion him (recent titles like 2004’s “Alexander” and 2010’s “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” have been especially poorly received).

In which case, perhaps Stone has learned to rise above all the noise and remember that it’s his work — probing, searing and technically dazzling, even if it does occasionally devolve into grandstanding — that speaks loudest.

“I think we’re in a time that we can take the gloves off, stop the mythologizing about America,” he says — quietly, reflectively — of his determination to keep pushing our buttons cinematically.

Stone is calling from New York City, where he’s doing the publicity rounds for his latest, a thriller called “Savages,” which opens Friday. Based on Don Winslow’s 2010 novel, which Stone acquired before it was published, it tells the story of two handsome young marijuana dealers (Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson), the beautiful girl they both love (Blake Lively) and the vicious Mexican drug cartel that tries to move in on their turf.

In many respects, it’s one of the director’s least evidently political movies. Stone throws us into a turbulent and exceedingly violent world, which also features a deadly Tijuana widow (Salma Hayek), her two henchman (Demian Bichir and Benicio Del Toro) and a DEA agent on the take (John Travolta). But there’s also no avoiding the movie’s real-world parallels. Stone doesn’t flinch from the outsized, unimaginable violence being reported regularly out of Mexico — at various points in the film, characters are beheaded, stabbed and tortured. And underlying the drama is a distinctly Stone-ian sense of exasperation about the failures and hypocrisies of America’s war on drugs.

“It’s an unmitigated disaster and has cost this country friendships abroad, and has cost us half a trillion dollars,” Stone says about the federal government’s drug control policy.

“The thinking on it is perverted. Do we ever learn anything from history? Prohibition only gave America a new gangster class that went onto into other rackets, after they were finished with liquor. We only create more criminals.”

(Stone’s attitude toward the criminalization of marijuana can perhaps be summed up by the fact that he posed for the cover of the current issue of High Times magazine smoking a joint.)

With its sometimes unlikely twists and elaborate double-crosses, it’s clear that “Savages” is a movie more about showing the audience a good time than inspiring any sort of sustained policy debate. Yet the director’s days of controversy-making also appear to be far from over.

His next project is a 10-part documentary, titled “The Untold History of the United States,” which is expected to begin airing on Showtime in November. It will question conventionally held wisdom on a host of major historical topics, from the bombing of Hiroshima to Bush v. Gore.

And given the opportunity, the director is still willing to toss off one of his trademark conspiracy theories, albeit in calm and perfectly reasonable-sounding fashion. Moments before our interview began, the Supreme Court had just announced its decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care law. Stone was predictably skeptical and iconoclastic in analyzing Chief Justice John Roberts’ motivations.

“Roberts is under a lot of pressure there,” he said. “I think if he had his druthers, he’d have gone the other way.”

-Christopher Kelly, "Back with thriller ‘Savages,’ Oliver Stone doesn’t shrink from controversy," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 3 2012

[instantpay]

Atmanirbhar MSMEs: The backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat

MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. Covid-19 relief measures can help the Atmanirbhar Bharat dream come true by empowering these MSMEs.

To tackle the economic repercussions of Covid19, India is set on the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” mission. This mission pays special emphasis on the MSMEs.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the term “Atmanirbhar”?

Recently, all the newspapers and news channels featured words like Atmanirbhar, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the Covid-19 relief measures packages.

The Growing Interconnectedness of the World

All the countries of the world have become interconnected with each other in the last few decades. This is possible due to the rise of affordable air travel, the Internet, and the screening of news, movies, television, and other media from one country to another.

However, such hyper-globalization, as economists call it, means that pandemics, such as the current Covid-19, can quickly spread across the hyper-connected world within days. It will also wreak havoc in all the countries of the world together. If the world was less connected, the pandemic could not have spread so rapidly to so many countries.

Is being Atmanirbhar the way forward?

To protect us from the dangers of hyper-globalization, we need to decrease our dependence on imported goods and services as well as increase the consumption of locally produced goods and services.

