#like a brand new thing. when there was a clear shift in approach

[thecoolerliauditore]

on one hand, very glad my suspicions of burnout and gimmicks as a result of fear of losing viewership were wrong at least as far as we know. im glad the CCs are having fun and their enjoyment is being prioritized, even if i am still not entirely convinced everyone's on the same page.

on the other hand, it's melancholic but this is pretty much the nail in the coffin in me having any interest left in future installments of the series. for those of you concerned: I am forever haunted by my brain diseases and will be continuing to post, write and draw 3L - SL for the rest of my forseeable life (plus completely disconnecting from any need I feel to interact with WL and beyond leaves me with more time to work on. certain larger scale projects I have had plans for)

i respect grians decision-making and he would know better than me how to run a youtube series, however I do question how much of an oxymoron it is to not care about viewer feedback for a youtube series run on viewership (and when so many of the recent behind the scenes decisions we've been privy to - such as Scar and Grian's hesitancy to team up based on comments calling them "boring" -- imply the opposite regarding the cast's mindset). it makes me concerned for the longevity of the series going forward, since those not happy with the direction that I've seen have all been very passionate and old fans, but I've also seen an equal if not louder support for this season, so I digress.

Part of me wonders how much of the "we want last life 2" sentiment (<-- something I've previously spoken about how I don't agree with) the cast has been exposed to, since it felt strange to me that it was even bought up. I have had a thought about this and the consequences of "don't maintag your negativity" e.g. the reasonable people know to hide their critical posts, and what that leaves a creator with are the unreasonable people, and if it's only that feedback that gets processed, then inevitably things tend to go in weird directions. Were any of us actually "tired" of Desert Duo interacting? Were any of us mad at Gem for killing Grian in SL?

It's frustrating to see crit posts get flagged down with accusations of disrespecting or attacking the CCs, or "we don't want you here anyway, just leave," when myself and all the people I've spoken to being not avid haters but rabid fans who feel frustrated and actively want to continue liking the series. Not to mention most of the people also being active members of the fandom ontop of that -- we claim that fanart is important and makes the series even more special than it already is, yet people seem more than happy to sacrifice that just for the sake of not seeing critical opinions.

t-shirt that says blah blah blah. but I reserve the right of feeling disappointed.

[a-d-nox]

how can you glow up: your 10h - your public persona

here's the next hypothesis of how you can glow up using your venus persona. take a close look at your 10h!

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

10h aries (1°, 13°, 25°), 10h mars, and/or 10h ruler aspecting mars

define career goals

take initiative: initiate new projects, push forward in your career, and take bold steps toward achieving your professional goals.

action-oriented success: you’ll find that you can make progress quickly in your career when you’re proactive. use this momentum to advance in your field, whether through promotions, new opportunities, or recognition.

ambitious and goal-driven: you're determined to climb the career ladder. set clear goals, take calculated risks, and push yourself toward success.

build a reputation

project confidence: present yourself confidently in professional settings. whether it’s presenting ideas, networking, and/or taking charge in meetings, you’ll naturally draw attention.

leadership: mars gives you the courage to step into roles of authority and make decisions that others will follow. you can be a natural leader and motivate others with your energy.

embrace competition: you thrive in competitive environments and are motivated to prove your abilities. use this to your advantage in your career.

balance ambition

action toward legacy: you have the stamina and passion to work toward building something that lasts.

decisive moves: you’re likely to make bold, yet calculated decisions. trust your instincts and act decisively.

10h gemini (3°, 15°, 27°), 10h mercury, and/or 10h ruler aspecting mercury

define career goals

embrace variety: gemini thrives in roles that allow you to wear multiple hats. consider careers in media, education, marketing, writing, public relations, or technology - fields where communication and adaptability are key.

stay flexible: your career path doesn’t have to be linear. give yourself permission to explore different fields, projects, and/or interests. it's never too late learn new things... that being said...

lifelong learning: invest in expanding your knowledge and skill set. take courses, read, and stay curious about emerging trends in your field.

build a reputation

showcase your intelligence: this energy shines when you’re seen as knowledgeable and quick-witted. share insights, teach others, or present new ideas in your industry.

refine communication skills: whether it’s public speaking, writing, or networking, invest in becoming a proficient communicator.

embrace social media: use platforms to share your thoughts, connect with others, or even build a personal brand. a podcast, blog, or youtube channel could work especially well for you.

balance ambition

prioritize focus: curiosity can sometimes lead to scattered energy. use time management tools like task lists or productivity apps to stay organized.

practice mindfulness: with a mind always racing with ideas, grounding techniques like meditation or journaling can help you avoid burnout.

embrace breaks: allow yourself to step away and recharge when needed - you thrive on change, so even brief shifts in environment can boost your energy.

10h cancer (4°, 16°, 28°), 10h moon, and/or 10h ruler aspecting moon

define career goals

follow your emotional compass: think of roles where you can nurture, protect, and/or support others (ex: caregiving, teaching, counseling, creative fields, or advocacy).

create a safe space: aim for a work environment where you feel emotionally secure and valued.

build a reputation

lead with love: show your nurturing side in your professional relationships. be known for your reliability, emotional intelligence, and willingness to support others.

authenticity matters: lean into your vulnerability and emotional depth as strengths.

be approachable: this energy makes you relatable and warm. cultivate trust by being a good listener and showing understanding.

balance ambition

avoid over-nurturing: don’t let yourself become overly focused on caring for others at the expense of your own goals. set boundaries and prioritize your ambitions.

emotional resilience: this energy can be sensitive to public criticism. build inner confidence by focusing on your strengths and maintaining perspective.

work-life balance: your emotional health directly affects your productivity. create routines that allow for rest, family time, and self-care.

10h aquarius (12°, 24°), 10h uranus, and/or 10h ruler aspecting uranus

define career goals

innovate and rebel: you might find fulfillment in careers that are unconventional or ahead of their your. this could mean embracing technology, alternative industries, or positions that challenge the status quo.

pioneering spirit: you may be drawn to pioneering projects or cutting-edge fields where innovation is key. don’t be afraid to pursue new technologies, digital spaces, or progressive causes in your career.

reinvent yourself professionally: embrace reinvention and the possibility of sudden changes in your professional life.

build a reputation

align with your unique self: your public image and career should reflect your true, individual nature. don’t conform to societal expectations if they don’t align with your true desires.

challenge conventional norms: trust this impulse, as it can lead to innovative achievements and greater personal satisfaction.

create a unique professional identity: you may stand out from the crowd, and that’s a strength. cultivate a professional identity that is distinctly yours, and don’t be afraid to express your individuality through your work or public image.

balance ambition

career shifts: your career path may be marked by sudden changes, disruptions, or unexpected opportunities. while this may feel unsettling at times, these shifts often lead to growth and progress. learn to embrace the unexpected.

flexibility is key: rigidity is not your friend. be open to change, and stay flexible with your professional goals. opportunities might appear suddenly, so adaptability is crucial.

breakthrough moments: you may experience moments of sudden insight or a flash of inspiration that leads to breakthroughs in your career. trust your intuition and be ready to act when these moments arise.

10h nn and/or 10h ruler aspecting nn

define career goals

embrace your public role: build a meaningful career or life purpose that contributes to society. this may feel uncomfortable at first, but growth happens outside your comfort zone.

take responsibility: own your actions and decisions. success with this placement comes from being reliable, consistent, and committed to your goals.

have big ambitions: you’re meant to focus on long-term goals and create a legacy. dream big and work toward achievements that will stand the test of time.

build a reputation

get comfortable being seen: step out of the shadows - start sharing your voice and talents with the world.

develop a professional image: polish your public presence by curating your personal brand, whether that’s through social media, professional profiles, and/or networking.

own your achievements: never downplaying your successes - learn to celebrate them and share them confidently.

balance ambition

master time management: 10h requires discipline and structure to achieve your goals. use tools like planners, calendars, or apps to stay on track.

consistency is key: show up for your goals every day - over time, your efforts will compound into success.

learn from mentors: seek guidance from people who’ve already achieved what you’re aiming for. their insights can help you stay focused.

10h part of fortune and/or 10h ruler aspecting part of fortune

define career goals

find a career that brings joy: your greatest happiness comes from pursuing meaningful career goals or becoming recognized for your work.

define your mission: reflect on what kind of career feels truly aligned with your values and passions. you’re happiest when your work is purposeful and impactful.

be ambitious: the 10h rewards you for aiming high and committing to goals that will leave a lasting impression.

build a reputation

public recognition: your sense of fulfillment comes from being respected and acknowledged for your contributions. cultivate a professional image that reflects your authenticity, dedication, and skill.

leave a legacy: think long-term - how do you want to be remembered? focus on building something meaningful that reflects your talents and effort.

balance ambition

step into leadership: this placement often points to natural leadership abilities. don’t shy away from roles where you take charge, make decisions, or guide others.

be a role model: others may naturally look up to you for inspiration. lead with integrity, and you’ll find success comes easily.

learn from mentors: surround yourself with accomplished individuals who can guide you toward your goals and help you refine your ambitions.

10h ruler in the 5h

define career goals

infuse creativity into your career: with this placement, you thrive in fields that allow for artistic or creative expression, such as art, music, writing, fashion, theater, and/or design. even in non-creative industries, you’ll want to find ways to bring originality and fun into your work.

pursue your passion: you’ll feel most fulfilled in a career that aligns with your personal interests or hobbies. think about what lights you up and explore ways to turn that into a profession.

entertainment and performance: you may have natural talents in areas like acting, performing, and/or public speaking. if these fields interest you, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there.

build a reputation

leadership through fun: you’re well-suited to leadership roles where you can inspire others with your enthusiasm.

encourage creativity in others: you may excel as a mentor, teacher, or leader in fields like education, creative coaching, and/or team-building where you can bring out the best in others.

stand out publicly: your career may involve being in the spotlight or receiving recognition for your individuality and creativity.

balance ambition

work that doesn’t feel like work: you’re driven to create a professional life that feels enjoyable and fulfilling. you’re not someone who thrives in overly rigid or monotonous work environments.

create a balance between fun and productivity: while it’s important to find joy in your career, be mindful not to lose focus on long-term goals. blend fun with discipline for sustained success.

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button! 

return to nox’s guide to metaphysics

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© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[eddiesghxst]

a very big thank you to my bby @mmunson86 bc she listens and entertains all of my random ass bursts of inspo and helped me decipher the plot to these two babies (and many many others hehe), ilysm stinky 🤍

————

18+ — MINORS DNI

pairing: older!NASCAR driver!eddie munson x pop singer!reader

summary: Eddie's a famous former NASCAR driver who now does paint jobs for celebrities, and you just so happen to need a paint job

contains: oral (f receiving), banter, flirting, and eddie being head over heels for reader <3

word count: 2k

| nascar!eddie x pop singer!reader masterlist | -main masterlist- |

Thursday is Eddie’s favorite day.

One more day til the weekend, things are slow at the shop, and Bug, the detailer, usually pays for lunch. So, Eddie’s usually pretty fucking happy on Thursday— usually. However, it’s hard to be happy when you wake up to a music video of a famous pop singer crashing the car you’d just spent weeks working on.

Now, Eddie’s all for creativity and expressing art in different forms of destruction, but it’s hard to see the art in smashing a brand new McLaren, freshly painted and detailed by none other than Eddie Munson himself. Sure, you paid for it, so it’s basically a waste of your money, but it’s also a waste of Eddie’s time and work.

“Turn this song off, Bug,” Eddie grumbles from under his mask, focused on spraying fine lines of paint onto the car in front of him. It’s your song.  The song that you’d smashed Eddie’s car into smithereens for. That being said, even if Eddie is utterly and incredibly displeased with how you’d decided to treat Eddie’s hard work, his heart skips a beat when he hears the familiar tone of your voice, “You don’t like my music, Munson?”

Eddie pauses his task, blinking a few times to clear the possibility of the paint fumes finally getting to his head and making him hallucinate. And if Eddie’s hallucinating, then his brain is quite vivid because the click of your heels is drawing closer and closer with the smell of your sweet perfume.

Eddie puts the spray gun back on the cart next to him and stands up, facing you as you approach him. Eddie sighs, tipping his head to the side as he removes his gloves. This isn’t the first time he’s met you; no, he met you when he dropped the car off at your film set. You were kind and soft-spoken, with a pretty smile and voice that made Eddie’s chest erupt in butterflies he hadn’t felt in years. You were gorgeous then, and you’re gorgeous now, standing in front of him with that sinister little glint in your eyes.

You’re a pretty young thing, that much is obvious, but it doesn’t negate the fact that you crashed Eddie’s car.

“How can I help you, doll?”

You smile, tipping your head as you watch Eddie remove the mask from his face, tossing it onto the tool cart along with the disposable gloves. “Need a paint job for my new car. Wanted the best in town.” You sweetly say.

Eddie huffs out a laugh, “A paint job?”

You blink up at Eddie, pretty eyes and cute lashes batting up at him. God, you’re perfect. It's no wonder why the entire world is head over heels in love with you.

“You crashed my car, honey.” Eddie points out.

Your hopeful gaze falters then, lips dipping into a ghost of a frown, “It wasn’t my idea.” You respond. “You crashed my car. For a music video,” he drawls, “Do you know how much time I spent on that car?”

Bug seems to take that as his cue to leave because suddenly he’s tossing his tool in his toolbox and calling over his shoulder, “Goin’ to lunch, boss.” And there goes Eddie’s free lunch.

A flash of guilt passes through your eyes before you huff with a roll of your eyes, shifting to lean on one foot as you cross your arms over your chest, “It wasn’t your car.” 

“It’s got my work written all over it.”

“Again, it wasn’t my idea.”

Eddie tilts his head, lips pouting as he shrugs mockingly, in a way. “But you went with it.”

Eddie had been slowly walking you backward across the empty garage, pressing and pressing until you reached his parked car, your body coming to a sudden stop with a hitch in your breath. You huff out a laugh, rolling your eyes for the second time, “Well, I was filming a music video. I just do what they tell me to and look pretty— it’s kind of my job, Eddie.”

“Yeah?” Eddie’s eyes fall to your lips for a split second.

You lick your lips, cocking your head to the side as you gaze up at him, “Obviously.”

Eddie’s lips twitch like he wants to smile, a smirk lingering in his tone as he mocks you, “Obviously.”

“You really don’t like my music?”

You feel like you’re losing your mind. Not only are you standing in the famous Munson’s Paint & Body garage, but you’re standing face to face with the Eddie Munson— famous former NASCAR driver and hot as fuck body man.

It’s like all those Sundays you spent back in high school watching him race as your dad bet money with his friends on who would win are flashing before your eyes. Okay, so you’re fangirling a little bit; who wouldn’t? It’s Eddie fucking Munson.

“Never said I didn’t like your music; I just don’t like the fact that you crashed my car.”

And well, you feel bad. You didn’t know the car would get hurled off a cliff in the middle of the California desert, but it was a little late to protest against that when it was flying through the wind at 90 miles per hour with literal flames decorating the wheels.

“I’m sorry,” you finally apologize. “I shouldn’t have let them destroy your car… which was technically my car for my music video.” You and Eddie share a playful gaze, but it’s soon overthrown with something lustful when Eddie reaches out, fingers toying with the waistband of your denim skirt. “You’re playing with fire, princess.” He lowly says.

You hum, tipping your head as he towers over you, bodies pressing against one another as you dance along the edge of the thick line of tension, “Wanna do something about it?” A sly smirk and glinting brown eyes have you weak in the knees, your body heating up like a fucking furnace as the man silently gazes at you. 

It’s like the spread of wildfire when he presses his lips against yours, a warm hand coming up to cup your cheek as he presses you against the hood of his car. Your skirt is short, and it rides up when he maneuvers you further up the hood. You let out a shaky breath against his lips when the cool metal of the car meets the hot skin of your thighs.

You’d be lying if you hadn’t somewhat come here with the intention of getting your hands on the handsome older man— there’s no denying there was some kind of energy bouncing between the two of you when you briefly met him on the set of your music video. Eddie’s got a way of looking at you with daring yet respectful eyes that make you want to pounce— he had it then when you first met, and he has it now.

He’s pawing at you like he’s addicted, big hands grasping at your sides as he practically devours you. It’s sloppy and wet and so fucking addicting you wish you didn’t have to breathe so you could just keep kissing him.

He’s slinking his hands down to your thighs, hooking them into the crooks of your knees and pressing them up, spreading you wide for him as he kisses down your neck. He reaches one hand up, tugging down at your shirt to give him room to mark the swell of your breasts. Your breath hitches when your bare nipple meets the cool air, and he laves his tongue over it, “W-what about— fuck.” You whimper as Eddie hums, kissing further down your body and fully pushing up your denim skirt to mouth at your thighs. You press your thighs closer together, pressing up onto your elbows to gaze down at Eddie as he kneels between your legs.

“What about your employees?” You ask.

Eddie mouths at your thigh, kneading at the fat of your skin as he speaks, “Just me and Bug today. Open up, baby.” His brown eyes are like swirling hypnotic pools, and your body moves in accord with his directions, thighs parting to show him the damp material of your flimsy panties.

