#Pool Management Baltimore

[sistaffing]

Common Mistakes When Working with Staffing Agencies

Working with a staffing agency can be a great way to fill open positions quickly, access a broader pool of talent, and reduce the time and effort spent on recruitment. However, to get the most out of a staffing agency, it's important to approach the partnership correctly. Many businesses make common mistakes when working with staffing agencies, which can lead to dissatisfaction, wasted time, and poor hiring outcomes. This article will explore the most common pitfalls and provide advice on how to avoid them, ensuring that your partnership with a staffing agency is as effective as possible.

1. Failing to Clearly Define Your Needs:

One of the most frequent mistakes businesses make when working with staffing agencies is failing to clearly define their hiring needs upfront. When businesses provide vague or incomplete information about the roles they need to fill, it becomes difficult for the staffing agency Baltimore to identify the best candidates.

For example, if you need a project manager with a specific set of technical skills, it’s crucial to provide those details to the staffing agency. Being clear about the required qualifications, experience level, and soft skills will help the agency tailor its search to find candidates who are not only qualified on paper but also a good fit for your company culture.

To avoid this mistake, take the time to thoroughly define your staffing needs before engaging with the agency. This includes outlining the job responsibilities, necessary skills, and any preferences you may have regarding work style or personality. The more information you provide, the better the staffing agency will be able to deliver candidates who meet your requirements.

2. Ignoring the Importance of Cultural Fit:

Another common mistake is focusing solely on technical qualifications while overlooking cultural fit. While skills and experience are important, finding a candidate who aligns with your company’s values and culture is equally crucial for long-term success. Hiring someone who does not fit well with your existing team can lead to conflicts, poor performance, and higher turnover rates.

When working with a staffing agency Baltimore, make sure to communicate your company culture and values. Let the agency know what type of work environment you have, the leadership style of your managers, and the characteristics that tend to make employees successful within your organization. This will help the agency select candidates who not only meet the technical qualifications but are also more likely to thrive in your workplace.

3. Not Giving the Agency Enough Time:

Many businesses expect immediate results when they start working with a staffing agency. While agencies are often able to find qualified candidates quickly, the process still takes time. Rushing the agency or expecting them to fill a position within an unrealistic timeframe can lead to poor hiring decisions.

It’s important to give the staffing agency sufficient time to conduct a thorough search and vet candidates properly. This includes not only sourcing candidates but also conducting interviews, reference checks, and skills assessments. Hiring is a critical decision that can have long-term implications for your business, so it’s worth taking the time to find the right person for the job.

To avoid this mistake, set realistic expectations for the timeline. If you have an urgent need for a position to be filled, communicate that to the agency early on, but also be open to temporary staffing solutions as a short-term fix while the search for a permanent employee continues.

4. Overlooking Agency Specialization:

Not all staffing agencies are the same, and many specialize in specific industries or types of roles. A common mistake is assuming that any staffing agency can handle any type of hire. For example, a staffing agency Baltimore that specializes in healthcare may not be the best fit for hiring IT professionals, and vice versa.

To maximize the effectiveness of your partnership, it’s important to choose a staffing agency that has experience in your industry or the specific type of position you need to fill. Agencies that specialize in a particular sector will have a deeper understanding of the skills, certifications, and experience required for success in that field. They will also have access to a more targeted pool of candidates.

Before selecting a staffing agency, ask about their areas of expertise and previous experience with similar roles. By choosing an agency that understands your industry, you’ll increase the chances of finding the right candidates.

5. Failing to Provide Feedback:

Another mistake that can hinder the effectiveness of your staffing agency partnership is failing to provide feedback throughout the hiring process. Agencies rely on client feedback to refine their search and improve their candidate recommendations. Without clear communication, the agency may continue to present candidates who are not a good fit, leading to frustration for both parties.

When the agency sends over candidates for review, be sure to provide detailed feedback on why you liked or disliked each candidate. If a candidate’s resume didn’t align with your expectations or if the interview revealed concerns, share that information with the agency. This will help them fine-tune their search and ensure that future candidates are more closely aligned with your needs.

Additionally, providing feedback after a candidate is hired can be valuable for the agency. If a candidate performs well or falls short of expectations, the Staffing Agency Baltimore can use that information to improve their future searches for your company.

6. Over-Reliance on the Agency:

While staffing agencies are highly effective at finding and vetting candidates, it’s a mistake to rely on them completely without any involvement from your own team. Your HR team or hiring manager should still be actively involved in the process, especially when it comes to final interviews and making hiring decisions.

Staffing agencies can handle the heavy lifting of sourcing and screening candidates, but no one knows your company’s needs better than you. Be sure to stay engaged throughout the process and take the time to meet with finalists before making a decision. This will help ensure that the candidate is not only a good match on paper but also fits well with your team and work environment.

7. Not Understanding the Fee Structure:

Many businesses make the mistake of not fully understanding the staffing agency’s fee structure before entering into a partnership. Staffing agencies typically charge fees based on the type of placement (temporary, temp-to-hire, or permanent), and these fees can vary depending on the agency and the position being filled.

Some agencies charge a flat fee, while others charge a percentage of the employee’s salary. It’s important to have a clear understanding of what the fees cover and whether there are any additional costs for services such as background checks or drug screenings. Misunderstanding the fee structure can lead to unexpected costs down the line.

To avoid this mistake, ask for a detailed breakdown of the agency’s fees and make sure you’re clear on how and when payments are due. This will help you budget appropriately and avoid any surprises.

8. Overlooking Temporary-to-Permanent Opportunities:

Another mistake that businesses often make is dismissing the idea of temporary-to-permanent staffing solutions. Some companies assume that temp workers are only suitable for short-term needs, but this is not always the case. In fact, many businesses have found success by using temporary staffing as a way to evaluate candidates before offering them a permanent position.

This approach allows you to see how a candidate performs in the role and within your company culture before making a long-term commitment. If the candidate proves to be a good fit, you can offer them a permanent position with confidence. On the other hand, if the candidate isn’t the right match, you can part ways without the complexities of terminating a permanent hire.

9. Lack of Communication Post-Hire:

The relationship with your staffing agency shouldn’t end once a candidate is hired. A common mistake is failing to maintain communication with the agency after the hiring process is complete. This can be especially problematic if the hire turns out to be unsuccessful or if the new employee leaves the company shortly after starting.

By keeping the lines of communication open, you can ensure that the staffing agency is aware of any challenges or issues that arise with the new hire. Most agencies offer guarantees or replacement policies if a hire doesn’t work out, but these typically have a limited timeframe. Staying in touch with the agency will allow you to take advantage of these policies if needed.

Additionally, regular communication will help the staffing agency Baltimore stay informed about any future staffing needs you may have, allowing them to be better prepared for your next hiring cycle.

Conclusion:

Working with a staffing agency can provide significant benefits, from accessing a broader talent pool to saving time and resources on recruitment. However, to get the most out of your partnership, it’s important to avoid common mistakes such as failing to define your needs, overlooking cultural fit, and not providing feedback. By approaching the relationship with clear communication, realistic expectations, and a focus on collaboration, you can build a successful partnership with your staffing agency and find the right talent for your business.

