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creatingblackcharacters · 9 months ago

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No, That’s Not ‘How Color Works’. - Whitewashing

Whitewashing, as defined by Merriam-Webster:

"to alter (something) in a way that favors, features, or caters to white people: such as a) to portray (the past) in a way that increases the prominence, relevance, or impact of white people and minimizes or misrepresents that of nonwhite people and B) to alter (an original story) by casting a white performer in a role based on a nonwhite person or fictional character"

In fandom context, we know it to include:

Making someone’s skin lighter

Making someone’s hair a thinner texture

Changing someone’s nose to be thinner

Shrinking their lips

Changing the character in their entirety to be someone else

The Normalization of Whitewashing

Remember how I mentioned last lesson that despite the nature of poorly drawn Black characters, most audiences are not turned off enough to discourage the action in professional works? Similar idea with whitewashing. Not the same- unlike the Ambiguously Brown Character, which claims to have plausible deniability, overt whitewashing is usually enough to make fans speak up! But that’s the key word here- overt! It has to be “bad enough” to make enough people speak up, but as we’ve seen many a time, “bad enough” seems to have a much higher threshold for nonblack viewership (sometimes the limit doesn’t exist!)

Some visual examples

This is a link to my personal thread on a Netflix show I was watching- Worst Ex Ever. Now, while the show itself was quite enlightening, there was something I could not get over. I thought I was going crazy. And that was that no matter how dark the person of color would be in real life, the animated portions would draw this light pinkish-brown. Every. Single. Time. It's like they couldn't fathom scrolling down the color wheel. And this is a Netflix original! Netflix has plenty of money for someone to have caught this in creation. But... it was produced. And put out. And they're making more of it.

I asked all of the Dragon Age fans about the series, and uh… I didn’t know things were this bad, guys! Apparently this is a man of color, but it doesn't seem like the creators want you to know that 🤣. Jokes aside, as I’ve discussed before, the noticeable whitewashing- and that was one of many racist things I was told- was not enough to prevent sales... so why would they stop? I can only hope this new game, with all the updates, is enough to turn the tide. But the series has gone on for a while now, that if they’d chosen to do ye same olde… there clearly would not be a lack of financial support to prevent it.

Colorism as a Tool

Even when actors of color are cast, colorism often plays a role in normalizing whitewashing to audiences, even to Black audiences! People think “oh well at least they’re Black!” as if that is the only important part. It is not.

While Aaron Pierre, the actor cast for John Stewart of Green Lantern fame, is a GORGEOUS, STUNNING man, he is not the dark-skinned man that John Stewart is supposed to be and should not have been cast! To me, this is overt colorism, but clearly for many people this is not ��enough” to warrant concern or even prevent the casting itself- including the studio behind the movie! Black fans have plead for years for the character of Storm to be played by a dark-skinned, preferably African, woman, and it has never happened.

It naturally happens in fan spaces as well, which is another indicator that colorism as a tool for whitewashing is quite effective for audiences. If I see one more Zendaya fan cast for Kida from Atlantis, I will scream. It’s been happening for years, and I don’t think any of the people who just want to see her and Tom on screen either understand or care that Kida is a dark-skinned character. Zendaya doesn’t look anything like Kida- it doesn’t matter if she’s Black too! Just because someone is Black does not mean they can play every single Black character! I’ve even seen people fancast Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones fame, to which… I don’t have the words. I can’t fathom what would cause these decisions other than racism.

The Common Excuses

I must be honest. I don’t really feel like re-iterating how certain things are not okay and how to fix them, because I’ve already discussed these things in massive detail. So I’m just going to direct the excuses I regularly hear to my lessons, where you can read up on them.

“Their hair/eyes are like that because they’re biracial so-”

Relevant Lessons: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 8, 9, 10

There is nothing wrong with having biracial characters with a range of features. I am not saying that! Because yeah, genetics do happen!

But I mentioned this in my last lesson, and I will re-emphasize here, that using biracial identity as a way to whitewash is a sinister form of racism. The intention here- the real intention- is the issue here! The idea that somehow this character can only look the way you want them to look by "diluting" their Blackness… I don’t know how you can explain yourselves out of that one.

You don’t get to use us as an excuse for diversity while still trying to maintain your preference for Eurocentric beauty standards. Black biracial people don’t always look light skinned, thin-haired and ambiguous, and even the ones that do don’t deserve to be treated as your fetish for pretend antiracism. If you just want to draw a white person with a tan, do that. But don’t change a character’s entire look just so you can work in some whiteness. If you want to claim that canon Black character’s mother was white, then I guess they inherited some of her personality because their features should not change.

“It’s my style/It’s the color-”

Relevant Lessons: 3, 4, 10

I hate all excuses for whitewashing, but I’ve grown to despise, hate, abhor and loathe this one the most as I’ve become an artist. I wish there were stronger words to describe just how much I hate the “style” and “color” excuse.

Are style and use of color oft intertwined? Absolutely. I’m not saying they aren’t. But out of everything, there are two things I want artists to understand:

1. Style does not cancel out racism! No style forces you to choose ashy greys and to change peoples’ features. That’s you! If you look at something, and it looks offensive, you change the style. You grow as an artist!

2. “Everyone who is brown will look ashy so I just-” if you recognize that your Black characters look strange in comparison to your nonblack characters, then it’s time to try something else! I don’t understand this sudden need for “realism” when it comes to color and lighting, but not when it comes to hair, for example. No one cares about realism when giving every and all Black characters wavy tresses they probably wouldn’t have, but suddenly milquetoast watercolor attempts at brown and off-putting lighting is “how it works”. That’s not fair.

The color picker is an available tool! I use it often!

Dead giveaway of purposeful whitewashing: if someone gets the outfit color palette right via color picking, but the skin color is multiple shades lighter. That means they were looking at that character and chose not to proceed.

Dead giveaway of purposeful whitewashing: if the white characters in the show are completely correct in their palettes. Again, that means they cared enough to look at everyone else… and not the Black characters.

If you use the color picker and the color picked is… disrespectful, you do not have to use that! You can simply choose a better color that is still similar to the brown that ought to be depicted!

“It’s the lighting-”

Relevant Lessons: 4, 5

If your white characters do not shine like snow in the sunlight because of your lighting, then your lighting does not make your Black characters suddenly light tan.

If your Black characters look bad in your lighting of choice- for example, putting a very dark-skinned character in electric white lighting can be ghastly- try changing the intensity or the color of the lighting. DON’T change your character’s skin color!

I'm going to show you some pictures of South Sudanese model Nyakim Gatwech. Pay attention to the choices of light, color, and makeup.

Look how BEAUTIFUL she is! Look at the choices of intensity and color of light, and how they make her look different in each image.

Now look at this image in comparison:

In this image, whoever did her makeup and took this picture did not take into consideration her skin tone. She's also under this really intense lighting. This is an example of "increasing the lighting does NOT make an image "better"". She didn't need to have lighter skin or "more lighting" to look good. She needed BETTER lighting, lighting that worked with HER.

To see this as an example in drawn art, @dsm7 makes an excellent argument for proper lighting and color, why it is an issue to use it as an excuse, and how to solve that problem.

‼️DISCLAIMER FOR NEXT EXAMPLE‼️

Okay. I am about to show y’all a fan-created example from my personal experience. It is a TEACHING EXPERIENCE ONLY. I am not including the artist’s name in this image. It happened a couple years ago, and it’s over- they’ve chosen to be who they are despite me kindly confronting them about it. The only reason I’m including it at all is because I feel like it would be remiss to have such a clear-cut, multi-level example, and not teach with it. That said, no, I am not telling anyone to act out towards them. Again, that is not what I’m telling you to do. The last thing I need is a literal lynch mob of angry nonblack viewership for trying to teach you all, and y’all sitting there watching it happen to me. Every example of whitewashing is not going to be so obvious, but I hope you learn how to spot the examples in the art you see and share.

I'm obviously a Hades fan, particularly of Patroclus- despite my disdain for the lack of effort in his canon character design. So I've seen a lot of things. That said:

“Well it’s just MY design of them-”

Relevant Lessons: ALL

The sepia coloring did not do this. The lighting did not do this. The design is the exact same as the Hades version, even down to the shape of the hair curling in the back. The only thing that is different… is the man himself.

Y'all. Y'all! You CANNOT take a pre-existing Black character and say “oh well this is my design of them” …and the design is of a whole white person. Because if the rest of the fit is the same, and the only thing that changed is the Blackness… Racism. If you’re going to “make up your own design”, then do that!

“Blackwashing”

Speaking of: I’m sure someone edgy out there thinks they’re so smart as they retort to the screen: “but if that’s not okay, then why is Blackwashing okay?” To which I say- shut up. 😐

The “definition” by fandom: making a nonblack character Black, usually an anime character, but characters in general.

Funny enough, the actual definition in the dictionary (or closest to) is “to defame”, in contrast with whitewash (as in whitewashing history). Maybe racist fans ARE using it correctly when they say you’re blackwashing their characters, when they mean you’re making them “less likable because they’re Black now”. 🤔

Anyway: Blackwashing is not real for the same reason reverse racism is not real.

Me painting these characters brown is not going to take away from the fact that there are far more of you in media than there is of me. Me saying that I ‘headcanon a character as Black with 4C hair’ is not going to make the studio go “oh! Well they must be Black with 4C hair now!” Me saying “oh I think I’d like this character better if they were Black” as a beta tester (less overtly, obviously, because I’m not racist!) will never make a studio change that character. Black viewers have minimal value in comparison to the power of the white viewer’s dollar. I could draw white characters Black every single day of every single game media… and they would still produce majority white characters. There has not been centuries- if not millennia, when we consider Jesus Christ himself, even- of purposeful “Blackwashing” with the intent of removing the original ethnicity- and thus importance- of white people. No one has ever been allowed to forget when someone is white. No one has ever been allowed to forget or not acknowledge white people.

How it could be "solved"

Personally, I love Black edits and I welcome them here. I find them creative and fun. But if you really, REALLY didn’t want us to make those edits, then naturally, we need more Black characters in all of our media!

I wouldn’t have to make edits if I saw more of me to begin with in the things I like to watch- but when we have those characters, racists act an ass about them. We’re not allowed to even be present! I’ve seen too many gamer bros mocking the existence of Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed, and he was a real ass man. But if we made a game about African peoples in African societies, how many of the gamer bros would actually play those games? Do you think there’d be as much support, when we hear so much about Black characters that are treated so abhorrently? How many games do we have where people would love their faves just as much if they were Black? I even learned that Solas was apparently supposed to be a man of color. IMAGINE how many people would not have liked that man, with the same exact plot and characterization.

Something I’ve noticed recently: apparently "Blackwashing" is not a thing when White fans “allow” it. Take this recent trend with Miku. International Miku was beloved! But if you draw any other character as Black on any other day, there will be people that are horrid about it. Ask any artist, Black artists and Black cosplayers especially, who’s ever done it what their comments are like. I’ve read entire missives akin to white supremacist drivel on how it’s somehow morally wrong to make characters Black. Meanwhile no amount of “hey maybe you shouldn’t do this” prevented the movie Gods of Egypt from being created, with a cast full of British White people.

Solutions to Avoiding Whitewashing!

1) Using References!!

Do I think you should know what Black people look like? Yes. We’re humans. It’s 2024. Everyone knows what we look like when it’s time to hate and discriminate against us, so you know what we look like when it’s time to love and depict us. If you’re on Tumblr, you have access to the Internet. ESPECIALLY if you’re in the U.S., as Black people are the source of damn near every piece of online pop culture. If you can find my dialect to make my jokes, you can find pictures of me.

Would I rather you use a reference every single time so that you can only strengthen your depiction of my people? ABSOLUTELY.

Anyone on the Internet telling you not to use a reference or that you shouldn’t need a reference? Unfollow them. You don’t need that negativity in your life. Why would you deprive yourself of a tool to create? The greatest portrait painters in history had to look at their subjects! You are not getting paid nearly as much to do this as Hans Holbein, and he had to stare at Henry VIII correct else lose his head- you can pull up multiple references. I’d far rather be judged for using hella references than be judged for being a racist!

Part of the issue is people draw what they’re used to, what they’re comfortable with (thus last lesson). But if what you’re used to is not what someone will look like… That’s not okay. Their features are not the issue, your skills are the issue. Learn! Practice! There is no rush. No one is rushing you to be perfect at drawing Black characters, and no one is rushing you to post them. You can just practice! If you’re not a professional, you can take as long as you need to draw! If you need to draw that piece of hair over and over until you feel like you have down the shape, you do that! If you need to use a tool that would draw the hair for you, you get that tool!

If you want to post, you can say you are practicing! If you make clear you are practicing, then be willing to accept that people may have feedback. I’d far rather deal with someone saying they’re unconfident and practicing, than someone posting a whitewashed caricature and closing their ears because “well at least I’m trying!”

2) Empathize! Care about actual Black people when you create a Black character!

Imagine, if you will, in the Twilight Zone: you went to an artist, and you asked for a white character (I typed in “regular looking white dude” on google). There’s hardly ever any white characters, you’re so super excited about this one! You paid good money, because you’ve seen just how amazing this artist creates! They’re so good at drawing characters of color! But no matter how many times you ask, they send you back an image of… Assad Zaman.

That man might be fine as hell! Gorgeous! Beautifully done! Chef’s kiss. Stunning! But… He’s not white. That’s not what you asked or paid for. You can’t even fathom how they mixed this up, they don’t even look alike! And when you confront them, they gaslight you, they call YOU the issue for not understanding how you can’t tell that this is a white man! They would never get this wrong! They have white friends, you’re the racist! But you’re not stupid, and you have functioning eyes- you can SEE what this drawing looks like! And… It’s not you.

