#flow application

[exquisitetomarrymortcorpse]

Hello everyone!

This is a secret poll to tentatively sniff out interest for another Exquisite Tomarrymort Corpse next year - Corpse 2024 wraps up in a little over two months (a crazy thing to type 😱), and I’d expect we’d take a blessed one month off before jumping back into things again! 😂

So, just like this year, Corpse 2025 would “start” in March - that’s when we would post the sign-up form, confirm our first and last participants, and do outreach for dates - then officially begin in April (or, in this case, on March 31st!)

To remind everyone, this is what the Exquisite Tomarrymort Corpse is:

An Exquisite Corpse is a game in which each participant adds to a fanfiction in sequence, by being allowed to see only the end of what the previous person contributed. (This does apply to artists as well!)

[here-comes-the-moose]

I feel like Crosshair’s (the rest of the batch’s too tbh) reaction to the people of Pabu would be like my reaction when I moved from the city I spent most of my life in to the one I went to college in. My home city has a (very well-deserved) reputation for being full of rude people (amongst other things) so I was used to that and didn’t think anything of it. However, when I moved to a different city for college and was at the supermarket someone in line with me started chatting with me and complimenting my outfit, and I was trying to act normal because internally I was freaking tf out I was like “who is this person and what do they want from me? Oh my goodness what if this is like the intro of a true crime show?” So then after I pay I RUSH to my dad and am looking over my shoulder like “we need to leave and be careful that person was very suspicious and asking how my day was and complimenting my outfit.” And my dad was like “umm…people are just friendly here? We’re not in X anymore.” It took a while for me to get used to it and I still haven’t fully.

But yeah I feel like that’s what Crosshair’s first reaction to Pabu would be.

[nyssasatelier]

Epic animatic update :

I'm still suffering

I kind of hate this actually

[ophazines]

Here are the results of the interest check! There were 185 responses. Thank you so much for your interest!

[batsplat]

i also think that marc’s single minded focus leads him to ignore people who are significantly less talented than him (no offense). it seems like there are some people who would LIKE to beef with marc, but he simply catalogues their crimes against him (or however he sees it) and uses that as motivation to very tidily beat them. and maybe vale was more ready to “stoop to their level” so to speak — although, like you said, MOST of his feuds were with quite talented riders

(follow up to this) all of them were quite talented riders! but again, what you're talking about can really be explained through competitive necessity. marc's career has quite a few seasons where he's well clear of the field and quite a few seasons where he's not competitive at all, whereas valentino has far more seasons where he's top three of the championship without being completely dominant. that's the thing right, marc's spats aren't with riders he's currently engaged with title fights in. and valentino wasn't doing all that much stooping either - he too has various minor spats of the marc variety... but they've been forgotten about because it just wasn't that serious. all of valentino's major feuds are with riders he got into title fights with

I'm not saying that marc isn't single minded or that he isn't arrogant, because obviously he's both of those things. and yes, he does tend to adopt quite an isolationist approach in that he mostly keeps the grid at a distance. and yes, sometimes riders criticise him and he mostly does not engage. but at the same time, all the spats you're thinking about here just aren't the kind of things that escalated into feuds for valentino either, so you're comparing apples and oranges really. the closest point of comparison we have is valentino's rivalries with biaggi/sete escalating and marc's with dovi not doing so... but like. marc isn't ignoring a string of provocations in that rivalry. there's just more compelling reasons you can point to for that not escalating, like the competitive stakes in the marc/dovi rivalry or indeed dovi's personality. you can also point to valentino being more proactive in the biaggi rivalry - but valentino wasn't stopping at that point. he didn't have some divine insight to know his talent levels were greater than biaggi several years before they began competing on-track. when he triggers that feud, he is for all intents and purposes the underdog in that dynamic

the closest you get to a marco bezzecchi-type situation for valentino is... I mean, honestly even melandri is pushing it because that guy was at least runner up to valentino and theoretically might have come to pose a competitive threat - but notably, that's actually a dynamic where you can say valentino was going by the marc playbook in brushing off questions about the conflict, kinda just ignoring it was happening while going about his business. valentino also wouldn't beef with an alex rins equivalent, not at the 2019!marc stage of his career, unless there were a compelling competitive justification... likewise, valentino isn't notably more proactive in roughing up dani and casey in 2006 than marc is with fabio in 2019 - they go about it a little differently, yes, but broadly it's on the same reasonably muted level of shenanigans. marc has more low level beef with various riders on the grid than valentino did, partly just because he's less well-liked in general, but he's not been put into situations where that was ever going to escalate into a full-blown feud. now, if you put jorge in these scenarios then, yes, I imagine that absolutely could get... unpleasant, and he's got more of an inclination to punch down anyway. but valentino? nope. remember, he generally had a reputation for being an affable rider and getting along with most of his competitors. obviously we focus more on the feuds now because they're so flashy and memorable, but that's a very very long career - and one that's reasonably light on any major beef with anyone who wasn't one of his main career rivals

