#handling client personality conflicts

[kopfconsulting]

Client relationships can make or break your business, but they don’t need to break you. Learn how to manage emotions, spot toxic interactions, and maintain mental and physical well-being when dealing with challenging clients.

[teaboot]

do u think physical build is an important part of being security? im 5'5 and think i look very timid, but ive seen some entry level security job listings around me that ive been interested in.

I've only been private security for around five years, so I'm still relatively green compared to my colleagues, but I personally am about 5'3" and I've been doing great!

And again, I'm not incredibly experienced, but if I were to make a hire, I'd be prioritizing a number of things before considering height.

Physically you need to be capable of doing your duties without pain- so if you have chronic pain, foot patrol may not be your bag, but CCTV monitoring might work. If you can't drive, being a site manager may not work, but working door duty somewhere local might be.

Physical presence- in regards to 'looking timid'- is something that you can work on if you want to, but sometimes an unassuming appearance is your advantage.

A "problem demographic" (using HEAVY quotations there) for a lot of places like malls and downtown areas is adult women with trauma, addiction, and mental health issues- they're seen by a lot of clients as "crazy ladies" and treated less like people by the general public, and a good number have very good reason not to trust men ESPECIALLY in uniform, but are more often than not perfectly easy to get along with if you're polite, respectful, and don't come off as a threat or authority figure. Being able to offer menstrual products and having resources around the area you can recommend is good, too.

And if I HAVE to move people out from behind buildings and such, saying "fuck off asshole" like folks imagine is NOT as effective as "Hey, sorry, this area is restricted, but here are some other places that might be okay- I need to do another check in about an hour, so heads up, and the church up the street is doing hot chocolate right now".

Really, if you want to do well in security- at least basic work- I'd say you want to focus on the following:

Wear your uniform and keep it tidy

Show up prepared and on time

Be able to approach strangers and talk to them

Keep a positive, non-agressive attitude, and be willing to give people the benefit of the doubt

Learn deescalation techniques to diffuse conflict

Have a strong handle on your personal emotions and opinions

Kerp calm and rational in an emergency

Learn basic first aid and get certified if you can, it's not technically necessary but I've used that more than I'd like to admit

Keep a strong moral compass

Really, I'd say it boils down to keeping to your sense of ethics, showing up on time, and knowing how to follow orders with nuanced interpretation.

Beyond that, you're golden

[theloganator101]

Am I the only one who feels that Vaggie has this whole 'It's bad when you do it, but it's perfectly fine whenever I do it' kind of attitude.

Like, throughout the show, there have moments where she has been displeased over something one of the characters does, but when she does the exact same thing or something similar to what that one character has done, no one, not even the narrative, bats an eye or calls her out for this.

Like, for example, she doesn't want Alastor to do anything bad to the guests, and yet she does this on a day to say basic.

Or when in Episode 3, she didn't want Pentious using weapons in the hotel, and yet, she still has this angelic spear around from her exorcist days and still uses it to threaten the same sinners she had once slaughtered.

Another example related to Episode 3, would be how she was perfectly fine with dragged the Hazbin gang into a turf war, despite not liking how Angel was in one during the pilot.

Also, speaking of that, I just want to point out how much of a massive plot hole that turf war sub-plot was, because even if Angel hasn't participated in it, the fault would still be on Charlie and Vaggie for failing to prepare an actually convincing presentation, thus making themselves to blame for being shown as fools. Plus not only that, but because of these plot holes, the writing only allows Charlie to fail and only fail, as well as attract attention to Alastor, who has his own nefarious plans in mind. I mean, back in 2020, there have been Tumblr posts done by someone who works as a marketing copywriter who have pointed out these plot holes, here are the links to them (Yes, I acknowledge that they're reposts, but they include more detailed info that was added onto the original conversations) Link 1: www.tumblr.com/awarmbowlofhome... Link 2: www.tumblr.com/awarmbowlofhome...

Plus, while on topic about the pilot, I also want to say that there's this Tumblr post that calls out how poorly Vaggie and Charlie handled the situation in the limo scene, as well as re-contextualizes Angel's actions in the pilot, along with the 'Addict' music video and the 'Dirty Healings' prequel comic, it kinda makes that scene from the pilot hard to rewatch it after reading the analysis, here's the link to that analysis Link 3: www.tumblr.com/unknowconcretef...

Anyways, that's enough of my rambling

It all makes Vaggie look like a big hypocrite in the process and that she doesn't care for them until the plot calls for it.

And you are right about Episode 3, I've noticed how when it comes setting up exercises for their clients to learn a lesson, they don't have shit planned at all. And considering what they are (Charlie being Hellborn and Vaggie an Exorcist Angel), it feels like they don't have a clue as to what even makes a good person in the first place.

Which is KIND OF bad for your show hinging on the theme of redemption and changing for the better.

And the fact that they don't even try to understand Angel Dust and his conflict, it makes them look incompetent and not the right people to run the hotel.

And I'm not saying they should know EVERYTHING or already be certified experts, but to at least have SOME basic understanding on where to go.

[mxjackparker]

This sex worker OC ask list is to aid people in creating sex worker characters that are fully developed!

What is your character's real name and what is their work name (if different)?

What laws are in place on the topic of sex work in your setting, if any?

(Your setting might have full decriminalization, complete criminalization, or some variant of legalisation where independent indoor may be legal but brothels and street work aren't or where buying sex is illegal. You can read about different legal models here.)

How are sex workers treated in your setting?

(Consider whether bigotry and discrimination might exist and how it could impact your character and their friends. Are they able to pay money into the bank while admitting how they made it? Are they likely to be harassed by people who find out about their job? Is violence towards sex workers common?)

What is sex worker history like in your setting?

(Were there different laws in the past? Has bigotry against sex workers recently become better or worse? Is there any conflict between the religions in your setting and the practice of sex work?)

When did your character start sex work?

(Consider the age and also time period - things may have changed since they started it, including the way they work! Are they a veteran who would know a lot about the industry or a newbie?)

Why did they start sex work?

(People start for many reasons. Some do so out of financial hardship and a lack of access to other jobs, others do because the flexibility appeals to them as disabled and/or neurodivergent people, others enjoy sex or sexual performance, etc.)

In what venue do they do sex work?

(Are they a stripper who works from a strip club? A brothel worker? Someone who works from hotels for an agency? A phone sex operator who works from home?)

How do they advertise?

(Does their venue do all the advertising or do they post escorting ads online? Do they post on social media to advertise their porn?)

Who knows they do sex work?

(Family, friends, co-workers, other sex workers who they might work at the same venue as.)

Do they have any other jobs, and/or what work did they do prior to sex work (if any)?

(Sex workers have a high chance of having done care work or various minimum wage jobs before sex work or of being students, but can come from any background!)

Do they have other sex workers as friends?

(If they do activism work this will be more likely, but sex workers also very often befriend other workers at venues where they work.)

Are they dating anyone?

(Lots of people are unwilling to date a sex worker or have complex feelings about it. Consider how their partner(s) might react, whether they're keeping this a secret from their partner(s), and what would lead those partner(s) to allyship with sex workers.)

What is your character’s opinion on sex work?

(There are plenty of sex workers who deal with internalized whorephobia, causing them to be in denial that they are engaging in sex work or to believe that it’s acceptable only because they make enough money or their circumstances are desperate enough. Others may view sex work as empowering, failing to consider the experiences of people who are not as fortunate as they are.)

How do they handle conflict?

(Are they confrontational or avoidance? Consider how this might impact the way they interact with both clients and people being whorephobic in their personal lives.)

What sexual boundaries do they have?

(Sex workers are allowed to have boundaries just like anyone else during sex. Are there certain acts they won't perform, like strippers who won't have sex with their clients or porn actors who won't do anal?)

What are their political positions?

(Sex workers are disproportionately likely to be left-wing, but aren't exclusively so.)

What words do they use to describe themselves?

(Some sex workers reclaim slurs whilst others shy away from them. There are also different slang terms used in different countries or settings, with some words being specific to strippers or street sex workers. Think carefully before employing words like whore hooker and particularly racialized words like hoe and thot.)

Please also consider: Does your character fall into the Happy Hooker trope? Is their history of sex work being used purely for shock value? If so, maybe you should consider making some changes!

If you're looking to publish writing with a sex worker character and have no experience with the type of sex work your character does, I highly recommend getting a sex worker as a sensitivity reader. This is a service I offer for between £150 and £200 for an average length novel, providing recommendations and language edits.

Thanks to @dammit-sammit for prompting me to make this post!

[s-aint-elmo]

*twirling my hair* do you have some good yuri manga recs?

(lying on my stomach and kicking my feet) i'm SO glad you asked!

to preface this i'll be excluding better-known yuri or yuri that's recently gotten its flowers (whether thru virality or adaptations) (e.g. in love with the villainess, love bullet, bloom into you, etc. etc.) and will instead be recc'ing works i don't often encounter in the wild. some will be more well-known than others, but all of these i've enjoyed and would encourage others to check out! under the cut because. this got. so long. i heart yuri <3

multi-chapter

the princess of sylph (ongoing; self-publishing): plot-heavy fantasy yuri between a bereaved princess with the aura of a thousand sad hamsters and a persistent nun whose silliness conceals a deep well of trauma. gushed about it plenty here. i recommend starting with the serialized version, the proceeding to the twitter version + extras. cw: blood, violence, dismemberment (nothing too graphic, more standard monster-fighting fare).

i love amy (completed): school loner strikes an unlikely friendship with the girl known (and feared) for her violent tendencies and single-minded obsession with the school prince. cute but striking and skilled art with a surprisingly nuanced handling of trauma and neurodivergence. cw: attempted child murder, animal death (non-graphic). there are also depictions of standard yandere fare (kidnapping, torture basements) but they're always presented comedically.

i see you, aizawa-san! (ongoing): girl who steadfastly pretends not to see ghosts meets one she just can't seem to ignore: a deceased classmate and former j-pop idol, who has taken to haunting their classroom. ft. art that harkens back to classic shoujo and a supernatural mystery centred on the relationship between the two leads--that one of them can't seem to remember. cw: blood, body horror.

school zone girls (on hiatus): slice of life yuri comedy ft. a massive interconnected web of girls spanning at least three schools. it juggles gut-busting comedy with genuine heartfelt moments of character growth and connection and expresses it all through a solid, dynamic art style. the sprawling cast also makes for incredible outsider pov moments that lets us really appreciate how far some characters have gotten. this genuinely motivated me to revamp how i approached ensemble casts for my ocs.

