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dottores · 1 year

Text

HELIOTROPES

pairing: dottore x fem!reader & segments

summary: the gods were sick and twisted. for five hundred years, he believed he was fated to be alone. he had long accepted it—embraced it, even. that is, until a midwinter night when that elusive red thread finally appeared on his finger. but as much as he wants to ignore it, the pull of a soulmate simply cannot be ignored.

genre: soulmate au, canon compliant for the most part.

warnings: fem!reader, worldbuilding for snezhnaya & fatui & fontaine, reader not in the best mental state (esp in first scene).

notes: FINALLY!!! its unedited so bear with me, i dont rlly have time to go through and edit + i've been sick as hell for two weeks straight now. but i hope u guys enjoy!!!

ALEA IACTA EST

You were trapped.

You didn’t know what sort of witchcraft Pantalone used but you couldn’t leave his wing. You thought you might be going crazy, it took two days of making excuses for you to realize that something was severely wrong, and another three for the anxieties to start embedding in your head. You had your first panic attack in years on the sixth day, and now on the seventh, you were sitting in the small library alone—there was a book in your lap, but the words were swimming off the pages and your head was spinning.

How was this what he wanted?

You couldn’t understand how either of you were benefiting from this. He wasn’t getting whatever knowledge he wanted from you and you weren’t getting what you needed to know. You were just stuck here, alone and lost. Not even Pantalone was around for the past few days because he went to finalize a business deal in a Mondstadt port town, he should be coming back soon but even when he did, you knew he wouldn’t spare you much attention.

How was this what he wanted? You wondered if it was supposed to be some sick sort of torture, wear down your mental fortitude so you’d be more apt to answer the questions he wanted. If that was the case, he would be severely disappointed when you spat in his face the next time he dared to make an appearance. Another part of you wondered if this was just how it would be—he would keep you locked up and alone so he didn’t have to deal with you but he also didn’t have to fear you running off and putting yourself in danger.

The more you thought about it, the more you convinced yourself of both options, and the more you hated your own soulmate.

Seven days. It had been seven days of being trapped in this place with only Pantalone to occasionally talk to and of the few times he spoke to you, the majority were just of him going on a vicious rant about how the Tianquan of Liyue kept sidelining his proposals and how the wineries of Mondstadt were icing him out of the wine market with Liyue’s merchants. He claimed it was all some big conspiracy against him because there was no reason they should be blatantly disregarding his letters, all of his proposals were mostly targeted for their profit, which the Regrator thought was blasphemous in itself—the Jester apparently cared more for building relationships with the administrative and economic sectors of each of the nations than Pantalone’s dignity as a businessman. You, evidently, did not give him the outraged reaction he wanted and he hadn’t come back to speak with you since, leaving for his meeting across the nation without a word.

Now you were alone, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching you—and you knew it was not Dottore.

You exhaled as you tried to focus again on the book laying on your lap but your head throbbed and you were forced to avert your gaze back to the ceiling, trying to quell the pain through sheer willpower alone. The Regrator’s library was filled to the brim, but with nothing that would be of use to you trying to figure out how they had trapped you in this sector. Books on economics, the aristocratic families of Snezhnaya, the history of the northern lands and all of the old traditions and folklore that noble children were brought up learning, undoubtedly so he could fine tune that mask of his, pretending that he had always been one of them in order to shear more money from them.

A part of you wanted to warn him that the more he tried to fake it, the more they would ridicule him, but you didn’t want to be totally isolated again as soon as he came back so you figured you’d just let him figure it out himself.

Regardless, even with the massive amount of books that stacked his library’s walls, not a single one could help you in figuring out this spell. You’d never seen magics like this before—it was not elemental based, it was psyche-based. Every time you got down the hall, to the eighth window from your room to the right, your head started feeling light and dizzy, you felt sick and nauseous and were forced to turn back lest you put yourself in a very, very vulnerable position in a place where you could not afford any vulnerability.

As nervous as it made you, at first, you found amusement in it. You were irritated and scared, yes, but more than that, you knew that Dottore could feel everything you did. So, you made it your mission to stay right at that eighth window for as long as you possibly could, just because you knew that you were racking your soulmate with that same nausea and dizziness and light-headedness that you were experiencing.

Now, the amusement was gone and you were just scared. You were scared that you would be trapped here forever, never again to see your mother and your half-siblings and your grandfather. You were scared that you’d disappoint your father, that you wouldn’t be able to succeed in your mission and he would never be able to rest peacefully without justice having been exacted. And as much as you hated him, you were scared that you would never see him again either, that he would just leave you here to rot, live out the rest of your miserable existence confined to a single hall with books that you would rather burn than read.

You hated that you felt so attached to him already—that even though the thought of him filled you with vile rage and agony, your body still ached for his touch, your eyes still longed for the sight of him walking through the dark doors of the library, and your bond still screamed for you to somehow end this war between the two of you so it could find peace.

Even if peace negotiations were in your hands, you would still stubbornly throw them out the window, but they weren’t because he continued to completely deny you his presence. You were at his mercy, only when he decided, would a white flag be lifted.

“Excuse me.”

You stiffened, an unwelcome chill ran down your spine as you looked over your shoulder to where an unfamiliar figure was standing in the doorframe of the library. With golden blonde curls and green eyes, no more than a decade older than you, you thought that the man might’ve been handsome were it not for that there was a dark gleam behind his eyes that reminded you a lot of your step-father, one that promised danger and deceit.

He smiled and even though his teeth were not sharpened, somehow they looked more like knives than Theta’s did. “You’re the aristocrat from Fontaine that the Regrator took in, no?”

“I am,” you said. Your voice was hoarse from days without speaking, you cleared your throat, closing the book and placing it down on the couch next to you just in case the man tried to take a seat there with you. “And you are?”

He wasn’t as unfamiliar as you originally believed. You recognized him from the event, standing with the rest of the Harbingers—immediately, you were on edge, trying to figure out what he wanted from you. He came closer to you and you bit the words that tempted to fly from your mouth as he picked up the book you had placed as a deterrent to take a seat on the couch right next to you, too close for comfort. You could feel his thigh brushing yours as he looked to the side to watch you, eyes tracing over your body once before settling on your face.

“Brighella,” he greeted, holding a hand out to you. “Tenth of the Fatui Harbingers, delighted to make your acquaintance.”

You placed your hand in his, albeit reluctantly, watching raptly as he lifted your hand up to his lips, kissing your knuckles gently before letting go. His lips were soft and pleasant against your fingers yet it still made your skin crawl. You drew your hand back into your lap immediately, waiting for him to explain what he wanted.

“I was just curious,” he said, answering the unspoken question. “The Regrator is a very proud man, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, he never responds well to help. It came as a shock to hear that he was taking in an aristocrat from Fontaine as an advisor.”

He was lying—about what, you weren’t sure, but you knew somewhere in that statement of his that there was a lie, and though you had no way of confirming it, you suspected that it had to do with his initial claim: that he was simply curious.

“He intends to expand the Northland Bank into Fontaine City,” was all you replied with, a thin smile painting your lips. “Even someone as proud and intelligent as him is not capable of such a feat alone, the Court of Fontaine is notoriously anti-Snezhnaya.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard.” Brighella waved off your words and relaxed into the chair next to you, eyes disarmingly beseeching as he watched your reactions. “But we have our own operatives in Fontaine City, I was surprised that he didn’t just come to me for information, rather insulting, actually.”

He laid the information in front of you like meat to seduce a starving beast, all the while he lurked behind the bushes and waited for you to lunge at it so he could drive his blade across your neck as an execution. You didn’t respond, maybe for a second longer than you should have, but the sudden information had thrown you off guard.

It was him.

The words rang resounding through your head, Brighella was the one running the Fatui’s operations in Fontaine. Why had he told you? What did he expect to gain from this? There was something you were missing still, but after a week of forced isolation and no progress in your mission, this was like a feast handed to you on a silver platter.

“Perhaps your operatives are just not capable enough for such a scheme,” you said dryly, but your voice sounded vacant even to your own ears, it was clear that you were focused on something else.

Brighella raised a hand to his chest as if he’d been wounded by your words. “Oh, but the Knave and I had trained so many of them personally,” he sighed. “What use am I to this organization if my colleagues won’t even rely on me or my agents to deliver when necessary?”

It was a rhetorical question but you didn’t know what to make of it, or of him. Faux-mourning tainted his tone as he spoke, a regretful expression on his face as he turned his eyes up to the ceiling above.

What was he trying to gain from this? You asked yourself again, more desperately this time. His lips, still tilted up as they’d been this whole conversation, had a bit more of triumph in them than they’d had before and you knew that somewhere you had slipped up, revealing something you shouldn’t have. But you rewound the conversation in your head over and over and over again and you couldn’t quite place where you had. You’d been careful with your words, nothing to set off alarm bells—your cover with the Regrator’s expansion in Fontaine was true, but you were just not being quite as helpful as he would like you to be, and Pantalone was very clear in his opinions on their Fontaine plants and their inadequacy.

It had to have been your tone, the emptiness in your response to his reveal about his subordinates in Fontaine. It gave away your interest, and you could play it off as if it was just a general interest in how they’d infiltrated Fontaine, but if your stepfather truly was his agent, then he would know very well who you were and your ulterior reasons for being here—or he would at least now have confirmation.

Pantalone had told you that Pulcinella, Brighella and Tartaglia would be the three Harbingers who would be the least of your worries, but you thought that the Friar was much more dangerous than he made himself out to be.

How were you supposed to proceed? You tested words on the tip of your tongue but you could not figure out what to say—if you were suddenly interested in him, he would know it was only because of the information he revealed, but if you were cold and distant, you risked him not returning and you needed more information one way or another, even if it meant consorting with a man that made your hair stand on end.

You didn’t get the chance to speak up again though, as your lips parted to speak, Brighella rose to his feet.

“I should get going. I’d prefer not to draw the ire of my fellow Harbingers, but it was a pleasure talking to you,” he murmured, a small smile and eyes turned upward as he nodded his head down in acknowledgement. “I’ll stop by again soon, it’s cruel of the Regrator and the Doctor to leave you alone the way they have.”

Two days later, the Friar returned.

You’d spent the two days alone reeling and trying to understand where you had gone wrong and how you could compensate for it. You needed a plan of action, and a fast and efficient one at that. Freezing him out would be stupid, as much as it might be the most comforting course of action, but you also couldn’t just suddenly be trying to get closer to him because he would realize something was up.

You weren’t stupid. If he had truly just been curious about you, he would have come much sooner than he did. He waited because he wanted you to be worn down and utterly alone, so you would latch onto him like he was a buoy in the raging sea. Unfortunately for him, you were far too used to being alone. As agonizing as a week of isolation was, it was not near enough to make you that desperate.

But he had information you wanted desperately, so you wanted to let him think whatever plan he was concocting was working in hopes that he might reveal more to gain your trust and dependency. You thought it would be a slow and arduous process, not to mention agonizing, but considering neither Pantalone nor Dottore have come to see you in over a week now, you figured you had nothing better to do anyway and this was your best shot at getting what you wanted… and maybe, if you ended up being successful with this, you could free yourself too but you thought that was far less likely.

At the very least, it might force Dottore into action if he thought you were starting to get close with Brighella.

But that was a long shot anyway. Brighella was a type of beast that you were unfamiliar with. He kind of reminded you of some of the crueler members of Fontaine’s aristocracy, the ones who found entertainment in setting up trials that they knew would lead to one terrible sentencing, all the while smiling to the defendants face, but even then they were nothing like this. He was a wolf that portrayed himself as a sheep in the truest sense of the proverb and you just didn’t know what he was capable of, or what he wanted, and that was what scared you most—you didn’t like it when you didn’t know what someone’s intentions were with you.

Your stepfather was easy, all he wanted was more power in Fontaine, evidently to report back to the Fatui for a promotion—you and your father were obstacles in obtaining said power, so he removed your father from being able to influence your mother and you were certain that if you had stayed in Fontaine City, he would have gone after you too.

Dottore was somewhat frank in his intentions with you: he wanted you out of his life so that you couldn’t affect his research but he was keeping you here because he wanted information from you… and a part of you was certain that he was keeping you here also because it prevented you from going out and getting yourself hurt or killed, and that scared you because you didn’t know just how long he planned to keep you isolated here. Or if he ever even planned to release you.

