#Automated Labeling System

[wepackmachine]

When choosing the best automatic label printer and applicator for your business, several factors must be considered to ensure efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Product & Labels information

Application information – Label location and photo

Transmission device and photo

Signal/Sensor

Maintenance and Support

Cost and Return on Investment (ROI)

[platinumcrow]

GTM Managed Services for Providers: Why WorkSeer is the Best Trade Compliance Platform for MSPs

In the fast-evolving world of international trade, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are stepping up to help businesses stay compliant, efficient, and globally connected. But to truly deliver value in today’s complex supply chain environment, MSPs need more than expertise — they need the right tools.

That’s where WorkSeer comes in.

Designed for the modern provider, WorkSeer offers a powerful and customizable GTM Managed Services Platform for Providers — built with white-label capabilities and workflow automation at its core. Whether you're launching new compliance services or scaling existing ones, WorkSeer equips you with everything you need to succeed.

Why GTM Managed Services Are the Future for Providers

With global regulations tightening and trade routes becoming more unpredictable, companies are increasingly turning to MSPs for help with import/export compliance, customs clearance, and global supply chain optimization.

GTM (Global Trade Management) Managed Services allow MSPs to:

Reduce client risk from non-compliance

Improve operational efficiency across borders

Deliver turnkey trade solutions without building infrastructure from scratch

But to deliver these services effectively and profitably, MSPs need a platform that supports automation, branding, integration, and scalability.

WorkSeer: The Best Trade Compliance Platform for MSPs

WorkSeer is not just a GTM tool — it's a complete trade compliance ecosystem, purpose-built for MSPs. Here’s why WorkSeer is the top choice for providers:

 1. White Label Platform

Operate under your own brand with full white-label functionality. From login screens to dashboards, WorkSeer lets you offer a fully customized compliance solution to your clients — as if it were built by your own team.

2. Workflow Automation

WorkSeer automates critical compliance tasks such as:

HS code classification

Denied party screening

Document generation

FTA eligibility and certificate creation

Customs filing support

This reduces manual errors, saves time, and helps MSPs scale operations with fewer resources.

 3. Real-Time Regulatory Compliance

Stay up-to-date with constantly changing global trade regulations. WorkSeer’s compliance engine updates in real-time to reflect changes in tariffs, trade agreements, and customs requirements worldwide.

4. Seamless Client Management

Manage multiple client accounts in one place. The platform supports:

Client-specific workflows

Custom rules and alerts

Secure data segregation

Analytics dashboards for performance tracking

5. Easy Integration

WorkSeer is built API-first, enabling fast integration with ERP systems, logistics platforms, and CRMs — helping MSPs create a connected and seamless service experience for their clients.

Scalable GTM Services Without the Overhead

One of the biggest challenges for MSPs entering the GTM space is the cost and time required to build a secure, scalable system. WorkSeer eliminates that barrier. With low startup costs, fast onboarding, and complete white-label flexibility, providers can go to market in days — not months.

Whether you serve eCommerce clients, freight forwarders, or large enterprises, WorkSeer enables you to deliver high-impact trade compliance services with confidence.

Final Thoughts: The MSP Opportunity Starts with WorkSeer

If you’re an MSP looking to expand your offerings, reduce client risk, and drive new revenue — now is the time to embrace GTM Managed Services for Providers.

With WorkSeer’s white label & workflow automation features, you gain a competitive edge and deliver the kind of compliance-as-a-service solution today’s global businesses demand.

 Want to See WorkSeer in Action?

Get in touch with our team for a personalized demo. 📩 Email: support@workseer.com 🌐 Website: https://www.workseer.com/gtm-managed-services.php

[cesium-sheep]

got a ton of computer work done including stuff I've been putting off for months for the kirblog and for the va, and taran's coming over and they made me cookies because they are a very kind and thoughtful friend TnT and matt's gonna make lasagna soup for dinner.

[mitchelindustri]

Streamlining Your Business with Labelling Machines

Optimising productivity and efficiency is crucial for success in today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape. One area where businesses can significantly improve their operations is in the labelling and decorating process. Traditional manual labelling methods are time-consuming and prone to human errors, which can lead to costly mistakes. Thankfully, labelling or decorating machines have emerged as a game-changer, revolutionising how businesses handle their labelling needs. This comprehensive guide will explore the benefits of labelling machines and how they can streamline your business operations while saving time and resources.

Understanding the Power of Labelling or Decorating Machines

Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency

Labelling machines are designed to automate the labelling process, eliminating the need for manual application. These machines can label products at a much higher speed and with greater precision than human workers. For example, a high-speed labelling machine can label hundreds of products per minute, while manual labelling may take considerable time and labour. With increased throughput, businesses can meet higher demands and efficiently handle larger order volumes, ultimately improving productivity.

Reduced Errors and Improved Accuracy

Human errors during labelling can significantly affect businesses, including wasted resources, product recalls, and dissatisfied customers. Labelling machines reduce the likelihood of errors by automating the application process and ensuring precise label placement on each product.

Some labelling machines have built-in sensors that detect product positioning and automatically adjust the label application to match the product’s size and shape. It minimises the risk of misaligned labels and ensures accurate placement every time. Furthermore, labelling machines can integrate with barcode and RFID systems, enhancing product traceability and inventory management, which further reduces the chances of errors and improves overall accuracy.

Cost Savings

While labelling machines require an initial investment, they are cost-effective in the long run. One of the primary cost-saving benefits is the reduction in material wastage. Manual labelling often leads to misprints, label misplacement, and label damage, which results in wasted labels and additional expenses. Labelling machines ensure minimal wastage by applying labels accurately and consistently, optimising the use of label rolls or sheets.

Flexibility and Versatility

Labelling machines are highly versatile and can accommodate various label sizes, shapes, and materials. Whether businesses require adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, wraparound labels, or heat-transfer labels, these machines can handle them all. Some labelling machines offer quick changeover capabilities, allowing businesses to swiftly switch between different products or label designs.

Streamlined Regulatory Compliance

In industries with strict regulatory requirements, compliance with labelling standards is essential. Labelling machines can be programmed to ensure compliance with specific regulations, such as ingredient listings, nutritional information, and hazard warnings. Businesses can avoid legal penalties, maintain consumer trust, and uphold their brand reputation by automating the compliance process.

Improved Branding and Aesthetics

In today’s competitive market, product branding is vital in attracting consumers and building brand recognition. Labelling machines can add decorative elements, brand logos, and appealing designs to product labels, making them more visually appealing to customers.

Adaptability to Industry Demands

Labelling machines cater to various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. Different industries have unique labelling requirements, and labelling machines can adapt to meet these specific needs.

Choosing the Right Labelling Machine for Your Business

Label Types and Sizes

Before selecting a labelling machine, businesses should identify the types of labels they need to apply and their sizes. Some labelling machines specialise in specific label types, such as self-adhesive labels. In contrast, others offer greater versatility, accommodating a variety of label materials, including shrink sleeves and in-mould labels.

Production Volume

The production volume is crucial in determining the appropriate labelling machine for a business. High-speed labelling machines are ideal for large-scale production facilities, where a high volume of products needs to be labelled quickly. Conversely, smaller businesses or those with lower production volumes may find more cost-effective solutions in mid-range or semi-automatic labelling machines.

Automation and Integration

Automation features are essential for optimising the labelling process and reducing manual intervention. Advanced labelling machines can feature auto-adjusting settings, label position correction, and label presence sensors. These functionalities ensure that labels are applied accurately and consistently, even when dealing with products of different shapes and sizes.

Maintenance and Support

When selecting a labelling machine, consider the ease of maintenance and the availability of technical support from the manufacturer or supplier. Regular maintenance is essential to keep the machine in optimal working condition and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Conclusion

Plastics Processing Machinery in Australia have transformed how businesses handle their labelling needs, offering increased productivity, reduced errors, and improved efficiency. By investing in a suitable labelling machine that aligns with their business requirements, companies can streamline their operations, save valuable time and resources, and position themselves for success in today’s competitive market.

