#the good thing about having a large volume of individual tasks is that there are going to be several that are not as hard as the hard ones

[un---man]

Vulnerability

Last I checked you can buy a physical copy of the anarchist FAQ from AK Press but it’s separated into two volumes do to length. I appreciate the project, though it unintentionally demonstrated the seemingly sisyphean task we carry.

I think most friends and family probably know that I’m an anarchist even if I don’t exactly bring it up in regular conversation. Hints are dropped and word spreads fast. I both dread and look forward to the conversations where someone somewhat timidly brings up the topic of my absurd political position. I’ve won countless arguments in my head while pacing back and forth in my apartment but that never seems to stop me from being a nervous wreck when the topic actually comes up.

Where the state occupies an infinite space in it’s god like legitimacy anarchy is an empty space. Overwhelming in it’s negation, and uncomfortable in it’s nakedness.

“The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual, crime.”

Perhaps the most basic statement of Stirner’s political philosophy. But what concern is hypocrisy to the nihilist? What recourse does Stirner have to condemn anyone? The Unique and Its Property is largely dedicated to defanging ethical concepts so what recourse does Stirner have when they don’t live up to his standards?

Stirner seems oblivious or indifferent to his own ethical subtext. His critics are quick to point out that Max seems to hold a strange position that we ought to be nihilists. The seeming glaring contradiction riddles his whole work.

For Stirner, philosophy has tended to fill a kind of backwards role. Reality, and in particular the self, are ultimately non-conceptual. Yet we seem to be obsessed with purity of concepts. We want them to fit like neat bathroom tiles. Stack them up like bricks and mortar. Stirner seems more inline with the Taoists, every concept, to the extent that we insist on its purity, its truth, is a kind of destruction. We sacrifice a non-conceptual reality for the sake of legibility.

Stirner isn’t satisfied with merely pointing out concepts will never live up to their own expectations, he seems to believe we shouldn’t hold them to that standard to begin with. That’s the whole trouble with Stirner’s work, he seems concerned about the ethical implications of ethics.

John Carrol in the amazingly under-read Escape From the Crystal Palace compares Dostoevsky’s Christianity, of all things, to Stirner’s hyper-nominalism and hints at its ethical implications through the story of The Grand Inquisitor. To quote at length:

”Stirner and Nietzsche imply that there is a type of freedom available to man in which ideology is not dominant, in which morality is adaptable to the needs of the individual; a state beyond good and evil. One counter-argument, which is stronger than they cater for, runs to the effect that this assumption is psychologically unfounded, that it is utopian in the repressive sense of serving to awaken unrealizable hopes. The case is put by the Grand Inquisitor in Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov. He argues against Christ, who represents a position identical to that of Stirner, that men do not want this freedom, that they do not seek to determine their own values. He impeaches Christ for having too little compassion for man, for failing to respect his choice, which will be for happiness, given that happiness and freedom are incompatible. The Inquisitor himself chooses to take on the responsibility of making decisions and determine values; he provides the happier majority with bread to eat and miracles to save them from boredom. He would grant the truth of Stirner’s ‘You love man therefore you torture the individual man’. His defense is that the will of the majority urges that Christ be killed. The Christ's response, to kiss the Grand Inquisitor, is bafflingly and assertively anarchic, in the characteristic sense that little more can be said about it than that it expresses the individual. It is irrational in that it rejects the terms of the debate…”

-John Carrol Escape from the Crystal Palace

Effortlessly Carrol see’s Christianity and nihilism occupying the same space if only for a brief moment. In the moment of vulnerability. This world is full of values so deafening, abstract, and beyond our reach that, in practice, they resemble the supposed nihilism it desperately denies. Saviors are in cheap supply. So hyper-competitive they sit at a stand still. Meaning is over produced. The world is saturated in it. You’re beating a dead horse before you say anything at all.

Ironically, it is nihilism that posits us in what I would consider the most basic, though ultimately theoretical, ethical position, individuals without recourse. Persons left naked, forced to deal with one another without claim to higher ideals. Forced to be an individual, and without means to see anyone as anything else.To be beyond good and evil is to be stripped of the infrastructure of guilt, where influence doesn’t extend beyond our fingertips.

A nakedness that I think is worth our devotion. A vulnerability that’s difficult to create. Ethics builds itself up like a fortress, but it’s only in its cracks when it can honestly exist. From Christ, Nietzsche, Diogenes, Stirner, Laozi, we are confronted with the truth in contradiction again and again.

[ktdmecc]

The Complete Guide to Commercial Microwave Ovens: Why Every Kitchen Needs One

If you've ever worked in a busy kitchen, you know how important it is to have fast and reliable equipment. Whether you're running a restaurant, catering business, or cafeteria, time is precious. A commercial microwave oven is one of the most essential appliances for keeping things moving. These powerful microwaves are explicitly designed for high-volume cooking, making them a must-have for any food business.

What is a Commercial Microwave Oven?

A commercial microwave oven is a heavy-duty microwave specifically designed for professional kitchens. Unlike regular microwaves, built for occasional use in homes, commercial microwaves are made to handle constant, repeated use throughout the day. They are typically more significant, influential, and built to last longer under harsh conditions.

These microwaves are commonly used in restaurants, fast-food outlets, hotels, schools, and anywhere food needs to be prepared quickly and efficiently.

Why Choose a Commercial Microwave?

1. Speed and Efficiency

Commercial microwave ovens are designed to heat food fast. They can cook or reheat food much quicker with higher wattage than household microwaves. In a busy kitchen, this means quicker service and happier customers. You can heat large batches of food or cook individual portions in minutes, which helps keep your kitchen running smoothly.

2. Durability for High-Volume Use

Since commercial microwaves are made for business settings, they are built with durable materials that can withstand the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. Most models are made from inside and out stainless steel, making them challenging and easy to clean. Whether heating hundreds of meals a day or just using it to speed up cooking times, a commercial microwave can handle it.

3. Consistent Performance

One of the key advantages of using a commercial microwave is its ability to deliver consistent results. Every meal you serve in a business should be of the same high quality. Commercial microwaves have advanced features that ensure even heating, so you don't have to worry about cold spots in the food. This is especially important for customer satisfaction, as no one wants to be served food that's hot in some parts and freezing in others.

Types of Commercial Microwave Ovens

There are different commercial microwave ovens, each suited for different kitchen needs. Here are a few common ones:

1. Light-Duty Commercial Microwaves

These are perfect for smaller kitchens or businesses that don't need to use a microwave constantly. They are suitable for reheating food and light cooking tasks, but they might not be able to handle the demands of a fast-paced restaurant. A light-duty commercial microwave may be a good choice if you run a small café or coffee shop.

2. Medium-Duty Commercial Microwaves

Medium-duty commercial microwaves are a step up in power and durability. These models are great for restaurants or food businesses that require regular microwave use throughout the day. They are more potent than light-duty models, meaning they can heat food faster and handle more significant portions.

3. Heavy-Duty Commercial Microwaves

For the busiest kitchens, heavy-duty commercial microwaves are the way to go. These are designed to be used continuously and withstand the rigorous demands of a large, fast-paced kitchen. They are mighty, usually with wattages over 2000 watts, which means they can cook food in record time.

Benefits of Using Commercial Microwaves in Your Business

1. Time-Saving for Faster Service

In the food industry, time is everything. The faster you can serve your customers, the better. A commercial microwave oven can heat or cook food much quicker than a stove or oven. You can prepare meals faster, serve more customers, and increase productivity.

2. Space-saving in Busy Kitchens

Another great benefit of commercial microwaves is that they don't take up much space. Even in a small kitchen, you can find a compact commercial microwave that will fit easily on a counter or shelf. This leaves more room for other equipment and helps keep your kitchen organized.

3. Energy-Efficient

Compared to traditional ovens, microwaves use less energy. This makes commercial microwaves more eco-friendly and cost-effective for cooking and reheating food. Every little bit of energy savings adds up in a business, so using a commercial microwave can help reduce your energy bills over time.

4. Easy to Use

Commercial microwaves are user-friendly, with simple controls that allow your staff to heat or cook food quickly without needing to learn complicated settings. This is especially useful in fast-paced environments, where there is no time to waste figuring out how to use equipment. Your team can focus on getting food out to customers, not on fiddling with the microwave.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Microwave for Your Business

When selecting the best commercial microwave oven for your business, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Power and Wattage

The wattage of a microwave determines how fast it can cook or reheat food. A higher wattage means faster cooking times. Light-duty microwaves may range from 1000 to 1200 watts, while heavy-duty models can exceed 2000 watts. Choose a microwave that matches the pace of your kitchen and the volume of food you need to prepare.

2. Size and Capacity

Commercial microwaves come in different sizes. Think about how much food you'll need to cook at once and how much space you have in your kitchen. Larger models can handle more significant portions but may also take up more room. Make sure to measure your space before purchasing a microwave.

3. Controls and Features

Different microwaves come with various features, such as programmable controls, multiple power levels, and sensors that automatically adjust cooking times. If you want a microwave with more flexibility and automation, look for models with advanced features that can make your job easier.

4. Price and Budget

Your budget will also play a significant role in choosing a suitable microwave. While heavy-duty commercial microwaves may be more expensive, it is worth the investment if you need a reliable machine that can handle constant use. However, a medium-duty microwave may be the best choice for balancing cost and performance if you run a smaller business with less demand.

Maintenance Tips for Commercial Microwaves

To ensure that your commercial microwave oven lasts for a long time and continues to perform well, it's essential to maintain it properly. Here are some quick tips:

Clean regularly: Wipe down the interior and exterior of the microwave after each use to prevent grease buildup.

Check the door seal: Ensure the door closes properly to avoid losing heat or wasting energy.

Follow manufacturer instructions: Refer to the user manual for cleaning and maintenance techniques.

Conclusion: Commercial Microwave Ovens Are Essential for Any Kitchen

A commercial microwave oven is a valuable asset to any business that serves food. It helps you cook or reheat meals faster, making your kitchen more efficient. With options for light, medium, or heavy-duty use, a commercial microwave that fits every type of business, from small cafés to bustling restaurants. These microwaves are durable, reliable, and designed to handle the demands of a fast-paced kitchen.

When choosing a commercial microwave for your business, consider your kitchen's needs, space, and budget. And don't forget—maintaining your microwave correctly will help it last longer and perform at its best. Investing in a high-quality commercial microwave oven will make your kitchen more efficient and your customers happier with faster service.

If you're looking for a reliable, fast, and efficient way to keep up with the demands of your kitchen, commercial microwaves are worth the investment!

[upstraightcleaningservices1]

Commercial Cleaning Services In Lawrenceville, Georgia: Enhancing Spaces, Elevating Lives

In Lawrenceville, Georgia, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment is essential for both homes and businesses. As the bustling heart of Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville thrives on professionalism and pristine surroundings. This article delves into the significance of commercial cleaning services in Lawrenceville, highlighting the transformative impact of cleanliness on individuals and establishments.

The Importance of Cleanliness

1. Creating a Positive Impression

First impressions matter, whether it's a client visiting your office or a guest entering your home. A clean and organized space speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail.

About Upstraight Cleaning

2. Our Mission and Values

At Upstraight Cleaning, we prioritize more than just tidying up spaces. Our mission revolves around enhancing the quality of life for our clients through immaculate cleaning services.

3. Professional Team

We boast a dedicated team of cleaning professionals who are not only skilled but also passionate about their work. Each member is trained to deliver top-notch cleaning services with efficiency and care.

4. Tailored Cleaning Solutions

We understand that every space is unique, which is why we offer customized cleaning solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether it's a small office or a large commercial complex, we have the expertise to handle it all.

Our Services

5. Office Cleaning

A clean office environment is essential for productivity and employee morale. Our office cleaning services ensure that your workspace remains pristine, promoting a healthy and conducive atmosphere for work.

6. Commercial Property Cleaning

Maintaining cleanliness in Commercial Cleaning properties is crucial for attracting customers and tenants. Our comprehensive commercial property cleaning services cover everything from lobbies to restrooms, ensuring that every corner sparkles with cleanliness.

7. Residential Cleaning

Coming home to a clean and organized space is a luxury that everyone deserves. Our residential cleaning services take the hassle out of household chores, allowing you to relax and unwind in a spotless environment.

The Upstraight Cleaning Difference

8. Eco-Friendly Practices

We are committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. That's why we use eco-friendly cleaning products and practices that are safe for both our clients and the planet.

9. Attention to Detail

It's the little things that make a big difference. At Upstraight Cleaning, we pay attention to every detail, ensuring that no spot goes unnoticed and no task is left unfinished.

10. Reliable and Consistent

Reliability is the cornerstone of our business. When you choose Upstraight Cleaning, you can trust us to deliver consistent and reliable cleaning services every time.

The Benefits of Professional Cleaning Services

11. Time-Saving

Outsourcing your cleaning needs to professionals frees up valuable time that you can spend on more important tasks or leisure activities.

12. Improved Health and Hygiene

A clean environment is essential for maintaining good health and hygiene. Our cleaning services help eliminate germs and bacteria, reducing the risk of illness and allergies.

13. Extended Lifespan of Assets

Regular cleaning not only keeps your space looking good but also helps extend the lifespan of your furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Conclusion

In Lawrenceville, Georgia, Upstraight Cleaning stands out as a beacon of excellence in the realm of commercial cleaning services. With our unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we strive to elevate spaces and enhance lives through the power of cleanliness.

