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mostlysignssomeportents · 6 months ago

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Bossware is unfair (in the legal sense, too)

You can get into a lot of trouble by assuming that rich people know what they're doing. For example, might assume that ad-tech works – bypassing peoples' critical faculties, reaching inside their minds and brainwashing them with Big Data insights, because if that's not what's happening, then why would rich people pour billions into those ads?

https://pluralistic.net/2020/12/06/surveillance-tulip-bulbs/#adtech-bubble

You might assume that private equity looters make their investors rich, because otherwise, why would rich people hand over trillions for them to play with?

https://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/private-equity-vampire-capital/

The truth is, rich people are suckers like the rest of us. If anything, succeeding once or twice makes you an even bigger mark, with a sense of your own infallibility that inflates to fill the bubble your yes-men seal you inside of.

Rich people fall for scams just like you and me. Anyone can be a mark. I was:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/05/cyber-dunning-kruger/#swiss-cheese-security

But though rich people can fall for scams the same way you and I do, the way those scams play out is very different when the marks are wealthy. As Keynes had it, "The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent." When the marks are rich (or worse, super-rich), they can be played for much longer before they go bust, creating the appearance of solidity.

Noted Keynesian John Kenneth Galbraith had his own thoughts on this. Galbraith coined the term "bezzle" to describe "the magic interval when a confidence trickster knows he has the money he has appropriated but the victim does not yet understand that he has lost it." In that magic interval, everyone feels better off: the mark thinks he's up, and the con artist knows he's up.

Rich marks have looong bezzles. Empirically incorrect ideas grounded in the most outrageous superstition and junk science can take over whole sections of your life, simply because a rich person – or rich people – are convinced that they're good for you.

Take "scientific management." In the early 20th century, the con artist Frederick Taylor convinced rich industrialists that he could increase their workers' productivity through a kind of caliper-and-stopwatch driven choreographry:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/21/great-taylors-ghost/#solidarity-or-bust

Taylor and his army of labcoated sadists perched at the elbows of factory workers (whom Taylor referred to as "stupid," "mentally sluggish," and as "an ox") and scripted their motions to a fare-the-well, transforming their work into a kind of kabuki of obedience. They weren't more efficient, but they looked smart, like obedient robots, and this made their bosses happy. The bosses shelled out fortunes for Taylor's services, even though the workers who followed his prescriptions were less efficient and generated fewer profits. Bosses were so dazzled by the spectacle of a factory floor of crisply moving people interfacing with crisply working machines that they failed to understand that they were losing money on the whole business.

To the extent they noticed that their revenues were declining after implementing Taylorism, they assumed that this was because they needed more scientific management. Taylor had a sweet con: the worse his advice performed, the more reasons their were to pay him for more advice.

Taylorism is a perfect con to run on the wealthy and powerful. It feeds into their prejudice and mistrust of their workers, and into their misplaced confidence in their own ability to understand their workers' jobs better than their workers do. There's always a long dollar to be made playing the "scientific management" con.

Today, there's an app for that. "Bossware" is a class of technology that monitors and disciplines workers, and it was supercharged by the pandemic and the rise of work-from-home. Combine bossware with work-from-home and your boss gets to control your life even when in your own place – "work from home" becomes "live at work":

https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/24/gwb-rumsfeld-monsters/#bossware

Gig workers are at the white-hot center of bossware. Gig work promises "be your own boss," but bossware puts a Taylorist caliper wielder into your phone, monitoring and disciplining you as you drive your wn car around delivering parcels or picking up passengers.

In automation terms, a worker hitched to an app this way is a "reverse centaur." Automation theorists call a human augmented by a machine a "centaur" – a human head supported by a machine's tireless and strong body. A "reverse centaur" is a machine augmented by a human – like the Amazon delivery driver whose app goads them to make inhuman delivery quotas while punishing them for looking in the "wrong" direction or even singing along with the radio:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/02/despotism-on-demand/#virtual-whips

Bossware pre-dates the current AI bubble, but AI mania has supercharged it. AI pumpers insist that AI can do things it positively cannot do – rolling out an "autonomous robot" that turns out to be a guy in a robot suit, say – and rich people are groomed to buy the services of "AI-powered" bossware:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/29/pay-no-attention/#to-the-little-man-behind-the-curtain

For an AI scammer like Elon Musk or Sam Altman, the fact that an AI can't do your job is irrelevant. From a business perspective, the only thing that matters is whether a salesperson can convince your boss that an AI can do your job – whether or not that's true:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/25/accountability-sinks/#work-harder-not-smarter

The fact that AI can't do your job, but that your boss can be convinced to fire you and replace you with the AI that can't do your job, is the central fact of the 21st century labor market. AI has created a world of "algorithmic management" where humans are demoted to reverse centaurs, monitored and bossed about by an app.

The techbro's overwhelming conceit is that nothing is a crime, so long as you do it with an app. Just as fintech is designed to be a bank that's exempt from banking regulations, the gig economy is meant to be a workplace that's exempt from labor law. But this wheeze is transparent, and easily pierced by enforcers, so long as those enforcers want to do their jobs. One such enforcer is Alvaro Bedoya, an FTC commissioner with a keen interest in antitrust's relationship to labor protection.

Bedoya understands that antitrust has a checkered history when it comes to labor. As he's written, the history of antitrust is a series of incidents in which Congress revised the law to make it clear that forming a union was not the same thing as forming a cartel, only to be ignored by boss-friendly judges:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/14/aiming-at-dollars/#not-men

Bedoya is no mere historian. He's an FTC Commissioner, one of the most powerful regulators in the world, and he's profoundly interested in using that power to help workers, especially gig workers, whose misery starts with systemic, wide-scale misclassification as contractors:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/02/upward-redistribution/

In a new speech to NYU's Wagner School of Public Service, Bedoya argues that the FTC's existing authority allows it to crack down on algorithmic management – that is, algorithmic management is illegal, even if you break the law with an app:

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/bedoya-remarks-unfairness-in-workplace-surveillance-and-automated-management.pdf

Bedoya starts with a delightful analogy to The Hawtch-Hawtch, a mythical town from a Dr Seuss poem. The Hawtch-Hawtch economy is based on beekeeping, and the Hawtchers develop an overwhelming obsession with their bee's laziness, and determine to wring more work (and more honey) out of him. So they appoint a "bee-watcher." But the bee doesn't produce any more honey, which leads the Hawtchers to suspect their bee-watcher might be sleeping on the job, so they hire a bee-watcher-watcher. When that doesn't work, they hire a bee-watcher-watcher-watcher, and so on and on.

For gig workers, it's bee-watchers all the way down. Call center workers are subjected to "AI" video monitoring, and "AI" voice monitoring that purports to measure their empathy. Another AI times their calls. Two more AIs analyze the "sentiment" of the calls and the success of workers in meeting arbitrary metrics. On average, a call-center worker is subjected to five forms of bossware, which stand at their shoulders, marking them down and brooking no debate.

For example, when an experienced call center operator fielded a call from a customer with a flooded house who wanted to know why no one from her boss's repair plan system had come out to address the flooding, the operator was punished by the AI for failing to try to sell the customer a repair plan. There was no way for the operator to protest that the customer had a repair plan already, and had called to complain about it.

Workers report being sickened by this kind of surveillance, literally – stressed to the point of nausea and insomnia. Ironically, one of the most pervasive sources of automation-driven sickness are the "AI wellness" apps that bosses are sold by AI hucksters:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/15/wellness-taylorism/#sick-of-spying

The FTC has broad authority to block "unfair trade practices," and Bedoya builds the case that this is an unfair trade practice. Proving an unfair trade practice is a three-part test: a practice is unfair if it causes "substantial injury," can't be "reasonably avoided," and isn't outweighed by a "countervailing benefit." In his speech, Bedoya makes the case that algorithmic management satisfies all three steps and is thus illegal.

On the question of "substantial injury," Bedoya describes the workday of warehouse workers working for ecommerce sites. He describes one worker who is monitored by an AI that requires him to pick and drop an object off a moving belt every 10 seconds, for ten hours per day. The worker's performance is tracked by a leaderboard, and supervisors punish and scold workers who don't make quota, and the algorithm auto-fires if you fail to meet it.

Under those conditions, it was only a matter of time until the worker experienced injuries to two of his discs and was permanently disabled, with the company being found 100% responsible for this injury. OSHA found a "direct connection" between the algorithm and the injury. No wonder warehouses sport vending machines that sell painkillers rather than sodas. It's clear that algorithmic management leads to "substantial injury."

What about "reasonably avoidable?" Can workers avoid the harms of algorithmic management? Bedoya describes the experience of NYC rideshare drivers who attended a round-table with him. The drivers describe logging tens of thousands of successful rides for the apps they work for, on promise of "being their own boss." But then the apps start randomly suspending them, telling them they aren't eligible to book a ride for hours at a time, sending them across town to serve an underserved area and still suspending them. Drivers who stop for coffee or a pee are locked out of the apps for hours as punishment, and so drive 12-hour shifts without a single break, in hopes of pleasing the inscrutable, high-handed app.

All this, as drivers' pay is falling and their credit card debts are mounting. No one will explain to drivers how their pay is determined, though the legal scholar Veena Dubal's work on "algorithmic wage discrimination" reveals that rideshare apps temporarily increase the pay of drivers who refuse rides, only to lower it again once they're back behind the wheel:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/12/algorithmic-wage-discrimination/#fishers-of-men

This is like the pit boss who gives a losing gambler some freebies to lure them back to the table, over and over, until they're broke. No wonder they call this a "casino mechanic." There's only two major rideshare apps, and they both use the same high-handed tactics. For Bedoya, this satisfies the second test for an "unfair practice" – it can't be reasonably avoided. If you drive rideshare, you're trapped by the harmful conduct.

The final prong of the "unfair practice" test is whether the conduct has "countervailing value" that makes up for this harm.

To address this, Bedoya goes back to the call center, where operators' performance is assessed by "Speech Emotion Recognition" algorithms, a psuedoscientific hoax that purports to be able to determine your emotions from your voice. These SERs don't work – for example, they might interpret a customer's laughter as anger. But they fail differently for different kinds of workers: workers with accents – from the American south, or the Philippines – attract more disapprobation from the AI. Half of all call center workers are monitored by SERs, and a quarter of workers have SERs scoring them "constantly."

Bossware AIs also produce transcripts of these workers' calls, but workers with accents find them "riddled with errors." These are consequential errors, since their bosses assess their performance based on the transcripts, and yet another AI produces automated work scores based on them.

In other words, algorithmic management is a procession of bee-watchers, bee-watcher-watchers, and bee-watcher-watcher-watchers, stretching to infinity. It's junk science. It's not producing better call center workers. It's producing arbitrary punishments, often against the best workers in the call center.

