#Complexity of Financial Instruments

[financehelpdeskforall]

How to Use Derivatives to Hedge Market Risk in Finance Assignments

Introduction: Why Hedging Market Risk with Derivatives is a Must-Know

If you’re studying finance or financial management you’ve probably come across derivatives—options, futures, forwards and swaps. These are pretty complex and can feel overwhelming especially when you’re asked to use them to hedge market risk in your assignments. Many students struggle with this topic because it involves both theoretical concepts and real world calculations.

Derivatives are essential for managing risk whether you’re an investor, trader or business owner. But let’s be honest—figuring out how to hedge risk with derivatives is a nightmare. If you’ve ever searched for risk management homework help you know exactly what we mean!

In this post we’ll break it down into simple, step by step so you can use derivatives to hedge market risk in your finance homework.

Why Students Struggle With Using Derivatives for Hedging in Risk Management Homework

Derivatives are considered one of the toughest topics in finance. Here’s why:

∙ Complexity of Financial Instruments – Options, futures and swaps are hard to understand.

∙ Mathematical Calculations – Hedging strategies involve pricing models, probability and risk quantification.

∙ Market Understanding Required – You need to understand market movements, volatility and pricing changes to hedge.

∙ Interpretation – Even if you do the calculations right, explaining how they impact risk management is another hurdle.

That’s why many students search for risk management help—because derivatives require more than just theory. Let’s break it down so it makes sense.

What Are Derivatives and How Do They Help in Hedging Market Risk?

Financial instruments named derivatives get their value from an underlying asset that could be stocks, bonds, commodities or interest rates. The fundamental derivatives utilized during hedging operations consist of three core types.

Future Contracts are agreements that allow parties to transact an asset through a defined price at a particular upcoming date.

Derivatives under Options Contracts provide ownership of purchasing or selling rights to a specified property but do not enforce any obligation to transact.

Derivatives in the form of swaps enable two parties to exchange cash flows, such as interest rate swaps or currency swaps.

Forward contracts operate similarly to futures through OTC markets instead of traditional exchange trading.

📌 Why Use Them for Hedging?

Players in business and investment use derivatives as tools to decrease market-related uncertainty thus protecting their financial assets against price changes. The proper derivative selection enables you to shield yourself from:

Stock price volatility

Interest rate changes

Currency exchange rate fluctuations

Commodity price swings

The following section contains concrete examples about how derivatives function as risk mitigating instruments in practical situations.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Hedge Market Risk in Finance Assignments with Derivatives

Step 1: What Market Risk Do You Need to Hedge

Before you use derivatives you need to define the specific market risk. Ask yourself:

∙ Is the company exposed to price movements? (Use options or futures)

∙ Is it exposed to interest rate changes? (Use interest rate swaps)

∙ Is it exposed to foreign exchange risk? (Use currency forwards or options)

∙ Is it exposed to commodity price movements? (Use commodity futures)

Example: A company imports raw materials and pays suppliers in euros but gets revenue in US dollars. If the euro strengthens, costs go up. This is a currency risk and can be hedged with a currency forward.

Step 2: Choose the Right Derivative to Hedge the Risk

Once you’ve defined the risk, pick the right derivative:

Example: A US investor holding European stocks fears the euro will drop. To hedge they buy a currency put option, which allows them to sell euros at a fixed price later and protect against a loss.

Step 3: Calculate the Hedge and How It Works

For your finance assignment you may need to calculate:

∙ The hedge ratio (how much of the position to hedge)

∙ The cost of the hedge (option premiums or swap rates)

The profit/loss from hedging vs not hedging

Example: A company imports €1 million in 3 months. Current rate is 1 EUR = 1.10 USD but they think it will go to 1 EUR = 1.20 USD. They enter a currency forward to lock in the rate at 1.10.

If the euro strengthens the company is protected as they still pay the locked in rate and avoid extra costs. This is a good hedge.

Step 4: Interpret the Results and Explain the Hedge

Once you’ve done your calculations you need to interpret what the hedge means. Here’s how you can present your findings in your finance homework:

Did the hedge reduce risk? Compare with and without the hedge. Was the hedging cost justified? Was the cost of the derivative worth the protection.

What if market conditions changed? What if?

Example: In the currency hedge example above if the euro had gone the other way (1 EUR = 1.05 USD) the company would have lost out on a better rate. This is the trade off in hedging—you get protection but give up benefits.

Conclusion: Why Hedging with Derivatives is a Must-Know for Finance Students

Hedging market risk with derivatives is a key skill in finance. Whether you’re analyzing risk for a corporate client, managing a stock portfolio or handling international transactions, knowing how to use futures, options, swaps and forwards is crucial.

Got a finance homework and need risk management help? Focus on identifying risks, choosing the right derivative, calculating its impact and interpreting the results.Stuck? You’re not alone! Many students look for help with risk management when dealing with complex hedging problems. The best way to master it is through real-life examples, practical calculations and step by step analysis. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be a pro at derivative based risk management!

[blueish-bird]

got so caught up in the joy of music that I forgot being left-handed is particularly alienating and expensive when you’re trying to learn electric guitar/bass.

[allaboutforexworld]

Hedging: Forex Trading Strategy Explained

Hedging is a crucial forex trading strategy that aims to minimize potential losses by taking offsetting positions in the market. This strategy provides a safety net against adverse price movements, allowing traders to protect their investments and manage risk effectively. In this article, we will explore the concept of hedging, how it works in forex trading, its various techniques, and the…

[reasonsforhope]

"Environmental groups are claiming victory after Mitsubishi Chemical Group dropped plans for a $1.3 billion plant in the heart of Louisiana’s industrial corridor. 

In the works for more than a decade, the chemical manufacturing complex would have been the largest of its kind in the world, stretching across 77 acres in Geismar, a small community about 60 miles west of New Orleans. Tokyo-based Mitsubishi cited only economic factors when announcing the cancellation last week, but a recent report on the plant’s feasibility noted that growing community concern about air pollution could also hamper the project’s success. 

“The frontline communities are fighting back, causing delays, and that amounts to money being lost,” said Gail LeBoeuf with Inclusive Louisiana, an environmental group focused on the industrial corridor along the Mississippi River known as Cancer Alley.

The nonprofit group Beyond Petrochemical declared the project’s failure a “major victory for the health and safety of Louisianans.”

According to Mitsubishi, the plant could have produced up to 350,000 tons per year of methyl methacrylate, or MMA, a colorless liquid used in the manufacture of plastics and a host of consumer products, including TVs, paint, and nail polish.

The plant was expected to be a major polluter, releasing hundreds of tons per year of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful chemicals, according to its permit information...

In July, a report on the plant’s viability warned that a global oversupply of MMA and fierce local opposition made the project a “bad bet.” 

Conducted by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the report said that credit agencies are paying more attention to “community sentiment” about petrochemical projects, particularly in Louisiana. In Geismar and other parts of Cancer Alley, there’s a “disproportionately heavy concentration of polluting industrial facilities” and Mitsubishi could become “entangled in a decades-long dispute involving issues of racial inequality and environmental justice,” the IEEFA report said. 

Geismar residents are surrounded by about a half-dozen large chemical facilities that emit harmful levels of air pollution. Of the more than 6,000 people who live within the 3 miles of the planned project site, about 40 percent are Black or Hispanic, and 20 percent are considered low-income, according to federal data. 

“The air here is already so dirty that the kids can’t play outside anymore,” said Pamela Ambeau, Ascension Parish resident and member of the group Rural Roots Louisiana.

The proposed plant is the latest in a string of failed industrial projects in Cancer Alley. Since 2019, local activism was instrumental in halting the development of two large plastics complexes in St. James Parish and a grain export terminal in St. John the Baptist Parish. All three projects would have been built in historically Black and rural communities."

-via Grist, January 16, 2025

[mostlysignssomeportents]

What the fuck is a PBM?

TOMORROW (Sept 24), I'll be speaking IN PERSON at the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Terminal-stage capitalism owes its long senescence to its many defensive mechanisms, and it's only by defeating these that we can put it out of its misery. "The Shield of Boringness" is one of the necrocapitalist's most effective defenses, so it behooves us to attack it head-on.

The Shield of Boringness is Dana Claire's extremely useful term for anything so dull that you simply can't hold any conception of it in your mind for any length of time. In the finance sector, they call this "MEGO," which stands for "My Eyes Glaze Over," a term of art for financial arrangements made so performatively complex that only the most exquisitely melted brain-geniuses can hope to unravel their spaghetti logic. The rest of us are meant to simply heft those thick, dense prospectuses in two hands, shrug, and assume, "a pile of shit this big must have a pony under it."

MEGO and its Shield of Boringness are key to all of terminal-stage capitalism's stupidest scams. Cloaking obvious swindles in a lot of complex language and Byzantine payment schemes can make them seem respectable just long enough for the scammers to relieve you of all your inconvenient cash and assets, though, eventually, you're bound to notice that something is missing.

If you spent the years leading up to the Great Financial Crisis baffled by "CDOs," "synthetic CDOs," "ARMs" and other swindler nonsense, you experienced the Shield of Boringness. If you bet your house and/or your retirement savings on these things, you experienced MEGO. If, after the bubble popped, you finally came to understand that these "exotic financial instruments" were just scams, you experienced Stein's Law ("anything that can't go forever eventually stops"). If today you no longer remember what a CDO is, you are once again experiencing the Shield of Boringness.

As bad as 2008 was, it wasn't even close to the end of terminal stage capitalism. The market has soldiered on, with complex swindles like carbon offset trading, metaverse, cryptocurrency, financialized solar installation, and (of course) AI. In addition to these new swindles, we're still playing the hits, finding new ways to make the worst scams of the 2000s even worse.

That brings me to the American health industry, and the absurdly complex, ridiculously corrupt Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), a pathology that has only metastasized since 2008.

On at least 20 separate occasions, I have taken it upon myself to figure out how the PBM swindle works, and nevertheless, every time they come up, I have to go back and figure it out again, because PBMs have the most powerful Shield of Boringness out of the whole Monster Manual of terminal-stage capitalism's trash mobs.

PBMs are back in the news because the FTC is now suing the largest of these for their role in ripping off diabetics with sky-high insulin prices. This has kicked off a fresh round of "what the fuck is a PBM, anyway?" explainers of extremely variable quality. Unsurprisingly, the best of these comes from Matt Stoller:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-round-up-lina-khan-pharma

Stoller starts by pointing out that Americans have a proud tradition of getting phucked by pharma companies. As far back as the 1950s, Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver was holding hearings on the scams that pharma companies were using to ensure that Americans paid more for their pills than virtually anyone else in the world.

But since the 2010s, Americans have found themselves paying eye-popping, sky-high, ridiculous drug prices. Eli Lilly's Humolog insulin sold for $21 in 1999; by 2017, the price was $274 – a 1,200% increase! This isn't your grampa's price gouging!

Where do these absurd prices come from? The story starts in the 2000s, when the GW Bush administration encouraged health insurers to create "high deductible" plans, where patients were expected to pay out of pocket for receiving care, until they hit a multi-thousand-dollar threshold, and then their insurance would kick in. Along with "co-pays" and other junk fees, these deductibles were called "cost sharing," and they were sold as a way to prevent the "abuse" of the health care system.

The economists who crafted terminal-stage capitalism's intellectual rationalizations claimed the reason Americans paid so much more for health care than their socialized-medicine using cousins in the rest of the world had nothing to do with the fact that America treats health as a source of profits, while the rest of the world treats health as a human right.

