#level of requirement of this muse only increases

[lightcreators]

@godstrayed continue from here

　"Tell me, what do you find most amusing? The fear? The desperation? Or perhaps the occasional defiance of those who dare challenge your domain?" At least someone could appreciate them for what they were. Loki's tone was light-hearted yet tinged with something uniquely indistinguishable. "Mortals scrambling, souls bargaining, and all the while, you maintain your icy composure amidst chaos."

His own games were often motivated and petty something he could openly admit. "How can I get an invitation to spectate the Underworld? I find myself curious too. One trickster to... another." Although he wouldn't consider them the same, far from it; only two gods teetering on their own divinity.

Minus  various  Holy  Wars  across  the  centuries,  in  which  right  now,  it  remained  an  simple  hobby  in  which  he  was  partially  bored,  he  remained  an  simple  shadowing  observer  who  didn't  have  by  habit  to  interfere.  Eventually,  with  circumstances  aid  pulled  into  situation  of  his  protegee,  if  some  reactions  were  done,  his  small  influence  upon  events  would  help  them  to  get  out  of  unpleasant  moments.  Of  course,  for  too  long,  he  had  wished  doing  more  than  just  that  ---  influencing  the  ground  from  an  far  away  landscape,  in  which  his  imposing  perspective  and  power  could  easily  transforming  the  result  he  already  knew  of  …  Nevertheless,  the  realm  of  the  Underground  rarely  left  him  room  for  rest,  neither  how  omnipresence  of  Hypnos  and  Thanatos  remembering  him  to  his  responsabilities.  It  had  been  only  recently,  by  how  circumstances  turned  for  one  chessboard,  he  had  imposed  an  independance  over  his  decisions  and  his  own  little  pleasure  ---  How  much  he  managed  to  lie  to  himself,  to  protecting  the  game  of  his  emotions,  to  twiting  his  own  feelings,  was  something  only  the  shadows  knew  …  and  well,  one  kid  inclined  to  play  with  it  !  Natural  reaction  had  to  be  presented  to  showing  his  face  in  front  of  other  places  he  had  remaining  observer,  now  his  presence  had  been  purely  acknowledged  by  an  couple  of  players,  now  he  was  weighting  falsely  all  the  responsabilities  of  an  game  in  which  he  wasn't  the  villain.  Playfulness  have  been  offered  within  his  confession,  but  the  words  remained  honest.  Loki  needed  to  receive  that  compliment,  when  him  as  another  deity  would  support  him.  Especially  since  he  had  to  deal  with  one   illusionnist   …

❝  Whatever  mortal  challening  themselves  a  deity  should  be  expected  to  be  scared,  though  I  do  enjoy  the  fearless  ones.  The  ones  imposing  themselves  in  front  of  an  god  thinking  they  knew  better,  realization  of  their  true  place  is  only  an  even  more  powerful  pleasure,  to  make  them  believe  until  the  last  moment  that  they  can  have  the  advantage.  ❞  It  had  been  his  offensive  line  with  the  Athena  Saints,  with  Pegasus,  a  lot  with  the  Emperor  of  Britannia.  Concerning  the  kid,  concerning  Deimos  ---  regardless  if  he  had  been  emotionally  touched  by  the  blow  he  had  offered  him  by  creating  his  own  exit  beyond  what  he  had  perceived,  the  kid  remained  unaware  how  he  was  reacting  as  he  should  be,  which  remained  his  advantage.  ❝  I  wish  I  could  confess  I  came  to  be  bored  of  their  despair  but  ---  ❞  He  admitted  with  an  broken  smile,  before  further  playfulness  showing  up  in  his  face.  ❝  Hopeless  souls  find  solace  around  my  protection.  They  found  the  comfort  and  the  reassurance  they  search  for.  Though,  it's  often  that  gentleness  end  up  push  behind  by  the  main  concerned.  ❞   Following  that  sentence,  there  was  an  smaller  laugh.  ❝  Main  qualities  I  admire  in  such  souls  are  their  boldness  and  their  perseverance.  Reaching  the  Underground  knowing  my  reputation  requires  courage,  stubbornly  wanting  to  be  right  is  a  madness  that  pleases  me.  Although  this  happiness  can  sometimes  be  annoying,  especially  when  my  challenger  doesn't  seem  to  understand  a  truth  exposed  several  times.  This  is  part  of  my  kindness.  The  moment  of  horror  must  come  much  later,  at  a  time  when  they  hardly  expect  to  handle.  ❞  Playfulness  inscreased  a  little  more.  ❝  It  had  been  the  case  for  an  couple  of  centuries  indeed.  I  now  take  advantage  of  the  human  emotionality  that  I  possess  to  be  more  expressive  on  the  subject.  ❞  As  if  the  moment  had  been  missed,  he  presented  a  dark  face  of  that  one  internal  pleasure.  ❝  I  can  show  condescension  towards  them  in an gentle manner~ ☆  ❞

Eventually,  his  expression  lowered  down  within  that  indifferent  and  seriousness  emotions.  With  his  own  illusions  crumbling  all  around  him,  there  was  that  desire  to  cling  over  each  little  fragment  no  matter  he  would  remain  mentally  hurt  at  each  reminder  …  Though,  pleasant  smile  welcoming  his  features  turned  deeply  honest  as  he  appreciated  the  compliment.  ❝  My  toys  are  the  simple  expectations  of  these  mortals.  I  have  spent  too  many  millennia  being  constantly  offended  by  them  that  I  owe  them  this  pleasure,  which  currently  makes  your  games  pleasant  towards  me,  knowing  your  situation.  Playing  with  these  misunderstandings  of  these  mortals  is  possible  way  to  make  them  understand  their  mistake.  I  wish  to  confess  to  you  that  my  games  remains  confined  to  the  Underground,  nevertheless,  for  a  long  time,  the  Underground  has  been  present  in  this  world.  Like  an  endless  shadow  I  can  play  with.  Like  a  heavy  feeling  that  engulfs  the  bodies  of  mortals.  My  show  may  look  like  a  web  in  the  sky,  or  a  simple  demonstration  in  the  situation,  or  even  by  my  encounter.  I  can  show  you  though.  I  have  advantage  of  being  everywhere.  ❞

[galedekarios]

gale, waterdeep & coinage

just musings on gale's means as well as waterdeep lore bc i love waterdeep:

Gale: Believe it or not, but I witnessed a similar standoff back at the Yawning Portal. Of course, an establishment like that invites all sorts of outlandish entertainments. Player: What's the Yawning Portal Gale: An inn in Waterdeep. Never a dull moment there. Adventurers come from all over Faerûn to try their luck down the well: Leads into the Undermountain, you see - full of death, danger, and vast amounts of treasure. Hard to resist. Player: What was the standoff about? Gale: Oh, a drow, a dragonborn, and a cleric of Cyric walk into a bar. Your standard fare. Maybe someone was cheating at cards, maybe it was some weird lovers' quarrel. In any case, out came the crossbow, and a hush fell over the entire room.devnote Player: What happened next? Gale: I stood up and yelled: 'Shadowdark ale for everyone!' The crowd cheered, the tension drained into five dozen tankards, and soon all was well again. Gale: In a place like the Yawning Portal, the most powerful magic is calling for a round of drinks. Gale: Mind you, all I did was call for ale, but you went and stood in front of that crossbow. I'd drink to that.

i will definitely take a look at the yawning portal itself at a later date (as well as other points of interest within the city) bc it's very interesting as a focal point in waterdhavian history and society.

while we can only speculate about what gale's background in terms of means, wealth and standing looked like since things like tutors and even maids were not uncommon in waterdhavian society, it is interesting to note that he - whatever his personal means at the time this event took place - felt the need to defuse the brewing fight with 'five dozen tankards'.

we do actually know how much one such tankard costs at the yawning portal:

[source]

17cp x 60 = 1020cp

this was interesting to me in terms of this meant in actual terms of coinage and wealth and money spent.

here's an overview of waterdeep's various coins:

source: volo's waterdeep enchiridion

gale spent over a 1000 nibs/copper pieces that evening (or more than one sun/platinum coin) to de-escalate a potentially lethal fight.

to put that into perspective, i'm adding this reference of prices here:

source: volo's waterdeep enchiridion

gale also attended blackstaff academy, with elminster as his mentor. the academy had costs attached with it:

Acceptance to the Academy was predicated on either demonstrating extraordinary magical aptitude (those who could not cast arcane spells were very rarely admitted) or having a particularly compelling personal history. Joining the Academy was free, however monthly dues were required to continue attendance. These fees started at 10 gp per month and increased as a student gained seniority and required more advanced tutelage. In addition, it was a requirement that any new spell that was discovered or researched by an apprentice had to be added to Blackstaff Tower's library. [source]

ten gold pieces per month as fees, although with gale being elminster's mentee, he may have chosen to assist gale and morena partially or fully with any costs that blackstaff academy may have charged.

it does sound, however his childhood may have looked like with a presumably absent father and a mother with her hands full with a young genius, able to conjure rabbits as a babe, summoning a tressym, a magma mephit who set a room on fire, as well as casting a level 3 spell (fireball) at age 8 or younger, that gale at least during the height of his career as a wizard, lived comfortably.

ending this with more food for thought and a banter between gale and karlach:

Gale: They say wealth offers a form of magic. Alas, it's one I've rarely dabbled in. Karlach: Nor I. Never had more than a few coppers in the city, and any soul coins in Avernus went straight to Zariel. Gale: Make no mistake. Souls are sold for coins up here as well. All too cheaply, in most cases.