There is no "countervailing benefit" to offset the unavoidable substantial injury of life under algorithmic management. In other words, algorithmic management fails all three prongs of the "unfair practice" test, and it's illegal.

What should we do about it? Bedoya builds the case for the FTC acting on workers' behalf under its "unfair practice" authority, but he also points out that the lack of worker privacy is at the root of this hellscape of algorithmic management.

He's right. The last major update Congress made to US privacy law was in 1988, when they banned video-store clerks from telling the newspapers which VHS cassettes you rented. The US is long overdue for a new privacy regime, and workers under algorithmic management are part of a broad coalition that's closer than ever to making that happen:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/06/privacy-first/#but-not-just-privacy

Workers should have the right to know which of their data is being collected, who it's being shared by, and how it's being used. We all should have that right. That's what the actors' strike was partly motivated by: actors who were being ordered to wear mocap suits to produce data that could be used to produce a digital double of them, "training their replacement," but the replacement was a deepfake.

With a Trump administration on the horizon, the future of the FTC is in doubt. But the coalition for a new privacy law includes many of Trumpland's most powerful blocs – like Jan 6 rioters whose location was swept up by Google and handed over to the FBI. A strong privacy law would protect their Fourth Amendment rights – but also the rights of BLM protesters who experienced this far more often, and with far worse consequences, than the insurrectionists.

The "we do it with an app, so it's not illegal" ruse is wearing thinner by the day. When you have a boss for an app, your real boss gets an accountability sink, a convenient scapegoat that can be blamed for your misery.

The fact that this makes you worse at your job, that it loses your boss money, is no guarantee that you will be spared. Rich people make great marks, and they can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. Markets won't solve this one – but worker power can.

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

#pluralistic #alvaro bedoya #ftc #workers #algorithmic management #veena dubal #bossware #taylorism #neotaylorism #snake oil #dr seuss #ai #sentiment analysis #digital phrenology #speech emotion recognition #shitty technology adoption curve

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electronalytics · 2 years ago

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#Solar Powered Outdoor Lights Market Analytical Overview and Growth Opportunities by 2032 #The solar-powered outdoor lights market has been experiencing significant growth due to increasing environmental awareness and the growing #eliminating the need for traditional power sources. These lights are widely used for outdoor illumination in residential #commercial #and industrial settings.#Analysis:#•#The solar-powered outdoor lights market is expected to witness robust growth during the forecast period #driven by the increasing demand for sustainable lighting solutions.#North America and Europe are anticipated to dominate the market due to stringent regulations promoting renewable energy adoption.#Asia Pacific region is expected to experience significant growth #supported by rapid urbanization and government initiatives in countries like China and India.#Technological advancements #such as improved solar panel efficiency and battery storage capabilities #are expected to drive market growth.#Key challenges include the high upfront cost of solar-powered outdoor lights and the limited availability of sunlight in certain regions. H #declining solar panel costs and advancements in battery technology are mitigating these challenges.#Growth Opportunities:#Increasing government initiatives promoting renewable energy and energy-efficient lighting solutions.#Growing demand for smart solar-powered outdoor lights integrated with advanced technologies like motion sensors and remote control capabili #Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development in emerging economies #driving the need for reliable and sustainable lighting solutions.#Rising consumer awareness about the benefits of solar energy and the need to reduce carbon footprints.#Technological advancements leading to improved efficiency #longer battery life #and enhanced aesthetics of solar-powered outdoor lights.#Key Points:#1.#Solar-powered outdoor lights offer significant cost savings over traditional lighting solutions #as they eliminate electricity bills and reduce maintenance costs.

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felassan · 11 months ago

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Dragon Age: The Veilguard info compilation Post 1

Post is under a cut due to length.

There is a lot of information coming out right now about DA:TV from many different sources. This post is just an effort to compile as much as I can in one place, in case that helps anyone. Sources for where the information came from have been included. Where I am linking to a social media user's post, the person is either a dev, a Dragon Age community council member or other person who has had a sneak peek at and played the game. nb, this post is more of a 'info that came out in snippets from articles and social media posts' collection rather than a 'regurgitating the information on the official website or writing out what happened in the trailer/gameplay reveal' post. The post is broken down into headings on various topics. A few points are repeated under multiple headings where relevant. Where I am speculating without a source, I have clearly demarcated this. if you notice any mistakes in this post, please tell me.

as this post hit a kind of character limit, there will probably be at least 1 more post. :)

Character Creation

CC is vast [source] and immensely detailed [source]

We will enter CC straight after Varric's opening narration [source]

You are given 5 categories to work your way through in CC: Lineage, Appearance, Class, Faction, Playstyle. Each of these has a range of subcategories within them. There are 8 subcategories within the "head" subcategory" in "Appearance" alone [source]

Lineage dictates things like race (i.e. human, elf, dwarf, qunari) and backstory [source]

Backstories include things like factions. Factions offer 3 distinct buffs each [source]

There are dozens and dozens of hairstyles [source]

There are separate options for binary and non-binary pronouns and gender [source]

"BioWare's work behind the scenes, meanwhile, goes as deep as not only skin tones but skin undertones, melanin levels, and the way skin reacts differently to light" [source]

CC has a range of lighting options within it so that you can check how the character looks in them [source]

There are a range of full-body customization options such as a triangular slider between body types and individual settings down to everything from shoulder width to glute volume [source]. There are "all the sliders [we] could possibly want". The body morpher option allows us to choose different body sizes [source]

All body options are non-gendered [source]

They/them pronouns are an option [source]

Rook can be played as non-binary [source]

Individual strands of hair were rendered separately and react remarkably to in-game physics [source]

Special, focused attention was paid to ensuring that hairstyles "come across as well-representative, that everyone can see hairstyles that feel authentic to them, even the way they render" [source]

The game uses strand hair technology borrowed in part from the EA Sports games. The hair is "fully-controlled by physics," so it "looks even better in motion than it does here in a standstill" [source]

The ability to import our choices from previous games is fully integrated into CC. This will take the form of tarot cards - "you can go into your past adventures" and this mechanic tells you what the context was and what decision you want to make [source]

In CC we will also be able to customize/remake our Inquisitor [source]

A core tenet of the game is "be who you want to be" [source]

There are presets for all 4 of the game's races (human, elf, dwarf, qunari), in case detailed CCs overwhelm you [source]

Story

The story is set 9 years since Inquisition [source]

The Inquisitor will appear [source]

Other characters refer to the PC as Rook [source]. This article says they are "the Rook" [source]

The prologue is quite lengthy. A narrated intro from Varric lays the groundwork with some lore and explains about Solas [source]. In this Varric-narrated opening section, the dwarf recaps the events of previous games and explains the motivations of Solas [source] (Fel note/speculation: this sounds like this cinematic that we saw on DA Day 2023)

What happens first off is that Rook, who is working with Varric, is interrogating a bartender about the whereabouts of a contact in Minrathous who can help them stop Solas. The bartender does not play nice and we are presented with our first choice: talk the bartender down or intimidate them aggressively [source]

The first hour of the game is "a luxurious nighttime romp through a crumbling city under a mix of twinkling starlight and lavish midnight blue" (Minrathous) [source]. The game begins with a tavern brawl (depending on dialogue options) and a stroll through Minrathous in search of Neve Gallus, who has a lead on Solas [source]. Minrathous then comes under attack [source] by demons [source] (Fel note/speculation: it sounds like the demo the press played is what we saw in the Gameplay Reveal). Off in the distance is a vibrant, colorful storm where Solas is performing his ritual. [source] Eventually we come upon Harding. [source] and Neve. Rook and co enter a crumbling castle, where ancient elf secrets pop up, "seemingly just for the lore nerds". [source] Then we teleport to Arlathan Forest, have a mini boss fight with a Pride Demon, and there is the climactic confrontation with Solas. After a closing sequence, at this point it is the end of the game's opening mission. [source] (Fel note/speculation: So the Gameplay Reveal showed the game's opening mission)

The action in the story's opening parts starts off quite quick from the sounds of things: the devs wanted to get the player right in to the story. because, “Especially with an RPG where they can be quite lore-heavy, a lot of exposition at the front and remembering proper nouns, it can be very overwhelming.” [source]

BioWare wanted to make the beginning of Dragon Age: The Veilguard feel like the finale of one of their other games [source]

Rook's Faction will be referenced in dialogue [source]

Minrathous is beautiful, with giant statues, floating palaces, orange lantern glow and magical runes which glow green neon. These act "like electricity" as occasional signs above pubs and stores [source]

The story has a lot of darkness tonally. These dark parts of the game contain the biggest spoilers [source]. However, the team really wanted to build in contrast between the dark and light moments in the game, as if everything is dark, nothing really feels dark [source]

Our hub (like the Normandy in ME or Skyhold in DA:I) is a place called The Lighthouse [source] (Fel note/speculation: I guess this screenshot shows the crew in The Lighthouse? ^^)

Each companion has a very complex backstory, their own problems, and deep motivations. These play out through well-fleshed out character arcs and missions that are unique to them but which are ultimately tied into the larger story [source]

We will make consequential decisions for each character, sometimes affecting who they are in heart-wrenching ways and other times joyously [source]

Decisions from previous DA games will be able to be carried over, it will just work a bit differently this time [source]. The game will not read our previous saves. For stuff pertaining to previous games/choices, players will not have to link their accounts [source]

Characters, companions, romance

Varric is a major character [source]

Every companion is romanceable [source]

BioWare tried to make each character's friendship just as meaningful, regardless of romance [source]

If you don't romance a character, they may end up romancing each other [source]

There will be some great cameos [source]. Some previous characters are woven into the game [source]

Companion sidequests/optional content relating to companions is highly curated when it involves their motivations and experiences [source]

We could permanently lose some companions depending on our choices [source]

Our choices can influence if characters get injured and what they think about us [source]

The bonds Rook forges with companions determine how party members grow and what abilities become available [source]

We will make consequential decisions for each character, sometimes affecting who they are in heart-wrenching ways and other times joyously [source]

Gameplay, presentation, performance etc

Each class (warrior, rogue, mage) has 3 specializations. The ones for Rogue are duelist, saboteur and Veil ranger [source]. (Fel note/speculation: Veil ranger reminds me of Bellara. Maybe this is her 'spec' too?)