anyway, look, again I'm not saying you're wrong necessarily in that marc is more inclined to withdraw than valentino is. and he DOES have some alien-based tunnel vision, hence dovi not getting any attention in his self-produced documentary. or that thing he's been doing in pressers this year where he starts reminiscing about fighting the aliens at any conceivable opening while a deeply unaffected pedro acosta sits next to him. like, I do agree with you about what marc's working process typically looks like, I just don't think it's really the reason why he's been slumming it on the feud count. valentino himself tended to brush off most instances of his competitors being critical towards him because he could afford to, and only got into feuds against rivals who were broadly speaking on his level. in valentino's feud with casey, valentino didn't have the option of dismissing casey. there was no stooping involved - because casey was not a less talented rider than valentino. casey's the extreme example, but it's true in general of valentino's rivals. yes, the working process might look different, but broadly speaking marc and valentino were exactly as likely to start feuds with riders they have never been in a title fight with - aka not at all. marc might be more inclined to cut himself off from the rest of the grid than valentino was, but unfortunately he's also had rather an easy task on his hands in that regard. he's not had anyone both willing to beef with him and capable of posing a significant enough competitive threat (when he himself has been competitive). shame, really

[skybristle]

ok fuck it here's the entire pre mass ascension section of my lore doc. are you guys fed

Before the void fluid revolution, the area that would eventually host the BH local group was very, very highly populated by ancients. Close-ish to the equator, with a coast to the west and a mountain range to the east, it became a breeding ground for multiple societies, most notably a fishing/port city that would become highly influential in a future important ancient’s development [winky face].

This high population inspired multiple gen 1 iterators to be built in the same rough area, an unusual practice normally! [this would end up being disastrous, but foresight doesn't seem to be the ancients’ forte].

The first iterator to be constructed was Plunging Flows of Ash, by the architect Black Sand Hourglass, Racing Towards the Start, for the exclusive purpose of… well… solving the problem, as all early iterators. This is notable however because it kind of defines his entire character. He takes his original purpose to heart - to solve the problem for his creators, but nothing more. As a prototype iterator, he has a LOT of struggles with functionality especially when being stretched beyond his means, but it’s also an attitude thing. When he eventually gets his city, Novus, he’s pretty pissy and negligent to it, not to mention his systems cannot keep up especially as his city continues to innovate and modernize on his old bones. He’s generally just… very lazy and apathetic and self centered, wanting to push anything he sees as ‘not his problem’ onto others and refusing to adapt and change.

ENTER Pleas to Limitless Light, Three Scorched Corridors, a very hardworking ancient whom was set on building her own iterator through the Global Iterator Project. Through a very long and arduous construction, she led the Countless Swirling Sparks project- named after her incredibly elaborate and intuitive AI base designed to approach problems in a streamlined and innovative manner- her name originally refers to sparks of innovation!

As Corridors spent decades on the project, she got increasingly more exhausted and lost passion for it, though had to see it through. After a point, she was mostly concerned about leaving behind her legacy of the House of Currents she hailed from and raising an equally brilliant successor. So, as the project is closing, she has a son, Seven Praised Rays, Sun Setting West, laying the pressure on thick for him to take her place as soon as possible so she can ascend. We’ll get back to him later. :3c

The third iterator to be constructed is Erupting Maw- notable because her architect, An Empty Caldera, Rope Held Taught is foreign- sent by the Global Iterator project to prospect and lead construction. While most of the local area is generally accepting, there’s been a much growing tension regarding the effect of building so many iterators, not just in their area but also globally. The rains are getting worse, and a lot of people who can’t afford to move up to live on top of the iterators are dying or suffering in hastily built shelters. In theory, while divisive, Maw’s construction would have led to much more living space for the local population in her city, many people were frustrated that this was just adding to the problems. Many were leaving, with plans being drafted to gain more space by any means necessary- though they awaited Maw’s construction with baited breath.

…This faith would end up being severely misplaced.

After Maw was online, but before Solaris was constructed and the only population was the workers who spent decades building up her divine superstructure, she noticeably began to… shift. This could partially be attributed to her creator, Caldera, a rather judgemental and egotistical person who was extremely prideful of its work, but Maw went far beyond that. Slowly but surely, she convinced her dear creator that, frankly, her purpose was misplaced- they spent decades building a god of biomaterial and metal, only to force her to waste her time attending to impoverished surface dwellers and solving a meaningless problem when they already had void fluid. Maw could instead spend her time being a generous god to the few who earned it by building her. Especially as time went on, Caldera, and future admins, essentially became a puppet to Maw’s will with her being the sole god of her city. And to her devoted followers, Maw was a generous and devoted goddess- but to outsiders looking in, the city was essentially a cruel and xenophobic cult with unknown limits on what they would do to protect the sanctity of their holy grounds.