If all of us follow this principle, it will lead to an ‘ Atmanirbhar Bharat. ‘ This will insulate us from the risks of hyper-globalization.

What is MSMEs?

MSMEs stands for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. It typically means small to medium-sized local establishments like shops, hotels, dairies, factories, cottage industries, etc.

Covid-19 and Businesses

Businesses of all sizes are adversely affected by the pandemic. However, big companies can cope with the adverse effects better due to their size and easier access to capital.

It is the small businesses that will find it difficult to cope with the adverse effects like zero income, lost labor, and recurring costs. These firms typically run on credit, might have rented premises, and primarily employed migrant laborers.

Additionally, the proportion of the population employed directly or indirectly in small businesses is enormous. Hence, the government has come up with Covid-19 relief measures for them.

The Covid-19 Relief Measures include:

1. Automatic loan aggregating to a total of INR 3-lakh crore without collateral and with a repayment holiday of 4 months to eligible MSMEs

2. Subordinate debt provision of up to a total of INR 20,000 crore

3. INR 50,000 crore equity infusion support through fund of funds

Along with these, the government has offered various other relaxations and provisions.

Furthermore, the government is also encouraging MSMEs to use electronic modes of transactions such as neo banking.

Many such holistic features are available through InstantPay. By using neo banking through InstantPay, MSMEs can analyze their cash flow using virtual financial dashboards. It will help them find out where they can optimize, improvise, reduce expenses, and build new income streams.

We can have a genuinely Atmanirbhar Bharat only if we have Atmanirbhar MSMEs as they are the backbone of our economy. We need to help MSMEs to be Atmanirbhar so that we as a nation can be Atmanirbhar!

[loopy777]

I feel as though these movies are just going to be adaptations of the Rise of Kyoshi, The Search, and Ruins of the Empire respectively. I’m excited for the first of those three myself, even though I was hoping for some original content myself.

While this is probably the most likely scenario, I do wonder about it. If so, it would be a death blow to the idea of Avatar expanded media, since any books and comics would be proven to be 'non-canon' and mere fodder for adaptation. Sure, the adaptations might be close, but nothing is exact, and it's clear where the priority would be in terms of importance. Since we live in a fandom age where individual lines and word choices are endlessly analyzed for discussions and arguments (never mind the arguments about what counts as canon), I think making books and comics into disposable raw material for more 'important' media would turn them into a ghetto of lesser stuff only of interest to the hyper-fans.

At the same time, it is questionable how a solid Zuko movie could be made without touching on the solution to the whole 'mother subplot,' and it would feel weird to address things like Azula or Mai and treat Ursa's fate as a solved mystery, especially with the baggage of her new family. I joke that I'm only interested in seeing the Maiko subplot finally resolved after a decade, but it boggles my mind how such a thing could be introduced even in an otherwise standalone story, since I doubt all modern Avatar fans have read a dumb kiddie comic from a decade ago. And presumably these movies would need to have appeal beyond just Avatar fans, so that's even more incentive to make them entirely standalone.

(That's one reason I'm so surprised to see existing characters being used for these movies. I mean, even Spider-Man, one of the most popular characters in modern popular media, can only gross $375.5 million from an animated movie. That's a little over half what his worst-received live action movie got, a movie that forced a reboot on the franchise. Korra, who couldn't even keep her series on television, is going to make back a feature animated film budget? Sure, her cultural cachet has grown since she became a bisexual icon, but I don't know if that's going to translate into sales. Zuko is popular, but I don't know that he's a theater draw. And Kyoshi is really only known to Avatar fans, and not all of us have even read her books; all she really has going for her is a striking look. I'd think new characters designed for broad appeal and easy accessibility would be easier to work with.)

