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demifiendrsa · 5 months

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Bethesda Softworks will close Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi RUSH and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, as well as Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Studios, according to a companywide email sent out by Microsoft Gaming president of game content and studios Matt Booty this morning.

Full email

Today I’m sharing changes we are making to our Bethesda and ZeniMax teams. These changes are grounded in prioritizing high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesda’s portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds which you have nurtured over many decades.

To double down on these franchises and invest to build new ones requires us to look across the business to identify the opportunities that are best positioned for success. This reprioritization of titles and resources means a few teams will be realigned to others and that some of our colleagues will be leaving us.

Here are the changes going into effect:

Arkane Austin – This studio will close with some members of the team joining other studios to work on projects across Bethesda. Arkane Austin has a history of making impactful and innovative games and it is a pedigree that everyone should be proud of. Redfall‘s previous update will be its last as we end all development on the game. The game and its servers will remain online for players to enjoy and we will provide make-good offers to players who purchased the “Hero” downloadable content.

Alpha Dog Studios – This studio will also close. We appreciate the team’s creativity in bringing DOOM to new players. Mighty DOOM will be sunset on August 7 and we will be turning off the ability for players to make any purchases in the game.

Tango Gameworks – Tango Gameworks will also close. We are thankful for their contributions to Bethesda and players around the world. Hi-Fi RUSH will continue to be available to players on the platforms it is today.

Roundhouse Games – The team at Roundhouse Games will be joining ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS). Roundhouse has played a key role in many of our recent game launches and bringing them into ZOS to work on The Elder Scrolls Online will mean we can do even more to grow the world that millions of players call home.

With this consolidation of our Bethesda studio teams, so that we can invest more deeply in our portfolio of games and new IP, a small number of roles across select Bethesda publishing and corporate teams will also be eliminated.

Those whose roles will be impacted will be notified today, and we ask that you please treat your departing colleagues with respect and compassion. We will provide our full support to those who are impacted in today’s notifications and through their transitions, including severance benefits informed by local laws.

These changes are not a reflection of the creativity and skill of the talented individuals at these teams or the risks they took to try new things. I acknowledge that these changes are also disruptive to the various support teams across ZeniMax and Bethesda that bring our games to market. We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games.

Bethesda remains one of the key pillars of Xbox with a strong portfolio of amazing games and thriving communities. As we look to the future, there is an impressive line-up of games on the horizon. In 2024 alone we have Starfield “Shattered Space,” Fallout 76 “Skyline Valley,” Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, and The Elder Scrolls Online‘s “Golden Road.” As we align our plans and resources to best set ourselves up for success in this complex and changing industry, our teams across Arkane Lyon, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, MachineGames, ZeniMax Online Studios, and the Bethesda publishing and corporate teams will be well-positioned to build new IP, explore new game concepts, and expand on our existing franchises.

—Matt

Messages from each studio

Arkane Austin

Tango Gameworks

Alpha Dog Games

#Microsoft #Zenimax Media #Bethesda Softworks #Arkane Austin #Tango Gameworks #Alpha Dog Games #Roundhouse Studios #Zenimax Online Studios #Redfall #Hi Fi Rush #The Evil Within #Ghostwire Tokyo #video game #Xbox Series #Xbox Series S #Xbox Series X #PC

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atrwriting · 2 years

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chapter six: the wolf and the dragon — gangleader!aemond x you

i need season two because i’m RUNNING out of aemond gifs

as always, warnings: no smut (it’s coming!!!!!!!) drinking, violence

your instagram was gaining some success, but not much. you didn’t think too much of it as you were a small town bar, already did fine, and you weren’t in the market to grow. your fliers for bands did gain some attention, which made you grow excited. you’d at least have the chance to grow your current crowd and that was what you were hoping for.

unfortunately… aemond’s nephew’s band did express interest in playing.

and they were good.

so fucking good.

jace had emailed you a live recording from the time they played at his mother’s club. a mashup of mary jane’s last dance, dani california, and sweet emotion. you didn’t even understand how they could perfectly mend not two, but those three songs so perfectly together. you listened to the recording three times because it was just that damn good.

