#negotiation basics

[castlenegotiations]

Top 5 Strategies You’ll Learn in Negotiation Training Courses

Negotiation is a valuable skill, both professionally and personally. Whether you’re closing a business deal, resolving a dispute, or requesting a salary increase, the appropriate strategies can be of great help. This is where negotiation training courses come in. Effective training programs, such as those offered by Castle Negotiation, equip people with the tools they need to effectively manage complex negotiations. The following are the top five strategies you will be taught in negotiation training courses to help you master negotiation.

1. The Power of Preparation

Preparation is one of the fundamental principles of successful negotiation. Negotiating without a plan can be a handicap. With negotiation skills training programs, you will be aware of how to:

2. Active Listening and Effective Communication

Most people believe that negotiation involves only persuasion, but it also involves listening. Successful negotiators don’t just push their agendas; they listen actively to find out the requirements of the other party. Training courses teach you how to:

Use active listening techniques such as summarizing and reflecting back key points. Ask open-ended questions to encourage discussion. Read body language and adjust your style accordingly. Castle Negotiation helps professionals build a greater ability to form rapport and trust, leading to better negotiation outcomes.

3. The Win-Win Mindset

A successful negotiation is not a matter of one side winning at the expense of the other side  it is a win-win. By attending negotiation training courses, you will be able to:

Shift from a competitive to a cooperative mentality. Look for areas of agreement and mutual advantages. Develop creative solutions that satisfy both parties. Castle Negotiation’s framework encourages negotiators to seek value-creating opportunities, locking in long-term business relationships rather than short-term gains.

4. Handling Deadlocks and Overcoming Objections

Negotiations often reach points where both sides feel at an impasse. Training courses provide you with methods to resolve such impasses effectively. You will discover how to:

Identify the root causes of objections and resolve problems beforehand.Use techniques such as reframing the issue to alter perceptions.Know when to compromise and when to hold fast on significant matters.

Castle Negotiation offers professional training on how to resolve tough negotiations by using psychological and tactical approaches in breaking deadlocks.

5. The Art of Closing the Deal

Closing a negotiation is as important as the negotiation itself. Most agreements fall through at the closing point due to doubt or lack of confidence. Negotiation skills training programs teach you how to: Recognize signals that the other party is ready to close. Use closing techniques such as the summary close, the assumptive close, and the urgency close. Be clear and agree on terms to prevent future misunderstandings. Castle Negotiation trains professionals to negotiate confidently all the way to the final handshake, with both sides walking away happy. 

Final Thoughts

Negotiation is a skill that one can learn with the right kind of training and practice. The skills you learn from negotiation training courses — preparation, active listening, win-win approach, handling objections, and closing  can help you become a more effective negotiator. Castle Negotiation provides expert training to help professionals and organizations enhance their negotiation skills and achieve better outcomes. If you’re ready to bring your negotiation skills to the next level, enroll in a Castle Negotiation training course today. Your next successful deal may be only a negotiation away!

[cupidsncheerios]

as much as i enjoy seeing the class politics discussions around silco and his actions as a chembaron and a revolutionary, i do think that a lot of people condemning his actions (which we should condemn) miss the part where like.

it did work

like that was a pretty significant part of the show. it didnt pan out because he loved his daughter but silco's methods very much did get zaun as an independent nation, the real question is if it was worth it (which we'll never know bc jinx shot him)

[emmavakarian-theirin]

soooooo i accidentally got lucanis killed trying to trigger new dialogue but i guess you could say i got a bunch of new dialogue anyway :')

[the epilogue slide]

[ranticore]

i actually drew these last year for my own self-reference and today i wanted to draw something in sai, found that sai was having a rough day, so instead i dug these up in procreate and coloured them. some kings and their fun faces

the winglets/ear wings/whatevers are not lift generating surfaces they're mostly for communication. they can hide their whole face under those things.

some of these expressions are inborn but some must be taught (i.e flinching, hiding the face, etc probably looks the same no matter what, but the more complex expressions conveying social dominance are copied from older harpies). human-raised harpies struggle to express themselves and are considered (ironically) very dangerous to be around because they won't give proper warning when they're about to be violent. and they are often violent; a major struggle of working with an imprinted harpy is their food aggression and resource guarding behaviour. most falconers in the classic tradition [taking and raising eggs] are missing at least one fingertip.