It’s dehumanizing. It’s being told that there’s a “better way” to look like you, and that’s by… Not looking like you. You, as you exist, are what’s incorrect. Your identity is incorrect, not their drawing. It’s better to have thinner hair instead of an afro or locs, it’s better to have lighter skin, it’s better to have a straighter, thinner nose over a round one, and smaller lips.

And what makes it worse is knowing that people who don’t look like you? Probably won’t care. They won’t be willing to see- not unable, but unwilling- that playing with this caricature is harmful, that they’re propagating harm by not acknowledging it. They’re letting you know that your humanity means less to them than the clout received with a whitewashed or half-assed Black character, and that people will applaud them for that ‘attempt at inclusion’. And people will applaud! They will be entertained by the mere performance! And that hurts.

I’m going to say this, and it’s awkward and I try not to say it directly on here, but… Having Black friends and/or being around actual, real life Black people would help. I can tell from some of the questions I receive that Black characters and their traits- especially things like our hair and our cultures- are being treated as… alien concepts. But even if, for whatever reason, you legitimately don’t know any Black people, you do not need to know us individually to care about our humanity as a whole! Even if you do not know we’re there, we are, and we could possibly see your work!

By acknowledging Blackness and making room to understand what it means- and that includes how we can look- you are doing the bare minimum of acknowledging our personhood. If you cannot do even that, you don’t need to be drawing us.

Conclusion

Here’s the thing: if you want to draw a white man with tanned skin, do that. Just do it! You do NOT have to erase me to have more of you! There is not a single fandom where the majority of the white fans ever said “gee, not another white guy!” It simply doesn’t happen. God knows we wish it did sometimes. You will always have an audience for white characters. There’s no danger to any of you of “being erased”.

(Without putting on my political hat, I will say that a lot of white people who consider themselves to be far from white supremacist will express beliefs in line with great replacement theory if you push them hard enough. It is unfortunately not as uncommon an idea as you might think. I would do some self-evaluation.)

People are going to notice that you only ever draw white people, but… To be frank, that has never stopped anybody from being successful. Again, Jen Zee, at Supergiant with the terrible dark-skinned characters… Still has a job. at Supergiant. A professional studio. Dragon Age. Multiple games of consistent whitewashing and racist writing. Still going. If racism prevented creation and popularity, I wouldn’t have to have this blog. Alas, that is the society we currently live in.

But if you ACTUALLY want to depict Black characters, if you ACTUALLY want to do right and be respectful- not because you want the clout, but because it’s the right damn thing to do- then you need to commit! This means drawing them as they are meant to be! Accept that you’ll likely lose some fan base, who was there (whether they were aware of it or not) for the white and lighter skinned characters. Accept that this means that trying to appeal to those people by whitewashing characters is 1) wrong, 2) racist, which is 3) something you chose to do when you could simply have just… Drawn more white people.

I’ll say it again: antiracism is hard. It’s hard doing the right thing in a society that rewards racism so easily. It’s really hard knowing that people will stop supporting you or caring as much about your work when you start including Black characters as actively as you do white ones, especially if you start talking about the importance of it. But in my honest opinion, I’d far rather be someone that cared about others, with genuine fans, than someone that was racist for the fleeting internet clout of strangers. And that may be less ‘hopeful’ than I normally am in these lessons, but… People make choices. And people who have been informed- as you are now- are aware of the choices they are making. It’s the thought that counts, but the action that delivers- let’s choose better actions.

#creatingblackcharacters #black character design #whitewashing #antiblackness

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atomicami · 4 months ago

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while my heart heals…

ceo!sevika x fem!reader

- summary: you’re in a whirlwind when you and your boss catch your boyfriend with her fiancée in the act together. the heartbreak starts to affect your performance at work, and as a result, you decide to take a leave of absence so you can heal properly. but when your boss catches you handing the letter onto her desk, she ends up giving you some unexpected comfort—followed by a proper farewell.

- content: smut MDNI, modern au, corporate setting, NYC living (for now), reader works in sales, reader is dating jayce (only in the beginning), mel and sevika are engaged, age gap (reader is early-mid 20s, sevika is early-mid 40s), secret love affairs, infidelity/cheating followed by breaking up, hurt/comfort, porn with plot, fingering (r!receiving), semi-public sex (they do it in the office!), sevika being a tease and talking you through it, cockblocking, and also everyone is filthy rich in this

- author’s note: can’t stop thinking about getting with rich ceo sevika so i decided to write this out. i hope y’all like it!

“sometimes i don’t even know where i’m going but i’ll never forget where i come from i know who i am and who i will be and that’s why i have faith in myself”

(this fic is crossposted on ao3)

The rain hasn’t let up all day.

Thick, gray clouds spread across the sky, the city being consumed by the downpour. You barely notice it, though—your mind is still at the office, stuck between unfinished paperwork and the weight of another long day.

You’d expect to be home after your shift, and you did…only to end up getting ready to leave the house again later that evening.

It was for some corporate event. A birthday celebration for an executive, or was it a fundraiser? You hadn’t paid much attention to it when it was brought up in last week’s meeting. Frankly, it was the last thing you’d want to be doing after a long workday like this.

And yet, here you are—back home, standing in front of the mirror, completely unaware of what the night has in store.

You’ve lost count of the outfit changes you’ve given yourself in the past hour. No one really specified what the dress code was for the event—so in the end, you simply resorted to a crimson piece that hung in your closet, blended in with the rest of your outfits.

The dress hugs your figure beautifully. It was sleek and elegant, but you barely feel like yourself in it. It’s not like you don’t like dressing up—on the contrary, you actually enjoy it, especially given that your clothes have now taken up space on your boyfriend’s side of the closet as well. But with the weight of today and this entire week overall, the exhaustion consuming you was making it harder to pretend that you want to be at this party at all.

Your phone buzzes beside you, the text message from Jayce lighting up the screen indicating that he was here.

You exhale through your nose, finishing the touches on your makeup before smoothing down the fabric of your dress. It’s not that anything’s wrong. Jayce has been nothing but kind and thoughtful to you. He’s said all the right things and treated you like royalty for the past two years of your relationship with him. But lately, there’s been something…off. Something you can’t quite put your finger on.

You shake the thought of it away, grabbing your coat and clutch before heading out the door. It’s just one night, right?

˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘

It was only a ten minute ride to the hotel, but for some reason you felt like the ride dragged out longer. Maybe it was because of the downpour of rain, or the evening traffic, as it always is in New York—or maybe it was just your lingering anxieties about showing up to an event like this. As the top saleswoman in Hexcorp, and now the girlfriend to one of the CEOs, you can’t help but feel the pressure of having to make the best impression all the time.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the valet opens the car door for you, and Jayce steps out first, immediately offering you his hand as if he’s effortlessly playing the part of a perfect gentleman. You force a small smile and take his hand, stepping carefully onto the slick pavement as the two of you walk through the revolving door.

The inside of the hotel is a stark contrast to the gloom outside. It was elegant, with warm golden lights, crystal chandeliers, and the soft hum of music on the piano surrounding you the moment you entered. The air is thick with chatter and laughter as well dressed attendees mingle around with cocktails in hand.

Jayce keeps a steady hand on the small of your back as you both make your way deeper into the crowd, guiding you toward familiar faces. His touch is warm, but something about it feels…off. Too careful. Too practiced.

“Should we grab a drink?” he asks, yet he is already steering you towards the bar. You nod at his offer anyway, but your eyes wander.

And then you see her—your other boss.

Sevika.

Tall, broad, and impossible to miss, even in a room full of elites. She’s right across the bar, her suit tailored to perfection—coincidentally, it also was crimson, the same shade as your dress. The deep red fabric molds to her muscular frame, sharp lines hugging her body in all the right places. The top button of her shirt is undone, just enough to tease what lies underneath, and her posture is relaxed as ever, radiating effortless control. Her prosthetic arm gleams under the soft light, the intricate metal plating a sharp contrast to the rich fabric of her suit.

But she’s not alone.

Standing beside her is her fiancée, Mel Medarda.

But she doesn’t just stand there—she owns the space around her. A beautiful vision draped in a sleek, skin tight white gown that hugs her curves as if it were painted on. Gold jewelry glitters around her neck, and her perfectly manicured fingers rest lightly on Sevika’s arm in primal possession. And she sure doesn’t fail to show off the ring—a massive, dazzling marquise cut diamond perched proudly on her ring finger, glistening under the lights. Her skin glows alongside it, her rich brown complexion flawless, and her signature smirk tugs at the corners of her lips as if she knows every single person in the room is looking at her. As if she knows you’re looking at her.

That’s Mel Medarda for you. International supermodel. A walking fantasy who managed to get engaged with Sevika.

Your stomach twists, and you force yourself to look away before either of them can catch you staring. But your eyes betray you.

Because they find their way back to Sevika and Mel.

And Sevika?

She’s already looking at you.

You’re quick to pull your gaze away from Sevika’s, heart pounding a little harder than it should be. You’re not sure how long you’ve been staring, but the tension lingers in the air long after you look away.

A familiar hand wraps around yours, fully pulling you out of your thoughts as you look back up to see Jayce nudging a glass of champagne into your hand. “Come on, let’s make the rounds.” he urges gently.

You nod with a distracted smile as you take the glass of champagne and follow alongside him, but the memory of Sevika’s striking gray eyes on you stays in the back of your mind.

An hour passes, but you feel like you’ve been here for an eternity already. You’re forcing yourself to smile as one of your coworkers goes on about the latest sales report. You’ve been hearing about it for the past hour, but you’re barely listening. Your mind keeps drifting back to when you first saw Sevika and Mel at the bar. Something about the way Sevika’s eyes lingered on you still makes your heart race.

“Great numbers this quarter,” your coworker continues, pulling you back to reality. “You’ve really outdone yourself with the new client investment. They’re already asking about you by name.”

You nod absently, pretending to care as your eyes scan the around room for any sign of Jayce. He’d been glued to your side all evening, but now you can’t seem to find him at all.

“Thank you,” you say, shaking them off politely. “I’ll follow up with the clients about it tomorrow.”

They simply smile back before walking off to engage with another coworker. You take another sip of your champagne as your eyes continue to search the room. Your attention shifts as you overhear another conversation between two other coworkers near the bar, talking about next quarter’s sales targets. As the company’s top saleswoman, you’re used to these conversations being centered around you. They look over at you with admiration, always taking mental notes on your strategies and approach.

“She really knows how to close a deal.” one of them says. “She’s a shark.”

The compliment barely registers in your head. All you could do was smile, too distracted by the fact that Jayce was nowhere to be seen.

“Excuse me,” you murmur, sliding past them as you start to brush through the crowd.

The search feels longer than it actually is. You weave through the crowd, giving polite smiles and dodging conversations as you slip through groups of colleagues and executives. The music and laughter fill the air, but none of it gets to you. Your mind is fixated on one thing—finding where the hell your boyfriend is.

You try to be in denial about it, telling yourself that you’re just overreacting. Maybe Jayce just stepped outside to take a call or grabbed another drink at the bar. But deep down, that unsettling feeling refuses to leave your system. You finally reach the bar, but there’s no sign of him there.

“Have you seen Jayce?” you ask over to the coworker who sat there.

They blink, looking around before shaking their head. “Uh, no…not for a while. Maybe he stepped out?”

You give them a quick nod, muttering a quiet thanks before moving on, the knot in your stomach tightening even more. Your heels click faster against the marble floor as you move toward the quieter area of the venue, the noise and chatter slowly fading away with each step you take. Down the hall, a row of private rooms stretches ahead, each of them closed except for the very last one at the end of the hallway. You walk slower now, feeling the air get thicker with each step. You shouldn’t be anxious about this.

And yet…you are.

Your fingers brush against the smooth surface of the champagne glass in your hand, your grip tightening instinctively around the flute. You tell yourself to relax, but the words do nothing to alleviate you from the uneasiness that was settling into your bones.

And that’s when you hear it—muffled voices in a low and urgent tone. At first, you think it’s just another couple hidden away in the room for privacy. But something about these voices feels…familiar. Too familiar.

You take another step forward, your pulse pounding louder in your ears with each beat. Your stomach twists once more when you see the familiar head of jet black hair in your eyeline. The door is slightly ajar, and a warm light spills into the hallway. You hesitate, your grip getting tighter on the glass as you listen.

“We can’t keep doing this,” Jayce mutters, his voice rough and raw. His head moves slightly, just enough for you to see a glimpse of her—a glimpse of Mel.

“And yet…” Mel replies, her voice soft and sultry as she pauses. “You keep coming back.”

A breathy chuckle escapes him, followed by his hand shifting through the open slit on Mel’s dress as he moves closer to her. “I can’t help myself,” Jayce murmurs, his voice lower now, filled with a kind of desire you’ve never heard from him. “You drive me fucking crazy.”

“Is that so?” Mel muses back, her voice laced with pure seduction. “Then why do you keep wasting time?”

Your heart sinks down to your stomach, body going rigid as the pieces fall into place. The way Jayce had been acting around you, all those ‘late nights’ he’d spend in the office—it all made sense now.

“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Jayce’s confession lingers in the air, his voice filled with desperation. “Even when I’m with her…all I think about is you.”

Your eyes widen in shock, your heart shattering as the champagne class trembles in your hand. It wasn’t just what Jayce had said, it was how he said it—straightforward, no hesitation whatsoever. There was no guilt. Just raw, unfiltered honesty, spoken so easily it feels like the knife was plunging deeper into your chest.

Like he never even cared.

You feel your fingers going numb on the glass as the wave of realization crashes over you. The love, the trust, the loyalty—it makes you wonder if it had meant anything to him.

Or were you just convenient?

The thought burns in your brain, leaving an ache so deep that it makes it hard to breathe.

And yet, he doesn’t even notice.

“Jayce…we really shouldn’t…” Mel reminds him, her voice softer now.

