#advanced workplace technology

[kids-worldfun]

Tech-Integrated Workplaces: The Surge of Next-Generation Office Cubicles Integrated with Technology

Workspace is undergoing a lot of tone changes today, as the velocity of technology advancements keeps increasing, thus impacting modern office cubicles changes aided with integrated tech solutions that promise boosted performance and productivity coupled with a satisfying experience for the employees. Innovatively designed and integrated with advanced tech integration, workstations enable…

[productiveandfree]

Workplace Efficiency in the Age of Innovation

Technological advancements have reshaped workplace efficiency across industries, revolutionizing operations, communication, and decision-making. From artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation to enhanced cybersecurity measures and remote work solutions, businesses are integrating technology to remain competitive in an evolving landscape. Companies that leverage efficient digital tools optimize workflows, increase productivity, and enhance communication.

 AI-driven tools streamline repetitive tasks, improve accuracy, and allow professionals to focus on strategic responsibilities. Meanwhile, businesses are prioritizing cybersecurity strategies to protect digital assets, while remote work solutions continue to drive workplace flexibility. Organizations must adapt to these shifts to maintain efficiency and ensure long-term success in an increasingly digital environment.

Let's explore how technology is reshaping key aspects of workplace efficiency, from automation to collaboration.

The Role of AI and Automation in Streamlining Workflows

AI-driven tools are transforming business processes by minimizing manual tasks, increasing precision, and allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Businesses are also integrating AI-powered solutions in management to enhance productivity and increase operational agility. Modern product managers now use AI to assist with things like estimating timelines, making risk assessments, and completing document searches.

The integration of AI in product management is also influencing business strategies by analyzing market trends, predicting completion times, and optimizing routine tasks. AI-driven analytics also help businesses tailor offerings to customer needs, improving overall efficiency. Automation tools further contribute by optimizing supply chains, improving customer service, and eliminating inefficiencies. With AI-powered solutions, businesses can focus on growth while maintaining seamless operational workflows.

Cybersecurity Enhancements for a More Secure Workplace

As businesses become more dependent on digital systems, cybersecurity remains a priority. Cyber threats are growing in sophistication, prompting companies to implement AI-driven security solutions to detect and mitigate risks. AI-powered threat detection systems analyze patterns, identify anomalies, and respond to security breaches before they escalate.

Organizations must also prioritize cybersecurity awareness to reduce risk. Employee training programs, device hardening protocols, end-to-end encryption, and proactive monitoring help safeguard sensitive data. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy strengthens an organization's defenses and minimizes the risk of a potentially costly breach. Businesses that take a proactive approach to cybersecurity also earn the trust of consumers, who care about their personal data now more than ever before.

Technology’s Impact on Workplace Mobility and Remote Work Efficiency

Cloud computing, digital collaboration platforms, and AI-driven mobility solutions have redefined remote work. Businesses rely on cloud-based systems to store data securely, allowing teams to access information from anywhere. Companies can also make employee relocation easier by offering incentives and implementing new technology. For example, AI optimizes workplace relocation by streamlining logistics, predicting potential challenges, and enhancing workforce mobility.

Furthermore, digital collaboration tools support real-time communication, improving productivity for remote teams. AI-powered virtual assistants, automation software, and project management platforms streamline workflow optimization. Companies that invest in these technologies empower employees with flexible work environments, leading to higher engagement and efficiency. 

Decision-Making and Predictive Analytics

Big data and AI-powered analytics are reshaping communication and decision-making across industries. AI algorithms are capable of wielding complex data sets to accurately forecast market trends and help managers make more informed decisions. This can identify opportunities for growth and drive innovation.  

Predictive analytics has significant applications across various industries. In healthcare, AI has already made waves by successfully uncovering cures for diseases with the support of human researchers. Meanwhile, the financial sector relies on AI-powered analytics for risk assessment, fraud detection, and investment planning. Retailers also use predictive models to enhance inventory management and personalize customer experiences. Businesses that integrate predictive analytics into their strategies can gain a competitive advantage by improving efficiency and anticipating market demands.

Balancing Technology with Workplace Culture

While technology significantly enhances workplace efficiency, it is essential to balance innovation with a human-centric workplace culture. Employees play a critical role in the successful adoption of new technologies. Even the most advanced systems may fail to achieve their intended impact without proper training, communication, and engagement.

Companies should prioritize employee training programs to ensure staff members feel confident using AI-driven tools and digital platforms. Encouraging a culture of adaptability and continuous learning can help organizations transition smoothly into technology-driven operations. Employee feedback should also be incorporated into technology adoption strategies to ensure that solutions enhance—not hinder—daily workflows.

While AI-driven chatbots and automation tools improve response times, personal engagement and empathy remain irreplaceable. Businesses must balance automation and human interactions to provide customers and clients with a seamless yet personalized experience.

The Evolution of Workplace Collaboration Tools

Collaboration has evolved as businesses adopt digital tools that enhance teamwork and efficiency. Video conferencing platforms, cloud-based document sharing, and AI-powered scheduling assistants help organizations maintain seamless communication, whether teams are working remotely or in the office. These tools improve workflow by allowing employees to collaborate in real-time, reducing delays in project execution.

AI-driven collaboration tools provide automated meeting summaries, sentiment analysis, and task prioritization, and further streamlining operations. Businesses are also integrating virtual reality (VR) into collaboration efforts, enabling immersive experiences for training and team-building activities. Organizations must continue adopting tools that enhance communication and foster productivity as workplace dynamics shift.

Future Trends in Workplace Technology

The workplace will continue evolving as technology advances. Emerging trends like AI-driven chatbots, machine learning-based automation, and blockchain technology will further enhance efficiency and security. AI-powered support systems are improving customer experience, too, by reducing response times when consumers raise a query. 

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) improve workplace efficiency, too. These technologies enable immersive training experiences, helping employees develop new skills in real-time. AI-driven virtual workspaces foster collaboration across teams, break geographical barriers, and enable seamless remote work interactions.

AI-powered language translation tools also improve global business communication, ensuring seamless collaboration among multilingual teams. Organizations that embrace these innovations will stay ahead in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Conclusion

Technology transforms workplace efficiency, influencing how businesses operate, collaborate, and secure digital assets. AI-driven automation, cybersecurity enhancements, remote work solutions, and predictive analytics drive operational success.

However, businesses must also focus on workplace culture to ensure employees remain engaged and adaptable to change. AI alone isn’t enough to create a culture of innovation. Instead, strategic leaders must make informed choices to empower those employees who make a difference in the workplace. Empowered, motivated employees will make the most of tools like AI and workflow software and are sure to identify opportunities that boost he business’ bottom line.

Katie Brenneman

Katie is a passionate writer specializing in time management, marketing, and education-related content. When she isn't writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.

Share in the comments below: Questions go here

[amansalve]

What You Need to Know: Expert Round-Up on the Workforce Landscape in 2025

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Role of Technology in Shaping the Workforce

Employee Experience and Well-Being in 2025

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Talent Acquisition

Changing Work Models and Flexibility

Skills Development for the Future Workforce

Conclusion

Introduction

The workforce of 2025 will be shaped by several pivotal factors, including technological advancements, automation, and evolving workplace cultures. According to industry experts, businesses will need to adapt quickly to ensure they stay competitive and align with the needs of a modern workforce. Understanding the workforce landscape in 2025 is critical for organizations seeking to maintain a thriving work environment. In this article, we bring together insights from leaders in HR, technology, and organizational management to provide a comprehensive round-up of strategies for navigating these changes.

1. The Role of Technology in Shaping the Workforce

Technology has been one of the most significant drivers of change in the workforce, and by 2025, its influence will be even more pronounced. From automation to artificial intelligence (AI), technology is revolutionizing how tasks are performed and how employees interact with their roles. Experts emphasize the need for organizations to adopt tools that enhance productivity while also fostering innovation. AI, for instance, can help streamline recruitment processes, but businesses must balance this with the human element to ensure a personalized experience.

2. Employee Experience and Well-Being in 2025

The future of work is not just about what technologies are being used but also how employees feel about their work environment. Employee well-being and engagement will continue to be a top priority for organizations. In 2025, businesses will increasingly focus on creating environments that support both professional and personal growth. Experts predict that offering flexible work arrangements, promoting mental health initiatives, and integrating purpose-driven work will help attract and retain talent in a competitive job market.

3. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Talent Acquisition

AI is transforming how organizations recruit and hire talent. By 2025, AI-driven tools will become even more sophisticated in assessing candidate qualifications, matching them to job descriptions, and predicting future performance. However, experts caution that over-reliance on AI for talent acquisition could lead to biases if not properly monitored. The key will be to leverage AI in a way that enhances the recruitment process while maintaining fairness and inclusivity.

4. Changing Work Models and Flexibility

The traditional 9-to-5 work model is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. In 2025, flexible work arrangements, including remote work and hybrid models, will become more widespread. Experts predict that businesses will continue to embrace these models, driven by employee demand for better work-life balance. While some sectors may struggle with this shift, companies that can offer greater flexibility will be in a stronger position to attract top talent.

