chetanagp · 5 months ago
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India Personal Care Packaging Market was valued at USD 4.97 Billion in 2022, and it is expected to reach USD 7.63 Billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3 % during the forecast period (2023-2029)
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imarcresearchreport · 7 months ago
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The global personal care packaging market size reached US$ 34.7 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 49.8 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4% during 2024-2032. The significant growth in the personal care industry, emerging trends of customization and personalization, and the introduction of sustainable packaging represent some of the key factors driving the market.
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shashi2310 · 7 months ago
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pramoja · 2 years ago
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amr-packaging · 2 years ago
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Personal Care Packaging Market Demand, Scope, Global Opportunities, Challenges and key Players by 2030
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The Personal Care Packaging market report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, competitive Landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunities analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, area marketplace expanding, and technological innovations.
Personal Care Packaging market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2022 - 2030, the growth among segments provide accurate calculations and forecasts for sales by Type and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Click here to get free sample report: https://analyticsmarketresearch.com/sample-request/personal-care-packaging-market/17057/
Global Personal Care Packaging Market: Major Players
DS Smith PLC
Raepak Ltd
Cosmopak Ltd
Quadpack Industries SA
AptarGroup Inc.
Silgan Holdings Inc.
Libo Cosmetics Company Ltd
Graham Packaging Company
Albea SA
Gerresheimer AG
Bemis Company Inc.
Amcor PLC
RPC Group Plc (Berry Global Group)
HCP Packaging Co. Ltd
Rieke Packaging Systems Ltd
Global Personal Care Packaging Market: By Types
Plastic
Glass
Metal
Paper
Global Personal Care Packaging Market: By Applications
Oral Care
Hair Care
Color Cosmetics
Skin Care
Men’s Grooming
Deodorants
Global Personal Care Packaging Market: Regional Analysis
All the regional segmentation has been studied based on recent and future trends, and the market is forecasted throughout the prediction period. The countries covered in the regional analysis of the Global Personal Care Packaging market report are U.S., Canada, and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Rest of Europe in Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Argentina, Brazil, and Rest of South America as part of South America.
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Key Indicators Analysed
Market Players & Competitor Analysis: The report covers the key players of the industry including Company Profile, Product Specifications, Production Capacity/Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin 2015-2020 & Sales by Product Types.
Global and Regional Market Analysis: The report includes Global & Regional market status and outlook 2021-2026. Further the report provides break down details about each region & countries covered in the report. Identifying its production, consumption, import & export, sales volume & revenue forecast.
Market Analysis by Product Type: The report covers majority Product Types in the Personal Care Packaging Industry, including its product specifications by each key player, volume, sales by Volume and Value (M USD).
Market Analysis by Application Type: Based on the Personal Care Packaging Industry and its applications, the market is further sub-segmented into several major Application of its industry. It provides you with the market size, CAGR & forecast by each industry applications.
Market Trends: Market key trends which include Increased Competition and Continuous Innovations.
Opportunities and Drivers: Identifying the Growing Demands and New Technology
Porters Five Force Analysis: The report will provide with the state of competition in industry depending on five basic forces: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitute products or services, and existing industry rivalry.
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creativeera · 2 months ago
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Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions: The Growth and Impact of the Disappearing Packaging Market
The global disappearing packaging market is a rapidly growing industry centered around environmentally friendly packaging materials designed to dissolve, disintegrate or disappear upon use or disposal. This innovative type of packaging offers solutions to traditional waste management problems by removing the need for subsequent disposal. Made from organic compounds like starches, proteins or polyvinyl alcohol, disappearing packaging provides an alternative to single-use plastics that clog landfills and pollute the environment for centuries. Common applications include food casings, pouches, wrap, cups and straws made to safely degrade without trace when exposed to water or moisture.
The Disappearing Packaging Market is estimated to be valued at USD 4.26 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 8.96 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Disappearing Packaging Marketare Kuraray Co. Ltd., Aicello Corporation, Aquapak Polymer Ltd, Lactips, Notpla Ltd, GM& Packaging, Lithey, Mondi Group, The Mend Packaging, and Reckitt. Kuraray Co. Ltd. is a leading supplier of biodegradable polymers for disappearing packaging.
The growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions is a major driver for the Disappearing Packaging Market Growthindustry. Stricter regulations prohibiting single-use plastics along with changing consumer preferences are boosting demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Rapid growth of the food and beverage industry along with online food delivery services require more efficient packaging, generating opportunities for disappearing material innovations.
Global expansion is allowing market leaders to capture demand worldwide. Companies are investing in R&D to develop new material types and expanding manufacturing facilities globally. Partnerships with multinational brands are helping to scale production and distribution networks. Supply partnerships in emerging economies are enabling availability of disappearing packaging products in high-growth potential markets.
Market Key Trends
Water-soluble materials are gaining popularity in the disappearing packaging trend. New polymer formulations are being designed and tested that can fully dissolve in water, eliminating microplastics released by decomposition. This includes edible films for food and pharmaceutical products. Water solubility allows for disposal through sewer systems, improving sustainability. Another key trend is multifunctional materials that provide barrier protection comparable to traditional plastics but with disappearing capabilities. Advances like these are driving wider commercial adoption and market growth of the disappearing packaging industry over the coming decade.
Porter's Analysis
Threat of new entrants: New entrants face high capital requirements and will also find it difficult to compete with existing large players in the market.
Bargaining power of buyers: Buyers have moderate bargaining power as there are many options available in the market. However, demand for sustainability is increasing buyers' power.
Bargaining power of suppliers: Suppliers of raw materials have lower bargaining power due to availability of substitute materials. However, suppliers of speciality materials may enjoy some bargaining power.
Threat of new substitutes: Threat of substitutes is moderate as there are no direct substitutes but more sustainable packaging options continue to emerge.
Competitive rivalry: Intense as major players compete on sustainability, cost and quality.
Geographical Regions
North America currently dominates the disappearing packaging market in terms of value due to stringent regulations and growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging options.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth in the disappearing packaging market during the forecast period. Expanding e-commerce sector, growing middle-class population and increasing environmental awareness are driving the market in the region.
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aarunresearcher · 5 months ago
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aishavass · 11 months ago
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Innovations in the cosmetic products sector such as aerosol sprays and lotion pumps has created ample opportunities in the packaging industry. Flexible...
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pearlsmith25 · 1 year ago
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Personal Care Packaging Market Expansion: Emerging Markets and Opportunities
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The global personal care industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by changing consumer preferences, increased awareness of personal hygiene, and the introduction of innovative products. One of the critical elements contributing to the success of personal care products is packaging. Personal care packaging plays a pivotal role in attracting consumers, ensuring product safety, and promoting sustainability. This article explores the Personal Care Packaging Market, its current trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Market Overview
The personal care packaging market is an integral part of the broader packaging industry. It encompasses a wide range of products, including bottles, jars, tubes, containers, and pouches designed to hold various personal care products such as skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and toiletries. The market's growth is closely tied to the personal care industry, which continues to expand globally.
Current Trends
Sustainable Packaging: The increasing global focus on sustainability has led to a surge in demand for eco-friendly packaging materials. Personal care brands are actively adopting recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable packaging options to reduce their environmental footprint.
Customization and Personalization: Personal care companies are utilizing packaging as a tool for enhancing customer engagement. Customized packaging, often with personalized labels or unique designs, allows brands to connect with consumers on a more personal level.
Minimalistic Design: Minimalistic packaging design is gaining popularity, driven by its clean and elegant appearance. Minimalistic packaging not only appeals to consumers seeking simplicity but also reduces waste through the use of fewer materials.
Smart Packaging: Incorporating technology into personal care packaging is becoming more common. Smart packaging can include QR codes for product information, temperature-sensitive labels, and even LED lights that indicate product usage or expiration.
Convenience Features: Consumers are increasingly looking for packaging that offers convenience, such as pumps, droppers, and easy-to-squeeze tubes. These features enhance the user experience and make product application more efficient.
Challenges
Environmental Concerns: While there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, the personal care industry still faces challenges in finding eco-friendly alternatives for certain packaging materials, such as plastic. Balancing the need for product protection with environmental concerns remains a complex issue.
Regulatory Compliance: Personal care packaging must comply with various international regulations regarding safety, labeling, and materials. Navigating these regulations can be challenging for companies operating in multiple markets.
