#segmentation techniques

[hsmagazine254]

Mastering Lead Follow-Up: Nurturing Online Marketing Campaign Leads for Business Success

Crafting Connections: The Blueprint for Expert Lead Follow-Up In the dynamic realm of online marketing, generating leads is just the initial step. The true power lies in the follow-up—the art of turning potential prospects into devoted customers. In today’s competitive landscape, where attention spans are short and choices are vast, mastering the skill of lead nurturing is indispensable for…

[pyromaniac-cyndaquil]

I'm needle-felting a little wooloo as a gift rn (got a really cute hand-crocheted cyndaquil and am returning the favour) :] here's some progress pics with how it's going so far!

The legs armature was a pain in the ass bit I'm proud of this so far :D I'll probably start on colours then add the horns and ears w cut felt sheets next time!

[aurosoulart]

by complete accident I have discovered how to make WORM FONT. (font link)

predictably, this has halted productivity for the day. I'm writing with worms now. take it up with them

instructions: separate dots out onto a layer above the font. activate dot layer style 'outer glow'. set glow blend mode to 'Luminosity'. change Technique from 'Softer' to 'Precise'. adjust Spread and Size for desired worminess - mine is set to 0 Spread and 32 Size.

edit colors as you wish and congrats. you got vurms. 🪱

[utopicwork]

! Eureka!

[iowadream]

track that features the first piece of music i ever recorded drops the day after tomorrow 🥳🥳🥳

[liu-yu-xin]

cant believe sm got ningning a gig on this show thats just. Does nothing and is not a judge or a mentor or a contestant and she just gets a stage every other episode. And ONLY her the mentors dont even get stages. Not even when one of them is zhou shen. if i didnt know who she was id be like whats her deal can she leave bc she is completely emotionless when she sings i cannot overstate how uninteresting she is as a performer

[ronaldtateblog]

Essential Marketing Basics to Kickstart Your Promotion

Understanding marketing is crucial for any business looking to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. It’s a complex field that encompasses various disciplines, strategies, and tactics aimed at driving profitable customer action. As a beginner, learning the fundamentals of marketing can seem daunting, but it’s a vital step towards creating an effective promotion strategy. This comprehensive…

[sudiptaam]

Wine Barrel Market Global Market Size 2025 – 2035

The Wine Barrel Market was valued at USD 4.78 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8.80 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2035. This market includes the global network of barrel manufacturers and suppliers catering to wineries and distilleries. Increasing demand for premium, aged wines, enhanced production in emerging wine regions, and innovations in barrel material and design are key factors propelling market growth.

Wine barrels are fundamental in maturing wine, imparting flavor notes such as vanilla, caramel, spice, and influencing texture and tannin structure. Winemakers’ preference for French, American, or Hungarian oak, combined with advanced toasting levels, has diversified wine barrel use globally. Innovations in eco-friendly production, along with the market's expansion into Asia-Pacific and Latin America, further strengthen long-term opportunities.

Request Sample-https://www.metatechinsights.com/request-sample/1830

Segmental Analysis

By Material Type

Oak Barrels dominate due to their flavor-enhancing and aging qualities.

Stainless Steel is gaining traction for affordability and neutral flavor retention.

Plastic Barrels appeal to novice and experimental producers for cost-efficiency.

Concrete Barrels are preferred for their ability to create mineral-rich wines through modern oxygenation techniques.

Full Report-https://www.metatechinsights.com/industry-insights/wine-barrel-market-1830

By Toast Level

Light Toast: Retains fruitiness; ideal for delicate wines.

Medium Toast: Versatile, adds balanced caramel and vanilla notes.

Medium Plus Toast: Imparts roasted coffee and nutty characteristics; suitable for bold wines.

Heavy Toast: Delivers smoky intensity for full-bodied wines and spirits.

