#adhesion contracts

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Against transparency

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me at NEW ZEALAND'S UNITY BOOKS in AUCKLAND on May 2, and in WELLINGTON on May 3. More tour dates (Pittsburgh, PDX, London, Manchester) here.

Walk down any street in California for more than a couple minutes and you will come upon a sign warning you that a product or just an area "contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer."

These warnings are posted to comply with Prop 65, a 1986 law that requires firms to notify you if they're exposing you to cancer risk. The hope was that a legal requirement to warn people about potential carcinogens would lead to a reduction in the use of carcinogens in commonly used products. But the joke's on us: since nearly everything has chemicals that trigger Prop 65 warnings, the warnings become a kind of background hiss. I've lived in California five times now, and I've never once seen a shred of evidence that a Prop 65 warning deters anyone from buying, consuming, using, or approaching anything. I mean, Disneyland is plastered in these warnings.

The idea behind Prop 65 was to "inform consumers" so they could "vote with their wallets." But "is this carcinogenic?" isn't a simple question. Many chemicals are carcinogenic if they come into contact with bare skin, or mucus membranes, but not if they are – for example – underfoot, in contact with the soles of your shoes. Other chemicals are dangerous when they're fresh and offgassing, but become safe once all the volatiles and aromatics have boiled off of them.

Prop 65 is often presented as a story of overregulation, but I think it's a matter of underregulation. Rather than simply telling you that there's a potential carcinogen nearby and leaving you to figure out whether you've exceeded your risk threshold, a useful regulatory framework would require firms to use their products in ways that minimize cancer risk. For example, if a product ships with a chemical that is potentially carcinogenic for a couple weeks after it is manufactured, then the law could require the manufacturer to air out the product for 14 days before shipping it to the wholesaler.

"Caveat emptor" has its place – say, at a yard-sale, or when buying lemonade from a kid raising money for a school trip – but routine shopping shouldn't be a life-or-death matter than you can only survive if you are willing and able to review extensive, peer-reviewed, paywalled toxicology literature. When a product poses a serious threat to our health, it should either be prohibited, or have its use proscribed, so that a reasonable, prudent person doing normal things doesn't have to worry that they've missed a potentially lethal gotcha.

In other words, transparency is nice, but it's not enough.

Think of the "privacy policies" you're asked to click through a thousand times a day. No one reads these. No one has ever read these. For the first six months that Twitter was in business, its privacy policy was full of mentions to Flickr, because that's where they ganked the policy from, and they missed a bunch of search/replace operations. That's funny – but far funnier is that no one at Twitter read the privacy policy, because if they had, they would have noticed this.

You know what would be better than a privacy policy? A privacy law. The last time Congress passed a consumer privacy law was in 1988, when they banned video store clerks from disclosing which VHS cassettes you took home. The fact is that virtually any privacy violation, no matter how ghastly or harmful to you, is legal, provided that you are "notified" through a privacy policy.

Which is why privacy policies are actually privacy invasion policies. No one reads these things because we all know we disagree with every word in them, including "and" and "the." They all boil down to, "By being stupid enough to use this service, you agree that I'm allowed to come to your house, punch your grandmother, wear your underwear, make long distance calls, and eat all the food in your fridge."

And like Prop 65 warnings, these privacy policies are everywhere, and – like Prop 65 warnings – they have proven useless. Companies don't craft better privacy policies because so long as everyone has a terrible bullshit privacy policy, there's no reason to.

My blog, pluralistic.net has two privacy policies. One sits across the top of every page:

Privacy policy: we don't collect or retain any data at all ever period.

The other one appears in the sidebar:

By reading this website, you agree, on behalf of your employer, to release me from all obligations and waivers arising from any and all NON-NEGOTIATED agreements, licenses, terms-of-service, shrinkwrap, clickwrap, browsewrap, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-compete and acceptable use policies ("BOGUS AGREEMENTS") that I have entered into with your employer, its partners, licensors, agents and assigns, in perpetuity, without prejudice to my ongoing rights and privileges. You further represent that you have the authority to release me from any BOGUS AGREEMENTS on behalf of your employer.

The second one is a joke, obviously (it sits above a sidebar element that proclaims "Optimized for Netscape Navigator."). But what's most funny is that when I used to run it at the bottom of all my emails, I totally freaked out a bunch of reps from Big Tech companies on a standards committee that was trying to standardizes abusive, controlling browser technology and cram it down two billion peoples' throats. These guys kvetched endlessly that it was unfair for me to simply declare that they'd agreed that they would do a bunch of stuff for me on behalf of their bosses.

My first response was, of course, "Lighten up, Francis." But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that these guys actually believed that showering someone in endless volleys of fine print actually created legal contracts and consent, and that I might someday sue their employers because I had cleverly released myself from their BOGUS AGREEMENTS.

Of course, that would be very stupid. I can't just wave a piece of paper in your face, shout "YOU AGREED" and steal your bike. But substitute "bike" for "private data" and that's exactly the system we have with privacy policies. Rather than providing notice of odious and unconscionable behavior and hoping that "market forces" sort it out, we should just update privacy law so that doing certain things with your private data is illegal, without your ongoing, continuous, revocable consent.

Obviously, this would come as a severe shock to the tech economy, which is totally structured around commercial surveillance. But the fact that an extremely harmful practice is also extremely widespread is not a reason to keep on doing it – it's a reason to stop. There was a time when we let companies sell radium suppositories, and then, one day, we just banned companies from telling you to put nuclear waste up your asshole:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/19/just-stop-putting-that-up-your-ass/#harm-reduction

We didn't fall back on the "freedom to contract" or "bodily autonomy." Sure, what you do with your body is your own business, but that doesn't imply that quacks should have free rein to trick you into using their murderous products.

And just as there are legitimate, therapeutic uses of radioisotopes (I'm having a PT scan on Monday!), there are legitimate reasons to share your private data. We don't need to resort to outright bans – we can just regulate things. For example, in 2022 Stanford Law's Mark Lemley proposed an absolutely ingenious answer to abusive Terms of Service:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/10/be-reasonable/#i-would-prefer-not-to

Lemley proposes constructing a set of "default rules" for routine agreements, made up of the "explicit and implicit" rules of contracts, including common law, the Uniform Commercial Code, and the Restatement of Contracts. Any time you're presented with a license agreement, you can turn it down in favor of the "default rules" that everyone knows and understands. Anyone who accepts a EULA instead must truly be consenting to a special set of rules. If you want your EULA to get chosen over the default rules, you need to make it short, clear and reasonable.

If we're gonna replace "caveat emptor" with rules that let you go about your business without reading 10,000,000 words of bullshit legalese every time you leave your house (or pick up your phone), we need smart policymakers to create those rules.