[mysterious-moonstruck-musings]

Closed Position Prologue

Closed Position Masterlist ||| Dieter Bravo x OFC

Series Summary: Dieter Bravo, now sober, was looking to change his bad boy image after hitting rock bottom. His team hoped that having him join the nationally televised family friendly dance competition would be a good first step, if they can keep him out of trouble. 

Katarina Stamos expected her last season as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars to go the same as it had for the past thirteen seasons. That all changed when she was partnered with the infamous Dieter Bravo. 

Dieter and Katarina are reluctantly thrown into their partnership and must learn to work together to succeed in the competition. In the process they form a deeper connection beyond the dance floor that neither anticipated.

👉 Warnings: Themes dealing with intimate partner violence, past alcohol abuse, and past drug abuse. There will be fluff, tears, spicy language, and smut. This will be a slow burn. Read at your own risk. Dieter Bravo comes with his own warnings.

In ballroom dance, the closed position is one of the most common in which partners face each other, typically offset, in an embrace that may vary slightly for each style of dance being performed. This position enables partners to provide the necessary physical contact and support to lead and follow. Increased body contact is encouraged because it allows for a deepened connection and furthers the use of touch to communicate. Another way for partners to establish a deepened connection is eye contact. Eye contact allows each of the dancers to anticipate and synchronize with the other’s movements. The stronger the eye contact and non-verbal communication, the more effortless and intense the performance will appear to be.

Because of the physical closeness and emotionally charged environment, ballroom dance can be an oddly intimate experience that requires a high level of trust between partners. It’s easy to understand why it’s heavily romanticized. For some, it’s not unusual that it may lead to feelings that extend beyond the dance floor.

In my line of work on a nationally televised tv show, I’m placed with a new partner every season. None of which I’ve ever actually achieved a real connection with (on or off the dance floor). It’s always very formal and instructional. Strictly a student learning from their teacher type of experience. The student (or celebrity in this case) is there for the purpose of winning the dance competition and any notoriety that comes with it. I’m there to teach them how to reach their goal and nothing more. I was, after all, in a sometimes-happy long-term relationship that I was not looking to jeopardize.

Everything changed the day Dieter Bravo waltzed into the dance studio. He was looking to repair his image and boost his career after a rumored long stint in rehab while I was simply trying to make it through my last season on the show. We were reluctant partners at first. I was aware of his bad boy reputation and didn’t want my professional image to be tarnished by his antics. He could sense my reluctance, which fueled the initial hostility between us. The hostility soon faded during our sessions as the electricity ignited. The attraction could only be ignored for so long. No one could have predicted the way our stars would eventually collide and be bound to each other’s orbit.

Next: Week 1

I included everyone who interacted with the initial teaser. Please let me know if you would like to be removed going forward.

Tag List: @secretelephanttattoo @titlee78 @maggiemayhemnj @legendary-pink-dot @linzels-blog @morallyinept @survivingandenduring @undercoverpena @wannab-urs @harriedandharassed @hisandsnakes @misstokyo7love @readingiskeepingmegoing @runningmom94 @sin-djarin @cakipy-blog @missladym1981 @guelyury @weho2kcmo @alokaerza @girlofchaos @trulybetty @rhoorl @bitchwitch1981 @madnessofadaydreamer @darkheartgatita @jazzloveslatte @timpletance @musings-of-a-rose

Let me know in the comments below if you would like to be added to the tag list.

Credits: Star divider courtesy of @saradika. Support divider courtesy of @cafekitsune

[nomouthedscream]

PREFACE: I AM A JAIDEN ANIMATIONS FAN, THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A HATE POST OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT, ITS JUST MY SUBJECTIVE FEELINGS AND SORT OF MUSINGS

Watched jaidenanimation's new video earlier today, and Im torn. Cause on one hand I feel really happy for her for having made it to 10 years, and I understand the desire to do something else after having done a job for a while, to just relax and be yourself and possibly even rediscover yourself. But also the life she described after youtube is just not a realistic one, even for normal people. Part of the reason the job market is so utterly dogshit is because they work really hard to try and pidgeonhole you into certain positions and actively punish you for going against it. An increasing number of companies are requiring 2-3 years work experience for entry level positions (I wish I was kidding). They don't like it when your most recent job was in a different industry, even if it was for college. And any sort of gap in employment is blamed upon your laziness and lack of work ethic.

And colleges get increasingly pickier about your qualifications and if you should get money the older you are because they want that space youre taking up for some 18 year olds who don't know how to bargain or finacially plan well. My college has a secondary college specifically for "adults" (people over 22). Ive only met about 10 people over 22 in classes, and all of them were seeking masters, doctorates, or work certifications. I have only ever met 2 people over 30 who I took classes with, one seeking a masters while the other was working towards getting a work certification. There are people out there who get bachelors late or second ones after their first set, but they are a rare breed, and often times they either have to have a lot of money on hand or have to be willing to go into debt.

And if you go the self owned buisness route, you have the exact same problem that jaiden complained about with youtube, which is that it never actually leaves your mind, it is always there, a shadow at the edge of your vision.

I just, I dunno, I love Jaiden's content and I'm really happy for her, and I think its kinda sweet she idolizes the simple life. But I also think this video sort of epitomizes the fact that the people who got to make youtube a full time job sort of believe they live in a different world totally separate from ours, and they don't really know what normal is, at least not at the point jaiden's at. It felt like when cottagecore was really popular and people talked about the ideal of "the simple life" or when people were obsessed with van life and a bunch of people then had to come out and say "NO, ITS NOT ALL SUNSHINE AND ROSES". Youtube is a job that changes your lifestyle, but so is... any job. My friend whos gonna start student teaching next semester feels like they can't swear anymore or else theyre gonna slip up. My friend who works as an auctioneer basically has no time for his social life anymore. I constantly have work and college looming in my mind, and I've been repeatedly told to be prepared to dedicate all my time to my work since Im going into a stem field. Its all just sort of a part of growing up and taking on adult life. It's just all work in one form or another. It's incredibly difficult to genuinely retire at a young age now adays so if you want to no longer do a job you're going to have to switch instead. And there is no shame in wanting a job change, but it is always important to recognize what such a change will entail and if you're willing to undergo the hardship you will have to endure to get any sort of reward from it. So... yeah.

Tldr: Jaiden's new 10 year anniversary video reminded me that people really do think the grass is greener on the other side.

[republicsecurity]

In the Control Center

In the control center, two instructors, both clad in their own black full-body armor with visors retracted, monitored the data streams flowing in from the cadets' suits. The room was filled with the soft hum of electronics and the glow of multiple screens displaying biometric data, performance metrics, and live video feeds from the cadets’ helmet cams.

Instructor 8UZTT leaned back in his chair, his shaved head glistening under the fluorescent lights. He tapped a screen, bringing up a detailed report on 80LKU's latest performance. "Look at this," he said, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of proprietary pride. "Their heart rates, reaction times, stress levels—we can see everything. It's almost like playing a game with real-life avatars."

Instructor Q47MN, equally imposing in his suit, nodded. "It's incredible how far we've come. The suits not only monitor but also control their physical state. We can adjust their environment, sensory inputs, even their emotional responses. This level of control ensures they perform at their peak."

8UZTT glanced at a feed showing a cadet struggling through a particularly grueling obstacle course. "I think it's time we upped the ante. They're adapting too quickly to the current challenges."

Q47MN smiled, a touch of cynicism in his expression. "Agreed. Let's increase the focus requirements and introduce some harder scenarios. They need to learn that adaptation is the key to survival. Push them out of their comfort zones."

With a few swift taps on their control panels, they adjusted the parameters for the training exercises. New, more complex scenarios were queued up, designed to test the cadets' limits and enhance their resilience.

As they worked, Q47MN mused, "You know, it’s not just about making them stronger or faster. It’s about conditioning their minds as well. We can shape their entire perception of reality. Control their experiences so thoroughly that they can’t distinguish between what’s real and what’s training."

8UZTT laughed softly. "Exactly. We can filter out any distractions, modify what they see and hear. Make them face their deepest fears or their greatest challenges, all within a controlled environment. And they’ll come out of it better, more disciplined. Ready to follow orders without hesitation."

He glanced at another screen showing a cadet's HUD, filled with data overlays and mission objectives. "Let's see how they handle increased cognitive load. More data to process, more decisions to make under pressure."

Q47MN tapped a few more commands. "Done. They’ll be in for a surprise when their next session starts. It’ll push their limits, but they’ll be better for it."

8UZTT turned to Q47MN, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Let's ramp it up a notch. Increase the resistance in their suits. Make them work for it."