SI Staffing, a leading staffing agency in Baltimore, offers expertise in connecting businesses with top-tier candidates while avoiding many of the pitfalls outlined above. By partnering with a reputable agency and avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure a smoother, more effective hiring process that benefits both your company and your new hires.

[dan6085]

### Top 20 Mutual Fund Companies of All Time

Mutual funds are a popular investment vehicle, managed by professional companies that pool funds from various investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other securities. The following is a list of the top 20 mutual fund companies of all time, known for their size, performance, and impact on the industry.

#### 1. **Vanguard Group**

- **Founded:** 1975

- **Founder:** John C. Bogle

- **Headquarters:** Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Vanguard 500 Index Fund, Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

- **Details:** Known for pioneering index funds, Vanguard is one of the largest and most respected mutual fund companies in the world, emphasizing low-cost investing.

#### 2. **Fidelity Investments**

- **Founded:** 1946

- **Founder:** Edward C. Johnson II

- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Fidelity Magellan Fund, Fidelity Contrafund

- **Details:** Fidelity is known for its actively managed funds and extensive research capabilities, offering a wide range of investment options.

#### 3. **BlackRock**

- **Founded:** 1988

- **Founders:** Larry Fink, Robert S. Kapito, and others

- **Headquarters:** New York, New York, USA

- **Notable Funds:** BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, iShares ETFs

- **Details:** As the world's largest asset manager, BlackRock offers a comprehensive range of mutual funds and ETFs, with a strong focus on risk management and technology.

#### 4. **American Funds (Capital Group)**

- **Founded:** 1931

- **Founder:** Jonathan Bell Lovelace

- **Headquarters:** Los Angeles, California, USA

- **Notable Funds:** American Funds Growth Fund of America, American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund

- **Details:** Known for its conservative investment approach and long-term focus, American Funds are popular for their consistent performance.

#### 5. **T. Rowe Price**

- **Founded:** 1937

- **Founder:** Thomas Rowe Price Jr.

- **Headquarters:** Baltimore, Maryland, USA

- **Notable Funds:** T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund

- **Details:** T. Rowe Price is renowned for its disciplined investment process and strong performance in actively managed funds.

#### 6. **PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company)**

- **Founded:** 1971

- **Founders:** Bill Gross, Jim Muzzy, Bill Podlich

- **Headquarters:** Newport Beach, California, USA

- **Notable Funds:** PIMCO Total Return Fund, PIMCO Income Fund

- **Details:** PIMCO is a leading global investment management firm, particularly known for its fixed-income funds.

#### 7. **Franklin Templeton Investments**

- **Founded:** 1947

- **Founder:** Rupert H. Johnson Sr.

- **Headquarters:** San Mateo, California, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Franklin Income Fund, Templeton Growth Fund

- **Details:** Franklin Templeton offers a diverse range of funds, with a strong reputation for global and emerging markets investing.

#### 8. **J.P. Morgan Asset Management**

- **Founded:** 1861

- **Founder:** J.P. Morgan

- **Headquarters:** New York, New York, USA

- **Notable Funds:** JPMorgan Chase Equity Income Fund, JPMorgan Chase Core Bond Fund

- **Details:** As a part of J.P. Morgan, this company leverages extensive research and global resources to offer a wide range of mutual funds.

#### 9. **Invesco**

- **Founded:** 1935

- **Founder:** Charles W. Brady

- **Headquarters:** Atlanta, Georgia, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Invesco Growth and Income Fund, Invesco Developing Markets Fund

- **Details:** Invesco offers a broad range of investment solutions, known for its strong active management and diversified product lineup.

#### 10. **Schwab Funds**

- **Founded:** 1971

- **Founder:** Charles R. Schwab

- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, California, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund

- **Details:** Schwab Funds are known for their low costs and investor-friendly approach, providing a variety of index and actively managed funds.

#### 11. **Northern Trust**

- **Founded:** 1889

- **Founder:** Byron Laflin Smith

- **Headquarters:** Chicago, Illinois, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Northern Large Cap Core Fund, Northern Small Cap Value Fund

- **Details:** Northern Trust is recognized for its strong institutional management and a focus on high-net-worth clients.

#### 12. **Dodge & Cox**

- **Founded:** 1930

- **Founders:** Van Duyn Dodge, E. Morris Cox

- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, California, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Dodge & Cox Stock Fund, Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund

- **Details:** Dodge & Cox is known for its value-oriented investment philosophy and long-term perspective.

#### 13. **Dimensional Fund Advisors**

- **Founded:** 1981

- **Founders:** David G. Booth, Rex Sinquefield

- **Headquarters:** Austin, Texas, USA

- **Notable Funds:** DFA US Core Equity Fund, DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund

- **Details:** Dimensional focuses on applying academic research to investment strategies, emphasizing factors like size, value, and profitability.

#### 14. **Janus Henderson Investors**

- **Founded:** 1969

- **Founders:** Thomas H. Bailey

- **Headquarters:** London, United Kingdom

- **Notable Funds:** Janus Henderson Balanced Fund, Janus Henderson Global Life Sciences Fund

- **Details:** Janus Henderson is known for its active management and expertise in sectors such as healthcare and technology.

#### 15. **MassMutual Funds**

- **Founded:** 1851

- **Founder:** George W. Rice

- **Headquarters:** Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

- **Notable Funds:** MassMutual Select Growth Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Premier Core Bond Fund

- **Details:** MassMutual provides a range of mutual funds with a focus on strong risk management and financial stability.

#### 16. **Putnam Investments**

- **Founded:** 1937

- **Founder:** George Putnam

- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Putnam Equity Income Fund, Putnam Global Health Care Fund

- **Details:** Putnam is known for its active management and a wide variety of mutual funds, including equity, fixed income, and asset allocation funds.

#### 17. **TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association)**

- **Founded:** 1918

- **Founder:** Andrew Carnegie

- **Headquarters:** New York, New York, USA

- **Notable Funds:** TIAA-CREF Social Choice Equity Fund, TIAA-CREF Bond Plus Fund

- **Details:** TIAA specializes in providing retirement and investment services, with a strong emphasis on socially responsible investing.

#### 18. **Columbia Threadneedle Investments**

- **Founded:** 1995

- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Columbia Acorn Fund

- **Details:** Columbia Threadneedle is a global asset manager offering a range of mutual funds with a focus on delivering consistent performance.

#### 19. **Prudential Financial**

- **Founded:** 1875

- **Founder:** John F. Dryden

- **Headquarters:** Newark, New Jersey, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Prudential Jennison Growth Fund, Prudential Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund

- **Details:** Prudential offers a variety of mutual funds and financial products, with a reputation for strong management and risk-adjusted returns.

#### 20. **OppenheimerFunds (now Invesco Oppenheimer)**

- **Founded:** 1959

- **Founder:** Leon Levy

- **Headquarters:** New York, New York, USA

- **Notable Funds:** Oppenheimer Global Fund, Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund

- **Details:** Known for its global investment expertise, OppenheimerFunds (now part of Invesco) has a history of strong performance in international and emerging markets.