5. Skills Development for the Future Workforce

As technology continues to advance, there will be a growing need for workers to develop new skills, particularly in areas like data analysis, programming, and digital literacy. By 2025, organizations will need to prioritize ongoing learning and development to ensure their teams stay ahead of the curve. Experts suggest that businesses invest in upskilling programs and create opportunities for employees to grow within their roles. This commitment to skill development will help bridge the talent gap and ensure the workforce remains adaptable to new challenges.

For More Info: https://hrtechcube.com/workforce-landscape-in-2025/

Conclusion

The workforce landscape in 2025 is bound to be marked by significant advancements in technology, shifting work models, and an increased focus on employee well-being. Organizations must be proactive in adopting new technologies while fostering a workplace culture that values flexibility and continuous learning. As the work environment continues to evolve, staying ahead of these trends will be critical for businesses looking to thrive in the future.

By integrating expert advice and adapting to the evolving needs of the workforce, companies can successfully navigate the changes ahead and build a more resilient, productive, and engaged workforce.

[bob3160]

AI Changing Our World

[txttletale]

I’ve changed most of my views on AI bc of your posts, but do you have any thoughts on/remedies for people losing their jobs to AI? Or is it a “people are gonna lose their jobs one way or another, it’s not actually AI’s fault” kind of deal…? Sorry if you’ve already talked about this before

there's somethign that riley quinn from the trashfuture podcast keeps saying -- "if your job can be replaced by AI, it was already being done by AI". which is to say, that jobs most at risk from AI replacement are ones that were borderline automated anyway. like, i say this as someone who used to write, not for the website buzzfeed itself, but buzzfeed-adjacent Slop Content for money -- i was already just the middlewoman between the SEO optimization algorithm and the google search algorithm. those jobs vanishing primarily means that middlewoman role has been cut, computers can tell other computers to write for computers.

& similarly this is why i keep saying that, e.g. stock photographers are at risk from this, because the ideal use case for generative AI content is stuff where the actual content or quality of the image/text doesn't matter, all that matters is its presence. and yknow, living in a world where many people's livelihoods were dependent on writing and art that is fully replacable by inane computer drivel is itself indicative of something about culture under capitalism, right?

& to some degree, like i'm always saying, the immiseration of workers by advancement in technology is a universal feature of capitalism -- i recommend you read wage labour & capital to see how this phenomenon has persisted for well over a century. it's simply nothing new -- like, the stock photographers who are most at risk from this already are already employed in an industry that itself decimated in-house illustration; think about how any dime-a-dozen reomance novel you can pick up at a store nowadays has a hastily photoshopped stock photo cover when fifty years ago it would have had a bespoke cover illustration that an artist got paid for.

of course, none of that historical overview is like, comforting to people who are currently worried about their lives getting worse, and i get that -- for those people, workplace organization and industrial action is the only realistic and productive avenue to mobilize those fears. the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes produced far more material concessions on gen-AI-based immseration for workers facing precarity than any amount of furious social media ludditism has

[bratzkoo]

our three year plan | pt. 1 wonwoo

Author: bratzkoo Pairing: chaebol heir! wonwoo x chaebol heiress!/ nurse! reader Genre: angst, fluff, eventual smut Rating: PG-15 to NC-17 Word count: 4k~ Warnings/note: merging arrangements rewrite. will keep the original merging arrangements chapters in my blog but it’s discontinued ☺️. Also! Updates for this fic is not going to be as fast because I haven’t been writing in advance. 😔 So see you between a week to a year. Lol.

summary: you think your life is ruined when your parents announced that you’re marrying the heir of a tech chaebol; jeon wonwoo. so you offered him a plan, pretend to be in love until you can fake a catastrophe to break the engagement.

jeon wonwoo thinks his life just got better when his parents announced that he’s marrying the heiress of the medical group. his long time crush and basically the woman of his dreams. so when you offered him your plan, he’s going to use it to make you fall in love with him

masterlist | next part

The conference room felt too small, too airless for the bombshell that had just been dropped. Y/N stared at her parents, certain she had misheard them.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Her voice sounded distant, even to her own ears.

Her father, straightened his already impeccable posture. As CEO of Seoul's largest private medical group, he never made requests; he issued commands. "Your engagement to Jeon Wonwoo will be announced next month. The wedding is scheduled for spring."

"Engagement? Wedding?" Y/N's coffee cup clattered against its saucer. "To Jeon Wonwoo? The tech heir? I've barely exchanged ten words with him!"

Her mother's perfectly manicured hand reached across the polished conference table. "Darling, the Jeons are an excellent family. Their conglomerate is expanding into medical technology. This merger—"

"Merger?" Y/N stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "I'm not a business asset to be traded!"

"Lower your voice," her father hissed, glancing toward the door. "This is still a hospital."

Y/N inhaled deeply, the familiar antiseptic smell grounding her. Yes, Seoul Medical Center—her workplace, her sanctuary—was now the setting for this life-altering ambush.

"I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

Her father's expression hardened. "While you waste your medical degree playing nurse, the rest of us are securing the future of this institution."

The familiar barb stung, but Y/N had grown used to it over her years being a nurse. What she couldn't get used to was the idea of an arranged marriage.

"This discussion is over," her father announced, gathering his papers. "The Jeons are expecting us for dinner tomorrow. Wear something appropriate."

As her parents exited, leaving her alone in the conference room, Y/N sank back into her chair. Her phone buzzed with a notification for her afternoon rounds, a reminder of the life she'd built—the life that was now being dismantled without her consent.

"They can't be serious!" Alexys slammed her lunch tray down, causing several heads to turn in the hospital cafeteria. "Are we living in the Joseon dynasty?"

"Lower your voice," Dr. Ela Song whispered, sliding into the seat beside Y/N. "The walls have ears, especially when the CEO's daughter is involved."

Y/N pushed her salad around aimlessly. "They're dead serious. Apparently, the contracts are already being drafted."

"Contracts?" Alexys scoffed, her lab coat still bearing traces of what looked suspiciously like the methylene blue from the pathology lab. "For a marriage? Who does that anymore?"

"Rich people," Ela replied matter-of-factly, carefully separating her kimchi from the rest of her lunch. "Trust me, I know. My parents still haven't forgiven me for marrying Mingyu instead of the Chinese pharmaceutical heir they picked out."

Y/N looked up at her friend. Despite coming from immense wealth herself, Ela had chosen love over family expectations, a path that had cost her dearly. "How did you do it? Stand up to them, I mean."

Ela's expression softened. "I knew what I wanted. Do you?"

The question hung between them. What did she want? Y/N had spent years defining herself by her work—the midnight emergencies, the precious moments with patients, the medical missions to remote villages where her skills made a tangible difference. The thought of trading that for corporate functions and producing heirs made her stomach churn.

"I want my life," she finally said. "My career. My freedom to go on medical missions. Not... whatever this is."

Alexys paused mid-bite. "Then you need to find a way out of it."

"How? My father has made it clear this is non-negotiable."

Alexys grinned mischievously. "What if you make yourself so undesirable that this Wonwoo guy backs out? Men hate clingy women, right? Or maybe develop some disgusting habits?"

Despite everything, Y/N laughed. "You're suggesting I start picking my nose at business dinners?"

"I'm serious!" Alexys insisted. "Or what if—"

"What if you just talked to him?" Ela interrupted pragmatically. "This Wonwoo person might be just as trapped as you are."

The thought hadn't occurred to Y/N. In her mind, Jeon Wonwoo had been a faceless corporate puppet, willingly participating in this archaic arrangement. But what if he was another victim in their parents' chess game?

"Nurse Y/N to Emergency, Nurse Y/N to Emergency."

The overhead page pulled Y/N from her thoughts. She gathered her barely-touched lunch.

"Duty calls," she sighed, standing up. "I'll figure something out. I have to."

As she hurried toward the emergency department, a plan began forming in her mind. If Wonwoo was as reluctant as she was, perhaps they could form an alliance. A temporary arrangement with a predetermined expiration date. They could pretend just long enough to satisfy their families, then orchestrate some kind of falling out.

It was desperate, perhaps even foolish. But as Y/N pushed through the swinging doors of the ER and the familiar controlled chaos enveloped her, she knew one thing with absolute certainty: she would not give up the life she had fought so hard to build.

Seungcheol was already gloved up when Y/N entered the trauma bay, his calm presence a welcome sight amid the flurry of activity.

"MVA, three minutes out," he called to her, his eyes crinkling with the smile hidden beneath his surgical mask. As the ER's most experienced trauma nurse, Y/N was always his first choice for critical cases.

She nodded, slipping into the familiar routine with practiced ease. Gloves, gown, mask—the ritual momentarily pushed aside her personal crisis.

"Heard you got called to the executive floor earlier," Seungcheol remarked as they prepared the crash cart together. "Everything okay?"

Y/N hesitated. Despite Seungcheol being her closest friend at the hospital, something held her back from sharing her current predicament. The situation felt too raw, too complicated to explain—especially to someone whose opinion mattered so much to her.

"Just quarterly performance reviews," she lied smoothly, checking the laryngoscope light. "Nothing exciting."

He studied her for a moment, clearly sensing there was more to the story, but the wail of approaching sirens saved her from further questions.

For the next three hours, Y/N lost herself in the work she loved—stabilizing patients, anticipating needs before they were voiced, bringing order to chaos. Here, in the ER, she wasn't the reluctant heiress of the medical group; she was simply Nurse Y/N, respected for her skills and dedication.