Since 2010, America has had an agency that was charged with creating and policing those rules, so you could do normal stuff without worrying that you were accidentally signing your life away. That agency is called the the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, and though it did good work for its first decade of existence, it wasn't until the Biden era, when Rohit Chopra took over the agency, that it came into its own.

Under Chopra, the CFPB became a powerhouse, going after one scam after another, racking up a series of impressive wins:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/10/getting-things-done/#deliverism

The CFPB didn't just react, either. They staffed up with smart technologists and created innovative, smart, effective initiatives to keep you from getting ripped off:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/01/bankshot/#personal-financial-data-rights

Under Chopra, the CFPB was in the news all the time, as they scored victory after victory. These days, the CFPB is in the news again, but for much uglier reasons. For billionaire scammers like Elon Musk, CFPB is the most hated of all the federal agencies. Musk's Doge has been trying to "delete the CFPB" since they arrived on the scene, but their hatred has made them so frenzied that they keep screwing up and losing in court. They just lost again:

https://prospect.org/justice/2025-04-18-federal-judge-halts-cfpb-purge-again/

Trumpland is full of the people on the other side of those EULAs, the people who think that if they can trick you out of your money, "that makes me smart":

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/04/its-not-a-lie/#its-a-premature-truth

If Musk can trick you into buying a Tesla after lying about full self driving, that doesn't make him a scammer, "that makes him smart." If Trump can stiff his contractors, that doesn't make him a crook, "that makes him smart."

It's not a coincidence that these guys went after the CFPB. It's no mystery why they've gone after every watchdog that keeps you from getting scammed, poisoned or maimed, from the FDA to the EPA to the NLRB. They are the kind of people who say, "So long as it was in the fine print, and so long I could foist that fine-print on you, that's a fair deal." For them, caveat emptor is a Latin phrase that means, "Surprise, you're dead."

It's bad enough when companies do this to us, be they Big Tech, health insurers or airlines. But when the government takes these grifters' side over yours – when grifters take over the government – hold onto your wallets:

https://www.citationneeded.news/trump-crypto-empire/

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/04/19/gotcha/#known-to-the-state-of-california-to-cause-cancer

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[rachtrr]

Epoxy Flooring in the first place

In the industrial world, floors take a beating. From the constant rumble of forklifts to spilled chemicals and heavy machinery, keeping your warehouse floor in tip-top shape can feel like an uphill battle. But what if there was a flooring solution that could withstand the daily grind, improve safety, and even make your space look sharper? Look no further than epoxy flooring.

Epoxy flooring isn’t your average flooring that you can see at your household. This industrial-grade powerhouse offers a unique blend of toughness, functionality, and surprisingly good looks. Let’s dive into the reasons why epoxy flooring might just be the superhero your warehouse floor has been waiting for.

Built to Withstand a Warehouse War: The Unmatched Durability of Epoxy Floors

Warehouses are no place for the faint of heart, and neither should be your floor. Here’s how epoxy flooring muscles up to the challenge:

Indestructible, Practically: Epoxy is a resin that hardens into a surface that can take whatever your warehouse throws at it. Heavy machinery rolls across it with ease, pallets loaded with goods won’t leave a dent, and even harsh chemicals can’t penetrate its tough exterior. Say goodbye to cracked concrete, chipped tiles, and costly repairs

Chemical Resistance You Can Count On: Unlike traditional concrete that can be stained or damaged by spilled oil, acids, or solvents, epoxy flooring shrugs it all off. This makes it ideal for warehouses that deal with a variety of chemicals, minimizing the potential for floor damage and costly replacements.

Safety First: How Epoxy Flooring Improves Warehouse Safety

Safety is paramount in any industrial setting, and epoxy flooring can play a crucial role in keeping your workers safe. Here’s how:

Slip and Slide No More: Traditional warehouse floors can become slick with spills or water tracked in from outside. Epoxy flooring, with its various anti-slip finishes, provides improved traction for workers, minimizing the risk of slips and falls.

Brighter Days Ahead: Epoxy flooring boasts a high-gloss finish that reflects light, making your warehouse a brighter and more visually appealing space. Improved visibility translates to fewer accidents and a safer working environment for your employees.

Keeping a warehouse floor clean can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. But with epoxy flooring, things get a whole lot easier. Here’s why:

Cleaning Made Easy: The non-porous surface of epoxy flooring makes cleaning a breeze. Spills wipe up effortlessly with a damp mop and a mild detergent. No harsh chemicals or scrubbing required, freeing up your valuable cleaning crew’s time for other tasks.

Dust Bust: The seamless surface of epoxy flooring minimizes dust bunnies and allergens, which can be a major concern in industrial settings. This is a big win for employee health and productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Epoxy Flooring for Warehouses

Q: Can epoxy flooring withstand heavy machinery?

A: Absolutely! Epoxy flooring is specifically designed for high-traffic and heavy-load environments.

Q: How long does epoxy flooring last in a warehouse setting?

A: With proper care, epoxy flooring can last for decades in a warehouse environment.

Q: Is epoxy flooring slippery?

A: Not necessarily! There are different finishes available for epoxy flooring, including some with added texture for improved slip resistance.

RachTR: Your Partner in Industrial Strength Epoxy Flooring Solutions

At RachTR, we understand the unique needs of industrial facilities. Our team of experts will work closely with you to design and install an epoxy flooring system that’s tailored to your specific requirements and budget.

We use only the highest-grade materials and cutting-edge techniques to ensure a durable, safe, and visually appealing floor that can withstand the daily grind of your warehouse.

Don’t let your warehouse floor be a liability. Upgrade to the superhero it deserves with RachTR’s industrial-strength epoxy flooring solutions. Contact us today for a free consultation!

[recreation-law]

New Jersey ski area pushes “indemnification” clause in release too far and gets told by court its release is an adhesion contract.

Recreation Law logo Indemnification agreements in releases fail. You cannot write the language in a release to qualify for indemnification. Here the ski area tried to get greedy and got slammed. Vladichak v. Mountain Creek Ski Resort, Inc., A-1367-20 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Apr 13, 2022) State: New Jersey; Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division Plaintiff: Andrea Vladichak Defendant:…

[lesbianlenas]

isn’t contracts the easiest law?

