#induction consideration

[bogwarg]

Homestead Greys In Star Trek DS9

I recently started watching Deep Space 9 and it brought the biggest smile to my face to see Sisko wearing a Homestead Greys hat.

The Homestead Grays were a Pittsburgh-based Negro league baseball team that played in the Negro National League from 1922 to 1948…

The Homestead Grays were one of the most successful Negro league baseball teams, winning multiple championships in the Negro National League. The Homestead Grays weren’t inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame UNTIL 2006 (almost 60 years later!). The teams primary owner was inducted 60 years after his death. They were one of the best baseball teams PERIOD… They won nine straight league titles 1937-48. So seeing one of the characters in a show from the 90’s represent this team years before the baseball hall of fame even did made me so happy… The record stats from the Homestead Greys weren’t put into consideration into baseball history until this year! The Homestead Greys had some of the best baseball players of all time on their team.

As someone from Pittsburgh seeing this team represented in something as impactful as Star Trek made me so happy. Whoever did the costuming for Star Trek Deep Space 9, excellent job.

EDIT: I’ve read some of the tags and from my understanding it seems like it was Avery Brooke’s idea to include the Homestead Greys cap in DS9. Atm I am unable to confirm that. Either way, that’s so fucking cool and really has added a lot to the show for me!!

[heliobyandere]

Yandere Kinich Profile !

A/N: I don't read Cinnamonest's fanfics, but I was greatly inspired by her Yandere Profile template, even taking many of the NON-NSFW questions. It's my first time doing an Yandere Profile, sorry if any errors.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚎𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

You're a new person at Natlan, you came from another region or mayhaps another world like the traveler. You were walking past some trees and then you hear someone arguing in one of the trees and you found a light tan boy with black hair and yellow-green eyes, which by what that strange saurian he is arguing with he is called Kinich.

To catch his attention to he become obsessed with you I believe you should have any ties with Natlan by ancestors or something to do with khaenri'ah that you have anything to do with the Night Kingdom. You have to be really "outside the box", something he never saw.

After that you started having talks with Kinich and that strange saurian, which you discovered that it's name is Ajaw.

He started liking you and was genuinely interested in your ties, he starts being pretty much of a helper to you in this new region you arrive as I believe he is much of acts of service than any other. He is always there to help you in any case.

He doens't how to act sweet so he tries to help you by acts of service.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

When you get badly injuried by any enemy when he says to you stay with him.

He warned you but you didn't listen, you are so naive that you thought you could stay alone in a dangerous region. But maybe you aren't so naive and you're just stupid. I don't know why eould you be at somewhere.

Or maybe if you risk too much for too little. You are just stupid to him, but a stupid where he is obsessed with.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

Manipulative, Overprotective, Loneliness Induction and Stalker. He is somewhat more someone who uses his head to anything. It isolates you from possible "threats" by making them stay away from you.

He pretty much knows how to do everything quickly and easily. For him you don't need anyone else. As I already said, he is much more of an acts of service yandere.

Also he wants you to depend on him. Be it by don't making you do anything by yourself or just breaking your legs.

Also he is pretty of a stalker, it's easy to him to hid in any tree and he thinks you're interesting.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚎, 𝚕𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚍 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚���

He is pretty aware that he developed an obsession and that it is unhealthy, but he is pretty much liking this feeling and Ajaw don't stop bothering him about it.

He at first just wanted your friendship, you're interesting, you're pretty, you're someone kind, etc. He just wanted your friendship, until he wanted more and more about you. And when he realized it was already a little too late.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚒𝚍𝚗𝚊𝚙 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

After a life or death situation he will make you stay at his house and even when you get better he will still keep telling you that it is better for you to stay at his home. You know nothing about the terrain so everything is easy for him.

And he will always lock you in his house.

You'll be there so long that you won't even realize you've been kidnapped.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚒𝚖? 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

Easy at certain times of the year, like when he goes pro Easy at certain times of the year, like when he goes to the tournament and if you're lucky he wins, he goes to war against the abyss, and you'll have more time to plan an escape.

At first he leaves you tied up, for the few first escapes, after much time and consideration he will take off your chains. Everything will be babyproof, and everything will have to at least have thought about how to make everything inescapable.

After that he will just straight up break your legs.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚔, 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

He is pretty much aware that you will try to trick him or even manipulate him. It's not that easy, but being not too good not too bad he will think you're being normal and not trying to manipulate him.

If you're either too good or too bad he won't be manipulable. If you're too good he will get it as a way of trying to manipulate him. If you're too bad with him he will be punishing you by breaking your legs or isolation.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎? 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚎𝚍?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

You have any privileges, except going out of his home. You can walk if you didn't did anything wrong, you can help him with some unharmful things at home such as do the dishes. It's pretty normal a life with him if it wasn't for hum being yandere.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚖𝚊𝚍? 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

Silent but aggressive anger. He will just be silent and ignore you, if you continue being a brat he will just smack your head against the wall.

But it's pretty rare his anger and it's not that easy. He's going to have to be in a bad mood and so are you, and you're going to have to be a brat.

ㅤㅤ 𓉸ྀི ִ ࣪ㅤ⋆ 𝙳𝚘 𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖, 𝚋𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚖, 𝚘𝚛 𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚖?ㅤ۫ ❤︎⎯ᛝ𐙚₊˚⊹

Equal, but sometimes beneath. If you got kidnapped definitely he will see you as a stupid because he need to protect you now.

But he sees you as an equal. Not less, not more. He will treat you like a normal person, but he wants you to depend on him.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

hello! may i ask for some advice on writing women involved in the mafia? i'm having difficulty finding realistic ways women involved can be inducted (aside from being a wife), work, and climb up the ranks when the italian mafia was quite patriarchal, conservative, and catholic. thank you very much!

Writing Notes: Women in the Mafia

Mafia - hierarchically structured society of criminals of primarily Italian or Sicilian birth or extraction. The term applies to the traditional criminal organization in Sicily and also to a criminal organization in the United States.

Investigations conducted by U.S. government agencies in the 1950s and ’60s revealed that the structure of the American Mafia was similar to that of its Sicilian prototype.

In the United States, the organization had adopted the name Cosa Nostra [Italian: “Our Affair”].

From the 1950s, Mafia operations were conducted by some 24 groups, or “families,” throughout the country.

In most cities where syndicated crime operated, there was one family, but in New York City there were 5: Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno.

The heads of the most powerful families made up a commission whose main function was judicial.

At the head of each family was a “boss,” or “don,” whose authority could be challenged only by the commission.

Each don had an underboss, who functioned as a vice president or deputy director, and a consigliere, or counselor, who had considerable power and influence.

Below the underboss were the caporegime, or lieutenants, who, acting as buffers between the lower echelon workers and the don himself, protected him from a too-direct association with the organization’s illicit operations.

The lieutenants supervised squads of “soldiers,” who often had charge of one of the family’s legal operations (e.g., vending machines, food-products companies, or restaurants) or illegal operations involving prostitution, gambling, or narcotics.

By the late 20th century the Mafia’s role in U.S. organized crime seemed to be diminishing.

Convictions of top officials, defections by members who became government witnesses, and murderous internal disputes thinned the ranks.

In addition, the gradual breakup of insulated Italian-Sicilian communities and their assimilation into the larger American society effectively reduced the traditional breeding ground for prospective mafiosi.

Sicilian Mafia

Hierarchically structured organization of criminals in Sicily, Italy.

Made up of a coalition of criminal organizations—called “families” or “clans” in English and cosche (singular, cosca) in Italian—which engage in extortion, smuggling, gambling, and the mediation of disagreements between other criminals.

The term Mafia has become synonymous in English with organized crime, but technically Mafia refers only to the Sicilian organization and its Sicilian American counterpart in the United States.

Women in the Mafia

Men have dominated the history of organized crime as bosses, capos, soldiers and associates.

They traditionally relegated women to servile roles as prostitutes, shills, dancers and servers.

America’s La Cosa Nostra and Sicily’s Mafia are old-style patriarchies.

In Mob movies, females typically portray mothers, wives, siblings, girlfriends, “molls” and, at best, crime-wise, low-level smugglers.

The Mafia is a criminal organization renowned for being "full male chauvinists" (Pizzini-Gambetta 1999, 257) where no woman has ever been admitted into in.

However, despite their exclusion, women have featured in norms upheld by this criminal group.

The Mafia is usually depicted, especially by the media, as a conservative, male-dominated organization, but it is probably less backward and more flexible than the rest of society would like to think and believe.

A "good" woman of the Mafia is expected to dedicate her life to her family and especially to her husband.

Women who participate in Mafia's illicit activities are usually unemployed and live in the most deprived areas of Sicilian cities.

These types of women are quite easy targets for Cosa Nostra.

Usually they are contacted "through an intermediary (so that, if captured will no be in the position to tell anything about the organization) and to offer them a relatively easy way to make money, selling drugs in the areas where they live, usually from their own homes and frequently using their children as couriers" (De Pretis 1996, 5).

These are the types of activities that women tend to be selected for.

Different from men, women can move freely in their environment without arousing suspicions in the police.

In addition, with the growth of the international drug trade (particularly towards the United States), which enabled the Mafia to expand, the organization was forced to "employ" more workers, including women.

Women took advantage of prejudice: they passed unsuspected across international borders, where the presence of female customs officers to search them was exceptional.

It is also important to note that "although these women are recruited primarily as a criminal force, they often have to accept sexual intercourse with their referents, who regard this practice as their own right" (De Pretis 1996, 6).

It can be said that for long time, the Italian law favoured female criminals and indeed their partners, albeit indirectly.

For example, Mafiosi used women's names to register companies, properties and bank accounts.

It can be claimed that the system worked perfectly for the honoured organization because "women, even wives of high-ranking Mafiosi, were considered beyond suspicion. Since there was not legal definition of the Mafia, there was no way of connecting a bank account in a woman's name with a drug smuggling ring" (Longrigg 1997, 18).

Anti-Mafia crackdowns by Italian police started in the 1980s with stringent new laws.

According to the investigative news website TransCrime, while Italian courts indicted only one female boss in 1989, they indicted 89 of them in 1995.

Male bosses headed for prison commonly hand their assets over to their wives or sisters. Even though women made up only 2.5 percent of those sent to prison for Mafia-linked crimes, they controlled a third of Mafia financial resources.

Women have served as acting bosses in Italy’s major crime families, including the ’Ndrangheta and Camorra.

“There is a growing number of women who hold executive roles,” Gaetano Maruccia, an Italian police commander in greater Naples, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper in 2009. “They are either widows or wives of husbands who have been put in prison. They hold the reins. They’re very good at mapping out strategy, even sharper (than the men).”