No, the actual root of America's health industry's problems was the moral defects of Americans. Because insured Americans could just go see the doctor whenever they felt like it, they had no incentive to minimize their use of the system. Any time one of these unhinged hypochondriacs got a little sniffle, they could treat themselves to a doctor's visit, enjoying those waiting-room magazines and the pleasure of arranging a sick day with HR, without bearing any of the true costs:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/27/the-doctrine-of-moral-hazard/

"Cost sharing" was supposed to create "skin in the game" for every insured American, creating a little pain-point that stung you every time you thought about treating yourself to a luxurious doctor's visit. Now, these payments bit hardest on the poorest workers, because if you're making minimum wage, at $10 co-pay hurts a lot more than it does if you're making six figures. What's more, VPs and the C-suite were offered "gold-plated" plans with low/no deductibles or co-pays, because executives understand the value of a dollar in the way that mere working slobs can't ever hope to comprehend. They can be trusted to only use the doctor when it's truly warranted.

So now you have these high-deductible plans creeping into every workplace. Then along comes Obama and the Affordable Care Act, a compromise that maintains health care as a for-profit enterprise (still not a human right!) but seeks to create universal coverage by requiring every American to buy a plan, requiring insurers to offer plans to every American, and uses public money to subsidize the for-profit health industry to glue it together.

Predictably, the cheapest insurance offered on the Obamacare exchanges – and ultimately, by employers – had sky-high deductibles and co-pays. That way, insurers could pocket a fat public subsidy, offer an "insurance" plan that was cheap enough for even the most marginally employed people to afford, but still offer no coverage until their customers had spent thousands of dollars out-of-pocket in a given year.

That's the background: GWB created high-deductible plans, Obama supercharged them. Keep that in your mind as we go through the MEGO procedures of the PBM sector.

Your insurer has a list of drugs they'll cover, called the "formulary." The formulary also specifies how much the insurance company is willing to pay your pharmacist for these drugs. Creating the formulary and paying pharmacies for dispensing drugs is a lot of tedious work, and insurance outsources this to third parties, called – wait for it – Pharmacy Benefits Managers.

The prices in the formulary the PBM prepares for your insurance company are called the "list prices." These are meant to represent the "sticker price" of the drug, what a pharmacist would charge you if you wandered in off the street with no insurance, but somehow in possession of a valid prescription.

But, as Stoller writes, these "list prices" aren't actually ever charged to anyone. The list price is like the "full price" on the pricetags at a discount furniture place where everything is always "on sale" at 50% off – and whose semi-disposable sofas and balsa-wood dining room chairs are never actually sold at full price.

One theoretical advantage of a PBM is that it can get lower prices because it bargains for all the people in a given insurer's plan. If you're the pharma giant Sanofi and you want your Lantus insulin to be available to any of the people who must use OptumRX's formulary, you have to convince OptumRX to include you in that formulary.

OptumRX – like all PBMs – demands "rebates" from pharma companies if they want to be included in the formulary. On its face, this is similar to the practices of, say, NICE – the UK agency that bargains for medicine on behalf of the NHS, which also bargains with pharma companies for access to everyone in the UK and gets very good deals as a result.

But OptumRX doesn't bargain for a lower list price. They bargain for a bigger rebate. That means that the "price" is still very high, but OptumRX ends up paying a tiny fraction of it, thanks to that rebate. In the OptumRX formulary, Lantus insulin lists for $403. But Sanofi, who make Lantus, rebate $339 of that to OptumRX, leaving just $64 for Lantus.

Here's where the scam hits. Your insurer charges you a deductible based on the list price – $404 – not on the $64 that OptumRX actually pays for your insulin. If you're in a high-deductible plan and you haven't met your cap yet, you're going to pay $404 for your insulin, even though the actual price for it is $64.

Now, you'd think that your insurer would put a stop to this. They chose the PBM, the PBM is ripping off their customers, so it's their job to smack the PBM around and make it cut this shit out. So why would the insurers tolerate this nonsense?

Here's why: the PBMs are divisions of the big health insurance companies. Unitedhealth owns OptumRx; Aetna owns Caremark, and Cigna owns Expressscripts. So it's not the PBM that's ripping you off, it's your own insurance company. They're not just making you pay for drugs that you're supposedly covered for – they're pocketing the deductible you pay for those drugs.

Now, there's one more entity with power over the PBM that you'd hope would step in on your behalf: your boss. After all, your employer is the entity that actually chooses the insurer and negotiates with them on your behalf. Your boss is in the driver's seat; you're just along for the ride.

It would be pretty funny if the answer to this was that the health insurance company bought your employer, too, and so your boss, the PBM and the insurer were all the same guy, busily swapping hats, paying for a call center full of tormented drones who each have three phones on their desks: one labeled "insurer"; the second, "PBM" and the final one "HR."

But no, the insurers haven't bought out the company you work for (yet). Rather, they've bought off your boss – they're sharing kickbacks with your employer for all the deductibles and co-pays you're being suckered into paying. There's so much money (your money) sloshing around in the PBM scamoverse that anytime someone might get in the way of you being ripped off, they just get cut in for a share of the loot.

That is how the PBM scam works: they're fronts for health insurers who exploit the existence of high-deductible plans in order to get huge kickbacks from pharma makers, and massive fees from you. They split the loot with your boss, whose payout goes up when you get screwed harder.

But wait, there's more! After all, Big Pharma isn't some kind of easily pushed-around weakling. They're big. Why don't they push back against these massive rebates? Because they can afford to pay bribes and smaller companies making cheaper drugs can't. Whether it's a little biotech upstart with a cheaper molecule, or a generics maker who's producing drugs at a fraction of the list price, they just don't have the giant cash reserves it takes to buy their way into the PBMs' formularies. Doubtless, the Big Pharma companies would prefer to pay smaller kickbacks, but from Big Pharma's perspective, the optimum amount of bribes extracted by a PBM isn't zero – far from it. For Big Pharma, the optimal number is one cent higher than "the maximum amount of bribes that a smaller company can afford."

The purpose of a system is what it does. The PBM system makes sure that Americans only have access to the most expensive drugs, and that they pay the highest possible prices for them, and this enriches both insurance companies and employers, while protecting the Big Pharma cartel from upstarts.

Which is why the FTC is suing the PBMs for price-fixing. As Stoller points out, they're using their powers under Section 5 of the FTC Act here, which allows them to shut down "unfair methods of competition":

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

The case will be adjudicated by an administrative law judge, in a process that's much faster than a federal court case. Once the FTC proves that the PBM scam is illegal when applied to insulin, they'll have a much easier time attacking the scam when it comes to every other drug (the insulin scam has just about run its course, with federally mandated $35 insulin coming online, just as a generation of post-insulin diabetes treatments hit the market).

Obviously the PBMs aren't taking this lying down. Cigna/Expressscripts has actually sued the FTC for libel over the market study it conducted, in which the agency described in pitiless, factual detail how Cigna was ripping us all off. The case is being fought by a low-level Reagan-era monster named Rick Rule, whom Stoller characterizes as a guy who "hangs around in bars and picks up lonely multi-national corporations" (!!).

The libel claim is a nonstarter, but it's still wild. It's like one of those movies where they want to show you how bad the cockroaches are, so there's a bit where the exterminator shows up and the roaches form a chorus line and do a kind of Busby Berkeley number:

https://www.46brooklyn.com/news/2024-09-20-the-carlton-report

So here we are: the FTC has set out to euthanize some rentiers, ridding the world of a layer of useless economic middlemen whose sole reason for existing is to make pharmaceuticals as expensive as possible, by colluding with the pharma cartel, the insurance cartel and your boss. This conspiracy exists in plain sight, hidden by the Shield of Boringness. If I've done my job, you now understand how this MEGO scam works – and if you forget all that ten minutes later (as is likely, given the nature of MEGO), that's OK: just remember that this thing is a giant fucking scam, and if you ever need to refresh yourself on the details, you can always re-read this post.

The paperback edition of The Lost Cause, my nationally bestselling, hopeful solarpunk novel is out this month!

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

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/23/shield-of-boringness/#some-men-rob-you-with-a-fountain-pen

Image: Flying Logos (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Over_$1,000,000_dollars_in_USD_$100_bill_stacks.png

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

[astrolook]

#2 The Astrology About Your Difficult Placements & Turning Them Into A Career Opportunity - Rx Edition

Here's Part 1

Note: This post is based on my personal observations and patterns I've noticed over the years. It's important to understand that no single placement in a chart can determine whether someone is “good” or “bad,” a success or a failure, or even something as extreme as a criminal. Astrology is complex, and the entire birth chart must be considered as a whole. What we often label as "difficult" placements can actually become powerful sources of strength if we choose to approach them with awareness, effort, and a growth mindset. These placements aren’t curses, they’re invitations to evolve. This post is based on Vedic/Sidereal Astrology.

Astrology is a lot like Google Maps, it shows you possible routes to your destination, but it’s still up to you which path to take. It can guide, not dictate. That’s why I find it disheartening when some astrologers deliver overly negative interpretations that leave people feeling helpless or afraid and making serious life decisions based on it. Every placement holds multiple possibilities, some more challenging than others. With awareness and the right mindset, even the toughest placements can become powerful tools for growth.

These placements don’t doom you, they challenge you to rise.

Saturn Rx in 10th - Had to work twice as hard as others to get half as far. You'll reach further, just not in a straight line. Unemployed or underpaid, in some cases.

On the bright side, this is a good placement to start you own damn business later in life after 27. Any business, policy making, construction, architecture, independent consulting, freelancing, etc.

Mercury Rx in 3rd - You second-guess your thoughts before they even finish forming. Social anxiety in a house that loves communication. Speech delay, in some cases.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for writing, podcasting, editing, musician, research analysis, journalist, UX design, AI expert, etc.

Saturn Rx in 4th - Not a soft childhood. Emotionally distant parent. Abandoned by their parents or grew up in foster home, in rare cases.

On the bright side, this is good placement and often creates people who build emotional homes for others like therapists, healers, realtor, real estate agent, psychologist, home renovation, child care, trauma coach, homeless shelter, etc.

Venus Rx in 2nd - Self-worth isn’t something you inherited. You had to earn it dollar by dollar, compliment by compliment.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for luxury branding business, voice acting, model scout, jewelry design, financial consultant, insurance agent, dealerships, hairstylist, dermatologist, etc.

Mars Rx in 6th - Invented burnout. Obsess about work but doesn't know how to properly channel the pace. All or nothing. OCD, in some cases. Accidental death in workplace, in very rare cases.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for crisis management, IT consultant, fitness coach, nutritionist, ENT specialist, neurologist, etc.

Mercury Rx in 8th - You read between the lines before the lines are even written. You’re suspicious of surface-level anything. Says something and does the opposite. Hides real opinions to avoid judgement or criticism and keep to self.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for filmmaking, pianist, guitarist or any musical instrument careers, jailer, UFO researcher, criminal lawyer, occultist, financial advisor, sex therapist, etc.

Saturn Rx in 7th - Dating or relationship is minimal or non-existent. Unconventional partner - smart worker, older or wiser but young at heart. Career/partnerships picks up in late-20's.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for own business, CEO/Chairman, managerial positions, divorce lawyer, govt jobs in a far away place, contractor, industrialist, brand consultant, bio-tech researcher, etc.

Jupiter Rx in 11th - Outsider among outsiders. Tough to find your "people". Changes lives behind-the-scenes. Lonely at times.

On the bright side, this is a good placement for tech startups, humanitarian work, social reform, activism, game development, digital media, advertising, astrology, etc.

