#Category Management and Merchandising

[pharmacybrandca]

Category Management and Merchandising

Category Management Merchandising ,Wide selection of OTC and front store products ,Promotional tools and resources ,Pricing strategies.

Wide selection of OTC and front store products

Promotional tools and resources

Pricing strategies

Planograms updated annually with ongoing guidance

Access to niche product lines

Buying event opportunities

Ongoing support

https://pharmacybrandscanada.com/category-management-and-merchandising/

[bestplanogramming]

Planograms, as visual merchandising tools, help retailers strategically manage product placement, but seasonal category management takes these benefits to the next level. 

[ashalsdream]

GW2 Commander Zine qna

SO I’ve got a lot of questions already, I will be adding to this as I get more but thought I’d answer them as there are some repeat questions! 

What if I don’t have a commander character?

That’s completely okay! As long as you’re drawing an oc FROM guild wars 2, that’s acceptable too and you’re still welcome to apply! It can be your main, your favourite oc etc! as long as they’re from gw2! 

-

I’ve never been in a zine before, what is expected of me?

Firstly, I’m honoured you’d want to join this as your first zine! Secondly, for artists it will be a fully illustrated piece (Full shaded, full colour full body. it is up to you whether it includes just your oc or other ocs!). For writers it will be a fic of at least 3k words! It will need to have a beginning, middle and end - open ended fics are allowed! For other contributors it will be discussed with the individual 

-

Would there be a sought-after style for artists? What would that selection process look like?

there is not a specific style - as long as its a full illustration in your style, it counts! 

For the selection process, I’m aiming to have 5 moderators at minimum and each of us will vote on each application. Creators will be judged on multiple categories:  Can they complete this piece in time? Do they have completed examples that we can work with? Which race are they looking to create for/how many of this race do we have already? For each race I would like to have an equal amount of creators for all 5 - of course this will be up to how many apply but I want it to be equal and one race not favoured above the other! 

-

Will there be a central place for contributors to discuss, share ideas, and the like?

Yes! there will be a discord server

-

Estimated timeline?

at the current moment this is still to be decided! Mod applications will be opening next month, 3 weeks after will be contributor applications that will stay open for a month! Our final release date for the zine is aiming for valentine’s day

-

Will submissions be popularity-based like in other zines?

Absolutely not! Everyone will be given a fair chance and be judged on what they can create NOT their popularity - if you can show you can complete a piece for the zine in time for the deadline, you’re in! And for those that don’t get in, if it does well I’d love to do a volume 2 and you’d get first chance if you wanted in! 

-

I would be worried about the commanders being skewed in favor of one or two races over the others.

As I said above, this WILL NOT happen. I will be looking to have an equal amount for each race! This will depend on how many people apply and for what race they’d like to create for but I will be aiming for a balance between all 5! 

-

if anything is available physically, do you already have an idea how to manage production in a way that would keep shipping costs prices within acceptable range for everyone? (if production happens in the us shipping to europe is often far too expensive, that kind of thing)

-

In truth? No. I don’t. I will say I am from the UK so it will be shipping from the UK. However, If i don’t get a merch moderator to help me with things like this and is more experienced than I am,  it will be a digital only zine as I don’t want to make a promise that I can do this when I personally know I cannot. I have made merchandise in the past but with a project at this scale I don’t want to make a promise when I can’t guarantee it. 

-

What are the mods level of experience with running a zine and what will be the primary method of communication between mods and participants

Currently we don’t have a mods so I can’t fully answer this for when the mods are chosen however as the host: I have been a moderator for zines in the past & been a contributor for over 5 of them as well! The primary method of communication will be through discord. Acceptance/rejection letters will be through email! 

-

Are short comics (2-4 pages, or 1-2 spreads) allowed?

Absolutely! I’d love to see some comics! Go wild :D

[twiceasfrustrating]

A Key of One's Own

Rating: General Audience Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: Gen Fandom: Shall We Date?: Obey Me! Relationships: Lucifer & MC Characters: Lucifer, gn!mc Additional Tags: fluff, mild swearing Summary: No one was home to let you into the House of Lamentation after a long day, so you decided to hang somewhere else. Lucifer is very upset by that. A/N: Can you tell I'm experimenting with what I can fit in a fic? Word Count: 865

Mammon was such a jerk! He was supposed to wait for you to go home, but it felt like the ass went out of his way to leave you behind and run off to do who knows what scheme this time. All you knew was that he was supposed to bring you home today and now he couldn't. That meant Mammon was unavailable, Levi had left his isolation cave to go wait in a line for some merchandise release, Satan was at the library, Asmo was stuck dealing with his fanclub (although, stuck implied he didn't love the attention), Beel was at practice, and Belphie could be passed out just about anywhere at the moment. As for Lucifer… he was probably with Diavolo, going over student council business of some sort. That meant no one was free to let you into the House of Lamentation.

You could sit outside the front door and wait for someone to get home, but you didn't know when that would be. There was also the option to message someone, but you didn't want to interrupt what they were doing. That meant your best option was probably to kill your time doing something else; like going somewhere to study or get other work done.

The nearest place was a manga cafe where you could rent out a private room for a few hours and work on your assignments (maybe read a few comics while you were there to relax afterward), so you decided to head there. The room you managed to get was pretty nice for 500 grimm an hour; a small private space with a tiny desk so you could read and work in peace. There was a nice water fountain and a vending machine in the hall too. You could easily spend a few hours here until you were sure someone got home.

And a few hours you did spend. Way more than you intended, burying your nose in assignments and taking a break to read a few manga that you just knew you were going to yell and Levi about later. You hardly noticed how much time had passed until you heard your DDD go off and finally checked it.

That was when you noticed how late it had gotten without you even realizing. No wonder Lucifer was messaging you. You should have been home hours ago.

You gave him your location, knowing you wouldn’t hear the end of it if you walked home by yourself when he was already upset.

Instead, you sat in your private room and waited for him to come to you, noticing immediately how deep the scowl on his face was when he finally saw you, safe but clearly disobeying his house rules.

“We’re going home,” he said curtly before turning on his heels and silently dragging you behind him without laying a hand on you.

You held your belongings close as you walked behind him, the silence absolutely deafening between you two.

At least, that was until he finally spoke up. “You should have been home by now. Why is it that I came back to find you were out?”

You stared at his back as he walked, trying not to lower your head even though you felt so small when he spoke to you like that. “I was killing time until someone got home to let me in. I just… lost track of time. It wasn’t on purpose.”

“Mammon was supposed to bring you home so you could get in before it got dark.” It was said like an obvious fact; like there was no argument you could make against him.

“Well, he didn’t and I can’t get in by myself,” you said, then retreated back into silence. A silence Lucifer didn’t bother to break.

You weren’t surprised the following morning when you woke up to Mammon hanging from the ceiling. He was in charge of making sure you got home on time last night and he failed to do that. You almost thought about helping him down, but decided against it in favor of getting breakfast before Beel finished it all off. Perhaps you were a little peeved by him choosing some harebrained scheme over you yesterday.

So you left him there, dangling in punishment for abandoning you while you went to go eat breakfast with everyone else. Lucifer would let him down before class.

Before that though, Lucifer would walk you to the door to remind you that you were free to do whatever you wanted with your time as long as you were back before dark. 

“I know. It won’t happen again,” you reassured him, remembering his quiet anger when he picked you up last night.

“See that it doesn’t.” He grabbed your hand in his own, keeping a tight grip that was just loose enough not to hurt. “You have no excuses this time.” Then he slipped something into your palm before turning away from you to deal with Mammon on the upper floor.

You watched him disappear up the stairs before daring to look at what he’d given you. As you uncurled your fingers, you saw a shiny, silver, metal key resting in your hand.

[tavern-of-lore]

Patreon

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[hetalianhistorian]

Thanks for 150 Followers + upcoming plans for this blog!!

Hey everyone!! Thank you for over 150 followers on Tumblr! Although I really should've have made this kind of post at 100, haha. I'm very surprised by the attention that has managed to gather ever since starting this blog. 150 followers may not seem like a whole lot, but that's 150 people who I have achieved my goal with: informing others providing accessible means of official Hetalia news and more!

Thank you so much once again! I'll do my best to keep posting consistently and updating. It's been such a huge pleasure to help serve the community thus far! For 150 followers, I'll be celebrating by posting future plans that will soon be implemented onto the blog! If you are interested, please feel free to expand by the post below.

Proper Tagging and Formatting: This is the one that has bothered me the most by far. For several of my posts thus far, there has been inconsistencies on the tagging and formatting of my posts. I'll be going back and doing a large clean up to set a standard on format depending on the type of post (merchandise, manga, Hetamyu). Alongside with fixing tags and putting up new ones so that archiving and filtering this blog will be easier and dependable for any future use.

Second blog: I would also like to make a second account in the future for both Tumblr and Youtube made for archiving any official Hetalia content. The main blog (this one) serves as a news/information/educational source (alongside with my own general fanart), it will not suffice for major archiving. The hope is that the archival blog will be up-to-date with all official Hetalia content still remaining and providing that accessibility of the content to the fandom. This one will be a tedious project, as trying to archive over 15+ years of Hetalia content is absolutely a lot harder than simply reporting the news. So bear with me here as this will be its own project that will take its time.

Future projects: Still haven't forgotten about the flower project and more! Those are its own tedious tasks with a lot of research required and executing. Right now, I'm also working on a project documenting all Hetalia birthdays for all the major characters from the series and hopefully that will be shared soon! Special thanks to @arumidden on helping me with both of these projects so far and doing so, so much work for it. They've done a lot more work than I can put into words and I'm genuinely so grateful

Blog overhaul: There is a severe lack of design and customization within the blog and all the accounts. After the flowers and birthday projects are out of the way, I'll be make custom art and fixing up custom designs for the blog! Alongside with setting up pages with its own dedicated category, FAQ, and more! Stay tuned!