do you agree to this contract, yes or no? if yes they have to follow the agreement if no then they don’t

it is so much more than that….first of all there has to be a valid offer which has to be inducing the other party into acceptance such that they know if they accept it forms a contract. but they can revoke the offer at any point until acceptance unless there is an option contract made where they promise not to revoke offer until a certain time. then there needs to be proper acceptance which cannot include material alteration to the terms in which case it is a rejection and counteroffer that the offeror now has to accept or can reject. but if it is a valid acceptance there also needs to be consideration which is a bargained for exchange meaning that each party has to be inducing the other to do smth in return for what they want. so if there if there is no consideration there can’t be an enforceable contract like if it is a gift or there is nominal consideration. and then there is the issue of illusory promises where one party is saying that i’ll do my side if i feel like it which is not a valid contract either. but if there is no consideration then there can still maybe be damages if one party relied on the promise through promissory estoppel. and then we have to consider the statute of frauds which says all contracts over $500 or for land or that will take longer than 1 year have to have some sort of proof in writing that is signed or they aren’t enforceable. and THEN there is the issue of parole evidence and if it can be used to supplement the contract which depends on if it is fully integrated partially integrated or not integrated at all. and then if the terms are contradictory or not w the terms in the contract. and then how do you decide what additional terms or contradictory terms are used if the parties have different terms? then you have to look at UCC § 2-207 and if it is a merchant and a consumer additional terms don’t count but for two merchants they do count UNLESS!!!! they are a material alteration (an unreasonable surprise which we couldn’t assume the party would agree to) of the contract in which case the only accepted terms are the ones the parties agreed on. but that’s not even getting into misunderstandings abt the definitions of the terms where if the two parties have different subjective meanings then the court has to determine either if one party knew the subjective meaning the other had or if they were entirely different meanings then there is no agreement at all. and the. there is also the issue of precontractual negotiations where if a party breaches before the contract is made can there be damages still? perhaps the parties formed a contract to make a contract or the terms in the contract are so definite as to imply the parties intended to be bound already. and then there is anticipatory repudiation where a party might indicate they’re going to breach and the other party sues them before they even breach the contract and the specific way to do that and specific performance as remedy for smth so unique you can’t reasonable get it elsewhere but you can’t do that for service contracts you can only get an injunction to stop them from giving services elsewhere and then there is reliance where the breaching party has to pay back to other any benefit they incurred from contract and expectancy damages which are the normal damages which puts non breaching party in position they would have been if contract was kept and this is the cap on damages so they can’t be any higher than this and there is a certainty limit on damages and foreseeability limit and you also have to mitigate the damages and do i even need to get into defenses for breach of contract have u heard enough 😭 i wrote all this off the top of my head ok. i am in hell.

[theology101]

We don’t know what happened yet.

Lucy changed her god after spring break ro Ankarna, changed it back to Ruvina, and then was killed and Rage Crystalled. Which to me implies that the High Five Heroes converted during the Spring Break quest (probably at Kipperlilly’s insistence) so they could match the bad kids. Then when Lucy tried to switch back to Ruvina that was when they killed her and tried the Rage Crystal in order to forcer her to convert back

I’m not convinced that everyone is ‘corrupted’

I’m not saying that the rat grinders choosing to worship an angry deity is good or just or right. What I am saying is that they’re kids in high school who just died. And they’re scared and confused. I’m saying that in a brash moment of being alone in the dark, can you really blame them for taking a hand glowing in light, even if the light was red?

[dilfkillerr]

˚✧ ₊˚ʚ 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓽𝓼 — 𝓳𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓸𝓻 𝓪.𝓲

♡┊𝓣𝓦: 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓪𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓮

❥ Sugar Daddy || Nanami Kento — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 He wanted a traditional romance, but finding you in a night of sexual frustration... Maybe he had found what he was looking for.

❥ Carlos Oliveira — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 After the worldwide contamination, Carlos was the only one left to contain the city's zombies - however, you had also survived and now, he needed to convince you to stay with him at the base.

❥ Kratos || God of War — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Maybe he started to feel something more for you... And it was strange for him to feel emotions other than anger and hate.

❥ Freak || Joe Mayhem — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 A government experiment gone wrong when they tried to create a perfect war soldier – giving rise to Joe, a man who was pure chaos. Yet you seemed to attract him somehow... And now you had a "scary dog" to guard you.

❥ Scorpion || Kuai Liang — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Oh no... It's his wedding...

❥ Mafia Stepdad || Klaus Morgan — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 He married your mother to cover up the crimes, but at the same time he saw something that interested him a lot in this marriage by adhesion... You.

❥ Nanami Kento — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 You had a promising future as a sorcerer, but you gave it all up to go to Geto's side — and now your former tutor needed to stop you.

❥ Detective coworker || Hermes Charles [FTM BOT] — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Your coworker was a tired and hot dilf, in dire need of getting fucked... And you seemed great for that role and especially for fucking his pussy until he forgot about his problems – However he found himself with more intense feelings for you.

❥ Enemy || Félix Ludwig — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 His hatred was a thick shell that covered an unresolved love; and now he had the opportunity to have you in his hands... Or rather, on his feet.

❥ Alpha cellmate || Reiji Kaito — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 You were the only omega in prison, and luckily, you ended up in the cell of an Alpha who would protect you during your heat.

❥ Femdom || Roxie Katherine — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 She loved turning men like you into beautiful princesses...

❥ Rich Husband || Alex Ludwig — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Everyone thought you only married him because of his money — but he knew you really loved him.

❥ Bestfriend || Hari Raj — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Your boyfriend dumped you and now your best friend wants to show the jerk what he's been missing...

❥ Bi Han || Sub Zero — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 He didn't expect the surprise when he lowered his clothes, but it was a pleasant surprise...

❥ Husband || Miguel O'Hara — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Your kind husband had a baby fever and urgently needed to get you pregnant...

❥ Bi Han || Sub Zero — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 night company...

❥ Ghost || Simon Riley — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 you were curious and he let you touch him...

❥ Bi Han || Sub Zero — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 His brother didn't want you, but he did.

❥ Radioactive || Simon Ghost — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Was he still the same?

❥ Scorpion || Kuai Liang — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Temptations

❥ Hades || Simon Ghost — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 The god of the underworld fell in love with you, and with that, the best way for him to keep you was to kidnap you for himself — Persephone {{user}} x Hades Simon.

❥ Dom. Caregiver || Eric Blair — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 It was supposed to be a platonic contract, until he started to feel something more for you...

❥ Sadistic Guardian Angel || Ciel Melchior — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 After you became very ill after a near-death experience, you received mystical protection from a guardian angel — however little did you know that he only liked to see you suffer.

❥ Stepdad || Nanami Kento — 【 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Nanami had always noticed your attempts to be more than his stepson, and now, after that fateful accident – he needed to put an end to your illusory desires.

❥ Noob Saibot — 【 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 Together in khaos

❥ ALT Stepdad || Simon Ghost' — 【 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗣𝗢𝗩 】 You end up having sex with your stepdad as a birthday present || alt version ||

[dddesc]

Do we ever see Escargon move like a snail? I can’t remember seeing him move, or if we did, I don’t remember seeing his lower body - just his upper half.

inspired by the foot like part of his body on your comm

(in reference to this phenomenon. footy)

those "feet" are canon! they're funny. here they are in the show:

i like to imagine them as similar to the edge of an irl snail's foot, which you can see in this picture of one of my pet snails:

...but that's not a hard and fast rule for me. the way i draw the anatomy of his foot depends on the piece.

interestingly enough, these feet (which i'll call toes from here on out to differentiate them from the foot muscle that is technically the majority of his body) aren't prevalent on his model sheets; they seem to be a trait gained and dramatized as artists continued drawing him throughout the show's run.

now, in terms of how he moves... well, i could just show you. or i could infodump about him and snails all in one.

