#this was an impulse buy because the seller had it on sale

[chicafinal]

bought a vintage allan doll

[purplealmonds]

I watched the Mononoke Zashikiwarashi stage play!!

I watched the performances on 03/29 and 03/30, and I have so many Thoughts. But I’m on vacation and haven’t the spoons to draft them up coherently until I return home in a few days.

For now, I'll do a photo/art dump of my experience.

I arrived a few hours early to the theater (I had to take the train from Kyoto to Osaka, and built in time for potential navigational incompetence). While I waited for the theater to open up, cracked open my iPad and started painting in Procreate.

This is the exterior of Cool Japan Park Osaka's WW Hall. Shaking off a lot of rust from painting from observation, but I'm happy with how the colors came out.

Photo for reference, though I painted it live. Shadows moved quite a bit while I worked because I am slow.

This is the interior of the theater. I was forbidden from taking photo and video of this space, so I painted it it, albeit messily because of the short time I had before the performance began.

Winding back time a bit, here's the cardboard cutout stand the theater staff set out right before they started admitting people into the lobby:

It was a bit windy that day, so it actually snapped in half mere minutes after its installation lmao. Not pictured is the flustered staff tying Mr. Medicine Seller to the railing with some twine.

Selfie taken after the disaster:

Keeping an eye on Mr. Medicine Seller to ensure he doesn't misbehave agains, prints in hand to be gifted to unsuspecting theater-goers:

When I was seated, some of the giftees stopped by to gift me with an acrylic standee and a cookie! The standee is given exclusively to audience members who preordered their tickets super early, so it's amazing I got my hands on one! After the performance, someone also posted my art on their instagram story! O:

The performance visual, gift shop, and posters were also deployed around this time.

Also was pleasantly surprised to see a huge Mononoke Karakusa poster displayed. Unlike typical movie posters, this one was printed on a rather thick matte rather than thin translucent gloss paper.

And here's the merch and goodies I acquired at the lobby:

I was originally buying just the pamphlet, but as you can see I did a few more impulse purchases! I ended up getting:

📖 Zashikiwarashi Pamphlet - Hoping if productions of other episodes are a thing this can become a collection. The Bakeneko pamphlet was also sold here. If there's interest I can do a flip-through video of both the Bakeneko and Zashikiwarashi pamphlets!

🎟️Mononoke Karakasa Bonus Gifts: I thought it was just the clear file and a neat lil trading card but it seems like the trading card is actually a movie ticket??? I’m not gonna be in Japan when the movie comes out though but it’s a nice souvenir nonetheless!

🌇 Mononoke Karakasa flyer - The theatre had massive stacks of them to be taken freely. The first one got a bit wrinkled on my ride back to the hotel, so I grabbed 2 more after watching the 2nd performance!

💿Bakeneko Blu-Ray - This was something I thought I’d never get my hands as a US resident so I was pleasantly surprised they were selling this. Definitely a pretty penny but now I get to watch it at my leisure when I get home! May do a write up about it eventually. The Zashikiwarashi Blu-Ray actually went on sale today, but it only delivers in Japan. Sighhh. I guess I have no choice but to fly back when the Umi Bozu stageplay goes live. Or if it pops up on Mercari some time in August the price gouging hopefully won't be too horrific.

[lennonhead]

now that I'm home and covered in aloe vera because it seems I got a sunburn for the first time since I hit a double-digit age (Amaterasu does not mess around), I will talk about the flea market properly

I did make enough to cover the table and the non-kogin materials I had to buy, so that's fine. and Mum says most people don't sell anything their first time, so I was actually above average, and seems like people agree with her on that so I'll look on the bright side

let me tell ya, Kita-Sendai is full of fashionable people. I saw a lot of cool outfits. one of my blesséd customers was wearing some kind of cyber prep outfit, it rocked

I also got a lot of compliments. I don't know how to take those as a merchant, because it's like "wow that's incredible!" thank you, buy it please XD one guy was like "oh my mum does kogin, it takes forever" and like, it totally does! buy a button haha. I priced the small buttons low enough to I think be an "impulse buy", but although there were many types of people and a steady stream of traffic, it wasn't specifically a handmade event. the sellers next to me were hyping me up, they were like "your work is so beautiful, it's just because if someone doesn't understand it already, they don't know the value" and by the end were making stuff up to help me land a sale like "this international student is working so hard!!!" hahahaha, bless them (I did land that sale)

my favourite interaction was when a European-looking person came by and I got to pull the "it would be a great souvenir of Tohoku!" card even though we both obviously live here fhmdgjgd

overall it was an interesting experience and I suppose by rights a successful first time hawking my wares????

anyways

want to see something kind of cursed

Lipton skincare

[jazzlrsposts]

Essential Online Shopping Tips for Beginners

We now purchase items almost exclusively online because it's more convenient, offers a wider selection, and frequently has better prices than physical stores. But it can be intimidating for newcomers to the world of e-commerce to navigate. We've put together some crucial online buying advice to get you started and make the process easier, safer, and more fun.

Select Trustworthy Online Sellers   The first step in online shopping is to choose a reliable seller. Seek for well-known retailers or brands with a good reputation. Look for safe ways to pay and ways to get in touch with customer support. reputable stores frequently offer customer service and transparent return policies. Advice: Before making a purchase, evaluate an internet store's dependability using reputable review websites and discussion boards. If you're not familiar with a retailer, a fast search will tell you whether previous customers have had good or bad experiences.

Recognize Your Sizes  Knowing your exact size is essential when shopping online because you are unable to try on items before making a purchase. Consult the size chart provided by the shop, which is typically located on the product page. Measure yourself using the given guidelines, then compare the results to the chart. Advice: Take into account the stretch of the fabric and the retailer's return policy if you're in between sizes. Choosing the larger size is usually a safer option when in doubt, particularly for fitted products.

Carefully read the product descriptions  Important details regarding the item's material, fit, and maintenance requirements are provided in the product descriptions. Be mindful of particulars such as type of fabric, length, and other unique characteristics. This will assist you in understanding the purchase and let you stay surprised. Advice: Find excellent photos that present the product from many perspectives. In case the description is not detailed enough, see whether any user reviews or more information are accessible.

Evaluate Costs  The costs offered by various internet merchants can differ greatly. To locate the best offers, make use of price comparison websites and apps. Keep an eye out for extra expenses like delivery charges, as these may have an impact on the final cost. Advice: To get informed about special offers, promotions, and specials, subscribe to the newsletters of your preferred stores.

Understand Return Policies 

Read the retailer's return policy before completing a purchase. This contains information about returning merchandise, when returns are accepted, and if you'll get shop credit or a refund. If you need to return or exchange an item, having this knowledge can save you time and stress. Advice: A helpful tip for simple returns is to save the original receipt and packaging. The process is made easier by the fact that many retailers include return labels with the shipment.

Protect Your Private Data  Make sure the website employs safe payment mechanisms and encryption when you order online. A padlock icon, which denotes a secure connection, should be present next to the "https://" in the URL. Don't enter sensitive information on websites that don't look secure. Advice: Use credit cards for internet purchases rather than debit cards. Better dispute resolution and fraud protection are frequently provided by credit cards.

Use Wishlists and Save for Later 

Most online retailers offer wishlist features that allow you to save items you’re interested in. This can be helpful for tracking products and waiting for sales or price drops. It also helps you avoid impulse purchases.

Advice: Regularly review your wishlist and save items to your cart as you decide to buy. This will help you avoid forgetting about items you were interested in.

Read Customer Reviews 

Customer reviews can provide insights into the product’s quality and the seller’s service. Look for reviews that mention details about sizing, material, and durability. Be cautious of overly positive or negative reviews and consider the overall trend.

Advice: Check the date of the reviews to ensure they’re recent and relevant. Reviews from verified purchasers are often more reliable.

Examine Your Delivery and Shipping Options  Recognize the various shipping choices that are available, such as same-day, expedited, and normal delivery. Recognize the approximate delivery dates and the freight charges. When an order reaches a specific threshold, several retailers provide free shipping. Advice: Use the provided shipping details to follow up on your transaction. The majority of shops provide tracking so you can keep an eye on the status of your package.

Keep Yourself Organized  Maintain a record of your orders, receipts, and any communications you have with the merchant. This will assist you in handling exchanges, refunds, and any other problems that could occur. Order confirmations and receipts can be arranged using applications or email folders. Advice: Make an email folder specifically for order confirmations and receipts from online purchases. Finding crucial information when needed is made simpler as a result.

Watch Out for Scams  Be on the lookout for telltale symptoms of online shopping scams, like strange payment methods requested, unknown websites, and discounts that seem too good to be true. It's best to err on the side of caution if a vendor or website raises any red flags. Advice: Examine websites for reviews, contact details, and safe payment methods to confirm their trustworthiness. Don't divulge personal information on dubious websites.

Online shopping offers incredible convenience and variety, but it’s important to navigate it wisely, especially if you’re new to it. By following these essential tips, you can enhance your online shopping experience, make informed decisions, and enjoy a seamless and satisfying shopping journey. Remember to stay informed, protect your personal information, and take advantage of the many tools and resources available to make your online shopping experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Happy shopping!

[thoughtvoid]

I know Aliexpress is bad for a variety of reasons. (Though the One that I can remember is that it's one of the foreign markets that will steal art/craft/designs from small artists.)

But. After many impulse buys, I do need to say. That when it comes to buying various 'official' merchandise, there's obviously going to be knockoffs, but. Idk, for buying a bunch of frivolous Pokemon and anime stuff, I haven't been disappointed.

Had one expensive order, and it was super nice quality, well packaged, shipped pretty fast, and looking at is, was probably from the official Chinese company that distributes that merch.

Of the cheaper orders, only one was 'bad'. All of the advertising on the listing is straight BS, and they were tripling down on it being the official product and a certain high quality. And it was okay, but definitely not what they were trying to hype up. I went in expecting a bad quality, so I didn't care, but it really was just 'looks similar and is still good, I like it, but it's not five star, it's probably a three star. Just be honest about it, geez'. It's a 'you get what you pay for' thing, and it wouldn't normally bother me. But. The one thing that bothers me is lying, and lying so desperately.

Like. Between the truest, perfect definition of a knockoff (poor quality of something that's normally expensive/sought after), and the perfect order, I had the. Well, another knockoff, but one that the seller specifies with the description/specification. Arceus adventure pack bag by Hori: Originally $30, currently ~$45+ buying from other countries or $80 from Amazon. Total for a copycat (listing said Miniso, though the bag itself has no labels anywhere): $17. Does it look as good as the real thing? No, it's all screenprint and doesn't pop like the Hori bag looks like it does. (Based on a YT unboxing vid.) Is it as good quality? I doubt it, Hori makes some real nice accessories, and this bag mostly feels like the free hip pouch Target gave out if you bought Zelda:TOTK in store. But does it function the same, have decent padding, and look similar enough to get the point across? Absolutely. And I'm usually a function over form, so I don't need it to be the perfect branded item. I just happened to see one of the adventure packs during holiday season (not on sale), thought 'oh, it holds both Switches? I could use something like that', thought the Arceus looked best, but shrugged when it wasn't really available at a reasonable price. And then when I saw it a month and a half later as a 'too cheap to be the real thing, and it's not' listing, I was just. 'I'm okay with that, let's go'.

Aliexpress has been mostly hits, tbh, and even the one miss was only a miss because the seller is adamant about trying to make you think you're getting something good for. Like 12 bucks. But it was still good overall. At this point, I'm just waiting on two orders that had sellers who waited until the last minute to make labels for things they weren't actually ready to shop out. Which. Feels sus enough that I'll record the unboxing, I guess, but my gut says they're fine. Ali just set what I feel was an unrealistic deadline for when to ship things at the tail end of holiday season. I wouldn't begrudge sellers if they make labels to get the system to not flag them as not sending anything when they just need more time. (Working retail is different from an online store, I know, but I will never be able to act like the customers who expect everything faster than is reasonable. When you put up with people coming in thirty minutes after placing an order, asking where it is, when I can be filling anywhere between 5-20 pick-up orders constantly throughout the day on top of 60+ orders to ship out, and haven't even seen theirs come in? I imagine anyone selling stuff during that time to be backed up.)

[danielleverboskirealtor]

Danielle Verboski Realtor

As the closing date of the house sale approaches, tensions rise. The patient's pre-operative health has a direct bearing on the outcome of the operation. Anyone looking to buy a house in coastal Connecticut should get in touch with a real estate professional. You can use this information to improve your future choices. We have unrivaled expertise in property management danielle verboski It was in a public place, like a shopping mall, that our heroes first saw the bad guys. You'll start making memories and collecting priceless mementos in your new house as soon as you move in. Let's relax instead of stressing over what we have to do.

The population density inland is almost the same as that at the shore.

Having both a written description of a product and visuals of it can be quite useful.

Knowing that you were assisting those less fortunate than myself made me joyful. It's hard for me to put into words how I feel. People will treat you well if you treat them nicely. Alterations will be necessary in the future.

Talk to a trustworthy real estate agent. Don't forget this; you'll use it someday. I see a lot of of myself in this individual. Now, more than ever, we need creative solutions. This is the sort of knowledge that can be really helpful. You'll need to make some major adjustments to the course of the ship as soon as you take charge.

I'm familiar with the local economy because I was born and raised here. My confidence in my ability to aid others has grown over the past eleven years. Instead of always looking for new consumers, concentrate on offering outstanding service to your current audience. My ability to anticipate and meet consumer needs is likely responsible for the success and longevity of my business.

You may have faith that your Remax broker will look out for your best interests and offer you with great service. Feel free to drop over if you're in the neighborhood and interested. You can trust us whether you're a buyer or a seller.

Because of our team's extensive experience in real estate advertising and our extensive network of contacts throughout Connecticut, we can provide you with exclusive access to freshly listed homes. You can have faith in our conclusions because our research methods are equivalent to those applied by Heritage and Remax. If you're in the market to buy, sell, or just learn more about the real estate industry, RE/MAX® is here to assist you. If you knew this yet kept trading recklessly nevertheless, you'd be acting irresponsibly. Now that the problems have been resolved, everyone can take it easy. It doesn't matter what occurs. You shouldn't hesitate to act on the impulse to acquire or sell a home. The recommendations made by the personnel were all excellent. Don't forget this as you go about your day. The fact that you had the nerve to sell your parents' home reflects well on your character. Our cutting-edge mobile app gives you instantaneous entry to real-time and historic market information. You have unlimited access to this information.

Do you plan on researching comparable sales in the region to determine if the asking price is fair? Learn the professional real estate appraiser's opinion of your home's value. They are enthusiastic about coming to work every day since we have put so much money into their training and education. We will take down the "SOLD" sign as soon as the sale is confirmed.

Your bravery has touched the hearts of everyone in Mystic, Connecticut. Seeing how hard you work to better yourself motivates me to do the same.  Danielle Verbleski.