[lo-kom]

V & A Rapid Response collecting research

"reveal truths about how we live"- collecting as a methodology for displaying a range of lived experiences. Paradox of items in collections often being collected from individuals but as a means to understand who we are as a collective body. How many items are required to fulfill this task, or is it more an impossible task- gathering a large enough quantity/ a wide enough range to start to piece together the commonalities amongst us?? I think this collection really brings to life an idea we came across in one of our taught studio lessons which was that collecting is hoarding but with a vision for the future.

"each new acquisition raises a different question about economic, political and social change, globalisation, technology and the law"

Rapid Response collecting suggests that the way the world is unfolding in dynamic and unexpected ways, and that this approach has designed been designed in line with this. Rather than collecting being a slow and drawn-out act, this approach is perhaps more reactive,, selecting those items which are most essential. Knowing that these items have been collected as a 'response' to the times (the social, politicial, economic etc. climate) also which gives an added sense of gravity/ significance with which we view each item, which changes our relationshio with the items as viewer (perhaps thinking more closely about what these items might say about us as a society etc.)

Simple captioning systems lists 1. Name of specific item 2. What type of item it is 3. When it was made 4. Where it was made

Under this section there is a more in depth explanation of the significance of this item, as well as the sub-categories that the item fits under

Online vs. digital collections

Online website allows for casual browsing with the option to find out more about the object. I think the difference between this collection being online vs. how it might look if it were an in-person collection is quite striking here. Online we can't really get a full sense of scale (despite the dimensions being listed) and the final form that the items take online (ie. the difference between seeing an old phone with the Flappy Bird app installed vs. an image on a laptop of a phone displaying Flappy Bird) creates further layers of separation between the viewer and the item which in some cases makes the items more difficult to engage with on an immediate level, but does have teh significant benefit being able to more easily access a wider volume of items.

At the bottom of the website page I found this disclaimer which I thought was interesting. It encourages viewers of the collection/ archive to engage with helping shape the future of the collection by identifying historical language/ ideas present that could cause offense. I think the idea of censorship and redaction is interesting in cases such as these as the level of appropriate use of disclaimers or intervention is far from clear-cut. At best I think it's a good thing that the V&A is appealing to the wider public and encouraging discussion and debate to work through these complex scenarios and help shape understanding for collections to come. The wider the pool of participants in such debates, the greater the range of perspectives brought to the table and therefore the more informed decision-making can become on behalf of large institutions such as the V&A

[chriskdm]

Omar Dumpster

Dumpster Rentals for Your {Home|House|Residence|Residential property|House or apartment|Home or apartment}

Roll-off dumpsters {are|are actually|are really|are definitely|are certainly|are without a doubt|are undoubtedly} {very|extremely|really|quite|rather} {useful|helpful|beneficial|valuable|effective|invaluable|important|essential} {tools|resources|instruments|solutions|implements|appliances} for {cleaning out|clearing out} or {cleaning up|tidying up|squaring away|clearing} {a home|a house|a residence|a residential property|a house or apartment|a home or apartment}. {When|Whenever|If|Anytime} {landscaping|garden|landscape|gardening|yard} {debris|clutter|trash|refuse|junk} and {random|arbitrary|indiscriminate|odd|incidental} {trash|garbage|rubbish|waste|litter|odds and ends|scrap} {has to|needs to|must|will have to|will need to} be {removed|eliminated|cleared away|extracted|taken away|eradicated|disposed of} {from|coming from|directly from|offered by} {a property|a home|a residential property|a house|a residence|a real property}, it {is|is actually|is really|is definitely|is certainly|is without a doubt|is undoubtedly} {vital|important|crucial|essential|critical|necessary|imperative|fundamental|integral|requisite} that {folks|people|individuals|property owners|families|households} have {a reliable|a dependable|a trustworthy|a trusted|a competent|a dedicated|a quality} {method|process|system|way|manner} of {removing|eliminating|clearing away|extracting|taking away|eradicating|disposing of} the {unwanted|undesirable} {stuff|things|material|matter}. {Whether|If|Regardless of whether} you are {cleaning out|clearing out|cleaning} {a basement|a cellar|an attic|a den}, {garage|garage area|car port|carport|storage area|barn|shed} or {backyard|yard|garden|back yard|patio|patio area}, a dumpster rental {from|coming from|directly from|offered by} {a reputable|a reliable|a trusted|a respectable|a credible|a trustworthy|a dependable|an established|a highly regarded|a quality|a respected} {company|firm|organization|service company|enterprise|establishment} {can|may|might|can certainly|can surely} make your day {easier|simpler|much easier|less complicated|much simpler|a lot easier|more simple}.

Renting a dumpster {from|directly from|offered by} the Dumpster Man for your {home|residential property|residential} {projects|jobs|tasks|work|activities} {is|is actually|is really|is definitely|is certainly|is without a doubt|is undoubtedly} {very|extremely|really|quite|rather} {quick|fast|speedy|accelerated} any {easy|simple|very easy|effortless|uncomplicated|convenient|straightforward|very simple|manageable|quite easy}. {It doesn't matter|It does not matter|It matters not|No matter} what {kind of|type of|sort of} {project|job|task|work|activity} you{'re| are actually| are really} {trying|attempting|making an effort|striving|seeking|aiming|endeavoring} to get {done|completed|handled|executed|finished|concluded|brought about}; be it {a small|a little|a tiny|a modest|a minimal|a smaller|a very small} {bit|piece|amount} of {renovation|remodelling|restoration|improvement|redesign|home improvement|reconstruction|renewal|redevelopment} or {a large|a big|a sizable|a substantial|a sizeable|a massive|a larger|a significant|a considerable|a vast|a major|a pretty big|a good sized} {project|job|task|work|activity} {being|being actually|being really|being definitely|being certainly|being without a doubt|being undoubtedly} {handled|dealt with|managed|taken care of|taken on|addressed|tackled|conducted} by {a professional|an expert|a competent|a skilled|a pro|a well-qualified} contractor, a dumpster rental service {will|will certainly|will definitely|definitely will} prove to {be|be actually|be really|be definitely|be certainly|be without a doubt|be undoubtedly} {worthwhile|beneficial|advantageous|worth your while|worth it|cost-effective|useful|of great benefit}. For {a small|a modest|a minimal|a smaller|a very small|a limited} {amount|volume|level|load|heap|bundle} of construction {debris|clutter|trash|refuse|junk} or {a big|a huge|a large|a significant|a major|a substantial|a massive|an extensive|a considerable} {mountain|hill|heap|pile|mound|stack} of {trash|garbage|rubbish|waste|litter|odds and ends|scrap}, we have the {right|ideal|appropriate|perfect|suitable|proper|most suitable|most ideal|most appropriate} dumpster for you, and we {can|may|might|can certainly|can surely} {get|deliver|send} it to you at the {right|ideal|appropriate|perfect|suitable|proper|most suitable|most ideal} {price|cost|rate|pricing}.

[nosanime]

Anime Foodies: Basic Cooking Equipment for Camping

This post relates to our Anime Foodies panels on “Laid-Back Camp” and “Laid-Back Camp Season 2”.

The goal of this post is to go over the basic equipment you’ll want to have for cooking while you’re out camping.  This is not meant to tell you all of what you’ll need for camping itself nor is it intended to be entirely exhaustive as to what you’ll need for cooking when camping.

Cooler:

A decent camping cooler is a must for keeping your food chilled throughout any camping trip. 

These days, you can get coolers for under $100 that will keep your food chilled for 72 hours without much trouble.  This is perfect for most weekend camping excursions.  Certain varieties – such as Yeti – can keep things chilled for longer periods, but do come with higher costs as a result. 

The size of your cooler will be dependent on how many folks you’re going camping with, but, for example, a 25 quart cooler has plenty of room for holding all the food you’ll need for two people for a weekend.

To go along with your cooler, do remember that you’ll need something to keep is chilled with.  If you don’t have cold freezer packs, bagged ice from any grocery store/gas station will do just fine.  Do remember that, if you just use ice, you may need to drain the cooler at times and make sure nothing is soaking in water at the bottom of the cooler towards the end of your trip.

Camping Stove:

A camping stove is going to be your go to item for cooking almost everything when you’re out at the campsite. 

These come in a lot of varieties with small, individual stoves in a single piece with a single burner all the way to large varieties that can have four burners.  The standard type – and one we use for all of our camping cooking – is a dual burner stove as you see here.

Coleman is an extremely good brand for cooking stoves in our experience.  We have two which have been in good working order for decades.

To go along with your stove, don’t skimp on your cans of propane.  They are pretty cheap and do last a while, but you’ll be in a world of hurt if you run out of fuel while using your stove.

Portable Grill:

In “Laid-Back Camp” and “Laid-Back Camp Season 2”, Rin has a little grill used on occasion when grilling is needed on site.  If you’re in most campgrounds in the U.S., there is somewhere on site that’ll have grills for you to use.  If you happen to not have access to one of these, however, you’ll want a portable grill. 

There are a ton of portable charcoal grills on the U.S. market with some of them being little varieties that fold up – like Rin’s in the show – to ones as big as standard backyard grills.  Whichever variety you end up with, do remember to be careful where you’re using it so you don’t torch a table or something silly like that.

Dutch Oven/Donabe:

Given that a lot of the dishes made in the Laid-Back Camp franchise are either hotpots or are otherwise designed to serve large amounts of people, a bigger cooking vessel with a tight-fitting lid such as a Dutch oven or donabe are essential. 

Dutch ovens are the easiest option for us stateside as they are basic indoor cooking equipment, suitable to many tasks in the kitchen.  Getting one with insulated handles is always a plus though do keep in mind that cooking over a camping stove can result in heat coming up the sides and onto the handles, so they may get hot regardless.

Donabe are Japanese earthenware pots specifically designed to use over open flames.  They are often used for nabe, but are useful for about everything a Dutch oven is though often having a slightly smaller internal volume for similarly sized pieces.  These are great if you’re looking for a more authentic experience and are willing to shell out the higher price that’ll be required for one.

Skillet/Sauté Pan:

A good skillet is a constant companion when cooking as it’s great for camping classics like grilled cheese, but also some specific recipes seen in the Laid-Back Camp franchise (such as the stellar Grilled Steamed Buns from the show’s first season).

If you’ll be making food for one or two, a six or eight inch variety is probably sufficient, but a ten inch pan or bigger will definitely be needed for some of the recipes designed for larger groups of people. 

Saucepan:

A saucepan is invaluable if you’ll be doing anything Japanese while out cooking as it’s the easiest device with which to make rice with.  It’s also just a general camping standard for making individual or smaller serving sizes for soups and other cold weather staples. 

A larger-sized one with an insulated handle is best for the sake of convenience if you have the room, but you can get away with smaller ones if it’ll just for one or two people.  Also make sure you always get one with a tight-fitting lid.

Knife:

For a knife while out camping, we’d recommend something multi-purpose such as a sturdy hunting or camping knife which can both cut food as necessary, but also do other tasks you might come across while out camping.  Certain styles are also convenient in that they fold away for easy storage and access when outdoors.

If all else fails, however, any properly sharp kitchen knife will do the trick on most of the recipes from this franchise.

Cutting Board:

With the need for a knife comes the need for a cutting board.  There are two styles best suited to camping.  The first and better of the two are thin ones that are stiff and have some manner of sticking surface on the bottom which can slip into crevices for easy packing while also taking up minimal room.  The second are the extremely ones that are flexible and can roll up.  These can save even more room though they lack the convenient bottom surface to keep the cutting board from moving around when in use. 

Measuring Cups/Spoons:

If you’ll be making anything that requires any manner of finesse, a basic set of measuring cups/spoons will be great.  There are collapsible versions you can get these days that are wonderful for camping as they take up significantly less room than standard models.

Cooking/Eating Utensils:

A set of basic cooking utensils will be essential to making most dishes while out camping.  What you should look to have are things like a spatula, tongs, ladle, and some kind of large cooking spoon or paddle to use for most of your stirring in a pot or pan.

A set of your standard eating utensils – spoon, fork, and knife – should get you through almost any camping meal.  Taking plastic silverware camping is a really great way to both minimize cleaning, but also use any excess plastic cutlery lying around from takeout and such.

Paper Plates/Bowls/Cups:

This is more a matter of preference, but if you’d like to save yourself on some dishes, you can never go wrong with a sizeable stack of sturdy paper plates, bowls, and cups as needed. 

If you’re worried about the potential for creating additional waste, we’d recommend doing what we do and save your leftover paper products to use as kindling for the next day’s fire.  Keep in mind that you’ll never want to leave trash out that’ll attract wild animals, so you’d need to find a place to store things like this.

Plenty of Water:

You’ll never be guaranteed to have access to potable water when out camping, even if it’s a properly built-up site in close proximity to civilization.  As a result, you want to always bring a large amount of basic filtered water to use for cooking.  One to five gallon containers of water are available at most grocery or convenient stores for relatively little cost.  What’s nice is these can be kept and filled with non-potable water when it’s time to squelch the campfire before bed.

If you’ll be making Japanese-style rice, remember that it requires a lot of rinsing, so you’re looking at nearly a gallon of water needed for that alone (somewhat dependent on the batch you’ve acquired, but it’ll be quite a lot).

