#secondary packaging systems

[packaging-automations]

Revolutionizing Manual Labor Reduction Through Alligator Automations' Innovations

[nichromepackaging]

Bulk Bag Filling for Sugar: Common Challenges and Packaging Solutions

In the sugar packaging industry, efficiency, accuracy, and consistency are paramount. However, several challenges can arise during the bulk bag filling process. The sugar industry is characterized by high-volume production and distribution, demanding integrated packaging solutions that can handle massive quantities of sugar while maintaining consistent filling levels and product quality. Bulk bag filling has emerged as a preferred method for packaging sugar due to its efficiency, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

 Bulk bag filling machines are specifically designed to handle the unique properties of sugar packaging, such as its granular form, varying densities, and moisture content. These machines employ precise weighing systems to ensure accurate filling levels and consistent weights in each bag. With our advanced technology and automation, bulk bag filling machines can significantly improve packaging speed, efficiency, and productivity in the sugar industry.

1.     Ensuring Accuracy and Efficiency

 One of the primary challenges in bulk bag filling for sugar is achieving accuracy and efficiency in the packaging process. Manual bag filling systems can be time-consuming and prone to errors. However, Nichrome's bulk bag filling machine addresses this challenge by providing automated and precise filling capabilities. This sugar packaging machine enables high-speed filling of bulk bags, ensuring consistent and accurate weight measurements while optimizing productivity.

 2.     Secondary Packaging and Safety

 Another significant challenge in sugar packaging is the need for secondary packaging and ensuring product safety. Bulk bagging systems often require additional processes such as palletizing and stretch wrapping to secure the filled bags. Nichrome's integrated packaging solutions have come to the rescue here, offering secondary packaging machines that seamlessly complement the bulk bag filling machine. These secondary packaging solutions, such as palletizers and stretch wrapping machines, ensure proper handling, stability, and protection of the filled bags during storage and transportation.

 3.     Customization and Adaptability

 Sugar packaging requirements can vary based on customer preferences, regional regulations, and market demands. This calls for packaging systems that are customizable and adaptable to different bag sizes and packaging formats. Nichrome's bulk bag packing machine offers the flexibility needed to cater to diverse packaging requirements. Whether it is a jumbo bag filling machine or a smaller bag size, the system can be easily adjusted to accommodate various bag dimensions, ensuring the right fit for every packaging need.

 4.     Streamlining Operations

 Efficient operations are crucial for sugar manufacturers to meet production targets and minimize downtime. Nichrome's bulk bag filling system excels in streamlining operations by integrating various processes into one cohesive packaging system. The sugar packaging system optimizes the entire packaging workflow, eliminating bottlenecks, reducing manual labor, and enhancing overall productivity. This integrated approach minimizes handling time, reduces human errors, and maximizes efficiency, ultimately resulting in cost savings and improved profitability.

 Bulk Bag Filling System by Nichrome

 Nichrome, a leading provider of packaging solutions, is proud to present our state-of-the-art Bulk Packing Machine. Specifically designed for packing large bags weighing between 5 to 50 kilograms, this machine is versatile and adaptable to various bag types, including HDPE woven, PP, paper, and valve types. It is the perfect solution for a wide range of products, including rice, sugar, grains, pulses, flour, cake mix, cement, and agro-chemical granules.

Equipped with advanced PLC-controlled technology, our Bulk Packing Machine delivers exceptional output rates of up to 20 bags per minute, ensuring high productivity and efficient packaging operations. Safety is of utmost importance, which is why our machine is equipped with a special 'no bag no filling' safety device, ensuring that the filling process only occurs when a bag is present.

With Nichrome's Bulk Packing Machine, you can expect reliable and consistent performance, enhanced efficiency, and precise packaging for your large bag requirements. The machine's robust construction and user-friendly interface ensure easy operation and maintenance, allowing you to focus on your production without any hassle. 

Embrace the future of large bag packaging with Nichrome's innovative Bulk Packing Machine. Experience increased productivity, improved product integrity, and optimized packaging operations.

 Conclusion:

 Let us conclude by saying that Nichrome’s Bulk bag filling for sugar presents its fair share of challenges, from accuracy and efficiency to secondary packaging and customization requirements. However, with Nichrome's bulk bag filling system and integrated packaging solutions, these challenges are effectively addressed. The advanced bulk bag filling machine, coupled with secondary packaging machines, ensures accuracy, safety, customization, and streamlined operations for sugar packaging needs. Nichrome's commitment to innovation and providing reliable sugar packaging solutions makes them a trusted partner for the sugar industry.

Experience the efficiency and convenience of Nichrome's bulk bag filling system for sugar packaging, and witness how it transforms your sugar packaging operations into a seamless and optimized process. Contact Nichrome today to explore their cutting-edge solutions and embark on a journey towards excellence in sugar packaging.

[alexanderwales]

Recommendations for societies with mixed halfling/human races follow. The average halfling is assumed, from demographic estimates, to weigh 30 pounds (14 kg) and stand approximately 3 feet (1 meter) tall.

All public places where people are expected to be seated need a mix of regular/small seating. Ideally, all chairs and tables will be adjustable, but this comes with cost considerations.

All doors must be accessible for people of all sizes. This presents a challenge for doorknobs and door handles, and the recommendation is a long vertical bar accessible for both, along with low "minimum force" levels for opening and closing. Problems with locking mechanisms remain, and while floor bolts are height-neutral, they're more suited to secondary locking mechanisms.

All restaurants, cafeterias, and vending machines should stock two differently sized portions. The average halfling consumes roughly a third the amount of food as a human. Because of various frictions (packaging, labor), prices are expected to be more than one third for a halfling portion. Because of this, it's best to have systems in place that allow splitting human-sized dishes, or bringing home leftovers, or making packages resealable.

Housing presents a serious problem. A single-family dwelling for a halfling family requires roughly one fifth the volume as for a single-family human dwelling, though costs do not scale down at the same rate. However, if built to halfling scale, the interior of the dwelling will only be accessible to halflings, which presents serious problems for e.g. police, firefighters, social workers, repairmen, or anyone else who might have cause to go into the interior of the home, to say nothing of friends and coworkers. Building for halfling scale is attractive for a variety of reasons, with cost being one of the biggest, but this might result in de facto segregation, and puts considerable strain on civic infrastructure and city markets due to duplication. Another social concern is that all interactions might, by default, take place inside human homes which have worse accommodations for halflings. Special note should also be made of mixed-species couples, who suffer extra burdens within the household. These problems are intractable, as some trade-off must always be made.

Tools, household goods, and clothing are naturally split into two markets. For clothing, near-complete segregation is expected. For everything else, partial segregation is expected: a halfling cannot effectively use many human tools due to differences in grip strength and grip circumference, to say nothing of brute strength. However, many consumables can suit both species, and it's expected that cost reduction efforts will inevitably result in a single offering for both in cases where that makes remotely makes sense. Purchases using refillable containers from bulk are encouraged, as each person can determine what's best to fulfill their own needs.

Due to lower costs (housing, food, clothing), halflings can in theory work for lower wages. For certain jobs, particularly those requiring physical strength, humans are more capable on average, and for others, particularly those requiring manual dexterity, halflings are more capable on average. For jobs which do not have significant differences, wage discrimination is recommended by contentious, and is an ongoing conversation.

There are a number of "segregationist forces" in society, driven by convenience, culture, and market forces. Once segregation has become, there is every expectation that it will snowball: a neighborhood which is inaccessible to humans will have businesses that cater only to halflings, and once halfling business is concentrated, any "mixed" business has less incentive to cater to halflings. Legislation can counterbalance these forces by requiring that all businesses be able to service both humans and halflings, and accommodate both human and halfling services, but this admittedly comes at enormous cost.

Overall, there are certain recommendations that are nearly costless and can be implemented as best practices immediately, and more complicated, costly reforms that will take significant political will and budgetary consideration. Beyond that, there are questions of social engineering and the level to which it is important or preferable that these things be done.

[darlingofdots]

Something I encounter more and more in fiction is a specific brand of assurance to the reader that I can only ascribe to The Twitter Cop That Lives In Our Heads. There's a pervasive desire to make it clear that, see, I'm intersectional, I'm conscious of the potential problematics of this encounter, I'm one of the good ones, and it's not that I don't understand the impulse and the fear of being called out because I do! It's scary out there! But it is often so grating to be reading a novel and have a conversation be derailed by a brief and pointed exchange about accessibility when not a single character in the book is disabled, or to have a heated makeout sesh interrupted by an explanation of the traffic light system, and the sad thing about this is that it would be absolutely possible to show these things in elegant and unobtrusive ways but for various reasons we are resorting to telling instead.

I know that out here in the world, we talk about enthusiastic and informed consent a lot, and those are very important conversations and this topic should be part of comprehensive and widely accessible sex education everywhere, and if you are entering into a relationship with a new partner, you should probably sit down and lay out explicitly what you are both comfortable with and how you prefer to communicate. HOWEVER. I, the reader of a high-heat contemporary romance novel, do not need to have this discussion with the characters who are about to fuck each other blind after their first date. I do not need to sit in on the equivalent to a new employee's onboarding process where they get told how to use the company intranet. It's boring! It's so dull! Instead, how about we package the information that is actually being transmitted (we are two enthusiastic partners about to fuck each other blind and we are also sensible people who respect each other's preferences and boundaries) in a way that doesn't disrupt the narrative momentum? Maybe interject an "is this okay?" or have one character go "tell me what you want" all sexily. Reference the characters taking note of their partner's reactions. There are a lot of ways to work this kind of Statement of Ethics into your writing, whether it's about sex scenes or trans rights or whatever, and personally I find this much more compelling than a neatly-injected soundbite which always comes off as either overly anxious or performative to me.

A secondary issue here, in my opinion, is that the world (specifically social media, but social media is part of the world) increasingly demands explicit statements from artists and uses an absence of "I wholeheartedly condemn x"-type quotes as an indication that someone actively endorses x, because why wouldn't they say so otherwise? This is bad. It's a bad development. It's a really gross combination of the literacy crisis and callout culture and it gets people hurt. So I really do not and cannot blame writers who feel the need to be very explicit about what they believe in, which is why I am not suggesting that you shouldn't include those beliefs in your work; what I am saying, though, is that your work will be much more authentic and touching if you find ways to show me.

