#we’re making strides towards a better future!

[marpu-foundations]

Marpu Foundation: Pioneering CSR Solutions in Today's NGO Landscape

Introduction:

In today's world, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just a buzzword—it's a necessity. With increasing social and environmental challenges, organizations are expected to go beyond profit-making and contribute to societal betterment. NGOs play a pivotal role in facilitating this shift by bridging the gap between corporates and communities in need. The Marpu Foundation is one such organization, committed to delivering innovative CSR solutions that address critical issues like healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Through strategic partnerships with companies, Marpu is setting new benchmarks in the NGO sector, ensuring that CSR efforts have a meaningful and lasting impact.

Marpu Foundation's Mission and Vision:

At the heart of the Marpu Foundation lies a vision to foster positive change through sustainable and community-driven solutions. Marpu's mission is to improve the lives of the underprivileged and underserved through targeted interventions in healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. The foundation works closely with corporate partners to design CSR programs that align with business values while also addressing pressing social challenges.

Pioneering CSR Solutions:

Key Projects:-

Project 1: Health Camps in Underserved Areas

Marpu Foundation has partnered with local corporations to organize free health camps, particularly in rural and underserved regions. These camps offer essential medical services, from routine check-ups to specialized treatments, addressing the lack of healthcare facilities in these areas. By collaborating with CSR departments of healthcare companies, Marpu has been able to extend its reach and impact thousands of lives.

Project 2: Educational Support for Underprivileged Children

Education is a cornerstone of Marpu Foundation’s initiatives. In collaboration with corporate sponsors, the foundation has launched programs that provide scholarships, school supplies, and even digital learning resources to underprivileged children. Through mentorship and after-school programs, Marpu ensures that these children not only attend school but thrive academically and personally.

Project 3: Environmental Initiatives

Environmental sustainability is a key focus for Marpu Foundation. From tree-planting drives to water conservation projects, Marpu is working to protect the environment while involving local communities and corporate partners. Recently, the foundation led a waste management initiative, in which volunteers and corporate employees worked together to clean local areas and promote recycling.

Project 4: Animal Welfare Programs

One of Marpu's most unique initiatives is its commitment to animal welfare. In collaboration with veterinary experts and animal lovers, the foundation runs rescue and rehabilitation programs for injured and stray animals. Through its CSR partnerships, Marpu has mobilized resources to build shelters and provide medical care for animals in need, adding a compassionate dimension to their wide-ranging impact.

How Marpu Foundation Stands Out

Marpu Foundation’s approach to CSR is marked by its focus on long-term, sustainable impact. By working closely with corporate partners, Marpu ensures that every CSR initiative is not just a one-time event but a project that delivers continuous value to the community. The foundation's transparency, measurable outcomes, and focus on both people and the environment make it a standout in the crowded NGO landscape.

Conclusion

The Marpu Foundation is redefining CSR by creating solutions that are both impactful and scalable. Through its innovative projects, Marpu is not only addressing immediate community needs but also fostering a culture of social responsibility among corporates. As CSR continues to evolve, organizations like Marpu will lead the way in ensuring that business success is aligned with societal good.

[too-antigonish]

My Strange but Unified Theory of Exeunt

Last week I talked about the poem Horatio in a post about Morse and fathers and @astridcontramundum asked what I thought it meant in the context of Exeunt. Hopefully she won't be sorry she asked because here's my (as usual) long answer:

Horatio is quoted from twice in Exeunt. The first time, Prof. Fortescue is lecturing to his students at a tutorial and gives us the most famous lines:  

Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the Gate:  "To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers And the temples of his gods?"

The second time occurs just before Thursday’s has his “turn” in the same spot where Morse will many years later experience his own collapse. He says: ”’How well Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old.’ We'd a padre big on that out in the desert. Drumhead service just before Alamein. ‘And how can man die better than facing fearful odds?’ Always stuck with me.”

I think they used those lines to plainly tease the idea that Thursday was going to die. Prior to Exeunt airing, almost everyone thought Thursday would have to die in order to explain Morse’s never mentioning him again in the future. When Fortescue says those lines in the beginning, I think we’re supposed to think that someone—probably Thursday—is going to die heroically. Then Thursday repeats some of the poem—connecting it to his WWII service—just before he has his “spell” and it seems like more foreshadowing. 

The thing about the poem though, that most people *don’t* know, is that the big surprise at the end is that Horatio *doesn’t* die. It just looks like he will: Even when his companions have abandoned the bridge because it is on the verge of collapse, Horatius remains. He stays until bridge finally does fail, and then plunges into the river below with the full weight of his armor. It is certain death and both sides stand stunned into silence by his final sacrifice.

But then, both sides find themselves even more surprised when they see the crest of his helmet beginning to rise from the water and he slowly emerges, striding towards the Roman bank. He not only survives, but arrives home to a hero’s welcome and a long life.

All of the usual narrative pieces are in place for us to expect Thursday to make the ultimate sacrifice—to die. For me, Thursday—like Horatio—does sacrifice everything, but the poem was actually foreshadowing his survival, not his death. And for Thursday, his survival is in many ways a far more difficult sacrifice than death would have been. It would have been easier for him in so many ways if he had died in defense of Sam or even fighting Lott. Instead he has to live with the ambiguous and messy aftermath.

Morse could also be Horatio in the sense that he goes to Blenheim Vale facing a high probability of death. What were the chances that the bikers would “come through” for him? That Morse went expecting to be double-crossed and killed by Lott seems much more likely to me. But I do think that Morse, like Horatio, would reason that, “If you’re going to go, then there’s no better way than defending the things that are most important to you,” and so he goes anyway.

He survives too—but unlike Horatio, his heroism will always remain a secret *and* with his realization about Thursday’s guilt and Lott’s revelation about Tomahawk’s identity, it brings perhaps more sorrow than it does victory. And, I would argue that his survival is only temporary or perhaps partial.

The gunshot scene has many possible interpretations, but at its core, my (forever unprovable) theory is that it balances out the survival foreshadowed by Horatio. Horatio was all about the audience assuming that Thursday had to die. But along with that went the assumption that of course Endeavour had to live. This is a prequel after all.

But the gunshot scene said a big, loud, “No. We can kill off Endeavour if we want to and we will.” You can go back and forth until the cows come home about whether or not the scene was simply him contemplating death, actually going through with it, or absolutely, purely symbolic and imaginative. However, I don’t think you can honestly argue that the scene doesn’t somehow connect the concepts of  “Endeavour Morse,” “gun,” and “death” to each other. Somehow those concepts have to be included in any interpretation.

So this leads to my weird theory about Exeunt, which is that Russ Lewis heard everyone saying, “Well I don’t know what’s going to happen in the end, but of course we all know that Morse is going to live—so no suspense there. And Thursday, well, he has to die. I mean it’s the only way to explain why we never hear about him later.” And to this, Russ Lewis thought, “Ha! I’m going to do exactly the opposite. Thursday lives and Morse dies!” 

Am I right? I will never know. Do I have more thoughts on Exeunt? You really, really don't want to know just how many.

[ichiwashername-o]

What Are Friends For Ch. 26

An Undertale fanfiction.

Written by ichiwashername-o

Summary: Undyne, Sans, Papyrus, and Gaster travel to the past in one last desperate effort to save their timeline.

Rating: Viewer discretion advised.  Contains swearing, trauma, and psychological horror

Cast: Undyne, Papyrus, Sans, W.D. Gaster, and others

Chapter 1

Previous

Next

AO3

Chapter 26: Final Gambit

There was no time to think.

Undyne charged straight ahead. She didn’t have a plan, but she didn’t need one! All she had to do was stop herself from hurting Papyrus! She’d kick her own ass if she had to!

Or at the very least, stall herself long enough for Sans and everyone else to take care of that kid.

It hadn’t really quite hit her how she was literally going to be fighting herself. It was like in those animes she watched, where the main character was forced to fight an evil twin/clone, usually created by the super evil villain to thwart them! Because what was a better enemy to face than themselves?

And now in the most brain-scrambling twist of fate, she was the future coming to beat some sense into her past-self.

Time travel is BULLSHIT! she thought.

But this was good, she reasoned with herself! All those late weekend nights binge-watching anime shows with Alphys was going to pay off in spades! She was going to exploit every trick and trope at her disposal to keep her past self from making that horrible mistake.

Her first mistake was trusting that stupid talking flower. She and Papyrus needed to have a talk about Flowey when all this was over, but that was for another time.

Right now, she needed to focus. She bull-rushed straight to the passage between Snowdin and Waterfall where, thankfully, it warmed significantly and Undyne was able to shrug the chill off her body. She slowed her mad sprint to a steady jog, waiting in anticipation. This was the only way to get to Snowdin, other than by boat, and she knew she’d run into her past self in mere moments. 

She summoned a spear to her side, her claws tapping incessantly on its shaft as she braced herself, waiting for the battle ahead.

–

Sans, Papyrus, and Gaster cautiously approached Snowdin, where everything was dead silent. There was no one around; no patrons loitering outside Grillby’s bar, no neighbors having lively conversations on their front porches, no monster children frolicking in the snow. It was a practical ghost town as all the lights in the surrounding houses had been shut off.

“Seems everyone’s hunkered down already,” Sans observed quietly. They moved out of town, towards their house, where the Papyrus of the past was undoubtedly waiting for the human.

But Sans was torn on what to do. He made a promise to that old lady to protect the human if one should ever emerge from the Ruins, but, well, maybe some promises were meant to be broken. Maybe if he had never made that damn promise to begin with, none of them would even be here right now.

But that was in the past, and now here they were, in the past, trying to undo the one mistake that ruined everything. 

Sorry, old lady, but if you knew what this kid was going to do, you’d understand, he thought to himself.

Papyrus turned to study him. “Are you alright, brother?” he asked.

Sans shrugged. “M’fine,” he waved off. “Just . . . thinking about what we need to do.”

“We’re going to stop the human,” he said resolutely. “And we can do that without hurting anyone.”

Even now, he was such an unbearable ball of optimism. But Sans didn’t respond. It wouldn’t do any good to start another argument.

Gaster lingered behind a stride or two, giving the brothers their space, but his movements were labored and slow and his expression was a perpetual grimace. He wasn’t looking well, seeming more and more unstable with every step. And of course, Papyrus noticed that as well.

“And are you ok?” he asked the doctor.

I̺̮ ̉wi̙̯ll̾ͅ ̄̃̄mǎ̙nā̊g̮ͬȇ,  he insisted, his voice much more static-y and garbled than before. J̻͖͙ust ̺ạ͈͓ ̦̙lit̳̻t͍̙͈le̦͉̦ ̼͉̦l̻̪̦oṋ̞g͕̦̼ḛr . ̥.̬ ͖̜̪.͍̝̠ ͖͉͍I ͎jus̱̗͔t neẹd to ͚̜h̙o̫̻͕ld͎̫̖ on̺̪ ͕̬a̗̣̹ ̼l͔̤it̪͔tle ̗̩lon͖̗̫g̭er̰.͙̥  I͕͙ ͔̣m̳̪ust̺͉͚ s̹̫͈e̮̯͖e t͖̼ẖ͔̳is̻ t̯h̭̟̯ro̺ug͈h̫.̼̖

Papyrus and Sans exchanged a look. Gaster’s warning still rang in their heads. This journey was a literal death sentence for the doctor, and it showed with every step and wince of pain on his face. It was a miracle he was still here. 

“We’ll do this quickly, then,” Papyrus promised, picking up his pace.

N͓̱O,̹̜̓ͬ ̏̄̾WAĬ̦T͇ -͇̑-̈́̅̄ Gaster said suddenly, reaching out to him.

Without warning, vines erupted from the earth, spraying snow everywhere. Papyrus threw an arm across his face as one of the thorny vines wrapped around his arm, yanking him off his feet–

A thunderous roar and whine sounded behind him as a sudden flash of blue light exploded, blinding Papyrus for a moment but releasing him of the vine’s grip. Papyrus fell hard but jumped back on his feet, madly scrambling to make sense of just what happened.

Gaster loomed behind him, his expression fierce and focused, a Gaster Blaster skull hovering at his side as he pointed at something past Papyrus. Papyrus followed his gaze.

There, right in their path, stood Flowey, vines lashing as he grinned, his insane gaze locking with Gaster’s. The little flower let out a delightfully devilish cackle. 

“Howdy, Doc!” Flowey said gleefully. “Long time no see!”

Asr͙ỉ̫e͑̏l͍̯͚, Gaster hissed. 

Papyrus did a double-take. “Wait, WHAT?!”

Gaster ignored him. Ge̹̘̗ṱ ̥̬out ͎̤o͖͈f̞ͅ ou͕̻͈r͙̝ way͉. This̠ ̥̫̯i̦̙͖s ̤t̠oo̦̹̘ i̤m̪p̫̦͖ortant.

“Aww, is that any way to greet an old pal?” Flowey crooned. The wall of vines waved threateningly behind him. “I just wanted to say hi, that's all!”

Gaster turned to Papyrus and Sans. Y̙̤o̮u ̯t͉wo͖ ̲ͅgo͓,͙̣ ̻̼̭g̖ọ͇ ̥̫ṉ̱o̞̬w.̯ ̼͈ ̬I̫ ̪̩will d̠̜i̪st͖racͅt ̤h̲im̰.̣̮

“No one goes anywhere!” Flowey said, his vines darting forward to strike at the skeletons.

Sans didn’t let himself think. He just grabbed Papyrus, and teleported away. 

“Wait, no, NO!” Flowey said, growing angry. “You don’t get to barge in here and ruin all my fun!” But he turned back to Gaster, that manic glee returning. “But I suppose I can have plenty of fun with you, can’t I?!”

Gaster closed his eyes, resigning himself to his fate. Yes. This would do just fine. He will distract Asriel–Flowey. He will buy enough time for Sans and Papyrus to do what needs to be done.

And if this final fight should be the end of him . . . so be it.

He just needed to hold out as long as he could.

He summoned another Blaster, and with a furious whine, a beam of pure energy blasted the wall of thorny vines as they descended upon him like a plague of serpents.

–

Undyne was racing as fast as she could to Snowdin, the Thorny Whip in her hand. She knew what she had to do–Flowey had warned her what would happen, and however much it broke her heart, she knew she had no other option–

Then she stopped dead, coming to a screeching halt. Standing right in front of her, right on the passage to Snowdin–

Was herself!

Undyne gaped, not trusting what she was seeing. “What–what sort of sick trick is this?!”

The Other Undyne was standing ready and braced, a spear in hand. “Look, I know this is gonna sound crazy, but I’m from the future and I’m here to stop you!”

Undyne ground her fangs together, steeling every muscle in her body as she swapped out the whip for her more tried and true weapon, her spear. “If this is some sort of practical joke, it’s not funny!”

“It’s not a joke! Look, if you hurt Papyrus, you’ll turn him into an uncontrollable beast and he’ll kill the human and you are going to ruin his life–!!!”

Undyne had heard enough from the impostor. She didn’t know why she had even bothered to stop, she had a mission and she needed to get to it!  She charged forward, screaming with rage and determination and brought her spear crashing down.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!”

The Other Undyne leaped backwards, bringing up her own spears and fending off her attack. She countered Undyne’s attacks with her own ferocity, her yellow eye glinting with the same determination.

They were both fighting for their friend, and they were both going to give it everything they had.

Despite the severity of the situation, Undyne couldn’t help but grin. She had always been dying for a match against a true opponent, someone who matched her skill in every way to push her to the very limits of what she was capable of. And fighting an evil impostor/clone/whatever was the perfect match!

She had done her homework. She had watched countless animes with Alphys and fighting an evil doppelganger was a common trope in those shows. And so she would use every trick and counter she knew of to defeat this evil version of herself and save Papyrus.

Undyne screamed, raining down an endless torrent of spears. The Other Undyne dodged nimbly out of the way, bringing up a green shield to block the attacks she couldn’t outmaneuver. She retaliated with a similar volley, ferocious and unending.

The Other Undyne was grinning, too, but there was fear and panic and desperation.

The same fear, panic and desperation that Undyne was feeling right now.

If she didn’t get to Papyrus soon–

She was wasting time here! She had to get around the Other Undyne–

She jumped high into the air, using her spears to catapult herself over the doppleganger. Once her feet touched the ground, she took off running as fast as she could towards Snowdin.

“Oh no you don’t, you BRAT!”

Undyne felt herself lurch to a stop as her soul glowed brightly with green energy freezing herself in place, she spun, scowling furiously at The Other.

“Well, seems the only way to get away from you is to kill you! So let’s make it quick!” Undyne snarled.

That was just fine with the Other Undyne. She just needed to keep stalling.

–

The world blinked back into focus with a flash of blue and a zap of ozone.

Papyrus blinked blearily, trying to get his bearings. They weren’t too far away from their house, it was just over the hill. All he and Sans had to do was exchange a look, give a nod, and begin their approach.

