#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

return to nox's hypotheses

© 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.”

[boochanz]

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.

[amitchizia]

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

[lucycyril]

9 Figure Media’s PR Strategy for Nonprofit Campaigns

PR firms love a good cause. Or at least the appearance of one. It’s easy to see why the optics are great. Partner with a nonprofit, drop in some emotional storytelling, sprinkle in “community impact,” and suddenly a brand looks like it cares. But here’s the thing: caring isn't a strategy. And most of the time, those campaigns fizzle out as fast as they started.

That’s not what 9 Figure Media does. Not from what I’ve seen. They’ve carved out a space for themselves in nonprofit PR by taking a completely different approach. It’s not about grand gestures or big-budget awareness ads. It’s about understanding how media, timing, and message intersect  and doing the work behind the scenes to make that intersection actually matter. Which is harder than it sounds.

Why Nonprofit PR Requires a Different Playbook

Nonprofit campaigns aren’t like product launches. There’s often no clear “win.” No sales funnel. No conversion rate to chase. You’re trying to shift perception, behavior, even policy and that takes a different kind of precision.

Here’s how 9 Figure Media tackles it:

They treat nonprofit work like a long-term story arc. Not just a flash campaign. It’s a narrative they build over months, sometimes years across multiple platforms.

They use local media in smart ways. Everyone wants to know how to get featured in a magazine, but not everyone asks which magazine should feature them. 9 Figure Media often targets places like LA Weekly Magazine or featured.la  outlets that actually reach communities where the nonprofit is active.

They prep clients for moments that feel unplanned. Meaning, they anticipate what conversations might happen and then make sure their clients are already part of them when they do.

Local Over Loud

This is probably the part of their strategy that surprised me most. Instead of chasing national headlines, 9 Figure Media often pushes for visibility in city-based or culturally niche platforms. And it works.

I used to believe that getting into LA Weekly Magazine or being featured was more of a vanity win than a nice brag, and there wasn't much else. But 9 Figure Media regards it as fundamental because when you show up in places your community already trusts, trustworthiness grows organically.

There’s something to that. A national article might reach more eyes, sure. But a local write-up in LA Weekly? It reaches the right minds.

Honestly, I’ve started rethinking my own assumptions about how media visibility works. There’s a kind of power in going small first in showing up in familiar places before trying to take on the national stage.

Behind the “Feature”

People are obsessed with figuring out how to get featured in a magazine. And fair enough, it can open doors. But what 9 Figure Media seems to understand better than most is that “getting featured” isn’t just about sending a press release and hoping for the best. It’s layered. It’s built.

From what I’ve gathered (and this part is more observation than confirmed strategy), they prep a campaign by:

Mapping out media outlets that align with the nonprofit’s voice and audience.

Developing stories with the nonprofit, not for them, so it feels personal.

Timing their outreach around relevant news cycles, awareness months, or even community events.

That’s how you get a meaningful spot in featured.la or LA Weekly Magazine, not just a mention, but a full feature that resonates. And yeah, it takes more time. It’s definitely not the shortcut approach. But the results feel real. Less like PR, more like momentum.

Imperfect, but Intentional

Of course, not everything they do lands perfectly. Some partnerships click, some don’t. That’s just the reality of working in nonprofit PR or honestly, any PR. What matters is that 9 Figure Media doesn’t hide behind the gloss. They iterate. They adjust. They stay close to the work, which I think nonprofits really appreciate.

What Nonprofits Can Learn from 9 Figure Media

You don’t need a huge PR budget to learn from their model. Even smaller organizations can take a few cues:

Know your media landscape. Think about where your story naturally fits. LA Weekly, featured.la, or even hyperlocal blogs might be more valuable than big-name publications.

Focus on consistency, not just visibility. A one-time story won’t change the world. But showing up consistently in trusted places? That might.

Build relationships, not just press kits. Reporters and editors respond to genuine connection. Cold pitching rarely works on its own.

And perhaps most importantly:

Remember that “how to get featured in a magazine” isn’t just a tactic but it’s a process. The story has to matter. The timing has to fit. The angle has to be relevant. And the audience has to care. When all of that comes together that’s where the impact happens.