He simply scoffs at that, shaking his head in disbelief. “Come on, Mel…you want this just as bad as I do.” he breathes out, and you hear the rustle of fabric between them—their clothes shifting as their bodies press closer.

And then—the kiss hits between them. It was slow, deep and desperate. Your vision blurs at the corners of your eyes, and you don’t even register the champagne flute slipping from your fingers, hitting the marble floor with a loud shatter that echoes throughout the hallway. Tiny shards of glass surround your stiletto-covered feet, but you’re too frozen, too numb to even notice.

However, the shatter startles them both, causing them to freeze instantly, their lips pulling apart as the sharp echo rang through the room. Their bodies go rigid as they slowly turn their heads toward the doorway. Mel’s eyes widen, a panicked expression crossing her face. Jayce’s breathing quickens, his heart rate rising once he sees you. His hands, which had been all over Mel just moments ago, twitch slightly at his sides as he steps back, his eyes still not taking off of you.

“Jayce?”

Your voice was soft and shaky as his name escaped your lips, but it was enough to make them freeze as the realization hit them. His lips part, but no words come out at first. Mel’s eyes flicker between the two of you, her body shifting towards Jayce in hopes of hiding away.

“It’s…it’s not what it looks like,” he finally breathes out, his voice barely above a whisper, panic and guilt filling his tone. The words hang in the air, completely meaningless to you—but you don’t respond, you just can’t.

Because even as he said it—you know he’s clearly lying.

Mel hasn’t said a word. She’s too busy avoiding your gaze, her lips slightly parted as if she’s trying to think of something to say, but nothing comes out. For a woman who’s career relies on confidence, she’s sure failing to show it at this exact moment.

You don’t move. Don’t blink. In fact, your mind doesn’t register anything else besides the scene that had unfolded in front of you. You don’t even notice the door now fully swung open beside you, or the sudden warmth that lingered right behind you. But you do see the shift in their faces—especially Mel’s—as the panic flashes deeper in her eyes.

“Mel?”

The name cuts through the air like a blade, and your stomach drops. That voice—deep, low, and now laced with pure fury—comes from behind you. Slowly, you turn around.

Sevika stands in the doorway now, her broad frame blocking out most of the light coming from the hall. Her expression is unreadable at first, but you can see how tightly her jaw is clenched as she tries, but fails to stay calm.

“Sevika…” Mel’s voice trembles, almost at the same level as Jayce.

But Sevika doesn’t respond. Not at first. Her eyes don’t leave Mel, dark with rage—as if she were a storm on the verge of breaking. Her presence looms behind you, grounding you in the chaos swarming around.

“What the fuck is this?” Sevika growls, her voice low and cold. Her eyes flicker between Mel and Jayce, taking in the way their bodies are still too close to each other. The way Mel’s hand lingered on Jayce’s chest before dropping down only heated the anger inside her even more.

It was her fiancée and her colleague—together, behind her back.

The room suddenly feels smaller to you now, almost suffocating. Your hands tremble at your sides, fingers curling into fists as an emotional mix of heartbreak and rage bubbles inside you. But your eyes stay locked on Jayce.

“How long?”

Your voice is barely above a whisper, yet it was loud enough to cut through the tension. Jayce’s jaw clenches anxiously. His eyes are widened in a mix of desperation and cowardice, pleading silently for your mercy. “Babe…” he murmurs softly, as if that name could fix what was already beyond repair.

“How long, Jayce?” you repeat. Your voice is louder the second time, more stern and forceful. Jayce’s mouth opens again, but nothing comes out. He hesitates, his eyes flickering over to Mel for a split second. Big mistake.

You see it, and so did Sevika.

“Answer her fucking question, Jayce.” Sevika growls behind you, her tone low, almost threatening. “Don’t make her ask again.”

Jayce stiffens, swallowing hard, and finally looks back at you, letting out an exhale of defeat before responding. “A…a year.”

Your stomach drops.

You force out a breath, still in shock and disbelief over what you had just heard. “A year?” you shake your head, letting out a humorless laugh. “You’ve been sneaking around with her for a year, and you have the fucking nerve to tell me that it’s not what it looks like?”

The tears start to build in your eyes, and Jayce steps forward, but you take a quick step back. “Don’t.” you snap, your hands shaking. “I don’t want to fucking hear it.”

Sevika exhales sharply beside you, her arms crossed, trying to hold herself back. “This is fucking unbelievable,” she mutters, her eyes not leaving Jayce. “You’ve been lying to her for a year? And you…” her gaze snaps over to Mel. “What do you even have to say for yourself?”

Mel’s lips part, but no words come out.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sevika lets out a laugh that was just as cold as yours. “I put a damn ring on your finger.”

Mel takes a step closer to her, a weak attempt in trying to redeem herself. “I-I had wanted to tell you—”

“Oh yeah?” Sevika scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief. “And when exactly were you going to tell me? After we got married?”

Mel’s lips part again, but the only sound that comes out is a shaky breath.

“What a fucking joke,” she mutters her gaze shifting between the two. “You’re both pathetic.”

Another shaky breath slips from Mel’s lips. “Sevika, darling please—”

“Save it.”

Sevika takes another step forward, her presence commanding the room. But this time, she doesn’t stop. Mel instinctively moves back, accidentally bumping into Jayce’s chest. His hands instinctively grab her shoulders to steady her, giving her a look of reassurance to make sure she was okay.

And that was the final straw for you.

You let out a sharp breath, shaking your head as the realization crashes down harder. This was never just a mistake.

You glance at Sevika, and when your eyes meet with hers, there’s a newfound connection between you both. Without another word, you turn on your heel, your chest still tight as you pass by the three of them and leave the room. Sevika follows right after, her heavy footsteps matching yours as you step over the shattered glass and out of the room, leaving them both in the mess of their own betrayal.

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The days that followed from the incident felt like a blur.

You throw yourself into work, burying yourself in reports, emails, and endless meetings. You figured it’d be easier that way—keeping busy. If your mind is constantly occupied, then there wouldn’t be any time to think about him, right?

But regardless, it was impossible to ignore.

Jayce keeps his distance from you, both inside and outside of work. He’s been staying somewhere else in the meantime, you’re not sure if it’s with Mel, or back in his large family estate, but frankly, you couldn’t care less about his whereabouts. As for the office, he doesn’t try to talk to you. No apologies. No explanations. Just…silence.

You didn’t want to admit it, but that alone hurts more than if he had tried.

Of course, you’ve still maintained your position in Hexcorp as top saleswoman, but even that feels empty to you now. Your numbers are still flawless, but the passion, the drive that used to push you forward in your career—it was gone. It honestly even makes you question why you’re still here in this building, or even New York as a whole. Deep down, it makes you wish that you could find yourself an escape from this.

And that sign was given to you just a couple of days ago.

You had broken the news to your parents over the phone. It was quite the shock to them—they’d mostly see you together with Jayce on holidays, but given how he always carried himself and the way he treated you, this was the last thing they ever expected.

But what hurt them the most was hearing just how broken you sounded when you told them.

“I just…I don’t get it,” your voice cracked, and you blinked back tears as your grip tightened on your phone. “How could he do this to me?”

“Oh, mija…I’m so sorry.” your mom’s voice had been soft when you told her, but it had the kind of heaviness that only came from a mother hearing her child in pain. You tried to keep your words to a minimum, tried to hold yourself together, but the more you tried to speak, the harder it was to keep you from breaking.

Your dad was silent for a moment before his voice came through the phone, steady but laced with a subtle hint of anger. “You know, I never liked that Talis boy to begin with.”

You can hear the soft tsk your mom gives to your dad, but you can hear the frustration in her voice too.

“Hey, I’m just saying,” he grumbled, his tone softening after a second. “You deserve better, kid. So much better.”

There’s a quick pause before your mother speaks again. “Why don’t you go stay over at the beach house for a while?” your mom suggested gently, her voice warm and comforting. “Spend some time in Miami, clear your head. “Your relatives are close by if you need anything, and I’m sure your abuela would love to see you too.”

You pause for a moment to think over your mother’s suggestion. The beach house was your childhood escape—sitting along the Miami shore where the sun was always warmer and the waves would effortlessly wash your worries away. It was nothing like New York, where the chilly, heavy atmosphere was harder to breathe in.

However, you couldn’t risk the chances of losing your job for being gone for so long. But deep down, maybe this was what you really needed—a sweet escape, a place where you can truly heal your heart and ground yourself back to your roots.

Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

You take a deep breath, nodding to yourself as your grip now relaxes on your phone. “You’re right,” you murmur softly, the words leaving your lips before you even realize it. “I could really use something like that right now.”

Your mother’s relieved sigh comes through the line, and your father’s quiet agreement follows right after. “I’m so glad to hear that,” she says gently. “You deserve a break from this, mija.”

“Hey, get some rest, alright?” your dad chimes. “And call us as soon as you get there.”

“I will,” you promise, voice barely above a whisper now.

The call ends with quiet goodbyes, leaving you now sitting in the dim, quiet space of the house you once shared with Jayce. The silence feels heavier here—every room still holds traces of the life you built together, yet it all feels so distant now.

You take a deep breath, reaching over for your laptop before bringing it onto your lap, and without a second thought, you book yourself a one-way ticket to Miami—far away from the chaos that was suffocating you in New York.

And once that’s done, there’s only one thing left to do—write out your leave of absence letter and leave it on Sevika’s desk first thing tomorrow morning.

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The next morning, the familiar buzz of the office surrounds you, but it all feels like background noise. You’re at your desk, staring blankly at your computer screen as you zone out into the unfinished spreadsheet on the screen. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Jayce and Sevika step out of their shared office and head toward the conference room down the hall. You couldn’t help but keep your gaze on Sevika for a little longer. She looks composed on the outside, but you can see it—the slight tension in her shoulders, the quiet exhaustion in her eyes—she’s holding it together just like you. You look away before she notices you, swallowing down the ache in your chest as they leave.

Once you made sure they were gone, you clutch the letter into your hand as you push back your chair and stand. Your footsteps are quiet as you pass by your busy coworkers and make your way toward their shared office, the door left slightly ajar enough for you to slip inside. Your eyes land on Sevika’s side of the office, the dark wood of her desk reflecting the soft light filtering in through the windows. You take a step toward it, unfolding the letter in front of you to place it on her desk. However, you couldn’t help but notice the soft, navy velvet box quietly sitting on the surface. Your heart skips a beat, knowing exactly what it is without even having to open it.

The engagement ring.

Mel had already given it back.

The box is closed, yet the weight of what it holds feels heavy in the air. Your mind flashes back to that night, to the look on Sevika’s face when she saw Mel with Jayce together. The devastation in her eyes, masked by fury—seeing her hurt you more than when you had seen them. You let out a shaky breath, fingers trembling slightly as they brush against the edge of your letter, but before you can set it down—

“Leaving something for me?”

The deep, unmistakable voice sends a chill down your spine. You freeze, eyes widening as your body goes rigid. Your heart pounds in your chest as panic starts to settle into your bones.

Slowly, you turn around. Sevika stands in the doorway, her tall frame effortlessly filling the space around her. Her expression is unreadable, but her sharp eyes are locked on the letter in your hand.

“Sevika, I-I was just—”

Her brow arches slightly as she shuts the door and steps further into the office, her gaze not leaving yours.

“What’s that?”

Her voice is calm, but you couldn’t ignore the tension behind it. The panic continues to fill up inside you as you instinctively pull the letter closer to your chest, as if that was going to shield it away from her. “It’s…it’s nothing,” you murmur, but the crack in your voice betrays you. Her eyes narrow down to the paper in your hand, and before you can move her hand reaches out, flesh fingers brushing over yours as she gently but firmly takes the letter from your grip.

“Sevika, wait—”

But it’s too late. Her eyes scan the words on the page, her brows furrowing deeper with each passing second as she reads through the letter. You see her jaw tighten, her throat bobbing as she swallows hard. “Leave of absence?” she asks, slowly setting the letter down and bringing her gaze back up to you. “You’re…you’re leaving?”

Your throat tightens, unsure of what else to say. “I was going to tell you,” you murmur softly, looking down at your feet, unable to meet her gaze. “I just…I need some time.”

“Why?”

You can hear the concern in her voice—a hint of vulnerability that you’ve never heard from her before. You finally look up, your eyes meeting hers. “Because I can’t do this anymore.”

Her eyes darken with uncertainty. “Do what?”

You swallow, heart painfully thrumming against your ribs. “Be here. Pretend that everything’s okay when it’s not.” Your voice is barely above a whisper, and you don’t notice Sevika’s gaze softening when you look over to Jayce’s side of the office. “Jayce and I...We built a life together. And now, it’s gone.” Your voice cracks, and you blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay as you look back at her. “Every corner of this place reminds me of what I just lost. I just…I need to get away. To breathe. To heal.”

Her jaw clenches, her eyes flickering away from yours for a moment. “It’s just…” She hesitates, running a hand down her face before exhaling a breath that sounds heavier than it should. “You’re my best saleswoman.” Her voice is quieter now, almost as if she’s trying to convince herself of something. “I can’t afford to lose you.”

But it was never about the numbers. Not when it came to you. You know there’s more to it—something deeper. You can feel it in the way her gaze lingers on you, in the way her body gets just a little too tense, as if she’s holding something back.

“I’m not…” Your voice trails off to a sigh as you shake your head. “I’m not quitting, Sevika. I just need some time. Please.”

For a moment, neither of you speak. The air between you is heavy, the silence in the room stretching longer than it should.

“How long?” she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know,” you admit, your fingers fidgeting with the hem of your blouse. “But I…I need this.”

Sevika doesn’t speak right away. Her expression is unreadable as she looks at you, but before you can process it—before you can say anything else—she moves toward you. Strong arms wrap around you, pulling you into a firm but careful embrace.