[cruzrogue]

The Rise of the Lamb

So very AU. The part of the past that Felicity Smoak has kept tight lipped. Even before Cooper Sheldon. She had a torrid affair with the darkness which led to having her handle across all that was the dark web.

Nothing, no one could stop her then. With a broken college heart, she swore off the darken ways. That is until she walked away from another broken heart that the league of assassins created.

Her light dimming. Turning her back to a living ghost. The animal spirit of a fox. It is time for the Goddess within her to awaken again.

It was not an end. If the league of shadows wants to play. She’ll ignite the true shadows of world to seek and hunt her prey.

Watching the patrol of this area pass by. Felicity Smoak waits silently. Keeping the aura of her wrist mainframe from emitting a glow. Switching a filter on her spectacles it allows her to see in the dark as she jumps down from her perch to land quietly before the door that holds what she requirements.

Easily unlocking the coded door to enter swiftly and take back something of importance to her that the police confiscated from the foundry.

Her first act of being back to a persona she thought she’d never be again. It is bittersweet. Taking important memorabilia from SCPD’s criminal storage. She rubs the fabric between her exposed fingertips. Taking the hood that meant something to Oliver is now to be imbedded into her own disguise. This way a piece of him will always be with her.

As quickly as she came into the evidence room she is gone.

  ~~~*~~~

Back at the loft that the Queen siblings shared. A lingering sadness with an abundance of an eerie silence have the occupants keeping to themselves. With some dramatic changes. Felicity steps out of what was Oliver’s room. Like in the past, Felicity shed her outer appearance. Taking back her once darker look. Shedding the large bright wardrobe that remains at her townhome.

It is easier to move in with Thea. It is the least Felicity can do for Oliver. Keeping his sister close. Making sure the young woman gets back on her feet. The turmoil of what Ra’s Al Ghul did. It is a living nightmare. Thea at the verge of death only to be pulled back and now be cursed with an urge to kill. Blood lust.

Even with Thea’s father’s sporadic visits. If the man doesn’t get in her way. She’ll pay him no mind. He is useful in keeping Thea occupied. It adds to helping Felicity go about her tasks.

“Thea, I’m heading out. Make sure the door is locked behind me.”

“Out again?”

“Yes. I have a few things to do.”

“With the team?”

Felicity just gives the younger woman a blank look.

“Felicity?”

“I’ll be back in a few hours. Don’t wait up.” Not waiting on a reply Felicity leaves Thea’s place.

 ~~~*~~~

“I’m not sure what to make of this new look, Ms. Smoak.”

“Wasn’t asking for your opinion.”

He huffs but asks with some joking flair if she’ll be wielding a bow in memorandum to her ex-lover. It gets him to move back suddenly as Felicity gets up close that she doesn’t need to speak above a whisper. The icy glare of her eyes speaks volumes. She still murmurs a few words that has Malcolm Merlyn frozen in place. He must hand it to her. Yet again, she is one of the most incredible, interesting, and remarkable individuals that Oliver has surrounded himself with.

If he didn’t witness some maneuvers of hers a few nights ago. He would not have believed she could be more than just the central wits of the Arrow team. It only brings him to wonder if Oliver Queen knew the real woman he was longing after. She can take control and give him a stare with choice words like she did when she drugged her lover.

Not backing down from her stare out of principal. As she may be an enigma. He is still the trained man that the league had once held. No stranger to combat. Especially mind games.

They’re at a standstill.

It is Felicity who breaks it, “Your daughter had a rough day. I doubt your presence will make it any better.”

“I disagree. I think my cheery disposition is a craving she’ll take as comfort.”

“If you mean narcissism. Sure.” Felicity is already on the move, “Don’t wait up.”

Malcolm doesn’t get a chance to answer as she’s already vaulting off the roof.

 Verdant’s basement still had the bare bones of what is needed. The foundry is quiet. Especially since the SCPD raided the club. Felicity just silently walks around the almost empty place. Allowing the memory of some of the hardest moments she’s had here. The Arrow isn’t in action anymore.

With the calming rhythmic noise of her servers coming to life she starts to add to its capacity. Using it as the center hub of every other server she has connected to just on this side of the Hampshire.

She doesn’t react as a voice is heard out of an unlit corner. The bright bubbly woman she’s drowned out would have screamed. This darken demure that is now in place can show irritation. That is if she didn’t have one of the silent alerts giving her a slight advantage.

“You’re operating again?” He doesn’t need to ask if it really is her. The long lethargic stretch of time is what he questions, “Why now?”

“Hello, Bruce.” He pulls back his mask and looks around to what looks like an abandoned hideout. “What brings you to Starling City?” He doesn’t mention that she’s the one who invited him here. “What gave me away? Was it tapping into one of your satellites?”

He chuckles lowly. Both know the only reason is because she left him a calling card. She’s too good. If she didn’t want him to find it. He wouldn’t have.

“You left your calling card.”

She doesn’t smile. She hasn’t since leaving her heart in Nanda Parbat.  

“I suppose I did. Didn’t think I’d get a live bat appearance.”

“I am a little disappointed.” She just keeps her eyes on him, “You took to working for Kord, Queen, Palmer, even a stint at Tech Village. Not once even entertaining my offers.” She can’t help but roll her eyes. “We could have done some amazing real work together.”

“We crossed paths enough in my youth. I know drama when I see it.”

“Yet, you settled for working closely with a toxophilite.” Watching as the corner of her mouth curl upward. It has him inwardly groan. It seems that man’s archery skills has an positive effect on her.

He raises a hand in defeat. “I get it.” He takes a seat near her side, “Are you really going to wage war on a formidable foe?”

“I am not going to lose him.”

“You may already have.”

“Oliver is a survivor. He is one of the strongest men I have ever known.”

“You mean stubborn.”

“With some of you. It always means the same thing.”

Their history is complex. He met her in his journey to becoming the Batman. She was still a child. An amazing kid-wonder. Though that is a tale-in-itself. Now she needs help.

“What do you need from me?”

“I want you to stand aside and let me do my thing.”

Observing how she is pacing this obsolete work area. He at least can fund her better equipment. He knows at least she’ll accept that kind of help.

She seems lost in thought. Maybe thinking of a few instances that they’ve worked on some life altering causes, “Felicity?” That gets her attention again, “I asked you to not interfere once and…”

“And if I intervened earlier. She would still be alive.” That memory agitates her, “It isn’t my guilt to carry around, but you loved her Bruce. If you had some help…” He just nods at those words. It’s a death that will always haunt him.

“I know.”

“If I need you.” She pauses. It is hard to ask for help, “I’ll reach out.” Not needing to turn around to see that he has left on those last words.

For now, he will respect her wishes.

[hoidn]

tree Explains Things 01: SnapMotion

In this tutorial I talk about using SnapMotion to create caps from video clips for the purpose of making gifs. (I recommend viewing this on YouTube for better quality and a larger video size.)

Please note that I'm not affiliated with SnapMotion or its creator in any way and there's nothing in it for me if you choose to purchase SnapMotion for yourself. Obviously, I recommend it, but do investigate your options, as there may be something out there that's better suited to you.

(This transcript is approximately 60% accurate to the tutorial and 40% me condensing my waffle into more sensible narration.)

--

SnapMotion is a Mac OS X program available to buy at the App Store. (As far as I'm aware, there are no releases for any other operating system.) It's fairly inexpensive: AUD $7.99 when I bought it two years ago. (In the video I said $12, from memory, but then I looked up the receipt email to confirm and found myself $4.01 wrong.) Considering that I've made thousands and thousands of caps in the couple of years I've been using it, I've definitely gotten my money's worth.

SnapMotion has two modes: what I call photo mode and then batch mode. Photo mode is good for one or two caps, but to extract caps in bulk you'll be using batch mode. (Something I forgot to mention in the video is that dragging your file to the SnapMotion icon will open it in photo mode by default. In order to access batch mode, you have to open the program and select it.)

Selecting Show Batch Mode takes you to the batch mode work space. Here you can drag and drop your clip or click the plus sign to add it. Once you've loaded a clip, select it in order to access the Add Batch Tasks menu.

One of the things that I particularly like about this program is that all the information you need about the file is clearly set out. In particular, it shows you how many frames per second you're working with. This is important because the fps rate determines how many frames you want to extract from a clip.

--

Why? Because math.

All the sources I've worked with have an fps rate of either 24 or 60. That number tells you how many individual images are contained in one second of video. Obviously, there's a considerable difference between 24 and 60, and that affects how many frames you choose to extract.

I've found I get the best results by extracting every other frame from 24 fps sources and every fifth frame from 60 fps sources. So:

24 fps = 2 (or 1/2 ← why does Tumblr do that?? I hate that!) 60 fps = 5 (or 1/5)

(That gives you roughly 12 caps per second for both sources. I say 'roughly' because, as you can see on my screen, the fps rate is rounded to the nearest whole number. 24 fps is actually 23.7 fps, so that missing .03 can have a cumulative effect.)

I find this is the best compromise between having smooth, natural looking motion in your gifs and keeping your file size within Tumblr's constraints. (I'll talk more about that in the next tutorial.)

--

Tools

The green bar is obviously your clip timeline. The cursor defaults to being in the centre for some reason. You have start and end caps (or whatever you call them) that define the start and end points of your extraction. The left and right arrow|bar buttons move your cursor to the start or end cap respectively, and between them is the play button. To the left are the transformation options. I've never used them, so I don't know what they do. (If you decide to experiment, please report back about your results!) To the right of that is the volume icon, which allows you to hear sound from your clip during playback. I don't find it useful, so I don't bother. The tortoise icon allows you to adjust the speed of your playback (left is slower, right is faster in case that’s not obvious). The arrowheads on the far right move your playback cursor to the start and end caps respectively.

Add Batch Tasks

This is where you specify the parameters for the batch.

Mode: there are four options. I primarily use Every X Frames. As this is a 24 fps source, I want to extract every 2 frames, so I use the value 2. When I type my value in and then press tab, the bottom of the panel shows the number of frames that will be generated from my selection. If I process this selection, SnapMotion will create twenty-five images. But because I moved the start and end caps earlier, and I actually want to extract frames from the whole clip, I need to adjust them. When I tab through my X value again, I see an updated number of generated frames.

I always include the Starting and Ending frames because I trim my clips to the exact frames I want (unless I'm being lazy).

Max size: This refers to the width of the image in pixels. (Technically, it refers to the maximum size of the largest dimension, but since video sources are universally landscape oriented, for our purposes this number will always refer to the width.) The default setting is 4,000 pixels and since the source clip is 1920 pixels wide my caps are going to remain 1920 pixels wide. However, if you know what width you want your eventual gif to be and you don't want to go through the extra step of resizing it in Photoshop, you can use this setting to do that for you. For example, if you want your gif to be 540 pixels wide you would enter 540 in this field. When you process this batch, SnapMotion will resize each frame it extracts to a width of 540 pixels with a proportional height. (Yeah, I said width at first and then I had trouble getting out the word height. Talking is hard!)

I don't use this feature simply because sometimes I change my mind, and I would have to rerun the batch if I did. (This isn't a big deal for a single shot like this, but if you're working with a whole scene that contains hundreds of frames, it's a hassle.) I also reuse caps sometimes. As you probably know, if you follow my Longmire gifs, sometimes I do a full scene using small gifs and then I go back and do large versions of some of the Vic shots. (Because I love her so.) And sometimes I make other graphics. In those situations, I want the image at its original size, so that I can resize or crop it the way I want.

Format: I prefer PNG.

Override: this tells the program what to do when a file with the same name already exists in the destination folder. The options are Replace existing files or Use alternative name. They're probably fairly self-explanatory (but just in case, I included a note).

Errors: I don't think I've ever had an error in this program. You can choose to generate a log file with each batch, but I kept getting logs that said "no errors" every time I ran one and it was annoying having to constantly delete them, so I switched to No error handling.

Headline/Credit: I believe this is like watermarking your images. If you want to watermark your gifs (I honestly don't see the point but some people do it), I think it'd be a lot easier to do it in Photoshop (or whatever program you use for image editing).

Export: this is where you specify the destination for your extracted image files. Click Choose to open the menu from here. Alternatively, when you're ready to process a batch, click the red button (aka the "Do the Thing" button according to me when I recorded this), and if there is no destination already specified, it will prompt you for a location.

Once you've clicked the Do the Thing button (yeah, I'm just leaning into it now), SnapMotion will display Task Added. If you look at the top of the window, you'll see a progress bar showing the percentage of completion as it processes.

When the images are fully exported, you'll see All Tasks Done and also an alert if you've selected that in your preferences (which I haven't gotten to yet but it's coming up). If you go to the destination folder, you'll find all the images that have been extracted. That's it!

--

I want to address the syntax for how files are named because I found the options very confusing to begin with. The default syntax made no sense to me and it took me a while to configure something that did. File names are defined in the program preferences, so go to the SnapMotion menu, select Preferences, then select the Batch tab.

Number of concurrent snaps: how many frames should be extracted at the same time. This has an impact on your RAM usage and also impacts how long it takes a batch to run.

Alert users with: this is where you choose whether or not you want a notification outside the program. It's useful if you're running a larger batch in the background and therefore don't see the All Tasks Done message.