Considering that everyone was waiting on Maw’s construction to escape the rains- and her structure only accelerated the issue, and the Great Equalizer really began to set in, there was all out panic. Novus couldn’t take on any more than Ash already had, Axon was already densely populated, and Solaris’ puppet government was refusing immigration on any basis even as people were dying from floods below.

To understand the following- I have to pick back up on Rays’ story, a bit before the point we’re currently at. This is where the lore and characters start getting really fleshed out and juicy I promise

After Sparks had finished development in Rays’ infancy, he practically lived and breathed her existence. From when he was very young- she was a continued presence in his life. Back then, Sparks was a very kind and friendly, maybe even a little whimsical, iterator- very committed to her task and to helping people both within her city and far beyond it, Ancients and other Iterators alike. She’s a bit jittery, nervous, enthusiastic, and maybe too hardworking for her own good- but generally speaking she’s happy!

This often manifests in the actions towards her mentor [later this would be labeled ‘Senior’], Ash. He is… not very excited to have the iterator equivalent of an eager puppy pestering him, especially with his established disdain for being given work outside of the Problem. Rather than actually help his appointed mentee, he spends much of Corridors’ administration and beyond whining to her about his problems with his city and all of these distractions, especially later on as his disdain for the younger iterators ‘replacing’ him grows.

Sparks looks at this less with annoyance and rejection and- initially, with pity. She thinks, with her innovative structure and the big aspirations behind her development- it wouldn’t hurt to help her group member out, yeah? And Ash just… keeps taking and taking and taking and sucking her dry, basically since construction, as she begins to shoulder this feeling of responsibility that she really shouldn’t have especially at the prospect of more iterators being built in the local area. She is however desperate for companionship and someone to listen, especially someone older and more respected than her- so she persists. She doesn’t really begin to realize how fucked the whole arrangement is until way, way later- she’s a bit lost and young and just trying to be kind.

As for Rays, he’s a very nervous, somewhat sickly, and isolated child, almost entirely consumed by the weight of his family’s reputation and Corridors practically breathing down his neck for a successor. He struggles to remember the time when he was very young and she was kinder to him. He’s very aware of the fact he will inherit the administrative position [nepotism is pretty common in elite ancient circles], and while he’s far from lazy he’s almost kind of… detached to and afraid of it? Trying to languish in the present rather than confront the future, as the work piles on from an early age. He’s very stressed and antisocial.

Until college [or well, their equivalent], that is, in one of the many prestigious schools located in Axon. He meets two very key people who change the trajectory of all of their lives, making a deeply bonded friend group along the way.

A Cherished Melody, from Riverbeds to Reefs comes from the surface, specifically the western coastal city, having fought tooth and nail with a brilliant and hardworking mind to make it up onto the prestigious iterator cities. It’s loud and rambunctious and brings a very radical perspective to the table- in basically all things, but especially religion. It essentially believed that the construct of the karmas and the crushing societal norms that came with it were ultimately unimportant in the face of the void- and that you should just live life to the fullest and take the plunge to the void when you felt ready. Beyond that, it is an immensely earnest, loyal, and inspiring person, if extremely stubborn.

Similarly, Glowing Amber Sap, Weeping from a Punctured Abyss also hails from the surface- but under much different circumstances. Coming to Axon from the deeply religious areas of the southeast [near the fissure/in the future where Starlight’s can is], the intention of their education was for future monkhood. However, especially living in the somewhat more liberal city, they end up growing deeply dissatisfied with that future and place their perspective more on their love for humanitarianism and conservation. As the world is reshaped under iterators and populated by purposed organisms, and their home temple is razed by rainfall, they feel like they’re the only one seeing this disaster about to unfold as the general tensions [mentioned in the maw section] bubble. Though, knowing they’re well past the point of no return on iterators, they instead wish to conserve pre-equalizer fauna and build more green space for everyone.

Those dreams are far in the future though- for now, Amber’s still grappling with religious guilt and the tear between their aspirations and their home, and consequently they find themselves drawn to Reefs and its radicalism. Similarly, they end up taking Rays under their wing, initially out of Reef’s conviction. As a bonded little pack, Reefs especially motivates Rays to be a better person- rather than cruise on the nepotism, to truly work and earn the position he has, not for reputation or glory but to do good as he’s been handed the chance to. Together, the three of them move into iterator technician work and education with genuinely really purehearted intentions!!! [i sure hope nothing crushes that]

Predictably, about as soon as Rays can support himself, his mother Corridors departs to the void and leaves big shoes to fill. He fumbles, badly, especially at first, but as he matures and evens himself out [especially with the support of his growingly ambitious and prestiged best friends] he becomes a genuinely really capable administrator! He ends up getting genuinely really close with Sparks- she’s friendly and receptive and he spent much of his childhood around her, after all. They’re good friends and he takes his role as her voice in High Council matters extremely seriously, working hand in hand with Reefs especially as it becomes her head technician after a couple decades.