Eddie groans, leaning forward to drag his tongue up the damp spot before gently nipping at the material. He’s impatient, so he only hooks his thumb in the hem of the cotton and hooks it off to the side, keeping it pinned beneath his thumb so he has full access to your dripping cunt. He doesn’t waste time, laving his tongue from your opening up to your clit, teasingly running the tip of his tongue in circles over your sensitive bud just to hum at the pitiful whimpers and whines that escape your mouth. 

Your eyes roll when he closes his mouth around your clit, sucking and licking and teasing until you’re fully moaning, reaching down to thread your fingers into his curly locks, knuckles curling at the root to gently tug him deeper into your cunt.

“Yeah, yeah,” He breathes, “Fuck my face, princess, there we go.” It’s so wet, his voice, so wet and eager and mind-numbingly gorgeous.

He teases two thick fingers at your entrance before sinking them into you and curling them in a come hither motion. Your legs twitch to close around his head, “Oh, fuck. Fuck, Eddie, I’m so close.”

You’re teetering on the edge, heat brewing in your lower tummy as Eddie devours you like it’ll be his last fucking meal. The lights overhead are bright, and there’s heavy metal playing from the shop speakers. Still, all you can bring yourself to focus on is the sinful drag of Eddie’s tongue up and down the entirety of your cunt, sticky strings of arousal and spit smearing all over your thighs and his face, and your moans increase in volume when he slinks a hand up to squeeze at your chest.

His fingers are gentle yet overwhelming as they pet at your sensitive spot, and before you know it, you’re body is tensing, and you’re coming around his thick digits, soaking his chin as you fail to keep your thighs open and sounds to a minimum.

Eddie doesn’t mind, though, it seems, because he only moans and nuzzles his face deeper into your pussy, greedily licking into you like it’s his last chance— and hopefully it’s not.

You must have spaced out because, between the immense pleasure and the sinfully beautiful sight of Eddie between your thighs, you seem to only come back to earth once Eddie places your panties back over your pussy, pressing a gentle kiss to your covered and aching clit.

He snickers when you twitch in overstimulation, “You’re real cute when you cum, you know?” He says before pressing a kiss into your thigh. You huff out a laugh, leaning on your elbows to watch as he stands up to hover over you, pressing his palms into the hood of the car on either side of your blissed-out body. “Thank you?” You say. Eddie laughs, eyes twinkling with admiration as he gazes down at you.

“I’ll cut you a deal, alright?” He starts. Though your mind is still foggy with the lingering effects of your orgasm, your eyes narrow in suspicion as you tell Eddie to continue. Eddie sighs, leaning in further, “You let me take you on a date, and I’ll paint your car— I’ll also forget all about you crashing my car.”

Even if you want to point out that the car wasn’t Eddie’s, yet again, you can’t help the giggle that slips from your lips as you give in and nod, “Okay. One date.”

Eddie beams, raising an eyebrow as he responds, “Yeah?” You want to lean in and kiss him, but you think the heat of the moment from before had been fuel to the boldness that you’re now lacking.

You nod before holding up your index finger, “One,” you stress, “No promises for a second. I don’t have another car for you to paint.” You joke, but Eddie only shrugs with a smug look.

“Sweetheart, I’ve got enough cars for you to last a lifetime of dates.”

[96z]

this is the last thing i'll say but honestly, to me this situation is just another glaring example of how hybe's greed has poisoned the entire kpop industry. like, seriously, the way they’re running things is insane and it’s honestly destroying what once made kpop special.

hybe's unchecked dominance has become a poison in the industry. they’ve not only swallowed up smaller companies but have also monopolized platforms and resources, leaving a massive footprint that stifles diversity and creativity. remember when kpop felt like this vibrant, diverse world full of different sounds and styles? now it’s just a hybe-centric machine, churning out cookie-cutter idols and soulless hits, all for the sake of squeezing every last cent from fans.

it’s not just about the music anymore—it’s about the bottom line. and hybe’s obsession with profit has shifted the focus entirely. their approach seems to be about creating a product rather than nurturing genuine talent, and it’s showing. we’ve got groups and artists who are more brand assets than actual musicians, and the whole industry is losing its soul.

and let’s talk about their grasping at every single opportunity to make money. it's overcharging for albums, it's the insanely priced concert tickets, hybe has set a new standard for squeezing fans dry. it’s not just about supporting your favorite artists anymore; it’s about participating in a system designed to extract as much as possible.

the rise of hybe has shifted the entire narrative of k-pop. we used to see variety and innovation, but now it’s all about the same glossy, over-polished products with no room for real experimentation. it’s like they’ve drained the life out of the industry, leaving us with this homogenized, corporate-driven shell of what kpop used to be.

when i'm talking about how kpop isn’t the same, it’s not just nostalgia talking. it’s about how a single company’s greed has changed the entire landscape. and honestly, it’s a shame. we’ve watched as the heart and soul of kpop has been slowly eroded by hybe’s relentless pursuit of power and money.

and let’s not forget the utter lack of accountability for idols, especially the biggest names in hybe’s roster. it’s almost as if these idols are untouchable, the way their fans clear searches, flood the socials with ‘__ we love you’ and ‘apologize to __’ posts is maddening. why are these grown adults are allowed to hide behind their fanbase and evade any real responsibility?

it’s a disturbing trend where serious issues are brushed aside because the fans are doing the dirty work of cleaning up their mess. idols can act without consequences, knowing that their fanbase, and if not their fanbase, their company will do everything in their power to shield them from backlash. the lack of accountability is staggering—these idols can get away with anything because their fanbase’s loyalty means they never face the repercussions of their actions.

at the end of the day... it’s okay to criticize and question the things we love. because if we don’t, we’re just letting this monster ruin everything we cherish.

[allbark-no-bite]

the night shift.

jake seresin x bradley bradshaw (wc: 3k)

summary: jake’s a cop working the night shift and pulls over a mildly drunk (and very interested) firefighter. chaos ensues.

warnings: mature, *driving while under the influence of alcohol, some sexual references

*if this bothers you, just don’t read, simple as that. you don’t have to come into my inbox to tell me that it bothers you <3

author’s note: i’ve never written anything faster in my entire like. this was so much fun! i came across this post again and couldn’t let it go. all credit to @squiddosss for their amazing artwork

————————————————————————

It's slow nights like these that make Jake question why he prefers the night shift.

The gravel of the lonely backroad crunches beneath the tires of his cruiser as he makes the curve and slowly pulls to a stop. The sirens on his cruiser give one last whoop before he shuts them off. The back of the beat up vintage blue Bronco gleams in the shine of his headlights. He sighs and shifts the car into park before he tips his radio towards his mouth and mumbles his whereabouts, informing Javy that he's making a traffic stop.

"10-4. Keep me updated."

He climbs out of the cruiser and makes his way towards the vehicle, keeping one thumb tucked into the front of his belt, fingers ready to reach for his gun in an instant. The diver hadn't given him any trouble thus far other than what he had pulled him over for— swerving all over the road, but Jake had been trained to err on the side of caution. He runs his finger tips over the tail light as he passes it by, a habit he had picked up from working alone.

For being such an old model, the car is in pretty decent shape. It has what appears to be brand new tires and the powder blue paint job has been restored to perfection. It was obviously well cared for. He wonders briefly the story behind it being as he doubts you could buy such a car these days. This was the kind of car that you handed down.

The window rolls down just as Jake approaches it.

"How's it goin' Officer?"

Jake blinks.

The driver is a younger guy, probably close to his own age— Jake likes to think that thirty-one is still plenty young— with shoulders so broad that it's a wonder he even fits in the front seat. His skin is a dark olive, which is pretty typical for someone who lives around here, but what catches Jake's attention the most is the perfectly groomed mustache the guy is sporting on his upper lip. It's thick and matches the caramel color of his otherwise brunette head of hair.

"Is there something wrong?"

The guy smiles and his dusty rose lips frame his perfectly aligned white teeth.

Jake tells himself it's his job to notice these kinds of things.

Jake clears his throat and leans in to peer into the cab of the truck, doing his best to avoid the lingering stare of the guy's warm hazel eyes. When he's satisfied that there's nothing worthy of his immediate attention in the car, Jake focuses back on him.

"Can I get your license and registration?"

It takes him a moment of fumbling around in his glove box and then his pocket, but he hands both documents over. The guy watches him so intently while Jake reads over them that it almost makes him uncomfortable, and he's glad for the excuse to look away.

"You had much to drink tonight, Bradley?" Jake asks as his eyes skim over the name. Bradley Peter Bradshaw. He almost laughs. If Jake didn't know better, he'd think it was a fake.

Jake knows the answer before he asks it but he figures he'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. He doesn't necessarily reek of alcohol but Jake can defiantly pick up the fermented smell of yeast on his breath. If the guy hadn't been staring at him so intently and Jake could look at him for longer than two seconds, he's sure his pupils would be dilated as well.

"Just a little, Officer. I'm sobered up now."

Jake has to hold back his disbelieving snort. If he had a dime for every time he heard that, he'd be rich. "Well, Bradley. I find that a little hard to believe. You were all over this back road here. You know you're only supposed to drive on the right side, right?"

Bradley's mouth twitches, as if he found Jake's comment more amusing rather than condescending. "I didn't, but I'll sure take your word for it."

Jake, on the other hand, doesn't share his humor. "You seem like a funny guy, Bradley. But unfortunately, I don't find drunk driving to be very funny."

And then his eyes land on the emblem on Bradley's navy blue t-shirt—N.I.F.D. —the one his swollen biceps are nearly bursting out of.

"You work for North Island Fire Department?"

Jake watches as Bradley's slightly drunk grin widens. "I sure do."

Jake hands him back his license and the rest of his paperwork. "I've got a couple friends down at the station. You know Trace, Fitch?"

If his pupils weren't already blown wide, Jake would say they lit up in recognition. "Yeah, actually. Natasha is the one who got me the job there. I just finished a deployment out in the Pacific."

It's then that Jake notices the dog tags looped around his thick neck and hidden beneath his shirt. "You're enlisted," Jake says aloud, and then to conceal his surprise follows with, "I was too."

That's the kind of thing that you do when you're eighteen and more scared of not living than dying. If anything it was exciting. Anything that meant getting the hell out of Texas was exciting. He misses it now, but at the time when he was standing alone in that recruiters office, he didn't think for a moment that he would. He felt like a man.

The navy made him a man, is what his daddy said. It was probably one of the only times the old bastard ever told him he was proud of him, and the only time he didn't feel bad for making his mama cry.

The reason he got out was for the reason most do. You realize you don't stay twenty forever and life doesn't wait around until you figure that out. He didn't want to retire one day and have nothing to come home to but an empty apartment. San Diego seemed as good of a place to settle down as any.

Javy's voice crackles through on the radio strapped to his chest, breaking up their conversation.

"Unit-16. Checking in on your traffic stop. You need back-up?"

He hadn't realized they'd been talking so long. Jake mentally reprimands himself for getting distracted and picks up the radio while pressing it to his mouth. "This is Unit-16. No back-up necessary. Over."

"10-4. Over."

Jake releases the radio and looks back up to Bradley. Get back on task, Jake. Bradley smiles coyly at him. Jesus, focus, Jake.

"Sir, I'm going to need you to step out the vehicle."

The hopeful look in Bradley's big hazel eyes falters.

"Look, Officer uh— " The Bradley leans towards his open window so that he can squint at the gold engraved name plate on Jake's uniform. "—Seresin." Jake watches as his tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip before he cocks his head a little to the side and smiles, looking up at Jake. "You look good."

Oh. Oh.

That's what this is all about.

It's then that Jake realizes that this guy has been flirting him the entire time. He'll admit it's not the first time someone's hit on him while on the clock. Jake is aware he's an attractive guy, it's just that this is the first time he's been tasked with turning down at very handsome, drunk stranger. But drunk or not, the compliment makes his cheeks burn. Jake prays that the red and blue lights of his cruiser are enough to conceal the way his face flushes.

Ignoring him, Jake grabs the door handle of the Bronco and tugs it open. "C'mon, pal. Outta the car."

A little begrudgingly, Bradley slowly steps out of the car. Jake doesn't miss the way he grabs onto the door to steady himself.

Now that he's out of the car and in the beam of his headlights, Jake gets a good look at him. Bradley is over six feet of lean tan muscle. His long legs are encased in blue jeans that fit a bit too snug around his narrow waist, but from there he only gets wider all the way up to his shoulders. He's got some height on Jake and if he weren't in shape himself, Jake would probably be a little intimidated.

Jake steps up to him. "Go ahead and turn around for me. Put your hands flat on the hood."

For a moment Jake thinks he isn't going to listen, but then Bradley smirks a little and does as he's told. "Normally I'd ask you to buy me dinner first, but whatever you say, Officer."

This time Jake is glad that he's turned around. He steps forward and uses one of his feet to knock Bradley's legs a little further apart so that he can pat him down. He's not surprised to find that there's nothing on him, but he always has to check.

"Are you always this forward, Bradley? Or just when you're drunk?"

"No, sir," Bradley promises him, refusing to flinch even as Jake's hands come dangerously close to his crotch. "Just when the officer is nice to look at."

Jake pulls away as Bradley turns around. He specifically remembers telling him to keep his hands flat on the cruiser but Jake is getting the impression that Bradley doing something that could hurt either one of them isn't something he needs to worry about so he lets it go. Typically a stupid decision but he trusts his gut.

Bradley leans back just slightly to prop himself up against the car and crosses his arms in front of his chest while giving Jake a smile. His big brown eyes are warm and dopey, his smile impish.

"You gonna cut me some slack?" he asks.

Habitually, Jake curls his fingers through the front of his belt. The familiar weight of his kevlar vest is heavy and comforting and somehow he finds that it settles his fluttering heart in his chest.

"You know it's considered an offense to flirt with an officer?" Jake tells him, trying to remain professional and stand his ground. If his eyes drop to observe the way the other man's pecks fill out his t-shirt, that's his business.

Bradley smiles, ducking his head a little abashedly. Jake doesn't miss the way his teeth release the pout of his bottom lip. "Does that apply to when you're off duty as well?"

Jake pokes his tongue into the side of his cheek to keep from smiling. It's not funny, and he shouldn't be flattered by the advances of a drunk stranger but he is. And maybe he does have some sympathy for the guy. He knows what it's like coming back to the states and trying to adjust back to civilian life. But that doesn't mean that he's above the law.

"Bradley," he begins, his voice firm but sympathetic. "You know you can't be driving around like this. As much as I'd like to, I can't let you go."

As far as he's concerned, Bradley doesn't seem to be hearing him at all.

"Y'know, of all the places I imagined myself being handcuffed, none of them were in the back of a cop car."

"Jesus Christ," Jake mutters, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Really, he has no words. "Okay, that's enough," he announces, giving up on getting Bradley to actually take this seriously. "Turn around for me."

Smiling as if feeling a little too pleased with himself, Bradley obediently shuffles around so that Jake can then walk up behind him and clasp his wrists together. He uses his other hand to retrieve his cuffs from his belt and clips them on.

They're a little tight but that's only because Bradley's broad shoulders prevent his wrists from fully meeting, his shoulder blades seemingly obstructed by the wide expanse of his back.

Jake is definitely not staring. 

If the cuffs are uncomfortable, Bradley doesn't say anything, and Jake walks him by one of his elbows to the cruiser.

"Watch your head," Jake instructs him as he opens the door for Bradley to step in. It's a tight fit but somehow he manages, scooting over the seat until he's sat in the middle, his long legs spread to either side in order to accommodate them. The denim of his jeans strain at the awkwardness of the angle and gives Jake a front row view of the bugle of his crotch.

Jake clears his throat, looking away. If it were for the fact that he was drunk, Jake would say he's doing it on purpose.

Before Jake can shut the door and leave with what little is left of his self preservation, Bradley's voice stops him.

"Wait, what about my car?"

When Jake leans down to poke his head into the backseat of the cruiser, the look on Bradley's face is actually concerned. That's a first, Jake thinks. "I'll call someone to tow it. It'll be impounded until you can come and pick it up from the station." When the worry on Bradley's face only increases, his mustache emphasizing the action, he follows with, "They'll take good care of it for you, I promise."

Bradley's eyes flicker to the old Bronco anxiously. "It's just that it's my dad's car. He, um, he died when I was a kid. So, y'know..." he explains, trailing off.

Of fucking course it is.

Jake sighs, hangs his head in defeat for a second, and then looks back into the car at Bradley. "Look, I'll make a deal with you. Promise me we won't meet like this again and I won't have them tow your car. You can just come get it in the morning."

Bradley grins. "Well I'd certainly like to meet you under different circumstances."

Jake slams the door shut.

The drive back into town is quiet. When he glances at the clock on his dashboard, he realizes he only has about an hour left to his shift. As he pulls into the little suburban neighborhood, having memorized the address on Bradley's license, he glances into the backseat through his rear view mirror.

At first he thinks that Bradley's knocked out in the backseat, head lulled back as he breathes slow and steady, but then he sees the whites of his hazel eyes illuminated by the occasional red and blue flash of his overhead lights. Their gazes meet through the mirror and the corner of Bradleys mouth lifts up in a half drunk smile. Jake shifts his gaze away to instead peer at the numbers on the houses. Finally he finds the address he's looking for and slows the cruiser as he pulls into the driveway.

He brings the car to a stop and slides out of the driver's seat, walking around the car to open up the side door. Bradley stares at him quizzically from the backseat.

