#Zero Trust framework

[leonbasinwriter]

GTM in 2025 – The Sales Strategy No One Talks About

@leonbasinwriter Cybersecurity sales is changing. Fast. Buyers don’t trust traditional pitches. AI is reshaping how decisions are made. Vendors who rely on outdated playbooks will struggle to close deals. In 2025, GTM isn’t just about features and trust—it’s about timing, storytelling, and AI-driven execution. Businesses don’t buy security. They buy certainty.  The question is, are you…

[glowettee]

✧ if it doesn't align with the dream life, it's a distraction ✧

hey lovelies!! 🦢

omg, so, i was literally journaling last night & this phrase just hit me like… so hard. "if it doesn't align with the dream life, it's a distraction." i had to stop writing and just sit with that for a min.

because honestly? i've been feeling so scattered lately. like my energy is going in a million directions but none of them are taking me where i actually want to go. and i realized that's exactly what happens when we don't have clarity on our it-girl blueprint.

so what even is an it-girl blueprint? it's not just aesthetic or vibes (tho those matter too!!) but it's this deep knowing of who you're meant to become. it's that version of you who wakes up excited, who feels aligned, who's living in her dream apartment with her dream career and her dream people. she exists!! she's waiting for you to become her!!

this post is a bit different from my most recents, i wanted to take a little tinyyy break from my pop culture series', like the pll x glowettee and vampire diaries x glowettee series' and just focus more on self-improvement again. i also wanted to take a break from the overwhelming aesthetics i've been using in my posts, and justtttt write~~ (no small text, no crazy colors, just my thoughts) and i realized that distractions have been very prominent in my life lately... so i wanted to address it in this post, and some possible solutions <3

✧ what's actually distracting you? ✧

okay so grab your journal rn and let's get super real about what's pulling you away from your dream life, feel free to use these prompts:

that situationship that makes you feel anxious every time they text (you know the one)

the hours of scrolling that leave you feeling empty inside

saying yes to plans when your body is literally begging you to rest

the "friend" who always has drama and makes everything about them

that project you started because you thought you "should" but you actually hate

staying in that job/class/situation because you're scared to disappoint someone

comparing your chapter 1 to someone else's chapter 20 (guilty!!)

i've been doing this work myself and it's kinda scary how many things i was pouring energy into that weren't actually taking me anywhere i wanted to go??

✧ getting clear on your actual dream life ✧

before we can align with our dream life, we need to know what it actually looks like! not what instagram or your mom or society thinks it should look like, but what YOU want.

some journal prompts that helped me:

when do i feel most like myself?

what activities make me lose track of time?

who makes me feel seen, safe, and supported?

what would my perfect morning routine look like if i had zero obligations?

what kind of spaces make me feel calm and inspired?

what would i do with my time if money wasn't an issue?

what parts of my current life would i keep even if i could change everything?

i did this exercise last weekend and realized that so many things i was chasing weren't even in my dream life blueprint?? like i was stressing about getting into this super competitive program but when i really thought about it, it wasn't even aligned with what i actually want. wild.

✧ how to actually make decisions that align ✧

okay, so here's my little framework for making choices that actually build your dream life:

the body check: before saying yes to anything, check in with your body. does it feel expansive and light, or contracted and heavy? your body literally knows before your brain does!!

the future self question: what would the version of you who's already living your dream life do? she knows!! trust her!!

the energy audit: does this person/activity/commitment give you energy or drain it? only say yes to energy-givers (this one changed my life omg)

the alignment test: ask yourself "does this move me closer to or further from my dream life?" be brutally honest!!

the joy metric: if it doesn't bring you joy or lead to joy, why are you doing it?? (unless it's like… taxes or something lol)

✧ how to let go of the distractions ✧

this is the hardest part tbh. because we get attached to things even when they're not serving us! here's what's helping me:

remember that saying no to something is saying yes to your dream life

start with the easiest distractions first (for me it was unfollowing accounts that made me feel bad)

create little rituals around letting go (i write things down and then burn the paper)

remind yourself that outgrowing things is part of becoming

be gentle with yourself when you slip back into old patterns (we all do it!!)

i had to let go of a friendship a few months that was taking so much energy, and it was really hard but also?? i suddenly had all this space to focus on things that actually matter to me.

✧ your dream life alignment practice ✧

here's a little daily practice i've been doing:

morning: set an intention to notice what aligns and what distracts

throughout the day: when making choices, ask "dream life or distraction?"

evening: celebrate the aligned choices you made + gently note the distractions

it's not being perfect!! it's becoming more conscious of our choices. because every tiny decision is either building your dream life or… not.

i've been doing this for about three weeks now and i already feel so much clearer and more focused. like i'm finally moving in one direction instead of being pulled in a million different ones.

remember: you deserve your dream life. and it starts with choosing it, over and over, in all the tiny moments.

question from mindy:

what's one distraction you're ready to let go of? and one aligned action you're ready to take? (feel free to send me a message in my inbox, or just reblog answering this question.)

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[rebel-hunk-enjoyer]

I think Rex 🤝 Kallus friendship is neat for a lot of reasons. Firstly, I think Kallus needs a role model for deprogramming imperial behavior and would not, as former ISB, be very easily trusted amongst other defectors. Meanwhile, Rex has a lot of experience with separating what's him from what's "programming" and would probably understand more about quitting the thought police than he's truly comfortable with. Lots of uncomfy realizations abound for both of them when they compare notes, you know?

But also I think Kallus would be the guy who appreciates the boring stories from the Clone Wars, the stories about Rex and Cody doing the admin work that became the framework for imperial codes later on, the guy who really just gets it when Rex tells the story about him and Kanan sneaking around disguised as troopers. "The commissary" is like the joke they end up sharing or something and that's a fun little way for them to get through after Kanan is gone because it kills Rex to lose another Jedi friend and Kallus has zero experience healthily mourning and I think that would be nice for them to have a shared thing that's bonding but also healthy grief.

[mywitchyblog]

Why do so many witches don’t believe in reality shifting? I’ve met so many witches that don’t believe in that rather than believe. Do u have any idea why that is?

Why Many Witches Don’t Believe in Reality Shifting: A Tea-Spilling Breakdown ✨🌙💅

Short Answer: It scares and invalidates their practice. Long Answer? Sit tight, babe; we’re spilling all the cosmic tea. 🫖🌌

1. Fear of the Unknown 😨💀✨

Okay, babes, let’s spill this witchy tea with some extra sass and sparkle, shall we? ✨💅 For many witches, the notion of reality shifting is like trying to hold a séance on a roller coaster that’s zooming through a neon galaxy—it’s just too out there. Witches usually thrive within cozy, well-defined spiritual frameworks, you know? They’ve got their candle magic, their herb correspondences, their lunar calendars, their intricate spellwork, and their carefully crafted altars. It’s all about stability, tradition, and working WITH the energies that already exist in THIS reality. 🌱🌕🔮

But shifting? Shifting is like slapping on a pair of cosmic stilettos, snapping your acrylics 💅, and literally hopping from one universe to another as if you’re scrolling through Netflix. Instead of respectfully nudging the energies within your familiar plane, shifting says: “Hun, why are we even here? Let’s just poof somewhere else entirely!” It’s a dazzling, quantum-level plot twist that screams “we’re not in Kansas anymore, witch.” 🌀✨ And let’s be real: that’s downright destabilizing for folks who’ve spent years cultivating control and consistency. Imagine telling a master chef, who’s perfected soufflés after decades of practice, that you just got a five-star meal delivered by wiggling your nose like a 1960s sitcom witch. 🤷‍♀️💫 Honey, they’d be shook. Completely. Utterly. Shook.