Your breath catches in your throat. Sevika has never been the type of person to do gestures like this. She’s never been the comforting, reassuring presence in someone’s life—at least, not in this way. But right now, she holds you close to her like she’s afraid to let you go, like she knows how much you need this more than you do. Your eyes squeeze shut as you clutch the fabric of her suit jacket, your fingers curling into the cotton tightly to keep you grounded.

“I get it,” she murmurs, her voice softer now. “Believe me, I do.”

Her words send another shiver down your spine, because she does get it.

Mel. The woman she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with.

You exhale shakily, pressing your forehead against her shoulder. “Then you of all people should know why I have to go.”

Sevika’s arms tighten around you just for a second before she finally releases you, stepping back just enough to meet your gaze. “Yeah,” she murmurs, her jaw tight as she watches you carefully. “I know.”

But that doesn’t mean that she wants you to go. Her eyes still linger on yours, and something shifts between you. Sevika looks at you like she’s fighting a battle within herself—like she’s trying to hold herself back from doing something that she may—or may not regret.

“Sevika…” you whisper, your voice quiet enough to break the silence between you.

She doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t move. But her eyes—they tell you everything. You feel it before you see it—the way she leans in, her body instinctively drawn to yours like a magnet. It’s slow, almost hesitant, as if she's giving you an open chance to pull away. But you don’t. You can’t.

Instead, your hand drifts up, brushing lightly over her jaw. She tilts her head towards your palm, melting into your touch. Her eyes flutter shut for a brief movement before they open again—darker, filled with something you can’t describe.

And then, the distance between you two disappears. Her lips meet yours, and the world seems to fall away. The kiss is tentative at first, making you both afraid to take too much from each other. But the tension is quick to snap, and suddenly, the kiss deepens. Her flesh hand slides around the back of your neck, fingers threading through your hair as she pulls you closer. The cool metal of her prosthetic rests against your waist, grounding you in the moment. Your body presses into hers, and you feel like this should be wrong, but it doesn’t. On the contrary, it feels…right. Like this is where you’re meant to be instead. It’s nothing compared to how you’ve felt with Jayce. You absolutely lose yourself in her—her touch, her taste, the way she holds you like you’re something precious. Like you’re exactly where she wants to be."

She finally pulls back, breathless and dazed, her forehead resting gently against yours. “I really don’t want you to go…” Sevika murmurs, the desperation in her voice tugging at your heart. Your thumb brushes along her jaw again, a bittersweet smile spread on your lips. “I know,” you whisper, eyes searching hers. “But I have to.”

“Well, in that case…” Sevika replies, her thumb lightly brushing over your bottom lip as her eyes darken with intent. Her lips curl into a sly smirk, her gaze burning into yours. “Let me give you a proper goodbye.”

Your breath catches in your throat, and before you can even think, her lips crash into yours again. Unlike the last one, this kiss is more desperate, filled with everything the both of you have been holding back for far too long. Her flesh hand grips your waist firmly, pulling you flush against her, while the hard press of her prosthetic along your hip sends a shiver through you. Her lips move with a hunger that makes your knees weak. But you couldn’t give in like this.

“Sevika…” you manage to breathe out her name between heated kisses, your lips barely parting from hers. But she hears it.

And as much as it kills you, you pull back. Your eyes meet hers—her pupils dilated with desire, but there’s hesitation filling in yours. “We…we can’t.” Your voice is shaky and uncertain. “Jayce and Mel…it isn’t right…”

Sevika doesn’t respond right away. Her forehead simply rests against yours, her breath warm against your skin. “No…” she murmurs softly, her voice low but firm. “They’re the ones who threw it all away. It’s their loss, not ours.”

Your eyes widen slightly as her words sink in, but she doesn’t give you a chance to pull away. Her gaze is more intense now, searching yours for any sense of doubt. But there’s something else in her eyes—something raw, vulnerable, and aching for you just as much as you ache for her. “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Her voice is barely above a whisper now, but there’s so much behind her words.

And in that moment, you know she’s right. The weight of the heartbreak, betrayal, and confusion still lingers, but now it all fades away with you being in her arms. Her lips claim yours once more, and the heat inside you ignites all over again. Her hands slide down your back, guiding you as she walks you backward across the room. Your heart pounds in your chest, but you don’t stop her. Not this time.

The edge of the desk presses against the backs of your thighs, and her hands are already pushing everything aside, sending papers and pens scattering to the floor. Sevika lifts you up effortlessly in one smooth motion, placing you on the desk as her lips refuse to leave yours.

However, neither of you realize where you’ve really ended up—Jayce’s desk.

But at this moment, with Sevika’s hands all over you and her lips claiming yours…none of it matters.

Sevika presses her body against yours, pinning you to the desk as she stands between your parted legs. You can feel every hard inch of her muscular frame, the heat of her skin radiating through her suit. Sevika pulls back slightly, her lips trailing kisses along your jawline and down your neck. You tilt your head back to give her better access, and a soft moan slips from your mouth once she nips at your pulse point, her teeth grazing your soft skin before she soothes the sting with her tongue.

You’re barely able to keep your balance on the desk, your breath shallow as her touch stirs something deep inside you. Your eyes dart to the closed blinds, the faint silhouettes of your coworkers just outside, completely unaware of what’s happening behind them. Your heart starts to race—not from desire, but from the undeniable risk of it all. It feels like you’re playing with fire, and yet…you can’t help but take the heat.

“S-Sevika,” you murmur, trying to steady your breathing. “We—someone could see—”

Sevika cuts your sentence off instantly with a hushed, teasing whisper. “Shh…” she breathes, her voice low. “If you stay quiet…then no one will know.”

She leans in, kissing you hard while her hand works quickly to unbutton your slacks, pushing them down to your ankles. “You need this, baby, I know you do.” Her voice is a low rasp, sending shivers down your spine that makes her see right through you. "Stop overthinking, and just let me take care of you.”

To emphasize her point, her flesh hand shifts from your slacks to underneath your blouse, her warm fingertips brushing over your stomach as it moves up north. She cups your breast, her thumb brushing over your nipple through the thin lace of your bra. The sensation makes you gasp, your back arching into her touch. Sevika takes advantage of this and trails kisses down your chest, pushing your blouse up as she goes. She tugs your bra down, freeing your breasts to the cool air of the office. Then, in an instant, she leans down and takes one of your nipples into her mouth, sucking and biting at the sensitive bud, eliciting a whine from your lips over the sensation. Her hand slides back down your stomach, fingers now toying with the waistband of your underwear. She looks up at you, waiting for your permission to continue, to which you nod in approval.

With that, she hooks her fingers and shifts your underwear to the side, exposing your pussy to her. She leans back, using two fingers to part open your puffy folds only to be taken aback by how wet you were. “God, baby…you’re this wet for me already?” she mutters, gently sliding her fingers through your wet slit. You reply to her with a whiny nod, gently rutting your hips against the pads of her fingers for more. She simply chuckles at your desperate pleas, gently inserting a finger into your hole but only to be surprised when she sees how you resist her single finger. “Fuck, you’re so tight…” she pants out, carefully trying to push more of her finger in. “When was the last time someone touched you like this?”

Your breath hitches, and for a moment, you hesitate. But the truth weighs heavier than the silence between you. “Too long…” you finally breathe, your voice barely a whisper. Your eyes trail away from her, a flash of frustration and sadness crossing your face. “Jayce…he hasn’t—” your words falter with a sudden gasp when Sevika pushes her finger farther inside you. She brings her metal hand up to your jaw, the smooth yet unyielding grip making you face her. “His loss,” she mutters, lips brushing against yours again. “How about you let me remind you how it’s supposed to feel, yeah?"

Sevika doesn't falter just yet, she starts to work her finger in and out of your tight cunt, slowly at first but gradually increasing force once you become used to the resistance. Her thumb meets with your clit, rubbing firm circles around the sensitive nub as she continues to pump her finger in and out of your pussy. You whine and begin to squirm and shake at the sensation, but Sevika is quick to slide her prosthetic hand on your waist, keeping you grounded onto the desk as the cool wooden surface presses against your skin. She then adds another finger in, scissoring them inside you as her thumb continues its assault on your clit. You whine at the stretch, unable to take it, but your body starts to betray you by giving the opposite response—sucking Sevika’s fingers further inside rather than resisting. The wet squelching sounds of her fingers plunging into your soaked cunt fill the office, mixing with your restrained whines and the harsh pants of her own breathing.

“S-Sevika,” you whine, trying to wriggle yourself away. “I-I can’t…t-too much…”

“Too much?” Sevika chuckles against your skin, her fingers still working into your cunt. “Then why’s your greedy little cunt begging me for more?” Her gaze drops down to your pussy, admiring at how your desperate hole continues to suck her fingers in while your arousal drips around them. “Needy girl, taking in my fingers like this,” her gaze flickers back up to you. “I’m gonna need these back, you know. Can’t keep them forever, sweetheart.”

All you can do is whine and whimper, your chest and stomach tightening as you try to keep yourself quiet so as to not startle your coworkers outside. But Sevika doesn’t make it any easier for you once she speeds up the pace, the desk shifting slightly beneath you as if it was imitating the consequences of what you’re doing. The thought of Jayce sitting here tomorrow, completely unaware of what happened on his desk today, makes a dangerous thrill pulse through your veins. Jayce might have carried your past, but Sevika was putting herself into your present, claiming you as hers with every deep curl of her fingers, making sure your body never forgets the feeling of her.

She looks back up at you, her eyes darkening as she watches your face twist in pleasure. Your cunt begins to clench tighter around her fingers, along with the coil that's been winding deep in your stomach, you were getting close, and Sevika could tell. Her fingers never stop their relentless pace, pumping in and out of your clenching heat, pushing you closer and closer to the edge. She glances back up at you just to admire the drunk look on your face. “Look at you, so desperate to cum already, yeah?” she muses, her prosthetic shifting from your waist to push down on your lower stomach, only making it worse for you to restrain yourself. “Go on, sweetheart, cum for me. But remember…” she trails off, jerking her head over to the closed blinds. “They don’t need to know what’s going on.”

Her words are filthy, but they only serve to turn you on more, pushing you closer to your impending release. Your hand grips tightly onto the edge of the desk while the other claws at Sevika’s forearm in desperation, which does nothing but spur her on with her words. At this point, she’s practically begging for you to cum now, just so she can see you fall apart for her. “That’s it, baby—don’t hold back. Let me feel it. Come for me, sweetheart.”

Her words, combined with the relentless pace of her fingers, finally push you over the edge. Your orgasm crashes through you like a tidal wave, your eyes rolling to the back of your head as your cunt clamps down around her fingers like a vice. Your mouth parts open, body giving in as you’re tempted to scream her name, but Sevika is quick to lean in and attach her lips back to yours, muffling your cries of pleasure as your release gushes into her fingers and onto the desk. But she doesn’t let up just yet, working you through your orgasm with her fingers until you’re a shaking, mewling mess beneath her.

Once the aftershocks start to subside, she finally slows down, gently withdrawing her flesh fingers out of your sensitive cunt. She brings her hand up to her lips, making a show of licking your juices from her fingers, her eyes closing in bliss as she savors your taste. “Fuck, you taste even better than I imagined,” she murmurs, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face. “I should’ve used my mouth on you instead if I knew you were going to taste this sweet.”

You chuckle lazily, looking up at her with heavy eyes as you recover from your orgasm. “Well, you can go for seconds if you’d like, Sev.” you tease, kicking off your heels and bunched up slacks from your feet before spreading your legs farther out to her, leaving your fucked out cunt on full display to her gaze. Sevika’s eyes darken at your newfound position, getting nothing but more turned on at the sight of you spread out on her colleague’s desk. She glances down to your cunt, her smirk spreading wider as she sees your release pooling underneath you, darkening the wood of the desk. “You’ve sure made a mess, pretty girl,” she says, her voice almost accusatory as if she wasn’t the one who made you cum like that. “Luckily, I’m willing to clean that up for you.”

In an instant, Sevika drops to her knees in front of you, hooking her flesh arm beneath your thigh while her prosthetic grips the other, pulling you closer. Your breath hitches as Sevika lowers herself in front of you, her hold firm—one soft and warm, the other cold and unrelenting. Her lips tease their way back up to your pussy, ready to satisfy you once more, until—

“Where’s Sevika?”

Jayce’s words echo faintly from the hallway, distant but close enough to send a jolt of panic through your veins. Sevika freezes for just a second before quickly getting back up on her feet. The two of you scramble around—adjusting clothes, fixing hair, cleaning down the surface and scattering papers in your desperate attempt to make it look like nothing happened on this desk.

But Sevika already moves before you can think of a backup plan. With full precision, she snatches up the paperwork she was originally looking for, strides across the office, and yanks the door open right before Jayce can.

“You were supposed to wait in the conference room,” she growls, her tone now back to cold as she shoves the paperwork into his chest.

Jayce blinks, caught off guard by her appearance. “I—I was just—”

“Don’t.” Her jaw clenches, eyes narrowing down at him. “Go. Now.”

Her tone leaves no room for argument. As Jayce turns, footsteps retreating down the hall, Sevika lingers for just a second before glancing back inside—her eyes meeting yours. The heat from moments ago still lingers between you, but with one last knowing smirk, she follows after Jayce before closing the door shut, as if nothing had happened.

And you?

You’re still gripping the edge of his desk, breath unsteady, pulse still racing. Even as you slip your clothes back on, even as you straighten up Jayce’s desk—you can still feel the heat from Sevika on your body. Your lips are still slightly swollen from her kisses, your skin tingling in places that haven’t felt alive in…well, longer than you’d care to admit. You swallow hard, your mind replaying every breathless second. Your cheeks flush again, and your hands tremble slightly as you reposition Jayce’s things—only to realize it’s still out of place.