These companies have not only shaped the mutual fund industry but also provided investors with a wide range of options to achieve their financial goals. Each has its unique strengths, from low-cost index funds to actively managed growth and income funds, catering to diverse investor needs.

[fieldsofdrams]

Exploring Unique Backyard Swimming Pool Designs in Maryland

When discussing improving our outdoor spaces, very few things can achieve the same appeal as a well-designed backyard swimming pool design in Maryland because it is beautiful and useful. Whether you live in a city such as Baltimore with lots of noise or remote fields in Chester County, there are many pool companies in Maryland that can provide various alternatives to convert your compound into a secluded haven.

Swimming Pool And Backyard Designs In Maryland:

Maryland offers different landscapes and unusual architectural designs, which can be useful for creatively creating unique swimming pool and backyard designs. Variations are as numerous as the state itself, ranging from modern pools designed for contemporary structures within Bethesda to those suitable for ageless houses in Annapolis.

Chester County Pool Companies In Maryland:

When it comes to creating a Chester County pool, companies in Maryland adhere to environmental management and customer attraction. They know how important it is to have pools that are both operational and beautiful. This will enable you to enjoy them at any time during the day and make your garden more attractive than it is now.

Backyard Swimming Pool Design In Maryland:

In Maryland, working with pool companies is characterized by this important advantage, which helps a person who wishes to completely personalize his/her backyard swimming pool design in Maryland. If you're thinking about having an elegant infinity pool in the Chesapeake Bay area or even a home-based type with waterfalls around it, look no further than Field Of Dreams, where professionals can help you.

Maryland's patterns for residential backyard swimming pool design encompass many characteristics and styles. This makes the US state one of the many interesting options for people who want to turn their backyards into green spaces. People can consider using natural stone coping, LED light systems, or energy-efficient heating solutions.

Craftsmanship:

Selecting a good pool Company in Maryland enables the best balance between use abilities, aesthetics, and strength. Highly skilled experts not only have the technical knowledge to implement complex designs but also know the local laws and environmental concerns.

Field of Dreams Inc. excels at creating individual swimming pools that add value and beauty to your household, specifically in Maryland. Each pool is designed by a professional who converses deeply with customers so that the final image is like their own piece of art that fits in perfect harmony with the surroundings.

Apart from bringing immediate enjoyment, properly made pools contribute to the increased value of properties on sale in Maryland. Despite home buyers' growing preference for outdoor areas, spending money on contracting expertise in pool making makes the home you intend to sell distinct in a market full of stiff competition.

Good at making outdoor spaces usable and attractive, such that Chester County pool companies in Maryland are. Your home's outdoor experience can be reshaped by a carefully planned pool, be it a suburban retreat in Columbia or a historical estate in Frederick.

Conclusion: For instance, homeowners may want to consider building a swimming pool for their Maryland backyard because doing so has numerous advantages, like adding value to their real estate and preserving calm places to relax. With companies like Field of Dreams Inc., Maryland residents can have exclusive swimming pools that integrate with their neighborhoods and comport well with their daily habits.

[casspurrjoybell-33]

Wreckless - Checking in... checking out

*Warning Adult Content*

Emmett

I expected him to run to the house, jump into his trunks as soon as soon as possible and be begging me to take him back to the beach already but he's a little bit tired.

"Are you sure you don't want to nap? We could lay down together for a few minutes."

"That would be nice. I think it's the heat wearing me out. I'm used to air conditioning."

"Yeah, the sun can wipe you out hard. Want to get in bed or on the couch and watch something?"

It doesn't really matter to me, I just want to close my eyes for a few minutes but he might get some better sleep on the bed.

"Rhys is taking a nap too so we won't be late. Okay, can we find a cartoon?"

"Sure darling."

Fifteen minutes later I have my head tipped back and he's lying on my lap sawing logs.

It's one of those cool recliner couches so my feet are up and I really could not be more comfortable.

I need this couch for my place.

It's one of those things I never knew I needed until this very moment but now it's a mission and will happen somehow.

Considering what a workout my couch is getting lately, it's going to need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Part of me is regretting everything that happened at the mini-golf place.

I meant what I said, I thought it would be a super good idea for Finn to get to know another little but he has not really been in little space since they met.

He's skimming near it on occasion but nothing like he was this morning and yesterday.

I don't mind, it's not a problem that he's not except that I feel like it's my fault and he wants to be but isn't just because of meeting Rhys.

If anything I expected him to be living it up but I was obviously wrong.

I would cancel this afternoon if I could but I don't have Quincy's number.

We could just go to a different section of beach but that's lame and wrong and maybe it'll be fine.

Maybe Finnegan just needs some time to get brave and come out of his shell... I hope so.

He sleeps for about forty five minutes and wakes up slow.

"I'm so groggy," he complains.

"We don't have to be there for an hour, you're fine. Want a drink?"

"Yeah, I'm thirsty. Thank you."

I help him sit up and grab a Yoo-Hoo box from the fridge for him and a soda for me.

We need some groceries but I'll just manage until tomorrow and pick stuff up in Baltimore.

Seems silly to drive it the whole way back here but I'll have time to go while he's working.

"Will you be okay here for a few minutes? I want to take some pictures from our balcony."

What I really want is some sunrise photos but that may not happen.

My plan is to get a few that Finnegan really loves and frame them up for him for Christmas as a reminder of our trip.

Maybe they'll end up in his new office once they're up and running.

Either way, I think he'll like them.

"Hmm."

He's not quite sitting up anymore and he may very well be asleep by the time I get back.

I decide to grab our suits and take them down with me so that he doesn't have to come upstairs and I'm surprised that he's up and getting himself snack.

"Hey darling, are you okay with seeing Rhys and Quincy this afternoon? If not we can go somewhere else or stay here and play in the pool. If we see them again I'll tell them that I got horrible food poisoning from the cheeseburger."

He smiles at me and finishes his banana.

"I think it'll be fun, I'm just nervous. I don't know how to explain it."

I open my arms and he falls against my chest.

"I don't want you nervous, I want you to relax and enjoy your vacation."

"I am Emmett... a lot. This has been wonderful. I really hope we get to come back tomorrow."

"Me too. What about this? I am not going to bring up the slides tomorrow although Rhys probably will. If he does I will look to you for a decision. You don't have to say anything, just let me know what you want to do. Either way is fine with me, okay?"

"Okay, thank you. I mean, it could be a lot of fun but we haven't even used our pool yet."

"Exactly. We will have fun either way so no worries. Finnegan, can I butt my nose into your business for a second?"

"Um, sure."

"I think you should try to be in little space this afternoon if you want to be. Rhys and Quincy sure aren't going to judge you and maybe you'll have a lot of fun if you just let go and play with someone."

"I play with you."

"Yeah, and we have fun but I don't think it's the same as playing with someone closer to your age."

I keep waiting for him to break the hug but he just stays here a few minutes.

Finally he says

"I know this sounds stupid but I'm sort of afraid to play with him. What if I say something that really upsets him?"

More than the spanking he's getting?

Finnegan's not mean so I doubt that will happen.