[touchlikethesun]

we talk all the time about how those characters would NOT be having well negotiated kinky sex, but i think of all the mxtx couples moshang would really benefit from a beginners course in bdsm or at the very least they should read a manuel and draw up a contract, like given their history, their communication styles, and their dynamic at the end of the novel, it would be a net positive for them

[martybaker]

Helping hand

So the ideas behind this were:

1. jayvik would be soo bad at a fwb relationship literally from the get go (especially Jayce)

2. in this au Jayce has some holdbacks about using his strength in bed and Viktor would have to teach him that sometimes pain can be good (I don’t go there yet in this ficlet but the groundwork is laid).

I guess I should also say, dom viktor sub jayce dynamics.

Enjoy ~

————————————————————————

Jayce pushes himself away from the table, running his hands through his hair. “It doesn’t make any sense. I am nearly there, I can feel it, but I cannot seem to grasp the solution. I’ve been stuck on this damn thing for two stupid weeks now.”

Viktor, who’s busy calibrating their new prototype, hums pensievely. “Are you sure the problem is the problem, or are you the problem?”

Jayce looks at him with hurt puppy eyes. “You think I can’t crack it?”

Viktor snorts. “Of course you can. You’re the smartest man I know, with the humble exception of myself of course.”

“Of course,” Jayce says, smiling, relaxing his shoulders.

“What I meant,” Viktor says in his slow cadence, still focused on tightening the screws on the prototype, “is that you might be running on fumes. Even the brilliant device that is the human mind needs rest from time to time. How many hours did you sleep last night?”

Jayce snorts. “Oh please. Pot-kettle. How many hours did you sleep?”

Viktor doesn’t rise to the challenge. “Just enough to function properly. Case in point, I’m not the one in danger of becoming bald.”

Jayce reaches for his hair self-consciously. He really has been tugging at it too often lately.

“What would our sponsors say if you showed up to a meeting with not a hair left on that smart head of yours?” Viktor quips without looking away from his task.

Jayce laughs, blushing a little. “Maybe I’d set a new trend.”

It’s…nice. When Viktor calls him smart. He knows he’s not an idiot, that they’re working on something brilliant together, something most of their peers wouldn’t even be able to imagine. They’re pretty much inventing a new branch of science which bends magic to their intentions.

But Jayce has spent years trying to convince people that this research has merit, that he’s not a lunatic.

Even his own mother lost faith in him.

So, yes, it’s nice, to hear the reaffirmation from someone else. From Viktor, who isn’t just doing it to get into his good graces or to secure an investment.

It’s exhilaritang, really, to have a partner who appreciates Jayce even with all his shortcomings. Someone who believes in him and in what they’re creating together.

And even if it would turn out to be lunacy after all, he’s not alone in it. Not anymore.

He doesn’t feel like a smart man now though. Not when he’s looking at those impossible equations.

Jayce sighs and wipes at his face. “I don’t know, I’ve been all, stuck in my head,” he admits. “It’s like I’m in a trance, my thoughts bounce around in my mind, but it’s all hazy, I cannot manage to arrange them in coherent order.”

Viktor hums again. “Maybe you need to go out, blow off some steam. That might clear your head.”

Jayce frowns. “Do you mean, like…”

“Sex, yes. Or do you have a different preferred term for it?” Viktor says, teasing.

Jayce makes a face.

“Ah, of course,” Viktor snaps his fingers as if he just figured out the problem, “Let me put it this way. If the forge doesn’t do it for you anymore, maybe you need to do a different kind of hammering,” he grins, throwing Jayce a look over his shoulder, eyes sparkling. “There, am I speaking your language now?”

“Oh, shut up,” Jayce mutters, ears red.

But Viktor has found his weakness, he has sensed blood and he is coming for another taste of Jayce’s flash.