Both Waterford and Stonington, Connecticut, have red-hot real estate markets as of late. The listed agent is Danielle Verboski, who can be contacted for more details. The real estate community has come to respect Danielle for her honesty and openness. Danielle evaded authorities in Waterford and Stonington, Connecticut. She was inspired to succeed academically after hearing that a relative had realized the "American Dream" of buying a home.

Danielle is the person to see if you are looking to buy, sell, or even just obtain a ballpark estimate of your home's value. She has faith in you and is an expert on the local real estate market. Don't be in a hurry to acquire or sell a home. Do not act hastily; think things out thoroughly. So far, diplomatic initiatives have been unsuccessful. If you're looking for a home in Waterford or Stonington, Connecticut, Danielle Verboski is the only real estate agent you'll ever need. This alone is proof of her high moral standards.

[sladebloodstock]

Important Things To Know About Horses For Sale

If you've ever wanted to own a horse but have been unsure about where to start, I'm here to help. Owning a horse is an incredible experience, but it can be overwhelming if you don't know what to look for.

There are a lot of great horses out there, and finding Lonhro Horses For Sale that suits your needs and personality can be difficult if you don't know where to begin. In this article, I'll cover some tips on how best to find the right horse for you based on my own experiences as both a buyer and seller of horses over the last few years.

Learn what you can about horses before you start shopping.

Before you start shopping, it's crucial that you know what to look for in a horse. It's easy to get distracted by the shiny exterior of a beautiful horse at first glance—but what lies beneath? If a seller is willing to sell their horse without riding it first, that should raise some red flags. Make sure the seller has proof of ownership and is willing to show this information to you.

If possible, ask if they’ve had any health issues with their horses recently. You might also want to find out if there are any known genetic defects within the line or family tree of your future steed—this could be important information if you plan on breeding in the future!

It's also important for both parties involved (seller and buyer) that both parties understand how well trained or untrained each animal is before making a purchase decision based solely on appearance alone. Don't feel pressured into buying something just because it looks nice; remember: “Don't judge a book by its cover," as the saying goes!

Know the type of horse you would like to own.

It is important to know what type of horse you want to purchase. There are several things you will need to consider when deciding on a horse including breed, gender, age and height.

The age of your horse should be considered before purchasing one as well as its gender. If you have no experience riding a particular type of horse then it would be in your best interest to ask questions about this from someone who has ridden that breed before so they can give advice on what type would be good for beginners like yourself.

Take time to see the horses that interest you on more than one occasion.

If you're looking to buy Lonhro Horses For Sale, you'll need to take time to see the horses that interest you on more than one occasion.

You shouldn't rush into a decision. The excitement of the moment can cloud your judgment, so it's important not to get caught up in that.

The cuteness factor shouldn't be any part of your decision-making process either—you'll regret it later if the horse isn't right for what you want it for or if there are problems with its temperament or training.

It's also important not to buy on impulse because once he or she is yours, there are many things that shouldn't be rushed when buying a horse from an auction (including: vetting and transport).

Conclusion

It is important to know how much time you will have to dedicate to taking care of your horse. It's also good to understand what type of horse would best suit your needs before making a purchase. If possible, try visiting potential horses more than once so that you can get a feel for their temperament and personality as well as observe how they interact with other horses in the herd.

[hellbabyfromhell]

which house md characters would: smoke weed / freak out on weed / sell you weed in high school (current day)

wilson:

smoke: NO!

freak out: absolutely. He will make you check his heart rate 3 times and insist he was paralyzed or in hell. never ever invite him to the sesh. he does not want to come! even

sell you weed in high school: no. if anything he was probably being ripped off if he bought any at all. in fact he was probably sold just a leaf off a normal tree and believed the seller

house:

smoke: yes and every drug and he carefully charts and logs his experiences for erowid

freak out: No. It doesn’t affect him. Nothing helps his leg pain. alt answer sometimes and he carefully charts and logs his experiences for erowid

sell you weed in high school: i feel like he maybe would have a school shooter vibe so idk if anyone would hang out with him but he’d find a way to make fake weed. or he’d maybe sell Primo Dark Net weed to fellow nerds but he’d sell like something wrong to popular kids on purpose and make them hallucinate. real school shooter vibe

cameron:

smoke: never until college… but in college…🤪

freak out: no freakouts, yes mistakes. 😔

sell you weed in high school: n/a she was studying and perhaps even homeschooled. or at like an indigo children school. she weaved baskets

chase:

smokes: socially, only while drinking, and he never matches

freak out: no he’s too drunk

sell you weed in high school: yes but he requires you to meet him at the park 2 blocks from his house because if his parents catch him doing this again he’s going to be in so much trouble and last time his dad made him go to the police station and tell them he smoked weed plus he’ll get kicked out of the foreign exchange program. and he’ll act angry at you for buying because of this.

kutner:

smoke: fuck yea 😎

freak out: never 😎 i think the closest he’d get is he’d eat way too many edibles and watch a nature documentary and see a seashell that was too detailed and he’d turn the tv off and be like “i need to go to bed.”

sell weed to you in high school: yes and will sell many things but if its anything other than weed it is definitely untrustworthy. like not bc he’s a bad person but he will buy fake acid accidentally.

cuddy:

smoke: a LOT, then she stopped a little for work to be an adult. But she smokes.

freak out: infrequent. shes usually helping someone else calm down

sell you weed in high school: she had like rich parents and probably could get anything and would sell it to you.

amber:

smoke: only if theres some kind of societal gain probably. You’ve gotta play the game to win.

freak out: yes. gets paranoid but has a stiff upper lip. Youve gotta play the game. or she has strange impulsive thoughts. shes sitting at the sesh and shes staring at chase like “if i wanted i could get my strawberry chapstick in my bag and just rub it on him and he would like, die” and externally shes just like 👁 👁 at you across the room

sell you weed in high school: no but she was watching school adderall sales like it was the stock market

foreman:

smoke: yeah sometimes. and he will act like fucking mr. weed expert

freak out: he’ll tell you he never does but hes lying. ego death every night. jk but. contemplating his entire life. Inner turmoil.

sell you weed in high school: he will but itll be weighed light and he’ll make you smoke half of it at his house 🙄

thirteen:

smoke: only when she drinks (so yes)

freak out: yes but silently. 🖤

sell you weed in high school: yes and she’d be on some orange is the new black shit

taub:

smoke: not really. he’s an adult. even when he was a teen he was an an adult. Like he had a pocket protector. maybe he would smoke weed during a mid life crisis but it’d be less about the weed and more about the crisis

freak out: not in the traditional sense but he’d ask you if he was high or looks high about a thousand times

sell you weed in high school: he was in the chess club and they were really busy

[drferox]

Walk away and don’t buy

I’ve seen some absolutely shockingly poor purchasing decisions people have made lately when it comes to taking a new pet into their home. Some have been told outright lies by the breeder or previous owner, and some are a complete lack of common sense. It’s astounding to me how many people still impulse buy animals, or don’t get things checked out when their gut instinct says something is up, until they’re attached or the infection has spread.

So here are some of the absolute shockers that have come across my path recently.

New puppy owners told that the reason that the mother of the puppy they were buying was permanently muzzled and confined to a small yard, snapping and snarling at anybody that walked by, was ‘because you are taking her puppy away’ and not because the mother is highly aggressive and shows deranged behavior. Behavior which is probably heritable judging by the puppy’s behaviour in consult.

Kitten with hairless patches on their face, which the breeder claimed was from getting milk on their face. Was actually ringworm.

Bought a puppy at a ‘discount’ because it had a tooth problem that it would ‘grow out of’ according to the breeder. Turned out to be a severe malocclusion and base narrow canines, requiring expensive intervention.

Basically any problem that a puppy or kitten seller claims the animal will ‘grow out of’ is suss. They are there to sell you that animal, if something sounds a bit off than it probably is.

Whether the above situations came about through ignorance or outright lying to get a sale, the result is the same. The new family is burdened with unexpected bills (or in the kitten’s case, a family-wide ringworm outbreak) but now they’re attached the the little animal and don’t want to give it up.

A more responsible breeder will keep the animal in their care until the issue is resolved, or not rehome it at all. Some will allow it to go to a new home, but under the expectation that it will return to the breeder’s regular vet for treatment, which that breeder has organised.

But saying “this thing you think is a problem is actually fine! Promise!” is a red flag and should always be checked.

[riversofmars]

Take What You Want

So this turned out a lot longer than anticipated. It's a response to the @thirteenfanzine prompt week so I didn't want to split it in two parts lol. The prompt was Space Heist but I will say that this fic has very little actual plot and is pretty much just about the smut. Sorry not sorry. Having just finished a long not so graphic fic, I fancied just a bit of this, next one will have story again lol. In the meantime enjoy 13 and River having a lot of fun together... don’t read if you can’t handle a bit of D/s... oops. Again, apologies for the sheer length of it but it just sort of happened like that lol.

Rating: E

Ship: Thirteen/River Song

Wordcount: 7445

Summary: The Doctor and the Fam set out to steal back a painting that has been put up for sale on the Redemption and Harmony by no other than River Song. Posing as the buyer, the Doctor impersonates the Master and attempts to distract her wife without her realising who she is. Things only get more complicated and intense from there... Pretty shameless smut with a bit of plot, be warned.

Take What You Want

“Okay, this is totally gonna be fine, quick and easy, we know the painting is being sold here, tonight, it’s probably already on board. So all we have to do is to steal it back. I’ve responded to the ad as a potential buyer. Just got to be smooth, buy the painting without using actual money as we have none and return it to its rightful owners. Easy peasy.“ The Doctor explained as she made her way through the console room, the fam following close behind.

“Nothing about that sounds easy.“ Ryan commented as he was sorting out his tie. They had all gotten dressed up for the occasion. They had gone back to their James Bond outfits apart from the Doctor, she had gone for something completely different.

“It’ll be fine.“ The Doctor shrugged off his concerns.

“You always say that.“ Graham added, while Yaz asked:

“What’s so important about this painting?“

“The Astari hold it in high regard, once they realise it’s missing, they will mobilise every bounty hunter in the galaxy to track down the thief…“ The Doctor explained as she turned back to them.

“So they’ll get their own painting back, why do we have to do it?“ Yaz frowned, there didn’t seem to be much point in their interference.

“Because… the person that stole it was very inconsiderate and probably didn’t realise the mess they would get themselves in and probably didn’t mean any harm by it so I don’t really want every bounty hunter in the galaxy going after them.“ The Doctor answered.

“They’re selling it for a profit. So if you ask me, if they steal something they’re getting what’s coming to them.“ Graham argued and the others nodded.

“Well… things are not always black and white like that…“

“They usually are when there is a crime involved.“ Yaz pointed out.

“Jean Val Jean had a good reason to steal.“ The Doctor retorted.

“A loaf of bread, this is a priceless painting we’re talking about.“ Yaz rolled her eyes at her.

“Well, she probably did it for a good reason… Anyway… how do I look?“ The Doctor took a twirl.

“Nice suit, very…“ Yaz didn’t quite have the words for it. Was it even a suit? Black tight fitting trousers, black blouse, scarlet red waistcoat…

“Stylish in a mad villain sort of way.“ Graham offered.

“That fits the bill just right then.�� The Doctor rubbed her hands excitedly.

“Hot though…“ Yaz couldn't help but add.

“Even better.“ She grinned. She wasn’t usually going for this sort of thing but the mission demanded it and she intended to make an impression of the seller. “One thing that is going to be important is that whatever you do, do not refer to me as the Doctor… There are a lot of people here that would want to see me dead. Remember our cover story.“ She straightened her collar and tugged on her waistcoat until it sat just right.

“Yes, we know.“ Ryan rolled his eyes, they had been told several times now.

“Did you have to pick him for your cover?“ Yaz couldn’t help but ask.

“Only person that makes sense if I’m being scanned.“ The Doctor answered as she pulled on a black coat that was more like a cape than anything else. “It’s important that we blend in, try not to talk to anyone. We’re dressed up nice, gonna get a table and we will blend right in. I will pose as the buyer, I need you guys to watch my back and grab the painting when they’re distracted.“ She checked her pockets to make sure she had everything. “I’ve been here before, in the future, the ship crashes after I’m found out so it’s important that we do this without much interference. No-one can know we’re here, and we need to leave everything as we found it, so that the future can happen. Can’t get carried away trying to stop someone or mess up their plans or anything like that. These people will get what’s coming to them but it can’t be today, we need to keep the timeline intact.“

“Right…“ Ryan nodded.

“No-one can know who we are, not even the seller.“ She emphasised.

“Yes, we get it. “ Yaz sighed.

“Who is this seller?“ Graham was curious. “Do we know anything about them?“

“I know her, she knows me, that’s why you can’t give me away. She hasn’t seen this body yet so it should be fine…“

“Can’t you just tell her who you are, and get her to give the painting back?“ Yaz asked surprised by the fact that she actually knew this mysterious thief.

“I could but I’d rather not… don’t know what consequences it would have on her timeline… she’s got to keep on track as well. Don’t want to risk it if I don’t have to.“ The Doctor replied. She had considered it of course, it would make things a lot easier but she judged this to be the better option.

“Then you better get your act perfect, you’re such a terrible liar.“ Yaz pointed out and the other chuckled knowing it to be true.

“Yes got to get the persona just right…“ She drew herself up to full height as if asserting herself. “Let’s get ourselves a painting and maybe later I’ll incinerate a planet, who knows.“ She trailed her best maniacal smirk.

“Not bad.“ Ryan laughed a little.

“Ready everyone?“ She stepped up to the Tardis door looking back at her Fam.

“Yes Master.“ The three of them chanted in unison with great amusement. The Doctor smirked with a mad sort of twinkle in her eye and for a moment Yaz genuinely wasn’t sure if it was put on or real.

“What sort of place is this? A restaurant on a spaceship?“ Ryan asked as they stepped outside the Tardis and found themselves in the cargo hold of a spaceship. The Doctor lead the way as she remembered her last trip here rather vividly.

“Not just any old space ship, it’s the Redemption and Harmony, a billion credits for a ticket and a proven record of having killed innocent life forms, even the staff… this is where the worst people in the galaxy come to have their dinner.“ She explained some fun facts.

“And you want us to walk in there?“ Yaz breathed quietly.

“Yeah, it’ll be perfectly fine, just play it cool.“ She winked at them as they walked through into the foyer.

“Hello, how can I help?“ The head waiter that the Doctor remembered to be called Flemming greeted them.

“I believe you’re expecting me, I’m the Master.“ She stepped up to him doing her best to sound dismissive.

“Ah! Yes, of course…“ He looked at her clearly expecting someone or something else entirely. “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognise you…“

“New face, you like it?“ She smirked as if taking great pleasure in his confusion.

“It certainly is a change…“ He looked almost doubtful. The Doctor realised she wasn’t coming cross quite as convincing as she had hoped, she would have to up her game. She took a deep breath, she had to get more into character and let out an annoyed sigh.

