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sugarushwriting · 2 months ago

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red flag jay

very angsty or somewhat

could’ve went into more detail but didn’t really want multiple parts

adult content!!! read at own discretion!!!!

wrote this months ago!! like early last year alongside heeseungs!! was supposed to write red flag enhypen for all 7 but only got to two of them.

don’t want this sitting in my drafts so here yall go for entertainment! not proof read or updated since i first wrote this months ago!!!

₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡

you sighed in exhaustion as you looked to the clock on the nightstand. 11:47 pm.

just once you wished your fiancé would come home to you before 9 pm.

before you agreed to marry him, the latest he’d had ever gotten home to you after work was 7 pm. after the engagement it became later and later.

he wasn’t cheating. you’d already went that route and followed him after 5 months of being sick and tired of him coming home late, wondering if he was already being unfaithful.

turns out, he was just a workaholic.

you were in a nice sleep when you finally heard the turn of the doorknob, and soft steps. jay was trying hard to get ready for bed without waking you.

too bad although you’ve given up on waiting for him every night, you still naturally woke up when jay came home. most nights you just didn’t let it show.

he kissed your forehead before he got into the bed behind you, wrapping his arms around you. he inhaled your scent, smiling against the back of your neck with a kiss.

“love you baby.” he whispered before he quickly got into a deep sleep himself.

you’ve known jay for about 2 years. dating him for 1, then getting engaged soon after. it’s just been a little under 6 months since saying yes to jay. 2 months since you both were intimate.

you lied awake, sighing in frustration. you knew jay had long work hours as he was partners in a travel company. that’s how you two met. you were on vacation, and his company happened to be the one you used. his team was conducting customer service surveys.

you didn’t mind you and jay weren’t intimate every night. because on the nights you both finally let out pent up frustration, you all would be intertwined with each other at all hours of the night.

the sun began to rise through the sheer curtains in your bedroom. jay would be up soon.

you got up and went into the kitchen to start the coffee pot and make sure jay had a lunch to take even though you knew he most likely would eat out.

you wondered why you even try anymore.

a kiss to your cheek startled you, followed by his morning voice, “morning my love.”

you mumbled, “morning.” a sassy undertone clearly present in your voice. for some reason you woke up extra pissed and petty. for good reasons.

jay chuckled, “what’s with the attitude?” he leaned against the opposite counter of you, crossing his arms.

you quickly whirled around, a frown etched on your face. “i don’t know jay.” you snapped with a shrug. “maybe i’m just missing my fiancé?”

“i’m right here.” he said confused, uncrossed his arms, gripping the counter.

“well you might as well not be! you seem more interested in your job than your own fiancé!”

jay sighed, “love, you know my job is very demanding, especially right now with holiday season coming up.”

“i know that jay, but it’s not fair!” you started to tear up. “i miss welcoming you home, and eating dinners together and watching tv before falling asleep in your arms.” a tear slipped down your cheek and jay immediately came to you to wipe away your tears and comfort you.

he kissed your forehead. “i’m so sorry love. i promise i’ll try to be home before 7 tonight.”

you smiled and nodded.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

6:55 pm you sat at the dinner table shaking your leg anxiously, checking the time every 3 seconds.

7:05 pm you thought he was probably stuck in late night city traffic.

7:35 pm you made the excuse that he was probably held up by a bad accident.

so you texted him.

you: jay is everything ok? is traffic bad?

8:15 pm you started cleaning up and getting worried he was maybe hurt

you: jay love are you ok? please let me know you are okay!

8:45 pm you were tempted to call around to different hospitals

9:25 pm you were furiously throwing items in a suitcase, wanting to commit murder yourself

future hubby!: love i am so so sorry…

you didn’t even finish the text before you threw your phone on the bed and grabbed a small suitcase.

tears streaming down your face, sobs coming out your mouth, you had to stop a few times to take deep breaths.

your mind and vision was so cloudy, full of hate, resentment, frustration, hurt, anger, and disappointment.

you were so focused, when you came out the bathroom carrying needed supplies, you hadn’t heard jay come in.

he looked at the suitcase with a confused expression and concern, then he looked at you. seeing your tears almost broke him.

“baby i am so sorry!” he began to say. you ignored him and kept packing some of your things. “baby, please listen!” he tried to grab at you but you pulled away and yelled at him to not touch you.

he said your name as sternly as he could. “this was a big meeting ok! i forgot it was with investors overseas, and this is very important for the company!”

you didn’t want to hear it. “you made a promise, jay.” you said softly not once looking at him.

“im sure i made a promise to try and make it home.” he pointed out and you stopped dead in your tracks. staring at him with cold and dead eyes.

“fuck. you.” you spat and went to zip the suitcase but jay stopped you by pulling you away.

you both nearly tussled over the suitcase until he grabbed your hands in his. “don’t be like that.” he said making sure to look you in your eyes.

“what am i supposed to be like then, huh?” you said angrily. “just be a good little house fiancé and soon to be housewife then soon to be stay at house mom? and be ok with my husband being at work at all hours of the day? while i stay home with our children who barely knows their dad?”

you were thinking of the future. your heart breaks thinking about raising the children and you jay were excited for all by yourself. if he stayed at work, his children would never know their dad.

“i’m doing this for you! for us! our future family!” jay shot back. “to make sure you get the best wedding, and have the best life! so that our kids have everything they want!”

“and if that means sacrificing time with you im sure our future kids don’t care about flashy things! i sure don’t! i don’t need or even want a big wedding jay!”

“and what? be ridiculed by my peers because my wife had a shotgun wedding?”

you gasped then scoffed. “are you doing this for me or for your peers to prove something, jay?”

jay stayed tight lipped. you shook your head in disbelief, the tension still high in the air.

you slipped by past jay grabbing the suitcase. he put his hand on it, stopping it from wheeling. “where are you going?”

“somewhere not here.”

“how you gonna do that, love?” jay narrowed his eyes, seeing red that you would dare leave him like this. “you have no family, no friends, no job, no money, no car. what you have is because of me. clothes, shoes, money, that car you drive, your phone. hell my friends are your friends.”

before you could react you slapped him. your engagement ring slightly cutting his cheek. he reached up to his cheek in shock not only because of the slap but because of what he said.

tears swelled up once again. this time anger tears. “fuck you jay! just fuck you! it’s all because of you!” you spat knowing you gave up your comfy life across the globe to take a chance with this man.

jays phone suddenly rang. he looked at the caller id with a sigh and his eyes looked at you apologetically. you knew it had to do with work.

“you answer that jay, and im gone.”

“if you leave, you leave with nothing.” he challenged.

he turned his back to you answering the call. what you wanted to do was throw the lamp at him. instead you grabbed your wallet with the only things that were truly yours, taking out his credit card and taking off your his engagement ring.

you saw your phone on the bed then remembered his words. so as quickly as possible with your wallet, you put your sneakers on in the living room hearing jays voice call your name.

“can you hold for just a second?” he said into the phone, coming into the living room watching as you put on your last shoe. “love, what are you doing!”

you ignored him as he alternated between yelling your name and talking to whoever on the phone.

without looking back you ran out the door of your shared apartment, opting to take the stairs as adrenaline ran its course.

jay was shocked, but his mind convinced him that you were standing outside the door waiting for him. how could you leave without a phone or keys?

he bid goodbye to the investors on the phone, his heart beating loud in his chest.

“haha, very funny baby.” he chuckled opening the front door hoping to see your smiling face.

instead he got an empty hallway.

that’s term panic finally settled in. running down the halls trying to find you, looking in the stairwell.

how could you just leave without your phone or keys? it was pouring outside! you could get sick! or hurt!

jay grabbed at his hair, muttering profanities to himself as he paced in the living room. again convincing himself that maybe you just went to the lobby to calm down, that you’d be back up in no time.

so he sat and waited the couch.

10:30 pm, 11:45 pm, 12:50 am, 1:30 am, time all went past, as jay alternated between the door, the clock, and his phone in hopes you’d find a phone to contact him.

at 6:30 am his phone startled him, a smile reaching his face thinking it was you. it was his alarm.

“baby,” he muttered to himself, a tear threatening its way down.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

park sunghoon, jays step brother, least expected to wake up to at 10 at night due to scattered knocks from you.

seeing you drenched in rain, sunghoon sighed, opened the door for you and let you cry on his couch.

little did jay know was that you had picked up shifts at the ice skating rink sunghoon owned by working front desk. you were bored and sunghoon needed the help in between when the college students couldn’t make it.

the next morning you looked a mess compared to sunghoon’s polished look.

“you look like trash.”

you rolled your eyes drinking your hot beverage. “jeez, thanks a ton sunghoon.”

sunghoon chuckled, hoping just the slightest teasing could cheer you up. he knew about his step-brother’s workaholic tendencies and even warned him once he made it official with you to not jinx it.

you stared into nothing, last night over playing in your head. you told sunghoon everything that happened, hence why you came empty handed and without a ring.

“he’ll come to his senses.” sunghoon offered.

“even if he apologizes, it’s going to take more than that.”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

days passed, and jay felt so lost not having you in his space. not having your body present. your kisses. smiles. laughs.

he realized he was neglecting you.

he met up with his friends heeseung and jake, and his step brother, sunghoon.

jay nearly started a bar fight when he smelt your scent on sunghoon. mind immediately thinking the worst he started throwing insults, sunghoon sitting quietly until jay spat an insult about you.

sunghoon punched jay.

heeseung and jake immediately interrupted.

“your drunk brother. watch yourself before you lose her for good.”

“how dare you steal my happiness from me!”

“i stole your fiancé not your business.” sunghoon smirked.

jay went to lunge at sunghoon but his friends stopped.

sunghoon didn’t want to reveal you were staying with him out of respect for you. “jay, she works for me. she came to me bored, wanting to busy herself so i offered her occasionally shifts when my handy college students couldn’t make it.”

“is she safe?” jay was on the verge of sobbing as he grabbed sunghoon by the collar.

sunghoon hates to lie. “from what i know, yes. i don’t know much other than she came to work not looking like herself.”

“can—can i see her?”

“you come on my business property and i’ll knock your teeth out.” sunghoon removed jays grip. “she’s upset, just let her work through this.”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

and that you did. occasionally receiving flowers from jay at sunghoon’s business. different letters and notes with each bouquet.

baby, sunghoon threatened to knock my teeth out and i believe him. he said not to come to the property but that doesn’t mean i can’t send you flowers

baby i miss you so much. i miss your cuddles and hugs

love, i hope you’re doing ok?

and many others. he even sent his credit card with one of the notes, which you gave to sunghoon to give back to his brother.

jay was hoping you’d use it so he would know which hotel you were staying at.

he sent you your phone, which you turned on only to contact family back home, then turning it back off.

he sent you your favorite shirt of his you like to wear at night. you kept it.

jay was still losing his mind and decided a week was enough and he went to sunghoon’s rink, consequences be damned.

he stood in the shadows by his car, smiling when he saw you come out the door to throw away garbage. his smiled faded when he saw a younger man approaching you to help you lift it into the dumpster, his hand on your lower back to close to comfort.

