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selfieignite · 11 months ago

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Karen Gillan and John Cho in SELFIE - Season 1

Posted: September 30th, 2014 / 03:09 PM

SELFIE creator Emily Kapnek takes on PYGMALION for the tech age – interview

The series creator talks about the new ABC romantic comedy

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Contributing Writer at Assignment X

The premise of ABC’s new half-hour comedy SELFIE, premiering Tuesday September 30 at 8 PM, may sound a little familiar to anyone familiar with the musical MY FAIR LADY and/or its play progenitor PYGMALION, though there’s a contemporary twist. Eliza (Karen Gillan, previously of DOCTOR WHO) still has Henry (John Cho) helping her remake her image. However, rather than a Cockney flower seller, this Eliza is addicted to social media, so much so that she lacks skills to interact with actual human beings. Henry tries to help Eliza become someone who can make real friends, and Eliza tries to help Henry see the world more clearly.

Karen Gillan in SELFIE - Season 1 - "Un-Tag My Heart"

ASSIGNMENT X: Which came first, the idea of doing a contemporary romantic comedy or the idea of doing a contemporary version of PYGMALION?

EMILY KAPNEK: We kind of came into the PYGMALION element of it from behind. We started off talking about relationship shows and potential romantic comedies, what the modern obstacles are and the presence of technology in relationships, the presence of the ever-present phone and laptops and tablets at dinner tables and bedrooms and every sort of occasion. And we realized that, in telling a story where that is an obstacle and someone trying to wean themselves [off of constant personal technology], there was inherently a PYGMALION aspect. So we embraced it and went into it. But it didn’t start off from a place of, “Let’s remake or tell a new version of MY FAIR LADY or PYGMALION.

AX: There are a number of romantic comedies coming on TV this season. Can you talk about how SELFIE is different from some of the others?

KAPNEK: I haven’t really seen everything that’s out there and I don’t know how much of a forefront the romance is [in the others], but for ours, it’s a little bit back-burnered, in that you want to feel it growing, you want to feel the potential there. Our pilot [was] a little bit long and we’re probably going to re-shoot our ending a little bit. I think some people felt that the relationship and the chemistry between them was even accelerating in the pilot, so really the goal is to grow it and that you’re rooting for them. And one of the things – I think in the original material of MY FAIR LADY and PYGMALION [the play that inspired MY FAIR LADY], it wasn’t intended to be a romance, but one of the things that makes it hard to get on board is that Henry hasn’t done any growing [laughs], he hasn’t done any evolving, and so you understand that there is a road for him to walk as well, so I’m hoping that in telling a lot of those stories where John [as Henry] gets to grow and evolve that you really can root for these two in a way that you probably wouldn’t necessarily with the other versions, which are great.

I wanted to see him change a little and even in re-watching it, [at] the end, for sure, he misses her, the absence of her, he’s grown accustomed to her face, but you want to feel that he’s sort as a person and understands what it is that she’s not responding to. I mean, I love stories where men are in their own way, or not even men necessarily – just anyone that’s sort of silently suffering, [as in] THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, you’re unable to articulate your true emotion. Ultimately, to really root for them to be together, I think you need to feel like Henry’s going to progress and understand. And Eliza, too.

AX: How do you feel about the end of SUBURGATORY?

KAPNEK: Honestly, it’s so hard for me – I’m so excited for COMMUNITY and excited for ENLISTED [in their last-moment pick-ups]. Ultimately, it’s a decision that Warner Brothers is in control of, and it has to make sense for them as a business model and it’s tough.

AX: Are there any elements of SUBURGATORY that you were hoping to get to do that you can weave into SELFIE?

KAPNEK: They’re very different shows, so no. I think maybe the biggest hope is that we get to work with some of those fantastic actors again, and I have two of the writers from SUBURGATORY in the writers’ room. We have a great room of new writers for SELFIE. It’s been very exciting, but yeah, SUBURGATORY is still a very sore spot.

AX: There was a bit of a musical element in the first episode of SELFIE. Will we see that again?

KAPNEK: Yeah, it’s really a fun element. Everyone is always really game. We have such a great cast and everyone is always really game for those musical elements. By the way, we did it on SUBURGATORY, too. I love a good song and dance number. So yeah. But not in a way that feels heavy-handed or that we’re trying to trade on the MY FAIR LADY thing. But I think it’s always fun to have that whimsical element available.

AX: How much is there a middle ground of, she’s learning to step away from screens and he’s learning to embrace the screens. Is there a message that you have about finding a nice balance?

KAPNEK: Absolutely. It’s interesting. There was that video circulating about the innovation of loneliness and people essentially feeling the more friends, the more followers you have, the more time you spend, you’re never alone, but you feel more alone than ever. John talked about our first meeting, when we sat down together, we were talking about social media, we were talking about the Internet in general and the exhibitionism and the voyeurism. If you’re not one or the other, or maybe you’re both, where you’re constantly putting yourself out there or you’re constantly digesting what other people are putting out there – “I’m ignoring my kids and constantly looking at pictures of your kids” [laughs].

I was telling him how much I knew about Jennie Garth’s divorce. It was like it was in the pilot and it wound up getting cut out, but I was obsessed, and I was so angry, and I was like, “Stop talking about your divorce,” but I also can’t stop reading about her divorce, and I have so much empathy for her. I was like, “Is it bad or good?” On the one hand, it’s crazy that she’s putting it out there, but also, there are human beings behind these stories and everyone’s looking for that connection, they’re looking to feel whole, and in some ways, I think the balance is taking what’s right from it, not letting it consume you so you’re only dealing with your device, getting out there and meeting the person and the people and having those real-life connections, social. But I think it’s a great tool. It’s not anti-social media, it’s really about finding the balance, and I think there’s a lot of cool, useful stuff Henry will learn from Eliza as well. She’s very smart and she’s very savvy and in some ways she’s a little bit like an idiot savant about this stuff, and she’s got stuff to teach him as well.

[x]

#john cho #karen gillan #selfie abc #emily kapnek #interview #long post

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harpagornis · 11 months ago

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Have you heard the tragedy of rounded wingtips the wise?

Pterosaur wing diagram by Federico Benzan. This was on Wikipedia’s pterosaur page for the longest time… until someone noted them paddle-shaped wingtips….

Recently a controversy (which I’m using the broadest definition of the term since this hasn’t actually caused any significant drama) revolving around the maxim that pterosaurs have rounded wingtips has erupted on twitter. World renowed paleontologist and actually-legitimate cryptozoologist Darren Naish has noted that there has been an emphasis on “rounded wingtips” when describing and depicting pterosaur wings in modern paleoart; upon a response from Dave Hone (whoch has published the paper responsible for this) this has evolved in a broader conversation about wing membrane lobes and the actual shape of the pterosaurian distal phalange.

TL;DR: pterosaur wing tips were rounded to some extent… but also not.

What is “pointy” actually?

Examples of alleged modern pointy wings, a frigatebird (putneymark) and a Mexican free tailed bat (jabz photography). Note that in both cases the sharpness of the wing is undermined by different segments (feathers and cheiropatagia respectively) that still blunt the terminal profile. Pterosaur aktinofibrils apparently did the same.

First of all, lets get a few things straight:

The Dave Hone paper linked above that started this whole thing doesn’t explicitly make a pointed wing an impossibility, just unstable and stupid. Natural selection doesn’t operate on intentional perfection, so a “subpar” design can still exist if it doesn’t flat out damage an animal’s survival. Thus, a pterosaur with pointy wings could hypothetically still fly, just not as well as one with a stable rounded wingtip.

That said, there is evidence that most pterosaurs had terminal phalanges that were curved to some degree, so this selective pressure is evident on the fossil reccord, though not universal (see below).

Darren Naish doesn’t dispute the presence of some roundness (though he clearly favours a minimalistic take on that). What he is mostly concerned with is what he calls a “convex lobe”, a section of the membrane projected that blunts the wing shape.

With that out of the way, we are left with two main issues:

Are pterosaur wings universally blunt? Or are there exceptions?

Was there evidence of a lobe?

The former is already semi-addressed: most pterosaur wings have curved end phalanges, as the paper demonstrates. HOWEVER, this actually doesn’t seem to be universal: in rhamphorhynchids at least, the terminal wing phalanges seem to be pointy, and in the case of Bellubrunnus they actually do the opposite of most pterosaur phalanges and curve outwards.

Bellubrunnus by Dave Hone. Notice pointy wing phalanges.

So yes, for whatever reason rhamphorhynchids and a few other groups gave this trend the wingfinger. However, they are the exception that proves the rule, as they are considered aberrant for this.

Onto the next point, the presence of a lobe. I think we can safely argue against the massive lobes seen in some diagrams like the article opener, but Darren Naish actually argues against even small lobes like in this reconstruction of Bellubrunnus:

By Matt Van Rooijen.

This I have to disagree with. Abundant studies have some that the distal section of the wing membrane of pterosaurs was full of rigid aktinofibrils (Witton 2013, th aofrementioned Dave Hone paper), so it was clearly an adaptation to generate a more rigid membrane in this area. While this does not prove the existence of a large lobe, it does make the existence of a small degree of convexity, certainly enough to at least smoothen the terminal wing in conjunction with the curved phalanges.

Muzquizopteryx wing end by John Conway. The artist has largely popularised rounded wing tips by emphasising the curved phalange with just a little bit of soft tissue trailing, which I think is a good, plausible compromise.

Along the way some people on twitter used examples of alleged pointy wings in modern animals like some seabirds and bats. However, in both cases the “sharpness” of the wing is severely undermined:

In most birds, flight feathers have round distal margins. Additionally, they form the wing in multiple segments; if one feather is damaged, others can make up for it. They certainly did not have a bony element sticking out as in the “pointy pterosaur wing” model. In fact, I find pictures of birds with fully sharp wings to be fairly rare, with even triangular winged species like falcons and frigatebirds usually having splayed feathers at some point in their flight cycle.

In bats, the wing is inherently rounded due to the presence of multiple wing fingers. Sharp wing fingers are by themselves rather rare in healthy specimens — they’re emmersed in membrane, hence why they lost their claws — at most you have species where the third finger is particularly elongated as to form a subtriangular wing. Like pterosaurs they have specialised fibers (in their case muscle groups) that prevent fluttering and maintaing the membrane’s shape in flight.

So yes, I think pointy wings are biologically inaccurate and evidence points towards at least somewhat round wing tips. But not too round, as large convex lobes are absent.

Prehistoric Planet

Prehistoric Planet azhdarchid model. Since this is a teaser picture I’m assuming it is okay to use.

This controversy has come just in time for Prehistoric Planet’s release, easily the most spectacular prehistoric documentary to date. Since Darren Naish and Mark Witton had creative control on pterosaur wings, how do they fare?

In pteranodontians, they are in fact rounded. Not too rounded, but a combination of curved phalanges and some soft tissue trailing make them more in line with the modern paleoart trend.

Azhdarchids, on the other hand, have extremely pointy wings. This makes less sense to me because they were inland flyers, which tend to have broader wings, though their distal phalange curvature is less pronounced so a large convex lobe would be necessary to create their rounded wingshape.

Overall I’m satisfied with the results, but I hope the discussion continues, especially since some people are naturally being imbeciles and going the opposite direction.

#paleontology #palaeontology #palaeoblr #paleoblr #pterosaur #pterosauria #paleoart #palaeoart

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anthologiemystika · 2 years ago

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Potions: Their Uses, Forms, and Misconceptions

Potions. We have all heard of them, from “Double Trouble Boil and Bubble” to the “PolyJuice Potion” and everything in between. Indeed, one of the first things that comes to mind in regards to witchcraft is the image of a crone, stopped over a cauldron, stirring up a potion. While this might not be the image of a modern witch, potions are still considered to be a staple and basic foundation for many forms of magic. In this lesson we will be covering their uses, forms, and misconceptions.