“could you turn that off?!” aemond barked from his end of the bar.

you rolled your eyes. you just wanted to listen to music at the end of the work day. you were closing again, letting your employee go home early out of fear of their own safety. you hadn’t had any unwanted visitors during the work hours, but aemond and aegon kept up their after hours business and we’re coming in earlier and earlier. you were fearful for their safety, and fearful for your own privacy. plus, closing alone gave you time to think.

and listen to prospective bands.

“not a fan?” you asked, hoping he wouldn’t recognize that it was his nephew’s band.

“jace and his band play that song fucking everywhere and i can’t stand it,” he spat.

“it is jace’s band,” you remarked. “i want to allow them to play here… but i’m worried about what you said.”

“i knew it was his band from that first fucking chord,” aemond spat, slamming a hand on the bar top. “allow them to play if you want. i won’t be here if they come. i’ll send aegon.”

“if you don’t want them to play here, i won’t have them play here,” you tried to settle softly.

he smacked his hand once more on the tabletop. “did i say that?!”

you were clutching the broomstick tightly in your hand, taken back by his reaction. his one eye had flames selling within it, all directed at you. his teeth were almost gritted, his nose was scrunched, and his jaw was clenched so hard you thought it would break. he was a predator, ready to attack.

and you were done. absolutely, one hundred percent done.

the bar was clean enough, you decided. you placed the broom against the bar, and immediately left the area to the kitchen. as you passed by him, you mumbled “moody fuck,” and left.

he didn’t follow.

thank the gods.

aemond’s attitude lately had stuck an insane thorn in your side. for a man who was in charge of so much, you would think he would have the ability to handle it more. then, you realized… he had way too much on his plate.

you kept your business and your house small because you realized wanting less meant less problems. you had the luxury of keeping your lifestyle minimalistic — in comparison to the rest of your family’s lifestyle, that is — because you chose to step away from them. it wasn’t easy to step away from them, but no one needed your attention anymore. your grandfather was dead, and your youngest cousins were all grown and off reaping the benefits of whatever the City of Westeros had to offer kids their age and of their name… you had the luxury of only caring about yourself.

aemond? never. his brother was probably a worse thorn in aemond’s side than aemond was in your side, but nothing would be a worse thorn in aemond’s side than his own bouts of pride and loyalty. aemond doesn’t lash out unless he’s angry or stressed, or both…

but it wasn’t your duty to care.

no. it wasn’t.

you went out of your way to make him food. you went out of your way to tell him about jace. and you went out of your way to tell him jace didn’t have to play at your bar.

you can only go out of your way so much when someone won’t get out of their own way.

you thought a shower would clear your thoughts, but it didn’t. you scrubbed furiously at your scalp, arms, legs — everything, but there was no amount of soap that would rid you of the uncomfortable weight on your mind. you left the shower with a sigh and a towel wrapped around you, and exited the bathroom.

and there was aemond. in your living room. staring at the wall.

“seven hells!” you cried, grabbing at the towel to keep it on.

“keep your voice down,” he mumbled, turning his head to face you.

you would’ve thrown your hands up in disbelief if you weren’t clutching a towel around you. “what do you want, aemond?”

“i was hoping you were watching bad sitcoms again.”

you stared at him as he stared at you. “you broke into my apartment because you want to watch sitcoms?”

“technically it was open,” he stated.

you rolled your eyes and retreated to the bedroom to get dressed. you threw on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt and came back into the living area. aemond was already flipping through channels, so you decided on making dinner.

you left your spot on the couch and retreated into the kitchen. you fished around for ingredients, settling on steak and leftover pierogis. sometime during the short course of ruffling through the contents of the fridge, aemond had parked himself at the bar of your countertop. once you had placed the ingredients on the countertop, you looked at aemond and gave him an eye.

“i was going to offer take out,” he stated. then, reluctantly, he mumbled, “a peace offering.”

you rolled your eyes at his comment. “you’re shit at apologies.”

you didn’t wait for his response. you turn around and fished another steak out of the fridge.

you started on dinner. getting off of work early meant you had a little more time and energy to actually nourish yourself, and you weren’t going to waste it. the second steak was reserved for another night of dinner this week, but you had little to no energy left in the tank when aemond was in a bad mood.

after a half hour, you plated yours and aemond’s food and set it down in the coffee table. you sat cross-legged with your plate in your lap and ate silently next to him. he hummed along to things he found funny, but otherwise he didn’t make a sound as he ate.