Witches who’ve spent countless moons learning the subtle interplay of rosemary and rose quartz, the sacred timing of solstices and equinoxes, the whispers of elemental spirits, are like, “Hold up—did you just say you can bypass all that complex cosmic choreography with a few affirmations and sheer willpower?!” It’s not just a new practice; it’s a fundamental overthrow of the entire magical ecosystem they’ve come to trust. Shifting doesn’t need incense blends, special tools, or elaborate ritual spaces. It’s pure mental muscle, babe. 🧠✨ No wands required, no covens needed—just your fierce intention and a heaping tablespoon of belief. And that’s scary as hell for witches who rely on structure. It’s like trading a well-tuned orchestra for a wild freestyle jazz improvisation… in zero gravity. 🎶🌌

Then we have the deep terror of surrender. While witches often ground themselves before ritual (casting protective circles, calling corners, lighting the perfect blend of candles), shifting is like stripping naked and cannonballing into the astral ocean with no lifeline. 🌊🌌✨ You’re not just grounding, honey; you’re launching yourself into unknown realities, letting go of all your safety nets, and trusting that your consciousness will find the right landing pad. Terrifying? Understatement of the century, babe. 😱✨

And let’s not forget the existential crisis this all triggers. Most witches believe reality is malleable but still kinda anchored in certain universal laws—like gravity or energetic correspondences that you can count on. Shifting says: “Awww, that’s cute. But guess what? There are infinite realities, all flaunting their own custom rules, cosmic quirks, and narrative vibes.” If shifting’s legit, then the reality witches have spent their lives understanding is just one measly channel in an infinite Netflix lineup. That’s a lot to swallow, even for someone who’s danced naked under the full moon (no judgment, babe, get it!). 🌕🩰🔥

At the core, the fear is this: shifting is too big, too wild, too damn unregulated. It challenges their entire spiritual foundation. Witches may pride themselves on open-mindedness, but when something asks them to ditch their known magical map for a cosmic GPS with infinite routes, it’s a big ask, darling. It’s shaking the bedrock of their beliefs, and who wouldn’t be spooked by that? 😨✨🔥

2. ShiftTok Ruined the Reputation of Shifting 💀📉🔥

Ah, ShiftTok. The wild, messy, dramatic cousin who shows up to the family reunion and makes everyone regret getting together. TikTok put shifting on the map, sure—but like, at what cost, sis? 😬 The platform’s infamous algorithm craves chaos, extremes, and hot takes. Meaningful spiritual discussions? Zzzzzz. Too boring. Instead, we got “I shifted to Hogwarts and married Draco Malfoy! 💚🐍✨” going viral at warp speed. Suddenly, shifting looked less like a metaphysical exploration and more like a teenage fanfic come to life. 📱💫💁‍♀️

For witches who’ve fought tooth and nail to be taken seriously in a world that still stereotypes them as “crazy old crones,” this was the ultimate cringe-fest. Just when they’d carved out a respectable niche, along comes ShiftTok flooding the timeline with questionable claims and zero nuance. It felt like a clown parade marching right through their sacred forest. 🤡🌳🔥 So, naturally, they distanced themselves, saying, “Not today, Satan—we are not about to be lumped in with that nonsense.” Witches need credibility, hun, and ShiftTok’s circus vibes threatened to snatch that credibility away faster than you can say “Wingardium Leviosa.” 🙅‍♀️💃✨

But here’s the twist: it’s not just about preserving a good reputation. The tidal wave of misinformation and dramatics turned shifting into a caricature, overshadowing its true spiritual potential. Instead of seeing shifting as exploring consciousness and tapping into infinite universes, the public saw it as “teen fantasies about dating fictional characters.” And that put off not just witches, but a lot of serious spiritual folk. They were like, “If this is what shifting is about, I’ll pass.” ✋🛑🔮

This divide has caused legit damage. Spiritual communities often embrace new metaphysical frontiers, but because ShiftTok presented shifting as some kind of Hogwarts LARP, witches and other spiritual veterans turned their backs. Shifters got left out in the cold, isolated from the spiritual communities that might have supported and enriched their practice. It’s a master class in how viral trends can twist and taint a legitimate spiritual concept. 🤦‍♀️📉🔥

3. Gatekeeping Spirituality 🚪🔑✨

Oh, honey, let’s talk about gatekeeping—the spiritual community’s dirty little secret. Witches (and other spiritual folk) love to brand themselves as enlightened, open, and loving. But as soon as something doesn’t fit into their curated definition of “real magic,” the rolling eyes and side-eyes come out to play. 👀💅✨

Shifting is a prime target for this gatekeeping. Since it doesn’t rely on the traditional toolkit—no fancy robes, no wands, no herbs, no hours-long rituals—some witches scoff. They brush it off as “just lucid dreaming” or “weird daydreaming on steroids.” Um, excuse you? 😒✨ That’s like telling a quantum physicist that particle entanglement is just “fancy air.” Dismissing shifting so casually is hella disrespectful, especially since shifters are delving deep into consciousness, exploring the MULTIVERSE (yes, multiple freakin’ realities, babe), and challenging the very nature of what we call “real.” 🌌🔮💥

Why the dismissals? Fear, darling. Pure, unfiltered fear. If shifting is real, it’s a spiritual free pass—no gatekeepers, no hierarchies, no “I’ve studied for 30 years, so I’m more legit than you.” Shifters waltz in and say, “Watch me hop timelines with just my mind,” and that makes the old-school spiritual crowd itch. They’ve invested years—decades even—in elaborate systems, coven politics, and sacred traditions. Shifting basically says, “You can press skip,” and that’s too much for some egos to handle. 😤✨🌙

But the saddest part of gatekeeping? It slams the door on real discussion and growth. Instead of having meaningful dialogues—like, “Wow, how can we integrate shifting with existing practices?” or “What can we learn from these new cosmic explorers?”—it’s all snark and dismissal. That’s a huge loss for the entire spiritual community, cutting them off from potential evolution and fresh perspectives. 🚪🔑💔

4. Jealousy and Insecurity 😤🪞✨

Let’s call it what it is, babe: jealousy’s in the mix. Witches who’ve spent half their lives perfecting their craft might feel a little pressed when they see shifters casually strolling into alternate dimensions like they’re popping into Starbucks. ☕💅 “I’ve been working with these herbs and crystals for YEARS,” thinks the witch, “and you just manifest a new reality by focusing really hard? Talk about a cosmic shortcut!” 🌿🔮💫

This can feel like a slap in the face. The witch might’ve spent hours prepping a prosperity spell—herbs, candles, moon cycles aligned, calling on spirits—and the shifter’s over there like, “BRB, shifting to a reality where I’m already a millionaire.” Ka-ching. 💸✨ Of course, not all shifters do it for material gain, but the sheer potential can spark envy. It’s like seeing someone win the lottery right after you worked overtime for years. It stings. 🏆🔮🙃

Insecurity often breeds dismissal. Instead of owning those feelings—admitting that maybe they’re a tad envious—some witches double down on skepticism. They label shifting as “fake” or “dangerous” to maintain their own sense of superiority. It’s easier to tear down what you don’t understand than to face the cosmic FOMO. 😏🪞✨

But here’s the tea: shifting isn’t undermining witchcraft; it’s just another path. There’s room for everyone at the metaphysical buffet. Witches can keep rocking their spells and potions, and shifters can dance through dimensions. Both practices have their place and beauty. Let’s stop pretending like the multiverse is a zero-sum game, hun. The cosmos is infinite; there’s enough magic for all of us to eat well. 🍰🌟🔮

5. Generational Divide 👵👩‍🎤✨

And now, let’s talk about the age gap in spirituality. Older witches might see shifting as flighty, trivial, or too pop-culture-infused. “Hogwarts DRs? Really?” they scoff, clutching their besoms. “We invoke ancient gods and speak with ancestors, not fictional wizards!” 😤🦉✨

But let’s face it: younger spiritual practitioners are remixing the mystical playlist, blending fandoms, anime, K-pop vibes, and metaphysics into a crazy, colorful tapestry. They’re treating spirituality like an open-world video game, pushing boundaries and experimenting with style. It’s fresh, it’s vibrant, and it’s challenging stale ideas. 🎨💫💻

For elder witches, this can feel disrespectful. But babes, times change. New generations always rewrite the script, bringing their own flavors and aesthetics. Shifters are showing that the spiritual journey isn’t static—there’s no one “right” way to access the divine or explore cosmic truths. It’s like spiritual evolution in real-time, and while it can spark eye-rolls and tension, it’s also a sign that spirituality is alive, dynamic, and ever-expanding. 🌱🔮✨

Final Thoughts: Shifting Stands Strong ✨🔥

At the end of the cosmic day, witches getting their broomsticks in a twist over shifting doesn’t make shifting any less valid. Whether they fear it, gatekeep it, misunderstand it, or feel threatened by it, shifting remains a legitimate spiritual practice with its own depth, challenges, and unimaginable possibilities. ✨🚀🌌

If witches want to stay perched on the sidelines, side-eyeing your every astral leap, let ’em. You’re busy charting new territories, babe—hopping timelines, exploring infinite worlds, and forging a path that’s as limitless as your imagination. 👑🪄💋

So keep slaying, keep shifting, and let the doubters watch as you rewrite the rules of what’s possible. After all, the multiverse is waiting, and you’re the star of your own cosmic show. 🌟🔮💫

personally sweetie i think that it is possible to blend and mix both, im a witch who beleives in shiting.

I reccomend you check the tumblr of @theshiftingwitch exemple of you can mix both babe.

Hope this posts answer your question !

P.S : Im about to post soon my essay about antishifters who they are and why they beleive the shit that they do.

