#like the coverage of a multi-day event

[ms-demeanor]

Maybe this is a silly question to ask about a podcast that 1) isn't fiction and 2) has hundreds of episodes, BUT. Do you have a favorite Knowledge Fight episode? Or maybe, idk, a favorite 'era' or type of episodes? A friend sent me a playlist of all the ones covering the Sandy Hook lawsuits - man those formulaic objections eps are fun! - and I've just finished listening to the last one on the list. So I guess I'm looking for recs on what to listen to next?

The whole formulaic objections series is good, i like the ones where they discuss Alex as a guest on Joe Rogan's Podcast, episode 25 about Dennis Montgomery is a good early example of Dan's research habits (episode 26 has the 4 ways to learn which is, like, foundational knowledge fight lore), Ep 392 about January 24th 2020 gets into a foundational thing for the covid info that will follow ("it's over for humanity, there will only be lone survivors" - they were VERY VERY worried about what they later decided was overblown) the responses to the court cases (602, 714, 715) that aren't formulaic objections are ALSO good, the episode about Bill Ayers (168) on infowars is really good, the episode about chompsky on Infowars is good (should pop up if you search chompsky in their episode list, 404 "Mr. Jones goes to CPAC" is good, and I like all of the multi-episode series about the documentaries. I like the episode when Jordan comes back to the US after the unite the right rally too - one thing I like in most podcasts I listen to is the leadup to and aftermath of big events, so I end up listening to November 2019 - September 2020 pretty intently across podcasts and knowledge fight is no different, they did good coverage of the way people were covering the Many Events of 2020.

I'm on my third full listen through and my podcast app shows that I've spent 4001.2 hours listening so far (I listen to everything at 2-2.5x speed) and I think they really start getting very very good after they kick off the formulaic objections. The early stuff is also good but they're also both excitable and more willing to jump to conclusions (I'm on about episode sixty right now and Dan is willing to make guesses about stuff in his time travel episodes and assert things that I don't think he would these days.)

I really like most of the "chatting with" episodes where they're talking to another person who researches in a similar space and I usually really appreciate Jordan's interviews but sometimes he's just too left for a more center guest and it becomes too awkward for me to listen to (I have to skip the Brian Stelter episode - I understand why Jordan interviews the way that he does and TBH I approve, I just can't listen to it).

If you're looking for another playlist to get started I'd say try episodes 130A-130E, which is the breakdown of the endgame documentary.

If you decide to start listening and you are coming across wacky wednesday episodes and finding yourself bored, just skip them and you won't be missing out.

(it may be a silly question to ask most people but it's not a silly question to ask me because I *DO* have my favorites out of nearly a thousand episodes of a nonfiction podcast about alex jones).

[threepandas]

Bird4Bird Part 5: Yandere Hawks

You know, people should be real glad he's such a nice guy. A Hero. Cause it was WAY too easy to get Her files. Tsk, tsk. Such poor security! He's kinda disappointed, honestly. He was sorta expecting a bit of a challenge.

It IS a Goverment building after all.

But maybe it's 'cause she's not a Hero herself. She's a civilian. So they don't care as much. You'd think you'd just get universal security and then lock down the Heroic files, but no. Glorified safes and lock boxes. Clear and traceable holes in all SORTS of bloodlines.

Gee, wonder why Mr. and Mrs. So-n-So have a redacted kid! Bet THEY'RE not related to any Heros! Sure won't be easy to just go to their HOUSE an find their kid's name THERE along with a few hostages!

It's theater. A joke, really. He's kinda GLAD he basically has no family, if THIS is the security they'd get.

Good thing he's removing Her files. They'll be MUCH safer with him~. A few dummy files left in their plaaaace, aaaand... back out through the blind spots in the camera coverage! Honestly, he's done harder exercises with his feathers literally concussed.

Ooooh~☆ Like that one. And that one~!

He keeps flipping through his social feeds. Might as WELL multi-task. Selfie with the skyline~♡! Aaaand upload. There we go, that's his #Aesthetic post of the day. Now PR will have nothing to complain about. Hmmmm, should like a few memes. Don't comment on THAT scandal. Joke about THAT one. Post a thirst trap modeling pic... aaaand...

He feels his feathers escape the building. Finally! It was his last hit of the night. File finally in hand, he lazily rolls to his feet, stretchs. Tucks the file away but not his phone. Then let's himself drop forward into open air. Let's his wings CATCH.

The magnificent slide of cool air against his feathers, the resistance of wind against his wings. He soars and for a moment... let's himself feeling nothing else. It is perfect.

It always is.

First things first, dropping of the files. Gotta keep them safe after all. Then... then he SHOULD be going to bed. Heck, if he doesn't feel like going alone, it's not like he doesn't have OPTIONS. He honestly has too many. But even then, the thought of it's exhausting...

They want The Mask. And yeah, sometimes it's FUN being the mask. Good for PR. Adds to his good reputation when they inevitably talk.

And they always DO talk.

They spread the word exactly as he expects them too. Dispite swearing, to the last, not to breathe a word. The picture of discretion, they PROMISE, Hawks~♡! Ha. 'Course they are. Pretty, chatty, birds. Picked for their scandal free backgrounds, photo ready faces, and hero positive attitudes.

He gets a LIST for every event he goes too. Has several, ranging from "approved in general" to "by region". Really... the height of romance, his meet-cutes. Picture perfect down to the last detail.

You'd almost thing a team of handlers PLANNED them for him.

Not to say the sex isn't great. Sex is always nice! Just... not when you're not in the mood for something REAL, ya know? When you want to get... get MESSY.

Hunt someone. See those eyes dilate, utterly AWARE and focused completely on HIM. That moment of indecision. Stay and fight? Run? Watching the scales tip and clatter in ruin to the floor. Run. Let um get a head start. RUN. Want to see those Big BEAUTIFUL Wings snap out to their full width, massive and powerful, and RIP through the air as they fling her into the sky. RUN!!!

Run away, lil predator. He's coming to CATCH you~

God, she'd be so POWERFUL in the air. So DANGEROUS. Eating up the distance like she actually stood a CHANCE. Those wings, so far from fragile its laughable. But... oh. Oh, he's FASTER. So, so much faster. Agile in a way her raw power robs her off.

She would never be able to fight him off. Would have NO chance to truely escape.

And then?

Then it's a matter of stamina. Training. And only ONE of them's a Hero~

He'd harry her. Feathers flying from ever angle, deadly sharp and far too close. Better dodge! Use your quirk! Oh DEAR, uses stamina as a fuel source does it? Hope you have ENOUGH~!

Little cuts. Kicks here and there. Pushing her lower~ Pushing her lower~ Watch out for that building! Uh oh! Powerlines! Large wingspan is a benefit in open air~ but it works against you heeeeereeeee~! Better LAND, lil harpy!

Before he knocks you from the SKY.

And he WOULD. God, it would be AMAZING. If he got her at just the right angle? He could kick her into a building, a tree, SOMETHING. Or maybe as she goes to flap? He could trap a wing. She'd DROP.

Wrap her torso in enough feathers to pin it. Slow her fall juuuust enough to really hurt, but keep her from hitting wrong. Ah~ bet she'd SCREECH. Struggle and lash like a cornered animal. Wing slamming the dirt helplessly, flapping uselessly, as she tries SO hard to get free... heart pounding, legs kicking, adrenaline surging through her veins~

He Wins, lil fighter~ now he gets his prize~♡

Ah, he bets you'd BITE. If the HPSC wouldn't kill him for it, he'd probably LET you. Let you scar him up in your rage. Leave your mark. You'd be so PISSED at losing. So nervous. And he can get that, vulnerability is a lot. Big, strong, walls all crumbling down? It'd feel like raw nerves. Being SEEN.

And he'd SEE her alright.

Even if she managed to avoid it. Managed to land, run, get herself nice and lost. He'd chase her down. Wear her down. Til the anger has no more fuel to burn. The threats have no more strength. Make her run and fight and run and climb and RUN... until her body just? Can't any more.

All struggled out~

Nothing but muscles shaking and bruises, feather cuts and the sweat that burns them. Gasping for air that can't seem to come fast enough. She never stood a chance~ But he let her try anyway.

And god. All his senses would be ON FIRE. Practically high on it. He'd be everything he's NOT supposed to be. Every instinct he's supposed to shove down on full glorious display.

He'd feed her till she CHOKES. She wouldn't get a choice. Watch the grease run down her pretty face and neck. Run his fingers through those pretty feathers and feel HIS against her skin. Preening and so, so pretty. All clean~ All those pretty little cuts and poor lil scrapes.

He put his merch on Each And Every One~

Little red feather band-aids all pretty on her skin~♡

His~ Won fair an square. Gotta take care of it. Blood and grease and sweat. Find all the places that make his Harpy bird squirm. But she can't escape. Not ever escape. He won. His, his, his. He'd make those place feel NICE. Watch her as she feels good.

She'd be so tired. So sore. She'd WANT to feel good. Be so tired of fighting and pretending. Hungry. And he'd be so good about how he takes care of her. Cause he's a HERO. Massaging hands and feathers that hold her nice and still. Careful kisses and playful teasing. Then? He'd hold those powerful, exhausted, thighs open and show her what worship feels like.

She'd make SUCH cute noises. He bets he could make her beg. Could probably make her cry.

He's fantasized, before, about not holding back. When some hero chaser is in his bed, with the "real" Hawks. Performing once again, a different facet of the Mask, all the better to pretend he is a Real Boy. Ha! What would be like? To do nothing but feel GOOD? To concentrate on pleasure? The feeling of his body moving?

To GRAB and put his back into it? Knowing damn well he'd leave bruises. Because he's stronger then them. Because his body is a weapon. Because wires in his brain were mixed up long, long ago and nothing can possibly undo it now. Wanting to snarl and shred everything around him as he rams home, deep and good like he's melting.

Wants feathers EVERYWHERE. Under him, against his skin, attached to whomever he's fucking. A God damned NEST. With blankets and feathers and tatami.

Wants to be BONELESS for how hard he fucked. How much effort it took. A marathon and a national EVENT. Wants to put on a parade and have a feast and then RUIN all of it. It's like screaming in his head, sometimes. All the instincts he is forced to repress and ignore. They blend together. Violence and hunger and horny and NEEDY AND ANGER AND-!

He lands. Outside her apartment. He's seen rats live in better places. It's an unkind assessment. But he's abruptly feeling kind of... agitated. He really should push her towards a better job. Like working for him. Or living with him. Or being HIS. Maybe both. And he'll need to hunt down a few insurance agents. Have some TALKS.

He slips a few feathers into the building. Her neighbor sleeps with the window cracked. From there? The vents. Gotcha~

The steady sound of breathing. Asleep. The rhythmic pattern... knowing it's from HER... it's...

It's soothing.