“how’s the rat poison? i thought it complimented the onions in the pierogis,” you asked jokingly.

he hummed again, a small twitch in the corner of his mouth. “divine.”

“did you just smile?” you asked, laughing slightly. “i didn’t know grumpy could do that.”

he scoffed. “i’ve never seen snow white.”

“speaking of snow white,” you began, “where’s your other half?”

“my drunker half?” he scoffed. “nose deep in some broad, most likely.”

it was your turn to scoff. “your brother’s sexual escapades sours my food.”

“you asked.”

“fair.”

you had finished half of your food, setting down the rest of the food on the table. you would’ve offered it to aemond, but he was still munching on his.

“not to sour your food, but are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“i didn’t plan on it.”

“cryptic,” you quipped. “but i’ll let it go. you’re in a… good?… mood — now, at least — and i don’t intend on wasting it.”

“smart.”

you hummed in agreement and leaned back against the arm rest of the couch and curled into a ball on your side.

“don’t dogs curl up like that?” he quipped. “a stark after all.”

“shut up, grumpy,” you yawned, too tired fight him.

it would’ve been smart to stay awake, yes, but in your position… rarely ever getting sleep… you’d risk waking up to a knife to your throat if it meant a good night’s rest.

so you fell asleep.

near the scariest man you had ever met on the planet, who was also eating and watching television on your couch next to you.

it would be some time before you woke up. the man actually had some manners, believe it or not. he sat quietly and peacefully next to you, on the other end of the couch, and didn’t try to annoy you or wake you up as you slept. little did you know he probably also considered you grumpy, so if you benefitted from a nap, then he did, too. purely selfish aemond, as always.

that wasn’t to say his brother was as respectful.

the other targaryen came crashing into your apartment.

your eyes drifted open as the drunk blonde, clutching a vodka bottle, stumbled into your living area and stood next to the television. he glanced at chandler bing before his gaze rested on the two of you, your food, and then back at you.

“are you two on a date?” he slurred, grin wide.

“i’m going to kill you for waking me up,” you grunted. “i’m worse than aemond when i’m tired.”

“we know,” aegon laughed, sitting down in one of your chairs. “is there any food left?”

“eat mine, and let me sleep,” you grunted.

he grabbed the plate and set it in his lap. “i actually have something important to tell the both of you,” he said, shoveling food into his mouth.

“what is it?” aemond asked, already annoyed.

“you two weren’t the only two people of stark and targaryen blood i saw together this evening,” he began, mischief in his voice. “i spotted jace and y/n’s younger cousin very close at the club.”

you opened one eye. “which one?”

“the brunette one…” he began. “elia?”

“seven hells,” you grumbled. “i thought she had a boyfriend.”

“a new one,” aegon snickered.

“we knew they broke up,” aemond began. “how did you not?”

“i’m not venting unless you do, grumpy,” you grumbled.

and with that, you fell back asleep.

* * *

the next night would be the night that jace and his band played.

should you be worried? yes. were you worried? also yes.

but aemond gave you the go ahead, more than once, and you hoped him and his brother would be on their best behavior.

little did you know almost all of the targaryen clan would be there that night.

that included daemon and rhaenyra.

supporting their oldest… or some bullshit.

the band had pulled a huge crowd, you had to admit. the music was even better in person. jacaerys was a fantastic guitar player, and his abilities as a lead were undeniable.

…to everyone but aemond, that was.

his knuckles were stretched white over every beer bottle he held.

and he was slamming them back.

over and over.

he didn’t appear drunk, but he did appear more angry with every passing note from his nephew.

“i told you he didn’t have to play here,” you curtly reminded as you leaned over the bar, taking his empty.

“and i told you it was fine,” he quipped.

“do you need a time out upstairs?” you rolled your eyes, turning away to fish out another for him.

too late, unfortunately.

the man had left his seat at the bar and found his brother and sister in a booth, along with their mother and grandfather who came out for the event.

you figured it wasn’t to show jacaerys support, no, but aegon and aemond.

you didn’t know much about the pair, but no one could deny their loyalty. it would almost be heartwarming, if they weren’t scary as ever.

you could tell a lot about a person from the type of drink they ordered.

otto hightower promptly approached you after seating his daughter and family. he asked you what kind of scotch you had and looked at you as if he was looking through you. you answered you always kept a bottle of chevus handy in support of your grandfather, and he smiled. when he tried to pay, you told him it was on the house. he lifted his glass to you, and left.