Get it together.

Your hands work quickly, smoothing out the papers, straightening the chair, making sure there’s no trace of what just happened. The last thing you need is Jayce walking in and sensing something.

No one can know.

Your fingers graze your pulse point, still feeling the phantom pressure of her lips there. You swallow down the feeling, force your hands to stay busy—tidying the last of the evidence, pressing a shaky hand to your chest, forcing a deep breath—before you finally slip out of the office, your head spinning.

And yet, as you settle back at your desk, pretending like nothing happened, you can still feel her on you.

But what’s even worse than feeling her…is wanting it to happen a second time.

˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✧ ˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚˚ ༘

The sun barely peeks through your curtains when your alarm blasts through the silence. Your eyes snap open, heart pounding as you fumble to shut it off. You squint over at the time on your phone, only for your eyes to quickly widen in panic. You were supposed to be up an hour ago.

In an instant, you throw off the covers, the chill of the morning air making your skin prickle with goosebumps as you rush to get ready. As you take a quick shower and get dressed, your mind is still foggy from everything that happened yesterday—leaving the office, Sevika, the kiss, and the overwhelming decision to leave. But there’s no time to think about that now.

Your suitcase is already half-packed from last night, so you grab the last of your things and shove them into your bag without thinking twice. You barely glance in the mirror before you’re out the door, heart pounding in your ears. The taxi sits on the curb, waiting for God knows how long—and you rush into it, not even bothering to comfortably put your suitcase in the trunk and squeezing it alongside you instead. The city itself is still waking up as you slide into the backseat.

“Kennedy Airport,” you mumble, barely able to catch your breath as the driver nods and pulls into traffic.

Rain taps lightly against the window as you stare outside, the familiar skyline of New York blurred by streaks of water. This is it. You were getting away from the city that had been your home for years—where you built a career and nurtured a relationship, only to watch it all fall apart in the blink of an eye. You lean back against the seat, your eyes drifting shut for just a moment, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside you. But her face still flashes in your mind.

Sevika.

The memory of her kiss, her touch—heated, desperate, and impossible to forget—continues to linger in your mind. But nonetheless you shake your head, forcing the thought away as you tell yourself that it’s not what you need right now.

By the time you arrive at the airport, it’s nothing but chaos. You navigate through the sea of travelers, heart pounding as you sprint toward your gate. Your boarding pass feels like it’s burning in your hand as you rush through security, your pulse racing with every step.

Until you finally make it to Gate 17, departing to Miami.

You make it just as they begin the final boarding call, breathless and slightly disoriented. The agent barely glances up as they scan your ticket, giving you a quick nod to proceed. Your pace is calmer now as you walk through the ramp, the relief extending into peace the moment you enter the plane. As you set your carry-on into the overhead compartment and settle into your window seat, a shaky exhale slips from your mouth as your body finally relaxes. Your pulse slows, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you finally let yourself breathe.

You’re even blessed to have an empty seat beside you, thank God.

You close your eyes, head resting lightly against the head cushion of the seat. The distant hum of the engines vibrates through you, lulling your body into a sense of calm. A sense of peace. You don’t even register the measured footsteps approaching, growing heavier until they stop beside you. You don’t open your eyes right away, too caught up in the quiet you were finally starting to enjoy. But then—

Your name is called. And the familiar voice makes your heart stop. Your eyes flutter back open, head tilting to your left only for the calm in your body to be replaced by an element of surprise and shock once you see the familiar broad frame that stood in the narrow space alongside you.

“Sevika?”

Her name leaves your lips barely above a breath, but it’s enough to make her eyes darken. Her expression is unreadable, but the subtle flicker of surprise in her gaze says enough.

She didn’t know. You didn’t tell her where you were going.

And yet… she’s here.

And in that moment, as she finally lowers herself into the seat beside you, you know—

This changes everything.

But maybe, just maybe…some change is exactly what you needed.

- a/n: i need to stop making my fics so damn long omg 😭 i’m not sure if y’all fw ceo sevika like i do, but i could try to write out a part 2 if it catches any interest, we’ll see…

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billa-billa007 · 2 years ago

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Team Members KPIs are Important - Lets See How Chat GPT Can Assist

Managing a strong team and work culture is made easy with Chat GPT. In this video we used Chat GPT to create KPIS for our team members.

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doyoulikethissong-poll · 8 months ago

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Wham! - Last Christmas 1984

"Last Christmas" is a song by British pop duo Wham!. Written and produced by George Michael, it was released on 3 December 1984 via CBS Records internationally and as a double A-side via Epic Records with "Everything She Wants" in several European countries. Wham! donated all of their royalties to relief efforts for the Ethiopian famine.

Upon its initial release in 1984, "Last Christmas" spent five consecutive weeks at number two in the UK singles chart—it was held off the top spot at Christmas by Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (poll #444), on which Michael also performed. After many chart runs in subsequent years, which included three more weeks at number two, the song finally reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Day 2021, more than 36 years after its initial release; in doing so, it became the fifth UK number one single for the duo. Prior to it reaching number one, "Last Christmas" had for many years held the record as the highest-selling single never to top the charts by the Official Charts Company (OCC) with 1.9 million copies sold (not including streams). The song reached number one in the UK after it was streamed 9.2 million times in the last week of 2020 and sold 1,555 downloads, resulting in a total of 40,149 combined sales.

Having been the Christmas number two again in 2022, "Last Christmas" finally achieved the accolade of Christmas number one in 2023, 39 years after its initial release, and, in 2024, became the first song to be the Christmas number one in back-to-back years. Combining sales and streams, it also became the third biggest song of all time in the UK. It was certified sextuple platinum in December 2023. Outside the UK, the song topped the charts in fourteen countries and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries including Australia, Canada and the US. In Germany, the song is the most successful Christmas single of all time, having spent 169 weeks on the German Singles Chart and attained a peak position of number 1 on 24 December 2021. It has charted every year since 1997. It is the eighth best-selling single of all time in Japan released by a non-Japanese act. It also reached number two on the Billboard Global 200 in January 2021. On 10 December 2024, the digital single was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating US sales of 7 million digital units.

The 2019 film Last Christmas prominently features the music of George Michael, including this song.

"Last Christmas" received a total of 78,3% yes votes! Previous Wham!/George Michael polls: #62 "As", #108 "Everything She Wants", #219 "Freedom! '90".

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#finished #high yes #low no #80s #o1 #o1 sweep #lo2 #lo4 #wham!#george michael #english

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vidavalor · 4 months ago

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Aziraphale using Victorian Glove Language in 1862

During the Victorian era, a whole visual hidden language emerged around using your gloves to 'secretly' communicate with your suitor(s). In the opening of 1862, Aziraphale uses his gloves to convey a pair of messages to Crowley. What is he saying?

Glove Language was developed as a marketing tactic by a company who took the idea from a fan maker who had seen his sales go through the roof by making up a similar 'secret' language for fans.

While originally developed for women to flirt, Glove Language also proved quietly popular with queer men. They obviously also wore gloves, if not quite as many different varieties, and almost all of the same messages could be conveyed with gloves just as easily by them-- with the extra bonus that, since men were expected to understand Glove Language rather than perform it themselves, no one would notice if men were using it to communicate with one another.

Even any observers who were fairly with it on Victorian social customs would likely not notice any use of Glove Language between Crowley and Aziraphale, likely making it something that appealed to them to use.

So, what is Aziraphale saying in Glove Language in the 1862 scene?

As 1862 opens, we watch from a distance, slowly getting closer, as Aziraphale emerges and walks up alongside the water to Crowley. While walking, Aziraphale takes his gloves off to use them to communicate.

It's of note here that gentlemen normally wouldn't take their gloves off that much when outside in cooler weather, unless they had a practical reason to do so. As we will see, Aziraphale has built a practical reason into his actions that will make sense to anyone who might be observing them-- that being that he needs his hands bare for a few moments so he can grasp the peas that he's going to feed to the ducks. This gives him an excuse to remove his gloves and use them to talk.

As Aziraphale walks up with his gloves, he loosely curls them over his fingers a bit. As we can see from the key above, this means:

Be careful-- we are being watched.

As we know, Crowley also felt this during the scene, as his "trees have ears... ducks have ears" comment indicated-- even if he'd wind up being less that cautious during the scene.

When reaching Crowley, Aziraphale doesn't put his gloves in his pocket. Instead, he holds them loosely in his left hand during the scene. Per the key, this means:

I am satisfied.

It's the Glove Language way of expressing contentment and happiness when being within someone, and letting that suitor know that you found being with them enjoyable and that they were welcome to stay in your company.

Aziraphale, though, can get away with a smidge more, and he's also come up with another brilliant little way to acknowledge Crowley within the social rules of the very society that claims that he shouldn't do so in this way.

In Victorian society, there were very elaborate social customs around how one was expected to use their hat to greet others, especially women. When it comes to acknowledging Aziraphale, Crowley, as a demon, is getting away with pretty much all that he can in the scene. He is sending messages of his own with his walking stick/cane, as I looked at over here, but Aziraphale, being an angel, can be seen getting away with a smidge more, as he's expected to adhere to rules of polite human society, even in the presence of a demon.

There's just that this polite human society doesn't understand gender and so would find it absolutely scandalous and run him out of town should he acknowledge the very masculine-presenting-in-this-scene Crowley in a way that is socially befitting the Victorian customs of how a gentleman is supposed to use their hat to greet a lady.

Yet, this is exactly what Aziraphale feels is most appropriate to do at the start here. As a way of acknowledging that Crowley is a whole gender constellation, Aziraphale wants to greet him as a gentleman would a lady as is appropriate for the initial beginning of an interaction in Victorian England and then allow the rest of their interaction, in which Aziraphale is wearing his hat, to reflect treating Crowley as a gentleman.

Victorian custom would hold that, to greet a lady, Aziraphale would need to use the hand furthest from the lady to lift his hat high enough that it cleared his head, while looking at her and giving a discreet little nod/bow (kind of like what Aziraphale gave Mr. Sushi in thanks in 1.01, if not even that much movement). Only, Aziraphale cannot actually do this in a public park when the recipient of the gesture is, as Crowley was in this moment, presenting in a very masculine way. What Aziraphale does instead is something subtle that's actually even more romantic.

Really the only other way to greet a lady in Victorian society was what's known as a Coachman's Salute. It's to put that same hand furthest away from the lady to the brim of your hat and do a quick, subtle nod/bow. This was only appropriate if you were a servant, like the lady's coachman (hence, the name), and you were basically just acknowledging that the lady had given you a directive. It's a gesture that equates to your servant, my lady.

When greeting Crowley, Aziraphale combines the two class-driven types of hat greetings for a lady together. He does a very subtle Coachman's Salute but then takes his hat completely off, as a gentleman would to greet a lady, and then hides the fact that he's doing any sort of greeting of a lady at all by making feeding the ducks his excuse for why his hat is off in public.

To this end, he then can stand there for a few moments with his hat off in his lady's presence before putting it back on again and standing with Crowley as a pair of gentlemen for the remainder of the scene. He can greet Crowley within the parameters of their human society, even as that very gender binary society does not understand the limitations of those parameters.

There's one last Victorian thing in play in the scene and that's the rules around the interior of hats. You were always supposed to keep the interior of your hat facing you. The idea was that it was very uncouth to show anyone the inside of your hat, even if it was clean, as it was the part that touched your body during the day. Pretty much no one was supposed to see the interior of your hat, especially in public, but, if anyone could, the only (non-housekeeping) person who could be permitted to see something as intimate as this was your spouse.

While Aziraphale technically keeps the interior of his hat facing him while he feeds the ducks for deniability purposes, it also happens to be within the taller Crowley's line of sight the whole time.

#good omens #ineffable husbands #aziraphale #crowley #aziracrow #good omens meta #ineffable husbands speak

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wheelsgoroundincircles · 3 months ago

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1968 AMC AMX

408-Powered 1968 AMC AMX 4-Speed

1968 AMC AMX

This 1968 AMC AMX was modified under previous ownership during a refurbishment that is said to have been conducted over the course of 10 years and was completed in 2013. Refinished in black over red vinyl upholstery, the car is powered by a 408ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Refurbishment work reportedly involved resurfacing the cylinder heads as well as installing an Edelbrock intake manifold, a performance camshaft, Hooker long-tube exhaust headers, billet pulleys, an aluminum radiator, cross-drilled front brake rotors, and lowering springs. Additional equipment includes 15″ Vision wheels, aftermarket headlights, chrome bumpers, a Hurst shifter, tilt steering, and a push-button AM radio. The seller acquired the vehicle in 2015. This modified AMX is now offered with a service manual, books, a model kit, unused Go Package–style stripe decals, spare and removed parts, and a Nevada title in the seller’s name.

1968 AMC AMX

The car was refinished in black as part of the aforementioned refurbishment. Additional work is said to have included repainting the wheel wells and the floors along with replacing the bumpers, door handles, grille, mirrors, headlights, weatherstripping, and bright trim on the window and headlight surrounds. The “AMX” badging on the exterior features red letter Xs.

1968 AMC AMX

Aftermarket 15″ Vision wheels are mounted with 215/60 front and 265/50 rear Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires. A space-saver spare is located in the trunk. The car is equipped with lowering springs, and braking is provided by cross-drilled front discs and rear drums.

1968 AMC AMX

The split front bench seat is trimmed in red vinyl upholstery complemented by a color-coordinated dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. Other features include crank windows, a fold-down armrest, a Hurst shifter, tilt steering, and an American Motors–branded push-button AM radio. The headliner, carpets, and sill plates were replaced under previous ownership.