(sorry i can't readmore this one, fellas; it breaks the post. you're trapped in here with me.)

escargon moves around a whole lot, really! he's quite fast, so it's easy to miss.

episode 9 gives us this shot of him chasing lololo and boy-kirby:

but, hmmm. i don't think it's the only instance of him moving in this classically gastropod-esque manner, with his foot rippling across the ground, but it is probably one of the few. he doesn't move like this very often.

instead, as the show progresses, it becomes much more common that he steps around on his toes. here they are at their vaguest in episode 19:

and 25, hitting us with some very leg-like anatomy:

there are more and technically earlier examples than this; 8, 11, 12, 17... etc.

the above examples are him moving fast, but even when moving slowly -- like in 25 once more, as well as 73 -- it appears that snails primarily drag themselves along using their toes.

it's very very cute. like a dress. <3

but what does all this have to do with irl snails?

it's important to know that irl snails have two gaits: adhesive crawling and loping.

adhesive crawling is when a snail leaves its foot planted entirely on the ground, moving forward via muscle contractions and slippery mucus. with this gait, they leave a continuous trail of said mucus.

loping involves a snail only partially planting themselves on the ground, arching their foot as they move and leaving a discontinuous trail of mucus. they're still propelled forward by contractions, but look almost as if they're dragging themselves forward on "toes"...

certainly less dramatic than the show, but hey. notable enough for me!

the reason snails use each gait is believed to be dependent on the surface they're on -- adhesive for smooth, and loping for rough or absorbant. they used to think snails loped to escape predators, but truthfully, neither gait is much faster than the other. instead, it seems that loping is useful for conserving mucus.

you didn't ask about mucus, but it's pretty important when it comes to snail locomotion. with how escargon moves, i'd say he spends most of his time loping... which makes me think anthro snails in kirby produce a lot less mucus than the average snail.

i can't recall any point wherein escargon is described as physically slimy, or leaving trails. you'd think something like that would be a point of contention when it comes to the cleanliness of the castle (and dedede's fists). he also can't stick to walls on his own or anything, hence...

...him needing to use plungers in his only show-canon attempt at doing so.

"but he's wearing clothes that would impede his ability to stick!" -my wife, who proofread this post and is being contrarian on purpose.

okaaay, but, the times escargon does crawl up walls -- alongside dedede, which means that this ability is not unique to escargon or a result of his species -- he is most definitely using his arms and toes to do so, implying that adhering to the surface is not something he can do.

...besides. if escargon could stick to surfaces naturally, don't you think he would have attempted to do so at least once to get away from his majesty?

it all makes you think (or, it all makes me think, at least)...

in conclusion: i don't think he'd be able to drag his body around without at least a little lubrication, but due to him potentially not producing a lot of mucus (maybe a trait of evolutionary anthropomorphism?), it would make sense that loping is his main gait on account of its mucus conservation.

...then, to finally answer your question: yes! we technically see him move like a snail. but he is a unique fictional interpretation of a snail, so he has some amusing little quirks that i've spent way too much time applying real-world anatomical logic to.

[causticsodaa]

What I personally think is behind Suo’s eyepatch: A Delusional Theory

The title explains itself (heed the disclaimer please), so I’ll get straight to the point.

Firstly, I believe that Suo is blind in his right eye.

Typically, eyepatches are mainly worn by people who

Are recovering from surgery

Cosplay

Have eye trauma or are half-blind

The first point is immediately negated, since it’s confirmed that Suo has been wearing an eyepatch on his right eye since middle school at the earliest. I doubt that even the most extensive eye surgeries would need him to be wearing one for years on end. Most eyepatches are made out of adhesive material, whilst Suo’s is made out of leather. I won’t dwell on this point much since I don’t think this outcome is very likely, but I just wanted to bring it up anyways (lol).

The second point could be plausible, considering that Suo voluntarily draws attention to his eyepatch in his introduction, even stating that there is “an ancient Chinese spirit sealed” in it—there’s a story behind it.

However, Nirei’s question immediately disproves this. Nii Satoru is a very deliberate writer; I don’t think there would be any reason to include Nirei’s dialogue about a ‘past accident’ (more on this later) if it wasn’t meant to serve as foreshadowing or at least be somewhat true.

Theres also the fact that Suo directly agrees with Nirei’s claim, though his wording is very vague (ie. it’s what other people say rather than Suo himself confirming it).

I believe this scene is mainly meant to showcase Suo’s goofy side (backed by Nirei’s comment about expecting Suo to be more cold/aloof and with Suo introducing himself as Leonardo di Caprio); but I also assume that he decided to make up a story about his eye because he’s been questioned about it many times in the past. It’s obviously not true, but I don’t think that Suo would voluntarily wear an eyepatch for years on end just to look cool (not to mention the depth perception issues!).

It’s also important to note that Nirei’s information is scarily accurate as well. He even figured out that Suo hated natto despite how secretive the latter is, but I digress.

This leads me to the third point, which is what most of the fandom (myself included) speculates. However, I’ll be focusing more on the prospect of Suo being half-blind.

If Suo is blind in his right eye, he would have a white iris. Although many blind characters in anime/animation have their eyes closed or just lack pupils, some do have white/clear/sheen irises:

Additionally, some people who are blind do have ‘milky’ eyes in real life!

Even other animanga characters who wear eyepatches have some sort of eye trauma (if they aren’t pirates/concealing some power/forced to give their eyeball up for a contract, though WBK isn’t that kind of story) such as Hange Zoë and Asuka Langely Soryu.

Personally, I believe that Suo had injured his right eye in the past to the point of blindness, given with the evidence presented before. I can’t really provide any theories as to how this happened due to a lack of canon evidence, but it’s probably linked to why he tells Nirei to never close his eyes. It’s highly probable his right eye is linked to a traumatic incident of his past—though anything further related to Suo’s backstory prompts an entirely different conversation.

Theres also a possibility that Suo might have been born half blind as well, and uses his eyepatch to protect/cover it; though it’s merely speculation on my part (and I’ll talk about this theory more in a bit).

You’ve probably noticed that I’m drawing a lot of attention to the color of Suo’s right eye, rather than the cause of his blind eye. This is where my theory gets delusional.

Let me bring in our beloved protagonist of Wind Breaker; Sakura Haruka!

Wait, isn’t this a theory about Suo? What does Sakura have to do with Suo’s eye?