Papyrus . . . really didn’t have much of a plan. Not a solid one. Which probably wasn’t a good idea. He was mostly winging this. But he felt that he’d know what the right thing to do would be when the time came.

“Do you think Gaster’s going to be ok?” he asked suddenly.

Sans was surprised by the question, but he sighed, shaking his head. “No idea,” he admitted. “Flowey’s a real piece of work.” Papyrus frowned at that, and Sans, seeing his dejected expression, gave another sigh and added, “Then again, so’s the doc. He’s . . . strong. And smart. If anyone could put up a fight against Flowy, it’d be him.”

That got Papyrus a little more hopeful. “But how did Flowey even know we were here–”

“Flowey’s got his own influence on the timeline,” Sans reminded him. “So he’s more tuned in to abnormalities than normal monsters. Us popping in here? Yeah, might as well set off a fireball to announce our arrival to him.”

Papyrus winced. “I admit, I didn’t think about that.”

“Nothing to do about it now. Come on, let’s get moving, I’m not about to take any bets on how long the doc can stall him.”

They approached their house, cresting a distant hill and coming to the edge of the surrounding forest. And there, right in plain view, standing and waiting . . .

Was Papyrus.

Him. His past self.

Papyrus froze. Hm. He had no idea how surreal it would be seeing . . . himself. He was stunned for quite a while, just . . . staring. Sans noticed and gave him a soft elbow to jar him from his thoughts.

Papyrus started. “S-sorry. It’s just . . . weird.”

“Tell me about it.” Sans more than sympathised. “But this is good. The kid’s not here yet. We’re early. We can head back into town, cut the kid off.”

Papyrus nodded. Even he knew that it wouldn’t be the best idea to just go waltzing up to his past self and try to explain everything. That’d be way too confusing. Best if they tried to avoid running into themselves.

The exception was Undyne, of course.

They snuck back through the woods, back to town, and began their careful skirt around the perimeter to see if they could spot the human. 

It took them longer than they liked. Papyrus thought that the town being so dead and deserted would make things easier. But they must have been really early because the kid was nowhere in town. They were about to head further out of Snowdin, across the bridge, when Sans stopped him.

“Wait,” he whispered, gripping Papyrus’s arm. Papyrus froze, and saw Sans pointing across the way. Papyrus followed his brother’s gaze.

There they were. The human child, clothed in their signature striped shirt, a red bandana tied around their forehead and their hand adorned with a glove. They were hunched down low behind a building, carefully scanning in the direction where the brother’s house was.

“What are they doing?” Papyrus whispered.

“They’re waiting for something,” Sans muttered. A lightbulb went off in his head. Of course, how could he be so stupid? “They’re waiting for you.”  

Papyrus’s head snapped in his direction.

“They’re waiting for you to change.”

–

Undyne could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, sweat gleaming off her scales. This evil doppleganger from the future was giving her one hell of a beating, but she never lost sight of her objective.

She needed to get to Papyrus, and she needed to get to him NOW!

She defended every attack sent her way with the green shield, but every moment she could, she strained to break out of the stranglehold of the green magic binding her in place. It couldn’t last forever, both she and her evil clone knew that, but every second she was here was another second Papyrus was closer to danger!

But the second she felt that green energy fade, she knew exactly what she needed to do.

“I doubt you’re gonna listen to me, but dammit, it’s worth a shot!” the evil clone shouted over the roar of battle. “Flowey’s tricking you! He wants you to use the whip on Papyrus! It’ll make him lose control! Don’t make him go through that! Don’t let that stupid flower use you!”

“I’m not about to get brainwashed by an evil clone!” Undyne snarled. “How stupid do you think I am?!”

“Pretty damn stupid, apparently!” Future-Undyne snapped right back.

They clashed, spears flying in every direction. One spear grazed her arm, but she managed to land a solid blow on the clone, sending her reeling, her single yellow eye widening in shock.

Undyne grinned. The blow was hard enough to snap the other’s concentration on her green magic, allowing her to move freely once again.

Undyne did not hesitate. She reached forward, and pinged her evil clone’s soul with green magic, locking her in place.

The Future Undyne, momentarily surprised, took the maneuver in stride, grinning right back at her.

And then Undyne spun right around and sprinted as hard as she could, towards Snowdin, leaving her evil clone in the dust.

She could hear her clone scream in anguish and rage behind her.

She blocked out the sound. 

All that mattered was getting to Papyrus.

She needed to save him.

–

Vines lashed wildly through the air, their thorny limbs whistling through the ice-cold air as they seared towards their target. Gaster only blinked before he disappeared from view, apparating mere meters away and out of the vines’ wild swing.

“Hold still!” Flowey seethed. Vines erupted from the earth, serpentining around the doctor’s fragmented form, but he again disappeared from view, evading the attack.

“You are such a filthy CHEATER!” 

Y̘͈̹our͓ͅ ̳̲̳fi̭rst̫ m̖i̺sta̠k͍̻̱e ̘w͍͚͕as ass͖̤uming̥̭ I͎ ̹ͅwo̝u͚͇ḽ̪͎d̺ f̱igh̯t ̝̲̙f̤ͅa̜̪̭ir̰̬.̱̩ Gaster said coldly. 

Flowey gritted his teeth, redoubling his efforts. More vines came crashing down, more razor-sharp leaves sliced through the air, a hail of bullets pounded the entire field they found themselves in. Gaster responded with a flurry of bone attacks and several of those hellish skulls blasting him away with their powerful breath attacks.

But despite his frustrations, Flowey found himself utterly fascinated by this recent development. The long-forgotten Dr. Gaster, brought back to life?

Well, perhaps life was a generous term. Even now, Flowey could see the glitchy form of the skeleton monster strain with effort, his breaths haggard and labored. Though he remained cool and focused, there was no masking that look of sheer agony that occasionally crept across Gaster’s shattered face.

But why was the doc so intent on stopping him? He must know about his plan with Papyrus, but what caused him to care so much to come back and fight him?

Flowey gleamed. Oh, his plan must work most marvelously if the doc was this determined to stop him!

Which meant that Flowey had to ensure his plan came to fruition by any means necessary.

“Well, this has been most invigorating, the best fight I had in a while,” Flowey crooned. Gaster paused, catching his breath. “Really, way to get the blood pumping! Well, not like I have any of that, hee hee hee! But you know what I mean!”

I͚̮ cann̫̙͓o̦͇̩t̜͔ ̫̪͖l̪et ̭̺̜yo͚u̘ h̪̼̞a̩̙rm͉͖̘ ͈Pa̖̟̼p̞͈̹yru͚s̙͕̳. Gaster said in a low voice. E͈v͈e̲̝̗ṉ ̥you ̘̭̫wi͔ll͚̞̯ c̹̬o̠̮̭m̩e ̖̩to̼̮ ̟regr̦͓͇e͇̭͕t ̥͓̙it͔.

Flowey laughed indignantly. “Because you’re such a paragon of virtue, aren’t you? No, I think I’ll very much like having my own bit of fun! And I’m not letting you stop me!”

Gaster’s hand shot up, pinging Flowey with blue magic, preventing him from escaping. But Flowey anticipated such, hence why he taunted the doc to begin with. Vines appeared behind Gaster and shot right through his body, running him through and tearing him apart.

A static cacophonous scream of pain ripped through the air, but Flowey was already gone.

–

Undyne breached the border of Snowdin, the winter chill hitting her like a frozen slap across the face. It sucked the air right out of her lungs, but she pressed on. Papyrus’s house wasn’t much further–

Suddenly a little yellow flower popped up right in front of her. Flowey! She screeched to a halt before she accidentally ran him over. 

The flower looked up at her, panicked and out of breath. “More are here! More came to stop you!”

Undyne blinked. “What?!”

“It’s too hard to explain right now–but you can’t trust anyone you see! It’s a trick! They want to stop you! They want Papyrus to die!”

Undyne clenched her fist. “So, I’m not the only one with an evil clone here, am I?” Flowey’s only response was a miserable nod. She didn’t bother on the how and why of the matter, that wasn’t important. “Then I need to get to him right now!”

“Hurry!” Flowey urged. “I’ll try to stop the evil Papyrus and Sans for as long as I can!”

Undyne balked. Both an evil version of Papyrus and Sans were here, too?! One was a handful on their own, but if both of them were fighting together, they would be a nightmare. “Are you sure?”

“We don’t have a choice, and we don’t have time, now go!” Flowey urged, and Undyne took off without any further encouragement.

Flowey turned, letting a sinister smile creep across his face.

No one was going to ruin this.

He disappeared, taking off to search for the time-traveling skeleton brothers. 

–

Papyrus stood at the outskirts of Snowdin, not too far from the entrance of Waterfall, anxiously awaiting for the arrival of the human. It had been so dreadfully, hauntingly silent when he walked through the town. Everyone was inside, behind locked doors and shuttered windows. Everyone who was lucky enough to escape the human’s path of destruction, he thought bitterly to himself.

He steeled himself. The human was coming. And they were going down a very dark and dangerous path. For a moment, he had been conflicted between his duties as a Royal Guard and what was right. But he arrived at a conclusion he could be proud of: he needed to help this human find their way, even if it meant going against the Royal Guard’s orders.  The human needed his help and guidance!  Who was he to turn them away?

He heard footsteps rapidly approaching behind him, crunching through the snow. He quickly spun around, his eyes lighting up with recognition.

“Undyne–!” he said. His best friend’s arrival was a surprise but not an unwelcome one–

She reared back her fist and cracked him as hard as she could across the face, tears streaming from her singular golden eye.

–

“Something’s wrong.”

Papyrus heard it, too. There was a faint muffled sound of some sort of commotion, too far to make out any details but they could hear voices and what sounded like some sort of fighting.

The kid heard it, too, and they emerged from their hiding space and approached the sound.

Sans gritted his teeth. Did Undyne fail to stop her past self? No time to find out, he wasn’t letting the kid take another step forward.

He reached out his hand, glowing with magic. Papyrus’s own hand snapped out and snatched his wrist, pulling it downwards.

“No!” Papyrus protested in a hoarse whisper. 

“Paps, we don’t have time for this!” Sans snarled in frustration. “We talked about this, we have to stop the kid, no matter what!”

“And we can do it without hurting them!” Papyrus insisted. “Watch!”

Papyrus raised his own hand, glowing with blue magic. He targeted the snow covering the roof of a nearby building and with a simple flick of his wrist, the telekinetic magic caused it to come loose, falling to the ground in a cascade of snow right in front of the human.

The human jumped, just barely missing the wall of snow. They glanced around, looking for the cause of the disturbance, but shrugged and tried to trudge through the mound of snow now blocking their path. It was hard work, with snow so loose, but they pushed through with sheer determination.

Papyrus reached out and pinged the next house, causing the snow from that roof to fall right in front of the human once again.

The human stopped. They squinted suspiciously.

Sans couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, I gotta admit, that’s pretty funny.”

The stalling wasn’t enough, even Papyrus was aware of that. But how to get the human away from . . . from him?

Suddenly, a vine lashed around his mouth, gagging him. Papyrus let out a muffled scream of surprise before he was dragged away. More vines wrapped around him, binding him in place. Papyrus tried to thrash and wriggle himself free, but could barely budge an inch. The thorns on the vines scratched painfully against his bones, causing him to wince. Sans was similarly trapped, his eyes flashing blue and yellow. He was trying to teleport away, but somehow the vines were preventing him from doing so.

And away they were dragged, away from the human. Papyrus could see them crest the last snow mound and make their final approach.

Papyrus tried to scream. But his muffled voice barely reached his own ears.

Flowey appeared before them, that menacing smile greeting them once more.

“Honestly, I’m flattered!” he giggled. “I’m flattered you traveled all across space and time to stop little ol’ me! Which means just one thing: my plan must be something REALLY special!”

In the distance, a scream broke through the deathly silent air.

–

Undyne watched in horror as her friend’s body twisted and convulsed. She had watched Papyrus transform dozens, if not hundreds of times. But this . . . this was different. More violent. More visceral.

The changes were different. The spikes running along his back weren’t that long, they weren’t serrated–his tail didn’t have spikes on the end–his horns were different–

What was HAPPENING to him?!

“What have you DONE?!”

That was her voice. Did she say that?!

But no. Behind her was her evil doppleganger, quickly approaching but her steps faltered when she saw the state Papyrus was in.

Undyne could see the horror and pain and regret on her clone’s face. That expression . . . it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. 

It was harrowing.

Her clone snarled with rage, turning on her. “Do you see now?! Idiot!!!”  She summoned a spear to her side, resolution dominating her features. But still, there was that pain, that regret, that haunting sorrow. “We don’t have a choice now. We have to stop him!”

Undyne shuddered. Another scream erupted from Papyrus as his body continued to change, growing larger and far more monstrous with every passing second. “But Papyrus ca defeat the human–”

“THAT’S NOT PAPYRUS ANYMORE!!!”

Undyne stared. She couldn’t believe it . . . but the proof was right in front of her. That feral gleam in the dragon’s eyes right in front of them . . . there was nothing left of her friend in that thing that now stood before her.

The dragon let out a death rattle as the final changes overcame it. It rose to its full height–far taller than he was supposed to be, far more feral, far more dangerous, far more deadly. And those blazing orange eyes snapped right to them.

Undyne felt her blood freeze.

As fast as a viper, it lunged forward, those terrible jaws gaping wide to snap down on her–

There was a sudden flash of blue and a crack of ozone. Undyne blinked. They now found themselves in the Hotland labs?! She spun around, seeing her (maybe not so evil?) clone by her side and . . . Sans?

Sans was staring up at the both of them. His expression was shocked, understandably so, but Undyne could detect a hint of anger. But it was mostly shock as he glanced back and forth between the two of them.

“Well.” Sans said. “No one told me Undyne had a twin sister.”

The other Undyne began to rattle off at full speed. “SANS! I know this sounds crazy but I’m from the future and I came back in time with Papyrus and you to stop myself from hurting Papyrus–obviously that didn’t work but right now we need to make sure Papyrus doesn’t kill the kid because if he does, he’s going to screw up the timeline forever–!”

Undyne stared at her doppleganger. She didn’t know what to believe. But what she did know was that Flowey lied to her. Or at the very least, horribly manipulated her. And because of that lie, she hurt her very best friend in the worst way.

So now she was very angry.

Sans was still staring at the doppleganger, the shock wearing off and replaced by an unreadable mask. 

“Well, that explains the anomalies I just saw . . .” he muttered.

“Oh, Gaster’s here, too, he’s helping us, so don’t kill him,” the other Undyne added quickly.

That proved to be the worst thing to say as both Sans and Undyne froze, stiffening in rage.

“Gaster’s here?” Sans asked. His eyes were completely empty, his voice low and dangerous.

The future Undyne mentally kicked herself. She should have kept that little tidbit to herself–

“He’s the only reason we were able to get here,” she said quickly. “Look, be pissed at him all you want, but we need to get back there and save Papyrus! Now are you going to help me or what?!” Undyne asked furiously.

But both Undyne and Sans knew that Gaster was undoubtedly the cruelest monster to ever live. He was the one responsible for what was happening to Papyrus, after all. 

The two of them turned on the future Undyne, spears and bones summoned to their sides. Future-Undyne wanted to scream. Her and her big fat stupid mouth.

“I don’t know what sort of trick you’re pulling but it’s not gonna work!” Undyne snarled. 

“You wanna ask him yourself?! Go for it!” Future-Undyne cried. “But we’re wasting time! We have to move!!! NOW!!!”

Undyne and Sans exchanged a look. If Undyne was lying, a lot of monsters were going to be hurt.

But if she was telling the truth, their entire existence could be in jeopardy.

Sans glared up at her. “If you’re lying–”

“You can kick my ass to kingdom come, now let’s GO ALREADY!!!” Undyne said, stomping her foot impatiently.

Sans gripped both Undyne’s hands and teleported away.

–

Flowey dragged Papyrus and Sans away from the imminent battle, feeling them both struggle in his grip. He let out a mad cackle. Their desperation was just so delicious! Perhaps he could indulge their worst fantasies and force them to witness the battle for themselves! Personally, he wanted to see the monstrous Papyrus rip that little brat to bloody shreds!!!

L̥̣EŤ͆͆ ͔̀TḪ̤͌̀̊ͅE̮̼ͮ̓M ̟̰G̭̻͌̓O̠̎!̲̪͒̽!!

Two Gaster Blasters appeared at the brother’s sides, their jaws snapping down on the vines and freeing them from their grasp. Papyrus jumped to his feet and helped Sans to his. 

Gaster had come to their rescue! But the doctor was on the brink of turning to dust. His body was barely there as it was glitching in and out of existence like static on a television, his expression one of pain as he struggled to stay present. But underneath all that, his eyes glowed a bright and brilliant blue as through brute determination alone he hung onto existence.

Papyrus gaped. “Gaster–!”