He shrugs his shoulder. “Maybe you shouldn’t be the one doing the hammering,” he says, twirling a wrench in his hand, “but the one getting hammered, ever considered that?” He frowns. “No, wait, is that the one with alcohol? Eh, whatever, either one might work.”

Jayce splutters. He doesn’t know what his face is doing but it surely isn’t helping with the sensible prude impression he’s giving off.

“Don’t-don’t just say stuff like that,” he mutters.

His composure is taking hit after hit with Viktor talking so flippantly about sex. Jayce is not a prude, nor a blushing virgin, but truth be told he has been taught the traditional gentlemanly ways, drilled into him by his mother.

He vividly remembers the confusion of his fifteen year old self, when he had recently been through a growth spurt, and suddenly schoolmates were intentionally dropping books in his vicinity, reserving seats for him and inviting him to parties. It was all very baffling to be elevated from the sheltered quirky child into a class heartthrob. (Of course, the attentions of his admires waned with each inane theory that came out of his mouth.)

What he also very vividly remembers is sitting in mortified silence through a very thorough lecture about birds and the bees from his mum, a lecture brought on by this recent development, and wishing he’d been anywhere else.

But this was all that was ever said in the Talis household on the topic of sexual intimacy. The lecture about courting etiquette that followed was much easier to swallow.

Jayce thinks this might be the reason why he is rattled by Viktor discussing the topic so plainly now, in broad daylight.

Viktor blinks at him innocently. “Why, does it offend you? I don’t care about your preferences, Jayce, I am just offering suggestions. Trying to be supportive, yes?” He smirks at Jayce, the smirk that always tells Jayce he’s up to no good and whatever is coming next, whatever idea struck his partner, it will be entirely preposterous.

He loves that look. He loves all of Viktor’s mad genius moments. Now with that thrilling look zeroed in on Jayce, it’s sending shivers up his spine, stirring both his excitement and fear.

And he’s right to be afraid.

Because what comes out of Viktor’s mouth next is: “I’d suggest a brothel but perhaps you have finer establishments for that kind of activities up here.”

Jayce balks. “I don’t- I never- I wouldn’t-”

Viktor blinks, feigning nonchalance as he says “What, too crude for your taste? Offends your sensibilities?” But Jayce knows all his tells by now, he catches the minuscule twitch of his eyebrows and the downturned corner of his lip.

“It’s an occupation like any other,” Viktor says, turning away from Jayce. “There are people who enjoy doing it. And some people don’t have a choice. We do what we must.”

Now it’s not the topic but Viktor’s choice of we that shocks Jayce. Does he mean…Did he ever…

He shakes his head. That’s none of his business. And he wouldn’t care anyways.

There is nothing that would make him lose respect for Viktor. Not that he considers prostitution disrespectful. On the opposite, he finds people that make it their living to be gorgeous and confident. And frankly, a little intimidating.

Like Viktor, his mind supplies unhelpfully.

No! Stop! Stop that. That is your friend. Who you respect and admire. He doesn’t deserve to be objectified like that.

Jayce stumbles over his words. “No, I didn’t mean- I mean, I’ve never been. I wouldn’t even know what to do, how to behave, it would be awkward and strange. For me, that is.”

Viktor looks back at him, gaze softer. “Ah. Lacking in the experience department? That is nothing to be ashamed of either,” he adds upon seeing Jayce’s cheeks color in fifty shades of red.

Jayce groans and buries his head in his hands, curling on himself. This conversation couldn’t possibly get more mortifying. Why ever did he brought this up in the first place?

He hears Viktor hum and swivel on his chair.

“Well, since that is not a viable route for you, I guess all we can rely on is your imagination,” he says slowly.

Jayce snorts. “Right. And my own hand. That’s not pathetic at all,” he sighs.

“That’s not what I had in mind,” Viktor mutters.

He’s thinking. He mutters to himself when he’s thinking.

Jayce hears Viktor’s chair creak, then the clack of a cane as he comes closer.

“Sit up, Jayce,” he says, and Jayce obeys with a sigh. When he comes face to face with Viktor he finds his partner is piercing him with his gaze, scrutinizing him like a very intriguing piece of machinery.