from that… you could devise he was a man who esteemed himself on the fact that he enjoyed the finer things, even though you swore it tasted like molten chocolate. scotch: the drink of old sophisticate men who wanted to look sophisticated. who was going to tell him that he was at a dive bar?

later, he asked for a glass of rose. you could see alicent looking on your interaction out of the corner of your eye, and you assumed it was for her. you respected a woman that liked rose. light like white, but bitter like red. maybe it was your own bias, because you also favored rose, but there was just something admirable about a woman who fancied white wine, no matter how many snobs turn their noses up at it because it’s not red.

that was also on the house, which otto barely thanked you for.

that was expected of scotch drinkers.

soon, the set had ended and you began cleaning up behind the bar. your wait staff had done a great job of cleaning up as the night went on, so you didn’t really have a use for them once the customers had all left. the event had produced a generous tip out, and they all left with smiles on their faces.

you just hoped you would, too.

but the targaryens liked to linger.

and so began your anxiety.

you were wiping down the bar top when the famous guitar player finally approached you. he sat down at a stool, and turned towards you.

“what did you think?” he asked.

“better than the video you sent,” you admitted. “i don’t think i’ll ever get tired of that three song mash-up.”

“thanks.” he smiled. “i hope it drew the crowd you were hoping for.”

“definitely. i have your band to thank for that,” you replied. “can i get you something to eat? you must be starving. drink?”

“is your grill still on?” he asked

“yes, what can i get you?” lie, but you’d let him slide.

“can you make two double bacon cheeseburgers?” he asked. “my brother should be showing up soon.”

“coming right up,” you said with a smile, ducking behind the counter.

when you had returned with the burgers, you met eyes with jacaerys as he was standing next to a younger man with similar features. you smiled at the two before setting down the food.

“smells so good,” the younger one stated before he began chowing down.

behind him stood his mother. she patted his head warmly, and then lifted her head to look upon you.

you forced a smile. “mrs. targaryen.”

“rhaenyra, please,” she spoke. “thank you for letting my son play tonight.”

you shook your head with a smile. “i’m thankful he wanted to play here. the band was great. he’s a fantastic player.”

she nodded in thanks. “daemon told me of his visit with you the other day.”

your smile threatened to fall. “the samples were great.”

her eyes lit up. “i do hope you like them. i also hope we are still in business together.”

you smiled. for real this time. “never doubted it. can i get you anything to eat?”

“no, thank you, though,” she spoke softly. “and thank you for feeding my boys. if luke doesn’t immediately eat after work, his attitude is horrendous.”

you laughed when the younger boy scowled at his mother. you continued making small talk with the targaryen matriarch when you saw jacaerys and lucerys snickering at their food, making a comment about bacon. aemond, who wasn’t that far away from the pair, as he spoke with aegon, both looked upon this interaction. you saw jace and luke look towards their uncles, and the snickering continued.

harmless kids, you rolled your eyes. you went back to rhaenyra, but aemond had made his appearance. he clapped a heavy hand on jacearys’ shoulder, demanding his attention.

“great job, nephew,” he spoke, an unnatural cheer in his voice. “great show as always.”

jace cleared his throat as rhaenyra stiffened next to luke. “thank you… uncle.”

daemon targaryen, the snake he was, could be seen edging closer to the situation as aemond continued. however, he did not intrude as aemond continued, “i’m sure your father would be proud if he could be here today.”

jace’s lips pursed as he nodded sharply, hoping to return to his burger.

luke looked on sharply at this interaction, and suddenly you realized it wasn’t harmless anymore.

“aemond, can i get you something to eat?” you tried to interject, hoping to diffuse the situation, no matter how rude you might have seemed.

rhaenyra cleared her throat, joining in, “yes, you should-“

but she was interrupted.

“no, sister,” aemond bit, but with a smile on his face. he slapped a heavy hand on luke’s shoulder as well, his grip tight. “i am simply telling your sons how strong they are after the loss of their father.”

jace immediately whirled from aemond’s grip and pushed himself to stand in front of his uncle, with only a few feet separating them. luke was up as well, running to a nearby table to grab something, but aegon had grabbed the back of his neck and slammed him against the table top and held him down. helaena, the sister, could only watch in horror as her nephew lay face down on a table at the hands of her brother.

