#Applications and Market Potential

[ultrimio]

Polariton Displays vs. Current QD-LED Displays: A Comprehensive Comparison

With the advancements in display technologies, a new contender—polariton displays—has entered the scene, promising even greater efficiency and performance than the current QD-LED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) displays. Here's a detailed comparison between these two cutting-edge technologies:

1. Technology Overview

QD-LED Displays:

Structure: Utilize quantum dots to convert blue light LEDs into RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colors.

Mechanism: Quantum dots emit light when excited by an external light source, providing a broad color gamut and excellent brightness.

Polariton Displays:

Structure: Based on exciton polaritons, which are hybrid light-matter particles formed through strong coupling between photons and excitons.

Mechanism: Polaritons can propagate like light while interacting with organic molecules, leading to efficient energy transfer and light emission.

2. Brightness and Efficiency

QD-LED Displays:

Brightness: High brightness levels due to quantum dot technology and efficient backlighting.

Efficiency: Improved efficiency over traditional displays, but still limited by the quantum dot conversion process.

Polariton Displays:

Brightness: Potentially brighter due to efficient energy transfer between polariton particles and organic molecules.

Efficiency: Higher efficiency due to reduced energy loss and more effective light emission.

Verdict: Polariton displays could surpass QD-LEDs in both brightness and efficiency due to the unique properties of polaritons.

3. Color Gamut

QD-LED Displays:

Color Range: Wide color gamut (~90% of the DCI-P3 spectrum) due to precise quantum dot tuning.

Color Accuracy: High accuracy with minimal color shift.

Polariton Displays:

Color Range: Potentially wider color gamut due to the strong coupling effect and better control of energy transfer.

Color Accuracy: Expected to provide excellent color accuracy due to the precise manipulation of polaritons.

Verdict: Polariton displays have the potential for a wider color gamut and superior color accuracy compared to QD-LEDs.

4. Durability and Lifespan

QD-LED Displays:

Durability: Quantum dots are stable, but the LED backlighting can degrade over time.

Lifespan: Moderate to high, but longer than OLEDs due to reduced burn-in issues.

Polariton Displays:

Durability: Improved organic materials reduce degradation, and polaritons can propagate without significant loss.

Lifespan: Expected to have a longer lifespan due to the efficient energy transfer and durable organic materials.

Verdict: Polariton displays are likely to offer better durability and a longer lifespan than QD-LED displays.

5. Energy Consumption

QD-LED Displays:

Energy Efficiency: Improved over traditional LCDs but still relatively high energy consumption due to backlighting.

Polariton Displays:

Energy Efficiency: Significantly more energy-efficient due to the efficient use of polaritons and reduced energy loss.

Verdict: Polariton displays could offer substantial energy savings compared to QD-LED displays.

6. Innovative Features

QD-LED Displays:

Quantum Dot Tuning: Ability to tune quantum dots for specific wavelengths.

HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for better contrast.

Polariton Displays:

Room-Temperature Polariton Condensates: Could lead to practical polariton lasers for coherent light sources.

Quantum Optical Applications: Potential for integration with quantum optical technologies.

Verdict: While QD-LEDs excel in HDR support and color tuning, polariton displays have the edge in innovative applications due to polariton lasers and quantum optics.

7. Applications and Market Potential

QD-LED Displays:

Current Applications: Television displays, high-end monitors, and portable devices.

Market Potential: Strong market presence with gradual adoption in various sectors.

Polariton Displays:

Potential Applications: High-end displays, energy-efficient screens, virtual reality, and specialized quantum optical devices.

Market Potential: Promising but yet to be commercialized on a large scale.

Verdict: While QD-LEDs are already popular, polariton displays could disrupt the market due to their superior performance and innovative features.

My Take

Polariton displays represent the next frontier in display technology. Their ability to combine the best of both light and matter through exciton polaritons opens new avenues for efficiency, brightness, and color fidelity. While QD-LED displays have set the

current industry standard, polariton displays have the potential to redefine what's possible in the world of visual technology. Here’s a summary of their comparison:

Summary Comparison

1. Technology Overview:

QD-LED Displays: Quantum dots convert LED light to RGB.

Polariton Displays: Exciton polaritons interact with organic materials.

2. Brightness and Efficiency:

QD-LED Displays:

Brightness: High brightness due to quantum dot technology.

Efficiency: Improved efficiency over traditional displays.

Polariton Displays:

Brightness: Potentially higher due to efficient polariton energy transfer.

Efficiency: Higher efficiency due to reduced energy loss.

3. Color Gamut:

QD-LED Displays:

Color Range: Wide color gamut (~90% of DCI-P3 spectrum).

Color Accuracy: High accuracy with minimal color shift.

Polariton Displays:

Color Range: Potentially wider due to strong coupling effects.

Color Accuracy: Expected to be higher due to precise polariton control.

4. Durability and Lifespan:

QD-LED Displays:

Durability: Quantum dots are stable, but LED backlighting can degrade over time.

Lifespan: Moderate to high, longer than OLEDs due to reduced burn-in issues.

Polariton Displays:

Durability: Improved organic materials reduce degradation.

Lifespan: Expected to have a longer lifespan due to efficient energy transfer.

5. Energy Consumption:

QD-LED Displays:

Energy Efficiency: Improved over traditional LCDs but still relatively high due to backlighting.

Polariton Displays:

Energy Efficiency: Significantly more energy-efficient due to reduced energy loss.

6. Innovative Features:

QD-LED Displays:

Quantum Dot Tuning: Ability to tune quantum dots for specific wavelengths.

HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for better contrast.

Polariton Displays:

Room-Temperature Polariton Condensates: Could lead to practical polariton lasers.

Quantum Optical Applications: Potential for integration with quantum optical technologies.

7. Applications and Market Potential:

QD-LED Displays:

Current Applications: Television displays, high-end monitors, portable devices.

Market Potential: Strong market presence with gradual adoption in various sectors.

Polariton Displays:

Potential Applications: High-end displays, energy-efficient screens, virtual reality, specialized quantum optical devices.

Market Potential: Promising but emerging.

Closing Thoughts

Polariton displays hold immense promise due to their potential to combine high brightness, efficiency, and color fidelity. Here’s why they could be a game-changer:

Superior Efficiency and Brightness: By harnessing exciton polaritons, these displays can achieve unprecedented efficiency and brightness levels.

Wider Color Gamut and Accuracy: The strong coupling between photons and excitons in organic semiconductors leads to more accurate color representation.

Improved Durability and Lifespan: Insights from organic photovoltaics and solar cell research could lead to more durable and long-lasting organic materials.

Innovative Quantum Optical Applications: Polariton lasers and strong coupling effects open the door to new applications, potentially revolutionizing the display industry.

Energy Efficiency: Reduced energy loss and efficient light propagation mean polariton displays could significantly lower energy consumption.

The Way Forward

While QD-LED displays are currently the standard-bearer for high-quality displays, polariton displays have the potential to redefine the industry. To achieve this, further research is needed in:

Exciton Polariton Transfer: Understanding and optimizing energy flow within polariton displays.

Organic Material Engineering: Developing durable, efficient organic materials.

Practical Polariton Lasers: Creating light sources suitable for commercial display applications.

Quantum Optical Integration: Leveraging polaritons for advanced quantum optical technologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, polariton displays represent the culmination of years of research in organic semiconductors, strong photon-exciton coupling, and practical laser technology. They are poised to deliver more energy-efficient, brighter, and higher-performing displays, potentially outshining QD-LEDs in the near future. As research continues to advance, we can expect polariton displays to become a fundamental innovation in the optical display sector.

"While QD-LEDs have set the current industry standard, polariton displays are on the horizon, ready to revolutionize the visual experience with unprecedented efficiency, color fidelity, and innovative applications."

[exaltedgrimleal]

For job stuff, something you don’t need background is a service advisor at a car dealership or any car matiance place

Yes it is customer service and there can be high strong emotions. It is commision based and people do need their cars fixed. The technician is suppose to tell you what’s wrong with the car and then you tell the customer get them to either approve or decline repairs

You do have to learn about warranties and 3rd party warranties and those rules

Or even arranging loaner cars

Or spiffs

But you can make money and you don’t need a fake smile to do so

I appreciate the advice, thank you!