brides of iberis (completed): wedding planner unenthusiastic about her engagement falls in love with a bride she's taken as a client. bittersweet but deeply loving; and so compassionate to each and every character, even the men the female leads have relationships with. cw: infidelity.

destroy it all and love me in hell! (ongoing): model student finds her miserable, tightly controlled life unraveling after being blackmailed by the class truant into indulging her ugliest impulses. toxic yuri extravaganza eleganza between two girls desperate for escape and the catharsis of fucking! shit! up!!! also hits that sweet sweet "love triangle as a conflict of ideals" beat. cw: blackmail, coercion, bullying, violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, adult/minor relationship.

yuri is forbidden for the yuri otaku (completed): passionate himejoshi enrolls in an all-girls private school to observe class s yuri in action, but never to engage in it herself--at least, until a misunderstanding wins her the resident gyaru's heart. a surprisingly poignant exploration of being queer in a repressive society and experiencing your queerness through the safety of unobtainable fantasy.

the superstar idol crushes on me today too (ongoing): failed idol-slash-middling radio personality finds an unwanted superfan in the country's biggest superstar. explores the merit of pursuing your artistic passions in the face of repeated failure, and what makes an emotional anchor in the fraught seas of showbiz. they are also just so so funny. what if i emphatically declare you my rival in show business but you've been in love with me since you saw me in a cooking show as a child actor and you take any excuse to spend time with me and have my attention with blinding enthusiasm

normality and monsters (ongoing): outcast weirdo witnesses the class idol devour their homeroom teacher in one bite and begs to be trained in the art of appearing normal. the art is snappy and charismatic, the monster design is properly grotesque, and the friendship of convenience between the two leads teeters between overcoming the monster's nature and just being a prelude to the monster acquiring a new meatsuit. cw: blood, gore, death, body horror.

a monster wants to eat me (ongoing): suicidal girl meets carnivore mermaid who promises to eat her if she develops a desire to live. it's been a while since i read this one, but the monster designs are once again sick as fuck and the drama of being cared for by a creature that finds you tantalizing is sooo juicy. cw: suicidal ideation, blood, gore, violence, body horror.

liar satsuki can see death (completed): high schooler who can see corpses before the death occurs strives to save as many lives as possible despite being branded a liar by the entire student body. this and ryouko's other manga, a walk to death, are pretty banging declarations on the value of living ironically (or maybe aptly) wrapped in so much death. blanket cw for blood, gore and death bc i tell you every mini-arc somebody dies in a fun new way and we'd be here all day if we listed them out.

anthology:

i'm the villainess but i'm being captured by the heroine?!: an anthology featuring heroines of otome games swerving hard and sweeping the villainess off her feet. i am such a sucker for villainess yuri. mean women forever. my favourite chapters are vol. 1 ch.1 and vol. 2 chs. 1 and 4.

honourable mentions:

my idol sits the next desk over! (completed): loner idol otaku ends up deskmates with her oshi and between jealous sabotage from a rival stan and the herculean task of acting normal around your fave, lands herself in the first and closest friend group of her life. one girl does explicitly have romantic feelings for another girl, but i bumped it down here because it isn't explored to the extent it could have been. it felt like it was setting up a slow burn only to end abruptly. do not recommend if you want a love story, do recommend if you want lonely people forging deep and enduring bonds of friendship.

the one within the villainess (ongoing): the villainess of an otome game reawakens for her condemnation and sets off on a path of vengeance for the sake of the beloved transmigrator who's occupied her body for years. it's ostensibly het, but to hear the way that the villainess speaks of her transmigrator, the first person to love her wholeheartedly and wish for her happiness and so inadvertently prevent her from becoming the hollow bitter woman she originally grew into...... like. that is yuri. like what if i knew your life in its entirety and loved you for it and i found myself in the position to give you the happiness i always wished for you to have. what if we wrote fix-it fic for each other on the fabric of the universe. what if we never even had a conversation but we knew each other the best and loved each other most. and we were both girls. do you understand why i'm insane about them. cw: blood, gore, violence.

[waliminium]

Would you be able to do reader x Harvey inspired by the song “I miss you, I’m sorry” by Gracie Abrams!?

A/N: I tried my best, but I don't know if it does the song justice. If you'd like any adjustments, I can always tweak things!! :) What We Don't Say Pairing: Harvey Specter x Reader Warnings: angst, heartbreak, betrayal (not cheating), unresolved conflict, emotional manipulation mentioned Word Count: 826

The worst part wasn’t that Harvey wouldn’t talk to her. It was that he looked at her like he used to care.

He had always been good at hiding things. His emotions. His fears. His feelings for her—until he wasn’t. Until one night, after years of tiptoeing around the tension, he finally gave in. Pulled her in by the wrist, kissed her like a promise, and made her his.

Now he was back to being unreadable. Worse than unreadable—he was cold.

The firm was quieter without their secret glances. Without her coffee waiting on his desk before he arrived. Without the quiet knock on her office door at midnight when they were both still there. Working. Pretending.

He hadn’t said a word to her in three weeks.

Not since that night.

Not since she told him she’d been talking to Charles Forstman behind his back.

“It wasn’t personal,” she had tried to explain. “He reached out to me. I thought it was about another client. I didn’t know—”

“You didn’t know he was trying to get to me?” Harvey had shouted, voice razor-sharp, eyes filled with betrayal. “You think I haven’t seen this game before? You think I haven’t watched people try to use you to get to me? But you let it happen.”

She didn’t argue. She couldn’t. Because he wasn’t wrong.

She’d thought she was protecting him, navigating the situation without needing to involve him. She thought it would blow over, that she could fix it before it became a problem. But secrets have a way of rotting everything.

She had let him down. She’d broken the one thing Harvey valued above all else—trust.

Three weeks.

That was how long it had been since he’d spoken to her beyond clipped professionalism.

So when she found herself outside his apartment on a Thursday night—rain clinging to her coat, eyes heavy from crying—she didn’t expect much. Just… a chance.

She knocked.

Footsteps approached. Then the door cracked open.

Harvey stood there in sweatpants and a black t-shirt. Barefoot. Unshaven. Exhausted. He didn’t look surprised to see her. He looked tired of seeing her.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said quietly.

“I know.”

He didn’t move to close the door. But he didn’t move to open it either.

“I just—I needed to say something. Please.”

He exhaled, jaw flexing. But he stepped back.

The door opened.

She stepped inside like she didn’t know the layout by heart. Like she hadn’t spent more nights in his bed than her own this year. Like it hadn’t once felt like home.

Everything looked the same, but colder. The jazz wasn’t playing. The bottle of Macallan sat unopened. The warmth was gone.

He stood across from her like she was a stranger.

“I never wanted to lie to you,” she began.

“You didn’t just lie,” he snapped. “You chose to lie. Over and over.”

“I was trying to handle it myself. I thought—”

“That I’d be mad?” His laugh was hollow. “I’m not mad because of what he said. I’m mad because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”

Silence.

Her throat felt like it was closing. “I’m sorry.”

“You always say that,” he said flatly. “But you keep doing the same thing.”

She nodded, lips trembling. “I know. And I get it if you’re done. I just—I needed you to hear it from me. I needed you to know that I’d take it all back if I could. Every bad choice. Every moment I didn’t come clean.”

He looked at her then, and it shattered her.

Because it was still there. That softness buried beneath anger. That trace of love in the hurt.

But he blinked, and it was gone.

“I loved you,” he said.

Past tense. A knife.

“I still do,” she whispered.

“That’s not enough,” he replied.

She took a step forward. “Harvey—”

“No.” His voice was low. Controlled. Deadly. “You don’t get to come here when it’s convenient for you. You don’t get to play this card. Not after everything.”

Her heart cracked. “So that’s it?”

His lips pressed together. “You burned the bridge.”

“But I’m standing on the ashes,” she whispered.

He looked away.

“I waited for you,” she continued, voice trembling. “Every day. Every time my phone buzzed. Every time I passed your office. I kept thinking you’d come back. That we’d find our way back.”

“I did that too,” he admitted. “For a while.”

She wiped a tear. “Do you hate me?”

“No,” he said after a beat. “I just don’t know if I’ll ever believe you again.”

She nodded slowly, because that was fair. That was more than fair.

“I miss you,” she said one last time, barely above a whisper. “And I’m sorry.”

Harvey didn’t respond.

She turned to leave, her hand on the doorknob.

But just before she opened it, she heard him say it—quietly, broken, like a truth he couldn’t bear to keep in anymore:

“I miss you too.”

[elvisbdoll]

Book review

Me and a guy named Elvis

Author: Jerry Schilling

Rating: ★★★★★

Pages: 400 pages

Jerry Schilling’s Me and a Guy Named Elvis is the kind of memoir that fans of Elvis Presley have long been waiting for: an authentic, unfiltered, and deeply personal account of life with one of the most iconic figures in music history. Written by someone who knew Elvis not just as a celebrity, but as a close friend and confidant, this book offers an insider’s perspective that is both heartfelt and unpretentious. What sets Me and a Guy Named Elvis apart from other Elvis-related books is its candidness — Schilling doesn’t attempt to elevate or demonize Elvis; instead, he presents him as the complex, flawed, and deeply human person he was, showing both the highs and the lows of their years together.

At 400 pages, this memoir strikes the perfect balance between providing intimate, personal anecdotes and delving into the broader context of Elvis's life and career. Schilling writes with warmth and honesty, making it impossible not to feel the deep bond he shared with Elvis. This is a story not just about Elvis the legend, but about Elvis the man, his struggles, his triumphs, and his incredible, but sometimes heartbreaking, journey through life.

The Man Behind the Myth

What truly stands out in Me and a Guy Named Elvis is Schilling’s ability to portray Elvis as a real person. Many accounts of Elvis’s life focus almost exclusively on his fame, his legacy, and his larger-than-life persona, but Schilling offers something different. He shows Elvis as a man who, despite his fame and fortune, struggled with the same issues that anyone might face — loneliness, insecurity, addiction, and the immense pressure that came with being the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Schilling doesn’t shy away from describing the complexities of their friendship, and that is what makes the memoir so powerful.

This isn’t a hagiography, nor is it a salacious tell-all. Schilling doesn’t sugarcoat Elvis’s flaws, but he also doesn’t exploit them. He paints a picture of a man who was incredibly generous and charming, yet deeply conflicted and sometimes emotionally distant. Schilling recounts Elvis’s struggles with prescription drugs, the isolation that came with his fame, and the emotional toll it took on him — and those around him. But what makes Schilling’s portrayal so compelling is that he doesn’t make Elvis out to be a tragic victim or a saint. He presents him as a person, with strengths and weaknesses, navigating a world that was too much for anyone to handle alone.