[serpentface]

With eunuchs in-universe, is it the whole package or just the Bals

*******This contains clinical but somewhat graphic descriptions of castration and its logistics, be warned*******

As with Real Life history, that varies by tradition and intent. It can be anything between exclusive removal of the testes (leaving the scrotum and everything else attached) and the full removal of the penis, scrotum, and testes. These procedures carry a non-insignificant physical risk in even the best medical contexts available in the setting, and the latter is the most dangerous due to the presence of major veins in the penis and potential complications with the healing process (even if the procedure itself is successful, the urinary tract becoming obstructed during healing will be fatal unless successfully corrected). 

In Imperial Wardin, people castrated as a strictly punitive measure have the penis, testes, and scrotum all removed (or sometimes just the penis). This is expressly intended as a form of humiliation, mutilation, and sterilization. Eunuchs made for non-punitive purposes by default Do Not have their penises removed. (There ARE instances where people who have bottom dysphoria may take this opportunity to have everything removed, this is just nonstandard procedure).

This has levels of rationalization in terms of how the reproductive system is physically and metaphysically conceptualized to work. This is largely based in observation- castrated animals and humans do not undergo typical masculinizing puberty (and even adults may gradually lose some male secondary sexual characteristics post-castration), often have reduced sex drives, and are infertile. In cases where only the penis is damaged or removed but testes are intact, an animal still undergoes normative development and exhibits a sex drive, it may not be physically capable of mating but is not truly sterilized.

Therefore 'maleness', fertility, and virility is all reckoned as being Stored In The Balls. The testes are THE defining feature of male sex assignment in this cultural sphere- having no/nonfunctional testes (whether by birth or active removal) makes a person considered Not Male. The penis is considered more of a secondary aspect of the male system- it can be an Indicator of fertility and virility, but is not a Source. It's the part of the body that enacts the male system's expected functions on the external world- both on dead literal levels (organ through which ejaculation occurs, used in intercourse to produce pregnancy) and more metaphysical levels (a tool to enact change and transformative effects and associated with masculine strength and protection, which gives phallic imagery its strong apotropaic functions).

The castration of Galenii is regarded as a sacrifice of one’s own fertility and reproductive potential for the benefit of the land and people, a degendering and desexualizing act (loss of 'maleness', becoming genderless) that separates one from the trappings of standard social systems and human bodily need, and as induction to the service of Mitlamache, devoting one's entire body and its potential to serve this Face. Therefore the testes are removed to eliminate fertility and male sex identity, the scrotum itself is removed as a permanent mark of service, and the penis left intact. In non-religious eunuch roles (in court and as servants, in theater), the procedure often just involves the testes being removed (leaving the scrotum intact) in order to serve the basic intended de-gendering and sterilizing function, without additional layers of Marking the body in devotion.

Castration is most prominent as a concept with the mammalian peoples and their vulnerable, easily accessible external genitalia, but also exists in some qilik and caelin/delkhin cultures.

Qilik have no penises (mate through cloaca contact), but can have their (internal) testes removed (basically the same process as caponizing roosters). This process is often framed DISTINCTLY as a form of feminization, as castration prior to puberty usually prevents the development of typical male coloration and results in an individual having most of the secondary sex characteristics of a hen/faeder (though usually being smaller in average size). Castration after puberty will not prevent development of male-typical coloration, but prevents the brighter seasonal molts and skin color changes.

To speak broadly about the cultures of an entire species, qilik eunuchs are VERY rarely produced as a form of punishment (qilik cultures trend towards matriarchal power, so connotations of emasculation and humiliation found in patriarchies are rarely present). It instead is usually a form of induction into priesthoods, separate gender spaces, and/or celibate social roles.

Caelin and delkhin DO have penises, and their testes are less accessible within the body than in qilik. Thus, surgical removal of their testes is highly invasive and VERY dangerous, and as such is rarely performed for any reason. The penis being removed is substantially more common in caelin and delkhin cultures, and is a form of punishment in the vast majority of cases. This is somewhat less dangerous than in humans (as the caelin/delkhin urinary tract does not run through the penis and therefore does not directly risk being obstructed in the healing process) but is still very risky and painful. It also does not affect typical development of typical male secondary sex characteristics (it only renders an individual mechanically sterile) and thus does not usually carry additional implications for gender and sex designations that occur in many eunuch-making practices.

Archin identity is built in the collective, with individual drones and queens being essentially the colony's reproductive system, so there is no motive to sterilize an individual. Forms of ''castration'' (by a really, really, really loose sense of the term) do exist in the context of conflict, in which a colony's reproductive members will be specifically sought out and killed. Much of a colony's resources is invested in its drones and their killing may be a major blow with political consequences (preventing reproductive alliances from being fulfilled), but they are ultimately replaceable. Killing a queen sterilizes a colony, and is a death sentence. The collective personality of an archin colony will be dead within a year without new eggs being laid to continually replace the short lived individual units. Sterilizing a colony as such is a form of brutality and humiliation in conflict, either used to give an enemy a slow 'death', or force their hand into an unwanted colonial merger.

Forms of castration have no presence in yotici (who have internal genitalia (aside from their clasper 'arms', which have no direct reproductive function), reproduce by spawning, and rarely delineate gender to begin with) or talking crows (who do not have the ability to perform surgeries).

[vixstarria]

The Sheath of Frontiers

So, in light of the disparity between the amount of Wyll content compared with the other companions, I felt it would be prudent for my Tav and Astarion to seduce him. Enjoy!

AO3

Astarion x F!Tav x Wyll

18+, humour, smut, threesome, soft dom/service top Astarion, sub/bottom Wyll, Tav and Astarion are both little shits, anal etc

This is probably more really lewd and descriptive comedy than erotica, you have been warned.

Approx. 3,400 words (gods, these things just keep getting longer and longer)

Written in 3rd person, and Tav's name is... *drumroll* Tav. Hey, I don't know who you want to relate to here, take your pick.

Tav, Astarion and Wyll occupied a booth at the Elfsong. They were the last ones still up drinking after a long day roaming the city. 

“But don’t you ever feel... tempted?” Astarion threw Wyll a sultry look from beneath his eyelashes, circling the rim of his wineglass with one finger.  

Tav had been watching the subtle seduction show unfold for the past while. She wasn’t sure whether Wyll was oblivious to Astarion’s flirtation, or impervious to it, but either way, the man would not budge.  

“Call me a hopeless romantic, but I want the moment to be special for my one and only. Anticipated. Meaningful. And what could hold more significance than waiting until after marriage vows?” Wyll answered. 

“Yes, yes, you are ever the romantic hero and want to make it ‘special’ for your chosen one, blah blah...” Astarion rolled his eyes, sipping his wine spiked with Tav’s blood. “But you’ve admitted you’re no virgin, it’s not as though you’re ‘saving yourself’ for anyone. What about casual no strings encounters? Simple carnal lust, for hells’ sake!” 

“You never know when or where you might find true love. Wouldn’t want to accidentally spoil it from the beginning,” Wyll said, with a smile and a head shake. 

Astarion threw a quick look of pure vexation at Tav, as she tried to hide her laugh behind her own goblet. She’d told him he wouldn’t be able to crack the ‘Blade of Frontiers’ - something he took as a personal challenge.  

“Hmm... You know, you should marry us!” Astarion suddenly exclaimed. “I would make an exemplary spouse for a duke! You should see me entertain at balls. Tav might be found to be acceptable as well, after a good scrub.” 

Tav threw a piece of pie crust at Astarion in response. 

“We wouldn’t accept your proposal without a test ride, though,” Astarion warned.  

“What, marry both of you? ...First of all, polygamy is not legal.” Wyll seemed a bit thrown off by the sudden change in the direction of the conversation.  

“So make it legal, the reigns of power are in your hands. Or will be,” Astarion shrugged. 

“Astarion, we both know the entire legal system would collapse if polygamy was to be permitted officially. Can you imagine all the complications? Especially all the implications it would bear for noble families and their hereditary lines of succession,” the future Duke Ravengard rambled.  

“I see what you’re saying, and I agree, but there could be a provision to allow persons who are unable to produce heirs to marry into the noble families as secondary spouses,” Astarion countered. “And you could always implement obligatory prenuptial agreements to simplify asset division.” 

Tav screamed inwardly: once Astarion started talking legalese the only way to get him to shut up was by literally occupying his mouth with something else, one way or another. 

Meanwhile, Wyll shook his head. 

“That would only serve to provide obligation-free unfair advantage to such persons,” he said. “It is nothing but furthering nepotism.” 

“I see nothing wrong with persons gaining unfair advantage, as long as I am those persons,” Astarion parried. 

“I could marry Tav and provide you with some kind of concubine status, if you wish,” Wyll suggested. 

“Not interested,” Astarion scoffed, sipping his wine. “I’m afraid we’re a package deal.” 

Tav groaned in frustration and got up.  

“I’ve had enough of this. Wyll, you don’t need to worry about spoiling any 'precious moments’ here - neither Astarion nor I have any interest in letting you make honest people of us anyway.” 

“Speak for yourself,” Astarion muttered with a huff, sipping more of his wine. 

“Shut up, Astarion,” Tav threw. “I’m going upstairs, and I, for one, intend to fuck this vampire before the night is over. Are you coming with us or not?” 

Astarion choked on his drink. If this was all it would take to lure the Blade into their bed – Tav would never let him live it down. 

“I uh... I must confess – I have never done that before,” Wyll said, visibly flustered. 

“What, fuck a vampire? Most people haven’t.” Tav shrugged. 

“Not that either, but what I meant was... be intimate with a man,” Wyll forced out. 

He jumped a little as he suddenly found Astarion’s lips a hair’s breadth away from his ear. He hadn’t noticed the vampire inching closer to him. 

“Would you like to..?” Astarion purred. 

“It’s nothing you haven’t done yourself hundreds of times, what’s so shameful and difficult?” Tav teased. 

“That's not true,” Wyll protested.  

Tav tilted her head and shot him a look that said ‘oh please’. 

“No, I mean that. Ever since I... entered that contract, I’ve hardly ever indulged. Never know when she might be watching. ...Doesn’t your patron ever watch as well..?” 

“Sometimes...” Tav mused. “But after a while it’s like fucking with a cat in the room. You learn to ignore it. As long as it doesn’t jump on the bed and sniff your asscrack while you’re in the middle of it, it’s fine.” 

“Ahem,” Astarion cleared his throat. “Can we please concentrate on the matter at hand?” 

Astarion sat on the edge of the bed in full naked glory as Tav, also in a state of almost total undress, sat behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder, one arm wrapped around his waist, the other stroking his cock.  

Meanwhile, Wyll perched on the opposite edge of the bed, trying to look anywhere but at the couple in front of him.  

“Eyes down here, darling,” Astarion drawled. “If Miz-” 

“Don’t say her name!” 

