#advanced training methods

[ancientroyalblood]

Grease the Groove Method: How to Incorporate High-Frequency Training for Strength Improvement

The Grease the Groove (GTG) method, popularized by strength coach Pavel Tsatsouline, is a training philosophy focused on building strength and proficiency in specific movements through frequent, submaximal practice. Unlike traditional workout routines that prioritize volume and fatigue, GTG emphasizes repetition and technique, allowing athletes to improve their neuromuscular coordination and gain…

[kandmmusicschool]

Master Expressive Violin Vibrato with Pro Tips and Daily Exercises

Vibrato is an essential violin technique that adds expression and emotion to the sound. Mastering a flexible, controlled vibrato requires daily focus and targeted exercises. This in-depth guide provides tips to develop violin vibrato technique properly along with sample practice routines to enhance mastery.

Vibrato brings the violin to life with passion and color. Learning efficient motion and integrating it musically into playing elevates phrasing. With patience and deliberate practice, any violinist can develop an expressive, shimmering vibrato. Let's get started!

What is Violin Vibrato?

Vibrato is a rapid, constant fluctuation in pitch that adds expression and interest to violin notes. It gives the characteristic warmth and personality to the sound.

Vibrato is produced by small, regular finger motions while maintaining contact with the string. This causes slight variations in pitch that enhance tone. Vibrato can also be created using wrist or arm movements.

There are several types of violin vibrato:

Finger vibrato - subtle fingertip rocking back and forth

Wrist vibrato - flickering hand motion at the wrist

Arm vibrato - larger oscillation from the elbow

Violinists utilize different speeds and widths of vibrato for varied effects. Mastering control of this technique is a milestone of accomplished violin playing.

How Violin Vibrato Creates Fluctuating Pitch

Violin vibrato works by slightly shortening and lengthening the string length through finger motion:

Rocking the fingertip back lifts the string slightly, shortening the length, and raising the pitch

Rocking forward lowers the string, increasing the length, and lowering the pitch

This creates an oscillating fluctuation between higher and lower pitches

The result is a rich, warm pulsating sound at the main note pitch

This pitch wavering adds interest, emotion, and vocal-like sounds.

Notation for Violin Vibrato

Composers use the following notation to indicate vibrato:

Wavy line above or below note

"Vib." or "non-vib." written instructions

Changes in line width show variations in speed or width

Listen to recordings to interpret the intended vibrato style.

Benefits of Developing Strong Vibrato Skills

Here are some of the key benefits that vibrato brings to violin playing:

Adds beautiful warmth and richness to the tone quality

Allows dynamic, nuanced musical expression

Enables tone color variations from bright shimmers to romantic intensity

Elevates phrasing and makes the violin "sing"

Prevents monotony by adding interest to long notes

Provides an outlet for emotion through the instrument

Benchmark of advanced violin technique mastery

Makes amateur playing sound more professional

Vibrato is not just an add-on effect - it becomes an integral part of the violinist's sound. Mastering expressive vibrato technique elevates playing to a more professional level.

More Than Just Ornamentation

Vibrato is sometimes mistakenly viewed as just ornamentation added onto notes. But truly mastered vibrato:

Becomes an unconscious, integral part of sound production

Is used expressively on virtually every sustained note

Enhances the core tone, not just decorates it

Helps communicate phrasing, emotion, and musicality

Aim to make vibrato a natural extension of your artistic intentions, not just a technique attached to notes.

Violin Vibrato is Expected

For aspiring violinists, here’s some motivation:

Audiences, teachers, and fellow musicians expect violinists to use vibrato

Lack of vibrato sounds amateur, dull, or emotionless

The Vibrato technique is required for advanced repertoire

Using vibrato well projects passion and musicality

Put in the work, and your effort will be rewarded with rich sounds.

Proper Violin Vibrato Technique Fundamentals

Developing efficient, flexible vibrato requires establishing these core techniques:

Relaxed, supple wrist and arm motion

Small, circular fingertip rocking movement

Completely smooth, even oscillation between slightly raised and lowered finger positions

Maintaining constant contact between fingertip and string

Allowing arm weight to transfer through the finger to the string

Using the entire forearm, not just the wrist or hand

Integrating motion into the hand frame without tension or extra motion

Slow, mindful practice establishes proper motion and feel. Vibrato must become second nature to use expressively. Master the basics first before attempting to vary vibrato effects.

Relaxation is Crucial

Tension hinders vibrato development. Always monitor for:

Tight, rigid wrist, arm, or shoulder

Gripping motion in the hand

Pressing fingers down harshly on strings

Collapsing knuckles or bent fingertips

Relax muscles fully. Let arm weight flow into the fingertip.

Efficient, Economical Motion

Strive for:

Minimal extraneous motion in hand or arm

Fingertip moves slightly up and down, hand frame stays steady

Smooth circles, not back-and-forth or diagonal rubbing

Just enough motion to fluctuate pitch, not more

Any tension or extra motion inhibits speed and flexibility.

Useful Daily Exercises for Improving Violin Vibrato

Dedicated daily practice of targeted vibrato exercises builds technique efficiently. Here are some useful drills:

Flexibility and Motion Exercises

Gently roll wrists in circles to increase suppleness

Stretch wrists carefully within a comfortable range of motion

Massage forearms and wrists to relax muscles

Rotate arms at the elbow to prepare for arm vibrato

Basic Finger Motion Practice

While seated, tap fingertips together in a controlled, pulsating rocking motion

Start with a slower tempo, increase finger speed over time

Focus on maintaining completely steady, even oscillation

Finger Rolls on the Violin

With violin supported, place finger on string with normal frame

Roll fingertip evenly up and down while keeping contact with the string

Control speed and narrow the motion as coordination develops

Vibrato on Open Strings

Apply basic vibrato finger motion to open strings

Start very slowly and gradually increase the oscillation speed with the metronome

Use arm weight to allow motion to transfer through the finger to the string

Integrating Vibrato into Scales and Songs

First perfect notes, shifts, and intonation without vibrato

Add vibrato on long-held notes at the ends of phrases

Increase the amount of vibrato as technical skill improves

Use vibrato stylistically to complement the music

Isolating Each Element

Practice aspects separately before combining:

Flexibility drills only

Basic finger motion only

Finger roll on the violin without a sound

Open string vibrato focus

Add vibrato sparingly to the repertoire

This develops and ingrains proper technique.

Developing an Expressive, Musical Violin Vibrato

Once the basics are established, work on varying your vibrato for expressive effects:

Adjust oscillation speed for different impacts - slow can be sweet, fast more intense.

Modify width from very narrow vibrato to wide, dramatic shimmers.

Add accents or crescendos/decrescendos during vibrato notes.

Sync vibrato with phrase shaping, dynamics, and emotions of the music.

Listen to recordings of great violinists to inspire artistic vibrato use.

With mastery, vibrato becomes an intuitive tool for highlighting the music's phrasing and passion. An expressive vibrato transports listeners.

Speed, Width, and Shape

To vary vibrato:

Faster = more intensity and excitement

Slower = sweetness and meditation

Wider = bigger dramatic shimmers

Narrower = delicate flutter

Shape vibrato with crescendos, accents, and varied speed/width

Syncing with Music

Sync choices to phrasing or emotion:

Slow, narrow vibrato on soft lyrical sections

Pulsing, passionate vibrato on loud, dramatic phrases

Adding/increasing vibrato towards a climax note

Let the music influence your vibrato decisions.

Tips for Practicing Violin Vibrato Exercises

Here are some useful tips for getting the most out of daily vibrato practice:

Mindful Repetition

Thoughtfully repeat each exercise, focusing intently on the proper motion. Quality matters more than quantity. Don't allow flaws to get ingrained.

Use a Metronome

Set the metronome slow and increase tempo gradually over time to monitor oscillations. A steady rhythm is key.

Record Yourself

Record videos to watch your hand motion and analyze your vibrato sound. Strive for continuous, flawless oscillations.