That's a lot and quite a bit ambitious, but it was really exciting to share my plans for the future! Please patient as the projects and blog continues to be developed and hopefully you can around the news that will keep being posted as well! Hopefully all of that made sense as I am very sleepy right now. It means a lot and it's been such a joy to host this blog. Thank you so much again for all your support. Hetalian Historian

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Thoughts while watching Taskmaster s15e07:

- So does Greg saying there will be no points for toasters mean they’ve all brought in toasters, like the jelly situation from season 11?

- I would genuinely play Taskmaster Wac-A-Mole. I would love to. Can they add that to their purchasable merchandise? Will they have to pay Ivo royalties for the idea?

- I love how hard Ivo defends his prizes tasks. Usually with some watertight explanation that you can see he planned beforehand. Fair enough, it is popular worldwide and has Greg’s face on it now.

-

This will be exactly how I will sound when explaining what I think about Mae Martin, if they ever start using he/him pronouns. Fair enough, though. Prof. Brian Cox on a Pop-Tart has to be worth something.

- We’ve seen a lot of unusual sides to Frankie Boyle so far this season, his “doing a Prof. Brian Cox” side turns out to be much creepier than I’d have anticipated, if anyone had asked me what I’d expected from Frankie Boyle’s Brian Cox impression.

- I wrote the above point before seeing Greg point out the same thing:

I shall try not to screenshot the entire episode again. I’ll slow it down from here on out.

- Oh, Jenny’s was genuinely good. Like, an actual thing rather than weird novelty, and an actually cool-looking thing. And I’m not even mentioning how attractive it is when Mae tries to argue with it while managing to appear both self-conscious and indignant. Look at me not even mentioning that.

Something about the way they argue for points. I have no idea how Greg ever resists it. It’s fine, I’m doing fine.

- Surely there’s an outtake where someone makes a dick joke after Kiell says “The most brilliant thing that pops up is obviously oneself,” right?

- Pogo stick’s not bad, but space hoppers are better. Kiell’s joke about Greg being a teacher was pretty good, though.

- Again, Frankie Boyle has brought in a piece of art that has nothing to do with the prize task category. It’s such a weirdly specific idea to be Frankie’s “thing” throughout this season, and yet, very on brand.

- Sorry, I wrote the above point before the points were given out. I can now say that the real trend is Frankie Boyle bringing in prizes that are pieces of art, have nothing to do with the category, and get over-scored. Which would be a problem if he actually won the season on it, but he won’t, so it’s fine. I’d still love to see him take an episode, though.

- More eggs. I think this season’s been pretty egg-heavy, even for Taskmaster.

- I’d just like to say that I don’t know what a pulper is either, Kiell.

- Ooh, title drop from Frankie.

I still don’t know what a pulper is.

- I mean, obviously if you could remove the egg from the pulper that would be a good thing. I don’t know what it is, but I think I’d at least try walking about it to see if there’s an obvious way to open it up.

- I swear I wrote the above point before seeing this:

So... is that it? They can extract the egg if they literally just walk to the other side of it, and Frankie and Kiell haven’t bothered?

- I have finished watching Frankie and Kiell do this task and I still have no idea what’s going on. But I’m almost sure that Frankie was wrong about lack of speed being the problem, and may still have lucked into doing well by happening to stop at the right time.

- Okay, I still don’t understand.

Does he mean it’s just the first time Frankie and Kiell saw the interior? They were blind because they chose not to go look? Or did none of the others look either? And why not? Would it not have been visible to them if they’d walked around it? Because from the shots we saw, it looked like it was wide open? What is happening?

- Jenny and Mae up next, so Ivo is once again being saved for last. He’s going to have a breakdown, isn’t he?

- 

Jenny Eclair hearing cymbals crash loudly, freaking the fuck out, and then assuming an egg made the noise: top-notch comedy, this is what the fans have paid to see.

- Right, I’m an idiot. I’ve just remembered that the task said they can’t move from their spot, so that’s why they don’t walk around the machine. I should really go back and delete the stuff I wrote above about that, so I look like less of an idiot, but I can’t really be bothered. I see now why they are blind. And I now have greater appreciation for the inherent comedy in making them just stand there spinning a wheel and listening to crashing with no idea what’s happening and no way to find out.

Having said that, any chance they can say the red dot they’re standing on is the spot, and move it? It’s a bit of a risk because Greg could decide that’s not allowed and disqualify them, but there has been precedent in previous seasons for arguing that the red thing is the spot and you’re still on the spot as long as you stay on it. And this task would be so easy to win if you could just move a bit, though they wouldn’t know that from where they are. As far as they know, trying to hop around on a red dot might just waste a lot of time and lead to nothing.

- Solid energy from Jenny Eclair here.

- 

God, the genuine distress on their face when they heard a noise that might be an egg getting pulped. I’m not even talking about sexual attractiveness anymore (I mean, okay, I am a bit). It’s just what's so much fun to watch on this show. That’s not comedy distress, that’s just actually being very concerned that they lost focus for a moment and misjudged the pulp wheel. What more can we ask for out of a Taskmaster contestant?

- All right, I’ve watched Jenny fly too close to the sun and pulp the egg, which means Mae probably does the same since they were grouped together. But I am still getting invested in the tension as they carefully push closer to it. Come on, Mae. I believe in you. Magically sense the position of an egg.

- I might have started saying “No no no no no stop stop stop stop stop” out loud at this point:

- Ah shit. On the bright side, maybe this episode gets to be Frankie’s?

- Ivo! They didn’t save him for last because he had a breakdown! They saved him for last because he is a clever little boy who has seen previous Taskmaster seasons and knows about moving spots. Good job.

- It is a lot of fun to watch Ivo spin the wheel with abandon, and then occasionally stop and look around like he’s convinced he’s missed something. No, it’s okay, little buddy! You’ve got this!

Something about watching Ivo Graham makes me feel like a gym teacher encouraging an eight-year-old to climb a rope.

- What a smart boy. He knows how to hop around a carry eggs and spin wheels and everything. Someday he might even learn how to open his eyes.

- Fantastic. A team task and the periodic table of elements. That’s all I want out of Taskmaster.

Will anyone be surprised if I mention at this point that when I was 13, we had to memorize the names and symbols of the twenty elements that our teacher assigned us for a science test, and I chose instead to memorize the name and symbol of every element on the whole table? I haven’t done it years, but I bet could still write out a periodic table with the names and their symbols correctly placed. I can still list the original 151 Pokemon in order, that one I have checked recently. It’s important to retain all the useless information you memorized in childhood for no reason, because otherwise, how will you know who you are?

- 

I tried to think about something to say about this screenshot so I’d have a legitimate excuse for adding to this post, instead of just including it as a way to say “look how hot Mae Martin is”, but I’ve got nothing.

- I mean, as far as “weird screenshots that you’d never expect to exist but there they are on Taskmaster” go, Frankie Boyle and Ivo Graham being handcuffed together is up there:

- So it’s basically an escape room, then? I’ve been informed by Ed Gamble that Mae Martin and Ivo Graham both like this sort of thing, unsurprisingly.

- I’m going to guess that stellar performance from the team of three was edited to look even more efficient than it really was, as a contrast to whatever we’re about to get out of Team Big IF. But still, that was impressive. Mae Martin like four steps ahead of everyone else, explaining that one of those things on the wall is going to relate to the other thing and we have to eat the candies and just get on with it. I’ve just realized how great it’ll be if Mae wins this season, specifically because I want to see them take on Sarah Kendall in Champion of Champions. Battle of the ruthlessly efficient.

- Kiell admitting that a task in which he looked bad was edited to make him look better than he really was is pretty funny. And again, this means that whatever Team Big IF do is such a mess that the editors decided it’s funnier than Kiell being upset about candies by enough to cut the latter for more of the former.

- Oh, excellent. It’s always good when a team breaks down so badly that you see them wincing in the studio just because they know their task is about to be shown. This may not, in fact, be Frankie’s episode to win.

- Ivo Graham correcting Frankie Boyle’s pronunciation of “cumin” is pretty much everything I expected to come from this team.

- Why is Frankie adding up the numbers?

- I believe Ivo is asking himself the same question I just wrote down, but does not have the guts to actually it out loud to Frankie Boyle’s face:

- My apologies to Ivo Graham, obviously it turns out he has no fear at all of confronting Frankie Boyle about his flawed system:

No fear at all. He’s doing absolutely fine.

- Okay, I see this is the moment they realize they still have handcuffs on, but does that really explain everything about why this hug is so weird? Was Frankie going for lifting him into the air?

- Taskmaster sometimes just feels like an experiment where they throw shit at the wall and find out which bits of it are funny. Things that just wouldn’t happen unless Taskmaster manufactured it, so without this show, we’d have no way of knowing whether those things are funny or not. Turns out that two comedians of wildly contrasting personalities frantically searching a room with plastic sheeting on the walls while handcuffed = funny.

- 

I feel like it summarizes Ivo’s persona that he can come out of a task that went horribly wrong due to Frankie’s incompetence, and Ivo saved it by being significantly less incompetent in that particular area, and still, in the debrief, Frankie can comfortably take the high status. Love seeing Frankie have the guts to come out of that terrible a performance, and his primary comment on what happened is to call Ivo a coward.

- Jesus Christ. How hard would we have to petition the people who run Taskmaster to get them to release the unedited footage, that does exist somewhere, of Frankie Boyle and Ivo Graham being handcuffed together in a small room for 42 minutes straight?

Surely someone’s gotten on this, fanfiction-wise, right?

