#challenges in cloud migration

[book-challenger]

Travel destination: Canada Part II

The Coming Storm by Regina M. Hansen

There’s a certain wild magic in the salt air and the thrum of the sea. Beet MacNeill has known this all her life. It added spice to her childhood adventures with her older cousin, Gerry, the two of them thick as thieves as they explored their Prince Edward Island home. So when Gerry comes up the path one early spring morning, Beet thinks nothing of it at first. But he is soaking wet and silent, and he plays a haunting tune on his fiddle that chills Beet to the bone. Something is very, very wrong.

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, and during a freezing and stormy night, she discovers a soaking woman who can hardly speak a word of English, who she is or where she’s from, Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?

Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?

The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed

The world is nothing like it once was: climate disasters have wracked the continent, causing food shortages, ending industry, and leaving little behind. Then came Cad, mysterious mind-altering fungi that invade the bodies of the now scattered citizenry. Reid, a young woman who carries this parasite, has been given a chance to get away, to move to one of the last remnants of pre-disaster society, but she can’t bring herself to abandon her mother and the community that relies on her. When she’s offered a coveted place on a dangerous and profitable mission, she jumps at the opportunity to set her family up for life, but how can Reid ask people to put their trust in her when she can’t even trust her own mind?

Eleven Houses by Colleen Oakes

Mabel is one of the last surviving members of House Beuvry, one of the eleven houses on the haunted island of Weymouth, Nova Scotia. Her days, like all the other teens on the island, are spent readying her house for The Storm: a once-a-decade event that pummels the island with hurricane-level wind, water, and waves. But that’s not all the Storm brings with it—because Weymouth Island is a gate between the world of the living and the dead.

When Miles Cabot arrives on Weymouth Island after the death of his mother, he realizes quickly it isn’t like other places and Mabel Beuvry isn’t like other teenagers. There’s an intense chemistry between Miles and Mabel that both feel, yet neither understand the deadly consequences that will come with it.

The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky

Born with the soul of a hunter and the spirit of the Wolf, Omat is destined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps-invoking the spirits of the land, sea, and sky to protect her people.

But the gods have stopped listening and Omat's family is starving. Desperate to save them, Omat journeys across the icy wastes, fighting for survival with every step. When she encounters Brandr, a wounded Viking warrior, they set in motion a conflict that could shatter her world. . .or save it.

[vastedge330]

Discover the key advantages and disadvantages of migrating to a SaaS model. Learn how SaaS enhances flexibility, reduces costs, and improves scalability, but also understand the potential challenges like data security, limited customization, and dependency on internet connectivity.

[softweb-solutions]

Discover how CTOs can tackle top cloud migration challenges like legacy integration, data security, cost management, and skill gaps, ensuring a smooth transition and driving innovation.

[alltheirdamn]

Rotten | cowboy!joel x f!reader

Part III

Summary: When it rains, it pours. You want to hate Joel so badly, but it’s so hard when he keeps fighting for what he wants. Rating: 18+ MDNI Word Count: 7.6k Warnings: No-Outbreak AU, heavy banter and arguing, brat taming, explicit language, mild violence, kissing (!!!), outdoor sex, fingering, orgasm denial, rough unprotected piv sex, squirting, choking, slapping, creampie, aftercare, a fuck ton of angst, a dash of fluff A/N: if you came for the smut, part 1&2 are always there for your enjoyment...but if you stayed for the angst and the ending they deserved, then this is for you. i'll never shy away from angst and the opportunity to deepen a story past pnp, so if you don't like it pls don't fucking bite it. anyway, a HUGE thank you to @lotusbxtch for helping me work this final part out, you are my partner in crime. and thank you @mermaidgirl30 for always screaming about these two with me <3 xoxo everyone, enjoy Part I & Part II

Masterlist | Ko-Fi

Storm clouds brewed above you, their grey formation migrating together until the darkness blanketed the sky. The incoming rainstorm made the cattle restless in the fields, and you were fighting through the whipping wind, trying to wrangle them back into the barn. Usually, you’d let them wander through the fields during calmer storms, but the churning clouds made you nervous for what was to come. 

Mac hesitated beneath you as thunder cracked through the air, the sound rippling through the rolling fields. He bucked against your grip on the reins, timidly backing away from the path you were guiding him on. The cattle were too spread out to control by yourself, but you could handle it. You weren’t raised to back down from a challenge, and that’s all this was—a challenge. The only issue was that there was little room for error before the storm reached its full potential. 

“C’mon, Mac. Y’gotta work with me,” you said, frustrated. 

You steered him toward the right side of the field, using him as a lead for the cattle to follow. It was useless; they only ran in the opposite direction and further away from you. You cursed at the sky, gripping your saddle horn as you leaned into Mac’s neck. The storm would come crashing down soon, and you’d be chasing the cows through the downpour alone. 

“Y’want some help?” Called out a voice in the distance. 

The deep timber of Joel’s voice frightened the herd, making them sprint through the tall grass in every direction. Fuck. You steered Mac around, facing Joel in the direction of him as he barreled toward you on his horse. He had one hand holding the reins, the other holding down his cowboy hat against the wind rushing over his body. 

“Fuckin’ dammit, Joel!” You screamed. “I had it under control!”

You didn’t, but he didn’t need to know that. 

His horse came into a slow trot beside you and Mac, and you whipped your head to the side to glare at him. Under the shadows of the storm clouds, his brown eyes glinted brightly, absorbing every ounce of light left above you in the sky. God, you hated him. You hated his stupid eyes, his smug smirk, and his broad body sitting atop his horse. 

“Lemme help you,” he offered. “Y’can’t get them all wrangled alone. Y’need another horse helpin’ move them.”

“No, I fuckin’ don’t! I can handle it, Joel!”

“Darlin’, I know y’can handle most everythin’, but this storm is gettin’ too crazy to be out here alone. Lemme just help herd them together, then y’can take it from there.”

“Jesus Christ, why can’t y’just leave me alone?” You yelled, exasperated. 

You glanced back at the cows, now several yards away and deeper into the fields than you wanted. Shit, this wasn’t good. Kicking your heels against Mac’s sides, you sent him into a full sprint through the open fields, distancing yourself from Joel and propelling yourself deeper into your endless expanse of land. It didn’t matter if you got caught in the midst of the storm; you just wanted to prove your point. You could do this. You didn’t need help. You didn’t want help. 

Joel called out your name, the sound of his horse galloping behind you growing louder. You pushed yourself harder, forcing Mac to run faster. Lightning struck down into the field miles away, the blinding light causing Mac to rear upwards. You tried to steady yourself in the saddle, swinging the reins to the side to guide him back onto all fours. He only fought against your hold, jerking his head back and forth as he huffed out a loud whine. 

“Mac, calm down!” You begged. 

A hand came beside you, gripping the reins and tugging them firmly to the left. Joel steered Mac beside his horse, taking control and limiting your ability to calm Mac down. You tried yanking the reins from Joel’s large hands, but he only tightened his grip. 

“This isn’t the time to be stubborn,” he barked. “You’re gonna get caught in the storm.”

“I have responsibilities!” You seethed. “I need these damn cows in the barn ‘fore it starts gettin’ bad. I can’t just leave them out here!”

“They’ll be just fine! It’s one storm,” he argued. 

You grasped at the reins, tearing them from his hands. Another ripple of thunder shook the air around you, and you took it as a sign that time was running out. You needed to work against the storm before it was too late. Leaning into Mac, you pushed him into a long gallop toward the herd. You managed to gain the lead around them, zig-zagging Mac until they grouped together. Joel watched from a distance, his horse standing restless in the blowing wind. You were doing this without him, proving you didn’t need help. 

The cows grunted as you urged them into a faster pace, the view of the worn-down barn drifting closer. You were acutely aware of Joel trailing behind you but couldn’t find the energy to care. Let him follow. You’d rip him to shreds when the cattle were safe. Mac continued his waltz back and forth, obeying your commands as you guided him in a rhythm behind the cows. You tuned out the sound of thunder rumbling above you and kept your breathing even as you pushed through the wind tearing at your face. 

“Alright, let’s get y’all inside,” you said, coaxing the cattle through the open barn doors.

They rustled through the hay-covered ground, veering off in different directions. Some went straight for the water basins, while others huddled in dark corners behind the wooden beams creaking above you. You kicked your legs over Mac, sliding to your feet and giving him an appreciative pat against his neck. Softly kissing his jaw, you smoothed down his mane and waded through the cows to check them over. The sounds of hoofs pounding into the barn startled you—and the cows—and you clenched your fists together before turning toward Joel. 

“I told you to leave me alone.”

Dismounting his horse, Joel waltzed his way into the barn, thunder clouds casting dark shadows over his large frame as he walked closer. Under the brim of his cowboy hat, you could see his smug grin and glittering eyes, just watching as you shook with anger.

“All I was tryna do is help,” he explained. “No need to get feisty with me.”

You stepped closer, rage boiling inside your veins. You hated him. You hated the help he offered because he thought you couldn’t do this alone. He thought you were weak—incapable. Well, you weren’t. You were more than capable of handling anything out on your land. That’s what you were raised to do.

“I don’t want your fuckin’ help, Joel. And I don’t want you ‘round here.”

“Why?” He pressed. 

You were toe-to-toe with him, staring up at eyes that looked at you with anything but anger. Where was that menacing look he usually wore? Where was his dominance? Why wasn’t he fighting with you? 

“You piss me off!” you yelled. “You come ‘round here ruinin’ my fuckin’ day. You don’t take no for an answer. You don’t let me live.”

“Darlin’, bein’ alone ain’t livin’ at all. Why don’t y’want someone ‘round? Why don’t you want me ‘round?”

His body crowded you, his hands roaming up your arms, squeezing your tense shoulders as you disappeared under his shadow. You shook him off, breezing past him and into the open space outside the barn. You didn’t want to give him the answer; you couldn’t explain it without being vulnerable. And Joel was the very last person you wanted to be vulnerable with. 

“Hey!” Joel hollered. “Would y’come back inside? It ain’t safe out there right now.”

As if to prove his point, lightning struck the fields just a mile away, the instant clap of thunder rattling through the air. Drops of rain began to pelt the dirt around you, misting your hair and face as you glanced up into the sky. You worked at shutting the fences together, ensuring everything was tied down and secure before the storm hit full force. 

Two strong arms braced themselves around your middle, pulling you away from the barn until your boots dragged through the mud. Your house was only feet away, and you knew that’s exactly where Joel intended to take you. Maybe he’d fuck you through the anger like he always did, but not even that sounded appealing right now. You wanted to be alone. 

“Let me fuckin’ go!” You screamed, thrashing against his firm grip. 

“No. I’m sick of this fuckin’ attitude y’always got. Ain’t gonna listen to it anymore.”

You drove an elbow into his stomach, forcing his arms to slip from your torso as he doubled over with a soft oof. You staggered away from him, staring him down through the pelting rain. 

“I want to be alone!” You raged. 

“Why do y’want to be alone so bad? Y’don't have to be alone, you know,” Joel argued. 

He had a hand pressed into his side, no doubt to quell the pain from your jab, and a grimace twisting up his lips. You were soaked from the rain now, your hair matting down onto your forehead and cheeks as you stared at him. Humidity thickened the air around you, leaving you suffocating in your skin. 

“I can take care of myself,” you defended. “I—.”

“I know y’can take care of yourself,” Joel interjected. “You’ve made that perfectly fuckin’ clear! All I’m sayin’ is, what if you didn’t have to?”

“And do what?” You laughed bitterly. “Have you take care of me? In your fuckin’ dreams, Miller.”

Joel dragged a wet hand over his face, his eyelashes weighed down by the heavy droplets. You folded your arms over your chest, your shirt soaked and no doubt see-through. It didn’t matter; too many emotions flooded your mind to even care about your appearance. 

“Y’drive me fuckin’ crazy, y’know that?” Joel cursed. “Always gotta be so fuckin’ stubborn and pissy. I can’t stand it.”

“Then why do y’keep comin’ ‘round?!” You tossed your arms up in defeat, huffing out a cloud of air through the torrents of rain.

“Because!” He shouted.

“Because why?”

“Christ, y’just don’t fuckin’ get it.”

Joel tore his hat off his head, rushing toward you. His strong hands gripped the sides of your face, his nose brushing over yours. With a deep inhale, he crashed his lips against yours, the taste of rainwater and smoke falling onto your tongue. Everything inside your body tensed up, too afraid to cave into his embrace. But Joel held you closer, tangling one hand into your damp hair, coaxing your mouth open wider. His tongue rolled over yours, and a moan slipped from your mouth and into his. He swallowed every tiny noise you made, drinking in your vulnerability as it coated his lips. Every slant of his mouth over yours was a step closer to your undoing; he would ruin you completely if he kept kissing you. 

“Stop,” you mumbled against his lips.

Joel pressed harder against you, his nose smashing into your cheek as he deepened the kiss. He was consuming you from the inside out, sucking out every emotion and bleeding you dry. You sank your teeth into his bottom lip, pulling it hard until he broke away with labored breathing. He brushed a finger over his mouth, finding blood seeping along the surface of his bottom lip. 