Final Thought

9 Figure Media doesn’t follow the usual script when it comes to nonprofit PR. And maybe that’s exactly why their campaigns resonate. They’re not chasing the loudest headlines or the flashiest mentions. They’re building layered, place-rooted narratives often through outlets like LA Weekly Magazine, featured.la, or other community-driven media that don’t get enough credit.

And sure, not every effort hits the mark. But when it does? It doesn’t just raise awareness. It moves people. And that, more than anything, is what good PR for nonprofits should do.

[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

[aaravgupta966]

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any SEO Agency!

Hiring the right SEO agency can be the game-changer your business needs — or a costly mistake. While thousands of agencies promise top Google rankings, traffic surges, and overnight results, not all are created equal. Before you sign that contract, you need to ask the right questions — the kind that uncover expertise, transparency, and long-term value.

Here are the essential questions to ask before hiring any SEO agency, so you can make an informed, confident choice.

1. What’s Your SEO Strategy for My Business?

Every business is unique. A one-size-fits-all approach won't work. Ask the agency:

How will you tailor your SEO strategy to my goals?

Which will you prioritize: content marketing, technical SEO, or local SEO?

How do you plan to improve my search visibility?

This question reveals how deeply they understand your industry and whether they can craft a custom, data-driven plan, whether you're looking for Affordable SEO Services in Delhi or a high-scale campaign.

2. Are Case Studies and Client Success Stories Available for Sharing?

Proof matters. A reputable agency should have real-world examples of how they've helped clients grow.

Ask for case studies, references, or performance reports.

Look for metrics like organic traffic increase, keyword rankings, and conversion rate improvements.Keep an eye on measures such as gains in conversion rates, keyword ranks, and organic traffic growth.

Bonus tip: Don’t just read — call one of their clients if you can.

3. What Tools Do You Use for SEO Research and Reporting?

Great SEO agencies use reliable, professional-grade tools such as:

Google Analytics & Search Console

SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, Screaming Frog

Reporting dashboards or custom analytics

The tools they mention say a lot about the quality and depth of their work.

4. How Long Will It Take to See Results?

There’s no such thing as overnight SEO success. Anyone promising page-one rankings in days is probably using black-hat tactics that can get your site penalized.

Look for honest timelines: 3–6 months for measurable improvements.

Find out what long-term objectives and short-term successes they expect. .

Instead of creating unrealistic timetables, a reliable agency will set reasonable expectations.

5. How Do You Handle Algorithm Updates?

Google updates its algorithm regularly. A good SEO agency stays agile.

Ask how they track updates and adjust strategies accordingly.

Will they proactively inform you and offer a new plan?

If they don’t know how to navigate algorithm shifts, your rankings (and traffic) could suffer.

6. What Type of Content Will You Create?

A car without gas is analogous to SEO without content. Inquire:

Will you write blog posts, landing pages, or technical content?

How do you make sure my brand voice is reflected in the content?

Do you offer content strategy or just execution?

Content marketing should be a component of the plan of a company that offers full SEO services.

7. Do You Build Backlinks? If So, How?

Backlinks are critical for SEO success — but only white-hat, high-quality links.

Avoid agencies that use shady tactics like link farms or paid spammy links.

Ask about their outreach strategy and link quality standards.

Remember: One link from a trusted site is better than 50 from low-quality sources.

8. How Will You Communicate With Us?

Clear communication is key to a successful partnership.

Will you have a dedicated account manager?

How often will we get progress reports?

Can we schedule monthly check-ins or calls?

When you’re investing in Complete SEO Services, regular updates and responsiveness should be part of the package.

9. What Does Your SEO Contract Include (and Exclude)?

Never start work without understanding the fine print.

What services are included? (e.g., audits, keyword research, content, link building)

Are there any hidden fees?

What occurs if we choose to terminate the agreement?

Transparent terms prevent surprises later.

10. How Do You Measure and Report Success?

SEO is all about ROI. Ask how the agency tracks success:

What KPIs will they monitor (rankings, traffic, conversions)?

Do they offer monthly reports?