“aemond,” you warned. “stop. now. you should eat.”

“y/n, you’re being quite rude,” he laughed with an edge to his tone, turning to face you. “i am simply telling my nephews how proud of them i am. for some reason, they’re not proud of how strong they are.”

“i dare you to say that again!” yelled jace, balling his fists at his side.

“were you not taught respect?” aemond laughed once more. “being called strong is a compliment, nephew.”

jace lunged for aemond, but aemond didn’t move. he let jace strike him across the cheek, and still he barely moved. he looked upon his nephew with a wicked, small smile, and shoved him to the ground before he could stand over him. the look of fire was once more present in aemond’s eyes, but all of the targaryens had that fire.

including daemon targaryen.

“wait, wait…” daemon approached the space between aemond and jace.

daemon sighed, and gave his infamous look of boredom as he stared at his nephew. his glare never wavered, nor did he blink — he simply stood there, over his step-son, in the line of fire with aemond looking as if he was ready to pounce. daemon lazily clasped his hands together at his midsection, and looked upon his nephew: a dare.

aemond, usually the predator, looked upon daemon with weariness. the calculations behind aemond’s glare startled you, as you had never seen aemond look upon someone as if they were an equal — as if they could best him. he was turned to the side, instead of baring his whole chest to daemon like daemon did to him.

aemond was in defense mode.

aemond was afraid of daemon.

rhaenyra had ushered her sons outside sometime during the stare down, but all time seemed to fade as you waited for the next brawl to take place.

to your surprise, it didn’t.

for once, aemond did what you needed him to do.

he turned, and stalked out of the bar’s back entrance.

- - -

tag list:

@hopebaker @iiamthehybrid @chainsawangel

#aemond targaryen #aemond x reader #aemond x you #aemond the kinslayer #aemond fic #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen imagine #aemond x y/n #prince aemond #house of the dragon aemond #hotd #house of the dragon #alicent hightower #otto hightower #daemon targaryen #rhaegar targaryen #jacaerys velaryon #lucerys targaryen #aegon targaryen

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mightyflamethrower · 7 months

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Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who is running for late Sen. Diane Feinstein’s U.S. Senate seat, is calling for a $50 minimum wage, defending her position during a debate Monday night.

The moderator asked Lee to defend her call for a $50-an-hour minimum wage during the event, noting that it is “seven times the current national minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.”

When asked how that would be economically sustainable for small businesses, Lee immediately said that she owned and ran a small business for over a decade, creating “hundreds of jobs, benefits, retirement benefits, [and] also health care benefits.”

“I know what worker productivity means, and that means that you have to make sure that your employees are taken care of and have a living wage in the Bay Area,” Lee said. “I believe it was the United Way [that] came out with a report that — very recently — [said] $127,000 for a family of four is just barely enough to get by,” she said, pointing to another survey that identified $104,000 as not being enough for one person, essentially classifying them as low income “because of the affordability crisis.”

She added:

And so, just do the math. Just do the math. Of course, we have national minimum wages that we need to raise to a living wage — you’re talking about $20, $25 — fine, but I have got to be focused on what California needs and what the affordability factor is when we calculate this wage.

Lee ultimately failed to answer the question.SUBSCRIBE

By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use & privacy policy. You will receive email marketing messages from Breitbart News Network to the email you provide. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Fox 40 notes that “a wage of $50 an hour would total $104,000 over the course of a year.”

WATCH:

Her call generated mockery from critics, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who asked, “Who not $500 per hour?”

“Okay, why not $100 then? $1,000? Why not just make the minimum wage a billion dollars an hour? Then we’d all be richer than Elon Musk!” Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk remarked.

“Economic illiteracy like Rep. Lee’s has been around for centuries. Every country that adopts it becomes a dystopian nightmare,” he added as others piled on:

Lee’s call comes as inflation comes roaring back with no immediate signs of relief, as detailed in Breitbart Business Digest.

RELATED — CNN’s Sidner: Hotter-Than-Expected Inflation Report “Another Sign” Economy “Getting Better”

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hostitsmartcanada · 1 year

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Discover the main benefits of email marketing for small businesses in 2023. Know & boost engagement, sales, and growth with these 11 key benefits.