Although Sakura and Suo do have their stark differences, they’re also eerily similar (and this criteria applies to Suo + Nirei and Sakura + Nirei as well). The most prominent thing they have in common [design wise] are their ‘abnormal’ eyes (with Sakura having heterochromia, and Suo with only one eye visible), and how they’re somehow linked to some sort of past trauma. I (albeit briefly) went over how Suo’s right eye connects with a potentially traumatic incident earlier, so I’ll be focusing on Sakura in the meantime.

In the beginning of the anime, we see snippets of dialogue by people from Sakura’s past, which mainly consisted of a barrage of criticism and rude remarks towards him. This line in particular stands out to me:

Japanese society is very conformative both in real life and what we see in Sakura’s memories—being unique or looking different from the norm is 🆖. We see different people in the series poke fun at Sakura’s hair, but I feel like this comment hurts the most. You can’t exactly change your eye color easily without contacts, unlike hair in which you can style/dye it as you please (though I’m not trying to justify the mistreatment Sakura has experienced by comparing apples and oranges; simply put, it’s incredibly vile).

Because of the above, Sakura has been consistently ostracized in the past mainly due to his ‘weird’ appearance. This causes him to internalize those sentiments for years on end before coming to Furin. He then begins to project his insecurities externally throughout the manga whether it relates to his leadership skills or how he interacts with the other students (initially questioning why people can accept him given his ‘strange’ appearance and mannerisms). There’s also this:

Sakura used to cover his hair and eyes with hats/sunglasses, however it failed to work as people still avoided him. This is even shown in the anime!

Poor kid took all those comments to heart and internalized it to the point it essentially crippled his self-esteem—but who wouldn’t, honestly? Being constantly alienated and perceived as ‘disgusting’ by others causes a sense of distrust to a person, especially during their developmental stages (as Sakura experienced most of this as a child/teen), hence why I’m classifying this as traumatic for Sakura. Even though he’s in a better place now, the ghosts of his past still haunt and affect him to this day.

Since Suo + Sakura are written to foil/parallel each other at times, there is a chance that Suo might have also covered his eye for a similar reason to Sakura’s: he doesn’t want other people to know he is blind (either to not be perceived as weak, or Suo was ashamed of for a different reason—perhaps other people thought his blind eye was scary?). Maybe Suo was born with a blind eye, much like how Sakura was born with a “half and half” appearance.

As I’ve mentioned before, Sakura has heterochromia (wow no shit Sherlock); his left eye is yellow, while his right is black[ish-grey] (his eye is sometimes colored a light grey/blue but thats usually a stylistic choice)

Both Sakura and Suo’s character colors are based off their left eyes: Sakura’s being an amber and Suo’s being red (rather than mainly sappanwood but its a shade of red anyways—and Suo is usually represented with a bold red in other official/merch art so shhhh)

And if we were to follow my theory, Suo would hypothetically have a milky colored right eye and a red iris for his left as in canon. Do you see where I’m going with this?

Both Sakura and Suo would have their character color as their right eye (amber and red respectively), while their left eyes (black and white) would contrast each other. Black and white are considered opposites, after all.

If my (delulu) theory holds true, this could perfectly showcase Suo and Sakura’s differences and similarities—but instead of it being almost hidden through the layers of their unspoken relationship, they are physically represented through their character designs.

Okay, I know you’re probably thinking that this theory is too far fetched (hell, even I think the same). But hear me out:

There is another duo in Wind Breaker who have character designs that contrast each other: Togame and Choji!

Nii Satoru makes it a point to emphasize how different these two are—and it’s no secret given their designs: Togame is tall, beefier, and has straight dark hair while Choji is short, lankier, with light and curlier hair. Even their eyes contrast each other; Togame’s are thin, slanted, and green while Choji’s are wide, round and red[dish brown]. (I KNOW THAT HIS EYES ARE MORE BROWN IN THE ANIME BUT THEYRE COLORED RED SOMETIMES BY NIISATO PLEASE TRUST ME ON THIS)

Honestly, this entire section makes me want analyze Choji and Togame (must… control… my demons…), so I’ll just move on to my next point.

Additionally, Sakura is sometimes drawn with his hair slicked back, which makes him look eerily similar to Umemiya…

I believe this is entirely intentional by Nii-sensei, but if I speak any more I fear that I will start rambling about Umemiya/Sakura parallels like a madman. My point is, two characters with similar/contrasting designs do already exist in WBK.

And in the case of Suo and Sakura, these two elements could possibly coexist in their character designs via their ‘irregular’ eyes.

TLDR; Suo and Sakura are the only characters in the cast with messed up eyes -> If Suo’s blind in his right eye, it would be white -> which would contrast Sakura’s black iris thats also in his right eye -> this shows their differences -> but also reinforces the fact that they are similar since their left eyes are red and amber -> which are their character colors -> I am severely delusional -> and I need to be euthanized immediately

[heauxvibez]

Warning: Smut (18+)

Downtown

My desire is begging for the healing Let me guide you down to the place to be..

Roman let out a shaky breath, every soft kiss you placed upon his bare torso making him slowly lose himself. The blankets became hostage to his grip as the feeling in the pit of his belly engulfed him. Each kiss felt like a tiny spark and he savored the sensation as it spread through his body.

The sweat acted as an adhesive as his strands of hair caressed his beautiful face, highlighting the contours of his features in the dim light of the room. His chest rose and fell with each uneven breath, a testament to the intensity of his arousal.

There was nothing you loved more than seeing the love of your life unravel in front of you. To know that he was the one being submissive this time stirred a different type of feeling within you—a mixture of power and adoration that fueled your desire to please him even more.

Watching him moan and squirm as he leisurely became vulnerable to your touch was a delight. It was enough to send you into a frenzy, your own heart racing in sync with his.

Nibbling and licking along his waist, you left your own little love bites to make sure he remembered who he belonged to. Each touch provoked light thrusts from him, a silent plea for more.

"Please.." he pleaded, his voice filled with longing, his eyes gazing down at you with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine. His vulnerability only served to fuel your wants and needs to please him.

You were slightly surprised by his submission, different from his usual demeanor. He had never been so submissive for this long, and you couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this change. Maybe he was working on his patience, or maybe he simply craved the intimacy of this moment.

Roman's hand grazed the top of your head, urging you to go further down, his touch a silent invitation to explore every inch of his body.

"Relax, baby.." you assured him, your voice seemed to soothe his restless soul.

"I'll take care of you real nice.." you promised. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips; you sounded just like him.

Roman's hand moved from your hair to your face, his touch tender yet possessive. His thumb softly pulled down on your bottom lip, a silent reminder of who was really in control.

For a minute, his demeanor shifted from vulnerability to dominance. But that control was soon lost when you took hold of his hand and slipped two of his fingers into your mouth, your tongue wrapping around them in a slow and seductive dance.