Will they track lead quality or sales impact?

You want a partner that measures what matters, not just vanity metrics.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Hire — Partner

SEO is a long-term investment. Don’t settle for flashy pitches or empty promises. Instead, ask smart questions that reveal an agency’s values, experience, and commitment to your success.

By doing so, whether you're exploring affordable SEO services in Delhi or looking for a partner to deliver complete SEO services, you’ll find not just a vendor — but a growth-focused ally.

Ready to find your ideal SEO agency?

Use this checklist during your next agency meeting — and make your next hire your best marketing decision yet. #AffordableSEOServicesinDelhi,#CompleteSEOServices

[truepour-alpharetta-concrete]

Discover Why TruePour Alpharetta Concrete Is the Go-To for Concrete Driveways in Georgia

When it comes to home improvements, some upgrades are about beauty, some about function—but what if you could get both? That’s exactly what TruePour Alpharetta Concrete is delivering for homeowners in Alpharetta, GA, and surrounding areas.

Whether you’re building a brand-new home or just tired of your cracked, outdated driveway, this local team is making concrete look (and feel) premium again.

🛠️ Not Just Concrete—A Foundation You Can Trust

Let’s be real. Concrete work is one of those things that’s easy to overlook—until it cracks, shifts, or starts looking rough. That’s why working with a skilled and reliable team matters.

TruePour Alpharetta Concrete specializes in:

Concrete Driveways & Pavements – built for strength and longevity

Patios – stylish outdoor surfaces perfect for entertaining

Foundations – solid groundwork for new construction

Decorative Concrete – stamped or stained options to elevate your curb appeal

Concrete Pouring – from slabs to custom shapes, done right the first time

Their craftsmanship stands out—no shortcuts, just high-grade materials, expert hands, and a clean finish that lasts for years.

💬 A Company That Actually Listens

What impressed me most was their customer-first approach. TruePour isn’t a massive chain with cookie-cutter solutions. They work directly with you, listen to your ideas, and make sure you’re happy with every inch of concrete laid.

From the first consultation to the final pour, their communication is clear, timelines are honored, and quality never gets compromised.

🌟 Why Alpharetta Homeowners Trust Them

Locals love them for a few simple reasons: ✅ Reliable and on time ✅ Affordable without sacrificing quality ✅ Licensed, insured, and professional ✅ Friendly, respectful team ✅ Results that speak for themselves

And honestly, it’s rare to find a contractor who combines all of the above with such a down-to-earth, approachable vibe.

📍 Serving Alpharetta, GA & Nearby Cities

Based in Alpharetta (318 Maxwell Rd #700), they also work across the surrounding areas like Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming, and Duluth. If you're in North Fulton County and need concrete services—you’re in good hands with these folks.

📞 Want a Quote?

Concrete might not be glamorous, but when it’s done right—it adds massive value to your home. And TruePour Alpharetta Concrete makes sure it’s done right the first time.

📱 Call them at: +1 470-450-2025 📍 Location: 318 Maxwell Rd #700, Alpharetta, GA 30009 🌐 https://concretecontractorsalpharetta.com/

[thingstodoinalpharettaga]

Discover Why TruePour Alpharetta Concrete Is the Go-To for Concrete Driveways in Georgia

When it comes to home improvements, some upgrades are about beauty, some about function—but what if you could get both? That’s exactly what TruePour Alpharetta Concrete is delivering for homeowners in Alpharetta, GA, and surrounding areas.

Whether you’re building a brand-new home or just tired of your cracked, outdated driveway, this local team is making concrete look (and feel) premium again.

🛠️ Not Just Concrete—A Foundation You Can Trust

Let’s be real. Concrete work is one of those things that’s easy to overlook—until it cracks, shifts, or starts looking rough. That’s why working with a skilled and reliable team matters.

TruePour Alpharetta Concrete specializes in:

Concrete Driveways & Pavements – built for strength and longevity

Patios – stylish outdoor surfaces perfect for entertaining

Foundations – solid groundwork for new construction

Decorative Concrete – stamped or stained options to elevate your curb appeal

Concrete Pouring – from slabs to custom shapes, done right the first time

Their craftsmanship stands out—no shortcuts, just high-grade materials, expert hands, and a clean finish that lasts for years.

