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cleolinda · 2 months ago

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Silent Hill 2 commentary: Wood Side Apartments (5)

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PREVIOUSLY ON: Eddie's introduction; a swimming pool full of lying figures and an apartment full of mannequins; "IF WE'RE DYING IT'S AT LEAST GONNA BE SOMEWHERE RESPECTABLE!"; canned juice.

Spoiler policy: Just about anything but That One Big Thing near the end of the game, particularly information about characters, their motives, and their dynamics. The game’s eight endings may also be discussed. Content notes are below the cut.

Content notes: For this post, we have discussions or mentions (not visual depictions) of terminal illness and infertility.

The cutscene near the end of the video shows implied sexual violence, and I discuss how this plays out in both the original game and the remake, with a link to the more graphic version. The scene itself is an homage to Blue Velvet, which has explicit sexual violence, but I only discuss that here in text, not the video, and without describing any of it.

2:26:30: A long journey back through the courtyard and to Apartment 107. We pick up the Woman coin on the way.

Did not mention: Interestingly, she's blindfolded—usually I'd think of Justice, and we do see a blindfolded Justice statue in Toluca Prison. In the coin puzzle context, I wonder if this symbolizes her accidentally running into the snake—she didn't see it.

2:29:45: Okay, lots to see in Apartment 107, mostly themed around the idea that James and Mary had wanted to have children (V2 31:20). Laura the Stepper of Hands, by the way, is an orphan who developed a close relationship with Mary in the hospital; she knows who James is, but she doesn't seem to expect that James would know her. Mary wanted to adopt Laura—did James not ever know any of this, or he did but the amnesia won't let him remember? That's the question with a lot of things. Given how estranged James and Mary were by the end of her illness, I have to think he wouldn't have known, and that maybe Mary's connection with Laura was genuine, of course, but also partly a replacement for the emotional support her husband wasn't giving her.

Things to see:

A clock with Mary's time of death

Two small pictures on the wall: one of a couple on the beach, and one of a couple with a child (or two children and a man?)

Sheet music for Schumann's "Einsame Blumen," and Ian has a lot to say about the historical background of the Schumanns as a couple. (Here's a performance, if you'd like to hear it.) The title means "Lonely Flowers," which convinced me that flowers are in fact a Mary motif. Mary's full letter at the end of the game indicates how lonely she was in the hospital, but also implies that she blamed herself for lashing out and pushing the people she loved away.

Records that we also saw at Groovy Music: "Locket" (a memento that can hold a photo, much the way James carries a picture of Mary around) and "FAKE" (the Silent Hill we're experiencing is not "real"). There are records broken into pieces as well—the one on the floor could stand for a family of three (James, Mary, and Laura), while the one that's broken into a half and then one smaller piece, the rest missing, could stand for James and Laura, who leave Silent Hill together in one of the endings.

One of Laura's wall drawings: a large rabbit (Mary) and a sad, smaller rabbit (Laura herself), separated from anyone else

Another drawing over the headboard of a bed: two happy rabbits (Mary and Laura) under a shining sun, which may connect to the sun mural that I think symbolizes Mary (V1 1:47:00).

107 was the location of the canned juice in the original game; I'd like to think that Bloober Team put all of this here so that OG fans who made a beeline here would have something interesting to see.

2:37:30: "I feel for Laura... she's such a brat! I won't lie to you, she's such a little shit."

2:38:30: Here we are, at last: Three Bright Coins in the Five Holes Be. Again, the coin puzzle might be my favorite, and I like the clue writing best on Standard. You'll work through the sequence of "man approaches woman, woman flees, woman runs into snake, man stands before woman's grave," and then the puzzle will ask you: Who was responsible for her death ("for what fate had in store")? Any answer will work. But each one gives you points towards a different ending: Snake for "Leave," Man for "In Water," and Woman for "Maria." (Here's a source for that, as well as the other versions of the clues.)

People say you should really just go with your gut on a first playthrough and see what ending your natural behavior gets you; my personal answer to the question is the Man, which is also what I need to choose this time. I interpret the Man not as James, but as Mary's illness—talk about it later, etc.

2:44:00: Apartment 201, our final destination. I give some content warnings at this point, but let's move them a few paragraphs to the cutscene writeup a few minutes from now. In the meantime, you'll recall that I said that the "Valentine's Day" Strange Photo and matching bouquet connect Apartment 102 to this one. Here's the other half of that equation: I believe that this apartment is either partially or entirely James and Mary's home, manifested here by Silent Hill. And because James has this partial amnesia that set in right after Mary died, he doesn't recognize what he's looking at. But what I do walk him around and look at includes:

Mary's tiny sick room, which we see in an important cutscene in the "Leave" ending. I stay quiet so you can hear a gasp—Mary's last breath, which you'll hear at odd times throughout the game.

Flower-themed paintings and fabrics

Again, the bouquet that matches the Strange Photo from 102

Two bird pictures in the bathroom, one a cardinal (the classic red cardinals you think of are the males) to give them a "his and hers" vibe; the other one is shaped very much like the bird in the "how to get Maria's ending" book, and Maria very much wants to take Mary's place.

After I recorded the second and third videos, I realized that the room with the TV is the same room from the Strange Photo, and added it to the text post (V2 28:00).

In that room, a painting of a deer (innocence and vulnerability), and the same little lighthouse painting we saw in a Wood Side apartment, continuing the theme of Mary and guiding lights

An old-fashioned radio that we'll see again as a puzzle in Blue Creek, continuing the theme that "music brings you back"

A Mary's Time of Death clock (look closely at it if you don't remember the exact time)

THE flowered bedsheet I kept talking about, which is "currently in James' car" (we'll talk about it later)

Three paintings of a ship at sea, which I read as a sequence of James and Mary's marriage deteriorating, continuing the association of James with water

A handkerchief with orange blossoms on it—a flower associated with brides and weddings, so I'll go with various redditors' idea that it's a wedding handkerchief, sure.

2:51:00: I had to talk around this a bit, but there's some violent sexual imagery in this next scene. It's not what it looks like; it's just Pyramid Head struggling to subdue a mannequin, but it's been framed and half-hidden in such a way that you're meant to sort of recoil and say, "Is he... what the hell am I looking at?" The original game's scene was more visible and more... fetishized in a way I can't quite put my finger on (I discuss this a bit more on the video). Remember the Takayoshi Sato quote I brought in a few posts ago? In this video, I read a lightly paraphrased version aloud after this scene, but here's the original again:

"Psychological horror has to shake human's heart deeply. Shaking people's heart deeply means uncover people's core emotion and their core motivation for life. Everybody is thinking and concerning about sex and death. Everything. If we want to scare, shake, or touch the users or spectators, then we have to think about sex and death deeply. To make like a death scene, somebody died or monsters died, we tried to mix erotic essence. This is kind of a visual and a core concept."

So what happens is, James is looking at this handkerchief he ought to remember, and suddenly Pyramid Head bursts in, struggling with two mannequins, and James has to hide in a closet with slatted double doors (the better to peer out in terror). At some point, Pyramid Head realizes James is there, and they stare each other down through the doors, insofar as an otherworldly being covered by a cast-iron helmet can stare at anything, until James finally breaks and starts shooting. Unsurprisingly, bullets do nothing. After a few moments of not reacting, Pyramid Head writhes in a very strange, jerky way, then grabs a dead mannequin and leaves.

Did not mention: James' actor Luke Roberts talks a little about doing the motion capture for this scene with a second actor playing Pyramid Head. Which, now that I think about it—I wonder who did the motion capture for the three basic monsters?

Did not mention: This cutscene is inspired by two scenes involving a closet in David Lynch's Blue Velvet—

Blue Velvet image from "Blue Velvet Ending, Explained"

—which I did not immediately notice because I bailed on that movie twenty years ago after watching one (1) hour of it. Nothing terrible was even happening at the time, but I was watching it in the pitch dark sometime after midnight, and the tension was so nerve-wracking that I just couldn't handle it anymore. Point being, though, that movie is famous for how disturbing... well, everything is, but especially the sexual and/or assault scenes, so if you're wondering What the Hell Is Going On, and then you recognize that this is a Blue Velvet homage, you're going to bring that subtext to the table yourself without the game even having to go there.

Bonus fact: David Lynch passed away this past January; at the Oscars this month, Isabella Rossellini wore a blue velvet gown in his honor.

2:58:00: In terms of the game, Pyramid Head is here to serve as a kind of psychopomp (IMO), leading James into the Otherworld, because James has so little self-preservation that he thinks following Pyramid Head is a terrific idea. And that's what we're going to do now; James is going to open that incongruous red door in the kitchenette and step over, across a very slim alley two stories up, from Wood Side to Blue Creek. At that point, you get the achievement "Otherworldly."

Everything is fucked. Everything is nasty and rusty and decrepit. It's the physical embodiment of "the vibes are rancid." (General content warning: all Otherworld toilets are heinous, always.) The floor plan of this apartment somewhat mirrors the one James just left; the slatted doors of the closet have been slashed through by a VERY LARGE blade, so in some other dimension, Pyramid Head was extremely displeased by getting shot in the face.

So now, we're going to make our way through Blue Creek Apartments to a room with a clock puzzle, and we'll be able to save there (maybe) and stop for the day. We learn a new skill: breaking through "weak walls," cracked areas that are marked with White Cloth™ and are exactly James-shaped. In the combined 206 and 204 units, I do a pretty good job of shooting an exploding lying figure (yeah, this is new) from across the apartment, but I'm so ragged after recording for three hours that I absolutely get my ass kicked by a mannequin ("NO NO DON'T PUNCH ME IN THE FACE I'M SO TIRED").

I said I'd screenshot and search this painting—

—but nothing exact came up. Still looks Francis Bacon-ish to me, though.

3:08:00: We pass the moth room that I mentioned back on (Thomas) Harris Street, and then, finally, we arrive at the clock puzzle, the organizing principle of the Blue Creek Apartments level. Now, if I asked you for a significant time, here in a Silent Hill 2 context, what would you come up with? If you've noticed that I relentlessly pointed out that every single clock has been set to Mary's time of death, you know the answer to this puzzle. However, you still have to search the building for the clock hands themselves, and that's what we'll spend the fourth video doing.

Our final destination will be a rematch with Pyramid Head—I'll have to fight him for a 14th time, at minimum. And, by the way—I've since realized that shooting him in the head does no damage, just like we saw a few minutes ago (apparently I thought just hurting his feelings would be sufficient), and I have to revise my strategy.

CORRECTIONS

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I ended up having so much to say that I recorded an entirely separate clickbait video, God help us all. Adapted from the writeups you just read:

00:00 We're gonna take a field trip!

01:53 Eddie, visible breath, and "coldness"

08:00 Apartment 213 ("208") as a crime scene

23:00 Strange Photos credit to DaleRobinson on Reddit

24:30 The Blue Velvet homage in Apartment 201

26:00 I said something incredibly weird and here's what I was actually thinking

34:30 A wild lying figure appears: "Now how do you feel about that after the discussion we just had?"

36:35 Pole dancing?

I have already recorded video 4, so tune in next time for clocks, moths, birds, Angela's return, mannequins tag-teaming me again, the Worst Toilet in North America, and my neuropathy betraying me in the Pyramid Head fight.