“If that skank decides to show up, she’ll get more than she’s bargained for.” 

Wyll finally allowed himself to gape openly at the scene in front of him.

Astarion’s cock was surprisingly thick and veined, and flushed at the tip. Perhaps it was the only part of him that could be flushed with blood. Wyll tried, habitually, to distract himself from his own arousal with thoughts of the workings behind vampire erections, to no avail – his own cock was straining against his pants almost painfully. He observed, almost in a state of a surreal daze, as Tav used her thumb to spread a new bead of precum over the head of Astarion’s cock, and reflexively licked his lips.  

She noticed and let out a satisfied hum. 

“Why don’t you come help?” she purred. 

“Hmm?” Wyll seemed to snap out of his daze. “You want me to take over..?” 

“No, like I said, this is hardly something you haven’t done before – try something new.” Tav grinned. “Why don’t you come down here and kneel in front of him?” 

Somehow, Wyll’s legs got him down onto the floor between Astarion’s thighs. The vampire himself leaned back against Tav, his head thrown back over her shoulder, with a vague smile on his lips. 

“Really...?” Wyll breathed a shaky laugh. “I thought we would start with some baby steps. Maybe a kiss..?” 

“No, no darling...” Tav cooed. “Don’t be silly. Kissing is way too intimate. Just lick his balls for now.” 

Still not quite believing what was happening, Wyll went ahead and did as he was told. Two things, he noticed immediately. One, the overwhelming scent of Astarion’s musk was making his head spin. He wanted to simply bury his nose in the spot between his shaft and balls and inhale, but he wasn’t sure whether that would be appropriate. And two, his ministrations immediately made Astarion groan, the sound sweet music to his ears. 

By then Tav had moved out from behind Astarion’s back and lounged on the bed next to him, her hand still stroking his cock, and watched Wyll’s efforts. 

“Good boy,” she purred approvingly. 

“Love?” Astarion said.  

“Hmm?” Tav hummed. 

“You talk too much.”  

Wyll watched Astarion push her head, quite unceremoniously, down towards his groin. She let out a somewhat annoyed sound, but went right on, taking his cock in her mouth. 

“Finally, some silence,” Astarion groaned.  

Once again, Wyll found himself gawking at the display now mere inches before him, as she worked the length of Astarion’s erection with her lips, her cheeks hollowing - obviously a practiced motion for the two, as they entered a familiar rhythm, Astarion’s hips bucking up, his fingers tangled in her hair, as she bobbed her head.  

Tav’s eyes met Wyll’s, and she released Astarion’s dick from her mouth, with a loud plopping sound and a sigh. She lifted Wyll’s chin with one finger.  

“Now you can take over,” she whispered, getting up.  

Wyll hesitated, taking Astarion’s cock in his hand.  

‘Huh... Not cold at all,’ he thought.  

“Don’t tell me the Blade is intimidated,” Astarion taunted. 

Wyll tried to think of a witty retort, but, for once, his mind was blank, and in any event it hardly seemed appropriate to orate and put on heroic airs whilst on his knees between Astarion’s legs. He decided it would be prudent to simply put the dick in his mouth.  

Tav had made it look so easy... She slurped that thing up like a horse with a carrot. But Wyll found himself struggling, despite quite enjoying the taste and sensation of tender skin on his tongue. 

Astarion sucked his breath in, with a hiss.  

“Teeth...” he said. “We keep our teeth behind our lips, darling.” 

Wyll tried to mumble an apology without removing Astarion’s cock from his mouth.  

“And don’t talk with your mouth full. Gods, you’re from a decent family, haven’t they taught you any manners..? ...There, that’s better.” 

“Is he doing a good job?” Wyll heard Tav’s voice somewhere in the room.  

“Well...” said Astarion.  

“Hey!” she exclaimed. “Wyll, honey, you know you can bite him if he’s mean to you, right? You’re the one with the power here, right now.” She got back on the bed, holding something in her hand. “But why are you still dressed?” she laughed.  

Wyll released Astarion from his mouth and fumbled with his clothing. Meanwhile, Tav had slid onto Astarion’s lap, and they busied themselves with each other. Their sheer hunger for one another, as they kissed and exchanged caresses, made Wyll feel like a third wheel, but Tav quickly turned her attention back to him.  

“My love, I think he’s bored,” she said to Astarion. “Should we wake Halsin up again?”  

“Are you trying to educate or traumatise him..?” Astarion murmured in response. “But that reminds me of something...” 

Astarion positioned Tav to sit on his lap with her back against him, guiding her onto his cock. She moaned as he entered her, his knees spreading her legs as his hands roamed her body, stroking between her legs as he bucked his hips up into her.  

“It was such a breathtaking view, I thought he would enjoy it as well,” he murmured. “Like what you see?” he directed at Wyll. 

Nothing in Wyll’s life had prepared him for this. Eyes locked on the spectacle before him, he had at last begun stroking himself, staying in time with Astarion’s movements. He didn’t notice as Astarion went to whisper something in Tav’s ear.  

“Do you want to taste her?” Astarion goaded.  

“Yes,” Wyll breathed, leaning forward. 

“Ah ah! Not like that.” Astarion intercepted him, pulling out of Tav. She got up, returning onto the bed with a giggle. Astarion’s cock glistened with her juices.  

“Go ahead now,” Astarion purred. 

Wyll eagerly took Astarion into his mouth again. Tav’s taste on Astarion’s cock combined with Astarion’s own precum was absolutely divine, and Wyll greedily lapped up as much as he could.  

“Much, much better this time...” Astarion purred approvingly. “Consider that a little treat... But that’s enough now. Come here...” Astarion pulled Wyll up by one of his horns, directing him onto the bed and pushing against his chest until he was on his back.  

Tav angled a pillow under his head so his horns wouldn’t get in the way, and laid down on her side near Wyll, and smiled at him, lightly caressing his face with her fingertips. Wyll’s heart beat like a mad thing trying to break out of its cage, as Astarion crawled on top of him, with a predatory look in his eyes. 

“So just how... ‘intimate’ were you thinking of getting?” Tav asked, softly.  

Wyll swallowed hard as Astarion emitted a soft growl and started kissing down his neck, his hand slowly working its way up the inside of Wyll’s thigh.  

“Is this about my blood, or are we now well enough acquainted to kiss..?” Wyll managed. 

Astarion lifted his head with a small sigh. 

“She’s asking whether the Blade might want to become a sheath for a spell,” he explained.  

Wyll found himself at a loss for words again.  

“...Can’t the Blade remain a blade?” he asked, finally.  

“That’s not on the table today, darling,” Astarion shook his head. “But we can entertain ourselves in other ways.” 

“Well then I uh... I think yes maybe..?” Wyll sputtered. 

“Yes what..?” Astarion asked, his voice low and husky, rolling over to lay on Wyll’s other side. “Do you want me to fuck you? Say it.” 

Any words Wyll might have said died somewhere between his racing heart and his suddenly parched throat, but his cock twitched visibly, jerking up and landing with a resounding thud on his abdomen.  

Tav and Astarion both turned their heads at the impressive display. 

“Why don’t I take it slow, and you can tell me if you want to stop at any moment..?” Astarion asked, unable to contain a grin. 

Wyll did not object to that. 

Tav had been trailing her fingertips lower and lower, leaving feather light caresses on Wyll’s skin, until she reached his straining erection. Meanwhile, Astarion had reached for the object she’d retrieved earlier. It turned out to be a vial with some kind of oil.  

“You’re in expert hands, you know,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ll admit, I’m actually excited for you.” 

Wyll watched Astarion pour some of the oil on his fingers. Lying between Tav and Astarion, he gained the distinct impression of having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other.  

‘Who am I kidding?’ he thought. ‘They’re both devils.’ 

Tav reached and took his cock in her hand, just as Astarion spread some oil on it, before moving down to cup and gently tug on his balls with his hand. 

“Ah, you weren’t kidding about bumps and ridges!” Tav giggled. “My, they look fun!” 

“Bring your knees up,” Astarion purred.  

Wyll swiftly complied, and the vampire went to nibble on Wyll’s earlobe as his hand slipped lower. His finger circled and teased his puckered hole, while Tav continued to stroke his cock. 

“Do you want me to stop?” Astarion whispered in his ear. 

“Hnngaa-ah!” said Wyll, bringing his knees higher. 

Tav and Astarion exchanged a look.  

“I think that meant ‘no, don’t stop’,” said Tav.  

“I think so too,” Astarion agreed. “Very well.” 

Astarion applied more and more pressure as he teased Wyll’s hole.  

“Try to relax,” he purred, working a single finger in. “Breathe... It’s just a finger, for crying out loud.” 

Wyll whimpered, his cock twitching again, to Tav’s immediate delight, as Astarion continued to gradually work his digit in further, thrusting in and out, spreading more oil in and around.  

“That’s it,” Astarion whispered. “I think we can add one more.” 

Astarion’s thrusting had grown more persistent, as he added another finger, all the while watching Wyll’s expression with a lidded gaze.  

Wyll was finding himself being reduced to a blushing, mewling mess, throwing his head back as much as his horns would allow, with his eyes shut.  

Tav had begun licking and nibbling on his neck. 

“Do you like it?” Tav purred, as Wyll nodded. “Think you’re ready for more?” 

“Yes,” he whispered, almost inaudibly, rolling his hips in time with Astarion’s fingers now. His cock was leaking obscene amounts of precum onto Tav’s hand as she continued to play with it. 

“Get down here then,” Astarion directed him closer to the edge of the bed without pulling his fingers out.  

“Do be gentle, Astarion, it’s his first time after all,” Tav called out as Wyll slipped out from her hand, drawn after Astarion. She got up to wet a washcloth in the basin, leaving it within Astarion’s reach.  

‘Is that..? Oh. Well, that makes sense.’ Wyll’s scrambled brain thought.  

“Well, if I can’t marry into the Ravengard family, I guess I’ll settle for deflowering the heir,” Astarion grinned. 

Wyll let out an involuntary whine as Astarion’s fingers left his ass. 

“Don’t worry, darling, there’s more on the way,” Astarion drawled.  

Wyll watched Astarion spread more oil on his own cock, before falling back again, shutting his eyes and whimpering in anticipation.  

Astarion set a torturously slow pace as he worked his cock in, stretching Wyll more and more with slow, shallow thrusts that gradually grew deeper and deeper. 

“Good...” Astarion groaned, slowly sliding in and out of Wyll almost fully now. “Who knew you’d be so good...” 

He picked up the pace, setting a steady rhythm with his thrusts once it was clear Wyll was comfortable with it.  