The instructors watched as the new scenarios took effect. Cadets, previously performing routine drills, suddenly found themselves facing new, unexpected challenges. The instructors could see the immediate impact in the cadets' biometric data—spikes in heart rates, increased stress markers, rapid shifts in neural activity.

With a few swift commands, they adjusted the parameters of the cadets' suits. Each suit's servos, which normally assisted with strength and movement, were recalibrated to provide increased resistance. This meant every step, every lift, every motion now required significantly more effort from the cadets.

The cadets, already sweating from their rigorous training, felt the immediate change. The once-fluid movements of their suits now felt sluggish, each action requiring double the effort. 80LKU, among them, gritted his teeth under the visor, feeling the strain in his muscles as he pushed through the obstacle course.

Back in the control center, Q47MN observed the biometric feedback with satisfaction. "Look at them. They're struggling, but they're pushing through. This will build their endurance, their resilience."

8UZTT added, "And their mental fortitude. They need to know they can push past perceived limits. This is how we prepare them for the real challenges."

They watched as the cadets, now moving with labored breaths and sweat-drenched faces, tackled the enhanced training. Each obstacle, each task, was a battle against their own fatigue and the relentless resistance of their suits.

[causeitsagame]

Fic: Aquila (8/8)

Pairing: Hajime Hinata/Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu

Author: @miggylol

Notes: This is too happy. Too sweet. I don't know how to process this writing coming out of myself. ANYWAY, thank you for coming along on this ride. <3

Previous Chapters: in the tag.

Excerpt: "Can't let yourself be happy for too long, huh?"

"You're one to talk." Hajime's arm tightened where he'd rested it around Fuyuhiko. "Well. I am happy right now. After everything, that feels like a pretty big deal."

-----

The neurological readouts were exactly what Hajime had hoped to see, weeks earlier.

His plan would work.

By inducing dreaming in the most stable patients, their minds had naturally regenerated both general function and the ability to retain memories. With this trial completed, he could also see how to prompt dreaming in the more vulnerable minds. Time spent in the pods would no longer be an agonizingly slow descent into lost function. Now, it could be like a purposefully induced coma, aimed at giving injured minds and bodies the chance to heal instead of fade away.

He sat back, exhaling, and felt stress that he hadn't fully acknowledged begin to seep out of him. For almost everything they did on the islands together, it was a group effort. They all had their areas of expertise, and one person would naturally take the lead on something, but it was always done together.

Except for this.

The only other medical mind on the islands was currently comatose inside a high-tech bullet, but even Mikan would have had little to contribute. This plan required such a delicate, comprehensive blend of neurology, electrical engineering, computer programming, mental therapy, physical therapy, network analysis, mathematical modeling, and many other fields that even the Ultimate Nurse could have only dipped her foot into a chasm a mile deep. Only the so-called Ultimate Hope—

Hajime's expression twisted a little at the label that had been used for him.

—Would have had a chance to retrieve these people who'd been labeled as beyond recovery. That meant that if he hadn't been able to do this, the failure would have been his uniquely to bear.

But he hadn't failed. This would work. It would take a while, as the most injured minds began an even lengthier healing process, but it'd work.

Thank fuck whispered a familiar, comfortably vulgar voice, and Hajime chuckled. With steadily increasing confidence, he input the change in programming for the remaining pods. One by one, those pods also began to flicker with low-level activity they'd been missing, before.

A particular part of Teruteru's frontal lobe flickered, indicating emotional activation. He didn't have an accompanying rise in pulse rate or adrenaline production, suggesting that the dreams being generated were positive and calm. Good. Peko also lacked a surge in any negative vital signs, even as her parietal lobe's function kicked into higher gear. Whatever sounds and visions now flooded her, they couldn't be from her last moments in the simulation. Good, good, good signs, all around the room.

"Thanks," Hajime told Hiyoko's pod on the way out of the room, and rapped his knuckles against the glass top. "You gave me some great data."

They celebrated that evening, pulling out some beautiful tuna and scallops from the freezer that they'd kept saving for some far-off good news. No one had wholly been sure what they were waiting for. Now that they heard the outcome of Hajime's last visit to the administration building, everyone agreed that a party was required.

"Good work," Fuyuhiko whispered to Hajime afterward, and flashed a beaming smile like none of them had once thought he could make. Hajime smiled back, then watched everyone else descend on the kitchen to wash dishes and divide up leftovers. He'd been expressly forbidden from helping.

As he waited, quiet musings weighed increasingly low in Hajime's mind. Joy and relief mingled with an uncertainty he hadn't known to expect. He stared out a window in deep thought, listening to the low croons and trills of birdcalls.

When everyone else finished, he quickly masked anything but the brightest of joy, and extended his hand as he stood. "Hey. It's going to be a great night for a sunset."

Akane winked at Kazuichi, and elbowed him with the arm that still had a splint on its hand.

"You two need to hit the market and pick up some movies, or something," Fuyuhiko grumbled as he accepted Hajime's hand and let himself be steered toward the door. Sonia's quieter—but more knowing—assessment also caught his eye. As he exited, Fuyuhiko shouted, "You three!"

"Sorry," Hajime laughed as they set off walking for their favorite spot for watching the sunset. "You'd think they'd be bored of us, by now."

"They just think it's funny to try to piss me off," Fuyuhiko grumbled with no real rancor.

"Well, yeah, it is kinda funny."

"Jerk."

Hajime grinned at him and earned a shove to his side. He allowed himself to be pushed briefly out of line.

The sunset was uncommonly beautiful, just as it had been on the night that (weirdly) began their relationship. Tonight, occasional clouds marched across the sky in striations of gold-wrapped magenta. Gold rippled over the waves, too, and they both went quiet to appreciate how the entire world seemed to dance with moving light.

Fifteen minutes later, magenta deepened into wine and the brightest gold steadily faded as the sun slid below the horizon. Hajime let out a long, satisfied sigh when the sunset finally gave way to night. He hadn't quite held his breath, but he realized he'd been breathing shallowly for a while, like he'd otherwise break some spell.

Maybe it did break a spell. Fuyuhiko had been propped up on his elbows to watch the sunset, mirroring Hajime. But at that soft sound, he scooted closer and laid his head against Hajime's shoulder as his attention turned to the sky directly overhead.

Smiling, Hajime let himself recline fully against the grass and sand at his back, while his arm on that side slung comfortably around Fuyuhiko. Well. This was definitely a nice change from their last sunset here together. Like that, they lay in silence for a while, studying the sky overhead as the horizon darkened and all the stars in the universe emerged. "Hey. Can I ask you something?"

Fuyuhiko looked up at him, though he didn't stop treating Hajime's shoulder as a pillow. "What is it?"

"I… us… this… it makes me really happy."

"Yeah. Me too."

"And thinking about being able to wake up everyone makes me really happy. But it also made me wonder if this… us… is going to change."

When he was in that dining room, waiting on everyone, Hajime had recalled a long-ago conversation. It wasn't anything he'd particularly wanted to dwell on, before. He'd been imagining a very different relationship, then, and it hadn't been fun to be turned down flat. But today, that calm, serious voice seemed worth remembering.

I was wondering if you could give me advice on asking someone out on a date.

Fuyuhiko's gaze turned troubled. For all he knew, Hajime was asking about himself. "I don't know. I don't want it to. Do you?"

"No, not at all. I just got to thinking."

"Can't let yourself be happy for too long, huh?"

"You're one to talk." Hajime's arm tightened where he'd rested it around Fuyuhiko. "Well. I am happy right now. After everything, that feels like a pretty big deal."

Fuyuhiko smiled against his arm and rested there for a minute. "When we talked about festivals, we didn't mention this. But did you get dragged to sakura festivals every year, too?"

"Heh. Every year up until about ten or so, yeah." Hajime closed his eyes and thought back to long-ago days in long-dead cities. He could picture the brief but brilliant clouds of petals that lined a riverbank near his home, and the crowds that emerged to appreciate them while they lasted.

"Something might be short-lived," he obligingly recited, "but that doesn't diminish its beauty while it's there. It's all the more cause to celebrate it while it lasts." He tilted his head to better angle his view toward the man treating his shoulder as a pillow. "Were you going for something like that?"

"For option one."

Hajime's eyebrow raised. "Option one, huh?"

"Maybe this—us—is the blossoms." Fuyuhiko tilted his head, too, to fully meet Hajime's gaze. "Or maybe it's the trees, sticking around after everyone stops oohing and ahhing over something new."

"Huh." Hajime looked back up at the sky and found himself grinning. "I've never heard that take on them, before."

"We had a cherry tree in our back yard. I got yelled at for climbing it when it was blooming, because it knocked down flowers, and some people only cared about that. But the way I saw it, it was a good climbing tree all year round."

"You really were a little hellion, huh?"

"Damn straight." Fuyuhiko was quiet for a minute, still visibly uncomfortable with the relationship topic that Hajime had chosen to raise. "What kind of stuff's crammed up in there, now?"

It was a clear attempt to change the conversation, but Hajime wasn't quite sure as to what. Only when Fuyuhiko gestured broadly at the sky overhead did Hajime realize what he'd been prompted to talk about. He obligingly nodded. "Astronomy, classical eastern and western mythology, navigation…"

Fuyuhiko nodded against him, then carefully asked, "Do you mind?"