Jayce squirms. “Thanks, Viktor, but you don’t have to try to fix my pathetic lack of love life, I am afraid I am a lost cause.”

Viktor’s nose scrunches.

Cute, says Jayce’s brain. Shut up, Jayce commands it.

“We’re not talking about love,” Viktor says dismmisively, “but basic bodily needs that should be met like any other in order to achieve optimal functioning of your mind.”

“Right,” Jayce nods. But to be honest, he isn’t really paying attention anymore because Viktor is standing close, his focus honed in on Jayce instead of the hex gem or the blackboard or their notes, and it’s exhilarating.

It’s been months since Jayce got laid and, the needy man that he is, any attention he gets is thrilling. Especially from a gorgeous person like Viktor.

Viktor scrutinizes him and Jayce feels like he can almost see the theories forming in his partner’s brilliant mind.

Oh but Janna, his eyes are so beautiful up close.

Viktor frowns, pulling back a little, and Jayce’s heart sinks.

“Close your eyes, Jayce,” Viktor says.

Fuck, was he too obvious?

“Uhh, okay.” Jayce does as he’s told. It’s easy to do what Viktor tells him to, he just hopes he did not overstep.

Then there are fingers taking hold of his chin, tipping his head back, and Jayce gasps. “Lean back,” Viktor says.

Jayce does as he’s told. How could he not.

Viktor doesn’t say anything for a moment after that.

“What, uuuh, what are you doing?” Jayce asks, his nerves spiking up.

“Helping,” Viktor says. There is a scraping sound of a chair being pulled close, and next when Viktor speaks, it is right by Jayce’s ear.

“Keep your eyes closed,” he whispers.

Jayce swallows. “Okay.”

There’s a hand. Viktor’s hand. On his chest. Running up, and then down. Then slowly moving to Jayce’s right leg, caressing. This is definitely not how Jayce imagined this day would go.

“Breathe,” Viktor whispers next to his ear, amused, and only then does Jayce realize he’s holding his breath.

He inhales, trying to find a normal breathing rhythm. What is a normal breathing rhythm when your science partner is running his hands over your high strung horny body??

But he must succeed at least a little because Viktor says “Good.”

Jayce whimpers. The praise is heady, flooding his body with hormones and want and desperation.

“Use your imagination, Jayce,” Viktor says. “You can imagine whoever you want. Next to you. Touching you.”

Jayce would laugh if he didn’t fear that what would actually come out of his mouth would be moans. Whoever he wants. When all his mind is capable of thinking about right now is Viktor, Viktor, Viktor.

“Imagine their hand on your thigh,” Viktor says, squeezing Jayce’s thigh, making his breath hitch. “On your neck,” Viktor’s cold hand wraps around Jayce’s neck, thumb under his Adam’s apple. Jayce swallows.

“Admiring you. Desiring you.”

Heavens, that voice is doing things to him.

To be honest, being this desperate, Viktor could be reading a manual and it would get Jayce hard, but this is so, so much better.

“Wanting you,” Viktor whispers, and then his wandering hand caresses over Jayce’s clothed length.

Jayce seizes up, gasping, eyes flying open.

Viktor clucks his tongue in dissapointment and immediately pulls back, leaning away and moving out of Jayce’s orbit, leaving him cold and vulnerable. “I said, eyes closed.”

“No, wait,” Jayce says desperately. “Come back, don’t stop.”

He reaches for Viktor but Viktor catches his hand before it reaches his shoulder, holding it in a vice. “Can you follow instructions or not?” He asks, face stern.

“I can, yes I can, please,” Jayce doesn’t even have it in himself to feel ashamed about the pleading. He needs Viktor’s hands back on his body or he’s going to combust.

“Eyes. Closed,” Viktor says.

Jayce whines but leans back against the chair, closing his eyes.

“Yes, like that.” Viktor leans back in. He places Jayce’s hands on the edges of the chair. “Keep your hands there.”

Jayce nods. Of course. Anything. Anything for Viktor.

Viktor’s hands land back on his thighs, this time both of them. Caressing. Teasing.

