#estimating for large projects

[asestimationsconsultants]

The Role of a Construction Estimating Service in Contractor-Client Negotiations

Introduction Negotiation is a fundamental aspect of any construction project. Whether it’s about project timelines, costs, or terms of delivery, both contractors and clients need to ensure that they are aligned on expectations. This is where a construction estimating service plays a vital role. By providing accurate and comprehensive cost estimates, estimators act as neutral parties that assist both contractors and clients in establishing fair terms for the project. In this article, we’ll explore the crucial role that construction estimating services play in contractor-client negotiations, ensuring that both parties are well-informed and on the same page throughout the project lifecycle.

How Construction Estimating Services Facilitate Transparent Negotiations A construction estimating service provides a detailed breakdown of all expected costs associated with a project. This level of transparency is essential in negotiations, as it helps both contractors and clients understand the financial scope of the project. Here's how estimating services facilitate transparent negotiations:

Clear Breakdown of Costs: Estimators provide detailed cost estimates that break down the costs for labor, materials, equipment, and overhead. This clarity allows both the contractor and the client to see where the money is going and facilitates informed discussions about adjustments or changes.

Clarification of Budget Expectations: One of the primary reasons for budget disputes is the lack of clarity around expectations. A construction estimating service removes ambiguity by presenting a clear financial forecast based on current market prices and conditions. This gives both parties a clearer understanding of the project’s budget.

Neutral Ground for Discussions: Estimators often act as intermediaries between contractors and clients. Because they are not directly involved in the project’s execution, they can provide unbiased opinions about cost implications. This neutral stance is particularly important when there are disagreements about costs or scope changes.

Ensuring Fair Pricing for Both Contractors and Clients The role of a construction estimating service is not just to serve the client’s interests but also to ensure that the contractor can fairly price their work. Estimators help contractors set realistic budgets that reflect the true costs of doing business. This way, contractors are not forced to cut corners or underbid projects to make them profitable. Key ways in which estimating services contribute to fair pricing include:

Accurate Labor and Material Estimates: Estimators use data-driven models to predict the costs of labor and materials. This allows contractors to set a price that ensures their profitability while keeping the project affordable for the client.

Identifying Potential Risk Factors: Construction projects are full of uncertainties. Estimating services help identify risks such as inflation in material costs, labor shortages, or possible design changes that could affect pricing. By factoring these risks into the estimate, estimators help contractors prepare for potential cost increases and negotiate a fair price for their work.

Setting Realistic Contingency Plans: A well-prepared estimate includes contingencies for unexpected events or changes in scope. This ensures that both contractors and clients are prepared for unforeseen circumstances, and it provides a cushion for negotiation if costs exceed initial projections.

How Estimating Services Help Mitigate Disputes During Negotiations Disputes between contractors and clients often arise over pricing, project scope, or deadlines. Accurate and detailed estimates from a construction estimating service can help mitigate such disputes by addressing potential issues in advance. Some ways they contribute to smoother negotiations include:

Prevention of Underestimations and Overestimations: Construction projects that are underpriced or overpriced can lead to significant issues down the road. An estimator’s detailed calculations help ensure that the initial estimate is neither too low (leading to financial strain on the contractor) nor too high (causing the client to overpay). Both parties can negotiate confidently when the estimate reflects the true cost of the project.

Documentation of Scope Changes: During construction, scope changes are inevitable, whether due to design modifications, unforeseen site conditions, or client requests. A construction estimating service helps document these changes in a formal estimate, ensuring that both parties understand how these modifications impact costs. This documentation provides a clear reference point in case disagreements arise later on.

Transparent Change Orders: If a project encounters unanticipated issues or requires scope adjustments, estimators can provide accurate and timely change orders. These orders are based on detailed analysis and reflect the actual cost of the change, allowing both parties to come to an agreement on new pricing without misunderstandings.

Building Trust Between Contractors and Clients Trust is a critical factor in any business relationship, and construction projects are no different. For contractors and clients to work effectively together, they must trust that the project will be completed on time and within budget. A construction estimating service fosters this trust by ensuring that both parties are equipped with realistic and fair estimates. Some ways estimators build trust include:

Providing Detailed and Accurate Estimates: When estimators present well-researched and accurate cost projections, it instills confidence in both contractors and clients that the project will proceed smoothly. Clients are more likely to trust contractors who provide transparent estimates, while contractors feel secure knowing that they have a fair price for their work.

Clear Communication of Risks and Challenges: A good estimator doesn’t just present a price; they explain potential risks, such as volatile material prices or difficult site conditions, and how they might affect the budget. By communicating these factors upfront, estimators help both parties understand the complexities involved in the project, thereby avoiding surprises and fostering a cooperative relationship.

Establishing Long-Term Relationships: When contractors and clients have positive experiences with a construction estimating service, it can lead to long-term business relationships. A reputation for accurate, fair, and transparent estimates helps estimators build credibility and trust within the industry.

Conclusion A construction estimating service plays an indispensable role in contractor-client negotiations by providing clear, accurate, and fair cost estimates. Through transparency, the identification of risks, and the fair pricing of labor and materials, estimators create an environment where both parties can confidently negotiate the terms of the project. Furthermore, by helping prevent disputes and fostering trust between contractors and clients, construction estimating services contribute to smoother project execution. Whether it’s through initial cost breakdowns or managing changes during the construction process, estimators are essential partners in ensuring that construction projects meet their budgetary and operational goals.

[mangled-by-disuse]

I have such mixed feelings about the love languages thing specifically, because, like, gary chapman fucking sucks and there's no scientific validity to his work BUT

at the same time, i do think there's some value in recognising and discussing the fact that different people need different expressions of love in different amounts? Especially in relationships.

Like, I have just recently been having a discussion with my partner about how he really doesn't tend to express his affection through gifts, whereas (as someone who is mega-bad at expressing sincere feeling) I do rely heavily on giving gifts and doing things for people as a less scary way to express love. Joe doesn't like giving gifts, because he's scared he'll do it wrong, and is only so-so on receiving them. He prefers to express love through physical contact and saying nice things. I hate having nice things said to me unless I am allowed to immediately rebut them with a joke or sarcastic comment that makes them less scarily close to emotional honesty. too many words of affirmation and i will genuinely just start avoiding you because it is painfully awkward to me.

and none of that means we are fundamentally different categories of people, which is where the 5 Love Languages stuff falls into being absolute bollocks. but I have seen, and done, enough throwing the baby out with the bathwater on that to be a little defensive - I think reasonable applications of the concept are actually really quite valuable. and for me, the taxonomy Chapman suggests (words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch) while not at all exhaustive or thorough, is a useful framework to hang those conversations on. bc, like, no, the way people communicate and receive affection is not universal, and from personal experience, assuming that it is can have really significant problems for a relationship.

...you could argue that this is parallel to BMI in terms of "tools being used in totally not the way they should be used" though, tbf.

I can't keep having the same conversations about love languages, mbti, iq, bmi, "brain fully formed at 25" and shit over and over again...

[reasonsforhope]

"In Sacramento, California, an estimated 6,615 people are experiencing homelessness, a number that — while still heartbreakingly high — has declined 29% since 2023, according to the latest Point In Time counts. 

But a new project, which has been in the works since 2022, might bring that number down even lower.

A new 13-acre property purchased by Sacramento County will soon be home to the Watt Service Center and Safe Stay. 

The county broke ground on the mixed-use service center this week, which will provide shelter, emergency respite, safe parking, health services, and more to community members who are unsheltered — meaning they don’t have a place to safely sleep at night.

“We wanted to do something that is not only larger, but a large-scale campus to provide more than just the shelter,” Janna Haynes, of the county’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing, told KCRA3 News.

The Watt Service Center will have amenities to help meet the needs of anyone staying there, including bathrooms, showers, laundry, and food, as well as mental health, treatment, and employment services.

“You can also meet with your case manager, get behavior health services, look for a job, get rehousing services, a place for your dog,” Jaynes added. “It’s really everything you need, not only for your day-to-day life, but to hopefully end your homelessness.”

While the center is a costly offering, the city explained that it is ultimately less expensive than allowing the homelessness crisis to go unmitigated.

The land was purchased for $22 million and will cost an estimated $42 million to construct the center. According to ABC10 News it will be mostly funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

While the center will have the capacity to host 225 beds in Safe Stay cabins, 50-person capacity in Safe Parking, and 75-person capacity for emergency/weather respite beds, it will serve countless others outside of the 350 total people it can house at any given time.

According to a press release from the county, “conservative estimates” have found that over the course of 15 years, the center will serve 18,000 people.

In 2017, the city found that the average cost for an “unsheltered individual” was about $45,000 a year, considering public systems like county jail, shelters, behavioral health, and more.

With the projected impact of the shelter, that cost lowers to less than $3,600 per person.

“If you break down the funding, it’s actually not that expensive,” Rich Desmond, county supervisor for District 3, told ABC10.

“It’s a heck of a lot cheaper than letting someone stay out in the community, unsheltered where they are extremely expensive in terms of the emergency response from fire, our emergency rooms, our law enforcement response.”

Providing what the county calls “wraparound services” not only brings down costs but truly helps people meet their basic needs.

“The really great thing about this site in particular, that we don't have at any other shelters, is the sheer size and the ability to really wrap everything people need,” Emily Halcon, director of the Department of Homeless Services and Housing with Sacramento County, told ABC10. 

One notable feature is the center’s Safe Parking spaces, which are the first of their kind in the city. People living in their cars will now have a safe place to park, monitored by security.

“We know a lot of people who are unsheltered actually are living out of their cars,” Desmond said, “maybe a family that’s barely hanging on but they still need that vital transportation to get their kids to school or get to work.”

This support is especially helpful for those who are newly homeless, Halcon added, building on the amenities provided in the county’s two other “safe stay” facilities. 

While Sacramento County just broke ground on the Watt Service Center, officials say they hope to begin moving people into the facility in January 2026.

“Our staff is putting in extra time and attention to this campus, ensuring that it houses everything we need to end homelessness for people,” Desmond said in a statement.

Once it’s up and running, Jaynes told KCRA3, they plan to onboard formerly unhoused community members as part of the staff at the facility.

“When you have a conversation with someone who understands where you’ve been, and you see the success they’re having now,” Jaynes said, “it really does give you hope something could be different.”

-via GoodGoodGood, January 24, 2025

[monochrome-serpetine909]

Orgasmic Birth

My mom would tell other people the story of my birth at inappropriate and awkward times to strangers she crossed paths with. I would be standing next to her, holding her hand, my 5 year old big eyes staring at the stranger in the aisle of a grocery store. The stranger would lean down to squeeze my cheek with a nervous laughter and hover us for a couple more aisles. Most of the time, they were adult men with thick mustaches, and sometimes grannies. My mom would squeeze my hand in hers with a wink, wrinkles showing around her eyes and mouth. I would be instructed to stay by the cart when she needed to use the store’s bathroom. She would come back 10 minutes later or more. When she came back out, she’d grab my hand to leave the store despite having a full cart of items. Rarely did we actually ever check out the store items. As I grew, it only made it more and more awkward. Women avoided my mom like she was a plague of death, while men gravitated to her.

During 5th grade, we had public school sex education classes. Of which was not about sex, but what puberty would look like and what to expect. It included birth, where babies came from. I remember sitting in the back of the classroom, my cheeks grew hot when the scene of a vagina expelling a baby was projected on the wall. However, the big difference was- it was obviously a painful ordeal. My mom described my birth as orgasmic, and I shot out of her like a water geyser, with my father shooting his cum all over my newborn gross body.

In 6th grade, I finally confronted my Mom about how it was extremely embarrassing to tell people the events of my birth. Nobody ever needed to know how my mom’s best orgasms in her entire life was from pushing me out of her vaginal tunnel into the new world. It was an exaggerated, if not fake, story that needed to be buried with all other embarrassing stories of myself. 