By the time her shift ended, Y/N had almost convinced herself that she could find a way out of her predicament. Almost.

"You look like you could use this," Seungcheol said, appearing beside her locker with a steaming cup of coffee—made exactly how she liked it, with a splash of almond milk and no sugar.

"You're a lifesaver," she murmured gratefully, accepting the cup.

"Rough shift," he commented, leaning against the lockers. "You handled that crush injury like a pro, though."

Y/N welcomed the shift to professional topics. "The ortho team said we saved his arm. Sometimes I forget why we do this, and then days like today happen."

Seungcheol smiled, the kind of smile that usually made her day brighter. Today, however, she couldn't fully return it, her mind still preoccupied with tomorrow's meeting with Wonwoo.

"You seem distracted," he observed. "Sure there's nothing you want to talk about?"

Y/N took a measured sip of her coffee, buying time to compose her thoughts. "Nothing worth mentioning. Just tired." She forced a lighter tone. "Tell me about that new protocol Dr. Kim was discussing yesterday. The one for pediatric traumas?"

She could see Seungcheol wasn't entirely convinced by her deflection, but he respected her boundaries enough not to push. As he launched into an explanation of the new protocols, Y/N nodded along, grateful for his friendship yet oddly relieved to keep her impending engagement private—at least for now.

Some burdens, she decided, were better carried alone until she had a clearer path forward. Perhaps after meeting Wonwoo tomorrow, she'd have more answers than questions.

"Whatever's going on," Seungcheol said suddenly, interrupting his own explanation, "just remember I'm here if you need anything. No questions asked."

The simple offer of support without demands for explanation touched Y/N deeply. "I know," she said, her throat unexpectedly tight. "Thank you."

As they parted ways in the hospital parking lot, Y/N felt a strange mix of guilt and resolve. Seungcheol deserved her honesty, but until she understood her own situation better, silence seemed the wiser choice. Tomorrow, she would meet Jeon Wonwoo, and perhaps then the path ahead would become clearer.

The Jeon estate was exactly as ostentatious as Y/N had expected—a modern glass and steel structure perched on one of Seoul's most exclusive hillsides, overlooking the city like a watchful sentinel. As the security gates parted for her parents' Mercedes, Y/N smoothed down her conservative navy dress, chosen specifically to project seriousness rather than bridal potential.

"Remember to smile," her mother murmured as they approached the entrance. "First impressions are everything."

Y/N bit back a retort. If her parents wanted a corporate puppet, they should have groomed Haerin for the role. Her younger sister would have thrived in this world of strategic alliances and business dinners.

The thought of Haerin triggered a pang of longing. If only her sister were here instead of "finding herself" in Italy. Their last conversation replayed in her mind:

"You should be the heir," Y/N had insisted during their video call. "You actually want this life."

Haerin had just laughed, the Mediterranean sun glinting in her hair. "I just want to be in Italy and be rich."

"You just want to be in Italy and be rich." Y/N mocked in sing-song tone.

"Yes, thank you, next!" Haerin had quipped, ending the discussion with her typical breezy dismissal.

Now, as a stern housekeeper ushered them into an expansive foyer, Y/N wished for just a fraction of her sister's carefree attitude.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeon awaited them in a sitting room that could have been featured in an architectural magazine—all clean lines, expensive minimalism, and strategic splashes of color. Y/N instantly recognized Jeon Siwoo from business magazines, his silver hair and commanding presence befitting the CEO of one of Korea's largest tech conglomerates.

Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, but Y/N barely registered the conversation. Her attention was fixed on the conspicuous absence of her supposed fiancé.

"Wonwoo sends his apologies," Mrs. Jeon explained, noticing Y/N's wandering gaze. "He was called away to handle an emergency at our Busan facility. He's flying back tonight and is looking forward to meeting you properly tomorrow."

Y/N couldn't decide if she was relieved or frustrated by the delay. On one hand, it postponed the inevitable awkwardness; on the other, it prolonged her anxiety.

"Perhaps it's for the best," her father said smoothly. "The young people can meet privately tomorrow. Sometimes these arrangements are better discussed without parental interference."

Mr. Jeon nodded in agreement. "Wonwoo will pick Y/N up at noon. I suggest lunch at the Sky Garden—private, yet public enough for propriety."

Y/N fought to keep her expression neutral as her future was arranged like a business meeting. Tomorrow, she would meet Jeon Wonwoo, and everything would change. Her mind raced with questions: Would he be as reluctant as she was? Would he consider her plan? Or would he be exactly like their parents, seeing her as nothing more than a beneficial merger?

As the evening progressed through an elaborate dinner where business dominated the conversation, Y/N remained largely silent, mentally rehearsing what she would say to Wonwoo tomorrow. By the time they left, she had a clear strategy: she would be direct, practical, and unemotional. This was a negotiation, nothing more.

The following morning dawned bright and crisp, autumn painting Seoul in shades of gold and crimson. Y/N had barely slept, her mind cycling through various scenarios of how her meeting with Wonwoo might unfold.

At precisely noon, her phone pinged with a message from an unknown number:

I'm outside your building. Black Tesla. - Wonwoo

Direct and to the point. Perhaps this was a good sign. Y/N grabbed her purse and headed downstairs, her heart hammering against her ribs despite her determination to remain calm and collected.

The sleek black car was idling at the curb, its electric engine silent. As she approached, the driver's door opened, and Jeon Wonwoo stepped out.

Y/N faltered momentarily. The man before her was not what she'd expected. Business publications typically showed him in formal attire at corporate events, looking serious and unapproachable. Today, dressed in dark jeans and a simple white button-down with rolled sleeves, he looked younger, more approachable—and annoyingly handsome, with sharp features softened by warm eyes behind round glasses.

"Y/N," he said with a slight bow. "It's nice to finally meet you properly."

His voice was lower than she'd anticipated, with a gentle quality that didn't match her mental image of a cutthroat tech executive.

"Likewise," she responded automatically, accepting his gesture to enter the car.

The interior smelled of new leather and something else—a subtle, clean scent that she assumed was his cologne. As he slid into the driver's seat, Y/N steeled herself. Handsome or not, this man represented everything she was fighting against—the loss of her autonomy, the end of her carefully constructed life.

"I know a place that's more private than the Sky Garden," Wonwoo said as he pulled into traffic. "If that's alright with you. Somewhere we can actually talk."

Y/N turned to study his profile. Was it possible he had his own agenda for this meeting?

"I'd prefer that," she admitted. "I have some things I'd like to discuss."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "I thought you might."

The drive was mostly silent, but not uncomfortably so. Wonwoo seemed content to focus on navigating Seoul's busy streets, occasionally pointing out a landmark or asking a neutral question about her work. Y/N provided brief answers, saving her energy for the real conversation ahead.

He eventually parked near a secluded botanical garden, leading her to a small café nestled among trees just beginning to turn color. The place was nearly empty, offering the privacy both apparently craved.

After they ordered—he knew precisely what kind of tea she preferred, which was mildly disconcerting—Wonwoo leaned forward, his expression serious.

"I think we should address the elephant in the room," he said directly. "This arranged marriage."

Y/N appreciated his straightforwardness. "Yes, we should."

"I understand this must be difficult for you," he continued, surprising her with his perception. "Being told who to marry, having your future decided without your consent."

Something in his tone made Y/N pause. He didn't sound like someone equally trapped in this arrangement; he sounded like someone trying to be understanding of her predicament.

"Isn't it difficult for you as well?" she probed.

Wonwoo's eyes met hers, and for a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered in their depths. "My situation is... different."

Before she could ask what he meant, their drinks arrived. Y/N wrapped her hands around the warm mug, gathering her courage.

"I have a proposition," she said once the server had left. "A way for both of us to satisfy our families without actually committing to a lifetime together."

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow, his expression cautiously interested. "I'm listening."

"We pretend," Y/N stated simply. "We go along with the engagement, play the happy couple in public. Meanwhile, we live separate lives as much as possible. After a suitable period—maybe a year or two—we stage a falling out. Something believable but not scandalous. We part ways amicably, our families maintain their business connections, and we both regain our freedom."

She held her breath as Wonwoo considered her words, his expression thoughtful. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke:

"And what if it doesn't work?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if our parents don't accept our breakup? What if they push us back together?"

Y/N hadn't considered this possibility. "Then... we make the falling out more dramatic. Irreconcilable differences. Something they can't fix."

Wonwoo studied her for a long moment, his gaze so intent that Y/N fought the urge to squirm in her seat.

"Three years," he finally said.

"Excuse me?"

"Not one or two. Three years. That's how long we commit to this charade. It needs to be believable." He leaned forward slightly. "If we announce the breakup too soon, they'll know it was planned."

His logic was sound, though the thought of maintaining a fake relationship for three years was daunting. Still, three years of pretending was better than a lifetime of reality.

"Three years," she agreed tentatively. "But with conditions. I maintain my career. I continue my medical missions. No children, obviously."

"Agreed," he nodded. "And I have conditions as well. We live together in the house my parents have already purchased. Separate bedrooms, of course," he added quickly, seeing her expression. "But we need to appear committed. They'll expect it."

Y/N swallowed hard. Living together would complicate things significantly. "Any other conditions?"