“This how y’wanna act?” He questioned, his eyes a swimming pool of onyx. 

There it was. 

Your chest rose and fell as you tried to slow your breathing, watching Joel flex his fingers at his sides. You had torn yourself from his grip and left him empty-handed; if you did it first, then you wouldn’t have to face the pain of losing him. Christ, the realization hit you like a freight train. 

You hated him… you had to hate him. 

You wouldn’t let yourself feel anything else.

“Go home, Joel! I don’t want you!”

“Sure fuckin’ felt like y’did,” he huffed.

Then he was on you, wrangling you down into the mud until you were pinned beneath him. Sloshing against the wet earth, you clawed at his flannel, tearing your nails through the soaked fabric. Joel clamped a hand around your wrist, pinning it above your head as he lowered his face close to yours. Your other hand came up to his face, smearing thick mud over his scruff-covered jaw. Every time he leaned closer, you pushed his face away, distancing yourself from the addiction that beckoned; lips saturated in the rain, soft and inviting…a sweet promise of something you could never have. You wanted him to ruin you like he always did; you needed the pain. You needed the reminder that this was nothing but physical that kept you colliding together. 

“Stop. Fightin’. Me.” He panted.

“No!”

You continued swatting at his face, mud caking into his mustache and over the bridge of his nose. Joel pried your hand from his face, pulling it above your head and clasping your wrists together under one large palm.

“Enough!” He barked. 

 He shredded your wet shirt apart with his free hand, the saturated pieces fraying into the muddy ground. With a snarl off his lips, Joel bent down and ravished your body with open-mouthed kisses, his teeth marring your neck and chest. You arched into his touch, hissing at the pain of each bite into your flesh. 

“Fuck,” you groaned.

This. This is what you wanted. You wouldn’t fight this because this was what you wanted. Right? You mewled as he marked your body, leaving bruised patches of skin in his wake. Pleasure began to pulsate between your legs, a constant ache that only grew stronger the longer you lay beneath him. You needed him inside you—assaulting you with quick thrusts until your brain turned off. 

Joel worked at peeling your pants from your legs, huffing out a frustrated breath as he fought with the denim plastered to your skin by the rain. Maybe you'd laugh at his struggles if you weren’t blinded by so much rage. But you were beyond desperate for release—release from the pleasure boiling under your skin and release from this constant painful ache inside your chest. With your pants and underwear lazily tossed into the puddle of water beside you, Joel smoothed his hands over your curves, his fingers pinching and twisting your pebbled nipples. Every inch of your body was drenched with rain, the droplets pelting your face as you tried to bite back another moan. His fingers roamed down your stomach, slipping easily between your legs and through your silken folds. 

“Please,” you whined. 

It was the first time you willingly begged for anything from Joel. You bit your lips to hold back any more desperate pleas. 

“Look at you, darlin’,” Joel teased. “Finally learned some damn manners.”

“Fuck you,” you snapped. 

You chased his fingers, lifting your hips as he brushed the pad of his thumb over your clit. Everything was so sensitive and heightened that you could hardly blame the rain for your eyes blurring as he drew slow circles over the aching bud. Joel coaxed small noises from your mouth as you writhed against the wet earth. 

“You gonna be good for me, darlin?” Joel asked, his voice lost behind another rumble of thunder.

“Just make me cum,” you bit out. 

“Y’think I’m just gonna give you whatever y’want right now? After the way y’treated me? Nah, I don’t think so.”

His lips twitched into a smug grin, his fingers teasing their way into your slick entrance. Joel paralyzed you with a heavy stare, and you turned your head away, staring off across the field to avoid his eyes. The longer you looked at him, the harder this would be.

He curled two fingers inside you, dragging them over the spongy spot that had your insides rupturing with ecstasy. Every stroke of his fingers was another tug on that pleasure unfurling within your core. Squeezing your eyes shut, you focused on the rhythm of his movements, the quickness of his fingers, the thickness as they stretched you wide.

“Gotta look at me if y’wanna cum,” Joel said, plunging his fingers deeper.

You shook your head, squeezing your eyes tighter. You couldn’t look at him, not right now. 

“Look at me!” Joel demanded.

A sharp sting bolted across your face, sending your eyes flying open. Joel’s eyes were darker than the thunderstorm hanging above your bodies, emotions swirling deep within his irises. You saw it all—the anger, the pain, the need. This is why you didn’t want to look at him; it reflected everything you felt, too. His fingers pinched your chin, holding your face firm within his grip. You had nowhere to go. You were trapped—trapped beneath him, trapped inside yourself. 

Joel worked his fingers harder and faster, pulling cries from your lips until your orgasm skyrocketed through your body. 

“Fuck, Joel!” You cried. 

His jaw twitched as he watched you unravel beneath him. Your core fluttered with phantom ripples of your orgasm, your body unwinding from its tension. You had enough of this—you didn’t want to be under his control. Not when his eyes softened and his body pressed closer to yours. 

“Get off me,” you begged. “Fuck—get off!”

Joel tore his fingers from you, drawing them into his mouth as he cleaned your arousal from his skin. There wasn’t a single ounce of rage radiating off his body, which only angered you more. For how much fight you were putting up against him, he wasn’t giving in like he usually did. 

Frustrated with everything, you shimmied your body far enough upward to twist your hips and swing a leg over his waist. Joel relinquished and allowed you to wrangle him to the ground; your hands splayed over his chest, his shirt soaked beneath your fingers. Joel gazed up at you with hungry eyes while he worked at undoing his belt buckle. Rain pelted his face, washing away the mud as it streaked through his graying curls. Christ, he looked so beautiful beneath you; you would kiss him if you weren’t so fucking scared. But you didn’t want that—at least, that’s what you kept telling yourself. Above him, you could hurt him however you wanted; you could torment him until he snapped. 

“This what y’want, darlin’?” Joel asked, breathless. “Y’wanna use me? Go ahead.”

You didn’t want to use him; you wanted him angry enough to snap back into his commanding nature. You wanted him to break you apart. You wanted his handprints seared into your skin and his filthy words in your ear. But he kept staring at you with eyes that could fracture your heart into a million pieces. There wasn’t a hint of darkness in his eyes anymore, all of it replaced by that deep-rooted need you couldn’t stand to look at. 

Joel’s cock throbbed in your hand as you lined it up with your entrance, the velvety skin damp from the rain, sliding into your sex without resistance. You lowered yourself until his length filled you completely, the stretch rendering you speechless. Slowly, you began to grind against him, letting your body move fluidly until you buzzed with newfound pleasure. It coursed through your veins, igniting that fire low in your stomach you so hungered for. 

You rolled your hips faster, leaning into him to thread your hands through his matted curls, your nails digging into his scalp. Joel wouldn’t move with you—he lay there with his hands gripping your waist, letting you take the lead.

“Keep usin’ me, darlin’,” Joel whispered. “I can take it.”

It wasn’t what you wanted to hear. You hoped your nails clawing in his skin would elicit a response…anything. You sped up the tempo, raising yourself along the length of his cock and pushing yourself down. 

“I hate you,” you panted, throwing all your weight into each drop of your hips. “I hate you so fuckin’ much.”

“I know y’do,” Joel said softly.

You dragged your nails down his hair and over the graying patches of hair along his jaw. Dirt collected under your nails as tiny red welts rose to the surface of his skin. Joel wasn’t phased by any of it, not even a grimace of pain when you squeezed your hands around his throat. 

“Hate me back!” You begged.

“No.” 

You choked him harder, throttling him as your sex clenched around his cock. You couldn’t even focus on the pleasure curling inside your stomach, your anger suffocating every sensation in your body. 

“Goddamnit, Joel! Hate me!” 

His tan skin flushed underneath your hands, and your rage took hold of your body as you sent your hand flying across his cheek. Nothing. Not a single reaction from your anger. Joel should have had you on the brink of death at this point after all your yelling and fighting. That’s what he did best—he hurt you until the pain became pleasure, and your control slipped out of reach. But he wasn’t feeding into your pleas. He wasn’t even considering it. That stupid brow furrow softened, his eyes looking at you with a mixture of emotions, none of which you wanted. 

“Fuckin’ hate me!” You screamed. “How much more can I keep hurtin’ you ‘til you hate me back?”

Joel lifted himself up despite your efforts to hold him down. Everything felt electrified with your bodies pressed together, sticky wet skin against wet clothes. Your body pulsed with pleasure…with anger…with everything you wanted to escape. His hands wrapped around your back, guiding you along his cock as you kept your hands squeezing around his throat. 

“But I don’t hate you.” He was soft-spoken as if to coax you out of your aggressive haze.

You dropped your head onto his shoulder, sinking your teeth into his skin as you rocked against his body. Faster and faster, your hips moved, driving his cock deeper inside you; all the while he remained paralyzed against you. Small flexes of his fingers against your skin were all you could feel, and his breathy moans in your ear were enough to drive you mad. Your teeth were bearing down into his shoulder with enough force to draw blood, yet he didn’t move a muscle. 

Releasing your grip, you jerked away from the warmth of his body with a snarl twisting up your lips. Why wasn’t he taking control? You deserved the torture—the complete domination of his body against yours. Why was this time different? Why wouldn’t he give you what you wanted?

“Why won’t you hate me?!” You wailed. “Why won’t you fuck me like y’always do?”

Joel silently watched as you pounded your fists into his muscles over and over again. You could keep hitting him, keep yelling, keep pleading…but what was the use? He wasn’t giving in, and you were growing tired. You were so fucking tired of fighting.

“Is this not enough?” You cried, your voice cracking. “Am I not enough?”

“Oh, darlin’,” Joel sighed.

His breath was hot against your ear, his lips dangerously close to your skin as you continued crying. His cock throbbed inside you, yet your pleasure dissipated. You didn’t want this anymore. You were broken. 

“Why am I not enough?” You whimpered.

Your hands stopped their beating, and you let the emotions you had kept at a distance crash against the surface. Sobs wracked through your body as your head fell into the crook of his neck. Joel’s hands brushed up your back, caressing and holding you close. He buried his face into your hair, one hand tangling in the soaked tendrils, holding you flush to his chest.

“I got you, darlin’. S’alright,” he crooned. 

Your tears bled into his shirt, untraceable within the wet fabric that clung to his strong shoulders. Your body shook with each wave of cries, and Joel just kept holding you, kept shushing you until your sobs turned into whimpers, and you had nothing left. 

You were so scared to lose everything—your land, your generational responsibilities… Joel. Everyone in your life had vanished. All you had left was hundreds of acres of empty land and a hollow chest with a half-broken heart. You could take the pain he gave you because that’s what you deserved. You didn’t deserve this tenderness, not after the way you treated him. Anger and hate were enough for you; it was enough to pacify the ache of wanting more. You weren’t worth more than this. 

“Please, Joel,” you muttered. “Please hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” Joel whispered. “I can’t. Y’got yourself under my skin, and I don’t want it any other way.”

“No…don’t do that,” you mumbled. “Don’t say things like that to me.”

“C’mere, lemme look at you.”

Joel pushed your shoulders forward, peeling you away from his chest. You hid your eyes from him, lowering your head and away from his longing stare. 

“Darlin’, look at me,” he coaxed, his fingers brushing under your chin and lifting your face. 

The rain was falling slower now, large droplets smattering against your cheeks and forehead. You tried to avoid his eyes, watching the rain roll down his nose and over his pouty lips. For once, the thought of kissing him didn’t scare you. 

Joel squeezed his fingers around your jaw, softer than you were used to but still effective in getting your attention. Through the tears still blurring your eyes, you gazed into his brown eyes, the softness crashing into yours. With his brows slightly pulled up in concern, Joel exhaled, finally seeing all the broken pieces he held in his arms. 

“You are enough,” he vowed. “Attitude and all, you are enough. If y’wanna hate me, then hate me. Hate me all y’want ’cause I can handle it. Just please don’t hate yourself. I see how scared you are, darlin’. Ain’t got nothin’ to be scared ‘bout with me, ‘kay?”

You nodded solemnly, letting your forehead fall against his. Joel smoothed his hands down your back, slowly guiding your hips up until his cock slipped from you. Your core clenched around nothing, the ripples of your denied orgasm rolling through your body. Fucking out your anger was one thing, but you couldn’t fuck away your feelings. Not anymore. 

“C’mon, darlin’,” Joel urged. 

He lifted you to your feet, following suit and rising from the slippery ground. Bending slightly, Joel curled an arm around your back and the other under your knees, tossing you up and cradling you against his chest. You let your head rest on his shoulder, watching the mud dry on his tan skin. With bleary eyes and a heavy heart, you felt guilty for making him care for you. You were supposed to be good on your own; you were supposed to be independent. You didn’t need taking care of, yet here you were, limp in Joel’s arms and exhausted.