Mom was hurt that I didn’t believe the full story of my erotic birth. Not hurt that I wanted her to stop telling strangers of the erotic birth, but that I didn’t believe her. So to my dismay, as a 13 year old, she showed me the VHS video of my first birthday. Forever will that video make me cringe. Forever had it changed my whole life for better or worse, still not decided. She was not exaggerating whatsoever. 

The VHS tape began in the living room being filmed by a friend who majored in film and theatre. The furniture was different, but it was most definitely the same room we were sitting in, watching this. Mom and Dad were on either side of me, their fingers intertwined across my lap, giddy to start the video. 

The camera focused on my parents, zooming closer to their intimate parts and actions. The filmer had no shame or embarrassment to get as close as possible while cheering along to the ‘beautiful’ moment. 

“Oh my fuck! Jerry! I can feel her coming!” My parents were literally fucking, his penis inside her anus, as her cervix opened up to the camera view. And at each contraction, she screamed of pleasure and maybe even orgasmed, as my dad screamed cumming into her. She laid in missionary style, holding her large, swollen angry pregnant belly with both hands. “Oh god yes! Yes, that's it. Yes-yes-yes, I feel another one coming!” My mom scrunched her face as she bored further down into the couch, holding her breath. Jerry continued to thrust his engorged penis in and out of her anus, holding her legs up to give more pelvic room. A horrific groan came out of her once she released the push. “I need to change position, I need to be on my hands and knees. Quickly now, before another contraction.” 

The contractions grew closer and closer, both were screaming and moaning together more frequently. His penis grew even more as he thrusted harder, increasing his speed as he rode her doggy style. He grunted loudly while squeezing her hips with his hands as another wave of contraction hit her. Her water broke, she gasped, and quickly felt the vaingal lips with her fingers to estimate how far along she was. Her fingers were soaked in the amniotic fluid that was still gushing out of her. The couch was soaked and poured onto the carpet. Her belly was considerably lower and thinner, no longer having the amniotic fluid inside. My infant body was actively, angrily pushing through her womb to vagina to the new world no matter the amount of pain it caused. But apparently that pain was more of a turn-on to my mom, who welcomed the start of ‘Ring of fire’ with gasps and moans, rubbing her clit the whole time.

“Don’t stop! I’m almost there! God, don’t fucking stop!” Her hand remained at the opening of her vagina, ready to catch my head, and casually playing with her clit. The other hand was positioned on the arm of the couch to steady herself. “I need to be on the floor,” she huffed between the thrusts.

My dad pulled his penis out abruptly and assisted my mom to the floor. Speckles of blood from her torn anus gathered to the already ruined carpet. She was bow-legged, her palm holding the opening to her vagina, my head just starting to open her lips, almost to the “Ring of Fire”. My whole infant body weight sat just below her hips, her muscles extremely fatigued. She moaned, struggled to get down to the floor to rest on her forearms. “Get back inside me already! It’s fucking burning! She’s almost here! Keep fucking me goddammit!” She was back in the doggy position, this time knowing the baby, me, will be born in this position. Her fingers quickly found the clit.

Her whole body, swollen pregnant belly swaying, moved along the steady rhythm of the penis violently thrusting in and out to a mediocre rhythm. “Don’t fucking stop! There! God, yes, there!!” She screamed throughout the house. My dad forced his thick penis as far into her anus as possible with violent deep thrusts, causing her to scream in agony. A gush of orgasmic squirt shot out before birthing me. Then everything happened at the same time.

“I’m gonna cum! I’m cumming baby! I’m cumming, I’m FUCKING CUMMING!!” My dad’s face scrunched up with his mouth open, my mom panting short quick breaths. He rode the cum-flation into my mom as long as he could, bursting into her anus over and over. It was a cum-fountain inside her anus with no sign of stopping.

Everyone screamed. I screamed angrily, now in a brand new world, bursting past the vaginal lips. My mom screamed and squirted all over my face from her own climax. My dad screamed and screamed, holding onto his penis like a water hose unable to stop. Mom couldn’t stop squirting on top of me and into the carpet, the same carpet I was looking at. It was a sweet taste, she told me, her squirt all over my face as I cried into my new world. 

 My baby self wailed outside of Mom’s vagina as my dad finished cumming, pushing his softening penis against her anus, his cum dripping onto my newborn disfigured shaped head. The rest of my body wasn’t out yet. My dad listened to Mom’s groans, moans, and begging for him to not stop; his penis was back to business quickly with his thrusting. She needed to push one more time to release me. Mom took a deep breath followed by short breaths, focused on my dad’s rhythmic thrusting, and waited for the feeling of the need to push again. Her fingers suddenly gripped the carpet and her hips were bored down, and she screamed. And screamed. And screamed. My dad’s fingers dug into my mom’s hips, willing it all to end quickly. With a gush of fluid and last scream, the rest of my body was finally pushed out into the new world. Dad screamed while his thick cum covered my whole body and the still attached umbilical cord.

Neither had clothes on, nor planned to cover up any time soon. They moved to the couch together with a slow, steady movement to a missionary position. While still attached to the umbilicord, she cradled me up to her chest, tears rushing down her face. My suckling mouth quickly found her teat and I relaxed into a drunken state of milk and bliss. My dad’s penis grew back to an erection despite cumming multiple times and he re-entered her anus, thrusting gently while I suckled fiercely away. The video showed me nursing her teat as my father caressed her thighs, his hips moving back and forth with slight images of his penis here and there, behind her disfigured vagina, into her anus. They both looked so serene and proud; this was what they were destined to do their whole life and they finally accomplished it. 

“What the actual fuck, you guys?” I breathed heavily. I had a pool of wetness in my underwear, which had never happened to me before. Did my period come back so soon? I wanted to leave, I needed to get out of this living room as soon as possible.

“We are just so happy you are our child and grateful for such an easy, pleasurable birthing experience. The other ones weren’t as easy and required us to have a midwife with us.” My mom played with my wavy messy long hair.

“You’re saying I’m not your only child? You’ve had other children? I have brothers and sisters?” My heart was thumping in my ears.

“No no, you don’t have any brothers or sisters. You’re my only child. I’ve just given birth to many children, perfecting the experience until the day I would meet you, my love.” Mom said, with my dad nodding in agreement. “The other ones were for other families- I was their surrogate. You were the one I chose to keep and love.” My mom and dad fiddled their intertwined fingers on my lap, smiling at each other. I jumped up to make way to my bedroom quickly. I looked back at the spot I was just in and saw a dark splotch of where my vagina leaked fluid. I ran to my bedroom. I hid underneath my blankets, begging for my heart to slow down.

[a-suspicious-number-of-ducks]

Hermit-a-Day May, day 5: False + cross stitch.

[Image ID: A pixel art of Minecraft Youtuber Falsesymmetry. Behind her is a large, ornate clock face in shades of teal. False is wearing a dark teal overshirt, a red and white striped shirt, and a pair of gray steampunk goggles on top of her head. Her hair is blonde and straight. She has a neutral, thoughtful expression. /.End ID]

Welcome to my first post of Hermit-a-Day May 2025! I've actually half-finished every single day prior to this one, but haven't had anything ready to post until today, so. Here we go. This year, like last year, I will be challenging myself to use a different style or medium for each and every day of the event. Some of those will just be finishing up last year's pieces, since I am eternally full of hubris and am bad at estimating how long projects take. Some of them, like this one, are new!

Today's style/medium is cross stitch. Unfortunately, I didn't actually finish the...cross stitching part of the project on time. I'll be making this in real life eventually, but what you see pictured above is the digital pattern I created for the piece. Details about my process and additional images are under the cut!

I don't really have specific references for this one, other than False's skin and a google images page full of results for "fancy roman numeral clock." I'll take you through my process instead!

I started with pencil thumbnails to get my ideas down, and I settled on a clock background because... y'know, Cogsmeade. I know that's not technically Hermitcraft iconography, but I like it anyway. Then, I painstakingly measured out a pixel art clock in Krita, only to immediately cover up most of it. Here's the clock by itself, in all its glory!

[Image ID: Pixel art of an ornate teal clock face with Roman numerals representing each hour. The clock's hands are elaborate, with spirals and loops along their lengths. /.End ID]

Next, I added False herself. The colors and vibes here are my actual "vision" for the piece--the cross-stitched version is unfortunately limited by what colors of embroidery floss exist and are available at my local craft store.

[Image ID: The same pixel art of Falsesymmetry as earlier in the post, but with slightly different colors. The teal shades of the clock are lighter and more subtle, and the blonde shades of False's hair are more saturated and golden. /.End ID]

Finally, I exported the Krita image to flosscross.com, which is a delightful and extremely helpful tool to convert images into cross stitch patterns, complete with matching the nearest colors of floss available. That's how I got the image at the beginning of this post. Hopefully, before too long, I'll be able to show y'all what this looks like in real life!

(If you read this far, you have my respect and eternal gratitude. Thank you, and happy arting!)

[blueiscoool]

2nd Century Roman Aqueduct Unearthed in Slovakia

Digging into the lawn of a historic mansion in the capital city of Slovakia, archaeologists and their team of university students expected to find some ancient Roman artifacts but what emerged shocked them all.

The 1,800-year-old structure turned out to be a first-of-its-kind find.

A large-scale reconstruction project at Rusovce Mansion, a 16th-century manor and gardens on the outskirts of Bratislava, began in the summer of 2024 with an archaeological dig. Previous work at the site had uncovered Iron Age and ancient Roman finds, so the team from the University of Trnava was optimistic.

While excavating the front lawn, archaeologists unearthed an ancient Roman aqueduct, a tunnel-like structure used for supplying water, the University of Trnava said in a March 7 news release,

A photo shared by the university in a March 7 Facebook post shows the ancient aqueduct. The rectangular tunnel measures about 3 feet deep and 1 foot wide. Its sides are lined by stones, and a row of sloping tiles run along the bottom.

So far, archaeologists have uncovered about 125 feet of the aqueduct, the university said. Seen from above, the structure is almost shaped like a drinking straw, with a straight section followed by a curved corner.

A few of the tiles were so well preserved that archaeologists could read the stamped name of their manufacturer, the university said. An inscription on one brick connects the aqueduct's construction with the private brickworks of Gaius Valerius Constans, whose workshop operated during the second century in Carnuntum, in modern-day Austria. One tile even had a dog’s pawprint on it, left from the animal stepping on the tile before it fully dried.

Based on the manufacturing stamps on the tiles, the aqueduct dates back at least 1,800 years, archaeologist Erik Hrnčiarik said in the release. The pipeline fell out of use at the end of the second century, was filled in and preserved ever since.

Similar Roman aqueducts have been found elsewhere in central Europe, but this is the first time one was found in Slovakia, Hrnčiarik said. The structure’s preservation quality and scale add to its significance.

Archaeologists estimated the aqueduct required about 56 tons of stone and over 80 tiles, the university said.

The aqueduct’s exact purpose is still unknown, but it seems that it was intended to supply water to an unknown Roman structure currently buried beneath the Rusovce Manor House. It is possible that the site once had a bathhouse used by Roman soldiers stationed in the area.

[hope-for-the-planet]

From the article:

Latin America and the Caribbean has seen a huge expansion of distributed energy, driven mostly by Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Colombia. The region went from just one gigawatt installed capacity of distributed systems in 2017 to 31.8 GW by 2023, the year with the latest available data, according to energy consultancy Onred. Virtually all of these installations use solar panels. Distributed energy has thus become a major driver of Latin America’s energy transition, along with large, utility-scale solar and wind farms. The region has long been established as a clean electricity leader thanks to its hydropower resources, and the International Energy Agency estimates the growth in its renewables will continue, with their share of the electricity supply projected to increase from just over 60% today to 80% by 2050. “Large energy installations are not enough to meet climate goals. Distributed energy enables users en masse to participate in the energy transition,” says Ignacio Romero, co-founder of Onred. “It is a cultural change after decades of an energy sector operated in a centralised manner by large players.”

