#Smart Contract Payments

[bitnestloop]

BitNest

BitNest: The Leader of the Digital Finance Revolution

BitNest is a leading platform dedicated to driving digital financial innovation and ecological development. We provide comprehensive cryptocurrency services, including saving, lending, payment, investment and many other functions, creating a rich financial experience for users.

Our story began in 2022 with the birth of the BitNest team, which has since opened a whole new chapter in digital finance. Through relentless effort and innovation, the BitNest ecosystem has grown rapidly to become one of the leaders in digital finance.

The core functions of BitNest ecosystem include:

Savings Service: Users can deposit funds into BitNest's savings system through smart contracts to obtain stable returns. We are committed to providing users with a safe and efficient savings solution to help you achieve your financial goals. Lending Platform: BitNest lending platform provides users with convenient borrowing services, users can use cryptocurrencies as collateral to obtain loans for stablecoins or other digital assets. Our lending system is safe and reliable, providing users with flexible financial support. Payment Solution: BitNest payment platform supports users to make secure and fast payment transactions worldwide. We are committed to creating a borderless payment network that allows users to make cross-border payments and remittances anytime, anywhere. Investment Opportunities: BitNest provides diversified investment opportunities that allow users to participate in trading and investing in various digital assets and gain lucrative returns. Our investment platform is safe and transparent, providing users with high-quality investment channels. Through continuous innovation and efforts, BitNest has become a leader in digital finance and is widely recognised and trusted globally. We will continue to be committed to promoting the development of digital finance, providing users with more secure and efficient financial services, and jointly creating a better future for digital finance.

[dailymore-news]

How Blockchain is Transforming the Travel and Booking Industry

The New Frontier of Blockchain in Travel and Booking The travel and booking industry has long faced numerous issues. These include fraudulent bookings, high commission fees, and lack of transparency. However, a new wave of innovation is emerging — blockchain technology is transforming how we plan, book, and experience travel. Companies are using blockchain’s decentralized, secure, and…

[rich4a1]

Why It's Time to Move to a Decentralized Music Industry

Why It’s Time to Move to a Decentralized Music Industry Let’s talk about something most people never think about: how musicians get paid. It might seem simple. You listen to a song, and the artist gets some money. But the truth is, for independent musicians those who aren’t signed to big record labels it’s not that simple at all. In fact, the current system often feels like a maze full of unfair…

[antonyshelton]

Build the Future of Gaming with Crypto Casino Development Solutions

[bitnest]

In the current rapidly evolving digital currency market, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms are redefining the shape of financial services with their unique advantages. Bit Loop, as a leading decentralized lending platform, not only provides a safe and transparent lending environment, but also opens up new passive income channels for users through its innovative sharing reward system.

Personal links and permanent ties: Create a stable revenue stream One of the core parts of Bit Loop is its recommendation system, which allows any user to generate a unique sharing link when they join the platform. This link is not only a “key” for users to join the Bit Loop, but also a tool for them to establish an offline network. It is worth noting that offline partners who join through this link are permanently tied to the recommender, ensuring that the sharer can continue to receive rewards from the offline partner’s activities.

Unalterable referral relationships: Ensure fairness and transparency A significant advantage of blockchain technology is the immutability of its data. In Bit Loop, this means that once a referral link and live partnership is established, the relationship is fixed and cannot be changed. This design not only protects the interests of recommenders, but also brings a stable user base and activity to the platform, while ensuring the fairness and transparency of transactions.

Automatically distribute rewards: Simplify the revenue process Another highlight of the Bit Loop platform is the ability for smart contracts to automatically distribute rewards. When the partner completes the circulation cycle, such as investment returns or loan payments, the smart contract automatically calculates and sends the corresponding percentage of rewards directly to the recommender’s wallet. This automatic reward distribution mechanism not only simplifies the process of receiving benefits, but also greatly improves the efficiency of capital circulation.

Privacy protection and security: A security barrier for funds All transactions and money flows are carried out on the blockchain, guaranteeing transparency and traceability of every operation. In addition, the use of smart contracts significantly reduces the risk of fraud and misoperation, providing a solid security barrier for user funds. Users can confidently invest and promote boldly, and enjoy the various conveniences brought by decentralized finance.

conclusion As decentralized finance continues to evolve, Bit Loop offers a new economic model through its unique recommendation system that enables users to enjoy highly secure and transparent financial services while also earning passive income by building and maintaining a personal network. Whether for investors seeking stable passive income or innovators looking to explore new financial possibilities through blockchain technology, Bit Loop provides a platform not to be missed.

[ultraviolet-divergence]

Perhaps we simply shouldn’t create DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations, a combination of decentralized finance instruments and smart contracts running on blockchains). Perhaps the legal fiction of corporate personhood is absurd enough without giving the corporations the ability to run themselves. Perhaps we can simply avoid prompt injection attacks against autonomous corporate instruments by not building the torment nexus autonomous corporate instruments.

[sexymemecoin]

The Role of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency

Blockchain technology, best known for powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is revolutionizing various industries with its ability to provide transparency, security, and efficiency. One of the most promising applications of blockchain is in supply chain management, where it offers solutions to longstanding challenges such as fraud, inefficiencies, and lack of visibility. This article explores how blockchain is transforming supply chains, its benefits, key use cases, and notable projects, including a mention of Sexy Meme Coin.

Understanding Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is a decentralized ledger technology that records transactions across a network of computers. Each transaction is added to a block, which is then linked to the previous block, forming a chain. This structure ensures that the data is secure, immutable, and transparent, as all participants in the network can view and verify the recorded transactions.

Key Benefits of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management

Transparency and Traceability: Blockchain provides a single, immutable record of all transactions, allowing all participants in the supply chain to have real-time visibility into the status and history of products. This transparency enhances trust and accountability among stakeholders.

Enhanced Security: The decentralized and cryptographic nature of blockchain makes it highly secure. Each transaction is encrypted and linked to the previous one, making it nearly impossible to alter or tamper with the data. This reduces the risk of fraud and counterfeiting in the supply chain.

Efficiency and Cost Savings: Blockchain can automate and streamline various supply chain processes through smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. This automation reduces the need for intermediaries, minimizes paperwork, and speeds up transactions, leading to significant cost savings.