(SH2R commentary master post)

#sh2r playthrough #sh2r commentary #gaming #silent hill 2 remake #blue velvet #long post

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yuyuswrld · 1 year ago

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O Captain, My Captain || 1

series intro here, or read chapter 2

characters: reiner x reader (this chapter), various aot boys x reader.

notes: this is an 18+ series, please don’t interact if you’re a minor! reader is referred to with she/they pronouns.

content warnings: explicit smut, fingering, reiner eating pussy like a god!!, alcohol consumption, degradation, mild slut shaming (?), mentions of marijuana at the end

“Has he always been a bitch?” You question Marco, inhaling bites of your ramen. He shrugs, “We’ve both been on the team since freshman year and I’ve never had a problem with him. Maybe you’re the problem?” He meets with dead silence as you stare up at him from your bowl.

“Funny, Bott. I’m just not looking forward to spending so much time with him, if he behaves like that, anyway.” Exasperation visible, you slump in your chair to think. “It’s not like he’s on the sidelines. He’s the damn captain, which means I have to talk to him a lot.”

Marco shrugs. “You’re being dramatic. He’s a pain sometimes, but he’s not that bad. Just try to be nice to him, please. Eren won’t get any nicer if you’re mean. Plus,” He stops to take a bite of his food, “we don’t have the time for fighting. We’re expected to go to nationals this year, and that’s not happening if you two scare each other off.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Bott. I’ll see you at practice later.” Uncrossing your arms and brushing off your legs as you get up from your seat. Okay, sure, Eren has yet to be anything except slightly dismissive and maybe just a little shit. He hasn’t actually done anything to you. You toss your bag over your shoulder before thanking Marco for the meal and dismissing yourself.

As the time for practice draws closer, you collect your thoughts as you stand outside the cold metal doors of the university’s second largest gym. Sure, you went to a school notorious for its D-1 volleyball, but the gym’s size was excessive. The high rise bleachers felt as if they would swallow you alive and the walls would collapse in. They had before. You remember the bile pool in your throat as the sports cameras flashes ate at your failure and spat you back out. Like a gazelle running from its predator, your body craves to run away from the glorified arena ahead of you.

“The fuck are you standing in the doorway for? Are you going in, or what?” Is it wrong to want to choose violence? Couldn’t he just say excuse me or ask if something’s wrong like a normal person?

Ugh, you should choose peace and not mess up a good opportunity. Just think about the money and all the nice things you can buy.

“I’m obviously just trying to get in your way.” You push the door open and walk into the gymnasium, not bothering with holding it open for Eren. In fact– hopefully it hits him!

You hear the door fly open again behind you and a bag hits the ground with a loud thud. Eyes landing on the congregation of men in jerseys surrounding a smaller man, you beeline over to them. As you near, the smaller man, who you assume to be Coach Levi, locks his gaze with you. Is he… angry? Concerned? It’s impossible to determine what he’s thinking as he continues to stare.

“You’re not pregnant, are you?”

Your jaw drops. You’ve met more people in your life than you can count and never did a single person start a conversation in such a way.

“Not as far as I’m aware of…?”

“Okay, if you do what Hanna did, I will rip that baby out of your-”

A blond kid speaks up, “Um, Coach, you probably shouldn’t be threatening them on the first day. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to do that when we really need someone to organize our itinerary and keep practice stats. We’re nothing if we don’t have those numbers.”

“Fine, Arlelt. You and Braun stay here, explain how game statistics work and start having her do one-on-ones after. Performance evaluations for all of you.” You watch as Coach Levi’s eyes hover over Eren, who looks less than pleased. You’re not sure what’s going on there, but also can’t bring yourself to care. “Rest of you can go practice.”

As you glance over at the two boys who stayed, it throws you off that you’ve seen both of them before. The little blond one, you’re pretty sure his name is Armin. You’ve seen him walking around with Eren before, but he always looked so out of place in how gentle he is. You’re pretty sure you watched him bump into a trash can and apologize.

The other, however, you don’t think you’ve ever seen a man with such a commanding presence. He’s well-built. You’re pretty sure even a Greek god couldn’t hold up in comparison. You scoff internally, ‘it’s always the fucking volleyball players.’ But there’s something that lingers on your tongue, a conversation revolving around him. Then it hits you, Petra’s gossipped about him before!

“There are some really cute guys on our volleyball team. Did you know that?”

“Not this again, Petra. We’re supposed to be doing our biology homework.”

“Bitch, please. Let me speak. Anyway, there’s this guy on the team, his name is Reiner and oh my god- that is one fine ass man. He’s built like a tank engine. Not only that,” she says, a little giggle follows. “I’ve only heard this from two girls. He says he doesn’t like to hook up a lot, but his head game is insane. Like cum in a minute insane.”

You stare, “I’m pretty sure that’s impossible, Petra.”

“I don’t know! Hook up with him yourself and you can give me all the juicy details afterwards.” You can only sigh in response, disturbed by your best friend’s inability to study.

But, here he was in the flesh, all 6’2 farmers tan of him. You couldn’t possibly do something so scandalous on your first day, could you? You shake the thought out of your mind as Armin talks.

“Volleyball stats are relatively easy to get the hang of. You just need to watch pretty closely. Even if you do miss something, we record them and you’ll go back through with Eren to make sure everything is recorded properly. Then, you’ll want to convert the numbers of each hit, serve, and pass into percentages compared to how many times it occurred per set.”

Reiner laughs, just a small one, but lord it’s like music to your ears. “Armin, you’re dumping too much info on them at once. It’d probably just be best to just show them the ropes visually and they can go from there. C’mon, let’s have coach set up the camera and record the three-on-three’s that they’re doing now. We’ll watch the game, I’ll have you watch me record it, and then we’ll go back over it while watching the tape later.”

You nod, feeling just a hint of warmth across your face. Is this even possible, to have a school-girl crush in university? Those days were supposed to be behind you, but you can’t help but have the smallest bit of a smile as you follow him and Armin to speak with Coach Levi.

As you watch Reiner and Armin record the stats, your mind spins with utter confusion. You’re beyond lost, unsure how they’re even keeping up with the sheer amount of movement the players are doing. Dig? Write it down. Set? Write it down. You want to groan, or maybe even just go get dinner as you feel your stomach rumble.

As practice wraps up, your stomach rumbles in pain once again as it craves its next coddling. Reiner glances over from where you two stand, finishing up showing Coach Levi the statistics and getting a dismissive, “make sure it’s right,” instead of an appreciative response. He smiles at you, looking down.

“Gettin’ hungry?” He asks.

“Beyond hungry,” you say, shoulders dropping in defeat. “I’m being tortured. I haven’t eaten since noon. It’s 7 now! It’s criminal that you guys would starve me for so long.” You tease Reiner. He only responds by glancing at the gym door where most of the boys say their goodbyes before tapping out for the night.

“Y’know, I’ve heard I make a mean rice bowl.”

It didn’t take much convincing for you to follow him back to his dorm room as practice winds down. Upon sitting across from each other at his make-shift dinner table, you learn Reiner is one of the middle blockers, coming at no surprise to you when taking in consideration to his stature. Although, you also learn he was from the countryside and this scholarship was his way out.

“Y’know, I always kinda dreamt of moving to the big city and being able to do what I love. But it’s crazy, man, I still can’t believe I’m here sometimes playing for the top university on the island.”

Hearing the passion in his voice, you question if it’s right for you to intrude as a manager. Is it okay for you to be in charge of the livelihood of the men who’ve come so far and done so much for their passion? The men who could very well play on Paradis’ Olympic Team in the future? The concern is quickly shoved into your mental locker to be returned to as Reiner asks about watching a movie over some post-dinner snacks and beer. A much needed chance to relax after endless studying, you agree chipperly and move over to his plush couch.

As you two get halfway through Inglourious Basterds, you feel his arm wrap around you and his head turn in your direction. The alcohol running through your system has you heating up just from the skin contact. You blush as Petra’s words return to the forefront of your mind. You turn your head to face him, eyes interlocking with each other. His eyes signal a look of need, not want. You’re not sure if anyone’s ever looked at you like that before. Like a hunter who’ll starve without the meat of the deer he’s trailing.

“You’re so fucking hot” He mutters, you’re surprised a man of his stature can be so quiet. “I don’t think I’ll last with you as our manager.” Reiner closes the gap between the two of you. There’s a slight metallic tinge on his lips, but it’s addicting in the worst of ways and only deepens the experience. You two continue, allowing yourselves to sink into the couch, your body hitting the arm rest. His kiss moves from your lips to your neck, hands beginning to roam until they find purchase underneath your shirt. First, he plays with your bra before making his way under. Reiner moves his lips from your neck gently, almost like he’s scared of making a mistake. He helps you pull your shirt over your head and follows by removing your bra, his delicate touch unhooking the backing.

“You don’t have to be gentle,” you coo to him, lust-filled gazes connecting. “Please, I like it a bit rough, I swear.” He groans into the valley of your breasts.

“Don’t say that shit, I might break you.”

You can only laugh at his words, unfazed by the prospect, if not even more turned on by it.

“Holy shit, please do,”

“In that case,” He says, voice lower as if weighing his options internally. “Don’t blame me if you limp to practice tomorrow.” Reiner helps you remove your pants before his fingers begin to dance over your body again. The touches are soft as they ghost the outline of your skin, your heart beating as you wait for him to soothe the ache between your legs. You attempt to rub them together for a semblance of friction but his arms find their way to keep them split. His gaze shifts up to you, eyes narrow as if disapproving of your behavior. Reiner’s face then begins to move lower, tongue licking a stripe up the inside of your thigh as his fingers begin to dance over your clit. He moves his face over to meet his fingers, tongue flattening against your clit, which draws a moan of approval from you. It seems evident that it spurs him on further as he begins to speed up his tongue, then switching to sucking your bud and having his fingers delve lower to your hole. Reiner holds eye contact with you as he begins to press one of his monstrous fingers inside of you.

You can only make a noise of approval as he pushes it further in, approving of how well even one of them feels inside. It heightens your pleasure as he thrusts it forward, keeping his tongue dancing and sucking against your clit in a flurry of movements that have you questioning if Reiner is really a man and not a god in disguise. As he pushes a second large finger in, you cry out much louder than you should be in the dorms. You bite down on your lip to withhold any further noises, but Reiner puts a complete pause on what he’s doing.

“Keep moaning, baby. Let them hear how well you’re getting finger-fucked right now. This is what Armin wanted to be doing to you right now, did you know that?” He lets out a deep laugh, lips and face glistening in the dim lighting of his tv. “Bet you’d like that, though, huh?” His fingers move again and you gasp. “Yeah, you’d fucking love it if I bent you over and fingered you from behind to show off the entire team what a good little pocket pussy you are.”

That’s what tipped you over the edge. In fact, it’s probably disrespectful to feminism that you allow yourself to be finger-fucked while getting off to the disgusting words spewing out of the blond’s mouth. But social constructs be damned if this man didn’t stick his dick in you soon. You clench around his fingers as they continue to move, despite your cum gushing over his fingers.

“You’re fuckin’ nasty. But you’re still not ready for me.”