I have applied to a car dealership or two when ads come up to no avail, but trust, they are on the list of things I am willing to do with the awkwardness that I do not have a driver's license haha

[priteshwemarketresearch]

Green Ammonia Market Statistics, Segment, Trends and Forecast to  2033

The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy

As the world pivots toward sustainable practices, the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammonia, and why is it so important? In this blog, we'll explore the green ammonia market, its applications, benefits, and the factors driving its growth.

Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359

What is Green Ammonia?

Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy sources, primarily through the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen, which is then combined with nitrogen from the air. This process eliminates carbon emissions, setting green ammonia apart from traditional ammonia production, which relies heavily on fossil fuels.

Applications of Green Ammonia

Agriculture

One of the most significant applications of green ammonia is in agriculture. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers, and its sustainable production can help reduce the carbon footprint of farming. By using green ammonia, farmers can produce food more sustainably, supporting global food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Energy Storage

Green ammonia can also serve as an effective energy carrier. It can be synthesized when there is surplus renewable energy and later converted back into hydrogen or directly used in fuel cells. This capability makes it an attractive option for balancing supply and demand in renewable energy systems.

Shipping Fuel

The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Green ammonia has emerged as a potential zero-emission fuel for ships, helping to decarbonize one of the most challenging sectors in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of Green Ammonia

Environmental Impact

By eliminating carbon emissions during production, green ammonia significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional ammonia. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability goals.

Energy Security

Investing in green ammonia can enhance energy security. As countries strive to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, green ammonia offers a renewable alternative that can be produced locally, minimizing reliance on imported fuels.

Economic Opportunities

The growth of the green ammonia market presents numerous economic opportunities, including job creation in renewable energy sectors, research and development, and new supply chain dynamics. As demand increases, investments in infrastructure and technology will drive innovation.

Factors Driving the Growth of the Green Ammonia Market

Regulatory Support

Governments worldwide are implementing policies and incentives to promote the adoption of green technologies. These regulations often include subsidies for renewable energy production and carbon pricing mechanisms, making green ammonia more competitive.

Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions

With consumers and businesses becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, the demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise. Green ammonia aligns with this trend, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ammonia.

Advancements in Technology

Ongoing advancements in electrolysis and ammonia synthesis technologies are making the production of green ammonia more efficient and cost-effective. As these technologies mature, they will further enhance the viability of green ammonia in various applications.

Conclusion

The green ammonia market represents a promising avenue for sustainable development across agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors. As technology advances and regulatory support strengthens, green ammonia is poised to become a cornerstone of the global transition to a greener economy. Investing in this market not only contributes to environmental preservation but also opens up new economic opportunities for innovation and growth.

[here-be-dragons-and-whatnot]

Finished up right in time for the work week to start :']

[todayiot]

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[ultragamerz]

Orca: Can Solana's DEX Become the Uniswap of the Next Crypto Cycle?

New Post has been published on https://www.ultragamerz.com/orca-can-solanas-dex-become-the-uniswap-of-the-next-crypto-cycle/

Orca: Can Solana's DEX Become the Uniswap of the Next Crypto Cycle?

Orca: Can Solana’s DEX Become the Uniswap of the Next Crypto Cycle?

The decentralized exchange (DEX) landscape continues to evolve, with established players like Uniswap on Ethereum facing competition from innovative challengers on emerging blockchains. Orca, a leading DEX built on Solana, presents a compelling case for becoming the “Uniswap” of the next crypto cycle, capitalizing on several key factors.

Uniswap’s Reign and Potential Challenges:

Uniswap revolutionized DeFi by pioneering the automated market maker (AMM) model, fostering a user-friendly platform for token swaps. However, Ethereum’s scalability issues have led to high gas fees, hindering user experience and potentially limiting its future growth.

Solana’s Rise as a Contender:

Solana, known for its blazing-fast transaction speeds and low fees, has emerged as a viable alternative to Ethereum. This has attracted developers and users seeking a smoother and more affordable DeFi experience.

Orca: Inheriting the DEX Crown?

Orca, built on Solana, positions itself to capitalize on these trends. Here’s why Orca could be the next Uniswap:

Low Fees & High Throughput: Leveraging Solana’s infrastructure, Orca offers near-instantaneous transactions with minimal fees, attracting users frustrated with Ethereum’s limitations.

Uniswap-inspired Interface: Orca’s user interface is familiar and user-friendly for those already accustomed to Uniswap, facilitating a smooth transition.

Concentrated Liquidity: Similar to Uniswap V3, Orca’s “Whirlpool” feature allows liquidity providers to deposit tokens within specific price ranges, potentially earning higher returns.

Growing Solana Ecosystem: As the Solana ecosystem thrives, Orca stands to benefit from increased adoption of DeFi applications built on Solana.

Low Market Cap: Compared to Uniswap’s massive market cap, Orca’s remains significantly lower. This presents a potential for substantial growth if the project gains wider adoption.

Potential Price Explosion:

Uniswap’s phenomenal rise, reaching a peak price over 300 times its initial value, serves as a potential benchmark for Orca’s future. If Orca captures a dominant share of the Solana DeFi market, its token price could conceivably reach similar heights. With Orca’s current market cap significantly lower than Uniswap’s at its peak, a 300x increase could propel Orca’s price to well over $120 per token during the next crypto bull run.

Is Orca a Guaranteed Success?

While Orca holds immense potential, the crypto space is inherently unpredictable. Competition from other DEXes on Solana and potential roadblocks for the Solana blockchain itself could pose challenges.

Looking Ahead:

The next crypto cycle remains shrouded in uncertainty. However, Orca’s strategic positioning on Solana, combined with its user-friendly interface and low-fee environment, presents a compelling chance to become the leading DEX on a burgeoning blockchain. As the DeFi landscape evolves, Orca’s performance bears close watching to see if it can indeed become the “Uniswap” of the next era.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Keywords:

Orca, DEX, Uniswap, Solana, Ethereum, DeFi, decentralized exchange, automated market maker (AMM), transaction fees, user-friendly interface, concentrated liquidity, scalability, blockchain, DeFi application, market cap, price prediction, Uniswap price history, crypto bull run, investment opportunity, Solana ecosystem, future of DeFi, competition, crypto market, potential, uncertainty, financial advice, disclaimer

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Exploring the India Industrial Aerosol Market: Trends, Applications, and Growth Potential

The India industrial aerosol market will power at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6% in the future, and will reach USD 115.85 million by 2030.The main reasons, which are accountable for the development of the industry are the increasing requirement for aerosols in vehicle factories and the aftermarket, escalating Indian manufacturing sector, and growing count of initiatives of the government…

[astral-herald]

arcane, populism, and why viktor is the odd one out (yet again)

as a piltover-anti, a silco criticizer, and a pacifist, i am very very interested in how arcane presents not just the political undertones of both topside and the undercity, but the characters/dialogue through which they communicate those undertones. allow me to use some political science bro lingo to air out some thoughts.

long, long post incoming.

there are 2 ideological struggles at war throughout s1 (and i can predict that the struggle will carry over into s2): neoliberalism and populism - in their broadest terms since we're talking ofc about a fictional show dealing with surface level political machinations. by neoliberalism, i mean a focus on the social, political, and cultural structures of a polity (piltover, for our purposes) refocused into a strictly economic vacuum. and by populism i mean a unifying belief that the existing political systems of a polity fail to adequately represent their constituents, so the masses choose to rally around a specific gripe or issue, i.e., class discrimination, xenophobia toward immigrants, etc. this, in turn, forms a populist party or movement. an applicable example i can think of would be Nasser's Egypt in the 1950s.