Automation and technology continue to shape the future of Plastics Processing Machinery in Australia with advancements in precision, speed, and integration capabilities. As businesses seek to optimise their labelling processes, staying informed about the latest trends and industry innovations is essential to remain competitive and meet consumer demands effectively. Embrace the power of labelling or decorating machines, and take your business to new heights of efficiency and success.

[txttletale]

either tumblr's moderation staff is actively transmisogynistic or they have completely automated community label reviews and their automated system is, because of its training sets, transmisogynistic. and to be clear i think the second one is both more likely and also worse

[hensart]

I want to see them adventure and relax together.♥

EDIT Some automated system put false content label on this post, so reblogs are appreciated. ;w;

[questionable-idea]

Was about to label a robot force the "Automated Security System" but realized that acronym doesn't have the intended impact

[kinardsevan]

the in-between

still working on this but this came to me literally as I was waking up from a nap earlier (we won't discuss the fact that it was 8PM when I fell asleep and almost midnight when I woke up).

anyhoo.... enjoy what I have done so far!

-

Things were good. 

He wouldn’t actually label them as great. They hadn’t been great since…well. But they were good. Maddie coming home safe was good. The friendship quasi-relationship he seemed to be building with Josh was good. The conversation was good, the dates were good; fuck, even the sex was good. 

But. 

“He-hey, look who it is,” Chimney says in a sing-songy tone as he strides past Buck on the main floor of the firehouse. Buck looks up after him from where he’s wiping down the chrome of the ladder truck and smiles, spotting his sister. Just behind her a few paces is Josh, and he smiles. That’s nice. That’s….good. 

He tosses the cloth on his shoulder and crosses the space with Chimney, a few steps behind him, hugs Maddie once she’s separated from her husband and then follows it with a hug for Josh. It’s…good. 

“How was your first shift back,” he asks, looking back at his sister. 

“Good,” she says with a nod, making the word sound the way it actually should, instead of how it keeps coming out of Buck’s mouth lately. “Taking it slow, easing back into it, but it’s good.” 

“Good,” he says back to her. She quirks an eyebrow at him and he forces a smile. He doesn’t have it in him to have a full-fledged discussion with her right now about the implications of how he keeps saying that word, using it to describe things. He glances over at Josh and smiles at him again. The other man offers him a coffee he’s holding and Buck takes it gratefully. 

“You guys been busy?” Josh asks. 

Buck and Chimney share a glance, and he shrugs. 

“It’s been decent. Only a few calls overnight. Nothing too insane yet, but who knows.” 

“Watch your mouth, Buckley,” Chimney states, glancing down at his watch. “We’ve got two hours left on this shift and I have breakfast plans already.”

“That’s why we came,” Maddie interjects cheerfully. She glances back and forth between Chimney and Buck, eyeing her brother for just a second longer, curious at him, before looking back at her husband. “Wanted to know if you wanted to double.” 

“That should be fine,” Chimney answers cheerfully as Buck sips from his coffee. They all glance at him, waiting for a response, and he raises his eyebrows, sputtering a bit on the coffee in his mouth. 

“Y-yeah,” he stammers, trying to reflect the same joyful tone as the rest of them. “That should-..” 

The klaxons choose that moment to start going off, the automated call coming over the PA system, and they all glance up.

“Station 118 and 122 fire and rescue. Helicopter crash. Station 118 and 122 fire and rescue. Helicopter crash.” 

Buck and Chimney’s gaze locks, and the blood flushes from his face, coffee hitting the floor as his feet move beneath him. He’s around the truck and halfway to his turnouts when hands are on his chest, stopping him from moving any further. 

“Buck-..” 

“Bobby, let me go,” he rasps, trying to push past the man to get to his gear. 

“You need to-..” 

“I need to get my gear,” he argues, cutting Bobby off. “Let me go-..” 

“You can’t be on this one,” Bobby tells him. He looks past him toward where Maddie and Josh have moved but are still near the open bay doors. “You have family here.” 

It takes everything in him to swallow down the I have family out there that he wants to scream at Bobby. To not yell at every damn person in the room that they should be moving faster, that they don’t know what they’re walking into, that Tommy needs him, that-

“I’m not sitting out on this,” he growls, unable to stop the angry tears that flood his vision. They’re not helping his case at all, but he’ll be damned if he’s left behind to not know what’s happening out there, and they’re wasting time. “So fucking let me get ready or I’ll drive myself.” 

Bobby seems to measure him briefly, questioning the right move, but after a second, he releases Buck and in under a minute, he’s donned his turnouts and made it back to the truck, nevermind the fact that blood hasn’t returned to his face or the fact that his hands are shaking as he pulls his seatbelt on inside of the truck.

Eddie reaches across the space between their seats and pushes Buck’s headset down over his head, holding it in place briefly to try and ground him as they lock eyes. He watches him for a moment until Buck nods at him. Eddie nods back at him and lets go of the headset, squeezing his still-shaking hands briefly. No one else says anything.

Still, just inside the fire station, Josh looks over at Maddie. 

“So, I think that just ended,” he quips.

Maddie frowns at him. “My brother is a dick.” 

Josh snorts. “I mean yeah, but also, I wasn’t under some false pretense about all of this.” He pauses for a moment and eyes her, narrowing his gaze. “You guys all get that he’s in love with him, right?” 

Maddie sighs softly with a shake of her head. “Yeah. But I thought after the breakup, with time and someone new…” 

Josh snorts again at her. 

“What,” she asks him. 

Josh just shakes his head, smirking at her. “Your brother’s not getting over that one. Ball of flame or blaze of glory, that relationship’s only going out in one way. You’re stuck with Tommy for the long haul.” 

. . .

The ride takes too long and his hands never really stop shaking. By the time they make it to the scene, the 122 is already there, Deluca already checked in as IC. Bobby joins the other man, figuring out where to take point, while Eddie helps Barton and Rodgers work apart pieces of the helicopter. Buck is itching to get there, find out how bad it is, but Bobby won’t let him leave his side. 

“You brought Buckley to the scene,” Deluca comments derisively. 

“Shut it, Deluca,” Bobby cuts him off. “You’re no better for leading this call right now. Kinard-..” 

“Is family,” he states back. “And there’s not going to be a better team for this.” 

“So then let me fucking do my job,” Buck interjects. Both men look over at him with lingering glares. 

“Not a fucking chance,” Deluca tells him as Bobby shakes his head. “Your head isn’t in this, and your heart would cause more harm than good right now.” 

Buck grumbles at him, but he remains at Bobby’s side. 

[deadboydetectives-ao3feed]

Welcome to the Dead Boy Detectives AO3Feed

**This post will be continuously updated. If you see it as a reblog, please check the blog for the most up-to-date version**

This blog automatically posts every* fic in the "Dead Boy Detectives (TV)" tag on ao3 using an RSS feed and a workflow automator (make.com). Posts are queued, so fics may take a while to appear on the blog after being posted to ao3. Only newly published fics will be posted, not updates. Note: due to the way I need to add content labels, fics may not necessarily go live to the blog in the same order they were posted to ao3.

I (the mod) manually add tumblr tags for ship, characters, rating, and archive warnings. Any other tags and warnings will be listed in the "additional tags" section in the body of the post, which is automatically copied from the author's tags on ao3. Please read the tags and use your personal discretion about content you want to read.

All of my fic posts are tagged with #deadboydetectivesao3feed -- good to follow if you want to keep up with fic posts, or to block if you don't want to see me in the main tags 👍 Full tag directory, including content warnings, is under the cut!

If I've mis-tagged something or the blog seems to otherwise not be working correctly, please feel free to send an ask or DM! Asks and DMs not related to this blog and/or its function as an ao3feed will not be responded to.