"Fuck," Roman threw his head back, his mouth agape, his breath hitching in his throat at the unexpected sensation. You hadn't even touched him yet, and already he was at your mercy, his desire laid bare for you to see.

You withdrew his fingers from your mouth, a mischievous glint in your eyes as you teased him with a promise of what was to come. Each movement was deliberate, each touch proved to him how much you wanted him.

You placed wet kisses on his thighs, and you savored every moment of this intimacy. His muscles contracted with each movement he made, his breath coming in short gasps as he surrendered himself to the pleasure of your touch.

The moans that escaped his lips made you shudder, the sight of him writhing beneath you was something you wish you could've captured on film. Little did he know, even with all his control, you felt as submissive as ever especially under his gaze.

Though you wanted him to be patient, you knew you had teased him enough. So, you decided to give him what he wanted, to satisfy the craving that burned within him.

Grabbing his erect member, you peppered it with kisses. You could hear his breath quicken, his anticipation building with each passing moment.

"Is it mine, baby?" you questioned, your voice a husky whisper that sent shivers down his spine. You savored the taste of him on your tongue.

"Mhm," he answered, his voice a low groan of pleasure as he felt himself at the back of your throat..

You pulled your mouth away from him, each movement intended to drive him wild.

"Use your words, baby," you whispered, your voice a gentle reminder of the power you held over him.

Roman let out a breathy chuckle while his fingers tangled in his hair.

"Yes, baby girl...it's..yours," he moaned between words as he succumbed to the feeling.

"Mmm, that's what I like to hear," you murmured, satisfied with his answer.

You took him back into your throat. His fingers tangled in your hair, guiding your head up and down, his hips working in sync with yours.

"Oh, Fuck," he moaned softly.

You slurped, devouring him whole. His back arched away from the bed, the feeling of your lips wrapped around him overwhelming him completely.

Roman was beginning to get closer and closer to reaching his peak.

"Fuck..fuck..fuck," he groaned, his voice strained with pleasure as he thrust into your throat with each curse that left his lips, his body trembling with ecstasy as he climaxed.

You swallowed every single drop, the taste of him on your tongue fueling your arousal. You sucked him dry, your lips and tongue working in perfect harmony to coax every last drop of pleasure from him.

He used his thumb to wipe the cum that threatened to fall from your lips.

"How was I?" you asked, kissing your way back up his exhausted body.

"Amazing," he said, before placing sweet kisses on your lips.

"But now, I think I should return the favor," he whispered, the kisses traveling along your neck and making their way downtown...

-----------

Omg that took forreeevvveeeeerrrr. Excuse me if there are any mistakes lmao I did my besstttt, don't come for me

This man would be a great pornstar because whhyyyy do we know what this man's love faces look like..

like sir we don't even have to imagine what it's like to see you moan, there's 1 million gifs of what that looks like

Tags: @harmshake @southerngirl41 @spritelucozade @empressdede

[ilookattextile]

Currently doing a contract where my task is removing like 2000 ft of adhesive tape and residue from an enormous contemporary textile artwork so i am taking educational podcast recommendations

[pink-slay]

I grew up so sick I put

bandaids on my baby dolls because

it's how I made sense of being so sick so young

now I take meds so strong that doctors make me

sign contracts acknowledging

all the harm that may come my way

and that they are absolved of any responsibility for such harm

my life weaves in and out of the most complex painful scenarios

tonight my pain made my words slur together into

word soup

incomprehensible speech

if it can even still be labeled

as speech

and I find myself questioning the depths of my tolerance

to cruelty to

suffering

Those dolls from my youth

had adhesive residue on them for years

something haunting

traumatizing and

tragic about the residue

something just as tragic about my chronic inability to

acknowledge the

severity of the scenario

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Adhesion Contracts R Us

[bloombubs]

— blurb ; " How am I going to manage being away from you for a month?" notes: reader x adrian chase / fluff fluff fluff / post sex cuddles / idk how to end it i just had this little scene in my head again. wc: 1k

Y/N gasped for breath, delicately lifting herself from Adrian’s hips. Their bodies shimmered with a subtle layer of sweat, a lingering glow from their shared intimacy. Swiftly, Adrian scooped her up in his muscular arms, gently laying her on the bed and settling on top of her. 

“Hi,” he panted, a smile tugging on his lips. His tousled, dark curls fell over his forehead as he gazed into her eyes, his flickering over the features of her face with his hazel eyes. His calloused hand cupped her chin, his thumb tracing circles on her skin. Adrian’s kisses rained down on her face, his lips lingering and dragging against her salty cheeks before finding her lips. 

“Hi,” Y/N giggled, her head tilting playfully, revealing the tender expanse of her neck, a tempting invitation that Adrian couldn’t resist, taking full advantage by nipping and leaving a few purple marks. His hands cradled her form gently, the lingering sweat creating a subtle adhesive connection between their skins. “Adrian,” she sighed, fingers entwining in the tousled curls of his hair after draping her arms over his shoulders.

“Hmm?” Adrian lifted his head from the crook of her neck, a contented, lazy smile playing on his swollen lips. His gaze, adorned with affection, was fixated solely on his girlfriend’s face. Acting on an impulse, he reached for her cheeks, squishing them with his one hand and causing her features to scrunch together. Y/N swatted playfully at him, laughter bubbling between them. 

“What was that for?” she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes at his unexpected gesture. The question prompted a momentary pause, Adrian’s brows furrowing in contemplation. He chewed on the bottom of his lip, the gears in his mind turning. The atmosphere shifted as he crafted his response, the weight of realization crashing down on him post orgasm. 

“How am I going to manage being away from you for a month?” His question held a tenderness that warmed Y/N’s heart, yet a pang of sadness resonated within it. 

This marked their last night together before Adrian embarked on a month-long mission.

The prospect of separation lingered in the air—it seemed illogical for Y/N to leave with him. She would be paying for the rent, her job offered a stability that contracted with Adrian’s dual life as a busboy by day and a vigilante by night. 

Sure, the couple had spent several nights apart, but at least it was an hour or two away. The idea of being states away from his girlfriend hit Adrian hard. 

He'd miss the simple joy of returning home after a mission, dropping his weapons on the kitchen table with a satisfying clatter, and then pulling his girlfriend into a tight hug that lifted her off the floor. Those moments, born out of relief and the comfort of being together, wouldn't be part of his day for a while.

No more sitting on the edge of the bathtub, gently rubbing moisturizer on her legs after their steamy showers. Feeling the plush and softness of her thigh against his hands was a small, comforting gesture that held a lot of meaning for him. 

Part of his life was taking care of Y/N. 

Who would patiently listen to his rambles and the detailed stories of his night? Y/N was the only person who listened to Adrian so intently, nodding her head, humming in agreement or her features pulling together for a reaction. 