[deramin2]

Meta: Bell's Hells Plan: Self-Determination for Exandrian Mortals

Bell's Hells keep repeatedly saying what their plan is out loud, so I'm surprised it's still a mystery to so many viewers:

Bell's Hells want the Exandrian Pantheon to no longer have control of Exandria.

After much debate and talking to a lot of people, they've concluded that the Exandrian Pantheon having nearly unlimited power and control over Exandria is bad, and it needs to end. They've considered all the good those gods do personally and through their institutions and concluded the harm outweighs it. Exandrians deserve true self-determination, and they can't have that while the Gods treat them as pawns.

They don't want Ludinus or the Ruby Vanguard to have that power instead. That was definitely going to make an even worse situation.

Their preference was to reason with Predathos about eating them and instead let the gods leave. That plan is clearly not working. While talking to the Raven Queen they formed a new plan to undo the gods' divinity, the thing Predathos wants to eat, and allow them to live as mortals with much diminished power and control.

They do not have a plan for what mortals do with their freedom once they have it. They took so long to commit to this path because it means the full overthrow of global power structures, and that's a really big and unfair decision for one group to make for everyone. But in their heart of hearts they feel like those institutions are so corrupt they have to be undone so something else can grow. That something else will still have problems, but different ones. They were thrust into the position of having to choose revolution or the status quo that just kicks the can a bit farther down the road until that inevitable overthrow, and they couldn't stomach kicking the can. As is often the way with major change.

This is not a story about good and evil. That framework doesn't fit around the events being told. It doesn't explain anyone's actions or motivations. Even a softer binary of altruism and selfishness doesn't fit. It's all too muddled in every single choice. Because that's reality. This is not heroic fantasy. They've said out loud the entire campaign they're not heroes. They're normal people thrust into impossibly large decisions and the story is about the changes that come out of that. Almost all the media influences they cite are stories about change, not morality. (Kentucky Route Zero is one example.)

People keep trying to order a milkshake at an art gallery and then complain the paint water is a bad milkshake. Milkshakes are great, but not every place you go makes them. And since the cast have repeatedly talked about what kind of story they're telling for years, the mismatched expectations aren't on them.

The thing that's kept them coming back to Exandria after nearly 10 years is that they get to see how all their actions, big and small, changed the world. Taliesin planted guns into a fantasy world, Matt added on that tech escaped Percy's control, and now it's a major political force in the world and Percy just has to live with that. Travis sees a big red button and he longs more than anything to press it just to see what happens. Matt made an entire Campaign 3 of big red buttons. They're not trying to protect the world from their decisions, they're trying to see what happens when they make interesting choices.

(I think the doubt about making the "right choice" is largely driven by the hostility of the audience to interesting choices with messy consequences. Especially the women who have faced a ton of misogyny-amplified criticism for every perceived "mistake" they make. But that's a different meta.)

They all know that an age is ending, and big changes are coming to Exandria, no matter what they choose. It's only a matter of whether they try to steer the runaway train or give full agency over to people they trust even less. Matt has said he now sees this as an end to a trilogy. Remaking the world to fully separate from WotC IP and probably switching systems to Daggerheart makes a lot of sense for both creative control and business.

Matt and others have reshaped these deities and their institutions away from WotC's versions pretty strongly, but they still by their very nature exert control over them as independent creators navigating the unfathomably vast and powerful cosmic horror entities that are mega corporations like Hasbro. Taliesin's closing remarks at the Candela Obscura: Circle of the Silver Screen live show are about how the Hollywood machine eats people. I wrote about the symbolism in my essay A City Made of Aspirations.

Just this week, and after Matt said "Fuck AI!", Polygon reported that a student project had used their work to build an AI Dungeon Master using a data set created by Microsoft engineers out of fan wiki summaries and the linked transcript database maintained by Sil. Geek & Sundry used fan captions, so a significant amount of the caption work in the data set is fan labor. Critical Role switched to professional captions as soon as they went independent because they saw the value in that labor. Those same fan information labor projects have allowed them to be the most academically studied AP due to the ease of collecting information, which has added to their success.

They're beset in the real world by forces that want to devour their aspirations to maintain their youth. They barely escaped the wreckage of one such entity in 2018 with their Critical Role work in hand, but a lot of their other innovative shows like Sagas of Sundry were lost. The system that propelled them into the spotlight and has allowed them to chase life-long dreams they thought were impossible, has also been trying to devour that work. They've fought for worker's rights through their union for a good reason.

Campaign 3 isn't a story about good and evil, but it is a struggle for who gets to control the future. It's about overthrowing the hegemony of systems whose manipulative, selfish, and destructive influence outweighs the benefits they provide. Even if that's confusing, terrifying, and a known sacrifice. Ludinus was a piece of shit, but he wasn't entirely wrong. Tragically the worst person you know occasionally makes a good point.

There are only two ways to solve a problem: do what you're doing better or do something else. Campaign 3 is the story of ordinary people who have decided the world needs to do something else. They found themselves in extraordinary circumstances through a series of decisions they couldn't know the outcome of. They don't have a firm idea of what they want the new world to be or how to achieve it, but they do know that things have to be different. Sometimes that's all the seed of change you get to work with.

On the Wednesday Club episode Love is Love (2017-06-28) Taliesin put it, "Culture is not a rocket ship. We all don't get on the rocket ship to the planet culture and go up to the moon. Culture is like life: it is chaotic, it is violent, it is hungry… It is not normal for everything to just keep getting better all at the same time. It's normal for everything to get better over a period of the long game. In any internal point, chaos—"

That's often how the world is. Most activists don't know what happens after they win their battle. They can't predict what knock-on effects anything from legalizing gay marriage to forcing the military to clean up Superfund sites will have. We don't know what happens next when the lead industry is overthrown, or tobacco companies are forced to admit their product causes cancer. We didn't know what movies would be made after the Hayes code or what effects streaming would have on film, television, and music. Early researchers into generative AI had no idea it would get used this way. We don't know the future or if what we're doing is "good" or "bad" on any long timeline. We can only choose what's in front of us one decision at a time and just hope we don't live to regret them too badly. That's what Critical Role has always been about.

Now is the time for different people to choose their own fates, for good or ill, without the Exandrian Pantheon dictating them. Whatever happens next is for Campaign 4 to sort out.

—

This essay is also available on AO3.

[doctorweebmd]

Hello! First of all you are insanely talented and your writing lives for free in my head and has probs rewired my brain on some level. Like it's that good tasty soul destroying gut wrenching all encompassing art that physically hurts that it's just concepts and not something you can like squeeze to pieces in your arms, how is it possible to feel all these emotions, ouch in the very best way art (I hope this makes sense lol) Secondly, I wanted to ask what your process is for ideating longer stories from start to finish? Cause they're always so layered and impressive like how do you keep track of everything. How do you weave it all together like that. It's so satisfying to see as a reader but what's it like inside your mind, can you give us a little peek (as a treat)? Thank you for your service❤️

Oh anon you are too kind i could cry seriously seriously seriously it means a lot to me. like, i dont even have words. thank you for taking the time to send this and make me feel like a human being that exists and that those words matter, even a little!

I've actually been thinking about how to answer this question for a hot minute, so apologies for how long this ends up being...

Anyway, click below for an exclusive look at ~*~my twisted mind~*~

I joke, of course. (ish.)

Regarding writing my longer fics... over the years, they HAVE become much more clean and organized and I have tried to at least keep to a central theme, so here is my sincere answer...

Think Yes, AND. All writing is improv. To me.

You come up with an idea. Think about how that idea can work, or how it can be possible within canon. Then explain that idea. Then explain THAT idea. A very bare-bones outline can help with predicting length and help you arrange ideas to assist with telling the story you want to tell.

For example:

First, we start with an idea. The overarching idea that you want to explore in a story. For Zero-Sum it was 'what if when Deku left UA and never came back and Katsuki went a little crazy looking for him?' For tptp it was 'what if Akutagawa got abducted and Atsushi went to rescue him?'

From there, extrapolate, extrapolate, extrapolate!

For me, I make incredibly vague outlines. It helps get an idea of what I want to accomplish in between 'core' parts or scenes. And when I say vague i mean, like, vague. Just put ideas down. Quotes you like. Potential events. Nothing is set in stone. Like, this is a copy of one of the earlier iterations of TPTP -

This part is where worldbuilding and thus the story really starts to develop. The nice part about writing fanfic is you're working in a defined framework, so there's many jumping off points. A particularly fun one is trying to explain canon and filling the plot-holes that are so so ardently bothering you. Researching anything and everything behind the canon itself, how it relates to the real world, how you can make sense of it always spurs ideas.