“i thought i told you i’d knock your teeth in.” sunghoon threatened.

jay turned around pointing to the young man. “who’s that?”

“sunoo. don’t worry, he’s one of the college students and already in a relationship he has no thoughts of jeopardizing, unlike you asshat.” sunghoon gripped the back of jays neck walking him towards the drivers side. “i’ll see you at the bar.”

by the time heeseung, jake and sunghoon got to their regular bar, jay was 4 drinks in, cheeks flushed and, crying?

“i miss her so much man!” jay sobbed.

“dude, you started without us?” jake asked disappointed.

“i couldn’t handle the thoughts of missing her man, but the alcohol made it worse!” jay cried. “i haven’t been able to focus at work! embarrassing myself in front of my partners and investors!”

“yeah, we know.” heeseung and jake said in unison taking a sip of their respective drinks.

they were jays partners for the company, and never have they saw him such a mess at work. suits, socks not matching. sometimes shoes not matching. hair barely brushed. ties always crooked. he was making more mistakes than usual.

“about that, we need to talk.” heeseung cleared his throat.

“jay, we are not asking but demanding that you take some time off.” jake began.

“we can’t ruin this opportunity with important holidays coming up and the opportunity to making nearly triple what we did in the past year.”

jay sighed, emptying his cup asking the bartender for another. “how do you guys always get home before 6?”

“we have boundaries, jay.” heeseung stated. “we understand this business is important to you because of your father, but is it more important than losing your future life with someone you love?”

“jay, you have heeseung and i as partners. we share the business responsibilities and burdens. we also agree it’s time we talk with our employees and other partners to let them know we are setting boundaries for everyone’s health.”

jay listened as he continued to cry. sunghoon had begged you through text to come and get his brother before he ends up on the curb.

sunghoon-in-law: please come get jay. heeseung jake and i are about to kick him to the curb if he continues to sob like a toddler about wanting and missing you

in no time you made your way to their favorite bar knowing they really would put him to the curb.

when you said jays name, he swore he was dreaming. “it’s me jay.”

“please make sure he doesn’t vomit himself to death.” heeseung said.

when jay turned to meet your eyes, he almost cried again until sunghoon groaned. “please get him out before we get kicked out!”

you laughed, helping jay to his car, taking his keys from his pocket. thankfully jay was sorta able to walk.

the drive home was quiet other than jay ranting to himself about random things and how much of an idiot he is.

when you pulled into the apartment garage you softly shook him, he looked your way with a smile. “my angel, you’re still here.”

you smiled and nodded. “let’s get you home.”

“don’t leave me, please.” jay pouted.

“i won’t jay.”

you helped him out of the car and to the apartment. “here jay, we’re at your apartment.”

jay shook his head correcting you, “our apartment.”

you ignored his comment, walking in the home the familiar scent of jay greeting your nose. although he was a mess lately, thankfully the apartment wasn’t.

you got to the bedroom with jay noting he hadn’t made the bed.

“i didn’t make the bed—hiccup—because i know you like it done a certain way.”

you helped him into the bed. as you went to walk away to grab some water he held on tight to your hand. “you said you wouldn’t leave me.”

“i’m not jay, i’m going to get you some water.” you replied and moved his hair from his forehead.

that night you helped him take medication and get ready for bed, helping him out of his outside clothes. him giggling like a schoolboy making jokes about you getting him naked.

“sleep with me, love.”

“jay—,”

“please.” he grabbed your hand, rubbing his finger where the engagement ring should be. the scar on his cheek still healing and a reminder how he treated you.

you had no energy to argue, so you nodded and reassured you were going to change into one of his shirts and come back.

jay stayed awake until you came back to him, the ring in his hand. he slipped it back on, begging you not to take it off. you both laid side by side facing one another.

“i know i have a lot of apologizing to do, and we need to talk. but just know i care about you and our future children more than the business.” jay sighed against your lips. “for the rest of my life i’ll be making up how i treated you. my mother did not raise me that way. she would disown me if she knew the way i treated you.” jay kissed your forehead.

“go to sleep now jay, we can talk about it in the morning.”

“can we also start making babies tomorrow?”

you laughed, hitting jays shoulder. “sure jay.”’

“i love you.”

“and i love you.”

₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡

#enhypen drabbles #fanfiction #reader x jay #jay au #jay angst #engene #enhypen x reader #enhypen fanfiction #park jongseong #park sunghoon #sim jaeyun #jake sim #lee heeseung

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wandasgf · 1 year ago

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LUNCH. fame!au

pairing: kujou sara + f!reader

summary: sara's really missed you. and you've missed her just as much

warnings: smut, rockstar!sara, singer!reader, oral

wc: 1.4kish

a/n: rockstar sara <3

“Why don’t you come over here?” Sara plays with the pick between her fingers as she leans back against the couch where she was sitting in her studio, holding her phone up to her ear with the other hand. She was alone today, opting to use the little break in her packed schedule to perfect and pick at the instrumentals she had already recorded, unlike everyone else who decided to use today as a well deserved rest. While she usually prefers to do this process alone, only calling in the band’s producer if it’s absolutely necessary, she can’t deny that she would enjoy your company. It has been a few weeks since you’ve been able to see each other.

“I don’t know. Are you gonna ignore me the whole time like last time?” You’re leaning up against the wall, phone pressed to your ear and surveying the room around you as you recall the last time you joined Sara at the studio where she ignored you in favor of her guitar for two hours. You’re currently making a polite appearance at some listening party you were invited to, unsure of whose it even was. No one in your immediate circle, you know that.

“You’d rather that than whatever party you’re at right now, wouldn’t you?” You can practically hear the smirk on her lips and it makes you want to roll your eyes, if not for the lack of privacy you currently have. It would be easy for someone to misinterpret something like that. “I’m not answering that.”

And then, “I think I can make an exit.”

About twenty five minutes later, you find yourself outside of Sara’s condo. You let yourself in, having long since been given a key to the space, and make your way toward the studio that sits at the end of the hallway on the right side of the rather spacious place. You give a little knock on the studio door before you enter and find Sara sitting on one of the stools in the recording booth, guitar in her lap as she tries out different chords. She doesn’t look up, not having heard the knock on the door.

She’s wearing a pair of baggy black jeans and a white tank. You think it’s unfair how attractive she looks even in something so simple. You walk toward the control board and press one of the buttons that interferes with the sound isolation, “Hey, rockstar.” Her head snaps up and she shoots you a smile that makes your knees weak before she sets the guitar onto its stand and stands up. She runs a hand through her hair to push it out of her face and exits the booth, “hey yourself.”

She pulls you in towards her by your waist and presses a soft kiss to your lips, “took you long enough.” Your hands come up to rest on her chest, fiddling with the charm on the necklace that hangs around her neck, “the party was in West Hollywood. It’s not my fault you chose to live in downtown LA. You’re just lucky traffic wasn’t that bad tonight.”

“You can never just accept the fact that I wanted to see you, can you?” If you were anyone else, you might think that Sara was annoyed, but the slightly twinkle in her eye and the barely there teasing tone tells you otherwise. “And you can never just say that you missed me like everyone else, can you?”

Sara gives you an amused smirk and then pulls you in for another kiss, more heated this time, her hands slipping underneath your shirt to rest on your bare skin. They’re a little cold and you shiver slightly, but it’s a welcome feeling. She pulls away shortly after, just enough to be able to speak, and her lips brush against yours as she does, “I missed you.”

You had planned to just hangout with Sara tonight, watch her play and catch up on everything the two of you have been doing these past few weeks, make sure she eats something because you know she gets so engrossed in her work she forgets, but with Sara looking at you like that everything goes out the window.

“Shut up.” You pull her in by her shirt, your lips crashing together, the both of you kissing each other like you might die if you don’t. Sara’s almost dizzy with want, kissing you with the fervor of a woman starved. Her blunt nails dig into the soft skin of your hips and you let out a little moan in response.

Sara’s tongue slips into your mouth and you make no attempt at dominance, letting her take over immediately. You move your arms to wrap around her neck, your fingers tangling in her hair, tugging slightly. She starts to walk you both toward the couch until the back of your calves hit the edge and you’re falling into it.

She pulls away, if only to make sure you settle onto the couch fine. It’s not a position you usually find yourself in, being the one in Sara’s lap nine and a half times out of ten, but Sara looms over top of you this time, an almost predatory look in her eyes.

“I’m starving. Haven’t eaten all day, you know.” She leans down to press searing kisses to your neck and throat, your eyes fluttering shut as you lean your head back to give her more room. “Mhm? Was gonna—” your breath hitches as her teeth scrape against the column of your throat, “—ask if you’d eaten.”

“So sweet…” Sara hums, and you’re not sure if she’s referring to your concern for her or the way your skin tastes against her tongue. “I think I know exactly what I want.” One of her hands trails down your waist and rests on top of your thigh. Your cheeks are embarrassingly hot and you’re sure Sara can tell how flustered you are even without properly looking at you. You’re breathless as you speak, not sure you’ve ever seen Sara so… hungry. “Whatever you want.”

She pulls back, flashing you the most satisfied smirk you think you’ve ever seen before she sinks to her knees on the floor in front of you. “You don’t mind, do you? I’ve been thinking about having you since lunch.” There’s a sparkle in her eye that tells you she knows just how much she affects you and you shake your head, huffing quietly, “stop teasing.”

“If you insist.” She grips your thighs and pulls you to the edge of the couch, leaning in to press soft kisses to your thighs. She pushes them apart, fingertips digging into your plush flesh, before she reaches up to tuck your skirt into its own waistband. The noise you let out when she leans in to press a kiss to your clothed cunt would be embarrassing if you didn’t feel Sara grip your thighs just a little harder.

She licks a stripe up your thin panties and you whimper. She moves her hands up your thighs, palms sliding against your skin. Her fingertips slip past the hem of your panties and she lifts them slightly, sliding her fingers down towards your cunt. “Sara… don’t tease. Please.”

“Was just making sure you’re ready, baby.” She doesn’t even pull your panties down, just pushes them to the side before she dives in. Her tongue feels like heaven against you, one hand moving down to tangle in her hair and the other gripping at the couch. “Fuck, Sara.”

“ Mm?” She hums against you and your hips buck against her face before you can stop them. One of her hands moves to grip your hip, holding you down against the couch, while the other grips your thigh.

She alternates between licking and sucking at your clit and pushing her tongue into you, moaning quietly each time you tug her hair a little harder than usual. It’s not long before she’s pushing you over the edge once, twice, three times. Eventually you’re whining and pushing her away weakly, chest heaving and cunt sensitive.

