#Automatic Task In Ms Word

[theshiniestgemstone]

it starts with hello- fem!reader x gideon gemstone

warnings: nosy parents

word count: ~2k

The kitchen was warm and chaotic, filled with the clatter of Tupperware lids, the hiss of sealing tape, and the constant shuffle of hands moving aluminum trays of deviled eggs and macaroni through a well-rehearsed assembly line. The women’s voices surrounded you like a cloud of perfume and hairspray—hushed gossip and occasional bursts of laughter mixing with talk of church fundraisers, whose husband did what, and how the new café on Main was already going downhill within a year of their grand opening.

You did your best to tune it out. Head down, sleeves rolled up, you focused on the task at hand: stacking boxes and counting portions. You’d been assigned a corner of the counter where you could do your work without disrupting the rhythm of the real women in charge. Your mother was in her element, deep in conversation with Ms. Amber Gemstone, the queen bee of the kitchen, who hadn't so much as glanced at you since you'd walked in.

“Three dozen in that one,” Amber instructed someone over her shoulder, her voice smooth but firm. “Mark it. I’m not having us show up to the luncheon with one tray short like last year.”

You kept your head low, fingers moving automatically as you sealed another box. It wasn’t like you to spend your day off boxing meals for a church luncheon you had no intention of attending, but your mom had a way of guilting you into things before you could make a decent excuse.

“Don’t sneak that cookie, Gideon,” Amber snapped suddenly, her voice slicing through the chatter. You blinked and looked up just in time to see him freeze mid-reach, caught red-handed with a half-lifted sugar cookie.

“I wasn’t!” He started, grinning sheepishly, already pulling his hand back. “I was checking for quality.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “Check the boxes, not the snacks.”

He turned toward the counter where you were working, and for the first time, you really looked at him. Smiling, lean, with soft strands of hair pulled back from his face and a clean but not fussy look. He looked… normal. Not stuck-up or overly polished like the rest of the sons you’d met. Just a guy in jeans and a T-shirt that had a smudge of flour near the hem.

You reached for the same cookie tray without thinking, and your hand brushed his.

It was barely a touch—just the graze of your fingers against the back of his—but it was enough to break your focus. You both recoiled instinctively, as if burned, and then looked up at the same time.

“Hello,” he said politely, like the awkward contact hadn’t just happened. His voice was low, casual, but not indifferent.

“Hi,” you replied just as quietly, equally formal. “Take two if you’re going to sneak them. Keep it even.”

There was a pause—not heavy, not awkward, just long enough to acknowledge something had shifted in the room. Or maybe just in your head.

He stepped aside so you could reach the tray, and you both resumed your respective tasks, pretending that moment hadn’t happened. But the next time your hands moved toward the same container, you hesitated for a beat longer.

Your mother’s laugh cut through the air, pulling your attention back. She was talking about someone’s divorce like it was a plot twist in a soap opera. You rolled your eyes and turned back to your boxes.

Gideon stayed near you, helping with the packaging instead of drifting back to wherever he’d come from. He didn’t speak much. He just asked where things went, handed you rolls of tape, and leaned close once or twice to read the numbers you’d scrawled on top of the boxes.

When Amber gave him another scolding glare, he grinned and raised his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t worry, Mama, I’m just being helpful.”

“You’re being nosy,” she muttered, but there was no heat behind it.

The car ride home was unusually quiet. The only sounds were the low hum of the engine and the muffled static of the radio station your mother refused to change, no matter how fuzzy it got once you crossed county lines. You leaned your head against the window, watching familiar storefronts pass in a blur, thinking about how many boxes of macaroni you'd packed and how much your lower back ached.

Your mom had been quiet ever since you left the Gemstone property. Suspiciously quiet. Which meant one of two things: either someone said something that got under her skin, or she was deep in thought about something she planned to make your problem. You glanced at her, noticing the way she tapped the steering wheel with her thumb. Always a dead giveaway.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, already bracing yourself.

She hesitated, sighed through her nose like she wanted to ease into it, and then said, “Gideon’s a good boy. You’d look nice together.”

You groaned immediately, letting your head thunk against the window. “Mom. No. Don’t even start.”

“I’m just saying,” she replied, defensive already. “It always starts with a simple hello. Your daddy said that to me and look where we are now. Twenty years later with you.”

“Daddy told me the first thing he ever said to you was, ‘Damn, little lady. You have a nice ass.’”

She gasped like she’d been slapped, her mouth dropping open before she muttered a string of curses under her breath. “That man don’t know how to keep his mouth shut. But after that,” she added with emphasis, pointing a finger at you, “there was a hello.”

You stared at her, deadpan. “That doesn’t make it better.”

“He was nervous!” she defended, as if that explained everything. “It was a different time.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you, even as you shook your head. “There is nothing about that story that screams true love, Mom.”

She waved a hand, turning the wheel as she pulled onto your street. “You’ll see. These things sneak up on you. You’ll be minding your business, boxing up casseroles, and then bam—you’re brushing hands and looking at each other like—like—”

“Like what?” you challenged, eyebrow raised.

She didn’t answer right away. She parked the car in front of your house, took the keys out of the ignition, and turned to look at you fully. “Like you already know each other, but you’re just now catching up,” she said, softer now, almost wistful. “It happens fast when it’s the right one.”

You didn’t say anything, just reached for the door handle with a huff. You didn’t want to think about Gideon’s stupid smile, or how warm his hands were, or the way he lingered next to you just enough to notice. You were tired, hungry, and emotionally drained from being in a room full of casserole gossip and overcomplicated church politics.

Still… when you closed your bedroom door that night, you caught yourself thinking about his hand brushing yours. Just for a second.

Then you cursed your mother under your breath and climbed into bed.

+++

Three days had passed since the casserole assembly line incident, and your mom had been annoyingly smug about it ever since. Every little coincidence—every time the landline rang, every knock at the door—was met with a sly, “Maybe it’s Gideon!” followed by a wink and your immediate groan. She’d gone out for the evening to have dinner with some of the other church women, leaving you blissfully alone.

You made the most of it.

Hair slicked back with coconut oil and a grocery-store mask slathered thick across your face—a bright pink one that smelled like strawberries and had started to peel slightly around your mouth—you’d sunk into the couch in your ugliest pajama shorts and a faded old T-shirt. Your hands and feet, propped lazily on pillows, were coated in a pale lilac polish that had dried over an hour ago. But you were too cozy, too comfortable to bother getting up.

The only light came from the TV, where reruns of Glee played in a soft loop. You weren’t even watching at this point, just zoning out, humming lines under your breath. That is, until the knock at the front door.

You jumped so hard the remote fell between the cushions. You blinked, startled. Another knock followed, louder this time, and then the doorbell.

“Jesus,” you muttered, scrambling upright.

You half-jogged, half-hobbled to the kitchen, grabbing a nearby washcloth and frantically scrubbing your face as you crossed to the door. It didn’t really help—your skin was still flushed pink and slightly sticky, and your hair was still very much slicked back in an oily mess—but at least you weren’t full-blown gooey.

You cracked open the front door, expecting maybe a neighbor or a package drop-off.

Instead, standing there awkwardly on the porch, was Gideon Gemstone. He wore a dark coat over a white knit sweater that looked expensive and soft, like something straight out of a catalog. His hands were stuffed into the sleeves, clutching a folded item of clothing.

“I just came to drop this off,” he said quickly, voice low and a little too rehearsed. “My mom said your mom left it the other day.”

You blinked. “Seems a little late.” You glanced toward the wall clock behind you. 7:21pm. “But thank you."

Gideon’s ears turned red immediately, and his cheeks weren’t far behind.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, clearing his throat. “I, uh… I was in the area. Got a little… sidetracked.”

What he didn’t say: that he’d left the house at 3:00 sharp with every intention of dropping off the sweater, then spent four full hours driving loops around town with sweaty palms and a rapidly spiraling internal monologue. He’d gone from confident to mortified to hopeful to maybe this is a mistake and back again at least seven times before finally pulling into your driveway.

You eyed him for a moment, shifting your weight onto your heels. “You okay?”

He gave a short laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Just… wasn’t expecting you to answer the door like that.”

It was then that you remembered your current state.

You looked down at your shiny knees and pajama shorts, the still-wet washcloth in your hand, and the unmistakable sheen of coconut oil reflecting in the hallway light.

Your eyes went wide. “Oh my God.”

He held up a hand quickly, like that would stop the earth from swallowing either of you whole. “No, no! I didn’t mean that in a bad way. You—uh—you look fine. Comfortable. I mean, it’s your house. You can do whatever you want in your own house—”

You groaned, dragging the washcloth back over your face with a muttered, “Kill me.”

Gideon chuckled, the sound soft, warm. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

You peered at him from behind the door. “Were you hoping I wouldn’t be home?”

He hesitated. “...Maybe a little?”

The honesty surprised you.

You blinked at him, your hand still gripping the door. “You wanna come in?” you asked, more on instinct than intention.

Gideon’s brows lifted slightly, surprised, but then he nodded with a small, almost shy smile. “Sure.”

You stepped back, letting him in, silently cursing yourself for not at least changing shirts or scrubbing the coconut oil from your hair more thoroughly. He stepped over the threshold like he was entering a museum—careful, glancing around, his hands awkward at his sides.

The scent of strawberries and drugstore skin care hung in the air. You quickly tossed the damp washcloth toward the kitchen sink and tried to act like everything was totally normal.

He stood near the couch, glancing around your living room, and then down at his shoes. As you stood there in the quiet, your eyes drifted over to the TV still playing in the background. Glee was in full swing—one of the more dramatic episodes. Quinn and Santana were mid-argument in the hallway, voices sharp before Santana shoved Quinn against the lockers. The slap came a second later, and you made a small oof sound under your breath despite having seen this particular episode over a dozen times.

Gideon looked too, brows raising. “Are they… fighting?”

“Yep,” you said, popping the ‘p.’ “It’s a whole thing. Cheating. Jealousy. Teenage rage.”

He nodded slowly. “Intense.”

You turned toward him, arms crossing lightly. “You wanna stay? See how it plays out?”

His head tilted like he was pretending to think about it, but the answer was already written across his face. “Yeah,” he said with a half-smile. “Yeah, I’ll stay.”

You plopped back down on the couch, patting the seat beside you without much thought. He hesitated only a second before sitting, careful to leave just enough space between you.

Neither of you said much else as the episode rolled on—Quinn stalking off in tears, Santana fuming, dramatic music swelling in the background. But somehow, it wasn’t awkward. Not even a little.

+++

The potatoes bubbled on the stove, steam curling into the kitchen air as you stood with your arms crossed, staring into the pot like it might give you answers. Your parents were setting the table behind you—your mom humming, your dad quietly moving plates into place with the kind of efficiency only gained through years of routine. The smell of garlic and rosemary hung low and warm in the air, wrapping around you like a wool blanket.

Then came the doorbell.

You didn’t move, but your father muttered, “I got it,” and padded to the front door in his socks.

Muffled voices followed—your dad’s low and amused, someone else’s higher, almost nervous. You turned the stove down slightly and glanced toward the hallway, just as footsteps approached.

“Someone’s here for you,” your dad called, just before Gideon came around the corner.

He stood there, holding a small bouquet of fresh wildflowers—half-wrapped in brown paper, like he’d gone to the local market instead of some chain florist. His chestnut locks were a little messy, like he’d run his hands through them one too many times before working up the courage to knock. He smiled, tentative but sure, the kind of look that made your stomach flutter just a little.

“Hi,” he said. “I was wondering if you’d want to go to dinner with me?”

You blinked, eyes darting to the bouquet and then back to him. Your mom’s eyes were practically glowing as she peeked out from the dining room, doing a terrible job of pretending she wasn’t eavesdropping.

You wiped your hands on a towel and nodded slowly, heat rising to your cheeks. “Yeah. Let me grab a sweater and shoes.”

Your mother’s smirk was palpable as you passed her—she offered no words, just a look that said I told you so without ever needing to speak.

A few minutes later, you stepped outside and followed Gideon to his truck. He opened the passenger door for you like a perfect gentleman, waiting until you were inside before closing it carefully. You settled in, placing the flowers gently on your lap.

As he got in and buckled his seatbelt, you glanced sideways at him. “My mom didn’t put you up to this, right?”

He frowned, starting the engine. “No... Should she have?”

“She does that sometimes,” you muttered, smiling despite yourself. “You’d be surprised.”

He glanced at you, a small, sideways grin playing on his lips. “Considering you’re a catch, I can see why she would.”

You laughed, caught off guard. “That was smooth.”

“I practiced it in the mirror,” he teased, pulling away from the curb.

You didn’t even bother hiding your smile as the two of you drove off into the early evening light, the bouquet cradled in your hands and something lighter than air settling in your chest.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Come, my Child.

We had a lot of exciting Twst news coming out, so it took me longer than anticipated to hammer out the Trein interactions for the Sing Sweet Nightingale blog event. I'm glad I finally got them done though! ^^

Above All, Self Control.

"I have returned."