Output name format:  these are the elements I use:

<movie_name> = the title of your clip file

hyphen

<time_seconds> = the actual second position of the frame within the clip; for example, a frame that was extracted at 14s would be numbered beginning with 14. This parameter converts durations of 1 minute+ into seconds, e.g. 60, 61, etc.

<frame _index> = the running number of the frames extracted in the batch, beginning at 1. The position of this number depends on the total number of frames you're extracting. From 1 to 99 frames, the number will be 01; from 100 to 999 frames, the number will be 001. I've never extracted more than 1,000 frames, but I assume in that situation you'd begin with 0001.

If I were extracting 40 frames from my clip beginning at 14s, then the numerical portion of my file names would start at 1401. If I were extracting 120 frames, then the numerical portion of my file names would start at 14001.

<image_extension> = the file format you've specified

So, my file names are constructed like this: 

<movie_name>-<time_seconds><frame _index>.<image_extension>

And the files from the batch I've just run look like this if you separate the elements: 

1x05_2206 - 0 01 . png

In this batch, the seconds run from 0 to 3 and there are 34 frames in total. The first number column represents <time_seconds>, while columns two and three combined represent <frame_index>. You can see that the numbers in columns two and three are sequential from 1-34, whereas the numbers in column one aren't. That's because I've extracted multiple frames per second. Caps 1-7 were extracted from the first second of the clip, caps 8-18 from the second, caps 19-31 from the third, and caps 32-34 from the fraction of the fourth second.

This naming system is what works for me, but you should experiment with the options so that you can construct file names that work best for you.

--

The last couple of things:

You can import multiple clips either individually or at the same time. 

You can delete a clip by selecting it and clicking the minus button.

--

And that's SnapMotion!

If anything is unclear or I've omitted something that you wanted to know about, please let me know. Thanks for watching and listening (and reading). Next up, I’ll be explaining the process of importing your caps into Photoshop and creating your gif file.

[abrar-aslam]

GetResponse Details,Overview, Unique Features, Pros and Cons

Introduction/Details

GetResponse is basically an online marketing software which is used by many business owners. It helps us in creation of newsletter for subscribers and appeal. 

It was initiated in 1999 by Simon Grabowski who is an online marketing expert. It helps business traders to create content ,increase their sales, send marketing emails and perform vigorous tasks online.

GetResponse is functioning worldwide that is why we can see its offices in the Poland and many other countries. GetResponse has been growing rapidly because it is helping entrepreneurs regarding marketing issues. So, after knowing that marketing is the most important aspect of any business it forces you to research on GetResponse.  GetResponse review 2020 shows that more than 350000 businesses are working with GetResponse from 185 different countries. 

Overview

GetResponse was basically originated to help business persons to increase their sales volume. It is also helping to increase the number of subscribers and how to engage with them. This can only be done by the marketing campaigns. GetResponse has an awesome feature called email editor which allows the users to download the letters. It is beneficial for the user as there is no need of any kind of coding while conscripting the newsletter. There are predefined amazing templates to create emails and images. This feature will also help you to reduce cost as there is no need of graphic designer for this process. 

GetResponse also provides you with a great feature of making landing pages. It allows its users to create landing pages and customize their web forms. It also allows users to create amazing custom templates which can be used later. The most amazing thing about GetResponse is that users can make large amount of money by creating websites without any code.

There are also a lot of features related to GetResponse which includes automation segmentation, tracking ,least scoring and a lot more. GetResponse encourage beginners by providing them tiers when it comes to pricing. GetResponse has four main modes which are pro, max, email and enterprise. It is important to remember that these four modes operates different on basis of marketing features.

Features of GetResponse

Marketing Automation

Marketing automation is one of the key features of GetResponse which allows to create workflow that allows a user to send many segments of data at once. Due to this great feature of GetResponse we cannot compare it with others. With the segmentation tool a user can also subdivide the contacts of his/her subscribers as you sent the emails. It is much easier for user to reply to customers because it works automatically. If you divide your mails into segments now you only have to click the checkbox and click your preferred sections as you send the mails. It in each segment also allows you to opt to send mails to a few individuals. 

Free Landing Page Builder

This great feature of GetResponse provides the tools to design SEO-optimized and revenue-generating pages. This feature enables us to build unlimited landing pages to land our new subscribers and sales. GetResponse provides over 200 landing page templates. It provides dozens of ready-made, mobile-responsive templates designed to convert visitors into contacts. GetResponse also provides creativity with drag-and-drop editor which builds your page in minutes. It also has amazing features like move, resize, crop, group, color, reshape elements, enhance your design with GIFs and free stock photos, Tweak and optimize your page for mobile devices.

Conversion Funnel

GetResponse provides you with ultimate sales funnel software machine. It provides you the Ready-made, automated sales funnel creator, build your landing pages, automate your emails, sell your products, recover abandoned orders, and convert your customers. GetResponse also has Simple opt-in funnels, Lead magnet funnels, Sales funnels and Webinar funnels.

SMS marketing

GetResponse provides trigger-based SMS Marketing automation. It allows to create automated SMS campaigns inside your marketing automation platform. You don’t need extra tools or services to communicate with customers more effectively. The most effective ways of reaching your recipients are just around the corner in one GetResponse MAX account. It sends SMS messages automatically based on selected conditions, user behavior or contact information.

Pros

The visual campaign builder is excellent in GetResponse. It makes building out even very complex campaigns quite     easy. We believe it is one of the best on the market. It has everything     that you would expect to see in a high level email platform. This is the     core of GetResponse and it does it quite well.

The Funnel Builder which is a feature released last     year, is also an excellent tool. You can create a good customer journey     with the GetResponse funnel builder. It’s great for lead magnets, list     building, etc. but it also has enough features that can be used to lead a     customer all the way to the checkout.

The updated email builder is also great. This was an     area that needed some attention and it got it. The revised builder allows     for content-rich emails that are up to today’s best practices.

GetResponse offers original templates and you can play with the     themes of any particular campaign.

You can get a quantified and detailed report of the     processes You are working on.

GetResponse has very detailed and accurate statistics system.

The interface of GetResponse is elegant and extremely easy to use.

You can do everything quickly, productively, and     efficiently.

Cons

The one area that I have found that could be more     robust is the API. I had a situation where we were using Easy Digital     Downloads and had moved from a different platform to GetResponse. We ended up having to hack the API a bit to get the     functions we needed. It was not a major issue but it could have been     avoided with a more robust API.

The other area where GetResponse could be stronger is in the products that it     integrates with. They have been working to grow the list but we feel there     is still some work needed in this area. Beyond these two areas, I have no     complaints.

[bave-de-crapaud]

The Darkness Within...

CHAPTER FIVE

(Yearning by crescentcreations.storenvy.com) 

Request by: the babe @belladonnarey

A/N: hmmm this one took a while BUT it (hopefully) is the smut you have been waiting for. Let me know what you like about it, what you don’t, what you think will happen. Enjoy and stay safe.  Sirius x Reader Older Sirius Sirius Lives/Post Azkaban Smutty McSmut Word count: 5500+ Disclaimer: All characters are assumed 18+ Warnings: Smut!

—-

Finding yourself at Number 12 Grimmauld Place became a regular if normal occurrence over the next few weeks. In your spare time you sat on the floor in Sirius’ library, pouring over dusty volumes containing everything and anything related to wizards and witches with ‘eccentric abilities’ - the technical term to what you had, apparently. 

The good thing about this was you weren’t the only one who had surfaced over the years with strange skills, there were wizards who could command water without a wand, witches who with one touch could drain a person of their fears, individuals who could fly sans apparatus and countless others who had fascinating and outrageous traits. The bad thing was none of these wizards were alive today to speak with, the last person with documented abilities had died over 100 years ago. Yet again you felt like you were on this journey on your own.

Sirius and Remus were constantly in and out of the house completing various missions and tasks for the order. Sirius checked on you often, bringing you tea or something to eat but kept himself scarce to let you figure out your mysteries alone. He seemed to understand that this was a private affair for you and you were grateful for the time. However each night around 8pm he would come into the Library, sit on one of the old leather couches and ask you about your day. 

You caught snippets of what he and Remus had been up to and learned that one of the missions ended in a grizzly discovery of Macnair’s body - found dead in his home - magic obviously the cause of torture and death. 

Voldemort had become less of a focus in your mind and each time you were called to his presence you found it easy to resist his psychological torment. The disgust on your face was not evident when fellow Death Eaters talked about their foul crimes. Being around Sirius was giving you a strength you never knew you had. The way he threw himself into fighting for equality and the right to live no matter what situation or who he had to work with, both humbled and amazed you. If he can put up with more than 12 years of the world thinking he was a betrayer and cold-blooded killer who was associated with Death Eaters and Voldemort, then you could put up with sporadically rubbing shoulders with Malfoy, Lestrange, and their cronies.

Your new attitude didn’t go unnoticed, it was put down to you growing a stronger stomach for violence and generally taken positively amongst the Death Eater ranks. However, Voldemort, though he outwardly showed no signs of displeasure, watched you more and decided to hold whatever he wanted Macnair to deliver to you for later. Like any nefarious leader, he was constantly on the lookout for a rat in his ranks and you were not exempt from this scrutiny.

After every Death Eater meeting, you would return home before heading over to Grimmauld Place, a new sanctuary, to pour over more books and hopefully absorb the good vibes from its admirable inhabitants. This made being with Death Eaters bearable. On the nights of Order meetings, however, you stayed away. Those evenings were becoming Sirius’ least favourite. It made sense to shield you from them for your own and others’ safety. However, that didn’t stop him feeling concerned for you. Reckless and impulsive, he may be, he was also a very intuitive and perceptive man. He hadn’t failed to notice how much you seem to relax in his library. He wanted that for you, relating to that feeling of relief as almost an addictive substance, he knew you needed and craved it and he wanted to give it to you. Badly. 

He felt protective and territorial of you. If he really wanted to analyse his feelings he would have noticed that your safety, though paramount, was not the only reason he wanted you to come to his house: the lingering looks as he gave you yet another cup of tea, finding a way to bring you into conversation with Remus, seemingly innocently, was a dead giveaway of deeper feelings. Remus said nothing, prefering to feign ignorance, yet the annoyingly knowing looks he gave Sirius hinted otherwise.

“Just ask her, Padfoot.” Remus sighed exasperatedly, shuffling his paper one day as Sirius kept looking towards the door of his library, knowing you were inside.

“Ask her what?” Sirius tried and failed to nonchalantly reply.

“Out, mate!” 

Sirius frowned, placing both hands on the kitchen table as though readying his defense. “For one: what makes you think I want to ask her out? And two: I couldn’t anyway - we are supposed to be on opposing sides remember?” 

Remus stared at his friend, conceding defeat but not enough to hold in his last words before disappearing behind the Daily Prophet; “True but if it can be concealed from the Death Eaters that she is at your house every day, then asking her to have dinner with you is not a huge step up I would think.”

There was another reason, Sirius hadn’t tried to gauge your feelings: He didn’t want you to think he was just trying to get a leg over. Your outright statement about his intentions after he first visited your house, had stuck with him. He concluded that you didn’t want him and pursuing you would only harden your view towards him further. So he played it safe, frustrating himself and unknowingly frustrating you in the process.

—

Sirius’ library was vast and carried more volumes on runes than all the franchises of Flourish and Blotts combined. What was interesting was that the interpretation of runes and ancient markings was just as vast and also open into a plethora of interpretation. You had discovered that the rune on your chest - the mirror image of one of Sirius’  tattoos - did indeed mean ‘destruction’ but in a form of new growth. Much like a farmer sowing soil, ridding the earth of old, dead, and rotting plants preparing it for new seeds.

Two runes on your left arm meant ‘Harm To My Enemies’ and another on your thigh could be interpreted as ‘The East Wind’. Other forms of your abilities were harder to quantify as there was no record of someone with all the same traits as you, however, those who had shown up throughout history with varying sources of atypical power were more often than not tyrants and individuals who used their abilities for evil. Stories of wizards who did not feel cold, commanding animals, and manipulating the elements such as fire were largely negative however speckled throughout the research were wizards who were great warriors, shepherds of the people, and in some cases just normal citizens living their lives like everyone else

Though you were slowly and steadily finding out more information about your powers and relished the time you were so easily given you couldn’t help but wish for Sirius’ company more often than an hour or two at night. Luckily for you, that was about to change.

—

“What’s wrong, Y/N?” You were sat on the floor in front of the fireplace staring gloomily at your fifth cup of tea.

You smiled “Sirius I’m so grateful for you letting me stay but I was wondering - do you have anything other than tea?”

He smirked and left the room returning seconds later with a bottle of fire whiskey. 

Handing you a large glass he clinked it with his and took his place back on the couch asking you again how was your day. Each night Sirius had helped you with your findings, giving his opinion or helping you to digest what you had read. He was adamant that your powers weren’t evil and that you needed to be confident in your choice to do what was right. He had served to make you feel good about yourself a lot but you wondered if he had the same support from his pairs. Tonight you put aside your research and decided to question him about his life. You had gleaned a bit about him over the last month but he was infinitely fascinating to you and seemed like a well of untapped ideas and beliefs.

He talked about his family, his friends, and the Order. He told you light hearted tales about his Hogwarts days and he talked at length about Harry and how sometimes he was nervous about his parenting role considering Walburga and Orion were such poor examples to go off.

“You know, you are not what I thought.” You said boldly after a moment of silence.