“Describe them to me,” Viktor says.

Jayce has no idea what Viktor’s asking. He hums uncertainly.

“Your imaginery paramour. What are they like, Jayce?”

Oh, Janna.

Jayce tries to gather his thoughts into coherenency. “Hair. Messy.”

“Yes?” Viktor prompts, his hands moving higher.

“Lovely. Lovely hands. Eyes…eyes like melted honey.”

Viktor hums, his hand running lightly over Jayce’s clothed erection. This time Jayce keeps his eyes closed but he cannot stop the shiver that runs through his body.

There’s a decision to make here, Jayce vaguely thinks in the depths of his hazy mind. There’s no coming back if they cross this threshold. Viktor’s playing it off as a bodily need, an anonymous encounter that Jayce can color in his mind. But it’s not that. It never could be. It’s Viktor. His Viktor. The most important person in Jayce’s life. He cannot fuck this up.

But then again, perhaps there never was a decision, not really. From the moment Viktor looked at him tonight, from the moment he put his hands on his body, Jayce could never say no to him. He wouldn’t stop him. He doesn’t want to.

“A mole,” Jayce whispers, and he isn’t sure if its his imagination or if Viktor’s hand really spasms.

“Oh?” Viktor says in a carefully neutral tone. “Where?”

“Under his right eye,” Jayce whispers. “On his left earlobe. And-“ he hesitates, then reaches out blindly, finding Viktor’s face, his lips. “Here,” he whispers, placing his thumb on the mole next to them.

Viktor pulls back. Upon losing the contact Jayce immediately opens his eyes again, bereft.

“The instructions were-“ Viktor starts saying but Jayce doesn’t let him finish. Fuck the instructions. This is important, Jayce has to make him understand, Jayce has to make him see.

He clasps Viktor’s upper arms, squeezing, leaning in.

“Don’t. You’re, Viktor you - you’re so hot. You’re so sexy, please, please touch me. I-I want you.”

Janna, how pathetic. How desperate. That couldn’t have been farther from a love confession. It sounded like a bad porn dialogue line. Jayce half wishes the ground would open and swallow him whole.

Viktor blinks at him, taken off guard. Then his lips twitch, slowly lifting into a smile. His cheeks seem a little rosier. “Is that so?” He asks, but the tone doesn’t reach his usual level of cockiness. He sounds pleased. Flattered.

Jayce sighs. “Yes, yes of course. You’re amazing. Viktor, please.” So much for any poetic declarations, it seems this is all Jayce’s brain is capable of tonight.

Viktor pushes Jayce back, who wines at first, thinking for a split second that he’s been rejected, but then Viktor is shushing him and caressing his cheek and Jayce settles. Viktor carefully lifts his right leg up and over Jayce’s knees, grabbing onto his shoulders to pull himself into Jayce’s lap.

As he settles, Jayce’s hands come up to hold his hips, caress his back.

He looks up at Viktor with reverence, with adoration, and this time, Viktor lets him savour the vision in his arms, basking in the attention. At least for a moment, then he smirks again, and covers Jayce’s eyes with his hand.

Jayce groans. “V, come on,” he complains.

Viktor chuckles. He honest to Janna chuckles, and Jayce can feel it under his hands which cover Viktor’s ribs.

Viktor’s other hand comes up to Jayce’s face, thumb swiping over his lips, and Jayce is overwhelmed with the sensation.

Then the thumb gets replaced with tongue, licking at Jayce’s lips before parting them and slipping inside.

Viktor’s hands move to cup Jayce’s face properly and they kiss, exploring each other’s mouths, teasing gasps and moans from each other. It’s marvelous. It’s unlike any kiss Jayce’s ever experienced. Charged, heated, addictive.

Viktor’s weight against Jayce’s erection is delicious, when he moves his hips Jayce forgets any doubts that would hold him back, moaning, latching onto Viktor’s neck. Viktor’s hand buries in Jayce’s hair, tugging impatiently and Jayce’s hands wound around Viktor, tugging him closer, when Viktor gasps, not in pleasure but in pain.

