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ssa-dado · 2 months ago

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Hi! So following up from your (incredible) breakdown of Hotch's apartment, I've always wondered why stayed in the apartment to raise Jack after Foyet/100 and I'd love to hear your thoughts about it!

Obviously, his and Haley's marital house was out after everything but the same apartment he got stabbed in is wild to me and to then to Jack who was held hostage by the guy who stabbed Hotch by the dining table? I get if it was for security with less points of direct entry but Foyet got in??? Is there a garden or green space for Jack to play in? Does Hotch do a background check on all new tenants?

Anyway, this is not anti-apartment slander because I happily live in one myself but I'm so interested in why Hotch would since he clearly has the means (Rolex watches are not cheap lmao) and this feels like the right platform to discuss it haha what do you think?

Breaking down Hotch's apartment layout until someone from Criminal Minds slides into my DMs with the damn floorplans: (The Empire Strikes Back)

I’ve thought about this a lot (maybe too much) and I honestly believe Hotch stayed in that apartment building for a mix of reasons. It’s not just one thing. Maybe one factor weighed heavier than the others, but ultimately, I picture him doing one of those classic pros and cons lists, like the fussy man he is, and letting the whole picture guide the decision... does it make sense??

Now, if we look at the architectural typology of his building, we know it follows a comb-plan layout - meaning it features two semi-enclosed, semi-public green spaces that are open toward the street. (I even made a little sketch to visualize it because I’m a visual learner... Like, I don’t know what “Hotch’s hands” means until I see them. Someone please send references...pls???)

That said, the green spaces aren’t the reason he stayed. Sure, the building has them, but they’re likely shared among all tenants, mostly decorative, and maybe even off-limits in terms of actual use (some buildings do that.. yikes). Plus, they’re super open to the street, which means they’re not really safe or private enough for Jack to play in.

So I don’t think the green spaces themselves were the selling point.

I think he stayed because of the overall architectural quality of the building. It's a historic structure (from mid 1920s-1930s??) that’s been carefully restored, updated with 21st-century systems and amenities, and built with high-quality materials and finishes. Maybe there’s a park nearby where Jack can actually play safely. Maybe it’s closer to his school. It also doesn’t strike me as a suburban area, which could be another plus - city life offers access to public transportation, shops, cultural spaces, sports activities… all of which might've played into the decision.

I am so so so so here for this headcanon and I fuck so much with the background check idea because yes, he absolutely asked Garcia for help and no, he doesn’t think that was an overstep. It was a precaution. For Jack.

Also, I’m convinced he’s very active in the tenant community.

He’s the one who created the condo group chat - no one asked him to, but it’s impeccably organized, with pinned messages and!!! a color-coded spreadsheet of recycling days (I'm European, this is wired into my DNA, sorry) he made himself at 3 a.m. on Excel. He barely answers texts from his team, but the second someone reports “unusual noises near the trash chute,” he’s replying in 0.3 seconds with “What time? Which floor?”

Sure, he’s fussy about noise (especially when he’s actually home) but he’s also the one everyone turns to when the building manager starts power-tripping or the garbage hasn't been collected. You’ve got a broken washing machine? Hotch already emailed the landlord and the building’s legal obligation clause. Trash not yeeted? He’ll yeet it himself. The man has a complex Google Drive dedicated to tenant rights #prosecutor!Hotch

I will die on the hill he is a chatty grandma. Sure, he’s serious, but he knows everyone’s business, and somehow people trust him with their extra keys and gossip. He's fbi, he's cunty, he has great hair... hello???

(Like, you knock on his door and say, “Sorry to bother-” and he’s already saying, “Your cat escaped again? He's in apartment 127, do you need anything else?”)

Another reason I think he stayed in that apartment is because, most likely between s3 and 4, he started spending some time there with Jack. I’m not sure how the co-parenting with Haley worked logistically, but I can easily imagine him having Jack over on weekends when he wasn’t working, or at least trying to carve out that time. And that apartment became part of Jack’s routine, part of what "home" felt like to him, Hotch probably couldn’t bring himself to move.

I don’t think Hotch stayed there for himself. Psychologically of course, it’s not the healthiest choice (he was literally stabbed there by Foyet) but it is the best choice for his son. And unless you’re talking about his job, Jack always comes first.

And Hotch… Hotch always comes last.

I think he bottled everything up. I don’t even think he fully let himself consider that the apartment might be an unhealthy place to stay in. If the thought of moving did ever cross his mind, I’m almost certain it wasn’t about him. It wasn’t “I don’t feel safe here,” it was: What if someone breaks in again? What if Jack’s here? What if it happens when I’m not home?

He stayed because Jack knew that place. Because changing homes again would be another loss. Another shift. Another instability. And Hotch would rather carry the weight of that trauma alone than risk making his son feel displaced.

Sooooo... yep. That's it. I guess.

Thank you so so so so much for the ask!!! I'm so so so curious to know what are YOUR! thoughts!!

#ask phi #hotch's dream home #archi phi #aaron hotchner #phi mansplains architecture #some headcanons made its way into the post... sorryyyyy #Hotch x tenant!reader (me) when???

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ilovejeongintoo · 1 year ago

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𝔸 ℝ𝕚𝕤𝕜 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙 𝕋𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘

!WARNING NSFW Content ahead! !MDNI!

Genre: Fantasy, Rich man Yunho x Thief Reader, Warnings: Handcuffs, implied mafia?, implied yandere behaviour, unprotected sex(smh), slight praise, name calling (dear) Wordcount: 3353 Not proofread

Yunho drives me mad, he's just so...ugh, there aren't words that are worthy enough to describe him. Also I wrote this at like 2 am.

Summary: A thrill-seeking burglary, driven by a craving for adrenaline, you break into the grand Jeong Estate to steal a priceless necklace. Equipped with skills from past heists you're dressed for stealth, the owner unexpectedly decides to make an appearance and punish you in his own way.

Out of all the things that you would do, this one was probably the craziest, no this is the craziest idea ever. Sure, you've done stupid things before but this one was going to take the cake, even if you were fully prepared.

Your mother had always told you, this hobby of yours would get you in trouble. For her you were a "normal" kind of adrenaline junkie, bungee jumping, paragliding, rock climbing, something that was in a controlled environment but would still get your heart racing. Your blood pumping. When that didn't satisfy you anymore though, you turned over a different leaf, starting with cliff diving and some urban exploring, graffiti, crimes that's what this hobby of yours turned into. Especially little crimes that involved stealing something, from a store, a jacket, a purse your hands were quite skilled at the task and the feeling you got from it was just too addictive to stop.

And after a stupid night with an even more stupid idea from your friends you were here now, a block down from the biggest estate in the city. The Jeong Estate.

The idea was stuck in your brain like gum on your shoe and you wouldn't leave until that itch inside of you was cleansed. The worst thing was, this was completely solo, from the planning, to going through with this.

It was simple really, sneak around the cameras, hopefully find some open entrance, if not you'd get entry in some way. You learned a few things about security systems from rich homes like these, they all worked the same, so you'd be able to deactivate it, you just didn't know for how long, that's why that was as a last resort.

You honestly looked like a burglar, the dark leather jacket, black jeans with an old black t-shirt and a black cap. In case you were somehow caught, they wouldn't recognize you.

You just had to get in, find something worth taking and then get out. And that undetected.

Interesting enough the whole layout of the mansion was on the internet, you guessed they like to brag about their wealth and how many bathrooms one could possibly need.

There were multiple interviews taken in the house, pictures of the outside, inside, around it, with a little bit of smart thinking you'd be able to sneak past any cameras where they wouldn't be able to detect you.

Because of their huge security set up, they didn't think to have any guards, the place completely empty, anyone that was going to try anything had a death wish. And you wouldn't pass up on the thrill of escaping that mansion with a little souvenir that you'd pull out and brag to your friends about.

You could already imagine the dumb, shocked faces they'd pull when you got back. You stepped out of your car, combat boots hitting the ground, you only got a small bag, as to not make your form any bigger. You decided the back was safer to gain entry, less cameras more blind sports as well, with the huge maze-like garden blocking your silhouette from everything, combined with the darkness of the night, this was going to be a walk in the park. your heart was racing though, not even inside yet. You checked various doors and windows hoping someone left at least one open with a house this big, poor luck.

You guess that meant plan B was officially going to commence. You whipped out your phone connecting with the security system in a matter of minutes with the closeness, there seemed to be a manual lever hidden just close to you, that was the only thing you couldn't find amongst the endless photos taken of this place. You opened a small metal box being faced with a control panel, thankfully each button had some words on them, not making you guess what each does. You clicked one and then another to confirm it, the cameras immediately losing their red recording light, and the alarm presumably being off now.

You grabbed a rock off the expensive looking assortment next to a little pond and smashed it against a glass door. Sliding your hand in and turning the knob, it slid open, and you were officially in. No going back. You gulped the nerves hitting a little harder, but your excitement burnt even more. Turning the lamp on your flashlight, you snuck around a little, figuring out which hallway you were in, looking at a few vases, might take one of those.

But you were actually on the lookout for a particular door, leading to a secret treasure room. The Jeong family apparently liked collecting stuff a lot, paintings, statues, jewelry. You were going to go for a specific necklace, only one in the world and it was here, so close to you. You moved further down, passing high chandeliers and a set of stairs. The doors couldn't be missed, big embroidery and golden accents making it stand out even more than everything that you've seen here yet, however that was possible. You pushed it open, startled of it not being closed. There wasn't anyone inside, thank God.

You looked around the room, in awe. It was filled to the brim, to each treasure a sign explaining it was from or what it symbolized. As you watched each one with interest your eyes landed on the glass in the middle of the room, encased in it was the necklace you were here for. What you would be taking home. You walked up to it, your boots squeaking a little on the oak wooden floor.

You pressed your gloved fingers onto the glass, admiring the piece inside. You would obviously have to break it and then sneak out again. You brought some equipment just for this, obviously they didn't have normal glass around these national treasures. You got a laser cutter for a pretty dime, and you'd leave with something worth every coin spent on this device. You put your bag down, going through it, setting up the little machine, turning on the flame and testing it a few times. You were just about to cut it when you heard some noise.

