#create private temporary table

[seat-safety-switch]

Children love nothing more than a castle. Adults, too, but we have to be more conservative in our approval of it. We have to impress the other adults about how practical we are. Maybe slap the bricks a little and go "this must cost a fortune to heat!" I'm here to tell you that you can enjoy a castle for what it is: a bunch of cool bricks that were once the site of brutal and cruel mass deaths.

Sure, there's lots of castles that were never sieged or even singed. These are fake ones, usually somewhere in North America, where the castle proved to not be a sufficient defence against roving gangs of feral cowboys.

Here, the situation is often that a rich person looked in a magazine, saw a cool picture of a European fortification, and then asked a bunch of masons to "build me one like that." Respectable, of a sort, but not a real castle. Doesn't matter: you can still enjoy them. The rich person sure did, unless they mixed it up with several dozen of their other castles and just never bothered getting around to enjoying the fruits of their workers' labour.

There are a couple problems to practical enjoyment of North American castles. For starters, many of them are still privately owned. The residents no doubt strut around their homes, pretending to be princes and earls and duchesses. Is it a weird sex thing? Nobody knows for sure, but NASA research is strongly pointing towards "yes." Those ones are probably off the table for most people reading this. That said, if you do purchase your own castle, let me know so I can come by and take a picture of my Dodge Viscount in front of it. Get it? Viscount?

Even with those ones removed from general circulation, you can probably enjoy one of many public castles. These are often placed in public parks that were spontaneously created when a rich person died and dropped their loot, like in the popular computer game Murder Rich People And Take Their Shit. For only a few bucks (for preservation purposes: remember, it costs a fortune to heat these things, not to mention the rising cost of castle wax) you too can enjoy the fortress lifestyle. And if you bring your own king and queen outfits and turn it into a weird sex thing? I won't call the cops if you don't tattle on my use of the horse stables as temporary overflow parking.

[biblical-chronicles]

Cigarettes & Alcohol (courage)

__________________________________________________

where the reader just can't resist telling (or rather showing) Noel how she feels after a few drinks. The press also could not resist splattering the private moment across their front pages to remind the somewhat hangover reader exactly what happened last night.

___________________________________________________

The pub was just the right kind of busy—crowded enough to feel alive, but not so packed that you couldn’t find a corner to unwind. The smell of booze, smoke residue and some lively chatter created a comforting buzz in the air. You were in good company, surrounded by your band mates and other industry friends. Yet, there was someone who made your stomach flutter in a whole another way: Noel Gallagher.

Noel had always been someone you admired from a distance, as many did. Only exchanging short words here and there as your mind could not handle much more when around him. His wit, undeniable talent, great looks, and overall attitude made it seem pretty much impossible. But tonight, after a few drinks, you realized just how easy it was to relax around him. 

The conversation flowed surprisingly naturally, the table was full of laughter. But it was when the group started discussing going outside for a bit of fresh air that Noel caught your eye and gave you a subtle nod.

"How about a quick smoke?" he said, his voice still thick with that distinct Mancunian drawl. "I could use a bit of air, and it seems like we’re all getting a bit too comfortable in here."

You raised an eyebrow, but smiled. "Sure, I’ll join you."

The others nodded, continuing their conversations, while you and Noel stepped out into the chilly night air. The street outside was quiet, save for the occasional car whizzing by. The city lights bathed everything in a soft glow. 

Noel lit up a cigarette, the flame of his lighter momentarily illuminating his face. He took a long drag and exhaled slowly, the smoke curling around his face like a temporary veil. You couldn’t help but admire how beautiful he looked. The sharp blue eyes, the messy hair, the casual stance—it all came together in a way that felt almost timeless. It made you realize just how much you’d admired him, not just as a musician, but as a person. 

For a moment, you just stood there, quiet, letting the cool air settle into your lungs, your thoughts wandering. Noel wasn’t talking much, just lit your cigarette that you managed to fish out of your jacket, yet a comfortable silence lingered.

"Enjoying the view?" Noel asked, his voice breaking the stillness. You blinked, realizing you’d been staring at him. 

"Uh, yeah," you chuckled, slightly embarrassed, but he seemed to take it in stride.

"Don’t act so surprised," he said with a half-smile, flicking the ash off his cigarette. "I’ve been told I’m pretty easy on the eyes." 

You laughed, but something shifted in you—maybe the alcohol had hit you just right, or maybe it was the way he was looking at you now. You’d spent so much of the evening trying to play it cool, but now... now you felt a quiet tension, an undeniable pull between the two of you. 

Noel took another drag from his cigarette, looking at you with a teasing smirk. "What’s up? You’ve gone so quiet all of a sudden."

You hesitated for a second, unsure of how to respond. You could tell he was slightly amused by your sudden silence, but you weren’t sure how to explain the way you were feeling. The truth was, your heart was beating a little faster, and the tipsiness from the drinks was starting to kick in even harder, making you feel a little braver.

"I’m just... thinking," you said, your voice quieter than usual, you just took a puff from your cigarette hoping to make it all less awkward.

"About what?" He took another drag of his cigarette, eyeing you curiously.

For a moment, you didn’t answer, your drunk mind still leaving you sort of still. Instead, you simply looked at him, really looked at him. The streetlights cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the scruff that lined his chin. There was something so undeniably magnetic about him—his rugged handsomeness, his confidence, the way he carried himself.

Noel noticed you staring once again, his gaze shifting from the cigarette in his hand to your face. His expression softened slightly, the teasing grin now replaced with something more genuine.

"So, are you going to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours, or are you just gonna keep staring?" he asked, his voice more serious now, but still tainted by that signature edge of humor.

You took a deep breath, suddenly aware of how close he was, of how your senses seemed to be hyper-aware of everything—his scent, his presence. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was just the moment, but whatever it was, it made you feel bold in a way you hadn’t expected. 

Without thinking, you reached out and cupped his face gently, dropping your cigarette in the process. Your fingers brushing against the stubble on his jaw. His eyes widened for a split second, clearly taken aback by the sudden touch, but you didn’t pull away. You didn’t second-guess yourself. Instead, you tilted your head slightly and pressed your lips to his.

It was brief at first, almost tentative, as if you were testing the waters, registering whether you actually did what you did. But then Noel responded—his lips soft and surprisingly warm against yours, as he deepened the kiss, the world around you seemed to vanish. The noise of the pub, the streetlights, the cold night air—all of it faded away as you kissed him again, this time with more urgency, more passion.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavier, your heart pounding. You didn’t say anything at first. There didn’t seem to be any need for words. The kiss had said everything.

Noel leaned his forehead against yours, his breath mingling with yours as he laughed softly. "Well," he said, still a little out of breath, "that was unexpected."

You smiled, feeling a rush of warmth spread through you. "Yeah" you whispered, feeling a bit shy now, but not regretting what had just happened. "I don’t know... I just—I’ve always admired you. And I think I might have been waiting for something like this for a while."

Noel chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair away from your face. "You’ve been admiring me, huh?" he said with a teasing grin, though his eyes softened with something that almost felt like affection. "Well, I’m not one to turn down a kiss. But next time, don’t make me wait so long."

You laughed, feeling a little lighter now, your nerves fading away. "Next time?" you asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Yeah," he replied, his voice low and serious now. "Next time. I think we need to see where this goes."

You nodded, a smile tugging at your lips. "I think I’d like that."

After a moment, you both reluctantly headed back inside, the weight of the kiss lingering between you both, but neither of you speaking further about it. The rest of the night passed in a blur, and by the time you made your way home, you had no idea that the kiss you’d shared outside would soon be splashed across tabloids and magazines. 

______________________________________________

The first thing you noticed when you woke up was the pounding headache splitting your head and the sound of your phone ringing, its shrill tone cutting through the hazy remnants of sleep. Blinking in the dim morning light, you groggily reached for it, your head still a little foggy from the alcohol and the excitement of last night. 

"Hello?" you mumbled, rubbing your eyes.

"Oi, wake up!" came the unmistakable voice of Noel Gallagher, cutting through the early morning haze (and your hangover). "You’re not still in bed, are you?"

You groaned, pulling the blanket up over your head. "I might be," you admitted, still half-asleep.

"Well, get up then," he said with a chuckle. "I’m at your door."

At that, you shot up, instantly more awake. "Wait, what?" You glanced at the clock on your bedside table—9:30 AM. Why was he here so early? And what the hell had happened last night? You barely remembered the details of the evening, aside from the kiss, the way he looked at you, and how the world had felt like it was just the two of you for a moment.

Noel’s voice came through the phone again, this time with a teasing edge. "I’ve got a little something for you. You should really come take a look."

"Okay, okay," you muttered, pulling yourself out of bed and stumbling toward the door. Your head throbbed slightly, but you brushed it off, trying to ignore the dizziness. As you opened the door, you were met with Noel standing in front of you, a cheeky grin on his face and a magazine held in his hand.

"Morning, sunshine," he greeted you, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "I thought you might like to see this."

You raised an eyebrow, noticing the magazine cover first with you and Noel clearly on it. The headline blared something stupid alng the lines of: "Unexpected Kiss: Rockstar Duo Sparks Rumors After Late-Night Pub Snog!". Your heart sank slightly, a mix of confusion and embarrassment flooding over you.

"Wait, what... is that—" You trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. You were still trying to process the situation.

"Yeah," he said, his smirk turning into a small grin, "Seems like we’ve made the front page, love."

You stared at the magazine in disbelief, your angin brain trying to catch up with the reality of what had happened. First of all, you fucking kissed Noel, not that it was a bad thing, but it would've been nice to remember. And to top it off it was splashed across the tabloids for everyone to see? You ran a hand through your hair, your hangover preventing you from reacting in a strong manner.

"Well," you said finally, still in shock but trying to play it cool, "I should’ve remembered that, huh?"

Noel gave a low laugh, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "So you don’t remember much then?" he asked, his voice turning slightly defensive, though he tried to mask it with humor. "I mean, if you didn’t want it, we can just forget all about it. I’m not bothered. Just another night for me, yeah?"

You blinked, suddenly aware of the defensiveness in his tone. Of course, you’d been a little (a lot) tipsy last night, but that kiss had felt real—so real that you hadn’t even second-guessed it. You’d acted on impulse, on something genuine that you didn’t need to explain.

