#mmm: simple tools

[lovenpeace-pkmn]

Is anyone still there

[omgkatherine01]

Could you do Sergei x reader where he just builds her furniture (I just spent way too long building a dress or and I love the universe where someone sexy did it for me

Crafted with Love

Pairing: Sergei Kravinoff x Fem!reader

Note: short

Masterlist (requests are currently open for now)

The key turned in the lock with a satisfying click as I pushed open the door to my apartment, grocery bags hanging heavy from my tired arms. The sound of power tools whirring to a stop greeted me, followed by a familiar accented voice.

"Ah, моя любовь, you are back earlier than I expected."

I rounded the corner to find Sergei standing shirtless in what had once been the disaster zone of my bedroom, now transformed by his skilled hands. Sweat glistened on his broad shoulders and tattooed chest as he set down a cordless drill. Behind him stood my new closet, its doors perfectly aligned and shelving meticulously installed.

"Sergei, it looks amazing," I breathed, setting down the groceries on my bed.

He smiled, that rare, genuine smile that still made my heart flutter, even after six months together. "Is nothing. Russian craftsmanship." He ran his hand along the smooth wood finish. "Real wood, real construction. Will last lifetime."

I approached the closet, running my fingers over the intricate details he'd added – little carved flourishes at the corners that hadn't been in the original design. Leave it to Sergei to elevate even the most mundane furniture assembly into something extraordinary.

"You didn't have to do this," I said, though we both knew I'd been dreading tackling this project for weeks.

"Nonsense." He stepped behind me, his strong arms encircling my waist as he rested his chin atop my head. "Man must provide for woman he loves. Even if providing means building fortress for your many shoes."

I laughed, leaning back against his chest. "I don't have that many shoes."

"Дa, you do." His lips brushed against my ear. "But is okay. I build bigger closet next time."

"Next time?" I turned in his arms to face him, noticing the smudge of sawdust across his cheek. I reached up to brush it away. "What other furniture are you planning to build me?"

His eyes, intense as always, softened at the edges. "Whatever you need. Bed frame, bookshelves, table for dinner." He paused, his voice dropping lower. "Maybe crib someday."

My breath caught in my throat at the implication, but before I could respond, he gestured toward the closet.

"You try. Open doors, check drawers. Tell me if anything needs fixing."

I slid the closet doors open, marveling at how smoothly they glided along the track. Inside, he'd installed everything perfectly—the hanging rod at just the right height, shelves spaced exactly how I would have wanted them, and even small LED lights that illuminated when the doors opened.

"Sergei, I absolutely love it," I whispered, turning back to him. My heart swelled with appreciation for this man who could hunt the most dangerous game but spent his Sunday building me furniture.

I reached up, cupping his stubbled jaw, and pressed my lips to his. It was meant to be a simple thank you, but Sergei had other ideas. His strong hands gripped my waist as he deepened the kiss, pulling me against his bare chest, the taste of him mingling with the scent of sawdust and sandalwood.

When we finally broke apart, his pupils were dilated, making his eyes appear even darker than usual.

"Is just closet," he murmured against my lips. "Wait until you see what I do with kitchen cabinets."

I laughed, running my fingers through his hair. "You know, most guys just bring flowers."

"Flowers die," he said simply, trailing kisses down my neck. "My craftsmanship remains."

"Mmm, speaking of remaining," I said, feeling his hands slip under my shirt, "don't you have to finish installing those drawer pulls?"

Sergei growled playfully against my skin. "Drawer pulls can wait. Have more pressing matters to attend to."

Before I could respond, he lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me toward the bed we'd need to clear of grocery bags.

"What about the groceries?" I protested weakly, not really caring about the fate of my frozen peas.

"Will not spoil in next hour," he promised, his accent thickening as it always did when he was focused on something important. "Maybe two hours."

As he lowered me onto the mattress, pushing aside the shopping bags, I couldn't help but smile. Who would have thought that furniture assembly could be such an effective form of foreplay?

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 1,731 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: Alexandria, pre-Negan Warnings: language, mild gore (killing walkers) Summary: Daryl can't figure out why there is distance between you and him since arriving to Alexandria and he worries as you venture outside the walls almost every day. A/N: This is Part 1 of a two part commissioned miniseries! Final part will be out Friday, 9 Feb 2024 A/N: The patron and requester for this fic is the lovely @easy-peasy68 so thank her for her amazing generosity and support! Thanks again for the commission, hun!

“Who was that?” Daryl asked, flicking his lighter open and closed aimlessly as Carol came back into the kitchen.

“Y/N,” Carol said. “She’s heading out. Said she’ll be back by dark.”

“Mmm,” he hummed, ducking his eyes. “What’s she doin’ out there anyway? Seems like she’s been goin’ out a lot.”

Carol shrugged. “I don’t know. I think she forages a bit. But mainly I think she likes being out in nature, outside the walls instead of in here.” She gave Daryl a pointed look. “Sound familiar?”

He hummed another non-committal noise and headed out onto the porch. Maybe he could catch a glimpse of you heading down the street. Carol followed behind him.

“You could go ask her yourself, you know,” Carol said.

Daryl shook his head. “Nah… I feel like she’s been avoidin’ me since the road.”

“Avoiding you? What do you mean?”

Daryl shrugged and sunk down on the top step, digging in his pocket for a cigarette. “I dunno… I’ve seen her chattin’ with some of the people in here but doesn’t seem like she’s around the house much anymore. Seen her outside the walls once or twice, but—she just kinda moved off when we saw each other. Like, in a hurry…” he drawled. His face fell and it wasn’t lost on Carol.

“Hmm. Maybe she’s just trying to fit in here. Find her footing, you know?” suggested Carol.

Daryl shook his head. “I dunno. I dun think it’s just that. Just seems different than it was—out there, ya know…”

Carol leaned down and stole the cigarette dangling from between his fingers and straightened up. “Well, maybe she thinks you stink like cigarette smoke,” she said, dropping it to the porch and putting it out with the toe of her shoe.

Daryl glared up at her, clearly annoyed. “Real nice,” he drawled, squinting ahead into the growing daylight.

Carol laughed. “I’m sure you’re reading too much into this. This is a huge adjustment for all of us. I mean look at me,” she said, twirling so he could take in the full effect of her meek, suburban housewife outfit.

Daryl rolled his eyes. “Ya look stupid,” he commented.

“Oh, now who’s being mean, Pookie?” she laughed, ruffling his hair playfully. Daryl pulled away and she let out another good-natured laugh. “I have to go figure out how to make casseroles out of sardines and almond flour,” she said. “Just—go talk to her. You know, like a grown-up,” she teased him. Daryl only let out another low growl, annoyed, and waved at her as she left.

Throughout the day, as he passed the time building his bike in Aaron’s garage, he was run through with sudden bolts of anxiety and fear that caused his hands to still in the middle of a task. He kept one eye on the sidewalk outside, hoping to see you wander in safely so he could let go of the worry that was plaguing him. What if something happened to you out there? A bad run-in with strangers, a herd, something as simple as a fall or trip that left you injured enough you couldn’t make it back… Shit. He had a hard time focusing on what he was doing and found himself screwing on and unscrewing the same nut three or four times in a row. Curses murmured under his breath punctuated the metallic tinkering sounds. Daryl refocused and tried his hardest to put it out of his mind.

But as the day wore on and the light outside started to wane, he replaced his tools and wiped the oil and grease from his hands, and he was absolutely certain you hadn’t passed the garage on your way home. The lightning bolts of worry had now turned to an acidic rolling boil in his stomach and he couldn’t help himself any longer…

He rushed home, took the stairs down to the basement two at a time, and retrieved his gear. He didn’t know what the hell he was actually going to be able to do to look for you… It would be dark soon and tracking in the brush and brambles by the beam of a flashlight was no easy task. The only thing he did know was that he couldn’t wait around doing nothing any longer.

He was halfway to the gate when the familiar sound of your laugh drifted across the manicured lawns toward him. He looked up and—there you were. You were illuminated in the warm glow of the porchlights on a house up ahead. You were standing on the top step, one hand on the railing, talking with the elderly couple who had fussed over Judith only that very morning.

The pit in his stomach relaxed and he let out a relieved sigh, his muscles unknotting. You were back inside the walls and you seemed to be completely unharmed. You looked happy even, talking animatedly to the couple. It produced some kind of pang between his lungs. Daryl watched as you swung your pack off your shoulder and dug inside, retrieving a small burlap bag that you handed to the woman. Daryl felt as if he was peering through a window at a life he’d never have, though he wasn’t able to put any name to the feeling in the moment. He felt as if he didn’t belong.

And then another emotion welled up in his chest, tightening his lungs. He was, frankly, annoyed. He’d spent all day worrying about you, watching to make sure you made it back in one piece, and then panicking when you hadn’t returned and the sun was sinking. And then he finds you here, already safely inside and chatting away with community members you’d hardly known for two weeks. How long had you been back? How long was he needlessly worrying and picturing worst case scenarios? What the fuck? Why did everything feel so different in here than it had on the road? He felt like you hardly looked at him. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had a real conversation with you. Goddammit! He turned around and headed back home with a different kind of unsettled feeling in his midsection.

Without saying a word to anyone, he slipped down into the cool dark of his basement room, dropped his gear, and flopped himself down on the bed.

But sleep was not forthcoming and he found himself tossing and turning most of the night.

_ _ _ _ _ _

Daryl splashed water on his face then cupped it into his hands and took a sip—it was cold and bracing. He straightened up to stare at himself in the ornate mirror. He had a somewhat ragged look because he simply refused to let Carol trim his hair still. His skin was bronzed to a dark tan from endless days wandering in the sun on the road. He shook the wet strands of his dark curtain of hair out of his eyes, dried his face and hands, and headed outside.

He almost ran right into you.

“Oh!” The noise of surprise left your lips and your hand shot back from where you’d been reaching for the doorknob. You were staring right at the broad chest and shoulders of Daryl.

“Sorry,” he drawled, but he didn’t move out of the way. His eyes drifted to your pack slung over your shoulder. “Goin’ somewhere?” he asked.

“Hmm? Oh, I’m just dropping something off for Maggie,” you said, gesturing with the little sack of dried leaves in your hand.

“Nah. I mean yer pack,” he said, nodding toward your shoulder.

“Oh. Just heading outside the walls for a bit,” you said. You couldn’t understand why he was still standing in the doorway, completely blocking your path.

