#in the end. that act of service of care. was leverage

[aquaholicsanonymousworld]

Dating John Walker/US Agent Headcannon (SFW & NSFW)

Protective to a Fault: John has a massive protective streak. Even when you’re perfectly capable of handling things, he can’t help but step in — whether it’s someone getting too close at a bar or a rude comment online. He doesn’t always know where to draw the line between caring and controlling, which can cause fights.

Acts of Service Love Language: He’s not big on flowery words or grand gestures, but he shows he cares by doing things: fixing things around your place, cooking breakfast after a rough night, driving you everywhere so you "don’t have to deal with idiots on the road."

Rough Edges: John has a hard time opening up emotionally. He bottles things until they explode — which means your relationship can have intense arguments followed by intense makeup sessions. Over time, he slowly learns to actually talk before things blow up.

Jealousy Issues: He tries to play it cool but fails miserably. Even harmless flirting from someone else gets under his skin. It stems from his insecurities — always trying to prove he's good enough, in every area of his life, including love.

Physical Affection: He’s touchy. Always has an arm around your shoulders, hand on the small of your back, kisses the top of your head when you’re sitting together. His affection is grounding — you always know where you stand with him physically, even if his words sometimes fall short.

Takes You Shooting / Training: Big “if you’re with me, you should know how to defend yourself” energy. Dates sometimes look like shooting ranges or sparring sessions. He gets a little too excited seeing you handle a weapon well — both proud and turned on.

Private Softness: In public, he’s stoic, aggressive, military-man Walker. But behind closed doors, he’s surprisingly soft — likes when you lay on his chest while he absentmindedly runs his fingers through your hair. It’s the only time his mind shuts off.

Dog Dad Energy: Would absolutely get a big, intimidating-looking dog (like a Belgian Malinois) but spoil it rotten. You catch him baby-talking to it when he thinks you’re not listening.

Haunted Past: You have to be patient with his guilt and trauma. Some nights, he’s distant or stuck in his head about the things he's done — both as Captain America and U.S. Agent. He needs someone who can pull him back without judgment.

Ride or Die: At the end of the day, John is ferociously loyal. Once you have his trust, he’s all in — no half measures. He might screw up, but he will always come back, always fight for you.

NSFW Headcanons

Rough by Nature: John is intense in bed. He’s naturally rough — grabbing, biting, leaving marks without thinking twice. He likes seeing the aftermath: bruises, scratches, hickeys. It feeds his primal, possessive side. “Mine,” is a word he grits out often, especially when he’s deep inside you.

Possessive Sex: If someone even looks at you the wrong way, you’re getting dragged home and claimed. It’s not sweet; it’s about reminding you (and himself) that you belong to him. Expect him to go harder, rougher, and longer on those nights until you can barely walk.

Loves Control: Big on dominance. He wants to be the one giving orders, pinning you down, controlling when you come (and how many times). Hand on your throat, wrist pinned above your head — all his favorite positions give him leverage and control.

Praise Kink (But Gritty)L John’s praise isn’t flowery — it’s raw and filthy. “Good fucking girl,” “Taking me so well,” “Look at you, drooling for it.” His voice goes low and growly in your ear, and he gets off on seeing you fall apart because of him.

Frustration Equals Aggression: Bad day? You’re getting wrecked. He channels all his pent-up rage and frustration into sex — which can mean being bent over the nearest surface and taken hard and fast until he’s satisfied. But it’s never careless; he watches your limits carefully, even when he’s feral.

Breeding Kink (Canon-Adjacent): Blame the super soldier serum and his need to "leave a mark." He gets feral about finishing inside you. Talk about him knocking you up, and you’ll see him lose his mind — hips snapping harder, groaning about filling you up until it takes.

Hair Pulling & Manhandling: He’s strong, and he uses it. Pulling your hair back to expose your throat, lifting you like you weigh nothing, flipping you into position without effort — it’s part of the turn-on for both of you. Being completely overpowered by him is addictive.

Oral Fixation: Loves having your mouth busy — whether it’s on his cock or just his fingers shoved past your lips while you’re moaning. It’s about control and watching you get desperate while he stays cool and in charge.

Aftercare King (But Doesn’t Admit It): As rough and possessive as he is, John is meticulous about aftercare. Bathing you, rubbing ointment into your bruises, feeding you water and protein after a particularly intense session. He won’t call it “aftercare” — he just grumbles that you need to “take care of yourself.” But it’s his way of showing love.

Tension Turned Passion: Fights often turn into sex. Shouting, shoving, glaring — next thing you know, he’s slamming you against the wall and kissing you like he’s starved. The line between anger and arousal gets real blurry with him.

[wandering-pirate]

Mouthwashing Characters Headcanons

The Crew's Love Language ft. You

Captain Curly

Words of Affirmation

The captain is well-known for having his vocabulary overflowing with encouraging and uplifting words, a stellar reputation for giving good pep talks

Deep inside, he always loved hearing words of praise from the people he cared about the most. He always valued the affirmations from them, a foolproof method to make him smile and feel loved

For him, words are like fire, and people can either use them to warm someone up or burn a whole damn city

He never raises his voice at you when it comes to negative emotions, never when he's angry, frustrated, or panicked

He, however, is so enthusiastic when congratulating you or when he's excited about the topic you're both talking about

Your heart (and belly) can't help but feel very warm with the way he uses his words with his deep tone. If a kid asked you how a space superhero would sound, you'd bring Curly forward

With his effort to stay optimistic, you always make sure to tell him an encouraging word or sweet strands of praise whenever you see him and after he does something

"Captain, remember to stay hydrated, you're doing great, sir."

"You always know how to put the crew at ease, Cap. Appreciate it"

"You're so reliable, gosh, thank you!"

Every praise and affirmation you throw his way makes him blush and stutter, a polar opposite to his status

You make it a duty to compliment him sincerely. The hunk of a man ends up having a red face every time he receives your sweet words to the point that the crew teases him for it

"Cap, what's red and stutters?"

"I swear, Jimm--"

"Oh, oh! I know!"

"Come on, Daisuke, not you to--"

"You, after talkin' to Y/N."

The captain, co-pilot, and intern stared at Swansea’s retreating back after he butted into a conversation that the mechanic would find ridiculous even being a part of

You also made sure to never—I MEAN NEVER—use words against him, especially with secrets or information that he exclusively told you about (probably the reason why you and Jimmy ended the Captain's birthday party with knives at each other's throats)

Mechanic Swansea

Acts of Service

The old man was raised in a household where serving your family is the ultimate display of love

His father scoffed after reaching the last part of young Swansea's greeting in the Christmas card he gave him:

"I love you? Boy, you can't even make a decent cut on that firewood from a while ago"

"I love you's" are just empty words for him. When you really want to reach into his head and hammer some sense on how you feel about him, you gotta show it

However, unlike his father, he doesn't need a grand display of actions to know and notice. He actually prefers the little things you do:

Remembering his coffee preference and making it every morning

Giving him a massage in the area his hands seem to knead frequently

Putting his socks on before work

Giving him a pedicure (after leveraging that he'd eat you in bed for the whole night)

He also holds himself up to the same standard, always doing chores around the house whenever you're busy:

No stocks of pads and tampons? He'll make sure he gets the right brand you always get

Your favorite furniture that you inherited needs varnishin'? He's on it.

Your daughter's birthday is coming up, but you're too ill to make the cake? He ain't a baker, but he'd be damned if he won't at least try

"Daddd, is this... is this meat... on my birthday cake?"

"S'called 'cake of love' for a reason, darlin'. You don't question its ingredients. It's made of love"

What makes your heart flutter is not having to tell him all the things that need to be done. He knows what's lacking and what you need

When there are times you have to vocalize your concerns, he'll simply nod, and after a moment, it's done

Co-pilot Jimmy

Physical Touch

*Sighs* Need I say more?

Jimmy is the type who’s not comfortable with PDA, but he can't seem to keep his hands off of you when he feels threatened, (especially when Curly is having a casual conversation with you)

You can't blame the guy; he doesn't even understand how you fell for him somehow, but he's not complaining, and he most definitely will not let you go (possessive boi is a touchy boi)

His touches are not always sensual, and it actually surprises you how gentle he is when holding you

Whenever you're busy, he'd pass by to squeeze your waist or brush a touch on your lower back

When you're both around each other but are doing different tasks, he'd make sure to have a part of you touching him:

A hand on the thigh

A leg over your thighs

His head on your chest or shoulder or thighs (the boy's got magnets on your thighs, what can I say?)

And his personal favorite: having you sit between his legs with your back pressed against his chest.

One time, a frustrated Curly called you. It's been a week since Jimmy left for his job-training, and you weren't aware that someone was also getting through a torturous week like you and Jimmy

The captain was at the other end of his friend's damp mood

"I don't know what you do to him, Y/N. He's a completely different person when he's with you"

"Hmm, how bout massaging his hand, cap. It improves his mood, and it always works"

"..."

"Hello? Curly?"

"...Y/N, are you trying to get me killed? It works because you're the one doing it!"

Intern Daisuke

Quality Time and Giving Gifts

The boy loves spending time with you. He doesn't need to plan for what to do during those times you'd be together because he always finds ways to make you enjoy it so much that you have to keep a wristwatch to check how much time has passed

He's known to be a yapper but not the type of yapper that tires you

The man has a lot of questions for you to the point that you're concerned that he knows more information about yourself than you

Pointing out things he notices you do, like looking slightly at the right when you're lying or knowing how many moles are in your face and neck

It doesn't creep you out though, you picked up that he's very observant when he's interested and that flatters you that he take mental notes of these small things just by being around him

Whenever he knows that you won't be seeing him for a while, he makes sure that you know what he'll be doing and where he'll go

Basically the main reason when the crew - especially Swansea - would look for him, they'll go straight to you

"Hey kid, where's that boy again?"

"Toilet, Swansea. He said it's a raging diarr--"

"Yeah yeah, toilet's fine. geez."

Daisuke also buys you trinkets he finds that remind him of you—from crocheted baby mushrooms to obscure plastic eyeball keychains

"I understood the frog keychain last week, but... a turd plushie?"

"Cause I feel shitty when we're apart"

"Valid"

His gifts are very specific and you even cried one time in a store trying to outgift him, spoiler, you can't. He never makes you feel bad about it, he always claimed that he takes pride at being the Leslie Knope of the real world (iykyk)

Nurse Anya

Quality Time

She strongly believes that spending time with someone is the core of a relationship

She definitely isn’t the person to be clingy - nope, she's a queen with self-worth. If you don't want to spend time with her, don't expect her to chase you

The more you spend time with her, though, the more she opens up. For her, trust is something earned over time, and you made the effort to build that trust brick by brick

After falling for her harder, your trips to the medbay became more frequent with "accidental injuries"

"Hey, miss Anya."

"Hey y/n, kindly be careful. Don’t want you to have your 4th visit this week."