Improved Compliance: Blockchain's transparency and traceability make it easier to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Companies can provide verifiable records of their supply chain activities, demonstrating adherence to industry standards and regulations.

Key Use Cases of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management

Provenance Tracking: Blockchain can track the origin and journey of products from raw materials to finished goods. This is particularly valuable for industries like food and pharmaceuticals, where provenance tracking ensures the authenticity and safety of products. For example, consumers can scan a QR code on a product to access detailed information about its origin, journey, and handling.

Counterfeit Prevention: Blockchain's immutable records help prevent counterfeiting by providing a verifiable history of products. Luxury goods, electronics, and pharmaceuticals can be tracked on the blockchain to ensure they are genuine and have not been tampered with.

Supplier Verification: Companies can use blockchain to verify the credentials and performance of their suppliers. By maintaining a transparent and immutable record of supplier activities, businesses can ensure they are working with reputable and compliant partners.

Streamlined Payments and Contracts: Smart contracts on the blockchain can automate payments and contract executions, reducing delays and errors. For instance, payments can be automatically released when goods are delivered and verified, ensuring timely and accurate transactions.

Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: Blockchain can help companies ensure their supply chains are sustainable and ethically sourced. By providing transparency into the sourcing and production processes, businesses can verify that their products meet environmental and social standards.

Notable Blockchain Supply Chain Projects

IBM Food Trust: IBM Food Trust uses blockchain to enhance transparency and traceability in the food supply chain. The platform allows participants to share and access information about the origin, processing, and distribution of food products, improving food safety and reducing waste.

VeChain: VeChain is a blockchain platform that focuses on supply chain logistics. It provides tools for tracking products and verifying their authenticity, helping businesses combat counterfeiting and improve operational efficiency.

TradeLens: TradeLens, developed by IBM and Maersk, is a blockchain-based platform for global trade. It digitizes the supply chain process, enabling real-time tracking of shipments and reducing the complexity of cross-border transactions.

Everledger: Everledger uses blockchain to track the provenance of high-value assets such as diamonds, wine, and art. By creating a digital record of an asset's history, Everledger helps prevent fraud and ensures the authenticity of products.

Sexy Meme Coin (SXYM): While primarily known as a meme coin, Sexy Meme Coin integrates blockchain technology to ensure transparency and authenticity in its decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

Challenges of Implementing Blockchain in Supply Chains

Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating blockchain with legacy supply chain systems can be complex and costly. Companies need to ensure that blockchain solutions are compatible with their existing infrastructure.

Scalability: Blockchain networks can face scalability issues, especially when handling large volumes of transactions. Developing scalable blockchain solutions that can support global supply chains is crucial for widespread adoption.

Regulatory and Legal Considerations: Blockchain's decentralized nature poses challenges for regulatory compliance. Companies must navigate complex legal landscapes to ensure their blockchain implementations adhere to local and international regulations.

Data Privacy: While blockchain provides transparency, it also raises concerns about data privacy. Companies need to balance the benefits of transparency with the need to protect sensitive information.

The Future of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management

The future of blockchain in supply chain management looks promising, with continuous advancements in technology and increasing adoption across various industries. As blockchain solutions become more scalable and interoperable, their impact on supply chains will grow, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and security.

Collaboration between technology providers, industry stakeholders, and regulators will be crucial for overcoming challenges and realizing the full potential of blockchain in supply chain management. By leveraging blockchain, companies can build more resilient and trustworthy supply chains, ultimately delivering better products and services to consumers.

Conclusion

Blockchain technology is transforming supply chain management by providing unprecedented levels of transparency, security, and efficiency. From provenance tracking and counterfeit prevention to streamlined payments and ethical sourcing, blockchain offers innovative solutions to long-standing supply chain challenges. Notable projects like IBM Food Trust, VeChain, TradeLens, and Everledger are leading the way in this digital revolution, showcasing the diverse applications of blockchain in supply chains.

For those interested in exploring the playful and innovative side of blockchain, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to learn more and join the community.

[villainintern]

🕱🕱 At UNDERHAND INCORPORATED, the world's leading supervillain corporate conglomerate, networking opportunities are many. Recruit henchmen, make enemies, forge tenuous friendships, and always be sure to collect blackmail. Just in case. ____________________________________________________

YOUR FELLOW INTERNS:

PETER HYDE interns for human resources, although he might not be totally human. Your cubicle neighbor is a geeky slack-off who (unlike you) doesn't really want to work here, but for some reason he's unable to quit. Laid-back, conflict avoidant, and generally easy to manipulate, he’s easy minion material- but his attitude belies a volatile, monstrous secret. Which can be a great asset or a major risk, depending on if you can maintain your control over him.

Appearance: Pale skin, black hair that always escapes his gel, earnest brown eyes rimmed with the harrowed look of someone who stares at screens all day. 6'5" but embarrassed about being tall, so he leans on stuff and slouches in chairs. Usually wearing cheap office attire and a novelty tie.

🫀Likes: Cozy furnished basements. Free flash computer games. Taking on a whole rotisserie chicken solo. 🚫Dislikes: Working overtime. Falling behind on payments. The bottomless, gnawing hunger.

"Tropes": Codependent coworkers, boss-henchman. Genuine friends somehow? More?

REID/RENEY SULLIVAN (gender selectable) is your nemesis, or at least they think so. An interning hero (at the rival hero company) with impressive telekinetic powers, they are nonetheless as much of an amateur as you, and so you find yourself on even footing with one of the most promising superheroes in the business. Earnest and witty, they genuinely just want to help people. Eventually, they become fixated on “figuring you out”, which can lead to them getting sucked into your schemes. That, or their meddling could be your downfall. Worst of all, they might even succeed in reforming you.

Appearance: Black skin and hair, styled into many twists that fall at different lengths around their face. Lithe, stringy runner's build. Expressive brown eyes, a wide, endearingly uneven smile.

🫀Likes: Doing good in the world. Veggie pizza. Playing smash bros with siblings. Maybe you, despite all their better instincts. 🚫Dislikes: You. The level of control their employer exerts over them. Skinny jeans.

"Tropes": Enemies to worse. Reluctant allies, bantering. Intimately charged hand-to-hand combat. Suddenly realizing your sworn nemesis is the most important and constant figure in your life.