Meanwhile, as the rain crisis accelerates, Amber departs from work on Sparks to instead focus on their own iterator proposition in line with their ideals from college, eventually formulating into the plans for Budding Ochre Opportunities and more importantly to them, her city of Haven where they can execute all of their plans. That project will take many years- and the crisis is here, now, especially as the situation in Solaris boils over and they make it known they will not accept citizens [I know, I’m finally getting back to where we left off]

The response is- predictably, all out fucking panic, as people on the surface begin trying to clamber to Axon in droves and its impossible to accommodate them as the surface becomes practically unlivable.

As a consequence of this, Axon’s High Council comes to a horrifying conclusion- They resolve to expand Sparks’ structure to accommodate more living blocks. Anyone actually working in the iterator and understanding their function [rays and reefs] are rightfully extremely opposed to this- they are living breathing people and you can’t just go tacking on additional body parts and expect it to go well when Sparks was already highly ambitious at her current scale. Even from a mechanical standpoint- they’re incredibly complex machines and trying to slap on additional support structures and jamming iterator neural tissue in there is essentially bound for disaster, power or coolant failures, etc.

Given the decades of bubbling fear and tension that have exploded, however, their protests fall on deaf ears. While Rays is forced to manage this unfurling catastrophe and break the news, Reefs has its arm twisted into actually carrying it out. Sparks… reacts as well as one would expect.

While she recognized the growing tension and unease, and was kind of anticipating a high workload and perhaps a rather large and mismanaged city- this was beyond precedent. Especially considering this decision was made for her in High Council meetings, behind closed doors, no overseers allowed. Her pleas are basically ignored, as Rays tries in vain to placate her [out of deep care and knowing he really doesn’t have the power here, but from her perspective it looks terrible], as her piping and external plating are torn open to quickly and painfully assemble half-assed expansions.

Beyond the betrayal from her creators, her world also begins closing in on her from the fellow Iterator side of things. Scared and desperate, she pleads to Ash as an authority and as her senior to do something, but he at best makes a halfhearted attempt to force broadcast Maw which only gives her the opportunity to mock Sparks, step all over her, and then promptly go ‘lol no’. Ash throws in the towel then and there, acting incredibly dismissive and ambivalent towards Sparks’ agony despite how much she felt she did for him and her desperation, fragmenting even more of her trust and eventually leading her to believe any relationship is transactional and she will inevitably be stabbed in the back. [that’s a GREAT and HEALTHY lesson to internalize sparks GOOD JOB this will not lead to any consequences whatsoever]

And Sparks is fucking angry, not to mention beyond hurt. Beyond the extreme overstimulation and immense pain and electrical storms from desperate overclocking to get this whole mess functional- her trust and compassion and eagerness has been completely shattered under a tide of exhaustion and agony.

Of course, being subjected to this with virtually no outlet gives her cause to turn her rage and frustration on someone, and who better than her admin, the person who swore to be her voice and then “””stood by””” while this was done to her. Their relationship breaks down over several meetings as she turns on him and basically just takes everything he says as bad faith as possible to further her rants, barely listening to him no matter how desperately he cares and the guilt crushing both him and Reefs [more on that later].

Hitting a fever pitch in one of their many many arguments, as Rays attempts to humanize her by thinking of the little things with a gift and Sparks reacting as if he’s trying to buy her complacency, the electricity failures Sparks experiences overflows into her chamber and electrocutes Rays. Reefs is the one to catch his drone’s SOS signal and drag him out. [hey i made a comic about that!]

While Sparks is shut down while they figure out what happened, Rays recovers in hospital with Reefs at his side [also trying to manage the unfolding crisis as the second in command for Sparks- yeah it’s not having a good time] as Amber rushes back to Axon from Ochre’s groundwork.