"Heh, what can I say? I hate breaking the streak. Gotta keep you on your toes."

"Y/N, it’s still Wednesday."

"Good time to give you your once-a-week training, right?"

Once she’s comfortable with you, her affection shows in the little things:

Putting your vitamins and supplements on accessible places because she knows you forget taking them

Giving you random psychology tests after finding out that you loved them

Or being comfortable enough to nap on your shoulders (you earned that trust on the hundred and tenth day)

You don't even have to talk while being together; as long as both of you are around each other, her shoulders relax, and her face is at peace

[aeth-eris]

★ how to maximize profits via 2nd house ★

aries in the 2nd house can maximize profits by capitalizing on their entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit. aries benefits from fast-paced, high-energy ventures where they can lead and make quick decisions. they might excel by launching a fitness training program, offering personal coaching services, or starting a motivational brand that sells products like athletic apparel, energy drinks, or performance gear. aries could also find success with subscription boxes focused on high-adrenaline hobbies like hiking, martial arts, or adventure sports. by embracing ventures that allow them to innovate quickly and take the lead, aries can build profitable businesses that leverage their passion and high energy.

taurus in the 2nd house is well-suited for steady financial growth through high-quality, long-term investments and products. they thrive in businesses that emphasize luxury, beauty, and quality, such as a high-end skincare line, organic foods business, or eco-friendly clothing brand. taurus could also consider starting a boutique furniture store that sells artisan-crafted or vintage items, as they appreciate products with enduring value. with their talent for creating a comforting atmosphere, taurus might excel with a bed and breakfast, a spa, or a wellness center that offers relaxation services. taurus maximizes profits by focusing on products that prioritize quality and offer a luxurious experience, appealing to clients who value longevity and craftsmanship.

gemini in the 2nd house can boost profits by tapping into their adaptability and communication skills, especially in diverse, mentally stimulating fields. they could thrive by starting a digital marketing agency, offering copywriting or editing services, or launching an online course platform that covers a wide range of topics to cater to curious minds. with their natural social skills, gemini could also excel in creating a networking app or social media consulting service. offering services like translation, podcasting, or even freelance journalism can keep income flowing, as gemini is well-suited to manage multiple streams of revenue. their knack for curiosity-driven ventures and networking makes them ideal for businesses that involve idea-sharing, quick adaptability, and community engagement.

cancer in the 2nd house can increase earnings by focusing on nurturing and emotionally resonant businesses that bring comfort to others. they might start a home-cooked meal delivery service, a childcare center, or a family-focused event planning service that organizes intimate gatherings like birthdays and reunions. cancer could also do well in real estate, particularly with home staging or property management that emphasizes creating warm, inviting spaces. they could excel in interior decorating, especially with a focus on cozy, family-oriented spaces, or start a handcrafted candle or blanket line. by building businesses that revolve around care, comfort, and family, cancer can create loyal clients and establish long-term success through emotional connections.

leo in the 2nd house maximizes profits by showcasing their creativity and leadership, often excelling in businesses that allow them to stand out and build a brand. leo could find success with a personal brand consultancy, fashion line, or luxury event planning business. they might enjoy launching a social media channel focused on lifestyle or self-improvement, where they can attract sponsorships or sell branded merchandise. leo also thrives in roles where they can influence and inspire others, so they might consider starting a motivational speaking business, an acting or dance academy, or a high-end boutique. with their flair for self-expression, leo profits best when they create high-quality, visually captivating products and services that let their star power shine through.

virgo in the 2nd house finds financial success through practical, detail-oriented services that provide high value and efficiency. they excel in businesses that involve organization, health, and precision, such as financial consulting, tax preparation, or a personal organizing service. virgo might also thrive with a nutrition or wellness coaching business, offering tailored health plans or holistic products like herbal supplements or self-care kits. a digital bookkeeping service, copyediting business, or virtual assistant agency could also bring them steady profits, as virgo’s meticulous nature appeals to clients who seek reliability and structure. by focusing on services that emphasize quality and organization, virgo builds a reputation for excellence that attracts a steady client base.

libra in the 2nd house can increase earnings by leveraging their skills in diplomacy, aesthetics, and partnerships. they could start a wedding planning business, a floral design company, or a luxury lifestyle brand that sells carefully curated home décor items. libra would also excel in public relations consulting or brand management roles, where they can help clients present a refined, balanced image. creating a high-end art gallery, a boutique law firm, or a relationship coaching service could also align well with libra’s skills. libra thrives in partnership-focused ventures, so building collaborative business models or co-founding a business with others can also enhance their profitability and bring a sense of harmony to their financial life.

scorpio in the 2nd house maximizes profits by tapping into their ability to handle intensity and complexity, often succeeding in fields like finance, psychology, and research. scorpio could build wealth by creating a private investigation firm, a psychotherapy practice, or a financial planning service specializing in wealth management or estate planning. they might also thrive in real estate investment, particularly with properties that need transformation, such as flipping houses or managing rental properties. scorpio may also excel in businesses related to holistic healing, offering reiki or shadow work coaching. by focusing on industries that require trust, depth, and resilience, scorpio can attract clients who value privacy and are willing to invest in transformational services.

sagittarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by embracing their love for adventure, growth, and education. they could launch a travel agency specializing in unique cultural experiences, a language learning platform, or a motivational speaking business that offers courses and workshops. sagittarius could also thrive by creating a publishing company focused on philosophical or inspirational content or starting a tour guiding business for international destinations. their enthusiasm for knowledge makes them great at teaching, so they might consider offering online courses or starting a coaching business in a field they’re passionate about. by aligning with growth-oriented ventures, sagittarius can attract an audience that values inspiration and big-picture thinking.

capricorn in the 2nd house maximizes profits through disciplined, long-term planning and a practical approach to business. they’re well-suited for businesses like a corporate consulting firm, project management agency, or investment portfolio service. capricorn could also do well in real estate development, particularly with rental properties or commercial buildings. they might find success by starting a financial advisory firm or creating a luxury goods company focused on high-end, timeless products like leather goods or fine jewelry. by aligning with industries that reward patience and professionalism, capricorn can build a solid financial foundation and enjoy steady growth, often seeing long-term success through conservative but reliable investments.

aquarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by focusing on innovation, technology, and humanitarian ventures. they might launch a tech startup, a renewable energy company, or a social media platform that prioritizes community and ethical interaction. aquarius could also find success with a nonprofit organization focused on social justice, an eco-friendly product line, or a collaborative workspace for creatives and freelancers. their futuristic mindset makes them perfect for ventures in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, or virtual reality. by aligning their finances with progressive and forward-thinking industries, aquarius can attract clients and customers who value innovation and social impact.

pisces in the 2nd house maximizes profits by leaning into their creativity, compassion, and spirituality. they may thrive in a music or art therapy practice, a spiritual coaching business, or a holistic wellness center that offers services like yoga, meditation, and crystal healing. pisces could also succeed by creating a boutique art studio, a dream journal line, or a subscription service for wellness products like essential oils, herbal teas, and calming rituals. they’re drawn to businesses that help others heal or connect with their inner selves, so they may also find success in fields like astrology, psychic readings, or intuitive counseling. by aligning with businesses that emphasize emotional well-being and creativity, pisces can build a profitable venture that resonates deeply with clients who seek personal and spiritual growth.

[myfictionaldreams]

Day 9: Size Kink - Ari Levinson

Summary: Ari was your grumpy (handsome) boss, who never smiled at anyone. So why did he care so much if you smiled at someone else?

Tags: 18+ readers only, smut, grumpy vs sunshine, arguments, size difference, size kink (Ari is huge in every way), showing off strength, manhandling, spit as lube, fingering, possessive, rough sex

masterlist 📚 

kinktober masterlist😈 

AO3 Link 

It had been a long day already; the sun was beaming down, which meant the bar was packed to capacity, with endless drinks and money being swapped. You thrived on days like this, enjoying the perks an extra broad smile could get you from willing customers who hadn’t appreciated service with a smile. Today, there was one specific customer, Matt, who was sitting on a stool in the middle of the bar and had been complimenting you for the entire afternoon.

He was harmless and continuously gave you tips with every drink, so you plastered a great, broad, fake smile that ached your cheeks every time you went near him. Ari watched from the end of the bar at how you smiled towards the stranger and how the man smiled back, and the second your back was turned, his eyes would be searching your body greedily.

Ari’s hand tightened around the beer bottle to the point that he was close to shattering it and had to take a long breath through his nose to calm himself down. Yet, he continued to watch. He always used the excuse that because he was the boss, he needed to keep a close eye on the goings on in his establishment and his employees, but deep down, he knew there was another reason he was always sitting at the bar rather than in his office.

The liquor you needed for your requested drink was empty as you lifted it to show the customer with a closed-lipped smile, “need a new one”, you quickly explained before leaving out the back of the bar. 

All of the stock was kept in the cellar, so you descended the steps carefully, taking your time to have a quiet moment to yourself. Scanning the rows of liquid against the wall, you sighed, seeing that the one bottle you needed was on the highest shelf, which you would struggle to reach. Straining up on the tips of your toes, your arm stretched out as far as it could, reaching for the bottle, but a searing warmth burned through the clothes on your lower back as Ari pressed against it, using it as leverage to reach above you to grab the liquor easily.

You jumped at his sudden presence but were also not surprised, as he usually found an excuse to follow you throughout the bar. Peering up at him, you exclaimed, “God, Ari, you scared me. Wait, what’s that look for? What’s wrong?”.

He didn’t say a word, but you knew something wasn’t right by the angry scowl, which usually softened whenever you smiled up at him like you were attempting to do now. Unlike behind the bar, this smile was genuine, and the joy reached your eyes, making them appear as if they were twinkling. Ari would always do feats like this, showing off his staggering size and strength so that he could experience this smile to the point that he seemed to be always standing over you, with his towering height that made your neck ache, one of the few people to make you feel small in stature, dainty even, especially when he became all dominant and acting like the resident bodyguard for the bar. Everyone knew not to mess with the boss.

It was hard not to fall for him; sure that everyone who was attracted to a man fell in love with him as soon as they saw him sitting at the bar or over your shoulder. To be truthful, there were times when you faked not being able to lift a table or heavy pot of glasses just so that he could come and lift things whilst you oggled at his psychic, but he was happy to help, even though he always had that deep frown.

The frown that he was currently still looking at you with enough that it had you feeling slightly uneasy as you looked away to the alcohol in his hand, reaching for it. “Oh, thank you! Don’t think I would have been able to reach that anyway.” Your hand extended to grab the bottle, but he held it back and out of your reach.

Ari’s eyes darkened in colour as he stepped forward, and instinctively, you stepped back until you were pressed against the cool brick wall with his towering body hovering over yours, his arm resting above your head. Despite stepping away from him, the stance didn’t phase you. Once again, he was doing it to show off the size difference, and you made sure not to waver with your smile, still beaming up at him.