"C'mon, hop out before I change my mind," Jake prompts, gesturing with his head for Bradley to get a move on. The tall brunette climbs out with as much ease as one can muster in a pair of handcuffs before he's once again standing face to face with Jake.

He's on the downside of his drunken stupor, more sleepy than buzzed if his drooping eyelids are anything to go by. His mustache lifts as he smiles down at Jake. It's still ridiculous looking but it makes more sense now that Jake knows his occupation. It's the only type of facial hair that's considered to be within regs.

Jake clears his throat. "You want me to take those off?" he asks, motioning towards the cuffs holding Bradley's hands behind his back.

"I might do something stupid if you do."

Jake freezes. "What?"

Before he knows it Bradley's kissing him. He connects their mouths with surprising ease. It's so smooth and he moves relatively quickly for someone who's mildly intoxicated that Jake doesn't even see it coming. Between Jake's surprise and Bradley's lack of hands, they're a bit top heavy and Jake has to fist the front of Bradley's t-shirt, his back hitting the side of the cruiser, to keep them from toppling over.

Bradley's mouth is warm, his lips pliant and soft, but he's firm in the kiss, unrelenting in the way that Jake couldn't have pulled away even if he wanted to.

He doesn't want to— he does— but he doesn't want to.

When he comes to his senses, Jake flattens a palm against Bradley's chest and shoves him away. Immediately his chest aches at the distance. He stands there, still half shocked, with his palm holding Bradley away at arm's length.

Really, he's not too sure what to do in this situation.

Bradley’s hazel eyes shine in amusement. He doesn’t even have the decency to look ashamed.

Again Jake clears his throat. "Ahem— um, glad you got that out of your system," he says with a pat to Bradley's chest. And before anything else can occur, he swiftly steps around the other man and uncuffs his wrists.

Bradley groans in relief, bringing his hands in front of him to rub at his sore wrists. “I think your bondage play needs some work. Not that I’m complaining—”

“Go inside. Get some sleep, Bradley.”

Taking the not so subtle hint, Bradley straightens and fixes Jake with a mocking salute before he turns and makes him way to the front porch. He watches as Bradley unlocks the front door and turns to give him one last look before he steps inside.

“Until next time, Officer Seresin.”

Jake just shakes his head in disapproval, but he can’t disguise his smile. “There better not be a next time,” he calls up the driveway.

He doesn’t pull out the driveway until Bradley’s shut the door and he sees the porch lights flicker off.

Maybe he does like the night shift.

[crepesuzettey]

Talkin about the current shift in Smosh main

Sooooo I'm really thinking about this now because there is some implication in the newest LWS that they were kind of trying to "manipulate" their audience to get memberships off the ground or whatever. Let me just say right now that I am still a fan of Smosh and I'll still watch their content, I'm still a member. But every time they make a major shift like this, they always handle it sooooo poorly imo.

I mean, the way they handled the pivot from unscripted to sketches was so messy. I bet if they just communicated from the beginning that those videos were too costly with not enough return and the main channel was in a really desperate place, there wouldn't have been as much of a divide in the fandom after the buyback. Instead, they implied that unscripted ended because Anthony was coming back, and that caused a whole argument. Tbh that's probably the root of the current problems in the fandom lol

And someone else pointed out that they kind of put down a previous era to hype up the current era. Yeah lol. There's probably some genuine feeling behind that -- I'm sure the cast are very excited about what they're doing, and each "era" of Smosh does have its pros and cons (for example, under Mythical they were free to do whatever they wanted compared to DEFY, but there might have been struggles with the main channel's voice and the brand wasn't as popular as it used to be). But it doesn't really help this situation.

What's happening now isn't super clear to me -- did they actually want to make the sketches or not? Either way, their communication with their audience hasn't been great. The way I see it, when you make content on YouTube, part of the career is seeming transparent to your audience and being genuine where it counts (even if you're a company). It's kind of ironic that they're highlighting unscripted content more due to the demand for a genuine approach to online media in modern years, but this is how they communicate with their audience lol

I can understand if they didn't want to blow things up by announcing that the sketches were over before Bit City came out, because that might have hurt the premiere. But I do think there's always a way to announce the news in a way that won't make people THAT upset. The way they've done it just comes across as kinda sneaky and I guess it doesn't feel like there's "closure".

One of the other fandoms I've been in was a kids' MMO fandom and when it was about to shut down, they released an article for parents called "When Your Child's Favorite Media Goes Away". Since I was reminded of that earlier, it got me thinking about how that game handled its closure really well and kind of walked the audience through that last month, whereas with other kids' MMOs I kind of got the vibe that they just announced the shutdown, put up the FAQs page, and then pretended like everything was normal for the most part.

I know this was a game for literal children, but I still think it really shows how handling the end of a service with care can actually minimize fan backlash against the company. From a practical standpoint. Smosh makes changes so abruptly that it can come across as "uncaring" to their audience and it's also just so annoying lol. Like, there HAS to be a better way to go about this!

[justcentauri]

pirates of the lamb

Chapter one: Freedom

Pain so much pain but what did they expect? Attempted to assassinate a quartermaster SHAMURA'S quartermaster of all people yet the plan they had was proof no holes, everything thought out and planned down to their new alias they’d go under once completing and getting away with the assassination was the only way for it to fail is if someone knew. And feed every detail to the quartermaster. Yet only two people knew of the plan, Lamb and… pausing for a moment in their thought footsteps approaching their cell snapping back to reality the smell of dried blood and decaying corpse flooding their nose lamb would look up. To see who was approaching their cell vision blurred due to being beaten by the quartermaster and others of Shamura's crew. The approaching figure would come to a halt a few steps away from the cell bar's lamb's eyes finally focusing on who it was, the figure standing in a sleek purple cape with a triangle pattern along with shamura's branding on the front of it. Clearing their throat, they'd pull out a scroll, being interrupted by the lamb before they could speak

Lamb: “Stop hiding in the shadows you traitor I wanna see the face of the coward that ratted me out to the bastards who massacred my race some let us not-“ letting out a painful cough covering their mouths and began retching for a moment before pulling their and away from their mouth, looking down to see small bits of blood in their palm but not wanting to focus on that shaking it off before shifting their eyes back towards the figure “Let’s us not waste time with this charade and show yourself Goatenburg”

Goat: stepping out of the shadows cloaking his upper, half sneering at Lamb as put the scroll away annoyed at how he was rudely interrupted “You have the nerve to insult and talk down on me when you're the one behind bars and soon to be executed so you’ll be joi-“

Lamb: getting up and slamming their hands against the bars wrapping their hand around them as rage and panic filled their face “YOU BASTARD YOU PUSHED FOR MY EXECUTION, first you lie to me too then you betrayed my trust now you come to me draped in the attire of a murderous dictator who committed and approved of a mass genocide and now you stand here before me to say I am to be executed”

Goat: “I DID NO SUCH THINGS I DID WHAT WAS RIGHT. Because unlike you I have a sense of loyalty to our lord who has blessed us with this land, this city even then there are people like you who disturb the peace, and for what over something that happened years ago you might as well let it go. Since you won’t have leave to hate anymore your execution is in a few hours so you might as well make peace with this now lamb and bury this hatchet of yours. And maybe just maybe I can put in a word for you to have you spared and receive a lesser but still great punishment.”

Lamb: “You want me to “Bury” and let go of the fact the god you idolize is nothing but a ignorant murder” struggling to stand their legs wobbling a bit almost buckling but managing to stand walking up to the bars “and you are nothing but a coward who wanted to save their skin you didn’t tell them you were apart of my plan just so you can stand where you are right now. If I were to get a chance and truly explain every single detail of my plan to shamura he’d have you murdered alongside me”

Goat: becoming increasingly agitated with lamb’s attitude and persistence trying to stay calm and composed as he took a deep breath “As I’ve said before if you are willing to bury this vendetta of yours and pledge yourself to lord Shamu-“

Lamb: being fed up with this facade the goat put up and feeling another bloody coughing fit coming, the lamb would cover their face with their arm to cough into it but once they pulled away they’d hawk and spit the blood at the goat “that is what I think about your ignorant idea. Of me pleading myself to the murder of my people”

Goat: stepping back but looking down at his cloak to see the dark crimson stain on it which would send him into a small state of rage “YOU DISGRACEFUL BASTARD TO HELL WITH WAITING I'LL EXECUTE YOU NOW FOR YOUR INSOLENCE!” Turning to the wall riddled with different types of weaponry hanging from quickly walked down the line of weapons before stopping in front of the axe and grabbing it off the wall turning his attention back to the lamb

Walking up to the cell holding Lamb while angrily fumbling with the keys to the cell before finally finding the right one, Inserting it and turning the key rather aggressively to unlock the cell door walking up to Lamb and standing towering over them raising the axe above their hThe goat's intent to end the Lamb's life was clear and all the Lamb could do was close their eyes and accept what was going to happen to them but as the goat went to bring the axe down it wouldn’t fall, the Lamb would open their eyes not and slowly move their head upwards to see what was delaying their expedited execution. Only to wish their head was taken at this moment as their eyes landed on the person orchestrating it all.

They of Might, The Mongrel of the seas, The most threatening and Dangerous Lord of the ocean Shamura holding the axe by its blade preventing the goat from beheading lamb, goat After not hearing the sounds of the lamb’s head not hitting the floor he turned around to meet the paralyzing gaze of the one he now served quickly letting go as the axe wasn't going anywhere with the grip shamura had on the blade, goat quickly turned and saluted shamura before standing as stiff as a board

Shamura: clearing their throat and setting the axe on the ground, shamura looked back and forth between the goat and lamb before letting out an annoyed sigh “You told me you were coming down here to talk with the wretched lamb to convince them to rat out their accomplice so we may get rid of all who are apart of their scheme. As much as I admire your eagerness to put down this, no-good, mangy Lamb and end their race as a whole, I'd like to get rid of anyone who has ties to their plan.”

Lamb: his eyes darting over to the goat before looking up at shamura as they went into another coughing fit before speaking “Who the hell are you calling mangy, you lousy knock-kneed bastard? You murdered my people, and for what because your quartermaster suggested it and you went with it some lord you are” bringing themselves to stand not taking their eyes off shamura for a second “and I don't have to tell this scab anything because my accomplice is a lot closer than you think that's if you have the free will to think for yourself and looking into the people you put on your lousy crew”

Shamura: they gritted their teeth before a grin of evil intent spread across his face as he walked over to the axe and picked it up “Even in captivity you have a mouth on you I commend you for that but at the same time you managed to strike a nerve and for that, I'll be moving your execution further on my list of things to do. So with that said the two hours you had is now cut down to thirty-five minutes so make peace with whatever god you've devoted your life to or spend your time wallowing over the dead ether or, it doesn't matter me” tossing the axe in front of them before walking out the cell “Come now goatenburg it's obvious in these last few minutes of this lily-livered lambs life you won't get much out of them”

Picking up the axe and looking at its blade, seeing his reflecting goat would bring the axe to his side and walking out of the lamb cell, Shimura soon followed, closing then locking the cell door behind him. Their voices grew distant as they began a conversation, lamb sat there with nothing but their thoughts as they let everything sink in. They were sold out by someone who they Saw and treated as an ally, their death coming sooner due to them mouthing off. But as everything set in a sigh escaped their mouth as the lamb stood turning to face the bed which even at a glance lamb could easily tell was brought in by shoddy craftsmen but how good of quality the bed was didn't matter in these final moments of their life.

Before the lamb could sit or even take a step toward the bed, rapid and heavy footsteps would begin to approach their cell which caused a wave of panic to fill Lambert as they didn’t hear the door open or were they just too lost in thought regardless the person coming towards their cell had a purpose, a purpose unknown to Lambert but with them already having a short amount of time to live and no other options lamb turned to face the person. Looking at the cell door they were met with a rather short figure but what caught the lamb's eyes was what the figure was wearing, dawning a faded dark red and black coat. With an eye patch and mask, what drew Lambert's attention was the emblem on the coat which was faded but after eyeing it for so long they realized this person was affiliated with the red amulets crew. Standing in silence and just staring eye to eye with them lamb took a deep breath and decided to break the silence.

Lamb: “So what brings someone of your alliance to the lands of Shamura especially due to your crews standing with Shamura”

Eyepatch: “I am here to stop the execution of someone who could be of use to The Red Amulet especially someone who has the nerve and insanity to attempt to murder a quartermaster”

Lamb: “Well it wasn’t just my idea I had someone else with me but turns out they were a traitor a coward saving their skin for fame and power”

Eyepatch: nodding their head as they pulled out their pistol before flipping it and smashing the lock with the butt of the pistol “Well then it seems you have two vendettas to settle especially if it was supposed to two-person operation”

Lamb: stepping back and closing their eyes thinking they were about to shoot the lock wincing at the sound of the lock being smashed before opening their eyes and seeing a smashed lock and not a giant bullet hole “A warning of how you were going to free me would’ve nice, but yes I have two Vende- Wait a minute I didn’t tell you about my vendetta against the quartermaster so how did you know?”

Eyepatch: “Ah yes because I need to warn you when I have no intent to shoot the lock” pushing open the door “and I didn’t know I just assumed even with my earlier statement of you either being insane or still on the table it’s fair to assume you were wronged greatly”

Lamb: stepped out of the cell holding up their cuffed hands and shaking them sarcastically “Ah well insane no but yes I do have a heavy vendetta against Shamura’s quartermaster and now his newly appointed right-hand man” Smacking their teeth before leaning against the bars lamb sighed

Eyepatch: pulling out a key, shaking it sarcastically before tossing it to Lambert “Well I can assure you that once out of here not only will you be free and far from here you’ll have enough time to make a new plan with loyal people to back you up”

Lamb: “How pray tell did you acquire the key to my cuffs? I’m not an expert but the key is supposed to be on the right hand” unlocking the cuffs, watching them drop to the ground, letting out a sigh of relief at their newly free and unweighted wrists “But before you answer that question here's a more important question: who exactly are you?

Eyepatch: nodding extending their hand out to lamb for them to shake “Ahh yes my name cannot believe I didn't introduce myself sooner” clearing his throat and giving them a light smile “I am Ratau, Former first mate and right hand to the red fleet”

Lamb: shaking their hand finally being able to put a name to their masked savior “Well Ratau I thank you for coming to my aid and fre- wait did you just say former right hand and first mate what exactly did you do” letting go of their hand

Ratau: “To not waste time a selfish and cowardly act that nearly got the bearer of the red amulet killed. But he prevailed and in turn, came my day judgment he didn't kill as you see but I was kicked off the crew with nothing but the coat I wear and the gun and sword on my hip. I am thankful that's all he did so in turn I free Prisons who fight and rebel against the other bearers it is my choice to do this as I feel I owe it to the crew and him” he’d turn and walked towards a window moving the loose bars “now enough dwelling on past my friend your freedom is what you should be worried about” climbing out the window before extending their hand downwards for Lambert to grab onto for support

Lamb: nodding as they followed grabbing their onto Ratau’s hand and pulling themselves outside “Well I appreciate your honesty and loyalty to a crew you're no longer a part of it’s respectable I hope one day the captain of the red Amulet crew allows you back in a good man like you shouldn't go unnoticed”

Ratau: shaking their head and briskly walking away from the jailhouse making sure Lamb was in tow as he sighed “No I've earned what has happened to me, Lamb I don't need to be brought back to serve him as by me freeing people like you and sending them his way”

Lamb: sticking close to Ratau looking around frantically making sure no one had seen them “Well then I wish you luck on future rescues ratau what you do doesn't seem easy, especially with the position you deliberately put yourself in” Looking up at the soon seeing it had risen a significant amount since he was put in jail which posed a question Lamb didn't hesitate to ask “How much time has passed Ratau I was arrested in the morning before you came along”

Ratau: pulling out his watch and looking at the time “Well it is currently the afternoon any more questions about the time lamb”

Lamb: “No none just that one thank you just wanted to regain my sense of time so I don't say another stupid to anyone”

Ratau: he chuckled as he flashed a friendly smile to Lambert “What you think I'd poke fun at your lack of knowledge of the time trust me I have important things other than poking fun at someone's lack of senses now what we should be focused on is getting to my boat and finding the Red fleet they are doing a hefty amount of trading this week so you'll run into the captain no doubt. And once you're with him and his crew my work is done and I'm off to find some other rebel soul to free-”

A shot rang off from behind Ratau and Lamb they'd jump and turn to see who fired, only to be met with the fear-piercing gaze of Shamura who was in the process of reloading the goat next to them holding a telescope. Without a second thought, Ratau grabbed the lamb's wrist and began running as another shot rang off and flew past them. The sound of a screwing from the Shamuras crew followed as Lamb's jailbreak was discovered. More shots from Shamura's rifle and others would come their way. Dipping and ducking behind trees or anything that could be used as cover to avoid being hit they'd get close to the Ratau’s boat before Ratau was shot in the shoulder. Which caused him to let go of Lamb's wrists and collapse and struggle to get up as Lamb stopped dead in their tracks. Helping doing their best to help Ratau up

Lamb: “Goddamn it come on Ratau we are right here get up and let's go” Putting Ratus's arm over his shoulder before speed walking but they'd feel Ratau pull back turning to see him standing as shots rang off past them “The hell are you doing let's go”

Ratau: shaking his head as he took off his coat and hat before tossing it to Lamb “And let unload into my boat and sink us both I think not Lamb I came here with the sole purpose of freeing you and getting you to the red fleet now you go and I shall by you time so they don't sink you alright” unholstering his pistol before turning around “Now I don't wanna argue about this go, please”

Lamb: looking down at the coat and hat before putting his eyes back on Ratau “you’re a crazy bastard for what you about to do you know that which makes me think you are the insane one”

Ratau: “Insane but it is for the right purpose now go, Lamb, and head east you'll run into the fleet then” Without a second thought or saying another word Rath walked towards the sound of gunfire and footsteps of Shamura's crew

Lamb watched as Ratau walked toward a death sentence but not wanting to watch any longer lamb turned and ran towards the boat, tossing the hat and coat into the boat before pushing it into the water and jumping in, grabbing the paddles, and began rowing hastily not sparing a second heading east like Ratau said. Slowly the land of shamura would grow distant, the sound of gunfire faint. And soon none would be heard at all, just the crashing of the waves against the boat. Lamb would stop rowing looking down at their rescuer's hat and coat, overwhelmed with anger and despair as they had just not only the person who saved their life but someone who even with the short amount of time they knew him they'd consider him a friend. After wallowing in their anger and despair lamb would take a deep breath before grabbing the paddles and began rowing once more.