Duelist gameplay involves a sharp combination of dashes, parries, leaps, rapid slashes and combos [source]

Faction-related buffs include being able to hold an extra potion or do extra damage against certain enemies [source]

Individual strands of hair were rendered separately and react remarkably to in-game physics [source]

Playstyle settings include custom, distinct difficulty settings for options as granular as parry windows, meaning "players who might fancy that playstyle but typically struggle with the finer points of combat can give it a go" [source]

Combat mechanics is a mix of real-time action and pause and play. Pausing brings up a radial menu split into 3 sections: companions to the left and right, Rook's skills at the bottom, and a targeting system at the top which helps get in focus on certain enemies. [source]. In the pause system you can queue up your whole party's attacks [source]

Tapping or holding the shoulder button pauses the game, allowing us to stop the action and issue orders to companions [source]

There is a system of specific enemy resistances and weaknesses [source]. Weaknesses and resistances plays a big role in combat and abilities are designed to exploit these accordingly [source]. An example is that "one character might be able to plant a weakening debuff on an enemy, and another enemy might be able to detonate them" [source]

There is a vast skill tree of unlockable options [source]

You can set up specific companions with certain kits, e.g. to tackle specific enemy types, to being more of a support, or as flexible all-rounders [source]

Healing magic returns [source]

Abilities can change together with elaborate results, e.g. one companion using a gravity well attack that sucked enemies together, another using a slowing move to keep them in place, and Rook using a big AOE to catch them all at once [source]

A shortcut system lets you map a few abilities to a smaller pinned menu at the bottom of the screen [source]

There are class-specific resource systems. For example, Rogue has "momentum", which builds up as Rook lands consecutive hits [source]

Each class will always have a ranged option [source]

Rogue Rook can do a sort of 'hip fire' option with a bow, letting you pop off arrows from the waist [source]

Warriors can throw their shield at enemies, and can build an entire playstyle around that using the skill tree [source]

There is light platforming gameplay [source]

The game runs on the latest iteration of the Frostbite engine [source]

The game targets 60 fps

On consoles it will feature performance and quality modes so we can choose our preferred visual fidelity [source]

The game is mission based [source]. Some levels that we go to do open up, some with more exploration than others. "Alternate branching paths, mysteries, secrets, optional content you're going to find and solve." [source]

Everything is hand-touched, hand-crafted and highly curated [source]

Some sidequests and optional content is highly curated, especially when it involves the motivations and experiences of the companions. In others we may be investigating for example a missing family, with an entire open bog environment to search for clues and a way to solve the disappearance [source]

Gameplay, presentation, performance etc continued, after the above bullet list hit a character limit

There is sophisticated animation cancelling and branching. Gameplay is action-like, and the design centers around dodging, countering, and using risk-reward charge attacks designed to break enemy armor layers [source]

The dialogue wheel returns [source]. It gives truncated summaries of the dialogue options rather than the full line that the character is going to say [source]

The bonds Rook forges with companions determine how party members grow and what abilities become available [source]

For stuff pertaining to previous games/choices, players will not have to link their accounts [source]

We can play the game fully offline [source]

There are no microtransactions [source]

The game itself is not as cell-shaded in look as the first trailer looked [source]

[☕ found this post or blog interesting or useful? my ko-fi is here if you feel inclined. thank you 🙏]

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mihii-i · 2 months ago

Text

hypnotized.

Pairings: caitlyn kiramman x fem!reader

CW: nsfw, female reader, afab reader, modern au, CEO caitlyn, secretary reader, both are in their early 20s (23-24-ish), both giving and receiving for the reader but cait is kinda in control-ishhhh?? I don’t know I don’t like dom and sub titles, mutual jealousy, face sitting, cunnilingus, fingering, kind of drunk sex(?) but it’s consensual don’t worry, slight marking, fluffy, yes there is plot before the sexy time so calm down, this lowkey didn’t turn out good but who cares smh, timeskips of two or three months with each line cut, not proofread.

A/N: now playing — ayo technology by 50 cent. ohhhh I see how it is fine if my freaky fic get more likes then I post freaky fic that’s written decently and with plot how bout that yeah stop being thirsty smh guys this is /j and said with love i swear yall are amazing anyway 🕯️

Prolonged ticks of the clock’s hands flicking forward circled the empty enclosure, seemingly bouncing off of the glossed flooring your heels clicked along. Your eyelids briefly lowered upon catching sight of the thick glass shielded along the towering door before you, the lump in your throat bearing a heavy rock of anxiety you were unable to swallow back in the wake of her office only a few steps away.

It had always been an odd instinct of yours which you presumed every other employee had—intimidation. Your CEO was nothing short of a woman who invoked fear without even issuing threats of the sort, rather it primarily resided in the firm character Caitlyn upheld, strictly speaking out in a firm voice that compelled rival companies to shrink away in her presence. Perhaps that conflicting feeling that churned in your stomach could stem from the daunting front of her appearance she swerved into the office with everyday.

You’d think a CEO typically strayed away from a company environment, shrouding themselves in a veil of anonymity, coiled up in the deep shell of their own office in management to dictate every minute detail whether it was the dust on a computer, or the folding of a coffee cup. All while remaining strayed away from the bustling heat of the company itself, scrambling together every spreadsheet, descending their fingers onto a keyboard in rapid clicks all to keep it alive at the very least.

Not Caitlyn though.

You gradually found yourself hooked on the young woman’s conscientious and diligent approach toward affairs in the company, admiring how she firmly stood upon her push to aid the company in thriving. Despite her young age, Caitlyn ensured success in almost every operation she had conducted, her performance exceeding that of any previous CEOs, dare you say even her mother. That only brought up the wavering question that clashed within your head for so long, conflicting in a scrape of your thoughts against each other upon pondering why you felt so anxious around her.

Of course you hadn’t developed a crush on your superior. That would be stupid, not to mention unprofessional.

“You may come in now.”

Her voice snapped you out of your daze in a split second, your eyes flitting upward quickly to fix on her staring you down through the glass door, fingers intertwined in one another with her elbows planted on the desk as her chin rested atop her hands. You cleared your throat as your foot struggled to step forward toward the glass door, inching forward at a near frozen pace with the nonexistent weight of your tense muscles pushing back to prevent you from moving any further.

In one quick motion, you shouldered past the glass swiftly, hand grasping along the cool golden metal of the handles as you pushed the door open with the utmost care, watching your every little movement upon entering her office. You didn’t want to upset her by clumsily breaking anything, that was for sure. Caitlyn’s arms rested along the smoothed spruce of the table, pushing aside the sprawled out papers scattered along her desk in nearly every corner. Drags of black ink were sketched out along each sheet in thin strokes of her cursive writing on each page organized into neat margins.

Caitlyn extended her hand to gesture you into the swiveling leather chair situated before the desk walled before you two, seemingly examining your every little movement as you seated yourself into the opposing cushion of diamond-patterned black leather. Saying you were nervous was an understatement. Although you admired her from afar, close quarters interactions with her always sent you spiraling into a thick tunnel of apprehension, frequently holding your tongue before speaking any word at all.

What were you here for? Were you in some sort of trouble? Had you messed up something in the midst of your work? Seriously- could she just wipe that stern look off her face and tell you already-!?

“(Name), I believe I should simply be upfront with you. I don’t feel like dragging on a meeting to notify you of something so simple.” She pointed out, grabbing your attention as you slightly cocked your head to the side in curiosity. Drawing in a breath, her fingertips tapped along the pen situated to her right, rolling it back and forth along her index finger idly as those sharp swirls of blue bore into your frame. She straightened herself up immediately, dragging down the lapels of her blazer brushing along her tie.

“I’d like you to be my executive secretary, as I..don’t currently have one right now.”

Her abrupt statement was only followed by her exhaling as her gaze averted to the floor aligned with her desk. As if she was refraining from elaborating upon any further details. Typical. You didn’t expect much uttered from the lips of the refined woman after all, just her usual gestures as a sort of quick in and out with business.

With a complacent nod, you carefully withdrew your hands from the spruce desk, palms smoothing along the chiseled edge to roll your chair back and make space for you to stand upright to your full height.

“I..am grateful you consider me worthy. Thank you, Ms. Kiramman.” You replied, forcing yourself to maintain eye contact with your boss’s scrutinizing gaze drilling over, likely fumbling along the possibilities of what could go wrong with you serving as such. Caitlyn blinked for a brief moment, flicking her hand away in a gesture to brush you out of her office. Not exactly a rude gesture, yet one that signed you to leave her sight.

—

“Having trouble with something?”

Your voice caught the navy blue haired woman’s attention, her lips pursing inward as her perplexed expression irradiated within the shines of gentle, pale light from the lamp neatly lit at the corner of her desk. Caitlyn hummed in response with a tiny smile curving up her cheekbones lifting along her face. Recently, you had grown quite fond of her as opposed to your time preceding your position as her secretary, often exchanging as much as a smile with the CEO and engaging in casual conversation—sometimes even outside of work hours.

Simply put, you’ve gotten close to Caitlyn over the course of these few months in your position that kept you at her side. You often basked in the comfort of those little moments that flared a spark of warmth burning inside you when you were beside her, losing yourself in the sweet melody of her laugh residing as the only thing that stuck in your head. Finding yourself utterly fixated on random features of her whenever you’d hang out in a friendly manner after work, it was always a gamble at which what you’d choose to fixate on.

Maybe her neatly combed hair waved down past her shoulders, the volumized tint of dark blue like a deep ocean in the depths of midnight. Or perhaps the lighter blue of her eyes? They complimented her nose- and her smile too. Hell, even the small gap between her two front teeth that caught you in a trance whenever she did smile. Probably her hands?

You couldn’t choose. You liked looking at all of her, honestly.

Oh, but of course only as a friend. Your company would go to shit if you were to get into romantic territory with the literal CEO. Of course only is a friend, is what you’d keep telling yourself.

Caitlyn clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth as her eyes narrowed across the various sheets across her desk, flickering to her laptop occasionally as she kept her sights on one paper in particular with strokes of fancy writing and a red little thread at the end, a signature splotched along the bottom like an invitation of sorts. You blinked, noticing the little parched envelope splayed open, the red wax seal sitting between the tip of the fold and the center chipped apart, broken with the two ends able to fit together.

“An invite?” You inquired, resting an elbow against her chair as you bent over to skim along the neat arrangement of words in its request to some sort of hall banquet. She circled her thumb along the smoothed creases of the unfolded page, her silence uttering volumes of her hesitance to attend such an important, yet occupying event that would interfere with the initial plans she had arranged in her schedule.

“I’m not sure if I can attend…but at the same time not doing so would skip out on an opportunity. Considering the amount of wealthy investors we could have at the banquet that potentially serve as benefits to our own company.”

You bit your bottom lip in acknowledgment of the situation, opening your mouth to speak before Caitlyn’s words persisted in an unusual undertone of panic.

“Yet- there’s so many arrangements I planned to do on the day, so much work I planned to get done. I can’t possibly fit the stuff I need to do for the next day with keeping things going smoothly.”

Hand pressed flat to her shoulder, you attempted to deliver a comforting squeeze past the ridged shoulders of her blazer, albeit a bit hesitantly as you were still in a professional environment. Thankfully, Caitlyn didn’t find it in herself to keep up the front of her usual stern self, lulling her head against the headrest of her seat as her hand rested atop your own, occasionally tracing against the bumps of your knuckles on the dorsal side of your hand.