Something shifted in Wonwoo's expression—a subtle change she couldn't quite identify. "Just one. We make a genuine effort to know each other. To be friends, at least. Three years is a long time to live with a stranger."

The request was reasonable, even practical. If they were to convince the world of their relationship, they needed to understand each other.

"Alright," she conceded. "Friends. But nothing more."

Wonwoo extended his hand across the table. "Then we have a deal. Our three-year plan begins now."

As Y/N placed her hand in his, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something—something in the way his hand lingered around hers, something in the quiet intensity of his gaze.

What she didn't know, what she couldn't know, was that Jeon Wonwoo had just agreed to a plan that aligned perfectly with his own agenda—three years to make the woman he'd admired from afar fall genuinely in love with him.

The house was beautiful—Y/N had to admit that much. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood that somehow managed to be both exclusive and understated, the modern three-bedroom structure was nothing like the ostentatious mansions their parents inhabited. If she had to be trapped in a fake engagement, at least the cage was gilded.

"Your things arrived this morning," Wonwoo said as he unlocked the front door. "I had them placed in the master bedroom. I've taken the room down the hall."

She followed him inside, noting with surprise the warmth of the interior. She'd expected cold minimalism like his parents' home, but this space was inviting—clean lines softened by natural materials, large windows filling the rooms with light, and carefully chosen art that seemed to reflect both Korean tradition and modern sensibilities.

"Did you decorate this?" she asked, running her fingers along a handcrafted wooden shelf.

Wonwoo shook his head. "A designer handled most of it, but I made some adjustments. I wanted it to feel like a home, not a showpiece."

Y/N glanced at him curiously. There it was again—that disconnect between the corporate heir she'd imagined and the thoughtful man before her.

"Let me show you around," he offered, leading her through the space.

The tour ended in a kitchen that would make a professional chef envious—state-of-the-art appliances, expansive countertops, and a view of the small but immaculately landscaped garden.

"Do you cook?" Y/N asked, noting how at ease Wonwoo seemed in this space.

"It's one of my few hobbies," he admitted. "Work doesn't leave time for much else." He hesitated, then added, "I thought I might make dinner tonight. If you're comfortable with that. Consider it a housewarming."

The offer surprised her. In her family, cooking was the staff's responsibility; the idea of the heir to a major corporation preparing dinner was foreign.

"I'd like that," she found herself saying.

Later, as she unpacked in her new bedroom, Y/N's phone buzzed with messages from Ela and Alexys:

Well??? Did you meet him? Is he a troll? A robot? DETAILS, WOMAN! - Alexys

Hope you're okay. Call if you need anything. Mingyu says Wonwoo is actually decent, for what it's worth. - Ela

Y/N blinked at Ela's message. "Wait, Mingyu knows Wonwoo?"

As if on cue, her phone rang with Ela's call.

"You didn't know?" Ela sounded surprised when Y/N asked. "They've been friends since university. Mingyu never mentioned him because, well, you know how my husband is—he doesn't like to name-drop."

Y/N sank onto her new bed, processing this connection. "What else does Mingyu know about him?"

"Just that he's not like other chaebol heirs. Works ridiculous hours, actually earned his position rather than having it handed to him. Mingyu says he's brilliant with technology but awkward with people." Ela paused. "Did you propose your plan?"

"Yes," Y/N confirmed, lowering her voice although she was alone in the room. "Three years of pretending, then a clean break."

"And he agreed?" Ela sounded skeptical.

"Surprisingly easily. I think he's as trapped as I am."

There was a strange pause before Ela spoke again. "Y/N... did you consider that he might have his own reasons for agreeing?"

Before Y/N could respond, a gentle knock on her door interrupted the conversation.

"I need to go," she told Ela quickly. "I'll call you tomorrow."

She opened the door to find Wonwoo standing there, sleeves rolled up further and an apron tied around his waist. The domesticity of the image was so at odds with what she knew of him that Y/N momentarily stared.

"Dinner's almost ready," he said, seemingly unaware of her reaction. "Nothing fancy, just some doenjang jjigae and banchan."

"That sounds perfect," she replied, following him downstairs.

The kitchen was filled with mouthwatering aromas, the countertops lined with small dishes of perfectly prepared side dishes. As they settled at the dining table with steaming bowls of stew, Y/N found herself genuinely impressed.

"This is delicious," she admitted after her first bite.

A pleased smile curved Wonwoo's lips, transforming his serious face. "My grandmother's recipe. She insisted I learn to cook for myself, even though my parents thought it was beneath me."

"Your grandmother sounds wise."

"She was," he said softly, and Y/N noted the past tense with a pang of empathy.

They ate in companionable silence for a while, the awkwardness of their situation temporarily set aside. It was strange, Y/N thought, how quickly the human mind adapted to new circumstances. This morning, she had been dreading meeting Jeon Wonwoo; now, she was sharing a home-cooked meal with him as they embarked on a three-year deception together.

"I've been thinking about our arrangement," Wonwoo said as they finished eating. "We should establish some ground rules. Beyond what we've already agreed on."

Y/N nodded. "That makes sense."

"For instance, we should discuss how we handle public appearances, family obligations, holidays..."

"And dating," Y/N added, thinking ahead. "If we're going to be living separate lives, we need parameters for discretion."

Something flickered in Wonwoo's eyes—so briefly Y/N thought she might have imagined it. "Of course," he said evenly. "Discretion would be paramount."

Their conversation continued late into the evening, mapping out the contours of their pretense. By the time Y/N retreated to her bedroom, she felt surprisingly at ease with the arrangement. Wonwoo was reasonable, practical, and seemingly as committed to maintaining their independence as she was.

As she prepared for bed in her new home, Y/N remembered Ela's question: Did you consider that he might have his own reasons for agreeing?

She dismissed the thought. Whatever Wonwoo's reasons were, they aligned with her goals. That was all that mattered. Tomorrow would be another day of adjustments, of learning to navigate this strange new reality. But for tonight, at least, she could sleep knowing she had found a way to protect the life she cherished.

In his own room down the hall, Jeon Wonwoo sat at his desk, a small smile playing on his lips as he closed the leather-bound journal where he'd been writing. On its cover, inscribed in his neat handwriting, were the words:

“Our three year plan.”

[enemui]

So Mel Medarda

Watched her own mother behead a woman when she was a child

Was exiled from her own family for not being ruthless enough

Still managed to make herself prominent enough to become a member of the Piltover council

Helped two young inventors pursue their project even though it seemed like what they were doing is madness—This brought incredible profit and technological advancements to the city. And then it also turned out this stuff was causing crazy magic polution, which she couldn't have known but now can blame herself for, since she supported the project.

She was there for the bombing of her workplace which killed half of her colleagues, crippled one and almost killed her at-the-time lover's partner. Then she learned why she was unscathed was dormant magic powers, so now she gets to grapple with the reality that she could've saved them all if she just knew about this stuff and how to control it. At the same time, if she didn't subconsciously activate that shield, she would've been dead. Like. Wow. Oh my God.

Then she got attacked again, directly had a gun pointed at her and when she tried to escape, she got trapped in a carriage that toppled over.

Then she got kidnapped and watched as her kidnapper brutally murdered her friend. Then said kidnapper took the form of her late brother and tried to play with her emotionally and she bashed that bitch's head in.

Then this kidnapper tried to manipulate her into betraying her own mom.

It's revealed she has crazy magic powers which have been kept from her her whole life, her mom basically traded her brother's life for hers to hide her away and now she has to grapple with the fact that this is what she is, and God knows what other people might think of her if they learn.

She saved Jayce's ungrateful ass from the Viktor robot, after he literally had the worst fucking reaction to the previous point.

She saved Caitlin's life.

She killed her kidnapper.

She held her own mother and watched her die.

And now she basically has to return home to take over as the new head of the family, despite all the connections and the life she built in Piltover, not to mention that place also got fucked and she can't even be there to help rebuild, because she has all this other shit going on and God knows when will all this finally emotionally break her.

Did I miss anything?

Like, holy shit, Mel Medarda the character you are. The shit you've been through that nobody gives you enough credit for.

I want more of this woman. I want her to finally be actually happy, not just on top of things or in control. I want her to experience good things to make up for all this crap and then I want to see her do cool magic stuff, while still being the intelligent ruler that she is.

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

Your sun sign can reveal why you start to dislike a job and eventually want to leave. It can highlight what’s missing in your work environment and why it no longer fulfills you. Let’s dive into it.

Fire Suns (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

Fire suns dislike jobs that become boring and predictable. Nothing frustrates them more than routine and monotony—it drives them bonkers. They also struggle with rigid work environments, especially those with excessive rules, administrative tasks, or restrictions that limit their creativity and freedom. Fire suns thrive when they can do things their own way, so jobs that require them to conform too much feel suffocating.

They also dislike jobs where they have little power or autonomy. Constantly answering to higher-ups in a strict hierarchy frustrates them. Fire suns don’t enjoy detail-oriented or highly organized work; they prefer flexibility and spontaneity. They also crave social interaction at work. If they don’t have a strong team or coworkers they enjoy talking to, they lose interest.

Lastly, they need excitement and variety in their daily tasks. A job that feels too monotonous, uneventful, or lacking in stimulating experiences won’t hold their attention for long. Fire suns need a job where each day brings something new and engaging—something worth talking about at the end of the day.