“So how does it feel to be fucked?” Astarion asked with a devilish grin.

“Oh leave him be, he’s already going through a lot” Tav cut in, reclining near Wyll again.  

Wyll looked up at her. She was smiling at him so sweetly... He reached towards her. 

“I didn’t say you could touch her,” Astarion warned with a forceful thrust, making Wyll yelp. 

“I wouldn’t anger him, if I were you,” Tav whispered, slowly running a finger down between the ridges of his muscles. “He still holds a grudge about your little seduction attempt back in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, you know.” 

“What in the hells are you two gossiping about..?” followed from Astarion.  

“My heart, he’s doing so well, don’t you think he’s earned another little treat?” Tav asked Astarion, ignoring his question.  

“I’m the only one here who’s earned any treats,” Astarion muttered. “But sure.”  

He slowly pulled his hard length out of Wyll. 

“On your feet!” 

Wyll scrambled up, bending over the edge of the bed. Tav stayed on the bed, edging over to sit before him with her legs spread. 

“Still want a taste?” she purred with a wicked smile. 

Astarion entered him again, with a perhaps slightly too forceful thrust, making Wyll collapse face-first between Tav’s legs. With a groan, he plunged his tongue between her folds, earning a moan from her.  

Wyll’s efforts might have been somewhat sloppy, but he made up for it in sheer enthusiasm as he lapped at her, eagerly. 

Unbeknown to Wyll, Astarion caught Tav’s eyes and raised a questioning eyebrow at her. She shrugged and waved her fingers in a ‘so-so’ motion back at him. Astarion nodded with a roll of his eyes.  

Wyll was caught off-guard when Astarion reached around him to take his neglected cock in his hand.  

“Let’s get you off and let you rest, little prince,” Astarion murmured.  

His cool hand was firm and practiced in a way that Tav’s simply could not be, its deliberate movements incessantly urging Wyll towards a release. 

Wyll completely lost all traces of composure and simply moaned between Tav’s legs as Astarion worked him.  

“Can’t multi-task, darling?” Astarion teased. “That’s alright, I’ll finish that job myself later as well.” 

Wyll lifted himself on his arms, trying to push his hips back against Astarion’s as Tav slipped out from under him. 

“Alright, give him a peck, I know he wants one so desperately...” Astarion said begrudgingly. 

Tav returned to lift Wyll’s head and kissed him, tenderly, her tongue swirling and dancing against his, as Astarion continued to fuck and stroke him.  

“I said a peck! Gods, woman, offer you a hand – you'll take the whole arm, every time.” 

Astarion’s grip on Wyll’s cock tightened, his hand speeding up, until Wyll couldn’t take it anymore and finally erupted, crying out and whimpering into Tav’s mouth, as he spilled a thick and well overdue load onto the sheets as Astarion continued to stroke him.  

He was still gasping, trying to catch his breath when Astarion slid out of him, giving Wyll's ass a loud smack, before wiping himself and Wyll down.  

At last, Wyll collapsed on the bed next to Tav.  

“Gods...” was all he could muster.  

Astarion gave him a self-satisfied smirk as he joined them on the bed, kissing his way up Tav’s leg.  

“Now shall I show you how to actually satisfy a woman? So you know what to do with your ‘one and only’ later?” 

~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed, this work is part of a series, check out the rest of it