Ḡ̰Oͮ̽ͣͫ͋!̦̬̰͕̾̎̆̚!̓! ̼͔̜͔͙͍̄̆͑͑͗̓N̹͒Ô̳͖͕̖͉̦ͬͪ̓̎͌W!̗͍͕̮!̟͔̭̲̓̏̍̓!͉͙̼̱͎̼ͦ͋͛͗̉ͤ

Sans gripped his hand and tugged him along, leaving Gaster alone to fight Flowey. He tried not to think how this was undoubtedly the last time they’d see Gaster alive.

They had to make this count. They charged forward, towards the battle. 

They arrived at the clearing just in time to see the skeletal draconic Papyrus finish his shifting, turning its hellish gaze upon the two Undynes standing before it. It leaped into the air, ready to sink its teeth and claws into the two fish-monsters, before they inexplicably zapped out of existence with a familiar blue spark of magic.

Sans managed to snatch them away at the brink of time.

But they weren’t done yet. They could see the human approach, their eyes lighting up with eager anticipation as they saw the monstrous dragon before them.

And the dragon saw them.

It let out a furious roar, ready to pounce.

“NO!” Papyrus cried. He rushed forward, and using all his strength, he encompassed the dragon with blue magic. The dragon let out a shocked yelp as its body crashed to the ground as if struck with an immense invisible weight. It roared and thrashed viciously, fighting back against Papyrus. Papyrus gritted his teeth, using every ounce of his strength to keep the dragon–himself–pinned.

The human stared back and forth between the two Papyrus-es, one draconic, one humanoid, in complete bafflement.

“Human!” Papyrus called out. The dragon opened its jaws, ready to let out a deadly blast. But Papyrus shifted his focus, forcing the jaws to snap closed. “Y-you cannot fight this! It’s too strong! You will be destroyed!”

The human paused, almost considering it. Then they charged forward, fist raised, ready to engage the dragon. Papyrus winced. No! This wasn’t what he wanted!

“I’m sorry, bro,” Sans said regretfully. “But if the way to stop it is to put you down–”

“No! No one has to get hurt!” Papyrus shouted. He diverted some of his magic to the human, freezing them in place. “We–we just have to exhaust it–him–me!!! He can’t keep it up forever! Just tire him out!”

Sans could have slapped him. Even now, he was so stupidly optimistic. 

But he reached out, and used his own magic to pin the dragon down. It again let out a furious roar, but it was strong. Even with the brother’s combined efforts, they could feel the dragon slipping from their control.

It also didn’t help that the human was so determined to fight the dragon themselves and was fighting Papyrus’s control just as fiercely. They managed to break free, and charged forward, swinging their fist and landing a heavy blow against the dragon’s skull.

The dragon’s head snapped to the side from the impact, but didn’t appear the blow itself did much damage. But it enraged the beast and with a surge of incredible strength it broke free of the brother’s control and lashed out with its wicked claws.

Papyrus was at the ready and caught the limb mid-swing, slowing it considerably. The human managed to duck mostly out of the way, the blow glancing off their side and shredding the hem of their shirt. They winced from the impact but it was a miracle they hadn’t been torn to pierces. Gritting their teeth and steeling their resolve, they attacked again.

“Please stop!” Papyrus shouted. “You’re just making it worse!”

Sans was right by his brother’s side, carefully weighing his options. He shouldn’t have been surprised his brother was so steadfastly resolved to fix this whole mess with pacifism. Sans had to find a way to fix this around Papyrus’s impediment. Realistically, if Sans went full-bore like he did when he typically fought the human at the end of the palace corridors, he could take them out. The human’s LV was still relatively low right now. But attacking the human outright would make Papyrus turn on him and he’d try to stop them. 

So the best thing he could do was keep the dragon pinned down and let the kid finish him off. It was . . . brutal, and he hated the idea of helping the brat kill his own brother. 

But if it saved their timeline, if it ensured their future remained intact, it was the only thing he could do.

“I’m sorry, bro,” Sans said as he focused all his magic on the dragon. It thrashed, its orange eyes wild and wide as it tried to attack, managing a slow and stuttering swipe once in a while, but for the human, it was like shooting a fish in a barrel.

And for that reason, the human was left unsatisfied.

“Don’t help me!” the human shouted.

That got Sans and Papyrus to start. The human barely spoke, and now they were glowering warningly at them.

“I want to fight him! You’re ruining it!”

Sans could have blasted that kid if he could. “Kid, this is a fight you can’t win. This thing is specifically designed to eat little freaks like you.”

“Then let me try!” Then the brat had the audacity to lunge at him! It was enough to cause Sans’ concentration to slip, causing the dragon to finally wrestle itself free of their control. The dragon roared, completely enraged and snapped around, going right for the kill.

Papyrus dove forward, wrapping the kid in his arms and shoving them away just in time. But the jaws snapped down hard around Papyrus, and the skeleton let out a cry of pain. He winced, bracing himself, but he had just managed to grip the dragon’s jaws, preventing them from closing around him completely and snapping him in half. 

He then forced the jaws open just enough for him to worm his way out, falling clumsily to the ground. Papyrus cradled his side, wincing in pain. 

“Human! Are you alright?!” he called out. 

But the human wasn’t paying attention to him. They just charged right forward, fist raised, landing another blow on the distracted beast. It reeled for just a second before twisting around, its tail lashing out to swipe at them.

Papyrus once again used his blue magic to stop the tail dead in its tracks, allowing the human to easily dodge, but they were angry at Papyrus’s interference. Sans regained his footing and summoned a Gaster Blaster and the blast from the skull construct knocked the dragon off its feet.

“Why are you helping me?!”

“Because you can die!”

“I don’t care.”

“Die for GOOD!!!”

That got the kid to stop and stare at him. Papyrus latched onto that moment of hesitation for dear life.

“If I–if that dragon kills you, you won’t be able to come back!” Papyrus warned. “That’s it! No more do-overs! No more resets!”

The human’s eyes went wide. And Papyrus desperately hoped the human sensed his sincerity, or at least his desperation.

The human swallowed, staring down the draconic beast. It was back on its feet, shaking itself off, and ready to attack again. 

“Fine. We’ll fight it together.”

“I was hoping you’d just–run away and let it tire itself out!” Papyrus called out feebly.

But the human wasn’t so eager to throw away such an exhilarating fight. Their approach became far more defensive, reacting to incoming attacks instead of bull-rushing straight on. Papyrus didn’t like that approach any better! They still wanted to kill him!

And worst of all, Sans was in on it. His entire focus was on stopping the dragon at every turn, impeding its attacks by freezing it in place. Then the kid could wail on it to their heart’s content.

Papyrus moved to stop them, but more commotion caught his eye behind him. Arriving at the scene was Undyne! Actually, two of them! Along with another Sans!

The human blinked, rubbing their eyes. Papyrus didn’t blame them if they thought they had started seeing double.

“Come on! Take him down!” Undyne cried out, throwing a volley of spears at the dragon. Papyrus couldn’t tell if that was past or future Undyne. He supposed it didn’t quite matter at the moment.

Now everyone was on the dragon, pummeling it with magic attacks. It tried to fight back, tried to bite and claw at anyone that got too close, even tried to blast them with its devastating laser attack, but the two Sans-es worked together to keep it immobile as the Undynes and the human unleashed their full strength against it. 

Papyrus watched, horrified. This wasn’t right! This isn’t what he wanted! He didn’t want anyone getting hurt! Not even the dragon!

And then it got worse. Vines whipped into the fray, gripping everyone and pulling them away, even pinning the dragon under a cocoon of thorns. Papyrus turned to see Flowey emerge from the forest.

And in one of his many tendril-like vines he gripped Gaster–or whatever horrific remnants there was left of him.

Papyrus gasped.

“Now, now!” Flowey said in a sickly sweet voice. “I don’t think we should spoil all the human’s fun, should we?”

He dropped Gaster unceremoniously to the ground where he splattered like tar, his form incomprehensible. Papyrus could barely make out his face.

Flowey pulled both Undynes and both Sans-es away, leaving the kid free to approach the dragon. He loosened his grip on the dragon as well, letting it rise to its feet for one final fight.

The dragon had been significantly weakened, but it had more than enough ferocity left in it to cause devastating harm.

And Papyrus saw the future play out before him. He saw flashes of red against the snow. He saw the human’s body torn to pieces. He could hear the tortured, agonized wails of pain and grief. 

He felt every crippling moment of pain and sorrow he experienced tenfold. He felt it all in that one moment, and he knew that he NEEDED to stop it from happening ever again.

The dragon’s jaws snapped open, a terrible whine building in its throat as its maw glowed a bright and blinding blue. The human hunched over, ready to strike.

Papyrus rushed forward, screaming.

”STOP!!!”

He threw himself in front of the human, his arms stretched out to his sides.

The blast hit him full-force, all that magic searing his entire body like fire. It consumed him in a terrible pain, pain so complete he thought he would rend to dust right then and there.

It was over as fast as it started. Papyrus collapsed to his hands and knees, every bone in his body shaking. But he looked over his shoulder, seeing the human was unharmed.

The human was in shock. Their mouth was dropped open, their eyes wide, their hands hanging limply at their sides.

Papyrus turned back to face the dragon, who had also paused. It let out a low continuous growl, but . . . it wasn’t attacking them.

The skeleton shoved himself to his feet. He forced one foot in front of the other, limping towards the dragon. Every step was agony. Every move took every ounce of his concentration and will.

Everything hurt. 

But it was nothing compared to the hurt the dragon–himself–was surely experiencing.

He wasn’t aware of everyone else behind him, who were watching, stunned and frozen in place, waiting with bated breath.

“It’s ok . . .” Papyrus whispered, raising a hand to the dragon. 

The dragon flinched away from him, letting out a louder warning growl.

“I know . . . I know,” Papyrus said, stepping closer still. The dragon didn’t move. Those orange eyes were locked firmly on Papyrus, still letting out a steady growl like thunder. “You must be so angry and so scared. I know. I too was hurt. And . . . I did something so very terrible. And whatever hurt you’re feeling now . . . it doesn’t come close to the hurt I felt then.”

Behind him, Undyne winced with guilt.

“None of this should have happened. And I’m so very sorry it did happen. But it can stop.  All of this can stop right now. No one has to hurt anyone anymore. Not them. Not you.”

Papyrus was so close now, so close he could reach out and touch the dragon.

He raised his hand. The dragon flinched away from him.

“It’s ok,” Papyrus said softly. “I’m not going to hurt you. And I won’t let them hurt you anymore, either.”

Flowey let out a snarl, ready to show that stupid skeleton just how wrong he was. But two skeletons and two Undynes simultaneously reached out and pinned him down, preventing him from moving a single inch. Both Sans-es and Undynes glared down at him warningly.

Papyrus stepped closer. The dragon pulled back its head, growling louder, so he stopped, and just held his hands in the air before him. He wouldn’t put a hand on the dragon if it did not want to. He could be patient.

And slowly, very slowly, the dragon’s growls softened to a whimper, and then to a whine. The savage and feral gleam in those eyes faded. And Papyrus could see . . . something within.

Familiarity. Recognition. Pain and hurt.

“It’s ok.”

The dragon closed its eyes. Its body began to shake. 

“It’s ok. It’s over. It’s all over.”

Its head extended forward, its snout pressing into Papyrus’s hand. Papyrus breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around its muzzle.

“It’s ok. You’re ok. It’s going to be ok.”

And he stood there for a long time, just holding the poor tortured creature, whispering soft words of assurance to it. And then the dragon’s body sagged, overcome by exhaustion, and it crumpled to the ground. Papyrus followed it down, kneeling before the dragon, still cradling its massive head in its hands.

Its body crackled with orange magic, and at this, Papyrus pulled away. He recognized this magic. The dragon’s body began to shrink and change, the horns and spikes and tail all disappearing as it became smaller and more humanoid. In moments, the dragon reverted back to its proper shape–Papyrus.

The Papyrus that was once a dragon looked up blearily at himself, and a brief look of confusion crossed his face before the exhaustion of the battle and the transformation consumed him and he fell unconscious.

Papyrus eased himself to the ground, making sure he was ok–he hadn’t quite gotten over how surreal this all was, but that wasn’t important. All that mattered was that he was ok–

They all were ok.

He turned back around to see everyone staring at him, all with some mixture of shock, awe, and admiration, though Flowey mostly looked furious. But the human especially was fixated on him. And Papyrus thought he saw tears in the human’s eyes.

There was silence. No one seemed sure what to even say, certainly not Papyrus.

But then the human, of all people, spoke up.

All they said was one word, thick and choked with emotion as tears threatened to spill.

“Why?”

Papyrus simply shrugged. He knew why, but he too was exhausted, barely able to stand after enduring a single blow from the dragon. 

“Because . . . because  it was right,” he said. “Hurting people–it never does any good, does it? It just . . . hurts people. It only leads to bad things. You know the old phrase, hurt people hurt people. Which sounds . . . silly when you say it like that. But the pain you inflict on someone, it . . . reverberates. Echoes across everyone they come across. I . . . I didn’t want you–anyone–to have that happen to them.”

The human lowered their head. “I just–I needed to know what happened, and I just thought–” They stopped themselves, shaking their head. “I could always fix things if they went wrong.”

“Not everything,” Papyrus muttered. He grinned. “Why do you think we’re here?”

Again, a heavy silence hung around them. Undyne–the Undyne from the future–came to his side and cast healing magic on him to make sure he didn’t collapse into dust. 

“That was unbelievably stupid of you,” she said, biting back tears. “But . . . It was also really brave.”

Papyrus just shrugged in response. What else was there to say?

But once he was feeling marginally better, he pushed himself to his feet. There was one other person he had to see to.

Gaster.

The scientist was reduced to a fraction of his former self. He was leaning up against a tree, barely holding himself together. Papyrus came to his side, desperately struggling with what to do. Did he need healing? Would healing magic even work on him?

Seeing Papyrus’s distress, Gaster raised a hand–a hand that was rapidly blinking in and out of existence.

D͚̖͓on't̙̘̗ wor͉r̘͙̜y ̩̳a̼̯boṷ̘t m̗̹e.̭ I͉ṭ͎̳ ͓̥is ̙o̝v̘̝ͅe͍͖̳r.

Papyrus didn’t know what to say, because he knew what the doctor meant. Gaster closed his eyes, sighing with content.

I̩̠̜ c̠a̤n g̬o̲͕̤ ̜̖̹ịn̖̥ pe͖ac̩e̠ now. A͕̬̲nd̤̳̦ now̹͕̝,̮̦ so̗ͅ ̗̝̠must͚ ̱̠y̘͇̠o͓u.̗

“But now what do we do?” Past-Undyne spoke up. “I mean, I don’t know a lot about time travel and stuff, but doesn’t having two of us around cause a paradox or something? That’s bad, right?”

“It’s easy enough to fix, actually,” Sans spoke up. Which Sans was that? It was hard to tell. “All the kid needs to do is RESET. And everything will go back to normal.”

“Normal . . . how?” Future-Undyne asked. “Are we just gonna disappear?”

“I mean, technically yes? Because our future wouldn’t have happened. So we’ll no longer exist.”

“So we’re just gonna blink out of existence?!” Undyne shouted. “I didn’t sign up for that!”

“You blink out of existence every time the kid resets,” Sans reminded her calmly. “That’s time travel for you.”

Undyne stared. “Ugh. Time travel is bullshit. It’s now my least favorite anime trope.”

Papyrus laughed.

The human looked between all of them, including the glowering and fuming Flowey who hadn’t yet tried anything because one Sans was bad enough and now there were two and Flowey knew those trash bags were begging for an excuse to throttle him.

“So . . . I just go back? And it’s like none of this ever happened?” the human clarified.

“Yup. Same as always,” Sans said casually.

“Then no one’s going to remember anything that happened!”

“No one but you, kiddo,” Sans said. “Same as always.”

The human’s gaze went far away. It hit them rather hard that no one was going to remember this, or at least, not fully. Sans might remember bits and pieces, he always seemed to have some sort of awareness of the resets, but never a complete picture.

But if the human wanted to try this again, nothing and no one could stop them.

Which, for the first time in their life, was horrifying.

It didn’t escape them what absolutely insane and absurd lengths the monsters went through to stop them. Which meant that the future in which they succeeded must have been truly awful.

So awful that Sans and Papyrus and Undyne traveled back in time to stop them.

It hit them hard and pierced deep. This gift they had–this power of DETERMINATION–they had been using it so foolishly, so callously, not paying a second’s mind to how badly it was hurting everyone around them.

Because they thought it didn’t matter, they could just do it over–

But that clearly wasn't the case. It was just like Papyrus said, there were echoes. Even if they couldn’t see it now, their actions still hurt them. 

The human collapsed to their knees and sobbed. They felt Papyrus kneel down right next to them, and he wrapped his arms around them in a hug and held them tight.

The human decided they didn’t want to hurt anyone else. No more. Not again. Never again.

“I’m sorry . . .” they said. “I’m so sorry . . .”

“I know,” Papyrus said. “But you still have the choice to make it right.”

The human knew that. To them, there wasn’t a choice. So they wasted no more time.