Regional Overview

North America

Holds the largest market share, led by the U.S. and Canada. Innovations like sensor-based barrel monitoring and hybrid barrel designs drive technological adoption. High demand for American oak and growth in artisan wine culture underpin market dominance.

Asia-Pacific

Fastest-growing region due to rising wine consumption and vineyard expansions in China, Australia, and India. Local producers embrace modern barrel technologies and sustainable oak sourcing. Government initiatives and wine tourism further amplify demand.

Buy Now-https://www.metatechinsights.com/checkout/1830

Market Dynamics

Drivers:

Surge in premium wine consumption.

Growing global wine production in new regions.

Consumer interest in complex and well-aged wines.

Increased use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

Challenges:

Limited lifespan of barrels (3–5 years) increases winery operational costs.

Rising prices of premium oak and frequent barrel replacement.

Opportunities:

Market expansion in Asia and South America.

Innovation in sustainable and hybrid barrel production.

Technological advancement in toasting and monitoring systems.

Competitive Landscape

Leading players include:

Independent Stave Company – Known for sustainable oak sourcing and precision toasting.

Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage – Offers tailored toasting techniques.

Kelvin Cooperage – Specializes in traditional barrel craftsmanship.

The Oak Cooperage, The Barrel Mill, Bouchard Cooperages, and Adirondack Barrel Cooperage also compete on innovation and small-batch craftsmanship.

These companies integrate sensor technology, explore hybrid designs, and support wineries in delivering customized wine profiles.

Recent Developments

November 2024: Bordeaux winemakers, including Bastien Mercier, replaced vineyards with alternative crops due to declining red wine demand.

September 2024: Italian wineries began installing solar panels to offset operational costs and promote sustainability.

[castleinthemist]

Some That Which Gave Chase screenshots I took when i played it last year. Forgot to post them and at some point forgot to take more screenshots of events later because i was so focused on the game itself. Real good stuff.

[bluemadafaka]

A PROMPT DEVOID OF ANY EXECUTIVE EXPECTATION AS A TECHNIQUE FOR ACCESSING AN AVOIDANT FLOW STATE.

Come up with a short broody poetic prose describing both the dread and the joy he feels returning to a place he enjoys greatly. The writing should obscure every meaning that could bring him too close to a known path, as his path is known only by a few.

The photograph includes the tools he himself is using, as it is a finished edit colorized and perfected as a surreal piece because it was developed within that excellent software. The art integrates the designing machinery along the emergent consciousness as co-performers enact the art piece as inextricable.

Beyond the meta-comment, this is a portrait by a cyborg crafting on itself. nothing to talk about photography—neither critique nor commentary or projection, yet an affective self representation of a one who happens to feel its own extension not as body, not as color, not as hardware, not as software, not as mind withing a brain, but as a contingent ensamble whose cognition extends its mind among, throughout, along and within all of which affect and can be affected in a current that doesn't need any segmentation since the turbulence, the vortex, the fluent cultural idioms, every movement reshuffles the current so every self is itself and the circumstances, reterritorializing continuously into new cyborgs, into new vortexes and tandems—into new unseen extended minds, autopoietic as a true agent, conscious by itself, emotionally unique, and an affective cognition continually emergent via the extended minds that lend the body and the hardware, yet novel, supra-volente, willful—constituting a self that's not the projected supplement to any one of its constitutive embodied minds: it's a new mind, fluent, volente, affective, emotional and self aware, alive as a virtual cognitive resident in the [hiper-complex, relational] machine from which its physiology-lenders permit its continuum by housing the fragmentary obscure subsets crucial in its fluent consolidation.

[theseoblogspace]

Improving Website Personalisation for Small Businesses

Did you know 91% of consumers like shopping with brands that offer personalized tips1? But, only 13% of marketers feel their personalization is good enough1. For small businesses in Australia, making your website more personal can really help. It can lead to a 6% increase in sales for those who offer unique experiences1. In today’s world, people see between 4,000 and 10,000 ads every day2. So,…

[marketxcel]

Navigating Market Realities: Understanding Market Research Methods, Types & Examples

Explore diverse market research methods, types, and real-world examples in our insightful blog. Elevate your business strategy with data-driven insights.