Jupiter Rx in 5th - Joy is earned not given. Has to fight for personal freedom, in some cases. Luck comes later in life after 27.

On the bright side, educator, creative writer, freelancer, web or app developer, speculative writing, children's media, performance arts, YouTuber, comic artist, etc.

Wanna go deeper into the layers of your placements? DM me for a complete astrology reading or a 5 year/8 year marriage report or synastry reading🌙💬 and check out my pinned post for pricing + details 💫💸

Let’s decode your cosmic chaos together ⭐

[cemeteryspider]

Counting Cards

Beginnings of Remy Lebeau x Fem! Mutant! Omni-Perception! Reader

Summary: You meet the one and only Gambit while counting cards at a blackjack table in New York.

Trigger Warnings: Manipulation, Mentioned Financial Hardships, Gambling, Threats of Violence

Word Count: 1.7k

You had once been a hopeful dreamer, a girl with aspirations beyond the impoverished streets of your hometown. But desperation often has a way of grinding the edges of ambition and of making sacrifices that would seem unthinkable in the cold light of day. The multi-millionaire you now worked for was the epitome of this sacrifice- a devil’s bargain struck in the shadows in an attempt to pull your family from poverty and homelessness. 

Draped in the guise of glamor, platinum blond hair that cascaded down your shoulders and a dress that clung to your every curve, you became a fixture of opulent casinos around the world. Your role was simple yet complex at the very same time, to work the system, to be alluring to wealthy men, and to subtly manipulate the games in their favor. Your powers that you once tried to hide from your few friends and family became your best asset, heaviest burden, and the thing allowing you to save said family. 

This casino’s ambiance in particular was a symphony of loud laughs, hushed whispers, clinking chips, shuffling cards, and soft hum of slot machines. You sat next to a man in a three piece suit, your perfectly rehearsed giggle punctuated the air as you played the role of doting oblivious girlfriend. The subtle squeeze of his bicep or playful slap on his shoulder after a crude joke were all part of the act. Beneath this ignorant charade, your keen eyes kept track of every card dealt, every chip moved, and every twitch of the dealer’s fingers. 

As the count turned positive, you leaned closer, your breath warm against the client’s ear as you rubbed his back in a soothing, almost hypnotic motion. He raised the bet and the game continued. The soft trail of your fingers on his thigh signaled him to play cautiously, to avoid drawing too much attention to the two of you. His decision to stand earned a small, approving smile from you, a reassurance he was making the correct choice. The dealer's cards came into play, and your silent communication continued, your touch a subtle command to the man beside you.

Your powers were a delicate instrument, a secret weapon that influenced the game in ways no one else could detect. The thrill of winning by proxy was intoxicating, but it came with a bitter aftertaste on your tongue. The money wasn’t for you; the small amount you earned went to your family, trapped in a cycle of dependency and fear, their safety hanging by a thread. 

The final hand was dealt. Your eyes flickered briefly, a faint glow that only those who knew what to look for would notice. Just then, a tap on your shoulder pulled you from your intense focus. A tall figure stood behind you, his presence commanding and enigmatic.

"Would you come with me, ma'am?" His voice was thick with a Cajun accent, smooth and charismatic. You turned, a polite smile forming on your lips even before you met his eyes. His auburn hair was tied back in a messy bun, and his irises glowed a striking red against the blackness of his sclera. Recognition flashed in your mind—this was Gambit, a mutant you had seen on TV, a member of the X-Men.

"Sure, let me just grab my purse," you replied with practiced calm. As you whispered a quick instruction to your partner to cash out and leave, you felt a pang of unease. What was Gambit doing here? And what did he want with you?

As you followed him through the labyrinthine hallways of the casino and into the adjacent hotel, you noticed the careful avoidance of security cameras and the strategic use of crowded areas. It was a well-practiced maneuver, one you recognized from your own experience.

In a quiet room on the first floor, the door closed behind you with a soft click. The tension in the air was palpable. Gambit, with his easy smile and relaxed posture, seemed unfazed.

"Usually, I wait until the third date to go back to a man's hotel room," you joked, trying to mask your nerves.

He chuckled, a deep, rich sound. "Nah, chere, we've been watchin' you," he said, his eyes locking onto yours. Your heart skipped a beat. How long had they been observing you? How much did they know?

"What do you mean?" you asked, your voice betraying a hint of unease. It was rare for you to be caught off guard, but this situation was beyond anything you had prepared for.

"Gambit, my name, chere, and I work for the X-Men," he began, but you cut him off.

"The X-Men, I know. How about we get to the point?" Time was slipping away, and you knew your employer would send someone to check on you if you didn't show up soon.

He nodded, acknowledging your urgency. "The Professor has been watching you. Your abilities are bein', let's say, misspent on petty crimes and swindlin'."

You considered his words carefully. Charles Xavier, the Professor, was a renowned advocate for mutant rights, a figure of immense power and influence. His offer carried weight, but it also came with strings attached.

"So, you want me to join your little team?" The question hung in the air, heavy with implications.

"Gambit was hopin'," he replied, his voice sincere.

You scoffed, shaking your head. "I'm not doing this for myself. I'm doing this for my family." The words came out sharper than you intended, a defense mechanism born of years of hardship.

You turned to leave, but Gambit's hand on your shoulder stopped you. "We know, chere. That's why we've brought them to the mansion. They're safe, chere."

For a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. Your family—safe? It was a concept you had almost given up on. The weight of his words hit you like a tidal wave, your shoulders slumping under the sudden release of tension.

"What?" The question was barely a whisper, your voice breaking with emotion. Could it be true? After everything you had done, everything you had sacrificed, could your family finally be free?

"We're tryin' to take down the people you owe. In doin' that, we found you. Would you come to the mansion with me? No funny business, I swear, chere," Gambit said, his eyes holding a promise of safety and a fresh start.

The ride to the X-Mansion was a blur of emotions and half-formed thoughts. Gambit kept the conversation light, sharing stories of his past life in New Orleans, a thief navigating a world of shadows and secrets. You found yourself opening up, recounting tales of casinos and the intricate cons you'd pulled off. It was a strange, almost surreal connection, two kindred spirits from different walks of life.

As the mansion loomed into view, your heart pounded in your chest. The sprawling estate was both intimidating and inviting. Stepping out of the car, you saw your family on the lawn, your younger siblings playing tag, your parents looking more relaxed than you had seen them in years. Relief washed over you, bringing tears to your eyes. They were safe.

But as you reunited, the reality of the situation set in. Your family couldn't stay; the dangers were too great. They needed to leave the country, to start anew far from the reach of those who might seek revenge. It was a bittersweet moment, the joy of their safety tempered by the knowledge that you might have to part ways.

The Professor, Charles Xavier himself, approached you. His presence was calm and reassuring. "Or you could stay here," he offered, his voice gentle but firm. "Learn to use your powers, control them effortlessly for good. Be a part of my X-Men."

You stood at the edge of the mansion's expansive lawn, watching your family with a mixture of relief and heartache. The sight of your younger siblings laughing as they played, your parents' shoulders finally free of the burdens they'd carried for so long, filled you with a profound sense of peace. But beneath that peace, there was an undercurrent of something more—a longing for a life that meant something beyond survival and crime.

The choice before you was clear, yet impossibly difficult. The urge to stay with your family was strong, an instinctual pull toward the people you had fought so hard to protect. But as you looked at the X-Mansion, you felt the stirrings of a different kind of desire—the desire to be more than a pawn in someone else's game, to use your abilities for good and perhaps even change the world.

You took a deep breath, your decision solidifying in your mind. Turning to your family, you saw understanding in their eyes. They had always known the risks, the sacrifices. But they also knew the strength of your spirit, the potential you had yet to unleash.

With a sudden burst of emotion, you ran towards them, wrapping them in a fierce embrace. They hugged you back tightly, their warmth and love surrounding you. It was a moment of silent communication, a farewell and a blessing all at once. They understood your choice, even if it meant a painful separation.

Pulling back, you looked into their eyes, your voice steady but filled with emotion. "I would love to join you guys. Maybe change the world one day."

There was a beat of silence, then Gambit, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, stepped forward. His eyes sparkled with approval, a lopsided grin on his face. "Good choice, chere," he said, his voice carrying a note of camaraderie and promise.

You nodded, feeling a sense of resolve wash over you. This was the start of a new chapter, a chance to reclaim your autonomy and forge your own path. As you watched your family wave goodbye and drive away, you felt a mixture of sadness and hope. They were safe, and so were you. But more importantly, you were free to finally make your life your own.

With a deep breath, you turned toward the mansion, your new home and the place where your true journey would begin. You were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to fight for a better world alongside the X-Men. As you walked through the mansion's grand doors, you felt a sense of purpose you had never known before. You were no longer just a player in someone else's game; you were a hero in the making, with the power to change the world.

[reality-detective]

RED ALERT!! Military Forces Launch Global Raids: Trafficking Hubs, Vatican Ritual Chambers, Human Farms, and Elite DNA Experiments EXPOSED as World Leaders Panic!

The silent war is no longer silent. As of today, military operations worldwide have escalated, targeting the clandestine empires of global elites. These precision strikes aim to dismantle trafficking networks and secret facilities enslaving humanity for centuries.

Global Bunker Network Exposed

Insiders reveal an extensive underground network, with bunkers linking major cities and military bases, funded by covert taxpayer money. Recent operations in the Swiss Alps uncovered a complex with trafficking chambers and cloning labs, where seized evidence pointed to discussions on global depopulation and AI enslavement plans.

In Colorado, Denver International Airport's hidden bunkers have finally been confirmed, serving as hubs for elite evacuations and trafficking. Soldiers unearthed encrypted files and advanced holographic communication technologies used by elites to remain undetected globally.

Antarctica's Dark Secrets

Military raids in Antarctica are unearthing alien technologies and stasis chambers with non-human entities, revealing their centuries-long influence over global events. These discoveries signal the retreat of these beings as their control systems are systematically dismantled.

South America: Breaking the Chains

Elite units in Brazil and Colombia are disrupting cartel-connected trafficking rings, freeing thousands. Evidence links financial elites and politicians to these heinous crimes, using human lives as currency.

Europe: Vatican's Downfall

Covert operations within Vatican City have exposed vaults filled with ancient manuscripts and evidence of long-standing satanic rituals. Seized documents suggest a deep connection between the Vatican and global power structures, instrumental in maintaining human oppression.

Targeting the Global Financial Network

As physical networks are dismantled, the focus shifts to the financial systems supporting these atrocities. Quantum Financial System operatives are freezing assets linked to the cabal, preparing for a major shift to a transparent and equitable financial system.

The Final Showdown

These liberating acts by military forces are dismantling the very foundations of a dark regime that has long oppressed humanity. With each raid, more of our hidden shackles are revealed and destroyed.

Prepare for the Final Battle

The revelations from these operations are just the beginning. As the truth emerges, the world will confront the reality of a hidden war against humanity's freedom. The final battle has begun, and the cabal's reign is nearing its end.

EVERYTHING Else... Is a Distraction 🤔

[tenderwatches]

Ch. 11 of Lies We Tell Ourselves is up!

𐡸.:𐫱:.𐡷

chapter teaser

𐡸.:𐫱:.𐡷

chapter excerpt

Chapter 11: Solutions, Dissolutions

“You were removed from the council?” “I left almost two years ago.”

Viktor curls a lock of hair around a finger, his other hand resting at his mouth, where he worries at a corner of a nail between his teeth. His eyes are on the latest equations they’re working through for the synthetic hex crystal stabilisation frame, but his mind is back on that café patio he and Jayce visited a fortnight ago on the ostentatious streets of the Financial District.