[lonely-ey3s]

Heartlines | Chapter Three

pairing: harry castillo (materialists) x f!reader

chapter summary : After you take lunch to his work, Harry asks you to be his date to his work masquerade party. However, he takes you shopping for the event beforehand, showing you how important you are and how serious he is about being with you.

chapter warnings: fluff, slow burn, angst, Harry speaks Spanish (translations will be there), switched POV's, drinking, thoughts of smut (18+ MDNI), flirting, if I missed anything, lmk!!

word count: 10.6k

a/n: i am super proud of this chapter. i hope you all enjoy it as much as i loved writing it. something about watching episode 2 just made me want to write anything but what i was feeling and it just poured into this chapter for harry and the reader.

also just a reminder! chapters will be every other sunday alternating ride or die !! enjoy 💗

Dividers by: @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune

Masterlist

You were called into the office early the next morning, another hiccup.

After everything calmed down and everyone from the wedding party had left for the airport or checked out, you had the rest of the day to yourself. 

After talking with Lila last night, and how well the conversation went with Harry, you wanted to return the favor to him. 

You ran to a classic sandwich shop down the street from the hotel, then took a cab to the address Lila provided you for where Harry worked. 

You got out of the taxi, and a tall building stood in front of you.

You'd lived in New York most of your life and the skyscrapers in the city weren't anything new, but they still overwhelmed you when you got this close.

You looked up and estimated it had over 100 floors, easily.

You took a deep breath as a wave of anxiety washed over you. Your heart started to pound — you felt like you were going to be sick. Something inside of you was trying to pull you back and away– put the walls back up. 

You shook your head and swallowed it all down, you weren't going to let it control you anymore. Not when you had a chance at being happy.

With that you put one foot in front of the other and made your way inside. 

Lila told you to go to the elevators and go to the 64th floor, so that’s what you did. 

The bellboy smiled at you as you entered. “I’ve not seen you here before…” he said, looking down at the bag you were holding. “Bringing someone lunch?” 

You nodded and looked down at the bag, smiling softly. 

“64th floor is all those investors… your friend rich?” he asked, trying to make small talk.

You chuckled as you tilted your head upward, watching the numbers slowly rise. “He does well for himself…” 

He scoffed and turned to look at the doors, back to assuming his position, “That’s just a nice way of saying he’s loaded,” he teased.

You shrugged, letting out a small chuckle, then looked at the doors as you approached the 64th floor. “I guess it is...”

The bell dinged, and the doors opened.

You looked over at him and nodded politely, “Thank you.” Then you stepped out and began walking down the hallway toward the large glass doors with the company logo on it. 

The moment you stepped inside, the air shifted.

It was colder than you expected — not in temperature, but in tone. Sleek, polished, professional. The kind of place where every inch had been carefully curated to project power without ever needing to say it aloud.

You swallowed at the scale; the complete change of environment from where you worked was overwhelming.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched along one wall, letting in the hard, clear light of the city. Every desk gleamed like it had been buffed ten minutes ago. Dark wood, glass, leather chairs—everything was uniform, clean cut.

The soft hum of voices and muted clicks of keyboards filled the air — no shouting, no chaos — just the efficient, almost clinical buzz of money moving from one place to another.

Men and women in sharp suits moved through the space with purpose, their watches catching the light, their gazes focused and far too busy to notice you lingering near the front.

Behind a massive desk, a receptionist with a headset gave you a tight, polite smile. Her nails tapped against the keyboard like she was marking time until the next meeting.

You noticed the voice coming from the other side of the desk and immediately felt relieved at the first sign of someone interacting with you instead of ignoring you. "Delivery?"

You came over and shook your head shyly, “I’m uh, not delivering, I'm actually here to have lunch with a uhm, someone who works here? Harry Castillo?” you looked at her with an eyebrow raised, hoping you were in the right place.

She smiled brightly, “Oh, Mr. Castillo! Let me page his assistant!” She touched a button on the desk phone. 

“No!” you shouted, making her jump. “Sorry, no… I uh, I’m surprising him,” you chuckled nervously. 

“Oh!” she softly giggled, nodding. “Let me take you to where his office is. You can wait for him in there,” she smiled softly and stood to walk around the reception desk, “He’s just in a meeting for maybe another 15 minutes or so…” 

You nodded and smiled politely as you trailed closely behind her. 

She started to walk through the office, smiling and nodding at a few people here and there. You looked around and got a sense of what Harry might do for work, picking up on small details. 

You heard your name being called from across the office floor and turned to follow where the call was coming from. 

Ben smiled and waved to you. “What the heck are you doing here?” he said as he started to come over to you. 

You smiled and chuckled lightly, holding up the bag you had in your hand, “I was going to surprise Harry with lunch…” You nodded towards the receptionist, who stopped walking as you did. 

Ben waved her off, “I’ll take her the rest of the way, Lucy, thank you for helping,” he smiled. 

She nodded and walked back to her desk, leaving you and Ben alone. 

“So... you and Harry?” he grinned and offered his arm for you to hold while you two continued to walk. 

You chuckled as you took it, “Nothin’ is… we uhm, we aren’t exclusive.” You shyly scrambled over your response. 

Ben huffed out a small chuckle, “Not exclusive? He’s head over heels for you! And I think, based on how Lila came home last night, gossiping about your little phone call– you are feeling the same way,” he teased.

You rolled your eyes and nudged him playfully. 

There was a small pause before you spoke again, “I’m not sure how to feel. We haven’t gone out on an official date yet. Just flirting, you know... getting to know each other…” You glanced up at him. 

“Ah, I see…” he nodded, softly tutting. He then opened a door that had Harry’s name on a placard by it. “Can I offer some advice then?” 

You stepped in and let go of his arm. “Advice for me or him?” you joked. 

He chuckled at your jab but then sighed softly and smiled somewhat sadly, “I’ve known Harry for a long time. He’s been hurt just as much as you have.” He looked down for a moment and then back up at you. “He’s someone who puts everything into someone…” he nodded towards his desk, “If you can… find a way to reciprocate it? Give each other a chance. Let him take care of you, but also... take care of him…” 

Your eyes scanned over his desk. Of all the other desks you saw, Harry's had a warmth to it. There were framed photos and even a small Lego Batman figure you assumed was from one of his nephews or nieces. A flashback from the wedding make you chuckle as you thought about the joke you two had walking down the aisle.

You then looked back at Ben, understanding what he meant. “I’ll do my best,” you smiled softly. 

He nodded and gently patted the door frame. “I know you will,”

You both heard his name being called from another part of the office. He cleared his throat and sighed. “I’m being summoned,” he said, chuckling. 

You nodded and came over, gently kissing his cheek, “It’s good to see you. I’ll come say goodbye before I leave.” 

He nodded and returned the gentle kiss on your cheek, “You better…” 

You chuckled softly and nodded, then walked back to sit in a chair that sat in front of Harry’s desk before he closed the door and left. 

Harry’s POV

He had been in this meeting for almost an hour now, and Kent’s monotone voice was almost lulling him to sleep. 

Slide 28 of 35.

‘God help us all.’ he thought as he looked at his watch to see the time, eager to get on with his day.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting back to the slideshow in front of him and the rest of the executives as they attentively watched. 

Another chart. Another bullet point. Another pointless deep dive into data he’d already skimmed three days ago, processed, and moved on from.

He glanced at his phone, barely visible in his lap under the glass table. He’d been itching to give you a call back since this morning. Especially after last night's phone call was cut short by his own fatigue. 

He sat there and wondered what you were doing right now. God, how he wanted nothing more than to spend 20 minutes in your presence.

Ever since the wedding, it seemed like the two of you couldn’t catch a break. You both are constantly being pulled away from each other. The mere thought of having a whole evening with you, dinner or something, where the two of you can just be… it was all he could think about. 

“…and now we’ll open it up for thoughts on how we might approach portfolio diversification in Q3,” Kent’s voice at the end of the table cut through his thoughts. “Harry, any thoughts?”

He looked up sharply, blinking once as the room’s attention shifted toward him.

He softly cleared his throat, put his phone into his pocket, and straightened his tie. He leaned forward just enough to appear engaged, not like he had mentally disconnected from the meeting 10 slides ago.

“Well,” he began smoothly, “given the volatility we’ve seen in international equities and the Fed’s latest posture, I’d say it’s less about diversification and more abou–” he stopped. 

For a moment, he thought his eyes were playing a sick joke on him as he saw you, smiling, walking through the office. His office. 

He blinked to refocus his vision, but you were still there. Arm in arm with Ben, both of you heading towards his office.

His heart stuttered, then picked up speed like it was trying to catch up with what his eyes were seeing. A warmth flooded his chest—not the soft kind, but the kind that made him feel a little dizzy. It made him feel alive.

The only thing he could focus on was you— how the light caught your eyes, how your smile lit up the room. 

A small smile cracked through onto his lips. 

Another executive cleared his throat, which snapped his attention back to the group. 

He cleared his throat and turned a soft shade of red. “Excuse me. As I was saying, uh…” He chuckled softly, feeling a bit nervous from his sudden distraction. 

He looked at you once more before turning his attention to the table, “It’s less about diversification and more about precision. Risk-adjusted returns only mean something if you’re holding the right risk.” 

He watched as a few heads nodded in agreement. One guy scribbled something down on his pad as if it were gospel. No one questioned it. They rarely did with Harry.

He leaned back in his seat and anxiously tapped his thumb against the file folder in front of him, creating a soft thumping. 

He wasn’t eager for this meeting to end due to its boredom now; he was keen for it to end so he could go to you.

He watched your location from the corner of his vision. After a few minutes, Ben left and closed his door, meaning only one thing: you were in his office alone, and he could have you all to himself. 

About 10 minutes later, Mr. Clarkson, the CEO, stood up and started gathering his belongings. “Thanks so much for your time today, everyone. As a reminder, Ruby will send you all the formal invitations for our dinner party this Friday, involving Tets Investments closing with us.”

His ears perked to the announcement. He'd completely forgotten about it. 'That's it. I'll ask her to be my date...'

Everyone else stood and collected their bearings, nodding in acknowledgment. 

A young man opened the glass door and headed towards Harry.

It was his assistant Peter. He had a tablet and a few folders in his arm along with a wireless headset in his ear. “Ok, so you’ve got a meeting with Angela and Bryan from accounting in about 30 minutes. This is the paperwork you need to look over,” he handed Harry the file folder, exchanging it for the one he had from the meeting. 

Harry started walking out of the conference room, buttoning his suit jacket up as he strolled, “I need to reschedule that.” He held the folder for Peter to take back.

Peter scoffed, letting out a bewildered chuckle, “What, why?” He took the folder back and began scrolling through Harry’s calendar on the tablet, trying to see what openings were in their schedules to rebook. 

“Something came up. Just make it happen please...” he smiled as he straightened his tie and huffed his breath into his palm to check if it smelled decent. 

Peter turned his head to observe everything he was doing, confused for a moment but continued. “Uhm, do you need me to reschedule your 3 pm meeting with Elsie from marketing then?” 

“Let’s keep that, but I’ll let you know if that needs to be changed.” He went to reach for the handle, but Peter beat him to it out of habit and opened it. 

“Of course. Just let me kn—” he stopped, seeing you in the middle of Harry’s office. “Oh…” 

You quickly stood and smiled, putting your hands in front of you shyly, “Surprise…” you beamed. 

Harry’s head quickly snapped from looking at Peter to you and smiled brightly, playing along with your surprise, “You’re here…” he chuckled and squeezed through the door that Peter was standing gobsmacked in front of.

He came over and gently touched your hand, leaning down to kiss your cheek.  

You held up the bag of food in between you, “I uhm, I brought lunch… do you have some time?” your cheeks turned rosy red as he looked down at you. 