Ari’s shoulder-length hair fell to shadow his handsome face, and all you wanted to do was run your fingers through the soft strands and brush them behind his ears. Even though he may appear threatening, you trusted Ari with your entire life, and the two of you always seemed to be teetering on the edge of being flirtatious. Still, you’d never have the courage to make a move, mainly because he was your boss.

The giant man studied you for a long moment, inspecting your face to the point you became self-conscious until they lingered on your smiling lips.

“You need to stop smiling at him”, Ari demanded with his voice low and gravely. Your smile finally dropped as you released a choked laugh, causing your shoulders to shake with the force.

“What? Smiling at who?” you asked, dumbfounded. He gestures with his head, nodding towards the stairs and to the bar when it finally dawned on you who he was referring to. Crossing your arms over your chest, you continued, “What? Matt, the guy at the bar? He’s harmless, and didn’t you always tell us that we need to serve our drinks with a smile?” As you teased Ari, you raised onto your tiptoes to lean closer and gloat the broad smile that was back on your face.

He didn’t break, continuing to frown, but now his shoulders were tense. “You need to stop”, he growled, stepping even closer until you could feel the warmth from his chest, “You don’t know what he wants, so stop smiling at him; he’ll get his hopes up”.

“Oh, and you know what he wants, do you? You can’t be upset with me because I’m being nice to a customer, and what makes this smile different to all the others that I’ve given to the others?”. You’d come to the realisation that Ari was most likely jealous, and even though it made your heart pound in your chest and excitement wanting to burst from your smile, you had tried to act like you usually did. Even though seeing him being somewhat possessive and obvious with his feelings made you want to shout it from the rooftop.

“Not. With. Him”, Ari grounds out each word with enough venom that you almost wanted to shrink away.

“Fine”, you say with confidence whilst shrugging your shoulders, “So who am I allowed to smile at then? I like happiness and want to smile at someone who returns it. Who else am I supposed to do it with because you sure as hell don’t smile at me”.

Ari doesn't say anything, so you lift a hand and rest it on his shoulders before tapping with your fingers and resisting the urge to give the muscles that you could feel a good squeeze. “You need to relax a little, Boss, it’s fine. I won’t smile at him, I promise. Now, can I go back to work, please?”

All he does is grunt in answer, giving him a Neanderthal appearance as he holds out the bottle of liquor and moves away from the wall to provide you with room to move past him. Accepting the bottle, you thanked him genuinely before walking back towards the stairs with him only an inch behind.

Returning to the bar, you’d expected him to return to his seat at the end, but he stood behind you, staring at Matt with his arms crossed. You wanted to sigh but thought it best not to poke the bear, as they say, especially when he was so riled up.

Pouring the guy's drink, you passed it to him and stated the price, all without a smile. The customer didn’t look in your direction as he eyed Ari, asking, “What’s his problem?” All you did was shrug in response whilst handing out your hand still for the money. Instead of reading the situation and knowing when to keep his mouth closed, Matt made the mistake of muttering under his breath, “I bet he’s an asshole to work for”.

The money for the drink fell into the centre of your palm just as Ari suddenly was at your back, but you tried to push him back, feeling the heat already burning your face with anger as you pointed towards the door. “Get out”, you demanded confidently.

“What?” Matt shouted, astonished that you’d even say such a thing.

“You heard me; get the fuck out” The adrenaline was deciding your actions as you became increasingly angry at what he’d said about Ari. Slamming the money onto the bar counter, you pointed at the door again for emphasis.

Matt finally snapped, kicking back his stool and slamming his drink on the counter, “Are you fucking joking? I’ve just paid for this drink; I’m not leaving!”

Once again, you weren’t sure logic was in control of your body anymore as you did something so out of character it shocked even Ari. Reaching over the bar, you grabbed the drink and poured it over the guy's head before pointing at the door once more, “You don’t have a drink anymore. I’m not asking again. Get the fuck out of his bar, NOW. You don’t talk about the boss like that”. 

It was a rare day when you truly lost your temper, so the entire bar had quietened by this point and stared in anticipation. Thankfully, even though the guy looked ready to throw his chair at your head, he instead turned and stumbled out of the doors.

As the atmosphere began to return to normal, the realisation of what you’d just done came to you. Your fingers began to tremble as anxiety sat heavy in your stomach as you tried to take a deep, steadying breath.

That burning, warm palm returned to your lower back as Ari dipped his head to whisper into your ear, “My office, now.” Trying to ignore everyone else's stares, you moved past him as he nodded to the other bar staff to cover your area of the bar whilst he followed you out.

You walk, anger still prevalent even with the anxiety worsening as you realise that you’d technically assaulted one of the customers by throwing his drink at him. What if you get reported? What if Ari thinks you’ve gone too far?

You’re nervously chewing on your thumb when you reach his office at the back of the building. You looked around at the scarcely decorated room with a desk, two chairs and closed blinds so that it was only just illuminated by streaks of sunlight but nothing else, so it was dimly lit. Ari hardly ever used this room, which is why you knew you were in trouble, especially needing a private space to reprimand you so no one could hear if he wanted to shout.

Walking into the centre of the room, you jumped on the spot, turning towards the door that had just been slammed closed by your boss. He stalked towards you, head tilted low as he backed you into a wall like in the cellar.

“I’m so fucking done”, Ari seethed, a vein bulging in his temple and tense muscles lining his arms and shoulders.

You were initially unsure what to say, your lower lip trembling as the anger seeped away, and only the nerves remained. “I’m sorry, Ari, I shouldn’t have thrown the drink at him. I don’t know what I was thinking”.

You had lost confidence and lowered your face to look at the carpeted floor, but Ari was quick to grip your chin in his thumb and forefinger and tilt your face so you were looking back into his bearded face. His voice was low and steady as he spoke, “I am so fucking done with this bullshit cat-and-mouse game we have going on”.

This caught you off guard as you blinked away the anxiety, asking, “What?”

Ari dipped his face even lower, and you took a moment to appreciate how big he was and how much lower he had to make himself so that you were face to face. With him this close, you could smell the aftershave he’d sprayed onto his neck this morning, smelling spicy and had your mouth drooling.

“I’m your boss”, Ari interrupted your dirty thoughts, “It’s unprofessional the things that I dream about, but you make it so fucking difficult to remain your boss when you’re smiling all the time. I want to kiss that smile away so you can return to work and stop distracting me. But today, seeing you there shouting at that asshole for me. I can’t stay professional much longer, so here’s your chance. Leave and walk out that door right now, and we’ll never talk about this again, but if you stay”, his eyes lowered from your lips to assess your body in the darkness. “If you stay, I promise you there will be no other thoughts than my name coming out of your pretty little mouth”.

Ari gave you a moment to contemplate and decide. You, however, were not thinking at all, your mind was empty, and the only response was the warming of your cunt, clenching already around nothing as you knew there was no way you were leaving.

Your arms wrapped around his neck before any of your anxiety returned, pulling him down for a heated kiss. Mouths moving with need against the other, causing Ari to moan; actually, MOAN into your mouth as his lips instantly parted and warm tongue brushed against yours. His arms were around your waist, pulling you as close as possible until your breasts were squished against his firm chest.

It felt like your boss was completely surrounding you as his arms expanded over the area of your back, just as firm as his chest, and you could feel the muscles bulging beneath his plaid shirt. Your feet were suddenly off the floor as he lifted you into his arms, your legs securely wrapping around his waist as one of his arms rested beneath your arse as your back connected with the wall again.

He tasted so good, even though it mainly tasted of the beer he’d been drinking; you’ve fantasised about this moment for months. He was just as dominant as you’d predicted, his mouth forcing yours more open to caress his tongue further into your face, almost like he couldn’t reach far enough within and needed to feel every crevice. The hand that wasn’t supporting your weight then moved to your cheek, his long fingers stretching so far they wrapped around the back of your head as he tilted your head slightly to once again attempt to deepen the kiss.

Ari’s jean-covered hips then ground against yours, stoking the fire inside your cunt more. His actions were desperate, wanting to feel every single part of you. It was almost overstimulating to your senses because all you’d managed to do was keep up with the pace of his tongue and lips and stroke your fingers through his hair just as you wanted to do. But Ari, he was all over you, his mouth now exploring your throat, sucking and biting on the areas that made you moan more and send tingles between your thighs.

The sound of clothes ripping then echoed around the office as Ari had become frustrated with the amount of clothes you wore that was stopping his exploration. Your shirt disappeared with a single tear down the middle and then disintegrated onto the floor. Once again, he was showing off his strength, and you really didn’t care, completely and utterly, at this disposal, especially when his mouth was now sucking on your left nipple.

He lapped against the sensitive bud with his tongue flat, then sucked it into his mouth, a tight seal forming with his lips before gently biting with his sharp teeth, causing your back to arch and fingers to grip more firmly into his locks. Ari moved to the other breasts as his fingers then replaced his tongue with the wet breast, pinching and pulling until you were begging for him to touch you there.

Your mewls were not stifled at all, head tipped back and mouth wide open; nothing was filtering your volume, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you were thankful that the bar was so busy that the music and talking would hopefully cover your moans of joy.

“Ari! Please give me more!” Pulling on his slightly damp hair from the sweat, you forced his face away from your breasts so that you could devour his mouth. His hips thrust harder into yours, and even though you were both still clothed, you could feel the hardness waiting for you in his tented jeans.

Tugging on his bottom lip with your teeth,  Ari groaned and asked, “Tell me you want this, one last chance to change your mind”.

“I need this, Ari, don’t stop”.

Your back left the comfort of the wall as he began to carry you over to his desk, holding you up with one arm. The other wiped any objects onto the floor, giving him the area to lie across.

The wooden surface was cool and welcoming as he again started kissing you, both hands cupping your jaw, holding you firmly in place. Lower he moved, down your throat, collar bones and breasts. As he licked over your stomach, he finally reached to undo your jean button. As he kissed lower, he pulled the material down with him, and only when you felt startling bare did you realise that your underwear had been removed as well.

Sitting up onto your elbows, you silky commented, “You’re wearing too many clothes”. You’d wanted to explore his body with your mouth, but he was just so tall and muscular that you weren’t able to reach him even if you sat up entirely on the desk, so with a rush, you pulled on his shirt, attempting to help remove it from his body and then the same with his jeans. You noticed how his muscles were defined as they became revealed; his abs, covered in a sprinkling of hair, had your mouth watering to touch and lick, but you became distracted by what was between his legs.

Ari Levinson was fucking huge. It was definitely the most enormous cock you’d ever been with, and it shouldn’t have surprised you, but it did. His shaft was thick, and a few veins bulged like he had in his temple when mad. The tip was bulbous, glistening in precum and a deeper shade of red than the rest of his cock. Even his balls that rested beneath his length seemed more prominent than usual, and for a fleeting moment, you contemplated if it was even going to fit.