“Mmm,” he hummed, chewing on his bottom lip for a moment. He seemed to be on the edge of saying something else.

A nervous tightness appeared in your chest and you couldn’t help looking up at him, perplexed. You shifted your weight anxiously from one hip to the next.

Whatever he had been considering saying, he thought better of it and he stepped out of the way for you, holding the door open so you could get inside. “Well, be safe out there,” he said as you slipped past him.

“Yeah. Thanks,” you said over your shoulder. You heard the snap of the door behind you and let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. Why had he seemed so tense?

Having delivered the leaves for tea to Maggie, you chatted with the rest of your found family for a few minutes before leaving the house again to head to the gate. Daryl was nowhere to be seen but you had an expanding emptiness between your lungs. Things had been hard between you and Daryl since that night on the road… You needed a distraction. The woods were good for that. Going out and soaking in the wonder of the natural world seemed to put everything right, if only for a time. You marveled at the abundance of yellow and orange chicken-of-the-woods, the crimson warning of fly agaric mushrooms, and the tangled brambles that would be weighed down with wild berries come late summer and early fall. So, with that peace and quiet in mind, you headed through the gate, thanking Sasha who rolled it back and shut it behind you. You were soon among the trees.

You had no idea that Daryl too was resolved to head into the woods as well. In fact, he was resolved to follow you and relieve the troubled feeling that plagued him—that combination of annoyance, perplexity, and worry that kept him awake all night. Why were you going outside the walls damn near every day and why were you avoiding him? He couldn’t stand it anymore. He fucking missed the way things had been before Alexandria. It even had him yearning for the time on the road despite all the thirst and hunger and grief he was wading through… and that thought was insane. No, he was going to deal with this, whatever it was.

[briar-ffxiv]

FFXIV Write #05 - Stamp

FFXIV Write 2024 Master Post

Prompt #5 - Stamp

Briar tilted his head as he watched Vy'thanis spread a clean cloth on his workbench and check a few tools. The half-Elezen was a little puzzled by the Duskwight giving him a slightly nervous look, even as the tall man smiled at him. Briar could practically sense the tension and it made him nervous as well. With a soft hum, he pulled his legs up to crisscross as he settled on the couch, just watching the jeweller.

Briar had never had much chance to see someone work with gems or the finer metals. Goldsmiths and jewellers were uncommon in the Shroud, although woodcarvers could make some beautiful things. Briar had heard once upon a time Gelmorra had been full of skilled artisans who worked with ores and stones to make beautiful things, but it seemed that had been taken from the Duskwights along with many things. Was that perhaps why Vy'thanis seemed a little uneasy? Briar could only hope it was a force of habit and not a true fear that he would betray Vy'thanis. That was not something he would ever do.

Still, he didn't want to rush the other so Briar sat quietly, other than brushing his red bangs back so he could see more clearly. He watched as Vy'thanis took a deep breath, gave him a quick smile and picked up what seemed to be a very plain and ordinary small stone, at least in Briar's eyes. He waited to see what tool the Duskwight would use, but he didn't expect the subtle thrum of aether to fill the room. Briar's ears perked sharply and he straightened in surprise, head tipping to one side again.

Vy'thanis gave him another smile, a knowing one this time, as he cupped the stone between his palms. The feel of magic in the air grew more intense as Vy'thanis rubbed his palms slowly over the dull stone and revealed a sudden myriad of colours. Even the brown was polished to something that gleamed like the finest polished wood but was mixed with spots and stripes of blues, greens, reds, and golds as if a rainbow captured inside it.

The Duskwight smiled as he murmured to himself, lost in his work to Briar's eyes. "So, what do you wish to be, hmm?"

Vy'thanis turned the stone over, smoothing away rough spots with a touch as he considered it closely. Coming to a decision, the jeweller nodded. He touched the stone, shaping it with magic and touch. He didn't change it over much, perhaps not wishing to remove the stone's natural beauty. He coaxed it into a shape similar to an arrowhead, although softened so the edges would not harm the wearer. A little hole appeared at the wider base of the stone and then Vy'thanis ran his hands over it for a final smoothing polish to make a simple, but striking pendant.

"There," the Duskwight said, his deep voice full of pleasure. "Beautiful."

"It is," Briar said quietly, finally speaking as he gave Vy'thanis a look of quiet awe. "What is it? I mean, I see it is in the shape of an arrowhead, but what stone is that?"

"Mmm, most call it 'boulder opal'," he explained. "It's opal found in iron-heavy stones deep in the earth. Rather rare and very beautiful."

"It is," Briar agreed, looking at the pendant. He blinked when Vy'thanis pointedly offered it to him, taking it carefully. He had worried it might be fragile given the delicate play of colour, but the stone was solid and warm in his palms as he cupped it. He turned it back and forth in the light, fascinated by the way the colours gleamed and changed with each movement.

"You should keep it," Vy'thanis said, relaxed now that Briar's response had been nothing worse than admiration and wonder. He hadn't truly expected a greedy response, but people had surprised him before. Still, given Briar's innocent reactions, the Duskwight couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for such worries.

"What?!" Briar looked up, fingers curling around the stone instinctively so he didn't drop it in surprise. "Vyth, I couldn't. It must be terribly valuable."

Vy'thanis waved away the worries. "I have several others that I will work on later. I think this one was meant for you. Here." He took a moment to look through his supplies and a bronze bale with a matching chain. "Here, let me see a moment."

Briar obediently handed the pendant back to watch the Duskwight work again. A little whisper of magic had the bale opened and through the pendant's hole, melded together again in a moment. Vy'thanis threaded the delicate chain through the bale, nodding. The burnished bronze suited the deep browns of the opal well and he leaned closer to Briar. The half-Elezen blushed but didn't move as Vy'thanis measured the chain. A few moments had it just the right length to slip over Briar's head and rest a little below his collarbones.

The opal gleamed, warm and solid against his chest as Briar touched it reverently looking up at the Duskwight again. "It's wonderful."

"It suits you," Vy'thanis murmured before perking. "Ah, before I forget. The last thing for an artisan. Well, at least one that works in jewellery," he chuckled. He turned the pendant so the slightly flatter back was toward the Duskwight. He brushed his fingers over it and his stamp appeared as if carved into the stone. "Every skilled master has his mark."

Briar smiled as Vy'thanis stepped back, picking up and turning the pendant so he could study the stamp. He ran his thumb over it slowly, feeling the delicate lines etched into the stone. "I like that," he said softly. "I can touch it and remember that you made it. For me. Thank you, Vyth."

Vy'thanis was still a moment, eyebrows raised before he blushed a little and smiled. "You're very welcome, Briar."

The lovely Vy'thanis belongs to @vythanis/ @valdiis .

[artificervaldi]

ignore how im so unfamiliar with using the ask button that i hit unfollow and had to immediately refollow ANYWAY i barely know anytihng about xenoblade but ill bite tell me more about xenoblade bas and rella and junah if you have any thoughts for her [flutters my eyelashes]

Nw LMAO, happens 2 the best of us!

Okay so I'm giving you XC1 and XC2 for now bc I'm tired and gonna use so many images that doing 3 and X too would just be TOO MUCH for me rn. Under the cut wahoo!

XC1:

Basilio would be a Homs (think like regular humans but probably have a third lung) and one of few survivors of the Mechon (robots that use Homs as fuel mmm yummy) from a Colony that got destroyed by Mechon. He lives with his brother Del, probably a pretty nomadic life, looking for a place to just call home. Hard when these machines keep coming.

Since he's party member number 7 I have to be silly with it and say at some point the Mechon get him but watch out! He gets turned into a Face Core Unit (see image below), which is like. A Homs turned into the core of a Mechon made to not get cut down by the legendary Monado.

The reunion would be emotional, to say the least, when he was discovered to be alive. I think he would have some major "if I die it's okay so long as I protect those around me with the life I have left" vibes like Seven from Xenoblade so it Works!

Rella on the other hand would be a High Entia, a full-blooded one at that. The Cygnus line is a long lived one and proud of their heritage, no Homs blood here (at least not directly).

Only issue here is... The Telethia gene. Pureblooded Entia like Rella can and will turn into the monsters known as Telethia if enough ether is introduced. Yeah, sorry, we're turning Rella into a mindless monster. Sorry.

On the bright side she probably regains enough of herself for a big sacrifice to ensure Junah makes it into whatever lies ahead. Or she can survive and eventually when Telethia Get Solved if they ever do she can be back.

Junah meanwhile is a Homs girl adopted by House Cygnus. Given High Entia live like 5x longer than Homs this is like. Less a good will move and seen more as like "oh you're keeping your daughter entertained with a little pet how nice" esp bc Rella is likely well into adulthood when Junah is a wee bab here.

Junah ofc adores her older sister and while she's vaguely aware of what she's seen as she tries to look on the bright side. Rella sses her as a real sister and that's all that matters to her.

So I went with Entia Rella bc like. Look at them. WINGS ON DA HEAD. RELLA CODED FR. But I'm biased and think she would also make an excellent Machina

So there's options there.

XC2:

Basilio here is a flesh-eater. The simple explanation is there's these things called Blades -- they're basically hyper-advanced biocomputers that look humanoid (or sometimes like beasts) and then there are humans. If they injest the flesh of a human in some way they become a flesh eater, which boosts their abilities but can also leave them more likely to get weathered by the years.

Blades usually "reset" upon the death of their Drivers (people who awaken them and allow them to function, with each death acting as a memory wipe for the Blade) while Flesh Eaters do not forget. So Basilio remembers his last Driver -- his "brother" Fidelio.

Fidelio was a Gormotti (cat people only they only have the ears), so Basilio is able to disguise himself as one so long as he keeps his Core Crystal (Blade Brain) covered so no one sees the red in it (which means he Ate A Guy). He carries on to achieve his and Del's dream.

Rella... I'm gonna go with Indoline for the religious trauma and guilt angle. The indoline are the humans that act as the religious center of the world of Alrest, so I could see her being in the praetorium, though I doubt she's a bit fan of Praetor... probably Forden in this case LOL.

A Driver, noted for not treating Blades as property or tools like most and instead seeing them as individuals like anyone else. This is, like her non-racist stance in canon, is not the norm. But she's doing her best :)

Junah is her Blade and like a sister to her! Probably an Attacker type with a special fan-like weapon. Junah's lived many a life before and even has journals of some of the past ones. She likes to keep up to date.

Fairly closed off, she prefers it that way. The less people expect of her the better a jump she can get on them. Has a soft spot for Rella, though.