Peter cleared his throat softly and grinned sinfully, "I’ll see if Elsie can reschedule for tomorrow. I'll tell her something came up...” he teased.

Harry looked back at him and shook his head, smiled softly at the jab, “This is my assistant, Peter.” he looked back at you. 

You smiled and held out your hand as you walked over to him, “Peter, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Y/N.” 

He took your hand and grinned wider, “Wait... Y/N as in Y/N from the wedding?” he looked at Harry, jaw slacked dramatically. 

You chuckled and looked back at him, “Have you been talkin’ about me around the office now?” you teased. 

Peter smirked, “Oh, he’s not shut up since… he won’t—” 

Harry interjected quickly, turning red, “Is that the phone I hear?” he nodded towards Peter’s desk. 

There was no phone ringing. 

You bit your lip, trying to hide a giggle, and looked down shyly. 

Peter cleared his throat softly, getting the memo Harry was trying to send. “It’s lovely to meet you again,” he said, touching your arm gently. “Enjoy your lunch.” 

You smiled softly and thanked him before he closed the door softly. 

After a moment of silence, Harry softly cleared his throat and looked over at you, “I uhm… I’ve been meanin’ to call you since last night…” He took off his jacket, placing it on the back of the chair where he stood, and started to roll up his sleeves. 

You turned around and tucked some loose hairs behind your ears. “I’ve been meaning to do the same.” You walked over slowly, the tension suddenly felt high. 

Another small moment of silence. 

“I had things end a little earlier than we planned at the hotel, so I thought I’d… you know… return the favor and come surprise you.” You softly smiled at him. 

The act of you matching the level of interest he'd been displaying since the wedding was heartwarming to him. He was getting what he put in, put out towards him. It was something he hadn't had in a partner in a very long time. It was all he wanted, someone to match his love language, or at least appreciate it.

He had a sweet and warm smile across his lips as he watched you, “I’ve missed you…” 

You looked down into the bag shyly, “I’ve missed you too…” You started pulling the food out and setting it on the table. 

Harry watched for a moment from where he was standing and then moved to stand behind you, putting his hand on the small of your back. “Can I help?” 

It was just a touch—barely anything. His hand was barely on your back, light as a whisper.

But it hit like a lightning strike.

A wave of warmth flooded your chest, spreading out like someone had turned on a light from the inside.

Your cheeks burned instantly, that unmistakable flush that crept up your neck no matter how hard you had tried to will it away. Your heart skipped a beat, the one that made your mind short-circuit. 

Butterflies? More like a full-blown riot in your stomach. 

You turned your head to look at him and nodded but then got lost in his gaze momentarily. 

He said your name softly, his eyes flickering to your lips. 

You inhaled a shaky, nervous breath before blurting out. “N-Napkins…” 

His gaze flickered up to your eyes, grinning like he knew what he was doing to you. 

“Do you have any napkins?” you grinned sheepishly. 

He nodded. “Yeah, they're in my desk…” He walked around to the other side to retrieve them. 

You looked down at the food you’d laid out and tried to settle yourself– taking in a small deep breath. 

Harry tutted, “So– I may have figured out a first date for us if you’re up for it?” He looked up from his drawer.

You glanced at him and softly chuckled, “Oh? What would that be?” 

He came back around his desk with a small pile of napkins, smiling warmly. He sat down on his desk before taking his sandwich, then patting the area beside him for you to sit. “I have a work dinner party on Friday. It’s a masquerade-type thing…” he kept his gaze on the sandwich as he spoke. 

You sat down and looked at him as he spoke, unwrapping your sandwich, “Are you asking me to be your date, Mr. Castillo?” you teased, lightly nudging his side with your elbow. 

He let out a light chuckle and looked at you, a twinkle in his big brown eyes had become clearer now that you were closer. “I’m askin’ you to be my date, sweetheart…” 

You hummed, and your eyes danced across his features, then you looked down at your sandwich. “In that case, I need to go shopping for a mask…” You smiled as you bit your bottom lip. 

“Is that a yes?” he kept his gaze on you, his smile slowly grew. 

You looked back up at him and your smile became softer, “That’s a yes…” 

He looked back at his sandwich and took a bite, saying with his mouth somewhat full, making you giggle, “Good. Then that means I get to take you dress shopping…” 

You also took a bite and then paused, covering your mouth with your hand. “Wait, what?” You thought you misheard him. 

He chewed and swallowed, turning to look at you. “I’m taking you dress shopping,” he shrugged, smiling to himself as if it were no big deal. 

You chortled, now thinking he was joking. 

“What’s so funny?” he smiled innocently. 

You tilted your head to the side to gauge him out and scooted away from him to see him better, “Harry, you’re kidding, right?” 

His smile didn’t waver as he shook his head, “Why would I joke about that?” he snickered softly. 

You stuttered, “I just… like you want to go with me when I shop? Help me pick out something?” You set your sandwich down. This now needing your full, undivided attention.

He set his sandwich down as well and turned slightly, finding you amusing, “I want to buy you a dress, accessories, shoes… the mask… anything you might want for the event.” He reached forward and gently tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “I want to take care of you.” 

You looked down shyly at your hand sitting flat on the desk. You didn’t know what to say. You felt like words weren’t computing inside your brain. It was like you were short-circuiting again.

“Will you let me do that?” he asked. 

Ben’s words echoed in your head, ‘Let him take care of you.’

You looked up and did the only thing you could. You nodded while a shy smile slipped onto your lips. 

“Good.” He leaned forward and softly kissed your forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. It was as if he were savoring the tender contact, the intimate gesture. He pulled away and smiled warmly, “Do you have time to go this evening?” 

“Yeah… I’ve got time,” you croaked out, your voice cracking slightly. You cleared your throat and lightly let out a chuckle, for which he joined in.

You readjusted to sit back as you were before and picked up your sandwich.

You sat there for a moment, then scooted closer and leaned your head on his shoulder. “So tell me, how was your meeting?” You took a bite, then slid your hand into his. 

He couldn’t help the idiot grin he had on his face but couldn’t give a shit.

He hummed softly, contentedly, and took his sandwich with his free hand and sighed softly, “Long version or short version, hermosa?”  

You nuzzled your head in softly, “Long version…” 

After you left Harry’s work and went back to yours, he told you that he’d pick you up from the hotel to go shopping around 5 pm. 

In true Harry Castillo fashion, he was 10 minutes early, standing outside his car with a new bouquet. This time, it was of peonies. 

You clocked out a few minutes early and walked out to find him leaning against the all black SUV, his eyes on the flowers. He was now dressed in a tan button-down and dark-wash jeans.

You smiled at the sight, “Do you ever not look dashing?” you teased. 

His eyes snapped up to you and instantly had a smile on his face, “Hey there, beautiful…” 

You came up and gently kissed his cheek. “What do we have this time?” you looked down at the flowers, your cheeks pink. 

He leaned down and kissed your cheek back, then held up the flowers a little to present them, “Peonies…” 

You took them from him gently and took a small sniff, “Ooh, I like the smell of those…” you glanced up at him. 

He smiled wider, excited, “Oh? Have we found a favorite?” He had his hand gently on yours, his thumb rubbing the outside of your wrist. 

You blushed at the tenderness, “I think we have a contender, but let’s still run through other flowers. You know, just to be sure…” You winked. 

He chuckled, “Noted.” He then leaned in and kissed your forehead. “Shall we?”  

You nodded and went to get into the front passenger seat out of habit. 

Meanwhile, he opened the back door for you and waited for you to notice.

You turned around to him, confused about why you'd be sitting in the backseat. But then you saw there was a driver in the front seat and tutted. “Should have known better,” you giggled and came back, getting in the back seat.  

Ted, Harry’s driver, took you both to a shopping plaza in SoHo. 

The moment Harry opened your door and you stepped out, you saw places like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. 

You chuckled and shook your head, backing up towards the car, not knowing how to react. “Harry, we are not shopping at places like this… It’s too expensive… I…” You looked up at the pretty neon signs above the store's doors. “This is…” You scoffed, not able to find the words. 

You didn’t feel worth it. 

You didn’t feel that him spending this much money on you was something you deserved. 

It felt wrong. But there it was again, Ben’s words, ‘Let him take care of you,’ and for Harry, this was his way of doing just that. 

He chuckled at your reaction and looked at Ted. “Meet us back here in a few hours.” 

Ted nodded and drove off, leaving you looking at Harry with a bewildered smile on your face, to which he just smiled adoringly at you. 

“What?” you giggled. 

He held out his hand and sighed. “Just trust me?” he said, smiling warmly. 

You bit your lip and shook your head, but then sighed playfully, “Alright… fine…” You slid your hand into his. 

He led you into the first store, Chanel, where a shopping attendant greeted you both at the door, eager to make a nice commission. 

She looked lavish and expensive, dressed head to toe in 'completely out of your budget' attire—even the air she was exhaling made you feel poor. “Welcome in! My name is Genevieve. Is there anything I can help you find?” 

You looked up to Harry, unsure of what to do or say. Everything about this seemed like an out-of-body experience to you. 

He smiled and looked at her, letting go of your hand, setting his on the small of your back. “Genevieve, we have a masquerade ball this weekend, and she needs a new dress, new shoes… she needs it all,” he grinned.

You smiled shyly at her, “Maybe we can just start with a dress? I have stuff at home, I’m sure I can use…” You looked up at Harry for a moment, then back at her. 

You didn’t want to be like every other girl Harry had been with; you didn’t want to feel like a gold digger. 

He mouthed to her, ‘Everything’, then winked and grinned. 

She chuckled and nodded at him, understanding completely. “Well, that sounds like fun!” She looked at you and said, “Let's start with what colors you have in mind?” 

She started to walk through the store, heading towards the dresses, and you both followed close behind. 

You looked around, eyes scanning over everything. It was all so immaculate, gleaming, and expensive. You’d never even thought you’d own anything like this, let alone be walking through one of the stores. “Well, I usually go towards darker colors, but I’ve been told I look good in red?” you glanced at her.  

She nodded and started skimming through some of the selections, grabbing some options, humming as she did so. 

Harry walked to another section with you, pulling out a dark red dress, one with a slit up the thigh, but it was just what you liked or would have picked out yourself. “Thoughts?” He glanced at you. 

You nodded and smiled, barely running your fingers over the silky fabric, “I like it.” 

Genevieve gasped, coming over, seeing his selection, “Good choice!” She smiled and took it from him, putting it in the small pile she’d gathered over her arm. “Why don’t we try these on? And then we can narrow down what we do and don’t like– and if we need to go from there.” 

You nodded and smiled. 

“Perfect. If you’d follow me… and then Mr. Castillo, if you’ll take a seat, we’ll get started.” She nodded for you to follow her.

Harry softly rubbed your back, “I’ll just be out here,” then kissed your cheek gently. 

You nodded and smiled up at him.

You walked away and followed her into the dressing room, your hands shyly behind your back. 

You entered the dressing room and changed into a dark brown dress with a very deep bust and dangerously high slit up the thigh. It felt a little too inappropriate for the party you were attending. 

You looked at yourself in the mirror and shook your head, then looked at Genevieve, “I think this is too much…” You looked down at the plunge that opened up your cleavage, blushing at what Harry might think. 

“Do you want to go out and show your boyfriend? Just to get a feel for it?” She smiled and tilted her head, “You know, give him a show?” She giggled playfully. 

“Oh, um, he’s not my— well not yet… I mean, I hope eventually he– Fuck sorry...” You were stumbling over your words. 

She grinned and tilted her head mischievously, “Even more reason to then…” 

You chuckled lightly and looked back at yourself in the mirror. You had to admit, you looked good. No. You looked fucking amazing. The dress accentuated your curves, complemented your skin tone, it made you radiant. “Alright…” you looked at her. “What’s the harm?” you smirked and picked up the front to walk out. 

She cleared her throat and began walking to the main floor to catch Harry's attention. 