Hajime realized then that Fuyuhiko had never asked him to draw upon his implanted talents as they talked, before. Though they'd sometimes veered there as he talked about migratory birds or putting together a field infirmary, he'd always been the one to first offer anything that someone else had forced upon him. Given the trauma accompanying those talents, he appreciated it. Given some of the darkest topics that lurked in his mind, he appreciated it more. But for this, he didn't mind at all.

"Time for more stories," Hajime cheerfully agreed. The two of them had always been good at just holding a conversation, like he'd never managed with anyone else. "Do you see that incredibly bright star up where I'm pointing? The orange one?"

"Yeah, I see it."

"See those other stars there and there and there?" Hajime's finger sketched out a shape in the sky like a stretched-out diamond. "In Greek mythology—and so, western constellations—that's a plowman. It's called Boötes."

"Boötes?" Fuyuhiko echoed mockingly.

"What? I didn't name it. Some other people said that the constellation wasn't a plowman, but was a wine maker. The wine he made was so strong that, uh, people committed murder and suicide from it."

Fuyuhiko raised his head enough to shoot Hajime a knowing, pointed look.

It apparently didn't matter that they were well old enough to drink legally, now. Nor that no police officer would ever check for legality, here. With amusement, Hajime continued, "There's not a one-to-one equivalent in Chinese mythology for Boötes. They split up its stars into other constellations." Looking around the sky, Hajime mused on which topic to raise next.

Apparently, that hesitation came across differently outside of his own head. "Are you good out here?" Fuyuhiko wondered.

Hajime smiled up at the intricate patchwork of stars and galaxies, planets and satellites. This wasn't darkness; a river of light hung over them both. "I'm great, don't worry. So, next to Boötes—seriously, I didn't pick the name—there's Hercules. That's another one where there's a Greek name for it, but Chinese astronomers split up the stars into their own units. It's pretty normal when that happens, I think. Two people with totally different pasts look at the same thing, and come to different conclusions."

His finger moved again. "But it's even more interesting when two people from totally different backgrounds end up landing on the same thing, somehow. Do you see the stars there?"

Fuyuhiko studied the sky, and Hajime rightly guessed that he should stay silent until Fuyuhiko spoke. "It looks like a bird."

"Yeah. That's Aquila. And it's…" Hajime trailed off, paging through the knowledge that was somehow in his head, and smiled. "And it's a love story."

"A bird's a love story?" Fuyuhiko asked with amusement, but he rolled closer against Hajime's side and sounded willing to be convinced.

"Look at where it is: right by the Milky Way. You know Tanabata, right?"

"More festivals, huh?" Fuyuhiko nodded, clearly familiar with the Chinese tale that had been carried to Japan. "Two lovers are separated, but if the skies are clear, then they're able to unite for one day thanks to a bridge of… ah. A bridge of birds."

"Right. So, those birds are some stars in Aquila, and some stars from Lyra on the other side of the 'river.' The lovers themselves are in the constellations, too." Hajime gestured toward the other side of the Milky Way, then back at the constellation under discussion. "While Chinese astronomers were saying it was that kind of love story, Greek astronomers were writing a love story of their own. That happening twice just… feels like it means something." His grip tightened around Fuyuhiko again, and Hajime looked up at the celestial river running through a clear sky.

"Yeah?" Fuyuhiko wondered in a voice softer than he ever used. "What's the story?"

Hajime's voice softened, too. "Aquila was an eagle who belonged to Zeus, the most powerful of the gods. Zeus fell in love with this shepherd, the most beautiful boy anywhere on Earth, and sent Aquila to bring him to Olympus." At the description of Ganymede, that target of Zeus's attention, Hajime's hand trailed down Fuyuhiko's arm.

Silence answered him. It went on long enough that Hajime angled himself enough to look down and meet Fuyuhiko's gaze.

That gaze was amusingly unimpressed. "So, y'think you're the king of the gods, huh?"

"I… you know what I mean," Hajime laughed. "That wasn't about me. I was trying to talk about you."

"The shepherd?" Fuyuhiko's eye narrowed with what had to be mock offense. "I'm a shepherd? It's from dealing with those goddamn fucking chickens, isn't it?"

"Will you let me be nice?" Hajime grumbled with mock offense, and rolled on top of him. "Besides. 'Shepherd' would be about sheep, anyway. Just let me tell the story, all right?"

Fuyuhiko smirked up at Hajime, and didn't struggle to throw him off.

"What I was trying to say," Hajime said, and bit off each word with purpose, "is how totally different people landed on the same thing, despite their different backgrounds."

"A bird."

"Yes. A bird. And a love story. I'm trying to be romantic, you jerk."

Fuyuhiko's smirk spread into a full-on grin. "Whatever. But is that story about the bridge of birds really romantic?"

"Yes. It's romantic. Stop arguing."

"I'm just saying… the whole story is that if the skies are clear, then they get to be together for one day." Fuyuhiko's grin ebbed to a smaller, softer smile, full of deeper question. "Is that what you're aiming for?"

"No," Hajime instantly said. It felt like the easiest answer he'd ever given.

Fuyuhiko gestured for him to take a spot back at his side, and Hajime obligingly rolled off him. "So, let's stop thinking that a bunch of old guys from thousands of years ago get to tell us what matters, all right?"

Hajime chose not to point out that he was lying next to the most traditional person he'd ever met in his life. "I'm listening."

"The stars obviously look like a bird," Fuyuhiko continued, gesturing broadly at them. His wave also captured the arc of their galaxy's celestial river, the slowly waxing moon, and hundreds of other gleaming stars. "But we can tell stories the same as them. That bird's not going to be for lovers stuck on other sides of a river." With an amused grin, he added, "And it doesn't belong to any damn king of the gods."

"Seriously, I was trying to talk about you."

Fuyuhiko's gaze drifted nearly as distant as the bird constellation itself, then snapped back to attention on Hajime. "What about a phoenix?"

"There is a constellation for that," Hajime mused, "but we wouldn't ever be able to see it, here." Slowly, he nodded. "That works, but we're back to multiple meanings. In one, it means… well, it means that out of destruction and ashes, there's new life."

Fuyuhiko had clearly intended that, and looked proud of himself for the association.

"And if you're saying that's a fenghuang up there," Hajime slowly continued, growing increasingly fond of this chosen new meaning for the constellation, "then its absence signifies an era of strife. But its return marks a new era of peace and hope."

"I'm liking my idea." Proudly, Fuyuhiko gestured back at Aquila. "Then we're living under the phoenix, now. All of us. If a bunch of old assholes can say it's an eagle, then all of us can say it's a phoenix, instead. This is forever, here, right?"

"Forever," Hajime echoed.

"Then we'll make it into the place we want it to be." Fuyuhiko's energy for that grand design faltered. A softer, almost sheepish shadow edged his voice in its place. "And there can be another love story added in, somewhere. Maybe. I know I made fun of you for it, but, that was… nice."

Hajime grinned at him.

"H-hey!" Fuyuhiko snapped, suddenly embarrassed. "Don't give me that look! I'm being nice, too, you dick!"

"It's not that," Hajime said, and kept grinning.

Uncertainty swept Fuyuhiko. But he didn't make even a single muscle twitch toward running away, like he once had. He just waited for Hajime's explanation.

"Fenghuang? The Chinese phoenix?"

"Yeah…?"

Laughing, Hajime rolled back on top of him. "It's in love with a dragon."

Fuyuhiko blinked up at him. Over his right eye, the symbol of his family name curved a spiral in black and gold. "You are fucking kidding me."

"Nope." Hajime's laughter echoed down the beach and over the ocean. "So… nice pick, all around."

"Huh. Hey. I'm pretty good at this. I'll rename Boötes, next."

"Whatever makes you happy," Hajime snickered. If it was only them, and if this was forever, then they might as well reshape their new world to whatever best suited them. The 'forever' word sobered him, and Hajime slowly leaned down for a gentle, heartfelt kiss. Whether forever was simply for being on this island, or for something more, he'd appreciate tonight.

Fuyuhiko swallowed as Hajime's hands ran across him. "You can do this, right?" he wondered, and held up one arm. In the darkness, the tattoos he'd started to get as the head of the Remnants' Japanese army were barely visible. They didn't cover much of him yet, though; most skin was still untouched.

"Yeah, sure."

"Then… what about something for this? What we just talked about?"

Hajime blinked, taken aback at the intimacy of what had just been proposed. His own hands, etching a phoenix permanently into Fuyuhiko's skin. Whatever happened with them as their friends woke and their world inevitably changed, that sort of thing was… forever.

The word felt comfortable by now, and Hajime relaxed as a smile spread across his face. "Well," he lectured with mock gravity, "I'm going to have to find the right spot. Some inspections will be needed."

Fuyuhiko smiled knowingly at him, and allowed his shirt to be removed with an elegant twist of his body. But then he griped, "I don't want to deal with any damn sand."

Sighing, Hajime relocated them up entirely up onto the grass. "You really don't make this easy."