The Bond of Friendship

The heart of Me and a Guy Named Elvis lies in the friendship between Jerry Schilling and Elvis Presley. Schilling’s genuine affection for Elvis shines through in every page, and the connection they shared feels tangible. This is not a story of a manager and his client or a distant acquaintance observing from afar. Schilling writes about their friendship with the kind of intimacy that only someone who truly knew Elvis could provide. Whether they were sharing laughs, late-night conversations, or moments of deep emotional connection, Schilling’s depiction of their bond is filled with both affection and respect.

What’s particularly moving about Schilling’s memoir is his unwavering loyalty to Elvis, even in the face of challenges. As Elvis struggled with addiction and personal demons, Schilling remained by his side, trying his best to support his friend, even when things were at their lowest. Schilling doesn’t shy away from moments of tension or disagreement between them, but he always frames these moments in the context of their deep friendship. There’s a level of vulnerability in Schilling’s writing that makes this book feel raw and real. It’s clear that he deeply cares for Elvis, and this emotional investment makes the book all the more compelling.

Life in the Orbit of Fame

Schilling’s memoir also offers a rare look at the chaos and complications of being part of Elvis’s inner circle. Many books about Elvis focus on the glamor and excesses of his life, but Me and a Guy Named Elvis doesn’t shy away from the darker side of fame. Schilling talks candidly about the pressures that come with being close to a megastar — the constant scrutiny, the dysfunctional relationships with some members of Elvis’s entourage, and the sense of isolation that Elvis often felt despite being surrounded by people.

What Schilling does exceptionally well is explore the complexity of the "Elvis world" and how those closest to him were often caught between loyalty to the man and the reality of the environment they lived in. The pressures of fame, the exploitation by those around him, and the personal toll it took on Elvis are all examined in an honest, unflinching way. Schilling doesn’t try to excuse or justify the dysfunction, but he also doesn’t exploit it for shock value. His approach is balanced and nuanced, giving readers an understanding of the ways in which Elvis’s fame affected not just him, but those who cared for him.

A Heartfelt Tribute

Me and a Guy Named Elvis is not just a memoir about Elvis Presley; it’s also a love letter to their friendship. Schilling is clearly in awe of the man he knew, and his deep affection for Elvis permeates every page. He’s not just recounting stories or detailing his experiences; he’s honoring the memory of a man who meant a great deal to him, flaws and all. Schilling’s writing is filled with respect and admiration, but it’s also filled with the sadness of knowing that, despite all of his gifts, Elvis couldn’t escape the pressures of his life.

What makes this book stand out is the way Schilling writes about the human side of Elvis — his kindness, his vulnerability, his generosity, and his struggles. This is a portrait of Elvis Presley that doesn’t rely on the spectacle of his fame or the myth of his rock ‘n’ roll persona. Instead, it’s a real, honest account of the man behind the microphone, showing the world that even the biggest stars are, at their core, just people trying to find their way in a complex and sometimes painful world.

Final Thoughts

Me and a Guy Named Elvis is, without a doubt, one of the most heartfelt and honest memoirs to come out of the Elvis world. Jerry Schilling gives us a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll that goes beyond the legend and the headlines. His deep respect and affection for Elvis, combined with his unflinching honesty, make this memoir a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the real Elvis Presley — the man, the friend, the icon.

This book is not just for Elvis fans; it’s for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like to be close to greatness, to witness both the magic and the burden of living with a legend. Schilling’s emotional, raw, and beautifully written account makes Me and a Guy Named Elvis a rare gem in the world of celebrity memoirs. It’s not just a story about Elvis; it’s a story about friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of living under the weight of fame.

[astromancy-divinare]

A client asked me to read their deceased brother's D30 chart to find out if their sudden death was destined to happen the way it did.

The D30 Trimsamsa chart is a divisional chart in Vedic astrology that can reveal the misfortunes a person will experience and can be used to predict how, where and when someone will die.

My client didn't tell me their brother's name or any information about his death. All they gave me was their brother's date of birth, time of birth, location of birth and the month and year they died.

In the reading I explained that I saw in their brother's D30 chart that he was destined to die suddenly at home from a kinda sorta accidental overdose and that this overdose would be tied to mental health issues and would be in response to a conflict he experienced with a prominent female figure in his life, potentially a romantic interest.

I asked my client how accurate my reading was and they wrote me back yesterday to confirm that it was VERY ACCURATE!

They gave me permission to share their message anonymously.

I was stunned by their response. I trust Vedic astrology but to receive this confirmation absolutely blew my mind.

😭🥹

DM me if you're interested in getting a D30 Death reading for yourself. But I urge you to please seriously consider whether you're in a good headspace and are able to handle what the reading reveals.

[system-of-a-feather]

You mentioned going for EMDR because of lowered dissociation. Is EMDR a bad idea with a CDD?

People with high dissociation are typically cautioned against EMDR (though I've heard it working fine for some) due to the risk of flooding. EMDR is considered a really good way of treating PTSD, but it can be a little *too* effective for dissociative clients as the dissociation is there for a protective reason + the dissociation tends to be both complex and hold a lot of conflicting beliefs and feelings. It's good at getting to the meat of it, but with dissociative folk that effectiveness can be dangerous and bring up more than an individual can realistically handle thus "flooding".

Usually for more dissociative individuals, a similar yet slower approach of Brainspotting is more recommended as it works within dissociative barriers more than EMDR that kinda tends to bypass them.

Of course, this is all just general consensus and its not really a "people with CDD should never do EMDR" cause every person and situation is different so its best to talk to your therapist and treatment team and figure out what works best for you / the individual

I'm on mobile but a few things talking on it (I only skimmed them but they seem correct and informative)

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

[whimsical-lullaby]

Hi! So nice to see another person who writes for Shogun on here.

Anyways, I was wondering if I could get a Yoshii Toranaga x fem reader please? I don't know what all you write in the story, but I know it will be good. Thanks! And take all the time you need, I am in no rush.

Shrivelled Blossoms

You were always a strong person who knew what to say and when to say something in the right moment. And when to keep silent and re-evaluate words and tones that needed to be input in a conversation, whether serious or not. So, what happened today? You just... froze. A word you're so sure isn't even in your vocabulary.

Your friends warned that this would be a serious case to handle and you prepared for it every possible way you could. And when it came, you tackled it in every direction.

'It's not cheese and sprinkles, being a lawyer.' Your father would say. This field of work was hard but you weren't about to lie to yourself, that it didn't build you up as a person.

Entering the train, you took a seat and then texted your friends, telling them you were on the subway. Honestly, it was a miracle you even made it this far! What with the many shots of saké you shared with your friends, that you yourself couldn't remember the exact number.

Your childhood friends who still lived in Osaka texted you after work, when you were curled up on your couch and in your Disney pajamas, contemplating whether to do a Disney marathon starting with Pirates of the Caribbean or just continue binging the last episode of Demon Slayer. They invited you to a girls' night out to cheer you up and you were too nice to decline as much as you were anticipating the latter.

Plus, you thought that it would be nice to catch up after some time you three were caught up in your hectic careers.

Now you wanted nothing more than to plop on your bed and let the drowsiness take you to a peaceful slumber. The hangover can be dealt with once you wake up.

But still, thoughts of the court case resurfaced once more. It's to be expected, as you were an over-achiever ever since you could remember.

It wasn't so much as failing the case and bringing failure to your family name... Well, just a tad bit on that part. But the rest, you wanted to fight for someone so passionately and effortlessly. The dejected look your client gave you made you want to shrivel up and find a place to hide and never come out. But time waits for no one and this wasn't the last case you had. However, you viewed it as your big break.

What a waste, you thought as you contemplated appealing. However that thought was soon demolished by the fear of making a fool of your client and yourself so you just let it rest.

You were so caught up in your internal conflict that you didn't hear the intercom announcement. When you lifted your head up, you realized every passenger was gone and the train was moving once more. Shit.

Clicking your phone open, you immediately went to the phone tracker app only to stare dumbfounded at the moving point from your stop. "Shit, shit, shit, shit!"

You stood up hastily and turned your head to the right. Was it even possible to get ahold of the conductor? You didn't know but you would try. As you took your first steps, the lights flickered just for a millisecond and it went on once more.

A part of you furiously fought off the whispers in your ears of the urban legends of riding a train at night. You weren't big on scary stuff but you grew up mostly with your grandparents so you were a tad bit superstitious.

Gulping hard, you beelined for the front door, hoping that no ghosts or spirits will claim your soul. The train is probably old, it might need a few things checked up. That's why the lights are flickering, your voice of reason was there to calm you down as usual. It's nothing!

Those movies are unrealistic! How could the character's brains function properly when they are stuck in unsettling situation while you are struggling to open a damn door? Despite your voice of reason, your mind kept traversing back to those camp stories and deep down, you thought that a spirit of a bear would maul you. Why the fuck would a bear be doing in a subway station? You're not thinking clearly!

At some point, you managed to pry the sliding door open and enter the pilot's compartment. The air was knocked out of your lungs as the train violently shook from side to side but you managed to grab onto something to stable you. What the fuck is going on?

Losing balance, you fell to the floor and a dull thud filled your ears before it was replaced by a white noise that viscously stung.

The last thing your blackening vision saw was red liquid pooling on the metal floors of the subway train.

...

Furrowing your eyebrows, you blinked your disoriented eyes open, trying to adjust to the light seeping through the room. Room?

Examining the room you were in, you spotted no doors. Only three mahogany wooden doors and a traditional screen door.

You shut your eyes, trying not to panic. Trying to remember how you got here. Your head feels foggy, temples throbbing as you sort through vague memories.

The court case. Night out with friends, few shots of saké, maybe more since you didn't remember the number. The subway. Missing your stop. The light's flickering on and off. The earthquake.

And then ... nothing.

You can't remember.

Your eyes fly open and you take comfort in the feeling of being fully clothed. But it's not your clothes. Glancing down at the unfamiliar outfit. A simple teal kosode. It felt comfortable ... but it still unsettled you - the fact that someone could have undressed you. You hoped and prayed it was a woman, at the very least.

As you sat up, shutting your eyes as you listened to the ache in your head. Opening them once more, observing your new surroundings.

It looked to be one of those traditional homes. There were no windows. Light passed through the paper of the shoji screen. It kind of reminded you of that traditional Airbnb you stayed in for a night with your mom. There were no modern appliances like air-conditioning or heaters. It looked plain.