- Kiell regaling us with a story of stealing his classmate’s pen in school. Greg’s right, we are getting a solid picture of his childhood here.

- Oh, I like these. The tasks where they have to pick something without knowing why they’re picking it, so they have to guess what the task will be. I just imagine how I would absolutely lose my mind as I tried to consider every variable in guessing, knowing I’d be mad at myself later if I messed it up for myself, and then it’s just nice to watch people go through that and know I don’t have to.

- I thought off the bat that Frankie’s pick for the number would be the one I respect the most - I’d probably go with 50 if I were picking between 0 and 100, in case going really high or really low fucks you over horribly. But then Ivo went 42 with a Hitchhiker’s Guide reference, and okay, it’s a bit trite, a bit “thing my friends and I all recited to each other in high school to prove how cool we were for being able to reference this”, but I like it anyway. You go, Ivo. Make your Douglas Adams reference.

- I mean, I think I’d at least guess that the ingredients, noun, and adjective have something to do with each other. I haven’t seen part 2 yet, but I’m saying if I were doing part 1, I’d try to pick words that could be at least somewhat related and ingredients that could relate to them.

- Yep. Turns out I made a good call. Not sure the contestants did.

- I mean that’s what you want out of Taskmaster, isn’t it? Comedians dumping a load of food ingredients onto a plastic duck while panicking about a timer running down? That’s why they commissioned this show.

- Jenny’s grabbed a gold shoe from somewhere else, I guess she knew it was there because they must have filmed this not long after the golden shoes + bowling ball task. At first I thought it was quite a coincidence that she picked “gold” and “shoe” when she’d used that in another task, but then I realized they must have filmed this one shortly after that one and she was thinking of it when she picked her words, like how Mae and Ivo were both thinking of ducks becuase they’re all over the house.

- Well, I’ll be honest, I got to halfway through the third pre-recorded task and then I got a call from my boss about some actual work I have to do, and I really wanted to just finish the episode so I’ve watched the rest without stopping to write stuff down. It was, once again, not Frankie’s day. Nice to get Kiell on the board, though, every constant who isn’t good enough to have a shot at winning the whole season should at least have the goal of staying off the relatively short list of contestants who’ve never won an episode. Ivo repeateldy endeared himself to me throughout this episode, and may have thrown it away at the end by believing that a Canadian accent sounds like an American with a particularly high-pitched voice. Why doesn’t every single episode have a part where the contestants have to do impressions of each other? They could get lots out of that. Okay I have to go do actual things now, but this was fun, can’t believe there are already only three left.

[krashing-starz]

It's the Holiday Season

Chapter 2: Shirak

AN This is chapter two of my gift swap fic for @readingrizzo for @mcytblrholidayexchange! This time we're focusing in on Hypixel culture!

Techno didn’t talk a lot about his time on Hypixel.

It was one of those simple understandings the crew had, most beings didn’t want to join trade ships unless they had way too much time to kill or something to run away from.

(Tubbo wasn’t sure which category he fit into.)

Techno appeared to be the latter. That’s why it was such a surprise when he requested an unnecessary landing.

“We could make it,” Tubbo looked at the market Techno wanted to visit. It was an artificial moon circling Berio, the kind of market that got away with being approved by the skin of their teeth. (Tubbo wouldn’t be surprised if this market sold teeth in all honesty.) “But I get to ask one question.”

“Alright.”

Tubbo turned around in his chair, leaning forward slightly and putting both sets of hands into pyramid forms. He’d approve this trip even if Techno didn’t answer but Tubbo wasn’t about to let an opportunity like this slip away.

“Why do you want to go?”

Techno’s shoulders raised at that question, his ears flattened, and he shifted ever minutely into a slightly more battle ready position. Techno looked down at Tubbo, probably weighing his options and the likelihood of his answer somehow being used against him in the future. Then he let out a small puff of air and broke eye contact.

“They’re celebrating shirak,” The last word was said with a heavy accent, clearly not a Common word.

“Which is?” 

“One question, now approve it,”

Groaning in half fake annoyance Tubbo hit the approve button. The trip wouldn’t add too much time and could give them a time to refuel or relax.

(Or, spy on their friend to figure out what a shirak was.)

***

A shirak, (a word Tubbo couldn’t find anywhere in the Piglin books) appeared to be some sort of festival. It also didn’t appear to be a Piglin holiday. In fact, Tubbo could find next to no Piglins.

The market was populated with vendors from Berio, travelers looking to restock before the next leg of their journey, and bright decorations covered in slogans for what appeared to be a fight. 

Vendors holdered into the crowd about gambles and merchandise and tickets for a live showing. Techno ignored all of them so Tubbo did too. The two walked past the fight ring, the market center, and the restaurant district before Techno did something unexpected. He turned around.

The turning around was not necessarily the problem. Rather the problem was that Tubbo, who was definitely not stalking Techno, was the first thing that came into Techno’s line of sight. Though, given the look Techno had, this was something he was expecting. Techno motioned for Tubbo to walk up before turning and continuing the way he was originally going.

Tubbo sped up to catch up with Techno, still keeping an eye on his surroundings, watching as what had seemed like a lot of banners before turned to an excessive amount. No longer reading in Common Tubbo managed to pick out the names from earlier but little else. Similarly the beings here weren’t speaking Common, nor were their radios. (Of which, there were many)

Eventually Techno turned to face a small building. It would’ve been nondescript if not for the fact its brown materials and slightly more blank walls were the complete opposite of its colorful and decked out neighbors.

“Last chance to back out,” Techno’s voice, while teasing, was not mocking. A genuine chance for Tubbo to reconsider where his curiosity had led him and question if he really wanted this.

“I’m not a coward, Techno,” Tubbo tried to ignore the way his wings buzzed against his back and how his antennae were twitching with nerves. He’d gone this far already, no point backing out now.

Techno squeezed his shoulder for half a second before letting go. (He did have a reputation to maintain)

The room inside the building was cramped. What it lacked in the outside decorations it made up with the interior. Pictures hung from the walls, posters were framed, plus the many knick knacks that were placed on shelves. All that wasn’t including the many customers that populated the tables and bar.

Techno rapped twice hard against the wooden table next to the entrance.

A voice, still in that unknown language, came floating through the building. In response Techno rapped twice again. A long groan could be heard as the owner of the voice made themselves known as they pushed through what must’ve been the door to the kitchen based on the tray of food they were holding. Their annoyance immediately faded as they caught sight of Techno though.

(Out of the corner of his eye Tubbo caught Techno smiling at the being. Techno looked younger when he smiled. He looked like he was any other Piglin and not Technoblade, the gruff security man. Tubbo wished Techno smiled more. Tubbo wished Techno had more to smile about.)

As the being put their tray down they shouted back to the room they had exited before running up to Techno, words flying out a mile a minute. They made a gesture as if to say look at you and Techno responded back in the mystery language. 

As another being came out of the room to see Techno Tubbo slinked away, ready to do some snooping on Techno’s friends. (Aquantanices? Allies? Dealers for whatever illegal scheme Techno was involved in?).

Of course Tubbo didn’t get far before being shouted at. Terrified he’d somehow offended someone or was about to be caught snooping again Tubbo turned around to face… a Scizo? But those weren’t native to this region of the galaxy?

The Scizo said something in the mystery language and flicked their tail. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak that language,” Tubbo felt awkward and was somewhat regretting not taking Techno’s offer up of leaving earlier.

“Ah, not from Hypixel then?” The Scizo seemed taken aback by Tubbo’s not-hypixainness. 

“Yes, I’m from Beelerat. My coworker mention shirak and I wanted to see what it was” 

“Well you’re not going to see much. This place only has a radio going.”

“Why does everyone have radios going?”

“To hear the fight? Did your coworker tell you anything?”

Before Tubbo could give that question an answer Techno shouted his name and flagged him over. Waving goodbye to the Scizo along with an apology for having their conversation cut short Tubbo made his way over to Techno.

Techno motioned to Tubbo and said something in the mystery language. He then turned to Tubbo and introduced the beings to him.

“That’s Skeppy, he’s Gemmit. That’s Bad, he’s a Demon.”

“Hello Skeppy, hello Bad,” Tubbo stuck out one of his hands.

Bad pushed the back of Tubbo’s hand away from him.

“Hello Tubbo,” Bad’s Common had the same accent as Techno’s.

Skeppy slapped Tubbo’s palm in a way that was reminiscent of a “high five” Tommy liked to give.

“Nice to meet you Tubbo,”

“Tubbo was rather insistent on seeing what a shirak was,”

“Can he speak Hypix?”

All three sets of eyes turned to him.

“...No,”

“I’ll narrate for him,” Techno offered.

“You don’t have to!” Tubbo flicked his hands in Techno’s direction. “I can leave, or pull up my translator,”

“It’ll be more fun if I narrate for you. It’ll be in real time and you can experience the traditions properly,”

“What traditions?”

A shout from the other patrons came from across the restaurant.

“Why don’t you find out?”

***

“Your choices right now are Anzelo, Jericho, Digger, or Sheil,” Techno had been quietly explaining the rules of a Shirak to Tubbo for around the past twenty minutes as the announcers did… something. Probably introduce the contestants. “You pick one of the four to bet on, write you name down on a slip of paper, and then put it in the corresponding bowl,”

“Then what?” Tubbo took the pen that was handed to him and scrawled down his name.

“That is a surprise,”

“Tubbo!” Bad, seemingly out of nowhere, appeared over Tubbo’s shoulder. “Quick question, do you have any allergies?”

“Andesite and food coloring made from teigh.”

“Got it!” Bad jotted down something on his notebook before making his way back where Skeppy was mixing… something up.

“Should I be worried?”