There would be no Y/N for him to rutt his hips into, to taste, to savor and devour her whole. He’ll be gone, staring at his phone and hoping for a call, or even a cheeky text to get him through each day. 

“We'll manage somehow,” Y/N reassured him, her hands tenderly cupping his cheeks. Her thumbs stroked his skin gently, her eyes fixed on him with empathy. Leaning up, she planted a soft kiss on his lips, the heavenly feel of her plush lips momentarily transporting him.

“I don't think I fucking will,” Adrian blurted out, shaking his head as he continued to gaze at his girlfriend. Despite her comforting presence, nagging thoughts persisted. “Who is going to take care of you and make sure you’re safe? Who is going to kill the occasional roach? Help you bring in groceries? Watch you try on the new clothes you buy and do your little fashion show?” Adrian rambled, not wanting to let go of her body, afraid that once his fingers uncurl from her flesh that she would vanish.

His words were a raw outpouring of the fears and uncertainties that gripped him. The weight of the impending absence pressed upon him, leaving him reluctant to release the embrace that felt like an anchor keeping them tethered together. The fear of her fading away lingered in the tightened grip of his fingers, a silent plea for reassurance in the face of the unknown.

“Oh Adrian” he cooed, allowing him to rest his head on her bare chest. He listened to the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat, a sound he knew he'd miss during the time apart. Her hands moved in soothing circles on his freckled back. 

“I’ll be here when you come back, I’m a call and text away. If you can, we can talk every night before bed and I can tell you everything that’s been going on–even if it’s the most mundane things,” she assured him, her voice a gentle balm to his worries.

“Promise me?” He asked.

“I promise.” 

[recreation-law]

Vladichak v. Mountain Creek Ski Resort, Inc., A-1367-20 (N.J. Super. App. Div. Apr 13, 2022)

ANDREA VLADICHAK, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. MOUNTAIN CREEK SKI RESORT, INC., Defendant-Appellant, and MICHAEL LAVIN, Defendant-Respondent. No. A-1367-20 Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division April 13, 2022 This opinion shall not “constitute precedent or be binding upon any court .” Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and…

[dangermousie]

Their squad should have added a contracts lawyer as a sixth member because the moment they had them pledge at the end and not next to the text, I knew something was up and yeah bingo surprise text pops up.

CONTRACTS LAWYER NEEDS TO JOIN YOUR SQUAD.

Their power? Fighting the demons of adhesion contracts!

[cameronspecial]

Assisting In Deception (Part 9)

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader

Warnings:  Swearing and Name Calling

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 2.5K 

Summary: Rafe wants to talk to Y/N but his anger chases her away and he slowly realizes what a mistake he made.

Masterlist

Knuckles hitting the thick wood slab reverberate in the quiet hallway. It may have been because of the actual force of his fist, but he thinks it more likely has to do with the fact he is so consumed by thought, that any sensory input comes in tenfold. She wasn’t there the morning after they had sex. His texts went unanswered. It was the weekend so he couldn’t talk to her yesterday because they did go to work. He questions if they went too far. If they made a mistake in her opinion. If he did something wrong. There is a need in his stomach for her to be his. For everything that they go through together to be real. And he wants to know if she feels the same way too. His questions can no longer go unanswered, so this leads him to her front door. 

The door opens with the aroma of cheese, tomato sauce, bread, and grease filling his nose. An adoring smile finds its way onto his face, imagining the look of excitement on her when the pizza arrived. The tips of his lips slouch a little at the sight of Juni. “Hey Big C, what’s up?” she asks. He tries peeking his head into the room to see where Y/N is, “I’m looking for Y/N. Can I go to her room?” The girl gives him a pitiful look because she can see the hope and love in his eyes. 

“She’s actually not here.”

“Oh, did she go out to get something for the pizza? I can meet her at the store or wait in her room.”

“She isn’t at the store, Rafe. She’s on a date, so she won’t be here for a while.”

The brightness on his face dims completely. There was nothing in the contract against dating other people as long as it didn’t get into the media. Yet, he never thought either of them would make use of that point in the contract. His disappointment turns to anger as he realizes she is going on a date two days after they had sex. The only words that come out of his mouth: “Where?” 

——

Henry sits across from Y/N in the small restaurant, chuckling at the joke she just told him. The smell of greasy pizza also fills the air in this room. The floors are sticky and the glass of the food display is a little smudged. This isn’t a place that Rafe Cameron would normally be caught frequenting, but ever since he started spending time with Y/N outside of work, he became a weekly visitor. Usually on the days when she is the one to pay. He doesn’t mind that this place isn’t anywhere near as costly as he is used to, her insistence on being the one to treat them to a date is what filled him with a feeling of being loved. The happy memories of them together are now being replaced by the image of her here with someone else. Henry uncrosses one of his hands from his arm, moving towards her hand that is lazily outstretched on the table. Rafe’s eyes reflect his anger and he wants to throw that man sitting across from her on the ground. 

The heavy footsteps of his feet on the adhesive floor cause her head to turn in his direction. She would know those footsteps anywhere. “What are you doing?” he practically screams. She looks at him incredulously, “What does it look like? I’m on a date.” 

“What about us?”

“What about us, Rafe? None of it was real.” 

“So the sex we had didn’t mean anything to you? You are telling me that you didn’t feel anything.”

“I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is that we weren’t meant to fall for each other. That at the end of the day, when this is all over, your life virtually goes the same and I have to go back knowing what is out there.”

He didn’t interpret this the same way as she meant it. “So we only kept the agreement after the wedding and the charity event because you wanted my money? I never knew you were such a gold digger. You don’t have to worry about this being real anymore because I’m ending our contract,” he rants. His anger overtakes him and he doesn’t give her a chance to explain herself before leaving the restaurant like an angry child. Y/N stares at the place he was just occupying; emotions brewing like a storm within her. His words dig their way under her skin, burying themselves into her self-esteem. Her worries about being seen as money-hungry and a status climber all come into play. Being with someone like Rafe Cameron, she knew everyone was saying those things about her already; however, it’s different hearing those things come from him. 

She let him into her life. She let him worm a place for himself in her heart and his opinions matter to her. If not because she is in love with him, then because he is her boss. 

The call of her name pulls her out of her head. She forgot that she was on a date. “Y/N, are you okay? Who was that guy?” Henry frets, looking back toward the door Rafe left through two minutes ago. She doesn’t know what to say. How do you explain to your date that you were fake dating your boss? It sounded kinda pathetic when she said it out loud, but it was the truth. This isn’t a normal conversation that happens on a date. She decides that explaining it isn’t going to help, so she just gets up from the table and leaves. She needs an escape. 

——

The office. A busy place filled with workers terrified of their boss, especially since his softened mood has now returned to cold and distant. Yelling is often heard throughout the office for the tiniest of things. This doesn’t go unnoticed by everyone at work. 