"You knew what you were in for."

"I'm definitely learning," Hajime said wryly, and leaned down to place a kiss on one potential spot for the tattoo. "Every day, I'm learning."

"Hmm." Fuyuhiko sighed happily, arching against the grass, then sobered and looked up at Hajime. "Where else could it go?"

Obligingly, Hajime leaned in again, and again.

Beside them, the waves rumbled a quiet, endless melody. Wind blew through the trees and late-night birds had their songs carried with it. Above it all, the stars gleamed impossibly bright, clear and beautiful and forever.

[wuggen]

Assorted thoughts and musings on difficult games and the learning thereof, since I've just started trying to pick up fighting games and I'm in that kinda mood

So there's (at least) these kinds of difficulty that a game can have:

Comprehension difficulty: can the player tell, on an object level, what the game state is? How difficult is it to tell what is going on?

Enumeration difficulty: can the player identify, for a given game state, what their options for interaction are? How difficult is it to figure out what it is possible to do?

Execution difficulty: can the player, upon deciding on one of their options, efficiently execute it? How difficult is it to actually do the thing you want to do?

Strategic (or tactical) difficulty: can the player respond to the game state in an intelligent way that advances their own position in it? How difficult is it to make effective gameplay decisions?

I would guess that, to most people, strategic difficulty is The Good Part, the kind of difficulty that most rewards thought, experimentation, and expression of personal preference. There is also a fairly sizeable portion of people who enjoy execution difficulty, the perfection of a difficult series of actions. Consequently, Difficult Games usually lean most heavily on strategic or execution difficulty to provide their challenge (see: strategy games, RPGs, rhythm games, etc). Some very complex games may feature slightly more enumeration difficulty, but the tendency seems to be to regard enumeration difficulty as a barrier to be minimized, something standing between new players and The Good Parts of the game. Games usually do their best to make sure that there's as little comprehension difficulty as possible; if you can't tell what's going on, then you have very little way to engage with the game at all.

Fighting games are an outlier here. In my experience so far, fighting games are absolutely replete with all four kinds of difficulty.

Comprehension: on an absolute base level, fighting games are dirt simple to comprehend. There's you, there's your opponent, you're hitting each other, life bars deplete. But the level of relevant detail in the actions taking place on screen, and the sheer rate at which those actions occur, inclines me toward saying that the comprehension difficulty of fighting games is enormous. In order to accurately comprehend the game state in a moment, one needs to recognize not only that their opponent is about to hit them, but also which kind of attack they are using (mid, low, overhead, grab, etc), how many full meters they have, any special character-specific resources they may have accumulated, etc. All of these things are in principle fairly easy to recognize, but the speed at which one must recognize them — there is frequently on the order of 200 milliseconds or less available to comprehend changes to the game state — makes it very difficult to do so effectively.

Enumeration: every playable character has an absolutely unique set of special attacks and combos. Not all of them may be accessible depending on the current game state; are you in the air or on the ground? Standing or crouching? In hitstun? In recovery, and if so from which move? All of these will affect which subset of your character's moves you can make use of. Again, ~200 milliseconds to enumerate your options.

Execution: Most special moves require not just single button presses to execute, but precisely executed sequences of presses. And this is for single moves; when you consider chains and combos, with their rapid and precise timings of individual moves, each of which may require a precise sequence of presses all on its own, the challenge only increases. Learning to reliably do what you intend in a fighting game feels very similar, on a mechanical level, to learning to play a complex piece of music on the piano.

Strategic: the sheer variety of moves and move sets — not to mention the bewildering array of intricate and esoteric mechanics — puts the strategic skill ceiling of fighting games astronomically high. Choosing effectively from among your many options is an enormous challenge, one that (as I understand it) is extremely rewarding of experimentation and the development of a personal play style.

These kinds of difficulty are in a rough hierarchy with each other; some level of proficiency with each is necessary in order to even engage with the next. A player may have the most thorough and masterful understanding of the strategy of a game, but if they cannot comprehend the moment-to-moment game state, or efficiently enumerate their options in a moment, or reliably execute intended actions, then that strategic knowledge is largely irrelevant to their ability to play the game well. They simply cannot apply it.

This is, I believe, the primary reason that fighting games are notoriously beginner-unfriendly. The comprehension of the game state alone is a massive barrier to entry. The knowledge that whole other echelons of challenge exist beyond that barrier can be enticing, but it can also be deeply demoralizing when one is still struggling to understand even the basest level of the game, to even interact with it in a deliberate way.

I get the impression that seasoned players tend to develop The Sight as it were; they have spent enough time honing their skill at the "lower" levels of difficulty that comprehension, enumeration, and execution are all second-nature, almost automatic. Their understanding and experience of the game is almost entirely in the strategic sphere, and therefore (in my experience so far) most of the advice that they give to new players tends to be at that level. Unfortunately, until the new player spends a bit of time familiarizing themselves with the lower levels of difficulty, they are simply unable to apply this kind of advice. Being offered advice that one understands but is not skillful enough to apply can be a very frustrating experience; it doesn't help to know that you can easily retaliate after blocking a super attack if you struggle to realize when you've successfully blocked anything at all (actual example from a couple of days ago that was enormously frustrating for me).

The process of learning a complex system consists in large part of identifying and discarding irrelevant details, so that one's brain can cull the possibility space and focus only on the details that matter. Put another way, seasoned players are not conducting a complete survey of the game state or running through their entire catalogue of available moves in every moment; they are relying on muscle memory and past experience to narrow their focus to a select few possibilities for the current and near future game states, and a select few possibilities for how best to respond. Of course, new players do not yet have this kind of experience. The entire space of possible game states and responses is, as far as their brain is aware, more-or-less equiprobable and must be given similar consideration. The culling process starts working rapidly, of course, but for a significant amount of time the size of the perceived possibility space will remain overwhelming.

That said, knowledge of a higher level of difficulty can help to guide this culling process for a lower one. Once a new player has a basic ability to comprehend the game state, some knowledge of strategy can be very useful to them in learning to further narrow the range of possible states and relevant options. If you struggle to recognize when you've blocked an attack, the advice to retaliate after blocking may not be directly applicable, but it does help to indicate that this is a particular game state to look out for and learn to isolate. As frustrating as it can be for a brand new player, strategic advice from seasoned players can actually be very helpful, even if it cannot yet be consistently applied.

Hence, the various levels of difficulty are not at all a strict hierarchy, nor are they even cleanly disjoint categories. A player does not need to master a lower level before beginning to engage with a higher one, and indeed attempting to do so may actually impede the learning process.

[roadandruingame]

RaR Musings #6: Specialists

I was playing Baldur's Gate 3, as a rogue. I dabble in rogues in DND, PF, and mmos, and they range from satisfyingly versatile to being boringly one-dimensional. DND's structure for sneak attacks is one of the few things I'm really impressed with though, because despite all characters being able to receive Advantage for attacking from stealth, flanking an outnumbered opponent, or hitting an incapacitated enemy, only rogues transform that mechanic into bonus Sneak Attack damage, and before it was patched out (for shame), the Arcane Trickster could inflict bonus sneak attack damage on spell attacks. In BG3, multiple magic items could grant advantage in different scenarios, which the rogue could use as a "magic wand of Backstab".

That kind of semi-detached crossclassing bait was a lot of what I wanted in Road and Ruin, and over the years, I developed a few abilities that either granted, or demanded, specialization to work, but it never really got to where I wanted it to be.

______________________________

'Specialists' in Road and Ruin are a necessity for a storytelling game; whether they're controlled by a player or brought in as NPC help, they represent broad spectrums of skill and knowledge that might be unreasonable for the player party to be assumed to have. The existence of specialists should lean storytelling in the direction of seeking them out, to get their insights, or pay for their services.

The simplest way to determine a specialist is specialization as a mechanic. As mentioned in Musings #5, specialization works as a x(2-5) multiplier for proficiencies when applied to a specific, niche topic. Specialization in horses might give Husbandry, Medicine, Binding, Command, or Ride multipliers, for example.

Secondarily, Disciplines act as specializations that are required. Crafts (Blacksmithing) or Research (Town History) are skills that require training; nobody is born knowing history, and nobody should be expected to accidentally replicate hundreds of years of advancements in crafting techniques. While an adventurer might pick up some basics in armor repair, they should in no way expect to be able to craft armor themselves without the associated discipline.

While specialization could extend to equipment, all it would be is simply being proficient in a device, I think, and preventing full control unless specialized, possibly incurring a breakage risk if someone isn't trained. Airplanes, for example, or other heavy machinery. An exception to this is combat:

______________________________

A fighter can specialize in both skill with a weapon, as well as fighting against particular weapon styles. I'd thought specialization might only apply in duelling, where both fighters roll a skill check and add their successes to the results of a d4/d8/d12 To Hit die, and that, turn by turn, the higher-skilled of the two would naturally gain an edge, but that ends up being too slow. Paired with the initiative changes from Musings #3, where fighters act each round simultaneously, and that health totals are so low in order to facilitate more lethal combat, and this blow-by-blow calculation ends up not feeling very good.