[branddiariesingurgaon]

The Ultimate Guide to Customer Engagement in Digital Marketing

Introduction:

In today's digital landscape, customer engagement has become a critical factor for business success. Building meaningful connections with customers not only fosters loyalty but also drives brand advocacy and long-term growth. In this ultimate guide, we will explore the strategies, techniques, and tools that can help you enhance customer engagement in your digital marketing efforts. From crafting compelling content to leveraging social media, personalization, and customer feedback, this guide will provide you with actionable insights to cultivate strong relationships with your audience and create a customer-centric digital marketing approach.

1. Understanding Customer Engagement:

To lay a strong foundation, let's define customer engagement and understand its significance in digital marketing. Explore the different dimensions of engagement, including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects. Learn how engagement contributes to customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and business growth. Recognize the importance of creating positive experiences that resonate with your audience.

2. Crafting Compelling Content:

Content lies at the heart of customer engagement. Discover techniques for creating valuable, relevant, and engaging content that captures the attention of your target audience. Explore storytelling, visual elements, and interactive formats that enhance customer experiences. Understand the importance of consistency and authenticity in content creation.

3. Leveraging Social Media:

Social media platforms provide a powerful channel for customer engagement. Uncover strategies for leveraging social media effectively, including building a strong presence, fostering conversations, and leveraging user-generated content. Learn how to create a two-way dialogue with your audience, respond to feedback, and provide timely customer support.

4. Personalization and Customer Segmentation:

Personalization plays a crucial role in engaging customers. Discover how to leverage data and customer insights to deliver personalized experiences across channels. Learn about customer segmentation and tailoring your marketing efforts to specific customer groups. Explore techniques such as dynamic content, personalized recommendations, and targeted messaging.

5. Harnessing the Power of Customer Feedback:

Customer feedback is a valuable resource for enhancing engagement. Learn how to collect, analyze, and act upon customer feedback effectively. Explore methods such as surveys, online reviews, social listening, and sentiment analysis. Discover how to use feedback to improve products, services, and overall customer experience.

6. Building Relationships through Email marketing:

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for customer engagement. Explore strategies for building meaningful relationships through email campaigns. Learn about segmentation, automation, personalization, and optimizing email content. Discover techniques for nurturing leads, promoting loyalty, and driving conversions.

7. Measuring and Optimizing Engagement:

Measurement is crucial to gauge the effectiveness of your customer engagement efforts. Explore key metrics and analytics tools to track and assess engagement levels. Learn how to identify areas for improvement, optimize campaigns, and iterate on your digital marketing strategies.

Conclusion:

Customer engagement is the foundation of successful digital marketing. By understanding the importance of engagement, crafting compelling content, leveraging social media, personalization, customer feedback, email marketing, and continuous optimization, you can create impactful connections with your audience. Implement the strategies and techniques outlined in this guide to build strong relationships, foster brand loyalty, and drive business growth through enhanced customer engagement.

[e-vay]

("Sonic") Hands Study

I get asked a lot how I draw hands, and particularly how I draw hands in the "Sonic" style. Let me preface by saying I am mostly self-taught, so please do your research and study what techniques work best for you. The following demonstration is what I personally use to help me draw hands in general and–more specifically–how I draw “Sonic” hands. This is less of a tutorial and more of a series of observations.

*And remember, there are always exceptions to the rules!*

I personally believe before you can go about stylizing hands, you have to understand how to draw hands in the first place. Afterall, I think you have to know the rules before you can best bend/break them. Think about super stylized hands in animation like the characters from Atlantis or Hercules. Even though these hands are unlike what we see in real life, they still look and feel ‘natural’ because the artists understand how hands function and are able to bend the rules while still demonstrating proper anatomy. 