His face returns to its original spot, blowing hot air on it first as you wriggle at the stimulation. Reiner only adds another finger in response, allowing the three large digits to stretch you out before moving them once again. It feels as if you’re melting around his fingers as your back arches to the stretch. Despite slight discomfort, it’s overwhelmingly pleasurable to feel the expertise in his ways.

It’s not long after he adds another finger that you feel the coil in your stomach once again. As his tongue laps at your clit with a technique unknown to you, you’re about to unravel against his touch once again.

“‘M gonna cum,” you pant out desperately.

“Do it, cum on my fuckin’ tongue.” He replies approvingly, allowing you to take the time you need to ride out the rush to your body. For a second, you feel as if you’re floating in the way your back arches off the couch and your head spins in pure ecstasy. You glance over at Reiner, eyes fixated, as he removes his pants and reveals the thing you’ve been so curious to see. It matches his stature in almost every way, which makes you cringe at the thought of him fitting it in.

“You said you like it rough?” It’s a trap, that much you’re sure of. You glance back down to examine how large he is before you reconfirm, but before you know it, the condom has slipped on and he’s making his way back to you. He asserts his way on top, arms on either side of your head as he leans in to give you a quick kiss. It catches you a bit off guard, the earlier metallic taste has changed into the taste of your own cum and there’s a slight wince as you taste it. You can’t tell if this man is slightly depraved or hot as hell.

“I asked you a question. It’s not nice to ignore me.”

A loud smack to your clit resounds as you let out a sharp, pleasure-filled gasp.

“Yes, please,” you whine. It’s slightly pathetic, how you’re behaving for this man, but god be damned if anything were to impede your moment.

He only grunts in response, lining himself up with your entrance. As he sinks in, you bite your lip to fight the stretch. You attempt to lie back and relax in his touch to allow him in, but he’s just so large. Reiner bottoms out, tip just ghosting against your cervix. He only grants you a few moments to adjust to his size before he’s pounding into you, your cries of pleasure nothing but music to his ears. The tip kissing your cervix is making your brain fuzz beyond anything you’ve felt before, and your walls hug him in intoxicating ways. Reiner grips both of your legs, bringing them onto his shoulders to push in further which earns you a grunt of approval from the larger man.

He fucks you like he hates you. Every so often, his head falls back, and he lets out grunts of pleasure. His body moves like an artist painting their long-lost lover from only a distant memory, hips ferocious in their assault of your cunt. Reiner flips you over onto your hands and knees after an indiscernible amount of time, your sweat-covered body cringing at the chilly breeze it causes. His pace is still unrelenting from the back, cock feeling as if it’s touching every inch it can inside of you.

“Holy shit,” He cries out. “I’m gonna cum. I wish I could cum inside this pretty little pussy of yours.”

Without another word, except for your moan of approval, Reiner finishes and delicately slides out of you, removing the condom and disposing of it. He arrives back a couple minutes later, towel in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

“So, round two?”

“I’m pretty sure you started my period just now.”

#aot #aot x reader #aot fanfiction #attack on titan #eren x reader #reiner braun #reiner x reader #reiner smut #attack on titan smut

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jazzmckay · 4 months ago

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Hello! I'm so hyped for the dasweekend event and what you will create. May I prompt you:

— waking up to their partner tracing the divots of their spine

And Rook Thorne x Lucanis

thank you! such a soft prompt <3

reference pics for lark "rook" thorne (they/them)

600 words for @thedasweekend

The touch is at first distant, mixing in with vague impressions of images and thoughts that float just out of grasp. It’s steady, though—a defined line, a slow progression, a gentle pressure. Feels nice. Soothing.

Back up again. More points of contact that spread out, all of them warm and as light as a caress. Lark smiles, their lips brushing against the pillow beneath them. Gradually, their surroundings fill in; the bedsheets are pooled near their waist, caught in the dip of their lower back, the bed is pleasantly warm, and even without opening their eyes, they sense Lucanis lying beside them, his fingers still trailing across their exposed back.

The sheets shift and bunch audibly as Lucanis leans closer, pressing a kiss to Lark’s shoulder. It has been years since Lark last got to wake up next to someone every morning like this. For a while, it was only the Weisshaupt barracks, packed and disruptive. No opportunity for waking slowly with soft touches. But after their and Lucanis’ time together before the final fight, the Lighthouse seemed to recognize their desire for a shared space, and the meditation room accommodated. Lark can have this—comfort, warmth, intimacy, love—whenever they want.

Gathering their thoughts and finding their voice, Lark says, “Why do we ever bother getting out of bed, again?”

Lucanis laughs, light and breathy. He draws a fingertip in an arch away from Lark’s spine, surely following the inked design there. “Someone must make the coffee before Neve has the chance to poison us all.”

“Mm,” Lark hums at the thought of Lucanis’ coffee, always made perfectly. “You have a point.”

Still, they’re in no hurry. Even with the Veil safe for now, there’s plenty of work to be done clearing blight and repairing the damage it did, but it isn’t as urgent as it used to be. They can take their time. Regain their energy and enjoy the smaller moments.

Lark opens their eyes, their gaze immediately finding Lucanis’. He looks back at them with a shared fondness, his hair wonderfully sleep-mussed. Unable to resist, Lark lifts their hand to run their fingers through the dark locks, watching Lucanis all the while.

When they reach the ends of his hair, he catches their hand, threading their fingers together and kissing one of their knuckles with lingering warmth.

“I take it back. Coffee can wait,” Lark says as they roll closer.

Lucanis lets out an amused huff as he moves with them, lying on his back to let Lark climb atop him. Once they’re settled, he rests his hands on their hips, running his thumbs along their skin.

“I am just as content with your taste instead,” he says, tipping his head back against the pillows like an invitation.

It’s an invitation Lark will never refuse; he’s especially irresistible when he’s being so sweet and earnest. Bending down to close the distance between them, they seal their lips together, lifting a hand to cup Lucanis’ face in a palm. The kiss is slow and relaxed, like a warm, lazy morning. It doesn’t matter that their mouths still taste of sleep—Lark is just as content to indulge.

One of Lucanis’ hands circles around their hip to the small of their back, fingers once again finding the line of their spine and following all that he can reach. Lark makes a sound of pleasure and encouragement, sinking into the embrace.

No one will blame them if they don’t emerge to the common areas for a while longer. The world can wait while they have their hard-earned peaceful morning.

#thedasweekend #dragon age #davg #rookanis #rook #lucanis dellamorte #my fic #oc lark

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jimmylovemail · 7 months ago

Text

How to make meth

Making Methamphetamine at home:

List of chemicals and materials:

Diluted HCl - also called Muriatic acid - can be obtained from hardware stores, in the pool section

NaOH - also called lye

Ethyl Ether - aka Diethyl Ether - Et-0-Et - can be obtained from engine starting fluid, usually from a large supermarket. Look for one that says "high ethyl ether content", such as Prestone

Ephedrine The cottons in todays vicks nasle inhalers dont contain efed or pfed (ephedrin or psuedoephedrin) but there are still lots of easy ways to get good ephed or pfed, pure ephedrin can be extracted out of it's plant matter, from a plant that can be bought at most garden stores. Or you can get pfed from decongestive pills like sudafed. Most people perfer to work with pfed from pills rather then ephed from the plant. The important thing is that you must have pure pfed/ephed as any contaminants will fuck up the molar ratio leaving you with over-reduced shit or under-reduced shit. Or contaminats will jell durring baseifying and gak up your product which will then be very hard to clean. So you want to find a pill that is nearly pure pfed hcl, or as close to pure as you can get. Also check the lable on your pills and see what inactive ingredients they contain. Inactive ingredients are things like binders and flavors. These you dont want and will remove when cleaning your pills. but certain inactive ingredients are harder to remove then others. You dont want pills with a red coating, you dont want pills with alot of cellose in them and you dont want pills with much wax. you also dont want pills that contain povidone. As a rule, if you have a two pills that contain the same amount of pfed hcl then take the smaller sized pill because it obviously has less binders and inactive ingredients, time released pills are usualy harder to work with because they have more binders and tend to gel up durring the a/b stage. Also only buy pills that have pfed hcl as the only active ingredient. You first have to make ephedrine (which is sometimes sold as meth by itself):If you are selling it...I would just make ephedrine and say it's meth.

Distilled water - it's really cheap, so you have no reason to use the nasty stuff from the tap. Do things right.

List of equipment :

A glass eyedropper

Three small glass bottles with lids (approx. 3 oz., but not important)one should be marked at 1.5oz, use tape on the outside to mark it (you might want to label it as ether). One should be clear (and it can't be the marked one).

A Pyrex dish (the meatloaf one is suggested)

A glass quart jar

Sharp scissors

Clean rubber gloves

Coffee filters

A measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Preparing your Lab:

Preparing Ethyl Ether:

WARNING: Ethyl Ether is very flammable and is heavier than air. Do not use ethyl ether near flame or non-sparkless motors. It is also an anaesthetic and can cause respiratory collapse if you inhale too much.

Take the unmarked small bottle and spray starter fluid in it until it looks half-full. Then fill the rest of the way with water, cap the bottle and shake for 5 minutes. Let it sit for a minute or two, and tap the side to try and separate the clear upper layer. Then, draw off the top (ether) layer with the eyedropper, and throw away the lower (water) and cloudy layer. Place the ether in the marked container. Repeat this until you have about 1.5 oz. of ether. Put the cap on it, and put it in the freezer if you can. Rinse the other bottle and let it stand.

Ethyl ether is very pungent. Even a small evaporated amount is quite noticeable.

Ephedrine & or P-Ephedrine: Please discuss this on the neonjoint forum

5. Pour 1/8 teaspoon of the lye crystals into the bottle of ephedrine and agitate. Do this carefully, as the mixture will become hot, and give off hydrogen gas and/or steam. H2 gas is explosive and lighter than air, avoid any flames as usual. Repeat this step until the mixture remains cloudy. This step neutralizes the HCl in the salt, leaving the insoluble free base (l-desoxyephedrine) again. Why do we do this? So that we can get rid of any water-soluble impurities. For 3 oz. bottles, this should take only 3 repetitions or so.

6. Fill the bottle from step 5 up the rest of the way with ethyl ether. Cap the bottle, and agitate for about 8 minutes. It is very important to expose every molecule of the free-base to the ether for as long as possible. This will cause the free base to dissolve into the ether (it -is- soluble in ether).

7. Let the mixture settle. There will be a middle layer that is very thick. Tap the side of the bottle to get this layer as thin as possible. This is why this bottle should be clear.

8. Remove the top (ether) layer with the eyedropper, being careful not to get any of the middle layer in it. Place the removed ether layer into a third bottle.

9. Add to the third bottle enough water to fill it half-way and about 5 drops of muriatic acid. Cap it. Shake the bottle for 2 minutes. When it settles, remove the top layer and throw it away. The free base has now been bonded to the HCl again, forming a water soluble salt. This time, we're getting rid of ether-soluble impurities. Make sure to get rid of all the ether before going to step 11!

10. If there is anything left from step 3, repeat the procedure with it.

11. Evaporate the solution in the Pyrex dish on low heat. You can do this on the stove or nuke it in the microwave (be careful of splashing), but I have found that if you leave it on top of a hot-water heater (like the one that supplies hot water to your house) for about 2-3 days, the remaining crystals will be ephedrine HCl.

