#A Cashless Option

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In an effort to bolster access to safe and quality liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products across the Philippines, trusted LPG brand Solane has forged a strategic partnership with GCash, the leading finance superapp. This collaboration aims to provide Solane LPG users with flexible payment options and enhance the accessibility of clean cooking fuel. Bridging the Gap in Cooking Fuel…

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Manic Robotic Dream Girl

IZ Days of Christmas 2023: Day 4 - Choi Yena

IZ*ONE's Choi Yena x Male Reader Smut

8,311 words

Neon lights dance like flames around you. There’s no need to touch them when you’re already burning. Burning with something that’s not a fever but a kind of pain that never goes away. 

Sweat pricks the sides of your face and you’re aware of the blots of perspiration running down your jawline. Nights at the Rogue are often hot, but then they surprise you with a sudden burst of windiness, so you never bother to take your coat off. Whatever and wherever, you’ll always be here yet you’ve not once been able to predict the temperature.

That’s what happened when WAKE12 took over. 

Apparently, they decide if people are under the weather by controlling it by them-fucking-selves. Kwon feeling shitty? Looks like rain then. Maybe she’s feeling happy? Alright, let the clouds find balance. Angry? Take a fucking hailstorm. What a privilege, one bigger than the lives of the rich men in the North. But everyone forgets about that fact after she sends out minimal alms—canned goods, a Bible, something. Then it’s back to President Kwon is the best! President Kwon can never fail us! President—

“Vodka.”

“Same as yesterday?” asks Yuri, smiling a little bit. 

“Same as yesterday.” For a hologram, Yuri can be quite the social butterfly. 

Online wallets are all the rage nowadays. The AI voice in your head offers you said option to pay, and you can hear your balance privately spoken. Somehow your brow prevents from creasing as you hear it. You lack funds but somehow have a few extra bucks to drink. 

Choose that. You want to save your Wizes for other things. Lock eyes with Yuri and your balance goes down. You’ve paid. 

Online and digital wallets modified with embedded signals and readers were in use before you were even born. Of course, there were already such payment options in the twenty-first century, but how WAKE12 changed everything, not just ordering options with telepathic payment, can easily be read in a sixth grade history textbook. 

In October of the year 2918, Kwon Eunbi rose in the ranks as a scientist and soldier for Kang Hyewon, former president, and ended up working her way into dictatorship. The textbooks and classrooms teach that she proposed a law to the court and got herself a position for her wit and intelligence. But early first accounts challenge that, saying that she caught the eye of Kang and had a sexual relationship with her. WAKE12 branded this as propaganda that sullies the name of not only the dictator but the one of the late president, who died mysteriously before Kwon rose to power.

Massive backstory for cashless payment, but you know there’s more to it than the government would like to let on. What happened to Kang? What made Kwon so evil the moment she sat in her presidential throne?

“Thank you, sir.” Holograms all have different voices; Yuri’s sounds like she’s singing. At least the bartender slash boss hired her instead of those with monotone, emotionless ones. It’s cheaper to have hologram workers than humans anyway. Less money, less emotional labor, less of feeling like a normal person.

A beggar curled up below the counter holds his hand out. Not an uncommon sight in the Auster, but it’s a pity to see. The world has advanced with its telepathic wallets and 3D holograms yet there will always be individuals who haven’t caught up with time. While the North Rogue leads worldly lifetimes, the Auster is a home for the rejects. The poorest of the poor. The somewhere-in-the-middles. It can never be truly a perfect world if advancement doesn’t include everyone.

Give him a Wize. Back then, that would have been worth a hundred or so dollars, a currency long gone. Not that you’d know of it; WAKE12 claimed leadership way before you were born so the cheap value of the coin studded with the bust of Kwon Eunbi is all you’re accustomed to. 

Take your drink and thank Yuri. 

The cobblestone is rough beneath your feet. You take your seat at your usual table. Float your fingers around your shotglass. Pour the contents down your chapped mouth almost all in one go. Anything to feel something. Anything to feel anything. 

You’re not an alcoholic by any means, though that’s certainly up for debate. But there’s a need for the liquid that rages more than the need for oxygen (the fucking shortage of it) or food (the fucking expense of it). How else could you be less numb? You’re welcome to every feeling at this stage, just not this empty neutrality that slumbers your senses.

Pain? Your throat seizes up when you drink and brings tears to your eyes, so there's that. 

Happiness? Hm, none. You’re barely smiling. You’ve no family, little friends, and no partner for the last few years. There’s nothing to be happy about.

Anger? The displays of people fined harshly for their crimes on the big as life advertising screens stir some defiance in you. WAKE12 doesn’t take kindly to hacktivists and young coders dabbling in creating their own AIs. You have your own anti-government opinions, but what’s a human mind against an artificial one? Plus, and probably a less serious reason (tell that to the thousands who flock to the hospitals because of asthma), the air is almost always polluted here in the Rogue. It’s dirtied by car smoke and factory remains. You’d think that robots taking over the labs would improve it. Perhaps they weren’t programmed that way. 

Loneliness?

You look around. See the glitching phantoms of new world technology make the drinks breezily. Watch the light-studded train filled with commuters from the Auster. Kwon Eunbi managed to build an underside track for additional trains to run and still the commuters—young students, old grandparents, not young but not old workers whose jobs belong to WAKE12—wear the same tired look you saw yesterday. All you could hear are buzzes and uncanny valley voices from holograms.

The second chair paired with your table is empty. You’re suddenly lucid to the fact that it’ll always be like this. These nights of drinking and walking in the Auster Rogue will be endless, and just the same, you’ll be endlessly alone.

Sometimes mortality could be so depressing.

So depressing that it makes it all so meaningless.

A man stumbles over to the outside bar, breaking your thoughtless reverie. His clothes are as black as the night you spend but you can see blood on the fabric. The skyscrapers provide enough light for you to see his red face from anxious internal and worrying external blood. The pleading look grips his expression like a malfunctioning robot’s limb. 

He’s looking back as if afraid of what might be there. The rain-soaked road is tread on roughly by his shaking knees as he crawls his way to the bar. “Please, help me!”

“Warning,” comes the voice in your head, and you know the other visitors hear it, too, “a criminal of the state is in your proximity. Proceed with caution.”

WAKE12 always keeps an eye on those who threaten them. They have goons everywhere. The kindly grandfather down the street could be a veteran waiting for the chance of a medal. They have ears everywhere as well. Undercover cops stay in both crowded and clear spaces to identify possible threats. When it all comes down to it, you’re not safe in your own head at all. The implants can detect when you dream up something terrible. That’s how millions lose their reputation. Their jobs. Their families.

Their lives.

He staggers to the counter, crashing glass that shards his palms, and lets out this wail you’d hear from an abused pup. “Please,” he croaks. “Don’t listen to them. I just need somewhere to hide. I did nothing wrong, nothing!”

The implanted voice in your brain says otherwise. Everyone was given one when the Cyber Age came. That’s what makes a tiny difference in seeing who’s human and who’s not: the tiny, diamond scar below their hairline from the operation. Close inspection can’t always be done, however. Nowadays, too many of these robots and holograms pass the Turing test. You can never truly trust someone.

“Offenses include: playing the role of an accomplice in theft of government data, distribution of terrorist propaganda—”

“Get the fuck out!” says the bartender, having burst out from the back. As a longtime visitor, you haven’t seen him this angry, but you know it stems from fear. No one wants to associate with a criminal. No one wants the association to lead to arrest and the arrest lead to god knows what. Hundreds of people go missing after they’re taken under custody. What Kwon does to them, you don’t know. “Leave or I’ll call the cops!”

Like you said, they lurk everywhere. You’re surprised they haven’t caught up to him.

The bloodied man shakes his head, like please, please, someone believe me. “No, I’m not a criminal! Listen to me, please, I don’t have enough time! They just wanna—cut down” 

Rapid footsteps. Sigh and put your glass down. There they are.

The man reaches for him, but the bartender shoves the whole table into his face. He falls back on the ground and cries out for help that never comes. Men and women wearing tight black uniforms and vests pull him up. Their lit helmets that opposingly disallow a view of their faces make them look emotionless. Like robots.

Huh.

While resting your head against the metal chair, you listen to the struggling shuffles of the police and criminal, and see the glitching robots walking down the road. No real emotion, no real living.

He scratches and screams and sobs, but that doesn’t matter to them. They pull him along the rocky cement and recite his nonexistent rights to him. There’s the right to remain silent (he’s screaming), the right to an attorney (nobody in the Auster can afford a good lawyer much less an honest one), and the right to live freely if found innocent of the crime (someone getting convicted happens more often than being released).

Besides, it can’t be called living when it’s in a place so completely devoid of any humanity.

“In more ways than one,” you say. Fuck it, you’ll drink to that.