*i know these are weighty topics with very real world implications! i just want to separate the theory to apply to our favorite fictional world.

the political struggle in question is put forward immediately by piltover, who, though presented as a technocratic state, embodies crucial neoliberal ideals emphasized especially by up-and-coming counilor mel medarda, much like how fresh-eyed american economists blew up the economic scene in the 1980s with a revival of capitalist, free market enterprise. take how she seizes the advent of hextech, for example:

she quickly sees hextech's potential yet not from the solely intellectual standpoint that jayce and viktor do - for her, it is profitable, literally and in terms of international relations. her goal is for piltover to prosper, but she has no rose-colored glasses on; prosperity means capital gain, and she's willing to override piltover's political and social systems to achieve her goal. an important caveat is that she draws the line at ambessa medarda's progression into militant authoritarianism, which deserves a whole post of its own!

piltover's populism moment will come later. first, let's unpack silco, who is probably arcane's most blatantly political figure, and a masterclass in the merits and failures of left wing, class-based populism.

silco, having been spurned by the classism and xenophobia that piltover's elite proliferate, and assisted by his rampant shimmer operation, fills the vacuum that vander's pacifism opened up. though silco's methods are unilaterally cruel (argue with the wall), the undercity clearly invested faith in him at some point, especially as vander's credibility as a guiding figure wavered over the years. he was fighting alongside vander for zaun's right to exist as their own independent body. in other words, he was uniting the undercity toward a common cause because the existing political system failed their constituents. to quote councilor shoola: "they may not be our preferred constituents, but they're still our people."

the track record of populism in our real world frequently ends in the ruin that silco himself brought upon the undercity. the kingpin is too dedicated to self-preservation, sees himself as too central to the movement, which prevents both compromise and/or a necessary armed revolt (insert your own politics about self-determination here). see italy's right wing populism party, Lega Nord, as a real-time example of this phenomenon.

but arcane makes an interesting plot decision with jayce, a very unexpected and "unwilling" contributor to piltover's abrupt dip into right wing populism. the showrunners love foils!

in arcane lore, i think it's safe to say that jayce's moniker "the man of progress" is pretty tongue-in-cheek. both he and viktor have a bemused tone about it in the run-up to his speech, and jayce is taken aback by heimerdinger's insistence that he deliver said speech. but the glowing, savior-esque imagery can't be ignored, nor can jayce's quick switch into his councilor role, no matter how reluctantly he makes it.

jayce is confronted by 2 forces that he seeks to combat in his quick tenure as councilor: internal corruption and an ineffective governing body. the latter goal is inspired almost solely by viktor, playing into jayce's naivety as a fresh-faced political figure, but this will be especially important to note later on. the innocence he offers up to mel is quickly erased, transformed instead into an uncomfortable - and inexperienced - militancy:

important in the bridge scene to my analysis is the populist "out group," or the designation populists give to those whom they actively oppose, and this opposition serves as their basis for organization. in this case, it's the undercity (keep this in mind for viktor's role!!).

jayce's combined frustrations at the unrest in the undercity and the council's (namely heimerdinger's) refusal to act, to both save viktor and to deal with the undercity's looming violence, motivates him to act like silco for a short time. unsatisfied with the status quo, he unites a likeminded individual, vi, along with the enforcers, to undercut the political system he feels is unable to represent its constituents or act in an effective manner. however, UNLIKE silco, jayce's realizes the inevitable cost the method of violence has and refrains in the end. he returns to the council and capitulates to some of silco's demands in the name of a peace piltover and zaun always thought impossible.

jinx's complete undoing of this underscores the failures of populism, especially as an extended movement over time. she wasn't accounted for. it's common sentiment at this point that she didn't attack the council for political gain. she was not invested in zaun's independence. she did it out of her and silco's twisted parental bond, and thus undid piltover's brief instance of compromise and compassion.

so...where does viktor fit into all this? and what are his implications for neoliberalism vs. populism in season 2?

viktor is neither wholly within nor wholly outside the populist outgroup - though jayce unintentionally shoves him back there in the pivotal bridge scene. furthermore, viktor also makes use of piltover's technocracy. he seems to have had a "raise yourself up by your bootstraps" history in arcane, contrary to left wing populist insistence that neoliberal ideals make this impossible.

this compounds as a double alienation for viktor, who also is straddled with the complications of his disability. a lot of his story is searching for a fellow in arms, if you ask me, and he had that with jayce until the pendulum swung, hence his return to singed.

if we stop there, viktor represents the failing of these 2 very flawed political ideologies. he fits nowhere and arcane uses him adeptly as a symbol of the failings of binaristic ideologues and systems. but let's speculate some more!

i'm convinced that viktor, due to his ambiguous 3rd party role in the story so far, will be one of the central villains (if not THE villain, if you allow me to be admittedly hopeful/biased) in season 2. consult the innumerable very well written theory/meta posts about the subject for more details, but one piece of evidence i want to focus on is this inherent physical, cultural, and ideological separateness that is innate to his character.

can we see him allying ever again with piltover, knowing that there's a split incoming? even without outside knowledge of league lore, singed's damning prediction ("if you take this path, they will despise you") cannot go unheeded. alternatively, then, can we see viktor allying with the supposed jinx-as-revolutionary side? no. personally, i see him as becoming increasingly unwillingly to compromise his a) immediate survival; and b) his ideals, especially after being endlessly sidelined in his attempts to express them in acts 2 and 3. he's also just a loner, guys.

there's some controversy on this point, but i'm convinced that the finger-printed cultists/followers we saw in the s2 trailer are devoted to viktor. starting with the shimmer addict he touched in the teaser, he is accruing a following all his own. and since noxus is here, touting their authoritarian militancy to replace piltover's outdated liberal ideals, nothing that jinx's revolution OR viktor's following does can be apolitical. to organize and to fight is survival under s2's raised stakes.

there aren't any binary spectrums when it comes to political theory in my opinion, so i am prepared to witness viktor introduce an entirely separate totalitarian narrative into arcane. where it will surely lack in militancy, it will make up for in its domination of the arcane. my biggest speculation is that, as they always do, piltover will fold and compromise at the last minute, perhaps yield to noxus, and invest wholeheartedly in taking down viktor's BBEG cultist regime. and by isolating his narrative repeatedly in s1, the writers planned this out expertly.

even if i'm wrong about viktor as third party, i like to think my observations still stand about the specific and qualifiable political divisions between piltover and zaun. the biggest hole this leaves for me is the question: will arcane ever take a stand? they seem very averse to making a blatant political statement, but i think their pervasive anti-police thread makes it clear that we're not meant to sympathize with piltover yuppies or their seasoned, jaded councilmen. let me know your thoughts!

also, as a jayce fan and a fan of arcane's overall story, none of this is meant as a CRITIQUE of him, mel, or silco. as silco said, "we all have our parts to play." i believe arcane's very greatest strength is their archetypal storytelling, and these distinct character roles are crucial to the success and vibrancy of the story.

if you read all the way to this point - ily <3

[thewertsearch]

Ah, the Sylladex. Across the entirety of my long, long journey through this comic, you've remained my oldest and dearest friend.

I honestly thought you'd run out of ways to surprise me - but as usual, I underestimated just how far you can really go with punch-card alchemy.

You flip the card over and look at the back. The thing about this modus you think is really cool is that instead of showing a completely useless wobbly garbled code on the back, it itemizes the components which could be used to create it!

The comic has just given us a way to reverse-engineer item recipes, which was one of the only missing pieces left to slot into the alchemy system. Back in Act 4, John was convinced that this was impossible, but Sollux solved it off-panel, and now we know how he did it.

This is pretty crazy, isn't it? We can deconstruct items now, allowing us to disassemble any object, and take a peek at the concepts that it's synthesized from. The potential utility here is insane. If this modus works on ghost images, we could tear apart a Kernelsprite, and see what makes it tick. Hell, we could tear apart a Genesis Frog.

...we could tear apart Skaia.

Just another wonderful innovation by your favorite company. It releases many products of an experimental nature, often with applicability to other kinds of technology and products which haven't hit the market yet.

But, of course, this wonderful innovation comes with some serious strings attached. I'm sure it was given to Jane for a reason, and she'll undoubtedly end up using it in a way that causes problems for us, and solutions for Lord English.

Ayy, it's the Matriorb!

Granted, this doesn't really help Kanaya recreate the thing. The orb's code was never that hard to obtain - just draw it on Jade's Pictionary modus, or something. No, the real issue is that the Matriorb is virtually inimitable, and as a result, its Grist cost is astronomical. Plus, it requires a type of Grist that we've never even seen before.

Edit: Wait, hang on. That's not the cost of the Matriorb, that's how much it would cost to use the Matriorb to make the hat. Strange, that the same item can have multiple Grist costs - but nonetheless, my point still stands. The Matriorb is probably too expensive to alchemize casually.