#benefits of email marketing for small businesses #why is email marketing important for small business #email marketing for small business

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pearl-blue-musings · 8 months

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all the right moves chapter 4

Smau and written

Pairing: Childe x fem!afab!reader

Warnings: 18+, feelings are hard, nothing too bad, written portion!

You sigh heavily before putting your phone on do not disturb and shoving it away. A small smile comes to your features as you look at the array of snacks sprawled out in front of you. To your left, Thoma reads over your most recently written report and starts to edit. You know he doesn’t completely understand what it is your class is focusing on, but his eagerness to help is always welcome to you. It’s cute, truly admirable of him to want to do this for you.

It makes it harder that you have to finally figure out your feelings for him.

For the longest time, you’ve had an on again off again crush on the hard worker and his kind nature hasn’t helped in quelling those emotions. Thoma cares so deeply and fully for those around him and especially those in his circle. His determined emerald pools either leave you totally flustered or completely calm. And somehow he’s managing both emotions for your study session.

Feeling some eyes on him, Thoma perks his eyebrows up toward you and lowers the top of his laptop. With concern in his voice he asks, “is everything alright? You stopped working.”

Realizing you’ve been caught, you quickly go back to rereading the same paragraph about international business marketing. You’re keenly aware that Thoma had caught you staring but you know how much of a gentleman he is by not bringing it up. You catch onto his eyes glossing over your paper for any grammatical mistakes before he quickly types and calls out to you. “I’ve edited your paper to the best of my ability! But umm,” he coughs a bit, “I think you should get an academic advisor from your school. It might be more beneficial.”

Your laptop pings with his email, confirming what he had just told you. You open it up and give it a good glance over, nodding and humming as you see his corrections. Your eyes roll at a few stupid mistakes and you whisper your thanks as you add them to your document. A few minutes of silence fic has you add the edits and submit your assignment online. You’re thankful the Akademiya in Sumeru has online classes otherwise you’d be scrambling to a different country! There’s a local campus that has some classes you take, but most of them are online through the main campus.

“And sent,” your voice hushed as it drags out. You close your laptop and lay back against your bed. “Gah, I know, I know. It would be better, but their office hours… some of them require in person and I can’t always make it! With work and-“

Thoma chuckles and closes his own laptop. “You don’t have to remind me. I know how hard you work. It’s just, I know I’m easier to access but you would do better with someone who really knows what they’re talking about.” With a gentle hand, he takes yours in his and cups it while rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand. He moves closer into you and you let him come close. His body is warm, just like his presence and you can’t get enough of it. You lay your head against his shoulder and sigh deeply.

“I know, you’re right. But you’re easier to talk to.” You take a deep breath and twiddle your fingers in his grasp. “I trust you, and even though you don’t know the things I’m studying you have a keen eye for detail.” You feel Thoma shift beside you which makes you sit up straighter. “What is it?”

With hesitation in his movements, he puts your hand down and drops his shoulders. “I don’t know the material in a way that can really benefit you. At least consider it?” You frown slightly and lock your hands together, getting a sense that wasn’t what he wanted to say or talk about with you. You think about another classmate you’ve discussed your work with and know he’s in the city; maybe you’ll work with him. You inhale slowly and hug your knees into your chest. You rest your cheek on your knees and turn your attention to your best friend.

“Thoma?”

He nods beside you with a hum.

“I know you want to say something to me so,” a lump forms in your throat as the words dry out on your tongue. “Just say it, please.”

Thoma chuckles nervously and drums his fingers on the covered mattress. He sighs heavily and lets his hands fall to his sides. “Well, maybe we should say it at the same time.” You nod quickly as you hold his gaze. “Okay, on three. One, two, three-

“I like you and think we should be friends.”

“I think I like you but I’m just not sure.”

You both freeze when the words are finally spoken. You break the awkward silence first. “Wait what? You wanna stay friends?”

Thoma laughs and shakes his head. “You knew I liked you?” His voice raises in pitch and his hand goes to the back of his neck. He’s starting to sweat as he knows this isn’t how he thought the night would go. His heart almost stops when he realizes what you said. “Hold on, you think you like me?”

It was your turn to chuckle nervously as you twiddle your thumbs. “I know I like being around you and you’re one of my best friends! But I’m not sure if there’s anything…”

“Romantic?”