Hope you enjoy the blog! ✨

*Fics that are locked to ao3 users as well as fics posted to ao3 before the feed was set up (approximately 11 AM Eastern Time on February 5th, 2025) can't be picked up by the bot. Sometimes the bot messes up, too! I try and catch what falls through the cracks, but can't alway get everything. If one or more of these categories applies to your fic and you would still like it to be posted to the feed, you can contact me via ask or DM and I will post it manually.

This blog will NOT post fics made with generative AI!

Tag Directory (under the cut)

Content Warnings and Ratings

tumblr's native content labels will be applied to posts for fics rated "Mature" or "Explicit" on ao3. In addition, I tag for archive warnings:

#AW: No Archive Warnings Apply #AW: Creator Chose Not To Warn #AW: Graphic Depictions of Violence #AW: Rape/Non-Con #AW: Underage Sex #AW: Major Character Death

as well as ratings (using ao3's rating system):

#rating: G #rating: T #rating: M #rating: E #not rated

Other Categories

*These categories will be continuously updated as more fics are posted

Ships:

#catcrow #catwin #charles rowland x original female character(s) #cricketcrow #cricketcat / #catland #cryland #crystal palace x original male character(s) #demonland #edwin payne x simon mould / #blue cap / #hellbound #edwin payne x original male character(s) #the cat king x esther finch / #kingfinch / #pussymagic #montwin #nightfish #night nurse x death #palasaki #payneland #shelby kahn x maren #the cat king x crystal palace #the cat king x desire of the endless

also: #gen fic

Poly Ships:

#crylandpayne #ghostcat #ghostcrow

x Reader Fic:

#tragic mick x reader

and: #reader-insert

Major Characters:

#charles rowland #crystal palace / #crystal palace surname von hoverkraft #david the demon #edwin payne #esther finch #jenny green #monty finch #night nurse #niko sasaki #the cat king

Side Characters:

#angie the sea monster #asha (dead boy detectives) #baby doll spider #brad (dead boy detectives) #charles rowland's father | Paul Rowland #charles rowland's mother | Mary Rowland #crystal palace's mother | Maddy Surname #crystal palace's father | Seth Von Hoverkraft #dagfinn #ghost postman #honda the cat #hunter (dead boy detectives) #iris (dead boy detectvies) #kashi (dead boy detectives) #litty and kingham #maren (dead boy detectives) #meatball the cat #maxine (dead boy detectives) #sa'al #shelby kahn #simon mould #the notary #tragic mick #twitchy richie

Characters from the wider DBD universe:

#dead patrol boys (Doom Patrol versions of Charles and Edwin) #death of the endless #delirium of the endless #dream of the endless / #morpheus #desire of the endless #despair of the endless #destiny of the endless #edwin payne's father #edwin payne's grandparents #edwin payne's mother #edwin payne's sibling(s) #hob gadling #johanna constantine #john constantine #lucifer morningstar #niko sasaki's father #niko sasaki's mother #the corinthian

and: #crossover fic

Languages (as this blog and most of the fics being posted are mainly in english, english-language fics will not be specifically tagged):

#language: french #language: mandarin chinese #language: polish #language: russian #language: spanish #language: ukranian

Other Fanwork Categories:

#fanart #fanvid #podfic

Housekeeping

non-fic posts will be tagged with #mod post, stuff about the rules/running of the blog with #housekeeping, and asks with #asks. Fics I post manually are tagged #manual post.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon Alexa is a graduate of the Darth Vader MBA

Next Tuesday (Oct 31) at 10hPT, the Internet Archive is livestreaming my presentation on my recent book, The Internet Con.

If you own an Alexa, you might enjoy its integration with IFTTT, an easy scripting environment that lets you create your own little voice-controlled apps, like "start my Roomba" or "close the garage door." If so, tough shit, Amazon just nuked IFTTT for Alexa:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/25/23931463/ifttt-amazon-alexa-applets-ending-support-integration-automation

Amazon can do this because the Alexa's operating system sits behind a cryptographic lock, and any tool that bypasses that lock is a felony under Section 1201 of the DMCA, punishable by a 5-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine. That means that it's literally a crime to provide a rival OS that lets users retain functionality that Amazon no longer supports.

This is the proverbial gun on the mantelpiece, a moral hazard and invitation to mischief that tempts Amazon executives to run a bait-and-switch con where they sell you a gadget with five features and then remotely kill-switch two of them. This is prime directive of the Darth Vader MBA: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

So many companies got their business-plan at the Darth Vader MBA. The ability to revoke features after the fact means that companies can fuck around, but never find out. Apple sold millions of tracks via iTunes with the promise of letting you stream them to any other device you owned. After a couple years of this, the company caught some heat from the record labels, so they just pushed an update that killed the feature:

https://memex.craphound.com/2004/10/30/apple-to-ipod-owners-eat-shit-and-die-updated/

That gun on the mantelpiece went off all the way back in 2004 and it turns out it was a starter-pistol. Pretty soon, everyone was getting in on the act. If you find an alert on your printer screen demanding that you install a "security update" there's a damned good chance that the "update" is designed to block you from using third-party ink cartridges in a printer that you (sorta) own:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/11/ink-stained-wretches-battle-soul-digital-freedom-taking-place-inside-your-printer

Selling your Tesla? Have fun being poor. The upgrades you spent thousands of dollars on go up in a puff of smoke the minute you trade the car into the dealer, annihilating the resale value of your car at the speed of light:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/23/how-to-fix-cars-by-breaking-felony-contempt-of-business-model/

Telsa has to detect the ownership transfer first. But once a product is sufficiently cloud-based, they can destroy your property from a distance without any warning or intervention on your part. That's what Adobe did last year, when it literally stole the colors from your Photoshop files, in history's SaaSiest heist caper:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/28/fade-to-black/#trust-the-process

And yet, when we hear about remote killswitches in the news, it's most often as part of a PR blitz for their virtues. Russia's invasion of Ukraine kicked off a new genre of these PR pieces, celebrating the fact that a John Deere dealership was able to remotely brick looted tractors that had been removed to Chechnya:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/08/about-those-kill-switched-ukrainian-tractors/

Today, Deere's PR minions are pitching search-and-replace versions of this story about Israeli tractors that Hamas is said to have looted, which were also remotely bricked.

But the main use of this remote killswitch isn't confounding war-looters: it's preventing farmers from fixing their own tractors without paying rent to John Deere. An even bigger omission from this narrative is the fact that John Deere is objectively Very Bad At Security, which means that the world's fleet of critical agricultural equipment is one breach away from being rendered permanently inert:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/23/reputation-laundry/#deere-john

There are plenty of good and honorable people working at big companies, from Adobe to Apple to Deere to Tesla to Amazon. But those people have to convince their colleagues that they should do the right thing. Those debates weigh the expected gains from scammy, immoral behavior against the expected costs.

Without DMCA 1201, Amazon would have to worry that their decision to revoke IFTTT functionality would motivate customers to seek out alternative software for their Alexas. This is a big deal: once a customer learns how to de-Amazon their Alexa, Amazon might never recapture that customer. Such a switch wouldn't have to come from a scrappy startup or a hacker's DIY solution, either. Take away DMCA 1201 and Walmart could step up, offering an alternative Alexa software stack that let you switch your purchases away from Amazon.

Money talks, bullshit walks. In any boardroom argument about whether to shift value away from customers to the company, a credible argument about how the company will suffer a net loss as a result has a better chance of prevailing than an argument that's just about the ethics of such a course of action:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/28/microincentives-and-enshittification/

Inevitably, these killswitches are pitched as a paternalistic tool for protecting customers. An HP rep once told me that they push deceptive security updates to brick third-party ink cartridges so that printer owners aren't tricked into printing out cherished family photos with ink that fades over time. Apple insists that its ability to push iOS updates that revoke functionality is about keeping mobile users safe – not monopolizing repair:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/22/vin-locking/#thought-differently

John Deere's killswitches protect you from looters. Adobe's killswitches let them add valuable functionality to their products. Tesla? Well, Tesla at least is refreshingly honest: "We have a killswitch because fuck you, that's why."