Your eyes found your sneakers, next to your neatly folded clothes. But your handbag was no where to be seen. I've been robbed, was your first thought and then pieced together the puzzle. And you concluded you were kidnapped and they confiscated your handbag.

Your heart leaps into your throat as it becomes clear that you need to get the hell out of here.

Wobbling as you slowly got up, your bare feet brushed along the tatami  mat, taking your clothes and sneakers in your hands, ambling your way towards the shoji screen. You dropped your shoes and pulled the sliding door to the left and you were met with shocked brown eyes staring back at you.

"Miss, you shouldn't be up and about with your injury!" The young woman gasped.

"Who are you and where am I?" Your hoarse voice croaked and felt scorching in your throat due to screaming for dear life in the train.

"I am Lady Toda Mariko," she introduce and from the corner of your eye, you saw two women shuffling in the room. One carried a bowel of water and a towel, the other carried what looked to be a neatly folded kosode. "I am instructed to bring you to My Lord once you regain consciousness."

"Your Lord?" You echoed and your eyes widen. "Jesus Christ? Am .. Am I in heaven?"

Lady Mariko blinked momentarily before laughing softly. "No, I assure you, you are very much alive. And seem to be doing well than yesterday. You are in Ajiro village and I've been instructed to bring you to My Lord, Toranaga-sama."

....

You had been out of place.

Exotic, is one word Toranaga could describe you and quite frankly the only word he could find in his mind after last night's events. His brother had betrayed him, his brash son drove himself to his death trying to avoid an already fixed fate. And just a few feet way from Nagakado's lifeless body was you.

An unconscious young woman, half drowning in a pond filling up with crimson blood. Sustaining an injury to your head that he requested should be treated by a skilled healer.

Hiromatsu thought you were an assassin or a spy who was caught up in the wrong place and time. Why else were you there? You were just so out of place. Upon closer inspection, you were anything but.

They confiscated your bag and searched for any weapon you might be concealing but found.. strange, peculiar things instead. Yet nothing threatening.

Scrutinizing you now in a different light, his thoughts were concluded.

Silence.

That was Toranaga's tactic. He waited to see who would speak first. And judging by how your eyes travelled everywhere in the room, unable to meet his. You were shifty, and you needed to fill the silence quickly.

Very simple, that's what you were. But definitely non-threatening. Unless your true self was hidden well behind a facade. Now that was a different story and he would soon find out.

You did not know how many centimeters your forehead was to the floor, or how many degrees you were bowing. Once you were presentable as so Lady Mariko deemed you to be, you were led to a relatively spacious room by two men in samurai haircuts and made to kneel before this person she had referred to him as her Lord, Yoshii Toranaga.

Behind Toranaga was a Tokoma which displayed an impressive samurai armer and a part of you thought the production crew really had the budget to pull off even the smallest detail.

"Hello-"

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Me? My name is Y/N." You answered. Silence dragged on again and it became unbearable so you filled it. "Is this a movie set?"

"A what?"

"I was just assuming... where are you hiding the cameras?" The two men shared a glance and you were starting to get annoyed that they were beating around the bush.

You desperately wanted an ibuprofen to sooth your headache and call a doctor to check if you didn't sustain any brain injury. Yes, you were grateful for their assistance whilst you were unconscious but you wanted nothing more than to go home.

"Look. There's been a huge misunderstanding here." You say, the tension reverberates in your throat as the words came out in a petty croak.

"Where are you from?" Toranaga asks.

"I am from Tokyo."

The lord hesitated, not knowing of a place by the name of Tokyo but ventured on. "And tell me. What were you doing in the middle of last night's squabble?" You blinked at his question, not knowing what to say.

"You mean the train incident?" You trekked, not sure to what he was alluding. "I was distracted and missed my stop so the train continued on it's journey."

"What are you saying?" It was the man on the other end of the room who spoke. Lady Mariko told you he was Toranaga's right-hand man, Hiromatsu. "Speak plainly."

Breathing out through your nose, you collected yourself. Opening your mouth to speak, you were cut off by the old man. "Are you an assassin sent by Ishidō?" He accuses.

"No."

"A spy?"

Your eyes bulged at the mere thought of doing that. "Jesus Christ. No!"

"Then explain this weapon." Toranaga placed your phone in front of him. "One of my Koshō took it from your bag and it's light burned his eyes."

Mouth agape, you couldn't fandom the craziness of this situation. What hell did I step into? You wondered inwardly.

"That's because he turned it on. Don't you know what a phone is?"

Toranaga and Hiromatsu stared at you as if you had grown two heads. You hated that it made you look stupid, in front of these serious-looking men. It reminded you of your years in college and some classmates never thought you would make it as a lawyer because you were too sensitive.

Seeing this was going no where, you played along with their game. Method actors, you reasoned with yourself. Perhaps you are in a movie set, set in feudal Japan ... based on their clothing and the extraordinary built set.

Surprisingly, they came to a conclusion and believed you. Toranaga allowed a roof over your head as a guest in his Edo castle until he figured out what he should do with you. You felt like a burden to him and you hated that.

Adjusting for you wasn't so much of a problem. You had a great teacher. Lady Mariko was very patient with you and explained everything you needed to know, that coupled with you were a fast learner, took you farther.

However, in some places you felt restricted. Like the many layers you had to carry when you wear your kimono, or the way you had to shuffle your feet all the time when you walked. Sometimes when you made sure no one was around you, you walked the normal way you did. Screw grace and elegance .. at certain times, that is.

Thankfully you would be going home pretty soon. Toranaga and his entourage were marching to Edo, present day Tokyo.

The lord's brows furrowed as he silently watched you raise your arm in different directions, clutching your magic box in your palm. Muttering something about 'no reception' in a groan.

You were a strange thing. But tolerable.

Upon arriving in Edo, you stopped on your tracks, no longer trailing behind the foot soldiers. He wondered what shocked you...

Continuing to observe your body language, you were now keeping to yourself as your eyes scanned the still thriving city of Edo.

A few days went by as Nagakado's funeral arrived all too quickly and he was staying within the walls of his castle, intent on having time to himself to process these emotions on his own. From afar, he gazed at the smoke drawing up to the sky - the fire that would turn his son's remains into ashes. He needed to distract his thoughts before grief took over. Weakness was never an option.

However, he's mind kept coming back to you. The lord noticed he rarely saw you. He began taking note of your routine. On most occasions, you spent your time in the gardens or by the pond. One time he caught you drawing something on the sand, and the gardener fumed at his ruined work.

Upon inquiry, you told him you drew what you explained as a stickman in an aeroplane, flying back to his home. You missed home ... yet you said Edo was your home. That confused him tremendously.

Requesting a maidservant to invite you to dine with him. Toranaga raised his brows upon receiving the response. "My Lord, she declined your invitation."

Nodding, the maid took her departure. Letting out a breath, he humbly sought you out.

The maids were flocking around you with towels in their hands, lecturing your ear off but you heard nothing. You weren't thinking straight as you sat under the rain. Perhaps a part of you was trying to reach God somehow by asking to end this dreadful nightmare. Reality hit you like a bus, the days were moving and you slowly came into realization that you were stuck, in the past.

Thoughts about your parents and family invaded Would they miss you too much? Would they think you were dead if they searched high and low and couldn't find your body? You began to recalling your grandmother's funeral .. all those sorrowful faces looking up at you, voices giving you and your family condolences. Would that be the same for you as well?

You were unable fathom why .. why this happened to you?

Was this to be your reality?

Drowning in your depressive thoughts, you hadn't noticed Lord Toranaga enter the threshold of your room, requesting the maids to leave you both.

Advancing towards you, he stood in front of you with furrowed brows confusion. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not going home, am I?" My bottom lip trembled as your heart swelled, feeling tears fill up your eyes.

Feeling a warm finger under your chin, he brought your eyes to meet his. A warm smile settled on his lips. "I do not know how or what brought you here, Y/N. But everyone has a fate, perhaps being here is your fate."

You blinked away the tears, sniffling lightly. "But..but why?" Hot tears fell down your cheeks. "My life was just beginning, I was starting to make my parents proud of me, I was starting to find my footing in my career... There is nothing for me here."

As much as you wanted to appear strong all the time, you broke down. Everything you've ever worked hard for is gone and now you were forced to start life anew, in a time not of your own, with new people.

When she sobbed, Toranaga's body went froze, not knowing what to do. He wasn't accustomed to a woman crying in front of him, most woman he knew had learned to stiffen their lips and march on with their pain carefully hidden away.

Hesitantly, he brought you in an embrace, shocking himself as well. But was relieved as you didn't pull away, deciding to lay your head on his chest.

Not knowing how to comfort her any further, he decided to just listen. Inviting her to dine with him in his private quarters and just listened to how she grew up in the year 21st century.

Toranaga had found you infuriating at first.

You were a disagreeable woman with a sharp tongue and quick-witted mind. And he almost lost his words around you. Almost, being the key word. Brazen, just like his son and everyone else in his circle, you wanted him to fight.

He didn't know if you were stupid or too bold for your own good. Such matters needed to be handled tactically, that's what he told you one night as you dined together, getting to know you better. In hope of steering your mind away from the conversation.

And then you told him of your position as a lawyer.

Toranaga appreciate your willingness to fight for people you personally did not know, whom you addressed as 'clients'. He liked your spirit of having to give someone else a voice to speak their thoughts aloud, maybe that's what made you so fearless.

Daresay he wanted to believe you. That you came from the distant future. A world so extraordinary with tall buildings that reached for the heavens, flying steel dragons that flew across the sky from one country the other, horseless carriages that cruised through the streets. Such a world was out of his imagination.

That was when you showed him your rectangle magic box that glows brilliantly with a switch of a button, which stored countless moments in time called 'pictures'.

It stored pictures of you and the people closest to you in life. Places you've been to, your achievements. Every picture had a story. Most them were of you goofing around and you giggled at those, showing him a part of your character, a carefree soul. That was when he started believing you. This truth was solidified after he asked and you told him of growing up in a unified Japan. Toranaga gleamed softly. For he too wished to live in that reality with no wars, losses and betrayals.

Your reality seemed like a tranquil heaven he wished to bask and his heart shattered when he saw that look in your eyes when you finish telling him of your home. It was like a tide going out and it went out slowly... how he desperately wanted he could stop it surprised him.

You told him of how Japan was so beautifully broken. Your words were like a melodic poem to his ears. Narrating of the cycles earthquakes and hurricanes that destroy homes, the losses. Yet everytime, there still is that slight strength to keep standing up defiantly, rebuilding what was once broken. "That's what makes Japan unique," you told him.

That was something you both agreed on.