"No, that’s not it," you replied quickly, shaking your head. You could see the confusion and uncertainty in his eyes, and you didn’t want him thinking you regretted what had happened. "I just didn’t expect this to happen, you know?" You gestured to the magazine in his hand, trying to calm the air between you. "But that doesn’t mean I regret it."

He looked at you with a raised eyebrow, waiting for you to continue. "You sure about that?"

You stepped closer to him, feeling a wave of boldness wash over you. The awkwardness from the magazine cover, the uncertainty in his eyes—it was all too much to ignore. You didn’t want him thinking you were backing out now. 

In one swift motion, you reached for his shirt, pulling him toward you and silencing him with a kiss. The magazine, the words, the paparazzi—it all faded away as you kissed him deeply, your hands finding their way into his hair, tugging him closer.

At first, Noel was still, caught off guard, but it didn’t take long for him to reciprocate, his arms circling your waist and pulling you in. His lips moved with yours, hot and urgent, as if he, too, had been waiting for this moment to unfold. 

When you finally broke apart, your breath was heavy, your heart racing. He was smiling now, his eyes still full of that mischievous glint. 

"Did you just… remind me?" he asked, his voice a little breathless, as though he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened.

You laughed softly, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement. "Yeah," you replied, grinning. "I figured if I’m going to regret anything, it won’t be the kiss."

Noel raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin forming on his lips.

You laughed again, still a little giddy from the kiss. "I’m serious, Noel. I still think you’re beautiful," you said, the words coming out more confidently now, with no trace of hesitation. "You’re... amazing. And last night made me realize I don’t want to be just staring at you from afar anymore. I want to be with you. For real."

His grin faltered for a moment, as if he wasn’t quite sure how to process it. Then he stepped back slightly, looking at you with a mixture of warmth and wariness. "Are you sure?" he asked, the playfulness in his voice replaced with something more vulnerable, more genuine. "Because, you know, I’m a bit of a handful. I don’t do things by halves."

You nodded, your gaze softening as you looked into his eyes. "I’m sure, Noel. I want to see where this goes. I don’t care about the tabloids, the rumors, or whatever anyone says. I just want you".

Noel smiled then, the tension lifting from his shoulders. "Well, in that case..." He took your hand, squeezing it lightly. "Guess we should start with a proper date, huh?"

"Guess so," you said, a smile spreading across your face.

"Alright, love," Noel said, his eyes sparkling with a mix of humor and affection. "Let’s do it. But don’t think for a second I’m letting you off easy now that we’re official, yeah? You’re stuck with me."

You grinned, a little in awe of the way he could switch from teasing to sincere in the blink of an eye. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."

_____________________________________________

Let me know if any of you lot enjoyed this and don't hesitate to give me any pointers. Also, the submission box is very much open xx

[oshunmin]

Show Me How You Burlesque CH. 2: But I Am a Good Girl

Sooooo I was dead sick for several days, which set me back on my Slade x Jason Week writing but now that I am back with the land of the living I want to offer up a two for one special in the form of the second chapter of my Sladejay Burlesque fic and my Slade x Jason Week 25' Day three prompt: Possessiveness.

Please enjoy yourselves my dears! 🥰 🥰

P.S. Here is the link to the full fic on ao3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65921551/chapters/170571475#workskin

__________________________________________________________

The foggy haze of cigar smoke clung to the air like a silky curtain, dimming the low amber glow from the overhead chandeliers. The soft melodies of a jazzy orchestration flow through the space—sultry, slow, and deliberate— the live band making their presence known from the club's corner stage. The consistent, seductive cry of a trumpet carried above the low murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of glassware.

Jason sauntered smoothly through the space, maintaining his balance in the heels he had spent the prior week practicing in every day. Fishnets coated his legs, leading up into tight red bellhop shorts, paired with a matching bellhop vest—cropped just enough to show a little bit of stomach and cinched enough to push his pecs up, creating the illusion of cleavage. A tiny red bellhop hat, a lacy black choker with a gold bell at the center, and black elbow-length velvet finger-less gloves tied the whole outfit together. He glided through the tables and private booths, making his way toward the backstage area where performers and crew normally reside when showtime rolled around.

The club was filled with various patrons—from couples enjoying a tasteful show for date night to wealthy men in tailored suits looking to drink and splurge on private time with their favorite dancers. Jason had learned that this place had the power to draw in a rather unique crowd. As he weaved through the room, he kept his eye on the seedier-looking patrons. Whether the regulars had noticed the uptick in criminal activity since the “change in management” was still up in the air for Jason.

This was the Emperor's Secret , and it dawned its title like a second skin.

Infiltrating under the guise of Cameron Howards had been made easy thanks to all the intel and prep time Roy had given Jason before he took over the op. Making his way through the backstage area, Jason clocked everyone buzzing through the space—mostly techies and performers.

Once he plopped down at his temporary makeup station, he was immediately accosted by one of said performers.

“Cam! Darling, you will not believe what Rory said to me today,” the bubbly brunette at the next station exclaimed. Bryce Rogers—though his stage name (and what he often insisted people call him both on and off duty) was Pink Diamond. He was on the slimmer side, honestly with a figure very similar to Dick’s—which made sense considering his specialty was gymnastics and aerial dance. Bryce had been incredibly helpful in getting Jason acclimated to how things worked on the show side of the club. Jason wouldn’t have guessed it based on Bryce’s baby face, but he'd been a performer there for several years.

Ultimately, Bryce making the first move to get to know Jason had made it easier for Jason to gather information about the previous mistress and how things had changed since her disappearance.

“Let me guess, was it that you were off beat?”

“Yes! Me. He clearly needs to get his eyes and ears checked.”

Jason chuckled at that as he started touching up his makeup. Today was his official first day onstage, and he needed to make sure he made enough of an impression to entice their target into engaging with him more intimately. “He is the stage manager. It’s kind of his job to be critical of timing—he does have to call all the cues for the show,” Jason pointed out.

As if summoned by the mention of his name, Rory appeared around the corner, rectangular glasses perched atop his blond head, clipboard in hand. Rory was one of the most put-together men Jason had ever met. Three-piece suit is always pristine—not a wrinkle or crease in sight.

“Glad to see someone understands the importance of my job,” Rory sharply snipped as he locked eyes with both Jason and Bryce through their respective mirrors. Bryce didn’t miss a beat, rolling his pink-shadowed eyes as he moved to take off his jewelry.

“I know what your job is. Whether you’re actually good at it is still up for debate.”

“Did Darren break up with you again? Because you’re acting cattier than usual,” Rory shot back, unperturbed by Bryce’s attitude. Jason had learned this was just a normal Friday night for the pair.

Bryce laughed as he tossed off his choker and turned to face Rory directly. “You bitch! You know damn well his name is Dereck.”

“Right. Devin. Of course. I’ll try to remember that next time you miss your cue,” Rory replied, already looking back at his setlist.

Bryce huffed, and Jason couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out as he continued prepping, removing his bellhop accessories and swapping them for his stage look.

He’d only been on this op for about three weeks, but he had already grown appreciative of this collection of misfits. He had spent the past few days getting a feel for everyone who worked at the Emperor's Secret. From what he could tell, the performers genuinely enjoyed the work—many having transitioned from being working girls and boys into this field, where they were offered more flexibility and autonomy in how they presented themselves to the club’s patrons.

A lot of that was thanks to the old mistress, who had gotten the place up and running. Unfortunately, with Blackwell seemingly having taken her out of the picture, everyone seemed a bit more on edge.

“All right, Scarlet , tonight is your big moment,” Rory said, drawing Jason’s attention back to the present with the call of his stage name. “Holly has your costume prepped and ready. You’re on in fifteen.”

“Got it,” he replied. Rory gave him a small smile before strolling away to handle whatever his next task is before the start of the upcoming set.

Jason turned back to his vanity at the sound of something being gently placed on his table by Bryce. A small black jewelry box. Inside: a stunning set of ruby red studs.

“Just a little something special for your first night on the stage, hun,” Bryce explained.

Jason was a little surprised by the gift, but after seeing the earnest excitement on Bryce’s face, he couldn’t help but smile back. This had been one of the first non-vigilante relationships he’d been able to build since…well, forever. Though he felt bad that it was built on a lie, he knew it would be worth it if Bryce and the rest of the performers could keep doing their work without someone like Blackwell putting them all in danger. 

“They’re beautiful. Thank you,” Jason said, and the smile on Bryce’s face brightened before turning mischievous as he leaned closer.

“Now, I hope you’re ready to have all the boys and girls drooling over that body of yours.”

Jason smiled ruefully. “They won’t know what hit ’em.” But he knew that while he was meant to catch the target’s eye, the only gaze that really mattered belonged to one very possessive—sometimes downright obsessive—merc....

Full Fic Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65921551/chapters/170571475#workskin

[clatterbane]

As news about insulin comes out, it's important to remember the COST of insulin has never been capped for anyone in the US. The COPAY has been capped for some people. Here's why that is an important distinction.

First of all, I'm not making this post to promote or denounce any specific party or person. I'm going to keep things as cut and dry as possible, and you can make up your own mind.

So, people have been talking about the "$35 insulin price caps" and if they're going to continue, if the new administration is going to strike them down, etc.

First things first- price cap vs copay cap. Copay caps just limit what qualifying patients pay in a given period of time. Price caps, on the other hand, limit what the insulin manufacturers can charge for the product. Both are good, of course, but copay caps are much more of a band-aid solution, whereas list price caps would virtually end the US insulin price crisis.

The difference matters because copay caps only cover qualifying patients. This usually left out patients on private insurance and uninsured patients. Additionally, the pharma companies still got their full price at the end of the day.

So, the price of insulin has never been capped in the US. The closest thing we've gotten is the insulin manufacturers' voluntary price reductions, which can end at any time, have no guarantees, and in some cases, didn't really pan out exactly like we all thought. This was clearly a move by the insulin manufacturers to avoid further legal action- basically they wanted to keep a hand on the wheel.

Second, no US politician has made serious progress toward a genuine price cap. This includes Trump and Biden and state-wide efforts. When politicians say, "We capped the price of insulin" or something similar, they're not telling the truth exactly. Whether that's out of malice or not is up to you, but what they should be saying is, "We capped the copay for some people". The media also tends to get this wrong, so if you see an article about "price caps," I encourage you to actually read the bill or whatever and not take their word for it.