The door to the teacher's lounge rattled open and Trein stepped in. He had departed an hour ago to fetch Lucius lunch (tuna, straight from the can), leaving his familiar under the care of a student while he was away. "Consider this your final test," he had told her, "to determine if you are truly comfortable being alone in the presence of a cat for an extended period of time." From the corridor, the room sounded suspiciously silent--but upon entry, it automatically became apparent why that was.

There, slumped over in his seat, was Raven, dark hair falling over her face. Swathed in her arms was a familiar lump of black and white fur, trapped in a nap of his own. The two were cozy as could be, though lacking a proper mattress or pillow.

Trein tutted softly as he approached, setting his paper bag of tuna cans upon his desk. He was careful to minimize the noise as much as he could, using his pinkie fingers to cushion the sound of metal on wood. It was a technique he used when drinking tea and placing his saucer down as well. A gentleman always had such tricks prepared.

"I believe I had instructed you to watch over Lucius while I was away, Ms. Crowley," he muttered, fully aware that not a single word of his was reaching Raven in dreamland. "Dear me, what will I do with these troublesome students of mine...?"

Trein sighed as he ran a finger across the magestone that topped his cravat. A faint light collected in its center, responding to his call. From thin air, a blanket appeared, slowly settling over Raven and Lucius's lax forms. The cat yawned, and the bird shifted around--but neither were roused from slumber.

Hmm, Lucius can take his meal once he wakes up. As for Ms. Crowley, the headmaster will surely want to know her whereabouts... I will have to contact him at once.

Trein produced his phone and pulled up the contacts list. He recalled that Crowley had been flippant when first learning of the ordeal--so the call going straight to voice mail didn't shock him.

"What's this? You've been keeping her after class in a bid to help her overcome a fear of felines? Well, I don't suppose there's anything wrong with that. What doesn't kill her will make her stronger~"

The two are so different, you'd hardly know they were family, he lamented. Now, if only the headmaster had the same moxie as this young lady does...!

"... Mmm... Lu... cius-san..."

Trein glanced up.

Raven had flopped to one side, hugging Lucius even more tightly to her. "Be... have... mm... no trouble..."

"It seems you're on-task, even in your dreams," Trein mused, slipping his phone back into a pocket. He strolled over to her and pulled the covers even higher. A small smile found its way onto his mouth. "... Congratulations, Ms. Crowley, you pass my special course."

[dgybbvrcsacgswtcbkyv]

Kinchana?

Hanni Pham x fem!reader

Warnings: reader suffers from anxiety/anxiety attacks & low self-esteem

a/n: erm.. thought I’d give writing a try. Any feedback is appreciated. This also might be pt1 depending on if anyone even reads this lol. (Title might make sense later?)

Also, I have used some Korean words I hope they're correct.

______________________________________________________________

You’re awake before your alarm goes off. The same blue haze which sets over you every time you wake greets you. Along with a weight settling on your chest. You’re used to this feeling. But it’s still uncomfortable so you place a hand over your chest and apply pressure, as expected, it doesn’t help. This has merely become a force of habit now. You ignore it as usual and get ready for work. 

Clad in your oversized blue jeans and oversized tee, you walk towards the grocery shop where you work. Plugging in your wired earphones to the tiny mp3, you play the song you’ve had on repeat for the past week. Ever since you came to Korea you’ve always preferred not to use your phone much, finding that it only increases your anxiety. So you’ve taken it upon yourself to find little alternatives that don’t require the internet.

The shop bell jingles as you enter with a greeting, “Morning Ahjumma”. 

“Ahh you’re here?” she gives you the usual response. You’ve been working for Ms. Kim for a little over 3 months and you were still learning Korean. Thankfully, she knew basic English and was always helping you out. You begin your usual day of work, going through your tasks. Taking stock of inventory, arranging deliveries and creating some displays. 

It’s about midday when you hear the sound of reversing coming from the truck that brings stocks. You come out from the back of the store. “Ahjumma, I’ve told you to call me when the boxes arrive. Please don’t lift them by yourself.” You scold Ms. Kim as you run over to take the box from her hands. She’s not that old, being in her 50s, but you knew she’s been developing back problems and you didn’t want it to get worse for her. 

“Stop treating me like a halmeoni. Do I look like a halmeoni to you?” she sniped at you. “Yes. Absolutely.” You replied with a poker face. She grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a fly swatter and started to beat you with it. Not for real, of course-you could barely feel the swatter touch you. Yet you faked groans of pain and pretended to scream for help. Both of you were chuckling at your own antics when the doorbell jingled indicating the arrival of a customer so both of you ceased your little k-drama in order to appear sane. 

You heard multiple feet enter as your back was turned to them. “Annyeonghaseyo” Ms Kim greeted them with a bow. Without so much as a glance at the customers, you retreated to the back of the store with the box you were carrying. Being an introvert as well as not being fluent in Korean, you didn’t fancy dealing much with customers. Ms. Kim was usually the one handling the cashier unless it was the graveyard shift. Which you usually took over since it meant less customers. 

Ready to make the several trips to unload all the boxes, you go to the front of the shop again. The delivery guys had piled the boxes outside the door. You bent down to pick one up—God, how could soft drink bottles be so heavy? and started to make your way to the door. Now, the door is automatic so you weren’t worried about having to open it. However, what you didn’t expect was the girl who was walking right into you. She was looking back and chatting excitedly to her friend, and you, being your introverted, dumbass, awkward self, was trying to back out of her way instead of verbally warning her. You weren’t quick enough and she bumps into you. 

A gasp leaves her mouth as she turns around and the box almost escapes your grip. You catch it and tighten your grip before it falls. Thank God, cause otherwise it would’ve definitely landed on yours AND her toes. “Oh! I’m so sorry” she quickly replies. Awkward as ever, with box still in your hands, a hurried apology comes from you as well and you bow to her. You look up and have a proper look at her for the first time and your mouth hangs open.

She was gorgeous. Like.. she looked like a 'first love''. That’s the only way you could describe her. Your brain short circuits and words elude you. You force yourself back to Earth and quickly give her another bow and shuffle away from the door so she and her friends can exit. You notice the friend right beside her, wearing a thick pair of glasses and almost a head taller than her, stifling a laugh as she drags the beautiful girl away. 

What you failed to notice was, she also malfunctioned upon coming into such close contact with you. Hence why she had to be dragged away. 

[the-starry-seas]

I'm thinking about Mandos and disability again, specifically my OC Tanau who has a TBI and his customised helmet/disability aid

One of the most notable things about it, is that the visor is split into two parts - the horizontal and vertical halves of the T-shape have a thin strip of beskar between them. There's also no tapering in the visor itself, it's pretty much exactly an actual 'T' with 100% straight lines and right angles. Above the visor is an MS for mir'shupur, or brain injury.

In fact, the strip that separates the visor also denotes the line between the top and bottom halves of the helmet's front. The bottom halves slide to the side so he can eat while still wearing his helmet, or drink without having to fiddle with a straw (shaky hands from other physical trauma can make straws difficult).

The visor is custom in more ways than one! He can manually adjust how much light gets to his eyes, to the extent of a blackout mode that allows him total darkness. He can also choose to only black out half his visor, since both parts have their own controls.

There's a speech-to-text readout that automatically displays along the left cheekpiece of his helmet instead of across his visor, so he doesn't have to read text overlaying an image. When his tinnitus gets bad, or he can't stand to hear any more noises, the helmet automatically transcribes all incoming sounds on his private comm channels.

With his memory problems, he sometimes gets distracted from his tasks or disoriented when left alone. Along the right cheekpiece are a few things that he can switch between. One list shows the tasks he's supposed to be completing, and who asked him to do them. The other list shows plans and appointments, with countdowns to things within the next three hours. There's also a map that allows him to ping his husband's armour, their home, and a few other locations they frequent, and get step-by-step directions to find them.

The earcaps of the helmet itself are built further out than usual. This is because they're packed with noise-cancelling tech and a white noise datachip. The noise cancellation can be adjusted to several levels, from blocking out all noises above a certain decibel, to totally muting the outside world.

The white noise helps with his tinnitus. He favours the sound of rain but he can also switch to ocean surf, a crackling wood fire, a creek, windchimes, or instrumental music. His husband also recorded a lullaby that's hummed instead of spoken, and is relatively short so it can loop as one steady stream of sound.

As well as speech-to-text, there's also text-to-speech. He can use a system of blinks to select letters, words, or phrases. His helmet then uses records of his voice to speak for him. Mandos tend not to mind that he's a bit slow answering, he's mir'shupur, after all, and they're perfectly capable of being patient. He doesn't like to rely on sign language with strangers, since there's so many language variants that could lead to misunderstandings.

[sappymix1]

Okay writing prompt -> office au dnf where George is the front desk worker and Dream is in sales and they meetup in the break room and always flirt

hi anon so funny thing it did not occur to me that you meant office au as in the show the office until I turned on the tv earlier today and it was there lmao. but anyway here is 1.3k words of dnfies working for a company that supplies textbooks to high schools lmao

[12:14] 🐈‍⬛: Dream

[12:16] 🐈‍⬛: Hellooooooooo

[12:16] 🐈‍⬛: This is so messed up why are you ignoring me

[12:19] 🐈‍⬛: Dreeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaam

[12:21] 🐈‍⬛: Stop ignoring me, idiot

[12:25] 🐈‍⬛: I’m so bored. I haven’t had to do anything all day. This is so boring.

[12:27] 🐈‍⬛: And now you won’t even text me back. You hate me. 

[12:31] 🐈‍⬛: You should come talk to me so I don’t die of boredom. 

[12:34] 🐈‍⬛: This is me because of you

[12:34] 🐈‍⬛: Ignore the caption

[12:37] 🐈‍⬛: I’m going to start texting Foolish instead of you. I’ll find his number in my computer.

[12:38] 🐈‍⬛: I’m doing it. I’m going to do it. I’m going to find his number and text him asking if he can show me his muscles

-

“Thank you, Ms. French; I’ll make sure that gets worked out for you. Have a good day.” Dream hung up his phone, posture immediately worsening as he screwed his eyes shut, trying to force down the headache that had been brewing since about the third question about the difference in price between the fourth and fifth editions of the biology textbook some forgettable high school in Vermont was attempting to purchase before the new school year began. 

Dream was pretty good at his job, mostly because he was pretty good with the people. He thought he had a good voice, one that made him good at dealing with people over the phone because it prepped them to like him by that alone. He was a bit more awkward in person, yeah – a bit too tall, not quite sure what to do with his arms or his feet – but clients were already endeared to him enough that at that point his slight awkwardness just ended up being charming. That wasn’t the point though; the point was that he was ordinarily really good at phone sales, customer service, that sort of thing. This particular call had just been a bit exhausting. He had barely even passed his own high school biology class; he definitely did not know which text book was the better option even though he had to at least sound like he did. 

Dream glanced over across the office, over to the desk up by the door. His vantage point, unfortunately, wasn’t that great these days. His boss had gotten it into his head that some change of scenery would make everyone more productive as they got deeper into the hot months of summer and, as a result, Dream had traded his desk conveniently within eyeshot of the front desk for one much farther away, and all he could see over, of all things, the fucking broken printer was a little bit of curly dark hair that drifted back and forth in a way that made it obvious that its owner was rocking back and forth in the swivel chair. 

Dream wasn’t quite sure that this rearranging was having the effect on productivity his boss had desired. He reached into his pocket, and he slid out his phone.

His lock screen was covered in a long chain of texts, all coming from a contact saved simply as a familiar emoji. Dream scrolled through them, automatically smiling as his stomach buzzed with strawberries and oranges. Apparently, he was not the only person struggling to focus.

[12:47] me: get better bait. you would text foolish telling him to die before you asked to see him shirtless.

[12:47] me: besides, you’d never do that to tina

Dream went to flip his phone over, not wanting to risk someone noticing that he was off task, but immediately, his phone buzzed with a response. 

[12:48] 🐈‍⬛: What are you doing?

[12:48] me: i was on the phone. 

[12:49] me: lunch?

This time, he didn’t bother putting his phone down, just watched the three little dots indicating someone typing on the other side of their conversation. He realized quickly that he was holding his breath, and he forced himself to let the lingering air leave his lungs. Don’t be stupid. 

When the text came, it was much shorter than the time spent typing it would have implied. Dream could imagine him going back and forth and back and forth, fingers freezing on the same anxiety that both worried and excited Dream. 

[12:50] 🐈‍⬛: Yes

Dream got up from his desk, heading to the break room to get his lunch. Once the door fell shut behind him, cutting off the low buzz of the lights and computers and air conditioning of the main office with a tight thud, he went to the fridge and pulled out the container of sliced up mango and half a sandwich in a baggie. A green sticky note with a smiley face adorned both of them, identifying them as his. He was in the middle of trying to crack the seal on the lid of his drink when he heard the door swing again and quickly felt arms encircle his waist.

“You’re so, like, needy, today,” he said without turning around. “What’s wrong?” Half teasing. Half so sincere that it made both of them squirm a little bit. Dream had always been good at that – caring about people. Especially certain ones. 