Pantalone had been upfront with you: he wanted a way to get the Northland Bank into Fontaine, you had offered your help in exchange for assistance with removing your stepfather from the courts but you had no intention of giving him any help until he had pulled through on his end. And even then, you had never specified how much help you would give him—you were not going to give the Fatui more of a foothold than they already had.

Not after what they did to your father.

Brighella was an unknown. He had come to you with a goal two days ago, and whatever that goal had been, he had achieved it. You still couldn’t figure what it was, even after days of recounting your conversation to figure it out, and that unnerved you more than anything.

“You actually came back,” you said quietly, eyes flickering up to where Brighella had entered the library. He brought something with him, you couldn’t quite tell what it was but it smelled good, and familiar.

“I promised, didn’t I?” Brighella replied, amused. He came around the couch to sit next to you. He sat closer this time.

“It’s been two days, I was beginning to doubt.”

“Yes, well, the Regrator grew a bit suspicious when he saw me coming from the direction of his wing, the last thing I needed was to draw his ire. The Doctor already has it out for me even when I do no wrong.” Brighella sounded aggrieved as he spoke but your ears rang loudly at his words.

“The Regrator already returned from his meeting in Mondstadt?” you asked, keeping your voice free of all tightness but when Brighella only shot you a confused look, one that did not appear to be feigned in the slightest. “Ah, I see.”

There was no meeting in Mondstadt.

You wondered if it was by Dottore’s will or his own that he had lied and left you here in isolation. You thought it would be easier to believe it was Dottore’s, you had already made him out to be your villain, but you knew better than to assume that. Dottore was obstinate and prideful, yes, but Pantalone was the one who had clawed his way from the bottom tiers of society to the very top, his manipulation would know no bounds—he knew that you were already struggling with Dottore’s refusal to acknowledge you, and he probably thought that his disappearance, after entertaining you for a few days, would put you over the edge.

Jaw tight and trying your best to keep your emotions off of your face lest Brighella take advantage of your distressed realization, you forced yourself to turn your attention back to the Harbinger.

“Here,” Brighella said, passing the covered dish over to you. “Tartiflette, I figure you must be missing home. I hear tartiflette has been rather popular amongst the aristocrats lately.”

I hear.

Bitterly, you wanted to ask just how he managed to hear that but you refrained. Instead, you glanced down at the dish—it was covered with foil but it smelled good, just like the one you and Sylvie used to get from Cafe Lucerne before your father passed away.

You wondered if it was poisoned, or laced with something, you didn’t exactly put it past Brighella. Even if there were ulterior motives behind him bringing you the dish, it was thoughtful nonetheless. So instead of voicing your suspicions or refusing the dish, you took into your lap, letting the warmth of the bottom of the plate and the familiar scent sink in.

“Thank you.”

Brighella looked pleased, green eyes glittering. “You’re welcome.”

The two of you sat in silence for a moment, and you listened to the way the wind rattled the glass nearby. It was getting late already, you could see the moon rising over the trees in the distance. Nine days now with no word from Dottore at all. You were sure he was probably keeping the segments away from you too because you hadn’t seen a single one since that night.

After a few moments of silence, Brighella asked, “He told you that he had a meeting in Mondstadt?”

You didn’t respond, you supposed that was answer enough because he let out a heavy sigh.

“The Regrator does love his underhanded tactics.”

“And you don’t?” you couldn’t help but press, eyeing him curiously.

“I do.” At least he didn’t bother hiding it, shooting you a deceptively friendly smile as he relaxed back into the chair. “But it’s different, my underhanded tactics are for the greater good.”

“Many men have claimed to do terrible things for the greater good,” you murmured. “What makes you different?”

Your subordinate killed my father, you were saying, tell me how that was for the greater good?

Brighella watched you for a second and then said, “Perhaps you’re right, but I’d like to believe otherwise.”

You hummed, looking away but you could feel that he was still looking at you and it was making you feel antsy, like a cornered animal.

Finally, Brighella spoke up again. This time, his voice was far more quiet, as if he didn’t want someone listening in. “I wish we had more time to talk instead of rushing straight to business, but I fear that I’m testing many boundaries and patiences by coming to visit you and I’d like for you to understand why I am.” Curiously, your eyes focused onto him, he was still staring at you, watching your reactions. “The Regrator cannot give you what you want. He has no power in Fontaine, nor jurisdiction over any of the subordinates there, that is why he’s coming to you and trying to get your assistance. He does not want to use me as an intermediary for his business.”

There it was. You raised your chin a bit in surprise as Brighella’s words reached your ears and his motives became clearer. You didn’t doubt that there were other ulterior ones that he was keeping to himself, but this one was enough for you to get some clarity on the situation: Brighella and Pantalone were playing a game of chess for Fontaine, and both thought that you would be the piece that would win them the game.

You realized, slowly, that you might just have a bit more power than you realized, and that Pantalone had been trying to keep you ignorant to it.

It also gave you more insight on the Fatui itself, and more specifically, the relationship between the Harbingers. You had a feeling that the camaraderie shown during the event was just a show but you hadn’t thought the rivalry ran so deep as to having Harbingers competing for power through using outside sources.

You wondered if Brighella realized just how much he had revealed to you. From the steady look in his eyes as he watched you, he very much did. You wondered then why, because it had to be something beyond just trying to get you to not help Pantalone—unless he was that desperate to keep Fontaine in his grasp. But you had a feeling that wasn’t the case.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you finally responded with, pointedly meeting his eyes.

He was studying you carefully and finally, he nodded, rising to his feet. “It’s alright. I’ll come back soon and give you some time to think. Just remember, what the Regrator promised you is not something he is able to give at this point and time. He’s making you think that you are the one dependent on him but without your cooperation, he doesn’t have a foothold in Fontaine, which is what he desperately wants.”

You didn’t respond as he walked out of the room, but before he stepped through the door, he turned to look at you one last time, “Enjoy the tartiflette—perhaps next time, I’ll bring you an even grander gift.”

You were not in the library the next time Brighella came to visit. You were lounging in your room preparing for bed when the knock came at your door. For a second, just a second, you might’ve hoped that it was Dottore, finally ending the war between the two of you—but as you called for the person to come in, and a head of curly blonde hair and green eyes peeked from around the door, the bit of hope that had sprung up withered in an instant.

“May I?” Brighella asked, motioning for him to come into your room.

How improper, you thought to yourself, trying to force away the heat that rose to your cheeks. But you needed to keep talking to him, milk him for all that he knew before you made a decision about what you were going to do.

“Of course,” you responded with, watching him carefully as he slipped into the room and made his way over to where you were sitting. He sat on the window nook next to where you were sitting at your vanity, leaning back on his hands as he studied you carefully.

“Have you thought about my proposal yet?” Brighella murmured, his eyes were intense as he watched you, you could barely even hold his gaze and you had never had trouble holding anyone’s gaze before.

You had. Of course, you had. With the newfound knowledge of Pantalone’s inability to actually get you what you want without you giving him what he wanted first, everything changed. Your whole position in this situation changed. You were still a prisoner, naturally, but you were a prisoner with power right now. You had two different Harbingers vying to acquire your support. It could change in a second, you knew that, you couldn’t get ahead of yourself, but you couldn’t just disregard the opportunity this presented.

You also could not take everything Brighella said at face value.

You remembered the look in his eyes when you first met him, the skeevy one that reminded you of your stepfather and all of the other men and women in your life who had done terrible, terrible things without remorse.

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” you replied instead, and Brighella sighed, disappointed but not surprised.

“Ah, I see,” Brighella said. “I haven’t quite gained your trust yet—well, perhaps this will change that.”

From his pocket, Brighella pulled out a piece of parchment, sealed with a wax Fatui insignia. He held it out to you and you reached out cautiously, taking it into your hands and turning it over to view the blank back of the parchment. You had no way of knowing the contents of it without breaking the wax seal, you looked up at Brighella, questioningly. He looked pleased, a small smile teasing at his lips.

“This is a letter I have addressed to a particular subordinate of mine stationed down in Fontaine,” Brighella explained, leaning his chin on his hand, elbow propped up on his knee as he watched you. You could only barely bite back the sharp intake of breath as you looked down at the parchment again. “Yes, yes, I know, you don’t know what I’m talking about. But hypothetically, if you did, I was willing to gift you one of two options.”

“What are these hypothetical options?” you asked, your knuckles just a bit too tight around the parchment to pass it off as normal.

“You can keep that letter, and we can work together as partners. I can work with the Knave to set up a mission with the Jester and the Tsaritsa to have you head back to Fontaine, where you can use the letter as evidence to put said subordinate on trial before the Hydro Archon and Chief Justice,” Brighella said, your throat felt tight and swollen, your lips on the verge of trembling.

Everything you wanted, but there had to be a catch. You knew better. For all you knew, the contents of the letter was empty, he could let you go down to Fontaine only to make you look like a fool when you presented the letter as evidence.

“The second option?” you asked, proud that your voice remained steady and void of the turbulent emotions rushing through you.

“I will send it south and summon him back to Snezhnaya. You can exact your own justice here.”

What was the catch?

There had to be a catch, but you couldn’t for the life of you figure it out. You knew it was something more than just preventing Pantalone from stepping into his territory but Brighella was impossible to read and far more unpredictable than you expected. You were baffled that he would go to this length to try to get you to trust him.

“You can hold onto the letter until you’ve made your decision, I-”

“My, my,” a familiar, smooth voice drawled. “What is this?”

At once, your blood ran cold as you looked up to see a familiar figure standing in your doorframe, violet eyes cold and cruel as he stared at where you were sitting with Brighella. Brighella only smiled thinly, mocking, as he looked at Pantalone and said: “Regrator, I hope you don’t mind me spending time with your new advisor, she’s quite the lovely little thing. I’m rather fond of her.”

“Is that meant to mean much?” Pantalone asked dryly, the smile on his lips tightening at the corners and you braced yourself for whatever he was about to say. “You’re fond of everything with two legs that will open for you.”

Your face felt hot, fingers tightening around the parchment as his words registered. Two legs that will open?

How dare he?

Who does he think he is?

The barrage of livid questions battered your head, begging to be let loose but you bit your tongue, sharpening it as you instead responded with: “How crude, I know you had an unfortunate upbringing but I thought you’d learned better by now than to speak every vile word that crosses through that repulsive mind of yours.”

Next to you, Brighella hid his smile behind his hand and you at least felt a little validated even as Pantalone’s eyes bore down into you, you could see the promise for bloodshed barely veiled beneath his calm expression.

“I’ll take my leave.” Brighella rose to his feet and to your horror, he leaned in close to you, taking both of your hands in his and you wanted to pull away, ask him what the hell he was thinking, but the words died on your tongue as he took the parchment from your hand before Pantalone could catch sight of it, subtly letting it drop to the floor before using his foot to slip it beneath the bed. His lips flickered upward. “Think about what I said. I’ll come by again.”

“No, you will not,” Pantalone interjected coolly. “I believe I have mentioned before that you are not welcome in my wing of the palace, Friar.”

“Then I will send one of my subordinates to fetch her to bring her to mine.” Brighella waved off the comment. “It’s no bother.”

He directed a faux-smile toward Pantalone as he slipped past the other Harbinger and left the room, leaving you alone with him. Pantalone stared after Brighella for a moment before turning his attention on you.

You raised your chin and asked sweetly, “How did your business deal down in Mondstadt fare?” knowing damn well that there was no business deal down in Mondstadt.

He very clearly understood what you were getting at, the sweet smile on his lips just as fake as your tone as he said, “Very well.”

“I’m sure.”

The mockery in his eyes slowly slipped away the longer he stared at you—he wanted to say something, that was for sure, but he either didn’t know how to say it or he couldn’t, and you had a distinct feeling that Pantalone spoke more than he breathed so finding a way to say it was not the problem, he felt that he couldn’t.

“The Friar is not to be trusted,” he finally decided.

“There is not a single soul within this palace that is to be trusted,” you countered icily.

He smiled, but the smile did not meet his eyes. “Fair enough.”

There was a quiet tone to his voice, you wondered if any of Brighella’s statements held any truth to them, if he was worried that you would side with the Tenth instead of him, and he would lose his shot at expanding the Northland Bank into Fontaine.

Something wicked swam in his eyes as his gaze cast over where you were sitting once more, voice more scathing now. “I do wonder how the Doctor will feel about your newfound relationship with the Friar,” and you realized that the Regrator did not fret over anything. And if he was backed into a corner like a wounded animal, he would lash out ten times as deadly.