He settles back into a watchful crouch. He's still on edge. Hard. But nothing he can't fix. He has a pretty good angle from where he's perched. You forgot to fully close your blinds. And his eye sight is EXCELLENT. You look so relaxed~♡

He feels you breathe. Gently, ever so gently, let's one of his feathers drift forward to land carefully against a cheek. Warm. He can feel your pulse.

He strokes himself franticly. The cold air of night time just adding to the thrill as it teases everywhere his hand is not. His handlers would HATE this. The HPSC would NEVER allow it. He presses his other had to his face, to muffle his voice, as he desperately tries to both buck his hips AND keep his balance. So good. God she looks so VULNERABLE~

He milks the tip. Finally giving in to the urge to BITE his hand, glove leather filling his mouth. The only think keeping him upright on the phone poll he landed on, is the feathers he's grabbed himself with. And even THAT reminds him of his earlier fantasies. He spills, jerking, and raining down on the unsuspecting street below.

Good thing it's so late at night.

His entire body is riding the aftershocks. Sensitive and good. Euphoric. He laughs, wild eyed as he stares down at his hand. How depraved~ His lil hunter is certainly bringing out the worst of him, isn't she? Or maybe it's the best? It's certainly SOMETHING. And god, is it HUNGRY.

He looks back at her sleeping face as he licks his hands clean...

He should do this again~

[baiabay]

🇳​​🇴​ ​🇷​​🇴​​🇱​​🇪​ ​🇲​​🇴​​🇩​​🇪​​🇱​​🇿​ || ​🇦​​🇳​ ​🇦​​🇹​​🇸​​🇻​ ​🇽​ ​🇧​​🇱​​🇦​​🇨​​🇰​ ​🇨​​🇦​​🇹​ ​ 🇷​​🇪​​🇦​​🇩​​🇪​​🇷​ -​🇮​​🇳​​🇸​​🇪​​🇷​​🇹​

Chapter One: Scaredy-Cat

<<<<previous chapter || next chapter >>>>

this story is also on ao3, wattpad, and quotev under the same name ! <33

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

A/N: Spot is here!!

 Hey all! Okay so first things first thank you so much for all the support of the last chapter! It honestly means alot given that ive never written before lol. Alsoooo sorry for the radio-silence after the last release, i just graduated highschool! So yay for me :) also means that ill have much more time to write since its summer break for me now. Lastly,sorry if this chapter seemed kinda slow, I wanted to try to incorporate what this universes’ Felicia Hardys “canon events”(or what would be of her canon events) would look like in this chapter to set up a bit of backstory, as someone who doesn’t read the comics nor play the games, pls forgive any inaccuracies in Felicias lore as I am only going based off of wikipedia (plus in this story reader is a minor so I wanted to exclude the nsfw trauma that Felicia goes through in og story) I also wanted to find out a way how to integrate reader into the main plot which is why i decided to feature Spot in this chapter :D thanks again for the support and don’t forget that this chapter along with any future ones will be posted to ao3/tumblr under the same title!

P.S. Much more Spider-Miles/Black Cat interactions next chapter!!

Word Count: 1844

˚₊𓆩༺🕷༻𓆪₊˚

You remembered it like it was yesterday.

Seven months ago, Brooklyn, New York.

Your father - The Black Cat’s face on every screen in the country, but most importantly yours.

BREAKING NEWS: WORLD-RENOWNED CAT BURGLAR CAUGHT IN THE ACT : IDENTITY SHOCKS THE NATION

…huh?

LIVE ON THE SCENE: ‘BLACK CAT’ REVEALED TO BE MULTI MILLIONAIRE WALTER HARDY AFTER RUN-IN WITH SPIDER-MAN

…no, this-

THIS JUST IN: CAT BURGLAR WALTER HARDY PRESUMED DEAD AT HEIST SCENE - POSSESSIONS TO BE TURNED IN TO OFFICIALS

This can’t be happening.

It was all too much at once. 

He never kept it secret from you. You knew about your father’s job.

You knew all about what he did. The planning, the heists, the reselling, he had done it for years. And you knew all about it.  But he had been doing this for years. Long enough to allow your family to live very comfortably. Long enough that you believed he would never be caught.

But yet there you were, all that you knew burned to the ground in a matter of minutes.

You remembered it like it was yesterday. Frantically packing everything you could into any bag you could find; clothes, money, pictures, weapons, anything - before they could take it away from you. 

And when they did, it was brutal. 

Live-streamed news coverage of men raiding your home, rummaging through your stuff- your father’s stuff- as if he never existed. 

Soon enough there were auctions. Bids, worth millions, on your father’s items, broadcasted across the nation, with drinks and music and finger foods - they made a fucking sport out of it. 

You remembered it like it was yesterday, the cheers in the street after the big-bad-black-cat was pronounced dead. The endless praise Spider-man received, that of which he took with a smile on his face. You had wished you could kill him.

You remembered it like it was yesterday, the day Peter Parker died.

You laughed.

.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .  

Seven months later, Brooklyn, New York.

Ugh.

Muscles aching, you stretched up in your bed, and groaned. Ruffling the bedhead out of your hair, you reluctantly trudged out of your mattress to open a window. Coincidentally, one of your many cats was perched perfectly on its sill, wide-eyed and tail flicking in your direction.

“...This whole heist stuff is really catching up to me, huh?”

The cat stared. You sighed. You really had to get yourself some friends.

Ever since your fathers passing, you’ve basically been on your own. Shortly after all his (and your) possessions were seized, you hopped around until you managed to find shelter in a shitty apartment on the west side of town. You, fueled purely by spite (with a tasteful teeny tiny dash of vengeance on the side), inherited the criminal persona of your father, along with his criminal tendencies, and took upon yourself the name of The Black Cat. 

All this time you’ve managed to keep your identity completely secret, not even your resellers knew who you were. That came with one major drawback though… you were extremely lonely.

Even with your frequent charity rounds around the community, noone really knew who you were. Even though Black Cat was nonviolent, the name was widely feared seemingly everywhere you went. Even with your days at school, the school you’ve been going to for months now, you made your way around the halls unnoticed. 

Speaking of school, you were late. 

Shit. 

Spending ample time dazing out your window, you’ve completely lost track of time. You disregarded your hair and rushed to pull on your uniform. Stumbling around your complex you hastily dumped too large of a portion of cat food into the automatic feeder, something you’re sure the cats will be grateful for. Shoving a few snacks into your bag, you simultaneously shuffled into your school shoes, proceeding to dash out the door. 

Sprinting down the stairs, nearly tripping once, twice, you whipped out your phone to check when the next bus route would arrive. 35 minutes.

Shitshitshit.

You paused, still in the stairwell, before turning to sprint in the opposite direction, towards the rooftop terrace. Creaking open the door, you checked to make sure noone else was up there before making your way towards the edge of the terrace. To anyone else but you, it would look like a young student was about to make an unfortunate decision and jump. And jump you did. 

You fell for a few seconds, relishing in the way your stomach dropped. You’d never get tired of that feeling. Seeing the ground get closer, you released your grappling hook and latched onto the nearest building. Pulling and releasing, you quickly fell into a swinging pattern, towards Brooklyn Visions. 

Hidden from the eyes of civilians, you swung yourself through the shadows. Everyone looked so small from up there, and for a brief second, you found power in your lonesome. In the corner of your eye you noticed what seemed to be a lanky white figure clumsily flying through the air. (You paid it no mind).

Dropping down into a dark alleyway much closer to campus, you continued your mad dash towards the main entrance. Winded, you finally made your way inside the building, a thin layer of sweat shined on your forehead. The hallways were empty, class must be in session. You took a few steps forward, making your way towards your classroom until being knocked over by a student, very evidently in a hurry. 

“Sorry! Sorry, I didn’t mean to-I’m just in a rush, I didn’t mean…”

The boy reached out his hand to help you up.

“Hey, it's no problem, I get it.”

You smiled, and took your hand in his. He hesitated for a moment, staring, brows furrowed at your now interlocked hands, before nodding and continuing his sprint down the hallways. 

You took in his disheveled appearance, his wonky tie, his half-tucked shirt, untied laces, dark eyes, curly hair, brown skin, sweaty palms…

Your thoughts were quickly interrupted with the shrill ringing of the school bell. Suddenly, the hallways flooded with students rushing towards their next classes, you decided to follow suit. 

On the other side of the hallway, Miles Morales lingered on how his spidey-sense flashed alarms in his head when his hand touched yours. Every nerve in his system telling him to run, fight, dodge, anything to get away from you-he couldn't put his finger on why. (He paid it no mind). Blaming it on nerves, Miles shoved his way through the packed hallways, dreading the meeting waiting for him in the guidance counselor's office. 

.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    

School was a bust, as always. Nothing new, you made your way through the rest of the day unnoticed. As always. But you didn’t have time to think about that right now.

At the moment, you were in the middle of going through numerous number-codes on a padlock blocking the vault door to an extremely expensive gemstone. You’ve been salivating over this stone for weeks now, planning out how and when exactly you would strike to get this thing in your hands. You could see it now, the headlines, the chaos, after some rando millionaire’s little rock was taken from him…

“Woah, hey, you’re new!”

You flinched, hard. Whipping around towards the source of this unusually chipper voice. You were met with… a cow? … Man?

You stared, hard. 

“Okay, hey. The ogling isn’t necessary… I just-”

The cowman’s sentence was cut short with a quick lash of your whip, that of which he caught…? Your whip seemed to phase right through a large black hole on his torso, the opposite end appearing in a similar black hole right behind you, the whips end striking your back. You cried out, hit with the full force of your lash.

Sinister giggles emerged from the spotted figure, pointed towards your pained form. You trembled, in shock. 

“It’s rude to interrupt.” 

Spot stepped slowly towards you, his…well, spots, whirring aggressively, pointedly. You were frozen on the ground. Staring up at him, your lips trembled open.

“What,” You coughed. Once, twice. “-what are you?”

The black and white figure straightened, only to then fold over into a dramatic, hilariously unthreatening pose. 

“You, can call me… The Sp-”

“Some sort of cow?” You snickered. It was now his turn to flinch, hard. 

“I am NOT a-” The cow cleared his throat. “I am not a cow…whydoeseveryonesaythat…I, am the most dangerous villain you’ve ever seen, The Spo-”

“I mean, what’s with that getup?” The grin on your face grew. “Is that… is that supposed to be a costume? Orrrr…” 

The Spot sighed, defeated. “...it’s skin.”

“It’s skin?” 

“Yes, yes, now I-”

You stood up, energy back and eyes crinkled. 

“Wow, that’s…hm, interesting…skin, that’s skin? Sorry, sorry-listen man, I uh, I really gotta get back to this, so if you don’t mind?”

Stepping backwards in offence, the spotted figure shook in anger before swinging out his arm, releasing numerous dark voids around the room. Hitting practically every surface, but one most importantly, landing on the vault door, separating you, from your stone.