“I think you should go. You’ll find a way to fit everything. Besides, this is a a one time opportunity, no?”

Caitlyn’s eyebrows furrowed to contemplate your words, skidding her hands along the desk to take the pen in her grasp as she dwelled on your reasoning before settling on a resolute conclusion with your words into account.

“Perhaps you’re right. Not just for the investors, but just because everyone deserves to unwind probably.”

You stifled an amused huff, before quickly attempting your mask your smile, to which you failed. She peeked over at your uplifted features, responding with her own exhale in a feather light tone.

“Is something funny, (Name)?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow and unable to hide her own grin.

“Nope. I’ve just..never got the chance to mess with you outside of work.”

Caitlyn shook her head as her chin lifted to push the letter off to the side in a discard pile of papers she already read, setting down the pen squeezed between her clasped fingers in front of her. After shuffling through another paper or two, she tightened her hands around both sides of the stack and let it drop into aligning vertically to set it in a neat tower of sheets once more.

“Then shall we go out somewhere again? To ease your mind a little outside of our professional setting?”

Your lashes nearly blurred your vision as you nearly melted in her smooth voice, slick like glistening honey consuming all five senses into a trance that only left you thinking of Caitlyn.

“I think I’d like that.”

—

Well, judging from the months that passed, the party certainly wasn’t what you expected. A banquet hall booked in a lavish hotel. Alright.

The gentle atmosphere of faint gold diffused from the crystal chandelier hung on the towering ceiling left its mark upon every corner of the hall, its dull glow dwelling upon the red carpets and white cloth draped over the rounded tables. You awkwardly huddled in less populated spot beside a table situated to the left of the corridor, nurturing the glass of red wine huddled between your slippery hands, held to your chest.

Specks of wine sloshed around in the confines of the wine glass, staining the clean midpoint with deep red drops trickling back down to pool into the beverage you had only sipped once or twice. You swiftly adjusted your tie hanging below the folds of your collar, the bottom masked by your buttoned up blazer, as you didn’t want anyone judging you for being unkempt for so much as a stray hair strand sticking out.

Your shoulders rolled back as you found your gaze settling onto Caitlyn in the distance, a wave of relief putting you at ease upon seeing a familiar face apart from the managers of your company—whom of which you didn’t have too close of a relationship with. If you’re being honest, you didn’t even know they existed until recently. Maybe you should join her? You were her secretary, so if she was negotiating you should be there to listen in to important affairs as well.

Yet the moment you came remotely close to the vicinity to which crowds of elegant, refunded people stood circles around her, you quickly scrabbled back to a safe distance, keeping yourself far from the chatter and bellowing laughter flooding the clearing. That alien sensation twisting at your chest returned once more clouded your judgement in a thick fog, lingering within you ever since the party began whenever your view consisted of Caitlyn with another person. Especially any of those businesswomen that got weirdly touchy with her.

You scoffed, attempting to internally cut away those strings of jealousy tugging and squeezing at your heart in as if treating you garrote the beating muscle thumping against your chest. Squeezing the neck of the wine glass between your thumb and forefinger, your scrunched up expression could only be shrouded behind the swirling, thin layer of burgundy spilling past your lips and seeping onto your tongue.

“Ah, my secretary? She’s right there.”

Snapping your head over to the direction of your boss’s familar voice, accompanied by the easily classy accent rolling off her tongue you could distinguish within seconds. Holding the wine glass in your palm, fingers snaked above the neck to hold the base of the cusp, you noticed Caitlyn gesturing you to come over. Of course, accompanied by the stares of several others examining your every little move from that moment. Hesitantly, you stepped over to her until you brushed shoulder to shoulder with her, tense under the eyes of many glancing over you.

“So, about the deal you had struck to invest?”

A middle aged woman strode forwards as she shouldered past the crowds of people, tutting as she seemed satisfied with both the CEO and her secretary inquiring about a deal.

“Right. If I’m being honest, I’m seeking a piece of your company. Not just a small share. $6 million. I want 60% ownership.”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened, your own expression matching hers at the ridiculous ‘deal’ she thought she could strike. You opened your mouth to protest, composing yourself to assert your objection to the preposterous idea that she proposed.

“Hold on. 6 million isn’t even remotely close to match such a high ownership amount. You are aware that we’re somewhere in the billions in terms of company worth?”

The other woman rolled her eyes, cigar twirling between her fingers as her teeth ground together, pretending to think over your objection.

“I believe I asked the CEO, not her secretary with a pretty face.”

“You’ll get the same answer from Cai- Ms. Kiramman.”

Your swift correction earned a flicker of surprise across the other woman’s features, taking a hit of her cigar in a cloud of an awful stench stemmed from the dusty grey cloud causing you to choke out a cough.

“Hm. You must be closely acquainted with the chief executive officer to address her by her first name. Don’t tell me, you didn’t actually earn that position of yours?”

Your mouth nearly ran dry at her implications, horrified. You tried to alleviate the situation by speaking up. Saying something, anything. But she just kept going.

“Oh, Ms. Kiramman. What have I told you of ranking up those who aren’t qualified? If we’re talking about any other low company she would’ve been the CEO herself by now based off of the other services she could provide-“

“I advise you shut your fucking mouth.” Caitlyn bristled, the entire hall going dead silent at her foul words hissing through her teeth as she folded her arms. Her contorted expression of vexation remained glued to her face as she continued to speak, nearly making the other woman’s cigar slip out of her hands and tumble along the floor.

“I very obviously won’t be even remotely inclined to accept your offer. Especially since you have the gall to request something so obviously designed to take advantage of someone you deem to have less experience than you.”

She sucked in a breath, pinching the bridge of her nose as everyone’s eyes now dulled onto her, to which she didn’t pay any mind to. Her fingertips grazed your wrist for a moment, before she balled her hand up to retract from the bliss she found in your touch.

“My secretary and I..will be heading to our respective rooms for the night.” She murmured quietly, her tone hushed as she kept her thumb and forefinger pinched on the bridge of her nose.

Upon leading you to the front desk, you could only follow behind her in mindless motions as every word spoken after only registered as a soundless ring of translated into a high pitched buzz. Your blood ran cold with each lingering step shadowed behind you when you followed Caitlyn to the door of your hotel room, blinking as you were finally able to ground yourself back into reality the minute you set foot into the hotel room.

Gaze lingering in awe upon each piece of lavish decor furnished along the stands and shelves lined in gold frequently, you paused as you took in the sight of Caitlyn seated on the bed in front of you, blazer carelessly hanging off the edge of the couch’s armrest as she stared at the carpet with her legs crossed over one another.

“We’re staying in the same hotel room?”

She nodded, not even bothering to look up at you.

“Sorry. I should’ve confirmed whether you were okay with it.”

“No- no..it’s fine. I just- thought you might prefer some privacy.”

Caitlyn shook her head, eyes fixed down on her lap as her hands planted back onto the bed. Her tie loosely hung down her chest as she carefully reached one hand over to undo the ponytail that held her hair up, allowing the spills of dark blue to cascade down her shoulders before raising the same hand up to smooth out the front part of her hair. You only swallowed as your weight creased down on the bed as well, comfortably seating yourself onto the mattress next to her.

Was it just you, or did her lips look nicer today?

Of course with that exhaustion you withheld from drawling out throughout the whole party, you slurred the thoughts manifested into words, slipping right out like it was nothing.

“Your lips look beautiful today.”

You weren’t drunk. Not even close. Yet the way you let your front falter in the setting between the two of you, sharing the same room on the same bed—made you feel drunk off her presence alone. Intoxicated by the leash this woman practically had on you, not even voluntarily exerting her control over you, yet you offered yourself up to her embrace that engulfed you like a storm. Allowing yourself to crave the way you relished in your desire for Caitlyn.

And Caitlyn only.

Caitlyn rose an eyebrow to process the words you had just spoken, her hands drifting over to settle on her lap.

“Sorry? (Name)…I don’t think I heard you properly.”

You were tired. Tired of pretending you didn’t like…or rather love, this woman. Tired of letting the pesky environment of work, the facade of ‘professionalism’ shove back the feelings you held for her. Tired of using the excuse that she’s your boss when the two of you were clearly more than just boss and secretary outside of work.

You were tired of pretending you weren’t in love with Caitlyn.

“I said what I said..I’m so sick of pretending. Cait, I’m..sorry if this is abrupt. I love..”

Running your fingers through your scalp, you struggled to speak, taking note of how she uncrossed her legs and leaned in to give you her full attention. Her eyelids drooped into a sort of dreamy look of infatuation boring into you, reaching over to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, to which you nearly flinched due to the heat radiating off your cheeks.

“You were saying?”

You couldn’t even say what you wanted to, now stuttering words into incoherent vowels as meangingless noises drew out of you like a malfunctioning machine. Rolling your shoulders back, you couldn’t even begin to fathom the feverish warmth that crawled up your your neck to your jawline as Caitlyn leaned her body forward, practically forcing you to not break your gaze with her as her lips ghosted over yours, only a few centimeters away.

“That you were in love with me?”

Either your heart completely stopped, or rapidly beat faster, and you couldn’t put your finger on which one it is. Shallow breaths escaped your lips as you caught a glimpse of Caitlyn’s pupils dilate for a split second, to which you brushed off as nothing but a hallucination. You dragged your bottom lip between your teeth, pursing your lips inward away from her, no matter how badly you wanted to lunge in for a kiss right then and there.

Caitlyn expelled a noise similar to a scoff, slipping her slender pointer finger below your chin to tilt your head up.

“Don’t do that. How else am I going to kiss you?”

That was more than enough to allow your lower lip to slide past your teeth back to their original position, unable to keep up with the fleeting, sudden change of pace as you felt soft flesh collide against your own. Locking both of your lips together as she hugged them in a fervent embrace, fingers dancing along your waist as her hand pressed flat against the fabric cloaking your ribcage. You couldn’t help the shrill whimper that you gasped out as Caitlyn impatiently fumbled with the buttons of your blazer, holding your shoulders to help you shrug off the article of clothing, yet not allowing you to break away from her lips fit snug against yours.

Heat crept along every inch of your skin in the ardent pursuit of your desire that Caitlyn had wrapped you in, her gentle sighs fanning along your lips as her fingers prodded and squeezed at various parts of your torso, even finding their way to slip beneath your bra and knead at the soft mounds of flesh occasionally as if her hands had a mind of their own. Upon pulling back, her eyes raked along your disheveled body, already so spent from a mere kiss.

“Cait..” you breathed out, leaning back as you kept your eyes locked on her tall stature towering before you, breath catching in your throat upon noticing the blue haired woman lift her shirt over her head to loom over you with that distinct fury of passion soaring within the pools of cerulean within her eyes.