Two years—and the fact that Jayce named the time frame—he wants Viktor to put together the sequence of events, wants him to know that he walked away from his council seat during the same time Viktor had returned to the Undercity. The implication sits heavy in Viktor’s chest, alongside all the other revelations that have been accumulating since his return: Jayce maintaining his partnership on the patents, his futile efforts to afford Viktor an income, and now this.

What on Runeterra is he trying to tell me? Viktor grimaces, labouring over a line where he doesn’t feel the arithmetic is quite right—no, wait… It’s fine. He scratches out his work a little harder than he means to, almost bending back the tines of his pen. Swearing softly under his breath, he works it in gentle, sweeping loops to ensure the ink still flows before scribbling out a note that marks this part as ‘ok after all’ before capping the instrument and setting it down to bury his face in his hands.

In the early days of his return to Piltover, time had stretched endlessly. Each minute was an exercise in restraint, each interaction laden with the heft of their turbulent history. The work he had been summoned to do was a new problem to sink into, a complex tangle to nest within. It had easily consumed all of his time, if not his attention. But ever since he’d yielded to Jayce’s damn tea—the first crack in his defences—the days have begun to blur together, fleeing like, it seems, his sanity. Viktor finds himself struggling to account where hours, days, weeks have gone, lost in the easy rhythm they’ve begun to recover. This makes uneasy alarm bells sound in every cell of his body.

He lets out a long sigh, rubbing his eyes. His brain feels heavy. Not quite a headache, but certainly not comfortable. He’s picking at things, almost hoping for mistakes, as if finding an error might justify the walls he’s built, prove this budding comfort to be as dangerous as he fears. Instead, he finds himself making the mistakes, his uncertainty bleeding onto the pages. Maybe he needs a break.

“Something wrong?”

(Read the rest on AO3!) (Or start from the beginning!)

[brittanyearnestauthor]

How to Write Character Goals More Effectively

As writers, creating character goals can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when we're on the spot trying to decide what drives them. To help, I’ve compiled a list of goals to inspire your character-building process and add depth to your story.

Personal Goals

Personal goals contribute to character growth and make them complex and relatable. They also bring your story to life:

- Learn a new language

- Practice mindfulness and meditation

- Develop a growth mindset

- Enhance time management skills

- Become proactive

- Master new technology or software

- Start a new craft or hobby

- Improve public speaking skills

- Build self-confidence

- Refine writing skills

- Practice communication skills

- Acquire a new skill

- Become more organized

- Accept limitations

- Hone decision-making abilities

- Cultivate gratitude

- Stay open to new opportunities

- Improve financial literacy

- Diversify cooking knowledge

- Learn to play an instrument

- Solve problems creatively

- Pick up a new sport

- Start a blog or online journal

- Learn to code or build websites

- Become a mentor

- Practice active listening

- Be more empathetic

- Forgive oneself

- Learn to say no

- Manage stress effectively

- Gain emotional control

- Develop patience

- Strengthen resilience

- Foster optimism

- Embrace change

- Live in the moment

- Enjoy simple pleasures

- Appreciate small things

- Explore creativity

Family and Friends

Improving relationships and family dynamics can add rich layers of character development and bonding moments:

- Plan a family vacation

- Spend quality time with loved ones

- Strengthen relationships

- Organize a family reunion

- Host weekly game nights

- Volunteer together

- Enhance communication skills

- Enjoy outdoor activities together

- Practice patience with others

- Expand the family

Finance

Financial goals can introduce real-world challenges that make your characters more relatable:

- Pay off debt

- Create and stick to a budget

- Invest wisely

- Save money consistently

- Consult a financial advisor

- Achieve financial freedom

- Start a side hustle or part-time job

- Negotiate better deals

- Build financial literacy

Career

Professional aspirations are key to relatable character arcs:

- Earn a promotion or raise

- Change careers

- Become their own boss

- Start a business

- Learn new career-related skills

- Network with peers in their field

- Attend career development seminars

- Volunteer professional skills

- Mentor others

- Improve their resume

Travel

Travel goals add excitement, exploration, and opportunities for plot-building:

- Visit a new country

- Explore their local area

- Embark on a road trip

- Experience a cruise

Conclusion

This list provides a starting point for creating meaningful character goals that enhance their journeys and make your story stand out. Whether you use these ideas or create your own, the key is to craft goals that resonate with your characters' personalities and ambitions.

Happy writing!

[mariacallous]

Among President Donald Trump’s major preoccupations throughout the 2024 campaign was an oft-repeated desire to “demolish” the “deep state.”1 He aims to reduce not only the army of civil servants throughout the federal government but also the volume of regulation.

Frustration with the sheer volume and scope of federal regulation is understandable. Over the decades, the Code of Federal Regulations has mushroomed to over 180,000 pages.2 Regulations affect how virtually everything is produced or delivered in our economy. In some cases, their complexity, especially when layered on top of local rules, can make it difficult to build new and much-needed infrastructure, such as transmission power lines.

At the same time, however, regulations keep our food supply, automobiles, financial markets and institutions, pharmaceuticals, and workplaces safer, our environment cleaner, and our financial markets and instruments more transparent than they otherwise would be. That’s because the market can “fail” in various ways: Private companies do not fully internalize the costs their activities may impose on others. Without regulation, consumers may not be fully informed about the risks of the products and services they buy. Private markets alone are likely to underinvest in so-called public goods. Over many decades, Congress has enacted a growing number of statutes requiring federal agencies to mitigate these market failures. Notably, many of the rules that conservatives now attack—those addressing environmental and workplace externalities—have been issued by agencies that were created and under statutes passed with the support of a Republican president, Richard Nixon. (See table below.)

[nesiacha]

In your post on 10 August you correctly pointed out how often the violence under the Ancien Régime gets always overlooked and you mentioned the Beast of Gévaudan, the deliberate repressions by Louis XIV or Louis XVI, the repression of the Flour War. What happened during these events?

Warning: Regarding the case of the Beast of Gévaudan, there are some shocking elements related to the criminal investigation. So, please refrain from reading if you feel uncomfortable with this. Sensitive souls should refrain from reading this part of text. I want to mention that I am not very knowledgeable about the Ancien Régime, so feel free to correct or add to what I say (especially regarding the Flour War).

Dragonnades under the reign of Louis XIV to force Protestants to convert to Catholicism ( The engraving dates from 1686 and is by Engelmann, Les nouveaux missionnaires)

Ah, here we are again, discussing the Ancien Régime. There are many things to say (some of which are positive; we should also fight against the demonization, but I will limit myself to starting with the period under Louis XIV rather than Henri IV).

Louis XIV, what can be said? Well, ironically, if we want to better study the issues that led to the Revolution, it starts with him (in my eyes). I will quickly touch upon his reign and the reasons why he wanted an absolute regime (due to the trauma he experienced as a child during the trials he endured during the Fronde, under the regency of his mother and Cardinal Mazarin). One day, I came across a phrase on a forum that I found revealing about the reigns of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. It said something like, "Louis XIV creates the debt, Louis XV manages it and passes it on to his successor (Louis XVI), who, due to his character and actions, causes the Revolution to break out." Although reality is more complex, I think this phrase aptly describes the origin of the massive debt of the Kingdom of France.

His wars financially drained the kingdom of France, showing that, in reality, wars of conquest can be more harmful than beneficial due to their expenses, especially if the territories do not bring in revenue (at least when Tsar Peter the Great waged war against the Turks, it was to gain access to the Sea of Azov for long-term commercial purposes). By the end of his reign, the state was financially ruined, all due to excessive conquests and wars that could have been avoided. Let's not even talk about horrific episodes like the Sack of the Palatinate in 1689 and how he alienated foreign powers. Here’s what Voltaire had to say on the subject: "This beautiful country was ravaged under Louis XIV for the second time; but the flames with which Turenne had burned two towns and twenty villages in the Palatinate were mere sparks compared to this final conflagration. Europe was horrified. The officers who carried it out were ashamed to be the instruments of such cruelties" (excerpt from The Age of Louis XIV).

This led to several revolts due to the increasing tax burden, the most notable of which was in Brittany. It is important to note something about Brittany and taxes. In 1491, Duchess Anne of Brittany married Charles VIII. France then annexed the Duchy of Brittany, but in return, Brittany retained a fiscal system specific to the former duchy, and no additional levies could be imposed without the agreement of this former duchy.

Louis XIV violated this fiscal exception and increased taxes as part of his war against Holland. This led to what would be called the Revolt of the Red Bonnets in Brittany, and across France (as there were other zones of insurrection like Grenoble, Bordeaux, Pau, Besançon), it would be known as the Stamp Paper Revolt in 1675, triggered by the ever-growing misery of the population. The revolt in Brittany was the most significant, with castles being attacked and uprisings against their lords. On July 2, the rebels demanded the abolition of seigneurial abuses, among other things, and proclaimed a Peasant Code, which included a series of texts, some of which apparently echoed aspects of the grievance lists of 1789.

The repression in Brittany was brutal. Six thousand men were sent to crush the rebellion. There were hangings, and some were sent to the galleys. The body of one of the leaders, Le Balp, was exhumed to be desecrated. Other leaders were tortured before being executed. The suburb of Saint-Malo was deemed too rebellious.

In October 1675, the city experienced violence, apparently at the hands of Louis XIV’s troops. Residents of certain streets were expelled to the point where the Marquise de Sévigné wrote, "Do you want to know the news from Rennes? An entire large street was driven out and banished, with the threat of death if they were taken in, so that one could see all these miserable people—old men, women who had just given birth, children—wandering in tears as they left the city." On February 5, 1796,

In his absolute control, Louis XIV sought to annihilate any rebellion. Under Louis XIV, there were 40,000 deserters, Protestants, counterfeiters, and salt smugglers condemned to the galleys, which was a horrific ordeal.

For criticizing absolutism, the theologian and tutor of the king’s grandson, Fénelon, fell out of favor. To better eliminate any opposition, a new position of Lieutenant General of Police was created in Paris, tasked with not only surveillance but also reforming justice to extend cases that could be judged directly by the King’s judges. During the inquisitorial process, the investigation was secret (which, as a law student, I admit can have both positive and negative aspects) and confessions were extracted, including through the use of torture (terrifying and horrible).

The Code Noir of 1685 authorized and even justified slavery with the goal of increasing the production of mineral and agricultural wealth.

The Edict of Nantes, which had allowed Protestants to live in peace, was revoked by Louis XIV. This led to the "dragonnades," a method in which "dragons," or royal soldiers, were forcibly quartered in the homes of Protestants considered heretics, using all possible means to force them to convert. I can hardly imagine the brutalities committed in the homes of these victims to obtain so many abjurations from the Protestants so that these soldiers would leave.

When Louis XIV died, he was deeply unpopular. Misery was widespread, and the peasant class could barely survive. In the event of climatic accidents, famine and mortality rates were extremely high, particularly in 1694 and 1709.

It is easy to see that the seeds of the Revolution were already being sown under Louis XIV. In 1694, there was the Red Bonnets uprising, and barely a century later, the Revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy, and the uprising of the slaves. We can clearly see where the first seeds of the Revolution began to germinate.

The fight of Marie-Jeanne Vallet, known as the “Maid of Gévaudan”, against the beast. Sculpture by Philippe Kaeppelin.