3-5 Hours had passed and in that time lamb had formed a constant rhythm of rowing nonstop with very few breaks. Hoping and praying to reach the red fleet but they would be exhausted and unable to row any longer as their arms slumped to the side and they slowly sunk into the boat they’d. Close their eyes and fall asleep promising themselves to continue rowing when they wake up so they don't waste time. Drifting off to sleep, Lamb's dreams would be haunted by both Ratau's sacrifice and the goat's betrayal. Which even while resting. A wave of anger and despair washed over them trying their hardest to shift their thoughts to have somewhat of a peaceful rest lamb was hit with cold water causing them to jolt awake looking around frantically and saw they were surrounded by 7 people all of them seeing the same uniform except for 2. One wore a pure red and black uniform while the other sported a mostly white uniform with hits of pure red but one thing stayed the same. The emblem of the red amulet it was clear they were higher up in the chain of command. But before the lamb could fully adjust one of them would grab them pulling them close.

Black Uniform: “WHO ARE YOU?!” holding lamb by the collar of their shirt and before lamb could even answer they'd cock back their other hand to what seemed like a backhand but they were stopped

White uniform: “Brother let the poor person speak for one's sake they just had cold water thrown on them which isn't what I suggest at all I said get a mug so we could give them water”

Black uniform: dropping the lamb back to their feet before stepping back and looking down at the lamb “I won't ask again who are you?”

Lamb: straightening themselves out as they rubbed their eyes adjusting to the sun “I am Lambert most call me lamb and I would prefer if you did as well”

White uniform: “Alright lamb could you tell us exactly what you were doing floating around in the middle of the seas”

Lamb: “Escaping seeking out the red fleet.” keeping the answers short and quick as they didn't want to waste time seeing how short-tempered the one in black was

White uniform: “Well who exactly told you the direction and don't please say nobody.” unbeknownst to them they'd pick up Ratau’s coat faded but the red fleet emblem was still recognizable “You have one of our coats on you and they are nowhere to be seen so how you answer this next question determines whether or not my brother kills you or you live to see the captain” taking a deep breath “where are they and who were they lamb”

Lamb: staring at the coat before taking a deep breath “That coat belonged to the former first mate and right hand to the red fleet rata-”

Black uniform: stepping and once again, grabbing lamb by their collar and cutting them off “DON’T YOU DARE! Utter that coward's name on this ship or so help me, my brother will not be able to save you”

White uniform: “Aym let Lamb go and let that issue die in the past it was a bad call on Ratau's part and he's paid his dues let it be” Grabbing his brother dropping the coat in the process to pull him off, Lamb.

Aym: “No Baal that bastard nearly got us and the captain killed that day for his cowardice decision. I'll be damn if I hear his name again and the word dead doesn't follow up after”

Lamb: freeing themselves from ayms grasp as they cleared their throat “Well to break this news to you Ratau might be dead”

Baal: letting go of his brother raising an eyebrow “What do you mean might be lamb?”

Lamb: “We were found by Shamura themselves while escaping and so were we chased by his crew and unfortunately he was shot. In the shoulder but he stayed back buying me time to get away he gave me his coat and hat as some parting mementos I'm guessing. I don't know if he's still alive but with how many pairs of footsteps I heard behind us I assume he's dead”

Aym: opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it as they began to think of what to say next finally piecing together a sentence a heavy sigh escaped his lips “As much as I don't want to believe someone of Ratau’s standing did something that insanely brave and outright idiotic. It lines up and you are here to tell the tell along with his hat and old coat”

Baal: turning to face his brother “Aym let's go inform the captain and they'll decide from there” Looking down at Lamb as he picked up the hat and coat “Lamb come with us”

Walking to the higher deck where the captain's quarters were located lamb could feel everyone's eye on them which made them uneasy as they arrived at the door to the captain’s quarters lamb was given the instructions to wait outside until called in, once they both entered it felt like Lamb was standing outside for an eternity before finally called in Aym and Baal leaving as Lamb walked in the door being shut behind them. Lamb took a deep breath to center themselves as they looked over at the desk to see three red eyes focused on them. And once eye contact was made the captain spoke

Captain: “So from what I've heard from both of my quartermasters you were facing execution charges in the lands of my older brother. My old first mate and right-hand Ratau not only freed and saved you by stalling for time for you to escape. Is what I’ve heard correct or is there anything I'm missing?”

Lamb: Nodding their head as they stood before the captain of the ship a chill went down their spine “Yes captain that's exactly what happened”

Captain: standing up and walking over to a closet opening other than containing clothes it contained more weaponry than. Clothes but their voice still had the same amount of reach and volume even when facing away from the lamb Would you mind explaining exactly what you did for my brother to want you executed, I mean it is of no importance to me I just want to know as execution is a heavy punishment, and to push my older brother to such an extent it admirable but still makes you a liability to have on my ship so tell me what did you do Lambert”

Lamb: catching a glimpse at the closet before focusing back on the captain making sure not to take their eyes off of him as he was in the domain of another pirate lord “I had a damn good plan to murder Shamura's quartermaster and leave his lands under a new name but. I couldn't pull this off alone so I had help but my help turned out to be some cowardly, mangy no-good knock-kneed bastard who told Shamura which in turn got me arrested and the execution penalty.”

Captain: nodding his head as he listened to the lamb explain, even holding back a chuckle when the lamb was describing their ex-partner in crime as they rummaged through the closet “And that's when Ratau freed you. And lead you to his boat before being shot and potentially sacrificing himself to buy you time to find my fleet”

Lamb: taking a deep breath before letting out a sigh and nodding “Yes captain that is correct and if I am being honest I not only owe my life to Ratau.” clearing their throat as they straightened themselves out “But I also owe it to you as without you having that man on this ship I'm sure I would not be standing before you giving my story”

Captain: glancing in the lamb's direction at that last part before pulling out a uniform for a cabin boy tossing it at the lamb “ I never understood Ratau’s judgment in the choices he made but I understand his judgment when it came to someone's character and who was fit to be on this ship so if he saw it fit to send you my way then so be it. Welcome to Red Fleet Lamb head down and bath and change into your new uniform” stepping from behind their desk and walked towards the door but before pushing it open and exiting he spoke once more “Once you've bathed and dressed you find either aym or Baal to guide you and brief you on what your purpose is on this ship and when your training will begin as all of my crew is skilled in multiple ways lamb I hope you can keep up around here”

Lamb: catching the uniform looking down at it before letting out a sigh of relief that a pistol wasn't pointed at them taking in all the information that was explained to them before being told who to see for everything else “Aye, Aye captain but one more question before you go what is your name. I've heard of the 5 pirate lords but the name id the Fifth was never recorded. In Shamura's books, he gave the people the name of the Fifth was never disclosed just referring to them as He of death, he who lays the souls of the seas to rest.”

Narinder: “Bastard wrote me out the books” A heavy sigh of annoyance escaped his mouth as he took a deep breath recomposing himself “I am Narinder but you will and shall only refer to me as captain unless I allow you to use my name understand lamb”

Turning around and leaving Narinder's quarters heading down into the ship to bathe, listening to Narinder,Aym and Baal shout orders on the main deck of the ship. Lamb would finish bathing, drying themselves and changing into their new uniform stretching to get a feel for their new clothes before coming back up and letting out a sigh of relief at this new start and lifestyle they had ahead of them looking at the ship and the crew. Lamb wouldn’t forget why they were here as they still have their own agenda and goals. But until then they have to get briefed on their tasks and when their training is gonna start. Heading down the stairs looking for either Aym or Baal. And while looking they repeated the same 3 things in their head over and over.

Kill goat

Find Ratau

Average my people

End of chapter one

Notes: This took longer then I’d like to admit and even then I truly don’t think i put my best efforts into this despite my passion for it but I am satisfied with the finished product to a degree and hopefully I can do better with posting and updates in the future

[privateanxieties]

hold them gently (these confessions) P.2

Summary: When she awakes, the world is different. Matt Murdock, however, is still the same grounding presence he's always been. And if he's a little protective of her, well... she isn't going to complain.

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Reader (she/her); fluff, pining, mystery, suspense.

Warnings: canon-typical mentions of violence/crime

Words: 4,035

Part 1 here

-------------------

"This is all so fucked."

Over the three minutes or so that she'd been awake, those were the clearest words she'd been able to make out. She was in bed, everything was soft, and there were people arguing in another room. Her eyes had yet to open. Unsure of what she'd see when they did, she elected to keep quiet and keep focusing. Whatever it took to shut it all out. Everything. Anything. Whatever wasn't happening now, her mind forced away into a box and buried it deeper than one would a time capsule.

"Foggy, keep your voice down."

It was harsher than she'd ever heard Karen speak in the year and change that she'd known her. She could guess the reason behind it, and she shoved that away too. A fortress. A lone island at sea. A long-lost and half-finished chapstick tube. Perhaps if she thought of all easily dismissed and forgotten things, the knowledge of what happened would become one with them.

"She can't hear me. She's out cold. Do you know why? Because Matt knocked her out. I found him, holding her. They were covered in blood and next to them was carnage, so don't tell me to keep my voice down, Karen!"

A violent door slam wrenched her eyes open. She heard footsteps. Bags clattering to the floor. A chair screeching against wood.

"She can hear you. She's awake. So, keep your voice down."

Her breath hitched before she corrected it hastily, not wanting any reminders of her earlier circumstances. The left side of her head throbbed painfully against a cool, damp cloth. Matt had placed it there. Her fingers were resting against something cool and plush. His sheets. His bed. His apartment.

He likes silk. Prefers it.

The panel door in her peripheral vision slid open quietly, her head following the motion until it was angled towards the entrance of the bedroom. The skin of her cheek brushed against the silk of the pillow.

It's not the one he sleeps on, or one that anybody sleeps on.

It was brand new — much like the outfit he was now wearing, and the absence of red glasses on the bridge of his nose. She'd never seen him in athleisure before.

Neither of them said anything. Then, with steps that fell harder than they should have, Karen brushed past him and hurriedly approached the bed. She tensed on instinct.

"Don't touch her!"

The blonde woman jumped — either in surprise or incredulity, she didn't know. She'd never heard the soft-spoken attorney raise his voice or use that tone. Whether she was imagining things or not, Karen's glower didn't seem to be entirely lost on Matt. However, no apology was issued. Awkwardness settled in for what she presumed would be a long stay.

Matthew shifted in place, at last gesturing for Karen to take a seat at the foot of the bed if she was inclined. She wasn't. But, nothing could deter her from continuing to skewer Matt with her gaze like he was a rotisserie chicken she'd throw to the dogs. He cleared his throat.

"I couldn't find your gloves, so I got you these."

The closer he stepped to the bed, the more she was seduced into a trance by the odd circumstances. It was not a long distance, but he traversed it differently than the way she was used to seeing him move. She told herself it was because of the familiarity of the space, even while she knew it was untrue. There were too many things happening. One at a time, before you're right back where you started.

Clutched delicately in Matt's left hand was a pair of blush pink gloves that she could guess the price of simply by looking. They were much longer than any of her normal pairs — opera gloves, they called them — and the texture of the fabric invited an eager touch on sight. Or it would have, if she didn't feel so strange with Karen watching their every move.

Sitting up slowly, she shuffled out from beneath the covers and gently caught the damp cloth before it fell into her lap.

"Um— "

"Here," Matt said, nimbly reaching forward and taking the cloth from her by its opposite end. The gesture left no doubt in her mind. He told Karen not to touch her. Growled it, almost. He got her new gloves. He was careful not to touch her himself.

It was both soothing and terrifying.

"Karen, would you give us some space, please?" Matt asked. He was a lot more polite this time, but Karen bristled at his words.

"Oh, you need space? Well Foggy and I need answers, Matt. A man showed up at our office covered in blood, and now he's— "

"Shut up."

The harsh command tensed the muscles of several people in the room.

"He's what?" she asked quietly.

Karen and Matt were engaged in a stand-off too intense to respond, both looking like they were holding back biting words. The blonde's hands were in tight fists by her side. Matt's jaw seemed in danger of breaking from the pressure he was applying.

"What happened to him?" she tried again, chaotic images swimming at the edge of her vision. They were ready to wander in and splatter the walls of her mind with every shade of red imaginable.

"He came to. Looked around. Then he took a pen, ran it through an eye and into his brain."

Everyone turned to Foggy as he came to stand in the doorway, hands in his pockets and expression severe yet unreadable. A moment barely went by before Matt was veering his head towards the blonde, raising an accusatory finger with a scowl.

"I told you to— "

"You've told me nothing, Matt! I watched a man kill himself on the floor of our office! The whole place smelled like the slaughterhouse my uncle used to take me to when I was twelve, but that wasn't pig's blood! It was a person's blood. Someone that died there. And you haven't told me anything besides 'shut up' and 'keep quiet' and 'we'll talk when she wakes up'. Well, now she's up. And I want answers!" Foggy raged at his friend.

The time capsule she tried so hard to bury sprang from the earth at breakneck speed, spilling all its contents in the process. Red came flooding back.

"He killed five people."

It was her turn to push all the air out of the room, and she could feel everyone's attention on her as she picked at the top of Matt's silk duvet cover. Her hands were clean, though she remembered them being bathed in crimson. She couldn't be sure if they'd been or not, flashes of someone else's fingers dancing around her mind.

"His name is — was… Arthur. Um, Arthur Gregsby. Before he showed up at the office, he hacked up five people over three hours. He cut them. Burned them. One of them, he drowned in a sink. Another, he lowered into a pool of acid. A third, he kept alive while he removed limbs. The other two he buried inside coffins that he filled with rats."

Nothing. No one had anything to add. She continued on shallow breath, eyes closed.

"The oldest was a seventy-two year old woman. Brown eyes. Gray hair. She had a… a wedding ring on." She'd already been missing a finger. She was going to miss more. "The youngest— "

"Sweetheart, stop," Matt implored.

"The youngest was a fifteen year old boy and I can still hear him screaming."

Endless seconds of shuffling preceded a firm closing of the thin panel separating the living and bedroom areas of Matt's apartment. The space fell silent for much longer than she was comfortable with, or maybe time flowed differently here — a place she'd always wanted to be, but not like this.

"Here."

His voice being so unexpectedly close managed to pull a startled gasp from her lips, but she suppressed it before it could devolve into a cry. Her eyes flew open as he placed the gloves he'd been holding on top of the duvet she was fiddling with. They were no longer pristine, ugly wrinkles scattered where he'd grasped them harshly. She traced the edge of one with a reluctant finger, unsure if feeling nothing was preferable to feeling what she was now. His surroundings calmed her. His sheets smelled like him. They were an extension of his body; a way for her to hold on to something stable.

"Have you called the police?" It was a wonder she could still find it in herself to ask, but looking at him while she spoke? That was an entirely different beast.

"Foggy did. We both gave statements. They'll be wanting yours as well. I told them you passed out from shock." She breathed out. "Which… isn't a lie, is it?"

The way he asked. So sure of what he was saying. A tinge of sorrow colored his voice.

"You were scared almost to dea—"

The gloves were put on at lightning speed, and she was pulling on Matt's hand with even greater desperation as the images threatened to come back. Her motion chipped at his equilibrium, and he fell next to her with a small huff of surprise. His hands came up to grip her biceps, thumbs soothing the covered skin with gentle rubs. His face betrayed little other than a general anxiety, but it was his eyes that told her something of what he was hiding inside. They fell somewhere below her own gaze, murky with unshed tears.

"No. I wasn't scared. I'm scared now. Before, all I could feel was what he felt. Matt, I know how this is going to sound. And I know you have no reason to believe this, but— "

"Hey — stop for a second. We don't need to talk about this now. You're hurt. Why don't you rest for a while and we can take it slow?"

His words gave her pause, the throbbing at her temple making itself known once more. It had taken him pointing it out for her to even notice. It also made her think he didn't believe a word of what she said. Of course. He thought the blow to her head must’ve been the cause of all this. That she was making things up. The realization spiked her adrenaline.

Matt's hands tightened on her arms.

"I trust you. Completely. Please don't think I don't. But your heart almost stopped while you were in my arms just a few hours ago, and I think we both need some time to recover from that."