Example: Maria Licciardi

Naples, Italy, is the home of the Camorra, a group of savvy, ruthless organized criminal clans that try to work together but have a history of deadly internal clashes.

By the late 1990s, during a murderous feud among Camorra cliques, a Neapolitan woman in her late 40s, Maria Licciardi, materialized as the boss of one of the largest Camorra families, the Secondigliano clan.

In 2001, while a fugitive from the law for two years, Licciardi made it onto a list compiled by Italian police of the nation’s thirty most wanted criminals.

Licciardi was born in 1951 in the Secondigliano section of northern Naples.

Some came to regard her as a boss within the Camorra organized crime group from 1993 to 2001.

Her ascendancy to the apex of a Camorra crime group occurred as women were stepping into leadership roles in the syndicate left open by men arrested, imprisoned or killed in the 1990s and 2000s.

That trend continued alongside battles won by Italy’s criminal justice system.

Some wives of Mafia bosses will cut and package cocaine and heroin for their husbands at home while also performing traditional family duties such as cooking, cleaning and raising children.

While men mostly handle the violent side of things, some of these women are as capable of making threats and extorting money from victims, and running drug sales operations, as their male spouses. Licciardi was one such person.

She grew up with a close-knit family deeply involved in the Camorra syndicate. Her father served as a clan boss.

She seized power as a “madrina” (godmother) in the Secondigliano clan after police arrested her two brothers, Pietro and Vincenzo, and her husband, Antonio Teghemi.

She took over the mantle to manage the clan’s prostitution, drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling, extortion and other rackets.

Smart and practical, steeped in Camorra business, she conversed with various male Camorra bosses, listening, debating and taking action as their equal.

During the late 1990s, Licciardi gained the confidence of the “guappos” (bosses) of twenty warring criminal gangs within the Camorra in Naples.

She used her skills as a negotiator to convince them that fighting was bad for business and unity would bring more money for everyone and avoid bloodshed.

Her view held sway in Naples. For several months, there were no Mob-related slayings in the city.

Then, a gang war erupted over a substantial shipment of heroin from Istanbul:

The cache was not refined, too strong and posed a deadly risk for users. Licciardi rejected the drugs and ordered the load returned.

A rival clan, the Lo Russo, disobeyed, snatched the drug supply and sold the powder in small bags.

As it turned out, the heroin was indeed too pure to use, and nearly a dozen addicts died on city streets.

Publicity about the deaths led police to arrest various known local hoodlums. The fragile union Licciardi created fell apart.

Rival Camorra clans began to rebel.

Over 8 days, they shot several of her clan’s people to death.

One of her nephews died in the clashes.

Licciardi fought back with her gunmen.

Within a few days, in revenge, she allegedly had 14 people murdered.

Police believe Licciardi commanded the deaths of about 30 people in all.

Her petite stature emboldened some to assign her the nickname “la piccolina,” or the little one.

Others named her the “Camorra Princess.”

Still, she proved herself as unabashed as her male counterparts in ordering people killed.

Neapolitan police came after her with an arrest warrant in 1999.

Police raided the meeting of 13 Mafia bosses and arrested them, but Licciardi eluded the cops.

She went into hiding until officers pulled a car over outside Naples, and recognized her in it, in 2001.

Since then, Licciardi has been in prison, living under the harsh conditions of isolation from the outside world as dictated by Italian law for convicted Mafiosi.

She has dropped out of the limelight, but not from her clan’s rackets.

In 2009, Anna Maria Zaccaria, a sociologist at Naples Federico II University, told the Associated Press: “She’s in prison, but she still commands.”

Sources: 1 2 3 ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

Thanks for this request, I found this quite interesting. You could use stories like Maria Licciardi's as inspiration. And additional stories I found [1, 2] that you could do further research on, since this is a really long post already. Hope this helps with your writing!

[veryveryverytemporarily]

HMP RIGHTWORTH  

No. 589876R

Name: Robert Sugden

Wing: CW c34   segregation c3

Case Review: 02

Date. 18.11.2019  Start Time 12. 20

Present at Meeting: Unit Manager M. Carter, Custody Officer Adil Khan, Duty Officer P. Ducksworth, Trainee Officer Cory Young, Rehabilitation Officer N. Paracha

Absent:  Governor L. Harris,  Dr. F.R. Hollings

Notes: 

Cat A. Transferred from HMP Hotten on friday, serving life minimum 14 years, first time offender - no previous prison experience. Induction status; complete. Interaction with duty staff; compliant, polite. Physical health; good. Mental health; distressed but nothing indicating underlying MH issues. 

He requested and was granted a call to his solicitor.

He has declined his right to visits from anyone including his husband and other relatives or friends. He has also asked not to be forwarded any personal mail except from his solicitor.

Consideration for cell allocation: Sugden is bisexual and in a same sex marriage; he expressed a disinterest in keeping his sexual orientation hidden to the duty officer during his induction.Trainee Officer Young also volunteered the opinion his looks could invite unwelcome attention. There is a space in C Wing c 34 with Shaw and Pearson who are also lifers now in their third and fifth year. Both are even keeled with no recent records of disruptive/violent behavior. They should be able to share the ropes and pass on their wisdom.

Risk Rating: Community: 5/10 (standard at entry) Self: 5/10 (standard at entry)

Action: 

Move to DW cA4 today.

Rehabilitation Officer Paracha to urge Sugden to get in contact with members of his family by phone or letter, and to explain once again the financial implications of refusing to apply for a job, including the 50p a week fine from his weekly 5 allowance, and that it will go on his record and stand against him when the time comes up for parole.

Routine observations to be followed on social interaction and well-being, with extra vigilance on 9th November which is the date of his son’s second birthday.

Meeting Ended:12.40

[svt-yexi]

Random Yexi Facts: Part 4

When on tour she tries to donate to organizations on the local area while she's there

On her birthday she always donates to charities in Korea, China, and the US since all have been part of her growing up.

She has two other names she has writing credits under for songs she does personally that have no ties to seventeen.

In 2020 she was inducted into the KOMCA

In 2025 she is in consideration for being inducted into the MCSC which is China's equivalent, but under a pseudonym.

Her first date with Jaehyun was actually orchestrated by the 97 liners by planning a meet up and no one else showing up but the two of them.

Yexi had content planned where before each member went into the military she would make their favorite meal and reminisce about trainee life and talk about the future but her first episode with Jeonghan most of the footage was her crying so the project has been shelved for now.

On her off days she will go to random studios (she tries to make them smaller ones) and sign up for a class and wear a mask the whole time to stay anonymous because she wants to enjoy a class as just a pupil, but that way if she is found out later on social media maybe it will help out smaller studios.

During be the sun tour she tried to meet choreographers at each stop to film content and she submitted but the company still hasn't posted it to this day begrudgingly

She's taken to following Jungkooks rule of if she wants to talk to carats she'll talk to carats, even at 3am.

She started forcing herself in situations where she didn't have her members to lean and was forced to be less shy and more sociable. This caused her to come more out of her shell and she found herself enjoying shows more and being comfortable by herself and allowing her more solo opportunities and her members were so supportive and proud of her

When Cheol is asked to reprimand her over things she finds stupid or insignificant her go to response is "what are they gonna do, fire me?"

Pledis offered her to have her own version of Danceology but she declined not wanting to take anything from Dino

When DK was doing his musical she went to multiple shows and has multiple ticket stubs and a signed playbill framed in her room

She has dinner with Seungkwan often now that Hannie is in the Military.

She's gone to visit Hannie any chance shes been able

Jungkook said that every guy in his platoon begged for her autograph when he got there, and she agreed but only if they promised to look after him well.

Yexi was approached by 3 other companies in 2024 and 2025 about signing with them when her contract renewal is up.

Her members are constantly lecturing her on burnout becayse she's always filling up her schedule to be there for friends and juniors and doing what she can to help others promote or get in extra practice or go to help promote in China and Japan when Jeonghan is in the Military.

She got a tattoo during her lunar new year break in 2025

She donated to the California Wildfire efforts in 2025

She was the idol most idols said they wanted to share a stage with in 2023 after her mega viral Mastermind stage

In 2025 she is emerging as the idol of idols and this is not just with female idols

She has the biggest girl crush in Julie from Kiss of Life and her members are giving her hell for it because she turned bright red and turned tail and ran when she saw her at one of the music shows

[justwinginglife]

Promise

At the request of @zhileyn31, Kafka x Mina fic based off of the song Dress by Taylor Swift. Also side note- I did not intend to have Hoshina be an active part of this fic at ALL, which proves that I just never stop thinking about him, because somehow he slipped his way in.

After years of pushing away her feelings, excusing them as merely a childhood fantasy or an immature crush, and then later allowing them to fizzle out when Kafka was nowhere to be found, Mina Ashiro was feeling quite shaken to discover that the remnants of those past, suppressed feelings were still present -having been engraved into her very being- and now very much active upon seeing her childhood best friend once again.

At first, she shoved the feelings away, regarded them like strangers. They were just something she'd once known, and didn't have the time or energy to know again. She was strong but not strong enough to beg him to be better for her, and she was patient but not patient enough to wait forever. She couldn't count on him to stand by her side, that position had already been filled by her Vice Captain and she needed to be okay with that. She was tired of needing more, of needing him, of needing his promise to be fulfilled.

So as she watched Kafka struggling through yet another Defense Force Exam, she thought her heart might just give up on him. Thought it would learn its lesson.

He might not even remember her. He might not even remember his promise.

So what was she doing holding her breath, waiting in silence? What was she doing, tracking his every move through the cameras, hoping for his safe return, hoping for a triumphant victory? What was she doing? She thought she knew better than this. She was old enough not to cling to such childish notions. But here she was, clinging to him, clinging to her past, clinging to whatever future he might procure for her.

Even after the exam, when -against her own desires- she moved to dismiss him, to fail him from the Defense Force exam once again, her heart leapt in her chest when Vice Captain Hoshina spoke up for him this time. If she wasn't so in love with Kafka, she might've kissed Hoshina right then and there for being so considerate.

But there it was. There were the facts. She was already so far gone, so completely his, that there wasn't room for anyone else. And when he blurted out loud in the middle of the induction ceremony that he'd be at her side soon, she allowed herself to dream that maybe he was all hers too. Even despite the many officers crowded into the room, Mina felt as though, in this moment, it was just her and Kafka alone. The way he said her name, as if no time had passed at all, as if he'd always been right there beside her, holding her hand, comforting her, giving her light in her darkest of days, it made her cheeks warm. Made her hands tremble. Made time stop.

And she wanted more of it.