Take Breaks

Frequent short sessions are better than marathon practice. Give muscles recovery time to increase flexibility safely.

Increase Difficulty Slowly

Start on open strings with easy whole notes. Only advance to a more complex repertoire, dynamics, and tempi once simple is mastered.

Listen Critically

Develop your “vibrato ear.” Identify and correct any unevenness, nervous shaking, or lack of continuity.

Stay Patient and Positive

Don’t get discouraged. Daily dedication leads to vibrato success. Celebrate small improvements.

Consistent, attentive exercises ingrain proper vibrato technique automatically over time.

Troubleshooting Common Violin Vibrato Problems

Here are solutions to some typical challenges students face:

Uneven, shaky vibrato: Relax wrist and arm fully. Move just the fingertip, not the whole hand. Control speed with a metronome.

Not continuous: Maintain constant finger rocking. Don't stop/start oscillation. Eliminate any pauses.

Finger loses contact: Touch the string very lightly. Allow arm weight to transfer through the fingertip.

Sounds too wide/narrow: Adjust finger motion width and listen critically to match music.

Hand tenses up: Check for tension. Shake hands out. Soften grip.

Pressing too hard: Light fingertip contact. Move arm weight into rocking finger.

Adding vibrato late: First practice note change without vibrato. Then add immediately when changing notes.

Analyze issues, isolate elements, and do focused exercises to correct them.

Integrating Vibrato into Violin Repertoire

One fundamental technique is established through exercises, start incorporating vibrato into varied repertoire:

Add vibrato to long notes initially, then expand to more notes as skills improve

Prioritize vibrato on emphasized notes like at the ends of phrases

Use appropriate speed and width for the piece's mood and style

Avoid tension by keeping a relaxed motion established in exercises

Let vibrato enhance the music's phrasing, not obscure it

Gradually increase vibrato as technical control develops. Use it to accentuate musical ideas.

Choosing Vibrato Points

When deciding where to add vibrato:

Vary it more in slow lyrical sections, and less in fast technical passages

Prioritize long notes first to emphasize passion

Highlight climax notes at the ends of phrases

Use selectively for contrast between non-vibrato and vibrato notes

Listen and experiment. Let the music guide your expressive choices.

Developing Consistency in Practice

Achieving an expressive vibrato requires dedication through daily practice. Here are tips:

Make it a Routine

Commit to regular short sessions - 10 minutes daily is ideal

Consistency over time brings cumulative improvement

Track and Measure Progress

Record sessions to compare against past vibrato attempts

Note tempo markings of metronome settings you can handle

Quantify measures like oscillation speed, width, duration

Set Gradual Goals

Add one more note with vibrato

Increase metronome speed by 1 notch

Sustain vibrato for 2 extra beats

Analyze and Refine

Review recordings, and identify issues to improve

Compare sound to professional vibrato examples

Adjust technique and repeat focused exercises

Celebrate Small Wins

Recognize any sign of progress

Avoid getting discouraged if advancing slowly

Remind yourself success comes through practice over time

Fostering a growth mindset keeps you moving forward. Consistency is key.

Vibrato Exercises to Include in Daily Practice Routine

To simplify establishing a regular practice routine, here are suggested vibrato exercises to cycle through daily:

Monday

Wrist rolls, arm circles, stretching (5 minutes)

Basic finger motion at increasing metronome tempi (3 minutes)

Open D string vibrato whole notes (2 minutes)

Tuesday

Wrist/arm massage, fingertip tapping (5 minutes)

Rolls on all open strings, one string at a time (3 minutes each)

Apply vibrato to open A and E strings (2 minutes each)

Wednesday

Wrist and arm flexibility drills (5 minutes)

Finger rolls on each string, half note duration (3 minutes each)

Vibrato octave scales on D and A strings (2 minutes each)

Thursday

Arm rotations, knuckle stretches (5 minutes)

Vibrato finger taps at a fast tempo (3 minutes)

Add vibrato to repertoire pieces (5 minutes)

Friday

Full relaxation and massage of arms (5 minutes)

Advance metronome speed on open string whole note vibrato (3 minutes)

Play repertoire pieces with added vibrato (5 minutes)

Saturday

Flexibility exercises for wrist and arm (5 minutes)

Open string vibrato with varying speeds (3 minutes)

Practice vibrato in challenging repertoire sections (5 minutes)

Sunday

Gentle stretches, wrist rolls, fingertip tapping (5 minutes)

Play repertoire pieces from start to finish with added vibrato (10 minutes)

Cycling through a sequence like this ingrains skills through consistency. Adjust and expand exercises as you progress.

Putting it All Together

Learning violin vibrato requires diligent daily practice of proper relaxed technique. Isolate elements like flexibility, basic finger motion, applying to open strings, and adding judiciously to the repertoire. Listen critically and assess recordings of your progress. Using expressive, musical vibrato will elevate your level of playing and unlock the violin’s full tonal palette. With patience and consistency, work through challenges one by one. The beautiful reward of a flexible, singing vibrato is well worth the effort.

Let me know if you would like me to expand or modify any part of this comprehensive vibrato guide. Please share any feedback on areas I can improve. I aimed to thoroughly cover how to develop excellent violin vibrato techniques through dedicated practice.

FAQ

What is the proper violin vibrato motion?

A relaxed, circular rocking of the fingertip that transfers arm weight into the string to create a fluctuating pitch.

How can you practice violin vibrato efficiently?

Isolate aspects like flexibility, basic motion, and open strings. Add judiciously to the repertoire. Record and assess your progress.

How do you vary vibrato for musical expression?

By adjusting speed, and width, adding dynamic shapes, and syncing choices to the phrasing and mood of the music.

What are some common vibrato challenges and how to fix them?

Uneven or shaky vibrato - relax your arm and control your speed. Hand tensing up - release grip, reduce pressing.

How should you choose which notes to add vibrato to?

Prioritize long notes, ends of phrases, and climaxes. Consider the mood and style of the music.

How long does it take to develop a good violin vibrato technique?

It requires consistent daily practice over months or years. Have patience and celebrate small achievements.

Why is recording yourself important?

Analyzing recordings helps identify and correct any technical flaws before they get ingrained.

[moonahstone]

does anyone know what the best and cheapest way to get to West Horsley is from London? I’m moving down south in September and I’m taking the opportunity and am going to go visit West Horsley place the first chance I get as I won’t be too far away from London. Unfortunately where I am moving too it seems that it would be very difficult to get a bus or train from there to Horsley (Mainly because it’s still a way away) but it’s got lots of somewhat cheap access to London which I assume I will be able to get from there to West Horsley from.  I’ve wanted to go on the filming tours for a really really long time now but my broke northern arse can’t afford to fork out what could be hundreds just to get down south (especially with the train strikes) but South coast move will make it so much more affordable to me so any suggestions at all would be a big big help! Thanks!

[chesstrainer24]

Online vs. offline chess coaching - discover the key differences, benefits, and which method suits your learning style best to improve your chess skills.

Do Visit: https://chesstrainer.com/online-vs-offline-chess-coaching-which-one-is-better-for-you/

[ana13dsouza]

Why Carpet Cleaning Is Essential for Homes with Pets in Harrow

Why Carpet Cleaning Is Essential for Homes with Pets in Harrow

Having pets in your home can bring immense joy and companionship, but it also comes with its set of challenges—especially when it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. One area that often suffers is your carpets. Pets shed hair, track in dirt, and sometimes have accidents, leaving behind stains, odors, and allergens that can affect both your home and your health. For pet owners in Harrow, professional carpet cleaning services in Harrow are essential in keeping your carpets clean and your home healthy.

The Challenge of Pet Hair and Dander

One of the most common issues faced by pet owners is the accumulation of pet hair. Regardless of the breed, most pets shed their fur to some extent, and this can accumulate in your carpets, making it difficult to maintain a clean home. Pet hair can also be a major source of allergens, affecting people with sensitivities or asthma. Regular vacuuming can help, but it often fails to fully remove hair that has embedded deep within the carpet fibers. This is where professional carpet cleaner in Harrow services can make a significant difference.