Trump's (first term) executive order created a temporary program where some prescription drug plans could choose whether to cover some insulin products at no more than $35 a month. About half of medicare part D plans participated. This EO was pharma-backed and terrible for 340b programs. The Biden administration froze the EO

Biden's Inflation Reduction Act barred ALL medicare part D plans from charging more than $35 out-of-pocket for insulin products. Similar to the Trump action, but different in some subtle ways. Removing it is a terrible idea, but the Biden administration consistently and vastly overstated the effects of this. The layman would think the insulin price crisis is over, but that is very untrue.

At the end of the day, neither of those actions are as far-reaching as they try to appear. If you want to learn more about the two presidential actions, here's a pretty decent article about it.

So, if Trump stripped away the Inflation Reduction Act, that would be extremely bad, of course. However, please don't make the mistake that things are great already. It would take things from "bad" to "worse". These protections should be stronger and cover more people, not stripped away.

It seems I need to clarify. Losing the copay cap would be devastating. Many actions on the table for this administration would be devastating. We must defend the protections available and seek additional protections. POTUS cannot unilaterally lower the list price, but Congress can regulate it.

My only qualifications are that I'm an advocate who pays attention and has a lot of smart advocate friends who pay even more attention. But if you have any questions about this stuff, please feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.

[olivialau]

Shadow's Embrace Ch.16

Sukuna x Reader

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fanfiction based on the universe of "Jujutsu Kaisen," created by Gege Akutami. The original manga, anime, and characters belong to their respective owners and creators.

Notes:

This story unfolds in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, set in a slightly altered universe where Sukuna inhabits his own vessel distinct from Itadori Yuji's body, making him a separate entity.

Summary:

Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, becomes fascinated with a female sorcerer rich in potential but lacking control. Initially seizing her for his destructive plans, Sukuna aims to bind her abilities through a contract. Yet, as he tries to dominate her, he finds himself intrigued by her strength and determination. Over time, his interest evolves from strategic advantage to a deeper, personal connection.

---------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 16 - Feeding the Beast

With a resigned sigh, you stepped through the door. The sparsely decorated apartment looked just as uninspiring as the day before. This was certainly no welcoming abode, but rather a bare and impersonal space that felt more like a temporary shelter than a home.

Though you had to admit, it was better than that stuffy concrete basement; at least this place had normal windows.

The layout was simple—a couch, a small coffee table, and a modest kitchenette tucked to the side, all of which gave the impression of being rarely, if ever, used.

Your eyes narrowed as you counted the doors, noting that aside from the one leading to the basement, there were only two others—a bathroom, and what you could only assume was a single bedroom.

Doing the math in your head, it became clear that you would have no private space of your own. You doubted the King of Curses would be generous enough to give you the luxury of having the only bedroom.

Sukuna seemingly observed your silent assessment, and wasted no time in asserting his dominance over the space.

"That's mine," he declared with a pointed look toward one of the doors.

"Where am I supposed to sleep then?" you asked, as you fought to maintain a semblance of calm despite the mounting frustration.

Sukuna's lips curled into a taunting smirk as he replied, "The couch." He paused, savoring the discomfort that must have been evident on your face. "Unless you'd prefer the floor at my feet."

Oh, how you wished you could wipe that smug smile from his face.

And things got even worse, as Sukuna leaned in, his breath warm against your ear, and added, "Or perhaps you'd rather lay beside me. Though, I won't be responsible for what happens in that case. I despise suppressing my urges."

"I’d rather sleep outside in the rain than sleep beside you," you shot back, glaring at him with clear disgust. But after considering your options, you reluctantly added, "Fine, I’ll take the couch."

Despite a hint of annoyance, he dismissed you with a wave of his hand, his attention already wandering elsewhere, "I don't care, as long as you stay out of my way."

You turned away from him and set your backpack down on the couch. It contained your belongings—a pitifully small amount, but all the essentials nonetheless.

As you moved to open the zipper, Sukuna suddenly tossed a key in your direction. You caught it reflexively, the cold metal hitting your palm.

“Here’s a key,” Sukuna said, as he gripped the handle to his room. “You’ll leave only when I permit it. I’ll decide when the training happens, and don’t bother complaining. Consider it a privilege that a mere human like you is allowed to be near me.”

Without another word, Sukuna turned and disappeared into the room, leaving you alone in the living space. His absence was a relief, allowing you a moment to breathe and gather your thoughts.

You gazed at the key in your hands.

It was clear that Sukuna's control was absolute, yet the key represented a small measure of autonomy, that made you just a little bit more relaxed, under the circumstances.

With a heavy sigh, you sank onto the couch, feeling the surprisingly soft cushions envelop you. Despite the comfort, the couch was too short to stretch out fully, leaving you curled up uncomfortably. It would just have to do for now.

Closing your eyes, you tried to let your mind drift, basking in the relative quiet. Though the faint hum of Sukuna's cursed energy was ever-present as it seeped through the cracks of his door, keeping your senses on high alert.

An hour, perhaps two, passed in this uneasy calm, your vigilance unwavering as your body sought some measure of rest—until the silence was shattered by the sudden rumbling of your stomach.

So caught up in everything that was going on, you had neglected to eat for hours.

Glancing around the sparsely furnished apartment, your eyes landed on the small kitchenette area, where you noticed a mini-fridge in the corner.

Cautiously, you rose from the couch, moving with deliberate slowness to avoid drawing Sukuna's attention from behind his closed door.

As you opened the fridge, the faint light revealed a small selection: it was nearly empty, with only a few frozen slabs of what looked like meat in the freezer compartment.

Disappointed, you shut the door, choosing not to dwell on the questionable origins of the meat.

Sukuna's earlier taunts about your need for sustenance echoed in your mind, making you wonder if he ever ate at all, even just for pleasure.

Resigned, you made your way back to the couch. The meager contents of the fridge had done little to ease your growing hunger, and Sukuna’s rule forbidding you from leaving without his permission left you with few options.

You considered knocking on his door but you knew Sukuna would not take kindly to being disturbed. Instead, you decided to wait, hoping he might come out on his own.

As the hours dragged on, the thought of enduring the night hungry became increasingly unbearable.

So finally, you steeled your nerves and approached the door, your hand hovering hesitantly before you finally mustered the courage to knock.

The silence that followed was suffocating, each second stretching into an eternity.

Just as regret began to creep in, the door swung open, revealing Sukuna.

"What do you want, brat?" he snapped, his voice a low, guttural growl that sent shivers down your spine.

Summoning your courage, you stammered, "I... I haven't had anything to eat in hours. I was wondering if I could..." Your voice trailed off, and you hated the way it wavered with uncertainty.

Sukuna's expression shifted, a mixture of disbelief and unbridled annoyance as he stared you down. Then, he let out a cold, cruel laugh that reverberated through the empty apartment.

"You interrupted me because you're hungry?" he mocked, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Pathetic."

Your cheeks burned red in humiliation, but you refused to back down, meeting his gaze. "I need to eat," you insisted.

Sukuna's laughter subsided, and his features hardened again. "Fine," he spat, "but only on the condition that you cook me a meal as well. Consider it payment for your pitiful needs."

The absurdity of Sukuna's unexpected demand left you stunned. Cook for the King of Curses? This wasn't part of the plan.

Moreover, the apartment was devoid of anything remotely edible, unless you counted the dubious slabs of meat that you had no intention of touching.

Sukuna's gaze bore into you, his impatience growing with each passing second of your stunned silence. "What are you gawking at, brat?" he snarled.

His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned back against the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. "Back in the Heian era, my servant used to prepare meals for me without question," he said, his voice taking on a wistful tone as he reminisced about his past.

"But I suppose I can't expect the same level of competence from you," he continued, his gaze raking over you with a look of blatant disregard. "Regardless, you're the closest thing I have to a servant right now. So get to work."

"Oh, fantastic," you remarked with a hint of sarcasm, unable to fully mask your frustration. "I've been downgraded to a servant."

You fixed Sukuna with a defiant glare. "But even a servant can't cook without ingredients, and the fridge is empty," You taunted.

Sukuna's brows tightened at your slightly too nonchalant demeanor.

“There’s a market down the street. You have half an hour to get there, buy what you need, and return. If you’re not back by then,” he threatened, though a hint of playfulness lingered beneath his harsh tone,

“I’ll drag you back by the scruff of your neck and show you what real hunger feels like.”

You opened your mouth to argue, intending to remind him of his own restrictions.

“But you said—”

“I said you need my permission to go out,” Sukuna interrupted, his tone icy. “I’m giving it to you now. Half an hour. Starting now.”

Without another word, Sukuna turned on his heel and retreated back into his room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The finality of Sukuna's words left little room for argument, and you had to acknowledge that at least this meant you'd get to eat tonight. With a sigh, you retrieved the key from your pocket and headed out into the cool night air.

As you walked, your thoughts drifted, briefly considering what culinary preferences the King of Curses might have. But you quickly shook off the ridiculous notion, resolving to keep it simple. He would eat what you made, and that was that. You had no desire to cater to his wishes.

Arriving at the market, you hurried through the aisles, grabbing the essentials: rice, vegetables, meat, and some spices. All the while, you kept checking your phone, the minutes ticking away faster than you'd like. You quickly paid for the items and raced back to the apartment, making it back with just minutes to spare.

As you fumbled with the key, the door opened, and Sukuna stood there, his expression unreadable. He stepped aside to let you in, watching you closely as you strode over to the kitchenette and placed the bag of groceries on the counter.

His eyes tracked your every move as you began to prepare the meal. You worked quickly. The absence of your busy parents during your younger years, had resulted in you becoming quite skilled at preparing your own meals. Each ingredient was handled with a practiced ease.

Despite the pressure of Sukuna's unrelenting gaze, or perhaps because of it, the meal came together swiftly.

With no proper dining area to be found, you settled on the small coffee table in front of the couch as the only suitable surface, carefully placing the steaming bowls down upon it.

Sukuna followed your movements, his eyes never leaving you as he lowered himself onto the couch. You awkwardly sat down at the opposite end, maintaining as much distance as the limited space would allow.

Sukuna then grabbed the bowl and inspected it with a critical eye, as he lifted the spoon and took a deliberate bite. After a long, agonizing moment, he finally looked up, his expression blank.