Which wasn't you for sure. You immediately panicked a little and turned the thingy off reaching for your bag and pulling it behind the counter of the necklace, hiding behind it. There wasn't any reason that someone would just come in here. Or was there?

You were mentally going through every scenario that was about to happen. Your palms sweating, heart bursting out of your chest. You had to calm down a little or you'd make stupid decisions right this second. The racing of your little heart was promptly stopped by the door creaking open, the clanking of shoes evident in the spacious room. Definitely dress shoes, definitely someone that lived here. It was okay. They didn't know you were here. They were probably just having some weird midnight museum tour here. This was probably just some rich person behavior, going to your own treasure haven at the dead of night, yeah, must be it.

The steps grew closer and thus louder. You prayed they wouldn't walk around the counter and see you, briefly you regretted ever coming here but you did get what you wanted, a thrill.

You held your breath when the sounds of those shoes stopped. Listening intently for what was about to happen and staying alert. Just when you were trying to get ahold of your breathing again, there was some fast movement, a click, a shove, and you were on the ground. Looking up, you saw your one hand cuffed to a bar embedded into the counter. And some very shiny looking shoes, that were now directly in front of you. You moved your gaze slowly up, black slacks, further there was a simple shirt and a black tie. Who the hell wears those in their own home? And finally, a rather young-looking dude, you'd have expected a man in his fifties by the clothing choice. The black-haired man didn't looked like he was in his mid-twenties, slightly older than you.

Your bows furrowed at that. His deep voice was the next thing that shocked you as he leaned down, setting himself on his haunches.

"Now what do we have here? A little mouse lingering in my house." There was no way that this was the Jeong Yunho, he was just way too… young, for a successful multi-millionaire. You didn't realize that you haven't responded.

"I was wondering what crawled in when I heard some noises, you ought to be more careful than that." He smiled mockingly.

You were trying to keep your gaze away from him, not wanting him to catch even a single glance of your features, he might just let you go. Who are you even kidding? Fat chance, you were lucky if you made it out of here alive now, genuine fear setting in.

He kept trying to move his face to yours, obviously wanting to look at the intruder that snuck in, but you just turned in the other direction. Having enough of your attitude he gripped your jaw in his hand, your free one trying to pry him off of you. He turned you to him and knocked the hat off your head.

You stared into his eyes, not wanting to get intimidated no matter how much money this guy had. You wouldn’t be intimidated by a pretty, rich boy that was born with a silver spoon.

"Happy now?" You questioned. His hand left your face.

"Oh, so she does talk, and she's got some fire." That grin just wouldn't leave his face, it was so goddamn punchable even if it was a shame to ruin.

Maybe violence was next on your hobby list of crimes. If looks could kill, he would be buried six feet under, your glare was burning a hole through his face.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of you visiting my home?" Any words that came out of his mouth made you want to shut him up. If it was with a fist or a kiss you honestly didn't care.

"Why don't you take a guess?" You wouldn't answer anything with a guy like this squeezing you into a little corner. Which was risky to say the least.

"Well… judging by the get up and the fact that I found you here, means you were planning on stealing something." No shit sherlock, for what other reason do people break in.

You gave him a deadpan look.

"Oh, come on, this is the most interesting thing that has happened here in a while, usually, people get caught by the alarm or cameras before even making it inside."

"Makes me wonder how you made it this far." He looked you over, studying you, analyzing.

This was probably the best time to convince him of letting you go, somehow. "Look, I'm sorry okay, this was stupid, I'll pay for the broken glass and just leave."

"See now, that just won't work. I can't just "let you go", that'll just make me look bad if it comes out that I just let little thieves like you come and go."

"I have to set an example." What the fuck does he mean by that?

You hadn't even thought about what kind of people lived here, for all you could know this was some secret mafia family that built their empire on corpses. Sure, sounded like it.

"I promise I won't talk; I won't do this again."

"You really expect me to believe that?" He raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

"Trust me, I'll make sure you won't." Now that sounded like something a killer would say, you were fucked, so fucked.

"Please, look, I have family, friends, please just let me go." You looked at him a little pleading, fuck your pride and not getting intimidated. This was beyond anything.

You shook the cuff slightly, trying to slip your hand through it in any way. "Look I'll pay or whatever, j-just don't kill me." He seemed in thought about something, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek and then he stood up, your eyes following his long, slim figure.

"No." He curtly replied.

Okay fuck him and fuck reasoning with this asshole.

"I'm gonna cave your face in when I get out of these handcuffs, I swear." You glared. His smile grew again, this fucker was getting some sick satisfaction of seeing you seething in anger.

"Ouuu there's that fire that I was beginning to miss, you were begging so nicely a second ago." He twirled a stand of your hair. He grabbed at the cuffs unlicking it from the bar, getting your hopes up of being free when he clasped the now free shackle to your other hand. Your hands now cuffed in front of your body, he pulled at the chain holding them together.

He stood up, dragging you with him. "Girls like you only learn the hard way, don't they? Lucky for you, I know just how to handle your type." Anything he said sounded so suggestive, you don't know if the fear was activating some hidden side in you, or if his attractiveness eliminated any red flags in the situation. He tugged you along, crossing room for room way too fast for you to keep track of where you were and therefore not making you figure out where he was taking you, until he hauled you into a dimly lit room. A bedroom, okay woah, this was turning into one of your fantasies real fast.

"I'm feeling generous today, it's not every day where a pretty thing just turns up at my doorstep, so I'll even remove these." The restraints from your wrist fell to the floor, your hands massaging your wrists. "I'll let you off the hook" But? There had to be some twist. "You'll spend the night here, after all you wanted to be here." Yeah, to steal something, not to fuck a loaded dude.

You did consider it, he wasn't bad looking. But that fucking attitude was just so aggravating. "And what makes you think that I would just agree to that?" Your arms crossed in silent protest.

"Maybe the fact that you wouldn't land yourself in jail."

"You kind of interrupted my work so It's only fair that I get a little bit of a compensation for being so nice."

Oh, hell to the no, not this guy, nu uh. He looks like someone that would brag about this for centuries to come. You whipped around ready to leave; "I'll just turn myself in."

"Come on, didn't you notice the tension between us, are you that oblivious?"

Of course, you had noticed, from the first second you realized his hands were way bigger and that he was towering over you, had you thinking dirty. Like if he had just bent you over the glass in the other room. Or the hallway wall, or this bed. God there must be something wrong with you. Some adrenaline induced arousal that activated since you were caught.

You didn't notice yourself stopping nor did you notice Yunho moving up behind you until his warm breath hit your ear.

"Right, you did notice. I'll even gift you a little something to take with you, or you can leave with nothing right now."

He brushed the hair from your neck, kissing it slightly. You could just leave now, but his offer was too tempting. You whipped around, grabbing him by the tie and pulling him in for a kiss, before you could second guess your decision making.

He pushed you against a nearby wall, caging you in. He was so fucking big it felt suffocating in an intoxicating way. Like all your senses were filled with Yunho only.

The movements were rushed buttons falling off, his tie almost getting ripped apart. Your shirt and jacket being discarded in a matter of seconds. You called his name in between kisses, desperate to get him to move faster.

Only one of your legs was out of your jeans when he stuffed you with his fingers, you were hoping that your legs kept their strength, and your knees wouldn't buckle. It was getting increasingly difficult, the more fingers he added, the harder he thrusted, the deeper that he hit. You tried your best to hold onto his shoulders. You took notice of the large bulge pressing against his slacks and slipped your hand in. You stroked him making him bite his lip a bit, his brows furrowing in pleasure. Groans were the only things you could hear besides the wet squelch of your pussy. When your knees were going to give out, he pulled his hand from you, reaching over, grabbing a familiar object, clicking it onto you again but lifting your arms making you wrap your cuffed hands around his neck, your hands holding onto him. He lifted one of your legs getting closer to your body while his other hand moved down and pulled his length out of his pants.

A pretty thing from top to bottom, with just the perfect curve. Fittingly big for his stature. Your favorite part was when he started rubbing it against you, getting it wet, a vein that ran along his cock brushed your clit at the perfect angle. It made you cry out just a little louder for him.

"I might just keep you in my treasure room dear, you just make such cute noises."

You couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, not that you cared at this moment. When he slipped himself inside that's when you almost came on the spot, your insides were clenching so much around his length. Wrapping around him, it was so so warm. And when he started moving it was even better, the drag of your ridged walls pulling him back in when he pulled out.

"Yunho, Yunho, god ah."

His thrusts reached deeper than your fingers every could, than any man before him could. Yunho kept thrusting while alternating between playing with your boobs and circling your clit with his thumb.

"You're gonna kill me, you know that? o-my fucking god." He groaned after each thrust. Your stomach became so warm and tingly, it was only a matter of seconds before you'd cum all over his cock. It was after a particular calculated thrust up into your g-spot that had you seeing stars, tightening your arms around Yunhos neck and letting out a pornographic moan. The squeezing of your pussy had him coming just a moment after, not giving him the chance to pull out, not that he wanted to.

He spilt himself into you, driving aftershocks from your orgasm out of you. His thrust slowing down, to ride out his own, until his hips stopped.

He pulled back, your hole opening and closing a little and making cum dribble out of you.

"Can't have you waste that." He pushed some of it back in with his fingers. You moaned in hypersensitivity. Your legs completely gave out after that and he picked you up, carrying you over to the bed that would have been the more ideal place.

He untangled himself from you, you grumbled at the loss of contact. You just heard the click of the cuffs, your eyes closed in contentment, too tired.

He continued staying at your side, bringing you a glass of water, and pulling the blanket over you, making you fall asleep faster than you'd ever think was possible. Considering you were still in a stranger’s house, said stranger was inside your guts just a moment ago, so couldn't really call him that.

This definitely wasn't part of your masterplan, but you wouldn't change a thing.

When you woke up in the morning, Yunho peacefully sleeping next to you, you quietly dressed yourself and excited the mansion. Not forgetting to take a price, in the form of his ring and a note that read: "If you want your souvenir back, call me."