"I guess you just apologize, just like Quincy apologized to you. I mean you're still people, I think the same basic rules apply."

"Okay, you're right, I'm being stupid."

No... I push him away enough to see him.

"You're not being stupid. This is new and you're right, we don't know all the rules but they might and we could learn a lot from them. And if not, and all it is is a fun afternoon with another little, that's not a bad thing either. If you want to come home just tell me you're tired and we'll come back. Okay?"

"Thank you Emmett. Let's get dressed, we have a castle to build."

There's my boy.

We get back to the beach and situated not far from our usual spot.

I look around for Quincy but don't see him yet so I turn my attention to Finnegan.

"Okay, do you have a plan, Finn? What should it look like?"

"Big. And I want towers and a moat."

That we can do.

"Seems reasonable. How big?"

He stands up and starts scooting his toes through the sand in a big circle.

"This is the moat on the outside and inside is ALL castle."

And now it's no longer reasonable.

"Finn, that is a six foot circle."

I could lay down in it.

"Yep. Can you fill the buckets with wet sand?"

We're ignoring the size, are we?

"So I'm gonna be the mule and bring you a thousand packed buckets?"

"Not a thousand. Like a hundred. We have two."

He hoists them both by their handles and gives them to me.

I take them from him and can't help but laugh.

"So only fifty trips, no problem."

"Exactly. And I'll do all the little ones. I'm gonna make the tops, where the archers stand to shoot. And I'll dig the moat. See? Fair and square. I'm a good boy."

Him calling himself a good boy does things for me that should not happen in a swimsuit.

I go down a bit further towards the water where the sand is wetter and fill both buckets.

One has a flat bottom and the other one has turrets built into it so that when it flips over, they're on top.

"No clue why they don't make the buckets round, they're impossible to stack this way."

I set them down next to him but he doesn't seem to know what to do with them either.

"Unless you only want it one level."

That will be less work.

"No, big."

He flips over the plain one and then grabs some sand to try to pack around and make it into a cylinder.

"And now we put the other one on top," he says, grabbing it.

I'm amazed when he tips it over and it stays.

"Wow. Didn't think that would work. Okay, two more buckets?"

"No, ninety-eight more please."

He's too cute.

[internationalrealestatenews]

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[strangeartisannightmare]

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[3monthsineurope]

February 9, 2023

Thursday was our first real day in South Africa! Wow, I felt so lucky to be there! Iris and I woke up around 6, after getting to our room around 11:30 the night before. We were tired but that was okay! We had complementary breakfast at the hotel, where we had coffee and a nice breakfast. We we saw a few people who we recognized from out late night drop off, meaning they had arrived at the same time as us.

At 7:30, we found the conference room and met our tour guide/manager, Belinda! She was amazing! She was full of energy. There were a lot of older people in our tour group of 29 people, which was pretty surprising. Belinda had to answered a lot of questions, which was frustrating for her, and the few of us who were younger on the group. Iris and I grabbed a few things from our room and used the bathroom, then we were off for the day!

All 29 of us got on the Gate 1 tour bus, with Belinda and our driver, Charles. We were heading to Table Mountain, one of Capetown’s most known tourist spots. Iris and I made friends with some of the younger people: Victoria and Kaitlyn, two wives from Denver, and Nicole and her husband, from Baltimore. Belinda went and bought all our Table Mountain gondola tickets (for some reason it wasn’t included in our tour), and then we all headed for the gondola to the top of Table Mountain! The gondola was pretty cool, it turned on the floor, so eventually you had a 360 degree view (like the floor of the Space Needle!). Belinda told us a little about Table Mountain, and then set the group loose for about an hour. The view was incredible! Iris and I walked around and saw beautiful views from all angles! We took photos and bought sunscreen from the gift shop—it was really hot out! It was summer in South Africa.

Eventually, we met back up with Belinda and the group, and took the gondola back to the base of Table Mountain. We all loaded back up on the bus and left the area. Belinda and our bus driver drove us back into Capetown and showed us some important buildings and sights. There were some demonstrations going on in the city, so we didn’t get to take the normal route Belinda likes to show, but what can you do about that? It was nice to hear some history and get our bearings in such a new place.

We all got off the bus in the waterfront area. Belinda took us to a diamond store where we had a short tour and demonstration. It was definitely something between the diamond store and our tour guide had partnered up for. Iris and I took our free glasses of wine, and a few snacks, then we were the first of the group to ask to leave, haha. We had a free rest of the day! Iris and I explored the waterfront area, found a Starbucks cup for Mom, took a ton of photos, checked out a ton of gift shops, and had a really yummy lunch! We each had a Vietnamese coffee (mine classic and Iris’s blended), and I had a really tasty croissant sandwich. The owner even stopped by and chatted with us! Turns out there are a few of these restaurants in Capetown.

After exploring the area, we took a Lyft back to our hotel, in the Sea Point area. The Lyft’s in Capetown were so cheap! Each ride we took was under $5, which is unheard of in Bellingham! We freshened up in our room and then decided to check out the beach near us! Our hotel was only about two blocks off the beach! We strolled the area for a while—it was beautiful and pretty busy with people. People were running, biking, swimming, rollerblading, and skateboarding on the boardwalk that we were walking on. There was a pretty cool pool near the beach, which was busy, too.

We walked back to our hotel, then realized we should have some dinner. We decided to walk a short walk to a huge food hall that Belinda suggested to us. We were told to be alert while walking around as petty crimes weren’t uncommon, and not to be out alone after dark, but Iris and I felt safe walking around in the later afternoon. Iris ended up getting a flatbread and bubble tea drink, whereas I got some Chinese dumplings and a beer. We ate our food while looking out to the beach, listening to a live band, and enjoying the food and hanging out.

We walked back to our place around 7, we were tired! I hurt my foot somehow, so when we got back I showered and put some Neosporin on a small puncture on the the bottom of my foot. I had bandaids and supplies because the week before we left, I cut my fingertip pretty badly at work. I was a mess at this point, haha. Iris and I went to bed early—we needed the rest! I was excited for my birthday the next day! :]

[bimeodigital]

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[kellexplainsitall]

January was a very trying month.

My left foot flared up with plantar fasciitis out of pretty much nowhere. I ultimately took three weeks off from running, am still going to physical therapy twice a week and still dealing with a bit of discomfort. However, it has definitely improved and I am feeling hopeful I will make it to the start line in Boston. I didn't run from Jan. 9 - Jan. 30. Running is as much a physical thing to me as it is a social and mental thing. So despite the fact that I was still able to spin (very grateful!), I felt very lonely and detached from everyone.

I've been in a bit of a depressive funk since our Thanksgiving was canceled. I thought things would look up as January progressed, but I just ended up feeling so worn out and like giving up.

In the second week of January, Keegan got sent home twice for diarrhea, meaning Tim and I had to juggle  trying to work from home, as there is a 24-hour rule. I am thankful to work for a flexible organization, but it was difficult to manage childcare and working.