“Ah-wait-”

Swiftly, The Spot weaved his way through his holes, limbs popping up and out around the room in a way you couldn’t even begin to reach for your whip. 

No way was he about to take it from you.

But take it, he did.

In what felt like seconds, the whole room was engulfed in black. Stumbling backwards, you fell through one of the voids, flailing ungracefully, swimming through nothing. 

It was hard to breathe. 

A shrill crackling terrorized your ears, and before you, appeared a very disheveled Spot, now fully black with white spots, facial dot whirring and trained on you.

Gem in hand. 

Panic.

You were panicking. The sound of blood thrummed in your ears as you squirmed around in nothingness. Fuck the rock, you just had to get out of here. 

A cold hand grabs your wrist, dragging you upwards, towards the crackling form. 

For the second time today, you were frozen.

“I am not a cow,”

The form spoke lowly.

“I am not some villain of the week”,

Frozen still, you did nothing but stare straight into his glare.

“I. Am. The Spot”.

Suddenly, you were dropped. For the second time today, your stomach dropped with you. Next thing you know you’re falling through another void, leading not into darkness, but through the city skyline. Seeing the ground get closer, you released your grappling hook and latched onto the nearest building. 

As soon as your feet reached a solid surface, your legs buckled. Heaving, you failed to process what just took place, heart pounding in your ears. 

“...the fuck was that?”

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   

Miles received word of commotion taking place downtown, something to do with spots. He had hoped it wasn’t what he thought it was, and it was. It was, and was so much worse. 

Dark spots littered a large manor, maniacal cackling emerging from its center. In the corner of his eye a familiar masked figure hunched over, breathing rapidly, staring straight ahead at the mess of spots.

(He paid it some mind.)

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

Ppl that asked me to tag them!(thxx 4 the support!)

@nightshxdex

@itszzmoon

@blackcat-kittyblogs

@vxxxb

<3

[saywhatjessie]

This article was too hot for my editor to want to publish it on the website so I'm posint it here, babey!

Would Spider-Man help catch the UHC Assassin?

Current events have Spider-Man fans asking, “What is justice?" And how would our favorite web-slinger deal with this?”

Since the lethal shooting of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson on the morning of December 4th, citizens across the country and people around the world have been eagerly awaiting news of the so-far uncaptured assassin, but maybe not for the reasons one may expect.

By and large, people appear to be celebrating what they see as a direct action against the oppressive state of American health insurance and the predatory models of these businesses that end up with multi-billion dollar CEOs. Private insurance is inherently exploitative, killing 68,000 Americans every year due to denying them coverage for care that could otherwise have prevented their deaths. The fact that it’s been almost a week and the police are still trying to pinpoint a clear suspect since so many people had motive is entirely damning. It makes us wonder, since this happened on the streets of New York, would Spider-Man be assisting the NYPD in their search for this man many have been calling a hero? Or would he align with the will of the people and decide that justice has already been served?

Peter Parker has his own complicated history with billionaires, what with his relationship to Tony Stark and the fact that in later iterations of the comic, he becomes a CEO himself of Parker Industries. It could be easy to say, “Spider-Man doesn’t kill, and he knows that billionaires are people too, so he would surely help hunt this killer.” But I’m not so sure.

The way this case has been playing out already reads like a comic book: the assassin shot this man in broad daylight on a city street and then made his getaway on a Citibike. He wrote “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” on the bullets, making sure there could be no mistake of what the motive was and why this man was killed. His backpack was found after four days, full of Monopoly money, and his gun appears to be a weapon mainly used to euthanize pigs. This is the kind of action comic book writers salivate over: the themes, the metaphor, the cheeky false evidence. The gunman’s avoided detection for so long because he’s been playing with the US Justice Department’s reliance on a surveillance state, exploiting the nature of essentially living in a panopticon and adjusting for it. He is vengeance. He is justice. And people are responding.

There have been calls for economic revolution in this country for decades, but especially in the last few years. The cost of living continually escalating and a global pandemic leaving many financially and sometimes literally crippled, with medical care being denied left and right, has left many—most, even—completely unsympathetic toward billionaires. People celebrate pods of killer whales sinking yachts off the coast of Spain, protestors have shown up outside of CEOs’ homes with guillotines, and there was a party on Twitter when the OceanGate submersible killed 3 billionaires in an implosion last year. And who can blame them? When growing up, all our cartoons were about fighting against corporate greed and giving back to the people; of course we’re going to cheer for the downfall of the richest among us. From Robin Hood to What’s New, Scooby Doo? It’s always been about plucky upstarts spitting in the face of public officials and taking down the people with enough money that laws wouldn’t touch them. One of the opening scenes of The Incredibles (2004), Bob Parr nearly kills his boss at Insuracare, outraged at his denial of claims and dismissal of human life. And this was his return to heroism. Our feelings about this don’t change just because it’s happening in real life. 

Shops around the world have sold out of jackets that look similar to the one the assassin wore, and New Yorkers held a UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter look-a-like contest. The community is rallying around this man, internet sleuths refusing to assist police in finding the killer. Who’s to say Spider-Man wouldn’t refuse, too?

I wouldn’t be surprised if a fictional version of the past week’s events eventually showed up in a comic somewhere—in several comic universes, really—and I’m sure different writers would have their take on what Spider-Man would do. But my Spidey would let the cops figure it out. I think he’d figure that since the state of American insurance is the government’s fault, it should be the government to sort out the consequences on their own.

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

Since a lot of the desert is not very habitable, my world has a lot of underground buildings in the desert very high tech so that the natural land isn't very important. What do I need to consider for this?

Tex: Do you have a particular desert in mind with this question? There’s a fair amount of deserts that are inhabited already by flora and fauna, if not to a hundred percent coverage, such as the Great Basin desert, Kalahari Desert, and the deserts of Australia.

Deserts that have less flora and fauna, and are of the more popular imagination, such as the Sahara, Gobi Desert, and Syrian Desert, will have pockets of inhabitation around places like wadis, where there’s enough underground pooled water for migrational animals - including humans - to travel to and from. It’s not unusual to see water, and thus inhabitation, around mountainous regions in the desert, or by the borders of a desert where climate zones shift based upon geological features.

Humans have been living in and around the desert for a very, very long time (Wikipedia). Because of this, they’ve developed methods of surviving, and while it might not necessarily be an analogue to denser human populations like New York City that’s teeming with life and a focus of travel, a life is made.

Aridity isn’t necessarily the domain of traditional deserts, either - mountains are a good example of this, as are certain popular examples of civilizations in these areas. Petra is a popular example, home to the Nabataeans and geographically within modern-day Jordan. A notable mountain peak, Tian Shan, in Central Asia, was one of many places the Yuezhi people lived, who were nomadic and lived not only in the surrounding area but also across places like the Tarim Basin and the Tibetan Plateau. There’s a lot of examples of similar situations in other parts of the globe, so this is not an isolated event in human history.

Now, what is your definition of high tech? Skyscrapers? Internet? Something else? Lighting is something humans have had for a while, in the form of candles, hearths, and lamps, and we’ve more or less had an electrical grid in some places since the late 1880s (Wikipedia).

Plumbing has existed for thousands of years in some form for both fresh and wastewater (Wikipedia 1, Wikipedia 2), as has architectural features such as bridges (Wikipedia) and other types of architectural works (Wikipedia). Multi-story buildings have also existed for a while, notable in Roman insulae and Egyptian city of Fustat.

Telecommunications has existed in some form for about as long as human civilization has existed (Wikipedia), but electronic telecommunications began at about 1830-1840 (Wikipedia). I don’t know if you consider this sufficiently old or sufficiently modern, but the information is there for your perusal. Accordingly, the predecessor to the modern internet, ARPANET, was a multi-country project that began in the 1960s and established by the US Department of Defense - and computing hardware has a before and after historical split in technological advances at about the same time (Wikipedia).

What are your goals with this setting and this technology? What are the reasons that your society is living in such an area with such a climate, and what are they using the technology for? Are the communicating with people outside of this area? Is the technology completely isolated, for archival purposes, or is it interacted with on a regular or frequent basis? How much of this is aesthetic, and how much of it is part of a plot or culture?

Utuabzu: Historically, there have been several cultures in arid environments that favoured partly or wholly underground structures, from the Ancestoral Puebloans of the American South West, who sometimes built into the sides of canyons to the Derinkuyu Underground City in south-eastern Türkiye, to the modern town of Cooper Pedy in South Australia. These sites vary significantly in form and in motivation, with the Ancestoral Puebloan canyonside structures built primarily for defense, Derinkuyu built partly for defense and partly just because the local stone was really easy to carve through and vast underground spaces made for convenient storage, and Cooper Pedy is underground to mitigate the worst of the desert heat, mostly utilising exhausted opal mines.

Any or all of these reasons could apply, and would impact your setting’s architecture and urban forms, but the biggest impact is always going to come from the reason people started living there in the first place. The Ancestoral Puebloans farmed the fertile river valleys, Derinkuyu lies in Cappadokia, a region that once gave rise to the Hittite Empire and has plenty of decent farmland and pasture, while Cooper Pedy is a major centre for opal mining. 

I’d suggest considering why this culture lives in the desert in the first place, and then researching what similar locations in the real world look like. Also, decide what sort of desert you’re working with. As Tex said, there’s a lot of different kinds of desert, and they have historically produced very different cultures and architectural traditions. What makes sense in the hot sandy deserts of the Arabian Peninsula or Northern Africa does not necessarily make sense in even the relatively nearby Iranian Plateau or Thar Desert, let alone the cold deserts of Central Asia or the high altitude Atacama or Tibetan Plateau.

[thecurlyginger]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

@12thhouse-sun tagged me days ago - I'm alive queen and answering this for you!

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

30 which I literally cannot believe but OKAY

2) What’s your total AO3 word count?

317,219... wow.

3) What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Plus-One, a Parks & Rec one-shot where Leslie coerces Ben to be her date to Mark's wedding and feelings becoming revealed.

NFWMB, a Marvelous Mrs. Maisel fic from Lenny's perspective about the allure of a certain female comic.

Sweet Vermouth, another MMM fic - this time from Midge's POV, following the season 3 finale and her fall from grace after being fired from Shy's tour.

Where the Heart Is, a Parks & Rec fic that tells the story of Leslie's house throughout the seasons.

Your Protector, my Baldur's Gate 3 fic from Gale's POV that tells the story of him falling in love over the events of the game with a certain vengeful paladin.

4) What fandoms do you write for?

Currently Baldur's Gate. Been mentally cooking up a DA: Veilgard fic or two (or three) but haven't had the time to get to writing.

5) Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

ALWAYS. I love love love comments, and if someone is kind enough to write about my story, then the least I can do is answer. In my mind, it also encourages people to comment!