The creases that gathered at his eyes in the ensuing quiet made her lips tremble. She swallowed around a painful lump that threatened to cut off her air.

"I don't want to be alone."

If it sounded pathetic, she didn't care. It was only by virtue of his firm hold and steady presence that she remained anchored in the now. The briefest, smallest smile pulled his lips upwards.

"C'mere. I've got you,"

She went into him mindlessly, hiding her face in the collar of his hoodie as his arms enveloped her whole. A quick flash of hope blossomed in her chest as her cheek brushed his for a split second. I've got you.

She knew it was a promise.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Nearly five hours later, her feet at last swung over the edge of the bed in search of a shower. She was mostly clean; Matt had seen to it that the places she'd been grabbed were thoroughly cleansed and disinfected when he brought her to his house. She was lucky the man hadn't dug his nails in, what with the copious amounts of blood drenching every inch of his body. Still, a shower was what her body told her it needed, and Matt was quick to encourage it, leaving out a pair of sweats and an old Columbia hoodie that she guessed he'd chosen due to its smaller size. He'd filled out since then.

Now that her brain was starting to mellow out from the frenzy, it was getting easier to ask questions. Questions like how the man had made it all the way to Hell's Kitchen and into a law office without anyone noticing him. She couldn't remember everything. She barely knew what happened after Matt arrived and pulled him away from her. The sparse glimpses of places and times that she got when the man grabbed her were considerably drowned out by everything else he had experienced that day. Many other questions lingered just below the surface.

However, just because she could ask herself reasonable questions, it didn't mean there were answers at the ready for when Foggy inevitably started digging into her. He was still waiting in Matt's living room, whereas Karen had left hours ago when Matt announced their paralegal was going to be taking a nap. Point made. Non-negotiable. No inquiries until she rested. She couldn't sleep, but the timeout helped all the same, with Matt floating nearby and offering food along with grounding touches.

It was nice — being looked after with such care. If the situation had been different, she might've even gone as far as to say that she felt protected. The illusion was strong enough to warm her from the inside out. While Matt's intentions seemed very real, whatever protection he could offer her would only ever extend to the physical world. There was no fighting the demons or men drenched in blood inside her mind. But, the shower helped.

It helped until she closed her eyes and saw bruised hands grabbing at an electric saw as if they were her own. The buzzing in her ears blasted off so suddenly that she tripped and fell backwards, hitting the shower wall and creating a definitive ache in her shoulder. Moments later, as she shakily got up, a knock sounded at the door.

"Are you alright?" Matt's voice, though muffled by the shower and the bathroom room, allowed his concern to run clear.

"I fell. I'm — I'm ok," she called out, shaking the sound of bones cracking from her brain.

She quickly wrapped up the rest of the shower, despite a desire to wait for the water to run cold. Gloves back in place, she was tying the elastic of the sweats as tight as it would go when another flash burrowed itself behind her eyes. A rope that was being used to lower not one, but two caskets, slipped and chafed the hands of the man holding it. The thud of wood on damp soil preceded a muffled scream.

When she snapped out of it, the thin piece of string at her waistband was so tightly wrapped around her index finger that it was starting to turn the skin a different color. Her palms burned. She avoided her reflection in the mirror and left the bathroom before she could stare into the empty sink any longer, feeling the tingle of another flash like roiling ants beneath her skin.

Matt wasn't far away. He stood just at the end of the long hallway leading to his living room, holding two drinks. His gaze lingered in her general direction as he held an orange mug out to her, offering it with a careful smile. Traversing the small distance between them, she grasped it gently, mumbling what she hoped was a solid enough 'thank you' in return. If her voice shook, he made no mention of it.

Her grateful inhale of the cinnamon notes in the cocoa was abruptly soured by a voice laced with sarcasm.

"I ask you if you have hot chocolate every time I come over, and every time, you say no. Did you manifest it just for her?"

"No. I bought it."

Matt's blunt reply stirred a weak chuckle, but the other half of Nelson & Murdock was not amused. Standing behind the couch, Foggy fixed them both with a mildly threatening scowl. He seemed more tired than usual, hands anxiously kneading the back of the sofa like a disgruntled cat. She watched as Matt approached his friend and silently held out the other mug. Foggy's scowl deepened falsely. He was melting on the spot, yet trying to act tough.

"What, no mini marshmallows for me?"

She gazed down into her own cup. Pink and white fluffs filled it to the brim, nearly overflowing.

"You don’t like marshmallows," Matt replied, still holding the drink out.

"Well, I want some," his friend retorted stubbornly, glare intensifying.

She couldn't handle this.

"Here," she mumbled, quickly pacing over to them. Removing a glove by trapping it between her teeth, she gently shooed some of the fluffs into Foggy's mug, careful to avoid Matt's fingers at the edge of the rim.

It was quiet. Foggy took turns narrowing his eyes at both of them, until finally, blessedly, he accepted Matt's offering.

"I want you to know — if she wasn't here, I'd be yelling at you," Foggy declared.

"Well, in that case, please stay," Matt said, angling his head towards her with the hint of a smile. It shouldn't have made her go as soft as the treats in her cup, but combined with the words he uttered, it made for a light fluttering of her stomach.

She was used to this sort of interaction from the two law partners, but her being talked about in this manner, as if she were to be given special treatment — that was relatively new. Foggy and Matt were both wonderful to work with, and while she felt they all shared a closeness exceeding their professional relationship, today was likely to have changed all that. Over a year of diligently trying to fit in, to be normal, to make a new life for herself doing good things… it was all going to crumble sooner or later.

As if in sync with her morose thoughts, Foggy took a seat at Matt's kitchen table and set his mug down with a resounding thud. She jerked involuntarily, gnawing on her bottom lip. She was right. It was all crashing down.

Then, a deep sigh almost deflated Foggy's entire being as a mumbled apology somewhat relaxed her shoulders. She watched him curiously, fingers tightening around the mug and lips itching for a sip she was too scared to take, even if it would calm her nerves.

"Look�� this is a mess. I think we all know that, so no beating around the bush. Whatever this is with you, I need to know. I'm sorry these are the circumstances we're in, but you need to tell us right now— "

"She doesn't need to do anything, Foggy," Matt interrupted. It was strange to see him move as he was, almost shielding her from his friend's view, but she chalked it up to his uncanny sense of coordination. She again had a feeling it wasn't quite the whole truth, but more pressing matters were at hand.

"Look, Matt. I know what she means to you. I get it. But we both heard what we heard, alright? She knew that man's name. What he did. In an abundance of detail. He killed five people, according to her, and then himself! I think we're past skirting around the fact that there's something going on here!"

I know what she means to you.

For some reason, those were the only words her mind could accept and focus on as Matt reeled a court-worthy reply at his friend. In the background of her attention, they kept exchanging arguments.

What did she mean to him? What had Foggy meant by that? He and Matt were the best of friends. They'd known each other for over a decade. Friends knew things about each other — deep, intimate secrets. To hear Foggy make mention of what felt like one of Matt's secrets, especially when it involved her, was a dizzying experience under present conditions. He'd been undeniably protective of her since she woke up.

And… and before, even. The more she thought about it, the faster memories started trickling back. When he came into the office and ripped the man away from her, beating him into the ground like he'd done it a million times before. His motions were precise, calculated. It was not an act of self-defense, erratic and driven by emotion. It was practiced. Second nature, almost. He knew how to fight. He was doing it now, albeit verbally. She knew where he got the practice for his oral sparring; he was a marvel to witness in court. But the relentless assault of his fists was learned too, and she once again pushed away knowledge that lingered at the edge of her consciousness.

She wasn't going to be the cause of their row. Whatever became of their friendship and of her future at the firm, she wouldn't be the culprit for broken relationships again.

"It's called tactile cognition," she spoke over them both, a small crack in her voice that she quickly cleared away. The room went abruptly quiet. She forced herself to speak before she lost the nerve. "It's… an ability. I was born with it. When I touch things, I see a whole… history of them. Where they came from. How they were made. Who handled them. And when I touch people…" she paused, trailing off in the hope that it might help her gather enough courage. She wouldn't look at either of the men whose attention was fixed on her.

"When I touch people, I see everything they've seen. I know what they've thought, what they've done, where they've been. I feel everything they feel. It's uncontrollable and overwhelming. That's why I need these," she explained, holding up her free hand to call attention to the gloves she was starting to sweat in. It was more for Foggy's benefit. She knew Matt had likely figured it out from before. He got her this pair, after all.

Foggy blew out what sounded like an incredulous scoff, but still she didn't look up. Silence stretched on for what felt like hours. It was broken by the most unlikely statement.

"Great, now there's two of you," Foggy muttered.

That made her head snap from its downward position and straight to the blonde, who was instead looking at the other man and cringing away from him. With good reason, too, because Matt was almost snarling at him in the next second.

"Foggy!"

"Sorry, sorry! I'm sorry, I just thought… You know, since we're all sharing— "

"It's not yours to share!"

"You said you were gonna tell her anyway— "

"Yes, me. I was going to, not you!"

"Well, you took your sweet time with it and look where we are!"

That seemed to make Foggy's mouth clamp shut, eyes going wide as if disbelieving of what he'd just said. As proof that her judgment was correct, a moment later he was parting his lips to speak again, brows pulling together in an apologetic grimace.

"Before you go all Catholic-guilt on me, I only meant that we could've all been in the know with each other and today would've gone a lot smoother."

The gaps in knowledge had become unbearable. No one was saying anything about what she'd just confessed to. Both attorneys seemed more concerned with a piece of information that hadn't been shared.

"In the know about what?" she finally asked, eyeing them both carefully. Matt had gone entirely stiff, as though someone encased him in an ice block to capture the world's most accurate portrayal of rageful fear. Fearful rage? Those were definitely the two most prominent emotions on his face, though which of them took precedence was still a mystery. His jaw was once again locked up, either to hold words in or to prepare to launch them with exceptional precision. He didn't get to do either.

"Matt's Daredevil."

With an exasperated sigh, the blonde threw his hands up, eyes rolling into the back of his head as if he knew what was coming. Another row picked up swiftly.

She looked between the two men with light apprehension, mouth drying up the longer it stayed open. Well. Her secret certainly didn't seem all that noteworthy anymore.

-to be continued-

Part 3 (final)

A/N: Aaaah I'm so sorry but I wrote too many words again so I had to break up part 2 into two chapters. I'll post the last one a few hours after this one and it's going to be (finally) what everything's been leading up to. Thank you for sticking around!

Tags: @dielgonacoffee @sunflowersandsapphires @thespiderthatbitme @whourish @theetherealbloom

I know I said no tag list but since I broke it up again I figured it would be fair to let people know when the next part is up. If you'd like to be removed from the list, please let me know. Also, the strikethrough means I couldn't tag you. Thank you to those who reblogged/commented on the last one, I appreciate you and I hope you enjoy this one :) If anyone else would like to be tagged for the final part, all you have to do is reblog this one. Please don't ask to be tagged if you don't even interact with the story.

[maxwell-mtv]

I'm drunk, tired, and ready to produce content. Take some Morris x [G/N]Shoplifter!Reader HCs because fuck capitalism

Morris didn't think he'd ever see the day in a small, supportive town like Pelican Town where he'd need to deal with a shoplifter

Of course occasionally Sam would swipe some small things here or there, but whether or not he realized Morris would always take it out of the man's paycheck

So when he saw the new farmer from down the way hastily looking around while shoving canned sludge into their backpack, he was a little alarmed

"Can't they just eat the crops they're growing? Or go fishing? Heck, there's even random food they could forage for themselves."

For whatever reason, though, there you were, on CCTV, stealing from a poor, helpless multi-million corporation

Morris's initial reaction was to confront you and kick you out

But then he took a moment

First and foremost, Joja protocol strictly stated that a manager could only take action after the thief surpassed a certain amount of cash value for the items stolen

Secondly, Morris took pause at the oddity of the situation

Why was the farmer doing this???

Staging himself at the exits, he eagerly stopped the farmer as they were leaving, seemingly empty-handed

"Ah, (Y/N), right? Did you find everything you were looking for today?" He says with his best customer-service smile

"Uh, yeah, just need to go home and check on things before I come back and-"

"Are you alright, (Y/N)? You're looking a little flush in the face..." Morris cuts you off, intending to make you squirm, only to realize you really did look rather feverish

"Oh, um, sorta, I just haven't been feeling the best. I guess I've exhausted myself in the fields, it takes a lot of work and time to grow good-quality crops, you know?" You anxiously eyed the door.

"I see..." Morris straightens his posture before clearing his throat. "Well, you know if you ever need any cold supplies or medication Joja is always the superior brand!"

"Thanks, Morris, but I don't exactly have the best budget for that sort of stuff, I can barely afford... uh nevermind, I should get going. I'm sure you're a busy man and I need to go home." You continue to eye the exits, shifting your feet so you continue towards them.

"I see, well, have a Joja-tastic day, (Y/N), and remember, at Joja we care..." Morris says a stock phrase pushed onto him by corporate. Watching you leave, his brows furrow in conflicted thought.

Running home, you manage to stash away your loot before collapsing on the floor of your home.

Waking sometime later to the sound of a strict knocking at your door, you rise from the splintered floorboards. Feeling groggy and gross

Hesitating, you approach the door and crack it open, only to see no one but a single gift basket, plastic wrapped and slathered with branding

Picking it up, you see the many soup cans and medical supplies inside, even including a blanket and reusable ice-pack. All of which, are Joja brand, of course. Plucking the strange card sloppily taped to the top, you read what looks to be someone's attempt at some neat hand writing...

"Dear Pelican Town Resident,

The health of all of our communities is very important to us. That is why we are gifting wellness baskets to every one of our local residents. Please enjoy these complimentary supplies, as provided by Joja Corp.

Signed,

Morris, Joja Customer Satisfaction Representative"

As you closed the door, Morris finally broke his silence to catch his breath against the side of your tiny house

Making sure to peek that you'd actually grabbed the basket, he snuck his way back to Joja Mart, just in time for closing

[speed-seo]