Carpet cleaning specialists use advanced equipment and techniques to extract pet hair and dander effectively. The powerful suction and specialized brushes used by professionals ensure that your carpets are free from unwanted fur, helping to improve the air quality in your home and reduce allergic reactions. Furthermore, carpet cleaning can remove built-up dander that may not be visible but can cause discomfort for sensitive individuals.

Eliminating Pet Odors

Pet odors are another common issue in homes with animals. Even the most well-trained pets can have accidents, and their urine can seep deep into carpet fibers, causing persistent odors that are hard to eliminate. Over time, the smell can become ingrained in the carpet, making it difficult for regular cleaning methods to provide a solution.

Professional carpet cleaning services in Harrow are equipped to deal with these tough odors. They use specially formulated cleaning agents that neutralize pet urine and other organic stains, rather than just masking the smell. Additionally, the deep cleaning process removes bacteria and germs that contribute to unpleasant odors, leaving your carpets smelling fresh and clean.

Removing Stains and Spots

Pets often leave behind visible stains, whether from accidents, muddy paws, or spilled food and water. These stains can be a challenge to remove with DIY methods, and if left untreated, they can become permanent. Pet stains not only ruin the appearance of your carpets, but they can also penetrate deeper into the fibers, making it harder to clean them thoroughly.

Carpet cleaning services in Harrow can help by providing specialized stain removal treatments. These services target specific types of stains, such as urine, feces, or vomit, and ensure they are completely removed from the carpet. In addition to improving the appearance of your carpets, this process helps to restore the hygiene and health of your home.

Reducing Allergens and Improving Air Quality

Carpets are known to trap allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. For individuals with allergies or respiratory issues, this can be a significant problem. Pet dander, in particular, is a common trigger for allergic reactions, and it can be challenging to eliminate from carpets without professional help.

A professional carpet cleaner in Harrow can remove these allergens by using high-powered vacuums and deep cleaning techniques. This process helps to improve the overall air quality in your home, making it a more comfortable environment for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. By investing in regular carpet cleaning, you can create a cleaner, healthier space for both your family and your pets.

Prolonging the Life of Your Carpets

Pets can cause wear and tear on your carpets. From scratching to tracking in dirt and debris, pets contribute to the degradation of carpet fibers over time. This can lead to the premature replacement of your carpets, which can be costly. Regular cleaning, however, can help prolong the life of your carpets by removing dirt and debris that cause damage to the fibers.

By hiring a professional carpet cleaner in Harrow, you can ensure that your carpets remain in excellent condition for a longer period. The deep cleaning process removes dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can break down the fibers and cause wear. This helps to preserve the appearance of your carpets and reduces the need for costly replacements.

Maintaining a Clean and Safe Home for Pets

Your pet's health is important, and a clean home plays a significant role in maintaining it. Pets are naturally curious and may spend a lot of time on the floor, where they come into contact with dirt, allergens, and bacteria. Regular carpet cleaning not only ensures that your carpets look clean but also helps to eliminate any harmful substances that could affect your pet's health.

Professional carpet cleaning services in Harrow use safe, pet-friendly cleaning solutions that are gentle on your carpets but tough on dirt and stains. These non-toxic cleaners help to create a safe environment for your pets, without exposing them to harmful chemicals. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that your pet can enjoy a clean and healthy home.

Why Professional Carpet Cleaning Is Worth the Investment

While it might seem tempting to clean your carpets yourself, especially with over-the-counter products, the results often don’t match the level of cleaning that professionals can achieve. DIY methods may be effective for surface cleaning, but they don’t offer the deep cleaning needed to tackle embedded pet hair, odors, and stains.

Investing in carpet cleaning services in Harrow ensures that your carpets receive a thorough, professional cleaning that removes all pet-related issues. Professional cleaners have the experience, equipment, and products necessary to provide a level of cleanliness that is hard to achieve with DIY methods. Plus, they can help prevent future problems, such as the buildup of allergens and bacteria, by providing ongoing maintenance.

Conclusion

Carpet cleaning is essential for households with pets, not only to maintain the appearance of your home but also to ensure a healthy living environment for both your family and your pets. Professional carpet cleaning services in Harrow can tackle the toughest issues caused by pets, from hair and odors to allergens and stains. By investing in regular carpet cleaning, you can protect your carpets, improve the air quality in your home, and create a cleaner, safer space for your pets. So, if you're a pet owner in Harrow, make sure to prioritize professional carpet cleaning to keep your home looking and feeling its best.

#CarpetCleaning #PetOwners #HarrowHomes #CleanCarpets #PetHair #Allergens #CarpetCare #HealthyHome #CarpetCleaningServicesInHarrow

[tanadrin]

@grimogretricks

For people saying that airport security is wholly theatre and that it doesn't do any good- certainly it seems they've gone overboard on certain things, but what is your explanation as to why hijackings and terrorist attacks involving planes are MUCH less common than they used to be?

Sorry that this is mostly off the dome, and has less references than I would like. We argued this stuff to death in the aughts, though ultimately the political incentives in favor of security theater were just too great. Everyone is terrified of the potential backlash of not being seen to do enough in advance of the next big terrorist attack, I guess. And to be clear, we are talking mostly about post-9/11 airport security measures as being security theater. Some degree of airport security has been necessary since people started getting on airplanes with guns and informing the pilot that, hey, guess what, we're going to Cuba instead of Miami today.

But the big reduction in airplane hijackings came with the institution of metal detectors to keep guns off airplanes after a couple high-profile hijackings in the 1970s. But remember that these incidents were of a very different character than what we now think of as the risk to airplanes: they were certainly a problem, but the modus operandi of hijackers in this era was to force the plane to fly to a non-extradition country and land safely. 9/11-style hijackings, that used the plane as a bomb and killed everyone aboard, were on nobody's radar--when the goal was blowing up the plane and killing passengers, bombers generally used bombs planted in checked baggage, which requires different security measures from passenger screening.

Two security changes occurred after 9/11 that made future such hijackings basically impossible: one, probably most importantly, was that passengers understood they no longer could count on hijackers having an interest in surviving the hijacking. This change in passenger behavior was immediate: later that same year when a guy tried to bomb an airplane (using a really ineffective device hidden in his shoe) passengers immediately acted to restrain him. The second important change was reinforcing cockpit doors and keeping them locked: this makes hijacking airplanes with knives (the only major modality left to most would-be hijackers) functionally impossible.

All the other intense passenger screening and security measures implemented after 9/11 has been repeatedly shown by security researchers to be pretty ineffective, not even very reliable at stuff like keeping knives off airplanes. For years after 9/11 there were endless news stories about law enforcement running drills at airports and weapons making their way through security. A lot of later security measures, like liquid limits in carry-on baggage, came from terrorist plots that didn't even make it off the drawing board (and are unlikely to have ever worked anyway), and seem mostly to be overzealous ass-covering by transportation security officials.

And, finally, we should note that the real security threats to airplanes in the post-9/11 era seem to have come come from two sources that are basically impossible to protect against using traditional security methods, and for which passenger-based security screening is useless: anti-aircraft missiles and suicidal pilots (plus an honorable mention to aircraft companies trying to skirt certain regulatory requirements).

Despite what decades of American media would have you believe, elaborate plots targeting transportation infrastructure and involving like a dozen people are actually not at the top of the list of terrorist methodologies--why time and money training members of your organization to fly planes into buildings, when you can just use social media to convince a guy to drive a car into a crowd of bystanders, or stab somebody on the street? It's much cheaper, and much, much harder to guard against. Random lone-wolf terrorism is, unlike the kind of elaborate plots portrayed on TV, and one-off real-life examples like 9/11, basically impossible for security services to guard against in advance. But in order to justify the war on terror, and large budgets for security services on anti-terrorism grounds, it was necessary to play up the threat of such plots, even if by its very nature 9/11 was impossible to repeat. For similar reasons, the post-9/11 era also played up the threat of Islamic extremism and large overseas terrorist networks, even though far-right extremists acting in small groups also have managed to kill huge numbers of people in spectacular ways.