“Nothing.” George – the receptionist, the cute British guy in the office, the most important person in Dream’s phone – pressed his face against the back of Dream’s shirt, muffling his voice. “I’m bored. You were ignoring me.” 

Dream scoffed. He set his lunch down on the counter and turned around to face George. George was looking up at him, lips pressed together like he was trying and failing to keep himself from smiling. Failing, both because George wasn’t particularly good at hiding his happiness and because Dream could read his emotions from a single movement of his rich dark eyes. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I was working. I spent, like, half an hour stuck on the phone talking about biology textbooks.”

“Wow, poor Dream,” George teased, reaching to open the fridge and find his own lunch – left over chicken nuggets, apparently, as well as a plastic bag filled with apple slices – before settling across from Dream at the table. “Forced to spend all day on the phone, while I’m dying at my desk.” 

A bite of his sandwich. “Dying? Of what?” 

“Boredom and neglect,” George said, sounding extremely put upon. “It’s so messed up that you’re letting your stupid job get in the way of our relationship. Just so that you can, like, have money or whatever.” 

“I can’t believe you’d let Patches go hungry like that.” Dream reached over to steal a sip of George’s peach ice tea, and George just grinned at him before sighing. 

“I guess that’s a good enough reason.” They were both quiet for a few seconds, ankles brushing under the table as George chewed on his apple slices and Dream picked at his mango with a plastic fork from home. It was comfortable, or at least as comfortable as lunch at a tiny breakroom table that was so short that Dream banged his knees against it every time he sat down could be.  It was, arguably, one of the least remarkable days of Dream’s life. Tomorrow, he would put back on his scratchy work clothes and the shoes that pinched his toes, make a million more phone calls to talk about textbooks he couldn’t care less about, and eat another dry sandwich in the shitty breakroom. The same mundanity that he had found, despite the big dreams that he had had growing up, to be his life these days. And, just like he eventually did today, before they threw out their trash and tried to leave the breakroom far enough apart to make it inconspicuous, George would ask if he could come over after work, and everything would feel a little bit more special.

[ellizablue]

Lil sneak peak from the upcoming new chapter of The Anchor Cast Below (an old odesta throwback, iykyk):

I’m hunched over Mags’ kitchen table, my head throbbing and heavy, when the phone begins to ring.

It’s shrill, demanding: I wince and then feel irritation spark inside of me, quick and volatile, and I close my hands over my ears, hoping it’ll work for me like it works for Annie.

I still hear it.

I let it ring, ring, ring, ring— stop. And then it starts again. Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring— stop. Again. Ring, ring, ring—

I lurch up from the table, furious now, and wrench the phone from the wall.

It’s Mags’ phone, so I’m expecting Seeder, Woof, maybe Haymitch or Chaff. They’ll be calling to see how the newest addition to our sad little species is settling in to her new home, her new life, her new prison. Later, as the Victory Tour draws nearer, it’ll be Annora and Annie’s stylist phoning, needing to plan and prepare. Not now, though. Not yet. And after what happened— after how completely Annie’s mind snapped away on that shore following the loss of her family (my fault, my fault)— maybe never. She may never come back to reality, to the world (to me). She’s been lost ever since I carried her shrieking and begging up to Mags’s guest room, utterly unreachable.

“Hello?” I snap, not able to fully mask my irritation. It’s only the knowledge that none of this is my fellow Victors’ fault that keeps me from greeting with, “Shut the fuck up.” Though right now, my heart as raw as it is, I wish pretty much everyone and everything outside of Mags and Annie would shut the fuck up for all eternity.

There’s a brief pause. I notice first that the phone call sounds remarkably clear— there’s usually quite a tangle of static in the background to calls from other Districts, particularly 12, so it’s certainly not Haymitch on the line— and then the caller greets me.

“Good morning, Finnick.”

I feel my stomach plummet, my entire body tense up. I automatically turn and look around the kitchen, seeking Mags instinctively— for her guidance, her input, her comfort— but she’s upstairs with Annie, trying to wash the wounds she gouged into her arms in her sleep last night.

My eyes fall on a piece of paper resting on the small table beneath the telephone. It’s the phone directory for Victor’s Shore. Mags, Caleb, Fisher, Meredith, Pike, Dowell, Irving. Finnick. Annie. Her name has already been penciled in on the blank line underneath mine. The next Victor’s Shore house and phone line to be assigned. The next game piece in this twisted power play of Snow’s.

He doesn’t take kindly to my extended silence.

“I said good morning, Finnick,” President Snow repeats, his voice cold now, intolerant to my rude lack of response.

But it isn’t a good morning at all. There hasn’t been one since I was fourteen years old. And Annie— sweet Annie, who truly did nothing to deserve any of this— will likely never have one ever again as long as she lives, however long that may be.

I can think of only one thing to say.

“She did nothing,” I hiss. I grip the phone tighter. At once, my rage swells and crests. “She did not challenge you— she did not defy you— she did nothing!”

Snow’s voice is calm and level where mine is shaky and swollen with emotion. I hate him even more for that.

“Precisely. She did nothing. Her task was very simple— and yours, as her mentor, even simpler: sit through Mr. Flickerman’s interview, engage in the recap, smile and be grateful for her good fortune to still be alive. I was assured you would both deliver, and you delivered exactly nothing. Beyond confusing your lovers and the Capitol public with your over-ardent defense of Ms. Cresta, and her unsettling comments about feeling like she’s being punished…truly, Finnick, I’m not sure you’ve ever failed so spectacularly before.” He pauses for a brief moment, long enough for his words to sink in, and then he continues. “Her ungrateful comment reeked of confusion, so I thought I would set her right. She wasn’t being punished before. This is punishment. Now she knows the difference.”

The list of Victors and their phone numbers is blurry behind tears.

“She didn’t even know what she was saying,” I manage to whisper, my voice twisted with grief and frustration and anger. “That comment wasn’t rebellious or intended to— to be insulting, it was just…” honest, real. Pure. Annie. “She’s unwell. She’s hurt. To her, wounded as she is, everything feels bad. Everything feels like a punishment. She didn’t mean anything by that comment!”

I’m unsure why I sound so desperate for a moment. What do I think I’ll achieve by making Snow realize this? Do I think he’ll somehow pull her family from the morgue and revive them? That he’ll apologize?

No. I’m trying to protect her from future punishment, future pain, though right now I’m not sure what’s left for them to take. They’ve already stolen her mind and her family.

Just her body, I think. Just her body. That’s all that’s left. And I don’t even have that— they took my family, my mind, my body.

(What a pair we make, Annie and me.)

Something about my comment angers President Snow. He sounds less composed now.

“Then you failed, Mr. Odair. You failed as a mentor. You were supposed to prepare her so when she got on that stage she said what needed to be said, she did what needed to be done—”

“She’s not—”

“Do not interrupt me!” Snow booms, and I fall silent immediately. I’m surprised that he’s raised his voice. Yelling somehow seems beneath him. “You wanted her. You cheated and lied and manipulated her way out of that arena. You did that— you chose that. Did you not?”

I say nothing. We both know exactly what I did. I slept with the Gamemakers, I manipulated the Game, I rigged it and cheated and made that dam burst. And because of that, Annie won. Annie came home. And I did want that— her to come home. I just never intended for her to come home to this.

“Answer me.”

I blink hard, and I feel tears— hot and bulbous— capsize my eyelashes and roll down my cheeks. I watch one drop land and splash over Annie’s newly-penciled in name on the directory.

“Yes.”

“Yes,” he repeats harshly. “And so all of this is your responsibility— she is your responsibility. Everything she does, everything she says. She’s yours, Mr. Odair. How do you find her? Is she everything you hoped? Everything you wanted?”

I think of Annie, lying lost in the bed upstairs, her nails caked with dried blood and her green eyes empty and echoing. And I think of her before the Games, laughing with twinkling, sharp eyes, so there that she saw through my defenses instantly. More tears slide down my cheeks, and there’s a painful pressure in my chest, like my sternum has been pried open. Like something inherent to my survival has been scooped out and stolen. Maybe it has.

I don’t know what to say back to that. He doesn’t really care what I say, anyway.

“You think I am cruel,” he says. He does not ask. “But I know well what I am asking of you. Once, it was asked of me.”

The implication that he has ever had to deal with anything like what I’m dealing with does more than anger me— it offends me. I clench my fists and feel my sorrow turn hard. I forget to watch my words. I forget to watch myself. Flung carelessly and cruelly from bed to bed, my body not even my own, my life, my identity, my words, and now, my heart—

“You know nothing about what is asked of me,” I bite. “Nothing! You know nothing about what I have to deal with, what I have to carry—!”

I’m talking about so much more than Annie, but he’s buttoned up and focused on the issue at hand.

“I’ll remind you again that you chose this. You asked for this. All you had to do was let her die in that arena, but like a fool, you chose your own heart and your own feelings over your duty—”

“I’m not talking about Annie anymore!”

“You should be! You’ve made such a mess for yourself, Mr. Odair. I doubt you even realize how much of one. And because it is your mess— she is your mess— you will clean it up. You will take care of this problem, and you will do so in whatever manner maintains your public persona and maintains the Capitol’s good opinion of the Games. You will control your mentee and her loose lips, you will control yourself and your fondness for her, or I will handle her. And Finnick? You don’t want me to handle her.”

No. I don’t. I want him as far away from Annie as possible.

He continues, anger still writhing between his cold words like serpents.

“You are a young, naive boy— barely a man, despite what your lovers would contend. You act without thinking and you think without acting. I know well what it costs to mentor someone. I know well what it costs to do one’s duty. You’ll do well to never forget that, Mr. Odair.”

Before he ends the call, he adds one last threat.

“You’ll be relieved to know your lapse of judgment at Ms. Cresta’s recap didn’t impact your economic value. You have quite the lengthy list of patrons lined up for Ms. Cresta’s upcoming tour, including some of your particular…favorites.” A swell of nausea. I set my hand atop the small telephone table and lean against it. “Give Ms. Cresta and dear Ms. Flanagan my love. Congratulations again to District Four.”

He ends the call, but I don’t move for a minute or so. I hold the dead receiver and stare down at Annie’s name, now hazy and blurred from the tears that have dripped onto the paper. All I can think, over and over again, is what have I done?

My first instinct is to run to Mags, but she’s upstairs tending to Annie, and I can’t risk Annie hearing about any of this. I don’t want her to know. I don’t want her to worry. Perhaps she’s already too far gone to even comprehend the full gravity of this situation, but I can’t risk it. So I take a moment to compose myself, I gather a few more bandages from the cupboard over the sink in case Mags needs them, and I go upstairs to see if she needs any help tending to the damage that is, as Snow so accurately put it, my responsibility.

[xaltius]

The Best Free AI Tools You Need to Know Now in 2025!

The AI revolution is no longer a futuristic dream – it's happening right now, and the best part? Many of the most powerful and innovative tools are incredibly accessible, often with generous free tiers or entirely free access. As we navigate mid-2025, these AI companions are transforming how we work, create, learn, and connect. Whether you're a student looking to ace your exams, a professional aiming to boost productivity, or a creative spirit wanting to bring your visions to life, there's a free AI tool out there for you.

"Free" in the AI world often means a robust free plan with certain usage limits or features, which is usually more than enough to get started and achieve amazing things. Let's dive into some of the top free AI tools making waves this year!

For Supercharged Productivity & Organization

These tools help you manage tasks, meetings, and information more efficiently.

Google NotebookLM:

What it does: An AI-powered research and document analysis tool. You upload your sources (PDFs, text files, Google Docs, even website URLs), and NotebookLM becomes an expert in your information.

Free Perks: Analyze large documents (up to 25 million words across 50 sources per notebook), ask questions about your uploaded content, generate summaries, and synthesize information across multiple files.

Why it's great in 2025: Moves beyond generic chatbot responses by grounding AI in your specific documents. Excellent for researchers, students, and professionals who need to distill insights from extensive materials.

Notion AI / ClickUp AI (Free Tiers):

What they do: These popular all-in-one workspace and project management platforms have integrated powerful AI features.

Free Perks (Typical): AI-assisted writing and summarization within your notes and documents, idea generation, task automation suggestions, and even basic content creation.

Why they're great in 2025: Seamlessly integrates AI into your existing workflows, making planning, note-taking, and project management smarter and faster.

Fathom / Otter.ai (Free Tiers):

What they do: AI meeting assistants that record, transcribe, and summarize your online meetings (Zoom, Google Meet, MS Teams).

Free Perks: Automatic transcription, generation of summaries with key action items, and searchable meeting archives. Otter.ai also allows for collaborative note-taking.

Why they're great in 2025: Saves enormous amounts of time on post-meeting admin, ensures everyone is on the same page, and makes revisiting key discussion points effortless.

For Creative Writing & Content Creation

Unleash your inner wordsmith or streamline your content marketing efforts.

ChatGPT (OpenAI - Free Tier using GPT-3.5/GPT-4o limited access):

What it does: The pioneering conversational AI that can generate text, answer questions, brainstorm ideas, write code snippets, and much more.