💬 A Company That Actually Listens

What impressed me most was their customer-first approach. TruePour isn’t a massive chain with cookie-cutter solutions. They work directly with you, listen to your ideas, and make sure you’re happy with every inch of concrete laid.

From the first consultation to the final pour, their communication is clear, timelines are honored, and quality never gets compromised.

🌟 Why Alpharetta Homeowners Trust Them

Locals love them for a few simple reasons: ✅ Reliable and on time ✅ Affordable without sacrificing quality ✅ Licensed, insured, and professional ✅ Friendly, respectful team ✅ Results that speak for themselves

And honestly, it’s rare to find a contractor who combines all of the above with such a down-to-earth, approachable vibe.

📍 Serving Alpharetta, GA & Nearby Cities

Based in Alpharetta (318 Maxwell Rd #700), they also work across the surrounding areas like Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming, and Duluth. If you're in North Fulton County and need concrete services—you’re in good hands with these folks.

📞 Want a Quote?

Concrete might not be glamorous, but when it’s done right—it adds massive value to your home. And TruePour Alpharetta Concrete makes sure it’s done right the first time.

📱 Call them at: +1 470-450-2025 📍 Location: 318 Maxwell Rd #700, Alpharetta, GA 30009 🌐 https://concretecontractorsalpharetta.com/

If you're considering a driveway upgrade, patio pour, or new foundation—this is one crew worth calling. Go check them out, and let your next project rest on solid ground.

[sitebotco]

Why Your Customer Service Chatbot Is Driving Customers Away (And How to Fix It)

Imagine this: a customer visits your site in a panic. Their order didn’t arrive, and they're leaving for a trip tomorrow. They click the chat icon, hoping for help. Instead, they’re trapped in a loop:

“Hi! I’m your helpful assistant. Please choose one of the following options.”

None of the options address their issue. There’s no escape hatch. No agent. Just a friendly robot making them angrier by the second. By the time they leave, your chatbot hasn’t just failed to help — it’s actively damaged your brand.

Welcome to the dark side of poorly designed chatbots for customer service.

The Real Problem: Misaligned Expectations

Too often, businesses implement chatbots thinking of cost savings, not customer experience. They treat the chatbot as a ticket deflector, not a support assistant. But customers don’t see it that way.

To them, a chatbot is your brand’s promise to help — instantly, reliably, and personally. When it breaks that promise, the betrayal cuts deeper than a delayed email response. It feels like no one’s listening.

And customers remember how you made them feel, not how much you saved in support costs.

✅ Stat Check: A Salesforce study found that 69 percent of customers prefer chatbots for quick communication — but only when they work. Poorly executed bots can cause up to a 30 percent drop in satisfaction scores.

Case Study: The eCommerce Brand That Lost $50K Before Fixing Its Bot

A U.S.-based mid-sized eCommerce company (about 60 employees), selling premium electronics, launched a chatbot to reduce customer support load by 40 percent in Q1.

But within just 60 days, things unraveled:

23 percent drop in customer satisfaction

Surge in product return requests

$50,000 in estimated revenue loss due to abandoned carts

Customers typed questions like:

“Can I return this if I opened the box but didn’t use the product?”

The bot’s response?

❌ "Our return policy is 14 days for unopened items. For more info, visit our FAQ page."

Frustrated users left, often posting complaints publicly. The support team became overwhelmed, and loyalty took a hit.

How They Fixed It

They partnered with a conversational AI expert, retrained the bot with real customer support data, and improved fallback logic. Now, the bot responds:

✅ “I see you’re asking about opened returns — let me bring in a support expert to confirm your options.”

Within six weeks:

Customer satisfaction rebounded by 18 percent

Product return queries dropped by 30 percent

Repeat purchase rate improved by 12 percent

Tools like Sitebot reinforce this shift: chatbots for customer service must be trained with real customer intent in mind, not assumptions.

 When a Chatbot Saves the Day

A SaaS company selling invoicing tools discovered most support queries spiked after feature updates. Rather than relying on generic answers, they configured their chatbot to respond based on update context.