Their soul filled with DETERMINATION.

And they RESET.

[multiplicity-positivity]

Here’s some positivity for villain introjects who are trying to be better!

Life as an introject can often be messy and complicated. Sorting through emotions, memories, and traits inherited by your source while simultaneously trying to forge your own identity can be a difficult task! While it may be challenging, though, it certainly is not impossible. This post goes out to all the introjects of villain characters who are trying to improve or push for positive growth!

✨ Shoutout to introjects who used to act and behave much like their source but have since started trying to change their ways!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects whose lives are filled with apologies, reminders, second chances, mistakes, and determination!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects whose source memories or exomemories make it challenging for them to strive towards positive change!

✨ Shoutout to introjects whose villainous source has a big impact on who they are today!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects who have to make conscious efforts and decisions to choose kindness in their lives!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects who are trying to improve despite their efforts not being noticed or recognized by others around them!

✨ Shoutout to villain introjects who are tired of being distrusted, disrespected, ignored, or avoided by others because of their source!

🌱 Shoutout to villain introjects who have done the work and are now in a much better place than they were when they first formed!

💕 Shoutout to villain introjects in need of lots of support, advice, resources, and guidance in order to develop or properly work on self-improvement!

✨ Shoutout to villain introjects who reject the standards and expectations of others, and aim to improve themselves because that is truly what they want for their lives!

Friends, being an introject of a villain does not mean that you are destined to follow in the footsteps of your source. Change may not come naturally for you. You may find yourself predisposed towards actions and thoughts that your source had. You may sometimes worry that you literally are your source. But please try to remember that you are so capable of positive growth, even when it’s hard or seems impossible. Your hard work and efforts are not going unnoticed. We see you and we want to recognize the strides you’ve made towards progress!

Please do your best to be gentle and compassionate with yourselves today. Recognize that change is a process, and the goals you are striving for likely won’t be achieved overnight. Know that we’re in your corner rooting for you every step of the way. You’ve got this! You have a very bright future ahead of you, and we’re excited to see where your journey takes you. Thank you so much for reading, and take care!

[covna]

COVNA’s 17th Eco-Innovation Summit: A Milestone for a Greener Future

Imagine a breezy day in Wuxi on August 24, 2024—the perfect setting for a gathering that promises to shape the future. The 17th COVNA Environmental Innovation Salon Summit brought together bright minds and industry leaders at the Buckingham Palace Hotel, marking another chapter in COVNA’s journey toward global excellence.

COVNA has long been a trusted name in the industrial valve sector, providing top-tier pneumatic, solenoid, and electric valves to clients across 120 countries. This summit was not just another event—it was a celebration of the strides we’ve made under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, a plan that prioritizes sustainability and eco-friendly innovation.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanged ideas, and explored new avenues for collaboration. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and a shared commitment to making the world a better place, one valve at a time. As COVNA continues to lead the way, our dedication to quality and innovation remains unwavering, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed the expectations of our global clientele.

So, what’s next for COVNA? With our eyes set on the future, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the valve industry, all while staying true to our core values of sustainability and innovation. Stay tuned, because with COVNA, the best is yet to come.

[scullysexual]

A Jewel Beneath The Moonlight [Rewrite]

@today-in-fic | ao3

Summary: For Mulder, a wealthy English-bred socialite who’s had everything given to him since birth, the Titanic is shipping him off to a prison, a life he no longer wishes for or wants. For Scully, an Irish stranger from the lower class, it offers a new life, a future she can truly envision in America. What if the universe put them on the same path to achieve those dreams at the cost of life?

Chapter Nine.

Mulder’s head was swimming, his brain couldn’t comprehend the knowledge as he strides towards his room. Scully is quiet beside him yet she still shimmers with rage, with fear and concern.

Her brother is downstairs.

The realisation hits him like a ton of bricks. She should be down there with Charlie making sure he’s okay, not running around with him.

He stops with a sudden halt, Scully crashes into him.

“Mulder…”

“Go downstairs, Scully,” he says, spinning to face her. “Go check on Charlie.”

She’s speechless for a second, maybe she’s only just remembering this as well. He sees that she’s about to turn around, to do as he says, but stops herself, shaking her head.

“He’ll be fine, they’ve probably already started the evacuation process.”

Right, there’s procedure for this kind of thing. Word that they have hit an iceberg gets around quickly, every member of staff will know what’s happened and they’ll know how to get everyone to the top decks safely.

The two of them proceed on with their journey, a steward hastily runs down the corridor, Mulder gives Scully an uneasy look.

Their destination is reached soon enough. There’s no time for manners, no time for knocking on doors and waiting to be let in, they need to be in there now.

It doesn’t surprise him to find it already unlocked and pushes it open. His family, and Krycek, turn to look at him.

“There you are. Hungry? You did miss dinner after all,” Father says, his eyes widen when Scully appears from behind Mulder. “What is she doing here, Fox?”

Mulder dismisses his father. “We don’t have time for all that. The ship hit an iceberg, that’s what I’m here to tell you.”

“Yes, I heard. I didn’t think that was true. Anyway, there’s a matter that I need to discuss with you—”

“It is true,” Mulder says, interrupting. “We were there. We saw it happen.”

“It’s not bad, is it?” asks Phoebe. Mulder hears the genuine concern in her voice.

He looks to Scully, wondering what to say. Scully remains quiet and emotionless beside him.

He turns back to Phoebe, answering as honestly as he can. “We don’t know,” he says. “What we do know is that the lifeboats only have room for a thousand and something people. There’s a lot more than that on board, more than half will die.”

Entirely preoccupied with Phoebe’s expression, how she mulls this information over with what seems to be distress he wonders for a second if he hears his father right.

“Not the better half, at least.”

If Scully’s energy had dulled out during this conversation, it’s cranked right back up to a thousand at the throwaway comment.

“How can you say that?”

Phoebe gasps. “But they said it couldn’t sink!” She wanders from the bed to the vanity, sitting herself down into the chair by it.

“I’ll get more information,” says Krycek, edging away from the wall. “If the ship is about to flood, we best make sure we’re not on it when it happens.” He walks towards the door, brushing against Scully in the process.

“Right, all that aside I want to discuss a certain unwanted gift I received upon entering the room—”

“It’s gone!” Phoebe cries, cutting Bill off. Mulder has no time to jump from the first issue to the second.

“What is?” he asks.

“One of my perfume bottles.”

“Are you sure?” asks Mother.

“Yes, I had six laid out and there’s only five here.” Her head whirls towards Scully’s direction. “You took it,” she accuses.

Mulder turns to look at Scully, dumbstruck over this entire situation. The look on her face tells him that she is as much confused as he is, speechless.

“I…I didn’t take anything!”

“You did when Fox brought you in here to draw that disgusting portrait of you.”

Mulder turns back to his father. In his hands he holds a folded piece of paper. An act of recklessness, a display of rebellion and his father holds the evidence in his hands, just as they wanted.

“I didn’t take your stupid perfume,” argues Scully.

“The note that was left was a nice touch indeed. Now you can keep us both captive and who’s clever idea was it to write that?” asks Bill.

Mulder looks to Scully.

“I thought as much.” Bill heads over to the fireplace, throwing the drawing into the flames. Mulder watches the embers curl the paper. A masterpiece burning to pieces.

“Can somebody search her at least!” Phoebe exclaims.

There was too much to process; the ship might be sinking, his father knows about their tryst and Scully’s just been accused of stealing. His head hurts.

“I’ll get someone to fetch the master-at-arms,” Mother says, running over to the door.

“I haven’t taken anything, Phoebe,” Scully helplessly disputes. Mulder makes eye contact with her and gently shakes his head, it’s a losing battle.

“Turn out your pockets then,” Father instructs just as Mother re-enters, telling them that the master-at-arms was on his way.

Mulder watches as Scully fists her hands into her skirt pockets. Her eyes widen and Mulder’s stomach drops to the floor, knowing what she knows.

Slowly, Scully drags out a vial.

“I told you!” Phoebe screams. “I told you she had it!”

Scully is gobsmacked, shaking her head as she stares at the vial disbelief. “I didn’t put that in there.”

“So you’re saying it just magically appeared there?”

Mulder doesn’t know what to believe. He racks through his memories of earlier. Had there been any point where he’d left her alone? Only when she had gotten undressed but she was in the bedroom then. The bottle she holds in the Sunset Ocean one, the one he put on her wrist. He never gave her the bottle. Did she pocket it when he wasn’t looking? Mulder feels a sense of betrayal run through his body.

“What seems to be the problem then?”

Mulder turns his head to see an older man standing in the doorway.

“There’s been a case of thieving going on,” Father explains. The man looks around the room before his eyes narrow on Scully, completely out of place in her plain peasant clothes.

“This one did it I take it?” the man asks. “Is that what she stole?” He motions to the bottle she still holds in her hands.

“According to my daughter-in-law, yes,” says Bill.

The man swipes the bottle out of Scully’s hands, handing it back to Phoebe.

“They always try,” the man says, taking out a pair of handcuffs and pulling Scully’s arms behind her back.

“They put it in there! That Krycek did when he walked past me.”

The man only laughs. “And the tales that this ship is currently filling up with water are true.” He turns to address Father then. “I’m sorry for your time wasted.” He begins to drag Scully towards the door. “You shan’t be seeing her again after this.”

“I didn’t take it, Mulder, I swear! They put it in there. You know they did!”

Mulder doesn’t know what happened. He didn’t see. He didn’t see her take it earlier and he didn’t see Krycek put anything into his pocket. He didn’t see.

Mulder stares at the floor, flabbergasted at the whole scenario. Father strays over to him, placing a hand upon his shoulder.

“I’m sorry it had to come out this way, Fox,” he says. “The ones we love always hurt us the most. You’re free of her now.”

Mulder says nothing, he just watches as Phoebe places the perfume bottle back in its place, a sly, knowing smile across her face.

This was ridiculous.

The ship was currently filling up with water and all these people can care about is stupid perfume bottles.

It’s typical. Typical rich people and unable to get their priorities straight.

Scully should’ve known better.

And Mulder. He knows she’s didn’t take anything, he was there for Christ’s sake and yet nothing, he did nothing to defend her.

She tries not to be hurt, to change that hurt into understanding maybe he was just as confused as she was.

Or maybe he believed she’d taken the bottle anyway.

Scully adjusts her wrists, the handcuffs cutting into her skin. Fury rushes through her when she eyes Krycek leaning against a door, a smug smile across his face. He knocked into her. He put the bottle in her pocket.

“They finally caught you, did they?”

Scully glares at him as she’s dragged into the office. “You put it in there,” she says to him.

Krycek just cocks his head slightly. “Did I?”

Scully’s pulled into the office. Through a doorway is a bedroom, in much of the same style as all third class accommodation. The office is plain; a desk, a pinboard, a cupboard full of different keys. A place for criminals of the minor offenses to be held until they dock.

Or until they drown, she thinks with morbid thought.

The master-at-arms briefly unlocks the bracelet, tugging Scully’s wrists up as he wraps the chain around a pipe then clips the cuff back around her wrists.

“I didn’t do it,” Scully says again. There’s no fight in her voice, no energy, she just wants someone to listen to her story, that’s all she wants.

But the man just ignores her.

“Now, you just stay nice and snug there, Miss Scully, we’ll sort this out later.”

Scully just rolls her eyes. There’s not going to be a later, does nobody understand that?

“Sir,” says a steward appearing from around the doorframe and out of breath. “There’s an issue in the third class. They need you.”

The master-at-arms eyes Scully with hesitation. She looks aimlessly back, her eyes flicking between the officer and Krycek.

“I can stay with her,” Krycek says. Scully looks away, annoyance flooding through her at the thought of Krycek being the person she’s about to spend her last hours with.

“I’ll be right back,” the master-at-arms says before he’s following the steward out of the office.

With one last attempt, Scully sighs, “I didn’t do it.”

The boy sits down at the desk, his feet immediately propped up and a gleefully smile across his face. He’s enjoying every second of this.

“I know,” he says. “But they all believe you did- The Mulders, the officer. Mulder,” he adds with a bite.

A twinge of pain pangs in Scully’s chests. No matter what excuses she came up for Mulder, the truth was clear; he didn’t believe her, and having it be spoken aloud just solidifies it for her.

Scully stares out of the porthole, not that she can see anything but her own reflection. A tornado of emotions spin within her. She’s about to die, handcuffed to a pipe, on a ship she never asked to be on, being accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

She could kill Charlie for his stupid ideas.

Charlie…She wonders where he is. Did he feel the collision? Is he heading towards top deck?

That steward had said there’d been an issue. Is Charlie apart of that issue?

Worry for her brother joins the already busy tornado of emotions.

“That picture…” Krycek says, and God, could he just shut up so she can die in peace, please? “I see what Mulder sees in you now. Shame such a body’s going to be wasted.”

His eyes rake her body, like he can see through her clothing. It makes Scully’s body go cold. Scully doesn’t bother hiding her disgust; she hates him; his stupid face, his stupid grin, his stupid mouth always having something to say.

But then what he’s just said hits her. Her disgust melting away for a second, she turns to him.

“You believe the ship is going to sink?”

He shrugs. “You and Mulder seem to.”

“That’s because it is. In about an hour or so. Half the people with it.”

“Guess I should go upstairs then.” He’s gets up from the chair. “I hope Mulder’s not too sad without you.”  And he’s out the door before Scully can call him back to free her. It’s no use, it’s what these people wanted after all, her away from Mulder- it’s just an added bonus that she dies.

With one last hopeless shake of the handcuffs, Scully allows her head to fall against the pipe, preparing herself for her fate.

Mulder’s head is buzzing, absorbing everything that’s happened in the last hour. Had it really been an hour since he was running about the ship with Scully? It seems ages ago. Time seems to have stopped existing on here, days turning into years, minutes turning into hours. Is there going to be a moment where it all rushes together and there’s no time at all?

They make their way down the staircase. The main reception is flooded with almost all passengers from first class. Much to Mulder’s bewilderment the band still plays and people still drink and carry on as if their lives weren’t in any danger.

“How long’s this going to last for?” one woman asks a steward clearly trying to hurry past and has no time for anyone’s stupid questions.

“Not long. Just a precaution,” the steward says before he’s hurrying along through the crowds.

“It’s the English and doing everything by the book,” Bill scorns, shaking his head.

“Go back to the rooms and turn the heaters on,” Mother says to her maids. “You know how cold those rooms get.”

Mulder watches with disgust as the maids do as their told and head back to the rooms.

Congratulations, Mother, you may have just killed them.

“And bring Tuppence her toy!” Phoebe shouts up to them.

In response to her name, the dog yaps happily. Mulder stares at it.

“You know, they don’t let dogs on the lifeboats? They take up too much space.”

Phoebe looks at him, mouth agape.

“Don’t be cruel, Fox,” Father scolds.

Phoebe hugs Tuppence closer to her body. “She’s tiny. If we have to get on a lifeboat, she can sit on my knee.”

Mulder just shrugs a whatever and turns away to watch the other side of the room.

“I don’t think anyone knows what the hell’s going on around here,” he hears Monica say.

Through the window, Mulder spies a gathering of people, an officer talking to them as they start preparations to lower the lifeboats.

“Come on,” he says, turning back to his family. “They’re starting to lower the boats.”

Mulder leads the way to outside, joining the formation of people. Around him he hears shouts of Women and children first! He watches as people begin boarding the boats; some calm, warming themselves with the knowledge that they’ll be back on the ship in no time, some children cry as their torn away from their fathers and one wife tries to drag her husband with her only to be pulled harshly apart by one of the crewmen in the lifeboat.

There’s a sense of urgency that doesn’t go unnoticed by Mulder. Flares go off around him as boats begin their decent to the water. He knows what others don’t; the lifeboats aren’t returning, this is it.

He thinks about Scully, alone, wherever she is. Would the crewman go back for her, he wonders or does she not matter anymore? He thinks about Charlie frantically searching the decks for his sister. If Mulder could find him, maybe he could tell him what happened and Charlie could go and find her. Mulder’s eyes dart around the deck, searching for the red-headed boy but people meld together, they all look like Charlie and then they don’t. It’s too busy and chaotic to try to find one person. No, if he wants Scully rescued he’d have to do it himself.

Preparations for the next boat begin underway and Mulder pulls Phoebe forward, a sudden need to get her and his mother on a lifeboat. He knows it has less to do with their safety and more to do with finding Scully.

“Right, come on now,” the officer instructs. Monica is the first to board, urging the less certain to join her.

Mulder nudges Phoebe forward.

“I don’t want to,” she says, her hand wrapping tighter around Mulder’s arm.

“You need to,” Mulder tells her, pushing her forward. Phoebe, however, fights back, stays rooted to her spot.

“No. I want to go back to my room.” She spins to face Mulder. “Take me back!” she demands.

Mulder can only laugh- at her stupidity, at her arrogance, she was once so much smarter than this and now he can only laugh.