I suppose there's nothing stopping us from editing the Matriorb's code to try and make it cheaper. Like, perhaps we could scale down the recipe somehow, and try to just synthesize a single troll's genome, rather than the genetic base of an entire race. That would be a lot more affordable, and still useful.

You captchalogue your FAVORITE HAT, which is also your ONLY HAT. You spent basically your ENTIRE CHILDHOOD in this hat, pretending to be hard boiled detectives and whatnot.

I guess it sort of makes sense that the Matriorb can be used to make Dad's hat. The orb represents Alternian parenthood, and the book of prophecies it was merged with could represent the future. Combine those two concepts, and you get the future of parenthood, from the perspective of Alternia - in other words, the parenthood of humanity. So, the merger yields an item representing a human parent: Dad Egbert's hat.

Don't ask me about the potted plant, though. I haven't the foggiest.

[political-us]

The Dow is on track for its worst April since 1932—the bleakest year of the Great Depression. Nearly a century later, markets are once again facing economic turbulence on a historic scale.

Trump's approval rating drops to 42%, the lowest it's been since he became president, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

A cutting-edge microscope at Harvard Medical School could pave the way for major breakthroughs in cancer detection and aging research—but its progress is now at risk. The scientist who created the software to analyze its images, 30-year-old Russian-born Kseniia Petrova, has been held in immigration detention for two months. Arrested in February at a Boston airport, Petrova is now detained in Louisiana, facing possible deportation to Russia, where she says she fears imprisonment for protesting the war in Ukraine. Her case highlights the tension between immigration policy and the U.S.'s reliance on global scientific talent.

The Department of Homeland Security denied Mahmoud Khalil permission to be present for the birth of his first child, which took place Monday at a hospital in New York. Instead, Khalil had to experience the moment over the phone from Jena, Louisiana—more than 1,000 miles away from his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, who delivered their baby boy. The case has sparked criticism over DHS's handling of family and humanitarian considerations.

The White House is considering policies to encourage more Americans to marry and have children, including a potential $5,000 “baby bonus,” according to The New York Times. The proposals align with a broader conservative push to address falling birth rates and promote traditional family values. Other ideas on the table include reserving 30% of Fulbright scholarships for applicants who are married or have children, and funding educational programs that teach women about fertility and ovulation.

A group of Venezuelan migrants facing removal under a broad wartime authority challenged the Trump administration’s deportation process at the Supreme Court, arguing the notices they received don’t meet legal standards. The ACLU, representing the migrants, said the English-only notices—often given less than 24 hours before deportation—violate a recent Supreme Court ruling requiring enough time for individuals to seek habeas review.

The Education Department announced it will start collecting student loan payments from over 5 million borrowers who are in default. This means it will begin taking money from federal wages, Social Security checks, and tax refunds. This move comes as pandemic-era protections for student loan borrowers continue to wind down.

Tensions are rising within the Arizona Democratic Party as the state party chair is at odds with the governor and U.S. senators. In response, officials are considering shifting 2026 campaign funds to local county Democrats.

​The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced substantial tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian countries—Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia—following a year-long investigation into alleged trade violations by Chinese-owned manufacturers operating in these nations. The tariffs, which vary by country and company, are as follows:​

Cambodia: Facing the steepest duties, with tariffs reaching up to 3,521%, due to non-cooperation with the investigation.

Vietnam: Companies may face duties up to 395.9%.​

Thailand: Tariffs could be as high as 375.2%.​

Malaysia: Duties are set at 34.4%.​

Senator Adam Schiff is urging the National Archives to investigate the Trump administration's use of Signal and similar messaging apps. He emphasized the need for NARA to reach out to every federal agency involved to make sure all relevant records are preserved. This comes amid growing concerns over transparency and potential violations of federal recordkeeping laws.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

When your Character Jumps to Conclusions

Jumping to Conclusions - (JTC or inference-observation confusion) is a psychological phenomenon in which a person comes to an unwarranted decision—usually a negative assumption—without all of the information.

Ways of Jumping to Conclusions

Researchers identify 3 different types of jumping to conclusions:

Fortune telling: In this form of jumping to conclusions, you believe you know how a situation will resolve without enough information.

Labeling: When you label, you use preconceptions, fallacies, or overgeneralizations to make assumptions about a person or situation rather than relying on existing evidence.

Mind reading: This form of jumping to conclusions involves believing you understand how someone is thinking without supporting evidence.

Examples of Jumping to Conclusions at Work

There are many ways you may find yourself jumping to negative conclusions while decision-making in the workplace, including:

Being quick to judge someone’s performance: If someone turns in a project late or performs unsatisfactorily in a meeting, you may indulge in negative thoughts about their performance or commitment. However, without further investigating and talking to them and their coworkers, you’re relying on a snap judgment rather than an informed opinion. There are many other reasons they may be struggling with deadlines, such as family trouble or miscommunication about work expectations.

Making assumptions about a potential hire: In the hiring process, jumping to conclusions can create unfair advantages and disadvantages for applicants. A hiring manager may accidentally rely on preconceived notions about potential hires or the general population instead of focusing on the application materials and interview.

Using shortcuts to summarize a target demographic: When companies identify their target markets or analyze market research, they may jump to the wrong conclusion about the needs and desires of particular demographics and build their foundation on a faulty assumption. For example, you may assume all young people want more social media platforms.

How to Stop Jumping to Conclusions at Work

Here’s how to avoid jumping to conclusions in the workplace:

Identify your sources of information. To stop jumping to conclusions, you first need to identify where you’re getting your information. The aim is to gather information from various reliable sources; if you rely on your own experience or cognitive biases, you’re at risk of extrapolation from limited, subjective sources.

Gather all the facts. Identify all the possible sources of information, and work to consult each one. For example, if you’re concerned about the performance of a particular employee, consider consulting their coworkers, their boss, and the employee themselves before you make any assumptions about why they’re struggling.

Consult trusted coworkers or resources. In addition to gathering information on your own, consult trusted mentors or guides to ensure you’re accessing all crucial sources of information. In the case of a big business proposal or wide-reaching decision, present your findings for review before moving forward.

Many people jump to conclusions in their thinking patterns because they fail to realize they’re missing all the facts, or they have overconfidence in their analytical abilities.

Jumping to conclusions can also result from preconceived notions, prejudices, or unconscious bias rather than real-time information.

Jumping to conclusions can have significant negative consequences in every area of your life, including in the workplace.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[terrorcamp]

Terror Camp is hiring!

We are looking to expand our volunteer staff for this year’s conference.

We have two job listings based on our current needs, but if we receive a lot of great applicants there is the possibility we’ll split up these responsibilities into 3 or even 4 separate positions.

Terror Camp is a fully volunteer, remote, asynchronous workplace (with occasional sync meetings as schedules permit). We communicate over Discord and organize our documentation over Notion and Google Drive.

We are looking for people who can devote up to a few hours a week, depending on the time of year. Commitment increases around the times of Submission Opening (June 1), Submission Closing/Acceptances (September 1-Oct 1) and the conference itself (early December).

Terror Camp looks great on your resume. You can say that you volunteer for a successful community-led online history & heritage conference with an audience in the thousands!

You don’t need to match the job descriptions perfectly in order to apply. If your experience doesn’t match up but you think you’d still be good at the job, please apply anyway!

Here are the positions we're looking to fill:

🎨 Designer 🎨

Terror Camp is seeking a dedicated Designer who will:

Ideate and deliver a new evergreen brand identity for TC that can be revamped and reused each year

Including logo, logotype, color scheme, font families, and other brand assets for use on web, social media, and printed merch

Be an proactive team member with strong communication skills, able to quickly and regularly deliver new graphics for promotional use on social media and in email marketing

Help design an evergreen/permanent collection of merchandise as well as a limited-edition collection for this year’s conference

Assist our Webmaster in revising our website & email marketing templates to fully match new brand identity and meet best practices for UX

Potentially work on print layout for a Terror Camp book or zine (TBD)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked professionally or semi-professionally as a graphic designer; or are a hobbyist designer with a standout portfolio

Have experience working with both digital and print assets

Have a working knowledge of web design best practices and HTML/CSS

Have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva (but not ONLY Canva, sorry) and Wix or similar WYSIWYG ESP/site builder

The Designer will report to our Assistant Director/Webmaster, & will also collaborate closely with our Marketing Lead on graphic assets for social media and with our Merch Lead on preparing designs for print.