“Incompetence.“ Her arm shot out and she curled her fingers around his throat with surprising strength. “Are you planning on making me look like an idiot standing in the doorway? Where is Professor Song?“

“Apologies, I’m… so sorry…“ He managed to croak and she let go. “This way please, Master.“

“Find a table for my… associates.“ She waved at another waiter and shot a glance at her companions who were staring back at her in shock. “What? Too realistic?“ She mouthed and then grinned and winked following Flemming into the restaurant.

“This way Ma’am.“ He gestured towards a the same table she had once sat at with River when she had tried to sell King Hydroflax’s head with the diamond inside. Or that she would sit at, depending how you looked at it. River was already there mulling over the menu. She wore a navy evening gown and looked stunning of course. The Doctor reminded herself to keep her facial expressions in check.

“So this is the infamous Professor River Song.“ She grinned giving her a once over because why the hell not, the Master certainly would. River raised her eyebrows at her and looked her up and down as well.

“Not what I expected.“ She retorted.

“Is it the face? People keep telling me I look too … sweet… these days. Nothing like being underestimated is there.“ She pulled out the chair and sat crossing her legs and folding her hands as she leaned back. “So where’s the husband?“

“Probably off saving one planet or another.“ She shrugged. “Where you expecting him?“

“Nah, just wondered. I do admire your nerve meeting me on your own.“ The Doctor leaned forward a little. Was it bad that she was sort of enjoying this? When she had first encountered River in her previous regeneration, she hadn’t recognised her - him - either and it had been very instructive. Where it was right or wrong, she was interested in finding out how River would respond to this situation.

“Strictly business, this is a pubic place, no need for any sort of drama, we can both walk away happy.“ River answered playing it cool like she always did. Nothing could ruffle this woman’s feathers. It was these moments that the Doctor remembered her wife was actually a trained assassin who was more than capable of looking after herself.

“As if a public place had ever stopped me before.“ The Doctor grinned and in the impulsive bipolar sort of way characteristic of the Master she shouted. “Flemming?!“

“Yes Ma’am.“

“The menu if you please, do I have to spell everything out for you? Are you trying to get yourself killed?“ She snapped at him.

“Of course, I’m ever so sorry.“ He scurried away to get another menu.

“Are you planning on staying for dinner?“ River raised an eyebrow but didn’t even flinch at her outburst.

“When in Rome. The fish is meant to be excellent. Besides I am rather curious about you my dear Professor. I am shocked that we haven’t come across each other. Would have loved to attend the wedding. Such a shame. But here we are at last, what a rare treat it will be to get to know you.“ There was also the fact that the Doctor hadn’t seen her wife in a very long time so she was eager to make the most of this opportunity regardless of the false pretence.

“Yes it does seem rather odd we never came across one another.“ River admitted. She would have expected in all her travels with the Doctor she would have encountered the Master. Of course she knew everything there was to know about him - well her in this regeneration apparently - but a meeting in the flesh was a lot more interesting.

“I am certainly eager to rectify that. Find out what exactly it is the Doctor was so fascinated with. Apart from the obvious.“ The Doctor allowed her eyes to wander once more. “You don’t mind, dear, do you?“

“As a time traveller I have all the time in the world.“ River answered graciously looking back at her menu.

“Splendid.“ The Doctor grinned. As they looked over their menus, the Doctor watched River carefully, trying to work her out. She didn’t seem to recognise her but she wasn’t sure if she was buying the act either. Either way, there was such a strange freedom in not having to censor ones thoughts, being able to say whatever you wanted. She wondered if she should feel bad about this, about tricking River like this… but her frame of mind was warped right now trying to imitate the Master, somehow she didn’t really care.

“Are you not interested in seeing the painting.“ River asked looking up from her menu remembering why they were here in the first place.

“Nah. Really, I only responded cause I saw your name.“ The Doctor waved it off. “Don’t worry, I’ll still buy it off you. Wouldn’t want your hard work going to waste would we but you are the far more interesting commodity of the two.“

“So what do you want with me?“ River asked raising her eyebrows.

“Ah let’s see… I mean I could kill you, obviously. Be a great way to get back at him… But so far I think we’re having a lovely conversation. I like you Professor, your upbringing, your numerous attempts at killing your husband, it does something for me. The Silence did a fantastic job with you didn’t they but just not quite perfect. Shame you had to go fall in love with him in the end. I do wonder what you see in him.“

“I could ask you the same thing. Centuries worth of obsession…“ River was quick to respond.

“Touche. She’s smart too, tell me professor, what's the catch with you?“

“Always in the wrong place at the wrong time.“ She answered.

“AH yes, being out of sync with each other, that must suck… not being able to just call on one’s pet when the mood takes you.“ The Doctor wasn’t quite sure what made her say that but it seemed like a fair point. And it really did suck not being able to be together whenever you wanted.

“We make do.“

“That’s good, I was always worried our dear Doctor didn’t have enough fun.“ She carried on, remembering how particularly in her last regeneration had been the more reluctant sort. She didn’t have the same inhibitions this time around, so she carried on more flirty. “Oh he probably still has the baby face doesn’t he, hard to take seriously when you’re trying to get going is it? You don’t strike me as the woman that would just settle for all that, only seeing each other once in a blue moon, never knowing what place of the timeline your on. Are you two exclusive?“

“What are you suggesting?“ River smirked ever so slightly and the Doctor picked up on it.

“Well, I’m just observing that you and me probably have a lot more in common with each other than either one of us does with him.“ The Doctor knew she was getting herself into deep deep trouble. If River found out it was her… or if she didn’t find out it was her, which was worse. They had never been exclusive but the Doctor didn’t like the idea she would sleep with her worst enemy… but then she was parading as her worst enemy… terrible terrible idea and yet…

“Hm. Two psychopaths with a mutual obsession for the same man, dear oh dear, that could be complicated.“ River mused.

“Doesn’t have to be.“

“I suppose not.“

“I think we should continue this conversation in private, don’t you.“ The Doctor leaned forward smirking, she didn’t overthink it, the Master wouldn’t. Surely she could allow herself this one slip, this one step off the path. River was her wife after all. And it would be the perfect distraction while the others got the painting.

“What about the painting?“ River asked.

“I’ll transfer you the credits, you can leave it with my minions.“ She didn’t wait for a response. “Flemming!“

“Yes Master, how can I be of service.“ The waiter hurried over knowing it was in his own best interest.

“I will need a room.“ The Doctor stated.

“Just for the night or…“

“Right now.“ She interrupted him impatiently.

“And you think I’m just gonna go with you, do you?“ River asked slightly amused.

“What makes you think you have a choice?“ The Doctor retorted raising her eyebrows.

“You know what I like about you Master?“ River leaned forward a little with a smile.

“Apart from the obvious I presume? I can see the way you’re looking at me Professor Song.“

“You’re not afraid to ask for what you want, not apologetic in the least.“ She observed.

“Nice people rarely get what they want.“ The Doctor pointed out. Unfortunately that was the truth, a lot of the time blatant demands were more effective. But that didn't mean it was always the right thing to do.

“Indeed, sometimes it’s okay to just take what you want.“ She winked. “I’m glad you’re finally learning that lesson sweetie.“  The Doctor’s face fell and River burst out laughing.

“When did you realise it was me?“ The Doctor stared at her dumbfound. Her aloofness and swagger disappearing in a flash.

“About two lines in. You are a terrible liar. I mean you tried and there was a couple of times you had me genuinely doubt but… I would recognise you anywhere. Even with a new face and what a fine face it is.“ She smiled approvingly. “Care to share why you’re here impersonating your nemesis though?“ She leaned back folding her hands looking at her expectantly.

“That painting you stole is gonna get you into a whole lot of danger, I’ve come to take it off you and bring it back.“ She answered knowing there was no point pretending.

“God, that’s no fun at all.“ River rolled her eyes.

“Why did you play along for so long?“ The Doctor asked.

“I like a bit of role-play, darling.“ She winked and got to her feet circling around the table to where the Doctor was sitting. “And I must say the outfit, the confidence, the flirting… certainly did something for me.“ She perched on the side of her chair and ran her hand through her hair.

“Did it now?“ The Doctor looked up at her with a smirk. Her heartbeats quickened a little, having River so close, she could smell her perfume and feel her body leading lightly against her.

“So unless you have somewhere to be, I suggest we take advantage of that room you just got.“ She leaned down and whispered before placing a kiss just below her ear. The Doctor extended her neck a little to give her better access.

“Well, Doctor, I think that’s a good idea.“ She retorted and brought her hand up to grab her chin, a little rougher the she usually would have done.

“Doctor? I’m a professor now, thank you very much, as you’ve called me several times already.“ River chuckled a little.

“Oh do catch up Doctor.“ She whispered ever so close to her lips and bit her lower lip seductively.

“Ooohh. I see.“ The penny dropped and an excited smirk spread across her face. “I think I’m going to like this new regeneration of yours, women are just so much more imaginative. Well it seems I am all yours Master with no way of escape.“

Flemming returned with the key card for the room. The Doctor stood and took it off him without another word, back in character. She gestured to her companions a few tables over.

“Look after that bag for us.“ She instructed in an offhand comment and headed off with River. The three of them just looked at one another wondering were they were going. One thing was clear though, they had the painting and the seller was certainly distracted.

——

It didn’t take them long to reach the room, the Doctor took a deep breath as she unlocked the door trying to summon her confidence and maintain their little game.

“After you.“ She stepped aside to let River through who gave her a flirtatious smile as she walked past swaying her hips at her. God, that woman. She followed her and closed the door being absolutely sure she’d locked it. There wasn’t much in the room, a wardrobe, a dressing table, a bed. That’s all they really needed, a bed. The Doctor’s attention snapped back to River as she turned towards her with a challenging smirk and stepped close.

“Well then, what are you planning on doing with me, Master?“

“You’re about to find out.“ The Doctor retorted and pulled her into a passionate kiss. She flung them both around and urged her backwards against the door. She pinned her there, one hand in her curls, one on her hip. River moaned into the kiss appreciatively.

“What an unexpected turn of events, was this your plan all along?“

“Just taking advantage of an opportunity.“

“Please, take away.“ River chuckled and half wrapped one of her legs around her, the fabric of the dress fell away through the long slit up the side of the skirt. The Doctor ran her hand up her leg and that was how she discovered the gun strapped to her thigh.

“River.“ She raised her eyebrows accusingly.

“Precaution dear, you don’t think I would be in this place without being able to defend myself, do you?“ She retorted with a chuckle. “How about you disarm me?“

“Thought I’d already done that.“ The Doctor hummed kissing the side of her neck.

“Hmm… smooth.“ They kissed again but the Doctor felt her confidence waver a little. What exactly did River expect from her? What would being with the Master actually entail? How would she go about it? When she had been a man, things had been more straight forward. She had been at a natural advantage, height and strength, now she had to rely on her confidence, be demanding and commanding with words. That was a whole different skill set… River sensed her hesitation.

“What’s wrong darling?“ She asked breaking from their game for a second.

“Fine, everything is fine.“ The Doctor replied quickly. “I uhm… should we take this to the bed…?“

“Thought we weren’t doing asking nicely.“ River teased and grabbed hold of her collar to pull her in for another kiss.

“Yeah, well, I…“ She swallowed hard feeling incredibly self-conscious now.

“Oh darling, come on now.“ River chuckled, she took her chin in her hand forcing her to look at her. “Doesn’t come natural does it?“ She shook her head a little embarrassed. This should be easy, they had sex a million times but she couldn’t summon that same confidence she had managed to channel in their flirting. It was a lot of pressure all of a sudden.

“Do you need me to give you some pointers?“ River asked huskily and a chill ran down the Doctor’s spine. She flipped them around and suddenly, the Doctor had her back to the wall. God, River had always been the more confident one, the more demanding of the pair. “Come on Doctor, it’s really not that difficult, just tell me what you want me to do.“ River whispered, a smug smirk on her lips. She was taunting her now and the Doctor would thought it mean if it didn’t turn her on so much. She blushed, she couldn’t hold her intense gaze.

“I- uhm…“ She mumbled, trying to find a way out of the situation but there was only the solid wall behind her and River looking like a prowling lioness in front of her. What would the Master do now? He wouldn’t have let it get to this, he would have just…commanded the room instead of being overpowered himself.

“Oh darling.“ River sighed looking at her almost pitifully. “How disappointing.“ She let go of her wife and turned to walk away. The Doctor was immediately missing her closeness and there was this terrible ache in the pit of her stomach and between her legs, she hadn’t even realised how laboured her breathing had become and how terribly aroused River had made her with a few simple words and that godawful confidence of hers.

“No, River, please.“ She reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Please what, darling?“ She looked around raising her eyebrows in amusement, she knew she was winning.

“I just… sorry, it’s not really something I’ve ever done, so I don’t know how…“ She broke off looking away embarrassed.

“Oh sweetheart.“ River smirked. “Would you like me to show you?“ She stepped back into her personal space and ran her fingertips along her collar bone.

“What, you mean…“ She blushed and couldn’t even finish the thought.

“Maybe if I show you how to take control, next time you’ll have a better idea, hm?“ She leaned in close and placed the softest and briefest of kisses on her lips. The Doctor leaned forward wanting - no needing - more but her wife avoided her kiss and instead kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear. “Would you like that my dear?“

“I, uhm…“ The Doctor could hardly think, let alone form a coherent sentence.

“Come on sweetie, it’s not as hard as all that, just answer the question.“ River chuckled, she was enjoying the effect she was having on her wife. Yes, she had been rather excited to see a more dominant version of her but this was delicious and perhaps a lot easier for both of them. River did somewhat struggle submitting to someone else, perhaps due to her defiant character. After everything that had happened to her, she longed to be in control at all times whereas the Doctor, well… maybe carrying the fate of the universe on her shoulders all the time, she wanted to give responsibility and control away if she could. There was always so much pressure on her, so many expectations… maybe she could do without the added pressure of playing a role that didn’t come naturally to her. “Let me take the responsibility away from you, hm?“

“Yes please…“ The Doctor breathed feeling an incredible sense of relief. She immediately felt more comfortable.

“Oh my dear Doctor, I can tell this will be a lot easier for you.“ River whispered looking at her again while she took hold of her hips. “You can follow simple instructions, right?“

“I… of course, I mean…“ The Doctor looked up at her. She wasn’t even much shorter than her, but but heels and the way she was leaning into her…

“Simple yes or no, sweetie.“

“Yes…“

“Good girl.“ River smirked letting go of her and the Doctor blushed. She pushed her blonde hair back behind her ears self-consciously, not knowing what to do with her hands. River was looking her up and down as if wondering what exactly do with her now. The tension was palpable and the anticipation maddening.

“Take your clothes off, Doctor.“ River said at last and the Doctor felt her breath catch.