Earth Suns (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

Earth suns are quick to leave a job if their salary isn’t increasing or if they aren’t being promoted. Financial stability and growth are major motivators for them. They also prefer professional work environments. A lack of professionalism—whether due to disorganization, unmotivated coworkers, or a workplace that feels too casual—can push them to leave.

Earth suns dislike being surrounded by people who don’t take work seriously. They need coworkers who are reliable and competent. They also prefer jobs with clear structures, step-by-step procedures, and well-defined rules. Creativity-heavy roles can feel overwhelming or unnecessary to them.

Additionally, earth suns dislike chaotic, action-packed jobs with constant stimulation or unpredictability. They prefer calm, structured, and steady work environments. If a job doesn’t offer opportunities for growth, whether financially or positionally, they won’t stick around.

They also value benefits. A job with poor benefits or an unstable income—such as contract work, fluctuating pay, or seasonal jobs—won’t appeal to them. Earth suns want consistent pay and a solid work-life balance that allows them to maintain the lifestyle they desire.

Air Suns (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

Air suns will leave a job quickly if it requires too much physical labor. Repetitive, monotonous work also drives them away. They crave novelty and dislike seeing the same faces and performing the same tasks every day. A job that lacks variety or intellectual stimulation will bore them.

They need mental challenges, opportunities for problem-solving, and engaging conversations. If a job feels too easy or stagnant, an air sun will quickly lose interest. They also value workplace mobility—if they don’t see a path for promotion or advancement, they’ll move on.

Air suns prefer innovative workplaces that stay updated with modern trends and technology. Old-school, outdated work environments frustrate them. They also want to have fun at work. If they can’t laugh, socialize, or make friends, they won’t feel motivated to stay.

Lastly, air suns need to see a future in their work. If they can’t envision themselves growing within a company, they’ll leave. A job that feels like a dead end, with no future prospects or potential for change, won’t hold their interest for long.

Water Suns (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

Water suns are most likely to leave a job if it feels emotionally unfulfilling. If they constantly feel drained, stressed, or uninspired, they won’t stay. They need to feel comfortable and at home in their work environment. If they feel like an outsider, are ostracized, bullied, or disrespected, they’ll want to leave.

They also crave appreciation. Water suns tend to give a lot to their job—whether through their effort, empathy, or dedication—so a lack of positive feedback or recognition will make them feel undervalued. They need to feel that their contributions matter.

Interpersonal relationships play a huge role in their job satisfaction. If they experience tension with coworkers, bosses, or even customers, it can push them to leave. Conflict and negativity in the workplace deeply affect their emotional well-being.

Work-life balance is another major factor. Water suns need time to recharge, spend time with family, and nurture personal relationships. If their job takes up too much of their time and leaves them emotionally depleted, they won’t hesitate to leave.

Lastly, they need creative freedom. Too many rigid rules or a lack of personal expression can make them feel stifled. Water suns thrive in roles that allow them to infuse their personal touch and creativity into their work. If they feel like just another cog in the machine, they won’t stick around for long.

[astrodescent]

URANUS AND HOW YOU EVOKE CHANGE

uranus, the planet of innovation and disruption, invokes change through sudden breakthroughs, unconventional thinking, and radical shifts that challenge existing norms, inspiring progress and revolution in various spheres of life. its influence prompts unexpected awakenings, urging societies and individuals alike to embrace originality, break free from conventions, and embrace forward-thinking approaches to create groundbreaking transformations.

aries / 1H: sparks ideas of self image and identity, promotes individuality and independence in personal matters, sudden and bold changes on how one presents themselves to the world

taurus / 2H: disrupts traditional values and financial systems, innovation in material and personal resources, challenges stability and security regarding one’s own worth and values

gemini / 3H: intellectual breakthroughs and communication within immediate surroundings, need for adaptable thinking in everyday interactions, changes in local community dynamics, education, and siblings

cancer / 4H: disrupts traditional family structures and the concept of home and roots, seeks progressive approaches to domestic life and emotional security, changes in the family environment and inner emotional foundations

leo / 5H: innovations in creativity, entertainment, and self-expression on a personal level, encourages unconventional approaches to hobbies, romance, and children, challenges traditional notions of ego and individuality in personal pursuits

virgo / 6H: stimulates advancements in health, work routines, and service to others, encourages unconventional methods in daily habits and workplace dynamics, provokes changes in technology related to personal wellness and efficiency

libra / 7H: disrupts traditional relationships and partnerships in a one-on-one context, emphasizes the need for fairness and justice in personal interactions, changes in personal unions, contracts, and open enemies

scorpio / 8H: transformative changes in shared resources, intimacy, and psychological depths, innovations in joint finances, sexuality, and occult matters, challenges traditional views on the use of power in personal transformation

sagittarius / 9H: stimulates unconventional ideas in higher education, travel, and personal beliefs, emphasizes the need for freedom and exploration of personal philosophies, changes in personal journeys, spirituality, and worldviews

capricorn / 10H: disrupts traditional structures in career, public reputation, and authority figures, encourages innovations in long-term goals and aspirations, challenges traditional values regarding personal ambitions and societal roles

aquarius / 11H: reinforces its own energy as uranus rules aquarius, encourages radical social changes and humanitarian efforts within personal networks, sparks innovations in personal connections, technology, and communal involvement

pisces / 12H: stimulates imaginative and spiritual breakthroughs in personal realms, encourages unconventional ways of compassion and empathy on an individual level, changes in personal introspection, artistic expressions, and dreams

© spirit-of-phantom 2023

[chao-macchiato]

I have a few WIP at the moment, I'm not sure which one to finish first! Some are short whereas others are in depth storeys! Feel free to be inspired but please don't steal! Thanks!

PRE-SONIC 1

1) Eggman Energy - Robotnik makes a serum so he doesn't have to waste time on sleep. It makes him rather hyper and more impulsive (humor and fluff)

2) Love & Thorns - Robotnik realises he loves stone so actively tries to get him to quit by being meaner as its whats best for him. (hurt/comfort with happy ending)

3) Left yourself open - stone is actually notoriously hard to hit and robotnik genuinely tries to catch him off-guard (humor and fluff).

4) Unwanted Advance - TW 18+! Robotnik isn't the only person on site who understands stones worth. When General Everard shows romantic interest in the agent, Stone soon realises that something is not quite right with the man. Forced to manage workplace professionalism, robotniks intent gaze, and even a badnik that for some reason won't leave him alone, stone soon finds himself deflecting unwanted advances from the volatile general. If only the man didn't have a say in the doctors funding. (TW - non con and Stockholm syndrome.) (60,000+ words)

POST - SONIC 1

5) Neural Overdrive - G.U.N keeps a tighter watch on Stone when robotnik disappears to the mushroom planet. When surveillance catches stone using the control gloves and ordering the badniks, G.U.N immediately brings him in as no one else in the planet is authorised to operate the technology. Too bad stone wont help willingly. BASICALLY A WINTER SOLDIER AU. Iv got over 100,000 written for this with fanart too. But this one is a lot longer and will take more time to finish. So for this one is like to know if you guys would prefer to wait for the whole completed thing or if I should release it chapter by chapter! (explicit gore and torture, angst with happy ending)

6)The Family Curse - Gerald distrusted Stone as he holds himself like a soldier, when the agent is busy piloting the crab to London, the professor digs through the agents room and finds a familiar G.U.N uniform (from the end of sonic 2), coming to the conclusion that Stone is a spy that is waiting to turn on Ivo like Walters did to him and shadow. When Ivo and Shadow wont listen the professor takes matters into his own hands. (hurt/comfort)

7) Chaos Control - Movieverse meets Sonic Boom. During a fight with the master emerald the movieverse characters find themselves stuck in the boom universe. Thankfully that means they have 2 robotniks to work on the portal home! But when Eggman meets Stone, the man doesn't want the agent to leave and finds himself sabotaging the portal and attempting to send back everyone but stone, prompting robotnik and eggman to childishly fight over the agents affections much to the confusion of team sonic. (humor and fluff)

I have more but these are the ones that are the most finished!

[ultimatedodgecaraccessstategies]

ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK IN VARIOUS WAYS ALONG THE LINES OF ARRANGING INVOLUNTARY PSYCHIATRIC COMMITMENT? FUCK. YOU.

MICROSOFT STORE

[warabidakihime]

Rules and Roses Chapter 2

★ characters: kibutsuji muzan x reader x akaza

★ plot summary: Kibutsuji Muzan has finally decided to expand his empire, and the way he intends to do so is by running for the highest political position. With you, his darling wife, at his side, he believes he can achieve and have everything the world has to offer. He is, after all, the Phoenix of Phario.

★ fic playlist: sometimes, same day, as time stops, wolf’s song (this is also the vision board for the fic). 

★ content warnings : implied violence and abuse, profanities, toxic relationships, smut.