Daresay, he found himself distracted by you at times. Him of all people, distracted by a woman, no less. That was unheard of. Such feelings were hazardous ... but he was audacious enough to act on them one morning he made up his mind.

Toranaga found you standing on the engawa, overlooking the serenely pitter pattering rain.

It was like you sensed his presence because your body never stiffened this time when you both crossed each other. You were relaxed and just like at last night's dinner, you were free to speak your thoughts without hesitation.

"I've given myself time to think about it, what you said." A sigh escaped your slightly parted lips and they settled in a serene thin line which was half a smile. "It's not so bad when you get used to it."

Honestly, you began to think this whole thing was a vacation. A long needed vacation - you would adjust. Maybe you're starting to, maybe it'll take some time.

Peering up at the Lord, you saw what you could make out as a soft smile. It wasn't all the way to his eyes - perhaps one day you would have the pleasure to see that miracle. "I have given myself time to think, as well." He shifted to observe the garden and his brows furrowed in the slightest, as if contemplating his words. "I want you by my side."

"As what?" You quarried. "If you want to know the details of what happens in Japan's history, I don't know Jack shit, I'm sorry."

Toranaga chuckles. "Fate has many things fixed for us as a people. The heavens would have sent you anywhere in Japan but they brought you to my path ... And I'd be honored to have you by my side."

It was a lie. You knew exactly what happens in Japan's history. What kind of person does not know their country's history? You always stood by the law. The laws of physics, the laws of science, the natural law. It wouldn't hurt to break the laws of time travel, would it?

If these feelings were true and they ran deeper than what you ancipated ... you would help him win this war, so that you sustain the head on your shoulders and stay by his side.

Giving him a brilliant smile to his earnest words, you reply. "I'd be honored to be by your side, too."

There were many preparations Toranaga needed to settle for the next days to come, and today he would go to his son's final place. And thank him. Both he and his trusted friend, Hiromatsu.

And then ... Crimson Sky would commence.

But for now, he drank delight in this peaceful reprieve, observing the nostalgic drizzle of the rain with you by his side.

[fernlessbastard]

Opinions on transfem/Trans woman c!Wilbur? If you havent already, since its a slightly popular Hc w c!W

honestly I'm mostly indifferent ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

it's not for me, but like I've got no particularly strong feelings either way. I can absolutely see a lot of reasons for that reading - it all does fit, so it's not a matter of there being no justification, but more so just personally I just don't hold that headcanon

the thing with either of them being trans is that like, I am for some reason oddly attached to Quackity being specifically and strictly a man who's into men, or at the very least masc individuals - maybe it's cause I just started off with that "hc" (I mean it is kinda pretty heavily canon - I don't recall him ever flirting with a woman). Wil being mtf would obviously make all of that very complicated - each time I start to think about it I can't help but think if 1. is there any way for Q to still be into Wil without that invalidating Wil's gender identity 2. is there any way for Q - a gay man - to have feelings for a woman that doesn't invalidate his sexual identity Like, exceptions happen, but mm idk It's obvioulsy completely different if you hc Q as pan/bi/homoflexible/whatever else, but yeah personally I'm just really attached to the idea of Q being strictly homosexual

When it comes to the nonbinary umbrella it's kinda similar (with both being amab) - with Wil it works i'd say, there isn't as much of a conflict with Quackity's sexuality, but again, I'm mostly indifferent and you do you; with Q it just kinda doesn't quite fit for me - idk he just has relatively binary man vibes imo

in regards to other combinations of one/both of them being trans: > Wil's ftm - yeah sure I'm down with that, good for him, I don't actively hc that but like yeah no conflict there, plus I guess it'd explain how he had Fundy - though fantasy mpreg makes it so much funnier > Q's mtf - idk personally i just don't feel it in the slightest. He doesn't really give me any of those vibes. Especially considering things like the fact that he's short, has longer hair, is/used to be a sex worker (with presumably male clients), is heavily (and at the very least primarily, if not exclusively) into men, canonically has a big ass, etc, so it just really doesn't sit right with me to then have him be mtf - I just want some more representation of those characteristics in men for once, y'know? It's just feels like it's perpetuating stereotypes. Of course there is no wrong way to be trans - if you're trans, you're trans, and that is valid and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But we're talking about a fictional character, so if we have a character that's amab, likes men, is a sex worker, is short, has long hair, isn't trying to be this stereotypical "perfect big strong alpha male", is emotionally invested in their romantic life (which additionally is messy), then turning around and saying "woman" just feels like we're just going off stereotypes, and ignoring an example of a great, rare, pretty subversive representation of a man who might come off as feminine at times, but is still fully a man, and all those things that are stereotypically assigned to women and a fem gender identity don't make him any less of a man. Especially the fact that he's into men - it does personally just immediately remind me of all the "a gay man is just a woman" talk (and maybe it's cause I'm from Poland and in my 20s now so i really did grow up hearing those sentiments quite a lot). And obviously i'm not saying that that's what you're doing when you hc Q as mtf, but i am explaining my personal headcanons and reasonings for them, as well as reasoning for why I don't headcanon other things. > Q's ftm - ok so, it fits. And I really really hate that it fits. It would make so much sense but holy fuck guys I cannot handle that ok - I'm ftm, and if he's cis then I can like at least partially remove myself from all of that... but if he's ftm then holy fucking shit everything just hits so much harder like guys I'm not strong enough to handle the pain of seeing this much of myself in him ok I will simply collapse, like him being seen as an object and sexualised and put down and belittled and pressured to be all submissive and shit just hits so completely different if you see it through the lenses of him being ftm and let me fucking tell you I am NOT ready for the breakdown thinking about it and how similar and in some cases identical to my own experiences it all is would cause m > ANYWAY with them both being trans it's just a combination of my previous thoughts as they apply ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

hope that answers your question UwU anyway ha ha bye--/lh

[gaoau]

Be Me, Be You, And Be

It hurts, a pain he doesn't know if he can keep. He's allowed to be this and more.

pairing — Cheng Xiaoshi x male!reader word count — 1.9k note — *blows kiss to sky* for ren

Xiaoshi doesn't understand why, if he's so kind to the universe, the universe doesn't have it in itself to be remotely kind to him; why, despite his best selfless efforts, he still gets nothing but pain in return. He's been blessed with a power that he never wanted, but one he's managed to make great use of. He employs it to the best of his abilities, making sure every client that comes his way is satisfied. Every time, he's putting in one hundred per cent of himself for success in others' happiness. Then why, why does this keep happening?

It's not wrong of him to ask for better treatment—at least, he doesn't think it is. He's not helping people out of selfishness, he's genuine when he says he wants to help people achieve their desires. He just wants to help. Really. He really… Of course, he's no messiah nor does he claim to be one. He's certainly not the purest soul on Earth. He thinks it's funny, the way his brain goes back and forth with these ideas. Lu Guang tells him not to get emotionally invested with the issues in the lives of the people he becomes. He thinks it's funny, the way he wonders if there's any way to switch with Lu Guang, let him be the one to shoulder all those feelings he can't handle. Immediately, he backtracks. He couldn't bear shoving that pressure on somebody else.

Xiaosi repeats his friend's warnings in his mind for too long. How is he supposed to not get emotionally involved? He's there, he feels their pain, he experiences their tragedies, he suffers their conflicts, he's them. He is all of them. Every person whose life he intrudes in, whose body he steals, whose mind he rips through, Xiaoshi is all of them. Xiaoshi is none of them. Today again, he's facing that reality. He's neither the puppet nor the puppeteer; he's the audience that sympathizes too much. He's been blessed with a cursed power.

It hurts. He can't help all of them. He's failed more times than he can count. He's disrupted the past and modified the present, even after being told not to. Of course, he knows he's not a hero, but he should be able to help them. And he can't. And it hurts. He thinks he's doing good only to find he's been playing a corpse of the past all along. It's so unfair, the things these people go through, the fates they meet. It hurts to see it all unfold and meet no reward. It hurts to know he's too late.

If he's meant to help people, if he's meant to see through their eyes, what is he when he doesn't do any of that?

Who is he?

It hurts. His head aches. His eyes sting. His throat closes up. He doesn't want to cry. He's glad Lu Guang isn't here to judge him. As he curls up against his pillow, hiccupping into his knees, he's glad he's alone. It's in moments like these that tears not meant for him to weep become too much. He's become a lie for himself. This life shouldn't be his.

Xiaoshi doesn't know how long he's been estranged inside his own mind. It happens more often than not. When he's left to his own devices, when he's left all on his own for too much, his vulnerability bursts forth where no one else can see. He spirals and spirals and spirals, down and down and down. There's no one here that he has to make happy. There's no one here that he can help. Is he awake or is he just stupid? Is he dead or alive?

No. He knows he's alive because there's a warmth brushing on his body, seeping through his skin and embracing the marrow of his bones. He knows he's awake because he can distinctly see the seconds on the clock ticking to the rhythm of a heartbeat that isn't his. He knows he's stupid because he always forgets he has [Name] by his side. [Name], who is very much real and very much a truth, who with his hands cradles Xiaoshi's face and wipes his tears away, who with his eyes tells him he's Cheng Xiaoshi and no one else.

[Name] himself knows what it's like to live wrapped up in a purposeless life. Words that don't need to be spoken for Xiaoshi to understand. They have both felt it, the instant they slip away from their own bodies and forget they are real. "It's okay…" [Name] hums in the softest of tones. The gentle timber of his voice floods the room and shatters through Xiaoshi's fragility. No, he doesn't have the power to invade other people's lives, but he barely has the power to stay in his own brain. "This is your body, Xiaoshi. These are your feelings." Is he of use when he's not helping others? Is he even real at this point? He's helping Xiaoshi, though. He's very much real.

He holds onto Xiaoshi, letting him cling to his clothes with clenched fists, his face on the crook of his neck. He's squeezing this poor idiot so tightly, tears that aren't his falling like rain on his shoulder. It doesn't matter how much it takes for Xiaoshi to recompose himself, to come back, to understand it's okay. [Name] waits patiently until he can handle the whirlpool of impotence brewing inside his mind. He sniffles to find the words to accept he exists. He manages a single, broken sound out of his throat, "Sorry…" Slowly, he pulls away to let [Name] know he can release him. He tries to blink back to reality, struggling to focus on the boy before him. Although blurry in the haze of his breakdown, he can make out the twisted grimace he's wearing.

A grimace that quirks up into a tight simper, lips pressed shut. It makes [Name] want to laugh in his face at his unnecessary apologies. He's always doing this—feeling other people's feelings and apologizing for them. He always gets mixed up in what he is and what he's not. Looking into his red-rimmed eyes, [Name] palms his shoulders for comfort. "Don't be, Xiaoshi. You're allowed to cry." He's allowed to feel his own pain every once in a while.