Free Perks: Access to a very capable large language model for a wide range of text-based tasks. GPT-4o's free access (though potentially with limits) often provides multimodal capabilities too.

Why it's great in 2025: Remains a versatile go-to for quick drafts, idea generation, summarizing text, and even learning complex topics. Its conversational nature makes it highly intuitive.

Claude AI (Anthropic - Free Tier):

What it does: A strong competitor to ChatGPT, known for its proficiency in handling longer context, creative writing, and producing more natural, coherent text.

Free Perks: Generous context window, excellent for summarizing long documents, drafting detailed content, and engaging in nuanced conversations.

Why it's great in 2025: Often praised for its thoughtful responses and ability to maintain consistency over longer interactions, making it a favorite for writers and researchers.

Grammarly (Free Tier):

What it does: An AI-powered writing assistant that checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and style.

Free Perks: Real-time suggestions for improving grammar, spelling, and punctuation across various platforms via browser extensions and app integrations.

Why it's great in 2025: A staple for ensuring error-free and polished writing, whether it's emails, essays, or social media posts.

For Stunning Visuals & Design

No graphic design skills? No problem!

Microsoft Designer (Free AI Image Generator / Integrated with Copilot):

What it does: Leverages DALL·E models to generate images from text prompts and offers design templates and tools.

Free Perks: Create unique images, social media posts, and simple designs using text prompts. Easy to use interface.

Why it's great in 2025: A user-friendly option from a major tech player, making AI image generation accessible to everyone.

Canva AI Image Generator / Magic Write (Free Tiers):

What it does: Canva, the popular design platform, has integrated AI image generation and AI writing assistance.

Free Perks: Generate a limited number of AI images per month, access AI writing help for social media captions and design text, and utilize a vast library of templates.

Why it's great in 2025: Combines AI power with Canva's intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it a one-stop-shop for many design and content needs.

Ideogram:

What it does: An AI image generator known for its impressive ability to accurately generate images with text in them.

Free Perks: A limited free plan that allows users to generate images.

Why it's great in 2025: Solves one of the common pain points of AI image generators – rendering legible and contextually correct text within images.

For Coding & Development

Your AI pair programmer is here.

GitHub Copilot (Free for Students & Verified Open-Source Maintainers):

What it does: An AI pair programmer that suggests code and entire functions in real-time, right in your editor.

Free Perks: While primarily a paid service, it offers free access to students and maintainers of popular open-source projects.

Why it's great in 2025: Revolutionizing coding by speeding up development, helping learn new languages/frameworks, and reducing boilerplate.

Tabnine (Free Tier):

What it does: An AI code completion tool that supports a multitude of languages and IDEs, with a strong focus on privacy.

Free Perks: Basic AI code completions and suggestions for individual developers.

Why it's great in 2025: Offers context-aware suggestions and can learn from your team's codebase (in paid versions), enhancing coding speed and quality.

Replit (Free Tier with AI features):

What it does: An online IDE with collaborative features that has been integrating AI for code generation, explanation, and debugging.

Free Perks: Access to a collaborative coding environment with some AI assistance for common coding tasks.

Why it's great in 2025: Lowers the barrier to entry for coding and experimentation with AI-assisted development features in a browser-based environment.

For Research & Learning

Simplify complex topics and accelerate your learning journey.

Perplexity AI (Free Version):

What it does: An AI-powered search engine that provides direct answers to questions with cited sources from the internet.

Free Perks: Real-time web searching, conversational follow-up questions, and transparent sourcing of information.

Why it's great in 2025: Excellent for getting quick, summarized answers with verifiable sources, making it a powerful research tool.

ChatPDF / PDF AI (Free Tiers):

What it does: Allows you to upload PDF documents and "chat" with them – ask questions, get summaries, and find information quickly within the document.

Free Perks: Typically allow a certain number of PDF uploads and questions per day/month.

Why it's great in 2025: Invaluable for students, researchers, and professionals who need to quickly understand or extract information from dense PDF files.

QuillBot (Free Tier):

What it does: An AI paraphrasing tool, summarizer, grammar checker, and citation generator.

Free Perks: Limited use of paraphrasing modes, summarization, and grammar checking.

Why it's great in 2025: Helps students and writers rephrase content, improve clarity, generate summaries, and check for writing errors.

Choosing the Right Tool for You

With so many options, consider:

Your Needs: What specific task do you want AI to help with?

Free Tier Limitations: Understand usage caps, feature restrictions, and if watermarks apply (for image tools).

Ease of Use: Is the interface intuitive for you?

Privacy & Data Security: Be mindful of what data you're sharing, especially with newer or less established tools.

The Future is Free

The AI landscape is incredibly dynamic, with new tools and updates appearing constantly. The trend towards democratizing AI means more powerful capabilities will continue to become available for free or at low cost. So, dive in, experiment, and discover how these AI tools can enhance your productivity, creativity, and learning in 2025 and beyond. Leveraging these global tools can unlock immense potential in your studies, careers, and entrepreneurial ventures!