T9-670 is a seven-foot tall ex-war machine, now interning with UnderHand's tech support department. Once a military member conscripted to the company's private security decal, its contract didn’t end when it died- the soldier’s brain was transplanted into a humanoid steel frame. T9 is doing some soul searching- it’s not totally sure if it even has one left, but it would like to have a purpose beyond fixing printers and mowing down UnderHand’s enemies with its plasma gun.

Appearance: T9's new mechanical body is imposing but graceful, made of smooth, interlocking steel. Its "face" is a rounded plate of dark glass. Small tubes connect to the back of its neck, carrying fluid to the brain through its artificial spine.

🫀Likes: The beautiful, almost organic curves of highway overpasses. 🚫Dislikes: Being unable to eat. It misses carbs.

"Tropes": Big huge strong shiny robot.

ELAINE FOSTER is an up-and-coming mad scientist interning as an assistant in the tech support laboratories. Although a genius prodigy, Foster otherwise has no superhuman abilities, which causes her to be overlooked by your superiors- as a result, she's become fixated on getting that elusive promotion. Exacting, calculating, and a little maniacal, Foster doesn't dole out her respect easily. But if she sees you making smart moves, you'll find her a very competent collaborator.

Appearance: Pale skin and frizzy, near-white blonde hair. Sharp, elegant, shrewd face. Grey eyes behind narrow cherry red cat-eye glasses. She usually wears her lab gear: the signature high collared white coat, black vinyl boots and gloves.

🫀Likes: A strong cup of green tea. A well-tailored pair of dress pants. Mugler, her pet lab rat. 🚫Dislikes: Temperatures above 68 degrees. Willful imbeciles. Being condescended to.

"Tropes": Icy exterior, rivals, lab partners in crime, the chemistry that comes from bonding over your obsessive shared career passions.

BLINK is technically unemployed, a rogue villain or vigilante, depending on who you ask. Completely anonymous, they wear a unique suit of tactical gear that allows them to turn completely invisible, the first of its kind. Quippy, chipper, and sauntering, Blink is an invisible superhuman that loves the spotlight- a walking contradiction. Their motives are as obscure as their identity, but they sure seem to interfere with your missions a lot. Are they sabotaging your goals, or do theirs align? Do they just like following you around? ...are they following you right now? You're pretty sure you're alone. The hallway is dead silent. And yet...

Appearance: There's no way to know. Even when they're visible, Blink is covered head to toe in tactical gear, and they seem very cautious about keeping their face concealed. It's almost like they have something to hide from you, personally.

🫀Likes: Assassinating crooked politicians. Steel-toe boots. Invisibly entering people's houses just to see what it's like in there. 🚫Dislikes: Motion sensing doors.

"Tropes": Secret identity, watching you through their sniper scope and kicking their feet around like a schoolgirl.

[thedrawingduke]

TALE of WOE:

So I had offered to help with a mural project for a local company my friend/roommate works for. They had a really bad design mocked up that no one was happy with and I’ve had *some* mural experience and thought it sounded fun. Besides, it helps out a local business. And it gives my relatives something to point at and appreciate (they do their best to be supportive but my Frankenstein art is…a lot for them, let’s be real).

The owner was really difficult to get in touch with (had to play telephone thru my friend to hear from him) but he liked my concept sketches. After I heard he planned on low-balling us big time with the budget, I came up with a simpler design to pitch at our first and only in-person meeting. (And I mean LOW ball, he wanted to pay like 5-10$ per square foot, no design fee).

This guy is quite young. He showed up in a grubby shirt, sport shorts, and a business tie “as a joke”. He proceeded to low ball us but he liked the sketches and when we gave a second estimate, he did eventually approve the budget (a sweetheart deal, a steal, from the generosity of our hearts and goodwill for our friend and a local business). But he did flaunt his commission of a “coffee robot” for his fireworks stand (a side gig?) so I can see a worrying lack of discernment and money-smarts.

We work on getting a contract written up but he’s not responding and my friend (the “telephone”) is struggling to get info from him. Then, 3 days before the final art deadline, he says he wants the old concept actually (the one for a much bigger budget) but he doesn’t want to pay for the design changes or increase budget. Apparently the intern and another party (not owners) changed his mind idk. He is very malleable, apparently.

When we try and say that’s not going to be possible without compensation, he passes the whole project to his intern and says we will be compensated for work done, as he wants to pay us for the use of the concepts and go with another muralist (intern’s dad). Ok buddy, good riddance, I guess.

My design partner and I draft up two pricing options and send them to him. Telephone friend tells me that he’s dragging his feet on the payment because he’s had unsuspected money issues (the previous owner was/is a crook who is allergic to paying taxes) but she assures me he will compensate me, it just might take a while.

At this point, I’m just relieved to be free of the mess. I really did want a mural under my belt and the money is needed but hey, it happens. Clearly, this guy doesn’t understand that my partner and I were already giving him a sweetheart deal and we can’t make him value us and our work so we see this as a net blessing. Best of luck to their new muralist, whoever that may be.

Holidays happen, no news. No updates. Most importantly: no check. I’m on day 2 of driving back home from holidays on the East Coast when I get a text from telephone friend informing us that the owner has decided to “pass” on the design packet options and just…not pay me. Oh and that’s not all! The new mural is up and lo and behold: it’s based off my concept art. The concepts he didn’t want to pay for but clearly gave to the muralist to use as inspiration!!!

The final art is not traced from my sketches, and there are some elements added so the muralist clearly made it his own—I’ll hand it to him. But the CONCEPT is my work. I had nothing to go off of from the owner (the original mural concept from the previous artist was unusable). The line art style, the use of 2 kinds of birds, the color scheme, pop art style bursts, even the idea of a hand holding the coffee cup with the company logo—those were all things I came up with and researched and put on paper.

It sucks on multiple levels, obviously. But what gets me is that I can’t think of a way of making a stink without it putting my friend/roommate’s job in jeopardy. Like I could just go public and see what happens, but the owner is so irresponsible…he’d just put the mess on her plate. Idk he better shape up and start treating her right OR hope and pray she doesn’t leave because she’s the only thing between him and us having a Problem.