#ateez x reader #ateez smut #atz smut #ateez x you #yunho smut #atz fanfic

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spiderfangirl22 · 2 months ago

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Don’t Say That It’s Over I’d Kill To Be Closer IV

Two updates in 1 day wow!!! Even I’m surprised it might take some time for part 5 so maybe by Thursday I should have part 5 out

Warnings: Blood, Yandere, Violence

John Wick, the Baba Yaga, the man they called Johnathan, moved with a purpose that belied the years he'd tried to leave behind.

Winston's voice echoed in his mind, the urgency in his tone a stark reminder of the stakes.

He pieced together the fragments of information Winston had provided. A former colleague, a missing daughter, a car heading north. It was a thread, a fragile one, but John knew how to pull.

He activated his network, the web of contacts he'd cultivated during his years in the underworld.

Information flowed, whispers in the dark, digital breadcrumbs leading him closer to his target.

The car had been spotted, heading towards a remote cabin in the Adirondacks.

He traced the license plate, a phantom vehicle registered to a shell corporation. The former colleague remained elusive, a ghost in the system.

John prepared with meticulous care. He donned his signature suit, tailoring hiding a lightweight ballistic vest.

Underneath, he strapped a holster with his preferred handgun, a Heckler & Koch P30L.

He checked the magazine, the weight of the rounds reassuring in his hand. He packed a duffel bag with additional weapons, ammunition, and the tools he might need for infiltration.

His vehicle of choice was a black 1969 Ford Mustang, a muscle car resurrected from his past.

It was a symbol of the life he'd briefly tasted before it was ripped away, a reminder of the price he'd paid. He drove north, the Mustang devouring the miles, the city lights fading behind him.

He arrived at the location Winston had provided, a winding dirt road leading to a secluded cabin.

He parked the Mustang deep in the shadows, concealed by the thick foliage. As he scanned the area, he spotted a dark charger parked near the cabin, its tinted windows obscuring the interior.

A closer look revealed the telltale markings of a police interceptor, stripped of its official livery but still bearing the subtle modifications of surveillance equipment.

A cop? Involved in a kidnapping? The pieces didn't quite fit. He waited, patience a weapon honed over years of experience.

The car remained stationary, its occupants unseen. After what felt like an eternity, the Charger finally pulled away, disappearing down the dirt road.

John emerged from the shadows, his movements fluid and silent. He approached the cabin, his senses on high alert.

He circled the perimeter, searching for points of entry. The windows were reinforced, the doors were solid, but the framing wasn't perfect.

He found a weakness near the back, a loose panel in the wooden wall.

He reached into his bag, withdrawing a slim jim and a lock pick set.

He worked quickly, bypassing the rudimentary security system. The panel gave way, revealing a dark space behind the wall. He slipped inside, moving with the silence of a predator.

He found himself in a storage room, boxes stacked against the walls. He moved to the door leading into the main cabin, pressing his ear against the wood.

He could hear voices, hushed but distinct. He recognized Y/N's voice, thanks the recordings of her from Winston, laced with a hint of fear.

He kicked the door open, bursting into the room, his gun leveled. Y/N stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. Her black green eyed kitten, Shadow, scurried behind her, her fur standing on end.

In that moment, John felt a pang of protectiveness, a flicker of genuine concern for this woman he had never met.

 His presence hadn't gone unnoticed. Y/N, scrambled to her feet, instinctively backing away. Then, she noticed the resemblance.

The eyes, the set of the jaw… it was almost uncanny. She had spent weeks staring at Tom, imprinting his features onto her memory.

And here stood a man who could have been his twin, save for the subtle differences – the stubble shadowing his jaw, the sharper lines etched around his eyes, the air of lethal competence that radiated from him.

 She stumbled back, fear warring with confusion. "Who... who are you?" she stammered, instinctively seeking cover behind the armchair.

 John Wick raised his hands slowly, palms open, a gesture of peace that felt almost absurd in his line of work.

”My name is John Wick," he said, his voice a low, soothing rumble. "I'm here to help you. Your father is worried about you." He kept his voice calm, slow, and gentle, the same way he would with an unpredictable animal.

 Relief washed over Y/N, so potent it almost buckled her knees. Her father had sent someone and not just anyone it seemed as she had heard stories of the infamous baby yaga and here he was at her door…She was going to be free.

"You... you're here to rescue me?" she whispered, her voice trembling with hope.

 "That's right," John replied, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Let's get you out of here."

 But the complex knot of emotions that had been tightening in Y/N's chest for weeks refused to unravel so easily.

Despite everything, despite the fear and the uncertainty, there was a thread of connection between her and Tom Ludlow, a bond forged in the crucible of shared trauma. And she couldn't just abandon him.

"I can't leave him," she said, her voice stronger now, laced with a desperate plea. "I won't."

 As if summoned by her words, a figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the dim light. Tom Ludlow.

He had seen the car parked in the distance, that so desperately tried to hide from view but, Tom being a cop was as observant as ever. He knew something was wrong.

 His eyes fixated on John, and then on Y/N. Comprehension dawned, followed by a surge of raw, desperate anger. He raised his pistol, aiming it directly at John.

 "Get the fuck out of here," Tom snarled, his voice shaking. "This doesn't concern you, fucker!”

 John didn't flinch. "This does concern me," he countered, his voice still calm but with an underlying edge of steel. "I'm here to take Y/N home."

Without another word, Tom fired.

 The bullets slammed into John's chest, the impact muffled by the bulletproof vest. He grunted, the force momentarily staggering him, but he didn't fall.

 Y/N screamed, a high-pitched, piercing sound of pure terror. "Tom, no! Stop it! Please!"

 But Tom was beyond reason, his mind consumed by fear and desperation. He fired again, and again, the cabin filling with the deafening roar of gunfire.

John moved with blinding speed, a blur of lethal motion. He dodged one shot, deflected another with his forearm, and closed the distance between them in a heartbeat.

He lashed out, his hand a lightning strike, hitting Tom's wrist with brutal force. The gun flew from Tom's grasp, clattering to the floor.

 Before Tom could react, John had him pinned against the wall, his forearm pressed against his throat, cutting off his air supply.

He reached down, retrieving the spare pistol holstered at Tom's waist. He brought it up, the cold steel pressing against Tom's temple.

 "Please! Don't!" Y/N shrieked, her voice hoarse with desperation. She rushed forward, grabbing John's arm, pleading with him. "Please, don't kill him! There has to be another way!"

John hesitated, his gaze locking with Y/N's. He saw the raw fear in her eyes, the desperation, but also something else – a flicker of something that looked like… compassion? He lowered the gun slightly.

 "There is another way," Y/N insisted, her voice trembling but firm. "We can go to my father. He can pay off your debt. Tom and you can be the heroes. If Winston finds out Tom took me, he will kill him himself, but if we bring him back as the man who saved me, he will be spared."

 The suggestion hung in the air, absurd and improbable.

But John saw the logic in it, the desperate attempt to salvage a situation spiraling out of control.

And he saw something else too – he saw why Tom a cop would risk everything even jail time for this women.

Y/N was beautiful, pure, innocent, with a hint of raw spirit, and she seemed to see the good in people as she had stopped him from ending the pathetic cops life.

Y/N had to be more pure and innocent than his late wife, Helen.

John slowly looked at Tom, his face contorted with fear and desperation. He saw the weakness, the misguided love that had driven him to this point. He could have easily ended his life, but he stopped himself.

 John released Tom, shoving him away. "Alright," he said, his voice flat. "We do this your way. But one wrong move, and I won't hesitate." To make a point John touched the gun attached to his waist.

The uneasy truce was struck. They gathered their belongings, the atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken recriminations. As they prepared to leave, Y/N approached John, her expression a mixture of gratitude and concern.

 "You're hurt," she said, gently touching his arm. "Let me clean those wounds." John hesitated, unused to such gestures of tenderness.

But he allowed her to guide him to a chair, her touch surprisingly gentle as she examined the bruises left by the bullets. She cleaned the skin with a damp cloth, her brow furrowed in concentration.

 As she tended to his wounds, John found himself studying her face. He saw the resilience in her eyes, the quiet strength that had allowed her to survive this ordeal. He saw the beauty that Winston had spoken of, a beauty that went far beyond mere physical appearance.

 He understood now. He understood why Tom had been driven to such desperate measures. He understood the possessive love, the fear of losing something precious.

He wasn't sure he condoned it, but he understood it. He realized that he, too, would have been in the same place as Tom right now as he’d would have also taken drastic measures to keep Y/N by his side..Such an innocent and pure soul.

As Y/N cleaned the blood, she could see the pain etched on Johns face, the weariness in his eyes.

She realized that beneath the ruthless exterior, there was a man who was burdened by his past, a man who was capable of empathy….She was tempted and couldn’t resist and gently cupped his cheek his facial hair tickling her fingers slightly.

At first John tried to pull away but the sweet and gentle touch of this women had him conflicted. So he gave in and leaned into her touch.

"Thank you, John," she said softly. "For saving me. For not killing Tom."

John looked at her, his eyes searching. "You shouldn't thank me. I did what I had to do."

Y/N nodded and removed her hand from his cheek and went to check on Tom who had finished packing John’s mustang.

They had to leave Tom’s charger behind much to his displeasure, as Winston knew the car model that had taken is daughter and wouldn’t hesitate and shoot Tom Where he stood.

They all sat into the Mustang, John behind the wheel, Tom and Y/N in the back.

The ride to the Continental was silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

As they drove, John couldn't shake the feeling that he had crossed a line. He had spared a life, not out of mercy, but out of understanding. He had seen a reflection of himself in Tom, a man driven by love and desperation.

Finally, they arrived at the Continental, after a few grueling Days, the imposing building a beacon of neutrality in a world of violence.

Y/N was astonished at the building only having see it once as her father didn’t want her involved in this life. She once again reached into her almost empty back of ranch Doritos and offered and Tom and John some and they politely declined.

John parked the Mustang up front and handed his keys to the Valet and led them inside, the familiar atmosphere of the hotel washing over him.

He approached the front desk, where Charon, the concierge, greeted him with a knowing smile.

"Welcome back, Mr.Wick," Charon said, his eyes flickering towards Y/N “ I trust everything went according to plan?"

"More or less," John replied, his voice noncommittal. "I need a room for three."