Seemingly reading your mind, Ari grasped the base of his cock that seemed to throb as your eyes moved up and down it, “Don’t worry, Princess, it’ll fit”.

Looking up at him through your lashes, you wanted to tease him a little, so you leaned forward to kiss the tip, your lips becoming salty from his juices. As you licked up the taste, Ari hissed in a breath and pushed against your chest until you were lying lengthways against the desk once more.

As he had been before, Ari manhandled you with ease, lifting one of your legs until it rested on your shoulder. You thought he was going to start fucking you straight away; however, he was just giving his hand a better position. Whilst keeping his eyes on yours, Ari spits a glob directly onto your already-soaked pussy, collecting it with his index finger before pushing it into your cunt. Your back arched into the touch; even his fingers felt thick and made you feel full. He twirled his digit, doing this mostly to stretch and pleasure you. That could be for another time, but right now, he needed to fuck you but respectfully not hurt you either.

One finger turned into two as he added his middle digit, scissoring them both, which made your hole squelch from all of the liquids. One more finger was added, and you felt fuller than ever before. The entrance to your pussy burned slightly from having three of his fingers coaxing you wider, in and out slowly, whilst turning and opening your hole. Your thighs were trembling from the stimulation already, breaths hot and heavy as you gripped the edge of the desk above your head.

How did you even end up in this situation with your boss in his office, customers and staff just outside the door as his fingers pumped into you with expert ease to attempt to fit his cock.

Your leg dropped from his shoulder, but only so he could wrap them both around his waist as he moved closer, a hand next to your head whilst the other gripped the base of his cock as you realised he was finally, at long last, lining up with your throbbing cunt. Reaching you, your fingers dig into his shoulders, gripping him like you’d always dreamed of as his tip slotted to your entrance.

Slowly, he began to push in, and your cries turned desperate. It burned more than the three fingers; his cock was so girthy and thick that you had to concentrate on taking deep breaths to remain relaxed. Inch after inch, he pushed in, and even though the burn didn’t fade immediately, you already loved the sensation of it. It was intense but something only he could provide for you, and with time, your body adjusted, and soon you were trying to rock your hips. Even though he wasn’t even fully penetrated, his tip was pushing into your cervix.

“Ari, you’re so fucking big, Jesus Christ!” your mouth dropped open as high-pitched cries filled the thick, pleasured air.

For one beautiful second, Ari actually chuckled at your desperate reactions, wanting to stay in that moment forever, seeing you laid out beneath him like his own personal platter.

As your warm, gummy walls clenched around his cock did he snap out of his admiration. Still being careful, he moved in and out slowly and held onto your waist tightly to keep you from sliding down the desk with how tightly your cunt was hugging his cock.

Eventually, you became used to it a bit more, which meant that you began to beg for it harder, needing to feel him closer, so he dropped himself down until his lips were next to your ear and his hand around your throat to hold you still.

“You’re mine, do you understand that?” he growled with a promise never to let you go.

That beautiful grin he loved so much was suddenly beaming up at him, your fingers moving to grip the wrist that was golding your throat as you declared, “I’m all yours, Ari Levinson”.

“Fuck, I love that smile”, he admits between thrusts, his eyes unblinking so that he didn’t miss a single twitch of your face as it flooded with pleasure. However, his need to taste you took over once more as he kissed you deeply, groaning and squeezing your throat a little harder but not enough to cut off your air.

The wetness of your pussy leaked over your thighs as his desk wobbled with each thrust. Your entire body felt like it was on fire which all resonated down to your core, feeling it tighten to match the hardening in your gummy walls, suffocating his cock further in its harsh grip. 

“So big, you’re so damn big, Ari, fuck I’m going to cum”, you shouted, pulling on his hair to snap his head back so that you could breathe and shout out between thrusts. He leaned up on his arm to watch your reactions again, from the furrowed eyebrows, eyes wide and pupils blown, the swollen lips that were forming the perfect O shape as you finally came.

Your cunt had been stretched so wide that when you came, you could feel it more in your abdomen than the contractions that usually fluttered through your walls.  The orgasm, therefore, lasted longer because you were overstimulated and confused with the sensation. Still, even though you couldn’t necessarily feel how your pussy squeezed, Ari sure could as he cursed loudly, releasing your neck to slam his hand on the desk as he unexpectedly pulled out just as he began to cum.

Looking between your bodies, you watched in amazement as thick spurts of his seed shot out the end of his cock and coated your stomach. With his cock now resting over your body as he shouted through his orgasm, you could see that if he had been able to fit his entire cock inside of you, it would have reached your navel. It was that big.

As both of your moans quiet to just heavy breathing, your head dropped back onto the desk, arms and legs having no more energy, also collapsed to your side. Thankfully, Ari could see the exhaustion you were experiencing, and once he’d calmed down enough, he found a box of tissues on the floor and gently wiped away the mess he’d created on your stomach.

Peaking open an eye, you looked down your body towards where your boss knelt, “I hope you aren’t expecting me to go back to work.” your voice was thick and croaky as you smiled down at him. His blue eyes flicked up to your tired face as he raised a single eyebrow, midwipe, so you continued, “I don’t think I can walk, and you’ve ripped my shirt”.

Ari smirked, standing up again to throw the tissue into the bin. He looked your body up and down, “You know, you could just wear my shirt”.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure that’ll go down well with everyone like it wasn’t already obvious that we’ve come in here for a quick fuck”.

His body leans forward, hovering over yours, all bulging muscles and hulking size making you feel small again as he confidently states, “Well, they better get used to it. You’re mine, remember?”.

[radgalniya]

black mirror season 7 thoughts(spoilers)

dare i say, this is the best black mirror season. idc idc. i love every episode, so this isn’t a real ranking. every episode is #1.

1. USS Callister: Infinity

i don’t need to explain. amazing sequel. lived up to the hype. honestly could’ve been a movie on its own. so good. i loved the reveal that walton put a clone of robert into the heart of infinity and that the entire game was built upon that. that is so sick and evil i can’t even. then when i stupidly thought robert could be good, he was exactly who we thought he would be. come to think of it, if he had access to the hospital footage where nanette was, are you really telling me he was unaware of everything else that happened. yea right good riddance. and i almost felt sorry for that stupid ho too. also, i loved pixie’s character.

2. Common People

so tragic and real. the subscription service that takes away features and adds them to a “premium” service that costs more combined with a company exploiting their access to peoples brains in order to advertise combined with a company leveraging critical healthcare to maximize profits combined with a family struggling to concieve combined with people hurting themselves to make ends meet was honestly too real and so depressingly sad. exactly what i love in a black mirror episode.

3. Hotel Reverie

is it really a good black mirror season if there’s not an episode dedicated to a lesbian romance. i mean seriously. i hated that brandy didn’t tell them what she built with clara though. it was tragic when they made her go on with the story and then to see clara sacrifice herself and how empty brandy was when it was over. was crying real tears. the ending phone call of them flirting softened the blow a bit…a bit🤏🏿issa’s acting was a little awkward when she wasn’t being comedic but i didn’t care that much bc the episode was still so enjoyable.

4. Eulogy

i’m ngl. this guy pissed me off a little bit like he was being so unfair. making it seem like carol was the sole problem in the relationship as if he didn’t cheat first w the girl he told her not to worry about. then he didn’t even stop to think about her long enough to realize she was pregnant or that something was wrong. he was clearly very selfish and self obsessed buttttt also he was young. and i was still sad that they never got the chance to see things through before she passed. like he clearly loved her. also the main guy acted his ASS off, it was amazing. and i bawled when carol’s daughter played her song and he finally remembered carol’s face. rip carol dawg

5. Plaything

i feel like this is the underdog of the season. i’m agnostic so unfortunately i spend lots of time thinking about our creation and existence. this episode had me comparing the throngs to us and our creator to cameron. like do you think god has a deep desire to prove himself worthy of us like cameron does to the throngs? bc most of us have been taught that it should be the other way around. and do you think when things go horribly wrong on this planet that it’s just another higher being fucking with us for fun. maybe our god is fighting for us and losing, we can’t really blame god for that. ig i cared less about the tech part of this episode and more about the relationship between the throngs and cameron. also someone had mentioned maybe the throngs witnessed cameron and lump and decided humanity should die and wiped them out at the end lol valid!

6. Bete Noire

this episode had me losing my mind. i suffer from this debilitating disease where i’m always right and if some raggedy bitch used some tech to manipulate reality to the point where even when i’m right, i’m technically not right…i’d lose my fucking mind. maria was so valid for going crazy. like verity girl i’m sure it hurt deeply to be bullied in hs and i fully support ur right to vengeance but this isn’t even revenge anymore. it’s just diabolical. it’s one thing to mess around like just do more of the barnie’s/bernie’s stuff. but ur driving these women to the grave!!! and in becoming empress to the universe and a famous superstar, you never considered…therapy??? or going back and changing what happened in hs?? idk there’s so many solutions here and you picked not even one correct one. also maria’s boyfriend was so annoying. if ur my man, take my side! if i say fuck that ho, cosign!

[reflectingiridescent]

hi! for the leverage hc ask game (sry if it's a lot btw, i am just bad at choosing and i love reading your hcs, you don't have to do all of them ofc): 🗝️💅 🍺 🍸👼💕🚗🖼️👔 (i feel like something in between the romantic and platonic is the best ship wise but feel free to choose whatever you prefer, however i didn't start s3 of redemption yet so if it could be something up to that?)

Prompts are here if anyone else wants to ask!

🗝️ The OG team

I do not CARE what these losers say. Season 4 and beyond, they are effectively living together. Nate is sleeping on a tiny cot in the S4 finale. He had to get that because so many people were crashing at his place after jobs/game nights/impromptu hang nights. He has more than one. WHATEVER. Sure, everyone has their own places. Sure, hanging at Nate's gets a little more complicated after he and Sophie start up their thing. But that's why Sophie has her own place, so all the serious banging can happen there because EVERYONE KNOWS that they all secretly just live at Nate's. They have a shared grocery list.

The brewpub in s5? We see Hardison and Nate both living there. Hardison learned from Boston. That place has multiple rooms, and sure, Sophie and Eliot and Parker still have their own places, but they effectively live together in that building. They don't even hide it any more in New Orleans. Even Harry gets a bedroom, and he barely went there in the beginning. This crew is COHABITING.

💅 Sophie Devereaux // 👔 Sophie x Harry

(I'm combining these)

I literally cannot stop thinking about how the whole team orchestrated getting Sophie to steal some art (but hopefully con that one billionaire at the museum) to help her grieving process but how Harry was completely Sophie's decision. Like, Sophie needs to help people. Her entire grifting policy is based around exchange, and she was an actor before she was a director. Well, acting is a service job, right? Actors help us find catharsis. They help us do our own emotional labor.