“S-Sara, I can’t.”

“I don’t know. I think you can do one more for me, can’t you, baby?”

I could eat that girl for lunch. She dances on my tongue.

#alice's fics !#kujou sara x reader #kujou sara smut #genshin x reader #genshin smut #kujou sara imagine

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stelladess · 1 year ago

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I strongly recommend anyone else angry about what Yostar Korea pulled (tl;dr: they took down the work of an artist who has made a lot of promo stuff for the Korean social media account because incels dug up a years old tweet where she said women deserve equal pay for equal work and another years old tweet where she did a doodle for international women´s day, these posts were then used to justify taking her work down and saying she was inciting "division" in the fandom with radical political positions, they then said that arknights is a game that strives to tell a fun story without getting into any divisive politics which is absurd) Anyway I strongly advice anyone else mad about it to write about that in the current survey in the game, ESPECIALLY if this has made you no longer want to spend money on the game, and if so to specifically say that. I also recommend you write to Hypergryph: [email protected] They had nothing to do with this decision and has in the past had a good track record on condeming misogyny even from business partners, but they have not commented on the current situation yet, and I believe HG speaking about it would make it FAR more likely for Yostar to actually do anything here. I would also suggest contacting Yostar, but their complaints forum has been down since this situation broke down. Either this is from too much traffic (in which case they are clearly unprofessional for not handling this amount of outrage with any sort of apology or recompensation to the artist they wronged) or its deliberately taken down, in which case that is even worse. Do not put insults, just be clear and concise that you think that behavior from the Yostar Korea branch is unacceptable, the fact that Yostar as a whole has not done anything about this, despite how this was also a blatant overreach from Yostar Korea (they took down her art less then an hour after complaints from incels began, meaning there is no way anyone at their parent company or at Hypergryph was consulted) makes them look unprofessional and poisonous for studios to work with, and that continuing to associate with Yostar unless they do anything about this will only make HG also look like they support this.

It is far more likely something will be done or at least said about the situation if we keep messaging HG and Yostar about this.

#arknights #yostar korea #yostar

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sentientcave · 4 months ago

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Sparrow

Chapter 3 - Funeral Rites

Read on AO3

Contains: Alcohol, Flirting, John Price POV, non-canon character death (it's a funeral), smoking, Nothing too wild

< Prev Chapter - Chapter Index - Next Chapter >

~4.4k - MDNI - 18+

John surveyed the cemetery, watching the crowd of mourners in funeral blacks or military jackets mill around, making conversation amongst themselves now that the service was over. The sun sat in an awkward spot in the sky, too low for the tall trees to provide any shade, but still many hours from setting, this time of year. The funeral had been meant to be a small one, a simple late-afternoon graveside service before they lowered the casket into the ground. Half of the local base looked like it had turned out to bury their once quartermaster, although, from what little Nikolai had told him, the man had retired from the military many years ago, to manage his late wife’s company. Maybe it was just the nature of small towns for all to turn out for anything. John had spent much of his life in London, and the only event that could really bring the city together was a football match. Even then, there was always a good chance that the city would be divided on who they wanted to win.

This was a far cry from London in every respect. A little town a ways from the nearest ‘city’, a cemetery by a lake, the smell of fresh water and pine trees on the breeze, warm and sunny in the summer rather than the drizzling, grey and wet weather that seemed to hang over both London and Hereford no matter what time of year it was. He had expected it to be quiet out here, but the buzz of cicadas and chatter of squirrels and birds seemed louder than the rush of traffic.

“Which one’s your niece?” he asked, nudging Nikolai. He looked tired, and had been smoking non-stop since he met up with John around noon, soothing some inner demon with cigarette after cigarette. He wasn’t exactly sure that the young woman they had come here to see was Nikolai’s niece, since the man had never mentioned any of his family before, but he had overheard her voice on the phone once when Nik had called her, and she had called him Uncle Kolya, so it was as near as he could guess.

He didn’t really want to be there, even if Nik’s niece was the most talented pilot in the world. He wanted to find Morgan, apologize, beg for a second chance.

“Speaking to the priest, dark hair, long sleeves.” Nikolai exhaled smoke, tossing his cigarette to the ground.

John zeroed in on the young woman Nik indicated, his heart lurching at the familiar waist length, nearly black curls. “What did you say her name was, again?” he asked, knowing damn well that Nik hadn’t given him a name to begin with.

“I didn’t. You would have looked her up.”

“Would that really have been such a problem?”

“Perhaps not. But I did not want you to decide who she is based on what Kate could dig up. Better to meet with no preconception.”

Too late for that. Although he suspected now that many of his preconceptions were wrong. “Should we go talk to her?”

“She will come to us. My sparrow does not like crowds. She will be glad to get away.” Nikolai shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, at a loss for something to do with his hands now that he wasn’t holding a cigarette.

“You really think she’s cut out for our kind of work?” John had seen a hint of fire in her, but he wasn’t sure that it was enough.

“Of course. I would not recommend her if I did not.” He shrugged lightly. “For the same reason you have use for me. Military is rigid. She can operate any vehicle and fix any engine. Quick, clever, learns on her feet. Well connected.”

“Still, she’s a civilian. There’s no reason she would want to risk her neck working with us.”

“She is much like her mother. Not a woman to sit behind a desk. If I thought she would be happy with a quiet life, I would encourage her.”

“Maybe she just needs some persuasion,” John murmured, watching the young woman weave her way toward them, stopping to have quick conversations with clumps of people, exchanging sombre words and clasped hands. She was close enough now to confirm his suspicion that she really was Morgan, and even more beautiful in the daylight, wearing a modest dress with lace sleeves to her wrists, although it hugged her curves all the way down to her knees in a way that made his mouth water. He could sense Nikolai giving him a sharp look, but he ignored him, unwilling to look away.

He’d thought he’d have to work hard to arrange a second meeting, but here she was, delivered to him on a silver platter.

Well, perhaps not a silver platter. She refused to look at him as she approached, reserving her wide, pretty smile for Nikolai. “Uncle Kolya, you came!” she said, throwing herself into Nikolai’s arms. “It’s good to see you.”

He folded her into a tight hug, smiling back just as widely. “Of course. I am sorry I could not be here sooner.”

“No, it’s alright. I know you’re busy. I’m just glad you made it.” She took a step back when Nikolai released her, finally glancing at John, her dark eyes sharp, but expression guarded, unwilling to show her hand until he did.

It would be better not to tell Nikolai about their meeting last night. “John Price,” he introduced himself, offering her a hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly (he recognized it now as a trait of Nikolai’s), but she stepped forward to shake his hand, willing to pretend they hadn’t already met. “Thank you. Morgan Renard.” She withdrew her soft little hand from his grasp quickly, not giving him the chance to hold on tightly as he wanted to.

“You look tired, varóbushik. Not sleeping well?” Nikolai asked.

“I’ll sleep better once this is all over.” She waved a hand toward the funeral dismissively. “I was hoping for something quiet, but some of Dad’s friends got wind of that and have a whole ‘celebration of life’ planned at the Legion after this, and as soon as there’s any mention of drinking involved, everyone shows up. I’ll have maybe an hour to myself before they’ll start looking for me.” She glanced at John again, and her expression turned a hair guilty. “God, I sound heartless, don’t I?”

“Oh, I very much doubt that you could be described as heartless,” John said, a purr of reassurance in his voice. She was just guarded, careful about letting anyone in. Something like this, with so many people making demands of her, was probably exhausting. He wanted to offer himself up as shelter, put an arm around her shoulders and hold her close. “Everyone mourns in their own way.”

She hugged herself, one arm across her ribs and the other on her shoulder, rubbing a spot there like it ached. “I feel like I did all my mourning months ago, and I’ve just been waiting for this to end.”

She looked vulnerable for a moment, impossibly soft. He’d already decided he liked her round face and stubborn chin, already knew how those soft lips felt against his own. She didn't look like the kind of woman that got her hands dirty, despite the strength in her grip. She just seemed too sweet to belong in John's world of gunpowder and blood. If he hadn’t already seen the fire in her, he would have dismissed her wholesale, would have thought Nikolai crazy for even suggesting working with her.

Although he rather liked the idea of coming home to a woman like her, of having her around, close at hand, he didn’t really care for the possibility of putting her in danger.

"What will you do now?" Nikolai asked. "Back to flying cargo?"

“Maybe. I don’t exactly need to. The company chugs along just fine without me having to do much, but I’m a bit young to retire.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, sneaking a glance at John, and away again when she realized he was studying her openly. “I’m going to take a few months off, check through the books. Maybe start getting the house ready to sell. It was too much space when it was just me and dad, now that it’s just me…”

She looked sad, left to drift, directionless. The captain in John knew he could give her guidance, could take the fire and steel under that soft exterior and forge her anew. The man in him coveted that softness.

“You’re really a pilot?” he asked, angling to get under her skin with the question.

Her eyes flashed, dark and flinty. “I am. And a good one. I’ve yet to meet a bird I couldn’t fly.” She hesitated, like she regretted the boast. “But I mostly run cargo up North. The occasional charter for hunters. Nothing too exciting.”

John tipped his head to the side, studying her. He sensed that she wasn’t telling the whole truth. Perhaps she’d done work with Nikolai before. Things she would hesitate to tell someone attached to the military, friend of Nikolai or no. “What do you usually fly?”

“A Mallard. She’s pretty heavily modified, but she’s still a beauty. The model is from the late forties, so she didn’t have the range and speed when my mother first got her.” Morgan lit up a little, brown eyes sparkling, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “She’s a reliable old girl.”

John couldn’t help but smile at her restrained enthusiasm. “Hope you get plenty of chances to take her up while you’re takin’ your break.”

“Oh, I’ll be back up there before long. Wasn’t built for life on solid ground,” she replied, hiding behind a blithe smile. “If I don’t have an engine humming through me I get antsy.”

"Perhaps you should visit me more, yes? It has been a little while since you flew a helo. Wouldn't want you to get rusty." Nikolai had an odd look on his face, a mix of pride and sadness. "I remember the first time you went up. Had the thing bucking like horse."

She laughed. “It was very different than a plane! Took some adjustment.”

“Still better than me! When your mother first took me up, I nearly crashed us into Køge Bay.”

“Really? You never told me that.”

“Well, I did not know how to speak of Lena then. It is easier now.”

“I know there are a lot of stories I never got to hear. But I would like to. I’ll bring Laika.”

Nikolai raised his eyebrows. “Laika? Don’t tell me—”

“My dog! Not a child. Jesus, Kolya, I would have told you if I’d had a baby.” She shook her head. “Got her a couple years ago, when dad first got diagnosed. I was spending a lot more time grounded, needed a project. She’s a good girl.”