 Sirius sat up straighter on the couch and cocked his eyebrow at you. A side smile not quite covering a flicker of worry in his eyes.

“Oh?” Was all he said. “Yeah.” You walked forwards from your current position in front of the mantle place and took a seat beside him. 

“You care more about what people think than you let on.”

“Is that so?” He subconsciously moved his body so it was angled towards you.

“Yeah, and you are not as much of a dog around the ladies as I thought you’d be.” Sirius barked out a laugh at this. “Why thank you Y/N, but to be fair you have never seen me around ‘the ladies.’”

“I’ve seen you around me.” You answered bluntly. “You aren’t all over me with cheap pick up lines and cocky bravado.”

Sirius turned his head away and tried to hold in a laugh. Where was this coming from? He wondered.

“Is that how you think I would woo a woman? I’m slightly offended, Y/N.” He didn’t look it. He looked amused and a little interested.

He wasn’t able to tell if you were joking and as you glimmered at him, taking another sip of your drink.

“I don’t sleep around you know. I haven’t done that since I was 20, but unfortunately, that reputation has always preceded me.”

“You probably deserved it!” 

He scoffed, turning back to stare at the fire; “Probably, and don’t get me wrong I still like meeting new people but I have long since learned sex is far better with someone you have a connection with.”

“Ok then.” You said brightly, gaining his attention again. “What would you do?” 

“What would I do, when?” Sirius narrowed his eyebrows slightly, confused.

“When you want to “woo” a woman.” You signalled quotation marks in the air as you said the word ‘woo’ earning another quick chuckle from him.

Sirius paused, looking at you intently, cogs working fast in his brain. She wants you to woo her? No, she wants you to show her what you would do to woo her. Does that mean she wants me?

As Sirius battled these rapid thoughts, your own inner monologue was pipping up as well:  This is a dangerous game, Y/N.  You are leading him on and you know it.  It’s too dangerous, you can’t do anything with him. Don’t confuse the poor guy…unless you want to be leading him on.  Do you?

Shaking your head and forcing yourself to believe this would just be a fun game you crossed your legs leaning closer to Sirius.

He noticed glancing at your legs, smooth skin exposed up to past mid-thigh where your skirt took over covering the rest from there.

He looked back into your eyes and noticed a difference. Your pupils were bigger and there was a faint purple hue in your irises.

Right now, the sexual tension in the room could be cut with a knife. It had been building over the past few weeks. An accidental touch here and there, a smile, or a look that meant everything and nothing at the same time from him would floor you. When he looked over your shoulder to consider whatever book you were showing him, little puffs of his breath in your ear flooded your body with heat making it impossible to concentrate. All these reactions confused you and created a chronic longing feeling in your chest you had not experienced before. It made you feel warm, content, and giddy. 

Never having fallen for anyone before, you didn’t recognise the signs, the changes in your body and the effect he had on you mentally and physically. By the time these feelings had reached boiling point he was sitting next to you and your body was doing the thinking for you. God you wanted him to touch you. To an untrained eye Sirius looked so cool and collected, however beneath the surface he was anything but.

Since Remus had confronted him about asking you out, Sirius had thought little else. He was super aware of his body language, how it angled him towards you, begging him to take a step closer even if just to place his hand on your back as he passed. Believing that you didn’t want that from him, he was careful not to brush past you or stand too close and cause you to feel uncomfortable. He constantly watched himself and made sure he didn’t give you the wrong idea. It was hard though. Very hard.

Just yesterday he nearly pinned you against the wall and kissed you. He was walking you out and after a long night of research, you were tired and not watching where you were going. Just as he was saying “watch out for the…” you kicked over that bloody troll leg again. Instead of steading yourself, your first thought was not to wake up Sirius’ Mother’s portrait so you reached back to catch the falling article before its clatter made a sound. Overreaching, you fell backward into something hard and warm: Sirius’ chest. He instantly wrapped his arms around you, holding you tight and upright. 

“Are you ok?” he whispered in your ear, his puffs of breath once again making your veins tingle.

You swallowed and exited abruptly leaving Sirius cursing himself for what he thought was his incongruous behaviour. As far as you were concerned, it had been anything but and you were unable to stop thinking of him for the rest of the evening, dreaming of those same arms doing other far more inappropriate things making your sleep wrought with pleasurable shivers and fever. Oh God, was he ever going to come closer?

Until this evening he had been the perfect gentleman, respecting your boundaries and staying just out of reach. Apart from the one incident in the hallway, you hadn’t felt his touch, no matter how innocent, since he had carried you up the stairs to bed and that was having an unacceptable effect on you. It made you lean towards him further, lick your lips whenever he was near, and glance at his body when he wasn’t looking in a completely wanton way. He must notice the heat coming from me? You thought. He seemed so relaxed, not at all perturbed by your presence.

How wrong you were. Inside, Sirius was struggling. He was trying to be a gentleman but it was hard, you were making it hard. Do you actually want him? He was ok with just being in your orbit slowly torturing himself at not touching you, content at just being there but this evening, your flirting coupled with the fire whiskey was not helping, in fact, its lubricating effects ware making resisting anything you said that could be slightly construed as even vague interest, very, very difficult. 

Sirius cleared his throat. Not taking his eyes off you. “You want me to show you how I ask a woman out?”

“Yes, show me your moves!”

Sirius smiled but his eyes held a serious, almost pained look. Before you could ask him what was wrong he shuffled in his seat.

“Y/N, I don’t have moves I just sort of feel a situation out, see if she likes me and then go from there.”

“Ok well, show me how you do that. Come on.” You egged him as he gave you a look of doubt. “It’ll be fun.”

It’ll be torture. Sirius thought, but you were looking at him with such a blazing warmth in your eyes, he relented and shifted so he was closer to you.

“Well, if I like her I have usually gotten to know her a little bit, watched the way she moves, adjusted my body language to suit whatever she is comfortable with, and look for signs she is interested in me too.”

He stretched so his right arm was running along the back of the couch, behind you, touching your shoulder ever so lightly. You shivered at the contact. 

“Then I guess I would let her take the lead.” His voice had lowered and you noticed he had leaned closer to you. You had also noticed that the outside of his right leg was pressed against your crossed calves and as he leaned to you further you got a whiff of his cologne. The musky, manly scent combined with his closeness dilated your pupils further and sent your mind whirling.

Before you could collect yourself Sirius gave you a slow, mischievous smile, took a sip of his drink and said very quietly; “Your turn.”

“My…w-what?” you uttered, stammering slightly.

“Your turn to show me your moves.”

Fuck you wanted him. Could you? No? Slowly, not realising it you inched closer to him. 

You were nervous, Sirius could finally see that. Whatever he was doing had an effect on you. Sirius loved the excitement of turning someone else on, this was him in his element. However, unlike most interactions with the opposite sex, this one was equally thrilling and torturing him. Setting his glass down and gathering a sliver of confidence he tentatively he placed his left hand on your thigh. You sucked in a sharp breath which he mistook for fear immediately whipping his hand away and opening his mouth to apologise only to be interrupted by the words: “Don’t stop.”

He looked back at you, having just enough time to register your meaning before you lunged forward, capturing his lips in yours. 

There was a seconds pause then Sirius was returning your kiss with fervor. He wrapped his arms around your back clinging to your shirt before lifting you up and onto his lap, legs either side of his, pressing into him exquisitely. 

He tasted like fire whiskey and something sweet at the same time.

He moved his hand through your hair holding your head while the other held your lower back pressing you firmly, further into him. Suddenly the hand holding your head was gone and running up your outer thigh, underneath your skirt. 

His warm fingers caressed your upper thigh, moving further to touch the tip of your hip and run tantalizing circles across your backside.

His kisses were feverish and sending you reeling. The way he swept his tongue across your lips opening them and deepening the kiss was tantalizing. Clinging to him, grabbing fistfuls of his hair, you ground down into his crotch and he groaned, opening his eyes. They were heavy with desire.

Sirius squeezed your bum picking you up and laying you back down on the couch. He didn’t remove his lips from yours as he wrapped your legs around his waist and lowered his body onto yours.

You arched up into him and he was immediately transported to the first dream he had of you, lying naked on his bed. He let out a shuddered breath; “You are so beautiful, Y/N. I want you.”

Instead of being flattered by this, a voice popped up in the back of your mind; Did he though? Shaken by this sudden thought, then jumping slightly at the bang of the front door signifying the probable return home of Remus served to knock you back into reality. The situation suddenly became very clear to you. You had just thrown yourself at a man who was known for sleeping with multiple women, very easily it seemed if you were to believe what he said before - he didn’t have to do anything and they offered themselves to him.

Of course he wanted you - you had led him on with your ‘game’ basically given yourself up to him on a platter. This wasn’t real, it was convenient and you could seriously hurt him if you let him in further.

Seeing the change in your face, Sirius sat up, “Y/N, are you ok? Was this too fast?.”

“Sirius..I” you were so embarrassed. Sitting up, quickly removing your legs from around him. 

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have.” He could see the blush rising up around your cheeks and you couldn’t look at him.

“Shouldn’t have? What do you mean - I think this was on both of us. Don’t you?”

“I mean.” You screwed your eyes shut, breathing deeply, “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea…I… I don’t do one nightstands.” 

“One nightstands?” he was frowning at you, confused, his mind racing. Didn’t she hear me before? 

Seeing him frown and mistaking it for annoyance rather than confusion you stood up and started to back towards the door. “I should go, I’m so sorry for coming on to you.”

“Y/N! Wait!” But before he could take two steps towards you, you had turned on your heel and raced out the door.

“Y/N!” Sirius was still calling your name as you shot out the front door, turning on the spot to disapparate. 

—

“Argh, Y/N how could you be so stupid!” You cursed yourself as you walked around your kitchen.

That had been the hottest, most erotic thing that had happened to you and you choked, freaked out, and left.

You wanted Sirius it was true but you couldn’t quite believe someone like him could want you for anything more than a one time fling. No one else had wanted more so what made him any different?

Plus even if he did there was a real chance you could lose it and hurt him. The feelings he elicited from you were unreal and you had never felt that alive and heated before. It both thrilled and frightened you to your bones.

Though the research you conducted in his library had opened up ideas that you hadn’t had before - you were still afraid. Sirius had quickly and unquestionably become your favourite person and you didn’t think your poor heart could take having him in the most intimate way and then not having him again. So you had done the most adult thing you could think of: insulted his intentions and run away. “Brilliant!” You spat.

Back at Geimmauld Place, Sirius was pacing up and down the hall. “YOU IDIOT!” He yelled at himself waking up his mother. “Oh shut the fuck up you old hag!” Storming out of the house, and out into the night air helped calm him and give him clarity. He disapparated instantly.

Lifting your head from your hands you got up from the kitchen table as you heard a soft knock at your front door.

Sirius stood at your door with a dark, devastating look.

“Sirius I…” you began.

“I want you more than just for tonight.” He blurted out. “I have for a long time” 

“What if I hurt you?” 

He walked in, eyes dark and grabbed you, “You won’t.”

He let you go and stood before you, waiting. He wanted you to be sure of him and sure of yourself. His broad shoulders quivered under your stare, not with fear but ready to do anything you desired. Sirius was a handsome man, sure, but standing before you laying his cards on the line, his need for you so obvious and open made him the most beautiful thing you had ever seen. He was not afraid of anything. His confidence fanned yours and you ignored the fear building in your stomach and stepped into him. 

Attaching himself to your lips once more he didn’t look as he closed the front door and led you towards your staircase.

Laying you down on your bed once again he hovered above you, one muscled arm on either side of your head. This view of you sprawled out underneath him jogged his memory and as he recalled first dream about you again. He closed his eyes and shuddered.

“What’s wrong Sirius?”

Your concern was squashed by a sly smile. He opened his eyes and said with a smirk: “I’ve dreamt about this before”

“Is that so?”

“Yes” he looked at you intently.

“What did dream me do?”

You couldn’t quite hold your smug smile while Sirius bit his lip and told you.

Wrapping your legs around him once more, you pulled him down on top of you. Hands running down his sides as you kissed him, you felt his muscles tense at each spot you touched. Whatever you were doing to him, he enjoyed it.

Taking great effort to wrench his lips from yours Sirius looked at you once more and asked: “Y/N, would you like to go to dinner with me sometime?”

Looking surprised, you nodded. He smiled. “I meant what I said. This isn’t just a once off. Not for me.”

“I know.” You conceded. “I also just didn’t want my first time to be meaningless.” “Your first time?” Sirius looked shocked. “You mean you’ve never…?”

You shook your head, grimacing slightly hoping this didn’t change anything.

“Oh Y/N, are you sure?” Sirius was surprised and, if possible, turned on even more. There was something so special about sharing someone’s first experience. Meaning something so much to them that they wanted to be with you. He felt sexy, powerful, and potent which combined with how long he had lusted over you and the way you moved, made it incredibly hard for him to focus.

“Yes Sirius.” The brazen look in your eyes and the way you ran your hands in sweeping strokes around his body told him that though you may not have had sex you had had other intimate experiences and you knew what you wanted.

He shuddered once more, closing his eyes as you arched up into him again. 

“Y/N.” His voice came out in a rasp. “God, you are turning me on… I want you so badly but if this is not right for you please tell me and we’ll stop.”