But the only person she really talked to about that was Nate? She talked with Parker about reading people and with Eliot about designing characters, but only Nate ever got the beats about the "art" of grifting. And that makes sense, right? Because for Eliot and Parker, grifting is a tool. But Nate was Sophie's biggest fan, and so he would be fascinated about her insights on her craft.

And so from the perspective that Nate knew that but the other three probably didn't, Sophie kidnapping Harry makes so much sense. Because this man:

Guilty and troubled, which is like a giant flashing sign for a grifter in general

Stealing badly (but with potential!), appealing to Sophie's mentor inclinations

Kinda wealthy-looking, which is all the more intriguing for stealing stuff! Like why is he doing it? He doesn't need the money

Clearly broken (whatever, Sophie has a type)

And for Sophie, so used to being the one who helps other people, I think being so clearly in need of help - and such a focal point of the OT3 at the same time - would have really destabilized her and felt like a threat to her identity, in a way. She talks about how the OT3 are used to seeing her in a certain way and how Harry kind of brings in possibility that they don't, and I also think that's another instance Sophie projecting.

Like the OT3 will accept any version of Sophie because they know all the things about her that are important, that she's an international woman of mystery but at the end of the day is always going to try and do the right thing and the right thing by them, even though she - and her past - occasionally gets in her own way. But I also think Sophie really likes who she has become with and for the crew, and she's the one who is uncomfortable, because she doesn't know who she is or what she's becoming after Nate's death, just that it's going to be different, and she's a little scared of who that person is going to be. She's set standards for herself based on what she is for the crew, and I think she wants space to figure that out without necessarily being held to the way she's defined herself alongside the og crew.

We see that she lands somewhere pretty similar to where she was before, but I think it was about the space to figure that out for herself, and that's why she is so vocal about having Harry around, over and over again.

And Harry has pretty great boundaries and great insight into people, actually. I think he's pretty grateful for whatever he can get from Sophie, with the knowledge that at this point in her life, she can't give a lot and he needs to treat this woman and her family with a very light grasp.

Of course, by the time he finds out that they've AGGRESSIVELY adopted him, it's too late. But that only works out well for him.

🍺 Nate Ford

Okay, this is an extremely Catholic thing, but Nate is an extremely Catholic man. So like, he went to seminary. But I think a lot about how he lets Sophie tell Parker that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of (repentant) thieves?

(I do not think Sophie is Catholic AT ALL. I actually think she was raised Jewish, just like Gina was, and just grew up celebrating secular Christmas the way that a lot of people in the UK do. And also, the fact that they leave out "repentant" at this point in the show is very significant and fantastic for the narrative, but I digress.)

Okay, so there's like 3 kind of steps you do to fully be initiated into the Catholic Church and take the faith on as your own, blah blah blah. The point is that in one of them, you make this promise for yourself that you're going to live by the faith principles in this thing called Confirmation, and as part of that, you can (you don't have to!) take a saint's name as like a symbol of that promise. It's not a patron. It's not like, a name day saint or whatever. It's just like, a thing you can do.

OKAY so I think Nate took Nicholas. And I think Sophie found that out at some point. Maybe he told her back in the day. And that's when she KNEW that this dude really had it in him to do what she does. And it became a flirty thing between them because everything ALWAYS DOES.

Anyway, Nate's confirmation saint was Nicholas.

🍸 Tara Cole // 👼 Maggie Collins

I've had a headcanon for a while that when things heat up during s3, Sophie hires Tara to keep an eye on Maggie. I think s3 is a weird time where Sophie and Tara know things about each other that they didn't before...and the door is open because of that for the first time for them really become friends instead of friendly, but they can't admit that to each other because that's too many feelings, so Sophie gives Tara a job, and Tara gets to feel like she's still helping the crew. Because she's made so much money from working with them. She doesn't really have to work anymore, but she really likes what she does. Like she likes getting paid for it, but she also likes doing it. And so this is what the two of them do while they (and Hardison, because Hardison's got the comms to Tara) slowly approach becoming friends in a way they'll both admit to.

💕 Nate x Sophie

This is such a crack-coded headcanon, but I was rewatching The Hot Potato Job the other day (one of my favorite and most watched episodes because EVERYONE gets something super cool to do in it + body swap + kids!), and that scene where Sophie and Nate wake up together is basically designed to be a headscratcher (why are you on the floor, Nate!!!), but that time I was watching it, I got the idea that Sophie had maybe been a little more dominant than Nate had really expected her to be, and the whole job, part of the friction between them is coming from how he's just finding that a little hard to accept. Because he's hard-headed and has control issues and is generally worried about messing up their friendship even though he wants her SO MUCH, and so he spends the whole job kind of working that out.

Obviously he comes around in the end, because at the end of the day, he trusts Sophie (he does not trust HIMSELF to trust Sophie, though, which he spends another year or so working out) is the most vers of all verses and just likes some spontaneity! As she deserves. Let a girl live!

🚗 Tara x Sophie

A lot of people call Sophie their best friend, but Sophie's best friend is Tara.

🖼️ Maggie x Sophie

I think one of the reasons why Maggie and Sophie become friends so quickly is like, if you watch the David Jobs, Maggie is also not doing very well? It's just that Nate is doing so so so much worse that Maggie looks pretty functional in comparison. But grifting is a method of taking control back from the world in Sophie's eyes, so it makes sense that she would try to teach Maggie that way, in a way that isn't really therapizing (and also, Maggie seems to be the kind of person who needs to do stuff to get over her emotions, not talk about them - because she has lots of spaces to do that already), to kind of help Maggie in this roundabout way.

Also, Maggie is in a lot of ways what Sophie would have ended up had she been born into better circumstances? For better or for worse. And I think that's fascinating to Sophie. Meanwhile, Sophie is fascinating to Maggie, because she just lives so differently and makes it work.

[lost-inanotherlife]

What's on the TV?

This is part 3 of my series about Juliet and performativity. You can read part 1 and part 2 for more context but, simply put, I'm trying to analyze how Juliet living on the island is portrayed in the show. I find it interesting because Juliet is, first and foremost, a prisoner, a captive, an abductee who can never really act as such because... she's not "really" a prisoner in the sense that she's imprisoned by the island but not on the island itself. Technically speaking, Juliet is rather free to move around and do as she pleases (with obvious limitations). Her imprisonment (and her weapon against it as we'll see) consists in her performativity: Juliet must perform compliance with the new "order" she found herself in since Ben has made sure she doesn't "act up" against it (Ben uses Juliet's sister, Rachel, as leverage against Juliet).

Juliet's performativity is also very gendered and nothing could make this clearer than comparing Desmond's and Juliet's introductions. So let's compare them!

Desmond is also a prisoner but, although it's a bit unfair to him, I guess we could say that he's sort of imprisoned himself in the hatch. Of course, he can't actually leave the island but also... he could leave the hatch? I mean, strictly speaking he's more of a prisoner than Juliet is AND he's less of a prisoner than Juliet is because... well, guys because Juliet is a woman, let's just say the things as they really are. LOST is revolutionary show but it's also a normie show where action and adventure and "hero's journeys" are for male characters and male characters only. This whole series of mine has started to free these women from the romantic-centric narratives they were pushed into. Not because romance is bad, as I've said multiple times I actually LOVE romance, but because romance is not the only defining quality these characters have.

Okay, let's go back to Des. Desmond's actions in "Man of Science, Man Of Faith", the episode where he's introduced, are self-centered: he wakes up, washes the dishes, works out, prepares his little gym-bro protein shake etc. Des doesn't have to think about other people because he's alone. Desmond doesn't have to perform for a "real" audience, he does the things he does to serve his own needs and his own purpose. We the real audience, however, aren't even allowed to see his face because we're supposed to get the hint: he'll be an important character, a central piece in the LOST puzzle. His face-reveal will be an important moment in the show.

2004 wasn't a better period but men had love handles on TV back then. So, in its own way, it was a better period.

On the other hand Juliet is introduced in "A Tale of Two Cities"* via a mirror: she looks herself in the mirror and not only do we immediately see her face but we also take this other hint: she's a deeply unhappy person.

* i fucking love these writers. Both episodes feature the theme of the "double": man of science vs man of faith, a tale of TWO cities. This show. THIS FUCKING SHOW. I'm telling you!

So Juliet's introduction already says a lot about her character, a character we're allowed to watch via a reflection, ergo we're not gonna get to see her "real" self, not immediately at least.

Juliet's actions are other-centered: she prepares her living room to welcome the book club, she was making brownies (which she ends up burning and hurts herself in the process *chills, literal chills as iI write this sentence*), she invites people in. Juliet does all these things and we the audience know that she doesn't want to do them. She's defined, as a character, as someone related to "service" which is, as we all sadly know, a very gendered concept as women are the ones who're "supposed" to take care of people, be helpful and be receptive to other people's needs in this fucked-up society.

We don't even know her name yet but we already know that this woman wants OUT!

The final clue as to how Desmond and Juliet are both prisoners but very different ones is given by the music they decide to play:

Desmond's "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" is self-explanatory: Cass Elliot's voice invites people to be themselves and "sing their own special song". It's, again, a reference to the Self.

Juliet's "Downtown" is, however, a song about escapism, loneliness and... performance: if you're sad and alone in your suburban home, you can just go downtown where you can play the role of being someone else for one night and "forget all your troubles".

So the different music choices reveal how these two characters are conceived as being intrinsically different: Desmond, much like Jack, can be a prisoner or... he can not be if he wants to because he can leave; Juliet, on the other hand, can't but be a prisoner. Metaphorically speaking, even if she goes "Downtown", for instance when she "escapes" on her romantic pic-nics with Goodwin, she must go back "home" and keep performing. Juliet can technically escape, as she's free to move around on the island, but she can not really escape from the island. Juliet cannot leave.

In my next post I'll hopefully talk about performativity as weapon so stay tuned!

[nuka-goblin]

reference sheets for some of my Fallout ocs! may add more of them later, but for now these guys are my main faves :)

Bios under the cut

Baron: A Pre-War pilot in the US Air Force. He met @sawyingthroughthewasteland 's Sole, Sawyer, while at a Navy officer school. After being shot down over Alaska he signed up for an experimental 'super soldier' program and frozen. The freeze was only meant to last one month, but that was before the bombs fell.

200 years later, the Enclave finds him in one of their labs, unfreezes him, and takes him to Raven Rock to perform experiments on him. Then, when Hannah happened to Raven Rock, he fled to the Brotherhood of Steel. 10 years after that, the BoS sends an envoy to the Commonwealth to find out what happened to the Prydwen - turns out, Sawyer happened. Reunited once again, Baron leaves the BoS and marries Sawyer. These days, he pilots for the Minutemen.

Dee: Born to a nuclear physicist and a Nobel prize winning biochemist, three years after being sealed in Vault 76 along with some of the most brilliant minds in America. Unfortunately, as Dee grew it turned out she wasn't brilliant - at least, not compared to her peers, the genius children and prodigies in her Vault classes. Her parents had high hopes for her, even naming her after the Hindu concept of 'dharma,' but she rebelled against expectation at every opportunity. She despised her know-it-all peers, her overbearing family, and the shit attitudes of every privileged asshole in the Vault. The Wasteland and everyone in it turned out to be much more fun.