Thoma finishes your sentence and you find yourself laughing with him. You fall into his chest and he wraps his arms around you. “You know,” Thoma reminisces, “all I wanted was to have you like this. I annoyed the hell out of Ayato about this. How much I wanted to be with you but when I thought more about it… I can’t see us being anything but friends. Sure, you’re beautiful, amazing, smart, but I’m not the one for you. Well romantically speaking. You’re obviously one of my best friends.” He gently kisses your forehead and the both of you visibly relax. “Was this what you wanted to talk about?”

You nod against his chest, strangely feeling relieved yet tired at the same time. “I wanted to like you in that way,” you confess. “I really did. You know everything about me, you get me! It would’ve been easy.” Your words make Thoma laugh. You pout at him and question him without saying anything.

He calms his laugh down and pinches your cheek. “Since when have I known you to do anything easy?” He grunts when you gently punch him which starts a tickle fight between the two of you. Your sides hurt from laughing too much but your heart is full and content. This is how you and Thoma are meant to be, not as lovers but as platonic lovers; soulmates that aren’t romantic. And that’s just fine for you.

Taglist: @zireaels-igni @mrskreideprinz

#atrm #childe x reader #childe smau #genshin smau #genshin impact smau #childe ajax tartaglia #ajax x reader #Ajax x fem!reader #childe x fem!reader #genshin impact x female reader #genshin thoma #thoma x reader #thoma x fem!reader #my writing #i did the thing

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growthuper · 2 months

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5 Tips to Grow and Expand Your Business

Growing and expanding your business requires strategic planning, consistent effort, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Here are five tips to help you achieve business growth:

1. Enhance Your Online Presence

Develop a Professional Website: Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines (SEO).

Leverage Social Media: Utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to engage with your audience, promote your products or services, and build brand awareness.

Content Marketing: Create valuable content such as blog posts, videos, and infographics that address your audience's needs and interests. This can drive traffic to your site and establish your authority in your industry.

2. Focus on Customer Experience

Understand Customer Needs: Conduct surveys, gather feedback, and analyze customer behavior to better understand their needs and preferences.

Improve Customer Service: Ensure your customer service is top-notch. Prompt responses, personalized interactions, and going the extra mile can turn customers into loyal advocates.

Loyalty Programs: Implement loyalty programs to reward repeat customers, encouraging them to continue doing business with you.

3. Expand Your Product or Service Line

Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify gaps in the market or areas where customer demand is high.

Innovation: Develop new products or services that complement your existing offerings. Innovate based on customer feedback and market trends.

Test and Iterate: Before a full-scale launch, test new offerings with a small segment of your audience, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments.

4. Form Strategic Partnerships

Identify Potential Partners: Look for businesses that complement your own and have a similar target audience.

Mutual Benefits: Create partnerships that offer mutual benefits, such as co-marketing efforts, joint ventures, or bundled offerings.

Networking: Attend industry events, join business associations, and actively network to form valuable connections that can lead to partnerships and growth opportunities.

5. Invest in Technology and Automation

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: Implement a CRM system to manage customer interactions, sales, and marketing efforts more efficiently.

Marketing Automation: Use marketing automation tools to streamline your email marketing, social media posting, and lead generation activities.

Data Analytics: Invest in data analytics to track key performance indicators (KPIs), understand market trends, and make data-driven decisions.

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businessjust06 · 2 years

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Making the case for email marketing is easy given its clear benefits. When done well and regularly, it can give you a better return on marketing investment, improved brand equity and higher customer satisfaction. Read more about it in this article. - https://businessjust.us/benefits-of-email-marketing-for-small-business/

#7 Benefits of Email Marketing for Your Small Business

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tradekey-b2b · 6 days

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The Rise of B2B Marketplaces

B2B marketplaces serve as digital meeting points for buyers and sellers. Over the last decade, they have gained traction due to the convenience, speed, and efficiency they offer to businesses looking to trade internationally. Traditional methods of sourcing and procurement, involving in-person meetings, trade shows, or middlemen, are increasingly being replaced by digital platforms like TradeKey.