-

Like always, you take more than you should. You believe by now you’ve built some kind of immunity. That’s what they all think, you remind yourself, before an inevitable death that buries them in the ground one bricked shot at a time. You swear you’re not dizzy at all or feeling the acid build to your throat, so the sight gathering just a little away from you is real. 

Stare at your glass. Space out if not for what you see: behind it, a shapely form of a woman in purple. The blue and violet lights make it difficult for you to distinguish it from her clothes so she actually looks naked. That shocks you more than the arrest. You’re sure she’s got a little modesty in her because why else is she making her way to a table?

Your table?

It’s like she teleported when she’s suddenly seated before you, filling the chair that’s been empty for the last more or so years. You don’t even get the chance to look up at the right time, but the moment you do, you think keeping your eyes on your glass would’ve been better for the sake of your heart.

YENA.

Her name appears in your mind and she hasn’t even introduced herself. But it’s right there, emblazoned in lights in all capitalized four letters: YENA. This girl is Yena. And this girl—this fucking guilty pleasure of a girl—is gorgeous.

The ends of her hair are tinged with blonde, and it’s hard not to give attention to that with how her locks are gathered into twin tails. She smoothes them before looking at you quite seriously, like she’s about to propose a challenge you’d lose.

Blue shining eyes. There’s something odd about the way they twinkle below her bangs—almost like something not human. 

Yena dances her fingers around her jawline, elbow resting on the table, and tilts her pretty face. Lets her fingers play with her lips that are made for things the Auster’s known for providing (she can’t be from here though; those crocheted coordinates look costly). That’s how you notice that fine feature. Naturally thick and casually jutted out in a distinctive pout, your eyes are glued to them. Can’t take your prolonged stare away if someone helped you. 

“Are you waiting for me to start talking?” Yena asks. She’s not angry, just amused—her voice is smooth and clear, with a tiny pitch that makes her all the more cute. 

You shake your head. “Was just trying to figure something out.” 

“And that is?”

“A lot of things,” you state. Things you’d keep a secret forever, lest you spill them out to a girl all for the payment of being beautiful. “But I’m not sure pretty girls like you would want to know.”

You try to keep your curious peering at her normal, but it’s difficult when she just attracts attention. She’s a glowing lightbulb in a flutter of moths. Yena doesn’t flicker weakly; she shines, and it’s honestly why everyone else is “subtly” looking at her, this gorgeous stranger who came in and somehow chose the alcoholic who came from places more rock bottom than the Auster.

She laughs. It’s sobering—you think you’ll get drunk on her rather than the cheap alcohol. “Is that what you think of me? Too beautiful to think too much?” 

Look her up and down. Yeah, you want to say, that’s about it. It’s not out of offense but rather the instinct in you that wants to tell her you don’t want to put her in a worried state. She’s too… ah, she doesn’t know what you’d do for a girl like her—someone too unreal to be human but too genuine to be the “living” dolls lonely men purchase. Someone who can keep a conversation going without fearing a low blow. Someone who’s out of your league in the Rogue’s mixed pool but chooses you anyway.

“I’m just saying you might not want to hear a stranger boring you with his hard problems.”

“Oh please,” she says, waving it off with a flick of a pointed wrist. “You know my name. I know yours. We’re not strangers anymore.”

How did you—how did she—

Her eyes twinkle again. They’re… violet? You could have bet they were blue. But then you see the suspiciously smooth and clear skin, with the perfect lines of her eyelids, which curve as if manufactured in. She’s definitely not human. 

“Besides,” adds Yena sweetly, “you’re really underestimating how good I can take certain hard things.”

Swallow. You opened the door, now you’re locked in. 

Yena catches the bob of your Adam’s apple and smirks. Traces her fingers over yours. She can’t be human for sure yet you feel the softness of her hand, the only thing giving you doubt being how chilled her touch is. It's humid here, so where did that come from? Goosebumps pop up in masses across your skin—note how nothing shows up on hers.

Maybe she’s just a confident woman.

“Come on, I dare you.” 

“Only if you go first.” 

“Yes, sir,” she says. A cutesy saluted hand positions itself before her temple. Her hands are tiny, could be dainty, while her cheeks lift to support an adorable smile. 

Your knees tremble. You don’t know where that came from either. Yena just knows what to say to get to a guy. Almost like she was made for it. There’s that question again, resurfacing in your altered brain: is she human or not?

You lean back. Cross your arms. Here you go, on your way to find out. “What’s your story?” 

Yena shrugs, her shoulders bare and smooth. And you’re thinking of how you’d like to see the rest of them, the rest of her body naked by pulling down the crocheted strap of the purple coordinates. How you’d like to touch those puffed up cheeks and not care if they’re real or not when you pull her close to kiss her. How those lips—

“Don’t have one.”

“Sorry?”

She laughs. Even the way she giggles is attractive.  “No, seriously,” she replies, licking her lips. “There’s nothing interesting about me. I’m the most normal girl there is.”

There is nothing normal about her. Everything she says is too prepared. The largeness of her eyes gives everything away. Her hair is combed too finely that you’re not unconvinced that it isn't human hair at all, though you can see them connect at the roots. It’s like someone drew a cute animated girl on a notepad one lonely night, sent the idea to a rich bastard, and brought her to life.

So no, you’re not buying it.

“So you’re saying you’re just a blank canvas.”

“If you put it like that, I guess.” Yena rolls her eyes. You’re a bit obsessed. “Guys want that, right? A blank piece of a girl they could shoot more than a shot at? Maybe paint her white?”

You’re thankful you didn’t continue drinking. Otherwise, your surprise would be visible and audible with the lodge of your throat as you wineboard yourself.

The side of her mouth raises. A soft dimple exceeding cuteness—it’s deeper, brighter, shinier. You imagine her as a college student, charming boys into submission just with a wink and a smile that can melt hearts and bring guilt to lust-addled minds. 

That’s what she’s doing: Yena is melting you because of how adorable she is, but then you take a look at her body, note the fine curves it boasts, and feel the need to go to a confessional pastor. You’re not supposed to repeats in your mind, but you’re you—if you aren’t supposed to do it, then of course you’ll do it anyway.

“Woah,” you say with a nervous laugh. ���Woah.”

“Look.” She rests her forearm on the table and talks so casually one would think she weren’t just talking about getting cumshots. “I‘m not taking that back, so do with that what you will.”

Under the table, behind the scenes, her leg is curled around one of yours. Her ankle glides along your skin teasingly. Not a speck of hair on all of those flawless legs, but you’re shivering anyway from the contact. Hence, make a show of closing your coat around yourself. You can’t fool her when it’s not even chilly.

Recover, piecing together the brokenness of your confidence she tore apart.

“My story is, uh, weird.”

“Tell me.”

“This might be too personal but—” You lift your shoulders awkwardly. “I used to date a girl who looks exactly like you.”

Kim Chaewon—short auburn hair, soft cheeks, and a tiny figure. She’s a memory you didn’t think of returning to today, but then Yena came here, and now you’re back to your youth.

“She was a cop. Cutest officer I’ve ever seen, but a real bitch, for the lack of a better word. Then she left me.”

“You broke her heart, didn’t you?” 

Sputter. “No!” you immediately deny, shaking your head. “I—I didn’t hurt her, she was—”

A filthy lie. You became nonchalant, undeserving of a sweet woman who’d do anything for you, even give up her well-paying job. Again and again, Chaewon expressed her concerns: why were you talking to Minju? Where have you been? Why are you so mean? You disregarded them all the same. She deserved the ignorance; she was too fucking controlling, too fucking jealous.

Yena knows you’re lying. It’s like you’re a wound she can peel back to see all the ugliness, all the damage underneath. Her smile tells you everything.

“Oh, come on. I don’t care. Except for this.” Yena intertwines her fingers. Rests her chin on top of the formed platform. “Was she a good fuck?”

Your laugh is forced, trying to make a good deal out of this situation. A girl is flirting with you right after you saw someone disappear. Now you’re wondering if she’s a robot. Now, through some way, she knows you’re lying about your ex. Coincidences meet yet you refuse to connect them—parallel lines they shall stay, forever. 

“Yena, what exactly is up with you?” you ask. “You just met me. And come on now, why me?”

It’s begun to be hotter in this space. Loosen your coat. Perspiration isn’t because of the atmosphere, so you find out (and what a surprise). It’s because of the woman across you, a midnight sun. If the painful sun was actually a symbol of good in the Rogue, Yena would play its role perfectly. She’d scorch through you and you’ll enjoy every second. Yeah, you’d get all sorts of tans and burns and cancers if you bask in her without protection, but my god, are you willing to take the risk.

“I just don’t like seeing pretty boys have problems,” she replies easily. “If they want, (and I know they do), I’ll take them all away. Soon, all you'll think of is me. Like I’m the sun peeking in your room and you just can’t get enough sleep because of it.”

You tense up. Millions of questions, a void empty of answers. Once again, how was she so spot on? You’re not breathing quite well, and your clothes are tighter tonight. “Yena, look, I-I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Don’t be, not because you aren't, but because she said so.