6) What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Definitely my WIP What Then, If the Storm Ends. Getting some words in the comments that I'm due to pay for therapy...

7) What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Honestly all of my Parks & Rec fics have happy endings because that's the tone of the show!

8) Do you get hate on fics?

Someone hated on how I personified Louie CK's character (that he was a dick) on Parks & Rec in one of my fics and all I could think of after the truth about that guy came out was... well, guess I was right. I get it, character vs actor, but since that show was so heavily improv'd, I felt vindicated.

9) Do you write smut?

...mayhaps. (yes I do)

10) Do you write crossovers?

No, sorry I haven't!

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not stolen, but I had an idea for a story and due to not having time to write it, someone beat me to the punch!!

12) Have you ever had a fic translated?

I haven't, but that would be super cool! I had someone tell me they had to google a lot of things to understand my modern day BG3 fic because I talked about unions (lol).

13) Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

No but I would be DOWN TO

14) What’s your all-time favorite ship?

Might say Ben/Leslie!

15) What’s the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Not applicable! My beige flag is only posting multi-chapter fics when they're finished. You'll get the full story but it's gonna take a LONG TIME, hence the year between Your Protector and its sequel.

16) What are your writing strengths?

I like to think it's overall storytelling? Finding conflict, laying the groundwork for there to be emotional payoff, etc. Also, finding the character's voices. People like my Gale voice, and I was told I nailed the voices from Parks & Rec and MMM.

17) What are your writing weaknesses?

I think I could be more descriptive? I tend to imagine my story cinematically (makes sense with my line of work, I suppose), so I'm often writing as though bouncing between the character's "coverage" but I need to spend more time on creating settings.

18) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in a fic?

I enjoy reading it, but I would hate to mess it up.

19) First fandom you wrote for?

Ever??? Phantom of the Opera

20) Favorite fic you’ve ever written?

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I LOVE Your Protector and it's sequel. I spent so much time writing them and just think of them as my children. Labors of love that I'm proud of and I want more people to read them!

Tagging @optimisticgrey @morrriigan

[boredout305]

The Free Orchestra, GDR experimental music/DEFA documentary

The Free Orchestra (Das Freie Orchester), DEFA, 1988.

Directed by Petra Tschörtner (1958-2012).

Note: The Free Orchestra (1988) can be streamed on Kanopy.

By 1988, the Stasi had achieved mixed results in combating punk rock. On the one hand, the East German secret police had successfully infiltrated the punk rock scene with unofficial collaborators (IM, inoffizieller Mitarbeiter), but on the other hand, they couldn’t stop the movement’s growth. In the GDR’s dying days, SED authorities did the unthinkable and supported punk (Hayton, 2022). This policy change enabled The Free Orchestra to be produced. The short DEFA documentary was beautifully shot on 35mm film by cinematographers Jürgen Hoffman and Michael Lösche.

The Free Orchestra formed in 1984. The “amateur” group was fronted by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Bärbel Willner. Work in the GDR was compulsory, so by day, Willner sold fasteners in an East Berlin department store. Most of the screws and bolts customers sought were unavailable. The East German economy was in shambles. Unlike Czechoslovakia, the GDR remained relatively quiet throughout the 1960s. Before Autumn 1989, the country’s only major uprising occurred in June 1953. The event scarred the ruling SED. A decision was made—ramped up under General Secretary Walter Ulbricht’s (1893-1973) successor Erich Honecker (1912-1994)—to transition away from oppressive work quotas (to assist, the Soviets agreed to reduced war reparations) to a more consumer-oriented economy. Political stability was dependent upon rising living standards. Food prices in the GDR stayed constant. The rent was cheap. Modern prefabricated housing (Plattenbau) went up. University, healthcare and childcare nurseries were free. As these subsidies became more costly to maintain—coupled with poor economic management, including a disastrous, quixotic campaign to overtake the West in microchips and personal computers in the 1980s—living standards in East Germany began to drop (Ahrens, 2020). Air pollution had reached unacceptable levels, foreign debts rose, goods were in shorter supply and aging housing stock throughout the country needed repair (Demshuk, 2020). This was the milieu The Free Orchestra found themselves in. It’s also the genesis of the verbal riff (“Ham wa nich!” “We don’t have it!”) Willner repeats in the documentary’s performance at the Erich Franz Youth Club at Prenzlauer Berg. The East Berlin club was a well-known hangout for East German punks, even receiving coverage during the euphoria surrounding die Wende (reunification) in The New York Times (“Where the East Bloc Rocks”).

The Free Orchestra provides a glimpse into the working lives of the other members of the group. Bassist Carsten Spindler has the quintessential East German job: He’s a Trabant mechanic. The Free Orchestra sounds like Captain Beefheart and takes the deconstruction of popular music further than The Raincoats (compare The Free Orchestra’s handling of “Yesterday” to The Raincoats’ “Lola”). The group worked outside of the capitalist system while simultaneously making no attempt to please East German authorities. Synthesist Jörg Thomasius ran a makeshift studio (Tomato) with hard-to-find recording equipment. The group released self-dubbed tapes on their Krötten Kassetten imprint, although its Thomasius’ East Berlin address that’s given as the label’s contact on early J-cards. Free Orchestra tapes occasionally show up for sale on Discogs; many can be heard on YouTube. Willner and Thomasius left The Free Orchestra in 1990 and the group disbanded in 1992. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Thomasius worked with Kluster’s Conrad Schnitzler. In 2022, the label Bureau B compiled recordings Thomasius made between 1980-1990. The LP, Acht Gesänge der schwarzen Hunde, is outstanding, pulling influences from Terry Riley, La Monte Young and Edgar Froese. -Ryan Leach

References

Ahrens, R. (2020). The East German economy, 1945-2010. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge  University Press

Demshuk, S. (2020). Bowling for communism. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press

Hayton, S, (2022). Culture from the slums. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press

[theillustratedwriter]

Sunlit Moonrise | Daechwita Min Yoongi/Agust D x OC (Royalty/Fantasy AU)

Sunlit Moonrise Masterlist

Chapter 1

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!!SUNLIT MOONRISE IS A MULTI-CHAPTER STORY AND NOT A ONE-SHOT SO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE IF YOU READ SINGLE CHAPTERS OUT OF CONTEXT. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS PLEASE READ PREVIOUS CHAPTERS LINKED ABOVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE STORY!!

Chapter 11: As The Snow Leopard Prowls

Aine thought the memories of her mother that haunt her room at Vulstis Keep would force her into a constant state of consciousness, but all of the events of the day from The Dowager Queen and Preacher Elisedd trusting her word to King Min shedding his hard exterior for a mere moment to allow her to peer in and confirm the existence of his humanity, she is lulled easily into a deep sleep. 

Her dreams are filled with her father's hearty laughter as he is the light to the former King of Vulstis's darkness. King Min Dowon is just as cold as his son, but Aine understands why now. He must have appreciated her father's kindness and awful jokes during his time as advisor. Aine glances to her father's left, and chuckling along with a bright, elegant smile that could illuminate any room, is Lady Epponina Sampson. Her mother. The epitome of beauty and grace, with her auburn hair plaited around her head, giving the illusion of a halo. Her emerald green eyes are striking, anyone they land upon is frozen in place. On King Min Dowon's other side, is the then Queen Min Chinsun, fussing with young Prince Min Yoongi, who seems to be sulking. Aine is almost stunned at the amount of emotion shown on the young Prince's face, and the lack of a scar. 

"Aine, dear, come forth." her mother's voice rings out like a siren.

Aine, trapped in her seven-year-old body, happily obliges, giggling and skipping up to her mother and father. Her mother scoops her up into her lap.

"Now, have you been nice to Prince Yoongi recently?" Lady Epponina pries, raising an eyebrow as if she knows something.

"Only if he's nice to me!" Aine says snootily, crossing her arms.

"As if! She always steals my arrows so I can't shoot my bow!" Prince Yoongi snaps back, pointing an accusing finger.

"Now, now, what's this? I thought you two were friends!" Queen Chinsun states, looking between the two who are currently sending glares at one another. 

"He's so annoying!"

"She's so annoying!"

The two yell at the same time. 

Aine sticks her tongue out at the Prince as he turns his back on her, pretending she doesn't exist.

The adults burst out in a chorus of laughter. 

And that's when Aine awakes in her chambers to the sound of maids knocking on her door. 

"M'lady? We are here to dress you." 

That wasn't just a dream. That was a memory. Ciar and Rian weren't my only childhood friends. King Min and I used to be childhood friends, too, ripped apart by those around us. Does he resent that one of his friends has tried to kill him multiple times? I wouldn't blame him for that, he's already cold enough because of his role...

"Mother, what have they done to us?" Aine whispers sorrowfully into the folds of her bedsheets before pushing them away along with the thoughts and allows the maids to enter. 

The cut and fit of today's dress is the same as the day prior. The difference is the colour. Today the dress is as black as the constant storm cloud that rumbles above Vulstis Keep. As black as the coal dust that coats its halls. Instead of an object- an emerald- this dress symbolises Vulstis and the fleeting acceptance she felt from its most powerful people yesterday. The updo is slightly more elaborate, adorned with golden pins that are reminiscent of King Min's pointed crown. However, they serve as a reminder more than anything. They may look like a crown, but they still are just pins. If she dares to betray Vulstis at this point, their trust will be broken and those pins will be removed as quickly as they were put in. Despite this, if Aine could add some armour and a bit more coverage for the cleavage, she is on-board with this look. 

As she strides through the corridors towards The Council Room, heels clicking against the stone floor, those she passes glance at her as if she is a dangerous shadow. Scary, yet respected. 

She is the last to enter the room. All the usual suspects are there, with the exception of Braelyn Highmarch. Aine suspects Lord Highmarch has somehow weaselled her into being the cup-bearer for this meeting. She also notices that Braelyn's outfit is identical to Aine's, aside from the fact that it is in gold. Aine pays no mind, taking a seat between Min Chinsun and Sir Davys. 

"Now that we're all here, and with clarity from King Jimin, I would finally like to finish addressing my list of concerns." King Min begins.

There are murmurs of agreement.

"The lack of guards on shift when Caylus Sampson gained access to Coimeach Pass. I originally wanted to blame it solely on Caylus, and therefore Aine, because I believed he got in by asking old friends for favours, but King Jimin's warning proves that what Aine says is true. I apologise for not wholly believing in you, Sir Conall." King Min continues slowly, looking to his Head of the Royal Guard.

Sir Conall bows his head. "Thank you, Your Grace, but you were only being careful. Forgive me for asking, but if the rat is not Aine, who is it?"

King Min's face darkens, and he stares at Aine, as if urging her to speak for him. Does he feel too guilty to say this? Too vulnerable?

"Advisor Hwang. He likely sent notices to your generals in the King's name to tell them to stand down." Aine says.

Sir Conall visibly considers this before nodding.