Now we come to the case of Louis XV, and one example that struck me the most about the dysfunction of the country is the affair of the Beast of Gévaudan (though there are many others, and more important ones). This remains one of the most mysterious criminal cases that has never been solved. However, this example highlights another dysfunction of the Ancien Régime beyond slavery, famine, religious intolerance, and repression. It is simply the issue of security in the face of the crime that the lower class suffers in certain areas.

France had just come out of the Seven Years’ War (an extremely deadly conflict), relatively defeated by England and financially ruined. The incident took place in the county of Gévaudan (which is in the province of Languedoc). The area included the Margeride, a difficult-to-access region with mountain ranges and marshes. In Gévaudan, life was harsh, predominantly populated by peasants; life was very tough, life expectancy was very short, children started working very early, and the peasant class primarily sought to survive.

But it’s the problem of crime that will be highlighted here (so I won’t go into too much detail about the affair of the Beast of Gévaudan). However, it’s necessary to explain this criminal case to better understand what follows. This case is complex, and the aim is not to explain it fully but rather to show the attitude of King Louis XV’s government, which tends to indicate what could be called willful criminal negligence. Therefore, the mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan is quickly summarized, and if you’re interested in understanding the case from an "investigative" perspective, you won’t find it here (it would take at least two to three pages), especially for suspects and theories explaining this mystery.

It all began in June 1764. A shepherdess living in Langogne was attacked by a beast. She owed her life to the cows that charged to protect their calves. The most striking thing is that the beast completely ignored the cows to focus solely on her. She survived, but it was the beginning of a long series of attacks. The beast was described as a wolf with a black stripe down its back (even today, it’s unclear whether it was a dog or a wolf). This was surprising because the inhabitants were always close to wolves, and no attacks had been recorded.

The beast went on to claim several victims, some of whom were horrifically devoured alive in front of helpless witnesses. Some survivors were scarred for life, and several children died.

Initially, King Louis XV took the matter very seriously: he sent one of his close associates, François Antoine, and enormous resources were employed. However, when the beast was not conspicuously absent, bullets seemed to bounce off it, or it got back up (one of the reasons for speculating that the beast had been trained by a human, as the black stripe could have come from a boar’s hide used as a protective cuirass against pistol bullets). Very questionable means (to put it mildly) will be used such as poisoning the corpses so that the Beast of Gévaudan eats it and poisons itself. But it doesn't work. Then, on September 20, 1765, François Antoine (or one of his aides) killed the beast. Witnesses and survivors of the attacks confirmed it was the Beast of Gévaudan (about twenty of them). However, it had killed on the other side of the river, where it had not been very active. Despite this, Louis XV declared that the affair was over and that the Beast of Gévaudan had been killed. And yet, after a period of calm due to the winter (when herds were less exposed), the attacks resumed with even greater intensity in the spring, with more and more victims. The attacks were concentrated mainly in the Margeride.

This is where we see the indifferent side of the Ancien Régime. For the monarchy, which had been ridiculed by the Beast of Gévaudan, the matter was closed. Officially, the Beast of Gévaudan had been killed, and with censorship in place, there was no mention of other attacks by the beast after 1765. On gravestones, it was now forbidden to say that a victim had been killed by the Beast of Gévaudan. There would be no more assistance, and the inhabitants were left to fend for themselves. One must be cautious, but we can speak of willful criminal negligence: to save face, the monarchy pretended to ignore the deadly attacks and even censored news about the affair. Fortunately, the Marquis d’Apcher continued to organize hunts to kill the beast at his own expense. But his resources were not those of a state and therefore very limited. The attacks officially ended in June 1767. A man named Jean Chastel ended the Beast’s life under strange circumstances (I don’t want to accuse deceased people with little evidence; it’s just that some facts make him seem suspicious, while others exonerate him, especially since in those superstitious times, he was looked down upon for reasons we’d find foolish today. For example, he apparently didn’t attend church much, although when Marie Danty, a 12-year-old girl with whom he was friendly, was devoured alive, he began attending church and had his bullets blessed. He could read and write, which was rare for someone of the lower class, and he was allegedly the son of a healer, whom some called a witch. On the other hand, when Marie Danty died, he swore he would be the one to kill the Beast of Gévaudan, and according to some witnesses, when the beast saw him, it simply sat down, whereas when it was present, it wouldn’t let itself be caught. Moreover, its black stripe had disappeared, although survivors had said it had one. However, I ask that we avoid making accusations against Jean Chastel out of respect for his descendants,while there is a high probability that he is innocent , we cannot make accusations without evidence).

Another frightening aspect of France in this affair is that not all the crimes were committed by the Beast of Gévaudan. It’s clear that at least several murderers committed acts that were blamed on the Beast, especially considering how some victims were killed. In fact, Margeride was notorious for its lack of security, its criminality, and the maréchaussée (mounted police) had only just been established, with many brigands or worse. The last crime attributed to the Beast of Gévaudan was actually committed by a human who killed a woman, Marianne Thomas, in 1777. The woman, in her agony, said it was the Beast. But in reality, it was a man disguised as the Beast, wearing fur, who had committed the crime. So, in addition to famine, it seems that the Ancien Régime either did not want to or failed to ensure that the maréchaussée was effective in protecting the lower class.

Another negative aspect of Louis XV’s regime was the continued religious fanaticism. During the attacks of the Beast of Gévaudan, some believed the beast was the result of divine punishment for the inhabitants’ sins (another theory said that the beast of Gévaudan was suckling a werewolf and that silver bullets were needed to kill it) . There was the infamous case of Calas, where a father was tortured to death because he was Protestant, accused on very doubtful, if not nonexistent, evidence. Then there was the affair of the Chevalier de la Barre, in which a young nobleman was tortured and executed for the crime of blasphemy (desecration of a crucifix) and it seems that it was not sure if it was him who did that, not to mention the sect of the White Penitents in Toulouse, who were a model of intolerance at that time. Additionally, the Church owned at one point 6% of the land in the Kingdom of France and profited from it, while the state coffers did not benefit. Not to mention other legitimate criticisms that could be made against the Church.

Anne Robert Jacques Turgot (French school, Palace of Versailles) (1727-1781)

Finally, here is the Flour War under Louis XVI. Ironically, the minister at the heart of these events was the most competent of Louis XVI’s ministers. Turgot is considered, in a way, a reformer (in fact, part of the nobility hated him for this), but also a liberal. There was much speculation because the monarchy was stockpiling grain. Turgot instead decided to impose the free circulation of grain. However, the poor harvests of 1773 and 1774 led to a significant increase in prices. This further deepened the misery of the peasants, as bread was their staple food. Consequently, riots broke out, with bakeries being looted and grain stocks seized. In response, 25,000 soldiers were deployed, leading to 548 arrests and the execution by hanging of two rioters: a 28-year-old wigmaker and a 16-year-old boy guilty of kicking a bakery door. The execution of these two scapegoats shocked the crowd.

So, my opinion on Turgot is that he was one of Louis XVI’s most competent ministers and the one who, among all his successors, had the people’s best interests at heart. But he was neither a political genius nor an engaged man like the revolutionaries who would take over after the Ancien Régime (at least many of them). I’m going to deliberately provoke by saying that if he was in the most committed political class concerning the Absolute Monarchy, he would likely have been on the far right during the French Revolution (though less conservative than Necker, for sure). But I’m probably being unfair because he died before we could know what he would have done, knowing that he didn’t play a false role as a friend of the people like Necker did, but rather acted more in favor of reforms, unlike the latter.

However, I must point out, in defense of Louis XV and Louis XVI, that absolutism had its limits in the form of the Parliaments, and they had to delegate certain powers to the Parliament. Yet, the Parliament opposed some necessary reforms for the people to ensure that the nobility could maintain its privileges while pretending to be friends of the poor people (we can clearly see where Necker learned this attitude).

P.S: I didn't mention the repression following the Reveillon affair, due to the events of April 26 to April 28, 1789 as it wasn't ask.

Sources: Antoine Resche For the Beast of Gévaudan: YouTuber Lionel Camy, who is very knowledgeable about criminal cases he explains. His video on the Beast of Gévaudan was excellent.But that does not prevent us from seeing historians given that Lionel Camy is more specialized in the analysis and theories of crime. Thierry Aprile

[misirosekisiro]

When Two Worlds Collide - A Swapped Superhero Story

>.> เอาภาพประกอบออก system flag, คนสามารถถ่ายภาพ วีดีโอโชว์กางเกงใน โชว์ไอ้จ้อนได้ แต่ภาพวาดสไปเดอร์แมนที่เป้าตุงเกินไม่ผ่านกฎ เอาที่สบายใจ

Eric couldn't believe his luck – after weeks of struggling to keep afloat amid mounting financial woes, he finally stumbled across information regarding a potentially lucrative invention housed within the University's highly secretive Laboratory. Gripped by the promise of instant wealth, Eric devised a plan to pilfer the coveted research grant meant to support innovation and discovery amongst the faculty members. However, his actions would prove detrimental not only to himself but also alter the fate of others around him forever.

With determination etched upon his face, Eric entered the dimly lit confines of the Laboratory, making sure no one saw him slip past security checkpoints and head towards the research facility containing the mysterious invention which promised fortune.

As Eric delved further into the heart of the building, he could feel adrenaline pump through his veins while simultaneously ignoring warnings of guilt surging forth from deep within. In the darkness ahead, he perceived vague silhouettes outlining the contours of scientific instruments, creating an eerie ambiance surrounding the environment.

His pulse quickened, anticipating finding the treasure hidden among these shadows - the unparalleled wealth waiting just beyond reach. But despite his excitement, he remained cautiously aware that the risk involved far outweighed potential rewards; he might lose everything if caught attempting such a brazen act of thievery. With each step forward, he felt an urgency pressing against his chest like a vice, compelling him ever closer toward destiny.

Then he found a locked cabinet. He think that the goverment's funds must store in there.

So he decide to take a chance on breaking into the cabinet. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the heavy metal object lying nearby—a wrench. It had been used countless times before, its surface scratched and worn from years of service. This time, however, it held the key to changing his life irrevocably.

Slowly, deliberately, Eric positioned the jagged edge of the wrench underneath the lock mechanism. His breath came in ragged gasps, fearful of being discovered midway through his daring mission. Clenching his teeth together, he summoned all his strength and began twisting the tool forcefully against the lock. Metal screeched against metal, echoing throughout the otherwise silent room. Sweat beaded on his brow, dripping onto the cold concrete beneath him.

The sound of the ratcheting lock gave way with a resounding click, causing Eric to exhale sharply in relief. Victory seemed tantalizingly close now, driving him relentlessly forward, fueled by a single-minded obsession. The prize awaiting him behind the door was more than enough motivation to push aside any lingering hesitations.

Then the locked broke and fall to the floor, a metal clink sound echo through silent's lab.

Peter, who happened to be studying just floor below. picked up that voice emanating form the lab, He sigh and close the book, look around, found no one, he change in to a spiderman's costume.

He quickly scaled walls and ceilings, navigating through the complex architecture of the institution with ease, driven by his insatiable curiosity. His senses heightened, detecting every vibration, every minuscule movement that may signal danger or opportunity. Almost instantly, he located the source of the unusual noise – it was indeed originating from the secluded lab, an area typically avoided by students during normal hours.

Amidst the haze of his preoccupied thoughts, something unexpected occurred; Peter noticed another figure rummaging near the locked storage cabinets.

He sigh in silent. Just another theif.Thought Peter, looking at Eric trying to break into the storage. His thought process was interrupted by Eric's sudden action, He open the storage and holding some device up in his hand.