Harry was sitting back on the couch, but then immediately straightened up and turned a light shade of red the moment he saw you. He quietly cleared his throat and mumbled under his breath, “Fuck me…” 

You stepped onto the platform and turned to look in the mirrors, watching Harry’s reaction from behind you with a slight smirk. 

“You’re wearing one of our vintage evening gowns from 1987��” She began straightening some parts as she continued, “This is typically worn with black velvet gloves, which would go quite nicely with your masquerade theme…” She began to adjust the train of the dress to present it. 

Harry was speechless. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you, off your body.

His mouth went dry. His mind—usually so sharp, so calculated—was suddenly fogged with one thought, one need, one echo pounding in time with his pulse:

Want.

His pulse thundered in his ears. The slit in the dress climbed like a secret up your thigh, and the way your eyes flicked to him in the mirror—slow, knowing—sent fire curling in his gut.

His thoughts? Completely undone. Replaced by vivid flashes: your back against a wall, lips crashing into his, fingers in his hair, that dress tangled somewhere on the floor.

Genevieve clocked his reaction in the mirror and glanced at you, giving you a knowing wink and a slight smirk. 

You turned around and smiled innocently his way, “Thoughts?” 

His eyes continued to drink you in, eyes trailing down your body— not hearing a word you said. 

You let out a soft giggle, “Harry?”

His gaze snapped up to yours, and he cleared his throat, turning a darker shade of red.

“Sorry, sweetheart, did you say something? I…” he ran his thumb over his bottom lip and looked back down your body, “You look…" he exhaled, "Wow…” he said lowly, sitting forward a bit. 

You blushed and turned back to look at yourself in the mirror. “I feel it might be too much for a work party, you know?” You slid your hands down your body to smooth out the dress. Not knowing it was doing something to him, giving him a little show. 

He chuckled nervously as he adjusted his hips from the unwelcome bulge starting to form.  “I… look, you’re hearin’ no complaints from me…” He swallowed, trying to calm himself down.

You looked back at him and bit your bottom lip, “So, you like this one?” 

His eyes snapped back up to yours and he grinned, “Darlin’, you make anythin’ look good… Of course I like it.” he nodded towards the dressing rooms, “But let’s try on some more, get a feel for what you like, not what I like...” he raised his eyebrow, being supportive of you dressing for you, not for him. 

Genevieve spoke up, “I like what he said. This is about what you like.” She offered her hand. “Plus, we can always return to this one and see if our minds change…” She looked up at you and smiled politely. 

You looked down at Genevieve, taking her hand, stepping off the platform, and smiled back, “I agree…” 

She nodded and then led you back to the dressing room, where she had you put on a few more dresses. 

You walked out and showed Harry each time, but they didn’t have the same reaction as the first—for you or him. 

However, there was one last dress.

It was the one that Harry had found.

And once it was on you, it fit like a glove. 

It was everything— elegant, sexy, tasteful, but allowed for slight teasing. 

It had a high slit up the thigh and had a somewhat lower cut in the bust. However, it was more tasteful than the first as it highlighted your collarbones and shoulders beautifully. 

You couldn’t help but beam when you looked at yourself in the mirror.

You looked radiant. 

You walked out to see Harry on his phone texting, but the second he heard Genevieve’s high heels hit the floor, his attention snapped up.

It was like all the air had been sucked out of his lungs the way his breath caught as he saw you. 

You bit your bottom lip and blushed at the clear reaction. You knew this one was it with how his eyes drank every inch of you in. 

The first was fun—something to wear to a more intimate and casual event. However, this one was tasteful and had the exact same effect on him, leaving him speechless. 

You stepped up and looked into the mirrors. You now were able to see how it hugged every curve of you beautifully. Every line— highlighted. 

You worked your angles, making sure everything fit perfectly, and then looked at Harry in the mirror, “Thoughts?” 

He took a moment to absorb how beautiful you looked.

He was thinking about how much he’d been waiting for so long to feel this way for someone, and now here you are— right in front of him. He wasn’t going to let you go or let you down. As he looked at you in this moment, not only was the dress the one, but so are you. 

He smiled adoringly and nodded at you, “I’m going to be the luckiest man at the party with how beautiful you look in that dress, querida…” He leaned forward, giving you his fullest attention. 

You blushed and found his eyes in the mirror. You took a deep breath and nodded at him, "Ok, this is the one."

Genevieve giggled, which pulled your focus to her. She clapped her hands together a couple times, “Ah! I love it! This dress was made for you…” 

She took a step back and hummed, “However, it’s missing something…” She tapped her fingers on her lips as she began thinking for a few seconds, then she lit up and held up a finger, “I’ve got it! Wait here…” She then disappeared into the store on the hunt. 

You looked back over your shoulder and chuckled, “What could possibly be missing?” 

Harry looked behind his shoulder to see where she had gone, but couldn’t find her.

He looked back at you, and both of you smiled shyly at each other. 

He stood from the couch and made his way over to you. The closer he got, the more his eyes ran over every part of you. You shyly looked back at the mirror and watched his movements.

He hummed before offering his hand for you to step off the platform, “Well… it may not be what she’s thinking… but I do have something in mind that I’ve been thinking might make it better…” 

You took his hand and stepped off the platform, slightly confused but intrigued. You looked up at him and smiled softly, “Oh? What would that be?” you teased, feeling shy under his gaze. 

He swallowed down his nerves, then found your eyes, “Just my opinion, but…” He slowly reached up and cupped your cheek before leaning in, his voice a hushed whisper lost between the beats of your heart. His thumb brushed gently along your cheekbone, eyes searching yours like he needed to be sure this moment was real.

The world seemed to blur around you—no more noise, no more people, just the closeness between you and him. You could feel the warmth of his breath as the space narrowed, your lips a breath apart.

Your hands—unsure at first—found their way to the fabric of his shirt, fingers curling lightly near his chest. You could feel his heartbeat beneath your palms, quick like yours. One hand slid up almost instinctively, fingertips grazing the side of his neck, drawn to the way he leaned into your touch.

“…this,” he finished, his words trembling on the edge of a kiss.

Your thoughts became rushed—Is this really happening? Can he feel how nervous I am? God, please don’t mess this up. But beneath all that noise was something quieter, something softer: I want this. I want him.

And then he closed the distance.

It was gentle and deliberate, as if he wanted to memorize the shape of your lips. Your eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, all those thoughts dissolved. There was only the feeling—the warmth, the closeness, the way the world melted away until it was just him.

Your fingers tightened slightly in his shirt as the kiss deepened, just a little, and you tilted your head to meet him more fully. You felt seen. Wanted. Safe.

When he pulled back, barely an inch, his forehead rested against yours. His breath mingled with yours, both of you smiling in the quiet.

Your eyes flutter open, and you let out a soft chuckle, whispering, “I um, I think to add that to the outfit, there’s an added fee…” you joked, gently caressing his jawline with your fingertips, studying his features, memorizing everything about this moment. 

His eyes remained closed, forehead still against yours as he chuckled, low and warm in his chest, before he leaned back in and murmured against your lips, “Whatever the price… I’ll pay millions if it means I get to kiss you like that, querida…”

You barely had time to smile before his lips were on yours again—this time slower, deeper, like he had all the time in the world and no intention of rushing any second of it.

His hand slid from your cheek down to your waist, fingers splaying there as he gently pulled you in, closing the last bit of distance between your bodies. The warmth of his touch burned through the thin fabric, and the feeling of his body pressed against yours sent a shiver down your spine.

Your hands moved instinctively, trailing up his chest—feeling the steady beat of his heart — before loosely wrapping around his neck, fingertips threading into his hair. You tilted your head slightly, leaning into him, meeting the kiss with just as much quiet urgency.

It was deep, but not desperate—tender in its intensity. He kissed you like he needed you to feel what he couldn’t quite say out loud yet. Like he wanted you to know this wasn’t just a moment. It was the moment.

Your breaths mingled, uneven now, but neither of you seemed to care. The world outside your embrace didn’t exist anymore—not when his thumb was drawing slow circles against your waist, not when you felt him smile slightly against your lips like kissing you was the best decision he'd ever made.

Genevieve’s voice cut through the haze you two were in, making you both slowly pull away and look at each other, both smiling like idiots.  

“I found thi—” she saw what she’d interrupted and shyly chuckled, “Oh, pardon me, umm…” she turned away, attempting to give you both privacy.

Harry lightly chuckled and kissed your forehead. “No, no… pardon me...” He let go of your waist and looked at Genevieve as she turned back around, his lips somewhat red and cheeks rosy. “What did you find for her?” he nodded to her as he went and sat back down. 

You let out a slow exhale, and tucked a strand of loose hair behind your ear as she came over and had some jewelry and handbags to show you. 

You looked away first, cheeks warming all over again as Genevieve continued talking, holding up a clutch with little gold details. You nodded along, barely catching half of what she said—your heart still somewhere between his hands and that kiss.

You caught him glancing at you again from the corner of your eye.

Not in a way that demanded anything, just… there. Warm, steady, a little breathless—like he was still replaying that kiss in his head the same way you were.

Your lips curved into a shy smile before you could stop it. You no longer tried to hide it. Not when the air still hummed between you. Not when he looked at you like that kiss opened up that part in his heart deep down like it did for you.

He tilted his head just slightly, like he was memorizing the way you looked when you were trying not to smile. Like this was his new favorite view.

Genevieve didn’t seem to notice—or if she did, she was kind enough to pretend. She kept chatting as she turned to the mirror, holding up one of the necklaces to your neckline.

And in the quiet moment that followed, your eyes met his again.

This time, you held the look.

Long enough for it to say everything,

I liked that. I want more. We’re not done.

And when he gave you that barely-there smile again—the one that said I know, me too—your heart skipped, flipped, and practically melted into your chest.

Friday 

You managed to get off work around 4 pm, as you were panicking about being ready on time. 

Harry told you last night that he’d pick you up at seven. With that being said, that would give you 3 hours to run around your place like a madwoman while Lila chased you around, trying to help put you together.

As expected, he knocked right on time, 7 pm sharp. 

Lila was still there unexpectedly, as there was a last-minute makeup snafu. 

You whispered hearing the door, “Fuck! You aren’t supposed to be here!” 

She quietly giggled and shoved you towards the door. 

You turned back and chuckled, pointing behind the couch, “Hide! Quickly!” 

She ran and hid behind the couch, peeking around so she could see the front door.  

You let out a breath and shook your hands shaking out all the nerves. 

You hadn’t seen Harry since that day he took you shopping. Afterwards, both your schedules picked up again– his taking him out of town for the last couple of days. 

All the nervousness and tension had been building up from the calls and texts you two shared over the last couple of days. You both were very eager to see each other. 

Lila popped out and loudly whispered, “Oh for Christ sake, open the door!” 

You turned around and waved her off, shushing her, giggling. 

She popped back down, and you opened the door— and there he was. 

He looked absolutely devastating in a dark, subtly patterned suit that hugged his frame perfectly, the crisp white of his shirt peeking through just enough to make him seem both dangerous and heartbreakingly polite. His hair was tousled back, like he’d run his hands through it a few too many times in nervous excitement. He had a little smirk across his lips — the one that made his deep-set eyes soften — aimed straight at you.

‘God damn it, how was I supposed to survive tonight when he looks like that?’ 

He was holding a bouquet that was wrapped in brown paper, tied sweetly with a dark red bow, one to match your dress. 

The moment he laid eyes on you, for a second — maybe longer — he forgot how to breathe.

He dragged his eyes back up to yours, trying (and failing) not to look too awestruck. His heart was pounding like he’d just run a mile.

"Wow..." he breathed out, voice a little rougher than he intended. He chuckled low, shaking his head as he stepped closer, the world around him narrowing down to nothing but you.

"You’re... you're going to ruin me tonight, aren’t you?" he smirked.

Before you could even tease him back with a response, he was already moving, drawn in like gravity had decided you were the center of the universe.