★ Previous Chapter

a/n:

hello!!!

first of all, i am so sorry for taking so long to update this story. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

life happened and i got sooo busy. the time i uploaded this fic was when i just started at my new workplace and shortly after a few weeks, i was already preoccupied with work. at first, i was laser-focused on getting used to my new work and the culture. then later on, i found myself playing a more important role in the office that required my undivided attention lol. besides that, so many things happened in my personal life as well that i didn't have the time and energy to write.

btw i'm now a writer by profession as well so oftentimes i would feel drained af after writing corporate write-ups. tbh, i also got hit by writer's block, especially for this fic because the plot i have in mind for it is lowkey intricate, and for the most part, i haven't decided on what route i should take story-wise. so during those 2 years, i was constantly trying to reconstruct the story in my head, and here we are!

i'm back but i'm not so sure about updating regularly as i'm still incredibly busy, but i will do my best! the latest kny seasons inspired me to write again (aka my crush for muzan lol).

hopefully, everyone is still here to read this. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

as always, comments and kudos are highly appreciated!

happy reading!

-

"Can you outline your key policy platforms should you be elected President of Phario? Given your extensive background in the human resource industry as well as your rich connections owing to your business ventures in Obelisk Kibutsuji, do you first plan to address the pressing issue of the national unemployment rate?"

"Indeed, that's correct. As President, one of my top priorities will be to strengthen our nation's workforce, which is crucial for advancing our economy. I have a comprehensive plan focused on job creation, vocational training, and support for small businesses. These initiatives will not only reduce unemployment but also stimulate innovation and competitiveness within our economy.

I also aim to implement policies that ensure equal access to education, equipping our citizens with the skills needed for the evolving job market. Healthcare reform is high on my agenda. I'll ensure healthcare assistance is accessible to everyone, public hospitals are well-maintained, and healthcare workers are fairly compensated and protected by the state in any dire situations. Additionally, I'll push for technological advancements and infrastructure development to attract both local and foreign investments.

Addressing social issues is equally important, and as a devoted ally of these communities, I'm committed to fighting all forms of discrimination, especially against women and the LGBTQ+ community. We must ensure everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identity, has equal opportunities and protections under the law.

Moreover, I'll advocate for the rights and welfare of people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support to lead fulfilling lives. This includes improving accessibility in public spaces and promoting inclusive employment practices.

Animal welfare will also be a significant focus. We need to enact and enforce laws that protect animals from abuse and ensure humane treatment.

Lastly, I'll champion the rights of minorities and immigrants. Our nation is built on the strength of its diversity, and it's imperative we create an inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. This includes reforming immigration policies to be fair and humane and implementing programs that support the integration and empowerment of minority communities.

In essence, my administration will be dedicated to creating a sustainable and inclusive economic environment where every Pharian has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our nation's progress."

Muzan stood confidently at the podium, a modest yet proud smile gracing his face after addressing a journalist's question amidst a room bustling with media personnel.

Today was the day where presidential candidates shared their platforms, which also served as an open forum for engaging with the press and fielding inquiries on a wide array of topics—from current events to personal matters.

With his seasoned composure before cameras and crowds, Muzan navigated the spotlight effortlessly. His articulate delivery drew admiration from all corners as he outlined his plans for the presidency, filling you with pride as you watched from the audience.

Among the attendees, your smile beamed with pride and unconditional support for him. Akaza, who is sitting right beside you, maintained a stoic demeanor outwardly, though inwardly, he couldn't deny a hint of impressed regard. Muzan's comprehensive platform and commanding presence left an undeniable impact on him.

Eloquence had always been Muzan's forte, a skill honed through years of being a businessman and somewhat of a public figure, as among his peers and in the business landscape in general, he is well-revered and widely celebrated.

Beyond his ability to articulate ideas, he possessed a magnetic charisma—an invaluable trait for navigating the intricate world of politics and public service.

Several hours later, the policy speech slash press conference finally ended, and now you were on your way to meet up with Muzan at the lobby of the hotel where the gathering was held when a few journalists spotted you among the sea of people who were also exiting the function room.

Akaza was right behind you and is also on full alert, an important instruction your husband told him when he appointed him as your personal bodyguard a few years back. Committed to his duty, he stood there in a stance where he is ready to take action should anything happen that is out of the ordinary.

Mics were stretched out and placed within just a few inches of your face, and one of them took the liberty to ask you a question: "What are your thoughts on Kibutsuji Muzan's campaign platforms?” 

Very much like your husband, you also wore a modest yet confident smile on your face as you held eye contact with the journalist who asked you that question before displaying your own version of eloquence as you answered,

"To say that I am proud while listening to him share and advocate for the causes he wholeheartedly believed in would be the biggest understatement of the decade," you said with a fond chuckle before continuing, "even before he filed for his candidacy and even way before he became the man we all know now, he has always been outspoken about these things. He would always share with me his desire of making significant changes in the world, hoping no more children would have to endure what he did. As many of you know, Muzan, my dear husband, came from very humble beginnings, and unlike me, he has faced challenges far beyond my own. His vision and intuition surpass that of most, and so, as cliché as it may sound, his words and strong convictions carry a weight and authenticity that are strong enough to enable him in doing the impossible and inspire others to believe that a better future is within our grasp."

Akaza listened intently to your answer, finding himself captivated by your words. The way you addressed the press made you sound like a candidate yourself who's also sharing her platform. In that moment, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of pride as he continued to absorb your statements.

The journalists surrounding you mirrored his sentiment, clearly impressed by your response—no surprise from the esteemed Ballerina Queen of Phario.

It had been quite some time since you last entertained interviews, having retired and chosen to stay away from public engagements.

"Among the plethora of initiatives he wishes to take action on once he's elected, what resonated with you the most?"

You paused, contemplating the list of campaigns your husband had presented earlier. Just as you were about to respond, an arm encircled your waist and gave it a tender squeeze.

It was Muzan.

"Knowing my wife's love for animals, I'm certain she's most excited about what I have planned for animal welfare," Muzan interjected warmly.

You playfully rolled your eyes, eliciting amusement from not only your husband and your respective bodyguards but also the press. "You say that as if it's a bad thing," you quipped.

Muzan chuckled fondly. "Not at all, my love. Your passion for animals is one of the many reasons I fell for you."

The same journalist who had asked you the second question now directed his attention to Muzan, eager for his response. "Based on the most recent public survey, you're likely the most favored candidate to win the elections. What can you say about that, Sir Kibutsuji?"

Muzan smiled bashfully at the reporter, his eyes reflecting a mix of humility and determination. "I'm incredibly honored and thankful that our fellow countrymen have placed such faith and confidence in me. It's a humbling reminder of the trust they have in our vision for a brighter future. This campaign has always been about bringing real change to Phario, addressing the pressing issues our nation faces with innovative solutions and inclusive policies. The support we're seeing reflects not just my efforts, but the collective desire of our people for progress and unity."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room, before continuing with renewed conviction, "Though I would like to emphasize that I don't take this trust lightly, it actually fuels my commitment to serve with integrity and purpose, to listen to the voices of every Pharian, and to lead with compassion and foresight."

By now, the press was highly satisfied with the answers both of you had given, granting you the freedom to depart. Clearly spent after the eventful day, you exchanged farewells and well-wishes before going your separate ways.

With Muzan's arm still draped around your waist, he guided you towards the grand entrance of the hotel. Meanwhile, Akaza made his way to the basement parking lot to retrieve your car, preparing to drive you both home. Kokushibo remained close to Muzan, ensuring your security as you awaited the car's arrival.

Turning to Muzan, unfazed by the bustling activity around you, you placed a tender kiss on his lips, smiling warmly. "Great job out there, my love. You did so well today. I'm incredibly proud of you."

Clearly elated, Muzan mirrored your smile and returned your affection with a gentle kiss on your forehead. "Thank you, darling. Your support means everything to me."

"Truly, I was beaming throughout your speech. You were absolutely amazing. Phario is fortunate to have such an admirable leader like you," you praised sincerely.

Right there and then, Muzan couldn't help but raise his eyebrow and playfully smile at you, prompting a confused raise of your own eyebrow.

"What's that look for?" you asked.

Muzan shook his head with a playful smirk before replying, "You're not showing favoritism now, are you, my love? I know you adore me, but let's keep it fair, hmm?" he teased, his tone light-hearted and affectionate.

You rolled your eyes at his playful accusation. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Muzan. I'll take it back, then."

Muzan laughed wholeheartedly, drawing attention once again. "I was just joking!" He then smiled warmly at you, his eyes reflecting pride. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "Hearing that from you means more than any applause, you know?"

You reached out to pinch his cheeks. "You play too much sometimes, you know?" you said with a chuckle before continuing, "But like I said, hearing you speak today—and in all those times you shared your aspirations with me from when we were students up to now, as you finally have the opportunity to make all come true—it's evident how deeply committed you are. Beyond your skills and capabilities, your passion is what makes you so compelling, Muzan. It's what makes me believe in you, too."

Minutes later, while waiting by the entrance, Akaza finally pulled up with the car. You and Muzan bid farewell to those around you before stepping into the comfort of your vehicle.

As the city lights blurred past the windows, you reflected on the day's events.

"You know," you began, glancing at Muzan beside you, "I have a feeling your speech today touched more hearts than just mine."

Muzan smiled softly, intertwining his fingers with yours. 

"I hope so. Though the election is still months away, and who knows how things might shift, that's why I don't want to take any of this for granted. I'm in this for the long haul. You'll be there with me, won't you?"