[vahalia-cress]

⸸ Chiaroscuro ⸸

Fingers splayed forward and when the aether thickened within the room, the torches along the walls within the stone sanctum flared to life, the other hand of the witch-woman carefully clutching an ornate bottle within her grasp. Upon one of the stone benches was a variety of tools, none of which looked to be too damning or cause for alarm though might have been a point of piqued curiosity.  Heels on stone sounded out as the sable-haired woman took a few steps forward and she set the bottle down next to the goblet at her right.

The space was a solid stone structure with pops of color amongst the stonework that was nestled into the stained glass patterns of windows that were neatly inlaid around the circumference of the space. Were the sun brightly shining, lights of stretching rainbows and dazzling mixtures of colors would have been quite a beautiful sight to see had the day been far more fair. Alas, the outside bore no light, only that of distant rolling thunder off the coast of Black Water and heavy rains to let the earth drink.

Heavy footfalls strode down the path with a sort of hesitance, or wariness, though the aether slowly permeating the chapel nevertheless acted as a slow lure, drawing Hakan in as he approached. There was something itching at the back of his head, which had never been noticed until now. The implements laid out only served to heighten that feeling by increments -- That they were harmless, physically, and did nothing to abate it. If he had ever listened to that feeling and acted on that itch, it likely would've done the opposite. And he was certainly was no coward. He kept walking until he stood behind Vahalia, a mask of determination wrought on his face.

The bell at Vahalia’s neck shifted, ringing out in a whisper of a knell as she rose and looked over her shoulder to the coming footsteps, "Well, I would certainly hope you're comfortable. We might be here for a while though the space should go undisturbed as these parts of the Laeves are unpopulated at current and quiet." she turned more to face Hakan, "You suggested this happen away from the Keep for safety reasons and this will have to settle."

"Mmm-- Comfortable," he parroted half beneath his breath while taking in her attire. She certainly looked it herself as his eyes drew to the expanse of her thigh, and the lack of any material to suggest modesty beneath as was often the theme with Vahalia while in the privacy of their own spaces. "Hopefully it'll be enough. I don't expect any fireworks, but I won't write it off. Nearly setting the room ablaze while unconscious...You explained how this worked before. Is there anything more to just drinking whatever alchemy you've conjured?"

"That depends. You've mentioned me being with you during your journey. I claimed I did not know a way and would inquire with cohorts of mine. I have found an answer and if you still wish for me to dream alongside of you, there is but a few more steps to get to that point. Simple, quick. As the Dreamweaver said when she offered me the spell and tools, she did say it wasn't invasive but could be dangerous should something happen where both of us are enraptured within a dreamscape."

Hakan’s expression gave way to a slow and deepening frown, "And it requires me to do more than drink that?" he asked with a tip of his chin. "I've no intention of retracting my offer, but if it requires a...mental magic connection to be made, you'll have to hold my proverbial hand." He inhaled a deep breath, the scent of rain fresh, relaxing if he could've done that.

"You've methods of breaking yourself free, should, or when, something occurs?" he asked.

"I'm not quite sure. Creature would do much should I require it as he never sleeps and he is physically tied to my consciousness in many ways. His existence is heavily dependent on my own. The elixir only lasts an hour anyway before the body starts to break down the compounds and metabolize the herbs within. After that, it would be like waking from a regular sleep, albeit somewhat slower."

The Dalmascan made another grumbling noise. "Convenient...but I've neither done nor researched something like this before, so if that's enough then that's enough." He stepped closer, forcefully tearing his gaze from the expanse of her thigh to the elixir in her hand. Distractions were only that. "Is there anything I might should expect?"

"I'm new to this just as much as you are. What's a little risk with a journey?" She flashed a smirk, reaching behind her for the goblet as she turned to situate herself by the stone bench, “Find a spot, sit. Get comfortable because we'll be here for a little while yet and then we can get started. The elixir will hit quickly, you might feel lightheaded at first but drifting should be rather quick and painless. Your tastebuds, however, will loath you."

He let his brow scrunch, glancing towards the benches to either side of them before looking back at her. He hiked a brow. It wasn't all that smart for him to be on one when absent faculties and at risk of spasms, vomiting, and so on as first described. So he sat on the ground instead, hand extended to the goblet in an expectant manner.

Vahalia stepped forward and she softly slapped his expecting hand away, "Patience." she huffed down at him and she gracefully knelt to oversee the necessities better. When the goblet and elixir were placed to the stone floor she took the hand he had outstretched, snatched it almost, and turned it over in her own, the small sickle at her belt held by a chain was brought forth and she drew the curved blade over his palm and then swiftly did the same to herself, an act she had done many times over in her summoning of Creature. Her palm and scars no stranger to the pain and it only dulled over time.

If they were to be linked then they would have to do so by vital. Her hand balled into a fist over the goblet, dropping her lifesblood into the cool slope of the metallic goblet, and then repeated the gesture with Hakan's, "A few more steps left."

Hakan’s frown disappeared, the equivalent of – for him – a pout replacing it and that too disappeared as she watched Vahalia go about drawing his blood and then her own; hot vitality trickling. Now this was what he expected of rituals. He squeezed his fist to join his blood to hers again. "Such as?" she asked.

She hummed as she unfurled his fingers with her own then laced their open and wounded palms to one another, interlacing their fingers, "A tool given to me by the Dreamweaver." she reached to the stone bench nearby and took up the shimmering red string showing it to him. It was long and clearly held magic as its sheen seemed to shift and move on its own, "A binding." While their hands remained clutched to one another she began to wrap the red string around their wrists, softly whispering – chanting – her count with each weave. Three times around each wrist, three more around them both, and courting the weaves between their fingers. When the thread ran its length she tucked the end downward into the threads by the wrists. Next, she uncorked the elixir and poured it into the goblet until full, "Mugwort also known as Dreamweed, blue lotus, yarrow, and myrica gale." she offered the goblet to him, "Drink half, drink deep."

A soft scoff caught in his throat as she twined it around and around. Too many stories for him not to have heard about red strings of fate, and here was a real cliche. Still, he looked at their bound fingers, and hands. If he were to lose control at any point there was no way for her not to be burned by his uncontrolled wrath. When the goblet came up, he curled his lip and clicked his tongue. "I suppose if it was just me, I wouldn't pause." He sighed. So much for not worrying about the taste by shotgunning it. Taking the goblet, and holding it for a second, he did as told. Any thought about how something called myrica gale should maybe taste good evaporated the moment the concoction touched his tongue.

Vahalia smirked gently as she watched him, something caught in her eye, a sinister glint though it was natural to her nature at this point and she reached for the goblet to partake herself when Hakan took his, "There is risk in everything, one must leap than hesitate at the first step." she coaxed him and her nails tinked gently along the curve of the goblet. Vahalia knocked the remains back, she too had to partake to be at the level of state and sleep her partner was to be at, and when she swayed the empty goblet to the side she leaned in, free thumb tugging at the bottom, the most center part of Hakan’s lip, "And should we never wake then it will be a journey at an end, together." leaning in she stole his lips in a hard, hungered press. Stilling the bitterness that found her throat.

He might have once hidden his disgust, an emote of any kind being a vulnerability, but in her, Halia's presence? It was there, even if comparatively muted. The talk of death in sleep as she pressed digit to lip screwed his mouth in a way clearly marked as distaste before she claimed his mouth fully. If she wanted to be wicked before the slow rolling fog overtook them both, he could do the same, free hand finding the space between her legs quickly for a parting tease at her exposed flesh.  

He wasn't able to tell whether his grasp parted from her or not, not as sensations became dim and distant, distant…

As silence came over them both, Vahalia’s ears prick at the distant chittering of voices that always followed her that was nothing but silence to those around her. More and more garbled they seemed to blip from her senses and the familiar growl of Creature eased away as she settled Hakan back to keep him from injuring himself along the stone floor below. 

Palm met stone shortly after as she kept herself up right to the best of her ability, the thread remaining firm as the weight of her body followed through in its desire to simply lay and exist took hold. The rain grew hazy and the space around them began to fade into darkness. 

She was the last to drink, the last to sleep, and likely the last to wake if all went according to plan. A subtle twitch surged through her fingertips as her body eased fully along the ground in its weight. 

The blackest of pitch engulfed them both.

Hakan’s awareness drifted, in and out, expanding and receding like a flash, like the ripples in water after a droplet fell and broadened. The spreading ring waves carried him out, out…

He stood in a room, a hall, a box, dim and closed until he felt with a push of his arms walls turning to smoke, evaporating, gone. There was something wrong with this, something all too strange, and it took too much of an eternity to realize there was something, a reason, a purpose -- to remember what he'd done. It felt like his throat was closed, a vice around his neck, squeezing. Just squeezing. 

He could swallow and, breathe, but the sensation of choking remained. There was something awake around him and rousing, waking something he couldn't fix. There were supposed to be answers, memories, and questions, but he had to ask the questions first. 

To remember he could ask the questions. The city burning around him, the beat of drums and thundering feet, screaming, made him want to huddle and clap his hands to his ears out of sheer instinct.

When Vahalia’s vision came to the cacophony of sounds wrinkled around her and the vivid lights of the blaze, she had found herself within an expanse of unfamiliar sights. When she had caught up to the margin around them and her form had been present, she felt herself reaching out, blinded at first and her hand found familiarity where fingers traced impetuously at the flesh before her. Grabbing for it, Hakan's hand she stepped forward once, and then a second as she halted, the colors and sounds around her beginning to take form around them both.

Already Hakan’s fingers clawed against the shell of his ears, palm pressing in and in as the whirling smoke enveloped streets, skies, muffled noise s-- One breath, then two, another and another, he wasn't a shaking child alone in a city on the edge. His hand was in someone else's, his eyes on the streets as people ran past in blurs of color, as inky smudges. This wasn't why he was here, Rabanastre wasn't his goal. Anchored, accompanied if hardly aware, there were the dreams, the voices; that's what he was searching for. Not home. 