Kyoshi and Korra are easier to make movies out of without overriding their expanded media. The Kyoshi books just get her started on her Avatar career, so it would be simple to come up with a new standalone adventure for her, and existing elements like her love-interest Rangi and her strained relationship with the current Fire Lord would be easy to introduce to new audiences without making them feel like they missed something. Likewise, Korra already had different adventures in each season of her series, so finding something new for her to do would be easy. Her extended cast would be a little more troublesome to bring in and introduce to new audiences, but that could be a good thing; refocusing on only the relevant members of her cast could make for better storytelling than LoK, which several times tripped over itself trying to come up with ways to include everyone.

So yeah, I feel like it could break either way. Merely making these into adaptations would kill the extended media, but trying to keep it all consistent is harder than they probably want to work.

Of course, we all know my ideal scenario: everything but the Gene Yang comics is left as canon, while those are adapted into something that's actually good. But I'm not holding my breath for that one.

[dani-of-the-cosmos]

*how the signs are acting during quarantine*

~with a touch of unsolicited advice: my venus in cancer’s specialty~

<3 pick your sun, moon, rising, mars, mercury, venus, or dominant sign <3

aries

overall, restless. the day seems to drag on and on, and they cope with it by playing video games and snapchatting someone every 20 seconds. self-hatred lingers in the back of their mind, because of all the time they have to analyze themselves. at random times (usually at night), they may be hit with big waves of profound emotions, where they just need to cry it out and acknowledge how lost they feel. may wonder what their purpose is, or where they fit in in the big scheme of the world. gets philosophical, but not in that condescendingly vague, optimistic way--they truly want answers, because the nothingness is just getting to be too much.

taurus

is actually doing pretty okay. is reading a lot about how they can improve themselves, and probably have a few google docs open with plans on how to upgrade their life. they’ve probably started a garden of some sort, or bought some plants to take care of. the day may seem to pass by quickly for them. they fill their time with watching movies and discovering new recipes to cook. has started getting more sleep, which makes their alluring eyes even more beautiful. the downside is that they may feel a bit groggy, or their head feels heavy, because even the most security-loving, routine-oriented zodiac sign needs some variety. 

gemini

getting really excited about all these new methods for self-improvement: exercise, mental health, new projects, clearing their skin, etc. is consistent with these newfound activities for a few days, then gets annoyed when they don’t have 45 inch hips, a 22 inch waist and graceful, 11-shaped abs after less than a week of the chloe ting hourglass program. talks on the phone as they sit on the toilet. watches youtube videos about how to achieve the glow-up that they crave, but can never commit to a single video’s advice. wants something exciting to happen in their life, so they lean into their big emotions and taboo curiosities to compensate for the lack of stimulation. on their phone a LOT.   

cancer

has gotten even more beautiful since the quarantine started. loves the simplicity they’re getting accustomed to, but also constantly worries if they’re “making the most” of all this free time. probably will scold themselves after all this is over for not being more disciplined during self-isolation. goes on walks outside a lot, and finds that connecting with nature significantly boosts their mood. observes the quiet beauty around them as a way to cope with the universal chaos of our world. since cancer tends to be a very empathetic sign, they may feel like a sponge for fatigue and suffering whenever they read the news. being aware of the world is great and necessary, but take care of yourself, cancer. know when to take a break from the news.

leo

is really excited about reinventing themselves--they want it all! new clothes, improved mindset, cleaner room, a kinder social circle, new hair--the works. they want to bust out of quarantine looking even more striking than before, with a wardrobe reflecting their new style. probably has either already done something drastic to their hair (like dying it, or the dreaded 2 am impulsive bangs cut), or is at least seriously considering it. really wants to get out of their house and camp out on the beach or something--they miss seeing their friends face-to-face, and try to make up for it by calling them to hear their voices. is irritated that they happened to be born at a time where the pivotal years of their life are being wasted by such an awful series of world events.