If you microwave it, I suggest no more than 5-10s at one time. If it starts "popping", that means you have too little liquid left to microwave. You can put it under a bright (100W) lamp instead. Microwaving can result in uneven heating, anyway.

First Batch: 120mg ephedrine HClEstimated: 300mg (100% of theoretical, disregarding HCl)

Now, Making Methamphetamine out of ephedrine by reducing it with Hydroiodic Acid and Red Phosphorus.

Items needed:

Alot of matchbooks (the kind with the striking pad)

Coffee filters (or filter paper)

Something that measures ml and grams

A flask (a small pot with a lid can be used)

iodine

Hydroiodic Acid (I will tell you how to make this)

Red Phosphorus (I will tell you how to make this)

Lye

*Optional (toluene and HCI gas)

Making Red Phosphorus:

The striking pad on books of matches is about 50% red phosphorus. The determined experimenter could obtain a pile of red phosphorus by scraping off the striking pads of matchbooks with a sharp knife. A typical composition of the striking pad is about 50% red phosphorus, along with about 30% antimony sulfide, and lesser amounts of glue, iron oxide, MnO2, and glass powder. I don't think these contaminants will seriously interfere with the reaction. Naturally, it is a tedious process to get large amounts of red phosphorus by scraping the striking pads off matchbooks, but who cares?

Making Hydroiodic Acid:

This is made by mixing iodine and red phosphorus. When making hydroiodic acid from iodine and red phosphorus, the acid is prepared first, and allowed to come to complete reaction for 20 minutes before adding the ephedrine to it. The way around the roadblock here is to just boil off some more of the water from the ephedrine extract, and make the acid mixture in fresh pure water. Since the production of HI from iodine and red phosphorus gives off a good deal of heat, it is wise to chill the mixture in ice, and slowly add the iodine crystals to the red phosphorus-water mixture.

Now, Making Methamphetamine:

To do the reaction, a 1000 ml round bottom flask is filled with 150 grams of ephedrine. Also added to the flask are 40 grams of red phosphorus and 340 ml of 47% hydroiodic acid. This same acid and red phosphorus mixture can be prepared from adding 150 grams of iodine crystals to 150 grams of red phosphorus in 300 ml of water. This should produce the strong hydroiodic acid solution needed. Exactly how strong the acid needs to be, I can't say . With the ingredients mixed together in the flask, a condenser is attached to the flask, and the mixture is boiled for one day. This length of time is needed for best yields and highest octane numbers on the product. While it is cooking, the mixture is quite red and messy looking from the red phosphorus floating around in it.When one day of boiling under reflux is up, the flask is allowed to cool, then it is diluted with an equal volume of water. Next, the red phosphorus is filtered out. A series of doubled up coffee filters will work to get out all the red phosphorus, but real filter paper is better. The filtered solution should look a golden color. A red color may indicate that all the red phosphorus is not yet out. If so, it is filtered again. The filtered-out phosphorus can be saved for use in the next batch. If filtering does not remove the red color, there may be iodine floating around the solution. It can be removed by adding a few dashes of sodium bisulfate or sodium thiosulfate.The next step in processing the batch is to neutralize the acid. A strong lye solution is mixed up and added to the batch while shaking until the batch is strongly basic. This brings the meth out as liquid free base floating on top of the water. The strongly basic solution is shaken vigorously to ensure that all the meth has been converted to the free base. You now can sell or use the free base for injection use or with free base meth now obtained, the next step you can do is to form the crystalline hydrochloride salt of meth. To do this, a few hundred mls of toluene is added to the batch, and the meth free base extracted out as usual. If the chemist's cooking has been careful, the color of the toluene extract will be clear to pale yellow. If this is the case, the product is sufficiently pure to make nice white crystals just by bubbling dry HCl gas through the toluene extract. If the toluene extract is darker colored, a distillation is called for to get pure meth free base. The yield of pure methamphetamine hydrochloride should be from 100 to 110 grams.

#jimmy mouthwashing

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wanderingfaee · 2 years ago

Note

can we get some dubcon with “don’t fight it baby, you know it’s good” kind of miguel o’hara <33

wooweeee! ofc ofc anon! I got you! 😮‍💨🥴🫡👀

❥ content warnings: dub-con, "soft" manipulation, slightly rough.

His pivoting thrusts were just as relentless and unwavering as his smooth, filth depraved silk words. Whisking ever so falsely, sweetly into the shell of your heated ear. Gradually luring you into a deep, steep state of masked euphoria.

His large hands holding strictly down onto yours with such weighted pressure, hips still rigorously colliding into your own with precise guidance and accelerated velocity.

Feels you wriggle and squirm wildly beneath his towering, stockier frame, sending a throbbing, insinuating sensation straight to his engorged cock pulverizing deep inside of your plushy, contracting walls.

The sounds of your shaky, broken whines and whimpers elegantly wooing into his flushed ears, striving and stirring something so carnally animistic deep within his heaving, sweltering figure.

Leans in closer to you, lips gently pressing into the structure of your clenching jawline, steadily peppering up towards the corner of your puttering, pretty full lips. Cleaning up the descending drool pooling past your fluttering mount of flesh, holding you ever so firmly against his rocking weight.

"Shh shh, cariño- it's alright" he lightly whispers with faltered heaving breaths, dipping and rolling the vast of his rough hips against yours, abiding to his steady pace against you. Cupping his warm, clammy palms around your jawline/mid neck, guiding your head to directly gaze up at him "Don't fight it baby-- you know it feels good, angel" he croons delicately, feeling you continue your wriggling, your smaller hands drawing up and down the lengths of his bulging, muscular arms.

Writhing out struggling moans and hollowed gasps from your sputtering lips, your legs trembling violently on each side of his full body. Hot, pools of tears strolling down the lush of your puffy, torrid face.

#can we just take a moment and talk about the way he is looking down like that in that screenshot above? 🫠🥴😩#miguel o’hara #miguel x reader #spiderverse

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warningsine · 2 years ago

Note

How to make meth

Making Methamphetamine at home:

List of chemicals and materials: Diluted HCl - also called Muriatic acid - can be obtained from hardware stores, in the pool section

NaOH - also called lye

Ethyl Ether - aka Diethyl Ether - Et-0-Et - can be obtained from engine starting fluid, usually from a large supermarket. Look for one that says "high ethyl ether content", such as Prestone

Distilled water - it's really cheap, so you have no reason to use the nasty stuff from the tap. Do things right.

List of equipment : A glass eyedropper

A Pyrex dish (the meatloaf one is suggested)

A glass quart jar

Sharp scissors

Clean rubber gloves

Coffee filters

A measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Preparing your Lab:

Preparing Ethyl Ether: WARNING: Ethyl Ether is very flammable and is heavier than air. Do not use ethyl ether near flame or non-sparkless motors. It is also an anaesthetic and can cause respiratory collapse if you inhale too much.

Ethyl ether is very pungent. Even a small evaporated amount is quite noticeable.

Ephedrine & or P-Ephedrine: Please discuss this on the neonjoint forum

7. Let the mixture settle. There will be a middle layer that is very thick. Tap the side of the bottle to get this layer as thin as possible. This is why this bottle should be clear.

8. Remove the top (ether) layer with the eyedropper, being careful not to get any of the middle layer in it. Place the removed ether layer into a third bottle.

10. If there is anything left from step 3, repeat the procedure with it.

First Batch: 120mg ephedrine HClEstimated: 300mg (100% of theoretical, disregarding HCl)

Now, Making Methamphetamine out of ephedrine by reducing it with Hydroiodic Acid and Red Phosphorus.

Items needed: Alot of matchbooks (the kind with the striking pad)

Coffee filters (or filter paper)

Something that measures ml and grams

A flask (a small pot with a lid can be used)

iodine

Hydroiodic Acid (I will tell you how to make this)

Red Phosphorus (I will tell you how to make this)

Lye

*Optional (toluene and HCI gas)

Making Red Phosphorus: The striking pad on books of matches is about 50% red phosphorus. The determined experimenter could obtain a pile of red phosphorus by scraping off the striking pads of matchbooks with a sharp knife. A typical composition of the striking pad is about 50% red phosphorus, along with about 30% antimony sulfide, and lesser amounts of glue, iron oxide, MnO2, and glass powder. I don't think these contaminants will seriously interfere with the reaction. Naturally, it is a tedious process to get large amounts of red phosphorus by scraping the striking pads off matchbooks, but who cares?

Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, science!

#listening and learning #anon #my inbox sure is interesting atm

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balljointedpup · 6 months ago

Text

Sugar sweet

Pairing: John price x assistant! Reader

Warning: unspecified age gap, 'bratty' reader, brief description of past, implied emotional neglect, mild/tame bits of angst, reader is kinda pathetic but we salute her, AFAB/female! Reader, suggestive content at the end, Mild NSFW at end, brief sexual fantasies (oral - male receiving) , John is pining in his own way

Tag: msil

Apologies. I've never written for Price so please bare with me if he's ooc. This is my firt time posting writing on here 🙏 but I got a spark of courage from some encouragement!I absolutely love this idea and couldn't help but be inspired. Full credit to Dante for the prompt. I just got writing fuel from it.

Was it so wrong to want some praise for your hard work? To want to hear “good job” for once in your life? You did a good job, and you know that. Your salary reflects it, along with a few appreciative pats from others. You often hear murmurs from colleagues who say, “You just work too hard; take a break,” along with their well-meaning concerns. But you liked being busy—helping those who sacrificed so much for everyone else, often with little reward, just paperwork, bruises, and bleeding wounds. Your hands were rough from the grit on your gun grinding against your palms and fingertips.

You were just being grateful. Helpful.

And a helpful little bird you were—always fluttering around Price’s office. This time, you brought him a fresh cup of coffee and a bagel: egg, sausage, and spinach. You left it at his desk to the side so his arm wouldn’t knock it over. Taking a silent breath, you stood there, lingering, hands clasped behind you, as your eyes flitted over the man currently hunched over his desk and the food you had brought.

Another beat passed. Nothing.

He let out a small grunt as he shifted in his seat, giving a small sniff as he continued to drag his eyes along each word, scratching a few out with a thick black Sharpie. His thick brows were pinched tight, creasing his forehead—a look you were all too familiar with when it came to Price. It always made him look older, though the air he gave off already did that just fine, making the wrinkles forming around his eyes and on his forehead more prominent. He squinted at the words as if each one were an offense.

“I thought you’d like something to eat; I haven’t seen you have anything for a few hours, so—” you gestured to the bagel, a smile curled on your lips. The tinted lip balm gave them a pleasant shine and a healthy hue, and a faint taste of strawberries lingered on your tongue from when you had licked your lips, nerves tight in your core before entering his office.

And once again—nothing.

He only vaguely acknowledged it, barely glancing before he reached for the coffee and took a sip. A small gruff sound escaped him as the warmth pooled down his throat.

You faltered, but your smile remained brave in the face of his stoic behavior. “Well, I’ll leave you be,” you said, the words coming out cheery in your desperate attempt to not sound as awkward as you felt.

You shuffled toward the door after a few more seconds of waiting. Maybe, just maybe-

“Love?”

Instantly, you whipped around, chest puffing out as your heels squeaked against the floor. “Yes, sir?”