Awkward legs took him forward along the path, over golden roads and blue tiles. Muffled words that felt distant, reached forward but they were still unclear in his mind’s eye. They were standing before a gate, a doorway. Giants on either side, sand pouring from bottomless hourglasses held against shoulders to burden the weight. There was a heat in the darkness, a furnace, alive, pulsing….beckoning…

As if it were designed for her to do so, Vahalia followed. The only familiar scene she had to call home, was an anchor among the blurred colors and coruscating sounds that remained in the lingering touch she had afforded to Hakan. A strange place and none she had ever seen before. The chaos sparking around them, her feet feeling charged with energy neither good nor bad though that hadn't made her feel any safer in the place in which she stood, eyes taking in the assembled pieces before them, "Is this...." she paused, her voice almost an echo as she followed what she could only naturally surmise to be Hakan's attention, the moving sand from the massive sand clocks.

She already knew.

A foreign home of hers linking her through blood. For Hakan it was a collective of stored memories, perhaps some simply visions to be untrue. A broken home to which there was no returning.

Transfixed before the black, the thrum and heat of something distant were the only promises of light that Hakan could feel. 'Go, Don't Go, Don't, Don't..' a whispering chorus in his ears. A barrier before him, a lock which honored no key. He snarled, teeth-baring, face contorting, a leonine flash -- a crack, shattering. The sands continued pouring, filling the sloping entrance, and swallowing it. His feet took him forward, body moving through the grain. The vice within his neck, the cords digging into his heart had eased with each step. Asking 'Who' as he parted the billowing dark with his companion. Echoes of feet, his own, others, bouncing off the halls. 'Who are you, to tell me I'm unready,' he snarled, figures looming in the expanse, the threat behind and surrounding him growing close but not.

Vahalia walked, perplexed as she heard the words echo and clip but they had not been directed at her. Perhaps....elsewhere? Her attention snapped and much of her wondered if there were other things inbound that Hakan himself could hear or sense that she could not. Missing a piece to the puzzle before her but such was not her dream to coax to reality or to twist and warp at her whim. 

Here, there was no magic she could utilize, she was beyond any hand to play. Her presence only meant to play witness, a passenger in the scape of Hakan's mind. When the colors shifted her attention shifted back to what captured Hakan's attention as they walked.

He marched forward with a growing purpose. A sort of clarity. The shifting wrongness, it felt alien, of things around him began solidifying, forming something more coherent. Shadows along the walls curled backward to bleed away and murals revealed cloaked and staff-bound figures. There was old writing that was unfamiliar to him, possibly ancient – still twisting, inverting, but there. Recognizable. 

Crests peaked alcoves, buttresses; suns, lions, bulls. Hourglasses. He noted them, recognized them, and moved past them. He was not here for history, for bygone ancestors and bloodlines. Stopping, asking, and diverting from the task of the voice and its incessant, erratic, and forgetfulness was the goal. 

“Why, why do you plague me? Why take my dreams, my memories, my time?" Hakan seethed, voice low and never a shout. 

There was rumbling in the distance, a rhythm. Something mournful, something amused, something…

There was a figure in the chamber. Figures, twelve and thirteen in the center. It towered over them, over the outline of a shadowed form. Eyes that glowed like miniature suns. 

They looked at him. 

Through him. 

They looked at Vahalia, aware.

Like a pinprick -- sharpened to the vibrant eyes nestled within a deep shadow before them. Vahalia quickly garnered theories, as per the norm, but she remained quiet. Still and vigilant.

 The chamber, the catacombs, the purpose, all were gone. There was only the figure, the entity which could have easily resembled a kin of titans. Smoke and fire and crippling pressure "Untested. Sundered." The voice boomed around them, collapsed walls into the sand, and replaced air with lead. Chains found Hakan’s wrists, and pulled him from the back of his neck, his back, into the ground, rattling, scraping. His arms, skinny, too skinny, couldn't lift the gold, the iron. "Our vessel." Its voice echoed, derided. 

A halo bloomed behind its skull, features still unknowable. And as it looked at him, judged, a mirror cast on Vahalia where she too had been strung up, lifted high, chains shooting to her wrists, ankles, and neck. It towered over her, indomitable, a pillar breaching the sky, and stood face to face. "Potential," it seethed, voice flowing slow and thick. "Perhaps. Kindling at least."

Vahalia’s attention barely had a second to snap to Hakan the moment the chains shot toward him and by reflex, she aimed to bolt toward him, naturally, but she had been jerked back and too found the shackles at her extremities. There was a vicious roar that echoed through her mind, a reminder that she was not solely alone within herself as Creature's presence was alert, keeping her grounded to some degree but angered. This was not her space, uncontrolled and wild. 

She knew the implications in which coming into this would be but it hadn't deterred her either way. Such was the price for curiosity and attachment. Her palms felt sweaty, the only thing that was of the true essence of feeling within this realm and thus she tested the restraints, a cruel smirk pinning to the corner of her lips. 

Kindling -- how fitting.

Hakan had found himself dragged, pulled, and shuffled along cavernous corridors lit by fired sconces. In each flame, a crystal, power. Memory. Memories of elsewhere, others, memories that weren't his but could have been. Were.

 A pale knight clad in silver amidst a city, sandals in the dirt, grass on his skin. A chorus of blasts, horns, men and women charging monstrous figures with too wide of mouths, and stitched faces. 

Vows in the dark, in the light, before the sun before being carried below. He pulled at the chains, arms straining, voice breaking as he struggled against the pressure on his throat, chest aching. "Why? Tell me why, why take and take? Give me something." The plea was swallowed down, dispersed. 

Still, he fought the crowd, the surge of bodies trying to flee, the hand pulling at him speaking of rebellion and promises he knew would break. The strange shadow entity, its halo dipping forward, a crown with horns rising on either side, and a third sun sat between the spikes. It was bright, blinding, burning, just like the stars in its eyes.

It now fixed on Halia. It saw her, saw what grew in her, saw the darkness slick under her skin, coiled. Coiling.

"You do not belong. What you carry...might, if untarnished." The entity stepped closer to her and loomed, a presence trying to engulf her. "If stoked."

Eyes of liquid gold followed the thing before her, silently searching for chinks within its shadowed armor. She knew nothing of the sun or light but she knew plenty of the darkness -- she had been forged by it. Her attention drifted across the expanse of the area and it was here she found her vision limited beyond what was happening elsewhere than what was before her. The chains that bound her shifted and she angled forward, daringly, dangerously but her closure was finite as she ticked her head, owlishly slow to appraise and weigh the 'thing' before her. The strain on the chains kept her from narrowing the space between her and it, "Sad little shadow." she loosed a tut, "A vision. A memory. A dream, yet so far from reality."

That which encapsulated the space before Vahalia was not conjuration, not a figment. It EXISTED. 

She shifted forward and her throat was in its palm, fingers, talons, pricking and piercing the skin of her neck that garnered little to no response from the woman. The heat from its digit burned off the blood, the power beneath the shadow dormant but present. Growing. "Sad little shadow," it parroted towards the witch, taunted, STATED. "Chained to a fragment. Empowered" It looked into her. It looked at Creature. "By a mere child grasping for what it cannot reach." The being reached as if into her, the question of whether to eat in the air. There were chains on its wrists, its throat, its back. Features like Hakan's, similar to Hakan's, unlike his at all. Red scales, gold, red-gold. The black smoke, of ovens and furnaces, metal stamping, bombarded the senses from afar. Growing, growing, there. Distant, then growing again.

Was this simply a spectacle of inner madness?

Hakan jerked at his bindings, metal stressing, fracturing, melting into him. He rose off the ground, one knee then the other, stood. His arms felt leaden, weak, as if they were not his at all, and then it all felt to be too much. Power filtered into his veins, made his skin burn, want to split and burst. "Speak damn you! Tell me what you are, who!"

The figure aimed to reach Vahalia, into her, reaching for Creature and it then ceased, stopping briefly. It stood towering, still containing the Witch, focused on her, but moved into the space behind her where it faced Hakan, looked down at him, "Another vessel. You. But you are broken. Untrained, untested. The threat is gone, the battle won. But not by you. Yet we remain, so we remain. Hungry. Unfilled. Until you, until a promise, proves worthy. But you are not. Not yet. Guidance is needed. Return when you have it."

For a brief moment, Vahalia felt a laugh brewing in her throat though it was snuffed quickly, her attention shifted to the side, briefly calculating, curious about where Hakan had been as they had been separated for all that she knew as there was little to see beyond what was in front of her despite something happening behind her.  

Was this something that nestled deep into Hakan’s being as Creature was into hers? A reflection of inner battles or perhaps a fade of the past, what was yet to come? Her eyes danced over parts of the figure and she remained silent for a stint. A migrant figment of the one she was eternally bound to? Perhaps a collection of thoughts, memories, trauma and the past bleeding into one singular source?

Her attention snapped to the familiar voice – Hakan – and briefly, the feeling of relief seeped into her senses. A flicker of darkness and sweeping tendrils slithered forth from her chest toward the being unlike Hakan before her and then retreated once more as Creature’s essence was drawn to the immense power that loomed so close, within reach, yet her avatar struggled to connect. She tested the chains once more when the entity moved, placing focus now on Hakan which it seemed to converse.

The tendrils of Creature were not unnoticed; a creature aware of everything even half-slumbering could not be so blind as to miss it. Creature reached and at that moment the power of the being flared, nova bright, star waking further. It threatened to consume, the power real and untamed, unharnessed, with no control. Almost no control.

There was a star in her too, a potential too small to snuff out. Too large. A darker part of the horned and crowned collaborative entity, something tied to Hakan, from Hakan, made its touch less cold. More hungry. Savage. To look at it was to see something old, something beyond mortality, something only barely bound by rules self imposed rules hardly befitting the civilized. 

This was Hakan’;s dreamscape yet his power and control waned was his subconscious took hold. A myriad of blips and recognizable and unrecognizable all in one. When something began to make sense, it quickly shifted from parts of reality. Smudges of uncertainty and painted imaginations one could only find on a canvas or neatly written in stories.

Hakan growled low at the sight, at the slumbering numen. Himself.

"Guidance? Guidance? Who, what, are you to say I needed it without ever having given a sign–" Hakan finished in a rasping bite, voice scratching the back of his throat. “he image of the being, the scales and crown, three suns, transposed onto his features for a mirrored moment. For an instant, he was something else and almost unworldly beyond any definition to the waking mind. Different, more, and he loomed behind Vahalia and the being, its reflection. 

"We did," it spoke back, and Hakan was himself again, confusion writ on his face. "You appeared. You were unready. Unalone. It interfered...so you lived. Live. Not every correction since was in your grasp. Measures were taken." The voice began growing distant, the darkness more encompassing. The star entity dimmed, grew distant. "Reforge yourself, o vessel of cultivation. Retrace your steps...and see. Learn. Grow, as your ancestors promised."