“Not unless your name is drawn,”

“How ominous,”

Squinting at the four bowls laid out before him Tubbo surveyed his options. In the end he dropped it into the bowl that was labeled with Sheil. I mean, what was the worst that would happen? He loses a day’s worth of pay?

***

Turns out Sheil is kind of shit.

Ze are clearly talented enough to make it this far but they lose all three of their matches in under 10 minutes. Meaning zeir bowl is the one brought out to be drawn from. 

Clearly Techno had been holding out some key information because the bowl holds around half as many slips as the other three. It had maybe a dozen in total, putting Tubbo at a far higher risk for whatever ominous nonsense Techno refused to explain.

Reaching his hand into the bowl Skeppy picked out a name with an almost gleeful malice. Opening it up his eyes locked onto Tubbo’s the second they were done reading as they shouted something in Hypix.

“Your name was drawn,” Techno, unhelpfully, translated as Tubbo was pushed onto his feet and towards Skeppy. There were hollers and hoots as Tubbo walked towards what he was starting to think was his imminent demise.

“This is your first shirak?” Skeppy had swapped over to Common once Tubbo got close enough to hear him.

“Yes,” Stars in the sky, this was nerve wracking.

“Do you particularly care about any of your clothes?”

“No,” 

“And you gave Bad all your allergies?”

“Yes,”

“Great, if this isn’t your style feel free to head into the back and clean up. We won’t make you bet again,”

“What is thi-”

Before Tubbo could get another word out he was drenched in a slick slippery substance that rolled off his body and onto the floor, leaving only a faint trail of slime in its wake.

Explosive cheers came from his left and right. Mostly in Hypix but Tubbo could make out at least three other languages in the mix. Looking out he found Techno laughing his ass off, quite the sight to behold from the grumpy head of security. 

“Tubbo?” Bad, keeping up with his weirdness, appeared at Tubbo’s side. “Do you want to wash up?”

A smile breaking onto Tubbo’s face at the absurdity of the situation he was in he looked at what was (hopefully) Bad’s face.

“Actually, can I bet again?”

Skeppy eagerly handed back Tubbo’s slip of paper as he set up the bowls for the next match.

Tubbo works his way back to Techno.

“Why didn’t you tell me Sheild sucked you bastard?” Tubbo punched Techno’s arm with two of his.

“You are entitled to your own opinions and choices,” Techno took back his paper from a being who was emptying out the bowls. “Even when those opinions and choices are the wrong ones,”

“Well you could help me make better ones,”

“Where’s the fun in that? It’s Phael, Sapa, Yablok, and Casjons this time,”

“Who do I pick?”

“I dunno, which one do you think you should pick?”

“I hate you,”

“You’re going to love me when we get to the final match,”

***

Techno looked oddly at comfort up on the stage holding a weapon.

Not in the sense that it was odd he was holding a weapon, the first time they’d met Techno had almost brained Tubbo on reflex alone, more so how dramatic he was. As the radio announcers narrated the final battle Techno and another patron dramatically recreated the moves of the finalist. There was an ease to how Techno dropped down to try and sweep out his opponents legs with far more flair than was necessary. He didn’t blink when the announcers said that his person did a 360 mid-fight, he just did it. 

“Quite the dramatist,” The Scizo, who’d since introduced himself as Woidal, commented as she appreciatively watched Techno throw his sword to try and startle his opponent off the “edge”.

“It’s hard to imagine he could do this,” Tubbo pauses to take a swig of his drink before continuing. “In all my time of knowing Techno he’s probably been the most direct out of all of us. He’ll buy into a bit but he does it in a distinct “I’m doing a bit” way.”

“Well, that’s Hypixel fighting for you. No point in picking up a weapon if you’re going to do it boringly.”

“Yeah, it’s just… his fighting style is nothing like this. At least not like I’ve seen,”

“Maybe he was secretly a Hypixel champion before he was a security guard!” Woidal’s fins flare up at her announcement. He clearly isn’t taking it seriously and Tubbo wouldn’t either, why would anyone trade a life of fame for a tedious job on a cargo ship.

But Techno looks up at his opponent with a sort of energy that makes it clearly that this isn’t just an act to Techno. He can hold a sword like this, with confidence in his skills to attack and perform. He probably has held his sword for entertainment. But for once, that was none of Tubbo’s business. So he turns to Woidal, tells him “We’ll never know,” and turns back to watch his friend fight.

***

Tubbo couldn’t wait for the next shirak. The chaos, the excitement, the weird tension in the restaurant that came from four opposing sides occupying the same small place, it was everything Tubbo needed. He was covered in weird liquids and face paint and confetti and had learned at least half a dozen new swear words in Hypix. Tubbo’s wings were fluttering again, this time with the residual excitement from what just happened.

Beside him Techno, also covered in face paint and weird liquid and confetti, was listening to Tubbo ramble about the experience. Techno was covered in only one coat of weird liquid on account of the fact that he actually knew about Hypixel’s fights compared to Tubbo who simply chose which of the names sounded the coolest.

Around them were beings cheering and complaining, both in Hypix and Common, using the last of their supplies on friends or trying to clean it up. Tubbo watched as Techno gracefully ducked under a flying sponge.

“Next year, I’m taking you to Hypixel.” Techno carefully pushed past two beings dancing in joy.

“Really!” If a shirak this far away from Hypixel was this much fun Tubbo couldn’t imagine the real thing.

“You’ll have to learn enough Hypix to be able to fend for yourself and the rules of all the games but yes.” 

Tubbo let out a whoop of glee as his wings took him up and in a circle.

“But I get to ask you one question,”

“Go for it boss man!”

“How are you going to explain this to them?” Techno pointed behind Tubbo where the rest of the crewmates were.

“...just the mess or…?”

“The whole thing,”

Tubbo took in a deep breath as everyone made their way over.

“I guess we’ll find out,”

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Unlocking Hidden Value: How a Liquidation Company in India Can Help You Sell Unsold Stock Effectively

Understanding liquidation and its benefits for businesses

In today's fast-paced business world, it's not uncommon for companies to find themselves with excess inventory. Whether it's due to overestimating demand, changes in market trends, or a need to make space for new products, surplus stock can pose a challenge for businesses. This is where a liquidation company in India can play a crucial role.

Liquidation is the process of selling off excess inventory at a discounted price, allowing businesses to recover some of the investment tied up in unsold stock. It offers several benefits for companies, including reducing storage costs, freeing up capital for other business activities, and minimizing losses on slow-moving or outdated products.

By partnering with a liquidation company in India, businesses can tap into a network of buyers who are specifically looking for discounted merchandise. These companies have expertise in managing surplus inventory and can help businesses find the right channels to sell their unsold stock effectively.

The role of a liquidation company in India

A liquidation company in India acts as an intermediary between businesses with surplus inventory and buyers who are interested in purchasing discounted merchandise. They have the infrastructure, expertise, and connections to facilitate the efficient sale of excess stock.

One of the key roles of a liquidation company is to assess the value of the surplus inventory. They conduct thorough evaluations to determine the condition, market demand, and potential resale value of the products. Based on this assessment, the liquidation company advises businesses on the best course of action, whether it's selling the stock as a whole or breaking it down into smaller lots for better marketability.

Additionally, a liquidation company in India has access to various sales channels, both online and offline, where they can showcase the surplus inventory to potential buyers. This includes wholesale liquidation stores, online marketplaces, and specialized liquidation platforms. They handle the logistics of the sales process, from marketing and advertising to packaging and shipping, ensuring a seamless experience for both the seller and the buyer.

Types of surplus inventory and how a liquidation company can help

Surplus inventory can come in various forms, depending on the nature of the business. It can include overstocked items, seasonal products, returned goods, discontinued items, or even damaged merchandise. Each type of surplus inventory requires a tailored approach for effective liquidation.

A liquidation company in India has the expertise to handle different types of surplus inventory. They understand the market dynamics and buyer preferences for various product categories. For example, if a business has surplus garments, the liquidation company can tap into their network of buyers specifically interested in discounted clothing. They can help businesses navigate the complexities of garment liquidation, ensuring maximum value is extracted from the surplus stock.

Moreover, a liquidation company can assist businesses in identifying the most suitable sales channels for their surplus inventory. They have access to a wide range of liquidation sites and platforms in India, where they can list the products for sale. These platforms attract buyers who are actively seeking discounted merchandise, increasing the chances of a successful sale.

The process of liquidating your old stock effectively

Liquidating old stock effectively requires careful planning and execution. It involves several steps that a liquidation company in India can guide businesses through.

The first step is to conduct a thorough inventory assessment. This includes categorizing the surplus stock, evaluating its condition, and estimating its resale value. A liquidation company can assist in this process by providing their expertise in appraising different types of products.

Once the inventory assessment is complete, the next step is to decide on the most appropriate sales channels. This can vary depending on the nature of the surplus inventory and the target market. A liquidation company can help businesses choose the right platforms or sales partners to maximize the chances of a successful sale.

After selecting the sales channels, businesses need to develop a marketing and advertising strategy to attract potential buyers. A liquidation company can assist in creating compelling product listings, optimizing keywords, and leveraging their network to reach a wider audience.

Once the sales are initiated, the liquidation company takes care of the logistics, including packaging, shipping, and customer support. They ensure a smooth transaction, from the moment a buyer places an order to the delivery of the products.

The advantages of using a liquidation platform in India

A liquidation platform in India provides businesses with a dedicated marketplace to sell their surplus stock. These platforms have several advantages over traditional sales channels.

Firstly, a liquidation platform offers a targeted audience of buyers who are specifically looking for discounted merchandise. This increases the chances of a quick and successful sale, as the platform attracts customers who are actively seeking deals.