The next several days she had to actively stop herself from trying to sneak into the officers' practice drills, just to get a glimpse of him. And when she'd take meal breaks, she'd take them in her office because if she sat next to him in the lunchroom, she'd never get back up again. She'd never go to work, never run her division, just get lost in his familiar voice, in his familiar eyes, in his familiar smile.

One day, while she was burying herself in her work, trying to remember how to do her job, Hoshina stopped by to check on her. She didn't look up from her papers but she could feel his familiar smirk splitting the air.

"Yes, Hoshina? Something you need."

"So that new cadet. He's interesting, yeah?"

"Mmhm." She continued rifling through the papers, trying to appear only half interested. She was completely interested. She was dying to at least talk about Kafka with someone if she couldn't see him. If she couldn't watch him train, give him pointers, accidentally get pinned underneath him during a practice match even though she was stronger.

"Ah. Playing dumb, I see."

She swallowed. "And what do you mean by that, Vice Captain?" She wondered if she emphasized his lower status he'd leave it alone.

"Oh nothing, my dear Captain. Just didn't know you were childhood best friends with the little comedy act."

She froze. Then she cleared her throat and slowly rearranged the papers into a nice stack on her desk. Not looking away from the stack, she finally said, "And how did you come by this information?"

He chuckled and sank into a chair in front of her. Then he leaned on her desk, his chin resting in his palms. "Your bestie has a big mouth when he's in the bath. So tell me Captain, did you really promise you'd join the Defense Force with him?"

"Hoshina..." She warned. Her voice was even and firm, like always, but inside she felt like screaming. Just how much did Kafka tell everyone??

He grinned and sat back in his chair, holding both hands up in surrender. "Just curious, that's all. At ease."

She finally looked up at him, her gaze a stone cold glare.

His smirk just deepened. "Ah, c'mon Captain. It's just me." He winked. "But I won't push, if you don't want me to. Though I am interested in this brand new side of you. I'd love to see how this plays out."

Not wanting to test the limits of her patience, he showed himself out shortly after.

Mina sighed as she sank deeper into her chair. Hoshina was getting more and more ballsy the closer he got to her. But one thing he said stuck in her mind- she also wanted to see how this played out.

It seemed that Kafka was going around telling anyone and everyone about his past with her, did that mean he intended to keep her in the past? Was she just a best friend to him? She wanted to be more than just a best friend. More than just a scared little girl he once knew. Or maybe she was a stranger to him now. How did he see her? How did she see him? What was she expecting to happen?

He'd suddenly become her knight in shining armor and she'd run into his arms and let herself be saved by him? She was strong enough that she didn't need him anymore. So why did she need him every damn day, why did she miss his presence constantly? He was finally in the Defense Force, they were finally on base together, finally in the same place at the same time, and yet he was still so incredibly far away from her. She couldn't run to him like she used to. She couldn't let on what a schoolgirl he had turned her into, blushing and kicking her feet whenever he walked by. She had a duty to do, she had to run a Division. She didn't have time for all these mushy gushy feelings.

But still, they endured. She couldn't help her feelings, couldn't help how warm she felt, every time she caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye, or heard his laugh echoing across a room. She wondered how long she could hold out before her legs gave in and dragged her to his side.

It would be easier if she wasn't the Captain of the Third Division. If she was just Mina Ashiro. If he weren't an officer under her care. If he was just Kafka Hibino. But he was an officer and she was a Captain, and there was no reason for her to find herself alone in a room with him, hard as she tried to find one.

So days turned into weeks, and she still hadn't spoken to him. She wondered if he thought her cold, if he thought her indifferent. But it wasn't like he was running up to talk to her either. Maybe he'd accepted the way things were. The way things had to be. She hoped not. Sometimes, she hoped he'd just say fuck it to all sense of order and propriety, and seek her out. Speak out of turn. Say something, say anything. Acknowledge her. Just look at her. Was that so hard? Was that so much to ask for? Was that an impossible wish?

She didn't even bother wishing for things like his touch or his kiss. She knew those were out of reach. But she just wanted some part of him at all, some way to tell if he was hers to keep, hers to love, hers to dream about in the dead of the night, when only her feelings kept her company and kept her warm.

Then finally, fate intervened. If fate was a certain Vice Captain.

He'd grown tired of seeing his Captain's back stretching just a little too straight and tall, her face just a little too strained and solemn, her movements just a little too restricted and calculated, as she tried to keep playing the part of the picture-perfect leader. And he was tired of seeing Kafka too comfortable with his cohort, too at ease with the situation, too unbothered by the lack of progress in their relationship. Because Hoshina was bothered.

Hoshina thought to himself that even a blind woman could still sense the tension between them, but Kafka- he wouldn't know romance if it hit him in the face with a baseball bat. And Hoshina had contemplated hitting him with a baseball bat many, many times. Knock some sense into the guy maybe. Go get your fucking woman, he'd think to himself as he watched Kafka narrowly pass by Mina in the hall again, their shoulders almost touching as they adjusted around each other. 

As painful as that distance was for Kafka and Mina, it was even more painful for Hoshina. He had to watch this bullshit every damn day and he couldn’t take it anymore.

The very next day, he told Mina he had a hot date on Saturday (the hot date was with his couch) and he needed to trade their days off- her Saturday in exchange for his Sunday. He never asked for anything from her, so she obliged. Little did she know, Hoshina had also given Kafka Sundays as his designated day off. 

Now, Hoshina was not sure how he was going to make the two of them run into each other in such a large city on their single day off, but he was stubborn and if he was honest, he liked playing matchmaker. He would make it happen no matter the cost. 

He started out by giving Kafka a list of all the places he needed to try out on his day off, and the list was made up of Mina’s favorite places to go. Then he told Kafka that he needed to get his officer’s uniform dry cleaned (emphasizing that it looked atrocious and needed to be done this weekend so as to not embarrass the Third Division further) and gave him the name of the cleaner that was down the street from Mina’s place. He even went so far as to poke a hole in one of Kafka’s tires and then leave an advertisement in his locker for the closest mechanic in the city which just so happened to be next door to Mina’s apartment. He had backup plans upon backup plans, and if none of them worked, if Kafka and Mina weren’t together by the end of the weekend, Hoshina would pull all the hair out of his head. And maybe slap the two of them silly. And then do it a couple more times for good measure, as compensation for wasting his time and effort on them.

So finally, the weekend came. Hoshina took his Saturday off and just enjoyed lounging around. But then Sunday came. The big day. As he made his rounds at work, he wondered how the two of them were faring.

It turned out that Hoshina didn’t need to put in so much effort after all. 

Kafka liked to start his days out with a nice, refreshing, early morning walk. Mina did too. And the two of them, somehow, someway, on this random Sunday, gravitated towards the same trail. Fate didn’t bow to Soshiro Hoshina and it certainly did not take too kindly to him trying to take its job. Years from now, when Mina and Kafka’s relationship was thriving after running into each other on this auspicious day, Fate would claim the full credit, not Hoshina. 

And, as the sun began to rise, Mina thought to herself this couldn’t be anything but fate, as she saw the man of her dreams walking towards her, bathed in the sun’s golden glow. Kafka was too simpleminded to contemplate something as deep and as vast as fate, but he was happy to see her all the same. 

They agreed on a place to eat, Mina’s favorite cafe, to which Kafka commented, “Hey! It’s so funny- Vice Captain Hoshina told me to try this same place. What a coincidence.”

Mina was too overwhelmed by her sheer luck on this day to notice Hoshina’s meddling. “Yeah, it’s a good place. I’m glad I get to introduce you to it.”

And so, they bonded over breakfast, acting as though no time had passed at all between them. Mina noted that he was still as sweet and silly as ever. She, on the other hand, was different than she used to be. She wondered if Kafka resented just how much she’d changed, how much she’d needed to change to get stronger. Then, as she saw him grinning the same wide grin at her, offering her a bite of his food, she shook the thought from her head- Kafka couldn’t resent anyone, least of all her. 

Maybe things were different on base, different when they were on duty, but here, in her favorite place with her favorite person, she was allowed to dream. She dared to hope. And maybe it was that daring that finally made her ask, “So what does this make us? Long lost friends? Less than friends?” She paused, poking at her food with her fork, “More than friends?”

He straightened in his seat. “Mina. I’m sorry for making you wait so long. I ask, will you please wait for me a little longer? Wait for me to be who you deserve, to be who you need. And then we can be anything you want. I’ll be anything for you, do anything for you. I’ll be by your side soon, I swear. So please, wait for me.”

Her heart ached, but somehow, his words still brought a smile to her face. How very Kafka, she thought to herself. She had loved him when he first made this promise to her, and as he sat here, declaring his promise again, eyes brimming with determination, she felt that same love grounding her, giving her the strength to keep waiting for him. She’d wait as long as it took- that was her promise to him. 

And then, one day, they’d make all sorts of promises to each other.

[amimmy]

A critical component that is utterly missing from maths education is the understanding that correct proofs isn’t some arbitrary or aesthetic requirement for mathematics. Here especially I feel like some of the quotes of the great mathematicians about mathematical beauty is some of the worst and most unhelpful shit you can hear when you are starting out.

The principles of induction, deduction, logic and their correct application is a critical element of the scientific method - no beauty or metaphysical considerations are involved. If you are sloppy and not cautious, you will make a fool of yourself when you try to model something, it really is as simple as that.

But as a student your only incentive to be precise is so that the professor gives you a good grade, pats you on the back and gives you that academic validation. You have to sit there and fool yourself that you care about beauty or whatever just so you can justify that you aren’t so vain as to care only about a score at the end of the semester.

[zylphiacrowley]

I may or may not have stole the idea to do this from @sae-mian Original template by @7thastralera

I've been wanting to explain X'vahl's relationship to each of the scions for a while now, and this template is such a good way to do so at-a-glance. Buuuuuut because I fail to keep even the shortest story short, of course I've provided details under the cut

Tataru Taru [close friends]: Tataru was the first among the scions who made X'vahl feel welcome as a friend and more importantly, as a person rather than a solution to their problems. They remain close friends and she is incredibly good at reading him when he tries to hide his true feelings about things... She's also good at spurring him to action when he needs it.

Y'shtola Rhul [close friends/sibling-like]: X'vahl and Y'shtola might act like they would like nothing more than to see the other trip and fall on their face, but anyone who knows them knows that they would also be among the first people to square up against anyone who would threaten the other.