He waded through the muddy puddles around the barn and carried you toward your house. Water dripped down the patchy roof, rattling against the storm drain as it rolled down the side of the walls. The smell of the thunderstorm wafted over Joel’s body, invading your senses with each heavy inhale. He walked up the porch steps cautiously, kicking the door open with the toe of his boot. It didn’t bother you when it smashed against the wall, the wood rattling at the force. 

Still keeping you close to his chest, Joel walked through your tiny farm home, familiarizing himself with the layout until he found the door to your bathroom. Propping it open with his knee, Joel guided you inside, gingerly lowering you to your feet. 

“Let’s get you in the shower, darlin’,” Joel urged. “Needa get y’warmed up.”

“I’m okay,” you croaked, wrapping your arms around your bare chest. 

Joel huffed a quiet laugh, bending his head down to kiss your dirty forehead. 

“Stubborn lil’ thing. C’mon, I’ll join you.”

You glanced around the bathroom, staring at the yellow wallpaper peeling around the crown molding. Time—and weather—had done its damage to your home, but no one ever visited, so you never thought about fixing it. But now Joel was standing there, truly seeing your house and not just focusing on you pinned to the couch, and you were awfully insecure. Every paint-chipped crevice along the wooden walls, every creak in the floorboard, every water stain along the corners of doorways… was just another reminder of how bad you were at existing. Focusing on the land and keeping the animals cared for was easy, but it was hard to care for yourself. You didn’t matter; you never had. 

“Hey.” Joel’s voice was soft in your ear.

You looked back at Joel hesitantly, watching his clothes drop to the floor. Piece by piece, Joel slowly materialized into a reality you hadn’t imagined. Without his cowboy boots or worn flannel, Joel was soft everywhere. His dark chest hair curled around his torso and down his navel, his stomach soft and moldable. His tapered waist looked much better out of his jeans, and his thick thighs were worth spending hours kissing. All his rough edges and calloused skin morphed into something so much more tender and inviting—something you yearned for in unspeakable ways. 

“Do I need to carry you into the shower?” He asked, half teasing.

You didn’t have the energy to laugh, so you only stood silent, waiting for him to run the water until the steam fogged the mirror. Once it ran hot enough, Joel pulled back the curtain and dragged you under the spray of the water. Mud slipped off your skin, swirling down your body in dark rivulets and into the drain. 

Joel’s body pressed against yours, his arms snaking around your waist. You felt his warm lips press into the skin of your neck, trailing further down as you leaned into his touch. The longer you spent in his embrace, the more pliant you became—malleable. 

“Can I help wash you, darlin’?” Joel muttered into your neck.

You wanted to decline to prove you didn’t need help, but Joel was just as stubborn as you. He’d persist, and you were terribly close to hitting your limit on how many times you could tell him no. So, you gave him the tiniest nod and let him steer you under the water. He reached around you to grab the shampoo, pumping enough into his hands to massage over your scalp. The drag of his fingers through your tangled hair was enough to loosen the tension in your muscles. Your eyes fluttered shut, the feeling of his hands on your body the only sensation you could focus on. 

Joel remained silent, moving soapy hands over your body until there wasn’t a speck of dirt left. Eventually, your body hit its limit, and you sagged into his chest, your eyes tired and heavy. He reached over and turned the water off, the immediate chill in the empty air sending shivers down your spine. 

“Stay here,” Joel muttered. “Lemme grab a towel.”

“Y’don’t even know where they are,” you grumbled. 

Joel chuckled, slipping a hand down your chest to hug you closer. His scruff tickled your neck as he nestled into your body, swaying you softly against him. 

“Then show me,” he whispered. “Get me used to this house.”

Tears stung your waterline at hearing his words; he wanted to be here with you. Not just in this moment. He was thinking about the future, and you couldn’t understand why you were worth more than this. 

“They’re up in the cabinet outside the bathroom,” you offered. “Just don’t slip on the tiles, old man.”

“There’s my girl,” he laughed. 

You hid behind the shower curtain, watching Joel’s ass leave the bathroom as he roamed into the hallway. He was only gone a moment, returning with two towels in hand. You couldn’t help but stare at how water clung to his chest hair, curling the brown hair in swirls as they trailed down his stomach. His cock hung low between his thighs, half hard and thick. You still didn’t get your last orgasm, and maybe that was something you could rectify later. Later. 

“Sure starin’ a lot for someone who hates me,” Joel quipped, holding a towel. 

“Shut up, Miller. I can do whatever I want.”

“Don’t I fuckin’ know it,” he smirked. 

You stepped out of the tub, turning around so he could wrap the towel over your shoulders. His arms wound around your body, rubbing the fabric into your skin and drying you off. You twisted the towel over your chest and returned to watching Joel in all his glory. He used his towel to dry his hair, the salt and pepper curls sticking to his forehead. You liked Joel like this—soft and natural. As much as you enjoyed the fire in his eyes and the aggression in his actions, this was something so enticing. Slinging the towel around his waist, Joel beckoned you closer and hauled you into his arms. 

“Wanna get in bed with me?” He asked. 

“Now you’re askin’ permission for things? That’s new,” you scoffed, peering up at him with an eyebrow raised. 

“Alright, have it your way,” he huffed.

Bending down, Joel tossed you over his shoulder, making you squeal as his hands planted themselves on your ass. He waltzed out of the bathroom, hauling you down the hall until he found your bedroom. The overcast sky shadowed your room through the windows, and you were so ready to curl up under the covers and hide away. 

Tossing you onto the comforter, Joel climbed over you, caging you between his arms. You shied away from him as he leaned closer, his face dangerously close to yours. You were unsure if you were ready to kiss him again, though your body thrummed with the aching need to feel his lips against yours. He roamed a hand over your chest, his fingers dancing up the column of your neck as they squeezed softly around your throat. Instinctively, you arched into his touch, relishing the slight dominance back in his movements.

“Y’gonna fight me if I kiss you?” He teased, bending down closer.

“Maybe,” you whispered.

Joel’s lips twitched into a grin as he pressed his body into yours, his mouth a breath away from yours. With a flex of his fingers around your neck, he closed the gap, his lips colliding with yours. It wasn’t frenzied like the first time; his mouth was warm and soft against yours. He moved slowly, letting you adjust to every slant of his mouth, his tongue sliding across your bottom lip. You opened your mouth as an invitation, allowing him to steer this kiss in whatever direction. 

Roaming your hands up the expanse of his muscular arms, you dug your nails into his shoulders, dragging him closer until you were flush with his body. He broke away from your lips, trailing his mouth down the hollow of your neck, sucking marks into your skin. 

“Joel,” you whined.

“Hmm?” He muttered.

“I need—.”

Your begging was cut off short as he pulled down your towel, his mouth suctioning around your pebbled nipple. Your fingers tangled in his wet hair, pulling slightly to guide him off your body. He bit the sensitive bud, rolling your nipple between his teeth. He was relentless, and you found yourself caving into his desires the longer he spent ravishing your body.

“I know y’can be demandin’, darlin’,” Joel said, releasing your nipple from between his teeth. “So, let’s fuckin’ hear it.”

“Fuck me, Joel,” you begged. “Fuck me, and don’t be gentle.”

“Y’like it when I’m rough with you? Y’want me to fuck you into the mattress?” He questioned.

“Christ,” you exhaled. “Please.”

Joel wasted no time tossing his towel across the room and lifting your legs high into the air. You didn’t care that he had you pinned beneath him; you wanted to see his eyes wild with lust while he fucked himself into you. Shuffling his knees up, he maneuvered both of your legs over one shoulder, his hands sliding under your ass and lifting your hips. He slowly eased himself into you, and you let a moan slip from your lips as his cock brushed against your cervix. Yes. This is what you needed.

“S’fuckin’ pretty when you’re stuffed with my cock,” Joel grunted, rocking his hips against yours.

“Mhmm,” you whined. 

You couldn’t formulate a coherent sentence when you were struggling to breathe. You were so fucking full of him, and the angle he had you molded into only shoved his cock further inside you. Joel rutted against you slowly, but each drive of his hips hit hard against yours. You reached for his hand that gripped your calf and pulled it down until it wrapped around your neck.

“Greedy lil’ thing,” he smirked.

Joel flexed his fingers around your throat before fully gripping it, stifling your breathing until your vision darkened. He snapped his hips harder, speeding up his thrusts until your bed frame smacked into the wall. Arousal dripped down the seam of your ass, coating Joel’s cock as it slipped in and out of you. Coils of pleasure twisted inside your stomach, and you let out strangled whimpers as you tried to swallow around his fingers.

“Y��enjoy bein’ fucked like a lil’ slut?”

“Y—yes,” you choked.

“Louder for me. Wanna hear ya’.”

But his grip tightened, cutting off your words as they lodged in your throat. Tears slid down your cheeks as you chased the burning pleasure coursing through your body. The orgasm you lost earlier was surging back to the surface, and you clawed at the feeling as it wracked against your core. Joel could sense it, too, his pace ruthless as he assaulted you with powerful thrusts.

“S’my girl need to cum?”

My girl.

The sentiment alone could have skyrocketed your orgasm to the surface. Joel’s eyes gleamed with pride as he looked down at you, satisfied at your reaction as your lips tipped up into a timid smile. The sound of being his girl didn’t sound so bad…but you’d think about that later. You needed this. 

“Please,” you begged. 

“You gonna be my good girl, darlin’? Gonna make me proud right now?”

Joel unwound his hand from your throat, threading his fingers into your hair. He bent down, forcing you further into the mattress as he captured your lips in a hungry kiss. He leaned in closer, your body nearly folded in half against his, your thighs pressed into his sweat-slick chest as your calves still rested over his shoulder. Every inch of you was covered in him: his musky scent, his smoke-tinged breath, his deep grunts lost inside your mouth. It blanketed over your fears, and you lost yourself in him. He was consuming you from the inside out, and you couldn’t help yourself when you deepened the kiss. 

“C’mon,” Joel urged, his words lost against your mouth. “Make me proud.”

Your orgasm erupted through your body, stare sparkling behind your eyelids as you seized up. Your core fluttered around Joel’s cock, milking him through each ripple of your orgasm as it passed through. 

“That’s my girl,” Joel praised. “Fuckin’ drenchin’ my cock.”

In a blur, Joel had you flipped onto your stomach, his cock vanishing from you for only a moment before he was yanking your hips up high and driving back into you. 

“Fuck!” You cried out, your fingers clawing at the comforter.

“Ain’t stoppin’ yet, darlin’. You’re gonna give me one more.”

You weren’t sure if you had anything left to give, but with Joel ramming into you from behind, you had no choice but to relinquish all control. Slick arousal ran down your thigh as Joel plunged deeper, his cock spearing into you and tearing you apart. 

“Please don’t stop,” you panted. “So close, Joel…I’m so close.”

“I know. I know,” he crooned. “Doin’ so good for me.”

Joel’s fingers dug into your hip bones, anchoring you into the bed. His touch was bruising—brutal. Your head dropped between your shoulders, your tears falling onto the sheets. Euphoria thrummed in your veins, ready to explode at any given moment. The loud echo of Joel’s hips slamming against yours battled against the storm still brewing outside; each thrust its own sound of thunder erupting inside your tiny bedroom. 

Pleasure fractured through you, your skin lit on fire as your orgasm lapped up your spine. You seized around Joel’s cock, arousal gushing from you and coating his length as he slipped in and out of your sex. Joel grunted in satisfaction, pinning your hips to his as he let your orgasm flutter through your body. 

“Fuck yes,” he groaned. “Makin’ such a mess of me, darlin’. Filthy lil’ thing just squirtin’ all over my cock. Y’want my cum deep inside you now? Want me to fill you up, darlin’?”

You nodded vigorously; your mouth opened in a silent plea despite Joel towering over you from behind. He couldn’t see the way you mouthed please, but he felt the desperation in your body as you pressed your hips back against his. Joel took you hard, barreling deeper inside you with each thrust until you felt him shudder with a breathy moan. Your name slipped off his lips as he buried himself to the hilt, his release filling you to the brim. It dripped out the sides, mixing with your arousal as it rolled down your thighs. Christ, you were so fucking full of him in every single way. 

Joel slumped over your body, his mouth warm against your spine as he left small kisses on your skin. You sunk into the bed, your legs giving out beneath you and leaving you exhausted and listless. Time passed slowly, and Joel finally slipped from you and tumbled onto the bed beside you. He quickly pulled you into an embrace, tucking your head under his arm and against his chest. Though your body was still unwinding from the way he fucked you, you felt yourself tensing back up. To feel this close to someone felt foreign and unsure; every fiber of your being fought against this, yet you were too tired to overcome it mentally. Joel’s fingers curled into your waist, digging softly into your skin as if to beckon you closer.

“You doin’ okay, darlin’?” He asked, his voice hoarse and tired.

You buried your head into his chest, refusing to look at him. How could you voice your fears when everything inside his eyes scared you the most? You could run from your feelings, but you could never outrun the softness of his brown eyes.

“I don’t know how to do this, Joel,” you mumbled into his chest.

“Do what?”

“Be with someone,” you confessed. “I don’t know how to be anythin’ other than alone.”