A simple solution would be to adopt DND's Advantage, and have specialization in a weapon allow you to roll one additional die per specialization level, and take the higher value. Since weapons only miss on a roll of a 1, and deal half damage or full damage otherwise, specialization effectively eliminates the risk of missing with a weapon. In the case of ranged weapons, like a bow or rifle, that use a kind of exploding-dice system of d4s, specialization would simply allow rerolls of a non-4 result, greatly increasing their accuracy, and thus, damage.

Specialization at fighting against a style could mean Taking the Edge, also mentioned in Musings #3. If you know your opponent, you'd be able to anticipate their moves much better, adding to their Preemptive/Presumptive speed.

______________________________

Beyond this, tool specialization effectively manifests as spellswords.

Squad Tactics can declare a Specialist unit type, who generates Tactic Points for use by other unit tactics. This lets multiple actors set up strategies like dominos, and if applying a specialization sets up more dominos, it results in greater conclusion power/success rating.

Celestial Trajectories, Martial Weaponry, and Fortress Guard all have customizable weapons, that specializing in would be a plus, but not a mechanically unique application. Instead, 'favoring' a specific weapon, not specializing in a weapon type, determines your attunement to the customizable weapon.

Mutations grant you specialization sometimes, such as darkvision, or telescopic vision granting advantages for Perception checks. Shapeshifters are able to grant themselves a variety of senses, and animal companions give you a second chance to detect things, if they're trained for that and have the senses, whereas sense-sharing would allow you to temporarily don a sense as a mutation.

Concealed Weaponry gives bonus damage and special effect application for rolling maximum on an attack roll against an unaware or distracted target, which would be made easier with stealth, but also with specialization in the weapon. It can also disguise said weapon, and has a special attack for a flurry with your specialized weapon.

Nimble Fingers' Maestro's Direction and Floral Flourish's Bud-bloom Brownies let you give commands to others, like conjured spirits, to do actions that you specialize in.

Cloaked in Shadow and Floral Flourish has material micromanagement, using mats like shadows and plants to grant specialization in a skill check.

So, after all this, I feel like I DO have some decent options for specialists, but as always, it depends what the specialist aims to achieve. Simply specializing in something doesn't have any kind of diverse spectrum of outcomes, so it'd have to be designed on an individual basis, but what I've got already is probably a good start.

[tomkail]

Randomising item names

Just a musing, this one.

Take an open world game with lots of unique collectable flora; MGS5, WOW or Zelda. Now, imagine that the names of the plants were different for each player; each game generating their names on the creation of a new save, or forcing players to write their own names for plants as they encounter them.

Why do this? To deliberately break down communication between players. I'm quite sure this would prove frustrating, in the way that removing efficiencies always is; but in exchange discussion of the game would become richer, and the world more mysterious.

As far as I know this has never been done (except in real history!) in a game. I'd love to see how it would play out, but here's some things I think we could expect to see:

Players would be forced to consider the appearance and uses of items

Designers would spend more time considering the appearance of items, and how players are able to inspect them

Items could even have minor variations to them to make identification more difficult

Players would create (likely very descriptive) names for objects themselves

Items with shared properties (for example, two similar-looking blue flowers that both induce sleep, except that one of them is also toxic and only found by rivers) require deeper understanding and more complex descriptions.

Wikis would become very difficult to use

Field guides would prove more effective as static documents

Communication with other players would become a more desirable means of gaining knowledge

AI would be effective too - something to consider as it becomes a new system game designers can make use of!

Items would be more opaque to new players, and they will initially ignore or undervalue objects - this is likely prove frustrating, since it undermines how games normally work.

As players continue to play, their interest in the system will increase, and eventually their understanding will prove rewarding and afford higher levels of skill.

Communication itself becomes a high-skill activity that can be improved with game and meta (understanding how other players perceive items) knowledge

Especially in online games, expect the community to coin static language for each item. This would likely undermine some of the effects of the design

Designers might be inclined to fight back against the freezing of terminology by changing items over time; although I suspect this would prove frustrating to the community unless a good excuse existed for doing so.

This is a design that requires a complex game around it; I suspect it'd be difficult to build a game around by itself. If we see it, my guess is that it'll come out of a more hardcore game or out of the indie space.

This is not an immediately lovable piece of game design, but I'd wager that it'd create a strong community and a game that is remembered for being unique.

[funkaliicious]

MUSE PERSONALITY ALIGNMENTS.

MBTI: ESFP-A / THE ENTERTAINER

If anyone is to be found spontaneously breaking into song and dance, it is the Entertainer personality type. Entertainers get caught up in the excitement of the moment, and want everyone else to feel that way, too. No other personality type is as generous with their time and energy as Entertainers when it comes to encouraging others, and no other personality type does it with such irresistible style.

Entertainers love the spotlight, and all the world’s a stage. Many famous people with the Entertainer personality type are indeed actors, but they love putting on a show for their friends too, chatting with a unique and earthy wit, soaking up attention and making every outing feel a bit like a party.

ENNEAGRAM: TYPE 8 / THE CHALLENGER

Eights are defined by their desire to be powerful and to avoid any vulnerability. They present a confident, assertive, and decisive image to others. Eights can be argumentative and intimidating; it is important to them to stand up for what they believe in and to protect those who are weaker than themselves.

Goal-oriented and self-competent, Challengers trail blaze boldly through all walks of life and take great pride in their independence and sharp minds. Strong advocates for others, Eights are concerned with justice, combating oppression, and protecting the weak. This type is not shy when it comes to taking the lead and making tough decisions. They have no fear of conflict and they are not always concerned with limits or boundaries. They typically take charge during group projects or meetings and find themselves at ease in leadership positions.

ZODIAC: LEO

People born under the sign of Leo are natural born leaders. They are dramatic, creative, self-confident, dominant and extremely difficult to resist, able to achieve anything they want to in any area of life they commit to. There is a specific strength to a Leo and their "king of the jungle" status. Self-confident and attractive, this is a Sun sign capable of uniting different groups of people and leading them as one towards a shared cause, and their healthy sense of humor makes collaboration with other people even easier.

Leo belongs to the element of Fire; this makes them warmhearted, in love with life, trying to laugh and have a good time. Able to use their mind to solve even the most difficult problems, they will easily take initiative in resolving various complicated situations.

TEMPERAMENT: CHOLERIC

People with a choleric temperament are typically characterized as being decisive, focused, and goal-oriented. These individuals tend to be highly practical, rational, and logical, often thriving in environments where systematic strategies and problem-solving abilities are required. They excel at seeing the bigger picture and setting long-term objectives, often making them excellent strategic planners.

However, their high degree of ambition and determination can sometimes be perceived as aggressive or overbearing. They are often seen as domineering, and they may struggle with interpersonal relationships due to their strong will and desire for control. Their fast-paced nature and demand for high standards can lead them to be impatient and easily frustrated with others who do not share their sense of urgency or level of commitment.

CHARACTER COLOUR: GREY / BLACK

You are intense, cool, pragmatic, and incredibly streetwise. You follow your convictions through and are great in a crisis. You are able to get what you want and protect others easily. Just remember that letting your emotions take control doesn't make you weak, it only increases what you can do.

[carolinemillerbooks]

New Post has been published on Books by Caroline Miller

New Post has been published on https://www.booksbycarolinemiller.com/musings/a-fly-buzzed-when/

A Fly Buzzed When...