To apply, please fill out this form.

💬 Communications Coordinator 💬

Terror Camp is seeking an enthusiastic Communications Coordinator who will:

Own Terror Camp’s main email inbox and oversee all direct communication with attendees and interested parties

Respond promptly to inquiries including:

Requests for past recordings

Requests to join the Discord

Questions about schedule, programming, submissions, guests, and other conference topics

Catch inbounds to social media inboxes (Tumblr, X, Bluesky, Insta) & answer or redirect to email as appropriate

Act as coordinator/assistant for Marketing Lead, with responsibilities including:

Scheduling pre-written content

Assisting with ideating and drafting content, proposing content ideas

Cross-posting content to multiple platforms

Consistently and frequently engaging with social audiences (finding content to repost, replying to people, etc)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked in any digital customer-facing environment; have experience with support tickets and/or ongoing user communications; have run social media for brands or institutions; are an efficient and clear writer able to work creatively within brand voice guidelines

Have successfully and sustainably moderated Discord servers, Tumblr communities, social media for other fandom projects like fests, zines, and charity events

Can spare the time and attention to respond to inquiries and turn around new social media posts in a timely manner

Are prepared to represent the Terror Camp brand professionally and maturely in digital public spaces

The Communications Coordinator will report directly to our Marketing Lead.

To apply, please fill out this form.

If you have any questions about these positions, please email us at command [at] terror [dot] camp!

[mostly-marvel-musings]

Prologue - Terms and Conditions

A/N: Here we go! I’m obsessed with these two already. Let me know if you are too 🤍

Pairing: Tony Stark x Female Reader

Warning: 18+ slow burn.

Terms and Conditions

The conference room was sharp and sterile, walls lined with glass and egos, and the temperature dialed to “passive aggressive.” The tension wasn’t hostile—it was rehearsed, corporate, polite. Like everyone had agreed to wear their best masks.

Tony Stark lounged like this was a poker night, not a merger signing. Armani suit, sunglasses pushed back into gravity-defying hair, one leg crossed lazily over the other. He twirled his pen as though he was about to sign away someone else’s soul.

You sat across from him, upright and composed, your Novastem folder neatly aligned with the packet of legal documents. The Stark Industries logo gleamed beside your own, as if the two had already shaken hands and agreed to tolerate each other.

A senior board member from Stark Industries cleared his throat and began, “Given the shifting focus toward sustainable innovation, this merger allows us to diversify our portfolio in a way that speaks to future markets. Novastem’s work with nanogrid energy systems has potential applications across Stark’s existing infrastructure…”

Tony’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He caught your eye across the table and mouthed: Nanogrid?

You gave a tight smile, then mouthed back: Look it up.

Another advisor chimed in, “And of course, with Miss Y/L/N’s engineering background and Stark’s R&D capacity—”

“—We’re practically a Hallmark success story,” Tony muttered under his breath. You shot him a look. He responded with an exaggerated shrug and the most unbothered wink known to man.

The rest of the meeting blurred into metrics, projections, and polite nods. You signed your part with efficient precision. Stark, predictably, added a dramatic flourish.

And just like that, you were legally bound to a man who probably hadn’t read a single bullet point on the proposal.

He leaned in, voice just above a whisper, “You realize this is the part where I say something charming and you pretend not to be impressed.”

“I’m not pretending,” you replied smoothly, rising to your feet.

.

Later that evening, the penthouse was exactly what you imagined a Stark-level habitat to be, impossibly sleek, a little cold, and humming with invisible tech you could feel in your bones. It was less home, more showroom, like even the walls were trying to impress someone.

Tony hadn’t bothered with the grand tour. He pointed vaguely toward the hall with a distracted, “Guest room’s the third on the left,” and vanished into the depths of wherever billionaires vanish after signing their souls away on legal paper.

You toed off your shoes by the door and wandered further in, suitcase trailing behind you with a whisper.

The place was… vast. And quiet.

Not eerily so—more like the quiet that wraps around you in the moments between chapters. The air felt charged in that too-clean, too-perfect way, like someone had pressed pause on life and forgot to hit play again.

You passed the living room—chrome and marble and enough screens to surveil a small country—and caught your reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows. You looked tired. Or maybe just… transitioning. From who you were this morning, to whoever this was supposed to be now.

You didn’t mean to explore, but your feet led you through the space anyway. Past the kitchen that looked like no one had ever dared to cook in it. Through the hall where the lighting followed your movement, casting soft gold onto minimalist walls. Past rooms with closed doors you didn’t open.

And then, halfway through turning a corner, you froze.

A small sound barely audible, rustling behind one of the plants. Then the lightest little meow.

You blinked.

From behind a steel planter, a pair of eyes blinked back at you. Pale ginger and white, with the posture of a feline who had definitely been judging you this entire time.

“Oh!” you said, surprised. “Hello. You’re… cute. And very out of place.”

The cat tilted her head like she took offense to the ‘out of place’ part.

She sauntered forward with practiced confidence, tail in the air, and promptly began rubbing against your leg like you’d passed inspection.

You crouched slowly. “And you are…?”

There was no collar, but something about her aura screamed named and spoiled rotten.

A voice called distantly from the hallway—Tony’s.

“Try not to let her con you. She’s fluff with zero morals.”

You glanced up. “She yours?”

“She lets me live here, yeah.” A pause. “Dum-E.”

You blinked again. “You named your cat after your robot?”

Tony reappeared in the doorway, towel slung around his neck. He smirked. “Nah. I named my robot after my cat.”

.

A knock at the door startled you.

It cracked open slightly. “Hey,” said a familiar voice. Happy Hogan.

You blinked. “Happy?”

He stepped inside with a hesitant smile. “Thought I’d check in. You surviving the first night?”

“Barely,” you admitted.

Happy gave a small nod toward Dum-E, who was still curled smugly on your suitcase. “Careful. She once hissed at me for sneezing near her food.”

Tony’s voice called out from somewhere beyond the hall. “She was right to. That tuna was artisanal.”

Happy rolled his eyes. “He feeds her better than himself.”

You tried not to smile. Failed. “She’s already claimed me.”

“She does that,” Happy said fondly, then sobered a little. “You good? I know this wasn’t exactly the dream wedding.”

You looked around, then at the cat, then at the impossibly large penthouse.

“No. But I’ll manage.”

Happy nodded. “You’ve handled worse. You’ll handle this. And hey—if you ever need a real person to talk to… I’m around.”

He paused before adding with mock seriousness, “Just don’t feed the cat shrimp. It goes to her head.”

From down the hall, Tony’s voice again: “I told you, it was ONE time—”

You smiled—genuinely this time. “Thanks, Happy.”

.

You curled up in bed a few minutes later. Dum-E had relocated to the window, silhouetted in moonlight, tail twitching as she surveyed her new roommate.

You weren’t sure what tomorrow would bring.

But you knew one thing.

You were already becoming part of the chaos. And for now… that would do.

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

“Using the cover story that a start-up communications company was looking for a head for its marketing department, sociologist Shelley Correll and colleagues found that, compared with paper nonmothers, identical paper mother applicants were rated about 10 percent less competent, 15 percent less committed to the workplace and worthy of $11,000 less salary. Moreover, only 47 percent of mothers, compared with 84 percent of nonmothers were recommended for hire. One only hopes that the little paper children are worth the career sacrifice.

As a follow-up, over the course of eighteen months Correll and her colleagues sent out a total of 1,276 fictitious résumés and cover letters for real marketing and business jobs advertised in the press. Each employer was sent two applications from two equally qualified applicants. They were both the same sex (sometimes both male, other times both female), but only one was identifiable as a parent. (The researchers counterbalanced which applicant was the parent.) Then the researchers sat back and waited to see who got the most callbacks from the potential employers.

While parenthood served as no disadvantage at all to men, there was evidence of a substantial 'motherhood penalty’. Mothers received only half as many callbacks as their identically qualified childless counterparts. Ongoing research is investigating whether these days it is especially mothers who are discriminated against.”