Shit. Fuck. His back.

Viktor himself doesn’t draw attention to it, but with him so close, Jayce can read him more easily, feel the muscles tense.

Jayce releases his hold immediately. “Sorry, I’m sorry,” he stares at Viktor, eyes wide with worry.

Viktor’s mouth curls in distaste, not over being hurt but over the apologies. Jayce knows he finds them trite. Viktor does not like being handled like he’s made of porcelain. He retaliates by shoving his hand into Jayce’s pants without ceremony, and squeezing.

Jayce squeeks.

“Ahh, gentle,” he begs.

“No,” Viktor says. “Not gentle. Rough, or not at all.” His gaze pierces through Jayce, no room for debate.

Jayce sighs. “Fine. Okay.”

They go back to kissing, rough and hungry as Viktor wishes, but it only takes a couple minutes before Jayce forgets himself and he reverently runs his hands up Viktor’s sides, gentle and barely touching.

Viktor clucks his tongue at him. “Jayce,” he says it like a warning.

Jayce whines and rests his head against Viktor’s chest. “I’m not doing it consciously, I swear. I just, I’m not like that. I’m not rough, I am not the big, strong confident guy that people see in me, not in bed. Not like that.”

It isn’t the first time someone would be disappointed with him for this. There was a girl, second year, who asked him to pull her hair. A guy at a party, who dragged Jayce into a dark room and put Jayce’s hands around his own neck. Jayce froze, then backed away, scared. The guy laughed at him and left him standing there.

Yes, Jayce had the build of a blacksmith but with a partner, sexual or romantic, he wanted to be gentle, not to use force. Not to cause pain. Never to cause pain, intentionally or accidentaly.

And now, he was holding the most important person in his hands, his partner, his soulmate.

Who wanted it rough.

And still, Jayce could not do it, not even when Viktor asked.

There’s a sigh above him. Then there’s a hand in his hair, petting, and Jayce sighs and envelops Viktor in a hug, carefully, minding his back. The relief upon not being pushed away spreads warm in his body.

“I see,” Viktor says. His hand still in Jayce’s hair. “Well then. Since this is supposed to be for your benefit I see no reason in asking you to act against your nature. We’ll do it your away.”

His way?

“But we should set some rules first.”

Viktor pulls Jayce back by his hair to make him look into his eyes. Clearly not having any issues with the concept of rough himself. Predictibly, Jayce whimpers.

“Focus, Jayce. We need to have a conversation first.”

Viktor waits, holding Jayce in place until his breathing slows down. Only then does he let go.

“This is a mutually beneficial endeavour,” he says. “An easy way to unwind that does not require the hassle of going out and searching for a sexual partner. We’re both willing adults and when we feel the need, we can reach out to each other, without consequences, without any strings attached. Yes?”

Jayce nods.

Viktor frowns at him. “Use your words, Jayce.”

Jayce swallows, then breathes out a “yes.”

“Good. When you feel,” Viktor waves his hand, searching for words, “in need of a helping hand, in need of a release, a way to decompress, you can come to me. I might indulge you. When I feel like it,” he smirks.

“But, remember this. I am not your boyfriend. There will be no romance. There will be no dates, no gifts, no introductions to friends or parents.”

A smile tugs at Jayce’s lips. “My mom’s aready met you,” he reminds.

Viktor rolls his eyes, unamused. “As your work partner, sure. But I am not your beau, your sweetheart. I don’t want any messy feelings involved. This is all a matter of convenience, a mutually beneficial sexual relationship. Nothing more. Are we clear?”

Jayce swallows. He should say it’s not possible. He should say there are already feelings involved. He should say he is not capable of separating intimacy and affection, sex from feelings. He knows that much about himself.

He says “Yes.”

Viktor smiles. “Good.” And Jayce knows he is a weak man. He would promise anything to earn that smile, to earn that praise.

“I will also need you to tell me if there’s something you don’t like. Like you did now,” Viktor says.

“Okay.” There are some things Jayce doesn’t like to do, but there’s not much he wouldn’t let Viktor do to him.