At this point, Rays has fully sunk into his guilt and self hatred for what he feels he let happen [it would have happened regardless but that doesnt matter] and urges his friends to leave Axon [and leave him behind] while they still can. Reefs protests this, of course, its loyalty runs deep and not even these circumstances will shake it, but in the end both of them are extremely guilty people over what they did to Sparks and Rays convinces it it can do something right by departing and building its own iterator- to help relieve this burden and as an excuse to escape Axon sponsored by the House of Currents. Reefs’ iterator drafts go on to become Resonant Chimes. [hey i ALSO made a comic about THIS!] [this is the last comic don't get excited]

As Chimes is developed [again, gen 2 iterators still took quite a while], he goes from a project of obligation to something Reefs has fallen in love with [in a familial way]. It ends up very dedicated to its kid, even with all of its stress about Rays and its past, but it is able to move on through working on him. Unfortunately, this is where their tight-knit friend group begins to fragment and part ways, with Rays ascending not too long after Chimes and Ochre complete construction.

Yeah, with all that guilt and baggage and him never being able to reconcile things with Sparks? His ascension comes less because he’s prepared and more because he’s so desperate to escape while not betraying his family legacy and Corridors- and this is the only socially acceptable way for him to leave his position behind. He echoes, lingering about Sparks’ structure long past his society’s time. [HEY i made a PMV about this!]

As for Ochre and Chimes- they come to be as a pair, basically inseparable from the beginning. Besides their creators being long term friends and their twin constructions, they also compliment eachother very well!

Resonant Chimes was established with his kindness in mind- fostered very much by his parent Reefs. He had a focus on citizens, rather than working much on the problem, and took to that job with great pleasure! Following Reefs experiences with Sparks, it puts immense stress on his autotomy as a person and gives him a lot of freedom. Continuing that thread, its House of Tides [named after its mother, who passed due to the rains during the Sparks crisis] was built on a fundamental level of trust and a very close working relationship between technicians and maintenance & the governmental structure, which Chimes even occasionally got the opportunity to partake in [and even then, the point was that everyone in power over him was trusted by him. If he ever got extreme icks from someone who he was placed in the care of then he had the option to do something about it, unlike so many of his kind]

His deep relationship with his city manifests out of his choice to help the people of his city above all else because that’s just… the kind of person he is. Helping people, engaging in their rituals, getting dressed up, etc makes him immensely happy for CENTURIES. He loves being social and helping people, even with his awareness of their incompatible lifespans. He’s completely dependent on them to feel whole, in a way. The mutualism and synergy between him and Chorus is incredibly notable.

Ochre, meanwhile, has a much more modest personality. Flor’s facility is more focused on quaint things like pigment production and local manufacturing of crafts, with the city of Haven itself being on the smaller side and largely self-sufficient with their vast green spaces and solar panels. Not to mention, her own admin and architect, Amber, remained more focused on the conservation efforts within Haven. Their relationship with Ochre was typically cordial, but distant. Due to her shy personality, she ended up really drawn to Chimes and his kindness and sociability. Paired with a close working relationship and her own earnest passion, they stay extremely close as friends [and more later on].

Events within the Local Group became significantly more relaxed after that, though the expansions crisis would continue to haunt the group, both in its iterators and politics. Sparks would continue to substitute as senior for Ash as the group expanded, though would long shed that enthusiasm and joy that drove it, sinking into a sense of obligation as she slowly grew more disillusioned and frustrated with Ash as her pain and workload piled on and she forced herself through it all. She created such a complex mask- because she had to- that as events proceeded she would genuinely begin to believe she was okay and had moved on. [trust me, she hadn’t, and it's festering! we’ll get to that :3]

The next iterator to be constructed is Reaching For Caged Starlight, by a foreign architect imported by the Global Iterator Project, At Place Among the Stars, Spirals of Billowing Silk. While generally unremarkable, it is notable that these circumstances of construction led to a sort of mistrust and distance from the interconnected trio of Axon, Haven, and Chorus. That was fine for the most part, with both xeir government and Starlight herself more interested in quietly working on the problem without external management.

Based on asts location, next to a natural fissure close to the void and a corresponding temple that was once of great importance, its city develops a culture where void baths certainly cannot be a true path to the void, as only the great Sea is holy in of itself, with void fluid extracted from it just being a material. Essentially, they believed in a fundamental version of the “old path” where one must travel directly to the void sea at the end of their life. While Starlight doesn’t care much for her citizens and they in turn respectfully leave her to her work, this mindset became a fact of life that would be warped severely when they were gone,the solution became a point of frustration, and a dash of Sliverism on top.

Proceeding onwards, the 7th iterator to be built in the area is A Glittering Aurora, likely the last without certain circumstances transpiring. Her project was spearheaded by Ten Hollow Pines Pointing Towards Snowcapped Poles, with the most notable parts of their background being their upbringing in Chorus. Though born well after its ascension, he took Reefs’ methodology to heart and greatly admired it, as well as having a background in bioengineering working with Chimes, an iterator he cared deeply for.