virgo

has upgraded their bedroom to look as aesthetically pleasing and soothing as possible. their social life has most likely downsized to 2-3 super close and genuine friends that they call, text, and/or facetime with daily. since virgo is a mutable sign, they’ve probably done a great job adjusting to their surroundings and are helping their family with domestic tasks. however, they may feel anxious, and unsatisfied with their current mindset and resources, so they feel the urge to expand their horizons and feed their genius mind as much as possible! it may be hard to find motivation, virgo, but the world needs a physical manifestation of your potential right now. if you have an idea you want to pursue but are too scared to, take the plunge. this sounds cheesy and cliche but, this is your sign to start!

libra

reminisces a lot about the past. thinks about how they would have handled past situations differently, and mentally shames themselves for it. is probably doing a lot of self-reflection, which is good for their sweet hearts and furthers the progress of their mental health, but also depresses them, as libra energy tends to be highly critical of itself. sleeping in too late and talking aloud to themselves at ungodly hours of the night. finds their mind going on the philosophical route more often than usual. might be posting passive-aggressive mood quotes on instagram

scorpio

is actually exercising pretty consistently like they said they would. their body has been getting curvalicious and toned, and to that i say WOOHOO GO SCORPIO! however, they’ve probably completely messed up their entire sleep schedule, and may be practically nocturnal some days. probably feels really emotional at the moment, and is overwhelmed with the amount of pain in the world that they wish they could singlehandedly stop. may be pretty loner-ish at the moment, and is probably not very active on their social media, because they’re realizing who their truest friends are. scorpio does well with transformation (they’re ruled by pluto, the planet of regeneration) so rest assured, they will emerge from quarantine new and improved! 

sagittarius

is eating too much junk food. sagittarius, if you’re reading this right now, PUT DOWN THE CHIPS BUDDY BOY. is probably finding ways to hang out with their friends in person, like yelling across the sidewalk to them while wearing a mask. has been super active on social media regarding current social justice issues. feels enormous compassion for the oppressed and has been signing petitions at the speed of light. probably getting in fights with their family and being a little feistier than usual. i can’t blame them though...sagittarius is a sign that needs entertainment, so they’re gonna be a little punchy in this stagnant yet catastrophic time. 

capricorn

has established a daily routine that keeps them feeling grounded and stable. they may realize how little they’ve actually prioritized their own joy in the past, and they’re using quarantine as a way to get to know themselves again. purchases luxury pajamas and is most likely drinking a hot beverage in a mug right now. probably on a health kick. is getting even closer with their closest friends, and basically forgets about acquaintances. cuddling their pets a lot (or fantasizing about adopting a pet if they don’t have one). misses putting on mascara and stepping into that cute skirt, because that sPeCiAL pErSoN isn’t there to see it lol

aquarius

thinking about ways they can make money. getting bursts of hyper inspiration to flip their life around and start working super hard for their dream life. is masking hopelessness, and finds themselves pondering the fragility of human life. may experience thoughts of nihilism that they don’t act on, and is increasingly worried about the state of their environment. is stuck between feeling motivated and believing in their ability to positively transform, and getting depressed and detached from their earthly obligations. 

pisces

probably painting their nails a lot. is finding ways to put a little spice of excitement in their life--like making a nice breakfast (at 4 pm, which is like an hour after they wake up lately), giving their pet a concert of them, naked, singing ski mask the slump god songs into a hairbrush they’re pretending is a microphone. stares at themselves in the mirror for too long, letting their insecurities get the best of them. has probably gotten in touch with their grandparents (or any other relatives they usually don’t keep in close touch with) over the phone. may be dealing with worsened anxiety and feelings of depression at this time, and sleeps a lot to try to escape it. their room might be pretty messy at the moment as well, which they’re overly hard on themselves for. pisces: you are such a uniquely sweet and tender soul. take it one day at a time and never underestimate the power of reaching out to someone <3

[hopelesshawks]

Physical Fatality Part 6- Ultimatum

18+ Hawks x fem, pro hero!reader

Summary: You’re a rising star in All Might’s agency. Hawks is the darling of Endeavor’s. By virtue of your job descriptions, the two of you are supposed to hate each other, or at the very least be cautiously neutral. For a long time that’s exactly what the two of you did. You stayed out of each other’s way and formed little opinion of the other. One fateful night at an HPSC gala changes all that. Based on the album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom by Halsey.