On MLK, I was off from work and my mom had come down to watch Keegan, since his school was closed the next day. I ended up going to bed at 3 p.m. after my physical therapy appointment. Tim came to take my temperature and it was 103.4. I couldn't eat and didn't get out of bed except to use the bathroom until 7 a.m. I hadn't been that sick for a long time, I had to take the day off. My mom ended up taking Keegan with her so that they didn't get sick. It was weird/hard to not have him there, but Tim didn't feel well either, so we were able to rest and recharge.

Long story short, I had to go to my parents' anyway because Tim's family was doing their Christmas on Saturday. My parents and I got into a huge fight because they said I had an awful cough (I did and had since Christmas) and that I was going to get everyone sick. It was miserable and terrible. But I sure loved their peloton.

Only for us to come home that weekend and Miles passed very early Tuesday morning.

And then we left for Disney World Saturday. It was good to get away from the house and sadness. Tim's mom came with us, and we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was so cool. We flew out of Baltimore, which was smooth and easy. Keegan loved the plane! He did really great on a long day of travel.

On Sunday, we went to Magic Kingdom, where we met my college roommate, Linds, and her family. It was such a delight to see them. She works for Disney and was able to get us a nice discount on our hotel, which was much appreciated. They also sent cupcakes to our room, which was so nice.

On Monday, we went to Epcot. We did the most walking this day. I was so happy because I was able to run 3 miles with no pain, just slight discomfort. Epcot was probably my least favorite - there wasn't a lot for Keegan to do, but we still had a great day. And right before we left, he was able to meet Minnie and Goofy.

Tuesday was the one day Keegan was up very early. He slept in our (king) bed and generally did very well. Tuesday, for whatever reason, he was up before I was (I get up at 5) and so he crashed pretty badly in the afternoon. But we had a great time at Magic Kingdom again. The park closes at 4:30 on Tuesdays so it was pretty much empty - a great idea if you don't plan to stay late.

Keegan slept in his stroller and then we went to the hotel pool for a bit.

On Wednesday, we went to Hollywood Studios, which was my favorite. There were a lot of rides for everyone and tons of characters.

We also went to a fancy dinner that night at Saana, Keegan was well-behaved, we all enjoyed our food, so that was a relief!

Our last day we spent at Animal Kingdom, which I loved much more than I thought. They had great rides and so much to do. Keegan loved seeing all of the animals. The safari ride was super cool!

I definitely recognized I am having a bit of a depression and I started to see a new therapist this week! While Disney was fun, it was also exhausting and I still feel worn out. I also feel that my mental health is suffering without having a dog. I miss Miles so much and no one will ever replace him. But I realize that walking him and listening to podcasts was a huge outlet for me. So we are slowly dipping our toes into looking for one to adopt.

And that's January in a nutshell. Tough month, but I got through it. I hope February is better.

[running-swimming-living]

Hey tumblr fam. I have been keeping this on the down low but I just landed in Baltimore. I am here for a mental health conference for clubhouse international which provides the structure for my mental health clubhouse.

They have us up in a hotel for 5 days for the conference. We are going to seminars and workshops to learn how other clubhouses around the world manage their own local clubhouses.

We spent the whole day flying from Seattle to Baltimore. The plane ride was surprisingly quick at 4 hours and 30 mins. It was a decent flight.

The hotel does not have a pool and I honest to god dunno what to do. I have to be extra careful about my self care. But I do know hanging out in hotels always feels refreshing for reasons I don’t know why.

[wild-aloof-rebel]

Okay Leslie, I love your baseball fics, and the latest one is 😭😭 but I know nothing else about baseball. Can you explain what is happening right now to me like I'm 5? I keep seeing news that there's a lockout or whatever... but I don't know what that means or why or anything?

oh goodness, ummmm i guess the 5-year-old version is that mlb and the owners are all scrooge mcduck and their favorite hobby is pulling one of these

but they think their pools of gold aren’t wide enough or deep enough, so they told the players—you know, the people who actually do the job that makes them all that gold—that they can’t come to work again until they agree to let all the scrooges make rules that keep giving them more and more gold, while the players get squat.

in case you want a slightly more substantial explanation than that, i’ll put it under a cut (and i’ll try to keep the baseball of it all to a minimum, lol)...

okay, so baseball operates under a collective bargaining agreement (cba) between mlb and the players’ union, the mlbpa. like any cba, it covers things like salaries, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and health and safety, and it is mutually agreed upon by mlb and the union. the most recent cba was enacted in 2017 and covered through the end of the 2021 season. that cba expired at the end of the day on december 1, at which time the league made the decision to lock out the players.

in basically any kind of labor dispute, there are two kinds of work stoppage: a strike and a lockout. a strike is implemented by the union side, a lockout by the employer. in essence they are the same thing: the employees will not do any work until the strike/lockout comes to an end. from mlb’s point of view, they went with a lockout to preempt the players striking and to supposedly jump start negotiations, though the latter part is mostly a joke based on how mlb has behaved since then.

anyway, practically, this means things like, if you’re having off-season surgery, you can’t work with the team’s trainers during your recovery, nor can they ask how you are doing (because mlb has told staff they aren’t allowed to have contact with players during the lockout). it also means that spring training workouts are not starting this week as they were scheduled to. hilariously—because what can you do if you can’t laugh about this nonsense—it has also led to things like

(Yankees reliever Zack) Britton and his brother, Buck, who manages Baltimore’s Triple-A club in Norfolk, are in a supremely weird spot. As an MLB team employee, Buck is technically prohibited from contacting his brother, who is a 40-man roster player for the Yankees.

“We’ve joked that during Christmas, he’s got to stay on the other side of the room,” Zack told FOX Sports.

anyway, so the players are currently locked out until a new cba is reached or the owners decide to end it out of the goodness of their hearts, which, lbr, is not gonna happen. (theoretically they can end the lockout and mlb and the mlbpa can agree to continue to play under the old cba until a new deal is reached, which is essentially how the 1994-95 strike ended, but that seems Very Unlikely to happen this time around and even then basically only happened with federal intervention.)

so all the issues now are basically just what each side is arguing for or against wanting in a new cba. i won’t get into too much detail about all of it, but some of the main things under discussion are... 

1. player salaries and free agency: for the first three years of a player’s career, they [almost universally] make the league minimum. after that, they enter salary arbitration where they can negotiate with their team for a better contract. after six years, they enter free agency, where they can seek out a new team and a new contract. free agency is typically where the Big Money happens, since players have more leverage and choice, but as you can see, it takes a while to get there. 

2. service time manipulation: all those things in the previous point are determined not by actual calendar years but by service time, or how long a player actually plays in the majors. teams can manipulate that system by sending players back down to the minors for a bit to extend how long it takes to reach those milestones. this means keeping your hot young stars for longer (since they don’t get to free agency as fast) and for dirt cheap (since before arbitration they can’t negotiate for what they’re worth). 

3. revenue sharing and the competitive balance tax: i won’t bog you down with the details of how these work, but they are two different things with the same intended purpose, which is to help spread money around the league to support smaller market teams and make them more competitive with teams that basically eat money for breakfast. essentially, they take some money from teams with more of it and redistribute it to those with less. it seems like a good idea, but in reality, both of these have given [some] teams and owners a reason not to spend money, when they can just make it off the backs of other teams without actually making any effort to field a good team of their own. which leads to...