“I was hoping you’d say it first. Glad my wish came true.” She chuckled, leaning her body over yours, hands planted firmly on either side of your body. Only this time, you weren’t nervous, nor did you pull away. You only wrapped your arms around her neck, touching your nose to hers as you allowed your vulnerability to be laid out on display, exposed to her as you knew you shared the seem feeling of entangling affection with Caitlyn.

“Gods...I love you, Cait. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, (Name). I can’t take hiding it anymore.”

Once more, both of you closed the little distance there was into yet another heated kiss, pressing your bare chest to hers as the warmth of your hands rested on her shoulders, both of your tops discarded at on the side of the bed atop the hotel room carpet. Her moans muffled against your swollen lips, hand desperately shuffling against the pearly skin of her back to unclasp her bra as you were met with Caitlyn’s lips grazing along your neck. To which you rolled your head back in hopes of providing more ease for her to kiss your throat.

Her sharp inhales jerked in rapid successions along the lining of your neck trailed to your collarbone, teeth occasionally tugging to leave faint blooms of red which she immediately dragged her tongue over to remedy as an apology. The two of you remained pressed to each other firmly, no space harbored between your bodies as you allowed yourself to surrender to the affection that swelled within you for her, spiking along every fiber in your body like a hypnotizing nectar that left you in a trance in her mercy. Only that, you weren’t hypnotized. No. You wanted her all to yourself.

You simply basked in the endearment of her touch gliding along your skin like a sacred dance, a touch she reserved for only you to feel as she nipped at your collarbone almost pathetically, yet maintaining the firm front. Quite a different side you allowed yourself to see of your boss, the side of her which you had the luxury to embrace behind closed doors.

“Can I..? Please, (Name).”

“Do whatever you please. I just want you right now.”

Caitlyn sat up, glancing over at the wine glass and tall bottle of Romanée-Conti wrapped up in a silk white bow. Looks like they wanted to accommodate the guests with a beverage as well. And an expensive one at that. Quickly, she was able to split open the lid with ease in a hurry, as if she was desperately rushing her way to chug the wine. Your hand rested on her forearm as your dull, yet ardent gaze eased her to go slow, your silence speaking volumes of your emphasis on the time you two had.

She exhaled through her nose, a smile quirking up one of her lips as she fumbled for the glass near the bedside table, allowing the deep red swirled with a tint of purple-ish tones around the rim waterfall to the middle of the cup. Screwing the lid back on with one hand, she carefully set the bottle back on the edge of the bed, before she quickly dropped her weight before you, earning a small ‘oof.’

Her thighs straddled either side of your waist, hand snaked beneath your chin to keep you in the grasp of her palm. You swore that she wanted like she wanted to devour you alive, transfixed intently on both your lips and chest with each rasped out gasp elicited from her.

“Open your mouth.” She commanded, immediately bringing the rim of the wine glass to your lips as she tilted your head back, keeping your head supported with her hand resting on the base of your neck. You slightly parted your lips, losing yourself in the rose-like bitterness of sweetness spilling down your chin, the drops of burgundy dribbling down your throat and trickling along the valley of your breasts.

Pulling away the wine from you abruptly, she downed the remaining before grasping the bottle once more, repeating the consumption of alcohol for the two of you atleast two or three more times before deeming herself satisfied. Of course, despite not being entirely hammered, you still found yourself a little lightheaded, vision blurring together for a moment as you took in Caitlyn’s flushed face directly in front of yours.

Even in the flurry of drunken feelings that supposedly fogged up your head, you knew full well you still craved her.

You could barely even process anything when the CEO disrobed before you almost entirely, kicking off her dark trousers to reveal the contrasting white of her panties stuck to her cunt from the slick accumulated against the fabric. To be completely honest, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t equally, if not more soaked than she was. After all, you were laying with your back flat against the bed, so deeply bonded and about to make love to the woman of your dreams.

“Do you think you can handle all my weight?”

You sat up a little, confused, before your face practically sparked to the temperature of a flame at the realization, managing a flustered nod. In moments, you could only watch in awe as she peeled off the damp cloth covering her pussy, her movements agonizingly slow.

Barely able to to respond to the alluring sight before you, you were cut off by her leering over as she inclined to meet her nose with yours, her body fully shoved up to yours.

It wasn’t long before you found yourself latching your mouth onto her clit as your back lay flush to the plush mattress, wallowing in the flurry of Caitlyn’s moans wrenching out of her throat as your tongue prodded at her slit to trace up and down, drinking up every drop of her essence dribbling down your chin with each obscene squelch of your tongue pulsing against her hole.

Her hoarse gasps slipped past her parted lips, back arching as her hips rolled forward against your mouth, your noises muffled against her cunt. Caitlyn’s breath caught in her throat as your tongue slipped down to attend to her folds, lapping at the velvety texture like a starved woman, as if every moan that ripped out of her was a prize you gained from the work you spent eating her cunt as her weight pressed against your face.

“Don’t…stop..”

You stifled a whine against her lubricated skin, fingers digging into her thighs to hoist her further apart, leaving a kiss on her thigh or a small reddened bruise periodically to look up at Caitlyn’s face, her head tipped back in bliss as her eyes squeezed shut with each drag of your tongue along her cunt, streams of her juices dribbling down your chin not too long after. Her chest heaved up and down, dusted in a pretty pink as she crawled off of you weakly, head lulling against your lower abdomen.

Reaching a hand out, you attempted to gain a lazy feel of her tits from below, to which you were immediately denied, her hand holding your wrist with a gentle smile juxtaposing her harsh curl on your wrist.

“Not yet.”

A perplexed expression crossed your face, before immediately widening your eyes at the foreign intrusion. You bit back a guttural moan as Caitlyn’s fingers slid past your own slick cunt, knuckles ridged along the throbbing walls of your cunt clenching around her. You drawled out in a chorus of drunken moans pouring out of you, alongside the overwhelming pools of slick puddles between your thighs to stain the sheets, eyes rolling back in ecstasy with each push of her fingers curling in your pussy.

You buried your face in her shoulder, eyes rolling back past your closed eyes as her palm ground against your clit with each controlled thrust, her repeated motions only drowning you in the pleasure of her warmth intertwined with yours.

“Fuck-! Cait-! Love you-! I love you I love you I love you!”

Your words drawled out as an incoherent plea, the utter pleasure her fingers plunged into you bundling closer and closer to the edge with your muscles tightening, as her movements grew more intense as you neared your inevitable orgasm.

…

“Mm..what time is it?” You whispered, peeking out at the slivers of moonlight illuminated in small streaks past the red curtains as you sat up from Caitlyn’s arms tightened around you like a vice, holding you against her chest.

The navy blue haired woman sat up beside you, groggily rubbing her eyes as she pulled you closer against her. “Uhm..I’d say around 2 a.m. I assume?”

You flopped back down into her arms, earning a soft laugh from her as your eyes fixed on the gap between her teeth. Nuzzling into Caitlyn’s shoulder, your hands flew back down to her waist, dragging the covers back over you two with your foot hoisting the thick blankets to cover your bare bodies.

“What about work tomorrow?”

“What about it, my darling (Name)?”

“Well, is this going to be an issue or-“

“Love, don’t worry about that. At all. Just rest, forget about the company for now, because that’s definitely what I’m doing in this moment.”

You smiled, cuddling up to her as your eyelids drooped and your body eased into the comfort of her touch, falling into the hold of Caitlyn’s affection.

Just keep yourself in the arms of the woman you love right now.

Everything’s going to turn out fine.

A/N: WHY AM I GETTING SO EMBARRASSED WRITING NSFW RECENTLY HOLY SHIT anywayyyy I have mixed feelings about this some parts were good some were complete ass but overall this is okay yes yippee

also yes, I based it off this edit by @glittrdust. on tiktok.

Anyway goodnight I’m TIRED I had awful writers block and my mental dictionary flew away while writing this omfg

ALSO HELP I SAVED THE END AND MY HEART DROPPED FOR A SEC BC IT SAID I DELETED THE DRAFT BUT THABK GOD I DIDNT I HAD A MINI HEART ATTACK OMFG

also no I’m not cheating on my beloved mizu with the other blue eyed wasian i love mizu im writing for her next again

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oraclerobotics · 3 months ago

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The Impact of Motion Control Technology on Automotive Manufacturing

Automotive manufacturing has evolved significantly over the years, with automation and robotics playing a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, precision, and productivity. Among the key advancements driving this transformation is Motion Control Technology. This technology enables precise movement, speed control, and coordination of robotic systems used in various stages of automotive production.

#Motion Control Technology

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catcake24 · 6 months ago

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Universal Misunderstandings

Summary: Based on @keferon's Mech Pilot Jazz AU. Jazz is a Mech Pilot who gets lost in space.

I wrote this in like... an hour, so I'm sorry if it isn't very good. I just needed to get it out, even if it's a little clunky. (Also I don't write Jazz and Prowl often, so they might be a bit ooc)

If you had asked Jazz what was the craziest thing he ever saw, he would say the moment the giant ships entered earth’s atmosphere for the first alien invasion. Or maybe when he joined the mecha program to fight those aliens, and saw the mecha suits they would be piloting for the first time.

He wasn’t sure if meeting a race of giant robots was any crazier than that, but it was at least top three now.

Being a mecha pilot was surprisingly routine in some ways, similar to the times he was a NASCAR driver in some strange ways. How he would check his machine before every mission, how he piloted it like it was an extension of him, and how painfully aware he was of the danger all around him.

Only now, instead of being at risk of crashing into another driver or spinning off the track, he was at risk of being killed by giant aliens with five faces and so many tentacles.

No one was even sure why the aliens attacked in the first place, only that they desired some sort of potent energy source that was only discovered after they drove the aliens from one of their mines on Earth - and what was found in them revolutionized their technology forever.

They called them Lightning Crystals, based on the blue glow and the little shocks they delivered. The crystals were rare, but extremely potent in energy unparalleled by anything on earth.

Exactly what they needed. Oh, sure for solving global warming and creating efficient technology of course. But they also were the missing element in the new M.E.C.H. program – giant robots which could be controlled by a single person, able to pack as much punch as the aliens. With the Lightning Crystals, they could power these giant machines and finally drive them from their planet.

Jazz was one of the top pilots, though his Mech Suit was focused on rescuing people from peril and buying time as they evacuated a city that would be attacked. It was almost once a month, or several times if they were unlucky – the aliens would land, attempt to get a foothold on their planet, but were driven off by the Mecha. Only to appear again the next time.

And so, the routine was set. Go out, punch some aliens, retreat and recover, and start all over again later. It wasn’t glamourous, but Jazz knew he was doing his part in protecting the planet.

That changed when the Space Program was initialized.

The director of MECH realized they needed some sort of foothold in space, to fight back before they landed on the planet and destroy the ships they had just out of striking range out in the void.