“There’s going to be no room to go back to soon. You need to get on the boat, Phoebe.”

Still, Phoebe just looks at him like he’s spoken another language, staring back at him stupidly.

“No room to go back to?”

He tries not to let his annoyance seep through. Tries to be as gentle as he can with her, at least for this last time, then he never has to see her again.

“Phoebe, the ship will sink. Look around you, look at the urgency. They don’t have time for you to decide whether you’re getting on the boat or not. There’s not enough lifeboats to do that with, you either get on one now or you don’t and you drown. They are your options.”

It’s a shock to the system for someone to speak to her so directly, to tell her the truth as gruesome or as hurtful as it may be and as she tries to process this information, she just looks constipated.

“Will the lifeboats be seated according to class?”

Mulder looks away from Phoebe to glare at his mother. He says nothing, just allows the anger to wash through his body. He turns back to Phoebe.

“Please, Phoebe,” he pleads. For Scully’s life, “Just get on the boat.”

Phoebe nods, turning back to the lifeboat. Mulder taps the officer.

“Let her keep the dog,” he says. The officer is about to argue, his mouth opens but is closing as quickly. He nods.

“Teena will take Tuppence,” says Monica, reaching out her hand to Phoebe to help her in. “I’ll help you.”

Mulder watches as Phoebe and more people after her is loaded onto the boat and the boat begins to be lowered down before he’s turning away, his destination in mind.

“Where are you going?” he hears his father call from behind him. A hand reaches out. “Fox? Fox!”

Immediately, Mulder shrugs it off. “Get off me!” he says, spinning to face the man he calls his father.

Bill looks at him shocked, before recovering, that cold demeanour returning.

“Where are you going?” His father asks again. Mulder says nothing, allowing his silence to be his answer.

“You’re going to her, aren’t you?” Bill asks and still Mulder says nothing. Bill laughs. “She stole from your wife and still you’re choosing her. I didn’t realise I’d raised a stupid little boy.”

His fists clenching, mind swilling, Mulder shouts, “She didn’t steal anything!” A few people nearby turn towards them. Mulder ignores them. Bill, however, was never blessed with that ability and looks around at the faces self-consciously.

“We both know it was Krycek who put it in there.”

Bill just smiles. “Yes, it was. Of course, not that that matters. Who are they going to believe? A wealthy first class man or a whore from third class?”

Immediately after the words are uttered spit is flying out of Mulder’s mouth and onto Bill’s face, just as Scully caught him.

His father’s face swivels up in disgust as he wipes the saliva from his cheek.

“You two are a pair, aren’t you?”

“And we’re still better than you.”

With that, Mulder takes off, not sparring any more thoughts for his father. His only concern now was Scully, of finding her and freeing her and apologising over and over again for being such an idiot.

[ipsen]

Blank Canvas, Chapter 2

Read on AO3 or down below.

Summary: A peek into a mysterious past, and Kaneki’s sketch in a park.

Word Count: 4641

Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Master Post

“A human heart in a cage. However, the cage is too small for the heart, and the bars pierce through it, making it bleed.”

— Alt text of Haise Sasaki’s first posted work

———

“Kuzen.”

“I know, Noroi.”

“She’s less than half your age.”

“I love her.”

“That isn’t what I’m saying! You’re taking advantage of her, and now you’re telling me she’s—”

“We’ll make it work, old friend.”

“Don’t you dare pull that card on me. I can’t believe you! What do you know about this girl?”

“Well, we met at a coffee shop, and we get along well.”

“… Is that it?”

“Yes, I believe that’s all. We enjoy each other’s company.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

—

“Kuzen.”

“Noroi, listen, I…”

“She was twenty-two. Barely an adult!”

“I-I know, but listen, I—”

“And now she’s gone?! What happened?!”

“There were complications with the birth. She had always been sickly, but neither of us imagined—”

“Neither of you predicted this? Really?”

“She wanted to go through with it, Noroi. It wasn’t my place to stop her.”

“She was your wife; you had every place to stop her!”

“I… Can we not do this? I need to know if you can take care of the child. Matasaka might be able to, but…”

“What do you mean, ‘the child’—?! This isn’t a possession, Kuzen. You can’t seriously be considering handing a baby off to me. Not when you're needed most!”

“I just can’t bear the thought of  the Garden getting their hands on this one too.”

“And so you brought the child here?! Kuzen, this place is—“

“You don’t know what I’ve seen there! Those kids are… empty. I don’t want one of Ukina’s to become like that. I want one of us to live a life of joy and freedom, and I can’t be the one to do it.”

“Kuzen—“

“Please, Noroi. I can’t do this. It has to be someone else.”

“…”

“Please.”

“… What is the child’s name?”

“Oh, thank you, Noroi, thank you so—”

“Child. Name. Now.”

“Um, yes. Yes, of course. The child’s name is—”

———

“Sen Takatsuki?!” Hide exclaimed, grasping fistfuls of his hair. “She showed up?! Shit, Kaneki, I really tossed you to the wolves, didn’t I?! I’m so sorry!”

“H-Hide, it’s fine, really!” Kaneki tried his best to sound reassuring. “She was actually really pleasant to be around.”

It had been a few hours since the interview, and Hide had demanded Kaneki meet him and Touka at Anteiku for a status report. As for Kaneki himself, he was still reeling from the interview. Sen Takatsuki called his work incredible. Called him skilled. Not only that, but she was a longtime fan of Haise!! Was there really a part of him that caught her attention? Was there really some aspect of him that wasn’t a—

“Still! If I’d known, I’d’ve come with!” Hide threw his head back and groaned. “Sorry again, man.”

One side of Kaneki— the greedy, guilty side— was glad Hide didn’t come. Spending time alone with Ms. Takatsuki was nice, and it worked out for the better, anyway. He doubted Shiono would give him a job in the same situation.

Ms. Takatsuki herself was… different. Sitting in front of the one whose work resonated with his pain, he felt a little less alone. Not that Hide or Touka weren’t great company. He wouldn’t dare say that, even under torture. But their approach to life wasn’t like his, and he often felt himself left behind in their strides toward the future.

With Ms. Takatsuki, he felt like he could keep pace. When she had admired the works in his portfolio with great care, her friendly exterior had melted away, replaced with something deeper, something lonelier. Something familiar.

Alright, stop projecting on someone you barely know, creep. Maggot.

Touka, on break and sitting in a third chair, glanced at him. “So… did you get the job?”

He blinked, then scratched his head. “I-I think so?”

“What’s that mean?” She raised a brow. “You did or you didn’t, right?”

“Well, she gave me her card, and we’re supposed to meet again next Friday…” He fished it out to show her and Hide. “Then after, she said we’d… ‘iron out the hiring process’, I think?”

Hide examined the card, then the address scrawled on the back. “I can’t read this.”

“Huh?” Kaneki took the card back. “But it’s clear as day!”

Touka plucked it from between his fingers and checked it. “Oh, the Kazuichi Public Park, in the 11th ward,” she said matter-of-factly.

Hide gaped at her. “What the fuck, Touka? How can you read that?!”

“Doctor-in-training, remember?” She grinned at him cheekily as she gave Kaneki the card back.

“And you, Kaneki? What’s your secret?”

Kaneki scratched his chin. “A-Artist’s eye…” he muttered.

He couldn’t say out loud that he was once obsessed with the few handwritten things Ms. Takatsuki had put out, to the point he made a cheat sheet of her hiragana, katakana, and kanji, then memorized them. He made sure to shred the evidence when he realized just how messed up that was.

“Unbelievable. Unbelievable!” Hide stood up and made a few paces around the table. “I’m the one who travels the world here! And speaks six languages!”

Wait, it was six?!

Before Kaneki’s mind could unravel that thread, however, Hide’s phone buzzed. “Speaking of—” He checked it, then groaned. “Ah, shit, something came up. Chie’s gonna have my head for this one. Sorry guys, gotta go! ‘Grats on the job, Kaneki! Proud of you, man! Dinner’s on me tonight!” 

Dinner was always on him, though. Honestly, if they wanted to celebrate that bad, Kaneki figured he should be the one paying, as both penance for years of unpaid meals and celebration of the change of their dynamic.

But Hide just ruffled Kaneki’s hair and grinned. “You won’t fuck this up, promise!”

He hoped gold struck twice.

Touka sighed as Hide gave her a thumbs up and jogged out the door. “How does he have more energy than both of us?” she wondered aloud.

“That’s Hide,” Kaneki replied, laughing. “He siphons ours away for his own nefarious means.”

“I believe that.” She leaned back in her chair to stretch. “Anyway, you got something to wear to the park?”

What kind of question was that? “Yes…?”

“Oh, you’re not picking up on it.” She leaned forth and put her palms on the table, taking up as much of his vision as possible. Why did both of his friends do that? “This park meeting thing is the second part of the interview, if you ask me; Takatsuki’s still testing you.”

Kaneki swallowed the information. It was sound logic. If the hiring process was after the park, that could mean that the park was to see if they worked well together. So dressing up couldn’t hurt. The only problem, really, was the one who’d be dressing up.

“Oh, you don’t have anything.” Touka took out her phone and typed something.

There was a beat of silence, and he thumbed his sorely-needed cup of coffee.

“Alright,” she said, standing up. “I’ve got the clear from Kaya. Let’s go.”

That wasn’t good. Kaya never let anyone end their shift early. What had Touka texted her?

“Go where…?” he asked cautiously, subconsciously leaning away from her.

No response. She just grabbed his jacket sleeve and dragged him out of the shop.

———

“T-Touka…”

“Shhh, shut up.”

“I can do it myself—”

“I said shut up!”

“Wait— Ow!”

“Shit. Sorry.”

Sweet release came in the form of Touka’s gel-covered fingers untangling themselves from Kaneki’s hair. Her taste in clothing was actually fine— better than his, he readily admitted— but when it came to hair in any way, Kaneki preferred she stayed out of the room. Especially after the incident with Ayato. He shuddered at the memory.

“I-I think my hair’s fine,” he said, ruffling it back to its original fluffy shape.

Touka puffed out her cheeks in disappointment. “If you say so.”

He did, but he’d never be so insistent.

In the small room on Anteiku’s second floor, there was a full body mirror. He looked at himself, brow furrowed. His usual taste for crew neck T shirts was enhanced with an unbuttoned collar shirt worn like a vest, while in place of his sweatpants were a pair of wide khaki capris that, fortunately, did not hug his legs.

“I’m honestly surprised at how basic your clothes are,” Touka commented. “And, if it were up to me, I’d start from scratch. But you’re gonna be working with Ms. Takatsuki a lot, so she’s gonna have to put up with what you have.”

“Um, thank you…?” Kaneki said, unsure if those were the right words. “Oh, Touka, how much do I owe you for the clothes?”

She palmed her face, thought for a bit, then placed both hands on either of his shoulders. Her exposed azure eye looked deep into his silver ones. “Pay me with a job.”

“What?”

“Get the job. That’s your payment.”

“Touka, I’m serious—”

“I’m serious too!” She dropped her hands to place them on her hips. “I don’t know if you realize it, but you’re not a half-bad guy, Kaneki. And if Takatsuki doesn’t see that, it’s her loss, not yours.”

But… the thought of Ms. Takatsuki publishing her next work with an artist that wasn’t him, after everything she’d said about his work, only created dread inside of him. At the same time, though, he wasn’t worthy of putting his name next to hers.

“Hey, stop that.” Touka punched him lightly in the chest, and her tone turned soft. “Worthy or not, she chose to meet you again. Make something of it. Okay?”

The thing about Touka was that Kaneki could never not believe her. Combine that with how she was always pushing him forward when he got stuck— He could only nod and accept her encouragement. It was a meek nod, but it was a nod nonetheless.

“Okay,” he said. “I… I’ve got this.”

———

Kaneki’s grip on his satchel, which held his sketchbook, his pencils, and his (unsigned) copy of Monochrome Rainbow, was iron.

He had this. Right?

The thought of failure tightened his grip around the poor strap.

Right.

That said, there was an immediate problem. The park— Kazuichi Public Park— was big. Not only that, it was crowded.

Families from all over Tokyo, maybe even all over Japan, gathered under the late spring sun, hoping to catch those last few precious moments of mid-May sun before June and summer forced everyone indoors. Children frolicked in the grass, the playground, and even the trees, while others relaxed on homemade picnic blankets with baskets of the day’s meals.

He wondered if Ms. Takatsuki was already here; he wondered if he could even find her if she was. Where would she be, if so? He scanned the park, stupidly believing he could pick out someone smaller than him with green hair in this green park full of green trees and green grass. Idiot.

At least there was a lake, dotted with considerably less people than the rest of the park. Maybe he could start there? It was a landmark that stood out from the rest.

Fortunately, before he made the march down there, his phone buzzed.

From: Ms. Takatsuki turn around :P

He did so immediately, looking for the one to save him from his predicament. And, in the distance, far from prying eyes and waving and jumping, was Ms. Takatsuki. She was on time, like she promised.

Kaneki tried his best not to sprint over to escape the crowd and meet up with her, but there was urgency in his stride as he made his way up the hill to the tree where she was.

“Hey, Haise!” she called. “Over here!”

Haise. It was such a strange thing being called that, but at the same time, the name of his alternate persona was like a mask, and in a way, he was heading to a secret rendezvous. It was… rather exciting, when he put it like that.

As he got closer to the tree, he made out the details of Ms. Takatsuki’s outfit, and he was infinitely more grateful to Touka for taking him shopping. Ms. Takatsuki had haphazardly braided her hair this time, and she was wearing a thin burgundy batwing shirt with a high collar, a long cream skirt with a floral pattern, and— sneakers. Faded white sneakers, to be specific: the kind that were weathered in the sense that they had been worn plenty of times before.

A gust of wind blew her skirt against her legs, and he caught the slightest hint of black tights, and his mind wandered upward to—

Stop, stop, stop. Focus. Don’t be weird.

Kaneki cleared his throat and approached with an attempt at a straightened back. “H-Hello, Ms. Takatsuki,” he said, waving.

“Hey!” Ms. Takatsuki waved back. “Sorry for making you climb; I figured you preferred more isolated spots.”

“I-I do,” he assured her. “Thank you…”

“Nice vest.” She reached out and felt the material between her fingers, making him go rigid. “Is it comfy?”

He nodded, his neck feeling all kinds of warm and scratchy. “My, um, my friend got it for me…”

“Well, said friend knows what you look good in. Send them my compliments.” She winked at him, making him flush completely.

“I-I will…” He fumbled with his satchel. “Um, you… You look good too, Ms. Takatsuki.”

She blinked, then she chuckled. “You’re too kind.”

The sound of her laugh put him at ease, even though he got the feeling it was just a courtesy. She took a few steps back, then seemed to remember something. “Oh, and before I forget: I’d like it if you just called me Sen. If we’re gonna work together, I’d like for us to be friends too.”

He dipped his head a little too quickly. “Alright, S-S—” Him, Ken Kaneki, on a first name basis with Sen Takatsuki? But it was what she wanted! “S…” She called him Haise anyway, so it was only fair, but… “Er, sorry…”

She sighed, and Kaneki’s heart sank. “Or at least drop the honorific. ‘Takatsuki’ is fine too.”

He cleared his throat, suffering the prickling heat in his neck. “Okay… Takatsuki.”

He’d always been horrible when it came to first names; Hide had been lucky because they were young, but it had taken Touka two years to get him to willingly and consistently call her by her name.

The corner of Takatsuki’s lip curled upward. “Ready now?”

He nodded again. “A-After you.”

With a shocking gentleness, she pulled on the shoulder of his vest to bring him to her side, then led him down the hill. She still smelled like hibiscus flowers, he noticed, and now that he was closer, he saw her lips reflect a bit of sunlight. Chapstick, maybe? He didn’t dare presume it to be lip gloss. Not for this. Not for him, if he were a bit more presumptuous and idiotic than he already was.

She chose a bench under a different tree, where it was easier to see what visitors of the park were up to. She slid into an empty spot, throwing an inviting smile his way. Holding on to his satchel for dear life, he sat so that there was enough space for a whole other person between them. He watched her stare at the empty space for a moment, then back at him. Had he done something wrong?

“Alright, Haise,” she said. “Have you ever gone people-watching?”

“Can’t say I have,” he admitted. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, don’t be!” she assured him. “You have a fantastic understanding of anatomy already, and you’re used to drawing people repeatedly, yes?”

Kaneki nodded, recalling his comics. “More or less.”

“We’re here to gather intel, so to speak.” Takatsuki gestured to the breadth of the park. “Study the people and places that catch your eye here, and sketch them! I’ll be doing the same with words. We’ll compare notes afterward. Sound good?”

He swallowed. This was his first assignment with her. He couldn’t mess up this early. This was his job, and no one else’s.

He nodded and took out his sketchbook.