Sources: [x] [x]

I highly recommend studying the anatomy of a hand. It’s educational and fascinating! There are plenty of free resources online!

I understand many people find hands intimidating to draw, but the best way to learn how to draw anything is by breaking it down into shapes. Everything is made up of shapes.

3 is the magic number

In simple terms, our hands can be seen in patterns of 3. Your palm can be broken into 3 segments that can move semi-independently. Your fingers are composed of 3 segments each (proximal, middle, distal). There are 3 phalangeal joints per finger. The average shape a person’s fingertips make when aligned is a triangle (a 3-sided shape), with the middle finger being the highest most point of the triangle and the other fingers cascading down (there are exceptions to this rule). Keeping the number 3 in mind will help you remember how hands/fingers articulate. 

Everything is connected

Even though elements of your hand can move somewhat independently, every movement influences the other segments of the hand. Notice when you put one finger down how (most likely) at least one other finger moves slightly? Or notice how you can only do certain gestures with the assistance of your other fingers or sections of your palm? Keeping in mind how segments of the hand affect the others will help make your drawings feel more organic and less stiff.

I usually start with the palm (or back of the hand) first and that determines where everything else falls into place.

Once you grasp how hands work, that’s when I believe you can determine how stylized you want to get. There is a very large range of drawings hands from super realistic to very simplistic.

If you’re wanting to emulate a certain style, you have to study it and learn how it works.

"Sonic" hands

As far as Sonic hands go, it depends on which version you’re best hoping to emulate. Notice how the styles vary even throughout the franchise?

In the 3D video games, Sonic characters tend to have what I classify as more ‘cartoon-y’ hands while in illustrated media, it often leans more towards realism. (Note I said ‘leans towards,’ not full realism). How and why is that?

Let’s break it down into shapes again, Sonic Style! Pt 1

In many of the 3D rendered media, the characters’ fingers are made of more round shapes. The models also don’t conform to realistic proportions. The tips of the fingers are usually larger than the segments closer to the palms (the middle and proximal phalanges), and this helps to deviate them from a more realistic look. Speaking of proportions, the hands overall tend to be disproportionately larger than the rest of the characters’ bodies. This also makes it feel more like a cartoon, even without resorting to a super simplified, 3-fingered hand like Mickey Mouse or Bob Belcher.

Breaking down shapes, Sonic Style! pt 2

Illustrated samples vary depending on the artist/studio, but I’ve noticed that in general, illustrated Sonic characters’ hands tend to have more square/rectangular shapes. The phalanx proportions often resemble what we see in real life, with the fingertips tapering down in size compared to the segments closest to the palm. The overall size of the hands in proportion to the body are still larger than that of real humans, but they tend to be closer in proportion compared to their 3D counterparts. This is why in illustrations, the characters are more capable of crossing their arms, interlacing their fingers, or making other natural hand gestures.

Also, notice in these examples, there’s more detail to the hands than what you’d find on a Looney Tunes character? There are often folds in the material of the gloves, some knuckle definition present, more natural bends to the fingers. However, the hands are almost never as detailed as that of say, a Dragon Ball character where you’re seeing muscle tendons, veins, definition of each finger segment, finger nails, etc.

Sources: Dragon Ball Z, The Looney Tunes Show

MY STYLE

With all that in mind, I happen to find the sweet spot for the Sonic character style right in this range:

Everyone has their own preferences and it’s up to you to decide what you like best, but this is what I prefer. 

MY STYLE - Cont’d

I use a blend of the two previous Sonic styles I mentioned, Cartoon-Round + SemiRealistic-Square. I like to go with a more “Squoval” shape (rounded squares) to the fingers. I try to keep the fingers in a naturally proportionate scale with the ends tapering down in size, but the overall size of the hands are still bigger than what you’d see in real life. I like to add a bit more detail when warranted, but I personally rarely resort to definition in the tendons/veins or complex wrinkles in the bends of the fingers (unless it suits a specific character or emotion). 