1968 AMC AMX

The three-spoke steering wheel fronts a 120-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and a combination gauge for fuel level and coolant temperature. An AutoMeter tachometer is mounted to the steering column, and a trio of smaller AutoMeter gauges affixed beneath the dashboard monitors oil temperature, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 13k miles, less than 500 of which have been added by the seller; true mileage is unknown. The seller notes that the clock and the factory tachometer do not work.

1968 AMC AMX

The engine is said to be an AMC 390ci V8 that was bored and stroked to displace 408ci. Additional work during the refurbishment included resurfacing the cylinder heads as well as installing forged engine internals, an Edelbrock intake manifold, a performance camshaft, ceramic-coated Hooker long-tube exhaust headers, billet pulleys, an aluminum radiator with electric fans, and an aftermarket exhaust system. An oil change and coolant flush were performed in preparation for the sale. The car’s chassis number indicates that it was originally equipped with a 360ci V8 topped by a two-barrel carburetor.

1968 AMC AMX

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and a Twin-Grip rear axle with 3.55:1 gearing. An Ace Racing Powerforce clutch was fitted during the refurbishment.

1968 AMC AMX

A 1968 AMC service manual, books and magazines, an AMT model kit, unused Go Package–style red stripe decals, and spare and removed parts will accompany the vehicle.

The Nevada title notes the odometer brand “Exempt.”

#AMC AMX #AMC #amx #car #cars #muscle car #american muscle

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stellarsecrets86 · 5 months ago

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All About Mercury In Natal Chart

{PS: These are my own interpretations. For entertainment purposes only. Have Fun💚.}

[Mercury in the natal chart represents intelligence, communication, thinking patterns, and how one processes and expresses ideas. It governs speech, learning style, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability in social interactions. Its placement by sign and house reveals how a person thinks, learns, and shares information, influencing everything from daily conversations to career choices. A strong Mercury enhances logic, wit, and versatility, while a challenged Mercury may indicate difficulties in expression or scattered thinking.]

Mercury in Aries

Mercury in Aries brings a sharp, quick-witted, and assertive mindset. Individuals with this placement think on their feet, speak directly, and often convey their thoughts with enthusiasm and confidence. They are natural debaters who relish challenges and can be quite persuasive with their words. Their thinking is independent, and they tend to prefer action over lengthy contemplation. However, they might be impatient with details and quick to jump to conclusions. Their communication style is bold, sometimes blunt, and they may find it difficult to fully listen to others before responding. These individuals excel at initiating projects, brainstorming ideas, and making spontaneous decisions. They thrive in careers that demand quick thinking, leadership, and innovation, such as sales, entrepreneurship, or public speaking.One drawback of Mercury in Aries is their tendency to argue or dominate conversations, often believing their opinions are always right. Their competitive nature drives them to prove themselves intellectually, which can lead to conflicts if not managed properly. Nevertheless, their passion for new ideas and fearless approach to communication make them inspiring leaders and trendsetters. They flourish in environments where they can take the initiative and express their ideas freely.

Mercury in the 1st House

Mercury in the 1st house endows the native with an incisive, communicative, and adaptive intellect. The native is innately curious, ingenious, and has a dynamic, young communicative style. Mercury here makes them quick learners with a mind-set to learn something new. They have the habit of speedy communication and they blend well with most social atmospheres. Mercury in the 1st house people equate themselves with their mind, and they might have the urge to convey a powerful message to the world. They are good communicators and can succeed in communication-related professions or as writers, speakers, and teachers. They might also have the inclination towards excessive thinking and nervousness. These people tend to appear talkative and mentally active, and sometimes even restless. They tend to be analytical in life, and their mental processes guide their personality. When Mercury is well-aspected, they are very good at solving problems and making fast decisions. But if troubled, they become excessively nervous, flighty, or too logic-oriented and less intuitive. They need intellectual stimulation in their relationships and have deep conversations with their partner. They tend to be young at heart, regardless of age, since they're inquisitive and capable of being adaptable. The placement also makes them brilliant networkers who are good at relating to all sorts of people.

Mercury at 1°, 13°, and 25°

In these degrees Mercury possesses a blend of innovative intellect, tactical communication, and creative self-expression. Mercury is direct and bold in expression, and the native is a natural communicator, willing to get ideas out there, and prompt to take charge of the conversation. It suggests a sharp analytical and methodical nature, with an interest in detailed research, logical analysis, and problem-solving skills. These degrees perform well in professions that require precision, such as law, science, or strategy-based fields. Mercury takes on a more intuitive and creative nature, facilitating insightful storytelling, poetic eloquence, and an interest in philosophy or spirituality. Together, these degrees create a dynamic synthesis of intellect, organization, and creative depth in communication and thought.

Mercury in Taurus

Mercury in Taurus tends to slow down the thinking process, leading individuals to be more deliberate, practical, and methodical in their thoughts and communication. They are not quick to jump to conclusions; instead, they prefer to analyze situations thoroughly before forming an opinion. Their speech is measured, calm, and often persuasive, as they have a knack for making their words impactful. Those with Mercury in Taurus possess excellent memory retention, particularly for matters related to the material world, such as finances, business strategies, or creative ideas with long-term value.These individuals are attracted to tangible, real-world knowledge and often have a deep appreciation for the arts, music, and nature. Their practical mindset makes them effective planners and problem-solvers, especially in areas like finance, real estate, or agriculture. However, they may find it challenging to adapt to sudden changes in plans, as they prefer stability and consistency. Their reluctance to change their views can sometimes come off as stubbornness, but once they commit to something, they are highly dedicated. People with Mercury in Taurus excel at explaining concepts in a simple, relatable way, making them great teachers, advisors, and business strategists. Their patience and practicality enable them to thrive in endeavors that require long-term planning and perseverance.

Mercury in the 2nd House

Mercury in the 2nd house affects how one feels about money, possessions, and values. They have realistic and logical thoughts regarding money and are usually good at budgeting, investing, and planning for money. They are able to utilize their communication abilities to make a living, so they do well in careers such as writing, sales, teaching, or public speaking. They are very good at negotiating and business deals due to their quick minds and adaptability. They have a tendency to have an eye for evaluating the value of things, whether it is money, ideas, or material possessions. On the negative side, Mercury here can cause indecision regarding finances. Such individuals might overthink purchases or alter their financial objectives constantly. If Mercury is poorly aspected, there may be financial insecurity caused by careless decision-making. They might also be deeply interested in intellectual pursuits that yield concrete benefits. They might accumulate books, knowledge, or possessions of value. Their speech might be calculated and practical, tending to discuss facts more than feelings. In their relationships, they seek partners who share their values and intellectual interests. They can talk openly about money in their relationships and value intellectual security just as much as material security.

Mercury at 2°, 14°, and 26°

Mercury here creates a mind that is both pliable and demanding, with an ease of movement from logical analysis to intuitive perception. There is a natural ability to communicate with others through words, so that the individual is an effective communicator who can adjust their tone and approach in line with whom they are communicating. An acute attention to detail allows for accuracy in writing, problem-solving and technical skills, and they are suited for professions that require accuracy. At the same time, there is an intense curiosity about abstract ideas, psychology, and esoteric information, and therefore a tendency to go beyond the surface of dialogue. This combination makes for someone who is both socially astute and intensely perceptive in thought and communication.

Mercury in Gemini

Mercury is at home in Gemini, and people who have this placement are very quick-witted, inquisitive, and versatile. They live to learn, inquire, and investigate several things simultaneously. These people are natural communicators and can talk about almost anything. Their capacity for fast information processing makes them great multitaskers, journalists, public speakers, and authors.They possess a dry, banter-ish sense of humor, so they're fun to talk to. All that thinking, however, also makes them disorganized in their own minds, so they have a hard time concentrating on anything for very long. They may have a hard time sitting down to concentrate on learning in depth in any single subject because they're always chasing after new ideas. They may possess quick speech and jump from one subject to another with ease, at times leaving others in wonder at their speedy ideas. Mercury Geminis are best fitted to professions that entail networking, teaching, marketing, and communication with flexibility. Their ability to understand various points of view helps them as debaters, but also makes them potential gossips or shallow chatterboxes unless they are able to rein in their mental energies by slowing down and concentrating. Hitting the brakes and concentrating will direct their intellect towards more constructive activities.

Mercury in the 3rd House

Mercury is naturally placed in the 3rd house, so these people are extremely communicative, curious, and mentally active. They are passionate learners and may be drawn to writing, teaching, journalism, or public speaking. These individuals are conversationalists and tend to be highly knowledgeable on a variety of topics. They are excellent multitaskers but may lack concentration if they do not learn to channel their mental energy. They are logical thinkers and tend to have a problem-solving knack. Mercury in the 3rd house also signifies a strong sense of identification with neighbors, siblings, and the immediate community. They might be often traveling short distances and liking to encounter various social groups. Though, they can also be too unpredictable, skipping from one subject to another and never developing anything in depth. With Mercury afflicted, in a challenging situation, they are apt to gossip or to spread misinformation. They thrive in situations that demand flexibility and fast thinking. They are lifelong learners due to their inquisitive nature and may like to take part in debates or intellectual arguments.

Mercury at 3°, 15°, and 27°

Mercury in these signs provides the person with a clear, dynamic, and versatile mind, capable of combining logic and creativity. There is a natural search for knowledge through numerous subjects that makes them keen learners and excellent problem solvers. Their communication skills are interesting and persuasive, and they can express ideas in a clear, confident way. They can be gifted in public speaking, storytelling, or debate and are well suited to careers requiring intellectual speed. There is also a depth of philosophy in their minds, and they are drawn to deeper truths and abstractions. This integration of intelligence, expressiveness, and insight makes them move between structured environments and creative pursuits with ease.

Mercury in Cancer

Mercury in Cancer provides a very intuitive, emotional, and nostalgic approach to thinking and communication. They learn everything emotionally rather than logically. They possess a perfect memory, particularly for emotional history, personal past, family issues, and emotional experiences. They think in stories and images and are personal connection focused, and thus they do very well in writing, counseling, and nurturing communication. Because they communicate sensitively and tactfully, they have a soothing presence. However, they may take things personally or have trouble not being overly defensive in discussions. They are naturally defensive about their ideas and values, and they may, when under attack, retreat into silence rather than engage with conflict openly.Cancer Mercury individuals are best matched to storytelling, psychology, and any profession that demands profound emotional insight. They have a talent for making others listen to, and their emotional reading skill makes them brilliant counselors, teachers, and caretakers. They should be careful, however, not to idealize the past excessively or allow emotions to overshadow logical thought.

Mercury in the 4th House

Mercury in the 4th house influences one's thought process about home, family, and their emotional origins. These individuals have perhaps been brought up in a family that was mentally focused where discussion, books, and debates were the preferred activities.They tend to have a good memory, particularly where family is involved and what has taken place in the past. They have a strong connection between their mind and emotions, and they may think with their emotions rather than reason. This assignment may also indicate constant relocation or intense interest in real estate, home decor, or home ventures. They may enjoy home employment or value mental solitude in the privacy of their own domain. They are problem solvers in their home lives and may be the peacemaker during conflicts. However, with an afflicted Mercury, they will overanalyze emotional matters, leading to nervousness or obsessing over what has transpired in the past. They might also have an interest in genealogy, history, and psychology. They express themselves in a very personal manner, and they may be very bonded to their mother or mother figure.

Mercury at 4°, 16°, and 28°

Mercury in these degrees bestows a well-structured, disciplined, and highly methodical style of thinking. These natives are adept at getting their ideas structured and communicating them in a clear and concise fashion. Their learning process is methodical, and they are excellent strategists and planners. They have an acute ability to break down complex ideas into understandable concepts and are hence very good teachers, analysts, or counselors. Although they enjoy logic, there is also a practical, down-to-earth quality to their words, and they are very often respected voices in their communities. What they have to say is given weight, and they are often people who "think before they speak" so that their words are worth listening to.

Mercury in Leo

Mercury in Leo infuses communication with charisma, confidence, and drama. They think in grand terms and have a dramatic flair in relating stories. They possess an inherent capacity to draw attention while talking, making them excellent public speakers, actors, and leaders. Their ideas are bold, creative, and typically centered around self-expression.They are deeply committed to their beliefs and love to encourage others verbally. They will have difficulty, though, with criticism, since their ego is usually in their intellectual prowess. They can be stubborn, too, in believing they have the right viewpoint. When in balance, their charisma and enthusiasm render them persuasive and powerful.

Leos with Mercury are successful in professions that involve persuasive communication, like marketing, show business, politics, and teaching. They have to guard against arrogance or excessive theatrics of communication, but their innate confidence helps them make great motivators.

Mercury in the 5th House

Mercury in the 5th house provides them with a creative, expressive, and playful communication style. They are effective story tellers, dramatists, and entertainers. They would rather write, act, or do anything creative.They are witty and charming by nature and are good flirts and socializers. They utilize words and intellect to win over love interests. This position also implies a passion for games, puzzles, and intellectual stimulation. They might be drawn to teaching children or be employed in education since they have an innovative and interesting approach to explaining things. Yet they may have a problem with taking life too seriously and would rather keep things light and playful. And if Mercury is afflicted, they have a tendency to exaggerate or be insincere in how they communicate. They are also very creative and their interests can include strategy, like chess, writing, or acting. They are natural innovators due to their tendency to think differently.

Mercury at 5°, 17°, and 29°

This placement brings creativity, confidence, and expressiveness to their style of communication. Such individuals have an innate talent for captivating audiences through narration, humor, or persuasion. They are naturally drawn to leadership roles where they can utilize their words to inspire and motivate individuals. There is a certain charisma in their speech that draws people to listen to them with undivided attention. They are also inclined towards a dramatic form of expression and therefore make effective performers, orators, or entertainers. Despite their eloquence, they are rational and can argue cases well, moderating passion with logic.