Erenville [romantic/wants to be closer]: X'vahl did not mean to fall in love with Erenville. I mean... no, he's not in love. It would be foolish of him to give his heart away to someone only to have it inevitably shattered once again... He definitely doesn't feel at peace whenever Erenville is around him... He doesn't feel his stomach do flips whenever he hears his voice, or his heart beat ever so slightly faster whenever they touch... No, he's not in love... That would be reckless... but X'vahl has been known to act recklessly from time to time... and maybe... maybe he could give his heart to someone again... maybe this time... maybe this time things could be different...

Yda er... Lyse Hext [friends]: Oddly enough X'vahl felt closer to her when she was pretending to be Yda. It didn't help that heartbreaking news from his past suddenly resurfaced shortly after she revealed herself to be Lyse therefor intrinsically linking Lyse to that sinking feeling of loss and guilt. Logically, he knows she has nothing to do with it and therefor it's not her fault but he cannot help the feelings. For those reasons alone he has trouble becoming closer friends with her, but for the same reasons he also still considers her to be a friend. Besides, she is still one of the people that he feels the most comfortable reminiscing about Papalymo with.

Estinien Varlineau [distant/wants to be closer]: Estinien's recent induction to the Scions has meant that he and X'vahl have gotten a chance to get to know each other better as friends after that whole business with Nidhogg left them with a rather strained relationship previously. He still wouldn't consider Estinien to be more than a colleague, but he's open to a friendship with him. Estinien is also one of the people who is able to make him laugh so hard he cries... even if he doesn't mean to.

Thancred Waters [friends]: X'vahl was closer to Thancred before meeting up with him again on The First. They weren't best friends before by any means, but they shared a drink or two and friendly banter from time to time. However, seeing him acting so callously towards Ryne soured their relationship considerably. They have started repairing their friendship, but not before X'vahl lashed out at him about it first which may or may not have ended in an out-and-out fistfight.

Ryne Waters [familial]: Ryne is one of several people that immediately sets X'vahl to "dad mode". He feels especially protective of her after seeing how Thancred treated her when he first met up with them on The First. He saw a lot of himself when he first met the scions in how he thought she was being treated and he tried to pay extra care to make sure he wouldn't make her feel like she was only being used like he did before.

Minfilia Warde [distant/wanted to be closer]: Unfortunately, with her being the de facto leader of the Scions when he knew her, she also bore the brunt of X'vahl's resentment over being treated like a weapon to be thrown at any manner of problem that Eorzea faced at the time. Looking back at it, he realized that she was in a position not unlike his own. He wishes he could've gotten to know her better so he would've had someone to talk to about the echo, but more so because he knows now that she would never have asked more of him than she would've done herself if she could.

G'raha Tia [close friends/familial]: G'raha is the one among the scions that X'vahl trusts implicitly, but not before they sat down and had a serious conversation about never repeating the secret keeping and self-sacrificing stuff ever again. Truth be told, they would still both die for each other, or kill for each other if it came to it. Along with Tataru, G'raha is the only other person who can easily read X'vahl, though G'raha is much gentler about coaxing X'vahl to express his feelings. He is also the only one among the scions that X'vahl has had a legitimate breakdown in front of after he confided in him almost everything about his past.

Alphinaud Leveilleur [familial/close friends]: X'vahl has all but signed the adoption papers to legally adopt both the twins (had both their real parents actually disowned them, he would've). He and Alphinaud have been through so much together that it would be difficult for them not to be close. The whole business with the Crystal Braves did put some strain on their relationship but that have more than repaired that bridge now and, at least in his heart, X'vahl considers him to be his own son.

Alisiae Leveilleur [familial/close friends]: X'vahl considering Alisaie to be his own daughter in his heart is not helped by the fact that his own biological children also happen to be twins and he can't help but think about them whenever he's around the Leveilleur twins. Alisaie has been known to call him "dad" from time to time, whether or not it's on purpose or on accident is something only she knows. X'vahl admires Alisaie's unrelenting dedication to protecting her family. It's a trait he wishes he shared. He thinks that if he did, maybe he would've been able to be there to see his own kids grow up...

Urianger Augurelt [close friends]: Despite all Urianger's eccentricities and proclivity to keeping secrets, X'vahl trusts now that he has his best interests at heart. Even if Urianger isn't willing to divulge everything to him, X'vahl knows that there's nobody who can brew a better cup of tea, or spend a more stress-free and enlightening afternoon with.

Krile Baldesion [distant/wants to be closer]: For as long as they've now known each other, Krile and X'vahl still haven't gotten to spend much time actually getting to know one another. He admires her kindness and knows that she and G'raha are close, and since he trusts G'raha's judement so thoroughly, he's almost certain that he and Krile could be close friends if ever they got the chance to be. Maybe a trip to Tural will provide them that chance?

[autotopic]

Launched a century ago, the Bugatti Type 35 didn’t just make a single impact—it revolutionized the racing world with its innovative design and engineering. The car became legendary not only for its initial capabilities when it debuted in 1924 but also for the continuous improvements Bugatti implemented throughout its production. Ettore Bugatti was one of the first automobile manufacturers to grasp the marketing potential of winning races on Europe’s renowned circuits and road tracks, which brought considerable publicity to his brand. Confident as he was in the capabilities of his new car, even Bugatti could not have predicted that the Type 35 would become the most successful race car in history, achieving 2,500 victories during its active racing career.

The first Type 35, released in 1924, was equipped with a 1,991cc eight-cylinder engine, delivering 90 PS in race trim. By early 1926, Bugatti had increased the engine size to 2,262cc for the Type 35T, named after the famous Targa Florio road race in Italy, which it won, with two smaller-engined Type 35s finishing close behind. Despite this success, Ettore Bugatti realized that to stay ahead of the competition, he needed more than just increased engine displacement. He knew that the future of performance lay in forced induction, even though he was initially not a fan of superchargers, which were seen as inefficient at the time.

“It’s no secret Ettore Bugatti preferred naturally aspirated engines and was not an early enthusiast of supercharging due to its perceived inefficiency,” says Luigi Galli, Specialist for Heritage and Certification at Bugatti. “However, what’s less well known is that Bugatti was forward-thinking about the potential of forced induction, experimenting with superchargers even before the Type 35 debuted at its first race in Lyon in August 1924. In fact, Bugatti applied for French patent number 576.182 on January 22, 1924, for a ‘Compresseur ou pompe à palettes,’ a rotary vane supercharger design that could provide extra power on demand by forcing pressurized air into the carburetor. If Bugatti was going to use a supercharger, he was determined to innovate in his own way.”

As a result, Ettore Bugatti, alongside the Italian engineer Edmond Moglia, developed a unique three-rotor Roots-type supercharger, differing from the common two-rotor designs of the time. This supercharger was strategically mounted on the engine’s offside, which allowed it to warm up more quickly and improve overall engine cooling—a principle that remains relevant in modern engine design. The Type 35TC, where “TC” stands for Targa Compressor, was introduced in late 1926. It evolved into the Type 35B in 1927, featuring a larger radiator and cowling, known as the ‘Miramas’ design, which enhanced cooling capabilities. This configuration enabled the Type 35B to produce up to 130 PS, achieving speeds over 205 km/h (150 mph).

By late 1930, further refinements led to what many consider the ultimate version of the Type 35B. This final iteration featured a twin-cam, two-valve-per-cylinder engine, a twin fuel filler cap, improved suspension, wheels, brakes, and tires, as well as a lower-mounted supercharger relief valve. Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of perfection extended to optimizing every element of the combustion system, from sculpted pistons and cylinder heads to the use of aviation-grade fuel, which boosted the output to 140 PS.

Today, at Bugatti’s atelier in Molsheim, each Bugatti model is hand-assembled with the same meticulous attention to detail that Ettore Bugatti applied to the Type 35. A century later, Bugatti’s engineers and designers continue to push the boundaries of automotive excellence, upholding a legacy of innovation and performance that began with the groundbreaking Type 35.

[gnawingyou]

Ahh I speak English originally but I struggle to communicate clearly, sorry. In terms of paranoia induction etc, the responsiveness aspect is so gripping. I imagine even just walking in people’s blind spots to jab my fingers into their ribs, as a mild shock, even just a small jolt feels telling. The desire to destroy is equivalent to the desire to fix, for me - to understand a person with total efficiency and to crawl inside of his mind, that kind words and gestures, which feel backhanded but are delivered so sensitively, that he would gradually come to understand that there is nobody else who will ever see him with such attentiveness. If a simple gesture can spark fear, I wish it could walk the line of relief. A love of peeling off somebody’s skin and then caring for them indefinitely in such a vulnerable state. What saddens me the most is that I don’t anticipate finding somebody with such investment in their other, since it seems most people pursue pain or pleasure for egotistical reasons, and project a desire narrative onto those around them. Within a world of conceitedness, angels amongst men must appear in the form of those whose visions are unclouded by expectation, and in turn whose vulnerability may be torn apart, but who can enact such vicious retaliation to love and hate the same. Everybody wants to beat, or be beaten, with little consideration for what that achieves. If I could only remove his limbs but leave his teeth, he must be dependent yet has the autonomy to harm in return. Perhaps it is a very sterile notion.

I understand completely. When it comes to paranoia induction- or any kind of mental illness exploitation- the responses are the main appeal. I want to see how the human brain responds to different intense stimuli. Especially if it’s somebody I love, I want to see their reaction to everything I inflict on them, I want to be the reason for their crying, panic, hatred, delusions.

A lot of what I say comes with the desire to fix, too. Even if your aim is to break someone’s psyche, you can’t do it purely by breaking. You have to repeat some sort of cycle; for example idealisation before devaluation (ie. narcissistic abuse), or violent torture followed by sweet aftercare. The more trust you gain, the more opportunities you create. The more that they experience your attentiveness and compassion, the more they’ll open themselves up to be broken. Caring somebody in a vulnerable state is great for that, but like you said, it’s also a cute thing. Being someone’s source of comfort and support makes me happy; I want to be useful in a way that also makes them smile and laugh with me. Happiness is as fulfilling as fear.

I see how a lot of people pursue pain & pleasure for egotistical reactions, although I can’t fault them. It feels good and can be incredibly fulfilling, especially for someone who lack basic things from their life. They’re just another thing that makes you human, though it’s undecided whether that thing is good or bad. Most things are inherently neutral though, without context or mutual understanding. I will argue and say that wanting to beat/be beaten does achieve something, whether it’s simply pleasure or an end goal.