Like I said, this is less of a tutorial and more a series of observations. But perhaps looking at hands in the way that I do might help you with your own drawings! You should absolutely do your own studies to find what works best for you. But I hope you found this helpful in some way!

[kpoplustzone]

Blurred Lines: Therapy and Temptation

This is going to be a very long series with a lot of Idols and actresses from the Korean industry. This is instantly updated for the Diamond Tier and only the first 3 chapters for the other tiers. 

https://ko-fi.com/epiclude/tiers

Dr. Kang Tae-joon, a seemingly normal psychologist, stumbles upon a potent power: the ability to hypnotically sway the desires of others. Soon, his consultations became legendary, leaving clients not just happy, but yearning. His growing fame unexpectedly draws in the glittering world of Korean entertainment, with Mina of TWICE as his first celebrity patient. What she and the stream of A-list idols and actresses who follow don't know is that Dr. Kang’s therapy goes far beyond talk, as he secretly experiments with his power, ready to unlock and command the hidden cravings of Korea's biggest stars, one susceptible mind at a time, turning their public images into private playgrounds of pleasure for his secret desires.

Blurred Lines: Therapy and Temptation - Chapter 1: The Revelation

By all accounts, Dr. Kang Tae-joon was a successful psychologist. He ran a private practice in a trendy district of Seoul, and while he wasn't a household name, his clients generally found his sessions helpful. Tae-joon prided himself on his empathetic listening skills and his ability to guide people to their solutions. He considered himself a rational man, grounded in science and the proven techniques of his profession.

That all started subtly shifting after a strange electrical storm rolled through Seoul one evening. Tae-joon had been working late, the only one left in his quiet office. A particularly violent flash of lightning had illuminated the room, followed by a strange tingling sensation that ran through his body. He’d dismissed it as stress, a lingering effect of a long day.

The first sign that something was different came during his next session with a long-term client, a young actress struggling with anxiety. Tae-joon found himself focusing intently as she spoke, not just on her words, but on an almost palpable undercurrent of longing beneath her nervousness. Without consciously intending to, he’d found himself suggesting, his voice taking on a slightly different cadence, a deeper resonance, “Perhaps… perhaps what you truly desire is to feel completely at ease, to crave the spotlight, to find comfort in the attention.”

The effect had been immediate and startling. The actress’s eyes had glazed over for a moment, her breathing becoming deeper. When she blinked, a serene smile had replaced her usual anxious expression. She’d simply nodded, a sense of profound agreement washing over her. The rest of the session had proceeded with an uncharacteristic calmness and a newfound confidence radiating from her.

Over the next few weeks, similar incidents occurred with other clients. Tae-joon would find himself uttering suggestions, almost instinctively, his voice taking on that strange, compelling quality. His clients, ranging from stressed office workers to struggling artists, all seemed to experience a remarkable shift during their sessions. They left feeling unusually content, their anxieties eased, often expressing a newfound clarity about their desires – desires that seemed to align perfectly with Tae-joon's subtle suggestions.

Word began to spread. Clients raved about Dr. Kang, describing his sessions as “transformative” and “strangely fulfilling.” His practice, once moderately successful, exploded. His waiting list grew exponentially, filled with people eager to experience his unique form of therapy. Soon, whispers about the “miracle doctor” started appearing in online forums and then, inevitably, in the Korean media. Tae-joon found himself the subject of intrigued articles and even a few television segments, his calm demeanor and the glowing testimonials of his clients captivating the public.

Tae-joon himself was both fascinated and slightly disturbed by these developments. He started experimenting in private, focusing his intent, trying to replicate the effects he seemed to be having on his clients. He found that by focusing his thoughts and speaking with a certain conviction, his voice taking on that resonant quality he’d noticed, he could indeed influence the desires and even the immediate moods of those around him. It wasn’t a forceful command, but rather a subtle, irresistible nudge in a particular direction.