You surprised him by laughing softly. “You’re sort of killing the mood, Sirius. I want this, I want you - you know you are not the only one who has touched themselves dreaming about us.”

Suddenly, with a twirl of your fingers, soft, malleable ropes appeared at your wrists. Gently lifting your arms up and firmly tying your hands to your bedpost.

Sirius’ jaw dropped and he almost started drooling. The look on his face, one of absolute adoration, spurred you on further. Another flick of your wrist and your clothes slowly started peeling themselves off your body, ripping in parts to remove themselves from you until you were lying naked, stretched underneath him, replicating that particular dream perfectly.

As you looked up at him through relaxed eyelids and purred; “I want you to touch me, Sirius.” He nearly came undone.

Though he was only wearing his jeans and a shirt he couldn’t get naked fast enough.

Sirius laid his body against yours, groaning at the feel of your soft skin. He kissed you deeply, letting one arm hold himself while the other dipped low, wandering further until it came torturously close to your clit before moving passed and circling your inner thigh.

You groaned with frustration and he smiled into your lips as he kissed you, tongue sweeping inside your mouth lighting sparks inside your head.

Each time he neared closer to your core, your breath hitched, waiting, only to be expelled in frustration as he moved passed and to another area. 

He explored your mouth, your neck, your collar bone, and your nipples with his mouth, all the while coming close to touching you where you needed but not getting close enough.

Finally, he swept his finger up the line of your folds and flicked your clit. A move that literally took your breath away and his. He could feel how wet you were and it made his cock twitch with excitement. “Oh, Y/N.”

His teasing had become torturous for him as well. If he wasn’t careful, your body was going to turn him on so much that he might come on you rather than inside you like he desperately wanted.

He moved down to flick your nipple with his tongue then continued further south until his head was level with your core. A brush of stubble on your inner thigh had you jolting. He kissed the spot, sparking your lust even more. Not able to take any more teasing, “please Sirius” you begged. The desperate timbre of your voice made him feel incredibly desired.

He gently made taught the skin above your clit tilting it upwards and licking it, so lightly but giving you the feeling of being shocked with the most incredible surge of power. A whimper and a groan encouraged him to carry on and soon he was holding your bucking hips down as he continued to rapidly lick, and flick the sensitive bead. You could feel a sudden blooming inside you, growing outwards, and upwards lighting even your soul on fire. Suddenly afraid your weird powers might cause you to lash out and hurt him you made to move away but he held you down and stopped his tongue briefly enough to growl, “you won’t, just let go.”

He shifted his free hand under your bum and squeezed as he buried his face once more in your core.  There it was again, that sweet hot feeling running through your bones. A warm glow washed over you and into him - consuming him filling him with love. You could feel his devotion to you, how turned on he was, how much he longed for you. This had never happened previously and before you could process it the orgasm he gave you lifted you off the bed causing you to cry out his name over and over. He did not relent, it was exquisite ecstasy.

“Oh God, oh God…” you breathed, hyperventilating from how good he had made you feel. Sirius was smiling, he had made his way back up the bed and was lying next to you, stroking your side.

You wrenched your arms out of the ropes and launched at him, taking him off guard and kissing him deeply, pushing yourself on top of him until you were straddling his lap just like you had only moments ago in his library.

Sirius’ cocky smile turned into an ‘oh’ as his mouth opened while you grabbed his erection and placed it at your entrance. Wetting the tip from your already dripping core you slowly began to slide down.

Sirius, groaned, bit his lip and grasped your hips. He was utterly and irrevocably under your spell.

Feeling a stretch, painful at first, you continued to slide down until a snapping feeling followed by a slight relief brought you to the bottom of his shaft.

Taking your breath you slowly started to move up and down his cock, squeezing intermittently and kissing him sporadically.

The frenzy he had whipped you into before had served to lubricate your entrance so though there was some pain at first, it soon gave way to a delightfully filling feeling.

“Ohhh Y/N” Sirius groaned as your inner walls stroked his shaft. You were tight, as he expected but your smooth movements and rocking of your hips blew him away. If this was you at your first time then he was in for a real treat when you had more experience under your belt. Thoughts of you experimenting with others flashed across his mind and he growled. Territorial hormones took him over as he squeezed your hips hard lifting his own up into you, hitting a spot inside you that caused you to moan.

Sirius noticed this and increased the snapping of his hips. Continuous thrusts meeting each other coupled with your already sensitive clit rubbing against the rough hair on his pelvis was causing an orgasm to build again. Surely not? Not at your first instance of sex, you thought?

A delightful wave tickled your walls and you shivered. “Sirius, I’m going to come. Don’t stop.”

He didn’t, reaching down between you he rubbed your clit once more to bring your orgasm about faster. Feeling your walls clamp down around him his thrusts became sloppier and as you came, unraveling on top of him he found his release crying your name and squeezing your hips painfully. 

You fell forward on top of him and he instantly wrapped his arms around you rolling you to the side, still inside of you showing no signs he wanted to get up.

Laying there entwined with him, you felt the content warm feeling ripple through you again. You had let go and not lost control! If you could do this then you could do anything. No more holding back. In one act of love Sirius had helped you break the shackles of fear and find relief from a lifetime of pressure and concern. You felt light and confident. Chuckling to yourself he looked at you cocking an eyebrow in question.

“Well Sirius, those were some good moves!” 

There was a beat and then you both laughed.

—- Tag list: @sirius-lysad @riddikuluslypotter @emmamass24 @evyiione @mylovelykelsifer @sly-vixen-up2nogood @ashkuuuu @songforhema @wangmangagavroche @borbole-teias @legalyred @qwertyokok

[forextrading023]

Forex Trading - Getting Started

Forex Trading: a Beginner's Guide

The forex market is the world's biggest global cash trading market working relentless during the functioning week. Most forex trading is finished by experts like financiers. 

Forex cash trading permits purchasers and merchants to purchase the money they need for their business and venders who have acquired cash to trade what they have for a more helpful money. 

The world's biggest banks rule forex and as indicated by a review in The Wall Street Journal Europe, the ten most dynamic brokers who are occupied with forex trading represent practically 73% of trading volume.

For the most part forex trading is done through a forex intermediary - yet there isn't anything to stop anybody trading monetary standards.

In any case, a sizeable extent of the rest of forex trading is theoretical with dealers developing a speculation which they wish to sell at some stage for benefit. 

While a cash may increment or reduction in esteem comparative with a wide scope of monetary forms, all forex trading exchanges depend on money sets. 

Thus, albeit the Euro might be 'solid' against a bushel of monetary forms, brokers will exchange only one money pair and may essentially worry about the Euro/US Dollar ( EUR/USD) proportion. Changes in relative upsides of monetary standards might be continuous or set off by explicit situation, for example, are developing at the hour of composing this - the poisonous obligation emergency.

Since the business sectors for monetary forms are worldwide, the volumes exchanged each day are huge. For the enormous corporate financial backers, the incredible advantages of trading on Forex are:

Huge liquidity - more than $4 trillion every day, that is $4,000,000,000. This implies that there's consistently somebody prepared to exchange with you

All of the world's free monetary forms are exchanged - this implies that you may exchange the cash you need whenever

24 - hour trading during the 5-day working week

Tasks are worldwide which imply that you can exchange with any piece of the world whenever

According to the perspective of the more modest dealer there's loads of advantages as well, for example,

A quickly changing business sector - that is one which is continually changing and offering the opportunity to bring in cash

All around created instruments for controlling danger

Capacity to go long or short - this implies that you can bring in cash either in rising or falling business sectors

Influence trading - implying that you can profit with enormous volume trading while at the same time having a generally low capital base

Bunches of choices for zero-commission trading

How the forex Market Works

As forex is about unfamiliar trade, all exchanges are made up from a cash pair - say, for example, the Euro and the US Dollar. 

The fundamental instrument for trading forex is the conversion scale which is communicated as a proportion between the upsides of the two monetary forms like EUR/USD = 1.4086. 

This worth, which is alluded to as the 'forex rate' implies that, at that specific time, one Euro would be worth 1.4086 US Dollars. This proportion is constantly communicated to 4 decimal spots which implies that you could see a forex pace of EUR/USD = 1.4086 or EUR/USD = 1.4087 yet never EUR/USD = 1.40865.

The furthest right digit of this proportion is alluded to as a 'pip'. Thus, a change from EUR/USD = 1.4086 to EUR/USD = 1.4088 would be alluded to as a difference in 2 pips. One pip, in this way is the littlest unit of exchange.

With the forex rate at EUR/USD = 1.4086, a financial backer buying 1000 Euros utilizing dollars would pay $1,408.60.

 In the event that the forex rate, changed to EUR/USD = 1.5020, the financial backer could sell their 1000 Euros for $1,502.00 and bank the $93.40 as benefit. On the off chance that this doesn't appear to be huge sum to you, you need to place the entirety into setting. 

With a rising or falling business sector, the forex rate doesn't just change in a uniform manner however sways and benefits can be taken frequently as a rate wavers around a pattern.

At the point when you're expecting the worth EUR/USD to fall, you may exchange the alternate way by selling Euros for dollars and repurchasing then when the forex rate has changed for your potential benefit.

Is forex Risky?

At the point when you exchange on forex as in any type of cash trading, you're occupied with money hypothesis and it is only that - theory.

This implies that there is some danger implied in forex money trading as in any business yet you may and ought to, find ways to limit this. 

You can generally restrict the drawback of any exchange, that way to characterize the most extreme misfortune that you are ready to acknowledge whether the market conflicts with you - and it will on events.

The best protection against losing your shirt on the forex market is to decided to get what you're doing completely. 

Quest the web for a decent forex trading instructional exercise and study it's anything but a touch of good forex schooling can go far!. When there's pieces you don't comprehend, search for a decent forex trading discussion and pose loads of inquiries. 

A large number individuals who constantly answer your inquiries on this will have a decent forex trading website and this will likely offer you responses to your inquiries as well as give heaps of connections to great destinations. 

Be cautious, in any case, keep an eye out for forex trading tricks. Try not to rush to leave behind your cash and explore anything very well before you shell out any well deserved!

The forex Trading Systems

While you might be directly in being mindful about any forex trading framework that is publicized, there are some acceptable ones around. 

The greater part of them either use forex graphs and through these, distinguish forex trading signals which advise the broker when to purchase or sell. 

These signs will be comprised of a specific change in a forex rate or a pattern and these will have been contrived by a forex dealer who has concentrated long haul patterns on the lookout to distinguish substantial signs when they happen. 

A large number of the frameworks will utilize forex trading programming which distinguishes such signals from information inputs which are accumulated naturally from market data sources. 

Some use mechanized forex trading programming which can trigger exchanges consequently when the signs advise it to do as such. 

On the off chance that these sound unrealistic to you, search for online forex trading frameworks which will permit you attempt some fake trading to test them out. by doing this you can get some forex trading preparing by giving them a twist before you put genuine cash on the table.

What amount do you Need to Start off with?

This is somewhat of a 'How long is a piece of string?' question however there are ways for to be novice to try things out without requiring a fortune to begin with. 

The base trading size for most exchanges on forex is typically 100,000 units of any money and this volume is alluded to as a standard "parcel". In any case, there are numerous organizations which offer the office to buy in significantly more modest parcels than this and a touch of web looking through will before long find these. 

There's numerous adverts several hundred dollars to get moving! You will frequently see the term acciones trading forex and this is only an overall term which covers the little person trading forex. 

Limited scope trading offices, for example, these are regularly called as forex small scale trading.

Where do You Start with forex?

The absolute most clear answer is obviously - on the web! Online forex trading gives you direct admittance to the forex market and there's tons of organizations out there who are ready to go just to manage you on the web. 

Be watchful, do invest the energy to get some great forex trading instruction, again this can be given on the web and set up your spurious record to exchange before you endeavor to go live. 

On the off chance that you be careful and take as much time as is needed, there's no motivation behind why you shouldn't be effective in forex trading thus, have tolerance and stick at it!

For admittance to a mass of articles on forex and an enormous number of recordings, if it's not too much trouble, visit my site on forex trading.

Hello there, I'm Philippa Holmes (Pippa to my companions) and I have been associated with schooling and preparing and the forex market for a significant time frame. 

I have composed widely regarding the matter and can check an impressive number of fruitful finance managers among my numerous previous understudies. My numerous surveys all accentuate the clearness of my composition and the straightforwardness with which supreme novices can will grasps with the subjects I present.

[careydodd]

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[itsuki-minamy]

FOUR SEASONS OF K: “MATSUYOI”

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia 

Kokujoji Daikaku is debating policies in a separate house in the suburbs of Tokyo in preparation for the upcoming summit of developed countries. This meeting held in this separate house, commonly known as "O yashiki mairi" (Visiting the mansion), is a custom even before the Mihashira Tower was built in the city center. It was a serious event that mimicked his career goal.

Today, cars with dignitaries enter and leave the vast facilities, displaying the power of the "Golden King" that keeps Japan in check. When the deliberation reaches its final stage, the number of visitors decreases and the length of stay increases. Starting with Prime Minister Samukawa Kanichi, who was elected as president since yesterday, everyone has been waiting for the "Gozen" ruling, which is simple on the back.

That is what it is.

++++++++++

The facility was located in a depression in the Nishiyama area, approximately 3 kilometers after passing through a secret underground passage from another house. Although it is a mediocre distribution warehouse on the outside, the interior of a large building is hollow.