She pouts. “You’re not gonna buy me a drink?”

“You sound disappointed.”

“Nope. Remember what I said? I’m a blank canvas. So do whatever you want with me. Buy me a drink. Or not. Tell me to fuck off. Or not. Force me on my knees.”

Yena kneels.

There’s no mantle on the table to cover up what she’s about to do. You gasp, then try to mask it as a poor cough, but you’re distracted by how she pulls your pants down effortlessly. The button sealing your coat is busted open and gone.

So is your dignity.

Yena’s tongue sticks out at the side of her mouth as she looks up at you with excitement and mischief in her eyes. 

“Or let me do the job. I’m a big girl after all.”

She seals her teeth around your zipper and tugs down. It’s embarrassing how hard you are for her. But Yena doesn’t care. Adoration is clear on her face as she stares at your shaft, the worshipful energy in her eyes so overwhelming that she has to do something about it.

“Yena—” What a way to go out: screaming a stranger’s name.

You knew those lips were up to no good the moment you saw them. She’s provided evidence, too. Her soft lips embrace your boner and suckle fervently while dragging themselves upwards. It’s a caress that tenses you up rather than comforts you. It works you up, tying you down with the little weight Yena has. You could kick her away right now and tell her to go away. File a case against her. 

You don’t.

The joined duo of careful teeth and wild tongue gets you whimpering. Shivering. Begging. How is she so good at this?

Her mouth is perfectly wet. It’s not copiously soaked to have you cringing but the perfect balance of wet and ready, coating your rod again and again. She gives you too much and just right. It would be a cruel violation if you were asked to choose one and only one.

“Baby, what the fuck—” you stammer. 

Her throat’s an expert in taking you because one push of her lips to your base welcomes you in its tight hole. Your knees shake; Yena places her hands on it, not to stop their trembles but for leverage during the dip of her head. 

Close your eyes, look up, and stare at skies that provide no reprieving stars. Think of how she’s infinitely bett—

“Better than any pussy, huh?” Yena asks. The third time is no coincidence, so you’ve heard. “And it’s just my throat.”

At this stage, you don’t care if she’s a robot or not, because either way, that mouth is a fucking treasure.

You lift your hips and start slowly working yourself in Yena’s face. Her lips pucker and pout to allow you inside with pleasurable friction. Those eyes—there aren’t any planets in the sky because of the pollution but you think you can see their sparkle in them. 

The amazing part is that Yena doesn’t choke. She endlessly takes you in, receiving every inch like a blessed gift, but you don’t hear her wheeze. No sounds of complaints escape her. You have a feeling it’s not because of your cock sliding in and out of it. She only gags on occasion, and those already sound fake. It’s like she’s doing it just so you can get worked up hearing her moans.

While others might be impressed, you’re dumbfounded. She tightens and loosens and pushes and pulls just for your pleasure. 

“Yena, I– you’re doing so good,” you compliment her in gasped breaths.

Her cheeks hollow. The suction strengthens and it now feels like your soul’s being swallowed down her neck. She knows how to tease you with light pandering from her teeth, generous licking, and strengthened swallowing. Her mouth is warm but you are more so. She’s making you feel hot in all these layers, an additional one played by her perfect lips.

Perfect hair, too, you note.

Hungry impulses take over your body and now you’re pumping your core into the girl’s face with the help of her pigtails. Yena’s hair is thick and silky, and it’s another enjoyable factor: feeling how it slips between your fingers and how each pull directs her lips to press firmly to your crotch.

She doesn’t gag with that either. She must have had a lot of experience; she did say she can take hard things fine. That is, if she were human. If not, whoever built her had dirty ideas: the lack of gag reflex surely brings in the five star ratings.

Bright star-like eyes, cute ruinable face, mouth that can take the largest.

Yep, perfect.

“Good—fucking—girl.”

Your cock weeps white. Yena feels the first drop and immediately pulls away. She pumps your shaft with a strong, urgent fist. As she hinted, you blast all over her face. Your orgasm grips you and shakes you like never before, and of course, the little brat enjoys it. She’s nearly laughing.

“There,” says Yena after she drains you. Her duck-like lips are sticky with cum. “Canvas painted.”

What a pretty painting you’ve made. Here, shown to the public, is the manic pixie dream girl, semen on her chin to symbolize how each word she utters has you climaxing; hair disheveled to show your subtle but messy rule over her, because you own her although you weren’t there when her mechanical limbs were assembled and her face drawn; and a smile on her face to show that despite all this: she likes it.

You laugh, short blunt breaths wisping in the air. “There really is something wrong with you, Yena,” you say.

She’s a girl who’s extremely pretty, good at blowjobs, and likes public sex and oral. She can also read minds. Oh, and she might not be real. 

“You could say that again.” She wipes her mouth. “Though I do think I could use a little fixing from you.”

-

You take her home. Your mother would have been disappointed in you if she knew you violated the first law you were ever taught: don’t talk to strangers. Most of all, don’t ever let them in. But Yena is no stranger—like she said, she knows your name and for some reason, you know her own. You’re not strangers. And your mother isn’t around to command you not to kneel for a pretty girl.

This home of yours isn’t fancy, but if people from 2024 saw it, they’d be mesmerized. You’re not rich enough to afford the penthouses the North offers; this one is alright for you. The stories of the building aren’t aligned with each other, separating a few yards with floating floors that defy gravity. That’s right; WAKE12 somehow found a way to disobey the rules of physics. The ends are lit up with bright lights that blind you from miles away. Wide windows encircle the areas along with al frescos and convenient malls. Back then, this would have been classified as the house of the wealthy—you can’t say you agree with the sentiment when you’re not at all rich.

“Hi,” says Yena brightly at the front desk. She’s so smiley, always grinning like she’s just told a really clever joke. “Where’s the elevator?”

“I, uh…” 

The manager looks at her oddly. Your ears redden; she still hasn’t cleaned her face up. Evidence of your deed lies there on her nose and chin and cheeks, even in her perfect hair. 

“Well?”

The manager lifts the phone immediately. Before he could dial a number, Yena sighs loudly. 

“Look.” She silences the telephone with a slam of the device down on the keypad. The man’s hand cringes. “I’m about to fuck this guy’s brains out and I promise your little backup bosses can’t do anything about it.”

He stares at her. 

“I’m gonna use his dick until it’s limp as a balloon, then ride him in bed, then bend over on the kitchen table so he could breed me like a common whore.”

You lift an index finger to apologize, but put it back down. Did she just say you can breed her?

His jaw tenses. The teeth behind those unsmiling thin lips grit, not in annoyance but in fear. Yena’s bouncy and sweet, but apparently she’s excluding people who cockblock from her cute attitude.

“So,” finishes Yena, lowering her gaze, “where is the fucking elevator?”

The elevator has no pulley or doors. It sits at the side of the uneven floors and rises with nothing but a sizable pod. You’ve had to watch your weight to be able to enjoy the freedom from staircases. 

Yena steps on it with no worry. As you look at her, you realize how positively tiny she is. That’s why she isn’t doubtful about fitting in the claustrophobic space. Her violet clothes can slip off at any time at her pull of a waist and slim thighs. All the fullness goes to her cheeks, painted with fake tattooed stars and minimal doodles. 

She’s the kind of girl you could just pick up and do whatever to. You’re the kind of guy who really, really likes the idea.

Holding your hand is a thing of the past. Yena clutches your cock over your jeans as the elevator lifts the two of you up. 

The first thing she does the moment you enter your home is not kiss you, or slam you to the door, or whisper dirty nothings in the hollow of your ear. Yena looks around and says, simply, “Doable.”

You chuckle. You’re not offended. It’s a tidy, minimal apartment with glass that spans a viewing pleasure of the artificial forest and the hills. Glass lost its value but skyrocketed in purchases when Jo Yuri, first activist recorded in the history of WAKE12’s domination, was imprisoned. People compared her name to glass (yuri was 유리 and 유리 meant glass) and since then, it has been used everywhere. High demand, low price. Her symbol and namesake is used the way the public wants her to be used: cheap thing convenient only to the eye. They always said she was too pretty to talk too much.

“Here, doable is the best compliment,” you reply. You go to your bedroom to clean the place. If you want to fuck a rich girl, make sure the bedroom is at least up to her standards. “You have personal maids there in the North?”

Yena continues looking around. She’s mildly fascinated by everything, especially in the big window placed on the ceiling that lets stars peer down at you. For some reason, all the ejaculation on her face is gone. You don’t remember her bringing a washcloth.

“I’m not from the North, you know.”

“You’re not?”

“Nope. I don’t come from anywhere.”