If you don’t want to see Physical Fatality content blacklist #hopelesspf

This story will have multiple NSFW parts so it is 18+ ONLY minors dni

Warnings for descriptions of unprotected vaginal, minor wing kink

Masterlist

Hawks knows what he’s been doing the past several weeks isn’t fair to you. In his defense, he was attempting to reconcile two different facts in his head. Fact 1: He is completely in love with you. Fact 2: He is completely loyal to Endeavor. Some days fact 1 wins out and he acts the perfect almost boyfriend. He helped you move into your apartment with Mina, he’d leave little gifts on your desk if he found something that made him think of you, and he kept things quiet so the reporters and your coworkers wouldn’t sniff out potential scandal. But some days fact 2 wins and he hesitates and grows distant. It’s not so much that he sees it as betraying Endeavor. He always has and always will think the Endeavor-All Might feud is dumb. But he knows that Endeavor will see it as a betrayal and like it or not Hawks owes a lot to Endeavor.

He sees the way you constantly try to anticipate how the press will interpret your every little move. Frankly, it looks like it makes an already exhausting job even more so. All you want to do is save people and instead you spend a nontrivial part of your day hyper analyzing your every move to anticipate the next day’s headlines. The other day you’d confessed to him that another bad headline could literally mean the end of your time at All Might’s agency and Hawks can’t even imagine that level of stress. And therein lies the problem. The only reason Hawks can’t imagine it is because the HPSC wiped all record of his name and Endeavor agreed to hire him once he completed training. So it’s not so much that being with you feels like a betrayal as it is that at some point he’ll have to tell Endeavor and when he does there will be hell to pay.

You know what Hawks has been doing the past several weeks isn’t fair to you. The hot and cold, on and off again is starting to give you whiplash. At first it was ignorable, after all you were busy settling into your new place so you spent quite a bit of your limited free time getting to know the woman you’d be living with from now on. Mina is a goddamn firecracker and you love her for it. Sure you’d seen some of her antics on Instagram before but you assumed it was all for the camera. Now as her roommate you’re realizing that’s just how Mina is. So for the first week Mina kept you busy even when Hawks would be in one of his weird distant moods. Then more time passed and it started to irk you. Was it or was it not his idea for this to not be a one time thing? So why was he being so distant suddenly.

Then the first fight happened. It was one of those days Hawks had been oddly distant. The task force had managed to narrow the possible groups responsible for the terrorist attack down to five and Hawks insisted each of you should take one to run surveillance on and the sixth person could coordinate. You thought it was a better use of resources to assign some of the lower ranked heroes to the surveillance and have the task force just coordinate and analyze what came through. “Don’t you think it’ll be a little suspicious if we suddenly aren’t doing our usual rounds because we're performing surveillance? Plus a lower ranked hero won't draw as much attention!" you argued. "This case is way too sensitive for us to be working off second hand information!" Hawks fired back. “I don’t know how you all do things over at Endeavor’s agency but our lower ranked heroes are competent enough to handle some simple surveillance,” you pointed out with a of roll your eyes. “What? Like Monoma?” Hawks shot back. “Maybe we should reel it in guys,” Midoriya tried to intervene but it was too late. “Yea like Monoma. What about it?” you replied, anger starting to build. “Just seems like a conflict of interest to me,” he shrugged. “A conflict of interest?” “That’s what I said isn’t it?” “Oh fuck off.” “So you’re not denying it.” “I am literally the first person to shit on Monoma in almost any situation but he’s a good hero.” “Interesting.” “Are you trying to die bird brain?” “OK! That’s enough!” Midoriya finally interrupted. “We’ll present both plans to Endeavor and All Might, let them decide,” Shoto had said simply. In the end they decided on Hawks’ plan.