When it was allowed to work on an iterator of its own, it, of course, carried this relaxed attitude and immense stress on autonomy into the project. Unfortunately, his view of Reefs was greatly warped, and he frankly neglected the immense amount of work and patience Reefs put into it to make the whole thing work, even long past its death and without any enforcement towards Chimes- largely in thanks to the person Chimes already was.

Pines' relationship with Aurora was friendly, but not nearly close as they would have wanted. While he gave her all the freedom in the world to do whatever she wanted, and often acted towards her as if they already had an established relationship which… didn’t exist. Pines expected, after all of its hard work to build him, and all of its leniency, for the relationship reflected with Chimes and his admins to fall into its lap. However… Aurora simply isn’t the same person Chimes is, and rather than want to spend his free time working with his city and engaging with them, he was more interested in chatting away on Global and general drama and discourse observed through overseers. Regardless, Pines still held hope, and often would refuse to put their foot down on Aurora's ambivalence even as Albedo’s citizens [mainly politicians], especially of the more religious type, got frustrated with this behavior.

Of note was an at the time somewhat high ranking member of the overall government, A Silent Refrain, Banners Mottled by Shadows, primarily an expert in encryption and security with a powerful background and access to Aurora’s superstructure. Capitalizing on the frustrations with Pines, decades into his administration, possibly as the beginnings of an attempted coup, he illegally modified certain parts of Aurora’s structure and AI base to restrict her access to Global. This was with the intent to make her more ‘motivated’ and ‘behaved’, and other such things.

Predictably, when Pines found out, it was fucking LIVID. Refrain refused to budge and was very rigid in the idea that iterators were designed to serve and should act like it. This resulted in a rather violent confrontation, ending with Refrain almost crushed under the claws of Pines' pet lizard and the demand to leave Albedo in what was essentially exile. [Aurora would end up restored to normal and okay- though come out of it extremely fascinated with the same locks that had hurt him- specifically within breaking code and the like. Rarely would she ever go as far as taboos, though…]

Frankly sick of both Pines’ and Aurora’s bullshit and the generally ‘immorality’ of Albedo, he complied and took his more religious bunch with him and went running back to the Global Iterator Project with exaggerated stories. Given his influential background and patronage to the project, and undeniable skill, the wing of the Project in Orrery eventually approved his long effort to get an Iterator grant.

Given his track record and his rather cruel opinions of iterators, the ensuing project went about as well as expected. As ancient society in general grew more frustrated and impatient with the lack of a solution, matching with the increased availability of void fluid, the bubble that would eventually burst to form the mass ascension was already well over their heads as Wandering Whispers began construction.

While rushed, there was also a lot of intentional cruelty in their design, manifesting from the same expertise Refrain used to hurt Aurora. Their own autonomy was heavily restricted, with barely any access to their group beyond their senior. Paired with Refrain’s iron fist over their work quota, general cruelty from both him and their citizens in general, and isolation, they ended up a very scared and meek iterator with almost no grasp on personhood.

Seeing a very alarming reflection of herself, Sparks urged Ash [who she was already rather out of patience with at this point] to get off his ass and offer an outlet to their poor groupmate as Whispers was supposedly allowed to contact him for ‘iterating and training purposes only’. Surprisingly, Ash took to this task and actually grew somewhat fond of the younger iterator- mainly due to their vulnerability and immense trust to the only kindness they were given. Sparks, exhausted from keeping up her facade for so long, chose not to intervene further [and I mean, what would she have done?]

In the end, this wouldn’t amount to much, as the overarching global government eventually sent out the Mass Ascension mandate within only a couple decades of Whispers’ construction, simultaneously shutting down the Global Iterator Project. Though the population had been dwindling for quite some time- this was the nail in the coffin, and all ancients were expected to meet their fate in the vats. The few stragglers who managed to escape the often forceful baths could not sustain society on their own in the wastes below.

This of course had an immense impact on each Iterator, though I will get to that in the next section. :3

Notably, one of the last events to happen- just before their ascension, Chimes’ last admin descended into his chamber to give him a gift. His blanket, made of countless quilt squares made by generations of his close friends, admins, and technicians, a tradition started by Reefs before it left. He would cling fiercely to it and what it represented for the rest of the timeline.

[itsmistyeyedbi]

You know when King Julian yells "How long is this going to take!" in the first Madagascar movie?

That's me with my assignment rn💀

[dramatic-dolphin]

usually i try to respect strangers' privacy and not listen in on their phone conversations (<- lie, i'm a nosy bitch) but this girl on the tram was speaking in such a fascinating mixture of hungarian and arabic, i could listen to it for hours

[impossible-rat-babies]

im fleshing out bits of eyrie’s whm family stuff and im kinda. kinda vibing w some concepts

[clarabowmp3]

bestie r u ok

HHHHHH i just need to be super overdramatic for a while but I got rejected from my dream uni a few days ago! and I am handling it in a very emotionally stable way!