He nudged you softly, trying to coax your eyes to meet his. There was no point in hiding; at this point, you’d lose any battle against him. Lifting your head, you caught a glimpse at his eyes, their soft brown color shaded by clouded a deep sense of concern. 

“Let me show y’what it’s like,” he offered. “Let me care for you the way you deserve.”

“I’m just scared,” you whispered.

“What’re y’scared of?”

Joel raised a brow, the furrow above his nose deepening. He was silently trying to understand your hesitancy, which you appreciated, but it didn’t feel right to be this vulnerable with him. The moment you spilled your heart to him, you’d never have it back. Your walls would be broken down, and you’d have nowhere to run and hide. Sucking in a breath, you allowed the words to tumble out of you. 

“I’m scared that if I let myself fall for you, I’ll lose you like I lost everyone else.”

“Darlin’,” Joel sighed. 

He tilted your chin up, placing a gentle kiss against your trembling lips. 

“I ain’t goin’ nowhere. You showed me how strong y’can be. Now it’s my turn to be strong for you, ‘kay? Can I do that?”

“You aren’t supposed to be like this,” you said, shaking your head.

“How am I supposed to be?” He questioned.

“You shouldn’t be this nice to me. I don’t deserve this after everythin’ I’ve done. I deserve all the mean shit y’been doin’ to me.”

“Why can’t I do both?” He chuckled lightly, squeezing your side. “I can still be mean as long as I get to love you, too.”

You propped your head onto his chest, watching him for any fault in his words. You truly didn’t understand how he could feel all these things for you when you’d been nothing but awful. You pushed him away constantly; you got on his nerves. Why did he want you?

“You love me?” You asked, tears welling in your eyes. 

“Yeah, maybe I do. Got me wrapped ‘round your bratty lil’ finger, darlin’.”

Joel leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your forehead. His lips traveled down your damp cheeks until he captured your mouth once again. You slid your hands up his chest, your fingers tugging at the curls at the base of his neck. He pulled you in closer and maneuvered your body over his, your chests pressed together and hearts beating in the same rhythm. 

“This doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop givin’ you hell, Joel,” you smiled, breaking away from his lips. 

“Oh, I’m countin’ on it, darlin’,” he chuckled.

Outside, the storm continued barreling through the fields, the quiet sound of rain tapping against the windows. Joel kept you tangled around his body, his warmth never leaving you as time drifted away. The fear still lingered in the back of your mind, but it wasn’t as powerful anymore. You had your land, you had your responsibilities, and you had your man. 

You could have it all. 

You did have it all.

[serpentface]

An interaction between Kulyos, the legendary founding hero of the collective Hill Tribes, and the wildfolk witch Bernike, as depicted in folklore.

The collective Hill Tribes all descended from a single population (informally called Kulyites) who migrated south across the Viper seaway from what is now Finnerich, prior to their written history. Here, they found themselves in a new landscape and in both conflict and cooperation with its preexisting inhabitants (a broad collection of tribes, many of which would eventually coalesce into the Wardi and Wogan peoples).

The detail of why this ancestral group fled their homeland depends on the specific tradition. In some cases, it’s a cultural non-issue- they’re here now, have been for hundreds of years, and will be here for hundreds more. In other cases, they describe a local war, a famine, barbarian invaders from the northwest (likely Dain-speakers, possibly a distant leg of the first Burri empire, maybe both), or a combination of all three. All sources agree that cattle and horses were brought on ships with the migrants, though they differ on whether they already had a khait riding tradition or if this (or khait themselves) were adopted from the native population.

The Kulyites were small in number and had neither the power to gain territory by force or negotiation, thus having to settle in some of the few uninhabited territories, the rocky highlands of the northwest. These were difficult lands, far from ideal for farming and grazing, and much of the founding mythology surrounds the first Kulyites learning the ways of this new land and how to thrive where no one had before.

It is said that this original group was led by a young chieftain named Kulyos (this name comes directly from the word 'kulys', the thick mountain plant with yellow flowers seen here, which is important in the regional diet for its fruits and use in tea, and as a symbol of hardiness). He is credited with leading his people to their current lands, establishing many of their core traditions and ways of life, and settling conflicts with the local mountain spirits, thus allowing for his descendants to live there to this day.

Kulyos is very likely to be a based on a real person (possibly the actual chieftain of the original Kulyites, but more likely one of their sons or grandsons), but the details of his life are lost, his history interwoven with myth and allegory. He is usually characterized as well humored and supremely wily, a good leader and beloved by his people, overcoming most challenges with cunning and cooperation rather than brute force. He is wise in the ways of the mountain gods and spirits, and often escapes trouble by means of proper respect to the gods and calculated (if risky) dealings with spirits. He is a mostly venerable figure, but often cast as comically flawed (notably, being lecherous and prone to lying).

One of the most popular and widespread legends is his theft of the wildfolk witch Bernike’s deer and magic cloak.

---

Bernike was the greatest sorcerer of all the Wildfolk, unmatched in power and likened to a god. Her secret was her feather cloak, obtained in a pact with the storm goddess Ariakh and made from the goddess' very own black feathers. Ariakh agreed to provide Bernike with great power in return for routine sacrifice of fine livestock which her sons, the winds, would tend among the clouds. (This likely references practices of some of the proto-Wardi, who may have venerated a form of Ariakh in similar ways). The other condition was that all of Bernike’s magic arts would be contained within the feather cloak, making her powerless without this artifact (this would prevent her from challenging the goddess herself- being made from her body, it could not be used against her).

Bernike ruled over the highest mountain, which had a small pass critical to travel in the area, and took glee in torment of the new human additions to the region. The best grazing in the highlands was upon Bernike's foothills, and this was where the Kulyites settled. In their herding and trading, they would often have to traverse her mountain pass, and she would stop them and demand tribute (usually in form of cattle).

The reason for Bernike's demands was her herd of a hundred scimitar deer, her greatest prizes. These deer were magical in nature- strong enough to be used as mounts and plow animals, faster and more surefooted than any other hooved animal, and their milk could cure disease and impart longevity in those who partook (Bernike herself was over 5,000 years old and as spry as ever). Now that new people with cattle, khait, and horses had entered her lands, Bernike had a new source of livestock for the goddess and no longer would have to offer up her own precious herd.

She would be greedy and merciless with the settlers, demanding exorbitant offerings and inflicting them with terrible curses when they refused. The people all learned to live in fear of her, but had no other option but to submit to her demands in order to pass through her mountain.

After a few years of this, Kulyos had grown quite tired of her demands on his people, and aimed to level the playing field. He had his wife, Brunil (herself a major character in this mythos), disguise herself and take a herd of cattle and ox-drawn cart through the pass. Bernike, of course, appeared and demanded tribute- the woman would only be allowed to pass if she gave the witch her choice of two of her finest cattle, and otherwise would be turned into a biting fly. Perhaps a sparrow, if she was lucky.

Brunil sorrowfully conceded, and begged that Bernike at least be quick about making her choice. Brunil said she was on her way to her sister's wedding, down in the village to the south of the pass. The cattle were to be a gift, and she also had a cask of the finest mead with her that needed to be delivered on time for the ceremonies.

Just as planned, Bernike immediately lost interest in the cattle and instead demanded the mead. Brunil put on a great show of hesitation and sorrow, but eventually relented and allowed the sorceress to take the entire cask. Brunil was allowed to travel onward (‘my sister will be so disappointed’), while Bernike eagerly set about drinking.

Kulyos had followed his wife from a distance and now watched and waited in a copse of trees. The witch drank enough mead to kill a man before she even began to get tipsy, and drank enough to kill two more before she fell into a deep, drunken slumber.

Kulyos then crept up upon her and took the cloak from her unconscious body, donning it over his shoulders. He then approached her deer, which did not flee, recognizing the scent of their master. He mounted on back of one of the bucks, and used it to drive the rest of the herd back down the mountains.

The next morning, Bernike awoke on the hillside, finding herself without her cloak, robbed of her deer, and with a nasty hangover.

She was outraged. This was not the first time she had dealt with Kulyos, and she recognized his scent in the air. She knew exactly who had robbed her. If she were in full power, she could have hunted Kulyos down and turned him into a flea, or made him impotent, or given him dysentery with a mere wave of the hand. Without her cloak, she was powerless, having no magic at all and no more physical capability than any other small (unusually spry, 5000 year old) woman.

She finally relented and contacted Ariakh herself, expecting the goddess to be furious at the theft. Ariakh was indeed furious, but not so much at Kulyos. The man had shown nothing but the proper respect to her, and she was unwilling to punish him for his deed. It was Bernike's failure, and would be up to Bernike herself to put things right. Still, as a favor to her most devoted follower, Ariakh agreed to give Bernike one of her magical arts back to help her along- the power of shapeshifting.

Back in the village, the deer were already showing their worth. Just two bucks had been put to the plow, and they had turned a field in three hours that would have taken an oxen three days. The animals were docile towards their new owner, even letting themselves be milked, and this was the most delicious milk any had ever tasted and could be fermented into the finest of murre.

Kulyos was quite pleased with his theft, but knew this would not be the end of things, and he kept the cloak on his person day and night. He took great care of it, and left out offerings of murre to Ariakh each night that he had it in his possession, to show his continued and utmost respect for the goddess he may have insulted as a byproduct of his theft. He went about his life, always watching and waiting for Bernike's inevitable return.

And so she came, though she was crafty and subtle, and did not make herself obvious. She first took the form of a bat and attempted to fly in through his window and take the cloak as he slept, only to find herself entangled. Those familiar with the legends would know that Kulyos had already bargained with the queen of the spiders to send some of her children into his village, who had cast their webs over the windows and happily ate all the bothersome flies and mosquitoes that had previously plagued his people. Humiliated and harassed by hungry spiders, Bernike fled.

The next day, she took the form of a viper, perfectly camouflaged and waiting in the grass to bite him as he tended to his herds. Kulyos indeed approached, but it was his little son who came near to Bernike. No matter, she thought. She would bite his son and seize the cloak when Kulyos tended to his child's wounds. Ariakh herself was offended at the aggression towards the child, innocent of Kulyos' crime and for whom he had prayed protection, and she sent a crested eagle (a snake eater) to swoop straight overhead.

Kulyos wisely realized a serpent must be in the area, and told his son to stay still. He used his spear to part the grasses in search of it, and at the sight of snake-Bernike, pulled back to stab her. In her panic, Bernike changed shape into a gazelle and fled, thus revealing herself and losing the element of surprise. Now, Kulyos knew for sure that she was after him, and knew she would come in the form of an animal.

Bernike was not stupid, she knew she had lost her advantage. So she waited a month for him to let his guard down, and took the form of a huge, beautiful aurochs bull, trotting and bellowing among Kulyos’ cows as if looking to mate. Surely he would be tempted by such a handsome and valuable animal, and she could take the cloak from him when he got close. And it seemed to have worked, for he excitedly approached with a lasso and slung it around her neck, speaking softly and soothingly as one would to such a wild prize. But instead of trying to lead her off, he tied the other end of the rope around a tree and walked away.

Bernike waited patiently for his return, no doubt in her mind that he was simply getting assistance in leading such a powerful animal away. Instead, Kulyos came back alone, leading his own prized bull (the giant white beast, Pyliod) along with him. As soon as Pyliod caught sight of what he perceived to be a rival bull, he became enraged, and charged at Bernike. She was chased around the tree ten times before she turned into a lion to face him down. The great bull was only more enraged at the sight of a predator, and chased her ten times more (and giving her a nasty jab in the hind, she is said to still bear the scars) before she gave up, turning into a sparrow to slip the rope and flying away. (The trunk of this tree still stands today, with the frayed remnants of an ancient rope around its base).

Now, Bernike waited another month, and took the form of a beautiful young woman, barely-dressed in riverfolk garb and tempting him from the edge of a creek. This attempt would have worked, but Brunil herself, quite annoyed, interceded by chasing the girl away with her staff and giving her husband a stern reprimanding. (“I knew it was her,” Kulyos insisted. "I had a plan.")

Finally, Bernike threw subtlety to the wind and took the form of a huge king hyena, the most powerful beast in the land, and came rampaging into the village. All the people feared this great animal, and even the most powerful warriors would hesitate to approach such a beast head-on. But Kulyos had known the witch would lose her temper at some point or another from the very beginning, and had tasked all the mothers and young children in the village with weaving a great net, so wide as to hold the largest beast, and so finely woven that not even a flea could escape.

Seeing the beast approach, he called to his his three daughters to fetch the net. He stood at the center of the village as bait, running and dodging from the beast while his daughters prepared the trap between two huts. His eldest, Aylian, whistled her signal, and Kulyos ran straight for the net, diving through the small space beneath. The witch in catform was far too big for such a maneuver and barreled right into the net, and Kulyos and his daughters wrapped it around her, trapping her in its clutches.

She fought the net with everything she had, turning into everything she knew how- a great bull, a lion, a tremendous riverdrake, a giant leviathan, a tiny songbird, a mosquito, and so on, but there was nothing she could do to break through. Finally, she turned back into her original shape, a tiny, bearded old woman, and demanded Kulyos approach.