"Not bad," he conceded, a grudging acknowledgment that somehow made you feel a twinge of pride, coming from him.

But, as you should have expected, Sukuna's acknowledgments never came without a sting. "Maybe you should have become a cook instead of a sorcerer," he mused, a sly grin spreading across his features. "It seems you lack the talent for the latter."

You glared at him, and without another word, you grabbed your own bowl and began to eat, the hunger that had been gnawing at you finally being sated.

The rest of the meal passed in silence, the air thick with an awkward tension. Sukuna, to your surprise, seemed to genuinely enjoy the food, finishing his portion quickly.

He then rose from the couch, carrying his empty bowl to the kitchen counter.

"Wash this for me, will you?" he commanded, with an air of entitlement that grated on your nerves. It made you scream inwardly for what felt like the hundredth time today.

Sukuna then strode back to his room, slamming the door behind him with a forceful bang.

As you finished up your own food, you set about washing the bowls, telling yourself that you were doing it for your own comfort, to rid the apartment of the lingering scent of food.

It had nothing to do with Sukuna's demands, you insisted, to regain a sense of control.

Once the dishes were clean and put away, you plopped down on the couch, the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily upon you. You had planned to rest for a little while before taking a much-needed shower, but to your surprise, you unexpectedly slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading! I appreciate the support, and I love reading the comments🙏❤️

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[bullet-prooflove]

Hi. This is an ask for Nestor Oceteva ❤️ The prompt is: 12. You know that I won’t let you fall. Thank you so much.

References to Nestor's art in Spray Paint  and to events in the upcoming Stockton!Series

Nestor becomes despondent after his paintings are destroyed. You’re hoping it’s a temporary thing, that he’s still processing the attack on your home but the door to the studio remains closed for weeks.

The place he loved has become a source of anguish for him now. Joining the MC instilled a sense of belonging, brothers stretched out across the country, supporting one another. Now when he looks at the ruined artwork all he sees is the betrayal. It doesn’t matter that it was another charter, the people who preached about loyalty and brotherhood had invaded his home, fired bullets into the bed where he’d been sleeping moments before.  

It’s hurts to see him like this, so quiet, so distant. Without painting he lives his life mechanically, going to work at the scrapyard, before he comes home and goes to bed. There are too many changes going on in his life right now and he’s waiting for the next threat because there’s going to be fall out from the way the MC’s shifting right now. Yuma may have fallen into line with Manny at the helm but there’s others that aren’t so forward thinking. Both Marcus and Bishop expect there to be some splinting. With no outlet the only way for Nestor to survive is to shut down and that’s what he’s doing.

He's resistant when you bring him to the empty shop alongside Nina’s tattoo parlour. The space has been vacant for a while, ever since the Galindo Agra Park collapse. The high street is just starting to rejuvenate, the influx of tourism from the Springtime Festival has boosted the economy and they’re starting to see small businesses pop up throughout the area.

“Mi Corazón.” He says wearily as he finds himself standing inside an empty, dusty shop with a paste table sitting in the middle. “What are we doing here?”

“You can’t paint at home. It’s not a safe space for you anymore.” You say softly before gesturing towards the doorway at the very back of the shop. “You need a change of scenery so I’ve set up an area for you upstairs, somewhere private where you can go and do whatever you want, when you want.”

Nestor doesn’t speak, instead he swallows hard against the ache of emotion in his chest as he crosses his arms over his chest and looks towards the boarded-up windows.

“The things that you’re feeling right now, the trauma of what happened, you need to work through that and the way you do that is through painting. I know things are hard for you right now, that you’re struggling but this is how you move past it.”

“What about the rest of it?” He asks you, gesturing at the space. “What are we supposed to do with the downstairs?”

You remove the lime green project book from your bag. The one that Nestor has been working from since he and David were kids. You’d found it when you were trying to put the remnants of your house back together, jammed between some of books that had been torn off the shelves. You remembered him showing it to you when you’d first moved in together.

A nonprofit art gallery, something that showcased the creativity in the community, that delivered programs to help kids channel their trauma, to create and build something from it.

You hadn’t realised how much work he’d put into over the past six months, how he’s refined the concept, included business projections, financial forecasts, marketing ideas. This is Nestor’s legacy you hold in your hands and the good it could do…

Right now, he can’t see past the turmoil he’s feeling, it’s too big, it needs to be taken a step at a time. However, this project book is an avenue to the future, a way to remind him that there’s life beyond that, that he’s more than just the man he is in this moment.

“When you’re feeling better, we should talk about this.” You say setting the project book on the rickety paste table. “About how we’re going to make it a reality.”

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[juiceortizprospect34]

#Ghosts We Carry- Chapter 17

The clubhouse had never felt so crowded yet so silent. Agent Ross stood near the pool table, his presence creating an invisible boundary that no one seemed eager to cross. Chibs had positioned himself between Ross and the rest of the club, a human buffer ready to intervene if necessary.

"Let me get this straight," Juice said, breaking the uneasy silence. "You've been investigating HaviCorp for two years?"

Ross nodded, his expression remaining carefully neutral. "Started as a financial crimes case. Money laundering, tax evasion—the usual corporate bullshit. Then bodies started dropping." He tapped the file folder he'd placed on the table. "People connected to their research division. Whistleblowers, former employees, competing scientists."

"And you tracked it to this... what'd you call it?" Chibs asked.

"Project Reaper," Ross supplied. "Though internally, they use a different designation: Thanatos Protocol."

Elena visibly flinched at the name. "Death," she translated softly. "They named it after the Greek god of death."

"Fitting," Tig muttered from his position by the door, where he stood guard, never taking his eyes off the fed.

"We've had agents trying to infiltrate for months," Ross continued, "but they've got security measures that would make the Pentagon blush. Then three weeks ago, our undercover went dark. Last transmission mentioned something about genetic targeting and a breakthrough." He looked directly at Elena. "And your name, Dr. Alvarez."

Elena's hands tightened around the edge of her laptop. "My research was never meant for this. I was developing methods to target specific genetic markers for personalized cancer treatments."

"Noble intentions," Ross acknowledged with a thin smile. "Unfortunately, HaviCorp saw other applications."

"Why come to us?" Happy asked, speaking for the first time. His gravelly voice carried no emotion, but his hand never strayed far from his weapon. "Feds and MCs don't exactly play well together."

Ross turned to face him. "Because traditional channels failed. Because three of my agents are dead. Because whoever is running Thanatos has connections high enough to bury any official investigation." His jaw tightened. "And because you're already in it up to your necks."

"He's not wrong," Juice admitted, exchanging a glance with Chibs. "We've got targets on our backs either way."

"What exactly are you proposing?" Chibs asked Ross, his Scottish accent thickening with suspicion.

"A temporary alliance," Ross replied. "You have what I need—access to their system, thanks to Mr. Ortiz here, and scientific expertise through Dr. Alvarez. I have what you need—federal resources, evidence collection protocols that will stand up in court, and most importantly, a way out for all of you when this is done."

"A way out?" Juice couldn't keep the skepticism from his voice.

"Full immunity," Ross clarified. "For past crimes. In exchange for your cooperation in bringing down HaviCorp."

A tense silence followed his words. The offer was too good to be true—which meant it probably was.

"And we're supposed to just trust you?" Tig scoffed.

"Trust has nothing to do with it," Ross countered. "Mutual necessity. Self-preservation." He looked around the room, meeting each man's eyes in turn. "HaviCorp isn't just targeting outlaw MCs. They're building a weapon that could reshape global power structures. Eliminate opposition without a trace. Today it's bikers and cartel members. Tomorrow? Political dissidents. Activists. Anyone who stands in their way."

Elena stood up suddenly. "He's right," she said, turning her laptop to show them a document she'd accessed. "Look at their investor list. Defense contractors. Private military companies. And this—" she pointed to a name near the bottom, "—a shell corporation tied to a foreign intelligence service."

Juice leaned in, scanning the document. "Shit," he muttered. "This goes way beyond us."

Chibs ran a hand through his graying hair, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders. "We meet with Alvarez first," he decided. "Hear what the Mayans have to say. Then we decide about this... alliance."

Ross checked his watch. "You don't have much time. HaviCorp knows their system was breached. They'll be moving to secure their assets, eliminate loose ends."

"Like us," Happy stated flatly.

"Like all of us," Ross corrected. He slid a burner phone across the table toward Chibs. "My number's the only one programmed in. Call me after you meet with the Mayans. But don't wait too long."

Chibs picked up the phone but didn't pocket it yet. "One thing I don't get," he said. "Why are you doing this off-book? Why not bring in the cavalry?"

Something flickered across Ross's face—a brief crack in his professional veneer. "My partner was the undercover who went missing," he said quietly. "Sarah Davis. Fifteen years on the job. Two kids. The Bureau declared her case 'inactive' last week." His expression hardened again. "So this isn't just about justice anymore. It's personal."

No one in the room missed the significance of his admission. Personal vendettas they understood all too well.

"Noon," Chibs said finally. "We meet Alvarez, then we call you."

Ross nodded once, then headed for the door. Tig moved aside to let him pass, but not before giving him a warning look that needed no translation.

When the fed was gone, the room erupted in overlapping voices.

"We can't trust a fucking fed—"

"Could be setting us up—"

"What choice do we have—"

"ENOUGH!" Chibs's voice cut through the chaos. "One problem at a time. First, we meet with the Mayans. Juice, Elena—keep working. Find us something concrete. Something we can use as leverage." He turned to Happy and Tig. "You two, with me. We need to prepare for the meet. Neutral ground doesn't mean safe ground."

As the others dispersed to their assignments, Juice turned back to Elena. She was staring at her screen, but her eyes weren't moving.

"Hey," he said softly. "You okay?"

She looked up at him, her face a complex mixture of guilt and determination. "My father spent his life trying to heal people. Now his work is being used to create the perfect assassination tool." She shook her head. "And the worst part? I can see exactly how they did it. How they perverted his research. It's... elegant, in a horrifying way."

"That's why you're our best chance," Juice told her. "You understand it. You can fight it."

"If we had a proper lab, maybe. But here?" She gestured around the clubhouse.

"We'll figure it out," Juice assured her. "First step is understanding exactly what we're up against."