4. tanking: some owners just flatout refuse to put forth a competitive team. there are always arguments that sometimes being cheap and/or bad for a season or two is a useful rebuilding strategy, but for a lot of teams it’s just that there is very little incentive to win. they don’t have to go after expensive free agents when they can just field a team of mostly pre-arbitration players being paid the minimum, they’ll get rewarded with better draft picks the more that they lose, and through revenue sharing and competitive balance tax penalties, they’ll make more money than they’re spending, which they can just pocket since they aren’t required to actually use that money to make their team better, even though that was its intended purpose. (obviously spending lots of money isn’t a guarantee that your team will be good, but not spending any money is almost certainly a guarantee that it will be bad.) and if you’re a player unlucky enough to be stuck on a team that is not actually investing in winning, you’re truly stuck there unless they happen to trade you, since you can’t make the choice to go to another team until you become a free agent after six long years. 

at the end of the day, owners want to keep being allowed to put money directly into their pockets instead of spending it on players, and players want to receive their fair share of the revenue they help to generate, they want it earlier in their careers, and they want the teams they play for to actually care about winning games. seems like a reasonable ask, but of course we wouldn’t be here if mlb was a reasonable organization 🙃

(and of course none of this even touches on the plight of minor leaguers, who are affected by these same practices and the greed of mlb owners but do not actually have a say in any of this since there is no minor league union and they are not covered under the cba or represented by the mlbpa since those are specifically for the majors)

[hannigramficrecs]

AU

Carnivore, Won't You Come Digest Me? by HigherMagic [words: 64,019]

Role Reversal AU: Following the execution of Garrett Jacob Hobbs, Hannibal is forced to see Doctor Will Graham for a psychiatric evaluation before he can return to the field. Once cleared, Jack insists that Will shadow Hannibal in the hopes of catching the Shrike's copycat. Hannibal has become a master of making sure the FBI stays blind to his extracurricular activities, but Will is a man who sees far too much, and won't be so easily overcome.

Falls the Shadow by littlesystems [words: 72,455]

AU where Bedelia is Will’s psychiatrist instead of Hannibal, Will makes a series of increasingly questionable life choices, and no one should ever take Bedelia’s advice. Ever.

Captive Heart by muse_apollo [words: 56,529]

The one where Will Graham manages to catch the Chesapeake Ripper, only to realize that it was the Chesapeake Ripper who meant to catch him the whole time.

Wounds of War by Ghostwriter98 [words: 21,204]

Hannibal Lecter is haunted by the death of his sister. Robert Lecter responds in the worst possible way by adopting another child as a substitute for her. Hannibal is instantly filled with rage at the sight of the chosen orphan, Will Graham, and vows to despise him. Unfortunately, nobody ever told Hannibal that there's a fine line between love and hate.

His Second Shadow by HigherMagic [words: 11,323]

For as long as Hannibal can remember, he has had a second shadow – the gardener's son, a gangly little thing always at least a foot shorter than Hannibal, with wild brown hair and big eyes that always seemed a little too sharp for his own good.

Falling Away with You by Shotgun_sinner [words: 192,007]

Will Graham is a private detective with a fiancée who doesn't understand him, his empathy disorder, or his obsession with catching the Chesapeake Ripper. His night terrors force him into an ultimatum; couple's therapy, or their relationship is done. Will meets his new therapist, Hannibal Lecter, and his entire world is turned upside down.

Until I Met You by Dormchi [words: 33,990] 

Detective Will Graham needs an expert and Fire Lieutenant Hannibal Lecter happens to be available. Basically this is just arson, murder, coffee, and fluff.

Railroad Romance by OneWhoSitsWithTurtles [words: 12,400] 

Hannibal is still Hannibal, and Will is still Will. Except Will is not part of the FBI and they meet on a two day train trip from New Orleans to Baltimore.

They Came to Florence by shiphitsthefan [words: 5,122] 

Dr. Hannibal Lecter has a thriving psychiatry practice and a not-so-secret obsession; William Graham has an impressive writing career and not a single goddamn clue.

Friends To Lovers by Sirenja, TigerPrawn [words: 8,008] 

When Harry Met Sally AU

Consortio by kelex [words: 23,088] 

Every Omega in the land is brought to the lord on the evening of their first heat. Lord Hannibal usually doesn't choose to exercise that right, but this night's offering is too much for him to pass up. A virgin Omega in his first heat, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a spirit that can't be broken.

Looks Like Love by luvkurai [words: 5,987] 

After his sister's wedding, Will kisses his childhood housekeeper (and first love).

Betrothed by slashyrogue [words: 3,932] 

In one month he would marry a total stranger.

Titan Arum by ProxyOne [words: 64,614] 

Will is a botanist, working in the greenhouse of the local Botanical Gardens. He is getting his life back on track after his divorce, but he can't help but notice someone who keeps coming back to his greenhouse to draw, day after day. A man who seems to have been paying very close attention to him...

Find Me In The Dark by Rising_Phoenix [words: 40,131] 

After a fateful accident, the marriage of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter has reached its end. Grief and the inability to stop them from falling apart has brought an irreconcilable distance between the formerly deeply devoted couple. While Hannibal is apathetic towards his husband, ignores him, and is withdrawn, Will has started an affair with fellow teacher Francis and drowns his desperation in more and more alcohol.

Light of All Lights by whiskeyandspite [words: 20,377]

Dracula-like fic without any of the vampires

The Stage Just For You by CarnivalMirai [words: 6,494] 

Will has landed himself the role of Odette for world-famous choreographer Hannibal Lecter's rendition of The Swan Lake.

I've Been Building Black Ships by cloudsarefluffy [words: 8,116] 

Alpha Hannibal moves to the States with his sister Mischa after being overtly done with the fancy life of a count, and his blind omega neighbor gives him an insight into love that he never quite expected.

A Rare Find by hit_the_books [words: 5,379] 

Life as an omega bookseller can be quite lonely. However, as the owner of Graham’s Books, Will Graham is reasonably content. That is until he meets—long-time customer and crush—Doctor Hannibal Lecter in person for the first time. Attraction blossoming between them both, Will agrees to a dinner date with the good doctor. 

Your Beck and Call by CarnivalMirai [words: 6,343] 

Hannibal is naturally like that. Flirty, that is. With everyone. So it’s nothing special when he flirts with Will too, but god, does he know how to make his heart gallop and his face fluster. Will hates how Hannibal has this effect on him without even realizing it. Most people flirt back. But not Will. Will doesn’t want to be one of those people.

There's Pride In Your Mouth by nobetterlove [words: 10,992] 

Instead of diving head first into the avoidance pool, Will allows his empathy to grow - taking him further from the constructs of society. He uses the slip into other killer's heads to perfect his craft. As a cover, Will goes through the process of becoming a chef and takes to the profession like it was meant to be.

Sleeping in the Knife Drawer by emungere [words: 2,945] 

Hannibal's an FBI agent. Will's a serial killer. He still has a lot of dogs and dislikes being sociable. Hannibal still wants to wind him up and watch him go.