Fear to make a damage to university's invention. Peter shout. "You'r better putthat thing down!" His voice resonated through the empty corridors of the vast establishment, carrying the weight of authority borne of concern rather than arrogance. Despite wearing Spiderman's suit, he still maintained a sense of vulnerability, unaware of how to use his newfound powers effectively. Yet even though his body language radiated unease, his resolve remained steadfast, rooted firmly in the belief that what he did today mattered greatly for tomorrow's consequences.

But for Eric, found somone shout at him. He turn in panic while still holding a device in his hand. His hand may trumble in fear, or may his finger slip. No matter what, the device was active and shoot a ray to Spiderman.

"Please not arrest me!" Eric shout and close his eye in fear.

When the spider's sense warn Peter, it's too late. He take too less caution since he encounter planty of normal theif in his hero's life.

Shower of the Ray was land on Peter's body. At first he found nothing happen. It's just like you shoot a flashlight to someone.

Thought Peter, feeling no pain. Then it's happen. His sight start to lower. Peter think it's mayMinimizing device, that decrease his body size, like an Ant man. But when he check is body, he suddenly found, its more , a lot more , trouble situation. His body inside spiderman's suit was flatten, slowly flat to the floor. Like a balloon lost it air.Peter's body deflates, crumpling to the ground.

After a while, Eric found only a silence around. He finally open his eyes. Found superhero now disappear. Left only his spiderman suit on the floor.

Eric thrown a device on the floor, it's give some spark noise and shut itself down. Then he walkforward to hero's suit on the floor cautiously,keep looking around but found no one else. Where're that hero gone? Why he left his costume here and go aways.

He pick the spiderman custome up, since he grab on hero's mask, then it was remove form other piece of costume. Then he feels shocked, he found a skin of young man slip form the mask to the floor.

What kind of trick is this! Who dare play trick on him? Is this a joke played by campus gangsters? He looks around carefully again, but find nobody except him alone in the room. His anger rising from his gut to his throbbing temples. Eric don't know why, but suddenly, he wants to test this skin. Maybe it has some special ability. Or maybe they were playing prank on him, this was part of the trick.

It doesn't matter now anyway, right? Since Eric already made a decision. He want to be strong like the hero.

He think this might solve his problem. So Eric pick a skin up, it's loosen form the spiderman costume. It's young man skinsuit, full naked. his size is so small compare to Eric himself. somewhat people call lean muscular build or so.

He try to find an open, where he can put his body in. And found a big vertical hole on it's back. Just like a body suit without zipper.

Eric tries hard to get into the skin. Finally, he managed to pull his own legs and arms into sleeves, feet into shoes and torso into a fitting vest. Then, somehow, he forced the rest of his bulky frame into the remaining portions of the garments. There was hardly any space leftover as the material conformed tightly to his robust physique. Still, he persisted until his entire body was covered in the snug fabric, leaving no exposed flesh visible. He see on his hard cock, it's almost double of skinsuit size, make ituncomfortable inside the suit. Although disoriented initially, soon the suit adjusted perfectly to his body, or must say his body was adjust to the suit. His Bulky frame was shrink until fit in to skinsuit. He try find a mirror to see himself.

Standing tall in front of the reflective surface, Eric couldn't help but marvel at his transformation. His once burly, powerful physique appeared slender and agile, molded into the confines of the flexible suit. Even his face appeared smaller and refined, albeit obscured slightly by the familiar white eyepieces. Strangely, his limbs retained their characteristic bulkiness, giving him an oddly proportioned appearance. He tried lifting his arm experimentally, feeling the fluidity of his movements, testing the range of motion granted by the newly acquired attire. He feel powerful

in his new body. Surprisingly, he also experience increase in his speed, jump higher, stronger than before. In fact, it seems like his overall physical abilities increased significantly after putting on the skin. When he try to protect his head when he jump too high, he found that his hands was stick to a ceiling.

His heart beat faster than ever. That could mean...couldn't it? It felt unbelievable. He was flying. Flying just like Spider-Man. Eric grinned wide, reveling in his newfound capability. He hadn't realized how much he envied these seemingly trivial aspects of Spidey's existence - web swinging, wall crawling, quick wit. Now, incredibly, it was all within reach. Excitement coursed through his veins, intensifying with each passing moment.

Then the memory also flood in his brain. A life of Peter Paker who is a spiderman.

"So Spiderman is Peter Paker, a nerd. I think use to see him around campus. but never know he is spiderman.

Thinking Eric excitedly. This means whatever happens tonight, he won't have to worry about facing his academic rival. For years, he had been jealous of Peter's intelligence and cleverness. This time, however, things would be different. With this unique advantage, he wouldn't need to rely solely on brute force anymore. This newfound power had provided him with an escape route out of his financial quagmire, which had only worsened day by day.

Actually he can forget his old Eric life, just stay in Peter's identity. So he no need to worry about those dept anymore. Breath new life!, with super spiderman power!, do anything I want!

Thought Eric with a smirk. He swung his fist through the air, sending invisible weblines shooting forth as if gravity had taken leave. Grinning triumphantly, he flexed his fingers, admiring them as extensions of his newfound prowess. These feelings of invincibility propelled him further into a dreamlike state. Everything seemed surreal, as if he were traversing an alternate reality, immune to consequences. He decided it was time to celebrate. Time to indulge.

Then he found he still nake, he walk to spiderman costume on the floor.

"Well," thought Eric, chuckling inwardly.

"There's no reason for me to continue being Eric Moore." Tossing aside any lingering remorse or guilt over taking possession of another person's life, he chose instead to embrace the opportunity presented to him. After all, there wasn't anyone who knew him enough to identify him as 'Spider-man'. He relished in the irony – his very presence here in the laboratory stemmed from a desire to obtain money illegally, yet now fate itself conspired against him in such a whimsical manner.

So he start to dressing in spiderman's costume.

Slipping the iconic red boots onto his feet, pulling the stretchy spandex over his enhanced muscles, and securing the web-shooters on his wrists. His excitement grew exponentially as he adorned himself in the legendary threads, allowing his imagination to run wild. Each element of the ensemble brought to life a new facet of the persona he wished to adopt – confident, brave, wise beyond his years. Almost instantly, he felt transformed.

This feeling to take over hero's life was too much for him to contain.

Feeling exuberant, Eric stared at his reflection in the mirror, clad in the familiar red and blue uniform. His confidence levels rose astronomically, accompanied by an intense sexual charge coursing through his veins. This newfound strength and speed aroused a hunger deep within him, awakening hidden passions. Sweat dripped down his forehead as visions of his conquests danced tantalisingly in his mind. It was time to assert dominance, time to prove his worth as the new embodiment of Peter's alter ego, Spider-Man.

He can smell a scent of Peter in the suit, suit that he wear it all day long,

and even sweating under it, making a mix of scents. Smelling that makes him feel connected to Peter. More than just wearing his clothes, he took on something personal, intimate. He wanted to savour this sensation. Yet at the same time, his sense of ownership became increasingly possessive, wanting to eliminate any trace of Peter in order to fully immerse himself in the role. He was ready to explore what truly lay beneath the mask.

With a swift movement, he discarded the white eyepieces Peter wore to cover his eyes.

Removing them revealed his true vision – sharp, crystal clear sight far superior to human limitations. He gazed upon his surroundings with keen interest, observing the subtle nuances previously unnoticed. It seemed almost magical, having access to heightened perception as Spider-Man. His heart raced with anticipation, driven by the urgency to test his powers.

The idea of sneaking past unsuspecting individuals appealed greatly to Eric, particularly since he bore resemblance to Peter Parker. But first, he needed sustenance. Hunger raged within him, demanding satisfaction. Licking his lips hungrily, he pondered where best to satisfy this primal craving. Perhaps he should venture closer to one of the city hotspots known for its thriving nightlife.

Stealthily, he glided towards the exit, utilizing his newfound skills to traverse the building undetected.

Adrenaline pumped through his veins, fueling his euphoria as he imagined confronting various challenges along the way. The wind whispered softly through his ears, echoing eerily amidst the otherwise silent environment. He moved effortlessly through the corridors, feeling strangely free and empowered by his ability to scale walls and navigate the intricate structures of the laboratory complex. Gone were the days spent brooding over failed attempts to excel academically – he had traded them for boundless potential and unfettered exploration.

The freedom afforded to him by donning the Spider-Man suit filled him with exhilaration. He allowed the thrill of adventure to consume him completely, losing track of time as he sailed among rooftops, dazzled by the prospect of conquering great adversaries and liberating innocence from oppressive forces.

Feeling more alive than ever, Eric began to understand why Peter Parker continued to assume the mantle of Spider-Man despite numerous obstacles and setbacks.

Chapter 2

Eric swaggered across the roofline, surveying the twinkling city below with sheer delight. Powerful gales blew through his wiry hair, carrying with them the tangible energy of his recent exploits. As a wave of electric pleasure cascaded through his core, he surveyed the vast metropolitan landscape – an expanse ripe for plunder. With ease, he navigated the craggy buildings, scaling vertical surfaces and soaring over towering edifices without hesitation. Unbeknownst to most inhabitants, they shared space with two distinct entities locked in combat.

One a vigilante seeking justice in the face of criminal activity, the other consumed by ambition and greed. Their paths intertwined in unexpected ways, leading both toward mutual understanding and common ground. Despite their differing goals, neither desired a violent confrontation. Instead, they sought camaraderie born from shared experiences – albeit tempered by competition.

As he descended back to earth, the cool evening breeze caressed his skin, causing goosebumps to rise in response. Below him lay an array of enticing venues nestled amidst the illuminated landscape.

The he found, one figure standing in the dark ally, He dressing in all black with balaclava cover his face. He just laugh cause he also dressing like that just hour ago. That thief try to break-in a shop backdoor.

Eric approached stealthily, maintaining his focus while simultaneously assessing the situation. Although the individual appeared less agile compared to Spider-Man, their resourcefulness compensated for their lack of physical aptitude. Concealing himself behind a nearby dumpster, Eric silently observed their movements. As he peered from his hiding spot, the thief managed to pick the lock with remarkable skill, demonstrating considerable expertise in burglary techniques. Eric couldn't help but marvel at the audacity displayed by these criminals operating right under everyone's noses.

Then he attack, he want to test his ability.

Swiftly leaping into action, Eric demonstrated his acrobatic prowess by launching himself off the wall directly above the thief. As he descended upon the unsuspecting figure, the intruder raised an alarm clock and aimed it menacingly towards Eric. However, before the weapon could be activated, Spider-Man expertly deflected the projectile with precise precision. He lunged forward, grappling with the would-be robber in an attempt to subdue them without harm. He shoot the web, lock a theif both arm, and leg's to the wall, render him off form any movement.

"A... spiderman.."

What? No!", exclaimed the caught thief, struggling fruitlessly against Spidey's strong grip. "How did you…?"

In response, Eric grinned mischievously, teasing the bewildered felon. "Call it intuition, my friend," he quipped playfully. Feeling victorious after apprehending his prey.

He remove mask form theif face. A young man, also looking good. So waste to become a mere theif. Eric feels want to play with his prey.

His feelings surge with excitement, fueled by the prospect of indulging in his newly discovered passion. He approaches the captive, running his fingers gingerly along the contours of the young man's face. His touch eliciting shivers of pleasure as well as fear from the captured thief. The air crackles with palpable chemistry, charged by the sudden transformation of roles.

Captivated by Eric's mesmerising charms, the trapped thief allows himself to succumb entirely to his will.