Charon nodded, handing him three keycards. "Of course, Mr. Wick. And as always…Enjoy your stay."

They went up to their room, the opulent suite a stark contrast to the rustic cabin they had left behind. Y/N turned to John, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, John," she said again. "For everything."

John nodded, his gaze fixed on her. "Get some rest, Y/N. You've been through a lot."

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. He looked at Tom, his eyes filled with a silent warning. "Don't make me regret this," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

He stepped out of the room, leaving Y/N and Tom alone. As he walked down the hallway, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

He had broken his own rules, defied his own code. He had allowed love and compassion to cloud his judgment.

He knew that Winston would be pleased that he had rescued his daughter.

But he also knew that Winston would be suspicious of his actions. He had spared a life, a life that deserved to be taken after what they did.

As he reached the lobby, he saw Winston waiting for him, his face etched with concern. "Johnathan," Winston said, his voice grave. "Tell me everything."

John nodded, preparing to recount the events of the past few days. He knew that he had a lot to explain, a lot to justify. But as he looked into Winston's eyes, he saw not judgment, but understanding.

He realized that Winston knew him better than anyone else in the world.

 He began to speak, his voice low and steady, recounting the events of the past few days.

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, a weight lifting from his shoulders. He had done what he had to do, even if it meant breaking his own rules.

As he finished his story, Winston remained silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but firm.

"You have done well, Johnathan. You and this man I have yet to meet myself..have saved my daughter's life. And for that, I am eternally grateful."

John nodded, accepting Winston's praise. He knew that he had earned his gratitude. But he also knew that he had changed, in ways that he couldn't yet comprehend.

He had seen the power of love, the strength of compassion. He had spared a life, and in doing so, he had perhaps saved himself.

And he hoped that the officer didn’t mind sharing such an innocent soul such as, Y/Ns

#yandere #keanuverse #tom ludlow #john wick

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quaranmine · 3 months ago

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im not american and i just saw your recent posts about all the firings. what is going on, what do they gain from this??

What's going on? Basically a hostile takeover of the American government.

What do they gain from this? Money. Control. Privatization. More money into the hands of billionaires. It's not a coincidence that the richest man in the world is leading the charge.

They're breaking the govenment intentionally, and then when nothing works and everything is suffering, they'll privatize all the services. They'll cut government workers under the claim of saving money, and then hire contractors to work in the same positions for more money. I'm sure it's no coincidence that Elon Musk himself has had $18 billion in government contracts. Or that the State Department was going to buy $400 million in armored Tesla cars.

When the National Parks can't function under a skeleton staff and no limits on entry numbers, they'll sell the federal land to a corporation to run, and then they'll sell it again for mining and drilling. They'll deregulate all the environmental laws and worker protection laws to make sure that corporations can maximise the profit completely. It's easier to make money if you can just dump your toxic waste anywhere! Nothing being done right now makes any sense to help anybody but the richest people in the country.

Why are they going against the federal workforce? Well, the Republicans have been aiming to attack civil service as part of their platform. They say it is full of inefficiency and fraud, but make no mistake--Washington D.C., voted overwhelmingly blue, and that's part of their rage. They're literally putting federal employees--mostly black people!--on watchlists and doxxing them, for reasons that include donating to the Democratic party. (Federal employees are subject to the Hatch Act, which prevents them from campaigning on behalf of any political party or doing political activity at work, but as private citizens on their own time and property they may vote and donate how they choose.)

So, Elon Musk donates massive amounts of money to Trump's campaign during the election. He hosted giveaways of a $1 million dollars a day for swing state voters who would vote for Trump and somehow this was deemed legal. Trump wins, and in return for his service, Elon Musk is given a special government position and access to everything. It's called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and they've installed people in major agencies to monitor employees, they've accessed the US Treasury, they've locked government employees out of IT systems that include the personal information of all federal employees, they've accesses sensitive government data, leaked classified information, and they're just getting started. They have access to the payment systems of Social Security and Medicaid, and Medicare. None of these people are elected, many are younger than me, and none have had background checks or clearance. One of them was fired from an internship for leaking company secrets so.....I don't really have confidence he won't leak national security secrets either.

The main thing DOGE is doing right now, other than possibly feeding all our data into AI and stealing it, is slashing the federal workforce. Shortly after Trump took office, DOGE via the Office of Personnel Management (OPM, a key player in this story) sent all 2.6 million federal employees a deferred resignation ("buyout") offer titled Fork in the Road. It's worth mentioning that "Fork in the Road" is the exact same email that Elon Musk sent to all the Twitter employees shortly before laying everyone off....and then he failed to pay them the promised severance. If federal employees accepted the offer, they'd be place on paid leave through September and have a chance to look for another job. Nevermind that much of what was promised wasn't legal. Nevermind that the probationary employees who took the offer found out yesterday that they never qualified in the first place and got fired anyway. Meanwhile, the daily Fork emails continued to use insulting language like that "the way to American prosperity" was for federal employees to "leave their low productivity public sector jobs and take a high productivity private sector job." The White House press secretary said that employees who didn't resign were ripping off the American people. Fox news says they should "get real jobs." Note that the demonization is intentional:

youtube

Russel Vought, one of the architects of Project 2025 (the rulebook they're following exactly), who is now the leader of the Office of Management and Budget, literally said the goal was to traumatize federal employees so they'd no longer want to go to work and the American people would hate them. Also, people have been able to use metadata to see that these Project 2025 people have been the ones writing various OPM government memos (some are not even government employees!)

The claim: federal employees are wasting taxpayer money with their....pesky jobs in public health, food inspections, veterans healthcare, wildfire support jobs. Note that federal employees are only 4% of the entire budget, and that there's roughly the same amount of them as there were in the 1960s, despite the population of the country rising since then. The job of DOGE: get rid of as many as possible.

So. Day one of the Trump presidency, he issued an executive order demanding the end of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in government programs. Make no mistake that DEI is the new slur for POC and LGBT people right now (remember the watchlist earlier with mostly black people on it? Now look at claims that agencies are taking down posters of minority scientists.) And make no mistake they aren't also coming for the A that normally goes on the end of DEIA, for accessibility (disabled people.) Using this executive order they placed many government employees administrative leave pending termination. They've also interpreted this to include environmental justice. Trump also blamed the recent plane crash over the Potomac on people with disabilites, and DEI. Washington Post reports that the next step for DOGE is to start identifying "DEI-focused" positions that aren't explicitly about implementing DEI....so we can all guess what "type" of employees will be targeted.

Then, step two. Probationary employees. Government employees in the United States have civil service protections. This is because the government used to operate on a spoils system where each election, the new president would fire everyone and hire loyalists to him. Turns out that kind of shakeup every 4 years is bad, and it's better if you can get subject matter experts to stick around across administrations. So federal employees have legal protections against firing them at random. Trump is trying to eliminate that, by the way, by insitituting a broad recategorization of federal employees who are in "policy influencing positions" to be able to fire them at-will. (The definition of "policy influencing" here is intentionally so broad that it will affect most employees in the government regardless of whether they have any influence on policy or not.) Oh! And remember the Fork email? Yeah, there's language in those emails about employees who don't resign needing to be "loyal." Will they be required to be loyal to Trump?

But in the meantime while he waits to fire everyone else, they're going after probationary employees first. This is because for the first 1-2 years of service as a government employees, you can be removed easier (they still must justify bad performance though.) It's not just new employees--the probation can reset when you take a new position, so experienced people with many years of service were also let go simply because they changed jobs within the last year. Around 200k~ probationary employees are in the federal workforce, and thousands got fired in the last two days and thousands more will be fired by Tuesday. This includes brilliant scientists in the middle of projects, with some people saying there's no staff left to feed living animals that were under their care. They're firing CDC epidemiologists. Wildfire support personnel in the Forest Service. People who are doing emergency response work right now in LA for the cleanup are being fired during this, despite the fact they're working 7 days a week, 12+ hours a day (sooooo lazy though, right?) The Trump admin also accidentally fired a bunch of people in charge of nuclear weapons since they didn't know what their jobs actually were, and had to scramble to undo that. It's tax season in the US, and the IRS may layoff thousands of workers.

It shoud be noted that a lot of these firings were illegal, because probationary employees can be fired in the case of bad performance, but it's stupid to claim that 200,000 people are all bad performers. Many of these people have paperwork documenting a glowing performance review. They'll be sued. But Trump and Elon are moving fast and trying to break enough things that the courts won't be able to stop all of it in time.

Nobody else is safe either, of course. On Tuesday Trump passed an executive order demanding agencies to conduct large scale reductions in force (RIFs). There's no knowledge yet on just how many more people this will target in the future. I can't give you an estimate how many people will be fired in the next few months, but nobody is safe.

Why does this matter for the average person? Well, this will affect everyone in the US. It'll affect highway safety. It'll affect product recalls. It'll affect food inspections and food recalls. It'll affect clean water systems and air pollution reduction. It'll affect enforcement action against polluters. It'll affect public health. It'll affect research. It'll affect fair housing. It'll effect the economy and consumer protections. It'll affect banking. It'll affect farmers. It'll affect people who rely on food stamps, childcare services, etc. It'll mean that the public will have less recourse to get things fixed, less of a chance of getting help for issues. It will affect the private sector when contractors get fired. It will affect local and state government when the grants that fund their programs get pulled. It will affect nonprofit employees. It will affect universities. It will affect government funded programs like Poison Control. So much of government work is functionally invisible to the average citizen, and things will start breaking in the next year. This concentrated attack to dismantle the government is the first step to dismantling everything else.

#thank you for listening to my soapbox speech about why im insane and stressed and full of despair right now #i hope i explained things well enough. it's all super america focused so it's hard to know what you'll know about what you wont #also this is just. the top level overview of this. i could have included like a bazillion other things.#theres so much happening i cant even recap it all #american politics #quara asks

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juiceortizprospect34 · 1 month ago

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# Ghosts We Carry: Chapter 10

The clubhouse parking lot was alive with activity when they arrived. Prospects moved bikes inside the garage, while full-patch members carried boxes of ammunition and supplies through the back entrance.

Clay spotted them immediately, descending the steps with Jax close behind.