You come out, having cleared your bed from clothes and the floors of trash. You fed the trash to the connected chute that all apartments have, which leads down to the Southern Auster. The word may be Latin and is already defined as south, but there’s places poorer than the part you live in. You’re lucky to be here. The Southern Auster’s where it’s much more dangerous. The people there scavenge for food and money, and their cries go unheard in the night. It’s the biggest criminal capital of the Rogue.

You come out and Yena’s sitting on the kitchen table with a knife.

Stop in your tracks. 

See the blood running down her arm. 

“Oh, don’t worry,” she says dismissively. “It doesn’t hurt.”

You still don’t know what to say. The wound on her skin’s dissolved to a scar that looks more like a scratch on metal. Why would she do that? Why would that do that?

“In fact, I think it’s kind of cool.” Yena slides the blade on the strap of her top. It falls apart, right down to her braless chest. A pink, perky nipple is clear in the moonlight shining from above. “When people see me, they usually want to hurt me, so I might as well do it myself, right? They want to slap me, pull my hair, choke me. They say that and figure I’m totally flattered.”

You want to say that you couldn’t blame them. Yena’s got this innocent but naughty aura about her that you want to completely ruin. There’s her hair, all dolled up and her quirky makeup that brings attention that eventually switches down to the body she doesn’t bother hiding. 

But it looks like she’s doing the ruining. Aren’t those the best stories? Boy corrupts girl when it’s the other way around in reality? 

To use the word “reality” when you’re with Yena is laughable. She can read your mind like a Rogue Times newspaper. You get that things you thought were impossible have a chance of happening in these days, but you don’t remember wounds healing that fast. The knife slices right through the fabric, revealing swoon-worthy curves of her waist and hips, making her bleed only not for too long. Who would want a scar-ridden skinny girl anyway?

“Well,” you say after a dutiful swallow, “are you?”

Yena examines the knife. Her crimson blood dripping from its edge is a worthwhile watch while she considers this. 

She finally puts down the knife, much to your relief. “I don’t know. What about you, handsome? Do you want to hurt me or fuck me?”

“I… I’m not like them. I don’t wanna hit you or make you cry or anything. I want to fuck you, that’s completely different.”

First confession of the night that didn’t need saying when it’s clear. You let her blow you in public. You took her home. The intention is staring you in the face: you want to have sex with a girl you just met. 

Yena smiles. “You’d be surprised how blurred the lines are.”

Yena‘s hands fall on your shoulders and make you  fall to the kitchen chair and make your pants fall on the floor. Falling, falling, falling for her—it’s all you’re able to do provided that she’s stunning. She’s tiny with her thin arms and legs but her breasts are surprisingly supple. The cleavage her top subtly shows off hinted to that and you’re still shocked.

She’s a hot desert, and the only source you can drink of is her core. Her pussy is slick, making her thighs glue together only for them to part as she sits on your lap. 

The first grind has you both breathless. The second renders a duet of moans. She’s so wet that it’s excessive enough for her to drip down your cock and completely cover it with her. Yena’s pussy lips splay and clasp your shaft with slippery friction.

She curses. “You’re so hard. Big, t-too.” She aims your cockhead at her clit and sighs at the toe-curling pleasure. “You think you can fit in me?”

“I guess we’ll have to see.”

Yena smirks. She continues soaking you with her wetness. Her juices pour from your head to your balls. Then, without warning, she sheathes your rod inside her. 

You gasp. It’s so easy to slip yourself in and all too difficult to cope with how tight she is. Her walls, perfectly textured and sloppy, trap you and let you out, giving you false hope of escaping, only to imprison you again. It’s the best punishment you ever had. 

Her throat was already better than the other cunts you’ve spent yourself in, so what does that make her pussy?

The best. Her overflowing waterfall lets her ride you easily. It seems like there’s a million spots inside her you can target for she quivers and cries with each bounce. Her hair flows photogenically while her chest does the same erotic motion. 

“So fucking good, fuck,” Yena groans. Her round butt lands on your lap and you think you’d like it to stay there forever. Curl your hands around her cheeks. Draw a healthy moan from the throat you used.

Yena’s pussy curves and opens in every best way. She makes it so easy to mold her into the shape of your cock, to rearrange her insides. Was she made for dick? She’s so wet that you’d think she’s a nymphomaniac who won’t let you go, the same way her vagina won’t let you go as its grip curls around you and threatens to milk you to your wits’ end.

You wouldn’t mind that.

Her riding accelerates to an unbearable point the moment you start to spank her. She’s right about hurting and having sex being almost the same—you want to leave red handprints all over her jiggling ass. You want to pull her hair until she screams. You want to fuck this perfect cunt of hers right up to when she’s creaming all over you, flooding your sexes with her naturla nectar.

And the crazy thing is: she’ll actually let you.

“Fucking brat,” you say, hitting her butt again. She yelps coquettishly. “Are you really this thirsty for cock?”

“God, yes…” Her head throws back. Yena’s eyes shut and although her vision is blocked she sees stars. “Wanted to know how your dick would split me open. Fuck, keep doing that!”

Her core tightens with each blow you expel on her bouncing ass. Her hole’s already so enclosed so when she squeezes more, it’s close to having your cock tortured. You’re suffocating inside her.  You’re waterboarded again and again with her waterfall of wetness. 

You guide Yena’s motions with your hands on her behind. She’s so light that you’re practically using her as a doll, fucking her on your erection and letting yourself enjoy how her tits recoil. Her moans turn on a part of your brain that you don’t know, but it transmits to you these thoughts: fuck her senseless.

You raise her as high as you can, her weight nothing even to your long-untrained muscles, then slam her down. She sinks deeper into your lap and takes longer inches. Yena’s screams bounce off the soundproof walls that ensure only you can hear them. Those walls were fucking expensive, so of course you gotta let them have purpose. Slap Yena’s thighs down on yours and let her pussy envelop you right up to the point of bruises appearing on your skin.

How does she not sweat? Your hands wander all over her tight body and still you don’t find a drop of sweat. Her pigtails are still secured. You guess she was just made to be eternally pretty. 

She is pretty, under any circumstance—her smooth skin possesses zero blemishes and her winged eyes remain lamp-bright. She’s pretty, even when she lets out the pitchiest sounds, even when Yena’s lips rise into a devilish smile before sealing on your neck. She nibbles on your skin and rakes up your sensitivity. 

“Holy shit, Yena…”

“Yeah, that’s right.” She licks behind your ear and you nearly lose it. Maybe you already did. “Say my name. Because I’m all yours. This pussy is yours to use and abuse, so do it.”

Rub her tiny pulsing clit. Yena’s cries deafen you. If that’s not enough, she drowns you with her cum. There’s no raft to save you. You’re all alone. You’ll drown here and never see the light of day again.

Electricity runs through her body as the pleasure ramps up. Her fingers weaken on your shoulders. Her gasps are split off by larger, more surprised evolutions. Yena’s close.

“Fuck, no, I can’t!” Yena’s riding is furious and borderline abusive. The noises between your two crotches are louder than before. 

“You can,” you insist. You throb inside her while her pussy becomes smaller despite the many thrusts you perform. “Take it like a good girl, Yena.”

“Fuck me, use me, I’m just your cute little helpless girl, fuck me!”

She couldn’t be more correct. She’s just a useless doll, thin and adorable and tight—so why not use her like one?

You’re surprised your limbs have any power in them, but they impress as you lift Yena up. During your walk to the counter, you don’t stop thrusting in her. She’s wet and ready, just waiting and begging for it to happen. Her pretty face is smudged with tears. There’s sick satisfaction in you from seeing how the confident girl at the bar is now just a fuckhole to use. 

“Oh, oh, ah!” Cute little whines come out from those lips. Her mouth used its power to pick you up, make you cum, make you scared. In this second, all that is gone: she’ll only ever use it to wail in pleasure.

Knock her against the kitchen counter. Her thighs press to the curve. You spread them open and continue spending yourself to death in her. Her sides that slant to make the physique you love are perfect handles to thrust. 

You’re completely soaked, but she’s completely defiled. The dream girl is not just any dream but a wet dream. She’s the fantasy you never had but will constantly think of now. And you don’t care if WAKE12 knows you’re fucking her. They can read all the thoughts you have about Yena as much as they like, and you wouldn’t care.

Instead of giving a fuck, you twist her around, her smooth back in front of you, and fuck her harder while you’re at it. Admire the way your hips slap her ass and give her the spanking she deserves. One spank, that’s for being so tempting. Another for the price of her promiscuity. Three one-after-the-other’s because she’s too wild, too free for a girl with that face.

“God, please, harder!” Yena cries. “Make me your little cocksleeve cumslut!”

She does not take pain to heart, physically and mentally. In spite of your rapid pumps and the slap of your stomach to her bent and ready ass, no bruises or scratches appear on her skin. You say all these degrading words and rather than mope about it, she gets more turned on. She forces you to give all your might in railing her in this apartment where the open windows give you away rather than the sounds. And you’re nodding along, saying:

“Of course.”