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Bird Banding with a Crew of One

This year, spring migration was different. Cold weather early in the season (one night during peak migration saw a low of 23 degrees and was accompanied by snow) seemed to delay the arrival of many species. The paucity of insects resulting from the low temperatures seemed to drive many birds like Baltimore Orioles to find food at feeders, which delighted socially distancing observers. Then, when warm winds from the south brought the bulk of migrants north, there were a few days of really great birding until those birds either settled into local breeding territories or continued to trickle north.

One gauge of “really great birding” is seeing more than 20 species of warblers in one day, and this eye-pleasing event happened at Powdermill more than once this spring!

Just as spring migration was a bit different for the birds, it was quite different for those who study birds. Across the continent, field seasons were cancelled and research projects redesigned or postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time in nearly 60 years, Powdermill’s bird banding program was unable to be run as normal. A banding operation of this magnitude requires many staff and volunteers working as a team to safely and efficiently extract, band, and process birds each day. Because bird banders’ priorities place bird safety and well-being along with human health ahead of dataset continuity, the difficult decision was made to cancel the banding season.

Despite the pandemic, there were many bright spots this spring. Although a lot of research was put on hold, projects that could be run solo or by people in the same germ pool were given approval to proceed. As part of my dissertation work, I conducted a research project that is a collaboration between Powdermill and the University of Toledo to investigate the distance migratory songbirds fly between stopover locations. This project uses a novel method, sampling subcutaneous fat deposits to infer the geographic location of previous stopover areas using the data generated by stable-hydrogen isotope analysis. This first phase of the larger project was a success: I sampled 39 individuals of two species! I had mixed emotions about operating the mist nets at Powdermill alone. It was certainly lonely, but it was also peaceful and rewarding. Because the focus was on banding only a few study species, I released all other birds that I caught at the net. This meant that there were a few extra moments to marvel at the beauty of spring birds in their fresh and brightly colored breeding plumage, and to reflect on the incredible migratory journeys these relatively tiny birds make each year. There were even a few surprises in the nets, including a Prairie Warbler that stayed in the Powdermill banding area for a few weeks, and Powdermill’ s fifth ever capture of a Least Bittern, a secretive marsh bird that many yearn to see! Despite the pandemic and shutdown, spring banding with a crew of one was successful and productive.

Annie Lindsay is the Bird Banding Program Manager at Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Powdermill Nature Reserve. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

[ikesenhell]

Reunion

AMERICAN DREAM, Chapter 3. You can find all other IkeSen works of mine here. NOTES: Thanks to @missjudge-me for commissioning this! As always, I’m calling @a-shout-to-the-void IEYASU out in my work. 

---

Neither of them wanted to stop for the night, so they didn't. “It’s only, what, one day of straight driving?” He’d reasoned. She took over the Camaro and he snoozed in the passenger seat, lulled to sleep by ‘Journey of the Sorcerer’ by the Eagles humming under the droning road. Light streamed golden-orange through the windshield when he woke. 

“Hey there, sleepy,” she murmured. “Want some coffee?”

Masamune grunted assent, stretching out. “Fuck, it used to be a lot easier to sleep in the car.”

“We all used to be a lot younger.”

That was true. Still road-tired, he lolled his head to the side and rested it on her arm. She was warm and solid, scented like spices, the warm fabric of her flannel cushioning his forehead. Unbidden, he wondered what it would be like to wake up to her every day. 

Maryland was bright and sunny. They reached Ieyasu’s house around five a.m., a quaint, brick rancher in the outskirts of Baltimore. One very awake Mitsunari let them in (“I still haven’t recovered from jet lag and Tanzania’s time zone—hello!”) and they crashed in a heap on the plush grey couch. By noon, he woke to banging in the nearby kitchen. 

“Mitsunari, I said put that away, not dump it on the tiles—”

“—I’m so sorry, let me clean it up—”

“No! I don’t trust you with the damn broom, go sit down or find a turnip field and bury yourself in it again, clearly you’re underripe—”

Just like old times. Masamune grunted and rolled off the couch. She still napped on the other end, buried in decorative pillows and a blanket. “‘Yasu?”

Sure enough, the blonde peered grumpily from the nearby kitchen, dustpan in hand. Against the canary yellow walls, his green eyes were piercing. “Great, now you’re up. Now I have to deal with two idiots staggering around my kitchen.”

“Great to see you again, too. What’s going on?”

Mitsunari sheepishly set a tin on the counter. “I spilled green tea everywhere.”

“That was my fault,” Ieyasu groused. “I’m the idiot who forgot about Mitsunari’s inability to hold things. I can’t believe I forgot. Two years, and I went forgetting. What a wonderful two years it was, too.”

Either the other man didn't get the hint, or he looked straight past Ieyasu’s barbed tongue to the affection deep below the surface. “It was fun, getting to write you and send you pictures. You kept me very up to date.”

Masamune crowed with laughter, making his way to the refrigerator to poke around. “Did he now?”

Ears flaming, Ieyasu ducked behind the counter and scraped the scattered leaves from the tile. “He’s the only one who knows where the hell to find half of the reference books I needed for medical school and where to pirate them—”

“I swear Mitsuhide knows how to do that.”

Ieyasu didn't respond. Instead he dumped the leaves into the garbage. “Well, are you gonna stand out there and run your mouth, or should we get a move on and go to the grocery store while she’s still asleep? I figured we’d need some stuff before the others get here.”

Peering over the doorway with a bottle of orange juice, Masamune frowned. “Others?”

“Well, yeah, dumbass. You really didn't think we weren’t gonna get the other guys down here for a visit, did you?”

“On such short notice?”

Ieyasu froze, eyes wide and searching, desperately avoiding Masamune’s gaze. “I mean—can’t—are you the only person allowed to make spur of the moment choices?”

But Masamune turned his eyes slowly over to Mitsunari, finally understanding. “I’m pretty sure the Kitten and I weren’t the catalyst for inviting the others over…”

“I—no.” 

“Hey, Mitsun.” Masamune overrode the stuttering Ieyasu. “Was it your idea to come here?”

Mitsunari glanced up from his mug of tea. “No, Ieyasu kindly offered his house when he learned I was coming back.”

“Listen,” Ieyasu managed. “Listen, that disaster is our responsibility now. We can’t just pawn him off on the unsuspecting public.” 

“Right.” Grinning, Masamune swigged from the bottle of orange juice (ignoring Ieyasu’s annoyance) and shunted it back into the refrigerator. “Well, if the old crew is getting back together tonight, you’re damn right. Let’s get to the store.”

---

She was awake when they all came back, laden down with (“Entirely too fucking many,” Ieyasu complained) groceries. Her hair was slick from the shower, cheeks shiny with moisture and flushed from recent sleep. Masamune switched all his bags to one arm and pulled her in by the waist. 

“Mornin’, Sleeping Beauty.” He punctuated it with a kiss on her forehead. 

“Let me live.” Swatting him away, she grinned. “And you’ll never guess who I just let in—”

“Masamune!”