The Unfinished Puzzle Analogy Picture this: You've spent hours, maybe even days, meticulously piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle. You can almost see the final image emerging – a beautiful landscape, perhaps, or a vibrant cityscape. You're so close to completion, but then, life gets in the way. You get busy, distracted, and eventually, that almost-finished puzzle gets packed away, left to gather dust in a closet. You abandon it, mere steps from the finish line, never experiencing the satisfaction of seeing the complete, beautiful picture. Sounds frustrating, right? Well, this scenario is surprisingly common in the world of marketing. Many marketers, unknowingly, are doing the same thing. They're pouring resources into campaigns, getting tantalizingly close to achieving maximum return on investment (ROI), but then they pull back. They shift focus, chasing immediate, short-term wins, and inadvertently abandon the long-term strategies that could truly unlock the full potential of their efforts. Are you one of them? Meet the Experts This isn't just a hunch or a gut feeling. Two leading researchers at Google, Ahmet Baş and Michał Protasiuk, have dedicated their expertise to understanding how businesses can achieve robust and holistic measurement of their media spend. They've delved deep into the data, looking beyond the surface-level metrics, to uncover the hidden truths about marketing effectiveness. The Big Reveal: Are You Leaving Money on the Table? In a groundbreaking report by Google and WARC, the data speaks volumes: marketers who focus solely on short-term gains could be missing out on a staggering 50% of potential ROI. That's right – by neglecting the long game, you might be leaving half of your potential returns unrealized. Imagine the impact that extra 50% could have on your business's growth and bottom line! Thesis Statement: The Key to Unlocking Hidden ROI The message is clear: In 2025 and beyond, embracing a holistic approach to media measurement is no longer optional; it's essential. It's the key to unlocking that hidden 50% ROI and transforming your marketing strategy from a fragmented collection of efforts into a complete, powerful, and profitable picture. In this guide, we will explore how to do that, diving deep into marketing best practices to take your brand to the next level. 1. The Pitfall of Short-Term Focus in Marketing Why Quick Wins Can Lead to Long-Term Losses We've all been there. The pressure is on to deliver immediate results. Maybe it's the end of the quarter, and sales targets are looming. Or perhaps a new competitor has entered the market, and you need to show a quick response. In these situations, it's tempting to pour all your resources into campaigns that promise rapid returns. Think flash sales, aggressive discounts, or a laser focus on bottom-of-the-funnel conversion tactics. But is this seemingly sensible strategy actually hurting your business in the long run? Economic Pressures on Advertisers: The Squeeze is Real Let's face it: the current economic climate isn't exactly a walk in the park for advertisers. Budgets are tighter, inflation is a concern, and every marketing dollar needs to be stretched further than ever before. This environment naturally pushes marketers towards strategies that demonstrate immediate impact. After all, who wants to invest in something that won't show a return for months, or even years, when you need to justify your spending now? Consequences of Neglecting Long-Term Strategy: A Recipe for Stagnation Here's the problem: while chasing quick wins might provide a temporary boost, it often comes at the expense of long-term brand health and sustainable growth. By overemphasizing short-term performance metrics, like immediate sales or website clicks, you risk neglecting the crucial investments that build a strong brand and foster customer loyalty. This can lead to: - Eroding Brand Equity: Constantly pushing promotions and discounts can cheapen your brand image and make customers less willing to pay full price in the future. - Reduced Customer Lifetime Value: Focusing solely on acquiring new customers, without nurturing existing relationships, means you're missing out on the potential for repeat purchases and long-term loyalty. - Stifled Innovation: When all your energy is directed towards short-term gains, there's little room left for experimenting with new ideas, exploring new channels, or building brand awareness. - Increased Marketing Costs It is not a secret that acquiring new clients is more expensive than retaining existing ones. Therefore, by prioritizing short term gains and neglecting building brand equity, you are increasing the total cost of your marketing strategy. Evidence from Industry Studies: The Data Doesn't Lie This isn't just speculation. Numerous industry studies, including the landmark report by Google and WARC that we touched upon earlier, have consistently shown the dangers of an overly short-term focus. This research highlights a clear correlation between long-term brand building efforts and sustainable business growth. The evidence confirms that businesses prioritizing brand health alongside performance marketing are the ones that thrive in the long run, achieving greater market share and profitability. In short, while the allure of immediate results is strong, neglecting your long-term marketing strategy is like neglecting the foundation of a house. It might stand for a while, but it's bound to crumble eventually. In the next section, we'll uncover the incredible potential that gets overlooked when businesses fall into this trap – the hidden 50% of marketing ROI. Stay tuned! 2. Unveiling the Hidden 50% of Marketing ROI: The Long Game Advantage So, we've established that focusing solely on short-term gains can be detrimental to your long-term success. But what exactly are you missing out on by neglecting those long-range strategies? Prepare to be amazed, because the answer is: potentially half of your total marketing ROI. That's the "hidden 50%" that often goes untapped, overlooked by marketers caught in the whirlwind of immediate results. Insights from Nielsen's Long-Term Studies: A Turtle, Not a Cheetah Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement and data analytics, has conducted extensive research into the long-term effects of marketing. Their findings are eye-opening. They reveal a fascinating insight: the returns generated in the first four months of a campaign are roughly equal to the returns generated over the following 20 months. Let that sink in for a moment. It means that the impact of your marketing efforts doesn't just vanish after the initial campaign period. It continues to ripple outwards, driving sales and building brand equity long after the initial push. This is a prime example of why marketing should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint. Visual Representation: Seeing is Believing To illustrate this concept, imagine a graph. The horizontal axis represents time, spanning two years. The vertical axis represents ROI. You'll see a significant spike in the first four months, reflecting the immediate impact of a campaign. But then, instead of dropping off sharply, the line continues to climb gradually over the next 20 months. This gradual ascent represents the long-term returns – the hidden 50% – often missed by traditional attribution models. Implications of Overlooked Long-Term Returns: Leaving Money on the Table Ignoring these long-term returns has significant implications. It means you're essentially leaving money on the table – a lot of it. By underinvesting in brand-building activities that contribute to this long-term growth, you're limiting your potential ROI and hindering your business's ability to thrive in the long run. The Knowledge Gap: Are You Aware of the Hidden Potential? What's truly surprising is that many CMOs and marketing teams are simply unaware of this hidden potential. They're so focused on the metrics that show immediate impact that they're blind to the bigger picture. This knowledge gap is a major obstacle to adopting a more holistic marketing approach. Think of it like this: you wouldn't stop watering a plant after the first few leaves sprout, would you? You know that continued nurturing is essential for it to reach its full potential. The same principle applies to your marketing efforts. In the next section, we'll delve into why traditional attribution models often fail to capture this long-term value and how modern measurement frameworks can provide a more complete picture. Get ready to explore the limitations of outdated methods and discover the power of a more holistic approach! 3. Limitations of Traditional Attribution Models: The Flaws in the Old Way of Thinking We've seen the compelling evidence for long-term marketing ROI – the hidden 50% that's often overlooked. But if it's so significant, why isn't everyone already capitalizing on it? A large part of the answer lies in the limitations of traditional attribution models, the tools many marketers rely on to measure campaign effectiveness. Why Traditional Models Fall Short: A Narrow View of Success Traditional attribution models, such as last-click or first-click attribution, tend to focus heavily on immediate conversions. They attribute the success of a sale or conversion to the last (or first) touchpoint a customer interacted with before completing the desired action. For example, if a customer clicks on a Facebook ad, then visits your website directly, and finally makes a purchase after receiving an email, a last-click model would attribute 100% of the sale to the email. This approach is overly simplistic and fails to recognize the contributions of other touch points along the customer journey. The Missing Piece: Brand Building Effects Here's the crucial part: these models often completely ignore the impact of brand-building activities. Things like display ads, video content, or social media engagement, which contribute to brand awareness and consideration, are often undervalued because they don't always lead to immediate conversions. But it is a mistake to undervalue them. As we saw in section 2, brand building activities are key to long term success. Think about it: a customer might see your brand's video ad on YouTube, which sparks their interest. They might then read an article about your company on a blog, further solidifying their positive perception. Finally, they might click on a retargeting ad and make a purchase. A traditional model might only credit the retargeting ad, failing to acknowledge the crucial role played by the video and the blog post in building brand awareness and influencing the customer's decision. Real-World Impact: Underinvestment in Brand Marketing This oversight can lead to a dangerous cycle of underinvestment in brand marketing. If your attribution model consistently shows that brand-building activities aren't driving immediate conversions, you might be tempted to cut those budgets and reallocate them to performance tactics. But this is a short-sighted approach that ultimately undermines your long-term growth potential, as it will affect your long term ROI, as seen in the previous section. In essence, traditional attribution models are like looking at a puzzle piece and trying to understand the entire picture. They provide a fragmented view of your marketing performance, leading to flawed decision-making and missed opportunities. In the following section, we'll introduce a more powerful and comprehensive approach to measurement: Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM). Get ready to discover how MMM can help you see the full picture and unlock the true potential of your marketing investments. 4. The Power of Modern Measurement Frameworks: Seeing the Full Picture with Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) Traditional attribution models can lead to a distorted view of marketing performance, causing businesses to underinvest in crucial brand-building activities and miss out on significant long-term ROI. But what's the alternative? How can marketers gain a more holistic understanding of their efforts and make data-driven decisions that maximize both short-term and long-term returns? The answer lies in modern measurement frameworks, and one of the most powerful tools in this arsenal is Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM). Introduction to Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM): A Holistic Approach MMM is a statistical analysis technique that helps marketers understand the impact of various marketing investments on sales and other key performance indicators (KPIs). Unlike traditional attribution models that focus on individual touchpoints, MMM takes a top-down approach, analyzing aggregated data from various sources to determine the contribution of each marketing channel to overall business outcomes. It is a robust method to measure the effectiveness of your media spend and optimize your marketing budget allocation. How MMM Addresses Attribution Gaps: Filling in the Missing Pieces MMM overcomes the limitations of traditional models by incorporating a wide range of factors that influence sales, including: - Marketing Activities: Spend and activity across all channels, including TV, digital, print, radio, out-of-home, and more. - Brand-Building Efforts: MMM can be used to quantify the impact of brand awareness and consideration on sales, even if these effects aren't immediately apparent. - External Factors: Economic conditions, seasonality, competitor activity, and other external factors that can impact sales. - Offline and Online Data: MMM can integrate data from both online and offline sources to provide a complete picture of the customer journey. MMM provides a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of how different marketing activities contribute to overall business performance, both in the short and long term. Advantages of MMM: Making Better Decisions The benefits of using MMM are numerous: - Better Budget Allocation: MMM helps you understand which channels are driving the most significant returns, allowing you to allocate your budget more effectively. - Understanding Cross-Channel Effects: MMM reveals how different channels work together to influence customer behavior, allowing you to optimize your marketing mix for maximum impact. - Long-Term ROI Measurement: MMM helps quantify the long-term impact of brand-building activities, demonstrating their true value. - Scenario Planning: MMM allows you to model different scenarios and predict the potential impact of changes to your marketing strategy. Case Study: Successful MMM Implementation Example: A leading CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) brand used MMM to analyze the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. They discovered that their TV advertising had a significant long-term impact on sales, even though it didn't always lead to immediate conversions. By shifting some of their budget from digital performance tactics to TV, they were able to increase their overall ROI by 90% over two years. This demonstrates the power of MMM for budget optimization. MMM empowers marketers to move beyond a narrow focus on immediate results and embrace a more holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of all marketing activities. It is the key to craft a robust marketing strategy. In the next section, we'll discuss how to strike the right balance between short-term and long-term marketing investments. Get ready to learn about optimizing your media spend for maximum impact! 5. Striking the Right Balance: Optimizing Media Spend for Maximum Impact We've seen the limitations of a purely short-term focus and the power of modern measurement frameworks like MMM to reveal the hidden value of long-term brand building. Now, the crucial question is: how do you put this knowledge into practice? How do you strike the right balance between investing in activities that drive immediate results and those that contribute to sustainable, long-term growth? Understanding Upper vs. Lower Funnel Activities: Two Sides of the Same Coin First, it's essential to understand the difference between upper funnel (brand building) and lower funnel (performance marketing) activities. - Upper Funnel (Brand Building): These activities focus on generating awareness, building brand image, and fostering positive associations with your brand. Examples include TV advertising, online video, social media content, and public relations. They might not lead to immediate conversions but are crucial for long term success, as seen on previous sections. - Lower Funnel (Performance Marketing): These activities are designed to drive immediate sales and conversions. Examples include search engine marketing (SEM), retargeting ads, and affiliate marketing. They are measurable and provide short term results. Both are essential. Think of them as two sides of the same coin, each playing a vital role in the customer journey. Ideal Investment Split According to Ipsos MMA: The 50-60% / 40-50% Guideline So, what's the ideal allocation between these two types of activities? Research by Ipsos MMA, a leading analytics consultancy, suggests a general guideline of: - 50-60% investment in brand building (upper funnel) - 40-50% investment in performance tactics (lower funnel) This might seem counterintuitive to some, especially in a world obsessed with immediate results. But remember the hidden 50% of ROI we discussed earlier – that's the value unlocked by long-term brand building. Visual Aid: The Balanced Pie (Note: In the actual article, we would include a pie chart here, visually representing the 50-60% / 40-50% split. This makes the allocation recommendation easy to grasp.) Case Study: Domino's Pizza Transformation: A Real-World Example of Balance Domino's Pizza provides a compelling example of how shifting towards a more balanced approach can yield impressive results. They realized they were overly reliant on performance marketing and decided to invest more heavily in brand building, particularly on YouTube. By doing so, they achieved a remarkable 45% increase in overall ROI. Quote from Sarah Barron, CMO U.K. & Ireland for Domino's: "Our advertising's job is to get you to think about Domino's when you're deciding what to have for dinner. The combination of the longer-term brand building campaigns, alongside the shorter-term performance campaigns has proved to be hugely effective for us and as a result, we have seen a significant uplift in ROI." - Sarah Barron This quote from Sarah Barron, CMO U.K. & Ireland for Domino's, perfectly encapsulates the synergy between brand and performance campaigns. They work together, driving both immediate sales and long-term growth. It's not about choosing one over the other; it's about finding the right balance that maximizes your overall marketing effectiveness. It is about investing in both brand awareness and direct response tactics to craft a successful marketing strategy. In the next section, we'll explore the importance of agile budgeting and demand-led strategies in today's dynamic market. Get ready to learn how flexibility can further enhance your marketing ROI 6. Embracing Agile Budgeting and Demand-Led Strategies: Adapting to Thrive A rigid, set-it-and-forget-it approach to marketing is a recipe for missed opportunities. To truly maximize your ROI and capitalize on emerging trends, you need to embrace agile budgeting and demand-led strategies. What is Agile Budgeting?: Flexibility is Key Agile budgeting is a dynamic approach to financial planning that allows you to adjust your marketing spend quickly and efficiently in response to changing market conditions, campaign performance, and new opportunities. Instead of locking yourself into a fixed annual budget, you adopt a more flexible model that allows for regular reviews and reallocations based on real-time data and insights. Read the full article

[skillzme]

2025 Infographic Design Trends: New Ideas & Approaches

As we enter 2025, infographic design is evolving with bold typography, interactive storytelling, and more. In this blog, we’ll explore the top trends to help you create engaging, data-driven visuals that capture attention and elevate your brand. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, these insights will keep you ahead of the curve.

Did you know January is named after Janus, the two-faced Roman god who could look both to the past and the future at once? Much like Janus, the New Year offers a perfect chance for marketers to reflect on the successes (and challenges) of the previous year while also preparing for what’s next. In marketing, this dual perspective is key to staying ahead. What worked yesterday may not resonate tomorrow. With new technologies, shifting audience preferences, and industry changes, fresh approaches are a must—especially in infographic design. This blog will offer actionable insights into infographic design trends for 2025, with examples from top brands and practical tips to help grow your brand. To make it easier to navigate, we’ve broken this report into two sections: trends from the past that will remain relevant, and new trends to watch for in 2025. Infographic Design Trends from 2024 That Are Here to Stay: - Bold Typography - Playful Layouts - AI-Generated Infographics - Accessibility for All Trends to Watch in 2025: - Interactive Storytelling - SEO-Friendly Designs - Micro-Infographics for Social Media - Subject Matter Visualizations Bold Typography In 2024, bold typography really took on a life of its own, turning simple text into a tool for storytelling and visual impact. But here’s the thing: bold typography isn’t just about big, heavy fonts. It’s about getting creative and making text the star of the show. Over the last few years, it’s become one of the go-to design elements for adding personality and energy to infographics—and this trend isn’t going anywhere. Bold typography demands attention, from oversized fonts to unexpected placements and playful spacing. Picture quirky serifs paired with sleek sans-serifs, all brought to life with vibrant colors and textures that make the text pop right off the screen. Typography tells its own story too. Play around with different styles, weights, and sizes to create a clear information hierarchy. Use bold fonts to highlight key data points, make headlines pop, and guide readers with well-placed subheadings. When you balance clear icons, vibrant colors, and thoughtful typography, your infographic will make sure your key messages are instantly understood. Playful Layouts In 2024, the rigid, traditional grid layouts took a backseat to more playful, dynamic designs—and this shift is still going strong in 2025. Incorporating elements like diagonal grids, unexpected angles, or offbeat placements adds a fun twist that makes infographics more engaging and unforgettable. It’s all about intentional disruption, not chaos. Breaking free from the grid creates visual intrigue, encouraging viewers to keep exploring your design. Take, for example, a holiday-themed infographic shaped like a Christmas tree—while playful, it still keeps things clear and easy to follow. Think of your infographic as a treasure hunt. By strategically placing data points throughout and guiding viewers with clear roadmaps, you turn passive viewing into an engaging, interactive experience. AI-Generated Infographics In 2024, AI tools made a big splash by streamlining design processes and boosting creativity—and they’re still going strong in 2025. But here’s the thing: AI isn’t here to replace your vision; it’s a partner that helps amplify your creativity. Play around with AI-powered tools to generate infographic elements, customize charts, and refine your layouts, giving you more time to focus on your unique design ideas. For example, Venngage’s AI infographic maker can transform raw data into captivating stories—no design degree is required! It’s a great way to create professional-looking infographics quickly and easily. While AI speeds up the design process, it’s essential to keep that human touch. Always review the outputs for accuracy and clarity to ensure they communicate your message the way you intend. With AI as your creative partner, the potential for crafting engaging infographics is limitless. Accessibility for All The drive for inclusivity in 2024 made accessibility a top priority in infographic design, and it continues to be a key trend in 2025. It's not just about how your infographics look—it’s about ensuring everyone, including those with vision impairments and disabilities, can access and understand your content. To achieve this, use high-contrast colors and easy-to-read typography to make sure your designs are legible to all viewers.

Don’t forget to add alternative text for images and ensure that interactive features are fully accessible to users with disabilities.

For even more accessibility, make your infographics screen reader-friendly and offer downloadable formats to accommodate all users. The next section dives into infographic design trends to watch for in 2025—fresh ideas worth trying out to achieve your marketing goals. Whether you’re designing an infographic for social media, paid ads, or a data report, these trends will help you stay ahead of the curve.

What's in for 2025

Interactive Storytelling Looking at recent trends, it’s clear that infographics in 2025 won’t be static visuals anymore. We expect to see more immersive experiences, with infographics featuring clickable elements, embedded videos, or dynamic data visualizations that turn the infographic into an interactive journey. This trend not only boosts engagement and increases dwell time on your website but also helps your content stand out in today’s crowded digital landscape. By offering an interactive experience, you give your audience a reason to explore and connect with your content longer. SEO-Friendly Designs In today’s search engine-driven world, SEO-friendly infographics are essential for marketers. These designs address specific customer queries—like "How do solar panels work?" or "What are the benefits of a vegan diet?" By incorporating relevant keywords and clear, informative visuals, you can drive organic traffic and earn valuable backlinks.

Search-friendly infographics have a higher chance of ranking on Google’s image search or even appearing in featured snippets, significantly boosting their visibility and reach.

For the best results, make sure your infographic includes optimized alt text, a descriptive file name, and relevant metadata. By following SEO best practices, you can transform your visual content into a powerful traffic driver. Micro-Infographics for Social Media With the rise of short-form content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, micro-infographics have become a go-to. These bite-sized visuals focus on a single stat, tip, or idea, making them perfect for quick consumption. They grab attention in crowded feeds and are ideal for encouraging shares.