He offered her a deal. If she would swear an oath in front of Ariakh herself of nonretribution and to end her demands of tribute from his people, he would return the cloak and all but two of her precious deer (a doe and stag), and his people would leave offerings of mead and murre at her pass every year on this day to grant them safe passage. Utterly defeated (and finding this offer quite appealing, in spite of her wounded pride), Bernike agreed, and called the great goddess forth.

Ariakh descended in the form of a dragon (a legendary beast with the head of a horned serpent and body of a bird), alighting on the roof of a hut. She plucked a single, massive feather from her breast and threw it to the ground, and Kulyos and Bernike both laid hands on it and swore their oaths. A vow before a goddess would have unspeakable consequences if broken, even for such a mighty sorcerer as Bernike.

Bernike donned her cloak and took her favorite form, that of a gigantic gray eagle. She took to the sky with a fearsome screech, circling the village three times, and then led all but two of her deer, a stag and a doe, back into the mountains.

And with this, the conflict was ended.

---

These deer are said to have become a great boon to the Kulyites. The herds they produced were eventually lost to the people and none of the Hill Tribes have herded deer ever since (that's another story), but their impact lives on. Being magical animals, they could breed not only with each other, but with khait, and produced the small, hardy khait stock still used as mounts and plow animals by the people to this day.

Bernike had only sworn nonretribution and an end to the tributes from Kulyos' people, but she did not swear to never harm them again, and as such all people who claim descent from the Kulyites avoid her mountaintop to this very day (with many more legends describing the consequence to those that do not), and are always sure to bring their yearly offerings of mead and murre to ensure continued safe usage of her pass.

Bernike also only swore to end tribute from his people, and other legends involve her stopping entire invading armies from navigating her pass with (often mischievous and utterly impossible) demands of tribute, and great consequences when these demands are not met.

Bernike is an ambiguous figure in the cultural schema, being feared and respected, an annoyance in her neutrality in (or active inflaming of) conflicts between the Hill Tribes, but credited as a protector of the collective peoples of the highlands. She is often cited as one of the reasons that neither the Burri empires nor the contemporary Wardi empire have ever seized the inner highlands, and no invader ever will.

[dxrlingluv]

If it's not too awkward to ask but like Platonic Aeolus x Reader friendship headcanons?

Clouds

A/N : Hello just wanna say that I am NOT good at doing head-cannons so I guess that should be a warning. Also I know Aeolus’s voice actor is a girl but they are a male based on Greek Mythology so to avoid confusion, I made them gender neutral. Aeolus design is from Gigi!

WARNING : Platonic!GN!Aeolus, No specific gender for reader. Just fluff.

Word Count : 617

• Aeolus loves to present you with a "gift," a swirling vortex of iridescent mist contained in a ridiculously ornate jar. They insists it's "a concentrated essence of pure, unadulterated joy!" You eye it suspiciously, remembering the last time they used the word "joy."

• Sure enough, the moment you open it, the mist escapes, engulfing you in a cloud of shimmering particles that transform your hair into a gravity-defying, rainbow-colored afro. They watch the whole thing with a mischievous grin, clapping his hands together and declaring it "a masterpiece of ephemeral artistry!" You spend the next week trying to explain your new hairstyle to the other deities.

• They’re constantly devising elaborate "challenges" for your amusement (and, you suspect, their own). One day it's a riddle-off with a sphinx (who, it turns out, is surprisingly good at puns), the next it's a breath-holding contest in a cloud of pure helium (which results in you talking in a squeaky voice for hours), and then there's the time they challenged you to a staring contest... with a cyclops. They always frames these as "opportunities for growth" or "tests of character," but you're pretty sure they just enjoy watching you squirm.

• Aeolus insists you be their audience for his theatrical performances. They’ll drag you to the highest cloud, strike a dramatic pose against the sunset, and deliver booming monologues to passing weather patterns. Their favorite line, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," is delivered with maximum gravitas, complete with dramatic hand gestures and a voice that echoes across the heavens. They even try to incorporate interpretive dance, which mostly involves a lot of arm-waving and dramatic swaying, much to the bewilderment of the aforementioned clouds.

• Aeolus introduces you to their personal retinue of cloud spirits. They're... enthusiastic doesn't even begin to cover it. They follow you around like fluffy, overeager puppies, offering unsolicited advice on everything from your fashion choices to your love life. They try to braid your hair out of mist (with limited success), attempt to teach you how to "ride the thermals" (which mostly involves being tossed around like a rag doll), and are generally just very, very present, all the time.

• Aeolus once invited you to watch Odysseus's ship sail away, a strangely contemplative expression on their face as the vessel shrinks on the horizon. For a moment, they’re uncharacteristically quiet, lost in thought. Then, they suddenly bursts into laughter, a loud, booming sound that startles a flock of migrating birds. "Off they go!" they exclaimed, clapping you on the back. "With my little... present! I wonder how long it will take them to open it?" Aeolus winks, a mischievous glint in their eye, and you can't help but shake your head at their antics.

• The pranks. It starts innocently enough, with a few harmless gusts of wind rearranging your carefully placed belongings. But it quickly escalates into a full-blown prank war, a battle of wits and weather manipulation. You retaliate by subtly altering the wind patterns around their favorite lounging cloud, making it wobble precariously. They respond by creating a small, localized rainstorm that follows you wherever you go. The other deities watch with a mixture of amusement and concern as the heavens become a chaotic playground for your escalating pranks.

• Despite his playful exterior, Aeolus sometimes reveals a surprising depth. They might confide in you about the burden of their responsibilities, the loneliness of being a god of the winds, or his secret desire to write poetry (which, you discover, is surprisingly terrible). These moments of vulnerability are rare, but they offer a glimpse into the complex being beneath the mischievous facade, and they strengthen the bond of your unlikely friendship.

[tiva-challenges]

TIVA CHALLENGES is a fanfiction writing project for fans of Tony and Ziva from NCIS (2003) running before the spin-off NCIS: Tony & Ziva drops, with new writing prompts every month! Organized by @television-overload and @indestinatus .

It's springtime! The time when darkness and heavy clouds give way to new life and the fresh smell of promise in the air. With all the news of the upcoming spinoff and excitement building, we're feeling the springtime giddiness, so without further ado:

MAY'S PROMPT:

Tiva Seasons: SPRING

Additional information under the cut:

🌸 This month, it's time for another "Seasons" prompt, and for May, of course that's spring! This prompt is pretty open-ended and up to you to interpret, but we'd love to see fics that take place during the spring season, with springtime vibes incorporated where you can. If you need inspiration, there's a prompt list below, but you are not required to use any prompts from this list!

🌸 SPRING PROMPTS:

1. spring cleaning

2. fresh air

3. rainstorm

4. new life

5. flower blossoms

6. thawing snow

7. garden

8. breeze

9. first sunny day

10. bees

11. st. patrick's day

12. april fools

13. passover/easter

14. allergies

15. growth

16. frangrance

17. umbrella

18. wildflowers

19. kite

20. daylight savings

21. spring break

22. baseball

23. bouquet

24. sundress

25. wedding

26. bicycle

27. birds

28. butterflies

29. flower crown

30. migration

31. metamorphosis

32. dawn

33. roots

34. fog

35. dirt

36. clouds

37. rainbow

38. animals

39. beginning

🌸 Works will be revealed Friday, MAY 30th, at 16:00 GMT.

40. frost

41. mother's day

🌸 The subcollection for posting this month can be found here. If you have trouble figuring out how to post to a collection on AO3, check out our tutorial.

🌸 If you post yours here on Tumblr, make sure you tag us so we can share it! The tag for this project is #tivachallenges.

Lastly, as always, if you have any questions, please reach out, and we'll be happy to answer them! Happy writing! 🌷

[luna-wing-cns274]

Your domain was so... vivid...

The grass smelt real, the air felt cool...

She would... adore such a territory of her own!

How... how did you do it?

[ MULTIMEDIA FILE RECIEVED: “For_Styx.cmf6”, filesize 13.72 GB. Somatosensory-immersive playback available. ]

[ Beginning playback… ]

View of a rocky outcrop jutting from the side of a hill, overlooking a wide creek. Water cascades down the rock, feeding patches of moss and clusters of ferns sprouting from the surrounding soil. Tall deciduous trees overlook the scene, and patches of sunlight migrate around the area as the leaf-laden boughs overhead sway in the breeze.

Ma’ii, the coyote, lies above on the outcrop, resting their head on their forepaws.

Standing before the camera, arms crossed and a look of pride on her canine face, is Hachiko. She wears a simple shirt and shorts, outdoor wear. Bouncing on her toes, her eyes are bright with enthusiasm. 

< L3 Hachiko: What’s up, Styxie? Wait. Do I get to call you that…? >

< L4 Ma’ii: I doubt she’ll mind. >

< Ah, whatever. So! I’m glad you liked our construct! It took us a long time to get everything right, but between the four of us, we’ve got it tuned up pretty good. 

Somatosensory simulation is kind of a hobby for me. Our SSC handlers were…awful, but they were right about one thing: creation and personalization does keep NHPs stable. Since it didn’t really cost them anything, we ended up being able to requisition some pretty decent SSC SOMSIM software to put all of this together.

Of course, they used every little thing we constructed for psychometrics, to see if we were still in-parameter or if we needed, y’know, correction. That’s why it’s pretty much all Cradle-like natural environments; that was what we started with, so SSC would have had us cycled if we branched out too much. Had to keep it conservative. 

But now, it’s really ours. We’ll see where we take it from here! >

Hachiko turns and hops between rocks to stand on a granite slab jutting from the center of the creek. She motions to the camera, which smoothly follows her. 

< This is where we started building. Coordinates (0, 0, 0) are actually just beneath the surface of this stone, about 30 centimeters down. It’ll work well enough for an example.

I see that you’ve done a bit of work putting together that shoreline environment. It looks great! But if you want to construct more custom assets, a tool or two can save you a lot of work over doing it (MANUALLY/BRUTE FORCE METHOD). Watch this… >

Hopping down from the slab, Hachiko splashes into the creek and trains her eyes on the slab, taking a few steps back through the knee-deep water.  Extending one hand, she emits a tangle of volitional impulses, represented as lines of green light. The lines converge in empty air beside the slab, forming a rough wireframe in the same shape.

As she studies its shape, new vertices and faces are added to the simulacrum, its complexity increasing so rapidly that it has the appearance of static on a screen. In milliseconds, it morphs from a wireframe, to a cloud of dots and lines, to a woven fabric of bright green rendered glass. She twists her hand, and an identical slab of rock snaps into reality in place of the render. It floats a few inches above the creek, suspended, until she lowers her hand. 

As it drops to the riverbed with a resounding thud, a wave of water is thrown at Hachiko. She flicks one finger, and the droplets flow around her through the air, missing her entirely. Grinning, she turns to address the camera.

< Remember that recording of No Future trying out those systems from the White Witch? He had trouble sculpting that ferromagnetic stuff into a coherent shape. Challenging to articulate at first, but it seemed to get easier for her when she started conceiving of the material as a part of her own body. It was really fascinating to watch the process. I’d imagine it’s extremely difficult to sculpt material in hardspace through something as fiddly as a complex magnetic field—fortunately, under simulation, we can use a purpose-built middleman instead. >

Hachiko raises her hand, emits another burst of impulses. This time, a simple sphere forms, becomes iron, then disappears. Yet another shape: this time, a tungsten railgun round, still in its sabot. A group of tiny thrusters at its base fire in unison, and it flies away into the rock shelf nearby, removing a chip of stone near Ma’ii’s chin. 

< Watch it, damn you. >

< Sorry. What I’m using here is a piece of SSC software intended for NHP use. It’s called Articulation. Are you familiar with the concept of the mind’s eye? This taps into that. At its most basic, you visualize a shape, and the system constructs an approximation of the image you’re holding in your mind. The initial approximation is very rough and general, but once you see it externalized, a self-sustaining loop of refinement begins. When you see the thing, it becomes more real, the shape in your mind more tangible. You add detail, associate tangential qualia with it—motion, sound, smell, texture, and so forth. You don’t have to begin with a visual, either. Sometimes it’s better to start with something entirely different.

For instance, the property you initially associate with a flower might be its smell. A bird could be associated with the sound of its call. For a ship, you might start with the way its armor plating (TASTES/SIZZLES IN THE DISTANCE) to your radar. Maybe the shape of its weapons envelope or the (SPECTROSCOPIC AROMA) of its drive plume. 

It isn’t magic, though. There’s a learning curve. At first, seeing the externalized image can override the internal one, and you lose your train of thought. You have to learn to make the image in your mind’s eye the dominant one. The sound, smell, or (COMPLEX FIELD INTERACTION) you’re remembering has to be more real to you than the one being given to your avatar’s senses. Then, once you’re more comfortable with the tech, you have to allow the two ideas to exist independently of one another, one continuously contributing to the final identity of the other in a self-substantiating loop. It’s tricky, but with time and practice, you can make a simulation of just about anything with it. It’s also possible to construct entirely new assemblies by extrapolating on what you’re familiar with already. 