Cost Constraints: Developing and implementing sustainable packaging solutions often comes with a higher initial cost. Companies must find ways to balance sustainability with budgetary constraints.
Counterfeit Products: The personal care industry is vulnerable to counterfeit products, which can be harmful to consumers and damaging to brand reputation. Packaging that ensures product authenticity is crucial.
Opportunities
Innovative Materials: The search for alternative, sustainable packaging materials presents a significant opportunity for the industry. The development of bioplastics, paper-based packaging, and compostable materials holds promise for reducing environmental impact.
E-commerce Growth: With the rise of e-commerce, personal care packaging has an opportunity to evolve to meet the unique requirements of online sales. Packaging that is both secure and visually appealing can make a significant difference in consumer purchasing decisions.
Global Expansion: Personal care companies are increasingly targeting emerging markets where demand for personal care products is growing rapidly. This expansion presents opportunities for packaging manufacturers to enter new markets and adapt their products to local preferences.
Collaboration and Innovation: Collaboration between personal care brands and packaging manufacturers can lead to innovative solutions that address both environmental concerns and consumer demands for attractive, functional packaging.
Conclusion
The personal care packaging market demand is dynamic and continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers and the industry's growing emphasis on sustainability. While challenges such as environmental concerns and regulatory compliance persist, they also present opportunities for innovation and growth. As the personal care industry continues to expand globally, packaging will remain a critical factor in product success, ensuring that it not only protects the product but also enhances the overall consumer experience. As consumers become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the personal care packaging market's future lies in sustainable, convenient, and attractive solutions that meet the demands of a changing world.
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vxnuslogy · 1 month ago
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— pasalubong.
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pairing: kinich x gn!reader
premise: kinich wasn't a sentimental person at heart, until you left to travel. neither was he easily upset, but here he was, undoubtedly upset that you didn't give him a gift with your recent package.
— warnings: ooc-kinich and ajaw (still havent done the new aq), he's a bit down bad, and misses you dearly.
— author's note: this is not angst despite the premise LMFAO. art credits to @.n429g on twt. | 1.6k words.
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“delivery for kinich!” a mail man shouted, trying his best to not look down over the ledge the scions of the canopy is held. “delivery for ki—”
“i heard ya!” the small dragon yells, taking the sealed letter and small box from the man’s hands and throws a pouch of mora as thanks. 
the man sweat drops at the comical sight of the tiny dragonlord floating up to where kinich was. said man was dangling his legs over the ledge, hair swaying with the wind and an indifferent look on his face as he swats away his small companion and roughly takes the letter in his hands. he could only assume that the two had started another argument once again.
with a sigh, he cups a hand to his mouth and shouts, “thank you for your patronage!”
kinich looked in his direction and gave him a small nod. there were few postal workers here in natlan, so he made sure to at least pay the man generously—especially with how his legs shake and hand clutch the side of the mountain for dear life.
ajaw continued to punch and tug at his head but his attention had zeroed in on the envelope. it felt heavier than the last and you had sent a small package with it. ‘for my dearest, kinich & almighty dragon lord, ajaw.’ the small note said with your signature right below it as well as a wax seal at the corner. your penmanship makes kinich smile and before ajaw can open his mouth, he takes the grapple on his waist and zips away to find a secluded place to open your gifts. they were sacred to him and therefore had to be treated with utmost care.
when he lands on teticpac peak, he sits down by one of the rocks and gently peels away the seal. kinich makes a mental note to stop by a market to get a new container for all your letters, after all, his bedside drawer can only hold so much of you over the years. 
‘to my dearest, kinich,’
with just four words, you had him smiling like a fool. one hand propped behind his back to support his weight as he leisurely soaks in your stories like a sponge. ajaw sits by his shoulder, impatiently demanding him to open the box that came along with your letter. kinich was not even half way with reading before he relented—you always had a knack for making pages and pages of stories, but he didn’t mind. you have been away for nearly 7 years now and send only a letter or two every few years. kinich learned to appreciate the pages of your love every time they arrive.