Of course you’ll grab her tits and pinch their nipples as hard as you can. Yena’s skin might not be humanly warm but these boobs are real. They’re soft in your palms and plentiful. Is she a masochist? You tweak and slap and squeeze; in response, she’s… smiling?

Of course you’ll slip your touch all over her body. Appreciate every perfect curve, every fine fullness. After fondling her tits, you slide your hands over her smooth pits, then to her arms that struggle to remain stable. She’s sensitive all over; it’s evident in the way she babbles each time you caress her. 

Of course you’ll take her hair and pull as hard as you can. She won’t get mad. Nothing ever gets to the cool girl.

“Oh my god!” Yena shouts. 

Those pigtails are there for a reason. Thrusts become easier to do with her hair curled in between your digits. Her ass meets your crotch easily and you find yourself excavating her cavern, hitting her in all the good places. Yena hums and screeches and sobs. 

“Bad girl.” Her hair plays the role of your reins. They’re convenient in spreading Yena apart with your shaft, tearing at her tightness. “You’re nothing but a filthy cocksucking slut.”

“M-mhm, yes, just for you, just for this perfect dick, ahh! I’m cumming!” 

Yena’s core flexes and contracts. It holds you like it never wants you to go but you let go anyway. You can do nothing besides that especially if it’s her, someone who’s so cute but so seductive, so challenging but submissive. Each part of her—those blowjob lips, her blooming face, her cockiness—makes you wish this could never end.

The first sign of the end of this pornographic one-reeler is your semen raining inside her, setting a storm in her guts. You pant, legs weak, while Yena’s seem to go on forever although she’s smaller than you.

The second sign is the mess she made. Those aforementioned desirable legs are painted by obscenity. She squirted all over your floor and herself. Your cum coats her vulva plus spills down freely.

Yena looking back at you with a tired smile is the last one, along with her asking, through shattered breaths, “Better than your whore ex?”

Because that’s the thing about girls like Yena. They’ll do everything to please you. Perhaps she’s a good dresser, but really, this is your style, not hers. This type of fashion is what you like on women: modestly revealing. Girls like Yena will give you everything, make you discover yourself, and when all this happens, she’ll remain the thoughtless, forgiving girl. She won’t complain about things that will set you off and say coy, clever things, the kind men like to hear.

All just to be better.

She is.

“Yeah.”

Yena chuckles. For a moment, she looks like the sweetest girl in the world. The happiness overtakes her face and makes her smile reach her ears. 

It disappears as fast as it arrived.

“Wrong fucking answer.”

Alarm sounds of every kind—natural disaster, fire, robbery, whistles—blare in your head. You can’t hear anything except the thin screeches of emergency. But for what?

Yena loses her brightness. Everything that made her shine shuts down. She smiles, that same one full of mischief, before she breaks, too. Her eyes turn pitch black, the ones you see in crows, the sign of bad luck. She disassembles part by part before you. The light girl is suddenly so heavy that she forces you down. Suddenly, her torso above yours feels colder than before. 

What the fuck? 

Escape is your first instinct. You push the remains of the girl away. Your feet kick the broken parts as if you’d break, too. You brush past the fringe of her bangs. Below it, no diamond scar rests on her forehead.

Stare down at her. Yena truly is not real. Your manic robotic dream girl is dead. She was never alive. 

“You have been found guilty,” says the implant. You used to hear it when WAKE12 arrested people and now it talks to arrest you. The alarms are loud but you understand every fragment. 

The implant’s emotionless voice now sounds a lot like—

“Chaewon?” 

Bad luck comes just like the consequences of the law, personified by stilettos clicking on your floor, a shadow in the moonlight, and the face of the woman you swear you never wanted to see again.

And yet here she is.

Chaewon looks so much like Yena. Yena looks so much like Chaewon. Their chins, their eyes, their bangs—who is who? Their faces mingle and mix in your vision. You think you’re going crazy.

She puts away a remote control and places her hands on her hips. Her black bodysuit is all you see as she approaches. Her smiling lips don’t utter a word. You hear her voice, all in your head.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything and everything you do shall be punished by WAKE12 accordingly. This is the price you pay for your crime.”

There’s a gun in front of you. It’s aimed at your chest, determined to crush what keeps it beating. Raise your hands, but not in surrender. You’ll die before you try to be Chaewon’s toy again.

“What crime? Being your ex-boyfriend?” you spit. This has got to be a joke. “Chaewon, I said, what crime?”

She can’t abuse her authority. She couldn’t have done all that just to get back at you. And for what? Being a bad boyfriend when you were younger and dumber?

You hear her speak. That striking smile looks more terrifying than beautiful. It dissolves into darkness to pronounce your wrongdoing. 

“For the crime of fucking existing,” she snarls.

You hate Chaewon. You swore you never did yet now you do wholeheartedly. You tried to love her and reciprocate her efforts. She’s a busy woman so she should have understood you had other commitments.

This is the last time you ever want to hear from her. 

A bullet you don’t see coming. It soars in the wind and finds its home sweet home in your skull.

She’s the last thing you ever heard.

[nanamis-bigtie]

I decided to support @ficsforgaza initiative by offering Sponsor a WIP option and some limited requests. Please, check their blog for more information about the initiative & its participants.

how does it work?

↬ choose a WIP you want to support or/and think of a fic you would like me to write for you

↬ make a donation to a vetted fundraiser or charity of your choice (list of fundraisers and charities to choose from)

↬ screenshot a proof of your donation & send it to me via DM or ask (or on discord, if we know each other); REMEMBER TO COVER ANY PERSONAL DATA (screenshots will be shared with @/ficsforgaza for verification)

↬ don't send me a screenshot you already used to fund someone else's WIP!

↬ you will be mentioned as a sponsor of fic when i'll post it (you can opt out of it, if you wish to remain anonymous - in this case, remember to inform me beforehand)

↬ i'll start working on a WIP when it's at least 50% sponsored and then move to next ones in the line, starting from those that reached 50% first

↬ depending on my workload, i may add more WIPs and spots for requests to the list, i'll keep you updated

sponsor a WIP - $1 for 100 words

puzzle night | higuruma x afab!reader x kusakabe

cw: smut, one night stand, threesome, reader with a vagina summary: insomnia-ridden night leads to an accidental meeting at a konbini. all three of you seek snacks, alcohol and company to chew through sleepless hours, and from word to word you end up at your place and join forces to tackle the puzzles you left scattered in your living room.

estimated word count: 5000 current word count: 0 words sponsored: 500/5000

beggar's privilege | toji x plus size afab!reader

cw: smut, friends with benefits, sex in exchange of a favor, reader with a vagina summary: toji is one of your favorite regulars at the shady bar where you're working. he's often cashless but he keeps shady guys at distance and helps you around in exchange for food. sometimes though the help you need has nothing to do with your work.

estimated word count: 5000 current word count: 0 words sponsored: 2000/5000

sugar and spice | nanami x plus size afab!reader

cw: smut, nanami lives!au, newly married couple, reader with a vagina summary: after the tragedy of shibuya and forced retirement, nanami is determined to catch up on every joy he missed. and you are the greatest joy of his life, you and your cooking he can taste now whenever he wants.

estimated word count: 5000 current word count: 0 words sponsored: 0/5000

request a fic - $10 per request

↬ in exchange for your donation, i'll write you a short (1-3k words) one shot; you can donate more than $10 if you want, the excess money will be counted into words added to any of the active WIPs

↬ i can write x reader fics for: demon slayer, haikyuu, jujutsu kaisen; any gender of y/n is welcomed & i'm caught up with jjk

↬ i'm open for many topics, both sfw and nsfw, but i won't write for: pregnancy and parenting, cheating, religious topics

↬ i'm okay with aging up characters who are at least 15 in canon timeline

↬ before you proceed with donation, please contact me with your idea so I can asses if I 100% can work with it

taken requests:

zoro x reader for @acidsbeats

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[rideboomindia]

What are the differences between RideBoom and Indrive in terms of pricing, quality of service, and features offered for corporate clients?

RideBoom and InDriver (formerly known as InDrive) are both ride-sharing platforms that offer transportation services to customers. While they have similarities in terms of their business models, there are some differences between them in terms of pricing, quality of service, and features offered for corporate clients.

Pricing:

RideBoom: RideBoom offers competitive pricing for its ride-sharing services. The fares are determined based on factors such as distance traveled, time taken, and demand-supply dynamics. They also provide various payment options, including cashless transactions through digital wallets and electronic payment methods [2].

InDriver: InDriver stands out by allowing passengers to negotiate fares directly with drivers. This unique feature gives passengers more control over the pricing and ensures transparency and fairness in determining the ride cost [3].

Quality of Service:

RideBoom: RideBoom is committed to providing reliable, convenient, and affordable transportation solutions. They prioritize safety by implementing robust safety protocols and technologies, including stringent driver screening processes, real-time trip monitoring, and emergency assistance features within the app. They also focus on delivering a personalized customer experience by leveraging advanced data analytics and machine learning technologies [2].