Jazz was selected as one of the first, as his smaller robot would be more ideal for space travel – or so they told him, he wasn’t totally sure if that was bullshit or not anymore.

And so, Jazz found himself being launched into space to fight Aliens. He wasn’t sure when exactly his life turned into an anime, but it definitely felt like one.

During the fight though, something went wrong.

Jazz had been thrown into one of their ships, there was frantic beeping and flashing, and suddenly he felt his whole body feel every sensation at once – and when he got his bearings and noticed the ship was in motion again, he realized, with a sinking terror, that he couldn’t see earth in any direction around him.

His worst fears were only confirmed when he was thrown off the small space shuttle, and couldn’t contact ground support after he crashed onto an unknown planet.

He had to take a few hours to himself, and screamed inside his mech suit’s protective armour. Jazz didn’t know when he passed out from crying, but he felt somewhat refreshed. Not any better, but… not exhausted.

All things considered… he would be alright for a little while. He found more lightning crystals on the planet, and had some rations he could stretch out for awhile. But he wasn’t sure what to do, without any idea where he was or how to contact home.

He set up his homing beacon, and just hoped again all odds that maybe it would be picked up by someone.

Prowl wasn’t a very social cybertronian, everyone knew that about him. He wasn’t anti-social, but he didn’t have an easy time communicating with others.

He would be too blunt, or maybe just not react the right way, and suddenly they were upset for reasons he didn’t immediately recognize. He got better at learning what was and wasn’t acceptable in the broad terms, but he struggled with specifics sometimes.

But Prowl was also brilliant – that wasn’t ego, it was repeated often enough that even he had to accept it. The Tac-Net within his processor was faster than any standard internal strategy computer, but that was only a tool. His processor was able to churn through all the data it gave him, and utilize it to its fullest extent with his own creativity and intelligence.

It made him one of the vital assets to the Autobots, and later to the combined cybertronian armies which fought the Quintessons – a walking battle computer, able to analyze a battle field and begin a counter strategy before the opponent even realized it.

So, his communication issue was merely a minor inconvenience in comparison.

Even still, he didn’t have many friends, and he was used to his own company. Prowl didn’t think on it often, just focusing on his task.

Prowl was alone while crossing a large stretch of uninhabited space, a spiral galaxy system which consisted of planets either barren or void of sentient life, when he received the ping on his console.

Unknown Energy Signature, Distress Beacon Detected. Prowl frowned as he read across his screen, because it didn’t make sense at first. He pulled the ship around for a second look before he lost the signal, and saw it was located on a nearby planet.

His Tac Net spat back possibilities when probed, ranging from “Quintesson Trap” to “New Emerging Sentient Life”, and he deemed the risk low enough to check at least.

Prowl wasn’t a social mech, but he wasn’t as heartless as some soldiers said he was.

Jazz didn’t notice the ship until it was almost right above him, but he was still in his Mech Suit luckily enough. Using the larger bulk of this robotic body, he tried to wave the ship down using his long arms with a burst of frantic energy.

The Mech robot was psychically linked to himself, and so it was easy enough to arrange the machine’s body to look like a crazy person looking to hitchhike on the highway. He didn’t care though, only happy that someone, anyone, had found him.

It definitely wasn’t human, there were basically no ships of this design and even if there were none had launched yet. Another alien race didn’t seem too far off either, whoever they were. But really, they could be made of goo and Jazz would probably hug them in thanks.

He only really started to realize that this might be a bad thing when the ship landed, because that thing had some pretty big guns. Or maybe those weird energy blasters he saw before, and this was one of the aliens trying to colonize his planet.

Still though, he swallowed his fears and put on a brave face – even if no one else saw. He strutted up to the large ship like he owned it, and… waited.

The ship door opened soon enough, lowering down into a ramp, and out stepped… another robot?

Jazz blinked, suddenly very aware of his body inside of the mech suit, when he saw it… or them?

He didn’t know what to think, seeing the human-like face and odd proportions of their body. Was this another mech suit of some sort? Why did it have wheels?

Jazz had to snap out of it, because the robot started talking to him.

“Dobbqfkdp,” they said with a stoic demeanour, “xj F ql xpprjb vlr ibcq qeb afpqobpp pfdkxi? F txpk’q xtxob qebob txp olylqfz ifcb qefp cxo lrq fkql qeb dxixuv.”

Unfortunately, Jazz didn’t understand a word of it. The robot was holding the blaster on their hip, obviously ready to attack if Jazz proved hostile.

Hesitantly, he turned on his communications radio and spoke.

“Umm, sorry my guy, but I don’t know what you’re saying? I’m a bit new around here is all,” he said with a somewhat nervous laugh. He almost wished his own mech had a face, so he could express how he wasn’t hostile.

There was silence for a moment, the wind blowing by around them and picking up a barrage of maroon plantlife that looked like flowerpetals. It was serene to see, but Jazz kept his focus on the robot whose eyes were widening in surprise.

They then cleared their throat, deliberately taking their hand off the gun and offered something. Jazz stepped forwards hesitantly, seeing it was a small chip.

The robot gave a forced smile, obviously trying to not appear threatening but looking awkward instead. “Jv xmlildfbp. Bah-weep-Graaaghnah, weep ni ni bong.”

Somehow, against what was rational, the phrase they said made Jazz relax a little. It was a ridiculous nonsense in English, but somehow it made the offer seem less unknown.

Hesitantly, Jazz accepted the chip and plugged it into his mech. His eyes nearly bugged out when it started interfacing with his systems, almost pulling it out, before seeing what it was doing – it was scanning the coding and language of his mech’s sytems, pulling them out into a strange dictionary. Soon, it was done with a PING, and the chip ejected itself.

Holy shit, he thought, they have a fucking universal translator, like Star Trek!

The robot’s hand was extended again, obviously asking for the chip, and Jazz gingerly placed it back in the robot’s open palm – somehow having five fingers, which somehow was one of the first things Jazz noticed right now.

He was really overwhelmed, okay?!

The robot inserted the chip into the back of their head, and Jazz had a sinking realization.

Maybe he was jumping the gun, but the way the robot’s eyes went dim briefly as it processed the chip, made Jazz think is this an actual sentient robot?!

“Thank you, I suppose this must be very confusing for you,” the robot then said, in perfect English.

“Ugh… kind of?” He said, shrugging slightly which translated to his robot around him. It was a reflex hard to break, even if it was unnecessary for his mech to emote.

“We’ve known about aliens, but this is the first time I’m meeting one that doesn’t want to kill me,” he said, with a slight laugh at himself. “Sorry, this is really weird.”

“Well,” the mech said, giving a soft smile which looked much more genuine, “I’m sure my kind will be eager to welcome another robotic race to the galaxy.”

Jazz’s mind went blank, as he had two sudden realizations.

Holy shit, I was right, this is an actual sentient robot who is actually talking to me, quickly followed by, they think I’m also a robot.

This… might be messy.

Despite this, Jazz just gave a nod, “Well, I’m sure the feeling is mutual!” He said awkwardly.

“Now… can you help me off this planet?”

The robot gave a brisk nod. “Of course, it’s not uncommon for new space faring species to have transwarping incidents like these. Come with me, my people will help you get home.”

Without any better options, Jazz hopped onto the ship. As he went inside, he realized the whole thing was scaled to the giant robot he was with. Scaled to his mech as well, conveniently enough.

“So, could I get your name?” Jazz said, as he finally was getting ahold of his anxiety. At least he wasn’t dead, and he was going home, so suddenly this was feeling a lot less intimidating.

“Of course, I’m Prowl of Praxus. You?”

“Ummm, Jazz. Jazz Wilson,” he said.

“Very well, it’s nice to meet you Jazz Jazz Wilson,” Prowl said, and somehow that phrase, which wasn’t nearly the craziest part of this situation, got a bark of laughter from Jazz.

“Just Jazz is fine. It’s nice to meet you too Prowl.”

He got a nod of acknowledgement, as the ship flared to life and prepared for takeoff.

Jazz might need to sleep for a decade when he gets home.

(Translation for Prowl Earlier: Greetings, am I to assume you left the distress signal? I wasn’t aware there was robotic life this far out into the galaxy.)

I also won't apologize for using the transformers universal greeting :P, I love that thing. Canonically, it's a phrase so ridiculous that anyone who says it must mean no harm - which is why Jazz somewhat relaxes when he hears it despite not knowing what it means.

I hope you liked this short little story (≧∇≦)ﾉ it's more just exploring the concept than anything.

Also sorry for using the term mech or mecha wrong, I don't watch enough anime ( ´･･)ﾉ(._.`)

#transformers #my writing #fanfic #maccadam #jazzprowl #mech pilot jazz au #mecha pilot Jazz au #maccadam fanfiction #almost posted it on ao3 #but i decided not to #since it's pretty unpolished #though im not sure anyone but me can tell the difference between polished and unpolished with my writing lol.#Just shows how much I need to improve #transformers fanfiction

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siemens-posts · 9 months ago

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Why Siemens is a Leader in Industrial Automation

Siemens, a global powerhouse in automation technology, has long been recognized as a leader in industrial automation. With its extensive range of products and solutions designed to enhance factory operations, Siemens is at the forefront of revolutionizing manufacturing and production processes. This leadership stems from a combination of innovative technologies, a commitment to research and development, and a deep understanding of industrial needs.

Pioneering Automation Technology

Siemens’ automation technology portfolio is comprehensive and versatile, addressing the diverse needs of modern factories. Central to this portfolio is the Siemens Simatic line, which includes programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and industrial software. These tools are the backbone of automated manufacturing systems, enabling precise control and monitoring of production processes.

Simatic PLCs, for example, are renowned for their reliability and performance. They provide robust solutions for automating complex tasks, reducing manual intervention, and enhancing operational efficiency. Siemens HMIs offer intuitive interfaces for operators, ensuring seamless interaction with automated systems. Together, these components create a cohesive and powerful automation environment.

Advanced Motion Control Solutions

Siemens’ Motion Control technology is another critical component of its industrial automation leadership. Motion Control systems are essential for applications that require precise movements, such as robotics, CNC machines, and high-speed production lines. Siemens provides a range of Motion Control products, including servo drives and motors, that deliver exceptional accuracy and responsiveness.

By integrating Motion Control with automation systems, Siemens ensures that manufacturing processes are not only efficient but also highly precise. This precision is vital for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, where even minor deviations can lead to significant quality issues.

Innovation through Simatic and Beyond

The Simatic brand represents Siemens’ commitment to innovation in industrial automation. Beyond traditional PLCs and HMIs, Simatic encompasses a wide range of advanced automation solutions, including edge computing devices, industrial IoT gateways, and cloud-based analytics platforms. These technologies enable factories to harness the power of data, driving insights that lead to continuous improvement.