He isn't sure these are emotions he's allowed to keep, though. His gaze averts. "I don't want to bother you…" Another sniffle.

"Oh, come on," [Name] giggles this time, albeit involuntarily. It makes Xiaoshi smile at the sound of his laughter. With a roll of his eyes, [Name] cradles Xiaoshi's face in his hands, joking, "If anything, I'm the one who bothers you constantly."

There it is. A puff of a chuckle. A quiet, almost dubious laugh. Sounds like Xiaoshi is only now remembering how to laugh. "You never bother me, [Name]." How could he when he's the only person who understands? It's funny, Xiaoshi thinks, how [Name]'s feelings aren't ones he imposes on, because they're one and the same.

"Neither do you, dumbass." Gently, ever so softly, with the loveliest touch of cotton, [Name] flicks his finger on Xiaoshi's forehead. He flinches in surprise. "I'm always hanging out here, I'm sure Qiao and Lu Guang are getting tired of me."

In a second, Xiaoshi has him trapped in his arms. [Name] doesn't even realize when he successfully flips him around to have his back planted against his chest. "Too bad, you're not going anywhere." They share notes of laughter that pierce through the turmoil of pains Xiaoshi can't wrap his head around. They are both very much real and very much in their bodies. When silence settles, it's okay. It's not loud, it doesn't hurt, it's actually quiet for once.

After a moment of peaceful stillness, it seems Xiaoshi's brain has come back to grasp reality. [Name] leans further into his chest to make himself comfortable. He ponders over his next words. "Do you wanna talk about it?" It's almost an inaudible whisper, afraid it might shatter Xiaoshi into a billion shards of pretense if it were a bit louder.

With a shaky breath, Xiaoshi tries to reassemble his thoughts into a coherent picture. He'd forgotten for a second what had pushed him over the edge to burst into tears again. "There was a woman…" There's always someone else. "I went into her memories and she was… she wasn't doing too well. Her life wasn't… Her life was really tough, I could tell…" He can always tell. The lump in his throat is nowhere to be found, but his voice drowns in sorrow. "I tried to—Lu Guang told me she was already dead. I wanted to help her." As always, he just wants to help. It's like he doesn't have a purpose unless he's giving others a hand. It's like he doesn't exist unless he's being the person he needed when others abandoned him.

[Name] pulls away from him to turn and look him in the eye. His brows are bent in a grimace, making Xiaoshi want to kick himself for speaking too much. It's never too much with or for [Name], though. "Who helps you, Xiaoshi?" he asks as if he held all the truths in the world. If they're for Xiaoshi, then maybe he does hold all the truths, just to share them with him. Silence hangs in the air for a little too long. "When are you you? Why can't you just be in peace?"

Xiaoshi, who is always entering all these bodies and feeling all these feelings, who doesn't know what to do with all the weight on his back, who can't handle the pressure of failure on his palms. It's not failure. It's not his fault. It's time and events he can't change. It hurts. "…You do," he mumbles, staring into [Name] so he doesn't miss the furrow in his brows when he tilts his head in confusion. "You help me."

He blinks. Once. Twice. "Okay." Only for a moment, [Name] purses his lips. Then airy chortles slip from his tongue and flood over the room. "That's good." Blood rushes to his cheeks as he throws a pathetic punch towards Xiaoshi's shoulder. "I'm glad." Another punch and mirthful chuckles, this time onto his chest. "That's great." And one more, one that makes Xiaoshi sway backwards and join his laughter with a bright grin. "You stupid, stupid idiot."

Sharing weightless smiles, he brings [Name] closer for another hug. Xiaoshi knows he's stupid. As [Name] giggles away in his arms, he hopes he doesn't leave him. There's no way [Name] is leaving him when he already knows how stupid he is. Because he knows he's Cheng Xiaoshi and no one else, and that's who [Name] wants to be with. That's who Xiaoshi wants to be.

—あごす (agosu) • 2022

[elderflowergin]

why atty jung woo-jin is so important to me (alt title: why I hope the titular good partner includes jung woo-jin too, alt title @haraxvati apologies for workplace romance talk)

If you were in fandom spaces during Sherlock, you know that people went crazy for the deductions, for how they were delivered by Sherlock on the show. Who is a terrible person to most of the people around him! The surface admiration fans feel is for the way he works and not what he does for his friends (we’re talking normal human reciprocity and not lifesaving sorts of things).

So little of romance is devoted to the opposite - women who are good at tough, unsympathetic jobs and are unapologetic about it. If you were ever a woman in law enforcement, litigation or any other job coded to be aggressive or dominant, you’d find no shortage of gatekeeping men telling you how to do your job right, and there is no pleasing anyone in this.

How to speak, how to lower your pitch, what to wear, what NOT to wear, what sort of concessions you should give to the boys in club if you want to be in the club, what sort NOT to give so you don’t look like a chump. Maybe it’s better now than it used to be. Maybe some spaces are better than others. But the outcome was the same - you never win, and someone always shifts the goalposts when you’re done. You’re too sexy, you’re not sexy enough, your voice is annoying, you’re mousy, you’re loud, you’re fancy, you’re too articulate, you’re no fun, you’re a little too much and God forbid you get angry, because no one likes an angry woman.

We don’t see this sort of criticism on the show, because Cha Eun-gyeong is successful, but it’s never far from the minds of small men, be it her boss or the lawyer her husband seeks out. And we don’t have to see more of it - her husband, who by all rights should be proud of her achievements and hard-earned reputation, weaponises her work as the reason she is no longer a mother or a woman in his eyes. Who needs to hear from a shitty colleague when the call’s coming from inside the house? He hates her success, he hates that he owes his own success to her in part at least. It’s no surprise that his girlfriend is not a fellow doctor or someone from an allied or parallel position to him - she is in an admin position subordinate to Eun-gyeong. I don’t say this to denigrate admin positions, but to point out the predictability of men like him, whose anger at not being the centre of a woman’s universe is never far from the surface.

But then there’s Jung Woo-jin, who admires Atty Cha because of all the traits that make her a good lawyer. He points out to Han Yuri that she started out doing a tough job in a time few women took it on, that she took risks and was courageous in her representation of her clients. He admires her and yes, he loves her all the more for it.

If you’re asking me why it matters what a man feels about Atty Cha’s job, frankly I don’t think it does! She’s the fulcrum of her own universe. She’s never needed anyone’s approval to do what she felt was right. But I think it bears pointing out that this is a lonely job. Clients need to be handled and protected, opposing counsel are to be suspected, and judges are to be feared. There’s at least three fronts of conflict, and here is Cha Eun-gyeong, handling it all with infinite grace. And it’s great that she can do it all, but it’d also be great if the narrative could be different, for once; if she could have friends, even lovers, potentially, who love her for all of who she is, and not just the pieces of her that are useful. It’s a fantasy, yes, but a type so specific and so underserved that it had to have been written by a woman in corporate, if not a woman in litigation.

Cha Eun-gyeong is a very good lawyer, a woman who at partner level is still working her ass off to stay at the top, and Jung Woo-jin sees that; he sees HER, and the things that make her a good lawyer are indivisible from her as a person, because they are for Cha Eun-gyeong. Which is why his admiration for her is also indivisible from his love, and it’s also why he thinks nothing of it and Han Yuri catches on immediately. Because he can’t see it, but everyone else can.

But beyond that, for me it’s the moment he bodily puts himself between the CEO (yet another man waiting for her to fail) and Cha Eun-gyeong. I think it’s easy to convey admiration privately, because you don’t lose capital from that. It’s another thing to stand up for a colleague publicly. To your CEO no less, and in front of all your other colleagues, at a time of great personal crisis for Cha Eun-gyeong. (To your CEO who is also your father, no less!). It’s telling that this unassuming man who tends to smooth ruffled feathers does not appeal to his father-boss’s ego or supplicate to secure a temporary detente; what he makes is a threat that the words being uttered are defamatory, a polite suggestion that there will be consequences for careless words, and his father absolutely picks up on it. He may pay a price for it yet, going by the conversation he has later with his father.

I don’t know why this fantasy appeals more than the other, but I think it’s in the instinctive nature of it on both sides. It’s in the way Cha Eun-gyeong - who actively distances him from her feelings, who does not open up to him by design - allows him to act as her vanguard in a deeply vulnerable moment, which in itself is an entitlement she has. It’s food for thought, a glimpse into this bond that has outlasted her marriage.

[mcginnlawfirm]

How do I know if I have a case that your firm can handle?

Navigating the legal world can be overwhelming, especially when you're unsure if your case is something a law firm can handle. It's essential to know that you have the right team on your side, ready to guide you through the complexities of your legal issue. This article will help you determine if your situation fits our expertise well.

At McGinn Law Firm, we handle various cases, from personal injuries to property disputes. Our goal is to help you understand the strength of your case and provide the guidance you need from the very start. We're here to ensure you have the support you need as we explore the details of your case together.

Ready to find out if we can help? Contact McGinn Law Firm today. With a proven track record of serving clients in Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska, we offer you a free initial consultation. Contact Shawn McCann at 712-328-1566 to discuss your personal injury claim and take the first step toward resolving your legal matter.

Determining Your Legal Needs

The following key steps help you determine whether you have a case that could benefit from legal representation.

First, evaluate your situation carefully. Examine the facts and any relevant documents that might illuminate your position, such as contracts, correspondence, photos, and witness accounts. This initial evaluation will give you a provisional idea of whether your issue can be legally pursued.

Second, identify the legal domain your case falls into - family law, labor law, personal injury, or another type of practice. Law firms often specialize in particular areas, and knowing this can help you pinpoint the most qualified legal professionals to handle your specific concerns.

Third, if your query relates to the inadequacy of representation or breach of fiduciary duty, consider the potential for a legal malpractice claim against previous counsel. Such claims are particularly complex and require legal professionals with specialized experience in professional malpractice issues.

Remember, not all disputes warrant legal proceedings; some may be better resolved through mediation or alternative dispute resolution. To make the most informed decision, it's essential to align your situation with the vast expertise that a law firm offers.

Understanding the Importance of Legal Representation

The role of a law firm extends beyond merely providing legal advice; they are your advocates in navigating the intricate legal process. Skilled legal professionals offer vital assistance, from conducting thorough conflict checks to ensure there's no Potential Conflict with a current client to maintaining meticulous client relations through detailed notes and client portal interactions that factor in all relevant legal issues.