“Right, uhm…“ She looked up at River unsure but the look in her eyes made clear that this was not a discussion. She looked away, she knew she probably shouldn’t like this feeling but she really did. It was an intoxicating mix of humiliation and arousal, it made her exhilaratingly uncomfortable wanting to both obey and refuse at the same time. She slowly began unbuttoning her waistcoat and dropped it to the floor beside her, she was a little bit more hesitant with her blouse, her fingers were trembling.

“Don’t keep me waiting dear.“ River took a step closer again and reached out to push her chin and gaze up. “I thought you said you could follow instructions?“

“Right yes…“ She tried her best to focus but she could hardly think. Her head had gone fuzzy. She carried on unbuttoning the blouse and accidentally tore off a button. “Shit…“ She muttered.

“Language, dear.“ River tutted. She circled around her and helped her ease her shirt off her shoulders. Her eyes were all over her, every inch of revealed skin, she liked what she saw. River bit her lower lip. She had always loved and wanted the Doctor, no matter what face he had worn but this was… “You are a pretty thing, aren’t you.“ She commented coming to a halt in front of her again. She hooked her fingers under the strap of her plain black bra and pushed it down, watching in delight how the Doctor’s chest rose with every laboured breath. God, this was almost too easy. “Kneel.“ River said softly and pointed to the floor.

“Fuck…“ The Doctor breathed her head spinning. She hadn’t really just said that, had she? She looked back at River almost pleadingly just as she slapped her. It wasn’t hard but it was enough to startle her and make her stare at her in shock.

“I think I just told you to mind your language.“ River raised her eyebrows.

“Sorry…“ She whispered in response, she couldn’t quite figure out why but she felt breathless all of a sudden.

“Well?“ She looked at her expectantly and the Doctor swallowed her pride. Slowly, she sunk to her knees. This wasn’t like it had been with the Master when every fibre of her being had cried out in protest at being made to sit at his feet repeating his name… this was… It was almost like a weight being lifted, like giving up responsibility and ownership of herself and her actions for a while. Not having to worry, not having to overthink and second guess every action, every decision. In that moment, she didn’t have to worry about being the Doctor anymore, the stuff of legends, the hero always there when needed most, inciting fear and hope alike in the hearts and minds of those she came across. None of it mattered anymore as she looked up at her wife as she knelt by her feet. “Good girl.“ River praised as she took her chin in her hands. “Doesn’t that feel better?“

“Yes…“ The Doctor admitted softly.

“Taking control away from you is easier than stealing sweets from a child.“ River observed in amusement.

“I don’t mind giving it up to you.“ She replied.

“Good answer.“ River smiled and the Doctor smiled in turn, she couldn’t describe why but her wife’s praise made her heart swell. “Give me a hand with this then.“ She smirked and placed her high heeled foot on her thigh revealing her leg that had the gun still strapped to it. The Doctor reached up and carefully unclasped the gun holster. She was secretly glad to be able to take if off her, she didn’t fancy it getting in the way later. She placed it on the ground next to her before running her hands up her wife’s long toned legs, feeling a sudden urge to reach higher and find out if this was turning her on just as much as it was her. She pushed her fingertips up against the silky fabric of her underwear just as River grab a hold of her hair and yanked her head back to stop her.

“I think you should ask permission before you do that, don’t you?“

“Sorry…“ The Doctor winced and River let go of her hair. She took a deep breath. “May I?“

“Seeing as you asked so nicely.“ She smirked.

“Thank you.“ She breathed, not wanting to make the mistake of impoliteness again and River raised her eyebrows surprised at the natural response but she didn’t comment, she just waited and the Doctor reached up and pulled down her underwear. River stepped out of them gracefully and her wife put them by the gun on the floor. Then without too much thought about her actions, she knelt up, pushed the fabric of her gown up and pressed her tongue into her core. River moaned appreciatively.

“Now that’s the right kind of initiative.“ She hummed and buried her hands in her silky hair. She felt unsteady on her feet, particularly in heels, they would have to get to the bed for this but God, the sight of her wife kneeling between her legs, her talkative mouth occupied with other things. She bit her lip, she was good at this. The Doctor hugged one arm around her leg and used her other hand to gently trace the wetness between her legs. It certainly answered her question, River was just as turned on by this as she was. She drew circles with her tongue and gently pushed a couple of fingers inside her, River moaned and grabbed her hair tighter. The Doctor pushed a little harder, feeling more confident and her wife got a little unsteady. “Bed.“ River groaned and pushed her away. The Doctor nearly tumbled over but she caught herself as River turned towards the bed. “Help me out of this.“ She instructed undoing the top of her dress. The Doctor didn’t need to be asked twice, she quickly clambered to her feet and unzipped the dress for her. River dropped it where she stood and made her way to the bed in only heels and a lacy bra. The Doctor took a deep breath, her head swimming in hormones. She followed her to the bed and River turned and perched on the edge. “Take the rest of your clothes off.“ River instructed as her wife came to a halt right in front of her. She grabbed the waistband of her trousers and pulled her a little closer still standing right between her legs. The Doctor nodded and undid her bra. River traced her fingertips up her flat stomach watching her closely. She dropped her bra to the floor and River continued up, brushing ever so lightly against her nipples, teasing and exploring her new body. The Doctor groaned, River clearly had made it her goal to drive her absolutely crazy and she was succeeding. “Carry on.“ She pulled her out of her trance. She nodded towards her trousers but carried on caressing her breasts.

“God, River…“ The Doctor breathed but didn’t argue, she kicked off her boots and unbuttoned her trousers. She felt so vulnerable, she blushed bright red but she trusted River like no-one else so she kept going. She pushed her trousers down, her underwear with it, and stepped out of them. “This okay?“ She breathed feeling incredibly insecure.

“More than.“ River whispered. For a moment, she forgot all about their little game, she just looked at her full of adoration and awe. She was absolutely beautiful and River could hardly wrap her head around the fact that she was hers. Not just right in this moment but always, she was her wife and even if their time was limited, they would always have opportunities and moments like this. “You’re beautiful darling.“ She took her hand and placed a kiss on top of it. The Doctor felt her heart melt, overcome by emotion she blinked away the tears that unexpectedly came to her eyes and captured her wife’s lips in a deep and loving kiss. River smiled into the kiss as she ran her hands down her body coming to rest on her hips.

“Can we keep going now?“ The Doctor bit her lip. She didn’t want to sound too eager but her body was betraying her. River raised her eyebrows at her in amusement.

“Why of course dear, are you enjoying yourself by any chance?“ She teased her and the Doctor blushed.

“You know I am…“ She huffed and River smirked as she pushed her hand between her wife’s legs feeling the wetness there. The Doctor gasped and blushed even more deeply as River whispered:

“Yes you are. If I’d known you’d like this that much, I would have done it sooner.“ The Doctor whimpered at the sudden loss of touch as River pulled her hand away. It was true, she probably had never been as turned on as this. “So where were we?“ She looked her up and down one more time, looking almost timid

“I know…“ The Doctor answered in a low voice and before River could say anything, she knelt down in front of her again, right there between her legs and leaned forward pushing her tongue into her wetness. River moaned, yes, that was just right… she brushed the Doctor’s hair back and spread her legs a little wider. The Doctor looped her arms around her thighs pulling her in close and hooking her legs over her shoulders. She ran her tongue over her, she remembered well how River liked her to touch her, how to flick her tongue just right, where to push and press. River groaned buckling her hips against her as she allowed herself to fall onto her back on the bed as her wife worked wonders between her legs. She grabbed hold of the bedsheets, she needed something to hold on to. Her wife swirled tight circles around her clit lighting her nerve endings on fire.

“I forgot how good you are at this.“ River moaned through laboured breaths. Pressure was building up in the pit of her stomach radiating down. She was becoming hot and flushed, panting as she could hardly seem to get enough air.

“May I get up?“ The Doctor asked and River barely registered the question, she just nodded frantically, she didn’t really care what she did at this point, so long as she kept going. River groaned in disappointment when she pulled away from her but within second, the Doctor had replaced her tongue with her fingers. She pushed inside her as she climbed on top of her and they shuffled up the bed. She used her other hand to push up River’s bra, the last item of clothing between them and assaulted her breasts with her lips and teeth. River couldn’t think clearly anymore, she just rocked against her wife’s thrusts, swimming in a sea of sensations. Her muscles started tensing up, the Doctor could tell she was close, she sat back between her legs, pressed a kiss against the inside of her thigh and brought her other hand down to rub little circles against her clit. It did the trick. River’s whole body tensed up for a moment, she ground her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut before wave after wave of pleasure released the pent up pressure.

“Fuck…“ River whispered breathlessly wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. She took a few moments to recover, thank god for those two hearts helping restoring blood and oxygen flow more quickly. She pushed herself up a little on her elbows, she could sense her wife’s eyes on her. The Doctor was still sitting between her legs with a hopeful sort of smile on her face.

“Was that alright then?“ She asked with a little bit of a smirk, she knew full well that it had been more than alright but she wanted her praise.

“Hm, yes.“ River breathed. “Very good.“ She watched her wife for a moment, how she was kneeling there, her thighs pressed together tightly, biting her bottom lip subconsciously, balling her hands into fists in the sheets. She desperately needed some release but she was doing her best to wait. She had certainly understood how these games worked. River smirked feeling more like herself again. “Now, dear, is there something you need?“

“I, uhm…“ The Doctor averted her eyes quickly blushing.

“Oh darling, still not any better at asking for the things you want?“ River teased sitting up.

“I… I think I like it better this way around…“ She admitted self-consciously.

“I thought you might.“ River chuckled. “And believe me, that is perfectly fine by me.“ She pulled her into a passionate kiss and flipped them over. She pushed her leg between hers and the Doctor moaned grinding her hips against her leg, finally having some contact. River grabbed her wrists and pinned her hands either side of her head, there was really no need for it at this point but she was curious to see what else she would do to drive her wife crazy, for future reference.

“Please River.“ She was absolutely breathless.

“I didn’t think the almighty Doctor begged.“ River hummed as she trailed kisses along her neck and down to her breasts.

“River…“ She breathed pushing herself against her leg.

“No, please, darling, keep going, I love hearing you beg.“ She smirked as she let go of her hands and sat back up, she budged back and the Doctor groaned in frustration at the loss of contact. River reached down placing her hands on either one of her thighs keeping them apart.

“River, come on…“ She tried to move but she was holding her down.

“Ask nicely darling.“

“I did…“

“Say it again.“

“Please, River, please, just… I can’t wait any longer.“ She breathed a desperate plea that seemed to satisfy River at last.

“Not so hard, is it.“ River chuckled and pushed her fingers inside her. The Doctor moaned and eagerly moved against her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?“ River hummed as she leaned over her again and buried her other hand in her hair. She pulled her head back exposing her throat that she carefully sunk her teeth into. The Doctor gasped.

“Thank you.“ She just about managed and River grinned at her like a cheshire cat.

“Good girl.“ She sped up and pushed another finger inside her, she could tell she needed more, after all this, her body was so tightly strung. The Doctor grabbed onto River for support, digging her nails into her shoulders, the little bit of pain only urged her on. She rubbed her thumb against her clit as well as she could manage as she kept up her rhythm. The Doctor’s moans became increasingly more desperate and she began to tense up. “Nearly there dear.“ River whispered into her ear and bit her earlobe. The Doctor gasped for air, she felt like she was going to black out at any moment as the sensations mounted and rose inside her. She tightened around River’s fingers and released the tension at last. River held her through the intense spasms kissing her deeply.

“Bloody hell…“ The Doctor was barely in control of her senses as she came down from that high.

“Language dear…“ River chuckled as she pulled her into her arms so she could recover.

“I feel like… it’s one rule for you… and one rule for me…“ The Doctor mumbled and River laughed lightly.

“Fair point…“ For a little while they just lay there, neither one of them saying anything. They didn’t want their little adventure to end but they both knew there were things that had to be done, places they had to be. There was a painting that still needed to be dealt with…

As she felt more like herself again, the Doctor rolled over and reached for the top drawer of the night stand. It had taken a while but she was starting to remember why they were actually here.

“What are you looking for?“ River asked raising her eyebrows curiously.

“Well, this is the cruise ship of the evil masterminds, I figured… ha! Yes.“ She pulled out a pair of handcuffs from the drawer dangling them in front of River who grinned in response. “So… you think I can have a go at this after all?“ The Doctor asked trying to look confident.

“Well dear, if I had known we had those at our disposal…“ River smirked but held out her hands to her. “Well, be my guest.“ The Doctor grinned and made quick work of cuffing her wife to the headboard. Then she quickly got up and got dressed.

“Darling, what are you doing?“ River asked trying to sit up but struggling to.

“Sorry dear but I know you’re more than capable of getting out of handcuffs after a little while. I just need a bit of a head start.“ The Doctor explained with a grin.

“What do you think you’re doing?“ She demanded to know.

“Remember that painting? Just stole it back. Keep you out of trouble.“ The Doctor quickly buttoned up her waist code. “Ace distraction, wasn’t it. “

“You’re gonna get yourself into a lot of trouble if you leave me here like this and make off with my painting!“ River shouted angrily.

“Not your painting, technically.“ She felt the need to point out.

“You wouldn’t leave me like this, Doctor.“ Her wife tried to reason.

“No… but the Master certainly would.“ She grinned mischievously and kissed her wife’s cheek. “Till the next time Professor.“

“Doctor!!“

“Love you! Let’s do it again some time soon!“ She fled the room to the sound of River’s explicit curses and made for the restaurant where the rest of the team was waiting with the painting. Yaz, Ryan and Graham were waiting looking extremely bored.

“Time to get a shift on Fam and quick, River is not happy, bring the painting.“

“What were you doing all this time?“ Graham asked.

“Ah you know…“

“Doctor, you didn’t actually…“ Yaz exclaimed.

“Don’t think I mentioned she’s my wife, did I? My bad. Let’s go!“ They hurried back to the Tardis, rushing past Flemming who stared after them in confusion. Heist accomplished.

[oursecretlittlelives]

eBay sucks.

I’m trying to move my marker business onto eBay to get more sales... it’s clearly not meant to be.

I created a new account, that account wouldn’t link with the website my mum gave me access to that makes listing things easier.

I cancelled the new account.

I created a second new account, that account would link to the website but only offered me 10 free listings. (I decided that wasn’t good enough when the first account offered me 1000).

I cancelled the second new account.

(Yes I was being impulsive and decided to just delete accounts when they were no good for me I’m an idiot we know this).

I open a third new account alongside opening a new email account for said eBay account.

All seems to be going well, only it’s the type of account that won’t link with mums site. I decide to just not use mums site.

I start drafting listings.

I get an email saying my account is restricted until I verify my information by clicking the link in the message.

The link in the message leads me to a page about selling limits and doesn’t help me de-restrict my account. I email eBay because their automated chat assistant is useless and it’s after their phone lines are closed.

They email back the next day asking for more information on specific topics before they can lift the restriction. I answer the questions and the account becomes unrestricted. Yay!

Nightmare over I thought. Nope.