Surrendering his resistance, he becomes nothing more than a vessel for Eric's fantasies. The power dynamic shifted rapidly, placing Eric firmly in command. He relished the opportunity to embrace his own inclinations, allowing the intensity of his desire to dictate their course of events. The city might not know it, but there existed a secret world within its boundaries - a place brimming with forbidden pleasures waiting to be claimed.

Desire courses through Eric's veins, igniting his libido with ferocious heat.

Boldly grasping the thief's slim waist, he pulls him close, kissing him fiercely. Teeth nipping at tender flesh, drawing gasps of surprise from his helpless captor. Each movement synchronized to the rhythm of the beat pulsing between them.

Energised by the adrenaline flowing through his veins, Eric pushes his limits further, engaging in acts once considered taboo.

He want to try something, he move himself to the wall which young thief still stuck in. He climb the wall with his head down. Bury his face into the crotch of theif pants. Also bring his crotch to bury on theif face. He can smell

the sweet fragrance coming from his prisoner, reminding him of the last moments spent with Peter. This mixture intensifies his arousal even more, leaving him breathless and eager for more. Slowly, he starts pulling the young thief upwards with his enhanced strength, positioning himself better for the task ahead. He lower a zip of theif pant, see a breif which he also lower it, pull thief member out of his pants. Also bring lower his spiderman costume's waist down, bring up his cock to theif face. Then he move his mask up, show his mouth, put a theif cock inside his mouth. while theif start do same thing to his cock. It's real 69 position! can't not happen without spiderman power! Eric almost laugh out.

Their positions mirrored each other perfectly, creating a symphony of sensuality that reverberated throughout the narrow confines of the alleyway.

Entranced by the hypnotic dance unfolding before him, Eric revels in the ecstatic bliss that consumes him. Every thrust, every moan, reinforces his conviction that this life was meant for him – no longer hindered by the restrictions imposed by Peter’s moral compass.

The intense pleasure coursed through his veins, acting as a catalyst for his escalating desires. The world around them dissolved into insignificance, becoming nothing more than a fleeting memory.

Their bodies slick with sweat, moving together seamlessly, driven by the need to quench their unrelenting passions. Time ceased to exist as they surrendered fully to the powerful union between them. Their fervent endeavors resonated throughout the small alcove, transforming it into a temple dedicated solely to their pursuits.

Each muscle straining, each groan echoing the raw intensity of their coupling. Yet, somehow, they maintained their balance precariously. Fierce determination fueling their journey deeper into the unknown territory. Together, they reached a crescendo, reaching heights far beyond anything previously experienced. For this moment, in the depths of darkness, they reigned supreme, savoring every last drop of passion.

Their hearts raced wildly as their minds attempted to make sense of what transpired.

Even in faint, Eric step down form the wall. White cum still slip form both male's mouth. Eric hug in and do deep kiss.

Their lips moved together in perfect syncopation, their tongues dancing a delicate waltz. Both man semen was mixing in their mouth while they kiss. it's salty but

Eric enjoys it. It felt like victory celebration. Eric feel proud of what he done, conquer both theif's body and soul. Then he release theif form a web.

The young man remained slightly stunned but ultimately grateful, his eyes wide with shock mixed with curiosity. Embarrassment clouded his features initially, until Eric broke the silence with gentle words laced with genuine concern. "Don't worry," he assured softly, a comforting smile creeping onto his lips.

Then he force break open the shop's backdoor. It's easy with super power.

"Take your time! and don't get caugth! " he said then jump form there.

The astonishment evident on the young man's face gradually dissipated, replaced instead by gratitude and admiration.

For his part, Eric reveled in the euphoria, feeling empowered by his new role as a evil of sorts. He want new costume, he will not be a super hero.

As Eric began to explore his transformed self, he realized that his previous identity had been limiting him. In search of a suitable disguise befitting his new persona, he ventured forth into the vast expanse of the city, searching for inspiration. From the vibrant street markets to the dimly lit alleys, he absorbed everything around him, allowing it to shape the person he wanted to become. With renewed confidence and determination, he strode boldly across the city, eager to leave behind his former constraints.

Throughout his journey, various individuals approached him, attempting to strike up conversation. Yet Eric dismissed all such advances, fixated solely on fulfilling his quest for a new alter ego.

He travel back to Peter's home. Knowing that Peter have a talent to make a super hero's suit.

Peter's home lies nestled amidst a picturesque neighborhood, surrounded by tall trees whose leaves whispered stories of old. Despite the idyllic setting, the house itself bore stark contrasts to its surroundings. Unlike the meticulously kept houses nearby, Peter's residence appeared somewhat neglected, reflecting the state of mind of its owner.

Entering the gloomy dwelling, Eric surveyed the disarray scattered everywhere. Discarded comics lay strewn about the floor, forgotten books piled high on dusty shelves, evidence of days long past spent lost in imagination.

The room seemed cold and unwelcoming, perhaps reflecting Peter's dwindling interest in his childhood enthusiasm.

As Eric entered the makeshift workshop where Peter crafted his suits, Peter's workspace held a quiet charm; an undeniable sense of possibility that inspired one to dream bigger.

Its walls were covered with sketches, notes, and diagrams illustrating the process of designing each unique garment. Stacks upon stacks of fabric sat neatly organized against one corner, promising infinite possibilities.

The he see one, one of rough design of spiderman suit. but it's fit to Eric taste.

It was sleek, black, and form fitting—a complete departure from Peter's traditional red and blue Spidey attire. As if designed specifically for him, the suit embodied the essence of his new persona, exuding stealth and menace. Purchasing materials from the nearest store, Eric returned to his Peter's house, determined to begin working on his new creation immediately.

Overwhelmed by anticipation, Eric hurried towards his worktable, gathering necessary tools. With careful precision, he cut the fabric according to the measurements laid out earlier.

Stitch by stitch, Eric meticulously pieced together his latest acquisition, ensuring the end result would embody his new image completely. Satisfaction graced his features as he gazed at the nearly completed masterpiece, imagining how it would enhance his already potent allure.

Once satisfied with the final product, Eric slipped on the new suit with practiced ease. Its smoothness glided over his skin effortlessly, melding flawlessly with his silhouette.

The chilling effect of the material added an air of mystery, accentuating the sinister aura radiating off Eric. His sharp eyes pierced through the darkness, scanning the area below for any signs of potential threats. Clad in the new ensemble, Eric felt invincible - ready to take on the challenges presented before him.

He look at now abandon spiderman costume."So it time to goodbye -Spiderman-" and welcome new villain to this town - anArachnid -!"

Eric proclaimed with a hint of malice. He turned away, striding confidently toward the city center. His movements were graceful, akin to a predator stalking its prey. Passersby noticed the striking figure clad in black garments. Some whispered among themselves, intrigued by the mysterious stranger entering their midst. Others regarded him with apprehension, wondering whether this cloaked individual posed a threat to their peaceful lives.

Dominating the skyline stood a massive structure, adorned with billboards and neon lights.

Soon, The News of disappear of Spiderman and Raise of new Villain,an Arachnid was on the Top news. People guess why spiderman is vanish, and world got new spider villain.May the one that come closest to the fact isJonah Jameson who make his newspaper a first page "Spiderman finally reveal his trueself, A villain -Arachnid!" Eric was laugh, "Actually this reveal the closest to the fact. but just real spiderman is long gone with Eric Moore" He see himself in the mirror. Peter looking back. "Only Peter Parker and an Aracnid now."

These words reverberate loudly within Eric's head, bringing clarity to his course of action. Overpowered by newfound ambition, Eric resolutely sets out to prove his worthiness as a worthy adversary to this enigmatic foe.

[moonshine999]

Old Money : AU (pt.2)

Aegon Targaryen

One of the heirs to the Targaryen name and everything that comes with it. He always had trouble with his studies and responsibilities - making everyone raise an eyebrow- because compared to his siblings, he seemed to be the least capable of inheriting the business, despite being the eldest. But with support from his siblings and mothers, he managed to prove every critic wrong. He proved himself various times, he quit his earlier habits, and fully let himself just be with his family. He took too long to realise how much they meant to him and he is never going to repeat that again. His kids were the ones who convinced him that this change was necessary, their mere existence, seeing his wife holding them for the first time, it all came rushing to him and he could see the answer clear as day. Within his family. Usually he is seen pouring over work, playing one of the million instruments he has taught himself how to or lounging in his wife’s garden with a book in hand that he promised he would finish but never got through the first chapter. Some things just never changed.

Helaena Targaryen

A quiet one since the beginning, and the second half of the inheritance. While there is not a single person who dislikes her, most underestimate her. Her soft appearance often make people forget that she was responsible for some of the Targaryens’ best financial decisions. She has made various, calculated appearances that not only boost her perception but her family’s. She was always aware of how everyone perceived her husband and the many a arguments she wished to start with the public right then and there. But she bit her tongue, kept quiet and finally let it go when she realised he had changed for the better. She always loved him throughout but this, their family, their kids, everything and how it had changed them both finally gave her some peace. She is often caught tending to her beautiful garden, or baking for her kids (obviously letting everyone else have any extras), embroidering various complex and simple patterns or playing melodies on the piano alongside her husband.

(Alicent, Rhaenyra, Criston, Aemond and Daeron are already posted)

[licially]

Interlude #1

//Hey y'all, I never normally post stuff on here but that is because I've been stressed to death between project works, writer's block and general burnout for the last week. //I managed to push this out but I have been taking a break since then. This goes out to @blogplutocrat, and my second real attempt at angst with a theme? I'm not sure what to make of it but I will keep practicing.

It hasn’t been unusually quiet within the household, yet today stands a contradiction. The busy streets outside of the complex proved a superstition, but the quietness that surrounded the place made it all the more mysterious what this superstition was supposed to be. The tenants of the apartment that was decrepit enough to house those financially unfortunate enough were silent. Not a slight footstep, not a shuffle and not a word from the walls. The hallways replied to the silence with the same, until a door creaked open from the bottom floor. The disruption of what seemed a peaceful silence reverberated back to the person, who gave a deep sigh as they shut the door slightly behind them. They didn’t seem to mind it, as if they were also basked in it. Slowly, they trailed towards the staircase that stood towards the side without longer hesitation. The climb was made difficult with the heels that they wore, and the reach to the second floor was relieved by the contact of the floor.

The footsteps did stop, merely for a moment as they caught up on their breath under what window of time and place they had. Their hair, a low cut that didn’t expand past their head, swirled the air surrounding them. It also partially revealed a dress that they wore, as she sighed one more time. Through the vague lighting that sporadically bounced through the hallways and emptiness of the rooms, she waltzed through the darkness. It was eerie, not only because of the lack of life but what was present didn’t want to make itself known. She kept at it, her steps brought more authority and rule over a place that was chaos crossed with introspection. 

Quiet thoughts also lingered as she filtered the insanity within: What place is this, and why does it feel like an infinity unexplained? Where was she going, and where is the room she was looking for? How did she end up here, and not back at the apartment that she previously entered? She pondered, as she stopped to catch her breath and what little sanity she had left. Her questions still stood untested, and she still kept going at both. The questions only brought answers, and more questions that arose. She was distressed, under stress and everything she did was under duress.

Eventually, she found the number of the room that belonged to both her and her significant other. The door, engraved with a golden plaque that read out the number ‘4514’, which is also supported by the glow that emanated from the borders. She swiped at the door handle, and out she went towards her apartment, in the sunlight that brought color back to the empty void that was outside.