Vahalia loosed a quiet breath and hearing the words spoken she still took the time to inspect the irons that clung to her, the hungry void within shot out toward the blipping light, reaching with wild snaps and the tendrils expending far past Vahalia's vision when the darkness came once more. There was silence. A cold darkness and the familiar roil within her chest that begged for release, straining to reach for what it could not obtain if only to snuff it out entirely and then some. Creature extended himself too far from her mortal cage.

In the instant Creature struck, the being slathered by the light of the sun retaliated. The metal of Vahalia’s chains sank into her flesh, pierced it, became part of it, heat engulfing her body. Fabric burned as if it was never there, she was bare before the might of the sun, its hand around her throat squeezing, possessive, the heat pervading it hungry, unyielding, undeniable. There was the presence of Hakan, the core of him within the center of its touch, an animal looking to sink deep into the Witch, claim her, consume even as the stars sought to annihilate whatever stood in its way. A clash between shadow and light sparked the expanse between Vahalia and the entity that was not of her own, the darkness of the shadows blipping out due to the light so bright that it could only shrink and recoil back and though Creature had vanished it wasn't known what had come of the initial grasp. What was known was the scream that ripped through Vahalia as her flesh felt ablaze and pricked by sharp stars, burning into every fabric of her being. What would have continued had become silenced into submission once her airway was seized. Not all that had not been seen, slumbered, and as swiftly as it happened, it also ended and there was...

Nothing!

The presence engulfed everything, wiped away the city visions, and the fields, turning the sands to glass, hourglass shattering and time stopping. "A tethered child, starving...Pitiable. Our Herald," were the last words before there was all-encompassing blackness, then light, searing, and finally wakefulness.

The cold stone under them, the passing rumble of thunder that boomed above followed by the gentle rains of Black Water. Finally, the hour had passed and the bell tower in the distance cut through the patter of precipitation outside of the Laeves Sanctum. 

Reality returned.

Collab w/ @belgravexiv

[resonaet]

@ruinedheart / brant & zhezhi!

"Mmm — these are the thumbnails I've designed." She's not meeting his eyes, lest she lose the ability to be even a bit professional, because he's so bombastic and it overwhelms her. She shows him the page of fifteen small sketches, with simple colours. Even still, their voice is small and shy — if not excited about this project. She's never designed the backdrop to a set before. Or visit Rinascita! There are many opportunities to this project.

"Thumbnails are tools for planning larger, complex pieces; they allow you to view the entire composition at a glance, before you waste time or tools painting it." A beat. "Um — I, uh — well, I prefer these two," she taps a finger against two of the simpler designs, "As — as I feel that they'll...compliment the actors on the stage without distracting from them, though obviously if you prefer a different one that's what I'll pursue! And if you hate all of them, I'll certainly create new ones!"

[bluerose5]

Zevran & Astarion Banter Pt. 18/?

Double post because this one was sitting in my drafts too.

Consider this one like a bonus since it technically isn't in order. These two, I swear. 💙

[First] [Prev] [Next]

...

[Both watch as Abdirak finishes up with Tav, who is stripped down to their smallclothes before them.]

Astarion: Oh, that was absolutely divine. *claps* Encore!

Zevran: Ah, yes, is it over now?

Astarion: Spoilsport. You don't sound too impressed.

Zevran: Ha, don't get me wrong. He is a talented man, familiar with pain, surely, and I admire his passion for what he does.

Astarion: I sense a 'but' coming on.

Zevran: But I personally found the spectacle lacked the finer details that would have made it perfect. I mean, out of the assortment of tools in here, not a single whip or flail or cane in sight!

Astarion: The horror!

Zevran: Exactly! They are classics for a reason and, if wielded properly, can deal as much pain as any of these other so-called instruments of torture.

Astarion: Why, Zevran, I never realized you were so interested in this sort of thing.

Zevran: Huh? Oh, yes, the Crows put us through extensive torture as part of our recruitment so that we are conditioned not to break as easily if captured. We're also taught plenty of techniques in case we need to obtain information by means of 'persuasion.' Very fun, indeed!

Astarion: You sound as if you almost enjoy it.

Zevran: I didn't back then, of course, for obvious reasons, but now? Goblins and cults aside, in a controlled setting such as this, why not? There is an intimacy and trust in such an exchange, no? And if one party wants to stop, then they stop! A simple enough system, and indulgent for everyone involved.

Astarion: Mmm... I bet your form is immaculate.

Zevran: Heh, do not let my bravado fool you. I might be a bit rusty. It has been a while since I have had to utilize such talents, but you do not strike me as one who is open to receiving more pain after all that you have been through. Perhaps you would like to inflict it instead.

Astarion: Smart man.

Zevran: You know, if you want, maybe I could teach you a thing or two one of these days, if we can spare the time. And in a more private setting, of course.

Astarion, breathless: My, my, with you? I'd be honored.

[angelicbrats]

Yeah, I can indulge you. This would all be discussed beforehand of course (unless explicitly stated that you wanted something more surprising). Typically, I’ll start with my hands, maybe even put on some fuzzy gloves. Run them across your most sensitive areas and see what makes you giggle most that day. You’d squirm. I’d stop. Say, “Sit still or I’ll make you. Then we’ll have to start over.” And that’s probably when I’d start the timer. For me? It’s best to use a timer and go in intervals. That way it’s something we’re both able to agree upon and it makes for easier check ins. Back to the tickling. I’d probably oil your tickle spots after the first interval, then move up to tickler feathers. By then you’d probably have to be restrained. Cute, simple knots to keep you still. Make sure they’re not too tight. Maybe then I’d ‘upgrade’ to soft bristle toothbrushes. Soft hairbrushes. Back to feathers. Combs. Back and forth through different tools until we reached the final interval. You’d be sweaty. You’d be crying. You’d be hoarse from screaming. You’d be sorry, but you were the moment you truly disobeyed- so more than that. Truly, you’d be guilt-free…and grateful. Because we both kept up our end of the bargain. Then we get all the treats and cuddles and affirmations we can imagine. Because tickling punishments suck!

But yeah. Might’ve skipped some parts but that’s the gist of it haha

-💼

OH oh. mmm. yeah that would definitely work.

holy shit lol.

thanks for explaining lovely <3

so have you used this on someone huh?

[prismuffin]

Hey. Can I send in a watch dogs request please when sitara is R’s older sister, and they are mute; and Sitara is really protective of them like Josh? Maybe like someone makes fun of them online or something and Sitara goes full big sister mode and comforts R while going after whoever sent the messages?

A/n: sorry if this is a bit short anon but also I enjoyed writing for watchdogs !! Gn Reader !!

Simple Mistake

Sitara Dhawan x mute!younger!sibling!reader

( summary: when the HQ gets hacked by some trolls with a petty grudge against "S1lentz0" they don't necessarily hold back on the idiot that left them such an obvious trail to follow, you )

warnings?: cyberbullying, swearing, talks of violence and guns, reader knows sign language!! ( italics are sign language )

!-!more under the cut!-!

You hadn't meant for this to happen honestly. You were in the hackerspace in your usual spot on the couch just patching up some code in the servers on your laptop. Recently Lenni had hacked into your guys' network and left so many backdoors and holes in your servers meaning you were much more susceptible to hacks these days. If you didn't patch this now who knows who could hack you next. You typed away at the keyboard your eyes following line after line of code when Wrench called for you. You were busy, but he said it'd only be a second and that if you didn't hold a very specific wire for him while he searched for his pliers then the thing he was working on would blow up in all of your faces, literally. Josh was busy with a similar task to yours, patching up the network after Lenni got in and removing any potential backdoors she could've left. Sitara was helping Markus with the 3D printer as he got ready to leave for another physical hack across LA. So you reluctantly looked away from your laptop, leaving your unfinished vulnerable servers for just a minute too long.

Sitara shot you a smile as she noticed you walking over to Wrench and you shot her one back. It was nice that even after all these years you still had a good relationship with your older sister. Not a lot of siblings can say that they stay as close as you two have. You look up to Sitara, the way she's so bold in both her art and real life, sometimes you wish you could be like that.

But you're not.

And that thought alone used to bug you so much but Sitara reassured you that you were perfectly fine as you. She's always looked out for you since you two were kids. Being mute and more reserved, it was a lot harder to make friends or to feel useful most days. There was always something bad happening in the world and you felt terrible knowing there was often nothing you could to to help. But after joining Dedsec as 'S1lentz0' with Sitara you've found that there are tons of different people in the world just like you and they're all helpful in their own ways.

Speaking of helpful, you cautiously grabbed the wire that Wrench held. "Good now keep that steady, don't let it touch any other wires or we're all dead...mmm- probably." He ranted as he ducked underneath his workstation in search of his preferred tool. You glanced down at him every so often, cursing in your hands as your hands struggled to stay perfectly steady, though with the amount of energy drinks the whole team downs you're not entirely shocked that you can't help the involuntary motion. "Aha!" Wrench yelled, shooting up only to hit his head on the underside of the table, making the whole thing shake. Your eyes widened as sparks flew momentarily before you grabbed the device to steady it before the wire could react with anything else. "owww," Wrench groaned as he stood up straight, rubbing the back of his head, his mask showing his displeasure. You breathed out a sigh of relief at the lack of any sort of explosion before Wrench took over again, grabbing the wire from your hand delicately as he looked at you. "Your presence is appreciated my dear friend," he put on a fake British accent as he spoke, patting your cheek with the pliers twice before focusing his attention back on the device. You nodded and took that as your cue to leave. Walking back over to your laptop, you huffed down onto the couch with a sigh ready to get back to work.

The sound of beeping caught your attention and you froze, grabbing your laptop you stared at the screen with wide eyes as some stupid animation of a snake firing a gun with its tail played. It shot through your code, 1's and 0's flying everywhere as a mechanical laugh played. The snake slithered into the hole it shot and suddenly the rest of the TVs in your hackerspace were projecting the image of the snake. "What the hell is that?" Marcus questioned making everyone stop to peer at the screens. You cursed in your head as you frantically tried to stop the hack before it could get any worse.

At this point, the damage was already done though. Everyone crowded around the screens as a mechanical voice spoke. "S1lentz0 has left you vulnerable. That quiet idiot can't code to save their miserable life." It spoke, and you jumped reacting as if their words had physically hit you. You just tried to ignore their words as you started to lock them out of your system.