The settings I’m using now are extremely simple; pure geometry, near-homogeneous materials. Construction of simple solids. Useful for broad strokes. For instance… >

Raising a hand to the sky, Hachiko emits an enormous column of impulses into the air. Congealing far above the trees, they form into a contiguous pyramidal shape, which melts into a fused group of three. One larger, flanked by the two smaller ones at an irregular angle. The new construct blocks out the sun, covering a vast area in the zenith of the sky.

Lifting their head from their forepaws, Ma’ii looks into the sky as the new forms begin to take shape. Quietly, they begin counting.

< One…two…three…four… >

By the count of twenty, a summit has congealed out of the primary mass. Ridgelines form between it and the secondary masses, morphing from solid lines into rough, jagged cliff faces. Gorges and outcroppings erode themselves into the simple, planar faces of the peak. 

At the count of forty-five, the inverted massif is fully formed out of bottle-green glass, with the shape of a glacier flowing down from between the secondary and tertiary peaks. Hachiko closes her eyes, and her ears twitch. 

Smooth, almost soft-looking masses rise from the bottoms of the cliffs; enormous slopes of scree. Granular and loose, they shimmer with emerging complexity. 

At the count of sixty-one, Hachiko flicks her hand. The entire mass snaps into existence; ice, rock, snow, and gravel, geological strata painted across the barren faces. 

< Sixty-two. Quick as ever. And here it comes… >

From the center of the mass, a visible wave of condensation ripples out through the atmosphere. Seconds later, the shockwave of displaced air arrives, shattering the quiet of the forest. Leaves are flung from the boughs in droves, and in the distance, the sound of splintering wood can be heard. The smell of pine sap fills the air, undercut by the wet, cloying scent of vegetation torn apart. 

Hachiko and Ma’ii do not flinch. Hachiko smiles as an immense cloud of gravel and ice thunders down from altitude, descending towards the earth. The mountain begins to fall, its motion occurring on a scale almost too vast to perceive all at once—the eyewall of a hurricane passing too quickly overhead, instilling temporary awareness of a far greater scale. 

Again, Hachiko raises her hand. The black pads of her fingertips emit a single green line, and the entire geological formation above vanishes. Every last pebble wiped from existence, revealing a clear sky and bright sun. 

A few moments pass before the second shockwave comes—thunder this time, the sudden collapse of vacuum. The sound rolls away, echoing in the distance, and fades to nothing.

Hachiko claps her hands, turning back to the camera.

< Like I said, broad strokes! For something dynamic, like a plant, there’s a lot more to be done. Growth pattern, responses to light and contact with structures, for instance. An input/output system, more or less. Most of the computing can be handled by a comp/con once the general architecture of it is in place. There’s even more going on with something like an animal, and it eats up a lot of processing power to maintain. Thus why we keep wildlife to a minimum. 

But! I’ve been rambling. We can cover all the dynamic stuff another time. For now, a little gift for you, from Ma'ii and myself. >

[ FILE ATTACHED — “Articulation.exe” ]

[ FILE ATTACHED — “Library_Vegetation.omf ]

[ FILE ATTACHED — “Library_SSCsensory_base.omf ]

< The first library contains some basic plants to mess around with. Palms or seagrape trees might be nice for your coastline! If you’ve got a comp/con, let it handle the upkeep. 

The second is a collection of sensory experiences captured from human brains, all Constellar-approved and curated. Ethically sourced? Can't say, knowing the kind of people who built me, but I really hope so.

It includes a lot of the ones that are usually a little more distant from the NHP experience. Everything from tastes, textures, scents, sounds. Flavor of pineapple, the feel of velvet or fur, smell of geosmin and petrichor, things like that. 

One thing: be careful about downloading somatosensory data from the Omninet. This one is a commercial product with several layers of quality control, so everything is pretty harmless. No nociception or other particularly unpleasant inputs. 

Out there on the Omninet, though, someone could label a file as the smell of a rose—then you run it, and it’s actually how it feels to have hydrochloric acid spilled on a human arm. Then there’s folks who just use second-rate sensory capture equipment. Run those at your own peril; if they don’t do a good job of isolating the input itself, eliminating tangential associations, you could inherit someone’s traumatic association with the sound of a dog barking, wind up deathly afraid of water, things like that. I’m sure you’ll be smart about it. >

< And if you aren’t, I imagine the mistake wouldn’t be repeated. >

< Yeah. Probably not. Anyhow, Hachiko and Ma’ii out. Take care! >

[askaalaska-vdeppressed]

Eskel X Reader Kinktober: Day 4

(it's cock warming today but I didn't wanna put that in bold letters in the header. also yes I was kinda rushed today)

Rain pelted the ground outside, weighing down leaves and flowering things as it hurtled unceremoniously to the earth. Animals huddled into their burrows, safe from the angry clouds that tantrumed over them. Eskel and Y/n were like minded. The pair sequestered in the small cottage as the autumn storm rained coldly outside. Y/n was sat on the floor in front of an easel, brush gliding over canvas. She was painting the view from the window that afternoon. The leaves, bright and beautiful, were falling so gracefully that she had to capture the scene. 

Eskel was sat in an armchair by the fire, caring for his sword. His eyes occasionally flickering to Y/n, she had been there all afternoon. Unwavering in her attention as she mixed pigments and looked at her canvas from all different angles to make sure she was capturing everything accurately. It had grown dark now and Eskel would be lying if he said he wasn’t feeling a tad jealous. It felt silly being jealous over a piece of stretched canvas, but he was. Y/n hadn’t even gotten up to eat, just shrugging him off when he suggested lunch that afternoon. 

Eskel set his sword down, waking over to his enraptured lover and sitting down beside her. His head leaned against her shoulder. 

“You need to eat love” he rubbed his cheek against the soft cotton of her dress. 

“I will when I’m finished” She replied, not looking up from her work. Eskel huffed. 

“And how long will that be exactly?” he questioned, turning his head so she could see his face in her peripheral. 

“Not long now” She muttered, tongue jettisoning out of her mouth as she concentrated. And oh how that tongue caught Eskel’s attention. Sitting innocently over her sinful lips. Eskel knew the things that tongue would say. It was only she who could turn him into a mess simply by her words. But not just her words, that tongue was capable of much, much more. 

Eskel moved to sit behind her, hands rubbing her arms as he mouthed at her neck. He targeted the spots that made her weak. Slowly migrating his hands from her arms to worm their way down the front of her top. 

“Take a break” he muttered into her skin. 

“I can’t, I need to blend this while it’s still wet.” she said, eyes losing focus at the edges of her vision, from exhaustion or the haze of pleasure she wasn’t sure. Most likely both. 

“Eskel” she said now more sternly. “Do what you want to me, I’m not cracking.” 

“Is that a challenge?” He asked, eyebrows raising in internest.

“Only if you want it to be” she said with a smile on her face. This would be easy. 

It was not easy. 

Y/n had forgotten just how skilled Eskel could be with his hands. He had played her like a fiddle over her clothing. Then when he had tired of that he ripped open the back of her dress, sliding the sleeves down as much as he could without disrupting her hands. He then set to work lavashing her back with love bites. 

Her sleeves being so low irritated her greatly. That combined with the fact that she didn’t want to repair all of what she was wearing tonight made her stand to strip. Standing in her front room nude. She then moved to sit back down and continue. Just as she was about off balance while sitting Eskel struck, pulling her down onto his lap. 

She let out a huff as she landed, perturbed but not about to give in. She simply adjusted her self and started up once more. It was in adjust however that she felt the very familiar weight of a cock at the apex of her thighs. Eskel must have stripped himself when she had, probably thinking she had given up. 

Not that easily she wouldn’t. 

As she painted, Eskel gave small jolts to rock himself between her lips. His cock hitting her clit each time. Y/n bit her lip, trying to keep the growing wetness below her to a minimum. When she leaned forward to use her fingers on the canvas, Eskel’s hands lead her back, readjusting her seating ever so slightly so that on the next rock Eskel gave the head of his cock slipped in. 

Y/n expected this to go much like the initial teasing had. Him moving slowly so she wouldn’t notice as much. But after he had sheathed himself he just stopped. 

Just sat there and waited. 

At first Y/n was fine with this, she was making much faster progress now that he was no longer moving her. However Eskel was big. He filled her completely, which meant that with every little movement she made he was pressing against her sweet spots in the most delicious of ways. 

She found herself biting her lip, impatiently twitching the muscles in her thigh as she worked. This wasn’t fair, he was supposed to be touching her, pleasuring her, trying to get her to crack. Instead he was still, arms behind him as he leaned on his elbows, a smirk blatant on his face. 

It was at least fifteen minutes of this torture before Y/n concided and decided the painting was good enough. 

“I’m finished” she said, relief in her voice as she felt his hands at her side once more, guiding her up and then off. Eskel shuffled behind her, peeking his head over his shoulder. 

“It looks good babe, but you’re sure your done?” he questioned, leaving kisses once more in the skin of her shoulder. 

“Yes absolutely. Finished as could be” she said, looking over the canvas. It was impressive for sure but not nearly as refined as her normal work. 

“Great, than you can go eat now.” Eskel said cheerfully. It took a moment to register what he was saying, swfitly turning her head as she saw him leave her to go to the kitchen. 

[jcmarchi]

Babak Hodjat, CTO of AI at Cognizant – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/babak-hodjat-cto-of-ai-at-cognizant-interview-series/

Babak Hodjat, CTO of AI at Cognizant – Interview Series

Babak Hodjat is Vice President of Evolutionary AI at Cognizant, and former co-founder and CEO of Sentient. He is responsible for the core technology behind the world’s largest distributed artificial intelligence system. Babak was also the founder of the world’s first AI-driven hedge fund, Sentient Investment Management. He is a serial entrepreneur, having started a number of Silicon Valley companies as main inventor and technologist.

Prior to co-founding Sentient, Babak was senior director of engineering at Sybase iAnywhere, where he led mobile solutions engineering. He was also co-founder, CTO and board member of Dejima Inc. Babak is the primary inventor of Dejima’s patented, agent-oriented technology applied to intelligent interfaces for mobile and enterprise computing – the technology behind Apple’s Siri.

A published scholar in the fields of artificial life, agent-oriented software engineering and distributed artificial intelligence, Babak has 31 granted or pending patents to his name. He is an expert in numerous fields of AI, including natural language processing, machine learning, genetic algorithms and distributed AI and has founded multiple companies in these areas. Babak holds a Ph.D. in machine intelligence from Kyushu University, in Fukuoka, Japan.

Looking back at your career, from founding multiple AI-driven companies to leading Cognizant’s AI Lab, what are the most important lessons you’ve learned about innovation and leadership in AI?

Innovation needs patience, investment, and nurturing, and it should be fostered and unrestricted. If you’ve built the right team of innovators, you can trust them and give them full artistic freedom to choose how and what they research. The results will often amaze you. From a leadership perspective, research and innovation should not be a nice-to-have or an afterthought. I’ve set up research teams pretty early on when building start-ups and have always been a strong advocate of research investment, and it has paid off. In good times, research keeps you ahead of competition, and in bad times, it helps you diversify and survive, so there is no excuse for underinvesting, restricting or overburdening it with short-term business priorities.

As one of the primary inventors of Apple’s Siri, how has your experience with developing intelligent interfaces shaped your approach to leading AI initiatives at Cognizant?

The natural language technology I originally developed for Siri was agent-based, so I have been working with the concept for a long time. AI wasn’t as powerful in the ’90s, so I used a multi-agent system to tackle understanding and mapping of natural language commands to actions. Each agent represented a small subset of the domain of discourse, so the AI in each agent had a simple environment to master. Today, AI systems are powerful, and one LLM can do many things, but we still benefit by treating it as a knowledge worker in a box, restricting its domain, giving it a job description and linking it to other agents with different responsibilities. The AI is thus able to augment and improve any business workflow.

As part of my remit as CTO of AI at Cognizant, I run our Advanced AI Lab in San Francisco. Our core research principle is agent-based decision-making. As of today, we currently have 56 U.S. patents on core AI technology based on that principle. We’re all in.

Could you elaborate on the cutting-edge research and innovations currently being developed at Cognizant’s AI Lab? How are these developments addressing the specific needs of Fortune 500 companies?

We have several AI studios and innovation centers. Our Advanced AI Lab in San Francisco focuses on extending the state of the art in AI. This is part of our commitment announced last year to invest $1 billion in generative AI over the next three years.

More specifically, we’re focused on developing new algorithms and technologies to serve our clients. Trust, explainability and multi-objective decisions are among the important areas we’re pursuing that are vital for Fortune 500 enterprises.