Hannah: Ever since she was a baby, Hannah was the sweetest person you'd have ever met. (We don't talk about the toddler years.) Her father raised her Christian like her mother, but her innate sense of right and wrong always overpowered her respect for rules, God, or the Overseer - and that got her into trouble. When the Overseer made a poor choice, hurt anyone, or even said anything unkind, Hannah made sure to let him know. Many people saw her as a troublemaker for that reason - especially Butch, who hated that she always tattled on him. But she was the apple of her father's eye, and she was just as intelligent and gifted in both science and medicine as him. This served her well in the Wasteland. She's a pacifist, a paragon of virtue, and yet the Wasteland has done its damnedest to break her. Someday, it'll succeed, but her friends will do their best to delay it.

Pascha: From birth, Pascha was told she was the Chosen One. Her grandmother passed when she was young, but she knew she had big shoes to fill. Luckily, that suited Pascha (or Paz, to her pals) just fine. She always liked the power and respect. That's not to say she didn't do plenty to earn it - she was never one to sit still. She was constantly improving herself, waiting for the day she got to prove that she really was the Chosen One. Once that day came, she was eager to be a hero; but it turned out that while being a legend came naturally, acting like a hero just wasn't her style.

Peggy: Raised in a big family on a brahmin farm near Redding, but a woman with more pre-War sensibilities, Peggy left home shortly after her beloved father was conscripted into the NCRA and sent to the Mojave front. She enlisted to follow him; although she had no combat skills whatsoever, it was discovered that she had a rare and unique skillset that made her an excellent... secretary! She maneuvered to get assigned as Colonel Hsu's personal aide, hoping to leverage her position to get her father sent back home, but her father isn't the only man she ends up caring for.

Snake Eyes: Six isn't sure who she used to be before, but she doesn't particularly care. Fueled by vengeance and greed, Six kills, pays off and betrays whoever she needs to in the service of Mr. House, all in the interest of enjoying the luxury, power and respect that comes with the job. She isn't always proud of what she's done, especially to her friends, but the caps, chems and sex that she's paid in helps keep her numb to herself while the Mojave languishes around her. She goes by Six, but most people call her Snake Eyes, owing to perhaps her one scarred eye, her capacity for betrayal, or maybe her supernatural luck. That said, only the very stupid or the very brave will call her that to her face.

[bonefall]

So, since BB!Ivypool will use her newfound deputy status to force a confrontation with Dovewing- how would she react if Dovewing snaps and told her to her face that she never, EVER wanted to speak with her again after everything? Like, would it click for her that even if she deeply regrets the way she treated her sister, no matter how sorry she is its up to Dovewing if she's ever forgiven? Or does she blame Heartstar thinking she turned her sister against her?

Let's pop open the hood of BB!Ivypool and her fucked up little life, and every person she's been leading up to the end of BB!TBC.

All of this starts with her father, Lionblaze, raising her with this axiom; That you are given strength to serve your Clan.

While he used Dovepaw and her powers in service of ThunderClan (often fighting with her mentor, Birchfall), Lionblaze encouraged his daughter to involve herself in Dark Forest training. Ivypaw felt like this was how she "earned" affection from her Ba, with hard work.

Just as Lionblaze believed that his physical abuse at the paw of Ashfur made him stronger, Ivypool also came to believe that growing up thrown to the wolves made her stronger too.

So when Dovewing first started to... not even REJECT the idea, just display any resentment towards it at all, it's like a personal slight.

No one ever fucking listens to Dovewing. No one cares what she wants. Just what she can do for them.

And Ivypool was super part of that. Her mentor is Brightheart, who often overexerts herself as an expression of PTSD. She saw Hawkfrost "die" turning against Tigerstar for the greater good. She sees Bumblestripe "working so hard" to "help Dovewing adjust" while she's losing her hearing.

In her eyes, Dovewing was being selfish. Look at all these people who give EVERYTHING to their Clans-- how dare you try and make it about yourself?

Tigerheart, in and out of their life constantly, gets blamed because it's a lot easier to pin it all on the Evil Codebreaking Foreigner than admit that maybe Dovewing has a point. Ah HA! THERE is the villain responsible for making my sister act weird! I knew it all along!

(Plus Tigerheart and Ivypool got pitted against each other a LOT in DF training because Ivy was Hawkfrost's apprentice and Tigerheart was Tigerstar's, for some incredibly fucked up projection reasons you'd expect of Tunnelbunstar. Ivypool will nonsensically blame Tigerheart like she's a Dinkleberg.)

(Also tbf tigerheart would 100% let her believe it, 1. Because it's funny, and 2. Because it takes the heat off Dovewing)

And Ivypool was VICIOUS about this. AVoS is still getting shuffled but if anything vindictive she did towards Dove in that arc gets removed, I will replace it with something just as bad. She would actively sabotauge ShadowClan if it meant keeping Tigerheart away from Dovewing.

She can't handle the thought of losing Dovewing. At some point, it became about control. It's her insecurity towards herself, towards her family, towards all of her losses, and even towards service of her very Clan.

And then Dovewing booked it. Couldn't handle this shit and panicked and BAILED.

And THEN it's about getting Dovewing BACK. She's even dragged Fernsong into this and tried to leverage his friendship with Dovewing to this end. She'll even support Bumblestripe when he tries to argue for an invalidation of Queen’s Rights on technicality.

Ivypool: "Those kits are Bumblestripe's! He has a claim! They even have HIS MANE"

Heartstar: "Hmm. No, it is very clearly MY mane."

Ivypool: "You can't-- wait what?"

Heartstar: "Lightkit even has my beautiful smile <3 so fuck off, maybe?"

For a long time that's where Ivypool was. She was the awful, vindictive sister-in-law constantly trying to weasel in to make Dovewing feel bad. When she had kittens of her own, she was still in this mindset.

It didn't end well. In BB!TBC, Bristlefrost needed her. Ivypool stepped in to prevent her from being the impostor's pawn, but refused to do anything when she was caught and imprisoned for being in a HalfClan relationship. She needed to be punished as a codebreaker.

Brought to the next Gathering, the impostor reiterated the need to enforce the code, and desperate times calling for desperate measures. He called for SkyClan to punish their own warrior. They refused to make this a public spectacle.

So he sliced open her throat, right on the branch beside him.

Ivypool didn't imagine she would be KILLED. Suddenly her whole world shattered. The moon stayed clear and bright. Her daughter was dead before she hit the ground and she had HERSELF to blame.

Dovewing and Ivypool served in the rebellion together, and eventually Ivy went into the Dark Forest as a Light in the Mist. She watched Bristlefrost die, AGAIN, knocking Ashfur out of the sky and burning them both up in orbit, and how brave Shadowsight had been in pinning him in place.

Ivypool NEEDS Dovewing to know now that she's different. She's learned a lot. She understands so, so much more now...

But DOES she? She still hates Heartstar's guts. She still feels abandoned. How different ARE you now, Ivypool, with your renewed interest in finding some petty reason to skirt around Dovewing's direct wishes? When you're still here getting into blowout arguments with Heartstar?

So to answer the question, if Dovewing told her directly, "I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR DESPERATION. IM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FEELINGS. PISS OFF"

Ivypool would not be able to accept that.

It just wouldn't stick, ever. It really is desperation. Dovewing NEEDS to know that Ivypool loves her and misses her, and that she understands, but also that Heartstar is delusional, and this is still kind of Dovewing's fault. And Ivypool will do anything to make her know this.

But I also DO want to say; this is a very unique weakness. It is Dovewing Derangement Syndrome. Ivypool is a competent deputy, and she is a devoted and respected warrior of ThunderClan. It will be no surprise she's being picked for deputy, especially considering (god willing) Squirrelstar is seeking war with ShadowClan.

She is a good friend, mate, and leader. But BB!Ivypool is so, so fucked in the head about Dovewing. This family can fit so much trauma in it

[bigskydreaming]

I love your blog and I respect your opinions/reasonings in general, but Tony didn't blackmailed Peter into coming with him. This is a misinterpretation of their scene, IMO. And a lot of things in the MCU are different than in the comics; same as a lot of things in the marvel universes or different than in the 616 universe. I don't think you have to like their relationship (I'm fine with it, but it's not my favorite), however I'm not sure the reasons you gave for it being "bad" are very sound.

With all due respect, I'm not super keen on going down a MCU discourse rabbithole, so I'm going to keep this short, but Peter's literal first reaction was to say no to going to Germany and Tony's literal first response was to threaten to tell his Aunt May that he was Spider-Man. That might not rise to your personal threshold of what constitutes blackmail, but pressure was absolutely applied, and the degree of it has no bearing on the fact that it went hand in hand with how its literally illegal to take a legal minor across state lines - let alone out of the country - without their guardian's permission and yet Tony was the point person and face of the 'superheroes shouldn't be above the law' faction while cheerfully exempting himself from following any legalities he found inconvenient.

Lots of people also don't comment on the fact that the climax of the film is Tony pursuing Steve and Bucky to Siberia....without authorization from the oversight he and his side had spent all movie agreeing to submit to. At a certain point when he had the same information Steve and Bucky did, he just decided to act on his own in pursuit of them much like they decided to act on their own in pursuit of their agenda. But because Tony was NOMINALLY the head of the 'adhere to government oversight' faction, it went completely under the radar that he was doing the exact same thing he spent all movie condemning the other side for.

This all goes hand in hand for me. It exacerbates the situation with Peter, in ways where the set-up for getting Peter to Germany might not have irritated me as much without those compounding factors. But according to everything Tony paid lip service to all movie, the responsible, law-abiding reaction to being aware a minor under the legal authority of an adult guardian was engaging in risky vigilante behavior would've been.....to tell that guardian and bring them into the loop of what was happening and work out from there whether the minor joining the superhero endeavor was even in the cards, once the guardian was made aware of everything. Instead, Tony not only did the exact opposite, he used the enabling of Peter's further vigilantism vs shutting it down by alerting his guardian as leverage to help pressure Peter into assisting him with a specific endeavor.

Sorry, but to me that's blatant hypocrisy and something the script could have sold as part of Steve and his side's attempt to recruit Peter's help in that fight, but does not fit with Tony and his faction's stated goals and beliefs whatsoever. They broke the theme and messaging of their own movie just to shoehorn Peter and Tony into the dynamic they wanted, and that smacks of bad storytelling to me, which is more my issue. I genuinely don't care enough about Tony to be trying to smear him or his character with this in any way, I'm just like.....irritated that the entire MCU dynamic is built upon a foundation of shoving a narrative square peg into a round hole just to arrive at a desired end point....ie Peter as Tony's personal protege.