To be precise, it was a cavity to store a huge structure.

Dozens of people are moving around it.

"Checklist, Hitomaru-san, completed."

"Check, it's fine. Written by Hitomaru.”

"Someone received an oil leak tag... Should I replace the pipe?"

Busy and smart, some open the hatch and push half the body in, some guide and drive the vehicle.

"Well, well."

"Is this the last container brought in from the underpass?"

"Oh, a few tons of luggage, young people are depressed."

The appearance of their position was uniformly legitimate and strange. They all wear a golden mask that mimics a rabbit, in addition to the mechanic's tie (in view of work efficiency, the eyes of the mask are larger than usual, the city is shorter, the overall impression was closer of a demon than of a rabbit.).

There are two things this scene shows.

One is that all the people who work are members of the clan that belong to the Golden clan "Tokijikuin", commonly known as "rabbits". The second is that their work is extremely confidential.

In other words, with the exception of dozens of people here, without exception of anyone...

Everything was to hide the existence of "it" that fills the hangar.

Suddenly, a young person working on it looks at him and breathes admiration.

"Adjustment."

"Let's do it today simply by organizing the containers. This time I'm mainly using electrical equipment, so be careful... what's happen?"

Another person who came up with the drawing, the old "rabbit", addressed his coworkers. During this secret work, the pieces of the "King" whose names and individual pieces have been sealed become the key to the world.

"Oh, sorry. I was a little surprised."

The young "rabbit" ignored the sight in front of him again.

Elderly "rabbits" also look him in the eye in some way.

"You are new to regular inspection and maintenance. Even after going through the 'Tengoku' (Sky] air supply team, a moored ship of the same type would be quite powerful."

"Yes... was this the problem of the second ship "Meifu"(Underworld)?"

They admire it. The stiff "Meifu" airship, which has a unique silhouette connecting fan-shaped air sacs, shines within the hangar, supported by a myriad of steel frames that can be seen as nets or ships. It was the natural pressure exerted by mass and volume that is overwhelming to the viewer, even with the exception of being built as an aerial gunship from the German Third Reich.

"It's amazing, but... the problems of "Tengoku" (which continues to fly without landing on the ground) and "Meifu" (which continues to maintain immediate takeoff) is... unnatural. It is a must.''

"Perhaps, but it is more than the subject's reason for talking about the fundamentals of the main mission. There is no need to convince or empathize unless requested. We just constantly carry out the assigned task."

"Confirmed. For the moment, let's try to organize the containers constantly.''

"I like it."

With a smile, the two "rabbits" returned to work.

++++++++++

The "rabbits" who finished the day's work at midnight arrived for late dinner on the rooftop of the warehouse.

“Like the reputation of clans gathered by talented people, the taste of bribery is also like origami."

"After all, sushi rice is good."

"I'll order another cup of miso soup."

"Don't stay too long, it will hamper tomorrow's work."

Beneath the skylight, which releases the smell of cooking and steam, even the elite who stretch their backs normally, cannot hide the atmosphere that stands out due to the special missions of the men's camp.

A little far from that innocent bustle, in the upper exhaust pipe, there was a figure of the "Golden King" Kokujoji Daikaku. A large old man who sits with scarlet hair on his knees and dropped knees reminds him of a piece of Yamato painting, combined with the rocking personality. It seems that the outfit is worn on the go, even after rolling up the sleeves and even the machine oil tinting was like the color to decorate the image.

The impressive still image,

"I have a set, my lord."

The voice of an old "rabbit" finally moves.

"Hm."

Kokujoji received a framed and tendered set (which, by convention, was an aluminum tray). He puts that on his lap, brings the palms of his hands together, and immediately grabs the rice into his mouth.

"It's good."

When he looks deep into the "rabbit" in the face, he lowers his head.

The special day of the "Golden King", who could not do it in normal times, had close contact with the clan member and even shared small tasks, it was already ending.

This will continue for the next two days.

Use as much human power as possible and pay close attention to confidentiality, periodic inspection of "Tokijikuin" and maintenance of the special mission "Meifu". People who are not directly involved in these tasks are also busy.

"What's going on in the mansion?"

When Daikaku asked him, the old "rabbit", who was given responsibility for others, responds with a bow.

"Ah. The Prime Minister has finished coordination within the ruling party and is in talks with the Under Secretary. It will be full tomorrow, and I think there will be a prospect there. If he can return at noon the day after tomorrow."

"Ok, this work will be done by tomorrow. Let's leave the rest to the scene."

After passing a bit of unfortunate bitterness, Kokujoji asks again.

"So for the outside..."

"That…"

Once again, the old "rabbit" looks at the large skylights lined up behind the ceiling and beyond.

Under the glowing starry sky, the shadows of the mountains spread out black against the background of the night.

“The whole situation is the same as at the time of the preliminary survey. "None" for general public entry, accidents and mishaps, aircraft intrusion, transmission and reception of various radio waves.”

"Hmm... is it the same for the mansion?"

After contemplation, Kokujoji reminded himself.

The old "rabbit" is also clearly returned.

"Ah. If there are people involved, we will investigate it more carefully. We will review it."

"The one who wants to hide is the 'Green King'. I have to do it in excess."

The figure of a boy with a lightning bolt vividly revives in Kokujoji's mind. A few years ago, Nagare Hisui decidedly challenged the strongest "King", the "Golden King".

The old "rabbit", as a vassal that allowed the Lord's attack, makes a voice of indignation.

"It seems that the modern 'Green King' has adopted a slim and broad method of spreading branches and leaves... as long as there are people, he will accelerate the chance that his eyes and hands will grow."

"Hm."

The Kokujoji figure laughed loudly.

"So until you create an opportunity to get closer to people, socially and physically. You can't even notice the existence of things. This is the difference between power, strength, and experience."

The signal that a subject was caught and smiled behind the mask is perceived.

"Due to the precaution of cases where the first "Green King" hijacked the power line and communication lines, inspection and maintenance were put into the current system, but as a result, this concealment method seems to be applicable to the current generation."

"Social / physical isolation?"

"Right."

The Kokujoji figure looks towards the airship for insulation, which is hidden in the isolated facility.

After the end of the war, the "Meifu" problem, which had been requisitioned in the United States of America, was recovered early in case the "Tengoku" problem went wrong. At the time, he had no other idea... No, he hadn't even thought about it, but in recent years, as a "king" who controls destiny, he feels that "when something goes wrong" really means a big, heavy shadow.

"Even if you refuse because it's useless and look away because you don't like it, something inevitable comes along."

A little overwhelmed, like a slight fever, the voice is heard.

"This "Meifu" problem is for the occasion. In case "that man" who is lost in a sad world notices it and takes off, or leaves.”

"......"

The old "rabbit" did not respond, and kept it in the least.

++++++++++

When the meal is over,

"What time is the right... everyone is going to have a moonlight gift?"

Kokujoji gets up and starts walking towards the skylight.

The "rabbits" and others who were concerned also knelt before the person in question.

The "Golden King" continued without paying attention to the state of the subjects and the paths created during that time.

The old "rabbit", who follows a few steps, cannot point to the Lord.

(Tonight, is it the Matsuyoi?)

The so-called famous mid-autumn moon, the full moon on the night of the 15th of the lunar calendar, is tomorrow.

Today was the day before, the 14th, the night waiting for the next "Matsuyoi".

Work should continue tomorrow. It shouldn't be tomorrow night though, but it's not weird or messy. Against the backdrop of the spinning "rabbits", Kokujoji opened the skylight wide.

The autumn night breeze blows and invites his heart.

And so,

"Raise your face and look at the moon."

They, who had received the life of Kokujoji, and who freely obeyed, saw.

Like a silver rabbit playing in a wave of gold, an airship crosses the ghostly moon.

The airship had exactly the same shape as the "Meifu" that they had been maintaining until the beginning. It is like the "Tengoku" in which Adolf K. Weissmann, the first king of the world, the Silver King, sits.

The "rabbit" and other people were fascinated by the dream scene.

Only one, the old "rabbit" behind him, coughed.

"With the power of fate, it would be nice to use this level of entertainment.''

Daikaku Kokujoji, the "Golden King" who looked up at the sky, laughed mischievously.

[isocrime]

Cancel culture is wack and it does more harm than good

(continuing to catch up on salty opinion asks)

i don’t even know what cancel culture is supposed to be anymore; the concept is so large and applied so indiscriminately. is it tearing down confederate monuments that symbolize white america’s nostalgia for slavery? is it also cancel culture to harass a fic writer off of a platform for writing badwrong fic? like, what the fuck, how is that the same thing.

i think there is a difference between dismantling systems/institutions that are fucked up and going after individuals whose fucked up actions contribute to the shitty gestalt of oppression. both the system and the individual cause harm. while some individuals cause more harm than others, systems and institutions have vastly more power to hurt large numbers of people. on the flip side, institutions are really fucking difficult to change, and you can drive a single person off the internet with just a couple thousand hate messages. what is an activist to do? the achievable end with the small effect or the impossible end with the large one? and what about when a tiny collection of individuals has enough power to practically constitute an institution themselves? what’s the line between individual and system anyway? aren’t systems built from collective individual action? 

what about how attacking an individual means harming that person for justice, while attacking an institution creates more diffuse harm? does making an example out of someone make others more likely to consider their actions before doing potentially harmful stuff? how do we define harmful stuff? what about stuff that is subtly harmful to one group but subtly beneficial to another? what about when the community’s rules for acceptable behavior change too fast for someone to keep up, or the rules changed after they did the thing and someone has receipts? 

what if the individual is a sexual predator? what if they’re a sexual predator and the victims are uncomfortable disclosing the details? what if there’s a pattern of subtle behavior that, taken together, identifies them as a shady motherfucker but finding one particular instance of misbehavior that doesn’t seem trivial and petty to pillory them for is impossible? what if that invites ridicule of the movement for being unreasonable? what if they hurt someone you love?

is individual is the CEO of a company? or a celebrity? or an online influencer with a following that rivals minor celebrities? or a bnf who has influenced the entire culture of a fan space? does it matter? are the criteria different?

it’s complicated. the internet at large has never met a nuanced point of view it didn’t chew up and shit out as a pithier, stupider, more extreme version of itself. cancel culture is whack in part because it’s not one thing, it’s a whole bunch of things that boil down to: it depends. 

at times, the only right thing to do is run a motherfucker out of town before they get their claws in anyone else. there are institutions that need to be burned down. there is no reason to worry about the feelings of property management companies during a rent strike.

at the same time -- it is very fun to hunt down a shithead and tell them what they are, in detail, at high volumes. it’s absolutely fun than other types of activism. you don’t have to go march in the hot sun or call people and ask them to come volunteer over the phone (a horrible task). revenge is heady. but it’s not how you create activists.

my main critique of cancel culture is when it’s used to police spaces via fear and shame. scared, ashamed people don’t make good community members in the long run. they burn out, they radicalize, they become less empathetic and more resentful. 

you don’t berate people into being activists.

people turn into activists when they discover friendship among activists. people volunteer when their friends volunteer. and if we want to cancel the motherfucking police, we need activists, and tell you what: i would really like to cancel the motherfucking police.

[retroateez]

Prophecy - Chapter Nine

hello!! updating this quicker than I expected but i’m excited for this again so here we go,,, i’m gonna try scheduling this one too so that’s fun. hope u enjoy xx

wc;3282 Prophecy Masterlist

Needless to say, passing your alchemy exam proved a far more difficult task than you had initially anticipated.

No wonder why Yeosang had failed it five times.

You're sat in Yeosang's garden, perched on one of the benches placed against the wall of the house. The winding path through the woods is around a hundred metres ahead of you, and you often find yourself staring amoungst the tree trunks, wondering what could be lurking there.

You knew nothing could attack you on Yeosang's land; he had cast a protective charm over the entire area, so even if he wasn't here, you remained safe.

Although, grumbling at the exam paper in your lap, you half wished a griffin would come barrelling through the forest and tear you into shreds with it's deadly claws.

You're convinced it would be less painful than the questions on this exam.

What is the purpose of bloodmoss?  you read Yeosang's scruffy print, having been forced to get accustomed with his unintelligable handwriting.

"Oh, this is easy," you murmur to yourself, picking up your quill and scribbling your answer down quickly.

'Bloodmoss is used to create Vitriol.' you scrawl. 'Vitriol is used to dissolve certain substances.' You nod to yourself, proud that you seem to be doing fairly well, despite how challenging Yeosang made your test. You're convinced he did it on purpose.

With a sigh, you turn the page and gratefully, you lay your eyes on the final question. That is, until you read it.

It doesn't even seem to be a question, nor is it written in Yeosang's usual hand. In fact, it appears to be from a book, the ink faded at the edge of the pages from people thumbing through the whole volume.

But why was there a single page mixed in with your alchemy exam?

'Beserkers' is written at the top of the page in a large, bold print.

'Originating from the North, Beserkers are believed to have roots in powerful bear cults. Members of these cults are typically warriors, of whom are thought to manifest the strength of the bears themselves and enter a fit of frenzy. These frenzies are wild in nature, often leaving the individual considerabley weaker once the effect has worn off. It is debated whether or not these Beserkers metamorphose into bea-'

"Have you finished your exam yet, Iris?" Yeosang voice plummets you back down to earth, causing you to jump in your seat and almost send your papers flying out of your grip.