I spent the day they restricted the account, the day they lifted the restriction, and the next day (today) drafting and scheduling listings as well as making some go live. (I had about 300+). I was nearly finished drafting them all.

Then they send me an email saying my account has been suspended and there’s no way to appeal a suspension as the decision is final.

I almost threw the computer off the floor then out the window.

I’m going to try Etsy and pay the listing fees.

Like with 300+ listings you can understand why the prospect of paying £0.15ish per listing is not appealing right? Especially when I currently have no guarantee that they’re going to sell.

As a business model spending £45.00 just to list all my items on a site with no guarantee they’ll sell is not good.

I also don’t think that when I tried to close the other two eBay accounts that it worked because I didn’t get a confirmation email for either so yeah. I might try one of those accounts again.

It’s more the fact I’ve essentially wasted 3 days now that’s very irritating. Especially as a person who rarely finds the motivation to do things when I’m not at my full time job. And I was on a roll. Like it’s my week off and I’d been getting so much done. Yes I’ve been staying up until 5/6am to do it and getting up around 2pm but that’s an improvement over my usual going to bed at 6am and getting up at 5pm.

I hate eBay is the take away from this.

Also I bought about £20-£30 worth of supplies using that eBay account on buy it now auctions, and eBay sent me emails saying the bids had been cancelled. But all of the sellers have already dispatched the items so I’m very confused about that.

[suhperfect]

011219: i got EXO & NCT items today!

i wanted to share my happiness because i have nowhere else to do it — that’s the lonely life for me ;-;

first up, EXO!!!

i made an impulse buy to get EXO’s lightstick hehehe it was $60 and the seller was giving away free merch because there was a Black Friday sale going on :D which is also why i wanted to buy it because there was a sale even though the discount was like $5 off & i wanted the free merch!!

the free merch the seller gave was the Chanyeol fan — i was not expecting it!!! so me being me, i fangirled in public but luckily there’s not a lot of people to witness that

i told her i was looking for Chanyeol pins/badges but she didn’t have any stock and she decided to give me free Chanyeol stuff uwu

the poster above was also free and another one too which is their DMUMT one:

this photo looks so ratchet but let’s ignore that

was not expecting the size to be this hugeeee

sadly, i can’t put it up on my wall because i don’t want it to collect dust sigh how do y’all have so many posters up and not have dust?? i-

last but not least, the free stuff she gave was Chanyeol’s sticker set (which upon research says that it’s the smtown love season sum event??? i’m not really sure but it seems like it)

okay, next up is NCT!!

i’ll try to keep this short i promise

my mum was out shopping and she offered to get me NCT 127’s regular-irregular album 🥺 my mum is honestly the best in the world

she even showed me the album of EXO-SC: What a Life (they only had the P version — i still don’t understand what does the letters in the version mean) and SuperM’s album but i couldn’t bear to have her buy so much for me so i asked for this one

i was screaming when the photocard of Doyoung just dropped out, i was trying to keep it full of suspense but nope Doyoung had to pop out and surprise me hahaha

alright, this is the end of my haul

i have to go study now, i delayed my studying for wayyyyy too long and my test is tomorrow yikes

[breadcaaat]

part five

part five

Jeongguk x hybrid!reader

| part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six

Words: 5.4k

Genre: action, fluff, angst, violence... eventual smut

Warnings: buckets o’ blood, more nudity, foul language, discussion of human trafficking 

Jeongguk was on his knees, face mask and headband on, fat yellow sponge in hand, surrounded by rosy suds. He already knew he’d be throwing these clothes out at the end of the day. That was fine. He could buy new ones, especially now that he was financially set for the next few years.

Yes. You read that right.

On Y/N’s flight from the auction center, she’d crawled out a vent she had hid in to escape the guarddogs and dropped into an office, where a woman had been running cash through a money counter. One choke to unconsciousness later, and she’d packed away a full cargo of pure, fat, dirty cash from the sales that night into the backpack Jeongguk had spotted on the floor earlier.

“We can’t use this,” he’d said.

“Why not?”

“Because people were sold to make this money.”

“Not people; person, singular. About one moderately-priced hybrid.” 

Jeongguk looked at her uneasily. 

“Aish,” she muttered, “ - doesn’t matter. Think of it this way: we’re keeping their sellers from making profit and supporting one - ” she’d pointed at herself “ - of their products. Consider it ironic. And you can finally quit that job at the moving company.”

He still wasn’t sure where he stood on that topic, but for now his focus was simple. Leave no trace. 

There was blood on the tile (thankfully no more than a few spots on the carpet) but it hadn't dried yet and so was relatively easy to mop up. His biggest concern wasn’t the staining, though. Y/N had told him that most all these hybrid crime centers had guarddogs: dog hybrids with sharp noses that made sure nothing unauthorized left any of the sites alive. His tiger girl had left a big, fat, smelly trail leading down the streets, up the walls of his building, and straight into his apartment through the balcony, so if they had any chance of remaining undiscovered they needed to blast any and all traces of smelliness to the fucking exosphere.

So, while he scrubbed away, she ran to a convenience store (clean, not covered in blood anymore, with her hood up and some sunglasses on) with a fresh wad of cash to buy four big jugs of bleach.

By the time she returned, he was already packing away all the towels and the sponge he’d used to mop everything up into a trash bag. They worked quietly, efficiently. Next, the bleach.

His most immediate concern was the apartment and any smelliness that lingered about it, so he as he bleached down their living space, she climbed down the piping she’d clambered up in the first place and bleached away all traces of blood and any previous scent-markings. (She’d pouted a little at this, knowing it was necessary but mourning the loss.) They decided to work on the alley together.

It was about five o’clock - an hour and a half later - when she deemed the apartment sufficiently un-smelly, so Jeongguk packed up the trash bag with all the unsalvageable, bloody materials and packed it down to the alley.

Halfway down the first flight of stairs, he sighed and noticed something not totally interesting, but notable. It was fucking late. He’d been up late before, of course, with long work hours and everything, but never this late. Walking down the echoey, concrete stairwell made him feel like the only man on earth and it wasn’t… a bad feeling. He was starting to understand the appeal of late night walks. Maybe he should join her on her next one.

When he got down there, he could already smell the bleach. She’d uncapped a jug and was currently splashing it along the apartment-side wall, getting rid of any blood-smells or previous scent marks. He caught her attention by setting the bag near the dumpster and scooping up a jug for himself.

“We’ll have to burn that. I can smell us both on it. Ever lit a trash-fire?” she asked, and he found himself chuckling despite everything.

“Sure, I’ve lit things on fire. Most boys do.”

“Good. Dump it on top of that drain instead.”

He did, and it landed with a thump and a squish, which made his stomach twist a little. “Ew,” he muttered. Y/N handed him a matchbook and pulled out a tube of firestarter.

“It’s going to rain in the morning.” She uncapped the tube and doused the garbage bag.

“When?

“I’d say in the next hour or so.”

He nodded. That saved them from hosing away the bleach. It’d also - presumably - wash away any obvious bleachy or burnt scents left behind by their cleaning.

Finished with the tube, she tossed it on the pile. “Before we light this, I’m gonna clean up my trail back a couple blocks. We still have two and a half jugs and that should be enough.”

“It’d be good to burn the jugs too, is what you’re saying?”

“Exactly. Be right back. Check for any details we missed. The bleach is stinging my nose and I can’t smell anything.”

He nodded, and she lugged off the remaining jugs of bleach to clean the rest of her mess.

🐯

Jeongguk got the honor of flicking the match onto their little trash fire, and it took quickly. Unbidden, a sense of relief flooded him. This should be the last of it. All we do now is wait for the rain.

Y/N sat next to him, stripped down to her skivvies once again. Her clothes were in the pile right now. “They smell like I just cleaned up a crime scene,” she’d told him when he’d asked why she was stripping again. He’d decided to just shrug it away this time. It was alarming how quickly he was becoming desensitized to nudity and blood.

“Have you ever done this before?” he asked. The sounds around them were almost ambient; like a campfire near a road. Except this was an alleyway and the trash fire was lit to destroy evidence. Potato, tomato.

“No. Why?”

“You’re good at it.”

She scoffed incredulously. “I just crawled into your apartment early in the morning covered in blood - which I know makes you nauseous - after having committed three gruesome murders in which I tore two victims open by the rib cage and used their entrails to kill the last one, then also a major robbery of an organized crime syndicate and - ” she tipped her head to look at him, eyes gleaming with the peacock sheen of her cat’s-eye night vision “ - you commend me on how good I am at concealing the evidence?”

He scratched his nose. It did sound a little ridiculous. I’m probably in shock, so. “... Just thought it was clever how you burnt it over the grate so it doesn’t leave any ashes. I wouldn’t have thought to do that.”

She giggled. “You’re the ride or die type, huh?” There was a shuffle as she shifted to lean on him, tucking her head between his shoulder and neck. “I know I’ve put you through a lot of shit - and I’m sorry - but I’m glad it was you in the restaurant, and I’m glad you fell in the river.” She nipped at the column of his neck and he had to remind himself that It’s platonic, she’s part animal, animals nip at each other platonically. “I’d probably be dead of fever in an alleyway had you not taken me in.”

She wrapped her arm around his, and they stared down at the trash fire as it died away, burning away quickly.

“Thank you,” she finished with a murmur.

He didn’t answer, but set his head on top of hers. She chuffed, and a little purr rumbled up through her chest.

🐯

“I’m sorry Mrs. Gim,” Jeongguk rasped “ - but I can’t come in today.” His voice sounded downright pitiful. It might’ve been the fake coughing or the toilet paper stuffed up his nose that had her convinced and already fussing, but that’s not important. Was he actually sick? Absolutely not. Tired? Absolutely.

In order to wake up early enough to make this call and skip on his morning shift he’d had to set NO MORE than eight alarms, each two minutes apart, and really they hadn’t been what’d woken him up; Y/N had by biting his ear with a growl that’d rumbled through his skull, just hard enough to make him yelp.

“ - Should I bring you some soup? You weren’t out in the rain last night, were you? Tell me you didn’t go outside with an umbrella or so help me - ”

Jeongguk latched onto that last bit and faked a nervous laugh.

“Jeongguk,” the woman hissed, and he almost felt sorry for himself.

“I can call in Jaesoo to cover?” he whimpered, and Sunghyun hissed again (Aish! Sure. Stay in bed and don’t leave it.)

A few goodbyes and reassurances to take care of himself later, Jeongguk hung up the phone call, picked out the toilet paper, and flopped back into bed.

“Is Gim’s your only shift today?” Y/N asked.

He grunted a negative, voice rough in the morning-time.

“What else then?”

“Night shift at Gloss. Then I gotta go deposit the money so it can rack up interest, pay off our rent - and that’ll take a couple different accounts, maybe banks.”

“Why not just one?”

“That much cash is suspicious.” He giggled then. “It’ll look like I robbed an organized crime syndicate or something.” She growled and jabbed at his ribs, and he giggled a bit more before quieting down again.

More than anything, he wanted to go back to sleep. The past few weeks compounded upon last night had exhaustion dripping off his every bone and pore, but realistically he knew there were errands he had to run today. Last night’s trash fire wasn’t the end of their clean-up, though it’d felt like it. His sense of caution still flared. There were loose ends that needed clipping.

The money was probably the biggest. With his situation, there was no way he could’ve acquired it in the eyes of the bank without having robbed a place, and revealing Y/N’s existence was out of the question completely. He needed a good excuse. And better clothes.

An idea flickered to life, but he rushed to tamper that flame before he did something impulsive.

It was no secret that Yoongi - his boss and friend - had connections underground. Though Jeongguk hadn’t seen it with his own eyes he knew his hyung had done plenty of gang tattoos, and he was many a kingpin’s go-to. Gloss was not only neutral ground in all the territory-mongering that went on, but also Yoongi’s pseudonym. None of his clients knew his real name and that was for safety. That was the type of crowd he’d been surrounded by since fourteen, when he’d done that first tattoo.

He must’ve learned something through by osmosis through all those - what - eleven years? If Jeongguk confided in him, he could learn how to go about this clean-up neatly.

On the flip-side, Yoongi might also fire him and cut ties. Another safety precaution. He wouldn’t - couldn’t - blame him for it. That was Gloss’s tried and true method for making sure his shop stayed neutral through all the crime and conflict of Seoul’s underground, and he’d kept it up for his whole career.

There was a shuffle in the sheets beside him as Y/N shifted to look at him. She was laying on top of the covers - too hot - and he’d zoned out on her tail as it had curled up and thumped idly on the duvet in a steady rhythm.

“You’re juggling something.” It was an observation, not a question.

“Yeah,” he murmured.

“Penny for your thoughts then?”

“I was just thinking about all I have to do today.” He stared up at the ceiling, hand on his chest and index finger tapping a quiet beat.

“We,” she murmured quietly, and he smiled.

“I don’t know if you can help me in what I have to do. It’s all legal and money stuff. I’m just trying to figure out where to start, I guess.” They were silent for a moment as he debated telling her about Yoongi.

Well, what’s the harm, huh? “I know someone that might be able to help us. Just, advice-wise.”

She hummed and fluffed her pillow. “Tell me about him then.”

“His name’s Yoongi, but at the shop he’s called Gloss.”

“You work there, right?”

“Yeah. He’s pretty much run the place since he was a kid. Dropped out of high school to do it. Since he wasn’t trained professionally his tattoo operation is underground and I mean, the guy’s been tattooing gangsters since forever. He must know something, you know?”

She nodded thoughtfully, and her eyes drifted shut after a moment. “I bet you he’ll still know something in a couple hours so… it won’t hurt if we sleep a bit more.”

“Yeah, good idea.” He yawned. “I’m exhausted. Gotta call Jaesoo first…”

🐯

It was about ten now. An hour ago, he’d written up a resignation letter and had just delivered it to the moving company, now meandering his way over to Yoongi’s shop to start up what would probably be a fucking monumental disaster. He was having Y/N meet him in the alley near there, both having decided their story would probably be more believable with her presence. He just hoped things would go well. Jeongguk knew he was putting a lot of trust in Yoongi telling him all this - he’d have to rely on Gloss’s neutral nature to not let on about him to anyone who came asking, which was a risk.

“There it is,” he murmured to himself as he spotted the storefront, and drew in a deep breath, adjusting the strap of the back pack on his shoulder. Shit, this is making me nervous. He let the breath out as a loud sigh, not too unlike a war cry. Let’s go. We got this! Yoongi’s my friend and he’ll handle it somehow. We’ll be fine.

The bell jingled as he marched in.

Yoongi was currently at one of the stations giving a client a trim, and he looked up at the kid with the usual greeting for customers on his lips, fading off the moment he saw his face. Curiosity replaced it.

“Jeongguk?”

“Can we talk?” His eyebrows were furrowed and he looked like he was hyperfocusing on something.

Didn’t even say hi. “Mm. Sure. Meet me in the back, I gotta finish up here first.” This’ll be interesting. He turned back to the client.