Secondly, a liquidation platform provides businesses with a streamlined process for listing and selling their surplus inventory. They offer user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use tools for creating product listings, and secure payment gateways. This simplifies the sales process for businesses and ensures a seamless experience for both the seller and the buyer.

Additionally, a liquidation platform often has a broader reach than individual businesses can achieve on their own. They leverage their network and marketing efforts to attract a large number of buyers, increasing the visibility and exposure of the surplus stock.

Lastly, a liquidation platform in India offers businesses the opportunity to connect with other sellers and buyers in the same industry. This can lead to potential collaborations, partnerships, or even new business opportunities.

How to choose the right liquidation company for your business

Choosing the right liquidation company for your business is crucial to ensure a successful and efficient liquidation process. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

Experience and expertise: Look for a liquidation company in India that has a proven track record and expertise in your specific industry. They should have experience handling similar products and be familiar with the market dynamics.

Sales channels: Consider the sales channels that the liquidation company has access to. Evaluate whether these channels align with your target market and the nature of your surplus inventory. A diverse range of sales channels can increase the chances of finding the right buyers.

Reputation and reviews: Research the reputation of the liquidation company by reading customer reviews and testimonials. Look for feedback from businesses who have previously used their services to gauge their reliability and customer satisfaction.

Transparent pricing: Ensure that the liquidation company provides clear pricing structures and transparent fee structures. It's important to understand the costs involved and how they will impact your overall returns.

Support and communication: Choose a liquidation company that offers excellent customer support and clear communication throughout the entire process. They should be responsive to your queries and provide regular updates on the progress of the liquidation.

Best practices for selling surplus stock through a liquidation company

To maximize the value of your liquidated surplus, it's important to follow some best practices. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Optimize your product listings: Take the time to create compelling and accurate product descriptions. Use relevant keywords that will attract potential buyers and make your listings stand out.

Bundle products strategically: Consider bundling related products together to create attractive offers for buyers. This can increase the perceived value of the bundle and encourage faster sales.

Price competitively: Research the market prices for similar products and set competitive prices for your surplus stock. While it's important to recover some of the investment, pricing the products too high can deter potential buyers.

Monitor market trends: Stay updated with market trends and buyer preferences. This can help you identify opportunities to sell certain types of products at a higher value or adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.

Provide excellent customer service: Ensure that the liquidation company you choose offers reliable customer service. This includes prompt responses to customer inquiries, efficient handling of returns or refunds, and clear communication throughout the sales process.

Exploring different liquidation sites and platforms in India

India has a growing number of liquidation sites and platforms that cater to businesses looking to sell their surplus stock. Here are some popular options to consider:

ValueShoppe: ValueShoppe is a well-known liquidation platform in India that offers a wide range of categories for businesses to list their surplus inventory. They have a user-friendly interface and attract a large number of buyers.

Liquidation Bazaar: Liquidation Bazaar specializes in garment liquidation and offers a dedicated marketplace for businesses in the fashion industry. They have a strong network of buyers specifically interested in discounted clothing.

Surplus Liquidators: Surplus Liquidators is a popular choice for businesses looking to liquidate a variety of products, ranging from electronics to home goods. They offer a seamless sales process and have a wide reach.

Wholesale Liquidation Store: Wholesale Liquidation Store is an online platform that connects businesses with buyers looking for wholesale deals. They have a diverse range of product categories and attract buyers from various industries.

Case studies: successful garment liquidation through a liquidation company

To illustrate the effectiveness of a liquidation company in India, let's explore a few case studies of successful garment liquidation:

Case Study 1: XYZ Clothing Company had excess inventory of winter jackets due to a miscalculation in demand. They partnered with a liquidation company specializing in garment liquidation. The liquidation company listed the jackets on their platform, optimized the product descriptions, and attracted buyers looking for discounted winter wear. Within a month, XYZ Clothing Company was able to liquidate their surplus stock and recoup a significant portion of their investment.

Case Study 2: ABC Fashion Boutique had a collection of unsold designer dresses from the previous season. They decided to work with a liquidation company that had a strong network of buyers in the fashion industry. The liquidation company recommended bundling the dresses with matching accessories to create attractive offers. This strategy was successful, and ABC Fashion Boutique was able to sell the surplus stock at a higher value than initially anticipated.

Case Study 3: DEF Apparel Store had a large quantity of damaged garments that were unsuitable for sale at their retail locations. They partnered with a liquidation company that specialized in handling damaged merchandise. The liquidation company assessed the condition of the garments and recommended selling them as salvage items. Through their network of buyers, they were able to find interested parties who were willing to purchase the damaged garments at discounted prices.

The importance of proper inventory management to avoid surplus stock

While a liquidation company can help businesses effectively sell their surplus stock, it's crucial to have proper inventory management practices in place to avoid excess inventory in the first place. Here are a few tips to prevent surplus stock:

Accurate demand forecasting: Invest in reliable demand forecasting tools and techniques to accurately predict customer demand. This can help businesses avoid overstocking or understocking products.

Regular inventory monitoring: Implement a robust inventory management system that allows businesses to track their stock levels in real-time. Regularly review inventory data to identify slow-moving products or potential overstock situations.

Streamline supply chain processes: Optimize your supply chain processes to minimize lead times and ensure timely deliveries. This can help businesses avoid situations where excess stock is ordered to compensate for delays or uncertainty in the supply chain.

Collaborate with suppliers: Maintain open lines of communication with suppliers to avoid unnecessary order quantities or delayed deliveries. Establishing strong relationships with suppliers can help businesses manage their inventory more effectively.

Offer promotions and discounts: Proactively offer promotions and discounts for slow-moving or seasonal products to avoid accumulating excess stock. This can help stimulate demand and prevent inventory buildup.

Conclusion: Leveraging the services of a liquidation company in India for effective stock management

In conclusion, partnering with a liquidation company in India can unlock hidden value for businesses with surplus stock. By effectively liquidating unsold inventory, companies can reduce storage costs, free up capital, and minimize losses. A liquidation company acts as a bridge between businesses and buyers, utilizing their expertise, sales channels, and marketing efforts to ensure a seamless liquidation process.

When choosing a liquidation company, consider their experience, reputation, and access to sales channels that align with your specific needs. Follow best practices for selling surplus stock, such as optimizing product listings and providing excellent customer service. Explore different liquidation sites and platforms in India to find the most suitable option for your business.

Proper inventory management is also essential to prevent surplus stock in the first place. Accurate demand forecasting, regular monitoring, streamlined supply chain processes, collaboration with suppliers, and offering promotions can help businesses maintain optimal inventory levels.

By leveraging the services of a liquidation company in India and adopting effective inventory management practices, businesses can unlock hidden value, optimize stock management, and ensure long-term success in today's competitive market.

CTA: If you're a business in India struggling with surplus stock, consider partnering with a reliable liquidation company to unlock hidden value and effectively manage your inventory. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you sell your unsold stock and maximize your returns.

[duckprintspress]

How to Navigate the Duck Prints Press Trello

Did you know we use a Trello for task management and it is completely transparent and publicly accessible?

Well, now you know!

The Duck Prints Press Trello is here.

When we first released it, we got an ask about how to use it; below is a Trello tutorial for those unfamiliar with how to use it, focused specifically on our boards and how they're organized!

While we're still hammering out the details on how best to organize the Trello for utility both for us as we organize things and to the public - in particular, I'll need to tweak how it's set up if we're going to effectively use the built-in calendar functionality - here's how it's set up now.

Note: all screen caps were taken on September 17th, 2022, and do not reflect the exact current organization or the current project status of the items shown in the captures.

LISTS:

The highest level of organization on a Trello Board is the lists. We've currently got a whole bunch of different lists.

At a Glance: this is the "overview" lists. It includes all of our current projects, and all of our regular/general management. Those are organized on Cards - more on that next.

Task Implementation Check Lists: we were having trouble sometimes remembering everything that needed to be done for certain "big" tasks we do regularly (such as publishing a story on our website) so we've begun to create guide lists to help us remember every process step that needs to be done. This also helps as we grow and more tasks are delegated.

Merchandise: lists all the merchandise we've currently got in production/in process, and what their current status is. (it does NOT include merch produced for past campaigns/activities)

After those two, we have a whole bunch of lists that all serve the same function: they indicate what stage of editing we've completed for each of a number of stories we're currently working on.

Developmental - Writing in Progress: first draft isn't done

Developmental - Draft Completed: first draft is done, waiting for an editor

Concept Editing - First Pass Completed: a concept-edit run has been returned to the author and is pending their review

Concept Editing - Second Pass Completed: a second concept-edit run has been returned to the author and is pending their review.

Copy - First Edits Completed: a SPAG edit run has been returned to the author and is pending their review.

Copy - Second Pass Completed: a second SPAG edit run has been returned to the author and is pending their review.

Copy - Final Edits Completed: a final/clean-up SPAG edit run has been returned to the author and is pending their review.

Final Edits Approved, Contract Sent and Pending Signature: the author has approved the final edit run and has been sent their contract.

Story Completed, Contract Signed, Author Paid, Preliminary Formatting Done: what it says on the tin

Typesetting - First Pass: the typesetter has done the first run on formatting the story for print.

Typesetting Completed: what it says on the tin.

Not every story needs every one of these steps, and sometimes stories need more concept or SPAG runs than this, but we thought this division reflected the process stories go through most often. All task cards feature the author's chosen pen name and the current working title of the story, if it has one.

Completed Project Lists: the next lists feature information on our completed projects, and can function as a (difficult to navigate and poorly organized but existent!) list of what's available in our shop. It's divided into four categories, reflecting the four places where our projects usually "end up" when they're completed. (A fifth end point is "in an anthology," and then that anthology, rather than the individual title, will be on this list when it's completed).