- Cordelia Fine, Delusions of Gender

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Hii!!! Your blog is literally so perfect. Love it.

Could you recommend some more angsty fics where either Derek or Stiles is really insecure and has low self esteem? Happy ending only, if that’s alright. I really appreciate it!

Aw thanks anon! There's already an insecure!stiles tag so I focused on insecure!derek.

The (Tell-Tale) Heart Doesn’t Lie by novemberhush

(1/1 I 100 I General I Sterek)

After a little gentle teasing unexpectedly hits a nerve with Derek Stiles is quick to reassure him that he knows there’s more to the handsome werewolf than just being really, really, really ridiculously good-looking.

I Know the Pieces Fit by shealynn88

(1/1 I 2,700 I Teen)

“Stiles?”

It’s Derek’s voice, quiet in the dark with the low hum of the pack behind him.

Derek's the hardest one for Stiles to understand. Sometimes he thinks…but then it becomes clear, it’s not like that. Derek tolerates him. Appreciates his loyalty, at least. The way Stiles appreciates the brave hiss of a kitten. Cute. Admirable. But not equal.

And Dwell Beneath My Shadow by lielabell

(1/1 I 8,695 I Mature)

Derek is not stupid. He gets why Stiles puts up with him. It's clear every time Stiles looks at him, the spicy scent of lust and arousal Stiles's body can't help but put off. It doesn’t surprise him. Not at all. Derek knows what he looks like, knows that his face and his body are more than enough to compensate for his shitty personality. Stiles wants him more than he is annoyed by him. Nothing more, nothing less. It's not anything to be amazed over, nothing to write home about. Stiles isn't the first-- and most likely won't be the last-- hormone soaked teen who has panted over Derek.

Cliche by adult_disneyprincess (orphan_account)

(2/2 I 9,305 I Teen)

It’s cliché as shit, Stiles thinks. The nerd in love with the punk. He figures he wouldn’t want Derek Hale so much if he didn’t have those fucking tattoos everywhere, didn’t give a shit what people thought about him, and didn’t wear those stupid leather jackets. They’re not the same jacket either, Stiles has counted at least four different ones that the resident punk owns

Cross a Canyon (with a broken limb) by theroguesgambit 

(1/1 I 18,010 I Teen)

“You never graduated,” Stiles says, just to say it. To test it out in the open air. That's... huh.

--

Stiles spends his senior year battling troll-gremlins, taking on an unexpected tutoring job, and definitely not falling for a certain sourwolf (even though everyone else seems to think he is).

Defying Convention by rororowyourboat

(13/13 I 24,331 I Teen)

Stiles is a newly certified fully-trained Spark, and he's on the market to chose a werewolf pack to act as Emissary for. The biggest problem? Almost every pack in North America wants him, and he's supposed to choose a pack at the 3-day conference. But how's he supposed to get to know any of the likely candidates when they're just being so damn polite and respectful?

Derek and his sisters are at the conference with bleak hopes: their pack was decimated by hunters years ago and their caustic attitudes have turned away most potential applicants.

Rarity by peanutbutter4lyfe

(8/8 I 29,837 I Explicit)

Derek let's the guys throw a party for Stiles' 18th at his loft and instantly regrets it. During the party Derek starts acting strangely, his senses going wild. He reads the signs and thinks Scott is his mate. It drives him crazy when Scott doesn't feel the same, until he figures it out... with a little help from Peter.

Thanks for Thumper, But I Prefer Cheeseburgers by isthatbloodonhisshirt (wasterella)

(1/1 I 58,399 I Teen)

The wolf’s head whipped around so fast, Stiles felt like he was watching The Exorcist.

Stiles wondered if he could just stand still enough to make the wolf think he was a tree. A very bright red and jean-clad tree. He doubted it, but one could hope.

He knew it was a lost cause when the wolf turned fully, lips pulled back from its sharp teeth—so very sharp, good fucking Lord!—and began walking towards Stiles.

“I didn’t see anything!” Stiles shouted, both hands out in front of himself and sweat instantly breaking out across his skin. “I swear to you! I didn’t see anything! I didn’t see anything! I won’t tell anyone! I won’t! I’ll keep this to myself, until the day I die! I promise! I promise!”

You're stronger than you know by Littleredridinghunter

(15/15 I 234,195 I Not Rated)

Stiles survives his encounter with Gerard and his goons, but it isn't easy.

The pack are letting him down again, his dad is not speaking to him, his life is just generally falling apart.

Until he has to get a bronze dagger to kill a siren and his whole world gets flipped on it's head!

My summaries are rubbish but I hope you'll still give it a chance!

[mrsvante]

The Long Game VI

pairing: namjoon x reader

genre: sugar daddy au, yandere, angst

summary: there’s a storm raging, but it’s not outside, it’s humming beneath his skin. screens glow, voices drone, the city pulses below—but all he can focus on is you. the way your name lingers at the edge of every thought, the way silence stretches differently now. he should be working. he should be listening. instead, he’s counting the minutes since your last message and wondering when everything got so… fragile.

warnings: namjoon is in trouble, yearning, period talk, soft tender love & care, period sex, namjoon feasts but it’s post bath so there’s a brief intermission of aunt flow, mentions of violence, yandere joonie doing his thing

word count: 3,884

Namjoon sat in his penthouse office, a wall of glass behind him showcasing the Seoul skyline at dusk, but his eyes weren’t on the view. One hand rested on the polished surface of his desk, fingertips drumming rhythmically, while the other scrolled lazily through the tabs on his monitor.

Across from him, a member of his international acquisitions team stood nervously clicking through a pitch deck projected on the massive screen. Namjoon nodded occasionally, sharp mind catching every key point, every missed opportunity, every flaw in the man’s confidence—but only half of his attention was on the presentation.

The other half was on the live feed of your computer camera.

The hidden camera nestled in your office’s minimalist décor gave him a clear view of you—his favorite view. You were bathed in soft golden light from the window behind your desk, shoulders slightly hunched in concentration, typing at a steady pace. There was a small crease between your brows, the one you always got when deep in thought, and Namjoon’s lips curved with fondness.

He barely heard his employee drone on about market volatility and merger potential in South America. He was too busy reminiscing. The way your legs had wrapped around him in the pool under the Bali moonlight. How you’d asked him if he wanted pets. Kids. A wife. You.

His heart clenched. God, he missed you.

You shifted in your seat, then stood and walked off screen. Namjoon’s eyes lingered on the now empty office feed before he returned his attention to the presentation.

“…with this joint venture, we anticipate a thirty five percent increase in—”

Then you were back.

Only this time, your entire posture was different.

Namjoon’s breath caught.

You weren’t working. You were frozen at your desk, staring at your monitor, mouth slightly parted. Your eyes narrowed, then widened. You rubbed your temples. Pressed your fingers to your lips. Shook your head. Every flicker of emotion painted across your face had his stomach twisting in confusion and dread.

He was already reaching for his phone when the first message came through.

Mrs. Kim [8:11 PM] You manipulative asshole.

His blood ran cold.

Then another.

Mrs. Kim [8:12 PM] How dare you make me look like an idiot. I trusted you. I trusted you Namjoon!

The messages poured in—each one more furious than the last, your fury vibrating through the screen. Namjoon muted the conference call with a click, not bothering to excuse himself as he dialed you immediately.

You picked up on the first ring.

“What the fuck, Namjoon.”

Your voice was sharp and shaking, and Namjoon’s jaw tensed. “Baby, calm down—tell me what’s going on.”

“Don’t ‘baby’ me, fuck you!�� You were seething, voice hoarse with emotion. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? That you could just pull strings and I’d never know?”

Namjoon closed his eyes briefly, leaning back in his chair. He inhaled through his nose and exhaled slowly. “Tell me what you heard.”

You laughed bitterly. “One of the execs was talking to a coworker in the break room, he thought I was still out. He said I only got the job because I’m fucking some fancy rich investor, and that you pushed my application through while he was busting his ass for a promotion to this position for years.”

Namjoon’s eyes snapped open.