He was threatening to tell Dottore if you did not speak to his liking, if you did not dismiss Brighella’s option.

Your eyes widened, just a bit—you knew there was nothing wrong with what you’d been talking about with the Friar. Dottore knew that you were here for one thing, and one thing alone: obtaining the evidence to convict your stepfather of your father’s murder. But you had a feeling that Pantalone would be spiteful and describe what he had walked in on as not what really happened, he’d put it in the worst light possible and blow the slim chance you had for Dottore ever showing up…

Or, it would finally force him into action.

It was a risky gamble—one that you weren’t sure if you should take. Dottore was prideful and stubborn and you didn’t know how far it extended. It could blow up in your face, or it could finally get you what you wanted: the upperhand.

You had never been a gambling woman before, but ever since you got to Snezhnaya, you were being put into situations forcing you to change and adapt just so you could survive, so you could bring justice to your father.

You didn’t think you liked the person who you were becoming, but you didn’t think you had a choice.

You smiled at Pantalone, but the smile was as empty as you felt.

“I don’t particularly care what the Doctor feels concerning my relationship with Brighella. Tell him whatever you please, do pass on my regards to the younger segments though.”

“I must say your soulmate truly is a little spitfire, she has proven it time and time again.”

Dottore sighed as he looked up from his vial, heavy eyes focusing on Pantalone as the man slunk into his labs as if he owned them. His smile was tight and his eyes were not in the typical upturn they usually turned up whenever he was amused—whatever you had said to him had severely pissed him off, it nearly made his own lips twitch upward, wondering what exactly you had said to get under his skin so badly.

“And what did she say this time?” Dottore drawled, not even bothering to feign curiosity, placing the vial back down on the burner as he looked up at Pantalone, whose eye twitched at the question.

“It’s about time you stop playing this game with her, Doctor.” Was all Pantalone said in response, observing a failed, burnt test subject disdainfully, poking at it with a long, gloved finger before drawing his gaze back up to Dottore.

“And here I thought you were playing the same game,” Dottore dismissed, although he would beg to differ that it was not a game, but the last thing he wanted was to get into a battle of semantics with Pantalone. “Was that not why you’ve been loitering around my labs this past week?”

“Yes, I was,” Pantalone agreed, but there was an edge to his voice that made Dottore suspicious, “and it backfired. A certain snake rose from the grasses to take advantage.”

“Hm?” Dottore tilted his head to the side, red eyes narrowing as Pantalone’s words registered.

“Now is not the time for your stubbornness, Doctor,” the banker warned. “Continue to disregard her and she will turn to someone else… or I suppose, she already has. I caught her acting rather intimately with the Friar in her quarters just before I came here.”

Dottore’s lips flattened and his eyes went cold, Pantalone caught the physical reaction, eyebrows shooting upward, mockingly. But Pantalone could only see the physical reaction, he could not feel how Dottore’s blood somehow felt like it was burning and freezing at the same time, he could not see how his vision tunneled and he could not hear how his ears were ringing.

Intimately?

There it was again—that prideful and possessive feeling rearing its ugly head. You were his, only by fate and by chance, but you were his nonetheless, even if he was loathe to admit it. He ignored the hypocrisy of his thoughts, you were his and yet he had ignored you for over a week? He was laying claim to you after all of his denial and anger?

He had been doing what was right, separating himself from you to prevent the bond from getting any stronger. He wasn’t playing the same game that Pantalone was, isolating you to try to make you more malleable to his requests when he finally came back around; Dottore did not play games, not with anyone, much less with you.

But was he okay with you turning your attention elsewhere with his absence?

No. No, he was not. The thought filled him with an emotion he hadn’t felt in over four hundred years, not since his years as a Fatui recruit before he’d learned to separate himself from his emotions.

“She asked for me to pass on my regards to the younger segments.” Pantalone smiled as he spoke, knowing that the words were bound to set Dottore off even more because how dare you send your regards to the children as you let another man into your quarters. “I’ll be heading to my office now. I have some paperwork to finish filling out. Do think on what I said, I expected a branch of the Northland Bank in Fontaine to come out of this arrangement. If it does not, you will have to make up for it.”

“Your expectations are not my responsibility,” Dottore said, voice clipped and icy and far more strained than he meant for it to be.

Pantalone only let out a huff of laughter as he spun on his heel, shooting Dottore one last long look that had Dottore’s body begging for violence as a response. Nearly twenty years of him being forced into a corner because of you, and it was only getting worse.

“It is in this situation,” he said as he made his way out of the lab as quickly as he had come, leaving Dottore there alone with raging thoughts and turbulent emotions.

The Friar.

Brighella.

Lip curled up in a type of rage he hadn’t felt in a long, long time, he finished putting his equipment away and reached for his mask, intent on heading to your quarters himself to understand just what was going on between you and the Tenth.

It was the first time you’d been in Snezhnaya where there hadn’t been a storm battering the night. Once the Regrator had left you to your business, and you were finally able to finish getting ready for bed, you curled up at the window nook to look outside, where the air was still bitter and cold but the harsh winds had subsided and the moon was reflecting prettily over the frozen lake north of the palace.

It looked calm and peaceful—you thought there was a beauty to Snezhnaya that was unique. The Hydro Archon and her acolytes liked to frame the nation as one big frozen wasteland but the more time you spent there, the more you realized that it was just not true. It was frozen, yes, but there were towering trees and massive lakes, the snow sparkled beneath the sun and moon in a way you’d never seen before.

You pressed the pad of your finger against the glass, a longing feeling sweeping over you as your eyes focused on the line of trees on the opposite side of the frozen lake. You thought that this might be your chance—the storms had subsided, you could make a break for it, but you knew deep down that the lack of storm was a deception you couldn’t afford to fall for. Just because the winds had died and the snow and ice had stopped falling, it didn’t mean that it was safe enough to travel through. You would still freeze. Perhaps if you had a pyro vision, it would be different but your hydro vision would do nothing to protect you against the cold.

You sighed, laying your forehead against the window and letting the chilly feeling spread through you, a stark contrast from the warmth of the fireplace emanating throughout your room.

You wondered if you made a mistake. You had antagonized Pantalone, and he had likely antagonized Dottore on your behalf. It had felt good in the moment—a sharp jab that relieved some of the heavy pressure that isolation had put on you, but now the pressure was back and worse than before.

You were not wondering. You knew it had been a mistake.

Even if Brighella had been telling the truth and you held more power than Pantalone was leading you to believe, you couldn’t afford to isolate yourself from the option he presented. Dottore clearly trusted him enough to trust him with you, which you thought was about the biggest show of trust anyone could get from the Second.

And neither of them trusted Brighella.

Your pride and anger had gotten the best of you—they had gotten the best of you when you had thought you had been in control. You laid everything out logically, convinced yourself that the option Brighella posed was just as appealing as Pantalone, forgetting that at the very least, Dottore and Pantalone were known threats to you. That yes, Pantalone wanted to use you and Dottore wanted nothing to do with you, but neither of them would risk your safety. Brighella was an unknown, just a charming and manipulative one that knew precisely when and how to strike.

You weren’t cut out for this. You let your eyes slide shut as you tried to force away the tears building in them. Frustration, anger, desperation, they were all becoming too much for you to handle. You didn’t know what to do. If Brighella was telling the truth, he really was the key to getting what you want, but you couldn’t trust him, you didn’t know what his motives were. Behind the pretty eyes and glittering smile was a snake with venomous fangs that could clamp down at any moment.

You thought the courts of Fontaine had prepared you for this but the Snezhnayan court and the heart of the Fatui was a beast that you were not equipped to deal with. The courts of Fontaine were a beast, you would never think otherwise, but you’d been foolish enough to let yourself believe that they were similar enough to Snezhnaya’s that you’d be able to handle it.

In Fontaine, your name had power and words were as sharp and lethal as daggers—as long as you put on a pretty mask and an entertaining performance, you would survive, but the aristocrats and observers of justice would eat alive anyone who could not put on a convincing and beguiling show.

In Snezhnaya, your name meant nothing and the only coat of protection you could place over yourself was Dottore’s position in the Fatui, and his forced bond to you. Your mask was shattering the longer you were stuck in the cold, and the entertaining performances you were so adept at putting on were becoming more pathetic than anything else. Danger lurked around every corner, not even just those who wanted to kill you as a means to weaken the Doctor, but also those who hated you for the country you come from. You had seen the way one of the Harbingers had looked at you during the event, and having even one Harbinger against you meant that you had hundreds of subordinates out for your throat to try to gain her approval.

You were well beyond your depth. A vast ocean all around you and the currents were dragging you under, water filling your lungs as you tried to thrash your way back to the surface but there was an anchor chained to your ankle that you simply couldn’t fight against.

You took in a deep, shuddered breath. You thought back to the old prophecy, the one that whispered that one day Fontaine and all of its citizens would be washed away by the rising waters, drowned by that which is supposed to protect them, finding their eternal rest in the sands until they became one with the sea.

Sometimes you wondered if it was a literal or metaphorical fate, you had always taken it as literal and dismissed it as an old wives’ tale, but now you were questioning everything you held as true: you felt like you were drowning, your identity dissolving as the water closed in around you, and you felt helpless to it, just like how the ancient prophecy threatened.

Finally, you raised your head and looked back outside, eyes widening when you caught sight of a figure standing in the frame of your door through the reflection of the window, tall and imposing. You hadn’t even heard the door open. Even with the mask, you could feel the coldness behind his gaze.

He only spoke one word:

“Come.”

reblogs appreciated!

#dottore x reader #dottore smut #dottore x you #genshin x reader #genshin smut #genshin x you #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact smut #genshin impact x you

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letters-to-lgbt-kids · 10 months

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My dear lgbt+ kids,

An underrated health and wellbeing tool is play.

When you think about playing, you may immediately picture little children - but by definition, play describes “any activity engaged in purely for enjoyment and recreation with no definite practical purpose” and those activities stay important throughout your whole life.

Why are those activities important?

Play is good for your body. Intentionally doing something just for fun helps to activate the “rest and digest” mode that is necessary to recover and heal from stress. It signals that you’re safe and helps your body relieve tension.

It’s also good for your brain. It can stimulate your imagination, visualization and critical thinking skills, which can help you build skills like resilience and adaptability.

Play can also foster empathy and understanding of others as it can help you see things from another’s perspective.

Playing can make you laugh, and laughter comes with a whole sleeve of health benefits, such as decreasing blood pressure and even improving your immune system!

Playing together can strengthen relationships. Positive, fun social interactions are important for your emotional wellbeing.

Now some of you may think “that’s all nice, but how do I even play as an adult?”. While play is a natural behavior of human beings, many adults need to re-learn how to play - it depends on your specific environment and social circles but you may feel a lot of pressure to be productive all the time and play is by its very nature not productive. So, the first step in re-learning play is to give yourself permission to just *be* instead of *do* (and that can be a huge step!).

Some ideas on how to ease back into play:

Think about your childhood. (Or if you can, ask a parent, sibling or childhood friend, that can be a great way to bring back memories!) What were your favorite ways to play back then? What did you love about your favorite game? Does any particular memory immediately give you that “I wish I could do that again” feeling? (You may not necessarily find anything that you want to just replicate as an adult as-is, this is just meant to kick-start your imagination!)

Gameify everyday tasks. Try to spot as many yellow items as possible on your commute to work. Make up a silly song about laundry while putting away the laundry. Pretend to be on a cooking show while making dinner. Do what you always do, just allow yourself to be silly about it!

Do something creative, even (and especially) if you’re not good at it. You may not think of drawing, writing etc. as playing but those are activities you can do for pure entertainment!

Moving your body doesn’t need to be purposeful exercise (and certainly not hating yourself in the gym), it can also be playtime: Do a silly little dance to your favorite song! Tippytoe, crawl, jump, walk backward.. from your bedroom to the kitchen, just for the fun of it!

Rethink toys. While it is fully okay for a grownup to buy, own and play with toys, and we should abolish the negative stereotypes about it (it’s creepy, it’s inherently a sign of poor mental health etc.) these stereotypes do exist and you may simply not feel comfortable. Luckily, there are a few toys that are generally considered socially acceptable for adults or are even marketed towards adults, such as board games, stress balls, adult coloring books, certain Lego sets or fan/collectors toys (like action figures). And when there are no judgy eyes watching, you may also have fun just playing with household items such as cardboard rolls! No need to go out and buy something!