The fly sitting in the staircase window of my retirement center has been dead for several months.  Unlike me, most folks don’t use the back exit to reach ground level.  They prefer the elevator.  I may be the only person in the building to bear witness to the insect’s slow decay.  I could remove it with a tissue, of course.  But I’m curious to know how long the corpse will remain unnoticed in its sunny location. At peace now, I can imagine an earlier, frenzied time when, without success, the fly buzzed against the glass as it struggled to reach the green world outside.   Flies have a symbolic role in my upcoming memoir, Getting Lost to Find Home. Like the character in one of Emily Dickinson’s poems, I, too, heard a fly buzz at the moment I imagined I was about to die. The sound jarred an awakening within me, the way a glacier dropping snow into an icy bay might stun the ears.  The insect I realized at that moment was my superior. Had I its translucent wings, I could have hoped to escape my fate. Many years have passed but the memory of that fly has never faded. It allowed me to feel empathy for the one that had buzzed itself to death on the windowsill.  This time its wings were of no use. What it required was the ability to reason. “Each to each,” I think every time I pass its still form on the ledge.  Once a defiant point of light against the dark, it has succumbed to it, as must all living things. The reminder earns my respect.  And so, I pause a moment in tribute to the fly each time I make my turn on the landing.  A study on fruitflies confirms that insects are conscious of death. Most creatures are.  Elephants grieve for their lost ones. Crows hold funerals. Alternatively, bees, ants, and terminates designate a specific class among them to clear away corpses from the hive.  When fruitflies encounter death, they have two responses. They die earlier than their peers and the females produce a larger number of eggs under the stress.   Stress, we’ve learned,  leaves a marker in the human brain. Some think the scar may predict a tendency for suicide.  Others insist they require more evidence to confirm the link. Even so, physicians are aware of the debilitating effects of stress and counsel their patients to avoid it.  We already know that what we see, feel, and do alters our relationship with the world.  Think of it as the butterfly effect where a small change in one location alters a larger one. A man dumps used tires into a pristine river.  Others follow his example.  Eventually, the river’s water is too polluted for either human or animal consumption. Flora and fauna die. The green world morphs into a desert. We know our brains generate myriads of impulses. Some are self-destructive. Others work to our benefit. The good or ill in our lives arises from those impulses. It’s doubtful a lily can grow from a dung heap. Those who see justice and vengeance as hospitable companions are the most likely to give way to hate.  House Representatives Marjorie Taylor Green and Lauren Boebart are examples.  They see corruption in the fall of a sparrow.  Without trust, how is society to endure? Without trust, hate gives way to insanity–the kind that prompted an individual to salt a garden ripe with vegetables that were intended to feed the poor.   Wanting to do good is a force equal to hate but with positive benefits. Good thoughts increase trust and promote good health.  Both are necessary for a thriving democracy. Because consciousness must succumb to death, each of us faces an overwhelming question. How shall we live? Decisions we make, whether large or small, have outcomes.  They affect our well-being.  They affect our society and our planet. A fly dies on a windowsill, its eyes facing a green world.  Too ignorant to understand the nature of the invisible barrier that stands between it and freedom, it dies in frustration. Humans, too, live in silos of ignorance.  They can respond by being angry, judgmental, and prizing freedom for themselves but not for others. If so, then like the fly, they will never know peace. Or, being human, they can exercise a second option. They can see themselves mirrored in all living things and exercise compassion. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————–   Listen to 1 hour radio interview with Caroline Miller on “Between the Covers.”  

[plotsforsaleinmysore]

What should buyers look for when selecting a residential plot in Mysore?

What Should Buyers Look for When Selecting a Residential Plots in Mysore?

Residential Plots in Mysore Buying a residential plot requires a lot of funding, and selecting the right one can be complex. Mysore mentioned that its cultural-historical beyond, serene environment, and growing infrastructure give several opportunities for real property funding. Whether you seek to construct your dream home or spend money on belongings for future returns, it’s crucial to remember numerous factors to make an informed choice. Here’s a guide on what customers should search for while deciding on a residential plots in Mysore.

Location and Connectivity

Proximity to Key Amenities:

Ensure the residential plots in Mysore is near critical services like faculties, hospitals, markets, and public transportation.

Areas like Vijayanagar, Hebbal, and Saraswathipuram are identified for their properly-advanced infrastructure and smooth access to amenities.

Connectivity:

Good road connectivity to maximum crucial elements of the city and nearby highways is critical.

Consider residential plots in Mysore near upcoming infrastructure obligations or new avenue trends for higher destiny connectivity.

Legal Clearances and Documentation

Title Deed:

Verify that the perceived deed is plain and the vendor has crook rights to sell the property.

Check for any present-day liens or encumbrances on the belongings.

Approvals:

Ensure the residential plots in Mysore  has critical approvals from the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) or the relevant neighbourhood frame Residential plots.

Look for an internet site plan accepted with the resources of the community government to confirm that the residential plots in Mysore is part of an authorized layout.

Zoning Regulations:

Understand the place’s zoning regulations to ensure that residential advent is authorized.

Check for any rules or precise tips for production within the vicinity.

Plot Size and Shape

Size:

Choose a plot length that suits your necessities and fee variety. Common sizes range from 1200 sq. Ft. To 2400 sq. Toes.

Ensure the plot duration is enough forfor your deliberate manufacturing and destiny increase property.

Shape:

Preferably, opt for rectangular or rectangular plots as they are less difficult to develop and maximize area usage.

Only regularly customary residential plots in Mysore as they’ll complicate production and layout.

Soil Quality and Topography

Soil Quality:

Conduct a soil review to decide if the soil is fantastic and suitable for manufacturing.

Ensure the soil has actual load-bearing functionality to manually the muse of your future home.

Topography:

Check the plot’s topography to ensure it’s far level and doesn’t have excessive slopes.

Avoid plots prone to waterlogging or positioned in low-lying regions.

Infrastructure and Utilities

Water Supply:

Ensure the delivery of dependable water, both through municipal assets or borewells.

Check the water table stage inside the region to avoid issues during the dry season.

Electricity:

Confirm the supply of strength and the proximity of electrical connections to the plot.

Check for uninterrupted energy delivery and proximity to transformers.

Sewage and Drainage:

Ensure the location has the right sewage and drainage gadgets to avoid troubles at some point of rain.

Check if the plot is set up to the municipal sewage system or if it calls for a septic tank.

Neighbourhood and Environment

Safety and Security:

Research the protection of the network and look for the presence of protection offerings or police stations close by.

Look for gated corporations or plots with protection abilities for delivered safety.

Noise and Pollution Levels:

Choose a plot far from business areas or busy roads to avoid noise and pollution.

Consider the top-notch air greenery in the surrounding area for a more wholesome environment.

Community and Development:

Investigate the improvement recognition of the community and future boom opportunities.

Look for mounted or upcoming residential organizations that promise a fantastic preference for residing.

Future Growth Potential

Appreciation Rate:

Research the historic appreciation prices of plots within the location to gauge destiny potential.

Consider plots in growing regions or near upcoming infrastructure projects for higher returns on funding.

Development Plans:

Check for any proposed government or personal improvement plans in the location.

Look for regions with planned commercial enterprise, educational, or leisure duties that could decorate property costs.

Budget and Financing

Cost:

Compare the fees of plots in extremely good localities to find one that fits your rate variety.

Consider extra expenses, including registration costs, stamp duty, and improvement fees.

Financing Options:

Explore financing options to be had for buying residential plots, which include home loans or plot loans.

Check the hobby fees, loan tenure, and eligibility requirements furnished with the aid of several banks.

Conclusion

Selecting the proper residential plot in Mysore requires cautious attention to more than one factor. From vicinity and prison clearances to soil high-quality and destiny increase functionality, every factor is vital in ensuring your investment is sound and yields tremendous returns. By thoroughly studying and comparing these factors, you may make an informed decision and establish a plot that meets your desires and expectations. Investing in a well-chosen plot in Mysore now not only offers the possibility to construct your dream home but also guarantees capability appreciation in value, making it a realistic long-term period of funding.

For More Information Visit, Residential Plots in Mysore 

[technologicallytailored]

May 14th

LOMAX County Fields

I would apologize, but I have grown to realize this blog is more of a public diary than any sort of media intended to be social. This is more of an external data log, which could be quite useful in the future. Given my history, if a hard reset is required, and I could be convinced to peruse this app to thumb through my past thoughts and musings, then it would be considered additionally beneficial to a speedy recovery. That is, on the assumption, I would be compliant enough to believe whoever is showing me this blog. "This is you," the hell it could be! Does anyone out there understand the true vastness of every reiteration the OG soul for my one player character has fractured off into essentially the world's worst reach around? I feel like given the opportunity, whoever was Dirk Prime, should host a convention and charge himself to have to spend the afternoon entertaining all the splintered atoms on the same selection of interests they all seem to share. Which is, essentially, existential dread and horses. It does not get any better than that!

Not to be a pick me bot, but I enjoy the stars and bugs. Call me a dreamer, if I could dream.

Jade confirmed with me that merging the bubbles with a planet is not only possible but safe for the bubble. In a way it provides a symbiotic relationship between the bubble and the planet. The atmosphere thickens, which will provide an added layer to the ozone layer. This will increase the amount of oxygen retained within the planet's atmosphere (competitive with the Carboniferous period where oxygen levels rose to 35%), causing a mass case of gigantism in organic lifeforms. I like big bugs, and I cannot lie.

The next step in the experimental phase is to confirm the safety of those living within the bubble's realm. There will be plants, bugs, small animals, and large animals that will be held on a small planet encased by the bubble. There, it will be possible to monitor any possible heath risks.

I am optimistic.

I think this will be a success run.

We are so close..

[broadassist]

Employee Retention Mastery: Strategies by Board Assist

Are you losing sleep over the revolving door of talent in your organization? Don’t worry, you're not alone! The unsettling question of "Why aren't our employees staying longer?" has become a recurring concern in your managerial musings. Employee retention has emerged as a critical challenge for businesses across industries as the workforce landscape evolves. The constant recruitment and onboarding of new faces strain resources and hinder the development of a cohesive, high-performing team. Let’s delve into the art and science of employee retention mastery and decode the secrets of cultivating enduring loyalty and commitment within your organizational ranks.

The Significance of Employee Retention: A Strategic Imperative for Organizational Success

In today's dynamic workplace, mastering employee retention has become paramount for organizations striving to secure top talent and ensure long-term success. In the modern business landscape, employee retention emerges not only as a key performance metric but as a strategic imperative essential for the sustained success of organizations.

Various businesses, such as Google, Microsoft and BoardAssist.com, are at the forefront of strategising employee retention. Today's businesses specialise in providing guidance and solutions to organizations looking to bolster their retention efforts. These entities understand that retaining talent goes beyond traditional methods and requires a holistic approach. From tailored training programs to personalised development plans, such organizations contribute to the arsenal of tools to enhance employee loyalty.