"Then, tell us, Temptress, why did you shoot an arrow at our King?" Lord Highmarch spits.

It takes all of Aine's might not to roll her eyes at the new nickname. Her nonchalance is probably making the old man go insane.

"I thought King Min genuinely believed I was the Goddess Aine, so I sent a warning shot- I am not his puppet that will fall to his every beck and call just to be able to go back to my father. After all, the actual Goddess Aine did maim King Ailill Olom to get her way, I thought I could play into that." Aine explains honestly, "Besides, if I actually wanted to kill him, that arrow would have hit the target."

"I concur with that." Sir Davys says, "I've trained every archer in the Vulstis Guard, and none of them can hit the target as accurately as Aine does."

"Such nonsense, Sir Davys! This Temptress spends one night with the King and she has him wrapped around her finger, passing the blame onto Advisor Hwang!" Lord Highmarch hisses, Braelyn politely covering her mouth. Aine knows she's trying not to snicker. 

Aine looks to King Min who is just as readable as the stone wall behind him. Typical.

Standing and slamming her hands on the table, she commands unwavering attention.

"Listen here, Berach Highmarch, I know your game. You've been after what the Sampsons have since the beginning of time, so now you're slandering me and my father at every opportunity to try and get us out of the picture. Well, let me tell you something. That may have worked with Ciar and now with Braelyn, but I'm not someone that's so easily brainwashed and manipulated. If your grudge is of greater importance than the future of Nocriam and Vulstis, then continue to pursue it and be a hindrance to the rest of the people in this room. I hope you enjoy sitting upon a Kingdom of rubble and ashes." Aine spells out in a low, calculated voice. 

Braelyn looks like a deer in headlights, clutching helplessly onto the tankard of wine she is serving from and Lord Highmarch resembles prey being cornered by its predator, cowering slightly in his chair. Aine slowly sits back down in her seat, and scans the faces of the others. They all express some kind of smirk that validates her outburst. The foxes shall feast. 

Well, except King Min, but that is to be expected. He just stares at her, endless pools of black meeting fierce fields of green. That is, until he speaks.

"Aine is correct. Hwang is the one who gave me the Goddess idea. He also always gave me the most aggressive and grotesque advice, at times it felt almost outlandish. He knows us Protectors of the Past aren't allowed to feel, so it was like he was coercing me into turning insane. But because I always thought his advice was too much, I always turned it down, making me feel like the sane one, but, subconsciously, his anger and resentment reflected in my actions and I redirected it at exactly the people he wanted me to, like a fool." 

Aine's jaw nearly hits the flaw at his admission- isn't that too emotionally vulnerable for him? Seemingly, she's not the only one moved by this as Min Chinsun shifts from the chair beside her to embrace her son. Which is soon followed by a slap upside the head.

"Idiot boy! Why do you think your father employed someone as loyal and kind-hearted as Caylus Sampson as his advisor? And someone as out-spoken and honest as me to be his wife? Caylus and I best represented the emotions your father had but was not allowed to express himself! If you allow someone evil like that to represent you, they manipulate you and you gradually become as insane as them!" Min Chinsun screeches at her son, flapping around him as if she could physically waft Hwang's evil aura away. Aine wants to laugh, The Dowager Queen's actions reminding her of the memories she revisited last night. 

"Nevertheless, where did Hwang even come from? He certainly didn't seem like a Vulstis native." Sir Davys inquires, trying to distract the King from his mother's embarrassing antics. 

"The Isle of the Ordained." King Min states.

"The Isle of the Ordained?!" Aine repeats, aghast, "The only people allowed there are Preachers-in-training. They're only allowed back to the mainland once they've completed their training and pled themselves to the Gods. Hwang didn't seem like a Holy guy. Otherwise, that's Belltorian land. It couldn't be better protected." 

"Good thing old Highmarch here got us some Belltorian connections through marriage, then." Sir Conall teases, roughly elbowing Lord Highmarch in the arm. 

Aine raises her eyebrows, excited at the prospect of being able to uncover who Hwang is whilst being able to check in on Ciar. 

"Good thinking, Sir Conall. I will send word to King Jungkook to set up a meeting with Ciar and her husband. I hear from Lord Highmarch that he has high military standing in Belltoria, even though I never signed off on the marriage." King Min comments. 

Aine and Sir Conall exchange looks.

"Something still bothers me." Sir Davys speaks up, "If this person does indeed intend to inflict damage on Patrinis, why go for Vulstis and Nocriam? If you wanted to take Patrinis down, surely it makes sense to go for the Protectors of the Present: Nalentus and Belltoria? Verectias is too unpredictable, King Jimin would probably see it coming from one of his mysterious outside contacts." 

"Maybe it's a personal grudge? At The Parish of Patrinis, I was the first and only person Hwang talked to. He didn't seem interested in anyone else even though Grand Duke Kim Taehyung was sitting right next to me." Aine recalls, that creepy smile of his etched into her brain. 

They all take this in.

"But if it's you he's after, why infiltrate Vulstis first?" Sir Conall asks.

Min Chinsun, King Min and Aine know why. To steal Preacher Nocriam's necklace, but only select people are allowed to know about The Den of Vulstis Past beneath The Royal Chapel and the treasures it protects.

"The Fabled Five." Aine says quickly.

"What? The children's tale?" Sir Conall asks skeptically. 

"Yes. It may be a tale but it was written by Mr Verectias so it has some truths about our history. Mr Verectias wrote about Preacher Nocriam praying on the land where the Hall of Witnesses is built now. Those prayers make up the Holy Scriptures...um..." 

Aine paces for a moment, wracking her brain for the correct scriptures.

"Part One of the Scriptures says: 'Blessed be these lands we now call Patrinis, where we seek refuge from the past, present and future, fear will always persist, so remember one and all must embrace it to overcome it, do not allow the ego to consume everyman, woman and child.' Nocriam, as the Holy State, serves as a reminder to never forget this fear and Mr Verectias's telling of The Fabled Five confirms this. Both Vulstis and Nocriam remind Patrinis of its past and why we must remember the past, because it makes us resilient. He was trying to pit the two greatest memoirs of our past against one another. By going after the past, King Jimin wouldn't see it coming, because his responsibility is the future." Aine deciphers, the reality becoming more and more morbid as she goes on. That stupid children's book she resents ended up being exponentially useful. 

"Oh, Gods." Sir Davys exclaims, wide-eyed in realisation.

"But why?" Min Chinsun questions. 

"Since Aine mentioned The Fabled Five, Hwang could be the 'fear' the founders were originally running from, coming back to get us." Sir Conall concludes.

"T-this is ridiculous!" Lord Highmarch finally contributes, but everyone ignores him.

"No time for 'why's. What's his next move?" King Min puts to everyone, attempting to reel them back in from their frantic theorising. 

Aine stops in her tracks, eyes widening, slowly turning to look at King Min with a hopeless expression.

"My father." she whispers, and everyone else seems to stiffen. 

As the foxes were feeding on their own, the snow leopard has been prowling, ready to strike. The Knights of Subsequence are coming for Caylus Sampson's head.

✼　 ҉ ��✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Sunlit Moonrise Masterlist

Chapter 1

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[tjemegames]

WuWa: Free 5-star Selection, Beginner’s Choice Convene, & More Jiyan Attempts

The last few days have been eventful. I made my selector decision and got in few nice ten pulls on the Beginners Choice and Jiyan convenes. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Free 5-star Selection

The Giveback Custom Convene selector came in clutch (we love compensation rewards in this household). Before utilizing it I had already pulled both Verina and Calcharo so making my decision was much easier than I expected:

I adore Jianxin’s personality; she’s disciplined, righteous, and a dedicated martial artist. I really like her design, her battle animations are solid, and her play style is pretty straightforward as well. She’s been great for exploring the over-world due to her shielding, self healing, and buffing capabilities for her teammates. Overall, not a bad choice for early game (I play for enjoyment > meta so take everything I say with a grain of salt). Not sure how great she’ll be in endgame content since she does require a good bit of field time to get all of her buffs in order, but I’ve loved playing with her so far and she’ll likely be a staple in my echo farming team for a long time coming.

Beginner’s Choice Convene

With 3/5 of the standard 5* characters already in my clutches, I had a very important decision to make. Obviously Encore would’ve been a great choice since I didn’t yet have any Havoc coverage, however, I was knee deep in Lingyang’s companion quest at this point in time and I simply could not ignore my heart on this one.

So I set my path for the little Lion Dancer and continued grinding out gameplay for more standard pulls; I got a solid triple multi right before my boy danced his way into my roster at 41 pity:

Lingyang is such a sweetheart; fiercely loyal, caring, and lovable through and through. His companion quest sold me on him almost immediately, having the opportunity to play with him during the process only solidified my decision. He’s so very fun to play with. Implementing his Lion Dance background into his battle animations was such a good call on the Dev’s part. The animations are really smooth and satisfying to work with. Unfortunately, he’s not as strong as the other standard dps units but I find him to be the most entertaining to use (so far) and I have no regrets about choosing him for my guarantee.

Jiyan Convenes

I made a last ditch attempt at Jiyan before ultimately deciding to call it quits on him and start saving my astrites for next patch:

A nice triple multi followed by a sad singular one. 90 total convenes thrown toward bringing the General home is a good effort and necessary stopping point.

At present, WuWa just doesn’t give out enough premium currency for me to justify putting everything I have into the first limited character. There’s too much uncertainty and I really don’t know enough about this game to “fuck it we ball” my way through it like I have been in HSR. It’s probably better for me to keep my guarantee on the back burner while I study up on the intricacies of this game.

I don’t plan on scooping up Yinlin so I should have a good chunk of time to hoard astrites before inevitably going for the next character. Hopefully my next attempt is kinder to me than this one has been.

That’s all on WuWa for now. It’ll probably be a while before my next update on this game (unless I get lucky on standard banner) so have fun out there and good luck on your pulls!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled HSR yapping. Boothill pulls are today — wish me luck!

[winged-wyvwyrm-electricboogaloo]

Cloaks were extremely popular articles of clothing, used for all sorts of things and beloved by many even to this day, so why dont we see them outside of LARP or the big screen? In This Essay i will outline the general timeline of cloaks, becuase i love them and believe they deserve an essay. Fight me, i bite damnit.

Cloaks were spectacular for a myriad of reasons both aesthetically, and functionally, for a little history on cloaks and relevant similar clothing we can go back to Rome, Greece and even the Aztecs. They were used becuase they were extremely simple, take a blanket, pelt or a large leather piece, drap it over the shoulders, clip it using a simple sharp stick, specially designed pins called a penannular brooch, or a simple leather strip or cordage. Serving multiple functions such as the obvious protection from the elements, both while traveling at at night, bundling up supplies and covering the body and any weapons one might carry, they were also used as a form of military uniform, using colours and designs to convey rank, allegiance and occupation.