ANYWAY here are some thoughts that have kept me writing when I want to rip all my hair out and throw myself into a bottomless pit because, well, the only thing worse than writing is not writing. and also the horrors.

1.) If you build it, they will come - wow, it definitely feels super discouraging when you're writing a long fic and no one seems to be reading it. But, remember, you are writing the story YOU want to write. Many readers don't read incomplete works. Others only comment on last chapters. Others are just silent but love it anyway. Long-fics require a lot of internal motivation and love but it is always always worth it!

2.) Kill your darlings - oftentimes, if you're stuck making a chapter/passage work and you just can't, its the passage's fault. a lot of the times just deleting it can help gain some clarity of mind.

2.5.) Save your darlings - When I delete things, I usually either add them to the end of the fic or a whole new document. This is relatively new advice that I've started following and its definitely helpful!

3.) trust the process - goddamn it. you can't force it. you really can't. sometimes you have to sleep on it. think about things in your car. reread it and want to rip your hair out. the solution will come to you. IT ALWAYS DOES. trust yourself. this is your story. sometimes you just need to give it time.

4.) I will not explain my art to the stupidest people alive - there are always always ALWAYS going to be people that misunderstand you. no matter what you write, draw, create, how you speak, how you present yourself, there is someone who will misinterpret and shit all over it and there's nothing you can do about it. and when its something as vulnerable as writing, it might be compelling to overexplain yourself. DONT. do not dumb yourself down to appeal to people who dont give a shit about your art anyway. its not worth the effort.

5.) better done than perfect - one of the reasons i now post on ao3 as i'm writing. if you're a perfectionist like me, no matter how many times you edit something, it will never ever ever EVER meet ideal standards. it won't ever sound like you didn't write it. the nice thing is, this is fanfiction. you can write whatever the fuck you want, be it with too many adverbs and run on sentences or whatever. it doesn't NEED to be pristine. it doesn't NEED to be clean. this ain't the new york times bestseller or a world-wide tv show waiting to be critiqued. you will lose nothing by not making it an ideal. what it DOES need to be is DONE.

...

thank you again and i am sorry and hello :)

[friendsinsolitude]

rui is intimately familiar with the knowledge that he has the capacity for harm. he knows that the contraptions he makes, the stunts he directs—even if he takes every safety precaution possible—, the chance of somebody sustaining an injury, a minor one, a major one, a lethal one, is absolutely never zero. he’s willing to take that risk. he likes that risk. but he’d never assume that everybody is, and would never blame someone for not being willing to. that’s why companions who trust him and are willing to take that risk in turn are so precious to him. i think he’s also aware of the way he’s seen, a really tall Guy who’s told people to jump out of windows for his amusement and builds bombs on school property, and is aware of his capacity for harm even outside the framework of shows.

i do think he values human life and safety more than average, but more than i think he’s against the concept of harm, i think he absolutely cannot justify himself doing harm. i think he values like all human life and safety over his own, but i think he values the lives and safety of the people he cares about very significantly over that of random shmucks. it’s not quite a matter of being kind without bias, saintlike. he just cares about people comparatively more than he cares about himself. so like, i don’t think he could cope with harming someone that didn’t agree to the risk of being harmed (and even then…), but provided it’s not a situation where he has to reevaluate his view of the person in question entirely (e.g. someone turning out to hurt people for funsies), i don’t think he’d lose much sleep if someone he cared about harmed someone else, beyond perhaps a solemnity and blaming himself for not being able to nip whatever situation led to that in the bud. he just doesn’t hold anyone to the standards he holds himself.

and then re: being harmed… i don’t think there’s a situation (canon-adjacent) where rui can be pushed to retaliate against violence inflicted on him. deterrence, avoidance, sure, but i don’t think he’d ever see an eye for an eye as a viable option because he does not view his flesh to be an equal weight. if there’s someone who wants to hurt, then necessarily there will be someone who gets hurt, and better him than anyone else, cause at least he can take it (stupid). i think he could be pushed into retaliating against violence inflicted on someone else, but i think he’d try literally everything he possibly can to defuse the situation before it comes to that, and post hoc revenge is just not on the table. even being pushed into wanting to, would be a challenge. however, someone retaliating against violence inflicted on them or someone else, i don’t think he’d intervene or find a problem with beyond, again, a solemnity. and like, if he were in a position to, i think he’d hold someone back from unambiguously crossing the line between “defence” and “revenge”, not necessarily in empathy for the perpetrator-cum-victim, but rather because somebody in that situation should keep mind to make things as clean as possible in case of scrutiny under involvement of law enforcement.

things that are done cannot be undone, so revenge is useless, as is punishment. so i don’t think he’d really moralize about taking responsibility to anyone. but if it were him, if he did something he couldn’t take back, no amount of atonement would undo anything, therefore an infinite amount is just as justified as none, so he’d confess and leave his fate in the hands of others because he believes he is anything they think he is. other people in the face of doing something terrible still have the rest of their lives to live, but his is already over.

[laauranenn]

I agree with many points in your response especially sugishita/ tsubakino part

So the most jarring part About the absence of Sakura's backstory is that nii himself mentioned he has no framework of sakura's past until now , like he has no idea how to start it, he had clear ideas for the side characters backstories " umemiya & tsubakino" but not for Sakura's , I don't understand how can we say "he is setting up Sakura's backstory" when he still doesn't have clear idea for it

So far there’s 160+ chapters and we still don’t know anything about Sakura’s past. Usually when it comes to main protagonists in manga, it’s the opposite but Sakura is such a mysterious character. He’s a 15-16 year old kid who lives by himself out of town. Who are his parents? Is he an orphan? Did he get abandoned and disowned by his family? It leaves me with so many questions

He gave us so many unnecessary flashbacks during fights. Umemiya ,suzuri, tsubakino and kaji received too much flashbacks and lore , Sakura didn't have any flashbacks except the tight rope in ch 56. Umemiya had an entire arc " chapter 88 to 97" about his past with solo volume cover, i believe Sakura won't receive the same treatment like umemiya

Aside from the lack of Sakura's Lore,also the worldbuilding is so bad where are the police why are these KIDS the police?? hello irresponsible adults?? the world feels so empty , the antagonists are lame , endochika get off so easy.They basically caused a war that got many people injured & traumatized all so Chika could have a fun birthday it’s a lil more fucked up

Glad to hear you agree with my points!!

I didn't actually know that about Nii not having a backstory planned for Sakura! When/where was this said? Not that I don't believe you, I'd just like to see it for myself as well! I haven't looked too much at Nii's official Twitter, mostly because of it not being in English. I really should look through it more huh.,

That definitely changes things though, and it makes me understand your frustration a lot more! Though I think it's typical for authors to not have characters fully planned out when writing? I'm not 100% sure about that, but it sounds right to me. I can't imagine having every character fully planned out. The most we can do is trust that Nii has it all figured out! I've really enjoyed the backstories of other characters and the worldbuilding, so I trust that he's got it handled.

Could you elaborate on your opinion on "unnecessary" flashbacks and lore? For characters like Kaji and Suzuri, the flashbacks give us a clearer idea of the themes the characters portray, as well as give us insight into how they think.

For Kaji, we get his struggle with his anger, as well as the way he dehumanizes himself, and the way he learns to cope with it. We find out more about him as a person, and about his relationships with his vice captains and Hiragi. I think Kaji is an incredibly interesting character, and I enjoyed learning more about him. Though if he isn't a character you care for, I can see why these scenes would feel unnecessary.

Kaji also plays a similar role to Umemiya, where he's someone in the same position as Sakura/ in the position Sakura is aiming for.

(Since Kaji is a grade captain like Sakura.)

I've also seen something about parallels between Kaji and Sakura? Though I haven't looked into that too much.

As for Suzuri, the flashbacks and lore we get for him are important for the fight. Suzuri serves as the primary threat in the Roppo Ichiza arc. He's the person leading Gravel and goes against Tsubakino in the fight. The fight wouldn't be able to play out the same had we received zero backstory or lore for him and the rest of Gravel.

As for the specific chapters, not to hit you with the "Erm, actually!" but the tightrope is ch. 60 I believe? As for Umemiya having chapters 88-97, I'd say 88-92 are more about Furin's history and Endo's war declaration. They include Umemiya since he is the one who united Furin.

Chapters 93-97, however, are about Umemiya. But that is to be expected, considering those chapters are his backstory.

I'm not exactly sure what the solo volume cover thing is about? A lot of the manga covers feature other characters.

It's true, that typically in media we get the backstory of the main character, as well as other relevant info about them fairly early. And this is something that makes Wind Breaker stand out, which I like a lot.