***It is VERY important that for any potion you make that you intend to ingest, that all ingredients are SAFE for consumption or contact with skin. Many crystals, mushrooms, and even herbs can be very DANGEROUS when ingested or touched to the skin. Please always do your research for your own safety***

Uses

Webster’s Dictionary defines a potion as a mixture of liquids and that the first usage of the word appears in the 14th century. While in practice a potion is a liquid, it might also contain herbs, stones, spices, etc. Contrary to popular belief, potions have a wide variety of uses. They can almost be considered spells in a bottle, or a “break glass in case of emergency” type of spell, one where the magic is bottled up and contained, only activating on who, or what, the intended target it.

Most people use potions for various reasons, including glamours, protection spells, safety during travel, and love spells. I mean, lets face it, what better way to feel confident than to literally toss confidence down the hatch. Who hasn’t thought of giving the one they love a brew infused with apples, cinnamon, and intention for the one they love to want them back. While protection potions are not as widely talked about, having a potion of protection in your handbag or backpack will always help to make sure you are safe, no matter where your travels take you.

That being said, the single most common form of a potion is actually used in healing spells. Think about it, all the times you were sick as a child and a family member whipped up their “home made remedy”. Something that was always made in a pot, smelled of death, tasted worse, but brewed by a loving hand, and always making you feel better. This form of magic, simply stirring love into a recipe, is indeed one of the oldest types of magic and potion making. So next time your loved ones don’t feel well, remember that the simplest health potion is one made with a slice of lemon, a bit of honey, and a stirring of love.

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Quick and Easy Wake Up Potion

Heat a cup of water and add your favorite tea to your cup

While you wait for the tea to steep, light an orange candle on your altar or table

Say: “I am healthy and grateful for this day.”

Meditate as you drink your tea

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Forms

Contrary to popular belief, potions come in many forms. Indeed, some of the most powerful forms of potions are not even ones you drink. Did you know the Moon Water is a potion? It is a liquid, cleansed and charged with intent. That 4 Theives Oil you made? Also a potion. From hand creams, to tinctures, teas, and oils, potions have evolved much as humans have. Coming in a wide variety of forms, and even uses, potions in magic have evolved from “double double toil and trouble” variety, to any liquid item imbued with intention and magic.

In their oil form, most people use it to consecrate their altar items, or help open the third eye or chakra work. As tinctures they can be used for healing, cleansing, and charging. I mean, teas, do I even need to say more? There is a tea type or tea leaf for just about anything magical you could ever need, especially when trying to bring something into your life, letting others see a certain aspect of yourself, or increasing something you have. Teas are one of the most powerful potions that exist in the magical world, and also one of the easiest forms of potion magic there is. As for waters, magical water such as Florida Water, Moon Water, Sun Water, etc is even a form of potion making. Remember, potions just take a liquid and an intention.

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Waterfall Ward Protection Potion

For use to protect yourself and your home from unwanted energy

Ingredients: Vinegar, Water, Salt, Protection Herbs and Essential Oils

Actions: Mix it all together and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then take a rag or cloth and let the water drip from the top of your windows and doors. Then wipe down the edges of the windows and the thresholds.

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Misconceptions

Over the years there have been many misconceptions regarding potions, most notably that they must be drunk in order to work. This is not the case, indeed many potions are not safe to be ingested or exposed to your skin. A lot of the potions you will find in older grimoires are made from ingredients that are not safe, and were created long before modern medicine was even a spark or thought. Remember that they used to think that demons in your brain caused headaches? Probably not the people you want telling you what to put in your body.

Another common misconception is that something will “happen” when the potion is ready. I mean as cool as it would be, when a potion is complete at the end of the day it is still made of normal ingredients. There is no sparks, no fireworks, no smoke, no *boom* (and if there is, you have MUCH bigger issues, namely to call the fire department and hope they don’t ask why you were using explosive ingredients over a hot stove). When a potion is ready, much like anything else you do in the kitchen, you should know. Whether that is by instinct, smell and touch, or simply using an egg timer for 20 minutes on simmer. While not as satisfying, it is still magical and remember, that is all that is needed.

Finally, remember to simply DO YOUR RESEARCH! Items used in potions can be very dangerous, and sometimes don’t play well together. Just think about what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar. Potion making is as much witchcraft as it is chemistry so if you start looking for those random or rare ingredients, just make sure you research them first to prevent any “happy little accidents” (as Bob Ross would say).

*All images were taken from Pinterest*

#witchblr #witch community #witchcraft #potion #paganism #witchcore #romeoposting #beginners guide #baby witch

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braincandy00 · 8 days ago

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Why Your Website Needs a Makeover (and How to Do It Right!) - BrainCandy

A website isn’t just a digital brochure; it’s a dynamic reflection of your brand, services, and goals. If your site hasn’t had a recent update, it might be time for a makeover. Here’s why—and how to approach it effectively.

Keep Up with Modern Design Trends Outdated websites can give a poor first impression. Today’s design trends favor clean lines, minimalistic layouts, and intuitive navigation. A sleek, modern design not only attracts attention but also keeps visitors engaged. Consider updating your site's color scheme, fonts, and images to ensure they feel contemporary and on-brand.

Optimize for Mobile Users With over half of all website traffic coming from mobile devices, a site that isn’t mobile-friendly is missing out on a massive audience. A redesign offers the chance to create a responsive layout that looks great on screens of all sizes, providing a seamless experience across devices.

Improve SEO Performance Search engines love fresh, optimized content. When you update your site, it’s an ideal time to ensure SEO best practices are in place. This includes faster load times, improved keyword targeting, and content optimization. Better SEO means higher search rankings, which can bring more visitors and potential customers.

Enhance User Experience (UX) The more effortless your site is to navigate, the longer visitors will stay. A website makeover can refine UX elements, from clear calls-to-action (CTAs) to intuitive page layouts, guiding users towards what they need quickly. Make sure your design provides a logical flow, as well as prominent CTAs that lead visitors to the next step.

Stay Ahead of Competitors Your competitors are likely investing in their digital presence, and you should too. A polished, engaging website positions you as a leader in your industry, showing that you’re serious about your online presence and are committed to meeting customer expectations.

How to Get It Right Begin with an audit of your current site’s performance and identify key areas for improvement. Consult with a professional web designer or digital agency for an expert perspective on what needs updating. Finally, test everything before launching. A smooth, functional website will enhance credibility, attract customers, and ensure you stay relevant in an ever-evolving digital world.

For more information visit https://www.braincandy.in Contact us +91 89765 05665 / [email protected] Address :- Sai Solitaire, 2601, Plot No 4 & 5, near Hyde Park, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210

#website development #web design

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oppvenuz4456 · 2 months ago

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E-Invites for Weddings and Events: A Modern, Eco-Friendly Way to Celebrate

In an era where technology has touched every aspect of our lives, the world of event planning has also evolved, particularly in the way invitations are sent. Gone are the days when traditional paper invitations were the only option. Today, E-Invites—digital invitations sent via email, social media, or messaging platforms—have become a popular, convenient, and eco-friendly alternative. Whether you're planning a wedding, a birthday, a corporate event, or any celebration, E-Invites offer a wide range of benefits that make them an ideal choice for modern hosts.

This article explores the growing trend of E-Invites, their advantages, and tips for creating the perfect digital invitation for your event.

More details Check https://www.oppvenuz.com/einvites/

1. Why E-Invites?

There are several compelling reasons why more and more people are opting for E-Invites for their weddings and events. Here are some of the top benefits:

a. Eco-Friendly

One of the biggest advantages of E-Invites is that they are environmentally friendly. Traditional paper invitations often contribute to deforestation, water waste, and pollution. By going digital, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment.

b. Cost-Effective

E-Invites are a cost-effective option compared to printed invitations. You save on printing, postage, and delivery costs, which can be particularly beneficial for large events like weddings. The savings can then be allocated to other important aspects of the event, such as décor or catering.

c. Convenience and Speed

With E-Invites, you can create, customize, and send your invitations quickly and easily. There’s no need to wait for printing or delivery times, and your guests receive their invites instantly. This can be a lifesaver if you're planning an event on short notice.

d. Customizable and Interactive

Digital invitations offer endless possibilities for customization. You can include not just text and images, but also interactive features such as RSVP buttons, links to wedding websites, event details, maps, and even videos. The dynamic nature of E-Invites allows you to create something truly unique and engaging for your guests.

e. Tracking and RSVP Management

E-Invites make it easy to track RSVPs and guest responses in real time. Many online invitation platforms offer built-in RSVP tracking systems that allow you to see who has opened the invite, who has responded, and who hasn’t. This simplifies guest management and helps with planning and logistics.

f. Instant Updates

If there are any changes to your event, such as a change in venue, time, or date, E-Invites allow you to update your guests instantly. With traditional paper invitations, changes can be a logistical headache, but with digital invites, updates are just a click away.

2. Popular Platforms for E-Invites

Numerous online platforms offer easy-to-use templates and tools for creating E-Invites. Here are some of the most popular:

a. Paperless Post

One of the most well-known platforms for E-Invites, Paperless Post offers a wide range of customizable templates for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more. Their designs are elegant, and you can add personalized touches like photos, videos, and text. The platform also includes RSVP tracking and guest management features.

b. Evite

Evite is a free, user-friendly platform that offers hundreds of templates for different occasions. It provides real-time RSVP tracking and allows you to send reminders to guests. Evite is ideal for smaller events, but also caters to larger gatherings like weddings and anniversary parties.

c. Greenvelope

Known for its eco-friendly mission, Greenvelope offers beautifully designed E-Invites with features like RSVP tracking, guest messaging, and the ability to send event updates. Greenvelope specializes in formal events like weddings, making it a great choice for couples looking for sophisticated designs.

d. Canva

For those who want complete control over the design, Canva is a great option. Canva offers a wide range of customizable templates and design tools, allowing you to create your own unique E-Invite from scratch. It’s perfect for those who want to add a personal touch to their invitations.

e. Minted

Minted is another popular platform that offers both digital and printed invitations. With Minted’s E-Invites, you can create beautiful, customized invitations while benefiting from their extensive design library and RSVP tracking features.

3. Tips for Creating the Perfect E-Invite

Creating an E-Invite may seem simple, but there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure it’s both effective and visually appealing. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect digital invitation:

a. Match the Theme of the Event

Your E-Invite should reflect the theme and tone of your event. Whether it's a formal wedding or a casual birthday party, choose colors, fonts, and images that align with the overall vibe of the celebration. For weddings, soft colors and elegant fonts often work well, while corporate events may require more professional and minimalistic designs.

b. Keep it Clear and Concise

While digital invitations offer the flexibility to include more content, it’s important to keep the information clear and concise. Include the essential details such as the event date, time, venue, and RSVP instructions. Avoid overloading the invite with too much text or imagery, as it can overwhelm the recipient.

c. Incorporate Interactive Features

One of the best parts of E-Invites is their interactive nature. Add clickable buttons for RSVPs, links to your wedding or event website, and even maps to the venue. You can also include short videos or slideshows to make the invitation more engaging.

d. Don’t Forget the RSVP Deadline

Setting an RSVP deadline is crucial, especially for larger events like weddings. This allows you to finalize guest numbers for catering, seating, and other logistical arrangements. Make sure to include a clear RSVP button or link, and follow up with guests who haven't responded by the deadline.

e. Test Before Sending

Before sending your E-Invite to guests, test it yourself. Send it to a few friends or family members to ensure everything works as it should—links, buttons, and images. This will help avoid any technical glitches that might affect your guests’ experience.

f. Add a Personal Touch

Even though E-Invites are digital, they can still feel personal. Add a heartfelt message, include a fun photo, or record a short video inviting guests to the event. These personal touches make the invitation feel more intimate and thoughtful.