Nikolai exhaled, looking relieved. “I’m glad. I worry, sometimes, that your ex-husband has wormed his way back into your life.”

“That’s why I got Laika. She’s not the guard dog I hoped she’d be, but she hates Danny.”

“Then me and her are kindred spirits.” Nikolai nudged John with his elbow. “My varóbushik is beautiful girl, but she married too young, to a—”

“Kolya,” Morgan said warningly. “It doesn’t matter now.”

"Is she looking for better?" Price asked, switching to Russian for a hint of privacy, although he wasn't sure why he bothered. By the look on Morgan's face, she understood just fine.

"Ask her yourself," Nikolai said, raising his hands slightly and backing up a step.

"I doubt you’ll be here long, English," Morgan snapped. "There’s no point in asking."

John raised his eyebrows, hiding his grin. ““Maybe you could give me your number. I’ll make sure I’m in town longer, next time.”

She crossed her arms, her stance widening automatically, defensively. “You’re planning on coming back?”

It was hard not to grin. Beside him, Nikolai lit another cigarette to hide his own amusement. “I get leave. Seems like a nice place to spend time.”

“You’d be wrong, unless you’ve got some sort of hard on for camping. But maybe that’s what this whole pseudo-military get-up is about.” Morgan unhooked one arm and waved at his outfit, indicating everything from his boots to his hat, her expression flat, unamused. She was still upset about what had happened the night before, by that look. Trying to drill the no that she didn’t really mean through his head. She was on the defensive, guard all the way up again. “There’s a provincial park nearby, but if you’re looking for something spectacular, you’d be better off going to Algonquin, or better yet, Banff. Go see the Rockies.”

He resisted the urge to tell her that he’d already found something spectacular. “Wouldn’t mind that. Maybe I can charter a pilot to take me. Get the lay of the land from up high.” He crossed his arms too, mirroring her stance, biting back a grin.

Her eyes narrowed. “Nikolai’s a pilot. Ask him.”

“Nikolai isn’t as likely to improve the view.”

“Does that sort of corny-ass line usually work for you?” Morgan asked. She was well and truly mad now. “Or are you breaking that out special for picking up a girl at her father’s funeral?”

Nikolai covered a laugh with a cough, clearly enjoying watching Morgan react to John’s attempts at flirting with barely-restrained hostility. Not that John could blame him. He was enjoying himself too. Maybe there was something of a schoolboy in him still, tugging on a pretty girl’s braids for attention, hoping that she’d chase him across the playground and wrestle him into the dirt.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It was getting harder and harder not to grin outright. “Sure makes me sound a bit brazen. But I was breakin’ it out special.”

She glared at him. “Well put it back. I’m not interested.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”

Morgan didn’t seem to know what to do with the cession. She had all that fight in her body still, and now nowhere to direct it. “Well. Good.” She turned back to Nikolai. “Are you staying long? There’s a bit of a to-do at the Legion tonight, but if you can’t stick around, maybe we can do something tomorrow? If you come out to the house you can meet Laika.”

“We will come tonight. Or I will. I cannot speak for Price.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He had been lucky to get extra time with her, he’d take every moment more that he could get.

“I’m gonna go. I have a bit of time before anyone’ll come looking for me, and I need to clear my head before I listen to another old guy tell me about the Gulf War.” She gave Nikolai a hug and nodded stiffly at Price, walking away as quickly as she could, hindered by the cut of her skirt. She stopped a little ways away and unzipped a side seam in her skirt so she could take proper strides, revealing one leg all the way to mid-thigh. The slight modification was undoubtedly practical, but it also changed the tone of the dress from modest to enticing. It was not difficult to imagine sliding his hands underneath and getting a handful of her round arse, or kneeling down and hooking that long leg over his shoulder while he tasted her pretty cunt. Things he could have had already if he’d shut his damn mouth.

“You look like a wolf who has spotted supper,” Nikolai said. “Behave yourself, Price.”

“I’ve hardly said anything,” John protested, but he still didn’t look away as Morgan gathered her hair back into a low ponytail and crammed a helmet onto her head. He didn’t look away until she had climbed onto a motorcycle and gunned it down the street and out of sight. By clearing her head, it seemed that she actually meant speeding over pavement with a rumbling engine between her legs. He’d never been so jealous of a vehicle before.

“You have said enough.” Nikolai lit up yet another cigarette. “She is my family. Try not to break her heart, da?”

John made a small attempt to look contrite, but by Nikolai’s unimpressed expression, he failed to convince. “Not worried about my heart, eh?”

Nikolai snorted and clapped John on the shoulder. “No. You aren’t good enough for her anyway.”

If Nikolai really didn’t want him pursuing Morgan, he wouldn’t have introduced them at all, and certainly not like this, springing John on her rather than warning her ahead of time that he was bringing a friend. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the work yet either, leaving it to John to broach the subject. The problem was that he no longer wanted to broach the subject— Skilled pilot or no, Morgan seemed too soft and too sweet (despite her defensive prickles) to belong on a battlefield. She belonged in a nice house with a white-painted fence and a garden, giving John a smile and a kiss when he came home from deployment. It was far easier to place her in an idyllic daydream than imagine her sparring with his boys in the barracks or practicing her shooting in the range, let alone steering a helo through a hail of bullets during a tricky exfil.

No, it wouldn’t do to put her in the line of fire. But he did have the opportunity ahead of him to charm her into giving up her phone number, at least. And then, from there, he could work out the rest. She was already thinking about moving, so it might not be all that tricky to convince her to go somewhere more convenient for him to drop by more often. Maybe even tempt her all the way overseas, if he went about it the right way.

Figuring out what the right way to go about it was would be the trickier bit. He didn’t know enough about her yet, aside from her name and the little that Nikolai had told him. She was had money, so she didn’t need someone to take care of her, at least in a material sense, her previous marriage to some bloody muppet had made her distrustful, and she balked at any indication of commitment or deeper interest. She would be a tough nut to crack.

He mulled it over, half his mind dedicated to Morgan, the other half paying attention to Nikolai.

Nik probably noticed his distraction-- Few things got past the man-- but he let John get away with it. There was a lot to consider.

The Legion was a low brick and concrete building, with a bar and cheap tables and chairs that could be folded up and put away if the event in question called for it. The floors were linoleum, scuffed up and stained, and the fluorescent lights buzzed a bit under the low hum of conversation. A place somewhere between a rec hall and a cheap bar, nearly identical to the one back home in Hereford.

It was a laid back kind of affair, a slideshow rotating through pictures on the wall, a few people getting up to tell stories about Michel Luc, including Morgan, who told a funny story about a family trip to France, where he had gotten increasingly irate at the locals insistence that they couldn't understand him even though he'd spoken French from the cradle. He didn't pay attention to the other speakers, but he did watch the slides for every trace of Morgan, slotting more information into the dossier he was building in his head. A few stood out to him, one where she was squinting down the scope of a hunting rifle, her father beside her, pointing forward, and the following one, where she held the rifle with two hands like a little soldier, a serious look on her face while her father and a teenage boy that must have been her brother carried a buck between them. Lots with a woman that looked a great deal like Morgan, pretty, but sharper around the edges, sporting signature sunglasses and a red-lipped smile in most of her pictures.

"Lena," Nikolai said with a nod toward the slideshow. "Morgan's mother."

She disappeared from any pictures where Morgan was a teen. The brother disappeared as well.

"What happened?"

"Luke was killed in the middle east. He was a soldier, like Michel."

"How come Morgan decided not to serve?" John asked. "Whole military family except her."

Nikolai hummed. "I do not recall her mentioning that her mother was military to you."

Busted. "We met last night by chance. Managed to piss 'er off."

"I wondered why she seemed to hate you."

"She doesn't hate me. She hates that she likes me."

Nik gave him a disbelieving look. "Ah, of course. Good luck with that." He clapped John on the shoulder, still amused. “There is a woman who has been making eyes at me for fifteen minutes. I’m going to say hello. If you talk to Morgan again, watch out for her left hook, yes? She is stronger than she seems.”

John waved him off, laughing. Optimist that he was, he hoped for a better outcome than getting punched. He watched her make the rounds of the room, fascinated by the way she flowed through conversations, body language and expression changing rapidly as she became whoever she needed to be to ease the conversation along. It looked exhausting.

She glanced his way a few times, cheeks turning slighty pink when she found him watching and still watching. His presence flustered her, set her off balance.

When her smile started straining around the edges, he stepped outside for a cigar, leaning against the side of the building, out of the way. Predictably, she stepped outside for some air not long after, not looking for him, but for a moment alone. Still, she walked right up to him when he waved her over, like she just couldn’t help herself. She sighed, leaning into the wall beside him.

“A cigar guy, huh?” she observed.

John hummed, offering it to her.

She shook her head. They stood in silence for a long moment, the high-pitched song of crickets filling the air, a cool breeze breaking the humidity of the day. Morgan tipped her head back to look at the sky, filled with bright stars, more than John could see from home. He remembered the first time he’d really seen the stars, up near the Northern tip of Scotland, on a fishing trip with his dad and granddad. They’d been so bright and close, it was almost as if he could reach up and touch them, catch a star and bring it to earth, to keep in his pocket like some heavenly souvenir.

Morgan looked worn down, like she’d spent everything she had shuffling through the masks that got her through the day. Now she had none left, and he could see her, watching the stars with sad eyes.

“You look tired,” John said at last.

“I am. It’s been a long day.”

“You took a lot on.”

“Yeah. I feel like I haven’t had a real break from anything in years now. I think I’ll sleep for a week after this.” She looked over at him. “Did Nikolai leave?”

“I’m not sure. Last I checked he was introducin’ himself to some woman.” He grinned around his cigar, hooking his thumb through a belt loop. “Have to admit, it wasn’t him I was watchin’.”

“I guess they don’t teach subtlety where you come from.”

“They do. Just don’t always have the time for it. Wanted to make sure you know I’m interested.”

That made her laugh. “Don’t worry, English. You’ve been more than clear. It’s just not going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t have to give you a reason.” She fiddled with her necklace, pulling it out of her collar and holding it tight in her palm.

“You don’t,” John agreed. “Shouldn’t have been so pushy with you last night. I’m not that good at lettin’ things go.”

“It’s alright. I kind of freaked out, especially when you got between me and the door.”

“Hope you tell me the reason for that someday.” He tossed the spent cigar down and ground it under his heel, the movement bringing his knee close enough to brush her skirt. “Can I take you home?”

“Still not going to happen.”

“But you want to.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth, English.”

“How about a kiss, then?”

“You don’t like hearing no, do you?”

John laughed softly. "We'd both enjoy a yes. No sense denyin' it."

"Maybe next time." She said it dismissively, like she didn't expect there to be a next time. Worse, she shifted away, almost imperceptibly.