So for all these reasons, and those noted at the top, the political incentives around transportation security means that passenger screening measures in airports are almost guaranteed to be a one-way ratchet, even if they don't work. It's a bit like the fabled anti-tiger amulet--it's easy to say the lack of tigers is proof it's working! Even if the real reason there are no tigers about is that you live in Ohio. The media environment post-War on Terror helped create a public appetite for and approval of such anti-tiger amulets, too, of course. This was not by any means a purely top-down phenomenon.

[davidseger]

Grasping the Art of Canine Training: Unlocking the Potential of Your Furry Buddy

""

Pet dog training is an essential element of possessing a canine companion. It not only aids in establishing a solid bond in between you as well as your pet but additionally ensures their security as well as well-being. Whether you have a new young puppy or an older pet dog, spending effort and time in training can make a substantial distinction in their actions as well as total joy. From mentor fundamental commands like sit, remain, as well as involve advanced skills like leash walking and off-leash training, pet dog training outfits your furry good friend with the essential abilities to browse the globe around them. In this post, we will check out the significance of canine training as well as offer useful ideas and techniques to help you understand the art of training your four-legged companion.Paragraph 2: Among the

crucial benefits of pet dog training is that it establishes clear interaction between you as well as your pet dog. By understanding their body movement and also habits, you can efficiently communicate your expectations and also enhance positive behaviors. This not just reinforces the bond between you and also your furry buddy yet likewise aids in stopping and also addressing behavioral issues such as too much barking, aggressiveness, and damaging eating. Additionally, canine training gives mental excitement for your pet dog, stopping dullness as well as promoting great mental health. It can also promote socialization, allowing your dog to engage with other canines and individuals in a regulated atmosphere, causing much better behavior in numerous social setups. Whether you pick to educate your pet dog yourself or seek specialist aid, this blog site post will certainly furnish you with the understanding and also resources to begin on a successful pet training trip.

Read more here Puppy Training Tips

[cookingwithfriendscomic]

Mastering the Art of Canine Training: Opening the Potential of Your Furry Good friend

""

Pet training is an essential facet of possessing a canine companion. It not just assists in developing a solid bond between you and your family pet yet likewise guarantees their safety as well as wellness. Whether you have a new puppy or an older pet, investing effort and time in training can make a substantial distinction in their habits and also general happiness. From teaching basic commands like rest, remain, and also concern more sophisticated skills like chain strolling and also off-leash training, dog training equips your hairy pal with the needed abilities to browse the globe around them. In this post, we will check out the importance of dog training and provide beneficial suggestions and also strategies to assist you understand the art of training your four-legged companion.Paragraph 2: Among the

crucial advantages of pet dog training is that it develops clear interaction in between you and also your pet dog. By comprehending their body movement and behavior, you can successfully connect your expectations and also enhance positive behaviors. This not just strengthens the bond in between you and also your fuzzy pal however also aids in avoiding and also resolving behavioral issues such as too much barking, hostility, and also damaging chewing. In addition, pet dog training provides psychological excitement for your family pet, protecting against monotony as well as advertising good mental health and wellness. It can additionally foster socializing, allowing your pet to connect with various other canines and individuals in a controlled setting, bring about far better behavior in different social setups. Whether you select to train your dog on your own or look for specialist help, this post will equip you with the expertise and resources to start an effective canine training trip.

Read more here Obedience Training for Dogs

[yandereunsolved]

Yandere Batfam pining over Bruce's reluctant darling—why are you so frightened? is it because Tim is cyberstalking you?

Yandere Batfam aren't subtle about their obsessive nature. They are already aware that you are cautious around them and have tried to leave several times, so what is the point in hiding it? Every unhealthy behavior of theirs stems from their trauma and vigilante status. They hope if they are more open about it, then you'll have more of a willingness to stay with them.

Vulnerability isn't exactly a word in any of their vocabularies.

So they are reaching out and showing you their true selves. You were going to figure it out eventually, and it would have only made you more skittish.

Come on. They aren't that bad.

Yandere Batfam just has a few unique quirks. They take away any semblance of privacy you had. Whether it be stalking in the flesh or on the internet. Both a set of cameras and eyes are always trained on you.

They see it as a way to appease both of your anxious natures. They get to know you're safe. They get to learn more about you so they can better please you. You get—them.

You never have to worry about anything ever again!

Yandere Batfam makes sure to give both you and Bruce time 'alone'. They hate that word, especially Damien. What do you mean by alone time? It's asinine. You have managed all their attention and affection poorly thus far! Giving you more time away from them all is only going to decrease your ability to love them all. Which Damien is fine with, as long as your ability to love him doesn't wane even a point of a percentage.

With that in mind, they all know you were Bruce's first. If you aren't comfortable with him, then how are you going to be comfortable with the rest of them?

So they give you that illusion of you simply dating Bruce. He works on wooing you. He tries to.

He doesn't know how to react when you suddenly shut down from his advances. When you pull away from his touch, all he can feel is hurt. A type of hurt that exceeds any he has ever felt. It's like multiple knives twisting into his heart while his soul is crying out in anguish.

He still tries. He gives you your space and little by little breaks down those walls of yours. In return, you end up doing the same with him. He doesn't even realize how much he loves you until you're absent from his presence, even if only for a mere moment.

Yandere Batfam end up learning how hard it is to share. Bruce is the head of the family, so it feels natural to allow him the largest sum of your time. However, how do they split the rest of it? How much time is too much time with you? Who goes first? (Damien insists it should be Dick and then him.)

They could always ask you, but you seem hesitant enough when just asked base-level questions about yourself.

So it's often a hot topic between all of them. If you are closer to one family member than another, the other's are instantly jealous and try to copy the tactics of that member. They'll even go as far as to abuse their power in the familial hierarchy to give themselves a disadvantage.

(Jason really doesn't give a single fuck about schedules. So you'll most likely see the most of him second to Bruce. He is mostly silent in the time he spends with you. He's just content to be in your presence, even if it is farther away than he would like.)

Yandere Batfam aren't going to strip you of your freedoms, yet. You're like a fawn just learning to walk. They can't have you running. You'll get yourself hurt. You can't protect yourself.

Bruce just wants you to love him like you did when you first met him. He's still that same man, albeit a bit more stalkerish. His family is still the same bunch of loving idiots, just more obsessive.

So please join them before their patience runs dry. If you push yourself too far away, then they suddenly won't care if you have any reluctance towards them or their methods.

[apas-95]

Did you know that NASA engineers considered the failure rate of some critical shuttle parts to be about 1 in 100 (significantly greater than what NASA upper-management considered the failure rate to be, and what was considered at all acceptable by the certification process)?

Do you know that NASA engineers currently have no idea how many rocket launches the next mission in the Artemis program (in 2 years!) is meant to involve, because the mission plan relies on SpaceX being contracted to deliver a supply of cryogenic fuel to the crewed Orion (™ Lockheed-Martin) capsule in orbit - a procedure that 1: has never been attempted before on any spacecraft, let alone the Orion™ capsule, not even in uncrewed technology demonstration flights; and 2: would require an as-of-yet unknown number of SpaceX 'Starship' launches, because said vehicle does not actually exist at time of writing?

Did you know they're planning on using this 'starship' as the crewed lander? A design for a lunar ascent vehicle, that is, that does not use hypergolic fuel, that relies on a swing-out crane as the only entry and egress point? During the original moon landings, the LEM had so many redundant methods to make sure it got astronauts off the surface of the moon, that in the most absurd, extreme case, where every single mechanism fails, there's a procedure trained into the astronauts to climb around the outside of the capsule, take a pair of bolt-cutters from the equipment box, physically cut the couplings holding the capsule to the lander stage, and take off to get home. Artemis' proposed lander, on the other hand, is planned to be a vehicle whose design didn't even include heatshields until it was realised it would obviously need heatshields, which are ceramic tiles bolted after-the-fact directly through the steel hull, because SpaceX had decided to mass-produce the original-design hull sections all at once for all the 'starships' first, before doing any integrated testing.