[almostcrispycomputer]

```{r, eval=FALSE}

This is an R Markdown document. Markdown is a simple formatting syntax for authoring HTML, PDF, and MS Word documents.

For more details on using R Markdown see <http://rmarkdown.rstudio.com>.

title: '引流软件集成\nTG@yuantou2048'

output: html_document

引流软件集成\nTG@yuantou2048

Introduction

In the digital age, attracting traffic to websites or applications has become increasingly important for businesses and individuals alike. The integration of引流software can significantly enhance this process by automating and optimizing various aspects of online marketing and user engagement. This article aims to provide an overview of引流software and its benefits, as well as how it can be effectively integrated into your existing systems.

What is引流Software?

引流software refers to tools and platforms designed to drive traffic to specific websites or applications. These tools are essential for marketers and developers who want to increase their online visibility and reach a broader audience. By integrating引流software into your strategy, you can streamline your efforts and achieve better results with less manual effort.

Benefits of引流Software Integration

1. Automation:引流software automates many tasks that would otherwise require significant manual effort. This includes activities such as social media management, email campaigns, and content distribution.

2. Efficiency: By automating these processes, you can focus on other critical aspects of your business while ensuring that your online presence remains active and engaging.

3. Scalability: With引流software, you can scale your outreach efforts without needing to hire additional staff or spend excessive time on repetitive tasks.

4. Customization: Many引流software solutions offer customizable features that allow you to tailor your outreach strategies to meet the unique needs of your target audience.

5. Analytics: Most引流software comes with built-in analytics tools that help you track performance metrics and make data-driven decisions based on real-time insights.

6. Targeted Marketing:引流software enables targeted marketing campaigns that are tailored to the interests and behaviors of your audience, leading to higher conversion rates and improved ROI.

7. Multi-Channel Engagement: Modern引流software supports multi-channel engagement, allowing you to reach potential customers across multiple platforms seamlessly.

8. Personalization: Personalized messages and offers can be sent out automatically, improving user engagement and customer satisfaction.

9. Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to traditional methods,引流software often provides a higher return on investment (ROI) due to its ability to analyze user behavior and adjust strategies accordingly.

10. User Experience: By providing personalized experiences, you can improve user retention and loyalty.

11. Time-Saving: Automating these processes saves time and resources, enabling you to allocate more time to strategic planning and analysis.

12. Conclusion

By integrating引流software into your digital strategy, you can achieve greater efficiency, scalability, and personalization in your outreach efforts. This not only improves your ROI but also enhances the overall user experience, making it a worthwhile investment for any business looking to boost its online presence.

加飞机@yuantou2048

负面删除

币圈推广

[jatanshahskill]

Skill Nation Reviews | Why AI-Powered MS Office Training is Essential for Career Growth

In today’s fast-paced professional world, technological proficiency is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Among the essential tools for any career, Microsoft Office (MS Office) remains a cornerstone for productivity and communication. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), MS Office has transformed from a basic suite of tools into an intelligent powerhouse capable of enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and creativity. Companies like Jatan Shah’s AI-powered MS Office training programs are at the forefront of this transformation, equipping professionals with increasingly indispensable skills.

The Evolution of MS Office with AI

Microsoft Office no longer entails creating Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and worksheets only. All this has now become possible due to the integration of AI in which Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook all combine smart features to ease the complexity of the work, increase efficiency, and offer high levels of accuracy. AI continues to enhance the functionality of MS Office by providing accurate data insights, automatically formatting documents, and correcting grammar as well.

For example:

Microsoft Word makes use of AI to correct the text, give an improved writing style, and even predict the text.

Microsoft Excel utilizes artificial intelligence to report patterns, make predictions, and even input data.

Looking at options, PowerPoint is also blessed with integrated suggestions for design support rather easily AI-based.

Outlook itself can help in arranging emails with formats like smart inbox sorting and appropriate reminders for the calendar.

Why AI-Powered MS Office Training Matters

Stay Ahead in the Job Market

In the current employment world, such basic skills in MS Office and other AI tools will give candidates the edge. Workers and employers look for applicants who can solve issues related to sophisticated technology to a certain extent. To gain such an edge a person can attend training from experts such as Jatan Shah and remain current with the latest features and uses.

Boost Productivity and Efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning by tools like MS Office can uncomplicate your repeatedly occurring tasks and ditch all common errors that usually occur with manual human work. Training helps you to envisage the most out of these things and helps you to save so much time, plus it does wonders for overall productivity.

Enhance Analytical Skills

This change has made significant impacts on the formulation of marketing communication programs as AI technology is blending with indispensable tools that data analysts and the like use to observe and absorb data in an integrated manner, also in quite an orderly way. The structured use of such tools administered in unique training programs allows the user to convert raw data into perceptions that are not only actionable but also among the most useful skills prized in any industry.

Adaptability in a Technology-Driven Workplace

One of the things that become very important in proper professional growth as workplaces continue to evolve by way of changing technology is how adaptable a person is. Hence, equipped with AI technology, the world of Microsoft Office education was created: here a person is trained with the most up-to-date high-tech gadgets so as to serve them routinely in a bid to remain essential in a fast-changing professional world.

Personalized Learning Experience

Programs like those offered by Jatan Shah provide a tailored approach, catering to professionals of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, personalized training ensures you grasp AI features that align with your specific career goals.

Why Choose Jatan Shah’s AI-Powered MS Office Training?

Jatan Shah is a brand you can rely on for creative training solutions. Their MS Office courses facilitated by artificial intelligence are intended to provide skills to learners with real experience and skills. These programs are very practical and in addition to training you on how to use the tools the trainer shows you how to use them in your workplace.

Conclusion

AI-powered MS Office training is no longer a luxury but a necessity if one wants to improve his/her career. Not only do these advanced tools improve the efficiency of your work but also prove your readiness for performance in a high-tech environment.

With Jatan Shah’s expert guidance, you can unlock the full potential of AI-enhanced MS Office tools and take a significant step toward achieving your career aspirations. Don’t just keep up with the future—lead it.

[uniathena7]

Top 25 Excel Shortcuts to Boost Productivity in 2025

Master Excel in Minutes: Top 25 Shortcut Keys to Supercharge Your Productivity

Are you drowning in data? Do you find yourself spending hours navigating through endless menus in Excel? It doesn’t have to be that way. Learning a few essential shortcut keys can save you valuable time and energy if you work with Microsoft Excel daily. These shortcuts can transform hours of tedious work into a matter of seconds. Let’s explore the most useful Excel shortcut keys you need to know in 2025.

Why Learn Excel Shortcut Keys?

Excel is the go-to tool for data analysis, reporting, and much more. Yet, many users overlook the power of shortcut keys, which can dramatically streamline your workflow. Knowing these shortcuts not only enhances your efficiency but also reduces the physical strain of repetitive tasks. Ready to work smarter, not harder? Let’s dive in.

Excel Workbook Shortcuts

Before tackling advanced features, mastering basic workbook navigation shortcuts is essential. Here are some top shortcuts:

Ctrl+N: Create a new workbook.

Ctrl+O: Open an existing workbook.

Ctrl+S: Save the current workbook.

F12: Open the “Save As” dialog box.

Ctrl+P: Print the workbook.

Alt+F4: Close the current workbook or exit Excel.

By integrating these shortcuts into your routine, you can handle workbooks more efficiently. For a more comprehensive guide, explore the free course on Mastering Excel Spreadsheet & Workbook — Formulas and Functions on UniAthena.

Formatting Data in��Cells

Formatting is crucial for clear and professional data presentation. These shortcuts will make your formatting tasks effortless:

Ctrl+1: Open the Format Cells dialog box.

Ctrl+B: Bold the selected text.

Ctrl+I: Italicize the selected text.

Ctrl+U: Underline the selected text.

Ctrl+Shift+&: Apply borders to selected cells.

Ctrl+Shift+~: Apply the general number format.

Whether you need to adjust fonts or fix formatting errors, these commands are your go-to tools. Want more tips? Check out UniAthena’s free courses for in-depth Excel training.

Advanced MS Excel Shortcuts

For those ready to take their skills to the next level, here are some advanced shortcuts that will significantly boost your productivity:

Alt+=: Automatically insert the SUM formula.

Ctrl+;: Insert the current date.

Ctrl+Shift+:: Insert the current time.

Ctrl+Shift+L: Apply or remove filters.

F2: Edit the active cell.

These shortcuts are perfect for data analysts and professionals who frequently work with large datasets. To dive deeper, consider enrolling in the Essentials of MS Excel — Formulas and Functions free course on UniAthena.

Excel Shortcuts for Pivot Tables

Pivot tables are a powerful feature for summarizing data, and these shortcuts make working with them a breeze:

Alt+D+P: Open the PivotTable and PivotChart Wizard.

Alt+J+T: Navigate to the PivotTable Analyze ribbon.

Ctrl+-: Remove a PivotTable field.

Alt+Shift+Arrow Keys: Expand or collapse PivotTable fields.

Mastering these commands will help you analyze data faster and more effectively.

Bonus Points: Universal Shortcuts

Some shortcuts are universal across Microsoft applications, making them incredibly versatile. For example:

Ctrl+C: Copy.

Ctrl+V: Paste.

Ctrl+Z: Undo.

Ctrl+A: Select all.

Ctrl+X: Cut.

These shortcuts are foundational and will come in handy across Excel, Word, and other Microsoft tools.

Conclusion: Excel Skills for Success in Nigeria

Learning Excel shortcuts isn’t just about saving time — it’s about empowering yourself with skills that make a difference. In Nigeria, where efficiency and productivity are critical to success, mastering Excel can set you apart in the competitive job market. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or professional, these skills are invaluable.

Ready to take the next step? UniAthena offers a free Diploma in Microsoft Excel to help you upskill quickly and earn certification. With this diploma, you’ll gain a competitive edge in the workforce.

Don’t wait to enhance your productivity. Explore the free courses mentioned here and unlock the full potential of Microsoft Excel. From foundational shortcuts to advanced commands, these skills are your gateway to a brighter, more efficient future.

[mohitchauhan024]

Get MS Office 2024 Home and Business on  Tech Licence.

We're thrilled to be able to make Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business available for use here at Tech Licence. The new version has been released to provide features to all of you, the users who have depended on trusted software in order to be productive. It might be a small business owner, a student, or even simply keeping yourself organized at home; Office 2024 has everything you need-and we are happy to provide this to you.

New Features in MS Office 2024 Home and Business

For a long time, trusted tools meant that Microsoft Office had to be the first thought of anyone who needed to write, calculate, present, or manage e-mails. In this new 2024 version, it amplifies such strengths through infusing the features that facilitate collaboration, streamlining tasks, and the ability to connect across all devices.

Here is a quick look at what MS Office 2024 Home and Business contains:

Word: Enhanced Editing, Writing, and Design of the Document

Excel: Analytics feature of your data get enhanced with the introduction of new templates that manage all your numbers

Power Point: New designs and Animations to help you achieve great presentational work.

Outlook: E-mails management made easy by reducing the time to synchronize further improving the order.

OneNote: Note-taking applications which are very powerful now can be taken on virtually any device.

Apart from all these core applications, MS Office 2024 has made it easier to work together. The way Microsoft has honed the features of real-time editing and commenting is such that many people can work on one document at the same time; it is perfect for teams or even study groups.

Why Upgrade to MS Office 2024?

Some of the significant factors you need to think of MS Office 2024 are integration in cloud form. It would allow considerable space in work and higher support in terms of saving in OneDrive with saving automatically without breaking in the writing pattern. Starting writing from desktop, proceeding towards the laptop and concluding in a tablet or vice versa can take place by not causing a break.

Most importantly, AI-based products have been included in the suite. This simplifies working with data in Excel and word processing in Word. With AI support, the habits you create will be tracked and assist you in completing the tasks in less time and more correctly.

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Find the Tech Licence website for MS Office 2024 Home and Business 

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New Chapter in Productivity with MS Office 2024

Time has come to find out what MS Office 2024 has in store for you. New features will definitely energize your pace of life productivity and collaboration with MS Office 2024 Home and Business. Step on the first step toward success with Tech Licence.

[harshitthecreator]

MS Word

Microsoft Word: Overview, Features, and Uses

Microsoft Word (MS Word) is a word processing software developed by Microsoft, designed to help users create, edit, and format text documents with ease. It is part of the Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 suites and has become the standard for writing tools worldwide. Word offers a wide range of functions that make it useful for personal, academic, and professional work, including reports, letters, books, and more.

1. Introduction and History

Microsoft Word was first released in 1983 as “Multi-Tool Word” for Xenix systems, later ported to MS-DOS and other operating systems. It was one of the earliest applications to feature a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface, showing users exactly how the printed document would look. Since its inception, Word has undergone continuous improvements, gaining advanced features and better compatibility with other programs.

Key milestones in Word’s history include:

1989: Word for Windows introduced a graphical interface.

2007: The Ribbon interface replaced the traditional menu bar.

2013: Cloud integration with OneDrive for easy access and collaboration.

2020: Microsoft rebranded Office 365 as Microsoft 365, enhancing real-time collaboration and AI-powered tools.

2. Features of Microsoft Word

a) Document Creation and Formatting

Word allows users to design professional and polished documents with flexible formatting tools.

Templates: Ready-made templates for reports, letters, resumes, flyers, and more.

Styles: Predefined formatting options for headings, paragraphs, and titles for consistency.

Text Formatting: Control over fonts, sizes, colors, alignment, and spacing.

Page Layout: Customizable margins, page orientation (portrait/landscape), columns, and section breaks.

Headers and Footers: Add page numbers, dates, and custom headers/footers across pages.

b) Editing and Reviewing Tools

Word offers several features to ensure error-free writing and promote collaborative editing.

Spell Check and Grammar Check: Automatic detection of spelling and grammatical errors.

Track Changes: Keep a record of all edits, allowing multiple users to make and review changes.

Comments: Add feedback or suggestions without altering the original text.

Find and Replace: Search for specific words or phrases and replace them quickly across the document.

c) Tables, Graphics, and Multimedia

Users can enhance their documents by incorporating structured data and visual elements.