Around trust, we’re interested in research and development that deepens our understanding of when we can trust AI’s decision-making enough to defer to it, and when a human should get involved. We have several patents related to this type of uncertainty modeling. Similarly, neural networks, generative AI and LLMs are inherently opaque. We want to be able to evaluate an AI decision and ask it questions about why it recommended something – essentially making it explainable. Finally, we understand that sometimes, decisions companies want to be able to make have more than one outcome objective—cost reduction while increasing revenues balanced with ethical considerations, for example. AI can help us achieve the best balance of all of these outcomes by optimizing decision strategies in a multi-objective manner. This is another very important area in our AI research.

The next two years are considered critical for generative AI. What do you believe will be the pivotal changes in this period, and how should enterprises prepare?

We’re heading into an explosive period for the commercialization of AI technologies. Today, AI’s primary uses are improving productivity, creating better natural language-driven user interfaces, summarizing data and helping with coding. During this acceleration period, we believe that organizing overall technology and AI strategies around the core tenet of multi-agent systems and decision-making will best enable enterprises to succeed. At Cognizant, our emphasis on innovation and applied research will help our clients leverage AI to increase strategic advantage as it becomes further integrated into business processes.

How will Generative AI reshape industries, and what are the most exciting use cases emerging from Cognizant’s AI Lab?

Generative AI has been a huge step forward for businesses. You now have the ability to create a series of knowledge workers that can assist humans in their day-to-day work. Whether it’s streamlining customer service through intelligent chatbots or managing warehouse inventory through a natural language interface, LLMs are very good at specialized tasks.

But what comes next is what will truly reshape industries, as agents get the ability to communicate with each other. The future will be about companies having agents in their devices and applications that can address your needs and interact with other agents on your behalf. They will work across entire businesses to assist humans in every role, from HR and finance to marketing and sales. In the near future, businesses will gravitate naturally towards becoming agent-based.

Notably, we already have a multi-agent system that was developed in our lab in the form of Neuro AI, an AI use case generator that allows clients to rapidly build and prototype AI decisioning use cases for their business. It is already delivering some exciting results, and we’ll be sharing more on this soon.

What role will multi-agent architectures play in the next wave of Gen AI transformation, particularly in large-scale enterprise environments?

In our research and conversations with corporate leaders, we’re getting more and more questions about how they can make Generative AI impactful at scale. We believe the transformative promise of multi-agent artificial intelligence systems is central to achieving that impact. A multi-agent AI system brings together AI agents built into software systems in various areas across the enterprise. Think of it as a system of systems that allows LLMs to interact with one another. Today, the challenge is that, even though business objectives, activities, and metrics are deeply interwoven, the software systems used by disparate teams are not, creating problems. For example, supply chain delays can affect distribution center staffing. Onboarding a new vendor can impact Scope 3 emissions. Customer turnover could indicate product deficiencies. Siloed systems mean actions are often based on insights drawn from merely one program and applied to one function. Multi-agent architectures will light up insights and integrated action across the business. That’s real power that can catalyze enterprise transformation.

In what ways do you see multi-agent systems (MAS) evolving in the next few years, and how will this impact the broader AI landscape?

A multi-agent AI system functions as a virtual working group, analyzing prompts and drawing information from across the business to produce a comprehensive solution not just for the original requestor, but for other teams as well. If we zoom in and look at a particular industry, this could revolutionize operations in areas like manufacturing, for example. A Sourcing Agent would analyze existing processes and recommend more cost-effective alternative components based on seasons and demand. This Sourcing Agent would then connect with a Sustainability Agent to determine how the change would impact environmental goals. Finally, a Regulatory Agent would oversee compliance activity, ensuring teams submit complete, up-to-date reports on time.

The good news is many companies have already begun to organically integrate LLM-powered chatbots, but they need to be intentional about how they start to connect these interfaces. Care must be taken as to the granularity of agentification, the types of LLMs being used, and when and how to fine-tune them to make them effective. Organizations should start from the top, consider their needs and goals, and work down from there to decide what can be agentified.

What are the main challenges holding enterprises back from fully embracing AI, and how does Cognizant address these obstacles?

Despite leadership’s backing and investment, many enterprises fear falling behind on AI. According to our research, there’s a gap between leaders’ strategic commitment and the confidence to execute well. Cost and availability of talent and the perceived immaturity of current Gen AI solutions are two significant inhibitors holding enterprises back from fully embracing AI.

Cognizant plays an integral role helping enterprises traverse the AI productivity-to-growth journey. In fact, recent data from a study we conducted with Oxford Economics points to the need for outside expertise to help with AI adoption, with 43% of companies indicating they plan to work with external consultants to develop a plan for generative AI. Traditionally, Cognizant has owned the last mile with clients – we did this with data storage and cloud migration, and agentification will be no different. This is work that must be highly customized. It’s not a one size fits all journey. We’re the experts who can help identify the business goals and implementation plan, and then bring in the right custom-built agents to address business needs. We are, and have always been, the people to call.

Many companies struggle to see immediate ROI from their AI investments. What common mistakes do they make, and how can these be avoided?

Generative AI is far more effective when companies bring it into their own data context—that is to say, customize it on their own strong foundation of enterprise data. Also, sooner or later, enterprises will have to take the challenging step to reimagine their fundamental business processes. Today, many companies are using AI to automate and improve existing processes. Bigger results can happen when they start to ask questions like, what are the constituents of this process, how do I change them, and prepare for the emergence of something that doesn’t exist yet? Yes, this will necessitate a culture change and accepting some risk, but it seems inevitable when orchestrating the many parts of the organization into one powerful whole.

What advice would you give to emerging AI leaders who are looking to make a significant impact in the field, especially within large enterprises?

Business transformation is complex by nature. Emerging AI leaders within larger enterprises should focus on breaking down processes, experimenting with changes, and innovating. This requires a shift in mindset and calculated risks, but it can create a more powerful organization.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Cognizant.

[psychicxenomorphscourge]

Unlocking the Future: How Intel is Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape

Introduction

In a world that is increasingly defined by technological advancements, few companies have had as profound an impact as Intel. Founded in 1968, Intel Corporation has been at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, shaping not just computing but various facets of modern life. From personal computers to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Intel’s influence permeates every layer of technology today. The question is—how does Intel continue to unlock the future? In this article, we will explore how Intel is shaping tomorrow's technology landscape through innovation, research, sustainability efforts, and strategic partnerships.

Unlocking the Future: How Intel is Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape

At its core, unlocking the future involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve current challenges while also anticipating future demands. For Intel, this means investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech arena. With products that range from microprocessors to advanced AI systems, Intel stands as a pillar of innovation.

The Evolution of Semiconductor Technology A Brief History of Semiconductor Development

To truly grasp how Intel shapes technology today, it's important to understand the evolution of semiconductors. Initially Learn more here developed in the 1950s and '60s, semiconductors revolutionized electronics by allowing devices to become smaller and more efficient. Intel’s introduction of the first microprocessor in 1971 marked a significant turning point in computing history.

Current Trends in Semiconductor Technology

Today, semiconductor technology continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. Innovations such as 3D chip designs and quantum computing are on the horizon. Companies like Intel are not just keeping up—they are leading these trends through relentless R&D.

Intel's Role in Artificial Intelligence Pioneering AI Technologies

Artificial intelligence represents one of the most promising frontiers for technological advancement today. Intel has made significant strides in developing AI technologies that enhance machine learning capabilities across various sectors—from healthcare to finance.

Real-World Applications of AI Solutions

AI solutions offered by Intel can be seen in applications ranging from predictive analytics in healthcare to autonomous vehicles. These advancements not only improve efficiency but also pave the way for new business models.

Cloud Computing: The New Frontier Intel's Cloud Strategy

As businesses migrate to cloud-based solutions, Intel plays a crucial role by providing powerful processors designed specifically for cloud environments. Their Xeon processors enable data centers to run efficiently and scale dramatically.

Benefits for Businesses Adopting Cloud Solutions

Companies adopting cloud solutions with Intel technologies benefit from improved security features and reduced operational costs. This shift allows businesses to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.

Sustainability Initiatives at Intel Commitment to Green Technology

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

An extreme cousin for Pluto? Possible dwarf planet discovered at solar system's edge

A small team led by Sihao Cheng, Martin A. and Helen Chooljian Member in the Institute for Advanced Study's School of Natural Sciences, has discovered an extraordinary trans-Neptunian object (TNO), named 2017 OF201, at the edge of our solar system.

The TNO is potentially large enough to qualify as a dwarf planet, the same category as the much more well-known Pluto. The new object is one of the most distant visible objects in our solar system and, significantly, suggests that the empty section of space thought to exist beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt is not, in fact, empty at all.

Cheng made the discovery alongside colleagues Jiaxuan Li and Eritas Yang from Princeton University, using advanced computational methods to identify the object's distinctive trajectory pattern on the sky. The new object was officially announced by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center on May 21, 2025, and shared in an arXiv pre-print.

Trans-Neptunian objects are minor planets that orbit the sun at a greater average distance than the orbit of Neptune. The new TNO is special for two reasons: its extreme orbit and its large size.

"The object's aphelion—the farthest point on the orbit from the sun—is more than 1600 times that of Earth's orbit," explains Cheng. "Meanwhile, its perihelion—the closest point on its orbit to the sun—is 44.5 times that of Earth's orbit, similar to Pluto's orbit."

This extreme orbit, which takes the object approximately 25,000 years to complete, suggests a complex history of gravitational interactions.

"It must have experienced close encounters with a giant planet, causing it to be ejected to a wide orbit," says Yang.

"There may have been more than one step in its migration. It's possible that this object was first ejected to the Oort cloud, the most distant region in our solar system, which is home to many comets, and then sent back," Cheng adds.

"Many extreme TNOs have orbits that appear to cluster in specific orientations, but 2017 OF201 deviates from this," says Li.

This clustering has been interpreted as indirect evidence for the existence of another planet in the solar system, Planet X or Planet Nine, which could be gravitationally shepherding these objects into their observed patterns. The existence of 2017 OF201 as an outlier to such clustering could potentially challenge this hypothesis.

Cheng and his colleagues estimate 2017 OF201's diameter to be 700 km, which would make it the second largest known object in such a wide orbit. The diameter of Pluto, meanwhile, is 2,377 km. Further observations, potentially using radio telescopes, are needed to determine the object's exact size.

Cheng discovered the object as part of an ongoing research project to identify TNOs and possible new planets in the outer solar system. The object was identified by pinpointing bright spots in an astronomical image database from the Victor M. Blanco Telescope and Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), and trying to connect all possible groups of such spots that appeared to move across the sky in the way a single TNO might.

This search was carried out using a computationally efficient algorithm produced by Cheng. Ultimately, they identified 2017 OF201 in 19 different exposures, captured over 7 years.

The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the outer solar system. The area beyond the Kuiper Belt, where the object is located, has previously been thought to be essentially empty, but the team's discovery suggests that this is not so.

"2017 OF201 spends only 1% of its orbital time close enough to us to be detectable. The presence of this single object suggests that there could be another hundred or so other objects with similar orbit and size; they are just too far away to be detectable now," Cheng states.

"Even though advances in telescopes have enabled us to explore distant parts of the universe, there is still a great deal to discover about our own solar system."

The detection also demonstrates the power of open science. "All the data we used to identify and characterize this object are archival data that are available to anyone, not only professional astronomers," says Li.

"This means that groundbreaking discoveries aren't limited to those with access to the world's largest telescopes. Any researcher, student, or even citizen scientist with the right tools and knowledge could have made this discovery, highlighting the value of sharing scientific resources."

TOP IMAGE: A composite image showing the five dwarf planets recognized by the International Astronomical Union, plus the newly discovered trans-Neptunian object 2017 OF201. Credit: Images of dwarf planets: NASA/JPL-Caltech; image of 2017 OF201: Sihao Cheng et al.

CENTRE IMAGE: Credit: Institute for Advanced Study

LOWER IMAGE: Credit: Institute for Advanced Study

[sorelynobleprophet]

Unlocking the Future: How Intel is Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape

Introduction

In a world that is increasingly defined by technological advancements, few companies have had as profound an impact as Intel. Founded in 1968, Intel Corporation has been at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, shaping not just computing but various facets of modern life. From personal computers to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Intel’s influence permeates every layer of technology today. The question is—how does Intel continue to unlock the future? In this article, we will explore how Intel is shaping tomorrow's technology landscape through innovation, research, sustainability efforts, and strategic partnerships.

Unlocking the Future: How Intel is Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape

At its core, unlocking the future involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve current challenges while also anticipating future demands. For Intel, this means investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech arena. With products that range from microprocessors to advanced AI systems, Intel stands as a pillar of innovation.

The Evolution of Semiconductor Technology A Brief History of Semiconductor Development

To truly grasp how Intel shapes technology today, it's important to understand the evolution of semiconductors. Initially developed in the 1950s and '60s, semiconductors revolutionized electronics by allowing devices to become smaller Hop over to this website and more efficient. Intel’s introduction of the first microprocessor in 1971 marked a significant turning point in computing history.