InDriver: InDriver emphasizes community involvement and aims to create a sense of trust and reliability. They allow users to see mutual friends or contacts they have in common with drivers, enhancing safety and accountability. InDriver also provides driver profiles with ratings, vehicle details, and reviews, allowing passengers to choose their preferred driver based on these factors [3].

Features for Corporate Clients:

RideBoom: It is unclear from the available search results whether RideBoom specifically offers features tailored for corporate clients. However, as a leading ride-sharing company, they may have partnerships or programs in place to cater to the transportation needs of corporate clients. Further research or contacting RideBoom directly would provide more information on this aspect.

InDriver: There is no specific information available regarding features offered by InDriver for corporate clients in the search results. It is recommended to conduct further research or reach out to InDriver directly for more details on their offerings for corporate clients.

[sierrawr]

NOBODY GETS ME LIKE YOU

It was the spring of 2020 where you meet Minhyung Lee, the one who you thought would last forever by your side through thick and thin. You were working part time as a barista at a coffee shop near your college and he was one of the regular customers of the coffeeshop.

"Can I have one banana smoothie and bagel, please?"

You are not going to deny that he does have a good looks. But you know better not to messed up while you are still working.

"Sure! Will that be all?"

You decided to take a good look of his face while his eyes are still scanning the menu. When he turned to look at you, that's when you tear your gaze away from him pretending look at anywhere else but him.

"Yeah, that will be all."

He cracks a small smile as he open his wallet before he handed you the notes to pay for his order.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but we only use cashless transaction here."

His eyes followed your hands which shows him the notice that says only cashless transaction is allowed.

He he purse his lips as he closed his eyes in embarrassment.

His cute gestures made you chuckled.

"It's alright, you are not the first one with the same mistake in here. Would you like to use your card, then?"

The clock reads 11:45 at the moment and you have to closed the coffee shop at 12 am. Since he is obviously the last customer, you thought that there is no harm in giving your kindness towards him. On the other hand, he let out a heavy sigh before thanking you for letting him know that there's some other people who did the same mistake as him.

"Yeah- But.. The truth is that I'm not good with card or stuff with machine thingy like the ATM or something like that. I guess I'll have to kiss my banana milk and that bagel a goodbye."

You appreciates his honesty and it feels a shame to let him go out of the coffeeshop empty handed.

"I'm afraid you will not kiss them a goodbye. The options that I have for you is for me to teach you to use the card if you want me to, or.. I can buy it for you. So which one of the options would you like to use?"

It is obvious that he did not expect the options that you gave him.

"Yo, I- I can't let you do that, you work here for a reason and you barely know me. I don't want you to use any of your money to me so you can keep it to yourself and use it for the stuff you wanna buy."

You can't lie that you are touched when you listened to his explanation about the reason why he don't want you to spend your money on him.

"And.. I kind of forgot the PIN number, only my mom knows it but I'm afraid she's asleep at this hour."

You nodded your head before you asked him to wait for a moment as you take his order at the kitchen. Few minutes later, you came out with his banana milk and bagel that you reheat just now. He was about to refuse when you swiftly hands it to him but insist that he should have it. And the next thing happened is you gave him a company as he finishes his banana milk and bagel while you are closing the coffee shop.

"I seriously can't thank you enough for this. The whole day was too hectic for me today and I did not even realize that I skipped my dinner. How should I compensate you though? I should return your kindness, so is there any way or anything that I can do to do so, please? "

It felt surreal that you, yourself have no idea how did your crush on him grows big and bigger from the moment he stopped by at the counter until this moment. But one thing that you know for sure, you gotta try to shoot your shot. And that's what you did.

"Maybe you can start by introducing yourself because I still don't have your name."

You successfully made him blushed so hard, and both of you spent the night getting to know each other while enjoying each other company until 1 am.

that night, you have learned that he is a Korean and his name is Minhyung Lee. But he mainly use his English name, Mark, around his friends. Apart from that, he is graduating from his high school soon and planning to further his studies at a college and both of you also learned that you are around the same age except for the fact that he is older than you.

Ever since then, he has been a regular customer of the coffee shop. And it would be a lie if you deny your true feelings towards him. You are afraid to confess because you are scared to get hurt by rejection. And you were glad you didn't. Because he just stopped going to the coffee shop and you had never seen him again ever since then.

A few months after that, you graduated from high school and got an offer to study at a college in Canada. You don't know why, but you decided to take the offer as it reminds you of Mark, who once mentioned that Canada was his hometown.

It is the New Year Eve where everyone is waiting for the countdown for the new year to start. And your eyes met with a pair of dark brown eyes which is familiar to you.

[acceptccnow]

Discussing Self-Service Kiosks & Point of Sale in the Restaurant Industry

Article by Jonathan Bomser | CEO | Accept-Credit-Cards-Now.com

In the ever-changing world of the restaurant industry, technology continues to play a pivotal role in shaping business operations. Two innovations that have shaken up the dining experience are self-service kiosks and point of sale (POS) systems, both of which have gained considerable popularity. These advancements provide a multitude of benefits, including streamlined merchant account processing, the capacity to accept credit cards, and efficient payment processing.

Revolution of Self-Service Kiosks Self-service kiosks have become increasingly prevalent in restaurants, spanning from fast-food eateries to upscale dining establishments. These user-friendly touch-screen terminals enable customers to place their orders quickly and efficiently. When customers opt for credit card payments, self-service kiosks seamlessly link up with merchant account processing systems to securely accept credit cards.

Efficient Streamlined Merchant Account Processing One major advantage of self-service kiosks in the restaurant industry is the efficient, streamlined merchant account processing they provide. This technology enables businesses to process payments with precision, reducing the risk of errors and minimizing time spent on payment processing. By incorporating these kiosks into their operations, restaurants can ensure a smoother and more cost-effective operation.

Embracing Credit Card Payments Another notable perk of utilizing self-service kiosks in restaurants is the ability to offer credit cards as a payment option. In today's cashless society, many customers prefer the convenience and security of card payments. By providing this payment method, restaurants cater to customer preferences and expand their potential customer base.

The Role of Point of Sale (POS) Systems In addition to self-service kiosks, modern restaurants are adopting advanced POS systems to manage their operations more effectively. These systems serve as a central hub for various tasks, including order management, inventory tracking, and payment processing.

Streamlined Payment Processing POS systems are indispensable for efficient payment processing in restaurants. They empower staff to take orders, split checks, and process payments with ease. By integrating with merchant account processing services, these POS systems ensure that payments are handled securely and swiftly. This convenience enhances the overall customer experience and helps restaurants operate more efficiently.

The Benefits of Integration The seamless combination of self-service kiosks and POS systems in the restaurant industry provides a comprehensive approach to improving operations. These technologies not only streamline the payment process but also assist with inventory management, reduce wait times, and enhance customer satisfaction. By embracing these innovations, restaurants can stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.

[darkmaga-retard]

Digital Currency – Blessing Or Curse?

September 19, 2024 Dennis Miller  Retirement

During a recent trip to the grocery store, I observed several mothers with children riding in their grocery carts. I chuckled. When my kids were young, they reached for goodies for mom to buy. Some things never change; but some things do….

A little guy kept pestering mom to buy candy. Mom said, “No.” He kept up the pressure. Frustrated mom said, “We don’t have the money.” He said, “But mommmm, you charge the groceries.” Sadly, the bewildered mom put the candy in the cart. We were probably lucky, credit cards for groceries didn’t exist when my children were small.

Jo sent me a USA Today article, Are we moving toward a cashless, checkless society? Some statistics:

“According to the latest (study from) 2024 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice.

Cash was most used by consumers for in-person shopping. It also is the preferred payment method of consumers in low-income households and those 55 years old or older.

…. ‘There is a war on cash,’ said Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with…the American Civil Liberties Union.”

Quoting Jay Stanley and Jay Zagorsky, (associate professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business), they conclude:

“Zagorsky and Stanley don’t think we’re moving to a cashless or checkless society, ‘but this is a very slippery slope,’ said Zagorsky.

…. ‘We’re not saying we think you should pay with cash for everything,” said Stanley. ‘We’re saying that we should preserve the option of cash for people, even if that involves some expenses and some inefficiencies.’

‘I think there is a counter revolution happening.'”

Coincidentally, Chuck Butler writes, The Dollar Buying Ends, devoting a full page to discussing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

I contacted Chuck, we need his insights.

DENNIS: Chuck, once again thank you for helping educate our readers.

The survey shows most bills are paid by some sort of credit card, etc. Before we discuss CBDC, please explain “digital currency.”

CHUCK: Dennis, as always, it’s a pleasure to write to your dear readers…

Well, one day, you’ll check your bank balance, and receive the biggest surprise of your life, because… Your dollars have been changed to digits… and those digits may or may not be equal to the dollars you previously held.