“Blue suits you.”

Your face twisted as you paused, about to ask what he meant. Looking down at yourself, you saw a crisp white blouse snugly tucked into a black pencil skirt—one that was smaller than you had anticipated. You had noticed it seemed to draw his attention more often than not, so the purchase didn’t seem to be all for nothing. There was only a single hint of blue on you, except for your—

Blood rushed to your cheeks as you let out a sharp gasp. Immediately, you twisted around to see that the skirt had ridden up, revealing the edge of your baby blue panties stretched across your backside. The lace trim was exposed for all to see. Hastily, you pushed down the fabric of your skirt, adjusting it to sit better on your hips. Smoothing it down was when you saw it: his eyes finally lifted from the paper, a steaming mug pressed to his lips. A pleased crinkle appeared in his eye as he took in everything.

You had never left his office faster. Your face was too warm—much too warm. Before you knew it, you were stumbling into the bathroom, splashing water onto your face to cool down. Lifting your head to stare at your reflection, you cursed. Your mascara had smudged, streaking down your cheeks as if you had cried. The light, natural shade of your eyeshadow was now splotchy and smeared around your eyes. You pressed your lips together in a tight purse, scolding yourself for your forgetfulness.

Yanking rough tissues from the dispenser, you dabbed at your face, trying to salvage what makeup remained.

Standing amid the dim lighting of the bathroom, you couldn’t help but stare. What were you doing? A woman your age prancing around in short skirts and makeup? Sure, you had always been inclined to doll yourself up, but it had usually been a treat—something to anticipate after a rough week. Now, it felt like a routine, ensuring you had a pretty glow and your best features enhanced. When did you become so desperate for such minimal attention?

Perhaps it was when your father always hummed in stiff, dry tones whenever you spoke. Or when your mother would glance up from her phone, scrolling while you tried to show her something you were proud of, only for her to finally respond to something you had said five sentences ago.

Maybe it was when you did your best at everything—school work, getting a job as soon as possible, and even landing an office position mere months after finishing your education. Always made sure the house is clean and never ask your parents for help, despite feeling sickly and overwhelmed. Always doing your very best to remain as pleasant as possible and chase any spontaneous kiss to your head and word of approval from either of them. But the majority of the time, it was nothing. After all, you were expected to do well. So independent and mature at such a young age. How well they must have raised you to be so self-sufficient. They would praise so highly to their friends. Expected to have a good job and a happy air to you.

After all, you were so lucky. They were people having it worse than you. Why would you ever feel so low you wanted to quit everything and grovel in your bed?

Or it could have started when friends would always have an excuse to decline your plans or something last minute came up. Dates always having you carry the conversation after having to endure hours of dry texting and inconsistent messages.

A nagging need to just hear one satisfied hum. To feel a ruffle to your hair or a firm pat on your shoulder. The sweet euphoria of hearing a pleased “Good girl”. You craved it like how a chef always twitched to snag a cigarette between their lips. An itch you could never scratch no matter how many times you self-affirmed with loving post-stick notes on your bedroom mirror and muttered endless approval to yourself for the most simple of things.

You huffed as you shook your head. Why bother with such a man like Price? The only time he seemed to even bat an eye in your direction was when you flashed your legs or your shirt hugged your breasts too tight. You were mere meat and he was a hungry dog. A frown grew on your lips as you patted your cheeks. Glaring at your reflection as you fixed yourself up and pushed out of the bathroom.

It started with your wardrobe; wearing trousers that looked smart enough for your job but gave your shape no compliments. Its rigid seams even making your hips look boxier and your legs shorter as you trade your polished heels for simple flats. Your blouses no longer hugged the curve of your chest. And if you wanted the relief skirts gave then it was unshapely skirts – pleated or plain and sleek – that ended half way down to your calf.

And then it was the coffee. It tasted the same? Then why bother with saving an extra palmful of cash for the fancy brand. You served it in John’s signature mug with the same beaming smile and didn’t waste your time to linger. To wait for any response. Bustling down the halls with files tucked to your chest. With the extra cash now staying in your pockets you treated yourself to paying for a nice cake or an overpriced coffee of your own that gave you that needed rush for the busy day.

Head held high as you gave up your pursuit. You were always such a independent girl.

And Price? Well, as soon as he tasted the bland blend of coffee he frowned. Lips smacking as the familiar graininess of the bases blend hit his tongue. His head lifting but you were already gone. Huffing like a bull every time he drank from it. In the end, it went cold half drunk and staining the white mug.

And your clothes; what happened to his pretty bird? Sure, your beauty wasn’t easy to conceal and the lack of powder to your face didn’t change the natural charm of your features. But he had to hide his scowl of disapproval as he saw you were in another long skirt. It was flowy and dull. Those pretty legs hidden from his view. His hand digging against the scratch of his facial hair as he glared at the skirt. Half tempted to make a house call and strip every offending cloth out of your wardrobe. His jaw twitching as it clenched tight.

That smile. That sickly sweet smile you always flashed his way. He wondered if you’d smile like that to him after he’s lodged his cock from your bruised throat, cum and spit smearing on those perfect lips. Glossier than any lip balm or lip gloss you insisted to wear. A breathy ‘thank you, sir’ spilling out with tears making those insistent eyes of yours sparkle. He almost thought he went crazy when he couldn’t feel your expectant gaze boring into his skull.

He was much too old to be entertaining a sweet thing like you. Always making sure his boots were polished, his office tidied when he was gone for too many weeks, adding sticky notes to files and color coding each one to make sure they were in perfect order. Treating him to good coffee and pleasant meals. It took everything in him to keep himself glued to his paperwork when you came in and was so kind. So needy. You didn’t need a grump like him. A man with too many burdens on his sunken shoulders and blood staining more than his hands.

He tried to dismiss your quirks by giving it no attention. Mutters of disapproval whenever you spent money on him. But it just made you more keen. Trying again and again to get him to say something. To look at you but he knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. But now he was finally getting what he wanted? He couldn’t help but swallow each bitter grain of his efforts.

His day was long. His team giving him their usual shit but it was giving him a bigger headache than ever. Any bark of demand towards him had his hand clenching in a tight fist behind his back. Most of his paperwork had fallen to you and this time, it was his turn to come into your little space, knocking on the door with a coffee much too sugary for any of his teeth to withstand.

There you were, cramped in your chair with a flood of paperwork looming high to your shoulder. He cleared his throat and you snapped your head up, perking in surprise at his appearance. Wide doe eyes blinking at him as didn’t stop at your desk. No, he pressed a big calloused hand to the back of your neck, his thumb caressing the peek of skin between your hair and your shirt collar. Pressing the coffee down as he looked down to see how much you’ve done. His breath warm against your ear making your whole body turn to stone.

“atta girl. That’s it, love.” John murmured as he gave the back of your neck a small squeeze and stood back up. Leaving you gawking at the door as he left just like that. The warmth of his hand lingering on your skin. A blood that was meant to go to your cheeks oozed down, pouring between your legs as your sex throbbed at the simple praise.

It didn't take long, no, It only took the next day for you to be back in those little pencil skirts and a new blouse that embraced your figure nicely. Heels on your feet signaling your arrival as you leave a fresh mug of coffee on his desk and a small pile of files. All colored and checked, sticky notes paper clipped to each.

One file slipped from the stack making you bend down and scramble it back into your hands giving John a beautiful eyeful of those baby blue panties hugging your ass and a small chub of your sex teasing him as it peered between your thighs. A pleased growl, deep from his chest rumbling out as he took the file from your hand.

“good girl.”

something about mean old bastard price and his sweet new assistant who just wants his approval so bad but can never seem to get a positive response from him

your sweet gestures, like using your own money to buy him fancy coffee instead of the generic brand on base are only met with an unappreciative grunt followed with, “fuckin’ waste of money. tastes exactly the same.”

barely looks up at you when you drop folders on his desk, only nudges his empty cup towards you. a silent way of commanding you to make yourself useful

until one day when you catch him shameless checking out your ass in the new skirt you bought, his usual grunting response actually seems to be out of approval for once. doesn’t even acknowledge your eyes watching him as he rakes his own down your legs before adjusting himself in his trousers and going back to his paperwork

#john price x reader #john price #call of duty #afab reader #fem!reader #cod nsft

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52hzlittlewhale · 2 months ago

Text

The Thrilling Rise of League of Legends eSports in Korea: A Digital Arena of Community and Competition

In recent years, the realm of competitive gaming -commonly referred to as eSports -has transitioned from a niche hobby to a cultural phenomenon, particularly in South Korea. Central to this meteoric rise is “League of Legends”, a massively popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Riot Games. With professional teams such as T1 and Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) leading the charge, the Korean scene has become a microcosm for examining the social dynamics, community engagement, and economic potential within the eSports industry.

The Community Nexus: Where Passion Meets Competition

In the world of “League of Legends”, gaming communities are not merely incidental; they are the lifeblood of the gaming experience. Participating as a member of teams like T1 and HLE fosters a sense of belonging that extends beyond mere gameplay. Fans and players alike engage in discussions on forums, watch streams, and participate in events, creating a rich tapestry of shared experiences and practices. The formation of these communities is characterized by their fluid nature, as players move between smaller groups based on specific interests—be it professional play, modding, or just casual conversations about strategy (Xue & Newman, 2019).

Korea, in particular, has forged a unique identity in the eSports landscape. The country offers not only extensive support for competitive players but also a deep-rooted societal emphasis on gaming as a legitimate form of entertainment and professional endeavor (DeArmond & Hsu, 2022). The prominence of teams like T1, famous for its star player Faker, mirrors the reverence afforded to traditional sports figures. The arena where these players perform is reminiscent of altars, drawing legions of fans who celebrate their shared passion.

The Role of Live Streaming

Live streaming has revolutionized how fans engage with esports. Not only does it provide access to players' gameplay in real-time, but it also creates a dynamic interactive environment. Fans are no longer passive spectators; they partake in the action by commenting, cheering, and even influencing game dynamics through in-game purchases or donations during streams. Streamers, thus, become critical intermediaries, shaping how esports narratives unfold and fostering community connection.

The Economics of eSports: More Than Just Glory

The financial implications of “League of Legends” eSports are staggering. Tournaments often feature prize pools in the millions, with sponsorships and media rights further bolstering team revenues. Since 2019, the average prize pool for the League of Legends World Championships has exceeded two million U.S. dollars. This prestigious event attracts not only professional gamers but also passionate fans, as demonstrated by the impressive audience for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship Final, which reached a peak of 6.94 million concurrent viewers (Clement, 2025). Teams like T1 and HLE are not just competitors; they are brands, leveraging their popularity to engage with fans and attract sponsorships that can further elevate their status in the ecosystem.

The “League of Legends” ecosystem’s success hinges on Riot Games’ strategic initiatives. Through their investment in organized tournaments, community engagement, and content creation, they have cultivated an environment that simultaneously encourages players to invest time and energy while providing avenues for economic gain. Players are drawn in by the potential for fame and fortune, whether competing at the highest level or engaging with their fan bases on platforms like Twitch.