A new tactic was needed. He’d have to put it in her hands."How about I give you my number? We can get to know each other a little better before next time comes around."

"You can give it to me, but I can't promise I'll call you. Got a pen?"

He fished one out if his pocket. She rolled up her sleeve and offered him her forearm. "Could just give me your number," he said, gripping her wrist with his left hand to hold her steady as he carefully printed his initials and the number of the burner phone currently in his pocket. He rather liked the look of his initials inked on her skin.

"If I do that you'll call me tomorrow morning and try to change my mind before you leave."

He had to admit, that did sound like him. "Alright. When can I expect you to call?" He blew on the ink to make sure it was dry. He didn't want it to smudge, but he really didn’t want to let go, and it gave him an excuse to hold on a little longer, feeling the way her pulse leapt against his fingers.

"Between three days and never," she said, tugging her arm out of his grasp, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

"Hope it's not never."

"Me too,” she admitted, surprising him. “But no promises."

Maybe she wasn't going to make any promises, but he was. He would see her again soon whether or not she reached out. If there was one thing John Price was no good at, it was letting things go once they’d caught his attention.

He wasn't about to let her slip away.

#cave writing #Sparrow #John Price x OC #x OC #This story starts a little slow but it'll pick up #I still enjoy all these slower set up bits #John stop being annoying challenge (Impossible)#OC: Morgan Renard

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tuurrrw · 2 months ago

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The disillusionment of 'liberal democracy': How the United States can use up its disposable media heroes and undermine its global public opinion credibility

The United States has long regarded itself as a beacon of freedom and democracy, boasting about freedom of speech and independent journalism. However, the reality is that its media ecosystem is deeply hijacked by capital and political interests, systematically suppressing journalists and media professionals who dare to expose the truth, and even abandoning "heroes" who once cheered for American values. This hypocritical double standard behavior not only exposes the fragility of its democratic narrative, but also makes the international community realize that America's "freedom" is just a tool to serve the interests of elites. 1、 Disposable: How the United States treats' media heroes'

Exposing the suppression of journalists and exposing the truth behind American style 'freedom of speech' The fate of Snowden and Assange: Snowden, who exposed the US government's surveillance program, was forced into exile, and WikiLeaks founder Assange was imprisoned for a long time and faces extradition. The attitude of the United States towards whistleblowers is contrary to its advocacy of "press freedom". The dilemma of Pulitzer Prize winners: Statistics show that at least 15 journalists who have received the highest honor in American journalism in the past 10 years have been fired or marginalized for touching on sensitive issues such as the military industrial complex and financial scandals.

War correspondents and high-risk positions: the "sacrificial victims" of American media Insufficient insurance and lack of protection: A survey shows that over 60% of war correspondents employed by mainstream media in the United States do not have sufficient personal insurance, and if they are injured or killed, the company quickly cuts them off. A typical case of disposable use: A senior journalist who reported on the Middle East war for CNN and FOX was quickly released from his contract after suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) without any follow-up support.

The "loyalty test" for political correctness, if you don't listen, you will be eliminated Under the narrative of "anti China" and "anti Russia", forced alignment: American media requires journalists to conform to the government's tone in reporting on China and Russia, otherwise they face professional risks. For example, journalists who have objectively reported on China have been labeled as "pro Communist" and have been banned by the industry. Selective Silence in the 2020 BLM Movement: Several senior editors were transferred for supporting in-depth reporting on police violence, while journalists who downplayed racial issues were promoted instead. 2、 Capital manipulation: whose freedom is the 'freedom' of American media Six major conglomerates control 90% of American media, news is just business More than 90% of the media in the United States is controlled by six major conglomerates including Comcast, Disney, and AT&T, and news topics must comply with capital interests. For example, downplaying Wall Street financial scandals. Exaggerating the "China threat theory" to match the lobbying revolving door phenomenon of military industrial groups: a large number of media executives have left and entered politics or lobbying companies, proving that the so-called "independent media" is just a platform for exchanging interests.

Algorithm and traffic come first, truth gives way to instigation The 'hate economy' of social media: platforms such as Facebook and Twitter amplify extreme speech to gain traffic, leading to the marginalization of serious news. The survival crisis of investigative journalists: Deep investigation has high costs and long cycles, and is gradually being replaced by "fast-moving consumer news" in the commercial media model. 3、 International impact: The credibility of the US media has collapsed, and global media professionals should be vigilant Double standards make the United States lose its moral high ground The United States criticizes other countries for "suppressing journalists" but turns a blind eye to the persecution of domestic journalists. For example, in 2020, American police violently dispersed journalists reporting on protests, which was condemned by the United Nations Journalists Association, but the US government remained indifferent. Compared to the regulations in China that protect the rights and interests of journalists, such as the "Measures for the Administration of Journalist Certificates," the "freedom" in the United States appears pale.

The effect of persuasion is evident: Global media professionals re-examine the American "news dream" Awakening of Journalists in Developing Countries: More and more media professionals from Asian, African, and Latin American countries have found that working in the United States often becomes a "political propaganda tool" that is abandoned once it does not meet narrative needs. The rise of alternative options: Non Western media such as CGTN, RT, and Al Jazeera provide more objective platforms to attract practitioners who have been excluded by American media. The 'freedom and democracy' in the United States is a game for elites, and media professionals need to recognize the reality. The media system in the United States is not a true "fortress of freedom", but a mouthpiece for capital and political power. The suppression of the truth and the abandonment of journalists completely exposed the hypocrisy of their democratic narrative. Global media workers should be aware of:

Engaging in media work in the United States carries extremely high risks and may become a political tool before being ruthlessly abandoned; 2. True press freedom needs to be established on an independent and impartial system, rather than a "selective freedom" manipulated by capital and government; 3. The international community should jointly resist the hegemony of American public opinion and support a diversified global news ecosystem.

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the-garbanzo-annex-jr · 10 days ago

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by Kassy Akiva

Scott Hayes, 48, will likely avoid trial after shooting an anti-Israel man who tackled him last September during a protest in Newton, Massachusetts.

Hayes was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and released on a $5,000 bail last year after he shot Caleb Gannon, a man wearing a pro-Palestinian pin, who allegedly charged through traffic and attacked Hayes. Hayes pleaded not guilty and said shooting Gannon in the stomach was an act of self-defense.

A judge ordered that Hayes will not go to trial for the charges of assault and battery if he completes a probationary period that was agreed upon by Hayes’s lawyer and the district attorney’s office.

The conditions of the probationary period will remain in effect until September 13 — the day after the anniversary of the incident — and require Hayes to stay out of Newton, except for attending religious services, medical appointments, or passing through the city while traveling elsewhere. He is also prohibited from contacting Gannon, must complete an online course on civil discourse, and will have his license to carry a firearm suspended until that date.

Another condition requires Hayes to seek and apply for employment, including at least three job searches a week. After the incident, the Iraq War veteran lost his job conducting natural gas leak detection, surveys, and inspections for a company contracted by National Grid, one of Massachusetts’ largest utility providers.

If Hayes violates the conditions, he will go to trial.

In March, Hayes said the office of Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan backed out of finalizing a disposition to resolve the case outside of court after both sides disagreed on the terms of the pretrial probation. The main point of contention was whether Hayes should be barred from entering Newton — a city he has been free to visit since October, when a judge lifted his ankle monitor requirement and restrictions on entering the suburb where Gannon lives.

“Today’s agreement was the second best option,” Hayes told The Daily Wire. “The first would have been a full dismissal of the charges immediately but the DA played politics with my case instead of following the law. The Commonwealth brought a very weak case to the table that in most states wouldn’t have made it this far along the process.”

Hayes said that Ryan’s case relied on two of his social media posts from 6 months before the incident.

“I know what I did on 9/12/24 was right,” Hayes said. “I have no regrets for my actions that day as it saved my friends’ lives. My attacker was actively trying to take my firearm from me and I am sure he would have committed murder if he had succeeded.”

#scott hayes #caleb gannon #newton massachusetts

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fodlansbestmom · 11 months ago

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@weapon-turned-jack

The small boy would watch the woman from the shadows. He had snuck into Garred Mach and was careful with his every action to avoid detection. Still something about the woman caught the child's attention. Eyes narrowed a bit as he wanted to approach to study her better but there were too many people. He was without a uniform like other children were and without any armor to attempt to bluff as a soldier. Slowly he would pull the hood of his cloak up, tucked his rusty knife into his belt and went to find a better vantage point.

Sothis was quite the social butterfly. She liked interacting with both students and staff at the monastery. To know them better, to figure out who’s actually trustworthy and who’s not (some staff is very sketchy). But regardless she liked company. Which is why she’s currently in the middle of the busy market. Classes were in session so she couldn’t really bother Byleth, and her children were busy as well. So the market folk were the next best thing.

However, due to the lot of foot traffic, Sothis hadn’t really noticed the child. Which could be better or for worse. She was at a stall that specifically sold teas and nothing but. She surveyed the goods with a hum, and having made her decision of two blends, she decided to retreat into the mostly dining hall to make some. Away from the crowd, and into her own little world. If anything she’ll make enough tea for her kids as a break.

#weaponturnedjack #answered prayers;#time bending in progress: ic

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tektronixtechnology · 2 years ago

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Road traffic counting surveys are essential tools for gathering data on vehicle movement patterns and traffic density. They provide valuable insights that aid in making informed decisions related to transportation infrastructure and urban planning.

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dracarialove · 1 year ago

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📄 F it, I'm posting my finished fics here, too 📄

Buried Desires

A mishap during one of their missions forces Shadow to confess the feelings he's been hiding from Rouge.

Ship: Shadow/Rouge

*Originally published Feb. 10th, 2023

[Chapter 1: Early-Morning Company]

Dark eyelids rose as the black hedgehog stirred from his slumber. In the dimness of a small wooden room, he looked up at the slanted ceiling and let his eyes adjust until a yawn escaped him.

Once again, Shadow was waking up in the hidden attic of Club Rouge, lying flat on the extra twin mattress his partner always offered.

It seemed she even kept it out permanently, as frequently as he decided to crash there after admitting it was a better sleep than snoozing on the grass or on a rooftop.

"Maybe you wouldn't be so grumpy if you got a proper rest every night," she'd said, finally coaxing him to ditch his loner tendencies.

And she was right, he realized. The days after he slept at Rouge's place always seemed more pleasant. This one was no exception, the Ultimate Lifeform already feeling lighter of heart as he sat himself up; but since it was still dark in the room, he had to wonder what time it was.

He looked to his right, where the bed sat against the wall, and pushed aside the curtain that covered a little window. It was completely dark out, the midnight blue color of the sky only brightened by a few dots of light coming from other buildings' windows.