Sitara's jaw clenched as she stared at the screens. "Don't you talk about them like that you worthless pricks." She spat, anger evident in her voice as she crossed her arms. The voice let out the same mechanical laugh from before and Sitara only glared at the sound. "They brought down our encryptions and stole our codes to fix your vulnerable systems and thought we simply wouldn't take notice?" You'd began to sweat slightly as your fingers typed rapidly to shut them down. "Wait, so you're calling them worthless because they hacked you and took down your precious encryptions?" Marcus asked, holding back a laugh at their petty reasoning. "Snakes with cowboy hats? Who's idea was that?" Wrench spoke up, laughing much more boldly than Marcus making Josh roll his eyes at the situation. "I've heard of these guys, they're a newer hacker group called Ouroboros. Their systems are so outdated, I'm not shocked that you got your shit hacked and taken down so quickly," Sitara spoke, still glaring at the screen as she continued. "Don't be mad because my little sibling outsmarted your dumbass encryptions. The only reason you're even here is because some other hacker group weakened our system, not because you're skilled hackers." The mechanical voice tried spitting back but was washed from the screens as you finally kicked them out for good, patching up your network in the process.

With a sigh your head fell into your hands, you felt so bad that you let this happen. "welp, that was stupid," Marcus said before going back over to the printer but Sitara was looking at you. Her eyebrows were furrowed with worry as she saw you with your head in your hands, knowing exactly what you were thinking. Walking over to the couch she crouched down next to you, placing her hand on your knee as she softly called your name. "Y/n," You peeked from your hands to look at her. 'I'm sorry,' you signed, 'I didn't mean to leave us vulnerable.' you frowned, looking back towards your laptop to avoid her eye. Sitara sighed before moving to sit next to you. With a smile she bumped your shoulder and you looked at her again. "Hey, it's not your fault ok? If we're gonna blame anyone here its Lenni. She was the one to leave us vulnerable, you were just trying to fix it." 'Yeah but I got distracted.' "And that's completely ok," she placed her hand on your shoulder and you leaned into the comfort now going into a side hug with her. 'Is it really?' you signed, and she smiled "Yes! It is y/n, nobody's blaming you hun just look around." She was right, everyone had simply went back to their original tasks. It was almost as if you guys hadn't got hacked only a few minutes prior. "Those guys that hacked us are just run of this mill idiots they don't pose any real threat." She said with a playful roll of her eyes and you hesitantly smiled at her wording.

You guess she was right, you'd only hacked them a while ago to steal some parts of their firewall that you thought would be useful in your own. You often do that, stealing multiple different encryptions and putting them all together for one mega-encryption that was damn hard to hack. "Don't beat yourself up over this alright y/n? Trust me, me and Marcus are gonna get them back, right Marcus?" She smiled at the approaching male, "Damn right," Marcus said with a smirk, placing his newly made zap-gun in a holster under his hoodie.

Moving out of the hug you turned and smiled at Marcus. 'Thanks you guys,' You signed and Marcus looked at Sitara for translation, he was trying to learn more ASL for you but it's a lot harder than he thought it'd be. "You're welcome Y/n," She said, eyeing Marcus as she placed a hand on your head and Marcus nodded. You couldn't help but feel better at the interaction. Just having confirmation that they had your back in situations like these was enough to make you beam. You truly loved your team at Dedsec and you wouldn't trade it for the world.

----!----

( I'm very iffy on this one tbh I kinda don't like how I wrote it but imma post it anywayyyyy !!! )

Thanks for reading! Have a great day/night!!

My requests are CLOSED !! Check my req rules and info to see when/if they're open again !!

See my DIRECTORY for upcoming fics!

Masterlist

[lovenpeace-pkmn]

All of you are very strange. I have not had conversations like these since the little prince turned traitor.

[vorchagirl]

I'm smashing the Ash & FemShep Sexting button so hard I might break a finger 👀👀👀

I'm fairly certain that I *must* have actually published this here at some stage, because it uses Celeste Shepard and Ashley from my fic Star Light, Star Bright. It's pretty short, pretty hot, but it does look done, so I'm not sure why I wouldn't have posted it??

Anyway, I'll clean this up and post it at some stage. Maybe at AO3? In the meantime, I'll put a snippet of it below - but be warned, it's a little saucy!

Celeste flopped down on the bed in the captain’s cabin, idly watching the fish swimming about in the tank. They moved in groups and pairs, happy in their little families, oblivious to the war raging. She envied them and their simple lives. They didn’t have to deal with politics or reapers.

Or loneliness.

She sighed and flicked open her omni-tool, firing off a message to Ash, asking what she was up to. It had been too long since they’d seen each other. Touched each other. Kissed each other. Spectre business kept them apart more often than they liked.

Ash replied back a few minutes later, and Celeste grinned at the photo she’d sent. She could see her long supple body stretched out in a bath, the water dark and shadowy, lit by candles on the edge of the tub. Bubbles floated on the water, and the tips of Ash’s breasts poked through teasingly, as did the tops of her adorable toes.

Celeste bit her lip, her breath catching as she replied.

CS: The water looks hot. You look even hotter.

AW: Mmm. I’m feeling pretty hot. Wish you were here though, skipper. The tub is big enough for two and I’m lonely :(

Shepard grinned, one hand sliding down to unsnap the button on her trousers before she replied. She snapped a photo of her hand sliding into her lacy black panties and set it back.

CS: Me too. If I was there I’d slip in between your legs and kiss my way down each one. They look so pretty in all that water. So wet.

AW: Looks like they’re not the only thing that’s getting wet.

CS: Not my fault I have a sexy girlfriend. What are you doing?

AW: Keeping my hands busy ;)

[ivory-lamps]

A17: Hakodate Chase

Characters: Netaro, Toi, Yodaka, Nagi & Ryui Location: Hakodate Summary: The protagonist and co. visit a hamburger restaurant. Toi decides to use his divination skills to help decide where the group should go next. Proofreader: Shay

Momiji / Kaede: Netaro-kun, you ordered a mountain of burgers but can you finish them all?

Netaro: These burgers will be a piece of cake.

Toi: Sigh~ …That was delicious. I’m stuffed.

Nagi: (There’s one last chip… I’ll dip it in the sauce and finish it off with a hearty bite…)

Netaro: Gii, ahhh.

Nagi: (Hm? “Gii”? Is he referring to me…?)

Netaro: Ahhhhh.

Nagi: …Here.

Netaro: Munch. Mmm~ Delish~!

Momiji / Kaede: (Netaro-kun’s own plate has tons of chips, though…)

Nagi: This kind of thing feels like something a family would do…

Momiji / Kaede: (I guess it’s fine if Nagi-kun’s happy…)

Alright, let’s decide where to go next.

Netaro: Toi, show us your divination! I wanna see your secret power!

Toi: I left my divination tools back at the manor, so it’ll have to be something simple, though…

Netaro: Whaaat? What about your secret power…?

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, you can do it without your tools? I thought you’d always need something like a crystal ball or tarot cards.

Nagi: Me too.

Toi: In my case, anything works as long as I can find the answer. It doesn’t have to be a formal method.

Besides, there isn’t one set method to divination. It’s just that a lot of people who do divination rely on the power of crystal balls and tarot cards.

Nagi: So it’s possible to do it with any method, huh. …That’s an amazing ability you have there, Toi.

Toi: Ehehe! It’s just what I’ve inherited so it’s all thanks to my predecessor…!

Alright then, I’ll ask the water this time.

Netaro: The water~?

Toi: Um, like this…

Momiji / Kaede: (Oh, he’s dipped the straw in the cups’ water…)

Toi: Please forgive me – this will be a bit unhygienic. Flick.

Momiji / Kaede: (He flicked it onto the tray…)

Toi: ……………

Nagi: (Is he looking at the… water shapes?)

(This is hard to believe but if we can really get an answer from this, then…)

Netaro: Oh, I wanna research your secret power, Toi~! I wanna take it apart and analyse it~! I wanna~!

Momiji / Kaede: Netaro-kun, Toi-kun is concentrating so let’s quiet down, okay?

Netaro: Then if I keep quiet, can I ask Toi to show me his real divination powers when we’re back in HAMA?

Nagi: Ah… I–I want to see it, too…

Momiji / Kaede: Hey, this isn’t some game, you know?

Nagi: Oh… ………

Netaro: Aww.

Yodaka: Okay, I’ll take the photo now. Say cheese!

Tourist A: Thank you~! Sorry for asking you out of the blue like that.

Tourist B: You even carried all of our luggage… Thank you so much.

Yodaka: I'd be happy if I could be of help. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Hakodate trip.

Tourist B: ……! U–Um…

If you’re free, would you like to walk around with us–

??: …Ow. Watch where you’re going, dude!

Yodaka: Oh, my apologies. I was too focused on my chat with these two ladies. You’re not hurt, are you, boy?

Ryui: Huh? Did I hear you right? Did you just call me “boy”?

Tourist A: Hey, you were the one who bumped into him – what’s with your attitude? This good-looking man here doesn’t need to apologise to you.

Tourist B: Yeah. Let’s just leave!

Yodaka: Oh, you don’t have to pull me so hard. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.

??: Oi.

Tourist A: What!?

??: You dropped something. There’s a piece of paper by your feet.

Yodaka: My apologies. It’s an important flyer. Thanks.

……

*Yodaka looks at the flyer then back at Ryui*

Yodaka: ……

What’s your name?

Ryui: You don’t have to know. I’m no one important…

Toi: Ani-sama!!?

??: Wha–!

Momiji / Kaede: Huh? That’s Yodaka-san and…?

Yodaka: Hey. I see you guys went to eat hamburgers.

Nagi: Wow. We found him the moment we stepped foot outside the restaurant.

Netaro: This is the power of divination!

Toi: Ani-sama!! So this is where you were!! I was looking everywhere for you…!!

Ryui: Toi…!

Yodaka: I knew it. This drawing… doesn’t really look like him, but they’re definitely twins.

Ryui: Damn it, we can’t be meeting like this when I haven’t…!

*Ryui runs off*

Toi: W–Why are you running away!?

Momiji / Kaede: That’s Ryui-kun… He seems different from Toi-kun, but they definitely look the same…! Wait, that’s not what I should be thinking right now – Please wait…!

Netaro: Aha, I’ve got it! It’ll be more fun to clone them and create more copies!

Nagi: Should we go after him?

Momiji / Kaede: Yes! …Hm?

Tourist C: Oh no, I can’t catch a taxi at all. My feet hurt so much.