And I'm aware the movies don't have to follow the comics, but I'm a longtime reader of the comics, and keenly aware that the entire basis of the MCU dynamic WAS rooted in Peter and Tony briefly having a mentor/mentee dynamic during the comic book Civil War storyline. Like the MCU didn't fabricate it out of nowhere, they were directly inspired by that, and I have my issues with the comic book storyline and characterizations and so dislike that it effectively spawned the entire MCU Peter and Tony dynamic despite being only a blip in their respective overall character arcs and histories.....

But there, my biggest issue is more that just.....the MCU dynamic was inspired by and created to nominally mirror the comic book version, without ever breaking down or acknowledging that a key difference is the MCU introduced Peter as a minor under the care of an adult guardian when setting up this dynamic. Whereas in the comics, Peter was well into adulthood and no laws were actually being bent or broken or circumnavigated in pursuit of arriving at that dynamic. It couldn't directly translate onto screen as an adult and teen protege the way it existed in the comics as an adult and younger adult protege, but no attempt was made to translate the dynamic from the comics to the MCU in a way that took into account how the altered shape of their dynamic would inevitably recontextualize other elements of said dynamic in ways that had to be addressed or else....undermine their entire premise and characterization.

Which, IMO, is exactly what happened. And THAT is why it bugs me so much. I see the MCU Peter and Tony relationship and everything derived from it as a house of cards built on an inherently flawed foundation that the narrative just told people to accept as sturdy.

You certainly don't have to agree with me, but my reasons aren't really rooted in any preconceptions or pre-existing feelings about the characters that led me to look for any justification for being critical of them or their dynamic. Rather, what I perceive as shoddy storytelling that relied on the narrative just telling how the story should be interpreted even when I saw the actual events and character choices show something that was different in very key ways....this is what soured me on the MCU versions of the characters and their dynamic in the movie it was introduced in.

And so much for keeping it short. Let's just pretend what I meant by that is I'm gonna limit this to one reply instead of starting a back and forth of discourse. Cuz uh. It was. Honestly.

[kyndaris]

Fight For Me

When I was in high school, I once had a friend tell me that they had a dream where the two of us were in a gladiatorial arena. Though she was picked to fight a slew of wild animals, I had volunteered to take her place. Though I fought valiantly, I would inevitably fall to the claws and fangs of my adversaries.

While many would have felt a little disturbed to hear of such a grisly end in a friend’s dream, what I took from it was that my friend saw me as someone who would stand up for and fight for them. Even when the odds were stacked against me.

A mighty feat for anyone, let alone a five foot tall Asian woman.

And I like to think there is some truth to their image of me.

Not in a martyr sense, of course, but rather as someone who can be relied upon. Who you might turn to when you have a question about something you don’t understand, when you’re seeking advice on life, or maybe you want a lift to the nearest station. There I’ll be. 

Good ol’ reliable Kyndaris. Kind to a fault. 

True, I might grumble a bit if it’s a little out of the way, but I won’t leave you hanging.

I like to think my love language, then, is acts of service. Whether I give or receive. 

And though friendships aren’t exactly reciprocal transactions – and I often simply like to provide assistance without recompense – there are times when I would prefer if others would think of me. Just a smidge. And not just in the sense of: oh, haven’t talked to Kyndaris in a while, maybe I should them a video or message. 

Rather, I’d prefer it if they took in consideration the sacrifices I must pay in terms of distance and time to attend their events. For, let’s be honest, it’s not easy to drive upwards of fifty minutes to a distant warehouse every Tuesday to play badminton when the others take, at most, fifteen to twenty (depending on traffic) instead. This is, after all, time and money I won't ever be able to get back.

But it’s not simply in my friendships where I find a lack of allies supporting my cause.

As an only child, I have almost always stood alone as I took the full brunt of anger of my parents when we argue. Throughout childhood, I had no one to commiserate on the wrongs I had suffered. No soundboard who could help calm down my racing thoughts. Or even a shoulder to lean on.

There was simply ‘me’ versus ‘them.’ 

A battle to the death where one side was proven right and the other wrong. Where one side was big, the other small. And there was nothing I could do about it.

Another friend I caught up with once told me that my threats to self-harm are the only weapons I have because I have no other leverage to use. At least against my family. And, admittedly, I feel like there is some truth to it. Responsibility and duty hang heavy on my shoulders. It was how I was raised, and how I often see the obligations I must fulfil.

So, it is any wonder that when I take away all the artifices, what lies at the core of me is the need to know if people actually care. Or are genuinely interested in what I have to say and remember the things I tell them. For example, when I mention my weekend plans to a work colleague only for them to forget and ask me again not even a day later. Active listening, thou didst not.

And while I’m sure therapy will tell me it all circles back to childhood trauma, the hound of doubt in my head wonders about the strength of my friendships as well. Because even there, I feel like I don’t have anyone who would stand at my side if things got too real. I mean, sure, I do have the one friend that if I were to show up at her door with several bodies in the boot of my car (trunk for all the American readers out there), she’d help me bury the bodies (but she’s also the type to do it for everyone who would rock up to her door. Namely because she knows all things about forensics and would be an invaluable source of information for disposal purposes). But if came to throwing themselves into the maw of a lion, I don’t know for certain if anyone would put their hand up for it.

Maybe this is me being a bit glum, watching as my friends pair off and find their happily-ever-afters while I remain bitterly alone. But I’m also tired of being pressed up against the wall and having no one standing beside me to fight against the dragon opposite.

For, in order to have others stand with me, I need to cajole and coax them to my side. Either by offering more of myself or by cutting away parts to make sure I’m palatable to their tastes. For none will stand by my side of their own free will without a bribe of some sort.

And as I've grown older, it's no longer the price I wish to pay.

I know I do not have a face that will launch a thousand ships. I can be surly and prickly; more prone to being guarded than open when it comes to my heart. But in the end, I just want someone to reach out a helping hand. To know I do not fight alone.

The power of friendship may be the strongest thing there is in the world of anime and video games, yet oft times it seems to be surprisingly absent for me.

Is it because of the bridges I burned in my youth when I was too afraid to engage with the world? Or is it because I’m too closed off; terrified of leaving myself vulnerable to hurt and pain?

Or, perhaps, it may simply be that my expectations are too high. 

Life, after all, is not like the stories I enjoy: with strangers banding together and forging an unbreakable bond as they face the evil plaguing their world. Life is messy and everyone is facing their own separate individual struggles. A little sacrifice now and then is nice but in the long run, humans are egotistical creatures who look first to their own needs rather than those of others. So, to ask them for more does seem unfair.

And yet...

At the end of the day, I may not need a knight in shining armour, but I do want it. Or even a stalwart ally. The gay best friend. Or a veritable supply of supporting cast mates.

Just to show that I matter. 

That they care.

That I’m not just another face in a crowd of thousands. 

That someone will fight for me.

Especially when I can’t fight for myself.

Granted, it’s probably wishful thinking. 

For now, though, I’ll just glory in my various forms of media where friendship and connection elevate people beyond what they can do alone (along with fighting God). While wishing for the day where I can find people who resonate with the core of who I am on the inside.

In other news, I'm finally nearing the end of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (at time of writing, not at time of when this goes up. Because, let's be honest, I'll have moved on to another game). And let me tell you what a WILD ride it's been!

Fingers crossed I get the platinum!

[mariacallous]

The relationship between Elon Musk and the European Union deteriorated further on Monday, with the bloc launching a formal investigation into the way X has been run since the billionaire took over last year.

Senior officials from the European Commission said they were concerned about a range of new features that have been added to X under Musk, as well as the way violent content related to the Hamas attack on Israel was allowed to spread without consistently being labeled with a graphic content warning.

EU officials also said they would be investigating whether users on the platform are being misled about the trustworthiness of people who pay for blue checkmarks—a feature that was previously reserved for verified users such as celebrities, public figures, or journalists. Since Musk’s takeover, the platform has allocated blue checks to paying subscribers, a feature that researchers say has been leveraged to spread scams and disinformation.

Another focus for the investigation is whether Community Notes—X’s crowdsourced fact-check program—can work in languages other than English or intervene fast enough during elections.

Other concerns raised by the EU include the way users can notify X when they have seen illegal content and whether the platform is too focused on the English language in its content moderation operations. X has more than 2,000 English-speaking moderators, but only one Dutch-speaking moderator and one Polish moderator, according to a tally the company released last month.

With the investigation, X becomes the first major platform to face a formal probe for violating rules included in the European Union’s new Digital Services Act, which has the power to tell tech companies to change the way they operate or fine them up to 6 percent of their global revenue. “Today’s opening of formal proceedings against X makes it clear that, with the DSA, the time of big online platforms behaving like they are ‘too big to care’ has come to an end,” said Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal markets commissioner. An in-depth investigation will now take place.

“X remains committed to complying with the Digital Services Act,” company spokesperson Joe Benarroch told WIRED, adding that the platform is cooperating with regulators. “It is important that this process remains free of political influence and follows the law.”

The investigation is the beginning of a process where officials will carry out interviews and gather more evidence. “We take any breach of our rules very seriously. And the evidence we currently have is enough to formally open a proceeding against X,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president for digital affairs in Europe.

The announcement follows an initial EU investigation that was opened against X in October, also citing concern that graphic illegal content and disinformation linked to Hamas’ attack on Israel was able to spread widely. Israeli fact-checking groups say they have been worried about content on X since the Hamas attack on October 7. “X significantly contributed and enabled the spread of graphic, offensive, and false information in and about Israel,” says Edan Ring, VP of community affairs at the Israeli Internet Association. “Our experiences … have revealed a concerning lack of urgency and effectiveness in X's response.”

Back in October, Musk clashed publicly with Breton. In a series of posts on X, Musk accused Breton of carrying out backroom dealing, prompting Breton to use his account to promote X competitor BlueSky. “The EU's relationship with X has been rocky ever since Musk took over,” says Mathias Vermeulen, director of Brussels-based data rights consultancy AWO. “Whereas Musk had told Breton back in May 2022 that the DSA is ‘exactly aligned with my thinking,’ it is clear that the EU doesn't exactly agree with that statement anymore.”

There is no deadline for when the EU investigation has to conclude.

[rhees-rapture]

Rhee and his relationship with others

In the beginning of Rhee's interactions with players/participants, he exhibited manipulative behavior. He would initially be very nice, but as people disagreed with him, he would become more difficult and then switch back to being apologetic. This pattern of emotional ups and downs is similar to the tactics used by abusive partners in controlling relationships. As a child, I learned about this behavior, and I incorporated it into shaping Rhee's character as a villain. Drawing from my knowledge of psychology and sociology, as well as my personal experiences, I aimed to capture the negative traits associated with manipulation.

However, as the project progressed, Rhee became less manipulative towards the players. In Acts 1 and 2, he displayed extreme manipulative tendencies. But as the character felt that people genuinely cared about his experiences and did not ridicule him for the abuse he endured, he started to become more vulnerable and collaborative. This shift in behavior (manipulation with players and others) primarily relates to his past and is most prominent in Acts 1 and 2.