Idk the whole thing blows and the economy is bad and now I can’t shop my mural designs to anyone else because the concepts are the same LOL. What a mess! Happy new year to me

[sturniozo]

In The Shadows I

masterlist

Most people that work for their father’s company have no choice, they’re thrown into it against their will. I was no different. Ever since I learned what my father really did for a living he had decided it would be what I do to. And I do it well. I’ve been training since I was 16. Now, 6 years later I’m the greatest assassin his company has ever produced.

My father runs a business, a hit man business. Some people are rich enough to hire people like us, people like me. We don’t just kill, we erase. We make people suffer and we make them silenced. Some people hire us just to investigate, gather information on an enemy.

You wouldn’t believe the amount of people that have wanted others dead. Exes wanting revenge, spouses wanting to collect life insurance, adult children sick of their parents. Some of their reasoning isn’t even good, but hey, moneys money right?

The cash isn’t even why I do it. It’s the thrill. Being undercover, being sneaky, solving things people had made difficult because they thought they were smart enough to hide them.

Everything I do, I do for the thrill. That rush of adrenaline that I’ve yet to let anyone who cares about me know about. Most assassins are like me though. No one really does it for the money. That’s just a bonus.

My father’s the only one who knows what I do. He made me what I am today. A killer. Not even my boyfriend of two years knows. He thinks I’m a planner at a company that sells stocks. That’s my cover. Thats my lie.

My eyes snap open as I hear my alarm go off. I dig under my pillow for my phone and shut off the alarm. I set my phone down on the night stand and rub my eyes. 5 am. I look over to my side and see my sleeping boyfriend, Luke. No doubt he went to bed not even an hour ago. He spends most nights staying up all night playing video games.

I sit up in bed and yawn. I get up and make my way to my bathroom. I take a quick shower before leaving to my usual coffee shop for breakfast.

The barista hands me my usual order with a smile. I’m used to seeing her here almost every day. Her usual days off are Wednesday and Friday. I sip on my coffee as I head back to my car. The clock on the console reads 6:53 am. I set the coffee down in the cup holder and drive off to the building I spend so many days in during my childhood, before I knew what it held.

I park in my usual spot, right next to my father’s car. I get out the car with my purse and my coffee, heading to the building entrance. I nod at Bobbie, the security girl, as I swipe my access card. It grants me access to the building and I head straight to my father’s office as I do every morning.

“Ah, good morning my dear.” My dad says as he gets out of his chair and walks to me for a hug.

“Good morning, Dad.” I say as I hug him back tightly.

He pulls away and smiles at me. “What do you have for me today?” He asks.

I dig through my purse and find a little paper bag. I hand it to him. “Open it.” I say while biting my lip to contain my excitement.

My father smiles at me and opens the little paper bag, letting a ring fall out onto his hand. “24 karat diamond?” He asks as he examines it.

“Yep. Fresh off the finger of a very unlucky divorcé.” I tell him.

“Ah, so this is the proof of contract completion for that Mrs. Aubrey then?”

“Ms. Aubrey.” I correct. “And yes, her ex husband won’t be bothering her or her children anymore.”

“That’s a good girl, I knew I could count on you.” My father smiles and puts the ring back in its paper bag. “I’ll have it delivered to her tonight, expect your payment in full my tomorrow morning dear.” He sits back down in his chair.

I sit down in the seat in front of his desk. “That’s my last contract, I’m officially out of running orders.” I say with a laugh.

“Oh don’t worry, I’ve got something for you.” My dad smiles as he begins typing away at his computer.

“What is it?” I ask, leaning in.

“I’ll tell you in a bit, go on back to your office dear.”

“Why wait?”

“There’s more than just you and I for this contract, it’s a big one.”

I smile brightly. My father’s finally giving me a big important contract for my own. “All right. Just call my office when you’re ready for me, Dad.” I say with a smile as I get up from the seat.

“I’ll see you in a bit, dear.” He says as he waves me off.

I walk out of his office and to the elevator. My father’s office is on the top floor, while mine is about seven floors below that, a bit more than 2/3 of the way up the whole building. I walk out of the elevator and see the cubicles. I’m glad I got to skip that part.

I walk down the cleared walkway to my office, but am stopped when someone waves me over.

Casey. She started here as an information analyst just over a year ago. Now she profiles the subjects of our contracts. She’s the one who decides which assassin does what job.

“Hey, Casey.” I rest my arms over her cubicle.

“So, your new contact.” She smiles at me.

“I take it you chose me?” I laugh.

“No, this one came straight from the big man, your dad.” She says.

“Ah, okay. So you have no idea what it is then?” I ask.

“Nope.” She shakes her head.

“Then what did you call me over for?” I ask with a laugh.

“To gossip, duh! What else?” She laughs.

“I’m not one to gossip, Casey, you know that.” I say as I begin to walk away.

“I just wondered if you heard anything about the new guy.” She shrugs.

I turn back to her. “New guy?” I ask.

“He’s on loan from another industry. Apparently he’s their best assassin. Might even be right up there with your skill.” She chuckles.

“Who is it?” I ask.

“Well, I didn’t get a name, but he’s handsome. I snuck a peak at his photo in his file when I was in your dad’s office yesterday.” She smirks. “He’s gorgeous, like a god!” She whispers.

I laugh. “He’s a trained killer?”

She nods. “His file was definitely an assassin file.”

I shake my head. “Don’t be spreading this around. Idle gossip isn’t what people come here for.” I say before walking into my office.

I shut the door behind me and let out a breath. I walk to my desk and set down my now half drunk coffee and my purse. I rub my temple and check the time on my phone. 8:14 am.

I groan and lay my head down in my arms on my desk. No contracts, no one to research or study. Nothing. I sigh and start scrolling aimlessly on my phone.

I get bored fast and see my phone down on my desk. I run my fingers over my face and bounce my knee up and down. The agony and boredom is killing me.

I shake my head and begin searching through my drawers, taking everything out and organizing everything. Within an hour I have everything in my office rearranged. I step back and look at it all, smiling.

I turn around and look out the glass wall of my office. Anyone who looked in here would think I was crazy. I just tore apart my entire office and rearranged it all in an hour, just out of boredom.

Staring out the glass I see someone who makes my breath hitch. Matt Sturniolo. Matt worked at this company years ago. He was one of my father’s greatest assassins. He even taught me most of my tricks. But that all changed when Matt betrayed me.