We're seeing the exact attitude that led to the shuttle disasters not being prevented now expressing itself in (and even through) the Artemis program, a project pushed harder and faster through the gates than it should be, by a government (and NASA administration thereby) desperate to advance the eponymous Artemis Accords (that goes unsigned by China, Russia, and much of the world) and reneg on all previous space charters that onsidered ownership, commercial exploitation, and military usage of space forbidden. Something bad is going to happen, and it's going to happen for the sake of SpaceX and the military-industrial complex at large.

[flwrkid14]

The Taste of Home

Tim didn't expect to become the family cook.

He knew how to cook, of course. Had to. It was a matter of survival, really. When your parents were barely around and the maids only bought what was easiest, you either lived off frozen meals or you learned how to feed yourself. And Tim? Tim always preferred the warmth of something homemade, something real, something that felt like care in a house that rarely did.

And then Jason died.

And Bruce stopped eating.

Not intentionally, not in any dramatic way—he just forgot. Forgot to sit down, forgot to cook, forgot to care. Bruce didn’t think about food when he was drowning in grief, didn’t think about much of anything except the mission. And Alfred—Alfred, who had always been the one to keep things running, to make sure Bruce took care of himself—was grieving too. The kitchen was too quiet. The table was missing a chair. The boy who used to steal snacks and hoard canned goods under his bed because hunger had once been a constant in his life, who used to help Alfred stir soups and knead dough, was gone.

And Alfred, for the first time in a long time, found he couldn’t step into the kitchen without thinking about the boy who should have still been there.

Which left Bruce. Except Bruce wasn’t eating—not really. Not if Alfred didn’t make him. And Alfred couldn’t make him, not when every dish felt like something hollow in his hands, when the quiet absence of another set of helping hands was too much to bear.

So, Tim did it.

At first, Bruce didn’t eat much of what Tim made. But then Tim figured it out—Bruce didn’t want new meals. Didn’t want change. So Tim learned. He mimicked Alfred’s methods, copied his recipes, memorized the way the sauces thickened, the exact pinch of seasoning that made the dishes taste right, trained his hands until his food tasted exactly the same. He spent hours in the kitchen, getting it perfect, because Bruce needed it. Because Alfred needed someone to keep going.

And when Bruce ate the first meal Tim made with Alfred’s precision, he didn’t even notice the difference.

That was all that mattered.

So, Tim became Bruce’s cook. And Robin. And the one who made sure Alfred ate, too.

And then time passed.

Jason came back. The family grew. Alfred returned to the kitchen. Tim no longer had to worry about making sure Bruce ate.

But sometimes, when Alfred takes a much-needed break—when he goes on a well-earned vacation or steps away for a few days—Tim quietly takes up the apron again. And none of the others notice.

They eat without a second thought, without any change in routine. No one comments that anything tastes different.

Maybe they assume Alfred prepped meals in advance. Maybe they just don’t think about it. Maybe it doesn’t even occur to them that the person behind the familiar flavors isn’t the one they expect.

No one realizes it’s Tim standing over the stove, making sure everything still tastes like home.

[chesstrainer24]

Online vs. Offline Chess Coaching: Which One is Better for You?

When it comes to learning chess, one of the most frequently asked questions by parents, students, and even seasoned players is: “Which is better-online or offline chess coaching?” With so many options available today, deciding between online vs. offline chess coaching can be a little overwhelming. Each format has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your learning style, goals, and schedule.

As someone who’s spent years in the chess training ecosystem, FIDE Instructor Dhanesh Shrikhande has guided hundreds of students through both online chess training vs. offline chess training models. His deep understanding of the game’s teaching methodologies has helped countless students choose the best chess coaching method tailored to their personal needs.

So, let’s dig deep and explore this comparison-online vs. offline chess coaching-and help you find out what works best for you or your child.

Understanding the Landscape: Online vs. Offline Chess Coaching

The chess coaching space has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Gone are the days when learning chess only meant attending a class at a local club or academy. With digital learning booming, online chess coaching platforms comparison has become a hot topic for many learners.

But what do these two modes of learning truly offer?

1. Online Chess Coaching

Online chess training vs. offline chess training has become a popular discussion, especially after the pandemic when digital learning became a necessity. Now, online chess classes for kids, teenagers, and adults are easily accessible, affordable, and flexible.

2. Offline Chess Coaching

Traditional chess coaching vs. digital chess learning still holds a special place in the hearts of many students. The face-to-face connection, physical presence, and classroom environment are irreplaceable for some learners. Let’s explore both in detail.

Benefits of Online Chess Coaching

There’s no denying that online chess coaching has changed the way people learn the game. Here are the major benefits of online chess coaching that students and parents appreciate:

1. Flexibility & Convenience

Online classes can be attended from anywhere-be it your living room or even while traveling. This flexibility is a huge advantage, especially for students with busy school schedules.

2. Access to Global Coaches

With online learning, geography is no barrier. You can connect with top-rated coaches like FIDE Instructor Dhanesh Shrikhande from anywhere in the world.

3. Affordable Learning

Many online chess coaching platforms offer customized packages and pricing models, making it a cost-effective learning method.

4. Recorded Lessons & Resources

Missed a session? Not a problem. Most interactive chess lessons online are recorded and accessible later, so learners can revise anytime.

5. Technology-Enhanced Learning

With tools like digital boards, screen sharing, interactive puzzles, and game analysis software, chess improvement strategies for students have become more effective than ever in the digital format.

Advantages of Offline Chess Coaching

While digital learning has taken center stage, advantages of offline chess coaching remain relevant and compelling.

1. In-Person Guidance

Face-to-face chess coaching vs. virtual coaching often favors in-person interaction for its emotional engagement and instant feedback.

2. Physical Environment

Being in a classroom with other students fosters a sense of competition, camaraderie, and discipline.

3. Non-Verbal Learning Cues

Eye contact, gestures, posture-these subtle communication cues enhance learning in traditional chess coaching vs. digital chess learning.

4. Personalized Attention

Some argue that the physical presence of a coach enables more personalized and intuitive guidance, especially for younger learners.

5. Tournaments & Practice Matches

Offline coaching often includes local matches, practice games, and real-time tournament experiences that boost confidence and practical application.

Continue Reading: https://chesstrainer.com/online-vs-offline-chess-coaching-which-one-is-better-for-you/

[derinwrites]

Plotting a story -- inductive and deductive plotting

When it comes to plotting habits in writing fiction, there’s a scale. Most people label the ends of this scale ‘gardener’ and ‘architect’, although the terms ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser’ are also in use. If you’re a writer, you probably know this scale, but I’ll briefly explain for those who haven’t and then get into my model.

An architect, or plotter, is a writer who thrives with a lot of planning. Like an architect planning a house, they assess what story they’re telling in advance and what needs to happen to tell it. They assess the materials, plan and measure the acts (if they’re using an act structure), decide on the climax and how the characters will develop and map those onto the plan. Then, with a plan, they write.

A gardener, or pantser, by contrast, writes ‘by the seat of their pants’. Pantsers may or may not know where their story is going in broad terms, but they certainly don’t know in any detail beyond ‘this’ll be a cool scene if I can get it there’. To these people, writing is less like architecture and more like gardening – you can build your beds and plant your seeds, but a whole lot of what’s going to happen next depends on how the plants grow, and all you can do is keep an eye on them and prune or train them as necessary. You can dream about what your garden will look like in the spring, but you won’t know until you get there.

Plotters and pantsers are not two distinct categories of writers, but ends on a scale. The writer who ad libs sentence by sentence with no goal at all is extremely rare, as is the writer who starts from an overall view of the plot and cuts it down and down until they’re planning on the sentence level. Most writers tend towards one end of the scale to a greater or lesser degree, but very few write completely using one method and none of the other.