I really like how you phrased ‘If I could only remove his limbs but leave his teeth.’ It’s a beautiful way to phrase it. To force him to become dependent on you, but not helpless, because he will still have the ability to bite back. Albeit animalistic and primal, you reduce his reactions to something sub-human, unable to reason or react coherently. Only in a way his survival instincts will allow him. Strip him of his humanity. <3

[xianinnovbiotechnology]

Pomegranate: Nature’s Antioxidant Powerhouse—How Its Nutrients Support Heart Health, Brain Function, and More

Pomegranates are a nutritious superfood, prized for both their juicy flavor and high antioxidant content. Urolithin A, a compound formed by gut bacteria from pomegranate compounds, may reverse aging and boost immunity. They're also diabetic-friendly: low glycemic index and insulin-sensitizing effects make them a smart diet choice. Still, diabetics should moderate intake and avoid processed pomegranate products.

Pomegranates, with their vibrant red color and juicy, delicious taste, are not only loved for their rich nutritional value but also have a long history of use in traditional medicine. Known as a "superfood," one of the most prominent features of pomegranates is their high content of antioxidants, particularly polyphenolic compounds like punicalagins and ellagic acid. These natural components effectively neutralize free radicals, slow down the aging process, enhance immune function, and protect cells from oxidative damage. Additionally, pomegranates are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and folate, which support immune health and skin vitality.

In recent years, however, another compound found in pomegranates has started to gain significant attention: Urolithin A. This compound is produced when gut microbiota metabolize ellagic acid and other polyphenols in pomegranates. Its potential health benefits are truly remarkable.

Urolithin A

On August 31, 2023, scientists from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland published a groundbreaking study in the prestigious journal Nature Aging titled "Induction of mitochondrial recycling reverts ageassociated decline of the hematopoietic and immunesystems"

The research revealed that supplementing with Urolithin A, a mitochondrial regulator, could enhance mitochondrial function in hematopoietic stem cells. This process reverses the aging of these stem cells, improves their regenerative capabilities, and increases the resistance of older mice to viral infections.

In other words, the latest studies show that Urolithin A can significantly delay aging and enhance the body’s immune function.

What is Urolithin A?

Urolithin A is a natural metabolic product primarily generated by gut microbiota that convert the ellagic acid in pomegranates. Research suggests that Urolithin A has notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can support cellular health and slow down the aging process. Pomegranates, which are rich in this compound, offer a range of health benefits, including antioxidant, blood pressure-lowering, and anti-cancer properties.

Pomegranate and Diabetes Management

Pomegranates are also an excellent choice for people with diabetes due to their unique properties. Despite being relatively sweet, pomegranates have a low glycemic index (GI) of around 53, classifying them as a low-GI fruit (foods with a GI of ≤55 are considered low GI).

Studies have found that the antioxidants and various vitamins in pomegranates can help improve insulin sensitivity, promote insulin secretion, and aid in blood sugar regulation. As a result, they can be a valuable addition to a diabetes-friendly diet.

Important Considerations When Eating Pomegranates

Although pomegranates offer many benefits, it’s important to consume them in moderation, especially for people with diabetes. Here are some key points to consider:

Control Portion Size While pomegranates have a low glycemic index, they still contain sugar and carbohydrates. Therefore, people with diabetes should consume them in moderation, aiming for 100-150g (about 1/5 to 1/4 of a pomegranate) per serving.

Avoid Over-Processed Products Diabetics should avoid overly processed pomegranate products such as pomegranate juice or dried pomegranate, which often contain added sugars and preservatives.

Time and Pairing Matters The best time to eat pomegranates is during breakfast or as a snack between meals. Pairing pomegranate with protein-rich foods or fiber can help slow down the absorption of sugars.

Caution for Diabetic Nephropathy Patients Pomegranates are rich in potassium, which can be problematic for individuals with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). High potassium levels can lead to hyperkalemia, so diabetic nephropathy patients should consume pomegranates cautiously or avoid them altogether.

Conclusion

Pomegranates are an incredibly nutrient-dense fruit, offering a wealth of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential nutrients that can support overall health. With their potential to enhance mitochondrial function and immune health through compounds like Urolithin A, they have emerged as a key player in slowing down aging and improving well-being. Pomegranates also offer notable benefits for blood sugar regulation, making them a great option for individuals with diabetes. However, it’s crucial to consume them in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes, especially for those managing blood sugar levels or kidney health.

Incorporating pomegranates into your diet can be a simple yet powerful step toward better health. Whether you're enjoying them fresh or as part of your favorite recipe, these ruby-red gems offer a delicious and nutritious way to boost your wellness.

[loreleismusings99]

Two-Body Problem

Mark Watney x reader

Grad School AU, (academic) rivals to ??????

No use of y/n

[Masterlist]

Not Beta-read, we die like Spirit and Opportunity.

CW: networking, Inaccurate depictions of organic chemistry, probably riddled with typos, but that's all I can think of. Please please please let me know if I missed anything and I'll add it to the top of the list

The reader and Mark are both PhD candidates at Northwestern and both happen to be GTAs for an o-chem/bio-chemistry class. They schedule and meet up on neutral ground(a library) to get some grading done together and some unexpected feelings creep in.

AN: This is the first fanfic I've ever written; critique is always welcome and encouraged, but, uh, perhaps manage your expectations? Idk 😅 I'm not the best when it comes to creative writing, but there's a criminally low amount of fic for The Martian and even fewer fic centered around Mark imo. I might continue this into something more, if there's demand and if I've the energy and motivation 🤷🏾

Alright, I'll stop trying to lamp-shade; Enjoy, and thanks for taking the time out of your day to read this 💚💚💚

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Wanna meet up to put a dent in the pile of grading I know you also have? 

The two of you exchanged numbers at the beginning of fall quarter out of politeness, but it was still surprising to see the notification from Mark’s text. 

Leaning back in your chair, you considered your options, the soft sensor schematic in front of you now fully abandoned after an hour of rearranging thermocouples and resistors trying to alleviate a stubborn inductive noise problem.

Mark had been a thorn in your proverbial side since the day you met him; well, night, to be exact—your blood begins to boil at the memory. You were engaged in cordial and calculated banter with a researcher working in a lab you were gunning for before being interrupted by someone exclaiming “Dr. Hernandez!” to your left. You blinked and the fragile connection you just began to form had crumbled as the attention of the faculty member in question whirled to the side and greeted a stocky and stubbly man who Dr. Hernandez introduced to you as “Mark Watney, one of my PhD students!” This confused you since his name tag clearly said, Plant Bio and Conservation and this was a mixer in the electrical and computer engineering department; “I’m working with him and a faculty member in my own department on developing novel ways of monitoring soil properties in areas in Illinois hardest hit by industrial runoff” Mark says with a smile that oozes levels of confidence and hubris only considerable privilege can spawn. He gives you a quick glance before saying, “which actually reminds me-” and steering Dr. Hernandez away from you. Now, this certainly stung, but it wasn’t anything that you couldn’t get over. No, what made this a problem was Mark’s uncanny ability to draw the room’s attention to him and his work, making it a just a tad difficult to properly network without having to entertain talk and conversation surrounding the department’s charismatic new wunderkind apparent. This combined with quite publicly challenging a design of yours for a class you two shared had firmly placed Mark in your list of worst enemies. Which, admittedly, might be a bit dramatic, but after some quippy and well worded critiques and suggestions to optimize a C++ script he’d written for the same class it seemed you’d made your way onto his hit list too, if department gossip had any veracity to it—so at least the feeling was mutual.

Which brings you back to your confusion at this new development in your communication with him; Mark hadn’t exactly jumped for joy when, in some sick reversal of the infamous two-body problem, the two of you got hired as TAs for the same introductory o-chem class. You exchanged numbers, but neither reached out to the other to host joint office hours, or to work together to get through the ever-growing pile of completed homework assignments that you two need to finish grading���in fact, this is the first time either of you texted the other since the first text you sent confirming your number as yours. Staring at your phone’s screen you weighed the pros and cons of saying yes; on the one hand, it’ll help the two of you get ahead on the imposing pile of work that had accumulated just in the first 2 and a half weeks of the quarter. On the other hand, it meant that you’d have to breathe the same air as your infuriatingly handsome nemesis for longer than you were required to. Not that he was your type. Absolutely not. He just… had an objectively strong jawline…. Choosing not to think too hard about that and reasoning that getting grading done was more important than your pride, you typed out a curt sure. See you at Galter in an hour? And waited for his equally as curt sounds good before getting up to go change out of your comfy, at-home garb and head out the door with your half of the grading pile and your laptop tucked away into your backpack.

You’re chewing the last bite of a pop tart you got, realizing you unfortunately forgot to eat dinner before leaving, and scrolling through Instagram when Mark walks through the glass doors leading into the Galter Health Sciences Library. Under a mild windbreaker, he’s wearing what’s presumably a band t-shirt but with a worn-out and unrecognizable logo tucked into his cuffed light wash jeans. He"s carrying a clearly well-loved canvas satchel with a Cubs patch sewn onto the front. His hair was artfully tousled as he ran a hand through it while he looked for you in the spattering of students who occupied the library at minutes to 9 on a Friday evening. When his eyes finally land on you, he looks taken aback, the carefree look wiped off his face for a moment before he smirks at you through an obviously clenched jaw. “Glad you didn’t decide to stand me up. You reserve a conference room?” You returned his tension-filled smirk with a smile resembling a sneer and responded, “Of course. We’re on the second floor.” You stood up from your seat and started walking in the direction of the staircase, looking behind you to make sure he was following you only to find him in the middle of a light jog to position himself on your right side.

“So, how’s the dissertation writing going?” he asks over his shoulder. Scoffing, you respond with an incredulous “How’s yours?”, hoping he pics up on your clear annoyance at being asked that dreaded question yet again. Wincing at your retort of a question, he concedes with a “Fair enough” And the two of you are plunged back into the awkward silence that permeates the sparsely populated library.

after finally finding the room you reserved(the library is like a maze, capable of ensnaring even the most seasoned of academics), you shuffle into the study room together and set up your computers and piles of homework to be graded before settling into a serene flow with Mark working quietly beside you.

after about thirty minutes, you look over to Mark’s pile and notice that his “complete” pile is, unfortunately, larger than yours, which ignites a spark of competition in you. You start to try to work through your pile faster and Mark seems to pick up on your haste.“Worried about falling behind?” he scoffs with a shit-eating grin, clasping his hands together in front of his mouth. “Oh, not in the slightest; just trying to optimize my time, I've more work to get back to, you know.” you say, smirking back at him but with a glint in your eye, tacitly challenging him to try to get through his pile before you get through yours.

The two of you actually make some substantial progress in both of your piles before you encounter one of the more difficult homework assignments your students have been assigned. You’re stumped by the multi-part problem at the top of the page, trying unsuccessfully to follow the student’s work in front of you.

“... You on homework 15 yet?”

“Yep.” you nod.

“... You have any idea what Dr. C is asking them to do?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Alright, just checking.”