"Where the hell have you been?" Clay demanded, his eyes darting to Elena in the passenger seat.

"Keeping her safe," Juice replied, stepping out of the truck. "Like you asked."

Clay's expression softened marginally. "Get inside. Church in five."

As Elena climbed out, Gemma appeared at the clubhouse door, arms crossed defensively until she spotted the younger woman. Her posture changed instantly, maternal instincts overriding suspicion.

"Come on, honey," she called to Elena. "Let's get you settled."

Juice watched Elena go, noticing how she straightened her spine, put on a brave face. Strong woman. Too strong to be caught in this mess.

Inside, the clubhouse had transformed into a fortress. Windows were boarded, weapons strategically placed, surveillance monitors showing every approach. The regular hang-arounds and sweet butts had been sent away. This was war footing.

Tig nodded to Juice as he passed, uncharacteristically solemn. "Shit's real now, brother."

Bobby was at the bar, loading shotguns with mechanical precision. "You bring your laptop?" he asked Juice.

"In my bag."

"Good. We need you on the cameras. And check if that traffic system hack still works. Might need quick exits."

The chapel doors stood open. Inside, the reaper table was covered not with its usual items—cigarettes, phones, occasionally drugs—but with maps, documents, and photographs. Surveillance photos of Zobelle. Of his associates. Of his daughter Polly.

"Juice," Chibs called from inside. "Get in here. Need your brain."

The Scotsman was hunched over some kind of schematic—the layout of a building, markers indicating entry points, security systems.

"Tell me you can disable these," he said, tapping a cluster of symbols in the corner of the page.

Juice studied them. "Looks like standard commercial alarm system. Yeah, I can kill it remotely if I get close enough."

"How close?"

"Fifty feet, maybe less."

Chibs nodded grimly. "Good enough."

A heavy hand landed on Juice's shoulder—Clay.

"Let's talk," the president said, steering him toward a quiet corner.

Clay's eyes were sharp, penetrating. "Thought I told you to go straight to her place and back. Where'd you take her?"

"Teller-Morrow. She needed clothes, some personal stuff."

"That all?"

Juice hesitated, weighing his options. The call from HaviCorp was still fresh in his mind. Someone was watching, had been watching. How much did Clay already know?

"Got a call," he admitted. "Burner phone."

Clay's grip tightened. "From?"

"Didn't say. But they knew things. About me, about the club."

"What kind of things?"

Juice swallowed. "Enough to be dangerous. They mentioned Zobelle."

Clay's expression darkened. "What else?"

"They offered me a job."

The president's eyes narrowed to slits. "A job."

"Said I had options. That I didn't have to go down with SAMCRO."

Juice expected rage, maybe even violence. Instead, Clay's face settled into something resembling amusement.

"And what did you tell this mystery caller?"

"Nothing. Call ended."

Clay nodded slowly, his hand finally releasing Juice's shoulder. "Smart boy." He patted Juice's cheek, a gesture somewhere between affection and warning. "Remember who your family is."

As Clay walked away, Juice felt the weight of invisible eyes on him. HaviCorp. Zobelle. Clay himself. Everyone watching, everyone waiting for him to make a move.

His phone vibrated in his pocket—a text from an unknown number.

*Time's running out. Your choice, Mr. Ortiz.*

Attached was a photo: Juice's apartment, door open, his few possessions visible inside. And hanging from his ceiling fan, a length of chain—the same kind he'd once used in a moment of despair, when the ghosts had almost won.

They weren't just watching. They were inside his life, inside his head.

Juice deleted the message, his decision made.

Time to create some ghosts of his own.

#theo rossi #juice ortiz #sons of anarchy #sons of anarchy fanfiction

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jadevalentine-writes · 9 months ago

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Hannibal Fic WIP - Mystery Neighbor AU

Riding the high of completing Wild Hunt, I'm here to thrust another WIP upon ye. Behold, my first Hannibal fic, and despair!

Tagging the muses: @subtlybrilliant, @tindragon09, @prommethium

---

Hannibal noticed something was off the moment he pulled into his driveway. Out of caution, he remained in the Bentley, engine idling, as he studied the exterior of his home in the waning summer light.

The front doors were closed and the windows he could see looked intact. The back of the townhouse was obscured by the eight foot wooden privacy fence but he didn’t notice any signs of disruption from his point of view. Of course his security system would have alerted him to any unwanted entry, but Hannibal Lecter was nothing if not pragmatic. Any criminal worth their salt could easily disable an alarm, even one as expensive as his.

Hannibal sighed and turned to his right, looking instead to the long empty townhouse next to his own. A moment’s reprieve was his goal, a negative to his own home’s exterior to make any differences more apparent.

Then he saw it.

A for sale sign swung gently in the warm breeze.

Hannibal smiled and turned off the car.

The quote “Netherfield Park was let at last” came to mind, though the townhouse to his right held none of the grandeur of the fictitious estate. Hannibal also doubted that a wealthy man in want of a wife would find his way to this particular Baltimore neighborhood anytime soon. And there certainly would not be any grande balls, to his chagrin.

Hannibal chided his caution as he approached the front door. Although he rarely interacted with his neighbors, the prospect of a new one was still exciting. Perhaps they would have a taste for art and music, like he did, and he would see them at gallery openings and operas, nodding to each other over champagne and rocks glasses but never speaking. Maybe they would appreciate fine dining as he did and he could try new dishes out on them if he was feeling adventurous.

Or perhaps they would be new to their wealth and rude, and they would feature in a dish themselves.

***

The next evening, Hannibal returned home with dinner on his mind.

There was a liver he should really use before it was past its prime and he was debating on how to prepare it. Marinating was best, and it did not bother him to eat late. He was walking towards the door, mentally going through his stock of wine that would pair well with the main course when he heard a creak that made him pause.

Hannibal angled his head towards the door, listening intently for breathing on the other side, when again his gaze landed on the sign in the yard next door.

Sale Pending the attachment underneath swayed.

Well, that was fast.

Hannibal smirked as he let himself into the foyer. Soon, he would have a new neighbor and a new source of entertainment or irritation, at least for a little while.

***

Saturday brought with it slumber and sunshine.

And multiple dogs barking.

The last drove Hannibal from the warmth of his bed out of academic curiosity. He rarely heard dogs in his neighborhood, let alone so close to his house. The dogs of the Baltimore elite were small, to be seen, not heard, and toted around in designer bags.

These dogs sounded larger and multiple.

Hannibal crossed the hall to the guest bedroom which was adjacent to his driveway and looked out.

His neighbor had arrived, in four-legged, frantic glory.

#*puts on clown make-up* HERE WE GO #hannibal #hannigram #hannigram neighbor au #until I find a better tag/title #one guess as to the mystery neighbor ya'll - wrong answers only! lol #inspired by fanart that I will find/tag once I publish the first chapter #we're just going by the seat of my pants on this one

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bvd11975 · 5 days ago

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BVD - Mass Post The BVD is subject to being altered depending on the universe I write her in. It will generally do the same thing, give or take some things.

The BVD is an organization that originally began for archiving purposes. A sanctuary for sensitive information, artifacts, history - predominantly all information relating to non-humans. It started as an independent group that eventually was picked up by the government. It quickly grew beyond just the government, becoming a global organization with headquarters in every country that utilizes their services.

They exist as an elevated branch in the countries they reside in, speaking only to the higher officials and leaders. The BVD isn't a secretive organization, though they still aren't completely common knowledge either.

High profile human on human cases they are known for handling, due to the resources they can utilize when government branches end up limited by their own laws. Primarily, they are meant to investigate supernatural and paranormal beings and situations. Anything that can be classified high profile or non-human usually ends up in their hands.

Safeguarding artifacts, either dangerous or historical, documenting and archiving priceless information, field operations (investigations, negotiations, infiltrating and executions) are primarily what they are known for. BVD prioritizes non-lethal methods, preferring to disarm and subdue wanted beings. Engaging with non-human beings is meant to be led with negotiating and de-escalation. If that fails, capturing and bringing them to HQ. If that is impossible, execution to protect the public.

They evaluate and accept criminals and defects of other organizations that seek the BVD's protection, so long as they contribute accordingly. If they cannot or are unwilling, they will stay safely locked up in BVD custody. If they can play ball, they'll be assigned an agent to oversee them until they are trusted to operate on their own. The manner of crime, intent, motivations and all that completely matter as to how it all goes.

Non-humans who seek sanctuary at the BVD can also do the same. If they are not sentient in a similar manner to humans, they usually just live on the premises so long as they are not hostile.

BVD Headquarters

Every BVD HQ is a miniature city, usually in its own isolated area. Being away from civilization is important in case of a containment breach or any direct attacks. Nestor's HQ is located in a valley, the surrounding hills and mountains act as a natural deterrent and fence for the most part. Nonetheless, they have concealed outposts atop them to keep a vantage point. The city itself is walled with security surveillance lining the perimeter. There's one main entry point and two other access entry points. All gated with signs stating it is land owned by the BVD.

It has a main building surrounded by campus buildings related to the main. Such as the academy, public library and archives (all copied information deemed safe to read), armory and smithy for repairs, agent-specific hospital, prison (above ground and below). All business conducted related to the BVD is in the main building. Beyond the lobby, public access is off-limits without clearance or an agent.

All scientific work is also done within the main building, since it is the safest building in the city.

The families, or volunteers wishing to contribute without being agents, live and work regular jobs to help keep headquarters self-sufficient. They do take a fee for their work, but prioritize not being funded by any country to not owe anyone, anything.

HQ has many large parks, water features, chunky woods near the outskirts surrounding the city. Non-human beings or humans that prefer isolated locations are permitted to live there. Sections of the outskirts are also reserved for evaluating potential hostiles and if they will integrate into the BVD. Considered a testing grounds before entry is permitted.

The BVD possesses a highly advanced prison system. It's one of the main reasons a miniature city was required. Human criminals meant to stay in BVD custody have a very layered facility on the main building's grounds. Non-humans, however, are underground. The worst of the worst live in isolated cells suitable to their natural habitat and needs. Others, who just can't integrate well with the growing population of humans, coexist in habitats designed to mimic their needs. It's an extensive system and a huge portion of staff works to keep all of it running and operating comfortably.