“hurry up!” ajaw demanded, waiting with bated breath as kinich opened the box. “learn to be patient, ajaw.”
the dragon only huffed and turned around but it didn’t take long before he dove head first into the array of gifts. while his little companion drowned in material luxuries, kinich took out items in piles and made a mental note to give them to their respective owners.
kinich tucked the small pouch with xilonen’s name along with your letter for her at his side. he will deliver these to her first, he concludes. as he’s sifting through the items, kinich catches a glimpse of ajaw sitting on a toy fox’s head with a small note with kachina’s name. the final item that seemed important was a small box containing colorful seashells with mualani’s name on it.
his brows furrowed in confusion as he sets all the gifts down carefully and sifts through the package one more time. and again, and again, until his lower back felt sore. ajaw noticed his antsy behavior and decided to look at what all the fuss was about. kinich sat down, head lowered with his bangs covering his eyes—ajaw was beginning to worry (but he would rather die than verbally admit it).
“hey!” ajaw turned to kinich who had stiffly stood up. clutching at your letter as the sliver of expectancy in his eyes dimmed. “don't tell me they actually forgot about you?”
“let’s go back,” he says with a subtly sullen voice. “we have to deliver these to the others.”
ajaw makes no further comment and sits on his shoulder as they zip from one place to another. he doesn’t point out the way kinich’s eyes looked duller and the way a frown tugged at his lips—he was upset. 
“hmph! i'll be sure to show them a piece of my mind when they get back!" the dragon complains to him as they arrive back home. kinich beelined his way back to his residence, a bit more aggressive than he normally would.
he doesn’t want to admit that he was upset—it was stupid. so what if you didn’t get him a gift after not hearing from you for almost a year? but how come everyone else had one? hell even citlani and mavuika received one, so why didn’t he?
with a click of his tongue he pushed past all the people in his way, muttering half hearted apologies here and there as ajaw kept calling his name. kinich was not upset nor was he disappointed—he wasn’t a child chasing after the trail of gold you left behind anymore. he was an adult now, someone people look up to and admire. kinich was no longer the shy kid that always wondered if he could ever chase after you.
“kinich!”
with the shout of his name, he was taken back to memory lane. how you would call to him from the ground, a pair of wheels at your feet as you glided through the rocky terrain as if it were made of ice. the smile you flash him as you point to your finish line makes his heart skip a few beats, rendering him only to reply in a nod because his mind has turned into a mushy puddle. 
“kinich!”
you have always been golden in his eyes. smiles bright like the sun, kindness gentle like its morning rays, and hypnotizing in the starry trail you leave behind. kinich remembers the first time he tried his hands on rollerblades. he felt unwittingly afraid of standing on his own two feet, the possibility of his world turning upside down with one single step scared him. but you were always there to ward away his fears. it wasn’t long before he took them off and said with a dead expression that he will never try them again. the laugh that he managed to steal from your lungs made all his suffering worth it.
“kinich!”
he doesn’t like letting things go, not when you’ve taught him how to cherish every little thing. but he’d hate himself if he kept you from your dreams. so there he was, all those years ago, standing by natlan’s borders, unable to say goodbye as the rest bid theirs. you had to make him face you—gently cupping his jaw with both hands and flashing a small smile, giving him a tempting offer.
“let me stay,” you said. you were willing to give up your dreams if it meant making him happy. kinich didn’t want his happiness, he wanted yours.
“leave,” he said bluntly. it made you laugh because it sounded incredibly rude, but the way he held your hand in his shaking hold, lip bitten until it almost bled, everyone knew he was struggling the most.
“i’ll give you souvenirs,” you offered as consultation and it took every willpower he had to say he only wanted you. 
“i’ll keep them safe.” he replied and you smiled.
“kinich!”
urging you to travel has been the best and worst decision in his life—you were enjoying your life but he was stuck missing you. his longing for the sun in his life greatly outweighed his happiness for you. how can he be happy when happiness is spelled with your name? the way you smile, and the way you leave a golden trail?
“kinich.”
“ajaw, enou—” his sentence was cut off when he turned to look at the smiling faces of his tribe. brows furrowed in confusion as he searched the crowd for a certain green dragon, but all his eyes could see was gold.
the wind in his lungs was stolen as the images of smiling faces turn to fade, his attention solely on you in the distance, ajaw by your side as you both waved him over. as fast as the winds could take him, kinich ran straight in your arms—his home. your laugh ringed like morning birds and your hands felt warm like the afternoon heat. you were home; you were his gift.