AO3

~~~~~

Tag list:

@littleenglishfangirl @something-pithy @darlingxdragon @tallymonster @tragedybunny @spunky-89 @acourtofpenandpaper @yoonshope @spacebarbarianweird @brabblesblog @leomonae @wilteddreamsofbaldursgate @mothmans-rotund-asscheeks @micebear @littlejuicebox @cool-ontherun-world @justagirlwithfeelz @jellymellydraws

[gravedwe11er]

Here's the second part of my Mecha AU coswave! First part is here, third and final chapter coming soon. Inspired by @cosmique-oddity and the Mecha AU by @keferon

On Earth, a bitter war against the quintesson invaders rages on. Alone on a slap-dash little shoebox of a space station, Cosmos keeps watch from above. As it turns out, he's not the only one.

“You haven’t actually told me why you’re here yet,” Cosmos asks the next morning between quick bites of his breakfast, excitement thrumming in his veins. Chicken sandwich today- one of the nicer options available here. He generally tries to save them for special occasions, but he’d say he deserves to treat himself, considering the hectic events of the day prior.

After he’d shaken off the worst of his shock, he’d only had time to ask a few things- what the mech/satellite was (a sapient, living machine), whether he was an alien (yes) and what his affiliation to the quints was (their kinds were enemies, at war, just like humanity was) before his alert systems started screeching again, this time not stopping for hours.

As it turned out, a whole quintesson force had managed to hide itself on the Moon somehow, choosing that moment to reveal itself and heading straight for Earth. Which- yeah, that was kind of a disaster, seeing as it gave them basically no advance warning. Cosmos spent the next eight hours hurriedly relaying enemy positions and watching with bated breath as the combat began down on the surface. Eventually, their mecha had managed to kill most of the invaders, but the casualty counts had been higher than usual.

Needless to say, Cosmos hadn’t had much energy to keep questioning his new acquaintance after that. The last thing he did before falling asleep was look up the ‘satellite’ Soundwave was, ah, impersonating? He’d quickly found out that yes, Soundwave was indeed a perfect replica of a Galileo satellite, even logged in the systems as a functional member of the constellation, which- that was incredible, actually. Definitely explained why nobody noticed him.

Cosmos had wanted to ask how he’d managed that, and, for that matter, what happened to the real satellite which used to be there, but sleep had taken him before he could unstrap himself from his bed and ask.

And if his curiosity led him to postpone his morning exercise regime and go interrogate an alien robot instead? Well, it’s not like anyone’s here to tell on him.

[Primary purpose: information gathering. Secondary purpose: curiosity.] Appears in the corner of one screen, shaking Cosmos out of his thoughts.

“Gathering information? On what, humans? Earth?”

[Affirmative.]

Cosmos huffs, amused, crumpling up the wrapper from his breakfast and floating over to the garbage disposal with it. “Could you please elaborate on that?” he asks, tossing the packaging in before turning back. When he returns to his workstation, and answer is already waiting for him there.

[Motives: multiple. Soundwave: became aware of quintesson attacks led on another planet, tracked communications to approximate location. Cybertronian ship Lost Light: recovered organic-piloted mech, claiming Earth origin. Soundwave: noted-]

Wait. “Wait a moment,” Cosmos says hurriedly, thoughts racing. “Organic piloted mech from Earth? Do you know their name?” Because if it’s who he thinks it is, then-

[Human designation: Jazz]

-it would be answering some very big questions.

Anybody who keeps up with the news around the pilot program knows that name. People on Earth have been bashing their collective heads against the wall, trying to figure out how a whole mech could just disappear like that, only for Cosmos to find out that, what? The poor man just- ended up in deep space somehow? It’s wonderful to hear he’s alive, but- wow.

[Cosmos: knows Jazz?]

“Know of him, more like. I’ve only spoken to him once, when he was leaving low orbit on his test flight. Most people know of him, though,” Cosmos answers, running a hand through his red curls. “The whole thing’s been a big mystery, ended up in the news and all. Actually, I should probably inform mission control about this. I’m sure they’d want to-”

A new message flashes on the screen immediately, in bigger letters than usual. [Request: refrain from sharing information with other humans.]

Cosmos freezes, his hands halfway to the keyboard, a frisson of unease sneaking up his spine. “Why not?”

[Soundwave: wishes humans to remain unaware of Soundwave’s presence.]

Which, alright, he supposes that makes sense. Soundwave was quite obviously planning to remain undetected, seeing as he spent an entire month pretending to be an ordinary satellite. Still, though- “Again, why? I don’t want to pry, but what’s the main issue here? A lot of people have been worrying about Jazz, and I think they’d appreciate knowing he’s alive.”

There’s a significant pause, just enough for Cosmos to start getting anxious, before the next message appears. [Humans: fearful, unpredictable, dangerous. Soundwave: alone, vulnerable. Request: refrain from sharing information with other humans temporarily.]

Right. That’s- fair, actually. Cosmos supposes Soundwave is probably not wrong, in this regard. Humans already do some… morally dubious things to their own people, so it’s not too far-fetched to worry that they’d try to, what?  Dissect the alien mech, perhaps? Or something equally as cruel. And even though Soundwave is a very capable fighter, most likely strong enough to keep himself out of their hands, they’d definitely be able to make his stay here difficult. Maybe even enough to leave.

And- Cosmos is surprised to realize how much he doesn’t want that. He’s only just met the mech, and there’s so much more he’d like to ask. For god’s sake, he’s an actual, real alien! How amazing is that? Not to mention, Soundwave is inherently fascinating, not only as an otherworldly being but as a person too, and Cosmos feels like he’d regret it for the rest of his life if he drove him away.

However, he does have a duty to his superiors, and humanity itself. He’s obligated to report on any anomalies, which this most certainly falls under, but- would it really be so bad if, just this once, he didn’t? If he kept this one thing to himself, at least for a little bit longer?

“…You said temporarily?” Cosmos asks eventually, the slight change in the mech’s wording finally catching up to him and bringing him out of his warring thoughts.

The screen remains blank for almost half a minute, and the silence feels weighty. Important, somehow.

Cosmos waits. Then, a new row of text finally begins unfurling in front of his eyes.

[Additional information: Lost Light en-route to Earth, intending peaceful alliance with humans. Jazz: on board. Soundwave: transmitted location of Earth three earth weeks prior.]

[Strong request: refrain from sharing information with other humans until arrival.]

Cosmos exhales, trying to process it all. It’s obvious from his hesitation that Soundwave hasn’t really planned on telling him any of this, and he recognizes the gesture for what it is- a show of trust. And all he’s asking in return is that Cosmos do the same.

If Soundwave isn’t lying, then this ship of theirs is coming to Earth, bringing Jazz back home. Along with an unknown number of very combat-capable alien robots.  And sure, Soundwave hasn’t seemed hostile so far, towards him or humans as a whole, but- Cosmos has known him for a day. He could be wrong about the mech, and soon enough, an alien attack force would be coming along to finish off what the quints started.

Or, Soundwave might be telling the truth. Jazz really could be alive and well on the- Lost Light, was it? The incoming aliens might turn out to be much-needed allies, a crucial step to humanity finally gaining the upper hand over the quints.

Either way, he has no way to know. Which leads him back to the matter of trust.

Is this a gamble he’s willing to make?

“…Alright. I- I’ll keep it to myself, for now. But please tell me once they’re almost here, alright?”

There.

He’s not sure why, but he does trust Soundwave. Or, at least trusts him enough to believe he means no harm. Stupid? Maybe. But his decision is made, and his intuition is telling him to go with it.

The screen in front of his face lights up with another message. [Terms: accepted.]

Well, and that’s that.

-

Despite having just met an entirely new species of alien, the following two weeks are surprisingly uneventful for Cosmos.

Aside from periodically questioning Soundwave about anything and everything he could think of, his usual routine remans pretty much the same. Exercise, stare at his screens, force down a few tasteless meals, repeat. The mecha teams on earth mopped up the last of the quints’ latest attack within two days, leaving him with not much to do aside from stewing in his own thoughts.

His thoughts haven’t been very kind to him lately.

In the absence of work, his mind never fails to remind him of just how alone he is. His fingers prickle with a chill no sweaters or blankets can chase away and a persistent, aching itch makes itself at home beneath his skin. No amount of calls with his ma or texts from his colleagues can banish it entirely, only lessening the feeling for a few scant moments before it’s back with a vengeance.

Not even his conversations with Soundwave help as much as he hoped- the cybertronian is so fascinating, not to mention an absolute delight to talk to once you get past his odd speech pattern, but the topics they discuss usually aren’t anything close to intimate. Cosmos would very much like to change that, learn more about the mech as a person but, well. He’s never quite sure how to broach the subject.

So he stays silent, keeping their talks to professional curiosity, while the chill in his soul grows day by day.

Sighing for the fifth time in as many minutes, Cosmos finally gives up on the book he was trying (and failing) to read, putting the tablet aside. He’d picked some highly reviewed romance novel, hoping it would help him feel- if not better, then feel something, at least. But to no avail. It’s not that the story is bad, or the characters boring, but watching the main leads hold each other close and whisper sweet nothings into their lover’s ear only succeeds in making him more miserable.

Today marks his third complete month on this mission, with three more still to go. Three months since he’s felt the warmth of another living being, since he’s seen another person face to face. It’s making his mind stray to some unfortunate places.

More and more, he finds himself reminiscing on his mum’s hugs, his old college roommate who’d huddle next to him on their tiny couch while they studied, and even the one crappy ex he’d had years ago. Horrible; yes, he knows, but sue him, he’s lonely. The man might have turned out pretty awful in the end, but he had been the perfect size for cuddles. Cosmos catches himself imagining the weight of him in his arms, dad’s arm around his shoulder or giant metal hands, holding him ever so gently in their palms- wait.

No, wait, what?

Cosmos blinks, rapidly shaking his head with a grimace because seriously, what even? That is- well, preposterous, really. Soundwave is a perfectly nice…alien, sure, but still, come on! Although, now that he thinks about it, he does imagine the mech would be quite warm, despite the metal of his plating, and- gah.

He really must be going mad up here.

Rubbing his hands over his face, he tries to force the beginnings of a flush away from his cheeks, only to flinch when the chime of an incoming message startles him from his embarrassing thoughts. And speak of the devil, here Soundwave is, and Cosmos wishes he was on Earth just so the ground could swallow him whole.

[Query: Cosmos status report?]

“Are you- asking about my data, or how I’m doing?” he says into the headset, puzzled. This is the first time Soundwave has contacted him unprompted, and he’s pretty sure he’d have no reason to be asking after Cosmos’ information. As far as he’s aware from their conversations, the mech is something of a master spy amongst their people, so why-

[Clarification: requesting report on Cosmos’ wellbeing.]

“Me? Oh, uh, I’m alright?” he says, still somewhat confused but also…a little pleased, perhaps. “Why do you ask?”

[Cosmos: displaying unusual behavior, showing signs of unease. Query: status report]

“Showing signs of- wait, you can see me?”

[Affirmative. Statement: camera present in monitor room accessible to Soundwave.]

…Today really isn’t his day, huh.

On one hand, it makes sense. Soundwave seems to have his eyes and ears everywhere, so why not on him as well? And it’s not a bad feeling, to know he cared enough to ask after his wellbeing.

On the other, if death from sheer mortification is at all possible, then Cosmos is a goner.

He knows the camera’s there, of course. Usually, he doesn’t even mind it; the knowledge that either some random worker, or more likely just an automated monitoring system, is keeping an eye on him doesn’t bother him at all. But knowing that Soundwave is watching? That Soundwave saw him, what? Moping for days on end, getting misty-eyed about cat videos and sci-fi novels, and blushing over the thought of getting the giant robot version of a hug?

God, somebody come put him out of his misery.

The console pings again, somehow louder than before, and Cosmos pulls his hands off of his tomato-red face to look. Another request for a status report stares back at him.

Shaking his embarrassment off to the best of his ability, Cosmos takes some time to consider his answer. He’s not sure just how much of his inner turmoil he wants to share with the mech. Then again, isn’t this what he’s been waiting for? A chance to get closer? And here Soundwave is, reaching out of his own volition, serving him this opportunity up on a silver platter.

“I- When you’re away from your people like this, is there someone you miss? Someone who’s waiting for you back home?”

 A momentary pause. Then, [Query: reason for question?]

Cosmos sighs. “It’s just- right, so. Humans, we’re a very social species, yes? We form very close relationships, both platonic and romantic.”

[Soundwave: aware.]

“Alright, good. The thing is, we don’t do very well when we’re alone,” which, understatement of the century, especially in his case. “Back in the day, an astronaut being sent to space alone would have been unimaginable. It would be against all sorts of protocol. However, we don’t really have any resources to spare nowadays, so here I am. And I’ve been… struggling a bit.”

No response is forthcoming, and the silence only drives Cosmos to ramble even faster. “it’s just- and it’s not even just me being alone up here. I can still interact with other people, but who can I really talk to? I mean. I haven’t kept in contact with old friends much, god forbid I ever speak to my ex again and the other watchmen… they’re alright, I guess? But we haven’t really clicked,” he says miserably, running both hands through his hair.