4. Conclusion

E-Invites are a modern, convenient, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invitations, offering endless opportunities for customization and personalization. Whether you're planning a wedding, birthday party, or corporate event, E-Invites allow you to create visually appealing and interactive invitations that are easy to send and manage. By embracing digital technology, you not only simplify the invitation process but also contribute to a more sustainable future—one beautiful invite at a time

#bollywood #delhincr #event #punewedding #wedding services #mumbai #new delhi #oppvenuz #wedding #punecity

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eloubeauty · 3 months ago

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Entrepreneurial Spotlight: The Journey Behind Eloú Beauty Bar

In the heart of Conyers, GA, Eloú Beauty Bar shines as a beacon of elegance, community, and empowerment. This Black-owned nail salon is more than just a place to get your nails done—it's a hub of creativity, a sanctuary for self-care, and a testament to entrepreneurial spirit. At the center of it all is Yolanda, a woman whose passion for beauty and dedication to her craft have turned Eloú Beauty Bar into a beloved destination for those seeking top-tier nail care and a touch of luxury.

Background and Expertise:

Yolanda's journey into the beauty industry began with a simple but profound love for helping others look and feel their best. Over the years, she honed her skills, gaining invaluable experience in various facets of the beauty industry. Her expertise isn’t limited to just nail care; she has a comprehensive understanding of beauty and wellness, which she has used to create a holistic experience at Eloú Beauty Bar.

What sets Yolanda apart is her commitment to continuous learning and growth. She understands that the beauty industry is ever-evolving, and to stay ahead, one must be adaptable and open to new trends and techniques. This mindset has earned her recognition not just from her clients, but also from peers in the industry.

Recognition & Awards:

Yolanda’s dedication to her craft hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the years, she has received numerous accolades, both for her business acumen and her expertise in beauty, which have allowed her to amass the positive reputation that continues to precede her. The loyalty of her clients and the word-of-mouth referrals that continue to bring new faces through the doors of Eloú Beauty Bar are a testament to the quality of her work and the respect she commands in the beauty community.

The Birth of Eloú Beauty Bar:

The idea for Eloú Beauty Bar was born out of Yolanda's desire to create a space that was more than just a nail salon. She wanted to build a place where people could come not only to enhance their appearance but also to rejuvenate their spirits. With this vision in mind, Eloú Beauty Bar was established, offering a unique blend of luxury, relaxation, and top-notch nail care.

From the outset, Yolanda was determined to make Eloú Beauty Bar stand out. She knew that in order to do this, she needed to focus on more than just the services offered—she needed to create an experience. This meant paying attention to every detail, from the ambiance of the salon to the products used and, most importantly, the way clients were treated from the moment they walked through the door.

A Commitment to Excellence and Community:

One of the core values at Eloú Beauty Bar is a commitment to excellence. Yolanda and her team go above and beyond to ensure that every client leaves the salon feeling satisfied and pampered. This commitment to quality is evident in the meticulous attention to detail that goes into every service, whether it’s a simple manicure or an intricate nail design.

But Yolanda’s vision for Eloú Beauty Bar goes beyond just providing excellent nail care. She is also deeply committed to giving back to the community. As a Black-owned business, Eloú Beauty Bar plays a crucial role in supporting and uplifting the local community. Yolanda actively seeks to create opportunities for others, whether through mentorship, collaborations, or simply by being a positive role model.

The Eloú Beauty Bar Experience:

Walking into Eloú Beauty Bar is like stepping into a world of elegance and tranquility. The salon’s decor is chic and modern, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts clients at ease. The attention to detail is apparent in every aspect of the salon, from the carefully curated selection of nail polishes to the plush seating that ensures clients are comfortable during their appointments.

At Eloú Beauty Bar, the focus is on providing a personalized experience for each client. Yolanda and her team take the time to understand each client’s needs and preferences, ensuring that every service is tailored to meet those expectations. Whether you’re looking for a simple, classic manicure or something more elaborate, you can trust that you’re in good hands at Eloú Beauty Bar.

Looking to the Future:

As Yolanda looks to the future, her goals for Eloú Beauty Bar are clear: to continue growing the business while maintaining the high standards of quality and service that have become the salon’s hallmark. She is constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve, whether through introducing new services, expanding her team, or finding new ways to engage with the community.

In a world where beauty trends come and go, Yolanda’s dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to her clients ensure that Eloú Beauty Bar will continue to thrive. She is not just building a business; she is creating a legacy—one that will inspire future generations of entrepreneurs, especially within the Black community.

Conclusion:

Eloú Beauty Bar is more than just a nail salon; it’s a testament to what can be achieved with passion, dedication, and a clear vision. Under Yolanda’s leadership, the salon has become a beloved part of the Conyers community, known for its exceptional service, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to excellence. Whether you’re a regular client or someone looking for a new place to pamper yourself, Eloú Beauty Bar offers an experience like no other—a place where beauty and community come together in perfect harmony.

#black owned #nailsalon #nails #nail salon #nail art #nail polish #conyers ga #georgia #women owned business #black business

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universalinfo · 10 months ago

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The Ripple Effects of the Chip Shortage on Automobile Insurance Claims

The modern world has come to rely heavily on semiconductors, the tiny yet mighty chips that power everything from smartphones to microwaves, and yes, our vehicles. The recent shortage of these critical components has sent shockwaves through various industries, with the automotive sector being one of the hardest hit. As cars have evolved into computers on wheels, the dearth of chips has had a domino effect, leading to production halts, delivery delays, and a host of other challenges. But there’s an angle to this saga that hasn’t been as widely discussed: the impact on automobile insurance claims.

When the Well Runs Dry

Imagine a scenario where your trusted car, a vital part of your daily routine, needs repair. But there’s a catch – the parts required are just not available. This isn’t a hypothetical situation; it’s a reality for many due to the ongoing global chip shortage. The ramifications of this shortage stretch beyond mere inconvenience, spilling over into the realm of auto insurance. Let’s delve into how this shortage is reshaping the landscape of automobile insurance claims and what it means for consumers and insurers alike.

Understanding the Chip Shortage

Before we explore the implications for automobile insurance, it’s crucial to understand the root of the chip shortage. The demand for chips surged unexpectedly as the world adapted to the pandemic, with remote work and education driving up the need for electronics. Coupled with that, manufacturing disruptions and supply chain constraints exacerbated the shortfall. The automotive industry, which had cut chip orders anticipating a decrease in car sales, was caught off-guard as demand rebounded.

Increased Repair Times and Insurance Claims

One direct consequence of the chip shortage is the increased time it takes to repair vehicles. Cars today are replete with advanced technology that relies on these chips. When an accident occurs, replacing these high-tech components can take much longer than before. For automobile insurance companies, this means claims remain open for extended periods, potentially leading to higher costs and longer wait times for customers.

The Challenge of Total Loss Decisions

The scarcity of chips has led to a surge in vehicle values, and deciding whether to repair or declare a vehicle a total loss is more complex. With the cost of replacement parts skyrocketing, automobile insurance providers must meticulously weigh the expenses against the car’s value. This delicate balance can sometimes result in more vehicles being considered a total loss, affecting both insurers’ bottom lines and consumers’ pockets. For more details visit us at https://www.thejordaninsuranceagency.com/.

Premium Adjustments on the Horizon

As the industry grapples with these heightened costs, there’s a possibility that automobile insurance premiums could see adjustments. Insurers may need to account for the increased risk and expense associated with the chip shortage. Consequently, this could lead to higher premiums for consumers, as insurance companies aim to maintain their financial stability in a landscape altered by the scarcity of semiconductors.

Innovative Responses from Insurers

Despite these challenges, there’s a silver lining as some automobile insurance companies are getting creative. They are exploring alternative parts, such as after-market or refurbished chips, and even reassessing how they handle claims altogether. These innovative responses are not only helping to keep the wheels of the insurance process turning but also ensuring customers aren’t left in the lurch.

Conclusion: Navigating Uncharted Territory

The chip shortage has undoubtedly introduced a new set of challenges in the world of auto insurance claims. From elongated repair times to the reevaluation of total loss decisions, the effects are being felt across the board. As we continue to feel the ripples of this shortage, both insurers and consumers will need to adapt to this evolving situation. While it’s uncertain how long these conditions will persist, one thing is clear: the need for flexibility and innovation has never been more critical in the automobile insurance industry.

In wrapping up, we can see that the chip shortage isn’t just a temporary hiccup; it’s a significant hurdle that’s reshaping how automobile insurance claims are processed, how premiums are calculated, and how the industry as a whole responds to unforeseen challenges. Through adaptation and innovation, the industry can aim to mitigate the impact and steer toward a more resilient future. Read More:

Automobile Insurance Claim Process

#Automobile Insurance #Insurance #Automobile #Safety #Security

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creature-wizard · 2 years ago

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The deal with New Age, in a nutshell

New Age, neopaganism, and witchcraft are neither synonymous nor mutually inclusive. Anyone who says they are either hasn’t done their research, or is lying to you.

New Age comes from Theosophy, a movement started by Helena Blavatsky, a white woman whose mission was ostensibly to seek out the perennial philosophy in the world’s religions. However, plenty of evidence points to Blavatsky being less than honest.

Helena Blavatsky was racist as fuck. She presumed to know what the traditions of non-white people were about better than they did themselves. She also wasn’t shy about referring to POC as s*v*ges. Some of her fans claim that she wasn’t actually racist because she had positive things to say about some POC, but she was basically painting them as pure and uncorrupted by civilization, so... still racist.

She was also into that gender essentialism that TERFs love oh so much - for example, she claimed that the goats of Thor’s chariot represented male power, while the reins that held them in place represented the female principle. Because, you know, women are passive yet restrain men from running absolutely wild.

Seriously if you have any doubt that this woman’s mind was full of rancid garbage, just flip through Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine for yourself; they’re literally free online.

The term “New Age” refers to what Helena Blavatsky called the Fifth Round (supposedly, we’re currently in the Fourth Round). Basically she believed that humanity is on a path of spiritual evolution, and that we’re about to enter a new phase in our evolution. This right here is the core tenet of New Age belief.

Entering the Fifth Round basically entails most of humanity dying off, leaving behind those enlightened (particularly by Blavatsky’s teachings) enough to become the fifth root race; IE, the progenitors of the next wave of humanity.

This is literally spiritual eugenics.

Helena Blavatsky didn’t invent Nazism but boy howdy did Nazis love her ideas, which should tell you a lot about what she peddled.

Like any other religious movement, New Age has evolved over time and not all members believe the exact same things. However, they pretty much all believe that getting on the spiritual evolution train means following their practices and subscribing to their beliefs.

Modern New Agers still perpetuate colonialism by presuming to understand what other people’s religious traditions are about better than they do.

Modern New Agers are huge fans of the ancient aliens hypothesis, which has always been racist bullshit.

So yeah, it’s still spiritual eugenics, and it’s still racist as hell.

They are constantly spiritualizing health conditions. Like being tired and sad all the time is supposedly an “ascension symptom.” Tinnitus is supposedly the universe trying to communicate with you. Symptoms of autism and ADHD supposedly mean you’re a starseed, indigo child, crystal child, or whatever else.

Starseeds, supposedly, are alien beings who have incarnated into human bodies in order to help Earth ascend by spreading New Age teachings. Basically, they’re missionaries from space.