He looked over to you, and in that moment, despite his big words, he looked absolutely adorable, with his ruby eyes shining at you and his lips slightly pouty as he waited for your response, which you gladly provided through the means of placing yet another sweet and passionate kiss on his lips and squeezing his hand reassuringly. 

"I'll always be here for you, Muzan, through every challenge and triumph."

"I love you," he whispered lovingly, his expression sincere and heartfelt.

"And I love you," you replied with equal affection.

With a comforting squeeze of your hand, you nestled against Muzan's shoulder, feeling a sense of contentment as the car navigated through familiar streets towards home.

Meanwhile, in the driver's seat, Akaza's face remained unreadable. He was outwardly indifferent to the tender exchange between you and Muzan, but inwardly, he was seething with rage.

You think you're so clever, spouting all those promises and pretty words, playing the saint for the public eye. But I see through you. You're nothing but a manipulative snake, a liar wrapped in a facade of righteousness.

His gaze hardened and his grip on the wheel tightened as he stared ahead, the streetlights casting shadows on his determined expression.

One day, your mask will slip. 

I will fucking rip it off your face, even if it's the last thing I do.

[dailyanarchistposts]

The collapse of workerism

Of course, some would have it that we never lost a revolutionary perspective at all, quite confident they had the solution all along. This comes in the form of workerism, a broad set of strategies – mainly Marxist or anarcho-syndicalist – that affirm the centrality of the working class for overthrowing capitalism. In the history of revolutionary struggle, few ideas have consistently held more sway; but surely that’s only the reason why this sorely outdated approach has proven so hard to get over. Things have changed more dramatically than ever in the last decades, shattering the material conditions that once granted workplace organisation such grandiose pretensions. It’s important to clarify why, or else the attempt to exceed activism risks being subsumed by yet another reformist method, this one all the more stagnant.

Only a few decades ago, the prospects of organised labour in the Global North were much more hopeful, with trade unions retaining a great deal of strength into the 1970s. Mainly during the ‘80s, however, capitalist production underwent some major alterations. Profound technological developments in the field of electronics – especially digitisation – caused the productive process to become much more automated, requiring significantly less human input. This combined with an increased ability on the part of employers to outsource employment to less economically developed countries, where labour was much cheaper. Fairly suddenly, therefore, the two biggest sectors of the economy – split mainly between industry and agriculture – were greatly reduced in size, resulting in massive layoffs. Yet those who lost their jobs were generally absorbed by steady growth in the services sector, thereby avoiding immediate social destabilisation. Whilst it was once the smallest economic sector by a long way, the services sector is now by far the largest in the Global North, even approaching 80% employment rates in the US, UK, and France.

The result has been a striking redefinition of the common notion of work. It’s lost its centre of gravity in the factory, having fragmented instead in the direction of various post-industrial workplaces – restaurants, shops, offices. Once a largely centralised mass, the working class has been dispersed across the social terrain, the new focus being on small, highly diverse productive units. Between these units, workers possess few common interests and interact little, leading to a significantly diminished potential for collective action. Of course, resistance in the workplace continues, but the internal avenues necessary for revolt to generalise have been majorly severed, the situation continuing to decline in light of ever greater technological advance.

Nobody can deny the profound identity crisis faced by the working class. Only a few decades ago, the factory was seen as the centre of everything, with workers offering the vital component in the functioning of society as a whole. Work was once a way of life, not so much in terms of the amount of time it took up, but instead because of the clear sense of existential grounding it offered. For generations, there had been a strong link between work and professionalism, with most workers committing to a single craft for the entirety of their lives. Career paths were passed down from father to son, who often remained in the same company; the families of different workers also maintained close ties with one another. Nowadays, however, everything has changed: employment is immensely uncertain, the relentless fluidity of the post-industrial economy forcing most to get by on a roster of precarious, low-skilled jobs. Far fewer people take pride in their work, especially given that employment only rarely has a convincing subtext of doing something socially important. Trade unions have also vanished as a historical force, having been defeated in the key battles of the ‘80s, their membership levels imploding in lock-step with the advance of neoliberalism. A residue of the old world still exists, but it continues to dissipate further every day, never to return. In the Global South, too, things are inevitably moving in the same direction.

These developments cast serious doubt on the validity of Marxist and anarcho-syndicalist strategies for revolution. It’s becoming increasingly meaningless to speak of “the workers” in reference to a cohesive entity. It isn’t as if the disintegration of the working class implies the absence of poverty, nor of the excluded – in no sense whatsoever. What it does mean is the end of the working class as a subject. One that was, as Marx put it, “disciplined, united, organised by the very mechanism of the process of capitalist production itself” (Capital, 1867). Over the last decades, the working class has been dismembered and demoralised by the very same mechanism: just as the mass application of steam and machinery into the productive process created the industrial proletariat two centuries ago, the invention of new, automated technologies has led to its dissolution. There’s no single project around which to unite the working class any more; it follows, as with identity politics, that gains in the workplace will almost always be limited to improving capitalism rather than destroying it. The Industrial Revolution has been superseded by the Digital Revolution, yet the revolutionary optimism of workerism remains ideologically trapped in a bygone era, fumbling for relevance in a century that won’t have it. Although, to be honest, this is hardly news: already for some time now, the nostalgic language of workerism has come across as stale and outdated to most, even if academics often struggle to keep up.

In any case, the collapse of workerism might be nothing to mourn. Another implication of the end of traditional employment is the predominance of a range of workplaces few would want to appropriate anyway. The factory has been replaced by the likes of call centres, supermarkets, service stations, fast food joints, and coffee shop chains. Yet surely no one can imagine themselves maintaining these workplaces after the revolution, as if anything resembling a collectively run Starbucks or factory farm is what we’re going for? When workerism first became popular, there was an obvious applicability of most work to the prospect of a free society. In the 21st century, however, the alienation of labour runs all the deeper: no longer is it the mere fact of lacking control over work, but instead its inherent function that’s usually the problem. To put it another way, it should come as no surprise that Marxists haven’t yet replaced their hammer and sickle with an office desk and espresso machine, as would be necessary to keep up with the times. The modern symbols of work are worthy only of scorn, not the kind of valorisation involved in putting them on a flag.

This is another big problem for the workerist theory of revolution, given its conception of revolution primarily or even exclusively in terms of the seizure of the means of production. Achieving reforms in the workplace is one thing, but only rarely can such exercises in confidence-building be taken as steps towards appropriating the workplace altogether. Surely the point isn’t to democratise the economy, but instead to pick it apart: those aspects of the economy genuinely worth collectivising, as opposed to converting or simply burning, are few and far between. Of course, they still exist, but they’re marginal. And that confirms the absurdity of expecting workplace organisation to offer the centrepiece of any future revolution.

This hardly implies doing away with the material aspects of revolutionary struggle, given that communising the conditions of existence remains necessary for living our lives – not just this or that activist campaign – in genuine conflict with the system. All the more, the moment in which these subterranean influences suddenly erupt, and mass communisation overturns the ordinary functioning of the capitalist machine, surely remains a defining feature of revolution itself. Yet such endeavours must be sharply distinguished from seizing the means of production – that is, appropriating the capitalist infrastructure more or less as it stands before us. Far from offering a vision of the world we want to see, the syndicalist proposal to reclaim the conditions of work – to assume control of very the system that’s destroying us – merely implies self-managing not only our own exploitation, but also that of the planet.

As an aside, it should be added that these issues undermine the contemporary relevance of Marxism altogether. It was previously suggested that Marxian class analysis no longer offers a credible account of oppression; the current discussion, meanwhile, suggests it cannot be used to frame the topic of revolution either. As a method for interpreting the world, as well as for changing it, Marxism has had its day. If we wanted to be a little diplomatic, we could say this isn’t so much a criticism of the theory itself, more a recognition of the fact that the world it was designed to engage with no longer exists. If we wanted to be a little less diplomatic, moreover, it should be added that what’s left of Marxism is utterly boring, reformist, and kept “alive” almost exclusively by academics. As the big guy declared back in 1852, “The tradition of all the dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living.” Yet in no case has this claim, offered in response to the lack of imagination amongst revolutionaries in the 19th century, been more relevant than with Marxism today. We should pay our respects, if indeed any respect is due, whilst refusing to be crippled by an outdated approach. The same goes for anarcho-syndicalism, its once unbridled potential decisively shut down by the combined victories of fascism and Bolshevism.

To offer a last word of clarification, none of this implies doing away with workplace organisation altogether. There’s still much to be said for confronting power on every front: the collectivisation of any remaining useful workplaces, as well as the fierce application of the general strike, surely remains vital for any effective revolutionary mosaic. Just as workplace organisation continues to prove effective for breaking down social barriers, as well as potentially improving our lives in the here and now. The core claim offered here is only that it cannot be considered the centrepiece of revolutionary struggle altogether – quite the minimal conclusion. Merely in terms of asking what the abolition of class might look like today, workerism has lost its way. And that doesn’t begin to consider the abolition of hierarchy as such. When taken in isolation, organised labour offers nothing more than a subtle variety of reformism, thinly cloaked in its stuffy revolutionary pretensions. Total liberation, by contrast, refuses to single out any focal points of the clash, be they workerist, activist, or otherwise.