Jeongguk nodded, and briskly strode into the hall at the back of the shop, eyebrows furrowed cutely. Yoongi idly counted his footsteps, only to hear a little screech of rubber on tile as Jeongguk stopped and skidded back into the main area. “Hi hyung!” A little wave, and he disappeared again. Yoongi smiled faintly and shook his head.

Down the hallway, Jeongguk bypassed Yoongi’s office and scooted further down the hallway to an iron door. It provided access into the alley out back and could only be opened from the inside. He pushed it open and ducked his head out.

Y/N was nowhere to be seen. Good. She’s stayed hidden.

Jeongguk whistled a small tune.

A shadow dropped down from the fire escape, near-silent, and slid past him into the building. “Good to see you. On the left,” he murmured, and she disappeared into Yoongi’s office right as the man turned the corner, wiping his hands after a quick wash.

Seeing Jeongguk, he asked, “Why are you here so early?”

“I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh? Are you quitting?”

“What? No.” He shook his head, opening the door for Yoongi who moved past him to his liquor cabinet, not noticing the figure lounging on his couch. “You might understand better why it is I took on a fourth part-time, though.”

“Oh yeah? Shoot.” He pulled out a crystal decanter of bourbon and poured them both a glass. “Two pinkies or three?” He didn’t notice how tense it was Jeongguk got then, or if he did, decided not to comment.

Jeongguk’s hand tightened around the strap of his pack. This is it. Tell him everything. He decided to just act first before he chickened out.

He unzipped it and upended the contents on Yoongi’s desk. Actions do speak louder than words, right?

Yoongi paused his pour.

He may have had his back turned, but the sound of tumbling money is something he’s familiar with. He decided to knock back the glass before pouring another refill. “That better not be what I think it is Jeongguk. That better be you spilling a stack of flyers for a poetry slam or some shit.” He knocked back the second glass and poured another. “Two or three pinkies, you goddamned punk?”

“Two please.”Jeongguk murmured.

Yoongi kneels and pulls out a second glass from the liquor cabinet. Y/N chooses then to speak up.

“I’ll take two also.”

There’s a clatter as he bangs his head on the cabinet, spinning around with the widest eyes Jeongguk’s ever seen on him. “Who the hell - ?”

“I let her in,” Jeongguk murmured, shifting to stand in front of the door to block Yoongi from making a run for it. “She’s a friend of mine. Yoongi, meet Y/N.”

There’s silence for a moment. The tiger girl sits soundlessly on the couch, completely covered from head to toe in clothing - her face is even concealed by a dark pair of shades and a face mask. Besides her name and voice, there’s little to differentiate whether she’s a boy or girl. Yoongi recovers his composure quickly, standing up from the ground and picking up two cups as he does.

“Alright, two pinkies each and four for me. Why’s she here Jeongguk, and who is she?”

“Well, uh, her name’s Y/N - ”

“We covered that already. Who is she, Jeongguk?” Finished with his pours, he handed him their drinks and took his own, sitting down at his desk. Jeongguk sank into the cushions next to Y/N and handed her her drink. Surprisingly, she decided to take charge of the conversation.

“Do you know what hybrids are, Mr. Yoongi?” Idly, she took a sip of the alcohol and grimaced, thinking better of it and handing to Jeongguk.

Yoongi leaned back in his chair, crossing his ankle over one of his knees. He sipped at his drink. A tense moment passed.

“Sure. I heard of ‘em.”

Jeongguk blinked. “You have, hyung?”

“Yeah, people talk. I keep my nose out of it though, and that’s for safety.” He sipped at his drink again, then narrowed his eyes a bit. “Why are you asking?”

“Well - ” she started, taking off her shades, face mask, and hood. “I am one.”

Yoongi’s face remained impassive, masked, calculated. It was his business face, the one he used with customers. Neither removed or engaged. He nodded, but made no effort to continue the conversation.

Y/N took the lead.

“I’ve been… this, for about four years now. Started out as a pet whore then demoted to a cagedog. You know what cagedoggers are?”

Yoongi nodded again, and Jeongguk felt the hair at the back of his neck prickle.

“So, I did that for three years. In the last four months before I got out of it - the cagedogging, I mean - I purposely lost fights so I’d get resold and resold to the cheapest cagedoggers. The last deal took place at night in a restaurant Jeongguk was eating at, and he helped me escape.”

“That was the day I broke up with Bora,” Jeongguk interjected, and Yoongi nodded thoughtfully. He didn’t really know exactly when that was since his presence in the kid’s life was minimal outside of Gloss - but it gave him a rough timeline. A little less than six weeks ago.

“ - Right,” she continued. “So, after that night I didn’t really have anywhere to go, so I just kinda…” a little blush, and her ears fluttered back, “... followed him around for a day. Figured I’d return the favor somehow, and I wanted to thank him but he’s so goddamn busy all the time it’s hard to get a word in.”

Yoongi chuckled a little, tipping back the rest of his drink.

“So then he fell in a river, and - ”

Yoongi choked on his drink. “What did he do?”

Jeongguk grimaced, and picked at his bangs guiltily. “Uh.”

“When did it happen?”

“A day after I escaped.”

Yoongi narrowed his eyes at Jeongguk, who avoided making eye contact like the plague. Y/N rushed to move on with a heavy exhale before Yoongi started wasting time scolding him.

“Anyway,” she continued. “He fell in a river and I saved him. Brought him back to his apartment and ended up staying the night. We’ve been denning together since then.”

Jeongguk giggled a little. Denning. What a cute word choice.

“How’d you know where he lives again?” Yoongi asked, and Jeongguk perked up a little. He should’ve asked that question before and hadn’t, somehow. God, that’s such an important detail. I hope I haven’t skipped over anything else like that. He bit his lip in nervous thought, spaced out and distracted for a second.

“I’d been following him around, remember? The night at the restaurant, I circled back and made sure he got home safe. That’s how I learned where it was.”

Yoongi nodded a bit, satisfied.

“So,” he drawled, leaning forward to ruffle through the pile of cash on his desk. “Where the fuck did you get this?”

“I revisited an old auction site.”

“You’re talking abandoned storage auctions or slave auctions?”

“Slave auctions. Specifically hybrid.”

“Ah. Continue. Also, why?”

“I needed closure, I guess. It was the one place I solidly remember the location of.” She picked at the elastic strings on her facemask, uncomfortable showing any measure of vulnerability to someone not-Jeongguk. It’s okay, she assured herself despite wanting to swallow those words back up. He trusts him. I can trust him. Move on.

“So - ” she forced herself to look up, “ - there was a situation, and I hurt a few people and had to escape.”

“Y/N, you killed three people. They didn’t scrape their knees because you pushed them,” Jeongguk murmured, and Yoongi was surprised to hear the words come from his mouth more so than the fact Y/N had killed someone - he’d made a comment about murder so… casually.

“Right. Yeah. And, uh, on the way out I grabbed this. Now we’re here.”

There was silence for a moment as everyone digested the situation. Yoongi picked at the rubber band circling one of the cash bundles, evaluating the figures in front of him. Y/N sat still as a shadow, eyes on him. Jeongguk fidgeted with his bangs.

Yoongi took a deep breath.

“Why’d you come here?” he asked.

“... I’m in over my head, hyung.” Barely a whisper. Jeongguk wouldn’t meet his eyes, face flushed in shame. This isn’t going to work. I’m going to lose a friend today. “You’re the only person in Seoul I trust that can help us.”

Yoongi looked at him thoughtfully, poker face on in force. Jeongguk felt like he was being watched by a cat.

Finally, he let up with a sigh.

“Clean this up.”

Jeongguk’s heart sank.

Silently, and with a burning face, he scooped the cash back into the bag. Some of Yoongi’s sketches got pushed off with it and he scrambled to pick them up. “Ah - “ he put them back, disorganized, on the desk, “ - I, uh, sorry hyung. We’ll just… get going.” He zipped the last of it up.

“Alright,” Yoongi murmured. “Gimme that before you go.”

Unbidden, a small, suspicious growl crawled its way up from Y/N’s chest. Jeongguk, confused, asked, “Hyung?”

Yoongi sighed and took it from his hands, ignoring the snarl shot at him.

“I can tell you have no clue how to launder money, so I’m gonna do it for you. Can’t leave loose ends in business like this. Sloppiness’ll get you killed.”

She stopped snarling abruptly, and Jeongguk froze in surprise. “Hyung?”

Yoongi smirked, soft and a little bitter like he wanted to swat a younger sibling over the head for doing something troublesome. “I’m older than you, so it’s my job to take care of you. Pull some stupid shit like this again, though, and I’m tossing you in a closet or something.”

Wow. I honestly thought we were gonna get booted to the curb, Jeongguk thought. He was too speechless to say thank you, but Yoongi could see it in the way his eyes twinkled, watery at the edges.

Taking the bag, he made some space in his liquor cabinet and stashed it away. He’d deal with it after hours.

Still turned away, he said, “Go on, git. Don’t you have work, punk?”

“No. Off day.” Jeongguk paused, overcome with this immense sense of gratitude - he was so goddamn lucky to have the people in his life that he did. “Can… can I come in early?”

“Sure,” Yoongi grunted, with a soft smile. I hope this shit doesn’t get him killed. 

“Now git.”

They gitted.

🐯

The police station was having a quiet day, which was honestly the worst in Hoseok’s opinion. It made him jumpy and restless. He sat at his desk, tapping his pen across a notepad and bouncing his knee. And - with a glance at the clock - he realized it wasn’t even lunch time yet. He had a whole two hours until he could - what, eat more and get more energy? Run a lap around the station? Offer the chief a lap dance, just for the exercise?

Hoseok tossed the pen away, buried his head in his hands and moaned, blowing a long sherbert into his palms. The office remained not-busy - probably out of spite.

“You know, Jung - “ his partner commented idly from where he sat across from him, feet propped up on the desk with his nose buried in a racy hentai - some shameless tentacle number; “ - usually, it’s a good thing when we’re not busy.”

Hoseok moaned into his hands again.

Officer Ri Doyeon’s thin eyes flicked up at him over the rim of the book in his hands, and Hoseok started to make little tooting noises. A piece of Doyeon’s soul leaked out and slithered away when he recognized the tune as Darude’s “Sandstorm.”

“Dude,” he whispered in exasperation.

The tooting morphed into what sounded like “Fur Elise,” reaching a grand, existential crisis-inducing crescendo before fading off into one positively grand finale of a sherbert.

Doyeon was overcome by the impulse to choke out his partner with the tie around his neck. “Are you done?” he asked.

Hoseok didn’t answer, head still in his hands. Doyeon returned to his manga.

“Ri-sunbae?” Hoseok murmured after a moment. Doyeon hummed.

“Do you think kazoos like getting blown?”

“Out,” Doyeon hissed. The book in his hands clapped shut with the finality of a man driven to the edge of sanity. “Get - get out. Go take a smoke or a run or jack off in the bathrooms - whatever the fuck men in their twenties do - I don’t fucking care just burn some of this goddamn energy you fucking middle-schooler.”

“So that’s a no?”

Doyeon belted the book at poor, bored little Hoseok who broke the silence of the office with a yelp, scrabbling out of his chair. “A smoke, Hoseok!” Doyeon barked.

“Got it, got it,” he placated, retreating from the office. His grumpy partner huffed and circled the desk to snatch his manga back up from the floor, returning to his earlier position.

Hoseok wandered through the station, looking for something to do. Lately, this is all work had been for him. Boring. Unsatisfying. Unrushed.

The KNP's (Korean National Police’s) Sex Crimes Division was not a good place to work for someone like Hoseok because it was - due to multiple factors, none of them good - not very busy. The situation was not nearly as optimistic as Doyeon made it sound. There are still plenty of sex crimes in South Korea. So many it’s downright shameful. But this is a culture where we don’t talk about those things. No one reports anything, he thought sadly.

His mind wandered back to a case he’d been forced to drop last week. A woman, at a company dinner on her second day at a new job, had been lured away by a supervisor, raped, and then subjected to revenge lawsuits on the charges of defamation when she’d spoken up, yelled and worn into dropping all charges. Yesterday, he’d learned that she’d lost that job. Life ruined in a week. And he couldn’t help. I don’t blame them, I guess. The law doesn’t exactly do much to help. The thought was a bitter one.

His wandering lead him to the roof, and he stepped out with a sigh. I thought I’d be able to help more with this job.

I feel more useless than ever.

He gazed over the balcony, propping his elbows up on the railing. Maybe a bit lonely, too.

All his friends were busy and his family was based back in Gwangju, so he didn’t really get to socialize much anymore. Most of his time was spent with grumpy, middle-aged Doyeon, who was so inclined to social reclusion and coping with all of his failed marriages through nasty hentais that he wasn’t that fun to hang out with.

When was the last time Jeongguk and I hung out? As thoughts turned to his best friend from college, he flushed a little in guilt. Five weeks ago, Jeongguk had broken up with his girlfriend of a year and called him at midnight to cry and babble for a bit, only to hang up a few minutes later because he “... Gotta go, wan’ ramen…” (Sniff.) “Gunna get ramen… bye Hobi-hyung.” Those had been the last words he’d heard from him since - not counting the odd text here and there. I should be a better friend, sheesh.

“Let’s call him,” he murmured to himself, and pulled out his phone.

Jeongguk picked up after three rings. “Hyung?”

“Hey Ggukie!”

“Oh, hey! Haven’t heard from you in awhile.”

“Yeah, sorry for checking out as long as I did. Thought I’d check up on you.”

“Ah hyung, no worries. Seoul’s a busy place to live. Where are you?”

“The station, as usual. You?”

“The station.”

Hoseok perked up. “Wait - really?”

“Yeah, the train one.”

“Oh, you little pest. I got excited there for a second.”

“Aw,” Jeongguk bit out cheekily, and Hoseok could picture so clearly that competitive and endearing little smirk. “Has hyung missed Jeonggukie? Lil’ ol’ me, tiny little Ggukie? Bunny-boy Guk?”

“Oh shut it - I miss kicking your ass in Smash Bros, that’s all.”

“Aish! Shut up hyung - you literally only ever play as Waluigi or Kirby and I always win.”

“I love Waluigi and Kirby more than I love you.”

“Well then I’m a slut for Link. Glad everything’s in the open.” A giggle. “Love me a man in a tunic.”

Hoseok laughed, and they both relaxed into a comfortable pause - softly tuning into private thoughts and the sounds of each others’ environment.

“We should have a tournament again, me an’ you. Waluigi and Kirby vs. Link,” Hoseok joked. Opposite to what he expected, Jeongguk sighed in response. “Hey,” Hoseok murmured, brows knitting. “What’s up?”

“I had to pawn off my PlayStation last month for rent.”

There was a pause again, not as comfortable as the last. Hoseok frowned watched the street down below. He was realizing how far they’d grown apart in this last year, as he’d invested his time in becoming a policeman and Jeongguk had dropped out of college to escape the relentless, malicious rumors targeting him. Touchy subject, that last one.