Digits or units of whatever the Gov’t decided to do with your dollars, will then be how you have to refer to your balance. Bills will be paid by use of a card, like a debit card, and via computer like many are already doing. The idea is to transact business electronically, and not use cash.

There are already retail businesses that don’t accept cash; the idea is to force the process on all of us.

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Info for Faith In The Future World Tour GILFORD, NH May 27 2023

With special guests THE ACADEMIC & SNARLS!

Important Times:

5:00 PM: Parking Opens

5:30 PM: Doors Open

5:30 PM Emily Rae (Hazy Little Stage - side stage in the venue)

7:00 PM Snarls

7:45 PM The Academic

8:30 PM Louis Tomlinson

General admission (pit tickets):

NO QUEUEING ALLOWED

Lines allowed to form 15 minutes before doors open at 5:15pm

The pit for this event is really small, you will be close regardless!

Please be aware that this is a destination venue in the woods. Arrive as close to 5pm as possible.

Subject to change. Check the venue's socials for updates!

Here are important policies:

Please be aware that this is a destination venue in the woods. Arrive as close to 5pm as possible. Any later and risk missing part of the show!

The venue is CASHLESS! Pay with a card or mobile pay!

Upgrade Add-ons: Coors Light VIP Club ($75) and Sam Adams Brewhouse ($25)

Parking MUST be purchased here ($15-$65). Parking map here. Parking details here.

Tailgating: the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, in our parking areas, actually violates a local Gilford ordinance. Underage drinking and/or intoxication, will most certainly cause you to miss the show and may lead to being arrested.

Camping pass available here ($65-$75). Spend the night in the Campground area, which is only a short walk away from the venue. We offer 2 tenting options: Set up in the grass right next to your vehicle or escape to a tent site in the woods. Gather your friends and camping gear and stay with us after the show! Check out the rules and regulations here.

ADA info here and here

Cameras: must be non-professional without a detachable lens. No video cameras.

NO food

NO drugs

NO glass, plastic or metal containers

NO coolers

NO knives, firearms or weapons of any kind

NO Ipads

NO selfie sticks

NO blankets

Strollers allowed, but subject to search by security (no stroller storage available)

ONE factory-sealed water bottle, max 20 oz., per person ALLOWED.

Refillable Water Bottles allowed but only completely empty. There are fill stations inside. No metal straws!

Umbrellas ALLOWED but may not be open during the performance. We recommend quality rain gear.

No lawn chairs allowed. Lawn closed for Louis' show.

View food and drink menus and restaurants here.

There is NO RE-ENTRY!

VIEW VENUE MAP

VIEW SEAT MAP

For more details click here

Bag Policy

ONLY small clutch purses with a maximum size of 6" x 9" or a clear tote with a maximum size of 12" Wide x 12" High x 6" Deep. Fanny-packs are also allowed.

For more details click here

Banners, signs and flag policy:

Signs and flags are ALLOWED

Signs larger than 8.5 X 11 in are not permitted into the venue. This size is a standard sheet of paper. 

All signs must be appropriate in nature and not be a distraction to the artist.

For more details click here and here

Contact:

For additional questions please call the venue at (603) 293-4700. Use the online chat here. Email them BNHP@Livenation.com. You can also access their website. Check their twitter here and IG here for updates. Address: 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, NH 03249.

[ross-hori]

Be Kobe, use Aeon Pay*

* Other cashless payment options are available

[stainedglassthreads]

Something one wouldn't expect to help with one's mental health, but for some reason for me, does.

People I know will sometimes pointedly remark how a local bank has online banking and an app. And I know they're well-meaning and want to make things easier for me. But weirdly enough, sometimes things being too convenient just ends up enabling my executive dysfunction and tendency to procrastinate. If I know I can do something too conveniently, my mind will end up going 'eeeeeh, we can just do it later!'

On the other hand, if I make myself drive, or even better, walk all the way to the bank, I feel obligated to see my errand through to completion. I can't just decide 'eh, later' when I've walked some ways to get there.

Of course, this method won't work for everyone. Making things harder helps me with this one situation, but with other situations I do need things easier in certain ways. And of course, there's also other peoples' situations I know little of. But I think that highlights the necessity of options, in an age where certain businesses want to prioritize apps, cashless transactions, or self-service kiosks.

[if-i-was-the-presedent]

News is still coming up but this is a good time to point out that cashless societies are a bad idea actually and that we rely too much on USA tech to power our country

Both of those things are Very Bad.

Cash is super important my dude but more importantly is a system that doesn't go down when other countries fail to maintain their tech. Look, I hear you, Microsoft doesn't go down very often and we should be thankful for that, but it's not just microsoft. What if the states of america falls into dystopia and idk Hunger Games themselves, where will we be? So much of our country relys on other counties, and while thats a good thing, too high a percentage relys on just one country. We need to balance it all out.

This outage, at this point, is totally out of our control. We cannot do anything, not was there anything we could have done, but we are lead blindly hoping this one country will do the right thing and maintain their shit and when they dont we get to face their consequences. This is also a country famous for Not Doing The Right Thing and that reputation alone makes me want to seperate myself (and this country) even more

We should have our own tech, "made by locals for locals" that can't be corrupted by outsider influence because it doesn't exist outside of Australia. If an attack happens on our tech then we'll know it was from inside.

Idk maybe this is getting extreme but this foreign State of America tech infiltrating our every day has always set me on edge. The fact that I don't have options to avoid it, to not sign terms and conditions of use on their products, that there is no home made alternative, it just feels insane.

[notthewriteryourelookingfor]

My bank is trying to become cashless and I'm so mad about it. (I am looking for a new bank)

Our society cannot be cashless.

Why?

Because to open a bank account you need to have a permanent address, specific ID, and other items that are unobtainable for certain people including the homeless/houseless/some "illegal" immigrants

Not everyone us comfortable using digital only, I know a few old people who don't like cards, I know people who budget by using physical cash, and some people just prefer cash.

Also a lot of kids still use physical money as an allowance (I work in a craft store and having a kid come up with what is obviously their allowance to buy themselves craft supplies is so wonderful)

But there's another side to it.

A lot of places have surcharges based on card usage. It's usually "under $X" but I've seen a few places that are like "there's just a surcharge on all card transactions" like -_-

And banks can (and will) charge card fees. They probably do already in some places. And if card is your only options then you have to pay these fees and they can charge you whatever the fuck they want. And they will because that's what banks do. They exist to get money put of your account.

And banks that are like "we don't have any cash but you can use our ATM" ignoring the fact that not everyone can or will use an ATM and God forbid their 1 ATM go down, then what?

Banks: we've seen a decrease in physical money in the last few years so we're going to wind down physical money options.

As if there wasn't a pandemic that made a lot of people afraid to use money for the past 3 years!?!?!?!

I work retail and I can't be like "well we've barely had no sales this morning so that means we will only have a few in ther afternoon so I might as well close the store 4 hours early" that's not how it works.

Banks need more regulation imo and they shouldn't be allowed to go "cashless" because until our society fixes like capitalism/housing issues/domestic violence issues/mental health issues/etc we can't go cashless.

Like literally the only way we'd be able yo go cashless is if we live in a utopia where money doesn't exist. I'm sorry but the scifi dream of everyone having a chip in their wrist that is ID/money/bus pass/etc is a dystopian nightmare that capitalism would use to exploit everyone is they could.

I will admit I rarely use cash, I literally only use it for conventions (to stay on budget) or if someone owes me money and give me cash, I'll put it on my bus pass.

But just cuz I don't really use cash, doesn't mean it's not needed.

[wild-wombytch]

Motocultor 2024, Friday the 16th, Karaez, Poher (Kernev) and neighbouring cities and landscapes

(Too many passerby/friends in my other pics that could be identified, that's why I'm not posting much of the festival itself)

It was my first Motocultor. A friend kindly abducted me into going there. Honestly, great experience. If the organisation stays as it is, it is safe for women to go alone. There is a libfem association that was patrolling to ensure it. There were a lot of women (including in security and staff), it was quite accessible for people with physical disabilities. Toilets are clean and well thought. Everyone sleeps about everywhere on the festival undisturbed. There are many tasty vegan/vegetarian options in foods (and a good selection of Asian and African foods). You can dress however you want without being harassed (some women were in bras for comfort -yours included- and there were male travestites and they seemed to feel safe). Also, you can wash yourself/brush your teeth, fix your muddy shoes etc about 5min of walk outside of the fest (technically there is water on the fest but it's less crowded outside and actually made for that purpose (it's a sport's spot).