Main Imprint: Available For Purchase on Our Website - stories published under the Duck Prints Press imprint that are currently listed in our webstore.

Erotica Imprint: Available For Purchase on Our Website - stories published under the Duxxx Prints Press imprint that are currently listed in our webstore.

Merchandise for Sale on Our Website - what it says on the tin. :D

Monthly Backer Reward Stories - completed stories that have been posted for our Patreon and ko-fi backers.

Long-Term Ideas, Lists, Information We May Need Someday: the last of our lists is what it says on the tin. We keep track of ideas for future anthologies, potential merch, things we've thought of and gone "we can't do that now but maybe someday..." etc., and we just toss it all there so that the ideas don't get lost.

CARDS:

Every List is composed of Cards. Each Card reflects one category of "thing that needs to be done." There are a lot of ways to actually set up lists and cards (and we may change ours in the future) but currently, we've chosen the following approach:

Cards for all our main projects/overarching "areas" in which we're working. These are on the At a Glance List.

Cards for all currently in-progress Merchandise, on the Merchandise list.

Cards for all stories we have in-progress at the moment, on the appropriate Lists for their current status.

Cards for some over-arching categories of "things for not now," on the Long-Term Ideas list.

All the Cards on At a Glance have the same basic structure. If you click on the Card, you'll be able to see sub-tasks/checklists related to the items on that list. For example, here's the Recurring Tasks Card:

This is one of the most complex of the Cards, as it includes all the activities we engage in daily, weekly, monthly, and annually to keep the business running smoothly. Other "management" related Cards on this list include two related to our weekly management meetings and monthly all-server meetings, and the General Task Card, which lists a whole slew of background activities that we've been working on and/or intend to do (divided into separate checklists for each category, cause there are just so many).

Then, below the the general Cards the cards for specific projects. Here's the one for He Bears the Cape of Stars and She Wears the Midnight Crown.

This, and the other specific project Cards, list all the tasks we currently know of/have thought of that need to be done for the given project. The checklists give a quick idea of what the task is, and indicates the current status of that task. A few also have dates attached to them, though not most cause we don't tend to treat deadlines as that "hard" internally - we prefer to maintain flexibility considering how many people are involved in these projects and how complex all our lives are and how the world just, ya know, is right now.

As we complete tasks, we move them into the Comments section at the bottom of the Card. Because we only recently implemented this public system (previously, we worked from a private Trello that looked a lot like this but was just a bit messier and not designed to be viewed by outsiders, like, we used a lot of shorthand, that kind of thing) it doesn't include tasks completed before we implemented this system, but we've been doing our best to keep on top of it since we opened the public Trello. For example, here's the completed tasks for our upcoming anthology that we expect to open recruitment for on October 1st:

So, I think that's the basic?

If there's something more specific that anyone trying to use the Trello is finding confusing, I'm happy to expand this tutorial - I tend to figure that if one person has a question and actually tells me they have a question, there are at least a half-dozen other people who had the same question and decided for whatever reason not to ask. We're committed to transparency, and the Trello is one of the biggest facets of that, so ensuring it's navigable for newcomers is really important to us. It's hard to create a public-facing system that maintains a certain degree of confidentiality and still serves our needs for managing the business, and also just - we've got a lot going on basically all the time (and more and more as we grow), so there's a lot that has to go on there, which means by necessity it's complicated. I do worry that if it's really complex, it'll serve to create obscurity instead of transparency, but...well, we're doing our best, and we'll keep doing our best, and we hope that when questions/issues/concerns/delays/etc. do arise, people will continue to be as patient with us as they have been! <3

*

Want to know more?

You can see our up-to-date (and used daily!) Trello here.

You can learn more about the Press in general, where we started, and where we're going, here.

All our completed projects are available in our webstore.

Anyone who wants more information about "behind the scenes," your best bet is to back us on Patreon or ko-fi - that's where we post all the juicy details as we work every day to bring more amazing stories to y'all!

[e-smartmart]

E-Smart Mart: Providing Healthy and Quality Food at Affordable Prices

Introduction

The E-Smart Mart has popped out with a unique concept of offering Healthy and Quality Food at low costs to all segments of society.

Convenience and Variety

E-Smart Mart aims to provide a handy and stress-free online shopping experience to its customers. Customers can select from over 5000 products throughout diverse categories which include bakery and dairy merchandise, natural products, liquids, snacks, non-public care, and family items.

Kitchen Family Baskets

To make buying even extra convenient, E-Smart Mart gives a huge variety of Kitchen Family Baskets. These baskets include the Family Basket, Couple Basket, and Welfare Basket.

Family Basket

The Family Basket is designed to meet the wishes of a medium-sized family. It carries all of the objects that are used in the kitchen on each day's foundation.

Couple Basket

The Couple Basket is good for small families or couples. It consists of a whole lot of important items for a comfortable living.

Welfare Basket

The Welfare Basket is particularly curated to offer sufficient meal objects for 7-10 days. It is priced at a low-priced rate of Rs. 1499/- and contains 27 items. This basket is perfect for people who need to manage their expenses efficiently.

Quality and Safety

All the goods provided through E-Smart Mart are sourced from relied-on suppliers and undergo strict satisfactory tests earlier than being packed and shipped. The business enterprise prioritizes the fitness and well-being of its customers and team of workers by following protection and hygiene protocols.

Baskets for Every Need

To cater to numerous customer preferences, E-Smart Mart has added four new forms of baskets. These baskets are designed to simplify the buying experience and accommodate exclusive family sizes and wishes.

Extended Family Basket

The Extended Family Basket is ideal for large families. It contains an extensive range of items to fulfil the requirements of a bigger household.

Customization and Expansion

Mr. Uppal said that one can also customise the basket to be consistent with their specific wishes. This similarly enhances the convenience and flexibility provided by using E-Smart Mart.

As a part of its enlargement plans, the enterprise aims to open its Grocery Store at 12 locations during this economic year.

Conclusion

E-Smart Mart is devoted to becoming the desired online grocery store and grocery keep for clients in TRYCITY and nearby areas. With its commitment to supplying wholesome and first-class meals at low-priced expenses, E-Smart Mart is revolutionizing the manner humans save for his or her normal necessities. Experience the convenience and financial savings of E-Smart Mart today!

[storiesandthingsofthatnature]