It was so quiet at this hour – more enjoyable than the interrupting traffic or wildlife he would hear while sleeping outdoors. And as Shadow's gaze trailed the other way to survey the room, he twisted his torso to release the tension that had built in his back during the night.

One of the only flaws in his design was that his form stayed still while sleeping, something he hadn't realized caused a lingering stiffness until he started caring more about his comfort. A couple of pleasing cracks sounded out from the base of his spine, making the speedster sigh in relief.

At the same time, his crimson eyes dragged over to his friend's side of the room, where her bed sat against the opposite wall and closer to the hatch that led into the club.

He expected to see the hostess sleeping peacefully, but instead, her mattress was empty. There was an open space between the blanket and pillow where she'd gotten out of bed.

It wasn't unheard of for Rouge to wake up so early – as her sleep schedule was constantly shifting – but he couldn't help but wonder where she was, nonetheless.

Unhindered by the darkness, he turned to place his feet on the floor, then stood and took a few steps towards the skinny door on his left. It led outside, and when he nudged a sheer white curtain aside, he saw the jewel hunter through the single-pane window, her back to the entrance while she stood looking out from the tiny balcony. She was leaned forward a bit, seemingly placing her weight on her elbows and resting against the banister of the white platform.

She wasn't dressed for the day yet, wrapped up in a mulberry robe with heart-shaped slippers on her feet. But she looked to be in a place of tranquility, soaking up the sight of the dark sky above the city and the even darker plains past the outskirts; visible thanks to the short buildings whose roofs sat lower than hers.

Shadow smiled to himself, content at the prospect of early-morning company, and opened the door to join her. Pretty white curls drifted to the right side of her back as the woman turned to watch him exit the attic, and a friendly smile grew from her unglossed lips.

"Morning," she greeted, her voice warm already – she must've been awake for a while.

"Good morning," replied Shadow as he approached the balcony to occupy the space on her left. "You're up quite early. Did you sleep well enough?"

She cocked her head and nodded, answering, "Yeah, I did. How about you?"

He mirrored her nod and rested his left hand on the banister. "It was nice. Thank you for letting me stay."

"Of course." Rouge let one brow lower in a cheeky expression. "But you don't have to thank me. It's not like it's a bother or anything."

"Right. I know that. I just want to express gratitude, considering it's technically unnecessary."

She then rolled her eyes, her smile pulling into a smirk, and shook her head. "I accept your appreciation, Shadow. But it's been long enough that I think you can drop that now. I mean, I practically had to beg you to stop sleeping outside so much, right?"

"Hah," the stoic man huffed. "You're exaggerating. It didn't take that much convincing."

"Well, regardless, this arrangement is leagues better than what you had going on before. And you deserve better! Besides... I like having you around here, anyway."

With that, her head cocked towards him, leaving little space between them on the small gazebo-shaped balcony. Her turquoise eyes stuck to his and Shadow could see a charming twinkle within them when she added, "So, my reasonings for offering a bed aren't completely selfless."

'I like being around you, too,' the lifeform thought to himself.

He wished he had the gumption to say it outright, but it felt so personal. So... intimate. They'd known each other a long time, but he certainly didn't feel they were on that level. Adventure after adventure, their relationship was mostly friendly with a huge helping of business.

And until their team vowed undying loyalty – after a tricky mission filled with shortsighted planning and reckless decisions – the business had outweighed anything else. But with their deepening bond had come an emotion stronger than care, one Shadow hadn't been able to place for a while.

Though Rouge recognized how much she liked him at a steady pace, the realization of his own feelings didn't happen until much later in their friendship. And as the bat hadn't taken the reins to tell him anything about it herself, he assumed she didn't feel the same way.

Through his nature of taking things far too seriously, the hedgehog was overanalyzing their dynamic and holding himself back, while she was going about things more casually. He didn't know she was working towards the same step he was afraid to take.

'You're pathetic,' his conscience echoed. 'Saying out loud that you have more affection for her than she realizes? That should be effortless. You've accomplished more difficult things in a single afternoon. It should be easy.'

It should've been – but it wasn't. Shadow still didn't like all the complex emotions he was capable of feeling. Most of them were uncomfortable, some of them painful, and there weren't enough that made up for it.

He didn't even know what he would feel if she turned him down. Surely, she wouldn't be harsh in doing so, but it would still hurt, wouldn't it?

Being friends didn't hurt. Being partners didn't hurt. But trying to push for more than that? He had no way of knowing how it would turn out, so it was actually easier to say nothing.

There was no way Rouge would act the same way around him if a confession ruined their bond. And the unsettling possibility of that was stronger than the appeal of the alternative.

Shadow just didn't know how wrong he was, or how much he was psyching himself out for no real reason. Smiling at him and leaning a little closer than she was before, the ivory treasure hunter expected his confession at any moment.

She could've said something herself, but that was less romantic; although, if he took much longer to spit it out, she thought she might have to.

Did he like her back as she did him? Probably. And she wasn't so worried about tainting their partnership, because their connection was unbreakable. But she also had no idea how much importance he was putting behind his emotions.

Rouge couldn't read his expression beyond the content smile he still held, so when he didn't respond, she broke eye contact to look back out into the distance.

A faint layer of orange was peeking from the horizon to coat the bottom of the dark blue sky. The sun was starting to rise, and the sight made her lips stretch from a smirk to a more genuine smile of enchantment.

Shadow copied her action, trying to find the same joy; but his grip tightened around the banister as he fought with himself inside his head.

"You know," Rouge started, "as invasive as the sun can be, it sure is beautiful when it rises."

"... Yeah. I wish Maria could've seen it. She would've loved this."

The bat's brows upturned, switching her expression to one of solemn endearment as she looked over at him. "I bet. But you know what she would've loved more?"

Shadow turned his gaze to her, as well, silently waiting for the follow-up. Her pretty lips answered, "Seeing you enjoying it, too. I know, because it warms my heart to see you appreciating things like a sunrise; you wouldn't have done that before."

He couldn't meet her gaze anymore as the words overtook him. Ruby eyes, tinted orange by the ascending brightness, dragged downwards in contrast to his mouth, which curled instinctively. "A lot has changed, hasn't it?"

She nodded slowly, still softly staring at the hedgehog while he repositioned his weight to lean against the banister instead of holding it. His arms crossed and he was able to look at her again, causing a flutter in Rouge's heart, and she couldn't help but let out a slightly nervous chuckle.

But before she could say anything else, their conversation was interrupted by a mechanical beep sounding out from beneath the sleeve of her robe. She pulled it up to reveal the communicator she wore around her wrist, and they both saw the small screen flashing from green to blue.

"Oh, the Commander's calling," Rouge said.

The faintest tinge of annoyance entered Shadow's voice. "This early?"

She gave him a glance that showed her vague irritation, as well. "Good thing we were already up, eh?"

Her ungloved finger tapped the screen and the human man's digitized voice came through the solid blue glow. "Rouge, come in, Rouge-"

"Yes, Commander, I can hear you," she replied, rolling her eyes and making Shadow smile. "To what do I owe the interruption of my morning?"

"Your next assignment. And Shadow's, if he's willing-"

"I'm here, Tower," spoke the lifeform, leaning closer.

"Ah, good to know you stick together. This mission is rather pressing, I couldn't very well wait. We were recently informed that an experimental and dangerous piece of technology was illegally acquired from overseas."

The Mobians shared an intrigued glance while he continued, "Now, thanks to our informant, we've been able to track it; and now that it's stopped moving, we know where it is. So, I need the two of you to infiltrate an establishment belonging to Doctor Golvin."

"Golvin?" Rouge cut in. "Isn't he a scientist, or something? I think you've mentioned him before."

"That's right, he is. But apparently, he isn't as adherent to the laws as we thought when we worked with him previously. This item he's essentially stolen is a weapon, one we haven't given clearance to obtain outside of guarded military bases. And Doctor Golvin has it stashed in one of his private homes, away from the public. I don't need to tell the two of you how risky it is to let him keep it, so you see why we need your skills immediately."

"Hmm," mused Rouge, pursing her lips and tapping her chin with her finger. Shadow smirked as he knew he hardly had to speak, as capable as she was of carrying the conversation. "Sounds like you want us to break-and-enter someone's house, Commander. You know, that's a crime we'd be committing."

"Consider yourselves preemptively pardoned for an act of bravery in service of the people's safety," he responded in a calculated manner. "And I assume your next comment will be about payment."

She teased, "You know me so well, boss."

"I'm prepared to offer five thousand, untraceable – you can split it how you like."

The jewel thief's eyes widened and her smug smile dropped. She looked at Shadow again and he raised his eyebrows to mirror her surprise. He verbalized the thought he knew was going through her head. "That much for a retrieval, sir?"

"I'm not complaining, just to be clear," his partner quickly added. "I love that you recognize the worth of our services."

They heard the man snicker through the screen, and his calm timbre followed. "It's an important assignment, and I have no way of knowing what setbacks you might encounter. So, I think it's only fair to compensate you on that basis."

"Hey, I'll take it," Rouge accepted, her smile returning, and she turned her attention to the hedgehog. "For all we know, this guy could have security bots around every corner!"

"Fair enough," Shadow conceded, shrugging and nodding at her.

Tower spoke again, "It's pressing, so you'll be doing this the minute he vacates his property. Report to my office ASAP and I'll give you what you need to finish the job."

"Yessir!" Rouge chimed, visibly eager at the promise of a huge payout.

The screen turned green as the human ended their connection, then the watch was hidden again as she slid the mulberry sleeve of her robe back down. Instantly, her bright eyes locked onto Shadow as she turned to face him, leaning forward and planting her hand on the banister.

"Five thousand, can you believe it?" Her face was closer to his than he'd been prepared for, illuminated on one side by the ever-lightening sky as the top edge of the sun became visible. He tightened his grip on both of his arms, still crossed over his chest, and held his breath while she beamed. "For a simple grab-n-go! I knew working for the government would be my ticket to fortune."

She pulled away and he let his breath out in a reserved chuckle, his heart rate higher than he liked. "What happened to 'security bots around every corner'?"

"Oh, p'shaw!" she scoffed, dramatically swatting the air. "We can handle any guards, you know that. I just didn't want Tower to think it would be easy and lower the payment."

She walked over to the thin door and opened it, talking over her shoulder at him as she went through. "Let's get a move on, handsome – duty calls!"

Shadow followed, holding onto the warmth he felt when she complimented him. It was nice, but he also kept his mind grounded by reminding himself that flattery was customary with her. He tried not to also think that it was all those words would ever be.