When a user asked:

“Why is my report layout different?”

The bot replied:

✅ “We’ve just rolled out a new dashboard layout for easier tracking. Want a quick video walkthrough or to speak with a support agent?”

This helped reduce confusion, increase engagement, and boost retention.

Quick Diagnostic: Is Your Chatbot Hurting or Helping?

Ask yourself:

Does it understand intent, or just scan for keywords?

Is there escalation to a human after one or two failed replies?

Are the responses genuinely helpful — or just hyperlinks to FAQs?

Is it updated based on customer feedback?

Is the experience optimized for mobile users as well?

If your answer is “no” to even two, it’s time to review your strategy.

5 Questions to Ask Before (Re)Launching

Are we training it with real-world support tickets?

Does it provide clarity, not confusion?

Do we have clear KPIs beyond “ticket reduction”?

Who owns performance — CX, product, or marketing?

Are we using feedback loops to retrain it monthly?

Platforms like Sitebot let teams approach chatbot deployment with CX-first thinking, turning automation into an asset — not a liability.

Trends to Watch in Chatbot Tech

The world of chatbots for customer service is moving fast. Here are two trends shaping the next phase:

AI Voice Integration: Voice-enabled bots are making self-service more natural and accessible.

Sentiment Analysis: Bots are now learning to detect tone and escalate emotionally charged conversations faster.

For more, Gartner’s chatbot trend report is worth bookmarking as AI capabilities mature.

Conclusion: Fix the Bot Before It Breaks Your Brand

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking automation solves everything. But chatbots for customer service are not replacements for empathy. They’re amplifiers — of either frustration or satisfaction.

If you treat your chatbot like a static script, your customers will too.

If you treat it like a living, learning support teammate — retrained regularly, monitored thoughtfully, and given space to escalate — it will reward you with lower support costs and happier customers.

✅ According to IBM, companies can reduce service costs by up to 30 percent while improving resolution times — if the chatbot is trained on real customer behavior.

Want to Build a Chatbot That Actually Helps?

✅ Audit your current bot ✅ Retrain it using customer intent data ✅ Add human fallback logic ✅ Optimize for mobile + sentiment ✅ Explore smarter solutions like Sitebot to build better conversations

Don’t just automate. Connect.

[vytcdc1]

The Role of AI in Shaping Modern Digital Marketing Strategies

Can a modern-day digital marketer survive and thrive without AI in today’s ever-expanding online world? Well, the answer is straightforward: no way whatsoever, totally cannot. Traveling into the mystique of modern-day marketing without AI would be like traveling into unknown terrain without a map; you may travel some distance, but surely, you are on an uncertain journey with high risks of losing direction.

VyTCDC offers a complete digital marketing course that explores how AI can be an essential tool in navigating the complex landscape of customer behavior, big data, and intense competition.

AI as the Map: Navigating Clear Paths through Data

Before artificial intelligence was invented, people often relied on hunches and fragmented data to make decisions. This is like trying to read part of an incomplete map with only a few little dots drawn out to indicate landmarks, no actual routes, and no clear definition of what goes where. Marketers could comprehend the expectations of consumer behavior but could not join the dots together and figure out what to do.

In our AI-powered marketing module, we will learn how AI serves as a complete, detailed map that lets marketers see where they are and precisely where they need to go. AI will minimize the wastage of time and resources regarding inept strategies by providing actionable insights to guide not only customer segmentation but also content creation.

Real-Time Navigation: Adjusting on the Fly

Even with the perfect map, there will always be some untoward trouble on one’s journey. In the world of digital marketing, these may take the form of shifts in consumer sentiment, new competitors, or emerging technologies. It is in this manner that without AI, the effort to stay ahead of such trends is like walking in circles and not having any idea how one would eventually get back on track.

It instructs how it works as a real-time GPS for marketers. It watches live data all the time and adjusts strategies in real time. If the campaign isn’t working or customer responses aren’t as expected, AI will suggest in real time how to optimize ad spending, recalibrate targeting, and refine content. With this intelligence, you will never get stuck and be the first one among all the others to make the proper adjustments for success.