Elena nodded and returned to scanning files. After a moment, she said without looking up, "That agent—Ross. The woman he mentioned, his partner... they must have been more than colleagues."

Juice considered this. "You picked up on that too, huh?"

"The way his voice changed when he said her name." Elena's fingers paused on the keyboard. "He's not just seeking justice. He wants revenge."

"That makes him dangerous," Juice observed.

"That makes him motivated," Elena countered. "And potentially reckless."

"Either way, we need to be careful." Juice glanced toward the window, where he could see Chibs, Happy, and Tig preparing for the meeting with Alvarez. "Everyone's got their own ghosts in this fight."

"Including you?" Elena asked, her eyes finding his.

Juice felt the familiar weight of memory pressing down—faces of the dead, choices he couldn't undo, betrayals that had scarred his soul. But alongside them now stood new figures: Chibs with his unwavering loyalty, Elena with her fierce intelligence, even Agent Ross with his personal crusade.

"Yeah," he admitted. "But maybe that's not always a bad thing. Maybe sometimes the ghosts are there to remind us what we're fighting for."

Elena reached across the table and briefly touched his hand, an unexpected gesture that sent warmth through his battle-worn heart. "Then let's not disappoint them," she said.

They returned to work in comfortable silence, the only sounds the clicking of keyboards and the distant rumble of motorcycles being prepped for the ride to meet Alvarez. Outside, the sun climbed higher in the sky, burning away the morning mist that had shrouded the clubhouse.

Time was running short. The meeting with the Mayans loomed ahead, with all its uncertain outcomes. Beyond that, the dangerous alliance with Agent Ross. And somewhere, in offices and laboratories they had yet to locate, HaviCorp scientists were perfecting their deadly creation.

But for the first time in years, Juice didn't feel alone in his fight. The ghosts at his shoulder stood as witnesses, not accusers. And the woman beside him—brilliant, determined, unexpected—worked with a focus that matched his own.

Whatever came next, they would face it together. The Sons, the Mayans, the fed with his personal vendetta. An unlikely alliance against an enemy that threatened them all.

The hunt wasn't just beginning. It was transforming.

From prey to predators.

[senjutsunade]

This blog is penned by Typo Queen. So yes, you will see a lot of typo's on here. They are the bane of my existence.

This blog primarily functions on AU's with Finger Seizure (FS - @konohagakurekakashi) & Crazy Insomniac ( CI - @minaa-munch).

Beyond the AU's default verse will be Godiame days. Read THIS before interaction.

The blog follows this TIMELINE.

This blog welcomes creative asks. Rude ones and ones with sexual innuendos will be ignored and deleted. Character building ones will be respected and adored.

This blog will NOT write smut. Never. Its off the table. Nothing can convince the mun otherwise.

There are an endless amount of HC's on this blog. The basic idea stays the same but there are head-canons and references that might be unexpected. ➤ Tsunade's mother is a Yamanaka. ➤ Inoichi is Tsunade's second cousin. ➤ Namikaze Minato (whose grandmother was a Yamanaka) is third cousins with Tsunade. Headcanon shared with @minaa-munch. ➤ Tsunade knew kid Kakashi. After Sakumo's death, she'd sometimes bring the brat groceries and was gracious enough to allow him to cook her dinner. Kindness may as well be her middle name. Headcanon shared with @konohagakurekakashi. ➤ Tsunade was temporary sensei of the Inoichi, Shikaku and Choza's gennin team while their sensei was recovering from a bad injury. She led the cell for a month. ➤ Tsunade is not as 'light' as typically considered. During the second shinobi war, she wasn't just creating antidotes to Chiyo's poisons. She was also manipulating the formula to make them deadlier and use them against Suna. Quite a few of the techniques used by the T&I are failed medical technique experiments of hers. She is a kunoichi first and foremost. ➤ She cares deeply for her team-mates. They are all fucked up in their own ways and drift apart but her feelings for them never change. Even after she becomes Godiame, and Orochimaru is considered enemy, does not mean she does not care for the stupid snake and she mourns his 'death' as she mourns Jiraiya, later on. This is why you will see a LOT of sannin content on here. Those three deserved better, damn it!

A lot of stuff you sill see on here is from the following verses:

#Blind Incandescence - Detective AU

Tsunade, a medical student in her final year, abandons her dreams to seek justice for her murdered brother, Senju Nawaki. Frustrated with the lack of progress, she teams up with rookie detective Namikaze Minato. Their investigation reveals a larger conspiracy, leading them to start a successful private investigation company. Three years later, a promising tip results in the murders of Minato, his partner Kushina, and the informant, leaving Tsunade in deeper despair and in charge of the agency alone. Nearly a decade later, she continues to search for answers while running Konoha's top detective agency with her partners (who also act as headaches) Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi.

#Survivors Guilt - Minato Lives AU

Things did not go as planned during Naruto's birth. Minato had expected to die alongside Kushina, their fates intertwined in a final act of sacrifice. But fate had other designs-he survived. Heartbroken and shattered by the loss of his beloved, he was left to care for their newborn son. The Kyubi's chakra, however, began to devour him from within. Unlike Kushina, he did not possess the Uzumaki bloodline to shield him from the sinister side effects of sealing a biju's chakra within himself. Kakashi stood by, a terrified and powerless as he watched his mentor's agony unfold. Desperation gnawed at him, propelling him to seek the one person who might be able to save Minato - Senju Tsunade. Yet she was a ghost, a legend hidden within the vast, unforgiving expanses of the Shinobi world. Days turned into a relentless countdown. Each passing moment, a step closer to Minato's demise. With time slipping through their fingers, hope seemed as elusive as the winds whispering through the leaves of Konoha, and the shadows of the past closed in around them, darker and more foreboding, with each heartbeat.

#Ten Miles Too Close - Rogue Minato AU

Set against the backdrop of war-torn Konoha - Minato is a rogue shinobi who finds himself haunted by his past and his unfulfilled dreams. He struggles with the weight of his choices, particularly the decision that led him to become a missing-nin, an outcast from his village, Konoha. Tsunade seeks him out, bringing into the narrative her own bitterness over Konoha's need to keep taking from her shinobi. Bitterness and distrust festering within her, she is relentless in her questioning of his choices. His encounter with Tsunade makes the two navigate the delicate balance between trust and betrayal, loyalty, regret, and the haunting specter of their shared history.

#Rinne-Whoops (Who Died and Brought you Back out)

The title says it all really. Was meant to be a thread. Mutated into a novella. Didn't stop there.... The gist of it is Pein's final resurrection had unintended consequences, bringing back more than it should have. The yondaime has risen again - a return neither he nor Konoha is prepared for. 

For more details, there is a whole rules page, verses page and headcanons page - all forever a work in progress project.

[tearfallpixie]

Make Mama Happy - Chapter 2

Lots of updates in this chapter. I hope you like it 🖤🖤🖤

Tags: @nerdraging4point0 @thesazzb @synthetic-wasp-570 @circle-with-me @beaker1636 @itsjustemily @witchyweeb34 @agravemisstake @cookiesupplier @cncohshit @faceless-mirror @nonamessblog @yournecessaryevil @black-damask1999

@lyschko666 @vinyardmauro @skulliecadaver-blog @some-daniela @latenightmusiclover

“I talked to Rick.” I scowled at the mention of the guitarist’s name and looked up to glare at my friend. After the party Heather had sought out Richard, and the truth unraveled quickly. He confessed to lying to Vinny about me creating a web of lies so that the drummer didn't get involved with me. The revelation had triggered a storm of emotions and after a lot of screaming and fighting, Heather had shown up on my doorstep at 2 am sobbing about how sorry she was and It became evident she hadn't realized the depth of his dislike for me. 

Despite the betrayal, I couldn't bring myself to blame Heather for the actions of her dumbass boyfriend. I let her in, and together we sought solace on the couch, drowning our sorrows in a shared bucket of ice cream.

“Oh?” I asked, feigning nonchalance.

“He feels bad about what he did.” Heather mumbled meekly, her voice tinged with desperation. I scoffed and stood from the table to slam my plate into the sink. 

“He called me a fucking whore.” I snarled, the anger bubbling to the surface, earning a guilty and scared look from Heather. “I would never do that to you.” 

“I know! But he sounded sincere.” She pleaded, trying to get me to understand.

“He can fuck right off. I will no longer come to anything with you that he is attending.” I declared, cutting through her attempts to justify his behavior. She went to protest, but I turned my back on her, my resolve unwavering. “I have to get to the winery. I’ll see you later.” 

I heard a slight whimper from her but couldn't bring myself to turn around. Once the retreating footsteps faded and the door closed, I glanced over my shoulder. Left alone in the large, empty house, I let out a shaky, angry breath. Richard Olson was the biggest asshole in the world, and forgiveness was a distant notion at that moment.

I reached for my black pencil skirt and crisp white blouse, the professional attire I typically chose for my role as the winery's event coordinator. While my usual day was spent in the office, occasionally I found myself pouring wine and interacting with guests. Collecting my composure, I took one last glance in the mirror, reaffirming my strength before heading out to the winery.

“Nichole! We have a special guest coming today so we want you to take care of them. We’re short staffed today so we need you as backup.” The front of house manager, Rachel, called as I walked through the door.

“Of course. Who is it?” I asked, dropping my coat on the rack and trying to remember any events I had scheduled today.

“The reservation is under the name Kyle Mauro.” Rachel informed me. I froze and turned to her, the familiarity of the last name striking a chord within me. Mauro was Vinny's last name, and the possibility of it being a mere coincidence seemed remote. Justin, the bassist for the band, also shared the same last name, albeit with a different spelling. It left me praying for the odds of this being some random person to be the likely situation.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll take care of them," I promised, my tone steady despite the uncertainty that accompanied the name Kyle Mauro. I couldn't shake the suspicion that this encounter might complicate my day, but I reminded myself to take a deep breath and put on a smile. I still had to be professional despite who this turned about to be. 

"Thank you so so much. They'll be in the private suite," Rachel expressed her gratitude, and I nodded in acknowledgment. Stepping into my office, I immersed myself in the tedious but necessary task of paperwork, a temporary respite before the winery opened its doors to the patrons.

As I focused on the files and documents spread across my desk, a few employees entered my office with queries about time off or concerns related to their pay. I addressed each issue as best I could, ensuring that everything was in order before the busy day started.