Chapter 1: Let’s Begin

Hi there! I have NEVER really posted on this blog save for reposts. This is supposed to be a side blog for stories and after many years it shall become one! I am currently working on a few stories with ocs and this one is for five nights at freddy’s. Basically a young woman named Stella has been hired by Freddy’s Mega Pizzaplex and finds herself in an interesting relationship with SunnyDrop and MoonDrop. Here is the first chapter of the story. Reblogs and likes are my life blood and help me keep going! comments would be nice too! :D Thank you!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There had been many red flags from the jump, the ad itself consisting of sketchy info and a vague description of the jobs’ responsibilities. From the looks of things the money that was spent for each print seemed to have been dumped more so on the graphics and sub-categories of shameless plugging for their merchandise and other affiliated products/businesses. The fact that Stella was never called in for an official interview and was only contacted to be told she had gotten the job and they would need her account info and her basic identification with no other context should have been the deal-breaker. No background checks. No further inquiries on past jobs. Yes, many red flags lay piled near her feet. Yet she simply stepped over them and walked into a place of nightmares.  However, in the beginning, she was quite relieved she hadn’t been grilled so thoroughly. She wasn’t sure what this establishment truly looked for in an employee, but she was sure that one look at her record would have been enough for an immediate no. It always was with every other job she tried to snag. Although her history was not that of crime, her rep sheet was enough to portray that she was no good. Homicidal tendencies. Manic depression. Her paranoia led her into a trove of trouble and misunderstandings that ultimately ended in her termination from the company.  She meant well! She did. But, being her age she was still trying to figure out who she was. She didn’t mean to be so bleak but right now she’s grasping at straws. Being a young adult she wasn’t prepared for the responsibilities that filled her already overfilled plate of things she was unable to do on her own. It was pathetic. She relied heavily on her small group of “family”. Albeit, it only consisted of four, herself included. However, the other three did end up coming together to discuss Stella’s mental state. She had just recently been laid off for the fourth time in two months. She was fried and with no reason to go outside, she was left to slowly fall into madness surrounded by the same four walls. They agreed that she needed to get out and even went as far as to search around for suitable jobs or side errands that would accommodate Stella's “mental disabilities.” And now, here she was, an unmoving rock amongst a continuous tide of patrons and various employees. There never seemed to be a day when Freddy’s Mega PizzaPlex was ever slow, let alone barren. However, she was told that the overnight security shift would be the right fit for her; little to no human interaction and management are more lenient on “professional” etiquette.  Taking in what seemed to be the umpteenth deep breath that day, she forced her legs into motion. The way to the office felt like a fever dream - as though she was on autopilot. Nothing seemed real but, at the same time, everything was surreal. No matter the workplace, her inability to function in the most basic of public spaces is cause for alarm. Before she knew it her hand wrapped around the cool metal door that led into the main office. She approached the desk, a middle-aged woman behind an arched row of monitors. Stella wondered how she could keep track of anything. Then again, she most likely didn’t have ADD. Her hands fluttered on the lip of the counter, Stella having a hard time even announcing her presence. But she couldn’t stay like this for too long. Either she was going to be met with silence from a none-the-wiser employee and labeled as a creep/idiot on the security cameras, or they were going to awkwardly meet each other’s gaze which would then add to Stella’s aura of inner tension. So, after giving a few thrums of her fingertips along the cool, colorful surface she found enough courage to give a small clear of her throat. The sound of fluid typing ceased and Stella did her best to keep her anxiety at bay. She needed to be normal.  “May I help you?” Stella chewed on her lip,” I-I’m Stella? Stella Salazar. I have an appointment with an officer Steve?” She sucked in a sharp breath, a very unneeded paranoia engulfing Stella while the woman behind the counter searched up her name. “Ah, yes! Thank you for coming in. I’ll go let him know. One moment.” She gave a small smile, the woman disappearing into a backroom that was shielded by shelves adorned with various Pizzaplex merchandise.  Having some time to herself, even if it may be moments, Stella took the chance to reflect. Manic Depression is one thing but to have the title “homicidal risk” is something that Stella never would have imagined weighs so much. No one needed to find out. Well, the ones that had no business in the matter whatsoever. However, she was starved - emotionally and mentally, mostly. She was given opportunities to open up to many people and amongst her confessions, her homicidal tendencies would fly right off of her loose tongue. After this, it always ends the same. They say they completely understand. But who feels the same with anyone when one finds out they have impulses to kill things with no provocation whatsoever?  It’s slow. The disconnection. Their excuses became more frequent and what used to be so intricate in its design slowly turned into half-assed lies that Stella became far too tired to even acknowledge. Then, she’s on her own once more. She was wondering when her current friend group would inevitably do the same; realize how fucked up Stella is and come to the logical conclusion to distance themselves from a walking disaster. It was a matter of time, she was sure.  Fingernails dug into the soft pads of her hands, Stella gnawing on her lip. No matter how long she is going to be welcomed, she needs to help out in some way. So, if they offer her this chance then she is going to take it with the utmost gratitude. She could be homeless. Why wasn’t she…“ Ms. Salazar?” Her last name ripped her away from her self-loathing, an automatic smile filling in her once tense grimace. “That is me!~” She chirped. With shaky legs, she followed the receptionist to the back. They passed through intricate hallways covered with posters of each mascot. Random plushies could be seen on the window ledge for each office. Some seemed to be more biased than others, considering a few had a plethora of Roxy merchandise. Something within her felt that perhaps that wasn’t a good sign. But she was brought out of her immersion by a rather energetic and boastful voice. “Ms. Salazar, is it?”  A middle-aged male walked up to Stella and shook her hand with a firm grip. Out of habit, she looked away, eye contact a problem that she was currently working on. “H-Hello. And yes, it is.” She retracted her hand quickly, the motion not going unnoticed by the ever-vigilant Officer Steve. However, it was probably a sensitive topic considering. So. he made an internal deal to get to know Stella and find out her backstory. It was said that no one can escape the curious mind of Steve Henderson. “Pleased to meet you! I’m Steve Henderson, aka, Officer Steve. I’m the head security officer for this Megaplex location and I’ll be conducting your appointment this afternoon. Please, have a seat.” He led her into his office and motioned for her to sit on one of the chairs in front of his desk. She took a seat, Stella placing her backpack next to her on the floor. Twitchy fingers clutched around her knees while her right gently tapped from the soft children’s music that floated into the back office. “Just one moment while I get all the necessary papers.” He said with a smile, the male bowing over to search through his bottom file draw. While he mumbled to himself about organizing his papers better, Stella took the time to idly look at the overly decorated office. There wasn’t a particular theme; it seemed that whatever item he received from this place made its way to display here. There was no bias either, with an equal amount of PizzaPlex paraphernalia strewn throughout the small space.  But then she noticed the two plushies of both MoonDrop and SunnyDrop. She tilted her head slightly, a fond smirk playing on her lips. She loved SunnyDrop for as long as she could remember, the mascot coming to life in her younger years. She had a lot of SunnyDrop-related merchandise, Stella having an internal battle earlier on whether it would be weird if she came in her Sunny Hoodie. But, in the end, she decided against it and came in a loose-fitting sweater.  But then there was MoonDrop, a character that came a little after SunnyDrop’s debut. When she first saw him on TV, she was told that she had cried all night. Present-day he still gives her the chills but at least she doesn’t have night terrors anymore. “Spotted them didja?” She jumped in her seat, gaze returning to the officer. “Uh…Yeah.” She gave a breath of a laugh. “Sorry.” He gave a laugh of his own, “ Please, no worries! I don’t mean to show any bias but I will say that befriending them both was a real challenge.”  That caught her attention, Stella wanting to ask for him to expand more on it. But was beaten to the punch by Steve. “Well then.” He smacked his hands together and rubbed his palms. “Let’s begin!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stella had only been exposed to a quarter of her new workplace and already she was overwhelmed. However, after years of schooled suppression, her anxiety was left to pool within her very core. Something to add to the firepower of her approaching breakdown, but now just wasn’t the time to mull over what will be. She needed to pay attention. She transitioned back to reality, her “guide’s words becoming coherent once more. “...really, no kidding. Anyways, the next place on our little tour is the daycare! Does the name SunnyDrop sound familiar to you?” The older male asked, head cocking slightly towards Stella. The smaller gave an affirmed hum. “Course! He hasn’t been around for long but I love his design.” Stella mused. “Though, I will admit.” She continued with a breath of a laugh. “His counterpart is a tad creepy.” Her confession was met with a hearty laugh. “Completely understandable! Quite a few of the other employees feel the same. But, in my opinion, he’s a shy introvert who is very misunderstood. When one thinks of the dark, one can’t help but affiliate it with bad things. But! I gotta tell ya. The daycare is a sight to see when it’s dark.” Stella eyed the other with interest, the male’s voice laced with that of fondness. “You and MoonDrop sound close.” She couldn’t help but say.  Steve simply nodded coupled with a small grin. “Being a “veteran” of this place, I’ve grown very close with each animatronic. I couldn’t help but try my hand at befriending every single one of them, even if they are very apprehensive at first.” He said with a small chuckle, his face expressing that of a past, pleasant memory.  Before Stella could inquire further, the sound of playful children’s music caught her attention. They stopped in front of a large set of double doors. They looked heavy and sturdy which mimicked the appearance of safety, the very thing an establishment like this wants parents to feel. To provide them enough peace of mind to spend their money freely for both themselves and their children.  Steve stepped up, his hand in a fist as he knocked on the left door. He then stepped back, the large male unable to suppress an excited grin. “He is a hoot, you’ll see.” His excitement was contagious and already Stella could feel her pulse quicken beneath her olive skin. The sound of bells could be heard, each jingle growing in volume as something approached the double doors. It was then Stella heard the familiar voice of the jovial sun jester. “Oh, goodie! Friends! Who could it be, who could it be?” Their innocent quip was enough to make Stella’s heart squeeze.  The left door was opened with enthusiasm, and the head of SunnyDrop immediately peeked around to see who had come to his daycare. “Officer Steve! What a pleasant surprise! You usually don’t come by until well into the night!” It felt like every sentence from Sunny ended with an exclamation point, Stella unsure of how he was not exploding from the amount of energy swirling within him. “We got a newbie tonight. I’m showing her around, introducing her to everyone.” Steve stepped aside as Stella unknowingly shuffled behind the male so Sunny wouldn’t look at her. But now she was in the limelight and the fact she was new sent Sunny into an energetic spiral.  “New friend?! Goodie!!” The sun jester opened the door further, the music from the overhead speakers spilling out further into the lobby. Out of habit, her foot gently tapped to the beat of the simple song, the action not going unnoticed by the animatronic. But they said nothing as they danced around the female, sizing up his new friend. “You’re very pretty! What’s your name? Is that your natural hair color? Oh, I like your eyes!” The amount of attention she was receiving was too much and she looked at Steve for help. Picking up on her silent SOS, Steve stepped in to gently pry away Sunny who was currently staring into Stella’s icy blue eyes. “Sunny, boundaries. Remember what we talked about?”  Suddenly, Sunny did a back step and elegantly landed on one foot. “Right! My apologies.” He scratched at his faceplate in a sheepish way, a blush a fitting addition for the situation if Sunny held the ability to produce one. “But those questions still stand!” He placed his hands behind his back, a feigned sense of proper etiquette encircling the ever-smiling animatronic. Stella took a moment to recall his questions,” My name’s Stella. And yes, it is.” She patted at her loose bun, the female choosing to come into her first day of work in casual attire considering she was simply receiving the grand tour for tonight. Her hair was dark but when in the right lighting you could see the gleam of dark purple within the highlights. And in the right conditions, the hue of ruby red could be seen amongst her ends. Her skin was a honey color, a great contrast to her freezing eyes. Her pupils were ghostly and to some people, it made them uncomfortable. The colors were just too sharp, it seemed.  Among her small frame, she wore a large, loose-fitting sweater. She hadn’t received her shirt or security jacket yet so she improvised with her top. But as for her bottoms, she wore black jeans that, while not unique, filled the criteria for the “proper” employee dress code.  The sound of jittering mechanics emanated from Sunny, the jester having a tough time refraining from invading Stella’s personal space again. Steve couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the animatronic, the so-called veteran took aback by his old friend’s behavior. “SunnyDrop, are you okay?” The concern in his voice seemed to flip a switch within the sun jester, his shaking immediately ceasing as he turned to Steve. “Yes, yes! I’m A-Okay!” He declared, his hands rubbing together from what seemed to be residual anxiety. “Too much Fizzy Fazz, perhaps.” Sunny supplied an excuse, and Steve gave a hesitant nod. He didn’t seem convinced, but for now, he was going to leave it.  “Anyhow, we need to get going Sunny.” His rubbing hands slowly came to a stop, an aura of sadness contradicting his large smile. “Oh? You’re leaving so soon?! B-But, I had so many things planned!” Steve chuckled. “Sunny you didn’t even know we were coming. How did you plan anything?” Sunny gave a light laugh, the fluttering sound comforting to Stella. “It’s never hard for me to make up fun activities on the fly!” Sunny said, gently patting Steve on the head for not getting such a simple thing. “Pfft, of course! How could I forget?” Steve played along, Sunny suddenly whipping his head towards Stella who jumped noticeably from his sudden movement.  “I’m sad we didn’t get to finger paint together but I hope you can stop by again real soon!” He then hopped over and proceeded to pat Stella on the head as well. But what started as playful swatting turned into gentle rubbing, as if the other could feel her strands of hair amongst his metal fingers. “Soft…Poofy.” He mused gently. Perhaps he did have the ability to feel physical material? Then his touch left her scalp, the sun jester skipping over to the still ajar door. Spinning on the tip of his shoe, he peeked around the door to give one final goodbye. “ Welcome to the Freddy Fazbear Megaplex team, Stella! Can’t wait to spend more time with you!” And with that, he slipped back into his daycare, the once bellowing music immediately muffled by the closing of the large double doors.  Steve turned to Stella. “As I said, he is a hoot!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally, it was the end of Stella’s shift and she was free to leave the building for the day. Expected to come back at the same time the coming night, she was given every pamphlet that outlined the infrastructure that was the pizza plex. A couple of them were employee inclusive, maps of the utilities’ tunnels and warehouses, of course, not accessible by guests. Currently, she held about 6 different pamphlets, and with each anxious sifting through the leaflets, Stella felt more and more way over her head. The job itself was easy enough - Steve had even gone as far as to give her a handwritten step-by-step instruction sheet for her to follow and, soon enough, apply to her muscle memory. But Stella had no idea just how huge the entire establishment was. She had even admitted to Steve that she has never visited this particular location.  However, practice makes perfect and for now, all she could do was study what material she had and get a full eight hours of sleep. She hadn’t been sleeping well lately and now that she was working the night shift her sleeping schedule was going to get a whole new makeover. Change was something Stella found hard to adapt to, but one way or another she will find a way. Certain activities will have to be put on hold while others will be shifted around, Stella is suddenly immersed in creating a faux schedule within her mind.  A soft tapping pulled her away from her thoughts, Stella’s head snapping in the direction of the sound. Right now the building’s power had been cut off, something that they did before they officially opened for the day. So, she was walking around in pitch black. Certain areas were illuminated by emergency lights which helped her find her way to the employee exit. But, two red eyes were easy enough to see in the dark, their glowing eeriness slipping her into a trance. She should be terrified right now. She wasn’t diagnosed with it but she highly believed she had a phobia of the dark. However, she walked closer with such ease, Stella realizing she was approaching the see-through shell of the daycare.  “MoonDrop.” She muttered, the clicking of the moon jester’s mechanics seemingly increasing from Stella’s recognition. Her earlier conversation with Steve resurfaced to the forefront of her mind, the word “misunderstood” echoing the loudest. So she found herself placing her right hand against the cool glass, Moondrops own dominant hand mirroring hers. “I’m sad we didn’t get to talk more, but I hope to see you again real soon.” She chirped at the night animatronic, Sunny’s last words to her remade in her rendition. She didn’t know if Moon would catch on, but internally she had a feeling she shouldn’t doubt the intellect of these mascots.  And her instinct seemed to be correct, Moondrop’s faceplate rotating slightly as his shoulders bounced lightly from his low chuckling. But, to her disappointment, he didn’t speak further. But Steve did mention some were apprehensive of meeting new employees and considering Moondrop’s reputation amongst the ones who have been here the longest, her interaction was something most likely unheard of. From the elusive MoonDrop, nonetheless. She gave a hum, a small grin graced her lips as she gave a few thrums with her fingers against the glass. “Good night, MoonDrop.” She then let her hand fall back to her side and proceeded to make her leave.  “Nighty night~” She heard the raspy voice of MoonDrop say, Stella, turning around to see the back half of Moon disappear into the maze that was the play structures. She wasn’t expecting an answer back, but to have received a reciprocated reply she clutched her chest from the sweet ache within.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And yes, there will be spicy times huehuehue