New Agers claim starseeds were attested in many ancient traditions (especially Egyptian and Mesoamerican), but not a single one of them can produce a single scrap of evidence to substantiate this. (Literally the oldest text I’ve ever been able to locate that contains anything resembling a starseed is The Martian, an 1898 fiction novel.)

See how the racism just keeps compounding?

New Age is deeply tied into right wing conspiracy theories. The New Age to alt right pipeline is well-documented phenomena.

New Agers push spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity like whoa nelly. Some of them are worse about it than others, but it’s an extremely common thing.

A lot of them believe in what’s in The Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean (not to be confused with The Emerald Tablet), a text that popped up in the early 20th century and claims a guy from Atlantis took over Egypt and taught them Atlantean spirituality. (This is very much in contradiction to what Plato said about Atlantis and Egypt, btw.)

New Agers are deeply into the Law of Attraction, which derives from New Thought, which is basically what happens when a bunch of rich fucks who don’t understand economics decide to spiritualize wealth.

And of course, there are the SCAMS. New Age is absolutely rife with scams, from people selling chunks of glass as powerful crystals for hundreds of dollars (the so-called “Andara crystals”), to people claiming to have “ancient wisdom” or “Native wisdom” they just made up, to all kinds of medical scams.

So yeah, no, there’s no good reason to respect New Age beliefs, because they are rancid.

#new age #new agers #helena blavatsky #aliens #ancient aliens #extraterrestrials #starseeds #spiritual eugenics #atlantis #religion #spirituality #mysticism #perennial philosophy

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aulel-process · 3 years ago

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What I am passionate about doesn’t easily intersect with what I can be paid for (yet)... I’ve never in my life felt proud of anything except the creation of beautiful art... I only feel happy when I make art I’m proud of... I don’t know why... I just super love visual stimulation... I’ve never ever in my life felt proud or fulfilled by completing my responsibilities... but bills aren’t optional... I wish they were... I’m tired of spending the majority of my time towards not my passion... the process of making art is exhausting (root of passion means to suffer lol... no pain no gain)... concurrently doing art + responsibilities wipes me out... but I can’t just opt out of responsibilities... and then art-ing falls to the wayside and I mope... mope mope mope... then I blame my job because why I need to spend my time bringing to life someone else’s vision? I want to spend my time bringing to life my vision (I also get super angry when people don’t share my perspective because I’m such an intolerant fuck-tard like that even though art is supposed to be about challenging inherent bias and being open minded yada yada... why would anyone be proud of bringing to life another person’s vision?? Get your own damn vision and focus on that... no one owns 2+2=4, you can’t patent labor, you can only patent an idea. Labor is the modern day equivalent of slavery, why hasn’t society evolved to the point of its dissolution? Technology should have developed to the point where a life of leisure is attainable for everyone... I’m not opposed to the average life because I think I deserve more, I’m opposed to anyone being subjected to a life that is not one of total freedom... anyone being proud of playing a subordinate slave role just, my brain does not compute.. “I aspire to not only be a slave but to be the very best slave” false consciousness... academia didn’t brainwash me, Marxist theory isn’t where the foundation of my anti-labor sentiments come from.. I only needed to receive homework for the first time at the age of 4 to be like, why I need do this stuff I don’t want to do? Oh because it’s training me for a life of slavery, no thank you, flush that homework down the toilet please) Fuck my bills... I would like a world where the intersection of all 4 rings is readily attainable for everyone... you want to be an artist? You shouldn’t have to prepare yourself to starve... or squeeze it into the corners of your responsibility filled day... or have rich parents or marry a rich dude...

also I oft liketh talk like a child because I hope if I do it enough then reality will just bring forth a life free of the doing of things I don’t want to do!

I need to stop ranting and take more action!

Oh! I also realized more than one person read my previous post on fetishization of Asian women as my opposition to traditional relationships (woman playing the role of stay at home wife).. I am not at all opposed to tradition in any forms (I might be more in support of being a stay at home wife than I am of women doing labor since I’m opposed to the entire existence of labor) (I am only opposed to prescribing a limited range of correctness on human behavior... I only oppose restrictions to freedom)... I would not characterize Memoirs of a Geisha as promoting a traditional relationship... it promotes a harem situation for a man (a man with a wife and multiple mistresses) which was perhaps traditional for the time period the novel describes... if a harem situation is what all parties agree to (all the women and the man are ok with it) then that is fine... but I think this situation is more often a lopsided male fantasy that doesn’t give voice to the desires of women and instead portrays through the protagonist that what a woman should want is to reify the male fantasy... that is a pervasive narrative as well, that instead of women defining their own fantasy, women should find fulfillment in playing flawlessly the role men want them to play... I am not opposed to women embracing their sexuality nor their beauty nor being pleasing to men (I think beauty is possibly the greatest form of power that there is, hence my obsession with art to begin with)... I only think women should just as strongly assert what they want in a man (or to at least have their desires take as much mental precedence as what a man wants from her)... being willing to be critical of any work of art and the perspective it promotes no matter, or especially when, its aesthetics are seductively on point.

Ok I needs to get back to art-ing. Thank you internet friends for your support!

#ikigai #passion #fulfillment

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katytheinspiredworkaholic · 2 years ago

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The Construct of Time, Chapter 05

Pairing: HotchReid

Written For: The HotchReid Valentine’s Day Trope Challenge, Trope Assignments = Historical AU, Time Travel

Summary: The year is 1924, half a decade after the first World War, and a few years before the Great Depression would devastate the nation. It is a time of contradiction: the modernist uprising of science and innovation, met with a traditionalist, fearful desire to cling to the past in a fast-evolving, urbanist society. And on this morning in Washington D.C. an unmarked package is left outside the office of Aaron ‘Hotch’ Hotchner, P.I., with a note simply telling him to find the rest, and a substantial price tag attached. What he finds in this package is something he has never seen before, hundreds of years old, and he barely knows where to start trying to find more like it. Ultimately he is pointed towards someone that may just have a clue what to do with his charge: a Classics Historian working in the basements of the Smithsonian, Dr. Spencer Reid. Together, what they discover sends them on a break-neck chase across the city, searching for a mysterious collection of powerful artifacts, and the people that are trying to sell them. Forever changing everything they know about the world, the people in it, truth, lies, love, and the fragile construct of time.

Rating: Mature/Explicit (to be determined)

Chapter CW/notes: short chapter (gasp. shock. me?! couldn’t be). Lots more gratuitous flirting and suggestive things thought about because Hotch can’t control himself I guess. Some time-period typical misogyny here, but not a lot. A lot of talk of languages and linguistics, and some insanely incorrect translations. I’d like to thank my co-author: GoogleTranslate.

Word Count: 3,378

Masterpost Link

Ao3 Link

–

Chapter 05: Academic Sources

–

Hotch knows Washington D.C. like the back of his hand. Can navigate the streets and buildings, neighborhoods and transit systems, as easily as most can navigate their homes. He might not have been able to go inside all said buildings and establishments, or at least not most of them, but if someone asked for directions he could practically draw a map and label the train numbers to take. So when he and Spencer leave Smithsonian Castle, in the heart of the District, he knows the exact route to Georgetown even though he hasn’t stepped foot onto the campus since his early years as a prosecutor. They have one hell of a Law Library.

Georgetown is located just past Foggy Bottom and the West End, up along the Potomac where it monopolizes quite a few square blocks of the city. The buildings are about as grand and pretentious as you could imagine, with the same air and grace as Smithsonian Castle and the Library of Congress, but after visiting the other two such destinations Georgetown doesn’t seem as ethereal. Hotch is definitely getting a good sense of what the academic crowd are going for, though, when it comes to the nation’s capital.

They arrive right after morning classes begin, students milling about laden down with books and papers; half with a frantic anxious energy and the other half too tired to care. Hotch certainly doesn’t miss those days, and he bets Spencer doesn’t either – although the other man blends into the student body near seamlessly. Once on campus the young doctor leads them through pillar-lined walkways and past vibrant green lawns, into the castle-like fortress where the hallways and hundreds of doors look more like a labyrinth than a university. But Spencer knows exactly where he’s going, just as before.

Hotch had half expected to be led into the Classics department, or history, and is surprised when they walk into the faculty offices for the Department of Linguistics.

“You weren’t kidding about the translation, were you,” Hotch says with his usual even tone, dry humor that very few laugh at. It makes Spencer bite back a smile.

“As much as I am well versed in both modern and ancient Greek, I was a little… shaken and thought it best to get a second opinion.”

“Good morning, Dr. Reid,” the receptionist greets, familiar and much like the employees at the Library. “Did you have an appointment with Dr. Blake? I don’t think I have you on our schedule–”

“No, she’s not expecting me. Is she in class?” he asks with a charming smile. “I was hoping to drop in and ask for her advice on a translation project.”

Oh wow, Hotch had been right, his smile and sweet demeanor really could open doors. As the receptionist lets them sit in the professor’s office, despite the fact this Dr. Blake is indeed teaching a class, Hotch suddenly wonders what sway that sweet smile might hold under different circumstances. The academic world doesn’t appear to be as locked up and secretive as the crime beat is, but as he’s learned spending time with the young Dr. Reid the past two days – appearances can be deceiving.

They don’t have to wait very long, barely enough time to settle into the chair by a very nice mahogany desk and for Spencer to skim through a book that the door opens to a woman just a little older than Hotch. She has a serious face, inquisitive eyes, and a firm set to her mouth as she takes in Hotch first before she notices Spencer is there as well. It lessens her squared stance when she catches sight of him.

“Dr. Reid. I see you sweet-talked Ms. Reeves into access to my office,” she chastises, and Spencer lets out a sheepish smile like it’s something he can’t actually help. Being that charming and unassuming.

“I hope we aren’t intruding,” he says in apology.

“Not at all, my day was actually looking to be rather dull.” She glances at Hotch, who had stood as soon as the professor entered the room. Chivalry ingrained in him nearly as well as the words of the Law. He also removed his hat, and if he spots Spencer smiling fondly at his gentlemanly attempts then Hotch doesn’t draw attention to it.

“Alex, this is Mr. Aaron Hotchner, a Private Investigator that has asked me for help with a case. Aaron, meet Dr. Alex Blake, the head of the Linguistics department here at Georgetown and one of my favorite colleagues in the District.” Hotch shakes her hand, the woman having a very strong, firm grip and commanding presence. Her penetrating stare is about as well masked as any lawyer or crook Hotch has ever met in his entire adult career, but he knows when he’s being sized up and judged. “We’ve worked together on some of my Classics projects and curations at the Smithsonian.”

“It’s a pleasure, Dr. Blake,” Hotch says politely, warm but only so much. Keeping it professional. That will get them much further in discussions. When he had told Spencer that he is very skilled at reading people, Hotch meant it. But the reading only goes so far without adaptable application. He needs to read what a person is like, and know how to best appeal to them. This woman lives and breathes her profession. She gives him a lukewarm smile in return, charmed, and then gestures for them to sit in the chairs by her desk.

“What kind of case would require Dr. Reid’s assistance?” she questions, straight to the point as she seats herself in a neat perch behind her desk, hands folded on top and giving them her undivided attention.

“Stolen museum artifacts,” Hotch says, just as plainly. “I was given Dr. Reid’s name by a friend in the police department. They told me he would be the expert I’m looking for. And they were right.”

“Artwork?” she pries, with a tilt of her head.

“No, more like… relics. Jewelry, some pieces I wasn’t even sure what their purpose was for,” Hotch says in good humor, still on the fence if he should reveal just how calculating he can be, or if it would benefit them more if he played the fool. A smart man can learn quite a lot by playing dumb. If people don’t give you enough credit to understand a situation, they end up saying more than they probably would have meant to. “Hence the consult.”