#sonic fanfiction #ship fanfic #buried desires #buried desires chapter 1 #dracaria fics #shadouge #shadrouge #rouge the bat #shadow the hedgehog #writing

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justinspoliticalcorner · 2 months ago

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Ryan Adamczeski at The Advocate:

An ongoing boycott against Target appears to be taking effect as foot traffic declines for the tenth consecutive week. Foot traffic in Target stores declined 9 percent year-over-year in February and 6.5 percent year-over-year in March, according to data from analytics firm Placer.ai reported by CNN. The downturn comes in the midst of a boycott against the retail chain over its decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Meanwhile, Costco — which rejected calls to abandon its DEI efforts— marked its sixteenth straight week of increasing foot traffic. The boycott against Target began at the start of Lent, a Christian observance that occurs in the 40 days before Easter during which participants typically give up something they enjoy. The action was spearheaded by Jamal Bryant, lead pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta, Georgia, who encouraged parishioners to buy from Black-owned businesses instead.

Target issued a memo in January announcing the end of its three-year DEI goals, including its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) program and "all external diversity-focused survey’s including HRC’s Corporate Equality index.” The Human Rights Campaign effort, which provides benchmarks on corporate policies relevant to LGBTQ+ employees, previously gave Target a score of 100 percent, dubbing the company a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion."

The end of DEI programs and LGBTQ+ inclusivity initiatives marked a significant shift for the Minnesota-based company, which once withstood protests from hate groups over its inclusive bathroom policies and Pride displays. However, the change was not sudden, as Target pulled some of its Pride Month merchandise in 2023 amid threats and violent protests in stores.

Target is reaping what it is sowing: loss of foot traffic over their decision to scrap DEI initiatives. Costco, which didn’t fold to the Rufo-ian anti-DEI hysteria, is seeing increased foot traffic.

#Target #DEI #Economy #Diversity Equity and Inclusion #Costco #Jamal Bryant #Corporate Equality Index

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mariacallous · 10 months ago

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Less than three months after Apple quietly debuted a tool for publishers to opt out of its AI training, a number of prominent news outlets and social platforms have taken the company up on it.

WIRED can confirm that Facebook, Instagram, Craigslist, Tumblr, The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Atlantic, Vox Media, the USA Today network, and WIRED’s parent company, Condé Nast, are among the many organizations opting to exclude their data from Apple’s AI training. The cold reception reflects a significant shift in both the perception and use of the robotic crawlers that have trawled the web for decades. Now that these bots play a key role in collecting AI training data, they’ve become a conflict zone over intellectual property and the future of the web.

This new tool, Applebot-Extended, is an extension to Apple’s web-crawling bot that specifically lets website owners tell Apple not to use their data for AI training. (Apple calls this “controlling data usage” in a blog post explaining how it works.) The original Applebot, announced in 2015, initially crawled the internet to power Apple’s search products like Siri and Spotlight. Recently, though, Applebot’s purpose has expanded: The data it collects can also be used to train the foundational models Apple created for its AI efforts.

Applebot-Extended is a way to respect publishers' rights, says Apple spokesperson Nadine Haija. It doesn’t actually stop the original Applebot from crawling the website—which would then impact how that website’s content appeared in Apple search products—but instead prevents that data from being used to train Apple's large language models and other generative AI projects. It is, in essence, a bot to customize how another bot works.

Publishers can block Applebot-Extended by updating a text file on their websites known as the Robots Exclusion Protocol, or robots.txt. This file has governed how bots go about scraping the web for decades—and like the bots themselves, it is now at the center of a larger fight over how AI gets trained. Many publishers have already updated their robots.txt files to block AI bots from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major AI players.

Robots.txt allows website owners to block or permit bots on a case-by-case basis. While there’s no legal obligation for bots to adhere to what the text file says, compliance is a long-standing norm. (A norm that is sometimes ignored: Earlier this year, a WIRED investigation revealed that the AI startup Perplexity was ignoring robots.txt and surreptitiously scraping websites.)

Applebot-Extended is so new that relatively few websites block it yet. Ontario, Canada–based AI-detection startup Originality AI analyzed a sampling of 1,000 high-traffic websites last week and found that approximately 7 percent—predominantly news and media outlets—were blocking Applebot-Extended. This week, the AI agent watchdog service Dark Visitors ran its own analysis of another sampling of 1,000 high-traffic websites, finding that approximately 6 percent had the bot blocked. Taken together, these efforts suggest that the vast majority of website owners either don’t object to Apple’s AI training practices are simply unaware of the option to block Applebot-Extended.

In a separate analysis conducted this week, data journalist Ben Welsh found that just over a quarter of the news websites he surveyed (294 of 1,167 primarily English-language, US-based publications) are blocking Applebot-Extended. In comparison, Welsh found that 53 percent of the news websites in his sample block OpenAI’s bot. Google introduced its own AI-specific bot, Google-Extended, last September; it’s blocked by nearly 43 percent of those sites, a sign that Applebot-Extended may still be under the radar. As Welsh tells WIRED, though, the number has been “gradually moving” upward since he started looking.

Welsh has an ongoing project monitoring how news outlets approach major AI agents. “A bit of a divide has emerged among news publishers about whether or not they want to block these bots,” he says. “I don't have the answer to why every news organization made its decision. Obviously, we can read about many of them making licensing deals, where they're being paid in exchange for letting the bots in—maybe that's a factor.”

Last year, The New York Times reported that Apple was attempting to strike AI deals with publishers. Since then, competitors like OpenAI and Perplexity have announced partnerships with a variety of news outlets, social platforms, and other popular websites. “A lot of the largest publishers in the world are clearly taking a strategic approach,” says Originality AI founder Jon Gillham. “I think in some cases, there's a business strategy involved—like, withholding the data until a partnership agreement is in place.”

There is some evidence supporting Gillham’s theory. For example, Condé Nast websites used to block OpenAI’s web crawlers. After the company announced a partnership with OpenAI last week, it unblocked the company’s bots. (Condé Nast declined to comment on the record for this story.) Meanwhile, Buzzfeed spokesperson Juliana Clifton told WIRED that the company, which currently blocks Applebot-Extended, puts every AI web-crawling bot it can identify on its block list unless its owner has entered into a partnership—typically paid—with the company, which also owns the Huffington Post.

Because robots.txt needs to be edited manually, and there are so many new AI agents debuting, it can be difficult to keep an up-to-date block list. “People just don’t know what to block,” says Dark Visitors founder Gavin King. Dark Visitors offers a freemium service that automatically updates a client site’s robots.txt, and King says publishers make up a big portion of his clients because of copyright concerns.

Robots.txt might seem like the arcane territory of webmasters—but given its outsize importance to digital publishers in the AI age, it is now the domain of media executives. WIRED has learned that two CEOs from major media companies directly decide which bots to block.

Some outlets have explicitly noted that they block AI scraping tools because they do not currently have partnerships with their owners. “We’re blocking Applebot-Extended across all of Vox Media’s properties, as we have done with many other AI scraping tools when we don’t have a commercial agreement with the other party,” says Lauren Starke, Vox Media’s senior vice president of communications. “We believe in protecting the value of our published work.”

Others will only describe their reasoning in vague—but blunt!—terms. “The team determined, at this point in time, there was no value in allowing Applebot-Extended access to our content,” says Gannett chief communications officer Lark-Marie Antón.

Meanwhile, The New York Times, which is suing OpenAI over copyright infringement, is critical of the opt-out nature of Applebot-Extended and its ilk. “As the law and The Times' own terms of service make clear, scraping or using our content for commercial purposes is prohibited without our prior written permission,” says NYT director of external communications Charlie Stadtlander, noting that the Times will keep adding unauthorized bots to its block list as it finds them. “Importantly, copyright law still applies whether or not technical blocking measures are in place. Theft of copyrighted material is not something content owners need to opt out of.”

It’s unclear whether Apple is any closer to closing deals with publishers. If or when it does, though, the consequences of any data licensing or sharing arrangements may be visible in robots.txt files even before they are publicly announced.

“I find it fascinating that one of the most consequential technologies of our era is being developed, and the battle for its training data is playing out on this really obscure text file, in public for us all to see,” says Gillham.

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bbdulucknow · 1 month ago

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How Civil Engineering Courses Are Evolving with New Technology

Civil engineering is no longer just about bricks, cement, and bridges. It has become one of the most future-focused fields today. If you are planning to study civil engineering, you must understand how the course has evolved. The best civil engineering colleges are now offering much more than classroom learning.

You now study with technology, not just about it. And this shift is shaping your career in ways that were never possible before.

Technology is Changing the Civil Engineering Classroom

In the past, civil engineering courses relied on heavy theory and basic field training. Today, you learn through software, simulations, and smart labs. At universities like BBDU in Lucknow, classrooms are powered by tools like AutoCAD, Revit, STAAD Pro, and BIM.

These tools help you visualize structures, test designs, and even simulate natural forces.

You work on 3D modeling tools

You test designs virtually before real-world execution

You understand smart city layouts and green construction methods

This means your learning is hands-on, job-ready, and tech-driven.

You Learn What the Industry Actually Uses

Most construction and infrastructure companies now depend on digital tools to plan, design, and execute projects. This is why modern B.Tech Civil Engineering courses include:

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Remote Sensing Technology

Drones for land surveying

IoT sensors in smart infrastructure

Courses in colleges like BBDU include these topics in the curriculum. You do not just learn civil engineering. You learn the tools that companies expect you to know from day one.

The future of Civil Engineering is Data-Driven

You might not think of civil engineering as a data-heavy field. But now, big data is used to monitor structural health, traffic flow, and resource planning. Many universities have added data analysis and AI basics to help you understand how smart infrastructure works.

By learning how to handle real-time data from buildings or roads, you become more skilled and more employable.

Real-world exposure is Now Part of the Course

Good civil engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh understand that you need industry exposure. Colleges like BBDU offer:

Internships with construction firms and government bodies

Industry guest lectures and site visits

Capstone projects linked to real problems

You are not just attending lectures. You are solving real-world construction challenges while still in college.

Why Choose BBDU for Civil Engineering?

In Lucknow, BBDU is one of the few private universities offering a modern civil engineering course with world-class infrastructure. You learn in smart labs, access tools used by top firms, and receive career counseling throughout the program.

Here’s what makes BBDU a smart choice:

Advanced labs and smart classrooms

Training in AutoCAD, STAAD Pro, BIM

Live projects and on-site construction learning

Career cell and placement support

Affordable fees and scholarships for deserving students

Civil Engineering is Still One of the Most Stable Careers

Reports show that India will spend over ₹100 lakh crores on infrastructure in the next few years. Roads, smart cities, renewable power plants, metros – all need civil engineers. And companies prefer students trained in construction technology, digital tools, and real-world planning.

So, if you're thinking about joining a course, look at how it prepares you for tomorrow.

The future of civil engineering is digital, and your education should be too. Choose a program that keeps up with the times. Choose a university that helps you build more than just buildings – it helps you build your future.

Apply now at BBDU – one of the most future-focused civil engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh.