References:

Clement, J. (2025, January 16). League of Legends championships viewers 2018. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/518126/league-of-legends-championship-viewers/

DeArmond, M., & Hsu, Y.-C. (2022). The Gap between Korean Esports and Educational Gaming. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/ijgbl.287828

Xue, H., Newman, J., & Du, J. (2019). Narratives, identity and community in esports. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334430834_Narratives_identity_and_community_in_esports

#mda20009

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casspurrjoybell-31 · 3 months ago

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The Boy in my Bed - Chapter 30

*Warning Adult Content*

Elliott Jones

"And like the love for my team, the love for this person is eternal and infinite and that's why I wanted to say... I'm Casey Donovan... I'm gay... and I'm in love with Danté Evans," the words fall out of his mouth like butter, muzzling the cheering crowd, his words suffocating the bleachers as all eyes start to look towards us.

'Dividing. Conquering. Identifying.'

"What the fuck is he on about Danté?" my plead falls silent to his ears, his fixated gaze on the football player unhindered.

I shake his shoulder in an attempt to draw him back to me, failing as he shrugs it off, shrugs me off.

"Danté. What's going on?" my tone rises, unintentionally transferring into a yell, piercing his daze like a dagger through a balloon.

His eyes flicker as he registers the situation - his jittery gaze indicative of the whirling emotions shown through his eyes.

A stray tear trickles down his cheek, resting before cascading down to the ground.

'Oh shit. Don't cry Danté. Please don't cry.' Panic rises within as I watch him search for an answer, his pursed lips barricading attempts at mumbled sentences.

"I'm sorry, Casey," his reply barely meets my ear but it does, the whisper swiping across me like the kiss of death.

'I wish it hadn't. My name's not Casey. Why the fuck is he apologising to Casey? What about me?' My thoughts grow internally, fostering a rage as his water-blurred eyes drop down, avoiding me.

My anger disperses as he turns, pushing through the crowd and and running off, disappearing around the corner.

Running away.

'Running away from me?' "Danté wait," I call out unsuccessfully, my yell unmatched to his sprinting pace.

I weave my way through the bleachers, eyes following me as I make my way to the hallway, Danté's silhouette fading slowly into the distance.

"Danté," I scream through dispersed breaths, sprinting up to him as he finally slows down, hunching over to catch his breath.

I run my eyes over him, heart-broken at what I see.

The confident boy I picked up a disheveled mess, red eyes the source of pooling tears.

"Hey, I was calling out to you. What's wrong?"

He shudders as I catch up to him, his trembling frame unable to contain the anger - his emotions translating into words.

"I SAW YOU KISSING THAT BLONDE WHORE, YOU MOTHER FUCKER," he yells, the sentence falling like poison off of his tongue; each word a bullet with my heart as the bullseye.

"Danté... I..."

"Danté? I thought my name was Sunshine. Oh wait, that's not my name now, that's her name."

'When the fuck did he see that? How the fuck did he see that?'

His eyes turn into slits, a flaming glare burning into me, the situation intensifying as he straightens up his posture and backs me into the wall.

"All the sweet talk. All the text messages. All the compliments. For what huh? You just wanted to get into my pants?"

Despite my height, I feel smaller then ever, cornered by reality as his jarring tone berates me, each word ripping away the delicate relationship I've woven with him.

"And the whole time... you were fucking around with another bitch."

My words are gone, stolen.

Each attempt to form a sentence fumbled as I stutter for words, his unrelenting gaze not making it any easier.

"Why the fuck are you so angry? You've been two-timing me this whole time," I yell.

He's taken aback, my accusation deconstructing his anger as his mind slowly unravels my statement.

"What? No I haven't."

"A dude literally just confessed his love for you in front of the whole town."

I try to hold back the tears, droplets welling in my eyes as I spew out the revelations.

"And last night when I went to check on you after the party... you were... you were in bed with another fucking guy... and... your clothes were on the fucking ground. What the fuck do you call THAT?"

I clench my fist over my eyes, blocking out the world as the pressure finally hits me... 'and he has the audacity to critique me?'

"We're just friends," he mutters out, the burning fury dissipated.

"Oh? Friends? Pffft sure. Do you sleep naked with all your friends? Do all your friends confess their love for you to whole stadiums? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE."

Silence follows my gurgling, his tears drying while mine continue to fall, distance separating us, physically and emotionally.

"You've loved him this whole time haven't you?" the words float out of my mouth, met by a perplexed Danté.

**********

Casey Donovan

"And like the love for my team, the love for this person is eternal and infinite and that's why I wanted to say... I'm Casey Donovan... I'm gay... and I'm in love with Danté Evans."

My confession murders the crowd, each pair of eyes filled with intangible specs of judgement.

Harvey's grip around my shoulder loosening as he looks at me, brows furrowed, mouth agape.

'I'm sorry, Harvey. Please don't hate me.'

Small talk starts to arise around me, my ears blocking it out as I scan my eyes through the crowd, one target in site... Danté.

I find him, distance unable to disconnect our locked gazes, an imaginary conversation floating between us as time stands still, Danté's presence submerging us into a bubble.

I furrow as he starts talking to someone next to him.

Elliott Jones.

'It's always fucking Elliott. Why the fuck is he with Elliot?'

My silent observation is shattered as the crowd murmurs, Danté shuffling through the crowd.

His eyes shoot back a final time before he disappears, his run carrying him away from the prying crowd, from my heart, from me.

Suddenly he's being tailed, Elliott not far behind him as he also enters the hallway.

"Um bro? I think you have some explaining to do," Harvey snaps me out of my visual stalk, dragging me back to the area o podium, his words slicing my attention away from Danté.

I look at him, his raised eyebrow an inkling of my greatest fear.

'He hates me.'

"Look Harvey. I've really gotta go. I'll explain everything later."

"Uh... okay... sure..." he mutters as I turn around, a stadium full of curious eyes following my back as I sprint to the hallway.

I avoid the judgemental glares, my selfish grand gesture not only failing in wooing Danté but now it's pissed off the whole town.

I send out a mental apology to everyone, their winning game disrupted by a star-crossed love affair.

My pace quickens as I contemplate the conversation I want to have in my head, nervousness infecting my stomach, each step I take becoming heavier, slowed by unyielding anxiety.

'What if Danté doesn't chose me? What if I did this all for nothing? What if he really was running away from me?'

I wipe the fears away as I near, homing in on Danté and Elliott, their quiet mumbles becoming audible, my ears picking up the conversation.

"You've loved him this whole time haven't you?" Elliott yells, his vicious tone destroying any faux-confidence Danté has portrayed, the question stumping him, their conversation falling victim to an elongated silence.

I recover my breath as I cast my eyes on them, tense postures holding each other at bay, irritation flaring in both of their eyes, an intangible battle of angry tempers and bruised egos, the stare down acting as their silent pre-empt to conflict.

"Yes. I love Casey. I've loved him this whole time," Danté says, pushing his face into Elliott's, carving the message into the nooks and crannies of his hear.

Elliott pushes past him, his loud strides echoing as he turns around the corner.

Danté's eyes trail him, laying on his back before he's no longer visible.

"So you do love me after all?" I ask rhetorically, startling Danté as he realises I'm here.

"Casey... I..."

I don't let him speak, my lips slamming against his, words unnecessary for the expression of our emotions.

The taste of his mouth is ecstasy, my eyes rolling back as his tongue ventures further... 'deeper'.

I whimper as he bites my lip, hungrily devouring my mouth, our hot breath filling the hallway.

"You don't have to say anything. I know," I squeeze out before reconnecting my lips with his.

'This is it. This is how it was all meant to be. This is perfect.'

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creativegarage2012 · 1 year ago

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Unveiling the Vibrancy of 2D Animation Companies in India

In the dynamic realm of animation, India stands as a burgeoning hub, teeming with creativity, talent, and innovation. Among the diverse array of animation styles, 2D animation holds a special place, blending traditional techniques with modern technology to create captivating visual narratives. In this blog, we delve into the vibrant landscape of 2D animation companies in India, exploring their creativity, accomplishments, and contributions to the global animation industry.

The Rise of Indian Animation Studios:

Over the past few decades, Indian animation studios have steadily gained recognition on the global stage. With a rich heritage of storytelling and artistic expression, Indian animators have seamlessly adapted to the evolving demands of the industry. From renowned studios like Green Gold Animation, famous for its iconic character Chhota Bheem, to smaller boutique firms, the Indian animation ecosystem is as diverse as it is dynamic.

Creativity Unleashed:

One of the hallmarks of 2D animation companies in India is their boundless creativity. Drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, and contemporary themes, these studios craft visually stunning and emotionally resonant stories. Whether it's the whimsical adventures of a mischievous monkey in "Hanuman: The Immortal 2," or the heartfelt journey of a young girl in "Krish Trish Baltiboy," Indian animators infuse their work with a unique cultural flavor that captivates audiences worldwide.

Technical Expertise and Innovation:

Behind every captivating animation lies a team of skilled artists and technicians pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology. Indian animation companies boast a pool of talented professionals proficient in the latest software tools and techniques. From character design and storyboarding to animation and compositing, these studios leverage cutting-edge technology to bring their visions to life.

Moreover, Indian animation companies are increasingly embracing emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality to enhance the storytelling experience. By blending traditional artistry with digital innovation, they are redefining the possibilities of 2D animation and setting new standards of excellence.

Global Recognition and Collaborations:

The impact of Indian animation extends far beyond its borders, with studios collaborating on international projects and garnering acclaim at prestigious film festivals. Whether it's providing animation services for Hollywood blockbusters or producing original content for streaming platforms, Indian animators are making their mark on the global stage.

Collaborations between Indian and foreign studios have also led to cross-cultural exchanges and the fusion of diverse artistic styles. Through these partnerships, Indian animation companies not only gain exposure to global markets but also enrich the industry with fresh perspectives and creative synergies.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Despite its achievements, the Indian animation industry faces its share of challenges, including stiff competition, tight budgets, and limited infrastructure. However, these obstacles have spurred innovation and resilience, prompting studios to explore new avenues for growth and collaboration.

Moreover, with the increasing demand for animated content across various platforms, Indian animation companies are presented with ample opportunities for expansion and diversification. Whether it's producing educational content for children, creating animated series for streaming services, or venturing into gaming and virtual reality, the possibilities are endless.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the landscape of 2D animation companies in India is a vibrant tapestry of creativity, talent, and innovation. From humble beginnings to global recognition, Indian animators have carved a niche for themselves in the ever-evolving world of animation. With their rich storytelling traditions, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit, they continue to inspire and delight audiences around the globe, proving that when it comes to animation, India is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

#2d animation video #animation video #film making #animation flims

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jcmarchi · 1 year ago

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RAFT – A Fine-Tuning and RAG Approach to Domain-Specific Question Answering

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/raft-a-fine-tuning-and-rag-approach-to-domain-specific-question-answering/

RAFT – A Fine-Tuning and RAG Approach to Domain-Specific Question Answering

As the applications of large language models expand into specialized domains, the need for efficient and effective adaptation techniques becomes increasingly crucial. Enter RAFT (Retrieval Augmented Fine Tuning), a novel approach that combines the strengths of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and fine-tuning, tailored specifically for domain-specific question answering tasks.