Sakura is mysterious, but I think that's part of the fun! It makes us curious about him, makes us want to learn more! Though I also understand that knowing so little might make it harder to connect with Sakura. It's fun thinking about how he's made his way to Makochi, about where his parents are. He's clearly not got a lot of money at his disposal, if the state of his apartment is anything to go by. But he also owns a phone? Based on how little he's used it (He has no apps, is bad at texting, only has a single contact on his phone), I'd assume someone else got it for him.

If I were to guess, I'd assume he's got the same cold treatment from his parents as he has from the rest of the world. Though a guess is the best I can do on that front.

There is a lack of parents in Wind Breaker though, except like Umemiya's dead ones and Sugishita's absent ones.

The lack of police is an interesting point though! This is also something that I can only make theories and guesses about. The police likely aren't active in Makochi, or if they are, they aren't helpful at all. This post also mentions the lack of police! It's a mix of headcanons and predictions, but I agree with the idea that the police might've left the town after the fights got too out of control.

The lack of police is also why teams like Bofurin and the Roppo Ichiza are left to defend sections of the town. I wouldn't say it's bad worldbuilding, as it shows why there is a need for Bofurin in the first place. The lack of police explains why these kids are defending the town, because nobody else is there to do it for them.

As for the world feeling empty? I don't agree with that. The character backstories, the relationships, the extra pages showing us the menus and layouts of different locations all make the world not feel as dull. The different teams all have their own clothing styles, their own territory and values! It all makes Makochi feel like an interesting location!

I don't think the antagonists are lame, but that's subjective. Endo and Takiishi are some of my favorite characters, the Noroshi in are interesting and I think Keel and Gravel were interesting too! But again, that is purely subjective, something I find interesting might not be interesting to you!

As for Endo and Takiishi getting off too easy? I think that's likely rooted in how Bofurin works. They don't really do the whole "punishment" thing. Hiragi says Bofurin is defensive, not offensive when Sakura asks about getting rid of other teams before they can stir up trouble. Umemiya ends the conflict with Shishitoren by declaring them friends and leaves Choji and Togame to clean up their own mess. And when they tell Sakura they'll accept any punishment he sees fit, he leaves it at telling them to change and not be so lame next time. With Bofurin, losing the fight is already considered punishment enough. They don't stick around to inflict any punishment beyond just the fight on those who have harmed the town.

The whole situation with Endo and Takiishi is also a little more complicated than just giving Takiishi a fun birthday! I'd love to get into that sometime as well!

I'm happy to keep the conversation going! Tell me what you think of what I've said here! I'm also curious on if you have other characters you enjoy other than Sakura! ^_^

[monstersinthecosmos]

can i ask what you mean re: disliking how the amc show deals with SA? (zero judgement ftr i just love hearing opinions about this show from other simple italian perv enjoyers. btw you're one of my favorite fic authors ever ever & i think abt gallows bird daily 🙈)

Obviously since you mentioned Gallows Bird in this very ask (thank you btw dskjglads I’m blushing) I’m not going to sit here and say people should never write about rape!!!!!!!!!!!  And I’ve been soul searching and talking this out with a friend today to make sure I’m not just being a hater and that I’m not having cognitive dissonance over the difference between writing porn (intentionally, intended as porn, labeled as porn) vs lazily throwing sexual assault at female characters for “character development”.

(putting this under a cut bc I'm not trying to hate on youse guys's show!!)

It's not that we should never talk about it, or never write about it, but I think it’s like any other storytelling where like, the framework and intention inside the text matters, and criticizing if it landed the way the creator intended is worth discussing. So like, I’m a fan of noncon smut fic, I won’t deny that. I also approach it in a context where I know I’m consuming smut, and it was intended as smut, and it belongs in its own lane. And I think, personally, I enjoy fics (which by nature are anarchistic and transformative) because they tend to be a commentary either on our culture or on the canon source material. Even when fanfics are PWPs that don’t go out of their way to talk about character arcs or make profound commentary on the canon, fanfic EXISTS as a commentary on canon in the first place, so it’s there by default.

So with AMC there’s a few things that really bother me about how they wrote Claudia in S1, and full disclosure I haven’t watched S2 yet, so take this with a grain of salt.

I don’t think it’s cool when a production team of mostly cishet men think that the only way to develop a female character is to have her raped. It’s lazy and it’s hurtful to the audience, and in this particular show it was not handled with sensitivity to make the story worth it. Like, what was the weight of the scene vs what it told us, and what was the payoff? Did the show earn this? (I personally don’t think it did.)

RJ himself said it was to “toughen her up” and that’s just, absolutely fucking nauseating to me, especially when it’s stamped with so many hallmarks of How Not to Write Rape. For example, the fact that they use it to tell us about LOUIS. It’s about LOUIS. It’s not about Claudia at all; we see her assault and the net result is seeing how it affects the MEN in her life. And even using her diary as a framing device for these moments, to tell it from her own words the best they can, it’s still about Louis. The pages being ripped out (in S1, idk how this lands in S2) are about protecting Louis. Claudia didn't remove the pages to protect herself, as far as we know--the men in her life removed them to protect Louis. Fridging a female character for the sake of developing the mens feelings is lazy and obnoxious, and in this story in particular it felt extremely unnecessary to the plot, and adding it at all just came across as gratuitous to me.

(Also, I can tell that this show is like, an exercise in slow burning, but, I just think the bar is really fucking high if they make this all mean something smarter but made everyone sit through this and wait 1.5+ years to get around to tucking it in lol. And like, idk what the pages could possibly say/how they will present it that will change my opinion, but RJ's comments can't be unheard so I'm not sure it matters and the trust simply isn't here, for me. Personally I don't have the patience to wait years for a show to close a loop like this but maybe you're more patient than me.)

I don’t want to get into a whole side essay about how gross I find the Claudia writing in general, but like, as a TLDR the way they aged her up only to reduce her to sex is just so fucking gross to me, and not like in a IT’S HORROR, IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE GROSS way, but in a This Is Kinda Fucking Sexist way. Especially with the sexist comments RJ has made about Anne Rice herself, while piggybacking her IP to make his show. But like, there were OTHER things about Claudia already. They already told us she came from an abusive background. She did not need to be raped for her to come home and recognize the abuse between her parents. Any number of horrific things could’ve happened to her out in the world, but the only way this team knows how to traumatize a girl is to have her raped.

And again I didn’t watch S2 yet so like, I’m not entirely sure how it shakes out, correct me if I’m wrong, but we find out now that it was prolonged and worse than what S1 showed us?

Like, why.

Who does the torture porn serve. We already got it, it was already horrific. We already got it. You’re overselling lol.

Claudia is already tough. She survived her dismal mortal life, she survived Lestat. She was brave enough to wander into the world, not just as a teen, but as a Black girl! She was already independent! In the book, she was the driving force behind helping Louis escape Lestat, and she was pulling the strings in getting them to Europe. The show has that material to pull from. We can see that she’s strong already. We don’t need more rape to communicate it. It’s lazy and gross. Especially when, in the same episode, they are able to traumatize Louis with horrific violence. The show knew how to use violence, mind gift manipulation, race and age and power dynamics in ways that did not involve rape, but still chose to have Claudia raped.

I don’t have an issue with stories talking about sexual assault but I think like, especially after Game of Thrones, we’ve had like, 10 years of media criticism mapping out how to write sexual assault successfully or respectfully, we’ve had endless commentary about how we can find other ways to traumatize women that do not rely on sexual assault, we’ve had endless commentary about how stories about sexual assault would be more effective if they were about the victim and not ultimately about the men in the story.  Like, enough of this already.

So, I’ll be curious to see how the show handles Armand’s sexual assault history, and if we see the writing handled differently because he’s a man, or because we have him directly on screen to tell us about it. This might reveal if this is a like, “only tool in the toolbox is rape” situation or a “women exist in fiction to be raped” situation. But if Lestat suffered at the hands of Magnus without being raped and Louis suffered at the hands of Lestat without being raped*, I have to ask why it was okay to have Claudia raped, why that was the thing they came up with, and while they can’t backpedal and fix the way RJ spoke about it during S1, they have an opportunity to be more intentional with the way they write it for Armand.

(*I do want to add that S1E5 being bookended by blood drinking was a hint that Lestat drinking from Louis during their fight was also rape, contrasted by the way Louis drinks from Armand in the beginning as ~ lovemaking ~; imo that could've been a more tasteful way to handle it in this universe specifically, when that’s the sex analog in the books. So like, yes in some ways Louis was raped by Lestat in this episode, but that also shows we respect Louis enough to have it symbolic vs Claudia’s being literal.)