Cloaks also aided hunters, scouts, etc, by breaking up the human silhouette, a early form of camofluage, which proves extremely effective even to this day. given the right environment and positioning, one could mistake a human for a rock or some foliage from a mere 20 meters in broad daylight, especially for animals with dissimilar eyesight, such as deer. Cloaks were easily draped over the body without completely squishing or ruffling the outfit underneath, especially prevalent during the frilly clothing eras, and provided simple and effective protection from dust, water and what have you. Cloaks also have the added benefit of being easily worn while on horseback, a must have when the only form of travel was hoofing it =3

In the later years, as humanity, technology and society grew more sophisticated, the need for the benefits of the cloak diminished due to several changed in behaviour and environment. With the invention of the sewing machine, clothing became much easier to produce, rendering the cloaks advantage of simplicity less endearing. Working indoors for longer and more often made the cloaks superb protection from the elements equally less of an advantage over other clothing.

With the invention of the automobile the cloaks ease of wear while on horseback a detrimental aspect, due to the cloaks flowy and loose nature, getting dirty from dragging on the ground, getting caught in doors and similar inconveniences. This also rendered the multi-use function of serving as extra bedding and for bundling item for long trips obselete. So seems the cloaks golden age had come to a close.

However, this does not mean we abandoned them completely! The need for a cloak stand in, for everyday use that matched the times, was needed, enter the long coat! With similar benefits to the cloak such as coverage from rain and snow, protecting your clothing under it along with added range of movement with low cut sleeves and staying closer to the body. Cloaks proper stayed around as fashion statements, and formal wear to accompany suit and tie events and such.

Over time, the long coat evolved into coats and jackets and the cloak was phased out of use due the ever changing tides that are fashion and society. However, some cultures still use cloaks for their amazing function and strong presence, such as the american military for galas, banquets, and ceremonies. The italian Carabinieri allow and even issue cloaks as part of their uniform. Campers, hunters, hikers and larpers all use cloaks ocasionally aswell.

Tldr: they stopped being useful, and a better alternative was made possible via evolving technology.

In a later date i may make an essay on why they should make a comback

(i meant to post this like 5 hours ago and fell down an RP rabbit hole i genuinely thought was real for a while, never change tumblr.)

[printondemandsingapore]

The Complete Guide to Custom T-Shirt Printing in Singapore

In today's world of personalization and unique expression, custom t shirt printing singapore has become more than just a trend—it's a necessity for businesses, individuals, and organizations looking to make their mark. Whether you're planning a corporate event, launching a startup, or simply want to create something special for your loved ones, understanding the landscape of t-shirt printing in Singapore can help you make informed decisions that deliver exceptional results.

The Revolution of No Minimum Printing

Gone are the days when you needed to order hundreds of t-shirts just to get your design printed. The concept of no minimum t shirt printing has transformed the industry, making custom apparel accessible to everyone. This revolutionary approach means you can literally print 1 piece tshirt singapore if that's all you need, without compromising on quality or paying excessive setup fees.

This flexibility has opened doors for small businesses, startups, and individuals who previously couldn't justify large minimum orders. Whether you're testing a new design concept, creating a one-off gift, or need just a few pieces for a small team, the no-minimum approach puts creative control back in your hands.

Understanding DTG Printing Technology

DTG printing singapore (Direct-to-Garment) represents the pinnacle of modern t-shirt printing technology. Unlike traditional screen printing methods that require separate screens for each color, DTG printing works similarly to a large-format inkjet printer, applying water-based inks directly onto the fabric fibers.

This technology offers several advantages that make it perfect for modern printing needs. The ability to reproduce photographic quality images with unlimited colors means your designs can be as detailed and vibrant as you imagine. Additionally, DTG printing excels at handling complex artwork, gradients, and fine details that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive with traditional methods.

Quality That Speaks Volumes

When investing in high quality t shirt printing, the results should speak for themselves. Modern DTG technology, particularly double-pass printing methods, ensures that colors are vibrant, details are sharp, and the print feels soft to the touch. The water-based inks used in DTG printing become part of the fabric itself, rather than sitting on top like vinyl or traditional plastisol inks.

This integration means your printed designs will maintain their appearance wash after wash, without cracking, peeling, or fading significantly. The breathability of the fabric is also maintained, ensuring comfort for the wearer even with extensive print coverage.

Speed Meets Convenience

In our fast-paced society, timing often makes the difference between success and missed opportunities. Fast t shirt printing singapore services have evolved to meet these demands, with some providers offering same day tshirt printing for urgent requirements.

This rapid turnaround doesn't mean compromising on quality. Advanced DTG printers can produce finished garments within hours, complete with proper curing and quality control checks. This speed advantage is particularly valuable for last-minute events, rush orders, or when inspiration strikes and you need to see your idea come to life quickly.

Design Freedom and Creative Expression

The ability to design your own t shirt singapore has democratized fashion and personal expression. Modern online platforms provide intuitive design tools that allow anyone to create professional-looking designs without extensive graphic design experience.

From simple text-based designs to complex multi-colored artwork, the possibilities are virtually limitless. You can incorporate personal photos, create custom graphics, use premium fonts, or combine multiple design elements to create something truly unique. The key is understanding how different design elements will translate to the final printed product.

Material Matters

The foundation of any great custom t-shirt is the blank garment itself. Premium 160GSM cotton tees provide the perfect canvas for DTG printing, offering a balance of durability, comfort, and print quality. The weight of the fabric is substantial enough to feel premium while remaining comfortable for daily wear.

Soft-feel cotton fabrics are particularly important for direct-to-garment printing, as they allow the water-based inks to penetrate properly and create that integrated, soft-to-the-touch finish that customers expect from high-quality custom apparel.

Versatility Across All Sizes and Styles

Modern custom printing services recognize that one size doesn't fit all. Plus size t shirt singapore options extending up to 8XL ensure that everyone can enjoy custom apparel, regardless of their body type. This inclusivity is essential for corporate uniforms, event t-shirts, and family gatherings where you need to accommodate diverse sizing needs.

Oversized t shirt printing singapore has also gained popularity, responding to current fashion trends that favor relaxed, comfortable fits. These styles require special consideration during the printing process to ensure designs are properly positioned and scaled for the larger canvas.

Beyond Basic T-Shirts

While t-shirts remain the most popular choice, modern custom printing extends far beyond basic tees. Children t shirt printing allows parents to create adorable custom pieces for their little ones, while baby romper printing singapore opens up possibilities for unique gifts and keepsakes.

Tote bag printing singapore has become increasingly popular as businesses and individuals seek eco-friendly promotional items and practical custom accessories. The versatility of DTG printing makes it perfect for these fabric-based products, delivering the same high-quality results across different item types.

Corporate and Bulk Applications

Corporate tshirt printing serves multiple purposes in the business world. Beyond creating uniforms, custom corporate apparel helps build brand recognition, foster team unity, and create professional appearances at events and trade shows.

For larger requirements, bulk t shirt printing services can handle substantial orders while maintaining the quality and attention to detail expected from smaller runs. The key advantage of working with experienced providers is their ability to scale production while ensuring consistency across every piece.

The Complete Custom Experience

Creating customized t shirts singapore should be an enjoyable and straightforward process. From initial concept to final delivery, the best printing services guide you through each step, offering design advice, material recommendations, and production updates.

This comprehensive approach ensures that your vision becomes reality, whether you're creating a single special piece or launching a full product line. The combination of advanced technology, quality materials, and experienced craftsmanship delivers results that exceed expectations.

Getting Started with Your Custom Project

Whether you need just one custom piece or hundreds, Print On Demand Singapore offers the perfect solution for all your custom printing needs. With no minimum orders, same-day printing available, and premium DTG quality, your creative vision is just a click away.

For bulk orders and custom quotes, businesses can reach out directly at sales@printondemand.sg or call 80607621 for fast quotes. Individual customers can start designing immediately through the online platform, taking advantage of user-friendly design tools and instant previews.

Conclusion

The world of custom t-shirt printing in Singapore has evolved dramatically, offering unprecedented flexibility, quality, and convenience. Whether you're an individual with a creative idea, a business looking to build brand recognition, or an organization planning an event, modern printing technology makes it easier than ever to create exactly what you envision.

The key to success lies in choosing the right printing partner—one that combines advanced technology with quality materials and exceptional service. With options ranging from single-piece orders to bulk production, same-day turnaround to carefully planned campaigns, the perfect custom printing solution is within reach for everyone.

[ptaufiqphotography247]

How to Choose the right Indian Wedding Photographer in Mexico

Planning a destination Indian wedding in Mexico is exciting—sun-kissed beaches, luxury resorts, colorful décor, and vibrant traditions. But to preserve those priceless memories, choosing the right Indian Wedding Photographer in Mexico is crucial.

You need someone who understands the essence of Indian culture and knows how to work with the dreamy Mexican backdrops. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you hire the perfect wedding photographer in Mexico, featuring tips from the experts at P.Taufiq Photography—renowned for capturing luxury Indian weddings with cinematic brilliance.

1. Choose a Photographer Experienced in Indian Weddings

Indian weddings aren’t like any other—they’re layered with emotions, traditions, and multiple events spread over 2–4 days. From the Haldi ceremony to the Mehndi night, the Sangeet to the Pheras, each event demands a different approach to lighting, mood, and emotion.

P.Taufiq Photography specializes in Indian weddings and understands how to capture those powerful candid moments, detailed rituals, and grand festivities with an artistic eye.

Look for:

A portfolio with full Indian wedding coverage

Knowledge of diverse Indian traditions (North, South, Sikh, Gujarati, etc.)

Experience in shooting multi-day events

Understanding of traditional and modern Indian aesthetics

2. Understand the Photographer’s Style

Every couple has a different vision—some love cinematic flair, others prefer natural moments captured candidly. That’s why it’s important to find a photographer whose editing and shooting style aligns with your taste.

P.Taufiq Photography offers a balanced blend of editorial, cinematic, and documentary-style imagery—perfect for couples who want timeless yet dynamic wedding photos.

Ask yourself:

Do I want classic posed shots or more candid, emotion-filled images?

Do I love warm, bright tones or more dramatic, moody edits?

Do they shoot portraits, details, and emotions equally well?

Does their storytelling style match my wedding vibe?

3. Choose Someone Familiar with Mexican Wedding Locations

Mexico offers breathtaking locations—turquoise beaches in Cancun, cliffside resorts in Cabo, lush gardens in Tulum, and colonial charm in San Miguel de Allende. A photographer with experience in Mexico knows how to work with tropical lighting, natural elements, and local venue logistics.

P.Taufiq Photography has worked across top Mexican destinations, capturing stunning Indian weddings while seamlessly handling location-specific challenges like weather, time zones, and lighting conditions.