[alphacrone]

i miss qa testing software. i’m so good at breaking things and developers hate me for it.

[beach4boy3]

Seismic Pallet Rack, Racking, new and used, shelving, cantilever rack (concord / pleasant hill / martinez)

[turncapitalpartners1]

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Choosing turn capital quick business funding means choosing a faster, smarter way to access business capital. Turn Capital Partners makes funding simple with quick approvals, tailored repayment terms, and no hidden surprises. Get the flexibility your business needs without the headaches of traditional loans.

What Turn Capital Quick Business Funding Means

Turn Capital quick business funding is designed to provide businesses with immediate access to working capital. With simple applications and rapid funding, Turn Capital Partners helps businesses manage operations, invest in growth, and handle unexpected expenses with ease. Learn more about working capital.

Benefits of Turn Capital Quick Business Funding

Benefits of using turn capital quick business funding include:

Fast approval and funding turnaround

No collateral requirements

Flexible repayment plans for your business

Clear, competitive rates with no hidden fees

Designed for businesses across industries

How to Use Turn Capital Quick Business Funding

You can apply turn capital quick business funding to:

Expand into new markets or open new locations

Upgrade equipment, software, or technology

Fund payroll and staffing during peak periods

Launch advertising or marketing initiatives

Cover emergency business expenses quickly

Move Forward with Turn Capital Quick Business Funding Today

Ready to take your business further? Turn Capital quick business funding provides the speed, flexibility, and support your business deserves. Visit Turn Capital Partners today and start building your next success story!

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Unlock Funding with Pragmatic Finance Loans

Need a boost for your business? Pragmatic Finance offers small business term loans that deliver quick and reliable funding. Whether you're expanding, buying equipment, or managing cash flow, our loans are designed to help your business thrive. Tailored to your needs, our flexible repayment terms make financing easier than ever.

Why Pragmatic Finance Beats the Rest!

Why settle for less when you can choose Pragmatic Finance? Here's what sets us apart:

Custom Terms – Repayment plans that suit you.

Fast Funds – Get your money quickly.

Low Rates – Affordable interest rates.

No Hidden Fees – Clear, transparent lending.

What’s a Small Business Term Loan?

A small business term loan is a lump-sum loan provided with a fixed repayment schedule. Used for everything from growth to equipment purchases, these loans give you the flexibility to manage your cash flow while meeting your business goals.

The Perks of Pragmatic Finance Loans

Fast Funding: Get the cash you need fast.

Easy Repayments: Fixed repayment schedules for smooth budgeting.

Fuel Your Growth: Invest in expansion and new projects.

Better Cash Flow: Keep your operations running smoothly.

No Sneaky Fees: What you see is what you get.

How to Get Your Loan with Pragmatic Finance

Fill Out the Form: Start by completing the online application.

Submit Your Docs: Upload your financial documents.

Receive Your Funds: Get approved and have funds in your account quickly.

Ready to Grow? Apply Now!

Don’t wait to take your business to the next level. Visit Pragmatic Finance to apply for your small business loan today!

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Unapplied Cash: Why It Matters and How to Handle It

Behind the numbers and spreadsheets of everyday business, unapplied cash is a quiet disruptor that often goes unnoticed until it starts creating real problems. It’s not as visible as unpaid invoices or as flashy as revenue milestones, but it’s an area that deserves attention. Understanding unapplied cash and taking steps to reduce or clear it is essential for maintaining financial clarity, good…

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Working Capital Loans: Keeping Your Business Running Smoothly

Running a business is no small feat. Whether you’re managing a startup or an established company, keeping your operations smooth and steady often comes down to one key factor: cash flow. That’s where working capital loans come into play.

At Business Boost Fund, we understand the critical role that working capital plays in a business’s day-to-day functions. Today, we’ll explore what working capital loans are, why they’re essential, and how they can keep your business moving forward, even when challenges arise.

What Are Working Capital Loans?

Simply put, a working capital loan is a type of business funding designed to cover your company’s short-term operational needs. These loans don’t fund long-term investments or large purchases, like commercial real estate, but instead help you cover everyday expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, and inventory.

Working capital loans provide businesses with the flexibility they need to handle cash flow gaps, unexpected expenses, or seasonal fluctuations. Whether you’re a startup looking for startup financing or an established business navigating a temporary slowdown, these loans can provide the breathing room you need to keep things running smoothly.

Why Is Working Capital Important?

Working capital—the difference between your current assets and current liabilities—reflects the financial health of your business. Positive working capital means you have enough resources to cover your short-term obligations. Negative working capital, on the other hand, can signal potential trouble.

Here’s why maintaining adequate working capital is so crucial:

It Keeps Operations Running: From paying employees to restocking inventory, you need liquidity to keep your business afloat.