HQ's main building also serves as a fallout shelter. It has facilities that the other buildings on its campus possess, just smaller. The buildings on campus are meant to function as branches off the main, to help regulate the workload. Should the worst happen, the building and underground network can fit the city's population.

Due to the BVD's status of being not common knowledge but also not being secretive, it's possible travelers may stumble upon HQ. Whether they are curious, evading bad weather or in need of medical treatment, after being screened, they'll be permitted entry. Near the front gate the BVD has facilities for people that stumble upon the city. If they aren't deemed a threat, they'll be allowed to travel deeper into the city proper. Usually, it is advised they stay near their accommodations so they don't get lost. These facilities have rooms for rest, medical, a food court, and various supplies for traveling so people can restock. If needed, the BVD will organize transport and relocate travelers back to the nearest city or town.

BVD and Simonia

See a small blurb here about Simonia.

Simonia used to be the top dog, a global company with various subsidiaries - all having their hands in various parts of the economy. For the most part, Simonia has done amazing things for the world. Healthcare, cures, improving food products and management, improving cities or funding positive projects.

However, they are also notorious for their scientific and supernatural experimentation and advancements that led to many problems people face. Like danger from man-made monsters. The BVD began to take on field assignments because new creatures were showing up and causing problems at an alarming rate.

Back then, Simonia went by another name. Nestor's mentors, Adrian and Joshua, shut them down. For a number of years, the company was cold even when their subsidiaries were still thriving.

One of Nestor's earliest assignments led to her discovering Simonia, realizing it was the same group under this new name. Since then, the BVD has been actively combating Simonia. Likewise, Simonia is actively trying to overthrow the BVD.

It isn't public knowledge that Simonia is the same company that Adrian and Joshua shut down. Much of the population sees Simonia in a favorable light that has come to replace their prior iteration. They don't realize just how correct they are in that.

Simonia is the reason for a lot of Nestor's trauma. Adrian's death, her own parent's death, many deaths among the BVD are because of actions Simonia has taken. She has a very strong trigger towards agents of Simonia, which is why her superiors send her in to clear their buildings or sites and obtain their data. The coldest Nestor is ever is when she's tasked with playing executioner.

Additional Information

Will be added when I think it up and reblogged, I guess.

#headcanons #gonna at this to her bio and side muses for easy locating :)#as a link i mean lmfao

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parkomax · 7 months ago

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Ticket-Based Parking: Reliable Access Control and Revenue Management Manage parking operations efficiently with Parkomax’s ticket-based solution, offering robust access control, revenue tracking, and a smooth flow for vehicles entering and exiting your facility.

#Ticket-based parking system #Parking management solutions #Automated parking entry #Ticket-based access control #Parking payment integration #Parking revenue management #Vehicle tracking system #Parking control software #Secure parking management #Efficient parking operations

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windlassrivervalley · 10 months ago

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Discover Modern Living at Windlass River Valley: The Premier Apartments in Dehradun

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For those considering an investment in real estate, particularly in apartments in Dehradun, the city offers a promising future. With its growing economy, improving infrastructure, and the increasing influx of professionals and retirees, Dehradun is quickly becoming a real estate hotspot. And within this burgeoning market, Windlass River Valley shines as a prime option for residential living.

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The apartments in Windlass River Valley are designed with modern lifestyles in mind. They feature spacious layouts with high-quality finishes, ensuring that residents enjoy both comfort and style. Whether you are looking for a cozy 2BHK or a more expansive 3BHK apartment, you’ll find a range of options that cater to different needs and preferences. Large balconies offer stunning views of the surrounding greenery, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Dehradun right from your home.

2. World-Class Amenities

Windlass River Valley boasts a range of world-class amenities that cater to all aspects of modern living. Residents can enjoy a state-of-the-art clubhouse, swimming pools, fitness centers, and sports facilities, ensuring that there’s always something to do without leaving the township. For families, the well-designed play areas and parks provide safe and enjoyable spaces for children to play and explore.

3. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Living

In today’s world, sustainable living is more important than ever. Windlass River Valley has been designed with eco-friendliness in mind. The township features green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and waste management systems that minimize environmental impact. Living here means you can enjoy the best of modern amenities while also contributing to a sustainable future.

4. Security and Peace of Mind

Security is a top priority at Windlass River Valley. The township is equipped with 24/7 security systems, including CCTV surveillance and gated entry points, ensuring that residents feel safe and secure at all times. This focus on safety makes it an ideal choice for families and retirees who prioritize peace of mind.

5. Community Living

One of the standout features of Windlass River Valley is its focus on fostering a strong sense of community. The township is home to a diverse group of residents, creating a vibrant and inclusive community. Regular events and activities are organized within the township, encouraging residents to connect and build lasting relationships with their neighbors.

Investment Potential

Investing in an apartment in Dehradun, particularly at Windlass River Valley, offers excellent long-term potential. Dehradun’s real estate market is on the rise, with property values steadily increasing as the city continues to develop. By choosing to invest in Windlass River Valley, you’re not just buying a home; you’re securing a valuable asset that is likely to appreciate over time.

Furthermore, Dehradun’s growing popularity as a destination for both tourism and retirement means that there is a strong demand for quality housing. Whether you plan to live in your apartment or rent it out, you can expect a good return on your investment.

The Windlass River Valley Lifestyle

Living at Windlass River Valley means embracing a lifestyle that balances convenience, luxury, and natural beauty. Imagine waking up to the sight of the majestic Himalayas, spending your evenings strolling through beautifully landscaped gardens, and having all the amenities you need just a short walk away. This is the lifestyle that Windlass River Valley offers—a perfect blend of urban and suburban living.

For those who work in Dehradun or nearby cities, the township’s location ensures that commuting is hassle-free. Major roads and public transportation are easily accessible, making it convenient to travel to and from the city. At the same time, the peaceful surroundings offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

If you’re in the market for apartments in Dehradun, Windlass River Valley should be at the top of your list. With its modern design, comprehensive amenities, and prime location, it offers everything you need for a comfortable and fulfilling life. Whether you’re looking to invest in real estate or find your dream home, Windlass River Valley is a choice you won’t regret.

Explore the possibilities today and discover why Windlass River Valley is the premier destination for modern living in Dehradun.

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whumperfultime · 1 year ago

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June of Doom Day 16

@juneofdoom

Prompts: "At least it can't get any worse." | Secret | Stranded | Setback

Contains: Hidden illness, fainting, fever, platonic caretaking, the emotional whump of dealing with a vehicle breaking down in the middle of nowhere, and mentions of vomiting/nausea, police, and bruises/beating

In which the Crew is forced to adapt to a series of frustrating obstacles while trying to finish their current mission. And somebody pushes himself too hard.

It was jobs like this that tempted Kalei towards an early retirement.

The actual theft was the easy part. Sneak into a secure storage facility, steal back their client’s stolen artwork, get out and get to the rendezvous point. Once there, they would return the art and receive the rest of their payment.

Luck was on their side at first. The guards’ patrol ran on perfect time, which made entry easy. One of Dace’s gadgets made quick work of the electronic keypad lock on the storage unit. The unit itself was well-organized, which saved them from a time-consuming search for the items they needed. Every one of them remained calm as they neared the end of the job. Matago split off to move the rental transport parked down the block while Kalei and Dace took cover and moved the artwork to secure crates for safe travel.

When they emerged, they found a guard pinning Matago to the ground next to the transport and requesting backup and law enforcement over the comms system.

Kalei managed to fight the guard off while Dace loaded the cargo, then she took over as the getaway driver. Matago came out of the scuffle with a split lip and blows to the face and stomach that would undoubtedly bruise later. With their cover blown they couldn’t even risk a five-minute stop at a convenience store to pick up a first aid kit.

It wasn’t long before security determined that the robbery victim also happened to be the man who oversaw the region’s law enforcement.

Matago used his tablet to keep an eye on police and media activity as best as he could. As expected, given the target, they were quick to set up roadblocks along all the major routes leading out of the city. One of which was their way to the rendezvous point.

So they adapted. Matago pulled up a map of the area and guided Kalei on a winding and nonsensical route down back roads and into the forest beyond city limits. Kalei remained tensed the entire time, expecting cops around every turn and obsessively checking the rearview mirror for anyone following them.

What was meant to be one hour’s drive would take them closer to two or three at this rate. Kalei tried, against her nature, to focus on the positives of the situation. They were on an isolated road that the cops were unlikely to search. It was dark enough that anyone who happened to live out here probably wouldn't recognize the transport from the details released on the news. Since it was remote, she could even drive a little above the speed limit, which would get them there faster.

And…the headlights were flickering.

And the transport powered down without warning.

The three of them sat in stunned silence.

Kalei shoved the door open as hard as she could and clambered out, walking in the direction of the trees lining the road. Fuck an early retirement. Disappearing into the forest forever was the best option at this point.

“I’m gonna assume that this was an unintentional stop?” Matago called from behind her.

She whirled around, trying to suppress the sheer rage threatening to overtake her. “No shit, Mat!”

“It wouldn’t be the cops, right? Like…could the rental company somehow turn the transport off from a distance? Or track us?”

“I don’t know!” Before she could stop herself, she kicked the useless hunk of metal in its side. “All I’m thinking about is setting it on fire!”

“It’s okay.” Dace was the only one of them to sound calm, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. “It’s probably nothing. Looks like a common issue for this model…should be an easy fix.”

He set to work retrieving his toolbox and investigating under the front hood while Kalei and Matago took a seat on the grassy roadside. It had been a while since they last saw another transport on the road, but that could change at any moment. All three of them knew enough about wilderness survival that they could probably make it back to the Azaphia if they had to ditch the rental, but Kalei doubted they would be able to haul the artwork with them.

“Why couldn’t my dad have had a stupid boring office job?” she muttered. “Or at the very least encouraged me not to follow in his footsteps? Then I could have joined normal society and lived a normal life. I could have been sitting on a comfy couch drinking wine with a beautiful wife right now and instead I’m here.”

“You’ll feel better once the money’s transferred to your bank account,” Matago told her.