“Which just leaves my parents, really. And they’re wonderful, don’t get me wrong, they’ve always been supportive of me, but-“ he chuckles a little, “they have a corn farm, in Iowa. They love me, and I love them, but they don’t really get it. So…yeah. I guess you could say I’m feeling a little lonely.”

Still no response. Just when Cosmos is starting to regret ever opening his stupid mouth, an odd, metallic voice crackles through his headset.

“Their designations: Rumble and Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak - Symbionts. Megatron - oldest friend.”

Cosmos stares, eyes wide. Soundwave talks? Because- well, he honestly thought that maybe their kind, the Cybertronians, just, didn’t.  Or couldn’t. Guess he was wrong there. But, also-

“Symbionts?” he asks. He knows what the word means, of course, at least in an Earth context, but has no idea what to imagine when it comes to giant shapeshifting mecha.

“True meaning; difficult to describe in English. Closest approximation: dependents. Family.”

Family. Alien robots have family.

“And are they- alright?”

“Affirmative. Megatron- powerful, capable. Symbionts: on assignment, alive, in relative safety. However, they are-“ here, his headphones crackle slightly. It makes Cosmos think of a sigh. “-missed.”

And Cosmos’ heart melts. Because even in that somewhat flat, mechanical voice, he can hear the longing. The same longing which haunts him on lonely nights, turning his skin to ice. Soundwave understands.

Soundwave is alone out here too. Just like Cosmos.

“That’s,” he stumbles on his words, swallowing, “it’s good they’re alright. But… it still aches being away from them, doesn’t it?” he chuckles awkwardly. “At least, it does for me.”

Another crackly sigh. “Cosmos: correct. Cybertronians; Highly social species. Isolation…unpleasant.”

Cosmos sighs too, because- what else is there to add? For a few moments, they sit there in silence, some sort of solidarity stretching between them. Two lone souls, connected only by a mutual understanding and a microns-thin radio frequency. Then, Soundwave speaks.

“Cosmos: good conversation partner.” He says, before his voice suddenly changes. “Your company is appreciated.”

And oh, that sounded different. With most of the stiffness now gone out of the sound entirely, Soundwave’s voice is a smooth, deep baritone, only a faint metallic echo still audible when he speaks. That means something, right? It leaves Cosmos a little choked up, even as a small smile grows on his face.

“I’m glad,” he says softly, looking up at where he knows the camera is. “And, for what it’s worth- I enjoy our talks as well. I- well, it helps me too. A lot. So, thanks.”

“No thanks necessary,” comes from his headphones, still in that new voice. Soundwave’s real voice, he thinks. And- though he still misses his family, misses touch and people like an amputated limb, his heart feels warm for the first time in days.

[stoic--rose]

over the last two weeks or so ive played through earthbound two and a half times, and mother 1 three times. replaying both back to back repeatedly has made me realize a lot of things

1.) mother 1 is a LOT more open in what it lets you do, where it lets you go, and when. once you open up the train tracks, you're free to go do the rest of the game in pretty much any order you want. hell, you can make it all the way to R7038xx without ever getting a single melody, which i find to be pretty interesting. not only that, but you dont even need to get most of the party members. strictly speaking, the only one you truly need to get is Loid, and that's just to get rid of the rock on the train tracks. and even then, with the use of an exploit i found out about only a few days ago, you can get rid of him and go fight giygas by yourself, which is pretty funny.

2.) mother 1+2 is like, wicked impressive. nevermind the fact that they crammed earthbound onto the gba, they also packaged it with mother 1 as well, and they're both the full games. it ain't no rayman advance kinda deal either where it's a super botched port, like it's a perfectly valid way to play both games, and some people even prefer the gba version of mother 1 since it makes a couple of quality of life improvements. not to mention, they rebuilt both games from the ground up, it's not like they could emulate snes on gba. (i mean, you can emulate NES apparently, since there's that nes classic line of games for the gba, but... this is cooler.) the sound department could... definitely use some work, and the colors look pretty washed out, but there are patches to fix the colors, and if you're playing the game on a real gameboy, i think the sound is the last thing you'd be concerned about. also, apparently some people took the time to apply the earthbound script to the mother 2 half of mother 1+2, and even reprogrammed the text system to have the original fonts and make it non-monospace, which is SUPER impressive. for my second playthrough of earthbound i played it with the new fantran patch, and it's pretty damn slick.

3.) man, fuck the sword of kings. i realized very recently that i'd never fully committed to the sword of kings grind, and decided that this would finally be the time i claim my birth right as a mother fan and do it. and like, it SUCKS. i mean, to begin, yes it's annoying that it's a 1/128 chance, but it goes deeper than that. the fact that it's only dropped by an enemy that you can potentially never see again, and it's the ONLY item poo can equip as a weapon is pretty fucked up. not to mention, the other enemies that they put in the starman base just absolutely suck, i hate the nuclear power robots so much. they made the grind WAY more painful than it already would have been otherwise. at the very least, i find it to be very gracious that jeff's spy command has the secondary effect of letting you steal whatever item an enemy would have dropped mid battle, just so it doesn't get overwritten by another enemy drop, which by the way YES that can happen, and YES i had it happen to me. it sucks ass. and the worst part is, the sword of kings isn't even that good!! and neither is poo on a gameplay level! you get the guy way later than any other party member, he has all these little catches like not being able to eat american food or equip anything but the kingly items, he gets taken away from you almost immediately after you get him, he just feels really weird. starstorm is pretty cool, but you only get the omega version right before the final area, and you can only use it on the handful of encounters you get there since you can't really use it in the final boss. (i mean technically you can use it in the first phase, if you want to get a biblical reflected beatdown when it hits both pokey and giygas) idk, the guy just isn't all that useful, and it's unfortunate since i really like him on a design level.

i have more words i want to say but honestly i might save them for an entry on my website instead since im very close to the tumblr word limit rn

[therobotmonster]

In honor of he who died and rose after three days in the grave and now grants life ever lasting to his followers I thought it only right I got into the spirit once. So Dracula, this one's for you:

Just look at it.

You have what appears to be (and is) an accountant being menaced by boobalicious vampire women twice his size, so he's got Ethan Winters beaten to the punch by 34 years. But don't be fooled. One glance into his 30-yard stare and its obvious why only Mr. Weems can stop these sinister She-Vampires:

Weems is dead on the inside yet still living, where the she-vampires are animated from within with life, while dead.

He is their antithesis.

So yeah, a pile of jank with a fun name crossed my path, and now you all have to hear about it. If you're not hitting 'J', you have no one to blame but yourself.

Released on a scad of systems, but mostly the ZX Spectrum and the C64, The Astonishing Adventures of Mr. Weems & the She-Vampires is a sort of 'Gauntroidvania'. It's also trying to push the limits of how titillating a pre-NES era game could be, though the C64 port's interface missed that memo.

The hacked c64 version was the one I played, but giantbomb had a lot of gifs from the ZX verison that I've upscaled for demonstration purposes.

The only bit of story is from the back package. Weems wants to feel something, so he's decided to take on the Great She-Vampire or die in her buxom grasp. Fair.

This game is not recommended for people with epilepsy, dignity, or in general.

Mr. Weems has a garlic gun to defend his ever-dropping blood supply (vampire hunter is an odd professon with anemia) and destroy the baddies...

All three of them, which are all introduced on the first screen!

You've got bats, they pop out of pots and attack you.

The manual says these guys are Frankenstein's' monsters, but they're clearly the giant from Twin Peaks trying to warn you that you've bought a dud.

On the C64, the lesser she-vampires are clearly based on Dracula's brides, whereas on the ZX, they're more like ghosts with big naturals.

Which means that to get both kinds of vampire babe from the secondary cover, you'd have to buy a cassette for your c64, and and for your ZX. And I don't mean a cartridge, I mean a, Cassette tape.

If you manage to stalk your way all the way to the end and find the gear you need to destroy her, the Great She-Vampire awaits:

There's no boss fight, but there is a 1 pixel nip, at least on the ZX spectrum.

From there you book it back the way you came, only every screen now has a she-vampire chasing you in a murderous rage. Make it out, and you win. Or maybe you didn't, because just like the Dungeon of Fear and Hunger, you can never really escape Mr. Weems & the She-Vampires.

Only Weems increases the immersion by truamatizing you, the player. Mr. Weems is fine. You don't have to worry about the Weems.

So...

Is it a good game?

Not remotely, but that isn't the point in the slightest.

It's temping to say this is the Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies of video games, but that's not quite right. Weems has promise and ISCWSLaBMUZ doesn't make promises. It issues threats.

Mr. Weems has the charm of a concept that's all potential and zero execution. A dead-eyed accountant gunning his way in a Gauntlet-esq blitz through a vampire-babe infested castle is a fun idea, more-so with all the secret passages and 'gather items and backtrack to the boss' aspect. It's just everything else that goes wrong.

I mean, who doesn't want to hunt the Great She-Vampire to her penthouse for a good staking, I ask you?

[a-roguish-gambit]

Turn of the century au thoughts: mail call

It's occurred to me that after mutants are outed to the world via a newsreel of the whole sentinel fight, and eventually the X-Men's name is cleared via a combo of teddy Roosevelt and a secondary News Reel of them fighting and taking down juggernaut, the X-Men are probably going to get a lot of mail from random places in the country and maybe even all over the world. There's definitely a lot of hate mail because people are awful and Logan, Jean, and the professor are having to make sure nothing dangerous in any of the packages or mail letters there being sent, and ororo is specifically filtering Evan's mail cause she is gonna protect her nephew from any and all assholes personally and track down anyone who sends him so much as a threat. Still it gets absolutely bonkers because at the time people still did do shitposting and trolling they just did it via the mail system. Not only were chain letters a thing but putting your mailing list out for any reason, and there were a lot of reasons to have a public mailing list, was a gamble because you could have random people sending you extremely random letters. People would send randos their stream of consciousness thoughts or pretend to be someone they aren't via mail. The owner of Sears and robucks would frequently get letters from people asking for advice about who they should marry and stuff like that for example.

The institutes address is probably out there for business reasons, and even if it's not totally public it's only a matter of time before people find it or figure it out because the institute is a public address, so yeah there would be lots of very random mail being sent to the X-Men kids malicious or otherwise.

I can see the international kids getting sent letters from people they do not know claiming to be family members trying to make some money off these kids because they assume that because these kids have fame they also have some kind of wealth which is not true at all a lot of them don't and are there because Xavier himself is wealthy and is willing to spend a lot of money on kids who aren't even his, and to them it's very very obvious and they make fun of it all the time.

Roberto got a letter in Spanish and he's laughing at it with Sam and Amara who read it out to him, where the person is claiming to be his long lost uncle from brazil and it's so obvious this person knows nothing about anything, because his whole family speaks Portuguese not Spanish, because, ya know, they are actually from Brazil. Amara notes that the Spanish is incredibly bad as well, so it was probably some random non latin American who wrote this.

Scott keeps getting letters from people telling him he's wasting his talent and what he should actually use his lazer eyes for x thing like they know how his powers work, or telling him how to fix his eyes, one guy is claiming he can cure Scott by waving magnets over his body. Jean is doubled over laughing when Scott reads that one to her. He's just like "if all it took were magnets to fix me I think all the fights with magneto would have done something by now..."

Jean keeps getting preachers telling her she needs to "renounce her satanic ways and turn to God for power," because apparently these people think her psychic abilities are devil magic. She ignores them but Scott keeps writing angry letters back to these people telling them to leave his girl alone.

Kitty keeps getting letters telling her it's improper to phase through walls, and that a young lady like her should be in an etiquette school not a school teaching her to phase through walls. she is absolutely baffled by this. The girls just come to the conclusion that "people will police women on literally anything". She gets a few offers from suffragette groups though too asking for her help, same with jean.

Ororo has been heavily filtering Evan's mail making sure he doesn't end up reading anything from a weirdo or a racist, but he has gotten interesting mail none the less. He got requests for interviews by several black publications for the perspective on being a mutant of African American descent, which has been fun. Some of the other kids are jealous, as he got a letter from W. E. B. Du Bois at one point, and Booker T Washington's widow and Lady principal of the Tuskegee institute, Margaret Washington, sent one about him potentially visiting the campus some time. But those kids are also getting good mail they are just also seeing some of the ridiculous stuff too.