Personalization: Finding the Secret Trails

You’re traveling with a generic, one-size-fits-all map. Sure, it will get you there, but you’ll miss the breathtakingly beautiful paths that are truly worth seeing. Marketing used to be so broad-brush that messages were sent to vast swaths of people with no personalization at all. While it was effective up to a point, there were more efficient approaches.

One of the main things learned in our online digital marketing course is AI-driven personalization, which helps marketers discover hidden opportunities. AI analyzes individual customer behaviors and creates marketing experiences that predict what they might want, when they may interact with your brand, and what content will attract them most. In this case, your brand will have more profound and more meaningful connections with your audience for every single interaction.

Predictive Analytics: Seeing Beyond the Horizon:

A traditional map lets you see exactly what lies directly ahead. But can you imagine knowing what will happen next? In our course, we cover predictive analytics by showing you how artificial intelligence gives insight into your customers’ trends and behaviors and into where the markets stand going forward.

AI uses historical data to predict future opportunities and challenges. It lets you see beyond the present for yourself, be it knowing when to launch a new campaign or when seasonal changes might bring consumer demands. It’s like having a magical map that guides people toward future success before others even know the path exists.

The Verdict: AI is the Map; Without It, You're Lost:

with no map, no GPS, and not even a faint idea of how and where you will get to. You may well arrive at your destination, but it will take longer, cost more, and leave you feeling spent.

With AI-driven tools and know-how, we prepare you for today’s fast-paced digital marketing world. You will find clarity, efficiency, personalization, and foresight in everything you need to succeed within a competitive marketing landscape.

Before you embark on your next marketing initiative, make sure you have the correct map in hand. With AI at the helm, you’ll navigate the digital marketing world not just to succeed but to master it.

VyTCDC has been vy ventures’ premier technology incubator since 2002. It offers transformative technical training and internships across its specialized entities.

Contact Us:

tel:+91 7338-811-773

91 9150-002-604

mailto:email:career@vytcdc.com

[hexaa12321]

Serverless Computing: Simplifying Backend Development

Absolutely! Here's a brand new 700-word blog on the topic: "Serverless Computing: Simplifying Backend Development" — written in a clear, simple tone without any bold formatting, and including mentions of Hexadecimal Software and Hexahome Blogs.

Serverless Computing: Simplifying Backend Development

The world of software development is constantly evolving. One of the most exciting shifts in recent years is the rise of serverless computing. Despite the name, serverless computing still involves servers — but the key difference is that developers no longer need to manage them.

With serverless computing, developers can focus purely on writing code, while the cloud provider automatically handles server management, scaling, and maintenance. This approach not only reduces operational complexity but also improves efficiency, cost savings, and time to market.

What is Serverless Computing?

Serverless computing is a cloud computing model where the cloud provider runs the server and manages the infrastructure. Developers simply write functions that respond to events — like a file being uploaded or a user submitting a form — and the provider takes care of executing the function, scaling it based on demand, and handling all server-related tasks.

Unlike traditional cloud models where developers must set up virtual machines, install software, and manage scaling, serverless removes those responsibilities entirely.

How It Works

Serverless platforms use what are called functions-as-a-service (FaaS). Developers upload small pieces of code (functions) to the cloud platform, and each function is triggered by a specific event. These events could come from HTTP requests, database changes, file uploads, or scheduled timers.

The platform then automatically runs the code in a stateless container, scales the application based on the number of requests, and shuts down the container when it's no longer needed. You only pay for the time the function is running, which can significantly reduce costs.

Popular serverless platforms include AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, Azure Functions, and Firebase Cloud Functions.

Benefits of Serverless Computing

Reduced infrastructure management Developers don’t have to manage or maintain servers. Everything related to infrastructure is handled by the cloud provider.

Automatic scaling Serverless platforms automatically scale the application depending on the demand, whether it's a few requests or thousands.

Cost efficiency Since you only pay for the time your code runs, serverless can be more affordable than always-on servers, especially for applications with variable traffic.

Faster development Serverless enables quicker development and deployment since the focus is on writing code and not on managing environments.