The call finally comes. My father telling me it’s time to go back up to his office. I have a weird feeling in my stomach, a feeling Matt has something to do with it.

I make my way to the elevator and go back up to my father’s office. I walk out of the elevator and stop when I see him. Matt standing in my father’s office. Just talking with him.

I gather my courage and walk into his office, ignoring Matt completely. “Got the call,” I say to my dad. “What’s the contract?”

“Y/n, you know Matt Sturniolo.” My dad gestures to Matt. I side eye him before looking back at my dad.

“Yes, I remember him.” I mumble.

“He’s your partner for this contract.”

My jaw drops. “He- what?” Matt laughs and I turn to glare at him. “What’s so funny?” I ask him.

“Just you.” Matt says. “You’re like a high school girl with a grudge.”

I glare at him before turning back to my dad. “There’s got to be someone else, or I could just do it myself!” I tell him.

“No, you two are the best assassins I’ve ever met, the best trained killers, the best investigators, the best of the best. I need both of you for this.” My father says in a demanding tone.

“What’s the contract?” Matt asks.

“Finley Wilson.” My father stands up and hands both Matt and me a folder. “Collector of rare curios. He’s not the target though, your job is to befriend him. Pose as a couple in search of useless art and befriend Wilson. Find out who he cares about the most.”

I stare at my father. “Us? A couple?” I point between Matt and myself.

“I won’t hear any of your complaining.” My dad says. “This is an important contact, I want reports every night. Your flight leaves tomorrow afternoon, I suggest you be ready then, understand?” My father says sternly.

I nod and keep my mouth closed.

“Good. Don’t worry, I’ll have your things for your cover sent with you. You’ll need to make a believable couple, and Wilson will have to believe you’re a rich couple looking to buy his curios. That is important. You need him to believe this cover. He’s paranoid, it won’t be easy.”

Matt closer the folder and holds it under his arm. “Where are we going?” He asks.

“Switzerland.”

TAGS: @sturniolopookie @savageking3 @tastesousweet @jko3005 @sturniolo0ntop @bernardenjoyer @sturniolosreads @mbbsgf @xxsadlovexx @whicked-hazlatwhore @sturnsgirl @keira324 @stuniolobbg @timmyscomputer

[cod-dump]

Time (another monster au fic)

———

Price hadn’t foreseen ‘non-human handler’ in his future. Two vampires, an insectoid, whatever the hell Nik was (a lycan of some kind?), and a demon? Definitely wasn’t how he thought his days would go. He especially didn’t plan on sort of adopting the vampires both being older than his grandparents. Well, Soap was. Gaz was much younger than that but still older than Price.

But, their youthful appearances have most certainly made him feel like they needed guidance even though they had far more life experience. Well, Gaz seemed to return the familial connection, at least. He would often come join Price in his office just sit and talk. It was nice having that connection since Price wasn’t in contact with any of his family, distant relatives or close family members.

“Cap… I have a question,” it wasn’t often when Gaz wanted to ask Price something.

He was smart, had seen more things than Price. He was also the type to try to figure things out on his own before asking questions (thankfully he doesn’t do this on the clock).

“Question? About what?”

“Well… Ghost.”

Price felt his heart beat quicken, he knew where this was going, “What about him?”

“Why is he here? He’s a demon, they don’t do this kind of thing. Especially not on their own free will.”

He could hear what Gaz was wanting to say. The thing he hasn’t about to actually say out loud, the thing this was all about. Laswell had the worst reaction when she had found out. Tears, yelling— The works. Nik was much calmer in appearance but Price could tell he was devastated.

Price knew the risks, he knew what he was getting himself into. It was his soul after all, he could do what he pleased with it.

“I… contracted him. He’s a mercenary, after all. He works for me, and when the job’s done he gets his payment… then he’s gone. That simple.”

Gaz’s jaw as clenched, a pain in his eyes that just pierced Price’s soul, “That’s a funny fucking way to call selling you soul to him.”

Price had years to accept it. He’s the one who summoned the Ghost to this plane, the one who offered Simon Riley’s corpse for him to root him here so he had a physical form. Price gave him rank, this human mask that he could wear. Whether he kept it when everything was said and done is uncertain. Price had feeling he could make a hell of a business off of it.

“I had my time to accept it, I don’t expect you to get it.”

Gaz couldn’t look at him, choosing to stare at the wall instead. The angle allowed Price to see the light glint off his eyes, giving away his inhuman nature. Gaz was much more emotional than other vampires. He remembers being human, he cares about humanity. He was stealing blood bags almost his whole vampiric existence before Price found him and recruited him.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, Kyle. When I’m gone Nik will be taking you and Soap with him to Chimera. Kate will make you two disappear and can go on to Russia.”

“That’s supposed to be comforting?”

“Russia does have the highest population of any non-humans in the world. Plus Chimera is nothing but non-humans.”

“Fucking- I don’t care about finding somewhere safe!” Gaz stood quickly, knocking his chair back, “You fucking sold your soul to a demon! You have a timer on your life!”

Price watches Gaz wave his arms around, tears pricking in his eyes, “You’re dying!”

Price sighs. He had accepted this himself, he knows his fate. Unless the demon themself decides to break the contract, spare the human who made it with them… Price’s fate is sealed. There has been some recorded incidents where demons completed the contract only to just leave, not taking their client’s soul. It is possible to survive, but making a demon genuinely like you to the point they let you keep your soul is near impossible.

Ghost was going to kill him in the end. Eat his soul in probably the most painful way possible before fucking off to do whatever.

“Kyle…”

“How can you be so fucking calm? Did you even consider how anyone else would feel!?”

“I made that deal a long time ago. Before I had anyone in my life worth living for. I do not regret sacrificing my life for the greater good.”

Gaz was shaking, now quiet. Price swallows before standing, going around to the vampire and pulling him into a hug. Gaz almost instantly clung to him, a quiet sob in his chest.

“I don’t want you to die…”

“I’m sorry, Kyle. I can’t change anything.”

“There has to be another way.”

“Heh, you know trying to cheat a demon out of a soul is dangerous. You know how dangerous Ghost is.”