The entrance was short and narrow, with the walkway immediately going towards the living area that served both as a dining place and a kitchen place. The space expanded to a singular window, sat towards the streets below and faced a multitude of buildings across a tiny section of St. Louis’ metropolitan area. Towards the left, a bathroom that tucked itself away with cracks slightly forming at the sink and above towards the roof. The right handside was a bedroom that she and her boyfriend shared endearingly. Although it didn’t seem like much, she called this place her home, and even decorated it with various things. A tiny chandelier that lit up the space between the windows and the living space, which had a rug and several comfortable chairs that stood around a circle. It also included instruments, strawn over the place.

However, she wasn’t quite sure that this place was home. Considering where she was mere moments ago, she had every right to be paranoid that this place was another nightmare or something entirely fabricated. After taking off her heels onto a nearby shoe rack, she checked outside once again to see if the void still existed out there. Outside, the apartment felt normal again. She heard chatter and shuffling coming from all parts of the building; from down the hall, two people were going on about the recent murder spree by someone, another person walked out from a door just closer towards the end of the hallway that took one quick glance around them before they were gone and the hallway was lit up by the windows that she did not see as she came home. 

Weird. She swore she could have been going through this space without any lights to help her, and no one to help her. She didn’t want to sound like a lunatic going around, so she wanted to figure out the answer on her own. As she closed the door and went back inside, the previous ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions had a different name under it: “Why did everything disappear, and why did everything seem so… normal?” she uttered aloud, going through towards the windowsill, as she looked outside and letting the sunlight hit her. It’s here her eyes pondered through the streets and her mind subconsciously dwelled on the questions.

Through the cars and stars that she can and can’t see, she was searching for an answer: Why did she go through the impossible apartment? She paced around the room, trying to sort out herself as she was just outside in the heat, clasping a briefcase with a great deal of care and a suit. Throughout her journey through the household, she held herself on a high after that entire encounter. The soft steps turned softer, her hair became more undone, and her moody attitude seemed to seep into what she was wanting to do.

“What even was that- I don’t get it!” She frustratingly thought out loud, her head and body swaying through the complex to do maintenance: sweeping the household, preparing food from the fridge to cook for her and him for tonight. Since he hadn’t been home at all, she thought ahead and prepared one of their favorite meals together: a simple spaghetti carbonara, with bacon pieces and a sauce she had also prepared the night before. Although it wasn’t everyday she cooked like this, it’s… much better than his monstrosities.

Like ‘pancakes with bacon and eggs on top, with syrup drizzled all over it’ type of monstrosity.

She stopped by now, and planned to do more to the place to make it look pretty. Two sharp knocks came from the front door, unexpectedly so. Lola put everything aside, and yelled out a “coming!” before slowly making her way towards it. Unusual, since she hadn’t had anyone made plans with her, let alone have them come over to this dingy apartment. To have someone knock is either someone from across the hall, or it was Rocky, which shouldn’t be home until about 7PM. Regardless, she wouldn’t dare answer if it weren’t for the peephole that came with the door. She peeked through, and she was surprised.

Rocky stood there, albeit more steady than ever, and his head was covered by a hat that made him look like anyone else. Lola stood for a moment, before proclaiming to him that this wasn’t like him at all.

“Rocky! You can’t scare me with that!” She teased him, trying to get anything out of the guy.

Nothing.

“Rocky?” She lowered her sarcastic tone, this time a concern spread across her face.

Again, Rocky stood absolutely still, without any noise and movement. 

Confused, she clasped the door handle and swung it open. There he still was, standing still with a coat and a hat that still covered his face up towards his mouth. She staggered, not used to seeing him in this sort of quietness before. Carefully, she catered to him and managed to walk him inside the house. He, reluctantly, staggered through the front door and down through towards the open space. Until now, she hadn’t noticed anything wrong with him, maybe the job at hand was a bit too much and he had gone home. But she took another look at her hand and realized the crimson it held. It bled into her viewpoint, and she watched as Rocky took one more step before collapsing onto the floor, the bloody footprints and the impact he made on the floor suddenly shook her subconscious into question, as she paced towards Rocky and grabbed hold of him, whose face is now shown to her.

Her strength was close to being diminished, her eyes’ tears flooded a river and her mouth couldn’t utter any other words. Silence was her only friend as she tugged on him again. For the first time, his smile left him behind. His body felt colder and colder to touch, what he had to say soon also followed the plunge. His head slowly slumped backwards, and Lola felt that everything halted. His eyes were bloodshot, almost too much that she didn’t even recognize it. His face had blood pouring out of his forehead, a cut made by something extremely sharp. His face scrambled every word that fell out of his mouth, as he weakly addressed the lady of the household. 

“Lola- Ms Deluca!...” He coughed out, words mixed with spit and blood. “I’m– sorry…”

“What happened–?!” Lola reprised, her eyes searching up and down for any other wounds that left him in this state.

“I… was a little carr-ied away!” He flinched slightly, still jovially despite his life threatening situation.

“Carried away?! Rocky, you could have died!” She put her eyes away from him, and left to find a first aid kit that finally came in handy thanks to Rocky’s profession. She wrapped his head in the bandage, and sat him up on a nearby chair. Her worries were far from over, however, as she stood next to him to try and find an answer to why and how… he was like this.

“I.. am sorry.” He bore a frown, his eyes seemed to also disconnect from Lola. 

“Rocky, you do so much for so little!” Lola angrily told him, her eyes watering because of the shock from that entire experience. “Please, have some thoughts about some danger that you’re putting yourself through! For goodness’ sake, I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t here!” 

Soon, an uncomfortable silence took up the room, with Rocky dumbfounded and Lola left overwhelmed by how Rocky acted outside in his job. The silence, briefly sliced by the mid afternoon commune and murmurs that echoed through the walls and throughout the entire afternoon towards the night time, they didn’t speak to each other. Not even through the meal that she had planned for the both of them, not even through the countless chores and homework they do together. Nothing got them talking to each other, yet the silence persisted.

Soon, as he finally got rid of his temporary headband, he was back at the entrance again. Lola narrowed her eyes, and pondered if she could have been too protective of him. Sure, he’d have days where he’d be like this 90% of the time, but it all seemed without care. Like an honest mistake. She didn’t seem to know how much trouble this man would go through for her, and maybe she’d be ignorant enough to overlook that side of him. 

Lola approached Rocky, sitting beside him as he put on his shoes. His eyes didn’t seem to catch her, not did it look away from his foot as he slipped on his shoes. She tugged at his jacket, her arms shook both what she had left in her sanity and his balance. As a result, he was dragged towards her ears and tearful eyes that he hadn't seen in a while. He murmured some words into his own head, and listened to what Lola had to say. 

“Promise me something, Rocky.” She said, a somber tone whispered across her voice.

He stared back at her, again silent because of the guilt that swept over him.

“Promise me that you’ll take care of yourself. Promise me you’ll be more considerate of yourself out there. Promise me.” She continued, the tears continuing to well in her eyes as Rocky looked on with guilt.

“I… promise.” He said, swallowing his own words. 

She held him closer towards him. This time, they were face to face without any space between them. Reminiscent of their first meeting, and every meeting after that. She didn’t know whether to be glad he was still here with her or to be upset that he was left in this condition by the unending dangers of bootlegging. She held him, and her hands shook slightly as Rocky saw her well of tears surround his vision. She sobbed and weeped, silently as the night went on. 

“Promise you’ll never forget about me.” She remarked one last time, through her tears and choked voice.

“I promise, my dear. I can… only promise.” 

His words meant a lot more than what it is, and Lola knew it would be enough if it came from him.

[ariparri]

Peregrine Pearce - The Puppeteer

The Hogwarts Mystery Cardverse is an AU that takes place in a fantasy land called Cinderhaven. There are five regions, four of them representing a suit of cards; Spades, Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds. The final region representing the Jokers.

Cardverse Masterlist

We finally introduce Peregrine in the AU! He will be known as Peregrine Pearce because we gotta give him a last name. He’s also not related to the McQuaids so his connection with them is strictly through Veruca where he helps her come to terms with everything going on in the country. Also thanks to @carewyncromwell for helping me figure out Peregrine's character!

Note: Sorry there hasn’t been much content for Cardverse or just HP in general. After dealing with someone, and I now no longer associate with them, I lost the motivation to work on any HP related content for a while. I’ll still be making HP content but it won’t be as much as my other fandom stuff. Also sorry there’s no illustration for this man, but I currently got other wips I really need to finish 😖

Peregrine Pearce is a master of duality, seamlessly blending charm and darkness in his role for the Cardverse AU. At first glance, he presents himself as a profound connoisseur, relishing in the intricate style of the trade market and its instruments. With an air of sophistication and class, he holds himself in high regard, showcasing a talent that extends beyond the financial realm.

Having served in the war and enduring the loss of his closest companions, Peregrine Pearce shares a resonance with Rakepick regarding the injustices embedded within the Spades system. His past includes a stint in the military, a chapter he left behind, disillusioned by the pain it wrought. The harsh reality of his experiences, coupled with societal judgment on his poverty and lack of formal education, fueled his departure and entrance into the trades market.

Peregrine embodies the archetype of a puppet master, adept at manipulating emotions and situations to his advantage, yet not devoid of empathy. His emotional detachment, cultivated to shield himself from past mistakes and betrayals, aligns with his pragmatic approach to navigating the complexities of power. The tragedy of his manipulative tendencies manifests in the loss of his friend, a casualty of Peregrine's pursuit of personal glory. Rather than confront the role his actions played, he deflects blame onto the military and the system, reinforcing his emotional distance and manipulation tactics.

As a master of the trade market, Peregrine relishes in the complexities of commerce and finance, wielding his knowledge like a weapon to gain influence and power. He is a connoisseur of strategy, always several steps ahead of his adversaries, and unafraid to play both sides of the board to achieve his goals.

Beneath this polished exterior, however, lies a complex and cunning individual. Peregrine is a dark-minded manipulator who takes pleasure in playing with the lives of others. Peregrine's vanity is evident in his calculated manipulation of others, using flattery and charm to mask his true intentions and bend them to his will. Yet, despite his smarmy demeanor, there is a hint of playfulness in his interactions, a subtle wit that shines through even in the darkest of moments.

His alliances, transient and transactional, serve as shields against vulnerability, enabling him to sever ties when necessary. His allegiance shifts from aiding Rakepick to assisting the rebels, exploiting the chaos for his gain while protecting his involvement. He is a man who thrives in the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes to shape the destiny of nations and individuals alike. But beneath the layers of deception lies a man with a heart, however tarnished it may be, and a lingering sense of morality that occasionally peeks through the cracks in his carefully constructed facade. In absolving himself of responsibility for his manipulations, Peregrine perpetuates a cycle of self-preservation and exploitation, masking his own culpability.

Operating in the shadows, he orchestrated a series of recent events that transpired in the Country of Spades to achieve his hidden agenda. His involvement in helping Duncan Ashe persuade Coby McQuaid to run for a pivotal role in the country showcases his strategic mind, setting off a chain reaction that disrupts the country's stability. Peregrine's role as the architect behind the shutdown of the railroad system and the closure of borders, basically ‘throwing out ideas’ for Rakepick to take, highlights his willingness to plunge the region into chaos for his own gain. Manipulating circumstances, Peregrine reveals his prowess as a puppet master capable of influencing key figures which have also led to Rakepick’s downfall.

Despite his darker inclinations, Peregrine displays a unique sympathy toward Veruca and the rebels, particularly in light of the fate of her brother. As a result, his assistance to her, both during and after the war, paints him as a confidant and ally, even as suspicions linger among others. Mostly as he covertly orchestrates numerous schemes against both sides of the civil war.