The world is full of injustices.

By the day, Hoseok’s starting to feel more and more powerless to fix any of it.

“Hobi-hyung…” Jeongguk started, soft voice drawing them both out of their melancholy daze before they sank any further. “We can grab drinks later? If you like?”

He’s such a sweetheart, Hoseok thought.

“Sounds great, Guk,” he hummed. “Usual place?”

“Usual place.”

“When are you free?”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Works for me; text me when. I’ll see ya, Guk.”

“See ya then, hyung.”

They hung up, and Hoseok put his phone away to gaze at the skyline for awhile.

A/N: i have three-ish weeks until i disappear into the wilderness of alaska, so either i finish it in that time or organize an adminship with someone to post my updates. we’ll see

also, thanks for all the support!! yall’re lovely 💞

Taglist: @feed-my-geek-soul @starryannaaa @not-novoa @astronomyturtle @anoushe01 @seokchella @dinorahrodriguez @mischiefmakerliesmith5

Taglist Glitches: @infiresssnct 

[fbwzoo]

(1/?) Anxious about pets anon here! Thank you for your reply, I adapted all your tips and already feel better :) In my first ask I almost talked about my situation sounding a bit hoarderish but didn't to keep it short but I realized I prolly should've! So I'm gonna explain myself a bit better now that I'm calm, I'll try to keep this short but I have a tendency to ramble so I apologize for the length in advance. Also gonna call myself 🌱 from now on since Anxious about pets anon is a bit long!!

(2/?) Normally getting two geckos and turts in a couple weeks is definitely a red flag and if I saw someone do that I'd definitely side-eye them. I do not support getting so many animals this fast at all which is why it freaked me out so badly and it's something I never want to do/experience again. I find preparing and caring for a new (species of) pet for the first few weeks very stressful to begin with, so doing so for multiple species simultaneously with little to no warning has been awful.

(3/?) However the reason I ended up in the situation at all was because I had seen a post online about a leopard gecko that was for sale enclosure & supplies included for fairly cheap, so I opened it for fun. Turned out the geck was actually in my area and the set up was not... Very good. So I talked with the seller and came to the conclusion I could take him as my own leo struggles to keep up with the phase my feeders breed anyway so I had the means to do so

(4/?) All is good, I'm getting a leo (picking him up this weekend). No biggie, except oh no. I find a morph of created gecko I have been looking for & I've had an empty set up waiting for this moment for ages. I'm a bit put off by the timing as I don't really like the idea of buying two pets in such a little amount of time, but it's too late for I have fallen in love and I justify getting him bc I've been prepared for this for a long time and it also happened to be my birthday that day. 

(5/?) Still, took a bit of a hit from it and looking back I would still classify it as an impulse buy as I had not expected to run into the crestie that day even if I had been prepared for a while. This has also been the first time I haven't waited 12+ months between purchasing animals which planted the seed of anxiety in me and the word "hoarder" did cross my mind a couple times but I ignored it, mostly because I knew I'm not one and thought it was silly to think that, but also cuz it scared me 

(6/?) Fast forward a few days I'm talking with the leo seller again. I ask why they're getting rid of it and they tell me they're quitting the hobby so they're rehoming everyone. In curiosity I ask what other animals do they keep and we talk about it for a bit till they say "everyone else already has a home except this baby turtle, no one wants him". I have no interest in getting a turtle, but like a fool & out of wanting to be educated I ask about the species as I'm not very familiar with turts

(7/?) I thought I made it clear I'm not going to take him before the chat but as the 'educational' convo went on the seller was actually picking apart my reasons why not & as pets are a special interest of mine I engaged very enthusiasticly w/o realising. At the end of the chat they said "I'm glad they're both going to a good home". I had missed two of my latest therapy sessions & have severe difficulty telling people no so I replied with "I'm just trying to help" & had a panic attack.

(8/?) It was too late to back down now so I'm getting a turtle. But with that what I was getting as well was more anxious and I spent the next day in bed, which helped. I opened up about it to a close friend, and instead of them reassuring me they told me they've been meaning to ask me if I could take a tortoise (that turned out to be a turtle as well) out of their friends hands. I said Im not sure if this is the right time, and my friend asked me to think about

(9/?) I ask my friend why does this turtle need a home anyway, he tells me the owners travel a lot and that the turtle is loved but neglected. I felt sad. My friend knows how I'm gonna react if someone comes to me directly to ask for help, especially if it's about a suffering animal. I grind my teeth & talk with the owners telling them I'll see what I can do, then I get a text telling me my friend has already made a plan how to deliver the 100g aquarium to my apartment.

(10/?) Even when I may not have wanted the turtles I'm glad if I get to make their lives more enjoyable. I will give them my everything and do my best to provide a good home for them. Tho it does hurt me my discomfort is secondary to other people when they know I will agree to things as long as they apply enough pressure, especially when I'm already vulnerable, but I suppose it's my fault too for not communicating well enough and for allowing them to take advantage of my difficulties

(11/11) Sorry this turned out a LOT longer than expected!! You don't have to post it I just wanted to let you know I didn't just wake up one day and decide to expand my family by half, but that it was more of a gradual process that I found myself unable to stop even when I wanted to, & will work with my therapist so I can be prepared for these situations in the future. Thank you again for the advice, it has helped me feel better! Ps. I will update when all the pets are here and settled down! -🌱

I hope you don’t mind me posting, I wanted to share your story with others, especially in case anyone was still worrying about the situation!

I’m sorry that you had so many people stomp all over your boundaries, especially your friend. That was super not cool of them. :/ I understand having difficulty saying no, especially when you’re wanting to help animals - I have issues with that too. I’m glad that you’re so aware of the problem & that you have a plan to work on it though!

Also I wanted to add one more bit of advice - keep in mind that you do not have to be the forever home for every one of these animals. Especially if you find yourself getting overwhelmed or having difficulty with care. You have to take care of yourself as well as the animals. I know turtles can be a fair amount of work and money to set up well, and while I know you said you’re up for the challenge, I just want to make sure you give yourself some room to breathe. If you do find that you’ve taken on more than you can deal with, it’s okay to look into options for rehoming some of the animals, and that doesn’t make you a bad person. I can definitely vouch for the experience of finding yourself in over your head & needing to take a step back and find a better place for a pet, even when it’s really hard! I know these words might not be necessary, but I just wanted to make sure someone said them, in case you needed to hear it. ♥

Thank you for the update and further explanation, and I hope everyone settles in well! I look forward to more updates if/once you’re able to do so. :) 

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT NEWS, RESOURCES & STUDIES, late-January 2020

Welcome to my latest summary of recent news, resources & studies including search, analytics, content marketing, social media & ecommerce! This covers articles I came across since the mid-January report, although some may be older than that. 

Right now I am trying to get at least 2 of these out each month. Is that enough? Too much? Am I missing topics you want to see covered? Please let me know! Comment here, message me through Tumblr, Twitter, or my website.

Also, I am once again working on plans to start an ecommerce business forum, where small business owners can learn and discuss topics like the ones I post about here. If you have any preferences for a suggested platform/forum space,please let me know! I will be running a survey once I narrow down my list. 

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

Etsy introduced alternative shipping for US sellers shipping outside of the US & Canada, run by Asendia. Etsy Labels will no longer offer USPS First Class International for those shipments, but faster levels will still be through USPS. The Help file doesn’t give that much more detail; discussion is here. 

Having educational/information pages on ecommerce websites can help product page search rankings. Blog posts, pillar pages and tutorials can all be a good investment. 

Excellent article on how to keep your existing buyers (aka customer retention) rather than always going after new ones. It cites decent research in the area, with examples. (As regular readers know, I love Help Scout’s customer service articles!) For example, “When it comes to highly rated customer service, quality and completeness matter more than speed. According to research from Gallup, customers were nine times more likely to be engaged with a brand when they evaluated the service as “courteous, willing, and helpful.” “Speedy” service, on the other hand, only made customers six times more likely to be satisfied.”

ETSY NEWS 

More updates to listing categories, including a new Presets & Photo Filters category, and Cribs & Cradles is now called Moses Baskets & Hammocks. 

Tips on marketing your Etsy listings for weddings. “Etsy wedding shoppers are often drawn to Etsy because they identify as creative people themselves, an asset you should consider when developing and marketing your products. By offering DIY versions of some of your popular items, you can draw in crafty shoppers, who may end up purchasing a finished handmade item from your shop instead. Offering both options can also be a great way of hitting multiple price points.”

If you sell jewellery and/or accessories, here is Etsy’s advice for marketing in the first half of the year. “While high-end jewelry is often a carefully considered purchase, more affordable everyday items make easy impulse buys and gifts due to their small size and approachable price points.” Also, people are still shopping by gender: “70% YoY increase in Jewelry, Accessories, and Bags category searches containing “him”. “We expect the bags category to grow the most out of these three categories in the next year, led by the increasing popularity of small leather goods such as wallets, dopp kits, and items for travel. A recent increase in average order value within the Bags category suggests buyers are willing to pay more for high-quality materials like leather.” But note that “Buyers tend not to use the term "purse" in their searches.” Finally, “From July through September 2019, over half of Etsy US and global GMS came from purchases that shipped for free.”

In case you missed it, Disney is going after Etsy sellers of Baby Yoda merchandise. Some speculate that they are mostly focusssing on the listings making the most sales. More sarcastic & humorous take here.

Interesting interview (podcast & transcript, including a pdf) with CEO Josh Silverman, on business strategies.  I do like this quote: “When you’re successful, what can be really hard is to tell you’re successful because of some things and in spite of others.” To be very honest, I have this problem a lot, and have seen other business people misjudge their success as well. This is telling, though “And you have until December 31st to ship it.” I have a hunch that is what happened with Etsy Ads and the free shipping tools. So they shipped unfinished tools, and that was bad for the business. Finally, “HOFFMAN: Until this point, Etsy’s focus had been on its sellers. It saw itself as a marketplace for handmade items, and the people who made them. Josh knew he had to change this perspective… SILVERMAN: It was a really big shift in focus. I think Etsy, like many two sided marketplaces, has very deep empathy for sellers, so much so that it can forget to have empathy for buyers. And when you talk to your sellers, they really mostly want three things. They want buyers, they want buyers, and they want buyers – in that order. In order to serve the sellers, you’ve really got to focus on buyers...By the end of my fifth week almost everyone in the company had a new job.”

SEO: GOOGLE & OTHER SEARCH ENGINES 

Google confirmed a core search update that started to roll out January 13 and took about 3 days, and showed substantial changes on most tracking tools. Early analysis indicates this has once again affected sites based on trustworthiness, but big winners and losers are still unclear. The take from Moz is that this hit health sites like previous updates, but also hurt diverse sites such as Orbitz, Yellow Pages, Poshmark, USA Today and Forever 21. RankRanger noted that there was more volatility in finance rankings than the December update. 

Remember Google’s algorithm change late last year, called BERT? George Mueller offered a bit of advice [text and video] on how to optimize for it: “if ... there’s anything that you can do to kind of optimize for BERT, it’s essentially to make sure that your pages have natural text on them...So instead of stuffing keywords as much as possible, kind of write naturally” 

Google is now highlighting some products (clothing & accessories) in organic search results on mobile in the US & India; you have to have a Google Merchant Centre account set up, but you do not need to buy ads to get this organic boost. Here’s the Google help file on how to optimize. 

If your website has many related pages on a specific topic, organizing the info on one “content hub” (aka pillar pages, or even category pages in some cases) is an excellent way to get user and search engine attention. 

Brief video from Google for SEO beginners: how to optimize images for Google search. They also link to their support file on this question, which has more advanced info. And here is another beginners video on Google SEO considerations for your website. (More links in the video comments.)

Google has a “SafeSearch filter” that removes porn and other mature content from search results, but sometimes it catches innocent sites as well. 

Another good article on how internal linking can serve multiple purposes on your website, especially keyword ranking.

Sites that get the “featured snippet” position in Google search results can no longer get organic ranking on the first page. This could change, though. 

CONTENT MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA (includes blogging & emails) 

Excellent tips & advice on how to make email marketing work for you. Not using emails? You should. “...email has over 3.8 billion daily active users. Take a minute to think about that. Most people who use email probably fall between the ages of 15 and 64, and since there are only about 5 billion people on the planet in that age range, that means email has over 75 percent market penetration.” And “Almost three-fourths of people prefer to hear from businesses via email.”

Do you think that every email campaign needs its own landing page? I’m not sure, but there are some convincing arguments here. And don’t forget to plan to send your emails at the right time for your list subscribers. 

Updated for 2020, HubSpot does an excellent holiday calendar that can help you plan social media posts and other content ahead of time, including hashtags where applicable. 

Tips on converting your existing content (blog posts etc.) into podcasts. “Podcasts tend to be longer-form content than video or blogs. Many videos that companies produce are relatively short, ~2 minutes. For someone looking to listen to your podcast, this may not be substantial enough in terms of the information covered.”

Here’s a useful list of demographics of social media users - think about which sites would work best for your business based on who is using them. 

Reddit is an excellent source of content ideas (video & transcript), as people are usually discussing and upvoting things that interest them, and it is all organized by topic for you. 

Instagram is adding direct messaging (DM) access to their website. 

Facebook is accused of denying data access to potential competitors. 

A surprising number of American adults use LinkedIn, and their numbers are growing faster than expected. “LinkedIn users make up around one-third of all social network users in the U.S.”

ONLINE ADVERTISING (SEARCH ENGINES, SOCIAL MEDIA, & OTHERS) 

Another tutorial on setting up a Google Ads account. 

Google ads were less evident in organic search results, for about a week. This mirrors the changes on mobile several months ago, & includes favicons next to brand sites. But more people complained about the desktop layout, so they have backed down and will continue to test new versions. 

Facebook, Google & Amazon are not the only advertising options out there. 

Short infographic on how to advertise on TikTok. 

STATS, DATA, OTHER TRACKING 

If you haven’t set up Google Search Console for your website or blog, you should. [YouTube Video, from the Beginners series]

A good basic guide to using the Google Keyword Planner, including more tips on how to get in without setting up a paid ad campaign. 

Instagram is most useful when you track your stats - use Insights to track your reach, clicks, impressions etc. 

ECOMMERCE NEWS, IDEAS, TRENDS 

The growth of ecommerce purchases has been detrimental to US retail sales overall, due to brick and mortar store closures, lower b&M profit margins, and fewer jobs. Remember that Amazon now gets around 50% of ecommerce purchases in the US, meaning that the increase of online retail is more consolidated than the lost brick and mortar sales. 

Amazon will now be reporting counterfeit goods sold on its site to the authorities: "The hope has been that Amazon’s coveted data will help law enforcement make connections about criminals." 

Amazon has started a delivery program in Australia called Amazon Flex. Requiring drivers to sign up for shifts up to 4 hours that they choose, driving their own vehicles, the program is being compared to Uber. 