What to look for:

Knowledge of the best photography spots within your venue

Ability to scout great backdrops quickly

Experience handling beach shoots, sunset timing, and tropical climates

Understanding of local vendor coordination for seamless workflows

4. Read Client Testimonials and Reviews

The best way to know if a photographer delivers what they promise is by reading honest client feedback. Reviews reveal a lot about the photographer’s professionalism, communication, delivery timeline, and ability to handle the beautiful chaos of Indian weddings.

Clients of P.Taufiq Photography consistently praise the team for being calm, creative, responsive, and fully immersed in the couple’s vision—making them a top choice for destination Indian weddings.

When reviewing testimonials, check for:

Timely delivery of edited photos

Professional behavior during high-pressure moments

Ability to engage with family and guests

Willingness to go the extra mile for the perfect shot

5. Discuss Packages in Detail

Budget matters, but value matters more. Always understand what’s included in the photography package. Do they cover all events? Are pre-wedding and drone shots included? Will there be a second photographer?

P.Taufiq Photography offers custom packages tailored to Indian weddings, ensuring no moment goes uncaptured—from the first look to the final farewell.

Ask these questions:

How many hours/days of coverage are included?

Is there a second shooter for better coverage?

Do we get sneak peeks before the full gallery?

How many edited photos will be delivered?

Are travel, stay, and transportation included in the price?

6. Check Availability and Logistics Early

Indian weddings are elaborate, and planning one in Mexico means locking in key vendors early. Top photographers like P.Taufiq Photography get booked months (even a year) in advance, especially for popular wedding seasons.

What to confirm:

Is the photographer available for all your events?

Will they arrive a day early for prep or scouting?

Are travel and accommodation arranged, or do you need to cover it?

Do they need any local support or vendor coordination?

7. Make Sure You Feel Comfortable with Them

You’ll be spending hours with your photographer—getting ready, walking down the aisle, crying happy tears—so personal comfort is key. You want someone who can blend into your family, make you laugh, and make you feel relaxed in front of the camera.

The team at P.Taufiq Photography is known for their warm, easy-going nature and their ability to make couples feel completely at ease during emotional and intimate moments.

Consider these before you book:

Do they understand your vision and culture?

Are they open to suggestions and collaboration?

Do you feel a natural connection or trust with them?

Did they make an effort to get to know you as a couple?

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Indian Wedding Photographer in Mexico is one of the most important decisions for your big day. With multiple events, unique cultural traditions, and once-in-a-lifetime emotions, your photographer should be more than just a vendor—they should be your storyteller.

If you're looking to hire a wedding photographer in Mexico who understands Indian culture and delivers luxury, cinematic wedding memories—P.Taufiq Photography is the name you can trust.

[eponiesracing]

What are the best online platforms for horse race betting picks in the USA?

1. E‑Ponies

Why it stands out:

Computer-handicapped picks: E‑Ponies has been offering algorithmic picks for over 20 years, analyzing factors such as speed, class, form, lineage, and more. These aren't subjective opinions; they’re pure data-driven selections.

Free & Premium Access: Daily free picks are available for selected tracks (e.g., Churchill, Lone Star, Parx) while a subscription unlocks premium picks for all tracks (like Monmouth, Santa Anita, Woodbine) plus ad-free experience and early access e-ponies.com.

Depth of analysis: Picks come with supporting stats, and premium users gain full race cards and personalized search features

Long history & credibility: 20+ years in operation, built a reputation as a leading innovator in computer handicapping

Community engagement: Active forums where bettors share strategies—e.g., using morning line totals to identify overlays

Ideal for:

Data-driven bettors who prefer algorithmic handicapping over human projections.

Bettors who enjoy digging into stats and computing overlays.

Those looking for both free and comprehensive paid picks.

2. Twin Spires

Why it’s recommended:

Official Kentucky Derby partner (Churchill Downs), offering reliable coverage and streaming.

Expert picks & analysis produced by in-house experts like J. Keeler Johnson and Vance Hanson

Educational content: Articles and video explainers on handicapping, track conditions, betting strategies

Generous welcome offers: Up to $200–$400 in bonus funds for new players

Comprehensive app and interface: Live video streaming, full pari‑mutuel bet types, rewards programs

Ideal for:

Bettors seeking human-curated picks backed by official race authority.

Fans of live streaming and expert race-day commentary.

Players wanting a polished mobile experience.

3. Fan Duel Racing

Why it’s a top pick:

Shared wallet convenience across sportsbook, casino, and racing

No-Sweat bet offer: Up to $500 back if your first bet loses

Expert insights: Picks and analysis from Fan Duel TV personalities

User-friendly interface and live streaming of 150+ tracks

Ideal for:

Bettors already in the Fan Duel ecosystem.

Those who value sleek UX and commentator-driven guidance.

4. Am Wager

Highlights:

Top-rated platform for serious bettors

Fast loading, robust tools: Real-time odds, track lists, ranking systems.

High-rebate model: Rewards heavy players

Multi-track viewing: Watch 4+ races simultaneously

Ideal for:

Professional or high-volume bettors.

Users who value speed, data, and rebate optimization.

5. DRF Bets / Daily Racing Form

Why it’s essential:

Historic handicapping service since 1894.

Past Performance forms are industry-standard

DRF Bets sportsbook offers horse wagering backed by premium data

Ideal for:

Bettors who rely heavily on form guides.

Traditionalists who want deep historical data and analytics.

6. ExpressJet & TVG

Why to consider:

ExpressJet: Industry-leading loyalty program, dedicated horse racing app, and tools like tournaments

TVG: In-depth past performance data, handicapping tools, and streaming

Ideal for:

Bettors who prize reward programs and competitive events.

Fans of deep-form analytics and consistent track coverage.

7. Other helpful tools & communities

• DRF and Bris Net Forms

Reedit wisdom says:

“You need to learn how to master the form guide. DRF and Bris Net are the best for form.”

• Reedit communities

Advice from r/horse racing and r/sportsbook:

“ExpressJet is my go‑to!” and “Fan Duel for sure… by far the best IMO”

Such insights help gauge real-world satisfaction across platforms.

Comparing Key Platforms at a Glance

Platform

Primary Strength

Ideal For

Premium Picks?

E‑Ponies

Algorithmic, computer handicapping

Stat-focused bettors

✔ Free + Subscriptions

Twin Spires

Human-curated picks, streaming

Balanced, expert-backed wagering

✔ via content

Fan Duel Racing

Shared wallet, promo-rich

UX-first bettors in Fan Duel ecosystem

✔ TV expert picks

Am Wager

High-speed tools, rebates

Heavy hitters & data-heavy players

–

DRF Bets

Form analysis & data depth

Form-driven traditionalists

✔ via DRF PP

ExpressJet / TVG

Loyalty & form tools, tournaments

Rewards-focused & analytic bettors

✔ Picks & stats

Why E‑Ponies Takes the Spotlight

If your focus is computer handicapping racing and statistical rigor, E‑Ponies is unmatched. Here’s why:

Purely algorithmic analysis: No influencer bias—just data and statistically sound picks.

Scalable formats: Free daily selections stem from the same engine that powers full premium outputs.

Community-tested strategies: Users share methods like overlay identification, bankroll formulas, and race filtering.

Proven track record: Two decades as innovators in the niche of computer handicapping.

Tips for Choosing the Right Platform

Define your style: Prefer data? Try E‑Ponies, Am Wager, DRF. Prefer analysts or streaming? Go with Twin Spires or Fan Duel.

Assess your volume: Casual bettors do fine on Fan Duel; high-volume players benefit from Am Wager’s rebates.

Leverage promotions: New to a site? Grab bonuses—Fan Duel ($500 no-sweat), Twin Spires ($200–400 bet credits).

Test trial periods: Most offer free tiers or trials—try them before committing.

Join communities: Reedit and E‑Ponies forums provide peer-backed insights and real strategies.

Final Thoughts

E‑Ponies is the go-to choice if statistical, algorithmic picks and quantitative handicapping fuel your betting style. With daily free insights, subscription-based depth, and a seasoned community sharing tactics, it’s geared for serious bettors.

Platforms like Twin Spires and Fan Duel Racing offer a blend of expert guidance, promos, and live streaming, ideal for mainstream appeal.

AmWager, DRF Bets, Xpressbet, and TVG enrich the landscape for those seeking rebates, historical data, and forms-heavy tools.

Conclusion

When choosing a platform for horse race betting picks in the USA, systematically weigh your preferences: data-driven logic, live expert insight, video coverage, promotions, or wagering volume. If you're edging toward a quantitative edge, E‑Ponies offers robust value with its time-tested computer handicapping system. For those drawn to expert opinion or immersive experience, Twin Spires and Fan Duel offer compelling alternatives. For high-stakes players, Am Wager and DRF provide depth and loyalty rewards.

Your ideal pick depends on your play style—be it analytical, experiential, or promotional. Let your betting personality guide you, and enjoy the ride!

[smokestudioz]

Selecting the Ideal Video Production Partner: From Studios to Agencies

The foundation of contemporary marketing in a world that prioritizes digital technology is engaging video content. Choosing the right partner is essential, regardless of whether you require a focused video production company or a full-service agency. Brands in India can use a video production company in India to access specialized knowledge, or they can use a video production company in Delhi or video production in Delhi to capitalize on local strengths. Here's how to search for video production services near me or scout the best video production studios in your area, whether you're looking for ongoing video production services or video production for commercials.

1. Establishing Your Needs: Agency, Company, and Studio

End-to-end solutions, including strategic planning, scripting, shooting, post-production, and distribution, are provided by video production agencies. They are very good at multi-channel rollouts and integrated campaigns.

A video production company can offer full services from concept to final cut, even if they specialize in particular formats, like branded short films or product demos.

A video production studios  offers technical know-how and equipment, such as in-house editing suites, cameras, lighting equipment, and professional sound stages. Perfect for high-volume content pipelines and controlled shoots.

Determine whether you require technical facilities (studio), complete project management (company), or strategic direction (agency) when looking for video production services.

2. Geographical Aspects: Delhi and Other Places

A video production company in Delhi, India's center, benefits from the city's streamlined approvals and rich cultural backdrops. Select local suppliers for flexibility on-site and quicker turnaround times.

To ensure consistency across markets, collaborate with a video production company in India that has regional teams and pan-India infrastructure for a nationwide reach.

To find studios in your area, just search for "video production services near me" or "video production studios  near me" if location is important.

Delhi NCR is a top choice for brands looking for convenience and creativity in video production because of its unique combination of urban settings, historical landmarks, and top-notch studios.

3. Service Specializations in Commercials and Beyond

Commercial video production requires compelling narratives in 15–60 second segments that are tailored for digital, social media, and television. Seek partners with solid portfolio reels and a track record of successful advertising campaigns.

Different skill sets are needed for animated explainers, corporate documentaries, training modules, event coverage, and product videos. When screening applicants, make sure your main deliverables are clear.