“Assuming we make it that far.” She did another scan of their surroundings. Still no sound besides the crickets and no light besides the glow of Dace’s work lamp. It didn’t do much to help her relax, but the moment of stillness gave her a chance to take some deep breaths. “How are you doing?”

Matago shrugged. “Still hurting a little, but I’ll be fine. Thanks for fighting that guard off, by the way.”

“I guess we just missed one.” Kalei clenched her hands into fists, then forced herself to untense. “This night sucks.”

“The universe can only give us so much bad luck at once. Hopefully it won’t get any worse from here.”

He could barely finish speaking before Dace collapsed onto the pavement, unconscious.

Kalei was at his side in an instant, rolling him onto his back. He had no visible injuries, nor was he having any sort of seizure. But when she touched his skin, she found it burning hot. The work lamp illuminated a thin layer of sweat on his face.

“What happened?” Matago demanded. He peered into the jumble of mechanical parts in the transport’s front compartment, checking for anything that might have caused it.

“I don’t know…he’s overheated, that’s for sure,” Kalei replied.

Dace’s brows drew together and he let out a quiet groan, struggling to open his eyes. “How’d I get on the ground…?” he slurred.

“I think you fainted.” Kalei pulled him closer, resting his head on her lap. “Take it easy. Seems like you have a bad fever.”

“Oh, yeah.” There wasn’t an ounce of surprise in his tone.

“Mat, can you get my water bottle from inside, please?” Matago opened the driver’s side and began searching. “When did you start feeling sick?”

Dace squinted as he tried to think clearly. “Woke up feeling sick. Threw up before we left for the job and I’ve been nauseous since then. Fever kicked in on the drive here.”

Kalei’s eyes widened. “You’ve been sick since this morning?” He nodded. “Why didn’t you say something?!”

“Figured I’d walk it off.” Matago returned with the water and Dace paused to take a sip. “I was gonna tell you on the way to the rendezvous, but the night went to shit. Didn’t wanna make it worse.”

If he weren’t already suffering, Kalei might have smacked him on the back of the head. Even more frustrating was the knowledge that she probably would have done the same thing if she were in his place. “I don’t care if you get sick before, during, or after a job. You tell us next time, understand?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, waving her off. A tired smile came to his face. “Transport’s fixed, by the way.”

“Good. Then we can get you to a doctor once we get paid.” She and Matago hoisted him back to his feet. He swayed for a moment, then seemed to regain a sense of balance. “Mat, take over driving if you can. I want to sit in the backseat with this one in case he decides to keel over again.”

Within a couple of minutes they were off again. Despite the warmth radiating off him, Dace started shivering once they were back in the transport. Kalei scooted closer to try and combat the chills with her own body heat.

“Jus’ gonna get germs from me back here,” Dace mumbled. Still, he leaned into her touch.

“It doesn’t matter. Have some more water, yeah? And try to rest if you can. We can pull over if your stomach gets too upset.”

Dace didn’t reply this time, just let out a quiet hum as he closed his eyes.

The worries that surrounded her earlier that night were more distant now. As she draped her jacket over him, all Kalei could focus on was the relief that he was safe.

#my writing #ocs: the crew #june of doom 2024 #hidden illness #collapse #unconsciousness #fever #sick whump #police mention #i am apparently incapable of writing a scene without these characters bickering somehow #very fun to write giant man getting sick and needing to be cared for by small lady <3

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nuri148 · 1 year ago

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My Trip to Japan! ⛩️ Part 2

15.12.

🍃🍂Ghibli Park!!!🍂🍃

AKA the trigger for all this madness. It was when they announced that Ghibli was going to open a theme park that going to Japan went from dream to plan.

Getting tickets was an adventure on its own. I had to sit in front of the computer on the day and time they went on sale (a Sunday at 7 am, Spain time) and get in the virtual queue like it was a freaking Taylor Swift concert, to secure my spot. They had this perverse system where you have to get a ticket for each of the 3 areas of the park, and each has its allocated entry time. To complicate matters further, not all entry slots are available from abroad, only two for each area, which required significant research between blogs, reviews, and videos to figure out the most convenient order to see everything.

We headed to Aichi; at the end of the subway line (this one had elevators), we changed to the Linimo, Japan's only maglev (magnetic levitation train). It was built for Expo 2005, and Ghibli Park is now located on its premises. We arrived very early, bought lunch at the konbini for later, and went to the first gift shop. Consumerism is rewarded here: each shop within the park offered slightly different things, so we had to go through them all. I swear I did not actually buy in all of them.

We started in the Hill of Youth area. Around the Whisper of the Heart roundabout, you'll find the antique shop/house from the movie, the cat office from The Cat Returns, and the bus stop from My Neighbor Totoro. There's also a real mailbox, and letters dropped there carry a postmark from the park. I knew this already, so I sent myself a postcard.

The cat's office is beautiful, built to scale and all detail outside and in, with figures of the Baron and Muta chatting in the living room.

But the antique shop... That house is something else. Everything is recreated in the smallest detail, from the luthier workshop below, with woodchips scattered on the floor, worn-out tools, violins in different stages of construction, to the living area upstairs, featuring vintage furniture from the sixties, incredible. The drawers and cabinets are full of things, not recreations (except the food in the fridge lol), real things from bygone times, normal things you find in houses. And you can open them and peek. Matches, kitchen towels, a bag of cat food. Mismatched crockery and cutlery as it’s normal in houses where actual people live. Cleaning stuff. Old postcards and magazines.

The painstaking work they must have undertaken of searching through antique shops and flea markets all over Japan to achieve such level of detail is absolutely mind-blowing. And the shop itself, omg... You have the Baron statuette, of course, with its mesmerizing eyes; the carrousel horse, the chimney... And the clock. Which we waited for because it activates every half hour. Yes, that clock, with the elves mining gemstones and the prince contemplating his princess before the day transforms her back into a sheep; all that is right there, live, for real. I’m not crying, you are crying.

From there, we went to the Grand Warehouse, the biggest area of the park. It is, as it says, a big warehouse with different exhibits and a clearly Gaudí-inspired main square (the Japanese love Gaudí). We took (read: Husband took of me) lots of photos in the different recreated props from the studio’s movies. We only missed two, consciously: No-Face from Spirited Away and the robot from Laputa: Castle in the Sky. In both cases, the line was so long that we wouldn't have made it to the next area on time. And in the case of the robot, we had the one at the museum. It was also my fault for not wanting to stand in line as soon as we arrived (in my defence, I didn’t know what was inside – it's not visible from outside the entrance), leaving that exhibit for the end, and by then the queue had become much longer. No-face is the first stop in the main exhibit, which features props from various movies where you can take photos. The main problem, IMHO, is that people take hundreds of photos, check if they liked them, repeat... I'm sorry, but if you have a hundred people behind you, take two or three, and whatever comes out is fine. The staff should speed up the people more, or even take the photos themselves.

In addition to this permanent exhibition, there was another temporary one about food in the different Ghibli movies. I was thrilled to see they’d included paintings from my beloved Heidi, produced by Isao Takahata before founding Ghibli with Miyazaki.

The warehouse, like the Museum, also has a cinema, done in an exquisitely art deco style. The short film we watched, however, (Hoshi wo Katta Hi) escaped us, as it had much more dialogue than our basic Japanese could process. Next to the cinema, there’s a warehouse with different props not currently used in any of the exhibits.

Other highlights include Arriety’s house, the philosophy club closet from Up from Poppy Hill (also recreated in painstaking detail) and a few non-gift shops. There is also a children’s area with a catbus to play in and a café on the backyard, which we didn’t go to as we hadn’t enough time.

After a quick visit to the gift shop, crowded with people, we left for the last area, Dondoko Forest, where Satsuki and Mei's house from My Neighbor Totoro stands. Another masterpiece of recreation. Kitchen stuff, toys, clothes, everything you can find in a house. In the kitchen drawers, there were even antique mosquito coils (the movie takes place in the '50s). Sorry (not sorry) for repeating myself, but the fieldwork they must have done to obtain all those objects is colossal.

Unlike the Whisper of the Heart shop, here they did allow photos inside, so I would have stayed forever if it weren't for Husband eventually looking at me with his best are-we-leaving-yet face, plus daylight beginning to fade. The visit was completed with a climb to a hill where there's a giant Totoro for photos, and we got down with a kind of funicular (technically an inclined elevator), which looks like a toy it’s so smol and kawaii.

Before leaving, we passed by Mononoke Village. This area, included in the Grand Warehouse ticket but without an entry slot, hasjust opened. There was only has a couple of monsters for the photo and a pavilion were they do workshops that was already closed, so we only saw the outside of it. There is a new area in construction, the Valley of Witches, scheduled to open in March, which will feature scenery from Howl’s mving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

The park is fucking amazing, and a total must for any self-respecting Ghibli fan. I want to go back right away. The one downside, for me, is the fixed schedule ticket system they have (which they say they will eliminate soon), because we didn't have enough time to see all of the Grand Warehouse, but if we’d stayed, we would have missed the Dondoko Forest, and with Totor being my favourite Ghibli film, that would have been unforgivable.

We came back exhausted, and it was an adventure to find a place to have dinner. The word of the day was "kanseki": "full." Finally, we found an izakaya where we had a great meal and better service.

#nuri148 trips #Japan 2023 #studio ghibli #Ghibli park #my neighbor totoro #whisper of the heart #Ghibli #totoro #the cat returns #the secret world of arrietty

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mariacallous · 1 year ago

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The world has failed to halt a downward spiral in humanitarian conditions for civilians in the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas war began last October. The airdropping of humanitarian aid and the U.S. plan to construct a temporary port off the coast of northern Gaza to deliver assistance, both in coordination with Israel, will not adequately relieve the crisis or eliminate its root cause. In addition to being financially unfeasible, neither approach can be sustained amid continued armed conflict and Israel’s blocking of aid entering the strip via land borders.