"Yeah!" you gasp, holding them out to him and he takes them with a smile.

As he goes back inside to mark your test, you decide not to ask him about the loose page hiding in your exam. It clearly wasn't supposed to be there, so you come to the conclusion that Yeosang doesn't want you knowing about it. Truth be told, whatever those things were, they seemed dangerous anyway.

Yeosang finds you at the end of the garden a short while later, plucking daisies from the grass and knotting their stems together. He stands behind you, observing your creation of what he assumes will be a crown. You haven't noticed him yet, and he takes the moment to think.

He couldn't explain why he took you under his wing and trusted you immediately. There was just something about the way your two lonely souls happened to find one another that tugged at Yeosang's heart strings. He always was a sucker for sappy things like that.

He was glad to have a human friend, for a change. Somebody that he could talk to, and they would offer him actual conversation back. He enjoyed his role as your teacher too; they had told him being an advisor of the arts was a position he was destined for, they just hadn't factored in the fact he despised them and everything they stood for. Besides, he knew your knowledge of magic was minimal, if not almost non-existent. Meaning there were little to no dangers here, and he refused to have a repeat of last time.

"Hey, you." Yeosang calls out, cautious not to make you jump again. "Want your exam results?"

You spin around on the grass instantaneously, probably staining the seat of your (Yeosang's) borrowed breeches in the process. You leap up, jumping towards him.

"I did awfully, didn't I?" you chew on your bottom lip nervously, playing with the ends of the sleeves on your (Yeosang's) shirt.

"Congrats, my tiny student," he smiles. "On being the only person I know to have passed their alchemy exam on their very first try."

He hands you the papers and you gawk at the mark score that reads fifty out of fifty points at the top. You stand there, frozen, staring at the numbers.

"Well?" Yeosang asks. "Aren't you going to thank me for being the best alchemy teacher ever?"

You look up at him to see the fond expression he seems to have gotten comfortable wearing.

Deciding to play along, and maybe embarrass him a little, you sweep down into a full bow.

"Thank you!" you cry. "O' great master of alchemy! How ever would I have gained such knowledge without your guidance? May the gods bless your so-"

"Okay, okay! That's overkill." Yeosang laughs at your exaggerated performance, then he notices your daisy crown, abandoned on the ground where you were sitting.

He paces over to it and leans down to pick it up, and you watch him silently.

He crumples the flowers up into his palm, and closes his eyes.

A couple of seconds pass, and Yeosang's eyes flutter open, his irises burning a dandelion yellow. He turns to you, then opens his palms, leaving you in awe.

The daises you had picked, were tiny and snowy white, wrinkled and bearing few petals. But the daises Yeosang was presenting were gorgeous; each flower had grown to the size of roses, blooming proudly in the mage's hands.

Yeosang places the daisy crown on your head, and steps back to admire his work.

"Well done," he smiles softly. "I'm proud of you."

You can only give him back a wide grin, loving the sunshine yellow glow Yeosang's flowers leave against your hair.

-----

"So, where does this astrolomer guy live?" you ask Yeosang a few days later during lunch.

"Astrologer." he corrects you, handing you a sandwich and a bowl of sliced apples.

"Yeah, that one."

Now that you had officially earned a beginner's alchemy qualification, Yeosang was content on making progress with the messy situation you had gotten him into.

"He lives just outside of Yirelia," he answers. "It'll take us a day or two to get there, so we'll have to rest at a village inn or something."

You nod and chew your food slowly, nerves already beginning to set in. You'd never travelled anywhere before, and you knew that with Yeosang by your side, you would be safe; he'd never let anything happen to you. But still, you couldn't help but feel a little nauseous.

"So, how come this astrolomer owes you a favour?" you ask, ignoring Yeosang rolling his eyes at you getting the stranger's profession wrong once again.

"Astrologer," he corrects you one more time, and you don't know why he bothers. "And I saved his life once. Us outcasts stick together."

"Outcast? Is he a mage too?"

"Not quite." Yeosang doesn't elaborate, so you take it as an unspoken hint to stop asking questions, and eat.

The blonde mage bustles about the house for the rest of the day, gathering ingredients and bundling them into pouches, collecting bottles of brewed potions and lining them inside his satchel and packing clothes and food into a smaller, leather bag for you to carry.

"Do we really need all this?" you question him, surveying the small vial of yet another restoration potion he was clutching in his palm.

"Probably not," he tells you honestly. "But you never know when one of these little beauties could come in handy!"

You just nod, deciding to go along with his plan. You do that a lot with Yeosang, you noticed; just taking his words and concluding that he knows best in every situation. Perhaps for your own character it would be better to question him at times, but deep down you knew that without Yeosang's guidance you'd probably be buried six feet under in the Ateez graveyard.

No, they wouldn't have even buried you, they probably would have just thrown your body into the sea. Yeosang's ideas were (probably) better than that, so you opt to keep your mouth shut and assist him with the packing.

The next morning, you set off, you clad in a seaweed green shirt and tight, black breeches. Yeosang had once again altered some of his old clothing for you to wear. If his mage work fell through, you think he'd make a spectacular tailor.

Yeosang looks great (as usual), dressed in his typical white shirt and brown trousers, paired with a sweeping, wine red coat which has sleeves hiding most of his hands.

"That coat makes you look like a pirate." you muse aloud to him. You see a hint of offense strike his face, but he recovers quickly, grabbing his satchel and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Maybe I want to look like a pirate." he sniffs and turns away from you, marching off and starting your journey.

You hurry to catch up with him, having to increase your pace to keep in time with his brisk pacing.

"So... we're just walking?" you question.

"Yes." Yeosang replies shortly.

"Right."

You wrinkle your nose; you'd hoped that he'd be a little more talkative but it seemed that when the mage had a goal, he was very determined to get it done. Or perhaps he had finally concluded he was in fact pissed off with you for getting him into a situation that required him to walk for two days straight?

"Do you wanna play a game?" you suddenly blurt.

-----

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with... T!"

"Tree?" you guess Yeosang's attempt at playing your game immediately.

"How are you so good at this?" Yeosang pouts; you've deciphered his hint on every single one of his turns so far, and you can't even tell how long it's been since you started. Time is an illusion when you're walking.

"Because there's nothing around us except for trees!" you yell. "What else could 'T' possibly be?!"

Yeosang falls silent at your outburst and carries on walking.

A while passes with the two of you in silence, and the guilt begins to creep in. You shouldn't have gotten mad at Yeosang, but he'd spied trees at least six times already and it really was getting frustrating.

After deliberating for a few moments, to plan your apology to Yeosang. The game was your suggestion, after all, and it wasn't fair for you to snap at him.

"I'm sor-"

"There's a small town nearby," Yeosang cuts you off. "We can rest there for a bit and get something to eat."

The moment for you to apologise passes, and you can tell by how Yeosang refuses to meet your eye that you've upset him. You mutter a quiet agreement and you both carry on your way.

You silently pray that the town wasn't too far away, the tense atmosphere becoming too much for you to handle and the guilt weighs heavy on your shoulders. Yeosang was good to you. more than good, in fact. He had literally saved your life, fixed you up and tapped into your hidden potential to be more than just some common thief, of course, he wasn't aware of your past, or indeed anything about your life from before you washed up just outside his back garden. But he still hadn't asked for any information regarding your former identity. Maybe it simply wasn't important to him? After all, the past was the past and what was most important was the present. Yeosang didn't seem the type to dwell on the 'before', instead focusing on the 'now'. In a way, you were grateful for it; you didn't want to think about his reaction if he discovered you were in fact a minor criminal.

Luckily, Yeosang brings you to the doors of what you assume to be a tavern, the hanging sign outside the door reading 'The Golden Treasure' in bold, professional lettering. However, the small crowd of drunks hanging around the entrance suggested this was a far from professional establishment.

You look up at Yeosang questioningly, and he responds with a shrug of his shoulders and a quick signal for you to stick close to him.

As usual, you cling to the mage's side like a lost child, gripping the side of his red coat so tightly you're concerned your knuckles will rip through your skin.

The two of you keep your sights fixed on the doors, avoiding all possible eye-contact with the drunks whose intoxicated yelling was quickly escalating into a fist fight.

Yeosang rapidly whisks you up the steps and towards the door of the tavern to get you as far away from the men as quickly as he can.

"Jongho!" one of the men slurs. "Leave it man! It's not worth wasting your time on!" you witness a stocky, well-built young man with an oddly round, grizzly brown haircut be hauled back by another man much smaller than himself. It's a wonder how he can even tug the obviously stronger man away from his rival, but something tells you this isn't the first time he's had to do it.

Already through the threshold of the inn, you aren't able to watch the angry young man's response, but a shrill yelp of pain and the sound of a body colliding harshly with the ground tells you all you need to know.

Yeosang steers you by the shoulders up to the barkeeper to inquire about rooms, and you take the chance to study the inn.

You'd never been inside a tavern before, the swarms of drunk folk loitering outside the building at night a clear reason for you to stay clear, but on the interior, you found it to be strangely comfortable.

It was a large, dim room with minimal light coming from the roaring fire situated opposite the door. Sturdy tables and less sturdy benches fill up the center of the room, empty goblets and playing cards strewn across the tabletops in an untidy fashion; perhaps the ruckus outside was the result of a card game gone awry.

On the far right was a staircase leading up, to where you presumed the rooms for travellers and the like were.

The whole room was highlighted by the familiar warm glow from the hearth, and your worries started to settle again, laying themselves to sleep like the exhausted people meters above your head. You feel the comfortable heat from the warm seep through your body, beginning at your fingertips and sliding underneath your skin. Even surrounded by dangerous strangers, you've oddly never felt more at home. There was something about being around Yeosang that just made you feel like you belonged. Like you and him were two pieces of a puzzle you'd spent years trying to figure out how to piece together. But now that you'd finally managed to get them to fit, you realised there was something missing. There were other pieces to the puzzle, but they were scattered around the box, and they were all painted pitch black; you had no idea which piece was which, or which piece you needed next. 

Still, you were content being at Yeosang's side. You were learning quickly, but he had noticed your appetite for knowledge growing rapidly, and truthfully, he feared it. He could sense an untapped potential in you, he'd seen similar before and it had never ended well.

He was adamant that he wouldn't let the same happen to you, even if it killed him.

"Come on Iris," Yeosang snaps you out of your thoughts, motioning to the stairs. "up you go."

Fatigue suddenly setting in, you gladly shuffle yourself up the stairs and collapse onto the bed face first.

"Move over, you lump." Yeosang whines, pushing you to the end of the bed, to which you respond with a pained groan. 

"You're so cruel!" you cry, sitting up and frowning at him. "You could've hurt me doing that!"

"If I wanted to hurt you," he raises an eyebrow at you. "you'd know about it."

You ignore his threat and turn your head around the room, surveying the simple, wooden decor; a tattered book shelf, a plain desk and accompanying chair, a few, worn and rusty storage chests and the bed Yeosang was currently lounging on

."Yeosang," you pipe up, only just realising. "There's only one bed."

He pulls himself up, peering up at you through sleepy eyes

."I don't care." he murmurs, flinging himself back down with a thump.

"Well, I do!" He brings himself back up slowly, like a vampire rising from his coffin after being awaken from a century long sleep. His eyes are half-closed and you think he might actually be asleep already.

"Then sleep on the floor."

"Why do you get the bed? That's not fair!"

"I'm older, I have more joint pain than you." he deadpans. "Also, I saved your life."

"You can't keep using that against me..." you grumble, but collect a few blankets from the bed and snatch them up, creating a make-shift bed on the floor. The wooden floor isn't exactly the height of comfort, but with a roof over your head and a crackling fire just downstairs, you can't really complain. 

Cuccooning yourself in the blankets, you try and fall asleep. But you find yourself staring at the ceiling, thinking of everything and nothing to the soundtrack of Yeosang's snoring. Your mind wanders to the stranger who owes Yeosang a favour, you wonder what his name is, what they look like. Yeosang had called them an 'outcast', like him, but also said he wasn't exactly a mage either. So you didn't know what to expect. Life kept throwing these things at you, probably to keep you on your toes. It was overwhelming, if you were being honest; having spent all of your life up until this point mainly fending for yourself and never venturing outside of the city you grew up in, to suddenly travelling across the country with a random, magic man who's beach you almost died on.

Your eyes grow heavier as you lose yourself in your thoughts, and you're almost grasped by the clutches of sleep, until an abrupt growling from outside whips your eyes open, and you bolt upright.

"Did you hear that?" you whisper to Yeosang.

"It's just a bear." He mumbles in response, making you jump slightly because you thought he was still asleep

."A bear?"  you hiss."I know," he says sarcastically. "Un-bear-lieveable."

You retrieve one of your pillows and launch it at his figure, smirking triumphantly when he grunts in surprise.

"That was a terrible joke." you complain and bury yourself back into your improvised bed.

"Whatever," Yeosang yawns. "just go to sleep, we'll be meeting the astrologer tomorrow so you need to rest."

Finally deciding to listen to the mage, you squeeze your eyes shut tightly in hopes you'll fall asleep quickly. Luckily, you do just that, sleeping peacefully and dreaming about the bear in the forest outside. He's wounded, bleeding heavily from a nasty gash on his neck and panting in pain. You reach out to help him, but of course it's just a dream; he'll be okay. You hope.

Chapter Ten

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