But I just have a real bad feeling, the way they made Lestat WAY WORSE I just imagine they’ll do the same to Marius. And it’s sort of ironic that the show in a lot of ways exists in conversation with the book canon, like, the racial commentary feels at times like a commentary on the books’ racism, and I wonder what the decision making process was when they were picking which themes to correct, or comment on. Because a LOT of people criticize themes of rape and abuse in VC, and in some ways the show making it more overt feels like they’re putting a huge spotlight on it to acknowledge it properly, and in other ways, having Claudia raped feels like it’s going down the same path of insensitive, shallow writing.

And also, idk where I’m supposed to tuck this thought lol, but as an addendum I can’t not mention that I think it’s really fucked up that they’ve talked nonstop about how much they respect AR and the canon and yet had the analog character of her daughter raped. Like, in S1 they burn the tapes, in S2 they mock the plotlines as being a soap opera, and they have her daughter raped. Like, Claudia was the REASON for VC in the first place. IWTV is about Anne Rice grieving her daughter, and it sucks that the best way they could come up with existential cosmic horror for a teen girl vampire was to give her a perma-hymen and have her raped. It’s just gross, I don’t like it lol.

The first quote I saw from RJ when the show got announced, he said something like "IWTV was written by a grieving mother" -- not Anne Rice, best selling author who reinvented the vampire genre, but "a grieving mother." And it's just, idk. Rubs me the wrong way that he can reduce her that way and be this disrespectful for the character based on her daughter. =/

[leonbasinwriter]

AI-Enhanced Zero Trust for Third-Party Risk Management: Strategic Insights for 2025

Research projects that by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will experience attacks on their software supply chains, marking a significant rise from recent years (Cybersecurity Magazine, 2023).

Leon Basin | Strategic Business Development & Account Management | B2B Cybersecurity | AI-Privileged Access Management | Driving revenue growth and building strong customer relationships. Connect with me to discuss how we can enhance your organization’s PAM strategy. The Evolving Threat Landscape in Third-Party Security Research projects that by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will…

[shiraki-yurara]

On-Screen Lovers Part 2 Story Event - Jace - Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Morganatic Idol belongs to Cybird & ABC Frontier.

My Notes: Translation is for entertainment purpose only. Translation may or may not be correct. Please ignore any grammar mistakes.

One night during a busy yet fulfilling life-----

---

(Phew…… I was busy today so I'm a little late.)

Rina: Hm? That is……

When I walked into the dining room on my way home from work, I found Jace-san and Sakura-san there.

Sakura: So, here's the script.

Jace: Hmm, I'll check it out.

Jace-san received a thick booklet from Sakura-san.

(I just heard it was a script…… What kind of material is that?)

I was wondering how to call out to him when Jace-san noticed me.

Jace: Welcome back, Rina-chan. Did you just get home?

Sakura: Ah, good work. I didn't even notice.

Rina: Both of you, good work.

I walked over to Jace-san, he gave me a gentle embrace and kissed me on the cheek.

Rina: Ah, Jace-san. Just now is embarrassing.

Sakura: It's true. If you're going to flirt, I hope you pick the right time and place.

Jace: Eh~? If your girlfriend appeared in front of you, wouldn't you normally do something like this?

Jace-san, with a pout on his face, put his arms around my waist, so I quickly made a suggestion.

Rina: In that case, why don't we go to your room, Jace-san? I'd like to have a long talk with you.

Jace: Oh, that's a good idea. So, Eito-san, can we call it quits now?

Sakura: That's fine. I gave you what I wanted to give you, so you can relax for today.

Jace: Okay--, good night then.

Rina: Good night, excuse us.

After bowing to Sakura-san, I left the dining room with Jace-san.

---

Rina: Was what you were talking about earlier with Sakura-san about a new job or something?

Jace: Hmm? Oh, yeah. I was given a script.

Jace-san nodded as he sat down next to me on the couch.

Jace: Actually, I've been offered a lead role in a movie right now.

(A movie! Moreover, he said a lead role just now……)

Rina: That's amazing. Jace-san, this is your first time working in a movie, right?

Jace: Yeah, so I'm a little nervous.

Apparently, the movie was a romance movie about forbidden love, and Jace-san's role was that of “a spy who falls in love with a woman from a rival organization”.

Jace: I have a meeting and script reading coming up, so I need to check it before then.

I quickly flicked through the script that Jace-san gave me.

Rina: Wow…… There's a lot of action scenes, it looks exciting.

Rina: And Jace-san's character is…… how should I put it…… a wild man?

Jace: Ahaha, that's right. The so-called "Ora Ora" type.

Jace: It's quite different from my image, but I think they purposely chose me for the role.

Rina: Purposely?

As I tilted my head, Jace-san nodded slowly.

Jace: Yeah, I've been friends with the director of this movie since we started shooting music videos.

Jace: He has been telling me for a while that it would be good if I branched out more.

Jace: That was something I was thinking about too, so this talk came at a good time.

Jace-san's expression was gentle as he spoke, and his trust in the director was clear.

(It’s such a wonderful story……)

Rina: Certainly, Jace-san, you have recently been actively accepting offers that go beyond the framework of an idol.

Rina: The public's reactions also said that you have become more human and attractive……

Jace: That's right, and they said I could show more of my different sides.

Rina: After hearing about it, I am really looking forward to it.

Jace: Hehe, if Rina-chan has high expectations of me, then I'm super motivated~

Jace: It's my first role so I'm a bit nervous, but I'll see it through.

Seeing his smile made my heart warm too.

At that moment, Jace narrowed his eyes dazzlingly and-----

Rina: ? Eh…… Nnn.

Suddenly the distance between us became zero and our lips lightly touched.

As I let out a cry at the sweet sensation, Jace-san smiled slightly.

Jace: Sorry for the suddenness. But as we were talking, I felt like kissing you……

Jace: After all, it's thanks to you that the scope of my work has expanded like this, right?

Rina: Thanks to me?

Jace: Yes……, I changed after meeting you.

Jace: That's why I think I was able to be entrusted with a different job than I had been doing before.

Rina: Jace-san……

Jace: Thank you so much. I'm always grateful to you, Rina-chan.

Rina: That’s…… I'm really happy to be by your side, too.

Rina: There are days when we can't meet because of work, but I'm always happy whenever we can spend time alone together……

When I told him this in a shy tone, Jace-san groaned, as if he couldn't stand it.

Jace: ~~~, why is my girlfriend so cute?

Rina: Eh? Kyaa……

Jace-san embraced me and we collapsed onto the couch.

When I hurriedly looked up after being pushed down, a beautiful face appeared before my eyes.

Jace: ……Then let's make out as much as we want.

Rina: !

Jace: Once the filming begins, we'll have even less time to meet than we do now.

Jace: I need to feel you while I still can.

His voice was filled with sorrow as he pleaded, making my heart ache.

(I want to spend more time with Jace-san too……)

Filled with love, I stretched out my arms and wrapped them around his neck.

Jace: ! Rina-chan?

Rina: I'm happy to see you doing well, Jace-san, and I'm really looking forward to this movie.

Rina: So I will do my best to support the filming so that it goes smoothly and the movie becomes a hit.

Rina: But……, Jace-san, just like you, I'm sure I'll get lonely during the filming.

Rina: I want to touch you right now……

Jace: Rina-chan……

The conversation broke off, and our lips met again.

The kiss quickly turned into a deeper one.

Rina: Nnn, ah……

Jace: Fufu, so cute. You already looked charmed.

Rina: ……Please don’t say it.

Jace: Hmm, what should I do? I want to see you being embarrassed more.

The conversations we had in between kisses made me feel a ticklish sensation.

Just touching someone I love could make me feel so fulfilled-----

(I didn’t know this until I met Jace-san.)

Rina: I love you, Jace-san.

Jace: I love you too. I won't let you go today so prepare yourself.

Rina: Yes……

Embraced by his warm arms, I surrendered to the feeling of happiness.

[mariacallous]

The election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States has once again placed the International Criminal Court (ICC) in extreme peril, raising the threat of U.S. sanctions because of its probe of crimes in Israel and Palestine during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Since May, when ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, members of the U.S. Congress have assailed the court for what incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently called its “outrageous and unlawful actions,” for which he promised to make imposing sanctions a “top priority in the next Congress.”

In addition to the threat of legislative action, once he takes office, Trump could simply impose sanctions by executive order, as he did four years ago to retaliate against an examination into alleged George W. Bush-era U.S. crimes in Afghanistan. By sealing off the court from the global financial system, sanctions would stymie ongoing efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of grave crimes, not just in Israel and Gaza but also in other countries where the United States has backed ICC investigations.