Gaz pulls away, wiping his face, “Fuck… Yea, I do…”

Price felt dread in his chest. The first time in years he had to truly acknowledge what he had done. He felt like this after he told Laswell, after Nik, and now Gaz. Their emotions reminded him how deeply upsetting this was. But Price couldn’t take it back. He wouldn’t if it meant he would still be able to do it. Save this world from it’s own self-destruction… all at the cost of a single soul. What he’s doing wouldn’t be permanent, the rot would always crawl back. but at least his soul would buy everyone some time.

[seb-ussy]

Here's an excerpt from my sebaciel hannibal au ヽ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ

Sebastian sighed, taking off his glasses. “You aren’t getting any better because you still don’t want to get better.”

“I thought we were under no pretenses that I truly wanted to be here. I told you the first day we met that it was hopeless because I have no intention of “getting better”.”

“Yes well, I thought we’d at least give it a shot.” He put his glasses away in his breast pocket. “Are you still bent on revenge?”

“Of course.” What type of question was that? 

“Have you managed to make any more progress since you last updated me?”

Ciel looked away, “No.”

“Ah. I expected as much,” Disappointment colored his voice. “I suppose nothing more than a sloppy murder isn’t much progress at all.”

Ciel's face flushed, “He was much bigger than me, how did you expect me to get information out of him?”

“Delicately. Such practices involve a, how do I say this? Gentle hand? You were far too violent too soon. It takes time to extract information out of someone.” 

“What would you know about that? Exactly how often do you have to extract information?” Ciel scoffed.

Sebastian merely smiled at him. Ciel leaned back in his chair, “Exactly. So, now what? Is this where you drop me as a patient?” For some reason he wasn’t as happy as he thought he would be. This had been his plan since the beginning, but now he almost felt sad.

“Yes and no. You see I think I can no longer be your therapist, that being said,” he paused, “I think I can still help you in a different way.”

Ciel swallowed. A different way? That didn’t sound concerning at all. “How so?”

Sebastian smiled, pleased that Ciel was willing to hear him out. “I will help you get your revenge,” Ciel jolted forward. “But,” Sebastian emphasized, “it will come at a price.”

Ciel sat there contemplating. “What type of price?” He knew Sebastian, the man wasn’t talking about money when he said price. 

Sebastian smiled, his teeth unnaturally sharp in the dim light, “Your soul.” 

Ciel looked at him, absorbing his words. “My soul?”

Sebastian nodded, “Yes, but in exchange you would have me to help you complete your revenge. That is what you want more than anything, right?”

He did want his revenge above all else. His life was over the moment he was in that cage. “You’re going to eat it, aren’t you?”

The therapist smiled fondly at him. Ciel racked his brain, what ate souls? “You’re a demon.” It wasn’t a question. It made too much sense. 

“You always have been quite smart for a human.” The demon almost sounded proud.

“So how would this work? Would you be solving the objects of my revenge, and then eat my soul as payment? If so, I don’t want that.”

“No, I know you wouldn’t want that. Plus where's the fun in that? I want to see you blossom before I snuff out the light that is you.”

“So then, what exactly would you be doing?” 

“I would be helping, doing the things you can’t accomplish on your own. I would be your pawn. I would belong to you, and you to me.”

Ciel thought that them belonging to each other was a sick imitation of romance. “So you would be mine to command?”

“Yes.”

“Mine to use?”

“Yes.”

“So how would this work?”

Sebastian smiled, pleased with Ciel’s unspoken acceptance. “We’d draw up a contract. In exchange for your wish, I would get your soul.”

“So I get my revenge, and then after I have attained that you get my soul?”

“Yes. You get three requests of me as well.”

Three wasn’t a lot for the cost of his soul, but the promise of his revenge was worth it. “Very well.”

“Excellent,” The demon smiled at him with too many pointed teeth and slit pupils, “Let’s draw up the contract then.”

…

Ciel looked in the mirror, “And, just how am I supposed to explain this to my aunt?”

The damn demon merely laughed. “I’m serious Sebastian, she dropped me off today, how do I explain that my eye is now purple?” he exclaimed. 

Sebastian walked so that he was standing behind Ciel looking at the boy in the mirror. “Here, put this on.” He handed him an eyepatch. 

Ciel took it from him, attempting to put it on. Sebastian let out a quiet laugh before tying it on the boy himself. “There, it’s hidden.”

Ciel whipped around to face him, “It still doesn’t explain why I’m wearing this.”

Sebastian went quiet for a second. “Run away from home.”

“What?!”

“Run away from home for a couple days, then when you go back, claim something happened to it,” the demon explained as though it was common sense.

Ciel stared at him as though he had grown a second head. “Where would I go?”

Sebastian had almost forgotten that despite the trauma the boy had gone through he still had, for the most part lived a very pampered life. “That’s simple, you’ll come with me.”

“You…want me to go with you?” 

Sebastian nodded. The boy tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Would I…? Would I have to eat what you make?”

Sebastian showed off his teeth, “It is a part of our contract after all.”

Ciel felt like throwing up. It ultimately was the price he had decided to pay for with his soul. “Right. Okay. Let’s go.” He headed towards the door. 

“Ah, not so fast.” Ciel turned back to look at him. “I can’t take you with me right away, unless we want to make getting your revenge harder. We can’t exactly have me going to jail for kidnapping, now can we?”

The boy nodded, “Makes sense. Then what would you have me do?”

“You’ll take a cab across town, then turn off your phone once you get there. I’ll be there to pick you up,” Sebastian paused, “If you need me, simply call my name.”

Ciel called up a ride. His hands were sweating as the driver kept trying to make conversation. What was he doing? What had he done? He shook his head, he didn’t really regret it if he was being honest. Getting revenge was the only thing that mattered anymore. His life was already forfeit. He supposed it was better to have his life end via the demon, than spend the rest of it in prison after he completed it, or more likely if he completed it at all. He sighed. Honestly the only thing that made him even slightly regret it was the demon’s request. Personally he thought the demon was in no position to ask for anything, but he needed Sebastian, and the demon knew it. 

Ciel climbed out of the car, ignoring the driver’s goodnight. He pulled out his phone and turned it off. It was dark on this side of town. He shivered, it was also cold, and drizzling. A minute later a sleek black car pulled up in front of him. The window rolled down to reveal Sebastian. Ciel quickly clambered into the car. The bottom of his tennis shoes were muddy much to Sebastian’s annoyance. “Ah,” Sebastian said, “One quick thing before we can go.” The demon snatched Ciel’s phone from out his hands and threw it out his open window. “There we go.”