TradeKey, launched in 2006, is one of the pioneers in the B2B online space, providing a platform where manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and exporters can interact seamlessly. The platform caters to various industries, including electronics, machinery, agriculture, textiles, chemicals, and more. With its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, TradeKey has a strong presence globally, particularly in emerging markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

TradeKey’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

What sets TradeKey apart from other B2B platforms is its focus on trust and verification. Given the rise of fraudulent activity and scams in international trade, buyers and sellers alike require a platform that ensures safety and reliability. TradeKey addresses this need through its Verified Buyers Database, a unique feature that guarantees that the buyers listed on the platform have undergone a rigorous verification process. This verification process helps in minimizing the risk of fraud and instills confidence in businesses using the platform.

This Verified Buyers Database is particularly valuable for suppliers and exporters looking to tap into global markets without the fear of encountering fake buyers or fraudulent transactions. TradeKey’s platform also allows businesses to verify potential buyers, ensuring that both parties involved in a transaction can trust each other, which is a significant advantage in today's interconnected global trade environment.

Navigating TradeKey: Key Features and Benefits

Global Reach and Industry Focus: TradeKey’s platform is vast, covering more than 9 million registered users from 240 countries. Its global network spans a wide array of industries, allowing businesses to find partners from virtually any sector. The platform's design allows suppliers and buyers to search for products based on industry categories, making it easier to find the right match.

Verified Buyers and Suppliers: As mentioned earlier, TradeKey’s verification system is one of its most crucial aspects. By focusing on transparency, the platform enhances trust among users. Verified buyers and suppliers can negotiate with greater confidence, reducing the risk of scams or unreliable business deals. This feature is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may lack the resources to conduct extensive background checks on potential partners.

Trade Shows and RFQs: TradeKey provides access to global virtual trade shows, allowing businesses to showcase their products to a global audience without the costs associated with physical participation. Additionally, businesses can post Request for Quotations (RFQs), making it easy to receive proposals from multiple suppliers or manufacturers. This feature streamlines the procurement process, especially for buyers looking to compare offers and select the best deal.

Digital Marketing and Branding Support: Beyond merely connecting buyers and suppliers, TradeKey also offers digital marketing and branding solutions. The platform provides tools to help businesses optimize their listings, making them more visible to potential buyers. Through effective SEO techniques, businesses can ensure their products appear at the top of search results, increasing visibility and lead generation.

Buyer and Seller Communication Tools: Communication is key in B2B transactions, and TradeKey has built-in communication tools that allow for direct messaging, inquiries, and real-time negotiations between buyers and sellers. This reduces the time typically involved in email exchanges or delayed responses, helping to speed up decision-making and order placement.

Market Insights and Analytics: TradeKey also offers access to valuable market data and analytics, which can guide businesses in making informed decisions. By understanding market trends, buyer preferences, and pricing strategies, businesses can fine-tune their offerings and enhance their competitiveness in the global market.

Security and Trust: Overcoming B2B Fraud

One of the biggest challenges in the B2B space is the prevalence of scams and fraud. Many businesses, especially smaller ones, are wary of international trade due to the risk of dealing with unknown or unverified parties. TradeKey addresses these concerns by offering TradeKey GoldKey Membership and TradeKey TrustPass Membership, which provide additional layers of security and credibility for businesses. These memberships allow companies to display their verified status, making them more attractive to potential buyers.

TradeKey also actively educates its users about B2B safety, offering guides on how to avoid scams, identify red flags, and ensure secure payment methods. The platform's dedication to transparency and security has made it a trusted name in the industry, particularly among SMEs looking to expand globally.

The Role of TradeKey in Global Business Growth

In the context of the global supply chain, TradeKey has become a significant facilitator of cross-border trade. Its role is particularly important for businesses in developing regions, where access to global markets might otherwise be limited. By providing a safe, efficient, and user-friendly platform, TradeKey is not only helping businesses find international buyers and suppliers but also contributing to global economic growth by fostering trade partnerships.

Conclusion

As the world becomes increasingly connected, platforms like TradeKey will continue to play a vital role in enabling international trade. With its focus on trust, verification, and ease of use, TradeKey has positioned itself as a go-to platform for businesses looking to expand their global footprint. Whether you are a buyer seeking reliable suppliers or a seller aiming to reach new markets, TradeKey offers the tools, resources, and support needed to succeed in today’s competitive B2B landscape.

By emphasizing security and fostering transparency, TradeKey ensures that businesses can engage in global trade with confidence, making it an invaluable resource in the modern business world

#economy #accounting #finance #commercial #entrepreneur #investing #ecommerce #business #branding #founder

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