Before I knew it, the clock struck 11 am, and the winery's doors swung open to welcome the first wave of visitors. Rising from my desk, I straightened my skirt, ready to transition from the paperwork to the dining room.

As I entered the bustling dining area, I noticed the early arrivals, most of them tourists enjoying the wine-tasting tours that some companies offered allowing them to visit several wineries in one day. With a quick glance at the table map, I saw that the area that needed coverage was the upstairs section where the private suite awaited Kyle later in the day. I walked up to the top floor and admired the above view of the dining room as I ascended the stairs.

“Good morning!” I cheered, giving my brightest smile to the 4 girls sitting at the only currently occupied table. “What are you four beautiful ladies in for?” I teased.

“We’re here for Barbra’s bachelorette party. She’s getting married in a week so we took a girls vacation.” One of them gestured to the girl next to her.

“Well I will make sure you gals have a wonderful time. Are we here for a tasting?” 

"Yes, please! We heard raving reviews about this place, so we had to check it out. We also want to try a charcuterie board," the guests enthused, their excitement palpable. I jotted down their order, and went to the office on this level to send it down to the kitchen, beforeI grabbing the first wine for them to taste. 

I engaged in friendly conversation, offering insights into the flavors and nuances of each selection. As I navigated through their wine tasting, a few more tables trickled in, some of them just coming in to grab a single glass of wine. The first level buzzed with the pleasant hum of satisfied customers while the upstairs stayed peaceful.

By around 2 in the afternoon, the top level had emptied, leaving me with some slow moments to finish up some paperwork. Seated in the little office, I immersed myself in my task, the rhythmic sounds of the winery serving as a background hum.

I heard a vibration on the table next to me, indicating a new text message so I picked up my phone. I glanced at the screen, curious about who was contacting me.

R: Kyle Mauro is here. Can you come escort them up?

N: Be right down

Tucking my paperwork back into its folder, I set it to the side before descending the stairs. Midway down, my attention was drawn to the front desk, where a familiar curly mop from the party caught my eye. Beside him stood an equally familiar drummer, his scowl evident as if he'd prefer to be anywhere else.

"Kyle Mauro?" I questioned as I approached them, trying to keep my voice steady so as to not show my annoyance at the unwelcome guest. Vinny's eyes snapped to mine, and his scowl deepened, a clear sign of discomfort and tension in the air. Kyle glanced over and elbowed his brother in the side before turning back to me with a beaming smile.

"Yep! You're Nichole from the party, aren't you?" Kyle said, his demeanor distinctly warmer than Vinny's. Despite the tension radiating from the drummer, Kyle's amiable nature seemed unaffected.

"Yeah! What brings you two in today?" I inquired, picking up two menus and motioning for them to follow as I led the way back up the steps.

"I'm getting married and wanted to come taste some wines from here for the special day," Kyle beamed with excitement, his joy infectious.

"Congratulations! Who's the special lady?" I said, deliberately ignoring the glares sent my way by Vinny, who seemed less than thrilled to be in my presence.

"Man, actually," Kyle revealed. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, but my warm smile remained unaltered.

"Well then, congratulations. That is exciting. Let's find you the perfect wine," I offered, leading them to the private suite. As a gesture of goodwill, I put in an order for a charcuterie board on the house, ensuring their wine-tasting experience was accompanied by a delightful selection of complementary flavors.

"We didn't order this," Vinny snapped when I brought the charcuterie board to the table.

"I know. It's on the house. I wanted to do something nice for you guys," I replied calmly, maintaining a composed demeanor as I saw a fleeting expression of guilt cross Vinny's face. Internally, I couldn't help but smirk at the subtle shift.

"The first wine is a sweet Moscato, a vibrant blend with aromas of tropical fruit and honey. It's a little sweet with a hint of acidity, perfect for sipping while imagining a beautiful beach vacation. I'll leave you to enjoy that for a bit and then come back with the next one," I explained, taking a step into the adjacent office to put away the wine bottle.

The thin wall between the two rooms served as an unintentional amplifier for sound, making it so that no conversations were truly private. As I organized the wine selection, I couldn't help but overhear their discussion outside.

"I appreciate you coming along, Vin. I know you don't want to be here, but I wouldn't want anyone else's opinion but my best man and brother," Kyle spoke with genuine gratitude. “You know, you should really think about settling down. Mama is going to start setting you up if you don't bring someone home soon," Kyle suggested.

"I know. I don't trust just anyone. Most people just want to get in my pants to get close to Rick. I love the man, but his good looks piss me off sometimes," Vinny confessed. He seemed a lot more relaxed when I wasn't around and it honestly intrigued me at how gentle he sounded. I didn't realize that he felt that way about Richard though so it kind of explained why he got so defensive at the party.

"Speaking of him, are you ever going to apologize to that pretty lady in there? I mean, he made it pretty obvious that he lied," Kyle asked. 

"Why do I have to apologize? It was his lie. Plus, I still don't like her. She seems stuck up," Vinny retorted, I could practically hear his scowl deepening as he stood firm in his reluctance to extend an apology. I couldn't help but scowl in return, pondering various ways to put the obstinate drummer in his place.

"I don't think that's fair to her. Plus, Mama would love her," Kyle reasoned, with a light hearted hint to his voice. "You should do it to make Mama happy."

"Not her," Vinny insisted, his resistance unwavering.

"Well then you have to bring a girl to next week's dinner, or I'll tell Mom you agreed to going on blind dates. Maybe she'll set you up with Betty Lou," Kyle teased, provoking a disgusted noise from Vinny. I couldn't help but snicker as I overheard their banter while pulling the next bottle of wine from the fridge.

"Ugh, I'll find someone. Just shut up," Vinny conceded, his tone indicating a desire to put an end to the discussion. Seizing the opportunity, I approached the table with the next bottle, noting that they had finished their glasses.

"How did we like that wine, boys?" I asked sweetly, maintaining a professional demeanor and not giving any hint that I had overheard their earlier discussion.

"It's good, but neither of us are really sweet wine people," Kyle replied, offering a warm smile. I nodded in understanding.

"Then you might like this next one; it's a semi-sweet but not too overbearing," I suggested, smoothly transitioning to the next part of the wine-tasting experience. We continued working through the selections, finding three wines that Kyle and Vinny deemed suitable for their upcoming celebration. Surprisingly, Vinny remained civil throughout the process, although I couldn't help but notice the occasional lingering glance.

"Thank you for everything," Kyle murmured appreciatively as I brought over the wine selection he had purchased. Vinny's brother pulled me into a hug before making his way back down the stairs, leaving Vinny behind. The drummer cast one last glance my way, his expression inscrutable, before following his brother.

As the private suite door closed behind them, I took a deep breath, momentarily relieved that the wine-tasting session had concluded smoothly despite the underlying tensions. The winery's atmosphere returned to its usual buzz of activity, and I resumed my duties, hoping to forget about the red haired drummer.

[vibin-down-here]

Little Writeblr intro post!

Hi! I’m Arabella, transfem 18yo high school student (with no clue where to next) from Leipzig, Germany. Writing is my main hobby, I love spending hours in a coffee shop creating little stories at a table in the corner. Other than that, I love doing pencil sketches and dm’ing ttrpg’s with friends.

I mostly still post on twitter (@ vibe_but_tiny) until they let me into BlueSky, but this is where i go for writing / art stuff and fandom media.

Now, little intro to writing stuff i do, and all of my wip’s!

Angel of Small Death // Devil of Forgotten Things

My main wip! It started out as inspiration by a Hozier song (“angel of small death and the codeine scene”). The starting idea was a romance / opposing narratives between a security person and a thief in a Sci-fi / Cyper Punk dystopia. I don’t like writing the hard systems of Sci-fi and didn’t want to set this story with the elites, so the main conflict evolved into what it is now. Mars became the setting mostly because of how dismal life in a mars colony would actually be (and the current, frankly already dystopian plans for a corporate kingdom on mars that are driving private space ventures). I’m on 4 chapters, 5k words.

After a heist gone almost wrong in a facility way too secure for how unknown it is, Felix’s life is spared by an stranger on the security team he nicknames “Angel”. They keep encountering each other as Angel tries to prevent a major leak without killing Felix or alerting his teammates and Felix slowly uncovers the truth of how eldritch gods from the darkness beyond want to extinguish life and how the elites in space stations above made a deal with them for temporary fortune.

Like a Moth to the Stars

This started out as a self insert short story after I read a webtoon i really liked but thought had more potential (or, tbh, i was just getting impatient with waiting for updates). I’ve since written a proper framework, and mc2 is no longer just me.

Aimless high school graduate (yeah ok that part is still just me) Amelia suddenly changes her life when a temporary gig at a festival let’s her meet celebrity rock star Maria. (For complicated reasons) the two fall in love, and Amelia is lifted from her life to a turbulent maelstrom of celebrity drama and tours against both their wills (bc the label thinks it’ll boost Maria’s image mostly).

All that we Intend is Scrawled in Sand

Here I go again with the Hozier lyrics. This is just a writing exercise (start of a first chapter), but i think it has potential.

Gods don’t die, not really, but they crumple into basically humanoid beings with only small scale powers. That is as close as you can get to killing a god. A strained couple, a god of forests and one of the night, both killed by a new-fangled city god after one betrayed the other, must now set out to accomplish just that to save their god-children and, incidentally, the world.

Romance over Coffee

Despite what the *everything* about this might imply, this is actually not self-insert fic. It’s just inspired by a real series of events i actually experienced, where i started writing in a cafe, started dating the barista, applied for a job there and was rejected shortly after we broke up. It was just so fic-worthy, i had to. I’m one chapter in and have only the roughest of plans on where to go next.

No summary, i’m not an inch further than what actually happened to me.

Some others:

- Glimpses of a Venice Beyond the Veil (God apologises for past relationship misdeeds with scenic retreat to eldritch horror Venice to watch a world ending event like fireworks)

- Catching Fire on her Burning Heart (Girl accidentally becomes messenger from the beyond bc she can travel the path between and her new fae girlfriend asked for her help)

[heartstringablaze]

@hhalxyon

The great Citadel was massive and sunless. Chambers designed for seclusion plentiful. Robin did not fair well without light. Desperate as he felt to isolate, the corners of this strange new place chilled him. A seat by the eternally roaring hearth was the best he could manage without fleeing the fellowships temporary sanctuary.