Shopify now has over 1 million merchants, and is growing rapidly. “This past Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, the company saw $2.9 billion in total sales; during its peak, Shopify software was processing $1.5 million in sales and 16,000 checkouts a minute.”

BUSINESS & CONSUMER STUDIES, STATS & REPORTS; SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Smartphone purchases continue to increase: $5.9 billion spent on Black Friday & Cyber Monday, and 48% of online purchases in the US on Christmas Day. 

Supposedly, USPS is the most trusted brand in the US, followed by Amazon, Google, and Paypal. Actual quote: “levels of distrust are high in America, but it found that brands can win trust by protecting consumers' data privacy, not hiding important information in fine print and treating employees better than the minimum required by law.” I’m struggling with Amazon & Google in the top in particular, given that quote, but at least Facebook didn’t make the top 25. 😉 Note that age is a differential factor here: “Google is the most trusted brand among Gen Z and millennials, while USPS is the most trusted among older generations like Gen X and baby boomers.” Study details & top 25 list available here. (There is a large difference between the generations, according to this study; it’s worth a scan.)

MISCELLANEOUS

If you are looking for a new search engine, here are 7 that aren’t Google. Some of you  probably hadn’t heard of all of them, because I hadn’t. 

Anti-virus software Avast is still selling user data to major companies.

[stevensun46-blog]

Assignment 1

Tentative TOPIC Title:  Consumption of WKU  students according to GIPMINDER Data set.

 Research Purpose/Statement:

           The  purpose of the study is to describe basic consumption level of WKU students  and analyze students’ consumption psychology. In addition, it will be a great help in exploring how WKU students  manage their money matters.

After looking through the codebook for the GAPMINDER study,  I have decided that I am particularly interested consumption of WKU students.  I am not sure which variables I will use regarding WKU students, so for now I  will include all of the relevant variables in my personal codebook.

   Research

Sub-objectives:

  Research Questions:

1. To describe the personal information of respondents

  What is the  personal information of Wenzhou-Kean University students with the respect of?

  Age

  Gender

  Living expenses       from family per month

  2. To describe students’ Basic information of consumption  and preference

  What is the consumption level of Wenzhou-Kean University  students in terms of (¥)?

  1000-2000

  2000-3000

  3000-4000

  4000+

  What is the  consumption preference of Wenzhou-Kean University students in the aspect of

a. Food

b. Education

c. Entertainment

d. Daily use

e. Clothes and  Beauty

f.  Exercise

g. Relationship  with lover

Why do students  prefer consume in this aspect?

 3. To describe the attitudes of WKU students towards  consumption

 What are the views  of Wenzhou-Kean University students towards consumption with the respect of

  Scrimp or Care less about price

  Under what       circumstances will be stimulated to consume

  How do  Wenzhou-Kean University students form this type of consumption attitude?

4. To describe the ability of WKU students manage money

  How do  Wenzhou-Kean University students spend money?

 What ways do  Wenzhou-Kean University students manage money matters?

 Hypotheses

Ha1: There are significant differences in consumption level  and consumption preference between male and female.

Ha2: The discount of goods will greatly stimulate students’  consumption.

Ha3: WKU students are lack of the financial awareness.

   Conceptual Framework

                 Consumption      level

·            Specific amount of      money

                                      Consumption      behavior

·            Consumer preference

·            Consumer psychology

Factors

Online      shopping

Sino-foreign      cooperative university

                       Demographic      Profile

·            Age

·            Gender

·            Living expenses      from family per month

               Consumption attitude

         Money      management

·            Financial      management

Operational Definitions

 Consumption level:

            The use of goods and services of exchange value (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2003).

 Consumer behavior:   Consumer behavior is a study of individuals, groups  or organizations and all activities related to goods and services, such as  purchases and placements, including consumer feedback on mood, mind and  behavior before and after these activities. (Chand, 2012).  

Consumer preference:

The subjective tastes of individual consumers. (Weedmark,  2018)

Consumer psychology:

           All activities associated with the purchase,  use and disposal of goods and services, including the consumer's emotional,  mental and behavioral responses that precede or follow these activities. (Kardes, Cronley & Cline, 2011)

Online shopping:

           The act of purchasing products or services over the  Internet. (BusinessDictionary, 2018)

Sino-foreign  cooperative university:

           The legally independent entities formed as joint ventures  between Chinese universities and international partners. (Xiao, 2018)

Consumption attitude:

           A  psychological tendency to give a certain level of approval or disapproval to  a particular consumer entity (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993)

 Money management:  The process of  budgeting, saving, investing, spending, or supervising the use of capital by  individuals or groups (Chen, 2017).  

 Review of Related Literature and Studies

 Consumption level:

The first element to describe the consumption is to acquire  how much they spend money per month which means the consumption level,  commonly refers to as “the using up of goods and services having an  exchangeable value” (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2003). From the aspects of  consumption level of particular things, there are a mass of researches.  According to Haider, See and Elmenreich (2016), in the scheme with adaptive  price rate, the charge is based on the actual consumption of consumers. The  relationship between the breast cancer risk and the alcohol consumption level  has also been made by Touvier and his colleges (2013). These relationships  make it valuable to study, and help develop the consumer behavior.

 Consumption level towards college students:

University  students as a special group of people, they have their own consumption  activities but they are not very mature. College students are particularly  susceptible to consumerism (Ware, 2002). Because the immaturity of college  students, it is easy to be affected by the current popular consumption  concept, so as to make some abnormal consumption behavior. Moreover, this  article also demonstrates the point that the higher the consumption level of  college students, the more products the consumer market provides them.  Different family backgrounds and different consumption concepts will lead to  the diversity of college students' consumption level. Therefore, there is a  great deal of concerns and diversities about college students' consumption  levels Research has been completed or is under way.

  Consumer behavior:

           Consumer  behavior is a study of individuals, groups or organizations and all  activities related to goods and services, such as purchases and placements,  including consumer feedback on mood, mind and behavior before and after these  activities. (Chand, 2012). The  reasons that influence consumer behavior can be explored from many different  perspectives.

           Advances  in technology have accelerated the adoption of dynamic pricing practices in  sectors such as retail, aviation and hotels, and trained consumers to time  purchases in anticipation of future discount strategies (Wei & Zhang,  2017). Consumer behavior is also highly concerned in management science. The  reason is that mastering the consumer behavior can grasp the purchase  psychology of consumers and their latest trends, thus helping the Marketing  Department to increase sales. This is only a small aspect of consumer  behavior. In this era of highly developed capital, consumers have become a  significant group in the economy, and consumer behavior has been studied in  various fields.                                                                                                        

 Consumer behavior of college students:

           As a  special consumer group, college students are more susceptible to external  influences on their consumption behaviors, which leads to changes in goods,  time and value they consume. Compulsive shopping and social networking among  college students may be linked to credit card debt. In addition, impulse  buying, another type of buying behavior, may also affect debt (Wang &  Xiao, 2008). Furthermore, financial educators working with college students  have many opportunities to teach students about the pitfalls of accumulating  credit card debt and strategies for preventing compulsive and impulsive buying.

 Consumer preference:

           Consumer preference is defined as “all activities  associated with the purchase, use and disposal of goods and services,  including the consumer's emotional, mental and behavioral responses that  precede or follow these activities” (Weedmark, 2018) As a  discipline, consumer preference is  influenced by consumer’s objective and mental condition, it can be regarded  as the description of consumer behavior analysis. (Foxal, 2001)

Consumer preference in academic performances:

Consumer preference is a very complex and flexible study which can refer to individual and  organizational consumers. In marketing, it can be divided into several  aspects, purchase activities, use or consumption activities and disposal  activities. (Kardes, 2011) Purchase activities describe how consumers obtain  the services and products and all behaviors leading to the consumption  decision. Use or consumption activities refers to when, where, who and how of  consumption. And disposal activities concerns the way of consumers managing  products which including reselling activities. It’s a significant challenge  for marketing people to understand and learn to lead consumption preference  in the consumer market. In a broad sense, mastering consumer preference  requires both understanding of how consumption decisions are made and how  services and products are consumed. (Lynn & Angeline, 2011). However,  consumers are described as “active decision-makers”, there are plenty of  different variables influencing the consumers’ behaviors which based on their  internal condition, like disposable income or budget, personal taste and  emotion; some external condition, like advertisement and culture.

Consumer preference was heavily influenced by motivation  research in the early 1930s and it had been widely used by advertising  industry and the discipline of psychology. More recently, researchers use new  technologies and tools which including ethnography, photo-elicitation  techniques and phenomenological interviewing to study consumer preference.  Today, consumer preference has become an important sub-discipline within  marketing. (Tadajewski, 2009)

 Consumer psychology

           Consumer psychology is all activities associated with the  purchase, use and disposal of goods and services, including the consumer's  emotional, mental and behavioral responses that precede or follow these  activities. (Kardes, Cronley & Cline, 2011)

Consumer psychology is an interesting topic in the marking.  It is the reason why in a market the highest-price products are always in  sight and why many store have some  special offers for limited time.  All of these marketing strategies are related to consumer psychology, seller  can manipulate customer thoughts by using advantage of consumer psychology. (Natalie, 2018)

 Consumer psychology of college students:

As the development of internet and online shopping,  consumption is becoming easier and faster that past. This “fast and easy  process” reduce university students’ psychological pressure of consumption.  More and more college students choose to use credits cards and application to  shop anytime and everywhere they want. Therefore, it cause a phenomena of  excessive consumption and impulsive consumption among the modern Chinese  college students. However, most university in China have not started public  courses or basic courses on financial knowledge, financial management methods  and consumption concepts, so that students cannot control their own  consumption desire. (Bai, 2016) Both study and education of consumer  psychology are greatly needed in China.

 Online  shopping:

Online shopping is defined as the  act of purchasing products or services over the Internet.  (BusinessDictionary, 2018) As we discussed before, online shopping and other  electronic tools deeply influence consumers’ behaviors. Some statistics show that international sales in Asia  and Pacific areas increased over 30% and made $433 billion revenue in 2012.  And the largest online shopping day  in the world created by China—Singles Day, which sales at US$9.3 billion just  in Alibaba's sites.  (Custer, 2014) Online shopping puts new  challenges and variables in global economy which encourage more new studies  and researches in the economy areas.

 Online environment’s influences on consumer behavior:

Different from  real economy, digital economy has  more convenient and advanced method and more selective options for consumer  to participate in the market.  Therefore, people in online environment may not strongly controlled  and influenced by brand and firm, and they will more focus on quality,  service, recommendations, online reviews and other information. People also  get used to use mobile phone and computers to shopping, so that digital  environment deeply influence people’s mind and consumption behavior. Most  people become more interactive and can influence other potential buyers by  online reviews.  (Kannan,  Alice, 2017).

Besides, modern college students are more likely be influenced  by the online shopping. Because college students may not familiar with the  city which their college located in and they are proficient in using  computer.

Sino-foreign cooperative  university:

           “Sino-foreign cooperative joint ventures—a flexible legal  partnership between Chinese entities and foreign companies—are an effective  way that businesses secure a foothold in China.” (Xiao, 2018) Recently, more  and more Chinese students prefer study aboard and try to find a job in other  countries. According to a recent Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) report,  in 2017 more than 608,400 Chinese students—the highest  number in China’s history—chose to pursue higher education in a foreign  country. With Chinese students’ growing demand for a more international education  experience, colleges and universities around the world are looking for  opportunity to make a foothold in China. Therefore, international university  begin to establish similar partnerships as Sino-foreign cooperative joint  ventures—Sino-foreign cooperative university. Now there are about 9  cooperative university in China and the number is rising every year.                                                                

 Advantages of Sino-Foreign cooperative university

Most co-host foreign institutions have abundant history and  experience that the host Chinese universities. The foreign universities of  the cooperative university nearly 1.8 times older than their Chinese  counterparts. (U.S. News & World Report, 2018)  Which means this new type of university can  provide students in China better educational resources and international  environment. In addition, by using international education resources  university can effectively enhance international competition level of  domestic teachers through mutual integration and influence.

In a word, current Sino-foreign cooperative education is  the outcome of the development of international trade over the world and the  international education trade in China. Since the globalization tendency is  unstoppable and the demand for qualified international talent increasing  sharply, Sino-foreign cooperative education plays a significant role in  promoting the sustainable development of international education trade in  China. (Yan, 2014)

 Consumption attitude:

             Following Eagly and Chaiken (1993), consumption attitude can be  defined as a psychological tendency to give a certain level of approval or  disapproval to a particular consumer entity. In modern life, it is very  important for a sales company to predict the trend of consumers. Therefore,  how to grasp consumers' tendency has become a popular topic.

Since consumer attitudes are specific to the consumer  sector, they are better predictors of consumer behavior than more general  factors (Wang, Dou&Zhou, 2008). This research also mentions that Consumer  attitudes have a significant impact on the adoption of new products. Consumer acceptance of market innovation is negatively correlated  with attitudes toward existing products, positively related to self-determination  and preferences for high-tech products. Besides, the degree of influence of consumer attitudes  depends on the demographic characteristics of consumers. The effect was more  pronounced among older, lower-income consumers.

 In addition, Green  consumption attitude is also widely advocated in the contemporary society.  Take Hydrogen-Electric motorcycle for example, according to Chen and Hsieh  (2012), the belief that consumers develop in daily life needs correct green  consumption attitude before it can be further developed into the purchase  intention of hydrogen electric motorcycle. Similar researches have been made  about consumption attitude.     Money management:  We can find out from the  definition that  Money management can also be defined  as “investment management” and “investment portfolio management” (Chen, 2017). Money management plays  an important role in the rapid development of modern economy. No matter the  old or the middle-aged, even the children, as long as they have a certain  amount of money, they want to maximize their financial condition.  There are also many  researches on the relationship between money management and other objects.  Based on Archuleta’ research (2013), increasing Shared roles, Shared goals  and values, financial role satisfaction, and reducing harsh startup and  deadlock were important predictors of relationship satisfaction. Family  income increase, common goals and values increase, financial role  satisfaction increase, age and marriage age increase are important predictors  of financial satisfaction.     Money management of college  students:  

College graduates' debt levels have increased significantly  over the past decade (Palmer, Bliss, Goetz &Moorman, 2010).   The study found that high debt levels have a major impact on  society, as some college graduates with debt burdens are currently less  flexible when looking for work.

Credit card are now using extremely frequent among college  students. Take this for a money management example, according to Singh,  Rylander and Mims (2016), one has a positive attitude toward the credit card  company and has responsible credit use behavior, while the other has the  opposite attitude and behavior. In addition, College administrators should do  more to educate students about credit cards, especially undergraduates.

People's psychology condition and financial management also  have a great relationship. According to Sages, Britt and Cumbie (2013),  spending outside of income, difficulty paying bills due to insufficient  income, and reaching credit card limits are all behaviors that are  significantly associated with anxiety.

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