The two of you probably should’ve talked out your almost relationship then. It was obvious to everyone else in the room that the argument was, fundamentally, not about task delegation, but you and Hawks were in denial and the angry sex afterwards made it easier to kiss, makeup, and just pretend it never happened. Except it did happen. And it happened again and again. On the good days you two are amazing, all sweet words and loving looks. On the bad days you’re a ticking time bomb. Every time you try to address it Hawks gives you absolutely nothing back. It’s driving you nuts. A fact you frequently make apparent to Bakugo and Midoriya. “Oh my god enough already,” Bakugo groans, interrupting your ongoing rant about the difficulties of being almost with Hawks. “Oh I’m sorry are my problems bothering you?” you ask sarcastically. “Look, we get it. He started this shit and now he won’t finish it. But if he won’t then why don’t you fucking finish it yourself,” Bakugo points out. “Kacchan has a point,” Midoriya adds in. “Not you too Izu,” you pout. “Don’t give me that look, I’m just saying maybe it is time to put your foot down,” he elaborates. “I’ve tried talking to him and he never tells me what’s going on with him,” you sigh. “Then stop talking and just hit him with an ultimatum,” Bakugo scoffs. “Yea! Tell him he has to make a decision now or you’re done,” Midoriya agrees. “What if he decides he doesn’t want this?” you ask. “Then it’s his loss,” Midoriya says. “Yea and we’ll kick his ass for it,” Bakugo adds. You really do have the best friends.

Hawks doesn’t know what to expect when you ask him to stick around after the task force meeting, but the thumbs up Midoriya gives you and the warning look Bakugo gives him don’t exactly bode well. Shoto exchanges a look with Hawks to confirm he’ll be fine and, when Hawks nods, Shoto and Tokoyami take their leave behind their former classmates. “So what’s up?” Hawks asks once the two of you are finally alone. “We need to talk about us,” you tell him and you can already feel him preparing to argue you down from having this conversation. “(Y/n)-“ he starts, but you’re not having it, not this time, so you cut him off. “I don’t want to fight right now. I know you’re always right. But even though you’ve been through the ups and downs with me, and even though I care a lot about you, you don’t seem to feel the same.” “That’s not true,” he refutes but even he knows his actions lately haven’t exactly conveyed how much he feels for you. “Really? Because we’ve been through it all, met each other’s moms, shared each other’s tragic backstories but lately, when it comes to talking about us, you can never spit it out for me. It’s like I’m trying to talk to a wall but you can never tear it down for me,” you insist. “That’s what happens when you ask personal questions while we’re still at work.” “What other choice do I have? You never pick up or call me.” “Maybe I just need more time.” “We’re running out of time.” “We don’t have to be! Let’s just talk this through later.” “No, we’ve done enough talking. It’s gotta be right now. I want you to hold me down forever, I do, but it’s your choice. Will you love me now or never?”

Hawks stares at you trying to process what you’ve said. He isn’t oblivious. He knows you’ve been getting frustrated with him being hot and cold. He knows the two of you getting involved was his idea in the first place. He knows he hasn’t been open with you about why he’s suddenly so hesitant. But he still hasn’t decided how to reconcile his love for you with his loyalty to Endeavor, so he still hesitates. “Can we please just figure this out later,” he pleads instead of answering as he reaches for you but you step back and out of his reach. “No. I’m drawing the line. I wasted two years of my life chasing something that wasn’t real with Monoma. I refuse to do it again. Especially when being with you literally puts my career at risk. So you don’t get to take any more time up. I need you to make your mind up. You’ve gotta decide Keigo. Now or never,” you insist.