Keep in mind that play isn’t a competition to win. You can’t play wrong - that’s the beauty of it! Just let your curiosity and enthusiasm guide you.

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

#lgbt #lgbt+

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hazeltongzhi · 22 days

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HI ive seen some of your posts in support or indifference of AI—can you speak more of your thoughts on it

AI as it exists, machine-learning models (MLM), like the computer before it and the assembly line before that, is a labor saving technology. Just like mills before it, it exposes the various contradictions and conflicting material interests of the capitalist mode of production in which it has been developed and deployed in. Like the mills which came at the dawn of the capitalist mode of production, labor saving technologies are not inherently good or bad nor should we be against them because they make certain professions obsolete. Instead, the devil lies in its use and your relationship with it socially.

With every labor saving technology under capitalism, its primary use is to maximize profits and minimize costs. It does this by cutting down on labor needed for whatever task the MLM is developed for, be it art, medical diagnoses, writing, programming, or whatever. Simultaneously, it can produce commodities which which can be sold on the market. Unlike traditional machines, however, the development of MLMs also relies on a massive amounts of data to train MLM models. This begets two major forms of exploitations. The first is the exploitation of various laborers, such as artists and writers, in order to use their produced work as training material. The second is the employment of super-exploitation in the global south in order to facilitate and correct training. Many MLMs rely on manual inputs done in places like subsaharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

The problem with MLMs is how they're used and what they're used for under the capitalist mode of production, that is, the accumulation of profit and the cutting of labor costs. Under this system, the class which suffers the most from the implementation of labor saving technology is the proletariat. However, under the socialist mode of production, MLMs can be used to supplement the labor of workers, reducing the time needed for their labor allowing for shorter work hours or higher pay. The acquisition of training material can also be socialized and compensated.

TL;DR: AI is a tool and its nature and use depends on who controls it and who benefits from it

#hazel's press releases

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renatoferreiradasilva · 24 days

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Fascism, Economic Elites, Big Tech, and the Massacre of Children in Palestine

The relationship between fascism, economic elites, and indifference to human suffering has deep roots in global political and economic history. This essay aims to explore how these forces interact in contemporary contexts, using the massacre of children in Palestine as a central point of analysis. Over the past decades, the expansion of Big Tech’s influence has significantly contributed to controlling information and reinforcing the power of economic elites at the expense of truth and human dignity. In this context, the systematic disregard for the suffering of Palestinian children goes hand-in-hand with close monitoring of financial and technological markets.

Fascism and Economic Elites: A Brief Historical Overview

Fascism, both as an ideology and as a system of government, is notorious for its brutality and disregard for human life, especially when that life is seen as an obstacle to economic progress or national and racial dominance. However, the close relationship between fascism and economic elites has often gone under-examined. Fascist regimes such as Benito Mussolini's Italy and Adolf Hitler's Germany relied on the support of large corporations and the industrial class, who saw these governments as a means to ensure social stability and protect their financial interests. The fear of communism and labor strikes drove industrialists to support authoritarian governments that promised to suppress internal opposition and preserve the economic order.

In this context, economic elites often turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by fascist regimes, from political repression to genocide, such as the Holocaust. This same kind of indifference, driven by the logic of capital preservation, can be observed today regarding the massacre of children in Palestine. Large corporations and investors prefer to focus their attention on stock market performance, ignoring the human cost of wars and occupations that ensure their economic benefits.

The Economic Dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The massacre of children in Palestine occurs within a global economic and political context, where the Israeli-Palestinian conflict takes on multiple dimensions. Israel, with its advanced and modern economy, heavily relies on the defense and security sector to maintain its geopolitical and military dominance in the Middle East. Major foreign investments and collaboration with Western powers ensure the continued prosperity of its economy, even during times of conflict.

On the other hand, Palestinians, especially in Gaza and the West Bank, live under extreme economic hardship due to the Israeli military occupation. Economic blockades, restrictions on movement, and the absence of basic infrastructure leave the Palestinian people in a constant state of vulnerability. In this oppressive environment, massacres of children and other forms of violence against civilians are seen by some as inevitable or even acceptable as long as they maintain geopolitical stability and protect global economic interests.

The Role of Big Tech: Controlling Information and Strategic Indifference

In the 21st century, Big Tech companies such as Google, Facebook (Meta), Amazon, and Microsoft play a central role in controlling information and shaping public discourse around global conflicts. These companies, through sophisticated algorithms, determine what people see, read, and talk about. In the case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, content showing the realities of violence, particularly the suffering of Palestinians, including the massacre of children, is often suppressed or censored.

This control of the narrative is crucial to protecting the interests of economic elites who benefit from the status quo. By restricting access to information that could spark popular outrage or global movements, Big Tech ensures continued economic and political stability, even in the face of crimes against humanity. Moreover, Big Tech companies have direct interests in the defense and security economy, signing lucrative contracts with governments, including the Israeli government, to provide surveillance, intelligence, and weaponry technologies.

Economic Elites: Profit Over Human Life

Global economic elites, comprising investors, multinational corporations, and financial conglomerates, exert a decisive influence on international policies and conflicts. Capital is often directed toward regions and sectors that promise the highest financial returns, regardless of the political or social conditions. These elites profit from the perpetuation of conflict and instability while remaining largely indifferent to the human suffering that ensues.

The massacre of Palestinian children is a tragic consequence of a system in which financial markets and economic interests are prioritized over human life and dignity. Economic elites, backed by Big Tech’s control over information and fascism’s historical precedent of collusion with industry, enable a world where profits trump the moral obligation to protect innocent lives. In this context, the indifference to the suffering of Palestinian children reflects a broader failure of global economic structures to prioritize humanity over capital.

#FascismAndCapital #PalestinianChildren #BigTechControl #EconomicElites #HumanRights #StopTheViolence #TechForJustice #EndOccupation #PalestineUnderAttack #ChildrenOfPalestine #ProfitOverPeople #GlobalIndifference #FreePalestine #MediaCensorship #JusticeForPalestine

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timhanauthor · 10 months

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Tim Han Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course Review

Are you ready to tap into your potential and seize control of your life? Look no further than the LMA Life Mastery Achievers Course! If you're lacking direction, always feeling stuck or not living up to your capabilities, this course will be perfect for you.

Created by the entrepreneur and mindset coach Tim Han, it offers an experience that will empower you to succeed in all areas of your life.

Learn about LMA Life Mastery Achievers Course Review By Tim Han. We will also discuss the intricacies of the LMA Method, examine its advantages and disadvantages, compare it to development courses available and ultimately share our final thoughts and recommendations.

What is the LMA Method?

The Life Mastery Achievers Method is designed to help individuals unlock their potential. This comprehensive course incorporates strategies, powerful techniques and mindset shifts that can transform aspects of your life. It covers a range of areas, such as creating wealth-building relationships, enhancing leadership skills, increasing productivity and fostering personal growth.

The LMA Method is truly remarkable because it focuses on application. Tim believes that knowing alone is insufficient; it needs to be implemented to see results. This course combines lessons, interactive exercises, and actionable steps to empower you with the tools to create lasting change in your life.

Tim openly shares his challenges and successes throughout his journey towards achieving greatness, making it easier for students to connect with him on a level. His passion for assisting others shines through each lesson delivered in a manner.

Advantages of the LMA Course

Tim Han has created this program to cover aspects of mastering life, including mindset, goal setting, productivity and success habits. This comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive a rounded education in growth.

The course provides tools and techniques that can be easily incorporated into life. Students are equipped with steps to achieve their objectives, from visualization exercises to communication strategies.

Another advantage is the sense of community that accompanies enrollment in this course. Do participants gain access to a network to connect with like-minded individuals on their journey towards self-improvement

How is the LMA course different from other courses available in the market?

There are options in the market, each claiming to offer unique strategies and transformative approaches to success and fulfilment. However, assessing your goals and requirements is crucial before investing in any program.

The LMA Life Mastery Achievers Course stands out for reasons. Firstly, it is built upon the proven methods developed by Tim Han himself. With his experience as an entrepreneur and mindset coach, Tim understands what it truly takes to achieve mastery in life.

What sets the LMA Method apart from development courses is its focus on more than surface-level techniques or quick fixes. It delves into the core beliefs and patterns that shape our lives, emphasizing the power of mindset reprogramming. Moreover, it provides tools to shift limiting beliefs and foster lasting transformation.

In conclusion

Tim Han stands out as an entrepreneur and mindset coach, surpassing the ordinary. He has empowered numerous individuals globally to overcome their limitations and turn their wildest aspirations into reality through his involvement in the development sector. What sets him apart is his methodology towards mastering life. Read here to learn more about Tim Han's unveiling of the Mindset Maven.

The LMA Life Mastery Achievers Course offers numerous benefits, such as its comprehensive curriculum and practical tools for personal growth. However, potential participants must consider costs and self-discipline before deciding.

#Tim Han #entrepreneur #LMA #LMA Course #founder #startup #Success Insider #Coach #Author #Life Mastery Achievers #LMA Method

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esoteriamaya · 9 months

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Venus Escape : What you need to do to express your Venusian qualities more.

INTUITIVE READING!

PICK A NUMBER BELOW.

SEE WHAT RESONATES.

717. 222 . 444. 555.

READY? SET? GO!

717

7 - Mysticism, Godlike powers, The Creator, Universe, Luck, Spiritual

1 - Do it yourself, One of one, The Sun, Confidence, The Leader

7+1+7 = 15

1+5 = 6

6 = Venus, Harmony, Love, Relationships, Sex, Artistic Values

STAR , NEW BEGINNINGS

You need to let the world know who you are baby! Pick yourself up and allow the universe to sit you high on the pyramid. Connecting to yourself will be the only way you allow this miracle to manifest. Some of you have a spirit team that is looking to work with you on this journey. Using your intellect and facing towards your dreams will allow you access to the shift faster than you'd expect. Be patient, be still, and wonder. Dreams are real.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

222

2 - Libra, Harmony, Romantic, Life Partners, Connection

2+2+2 = 6

6 - Venus, Harmony, Love, Relationships, Sex, Artistic Values

KNOWLEDGE & BRILLIANCE

You can carry your own weight, you know that right? Aren't you tired of the same ole things? Use your resources and explore the mind a little deeper. You have qualities you ignore but will benefit you in the long run. Your genius is captivated by doing this you love for a long time. Commitment is at your mercy if you picked this number. Parterships are connected to your soul purpose. Be more attracted to the mentality of a person than just their character alone. Be less attracted to people who have a lack of commitment. You know the difference, you're a very cunning artist. These individuals will connect you to the aspects of your mind you normally wouldn't share with other people. This need for more connection will propel you to allow your mind to shine, as you are brilliant I might add. Enjoy the rodeo, this will be fun!

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444

4 - Marketing, Physical reality, Grounding, Connection to the earth, Responsibility

4+4+4 = 12

1+2 = 3

3 - Jupiter, Optimism, Joy, Faith, Groups, Familiarity

DREAMS : FOCUS ON REWARDS

Be more focused on your priorities and what you want for your future self at this time. Prepare to make a shift in where this journey leads. You might fight this need for serenity, but you need peace to move on. It's the only way out of here. Clarity of mind can be get it through staying connected with Mother Gaia. Try more physicality activity as this can help your body attract your desires to you. When your body is in shape, so is your mind. The endurance you need to finish a task can be morphed by taking a chance on working out daily. Wether its walking, dancing, or even a few yoga poses will help your body stay flexible and grounded. What helps out your venusian qualities is you're need to feel better in your body. Eat right, focus on goals that help strengthen your health and be more optimistic on what you can't see.

On another note, you have to get clear on what you want for yourself. This is the primary focus for you and helps your energy be more light and attracting to others. We love you when your charming and independant, being fiery and knowing what you want is what gets your admirers going ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

555

5 - Mercury, change, growth, the mind, cultural, travel, insights

5+5+5 = 15

1+5 = 6

6 = Venus, Harmony, Love, Relationships, Sex, Artistic Values

CLEANSING & TRANSFORMING : CREATING OUT OF THIN AIR

If you chose this number you have strong empathic qualities. You are capable of connecting to other peoples energy and being able to transmute your experiences with others and producing something out of it. When you focus on clearing your energy field everyday, you can find more clarity in your connections with others. Your discernment skills keep the wrong energy from getting to close, its okay to tell them no. Trust me.

You have gifts in creating whether its through design, crafting, or forming works of art that profound people in a way. Say yes to whats new.