Tables: Create and format tables to organize information efficiently.

SmartArt: Use diagrams to illustrate processes, relationships, and hierarchies.

Images and Icons: Insert pictures, shapes, and online icons to improve aesthetics.

Charts: Integrate charts from Microsoft Excel for data visualization.

d) Collaboration and Cloud Integration

Microsoft Word’s collaboration features are enhanced through Microsoft 365, making teamwork easier.

Real-Time Co-Authoring: Multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously.

Comments and Feedback: Collaborators can leave comments and tag other users.

Version History: View and restore earlier versions of a document.

OneDrive Integration: Save documents to the cloud for easy access from any device.

Teams Integration: Share Word documents and collaborate through Microsoft Teams.

e) Automation with Macros and Quick Parts

Word provides tools to automate repetitive tasks and save time.

Macros: Record a sequence of actions to automate complex or repetitive tasks.

Quick Parts: Save frequently used text, tables, or graphics and insert them quickly.

Table of Contents and Indexing: Automatically generate tables of contents, indexes, and bibliographies.

f) Language and Accessibility Tools

Microsoft Word promotes inclusivity and supports users with different needs.

Read Aloud: A text-to-speech feature for proofreading or accessibility purposes.

Language Support: Word supports multiple languages and includes built-in translation tools.

Accessibility Checker: Identifies potential accessibility issues and suggests improvements.

3. Applications of Microsoft Word

a) Education

Microsoft Word is essential for students, teachers, and researchers for tasks such as:

Writing assignments, essays, and research papers.

Creating lesson plans, handouts, and study guides.

Generating references, footnotes, and bibliographies.

b) Business

Organizations use Word for a variety of professional needs, including:

Drafting contracts, agreements, and legal documents.

Writing reports, business proposals, and meeting minutes.

Creating letterheads, invoices, and internal communications.

Automating personalized letters through Mail Merge.

c) Creative Writing and Publishing

Writers use Word to draft and edit books, articles, and blog posts. Features like Outline View and Track Changes help plan and edit long documents efficiently. Word also offers page layout controls that assist with publishing-ready formatting.

4. Integration with Other Microsoft Apps

Word seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft applications, enhancing productivity:

Excel: Insert tables and charts from Excel to present data.

PowerPoint: Export Word content to create presentations.

Outlook: Use Word’s formatting tools to compose emails.

OneNote: Save Word documents as notes for future reference.

Teams: Collaborate on documents within meetings or chat conversations.

5. Security and Privacy

Microsoft Word offers several features to protect sensitive information.

Password Protection: Encrypt documents to restrict access.

Document Inspection: Remove hidden data and personal information before sharing.

Restricted Editing: Lock certain parts of a document to prevent unauthorized changes.

Digital Signatures: Add electronic signatures to authenticate documents.

6. Advantages of Microsoft Word

User-Friendly Interface: The Ribbon interface simplifies navigation.

Versatility: Suitable for a variety of tasks, from personal journals to business proposals.

Collaboration: Real-time co-authoring promotes teamwork.

Customizability: Templates, macros, and styles allow users to create personalized documents.

Cloud Access: OneDrive integration ensures files are accessible from anywhere.

7. Limitations of Microsoft Word

Cost: Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription or a one-time purchase, which can be expensive.

Learning Curve: Some advanced features, such as macros, may require training.

Compatibility Issues: Formatting may be altered when opening Word documents in other software.

8. Alternatives to Microsoft Word

While Word is the most popular word processor, other options include:

Google Docs: A free, cloud-based word processor with real-time collaboration.

Apple Pages: A word processing tool for macOS and iOS users.

LibreOffice Writer: An open-source alternative with similar features.

WPS Office: Offers compatibility with Microsoft Word at a lower cost.

[kreaitoai]

Write Blogs 100x Faster Using Artificial Intelligence : AI Blog Writer

Blogging lies at the intersection of the digital revolution and the power of artificial intelligence (AI). With the help of AI Blog Writers and AI Writers, bloggers can achieve both quantity and quality in their writing. These tools can handle almost every aspect of content creation, from generating ideas to publishing. They offer insights, optimize for keywords, and can even write entire articles from scratch.

Key Benefits

Time Efficiency: Automate the editing and research process for better structure and faster completion.

Content Quality: Improve readability and popularity with AI-driven editing and SEO optimization.

SEO Optimization: Enhance website visibility and achieve higher search engine rankings.

A recent study indicates that AI can reduce blogging time by 70%, making the process accessible and efficient.

Understanding AI Writer Tools for Blogging

AI tools provide a new perspective on blogging by automating repetitive tasks, improving content quality, and boosting productivity.

Key Features of AI Blogging Tools:

Automated Creation: AI Blog Writers can write entire articles based on minimal input.

Grammar and Style Enhancement: Fix grammatical errors and improve writing style with AI Writers.

SEO Optimization: AI can help find and use better keywords, optimize meta-descriptions, and choose the right tags for better search engine rankings.

Content Analytics: Analyze reader feedback and automatically incorporate suggestions for improvement.

AI Idea Generation: Discover trending topics and generate new blog ideas using AI.

Publishing Schedule: Maintain a consistent publishing schedule with AI assistance.

These features help bloggers produce high-quality content efficiently, ensuring they stay competitive and relevant.

Setting Up Your AI Writing Environment

Choose the Right AI Tool:

Evaluate AI-based writing tools like AI Blog Writers and AI Writers for availability, cost, and functionality.

Create Accounts:

Sign up for AI-based writing services and understand usage fees.

Integrate with Writing Software:

Connect the AI tool to platforms like Google Docs, MS Word, or Notion using browser extensions or APIs.

Set Up Templates:

Customize template formats for blog posts, including entry descriptions, headings, and conclusions.

Adjust Settings for Style:

Configure settings for tone, formality, and keyword preference to match your writing style.

Integrating AI with Your Blogging Process

AI Blog Writers and AI Writers can streamline the writing process and improve content quality through enhanced idea generation and topic brainstorming.

Key Steps:

Idea Generation: Use AI tools to suggest keywords and generate new article ideas.

Research Assistance: Quickly access relevant information and data sources with AI-based research tools.

Structuring: Map out the structure of blog posts for coherent progression of ideas.

Draft Writing: Use AI-enabled writing assistants to quickly generate preliminary text.

Editing and Proofreading: AI tools can identify grammar errors and enhance readability.

SEO Optimization: Get immediate SEO recommendations and keyword insertion help.

Generating Blog Ideas Using AI

AI-powered tools can significantly enhance the brainstorming process by providing the latest and most popular topics.

Steps to Consider:

Key Phrase Analysis: Use AI to find high-ranking keywords in your field.

Trend Identification: Discover trending topics through social media and news sources.

Topic Suggestions: Get AI recommendations for topics based on popular search strings.

Audience Insights: Use AI to understand reader interests and preferences.

Competitor Analysis: Analyze competitors’ content for insights and inspiration.

Incorporating Human Touch in AI Content

Combining AI with a human touch ensures natural and engaging blog posts.

Review AI Output: Ensure the content aligns with your brand and message.

Edit for Tone: Adjust the emotional tenor to suit the writing style — formal, informal, or casual.

Incorporate Feedback: Engage with readers’ feedback to personalize and improve content.

Include Insights: Add unique insights and opinions that AI cannot provide.

While AI provides the foundation, the human touch strengthens the connection with readers.

Conclusion

Integrating AI Blog Writers and AI Writers into your blogging process can revolutionize content creation. AI tools enhance performance, quality, and creativity, allowing you to produce outstanding blogs in record time. From idea generation and research to writing and editing, AI saves time and improves content quality. Embrace AI in your blogging to make the process faster, smarter, and more efficient.

[cityonlinementor]

Mentor Message 2.16.24

Sometimes I feel like a sloth...

🐱‍💻Campus Updates/Reminders

2 Reminders for Syllabi Policies:

A.  AI: Include a policy on AI/academic integrity in syllabi. Departments may want to determine recommended policies for their disciplines See Syllabus Samples

B. Logging in is not “Attending”: See DE Handbook p. 6 for recommendations. This is per Federal financial aid regulations (see p. 5-65

2. Enrollment Concerns:  Due to increasing cases of large-number false enrollments, it is important for online faculty to reach out & drop all no-shows/no contact students the first day & to contact & enroll waitlisted students. Pre-start enrollment numbers might be vastly "off."

3. DE Toolbox Resource Site: SDCCD Online Pathways has been updating the SDCCD DE Toolkit. This helps fill the gap now that the sdccdolvid site where Dave Giberson & Katie Palacios kept a library of tutorials is no longer supported. The site still works, but no updated content after Dave retired last year.

4. Student Email: Faculty can reach out to students using the non-sdccd email (especially important for pre-semester, drop/add, waitlists). Many thanks to Dean DeVore, Margarita Murray & their team for creating this. Tutorial: See 1.28.24 Mentor Message or Tumblr Blog for archived messages.

5. Office 365 Issue: PT faculty don’t have access to the Word/PPT/Excel software off-line. To create or open those types of files, PT faculty must be logged into their Outlook Account/Myapps  If PT faculty need access offline, fill out a request.*Request Form for Downloadable 365 (not a guarantee it will be granted – requires Dean sign-off).

*365 LTI in Canvas not recommended: You still have to open the Word/PPT/Excel application in your MyApps or your desktop applications (if you have it downloaded).

6. Upgraded Wi-Fi at City is complete. Please submit a Help ticket if you have difficulties accessing the Guest-Connect or the SDCCD Campus Connect (faculty/students/staff only). Info & tutorials: See LRC Info or the District Wi-Fi site. You may need to “forget network” or work with the Helpdesk for your particular phone, tablet, laptop, etc.Many thanks to Charlie Mills on getting this gargantuan task completed!

7. New Paper Cut Pay-to-Print in LRC: See Student Accounting for transferring funds from the old system. The high-speed KIC scanner is available for free, fast scanning Info on printing and scanning in the LRC.

🧊🛠Cool Tools

MS 365 Add-ins for Word: No need to navigate away from your document to add accent marks, find images, symbols, etc. HUGE time saver for accent marks in Romance languages or math/chem symbols! Video Tutorial (3:44) Most are free; some have limitations.

Humanize Your Zoom Waiting Room: You can personalize the message people see in the Zoom Waiting Room before you start a meeting. This is global, so you may want something that would work for all your classes/meetings. Tutorial (2:42)

Multimedia/captioning Option for Discussion Boards: How to use Canvas Studio in DB

Can All Your Students View Your Beautiful Content? Use Pope Tech or the Canvas Accessibility Tool to check accessibility. This helps everyone, including those with slower Internet/cell speeds. Checkers are at the bottom of every box where you can type/edit in Canvas.

✨🆕Zoom Update: Polls & Quizzes are now housed with “Surveys”

Zoom polls work like “clickers” if you want anonymous responses in real time. You can share the percentages for each of the answer choices. Easy peasy – free for you & students to use; they can use any device with an updated Zoom client.

Faster workload: Copy/paste all questions/answers from Zoom polls/quizzes/surveys into MS Word! Click on “Preview” to copy/paste the text.

Quick anonymous surveys for Online Live classes. Your survey will automatically open after your Zoom class ends. I did a “Muddiest Point” one last week.

How To: Surveys>Create Survey>Type or paste in your questions>Save

Video tutorial (4:15)  Note: “single choice” means picking only 1 answer; “multiple choice” means being able to select more than 1 answer in Zoom. Review the responses by clicking on the number in your survey.

🧠AI: Resources & Food for Thought

MS 365 Co-Pilot: Want to use an AI tool that keeps your content in SDCCD? You and your students have free Co-Pilot access with SDCCD Outlook email login/password.

Equity/Privacy Issues with AI Checkers: Why Vanderbilt turned off their Turnitin AI checker

Food for thought on creating prompts/assignments to outwit AI: Yejin Choi, The Not So Intelligent Side of AI

How AI Can Perpetuate Bias & Discrimination: Interview with Safiya Noble, UCLA

[aadiyogi123]

Buy MS Office 365 - 6 Device 1 Year Subscription

Microsoft Office 365 has revolutionized the way individuals and businesses approach productivity, collaboration, and communication. This cloud-based suite of applications offers a wide range of tools that go beyond the traditional boundaries of the desktop, providing users with flexibility and accessibility like never before. In this article, we will delve into the key features and benefits of Microsoft Office 365, exploring how it can enhance efficiency and streamline operations for both personal and professional users.

1. Anywhere, Anytime Access:

One of the most significant advantages of Office 365 is its cloud-based nature, allowing users to access their documents, emails, and applications from any device with an internet connection. Whether you're in the office, at home, or on the go, Office 365 ensures that you can stay productive whenever and wherever you need to.

2. Collaboration Made Effortless:

Office 365 facilitates seamless collaboration among team members through real-time co-authoring in applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. With features like shared calendars, document sharing, and online meetings, teams can collaborate efficiently, breaking down geographical barriers and enhancing productivity.

3. Email and Communication:

Microsoft Exchange Online, a component of MS Office 365, offers a robust email solution with advanced security features. Users can benefit from a professional email platform with a personalized domain, spam protection, and the ability to access emails from various devices. Integrated communication tools like Microsoft Teams further enhance collaboration through instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing.

4. Productivity Tools:

Office 365 includes the familiar suite of productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These applications receive regular updates and improvements, ensuring users always have access to the latest features and security enhancements. With the added ability to work offline and automatically sync changes when online, users can maintain productivity even in the absence of an internet connection.

5. Security and Compliance:

Security is a top priority for Office 365, with features like data loss prevention, threat intelligence, and advanced threat protection. Organizations can have peace of mind knowing that their data is secure, and compliance requirements are met. Additionally, Office 365 adheres to industry standards and regulations, making it a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes.

6. Scalability and Flexibility:

Office 365 caters to the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises. With various subscription plans available, organizations can scale their usage based on the number of users and specific requirements. This flexibility ensures that businesses can adapt MS Office 365 to their unique needs without unnecessary costs or limitations.

7. Automated Updates and Maintenance:

Office 365 eliminates the hassle of manual updates and maintenance tasks. Microsoft takes care of software updates, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches without any disruptions. This automated approach allows organizations to focus on their core activities rather than managing software updates.

Microsoft Office 365 stands as a powerful and versatile solution for individuals and businesses looking to enhance their productivity, collaboration, and communication. With its cloud-based infrastructure, comprehensive suite of applications, and robust security features, Office 365 continues to be a leading choice in the digital workplace. As technology evolves, Office 365 evolves with it, ensuring that users always have access to cutting-edge tools and capabilities. Embrace the future of productivity with Microsoft Office 365 and unlock a world of possibilities for your personal and professional endeavors.

[enigmaticexplorer]

I Yearn, and so I Fear - Chapter III

Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