These excuses ring hollow because they conspicuously omit the possibility that you could have the benefits without the harms. Like, your tractor could come with a killswitch that you could bypass, meaning you could brick it at a distance, and still fix it yourself. Same with your phone. Software updates that take away functionality you want can be mitigated with the ability to roll back those updates – and by giving users the ability to apply part of a patch, but not the whole patch.

Cloud computing and software as a service are a choice. "Local first" computing is possible, and desirable:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/03/there-is-no-cloud/#only-other-peoples-computers

The cheapest rhetorical trick of the tech sector is the "indivisibility gambit" – the idea that these prix-fixe menus could never be served a la carte. Wanna talk to your friends online? Sorry there's just no way to help you do that without spying on you:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/08/divisibility/#technognosticism

One important argument over smart-speakers was poisoned by this false dichotomy: the debate about accessibility and IoT gadgets. Every IoT privacy or revocation scandal would provoke blanket statements from technically savvy people like, "No one should ever use one of these." The replies would then swiftly follow: "That's an ableist statement: I rely on my automation because I have a disability and I would otherwise be reliant on a caregiver or have to go without."

But the excluded middle here is: "No one should use one of these because they are killswitched. This is especially bad when a smart speaker is an assistive technology, because those applications are too important to leave up to the whims of giant companies that might brick them or revoke their features due to their own commercial imperatives, callousness, or financial straits."

Like the problem with the "bionic eyes" that Second Sight bricked wasn't that they helped visually impaired people see – it was that they couldn't be operated without the company's ongoing support and consent:

https://spectrum.ieee.org/bionic-eye-obsolete

It's perfectly possible to imagine a bionic eye whose software can be maintained by third parties, whose parts and schematics are widely available. The challenge of making this assistive technology fail gracefully isn't technical – it's commercial.

We're meant to believe that no bionic eye company could survive unless they devise their assistive technology such that it fails catastrophically if the business goes under. But it turns out that a bionic eye company can't survive even if they are allowed to do this.

Even if you believe Milton Friedman's Big Lie that a company is legally obligated to "maximize shareholder value," not even Friedman says that you are legally obligated to maximize companies' shareholder value. The fact that a company can make more money by defrauding you by revoking or bricking the things you buy from them doesn't oblige you to stand up for their right to do this.

Indeed, all of this conduct is arguably illegal, under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits "unfair and deceptive business practices":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/10/the-courage-to-govern/#whos-in-charge

"No one should ever use a smart speaker" lacks nuance. "Anyone who uses a smart speaker should be insulated from unilateral revocations by the manufacturer, both through legal restrictions that bind the manufacturer, and legal rights that empower others to modify our devices to help us," is a much better formulation.

It's only in the land of the Darth Vader MBA that the deal is "take it or leave it." In a good world, we should be able to take the parts that work, and throw away the parts that don't.

(Image: Stock Catalog/https://www.quotecatalog.com, Sam Howzit; CC BY 2.0; modified)

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/26/hit-with-a-brick/#graceful-failure

[fukia]

The Citadel’s hierarchy. How did it happen?

You got a bunch of Ricks, all bound together by the fear of Main Rick and their disdain for governments. Then they make a city. Ok, so next step is to automate everything right? Make robots do their dirty work?

Well now they need material to build their automated process and perfect their city. Who’s gonna get it? The Rick start arguing, those who end up with the role are now resentful they’ve been reduced to picking up material for their “leader Rick’s.” Knowing Ricks are petty, that resentment will build fast.

The Collectors return to the Pre-Citadel, they did their part. But wait, now the leaders demand more material while they ‘run’ things. “We have a new flood of Rick-citizens and their Mortys,” they say, “we need more material for a better automated system.” In actuality, they’re already high on their power over other Ricks. But it must be time to really start making robots and shit with the new material, right?

Who’s gonna build it? The Leaders, the one of various Councils that must’ve existed, announce to other Ricks, “yo we need builders,” and it ain’t gonna be the Leaders because they’re off running the citadel. Comfortable and avoiding the mundanity Ricks hate so much.

Leaders, Builders, Collectors.

Ok so they build shit. Shit works great because it’s been built by Ricks. But now some of the shit goes deviant and gain sentience, some other shit that are productive on their own aren’t made to work with other shit; Ricks are used to going solo. Maybe a handful of these productions are truly successful collaboratively.

And then more Ricks join the Citadel.

“It’s time for another job, we need Directors.” The Leaders want another tier of Rick’s to oversee the building process, standardize it. They don’t choose the New-Rick-Citizens, they “promote” their Builders to Directors, their Collectors to builders. The promotion isn’t great but the Ricks begrudgingly accept as they know these jobs are all a necessity to the running of the Citadel. So who’s gonna fill the demand for Collectors? The New-Rick-Citizens.

Leaders, Directors, Builders, Collectors.

The collectors do their thing with their portal guns. They return and the higher ups are mad. “What took so long? We’re tracking your portal gun history.” The new collectors are mad. But eventually, and begrudgingly, agree to this invasiveness, in the name of Citadel safety and productivity.

What about Collector robots? They’re still there gaining sentience and shit, the lower Ricks get sick of it and trash the whole process, “let’s just fucking do it ourselves.” The Directors are now in charge of both the Builders and Collectors. The upper Ricks rejoice; they can continue to bask in their power and the Citadel grows.

⸻

Hierarchy. Now fully in motion.

Some Ricks start joking about “Alpha-Class” and “Beta-Class” Ricks. Sarcastic at first. But the labels stick. A patch here, a badge there. Then, uniforms. Irony dies fast in the Citadel.

A Director scientist designs a tool so efficient it cuts resource collection time in half. The Leaders praise him. The tool is standardized. The scientist is not promoted. “Your value is in building,” they say. He starts sabotaging his own tools in a desperate search for fulfillment. Or maybe, he thinks, he could profit from it… You see, Rick’s are cool, and its always cooler in the Shadow.

At the bottom of the ladder, Collector units begin breaking. But what acts as their balm and punching bag?

Mortys.

“How the fuck are Mortys so addicting,” one Rick says to another. The Leaders grumble, “they really are. Welp. Time to get ourselves a Morty plant going. With Morty catchers and Morty trainers/teachers, and maybe some Head of Morty Replication or something.” And naturally, collectors go through Morty’s faster than the classes above them. The classes above begin to get their designer Morty’s.

Maybe the angry Collectors start banding together only to start infighting immediately, probably from ego as Ricks do. Still, it feels good knowing they’re at least not Mortys…

Now there’s a bajillion more roles than just Leader, Director, Builder, Collector, and Morty.

Inevitably, a couple Ricks snap. “Farewell government,” they run off with their remainder portal gun fluid, grabbing a Morty for shielding. Meanwhile, in their own adventures they suddenly need another yellow-shirt. “Guys I need a Morty…” they return shamefully, and of course periodically even for that expensive authentic portal gun fluid.

Some Ricks are more gradual in their breakdown, getting antsy. Shops, recreation, companies like Simple Rick wafers rise to take care of that and profit. Morty’s are having psychological breaks. Morty centers are built. Certain committees arise to pacify the lower classes as mediators. It’s all performative, pretending to care in order to keep the citadel’s hierarchy and quell any demands for better. Because a number of these are stakeholders answering directly to someone in the Shadow Council. Mortytowns are still small, but they exist, quietly growing.

Murders start happening, rogue nutso Ricks do their poops so now this becomes a new problem and New-Rick-Citizens are scanned and denied entry unless they give up certain weapons or cybernetics. Some turn away, some accept, including those fully burnt out from their hunt for Prime. Some that accept begin to regret, running around looking for bootleg portal fluid and unregistered portal guns.