Micro-infographics sample in medical Micro-infographics are also a great way to reinforce brand authority, delivering valuable insights in a visually engaging format. These small but powerful visuals can help build familiarity and trust with your audience over time. To make them work, tailor your micro-infographics to each platform’s unique audience and style. Use bold colors, concise text, and clear visuals that capture the attention of users scrolling through their feeds. When executed well, these bite-sized infographics can deliver impressive results. These small but powerful visuals can help build familiarity and trust with your audience over time. To make them work, tailor your micro-infographics to each platform’s unique audience and style. Use bold colors, concise text, and clear visuals that capture the attention of users scrolling through their feeds. When executed well, these bite-sized infographics can deliver impressive results. Subject Matter Visualizations In 2025, there will be a rising demand for infographics that explore niche topics in-depth, providing detailed, industry-specific insights. These hyper-detailed visualizations cater to professionals and enthusiasts seeking comprehensive information. Rather than offering broad overviews, these infographics focus on breaking down complex processes, technical data, or specialized knowledge. The power of these infographics lies in their depth—they not only educate but also position your brand as an authority in your field. To create hyper-detailed visualizations, focus on both accuracy and clarity. Use layered designs that lead viewers from broad concepts to more specific details, and include annotations or legends to provide context. By delivering valuable insights, you can build credibility and strengthen your audience's trust in your expertise. Put These Infographic Trends Into Practice in 2025 (and Win!) As we head into 2025, infographic design continues to evolve, merging creativity, technology, and inclusivity. From bold typography and playful layouts to innovative trends like interactive storytelling and SEO-friendly visuals, staying up-to-date is crucial to keeping your audience engaged. Don’t think of infographics as just pretty content that only designers can create. Infographics have the power to make any data engaging, accessible, and shareable—and they’re an essential tool in every marketer’s toolkit. Embrace these trends, and watch your content reach new heights!Skillz Middle East makes Digital Transformation happening for your company. We focus on the quick win to ensure Digital Marketing, e-learning, Web Meeting, Web Conferencing, Digital Signature, Digital Asset Management are ready to enhance your organization. Digital Marketing shall save money and bring a more efficient conversion for your brand and products. Read the full article

[brokenmagxc]

@teslagravity / starter call.

SCRIBBLED NOTE IS TUCKED HASTILY INTO POCKET to evade the glances of prying eyes. he tries to remember what all lei had told him other than ‘ watch your back ’ and ‘ get an autograph ’. instructions were pretty vague, though he is thankful enough that his skill as an agent at least got him into the building ( that, and a foreigner's nervous laughter seemed to dissuade others from less amicable opinions ). however, he had no clue how said trip to building quickly became a long flight on a flying ship. the sheer magnitude of the aerial base astounded him ; it became very clear very quickly that he might be out of his league here, standing dumbfounded in the middle of the room.

but, he was not entirely unequipped — he was keenly aware of some of the more inner workings behind this base of operations, mainly its connection to a very wealthy funding parent. violet systems was familiar to the tongue, for he had arranged some dealings in the past when he worked more internationally with the un. however, he was much more blind to their subsidiaries—mainly, yggdrasil which, now that he was in escort with armed guard, gear branded with signature lion head, in a huge metal prison under their control ( trapped mid-air, of all things ) he felt a bit unprepared to face this unknown.

the man swallows. some part of him curses the foolish detective who recommended he give this whole journey a try. nervousness crept down his throat, brown eyes darting to and fro as they struggled to hide his awkward discomposure. at least the sacrifice of comfort was noble, in that, he had hoped he would be able to offer help amidst the chaos. especially after new york, there was no turning back from the stark reality that every ounce of difference could help against the face of evil. if there was one thing he could do with his power, why not make it worth it, right ??

between war, devils, and terrorism, how bad could this really be... ??

arthur tries not to regret his choices as the other approaches. from the way the guards seem to bow, he assumes this new figure advancing from the corridor beyond them was the organization's head, the so called ‘ lion of the rebellion ’. white coat, static aura — seemed to fit the bill, at least from what lei described.

clay eyes meet steely blues. it is near instantaneous, the burn of electricity that shoots up the agent's spine, causing such browns to fluctuate into brighter golds. shifting eyes examine ( the calm tide underneath a cataclysmic storm, thunder locked behind graying cloud ) though the effort is fleeting. feeling rude, arthur gives a small bow in a futile attempt to hide the embarrassment on his face. he doesn't really know what to say, but he can't really afford the luxury of staying in such tense, heavy silence.

“ um — hi. ” a slow start. he clears his throat and nods a bit, urging himself to continue. “ i'm — arthur branham, an international intelligence agent for the states. i was hoping to offer my services to your cause on the recommendation of a mutual acquaintance. ah, police detective lei wulong. he supposed i would be a bit more erm, equipped, to help people like you. ” arthur pauses. the sheepishness meets the golden glimmer at his eyes when he finally decides to make eye contact again. “ i... um, admittedly, might have let myself get a little whisked away here... ”

[influenceract]

How a Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency Turns Tweets into Revenue

Many people prefer to use social networks today; one topic can start a discussion that billions of people will discuss; therefore, brands are looking for ways to translate such activity into profit. Introducing the Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency - the new superhero that offers companies the ability to target customers and make money.

How, exactly, can a tweet translate to money? Let's step behind the curtain of a Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency and look at how they convert hashtags to profit streams.

Influencer Collaborations

Every successful campaign begins and ends with one thing; the right cooperation. A true Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency is in a position to know which influencer can post messages that will be appreciated by the brand’s target market. This is not necessarily about gaining a large number of followers anymore, rather modern agencies need to know the rates of the engaged audience and their sentiment.

For example, an organisation that is launching its newest application would not team up with a regular tech blogger. Instead, the agency would refer them to a micro-influencer who specialises in Twitter app reviews. These influencers build trust with their followers and therefore guarantee that their tweet catches the eye of the reader and motivates him to act.

The right selection of influencers means that every dollar spent on influencer marketing will be perfectly earned.

Data-Oriented Campaigns

Today, there is no room for speculation and assumptions in decision-making processes, but data is eagerly welcomed. An agency is very much data-dependent in designing influential campaigns that work. With the help of analytics like CTR, conversion rates and interactions on the follower’s profiles agencies adjust the campaigns immediately.

Consider, for example, a well-known fashion brand launching a new sneakers collection in collaboration with influencers. The agency now needs to test the tweets of different combinations of hashtags, emojis, and even tweet timing to know which combination gets the most engagement.

This level of precision ensures that all tweets not only appear great but also cause spikes in traffic to the brand website, increasing product sales and thereby more revenue.

Building Credible Brand Stories

Long gone are those days when consumers can easily be convinced by a hard sale. Audiences of the present age seek genuine material. A Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency knows this shift well and thus works on creating stories that elicit an emotion within the target viewers.

So, for instance, a health food company may decide to introduce a new protein bar into the market. Unlike a plain self-promoting tweet that looks like a commercial, the agency collaborates with influencers who share their experiences on how the product supports their fitness transformation process. Such stories appear more believable and credible, so that, followers are more likely to make a purchase.

In humanizing the brand, agencies create more emotional bonds between the influencer and the customers resulting in more sales.

Converting Followers to Permanent Users

People like to engage, but in the end, agencies want to convert them into customers and make money out of it. A Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency understands the difference between a like and a sale. 

One of the recommended strategies is to ensure that clear influencer’s tweets contain specific calls to action (CTA). For instance, the influencers can incorporate links to time-sensitive offers and other products. To tap into this market, agencies use parameters such as the UTM to determine which of the tweets is attracting the most clicks and therefore, the highest conversions.

In addition, the agencies use influencer marketing together with Twitter Ads where the top frequent tweets are promoted to reach more people. This is because this hybrid approach enhances campaign speed and guarantees the highest revenues.

The Essence of a Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency

Twitter is no longer a social communication tool, it is a valuable opportunity for brands, which understand how this unique environment works. A Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency, as the title suggests is an agency which has the knowledge, resources, and ideas required to leverage the social networking site and convert engagements into revenues.

Whether it means choosing the appropriate influencers or creating engaging campaigns, agencies do all the work so that brands can strive to grow their businesses. From adopting trends to analyzing trends these agencies are the weapon that brands can use to conquer the Twittersphere.

Final Thoughts

The tweets are small but can have a larger impact when in an expert's hands. A Twitter Influencer Marketing Agency turns simple tweets into strong revenue-generating tools through a combination of strategy, creativity, and technology.

If your brand hasn't tapped the power of Twitter influencers, now is the time. Working with a specialized agency could be the smartest move to make your social media presence into a powerhouse engine for business. After all, in today's world, one tweet can change everything.  

[chorusfm]

Chorus.fm’s Top 30 Albums of 2024

Another year in the books and we’re back again to recap our favorite albums of 2024. Below you’ll find the contributor best of 2024 list with blurbs written by the staff talking about why we loved these albums. Each album title links to a streaming page so you can check out anything you may have missed. There’s also a playlist featuring a song from every album on this list, and a few staff members have shared their individual lists and some commentary in their blogs. As always, thanks for spending 2024 with us, and I hope you find something new to check out and love. Note: Check the bottom of this post for links to individual contributor lists. Top Albums of 2024 1. Kelsea Ballerini – Patterns 2024 was the year of the pop girl. Charli XCX. Chappell Roan. Sabrina Carpenter. Billie Eilish. Taylor Swift. Gracie Abrams. Beyonce. All of those artists got their moment in the spotlight last year, and most of them are represented on this list. For whatever reason, though, the glow of the pop girl spring and pop girl summer spotlight didn’t extend to Kelsea Ballerini, an artist who continues to be woefully underrated despite building one of the best album runs of the past 10 years. In so many ways, Ballerini’s career arc is an echo of Swift’s: both came to prominence in the Nashville scene with country hits that carried a ton of pop crossover appeal; both have gradually drifted from those Nashville roots toward broader-appeal pop music; and both are incredible songwriters who are exceptionally skilled at making confessional, autobiographical music sound completely universal. A decade on her from her splashy 2015 debut The First Time, Ballerini has yet to ascend to anything approaching Taylor’s superstar status, but albums like Patterns make it clear that she deserves nothing less. This record is a sequel to Ballerini’s 2023 EP Rolling up the Welcome Mat, a searing account of Ballerini’s divorce that did more with 16 minutes of runtime than most artists do with 60. Where Welcome Mat laid a marriage to rest, Patterns is the logical follow-up, an album about all the walls you put up after that first massive, life-shifting heartbreak, and about what it takes to tear them back down again. When you’re young, you throw yourself into the throes of romance with wild abandon – partially because your hormones tell you to, but mostly because you don’t know any better. As you get older and more jaded, you find yourself armor, and a shield, and a sword, because you’ve been hurt once or twice or 15 times before and you don’t want to put yourself in that situation again. Patterns finds Ballerini trying to sort through the baggage of a broken marriage – and the label of “divorcee” – so she can truly give herself to someone again. The result is a beautiful and wrenching album about big risks and second chances. It’s fragile and vulnerable, whether its directly addressing the nervousness of getting tangled up in someone again (“Baggage,” “First Rodeo”) or trying – and failing – not to wear its heart on its sleeve (“Two Things,” “WAIT!”). The result is one of the richest and most moving albums ever made about finding love again after getting shattered. It is, for our money, the best album of 2024. – Craig Manning 2. Touché Amoré – Spiral in a Straight Line Because of other outside commitments, endeavors, and everyday life, Touché Amoré’s once prolific output (the band’s first three records along with five 7 inches were all essentially released in a four year span) has slowed down to a new album every four or so years. However, this isn’t a bad thing as it’s resulted in the Los Angeles quintet’s best output – with the dizzying expansive Spiral in a Straight Line topping the list. Jeremy Bolm’s lyricism has never been better (“Altitude” and “This Routine” for example) while the band supplement their post-hardcore sound with songs like the Sebadoh-worshipping “Subversion (Brand New Love)” (which interpolates said-Sebadoh track while featuring the… https://chorus.fm/features/articles/chorus-fms-top-30-albums-of-2024/

[monsterkong]

How Data Systems are Reshaping Advertising Strategy in 2024 🌍

In 2024, one thing is clear: data is the king of marketing. With the rise of digital advertising, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their targeting, lower their costs, and increase their return on investment (ROI). Enter the world of reinforced content acceleration—a revolutionary approach to advertising that uses proprietary data systems to ensure that your marketing efforts are more than just a shot in the dark.

The Old Way of Advertising: A Lot of Guessing 🧐

For years, advertisers had to play the guessing game when it came to digital ads. Throwing content out on multiple platforms, running countless tests, and hoping that something would stick was the norm. But despite all the work, there was no certainty. Marketers often had to rely on trial and error to figure out where their audience was and what kind of content would resonate with them. And while this method could yield some success, it also wasted time, money, and resources.

That’s where reinforced content acceleration changes everything.

The New Era: Data-Driven Precision 🎯

With data systems now driving the marketing process, businesses can finally wave goodbye to the guesswork. These systems take the guesswork out of the equation by providing detailed insights into your target audience’s behavior and preferences. Instead of hoping that your content will reach the right person, you can know exactly who your audience is, where they are, and what they respond to.

For example, these data systems can tell you:

Which platforms your audience spends the most time on.

How they like to be spoken to (professional, casual, humorous, etc.).

Their location—whether they’re in Miami, New York, or Los Angeles—and what that means for how you should tailor your content.

Whether they are family-oriented, looking for luxury, or in need of a particular service.

This kind of hyper-targeted information allows businesses to move away from generic content and instead create highly relevant, engaging campaigns that speak directly to their audience.

Going Beyond Content Creation: The Power of Customization 💡

Creating content that works is more than just publishing something on a blog or posting an ad on social media. It’s about personalization—and this data-driven approach makes it possible to deliver customized experiences for each person you’re trying to reach.

Whether it’s tweaking your brand’s colors, adjusting the tone of your messaging, or choosing the right type of content (video, blog, podcast, etc.), this technology gives you the ability to make strategic decisions that will get the best results.

The result? More engaged customers, more leads, and ultimately, more sales.

No More Wasted Ad Spend 💸

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional advertising is the cost. Businesses would pour money into ads with little knowledge of whether those ads were actually reaching their target market. But with data-informed advertising, you can pinpoint exactly where your dollars should be spent. This leads to significantly reduced advertising costs, as you’re no longer wasting money on channels or audiences that don’t convert.

The Power of Strategic Planning 🔍

With reinforced content acceleration, businesses can now create a comprehensive strategic plan for their advertising. From the colors, fonts, and tone of voice to choosing the exact platform for your content, every element of your campaign is backed by data, ensuring that your message is optimized for the best possible results.

No longer are businesses spending time testing ads without knowing the outcome. With these insights, they can confidently put their message in front of the people who are most likely to convert.

In Conclusion: The Future of Advertising is Here 🚀

The shift toward data-driven advertising is not just a trend—it’s the future. Thanks to reinforced content acceleration, businesses now have the tools to remove guesswork from their campaigns and implement a strategic, data-informed approach.

By understanding exactly who your audience is and where they are, you can create content that resonates with them, reach them at the right time, and build stronger, more effective campaigns. Say goodbye to random testing, unpredictable results, and wasted ad spend. The future of advertising is here—and it’s smarter, more efficient, and more profitable than ever before.