To mirror him, Takatsuki took out a notepad and a pen. She wrote in pen? Direct and difficult to erase. It certainly spoke to her impact on the world, for as much as people— especially more traditional folk— spurned her work for its criticism of systems that they hardly interacted with, there were others who praised it for staining the world with the burden of knowledge. A pen was just the kind of thing to do that: like paper being crumpled, it was nigh impossible to erase the act.

While he was admiring the pen, she had already started writing. How. Before long, he would be left behind, then she’d be disappointed in him. Sen Takatsuki, who admired his work, would forever have her view of him tainted. He might never get a job in the one field he had remotely any knowledge in; her word against his was not a contest, but an everyday slaughter.

Kaneki, at that thought, scanned the park desperately for something worth drawing, anything. That couple on a picnic blanket, whiling away the hours talking about their feelings? Wait, was that Nishiki and Kimi? No, no, it couldn’t be. Even if it was, he shouldn’t draw them; closeness wasn’t his forte, and while he’d capture their poses, he couldn’t capture their feelings. He had to be able to capture the emotions of people, because that was the cornerstone of every single Takatsuki work: the minds and feelings of people, floating in the ocean that was the world.

Speaking of, she flipped a page in her notebook. Already?! Kaneki felt his socks grow damp with sweat. What was he even doing here? He couldn’t even draw a simple scene next to her without freezing up.

There had to be something for him to draw: if not people, then perhaps scenery? But what should he pick first?

The building? Takatsuki’s works often took place in urban settings: if he demonstrated early that he was used to sketching out backgrounds like that, he’d also demonstrate that he was the man for her job. Oh, but what if it was somewhere else? He didn’t know what this story was about, after all. It was her first foray into the graphic novel industry; that could also mean her first foray into an entirely new genre of story.

In that case, maybe the lake instead? Give her comfort in the sense that he was knowledgeable about natural scenes? There was a scene in Industrial, where the main character, dying of terminal disease, retreated into a forest to appreciate the last few days he had left. Perhaps another scene like that would be present in the coming novel?

He had to make an impression. He had to. This was the second half of the interview. It was his only shot. His only shot, yet he was afraid of the recoil. Come on, half-wit, stupid, dumb trash—

“Haise,” Takatsuki suddenly said, getting his attention. When he looked down, she had put her pen down, and was staring at him. “Why do you like to read?”

Kaneki furrowed his brow. “I’m sorry?”

“Why do you like to read?” she repeated. “You’re clearly well-read; I’ve drawn parallels between your art and certain works in my collection. But what made you get into books?”

“Oh, um…” He fiddled with his pencil while the grip on his sketchbook tightened. “Well, I…”

Should he tell her? The last person he’d told about himself was Rize, and now that person had cut themself out of his life without another word. He’d made her too sad, he told himself. It was the only explanation: Rize, despite their mutual love for books, was as free and fleeting as a bird. He was foolish to think he could make a nest, however fragile, for someone like that: someone always migrating to where the sun shone warmest, where roosts would only tie them down.

Takatsuki, after a beat of silence, glanced out at the park. “I’m sorry. I seem to have brought up bad memories for you.”

He jolted. “N-No, it’s okay, really! I’m just, uh, thinking about my answer—”

“Haise,” she interrupted, suddenly turning away from him. “It’s okay. I don’t want to learn if it hurts you to teach.”

She turned her attention back to her latest muse, scratching down notes on her third page and ending the conversation. Despite that, Kaneki watched her and waited for… something. For a moment, it felt like he caught a glimpse of something he wasn’t supposed to see. Something ugly. Something exciting.

And then he realized: he didn’t know much about Takatsuki. No one did, not really. Not her family life, not what inspired her to write, nothing. Besides her birthday, the fact that she resided in Tokyo, and her appearance, she was a total mystery to the larger public. The only window people got into her soul was her writing itself, and even that was a highly debated topic.

She was watching a child on one of the seesaw sets, their parent on the other end. The pair were smiling gleefully at each other, jumping up and down on the contraption as though it were the greatest thing in the world. Her writing hand had slowed down, and she simply… stared.

Kaneki’s pencil was moving before he realized it. The strokes for her hair were plentiful and messy, but when he moved to her face, he took greater care. The curve of her jaw and shape of her lips, the crystals— no, emeralds— that were her eyes, and then the slight sprinkle of freckles. As for the expression: longing. Though, perhaps a better word would be ‘envy’: slightly lowered brow, gently parted lips, and a vacant stare.

He may as well have been looking at a mirror.

Someone who, despite everything around them, was sad. Lonely. Two things that shouldn’t belong in their circumstances. Two things that tethered them to a past they wanted nothing more than to escape from. Two things that, despite their weight, had yet to be cast off.

“So how’d you do?” Takatsuki’s voice made Kaneki jump out of his own mind, and he clutched his sketchbook to his chest.

“O-Oh! Um, well, I—” he scratched wildly at his chin— “I-I’m sorry, Takatsuki, I, um, I must be having an off-day! Because I, uh, I didn’t find anything… inspiring…”

“Really?” He immediately knew she didn’t believe him. “Nothing at all?”

He strove to look anywhere except in her direction. He couldn’t exactly say that she was his inspiration, and his only one at that. A singular piece, versus how she had jotted down all sorts of notes garnered from all sorts of people at a speed he couldn’t even begin to match. Plus, the idea of her seeing his first sketch of her— which wasn’t even good— was mortifying. He’d be seen as a total creep and she might even get a restraining order—!

“Let me see,” Takatsuki said.

No. “W-What? But I—”

“I could hear your pencil moving, you know.” She held out her hand. “If it’s nothing, then I’ll be the judge of that.”

She had no idea what she was asking of Kaneki. It was like asking him to sign off on his own death. “I-It’s really nothing…! I barely got anything done.”

“Then let me see that!” she insisted, scooting closer oh no she was in his personal space. “Really, we’re supposed to work together; if you can’t show me your art now, how am I supposed to trust you when we actually start?”

Trust.

He screwed his eyes shut, and his grip loosened. “Can you… promise not to laugh?” he asked weakly.

“I can’t promise something I know nothing about,” she pointed out, which was true enough.

He sighed, and handed over the sketchbook. “I… Nothing else compared,” he mumbled.

Takatsuki took the sketchbook with both hands, flipping it over to the portrait of her Kaneki had drawn. Her eyes, like with his portfolio, softened as she took in his messy strokes made in a trance. He braced himself for the loss of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He could already see it: him, in his room, collapsed against the wall, sobbing and lamenting what could never be. Because he just couldn’t choose something else.

Takatsuki’s lips parted to say something, but nothing came out. They closed and pursed together. Her eyes shifted around the sketch again, narrowed in concentration. Her hands lifted the sketchbook higher and hid her face.

“Haise,” she spoke so evenly, it made him uncomfortable. “What… inspired you for this?”

Kaneki froze. This… might actually be his chance. It crossed his mind to play it off, to try and salvage whatever semblance of pride resided in him, but another thought tore that one in two: the thought to be honest.

Takatsuki valued honesty, he knew that much. The protagonists in her stories, the one thing about her that she bore to the world, were often clashing with liars for antagonists. The type of people who hid information and twisted it for their own selfish ends. If he was right about this, then Takatsuki was the same way: an individual who valued knowledge based around the truth.

He breathed out his dignity. “You did,” he answered with all the conviction he could muster. “You… inspire me, Takatsuki. You’ve always inspired me. When you released Dear Kafka, I… My mother had just passed away. I never knew my father, so I was taken in by some relatives, who… They didn’t really understand what I was going through. No one did…

“Growing up, I never knew my father. He died when I was young, but his books and his notes were still at the house, so I read them to, you know, feel closer to him. And it’s good that I did; without those books, I never would have read yours.”

At this point, Takatsuki had lowered Kaneki’s sketchbook slightly, her eyes peeking above the edge, and he didn’t notice the way they shone as he spoke.

“Dear Kafka taught me that I wasn’t alone in my grief, that there were other people, even people like you, who had lost things. Family, homes, loves— Something, or someone, took it away from us somehow, because the world is wrong and unfair. It was comforting.”

He twiddled his thumbs, letting his thoughts run free from his grasp and toward her.

“I want to work with you, Takatsuki,” he said. “I want this job, and I want to— No, I can create something you’d be proud of. That we’d both be proud of.” He scratched his cheek, finally glancing up at her. “I-If you’ll have me?”

It felt like an eternity waiting for her response, but Kaneki held firm. He kept Touka’s words in the back of his head for support: if Takatsuki didn’t accept him, then it was her, not him. Just like with Rize. He had value— to a degree. And he would always carry that value, no matter who or what spurned him for something else.

Takatsuki handed back his sketchbook. He took it gingerly with both hands. She took a few moments to put away her notebook and pen before facing him fully.

“I’m glad you think that,” she said finally, lifting the burden from his shoulders in a few short words. “Let’s create something amazing, Haise.”

She was wearing the same smile she’d worn when viewing his portfolio, and now it was directed at him.

It was everything he could have ever hoped for.

———

From: Touka cant stay at work emergency painter boy scored a date has nothing to wear

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

July 12, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JUL 13, 2023

Today, in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Joe Biden spoke before a crowd at Vilnius University to champion democracy and the strengthening of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

“If I sound optimistic,” he told the crowd, “it’s because I am.” 

“NATO is stronger, more energized, and, yes, more united than ever in its history,” he said and continued, “It didn’t happen by accident.” Faced with a threat to “democratic values we hold dear, to freedom itself” when Russian president Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine in a rejection of the rules-based international order, the United States, NATO, and all our partners stepped up to stand behind the brave people of Ukraine.

“After nearly a year and a half of Russia’s forces committing terrible atrocities, including crimes against humanity, the people of Ukraine remain unbroken…. Ukraine remains independent. It remains free. And the United States has built a coalition of more than 50 nations to make sure Ukraine defends itself both now and…in the future as well.”

“[O]ur commitment to our values, our freedom is something…[we] can never, never, ever, ever walk away from,” Biden said. “It’s who we are.”  

“[A]s I look around the world today, at a moment of war and peril, a moment of competition and uncertainty, I also see a moment of unprecedented opportunity—unprecedented opportunity—opportunity to make real strides toward a world of greater peace and greater prosperity, liberty and dignity, equal justice under the law, human rights and fundamental freedoms which are the blessing and birthright of all of humanity.” 

“My friends, at the most fundamental level, we face a choice…between a world defined by coercion and exploitation, where might makes right, or a world where we recognize that our own success is bound to the success of others." 

“When others do better, we do better as well—where we understand that the challenges we face today, from the existential threat of climate change to building a global economy where no one gets left behind, are too great for any one nation to solve on their own, and that to achieve our goals and meet the challenges of this age, we have to work together.” 

“The world is changing.  We have a chance to change the dynamic.”

“That’s why I’ve been so focused as president on rebuilding and revitalizing the alliances that are the cornerstone of American leadership in the world,” Biden said. He recounted the strengthening of the relationship between the U.S. and Europe, as well as the U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific region with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and India, saying that “we’re bringing major democracies of the region together to cooperate, keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, prosperous, and secure.”

“[W]e’re working to deepen connections between the Atlantic and Pacific democracies so they can better work together toward the shared values we all seek: strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose, collective action to meet our shared challenges…. 

“We have to step up together, building the broadest and deepest coalition…to preserve all the extraordinary benefits that stem from the international system grounded in the rule of law. 

“We have to come together to protect the rights and freedoms that underwrite the flow of ideas and commerce and which have enabled decades of global growth. Yes, territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also principles like freedom of navigation and overflight, keeping our shared seas and skies open so that every nation has equal access to our global common space. 

“And as we continue to explore this age of new possibilities, an age enabled by rapid advances in innovation, we have to stand together to ensure that the common spaces of our future reflect our highest…aspirations for ourselves and for others…so that artificial intelligence, engineering, biology, and other…emerging technologies are not made into weapons of oppression but rather are used as tools of opportunity. 

“We’re working with our allies and partners to build…supply chains that are more resilient, more secure, so we never again face a situation like we had during the pandemic where we couldn’t get critical goods we needed for our daily lives…. 

“[W]e all must summon the common will to…address the existential threat of accelerating climate change. It’s real. It’s serious. We don’t have a lot of time. It is the…single greatest threat to humanity. 

“And it’s only by working together that we’ll prevent the worst consequences of climate change from ravaging our future and that of our children and grandchildren.

“We also have to recognize our shared responsibility to help unlock the enormous potential that exists in low- and middle-income…[countries] around the world—not out of charity, [but] because it’s in our own self-interest. We all benefit when more partners stand together, working toward shared goals. We all benefit when people are healthier and more prosperous…. We all benefit when more entrepreneurs and innovators are able to pursue their dreams for a better tomorrow…. 

“[W]e stand at an inflection point, an inflection point in history, where the choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. The world has changed. 

“Will we turn back naked, unchecked aggression today to deter other…would-be aggressors tomorrow? Will we staunch the climate crisis before it’s too late? Will we harness the new technologies to advance freedom or will we diminish it? Will we advance opportunity in more places or allow instability and inequality to persist?

“How we answer these essential questions is literally going to determine the kind of future our children and grandchildren have.”

“I believe that with ambition, with confidence in ourselves and one another, with nations working together for common cause, we can answer these questions,” Biden said. “We can ensure the vision we share and the freedoms we cherish are not just empty words in a troubled time, but a roadmap…a plan of urgent action toward a future we can reach, and we’ll reach if we work together.

“[T]he road that lies before us is hard. It will challenge us, summon the best of ourselves to hold faith in one another and never give up, never lose hope. Never. 

“Every day, we have to make the choice.  Every day, we must summon the strength to stand for what is right, to stand for what is true, to stand for freedom, to stand together.”

Biden met in Vilnius with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, whose concerns about not getting a firm timeline for Ukraine’s admission to NATO seem to have been assuaged by significant security guarantees. “We are returning home with a good result for our country, and very importantly, for our warriors,” he wrote. “A good reinforcement with weapons.”

Meanwhile, in the U.S., a new report shows that inflation has slowed dramatically, dropping back to about 3%, the rate of March 2021, while the jobs market remains strong. Wages are rising faster than inflation. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the report suggests that the sharp inflation of the past sixteen months was, in fact, a result of supply shocks from the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as administration officials said. 

Other advanced economies continue to struggle with high inflation, and observers noted that U.S. inflation began to fall just after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

In Washington, D.C., today, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), questioned FBI director Christopher Wray for six hours to try to prove that the FBI is attacking Trump Republicans while giving Hunter Biden a free pass. It didn’t go particularly well. Wray is a lifelong Republican and member of the right-wing Federalist Society and was appointed by former president Trump. “The idea that I’m biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background,” Wray said.

Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin summed up the day’s news when she tweeted: “3% inflation. NATO growing and more solid than ever. huge investment in tech and infrastructure. And Rs? Screeching about Hunter Biden's laptop and defunding the FBI. Simply pathetic.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[theroncook]

Embracing Innovation and Culture: Our Journey to Impactful Growth

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, industries are leveraging advanced technologies like automation and data analytics to enhance efficiency and decision-making. Our company stands out by offering customizable solutions that adapt quickly to meet evolving customer needs, focusing on utility and improving lives. Simultaneously, effective branding is crucial; it defines a company's identity, fosters trust through consistent messaging and customer connection, and drives loyalty and market differentiation. A strong brand not only attracts loyal customers and top talent but also ensures cohesive marketing efforts and premium pricing.

Our recent celebration of Juneteenth exemplified our commitment to cultural awareness and community, showcasing a dynamic logo and live painting that honored history while fostering inclusivity and creating memorable experiences. Looking ahead, we are excited about future growth opportunities and remain dedicated to making impactful strides in our industry, supported by innovation, customer-centricity, and a strong, evolving brand identity.

We believe that every step forward is a step toward a brighter future. Our team is passionate about embracing change and turning challenges into opportunities. We're not just about business growth; we're about making a positive difference in the world. Whether it's through our innovative solutions or our commitment to community and culture, we are here to create lasting value and meaningful connections. Let's keep pushing the boundaries and building a better tomorrow together!

[globalempowermentleadership]

Tesla’s Visionary Leap: Igniting the Spark of Sustainable Investing

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” - Robert Swan, Author and the first person to walk to both poles1.

In a world teetering on the brink of environmental and financial uncertainty, Tesla’s bold strides towards a sustainable future offer more than just a glimmer of hope—they light the way for investors seeking to make a difference. Sustainable Investing Digest proudly unveils its latest video publication, a testament to the power of green investment and the promise of a cleaner tomorrow.

Why Watch?

Innovation at its Core: Tesla’s advancements in battery technology are revolutionizing the energy sector, making sustainable living a tangible reality.

Financial Growth with a Conscience: With assets under sustainable investment management surging to $35.3 trillion in 2020, the financial world is waking up to the profitability of purpose2.

A Community of Changemakers: Join a movement where your investment goes beyond returns, shaping a future that values people and the planet alike.

Join the Sustainable Revolution Welcome to Sustainable Investing Digest’s YouTube channel! If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on the planet while growing your wealth, you’ve found your tribe. Our content delves into the latest trends and insights in sustainable investing, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your future.