He didn’t say a word. Just opened a secure tab, typed in the internal directory of your company’s Singapore division, and found the executive’s name in moments. His credentials. His security clearance. The HR history. All of it.

He clicked once. Flagged it for performance review. Then again. Submitted a silent directive to MONOLITH’s regional director.

The man would be jobless by the end of the day.

“Did you?” you asked, quieter now. “Did you…?”

Namjoon shifted forward, elbows on his desk. “I submitted a letter of recommendation,” he said carefully. “Along with your resume. That’s it. Everything else, you earned. You’re brilliant, and they saw that. The rest was just a door I held open.”

You were quiet.

“I wanted you to have options,” he added, more gently. “You’d been talking about relocating. Starting fresh. I didn’t buy you anything—I just made sure they actually looked at you.”

You didn’t respond. But he heard your breathing. Uneven. Hurt.

“I would never humiliate you,” he continued, voice low and steady. “And if anyone ever says otherwise, they’re gone. Simple as that.”

“So I’m a charity case now?” you asked bitterly.

“No,” he snapped, more forceful than intended. “You’re mine, and I love you. And I take care of what’s mine.”

You fell silent again. And that quiet twisted something inside him. Something ugly and desperate.

Then finally, you spoke. “I… have a deadline. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Wait—”

But the call clicked off before he could stop you.

Namjoon stared at the black screen for a long moment. Then leaned back in his chair, dark eyes fixed on the muted conference room where his team was still presenting as if nothing had happened.

As if the center of his universe hadn’t just slipped a little further out of his orbit.

The love of his life was hurt.

And Namjoon would do whatever it took to bring you back to him.

—

It had been twelve days, fourteen hours, and thirty seven minutes since you last called him.

Namjoon knew. He counted.

You hadn’t exactly frozen him out, but the distance between you had stretched like a rubber band drawn too tight—taut, uncomfortable, threatening to snap. Your texts were short. Your calls, nonexistent.

The few times you had responded to his check ins, it was with polite indifference, your usual warmth buried beneath layers of quiet resentment.

He tried, God, he tried, to give you space.

But when it came to you, Namjoon was not a patient man.

Not when you were upset. Not when you were hurting. Not when you were out of reach, leaving him to pace the length of his penthouse like a caged animal while you pretended like he didn’t exist.

He was on his jet by sunrise.

By noon, he was standing in the entryway of your condo, letting himself in with the access code you’d given him nearly two years ago. The place was quiet. No music, no television. Just the hum of the A/C and the distant sound of rain tapping against the windows.

“Baby?”

No response.

He toed off his shoes and moved through the space quickly, his heart thumping with dread, the worst case scenarios clawing at the edges of his mind. But when he found you, sprawled on your bed in a tangled mess of blankets, a soft groan was all it took to replace panic with guilt.

You looked miserable.

Your arm was thrown over your face, your brows drawn together in pain. A heating pad was clutched against your stomach, and a mostly empty bottle of painkillers sat abandoned on your nightstand.

Namjoon’s chest tightened.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, running a hand down his face.

He hadn’t checked the tracker.

The one thing that always kept him ahead of the curve—your synced period app—was buried beneath dozens of other notifications on his phone. If he’d looked, even once in the last few days, he would’ve seen the red dots. Would’ve made sure you had your favorite dark chocolate and plushest socks and that masseuse you liked who did womb specific reflexology.

Instead, he was here too late—again.

You groaned softly as he approached, only realizing he was there when the mattress dipped beside you.

Your eyes blinked open slowly. “Joon…?”

“I’m sorry.” His hand brushed your forehead, pushing back strands of hair. “I should’ve been here. I should’ve known.”

You tried to sit up, but he gently pressed a hand to your shoulder. “No, don’t move. Just let me take care of you.”

Without waiting for protest, he pulled out his phone and fired off a series of commands to his assistant:

– Organic ginger tea

– Tiger balm

– That oversized plush shark you liked to squeeze

– A new set of silk pajamas

– Three of your favorite desserts from that tucked away café only locals knew about

He placed the phone down and turned back to you, his expression softened by concern. “Are you nauseous?”

You nodded weakly.

“Okay.” He leaned down and kissed your forehead. Then your cheek. Then your temple. “I’ll take care of everything.”

He slipped out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a warm compress, a fresh glass of water, and a cold cloth to soothe your flushed face. He adjusted the heating pad, pressed the compress to your back, and murmured gentle words while you whimpered through another wave of pain.

Namjoon crawled into bed behind you, carefully pulling you into his chest. His arms cocooned you, fingers moving in slow circles over your belly while his lips left quiet apologies along your shoulder.

“I’m sorry I upset you,” he whispered, voice low and sincere. “I wasn’t trying to make you feel small. I just… I wanted to make sure the world saw what I already knew about you.”

You sighed into his chest, curling into him like you always did when your body felt too heavy to hold alone.

“I’m not upset anymore,” you said softly. “Not really.”

“But you were.” His voice dropped with guilt. “And I crossed a line.”

There was a long pause.

“I just want to prove myself,” you finally whispered. “I want to know I earned it. I don’t want people looking at me like I fucked my way to the top.”

“You didn’t,” he said firmly.

“I know. But I need to feel it. Can you understand that?”

Namjoon’s lips grazed the crown of your head. “Of course I can.”

And in a way, he did. He admired your ambition—your pride. It was one of the first things he’d fallen for. But what he didn’t say, what he couldn’t say, was that he would never stop intervening on your behalf. He’d just have to get better at hiding it.

If the world refused to treat you like the queen you were, then he’d be the invisible hand behind your throne, ensuring they had no choice.

“I’ll behave,” he murmured, nuzzling against your hair. “Promise.”

Even if it was a lie.

You smiled faintly, half asleep now as your body finally began to relax.

And Namjoon just held you tighter, the smell of your shampoo in his lungs and your heartbeat against his own.

—

Namjoon’s eyes flicked from the glowing screen of his laptop to the massage table at the far end of your living room. The low hum of instrumental music filled the room, underscored by the soft sounds of your masseuse working through the tension in your body. You were lying face down in a thin robe, your cheek pillowed against folded arms, your body glistening with oil.

“You are incredibly tense, miss,” the masseuse said gently, kneading a knot in your lower back. “It’s not ideal during menstruation. Can worsen the cramps.”

Namjoon’s jaw tightened. His fingers paused on his keyboard, guilt blooming deep in his chest.

Of course you were tense. He’d caused it.

You hadn’t said it outright, but he knew—he felt it in the way you stiffened under his hand when he reached for you at night, in the clipped texts, the way your laughter never quite reached your eyes lately. His meddling in your career, his inability to relinquish control, had woven a subtle web of resentment in the space between you.

But if he’d been the cause of your discomfort, then he would damn well be the cure. By the time your massage ended, Namjoon had already made the arrangements.

A private chef was en route, preparing your favorite dishes from a list Namjoon had compiled over months—salmon glazed in miso butter, caramelized root vegetables, freshly baked sourdough, a cucumber salad dressed in sesame oil and vinegar. He’d even remembered the tiny garnish of edible flowers you once said looked too pretty to eat.

In the bathroom, he set the tub to fill at the perfect temperature, drizzled rose and lavender oils into the water, and scattered flower petals until it looked like something pulled from a magazine spread. Candles flickered on every surface, and soft jazz played from the built in speaker system.

When you walked in after your massage, wrapped in a fresh robe and blinking sleepily, your eyes widened at the scene—and Namjoon smiled, just a little.

“Dinner first,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around your waist and pressing a kiss to your cheek. “Then the bath.”

You leaned into him, your features soft, sleepy, grateful. He noticed how your fingers curled around the hem of his sleeve, how your body instinctively gravitated toward his again.

It was a start.

Dinner was quiet and warm, just the two of you seated across from each other at the table by the windows. The rain continued to fall softly outside, blurring the city lights in watercolor streaks. You moaned your way through every bite of your meal, and Namjoon couldn’t stop smiling.

But the real moment came when dessert was served.

You gasped as the chef placed a covered dish before you, lifting the lid to reveal perfectly ripe strawberries dipped in your favorite dark chocolate, each one topped with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt and crushed almonds.

“Joon,” you whispered, hand pressed to your chest. “You remembered…”

“I always do.”