#oracle readings #oracle #mystic #venusian readings #pick a card #pick a number #astrology venus #astrology readings #connect

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shaniacsboogara · 1 month

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I'd say I'm genuinely baffled by some of the responses to Chappell Roan's recent statements about the burden of fame, parasocial relationships, and the harassment she's experienced because of her recent rise to stardom, but honestly I'm not surprised.

The way that fame and the concept of 'celebrity' is idolized within our society is unhealthy, but very understandable from a human perspective. Everyone wants to be seen, wants to be heard, wants to be accepted, wants others to validate that they matter, and if there's a possibility to get that validation and praise from thousands or even millions of people, of course that's something we strive for. From that angle, it's totally understandable why some people are criticizing Chappell for being 'ungrateful'. She's 'made it'. She's 'living the dream'. But when Chappell comes out and breaks that facade and opens up about fame being scary and difficult and overwhelming, people don't want to hear that. They want to keep idolizing what they think she has and who they think she is. They don't just want to consume and enjoy the art she creates, they want her to reinforce their hope in the myth of idyllic, unblemished fame. They don't want Chappell Roan the person, they want Chappell Roan the product.

That's exactly where the toxicity of this culture rears its ugly head. Yes, fame can bring you attention and accolades and the praise of millions of people, but what's that even worth if you're no longer respected as a human being? The concept of fame that is marketed to the masses simply doesn't exist, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, it's a struggle. Of course fame goes hand in hand with wealth, privilege, and an increase in social status, we see that glamorized all the time, but despite its benefits it isn't perfect.

No human being deserves to be stalked. No human being deserves to be harassed. No one should be forced to take pictures with a stranger if they don't want to. Yes, celebrities have a lot to be grateful for, and Chappell absolutely appreciates her fans and everyone who feels a connection to her art, but she has no obligation to provide autographs and meet and greets in her day to day life. Chappell Roan is a character, and that character is not the girl eating dinner at a restaurant with her parents.

There's nothing wrong with showing support to artists and celebrities, but if the way you choose to do so is by invading their personal lives and demanding their time at any given moment, of course they're going to be uncomfortable with that. You wouldn't harass anyone of any other career in that way outside of their workplace, and although it's lauded as a glamourous one, being an artist / singer / performer is just a job.

I really hope that Chappell is doing the best she can right now, and that she's able to take as much time as she needs to deal with this insane shift in her life. Although I absolutely adore her art and have been a fan for quite a few years now, if she decides to step out of the public eye, I fully applaud her for that. She is an incredible performer, but she's human, and a lot of the shit she's experienced lately has been pretty disgusting. Truly wishing her the best no matter which direction her life leads.

On a final note: this is just a little amalgamation of some things I've been stewing on for the past little while. I don't think I'm infallible, and would love to have an open discussion about fame and celebrity and the response to Chappell's statements, so if you have any differing opinions/ questions / additions, PLEASE voice them, I would love to have some good insightful discussions about this <3

#chappell roan #the rise and fall of a midwest princess #long post #average boog post

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michaelespositostatenisland · 4 months

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Michael Esposito Staten Island - Influencer Marketing the Future of Engagement? Exploring its Impact & What We Can Expect

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for brands to engage with their target audience. Michael Esposito Staten Island — How Influencer Marketing Revolutionizes Brand Engagement demonstrates the transformative potential of this approach. As the digital realm continues to expand, the integration of influencer marketing and SEO is proving to be a game-changer, offering brands amplified awareness, improved engagement metrics, and a boost in conversion rates. Let's delve into the latest trends and insights to understand the impact of influencer marketing and what we can expect in the future.

The Rise of Influencer Marketing

In recent years, influencer marketing has experienced tremendous growth, with an estimated surge from $4 billion in 2022 to over $6 billion in 2025. This surge is not only fueled by direct partnerships but also by the increasing adoption of influencer marketing by brands, with 68% planning to increase their influencer marketing budgets. Additionally, the shift towards social commerce strategies has attributed 29% of sales to social commerce, further underlining the impact of influencers in driving consumer engagement and sales.

Moreover, the influence of influencers is not restricted to specific demographics, as 63% of internet users of all ages have engaged with a sponsored influencer post at some point 3. This demonstrates the widespread impact and reach of influencer marketing across diverse consumer segments.

The Convergence of Influencer Marketing and SEO

As consumers seek authentic content based on real experiences with products and services, the convergence of influencer marketing and SEO has become increasingly evident. This convergence presents an opportunity for brands to leverage influencer content to bolster their SEO strategies and enhance their online visibility.

How Influencer Marketing Impacts SEO

The relationship between influencer marketing and SEO is complex yet complementary. Influencer partnerships can drive engagement, authority, and trust signals that are crucial for SEO. Positive influencer endorsements can build trust with their audience, which can translate to trust in the brand itself. Furthermore, influencers creating valuable content featuring the brand can be leveraged for SEO benefits, including the acquisition of high-quality backlinks.

Future Expectations

Looking ahead, influencer marketing is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of engagement for brands. The integration of influencer content with SEO strategies is expected to further elevate optimization and rankings, ultimately enhancing brand authority and trust signals. Brands that capitalize on this convergence and provide authentic value to their audiences are likely to reap substantial rewards.

Influencer Marketing and SEO: A Symphony of Success

In the journey towards maximizing the potential of influencer marketing and SEO, there are actionable steps that brands can take to craft a strategy that amplifies their brand's reach and builds lasting organic visibility:

1. Aligning Influencers with SEO Goals

Considering micro-influencers who engage in deeper connections with their audiences and create authentic content.

Prioritizing content quality over reach, focusing on informative, engaging content that optimizes for relevant keywords.

Investing in evergreen topics that offer lasting value to the audience and search engines alike.

2. Capitalizing on Content Synergies and Measuring Impact

Repurposing influencer-generated content and optimizing it for relevant keywords.

Leveraging backlinks from influencer partnerships to boost SEO ranking.

Tracking and analyzing influencer campaigns using analytics tools to monitor audience engagement and organic search traffic.

3. Building a Robust SEO Foundation

Optimizing the website for technical soundness, fast loading times, and mobile-friendliness.

Focusing on quality backlinks beyond influencer partnerships, actively pursuing high-quality backlinks from reputable websites in the niche.

In addition to these steps, brands are encouraged to develop always-on influencer partnerships, coordinate integrated content strategies, encourage backlinks, build internal influencers, monitor optimization for E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), and leverage video content to bolster reach and visibility.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of influencer marketing is bright, with an increasing number of brands recognizing its potential as a valuable marketing tool. Michael Esposito Staten Island - The Impact and Future of Influencer Marketing underscores the significant role this strategy plays in modern marketing. As the integration of influencer marketing and SEO continues to evolve, brands have the opportunity to drive real business impact by leveraging influencers' authenticity and social proof to elevate optimization and rankings. By embracing this convergence and providing authentic value to their audiences, brands can expect to see their authority, trust signals, and conversions surge over competitors.

By aligning influencer marketing with SEO goals and embracing the convergence of these strategies, brands can position themselves for success in the dynamic world of digital marketing. As the relationship between influencer marketing and SEO continues to evolve, the future indeed favors those who recognize and capitalize on this intrinsic link.

For brands looking to stay ahead of the curve, an integrated approach that leverages the power of influencer marketing and SEO is key to unlocking the full potential of both strategies.

In essence, influencer marketing is not just a passing trend but an integral component of the marketing landscape, offering brands the potential for sustained engagement, improved visibility, and significant returns on investment. By aligning influencer marketing with SEO goals and embracing the convergence of these strategies, brands can position themselves for success in the dynamic world of digital marketing. As the relationship between influencer marketing and SEO continues to evolve, the future indeed favors those who recognize and capitalize on this intrinsic link.

#michael esposito staten island #Marketing the Future #Exploring its Impact #Future Expectations #SEO Goals

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floral-ashes · 7 months

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Book release day! Very queer, very trans, very fun~~ <3

🚨📚 Today is the Canadian release day for my new book Gender/Fucking: The Pleasures and Politics of Living in a Gendered Body! Reviews of the book and links to where you can get it are at the bottom of this post.

But first, some pictures!

Asking what we can learn from sexual arousal, the book takes an incredibly raw and thought-provoking look at community, queerness, fetishization, trauma, and hope. The book tricks you into reading theory by sandwiching it in erotica. Or maybe it tricks you into reading erotica by sandwiching it in theory? I don’t know anymore...

I decided to go with an indie press that believed in the book and its transformative potential. But it means we don’t have the marketing budget of Penguin et al. I really need your collective help with spreading the word about it. Because it could benefit so many.

Early readers told me it’s a book that unmakes you and puts you back together piece by piece. It hurts, it troubles, and it nourishes. It gives voice to truths that were hidden deep in your bones. That’s how I felt writing it, and what I hope I get to share with all readers. I was using the expression “academic smut” to describe the book, but someone said it might be better called “smut therapy.”

I’ve joked a few times with friends that this is a book best read one orgasm per chapter. But it has more than a grain of truth to it. I do believe that we can learn from arousal, instead of seeing it as the antithesis of knowledge. Don’t disavow the truths of the body.

The book is an ode to the messiness of human experience. I wrote it as a way of healing and of connecting with others. While I foremost wrote it with other queer and trans people in mind, everyone can see themselves in this book and gain from it. We all share in humanity.

This year has been rough, between the intense harassment, death threats, and hate hitting really close to home. Knowing that this book was coming out has sustained me. Knowing that I would have this moment of community, of shared passion, has been a balm on those psychic wounds.

Once you get your copy, post pictures and share your impressions as you read under the hashtag #GenderFucking. You can also tag me! This book is a journey. You will feel deeply. You will have many thoughts. Some challenging, some cathartic, some freeing. All worthwhile.

You can also help me out by posting reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. If you want to write a longer review for a blog or a magazine, or suggest it for review at your favourite newspaper or magazine, that would be tremendous! All help spreading the word is truly appreciated.

Ignite the flames of passion and curiosity. Join me in embracing the raw, vibrant truth of our gendered existence.

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:

“This book is a light among a sea of uncertainty and darkness.” -Haley (spoonie.reads)

“This book aroused me, laid bare my trauma, and rang a bell deep in my soul. […] This book could change your life. It changed mine.” -Gwen Marshall, philosopher

“Transsexuality has never been sexier.” -Cáel Keegan, author of Lana and Lilly Wachowski: Sensing Transgender

“By introducing new ways of thinking about love, sex, relationships, and the impending future, this book meditates on the stigma against daring to have a body—and especially a transfeminine body—in public space.” -Amy Marvin, author of Laughing at Trans Women: A Theory of Transmisogyny

For longer reviews, head on over to Goodreads.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐲:

Find a local bookstore in Canada by using the “shop local” function of this website.

For a partial list of bookstores in Canada and elsewhere.

For the ‘muricans among you.

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sunshinesmebdy · 8 months

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Venus Enters Capricorn and the Business World Gets Serious

Mark your calendars, entrepreneurs and financiers! From January 23 to February 16, the planet of love, beauty, and money, Venus, sets up shop in the austere halls of Capricorn. Get ready for a shift in business and financial energies, as practicality, ambition, and long-term goals take center stage

Venus in Capricorn: A Match Made in the Boardroom

Think power suits, meticulous spreadsheets, and strategic partnerships. While Capricorn's Venus might not be the life of the party, it's certainly the mastermind behind a thriving empire. Here's what to expect:

Forget the Fad, Embrace Forever: Building with Brick, not Bling, during Venus in Capricorn

Venus, the planet of love and beauty, takes a pragmatic turn in the austere halls of Capricorn. Forget fleeting trends and flash-in-the-pan ventures – this transit is all about value, stability, and building something that endures. Here's how to ditch the disposable and embrace the durable:

Shifting Sands to Sturdy Ground:

Long-term vision over passing whims: Instead of chasing the latest fad, invest in projects with legs. Think timeless designs, sustainable practices, and products built to last.

Quality over quantity: Ditch the "buy 10, get 1 free" mentality. Opt for well-made, ethically sourced items that stand the test of time and add true value to your life or business.

Brick by brick: Forget get-rich-quick schemes. Focus on building your wealth gradually, through smart investments, consistent effort, and responsible financial planning.

Partnerships with Purpose:

Strength in numbers: Seek alliances that add strategic value, complementary skills, and long-term stability. This isn't a one-night stand, but a marriage of minds and resources.