The plotter/pantser scale is one that many writers find incredibly useful to help them understand their own process. By knowing where you are on this scale, you can better understand how you write and better understand how the habits and advice of other writers may or may not be useful to you. (A pantser trying to meticulously plot their story in advance following some formula they found in a writing advice book is wasting their time.) However, this model has little utility beyond that, which is why I find it more useful to address the phenomenon not as a scale, but as the manifestation of two separate skills, that I like to call deductive and inductive plotting.

In logic, deductive reasoning is when you take broad rules or generalities and apply them to specific circumstances to predict things – you start big and go little. “Things fall when you drop them, therefore if I drop this rock it will fall” is deduction. Inductive reasoning is the opposite – you start with small observations and build them into a pattern to predict something bigger. “I dropped seventeen objects and they all fell; therefore, perhaps when you drop things, they fall” is induction. (There’s also abductive reasoning, but that doesn’t fit into our plotting skill metaphor.)

In my experience, these skills match to the habits of plotters and pantsers. Plotters, or architects, assemble a big picture of the story they want and then deduce their individual scenes and fill in the lines to map to their overall general picture. They are deductive plotters. If you ask a deductive plotter to start writing without an outline, they become lost and their output seems directionless and erratic – how can they know what to write if they don’t have an outline to break things down from? Deductive plotters tend to think of stories in terms of overall structures and themes that can be broken down into characters and events and put on the page.

Pantsers, or gardeners, are the opposite. They’re if-then writers, and build the plot upwards from the individual actions of their characters and create the story from the sum total of those interactions. They are inductive plotters. Brandon Sanderson often describes a pantser’s first draft as just a really thorough outline, and he’s not wrong; a pantser needs the scene-by-scene minutae to know what happens next. How are they supposed to build an outline if they don’t know what happens next? If you ask an inductive plotter to build and follow a thorough outline, their writing often comes out as wooden and arbitrary as they have to force the actions of the characters between the restrictive rails of predetermined plot. Inductive potters tend to think of stories in terms of characters and discrete events that build up into something bigger with a consistent mood or theme. Inductive plotters sometimes complain of their characters having a life of their own and defying the plot – this is the effect of their moment-by-moment if-then reasoning of the character’s next action not matching their initial predictions, and surprising them.

Again, the vast majority of writers have some rudimentary skill in both inductive and deductive plotting. A strong deductive plotter (architect) can usually sit down and infer line-by-line a scene that their outline lists as “the three characters meet in the coffee shop and share evidence, Rosemary sees Harold’s notes and realises where the gun went.” Similarly, a strong inductive plotter (gardener) usually has some idea of where their story is headed next even if they don’t know how long it’ll take to get there or what complications will pop up in the meantime. But I’ve never met a writer who is equally strong in both inductive and deductive plotting; most writers specialise heavily in one, and tend towards one end of the scale. I think this is because there’s such a huge overlap in utility; when we start learning to write, we start plotting in whatever way is easiest for us, and train that specific method over decades. There’s little reason to invest even more decades into getting just as good with the other method when your favoured method already achieves everything you want.

I find that viewing this scale as the result of two skills, inductive and deductive plotting, can be very helpful in understanding specifically how we write. Thinking of myself as a heavily inductive plotter with rudimentary deductive plotting skills has really helped me understand why some methods of writing work for me and others don’t, as well as help nail down specific weaknesses in my writing. I also find it useful to think of writing styles and strategies not as some unchangeable characteristic we were born with (as the plotter/pantser scale is frequently envisioned), but as skills that can be built. You don’t write the way you write because you happen to be a plotter or pantser – you write the way you write because that’s what you learned to do! And it was hard! And you did it! Be proud of your skill!

[monster-effer]

Syntribation | Clenched Thighs Save Lives – Sylus x reader

Summary: You have an interesting technique to get off. It is not something you’re ashamed of, but it has caused friction in past relationships. But you’re with Sylus now, how will he handle this part of you? Content: MDNI, suggestive and sexual acts mentioned, hurt (past) and comfort, fluff, Sylus and reader are dating (~900 wc) A/N: This is for the girlies that get off via syntribation! It’s a topic that’s near and dear to my heart and something I have yet to see mentioned in a fanfic. I tried to envision how Sylus would react to a reader confessing that this masturbation method is the only way they get off. There is more dialogue than usual because I am trying to work on improving that skill. Enjoy <3

next >>

It’s not that you don’t want to be intimate with Sylus, because you really really do. You just feel too worried to even attempt such a feat due to what it takes to get you off. Your preferred and only way to reach your peak is extremely specific, but nothing else works for you.

You’ve stuck to masturbating this way since you experienced your first orgasm and have had no urge to change.

Until now.

Until him.

Sylus was a breath of fresh air. He was everything you could want in a partner. He was ridiculously tall, gorgeous, witty, protective, and he never misses an opportunity to build up your self-confidence. He was a walking wet dream.

It was painful to avoid his advances because of your insecurity. And lately, the excuses you give to delay the inevitable conversation are starting to make you cringe.

“I’m on my period.” “My stomach hurts.” “I just got a call from work?” “I sense a wanderer nearby!”

Currently, you both were laying on your sides while smooching in Sylus’ massive bed. It was a cozy weekend morning and you two were still in your pajamas. You reluctantly pulled your lips away from his before it could get too heated. Another silly excuse was on the tip of your tongue. But before you could get it out, Sylus interrupted you.

“Kitten…I’ve noticed that you shy away when I attempt to be more intimate with you,” Sylus says slowly.

Sylus is a patient man, but it seems the more time he gave you, the farther you ran from him. He is also an observant man, and he can see and feel how much you enjoy kissing him and having him caress your body. But something is holding you back and he’s going to find out what that is.

Your heart is racing as you sit up, lean against the headboard, and let out a sigh. “Is that so?” you ask as you begin fidgeting with your fingers.

Sylus sits up against the headboard with you and holds one of your hands. “Yes. I would like to know why or if I have done something wrong. The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable.”

You close your eyes and take a deep breath. “Have you ever heard of syntribation?”

Sylus tilts his head to the side as his eyes are trained on your face. “I can’t say that I have. Care to enlighten me?”

You feel your hands get clammy and your face warms. “Well, syntribation describes how I masturbate. It is the only way I can reach orgasm.”

You take in a shaky breath before continuing. “In simpler terms, I usually clench my thighs and other muscles to reach orgasm.”

You begin to speak faster, forcing the words out. “Which makes it hard for me to orgasm during sex. Past partners have given up trying to pleasure me entirely because it is ‘too difficult.’ And in the end, it left me feeling broken.”

“But I don’t want to feel that way with you Sylus. I’ve avoided everything past kissing and fondling because I’m scared.”

The silence in his bedroom is LOUD and you begin to worry that you overshared. Before you can conjure up another excuse to flee you feel Sylus let go of your hand and take a gentle yet firm hold of your chin. His hold directs your eyes back up to his and you see a tender smile on his face and lust darkened eyes.

“Kitten, this is what has been holding you back? You have nothing to be afraid of.”

“You don’t think it’s weird?” you ask in a hushed voice.

“Not at all,” he says simply. He lets go of your chin now that your eyes are focused on him.

“In fact, I would love a demonstration of this syntribation. I have so much to learn.”

You feel the familiar, fearful heaviness in your stomach at his suggestion. “You don’t need to do that!” you blurt out.

“No kitten, I insist. I already have a few ideas that I want to try with you, but I need to do my research first,” he smirks at you before pulling you onto his lap and your head down for a kiss. Both of his large hands rest on the sides of your face as your lips meet.

You wrap your arms around his lower back and eagerly press your lips against his. A soft moan leaves you as you feel your bottom lip being sucked into Sylus’ mouth. And you feel yourself soften onto his tongue.

Kissing Sylus is always a sensual experience but today feels unique. Like he can’t get enough of you.

As you continue to kiss, you feel his tongue brush against the seam of your lips and you open them for him. His warm tongue caresses yours as he begins to explore your soft mouth.

You melt further into the kiss and curl your tongue around his. Sylus pushes you back slightly so he can trail his hands down your body, to rest on your hips. Your breath hitches when you feel your breast bounce as you’re jerked backwards.