Tourist D: Kazuo, Kazuo! Geez, where did that kid run off to…!?

Tourist E: How do we get to Mt. Hakodate? We’ve wasted an hour already.

Momiji / Kaede: Ugh…!

(I can’t believe there are this many tourists who need help here…!)

I can’t leave them on their own…! But I’m in a rush! Everyone, please look over here!

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ🚩 Omotenashi Battle 🚩

Momiji / Kaede: Haa, haa… Alright, we’re almost done for the most part…!

Yodaka-san! Could you please run after him first…!?

Yodaka: Got it. I can’t refuse a request from you.

I’ve got to go, ladies. Sorry, but this is as far as I can take you.

Tourist A: What…? No…!

Yodaka: Don’t look so sad. Trips should be enjoyed with a smile on your face. I hope this moment will become a lovely memory for you.

Here is your luggage. Who does this paper bag belong to?

Tourist B: It’s mine. Thank you for holding it.

Yodaka: Oh, there are pastries inside. I should be careful with them… Here you are.

Tourist A: Thank you. You were a huge help.

Yodaka: You’re welcome. I knew it – you two look so much more lovely with a smile on your faces.

Momiji / Kaede: He’s so slow!

Nagi: Yodaka-san is amazing – he’s calm no matter the situation. But he’s no use right now. Let’s leave him behind.

Toi: Ahh, Ani-sama! He’s leaving! Someone, please! Please stop that good-looking person in punkish clothing~!

*Daniel shows up*

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, Chief!

Daniel: What the– Are you guys running a marathon or somethin’?

Momiji / Kaede: We found Ryui-kun! Please chase him with us!

Netaro: Now is the time to show off your muscles!

Daniel: These muscles aren’t for running marathons, ya know…? Geez…

*After some time*

Netaro: Wha~!

Nagi: !

Toi: Netaro-san tripped!

Netaro (on the ground): I’m still not used to these long limbs~

Momiji / Kaede: Toi-kun, we can’t afford to stop here! Sorry, Netaro-kun! We’ll come pick you up later!

Toi: I’m sorrryyyy!

← Previous ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Index ≡ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤNext →

[serafiel-jacobs]

Lustful Jealousy (Fanfic)

New chapter from my main series 🩷

January 15th 18XX

Dorian was actually surprised at the fact that the puppet had artistic talent, he had given him a small canvas on which he had already sketched a simple forest, and Pinocchio was following his instructions perfectly well; although he made a few mistakes along the way he quickly picked up on them, Dorian felt an intense amount of jealousy, other artists were prodigies from a young age, yet it took him until his mid-teens to form his craft and yet this puppet that has only existed for a year manages to do what it took him years to do so, Geppetto must be proud of his invention skills.

How can he not be jealous? The puppet has talent in music and painting not to mention how extremely handsome he is, although with his mannerisms Pinocchio is more cute than anything. Dorian leans in closer as Pinocchio is painting, sliding his hand underneath his hair to play with it.

Pinocchio feels a shiver going down his spine, he doesn’t understand why, he likes it when others play with his hair, but something felt different this time.

“Tell me Pinocchio… how have you been told how beautiful you look before?” Dorian asks in a quiet voice, as he leans in closer to him.

“Um… my mother says I’m very handsome”

Dorian gave out a small laugh, he is so innocent, so naive, so stupid.

“Yes but, has anybody that isn’t part of your family told you that? With your looks, I’m sure others are flocking to be at your side”

Gemini also sensed something was wrong, he wanted to assume the best in others but it felt like Dorian’s questions weren’t as innocent as they seemed.

“Well sure he is pretty, but with how much of a brat he is it’s hard to stand him,” Gemini said to try to lighten up the mood.

“Gemini!” Pinocchio got up, making Dorian have to back away from him. Pinocchio shook Gemini’s cage, “I’m NOT a brat!”

“Are you sure about that?” Gemini was dizzy, but at least he saw that his friend felt calmer.

That stupid cricket, Dorian cursed him, he needs to think of a way to get rid of it, or to separate them. Dorian then gets an idea, and he gets closer again, “Mmm Gemini you are very beautiful yourself, why not try and have Pinocchio paint you?” Although he found Gemini extremely annoying, Dorian couldn’t deny that inside of the cage, the cricket looked lovely, while simple, the design had a lot of charm and care in it, Geppetto sure does love to add detail to all of his creations.

Pinocchio was so excited at the idea, and Dorian picked and made the sketch, his two guests were now completely distracted from talking to each other, now that they had lowered their guards, it was all a matter of them going along their talk, and forgetting that he is behind them.

“Who knew that you were such a fast learner? It’s impressive, although I still remember the first time you upgraded your body, you shaking like a leaf”

“I was just nervous because father wasn’t there but I totally knew how to do it by myself”

“Wait, really?” Now that Gemini thinks about Pinocchio tends to learn stuff rather easily, “By just watching him?”

“Yeah, I just had to see him touch my heart here and there, and I learned how to upgrade it and stuff, Plus you know, all that Ergo we collected made things easier”

Mmm Ergo, Dorian obviously knows about it, it’s best described as the essence of one’s soul, he should know as he likes to collect it as well. All those years ago when he made that deal with that demon in exchange for his beauty; he must give Ergo to the demon he once summoned, if he didn’t then his looks would be taken away from him, at first it was tedious to kill those people for their Ergo but he got used to it, and he began to experiment with it, he found that Ergo could give more life to his paintings, it made them even more special, so he has his own special tools to use the ergo he has collected for his paintings.

Well, this is just perfect, Dorian already knows what to do, take out his heart and find a way to make it his own, he would finally get what he wanted and get rid of the demands of that pesky demon. Although all of this ends up reminding Dorian that he hasn’t given the demon Ergo and his deadline is approaching, Dorian has been having a hard time killing since Jack the Ripper was active, any suspicious behavior and he was done for, and when he did manage to kill someone he took the Ergo for his paintings. But thankfully the killer was caught, how incompetent they must have been to get caught so easily.

“Hey, Pinocchio don’t say that!” Gemini chirped louder, and Pinocchio turned around to look at Dorian Gray who was looking outside from a window.

“Oh? I’m so sorry I wasn’t paying attention, my mind was somewhere else, how rude of me” Dorian Gray smiled, “I invited you here and I’m not being a proper host or teacher, let me see how your painting is doing”

It was going along well, and Dorian continued along with his lessons, when it was all done Pinocchio was excitedly talking about showing his work to his father, Dorian listened to him, as he grabbed the painting of Gemini with his hands.

“How wonderful, it looks just like him” The colors perfectly reflected the essence of Gemini, in the grand scheme of things, it wasnt as wonderful as he was praising it to be, but he couldn't deny the care and love that went into it, and it only made things easier for him.

“Now, your father will pick you up soon, why don’t we talk while we wait for him?” Dorian makes small talk with him, at first he finds Pinocchio extremely annoying but he is starting to like how cute he is, it’s such a shame how he would have to kill him, it would have been nice to at least keep him as a pet.

As they talked, Dorian grabbed his own brush and began to add details to the painting of Gemini, he made an excuse that he was just adding something to make it even better, the truth is, he was using Ergo to enchant it, once he was done, he had to see if it had worked, as he had never used it in nonhumans, and the flick of his hand, Gemini’s lamp was turned off, the mechanical bug finally being quiet.

“Gemini? Gemini what’s wrong?!” Pinocchio was panicking, he took a closer look at the lamp, Gemini wasn’t moving, he looked as if he was asleep and couldn’t wake him up.

“It could be that he had a malfunction, oh dear, I hope you didn’t shake him too hard”

Pinocchio started crying, he thought that he had hurt his friend, and Dorian was giving him reassuring words, saying that his father surely would fix him.

“Pinocchio you love your father a lot, don’t you? Why don’t we make a painting just for him?”

“I… would like that,” Pinocchio said in between a few sobs.

“The day after tomorrow you are going to come here and we are going to have our lesson just as planned, but at night, I want you to come here alone, without Gemini”

“But-“

“And you can’t tell your father about this, it would ruin the surprise, come on Pinocchio, that day is our last day together, just imagine the face your father will make when he sees the gift you made just for him”

Pinocchio still let out a few sobs but nodded, he did want to make his father happy, Gemini is right, he is a dumb brat and he needs to find a way to make it up to his father, and he has to apologize to Gemini.

Dorian grabbed Pinocchio’s face and wiped away a few of his tears, and he admired the boy’s pretty face, his eyes, and his strangely colored hair that just made him more unique, his eyes.

His lips…

Pinocchio felt how Dorian pushed him towards him, kissing him, it was so fast that he wasn’t able to process it, yet when he was done Pinocchio started shaking, something felt wrong, that didn’t feel right but Mr. Gray was probably just trying to cheer him up so it was probably all in his head, right, he is just trying to make him feel better because he is crying, that’s all.

“That’s our little secret” Dorian Gray whispered in his ear.

Thankfully for Pinocchio, his father had just arrived, he rushed towards him and hugged him, crying about how he accidentally broke Gemini, while the two of them were distracted Dorian used his power to turn on the cricket again.

Gemini was confused he didn’t understand what happened, he went into his rest mode but that didn’t make sense, he felt completely fine before. Pinocchio was profusely apologizing to him, but it didn’t make sense, his shaking his cage surely wouldn’t break it, he got tossed around a few times while battling with Pinocchio, small shakes like that were nothing, something weird was going on.

Geppetto was also confused, he examined Gemini and couldn’t find anything wrong with him, but he said that he would take a closer look back at the Hotel, he assured his son that everything would be fine, and to not be too hard on himself, Geppetto was sure that his son had nothing to do with the malfunction after all. To make him feel better he praised his paintings, after all, they were beautiful and he was impressed, he was proud of his son.

As they were leaving Pinocchio caught that Dorian had given him a small wink, he still felt guilty and he wanted to make his father happy and proud, that painting would be perfect, and his father could hang the painting next to Carlo’s portrait and everything will be even better.

He only needs to push away those feelings of anxiety, Mr. Gray is clearly his friend, he has done a lot for him even if they just met, he needs to stop getting anxious so easily.

If Mr, Gray is his friend then he wouldn’t hurt him, friends don’t hurt each other like that, so he has to trust him.