The only feasible and sustainable way to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is through an emergency mechanism that removes Israel’s total control over the security inspection and entry of aid via land borders into the besieged territory. This proposed plan, limited to the duration of the war and the resulting humanitarian crisis, should include an international security task force with the limited mandate of overseeing and implementing an independent inspection and transport process for aid through Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

This emergency mechanism is not far-fetched and could be immediately applied if world powers were willing to utilize all means necessary to rescue Palestinians in Gaza from famine, a devastated health system, and harrowing levels of deprivation. Such an intervention would boost efforts to stop the mounting threat of a regional conflict as well as bring progress toward negotiations to reach a cease-fire. Now is the time to do so.

In the Sinai Peninsula, just across the border from Gaza, tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid are waiting for Israel’s permission to enter the strip. Images show hundreds of flatbed trucks loaded with aid and blocked by Israel’s security inspection system at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, including some parked for weeks. In wartime, it is imperative that aid shipments undergo strict security checks, but such a system must not be manipulated by any warring parties for military gain—in this case, either Israel or Hamas.

Instead, a joint task force, comprising security personnel from different governments and an international security body, could oversee the system. Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and France, in partnership with the United Nations, are the top parties—but not the only ones—capable of operating this limited-mandate force. All have consistently engaged both Hamas and Israel, along with local authorities and humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, on hostages, aid and rescue, policies to protect civilians, and negotiations toward a cease-fire.

Egypt is a fitting and capable host: It not only maintains the sole land border and entry point into Gaza that is not under Israeli military control, the Rafah border crossing, but it also has become the destination of most humanitarian aid dispatched for Gaza. Since the beginning of the war, shipments have continuously landed in El-Arish Airport in North Sinai, some 31 miles from the Rafah crossing—which is just south of the town of Rafah in Gaza, where an estimated 1.5 million people are sheltered.

In the last decade, the Egyptian military and security forces have turned this part of North Sinai into the country’s most militarized zone. It is so secure that it has received heads of government, top U.N. officials, members of parliament, and other officials since the war in Gaza began. At El-Arish, French and Italian navy hospital ships have docked for weeks to provide medical aid to Palestinians, while other vessels have unloaded aid shipments.

Egypt could immediately designate a site to host a security inspection effort and the joint task force needed to implement it. In fact, Cairo has already said it is building a logistics hub to host aid efforts near the Rafah crossing terminal.

Since the war began, senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CIA Director Bill Burns have conducted multiple visits and engaged in talks with regional governments involved with efforts to contain the conflict. After the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden appointed David Satterfield as special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues. Satterfield is no stranger to the region’s volatile security; he served as director-general of the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula from 2009 to 2017.

Qatar and France are as active as Egypt and the United States in all levels of engagement with the warring parties. Qatar’s capital, Doha, hosts the Hamas leadership outside of Gaza. Qatari efforts have led to the release of Israeli civilians held hostage by Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack. Qatar and France also secured a deal to allow delivery of lifesaving medicines to Gaza’s hospitals as well as to Hamas-held hostages. Qatar also constructed and operates a field hospital inside the strip and has dispatched aid to North Sinai since the start of the war.

Finally, the United Nations has powerful reach and ability, especially through on-the-ground humanitarian operations in Gaza. Its various bodies, including the Secretariat, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees, and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, are in constant communication and coordination with all parties involved. Despite the level of destruction in Gaza, they operate a broad network of employees and facilities dedicated to humanitarian aid.

With a force as small as 100 well-equipped security personnel and a site secured and serviced by Egypt’s military and local authorities at the Sinai-Gaza border, the joint security task force could theoretically inspect up to 50 trucks per hour, delivering the required minimum of 500 trucks per day within 10 hours. Cargo planes could not airdrop a fraction of that aid over Gaza every day for an extended period. And according to the United States, its port plan will take around two months, as many as 1,000 troops, and millions of dollars to provide just 2 million meals per day.

The emergency mechanism’s mandate would stop at the delivery of aid across Egypt’s Rafah terminal into Gaza. It would not encroach on the jurisdiction of local authorities and organizations or replace them. Within this strictly limited mandate, the aid mechanism and its task force wouldn’t pose a threat to any warring parties or provide political or military gain. It would operate impartially for the protection and rescue of civilians, most of whom are women and children.

An alternative mechanism to deliver humanitarian aid would not only save civilian lives, but it would also create a path toward a lasting solution that averts further crisis. Delivering the minimum required aid to Gaza could satisfy the basic needs of the 1.5 million people sheltering in Rafah within days. It would help reinforce Gaza’s devastated health care system and mitigate the risk of infectious diseases and chronic illnesses caused by malnutrition and medical shortages.

With an emergency mechanism in place that guarantees delivery without manipulation, donor countries and organizations would increase their efforts to send humanitarian aid to Gaza to satisfy the unprecedented level of need. Such guarantees could also contain panic across Gaza, creating a safer environment for organizations to transport and distribute aid throughout the strip. A continued flow of aid would gradually end the overwhelming of convoys by desperate civilians and undercut war profiteers and organized gangs seeking to commandeer shipments.

By hosting such an effort, Egypt would avoid its looming nightmare: a sudden influx of refugees crossing its borders in pursuit of safety and sustenance that would possibly deal a blow to the Camp David Accords, which maintains peace between Egypt and Israel. On a domestic level, the joint aid effort would address popular anger with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for failing to open the Rafah border crossing and unilaterally deliver aid to Gaza—with practical measures rather than ineffective statements and oppression of Egypt’s political opposition.

An alternative aid mechanism would also have far-reaching effects on growing regional conflict in the Middle East. While international powers and mediators are scrambling to contain hostilities between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel and the Houthi threat in the Red Sea, a practical approach to enforce a solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza could advance potential negotiations. Both Hezbollah and the Houthis have repeatedly pointed to the siege on Gaza’s people in official statements; although both have other calculations behind their attacks against Israel and its interests, containing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza would serve as a step toward reaching a settlement on both fronts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government will most certainly oppose any such efforts. But it is in the immediate power of the international community, and especially the Biden administration, to confront Israel and enforce solutions that will save lives. In this case, any Israeli opposition to the mechanism, whether by attempting to block its inception or by targeting aid after it enters Gaza, would be directed at a consortium of international and regional powers.

It would also contravene the provisional measures laid out by the International Court of Justice: that Israel “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

As Israel’s top provider of arms and aid, and in light of the potential threat that Biden’s policies toward the war in Gaza pose to his electoral prospects in November, it is in the administration’s interest to use its leverage to compel Israel not to block such an extraordinary measure. Failing to endorse and partner in such an effort would deepen the growing gap between the United States and the Middle East, leaving a vacuum that will inevitably be filled by other world powers.

Six months into the Israel-Hamas war, it would be naive to assume that any progress could be accomplished without an immediate and collaborative intervention by regional and international powers to remedy the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Only then will hindered talks toward a cease-fire agreement and a settlement of the war stand a chance.

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roberttaylorsleeps · 7 months ago

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It's been a bit since I've posted, so here is an excerpt from chapter one of my newer project We All Fall (It is not perfect)

A harsh neon light blasts my eyes as a car rolls past. Unfazed, I turn and offer the driver my opinion on their brights management through some kind hand gestures. Some foul words are muttered, and I resume my walk. I pull the hood of my hoodie over my head to hopefully reduce any kind of future ignorant blindings. Maybe it's my fault for walking by the road at night, but the road isn't exactly hard to see given the ambient lighting of all the street lights and buildings surrounding us. The reality was that it probably isn't worth the energy spent overthinking who was right or wrong, but I enjoyed the pettiness of it. My destination wasn't much farther ahead anyways.

Further up the road, located on a corner of a four way intersection, was a convenience store. The parking lot had little to find other than discarded trash bags that were being pillaged by a racoon. Peeking inside, it was obvious no one was working a night shift. For most people this would be bad, but for me it was exactly what I was looking for. Going around, I found the backdoor exit to the building. Regardless of where it led it was my way in. Excited growls emanated from my neglected stomach, adding to the haste I already carried. Picking the door's lock served a feeble task. It was simple, and fell within a mere minute. Now I could really start the fun. Slipping into the building as quietly as possible, I began to study the room. It quickly became apparent I made a mistake, however.

Pressed up to one of the walls was a desk and computer. Nothing was even close to bad news about that. The mistake laid in my assessment of the building's safety precautions, or better put, the lack of an assessment at all. On the monitor was a dim broadcast of security cameras. One of which was positioned to directly overlook the door I had just broken into. On the corner of that camera's view was a flashing popup stating the system had detected unauthorized entry, and that authorities were being notified. Shit. I should have about fifteen minutes to grab what I needed and go.

#authors #creative writing #literature #writers and poets #english literature #writers on tumblr #writing #writeblr #writblr #writerscommunity #writer stuff #writer things #writer #writers #original writing #writing community #excerpts #original story

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stlivingla · 7 months ago

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Newly constructed Apartments for rent in Koreatown

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Safety and Security Stlivingla places a premium on the safety of its residents. The newly constructed apartment buildings come equipped with secure entry systems, surveillance, and dedicated parking to ensure peace of mind for tenants.

Pet-Friendly Living We know your pets are part of the family, and at Stlivingla, many of the newly constructed apartments are pet-friendly. Spacious layouts and nearby parks make it easy to live comfortably with your furry companions.

Why Rent with Stlivingla? When it comes to renting apartments in Los Angeles, Stlivingla stands out for its commitment to providing quality homes with excellent customer service. Their team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free rental experience. From the moment you inquire about a property to when you move in, Stlivingla is there to assist with any questions or concerns.

Flexible Leasing Options Stlivingla understands that every renter has different needs, which is why they offer flexible leasing options. Whether you’re looking for a short-term rental or a long-term commitment, they have various plans to fit your lifestyle.

Transparent Pricing No hidden fees or surprise charges—Stlivingla prides itself on transparent pricing, so you know exactly what you're paying for. The rent covers all standard utilities, ensuring a stress-free living experience.

Experience the Best of Koreatown Renting a newly constructed apartment in Koreatown offers more than just a place to live—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in one of LA’s most exciting neighborhoods. With new apartment buildings designed for modern living and Stlivingla’s commitment to excellence, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable and enriching lifestyle.

So, if you're ready to make the move to Koreatown, explore the newly constructed apartments for rent by Stlivingla today. Discover your dream home in a vibrant community that blends the best of LA living with the comfort of modern amenities.

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