He cupped your face gently, and then he kissed you — slow at first, like he wanted to savor the moment, then a little deeper when he felt you lean into him.

It wasn't rushed, wasn't messy — it was the kind of kiss that promised a night neither of you would forget, filled with heat, laughter, and something dangerously close to falling head over heels.

When he finally pulled back, barely an inch, his forehead rested against yours, and he whispered, a little breathless, "You have no idea what you’re doing to me..."

You breathlessly whispered, reaching up to cup his cheek, “I’ve missed you…” 

He smiled like he’d never smiled before hearing that. His arm moved down to wrap around your waist and pull you close to him, “God, I’ve missed you too…” 

You giggled and leaned back in, forgetting about Lila completely– who was watching from behind the couch with a shit eating grin on her face trying not to make a peep.

This time, you kissed him deeper.

You melted into him, your fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket, needing something to hold onto as the kiss grew hotter, messier — the kind that made time stutter and your heart pound in your ears.

He tilted his head, deepening it even more, a low sound escaping from the back of his throat that made your knees threaten to give out. It wasn’t just desire in the kiss — it was something hungry, something that said he’d been waiting for this without even realizing it.

When you finally broke apart, both of you felt a little dizzy. He kept his forehead pressed to yours, breathing you in like you were oxygen.

"If we don't leave right now..." he murmured, his voice thick with desire, "... I’m not sure we ever will." He gently squeezed your waist, pulling you close to him.

You swallowed and nodded, your eyes staying closed for a moment while you centered yourself. 

Your eyes opened, and slowly, reluctantly pulled away from him, blushing, “I uhm, I need to grab my mask and purse.” 

You nodded to your living room, “Make yourself at home.” 

You went to turn away when he gasped and pulled you back, “Shit, I uhm, I got these for you…” he held up the bouquet between the two of you, smiling down at you. 

You leaned down and sniffed them, blushing as he watched. 

“Chocolate ranunculus…” he softly said. 

“I like them. They match my dress…” You smiled sweetly up at him. 

He tutted and tilted his head, biting his lip, “That may have been intentional, hermosa…”

You hummed and took them from him softly, “Well, I’m going to go put these in a vase before we leave… I’ll be quick.” You reached up on your toes and pecked his lips, leaving him smiling like a fool as you disappeared down the hall.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, still feeling the ghost of your lips, and began casually pacing your living room — taking in the framed photos, souvenirs, and small touches that felt undeniably you. 

His smile widened when he spotted a photo of you and Lila on your wall at the beach, arms wrapped around each other, laughing mid-splash. 

That’s when he heard it — the soft creak of movement behind the couch.

He tilted his head slowly. “You know,” he said, loud enough to be heard but still casual, “if you’re gonna spy on your sister’s love life, Lila, you should at least bring popcorn to enjoy the show.”

Lila popped up like a guilty meerkat, her expression caught somewhere between sheepish and exasperated. “I knew I should’ve hid in the coat closet,” she muttered.

He crossed his arms, grinning smugly. “That would’ve made it so much less suspicious...” He chuckled.

“Don’t look so proud of yourself, okay?” she grumbled. “I wasn’t spying. I was... waiting for my moment to escape when you two left.”

“By hiding behind a piece of furniture like a sitcom character?” he teased.

“You were early!” she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger. 

He just laughed. “I was on time!”

Just then, you reappeared, carrying a vase of freshly arranged flowers — and immediately froze.

“Oh my God.” You stared at the two of them, eyes wide. “Lila you didn’t just see—”

“She did,” he said, without missing a beat.

“She didn’t,” Lila cut in at the same time, trying to sidestep around him with her dignity barely intact.

“You did, you saw…” you groaned, half-laughing, half-mortified.

Lila chuckled, feeling your embarrassment, “I’m sorry… but for the record... you guys are adorable... all love sick and needy!” she teased.

You waved a hand at the door. “Just go. Get out. Shoo. Go. Vanish...”

Lila muttered something under her breath that made Harry chuckle, then finally slipped out, leaving the door swinging shut behind her.

He looked at you, still smiling. “You two really are sisters.”

You rolled your eyes, grabbing your clutch and mask. “Oh, stop it...” Your cheeks are still red with embarrassment. 

He chuckled lowly. “You’re cute when you’re like this…” he said, offering you his arm. “Ready?”

You looped your arm through his, still grinning as the two of you stepped out into the night — leaving behind the flowers, the laughter, and the sister-shaped chaos.

Ted drove the two of you to the Cipriani 25 Broadway venue.

When the two of you got inside, the hall was packed.

His hand was warm against the small of your back as the heavy doors creaked open before the two of you. For a moment, you both just stood there, the world inside the ballroom spilling out, enchanting you.

The hall was bathed in gold and shadow, candlelight flickering off marble columns — soaring, painted ceilings.

Nearly two hundred masked figures swirled and laughed, their movements weaving an intricate and glowing motion.

You could hear music coming from a hidden quartet, which made the atmosphere feel delicate and rich. 

You felt his breath hitch– you glanced up to find him already looking down at you. His dark suit caught the light just right. It was enough to hint at its texture — and the sharp line of his jaw was only partly hidden by the black Venetian mask he wore. He looked deliciously handsome, and you could instantly tell he was the envy of the room — as most of the women’s heads turned towards him. 

"You’re breathtaking," he murmured, low enough that only you could hear, his voice rough around the edges. His fingers squeezed gently at your waist to reassure himself that you were real and his.

You smiled behind your delicate, dark red mask and reached for his hand, threading your fingers through his with easy, intimate familiarity. “I feel quite lucky tonight…” 

He let out a soft chuckle as the two of you began strolling further inside to find a table. “Why’s that?” 

Sharp eyes behind jeweled masks raked over his tall frame, his dark suit cut to perfection, as he strode with quiet confidence.

And then they looked at you. At his hand, which you held. How close the two of you walked. At how his attention — his energy — and how it was wholly yours.

It felt electric. Intoxicating.

You lifted your chin slightly as you moved past them, feeling bold beneath your lace mask. Their stares didn’t shake you once. In fact, you felt emboldened by them. Let them look. Let them wonder who you were, and what you’d done to make him look at you the way he did.

“You seem to have been the goal for all the single ladies tonight, and I’m afraid I may have stepped on some toes... burst some bubbles…” You nodded towards a group of women — their eyes not so subtly watching the two of you, drinking champagne, surely gossiping about who you were and why you’re with him. 

Harry looked that way, then he stopped and slowly pulled you close, “Then why don’t we give them somethin’ better to stare and gossip about?” he grinned sinfully.

You barely had time to process the mischievous gleam in his eye before he slid his hand along your jaw, tilting your chin up toward him. The music, the crowd, the glittering spectacle of the ballroom — all of it blurred into nothing the second he leaned in.

His mouth captured yours in a slow, almost teasing kiss. His thumb brushed along your cheek as if he was savoring the moment, deepening it little by little until you felt yourself melting into him.

Gasps rippled through the nearby crowd that you’d just pointed out. You could feel the stares on you like a thousand tiny sparks, but you didn’t care. Not when his arms wrapped fully around you, drawing you so tightly against him that there was no mistaking it — no mistaking the claim he was making by doing this.

The kiss grew deeper, hungrier, his hand sliding down your spine in a way that made you arch instinctively closer. When he finally pulled back — reluctantly, slowly — he stayed close enough that you could still feel the brush of his breath against your mouth.

He grinned, all wickedness and charm.

“Think they got the message?” he murmured, softly nudging his nose against yours.

You barely found your voice. “Loud and clear.”

He chuckled low, stealing one more soft, lingering kiss before slipping his arm firmly around your waist and leading you further into the glittering masquerade, leaving behind a trail of envious stares and whispered speculation in your wake.

And you couldn’t help the smile that curved your lips.

If they weren’t watching before, they sure as hell were now.

The night went on with dinner and the importance of this event was discussed around you — closing the deal with Tets Investments. 

When the two of you sat down to eat dinner a few of his coworkers attempted to talk shop. However, he constantly shifted the conversation to topics you could be included in as well as the other plus ones. 

You admired how he spoke to others — he was confident but not arrogant. He made everyone feel welcome, included, and supported. It wasn’t a shock that there were so many people who came to say hello. Each time he’d hold you close, introduce you, and keep you involved in whatever was being discussed. 

Close to 9 o'clock, the rhythm slowed down, and the two of you stood in the back of the ballroom, sipping champagne, watching those on the dance floor.

Harry stood with his arm around your waist from behind, his chin resting on your shoulder. He whispered little facts or stories about certain people to you he'd pointed out, fully opening up his world — his life to you. 

You had never felt so welcomed into someone’s life. Everyone you’d been with in the last couple of years was always so shut off. They always had something to hide. They feared letting you get too close, or maybe you didn’t want to get that close deep down. But, things with Harry felt different. At some points, it's all too good to be true. You’ve thought he deserves better, but there he is, every time those thoughts come up, reassuring he wants nothing — nobody but you. 

—

The music shifted at one point—a slow, pulsing waltz began. Without a word, he moved from behind you and tugged gently at your hand, his other settling possessively at your waist. Your breath caught as he pulled you close, chest to chest, the heat of him sinking through the silk of your dress.

"You owe me a dance," he said, voice a low tease against the shell of my ear.

You smiled, tilting your head up toward him. "I don’t remember agreeing to that, handsome."

His mouth curved into a lazy, wicked grin. "You didn’t. I’m cashing it in anyway."

Before you could say another word, he guided you onto the floor, folding you into him so naturally it felt like both of you had danced this way a hundred times before. 

He pulled you closer, his hand sliding low on your back as you moved together, bodies swaying in time with the slow, sultry music. The candlelight flickered across his mask, but you could still see the warmth in his brown eyes — the way he looked at you like you were the only thing that mattered in the entire room.

He leaned in, his mouth brushing just beside your ear as he whispered, voice rich and teasing, "You know, I think you might just be my favorite view tonight."

Your breath caught, a smile curving your lips as a delicious shiver ran down your spine.

You tilted your head slightly, just enough to meet his gaze — playful, daring.

"Just tonight?" you teased.

He laughed under his breath, the sound low and intimate, and tightened his hold ever so slightly, pulling you even closer.

"Darlin', you've been my favorite view every night since that wedding..."

Your heart skipped wildly in your chest, the world around you fading even further away as you let yourself fall a little deeper into him.

The music slowed down as it wrapped around you both. His fingers tightened gently on yours, and without warning, he spun you out — just a step, just far enough that you caught a few eyes, those still envious of you and their stares aimed at you. 

You laughed, the sound light and breathless, and the moment your hand found his again, he pulled you right back in — closer than before.

The smile he wore was adoring and charming — he looked at you as if you were the moon and stars. 

Then, before you could catch your breath, he slid his hand down your back and dipped you low, his arm strong and sure behind you, the beautiful painted ceiling above you with the skylight creating a halo around his head. 

The world spun, tilted, and all you could do was cling to him, laughing, and breathless as you stared up into his smiling eyes.

"God, you're beautiful," he whispered, just for you.

He brought you up slowly, holding you so close your masks brushed, your noses almost touching, your breaths shared in the tiny space between you.

You clutched at his lapel, heart hammering in your chest, completely lost in the moment — but completely his.

You tilted your chin up and closed the distance between the two of you.

The kiss started slow, achingly slow — the two of you memorizing it all, the feeling of each other in one another's arms. 

But then he groaned low in his throat, a sound that went straight through you, causing an ache to stir deep below, between your legs. 

You deepened the kiss — heated, hungry, losing every bit of restraint you had pretended to have all night.

His hand slid higher, threading into the hair at the back of your head, anchoring you to him. 

When he finally pulled back after the song ended and started into a new one, his forehead rested against yours, both of you breathing hard, smiling without meaning to.

"God help me…" he muttered against your lips, "... you’re going to be the death of me tonight if you keep kissin’ me like that."