“Now,” Viktor says, reaching behind Jayce for a notebook abandoned on the table.

He shows Jayce the page with the equations Jayce was struggling with just moments ago.

“Can you figure out where the issue is?”

Jayce laughs, incredulous. “Are you serious right now?”

Viktor smirks. “Very.”

Jayce pulls the notebook from Viktor’s hand and throws it to the floor. “Actually, my mind is still a little foggy, do you think you could give me a helping hand here, partner?” He smiles, pulling Viktor closer.

Then his eyes light up. “Wait, now we’re not only hex partners…”

Viktor’s face sours. “No. Don’t say it.”

“…but also…”

“Jayce.”

“…sex partners.”

Jayce grins stupidly.

Viktor glares at him, unimpressed. He makes to stand up. “Forget I said anything. I take it all back,” but Jayce doesn’t miss the twitch of his lips.

He pulls him right back. “Nope. No take backs. You suggested a new avenue of scientific discovery that I am very eager to explore, right now,” Jayce says. He stands up with Viktor still tight in his arms, only wobbling a little.

Viktor’s breath hitches, but he plays at nonchalance, lifting his eyebrows. “Scientific avenue?”

Jayce smirks. “Yeah, biology is a science too, no? I think we should give it some attention, explore the possibilities.”

Jayce puts Viktor on the workbench, swiping away the rest of the research he’s been working on to make space.

“If you’re gonna make terrible jokes I am walking out,” Viktor threatens.

“Shut me up, then,” Jayce says, going for a kiss, delving into Viktor’s mouth, testing what sounds he can coax out.

————————————————————————

[bg-brainrot]

Recently reblogged that whole 'astarion-would-buy-you-giant-bouquets-to-show-his-love' post, and it got me thinking-- while I, personally, don't think he would do anything that saccharine to show his affection, what would he do?

Without further ado, things I think Astarion would actually do to show his affection:

Headbutt you

Randomly bite you

Bring you the exsanguinated corpses of your enemies

Curl up into you

Brush/braid/tend to your hair

Embroider something for you

Create a poison for you

Make sure you go to bed

Sit with you while you eat

Help you make selfish choices you're unwilling to make for yourself

Tell someone off for you

Cool you down on a hot day

Show you off to others

Unabashed, over-the-top flirting

In private, weird and sincere compliments

This is just how I interpret his character of course, so I love to see how others show his affection!!

[doggirlnarcolepsy]

Hey if you can't justify donating you can always contact me to commission SW. I'm up for most stuff. I don't really have hard limits.

[southfarthing]

they want me to be team lead at work even though I'm basically the most recent addition to the team what do i do 😭

[pumpkinrootbeerart]

haven't seen bnha in years. have a warm up

[castlenegotiations]

How to Negotiate with Demanding Suppliers: Strategies for Success

Effective supplier negotiations are crucial for maintaining profitability and securing the best possible terms for your business. However, working with demanding suppliers can present challenges such as price increases, rigid contract terms, or limited flexibility. To successfully navigate these negotiations, you need a well-planned approach that balances assertiveness with collaboration. Advanced negotiation skills training can equip you with the techniques and strategies needed to handle complex supplier interactions, build stronger relationships, and drive better outcomes. Below are some proven strategies to help you negotiate more effectively and achieve mutually beneficial results.

1. Start with Probing Questions

Before jumping into negotiations, take time to understand the supplier’s position. Ask probing questions such as:

What is that based on?

Where can you be flexible?

I’m curious... tell me about what is going on.

How can we get more information about this?

How can we bring that price down?

These questions not only provide clarity but also give you insights into the supplier’s constraints and flexibility, allowing you to formulate a better negotiation strategy.

2. Use Strategic Silence

One of the most underrated negotiation tactics is silence. If a supplier makes a steep demand, resist the urge to respond immediately. Instead, pause and create an awkward silence. This can prompt the supplier to reconsider their position and potentially offer concessions.

3. Condition Your Yes

Instead of outright agreeing to a supplier’s terms, use conditional agreements to negotiate a better deal. Some effective ways to do this include:

We might be able to do that if you deliver sooner.