“pasalubong, for kinich,” you say with a teasing lilt to your voice. 
“pasalubong?” he repeats, hands coming to cradle your smiling face. “what does that mean?”
you smile wider and hold his hands with your own. “it means gifts given by homecomers. but,” you tuck away a stray piece of his hair behind his ear as you tempt him in another embrace. “it can also mean ‘to meet again.’”
kinich laughed—airy and bright, like the setting sun. this was so you, he thought, burying his head in your neck. trying to make up for all the lost physical contact he had missed. 
“thank you for the gift.” he said with a smile.
you pat him on the back and hummed in delight. “i came back just for you.”
“i’m honered,” he jests and takes a step back, not letting your hand go. “you should be! the trip back home is nothing short of tedious!”
he chuckles because kinich knows he’s a goner. no need for xilonen’s amused teasing, mualani’s persistence and kachina’s curiosity. everyone in his tribe and maybe even natlan knew, kinich would wait for you knowing you’ll eventually come home to him.
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© vxnuslogy 2024. do not plagiarize, repost, or translate any of my works without my knowledge or consent in other platforms or websites.
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onccoancaonisancapi · 2 years ago
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maryharrisk5 · 2 years ago
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evonnebaker · 2 years ago
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Innovations in the cosmetic products sector such as aerosol sprays and lotion pumps has created ample opportunities in the packaging industry. Flexible type in the product segment holds the largest share in the market
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analyticsmarkets12 · 2 years ago
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amr-packaging · 2 years ago
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dcxdpdabbles · 4 months ago
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need more mr flavor im thorsty
"You want to buy my soda?" Danny asks again as the man in a suit across from him smiles sickly sweet. They are crammed in the left-corner booth of Anthony's Pasta, with a stack of paperwork on the table.
Danny had just been getting ready to open a shop when this man strolled in wearing the same waxy grin Vlad wore whenever he spoke to his Dad. Danny had been on his guard as the man introduced himself, and while his smile and mannerisms were pleasant, Danny could tell by his eyes that he could not trust the other.
There was no emotion in them.
"That's correct, Mr. Flavor. You see, your brand is starting to stir quite a ruckus. But it's unfortunately, on such a small scale, the trend's popularity will lead to your brand dying out. We at Zesti want to help you reach a bigger audience before that happens. I personally think you have so much potential and I wouldn't want to see it go to waste." The man, Oscar, tells him. He leans back, open body language to try to put Danny at ease.
Danny frowns "My soda is a trend?"
"A passing one unless we don't make the smart choices now. Zesti can help with that," Oscar hinted. He pushes the contract he brought along with him towards Danny. "We'll handle the marketing, distribution, and you will make sixty percent of all final sales. All you need to provide is the tasty beverage."
Danny quickly glances over the contract. At first glance, it seems to be in his favor. But it's dragged out in a package of twenty pages where the wording slowly takes away from his own benefits.
They would handle marketing, but the funds would come from his sixty percent of profits—not all, but a good twenty percent. This left him with forty percent of sales.
Then, Zesti would cover the distribution outside of Gotham. Within Gotham, they would use his money again. That left Danny with only twenty percent of the sales since the other twenty would be used for Gotham distribution.
Since Zesti was going to help him start up, they would ask for a ten percent deposit for the first five years. That way, the sodas could help build a customer base to fund the other two costs.
By page eighteen, Danny would only be making ten percent of the promised income. He thought it was unethical business practices, but the conditions and wording they added to the contract made it legally possible.
Danny just had to sign, and he would agree to the horrid conditions. Now, he didn't really care about the soda. It wasn't like he invented it; he merely brought it over from another world, but it was the fact that they were trying to trick him that upset him.
If he could spot this in a quick read-through, what would he find if he had someone professional look over the contract? Danny bets there would be wording that made him irreverent and legally made Zesti the owner of his work.
They also sent a company representative to discuss legal details in a restaurant. Danny doesn't know the laws of this place (He thinks a lot of Gotham's issues with the Rouges could be solved if they were to include the Death Penalty, but that's just him) He feels a minor shouldn't be making legal decisions without some kind of lawyer.