However well-intentioned, criticisms of the ICC have unfortunately not always been consistent. The current resistance to the court’s investigation of crimes in Israel and Palestine comes not too long after U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the court for charging Russian President Vladimir Putin for crimes in Ukraine.

Opposition from powerful political forces would be bad enough. Yet in addition to these external challenges, the court faces an internal crisis that jeopardizes its most precious resource: moral authority.

Late last month, the Guardian reported that Khan had been accused of “unwanted sexual touching and ‘abuse’” of a female lawyer on his staff over the course of a year. Khan and another official are alleged to have tried to persuade the individual to disavow the accusations, which Khan has denied. An internal body, the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM), determined that “no investigation was necessary at this stage” after speaking with the alleged victim, who “refused to explicitly confirm or deny to the IOM the factual basis of what had been reported” and “declined to pursue a formal complaint with the IOM.”

Shortly prior to Khan’s election in 2021, as part of my organization’s ongoing support for international justice, we evaluated the mechanisms in place to secure the election of officials with what the ICC’s governing statute terms “high moral character.” We concluded that the ICC and its member states lacked the means to enforce that standard. Our work led to the adoption of a permanent due diligence process to vet candidates for senior ICC offices. This was essential for an institution that has in the past suffered from a toxic environment with high rates of bullying and harassment.

According to the ICC statute and applicable rules, a finding of “misconduct” that is “likely to cause serious harm to the proper administration of justice” or “to the standing of the Court” by one or more of the court’s highest officials may lead to removal from office or other disciplinary measures depending on the gravity of the violation. Internal provisions proclaim that the “Court has a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, and abuse of authority.”

But absent implementation, a legal framework is not enough. In 2020, a high-level, officially appointed Independent Expert Review found that many ICC staff did not trust the court’s complaint mechanisms and were disinclined “to make complaints freely and willingly about, and to report officially, alleged impeachable conduct, especially by elected or senior officials.” The experts recommended that investigations of elected officials, including the prosecutor, be delegated to ad hoc investigative panels composed of “eminent and experienced non-sitting and independent judges.” These proposed reforms have yet to be implemented.

But an external inquiry is precisely what is needed now. Critics of the court have already raised “questions as to whether there may have been a connection” between the prosecutor’s decision to seek arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant and the emergence of the allegations against him. For his part, Khan has suggested the allegations are part of a smear campaign against him and the court.

Some rights advocates see in the allegations, and the decision to launch an investigation, “a deliberate effort to obstruct justice and bully the ICC to drop its case against Israel.” In fact, the court has long been the object of unwelcome attention from hostile states. Last year, the court suffered a major cyberattack that paralyzed its information systems. Russia indicted Khan and one of the court’s judges. Netanyahu has called the prosecutor an antisemite, and the Dutch government is looking into reports of a long-term spying campaign allegedly run by Israel against senior court staff.

The current situation makes it all the more essential that an impartial probe be undertaken by respected individuals of the highest integrity to find the facts and clear the air. This is critical to ensure that, whatever the outcome, the court can pursue its vital, legally complex, and politically sensitive work free of the cloud of misconduct.

On Nov. 11, the president of the court’s governing body confirmed that it will commission an “external investigation.” This should include the alleged sexual misconduct and intimidation and also related complaints that one or more states may have sought to interfere with the court’s operations, including by disseminating disinformation about the allegations. All those subject to investigation, including the prosecutor himself, should be afforded defense rights, including the presumption of innocence.

Khan has denied wrongdoing, pledged to cooperate with the new inquiry, and stated that his two deputies would “take responsibility for the matter internally.” In order to safeguard the court’s reputation and avoid both the possibility and the appearance of impropriety as ICC cases proceed, the prosecutor should also step aside from day-to-day duties and hand over management of the office to one or both of his deputies until the external investigation is completed.

This would in no way prevent the ICC’s pretrial chamber from issuing arrest warrants, as it did on Nov. 21 for Netanyahu and Gallant. Nor need it hinder or slow the hundreds of capable prosecutors, investigators and other staff in the Office of the Prosecutor from advancing the court’s examinations of crimes in Israel, Palestine and other places.

In this second age of Trump, the ICC will once again be in the line of fire. Now more than ever, it is essential to recall that this court was created to ensure that the most serious international crimes do not go unpunished. As Trump returns to office, ICC member states, including many U.S. allies, will need to argue that sanctions against the court are a blunt instrument that harm U.S. interests more than they advance them.

But to preserve its credibility, the ICC first needs to clean up its own house.

[ckret2]

Hi. So, question. Are the genders of Bill's dimension like bees? I've been wondering, as lines are considered female (""drone equivalent""), whereas any other shape with more sides are male, but. you know. come in literal different shapes (ie. workers, guards, queens, etc.) Obviously this framework of comparing them to bees is more of a metaphor. Stark biological variance and how it interfaces with gender has GOT to do some interesting things to their concept of gender.

I want to avoid "even once you set aside reproductive roles, lines are so massively different from polygons that you can separate 'polygons' and 'lines' into two groups as if polygons share some inherent similarity that makes them more similar to each other than any of them are to lines," and I also want to avoid "each distinct shape has a special hardcoded biological function like some kind of fucked up 'natural' self-reinforcing class system."

So, no. I'd rather they not be like bees.

Truth be told, it would take a huge amount of effort to invent a bunch of fresh new unique genders connected to all the shapes' different sexes WITHOUT defaulting to some sort of cringy over-simplified "and here's the warrior sex with a bunch of warrior personality traits, and here's the scholar sex with a bunch of scholarly personality traits, and here's the politician sex and the merchant sex and the farmer sex and—" Like the social restrictions from human sexism are already bad enough, do we really need to upgrade "assigned gender at birth" to "assigned job at birth" like this is Brave New World or something? I'm not writing a dystopia here. And after all that effort, it would have absolutely negligible impact on the fic that I'm doing all this worldbuilding for.

So—unless I stumble upon a zero-effort idea I can explain in fic in under 40 words that DOESN'T make my agender ass cringe in "really, we're replicating THAT conception of gender?" distaste—I'm gonna continue going "each shape is a separate sex with a separate assigned gender, trust me bro" and y'all will just have to take my word for it. If you can't tell what exactly it is that makes Bill's gender different from Kryptos's gender it's because they're aliens and it's just too foreign for you to comprehend. Trust me bro.

[theblogvibe]

Dovian Digital: Redefining Global Reach with New York Precision

Introduction: Building Global Influence Starts at Home

Success in 2025 isn’t just about going digital—it’s about going global. Dovian Digital, a premier digital marketing agency in New York, has become the go-to growth partner for brands that dream bigger. More than just running ads or optimizing content, Dovian builds digital ecosystems that help businesses cross borders, scale smarter, and connect deeper.

Why New York Powers Global Growth

New York is where cultures collide, ideas ignite, and innovation is currency. Dovian Digital channels this high-impact energy into its work, crafting custom marketing strategies that work just as well in Dubai or Sydney as they do in NYC. In a city that never stops moving, Dovian keeps your brand a step ahead—globally.

Dovian’s Global Services Blueprint

Unlike traditional agencies, Dovian integrates every digital service into a results-driven roadmap:

SEO at Scale: From technical audits to geo-targeted keyword optimization across languages

International Paid Media: Region-specific ad creatives with cultural sensitivity

Full-Spectrum Web Development: UX/UI that performs from Lagos to London

Global Social Management: From content calendars to influencer tie-ups, globally aligned

Multilingual Content Strategy: Scripts, captions, blogs, and visuals designed to translate meaning, not just words

Real Impact: Global Brand Wins Powered by Dovian

EdTech Expansion into Latin America: By launching a Spanish-first content campaign, Dovian helped an EdTech platform see a 240% user increase across Mexico and Colombia.

Consumer Goods Growth in Canada and Australia: Tailored Google Ads, local PR campaigns, and geo-fenced offers led to a 6x return on ad spend.

Crypto Exchange Marketing in MENA Region: By localizing UI/UX and publishing Arabic content in trusted fintech portals, Dovian secured a 38% increase in verified signups.

What Sets Dovian Digital Apart

Cultural Empathy: Not just translation—true cultural adaptation.

Cross-Platform Fluency: Omnichannel mastery from email to TikTok.

Agile Frameworks: Campaigns that shift based on real-time feedback.

Transparent Growth Models: Milestone-based KPIs, tracked in real dashboards.

What the Next 5 Years Look Like

Dovian is not preparing for the future; they’re shaping it.