[vr-digitalsolutions]

Digital Marketing ROI: From Clicks to Causality - A Strategic Approach to Measuring Success

In today's fast-paced digital world, marketing budgets are increasingly being funneled into digital channels, making digital marketing a crucial engine for growth. With more consumers online than ever before, the opportunity to reach a vast, digitally-savvy audience has never been greater. But as brands pour resources into digital strategies, a fundamental challenge remains: how do you measure the return on investment (ROI)?

At first glance, digital channels may seem easier to invest in compared to traditional methods, but proving ROI—especially across the full marketing funnel—is no small feat. Factors such as brand awareness or recall often don't translate into immediate conversions, adding complexity to the equation. So, what truly drives a consumer to take action? Did your ad cause the desired result, or would the same action have occurred organically?

Understanding this key question of "incrementality" is essential for effective measurement, but achieving clarity is no simple task. The reality is that measuring digital marketing ROI can be visualized as a funnel, where the methodologies become progressively more complex as you move downward—requiring greater data, analytical expertise, and investment.

Let’s explore the different approaches for measuring the ROI of digital marketing efforts.

Attribution: From Last Touch to Multi-Touch The simplest method for tracking ROI is last-touch attribution, which assigns full credit for a conversion to the last interaction before the conversion takes place. While easy to implement, this method fails to consider the multiple touchpoints that influence the customer journey.

Enter multi-touch attribution (MTA). MTA seeks to provide a more holistic view by distributing credit across various touchpoints. This method leverages granular user data—such as cookies, device IDs, and timestamps—to track the full customer journey. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. The growing concerns over privacy and cookie deprecation complicate the data landscape, and MTA is often prone to bias, where correlation is mistakenly assumed to be causation.

Marketing Mix Modeling: A Broader Approach To supplement attribution, Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) provides a macro-level view of marketing effectiveness. By leveraging aggregated data—often at the geographic or weekly level—MMM helps estimate the overall impact of marketing efforts on sales. It captures both online and offline media, making it a valuable tool for long-term planning and budget optimization. However, MMM doesn’t dive deep into short-term, tactical optimizations and can be influenced by model assumptions and data quality.

Experimentation & Causal Inference: The Gold Standard Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard in measuring the incremental impact of digital marketing. By isolating the effect of a marketing campaign between a treatment group (exposed to the campaign) and a control group (not exposed), RCTs allow for the measurement of true causality.

While effective, conducting RCTs at scale presents its own challenges—such as exposure bias and the difficulty of managing large sample sizes. Solutions like ghost ads—ads that appear as real but promote unrelated content—can mitigate these issues. However, implementing RCTs requires robust data infrastructure and analytical expertise, making it a challenge for many organizations.

Upper Funnel Metrics: Brand Awareness and Consideration While much of the focus in marketing ROI centers around conversions, upper funnel metrics like brand awareness, consideration, and recall are just as crucial for long-term growth. These softer metrics—although harder to measure—play an integral role in shaping consumer perceptions and driving future sales.

Surveys and brand lift studies are primary tools for gauging these upper funnel indicators. Randomized control designs and longitudinal studies can help capture shifts in consumer attitudes and brand health over time. While these methods provide valuable insights, challenges such as sampling variability and linking survey responses to actual exposure persist.

The Future of Digital Marketing Measurement: A Unified Approach Ultimately, no single measurement approach can provide all the answers. The key to success lies in integrating multiple strategies—attribution, experimentation, modeling, surveys—into a unified measurement strategy tailored to your business goals, campaign needs, and data maturity.

The future of digital marketing ROI measurement will rely on a balanced approach. Success comes from using the right methods at the right time, validating results without unnecessary complexity, and continuously building on insights. As machine learning advances, it will help surface patterns and automate certain processes, but human expertise will continue to be crucial.

The complexity of digital marketing ROI measurement is real—but the opportunity to unlock meaningful insights and drive business growth is equally significant.

By leveraging a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, brands can gain a deeper understanding of the true impact of their digital marketing efforts. The path forward requires the right mix of tools, expertise, and patience, but the rewards are clear: clearer insights, smarter strategies, and, ultimately, better ROI.

[teachingenglishtokids]

Music and Emotions: How Songs Help Toddlers Express Their Feelings

Music is a powerful tool for early childhood development, especially in helping toddlers understand and express their emotions. Since young children have limited vocabulary, they often struggle to communicate how they feel. However, through lullabies, nursery rhymes, and playful songs, they can develop emotional awareness in a safe and enjoyable way.

Lullabies like Rainbow Lullaby do more than just soothe toddlers at bedtime—they help little ones connect emotions with sounds, words, and movements. In this article, we explore how music affects emotions, the benefits of using songs for emotional growth, and practical ways parents and caregivers can use music to support toddlers' emotional well-being.

How Music Influences a Toddler’s Emotions

Even before they can talk, toddlers respond to music emotionally and physically. The rhythm, melody, and lyrics of a song can help them associate sounds with different moods. Research shows that music activates brain regions linked to emotion regulation and memory, making it an effective tool for emotional development.

Here’s how different types of music connect to emotions:

🎶 Soft and Slow Songs = Calm and Comfort

Lullabies and gentle melodies create a sense of safety and relaxation.

Singing a soothing song during bedtime or moments of distress helps toddlers feel secure and reassured.

🎵 Upbeat and Lively Songs = Happiness and Energy

Songs with a fast tempo encourage joy, excitement, and movement.

Clapping, dancing, and singing along boost mood and promote positive emotional expression.

🎼 Minor Key or Slow Songs = Sadness or Thoughtfulness

Certain melodies can evoke feelings of sadness or longing, helping toddlers process emotions like disappointment or missing a loved one.

🔁 Repetitive and Rhythmic Songs = Security and Familiarity

Songs with simple, predictable patterns help toddlers feel in control of their environment.

Repetition reinforces learning and makes emotions easier to understand.

Why Lullabies Help Emotional Development

🎵 Rainbow Lullaby 🎵

(Verse 1) Drift to sleep, my little one, Day is done, the night has come. Close your eyes and dream so bright, Soft and sweet like rainbow light.

(Chorus) Red so warm, a hug so tight, Orange glows like candlelight. Yellow shines, the morning sun, Bright and happy, full of fun.

(Verse 2) Green so soft, like leaves so new, Blue as skies so big and true. Purple whispers, soft and slow, Like a moonbeam’s gentle glow.

(Chorus - Repeat softly) Red so warm, a hug so tight, Orange glows like candlelight. Yellow shines, the morning sun, Bright and happy, full of fun.

(Bridge - soft hum or “oooh” melody) Mmm… mmm… sleep so tight, Dream beneath the rainbow light…

(Outro - slow and soothing) Rainbows shine when rain is through, Bringing love from me to you. Sleep, my darling, safe and sound, Wrapped in colors all around.

Lullabies like Rainbow Lullaby go beyond preparing toddlers for sleep—they introduce emotions in a simple and relatable way. Through soft melodies and meaningful lyrics, lullabies:

✔ Teach Emotional Recognition – Associating colors or words with emotions (e.g., "Red so warm, a hug so tight") helps toddlers grasp feelings. ✔ Provide Comfort During Stress – Familiar songs ease anxiety during transitions, doctor visits, or separation from parents. ✔ Strengthen Parent-Child Bonds – Singing together fosters emotional security and attachment. ✔ Promote Self-Regulation – Listening to lullabies helps toddlers calm down when overwhelmed.

How Songs Help Toddlers Express Their Feelings

Since toddlers may struggle to verbalize their emotions, music serves as a natural bridge for expression. Here’s how:

🎤 1. Music as a Language for Feelings

When toddlers hear a song that reflects their mood, they begin to understand their own emotions. A slow, gentle tune may help them recognize feelings of sleepiness, while an energetic song can mirror excitement.

📖 2. Expanding Emotional Vocabulary

Songs introduce words that describe feelings like happy, sad, sleepy, or excited. Singing these words in a familiar melody makes it easier for toddlers to connect emotions with language.

💃 3. Encouraging Expression Through Movement

Toddlers instinctively respond to music with body movements. Clapping, stomping, or dancing allows them to express emotions physically, even before they have the words for them.

🛏️ 4. Music as a Comforting Routine

Playing a familiar lullaby when a child is upset helps them self-soothe. Over time, toddlers learn to use music as a coping tool for stress or frustration.

10 Practical Ways to Use Music for Emotional Development

1. Sing Throughout the Day 🎵

Use songs to guide transitions (e.g., "Good Morning" songs, cleanup songs, nap time lullabies).

Singing makes daily routines more enjoyable and reduces resistance to tasks like brushing teeth or dressing up.

2. Create a “Feelings Playlist” 🎧

Put together songs for different moods: ✅ Calm songs for winding down ✅ Happy songs for playtime ✅ Comforting songs for tough moments

Allow your child to choose a song based on their mood, encouraging self-awareness.

3. Encourage Singing Along 🎶

Even if toddlers don’t sing full words, humming or repeating simple phrases helps emotional engagement.

Make up fun rhymes together!

4. Use Hand Motions and Facial Expressions 🤗

Clapping, swaying, or making a sad face during slow songs reinforces emotional learning.

Use a mirror so toddlers can see their expressions while singing about feelings.

5. Ask Simple Questions 🗣️

After playing a song, ask: 👉 “Did that song make you feel happy or sleepy?” 👉 “Was that song fast or slow?”

This helps toddlers connect music to emotions and express how they feel.

6. Make Up Personalized Songs 🎤

Sing about daily activities ("It’s time to put on shoes, shoes, shoes!") to make moments fun and engaging.

Encourage toddlers to pick topics for silly songs and create tunes together.

7. Play Music During Playtime 🏃

Background music enhances creative play and helps toddlers feel emotions through storytelling.

8. Introduce Musical Instruments 🥁

Let toddlers explore shakers, drums, or xylophones to express emotions through sounds.

9. Use Music for Relaxation 🛀

Soft music during bath time or bedtime creates a calming environment.

10. Sing During Emotional Moments 😢

If your toddler is upset, try a gentle lullaby to ease frustration.

Slow breathing between verses teaches self-soothing techniques.

Final Thoughts

Music is more than just entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for helping toddlers explore emotions, develop self-regulation skills, and strengthen connections with caregivers. By incorporating music into daily routines, parents can provide a safe, joyful way for children to express and manage their feelings.

Whether through a soothing lullaby like Rainbow Lullaby or an energetic playtime song, music can support a toddler’s emotional journey in meaningful ways.

So next time you sing with your little one, remember: you're not just making music—you’re building emotional intelligence, one song at a time. 🎶💖