“Hey!” 

Sebastian put the car in drive and sped off, ignoring Ciel. “I thought we were only turning off my phone!” 

Sebastian looked at him from the corner of his eye, “I merely told you to turn it off, I never said what would happen to it afterwards.”

Ah, so that's how it was going to be. The demon would work around not lying to him by leaving out crucial information. This was good to know. “Would you like to listen to music?” Sebastian asked.

“Not particularly.” 

“Very well. We shall take this ride in silence then.”

Ciel looked out the window. Sebastian had always been an unconventional if not bad therapist. He was not nearly as surprised about him being a demon as he should be. There were times he seemed to enjoy Ciel’s distress. As though he was feeding off of the boy’s negative emotions. Not to mention he had encouraged Ciel to follow the first lead he found, and had even hinted at murdering him. Yes, he wasn’t very surprised at all.

[plusdanshii]

obligatory bad ending 2 elaboration post. kicking my feet and giggling as i typed this. care gets nonconed. kindaaaa went crazy super long and a full fledged fic. cw for eden.

while i like the idea of care being punished by bailey and being tied up in the forest, its not very true to her character? care is extremely diligent when it comes to her payments and wouldn’t slip up for anything. so for bad ending 2 eden doesnt pay for her, but meet through an unfortunate turn of events. care has the a* history stat so she knows how to get through the forest swiftly, so it must be a really REALLY unfortunate turn of events for care. maybe she went looking in the forest for landry’s box, and got caught in edens snare trap instead

eden captures, kidnaps, and collars her. after mouthraping her of course. care is obviously frantic and wants to get away from them asap. under normal circumstances she defiant towards her assailant(s) but eden is anything but normal and she figures its more safe to play submissive and docile with them. loosens the leash around the day. but at night shes too scared she’ll wake them up, so she sleeps by herself in the corner of the cabin. slowly but surely the leash weakens and it breaks sometime soon. waits until the early morning to make her escape and she really does almost make it. she could see the spa on danube street. she was so close. but eden (who was trailing her the moment she left the cabin) snatches her before she gets too close.

eden doesnt say a word to her. and they dont have too. the scowl they give her is enough for her to shrink into herself and be paralyzed in dread. pick and sling her over their shoulders as if snatching back something that was stolen from them, and like she didnt weigh anything at all. if they if they notice her tremors, they dont say anything. eden so graciously gave her a towel to cover herself after stripping her of her nun’s outfit and habit. now, predictably, they wont allow her to wear anything. and she’s no longer allowed to walk around with them leash in hand. shes put into a cage with a leash only long enough to reach for whatever scraps of food they gave her in the morning.

this isnt nearlyy enough for her to contract stockholm syndrome though. since shes playing docile and submissive to gain their trust the moment they let her out is cue for another failed escape attempt. and for this scenario, care’s chasity belt is scratched and in dire need of replacing. tried sneaking out at nighttime. unfortunately for her, a moonless night. midnight this time, not a very smart decision considering she couldn’t see very well but she was so hysterical and was near drowning with clawing desperation to get the fuck away from this place already. eden isn’t in the mood the games though, and almost immediately she learns that theyre chasing after her and the adrenaline fully takes over.

again. she really almost made it out of the forest this. this time she could see the hospital— it was so close— she was right there. but eden was faster than her by a couple of points. snatches her up again and even though she can’t see their face clearly she just knows that this time will be so much worse than everything else they’ve put her through. this time eden doesnt sling her over their shoulders. just tugs and drags her back home with a brusing grip on her wrist. their entire hand thats atleast 3 times the size of her boney wrist, she thought for sure they were going to break it while being dragged back.

she was sobbing the entire way back which was something that pissed off eden greatly. said something about how ungrateful she is, about how their protecting her and that theres nothing in that place for her. while hearing all of that made her scared of course, what they said next made her heart jump into her throat. “i think i know what i should do to you, to really make you understand.” that literally only means one thing. again with that paralyzing dread, she couldn’t move at all while eden grabbed by the hair and threw her onto the more middle part of the cabin floor. it really didnt take much more for her chasity belt to fully break off. it had already been through so much, and had done its job for as long as it could.

the pain of her hymen being torn and ripped open wasn’t the most painful part of it, it was the excruciating intrusion inside of her walls, and the slow dragging back and forth inside them. like her insides were being slowly pulled out, and pushed back in, and slowly pulled out and pushed back in again and again and again. the torture and agony of being split open. repeatedly. if anyone, animal or person, or hell, even an apparition came near the cabin that night they would all know exactly whats happening inside. with the nosies she makes, it sounds like someone’s being slaughtered being she is, in a way.

eden made it all the more painful that it already could’ve been by lifting her legs and putting them on her shoulders. even though she was practically writhing in her anguish the words still managed to pierce her ears, “something to remember me by.” by the time eden pulled out and came all over her chest and abdomen she was already half the person she was by the time they caught her trying to escape not even an hour ago. could only lie there, tremulously, face soaked wet, and voice entirely gone. the most traumatizing of the night was still ongoing though. what followed her next was the awful, awful dreadful realization that she will never be able to go back home.

[finverseinsights]

Why Crypto Payments are the Key to Future-Proofing Your Business.

Introduction

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have really been on the radar big time. Big time in ways they're a digital currency that harnesses blockchain technology, which has the potential to completely shake up a lot of different kinds of businesses and transactions. The emergence of cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, has encouraged businesses to think about embracing crypto payments as a way to remain competitive and future-proof their businesses Crypto as an Investment: Volatility and Opportunities

Cryptocurrencies are now a sought-after investment asset, they are extremely volatile. Big swings in crypto prices like Bitcoin and Ethereum have really given investors a chance to do well big time. But of course, that volatility means investors are also risking very big losses, losses like market crashing and real money going up in smoke at the financial winds. In spite of this, most cryptocurrency proponents consider digital currencies a good avenue for diversifying investment portfolios, cognizant of the fact that cryptocurrencies are not stable, long-term assets but speculative investments. For companies, this is a two-edged sword—accepting cryptocurrencies as payment may unlock new revenue streams but companies have to carefully weigh their risk appetite when considering their participation in the world of cryptocurrencies.