But we’re not just about the money. We believe that sustainable investing is about more than just returns; it’s about creating a better future for all. That’s why we’re calling on you to join our community of changemakers.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Subscribe to our channel: Be the first to access cutting-edge content on sustainable investing.

Like and share our videos: Help us amplify the message of sustainable investing!

Leave a comment: Share your thoughts and suggest future topics.

Read our latest articles: Gain deeper insights into sustainable investing by visiting our blog.

Watch our first video of 2024: Witness the impact of sustainable investing in action.

Together, we can make a difference!

#sustainableinvesting #makeadifference #investinyourfuture #changemaker #community

Here's how you can get involved:

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaDQoKBNfoGrPuK2lGDb-7w?sub_confirmation=1 and newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7053058780464345088

Like and share our videos: Help us spread the word about sustainable investing!

Leave a comment below: Let us know what you think of our videos.

Read our latest articles: Dive deeper into the issues we discuss in our videos by checking out our blog: https://lnkd.in/eHa9cE9u and https://bit.ly/42z15Um

Watch our first video of 2024: https://bit.ly/4bzJ6kY

Together, we can make a difference!

#sustainableinvesting #makeadifference #investinyourfuture #changemaker #community

[universalinfo]

Elevating Medical Device Efficiency with Hydrophilic Coating

Imagine a world where medical devices seamlessly interact with the human body. A place where efficiency meets innovation, resulting in better patient outcomes. Sounds enticing, right? Well, we’re inching closer to that reality with the integration of hydrophilic coating for medical devices. This game-changing solution has proven its worth by amplifying the performance and safety of several medical tools.

What’s the Buzz About Hydrophilic Coating?

At its core, hydrophilic coating refers to a surface layer that attracts water. When applied to medical devices, this coating ensures smoother insertions, minimizing discomfort and potential tissue damage. The benefits don’t stop there. Devices coated with hydrophilic materials reduce the need for excessive lubricants, simplifying procedures for healthcare professionals.

Why should we care? The application of hydrophilic coating for medical devices plays a vital role in enhancing patient care. It’s about optimizing tools that doctors, nurses, and surgeons rely on daily. And for the patient, it translates to reduced discomfort and increased safety.

Advantages of Hydrophilic Coating for Medical Devices

Improved Lubricity: Let’s start with friction, or rather, the lack of it. Devices coated with hydrophilic materials slide better. Think about it. When something moves with ease inside the body, there’s less pull or drag. For procedures like putting in a catheter, this is a big win. It simply feels better for the patient.

Better Biocompatibility: Now, onto how medical devices mesh with our bodies. They need to work in harmony with us. That’s where hydrophilic coatings step in. These coatings make devices more body-friendly. So, when a device touches our tissue, there’s a smaller chance of a bad reaction.

Enhanced Durability: Let’s not forget about longevity. A hydrophilic layer gives medical tools an extra shield. It’s like giving them a protective barrier against daily use. The result? Devices that stay in top shape for a longer time.

Reduced Complications: Lastly, let’s tackle safety. All medical procedures have risks. That’s a given. But with hydrophilic coatings, we can trim down some of these risks. How? By reducing the odds of issues like infections. It’s a proactive step towards safer healthcare.

Real-world Applications

Hydrophilic coatings aren’t just ideas on paper. In fact, they’re making significant strides in real-world medical settings. Let’s delve into their current uses:

Catheters: Firstly, let’s look at catheters. With hydrophilic coating, they glide more easily. This leads to two clear benefits. First, patients experience less discomfort. Second, healthcare providers find insertions smoother.

Endoscopes: Next, consider endoscopes. Clear visuals are essential for these devices. At the same time, they need to move freely inside the body. That’s where hydrophilic coatings come into play. They help endoscopes function better.

Stents: Lastly, think about stents. Precision matters when placing them. Hydrophilic coatings make stents more accurate. This reduces potential risks for patients.

So, what does all this mean? Well, it’s simple. Hydrophilic coating for medical devices isn’t just a passing phase. It’s a significant leap. It’s pushing healthcare to new heights.

The Future Looks Bright

With technological advancements surging ahead, the application of hydrophilic coating for medical devices is set to expand even further. As research continues and more benefits come to light, it’s only a matter of time before this coating becomes a staple in the production of all medical devices.

Healthcare professionals and patients alike stand to gain immensely. Professionals will have access to superior tools, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in procedures. For patients, the future promises reduced discomfort and improved overall experiences during medical interventions.

A Note About Hydromer

Before we wrap up, let’s highlight a leader in the field: Hydromer. With years of dedicated service, Hydromer has positioned itself at the forefront of hydrophilic technology solutions. They’re not just providing products; they’re offering state-of-the-art solutions that are shaping the way the healthcare industry views medical device efficiency.

Conclusion

To put it simply, hydrophilic coating for medical devices is revolutionizing the healthcare domain. Its introduction has triggered a cascade of benefits, from improved patient care to cost savings for healthcare providers. As we continue to prioritize patient safety and comfort, innovations like these will remain at the helm, driving positive change. And with industry leaders like Hydromer leading the charge, the horizon seems promising.

[hayleymorodesign]

Designing Responsibly: Leading the Way with Purposeful Design

This week we're reflecting on examples of companies practicing responsibility in design leadership. One prominent example that stood out to me is Nike. Nike has made significant strides in balancing financial, societal, and environmental impact through their innovative approach.

Financially, Nike has demonstrated responsibility by investing in sustainable manufacturing practices. They have implemented initiatives to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency in their production processes, not only benefiting their bottom line but also minimizing their footprint.

Societally, Nike has been a pioneer in promoting diversity and inclusion. They have taken a strong stance on social issues and have used their platform to support causes such as gender equality and racial justice. By championing inclusivity in their designs and marketing campaigns, Nike has shown a commitment to making a positive societal impact.

In terms of environmental impact, Nike has taken significant steps to address sustainability challenges. They have made substantial progress in reducing their carbon emissions and have set ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality. Additionally, Nike has explored innovative materials and manufacturing techniques that minimize environmental harm, such as using recycled materials in their products.

These examples of Nike's responsible design leadership inspire me as a design leader. They demonstrate the importance of considering the broader impact of our design decisions and finding ways to create positive change. I aspire to adopt a similar approach, integrating sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility into my design practice.

By learning from Nike and other responsible design leaders, I aim to contribute to a future where design not only serves its commercial purpose but also fosters a more sustainable and equitable world. Yours creatively, HM

[marketingprofitmedia]

How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals are seeking opportunities to supplement their income and secure their financial futures. One increasingly popular method to achieve this is by leveraging a simple yet effective strategy that can generate a consistent daily income ranging from $50 to $100 or more. In this article, we will unravel the secrets of this ingenious strategy, guiding you step by step through its intricacies. From understanding the fundamentals to real-life success stories and common pitfalls to avoid, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to embark on this income-boosting journey. So, if you’re ready to take control of your financial destiny, providing you with a comprehensive guide to get started and succeed.

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1. Understanding the Strategy

Understanding the strategy is the cornerstone of your journey towards daily earnings. This section will provide you with in-depth insights into the mechanics behind this ingenious approach. You’ll discover how this strategy capitalizes on market dynamics to generate consistent income. By grasping its inner workings, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and unlock its full potential for financial gain. So, let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this remarkable strategy and lay the foundation for your financial success.

What is the simple strategy?

The simple strategy we’re discussing involves briefly explain the strategy without revealing all the details. It is designed to provide a steady stream of income, making it an attractive option for those looking to boost their earnings without significant effort.

How does it work?

To implement this strategy successfully, you need to explain the basic principles. This strategy capitalizes on [mention the key element that drives earnings]. It’s a method that anyone can learn and apply with the right guidance.

The potential for daily earnings

One of the most appealing aspects of this strategy is its potential for daily earnings. Depending on your dedication and commitment, you can make anywhere from $50 to $100 or more each day. Imagine the financial security and freedom that such consistent earnings can bring.

2. Getting Started

Getting started is the first crucial step on your path to daily earnings. In this section, we’ll outline the prerequisites and essential preparations needed to embark on this journey. You’ll learn about the tools and accounts required, ensuring you’re well-equipped for success. Whether you’re starting with a modest budget or no prior experience, we’ll guide you through the initial steps to set you on the road to financial empowerment. So, let’s take that first stride toward your $50 to $100 daily goal.

Prerequisites for implementing the strategy

Before diving into the strategy, you should be aware of the list essential prerequisites. These prerequisites ensure that you’re well-prepared to embark on your income-boosting journey.

Setting up the necessary tools and accounts

To get started, you’ll need to set up list the tools and accounts. These are the tools of your trade, and their proper configuration is crucial for your success.

Initial investments (if any)

While this strategy doesn’t require substantial investments, you may need to allocate mention the potential initial investments. It’s essential to consider these costs and plan your budget accordingly.

3. Step-by-Step Guide

The “Step-by-Step Guide” is your roadmap to unlocking the potential of this strategy. In this section, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions, breaking down each step-in detail. We understand the importance of clarity and guidance, especially if you’re new to this strategy. With easy-to-follow instructions and practical tips, you’ll gain the confidence needed to implement this approach effectively. So, let’s navigate this path together, ensuring you’re on the right track to daily earnings.

Explain the first step

Provide detailed instructions for the first step, including screenshots or examples if applicable.

Explain the second step

Continue with detailed instructions for subsequent steps.

…

Continue with the remaining steps, providing comprehensive guidance.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

4. Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the right platform is a pivotal decision on your journey to daily earnings. In this section, we’ll offer an insightful comparison of various platforms, highlighting their unique features and advantages. We want you to make an informed choice, so we’ll delve into the pros and cons of each option. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, our recommendations will guide you toward the platform that suits your goals best, ensuring a promising start to your financial adventure.

Comparison of different platforms for implementing the strategy

To execute this strategy, you’ll have several platform options at your disposal. Each platform has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and cons of each platform

Let’s take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms to help you make an informed choice.

Recommendations for beginners

If you’re new to this strategy, we recommend starting with [mention the recommended platform]. It offers a user-friendly interface and excellent support for beginners.

5. Managing Risk

Effectively managing risk is paramount as you navigate the world of daily earnings. This section is dedicated to strategies that will help safeguard your investments and earnings. We’ll explore techniques like diversification and setting risk thresholds. By understanding these risk management strategies, you’ll be better prepared to mitigate potential setbacks and protect your financial interests, ensuring a smoother journey towards your $50 to $100 daily goal.

Strategies for minimizing potential losses

While this strategy is designed for consistent earnings, there is still a degree of risk involved. It’s crucial to understand how to mitigate these risks effectively.

Risk management techniques

[Discuss various risk management techniques, such as diversification and setting stop-loss orders].

Setting realistic expectations

It’s essential to set realistic expectations regarding your daily earnings. Avoid overestimating your potential income to prevent disappointment.

6. Scaling Up

As your confidence and experience grow, you’ll naturally want to explore ways to increase your daily earnings. This section is your guide to scaling up your income-generating efforts. We’ll discuss strategies to expand your portfolio, diversify your income streams, and achieve more significant daily earnings. But we’ll also emphasize the importance of pacing yourself to avoid burnout. With our insights, you’ll be well-equipped to elevate your financial journey and aim higher in your earnings.

How to increase your daily earnings over time

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore strategies to boost your daily earnings.

Expanding your portfolio or efforts

[Explain how you can expand your income streams by [mention the method], thereby increasing your daily earnings].

Avoiding burnout

While it’s tempting to push for higher earnings every day, remember to strike a balance to prevent burnout. We’ll discuss how to maintain a sustainable pace.

7. Real-Life Success Stories

In this section, we bring you inspiring real-life success stories from individuals who have harnessed this strategy to transform their financial lives. These stories are a testament to the potential this approach holds. You’ll gain valuable insights into their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the outcomes they achieved. These tales of triumph serve as motivation, showing that with dedication and the right strategy, you too can realize your financial dreams.

Inspirational stories of individuals who have successfully used this strategy

To inspire you further, we’ve gathered real-life success stories from individuals who have implemented this strategy and transformed their financial situations.

Their experiences, challenges, and outcomes

Share detailed accounts of these success stories, highlighting the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

8. Tracking and Analytics

Monitoring your progress is fundamental to success in the world of daily earnings. This section underscores the importance of tracking your performance and earnings rigorously. We’ll introduce you to essential tools and methods for efficient tracking and analysis. By understanding how to interpret data and make data-driven decisions, you’ll have the insights needed to continually improve your earnings strategy. Tracking and analytics are your compass on this financial journey, guiding you toward your daily income goals.

The importance of monitoring your progress

To ensure your success, it’s essential to track your progress diligently. This section will guide you on how to do so effectively.

Tools and methods for tracking earnings

Provide recommendations for tools and methods to monitor your daily earnings and overall performance.

Adjusting your strategy based on data

Learn how to analyze your data and make informed adjustments to optimize your daily earnings.

9. Staying Informed

Remaining well-informed is crucial in a landscape where strategies evolve. In this section, we stress the significance of staying updated with the latest developments in this dynamic field. We’ll provide you with a list of valuable resources, websites, and forums to keep you in the loop. Furthermore, we’ll emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that you stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge in your daily earnings pursuit.

The ever-changing landscape of the strategy

Discuss how the strategy may evolve over time and why it’s crucial to stay informed.

Resources for staying up-to-date

Provide a list of resources, websites, or forums where you can stay updated on the latest developments.

Continuous learning and adaptation

Emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adapting to changes in the strategy.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steering clear of common pitfalls is essential on your path to consistent daily earnings. In this section, we highlight the mistakes that can hinder your success and provide insights on how to avoid them. By learning from the missteps of others and understanding the consequences of these errors, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your journey smoothly. Additionally, we’ll offer guidance on how to recover gracefully should you encounter setbacks, ensuring that you stay resilient in your pursuit of financial goals.

Pitfalls that can hinder your success

To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’ve identified some mistakes that aspiring earners often make.

Learning from others’ mistakes

Highlight the mistakes made by others and the consequences they faced, encouraging readers to learn from these examples.

How to recover from setbacks

In case you encounter setbacks, we’ll also provide advice on how to recover and get back on track.

11. Benefits of Consistency

Consistency is the bedrock of your daily earnings journey, and in this section, we delve into its numerous advantages. By maintaining a daily commitment to your strategy, you’ll accumulate small wins that add up over time, steadily increasing your earnings. This section emphasizes the power of staying dedicated even when progress seems gradual. We’ll explore how consistency fosters discipline, motivation, and ultimately, the achievement of your financial objectives.

The power of daily commitment

Explain the benefits of sticking to this strategy daily, even when progress seems slow.

Accumulating small wins over time

Discuss how daily consistency can lead to significant earnings over time.

Maintaining motivation and discipline

Provide tips on staying motivated and disciplined in your daily efforts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making $50 to $100 every day with this simple strategy is not only possible but also within reach for those willing to put in the effort and dedication. By following the step-by-step guide, managing risks, and staying informed, you can gradually build a reliable source of income. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration to take action towards your financial goals. Remember that consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn are the keys to success.

My Best Recommended & Proven Way to Make $100 Daily — Watch THIS FREE Training to START >>

Affiliate Disclaimer :

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you if you decide to purchase something. While we receive affiliate compensation for reviews / promotions on this article, we always offer honest opinions, users experiences and real views related to the product or service itself. Our goal is to help readers make the best purchasing decisions, however, the testimonies and opinions expressed are ours only. As always you should do your own thoughts to verify any claims, results and stats before making any kind of purchase. Clicking links or purchasing products recommended in this article may generate income for this product from affiliate commissions and you should assume we are compensated for any purchases you make. We review products and services you might find interesting. If you purchase them, we might get a share of the commission from the sale from our partners. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.

Source : How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy

Thanks for reading my article on “How You Can Make $50-$100 Every Day with This Simple Strategy“, hope it will help!

[operaenergy]

Solar and Wind Turnkey EPC Companies in India are quickly taking strides toward making a better tomorrow

With the government of India leading the way, the shift to renewable energy is already in full swing — and Solar and Wind Turnkey EPC Companies in India are rushing to live up to the spiking demand for green energy resolutions.

Wind and solar energy continue to gain ground over fossil fuel-based electricity generation through the years. In the US, there have been major shifts in regional air quality, public health, and greenhouse gas emission benefits due to the surge in solar and wind deployment. Regulatory changes, as well as shifting fossil fuel prices, have contributed to dramatic declines in power sector emissions of criteria air pollutants and CO2 in the past decade. And India is no exception to this trend — as a matter of fact, you’d be elated to know; we’re in fact leading the way to a healthier and more sustainable future!

It is about time for every conscious mind to begin thinking greener and make a favorable impact on our habitat.

There’s no time to waste in transitioning to clean energy sources, and solar and wind turnkey EPC companies in India know that better than anyone.