The Challenge of Domain Adaptation

While LLMs are pre-trained on vast amounts of data, their ability to perform well in specialized domains, such as medical research, legal documentation, or enterprise-specific knowledge bases, is often limited. This limitation arises because the pre-training data may not adequately represent the nuances and intricacies of these specialized domains. To address this challenge, researchers have traditionally employed two main techniques: retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and fine-tuning.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)

RAG

RAG is a technique that enables LLMs to access and utilize external knowledge sources during inference.

It achieves this by integrating real-time data retrieval into the generative process, thus making the model’s outputs more accurate and up-to-date. RAG consists of three core steps: retrieval, where relevant documents are gathered; generation, where the model produces an output based on the retrieved data; and augmentation, which refines the output further.

The retrieval process in RAG starts with a user’s query. LLMs analyze the query and fetch pertinent information from external databases, presenting a pool of data from which the model can draw to formulate its responses. The generation phase then synthesizes this input into a coherent narrative or answer. The augmentation step refines the generation by adding context or adjusting for coherence and relevance.

RAG models can be evaluated using a variety of metrics, assessing their ability to provide accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information.

Fine-Tuning

supervised-fine-tuning

Fine-tuning, on the other hand, involves adapting a pre-trained LLM to a specific task or domain by further training it on a smaller, task-specific dataset. This approach allows the model to learn patterns and align its outputs with the desired task or domain. While fine-tuning can improve the model’s performance, it often fails to effectively incorporate external knowledge sources or account for retrieval imperfections during inference.

The RAFT Approach

RAFT

RAFT standing for Retrieval-Aware Fine-Tuning, is an innovative training method tailored for language models to enhance their performance in domain-specific tasks, particularly for open-book exams. RAFT diverges from standard fine-tuning by preparing training data that incorporates questions with a mix of relevant and non-relevant documents, along with chain-of-thought styled answers derived from the relevant texts. This method aims to improve models’ abilities to not only recall information but also reason and derive answers from provided content.

In essence, RAFT fine-tunes language models to be more proficient in tasks that involve reading comprehension and knowledge extraction from a set of documents. By training with both “oracle” documents (which contain the answer) and “distractor” documents (which do not), the model learns to discern and utilize relevant information more effectively.

Training Data Preparation

The training process under RAFT involves a proportion of the data to contain oracle documents that directly relate to the answers, while the remaining data consists only of distractor documents. The fine-tuning encourages the model to learn when to rely on its internal knowledge (akin to memorization) and when to extract information from the context provided.

RAFT’s training regimen also emphasizes the generation of reasoning processes, which not only help in forming the answer but also cite sources, similar to how a human would justify their response by referencing material they have read. This approach not only prepares the model for a RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) setting where it has to consider top-k retrieved documents but also ensures the model’s training is independent of the retriever used, allowing for flexible application across different retrieval systems.

This approach serves multiple purposes:

It trains the model to identify and utilize relevant information from the provided context, mimicking the open-book exam setting.

It enhances the model’s ability to disregard irrelevant information, a critical skill for effective RAG.

It exposes the model to scenarios where the answer is not present in the context, encouraging it to rely on its own knowledge when necessary.

Another key aspect of RAFT is the incorporation of chain-of-thought reasoning into the training process. Instead of simply providing the question and answer pairs, RAFT generates detailed reasoning explanations that include verbatim citations from the relevant documents. These explanations, presented in a chain-of-thought format, guide the model through the logical steps required to arrive at the correct answer.

By training the model on these reasoning chains, RAFT encourages the development of strong reasoning abilities and enhances the model’s understanding of how to effectively leverage external knowledge sources.

Evaluation and Results

The authors of the RAFT paper conducted extensive evaluations on various datasets, including PubMed (biomedical research), HotpotQA (open-domain question answering), and the Gorilla APIBench (code generation). Their results demonstrated that RAFT consistently outperformed baselines, such as domain-specific fine-tuning with and without RAG, as well as larger models like GPT-3.5 with RAG.

RAFT improves RAG performance

For instance, on the HuggingFace dataset, RAFT achieved an accuracy of 74%, a significant improvement of 31.41% over domain-specific fine-tuning (DSF) and 44.92% over GPT-3.5 with RAG. Similarly, on the HotpotQA dataset, RAFT exhibited a 28.9% accuracy gain compared to DSF.

One of the key advantages of RAFT is its robustness to retrieval imperfections. By training the model with a mix of relevant and irrelevant documents, RAFT enhances the model’s ability to discern and prioritize relevant information, even when the retrieval module returns suboptimal results.

The authors demonstrated that fine-tuning with only the oracle documents often leads to inferior performance compared to configurations that include distractor documents. This finding underscores the importance of exposing the model to varying retrieval scenarios during training, ensuring its preparedness for real-world applications.

Practical Applications and Future Directions

The RAFT technique has significant implications for a wide range of practical applications, including:

Question Answering Systems: RAFT can be employed to build highly accurate and domain-specific question answering systems, leveraging both the model’s learned knowledge and external knowledge sources.

Enterprise Knowledge Management: Organizations with large knowledge bases can leverage RAFT to develop customized question answering systems, enabling employees to quickly access and utilize relevant information.

Medical and Scientific Research: RAFT can be particularly valuable in domains such as biomedical research, where access to the latest findings and literature is crucial for advancing scientific understanding.

Legal and Financial Services: RAFT can assist professionals in these fields by providing accurate and context-aware responses based on relevant legal documents or financial reports.

As research in this area continues, we can expect further advancements and refinements to the RAFT technique. Potential future directions include:

Exploration of more efficient and effective retrieval modules, tailored for specific domains or document structures.

Integration of multi-modal information, such as images or tables, into the RAFT framework for enhanced context understanding.

Development of specialized reasoning architectures that can better leverage the chain-of-thought explanations generated during training.

Adaptation of RAFT to other natural language tasks beyond question answering, such as summarization, translation, or dialogue systems.

Conclusion

RAFT represents a significant leap forward in the field of domain-specific question answering with language models. By harmoniously blending the strengths of retrieval-augmented generation and fine-tuning, RAFT equips LLMs with the ability to effectively leverage external knowledge sources while also aligning their outputs with domain-specific patterns and preferences.

Through its innovative training data curation, incorporation of chain-of-thought reasoning, and robustness to retrieval imperfections, RAFT offers a powerful solution for organizations and researchers seeking to unlock the full potential of LLMs in specialized domains.

As the demand for domain-specific natural language processing capabilities continues to grow, techniques like RAFT will play a pivotal role in enabling more accurate, context-aware, and adaptive language models, paving the way for a future where human-machine communication becomes truly seamless and domain-agnostic.

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aquabead · 1 year ago

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What Is an Pond Skimmers?

A pond skimmer will keep the water in your pond clean by removing floating debris such as pollen, leaves, and twigs. The weir rises and drops as needed to collect floating debris.

Manufacturers know that every pond is different and therefore offer a range of pond skimmers with a wide variety of GPH flowrates to match the pond pump. Be sure to pick a unit which has a similar flow rate to your pond pump. This will maximize effectiveness.

Debris Removing

A pond skimmer's main job is to collect large debris floating on the surface of the water, like grass clippings, leaves or other organic matter. This helps to keep the water clean and healthy by preventing algae from growing.

Even the clearest ponds can accumulate a film because of oils from the fish, plant debris food waste and organics. This layer makes it appear dirty. It also prevents the natural bacterial cleaning process. The skimmer must be used to prevent this build-up of debris and keep the pond clear.

Some skimmers have a leaf-net frame at the front which is designed to capture the majority of organic debris. There is also a filter mat in back that collects any residual material. This pre-filtering reduces the amount of dirt that can clog filters.

Some skimmers use a floating, movable float which rises and lowers with the water level to maximize the efficiency of collecting debris. Some designs have a door with a restrictor that limits the flow to the skimmer. This helps to prevent an overflow.

Installing a water skimmer will require placing it where the water will reach its opening to make emptying sludge or debris easier. Some skimmers will discharge their contents straight into the drains of garden plant beds to save on waste management charges.

Aeration

A pond skimmer is an essential component of your water-filtration system. It eliminates debris on the surface that cannot sink, and supports its health. Skimmers collect leaves, twigs pollen plant debris and waste fish that would otherwise end up in toxic levels within your ecosystem. They help maintain pond health and prevent clogs by diverting them away from pumping and filtering systems.

A reliable skimmer should have a weir, so that you can control how much water gets in and how much floats around inside. There should also be a basket or net to catch smaller debris floating on top of the pond. Many skimmers are equipped with secondary filters for better particle collection.

A skimmer should be purchased according to the size of your water feature. A larger skimmer holds more debris and requires less maintenance than a smaller model. It is also important to consider the location of your skimmer. Install it away from waterfalls, or any other water features for optimal results. This will create a natural water flow that will help keep your pond clear.

Since it is powered by water, a floating skimmer can be very efficient. These types skimmers are perfect for areas receiving heavy fall foliage or small outdoor pools in the middle if winter. Before turning on the pond skimmers of your choice, ensure that you have released air through the base by submerging it and tilting it. Check regularly your nets or baskets to clear out debris. Empty them as needed.

Filtration

Pond skimmers can be the cornerstone to any effective filtration for an aquatic ecosystem. They collect floating waste before it sinks into the water and begins to decompose. Their simple design features a weir along the surface. When the pump draws water into this weir to filter it, any floating debris that is left in the water is caught by its mechanical filtering media. This is usually a rigid or mesh basket specifically designed to catch leaves or larger objects. Matala Filter Mat can be used with them to enhance the cleaning and filtering process.

Skimmers should be installed in a pond at ground level. Others can be placed along its side. There are also units that float on top of the water. But this is not recommended as the wind or the water movement may cause this to be unfeasible. Most pond skimmers were designed with aesthetics at heart. Many of them have lids that look similar to rocks, or are painted in colors to blend in. This ensures they provide the essential functionality and do not impact on its beauty.

A pond-skimmer can also be used to help prevent ammonia accumulation in water. Ammonia accumulates when organic materials begin to decompose in your pond. It can become toxic to the fish. Skimmers prevent this ammonia building-up by removing floating debris before they sink to the bottom.

Pond skimmers shouldn't be used as standalone systems. Instead, they should be integrated into other mechanical and biological filters such as matala and pumps. This will keep the water clean and healthy. The pond's water quality could be compromised by harmful ammonia, algae, or other problems if these other systems were not in place.

Pond Skimmers Maintenance

A pond skimmer is designed for preventing debris from reaching and potentially clogging the pump. It also helps keep surfaces clear in order to maintain a healthy pond ecosystem.

When organic matter builds up in an pond, eventually it sinks and decomposes, releasing toxic substances for aquatic organisms. Further, floating debris that gets to submersibles pumps can clog. Debris should be removed before it becomes a problem. Professional pond skimmers are an essential component to any healthy system.

These skimmers are integrated into the pond's edge for less visibility. These models can be highly efficient but may require added maintenance. Another option is an external pond filter. These sit outside of the pond with a plumbing and pump system and provide better performance that built-in filters and easier maintenance thanks to its debris basket.

There is a possibility that an established pond's ecosystem could not handle the bioload. This can lead to excessive plant growth and unwanted algae blooms. Skimmers collect the pellets that are left over before they can float to surface where they fuel algae growth. Professional pond skimmers come with a number of features that are designed to protect filter systems and reduce costs.