[tophat-69]

OHHH my god ty SO much for updating, I've only just gotten around to TSF (I've been Saving it because it looked so good) and OUGHH chapter 5 JUST when I started it??? I feel so TREATED

You've taken "the children yearn for the mines" to a whole new height ;-;

I’m so glad you started TSF, and I’m so happy that you liked it!

Chapter 5 got long, mostly because Vander and Silco almost demand to be domestic coparenting teen dads before they’re even actually dating. I couldn’t shake the image of nineteen year old Silco immediately going “I have only had Felicia for a day and a half, but if anything ever happened to her I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.”

(This poor man. He has no idea that he was destined to be both a girl dad and an absolute pushover for a daughter. Felicia is training him well for Jinx’s future benefit.)

And I KNOW that the children yearning for the mines is a meme but now I get to be a nerd in replies so BEFORE I do that thank you so so much for reading and for letting me know you enjoyed!

…

…because now I am going to jump into child labor laws in the 1830s.

Why? Because I am a nerd and a simple meme joke gave me an opening and that’s all I need to infodump! This is the magic of ✨neurodivergence✨ because any random combination of words threatens to send my brain careening in a different direction.

I’m going to preface this by saying that for this story I’ve been doing entirely too much research on early 1800s coal mining (ex: my use of Geordie Lamps because a canary wouldn’t survive Zaun’s polluted air, let alone the air their mines). But I’ve also been brushing up relevant factors in the Industrial Revolution and to an extent the Victorian era… because Zaun is heavily influenced by the Steam Punk genre which is heavily influenced by those historical timeframes. Zaun is written to show the seedy underbelly of that genre, the parts of it that a more romanticized view like Piltover glosses over.

So this gilded fantastical realm is inspired by an era where 50% of the workforce was made up of children. Children with parents started work between the ages of 9 and 14. Orphans were put to work as young as 4. They were considered cheaper, easier to manage, and families had been putting kids to works on their farms and domestic workshops and homes already so the justification was right there for them. Families in poverty often have their kids enter the workplace as soon as they’re legally able, because that’s often the only way they can support themselves. And the Sumps prior to the Lanes were the literal depths of poverty, and even after they still aren’t exactly rolling in wealth.

Silco started as a trapper in the mines at 10 and that’s a pretty common role to shove kids into, and a would be a not-uncommon starting age. Basically he’d be crammed in the dark for 12 hours at a time opening and closing a trap door for coal tubs and fresh air. Even during his time at the mines, though, Zaun was undergoing the technological advancements that both Zaun and Piltover are famous for, and he’s a smart kid and basically became the one learning each new advancement they brought in at every chance so he could make himself indispensable. Which is how he ended up a blaster so young.

He doesn’t have an inherently negative view of child labor. He was a kid, he did a job, he got paid, he got out of the orphanage, and it wasn’t uncommon or unusual. Before Vander and Silco’s work for the Lanes, it’s pretty clear from Silco’s later rants in-show that there weren’t exactly unions around pushing for improved conditions, either.

The change from “child labor for all!” to strict child labor laws took a century. Arguably longer. They slowly went “eh, maybe not four year olds. Let’s start at nine” and then the Factory Act of 1833 said “okay but let’s be reasonable 9-12 year olds can ONLY work 8 hours a day, and 13-17 year olds can ONLY work 12 hours a day.” And on and on from there, these incremental little steps, often pushed by labor unions.

So, in the actual realm of Arcane we see all these children working in the factories and it’s horrific—because it is and was and will always be—but it’s also commentary on the sort of thing a rosy look at history glosses right over when it comes to people who lived in poverty, instead of the fantasy “topside.”

Silco’s like “yeah, started at the mines at 10, been here ever since” and it just is what it is. Commonplace. Vander’s family had a business so he’s worked just as long but was better protected, and he didn’t start in the real workforce outside of the Drop until years later, because the bar couldn’t support itself.

So Silco and Vander have subtle but significant difference of viewpoints. And Piltover never had to confront that reality at all, until Jayce is in the factory.

…Anyway, side rant done! I have a ton of research and parallels and symbolism and just layers of useless nonsense I’ve written into this story and around this story, and it’s generally going to waste in my head so it jumped right out.

I hope that didn’t scare you off, and that you continue to stick around and enjoy the story!

[dizzybunni]

࿐“𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔…”

࿐𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 📜

— Hidden within the sprawling expanse of New York, if you know where to look, lies the Pinocchio Estate. Nestled on its own secluded acres at 45 Hitchcock Lane, Millbrook, it stands as a monument to intrigue and legacy. This estate, shrouded in whispers of past triumphs and solved mysteries, was once both the home and workplace of the renowned retired detective, Carlos Pinocchio.

— Should you happen to wander close enough to peer through its tall, weathered windows, you might glimpse something curious—a flicker of activity. A revived career stirring to life, a new band of misfits navigating their roles, and, at the heart of it all, Mr. Pinocchio himself. Silent and watchful, he stands amidst the growing hum of possibilities, a legend once more drawn into the light.

— estate inspiration / location

࿐𝐀 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 🍎

— The room was heavy with darkness, the kind that lingered like an unwelcome guest. A dim overhead light buzzed to life, flickering reluctantly as a stack of weathered folders slammed onto the old desk. The impact sent a plume of dust spiraling into the air, triggering a chorus of coughs from the gathered group. The aged cedar floor groaned beneath their collective weight, its protests clear: it was long past time for replacement.

— A gravelly voice broke the silence, “This is it.”

— Boots, scuffed and worn, shuffled across the creaking floorboards toward a window obscured by a makeshift curtain—a faded, mismatched tablecloth. Calloused hands gripped the fabric and tore it down with a flourish, allowing sunlight to stream in. The light caught motes of dust, illuminating the shabby office like a hazy spotlight on a forgotten stage.

— The man climbed onto the desk, his boots scraping against its scarred surface as he stood tall, arms outstretched in a dramatic proclamation, “Welcome to the Fairytale Detective Agency, gang!”

— The declaration hung in the air, just long enough to feel triumphant—until the desk let out a foreboding crack. Before anyone could react, the wood gave way beneath him, sending him crashing through in an undignified heap. The desk collapsed into two uneven, splintered halves, leaving the would-be leader sprawled amidst the wreckage.

— For a moment, there was only stunned silence. Then, a cough broke the tension, followed by the barely stifled snickers of his audience.

࿐𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🔎

— In a world where the fairy tales you once read have stepped off the pages and into reality, life is far more mundane—and far less fantastical—than you might imagine. Technology has advanced much like in our own world, magic seamlessly intertwines with daily life, and darkness still finds its way into the cracks. Yet, where there is bad, there is also good. Problem solvers, truth seekers, mystery solvers—call them what you will. These individuals keep the world turning. We simply call them detectives.

࿐𝐑𝐞𝐝🧣 “Welcome to Fairytale Hell.”

Profile：… ( a.k.a me )

Name：Hood, Maisie Red

Age：16

Gender：Female (she / her)

Pinocchio’s Report :

— Red is a teenage girl whose sharp intellect is matched only by her knack for finding trouble. With too much time on her hands and a history of pickpocketing, she has drifted from one foster home to the next, leaving a trail of exasperated guardians in her wake. Yet, I am convinced that, with the right guidance and a steady hand, her brilliance can be nurtured and redirected. I firmly believe I can help her chart a better course and unlock the potential that lies within.

I was really afraid to post about this Dr, it means a lot to me, and it’s not based off of any media in this reality. But I've posted way more cringe things honestly, So… Welcome to my Fairytale Detective Dr ! I'm going to be posting more about this dr if that's okay. (lmk if anything is misspelled pls <33) also a lot of the formatting and writing was inspired so IB : hrrtshape !

[pigswithwings]

I don't particularly know any of your OCs but could you give me a list of 3 of them, with a brief synopsis of them attached, and then I'll go from there. (If I have time between Bio HW that is)

ok yeah ^-^

null value / null: she/her, robot with a computer for a head who works at a funeral home. her story's set in the vague far future where robots are acknowledged to have sentience but are still unsual in the workplace. null struggles with a deep desire to become human, is researching technology to gain a human form, however technology is not yet advanced enough to put her conciousness into a flesh-and-blood body. sucks! she's made to help and be helpful but null often experiences a deep jealousy/anger/frustration at the humans around her. as a result of this, she's going to go kill people and dig up people's bodies

zed morris / zed: they/them and xi/xir/xirs/xirself, a 17-year-old from demes awesome campaign candela (players get dropped into the video game world prism in the year 2024). how do i describe this kid uhhh they're deeply scared all the time. big worrier, constantly apologising or hesitating, basically the "socially awkward teen" stereotype. magic/healing type of class (yay!). born to be a lover, forced to fight bandits everywhere all the time, seriously the situation is not good for them i think it's going to have some lasting effect on them as a person. has a little pet slime

michael ford / mike: he/him, microphone objecthead who works as a newspaper journalist in a sorta 1920s-ish cartoonish america. big fan of reporting on the (largely immoral and harmful) practices of the factories that basically control his town, lead paint factories HATE HIM. he can't die, he has no gun, and he gets no sleep. however he loves his job and he cares deeply abt protecting the people in his town very much. by the power of friendship he's working on getting the factory shut down, but facing resistance from both the factory owners and the factory workers. very energetic until he falls asleep after sitting down for 4 seconds