He knows Oscar is clicking his pen to pressure him to sign as he reads. Jazz would do it whenever she wanted him to sign on for whatever community service she needed.
It was laughable to think that this man was attempting to use the same business psychology that his sister had trained him to notice. Zesti must believe he was an easy target.
"It says here that I would give Zesti complete creative freedom over my soda. How would that stop you from changing a thing about the recipe and then claiming I have no right to the new recipe?" he asks, flipping to page twelve and watching Oscar's oily smile never slip.
"That's just about the bottling and design of the brand. The leaping boy is nice, but we want to clean it up and give it more attention-grabbing details." Oscars assures. He failed to address Danny's concern, which told him everything he needed to hear.
"I'm not interested in selling. Thank you for the offer, though," he tells Oscar, pushing back the contract.
The other man laughs as if Danny has said something amusing. There is a bit of condensation in the undertones of his laughter as if he were speaking to a toddler and finding their confusion entertaining. "I'm not sure you understand, Mr. Flavor. This is an amazing opportunity that others would kill for."
Danny shrugs. "Then offer it to them."
Oscar sighs loudly, shaking his head. "Mr. Flavor, I don't think you understand. This could be what makes you a millionaire, and it's your only chance to make that dream a reality."
"What makes you think being rich is my dream? What if my dream is to become a ghost?"
That finally made the other man lose his smile for only a second before Oscar leaned forward. "Please think carefully. This is the best for you and your brand. Gotham makes people like you disappear from the public eye when a new trend comes by."
"Disappear?" As in intangible? As in ghost? As in Phantom, what part of himself has he been searching for?
Oscar seems to think Danny's wide eyes were because he was frightened instead of excited. Oscar leans back with a smirk, his eyes still hellishly cold and emotionless. It is strange to now always glance into a person's eyes to learn of their true intentions.
No matter how well a ghost hides among humans, they can never disguise their otherworldliness if Danny watches their eyes. He read somewhere that the eyes were the doors to the soul, and after being Phantom, knowing his eyes actually flash with his emotions, he knows it's true.
Oscar may appear human, but whatever humanity there was in him is long gone.
"It would be safer to sign, young man." He says again, this time in a mocking tone.
Danny laughs. "If I was worried about my safety, I wouldn't be jumping off buildings, would I? Have a good day Oscar."
He stands up, leaving the contract on the table, ignoring the stuttering man. Danny has other things to worry about like the restaurant is open for an hour and a line forming at his foldable table.
It wasn't that his soda was that personally important to him, but it was his main source of income. Phantom was still well out of reach despite the amount of life-threatening activities he was getting up to.
Danny even tried to bother the more violent ghosts of the area by strutting into their space while carrying a stupid little tea cup set. He figured they would react to a perceived attack on their pride—instead, the ghosts were so touched that he thought of them.
He tried to get hit by five more cars. One notable incident had him flying into a light pole. He had mistaken the feeling of finally getting his flight back until the ache in his back started.
Danny had even thrown himself into the Gotham River after being told by multiple people that it was filled with chemicals from illegal dumping from some local faculties.
He was starting to think he would never get his ghost side back until a mugger stabbed him in the stomach. Danny had been counting his bills while walking away from a lovely ghost couple in an alley by the old movie theater when the man had jumped out of the shadows, stabbed him, and ran off with his cash.
Danny had fallen to the ground, aware of Martha's scream and Thomas' swear as he choked on his blood. The ghosts were bound to the alley, but they had walked to the edge of it to watch him and felt horrible that they could do nothing for him.
Thomas had looked up at the sky, screaming, while also trying to push against the barrier that keeps anchored ghosts to their death space. "Bruce! Bruce! Please come here! Bruce! He's dying! He's just a kid! Bruce!"
Not sure who Bruce was or how he could help didn't mean anything to Danny when he felt a sort of burst of power from deep inside his chest that suppressed the pain.
The ghost couple had been horrified when Danny's blood had turned green and his hysterical laugh as his wound closed the second he ripped out the blade.
Phantom had healed him, which meant Danny just had to find a way to get Phantom to come back from whatever lock he was behind.
"Are you okay, Danny?" Heather asks him once he walks past the waitress. She glances at the table where Oscar sits, a wide customer smile still firmly on her friendly, open face, but her eyes are guarded. "He said anything strange to you?"