Edge computing devices, for instance, allow real-time processing of data at the factory floor level, reducing latency and improving decision-making. Industrial IoT gateways connect machines and systems, facilitating seamless data exchange and enabling predictive maintenance and remote monitoring. Cloud-based analytics platforms provide powerful tools for analyzing production data, uncovering trends, and optimizing processes.

Comprehensive Industrial Solutions

Siemens offers end-to-end solutions for industrial automation, from design and engineering to implementation and maintenance. Their portfolio includes software tools for simulation and digital twin modeling, which help manufacturers design and optimize production systems before physical implementation. This approach reduces time-to-market and minimizes the risk of costly errors.

Furthermore, Siemens’ commitment to open standards ensures that their automation solutions are compatible with a wide range of third-party systems. This interoperability is crucial for modern factories, which often rely on equipment from multiple vendors. By providing seamless integration, Siemens helps manufacturers create cohesive and efficient production environments.

Commitment to Research and Development

One of the key reasons Siemens remains a leader in industrial automation is its unwavering commitment to research and development. Siemens invests heavily in developing new technologies and enhancing existing ones. This investment ensures that Siemens stays ahead of industry trends and continues to provide cutting-edge solutions.

Siemens’ R&D efforts focus on several key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digitalization. By incorporating AI and ML into their automation systems, Siemens enables smarter and more adaptive manufacturing processes. Digitalization efforts, such as the development of digital twins and advanced analytics, empower manufacturers to optimize their operations and make data-driven decisions.

Real-World Impact

Siemens’ leadership in industrial automation is evident in its extensive track record of successful implementations across various industries. In automotive manufacturing, for instance, Siemens’ automation solutions have streamlined assembly lines, improved quality control, and increased production rates. In the food and beverage industry, Siemens’ technologies have enhanced processing and packaging efficiency, ensuring high standards of hygiene and product quality.

Future of Manufacturing

Looking ahead, Siemens is poised to continue leading the industrial automation sector. The company’s focus on integrating emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, and 5G, will drive the next wave of innovation. These advancements will enable even greater levels of automation, connectivity, and flexibility in manufacturing.

The future of factory automation will be characterized by smart, self-optimizing systems that can adapt to changing conditions and demands. Siemens is at the forefront of this transformation, providing the tools and technologies that will define the factories of tomorrow.

Conclusion

Siemens’ leadership in industrial automation is the result of decades of innovation, a comprehensive portfolio of automation technology, and a deep commitment to advancing manufacturing processes. Through products like Simatic and advanced Motion Control systems, Siemens has set the standard for efficiency, precision, and reliability in industrial operations. As the industry continues to evolve, Siemens is well-positioned to remain a driving force in shaping the future of factory automation.

#automation #simatic #motion control #automation technology #industrial #manufacturing #factory #production #siemens

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kunalkushwah · 10 months ago

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Discover the Power of Motion Plastics: Igus' Cutting-Edge Technology

Igus stands as a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability, and customer-centricity in driving progress within the industrial sector. From humble beginnings in Cologne to global acclaim, igus continues to redefine possibilities in motion plastics, setting benchmarks for reliability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. As industries evolve and challenges grow more complex, igus remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping the future of motion technology, one innovative solution at a time.

At its core, igus specializes in the production of high-performance plastic components such as cables, energy chains, bearings, and linear systems. These products are designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern machinery and equipment across various sectors including automotive, aerospace, packaging, and medical technology.

Visit us at: https://www.igus.in/

#Bearing Technology #Motion Control #Robotics Innovation

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heechwe · 28 days ago

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WITCHING HOUR | 최연준

⟢ PAIRING: choi yeonjun x fem!reader ⟢ WORD COUNT: 3.8K ⟢ GENRE: smut, hints of comedy and fluff ⟢ TAGS: witch!reader, wizard!yeonjun, sexual tension, oral (f receiving), bondage elements, backshots, protected sex ⟢ SYNOPSIS: Like magical elements, you do your usual push and pull with Yeonjun until one night when it's almost too much to avoid him any longer, and it makes you wonder why you stayed away from him in the first place. -ˋˏ✄┈┈ AUTHOR'S NOTE: Originally written for a group I no longer follow or write for, so I thought why not remake it with lovely Junie boy? Not a lot has changed from the original except the introduction, since I am happy with it for the most part!

For a powerful witch, you feel weaker than you’ve ever felt whenever a certain boy stands too close to you. The girls in your family are from an established bloodline, built on the bones of what younger witches and warlocks could only wish to be, and yet Choi Yeonjun seems to tap a nerve that tears every part of the symbols of your family’s foundation to pieces. Strength, control, independence. All gone with the simplest trail of his eyes along your skin.

Like now. Putting books back on their shelves should be a simple task; it’s what you’re supposed to do in Soobin’s store. Both mortals and magical folk often stroll through and leave behind copies they contemplated buying for a millisecond, just for you or another coworker to put away by the end of the day. It’s normal work for anyone. Yet, all of your power seems to drain out of you because of Yeonjun and how close he is when you least expect him to be.

The warlock stands idly by, still ogling your figure as you put a book on Transfixions back in its cataloged spot, the words on the cover to any human reading as a nonfiction piece they’ll never open. You release a huff of laughter, incredulous that his gaze still prickles your skin like this. “You could take a picture, you know,” you say into the silence. “According to mortals, they last longer.”

Yeonjun chuckles and takes a few books off of your cart to help you put them away. His arm brushes yours just slightly as you go through the motions of sorting and stacking, but it’s torture with every pass of his gooseflesh against you. “I think I can remember without technology.” His lips barely brush your ear when he speaks again. “You’re too mesmerizing to forget.”

You want to smack the guy in the arm for invading your personal space, but this is how it’s always been. The verbal and bodily tension between you is both sharp and ever-present, a blade a part of you wants to be cut by. For better or worse, all of your emotions heighten whenever he’s around.

Yeonjun saunters away as you release a ragged breath, one you did not recognize you were holding until the air escapes your lungs.

Soobin peaks out of the corner with his enormous glasses, bangs covering the rest of his face like a black cloak. He almost resembles a curious cat more than the owner of a bookstore. “Can you guys just make out so I can run my store properly again?” he asks, partially humorous but with a tone that makes you laugh as you stack the shelves again.

Like Yeonjun, you and Soobin have known each other for years through magical training, schooling and family dinners. He’s a good friend, but he’s known Yeonjun longer, so you’re unsure what underlying words sit beneath Soobin’s explicit ones. “We’re not gonna do that, it’s just—”

“Just what? A ton of pining and sexual undertones that never go anywhere?” He pops an eyebrow up, his mouth puckered. “You’re both like the characters in those romance novels all the girls eat up in this place.”

You blow a raspberry at him, but your mind flits back to the only time you ever got close to Yeonjun physically. It’s written all over your face when Soobin coughs dramatically in your direction. You go back to the present, staring at his sarcastic expression, and your cheeks heat up. “What?”

“Something happened, didn’t it?”

You stutter as the guy’s face breaks into a beaming, knowing smile. “Like almost two years ago! It wasn’t even that big of a deal!” The it in question was a drunken kiss shared in a broom closet at one of Sim Jaeyun’s house parties. You tried to forget it, and Yeonjun practically confirmed it was a one-time thing with the way he addressed you afterward.

And nothing did happen after that night and those subsequent days, the usual friendly greetings and underlying physical gestures marking the passed time like normal, but those instances sparked the same effects you feel to this day in his presence.

“Mhm, I’m very convinced,” Soobin says, still sporting his grin, but he attaches an eye-roll to the expression before walking away.

You think about that night as your fingertips brush the final books to put on the shelves and Yeonjun’s words from a mere ten minutes ago. Maybe Yeonjun gets such responses out of you because he challenges your abilities and talents alongside your emotions in such a way that screams it could be fate. Written in the stars, as the mortals say.

Maybe it is, the two of you pushing and pulling until you both eventually click into place. You refuse to believe it, though; Yeonjun may be too arrogant to deserve such validation.

That’s how you find yourself in a bar called the Hollow later that night. It’s the city’s known haven for fellow witches and warlocks to escape the stresses of the day with a handmade cocktail and pleasant conversation. Mark and Winter toss back rum and cokes and gossip about the latest scandal in the elixir shop they both work at on the edge of town. You listen and laugh when you’re supposed to, but something’s off. Normally, you would enjoy the moment, relax, and let the worries of the day fade into nothing. You aren’t incapable of having fun; witches don’t need to be told to enjoy themselves.

But Yeonjun is here, you just know it. The air is ripe with that string connecting you both together, waiting for the moment one or both of you sever it.

“Babe, you’re a million miles away,” Winter remarks with a hand in your face. Her fingertips almost knock into the glass holding your espresso martini, and you step back to avoid spilling the concoction over your dress.

“Sorry, I just—”

You try to look nonchalant as you search the club. The place is shrouded in candles of all colors, the flames sparkling against the dark bodies around the room. But you recognize Yeonjun as soon as your eyes focus on him. Black hair as striking as the spark of flint, bottom lip caught in his teeth, whiskey in the palm of his hand. You notice it all before you meet his eyes, the ones that have already been watching you from across the room. And now he knows you’re watching him, too.

“Oh,” Winter exclaims, suddenly grinning, the same wolfish smirk that Soobin possessed hours ago. You want to roll your eyes at her, but you’re caught between looking unbothered and trying to sneak peeks at Yeonjun again without him noticing.

Too late for either at this point. He won’t keep his eyes off of you now.

“What?” Mark asks before Winter takes his jaw in her hands to move in the direction of Yeonjun and his friends. Yeonjun tries to talk to Taehyun and Heeseung like he’s relaxed himself, now recognizing your friends have spotted him too, and it almost makes you want to tuck yourself away into the night.

“Ah,” Mark says with the same lilt to his voice as Winter. Your anxiety and irritation is on fire by now. It is so obvious to everybody but the two of you that something needs to happen?

“If you both are done oh-ing and ah-ing, I’m gonna go get us more drinks.” Your two friends snicker like conspiratory traitors as you walk towards the bar.

Attempting to order another round without looking behind you, smiling sweetly at the bartender as you ask for tequila shots, proves to be difficult. You steel yourself not to turn back toward him once again, but it’s hard not to. Yeonjun’s eyes remain glued to your back like melted wax. He trails his eyes down your purple slip dress, to the revealing curve of your thighs, and so on. It’s a ripple down your spine, like Yeonjun’s memorizing you for later.

Look at me again.

You hated this power you two shared the most. As legend has it, no matter how the bond is created, ties between two witches’ or warlocks’ thoughts can be made if both individuals want to speak to one another without actual verbal communication. It’s an advanced power, one few can use or conjure up anymore. Only you and Yeonjun learned such power years ago from your private teachers and family members. Worse, you don’t exactly reject him or the bond because, deep down, a part of you wants him to be inside of your head, to connect with you this way.