Mercury in Virgo

Mercury is also exalted in Virgo, and thus, they are very analytical, detail-oriented, and precise in their mentality. They are very intelligent and good problem solvers with the ability to spot weaknesses in systems right away and rectify them. They communicate clearly, logically, and practically.They are good at research, writing, editing, or any career that demands organization and accuracy. They are perfectionists with high intellectual expectations of themselves and others. Though their ability to spot details is a strength, they should be cautious that they should never over analyze or criticize excessively.Individuals with Mercury in Virgo excel in medicine, data analysis, accounting, and technical professions. They make great teachers and writers because they can simplify complex concepts. However, they must try not to get bogged down by perfectionism but rather learn to view the larger picture.

Mercury in the 6th House

Mercury in the 6th house provides a sharp, analytical, and detail-oriented mind. They are very effective in their day-to-day life and are good planners and problem solvers. They are perfectionists and prefer to take pride in their work with keen eyes for minute details which others might miss. This alignment makes them well-placed for careers that demand accuracy, like medicine, research, data analysis, or writing. They do well within structured environments and might have an innate ability to optimize workplace efficiency. They are conscious of their health and might spend a lot of time studying diets, exercise, and health trends. They are also prone to anxiety and nervous tension, particularly if Mercury is afflicted. Excessive thinking causes stress-related illnesses. They like to have communicative and practical partners in relationships. They usually show love by doing acts of service and like to help others with problem-solving. Although they are good at multitasking, they should take care not to be bogged down by trivia. They make great counsellors due to their analytical minds, but they must try not to be overly critical.

Mercury at 6° and 18°

Mercury in these degrees makes communication and the approach to thinking very analytical, painstaking, and perfectionist in style. Individuals with Mercury here are good at research, problem-solving, and critical analysis and fare well in technical fields like science, engineering, or medicine. They have a natural talent for finding errors and streamlining efficiency and are therefore effective editors, analysts, or strategists. They are straightforward and to the point in their speech, without embellishing their words with unnecessary drama. They prefer to argue using facts rather than emotions and are highly sought after for their no-nonsense advice. Their mental discipline makes it easy for them to master challenging topics.

Mercury in Libra

Mercury in Libra produces a balanced, diplomatic, and harmonious approach to thinking and communication. Individuals with this trait are natural peacemakers who are extremely adept at social communication. They weigh several opinions prior to judgment and aim for impartiality in communication.They are tactful, convincing, and polite and do well in negotiating, law, public relations, and counseling. However, their need to keep the peace sometimes makes them indecisive, since they don't wish to upset the applecart. They can also have problems being too conciliatory, sacrificing their own views to maintain peace.Mercury in Libra individuals excel in environments where beauty, sense, and tactful communication are appreciated. They make excellent diplomats and function well in partnerships. They need to learn to have faith in their own judgment and not look for perpetual approval from others.

Mercury in the 7th House

Mercury in the 7th house puts a strong focus on mental compatibility in relationships. They want their partner to be intellectually stimulating, witty, and interesting. They like to talk about ideas, exchange knowledge, and argue over various points of view with their partner. They are tactful and adept at negotiating and thus make good mediators in both personal and professional lives. This function is seen in lawyers, counselors, and business consultants who use communication skills to excel. Their ability to see both sides of a question leads them to form well-balanced relationships. However, if Mercury is afflicted, they draw into their lives partners who are manipulative or untruthful in communication.

They tend to change their minds a lot when it comes to romance, and may have a problem with commitment. They will analyze their relationships to death and require open, honest communication to feel secure. They are sociable and like forming connections with diverse individuals. They are popular as they are charismatic and intelligent, and they can network and do PR effectively.

Mercury at 7° and 19°

This placement gives a profound, intuitive, and sometimes mystical style of thinking. These individuals have a natural understanding of human psychology, and they are great at reading between the lines of a conversation. They are drawn to philosophy, metaphysics, and subjects requiring profound reflection. Their style of communication is often poetic or symbolic, and they may use metaphors as a way of expressing deeper truths. They have an inquisitive mind and are drawn to professions like detective work, psychology, or research. Though reserved, when they speak, their words are filled with wisdom and depth that captivates others.

Mercury in Scorpio

Mercury in Scorpio produces a profound, penetrating, and intense mind. They are reflective and penetrating thinkers, usually getting to the underlying truths others fail to see. They are intuitively receptive and penetrate dishonesty with ease.

They speak plainly, even piercingly at times, and are not squeamish about tackling taboo or difficult topics. They are superb at psychology, detective work, research, and anything requiring penetrating analysis. They can be secretive about their own minds, though, and can have problems with trust.Mercury in Scorpio individuals need to watch their intensity of communication since they can be intimidating at times. When used constructively, their depth of mind makes them superb researchers, strategists, and seekers of truth.

Mercury in the 8th House

Mercury in the 8th house provides a profound, questioning mind that feeds on revelation of concealed truths. They are interested in psychology, the occult, money, and anything relating to mystery or transformation. They are very good at investigating and have a knack for grasping complicated topics. They may be inclined towards forensic science, detective work, or financial management, with special interest in matters such as taxes, inheritance, or shared investments. This position can point to strong intuition, as they read between the lines and can feel what others are not verbally expressing. Should Mercury be afflicted, though, they can be beset by paranoia or obsessions. They prefer discussing deep and life-altering topics, and they would much prefer serious discussions to idle chatter. They may also have an interest in taboo topics such as life, death, and the afterlife.

In their relationships, they seek intellectual and emotional intensity. They may speak cryptically or evasively, measuring their words. If Mercury is well-aspected, they can be skilled negotiators and persuaders.

Mercury at 8° and 20°

Mercury at these degrees enhances determination, intensity, and a persuasive way of communicating. These individuals are persuasive speakers who possess the power to influence others with their strong convictions. They interact with knowledge intensively, wishing to master a subject rather than just skim its surface. There is generally a transformative quality to their speech—they can lead others to change their minds or challenge long-held assumptions. They are not shy of difficult conversations and can handle disagreements with aplomb. Their minds are incisive, questioning, and strategic and can thrive in careers that demand mental hardiness, e.g., law, finance, or crisis management.

Mercury in Sagittarius

Mercury in Sagittarius provides an expansive, adventurous, and philosophical mind. They seek knowledge, travel, and information about new concepts. They're big-picture thinkers and are always in search of wisdom. They are natural teachers, storytellers, and motivational speakers, although they might have difficulty with facts or become impatient with repetition in learning. Their presentation is lively, occasionally abrasive, and they tend to embellish for effect. Mercury Sagittarians do well in education, journalism, and global business. They need to improve by making their communications more accurate without losing their inspiring and visionary nature.

Mercury in the 9th House

Mercury in the 9th house provides an expansive and philosophical mindset. They are lifelong learners with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about various cultures, philosophies, and higher education. They can be inclined towards travel, academics, or publishing. They are drawn to share their knowledge and may become teachers, authors, or lecturers. They want to know more than what is around them, and they seek to find the greater meaning of life. This role promotes an open-minded and adventurous spirit. They easily talk about religion, politics, ethics, and philosophy. But if Mercury is afflicted, they might struggle with dogma or intellectualization of their faith. They are generally polyglots or interested in picking up new languages. They are so adept at understanding different cultural viewpoints that they excel in diplomacy and international relationships. In romance, they look for partners who intellectually stimulate them and match their zeal for discovery. They can be drawn to individuals from different cultures or to distant relationships.

Mercury at 9° and 21°

This placement gives an adventurous, philosophical, and expansive style of thinking. These individuals love to explore new ideas, travel, and learn about other cultures. Natural teachers and communicators, they are attracted to careers in journalism, publishing, or teaching. They express themselves with passion and energy, and they are persuasive conversationalists. They have a natural ability to see the big picture and inspire others with their visionary ideas. Although they love intellectual freedom, they may sometimes struggle to focus on details, since they think in broad, sweeping strokes. They thrive in environments where there is room for exploration and discovery.

Mercury in Capricorn

Mercury in Capricorn bestows a systematic, organized, and strategic mind. They are practical thinkers who like to plan well in advance rather than act spontaneously. They are professional communicators, solemn and concise.They are great at structuring information and excel at professions that involve logic, business, and organization. But they tend to be deficient in the emotional expression arena, appearing too stiff or formal.Mercury Capricorns excel in the business, law, and leadership professions. They need to balance practicality with warmth in their communication.

Mercury in the 10th House

Mercury in the 10th house has a strong impact on a person's career, reputation, and public image. They are extremely ambitious and utilize their intellect and communication abilities to succeed. They will most likely be drawn to professional careers in media, politics, education, or business. They are natural leaders due to their strategic planning and the ability to articulate themselves. This placement gives them a knack for public communication and networking. They know how to present themselves professionally and can gain recognition for their intellectual abilities. However, if Mercury is afflicted, they may be plagued by miscommunication in the workplace. They are typically viewed as expressive and insightful, and they like to work in managerial or advisory positions. They are able to fit into various working styles and can switch careers several times in their lifetime. They might put professional goals ahead of relationship issues. They require a partner who is aware of their drive and encourages their professional goals.

Mercury at 10° and 22°

Mercury in these degrees gives a disciplined, structured, and highly ambitious intellect. These individuals take communication seriously and use words to build authority and credibility. They fare very well in the professional world, where their logical and strategic thinking helps them advance in their chosen careers. They value precision and may be drawn to business, law, or politics as careers. Their words carry substance, and they rarely speak without deliberation. They are good networkers and can navigate easily through social stratifications. They are self-disciplined and present themselves as stable and intelligent people in their societies.

Mercury in Aquarius

Mercury in Aquarius provides an inventive, out-of-the-box, and progressive thought process. People with this placement are unique in their thoughts and are attracted to new ideas, technology, and social advancement. They are brilliant problem solvers with an independent vision of life. They usually approach communication in an innovative and stimulating way, but they tend to be emotionally aloof. They excel in scientific, technological, and humanitarian activities. Aquarius Mercury people need to try to be more personal in their communication since their intellectualizing nature may cause them to come across as detached sometimes.

Mercury in the 11th House

Mercury in the 11th house shows a highly social and progressive person. These people are great in groups and are brilliant networkers, thus are well-liked by their peers and friends. They are drawn to forward thinking and are often interested in science, technology, or humanitarian pursuits. They enjoy discussing the future and may be involved in activism or social change. This placement makes them innovative thinkers who enjoy brainstorming and problem-solving in a group. They are excellent at event planning, team management, and bringing people together on the strength of ideas. Still, they might find detachment difficult since they will intellectualize their feelings. When Mercury is afflicted, they might have difficulty with creating strong emotional bonds, and they will enjoy interest-based friendships over emotions. In relationships, they look for partners who are similarly intellectually curious and open-minded. They may be drawn to non-traditional relationships or friendships that become romantic.

Mercury at 11° and 23°

The position contributes ingenuity, innovation, and a forward-thinking mindset to the way of thinking. These people are visionaries and are drawn to unconventional ideas and progressive movements. They have a tendency to think ahead of their times, bringing new and innovative answers to old problems. They communicate in a different way and can be very persuasive when talking about their ideals and beliefs. They may be drawn to the sciences, technology, or the humanitarian fields. They value intellectual freedom and will rebel against rigid formats in communication or learning. Their ideas can be revolutionary, impacting large groups of individuals with their new way of life.

Mercury in Pisces

Mercury in Pisces creates an intuitive, imaginative, and poetic mind. They think in symbols, emotions, and abstractions. They are creative and imaginative by nature and are ready to excel in storytelling, music, and spiritual studies. They tend to communicate in a dreamy, fluid manner, but might have difficulty with logical analysis or organizing their thoughts in a clear fashion. They do well in artistic, healing, and mystical careers. Mercury Pisces people have to try to ground their ideas in the real world while accepting their innate potential for creativity and sensitivity.

Mercury in the 12th House

Mercury in the 12th house generates a profound, reflective, and insightful mind. They possess an intrinsic spiritual, psychological, and subconscious understanding. They are creative and might find their best form of expression through the arts, i.e., poetry, music, or fiction writing. They are inward-looking in their thoughts and might find it difficult to express their feelings in words. They do understand the human mind though and are extremely empathetic. This is a typical stance of individuals who are involved in healing, counseling, or spiritual practice. They might be interested in dream work, astrology, or meditation. If Mercury is afflicted, they can be prone to confusion, overanalysis, or indecision. They require time alone to sort out their thoughts and can benefit from writing or artwork. In their relationships, they may struggle to communicate their needs and have to practice communicating openly. They are extremely intuitive and might pay more attention to non-verbal communication than words.

Mercury at 12° and 24°

Mercury in these degrees gives a dreamy, intuitive, and highly imaginative approach to thought. These individuals have a natural talent for tapping into creative and spiritual realms, making them gifted poets, artists, or mystics. Their words have a tendency to be emotional and deep, moving others on an almost subconscious level. They are very intuitive and can pick up on subtle energies in communication. While they may at times lack practical information, their ability to inspire others through language is tremendous. They have a tendency to speak in a way that evokes deep feelings, and so, they become excellent writers, musicians, or storytellers.

All aspects of Mercury

1. Mercury-Sun Aspects

Conjunction

The Mercury-Sun conjunction is a dynamic aspect that emphasizes communication, intellect, and self-expression. These individuals have razor-sharp minds, quick thinking, and an instinctual flair for expression. They are good speakers, writers, and problem solvers. Their minds are strongly identified with their ego, and they take great pride in their intellectual powers. However, this aspect can sometimes lead to over-identification with opinions, and they become closed off to other views. They may also be prone to overthinking or mental distress. This conjunction enhances learning ability, and they become inquisitive and eager to learn. They are generally drawn to intellectual pursuits, media, teaching, or public speaking. If the conjunction is too close (only a few degrees), it can create a blind spot where the person is too engaged in their own mind and is not able to be objective about things. Practicing mindfulness and developing active listening skills can offset the intensity of this placement. With awareness, this aspect can make a person very persuasive, charismatic, and mentally agile.