Mutual respect and shared goals: Align yourself with partners who share your vision for the future and are committed to building something sustainable together.

Win-win collaboration: Forget cutthroat competition. Seek partnerships where everyone benefits, creating a foundation for mutual growth and prosperity.

Investing in the Enduring:

Slow and steady wins the race: Forget the thrill of risky ventures. Choose long-term investments in established businesses, sustainable energy, or real estate that offer secure returns.

Nurturing what matters: Invest in your own skills, knowledge, and expertise. Education, training, and personal development are invaluable assets that yield lasting rewards.

Future-proof your finances: Build a budget that prioritizes financial security, debt reduction, and saving for the long haul. Think retirement plans, emergency funds, and responsible credit management.

Venus in Capricorn isn't about denying yourself, it's about shifting your focus from fleeting pleasures to lasting satisfaction. It's about building a life, a business, and relationships that stand the test of time, brick by well-placed brick. So, forget the fads, embrace the foundations, and watch your world – and your wealth – truly blossom.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, consider incorporating timeless classics, heritage pieces, and durable materials into your work or personal life. Think heirloom furniture, quality craftsmanship, and experiences that create lasting memories.

From Lone Wolf to Power Pack: Forging Strategic Alliances under Venus in Capricorn

Forget the lone wolf mentality – during Venus in Capricorn, collaboration becomes your superpower. Here's how to navigate this transit and turn strategic alliances into your secret weapon for business and personal success:

Strength in Numbers:

Synergy over solo: Identify partners whose skills, resources, and expertise complement yours, creating a force greater than the sum of its parts. Think marketing gurus teaming with tech wizards, or seasoned veterans pairing with innovative upstarts.

Market mastery: Seek alliances that open doors to new markets, expand your customer base, and strengthen your brand reach. Think global partnerships, cross-industry collaborations, or joint ventures that tap into untapped territories.

Sharing the load: Partnerships can help you tackle ambitious projects, share operational costs, and leverage diverse perspectives to overcome challenges. Think resource pooling, joint marketing campaigns, or co-developed products.

Beyond Handshakes:

Shared vision, not just shared profits: Align yourself with partners who not only bring practical value but also share your long-term vision, values, and commitment to ethical practices. Building trust and mutual respect is key.

Clear communication, ironclad agreements: Open and honest communication is vital to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page. Negotiate fair terms, define roles and responsibilities, and create a win-win partnership agreement.

Mutual growth, not exploitation: Remember, a true partnership is a two-way street. Invest in your partner's success as you expect them to invest in yours. Celebrate shared victories and support each other during challenges.

Examples in Action:

A small eco-friendly clothing brand partners with a large online retailer to reach a wider audience and scale its sustainable production.

A team of experienced consultants collaborates with a team of young, tech-savvy developers to offer cutting-edge solutions to their clients.

Two local businesses in the same neighborhood join forces to host joint events, cross-promote their services, and attract new customers.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, strategic alliances are not short-term fixes but long-term investments in your future. Choose your partners wisely, nurture the relationships, and watch your combined forces elevate your business to new heights. By embracing collaboration, you not only achieve shared success but also build a network of valuable connections that can weather any storm.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, actively seek out networking opportunities, attend industry events, and connect with individuals or organizations whose expertise and vision align with yours. You never know where your next power partnership might blossom!

So, step out of your comfort zone, open your arms to collaboration, and watch the magic unfold as you build a thriving empire, not just brick by brick, but hand in hand.

Channel Your Inner Chess Master: Sharpening Your Negotiation Prowess in Venus in Capricorn

Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, might seem an unlikely warrior in the boardroom, but during her sojourn in Capricorn, her charm takes on a strategic edge. Forget impulsive deals and flowery persuasion; this transit is all about mastering the art of negotiation with shrewd calculations and unwavering determination. Ready to transform into a deal-closing powerhouse? Here's your playbook:

Know Your Worth, Inside and Out:

Research and preparation are key: Before entering any negotiation, gather all relevant data, market trends, and competitor analysis. Know your bottom line, your strengths, and the value you bring to the table.

Confidence is your armor: Don't underestimate yourself. Be clear about your goals and objectives, and project an aura of self-assurance and professionalism. A confident negotiator commands respect and commands better deals.

Listen with a hawk's ear: Pay close attention to your counterpart's needs, concerns, and priorities. Active listening allows you to identify leverage points and craft proposals that meet everyone's objectives.

Strategic Maneuvers on the Bargaining Table:

Think long-term: Focus on building mutually beneficial partnerships rather than short-term wins. Think strategic concessions that open doors to future collaborations or long-term contracts.

Patience is a virtue: Don't rush into the first offer. Be prepared to walk away if the deal doesn't align with your goals. This creates an air of power and strengthens your leverage.

The carrot and the stick, masterfully wielded: Combine firmness on key points with creative problem-solving and willingness to find common ground. Offer sweeteners or concessions on less crucial aspects to secure the bigger win.

Mastering the Art of Persuasion:

Facts are your ammunition: Back up your claims with data, reports, and evidence. A logical, data-driven approach resonates with the Capricorn Venus.

Speak with clarity and precision: Avoid emotional appeals or empty promises. Stick to concise, well-supported arguments that leave no room for misinterpretation.

Body language speaks volumes: Maintain eye contact, project confidence through your posture, and avoid fidgeting. Nonverbal cues can build trust and strengthen your negotiating position.

Bonus Tip: Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play scenarios with colleagues, mentors, or even yourself in the mirror. The more comfortable you are in the art of the deal, the easier it will be to secure those all-important victories.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, negotiation is not a battle but a chess game. Think strategically, play calculated moves, and always keep your ultimate goals in mind. By channeling your inner chess master, you can transform negotiations from stressful encounters into opportunities for mutual growth and solidify your reputation as a shrewd and successful deal-maker.

So, step into the negotiation arena with confidence, wield your skills like a seasoned strategist, and watch as you secure those winning deals that propel your business, finances, and even personal relationships to new heights.

Beyond Bling: Redefining Luxury in the Era of Venus in Capricorn

Forget fleeting trends and ostentatious displays – Venus, the planet of love and beauty, takes on a decidedly sophisticated and sustainable aura during her sojourn in Capricorn. Indulgence gets a serious upgrade, shifting from empty extravagance to lasting investments, meaningful experiences, and timeless treasures. Here's how to navigate this transit and discover a richer, more fulfilling form of luxury:

From Flash to Substance:

Heirlooms over trinkets: Invest in quality pieces built to last, crafted with ethical practices, and designed to become treasured family heirlooms. Think handcrafted furniture, well-made clothing, or art passed down through generations.

Experiences that resonate: Prioritize adventures and journeys that leave a lasting mark on your soul, not just your Instagram feed. Think learning a new skill, volunteering your time, or immersing yourself in a different culture.

Sustainable indulgence: Pamper yourself with products and services that reflect your values, like organic spa treatments, ethically sourced clothing, or supporting local artisans. Conscious indulgence feels better and lasts longer.

Investing in Your World:

Knowledge is the ultimate luxury: Invest in personal and professional development. Master a new skill, pursue further education, or attend insightful workshops that enrich your mind and expand your horizons.

Building a legacy, not an empire: Think beyond accumulating material possessions. Focus on creating a life filled with meaningful relationships, strong support networks, and positive contributions to your community.

Time, the most precious treasure: Prioritize experiences that create lasting memories and strengthen bonds. Spend quality time with loved ones, explore hidden corners of the world, or simply savor the quiet moments of life.

Beyond the Material:

Curate, don't accumulate: Surround yourself with objects that hold personal meaning, evoke inspiration, and bring you joy. Let go of clutter and embrace minimalism, creating a space that reflects your values and enhances your well-being.

Master the art of slow living: Appreciate the finer things in life, savor each moment, and resist the urge to rush through experiences. Slow living allows you to fully immerse yourself in the present and truly embrace the luxury of time.

Gratitude is the golden thread: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all the blessings in your life, big and small. Appreciation enhances the value of your experiences and helps you find joy in the ordinary.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, luxury is not about flaunting or chasing fleeting trends. It's about investing in things that bring lasting value, creating experiences that nourish your soul, and nurturing a life filled with substance and meaning. By cultivating this mindful approach to indulgence, you'll discover a richer, more fulfilling form of luxury that transcends the material and leaves a lasting legacy of joy and fulfillment.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, consider decluttering your life and donating possessions you no longer need. Clearing space for the truly meaningful makes room for experiences and treasures that enrich your life in ways that last.

So, embrace the shift towards meaningful indulgence, invest in experiences that resonate, and surround yourself with things that bring lasting joy. As Venus shines in Capricorn, discover a whole new level of luxury, one that nourishes your soul, enriches your world, and leaves a trail of timeless beauty in its wake.

Beyond Butterflies: Building Enduring Love under Venus in Capricorn

Forget whirlwind romances and impulsive declarations – Venus, the planet of love and beauty, takes on a practical, future-oriented guise during her stay in Capricorn. While sparks might fly and hearts might flutter, romantic pursuits are guided by long-term vision, shared goals, and a commitment to building something that endures. Here's how to navigate this transit and find love that stands the test of time:

Beyond the Initial Sparks:

Slow burn over fireworks: Don't rush into grand pronouncements or hasty commitments. Instead, take your time, get to know each other on a deeper level, and let feelings develop organically.

Shared values, not just shared smiles: Look for partners who align with your core values, life goals, and aspirations. Compatibility goes beyond surface compatibility; seek someone who shares your vision for the future.

Building trust brick by brick: Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate consistency, reliability, and unwavering support. Trust, like strong foundations, takes time and effort to build.

Love with Substance:

Partners in ambition: Seek someone who inspires you to be your best self and supports your professional and personal aspirations. Think power couples who build empires together, not sidekicks holding handbags.

Mutual respect and admiration: Appreciate each other's strengths, talents, and individual journeys. A successful partnership is not about competition but about celebrating each other's successes.

Open communication, built on honesty: Maintain clear and honest communication, even when challenging conversations arise. Trustworthy communication builds a foundation for navigating life's inevitable ups and downs together.

Beyond the Honeymoon Phase:

Commitment built on shared dreams: True commitment comes from a shared vision for the future, not just temporary infatuation. Discuss long-term goals, create shared plans, and build a life together brick by well-placed brick.

Weathering storms as a team: Life throws curveballs. Look for a partner who stands by you, offers unwavering support, and celebrates your victories just as readily as they comfort you in times of adversity.

Nurturing the flame, not just fanning it: Long-term love requires effort. Continuously invest in your relationship, prioritize quality time, and keep the romance alive with thoughtful gestures and shared experiences.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, focus on personal growth and building a fulfilling life for yourself. When you radiate stability, self-sufficiency, and clear goals, you attract partners who seek the same qualities in a relationship.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, love is not a whirlwind adventure but a deliberate journey shared with a compatible partner. This is a time to prioritize long-term compatibility, build a foundation of trust and shared goals, and nurture a love that grows stronger with each passing season. By embracing this mindful approach to romance, you can create a relationship that weathers life's storms, fuels your ambitions, and ultimately, becomes a source of enduring joy and fulfillment.

So, open your heart to connection, seek meaningful connections, and invest in building a love that stands the test of time. Remember, true love stories are not written overnight, but crafted with care, nurtured with commitment, and built to last under the watchful eye of Venus in Capricorn.

Building the Future, Brick by Green Brick: Favorable Investments under Venus in Capricorn

Venus, the planet of love and beauty, might seem an unlikely financial advisor, but during her sojourn in Capricorn, she sheds her glittery gown for a sensible power suit. This transit is all about prudent, long-term investments that not only yield solid returns but also align with your values and contribute to a sustainable future. Let's delve into the exciting world of profitable ventures under Venus in Capricorn:

Planting Seeds for Future Harvest:

Solid foundations over fleeting fads: Ditch risky ventures and speculative schemes. Prioritize established businesses with proven track records, strong financials, and long-term growth potential. Think blue-chip companies, reputable investment funds, or well-maintained rental properties.

Bricks and mortar with a modern twist: Real estate can be a lucrative investment during this transit, but consider eco-friendly options or properties with future-proof upgrades. Think energy-efficient buildings, sustainable communities, or land with potential for renewable energy development.

Green is the new gold: Sustainable ventures are not just good for the planet, they're also smart financial decisions. Invest in clean technology, renewable energy initiatives, or socially responsible companies that prioritize ethical practices and environmental impact.