“Well, that sounds very exciting.” She doesn’t seem to actually think so, oddly, and by the dismissive turn of her head she gives her attention back to Spencer. Hotch watches the interaction unblinkingly. “What brings you to my office?”

“I actually need your help with a translation,” Spencer says, and that calls forth the first real look of shock on the woman’s face.

“You?”

Spencer shrugs, sheepish again. “I’m uncertain about the dialect, it seems distorted somehow. Almost as if it’s been mistranslated from the original to English and back again.”

“How odd,” the intrigue is there, it shines in her eyes brighter than any other emotion, and relaxes her stance as she leans on her desk with her fingers near her chin in contemplation. “Show me.”

Spencer only hesitates a moment, and Hotch doesn’t miss that one bit. He’s not sure if this Dr. Blake notices it, either, but it’s as good as a confirmation to him in that moment. He’s never met Dr. Blake before, doesn’t know what about her behavior is just quirks of personality or tell tale signs of what he actually thinks is going on here. She’s hiding something. Or, more specifically, knows a bit about what’s going on. Feigning that she doesn’t. Not the only person in the room that understands the benefit of ‘playing the fool’.

Hotch would bet all the cash in that unlabeled envelope back at his office that Dr. Alex Blake could give them an exact address to the auction they are searching for, if she felt so inclined.

But Spencer pulls out his research notebook, and turns to a page that looks fresh. Save for a string of Greek letters written there in his own hand. The actual stark white paper and message must be somewhere else in his notebook, and Hotch isn’t actually sure when Spencer had the time to copy it down. But he’s glad the young man thought ahead to do so, especially after that inkling of a realization they had back in his labs. Have you ever seen paper like this before? No, Hotch hasn’t, and neither has Spencer, because it’s not modern paper. It’s something else entirely –

Dr. Blake takes the notebook and looks at the words, reads them out loud, and even as she does there seems to be breaks in the words, “Poté min afíseis to méllon na se enochlísei. Tha to synantíseis, an chreiasteí, me ta ídia ópla logikís pou símera se oplízoun enántia sto parón.” She’s squinting hard at it, frowning, brow furrowed and murmuring a couple of the words to herself, correcting dialect and reaching for a pen on her desk – only thinking to look up at Spencer and ask quickly, “May I?” Spencer nods and then Dr. Blake begins to mark it up, fix certain words, circle others – and as she starts to translate what some could mean… she pauses.

“What is it?” Hotch asks before Spencer can.

“ – this is a quotation,” she says, suspicious and careful. “I know it.”

Hotch and Spencer glance at each other, knowing without speaking that it must be true. The first message was a quote from a famous Greek Tragedy. It only makes sense that this clue is also from another old work.

“So I was right?” Spencer asks. He probably doesn’t get to ask that question often, Hotch thinks with a smirk. “It’s a translation of a translation?”

“A very poor one,” Dr. Blake agrees. Abandoning the notebook, she stands and goes to her bookshelf. The tome she pulls is old, well worn, well read – and Spencer cranes from where he sits to try and read the title from across the room. “It’s Marcus Aurelius, from his Ancient Greek writings. Meditations.” She flips through the book, finds the page, and hands the book directly to Spencer.

It’s in Greek, but Spencer finds the line easily after tracing his finger down the page. Eyes wide in shock, darting to Hotch in quiet meaningful glances, before he translates for him.

“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”

A chill goes down Hotch’s spine at the first line. Never let the future disturb you. It holds a completely different meaning to them after that morning. After watching Spencer disappear and reappear, slipping through subtle cracks in time. If the items could bring someone backward, did it also mean they could bring someone forward? To the future? ’Have you ever seen paper like this before?’

‘–he was gone. Not dead, Hotch, gone.’

Hotch is more spooked by the line than he even dares to admit.

While Hotch had latched onto the ‘future’ part of the quotation, Spencer has already moved past it to the rest. “Weapons. Arm. You don’t think–” his voice trails off, and he goes very still. Hotch catches up to the young doctor’s train of thought very quickly after that, and does his utmost best not to look at the satchel housing their two recovered artifacts. “ –could they be weapons of some kind?”

“That’s not what the translation means,” Dr. Blakes says, almost as if in reprimand. Like Spencer should know better.

“Yes, I know,” he defends, words spilling forth quicker as his brain tries to process everything faster than he can speak. “But the word choice in this quote can’t be coincidence for much else. Especially from Marcus Aurelius. Weapons. Reason. Arming oneself. Meeting one’s future. Virtute et armis.” That’s not Greek, it’s Latin, and that Hotch knows.

“... by manhood and weapons?” he says, brain wracking for his own studies years and years ago. “Or – by virtue and arms.” That sounded more like a Roman proverb, and Dr. Blake nods. Spencer looks so quietly pleased and impressed that Hotch has to clench his jaw to keep a smile at bay.

Dr. Blake paces back to her desk. Elaborating as she goes. “Virtue first and foremost, but a person always has the tools of last resort.”

“A good man can also be a desperate man, under dire circumstances,” Hotch murmurs out loud, not so sure they should be picking this particular theory apart under the watchful eye of Dr. Blake. He glances at Spencer again, and reiterates, “-- this could have something to do with weapons.”

“But the translation is ‘weapons of reason’,” Dr. Blake adds without preamble, with a hint of something almost… defensive. “What if it is in reference to your stolen museum pieces? Perhaps the persons you are searching for thought they were doing something good. Keeping it out of nefarious hands – the act of a crime being the metaphorical weapon?”

“And take it where?” Spencer asks, “then it becomes a matter or moral perspective. Is their hands any better than the ones who would buy and sell it on a black market?”

“Not if they are returning them to their country or origin, to the ones whom it belongs to in the first place!” Dr. Blake insists. Her outburst like a shockwave, and Spencer looks stricken by it. Pieces carefully aligning into place. “There’s such an imbalance in the museum society, you know this Spencer, of artifacts and art pieces and culture that – belong to the people it originated from. It’s their history, their heritage, who are we to say it belongs in the Louvre or the London Museum? Or the Smithsonian?” It’s a sharp barbed throw, and Hotch can see her passion behind the cause, but he can’t help but think… how naïve one had to be, to consult with criminals to obtain such a result, and still think the artifacts won’t fall prey to those who would rather make a quick buck.

“ –Maybe,” Spencer says, slow and drawn out, also not convinced that this is what actually occurred – not with what they know – and Hotch thinks then that they have overstayed their welcome far past what could be considered safe and sane. Dr. Blake doesn’t appear dangerous. But knowing who some of the dark underground places this case has touched, the woman might not fully understand what she has put in motion. If Emily Prentiss had been involved and backed out due to it being too risky? Those dark places were the equivalent of pitch black.

And yet – she doesn’t seem worried. As if it were already too late.

As if the artifacts have already reached wherever they were supposed to be. Dr. Blake doesn’t know they have the puzzle box, or the locket, and she didn’t much seem to mourn their absence.

But Hotch doesn’t want to push his luck. They need to go.

He stands, then, hat in hand and the look of a man ready to be out the door. “Dr. Blake, thank you so much for your assistance. It has helped us tremendously,” he adds politely, taking her hand to shake again in parting.

“Of course, anything for Dr. Reid,” she says as well with a prim, concealed smile. “I hope you find what you are looking for, Mr. Hotchner.”

Her tone indicates that they won’t.

Hotch keeps his face neutral, but he knows now without a shadow of a doubt that whatever else they had hoped to recover – they were long gone from Washington, D.C..

–

“Where do you think they are?” Hotch asks as soon as they are out of the offices of the department of Linguistics, one hand pressed lightly to the small of Spencer’s back to help lead him out of the labyrinth of hallways and keep him close enough to speak quietly. “Halfway to Europe by now?”

“By boat? Without a doubt,” Spencer murmurs, numb and so sad sounding. “By plane? They could be in Rome, London, Cairo, Madrid. Depends if we missed them by a single day or multiple.”

Shit. Hotch knows that if he had been in such a position, plane would have been his first bet of getting the items out of D.C. and away as fast as humanly possible. And it wouldn’t be hard at all with academic resources as a cover, not with how much excavation was going these days. Egypt will have nothing left once the archeologists were done with it. Which is exactly what Dr. Blake was getting at – but to get involved with the criminal underground like this in the name of preservation? She couldn’t really think that she could somehow swindle real thieves and smugglers into returning priceless items, could she?

“How can someone so smart be so dumb,” Hotch mutters, shaking his head. He bets Dr. Alex Blake hasn’t been called oblivious a day in her life, but the term sounds much nicer than willful ignorance.

“She honestly thought she was doing the right thing, I think,” Spencer mumbles, his ears red and shame staining his cheeks. His head must be ringing with that shot at the Smithsonian. At his life’s work.

Without meaning to, Hotch finds his hand pressed more solidly to the younger man’s back, as they make it out into the mid-day sunshine and side-step to a small alcove. Away from prying eyes and ears, surrounded by stone walls and pillars, able to breathe and collect themselves in their seclusion. Spencer still looks shell-shocked, trying to find his footing as he paces there.

“So what do we do?” he asks.

“Well, I’m not giving up this chase. Even if everything is halfway to Madrid.” Hotch says, and Spencer’s soft gaze near glows in admiration. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m getting paid a fat wad of cash for it.”

“You don’t care about the money,” Spencer says, and it’s not a question. It melts the façade right off of Hotch’s face.

“No, I don’t. I also don’t care that everything might already be gone. Are you ready to give up and go back to your basement laboratory?” There’s a lilt to his tone, and brightness to his dark eyes that he doesn’t want to hide from the other man, because he already knows the answer. Enough he allows himself to hope.

“Not a chance,” Spencer smiles.

“Good. So what do we do next.” Hotch hadn’t realized how close they were standing until that moment, curved towards each other, barely a few inches distance. With just a twitch of his fingers he could reach for Spencer’s waist once more, curl a hand around it, draw him closer still until they touch chest to thighs. “We can’t trust your academic scene any more, and we can’t trust my underground one by default – so where do we turn next?”

Spencer chews on his lip. Hotch has to resist the urge to free it with his thumb. “Well… firstly I think we should find out if one of these artifacts is actually a weapon of some kind. I’d rather not be carrying around the equivalent of a live grenade as we go trapezing about the city.”

“Smart.”

“So I’ve been told,” Spencer smirks, and it quirks surprise into Aaron’s lips. He knows because the action catches Spencer’s honey hazel eyes. “I – I have some friends outside the academic community we can consult. On the far side of town. I needed to deliver a book to him, anyway.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Hotch smiles, small and sincere and it reflects in Spencer’s face tenfold. Bright and blooming.

This was turning into the wild goose chase that Hotch had so dreaded just the following morning, but with the warmth of Dr. Spencer Reid’s brilliant adoration fixed solely on him – and another long day in his company awaiting them – Hotch finds he doesn’t mind the drawn out case any longer. Let it twist and wind for days, in his opinion.

He hasn’t been this happy in years.

—

tbc…

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⬅Previous Chapter

Next Chapter➡

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Tagged list so far: @physics-magic @thaddeusly @sideblogforcrimpy @anxious-enby

(To be added to the taglist just send me a message via comment, reblog, ask, or DM!)