Ready to take your advertising to the next level? The journey starts here. 🌟

[gardenreviewus]

Top 10 Best Leaf Blowers for 2024 As we approach the fall season, keeping our yards tidy becomes a top priority. That's why I've compiled this comprehensive guide to the best leaf blowers available in 2024. Whether you're a homeowner looking to maintain a pristine lawn or a professional landscaper seeking efficient tools, this list has something for everyone. I've carefully selected these leaf blowers based on their performance, features, and value for money, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your needs without breaking the bank. Why I Decided to Review These Leaf Blowers The Quest for the Perfect Yard Companion As someone who takes pride in maintaining a beautiful outdoor space, I've always been on the lookout for tools that can make the job easier and more efficient. Leaf blowers have become an essential part of my lawn care arsenal, and I've spent countless hours researching and testing various models to find the cream of the crop. A Thorough Research Process My journey to find the best leaf blowers involved more than just reading product descriptions. I dove deep into user reviews, consulted with lawn care professionals, and even got my hands dirty (or should I say, leafy) by testing many of these models myself. This hands-on approach allowed me to understand the nuances of each product and how they perform in real-world scenarios. Brand Reputation and Innovation In the world of lawn care equipment, brand reputation matters. I've paid close attention to manufacturers known for their quality and innovation. Companies like EGO Power+, DEWALT, and Husqvarna have long-standing reputations for producing reliable tools. However, I've also kept an eye on up-and-coming brands that are shaking up the market with new technologies and features. Balancing Price and Performance One of the key factors in my selection process was finding leaf blowers that offer excellent value for money. I understand that not everyone has an unlimited budget for lawn care equipment, so I've included options at various price points. From budget-friendly models to high-end powerhouses, there's a leaf blower on this list for every wallet size. Features That Matter When evaluating the best leaf blowers, I focused on features that truly make a difference in usability and performance. Things like air speed (MPH) and volume (CFM) are crucial for effectively clearing leaves and debris. Battery life and charging time are essential considerations for cordless models. Ergonomics and weight distribution play a significant role in user comfort, especially for extended use. The Cordless Revolution One trend I've noticed in recent years is the shift towards cordless leaf blowers. The convenience of not being tethered to a power outlet, combined with improvements in battery technology, has made these models increasingly popular. Many of the leaf blowers on this list are cordless, reflecting this market trend and the preferences of modern users. Environmental Considerations As we become more conscious of our environmental impact, I've also considered the eco-friendliness of these leaf blowers. Electric and battery-powered models generally have a lower carbon footprint compared to gas-powered alternatives. However, I've included a gas model for those who require maximum power for large properties or professional use. By thoroughly examining these aspects, I've curated a list of the best leaf blowers that cater to a wide range of needs and preferences. Whether you're looking for raw power, quiet operation, or exceptional battery life, you'll find a leaf blower on this list that fits the bill. Let's dive into the top picks and find the perfect leaf blower to keep your outdoor spaces pristine and leaf-free. Top Picks Table Product Name Price Buy Now EGO Power+ LB7654 765 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower $299.00 Buy Now DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Leaf Blower (DCBL722P1) $199.99 Buy Now Cordless Leaf Blower, 540CFM/170MPH Electric Leaf Blower $100.07 Buy Now Leaf Blower Cordless with 2 * 20V Battery and Charger

$63.35 Buy Now Mueller UltraStorm Cordless Leaf Blower $41.99 Buy Now Leaf Blower, 680 CFM 190 MPH 21V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower $99.75 Buy Now Leaf Blower Cordless - 580CFM/160MPH Electric Leaf Blower $138.00 Buy Now Leaf Blower Cordless, 580CFM/160MPH 3 Speed Levels $121.81 Buy Now Husqvarna 150BT Gas Leaf Blower $345.51 Buy Now Leaf Blower Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger $85.99 Buy Now 1. EGO Power+ LB7654 $299.00 - Buy Now When it comes to the best leaf blowers on the market, the EGO Power+ LB7654 stands out as a true powerhouse. I've had the pleasure of using this beast of a machine, and I can confidently say it's a game-changer for lawn maintenance. From the moment I unboxed it, I knew I was dealing with a premium product. The first thing that struck me was the build quality. The LB7654 feels robust and well-engineered, with a comfortable grip that makes extended use a breeze. But it's when I fired it up that I was truly impressed. The 765 CFM of air output is no joke – it effortlessly cleared my leaf-covered lawn in record time. What's more, the variable-speed trigger allowed me to dial in the perfect amount of power for different tasks, from gently clearing flower beds to blasting stubborn wet leaves. Battery life is often a concern with cordless tools, but EGO has really delivered here. The included 5.0Ah battery gave me solid runtime, easily enough to clear my medium-sized yard with power to spare. And when it was time to recharge, the rapid charger had me back up and running in no time. One feature I particularly appreciated was the shoulder strap. It might seem like a small detail, but when you're dealing with a powerful blower like this, having that extra support makes a big difference in comfort during longer sessions. The weight distribution is excellent, and I found I could work for extended periods without fatigue. Noise levels are another area where the LB7654 shines. While it's not whisper-quiet (no powerful leaf blower is), it's noticeably less noisy than gas-powered alternatives. My neighbors actually commented on how much quieter it was compared to my old blower, which is a nice bonus. Pros Cons Powerful 765 CFM air output Higher price point Variable speed control Heavier than some competitors Excellent battery life May be overkill for small yards Comfortable shoulder strap Charger is a bit bulky Quieter than gas models   Rapid charging   2. DEWALT 20V MAX* XR $199.99 - Buy Now As a long-time fan of DEWALT tools, I had high expectations for their 20V MAX* XR Leaf Blower, and I'm happy to report that it didn't disappoint. This compact powerhouse has become my go-to for quick clean-ups and maintenance around the yard. Right out of the box, I was impressed by how lightweight and well-balanced this blower feels. At just 7.1 pounds with the battery, it's a joy to use for extended periods. The ergonomic design means I can easily maneuver it with one hand, which is great for precision work around flower beds or tight corners. Performance-wise, the DCBL722P1 packs a punch. With 450 CFM of air volume and speeds up to 125 MPH, it tackles most yard debris with ease. I found it particularly effective for clearing leaves from my deck and driveway. While it might not have the raw power of some larger models, its combination of airflow and speed makes it more than capable for typical suburban yard maintenance. One of the standout features for me is the variable speed trigger and speed lock. This level of control allows me to use just the right amount of power for the task at hand, whether I'm gently clearing mulch or blasting away stubborn wet leaves. The speed lock is a welcome addition for those longer clearing sessions, reducing hand fatigue. Battery life is always a crucial factor with cordless tools, and the DEWALT doesn't disappoint. The included 5.0Ah battery provides ample runtime for my needs, easily lasting through several cleaning sessions before needing a recharge.

And since it's part of the DEWALT 20V MAX* system, I can swap batteries with my other DEWALT tools, which is incredibly convenient. Pros Cons Lightweight and well-balanced Less powerful than some competitors Variable speed control with lock May struggle with very large yards Good battery life No included shoulder strap Compatible with DEWALT 20V MAX* system Nozzle length not adjustable Excellent for small to medium yards   Quiet operation   3. Cordless Leaf Blower, 540CFM/170MPH $100.07 - Buy Now When I first got my hands on this cordless leaf blower, I was immediately impressed by its robust build and comfortable design. As someone who's used various leaf blowers over the years, I was eager to see how this model would stack up against more established brands. The first thing that struck me was the power output. With 540 CFM and speeds up to 170 MPH, this blower means business. I put it to the test on my leaf-covered lawn, and it cleared the area with surprising efficiency. The 6-speed mode and turbo mode offer great versatility, allowing me to adjust the power based on the task at hand. I found the lower speeds perfect for clearing delicate areas around flower beds, while the turbo mode made quick work of stubborn piles of wet leaves. What really sets this blower apart is the inclusion of two 6.0Ah batteries. This is a game-changer in terms of runtime. I was able to clear my entire yard, including the driveway and patio, without needing to swap batteries. And when it was time to recharge, the fast charger had me back up and running in no time. The ergonomics of this blower are well thought out. Despite its power, it's relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver. The comfortable grip reduced fatigue during longer clearing sessions, and I appreciated the thoughtful addition of a shoulder strap for added support. One feature I particularly enjoyed was the turbo mode. While I didn't need it for everyday clearing, it came in handy when dealing with a particularly stubborn pile of wet leaves that had accumulated in a corner of my yard. With a press of a button, I had the extra boost needed to get the job done. Pros Cons Powerful 540CFM/170MPH output Brand may be less known 6 speed modes plus turbo Slightly heavier than some competitors Two 6.0Ah batteries included May be overkill for very small yards Fast charger Turbo mode drains battery quickly Comfortable ergonomics   Great value for the price   4. Leaf Blower Cordless with 2 * 20V Battery $63.35 - Buy Now As someone who's always on the lookout for efficient and affordable lawn care tools, I was intrigued by this cordless leaf blower. The price point is certainly attractive, but I was curious to see if it could deliver the performance I needed for my yard maintenance tasks. Upon unboxing, I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality. It feels sturdy and well-made, despite its budget-friendly price tag. The design is straightforward and user-friendly, which I appreciate. The inclusion of two 20V batteries is a nice touch, ensuring that I can tackle larger jobs without interruption. When it comes to performance, this blower holds its own for light to medium-duty tasks. The two-speed levels offer good versatility – I found the lower speed perfect for clearing leaves from my flower beds and patio, while the higher speed was effective for tackling larger leaf piles on the lawn. It's not the most powerful blower I've used, but for its size and price, it gets the job done efficiently. One of the standout features for me is how lightweight and maneuverable this blower is. I could easily use it one-handed, which made reaching tight corners and working around obstacles a breeze. The non-slip handle is a thoughtful addition that enhanced comfort during extended use. Battery life was decent, though not exceptional. With both batteries,I was able to complete most of my yard work without needing to recharge, although I did find myself swapping batteries for larger projects.

If you're looking for a powerful blower, this may not be it, but for regular maintenance and smaller tasks, it's quite effective. Pros Cons Affordable price Limited power for heavy-duty tasks Includes two 20V batteries Battery life could be better Lightweight and easy to maneuver Two speeds may not suit all needs Sturdy build quality May struggle with wet leaves Non-slip handle enhances comfort Overall performance is basic 5. Mueller UltraStorm Cordless Leaf Blower $41.99 - Buy Now When I first received the Mueller UltraStorm cordless leaf blower, I was skeptical about its capabilities given its low price point. However, after testing it out in my backyard, I found it to be an excellent little machine that exceeded my expectations. The blower operates at a speed of 140 MPH, which is quite impressive considering its compact size. While using it, I was able to clear away light debris easily; it performed particularly well on dry leaves and small twigs. Though I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy-duty jobs, it’s perfect for routine clean-up around the garden and driveway. One feature that stands out is its lightweight design. I could use the blower for extended periods without feeling fatigued. The ergonomics are solid, making it comfortable to hold and use. It’s easy to maneuver around tight spots, which is essential when you’re trying to avoid damaging plants and flowers. Battery performance is decent, though there were times I wished for more runtime. It's important to note that this blower is best suited for small to medium-sized yards as it might struggle with larger areas or heavier debris. Nonetheless, for those quick tasks, it performs admirably. In summary, the Mueller UltraStorm is a fantastic choice if you want an affordable and efficient leaf blower for light tasks. It’s not meant for tackling massive lawns or tough clearing jobs, but it shines in day-to-day maintenance. Pros Cons Very affordable Limited power for heavy tasks Lightweight and easy to use Battery life is somewhat limited Compact design for easy storage Not suitable for large yards Good for light debris Lacks advanced features 6. Leaf Blower, 680 CFM 190 MPH $99.75 - Buy Now As someone who frequently deals with autumn leaves and everyday yard upkeep, I was excited to test out the Leaf Blower with a robust 680 CFM output and a top speed of 190 MPH. Right from the start, this blower gave me confidence in its capabilities due to its sturdy construction and design. During my initial run, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it cleared various debris types, including wet leaves and small branches. With three-speed settings, I was able to adjust the power based on the task, which really made a difference. The highest setting tackled heavy piles effortlessly, while lower speeds were gentle enough for delicate flower beds. The inclusion of two 4.0Ah batteries is a significant advantage. I was able to work through my entire yard without worrying about battery life, and recharging was quick and convenient. This extended usage meant I could tackle larger areas without interruptions, which is crucial for anyone with a bigger lawn. Ergonomically, I found the blower comfortable to handle, even during longer sessions. The lightweight nature allowed for easy maneuverability, and the grip felt secure, helping to reduce hand fatigue. The design also incorporates a thoughtful shoulder strap, providing additional support while working. Overall, I would recommend this leaf blower for anyone needing reliable performance paired with versatility. It checks all the boxes for the average homeowner looking to maintain their yard effectively without spending a fortune. Pros Cons High CFM and MPH output Might be too powerful for small tasks Three-speed settings for versatility Heavier than some other models Two long-lasting batteries included Noise level can be higher at full power Comfortable design with shoulder strap May require occasional cleaning of leaves stuck in duct

7. Leaf Blower Cordless - 580CFM/160MPH $138.00 - Buy Now After some anticipation, I finally got the chance to put the 580CFM/160MPH Cordless Leaf Blower to the test in my backyard. Right from the outset, I was impressed with its sleek design and how manageable it felt in my hands. Performance-wise, this blower has proven itself worthy during my various yard work sessions. Clearing leaves from my patio and pathways was a breeze thanks to its powerful output. The three-speed modes offered flexibility, allowing me to choose a lower speed for delicate surfaces and ramping up for tougher clearing jobs. I particularly appreciated the turbo mode for dealing with stubborn wet leaves after a rainstorm. Another highlight for me was the inclusion of two 4.0Ah batteries. They provided ample power, enabling me to work continuously without frequent interruptions. When it came time to recharge, the process was swift, letting me get back to maintaining my yard in no time. Comfort is key when using any tool for extended periods, and this blower delivered. The ergonomic design along with the shoulder strap significantly reduced strain on my arms and back. I could maneuver around trees and flower beds with ease, making my tasks much less cumbersome. In conclusion, if you're searching for a reliable and potent leaf blower that balances power with comfort, this model deserves your consideration. It handled everything I threw at it and has become an essential part of my lawn care toolkit. Pros Cons Strong performance with 580CFM/160MPH Slightly heavier than lighter models Three speed settings available Battery life depends on usage intensity Two batteries included for extended use Turbo mode can drain batteries quickly Ergonomic design for comfort Noise level can be notable on high settings Versatile for various yard tasks   8. Leaf Blower Cordless, 580CFM/160MPH 3 Speed Levels $121.81 - Buy Now Upon receiving the Leaf Blower Cordless with 580CFM/160MPH power, I was eager to see how it would perform compared to other blowers I've used in the past. Immediately, I noticed its lightweight design, which made handling it feel effortless. The blower really shone while tackling my leaf-filled lawn. With three-speed options, I could easily switch between modes depending on the task at hand. I favored the medium speed for general cleanup, while the high-speed setting was instrumental in clearing out dense piles of leaves. One aspect that impressed me was the battery life. The unit came with two batteries, allowing me to work for an extended period without interruption. The fast charging capability meant I could complete my yard work without waiting long to recharge, which is something every gardener appreciates. What I loved most was how comfortable it was to use. The ergonomic design, combined with the non-slip grip, ensured that I had control throughout my tasks. I didn't experience any discomfort even after a prolonged session, which I often do with heavier models. In summary, this leaf blower offers excellent value for anyone needing a versatile tool for yard maintenance. Its performance and battery life make it a compelling choice for both casual users and dedicated gardeners alike. Pros Cons Efficient airflow with 580CFM/160MPH Not ideal for extremely large areas Three-speed settings provide flexibility Slightly bulkier than some competitors Long-lasting batteries included Performance may vary with heavy wet leaves Comfortable and easy to use Noise levels can increase with higher speeds Great for routine maintenance   9. Husqvarna 150BT Gas Leaf Blower $345.51 - Buy Now Having always been a fan of powerful gas-powered tools, I was excited to try out the Husqvarna 150BT Backpack Leaf Blower. Upon using it, I quickly realized why this brand is trusted by many professionals. This blower is designed with power in mind, boasting an impressive 765 CFM and 270 MPH. During my test runs, I found that it handled large debris with ease.

I was able to clear my entire yard in record time, something I struggled to achieve with previous electric models. The backpack design is incredibly comfortable, distributing weight evenly across my shoulders, making it easy to use for extended periods. One feature I really appreciated was the adjustable air output, which allowed me to tailor the strength based on whether I was clearing leaves, grass clippings, or sticks. It made a noticeable difference in efficiency and control. The ergonomic harness system is a game-changer for someone like me who often spends hours outside maintaining their lawn. While this blower is undeniably powerful, it does come with a few drawbacks typical of gas-powered equipment. The noise level is higher than electric options, so ear protection is recommended. Additionally, the maintenance required for gas engines can be a bit of a hassle, especially for those not accustomed to such tools. To sum it up, the Husqvarna 150BT is an exceptional choice for anyone serious about lawn care and needing a powerful yet comfortable leaf blower. It may be on the pricier side, but its performance justifies the investment for those who desire efficiency. Pros Cons Extremely powerful performance Higher noise levels compared to electric models Comfortable backpack design Maintenance is required for gas engine Adjustable air output for different tasks Heavier than handheld options Efficient for large properties Can be overkill for small yards Trusted brand with good reputation   10. Leaf Blower Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger $85.99 - Buy Now Receiving the Leaf Blower Cordless with 4.0Ah Battery was a pleasant surprise. As someone who's often frustrated by underpowered equipment, I was curious to see if this relatively inexpensive model could meet my expectations. Right off the bat, I was impressed by its 135 MPH speed and 170 CFM output. It performed admirably for my small to medium yard, clearing away leaves with minimal effort. I found its hand-held design easy to navigate around flower beds and patios, making it a joy to use. The battery life was decent for what I needed. With the 4.0Ah battery, I was able to complete my tasks efficiently without worrying about frequent recharges. When it came time to plug it in, the charging time was surprisingly short, allowing me to get back to work quickly. This blower is lightweight and easy to store, which is an added bonus, especially for homeowners with limited space. While it doesn't have extensive features, it gets the job done effectively. The two tubes included were useful for getting into tight spots, ensuring I could cover all aspects of my lawn care routine. In summary, if you're looking for an affordable and easy-to-use leaf blower, this model is a great option. It’s perfect for regular maintenance without breaking the bank. Pros Cons Affordable price Limited power for heavy debris Decent battery life May struggle with very wet leaves Lightweight and easy to handle Basic features Quick charging time Not suitable for large yards Includes two tubes for versatility   Conclusion Overall, each leaf blower showcased here has its own strengths and weaknesses, catering to a range of needs from professional lawn care to simple yard maintenance. Whether you're looking for something powerful like the Husqvarna 150BT or a more budget-friendly option like the Mueller UltraStorm, there's certainly a model here that can fit your requirements. Take into account the size of your yard, type of debris you'll be dealing with, and your personal preferences regarding features and ergonomics to make the right choice! https://gardenreview.us/best-leaf-blowers/?feed_id=147&_unique_id=672d832b9a199 https://gardenreview.us/best-leaf-blowers/?feed_id=147&_unique_id=672d832b9a199