Mark sits back in his chair with a thud and runs a hand down his face. you stand from your seat and move to the small whiteboard on the wall opposite where you were sitting and start to list out the knowns and unknowns in the problem statement. You can feel Mark’s eyes on you the entire time, following along with your work and your movements as you draw out the reaction being described in the first part of the problem. You get stumped at the end of the problem, trying to piece together the end products of the reaction. You hear Mark shift behind you before turning around to see him walking toward the whiteboard to silently walk himself through your work, nodding at each step you took. He picks up a marker and starts adding onto where you were stumped and you watch intently, absorbing what he’s writing. As he finishes the problem, you get the chance to actually get a look at him while he’s working; he furrows his eyebrows and you notice a small crease he gets between his eyebrows as they cinch together, and the faint spattering of freckles across his nose becomes apparent with how close he is to you now. God, he is so close-"that should be it? I think?" He looks to you with an indiscernible look in his eye; first, a hint of shock as his eyes widen--looks like he noticed how close you are too-- then something else you can't quite identify. It takes more effort than your willing to admit, but you eventually tear your eyes away from his and look at his work on the board. It all makes sense, you also note how messily he draws his diagrams of the assortment of carboxyl groups created by the process at the center of the problem(and it also takes everything within you not to smile at that, thinking to yourself, when did this start feeling nice???). "It, uh, it looks all good to me. And the rest should follow from this too." you utter awkwardly and turn to face him again. "Yeah?" His state of mind is still elusive to you, and he responds with an almost dazed sounding "Yeah."

The moment doesn't last for long though, as a soft knock sounds at the door, startling you both out of your joint reverie. "Hey, you guys are the TAs for o-chem this quarter, right? Do you have time to talk about the homework due tomorrow?" The two of you exchange a glance and invite the exhausted looking undergrad into the alcove.

After helping your wayward student, the two of you start packing up your now completed piles of grading in silence, the awkward air from the beginning of the night settling back in now that the distraction from grading was gone. The two of you are about to part ways at the entrance of the library when Mark stops you with a "hey," and says,"uh, so, I know we have this…whatever this is? Between us" He gestures chaotically back and forth in the space between you, and you raise an eyebrow at him. "But this is the most work I've gotten done in one sitting in a while. Would you, uh, like to do this again? Maybe? But at more reasonable hour?" Mark takes a defensive steps back, and this throws you off for a multitude of reasons. One, Mark is acting nervous, which is something you've had the pleasure of witnessing mabe once in your time being around him. Two, he seems to be genuinely asking spend more time with you. And, to be honest, after the silence between the two of you was broken, that was also the most productive you've been in a while. And it probably wouldn't hurt to actually collaborate with him instead of trying to compete with him. Just as you began to fear you were taking too long to respond, Mark pulls his hands out of his pockets and puts them up in the universal "I'm harmless" pose, "you don't have to, I just thought I'd ask-" "sure." You cut him off before he can try to answer his question for you. He looks at you with what can only be described as gleeful shimmer in his eyes and smirked again; this time, though, it didn't have his usual venom behind it. "Yeah?" He asks hopefully. "Yeah." You smile in return, it reaching your eyes this time.

[hooked-on-elvis]

ELVIS PRESLEY'S INDUCTION IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME (1986)

— A part of George Klein's speech explained by Elvis himself.

George Klein - 1986 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Speech (accepting on behalf of Elvis Presley). During his acceptance speech on behalf of Elvis Presley, George Klein quotes the Jaycees Speech Elvis gave on January 16, 1971, during the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 ceremony, but the most special part to me was listening to George saying:

I never saw Elvis Presley refusing an autograph. I never saw Elvis refusing a handshake. I never saw Elvis refusing to take a picture with anybody.

This made me go back to an Elvis interview from 1962. EP was filming "It Happened At the World's Fair" (filming took place between August 28 to September 17, 1962 and the movie was released in early 1963) when he took some time to be interviewed by Lloyd Shearer. To him, Elvis told his reasons why he never refused an autograph or picture. He was only 27 years old when he said:

August 17, 1962: ELVIS INTERVIEWED BY REPORTER LLOYD SHEARER.

Lloyd Shearer: Elvis, people's opinions of you seems to have changed since back in the old days. Now everybody thinks you're a model fellow... you know, you're a good guy... epitome of a young man. Now I'm just wondering, is it by accident of by design? What do you think it is? EP: Well, I've tried to be the same all through this thing. Naturally, you learn a lot about people, and you're involved in a lot of different situations. But I've tried to be the same, I mean the way I was brought up. And I always considered other people's feelings. I've never... in other words, I didn't kick anybody on the way (laughs). And I've always treated people just like the way I would like to be treated myself. And I consider other people's feelings. I don't assume the attitude of 'get these people out of here', like I have heard of being done, because those people are sincere in their feelings. And if they want autographs and pictures and things like that, I don't just sign the autographs and the pictures and so forth to help my popularity or to make them like me. I do it because I know that they are sincere. And they see you and they want an autograph to take home. They got an autograph book, or they've got their little camera and everything, so you have to know that. And if you don't do it, it will make them mad at you, they don't understand, you hurt their feelings and you make a lot of enemies that way. And for no reason, because it's as simple as this. Once you get involved in this racket... er, business (laughs), your life is public. Regardless of what anybody says... 'my private life is my own'. Well it is to a certain extent. I mean, everybody has to have a certain amount of privacy. But once you get involved in this business and you're doing a public service, you're trying to entertain people, your life is not your own. Because people are gonna want to know what you are doing, where you are, what you wear, what you eat. These things are natural, are normal, and you have to consider that. You consider that the people are sincere. They don't know the kind of life you lead. They don't know what kind of person you are. And do I try to remember that, that's all. It's simple. It's no problem. It's no big effort that I put forth. I don't have any plans or anything. I just act on my own initiative. It's the way I feel that is the right way, like I have [done] with everything else. Thank God I've been pretty fortunate. I haven't made any bad, bad decisions... and everything. But it's the way I was brought up, you know. My surroundings, my mother and my father and the whole family. We're always considerate of other people's feelings.

Deep inside our hearts, we, fans, feel Elvis Presley deserved much more than life gave him, beyond fortune, fame or recognition, but since we cannot change the past, I will keep saying until the very day I die, with profound conviction, about how Elvis deserves all the people's respect. Also, it would be amazing if the entertainers around the world, from today and from the times to come, could listen to Elvis' words from this 1962 interview, get inspired and try to live up to it.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, well, George Klein did justice on his quick speech that day. One of the most important, special and unforgettable things about Elvis is how humble, down to earth and loving he was to people and this is something will always worth being addressed. EP may have changed his way of doing things but the important parts of him never changed indeed. There will never be another Elvis Aaron Presley, and the world wouldn't be the same without his blinding, bright shining light that still airs above us. ♥

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The August 17, 1962 interview is one of the few one-on-one lengthy interviews of Elvis' career and it's full of great insights on the King's mind, a few precious glimpses with the way he truly used to think and feel about many aspects of life. You can (and should) listen to the FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

[psychic-refugee]

Make up of Nevermore Students

Anyone with sunglasses = Vampire

Anyone with a toque = Gorgon

Anyone with gem eyes = Siren

Anyone without a face = Silent Horrors (I call them Faceless in WGF, but I like this more and may edit).

Werewolves and Psychics have no discernible physical, everyday “tell,” with the possible exception if they’re rowdy and many have poofy hair, then that = Werewolf? Otherwise, we can only tell lycanthropy when there’s a full moon.

Let’s assume anyone with any kind of mental power is considered a Psychic. Example: Eugene has apikinesis, the mental ability to control bees. Rowan had telekinesis, the ability to move the physical world with his mind. Rowan calls his mother a “Seer,” but we know she had a book and writing. This could simply be a journal of her visions, like Wednesday. It could be psychography, psychic premonitions via writing. It could be the drawing, automatic drawing, and she wrote what she thought it meant. It could be a mixture of both.

Other Outcasts with no physical, everyday tell, would be Shapeshifters.

Enid is quoted “…to educate people like us. Outcasts, freaks, monsters…fill in your favourite marginalized group here.”

I think this opens up any type of being for consideration of being an Outcast, but if we can only use what is shown from the television show/source material:

Other Outcasts that may exist but are not canonically confirmed.

Witches – The Frumps and Addamses are mediums and necromancers. Mediums because they can speak with the dead. Morticia says they get guidance from their ancestors and Wednesday attempts to call on Goody Addams. Goody Addams’ book, a grimoire, had a curse to lock Crackstone in his coffin, and a reanimation spell that raised Crackstone. The Outcasts just never specifically say Witch, but Crackstone accuses Goody of witchcraft.

I consider Mediums and Necromancers types of witchcraft because they require a spell or ritual. If Wednesday could simply call a ghost to her or raise the dead with her mind, then I’d consider those Psychic powers.

Hydes are confirmed, but I don’t know if they’re Shapeshifters or a type of Were. The latter being any kind of being that shifts into a monster under specific circumstances while Shapeshifters can shift at will. Werewolves, under a full moon. Hydes when under duress or tapping into the worst part of themselves.

The canon states that Hydes are “unleashed” by a traumatic event, or via chemical induction, the latter more in line with the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So, are they Outcasts prior to their transformation, or are they Normies? Can anyone become a Hyde?

Tyler’s mother did attend Nevermore, but while Hydes are banned, they don’t question what kind of Outcast one is when applying…guess they really needed that tuition money. LOL. So, it could be that Hydes are any type of Outcasts, perhaps Psychics and that’s why Xavier had dreams of the monster, prior to being Unleashed. Perhaps the potential to become a Hyde is in everyone, or it runs in families. Or they could be their own distinct line of Outcasts that may or may not ever be Unleashed. We don’t know for sure. When was Mrs. Galpin’s Hyde unleashed? Was she a Hyde at Nevermore or was a regular Psychic and that’s why she was allowed in? Who was her master? If you traumatize or drug yourself, are you your own master?

If you’re looking at background characters and they’re not obviously a Vampire, Siren, or Gorgon, then your canonical options are: Psychic, Witch (implied), Werewolf, Shapeshifter, or Hyde.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Continuing off the GOOFY MOVIE/Disney's history w/ theatrically releasing NON-WDAS/Pixar movies thing...

There was a curious whirlwind of animated Disney releases from 1988 to 1996 - both from their own animation division and several others, at the height of their Renaissance... It seemed like there was one from one venue every two years... But by the end of the '90s, things changed a bit. Skellington Productions was shut down after JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH bombed. Disney MovieToons/Disneytoon took an unpredictable turn five years after A GOOFY MOVIE didn't add up at the box office. Miramax barely released animated films theatrically after ARABIAN KNIGHT...