Rogue seems to get two kinds of mail, one is people calling her a witch, and the other is marriage requests of all things. A lot of them claiming they can "fix her" (ew). A lot of men saw the news reels and apparently had gambit's same thought process about her dark looks. Remy is none too happy about these men, but rogue assures him she hasn't the slightest care for any of these men. They munch on the chocolates and other goodies they send her as rogue writes letters back simply saying "1. I have a lover. 2. My touch kills men. Leave me alone."

Kurt gets some of the wildest stuff: People trying to mail him exorcisms, people accusing him of turning their daughters into Satan worshippers because the girls want to meet him, letters from said daughters wanting to run away with him, people thinking he's the anti christ, with some demanding he leave the country and some asking for his orders to command them against the establishment, actual demon worshipers asking for his hand in marriage, A letter from Aleister Crowley himself, people asking if this is the true form of Germans, people asking him to curse their enemies, kids sending him letters telling him to make sure the krampus does not bother anyone this year, and so on and so on and so on. Poor boy is overwhelmed.

[builder051]

NaNo 2024 day 2: I don’t have a fan club, I swear.

Spider-Man (somewhere post-Homecoming)

Warnings for foul language.

——————————

The box is bigger than Peter expects. It’s the width of his shoulders and comes up to the height of his chin. He lifts the box with ease, but the difficulty of bringing it into the building hits almost immediately. Forethought in that department would’ve been useful, he berates himself.

He considers the doorway to his building, then meanders in a slow circle with the box on his shoulder. If he can make it down the hall to the elevator… Peter hasn’t been in the elevator for going on a year. The stairs take almost no effort, nor does swinging up the fire escape. Peter curses under his breath. Will the thing fit into the stairwell? Or through his bedroom window?

Purchasing the two-in-one heating and air conditioning unit was difficult enough. The apartment’s hvac system’s been out since August, and though they’d sweated out the end of summer, Peter refuses to let May freeze once the weather turns wintery. With a sick, guilty feeling in the pit of his stomach, Peter spent an hour researching Consumer Reports, chosen a product, and charged his Stark Technologies corporate credit card. Three hundred dollars was probably nothing to Tony, but the number made Peter cringe, even though he was fulfilling a need and had the best of intentions.

Now that the box is in his possession, Peter feels some relief along with the frustration that he hadn’t read the supposedly “portable”heater/cooler’s dimensions before placing his order. The item made it to his address, and nobody had tried to steal it. It’s completely his. And definitely his problem.

If the elevator works, scuttling down the hall to his unit single file with the box in front of him might be possible. Peter doesn’t like the odds, though. Climbing the fire escape initially seems like a better option; he could climb first, then web the box and drag it up like a pulley system. But then there was the issue of the window. Peter only fits in and out in a bent over position. Lithe gymnastics are necessary so as to avoid knocking over his furniture.

It’ll have to be the stairs. Peter squares his shoulders and brings the box back to the ground in front of him. He wraps his arms around the package and holds it to his chest, then edges one foot beneath. Peter does a few test steps, and, satisfied with the way the box travels, he lets go with one hand to open the door to his building.

It’s not too bad, Peter thinks as he hauls the box to the first landing. He breathes, wiggles his toes to regain feeling, and starts up the next flight. Four floors isn’t really that much. He can make it. Peter pushes to increase his speed and refuses to pause at the second landing. “Go, come on, a little more,” Peter mumbles to himself. Third floor. Just one left. And done.

Opening the door out to the hallway comes as another unexpected challenge. Unable to see the knob, Peter flails clammy fingers in what he thinks is the general vicinity. The box tilts when he moves his elbow, and he uses his chin to hold it upright. Peter bats at the hardware again. This time he makes contact. The door swings outward, and he pushes the box forward as quickly as he can. Peter loses his grip, and it falls headlong into the hall. The door starts to close, but it catches on the last corner of cardboard. The bit that happens to be on top of Peter’s foot.

“Fuck.” Peter instinctively yanks his leg backward. Momentum drags him down, and he feels his vertebrae jostle one after another as he slides down the steps. The back of Peter’s head smacks the floor of the landing, bounces, and smacks again.

Pain shoots through Peter’s skull. He assumes his brain has jiggled back into place, since he can both think and feel. Does that make secondary trauma? Tertiary? He isn’t in a vehicle, but the bounce… so, trauma cubed? Peter presses his hands over his eyes, then musses his hair as he checks for blood. There is none. That’s good. He sits up, rolling his spine slowly. No fractures. Just a little stiff. Peter grabs the railing and tries to pull himself to his feet. His right foot seems to be fine, but as soon as Peter puts weight on his left foot, his entire body crumples, and he’s flat on his back again.

“Fuck.” Peter’s voice is winded and raspy. He barely hears himself, though, because the door at the top of the stairs above him creaks open.

“What the—? Pete? Peter? Is that you?” It’s May, still in her work clothes. “What happened?” She looks toward the heavily dented box. “What is that?”

“It’s a—“ Peter tries. “A thing…”

“A what?” May turns and rushes down the steps toward Peter. “Oh my god. What happened? Are you ok?”

“I’m good.” There’s no use heading her off. May will only worry more. “Might need some ice.”

“Ok. Anything I need to know? Anything broken?”

“Maybe a foot.” Peter forces himself into a seated position again. “I hope the fan isn’t.”

“Huh? A fan?” May’s face turns from shocked to confused. “I got some envelopes for you, you know, to Mr. Spider-man and all that, but— seriously did someone mail themselves to you? Is there a person in there?” She looks back fearfully at the top of the stairs where the door remains ajar, still stuck on a flap of cardboard.

“No, May, it’s fine.” Peter puts up a hand to placate her. “A tower fan. Like an air conditioner?”

“An air conditioner?” May repeats.

“It’s a heater too. I, uh, got it for you, actually.” Peter breaks off with a nervous laugh.

“Oh.”

Peter can’t tell if May understands. He makes to stand up, determined to open the box and show her, but pain shoots up from his foot to his ankle as he takes the first step. “Ow, ugh. Shit.” Peter quickly bends his knee and takes the weight off. “Sorry. It’s ok. I’m ok.”

“You need an x-ray,” says May, looking critically at Peter’s shoe, which is suddenly feeling far too tight. “You need an ambulance.”

“No!” Peter protests quickly. He gets his phone from his back pocket. His screen’s already cracked. He can’t tell if it’s sustained any more damage. “I’m going to call Happy, actually. He can, you know, a car and stuff? To drive to urgent care. I don’t need the ER.”

“I don’t know…How will you get downstairs?” May wrings her hands. “I need to go with you.”

“I’ll hop,” Peter says with determination. “Or maybe Mr.Stark has a hovercraft?” He appreciates her comfort, but this escapade has already caused May stress enough. “You should go open the box. It’s not all that heavy. You can drag it, probably. If it’s broken, I swear I’ll return it and order a new one.”

“I am not—“ May pauses to shake her head violently side to side, “Letting you take packages at this address! Tell your fan club. No boxes.”

“I don’t have a fan club,” Peter wants to roll his eyes, but his head hurts too much. “But I’ll lay off the Amazon.

“Good boy.” May nearly smiles, then presses her lips together. “I can’t believe you bought that thing for me. A- what did you say it was?”

“A tower fan? But, like, with heating and AC modes.” Peter moves his hand back and forth to mime oscillation. “You deserve it.”

“Well, thanks, I guess. I better get it out of the doorway so it doesn’t wipe anyone else out.” She ascends the steps and noisily rips a strip of tape. “This is really —“ Packing popcorn spills out, clinging to May’s clothes and hair. “Ack. Static.” She looks the box up and down. “Was this expensive? And how did you get it up here again?”

“Mm.” Peter scrolls through his contacts, loath to answer. “Sorry,” he says, selecting Happy’s number. “Can’t talk. I’m on the phone.”

[facemeandperish]

"I get the impression that you've seen a lot. What has your mind so preoccupied, warrior?"

Aatrox's eyes snapped open, the hidden secondary eyelids flickering out of sight again. He'd have to remember to change that at some point, he thought to himself. Certainly, his people had been better adapted to life in the desert, but surely not THAT well adapted.

He looked at the speaker, only just covering a start of surprise at the thing before him. Politely speaking, what the fuck, what the fuck, no seriously what the fuck? A dragon with legs? That spoke with the voice of a mortal man? (Possibly a mortal woman, Aatrox had long since lost the real ability to tell the insects apart by voice and look alone.)

"I have seen a great many things in my time." Aatrox said, injecting a measure of calm into his voice, and simultaneously injecting a fair amount of what would pass for strong horse tranquillizers into his system, attempting to reach the place of calm his voice pretended to already be in.

"Attack ships on fire, off the shoulder of... Well it doesn't matter now." He said. "Death and pain and misery, all rolled into that neat package mortal men call War, with such ignorance of what that word actually means."

[nichromepackaging]

Nichrome’s toothpaste packaging  systems are ‘Mazbooth’

While brushing teeth is not given much thought by consumers because it is probably the first daily hygiene activity in our everyday lives. It is a big business for the corporate conglomerates that produce most of the world’s toothpaste.

A study estimate says that Americans alone buy over 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year. For a little perspective, this is roughly equal to 175,000 bathtubs of the creamy mint stuff. A tube, squeeze tube, or collapsible tube is a collapsible package which can be used for viscous liquids packaging such as toothpaste, artist's paint, adhesive, and ointments.

The toothpaste packaging process is relatively straight-forward. Toothpaste ingredients are weighed to ensure the correct proportions. Ingredients are then mixed in a stainless-steel vessel (water and the humectant is usually done first). Process temperature and humidity are watched closely to ensure proper mixing.

After the ingredients are mixed, the finished toothpaste is sent to a high-speed toothpaste filling machine where a pump fills each tube through its open bottom. After the tube is filled, the end is sealed (or crimped).

As a secondary packaging process, filled and crimped tubes are inserted into individual retail cartons. The carton packaging machine, which is basically a secondary packaging system, then packs the finished product either through a horizontal cartoner or a vertical cartoner. These cartons are then packed into master cartons that constitute tertiary packaging and shipped to warehouses, distribution centres and stores.

Small sachets are becoming increasingly popular for packaging cosmetic and personal care products like toothpaste, shampoo, gel, and lotions. Nichrome’s packaging machines provide attractive, contaminant-free packaging for such applications.

For projects big and small, for food, pharma & other applications, Nichrome partners through the complete life cycle, innovating and integrating solutions that elevate productivity through performance. Nichrome offers proven expertise and single-source convenience for pre-primary, post-primary end-to-end packing solutions.

Nichrome’s automated packaging machines are the preferred choice for toothpaste tube filling machine. Whether it is economical small packs which enjoy great popularity as they are low cost, prevent wastage and are easier to carry or soft squeeze tubes, Nichrome’s VFFS Multilane and HFFS machines deliver speed, accuracy and versatility for toothpaste packaging.

Multilane Stickpack with Multi Head Servo Auger Filler

For producers supplying toothpaste, to retail chains, travel & hospitality industries, Nichrome's Stickpack offers unmatched efficiency. Nichrome's Multilane Stickpack with Servo Auger Filler is a stick pack pouch packaging machine equipped with a CE certified PLC controller that makes it easy to operate and provides the necessary flexibility for product and format changes while maintaining the efficiency of the process.

Multilane Stickpack with Volumetric Multiple Cavity Filler

Nichrome's Multilane Stickpack with Volumetric Multiple Cavity Filler is a stick pack pouch packaging solution equipped with a product hopper of 25 litres capacity and a mesh at the product inlet to avoid entry of foreign particles. A CE certified PLC controller makes it easy to operate.

Multilane Stickpack with Multi-Piston Filler

Nichrome's Multilane Stickpack with Multi-Piston Filler is a stick pack pouch packaging machine especially innovated for viscous product packing like toothpaste in convenient, single-serve stick packs. Nichrome's Stickpack range offers a stainless-steel structure, pneumatically operated piston filler and longitudinal & cross-sealing jaw assemblies suitable for laminates. A CE certified PLC controller makes it easy to operate.

Vertical Cartoner

Explore fast and efficient cartoning with Nichrome’s vertical cartoning machine. This secondary packaging machine has a rated output of up to 120 cartons per minute, and handles a variety of cartons with option of both side tuck-in, both side gluing or top tuck-in with bottom gluing.

The machine structure is of sheet metal for durability. Some key features include adjustable carton conveyor with chain type design, servo indexing drive to carton and product chain, motorized carton pick up with vacuum cups, and facility for product insertion inside carton through motor-driven product pusher.

Horizontal Cartoner

Efficient cartoning with Nichrome’s horizontal cartoning machine is a sure winner. This secondary packaging machine has a rated output of up to 180 cartons per minute and handles a variety of cartons with option of both side tuck-in, both side gluing or top tuck-in with bottom gluing. Nichrome’s continuous and intermittent automatic horizontal and vertical cartoners can be integrated with primary packaging.

Conclusion