Somewhere in a lower tower, a Collector Rick writes a manifesto. “Boogeraids.” It outlines every class by cognitive dissonance tolerance, not intelligence. It’s banned immediately. But with the help of his beloved Editor Morty, copies circulate. Physically and digitally bootlegged. Continually sabotaged by the higher ups. And every other Rick is too comfy to upset these systems, every Morty too deMortyalized to even play with the idea. Except for a handful optimistic ones who’ve read and would fight for the chance to vote. And especially except for one of the most pessimistic. For the Damaged Morty.

[mitchelindustri]

10 Convincing Reasons to Embrace Recycling Machines

In today’s changing world, there’s an ever-growing concern and worry for environmental sustainability. With the global population increasing, waste generation and environmental impact have escalated significantly.

One must undertake recycling as a crucial practice to address these challenges, but conventional methods might not be sufficient. That’s where investing in recycling machines proves to be a smart and forward-thinking choice.

Such advanced machines revolutionise waste management and offer many benefits beyond just being environmentally friendly.

What is a Recycling Machine?

A recycling machine processes recyclable materials into reusable products or raw materials. Its main job is to reduce waste and conserve valuable resources. It is available in multiple sizes and types according to the user’s needs. Also, plastic automation machine systems for recycling are present in the market to ease the process and reduce waste.

Why is a Recycling Machine Crucial?

Cost-Effectiveness

Investing in recycling machines can significantly reduce waste disposal costs for businesses and municipalities alike. By recycling on-site materials, companies can avoid the expenses of transporting waste to distant landfills or recycling centres.

Recycling machines can process various materials, turning them into valuable resources. These include plastics, metals, paper, and glass. These recycled materials provide ample benefits to the manufacturers. They can sell and reuse them, potentially creating a new business revenue stream.

Environmental Advantages

Recycling machines remove waste from landfills. These reduce their environmental impact and preserve valuable land space.

By enabling the recovery and reuse of valuable resources like metals and paper, recycling machines lessen the need for raw material extraction. This conservation of natural resources helps protect biodiversity and minimises habitat destruction.

Energy Efficiency

Extracting raw materials from nature demands significant energy inputs. In contrast, recycling materials generally consume less energy, making it a more sustainable option.

Recycling machines contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing materials from scratch. It plays a crucial role in combating climate change and reducing industries’ carbon footprints.

Waste Volume Reduction

Recycling machines come equipped with features like compaction and shredding, significantly reducing waste volume. This compacting effect results in more efficient storage and transportation of waste materials.

Smaller waste volumes achieved through recycling machines allow businesses and municipalities to optimise waste storage and transportation, leading to cost savings and reduced emissions. Also, the recycling process becomes simpler if you have plastic automation machine systems.

Flexibility and Versatility

Recycling machines can handle various materials, from plastics and paper to glass and electronics. Their adaptability makes them suitable for diverse recycling needs.

Each recycling operation may have unique requirements. Recycling machines come with customisable settings, making it possible to tailor the recycling process to specific materials and goals.

Improved Waste Sorting

Recycling machines incorporate advanced sorting technologies, such as optical sensors and AI-driven algorithms, ensuring precise and efficient separation of recyclable materials.

Contamination in recycled materials can compromise their quality and usability. One can minimise contamination using cutting-edge plastic automation machine systems, resulting in higher-quality recycled products.

Job Creation and Economic Impact

Investing in recycling machines is an excellent way to promote environmental sustainability while stimulating the green economy’s growth. By utilising recycling machines, we can reduce waste and minimise the impact on landfills, which helps preserve natural resources.

We can also strengthen the regional economy by supporting local recycling initiatives through these machines. This is because the machines require skilled labour to operate and maintain, providing employment opportunities for local workers. Furthermore, promoting recycling and sustainability can foster a sense of community responsibility, encouraging individuals to preserve the environment actively.

Compliance with Regulations

Many regions have strict regulations regarding waste management and recycling. Investing in recycling machines helps businesses comply with these regulations and avoid potential penalties.

Recycling regulations are there for every entity to follow. If you do not adhere to the legislature, it will bore hefty fines and legal consequences.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Investing in advanced recycling machines is an example of a company’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. It is pivotal in the present world.

Companies foster a positive reputation and brand image by adopting a solid corporate social responsibility strategy. It is a significant factor in attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.

Additionally, customers will support businesses placing a high value on environmental preservation. When businesses invest in recycling machines, they show their commitment to the environment. Ultimately, by prioritising environmental sustainability, companies can substantially impact their bottom line while contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.

Summing Up

Embracing recycling machines offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond simple recycling efforts. Incorporating machines into waste management can have numerous benefits. These include cost-effectiveness, environmental advantages, energy efficiency, and job creation. These machines are critical in shaping a better future and can help businesses and communities contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous world.

[beaut-ful-d-saster-1986]

Headcanons About Dion:

He's not a blushing virgin. He found the time between being on the run and completing missions to figure out that he's gay. He has even managed to fool around a little, though he never actually topped or bottomed. It was mostly hands and mouths.

He adored Arthur from the first moment he saw him, and knew from first glance that this was the man he'd been waiting for. There was something about Arthur that just called out to him.

Doesn't actually need his glasses to see. They're for reading nearly microscopic print in Corpus contracts so he doesn't get scammed. They also help him catch small details he might miss.

He draws and paints as a sort of secret hobby, and keeps sketchbooks full of artwork hidden away from everyone. He also paints all of his warframes himself, by hand, instead of letting the Arsenal's automated systems do it for him. He likes putting his personal touch into every warframe he keeps.

Doesn't remember how old he exactly is -- or his birthday for that matter, but he appears to be in his late 20's to early 30's.

Wears purple and blue because they are his favorite colors.

Favorite flower is the Moonlight Dragonlily.

Was severely underweight and malnourished when he first arrived in Hollvania, because of a life lived constantly on the run. He had to eat small portions due to the food being too rich for him. He'd just throw it all back up if he tried to eat a normal sized portion.

His weight was frankly horrifying to Arthur, who saw how skinny Dion was without clothes on, and took it upon himself to package up a bunch of small portions labelled 'Drifter.' That way, Dion could just grab food whenever he felt hungry - which was often.

Dion's use of void powers burns a lot of calories, so he was constantly snacking on something throughout the day until he reached a more stable and healthy body weight. He was able to tone down the snacking once he was able to eat normal meals.

Dion also had trouble sleeping up until he was in the backroom. There was nowhere that was truly safe for him to be until then. In Duviri he was hunted like a rabid dog that needed to be put down, and he didn't feel like he belonged on Earth in the future.

Considers Aoi, Kaya and Lettie his sisters. Will actually be Eleanor's brother-in-law if he and Arthur decide to get hitched.

Considers Amir his brother. He always wanted a brother.

Considers Quincy a very dear friend and also his guide to all things 1999. Quincy is also the best wingman he could ask for. He helped Dion to fit in better, and to not be so socially awkward.

Is incredibly fond of Flare and often does their makeup for them when they want a change from their glam rock appearance. He's also been known to hand paint pretty designs on Lizzie.

Thinks of Minerva and Velimir like an aunt and uncle. Minerva is the wine aunt and Velimir is the uncle with all the wild stories.

[mcyt-builds-contest]

The Ghost's Vault:

Contained : VikingPilot's Prized possesions

Series : Dominion SMP

Propaganda : Perhaps the only self-titled Vault to actually be one, the Ghost's Vault, built by VikingPilot, is two things -- a consolidation of wealth, and a display of power. Built at a time on Dominion where every single diamond had to be handed over to the Queen every two weeks, the Vault is made in total opposition to that policy as an extremely intimidating secret stash. All 10 sets of Netherite armor are enchanted and labeled. It's built with soulfire lanterns under the center carpet runner for the sole purpose of unnerving the local piglin. He's taken people here twice onscreen, and both times it was to cash in a no-conditions-set IOU with that other person in order to make sure things work out exactly the way they need to. It also contains two very important books! Viking's "To Do" list is very simple -- Run Dominion. However, the other one -- the Book -- is quite possibly the single most dangerous thing in Viking's possession. He's not sure what's in it, other than that it contains rituals of unimaginable power and that if he opens it again, he will crack in half. Oh, and the Ghost's Vault is also the location for the world's most unhinged 12-minute 100% improv monologue to ever exist.