It Provides Flexibility: Having access to working capital gives you the flexibility to manage slow sales periods or unexpected expenses without halting operations.

It Builds Resilience: With sufficient working capital, your business can better withstand economic shifts, competitive pressures, or market downturns.

When Should You Consider a Working Capital Loan?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some scenarios where a working capital loan might be the right choice:

Seasonal Fluctuations: Retailers, for example, often face slow sales during off-seasons. A working capital loan can help cover expenses during these periods until sales pick back up.

Unexpected Expenses: Equipment breakdowns, supply chain disruptions, or even a sudden increase in demand can stretch your finances thin. A loan can provide the necessary cushion.

Growth Opportunities: If your business is growing quickly and you need to ramp up inventory or staff, a working capital loan can help you seize the opportunity.

Cash Flow Gaps: Sometimes, clients delay payments, or you might need to front costs before receiving revenue. A loan can bridge that gap.

Types of Working Capital Financing Options

There are several ways to secure working capital. Here are some of the most common options businesses consider:

1. Line of Credit

A line of credit is a flexible financing option that gives you access to a predetermined amount of money, which you can draw from as needed. It’s perfect for covering day-to-day expenses, as you only pay interest on the amount you use. This type of financing gives you the flexibility to manage cash flow fluctuations without taking out a lump sum loan.

2. Short-Term Loans

Short-term loans provide a lump sum of cash that must be repaid over a set period, usually within a year. These are ideal for covering one-time expenses, such as purchasing inventory or managing unexpected costs.

3. Invoice Financing

Also known as accounts receivable financing, invoice financing allows you to borrow against unpaid invoices. This can help bridge the gap between issuing an invoice and receiving payment, giving your business the cash it needs to operate smoothly.

4. Merchant Cash Advances

A merchant cash advance provides an upfront sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of future credit card sales. While this can be a quick way to access funds, it often comes with higher costs, so it’s important to consider carefully.

5. Small Business Loans

Small business loans are a common choice for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup seeking startup financing or an established company looking for additional resources, these loans can help cover various needs, including working capital. Business Boost Fund offers tailored small business loan solutions to meet your unique requirements.

How Working Capital Loans Differ from Other Financing Options

It’s easy to confuse working capital loans with other types of financing, such as commercial real estate loans or long-term business loans. However, working capital loans serve a distinct purpose.

Purpose: While commercial real estate loans are used to purchase property or make significant long-term investments, working capital loans are meant to cover short-term operational expenses.

Duration: Working capital loans typically have shorter repayment terms, usually up to a year, while other loans can stretch over several years.

Flexibility: Working capital loans offer more immediate access to funds, which is essential for managing day-to-day operations and maintaining stability.

Benefits of Working Capital Loans

Let’s look at some of the key benefits that make working capital loans an attractive choice for many businesses:

Quick Access to Funds: When cash flow becomes tight, having quick access to funds can make all the difference.

Flexible Usage: Unlike loans that are tied to a specific purchase, working capital loans can be used for any operational expense.

No Need for Collateral: Many working capital loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put up assets to qualify.

Maintain Business Ownership: Unlike seeking outside investors, loans allow you to retain full control of your business.

Is a Working Capital Loan Right for Your Business?

The decision to take out a working capital loan depends on your business’s specific situation and needs. Here are a few questions to consider:

Do you experience seasonal sales fluctuations?

Are you facing unexpected expenses or cash flow gaps?

Are you looking to grow or expand but need extra funds to do so?

Do you want to maintain control of your business rather than bringing in investors?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, a working capital loan from Business Boost Fund might be the solution you need.

How Business Boost Fund Can Help

At the Business Boost Fund, we’re dedicated to helping businesses like yours thrive. We understand that every business has unique needs and challenges, which is why we offer a range of flexible financing solutions, including lines of credit, small business loans, and other tailored funding options.

Our team is here to help you navigate the financing process, ensuring you have access to the funds you need—when you need them. Whether you’re a startup in search of startup financing, an established business managing cash flow, or looking for business credit solutions, we’re ready to help.

Final Thoughts

Working capital loans can be a vital lifeline for businesses, helping them navigate through cash flow challenges, seize growth opportunities, and maintain operations without disruption. Whether you’re facing a temporary cash crunch or looking to expand, these loans provide the flexibility and stability needed to keep your business running smoothly.

At Business Boost Fund, we’re committed to providing the resources and support your business needs to succeed. From startup financing to small business loans and lines of credit, we offer a range of financing options tailored to your needs.

So, if you’re looking to keep your business moving forward with confidence, consider how a working capital loan from Business Boost Fund could be the perfect fit. Get in touch with us today to explore your options and keep your business on the path to success.