So, here he is, using his words to push you further into him.

Just once.

It’s like the entire bar can sense the shift in your will, knowing you’re hooked as soon as you turn your body to face the booth across the room. Yeonjun pretends to listen to Heeseung’s diatribe, eyeing you from over the rim of his glass and paying little attention to what either Heeseung or Taehyun are saying.

Happy now?

You quirk your eyebrows in his direction, but all he responds with is a smirk.

Not even close.

Your feet pull themselves off the ground and walk towards him, not caring what your mind does or doesn’t want to say on the matter. You think you hear Winter yell “Go get him, tiger,” but you’re too far away to acknowledge it. Instead, you give the man that equally frustrates and excites you a cat-like grin.

You’re fucking impossible.

Taehyun and Heeseung’s faces twist into confusion at the laugh that leaves Yeonjun’s mouth, but once their mutual friend gets up to meet you halfway to the dance floor, they figure it out quickly.

When you finally stand in front of Yeonjun, you’re both breathless from spoken and unspoken words and the implications from every past look and “accidental” touch you’ve shared with each other. You don’t want to think of the soft curve of his bottom lip against your own. Imagine his hands on the places he’s only mapped out in his fantasies. Envision the words he’s kept saved for you when no-one else is around in curses and whispers and grunts. You don’t want to, but you do anyway.

Leave with me.

Yeonjun's eyes widen with mirth, a smug smile spreading across his face.

As the witch commands.

The sound of your back hitting the wall of Yeonjun’s hallway reminds you this is truly happening, not a teenage fantasy to scold yourself for later. His hands are everywhere. One’s underneath the back of your thigh and the other on the side of your neck, guiding you and pulling you into him. Your kisses are sloppy, without a doubt. The touches of your tongues and moans resounding from your open mouths echo blissfully in the small space you’re in.

When you separate, Yeonjun’s eyes gleam. He tugs the hem of your dress until he pulls the piece over your head and throws it somewhere on the floor. He stops to admire you in just your bra and panties. Surprisingly, you don’t feel shy under his gaze. You’ve never been a bashful person, but you know intimacy leaves you vulnerable in a way you don’t experience often. But you want him to look at you this way, like the start of pleasure begins and ends with the lines of your body. You want to ask yourself why you didn’t let him or yourself have this before, to feel this yearning finally bleed into indulgence.

“Two years and three days.”

“What?” You ask before moaning when he takes one hand and dips it into your panties. Two of his fingers lewdly glide across your folds until he swirls them around your clit.

“It’s been two years and three days since the first time I kissed you,” he says, eyes coated in desire. “And now, I don’t think I ever want to stop.”

“Then don’t. Don’t stop,” you gasp, bucking your hips into the movements of his hand. You use your own to unclip your bra and throw it in the same direction Yeonjun threw your dress, and he wastes no time taking one of your nipples into his mouth. He sucks hard and without mercy, his fingers matching the pace and feel of his mouth, and you could fall apart from that alone. But you know you want him to fill you so deep and help you forget how long the want for him stayed dormant. Now, it’s bursting to life; you can’t hold out any longer.

He senses it, Yeonjun releasing your nipple with a pop and wrapping your legs around his waist to guide you into his bedroom. Barely any light comes in through his blinds, the darkness of midnight heightening your lust. You know, for all the myths, the witching hour is a reality in your world. Your powers, your senses, everything elevates at this split in time, both the start and end of two days, the meeting of two intersecting lines.

If Yeonjun didn’t toss you softly onto the bed, you would laugh, finding the dichotomy between his dirty acts and sudden gentle touches ironic.

The jingle of Yeonjun’s belt buckle and ruffle of his shirt snaps you from the thought, and you whisper, “I want to see you.”

You already know he’s smirking. By the time he waves a hand to light the candles on his dresser and nightstand, he’s only in his black boxer briefs and his cock is visibly hard. You bite your lip as you stare. You crave the feel of it in your hand and mouth when Yeonjun takes off the briefs entirely. It’s unavoidable how much or long you admire its size. When you reach to remove your panties, Yeonjun stops you from doing so with the turn of his head. Your hands are frozen in place, and you huff exasperatedly.

You don’t play fair.

Yeonjun laughs, amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Never said I did, but I think you like it.” You do, so much it makes you hate how right he is.

After he wraps your hands together in one of his own and raises them over your head, he tugs the fabric down your legs with his free one. You kick it away, glad to have the air hit your skin. Knowing your hands will stay in place until he breaks you from his spell, he trails his kisses down. He starts with your mouth, deeply and languidly, and ends the kiss with the pull of your bottom lip between his teeth. Then he presses his lips to your neck, the column of your throat, your breasts (which he playfully bites too), and right before your navel.

Before long, he licks a long stripe up your slit, the wetness pooling on his tongue and making you moan in earnest. You want to wrap your hands in his hair, give it a hard tug to urge him to go faster, to make you come, but the invisible binds on your wrists will not budge, no matter how much you will your own magic to release you. “Let me touch you,” you whine, lifting your hips to meet his lips.

“Let me touch you first. I want to savor this,” Yeonjun replies, kissing and sucking your clit into his mouth. He trails two fingers along the inside of your thigh before he sinks them inside you.

A broken moan escapes your lips, the sound jagged and cracked. You know you cannot hold yourself back anymore. You press as much of your lower body against him, his movements feeling so good on you, inside of you. When he adds a third finger, you come with the well of tears in your eyes and his name leaving your mouth over and over.

He wipes the remnants of your arousal off his lips with the back of his hand, but when he goes to kiss you with his tongue licking inside of your mouth, you taste yourself. You moan as his skin connects to yours in various places; your mouth connected to his, his hands on your hips, your sensitive core rubbed up against his cock. He smiles down at you, caressing your sides with his palms, and you feel the forces against your hands ebb away. Instantly, you wrap your hands into the hair at the nape of his neck and kiss him deeply again. When you part, he says, “Turn around, baby. Hands and knees.”

You nod with a smirk, pressing your hands into the sheets of Yeonjun’s bed and raising your ass in the air for him to pinch and stroke with his fingers. He releases a curse at the sight before him, but not before you hear the tear of a condom wrapper. You grin, ready to feel him.

Mortals commonly recognized witches for their self-indulgence and hedonism, believing you all used your magic on your every whim rather than for the help of others. While it was more of the latter than the former on the regular day, this is how you seek pleasure all the other times. You search for it in the connection of two bodies, the elements bending to your wills and heightening the experience in a way regular humans would never understand. And you can’t wait to feel the curl of yours and his magic wrapping around each other, intertwining until you forget how deep his is claiming you and yours is unraveling him.

By the time he presses the tip inside of you, you both moan loudly into the candle-lit room. The clench of your pussy around Yeonjun makes him groan as he presses deeper, your walls tightening around his cock so perfectly. You press your head into the sheets, releasing a long cry as he buries himself inside of you to the hilt. It’s a decadent feeling, and you don’t know if this is the same magic everyone else feels with their lovers, mortal or not. But you savor it as your nerves buzz to life. Yeonjun wraps a hand in your hair softly and raises your head from the bed, leaning his chest into your back to murmur into your ear, “I wanna hear you. All of you.”

You moan loudly when he thrusts, cry when he pulls out to the point you barely feel him there, and repeat the process when he angles himself deeper inside of you. “Yes, Yeonjun. Please,” you shout, loving the way his body and the essence of him enfolds you with every propel of his body and touch of his skin to yours.

His hips go in and out languidly, and you know you’re already building towards a second peak. You can practically feel your arousal dripping onto the sheets when his cock leaves your pussy, only for him to pull you back against his body to feel the warmth of you again.

“You’re so tight. Fuck, I could stay like this, buried inside of you. All. Fucking. Night,” Yeonjun growls. As a string of groans leave his mouth, he pivots his hips in and out of you. The blunt strength makes you whimper his name in ecstasy. After another few seconds, he slows down and reverts to the pace he started with. You gasp at the change in his tempo, knowing you’re so close to coming.

He says your name in earnest, his voice laced with pleasure. “I want you to ride me.” He rubs your back and kisses the curve of your spine. “Would you like to?”

“Fuck, yes,” you reply. With that, he pulls out of you and turns you over. You expect him to get into position on his back, but he pulls you into his lap, making you squeal.

He laughs and kisses your nose, then your lips with tenderness. “Like this, baby.”

When you wrap your hands around the base of his cock, he grunts. He fills you up again, and you immediately grip his shoulders for support as you move your hips back and forth, then push your body up and down to take every piece of him that you can manage. The sound of your bodies slapping against each other is filthy, but so rewarding when he curses and grunts into your chest, doing his best to meet the clench of your pussy with his own thrusts. You whimper at the feeling, entirely different from him guiding you. You push against him, the knot in your core tightening at a rapid speed when Yeonjun presses his hand to your clit.

For as weak as you felt when you denied yourself of him and this, you feel powerful with Yeonjun’s body so close to yours, sensations blown to indescribable portions. What’s left of you follows the rhythm of the two of you chasing the end together. With his mouth attached to your breasts and turning your skin red and purple from his attention, strength and power could not be better than this: connection, desire, affection.

Come, baby. Come.

The three words flow into your mind and wrap around your skin until you do. You bounce on Yeonjun’s cock and ride out your high, feeling the blind spots of your vision pervade with color. With a broken cry, Yeonjun comes right after, spilling into the condom and rocking up into you until he stops moving altogether. You both feel the aftershocks of your orgasms, Yeonjun milking one more thrust before he slacks. With another press of your lips to his, you leave his lap and collapse onto the bed.

Running to the bathroom, Yeonjun discards the condom and grabs a wet rag. When he makes it back to you, he cleans you with soft touches and praises, a loving gaze in his eye that you wouldn’t have expected from him after the immodest words he spoke to you before. He throws the rag in his hamper and tucks the comforter over your bodies when he lays down next to you.

In the silence that pervades after you’re both finished catching your breath, Yeonjun whispers, “I like you. A lot.”

You blush, tucking your head into the curve of his neck. “I like you too.”

In the low light, the candles using the last of the wax, you realize you were never weak because of him. You might have been weak for him, but you let yourself believe wanting to be near him was a sign of weakness. And that was wrong. The only thing that could be wrong now was missing out on nights like these for so long.

“I’ve liked you for a long time, ever since that stupid house party. I just never admitted it to myself,” you admit, propping your chin on his shoulder to stare into his eyes.

They light up in muted glee, part of him too tired to express his complete excitement. “Ditto.” He kisses you lazily, the stroke of his lips against yours better than any magic you could create. “Sorry I didn’t ask you on a date first. Seems I couldn’t wait.” He grins sheepishly, to which you laugh.

“Likewise. But we can go out tomorrow. Right now, just lie with me?”

Yeonjun nods, wrapping his arms around you and kissing your forehead. “As my witch commands.”

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