Before either of you could speak again — still breathless, still clinging to the high of that kiss, a deep, rich voice cut clean through the haze.

“There you are.”

You both turned slightly, still tangled together. A tall man in a navy velvet jacket stood a few feet away. He exuded the unmistakable air of people around him beckoning to his call.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” he added with a cheeky smile that said otherwise, “but I need a quick word with you before the Tets people get too deep into the champagne.” he nodded towards a group of people across the room, all enjoying the party. He turned to Harry, touching his shoulder, starting to pull him to join him, completely ignoring you. 

You felt Harry shift, his posture subtly straightening, and just like that, the man you’d been dancing with, the one who’d whispered things that still buzzed in your veins — slipping into something more polished, more composed. But his hand didn’t leave your waist, he didn’t let himself be pulled away towards the gentleman. 

“Of course, sir,” he said, then paused — just long enough to turn to you and place a steadying hand on the small of your back. “But before I disappear—” he looked back at the man, his voice smooth, but warm, “—I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend.”

‘Girlfriend? Did he really just say that?’

The word hung in the air for half a second longer than it should have, stealing the breath from your lungs and making your heart pound excitedly. 

Your eyes fluttered up at him, but he didn’t flinch — just gave you the softest, quickest squeeze at your side. His eyes flicked down, as if to say yes, I meant that, and I hope you’re okay with this, all at once.

A blush flared beneath my mask, but you managed a graceful and polite smile as the gentleman held out his hand for you to shake. 

You gently took it and quickly ran through your head at who he may be. He was someone higher than Harry who commanded respect. From conversations with him, the only person you could think of that he could be was the CEO, so you took a blind shot. “You must be Mr. Clarkson, it’s lovely to meet you, sir.” 

“Pleasure is all mine, sweetheart,” he said, gently shaking your hand.

'Bullseye. Thank god'

He offered a short soft smile. “Glad he’s not here alone — man needs someone to keep him grounded.”

You shook his hand and offered some polite response that you barely remembered the second it left your mouth, because your brain was still short-circuiting around that one word.

Girlfriend.

Mr. Clarkson nodded at Harry to follow him before walking away.

Harry leaned down again, his voice lower, private, “I’ll make this fast. Don’t run off too far.” he joked and gave you a quick wink. 

“Wouldn’t dream of it” You whispered back, still trying to keep the smile in your voice as your thoughts were running wild.

He brushed his lips against your cheek ever so softly.

Before you knew it, he turned to follow his boss toward the edge of the ballroom, already murmuring numbers and terms as they walked away — leaving you on cloud nine.

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[felassan]

Jason Schreier: "NEW: After the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, dozens of BioWare employees were told they were temporarily assigned to other projects within EA. This week, a twist: those temp assignments are now *permanent* transfers. And BioWare has shrunk. Story: [link] Dragon Age: The Veilguard was undeniably divisive, but to many who worked on it, it was a miraculous accomplishment to even ship a complete game after EA forced live-service into it, then reversed course. Now, their reward for the long hours and hard work is layoffs and transfers." [source]

Bloomberg article:

"Electronic Arts Slashes BioWare After ‘Dragon Age’ Sales Miss The studio has shrunk to less than 100 people following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed EA’s sales expectations by 50%, leading to cuts at the studio"

"Hi everyone. Today we’re diving into the cuts at Electronic Arts Inc.’s BioWare. BioWare magic Late last year, after the release of the new role-playing game Dragon Age: The Veilguard, dozens of employees at developer BioWare were given some staffing news. Moving forward, they were going to be loaned out to other teams within their parent company, Electronic Arts, where they would work on various upcoming games like Iron Man and Skate. The logic made sense. BioWare’s next game, a new installment in the popular sci-fi Mass Effect series, was in pre-production and did not need the entire studio. There were no other internal projects for everyone to work on. Instead of getting laid off, they would stay employed, working on other projects until Mass Effect was ready for them. But this week, the group was informed that the loans had morphed into permanent relocations, according to people familiar with what happened. They were no longer BioWare employees who were temporarily on assignment elsewhere; now, they worked for whichever EA subsidiary had borrowed them. If they want to work at BioWare again in the future, they would have to look for job openings and re-apply. This was an unwelcome development for some of the employees, who now find themselves on brand-new teams at studios they’d never planned to join. Some had come to BioWare to work on storied role-playing game franchises and found the idea of working on action or sports games less appealing. But at least they got to keep their jobs. During the same reorganization this week, around two dozen other people at BioWare were laid off, according to the people familiar, who asked not to be identified discussing nonpublic information. Writer Trick Weekes and producer Jen Cheverie said on Bluesky that they were among the veteran workers who’d been cut."

"BioWare is now down from more than 200 people two years ago to less than 100 today, according to the people familiar. A small team will remain to work on the next Mass Effect game — led by company veterans who oversaw the development on the original trilogy as well as on 2019’s Anthem — in hopes of expanding as the game gets further into production. The company announced the reorganization on Wednesday, saying it planned to “become a more agile, focused studio,” without mentioning the job cuts and the relocation of staff permanently to other studios. A spokesperson for EA declined to comment on specific numbers. It’s been a rough month for EA. Last week, the company’s shares plunged 18% after reporting preliminary holiday-season results that missed estimates and lowering its forecast for the fiscal year. The poor results were largely due to the underperformance of EA’s latest soccer game but the company also said that Dragon Age: The Veilguard reached 1.5 million players, missing sales expectations by 50%. What may be most surprising is that EA, which has a long history of shuttering studios after a failure, is keeping BioWare around. The once-revered RPG studio, founded in 1995 by a trio of doctors, released a string of beloved titles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including the first two Baldur’s Gate games, Dragon Age: Origins and the Mass Effect trilogy. But the studio has failed to release a hit since 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. Mass Effect: Andromeda, released in 2017, received mediocre reviews and was widely criticized for its bugs and uncanny animations. BioWare then pivoted to a live-service shooter with 2019’s Anthem, which was roundly panned and killed after less than two years. Both games were plagued by management issues, brutal deadline crunches and a belief — called “BioWare magic” — that everything would work out in the end."

"With the single-player Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which had its own turbulent development cycle and was rebooted multiple times, the studio hoped to win back lapsed fans. Despite generally positive reviews, the game proved to be divisive among players, with some criticizing the writing, art style and linear level design. But many observers and staff blame EA for the situation they put BioWare in — canceling an early version of Dragon Age in favor of one that would be required to have a “live-service” multiplayer component with recurring revenue, only to then reverse course, reverting once again back to the single-player format. It would be difficult for most game-makers to release something great under those conditions. Now, BioWare studio head Gary McKay and Mass Effect executive producer Mike Gamble are essentially looking to reboot the company as they plunge forward on their next game. It will be a long road ahead, and what emerges will be a very different BioWare. But at least for now, the studio will continue.""

[source]

[asestimationsconsultants]

Managing Complexity | How a Construction Estimating Service Handles Multi-Phase Projects

Introduction Multi-phase construction projects—whether for residential communities, commercial developments, or infrastructure builds—present a unique set of challenges. These projects require meticulous coordination across timelines, trades, and budgetary constraints. A construction estimating service becomes an indispensable asset in managing this complexity. By breaking the project into defined phases and applying structured estimating techniques, estimators help ensure clarity, efficiency, and financial control from planning through execution.

Understanding Multi-Phase Projects Multi-phase projects involve construction that unfolds in sequential or overlapping stages. Each phase might have its own design, scope, permitting requirements, and budget. Without careful cost planning, projects can suffer from cost overruns, resource misallocations, and scheduling conflicts. A construction estimating service mitigates these risks by producing phase-specific estimates that contribute to an accurate overall cost forecast.

Phase-Based Budgeting and Cash Flow Planning One of the primary contributions of a construction estimating service in multi-phase projects is segmented budgeting. Estimators prepare separate budgets for each project phase, allowing stakeholders to manage cash flow more effectively. This approach ensures that funding aligns with the project schedule and avoids unnecessary capital tie-ups in early phases.

Improved Forecasting with Historical Data and Cost Indices Construction estimating services often use historical data from similar projects to inform pricing for each phase. They also adjust for anticipated material and labor price fluctuations using industry cost indices. These forecasting tools are especially useful for long-term, multi-year projects where inflation or market volatility can have a significant financial impact.

Trade Coordination Across Phases Different phases may involve different trades or subcontractors, and proper sequencing is crucial. A construction estimating service helps coordinate trade involvement across phases, accounting for their availability, costs, and project dependencies. This avoids delays caused by poor scheduling or miscommunication between contractors.

Scope Definition and Scope Control In multi-phase projects, the scope of work for later phases often evolves as earlier stages are completed. A construction estimating service provides detailed documentation and clear scope definitions for each phase, reducing the likelihood of scope creep. Estimators also flag areas where cost contingencies may be needed, ensuring flexibility without compromising financial oversight.

Phase-Specific Risk Assessments Each phase of a project carries distinct risks—such as weather impacts during specific seasons, regulatory delays, or equipment mobilization needs. A skilled estimator evaluates these risks and integrates them into the phase-specific cost models. This proactive approach allows contractors and owners to make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of expensive surprises.

Technology Integration for Phase Tracking Modern construction estimating services utilize software that integrates estimating with project scheduling and management tools. This digital coordination enables real-time updates to budgets and forecasts as each phase progresses. Estimators can adjust estimates dynamically to reflect on-site conditions, scope changes, or updated client requirements.

Logistical Planning and Resource Optimization Multi-phase projects often require shared use of materials, labor, or equipment across different stages. Estimators help identify opportunities for resource optimization—for instance, bulk material purchases or long-term labor contracts that span multiple phases. This helps in controlling costs and reducing waste.

Inter-Phase Communication and Stakeholder Alignment Construction estimating services contribute to better communication between architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. They provide a financial roadmap for each phase that aligns everyone on the expected costs, deliverables, and timelines. This alignment minimizes rework, confusion, and last-minute budget adjustments.

Contingency Planning and Change Management In multi-phase projects, changes are inevitable. A construction estimating service builds in appropriate contingencies based on the complexity and uncertainty of each phase. Estimators also assist in pricing change orders accurately and swiftly, ensuring minimal disruption to both schedule and budget.

Regulatory and Permit Considerations by Phase Each phase may require separate regulatory approvals or permits. Estimators factor in the time and cost associated with these processes, including fees, consultant costs, and compliance-related expenses. This level of detail is crucial to avoid delays or cost escalations due to overlooked requirements.

Comprehensive Reporting for Long-Term Planning A professional construction estimating service provides consistent reporting and updates for each project phase. These reports offer insights on current costs, projected spending, and budget performance. They also help in adjusting long-term plans to align with real-time data, especially in projects lasting several years.

Conclusion Managing multi-phase projects is no easy task, but with a construction estimating service, it becomes significantly more feasible. These professionals bring structure to complex timelines, improve forecasting accuracy, and ensure financial discipline from start to finish. Whether it's a four-phase residential build or a multi-tower commercial complex, the role of an estimator is central to success, allowing project teams to move forward with confidence, clarity, and cost control.

[vague-humanoid]

Channel 12 News has reported that, despite the colossal damage caused by the Israeli army in Gaza, “the latest information paints a worrying picture.”

“It is estimated that about 3,000 new fighters have been recruited into the movement, equipped with weapons and ammunition … This development raises great concern among security officials in Israel, as it indicates Hamas’ ability to recover, despite the severe damage it suffered at the beginning of the war,” the Hebrew news outlet cited security officials as saying.

Last month, a joint study by the Critical Threats Project (CTP) and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) revealed that, after 10 months of war, the Israeli army managed to defeat only three out of a reported 24 battalions of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades.

“As of 1 July, only three of these 24 battalions were combat ineffective, meaning they were destroyed by the Israeli military,” CNN reported on 5 August, citing the study.