Legal representation is about more than arguing your case in court. It involves the awareness of fiduciary duty towards clients, rendering services that protect their rights and interests, especially in matters where an expert witness's insights might be crucial or in personal injury claims where experienced lawyers can significantly enhance the chances of obtaining fair compensation.

Further, law firms have an ethical duty to keep business relationships transparent, avoiding any disqualification from representation that might arise through conflicts of interest. If such disqualification occurs, a firm must ensure that a potential client's valuable time is well-spent and that their need for legal services is addressed promptly.

Factors to Consider When Assessing Your Legal Situation

In assessing whether you have a case that a law firm can handle, several factors should be considered:

Legal Viability: Is there a sound legal basis for your case? Evaluate the legal merits and potential outcomes.

Type of Practice: Does the law firm specialize in your legal issue?

Conflict of Interest: Can the firm represent you without causing a conflict with the interests of a current client?

Discover the law firm's history with similar cases where they have guided potential clients through the legal process.

Resources and Time Commitment: Does the firm have the necessary resources to take on your case, considering their current caseload?

Client-Firm Compatibility: Assess client interactions and client relations demonstrated by the firm to ensure their approach aligns with your expectations.

Expert Witnesses: Will your case require expert testimony, and can the firm provide access to these crucial resources?

Financial Considerations: Understand the fee structures and determine if the potential benefits of legal action justify the cost.

Outcome Objectives: Ensure that the firm understands your desired outcomes and has a history of achieving similar goals for their clients.

Gathering as much information as possible during the initial consultation is critical to deciding whether to proceed with legal representation. Interaction with the firm during this period will help determine whether the lawyer-client relationship will be productive and beneficial in addressing your legal needs.

Types of Legal Issues We Handle

Our law firm takes pride in offering a wide range of legal services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients. From individuals facing personal dilemmas to corporations dealing with complex legal hurdles, our seasoned legal professionals are equipped to handle various cases. Below is a breakdown of the types of legal issues we specialize in.

Personal Injury Cases

You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else's negligence. Our team of personal injury lawyers has extensive experience in cases including, but not limited to, car accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice claims, and workplace injuries. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can cause, and we are committed to fighting for the justice and compensation our clients deserve.

Business Law Matters

Businesses of all sizes encounter legal issues that require knowledgeable guidance. Our legal professionals offer invaluable advice and representation in business formation, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property protection, and commercial disputes. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, we aim to support and protect your business interests with strategic legal solutions.

Criminal Defense Cases

Facing criminal charges can be a daunting experience. Our criminal defense lawyers offer robust representation, advocating fiercely for our client's rights. We handle a spectrum of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including DUI/DWI, drug offenses, theft, assault, and white-collar crimes. Trust in our expertise to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system on your behalf.

Family Law Issues

Family law encompasses some of the most sensitive legal matters, impacting the lives of loved ones. Our compassionate lawyers address various family law issues, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal maintenance, adoption, and domestic violence cases. We strive to provide considerate and practical legal assistance during these personal and often emotional times.

Real Estate Disputes

Real estate transactions and disputes can be intricate and fraught with potential pitfalls. Our firm represents clients in all facets of real estate law, from residential and commercial transactions to landlord-tenant disputes and zoning issues. We aim to safeguard your interests by handling your real estate dealings carefully and professionally.

Employment Law Matters

The employer-employee relationship can give rise to numerous legal issues. We advise and represent employers and employees in employment discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, and workplace harassment. Our knowledgeable team is adept at ensuring the enforcement of employment rights and navigating the complexities of employment law.

Regardless of your legal challenge, our initial consultation will help clarify whether your situation aligns with our expertise. Our detailed notes, discussions, and analyses will give you a clear notion of how we can effectively represent your interests and ensure that your next steps are taken with the full backing of our legal proficiency.

Assessing the Strength of Your Case

When contemplating legal action, one of the primary queries you may have is how to assess the strength of your potential case. It's an essential aspect of the legal process, as it determines whether your situation has the merit necessary to warrant legal representation and pursue a positive outcome. The evaluation typically includes examining the evidence available, the legality of the claim, and the potential for proving fault or liability. Additionally, assessing both eligibility to file a lawsuit within the relevant statute of limitations and the likelihood of a successful resolution is crucial. Our firm's experienced legal professionals are adept at meticulously reviewing the details of your situation and offering a frank assessment of the strength of your case.

Gathering Key Information and Documentation

Initiating your legal journey requires gathering critical information and documentation pertinent to your case. This may include incident reports, contracts, communications, medical records, or any material that can substantiate your claims. Gathering this evidence is critical, as it facilitates our legal professionals' ability to evaluate the specifics of your situation. Documenting the details accurately and promptly can be highly beneficial for a more accurate case assessment. While our team will guide you through what is needed, the following is a list of that might be required:

Personal identification documents

Incident or accident reports

Relevant communication records (emails, letters, text messages)

Contracts and agreements

Medical records and bills (for personal injury claims)

Financial documents (for business-related disputes)

Evaluating Legal Claims and Potential Damages

An in-depth evaluation of your legal claims and the potential damages you may be entitled to is a vital step in understanding the scope of your case. Our seasoned lawyers will examine the facts against applicable laws to determine the validity of your claim. In addition, we will assess the extent and types of possible damages — economic (such as medical expenses and lost wages), non-economic (like pain and suffering), and, in some instances, punitive damages. This evaluation will influence the strategy we adopt for your case and also help establish realistic expectations about the compensation you could receive.

Assessing the Legal Process and Timeline

Understandably, clients are often concerned about the length of time their legal issues might take to resolve. Assessing the legal process and timeline is contingent upon the complexity of the case and the jurisdiction in which it falls. While some cases may be settled swiftly through negotiation or mediation, others may require litigation and can take months or even years. Our firm endeavors to give you a realistic timeline, factoring in stages such as the initial filing, discovery phase, settlement negotiations, trial preparations, and the possibility of an appeal. The time invested in a case should be proportional to its complexities and potential benefits to our clients, and we prioritize handling your valuable time with respect and efficiency.

By working closely with our firm, we ensure that each client receives personalized attention and that all potential legal matters are handled with due diligence. The synergy of our legal expertise and our commitment to maintaining an ethical duty within the lawyer-client relationship promises that we will strive for the best possible outcome for your case.

Initial Consultation with Our Firm

At the outset of exploring legal avenues, the initial consultation is the first significant step. Our law firm acknowledges the weight of this encounter, as it allows you to present your circumstances and allows us to evaluate your case's compatibility with our areas of practice. During this meeting, one of our skilled legal professionals will explore the particulars of your situation to discern if we can offer you the legal representation you seek. We treat every initial consultation with the confidentiality and seriousness it deserves, paving the way for a potential lawyer-client relationship.

Importance of the Initial Consultation

The initial consultation sets the foundation for your entire legal journey. This encounter is crucial for multiple reasons: it allows us to perform a conflict check to ensure there is no Potential Conflict with current clients, it enables us to understand the nuances of your case, and it helps establish expectations regarding legal processes and potential outcomes. Moreover, this stage is vital for assessing whether a legal malpractice claim or other fiduciary duty concerns must be addressed. Remember, this is a chance for you to gauge our firm's fit for your needs as much as it is for us to evaluate your case.

What to Expect During the Consultation

When you attend the initial consultation, be prepared for a thorough discussion. Here's what you can expect:

Review of your case: We’ll discuss the details of your situation, the events leading up to your legal needs, and the desired outcome you expect.

Document evaluation: If applicable, we'll examine any critical information or documentation you bring that is paramount to building your case.

Legal assessment: Our experienced lawyers will provide insight into the legal context of your circumstances, potential avenues for pursuit, and candid feedback on the viability of your case.

Discussion of next steps: If our firm can assist you, we will outline the next phases of the legal process, including the formulation of a legal strategy and timeline.

Understanding the Lawyer-Client Relationship

Initiating a lawyer-client relationship is a step that should be taken with thorough understanding and mutual agreement. This relationship is grounded in trust, confidentiality, and a commitment to pursue your legal interests with enthusiasm and integrity. Within this relationship, we uphold strict ethical standards and ensure that all interactions with our clients—from client portal communications to court representations—are conducted professionally. Understanding this dynamic can help create successful client relations and positive legal outcomes.

In summary, an initial consultation is more than a mere introduction; it’s essential to determine whether our firm can effectively handle your legal issues. Our commitment to detailed evaluation and personalized legal strategy aims to avoid wasting your valuable time and support a productive lawyer-client relationship from the outset.

Conflicts of Interest and Disqualification

Our law firm takes potential conflicts of interest very seriously, as they can affect the integrity of our legal practice and the trust of our clients. Conflicts of interest arise when a lawyer’s professional judgment or loyalty to a client could be reasonably affected by other interests or relationships. In such instances, disqualification from representation may be necessary to maintain ethical standards and protect the interests of all parties involved.

Importance of Conflict Checks

Conflict checks are integral to our intake procedure to prevent conflicts of interest before taking on a new case. This process safeguards potential clients by ensuring that prior or current firm commitments will not compromise their case. These checks are not only a necessary step in adhering to our ethical duty but also in building a solid foundation of trust with our clients.

Potential Conflicts with Current Clients

We strive to avoid potential conflicts with current clients. These conflicts occur when the interests of a new client may be directly adverse to those of an existing client or when there is a significant risk of materially limiting our duties to one or both parties. In such cases, we must carefully consider our ability to represent each party while strictly adhering to legal ethics and protecting our clients' confidential information.

Disqualification from Representation

Disqualification from representation becomes necessary if a conflict of interest is identified and cannot be resolved through informed consent or other ethical measures. We take this step to uphold the integrity of our legal practice and the trust of our clients. The disqualification helps ensure that every client receives the focused and uncompromised representation they deserve.

Ethical Duty to Avoid Conflicts

Our legal professionals have an ethical duty to avoid conflicts of interest in our lawyer-client relationship. This commitment extends to maintaining confidentiality, ensuring loyalty, and providing competent representation while avoiding situations where our professional judgment could be unduly influenced. Upholding these ethical standards is crucial for the fair administration of justice and the reputation of our practice.

In conclusion, understanding and effectively managing conflicts of interest is critical for legal professionals and is a foundational aspect of our role in serving you. Our firm's stringent conflict check processes exemplify our devotion to ethical practice and respect for the legal system and our clients.