Since Nichrome developed India's first indigenous milk packaging machine in 1977, we have been at the forefront of next-generation packaging technologies; a brand trusted for its rich legacy of pioneering innovation, extensive domain knowledge and manufacturing competency in packaging systems.

For applications existing and emerging, we offer infinite possibilities in integrated, automated packaging solutions - as we partner with customers through the complete lifecycle, offering application-specific solutions, backed by dependable service and support.

Based in Pune, India, our sales & service network spans India and the world. We have presence in 45+ countries and more than 10000+ successful installations worldwide.

[mariacallous]

The United States’ history of using economic sanctions as a means of coercion has not only outraged its adversaries but also upset its friends. Washington’s allies have long been concerned about its liberal use of so-called secondary sanctions, which are extraterritorial restrictions that penalize foreign companies that do business with U.S. adversaries, even if the companies are based in friendly countries. In the 1980s, the West German government was outraged when the Reagan administration sanctioned European firms involved in constructing a pipeline to bring natural gas from the Soviet Union to West Germany. More recently, U.S. secondary sanctions have targeted European companies for doing business with Iran, Chinese banks suspected of money laundering for North Korea, and the entities involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2, another pipeline to bring Russian gas to Germany.

Until recently, Washington was the primary user of secondary sanctions. However, the sanctions landscape is shifting, and European allies that previously rejected the use of extraterritorial sanctions have suddenly discovered their merits. In response to Moscow’s persistent evasion of sanctions imposed since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the European Union and Britain have quietly strengthened their regulations, introducing measures with extraterritorial effects. While these measures lack the teeth of true secondary sanctions, a gradual European shift toward Washington’s more expansive approach to sanctions is becoming evident. With primary sanctions so obviously falling short, the EU and Britain are increasingly willing to adopt measures that reach beyond their borders.

Historically, extraterritorial sanctions have been controversial. Their legality has been widely disputed, and they have strained transatlantic relations multiple times. With European firms often facing hefty fines, potential embargoes, and the threat of being cut off from the dollar-based financial system, European allies have accused the United States of waging economic warfare against them.

Russia’s successful circumvention of Western sanctions—especially export restrictions intended to keep military and dual-use technology out of Russian hands—has forced Europe to reassess its approach to sanctions enforcement. Since many critical items procured by Russia are of Western origin, European regulators are now focusing on the main weak spot in EU export controls: Western companies’ subsidiaries in third countries, which were left free to trade with Russia through middlemen, since sanctions only affected their parent companies at home. An overwhelming majority of military-relevant items imported by Russia are sourced from third countries via Western subsidiaries there.

These flows include both reshipments of goods produced by the parent company, as well as goods produced by the subsidiary itself. As key transshipment hubs, the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus have sharply increased their technology and machinery imports from the EU. For example, German exports to Kyrgyzstan skyrocketed more than tenfold after the EU imposed sanctions on Russia in 2022, and similar trends can be seen for other countries close to Russia and other EU exporters. There is little doubt that many of these shipments end up in Russia, often through middlemen and other obscure channels that make tracing difficult and offer plausible deniability to the Western companies whose products are being shipped.

In response, the EU introduced a “no-Russia” clause, requiring EU companies to prohibit the reexport of critical goods to Russia when dealing with third-party business partners. Its most recent sanctions package—the 14th since the start of the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—requires non-EU subsidiaries that are owned or controlled by EU companies to make “best efforts” to ensure compliance with EU sanctions. What exactly constitutes “best efforts,” however, is still to be defined by member states, and the regulation allows noncompliance if a parent firm does not have decisive influence over its subsidiary.

Still, the new requirement means that EU companies will worry about a greater risk of liability. They are now expected to instruct their non-EU subsidiaries to comply with sanctions as if they were EU entities. That alone is a drastic shift in the EU’s position on extraterritoriality. The new rule stipulates that companies can be held liable for sanctions breaches even if they did not intentionally evade sanctions but were aware that their activities could have such effects. To protect themselves against liability, companies will need a greater level of due diligence concerning the activities of their subsidiaries.

In parallel, the EU has harmonized rules for punishing sanctions violations across all member states, including stricter penalties and higher fines on both companies and individuals. For example, trading in sanctioned goods or making prohibited transactions is now punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least five years or more if goods or transactions valued at 100,000 euros (approximately $109,000) or more are involved.

Britain has also quietly broadened its Russia sanctions regime, granting the government authority to target foreign financial institutions that facilitate transactions involving Russian strategic sectors. This allows London to target entities outside its jurisdiction and potentially block them from using the British pound. It remains to be seen how aggressively Britain will enforce these provisions; the United States has so far refrained from targeting foreign banks.

The EU is also considering targeting financial institutions that facilitate the diversion of battlefield items to Russia. The aim of targeting foreign banks—as opposed to foreign subsidiaries—is to curb flows from Southeast Asia, where countries are producers and not just transit points. A package of new sanctions issued in June lets the EU target financial institutions extraterritorially if the European Council determines that they facilitate transactions that support Russia’s defense-industrial base.

Neither the EU nor Britain explicitly labels these provisions as secondary sanctions. In fact, the EU has rejected claims that its sanctions extend beyond its borders. Yet both sets of measures have clear extraterritorial effects, and both borrow from Washington’s playbook of economic statecraft. While British measures rest on London’s centrality in global financial markets, EU measures mimic U.S. export control rules that prohibit the reexport of technology via third countries.

The EU’s new oversight of non-EU entities marks a significant policy shift. In 2019, when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a more geopolitical role for the EU, a key goal was to reject “unlawful” extraterritorial sanctions imposed by the United States. The Trump administration had severely impacted EU member states when it reimposed secondary sanctions on Iran, prompting the EU to explore means of evading Washington’s reach, such as strengthening the international role of the euro. These plans were sidelined when the Biden administration prioritized repairing transatlantic relations.

Today, France and the Netherlands appear to support sanctions with extraterritorial effects to block Russia’s access to sensitive items, whereas Germany is opposed in order to protect its corporate interests. Berlin’s reservations were the main reason that a stronger sanctions package was watered down, replacing a crackdown on foreign subsidiaries with the “best efforts” clause. The watered-down package gives the European Commission the option to impose stricter measures if sanctions circumvention continues, but likely German opposition would need to be overcome.

The evolving EU and British stance on extraterritorial sanctions carries significant policy implications. As geopolitical competition intensifies—and as the United Nations sanctions regime has broken down due to paralysis on the Security Council—more countries are resorting to sanctions as part of their statecraft, either on their own or as part of a bloc, minilateral group, or ad-hoc coalition. The increasing use of secondary sanctions adds a new layer of complexity to the trend of an eroding and fragmenting international sanctions framework.

While the EU’s and Britain’s moves toward extraterritorial sanctions may appear to align them more closely with Washington, forming coalitions around these types of sanctions will remain challenging. National interests are bound to clash, as demonstrated by Berlin’s fierce protectiveness of its export companies. Different legal systems with varying approaches to extraterritoriality also complicate coordination. For now, EU and British measures with extraterritorial effects are limited to the Russia sanctions regime. If these policies are extended to other countries and conflicts, multinational corporations will face even more complexities regarding compliance. International businesses will have to navigate growing uncertainty and an increasing burden of due diligence when managing subsidiaries in third countries as they attempt to remain compliant with overlapping, and sometimes conflicting, regulations.

There is a risk that the new EU and British extraterritorial measures will remain a paper tiger. Without active enforcement—and without proactive implementation by the private sector—the measures will have a diminishing effect in deterring Western affiliates from committing violations. Compared to the United States’ aggressive enforcement posture, EU member states have been especially slow to impose civil and criminal penalties for sanctions violations. With each member state making its own legal interpretation of the “best efforts” clause, they can further water down the measure.

EU regulators could benefit by emulating recent policy changes in Washington and London. The U.S. Commerce Department recently created a chief of corporate enforcement position and strongly encourages voluntary self-disclosure by companies. Washington’s newly adopted approach aims to change the dynamic by encouraging companies to take responsibility for misconduct and report it before federal regulators knock on their doors. This October, Britain launched a newly created Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, which will have the power to impose significant civil fines for sanctions violations. With the creation of this new agency, London has signaled to companies that a more proactive approach to enforcement is coming.

In the never-ending cat-and-mouse game of sanctions evasion, it is an arduous task for regulators to stay one step ahead. Ever so gradually, Britain and the EU seem to be coming to the conclusion that forcing companies to be liable for the end use of their goods is a better way to play the game.

[beardedmrbean]

The new Flemish government clearly wants to invest in education: the education budget will grow by half a billion euros a year, mainly in order to boost the quality of education.

Knowledge of Dutch is a priority for the new Flemish government. Non-Dutch-speaking parents who refuse to learn Dutch will lose their school grant. The language level requirements for newcomers will also be raised.

Minimum targets are being introduced for pre-schoolers and will include language targets.

At the end of kindergarten teachers meeting in the class council will decide whether a child is ready for the 1st grade. Parents cannot override that judgement, but they can appeal the decision.

In primary education, half the teaching time will go on maths and Dutch.

Minimum targets for Dutch in primary education will have to be met by every pupil, rather by pupils as a group.

Secondary schools are given more freedoms

Use of ‘differentiation hours’ in first grade will be ‘optimised’. This allows schools to choose whether to fill them in with general or practical or technical subjects.

The government wants to support vocational and technical education and will increase operating funds.

Teacher shortage addressed

The new administration also wants to make the job of teacher more attractive and reduce administrative hassle.

An extra budget for teacher training is being brought in as well as extra resources to make teachers more proficient and improve the quality of education.

New teachers starting the job will receive full pay while they will spend only 80 per cent of their time in front of a class. The rest of the time will be used to provide teacher guidance to them.

Options for leave will be scrutinised and the number of secondments from education will be reduced.

Schools will get more financial flexibility.

Special training will be provided for teachers entering the sector from other professions.

So called ‘teaching study days’ will be abolished to maximise teaching time.

Smartphones discouraged

Other measures include:

An additional 400 million euros will be freed up for a second major digital leap.

A smartphone ban is being introduced in primary education. This will also become a recommendation for secondary education.

Philosophical subjects, such as religion and ethics, will be replaced by a new subject, ‘interfaith dialogue’, in community education, i.e. state schools.

Big investments in well-being too

Extra cash should guarantee flexible and affordable childcare. Creating extra places is ‘an absolute priority’ for the new government.

 At present, no additional action is planned to reduce the number of children per attendant.

The toddler’s grant is being abolished.

The government is also providing more cash to tackle waiting lists in health care and to improve care for the elderly.

The basic 'Growth Package' (formerly called child allowance) will be index-linked.

Income limits for social allowances (allowances for families with limited income) will be phased out. Nothing will change for current beneficiaries. The intention is to apply the new system to new entrants from 2026.

The new government also plans to focus on preventing eating disorders and addictions.

It also wants to prioritise environmental health by taking measures ‘on climate and health and environmental quality of life’. Issues to be tackled include air pollution, noise pollution and harmful substances like PFAS, asbestos and heavy metals.