We might agree if you change one of the terms.

We can consider that if you increase the volume.

We may proceed if you offer an added bonus.

This approach puts the ball back in the supplier’s court while ensuring that any agreement works in your favor.

4. Say No Without Saying No

A direct rejection can create tension. Instead, soften your response with alternative phrasing:

I’m not sure I can get there.

Is there another way?

That is not what we were expecting.

These responses keep the conversation open and encourage the supplier to explore other options.

5. Practice Reflective Listening

When a supplier makes a claim, repeat it back to them to ensure clarity and to subtly challenge their position:

You are raising the price but can’t explain why?

Did I get that right?

This technique forces the supplier to justify their stance and can sometimes reveal inconsistencies in their argument.

6. Use the Non-Response Response

If you need time to think or want to shift the conversation, use a non-committal response:

I have to think about that.

I didn’t know you looked at it that way.

I am not sure how to respond to that.

This tactic buys time and prevents you from making hasty agreements.

7. Leverage Competitive Offers

Suppliers are more willing to negotiate when they know you have alternatives. Research and obtain multiple quotes before entering discussions. Let the supplier know you are considering other options, which can create pressure for them to offer better terms.

8. Build Long-Term Relationships

While negotiation is about securing a good deal, it’s also about maintaining strong supplier relationships. Approach discussions with mutual benefit in mind and be fair in your requests. A long-term partnership can lead to better deals, priority service, and increased flexibility in the future.

Conclusion

Negotiating with demanding suppliers requires patience, strategy, and communication skills. By asking the right questions, using silence strategically, conditioning your agreements, and practicing reflective listening, you can turn a tough negotiation into a successful deal. Remember, the goal is to find a win-win situation that benefits both parties while protecting your business’s interests.

By mastering these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to handle supplier negotiations with confidence and success.

[bewitchingbloom]

Want to finish this MTAP flower prompt I've been working on for far too long considering how short it's going to be. Want to restart the next one-shot in my Throuple one-shot series that I started last year. Want to finish the next chapter of the Fairytale AU that I haven't updated in six months. Want to finish that FOM one-shot I started during the last update...

So naturally I will do none of these things and probably play Wylde Flowers instead 🙃

[sistersorrow]

Something in 40k which I find interesting, very funny, and also both realistic but a really weird worlbuilding choice for a setting that is meant to be at least somewhat satirical is that the Imperial Cult of the Imperium of Man is in many ways more tolerant of heterodoxy than the real world Catholic Church

[howdaretrashships]

so i've noticed something in ep 39 and it's just making me laugh

everyone watching Fang Duobing walk off so he can feel his feelings about Shan Gudao etc. please take note of Qiao Wanmian over on the left watching him sadly - Di Feisheng standing midway between her and Li Lianhua.

Fang Duobing walks off... camera goes back and Di Feisheng is closing the distance between him and Li Lianhua to ask if he's going to check on him.

... but look. look at Qiao Wanmian's face as he does that

...bitch?!

[boimlerkisser]

What if I told you Barb is a he/him lesbian to me? What then?

[joelletwo]

way too late to be articulating this thought but every time i loop hayloft and see the goofy utsuro!takasugi->oboro!takasugi noooo lil sibling dont kill sensei by killing sensei. kill sensei by killing ourselves. convolution. i am more and more fueled into getting as stupid as i can in my gntm postcanon lol. takasugi's eye has always been fine and he crawled out of that tower miraculously alive. so did oboro. separately. bc they. separately. uno reverse took over shouyou and utsuro's bodies respectively. all the other altana bodies in the terminal died for real tho so shouyoutsuro did as well. so whos that baby? why its my good friend shouyou(tsuro. theyre integrating.) the fourth :)

and the shouyou body takasugi took over just had a normal ass stab wound thats easy street hes fine now. but the utsuro body oboro took over was 1. largely metaphorical 2. also stabbed 3. more importantly underwent ego death something bad. so oboro's still on borrowed time he just gets enough to hang out with everyone until they get bored of him after a month and then he goes crawls in the woods and dies. one more time