(Mercury does not form sextile, square, trine, or opposition to the Sun due to its close orbit.)

2. Mercury-Moon Aspects

Conjunction

This aspect blends intellect and emotion, and these people are very intuitive and emotionally expressive. They think with their heart and feel with their head, so there is a good connection between thinking and feeling. This position reinforces the memory, especially for emotional experiences, and makes them wonderful storytellers. However, they may struggle with objectivity as emotions are powerful in their logic. Mood swings can influence decision-making, leading to changing opinions. They excel at communicating their feelings and perceiving others' feelings, so they make great counselors or writers. They should be careful not to overanalyze their feelings or be overly sensitive to words and conversations.

Sextile

This aspect imparts the innate ability to convey emotions with ease. These individuals are emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and persuasive. They fare well in social settings where they can freely exchange ideas and emotions. They think fluidly, and hence they can view different perspectives and negotiate conflicts. Writing, teaching, and public speaking are areas where they excel. This aspect also enhances creativity and the power of storytelling, making them competent in literary or artistic pursuits.

Square

Mercury square the Moon creates tension between the intellect and emotions. Such people may either struggle to express their feelings or think too much about their emotions, creating inner stress. The mood they're in can influence how they communicate, and they may be overly sensitive or distant. Misunderstandings in relationships are common because these individuals are prone to speak without consideration or afterward regret their words. Learning to balance logic and emotion is the key to solving challenges in this placement. Journaling or therapy will help them to balance thoughts and feelings in harmony.

Trine

This aspect gives an easy connection between intellect and emotions. There is no issue for these individuals to express their feelings and to understand others on a deep emotional level. They possess good intuition and can sense what others need to hear. They are skilled writers, orators, and mediators. They possess a sharp memory, especially for past emotional events, and therefore easily learn from their errors. This placement provides them with good social skills, emotional intelligence, and an inherent storytelling talent.

Opposition

Mercury opposition Moon creates an internal tug-of-war between intellect and feelings. For these individuals, decision-making is emotional because logic and feelings pull in different directions. Communication is not straightforward because they may say one thing but feel another, which leads to confusion. The aspect also promotes deep self-knowledge and ability to see many aspects of a situation. A heart-head balance must be found for emotional and mental stability.

3. Mercury-Venus Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunct Venus brings intelligence together with beauty, grace, and charm and makes individuals effective communicators. Their communication is naturally harmonious, making them persuasive, diplomatic, and artistic. They are fond of literature, music, and art and are likely to communicate through writing, poetry, or design. This aspect enhances social skills, and they are popular and welcomed in social dialogue. But they will avoid arguments, instead of having uncomfortable conversations. Their language is warm and affectionate, and they are good at making others feel understood. This is a good trait for careers in media, public relations, or the arts.

Sextile

This aspect prefers ease of expression and social wit. They are the kinds of people who easily marry intellect and emotions, thereby making them good conversationalists. They have the innate ability to find beauty in words and thoughts and are talented in creative writing, diplomacy, or salesmanship. They receive positive social interaction and enjoy an even, affable nature. They are able compromisers and negotiators and thus are ideal mediators for relationships and professional life.

Square

Mercury square Venus may cause difficulties in expressing affection openly. Individuals may struggle to choose the right words, and this causes misunderstandings in relationships. They may even overanalyze love matters, leading to indecisiveness. Even though they appreciate beauty and art, they may be superficial in communication. This element poses a challenge to them to concentrate on being sincere while communicating and exercising patience in relationships. However, this tension can also compel them to polish their verbal and creative abilities, turning difficulties into strengths.

Trine

Mercury trine Venus is a very favorable aspect that provides for natural eloquence, creativity, and charm. These individuals are blessed with the flair of conveying emotions and appreciating beauty in all forms. They are great writers, musicians, and communicators and have the tendency of putting smiles on others' faces with their words. They perform well in calm environments and can utilize their diplomatic skills to bring people together. This aspect also enhances their learning and communication skills, and they turn out to be excellent teachers or speakers.

Opposition

Mercury opposite Venus can make it a battle between reason and emotions. Individuals may struggle with expressing love or finding that their communication style clashes with their ideal of romance. They may also be unable to blend logic with emotional needs, and so relationships become misconstrued. This aspect is also the one that presents them with visions of seeing things from other angles, hence becoming wise and considerate in relations. They are able to acquire the ability to blend logic and emotion with time.

4. Mercury-Mars Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunct Mars yields a keen, swift mind with strong convictions and a no-nonsense communication style. These individuals are argumentative, persuasive, and assertive. They possess a natural talent for thinking on their feet and responding promptly in arguments. Their words are full of power and energy, so they are excellent leaders, businesspeople, or public speakers. They are prone to being impulsive with their words, which gets them into trouble. They must learn to balance their words with patience and diplomacy to fully utilize the strengths of this placement.

Sextile

This quality creates a dynamic but harmonious connection between action and thought. Such individuals are able to think quickly and make good decisions. They are effective problem solvers and enjoy engaging in debates or discussions that challenge their intelligence. Their communication style is active but controlled, allowing them to motivate and encourage others. They perform well in chaotic environments where quick thinking is required, e.g., journalism, sales, or sports strategy.

Square

Mercury square Mars makes one argumentative in speech and combative with communication. They might struggle to be too blunt or confrontational in words, leading to conflicts. They might also have a restless mind, overthinking or acting on impulse easily. However, if guided in the right direction, this aspect will have them become brilliant debaters, writers, or strategists. Coping with frustration and active listening will help them channel this aspect's energy in a positive way.

Trine

This aspect gives individuals mental acuteness and good communication abilities. They are smart, assertive, and able to articulate their ideas with passion. Their communication is energetic but harmonious, making them inspire and persuade others. They have an inborn ability to guide conversation and motivate action with words. Their decisiveness and strategic nature enable them to become excellent entrepreneurs, negotiators, or athletes.

Opposition

Mercury opposite Mars will produce inner conflict between action and thought. Individuals might get irritated while trying to express themselves as they feel they are being misunderstood or too argumentative in a conversation. They might also be prone to attract controversies with their impulsive words. Nevertheless, this position will also make them impassioned and fervent communicators if they learn the ability to balance assertiveness with patience. Practice halting before acting and honing their argumentative skills can benefit them in converting this energy constructively.

5. Mercury-Jupiter Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunct Jupiter broadens the mind, producing people who are optimistic, inquiring, and philosophical. They enjoy learning, traveling, and investigating new concepts. They have a broad-minded and enthusiastic way of communicating, which makes them excellent teachers, speakers, or writers. They tend to neglect details in favor of seeing the larger picture. They need to balance optimism with practicality to maximize their mental potential.

Sextile

This aspect enhances intelligence, communication, and the need to learn. These individuals are natural teachers, mentors, and counselors. They can articulate abstract ideas in a straightforward manner and inspire others by their enthusiasm. They excel in higher education, law, and philosophy. They are inquisitive and receptive, hence lifelong learners.

Square

Mercury square Jupiter can render it difficult to focus and be wordy. They might not be detail-oriented and tend to commit to much more than they can deliver. Their expansive imagination can, however, lead to remarkable insights if controlled. They need to learn to put their ideas on firm ground so that they become pragmatically successful.

Trine

This quality gives a mix of intellect, curiosity, and optimism. These individuals are articulate communicators and natural philosophers. They attract opportunities by virtue of their enthusiasm to learn and speak. They have a broad vision, and they coexist with different people.

Opposition

Mercury opposing Jupiter can lead to overconfidence in opinion and a propensity to overlook details. They might struggle to balance reason and belief. This aspect also grants them the ability to see many sides, and they are excellent debaters and critics.\

6. Mercury-Saturn Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury and Saturn together make for a responsible and serious-minded person. They are practical and analytical thinkers and precise communicators. They perform well in roles that require deep concentration, such as research work, law, or engineering. They tend to keep their talk quiet, opting for depth more than superficial chatter. They may struggle with doubt as they do not feel like they are as expressive as others, but after some time, they are clever and respected speakers. This placement inspires patience and endurance in education.

Sextile

This aspect provides an innate balance of intelligence and control. These are responsible, rational, and orderly in their thought patterns. They possess effective communication skills, blending reason with clarity. They are effective organizers and excel where planning and patience are required. This aspect is good for academic success and a systematic method of tackling problems.

Square

Mercury square Saturn makes it hard to verbalize ideas, become negative, or develop blocks in thinking. Such individuals are usually insecure in communication or feel repressed in expressing ideas. They think too much, leading to pointless worry. After they overcome their thought blocks, they have a strong, analytical mind with deep insights. They must learn to trust their mind and speak with confidence.

Trine

This aspect provides disciplined thinking, excellent concentration, and practical intelligence. They are slow learners, excellent researchers, and strategic thinkers. They are able to break down challenging topics into simple-to-understand concepts, making them excellent teachers. They approach life with a realistic and mature mindset, which allows them to work towards long-term goals.

Opposition

Mercury opposition Saturn creates tension between intellect and structure. They can be insecure about their intellect or struggle with free communication. They can be challenged in school early on but develop mental toughness later in life. With determination, they are able to put their cautious attitude into structured effective communication and perform well in areas of critical thinking.

7. Mercury-Uranus Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunction Uranus is a very creative, unorthodox, and innovative mind. They are incredibly intelligent thinkers and love change and innovation. Their communication is not typical, yet they are truly brilliant. They can have unexpected flashes of intuition or genius moments, and as such, make excellent inventors, scientists, or revolutionaries. They may not be as good at continuity or find conforming to formal learning difficult. Their quicksilver minds require incessant stimulation.

Sextile

This placement brings creativity, quick thinking, and adaptability. They are liberal and liberal-minded in their communication. They enjoy learning new concepts and are innate problem solvers. They are excellent at grasping abstract ideas quickly and are thus excellent at science, technology, and futurism. They enjoy intellectual stimulation and are drawn to innovation.

Square

Mercury square Uranus provides an erratic, rebellious mindset. Individuals with this position have sharp minds but are impatient, haphazard in thoughts, or undisciplined. They don't enjoy discipline and prefer learning in a different way. Despite being innovative, they must learn to translate their ideas into practice. Meditation and being aware of the surroundings can ground their mental energy.

Trine

This component gives a marvelous, unconventional intellect with inductive intelligence. Such individuals learn rapidly, having an easy time to understand abstract concepts. They are successful in changeable environments and enjoy debating fresh ideas. They communicate with electric and intriguing ease, often exciting others with their vision of things to come.

Opposition

Mercury conjunct Uranus creates a tension between conformity and revolutionary thinking. These individuals will struggle with sudden shifts in mind or difficulty with keeping pace in systematic communication. They are very intelligent but will struggle to blend in with societal norms. Getting the skill of balancing their innovation with discipline makes them utilize their mental genius efficiently.

8. Mercury-Neptune Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunct Neptune allows for imagination, intuition, and creative expression. These individuals have a poetic, dreamy mind and excel at artistic endeavors like writing, music, or the films. They think abstractly and are drawn to spirituality or mysticism. They may be troubled by logical reasoning or be susceptible to deception, either from themselves or others. Keeping their ideas grounded in reality helps them deal with their very creative minds.

Sextile

This trait makes intuition and intellect closely related. Individuals with such a trait can beautifully blend logic and creativity and make great storytellers, poets, or spiritual educators. Their communication style is gentle, compassionate, and inspirational. They have the power of empathy and can put abstract ideas in a beautiful way.

Square

Mercury square Neptune can confuse, misinterpret, or blend fact and fantasy. Such natives may be afflicated with mental fogginess, daydreaming, or dishonesty. They must guard against misunderstandings and clarify their thinking. Critical thinking will help them to focus their ideas and communication.

Trine

This aspect enhances creativity, intuition, and deep insight into emotions. These individuals have an almost psychic ability to pick up on unspoken thoughts and feelings. They express themselves in a creative manner and are likely to excel in the arts, psychology, or healing professions. Their minds operate on a symbolic level, so they are naturally gifted at creative storytelling.

Opposition

Mercury's opposition to Neptune is a challenge between logic and fantasy. These people may have an issue with clear seeing, becoming lost in idealism or wishful thinking. They are highly creative but need to be careful not to lose their grip on reality. Learning to balance imagination and practical reason allows them to harness their gifts.

9. Mercury-Pluto Aspects

Conjunction

Mercury conjunct Pluto produces a penetrating, intense mind. These people are deep thinkers who need to know the truth about everything. They're drawn to psychology, mysteries, and uncovering hidden information. Their words are potent, so they're strong communicators. They can, though, obsess over a topic or have trust problems. Learning to be constructive with their insights makes them great researchers, strategists, or leaders.

Sextile

This aspect brings intellectual intensity and insight. These individuals have a natural ability to dissect and uncover hidden truths. They are excellent at research, strategy, and persuasive speech. They often excel at professions that require deep psychological understanding, including therapy, criminology, or investigative journalism.

Square

Mercury square Pluto can create deep-seated mental battles, obsessive thinking, or a need to control through communication. These individuals may have control issues in communication, as they have strong opinions and may resist changing their minds. It helps them to develop healthier communication patterns by learning to take on other perspectives and not use control tactics.

Trine

This aspect provides the natural ability to cut through complex issues and understand deep truths. Such individuals are intuitively insightful and persuasive and become effective psychologists, writers, or leaders. Their words carry weight, and they have the ability to transform others with their words.

Opposition

Mercury opposition Pluto creates issues of mental control and black-and-white thinking. They either have difficulty trusting what others say or must investigate hidden motives behind everything. They may also have difficulty expressing themselves for fear of revealing too much. By opening up to communicate and releasing the need for control, they can constructively use their penetrating insights.

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