I remember my mother once telling me that you can gauge how mean a man is by the number of gifts he gives a girl. This statement was based on my father's abusive behavior, where he would shower my mother with gifts as a way to apologize regardless of the extent of the abuse. This personal experience influenced my portrayal of Rhee, as he would abuse others and then attempt to make amends through material offerings.

Growing up in a place filled with greedy individuals obsessed with sex, money, and power, Rhee learned that people could be bought and manipulated through money. In Act 1, Rhee offers Rapture money to read a poem for him, and in Act 2, he moves in with her, becoming her sole source of income. He would often use this financial leverage to manipulate her into subservience when she didn't comply with his wishes.

From his teenage years onward, Rhee struggled to maintain meaningful relationships. He would often seek the services of prostitutes instead of pursuing genuine connections with women. In these encounters, he didn't have to be kind or patient; money would do the talking. I portrayed him with a short temper and impatience, reflecting his instability that would occasionally seep through.

As Rhee neared the end of his journey, I deliberately made him explosive. Holding his emotions in for so long, I wanted to show him beginning to unravel.

Throughout his life, Rhee had been in relationships with women, with one being more significant than the others, that will be explored in the prequel. However, even during these times, he continued to engage with sex workers. He saw them as disposable and objectified them, referring to them as "dixie cups." One sex worker had a complicated relationship with him, and while their connection was not conventionally romantic, there was a deep understanding between them. This emotional bond posed a challenge for Rhee, leading him to withdraw as he feared causing harm to those he became close to.

Towards the end of the story, as players grew closer to Rhee, I had him withdraw. Interactions became fewer and shorter. I imagined that it was painful for him to talk to people he had become close to, knowing the truth and feeling that they too knew he was going to die.

Rhee is a complex character who slowly evolved into an anti-hero of sorts as the story unfolded.

[advmannucompliance]

Streamline Your Business with Expert ESIC Compliance Services

Navigating the complexities of labour laws is a critical aspect of running a business in India, and compliance with the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) regulations is a key component. ESIC compliance ensures that employees receive essential social security benefits, such as medical care, maternity benefits, and disability support, while employers avoid penalties and legal complications. MS Sankhla & Co., a trusted leader in compliance solutions, offers specialized ESIC Compliance Services to help businesses meet these requirements seamlessly.

Why ESIC Compliance Matters

The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, mandates that businesses with 10 or more employees (in certain cases) register with ESIC and contribute to the scheme. This ensures employees have access to healthcare and financial support during emergencies, fostering a secure and motivated workforce. However, ESIC compliance involves complex processes like registration, contribution calculations, timely remittances, and maintaining accurate records, which can be challenging without expert guidance.

Key benefits of ESIC compliance include:

Employee Welfare: Provides medical, maternity, and disability benefits, enhancing employee satisfaction.

Legal Protection: Avoids penalties and legal disputes by adhering to ESIC regulations.

Reputation Boost: Demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and regulatory compliance.

Operational Efficiency: Streamlines payroll and compliance processes with proper systems in place.

With MS Sankhla & Co.’s ESIC Compliance Services, businesses can ensure full compliance while focusing on their core operations.

Why Choose MS Sankhla & Co. for ESIC Compliance?

MS Sankhla & Co. is a renowned provider of compliance solutions, offering tailored ESIC Compliance Services to simplify the process for employers. Their team of experts brings in-depth knowledge of ESIC regulations, ensuring businesses meet all requirements efficiently and accurately.

What sets MS Sankhla & Co. apart:

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End-to-End Support: From registration to contribution management and audits, they handle every aspect.

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Timely Compliance: Ensures all filings and payments are completed on time to avoid penalties.

By partnering with MS Sankhla & Co. for ESIC Compliance Services, businesses can save time, reduce risks, and focus on growth.

Key Components of ESIC Compliance

ESIC compliance involves several critical tasks, including:

Registration: Registering the business and employees with the ESIC portal.

Contribution Management: Calculating and remitting employer and employee contributions accurately.

Record-Keeping: Maintaining up-to-date records for audits and inspections.

Compliance Audits: Ensuring all processes align with ESIC regulations.

MS Sankhla & Co.’s ESIC Compliance Services cover all these areas, providing businesses with a hassle-free way to stay compliant. Their experts guide you through the entire process, from initial registration to ongoing compliance management, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with ESIC regulations can lead to severe consequences, including hefty fines, legal action, and reputational damage. Additionally, non-compliance can disrupt employee trust and affect workplace morale. By leveraging MS Sankhla & Co.’s ESIC Compliance Services, businesses can mitigate these risks and maintain a compliant, employee-friendly workplace.

Take Control of Your ESIC Compliance Today

Don’t let the complexities of ESIC compliance burden your business. MS Sankhla & Co.’s ESIC Compliance Services offer a reliable, expert-driven solution to ensure your business meets all ESIC requirements with ease. Their services are designed to save you time, reduce compliance risks, and enhance employee welfare.

Visit MS Sankhla & Co.’s website today to learn more about their ESIC Compliance Services and schedule a consultation. Take the first step toward a compliant and thriving workplace with MS Sankhla & Co.!

[snehalj808]

Why Choosing the Right Medical Billing Company in USA Matters for Your Practice

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, efficient revenue cycle management is crucial for the success of any medical practice. With the complexities of insurance claims, coding updates, and regulatory compliance, many healthcare providers are turning to specialized services for help. That’s where a medical billing company in USA like GoSourceMD plays a vital role.

What Does a Medical Billing Company Do?

A medical billing company acts as an intermediary between healthcare providers and insurance companies. They manage patient billing, insurance claims processing, and ensure timely reimbursement for services rendered. This not only improves cash flow but also reduces administrative burden on medical staff.

Key services typically include:

Insurance verification

Accurate medical coding (CPT, ICD-10, HCPCS)

Claim submission and follow-up

Payment posting and patient invoicing

Denial management and appeals

Benefits of Hiring a Medical Billing Company in USA

Improved Accuracy and Compliance Medical billing involves strict guidelines and frequent regulatory updates. Errors in coding or claim submission can lead to denials or delayed payments. A professional billing company like GoSourceMD ensures that every claim is coded correctly and submitted in compliance with current laws.

Faster Reimbursements By leveraging advanced billing software and expert teams, companies like GoSourceMD reduce turnaround time, resulting in faster payments and better cash flow for providers.

Cost Savings Outsourcing eliminates the need for in-house billing staff, reduces training costs, and avoids investment in expensive billing software. This allows clinics and hospitals to focus on patient care rather than paperwork.

Access to Analytics and Reporting Professional billing firms provide detailed performance reports, helping you understand revenue trends, claim approval rates, and financial health—all essential for strategic growth.

Why Choose GoSourceMD?

GoSourceMD is a trusted medical billing company in USA offering end-to-end billing and coding solutions tailored to your practice. With a team of experienced professionals and HIPAA-compliant systems, GoSourceMD ensures accuracy, transparency, and peace of mind for healthcare providers.

Here’s what makes GoSourceMD stand out:

98% first-pass claim acceptance rate

Dedicated account managers

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Specialized billing support for multiple specialties including family practice, cardiology, and mental health

Whether you're a small private clinic or a multi-specialty healthcare facility, GoSourceMD offers scalable solutions to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing to a reliable medical billing company in USA can significantly improve your practice’s financial performance and allow your team to focus on patient care. Companies like GoSourceMD bring in the expertise, tools, and reliability you need to streamline your revenue cycle and grow your business.

Ready to simplify your medical billing process? Visit GoSourceMD today to learn how you can get started.

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SAP S/4HANA Migration: Unlocking Business Transformation in 2025

As the 2027 end-of-support deadline for SAP ECC looms, businesses are prioritizing migration to SAP S/4HANA to stay competitive and future-ready. This next-generation ERP, built on the in-memory HANA database, offers unparalleled speed, agility, and innovation. This blog explores why migration is critical, key challenges, and actionable steps for a successful transition, all tailored for 2025’s dynamic business landscape.

Why Migrate to SAP S/4HANA?

SAP S/4HANA redefines enterprise resource planning with real-time processing and simplified architecture. Key drivers for migration include:

End of ECC Support: SAP ECC support ends in 2027, with extended support until 2030 at a premium. Migration ensures compliance, security, and access to new features.

Performance Boost: The HANA database accelerates data processing, enabling real-time analytics for faster decision-making.

Streamlined Operations: Simplified data models, like the Universal Journal, reduce complexity and enhance efficiency across finance, logistics, and more.

Innovation Enablement: S/4HANA supports AI, machine learning, and IoT, driving predictive insights and automation.

Modern User Experience: SAP Fiori’s intuitive interface improves productivity and user adoption.

Migrating now positions businesses to leverage these benefits and avoid disruptions.

Challenges in S/4HANA Migration

While the rewards are significant, migration presents challenges:

Data Migration: Cleansing and transforming large datasets from ECC to S/4HANA is complex, risking errors if not handled meticulously.

Custom Code Overhaul: Legacy customizations often require rework to align with S/4HANA’s architecture.

Change Management: New processes and Fiori’s interface demand robust user training to ensure adoption.

Cost and Planning: Migration involves licensing, infrastructure, and consulting costs, requiring careful budgeting.

Business Continuity: Poorly managed migrations can disrupt operations during cutover.

Addressing these challenges with a clear strategy is essential for success.

Strategic Migration Approaches

Businesses can choose from three migration paths:

Greenfield: A fresh implementation, ideal for reengineering processes but time-intensive.

Brownfield: Converts ECC to S/4HANA, preserving existing configurations for faster deployment but retaining legacy complexities.

Hybrid: Selectively migrates data and processes, balancing innovation and continuity.

The choice depends on business goals, system complexity, and resources. Tools like SAP Readiness Check aid in assessing the best fit.

Steps for a Successful Migration

Assess and Plan: Use SAP tools to analyze ECC landscapes, define objectives, and create a roadmap.

Prepare Data: Cleanse and map data using SAP Data Services to ensure accuracy.

Adapt Systems: Upgrade ECC to a compatible version, adjust custom code, and verify add-on compatibility.

Execute Conversion: Use Software Update Manager (SUM) for database and application migration, followed by rigorous testing.

Train and Deploy: Train users on Fiori and new processes, execute a smooth cutover, and provide post-go-live support.

Best Practices

Start early to avoid rushed timelines.

Partner with experienced SAP consultants.

Prioritize data quality and user training.

Leverage SAP tools like SUM and Maintenance Planner.

Monitor post-migration performance for continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA in 2025 is a strategic move to unlock innovation, efficiency, and scalability. By addressing challenges with careful planning and expert support, businesses can transform their ERP systems and thrive in a digital-first world. Act now to ensure a seamless transition before the 2027 deadline.