[solradguy]

Yepyep I saw the list of things, that's the reason I asked. I meant it more in the sense of 'do you have any idea where/how to find the ones still missing' but I should have phrased it more clearly

Anyway, like I was saying, I think I might have a couple of the ones on the list? Not 100% sure though, and afaik all the ones I have are from DNA (please forgive Muchlax in the corner, I had to throw a bunch of stuff out of the way and only had so much space) They're pretty much all manga but I did manage to score the petit book for a really good price on ebay some time ago

OH WOW, NICE!!! There aren't scans of any of these books online, as far as I know, and definitely not in the archive Volcanic manages over on the lore Discord. That Petit art book is an especially good find, congrats on that!! I've never seen that one for sale anywhere before.

I've been scoping out eBay, Yahoo Auctions JP, and Mercari JP for the books, in that order since eBay is usually the cheapest (don't need a proxy service) but Yahoo JP seems to have the best selection. Mercari JP usually has more of the popup shop stuff and merchandise instead of the actual books but sometimes books show up on there.

Suruga has some REALLY rare stuff, that's where I got the Dengeki PlaySstation mag, but it's entirely in Japanese and requires a proxy service to buy from outside of Japan. Here's a link to a modified search just for the books category for Guilty Gear: [clicky] (品切れ = out of stock)

Idk how much Japanese you know, but here are the full English titles for your books: Top row (Left to right):

Guilty Gear Petit 1 & 2 Official Fan Book

Guilty Gear X Comic Anthology (DNA Media Comics)

Guilty Gear X Plus Yonkoma Kings

Munchlax <3

Bottom row (L->R):

Guilty Gear X Yonkoma Kings

Guilty Gear XX ♯Reload Comic Anthology (DNA Media Comics)

Guilty Gear XX Comic Anthology (DNA Media Comics)

Guilty Gear XX Comic Anthology, volume 2

I had no idea the XX Comic Anthology had two volumes!! That's good to know. Adding a note to the guide post for that.

A few people on here in the tags on some of the manga posts I've made have mentioned owning some of the other manga volumes too, though I don't know how many people will be able to scan theirs. There was a guy on Reddit a while ago that had a full collection of all of the GG manga but didn't know how to scan them and idk if they ever will so I'm not holding my breath over it haha

[supercalloutfragilistic]

Innocence lost the dark side of Akihabara

Here’s a good article about the junior idol industry in Japan:

https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/innocence-lost-the-dark-side-of-akihabara

Pedophiles claim drawn childporn (lolicon) decreases sexualization of real children, but if that were true, why is Japan one of the only countries in the world where junior idol culture and DVD’s containing the sexualization of real children are legal? Obviously, lolicon only increases the sexualization of real children.

The crowd in the Ishimaru Soft event space in Akihabara sits anxiously awaiting the arrival of an idol, whose most recent DVD they purchased for the right to meet her. Led on by the MC, the 50 or so middle-aged men call out in unison: “Mana-chan!” After two more calls, she appears—a girl of 13, looking dazed and sheepish. As the cameras zoom in, she strips down to her bikini, which drapes on her under-developed form.

Mana is a “low teen” pursuing a career as a model. As abhorrent as it may sound, children as young as 2 who are billed as “junior idols” release photo books and DVDs. Insofar as the models do not expose their breasts or genitals, this is not against the law. But the way scantily clad kids blow on flutes and lick ice cream cones in front of the camera has raised eyebrows at home and abroad.

The idol industry in Japan in general is estimated at 60 billion yen annually, and junior idols shift some 3 million photo books and DVDs per year. There are countless websites (such as Pure Little Sister Club) and a syndicated magazine (Moecco) catering to fans.

This trend began in the ’90s, when columnist Akio Nakamori coined the term "chidol," or child idol, to describe the sudden increase of young models. The neologism fell out of favor and was replaced by “junior idol,” which shifts the emphasis from childhood and links the phenomenon with legitimate up-and-coming idols.

In Akihabara, long known for its stock of lolicon (Lolita Complex) and “little sister” movies and magazines, the number of shops advertising idol DVDs marked U-15 (under-15) has quietly increased.

“This is a gray area in Japan, but the residents of Akihabara and I find it reprehensible,” says Takaya Kobayashi, 54, a Chiyoda Ward councilman.

But at places such as Oimoya, located right on Akihabara’s main street of Chuo Dori, fans crowd around merchandise displays featuring underage girls.

“Looking at junior idols soothes me,” explains Shigure Akagi, 45, an artist who says he draws inspiration from these products. “I do not have children of my own, so seeing them makes me happy.”

He isn’t the only one. Mr, the most eccentric member of Takashi Murakami’s stable of pop artists, admits he suffers from lolicon, and recruited junior idols to star in his 2008 film, "Nobody Dies."

Ostensibly, the parents who sign their daughters to be junior idols are hoping they achieve mainstream fame like Mr’s girls. And it isn’t impossible. Saaya Irie, for example, was cast in "Hell Girl" and other TV programs after her stint as a child model.

Legally, this is a dark shade of gray. A 1999 Japanese law bans children in depictions of sex, genital touching and “arousing” nudity, but junior idols manage to skirt these issues. In 2002, Japan signed the U.N.’s Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, which bans “any representation, by whatever means, of real or simulated explicit sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of a child for primarily sexual purposes.” Defenders say images of junior idols are not for “primarily” sexual purposes. Indeed, scenes in these DVDs can be as harmless as family travel videos. Just not always.

This may be gray, but people overseas are seeing red. In April 2008, UNICEF distributed a petition with 21,000 signatures asking Japan to curb junior idols and lolicon anime. In November, at an international meeting in Brazil, Japan was condemned as “The Nation of Child Porn.” Japan and Russia, the organizers say, are the only G8 nations that have not taken action against child exploitation.