“God,” Ieyasu deadpanned, hoisting his bags onto the countertop. “Just letting strangers into my house.”

Mitsuhide chuckled, stirring some thick, soupy concoction in a glass. Masamune dreaded what it might be. “I’m strange?”

“Yes. Is this a trick question?”

“Good to see you again, brother.” Masamune fist bumped the other man. He hadn’t changed; if anything, age only accented the weirdest parts of him. It seemed like every year, Mitsuhide got lankier and more ethereal, white eyelashes too long to be human. 

“Ieyasu.” Nobunaga rounded the corner, holding aloft an opened container of protein powder. That explained the mysterious substance in Mitsuhide’s glass. “This stuff tastes like ass.”

Ieyasu rolled his eyes. “So you’ve tasted ass?”

Both Mitsuhide and Nobunaga cocked a mild brow. “Yes?”

“God damn, I didn't want to know—”

“It’s a popular request,” Mitsunari chimed in, shutting the garage door behind him. “It’s grown in popularity over the last—”

“What are we talking about?!” Hideyoshi emerged from the hall bathroom, wringing his wet hands and looking utterly alarmed. 

“No!” Ieyasu cupped his hands over his ears and fled to the other side of the kitchen. “I don’t want to hear any more from anyone about eating ass!”

Time was kind to them. Nobunaga had grown into the imperious smile he’d always worn, eyes flashing sharp over a long nose. Hideyoshi still possessed all of his world-weary charm, the faintest crease between his eyebrows. “New York is treating you guys alright, huh?” Masamune asked, planting himself on a barstool. 

“Of course,” Nobunaga laughed. “Why wouldn’t it?”

“Dunno. Figured that Hideyoshi might have an aneurysm about the subway system by now.”

Apparently he’d hit a nerve. Hideyoshi strangled the air. “Why is the L train always down—?”

“Alright!” She swept in, clasping Hideyoshi’s hands in hers, grinning like the summer in full bloom. The effect was immediate; all the other men relaxed, lounging around the kitchen. How did she do that? Masamune knew she was talking (her mouth was moving), but the words floated away. Hideyoshi looked so soft in her grip. God, he hoped Hideyoshi didn't try anything with her. 

Where the hell did that thought come from?

“Earth to Masa.” Ieyasu waved a hand. “Did you hear anything?”

“Nah. Wasn’t listening. What’s up?”

The blonde rolled his eyes. “I literally asked if you wanted to make burgers for the bonfire tonight.”

“Bonfire?” Mitsuhide smiled. “That sounds excellent.”

“No lighting anything on fire like last time,” Hideyoshi warned, his shoulders tensing again. “You almost burned down the house with Nobunaga inside!”

“I assure you, that wasn’t my fault. Would that you believed me.”

“Well who the fuck else was watching the fire—”

“If you two are gonna fight, I’m just gonna…” Masamune rolled up his sleeves and plucked her from the floor, flinging her over his shoulders. “Borrow the kitten as my personal assistant tonight. How about that?”

“We’ll get the firewood together then.” Nobunaga waved him off. “And let you two to it.”

Hideyoshi hovered still. “Do you need any help? I’m not a master chef or anything, but I can be a pair of hands.”

Masamune almost took him up on it. But then she pulled back her hair—a long, languid movement that showed the curve of her back—and he shook his head. “Nah. We’ll manage. You go do things about, like, fire safety.”

That was the magic sentence. Those hazel eyes went large, and Hideyoshi nodded, purpose renewed. “You’re right. Let me know if you change your mind.”

Just like that, the two of them were alone again. She tittered and slid the bag of golden potatoes to him. “Need these peeled, chef?”

“Nah. Just washed. Throw on some tunes, would you?”

Her grin should have warned him, but he still wasn’t prepared for Neon Trees to echo in the kitchen. Masamune grinned and slapped the ground beef onto the cutting board. “What a fucking throwback. Is that Habits?”

“Yeah!” She dumped all of the potatoes in the sink. “Do you remember dancing to this in the car?”

Did he ever. They used to take Hideyoshi’s hand-me-down mom van (the only car that would fit all of them) out to the Oda Family property on the river, parking it in the field and lounging on blow up mattresses they’d pooled for at Target. Everything played on those busted car speakers: Neon Trees, old Panic! At the Disco, Chevelle, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Radiohead, Foo Fighters. Mitsuhide tricked Mitsunari and her into jumping in the water one night, and she was so mad and wet that Masamune stripped off all his clothes and put them on her, riding home in his boxers. 

“Yeah,” Masamune laughed. “I don’t think I ever got my pants back from you.”

“You got the pants back. I never gave you your hoodie back, though.”

“Shit, you’re right. Whatever happened to it?”

She hesitated over the sink, a funny, strangled smile on her mouth. “I turned it into a pillow.”

He froze. “Did you?”

“Yeah. Put it over a throw and tied the edges. I had it on my bed all the way through college.”

“Where is it now?”

She shrugged. After a long moment, she chuckled. “Would you judge me if I said I still had it?”

“No.” It wasn’t like him to stop, but he’d stopped, knife poised, a head of garlic ready for mincing and hands still. What did that mean? Savage pleasure surged in his stomach and he couldn’t place why. He’d always been protective of her. Right? Was that it? Just some misplaced neurons firing? “Not really, Kitten, no. I’m alright with that.” A beat. “It probably doesn’t fit me anymore anyway, you know? Might as well stay a pillow.”

Still she didn't look his way. Instead, she grabbed her phone and flipped on Caramelldansen, and he roared with laughter. “Hell!” 

As a unit, they flung down their utensils and danced. Adult bodies were different, but the chemistry was the same. He abandoned his station and flung her into his arms, the water still rushing down the drain over the potatoes. She squealed. 

“Could you guys not run up my water bill?” Ieyasu reemerged over the counter, knocking the faucet down. “If you’re gonna be distracted—”

“Sorry!” Her smile was infectious. “Let me just get back to those.”

His body cooled so quickly when she parted. Ieyasu hovered a moment longer, his green eyes boring into Masamune’s good one. 

“What?” He asked, cracking half the cloves open with a practiced hand. Ieyasu shook his head. 

“Nothing.”

[wundcrlust]

@undrgrounde​ // pers x hadley PERSEPHONE WAS HAVING a long week. one of the longest she’d had in a while. she’d just gotten home from flying to spain for a sommelier certification, and was in need of a good bubble bath and chaos. with her suitcase rolling behind her, she waved at her driver before heading into the baltimore apartments. and ran head first into the surprisingly strong chest of a stranger. the heiress blinked hard at the crisp shirt in front of her before pers began babbling. “oh my god i’m so sorry. it’s been such a long week, and i’m just so tired let me make it up to you. i’ve got a lovely bottle of scotch upstairs, come have a drin-” words stopped in her throat as she finally looked up at the stranger. familiar velvet eyes peered down at her behind smart glasses. the handsome face didn’t quite match her memory, but she would remember those brown pools anywhere. pink lips formed a shocked ‘o’ on her face. cheeks heated up as she tried to find her words. the only thing that managed to squeak out was a weak, “h-hadley?”