You maintain eye contact with him as you lean in towards him and place your left hand against the headboard. Your right hand slips behind his head so you can thread your fingers through his white, silky hair before firmly pressing your lips back against his.

Sylus uses his hold on your hips to press you down and rock you gently against his hard cock that you can clearly feel through his thin pajama pants. You whimper into his mouth as you pull away, this time for a new reason.

With a mischievous smile on your face you ask, “Are you ready to start researching now?”

[cinnamorollcrybaby]

ANYTHINGGG WITH LEVI PLEASE, annnnd I'd love for reader to be taller thannn him and yet he still like manhandles her?

Like imagine they are both captains LMAOO and they are always at each others throats because they can't stand each other but everyone else knows they just wanna fuck LMAOO

THANKSSSSS IN ADVANCE CINNA, UR THE BEST

Fuck her 'til her legs both twitch

Tags: dom!Levi x fem!Reader, enemies to lovers, secretive mutual pining, nsfw, smut, bondage, dirty talk, I can’t express this enough… they’re going to FUCK, mdni

An: Nepobabyy! I’m always happy to see a fic request from you because you and I have very similar tastes in men 🤤

For the record, this was NOT suppose to be happening.

You were supposed to be in bed: asleep. You weren’t even suppose to be awake. These were the only few hours that Levi gets to spend in total peace and quiet.

Levi was sitting in the small dining area of the cottage that he, you, and Hange share as leaders of the Survey Corps. The early hours of the morning was the only time that it was peaceful in this house. That's because you and Hange are usually still asleep at this hour unless there's a bit outing planned. The dining area was dimly lit by a small gas lantern that was sat upon the kitchen table, and Levi was reading a book until you came inside.

His narrow eyes flickered up to your frame as you haphazardly stumbled towards the counter. Levi couldn't tell if you were even fully awake or not. He didn't care though — not one bit. His eyes returned to his book as he took note of your messy hair and pretty skin being softly illuminated by the glow of the lantern. He didn't care though. He just happened to notice these things about you. He's observant.

You were absolutely the last person he wanted to see at four in the morning.

You and Levi were like oil and water. You two just didn't mix very well even though you're both captains over the survey corps. Some would compare you two to the sun and the moon, but it was more like you and Levi were two sides of the same coin.

Levi was a man of principle, rules, and boundaries. He lived his life to a strict, tidy schedule, and he strived to make others also adhere to his standard of living.

You were more like chaos. While you weren't necessarily messy or disorganized, you were more spontaneous - living by the seat of your pants constantly.

Levi loathed your methods, and he made it abruptly clear each time he could. As it happens, today he may have went a bit too far with his criticisms.

You were giving a training pep talk to the scouts, talking about living in the moment and letting the adrenaline take it's natural course in your veins. It was a really good talk, until Levi spoke up from behind you.

"I wonder just how many cadets felt that same rush of adrenaline right before they died by a titan exploiting their weakness-" He went on about the necessity of control and utter focus, but you mentally checked out from the conversation.

It wasn't the worst thing he had ever said to you. You two had your fair share of back and forth arguments that usually ended in Hange yelling at you two to just fuck and get over it. But this stung worse than other snide comments. He had insinuated that your methods - your leadership had led people to their deaths.

When you silently walked away from the cadets, walking past Hange like they weren't even there, they stared at Levi with a 'say something' expression, but Levi wouldn't suppress his pride like that... not even if something deep within him reverberated throughout his body.

He hadn't seen you all day, but here you were: encroaching on his peace and quiet, and fuck, he detested the pouty look of sorrow on your face as you were searching for something on the counter.

Your hand finally found what it was searching for: the neck of a whine bottle. Alcohol was a commodity around this area, but Erwin had gifted it to you, Levi, and Hange one Christmas. He wrote a thoughtful note of his gratitude towards the three of you.

The bottle of wine had been practically untouched. Levi didn't drink at all — period. Hange didn't like wine, so that left you in charge of taking care of the bottle.

The cork parted from the bottle with a loud 'pop', and Levi cut his eyes back towards you. "A bit early to start drinking." He muttered lowly, taking the chance to speak to you when you were clearly upset about earlier.

"I wonder how many of your scouts died before they were old enough to drink." You turned towards him, eyeing him down with a look that he's never seen from you. This wasn't just petty anger — this was betrayal, hurt, and frustration.

Levi's finger hooked into the collar of his white button-up shirt, and he pulled it away from his neck as the tension in the room was already suffocating enough. "Say what you mean, or don't speak to me at all."

He knew he fucked up, but he wasn't going to allow you to fire back at him the same way. Unlike you, he didn't let feelings get in the way of his duties. He had it perfectly under control... if you ignored the way his heart was slamming against his ribcage. His stomach was screaming at him to just be a man and apologize, but his prideful brain hated that idea.

"You undermined me in front of the scouts, and frankly, what you said was in poor taste. I don't know what I ever did to you to make you hate my presence so much, but if you pull that shit again, I will not walk away silently again." You turned the wine bottle upwards, and the stout red liquid poured down your throat.

"Are you threatening me?" Levi asks, and he closes his book so he can face you squarely. His sharp facial features were only accentuated from the light cast from the lantern.

"Men. All you hear is the last part of what I said. You never focus on the real problem of it all." The bottle clanks against the counter harder than you intended, and Levi rises from his chair carefully. You scoff with a small sarcastic chuckle. You know that Levi's humanity's strongest soldier, but he's still smaller than you. You have a few inches of height and wingspan on him as the top of your head just barely clears his. Without his ODM gear and swords, he's just a short guy with an attitude problem.

"The problem is you act on pure impulse. You don't ever think your actions through. You're going to end up dead one day." His steps are cold and calculated as he approaches you, and he takes the cork from your hand, swiftly shoving it back into the bottle.

"You should be celebrating that considering how much you hate me." You whisper under your breath — not needing to speak any louder with his body so close to yours. Your faces are mere inches apart, and his hands are placed on the counter behind you, trapping you in.

"Dumbass." He chided lowly, and his eyes flickered to your lips briefly — just long enough for you to notice.

Suddenly, you feel your own heart pounding in your chest. Your stomach twists and constricts from nerves and the wine that was rapidly digesting. The cottage was so. damn. quiet. You could hear both yours and Levi's breaths — neither of you daring to move an inch.

"I don't want you dead." Levi finally adds bluntly. "I..." His words get caught in his throat, and he takes a deep breath to soothe his nerves. "You're right. I undermined you, and that wasn't okay."

Your expression softens as you gaze at him. He's trying. It isn't an apology, but he admitted he was wrong. "It wasn't..." You respond softly before leaning in a fraction of an inch.

Levi's eyes are glued to your lips as you speak, and he bites at the side of his cheek - wondering what you tasted like this early in the morning.

"It wasn't okay for you to threaten me either... Rather, it's not okay to assume so easily that you'd win." His head tilts ever so slightly to the side, and he leans in closer to your warmth.

You tongue instinctively delves out, wetting your lips as he's so damn close to you. The tension between you two was absolutely palpable. "You don't think I'd win?" You ask softly — only to provoke him a bit more.

"Don't be so stupid." His voice drops an octave lower, and his hands find the back of your thighs before effortlessly lifting you up and onto the counter.

You may be taller than Levi, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in raw strength and speed.

He stands between your legs before leaning in even closer, causing for you to lean back — pressing your head against one of the cupboards. "I can throw you around without a second thought." He lowly boasts.

His hand reaches for the top of your head, and he guides your face downwards to his with a firm tug. "So, I'd advice you not to threaten me again, or else I'll show you why I am a captain."

Your nose is just barely brushing against his, and you feel like you're struggling to breath with his intense gaze on you. "Maybe I'd respect you more if you did."

"Insolent brat." He grits before tugging you into him closer. Your lips smash against his as his hand tightens around your hair, keeping you still as he pours every ounce of lust and longing into the kiss.