“If the Hamas battalions were largely destroyed [as Israel claims], Israeli forces wouldn’t still be fighting,” retired US Army Colonel Peter Mansoor told CNN. 

Former Israeli army ombudsman Yitzhak Brik said in late June that the numbers of Palestinian fighters the army claimed to have killed are false and that Israeli forces are taking severe losses while rarely coming face to face with them.

[reasonsforhope]

In the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the long study of a butterfly once thought extinct has led to a chain reaction of conservation in a long-cultivated region.

The conservation work, along with helping other species, has been so successful that the Fender’s blue butterfly is slated to be downlisted from Endangered to Threatened on the Endangered Species List—only the second time an insect has made such a recovery.

[Note: "the second time" is as of the article publication in November 2022.]

To live out its nectar-drinking existence in the upland prairie ecosystem in northwest Oregon, Fender’s blue relies on the help of other species, including humans, but also ants, and a particular species of lupine.

After Fender’s blue was rediscovered in the 1980s, 50 years after being declared extinct, scientists realized that the net had to be cast wide to ensure its continued survival; work which is now restoring these upland ecosystems to their pre-colonial state, welcoming indigenous knowledge back onto the land, and spreading the Kincaid lupine around the Willamette Valley.

First collected in 1929 [more like "first formally documented by Western scientists"], Fender’s blue disappeared for decades. By the time it was rediscovered only 3,400 or so were estimated to exist, while much of the Willamette Valley that was its home had been turned over to farming on the lowland prairie, and grazing on the slopes and buttes.

Pictured: Female and male Fender’s blue butterflies.

Now its numbers have quadrupled, largely due to a recovery plan enacted by the Fish and Wildlife Service that targeted the revival at scale of Kincaid’s lupine, a perennial flower of equal rarity. Grown en-masse by inmates of correctional facility programs that teach green-thumb skills for when they rejoin society, these finicky flowers have also exploded in numbers.

[Note: Okay, I looked it up, and this is NOT a new kind of shitty greenwashing prison labor. This is in partnership with the Sustainability in Prisons Project, which honestly sounds like pretty good/genuine organization/program to me. These programs specifically offer incarcerated people college credits and professional training/certifications, and many of the courses are written and/or taught by incarcerated individuals, in addition to the substantial mental health benefits (see x, x, x) associated with contact with nature.]

The lupines needed the kind of upland prairie that’s now hard to find in the valley where they once flourished because of the native Kalapuya people’s regular cultural burning of the meadows.

While it sounds counterintuitive to burn a meadow to increase numbers of flowers and butterflies, grasses and forbs [a.k.a. herbs] become too dense in the absence of such disturbances, while their fine soil building eventually creates ideal terrain for woody shrubs, trees, and thus the end of the grassland altogether.

Fender’s blue caterpillars produce a little bit of nectar, which nearby ants eat. This has led over evolutionary time to a co-dependent relationship, where the ants actively protect the caterpillars. High grasses and woody shrubs however prevent the ants from finding the caterpillars, who are then preyed on by other insects.

Now the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are being welcomed back onto these prairie landscapes to apply their [traditional burning practices], after the FWS discovered that actively managing the grasslands by removing invasive species and keeping the grass short allowed the lupines to flourish.

By restoring the lupines with sweat and fire, the butterflies have returned. There are now more than 10,000 found on the buttes of the Willamette Valley."

-via Good News Network, November 28, 2022

[draconym]

nightshade is basically useless https://www.tumblr.com/billclintonsbeefarm/740236576484999168/even-if-you-dont-like-generative-models-this

I'm not a developer, but the creators of Nightshade do address some of this post's concerns in their FAQ. Obviously it's not a magic bullet to prevent AI image scraping, and obviously there's an arms race between AI developers and artists attempting to disrupt their data pools. But personally, I think it's an interesting project and is accessible to most people to try. Giving up on it at this stage seems really premature.

But if it's caption data that's truly valuable, Tumblr is an ... interesting ... place to be scraping it from. For one thing, users tend to get pretty creative with both image descriptions and tags. For another, I hope whichever bot scrapes my blog enjoys the many bird photos I have described as "Cheese." Genuinely curious if Tumblr data is actually valuable or if it's garbage.

That said, I find it pretty ironic that the OP of the post you linked seems to think nightshade and glaze specifically are an unreasonable waste of electricity. Both are software. Your personal computer's graphics card is doing the work, not an entire data center, so if your computer was going to be on anyway, the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to what AI generators are consuming.

Training a large language model like GPT-3, for example, is estimated to use just under 1,300 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity; about as much power as consumed annually by 130 US homes. To put that in context, streaming an hour of Netflix requires around 0.8 kWh (0.0008 MWh) of electricity. That means you’d have to watch 1,625,000 hours to consume the same amount of power it takes to train GPT-3. (source)

So, no, I don't think Nightshade or Glaze are useless just because they aren't going to immediately topple every AI image generator. There's not really much downside for the artists interested in using them so I hope they continue development.

[durtblog]

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[drdemonprince]

I don't think I have it in me to be an abolitionist because I read that horrible story about the trans teen murdered in South Carolina and my knee jerk reaction is, those people should rot in jail, ideally forever, or worse. No matter how I look at it I can't make myself okay with the idea that you should be allowed to steal someone's life in such a horrible way and then just go back to enjoying your life. Some stuff is just too over the top evil.

You can have whatever emotions you want about that person's murderous actions, but the reality is that the carceral justice system is one of the largest sources of physical, emotional, and sexual torment for transgender people on this planet.

Transgender people are ten times more likely to be assaulted by a fellow inmate and five times more likely to be assaulted by a corrections officer, according to a National Center for Transgender Equality Report.

Within the prison system, transgender people are frequently denied gender-affirming medical care, and housed in populations that do not match their identity, which increases their odds of being beaten and sexually assaulted.

The alternative to being incorrectly housed with the wrong gendered population is that transgender people are also frequently held in solitary confinement instead, often for far longer periods on average than their non-transgender peers, contributing to them experiencing suicide ideation, self harm, acute physiological distress, a shrunk hippocampus, muscculoskeletal pain, chronic condition flare-ups, heart disease, reduced muscle tone, and numerous other proven effects of solitary confinement.

The prison system is also one of the largest sites of completely unmitigated COVID spread, among other illnesses, with over 640,000 cases being directly linked to prison exposure, according to the COVID prison project.

We know that number is rampantly under-estimated because prisoners, especially trans ones, are frequently denied medical care. And even basic, essential physical care. Just last year a 27-year-old Black man named Lason Butler was found dead in his cell, having perished of dehydration. He had been kept in a cell without running water for two weeks, where he rapidly lost 40 pounds before perishing. His body was covered in rat bites.

This kind of treatment is unacceptable for anyone, no matter who they are and what they have done, and I shouldn't have to explicitly connect the dots for you, but I will. One in six transgender people has been to prison, according to Lambda Legal. One in every TWO Black transgender people has been to prison. One in five Black men go to prison in America.

THIS is the fate you are consigning all these people to when you say that prisons must exist because there are really really bad people out in the world. We should all know by not that this is not how the carceral justice system works. Hate crime laws are under-utilized, according to Pro Publica, and result in few convictions. The people who commit transphobic acts of violence tend to be given softer sentences than the prisoners who resemble their victims.

We must always remember that the violent tools of the prison system will be used not against the people that we personally consider to be the most "deserving" of punishment, but rather against whomever the state considers to be its enemy or to be a disposable person.

You are not in control of the prison system and you cannot ensure it will be benevolent. You are not the police, the judge, the jury, or the corrections officers. By and large, the people who are in these roles are racist, transphobic, ableist, and victim-blaming, and they will use the power and violence of the system to terrorize people in poverty, Black people, trans people, "mad" people, intellectually disabled people, women, and everyone else that you might wish to protect from harm with a system of "punishment." Nevermind that incaraceration doesn't prevent future harm anyway.

You can't argue for incarceration as the tool of your revenge fantasies, you have to argue for it as the tool that it actually is. The purpose of a system is what it does. And the prison system's purpose has never been to protect or avenge vulnerable trans people. It has always been to beat them, sexually assault them, forcibly detransition them, render them unemployable, disconnect them from all community, neglect them, and unperson them.

[ngage2003]

Marble Hornets is a series that I would say largely doesn't have plot holes, and this is honestly mostly due to the fact that they never specify much, but that being said though, there is a massive one that often goes unnoticed in the fandom, and happens to intersect with one of my favorite things as a Marble Hornets Scholar—the actual ages of our colorful cast of characters.

"Gage!" You might be crying right about now. "But we don't know the specific ages of any of the characters!" And that is where you're wrong.

We can estimate the ages of at least three characters in the Marble Hornets cast, and there is a clear problem therein.

Alex is the easiest, where we are blatantly told he was born in 1986, on April 4th.⁽¹⁾ This would mean during the filming of Marble Hornets he would 19 or 20 years old, and probably the latter since a film project like he was undertaking would probably be closer to a summative than early in the year.

Additionally, his age would probably mean he is in his second year of college, provided he didn't take a gap year.

This is actually further backed up by the fact that we know Brian is a third year in college.⁽²⁾ This is something specifically highlighted on the Marble Hornets website under the Cast tab as if its out of the ordinary, meaning the rest of the cast are probably in their second year if I had to guess.

This puts everyone's ages at probably around 19-20 in 2006.

Easy, yeah?

But then comes the topic of Tim, that being that we can actually estimate his age due to another factor, his medical records from Entry 60.5.

During a hospital visit on December 20th 1995, it is stated that Tim has completed or is in his 2nd year of education.⁽³⁾ And at that time Tim weighs 21 kg and is 107 centimeters tall, which translates to 46.297 pounds and 42.126 inches, which are either on the extreme low side of healthy for an eight year old boy, or moderately healthy for a 7 year old boy.⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾

For those not in the know, the age for 2nd graders is 7-8 years old, and the age for 3rd is 8-9.

And that is the issue. Because that would mean that in fall of 2005-early 2006, Tim would be either 18 or even 17, and maybe not even realistically graduated from highschool, as his birthday is June 19th⁽⁶⁾ meaning it would still only have been 10 birthdays rather than 11 between then and the recording of Marble Hornets.

It goes without saying that this is a massive discrepancy, and probably an unintentional one because if Brian's being a third year was being highlighted, then this definitely would have been in my opinion—especially if this was for Alex's class presumably as a second year.

There is just little to no time for Brian and Tim to realistically meet and become friends if this is his age, or for Tim to even attend college, seeing as he was probably fresh out of the mental health institution and probably didn't even have the right credentials to go.

It is a mindboggling misstep, and in my opinion is one that should be totally discounted in any fan project, but is a blatant hole in the lore of Marble Hornets.

Tim is simultaneously a second year at college and 17-18. Marble Hornets has pocket dimensions of time apparently.

Thanks for reading.

(1) "Alex Kralie, born April 4th 1986," (https://web.archive.org/web/20150425230637/http://www.marblehornets.com/castcrew.html) (2) "Brian has been attending the university for three years, and is hoping to graduate after his next couple of semesters," (https://web.archive.org/web/20150425230637/http://www.marblehornets.com/castcrew.html) (3) There is some information that is filled in improperly on the record of Tim's hospital visit, such as the question, "Have you been hospitalized at our facility in the past 7 days" being answered with "No" despite the fact that Tim was very much hospitalized. It is in this same assessment where the question, "Last grade in school attended" is answered with "2," and due to the fact some stuff has been filled out kinda awkwardly, I think its debatable if that means he is in second grade or completed it. (4) (https://childrenswi.org/medical-care/adolescent-health-and-medicine/issues-and-concerns/adolescent-growth-and-development/normal-growth) (5) (https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/health-library/normal-growth) (6) Confirmed by Tim Sutton in the 3rd Cast Commentary at 1:07:28. (https://youtu.be/Z6FJvU651Sw?t=4044) Thank you @unholyslasher for helping me pinpoint that!