So it looked like it was largely down to Disney Animation and Pixar. The former mostly got films out annually throughout the 1990s, the only year they missed was 1993 due to story issues on THE LION KING causing a delay. Pixar would slowly ease into having ready every other year, after TOY STORY did well and TOY STORY 2 got bumped to theatrical, and once more directors pitched stuff there.

There were, of course, exceptions... Such as DOUG'S 1ST MOVIE. Originally produced and advertised as a direct-to-video endeavor, Disney execs saw how big THE RUGRATS MOVIE was. For context, THE RUGRATS MOVIE became the first not-Disney-released animated movie to crack $100m at the domestic box office... Very surprising for a movie based on a TV series, something you could see on the small screen for free. RUGRATS was in the midst of a little phenomenon circa 1997-98. I was there. I was 5-going-on-6 at the time, and it was very popular amongst us kids. We were watching, regularly, some show that ended its original run - sans two holiday specials - four years ago... The success of the Hanukkah and Passover specials lead to a renewal. New season, and a movie! Reruns was where RUGRATS apparently shined, more so than its original 1991-94 run. That primed the movie for a record-breaking total, one that wouldn't be surpassed... Until THE SIMPSONS MOVIE nearly a decade later. Figures it had to take the other biggest cartoon of the '90s that also once involved Klasky-Csupo to do it, eh?

Where was I? Oh yeah, Disney saw how big THE RUGRATS MOVIE was... And at last minute bumped DOUG'S 1ST MOVIE up to theatrical, and pushed it from late 1998 to March 1999. DOUG is unique in that the early seasons were Nickelodeon, and the later seasons and movie were all Disney, so you had the show - in some form - airing on both Nickelodeon, and Disney networks like ABC. However, the lightning didn't strike twice. Doug and his pals had been on the air for as long as RUGRATS, but the show was never that huge, and the movie barely made a splash. As a kid in the '90s, I remember DOUG existing more so than being a phenomenon like RUGRATS...

In February 2000, Disney took the direct-to-video picture THE TIGGER MOVIE and made it theatrical for whatever reason. This would be the first of the MovieToon/Disneytoon pictures to go to theaters since A GOOFY MOVIE... And... THE TIGGER MOVIE did pretty okay! Relative to its tiny budget. I guess the bouncy tiger toy had more pull than Goofy and Max Goof, huh? Well, something must've worked out in the movie's favor worldwide. GOOFY MOVIE's international totals are unknown to this day for some reason.

I could probably sidetrack for a brief second and talk about DINOSAUR, the only Disney animated picture from The Secret Lab: A collaboration of Dream Quest Images and Disney Animation's CG arm. DINOSAUR made some money, but it wasn't enough for Disney to yay a sequel, nor go through with the next feature they had in development - WILD LIFE. Around 2008, DINOSAUR was officially counted as a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. There is considerable debate amongst fans whether it actually counts or not, and over the reasons why it got inducted into the "canon". I think the consensus there is "It was done to make TANGLED feature #50".

Back to Pooh Corner... With THE TIGGER MOVIE being so profitable, Disney then gets the idea to theatrically release two animated sequels originally meant for the video market: RETURN TO NEVER LAND, and THE JUNGLE BOOK 2... In addition to at least another Winnie the Pooh movie. That decision is solidified by 2001, the year the company releases another movie based on a Disney TV Animation show... RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT, which doesn't double its budget.

RETURN TO NEVER LAND comes out in 2002 and makes its money back, as does THE JUNGLE BOOK 2 in 2003. A little after JUNGLE BOOK comes PIGLET'S BIG MOVIE, which... Flops... But another Winnie the Pooh movie is set to leave the bay. POOH'S HEFFALUMP MOVIE eventually came out in February 2005, as the final 2D Disneytoon movie to hit theaters.

Before we get into an... Interesting phase, we have Disney releasing Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY and HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE domestically, coming off the Miramax release of PRINCESS MONONOKE. 2002 and 2005 respectively, the former getting the Oscar for Best Animated Feature of that release year, the other getting a nomination. Disney would continue to distribute dubbed Ghibli movies in the states after this, and for quite a while at that.

Miramax also distributed two localized Pokemon movies in 2002 and 2003, respectively: POKEMON 4EVER and POKEMON HEROES...

Now... we start to tread into some weird waters in 2004...

As their relationship gets worse and worse, The Walt Disney Company and Pixar look to split. If that had happened, Disney would've retained first rights to the films Pixar was contracted to make for them, everything from TOY STORY to a then-in-production CARS. They initially entered a gentleman's agreement with Pixar to not make sequels to these movies w/o Pixar's approval, but they decided to go back on that, playing dirty in their attempts to get the Emeryville-based house to renegotiate.

But as back-up, Disney started looking into smaller, cheaper CGI films to put out in theaters in addition to Walt Disney Feature Animation's own output. They were in the midst of making the full switch to all-CGI movies, with HOME ON THE RANGE looking to be the final 2D film produced in-house, and CHICKEN LITTLE to usher in an all-CGI future in the following year.

They got as far as landing two movies... VALIANT and THE WILD.

VALIANT was an English picture, and one of the first CGI films to be made in the UK. Nearly ten years after TOY STORY, other parts of the globe were starting to get in on computer-animated movies. Around this time, a little after FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN, you started hearing of other non-American CGI movies, like BACK TO GAYA, KAENA: THE PROPHECY, and PINOCCHIO 3000. Lots of those largely got a muted, limited release here. VALIANT was produced by John H. Williams, who had previously produced SHREK and SHREK 2 for DreamWorks, through his Vanguard Animation. Their whole thing was doing CG features for significantly less than what Pixar and DreamWorks pumped into theirs. Ealing Studio in London handled the meat of the picture, and in the UK - where it debuted in March 2005 - the film was not a Disney release... For domestic release, it was. The film would be the first in a four-picture deal, which is surreal looking back on it.

And I think most animation fans suspected what VALIANT was - at least in terms of its presentation stateside: Disney latching onto some other across-the-Atlantic CGI movie just in case they lose their big hitmakers in Pixar after the release of CARS. Audiences largely ignored it, scoring what was then one of the worst openings for a wide-release CG animated movie in North America. It did better in the UK and some European territories, but it wasn't enough to make it a hit. Vanguard continued on - making movies like SPACE CHIMPS and RALLY ROAD RACERS, but that would be the only time Disney released one of their movies. They also gave it a DVD release, and it's on Disney+, so they must still have the distribution rights to it.

Weird movie - a sort-of mesh of cutesy-cuddly with SHREK-esque potty humor and World War II...

... and weird part of Disney history...

And where there was weird, there was WILD...

THE WILD was largely done by the defunct Canadian FX house C.O.R.E., with help from other houses. Unlike VALIANT, this was a homegrown Disney production, just not a Disney Animation film. This was also very much a "just in case we lose Pixar" endeavor, but little is known about its origins other than "oh yeah, this evolved out of a similar project that was being kicked around". I doubt it was WILDLIFE, the edgy PYGMALION-inspired film that The Secret Lab was developing as their follow-up to DINOSAUR.

It's often accepted that Disney fast-tracked THE WILD as some sort of rip-off of DreamWorks/PDI's MADAGASCAR. MADAGASCAR came out in May 2005, its first trailer running before SHARK TALE in October 2004. MADAGASCAR was first revealed to the press, in some form, as far back as roughly mid-2001.

THE WILD, which came out in April 2006 - almost a whole year later, is more of a mystery in terms of its production history. On the surface, this all looked to be a reversal of the ANTZ/A BUG'S LIFE fiasco. Both movies begin at the Central Park Zoo, though THE WILD curiously just has it referred to as "New York Zoo" - it is clearly the real-life Central Park Zoo... That's weird. Both movies have a lion and a giraffe, and both movies take the characters out of the city zoo and to (or nearby) the African continent.

But really, THE WILD had to have been in the works since at least 2001-02, per a report saying that it was supposed to be a live-action/animation hybrid. 2001-02 was around the time MADAGASCAR was entering development... It too, supposedly based on an unmade animated picture about Central Park Zoo animals being developed at - IIRC - Fox Animation Studios in the '90s? Warner Bros. was said to have had a New York-set zoo animal movie in the works around that time, too, titled THE ZOO... Now throw in The Secret Lab's WILDLIFE... I guess everybody was at one point **all** about New York zoo animals. It's all unusual, like three Sasquatch/yeti animated movies opening from September 2018 to September 2019... SMALLFOOT, MISSING LINK, ABOMINABLE. In that order. Sometimes it just... Happens. Minds thinking alike.

Tangent... You wanna know something weird? In 2008, 16-year-old me drew a cartoon gag - on note paper, during lunch at school or something - where a clumsy male horse character runs into the women's restroom. There's a comic bubble saying "Ahhhh!" The horse runs out of the bathroom and into the men's one, right next door... CARS 2 has, almost verbatim, the same exact gag with Mater. "Sorry ladies!" Came out in 2011... Were John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, and the story team magically inside my brain in fall 2008 when I drew the horse running into the women's restroom? And reverse-INCEPTION style took it from me to put into a maligned CARS sequel? Lol.

Like I said, sometimes it just happens, and it's not always the kid behind you at school copying your homework.

But whatever the intent behind THE WILD was, it came out well after Eisner was out of Disney. Bob Iger took his place, and sought to repair the severed relationship between the Mouse House and Pixar. Disney announced they were acquiring Pixar in January of that year, and THE WILD no longer mattered in any way, shape or form... So it just came and went.

A phase short-lived.

But that wasn't the end of non-Disney Animation/non-Pixar animated theatrical releases from Disney... Stay tooned...

[gruusha]

—————- 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞.

on the international scale, many believe the leagues of each region to be (relatively) close-knit, barring the exception of one or two of the gym leaders (& by extension, the elite four) that can be found everywhere. the expression, "there's always one" applies readily almost anywhere... within paldea, the "one" who is not as closely bonded to their colleagues is grusha. the cold-hearted & strict attitude grusha embraces as the "final" gym leader is not restricted to the brick-and-mortar of the gym's walls, applying to how he interacts with other members of the league, even those he would readily name as his 'superior'.

it is due to this, in part, that grusha sometimes struggled to remember most of their names throughout the first couple years as a gym leader. another contributing factor to 'why' is grusha's deliberate isolation upon glaseado mountain, rarely interacting with others (even through text messages) and only sparingly descending... typically only when he is required to for one reason or another.

despite his willing isolation, and distance between himself/coworkers, this has not stopped grusha from forming his own opinions on them throughout the four-five years he has been part of paldea's league...

𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐘 - certainly a 'momfriend'; grusha was able to apply the term to her as soon as they met. she seemed to know him before they even met, and not only was it a little overwhelming it was embarrassing, purely because his lack of knowledge created what could have been awkward silences did katy not eagerly fill in the blank spaces. his response to her question "do you work out?" was an honest one... "out of habit more than anything." he didn't know what to expect when she asked that of him, but her offer to make him something sweet was ultimately appreciated. he doesn't really eat sweets on his own, but her consideration for his caloric intake was noted and the gift, indulged in. for whatever reason, her name is one he struggled with the most -- it's so short! grusha doesn't understand why it was such a problem for him. she offered assistance to grusha with regards to building upon his elementary knowledge of paldean (spanish) and heighten his fluency... he politely declined. she became a gym leader at the same time as him.

𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐔𝐒 - someone grusha will readily admit they dislike. it's not a vehement, generalized lack of enjoyment for brassius' person, but instead a far more personal reason. knowing nothing of the grass specialist upon coming to paldea, grusha did not know that brassius' soul as an artist had struggled, but ultimately brassius' words & mindset appeared to grusha to be entirely presumptive, facetious, and wholly disregarding the severity of how it feels for those who have suffered 'death' emotionally and psychologically. brassius' portrayed himself to grusha as someone who did not realize that his 'death' as an artist is fundamentally different from the 'death' of one who cannot simply 'find inspiration' once more to embrace what they're passionate about. [ FULL ELABORATION TBA ]. brassius previously initiated conversations with grusha in galarian (british english), but after their falling-out, grusha would rather not speak to brassius if he can help it.

𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐎 - contrary to gamecanon he did NOT know much of her prior to moving to paldea. he knew of her stream and that was it; never before had he watched it! when he moved to paldea & was inducted into the league she all but pounced on him for his pre-existing celebrity status, begging him to appear on stream alongside her. that earned her a spot as an exhausting person to be around from day one, and though he does not dislike her, grusha will readily admit she can definitely annoy him. her first request earned an immediate shutdown & cold refusal, but she was not deterred. part of grusha could tell she understood the legitimacy of their answer, despite the fact she will occasionally jumpscare him with a request to be on a stream with whatever trend happens to be earning lots of views. they have yet to indulge her. sometimes she speaks so quickly their brain scrambles to translate accurately.

𝐊𝐎𝐅𝐔 - a person that could easily make grusha jump out of their skin with a well-timed exclamation shattering a quiet environment, kofu is someone grusha hesitates to spend extended periods of time around. he was among the first to welcome grusha to the paldean league, quiet literally "with open arms" as the saying goes. though grusha curtly passed on the offered hug, kofu regarded the rejection in the same way he handles losses: with a laugh. it is for that reason grusha can not understand kofu, nor do they think they will ever be able to. to hold a jovial, easy-going personality is one thing that already perplexes grusha, but to maintain that lighthearted attitude even in the face of something less than perfection... ? it causes grusha stress to think on too deeply. despite the stark difference between the people they inherently are (an easy-going embrace of life with a smile versus intense, bitter criticality), grusha will readily admit he enjoys kofu's cooking... particularly because he is familiar with techniques employed to prepare seafood in the east. they have invited kofu to glaseado before, simply for sake of letting his crabominable interact with other ice-types in a more native climate. grusha has given him pointers regarding kantonian (japanese) due to his incorrect syntax & grammar once in a while. although grusha's assistance was sinnoh-ben (hokkaido-ben), the overall takeaway translated easily -- his kantonian impressed grusha.

𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 - one of the league members grusha was required to battle as part of the tournament-style showdown to determine their fit to be a gym leader. grusha's use of an altaria surprised larry, and garnered enough of his attention that he invited grusha to dinner to chat. though his calm & serious disposition is something grusha finds himself at ease around, larry has pointed out that they're quite opposite... though grusha was unable to see it for themselves at the time of their assessment, when they battled, larry was the first to see the passion grusha had long-since believed to be snuffed out. despite this, grusha and larry agree they're both ordinary people who would prefer if life stayed simple... they occasionally meet up to share a meal at a restaurant of larry's choice. they will eventually make it through all the fine restaurants in paldea. grusha appreciates that, as a salaryman, he speaks more than strictly paldean -- they often converse in galarian.

𝐑𝐘𝐌𝐄 - another 'momfriend' and definitely one grusha is more acquainted with. being the two gym leaders on glaseado mountain, this has created a stronger relationship with ryme than any other gym leader. upon grusha's move & relocation to the glaseado mountain, ryme made her presence known on the first day / extended a metaphorical hand to grusha. though they did not take it ( and by extension indicated to her they were strong enough to stand on their own despite being in an unfamiliar place & encountering a language barrier ) that did not stop the older gym leader from taking grusha under her wing. she stuck around most of the day as grusha got used to the setup of a gym provided to them; upon their use of a cane in the afternoon she offered her gym trainers ( tas / lani / mc sledge ) to assist them in moving into their home. she, too, assisted with the move-in and realized the spirit of the former owner lingered still -- but decided not to inform grusha of this, leaving him to discover as much after being spirited away at the moonmaiden festival!! through the years grusha has come to appreciate her presence despite their opposite personalities, largely being tugged along by ryme's bold enthusiasm. at grusha's insistence of, "it gives me something to do", ryme left the safeguarding of travelers along glaseado to grusha's discretion, with the agreement that all found struggling on her "side" of the mountain would be brought to montenevera for care, rather than brought all the way to grusha's gym. she also delegates maintenance of the watchtower to him. she helped grusha learn paldean despite his reluctance at being assisted; largely doing so through rapping. they won't complain if they never hear a rap song again.

𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐏 - someone who actually unnerves grusha quite a bit. behind the makeup & near-perpetual smile grusha knows there is something lays in wait... but due to the intangible barrier he detects physically (betwixt themselves & tulip) as well as mentally (apparently psychics are good at preventing someone from getting a read on them, or something...) grusha is unable to say what that 'something' is. there is part of him that feels apprehensive of the notion it is as judgemental and catty as someone with tulip's overall vibe would fit to a 't'. though tulip has previously applauded grusha for the (minimal) modeling work he did for sponsors during his snowboarding career, they get the impression there would be a biting remark at how their choice of cane color (their favorite being black with a light blue handle) is 'tacky' or otherwise 'clashes with most outfits'. she has never spoken to grusha in anything other than paldean, even from day one when she was informed they speak kantonian & galarian with only a few words of paldean. they don't know if this is due to monolingualism or choice.

𝐆𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐀 - another individual who unnerves grusha purely because they can get no level of read on her, even to the point of being unable to discern if her demeanor is genuine or constructed / containing her true self for professional purposes. despite demonstrating kindness & empathy (namely when grusha had such a severe reaction to having a yearly assessment he had an anxiety attack & passed out) this uncertainty has not changed. but, they do appreciate geeta for hiring them (in grusha's own words, "me, of all people...") and giving them a chance... he is also grateful for her advertisement of former socialite's home, as he now lives in it. the conversation surrounding that, however, indicated to grusha that geeta had thoroughly reviewed the paperwork submitted for their initial application (declaring disability & elaborating when prompted), namely when she gently questioned accessibility concerns for such a remote home & unpredictable terrain for walking to/from the gym. realizing this, grusha was reluctant to continue their conversation... geeta picked up the slack & indicated she would make rika available to help find contractors should grusha need to make modifications to their home. she encouraged him early on to speak paldean more & more in their conversations, despite their greater comfort with galarian.

𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐀 - despite winning in their assessment battle against her, rika is someone who makes grusha anxious purely because of her role in yearly gym leader evaluations. though consciously able to recognize the 'rika' who is a member of the elite four & embodying stern professionalism, as well as the 'rika' who is genuinely caring for all others in the league & would bend over backward for them, in practice grusha fails to fully separate the two, even if meeting with rika in a casual setting. courtesy of being geeta's right hand as well as the league's receptionist (by extension, paper-pusher), rika is privy to information grusha would prefer as few people know about as possible. after witnessing grusha's horrible reaction to their second yearly assessment, rika prioritized following through with geeta's order for grusha to be evaluated for anxiety. due to her immediate response & incessant calling / texting / going so far as to physically appear at grusha's doorstep, they reluctantly agreed & walked away with a diagnosis & medication meant for use in a week's time leading up to an evaluation, which geeta & rika accommodate with forewarning. they meet rika's care largely with icy rebuff, but only because they feel guilty for having caused her stress (undue worry, for one) following their disastrous evaluation as well as the reluctance to accept any kind of help, and their immeasurable humiliation-born shame for what happened. though 'ms. rika' was insisted upon in-game, grusha finds the address 'ms' fairly stuffy ... however, they will simply call her rika, instead of any variant (for example, "good ol' rika") she may attempt to wring out of him. like geeta, she encouraged grusha to improve fluency in paldean, but will speak to them in english from time to time.

𝐏𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐘 - in short, "how the hell do i interact with a child?!" poppy posed the greatest challenge for grusha in their battle assessment. poppy's unabashed childishness spurs grusha's anxiety a bit... with their tendency to speak before they fully think (and only upon speaking actually hear themselves) they don't want to risk offending her. they find it somewhat ridiculous that of all the places they could've come there's a child prodigy who was allowed to hold a league position before she's even a teenager, but that holds little sway on what he thinks of her. she's been nothing but friendly & kind to him while he's been in paldea... even if she frequently requests for him to show his face more. when he ultimately relents for her amusement (how they interpret it, anyway), poppy will always comment on how much they look like a prince -- "so pretty!". his cetitan has poppy's keen interest, due to its anomalous steel-typing... due to their uncertainty in interacting with her, however, they have yet to let her investigate him. she was not a member of the elite four when they came to paldea.

𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐋 - sensory overload as a person. not only is haseel's natural speaking volume loud, but his tendency to spontaneously raise that volume to something much greater is unsettling to grusha -- the tension they feel around hassel for this reason is not dissimilar to that which kofu prompts in them. the ability for hassel's mood to seemingly shift on a dime (his susceptibility to being moved to tears, namely) is something grusha cannot keep up with, so it's all the more reason they keep their distance. this is not to say they dislike hassel; as they can discern the man is warm-hearted & genuine in his displays. hassel was actually participating in the assessment to fill recently-vacated league positions, as well; they competed against one another in the tournament-style battles, and ultimately grusha came out above hassel. however, grusha had no interest in being a member of the elite four (and also felt it would be a disservice to hassel's years of teaching at the academy) if he were to poach the spot. he was patient with grusha gaining fluency in paldean, and will sometimes text or e-mail grusha to say hello... despite being left on read nine times out of ten.