The vibe it gave was very libfem, so don't expect some activist radical lesbians everywhere, of course, or to not see bdsm stuff or performances of feminity. But it was still better than most festivals with a lot of very toxic macho males a lot of people don't feel safe around. They had stuff to protect your drinks and your ears. They had power banks. You have a market so if any of your clothes for some reason tear or whatever you can find some stuff. The light is well thought so there aren't dark isolated corners. The control of items at the entrance is good. You can have a cashless account you can add money to in advance as soon as you have your ticket, so you don't need physical money. You just need a credit card if you want to buy merch, but you can 100% come to the festival without credit cards or money anywhere else than in the bracelet they give you at the entrance. Also, Nazi symbols were explicitly banned in the rules THANKS FUCKING HELL. But according to the girls who were our tents neighbours, the other fest in this city, Les Vieilles Charrues, had some of those guys as well. Be careful for festivals in France in general (especially WOC), the people are becoming properly insane and violent these days. For the head up, as far as I know this is a far left separatist city, so people here are Bretons, not French. We unite in hatred of Paris.

The musics were a bit of everything. It depends of the days. We had Faun and Opeth at the same time, to give an idea. Some groups were rap/metal, other electro/metal, folk/metal, symphonic/metal and uh....well, just listen to Igorrr yourself, I can't explain it but it was fire and rhe female singer was fucking POSSESSED she was amazing and touching and funny as hell. We had punk on the Saturday, a good amount of female bands in comparison to other fests. Not just metalheads in the public, a lot of punks and other alt cultures as well. Booze was great (and unlike the previous fest I've been to where we got harassed by homophobic white supremacists, there was coffee and energy drinks, as it should).

Camping was crowded but had a good mentality. We had about twenty people cheering for us when we were trying to put the tent back in its bag. We asked for a Qeshua expert around and ended up at five people trying to wrap it up like idiots. Then -of course it was a woman 😭✨- Our Lady of Qeshua came out of thin air to our rescue and wrap that shit up on her own in about 30s, like a proper badass. I love you my sister in tent. Also we had the honour of witness a 4am dumpsters joust and the next day to talk with one of the dumpster warriors. So uh...maybe bring earplugs if you intend on actually sleeping. There is also the Makumba here, where it's purposely shitty and memeish old pop songs being played and remixed for people who are still alive and not dead-drunk after 2am. We did shitty dance. It was funny. Except I was tired, in sandals (because honestly fuck combat boots after one to many miles of walk and pogo) and it took about 2min for someone to spill his whole beer on my feet and for another dude crowd surfing in my back and falling from the sky on me (I'm fine, I believe he is?). The morning, if younre early you may miss the queue for a well-deserved watery coffee.

Honestly the ticket is expensive for my budget (now kinda dead because I shamefully admit I fell a bit for the capitalist evil. But I'm wealthier of sturdy leathers that will last a lifetime and supporting a lot of female owned businesses) but it ended up being a wonderful investment! 100% recommand (maybe 1-2 day for a start, because you need a medal if you survive to 4 days).

[rideboomindia]

What are the benefits of using a ride-sharing app like RideBoom?

Using a ride-sharing app like RideBoom can offer several benefits for both passengers and drivers. Here are some of the advantages:

Benefits for Passengers:

Convenience: Ride-sharing apps provide passengers with a convenient way to request a ride anytime, anywhere, using their smartphones. They can avoid the hassle of flagging down taxis or waiting for public transportation.

Ease of Use: The user-friendly interface of ride-sharing apps makes it simple for passengers to book a ride, track the driver's location, and make cashless payments. The apps often provide estimated arrival times and fare calculations, enhancing transparency and ease of use.

Safety and Security: Ride-sharing apps typically incorporate safety features such as driver identification, real-time GPS tracking, and the ability to share ride details with friends or family. Passengers can have peace of mind knowing that their journey is monitored and recorded.

Cost-Effective: Ride-sharing services often offer competitive pricing compared to traditional taxis. Passengers can benefit from affordable fares, especially for shorter distances, making it an economical transportation option.

Availability and Accessibility: Ride-sharing apps provide access to transportation services in areas where taxis might be scarce or public transportation options are limited. Passengers can easily find a ride, even during peak hours or in remote locations.

Variety of Vehicle Options: Some ride-sharing apps offer a range of vehicle options to cater to different passenger needs and preferences. Passengers can choose between standard sedans, larger vehicles for groups, or even luxury cars, depending on their requirements and budget.

Benefits for Drivers:

Flexible Work Schedule: Ride-sharing apps offer drivers the flexibility to choose their own work hours. They can log in and out of the app as per their availability, allowing them to balance work with other commitments or personal responsibilities.

Additional Income: Becoming a ride-sharing driver can be a way to earn extra income. Drivers can leverage their own vehicles and time to provide transportation services and generate revenue.

Increased Efficiency: Ride-sharing apps help optimize driver efficiency by providing a continuous stream of ride requests and efficient routing suggestions. This can help drivers reduce downtime and maximize their earnings potential.

Driver Safety Measures: Ride-sharing apps often incorporate safety measures, such as driver and passenger ratings, trip tracking, and customer support. This can help create a safer working environment for drivers.

Income Transparency: Ride-sharing apps typically provide drivers with transparent earnings information. Drivers can track their earnings, view trip details, and understand their income breakdown, enabling better financial planning.

Support and Resources: Ride-sharing companies often offer resources and support to drivers, including driver training, customer support, and in-app assistance. This can help drivers navigate any challenges they encounter on the job.

[aashirvad12121]

Case Studies of Successful Mobile Apps: What Makes Them Stand Out

Successful Mobile Apps

The development of mobile applications has become an essential component of modern life.The mobile app market is saturated with millions of apps, but only a few manage to achieve significant success. Understanding what makes these apps stand out can provide valuable insights for developers and entrepreneurs looking to create their own successful applications. In this blog, we will analyze some of the most successful mobile apps and uncover the key factors behind their success.

1. WhatsApp: Revolutionizing Communication

Overview: WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging app that allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, and user locations.

Key Success Factors:

User-Centric Design: WhatsApp's interface is simple and easy to use, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Reliability: WhatsApp provides reliable and fast messaging, even in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Cross-Platform Availability: The app is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web, ensuring broad accessibility.

Encryption: WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures user privacy and security, which has built trust among users.

2. Instagram: Visual Storytelling

Overview: Instagram is one of the best mobile app development projects that has changed the way people share photos and interact with each other online.Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service that allows users to share their moments with followers and discover content from all over the world.

Key Success Factors:

Visual Appeal: Instagram’s focus on high-quality images and videos has made it a favorite for visual storytelling.

User Engagement: Features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV keep users engaged and encourage content creation.

Influencer Marketing: Instagram has become a hub for influencers and brands, driving significant engagement and revenue through sponsored posts.

Continuous Innovation: Regular updates and new features keep the platform fresh and exciting for users.

3. Uber: Transforming Transportation

Overview: Uber is a ride-hailing app that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ridesharing services.

One of the main reasons for the success of the Uber mobile app is its simplicity and user-friendliness. The app is user-friendly and provides users with an easy way to arrange their transportation. Moreover, the app’s real-time tracking features provide users with peace of mind.

Key Success Factors:

Convenience: Uber offers a hassle-free way to book rides with just a few taps on a smartphone.

Real-Time Tracking: Users can track their ride in real-time, providing a sense of safety and reliability.

Cashless Payments: The app integrates cashless payment options, making transactions smooth and efficient.

Dynamic Pricing: Uber’s surge pricing model ensures availability of rides during peak times, balancing supply and demand.

4. Spotify: Personalized Music Streaming

Overview: Spotify is a music streaming app that gives users access to millions of songs, podcasts, and videos from artists all over the world.

Key Success Factors:

Personalization: Spotify’s algorithm provides personalized music recommendations based on user preferences and listening history.

Extensive Library: A vast library of music and podcasts ensures that there is something for everyone.

User-Friendly Interface: The app’s intuitive interface makes it easy for users to discover and enjoy music.

Social Features: Spotify allows users to share music and playlists, fostering a community of music lovers.

5. TikTok: Short-Form Video Entertainment

Overview: TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short-form videos, ranging from 15 seconds to three minutes.

Key Success Factors:

Virality: TikTok’s algorithm promotes content based on engagement rather than follower count, allowing anyone to go viral.

Creativity: A wide array of editing tools, filters, and effects encourages creativity and content creation.

Community Building: Challenges and trends foster a sense of community and participation among users.

Global Reach: TikTok has a broad international user base, making it a global phenomenon.

Conclusion

Mobile application development has become an integral part of our day-to-day lives. Analyzing these successful mobile apps reveals several common factors that contribute to their success: user-centric design, continuous innovation, reliability, personalization, and strong engagement strategies. By incorporating these elements into your own app development process, you can increase the chances of creating a successful mobile application.

If you’re ready to take the next step,XICONET can bring your idea of mobile app development into reality with years of professional experience and learning. We have developed several flawlessly engineered mobile apps for start-ups and enterprises with great feedback. Consider partnering with experienced developers who can bring your vision to life. Book a 30-min call with our experts, and we can get started right away!