Your breath picks up in speed as you wrap your arms around his neck, and your legs wrap around his waist. Levi lets out a small muffled grunt, and he promptly lifts you off of the counter, carrying you as if you were nothing but a stuffed animal to him towards his room.

“Levi..” You whispered between messy panicked kisses.

“Hm?” He hums against your lips, not bothering to part from them a for a second. He bumps his door shut with his hip before he walks to you to his bed, tossing you down onto the crisply folded sheets. His bed is made so meticulously. You wonder how long he spends on it each morning.

“This doesn’t seem like a fair fight.” You muse as you sit up, using your hands to prop up your body against his mattress.

A small barely noticeable smirk quirks up on Levi’s lips, and he stalks towards his bed. His hands are unbuttoning each of his shirt buttons one by one, slowly trailing down his muscular body.

“Well, you’re not even trying to fight back.” He replies in an almost humorous tone as he shrugs his shirt off of his shoulders. The piece of fabric falls to the ground.

“Oh? You want me to fight back?” You ask, cocking an eyebrow, and Levi inches closed to the bed that you unceremoniously splayed on.

“You can try.” He comments before you reach up to grab him and pull him down to you.

The two of you toss and turn, putting each other in different holds and presses. It’s honestly difficult to tell if you two are trying to fight or fuck. It’s probably a malgamation of both.

Except a clear answer is given when Levi is behind you, pinning you face down to his mattress with his hand pressed against your back. Your ass is turned upwards, rubbing against the seat of his pants perfectly.

“Such a brat. Making me work this damn hard for this.” He grunts lowly as he uses his free hand to undo his belt. He makes sure to keep you pinned while he slips the leather around your wrists, effectively binding your hands behind your back with his belt.

Your hips flutter upwards with a small sigh — presenting yourself to him as if you were in heat. Levi chuckles lowly at the sight, appreciating how needy you are for him after a bit of rough housing. He always suspected that you had a thing for liking it rough after many days of seeing your blushing face and trembling thighs while training.

“Filthy girl.” He mutters while giving your ass a firm spank. His hands then find the waistband of your pajama pants, and he tugs them down with ease before admiring your pretty pussy — still clothed by the thin material of your panties. He can see a small wet spot from your arousal already building.

“Levi..” You whimper into his pillow, pushing your hips back further towards him. You were tired of being tough and strong. You wanted needed to just give in to your most basic, primal desires.

“Shhh. I know.” He murmurs tenderly as his fingers graze against your dampening panties. “Let me fix it. I always do.” He carefully strokes your clothed pussy once more before he focuses his fingers against the small button of nerves, rubbing tight circles into your core.

“Ahh~” You let out a breathy whine, completely enthralled by the fact that you can’t move at all. You’re stuck complying with his whims because Levi can just maneuver you into whatever position he wants you in. He doesn’t give a fuck how much taller or bigger you think you are than him.

Your panties are swiftly pulled down as Levi doesn’t think he can live with the throbbing pain of his cock twitching in the confines of his pants and boxers. His eyes marvel at your glistening cunt — so pretty and wet, just for him.

His mouth salivated at the thought of getting a taste, but he’s in a frenzy when he looked at the clock on the wall. It’s nearly six in the morning, which is when Hange normally rolls out of bed. He really didn’t need them ruining this for him.

His hand shoves his pants down, exposing his all too heavy cock, and he takes this moment to jerk himself a few times to the beautiful sight he has in front of him.

You’re bent over, looking as complacent as ever with his belt tying your hands behind your back. You’re rendered completely useless, and even if you weren’t, you’re so needy for his cock that you can barely even function.

“Gods, fuck.. please.. please.” You whine and beg beneath him, tugging against your makeshift restraints as if to entice him more.

His co-captain is such a needy mess. He needed to fuck some sense into you.

“Yeah.. you want it?” He asks as he presses his sweltering tip against your drooling entrance. A hefty groan falls from his lips as he feels how fucking warm you are. It’s been far too fucking long for him. There’s no way he’s lasting long, especially not inside your divine pussy.

“W-want it.. yes, Levi.. Please I want it.” You shamelessly beg, even while you know it’ll be a tight squeeze, and fuck, it’s a damn near impossible squeeze.

Your toasty walls grip him like a vice as he bullied his way so deeply inside of you, forcing his eyes to roll back into his head as he let out quiet grunts and growls. He bit onto his inner cheek hard to keep himself from finishing so prematurely.

He’s a gentleman at heart, wanting to pull as many orgasms from you as he can before he busts himself, but chivalry be damned; he wants to pump you so full that you’re unable to walk for the of the day.

“You’re so.. mmmph.. fucking tight… shit... Squeezing me like you don’t hate my guts.” He muses as he slowly rocks his hips back and forth. He grips the belt that’s binding your wrists, and he pulls you down onto his cock harder, literally skewering you onto him. 

“Oh fuck! Levi!” You cry out, unable to even filter your noises in the slightest. “D-don’t hate you.. ngh.. need you, want you.” You whine, and Levi subtly smiles from your sudden sweet comments, but he’s not going to let off that easily.

He growls lowly before he lets go of your wrists. His smaller frame mounts you from behind before he takes his hand, wrapping it into your hair, and shoves your face down farther into his pillow. “Shut the fuck up before you wake someone.” He warns in a husky whisper pressed right against your ear.

“‘m sorry… ‘m sorry! nnngh~ so good.. I can’t help it.” You apologized in a muffled whine, making Levi scoff at your pathetic attempts of being good for him.

When your noises are subdued a little bit, his hands flee your hair, and he grips your hips hard enough to bruise as he pounded into you relentlessly.

The obscene sounds of skin slapping against skin echoes in his room, mixing with your muffled moans and Levi's grunts of pleasure. It’s filthy and wrong and so fucking hot that Levi thinks he might actually combust from the intensity of it all.

Your legs are completely trembling, and you’re just so fucking wet. Your poor messy cunt is dripping all over his sheets and blanket, and Levi’s vulgar mind is focused on how he’ll be able to smell you later. He’s already planning on getting himself off to the scent of your arousal.

“Fuck Levi… I c-can’t.. mm.. I’m going to cum-!” You warn in a breathless whine, unable to keep up with the way his hips are brutally snapping behind you.

“That’s all you can take, brat?” He mocks with a taunting laugh before he wraps your hair around his knuckles, tugging your face up from the pillow. “Cum for me.” He demands lowly, slamming himself into you even deeper — trying to push himself directly into your womb with the way his tip is kissing your cervix with each deep thrust.

Not even a second later, you drenched walls convulse around him, squeezing him somehow even tighter than before. It’s the only piece of heaven that a devil like Levi will ever see. Now’s as good of time as any.

His thrusts become sloppy, his rhythm faltering as he dances on the edge of an orgasm. You could feel him throbbing deep inside you, his cock pulsing with the need for release.

Levi grits his teeth together, and he forces your body against his rapidly, making you see stars as you’re trying to cope with your own orgasm. His bed is rattling and knocking against the wall, but he can’t bring himself to care.

A loud breathy groan rips through the air as he finally pumps you so fucking full of his cum. His cock just keeps twitching with ribbon after ribbon. It’s been so long since his last release. He’s sure that the sheer potency of his seed will likely get you pregnant, but he only finds that idea to be even more enticing.

Your legs are twitching as your body slumps against the bed. His cock eases out of you slowly, and he watches with lust filled eyes as his cum starts to seep out of your ruined hole. A small frown occupies his lips, and he scoops some of his own semen onto his fingers before he pushes them deep inside you — fucking his cum back into you.

“Mmmnph!” You whine into the pillows at your back arches back up.

“It’s your own damn fault for being wasteful. Keep whining like that, and I’ll pump more into you.” He threatens as his fingers piston in and out of you at a leisurely pace.

Your head turns to face him while still forcibly being bent over, and you give him a small mischievous grin before letting out another pornographic whine.

“You’re fucking asking for it now, brat.” He grunts as he swiftly flips you onto your back. Levi is a man of his word after all.