It hits him then just how serious you are. There’s no talking his way out of this one. It really is now or never and something about the choice feels fateful. As if how he responds to you right now will determine his destiny. Almost his whole life he’s been looking for the kind of earth shattering, all consuming love you see in movies and tv shows. Something to fill the void his parents and the HPSC hollowed into him as a child. The stakes are so much higher with you than with the previous women he’s dated and he’s always been such a lousy gambler. Are you really the best bet? His mind is spinning with the daunting choice in front of him but then you sigh full of resignation and heartache and start to leave. It’s like someone mainlined ice water directly into his veins because suddenly the never is real. It’s real and terrifying and it’s about to be solidified by you walking out that door and he can’t. He absolutely can’t imagine his life without you in it right now so he lunges forward and grabs hold of your wrist. “Now! Fuck baby, I choose now,” he insists so desperately and when you turn to face him you both look absolutely cracked open.

The two of you collide together, mouths finding each other immediately. There is so much need and want and relief in that one kiss because for a horrifying moment both of you felt what it would be like to never have each other again. To never again feel that unique magnetism that constantly pulls you both together. Or worse, to feel it and yet be forever condemned to ignoring it. Keigo pulls you against him by your hips and his grip is hard enough you wonder if you’ll bruise. You make quick work of each other’s shirts and pants, desperate to be closer to each other. One of his hands reaches down to rub you through your panties and you’re already so wet for him. The little gasp you give at his feather light touches is absolutely intoxicating and he can’t believe that he almost lost this. Lost you. “I’m so sorry Love. So sorry I made you wait,” he whispers against your lips as he slips his fingers past the damp material of your underwear to stroke along your sex. “I need you Kei,” you whimper. “You have me.” “All of you. I need all of you.”

You don’t have to tell him twice.

The floor of the conference room perhaps isn’t the most ideal place to finally consummate your love but neither of you has the strength or desire to complain or postpone this moment. Scratchy carpet or the finest silk sheets, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that the two of you are together and finally, finally you can call him yours and he can call you his. So when he’s on top of you, underwear cast aside and nothing left to separate the two of you, you can’t even feel what’s beneath you. All you feel is his erection pressing at your entrance, his chest pressed to yours, and both of your hearts hammering in your chests as if anxious to beat against each other. You feel him in each and every one of your senses. As he presses into you, you both gasp at the sensation and just like that first time it’s so, so overwhelming. You clutch desperately at him to bring him impossibly closer and by the time he bottoms out inside you, you’re both on the verge of tears. “I love you,” he confesses and he thinks it may be the first time he’s ever meant it so utterly and completely. “I love you too,” you reply and for the first time in a long time the words don’t feel like ash on your tongue.

He starts moving his hips and it’s heaven. Each thrust into you feels like a solidification of the bond the two of you have formed over the past couple months since meeting. For the first time since Keigo had started getting distant it feels uncomplicated and you’re reminded again of why you’d thrown out all your rules for this man. This wild, beautiful man you could now call yours. You slide one hand along his back until you get to the base of one of his wings. You run your fingers through the soft plumage and delight in the shiver it draws out of him. One of his hands goes between the two of you to stimulate your sensitive clit and with each thrust you’re both seeing stars. His free hand finds yours to entangle your fingers together and he suspects that the tingling he feels throughout his whole body has less to do with the sex itself and more to do with you and the wondrous revelation that you want all of him, even the broken bits, just as much as he wants all of you. He ups the amount of pressure he’s applying to your clit and you tighten your grip on his feathers to match and soon you’re both hurtling over the edge into climax. You moan each other’s names into the limited space between you but there are multitudes contained therein.

You moan each other’s names but it sounds like I love you.

You moan each other’s names but it sounds like wedding bells and a family.

You moan each other’s names but it sounds like forever.

Author’s Note: This chapter feels short and I can’t tell if it’s because it’s actually short or I’m just paranoid about it being short because I made y’all wait a little bit for it. I’m happy with it or at least happy enough to post it but it’s not my favorite part that I’ve written for this series so far. I’ll try to make sure the next part is longer again to compensate for this one ❤️

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