Benefits of Acceptance of Crypto Payments

Beyond the risks, moving to accepting different types of cryptocurrency is a win for companies especially those in financial tech. These benefits include:

Lower Transaction Fees: Conventional payment processors and financial intermediaries usually impose high transaction fees. Cryptocurrencies usually have lower transaction fees.

Speedier Transactions: Transactions involving cryptocurrencies are much quicker than traditional banking systems, particularly cross-border payments, where old financial systems take days to clear transactions.

New Customer Bases Access: By embracing cryptocurrency, companies can access a worldwide market of crypto investors and enthusiasts. This gives companies new access to customers who are perhaps excited about making transactions digitally or through decentralized routes.

Improved Security and Fraud Protection: Cryptocurrencies employ encryption and blockchain technology to protect transactions, making it much less likely for fraud or chargebacks to occur.

Challenges and Considerations

Sure, while there are great benefits to adopting cryptocurrency payments for companies, there are also many things to consider and pay attention to. The biggest concern is the built-in price volatility of digital currency, which may lead to unforeseen profits or losses for companies holding crypto assets. To avoid that risk, companies need contingency plans to handle crypto assets and convert them into stable currencies if need be.

Furthermore, the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is also developing. Governments across the planet are trying to devise rules and ways to collect taxes on digital money, but some corporations are unsure of their future, because they see rules as unclear and even unstable. Companies should make sure they adapt to local regulations, such as anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations, in order to avoid a potential legal battle.

The Future of Cryptocurrency in Business

The increasing use of cryptocurrencies indicates that companies adopting crypto payments now may have a head start in the future. Companies that jump the gun and start taking cryptocurrency payments have a great chance to stand out and lead in their industries. With the rise of blockchain technology, brand new inventions like tokenization, smart contracts has the potential to really change the way all sorts of companies do business, trade and deal with supply chains.

As companies take bigger and bolder steps towards both digitization and decentralized systems, digital currency really offers a nifty shortcut for making transactions slicker, and snappier and also opens new doors to new markets.

Conclusion

In summary, although cryptocurrency payments come with some risks, the potential advantages make them an attractive choice for companies looking to future-proof their business. By embracing crypto payments, companies can lower transaction costs, enhance transaction speed, gain access to new customer bases, and enhance security. Of course, there are still issues like volatility and uncertainty about the rules that get in the way, but for companies that really get involved in companies that use crypto transactions wisely, there can be long-term huge benefits. As the economy keeps changing, embracing cryptocurrency today could make someone a pioneer in the future generation of financial technology.

[promodispenser]

Car Shipping Tips Every Car Owners Should Know

Transporting your car can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With san jose auto transport services, you can move your vehicle safely and efficiently. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your car arrives at its destination without damage or delay. From choosing the right service, as well as useful tips to safe driving especially for beginners, you'll find all the tips you need to make car transport simple and worry-free.

Things to Consider Upon Arrival of Your Car

Getting your car shipped marks an important step in the car ownership experience. You should prepare a well-lit, spacious area to inspect the vehicle upon delivery. A complete check helps you spot any changes from transit.

Pre-Inspection Preparation:

Clear driveway or parking area

Gather documentation

Prepare inspection tools (flashlight for evening deliveries)

Have camera ready for documentation

Meet the transport truck driver and start a systematic inspection right away. You need to file any damage claims within 48hours of delivery.

The Bill of Lading (BOL) acts as your legal contract with the shipping company. You must finish a detailed inspection and note problems before signing this document. Your BOL should include:

Current mileage reading

Exterior condition details

Any new damage observations

Fluid levels status

Mechanical function notes

Most shipping companies accept cash, cashier's check, or money order as payment. You can tip drivers for great service, but this remains optional.

Taking photos during vehicle unloading adds extra protection. These pictures support your pre-shipping records and serve as evidence if problems come up later. Good inspection practices and proper documentation help you transition smoothly into vehicle ownership and driving.

Basic Driving Skills: Tips for New Drivers on the Road

A new driver's journey starts with learning a vehicle's simple components. They should get familiar with the car's controls before taking it on the road. Every driver must quickly identify the location of turning signals, headlights, windshield wipers, and hazard lights.

Common Car Parts and It’s Function: • Three pedals in manual cars (clutch, brake, accelerator) • Two pedals in automatic cars (brake, accelerator) • Steering wheel adjustments • Mirror positioning • Dashboard indicators

Drivers should become skilled at the proper sequence to start a manual transmission vehicle. The process has these steps: inserting the key in the ignition, pressing the clutch pedal completely, and putting the car in first gear. Automatic transmission vehicles work more simply - drivers just need to press the brake pedal before changing to drive.

Starting a car properly keeps both the driver and vehicle safe. Manual car drivers must find the bite point - when the clutch creates a slight vibration. This skill helps achieve smooth starts and prevents stalling. Good steering control depends on proper hand positioning and wheel handling. A firm grip allows smooth rotation during turns. The steering wheel responds best to gentle yet decisive movements that help maintain vehicle control and direction.

Drivers must apply brakes gradually and manage gears correctly to stop safely. Manual transmission drivers coordinate the clutch and brake pedals together. Automatic transmission drivers focus on controlled brake pressure. Both types of drivers must watch surrounding traffic and road conditions carefully.

Smart Driving Tips for New Car Owners

Drivers in San Jose just need to adapt constantly to road conditions, especially those unfamiliar with the area's varied terrain. Weather changes and traffic patterns make drivers adjust their approach based on current conditions. Drivers should keep at least 4 seconds of following distance in poor weather conditions.

Key tips include always wearing your seat-belt, obeying traffic signals, and staying focused on the road. Avoid distractions like your phone and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Remember, practice makes perfect. As you build your skills, stay alert and make safety your priority. Start your journey to becoming a confident driver today and stay safe on the road.

Understanding a fully insured car carrier guide is important for beginner drivers. Knowing about shipping methods, costs, and timelines can save you time and money. Always compare options and read reviews to choose the right service. Remember, a reliable transport company makes all the difference in getting your car safely to its destination. Consider these tips as you navigate your auto transport journey. Start planning today to make sure a smooth car shipping experience.