Caracosa's Prison of Hope:

Contained : ToAsgaard

Series : Celestial journey

Propaganda : Yes, the Prison of Hope as in the level from Demon's Souls, and yes, Carcosa as in the place from The King In Yellow. Carcosa is a massive and sprawling build, chock-full of details and incredible technical prowess -- modded magic, tech, and vanilla redstone all working together to power some truly insane automation setups -- and this prison pretty much epitomizes how absolutely unhinged he is as a builder and a modded tech player. First of all: it looks stunning. It's unfinished, but from most angles that's almost impossible to tell, as so much of it has been fleshed out. Every single cell has detailing! The bottom of the prison has details! There are shelving units that serve both practical and decorative purposes, cages showing live mobs painstakingly moved in from another dimension, columns and arches and chains galore, and incredible ambience in general. Second of all: it's also a fully functional mob farm. For any mob. Every single cell is rigged up to serve as a spawner for a different mob, able to be changed out remotely using modded item routing. The bottom of the prison automatically kills any mobs that spawn there to charge a blood altar, and there's a Wither killing cage down there as well. There's even further item routing in place to funnel all the drops directly into his equally unhinged storage system -- which is a combination of storage drawers, blood magic, and Botania's notoriously janky Coporea Index. Asgaard is an absolute madman. All of Carcosa is gorgeous and lives in my head rent free.

[republicsecurity]

The Final Click

The video opened with a low mechanical hum, the sound of a workshop alive with quiet, deliberate motion. C9J18 stood on the platform once again, his posture rigid, the sleek black armor now fully integrated with his body. The segmented plates fit seamlessly together, the faint glow of the suit’s internal systems casting a cold light on his skin where it met the edges of the armor. Only his shaved head remained exposed—a temporary state that was about to change.

A Suit Technician stepped forward, fully suited in his own armor, his visor up. His smirk was visible, sharp and cynical, as he held the final piece of C9J18’s transformation: the helmet. The technician turned it in his gloved hands, its polished surface gleaming under the workshop lights.

“Well, here we are,” the technician drawled, his voice filtered slightly through his suit’s comm system. “The crown jewel of your integration. Once this goes on, you’re not just a cadet anymore. You’re part of the system.”

He stepped closer, holding the helmet up for a final inspection. “One size fits all,” he said with a faint chuckle. “Not that it matters. The AI will make it fit... whether you like it or not.”

C9J18 swallowed hard but didn’t respond. He simply stood at attention, his eyes fixed forward as the technician lowered the helmet over his head. The moment it settled into place, there was a sharp click followed by a faint hiss as the seals locked, connecting the helmet to the rest of the suit.

The technician’s smirk widened as he checked his wrist-mounted display. A stream of telemetry data scrolled across the screen, highlighting C9J18’s vitals, neural responses, and suit integration status. “Look at that,” he said with mock admiration. “Perfect fit. Just like it was made for you. Or maybe you were made for it.”

Inside the helmet, everything was dark at first—an all-encompassing blackness that seemed to press against C9J18’s senses. For a moment, there was only the sound of his own breathing, amplified slightly by the helmet’s internal comms. Then, with a faint whir, the visor began to activate. A dim light flickered to life, growing brighter as the system calibrated itself to his neural patterns.

“Welcome to your new world,” the technician said, watching the data streams on his display as the helmet synchronized. “Don’t worry—it’ll all start to make sense soon. Or not. Either way, you’ll adapt.”

The visor fully illuminated, revealing the HUD for the first time. The view was clinical, sterile, and utterly devoid of humanity. Unimportant details in the workshop were greyed out, the AI deeming them irrelevant. Telemetry data crawled across the edges of his vision—heart rate, oxygen levels, suit integrity. A faint overlay marked the positions of nearby personnel, each tagged with their alphanumeric IDs.

The technician gestured at him, his movements highlighted by the HUD. “How’s it feel?” he asked, though his tone suggested he didn’t really care. “Strange at first, isn’t it? Like your head’s full of static. Don’t worry—that’s just the AI integrating with your sensory inputs. Give it a few minutes. You’ll stop noticing soon enough.”

A new menu appeared in the HUD, labeled Calibration, its options faintly glowing. The technician tapped his wrist display, and the menu expanded.

“Let’s get you set up,” he said, his tone laced with sardonic amusement. “We’ll start with the basics. Visual alignment, auditory filtering, neural response thresholds. Don’t worry—we’ll take care of all the hard stuff. You just stand there and let the suit do the thinking.”

The calibration process began. The HUD’s display shifted subtly, adjusting brightness, contrast, and focus. The edges of C9J18’s vision pulsed briefly as the system fine-tuned his peripheral awareness.

“See that?” the technician asked, pointing to a highlighted option in the menu. “That’s your task queue. Automated orders, courtesy of the AI. It’ll tell you what to do, when to do it, and how. You’ll learn to love it—or at least obey it. Either way, it gets the job done.”

Another section of the HUD displayed a comms menu, most of its options greyed out. The technician grinned. “Comms are restricted for now. You’re a cadet. You don’t get to chat unless the system says so. But don’t worry—once you’re authorized, you’ll have the privilege of hearing even more of our delightful voices.”

He tapped another menu labeled Sensory Adjustment. “This one’s fun,” he said, his grin widening. “The AI controls your sensory input. If it thinks something’s irrelevant, it tones it down. If it wants you to focus, it cranks things up. Pain, heat, cold... all dialed to whatever setting keeps you most productive. Efficient, isn’t it?”

C9J18 blinked as the system tested its control, briefly amplifying the sensation of the suit against his skin before dulling it to near imperceptibility. The technician chuckled. “Feels good, doesn’t it? Like a second skin. You’ll forget it’s even there—until you can’t.”

The POV shifted to C9J18’s perspective as the technician stepped back, his figure outlined in faint blue by the HUD. A notification appeared in the corner of the display: Integration Complete. Awaiting Commands.

The technician gave him a mocking salute. “Congratulations, cadet. You’re now a fully integrated asset of the Republic. Welcome to the rest of your life.”

As the feed faded, the Intelligence Conscript’s voice returned, smooth and cold. “The suit isn’t just armor. It’s a system. A tool. A way of life. And now, it’s his reality. Every moment, every thought, every action is guided, monitored, and optimized. He’s not just wearing the suit—he is the suit.”

The final shot lingered on C9J18’s HUD, the unrelenting data streams and greyed-out options framing his vision. The screen faded to black, leaving only the faint hum of the system in the background.

[bleach-your-panties]

💔the pathological liar - pro hero! yo shindou x fem! pro hero! gf! reader

warnings: characters aged up to 20+, lying, cheating, arguing, manipulation, gaslighting, sexual activities, non-con (reader does say no), dub-con, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, name-calling, physical struggles, physical fighting (one-sided, so assault?), reader has a smart ass mouth and is kinda toxic as well, slight!yandere!yo, toxic relationships, toxic mindsets, false imprisonment, triggering subject at the end. read at your own risk!

☠️: some dialogue/actions inspired by true events.

💔: banner images from pinterest. 

💔: banner made by me with canva. 

post themes: say my name - destiny's child

                      confessions, parts I & II - usher

                      take a bow - rihanna

                      shake it off - mariah carey

💔 3.5k words

💔read in dark mode for best experience!

🖤series ���touya.

—--

—--

I know you say that I am assuming things

Something's going down that's the way it seems

Shouldn't be no reason why you're acting strange

If nobody's holding you back from me

'Cause I know how you usually do

When you're saying everything to me times two

Why can't you just tell the truth?