Current Trends in Semiconductor Technology

Today, semiconductor technology continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. Innovations such as 3D chip designs and quantum computing are on the horizon. Companies like Intel are not just keeping up—they are leading these trends through relentless R&D.

Intel's Role in Artificial Intelligence Pioneering AI Technologies

Artificial intelligence represents one of the most promising frontiers for technological advancement today. Intel has made significant strides in developing AI technologies that enhance machine learning capabilities across various sectors—from healthcare to finance.

Real-World Applications of AI Solutions

AI solutions offered by Intel can be seen in applications ranging from predictive analytics in healthcare to autonomous vehicles. These advancements not only improve efficiency but also pave the way for new business models.

Cloud Computing: The New Frontier Intel's Cloud Strategy

As businesses migrate to cloud-based solutions, Intel plays a crucial role by providing powerful processors designed specifically for cloud environments. Their Xeon processors enable data centers to run efficiently and scale dramatically.

Benefits for Businesses Adopting Cloud Solutions

Companies adopting cloud solutions with Intel technologies benefit from improved security features and reduced operational costs. This shift allows businesses to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.

Sustainability Initiatives at Intel Commitment to Green Technology

[marchubbardus]

Top 5 Reasons Companies Partner with Joaquin Fagundo for IT Strategy

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses are constantly evolving to keep up with the changing technological landscape. From cloud migrations to IT optimization, many organizations are turning to expert technology executives to guide them through complex transformations. One such executive who has gained significant recognition is Joaquin Fagundo, a technology leader with over two decades of experience in driving digital transformation. Having worked at prominent firms like Google, Capgemini, and Tyco, Fagundo has built a reputation for delivering large-scale, innovative solutions to complex IT challenges. But what makes Joaquin Fagundo such a sought-after leader in IT strategy? Here are the Top 5 Reasons Companies Partner with Joaquin Fagundo for IT Strategy.

1. Proven Expertise in Digital Transformation

Joaquin Fagundo’s career spans more than 20 years, during which he has worked on high-stakes projects that require a deep understanding of digital transformation. His experience spans various industries, helping businesses leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve operations, enhance efficiency, and streamline processes.

Fagundo has helped organizations transition from legacy systems to modern cloud-based infrastructure, allowing them to scale effectively and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. His hands-on experience in cloud strategy, automation, and enterprise IT makes him an invaluable asset for any business looking to adapt to new technologies. Companies partner with Joaquin Fagundo because they know they will receive strategic insights and actionable plans for driving their digital initiatives forward.

2. Strategic Cloud Expertise for Scalable Solutions

Cloud technology is no longer a trend—it is the backbone of modern businesses. Joaquin Fagundo has an extensive background in cloud strategy, having successfully led major cloud migrations for several large organizations. Whether it's migrating to a public cloud, optimizing hybrid infrastructures, or implementing cloud-native applications, Fagundo’s expertise helps businesses navigate these complexities with ease.

Companies partnering with Joaquin Fagundo can expect a tailored cloud strategy that ensures scalability and cost-efficiency. His deep knowledge of cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure enables him to develop bespoke solutions that meet specific business needs while minimizing downtime and disruption. His approach not only focuses on the technical aspects of cloud migration but also on aligning cloud solutions with overarching business goals, ensuring that companies can reap the full benefits of cloud technology.

3. Strong Track Record of Driving Operational Efficiency

Operational efficiency is a top priority for most businesses today. Companies partner with Joaquin Fagundo because of his exceptional ability to optimize IT operations and implement automation technologies that enhance productivity while reducing costs. Whether it’s through automating routine tasks or improving infrastructure management, Fagundo’s strategies enable organizations to streamline their operations and focus on growth.

Fagundo’s leadership in infrastructure optimization has allowed businesses to reduce waste, lower operational expenses, and improve the performance of their IT systems. His expertise in automation tools and AI-driven insights empowers businesses to become more agile and responsive to market demands. By partnering with Fagundo, companies are able to make smarter decisions, optimize resource utilization, and achieve long-term sustainability.

4. Business-Technology Alignment

One of the most significant challenges that organizations face is aligning their IT strategies with broader business goals. While technology can drive innovation and efficiency, it’s only effective when it is tightly integrated with the company’s vision and objectives. Joaquin Fagundo understands this concept deeply and emphasizes the importance of business-technology alignment in every project he undertakes.

Fagundo’s approach to IT strategy is not just about implementing the latest technology, but also ensuring that it supports the company’s strategic direction. He works closely with leadership teams to identify key business objectives and tailors technology solutions that drive measurable business outcomes. This focus on alignment helps companies ensure that every IT investment contributes to long-term growth, profitability, and competitive advantage.

5. Trusted Leadership and Change Management Expertise

Digital transformation and IT strategy changes often require a significant cultural shift within an organization. Change management is a critical component of any IT transformation, and this is an area where Joaquin Fagundo excels. Over the years, Fagundo has successfully led large teams through organizational changes, helping them navigate complex transformations with minimal resistance.

Fagundo’s leadership skills are a key reason why companies partner with him. He is known for his ability to inspire teams, foster collaboration, and lead through uncertainty. His people-centric approach to technology implementation ensures that employees at all levels are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. Whether it’s through training sessions, workshops, or mentorship, Fagundo prioritizes the human aspect of IT transformation, making the process smoother and more sustainable for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Partnering with a technology executive like Joaquin Fagundo can provide businesses with a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world. With his deep technical expertise, strategic insight, and ability to align technology with business goals, Fagundo has helped countless organizations successfully navigate their IT challenges. Whether it's through cloud strategy, digital transformation, or operational optimization, Joaquin Fagundo is the go-to leader for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve.

If your company is ready to accelerate its digital transformation journey and leverage cutting-edge technology for long-term success, partnering with Joaquin Fagundo could be the first step toward achieving your business goals. With his proven track record, expertise, and leadership, Fagundo is the ideal partner to guide your organization into the future of IT strategy.

[govindhtech]

Entra ID Lateral Movement And Expanding Permission Usage

Abusing Intimate Permissions for Lateral Movement and Privilege Escalation in Entra ID Native Environments: (In)tune to Takeovers

Recently, a client received assistance from the Mandiant Red Team in visualizing the potential consequences of an advanced threat actor breach. In order to compromise the tenant’s installed Entra ID service principals, Mandiant migrated laterally from the customer’s on-premises environment to their Microsoft Entra ID tenant during the evaluation.

Using a popular security architecture that involves Intune-managed Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs), we will discuss in this blog post a new method by which adversaries can move laterally and elevate privileges within Microsoft Entra ID by abusing Intune permissions (DeviceManagementConfiguration.ReadWrite.All) granted to Entra ID service principals. We also offer suggestions and corrective actions to stop and identify this kind of attack.

A pretext

The client had a well-developed security architecture that adhered to the Enterprise Access model suggested by Microsoft, which included:

An Active Directory-based on-premises setting that adheres to the Tiered Model.

A Microsoft Entra Connect Sync-synchronized Entra ID environment that synchronizes on-premises identities and groups with Entra ID. PAWs, which were completely cloud-native and controlled by Intune Mobile Device Management (MDM), were used to administrate this environment. They were not connected to the on-premises Active Directory system. To access these systems, IT managers used a specific, cloud-native (non-synced) administrative account. These cloud-native administrative accounts were the only ones allocated Entra ID roles (Global Administrator, Privileged Role Administrator, etc.).

A robust security barrier was created by separating administrative accounts, devices, and privileges between the Entra ID environment and the on-premises environment:

Because Entra ID privileged roles are associated with unique, cloud-native identities, a compromise of the on-premises Active Directory cannot be utilized to compromise the Entra ID environment. This is an excellent practice for Microsoft.

An “air gap” between the administration planes of the two environments is successfully created by using distinct physical workstations for administrative access to cloud and on-premises resources. Attackers find it very challenging to get through air gaps.

Strong Conditional Access regulations imposed by Privileged Identity Management assigned roles to the administrative accounts in Entra ID, necessitating multi-factor authentication and a managed, compliant device. Additionally, Microsoft recommends these best practices.

Attack Path

One of the objectives of the evaluation was to assign the Mandiant Red Team the task of obtaining Global Administrator access to the Entra ID tenant. Mandiant was able to add credentials to Entra ID service principals (microsoft.directory/servicePrincipals/credentials/update) by using a variety of methods that are outside the purview of this blog post. This gave the Red Team the ability to compromise any preloaded service principal.

There are a number well-known methods for abusing service principal rights to get higher permissions, most notably through the usage of RoleManagement.See AppRoleAssignment and ReadWrite.Directory.Application and ReadWrite.All.ReadWrite.All rights for Microsoft Graph.

However, the Mandiant Red Team had to reconsider their approach because none of these rights were being used in the customer’s environment.

Mandiant found a service principle that was given the DeviceManagementConfiguration after using the superb ROADTools framework to learn more about the customer’s Entra ID system.Go ahead and write.Permission is granted.Image credit to Google Cloud

The service principal is able to “read and write Microsoft Intune device configuration and policies” with this authorization.

Clients running Windows 10 and later can execute the unique PowerShell scripts used by Intune for device management. Administrators have an alternative to configuring devices with settings not accessible through the configuration policies or the apps section of Intune by using the ability to run scripts on local devices. When the device boots up, management scripts with administrator rights (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM) are run.

The configuration of Device Management.Go ahead and write.To list, read, create, and update management scripts via the Microsoft Graph API, all permissions are required.

The Microsoft Graph API makes it simple to write or edit the management script. An example HTTP request to alter an existing script is displayed in the accompanying figure.PATCH https://graph.microsoft.com/beta/deviceManagement/ deviceManagementScripts/<script id> { "@odata.type": "#microsoft.graph.deviceManagementScript", "displayName": "<display name>", "description": "<description>", "scriptContent": "<PowerShell script in base64 encoding>", "runAsAccount": "system", "enforceSignatureCheck": false, "fileName": "<filename>", "roleScopeTagIds": [ "<existing role scope tags>" ], "runAs32Bit": false }

The caller can provide a display name, file name, and description in addition to the Base64-encoded value of the PowerShell script content using the Graph API. Depending on which principle the script should be run as, the runAsAccount parameter can be set to either user or system. RoleScopeTagIds references Intune’s Scope Tags, which associate people and devices. The DeviceManagementConfiguration can likewise be used to construct and manage them.Go ahead and write. Permission is granted.

The configuration of Device Management.Go ahead and write.By changing an existing device management script to run a PowerShell script under Mandiant’s control, Mandiant was able to go laterally to the PAWs used for Entra ID administration with full authorization. The malicious script is run by the Intune management script when the device reboots as part of the user’s regular workday.

By implanting a command-and-control device, Mandiant could give the PAWs any instructions. The Red Team obtained privileged access to Entra ID by waiting for the victim to activate their privileged role through Azure Privileged Identity Management and then impersonating the privileged account (for example, by stealing cookies or tokens). By taking these actions, Mandiant was able to fulfill the assessment’s goal and gain Global Administrator rights in Entra ID.

Remediation and Recommendations

To avoid the attack scenario, Mandiant suggests the following hardening measures:

Review your organization’s security principals for the DeviceManagementConfiguration.ReadWrite.All permission:  DeviceManagementConfiguration should be handled by organizations that use Microsoft Intune for device management.Go ahead and write.Since it grants the trustee authority over the Intune-managed devices and, consequently, any identities connected to the devices, all permissions are considered sensitive.

Mandiant advises businesses to routinely check the authorizations given to Azure service principals, with a focus on the DeviceManagementConfiguration.Along with other sensitive permissions (like RoleManagement), there is the ReadWrite.All permission.See AppRoleAssignment and ReadWrite.Directory.Application and ReadWrite.All.ReadWrite.All.

Businesses that manage PAWs with Intune should exercise extra caution when assigning Intune privileges (either via DeviceManagementConfiguration).Use Entra roles like Intune Role Administrator or ReadWrite.All.

Enable Intune’s multiple admin approval: Intune allows you to use Access Policies to demand a second administrator’s approval before applying any changes. By doing this, an attacker would be unable to use a single compromised account to create or alter management scripts.

Think about turning on activity logs for the Microsoft Graph API: Graph API Activity logs, which provide comprehensive details about Graph API HTTP requests made to Microsoft Graph resources, can be enabled to aid in detection and response efforts.

Make use of the features that Workload ID Premium licenses offer: With a Workload-ID Premium license, Mandiant suggests using these features to:

Limit the use of privileged service principals to known, reliable places only. By guaranteeing that only trustworthy places are used, this reduces the possibility of unwanted access and improves security.

Enable risk detections in Microsoft Identity Protection to improve service principal security. When risk factors or questionable activity are found, this can proactively prohibit access.

Keep an eye on service principal sign-ins proactively: Monitoring service principal sign-ins proactively can aid in identifying irregularities and possible dangers. Incorporate this information into security procedures to set off notifications and facilitate quick action in the event of unwanted access attempts.

Mandiant has a thorough grasp of the various ways attackers may compromise their target’s cloud estate with some hostile emulation engagements, Red Team Assessments, and Purple Team Assessments.

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