These days, a lot of companies provide subscription-based video production services that come with monthly content packs, which are perfect for continuous social media interaction.

4. Assessing Quality and Expertise

Take into account the following when contrasting options for video production agencies and companies:

Diversity of Portfolios: Are digital content, corporate films, and advertisements included in their case studies?

Technical Capabilities: Does their video production studio have audio booths, green screens, and 4K cameras?

Experience of the Crew: Are editors, directors, and cinematographers seasoned pros?

Client Testimonials: What are the opinions of prior customers regarding ROI, timeliness, and communication?

5. Value and Budgeting

Prices for video production services can differ significantly:

Models of Agencies: may consist of retainer payments for assistance with integrated marketing.

For specific deliverables, such as a two-minute commercial, video production companies in Delhi frequently offer fixed-price packages.

Studio Rentals: Hourly prices for using a video production studios ; perfect if you need equipment but have in-house teams.

6. Reaching a Final Choice

Send out an RFP: Describe the goals, deadlines, deliverables, and financial constraints.

Execute Pilot Projects: To evaluate workflow and quality, start with a brief video.

Examine the Support Services: Future content planning, edits, and post-launch analytics can all be very beneficial.

What to Do Next

Enhance your brand with the appropriate knowledge, whether it's a fully furnished video production studio, a specialized video production company, or an all-encompassing video production agency. Look for local options by searching for "video production in Delhi" or "video production studios near me." You can also scale up with an Indian video production company. You'll be well on your way to producing engaging and conversion-boosting content if you clearly define your objectives for commercial video production or continuous video production services.

Smoke Studioz in Chhattarpur, Delhi, offers all these services under one roof. Reach out to our expert team for a consultation on your next video project.

Visit our Website: https://www.smokestudioz.com/

[one1world]

Choose a Helicopter for Rent and Air Ambulance in Bangalore for Swift, Reliable Emergency Support

In today’s fast-paced world, time is not just money—it can mean the difference between life and death. This is where helicopter services play a pivotal role, especially when it comes to emergency medical transport. For people in and around Bangalore, the availability of a helicopter for rent and air ambulance Bangalore services has become a game-changer in medical logistics, corporate travel, and even leisure purposes. Whether it's a medical emergency, business travel, or a scenic aerial tour, these helicopter services offer speed, safety, and convenience.

The Growing Demand for Helicopter for Rent in Bangalore

Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, is no stranger to traffic congestion. With increasing vehicular traffic and frequent delays, high-priority transportation has become a growing need. Renting a helicopter is no longer a luxury reserved for celebrities or politicians—it is now accessible for medical emergencies, VIP movements, film shooting, pilgrimage tours, and business executives looking to save precious time.

When individuals or companies opt for a helicopter for rent in Bangalore, they are choosing reliability, speed, and access to remote areas. Helicopter charters are frequently used for quick airport transfers, visits to industrial sites, or even day-long business trips that cover multiple cities. The flexibility of timing and the ability to land at designated helipads or open spaces make it a viable and efficient option for high-priority movement.

Air Ambulance in Bangalore: Life-Saving Transport on Demand

When medical emergencies arise, minutes matter. Air ambulance services in Bangalore provide immediate, life-saving support by flying patients from remote or congested areas to well-equipped hospitals in record time. These helicopters are equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by trained medical professionals to provide in-flight care.

Using an air ambulance Bangalore service ensures patients receive continuous monitoring and stabilization during transit. Whether the patient needs to be moved from a rural location to a metro hospital, or from one city to another due to specialized care requirements, these services are efficient and trustworthy.

Common scenarios that require air ambulance services include:

Road traffic accidents in remote areas

Patients needing organ transplants and rapid transport

Elderly patients needing non-stop medical monitoring during travel

Neonatal and pediatric emergencies

Corporate clients or expatriates requiring urgent evacuation

What Sets These Services Apart?

There are several key features that make helicopter and air ambulance services in Bangalore exceptionally dependable:

24/7 Availability: Emergencies don’t wait. Most providers operate round-the-clock, ensuring instant availability when time is critical.

Onboard Medical Equipment: Air ambulances are outfitted with defibrillators, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, infusion pumps, and emergency drugs—mimicking an ICU setup.

Trained Personnel: From experienced pilots to paramedics and doctors, the onboard team is skilled in emergency response.

Coverage Across Regions: Whether it’s a remote village in Karnataka or a city in another state, these helicopters can travel long distances swiftly and safely.

Customizable Services: For non-emergency requirements such as business travel or tourism, the helicopter for rent services offer tailor-made packages that can include single-day or multi-day rentals, scenic tours, and event-based travel.

Why Bangalore is a Strategic Hub for Helicopter and Air Ambulance Services

Bangalore’s geographical location and its role as a major healthcare and IT hub make it an ideal location for helicopter and air ambulance operations. The city is home to world-class hospitals like Manipal, Fortis, and Apollo, which are often the receiving centers for emergency cases brought in via air ambulances.

Moreover, the presence of helipads, aviation companies, and proximity to states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala enhances the efficiency of helicopter logistics in the region. Renting a helicopter for business executives attending multiple meetings across different states in a single day is not uncommon anymore.

Choosing the Right Provider

Not all providers are created equal. When selecting a helicopter for rent or air ambulance Bangalore service, it's essential to consider:

The provider’s fleet quality and maintenance record

Safety standards and pilot experience

Medical staff credentials in case of air ambulance use

Transparency in pricing and operational guidelines

Response time and flexibility

Many reputed service providers offer seamless booking, transparent pricing, and GPS-enabled tracking for real-time updates. You can even request video consultations with onboard medical staff before finalizing the air ambulance service for your loved one.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a corporate leader needing swift intercity movement or a family member dealing with a medical emergency, the ability to access a helicopter for rent or an air ambulance Bangalore can offer peace of mind and critical life-saving assistance. These services are no longer niche—they’re becoming mainstream, thanks to better accessibility, improved aviation infrastructure, and a rising demand for quick and safe travel solutions.

Don’t wait for an emergency to learn about these services. Keep contact numbers handy, research providers in advance, and stay informed. Because when every second counts, a helicopter could be the fastest—and safest—route to saving a life or achieving your mission.

[bestweddingphotograpgy]

Best Wedding Photography in Chennai

Best Wedding Photography in Chennai: Capturing Your Love Story, Frame by Frame

When it comes to preserving the most precious memories of your big day, nothing compares to the magic of timeless photographs. If you're searching for the best wedding photography in Chennai, you're in the right place. This is your official page to discover why Chennai stands out as a hub of exceptionally talented wedding photographers who combine creativity, passion, and technical excellence.

Why Chennai is a Hotspot for Wedding Photography

Chennai, with its rich cultural heritage, magnificent temples, vibrant beaches, and modern cityscape, offers the perfect backdrop for weddings. Whether it’s a grand South Indian wedding, a chic Christian ceremony, or a fusion celebration, the city's diverse locales make every frame picture-perfect. This diversity gives photographers in Chennai a unique canvas to work with, which elevates their craft to world-class standards.

The Art of Storytelling Through the Lens

Wedding photography is not just about clicking pictures — it’s about telling your story through beautifully composed visuals. The best photographers in Chennai specialize in a variety of styles:

Candid Photography: Capturing spontaneous moments, laughter, emotions, and joy.

Traditional Photography: Ensuring all rituals and customs are photographed with cultural reverence.

Pre-Wedding Shoots: Creative and romantic sessions held at iconic locations like Mahabalipuram, Marina Beach, or heritage sites.

Cinematic Videography: Short wedding films with music, interviews, and cinematic transitions.

Drone Photography: Stunning aerial shots of wedding venues and processions.

Qualities of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chennai

Experience & Portfolio: The best wedding photographers in Chennai have a strong portfolio that reflects their expertise in various wedding settings — from intimate ceremonies to lavish destination weddings.

Creative Vision: They see beyond the ordinary. A simple glance, a subtle smile, or a joyful tear becomes a masterpiece in the hands of a true artist.

Professionalism & Timeliness: From being punctual on the event day to delivering edited photos and albums on time, top photographers value your time and emotions.

Advanced Equipment: The use of high-end DSLR cameras, lighting setups, stabilizers, and editing tools ensures top-notch output.

Customization & Packages: Whether you want just a few hours of coverage or full-day, multi-event packages, leading photographers in Chennai offer flexible options that suit every budget.

Top Locations in Chennai for Wedding & Pre-Wedding Shoots

The backdrop can significantly enhance the quality and emotion of your photos. Chennai has several breathtaking locations:

Theosophical Society Gardens – Ideal for nature-themed shots.

DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum – Perfect for traditional South Indian vibes.

Mahabalipuram – With ancient rock temples and seaside views.

Taj Fisherman’s Cove – A luxury venue with beachfront elegance.

Santhome Church & Marina Beach – A mix of spiritual serenity and coastal charm.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer

With so many talented professionals to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips:

Check Reviews: Online platforms like Google, WedMeGood, or WeddingWire India host reviews and ratings from real clients.

Meet in Person: Chemistry matters. Meet your photographer beforehand to ensure you're comfortable with their approach and demeanor.

Discuss Deliverables: Albums, number of edited pictures, teaser videos, full-length wedding films — clarify what's included.

Ask About Backup: Ensure they have backup cameras, staff, and plans in case of technical glitches or emergencies.

Budget-Friendly Yet High-Quality Options

One of the best things about wedding photography in Chennai is the range of options available for every budget. While premium photographers may charge higher rates, there are several mid-range professionals and emerging talents who deliver outstanding results. Some even offer bundled deals with makeup artists, decorators, and videographers to make your wedding planning easier and more affordable.

Testimonials That Speak Volumes

Real stories from happy couples in Chennai reflect the high standards of the city’s wedding photographers:

“Our wedding was beautifully captured. Every emotion, every ritual — it's all there in the photos. We couldn’t have asked for more.” – Meena & Ravi, Chennai

“The pre-wedding shoot at Mahabalipuram was a dream come true. Our photographer made us feel so comfortable!” – Priya & Santhosh, Bengaluru

Emerging Trends in Wedding Photography

Photographers in Chennai are not just keeping up with global trends — they’re setting new ones. Some recent innovations include:

Same-Day Edits (SDEs) for reception screens

Slow-motion video booths

Social media teaser reels

Black and white candid series

Artistic edits with AI-assisted enhancements

Final Thoughts

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and capturing it with the right photographer makes all the difference. The best wedding photography in Chennai is more than just a service — it’s a celebration of love, tradition, and personal storytelling. Whether you're planning an elaborate multi-day event or a simple beach ceremony, Chennai has photographers who can turn every moment into a lasting memory.

If you’re ready to embark on your wedding journey, explore portfolios, talk to professionals, and find the one whose lens best captures your love story. Start here — your official page for discovering the finest wedding photography Chennai has to offer.