His nerves were busted. Was it night? Flames flicker and create movement across the four walls. The artist feels himself shrink, drawing the large text closer to his chest. Alone, at last, dark mortal eyes turn downward and focus. Was the style of calligraphy odd, foreign to human visitors, or was his mind still aroused?

This wasn't home.

Abandoning the book on a nearby table, Robin flexes his musician digits before lifting a lute to his chest. Light as a feather. He stands before the fire and shuts both strained eyelids. Whoosh, crackle, a subtle high pitch whine. There are no such sounds. This fire is magic and consumes no pyre.

This place is so empty.

He has to let his mind wander to find inspiration. Soulless as his surroundings felt, Robin possessed his own. Fingers flick and strum, drawing forth the most innocent and cheerful tune he can muster. The sort played beside a rushing stream, teaming with fish, on a blue and golden afternoon among friends.

The punishing heat of this dead fire is replaced with a feeling of refreshment. From his toes that skirt the cool ripples to his chest that exhales with laughter. He would trade the emptiness for a full hand of trout, clammy slimed scales wriggling back and forth. He would trade it for a blinding of pure sunlight.

The void conquers the sun again as a creak slips behind him and Robin turns on his heel, knowing he'd been caught. The form of this presence is still very unfamiliar to him, but he recalls the gold they had pierced to their skin. The sun.

Cleric.

Robin smiles and continues to strum. As a performer would.

"No party with you? A private show it is then... how truly blessed you are." He teased before finding his seat once more. Raven curls pressed into the velvet. Lute cradled lazily, too high on his chest, the sound from it still expert. But now, more muted, as to not outshine his humored voice. "I've always wondered how clerics like you spend their free time. Care to share?"

[unholyfms]

UNHOLYFMS EVENT 002: ARCANUM NIGHTS

Glass House has invited its favorite angels and demons of Los Angeles' elite to celebrate their 65th anniversary upholding their definition of divinity by being one of the most sought after memberships in the city. They have handpicked residents of the city of angels to be in attendance to ring in another decade adorned with delicately crafted drinks, cuisine, and performances.  However, this isn't just any party. Glass House is known for how difficult it is to get a membership because of how they regard their guests with exits no flashing camera has access to and secret events only members are privy to. Though, a scandal is underway as the new management of the restaurant and club has been selling in-house photos and even selling temporary passes as a way to gain more cash under the table. On July 28th, their anniversary may be their end as well as the reputation of those in attendance as their secrets will be exploited as evidence that even the mighty have dirt under their fingernails, and even they can fall. What hangs in the balance is if they can survive the crash when their reputation takes a strike.

SUMMARY: Glass House is hosting their 65th anniversary celebration by inviting all their members to be in attendance. The restaurant and clubhouse is known for its privacy and difficulty to snag a membership, as its built to ensure security and privacy for all those who are apart of it. However, there's been staff selling secrets and as a way of exposing that just because you're a member you're not better than anyone else, they'll be outing secrets of all guests. The project has been in the works for weeks as soon as the guest list was made. Throughout the night, secrets will be revealed throughout the venue despite not being attached to a particular name. It's up to those in attendance to either ignore it, tear it down, but above all else not let the paranoia ruin their night. 

IC INFORMATION

If your muse would not have a membership with Glass House, feel free to plot them being a plus one with another muse who is a member or an NPC! Most members of Glass House are socialites and those with prominent and prolonged careers in the Hollywood scene such as A-list actors, award-winning musicians, critically acclaimed authors, etc. 

Guests are able to enter the venue without any interruptions from paparazzi's with private entrances.

Attire for the event is semi-formal, such as suits and cocktail dresses. 

The event will take place in-character Friday, July 28th from 9 PM to 2 AM. 

Descriptions of the Glass House Venue are the following: Located in Beverly Hills, the Glass House lounge is hidden behind iron gates covered in wisteria and monstera plants. Ring the bell, present your card, and you may enter without a single interruption of someone trying get a peek. Go up the iron staircase, and this is where the fun begins. You have access to a balcony overseeing a courtyard full of lush plants and a pool with cerulean blue tile. The courtyard is surrounded by three floors you can venture out to whether its the exclusive spa, meditation rooms, or other private lounges that will mostly be open for guests for the event. The stage faces north and the bar can be found across the way.

OOC INFORMATION

The event will take place out of character from Thursday, July 27th at 8 PM EST to Sunday, August 6th at 11 PM EST. Non event threads may continue past the end date, but no new event event threads should be created past the end date.

Participation is mandatory for all muses, so feel free to plot with each other how to be in attendance whether it's a plus-one, working the event to sneak in, or membership to Glass House! 

Please submit three secrets pertaining to your character that would be a possible threat to their reputation by Wednesday, July 26th at 8 PM EST. Admins will choose which to reveal, but your character's name will not be directly connected to it. This is mandatory for the event. 

The manner in which these secrets will be revealed will be posted to the main with three secrets every two days. Some of these secrets will be projected as part of the decor such as faceless photo that seems eerily familiar, text messages printed on napkins accessible to everyone at the venue, conversations featured as overlay on the DJs remix, etc. 

Please post your character's attire for the event and tag it as #unholy.event !

You can post starters pertaining to your muse enjoying themselves at the event and then build upon a secret they find themselves witnessing the reveal of, a direct reveal of their own secret (once it's been posted on the main), or even a self para if you want to go deep into how your character feels!

All characters must remain at the venue the entire event unless stated otherwise in an event update post on the main. 

[spacevaletsblog]

Hosting an Event at Home? Rent Furniture Storage Space

Weddings, festive celebrations, house parties, and religious functions—these special occasions bring joy, guests, and a lot of activity into our homes. But preparing your house for such events often requires rearranging, removing, or storing excess furniture. If your space feels too tight to accommodate decorations or guests, it may be time to consider a furniture storage space for rent.

Instead of cramming everything into one room or compromising on your event setup, renting professional storage gives you the flexibility to transform your space effortlessly—without giving anything away.

1. Events Need Space—And Furniture Gets in the Way

From mandaps to buffet setups, floor seating arrangements to photo booths, events at home need clear, open spaces. Large furniture like sofas, recliners, coffee tables, or even bookshelves can obstruct walkways, eat into usable space, and disrupt the aesthetic.

A smart way to create room without permanently removing anything is to use a dedicated furniture storage space for rent. Temporarily moving out bulky furniture helps you repurpose your home for the event while keeping your belongings safe and intact.

2. Protect Furniture from Accidental Damage

High foot traffic, food spills, drinks, and children running around—events can be messy. Even if you cover your furniture, the chances of accidental damage remain high.

Storing your important pieces in a private, secure storage room for rent reduces the risk entirely. You can enjoy your celebration freely without worrying about scratches, stains, or knocks on your expensive furniture.

3. Ideal for Weddings, Pujas, Parties, and Festive Celebrations

If you're hosting any of the following at home, temporary furniture storage is worth considering:

Wedding functions or engagement ceremonies

Housewarming (Griha Pravesh) or naming ceremonies

Festive gatherings for Diwali, Eid, Christmas, or Navratri

Birthday parties or anniversary events

Religious rituals with temporary altars or seating arrangements

In each of these cases, clearing out some furniture using a storage space for rent gives you the room to create a more welcoming and organized environment.

4. Store Items for Just a Few Days or Weeks

You don’t need a long-term plan for short-term events. Space Valet offers flexible options, making it easy to rent storage for just a few days or weeks. This means you only pay for the duration you need—ideal for temporary functions or festivals.

Once your event is over, simply schedule a drop-off. Your furniture returns in the same condition, ready to take its place in your home again.

5. Doorstep Pickup and Drop—No Moving Hassles

Planning an event is already overwhelming—decor, guest lists, catering, and more. Moving furniture shouldn’t be an added stress.

With Space Valet’s valet service, once you book a furniture storage space for rent, their trained professionals arrive at your doorstep, pack your items using multi-layer protection, and transport them to your private unit. After the event, everything is delivered back to you—no lifting, no logistics, no stress.

6. Keep Your Home Clean and Spacious

Events generate clutter. Between decoration materials, catering supplies, additional chairs, and personal belongings, things can pile up quickly. By clearing out unnecessary furniture into a storage room for rent, you reduce visual clutter and maintain a clean, elegant setting.

Whether you're transforming your living room into a dance floor or converting your terrace into a dinner setup, professional storage opens up possibilities without compromise.

7. Peace of Mind for Valuable Furniture

If you have custom furniture, antique pieces, or designer items, storing them temporarily during large gatherings protects them from damage, misuse, or even theft. With 24/7 CCTV surveillance, biometric access, and clean, pest-free units, Space Valet ensures your furniture is looked after while you focus on enjoying your event.

8. Small Homes Benefit the Most

Urban homes often have limited floor space. Hosting 20–30 guests in a compact flat or apartment can feel impossible—unless you clear the room.

Using a storage space for rent gives small homes the advantage of adapting for the occasion. Once the event is over, your space can be restored, quickly and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Home events are meant to be joyful, not stressful. Renting a furniture storage space for rent helps you prepare your home for the occasion, protect your belongings, and focus on creating beautiful memories with friends and family.

Whether you're hosting a grand celebration or a cozy gathering, Space Valet offers short-term and flexible storage room for rent options tailored for your needs. With professional packing, secure facilities, and hassle-free pickup/drop, you can transform your space and restore it with ease.

Plan your next celebration with confidence—store smart with Space Valet.

[meika-kuna]

The Growing Demand for Washington DC Furniture Rental Services

The vibrant city of Washington DC is home to countless corporate offices, federal institutions, and event venues—all with unique furnishing needs. As workspaces evolve and professional events increase, more businesses are turning to flexible furnishing solutions that offer both convenience and class. This trend has given rise to the growing demand for Washington DC furniture rental services. Whether it’s outfitting temporary offices, organizing conferences, or hosting pop-up business events, rental furniture offers a cost-effective and elegant alternative to permanent purchases.

Why Washington DC Furniture Rental Is on the Rise?