Expert Witnesses and Supporting Evidence

Expert Witnesses and Supporting Evidence

Expert witnesses and supporting evidence are vital when building a robust legal case. Expert witnesses, with their specialized knowledge and experience, can provide clarity and understanding of complex subjects for the court. Their testimony often sheds critical light on aspects of a case that laypersons may struggle to comprehend. Supporting evidence, meanwhile, includes any material that can corroborate a claim, ranging from documents and photographs to physical objects and digital data. Together, they form the cornerstone of a persuasive legal argument, help establish facts, and often influence the outcome of a legal proceeding.

Role of Expert Witnesses in Legal Cases

Expert witnesses are vital to the legal process, offering specialized insights that can make or break a case. They are professionals with high skills or knowledge in a particular field relevant to the case. Their role is to provide objective opinions based on the evidence presented. Unlike regular witnesses, who can only testify on what they observe, expert witnesses interpret facts and give expert opinions to help judges and juries make informed decisions.

Critical Points of Expert Witness Testimony:

Expertise in a specific field (medical, engineering, financial, etc.)

Evaluation of evidence from an expert perspective

Provision of expert opinion testimony to clarify case complexities

Assistance in establishing a claim by using specialized knowledge

Gathering and Preserving Supporting Evidence

Sound legal representation involves the presentation of expert witness testimony and the meticulous gathering and preservation of supporting evidence. Properly collected and preserved evidence is paramount in substantiating the expert witness's testimony and the case as a whole.

Steps for Effective Evidence Management:

Identification: Determining what constitutes relevant evidence for the case.

Collection: Acquiring evidence while following legal protocols to ensure admissibility.

Documentation: Keeping detailed notes and records of where and how evidence was collected.

Preservation: Storing evidence in a manner that prevents tampering or degradation.

Presentation: Effectively presenting evidence during legal proceedings to support the arguments.

How Expert Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Case

Having expert witnesses contribute to your legal strategy can significantly strengthen your case. They bring authority and credibility, particularly in technical or specialized areas beyond the court's general understanding.

Advantages of Expert Witness Testimony:

Clarification of intricate details: They can distill complex information into understandable terms.

Enhancement of case credibility: The education and experience of experts can lend weight to the case representation.

Influence on jury persuasion: Expert testimonies can be persuasive and sway jury opinions.

Provision of an edge over the opponent: Well-presented expert testimony can provide a strategic advantage.

In conclusion, expert witnesses and supporting evidence are essential elements of the legal arsenal. When effectively integrated into a case, they reinforce each other and play a pivotal part in pursuing justice. Legal representation must include skilled professionals capable of selecting suitable experts and managing evidence efficiently to ensure the most favorable outcome.

Client-Lawyer Relationship and Communication

Establishing a robust client-lawyer relationship is critical to the success of a legal matter. At its core, this involves clear, consistent, and professional communication between the legal professional and the client. A solid relationship built on trust can significantly impact the efficiency and outcomes of the legal process.

Critical Elements of Effective Communication:

Honesty: Clients expect transparency regarding their cases. Likewise, lawyers should also be candid about the probable outcomes and potential challenges.

Responsiveness: Timely responses to clients' queries and concerns are essential in maintaining good client relations.

Clarity: Legal jargon can be confusing; thus, lawyers should strive to explain matters in plain language.

Regular updates: Both the lawyer and client should keep each other informed about developments in the case.

Fostering open communication channels enables lawyers and their clients to collaborate more closely. This teamwork allows them to strategize effectively and respond to legal issues. Building a robust and communicative relationship cannot be overstated, as it is the foundation of trust. A lawyer who listens to and understands their client's needs can better represent their interests in negotiations and court proceedings.

Importance of Effective Client Relations

Effective client relations are beneficial for the progression of a case and essential for the reputation and success of the law firm. Satisfied clients can lead to repeat business, referrals, and a strong professional reputation. Furthermore, managing client expectations through effective communication helps avoid misunderstandings and the potential for malpractice claims.

Benefits of Positive Client Relations:

Increased client satisfaction: Satisfaction levels rise when clients feel heard and understood.

Enhanced firm reputation: Positive client experiences contribute to the firm’s overall reputation.

Reduced risk of disputes: Clear communication minimizes the risk of conflicts.

More excellent client retention: Clients with a positive experience are likelier to return and refer others.

The law firm must invest in training staff to manage client relations effectively. This includes lawyers and support staff who may interact with clients. Implementing a client portal for efficient and secure communication or setting guidelines for client interactions, such as periodic updates on case progress, could be crucial.

In summary, the client-lawyer relationship and communication are the bedrock of mutual understanding, effective legal representation, and a case's strategic success. By prioritizing effective client relations, lawyers can ensure they meet their ethical duty to their clients while promoting their practice's well-being and growth.

[rcsilience]

name    ⏤    torrance    cromwell    .    label    ⏤    the   healed    .    age    ⏤    forty    occupation    ⏤    lawyer  (  unemployed  )    .    zodiac    sign    ⏤    capricorn     .    gender    +    pronouns    +    orientation    ⏤    cis    woman    +    she    /    her    +    pansexual    .    inspired    characters    ⏤    jessica  pearson  ,  kim  wexler  ,  cristina  yang  ,  fiona  gallagher  ,  prue  halliwell  ,  annalise  keating  ,  thirteen  hadley  ,  addison  montgomery  ,  kate  castle  ,  spencer  hastings

the  cromwells  don't  really  stand  out  ,  aside  from  having  had  five  kids  running  around  .  they  blended  well  ,  for  the  most  part  ,  which  is  exactly  how  mr  .  cromwell  liked  it  .  he  was  the  head  of  the  anthropology  department  at  the  university  of  michigan  ann  arbor  and  mrs  .  cromwell  was  a  traveling  nurse  .  these  jobs  ,  as  cushy  as  they  made  their  lives  back  home  ,  also  took  them  away  a  lot  and  thus  ,  the  responsibilities  tended  to  fall  onto  their  eldest  daughter  ⏤  enter  torrance  .

they  had  their  grandmother  who  would  stay  with  the  family  ,  cooking  dinner  and  the  such  but  when  she  turned  seventy  and  started  suffering  from  worsening  health  ,  the  heat  of  the  villages  in  florida  called  to  her  .  by  that  point  ,  torrance  was  used  to  picking  up  the  slack  where  her  grandmother  left  it  and  was  in  middle  school  ,  so  all  the  adults  figured  she  could  just  handle  it  all  .  they  were  right  and  wrong

she  hated  the  position  she  found  herself  in  .  she  couldn't  hang  out  with  her  friends  like  everyone  else  because  she  had  to  go  home  and  take  care  of  her  siblings  .  on  top  of  that  ,  her  father  was  especially  strict  about  grades  and  if  she  began  to  slip  ,  he'd  be  the  first  to  point  it  out  .  he  couldn't  tell  you  what  his  children's  favorite  colors  were  but  he  could  recite  their  gpas  .  tori  somehow  managed  to  stay  at  the  top  of  her  class  while  essentially  raising  four  other  kids  .

quickly  ,  she  found  herself  with  a  constantly  packed  schedule  .  tori  was  probably  the  only  person  in  red  creek  more  or  less  unaffected  by  the  events  of  1999  .  she  was  in  the  middle  of  her  sophomore  year  and  cared  more  about  coming  in  first  when  the  debate  team  went  to  nationals  &  nightly  dinners  than  dead  bodies  and  town  uprisings  .  looking  back  ,  she  kinda  feels  embarrassed  sometimes  to  think  that  the  whole  town  was  falling  apart  but  she  was  too  self  involved  to  even  notice

making  it  out  red  creek  and  out  from  under  her  father's  thumb  became  priority  number  one  .  she  was  accepted  on  a  full  ride  to  howard  ,  thanks  to  her  exceptional  resumé  ,  and  was  quick  to  book  it  out  there  .  law  school  was  at  georgetown  ,  her  first  year  out  was  at  a  big  law  firm  in  new  york  after  she  passed  the  bar  on  her  first  try  .  red  creek  wasn't  even  a  thought  in  her  mind  .

while  she  did  well  on  defense  and  okay  in  corporate  ,  tori  was  a  viper  for  her  clients  when  she  was  handling  divorces  .  for  years  ,  she  was  the  go  to  for  rich  wives  looking  to  get  rid  of  their  philandering  husbands  and  wanting  to  take  half  of  their  money  .  then  she  fell  in  love  with  one  of  her  clients  ,  went  a  little  too  hard  ,  and  came  out  the  other  side  with  conflict  of  interest  allegations  (  among  other  ones  )  ,  a  forced  leave  from  her  firm  ,  and  several  phone  calls  unanswered  by  the  woman  who  had  decided  to  get  back  together  with  her  husband  after  all  .

returning  to  red  creek  was  a  spur  of  the  moment  thing  .  she'd  just  boarded  the  first  plane  out  of  new  york  and  paid  a  very  expensive  uber  to  take  her  to  her  childhood  home  ,  where  she  hadn't  even  visited  for  the  last  five  years  .

her  parents  had  long  since  gotten  a  divorce  and  her  dad  was  heading  up  another  anthropology  department  at  georgia  state  .  her  mom  was  traveling  even  more  now  ,  so  that  left  tori  with  an  empty  house  and  nothing  else  to  do  .  she's  sorta  been  floating  around  town  ,  checking  her  email  in  case  she  gets  a  call  to  go  back  or  that's  she  fired  for  good  .  whatever  .  she's  not  stressed  at  all  .

[yuukei-yikes]

i hate that Jin decided Kano would be a cop in the future, my man is not racist or a straight up psycopath (i'm talking about you Military Police in Brazil and USA) so here's something i cooked up: Kano being an left wing sympathizer (mostly anarchist honestly) and throwing himself headfirst at the first squatting (occupying abandoned buildings) or demonstration/riot he sees because he's just that kinda guy

dont get me started on jin's comments about the mekadans professions like 😭😭😭 WHATS WRONG WITH HIM. kano By Far got the worst one.

here's a list of potential jobs i actually see kano doing:

hairstylist (personal hc and fave)

some sort of tabloid journalist i think him chasing ppl for stories would be funny. also back in the day idk why it was so popular to hc kano as a photographer so him walking around with a big camera seems a little fitting as an old kagefan. i remember there were memes about him wanting a camera of the brand canon and was always trying to get seto and kido to buy him one

him as a teacher would be cute. maybe a teather teacher or something, i think he'd get along really well with teenagers and somehow manage teen drama really well and make it work for the best of the class

server. just rly thriving off of tips too and cuz of his power he's really great at handling conflicts with difficult clients.

idk i think kano would work a job that involves a lot of talking to people, not bc he particularly likes people i actually think he's a very solitary guy, but he's...good at it? he gets what he wants from people definitely, he always knows what to say!