Planting with Precision:

Do your research, due diligence is your friend: Venus in Capricorn demands thorough research and careful analysis before any investment. Understand the market, evaluate risks and potential returns, and consult with financial advisors if needed.

Patience is a virtue: Don't expect overnight riches. Successful long-term investments require patience, discipline, and a willingness to ride out market fluctuations. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Diversification is your shield: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your investments across different sectors, asset classes, and geographical locations to minimize risk and maximize potential returns.

Beyond the Bottom Line:

Invest in your passions: While financial growth is important, aligning your investments with your values can bring additional satisfaction. Support companies that resonate with your ethical beliefs, environmental concerns, or social causes you champion.

Community-building through investments: Consider investing in local businesses, community projects, or social enterprises that uplift your neighborhood and create a sustainable future for all. Your financial success can be a catalyst for positive change.

Sustainable prosperity for generations to come: Think beyond your own immediate needs. Choose investments that contribute to a healthier planet, fairer society, and brighter future for future generations. Leave a legacy of responsible wealth and lasting impact.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, consider seeking financial advice from professionals who specialize in sustainable and ethical investments. They can help you align your financial goals with your values and make informed decisions that benefit both your wallet and the world.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, smart investments are not just about securing your financial future, they're about building a legacy of prosperity, sustainability, and positive impact. By planting your seeds wisely, nurturing them with patience, and choosing ventures that resonate with your values, you can reap the rewards of a truly fulfilling financial journey. So, channel your inner financial architect, invest in the future you envision, and watch your portfolio blossom into a garden of abundance and purpose.

From Burden to Freedom: Conquering Debt under Venus in Capricorn

Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, might seem an unlikely debt collector, but during her sojourn in Capricorn, she dons a practical helmet and picks up a financial spreadsheet. This transit is all about taking control of your finances, tackling debt with determination, and building a foundation of financial security for a brighter future. Let's dive into the world of debt reduction under the watchful eye of Venus in Capricorn:

Facing the Numbers with Courage:

Acknowledge the elephant in the room: Don't shy away from confronting your debt. Face the numbers head-on, understand your current financial situation, and create a clear picture of the mountain you need to climb.

Prioritize ruthless efficiency: Not all debts are created equal. Focus on tackling high-interest loans first, where even small payments can make a significant dent. Develop a repayment strategy that takes advantage of compounding interest and minimizes overall costs.

Renegotiate with strength and strategy: Don't be afraid to renegotiate loan terms for better rates or repayment schedules. Arm yourself with market research and negotiation skills, and approach your creditors with confidence and clarity.

Budgeting: Your Weapon of Choice:

Track every penny: Implement a detailed budget that tracks your income and expenses meticulously. Every latte and Netflix subscription matters when you're battling debt.

Slash the non-essentials: Identify areas where you can cut back on spending. Be ruthless! Are you subscribed to services you never use? Can you cook more meals at home? Every small sacrifice adds up.

Embrace delayed gratification: Learn to live within your means, even if it means saying no to some immediate desires. Prioritize debt reduction over instant gratification, knowing that financial freedom awaits on the other side.

Building a Wall of Financial Security:

Automate your progress: Set up automatic bill payments and debt repayments to avoid missed payments and late fees. Discipline your finances, make saving and debt reduction a seamless part of your routine.

Celebrate milestones, not just the finish line: Acknowledge your progress along the way. Every debt paid off is a victory. Reward yourself for small milestones, keeping yourself motivated and reminding yourself of the amazing journey you're on.

Invest in your future self: As you free yourself from debt, start building an emergency fund and invest in your long-term financial goals. Remember, financial security is not just about eliminating debt, it's about building a stable and prosperous future.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, consider seeking financial counseling or debt management services if needed. Professional guidance can help you create a personalized debt repayment plan, negotiate with creditors, and stay on track towards financial freedom.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, tackling debt is not a punishment, it's an act of self-love and empowerment. By facing your challenges with courage, implementing smart strategies, and celebrating your progress along the way, you can transform your financial landscape from a burden to a source of pride and security. So, pick up your financial sword, embrace the discipline of Venus in Capricorn, and conquer the mountain of debt with determination and a vision for a brighter future.

Every Penny a Stepping Stone: Mastering Strategic Spending under Venus in Capricorn

Forget frivolous splurges and fleeting trends – Venus, the planet of love and beauty, undergoes a financial metamorphosis during her stay in Capricorn. Every purchase becomes an investment, a deliberate step towards building a life of quality, value, and long-term satisfaction. Let's navigate this transit and transform your spending habits into a ladder towards personal and financial fulfillment:

From Impulse to Intention:

Mindset shift: Every purchase carries weight. Ask yourself, "Is this an investment in my well-being, my goals, or my future?" Prioritize items that contribute to your personal growth, professional aspirations, or long-term needs.

Banish the impulse buy: Resist the siren call of instant gratification. Give yourself time to consider purchases, compare options, and avoid emotional or peer-pressure-driven decisions.

Needs trump wants: Differentiate between essential needs and fleeting desires. Invest in well-made, durable items that serve a purpose and stand the test of time. Think quality tools, timeless classics, or experiences that enrich your life in lasting ways.

Quality over Quantity:

Buy less, choose better: Embrace minimalism and focus on acquiring fewer, high-quality items that reflect your values and aesthetic. Invest in craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and sustainable materials that elevate your life without overloading it.

Experience over extravagance: Prioritize experiences that create lasting memories and personal growth over fleeting material possessions. Invest in learning new skills, traveling to new places, or fostering meaningful connections.

Support values with your wallet: Align your spending with your ethical and environmental values. Choose sustainable brands, support local businesses, and invest in products that reflect your commitment to a better future.

Building Financial Muscles:

Budgeting is your roadmap: Create and stick to a realistic budget that tracks your income and expenses meticulously. Allocate funds efficiently, prioritize your needs, and leave little room for impulsive spending.

Embrace delayed gratification: Learn to wait and plan for what you desire. Saving for larger purchases builds discipline, allows you to gather information, and prevents the pitfalls of rushed decisions.

Track, analyze, and adapt: Monitor your spending patterns, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your budget as needed. Be flexible and learn from your financial journey, constantly working towards smarter spending habits.

Bonus Tip: During this transit, consider implementing a "cooling off period" before making significant purchases. Take time to research, compare options, and sleep on it before committing. This simple delay can save you from impulsive decisions and ensure your investments align with your long-term goals.

Remember, under Venus in Capricorn, strategic spending is not about deprivation, it's about conscious choices. Every purchase becomes a building block towards a life you love, a life filled with well-being, financial security, and experiences that resonate with your values. By channeling your inner financial architect, investing in quality and purpose, and avoiding the fleeting allure of instant gratification, you can transform your spending habits into a ladder that leads you to a truly fulfilling and prosperous future.

So, embrace the wisdom of Venus in Capricorn, make every penny a stepping stone, and watch your life rise higher, brick by well-chosen brick, towards a future filled with beauty, value, and lasting satisfaction.

Tips for Navigating Venus in Capricorn:

Develop a Clear Vision: Define your business goals, financial aspirations, and ideal partnerships with laser precision.

Build Sustainable Strategies: Focus on long-term growth, implement robust financial plans, and invest in lasting resources.

Network with Authority: Connect with established figures, industry leaders, and potential partners who share your ambitious vision.

Invest in Quality and Expertise: Don't cut corners on resources or personnel. Surround yourself with skilled professionals and premium solutions.

Expressing Love: Show your appreciation through practical gestures, commitment, and long-term planning. Building a secure future together speaks volumes.

So, embrace the seriousness, hone your business acumen, and leverage the stability of Venus in Capricorn. This is your chance to build a sustainable empire, secure financial prosperity, and forge partnerships that stand the test of time.

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slayingfiction · 4 months

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Traditional Publishing

In the evolving landscape of publishing, traditional publishing has held a significant place, fostering literary culture for centuries. However, with the rise of digital media and self-publishing platforms, authors and readers are often caught in a debate over the relevance and benefits of traditional publishing methods. Let’s explore traditional publishing and its place in the literary world.

Pros of Traditional Publishing

Professional Editing and Design: One of the most significant advantages of traditional publishing is the professional support, including editing, proofreading, cover design, and formatting, ensuring that the final product is of high quality. These services are crucial for authors who may not have the skills or resources to polish their work to a professional standard.

Marketing and Distribution: Traditional publishers have established networks and resources for marketing and distributing books. They can place books in prominent storefronts, organize book tours, and secure media coverage, which can be challenging for self-published authors to achieve on their own.

Credibility and Prestige: Being published by a recognized publishing house adds a layer of credibility to an author’s work. It can enhance an author’s reputation, as traditional publishers are selective and publish only those manuscripts they believe will succeed in the competitive market. This may be beneficial to those looking to get into literary writing, and the recognition that comes with associated awards.

Advance Payments: Traditional publishers sometimes offer advances to authors, especially to provide financial support during the writing process for future books. This upfront payment can be crucial for authors who need to dedicate significant time to their writing, which can be very necessary since many writer’s don’t make a full-time income from their writing.

Editorial Support: You will work directly with experienced editors and receive feedback and guidance to improve the quality of your manuscript and make it more enticing to prospective readers.

Long-term Relationships: Traditional publishing can foster long-term relationships between authors and their publishers, leading to future book deals and collaborative opportunities. Publishing Houses also have established connections with stores, libraries, academic institutions, and more. These relationships are beneficial to the writer, no matter their genre of writing.

Rights Management: Publishers manage subsidiary rights, such as translations, film adaptations, and audio books, potentially opening additional revenue streams.

Focus on Writing: With the publisher handling many aspects of the publication process, authors can focus more on writing and less on the business side of publishing.

Cons of Traditional Publishing

Long Publication Process: The traditional publishing route can be lengthy. From submission to publication, the process can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending on various factors like the publisher’s schedule and market trends.

Loss of Creative Control: Authors may have to concede some creative control when working with a traditional publisher. Publishers can request changes in content, title, and even narrative style to fit market expectations or the publisher’s brand.

Tough Entry: Getting a contract with a traditional publisher is notoriously difficult. The process often requires finding an agent first, and then one must endure the rigorous selection process of publishers, which can be disheartening and discouraging.

Lower Royalties: Traditional publishing pays royalties, but these are typically lower than what one might earn through self-publishing. After the publisher, distributors, and retailers take their shares, authors might find their earnings to be low. Royalties are often made semi-annually or quarterly, leading to slower financial returns for the author.

Limited Marketing Support: Not all traditionally published books receive significant marketing support, especially from smaller or mid-sized publishers, leaving some authors to handle much of the promotion themselves.

Loss of Rights: Authors often have to sign over significant rights to their work, including international, audio, and film rights, limiting their control over these aspects.

Initial Gatekeeping: Authors must often secure a literary agent to approach traditional publishers, adding another layer of gatekeeping and potential delay.

Limited Print Runs: Publishers may limit the print run of a book, which can affect its availability and reach if initial sales are not strong.

Focus on Proven Authors: Publishers may prioritize established authors or celebrities, making it harder for new or lesser-known writers to get attention and resources.

Conclusion

Traditional publishing has its set of challenges and benefits. It offers a level of prestige, professional support, and market access that can be hard to achieve through self-publishing. However, it also involves a more considerable investment of time, a potential compromise on creative control, and can be challenging to break into.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional publishing and other forms of publishing such as self-publishing should be based on an author’s individual goals, resources, and priorities. Each path offers different opportunities and challenges, and what works best will depend on the specific needs and expectations of the author.

Check out Slaying Fiction for more content!

Happy Writing

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B.2.2 Does the state have subsidiary functions?

Yes, it does. While, as discussed in the last section, the state is an instrument to maintain class rule this does not mean that it is limited to just defending the social relationships in a society and the economic and political sources of those relationships. No state has ever left its activities at that bare minimum. As well as defending the rich, their property and the specific forms of property rights they favoured, the state has numerous other subsidiary functions.

What these are has varied considerably over time and space and, consequently, it would be impossible to list them all. However, why it does is more straight forward. We can generalise two main forms of subsidiary functions of the state. The first one is to boost the interests of the ruling elite either nationally or internationally beyond just defending their property. The second is to protect society against the negative effects of the capitalist market. We will discuss each in turn and, for simplicity and relevance, we will concentrate on capitalism (see also section D.1).