The fast-paced nature of business in the nation’s capital demands adaptable solutions—and Washington DC furniture rental fits the bill. Companies frequently host summits, hire temporary staff, and shift office locations, making permanent furniture purchases impractical. Renting offers the flexibility to match the scale and style of each occasion without long-term commitments. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA has observed this growing demand firsthand, with more clients preferring smart rental options over traditional investments.

Corporate Growth Fuels Furniture Rental Demand

With Washington DC attracting both startups and global enterprises, office spaces are expanding and evolving. This corporate growth has led to a greater need for fast, scalable furnishing solutions. Washington DC furniture rental services cater to this demand by offering stylish office furniture for short-term and long-term use. Whether it’s an executive suite or a collaborative workspace, Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA provides curated furniture packages that reflect brand identity and functionality.

Events and Conferences Boost Washington DC Furniture Rental

The city’s reputation as a political and business hub makes it a top destination for major events and conferences. From policy summits to private galas, these events require professional-grade furniture that enhances guest experience. Washington DC furniture rental services are increasingly sought after for their convenience, reliability, and aesthetic appeal. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA supplies everything from banquet seating to cocktail tables, ensuring every corporate event looks and feels exceptional.

Cost-Efficiency Drives Rental Preferences in DC

For many organizations in Washington DC, budgeting is critical—especially for temporary setups or one-time events. Choosing Washington DC furniture rental helps businesses access premium furnishings without the upfront investment of buying. With flexible pricing models and zero storage worries, rental solutions are financially smarter for short-term needs. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA understands this financial landscape and offers rental options that align with various budget tiers.

Temporary Workspaces Increase Furniture Rental Needs

The rise of contract workers, remote employees, and project-based teams has reshaped office structures in DC. Many companies now create temporary workspaces to accommodate changing staff sizes. Washington DC furniture rental services offer an ideal solution by providing desks, chairs, and meeting room furniture as needed. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA ensures businesses can adapt quickly without sacrificing style or function.

Style and Functionality Meet in Rental Solutions

Modern businesses want more than basic furniture—they want pieces that reflect professionalism, culture, and comfort. Washington DC furniture rental combines these demands by offering well-designed, ergonomic, and stylish furniture solutions. Whether it's for boardrooms, lounges, or break areas, Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA provides furnishings that enhance both aesthetic appeal and practical use.

Sustainable Practices Make Furniture Rental Appealing

In an era of environmental awareness, more DC-based companies are opting for sustainable business practices. Washington DC furniture rental contributes to these efforts by promoting reuse and reducing waste. Instead of purchasing new items for every event or office move, renting supports a circular economy. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA maintains its inventory with longevity and minimal impact in mind, offering clients a greener alternative.

Conclusion

As Washington DC continues to grow as a hub for government, business, and innovation, the demand for smart, stylish, and scalable furnishing solutions rises with it. Washington DC furniture rental services have emerged as the go-to option for companies seeking efficiency, cost savings, and professional presentation. Corporate Rentals - Furniture Rental Store USA is at the forefront of this trend, delivering customized furniture rental packages for offices, events, and temporary workspaces.

[handymanjoesmith]

Enhancing Retail Spaces with Custom Tarp Solutions

Retail environments are constantly evolving to meet customer expectations, brand standards, and logistical demands. From seasonal displays and pop-up shops to weather protection and storage concealment, visual and functional flexibility is key. That’s where custom tarp solutions come in. Durable, versatile, and easily tailored to meet specific needs, tarps can enhance retail spaces both aesthetically and operationally.

Whether used indoors or outdoors, custom tarps are becoming essential tools for retailers looking to boost visual appeal, organize inventory, and create adaptable environments. In this blog, we’ll explore the many ways custom tarp solutions can elevate the retail experience.

1. Visual Merchandising and Display Enhancements

First impressions matter in retail, and eye-catching displays can make all the difference. Custom tarps offer creative possibilities for improving merchandising setups. With the ability to print logos, branding, or full-color designs, tarps can be used as backdrop covers for seasonal promotions, holiday décor, or themed marketing campaigns.

Available in various materials, colors, and finishes, custom tarps can complement store aesthetics and offer visual continuity across multiple locations. For instance, mesh or canvas tarps can be used to create rustic, breathable partitions in outdoor garden centers, while glossy vinyl tarps might work well for high-end fashion pop-ups.

Whether covering display tables, draping over structures, or wrapping around product bins, tarps help create polished presentations that align with brand identity and marketing goals.

2. Flexible Partitioning for Pop-Ups and Temporary Setups

Pop-up shops, kiosk setups, and in-store activations often require temporary walls or dividers. Custom tarps provide an efficient, portable solution for partitioning retail spaces without the expense or complexity of permanent construction.

Heavy-duty tarps can be sized to create private dressing areas, staff-only sections, or separated product zones. Retailers operating in shared spaces—such as markets, trade shows, or shopping malls—can also benefit from branded tarps to establish defined borders and visually distinguish their area from surrounding vendors.

With grommets, zippers, and reinforced seams, custom tarps can be hung, zipped, or tied down for quick setup and removal, allowing for maximum flexibility in dynamic retail environments.

3. Weatherproofing and Outdoor Retail Protection

For outdoor retail spaces like garden centers, flea markets, food kiosks, or sidewalk sales, weather conditions can make or break the shopping experience. Rain, wind, and intense sun can damage products or deter foot traffic. Custom tarps designed with UV protection, waterproof coatings, and wind resistance are excellent for shielding merchandise and customers alike.

Canopies, awnings, and sidewalls made from tarps can create a sheltered shopping zone. Meanwhile, smaller tarps can protect display racks or individual product categories from moisture or dust. Because these tarp solutions are custom-fit, they can be tailored precisely to the space or product they’re protecting—whether it’s a row of hanging garments or pallets of boxed goods.

These protective tarps not only preserve product quality but also help maintain a comfortable and inviting shopping atmosphere in all seasons.

4. Inventory and Backroom Concealment

Behind-the-scenes organization is crucial in retail. However, in smaller stores or open-concept retail environments, inventory may need to be stored in visible areas. Custom tarps help keep those zones neat and professional by acting as covers, curtains, or dividers.

Tarps can discreetly hide boxes, stockroom entrances, or storage racks, maintaining a clean appearance for shoppers. In backrooms, they can be used to separate seasonal inventory, create designated sorting areas, or even cover high-value items for added security.

Because they can be custom-sized and color-matched to the store’s design, tarps blend seamlessly into the environment while enhancing organization and functionality.

5. Sustainable and Reusable Marketing Assets

Sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a growing concern for businesses and consumers alike. Custom tarps offer a reusable alternative to single-use marketing materials. Instead of printing disposable signage for every event or sale, retailers can invest in high-quality printed tarps that can be used again and again.

Tarps made from eco-friendly materials or recyclable vinyl options are available, aligning with environmental goals. With proper care, these tarps can last for years, making them an economical and sustainable choice for long-term promotional use.

Additionally, modular tarp systems can be reconfigured for different layouts or events, minimizing waste and maximizing return on investment.

Conclusion: A Smart Solution for Modern Retail Challenges

Custom tarp solutions offer retailers the chance to enhance their spaces with practical, attractive, and flexible tools. From boosting display aesthetics and managing inventory to improving outdoor resilience and supporting sustainability efforts, tarps are proving their value across a wide range of retail applications.

As retail spaces continue to evolve, especially in the era of experiential shopping and omnichannel engagement, adaptable elements like tarps become increasingly important. Investing in custom tarp solutions is more than just a matter of convenience—it’s a strategic move that supports branding, protects assets, and enhances the overall customer experience.

[stagesync08]

🎊 Elevate Your Event with Professional Event Hire Services

Discover the essentials of event hire in Australia, including services offered, cost factors, and tips for planning successful events. Ideal for weddings, parties, and corporate functions.

"Introduction to Event Hire":

Introduction to Event Hire: Creating Seamless and Memorable Events

Planning a successful event involves more than just choosing a date and venue—it requires careful coordination of a wide range of elements to ensure a smooth and engaging experience. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using professional event hire services. Event hire, also known as event equipment rental, refers to the process of sourcing and renting essential items and infrastructure for events such as weddings, corporate functions, parties, festivals, and more.

What Is Event Hire?

Event hire services provide temporary access to a wide range of items and equipment needed to run an event. This can include furniture, staging, audio-visual equipment, lighting, marquees, catering supplies, flooring, decor, crowd control barriers, and even portable restrooms. By hiring these elements rather than purchasing them, event organisers can save time, money, and stress while ensuring professional-quality results.

Whether you're hosting a small backyard celebration or a large-scale public festival, event hire companies offer flexible solutions tailored to your needs, budget, and venue requirements.

Why Use Event Hire Services?

There are many advantages to using event hire services. First and foremost, it provides convenience. Instead of sourcing multiple suppliers and managing logistics, event hire companies offer bundled services that streamline the planning process. They typically deliver, install, and remove all hired equipment, allowing organisers to focus on the event itself.

Secondly, event hire ensures access to high-quality, well-maintained equipment. Professional suppliers regularly update and maintain their inventory, which means you’re getting items that are clean, functional, and visually appealing. This is particularly important for events where aesthetics and reliability are key—such as weddings, corporate launches, or award nights.

Event hire also adds flexibility. Every event is different, and hire companies understand this. They offer customisable packages and a wide variety of options to suit different themes, sizes, and types of venues—indoors or outdoors.

Popular Event Hire Items

Some of the most commonly hired items include:

Marquees and tents: Ideal for outdoor events, offering shelter and structure.

Tables and chairs: From casual seating to elegant banquet arrangements.

Staging and flooring: For performances, speeches, or formal presentations.

Audio-visual equipment: Including microphones, speakers, projectors, and LED screens.

Lighting: Ambient, decorative, or professional stage lighting.

Catering equipment: Including glassware, cutlery, serving stations, and mobile kitchens.

Decor: Linens, floral arrangements, centrepieces, and more.

Choosing the Right Event Hire Company

Selecting a reliable event hire company is crucial. Look for providers with a proven track record, positive customer reviews, and a comprehensive range of services. It's also important that they offer delivery, setup, and on-site support. Some companies even provide event planning assistance or connect you with trusted vendors in related services.

Conclusion

Event hire plays a vital role in the success of any event, offering convenience, flexibility, and quality. Whether you're planning a small private party or a large corporate affair, professional hire services ensure your event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression. With the right team and equipment in place, you can turn your vision into reality—without the stress.