Afterwards, he guided you into the bathroom, undressing you slowly beneath the soft candlelight. The bath steamed gently, the petals floating like delicate whispers across the surface. When you slipped into the water with a sigh, Namjoon followed, reclining behind you and pulling your back flush to his chest.

You lay there, eyes half lidded, the curve of your smile teasing.

“I should get mad at you more often,” you murmured, your voice laced with lazy amusement. “You go all out.”

Namjoon huffed a quiet laugh against your temple. “You think this is because you’re mad at me?”

He let his hands drift—up your arms, over your waist, cupping the fullness of your breasts with worship that made your breath hitch. His thumbs teased at your nipples beneath the water, drawing soft circles until they stiffened under his touch.

You squirmed, but he only pulled you closer, his mouth finding the slope of your throat. “You shouldn’t tease me, baby. Not when you look this good.”

“I’m on my period,” you murmured, halfhearted as your hips rolled against him instinctively. “It’s gross—”

“Don’t. How many times have we had this discussion?” His voice dropped, a command softened by affection. “You think blood scares me?”

His hand slid between your thighs, fingers stroking the swollen, sensitive bundle of nerves that had you gasping before you could argue.

“I’m a grown man.” he murmured against your skin. “Besides… you forget I know your body better than anyone.”

He teased you, slow and gentle at first, coaxing your body into the kind of pleasure that melted cramps into nothingness. His fingers moved with precision, his lips never leaving your skin, whispering praise into the curve of your ear.

“That’s it. Let go for me, baby.”

And you did, trembling in his arms as your orgasm rippled through you, head thrown back against his shoulder, mouth parted in a silent cry.

Namjoon kissed your temple as you came down, then lifted you slightly, adjusting your body in the water.

“Think you can take more?”

You nodded, breathless.

He helped you ease down onto his cock, guiding you slowly, giving you time to adjust. The stretch, the depth—it had you clawing at his shoulders almost immediately.

He let you ride him at your pace, his hands resting low on your hips, thumbs pressing into the softness just above your thighs. The water sloshed gently around you, rose petals clinging to your skin like afterthoughts.

“You’re so fucking perfect like this,” he groaned, watching you through heavy lidded eyes. “So full. So warm.”

When your hands covered your stomach self conscious of the bloat, he stopped you.

“Don’t hide,” he growled. “You know how sexy you look all fucked out on my cock?”

You moaned, cheeks burning.

“I like you softer, rounded. I’d put a baby in you right now if you let me,” he breathed against your ear. “I’d fill you up every night until you started showing. You’d look so beautiful carrying my child…”

You gasped, stunned, momentarily speechless.

“Joon…”

“I’d never let you lift a finger,” he went on, his rhythm quickening as he took over the movement, bouncing you on his cock with increasing fervor. “You’d stay home in my bed while I take care of everything. All you’d have to do is let me love you.”

You moaned again, dazed from the fantasy and the feeling of him stretching you wide, hitting deep.

“You’re trying to get me pregnant,” you panted, half laughing.

“Not yet, my love. I just like practicing.” He teased with a dark smirk.

You buried your face in his neck, overwhelmed. “You’re insane.”

“Only for you.”

You tightened around him then, and he groaned deep in his chest, fucking you harder until the water threatened to spill over the edges of the tub. The steam clung to your skin, the scent of rose and heat and sex hanging heavy in the air.

When the water went cold, he finally pulled you off, both of you panting, spent and soaked.

But Namjoon wasn’t done.

He dried you off with care, rubbed your skin down in warm body oil, and laid a thick towel on the bed before gently laying you back against it.

He kissed his way down your body, licked between your thighs with slow, sinful strokes until you were begging, until you forgot your name, until the only word on your lips was his.

He made love to you again—soft, slow, deep—grinding into you until your toes curled and tears pricked your eyes from the sheer intensity.

And when you finally fell asleep in his arms, breath warm against his chest, Namjoon stared at the ceiling for a long time, hand stroking your back, mind already dreaming of the family you’d someday let him give you.

—

Rain whispered against the floor to ceiling windows, soft and rhythmic like the ticking of a very expensive clock.

The city beyond was drenched in a golden blue haze, skyscrapers glinting through the downpour like blinking stars. Namjoon stood in the dimly lit living room, shirtless and barefoot, a tumbler of whiskey resting in one hand as he stared into the storm. His other hand held his phone to his ear, his voice a low hum of authority.

“I want to be clear,” he said evenly, eyes tracking the rainfall. “Every trace of the footage—gone. Not buried. Gone.”

“Yes, sir,” the man on the other end replied. “We’ve already pulled every data node from the club’s CCTV system. Nothing exists, not even in the backups. The servers have been scrubbed clean.”

“And the men?”

A pause. “Located in Bali. The local team handled it per your directive. They won’t be an issue again.”

Namjoon exhaled slowly, his jaw tight with the memory of your face the night those bastards had touched you. Of the fury that ripped through him when he pulled you into his arms and smelled the fear on your skin. The men hadn’t realized who they were dealing with then.

They did now.

“Good,” Namjoon murmured, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Anything else I need to know?”

Before the man could respond, he heard the soft padding of bare feet behind him. A sleepy voice yawned from the kitchen doorway.

“Where’d the rest of those strawberries go…”

Namjoon turned just as you stumbled into the kitchen, wearing one of his oversized shirts, the hem brushing the tops of your thighs. Your hair was tousled, eyes still half lidded with sleep. You rubbed one eye with the back of your hand, your other already searching the counter for the tray.

He ended the call with swift precision. “I’ll call you back,” he said, voice quiet but clipped, then hung up and slipped the phone into his pocket.

You hadn’t noticed him yet, your fingers reaching for the fridge handle.

He padded over silently, his smile softening as he watched you sway a little, eyes still adjusting to the light. When he was close enough to touch you, he placed a hand gently on your lower back.

You startled, gasping softly as you whipped around.

“Jesus, Joon—” you laughed, smacking his bare chest lightly. “You scared me.”

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around your waist to pull you against him. “Didn’t mean to. Couldn’t sleep.”

“Neither could I.” You leaned against the island, finally spotting the last chocolate covered strawberry and popping it into your mouth. “Got up to satisfy my craving.”

Namjoon’s eyes lingered on your lips, glossed with chocolate and sleep. He fought the urge to kiss it from your mouth right then and there.

“What were you doing out here?” you asked, still licking a bit of chocolate off your thumb.

“I was on the phone,” he said smoothly. “Making plans.”

You tilted your head, eyes narrowing curiously. “Plans?”

“For my move to Singapore,” he said casually, fingers grazing your hips. “I miss you too damn much to keep doing this plane hopping, timezone bullshit. I want to sleep beside you every night.”

Your expression softened with something warm and surprised.

But then you smiled—small, sleepy, sweet.

“I…actually applied for a transfer,” you murmured, reaching for his hand. “Back to Seoul.”

Namjoon froze.

“What?”

“I miss home. Miss my friends. Miss sleeping with you too…” You leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Almost two years feels long enough.”

For a moment, Namjoon didn’t speak. Just blinked at you, stunned into silence. His heart kicked hard in his chest, fast and almost disbelieving. He hadn’t seen this coming—had been so careful lately not to meddle, not to hover, not to check the backend of your HR files. He hadn’t known.

But fuck if it didn’t light him up from the inside.

“You’re serious?” he asked, voice hushed.

You nodded. “Got the email yesterday. It’s already approved.”

A grin broke across his face like the sunrise. He kissed you, hard and sudden, tasting strawberry and your sleepy smile. And then, before you could say another word, he lifted you with a deep laugh, one hand under your thighs, the other wrapped around your back.

“Joon!” you yelped, giggling into his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Showing you how excited I am.”

“I can tell,” you said dryly, arms locked around his neck.

He carried you down the hallway, his bare feet silent against the hardwood floor, your laughter making every nerve in his body light up with need. He kicked the bedroom door shut behind you.

“You’re so obsessed with me,” you teased, quoting Mariah with a cheeky smile. “‘Why you so obsessed with meeee—’”

Namjoon dropped you onto the mattress, hovering over you with eyes dark and hungry.

“Because I am,” he murmured, voice low and deliberate. “And I’m never going to stop.”

five | masterlist | seven