AI Assistants for Campaign Planning

Zero-Click Search Strategy for Voice & AI Interfaces

Green Messaging Templates to align with eco-conscious buyers

Regional Data Clusters for Hyper-Personalization at Scale

Why the World Chooses Dovian

Their processes are global-first, not US-centric

Their tech stack is designed for multilingual, multi-market rollouts

Their storytelling is human, regardless of language or screen size

Final Word: Think Global, Act with Dovian

In a saturated market, you don’t need more noise—you need more strategy. Let Dovian Digital, the most trusted digital marketing agency in New York, help you scale your brand across languages, borders, and time zones.

Contact Dovian Digital

Phone: +1 (437) 925-3019 Email: contact@doviandigital.com Website: www.doviandigital.com

[wishgeekstechserve]

Top Cybersecurity Solutions Providers in Delhi-NCR: Wish Geeks Techserve

Cybersecurity services in India have become an essential investment for businesses looking to safeguard their digital infrastructure from rising cyber threats. With an increasing number of data breaches, phishing attacks, and malware infiltrations, organizations cannot afford to overlook the importance of strong IT security frameworks. Companies in Delhi-NCR, in particular, need to prioritize security due to the region's rapid technological growth and evolving cyber risk landscape.

Finding the top cybersecurity solutions provider in India is crucial for ensuring business continuity, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. Among the top contenders offering robust security solutions is Wish Geeks Techserve, a trusted IT security services India provider known for its innovative and customized cybersecurity strategies.

The Growing Cybersecurity Challenges in India

As the digital economy expands, businesses face a multitude of security threats ranging from ransomware attacks to sophisticated hacking attempts. The emergence of remote working models and cloud computing has further increased the vulnerability of organizations, making network security services in India a necessity rather than an option. The cyber threat landscape includes:

Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks: Cybercriminals exploit human vulnerabilities through fraudulent emails and deceptive practices to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Malware and Ransomware Infections: Malicious software infiltrates systems, encrypting or corrupting critical business data, often leading to significant financial losses.

Insider Threats and Human Errors: Employees, either maliciously or unintentionally, can cause security breaches through weak passwords, mishandling of data, or lack of security awareness.

DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) Attacks: Hackers overwhelm business networks with excessive traffic, leading to downtime and operational disruptions.

Cloud Security Risks: With increasing cloud adoption, businesses must ensure secure cloud storage, access management and data encryption practices to prevent unauthorized intrusions.

Why Choose Wish Geeks Techserve as the Best Cybersecurity Company in India?

Wish Geeks Techserve stands out among cybersecurity solutions providers in India, offering state-of-the-art security services tailored to businesses of all sizes. Their comprehensive approach ensures complete protection from internal and external threats. Here’s what makes them the ideal IT security services India provider:

1. Advanced Cybersecurity Solutions for End-to-End Protection

Wish Geeks Techserve provides holistic security solutions that cover all aspects of IT security. Their expertise spans across:

Threat Intelligence & Risk Assessment: Proactively identify vulnerabilities and strengthen weak points before attacks occur.

Endpoint Protection & Malware Defense: Implementing security measures that shield endpoints like computers, mobile devices and IoT systems from cyber threats.

Firewall & Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): Ensuring that network boundaries remain impervious to unauthorized access attempts.

Incident Response & Forensics: Swift action in the event of a cyberattack, minimizing damage and preventing future breaches.

2. Comprehensive Network Security Services in India

As a leading cybersecurity solutions provider in India, Wish Geeks Techserve specializes in network security services in India, ensuring robust defense mechanisms against cyber threats. Their network security offerings include:

Secure VPN Implementations: Allowing safe and encrypted remote access for employees working from different locations.

DDoS Protection & Mitigation: Preventing large-scale cyberattacks that aim to disrupt operations.

Zero Trust Security Frameworks: Adopting a ‘never trust, always verify’ approach to user authentication and access control.

3. 24/7 Cybersecurity Monitoring & Incident Response

Cyber threats do not operate within business hours, which is why Wish Geeks Techserve provides round-the-clock monitoring and support. Their dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC) continuously tracks anomalies, preventing attacks before they escalate.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Data Privacy Solutions

With stringent data protection regulations like GDPR and India’s upcoming Personal Data Protection Bill, businesses must comply with legal security mandates. Wish Geeks Techserve helps companies meet these requirements by implementing industry-leading compliance strategies and ensuring secure handling of customer and business data.

5. Customized Cybersecurity Strategies for Businesses

Recognizing that no two businesses have the same security needs, Wish Geeks Techserve delivers customized cybersecurity services in India based on industry-specific challenges. Whether it's securing financial transactions, protecting healthcare records, or preventing e-commerce fraud, their team crafts personalized solutions to fit organizational requirements.

How Businesses Can Benefit from Strong Cybersecurity Measures

Adopting best-in-class IT security services India offers multiple benefits beyond just data protection. Businesses that invest in top-tier security measures experience:

Improved Customer Trust: Demonstrating commitment to data privacy enhances brand credibility.

Reduced Financial Losses: Preventing cyberattacks reduces the risk of hefty ransom payments, fines and revenue losses due to downtime.

Operational Efficiency: Secure IT environments enable seamless business operations without disruptions from malware or unauthorized access.

Competitive Advantage: Businesses that prioritize cybersecurity gain an edge over competitors who fail to implement robust security strategies.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is no longer a choice but a necessity for businesses in Delhi-NCR and across India. Choosing the right cybersecurity solutions provider in India can make all the difference in ensuring business continuity and protection against cyber threats. Wish Geeks Techserve emerges as one of the best cybersecurity companies in India, offering cutting-edge IT security services in India that cater to businesses of all sizes. Their expertise in network security services in India ensures that organizations remain resilient against evolving cyber risks.

If you’re looking for a trusted partner to fortify your cybersecurity infrastructure, Wish Geeks Techserve is the go-to provider, ensuring that your business stays secure in the ever-changing digital landscape. Invest in strong security measures today and safeguard your business’s future!

[aminacrypt]

STON.fi: The DEX That’s Changing the Game

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have been around for a while, yet many still struggle with speed, high fees, and a poor user experience. If DeFi is supposed to provide financial freedom, why do so many platforms make it difficult to trade efficiently?

This is where STON.fi steps in, redefining how decentralized trading should work. Built on The Open Network (TON), STON.fi eliminates common DEX frustrations—slow transactions, high costs, and a confusing interface—delivering a seamless, low-cost, and efficient trading experience.

Why Most DEXs Fail to Meet Expectations

Many traders enter the DeFi space looking for a better alternative to centralized exchanges—one that doesn’t rely on intermediaries. But in reality, most decentralized exchanges still have major flaws:

Unreasonably high fees – Making small trades isn’t even worth it because gas fees eat into profits.

Slow trade execution – Transactions don’t go through immediately due to network congestion.

Cluttered and confusing UI – Navigating some DEXs feels like solving a puzzle.

Security concerns – Smart contract vulnerabilities can result in lost funds.

DEXs were supposed to put control back into the hands of traders, yet many still operate in a way that limits efficiency.

STON.fi: A DEX That Actually Works

Unlike traditional DEXs, STON.fi is built differently. It offers a fast, cost-effective, and fully decentralized way to trade, solving every major issue that holds other platforms back.

1. Blazing-Fast Transactions

STON.fi runs on TON, one of the fastest blockchain networks, ensuring trades are executed in real-time. Unlike congested chains where transactions take minutes, STON.fi delivers instant execution, preventing missed opportunities.

2. Low-Cost Trading

One of the biggest turn-offs in DeFi is ridiculously high gas fees. STON.fi operates on TON’s cost-efficient framework, ensuring users keep more of their profits rather than losing them to fees.

3. Full Decentralization

STON.fi is 100% non-custodial—meaning users always have control over their funds. There’s no need to trust a third party, no hidden restrictions, and no unnecessary sign-ups.

4. An Interface Designed for Everyone

The biggest complaint about DEXs is that they feel overcomplicated. STON.fi is built for both seasoned traders and newcomers, providing a simple, intuitive experience without unnecessary complexity.

5. Passive Income With Liquidity Pools

Beyond just trading, STON.fi allows users to earn passive income through liquidity provision. By contributing assets to liquidity pools, users earn a share of transaction fees, making it a practical way to grow holdings while supporting decentralized trading.

STON.fi Is Leading the Next Era of DeFi

The future of decentralized trading depends on platforms that prioritize speed, security, and cost-efficiency. STON.fi is setting the standard by delivering:

Scalability – Designed to support mass adoption without performance issues.

Security – Audited smart contracts for maximum safety.

Interoperability – Potential integration with other blockchain networks.

Final Thoughts

STON.fi isn’t just another DEX—it’s a solution to the problems traders face daily. Whether you’re looking for a faster, cheaper way to trade or an opportunity to earn passive income, STON.fi is proving that decentralized trading can be both simple and powerful.