High availability Most serverless platforms ensure high availability and reliability without the need for additional configuration.

Use Cases of Serverless Computing

Serverless is suitable for many types of applications:

Web applications: Serverless functions can power APIs and backend logic for web apps.

IoT backends: Data from devices can be processed in real-time using serverless functions.

Chatbots: Event-driven logic for responding to messages can be handled with serverless platforms.

Real-time file processing: Automatically trigger functions when files are uploaded to storage, like resizing images or analyzing documents.

Scheduled tasks: Functions can be set to run at specific times for operations like backups or report generation.

Challenges of Serverless Computing

Like any technology, serverless computing comes with its own set of challenges:

Cold starts: When a function hasn’t been used for a while, it may take time to start again, causing a delay.

Limited execution time: Functions often have time limits, which may not suit long-running tasks.

Vendor lock-in: Each cloud provider has its own way of doing things, making it hard to move applications from one provider to another.

Debugging and monitoring: Tracking errors or performance in distributed functions can be more complex.

Despite these challenges, many teams find that the benefits of serverless outweigh the limitations, especially for event-driven applications and microservices.

About Hexadecimal Software

Hexadecimal Software is a leading software development company specializing in cloud-native solutions, DevOps, and modern backend systems. Our experts help businesses embrace serverless computing to build efficient, scalable, and low-maintenance applications. Whether you’re developing a new application or modernizing an existing one, we can guide you through your cloud journey. Learn more at https://www.hexadecimalsoftware.com

Explore More on Hexahome Blogs

To discover more about cloud computing, DevOps, and modern development practices, visit our blog platform at https://www.blogs.hexahome.in. Our articles are written in a simple, easy-to-understand style to help professionals stay updated with the latest tech trends.

[damonwmartin]

What Makes Marathi Voice over Reliable? 4 Unique Expert Approaches

These days, using spoken words in your videos and other stuff is super important for companies and folks who make online content. But, you might be wondering, what makes a Marathi voice sound good and trustworthy? We're going to talk about four special ways experts do it, which make them really good at it. We'll also tell you how using a good Marathi voice service, and understanding how a pro voice can get you more customers, can seriously change how you share your stuff.

Express Marathi Voice over Services: Precision, Speed, and Impact

When it comes to delivering content that is both engaging and effective, one cannot underestimate the role of express Marathi Voice Over Services. Just keep in mind, it's the little things that matter most—every change in tone and every little break in the speech is a chance to really hold someone's interest.

Improved audience engagement 

Enhanced brand identity 

Increased trust and authenticity 

The Marathi language, rich in tradition and expressive intonation, requires a deep understanding of both linguistic nuances and cultural context. Think about how much better a video or presentation feels when the music in the background is just right, the little sound effects add something, and the voice you hear is clear and well-done.  Voice work is always changing, with new styles and what people like shifting all the time. To stay good at it, voice artists need to keep learning. Things like regular classes, getting tips from coaches, and listening to what people who watch or listen think are really important. Doing those things helps them stay up-to-date with what's popular and what works best.

Know How Professional Voice Over Boosts Conversions: A Game-Changer for Your Business

Businesses all want to get people interested in what they're selling and turn those interested people into paying customers. Using good voice recordings isn't just about someone reading words; it's about making people feel something. A really engaging voice can make people feel emotions, push them to do something, and ultimately make them buy or sign up. Here's the lowdown on why that works and know how professional voice over boosts conversions:

Trust Building: Authentic and clear voice overs instill confidence in your audience.

Call to Action: If you ask people to do something in a clear and compelling way, it can really change their minds about what they're going to do.

Enhanced User Experience: Smooth, high-quality narration improves the overall user experience, leading to higher conversion rates.

Don't forget, how your brand sounds is way more than just the sounds coming out; it's the real feeling that makes people really get what you're saying. So, why hesitate? Go for it, try out these new ways of doing things, and see your sales go way up! Basically, getting a good and strong Marathi voice over starts with knowing about the culture, using good services like Express Marathi Voice Over, and seeing how professional voice-overs really make people buy things. If you use these smart ways, your stuff can get way more people interested and do really well.