Let’s understand why employee retention is imperative, shedding light on its impact on cost-effective management, heightened employee engagement, and much more.

1. Cost-Effective Management

Employee turnover initiates a costly recruitment cycle involving expenses such as advertising, screening, interviewing, and onboarding new hires. Retaining existing staff is a more financially prudent approach. By investing in the development and satisfaction of current employees, organizations can alleviate the financial strains of continuous turnover.

2. Elevated Employee Engagement

Employee retention is intrinsically linked to maintaining heightened levels of employee engagement. The departure of employees and subsequent recruitment often results in an increased workload for the remaining staff, leading to diminished morale and motivation. Retaining valuable employees contributes to a more stable and engaged workforce, where individuals remain committed to their roles and responsibilities.

3. Retention of Experienced Personnel

Long-term retention yields a pool of loyal employees with significant organizational experience. Over time, employees assimilate the company's culture, ethics, and values. This accumulated experience translates into a skilled and capable workforce, augmenting overall productivity. The institutional knowledge amassed over the years becomes an invaluable asset for tackling challenges and driving innovation.

4. Positive Impact on Customer Relations

In roles where employees directly interact with customers, retention plays a pivotal role in shaping customer relations. Long-term employees often develop strong customer relationships, serving as crucial contact points. This continuity in customer interactions fosters trust and rapport. Conversely, frequent turnover can disrupt these relationships, necessitating time for new hires to establish a similar level of connection with the customer base.

5. Cultivation of Positive Corporate Culture

Corporate culture, shaped by a company's preferences, perceptions, and behaviours, is significantly influenced by employee retention. It plays a central role in fostering a positive and cohesive corporate culture. As employees stay and contribute to the organization's ethos, a more wholesome and positive culture emerges. This, in turn, enhances the business's brand value and is a magnet for attracting skilled and dedicated talent.

Understanding the catalysts behind employee turnover is the first step in crafting practical retention approaches.  So, now, let's delve into Employee Retention Strategies.

Crafting a Holistic Approach to Employee Retention

Here are some employee retention strategies that can empower organizations with actionable strategies that address pain points and cultivate a thriving workplace culture.

1. Onboarding and Orientation

A positive onboarding experience is pivotal for long-term employee satisfaction. A business should emphasise that onboarding goes beyond introducing new hires to their roles – immersing them in the company culture. A well-structured onboarding process establishes the foundation for an employee's tenure, whether in person or virtual.

2. Mentorship Programs

Supplementing onboarding with mentorship programs aids employee integration, especially in remote work scenarios. Mentors are crucial in welcoming newcomers, offering guidance, and serving as a sounding board. This approach extends beyond new hires, benefiting existing staff and enhancing employee retention.

3. Employee Compensation

Ensuring competitive compensation is a cornerstone of successful retention. Regular evaluations of salary structures demonstrate a commitment to recognising and rewarding employees appropriately. While immediate salary increases might not always be feasible, alternative forms of compensation, such as bonuses, enhance job satisfaction.

4. Perks

In the pursuit of talent retention, offering standout perks is essential. Flexible schedules and remote work options emerge as crucial perks in the current job market. Great perks help attract new talent and re-engage existing staff, ultimately increasing employee morale.

5. Wellness Offerings

Employee well-being is paramount for job satisfaction and retention. Expanding and enhancing wellness programs, especially after the pandemic, demonstrates a commitment to supporting employees in their physical, mental, and financial well-being. Stress management initiatives, retirement planning services, and fitness reimbursements are valuable components of a holistic wellness strategy.

6. Communication

The shift to hybrid and remote work models accentuates the importance of effective communication. Establishing an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, questions, and concerns fosters a culture of openness and support. Healthy and timely communication between the organization and its employees is crucial. Regular check-ins, whether virtual or in person, contribute to building a solid and supportive work culture.

7. Continuous Feedback on Performance

Traditional annual performance reviews make way for more frequent and constructive feedback sessions. Discussing short- and long-term professional goals, providing constructive feedback, and collaborating on realistic career advancement plans contribute to employee satisfaction and commitment.

8. Training and Development

Investing in employee training and development is integral to their sense of worth within the organization. This strategy aligns with the modern workforce's desire for continuous growth. Supporting employees in upskilling, attending virtual conferences, and offering tuition reimbursement fosters an environment of professional development and contributes to retention.

9. Recognition and Rewards Systems

Acknowledging and appreciating employees for their contributions is a fundamental aspect of retention. Whether through formal reward systems or informal recognition programs, expressing gratitude enhances engagement and builds a positive workplace culture. There should be valuable resources and tools for implementing effective recognition programs tailored to your organization's unique needs.

10. Work-Life Balance

Promoting a healthy work-life balance is essential for employee satisfaction. Encouraging employees to set boundaries, take vacation time, and maintain realistic expectations contributes to a positive work environment.

11. Flexible Work Arrangements

Post-pandemic, the demand for flexibility in work arrangements has surged. Forbes highlights that over half of employees globally would leave their jobs without flexibility. Offering options like remote work, flextime, or compressed workweeks contributes significantly to employee retention.

12. Effective Change Management

Change is inevitable, and how organizations navigate it impacts employee satisfaction. Clear communication during change helps alleviate anxieties and fosters a sense of stability among employees.

13. Emphasis on Teamwork

Encouraging collaboration and creating opportunities for all employees to contribute ideas strengthens teamwork. Accommodating diverse work styles and empowering employees to make decisions fosters a positive team dynamic.

14. Acknowledgment of Milestones

Celebrating both small and significant achievements contributes to a positive work culture. Whether virtually or in person, marking milestones creates meaningful moments and reinforces employees' sense of value and belonging.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering employee retention is a strategic imperative for organizational success in today's dynamic workplace. The profound impact on cost-effective management, elevated employee engagement, retention of experienced personnel, positive customer relations, and cultivating a positive corporate culture cannot be overstated. Organizations can navigate the evolving landscape by incorporating comprehensive strategies, ensuring long-term talent loyalty. From holistic onboarding to innovative mentorship and competitive compensation, these strategies empower organizations to foster a thriving workplace culture and secure top talent in the competitive market.

[congradulations]

jobs

Finding a job sucks. We know this. We have known this for a long time. But I feel like it’s especially dreadful these days. 

Every generation makes claims about their specific and unique struggles. Everyone, struggling so uniquely. Generations always insist they have it worse than the last in some way. 

The way I have set up this phenomenon just now might suggest that I am going to argue against it in some way, because it is annoying. But nay nay. It is annoying, yet so am I. Thus, I will contribute. I am going to make the argument that one of Gen Z’s specific struggles is and will continue to be FINDING JOBS! :)  

In some ways, Millenials and Gen Z share this struggle. Yes, there have been massive improvements in the diversification of the hiring pool. One of my qualms is that we can’t really just call up a company and ask for an interview, which is the strategy recommended by all the old people in our lives. Instead, the employment process has moved online almost entirely. While this shift makes it easier to find job applications, it makes it harder to actually get a job. I’ve seen LinkedIn job posts receive over 200 applicants within an hour of being posted. The most popular job site is rendered useless to me for this reason. The internet is also packed with inactive or expired job posts that provide no indication of being either, so we waste even more time.

Another point of commiseration is that members of both generations have entered and are entering the job market during periods of significant economic decline. Namely, two recessions. (I know nothing about the economy, but that won’t stop me from talking about it.) Also, we are more educated and qualified than previous generations, which means that standards for getting hired are more strict, and sometimes, impossible for many potential applicants. For example, most job openings advertised as “entry-level” require at least two years of professional experience. There just aren’t enough jobs for us.

AI is a technological entity of concern in the Millenial and Gen Z quest to find jobs. We’ve all heard about it. This zesty hot topic. ChatGPT is going to replace us, especially those of us with wordier skillsets. Humanists will be knocked down a peg further on the rung of hire-ability. STEM, in all its glory, will squash us. But here is where Millenials have a leg up on Gen Z. Many millenials will have already attained a high enough level of seniority to ensure job security by the time AI really starts taking over the world. Even if they get laid off, they can find positions that require experienced professionals elsewhere. I predict that the more menial, entry-level types of jobs historically meant for younger professionals will be the ones overtaken by AI, making the task of finding a decent paying entry-level job all the more difficult. And annoying and awful and exasperating. While my musings might be dystopian, they might also be possible. 

I’ve certainly begun to feel the stressful effects of whatever is happening in the career ecosystem. I cannot overstate the severity of my anxiety over finding a job just a couple of months ago. While my mental health baseline is not necessarily stable, my job search anxiety was at another level. It was kind of derailing my life, the impossibility of it all. These feelings were only quelled by an increased anxiety medicine prescription and the hope of my family connections paying off for once (more on that next week). Other job hunters are experiencing this difficulty, too:  

I have no solutions. Just complaints. So basically, I’m here to complain. I’m complaining. It’s what I do best. 

Thank you. The end. 

[hakesbros]

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