"Nah, he just wanted to buy my soda before Gotham made me "disappear" and die from lack of trend," Danny laughs, swinging open his little cooler. He ignores how she stiffens, and the first customer in line throws a wild, horrified look in his direction.
He lines up his flavors with a bit of hum, ignoring the tension growing in the restaurant. Oscar makes a show of leaving as if Danny will call out to stop him before he slams the door on his way out. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief when he vanishes, but Danny doesn't mind.
He continues on with his day. Let Oscar try the fear tactics- what is he going to do? Kill him? Ha.
Danny misses the long conversation Heather has with Anthony, who later asks Danny if he wants him to inform Red Hood of the threat. Danny laughs it away, packs up his things, and stores the table and cooler in Anthony's space closet.
Despite the warnings of the concerned staff- Danny had grown quite close with everyone there but not beyond occasional coworkers- he left for his motel. Danny attempted to get hit by a bus on the way home and nearly did had it not been for a driver's fast reflects.
The bus driver had been distracted by his phone- which is why Danny had targeted him- but he had waved away his horrified apologies. As Danny entered Crime Alley, he figured being loud and rumbustious like his Dad would hopefully get him shot.
Gotham had a limited amount of patience for loud people. He picked a silly gum commercial jingle popular in his home dimension and skipped down the sidewalks, yelling the lyrics at the top of his lungs.
Danny didn't even reach the end of the street before a van rolled up next to him. He had enough time to look at it curiously as the van door was flung open, and a group of masked men jumped out. They yanked him inside, throwing a gag over his mouth and slamming him onto the floor.
The wheels scream as the van speeds away, leaving Danny at the mercy of his kidnappers. He tries to wiggle up, but a hard thump against the back of his head- likely from the butt of one of their guns- causes him to crumble down.
"This isn't his usual mark." One commented, looking down at Danny with a cold indifference that he could make out from his eyeholes. "They're usually brown-haired, aren't they?"
"Who cares?" Another answer is, "Just as long as we get paid, who cares what they look like?"
Danny stares at him, wondering if anyone in the van knew this person cared very deeply. Their eyes showed concern, guilt, and the right amount of protective intent, and he felt he wasn't in danger.
He had regrets about what he was doing, to the point of betraying everyone here, or he was an undercover cop. Either option ruined his plan of being shot, though, so Danny wiggled about, ignoring the more hits it got him before he was able to have the gag fall down.
"Are you going to kill me?" He asks the group of four.
"No." One laughs. "But by the time the boss finishes with you, you will wish you were dead like all the others."
"Oh, so it's a waitlist kind of thing?" Danny asks, "Is the list by order of arrival, or did the others make appointments?"
There is a moment of stunned silence. Danny swings his head, looking between everyone, waiting for an answer, but when he receives nothing, he sighs, leaning back into a more comfortable position. They didn't tie him up or anything, so he easily crosses his legs under him and cracks his neck. "If we could kill me first, that would be ideal."
"You want to die?" The guilty one asks.
"Correction, I want to be a ghost."
"Damn, the kid is crazy." The last one- the driver- laughs. "No wonder the boss wanted him."
"By boss, you mean Oscar, don't you." Danny shakes his head. "No, wait, don't answer that. I already know it's him. He has the eyes for it. He's the reason the light-brown hair people are missing, huh? Cyrus mentioned it the last time we talked. Bet you he kidnapped that lady in the antique shop. He stared at us for a long time; Susan had to point him out; Susan is the ghost outside the shop. She taught me how to make the most delicious fudge from the rain of Gotham's downdraught youth- which reminds me of the nickname they gave Baja Blast."
No one speaks after his long-winded rant before Danny leans forward, locking gazes with the guilty one. "Have you ever had your Baja blasted?"
"Um, no?"
"You need to man."
"I can't listen to this shit anymore. Knock him out, but watch the face. The boss likes his merchandise clean."
Danny scoffs, twisting his head to snark at the one sitting in the passenger seat. "Just say, Oscar. We both know it's him."
He feels a hard thump on the back of his head, and the words turn dark. He prays that when he wakes up, he'll have snow-white hair and glowing green eyes.
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