#again I'm sorry for the delay #legit got Covid on Friday last week and it hit me like a truck #hopefully this one is okay. I had to do some filler still half out of my mind with fever #but I'm going to be damned if I have to throw away my new writing schedule a week after I start it #anyway please enjoy loves #The Construct of Time #HotchReid #Heid #Historical AU #time travel #all the tags I can't think of right now

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therealvinelle · 4 years ago

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Carlisle wouldn’t want to be human

This really goes for most of the Cullens, Rosalie excepted (I think Edward would last one day without his telepathy and superpowers before this happened (well honestly I think his denial would keep him from ever admitting this but this isn’t an Edward post so we’re cutting this thought short right now before it spirals)), but I see both Edward and general fandom just sort of take it for granted that if anyone offered Carlisle a miraculous human again pill (and I’m just picturing that as some hokey pill being sold on ad TV) he’d praise Jesus and swallow that down immediately, and I’ve to see anybody argue with that so here I go.

First of, if Carlisle were to suddenly find himself human again I have every belief that Aro would materialize and go, “My dear Carlisle has been made a human? How tragic! Never fear, old friend, I’ll fix that for you. Om nom nom.” and then Carlisle would not be human. And I’m only half joking when I say that, because Carlisle has a lot of friends, and while his animal diet is all well and good, if he were to actually do something like this they’d be very sad his human obsession has gone too far and stage an intervention. “We’re doing this because we love you, Carlisle. Now please try not to be too delicious. Om nom nom.” And then we’re back to Carlisle being a vampire again, though with slightly longer hair this time.

More seriously, if Carlisle was offered this miracle pill, then as a doctor he’d probably be less than enthused about it. He was there to see what happened to the Native Americans when the Europeans came carrying brand new disease, and after viruses and bacteria have had 350 years and a globalized planet to evolve, our seventeenth century priest is going to be in trouble. He’s unvaccinated to boot. He also has a completely different intestinal bacterial flora than modern humans do, which I imagine would not be fun for his digestion. This guy would be a sickly, constipated mess.

As for the main reason - why would Carlisle ever want to be human?

Before he’d mastered his thirst, then he’d probably feel obligated to. For as long as he hadn’t mastered it there was always the risk of him losing control and killing somebody. In his early days he certainly would have jumped on the chance. But none of this is a problem anymore.

So, to take the reasons why he wouldn’t say yes in the present day - first of, why would he not want to be a vampire? He is past worrying about his thirst. His vampirism is at this point purely an asset to him. It makes him great at his job. All his friends and family are vampires. If he were to become human again, he’d not just suddenly suck at his job (as I imagine he has incorporated his super senses into his work to the point where he would pretty much have to learn everything anew if he still wanted to be a doctor), his brain would be slow and limited, and he could never see his cherished friends, people he has known for centuries, again. He’d have to start over with another fake identity in a new place, and sure, this time he could stay until he died of old age, but he’d still be lying to everybody he met about his identity. Carlisle is very much a social butterfly, and he’d be unable to form meaningful friendships when he could never get truly personal with anybody.

In other words, Carlisle would be signing himself up for a lonely life of being average if not bad at his work. And his work is incredibly important to him.

Then there’s the fact that as a doctor, modern viruses aside, when it comes to health problems Carlisle has seen it all. He would know better than everybody that even if the modern viruses don’t make him a sickly mess, even if he doesn’t join the statistics of people who die in tragic accidents, he could still get a brain aneurism at the age of 24 and his human LARP is over. And who knows, maybe he had some nasty disease lurking in his DNA just waiting to ruin his life had he lived long enough, such as ALS. But assuming that Carlisle says “I’LL RISK IT”, even if he makes it to an older age, aging is no joke. Dementia, gout, incontinence, the general and inevitable decline of his body - this is the looming shadow hanging over all our heads. For an immortal who has seen countless humans succumb to it, why choose this?

And for what?

So he could have kids of his own, presumably with Esme?

He has a whole family. Rosalie and Edward especially are his children. Just, this guy loves his whole family so much, I can’t imagine he’d throw them aside in favor of some faceless toddler concept. I also don’t think he’d even want kids of his own, but I think that’s for another post. And also mostly a vibe.

So he could grow old with Esme?

Again - why? She’d be just as much an outcast as he, and face all the same health risks (except I suppose for the modern viruses, she hasn’t been dead for that long). I can’t imagine he’d want to sit idly by and watch her either die ahead of schedule, or live long enough to become unable to care for herself.

Then there’s the fact that at most he’d have six or seven decades. To him, that’s just the blink of an eye. And, again, a very unpleasant blink where he loses everything, is less intelligent, and slowly dies.

Lastly there’s the fact that the human he was is dead, his time has passed. Carlisle doesn’t belong in the human world any longer. He interacts with it because helping humans gives him joy and meaning in life, but he’s a man out of his time and this brave new world is not the one he once lived in. He would not in any way belong, and I think he knows that quite well.

Just, the whole idea that Carlisle would want this is founded on Carlisle having some sort of innate worship of humans where being human is inherently better. I’m sorry, but that’s Edward. If Carlisle felt this way, he wouldn’t be turning others into vampires, and he wouldn’t have vampire friends all over the globe. To him, thirst isn’t a problem, and his vampirism means he can save more humans than he otherwise would. The remaining concern would be God, but Carlisle’s life philosophy is that being a vampire is not by itself a sin, so he’s fine in that regard too.

In summation, I think Carlisle is quite happy being a vampire, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

#carlisle cullen #twilight #twilight meta #twilight renaissance #note on the intestinal bacterial flora #a study was done on an african tribe whose members were eating the same food as their ancestors had for thousands of years #and a group of regular americans #they switched diets #and the african tribesmembers' gut flora was noticeably decreased after just a few weeks #and as far as i remember this was irreversible change #while the modern americans did not have noticeable change #so if i understand that correctly then this might not be such a big problem for carlisle #but it's still food for thought #and i imagine the transition period would suck #he'd probably just take the easy way out and eat unprocessed organic food #be that hipster #vegan vampire and hipster human #... i'm quitting this 'carlisle's indigestion combat tactics' tag spiral #before it gets weirder #point is this guy would lose everything #he could never see his friends again #and in exchange he gets to give a forced smile and say 'yay. i'm human. yayy...'

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earthstellar · 4 years ago

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TFP Analysis - Timescale: How old is Cybertron and the oldest Cybertronians when compared to Earth and Humanity?

Unicron and Cybertronian Pre-History / Lore

So we know that in TFP the planet Earth itself was formed as space debris accumulated around the slumbering form of Unicron.

You can see the scene in which this is discussed here.

As far as TFP goes, the timeline isn’t super clear on when Earth’s formation went down as far as Cybertron is concerned. We know the Thirteen were around, but most of what we know is in the scene linked above.

The story of Unicron and Prima/Primus is treated similar to a creation myth, but one that is more or less factually accurate and did occur as the lore indicates. (This relates to my notes on Alpha Trion’s involvement, further below.)

But either way, we know a few key points are true: Invariably, Cybertron is older than Earth. Cybertronian individual lifespans can cover the equivalent of Earth centuries, covering many centuries. And while we have no specific dates, we do have an idea of Cybertronian eras of time and the events that occurred across each.

Cybertronian Eras and the Covenant of Primus

We know that Alpha Trion was the scribe of the Primes. (Again, more on this in the Alpha Trion section below.)

In the Covenant of Primus, we know that Ratchet and Soundwave were both around during the Age of Wrath, with the only earlier time period (on Cybertronian record) being the Great Cataclysm, which was essentially pre-history going into the modern age as this was the point at which Cybertronians began to expand and develop into their early civilisation.

What I’m getting at here, is that while we don’t have a perfect timeline that compares Cybertron and Earth side by side, there are Cybertronians in TFP who would have likely been alive when humanity was relatively young as a species. They would have had beta access to humanity, essentially, if they had made contact with us then.

Old Bots: Ratchet and Soundwave

We know Ratchet more or less wandered the planet eventually seeking out Iacon as it began to develop as a hub of development, so we can assume that his spark came into existence roughly towards the middle or end of the Great Cataclysm era. This fits fairly well with the timeline of his involvement in other events mentioned in the Covenant, such as the Quintesson occupation. (The picture below is from the relevant Covenant recollection of Ratchet’s early days as a medic.)

We know that Ratchet was there when medicine was essentially still being founded as a science/practice as it evolved with the development of civilisation in Iacon.

For a more human frame of time reference for relative age, we can compare Ratchet’s early work as a medic under his mentor Remedy to that of Galen, or Ali al-Ridha, who wrote one of the earliest medicinal collections on health and medicines.

Soundwave’s spark came into existence around the early Age of Wrath, quite possibly a little before it, but I think early Age of Wrath fits best with Soundwave being described as “unique” compared to other Cybertronians, as it was at this point in time when the Quintessons interfered with the Well of All-Sparks, resulting in altered Cybertronians being produced from the Well.

Alpha Trion: Recorder and Editor of History

Now, Alpha Trion is the one to really look at to gauge the overall timeline, as in TFP he is himself a Prime and is the oldest possible Cybertronian to measure all this by, but we still have no specific dates.

And that is significant for two reasons:

1) We know Alpha Trion is described as a first-generation child of Primus and one of the original Thirteen.

2) His Primal artefacts are the Quill and Covenant, which although he has perfect recall and is essentially a living memory repository, he has the ability to bend reality and oracular power to alter events-- At least to some degree.

The Covenant is Alpha Trion’s record of events, and we know in the Exodus novel that it is at least hinted that Alpha Trion “curates” history.

There may not be any 100% accurate, perfect record to base anything on, as the primary documentation available is all from Alpha Trion. This is partially because even though he does note in the Covenant that he is trying to record things as they were in reality, he alters reality. And when he does so, does that affect his recall? It’s unclear, and seems to possibly vary in places. But we don’t know.

Timescale Relative to Earth

Obviously, we have more clear estimate date ranges for Earth’s development in the real world, but whether or not TFP’s fictional Earth follows the same development isn’t verified. We can assume it roughly does.

Early Modern Humans, let’s focus on Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals, were chillin’ on Earth roughly 40,000 to 48,000 years ago, estimate time frames. We know this irritated Unicron, as he sees humanity as essentially vermin or parasites.

Without any dates or estimates to work with in regards to Cybertronian time scales, it’s hard to say for sure, but we can estimate based on the sheer number of events/developments in each noted Cybertronian era to get a sense of how long that era must have most likely lasted for relative to a human sense of time.

Ratchet’s Relative Age for Comparison

Ratchet is a great example for relative time, as he is of course still alive during TFP: He was “born” from the Well only just after the Predacons went extinct on Cybertron during the Great Cataclysm.

This is roughly equivalent to the Quaternary extinction event that ended most megafauna life on Earth.

From a Cybertronian point of view, Ratchet is only slightly younger than the extinction of the dinosaurs.

But their dinosaurs are more or less Predacons, and Predacon remains are on Earth.

Predacons on Earth

Fossils! We love some good fossils. Shout-out to geology and archaeology.

While the reasoning for Predacon remains being on Earth is briefly discussed on the show, it still hints that there is likely more significant examples of Cybertronian life being engaged with Earth on some level throughout history.

If Cybertronians are here now, and Earth itself is a result of Cybertronian influence on a larger universal scale, then who’s to say there hasn’t been even more Cybertronian contact?

The Autobots only know so much, as far as Earth is concerned. And as we’ve discussed, Alpha Trion seems to love editing as much as he loves writing.

Conclusion!

It is wild to think about the differences in relative time between Cybertron and Earth (and Cybertronians and humanity).

We can’t say for sure, but it’s fair to think that there could absolutely have been further contact between humans and Cybertronians prior to the modern era and prior to the current Cybertronian factional conflict.

That contact could have been potentially very early in modern human development, or even prior to humanity’s evolution, although given that reaching Earth would have required space bridging, we can at least roughly estimate that contact between modern Cybertrontians and modern humanity may have been most likely during the early Golden Age.