General Summary. Nearly a year since the Galactic Empire’s rise to power, Kazi Ennari is trying to survive. But her routine is interrupted—and life upended—when she’s forced to cohabitate with former Imperial soldiers. Clone soldiers. 

Pairing. Commander Wolffe x female!OC

General Warnings. Canon-typical violence and assault, familial struggles, terminal disease, bigotry, explicit sexual content, death. This story deals with heavy content. If you’re easily triggered, please do not read. For a more comprehensive list of tags, click here.

Fic Rating. E (explicit)/18+/Minors DNI.

Chapter Word Count. 5.7K

A Like without a Reblog will result in an automatic block.

23 Nelona

One-hundred kilometers from Hollow’s Town, the Security Institute of Eluca was located in the heart of the capital. Kazi landed the job through Fehr’s connections. She was more than qualified for the job; however, a government application required listed experience. Experience she couldn’t admit to. 

Having attended the University of Cybersecurity and Analytics on Ceaia, Kazi graduated in the top three percent of her class. Professor recommendations and near-perfect test scores earned her a position at Ceaia’s top-clearance security bureau. There, she worked as a military analyst: data collection, research, analysis, dissemination. She worked with some of the Outer Rim’s best analysts and agents. 

Four years at the Bureau prepared her for the most classified military projects. 

Until the Purge.

Revealing any connection to Ceaia’s government—admitting to her work experience—was a direct path to an ISB interrogation. And subsequent imprisonment. Possibly execution.

So Kazi relied on Fehr’s connections. She completed ten interviews, passed the analysis and mental tests, headed a small project, and soon found herself working for the Security Institute as a data analyst for Imperial exports. Specifically, she was tasked with tracking exports within Veridian Sector’s military bases to ascertain stolen goods. 

It wasn’t until two weeks before the clones’ arrival that Kazi learned why Fehr had paid special attention to her. 

The rebel network wanted people inside as many Outer Rim governments as possible. Kazi was Fehr’s—and by extension, the network’s—best chance at an Elucan spy with access to Veridian Sector confidential data. 

Fehr convinced her the job was fairly safe. Expectations were simple: report any suspicious government activities, important security decisions, persons of interest, and, when able, retrieve necessary intel and/or scrub incriminating data. 

The latter part of the job was the most difficult. The first time Kazi scrubbed intel she spent ten minutes retching in the ‘fresher. Endangering herself meant endangering Daria and Neyti. 

Now, she regretted it. Regretted the decision to seek aid from the network in order to evade Imperial capture, and regretted the decision to scrub data from Imperial records.

Shifting in an uncomfortable wooden chair, Kazi assessed the bare office. Plain white walls. Windows to her left overlooking Canopis. Dark gray buildings built from stone. Kilometers of jungle expanding to the horizon.  

The lack of intrigue inside the superior’s office shifted her attention back to her worries. She replayed the three instances in the past month she had scrubbed or stolen intel. 

Bypassed security clearances, offline cams, reconfigured data to appear untampered. She was careful, methodical, in her approach. 

Someone must have discovered her, though. It was the only explanation for this surprise meeting.

The door behind her swished open and Kazi stiffened. Rising to her feet, she mustered an easy smile and then froze. A human man—someone who was not her superior—strode inside. 

“Ms. Kazi Lucien?” the man asked. 

Over the months, she had grown accustomed to the fake last name—the name she gave the network to protect her identity. She extended a hand. “Yes, sir.”

The man smiled—a disarming smile bracketed by bright white teeth that belied the deadness in his eyes—as he accepted her hand. “Magistrate Aro.”

Dumbstruck, Kazi could only shake his hand. His palm and fingers were cold, his skin dry and smooth. Symbolic of a life behind a desk rather than the typical farm or mining work expected of most Elucans. Then again, this was Magistrate Aro, a native to Eluca Moon One.

The magistrate settled himself behind the polished wooden desk, waving for Kazi to sit. Adorned in a purple robe with black-and-white hair mussed stylishly, the magistrate was charismatic and good-looking. And yet he was commonly disliked by Eluca’s locals. 

Three years ago, Eluca fell victim to a global plague. More than half of the small population died, leaving the planet vulnerable and weak. Eluca Moon One took advantage of the planet’s momentary weakness to initiate one of their own as interim magistrate. Due to government subsidies and a general inability to resist, the remaining Elucans begrudgingly accepted the term. 

They hadn’t known “interim” would lead to permanency. 

Skin gold and eyes pale gray, Magistrate Aro carried himself with a confident aura that bordered self-absorbed. Like a macaw—chest puffed in a show of domination and pride. 

Kazi gleaned from the locals in Hollow’s Town that the magistrate’s greatest fault was his immigration status. He lacked Elucan culture and tradition. He lacked their devout loyalty. He was too brash in his political endeavors, and too impulsive in his decision-making. His refusal to sanction local holidays as paid time off convinced most of their dislike. 

With a probing look, Magistrate Aro gestured to the bar behind his desk. “Would you care for a drink?”

Kazi fixed a polite smile on her face. “I’m fine, thank you.”

The magistrate poured himself a glass—recently imported wine from Alderaan, if the tag were to be believed—and then sat back in the ornate seat, crossing an ankle over his knee. He swirled his wine while regarding her. 

Did the magistrate suspect her of stealing intel? If he did, why would he meet her without security? 

“I reviewed your file,” the magistrate said. He arched a brow in friendly curiosity, and yet Kazi noted the subtle shrewdness in his gaze. The slight tilt of his head as he assessed her. It set her on edge. “You immigrated here back in Kelona?”

Political coyness was not her forte, but years training to be a socialite had taught her the art of masking. So Kazi forced herself to relax in her chair. “I did. Eluca is a lovely planet. I’m glad to be here.”

The magistrate nodded, taking a sip from his wine. “And how would you describe your time here? Has it met your expectations?”

It was obvious the magistrate wanted her to elaborate on the locals and her interactions with them, perhaps as a result of his paranoia. Her mind betrayed her focus, though. Her thoughts shifted to the past month and her cohabitation with the clone commanders.

Kazi thought that first day would be the last time Commander Wolffe interrupted her morning routine. She was wrong. 

Sometime after her morning swim, when she was showering, Commander Wolffe appeared in the kitchen. He sat in the same stool in nearly the same outfit—white work shirt exchanged for gray or black—and was always drinking a cup of caf. A dark roast. 

They never exchanged a greeting. Kazi pretended he didn’t exist while she prepared breakfast for herself and Neyti, and Commander Wolffe ignored her, opting to read his datapad as he sipped his caf. And while he was distracted, she quickly yet politely ate her porridge.

However, as she washed dishes or prepared Neyti’s lunch beside the sink, curiosity encouraged her to peek at the commander’s datapad. Each morning contained something new. Files on military strategy and battle tactics. News updates across the galaxy. Manuals on ship parts. Schematics detailing a prison. They were files she expected a soldier to read. 

One morning, about four weeks ago, she snuck a glance at his ‘pad and did a double take. He was reading an article on adolescent mental development. The subject was so surprising she didn’t look away in time. Commander Wolffe lifted his face, found her blatantly staring at his ‘pad, and scowled. 

That morning, he finished his caf at the wooden table in the backyard.   

True to her routine, Kazi relied on the HoloNet news reports to fill the silence between her and Commander Wolffe. More often, pieces of news caught her or the commander’s attention. Whenever he found her staring intently at the flatscreen, he commented on the subject. His comments weren’t something she could ignore: blunt, cynical. He seemed to comment simply to make her respond.

And she did. Because she had to explain why his opinions were objectively inaccurate. 

Their arguments vacillated between the niche and the extremes: 

Would a new emperor prove a more benevolent ruler? 

What qualifies as a just war?

Is the Empire’s current existence sustainable? 

Does military might guarantee ultimate success? 

How does morality play into lawmaking? 

They spent one morning debating the merits of Empire-controlled pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The commander argued it would prove ineffective, and increase dependency on the government. He further argued the government couldn’t be trusted to provide effective healthcare to every species. Ultimately, the Inner Rim would retain priority. 

It was one of the few times Kazi agreed. So she remained silent, her pride unbent. 

Another morning they argued the legality of tracking. Kazi argued it an invasion of privacy. Commander Wolffe argued the placement of tracking beacons in a public space negated the law of privacy, and he further argued security a more pressing concern than protection of privacy. 

Rolling her eyes, Kazi said it was an ethical dilemma, and to her surprise, the commander agreed. But it was a pointless argument. The Empire neither respected civilian privacy nor abided by ethical deliberation. 

From their debates, Kazi mentally constructed a character profile of Commander Wolffe. 

He…confused her.

The commander clearly didn’t like her and yet he joined her every morning. 

He didn’t trust the network and yet he ran operations out of her house. 

He thought rebellion was pointless and yet he rescued deserting clones from the Imperial military. 

He scorned absolute authority and yet he defended the Republic’s position on the Clone War.

She wasn’t the only one forming a profile. It was clear from pointed questions and probing comments that Commander Wolffe was studying her. Testing her. 

She only hoped she was as unsolvable as he was. 

The other clones were less enigma and more intrigue. 

Commanders Cody and Fox were civil whenever Kazi interacted with them. The former was the friendliest—in a subdued manner—and he didn’t shy from engaging Kazi or her sister in small conversation. 

The latter was reserved, though his quiet was more contemplative rather than mistrustful. Kazi came across him twice in the sunroom, whittling a piece of wood into an intricate carving. He merely nodded at her but she could tell her presence unsettled him. 

Most weeks the clones were gone for days at a time. They returned from their missions with only a handful of deserted soldiers. Those soldiers recuperated for a day or two and then left. 

Interactions were rare. When the commanders were recovering from their missions, they kept to themselves. Most nights they played card games and drank at the outside table. 

Kazi knew little of their daily habits considering her work schedule, but Daria had mentioned the clones spent little time at the house, returning from day-long hikes sweaty or from the Marketplace with groceries. 

Their daily activities were odd. Normal. She thought, since they were soldiers, they would spend their recovery hours doing soldiery things. 

Their habits bamboozled her, and a piece of her wondered if her perception of the clones was inaccurate. Possibly skewed. The thought troubled her, and so she paid more attention to the commanders. Analyzed them like she would her intel. 

Her assessment revealed one common denominator: the clones were weary. They hid it well. Reddened eyes, lined foreheads, burdened shoulders. Small ticks most people would overlook. 

But Kazi saw the strain—she recognized the hollow look in Commander Wolffe’s eyes each morning. She knew it well. It was the same look she saw every time she stood in front of a mirror. 

Cohabitation was easier for her sister. Ever the kind and gentle host, Daria developed an easy rapport with the new soldiers. Neyti, on the other hand, remained shy and suspicious. 

One morning, Commander Wolffe retrieved a cup from an upper cabinet, offering it to Neyti. She glared at him. And then, with a determined scowl, she climbed onto the counter and grabbed a new cup. A cup with a different color and pattern.

Child-like wariness aside, Neyti was curious. She might have glowered when the clones attempted to engage her, but she spent most interactions studying them. Gray eyes narrowed shrewdly. Nose scrunched in deep thought. Kazi wanted to pick her mind on her observations but Neyti’s refusal to speak made it impossible. 

“My time here has been easy,” Kazi answered the magistrate.

The magistrate took another sip from his wine. “When you think of Eluca’s future, what do you imagine?”

Kazi frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Come now, Kazi.” She didn’t like the sound of her name on his lips, and she didn’t like his knowing smile. “Humor me.”

“I imagine a future…of peace and justice, security for the people,” she said slowly. “A future based on advancement—”

Magistrate Aro snapped his fingers. “A future based on advancement. Spectacular.” His smile widened, like a cave grinning open, eager to swallow sailors astray. “We want the same thing, you and me. We want Eluca to rival the other planets in our galaxy—we want Eluca to stand above all else. We are the future of the galaxy’s success and prominence.”

Voice rising in feverous passion, Magistrate Aro leaned across the desk. “Can you see it? The future where Eluca is no longer considered a measly backwater planet? The future where Eluca is the most advanced and well-bred planet in the Outer Rim? The future where Moff Harpy and her sycophants bow their heads to me, in reverence and respect?”

Kazi bit the inside of her cheek to hide her shock. She had heard the rumors of the magistrate’s paranoia—heard the rumors of his delusions and greed—but she hadn’t realized the severity of it. His current political position proved his cunning nature, and with too much power, he could pose a threat to the rebel network, to Eluca, at large, and even to her and her family.

The magistrate paused his speech. “Well?”

Kazi blinked. “I’m not sure—”

“Can you see it?” The question was sharp, underscored by a hint of distrust bordering suspicion.

“Yes,” she answered. The lie was smooth, buttered with a cold smile. “I can picture it easily.”

The magistrate held her gaze, body tautened from leaning so far forward, and then he exhaled, settling back into his chair. Good-natured suave replaced fervent greed.

“The future we imagine is being threatened.” Magistrate Aro set aside his wine and steepled his fingers together. “Poor leadership, rebel scum, ineffective political backstabbing. I have a vision for Eluca but this vision can shatter too easily if it’s not properly protected.” 

Feigning sympathy, Kazi nodded in agreement.

Magistrate Aro eyed her. “The Elucans lack proprietary for their future. They are too localized and culturally aligned; their traditional sentiments prevent them from being assets to the Empire. Do you know what worries me?”

Before she could answer, the magistrate continued, “Local disgruntlement. Their grumblings foster rebellious behavior, and rebel existence on Eluca would hinder our desires for security and peace.”

Kazi internally scoffed. Rebel existence would ridicule the magistrate’s rule. Make him look incompetent and weak. His self-effacing behavior was a politician’s façade to disguise megalomania.

“I fear rebel sentiments have infiltrated our ranks.”

A spike of fear punctured her lungs and it took effort to remain still. To force her features into confusion and surprise. 

Did he suspect her? Was this the purpose of the meeting?

“Are you certain?” Kazi asked.

“Unfortunately.” Magistrate Aro shook his head, false disappointment belied by the vexed glint in his eyes. “The Elucans are an untrustworthy bunch.”

It took a moment for Kazi to realize his unspoken intent. He didn’t suspect her. Rather, her immigration status made her desirable. Someone he believed he could trust. 

Political backstabbing was rampant among Imperial ranks. Most Imperial officials maintained high-levels of secrecy to achieve greatness, and to protect their backs from their supposed allies. They were, after all, motivated by the same things: money, power, recognition. 

“Have you seen anything of suspect?” the magistrate asked.

Kazi pretended to think, her eyebrows stitched together and lips pursed. She started to shake her head. “I haven’t noticed anything.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face. “Rebel activity is increasing across the Outer Rim. Outright terrorism in some places. I am committed to eradicating rebellious sentiments. I can rely on you to keep your eyes open?”

One of the reasons the Empire succeeded in authoritative control and subsequent oppression of the people was its fearmongering.  

Fearmongering allowed the Imps to uncover legitimate rebels more easily. And could easily turn a population against certain ideologies. It also convinced the people to turn on one another.

Rumors were ubiquitous and truth difficult to determine. People were scared, and to protect themselves and their loved ones, they turned on neighbor. Or coworker. 