If somebody's there, then tell me who

—--

"Baby, ain't nothing good. It's all bad."

—--

'Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice message system: 

"Shindou, Yo". Cannot come to the phone right now, please leave your message at the tone-'

Before the recording could finish, you were throwing your iPhone across your bed as you shrugged your backpack off of your shoulders.

Your boyfriend, Yo Shindou, never answered his phone when you called. Never when you called, but he'd always immediately send a text or call you back hours later, claiming that his phone was dead or that he'd misplaced it somewhere at the agency. 

Like now, for example. 

'ding'

'Sorry babe, got caught up in something last minute at the agency. Call you back when I'm home. Love you.'

You scoffed as you read over the message.

You wouldn't be getting a call back, that much you knew for certain.

With a sudden urge to be petty, you texted back:

'Something like what, Yo? Another bitch's pussy? Yeah, people at my agency are starting to talk and guess who's the topic of conversation? Just know that the label of 'cheating boyfriend' won't do your "picture perfect" image any justice. Bitch.'

After hitting send, you tossed the phone back onto your bed and that was where it would lay until you got out of the shower. 

As soon as your bathroom door closed, the phone vibrated with another text. 

'Oh, so we're doing this shit again? Bet. I'll be over in 20.'

—

After moisturizing your body and putting on some pajamas, you climbed into bed and pulled out the book that you'd been reading. Leaving your phone discarded somewhere in the covers.

It was starting to get to one of the more interesting parts when a chorus of loud, booming knocks came on your front door.

"Who in the fuck?" You threw the covers back furiously and slipped your fluffy slippers on. 

You walked out of your room and down the hallway, the beating at the door only growing more intense as you sucked your teeth.

"I'm coming, dammit!"

Pulling the door open without checking the peephole first would be your first mistake of the night.

When the messy mop of dark locks, green/yellow hero uniform, and chiseled pecs came into your view, you immediately tried to slam the door shut. Yo wasn't having any of that.

He grabbed the edge of the door, wedging half of his body inside of your apartment before he pushed it forward with force, making it slam and bounce off of the wall. 

Once his boots made contact with the carpeted floor of your apartment, you took multiple steps back, putting about two feet of distance between the two of you.

"What's wrong, baby? You don't look too happy to see me."

Scoffing harshly, you bit your bottom lip between your teeth as you glared up at him.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, huh? Beating on my goddamn door like you've lost your mind. Thought you were caught up in something? That just goes to show that all you do is fucking lie. You bitch." 

Yo just looked at you with his face scrunched up. He was clearly irritated with your antics, especially the name-calling. Kicking off his boots, he began to walk towards you. 

"Stop fucking being difficult, Y/N. You know, baby, if you missed me and wanted some dick, all you had to do was ask nicely." 

He said in that irritating, condescending tone that he always uses when talking to those that he feels are beneath him. You being one of those. Even though you're a pro-hero just like he is. 

Not believing what you were hearing, your mouth dropped open. You could feel the blood begin to rise in your ears, loud and whooshing against your skull. 

A dry chuckle then left your lips. 

"You think…that all of this is because I want some dick? Trust me, sweetie, if I just wanted some dick I could go get it from any one of your co-workers. A lot of them have been giving me the eye, you know. Especially since you're never around and I just changed up my hero uniform, so the skirt is short-" 

Yo cut you off by grabbing you by the biceps and yanking you towards him, making you stumble and throw your arms out to try to balance yourself before he then slammed you up against the wall. 

"Don't fucking play with me, Y/N. If you know what's good for you, you'll think twice about trying to entertain one of those bastards. Especially-" 

"Especially who? Bakugou? Oh, he'd be my first choice if I were to step out on you." You smirked up at him. 

He snarled. Your smirk widened as you could physically hear him grinding his teeth. 

Yo was quiet for a moment, just glaring at you as you stared right back at him with a bored look on your face. You even went as far as to yawn.

"Yeah, it's not so fun when the rabbit has the gun, huh?" 

He didn't answer, but instead pulled you off of the wall and hoisted you up over his shoulder. A big hand came up and smacked forcefully against your ass. 

"That's alright. I know how to fix you." He chortled darkly, moving away to begin walking down the hallway to your bedroom. 

"I don't want your community ass dick! Put me down, Yo!" 

He just ignored you and kicked open the door to the room. 

"Sure you don't. You always do this shit to get my attention, Y/N. Catch an attitude, start a stupid ass argument, and then I fuck it out of you. Same shit, different goddamn day, baby." 

Yo said after tossing you onto the bed, making your forgotten phone flop onto the floor. He gave it a puzzled look. 

"Oh, so that's why you seemed so surprised to see me. You didn't read my text." 

He chuckled, reaching to grab your hip to flip you over onto your stomach as if you were a pancake. 

Rough hands began to caress your feet, ankles, and legs, all the way up to your inner thighs and bottom of your ass cheeks, just under the hem of your nightdress. 

"No panties? Yeah, you were definitely planning on getting dicked down tonight, you needy little slut." 

SMACK

SMACK 

Your back arched off of the bed at the painful stinging of Yo's slaps. His hands felt heavy as lead as they connected with your soft flesh. 

SMACK

SMACK

SMACK

"Where are you going? Thought you liked when I spank you, huh?"

Yo wrapped an arm around your waist to bring you back when you tried crawling up the bed to escape him.

"Stop it, Yo…hurts…" You whined. 

"It hurts, Yo, please stop." He mocked. "Stop being a fucking brat, then."

He grabbed one of your ass cheeks and squeezed hard, making you moan out involuntarily. 

"Moaning like this but you don't want my dick? I bet you're dripping fucking wet for me right now, Y/N. Dare me to check?"

You didn't respond, which prompted Yo to do as he suggested and slip two fingers underneath you between your ass cheeks to get to your slick folds.

"Damn baby, all this for me, yeah? Only me."

He growled. With his large hand, he covered your entire bare pussy and activated his Quirk.

A harsh shiver wracked through your entire body, another soft moan leaving your lips. Yo only pressed harder, moving his fingertips to graze over your clit repeatedly.

"Y-Yo…please, daddy…" You whined, making him smirk down at you. He increased the vibration of his fingers along with rubbing your clit from side to side.

"Say you're sorry for bringing up Bakugou and I might let you feel this fat dick next..." Yo rested his upper body against your back and snaked his free arm under you to hold you up off the bed just a bit.

"No..I'm…n-not sorry. I meant it. Oh fuck!" 

Yo grimaced before grabbing you and flipping you back over onto your back. 

"What did you say?" 

Your e/c eyes were wet with unshed tears as you frowned up at his handsome face. You didn't falter.

"You heard me." 

"I thought I told you that if you know what's good for you, you won't even think about that motherfucker!" He seethed.

"I obviously don't know what's good for me if I'm still fucking around with you!"

Before you knew what was happening, Yo had pinned you to the bed by your throat. Moving between your legs, he used his knees to spread them.

"Yo, stop!"

"Shut up, bitch. You'll learn to stop pissing me off one day."

His belt hit the bed as he undid it, his black pants and underwear soon following it. You tried to pull your legs up, but he surged forward, pushing his hard dick inside you with one thrust.

Head falling back against the soft mattress, you couldn't help but keen as Yo began a rough, fast pace. He gripped your calf to pull you closer and stretch you open wider for him.

"Yes, Yo…right there! I'm going to cum!" 

Yo grunted in response, trying to hold back from cumming himself.

"Yeah, baby? My fingers got you all ready to cum on my dick? Let it go then, oh shit." 

He sped up even more, making your free breasts bounce outside of your nightgown and the headboard hit the wall. It already had a small dent in it from your previous heated romps, but neither of you seemed to care very much.

It could be painted over once you moved out.

"Oh God, I…!" 

Your release splashed against Yo's pelvis and drenched the sheets beneath you.

"Ah, fuck. Yeah, made that little pussy squirt, huh? Stay still for me, baby. I'm about to nut." 