India, as a matter of reality, is soaring higher and higher when it comes to a deliberate and methodical adaptation of renewable energy. According to the Renewables 2021 Global Status Report by REN21, India has made it to the top 3 on the Country Attractiveness Index, making it one of the most attractive renewable energy investment destinations in the world. The country is also ranked 3rd largest energy consumer in the world, with 4th rank globally in installed capacitance of renewable energy including Large Hydro. Additionally, India stands 4th in wind power capacity & 4th in solar power capacity. The nation’s focus on a more sustainable future looks astoundingly promising and ambitious in every respect.

It’s incredible to think how far the renewable energy sector has emerged. As of Feb 2023, renewable energy sources, including large hydropower, had an impressive combined installed capacity of 174.53 GW. And this is concerned with India alone, we witnessed humongous growth in the wind and solar sectors: wind power had an installed capacity of 41.9 GW, while solar power of 63.3 GW. That’s sufficient to power millions of homes and businesses in the coming days.

What does this mean for you? It implies cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity all over the world — a huge plus for our planet!

With Opera Energy leading the charge, an increasing number of independent power producers, huge corporations, and industrial facilities have turned to us to build solar and wind power plants across India. We provide services for the entire lifecycle of such power plants, from consultancy and supply to erection, testing, commissioning, operations, and maintenance, you name it. We have a portfolio of more than 1.30 GW+ in Solar & Wind EPC projects to date, demonstrating that energy sources other than fossil fuels are way more feasible than you could think.

Let’s make it simple: did you know you can use the air around us to generate power and provide electricity to homes? That’s wind energy in a nutshell — a process of using the kinetic energy from the wind to generate electricity. In fact, wind energy is one of the most cost-effective and equitable sources of electricity available today. Whether you want to charge batteries, pump water, or even provide electricity for utility grids, you can totally rely on wind energy to get the job done.

You might be familiar with how solar energy is harnessed — via the use of photovoltaic cells. But did you know that wind energy is indirectly sourced from the sun? The wind is caused by unequal heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s external crust, and the rotation of the earth itself. Cool huh?

Wherein, solar energy is energy directly derived from the sun’s rays. It comes from the light emitted by the sun, this electromagnetic radiation hits the earth’s surface. This energy is then translated into either thermal or electrical energy to be utilized for various applications.

Aside from helping to reduce our dependence on oil and gas, these carbon-free sources of energy can indubitably help prevent the air, water, and soil quality. They can also give individuals the ability to generate and store electricity in-house, giving them a dependable substitute when the conventional utility grid can’t fill that necessity.

As a project owner, did you know that an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract could help you manage risk more efficiently? An EPC agreement means the contractor gains unconditioned authority over the project right from the initiation to the end. The owner’s concept design must focus on functionality and the contractor can specialize in the work they undertake to engineer a solution.

At Opera, our mission is to bring you reliable and affordable solar and wind energy solutions that protect our environment and drive sustainability. From safely designing and installing renewable energy systems, to actively monitoring your project’s performance and tracking key milestones, our experienced team of professionals works diligently to deliver world-class results. It’s time for a revolution in renewable energy — join us on our goal to make this earth a better place for all!

[multiplicity-positivity]

hey, this... feels awkward, but could you maybe make a post for persecutors who are trying their best to become good? its really hard sometimes...

or maybe.... like.... i didnt feel like a person before, i just came around when the host was upset, to further antagonize him. hurt him. i... i wasnt really a person, more just... a feeling. but then our friend helped me figure out that im more than just the hosts self-hatred. he helped me pick a name, and now im trying to be good, trying to be a person. fronting is scary, and hard, and i feel like i cant keep up with anything, i... i feel like i wasnt meant to be anything more than pain, like its just not possible for me to be normal, or to do chores and shit.

is that anything you could post about? becoming a full person instead of just a role or whatever? even just a response would be greatly appreciated.

sorry, this.... feel free to ignore this, i... i dont know why im sending this, its not your problem, i should just deal with it on my own.

Hi! We are so sorry to hear you’re struggling right now. System persecutors are often hated and demonized in plural spaces, which in turn makes it more difficult for these headmates to hope for and achieve positive change. But the thing is, persecutors are headmates just like the rest of their system, and they deserve peace, kindness, respect, and understanding just like anyone else! You deserve this, and other persecutors do too!

We’re pleased to learn that you’re trying to change for the better. Breaking bad habits is easier said than done, especially for system members whose bad habits have made up core aspects of their identities for as long as they’ve existed! Trust us, we see your pain, and the persecutors in our own system are going through something quite similar. We hope that you can continue to make strides towards positive growth - even if it gets hard and even if you slip up in the future! We know you can do it, and we believe in you!

We wrote a little love letter to persecutors who are hoping to change for the better. It’s in the queue, and should be up on our blog on Friday night at 8:00PM EST! We seriously hope you and other persecutors like you can find some solace in it. We really do wish you the very best in your future endeavors! We’re hoping fronting will get easier for you with time, and that you can remember to show yourself a little kindness and patience too! ^^

🌸 Margo and 💫 Parker

[dc418writes]

•Baby’s First Hanukkah•

✨Pairing✨: Ari Levinsonxblack!reader

Summary🪄: A surprise visit leads to an emotional first day of Hanukkah (Operation:Rekindle addition)

⚠️: Ari (😏….y’all know lol), bit of angst in this one, fluff, mention of pregnancy

A/N🎙️: ✨Happy belated Hanukkah and Merry belated Christmas to those who celebrated! And Happy Holidays to everyone who doesn’t celebrate✨! I intended this to be out wayy earlier but here we are lol also I hope the explanation I have for Hanukkah is correct, but if there’s something I need to change please let me know☺️

*Disclaimer!: although collage was made by me, I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they were all found on Pinterest*

“Not celebrating Christmas?,” your mother asks with arms crossed and a raised perfectly arched brow. Clearly not pleased with the words that just slipped past your lips.

“I didn’t say that. I just said we’re not gonna make it to the party this year. We wanna stay in and be with ourselves instead you know? We’ll still come Christmas Day.”

“Which is perfectly fine,” your father interjects before your mother could say anything more. “Right Tori?”

You knew this would happen. It’s exactly why you planned to call her the night before with your fool proof excuse of having caught a stomach bug and needing to stay in. No one would get hurt and you could freely spend that evening with Ari. Plus you wouldn’t have to dance around the actual reason you were skipping your family’s annual Christmas soirée.

However, your mother’s perfect timing and knack for pop up visits sent that down the river in a fiery pile of ashes.

“Well, could’ve fooled me with all the Hanukkah decorations and lack of Christmas tree,” she retorts waving her hand back and forth emphasizing the decorations you already set.

“I still have to put it up,” you answer focused on making sure the menorah was properly centered on the island. Or maybe it’d look better on the other table? “And, as I’ve told you before, Ari is Jewish. So these decorations are for him, and to make it feel like his place just as much as it is mine.”

“Mm..and where is Mr. Ari so he can help?”

“He’s still sleeping-,”

“And leaving you with all the work.” A humorless “tuh” huffs from Tori’s lungs as she turns towards your father. “Some boyfriend huh Howard?”

“He was up late studying,” you state finally facing your parents standing in your living room. Your facial muscles working overtime trying to keep your annoyance and anger hidden.

Unknown to you, Ari was wide awake on the other side of the wall in your bedroom hearing every word since your parents stepped over the threshold. Heartbeat already elevated on where this conversation would go.

“Look, I know you’re in love with him-,”

“Tori,” your father tries to warn, but you both knew nothing was stopping her.

“But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything together. Couples can have separate lives sweet girl.”

“I know, and we do-,”

“So it’s settled then! You’ll rightly be with us, you’re family, for Christmas as usual and he’ll be with his,” she smiles. “Which then leaves New Years for you two spending time together.”

Ari didn’t have to be out there to know you were growing frustrated. He could already see your jaw tick and nostrils slightly flare. Feel the heat radiate from your skin to the surrounding air.

“Ari’s my family too.”

“Yea you’re close, but-,”

“No, because he’s my husband,” you reveal in a flurry of words; exasperated with the idea of this conversation continuing.

“That’s sweet of you to claim him for your future-,”

“I’m not talking about the future mom, I mean now! We..we got married in July. At the courthouse.”

Unsurprisingly, there’s a long silence as your parents stand blinking at you. Their expressions unreadable and solely trained on you even when Ari quietly strides by your side in his college tee and sweats.

Your mother’s eyes eventually drift to your hand where your ring prettily sat on your finger. It was simple with just a single diamond that some would consider small, but it was all you needed. And you loved that ring because of the man that gave it to you.

“So that’s not a promise ring like you said,” she calmly states. Everyone around could feel her rising anger though.

“Well technically it is. Just for a..legally binding promise,” you nervously smile. It quickly falls at the sight of their disappointment. “This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you.”

“After five months it seems like you weren’t planning to tell us at all Y/N!”

Ari desperately wanted to come to your rescue and try to calm everyone, but what could he really say to help? He’s tried before when he felt your mother was being too tough on you while in school scolding you on what you should be doing and when. How you needed to be putting yourself out there in as many clubs and organizations as you could to network and possibly get an internship. Maybe even a job right out of college.

“She’s doing really well and always trying her best Mrs. Y/L/N,” he states standing across your mother on the opposite side of the kitchen island. However, she’s more concerned with perfecting the cake batter in front of her than to look him in the eyes. “I-I get you want the best for her-,”

“Exactly, I want the best for my daughter as any parent does their child,” she calmly replies - scarily calm in fact - lifting her head to finally meet his nervous blues. “Something I know you wouldn’t fully understand seeing as though you have no children. Correct?”

“Right..”

“So until that day comes- actually no, even if that day comes, I suggest you refrain from trying to suggest how I parent my daughter. Understood Ari?”

Nervously shifting from one foot to the other, he agrees with a quiet, “Understood,” and a slight tip of his head before his presence is ignored once again by your now sweetly humming mother.

Since then, he’s kept his interactions with her short - and she’s pretty much done the same on her end.

“I’ll be in the car,” she says after the most tense moment of silence any of them had ever experienced.

“Mom I’m sorry.” Your apology falls on deaf ears as she continues forward striding through the door and letting it slam with a loud thud that rattled the wall. “She hates me.”

“No she doesn’t,” your father sighs stepping close enough to give your shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “Neither of us could ever hate you. We’re just hurt.”

A lone tear falls as he places a kiss to your temple and you feel your heart ache. You knew the consequences of your actions all those months ago as you stood hand in hand with Ari in front of the judge. Nothing could have prepared you for actually having to endure those consequences though.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of mom sweet pea. We’ll see you guys on Christmas,” he painfully smiles before making his way out the door as well.

But not without Ari close on his heels catching him halfway down the wooden steps outside your door.

“Mr. Y/L/N it’s my fault. I’m the one who brought up the idea of getting married,” Ari admits with guilt etched into his strong features. “Be more upset with me than you are with her.”

Your father can’t help the small smile that forms on his lips at your husband’s attempt to make things right. Since their first meeting, he could see how he’d gladly do whatever was needed to make you happy. How protective he was and completely enamored by everything that was you. It warmed his heart that you found someone who loved you possibly just as much as he did.

He realized then his prayer for you to be taken care of by a good man had been answered.

“Ari this is no one’s fault, alright? You both are grown, so if you want to get married you have every right. As far as us though, that’s our little girl who we dreamed of walking down the aisle and giving away. Gifting her with a big wedding where we could all celebrate that next stage of life with her and her husband. To not even be invited or told beforehand what was gonna happen it’s..,” he sighs briefly letting his eyes wander trying to find the right words, “it’s as if someone slapped us right across the face before the punch to the gut.”

Ari’s face falls in shame putting himself in the older man’s shoes. Of course he didn’t regret marrying you, but looking back he should’ve pushed more for you to be open with your parents. To not be afraid of their reaction and firm in that this was your decision.

Instead, he went along with your promise of telling them later so clouded by the joy and excitement of being wed to the love of his life.

“It might sound dramatic, but if you decide to have children you’ll understand.”

“No, I-I get it..and I’m sorry.”

Your father nods appreciatively, “Just give us some time son. We’ll be okay.”

Son. That was a good sign right?

“Happy Hanukkah Ari. And take care of my baby girl.”

“Of course sir,” he smiles. “Thank you.”

With a final wave goodbye, he watches your father descend the steps joining your mother in the running car; definitely still upset from the scowl twisting her face as she gazed out the passenger window.

He can hear your sniffles as he re-enters the linen scented space quickening his feet until he can sit next to you on the couch rubbing circles in your back and kissing your forehead.

“That’s definitely not what I wanted you to wake up to,” you half heartedly chuckle wiping your watery eyes.

“Hey don’t worry about that. I’m just sorry I even put you in the situation in the first place when I brought up getting married at the courthouse.”

Your fingers find his jaw softly scratching the bit of scruff lining it as you carefully shift to sit in his lap. “It was still my decision though. And yes I should’ve told them sooner..but I wouldn’t change how and when we got married,” you smile leaving two kisses, sweet as honey, on his lips. A beat of comfortable silence falls over the two of you while he holds you close to his chest gently rocking back and forth. Both of you taking in the sounds of birds and children outside for a few minutes as he occasionally pecks your temple and your heartbeats mold into a similar rhythm.

“Now,” you begin, sitting up to clear your face of any remaining streaks and tears, “I distinctly remember you promising to teach me all about Hanukkah. And cook me every dish until my stomach feels like it’s gonna pop.”

“Sweetheart, it’s okay you don’t-,”

“A promise is a promise Ari!,” you dramatically state with a poke to his well built chest making his lips curl in a light chuckle. “Plus I want to. Like I said you’re my family too, and I wanna learn and explore everything about you.”

When he thought he couldn’t love you any more than he already did, there you were adorably making him fall even harder.

“Okay…so there was once a king named Antiochus, who ruled over Syria and lived outside of Israel. Now this king was horrible and so absorbed with himself, he ordered everyone in the countries he conquered to worship the Gods he did and abandon their usual practices. Eventually, he made his way to Israel where he enforced that order on the Jews and even went as far as commanding his soldiers to destroy our temples if the people weren’t willing to convert them. Unfortunately, this included the most beautiful of them that was in Jerusalem.”

Your attention stayed glued on the man with his arms around you, looking up with an adoring smile to see his eyes sparkle and how his lips moved filling your living room with a deep voice full of passion and animation. You didn’t have to ask to know he was the favorite among his little cousins for storytelling.

“Some followed the king’s orders to avoid trouble, but there were others, like Judah Maccabee, who stood up to him. He and his brothers formed an army to go against Antiochus and the Syrian army to take back their home and free his people from the king’s rule. They were outnumbered, I’m talking like middle schoolers up against a professional team, but they won! They reclaimed Jerusalem and everyone was thrilled, however when they entered the temple in Jerusalem, everything was ruined. The floor was cracked, gold pitchers tarnished, and most importantly, there was no oil to light the menorah. They found a little while cleaning up, but knew it’d only last through the night. Instead though, they were surprised to watch it stay lit for eight days and nights, which they took as a sign that God was with them. So in remembrance of that miracle and our own reminder of how God is always with us, we light a candle on the menorah each night for eight total nights. Plus we spend time with family, eat food, and play games as part of our complete Hanukkah celebration,” Ari smiles brushing a loose curl behind your ear. “Didn’t bore you too much did I?”

“Of course not. I loved it honey.” Wrapping your arms around his neck, you peck his lips before nuzzling your face against his warm skin taking in his wood and sage cologne. “I can’t wait until you get to tell it to our kids.”

“Me either, but we still got a good while for that beautiful.”

“Or..it might come sooner than you think..”

“Maybe,” he shrugs.

“Like this summer,” you add being met with silence as you felt his head tilt. Something he tended to do when in thought or confused.

Gently lifting you from his chest, the sight of you nervously biting your lip is all the answer he needs as his expression morphs from confused to disbelief and finally shock. “B-But wait..how- when-?”

“Halloween and our um after party when we left your cousin’s. I’m nearly two months so I just did the math in my head and figured.” Thinking back, he remembers how both of you seemed to be unable to keep your hands off the other as soon as you walked through your apartment door. Him being in some type of hypnotic, aroused trance after watching you play with his toddler cousins and you after just seeing him with his family period. How you couldn’t wait to give him one of his own.

“I-I know it’s not part of our plan right now, especially with you in grad school and me figuring out my stuff-,”

“But it’s okay. We got this.” You hadn’t realized you were crying until you feel his thumb brush along your cheeks. Having kept your stress hidden for all this time, and what happened with your parents earlier, it was probably time to get your emotions out whether you wanted to or not.

“I just hope I live long enough to meet little bug,” he chuckles pressing his nose to your cheek before resting his forehead on yours. “You know your parents are definitely gonna kill me when they find out.”

“They won’t, but if they try I’ll just stand in front of you. They wouldn’t hurt the pregnant lady carrying their grandchild.”

“We might need to be handcuffed together for the rest of your pregnancy then.”

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