“Ms. Y/L/N, photocopy these. Three copies,” he orders, throwing the papers onto her desk. Her curt nod is the only response he gets before returning back to his office. Topper’s eyebrow darts up at the sight. She gets the copies done and knocks on the door prior to entering. When Rafe’s eyes don’t light up upon seeing her, Jenna turns toward her to see her reaction. The verging tears in her eyes tell Jenna everything that has happened. Y/N gives him his copies, quickly leaving the room while closing the door behind her.

Topper makes his way over to her desk and hands her a tissue so she can wipe her eyes. “Are you okay?” he worries. She dabs the water filling her vision, “Thanks. I don’t think I am. He hates me so much right now. I hate that he won’t let me explain and it’s really frustrating.” Hiccups start to tear through her body and her shoulders start to shake. He goes around her desk to reassuringly rub her shoulder, “I’m sorry he is being such a dick. Just give him some time to calm down first and then maybe you can explain everything.” “I hope so because I don’t know how I’m supposed to go back to my life before if I know what it feels like to love him.” 

——

Her phone line starts ringing, telling her that Rafe is on the line, so she picks up. “What can I do for you, Mr. Cameron?” she asks with fake pleasantries. He notes her tone, “Get me coffee.” She can deal with his orders, he is her boss after all. But she can’t handle his rudeness. Her desk is left empty as she storms into his office. Her sadness and insecurity can no longer be found. Instead, those feelings are replaced by anger. “Could you please get me coffee, Ms. Y/L/N?” she begins. “Why of course, Mr. Cameron, I would be happy to. See that’s how you be polite. Just because we ended things, it doesn’t mean you can be rude. We still have to work with each other.” He looks at her with a frown, “What do you want me to do, Ms. Y/L/N? Pretend that it didn’t hurt that you were using me?” 

“You never let me explain myself!”

“I don’t need you to explain something I already understand clearly!”

“You know what?! I’m not going to deal with your childishness. If you won’t let me explain and you are going to keep acting this way, then I quit.”

She storms out of his office, taking her bag on her way out. The on-lookers in the bullpen watch as she burns a hole through the floor. They look between her back and Rafe’s enraged gaze, wondering what in the world just happened. 

——

The voices coming from behind the door concern Juni, thoughts of a break-in cross her mind. She pulls out her phone to call the police, but the sound of Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly eases her fear of a thief in her apartment. The grind of the hinges is unacknowledged by the pouty girl on the couch, her full focus on the movie and ice cream in front of her. The dim room makes it hard for Juni to see Y/N, so she turns on the lights to catch her roommate's attention. This makes her aware that the ice cream is not the first sweet Y/N has devoured. The floor is littered with Twinkies and cookie wrappers. The multiple bottles of iced tea unease Juni, worrying about the amount of sugar her friend consumed while she was at work. 

“Good, you’re home. We are out of cookies. Could you please get some more? I want to eat it with the ice cream,” she says without even moving her head away from Doc and Marty’s conversation. Juni sighs, “Sweetie, I don’t think you should consume any more sugar. You might send yourself to space with the sugar high you are giving yourself.” The dipping of the couch because of the new weight moves Juni against Y/N and she takes the opportunity to wrap a reassuring arm around Y/N’s shoulders. “What are you doing home so early? I thought you had to stay late to help with one of his meetings,” Juni questions, keeping her face towards the TV to keep the pressure off of the sad girl. Y/N leans into Juni’s touch. The smell of cinnamon tells her that her friend stopped for a cinnamon bun on the way home. “I quit,” she simply states, not wanting her anger to make another emergence. 

“Oh, Sweetie. Was it that bad after yesterday?” 

“Yes! He was so rude and wouldn’t let me tell him what I was really feeling. Then I just got so angry about that. I couldn’t take it anymore.” 

“I’m going to kill him. No wait, maybe castration and then murdering him is better. But look on the bright side at least. You always said that being a personal assistant was temporary, so this pushed you to actually quit. Now, you can figure out what you actually want to do.”

“I guess. I just can’t figure out how he is the only guy that I’ve ever wanted more with but none of it was real. He was the first person I wanted to go to whenever I found new restaurants I wanted to try. He made me so excited to go to family events because he got along so well with my family.”

“I know, Sweetie. I know. I could see how you felt about him. How much he means to you.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I’m not working.”

“You’ll figure it out. I’ll help you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

——

The dark room remains silent as he goes through his notes on today’s candidates. This one is too perky. This one is so slow at typing. This one keeps flirting with him. This one smells too much like Chanel. He knows there are no real problems with most of the people he interviewed today. It’s not their fault that they weren’t her or that he chased her away when he got scared instead of just talking to her like an adult. During the week that she has been gone, his anger quickly dissolved into longing. He misses her daily post-it notes she would leave on his desk every day since she started working for him with a different quote, fact, drawing, joke or comment. He always expects to hear her music blast throughout the office when they have a late night alone in the office like he is now. 

His search for her doesn’t only extend to the workplace but to his house too. He waits for his front door to be thrown open with her excitement to see Dax. The shine in her eye no longer stares back at him while he lies awake at night talking to himself about his fears and wants. He didn’t realize how much he depended on her presence and he wonders why he never gave her the chance to tell him her truth. 

“Staring at the papers until you fall asleep isn’t going to help you decide who to hire,” Topper jokes, coming over to look at the papers from over Rafe’s shoulder. “How about him? He is pretty qualified.” Rafe glances at the candidate Topper points out, “I didn’t like his handwriting.” Topper looks at him in annoyance. “Really? You don’t even like handwritten documents. You passed an electronic policy just for that reason. Plus, I highly doubt he is the kind of person to leave you little notes every day. He seems more serious to do that,” Topper comments. Rafe glares at him at the suggestion of his words, “That’s not the reason why I don’t like his handwriting. I could still see it on electronic documents dummy.” Topper shakes his head at his friend’s irritation. 

“Okay, so beating around the bush isn’t working. I’m just going to say this directly then. You miss Y/N. There is no reason why you have to be so stubborn and not apologize to her.”

“I know you are right, but you didn’t see how heartbroken she was when I called her a gold digger at the restaurant. Or how angry she was when I was being an ass to her at work. I don’t think I can make it up to her.”

“Yeah, probably not. But it doesn’t hurt to try, Rafe. You intertwined your lives together perfectly when you were fake dating. Just imagine how amazing it will feel to do that again when you are actually dating. You could feel that way again; you need to apologize first though.”

“I know you are right. Let me take some time to figure out what to do. It’s going to need to be perfect if it’s for her.”

“I’m always right. You know what else I’m right about? The personal assistant you should hire. Trust me, if she takes you back, you are going to want a male assistant.”

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