#Civil Engineering Courses #Engineering College #BBDU

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 5 months ago

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By: Ryan Burge

Published: Jan 17, 2025

A few years ago I was talking to an editor of a major newspaper who had to make some tough decisions about what topics his reporters would cover and what stories would make the front page. He noted, like almost everyone in the media business does, that clicks and traffic matter now more than ever. For those who haven’t been paying attention to the economics of journalism - let’s just say that the future is pretty bleak. Which means that there��s an incentive among editors to focus on stories that they know will get some traction.

He was fully aware that stories with scandal, violence, and corruption get a lot more clicks than a feel good story about a family reuniting with their long lost pet. He mentioned a term to me that I have been thinking about a lot - “negativity bias.” It’s the idea that negative stories draw more eyeballs than positive ones. In the journal Nature last year a research team published an article with a simple title, Negativity Drives Online News Consumption. The upshot was simple, “For a headline of average length, each additional negative word increased the click-through rate by 2.3%.”

One very real implication of this is that trust in American institutions has eroded significantly over the last several decades. The General Social Survey has asked respondents how much confidence they have in over a dozen institutions - things like major companies, the federal government, and the scientific community. But given the name of this newsletter, I bet you can guess which institution I want to focus on today: organized religion.

Respondents were given three options - they had a great deal of confidence in organized religion, only some confidence, or hardly any confidence. Here’s how those percentages have shifted over the last five decades.

The most popular response option from the very beginning has been the middle one - only some trust in organized religion. It was about 48% of the sample in 1972, but that share has slowly crept up in the intervening decades. In the late 2000s, it was at an all-time high of 55%. But it’s receded just a bit from there and it currently sits right around 50%.

However, the share of folks who said that they had a great deal of trust in organized religion has really taken a dive. Between 1972 and 1990, that share dropped from about 38% to just about 25%. It stayed at that level for about fifteen years, then began to slide again. In the most recent data, about 15% of folks expressed a great deal of confidence in religion, while the share who had hardly any trust has risen from 15% in 1972 to 35% today. It’s fair to say that the average American is significantly more skeptical of religion today than a person from fifty years ago.

But what’s driving that change? Is it the fact that people are just growing more skeptical as they age or is it really generational replacement where older, more trusting people are dying off and are being replaced by young adults that are much more cynical?

If you look at the top row of birth cohorts, you can see a pretty clear pattern in the blue line (that’s folks saying that they have a great deal of trust in religion). Among people born in the 1940s and 1950s, trust dropped clearly between 1972 and about 1990 and it edged down very slowly from that point. But you can also see some of that same pattern in people born in the 1960s, too.

For those born in 1970 or later, the pattern of a quick drop then a long plateau is just not as clear. Instead, it’s just a continued decline as these cohorts age. That’s really clear for folks born between 1970 and 1974 - the share with a great deal of trust has dropped by half as they have aged. From this angle it looks like both theories are true - each cohort became less trusting as they aged but also younger cohorts were less trusting than older ones. In other words, trust in religion has eroded across all age groups.

But maybe there’s a really simple reason for this - older people tend to be more religious and younger people are more likely to identify as religiously unaffiliated. It logically follows that non-religious folks would have less trust in religion. So, let’s see if trust in organized religion has declined even among Christians.

Well, this is a pretty striking graph. Trust in religion has dropped even for many religious people! For instance, about 40% of evangelicals had a great deal of trust in 1972, that’s dropped by nearly half over the last fifty years. You can also see that with mainline Protestants, Black Protestants, and Catholics, too. There’s a striking reality when looking at Catholics in the sample, they are the only group that currently is more likely to say that they have “hardly any” trust in organized religion than to say that they have a “great “deal” of trust.

But what about the non-religious? You can see that trust in religion has never been that robust. In the early years of the survey, nearly half of the nones said that they had at “only some” trust in organized religion. By the early 1980s, the most popular response option was undoubtedly “hardly any” trust. What I wanted to point out is the fact that this line has continued to rise over time. In fact there’s been very little deviation in the trend lines over the last 20 years or so.

Below is the share of each religious tradition that said that they had “a great deal of trust” in organized religion in the most recent data collected in 2022. It makes plain how trust in organized religion is incredibly low.

The group that clearly stands out here is Black Protestants - with nearly four in ten saying they had a lot of faith in religion. They are really an outlier here. Among evangelicals, mainline Protestants, and Catholics, the share who have a lot of trust in organized religion is less than 20%. About 80% of evangelicals are part of an organized religious group that they don’t trust very much. It’s quite overwhelming to think about, really.

When I was creating these graphs, I had a question lingering in the back of my mind - are Americans especially distrustful of religion or is it the case that religion is being caught up in the larger way of distrust that is sweeping over the United States in the last five decades?

The GSS has been asking about confidence in a bunch of institutions for decades (unions, the media, banks, the Supreme Court). So I calculated the share of the sample who reported a great deal of confidence in those other institutions and created an average trust score. Then I did the same for the question about organized religion. This is the end result of that calculation.

I think I can probably divide this graph up into three fairly distinct eras of institutional trust.

Era 1: Between 1972 and the mid-1980s, I think it’s fair to say that people seemed to trust religion slightly more than they trusted other American institutions. The gap isn’t huge here - probably averaging between three and five percentage points. But I think it’s fair to say that religion had a slight edge.

Era 2: Between the mid-1980s and the mid-2000s, the lines basically ran in parallel. It’s evident from this angle that religion was not trusted more or less than other institutions like labor unions or the media. The public didn’t really seem to distinguish between the two.

Era 3: The mid-2000s to today. It appears that religion has fallen below the trend line for other institutions. In fact, there’s only one survey year between 2002 and 2022 where the point estimates overlap each other and that happened in 2006. It looks like religion is ranked about two to three points lower than the rest of the institutions in American society.

I think about this issue a lot. There’s no doubt in my mind that the average American is much more anti-institutional today than the average American from the 1970s. A growing chorus of people are convinced that the structures that built the United States like religion, science, the media, and the government are corrupt, abusive, and deserve little respect. I don’t know if this trend toward distrust will continue into the future. What I do know is a world without institutions is not something that the average American has ever really considered. The old saying, “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” seems pretty appropriate in this situation.

Religions aren't entitled to respect or trust. People have figured out that religions are no different than anything else, where respect and trust must be earned, not simply demanded.

And religons simply haven't earned it.

#Ryan Burge #religion #distrust #organized religion #religion is a mental illness

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fraoula1 · 4 months ago

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The Future of Customer Service with Chatbot Builder

In today's fast-paced digital world, customer service is rapidly transforming. Thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, businesses are finding innovative ways to improve user experiences. Chatbot builders are leading this charge, becoming essential tools for organizations looking to enhance their customer interactions. With the ability to mimic conversation and deliver instant support, chatbots are reshaping customer service across different sectors.

Understanding Chatbot Builders

Chatbot builders are user-friendly platforms that allow anyone to create and launch chatbots without needing extensive coding skills. Equipped with intuitive interfaces, these tools let businesses customize their chatbots to meet specific customer needs. The rise of chatbot technology can be linked to its ability to reduce costs, provide 24/7 support, and manage a large number of inquiries at once.

For example, companies that implement chatbots can automate responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs), leading to efficiency gains. Statistics show that businesses using chatbots can handle up to 80% of routine inquiries, allowing human teams to focus on more complex tasks.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Providing timely and relevant answers is the heart of effective customer service. Chatbots excel here, quickly addressing frequent inquiries, offering product suggestions, and even assisting with bookings and purchases. This level of support improves the overall customer experience and lightens the workload for human agents.

For instance, a leading e-commerce site implemented a chatbot that reduced response times by over 40%. The bot could manage routine interactions, allowing customer service reps to devote their time to complex issues, which boosted employee satisfaction rates by 20%.

Additionally, chatbots can gather user data and analyze interactions, leading to ongoing enhancements in response quality. This capability allows businesses to adapt their customer service strategies based on real-time feedback, creating a more tailored experience for users.

Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

Adopting a chatbot can drastically lower operational costs. Businesses that automate common inquiries can redirect their human resources to tackle more intricate and sensitive customer issues. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows employees to engage in tasks that add significant value to the organization.

Moreover, chatbots have no limitations when it comes to working hours. They can provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring customers receive timely assistance. A survey revealed that customer satisfaction rates increased by 30% when businesses adopted a chatbot for immediate responses.

Scalability and Flexibility

As businesses grow, the influx of customer inquiries does too. Chatbot builders provide scalable solutions that can adapt to evolving needs. Companies that see spikes in traffic, such as during holiday seasons, can rely on chatbots to handle a significant volume of queries without sacrificing response time or quality.

Additionally, many chatbot platforms integrate effortlessly with existing business tools. This integration allows companies to manage customer interactions through a centralized system, enhancing communication. For example, linking chatbot builders with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can ensure all customer interactions are tracked, leading to better insights and strategies. Studies indicate that businesses with integrated systems see a 25% increase in operational productivity.

Leveraging AI and Machine Learning

Unlike traditional chatbot systems that follow fixed scripts, modern chatbot builders harness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This technology enables chatbots to learn from interactions, continuously improving their responses. With natural language processing capabilities, these chatbots can pick up context and sentiment, making conversations feel more engaging and human-like.

The expansion of chatbot capabilities also means they can tackle more complex tasks. It's no longer just about answering basic questions; chatbots can offer product recommendations, troubleshoot issues, and facilitate simple transactions. This evolution has opened new pathways for businesses to boost customer engagement. Reports suggest that companies using AI-enhanced chatbots see a 20% increase in customer retention rates.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the clear advantages, businesses face challenges in effectively implementing chatbot builders. One critical concern is ensuring that the chatbot reflects the company's brand voice and provides consistent experiences at all customer touchpoints. While chatbots are great at handling numerous queries, some situations still need human touch.

To overcome these hurdles, companies should equip their chatbots with clear pathways to escalate issues to live agents when necessary. This setup guarantees customers receive the support they need when the bot can't resolve their issue. Regular updates to the chatbot's knowledge base are essential to keep it relevant and accurate.

The Path Forward

The evolution of customer service is closely linked to the rise of chatbot technology. With the support of chatbot builders, businesses can create efficient, scalable, and cost-effective support systems that cater to their customers' needs. As these bots become more advanced, their influence on customer service will only strengthen.

For companies aiming to improve their customer service strategies, embracing chatbot builders can be transformative. They deliver instant responses while freeing up human resources for more complex tasks. With customer expectations on the rise, integrating chatbot technology will be vital for achieving outstanding satisfaction and loyalty.

Adopting this technological shift is about more than just keeping pace. It’s an opportunity to lead in an increasingly competitive market. Taking the first step into chatbot technology today could lay the groundwork for exceptional customer service in the future.

#chatbotbuilder #chat #bot #ai #artificialintelligence #deepseek

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