The first main subsidiary function of the state is when it intervenes in society to help the capitalist class in some way. This can take obvious forms of intervention, such as subsidies, tax breaks, non-bid government contracts, protective tariffs to old, inefficient, industries, giving actual monopolies to certain firms or individuals, bailouts of corporations judged by state bureaucrats as too important to let fail, and so on. However, the state intervenes far more than that and in more subtle ways. Usually it does so to solve problems that arise in the course of capitalist development and which cannot, in general, be left to the market (at least initially). These are designed to benefit the capitalist class as a whole rather than just specific individuals, companies or sectors.

These interventions have taken different forms in different times and include state funding for industry (e.g. military spending); the creation of social infrastructure too expensive for private capital to provide (railways, motorways); the funding of research that companies cannot afford to undertake; protective tariffs to protect developing industries from more efficient international competition (the key to successful industrialisation as it allows capitalists to rip-off consumers, making them rich and increasing funds available for investment); giving capitalists preferential access to land and other natural resources; providing education to the general public that ensures they have the skills and attitude required by capitalists and the state (it is no accident that a key thing learned in school is how to survive boredom, being in a hierarchy and to do what it orders); imperialist ventures to create colonies or client states (or protect citizen’s capital invested abroad) in order to create markets or get access to raw materials and cheap labour; government spending to stimulate consumer demand in the face of recession and stagnation; maintaining a “natural” level of unemployment that can be used to discipline the working class, so ensuring they produce more, for less; manipulating the interest rate in order to try and reduce the effects of the business cycle and undermine workers’ gains in the class struggle.

These actions, and others like it, ensures that a key role of the state within capitalism “is essentially to socialise risk and cost, and to privatise power and profit.” Unsurprisingly, “with all the talk about minimising the state, in the OECD countries the state continues to grow relative to GNP.” [Noam Chomsky, Rogue States, p. 189] Hence David Deleon:

“Above all, the state remains an institution for the continuance of dominant socioeconomic relations, whether through such agencies as the military, the courts, politics or the police … Contemporary states have acquired … less primitive means to reinforce their property systems [than state violence — which is always the means of last, often first, resort]. States can regulate, moderate or resolve tensions in the economy by preventing the bankruptcies of key corporations, manipulating the economy through interest rates, supporting hierarchical ideology through tax benefits for churches and schools, and other tactics. In essence, it is not a neutral institution; it is powerfully for the status quo. The capitalist state, for example, is virtually a gyroscope centred in capital, balancing the system. If one sector of the economy earns a level of profit, let us say, that harms the rest of the system — such as oil producers’ causing public resentment and increased manufacturing costs — the state may redistribute some of that profit through taxation, or offer encouragement to competitors.” [“Anarchism on the origins and functions of the state: some basic notes”, Reinventing Anarchy, pp. 71–72]

In other words, the state acts to protect the long-term interests of the capitalist class as a whole (and ensure its own survival) by protecting the system. This role can and does clash with the interests of particular capitalists or even whole sections of the ruling class (see section B.2.6). But this conflict does not change the role of the state as the property owners’ policeman. Indeed, the state can be considered as a means for settling (in a peaceful and apparently independent manner) upper-class disputes over what to do to keep the system going.

This subsidiary role, it must be stressed, is no accident, It is part and parcel capitalism. Indeed, “successful industrial societies have consistently relied on departures from market orthodoxies, while condemning their victims [at home and abroad] to market discipline.” [Noam Chomsky, World Orders, Old and New, p. 113] While such state intervention grew greatly after the Second World War, the role of the state as active promoter of the capitalist class rather than just its passive defender as implied in capitalist ideology (i.e. as defender of property) has always been a feature of the system. As Kropotkin put it:

“every State reduces the peasants and the industrial workers to a life of misery, by means of taxes, and through the monopolies it creates in favour of the landlords, the cotton lords, the railway magnates, the publicans, and the like … we need only to look round, to see how everywhere in Europe and America the States are constituting monopolies in favour of capitalists at home, and still more in conquered lands [which are part of their empires].” [Evolution and Environment, p. 97]

By “monopolies,” it should be noted, Kropotkin meant general privileges and benefits rather than giving a certain firm total control over a market. This continues to this day by such means as, for example, privatising industries but providing them with state subsidies or by (mis-labelled) “free trade” agreements which impose protectionist measures such as intellectual property rights on the world market.

All this means that capitalism has rarely relied on purely economic power to keep the capitalists in their social position of dominance (either nationally, vis-à-vis the working class, or internationally, vis-à-vis competing foreign elites). While a “free market” capitalist regime in which the state reduces its intervention to simply protecting capitalist property rights has been approximated on a few occasions, this is not the standard state of the system — direct force, i.e. state action, almost always supplements it.

This is most obviously the case during the birth of capitalist production. Then the bourgeoisie wants and uses the power of the state to “regulate” wages (i.e. to keep them down to such levels as to maximise profits and force people attend work regularly), to lengthen the working day and to keep the labourer dependent on wage labour as their own means of income (by such means as enclosing land, enforcing property rights on unoccupied land, and so forth). As capitalism is not and has never been a “natural” development in society, it is not surprising that more and more state intervention is required to keep it going (and if even this was not the case, if force was essential to creating the system in the first place, the fact that it latter can survive without further direct intervention does not make the system any less statist). As such, “regulation” and other forms of state intervention continue to be used in order to skew the market in favour of the rich and so force working people to sell their labour on the bosses terms.

This form of state intervention is designed to prevent those greater evils which might threaten the efficiency of a capitalist economy or the social and economic position of the bosses. It is designed not to provide positive benefits for those subject to the elite (although this may be a side-effect). Which brings us to the other kind of state intervention, the attempts by society, by means of the state, to protect itself against the eroding effects of the capitalist market system.

Capitalism is an inherently anti-social system. By trying to treat labour (people) and land (the environment) as commodities, it has to break down communities and weaken eco-systems. This cannot but harm those subject to it and, as a consequence, this leads to pressure on government to intervene to mitigate the most damaging effects of unrestrained capitalism. Therefore, on one side there is the historical movement of the market, a movement that has not inherent limit and that therefore threatens society’s very existence. On the other there is society’s natural propensity to defend itself, and therefore to create institutions for its protection. Combine this with a desire for justice on behalf of the oppressed along with opposition to the worse inequalities and abuses of power and wealth and we have the potential for the state to act to combat the worse excesses of the system in order to keep the system as a whole going. After all, the government “cannot want society to break up, for it would mean that it and the dominant class would be deprived of the sources of exploitation.” [Malatesta, Op. Cit., p. 25]

Needless to say, the thrust for any system of social protection usually comes from below, from the people most directly affected by the negative effects of capitalism. In the face of mass protests the state may be used to grant concessions to the working class in cases where not doing so would threaten the integrity of the system as a whole. Thus, social struggle is the dynamic for understanding many, if not all, of the subsidiary functions acquired by the state over the years (this applies to pro-capitalist functions as these are usually driven by the need to bolster the profits and power of capitalists at the expense of the working class).

State legislation to set the length of the working day is an obvious example this. In the early period of capitalist development, the economic position of the capitalists was secure and, consequently, the state happily ignored the lengthening working day, thus allowing capitalists to appropriate more surplus value from workers and increase the rate of profit without interference. Whatever protests erupted were handled by troops. Later, however, after workers began to organise on a wider and wider scale, reducing the length of the working day became a key demand around which revolutionary socialist fervour was developing. In order to defuse this threat (and socialist revolution is the worst-case scenario for the capitalist), the state passed legislation to reduce the length of the working day.

Initially, the state was functioning purely as the protector of the capitalist class, using its powers simply to defend the property of the few against the many who used it (i.e. repressing the labour movement to allow the capitalists to do as they liked). In the second period, the state was granting concessions to the working class to eliminate a threat to the integrity of the system as a whole. Needless to say, once workers’ struggle calmed down and their bargaining position reduced by the normal workings of market (see section B.4.3), the legislation restricting the working day was happily ignored and became “dead laws.”

This suggests that there is a continuing tension and conflict between the efforts to establish, maintain, and spread the “free market” and the efforts to protect people and society from the consequences of its workings. Who wins this conflict depends on the relative strength of those involved (as does the actual reforms agreed to). Ultimately, what the state concedes, it can also take back. Thus the rise and fall of the welfare state — granted to stop more revolutionary change (see section D.1.3), it did not fundamentally challenge the existence of wage labour and was useful as a means of regulating capitalism but was “reformed” (i.e. made worse, rather than better) when it conflicted with the needs of the capitalist economy and the ruling elite felt strong enough to do so.

Of course, this form of state intervention does not change the nature nor role of the state as an instrument of minority power. Indeed, that nature cannot help but shape how the state tries to implement social protection and so if the state assumes functions it does so as much in the immediate interest of the capitalist class as in the interest of society in general. Even where it takes action under pressure from the general population or to try and mend the harm done by the capitalist market, its class and hierarchical character twists the results in ways useful primarily to the capitalist class or itself. This can be seen from how labour legislation is applied, for example. Thus even the “good” functions of the state are penetrated with and dominated by the state’s hierarchical nature. As Malatesta forcefully put it:

“The basic function of government … is always that of oppressing and exploiting the masses, of defending the oppressors and the exploiters … It is true that to these basic functions … other functions have been added in the course of history … hardly ever has a government existed … which did not combine with its oppressive and plundering activities others which were useful … to social life. But this does not detract from the fact that government is by nature oppressive … and that it is in origin and by its attitude, inevitably inclined to defend and strengthen the dominant class; indeed it confirms and aggravates the position … [I]t is enough to understand how and why it carries out these functions to find the practical evidence that whatever governments do is always motivated by the desire to dominate, and is always geared to defending, extending and perpetuating its privileges and those of the class of which it is both the representative and defender.” [Op. Cit., pp. 23–4]

This does not mean that these reforms should be abolished (the alternative is often worse, as neo-liberalism shows), it simply recognises that the state is not a neutral body and cannot be expected to act as if it were. Which, ironically, indicates another aspect of social protection reforms within capitalism: they make for good PR. By appearing to care for the interests of those harmed by capitalism, the state can obscure it real nature:

“A government cannot maintain itself for long without hiding its true nature behind a pretence of general usefulness; it cannot impose respect for the lives of the privileged if it does not appear to demand respect for all human life; it cannot impose acceptance of the privileges of the few if it does not pretend to be the guardian of the rights of all.” [Malatesta, Op. Cit., p. 24]

Obviously, being an instrument of the ruling elite, the state can hardly be relied upon to control the system which that elite run. As we discuss in the next section, even in a democracy the state is run and controlled by the wealthy making it unlikely that pro-people legislation will be introduced or enforced without substantial popular pressure. That is why anarchists favour direct action and extra-parliamentary organising (see sections J.2 and J.5 for details). Ultimately, even basic civil liberties and rights are the product of direct action, of “mass movements among the people” to “wrest these rights from the ruling classes, who would never have consented to them voluntarily.” [Rocker, Anarcho-Syndicalism, p. 75]

Equally obviously, the ruling elite and its defenders hate any legislation it does not favour — while, of course, remaining silent on its own use of the state. As Benjamin Tucker pointed out about the “free market” capitalist Herbert Spencer, “amid his multitudinous illustrations … of the evils of legislation, he in every instance cites some law passed ostensibly at least to protect labour, alleviating suffering, or promote the people’s welfare… But never once does he call attention to the far more deadly and deep-seated evils growing out of the innumerable laws creating privilege and sustaining monopoly.” [The Individualist Anarchists, p. 45] Such hypocrisy is staggering, but all too common in the ranks of supporters of “free market” capitalism.

Finally, it must be stressed that none of these subsidiary functions implies that capitalism can be changed through a series of piecemeal reforms into a benevolent system that primarily serves working class interests. To the contrary, these functions grow out of, and supplement, the basic role of the state as the protector of capitalist property and the social relations they generate — i.e. the foundation of the capitalist’s ability to exploit. Therefore reforms may modify the functioning of capitalism but they can never threaten its basis.

In summary, while the level and nature of statist intervention on behalf of the employing classes may vary, it is always there. No matter what activity it conducts beyond its primary function of protecting private property, what subsidiary functions it takes on, the state always operates as an instrument of the ruling class. This applies even to those subsidiary functions which have been imposed on the state by the general public — even the most popular reform will be twisted to benefit the state or capital, if at all possible. This is not to dismiss all attempts at reform as irrelevant, it simply means recognising that we, the oppressed, need to rely on our own strength and organisations to improve our circumstances.

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