For instance, they have rigid debris baskets (or nets) designed to collect large debris pieces prior to entering the filter system. Further, floating weirs rise and lower with the changes in water level to increase efficiency. This pulls debris from all areas of the pond. The cost of such features is higher than that of simple plastic baskets. However, these features will ultimately save you money because they protect your investment.

For More Visit:

#pond skimmers #aquabead #gctech #Gc Tek #Aqua Bead #Koi Pond Skimmers

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lowpressurefucker · 3 years ago

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Intimacy (IM BACK)

Okay, crazy few months is a weird way to put it but the point is i wanna start writing again, im aware this isnt good but i have to restart somewhere.

Content warning: swearing and mentions of lack of sobriety

Person A putting an arm over person B’s shoulder when talking in a group

Person A being embarrassed about doing something so person B does it with them so they won't feel alone (for example, wearing swim caps together

Person A giving person B the better headphone

Person B letting person A squeeze their hand when they're scared or about to feel pain

Person A putting their hat on person B so they don't get sunburnt

One person doing the other’s hair when they can't do it themselves for whatever reason

Person A being taller and holding the umbrella covering person B

Crying together

Person A not being sober and person B taking care of them and reassuring them that they'll be fine

Picking up little habits from one another

Person A having no idea how to dance and person B trying to teach them while failing to hold in their laughter

Being very much not sober and trying to draw each other while cracking up

The whole picking the other person up by the waist and spinning them around (it's so fucking cute omfg ksjhdkjahs)

When one person is scared of doing something (like jumping into the pool or riding a bike) and the other one is encouraging them to do it, especially when they're holding their hand

The taller person putting on a bigass jacket and then like grabbing the smaller one when they're cold and then zipping up the jacket so they'll warm up together

Winter naps in the sun

Being in a really crowded place so the taller person gets behind the smaller one and holds on to their shoulders to guide them

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comatosebunny09 · 3 years ago

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Implications

Genre: Romance

Warnings: Suggestive content and language ahead.

Please enjoy!

For a moment, you forget how to breathe.

“Darling?” Kyojuro asks, halting his touches after feeling your body go ramrod stiff in his arms.

He detaches himself from your neck, amorous spell broken. You avert your gaze as his callused hand cups your cheek. He turns your head the slightest, coaxing your eyes to meet his incandescent ones. Molten liquid pools in the pit of your gut. You chew on your bottom lip.

“Apologies, Sunflower! Was I too forward?”

A pang shoots through your center, searing like white lightning. Damn you for making him feel guilty.

“You? Too forward? No, Kyo.” You’re caught between a sigh and a laugh.

“Did I make you uncomfortable, then?” His brows dip quizzically, free hand smoothing down your back. You feel like crying.

“God, no.”

“Then…why?”

Your lips quirk. You encase the large hand on your cheek in your smaller ones. A flush bleeds into your skin, followed by a sharp exhale ripping itself from your throat. Here goes nothing.

“I’ve never…made love to anyone before, Kyo,” voice petering out at the tail end of your confession.

Realization gradually descends onto the blonde’s face. His brows shoot into his hairline, mouth agape. You would laugh if not for the seriousness of it all. This is where I lose him, you muse, glancing down at your lap. You twiddle your fingers, wishing you could shrink into nothingness.

“What? How...what?” he queries incredulously. You feel his sculpted thighs tense beneath you.

“I’m a virgin.”

“…really?”

You nod slowly, toying with the frayed fibers of your jeans. “Really.”

A deafening silence follows. You swallow thickly, hellbent on keeping your eyes downcast. You move to extract yourself from his lap, cold fear branching through your veins. It isn’t until you feel sinewy arms drawing you into a warm chest, that your gaze flits to your boyfriend. He rests his chin on the crown of your head. Leisurely rocks you side to side.

“Any particular reason why?” Kyojuro asks, tone soft as if he’s afraid to scare you away.

You sigh for the umpteenth time that night. “I haven’t really tried.” You clutch his silk dress shirt, feeling his heart beat steadily beneath your palm. “Honestly, it’s been the last thing on my mind before I met you, Kyo.”

“I see,” he rasps.

“I know. I’m 25 and still haven’t gotten my rocks off. Pretty pathetic, huh?”

A chuckle rumbles deep within his chest, stirring the butterflies in yours. “Not in the slightest, my flame. In fact, I find it admirable that you would hold onto something so precious for so long!”

You smile despite yourself. Nuzzle your face against his pectorals whilst deft fingers play in your hair. Leave it to Kyojuro to turn every negative into a positive. You close your eyes, a content sigh passing through your lips.

“Although,” he begins, cutting through your quiet musings with his velvety timbre. Those devious fingers of his trail down the side of your face, neck, collarbone. Leave goosepimples sprouting on your flesh in their wake. As if you weren’t already hot before…

“It would be an honor to be your first. That is, if you would ever want me to take you. No pressure, my darling.”

The implications of his words have you salivating. Of course I want you to, squeals the little voice inside.

“Perhaps we should continue this discussion some other time! It appears that you have a mission!” The older man sits up abruptly, nearly sending you tumbling to the floor if not for the arms around your waist. He motions to your cellphone glowing menacingly with your employer’s name on his coffee table.

What lovely timing.

You groan, dislodging yourself from his embrace. You sit fully on the couch, hunkered over the smartphone. Kyojuro rubs reassuring circles into the small of your back. Through your peripheral, you see a customary grin plastered on his face.

“Shall I drive you to the airport, my sweet?”

<< Prelude | Masterlist | Interlude >>

#kyojuro rengoku x y/n #rengoku kyojuro x reader #kyojuro x reader #kyojuro rengoku #rengoku x reader #demon slayer fanfic #kny fanfic #kny x you #kny x reader #self indulgent #my works

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jalabharmooton · 5 months ago

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Jalabhar’s fingers stilled against her skin, the weight of her question hanging heavy in the space between them. His gaze shifted from the shimmer of her anklet to her eyes, as if searching for the truth in her words—or perhaps in himself.

"I don't know," he said finally, his voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "I suppose, I was always called Qorban by my father. Named for his favorite uncle, he said. It made him proud, you know? And as a boy, I thought it made me proud too." He let out a soft chuckle, though it carried a trace of melancholy. "But somewhere along the way, it stopped feelin’ like mine. I don’t know why I never changed it."

He tilted his head back, staring at the wooden beams above, as though they might hold an answer. "Perhaps you’re right," he murmured, his hand resuming its slow, idle tracing along her hip. "Maybe I’ve been undercutting the power in my own name, keepin’ it buried beneath somethin’ smaller. Jalabhar Mooton…" His lips quirked into a small smile, his eyes flicking back to her. "Beautiful, aye? You would know a thing or two about beauty."

When she mentioned his daughters, his expression softened completely, a genuine brightness lighting up his face. "They’re wonderful girls," he said, the pride unmistakable in his tone. "Smarter than their father, to be sure. Destined for better than I could ever hope." His smile lingered, his voice tinged with something wistful. "One day, I’ll have sons too, maybe. And they’ll play on the rivers like I did—learn to build canoes, fight for their fish. But for now…" He shook his head, the thought trailing off into silence, content to let the vision remain unspoken.

Her teasing challenge brought him back, and his grin turned playful. "Rafting, is it?" he drawled, his thumb brushing circles along her side. "What if you make a detour? Stop at Maidenpool. Everyone dreams of seeing Jonquil’s Pool, aye? And then I’ll take you on the rivers. Show you the waters that raised me. There’s nothin’ like it."

His voice dipped lower as he leaned in, her kisses drawing his words out in fragments. "I look for you in crowded rooms," he murmured, his hand sliding down the curve of her back, resting on her ass with a possessive ease. "I seek your attention like no other." His lips brushed against hers again, lingering this time, as if he could speak the rest of his thoughts through the kiss.

❂

the sheets were a tangled mess around them, the air thick with the lingering warmth of their shared intimacy. myriam lay stretched out on her side, propped up on one elbow, her dark curls spilling over her shoulder and framing her face. the dim light of the room cast a soft glow on her golden skin, making it shimmer like sunlit sand. she let her fingers trail idly across the pillow, the sensation grounding her in the quiet aftermath; and she looked down upon him through hazy kohl lined orbs as his hand traced up and down the length of her calf, quietly finding herself enjoying the view.

“you know,” she began, her voice low and sultry, each word a gentle caress in the quiet space between them, “for someone who’s so good with words, you’re awfully mysterious.” she propped herself up on one elbow, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief. “we talk about everything under this sun, except each other.” with a languid stretch, almost with the ease of how a feline reaches for something, she reached for her lehenga blouse, letting the rich, dark velvet slide over her fingers before slipping it over her head. she moved with unhurried grace, adjusting the fabric over her curves, the movement deliberate as her fingers smoothed it down.

her eyes never left his, the slight arch of her brow suggesting she knew exactly what she was doing.

“tell me something, ja,” she purred, her voice dropping to a husky whisper, her legs going directly back into his lap as she looked across at him; watching his hand traverse up and down her body and over the curve of her hip, as though she were something precious to touch. and somewhere, she found herself quietly appreciating the feeling of his fingertips tracing letters into her skin. “why don’t you make people call you by your real name? jalabhar suits you. it’s strong, sharp....” she tilted her head, her dark eyes shimmering with interest. “qorban? it just doesn’t fit. it’s too plain - too butcher, as you say.” she shifted, her leg draping over his, the anklet around her ankle catching the light and casting ruby and amber reflections across his skin.

her touch was light but intimate, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest as if she could uncover his secrets through touch alone.

“i don’t understand it,” she continued, her voice softer now, almost contemplative. “names are important. they hold power, meaning. i’ll never know the name my birth mother gave me. that secret is lost forever. but you—you have this beautiful, rich name, and yet you hide it. why?” she thought of how the gods chose the names of dornish children; how she and mors had sat before the guru and watched them open up the seven pointed star following the daily hukum; giving the couple the first initial of their daughter's name. how much was truly in a name?

her question hung between them, a playful challenge masked by genuine curiosity. she leaned in, her lips brushing softly against his shoulder, lingering there for a moment before pulling back. her eyes danced with amusement as she studied his face, waiting for his response the entire time she did so. “and you’re not even married anymore,” she added, a teasing lilt to her voice. “but you have two daughters tucked away in maidenpool. you’re full of surprises, jalabhar. it’s almost unfair, really.” she paused, her tongue tracing her bottom lip in a way that suggested both thoughtfulness and a hint of mischief.

“though, i have to admit, i’m not surprised you’re good at rafting. but i’m better,” she declared, her tone mockingly confident, her eyes sparkling with playful defiance. “the greenblood is far trickier than any river you’ve navigated. trust me on that.”

her lips curled into a sly smile as she leaned in once more, pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth. when she pulled back, her gaze remained locked on his, filled with challenge and invitation. her hand slid to the back of his neck, her fingers tangling gently in his hair. “so, tell me, ja mooton,” she murmured, her voice a seductive purr, “what else are you hiding from me? something real, something just for me.” her tone was coaxing, her eyes searching his face for any sign of the truths she craved. she pressed her body closer to his, her lips brushing softly against his ear, leaving a trail of kisses along his jawline.

#c: myriam #myriam005 #queue up the queue queue

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