It was easier to betray a stranger than endanger your partner, or sibling, or parent, or child.   

“I’ll do my duty,” Kazi answered. She brushed her clammy palms down her trousers, prepared for the meeting’s conclusion. 

“One last thing”—the magistrate leaned back in his chair, his smile sly—“I am increasing your duties of responsibility. You will remain on your current team, tracking exports, but I want you to split your time on a separate project. A confidential project.”

Nonplussed, Kazi cocked her head to the side. “What type of new project?”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult for someone of your caliber.” The magistrate slid a datastick across the desk. “I want you to analyze the desertion of clone troopers.” 

Kazi tensed.

The magistrate gestured to the datastick. “You have the necessary records there. I want you to track the locations of desertion, the timeframes. See if there are any patterns.”

“Is this sanctioned by Moff Harpy?” Kazi asked casually, pocketing the datastick.

“It’s our secret.” The magistrate winked. “Can you handle it?”

Aware of the subtle threat in the magistrate’s question, Kazi grinned. “Patterns are my specialty, Magistrate.”  

Hollow’s Town boasted a population of five thousand. It was one of a dozen towns that survived the epidemic, and both population and workforce were booming. 

Primarily an agricultural-based town, the community was convivial. Helpful and close-knit. Outsiders, though, were ignored. Kazi didn’t mind. The Marketplace vendors were always nice to her, and she didn’t care enough to make friends. 

Her only concern was Neyti. 

Hollow’s Schooling One—a primary school for younglings aged five to ten—was one of two primary schools in Hollow’s Town. Located on the west side, and therefore the closest to the house, Hollow’s Schooling One enrolled roughly 150 students. In Neyti’s class: 30 students.

School started at the beginning of the year, in Elona. Neyti arrived a month late, and, as a current six-year-old, was placed into a class full of students who spent the year prior together. 

Kazi worried about Neyti: lack of friends, bullies, loneliness, schoolwork. The last point wasn’t too much of a concern. Neyti was studious, and her grades reflected her hard work. 

However, there were times Neyti struggled with her homework. Instances when she threw her stylus at the table and stomped to her room. Instances where she didn’t understand a problem and her lower lip started to tremble. She never asked for help. 

Kazi had two theories. One, Neyti preferred to solve problems on her own. Or, two, Neyti didn’t know how to ask for help, and/or was too afraid to do so. It left Kazi feeling incompetent. 

So she made sure each evening, after dinner, to work at the kitchen table while Neyti completed her schoolwork. To help, in case the need arose. 

But Kazi couldn’t help Neyti at school. She didn’t know if Neyti had friends, and any related questions were met with silence and an embarrassed shrug. 

One of the most surprising, and frustrating, difficulties about being a caregiver was her inability to intervene and fix each problem through logic. Logic relied on rationalization and problem solving, and it allowed an individual to retain control over a situation. There was a reason Kazi studied analytics in school and was good at it. Logic was her strong suit.

But younglings were driven by emotions. And Kazi couldn’t force other younglings to like Neyti. She would, if she could. 

Having left work early and after warning Daria she was picking up Neyti, Kazi arrived at the small school. Low-squatting and built from a mixture of dark wood and gray stone, the school sat alone on its street.

An elaborate playground bordered the school. Twirly slides, rows of swings, monkey bars (it wasn’t uncommon to find native monkeys swinging from the bars), balance beams, climbing walls, and ziplines interrupted the swath of cleared jungle. Younglings overflowed the playground. Like ants to an anthill. 

Kazi scanned the area for Neyti. A few youngling girls close to her age sat in a circle beneath a shade cover, braiding one another’s hair and giggling. Neyti wasn’t with them.

Frowning, she perused the climbing walls, then the slides, then the balance beams. Finally, her gaze landed on the swings.

Seated on a swing, alone, was Neyti. 

Kazi winced and quickly made her way toward the swings. She had suspected Neyti would have difficulty making friends—the little girl’s refusal to speak probably isolated her from other students—but a part of her had hoped for a better outcome. 

Originally, Kazi theorized Neyti didn’t speak because she didn’t understand Basic. She theorized Neyti learned the Ceaian tongue. A language only a couple hundred people spoke, and the first language she learned.

But the first time Kazi tried to speak to Neyti in the Ceaian tongue the little girl had merely blinked in bewilderment. 

It wasn’t until Neyti’s biweekly therapy sessions with a grief and trauma counselor—therapy sessions Kazi attended to make sure Neyti didn’t accidentally mention Ceaia or other incriminating information—that she learned Neyti’s silence stemmed from the trauma of losing her mother. 

According to the counselor, Neyti would speak when she felt safe enough to do so. And so far, she hadn’t. It was something that bothered Kazi late at night. 

“Neyti.” Kazi stopped a meter away and waved.

Neyti lifted her face, gray eyes wide in shock. Dark brown eyebrows knitted together and she glanced behind Kazi, looking for something.

“Daria isn’t here,” Kazi said. She hadn’t considered the possibility that Neyti didn’t want her here. “I decided to pick you up. I… I hope that’s okay.”

Neyti scrunched her nose in deep thought and then shrugged. 

Kazi’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Are you ready—”

“Ms. Lucien?” 

Tensing at the familiar voice, Kazi schooled her features into professional politeness and turned around. “Teacher Jaci. Did you need something?”

Ivory skin offset by black hair styled in soft waves, Teacher Jaci wore the same ingenuine smile she had worn the first day Kazi met her. Her smile shifted, though, into a frown of insincere confusion. “I wanted to remind you about the kids’ field trip next month.” 

Bewildered, Kazi slid her eyes to Neyti. The little girl was staring at her shoes, shoulders curled inwards, cheeks darkened. 

“You haven’t signed up for it,” Teacher Jaci continued. “Can we mark you as an expected absentee?”

Expected absentee.

The words echoed in her head. A taunt growing louder and stronger.

Kazi fisted her hands behind her back. “What date is the field trip?” 

“The fourth of Helona.” Teacher Jaci retrieved a flimsi sheet from her satchel and handed it to her. Lowering her voice so that Neyti couldn’t hear, she said, “If you are unable to make it, perhaps Neyti’s father can.”

Kazi gripped her wrist harder. “He’s not in the picture.”

“Aw.” The teacher smiled sadly at Neyti. “That does not surprise me.”

With that, Teacher Jaci strolled away. 

For a quiet minute, Kazi stared at the flimsi sheet, the words blurred and incomprehensible. When she lifted her gaze to Neyti’s face, she found the youngling scrutinizing her. The moment their eyes met, Neyti looked at the ground, toeing a patch of grass, her tiny hands clinging to a sketch Kazi hadn’t noticed before.

“So,” Kazi said softly. “A field trip, huh?”

Unmoving and unspeaking, Neyti blinked her apprehension. 

Kazi looked toward the sky—afternoon blue, wooly clouds adrift—and breathed in slowly. Neyti didn’t owe her. If she didn’t want her on the field trip, then she would respect Neyti’s wishes. 

Releasing her breath, Kazi took a tentative step toward the neighboring swing. The seat squeaked beneath her. Wrapping her hands around the chains, she stared at the swarming playground.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the field trip?”

Silence met her question and Kazi lowered her gaze to her neighbor. Neyti gulped, eyes rounded in guilt. 

“It’s okay if you don’t want me to go—” Neyti shook her head. Adamantly. Kazi frowned. “You want me to go with you?”

Mouth opening, Neyti hesitated. She searched Kazi’s face, desperate but guarded, and with the barest dip of her chin, she nodded.

Kazi bumped her knee against Neyti’s. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

Abashed, Neyti cast her eyes downward and toed the ground again. 

“Did you think I would say no?”

Another small, nearly imperceptible dip of Neyti’s chin. 

Guilt thrummed beneath her skin and Kazi tapped her foot against the ground. “I want to go. If you’ll have me.”

Neyti nodded eagerly. 

Smiling to herself, Kazi dropped her gaze to the sketch in Neyti’s hands, perusing the colors and shapes. 

A dark blue ocean washed across the page. Tiny sailboats raced among white waves, their sails painted an assortment of bright colors. A single sun glistened in the sky. A face smiled on it. Gray clouds were reminiscent of—

“Is that…” Kazi leaned toward the sketch. “Did you draw Ceaia?” 

Neyti ducked her cheek into her shoulder.  

“I didn’t know you like to draw,” she remarked.

Shrugging, Neyti traced the arcs of the white waves. 

Kazi leaned back in the swing, staring blankly at the small youngling beside her.

She should have known. A real parent would have known; a better caregiver would have known. Neyti had been in her care for three months—98 fucking days—and she didn’t know the little girl liked to draw. 

It was a failure on her part. And she despised failure. 

From a young age, Kazi worked hard to excel at everything. Difficult school courses demanded hours dedicated to studying the subject until she perfected it. Two points missed on a test earned her teasing remarks from her parents. She was expected to make top grades, and her parents were proud of her. She couldn’t disappoint them. 

When she did fail, as was inevitable, it bothered her late at night. Like a terminal disease, unwilling to die and incapable of prevention.

Kazi clenched the swing’s chains until her palms grew numb and her fingers hurt.   

“We can hang it on the fridge.” Her voice was lower, hoarser, and she mustered a smile when Neyti stared at her dubiously. “What do you think? Can we hang it up?”

Scratching the top of her head, Neyti considered her for a long moment. Her eyes darted to the sketch. She lifted it, tongue poking out the corner of her mouth, most likely imagining the sketch placed on the fridge. Neyti smiled. 

A small, toothless smile. But a smile, nonetheless.

Disgruntled voices greeted Kazi and Neyti as they stepped into the house. Shoes shucked off and backpack haphazardly tossed onto the stairs, Neyti led the way into the kitchen. 

The voices quieted. Kazi eyed the card game at the kitchen table. The three clone commanders were joined by two clones Kazi hadn’t met. They gave her skeptical looks, eyes narrowing at the sight of Neyti. Kazi let her gaze wander between the commanders—Cody to Fox to Wolffe. The latter was lounged back in his chair, gaze on her face. 

A pan of cooling vegetables revealed Daria’s recent departure. She was most likely in her garden. 

“How was school?” Commander Cody asked. The openness on his face, and the kindness in his tone, made Kazi grimace. 

For some reason, the commander tried hard to engage Neyti and gain her trust. Unfortunately for him, Neyti was too proud. She refused to bend.

Case in point, Neyti halted before the fridge, a scowl marring her features. Her nose wrinkled. The look she shot Commander Cody was both indignant and unapologetic. 

Deciding the commander was undeserving of Neyti’s disdain, Kazi intervened. “Neyti has a field trip in a few weeks.”

The little girl threw her a betrayed frown. Kazi gave her a pointed look and Neyti huffed her irritation. 

Easing the sketch from Neyti’s hands, Kazi grabbed a handful of magnets from a broken drawer, and slid the picture onto the larger of the fridge’s door.

“Where’s the field trip?” Commander Cody asked conversationally.

“The Museum of Nature and Science.” Kazi looked to Neyti, and with the youngling’s nod of approval, she snapped the magnets in place. “I heard they have a new exhibit about Eluca’s role during the Clone War.”

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she glanced over her shoulder. Commander Wolffe had wandered into the kitchen. He stopped at the sink to fill a glass of water. 

“I wasn’t aware Eluca played a role,” Commander Cody said. 

“They didn’t.” Kazi stepped back from the picture. It was crooked and she made to correct it, but Neyti’s satisfied nod convinced her to leave it. She returned her attention to the commander. “Eluca wasn’t militaristically or politically strategic. Which is why the Empire won’t establish a significant Imperial presence here.”

“You don’t think the Empire will move in soon?” 

The voice behind her startled enough she recoiled. Commander Wolffe gave her an unimpressed look, leaning against the opposite counter. The space between the two counters—the sink and the bar versus the fridge and oven—seemed more cramped with his imposing frame in it. 

“I don’t.” She widened her stance, crossing her arms over her chest, prepared for whatever argument the commander was sure to initiate. “Eluca provides nothing of value. The Empire can rest happy knowing Eluca is technically conquered—”

A tap on her arm drew her attention and she found Neyti holding a bag of crisps. A question wrinkled her forehead and Kazi nodded. Neyti disappeared upstairs, the crinkle of her crisps masking her silent footfalls.

“Speaking of the Empire”—Kazi lowered her voice; the game commenced and quieter arguments broke out—“I had a meeting with the magistrate. He has intel on clones deserting from military bases in the Outer Rim.”

Commander Wolffe stilled, former apathy shifting into concern and then wariness. “The magistrate told you this?”

She nodded.

“Why would he tell you that?” The commander pushed off the counter, mirroring her stance. “I thought you were a low-level analyst—”

“Who said I was low level?”

Commander Wolffe rolled his eyes. “Why would a planetary magistrate meet with you?”

Barely concealed derision laced his words together and Kazi stiffened. It didn’t matter she had asked the same question hours ago—before she learned Magistrate Aro’s intent—but the suspicion in the commander’s gaze, his clear disdain for her, incited a sharp flare of anger.

“It’s no concern to you,” she said calmly. A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I only mentioned it to give you a warning.”

“You’re helping us now, is that it?”

“If you’re caught, you could rat us out.” He scoffed and she gritted her teeth. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect Neyti and my sister.”

“Why should I believe you?” 

Kazi dug her fingernails into her arms. “I know you only care about yourself, Commander, but your carelessness can endanger my—”

He scoffed. “I’m not careless. Our missions are strategized to the most minute details and—”

“I don’t care about your missions. I care about my sister and Neyti.” Her voice tightened. “I’m giving you a warning and you’re dismissing it like it’s nothing—”

“Tell me why the magistrate informed you of this,” the commander demanded. “Does he suspect you?”

“No. He wants me—” Kazi cut herself off, considering the blatant mistrust in his face. If she revealed Magistrate Aro’s project, Commander Wolffe would assume the worst of her. And she wasn’t in the mood to be questioned or ridiculed.

“I don’t care if the Empire discovers me,” she said. “But I won’t endanger Neyti and Daria.”

Something—perhaps understanding—rippled across his features.

“Be more aware of your surroundings,” she concluded. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Tugging on one of her braids to dispel her jitters, Kazi made to leave. 

“Why doesn’t your kid talk?”

The question was so unexpected she froze. Commander Wolffe was staring at the sketch on the fridge, arms still crossed over his chest, his brows drawn together. 

Kazi didn’t immediately respond. The answer to his question was weighted in trauma and history she preferred the clones didn’t know, and it would provide too much insight. Not only to Neyti, but also insight to her. 

Commander Wolffe’s annoyed curiosity by her presence—his too-personal questions in the morning—led her to believe he was searching for a weakness. A weakness she never wanted him to discover.

His gaze flitted in her direction. He arched a brow. The simple gesture made her spine straighten. 

“The therapist she sees blames it on grief,” she said. A frown marred his features. “Losing a parent is hard. Much less watching them die.”

A blink was his only sign of surprise. “You’re not her mother.”

“Her mother asked me to watch over her.” She held his gaze, her stomach coiling with unbridled tension. “She didn’t make it. Because she was shot. By one of the Empire’s clone troopers.”

His reaction was immediate. Stiffening posture. Clenching jaw. Inscrutable emotions crossing his face before settling into a hard, stony mask. 

Kazi looked at the sketch. Tiny figures manned the sailboats.

In Traditionalist Ceaian culture, learning to sail was a rite of passage. Navigating a storm and returning a boat safely to harbor proved a juvenile was prepared for the trials and challenges of adulthood. Everyone in the harbor celebrated the success. 

Kazi wondered if Neyti had ever sailed. 

Far from land. Wind in her hair. Salty breeze in her face. 

She knew the little girl would love it. 

But the opportunity would never arise. Neyti would never learn to sail. And she would never see her mother again. 

Kazi turned away, murmuring to the expressionless male beside her, “Good evening, Commander.”

Masterlist | A Muse | Chapter 4

A/N: Star Wars Time Measurements: 

1 day = 24 hours 1 week = 5 days 1 month = 35 days 1 year = 10 months