Alpha Trion could have messed with Earth’s timescale at any point in-universe to allow for things to line up sufficiently for the sake of allowing for any Cybertronian involvement concerned, so that is also something to consider.

#transformers #long post #analysis #tfp #transformers prime #tfp ratchet #alpha trion #soundwave #tfp soundwave #ratchet #maccadam #transformers lore #predacons #cybertronian history #cybertron #unicron #lore #tfp lore

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sagechanoafterdark · 4 years ago

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All Good Things (Part Two)

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Synopsis: After only three days of dealing with the annoying specter haunting you, you break the rules and accidently give a ghost a body. So what do you do when you find out the man you’re now sharing your your apartment with isn’t really a ghost and that haunted touch is a little warmer than you realized?

Warnings: language, witchy reader, ghost Bucky, enemies to friends to lovers, slow burn, memory loss, blood magic, cannon typical violence, soft Bucky

Word Count: 5,035

A/N: This one is a lot longer than the first part and I thought about breaking it up but it wont help the flow for the story at all. So enjoy seeing their relationship evolve!

All Good Things Masterlist

Rubbing at your eyes in annoyance you were ready to flip your kitchen table.

It had been a whole week since the incident downstairs and after having what was supposed to be a ghost become whole again in the middle of your shop you’d retreated into the greenhouse and your families collection of Grimoire’s for answers.

You poured over the leather books, praying to what ever gods would listen that the answer would be somewhere in those pages. The incantation you’d used to find the object tying the ghost, James Barnes, to this world was an easy one. In fact you’d done the spell so many times as a child you knew it by heart after the third day of learning it your Aunt had to bandage your fingers you’d pricked them so much just to see one of your toys glow.

Sitting at your kitchen table you held the oldest in your family collection of Grimoire open. The only one with the slightest clue as to what went wrong. The leather bound book and soft worn pages were filled with over three hundred year old incantations and cryptic spells.

But it all felt pointless, you’d found no real solution to the problem save for a tiny notation at the bottom of a page. “Should thee intended sought be living, one must be sure they are not.”

A warning.

The gist. You fucked up.

Heaving a sigh you blew it through pursed lips closing the ancient book and pulling your laptop over. If ancient magic couldn’t help you, maybe modern would have to do. Starting it up you picked up where you left off the previous night. The search for James B. Barnes.

Glancing over at your couch you watched as James slept, mouth parted slightly in a snore. His left arm thrown over his eyes as he rested in the early morning daylight; the spare quilt you’d given him to sleep with half on the floor along with his foot dangling off the edge. The man slept like someone who hasn't rested well in decades.

Maybe it was due to becoming corporeal? That had to take a toll in some way since it shouldn’t have been possible in the first place. But according to the book and the Eidolon sleeping on the couch, whoever James Barnes was he was still very much alive.

Standing and stretching your back popped and a exhausted yawn escaped you. Picking up your empty cup of coffee you wandered towards the kitchen ready for another. The dog tags around your neck tinkling as you walked.

It had been four days since you began your online search for any trace of James B. Barnes and you were getting sick of coming up empty-handed. You could only start with what you knew, his name, approximate age and that he was military according to the tags. But you were quickly discouraged, the number on the tags had lead you down a dark rabbit hole of classified and redacted information that you honestly wanted no part of.

All documents linking to the name were more than fifty years old anyway, no way this was the same man currently sleeping on your couch. A quick search on a few genealogy sites brought up a military draft from the second world war but no living descendants for Sargent James B. Barnes who was killed in action. It was a dead end.

Lifting the pieces of metal in your hand you read the second name on them a couple more times. R. Barnes was listed as next of kin, maybe their family could answer some questions if you could find them in a census somewhere.

Chiefly among your concerns right now was how this guy ended up attached to dog tags from the second world war.

At the end of that first day something told you to keep the tags close to you, that they may be vital in returning his spirit to where it belongs. So you kept them around your neck, no better place to keep them really. But when James saw them dangling around your neck in the kitchen one morning, there was no mistaking the blush that washed over him.

For a man with no past you found out a lot about him in the last week. James wasn’t overtly shy but he often smiled and blushed when embarrassed. Layering on a healthy dose of charm when he wanted to get his way or diffuse a situation with Sylvia who was positively drooling over your new housemate. He liked his coffee black, treats sweet, has a very infectious laugh and fondness for science documentaries.

It was interesting, James was a man who didn’t know anything about who he was or where he was from. A blank slate when it came to his own memories but the man knew how he took his coffee and always cut his sandwiches diagonally from left to right.

“Morning,” came the drowsy voice from its place on the couch. James sat up stretching with a yawn, his long chestnut hair skewed and tangled as he stood up stiffly. “Coffee?”

Nodding your head with a small smile you sipped your own mug, “Fresh, just made it a half hour ago.”

He made his way to the kitchen, pulling down a cup from the cabinet and filling it before wandering to the bathroom. It felt strange, living with a breathing flesh and blood ghost; maybe this was the set up for some Netflix series, but it wasn’t it was your life. When he emerged from the bathroom, hair thrown up in a messy bun with one of your elastics and you cursed just how domestic it had become between you.

“I have to go out to the markets today, I had a few vendors phone me and let me know they had new stock to sort through,” you recounted clearing your throat. You watching him take the first sips of his all black brew. James closed his eyes briefly, a look of joy crossing his face as he drank. “You can tag along if you’d like to.”

With that his eyes snapped open, a hopeful look lighting his sky blue orbs, “You mean that? I can go with you?”

Since this all began you were reluctant to let him leave the building, only letting him go as far as to take out the trash when he begged you or out on the terrace whenever he wanted. But James seemed to be able to cross into both rooms and outside without losing form or tiring excessively. It was for his own good you’d told him he couldn’t leave the apartment without you for too long.

“It’s not a tour of the city,” you felt the need to say, feeling a slab of guilt hit you the moment his face fell. “It’s a business trip, but we can see stuff along the way and talk. But if at any time you start feeling weird or going transparent on me we have to come back right away.”

“Oh yeah, no problem,” he agreed with a nod. “Last thing I want is to become, what did you call it?”

“A wanderer,” you swallowed heavy around the word. Wanderers were rare, but every so often you’d see one somewhere in New York; souls without a tether they were often violent or harassing spirits. “Who knows maybe the trip will jog your memory a little and you’ll remember something that will help us find you. I’d like your soul back into your body sooner rather than later.”

James snorted into the cup, “You and me both.”

After pouring the remainder of your coffee down the sink you made your way to the bedroom, changing into boots, blue jeans and a sweater you were sure to double check that James dressed warm for the day out as well.

It was almost comical how you realized that all he had was the sweatpants and ribbed tank top he’d appeared in. So you made him promise to stay upstairs as you went to go get him clothes from the thrift shop a few blocks over. Guessing at his sizes you’d hastily grabbed two dozen items along with a pair of boots and shoes.

To your credit nearly everything fit but as he came out of the bathroom wearing jeans and a green plaid flannel with a black tee poking out underneath you hated just how much your temporary housemate made your stomach flutter. With his hair tied back in a bun you smirked at him biting your lips to keep the full blown laugh at bay.

“What,” he asked, running a hand down the front of his shirt. “Does it look weird?”

“No,” you assured, unable to hide the joyful smirk or the blush you felt creeping up your neck. “You just look like a lumberjack hipster, but don't worry it’s very in.”

“Oh.” James looked down at himself again as you walked down the hall. His brow furrowed for a moment as he scrutinized the shirt and jeans before trailing after you, “What’s a hipster?

The two of you grabbed a bus after heading out and leaving Silvia in charge of the store. James hadn’t been out on the street very much in the last week so his head was positively on a swivel as the two of you rode through the streets of New York towards the market. His finger would occasionally point out buildings he recognized, recounting what he vaguely remembered them being. If he was telling the truth you’d never know.

It was strange how his memory worked. James couldn’t recall any details about his life, but he knew other things about the world. He knew what a cellphone was, how to use a laptop; hell he even knew who the current President was. But any traces of his personal information, down to his shoe size didn’t exist.

After a morning going from stall to stall in the market and inspecting the potential buys from a few vendors your stomach growled, fingers brushing against his elbow and drawing his attention away from the table of baseball memorabilia. “I’m getting hungry, we’ve got about forty minutes before I have to meet the next seller. Do you want to grab something?”

You ended up practically dragging him over to your favorite taco truck Los Jalapenos and ordered two Cubano burritos after a quick discussion about if he wanted sweet or savory, mild or spicy, steak or chicken. Ten minutes later you were both standing against the brick wall of a building soaking up the fall afternoon sun as you ate out of the Styrofoam containers.

“What kind of person do you think I am,” he asked, biting the plastic fork between his teeth. “I mean this is me starting as a blank slate. I don't know anything about myself, but I’ve got to have habits and things like muscle memory or does that not apply to someone like me?”

Chewing a bit of the steak in your mouth you thought about it, “You know I don't really know. I think it’s going to be a wait and see thing. Your memories can start coming back at any time, I’d suggest meditation but we don’t want anything weird to happen either. Gods forbid you meditate and open a hellmouth in my living room.”

He let out a barking laugh, the smile reaching his eyes, “I don't even want to know what that is. You know it’s so easy to forget that you’re actually a witch, you don't look like one or act like one at all.”

“Oh,” you said a teasing note in your voice as you gave him a sly look. “What does a witch look and act like then James?”

He then turned an interesting shade of red and you bellowed with laughter at his flustered expression.

The two of you eased into regular everyday conversation, it was rather easy to do with James. He was an excellent listener and not at all what you’d expected from a corporeal ghost. Watching as he devoured his tacos with the utmost pleasure made the heaviness in your heart worse and your displeasure at the attachment grow.

You were getting lost in this. He was a ghost. A spirit from another plane of existence. Yet here he was eating and drinking food. Talking to you about mundane things and science specials he’d watched while you were working downstairs. The way his smile would reach his eyes as he spoke, gesturing with his hands and laughing. James was real. He was able to touch things and leave his mark, like he was flesh and blood. But he wasn’t and sitting here with him, teasing and laughing, it was getting harder to remember that.

After finishing your food and wrapping up the last of your appointments, the market was winding down with the sun. Vendors were already packing up but you were looking for last minute deals. Currently occupied talking to a man about what he claimed was a genuine Tang Horse you were so enthralled at the man’s audacity you lost sight of James.

“James?” You called out, looking up and down the row of tents. Dropping the conversation you were having with the seller. “James!?”

“He’s a grown man lady,” the seller, a portly man with a mustache reprimanded with a scowl. “Now do you want the Tang Horse or not?”

Setting the man with a pointed glare you sneered at him, “It’s not a real Tang horse. If you want to pitch it as one, dull some of that shine down first! Excuse me.”

Leaving the disgruntled man you looked into the booths left and right of you, catching a flash of the green flannel shirt in a tent ahead of you. You breathed a sigh of relief, when you saw him standing at a table, “There you are. Thank gods I found you. Don't wander off from me like that I thought that… What’s wrong?”

Taking in his posture you noticed just how still James had become, his eyes fixed on an antique rifle laying on the table of assorted weapons. The wooden stock and barrel were patinated with age, from the label it was a war model. But James’s reaction was what drew the most of your attention as he stared unblinking at the rifle, his mouth parted slightly and he didn’t seem to be breathing.

“James?” You called again, this time wrapping your hand against his own. He started, jerking his hand away, choking as he gasped for breath, blue eyes wild and darting around the dispersing market. “Hey, it’s alright it’s just me.”

“Sorry, I’m…” His voice trailed off as he swallowed hard, his eyes shifting back down to the weapons before shoving his hands in his pants pockets. “Sorry.”