Your eyes widened. "Yo, no. You're not wearing a condom and I haven't replaced my NuvaRing yet!" 

It had been out for five days now while you waited on your doctor to send in a new prescription. 

That didn't stop him. Either he was too deep into his impending orgasm to hear you, or he was flat out ignoring you. 

"Yo!"

"SHIT! AGHH!" 

Blind fury clouded your vision while Yo's was clouded for a completely different reason altogether.

"Damn…" He breathed out, making sure to stay deep inside you until he was finished cumming.

Once you got your bearings, you sat up abruptly, making Yo stumble back onto his elbows. He sucked his teeth once he saw your angered face. 

"What's wrong, sweetheart? You don't want to have my baby?"

"Yo, we're both in our early 20's at the height of our hero careers. We're nowhere near ready for a damn baby!" 

The raven-haired man was about to respond until a soft, vibrating sound silenced the both of you.

You slowly swung your legs over the side of the bed, searching for the source of the noise.

Bending down, you surveyed the floor briefly. Your forgotten cell phone lay halfway underneath the bed.

It's not your phone going off. 

Yo could've been mistaken for a ghost; you watched his face blanch white while he patted the pockets of his discarded pants searching for the missing device.

A race against time, but you spotted it first.

With the rectangular device being tangled in your covers, Yo almost knocked you off the bed trying to get to it, but you were way faster than him. It was already in your hand.

tatas💕: my appointment is at 3pm tomorrow. are you going to be able to make it?

You scrunched your nose and swatted Yo's hand away while reading the text.

"Appointment? What is this about, and why does Tatami need you there?"

Cold e/c eyes turned to stone while you watched Yo fidget nervously. This is one of the only times you've seen him like this; the other when he asked you out for the first time.

"Y/N…do you love me?"

"What kind of question is that, Yo? If I didn't, would I still be with you?"

"Unconditionally?"

Your nose scrunched. Something isn't right…

You knew all about Tatami. Yo's ex-girlfriend from high school. He told you that he broke it off during their third year because she was becoming too clingy. You'd even met her once, when you had a joint mission with her agency.

"Yes…"

"Say you'll never leave me?"

Oh hell no. He was asking too many questions now.

"What did you do, Yo? Huh?!" 

He just hung his head. His phone vibrated again in your hand. 

----

Everything that I've been doing is all bad

I've got a chick on the side

With the crib and the ride 

I've been telling you so many lies 

Aint none good, it's all bad

And I just wanna confess, it's been going on so long 

Girl I been doing you so wrong and I want you to know that 

----

"Everytime you called my phone, I wasn't at the agency working overtime…I..I was with Tatami."

A long, loud sigh left your lips. Your free hand came up, knuckles resting against your forehead.

I don't want to look, but I know I have to…

"Y/N.." Yo warned.

new message

"Y/N, please, baby…"

tatas💕: i know the doctor said that we won't know the sex until about 20 weeks, but i can't help being so excited! we're possibly going to have a little yo running around soon! 👶🏻

Your grip on the phone tightened. 

----

If I could turn back the hands of time 

And start all over I would

Instead of everything being all bad, baby

Everything'll be all good

I know today is the day that I end all the lying and the playing and the bullshit, girl 

----

"Y/N, I'm sorr-" 

WHAM!

Your knuckles that you'd been resting against your forehead went across Yo's face at the speed of light. You punched him hard as hell in his face, making him tumble over and off the foot of the bed. The sight would've been hilarious if you weren't so fucking pissed.

"I knew I was right…." You chuckled. "I fucking knew it. You knew that she was pregnant, too. You've known for months."

Yo looked up at you with big, watery eyes full of regret. Almost like he was a different person entirely. 

One hand clutched his throbbing cheek. You'd hit him so hard that his lower lip busted. His perfect face would soon be discolored black and blue, across his forehead, nose (that was also bleeding now), and right eye.

"I'm sorry! Baby, I'm sorry!" 

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, YO! YOU'RE ONLY SORRY BECAUSE YOU GOT FUCKING CAUGHT!"  You raged. You lunged off the bed at him and started hitting him everywhere, as hard as you could. You even grabbed two handfuls of his black hair and yanked his head around.

Yo finally grabbed your arms and pinned them against your chest. You'd grown exhausted, so you just let yourself fall against his naked chest.

A bitter chuckle, then the tears, hot and angry. You couldn't hold them any longer as you looked up at Yo, staring at his swollen, beaten face.

"You're so fucking ugly when you cry. What the fuck are you crying for, huh? I'm the one that got cheated on. Lied to, played with, manipulated." 

"Not only did you fucking lie to me and cheat on me, but you fucked around and got the bitch pregnant, too. This has got to be a joke."

Yo slowly crawled up from the floor with you in his arms, blood dripping down his nose and lip, staining the carpet, then the bedsheets while you covered your face with your hands and sobbed. 

He cradled you gently and laid his head against yours, lips kissing at the temples.

"Baby, please…we can work this out. I don't love her. I love you, but I…I still want to be there for the baby…"

Your brokenhearted wails only increased in volume.

"Don't cry, baby. I promise I'll be here for you and our baby, too."

—-

Three Months Later 

Yo made good on his word to be there for you.

Shortly after his "confession", you found out that you were pregnant as well.

Tatami is currently six months along, while you're only three.

Turns out that all of this was a part of Yo's twisted plan. 

Instead of your late birth control being due to your doctor's or the pharmacy's incompetence, it was Yo who called the doctor's office pretending to be your husband and had them cancel your refill request. 

Yo then demanded suggested that you take time off from hero work while you were carrying his child, which you slightly agreed with, but still did so with reluctance.

You don't know how he did it, but you guessed being one of the top 20 heroes carried with it a lot of weight for him to be able to take off enough to make it to all of yours and Tatami's appointments.

He even moved you out of your apartment and into his. Into your own room. 

The reason that you had your own room was because Tatami ended up losing her apartment due to being out of work, so Yo moved her in as well. 

With the way that the living arrangements had been set up, you and Tatami might as well have been sister wives.

To attempt to keep things "fair" between the both of you, Yo would designate certain nights where either of you would get to sleep in the room with him. So neither of you would feel neglected by him.

His heart was in the right place, wasn't it? 

Even when you could clearly hear the whispered moans and soft creaking of the bed from Yo's room on Tatami's nights.

No matter how you tried to make yourself not hear it. 

Yo didn't want you stressing out, he claimed, so he bought you many expensive gifts and gadgets to help you get a good night's rest.

None of them worked. 

Not when the walls in that apartment were paper thin.

Many nights you cried and raged to yourself. 

Obviously all of that stress wasn't healthy for the baby.

Which leads you to today.

A pair of dark sunglasses hiding your eyes along with a long trench coat and hat to conceal the rest of your persona.

They were loud and jarring as you walked in, but your world had gone numb three months ago. Now you were trapped inside your own world as you stepped up three flat steps into a white, brick building. 

A ghost clutching a brown clipboard only made the atmosphere even gloomier before whisking you away from the judgemental eyes and into a plainly decorated room with blue walls.

She read over the papers first then handed the clipboard to you, one more questioning look being shot your way. 

You just gave a simple nod.

—-

"You have reached the voicemail box of L/n, Y/n. I can't come to the phone right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

BEEP.

Yo sighed heavily and put his head in his hands before standing up to walk out of your completely barren bedroom.

Before he closed the door, he whispered softly,

"Why, Y/n?" 

Your location on his phone showed him exactly where you were.

—-

Gotta make that move 

Find somebody who

Appreciates all the love I give

Boy, I gotta 

Gotta do what's best for me

Baby and that means I gotta shake you off

—--

a/n: i think this piece was a pretty strong start to the series! i'm really proud of it! stay tuned, there's plenty more bullshit to come!

*remember, if you get angry enough at your partner that you feel like wanting to put your hands on them, just walk away!