Something felt off for a moment, the air around him shifting slightly from fear to guilt so quickly it felt like whiplash. “It’s alright,” you soothed, placing a hand on his back. “Let's call it a day. I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen enough junk today.”

He nodded and your hand slid down to grasp his own, guiding him out of the market and back towards the bus stop as the sun began to set. The two of you sat closer together than before, James was unusually quiet but hadn’t let go of your hand since you’d left the market. “You’re being awfully quiet. Are you alright?”

Beside you James swayed with you on the bus as it drove down the streets of New York, he smiled at you, the emotion not quite reaching his eyes, “I’ll be fine.”

Reaching the stop a few blocks away from home you and James disembarked, walking down the darkened streets. You were too occupied thinking about what was wrong with James that you didn’t notice the two men you were rapidly approaching or the one coming up behind the two of you. They blocked your path, hoodies drawn up over their heads as a silver blade flashed.

You froze beside James, holding up your hands in surrender as the three men closed in on you, “Purse and wallet now!” One of them demanded.

They crowded on you both, pushing the two of you into the darkened alley between a bodega and laundromat. James held onto your shoulder shielding you partially from the men.

“Don't be a hero, pretty boy.” The one in red sneered, shoving him hard in the shoulder, making James bump into you. “Get out your wallet!”

“I dont have one,” James sneered, holding his hands up.

Your fingers fumbled with your bag, handing over what they asked for without protest or question. It wasn’t your first mugging, but it was the first one so close to your home. The man you handed it to passed the bag to one of the others who went through it quickly. “There's only fifty bucks in here!” he shouted in disgust.

“Fucking bitch, where’s your money!?”

Hearing the click of a gun your blood ran cold, holding up your hands higher just as James slid in front of you. Shielding you from the three men before one of them grabbed him by the shirt and shoved him hard against you. The force knocked you to the ground as James fell on top of you.

“What the fuck!”

“Where’d he go!?”

“Holy fuck!”

Something felt off, a sense of detachment taking over coupled with boiling rage felt foreign.

Looking down at your hands it felt like you were a passenger in your own body as you reached forward for the guy with the gun. Skilled hands automatically disarming him and breaking his wrist as the gun went off, bullet hitting the pavement but you didn’t flinch as you yanked the gunmen forward. Using him as a shield as the second guy lunged, knife at the ready.

A sickening slip sounded as the blade slid home, hands knocking both men’s heads together with a sickening crack and a heavy stomp of your foot. They laid motionless on the gritty pavement. The third ran down the alley away from you as sirens sounded in the distance, heading towards your location you were sure.

You needed to run.

Picking up your discarded purse on the ground you bolted. Darting down the alleyway and scaling a dumpster to jump over a fence to the next busy street emerging just as the police cars rushed past. Crossing the street you turned the corner and didn’t stop until you reached the narrow alley behind your building. Lifting the back gate latch and letting yourself inside.

Breathing heavy you tried your best to catch your breath, chest heaving and sweat beading on your forehead. When a pain like you’d never felt before exploded behind your eyes.

Clutching your head, crying out as you felt something pass through you a full body shudder rattling you down to the marrow. A feeling of complete sadness welled up inside of you, guilt, sorrow and empathy swirled and mixed. As a moment of clarity hit and a conversation became as clear as if you were having it yourself.

“I don't know if I’m worth all of this Steve.”

“What you did all those years... It wasn't you. You didn't have a choice.”

“I know, but I did it.”

Just as quickly as the words came, they were gone. Pain behind your eyes waning as your breathing began to return to normal, opening your eyes and blinking back tears you stared down at James. He laid in a heap on the dirty pavement staring up at you with wide blue eyes, his forehead beaded with sweat and just as out of breath as you were.

“Are you okay,” he asked, coming to his feet, he ran his hands over your arms checking you for any injury. “Are you hurt? I didn’t hurt you right?”

Did he hurt you? Shock turned to immediate outrage as your face contorted to an angry scowl.

“Oh my god,” you shrieked, pushing your hands against his chest and giving a hard shove. He stumbled back with a half laugh either from your reaction or out of relief you’d never know. “That was insane! Did you just possess me!?”

“I- I don’t know,” he stuttered, glancing down at his hands briefly; quirking a half smile at you. “Maybe?”

A snort left you as your arms waved around in outrage, “I can’t believe you fucking possessed me!”

“It’s not like I did it on purpose,” he shot back, voice rising with annoyance. A shudder ran through his body as he clenched his left fist tight, looking at it with wonder. “That was so weird.”

“I’ll say,” you huffed, opening your jacket and fanning yourself in an attempt to cool off from the sprint away from the police sirens and flashing lights. “I can still feel you inside me.”

James looked over at you with a smirk and you rolled your eyes, “You know what I meant.” Ruffling your coat once more you looked over at him, his gaze far off and staring down at the pavement. You sighed, pushing him playfully in the shoulder, “Come on Rambo let's get inside. I’m going to need a hot chocolate after that.”

He smirked, turning his head as you began to push him towards door, “A hot chocolate really?”

“I’ll have you know hot chocolate is good for the soul.” You said in a matter of fact tone. “And so is the rum I put inside.”

He laughed, following close behind as you went inside.

Later that night you were sitting at the table, fingers tapping away against your keyboard as you worked, answering client emails and making deals with other shop owners in the city. After two cups of hot chocolate you were feeling much better, but the pain behind your eyes still hadn’t truly gone away.

Rubbing at your tired eyes you closed them for a moment, pinching the bridge of your nose as you tried to focus on relaxing. The words came back to you again, scraps of dialogue you weren’t sure you heard before.

“I don't know if I’m worth all of this Steve.”

“What you did all those years... It wasn't you. You didn't have a choice.”

“I know, but I did it.”

There was a flash of blonde hair, a kind smile and a laugh, a kid too small and too stupid to not get into a fight. “Sometimes I think you like getting punched.”

“Punk.”

“Jerk.”

Opening your eyes you sighed glancing up at James who sat in the living room, the occasional rattle of a Dorito bag punctuating the narrator as they spoke about animals of the Serengeti. Biting your bottom lip you warred with yourself but ultimately this was going to help right? “James, who’s Steve?”

When he didn’t answer right away you turned your full attention to him and realized you couldn’t have been more wrong. James had frozen, chip halfway to his mouth, his blue eyes a little too wide for your liking, “I-I don't…”

“Something happened when you possessed me,” you started, leaning back in the chair and looking at the ceiling, your mind not catching up on just what was happening in the other room. “I saw, something, I don't know what it was. But I know it’s not a memory of my own. If it’s yours, you must have known him. He was important to you somehow, maybe if…”

A loud sniffle sounded from the living room and your head shot up. James sat at the edge of the couch holding his head in his hands. You found yourself stumbling to your feet, cursing yourself for neglecting to notice just how quiet he’d become. Kneeling in front of him in the living room you saw his eyes squeezed shut as fat tears fell onto the fabric of his sweats.

“James? Hey I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would upset you, I wasn’t thinking,” you stumbled over your words. Hands ghosting over his shoulders. “Please talk to me, I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”

His hands were shaking as they clutched at his head, fingers looping into his hair and pulling strands loose from the messy bun, “I don't… I don't remember.” He whispered, disgust palpable in his voice for why you weren’t sure. “Steve h-he was there and then, he didn’t come back. I think, I think I did something bad to him.”

His voice cracked and he looked up at you, blue eyes rimmed red as his bottom lip trembled. You recognized that look now, it was fear. “I think I hurt him, Y/N. Like I did tonight in the alley. That wasn’t… it didn’t feel like me...that wasn’t me, Y/N.”

Reaching up you cupped his face in your hands, gently wiping away the tears staining his cheeks before sliding your arms around his shoulders into a gentle embrace. It took him a moment, a shudder running through him before he gave into it, sagging against you and pressing his face into your neck.

“It’s going to be okay, James,” you whispered. “It’s going to be alright.”

But you weren’t sure if it was or not. You’d never really be sure. Not until you knew who James Barnes really was.

Waking up with a start you realized you were still in the living room, the Netflix timed out and asking if you were still watching. Grabbing the remote you turned off the television, eyes bleary and tired as you stifle a yawn. Your gaze drifting down to the man resting his head on your lap.

It had been a good thirty minutes of holding onto James before he began to let you go and you weren’t quite sure how you’d ended up with his head on your lap but you recalled running your fingers through his hair as some cheesy sitcom played on the television. Glancing over at the clock on the wall it was late and you needed to get to bed.

Sliding out from under him, James stirred briefly before you pulled the quilt up over his shoulders and clicked off the lamp beside the couch. Making your way down the hall the hair on the back of your neck standing on end the entire way, but you knew you were just being paranoid. Today was stressful and tomorrow would call for a lot of lavender and chamomile tea.

The feeling didn't pass as you changed into your pajamas, closing your dresser you furrowed your brow, looking at the gold and red enamel hand mirror sitting on top. It reminded you of something, but the more your focused on it the dimmer the memory became.

A flash of gold and red had fear coursing through you, but you couldn’t kill him. There was no way you could, not with what you’d done. There was only one option, stop him before he hurt Steve anymore. The heavy whine of something powering up echoed, and you blocked it, struggling to control the blast as it tore through the roof. Punching him as hard as possible, red and gold metal shined in front of you, stumbling backward but you were quicker. Pressing up against them, your left hand clawing into the glowing spot on his chest.

“Y/N?”

A scream tore from your throat as you jumped, turning to see James standing at your door, his hand on the bedroom light flipping it on. “God damn it James.” You cursed, hand clutching over your heart. “What did I tell you about standing in doorways?”

His brow was furrowed, as he stepped into your bedroom a few feet, “You alright?”

“Yeah,” you said, rubbing your forehead a little bit with a sigh. “I’m just...jumpy. Today wasn’t my first mugging but I think it got to me.”

Leaning against the door James smirked at you, his hair hanging in his eyes a little, “Didn’t think something like a little mugging would phase a witch like you.”

"You know for a ghost you sure are a sassy little shit," you shot back with a smile of your own. Dropping onto the bed you sighed, nerves welling up in you for a brief moment. “Can you…. Hmmm… oh, forget it.”

“What is it?”

“Will you... will you, stay?” Your face scrunched up, and from the expression on James’s face he wasn’t expecting it either. “You know what, never mind.”

“No, no,” he started, hands held up he padded over towards the bed as you slipped under the covers of your bed. “I just didn't expect that is all. You sure?”

Flipping back the edge of your blanket you waited for James to come over, sliding into the bed beside you, mattress dipping with his weight. “I feel a single boner and I’m kicking you out.”

He chuckled, “Fair enough, doll.” He slid down into the sheets with a sigh, head hitting the pillow beside you and turning so he was cuddled against your back. Just close enough to feel but not intimately pressed against you. “Isn’t this a little weird, sleeping with a ghost I mean?”

Yawning you nuzzled into your pillow, sliding an arm down to get completely comfortable, “As long as you don’t slime me with ectoplasm I think it will be fine.”

“Thought you said you’d kick me out before that happens.”

“Go to sleep James.”

His rumbling chuckle vibrated against your back and suddenly you felt yourself leaning into him. The warmth of his body heat lulling you into a comfortable haze, you didn’t even fight when he slid an arm over your waist, instead sighing in contentment when he pulled you flush against him. “I did remember something good today,” he rasped against your ear.

“Hmm, whas that,” came your sleepy reply.

“Steve, he used to call me Bucky.”

Humming you rolled, wanting to get more comfortable in the bed and found yourself cuddling up against him, feeling James strong arms wrapping securely around you as sleep began to drag you under, “Mmm, night Bucky.”

“Good night, doll.”

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