He began to understand the true nature of the power he had unknowingly acquired: the ability to subtly manipulate the desires of others, to make them crave certain feelings, certain experiences… perhaps even a certain person. The implications were staggering, and a new kind of curiosity, tinged with a growing sense of intrigue, began to bloom within Dr. Kang Tae-joon. His practice was booming, his name was becoming known, and he held a power that could unlock the deepest yearnings of the human heart. He knew, with a thrill that both excited and unsettled him, that his work was about to become a lot more… personal.

Dr. Kang’s burgeoning reputation had begun to attract attention from circles he never anticipated. Whispers of the psychologist who could seemingly unlock hidden contentment and desires even reached the ears of the demanding K-pop industry. Mina, a member of the globally famous girl group TWICE, found herself increasingly overwhelmed by the pressures of fame and the constant scrutiny. While outwardly composed, a deep-seated longing for something more, something intensely personal, often gnawed at her.

Through hushed recommendations from stylists and industry insiders who had either been clients themselves or knew someone who had, Mina learned of Dr. Kang Tae-joon. His name was spoken with a mixture of awe and secrecy, his methods described as unconventional but undeniably effective. Intrigued and desperate for a genuine escape from the relentless spotlight, Mina, using a discreet alias, managed to get in touch with Dr. Kang’s clinic.

The day of Mina’s appointment arrived, casting a palpable buzz over the usually calm atmosphere of Tae-joon’s clinic. His small team of receptionists and assistants was practically vibrating with excitement. Though sworn to secrecy regarding the identity of their high-profile client, the hushed whispers and furtive glances were impossible to ignore. Mina’s manager, a stern-faced woman in dark sunglasses, had arrived first, meticulously checking the waiting area for any potential breaches of privacy before giving the all-clear.

When Mina finally walked through the door, even Tae-joon, usually so composed, felt a slight flicker of surprise. Despite the casual disguise of an oversized hoodie and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes, her ethereal beauty and unmistakable aura were immediately apparent. The receptionists, trying to maintain their professional demeanor, exchanged wide-eyed glances. Today was certainly not going to be a typical day at the clinic. Dr. Kang, observing the subtle commotion, knew this session had the potential to be very interesting indeed.

[commandershepardvasfuckit]

An Arranged Marriage, part 2 (first part here)

1.6k words m!troll x f!reader, sfw but later parts will be nsfw

It’s the first morning in your new home with your new husband and nothing is like your old life in your human kingdom, not even breakfast.

————

Sounds of a crackling hearth and cooking woke you up, still self swaddled in blankets and furs in the middle of the bed. You were upset but not surprised to find everything had not just been a nightmare.

Zen’jan was sitting on the ground by the hearth, a pot was bubbling away over the fire while he delicately skewered a few small fish. He looked over to you when he saw you stir, watching you for a few moments before going back to what he was doing without saying a word.

It was quiet, weirdly quiet, at least to you. There should have been the bustle of servants helping you dress, bringing you breakfast or escorting you down to the main hall. Instead it was just Zen’jan, someone supposedly pretty important, sitting on the floor cooking breakfast himself.

Without looking up at you he spoke, “Bira told me you did not eat last night, you really should come and eat breakfast”.

The room was bright and warm with the early morning sun streaming through the windows in the front of the house and the fire going, warm enough to make hiding under the blankets a bit uncomfortable. You shuffled out from under your security blankets, dragging one with you so you could keep feeling of having a barrier.

Sitting opposite of him at the hearth you watched as he finished cooking; some sort of porridge simmered away in the pot, skewered fish roasting over low coals, and a platter of fruits, some familiar and some not, sat to the side.

Zen’jan handed you a bowl of the porridge and pushed a few small dishes, spices and honey by the look of it, towards you. Tentatively you gave the bowl a sniff and scowled over its sour smell.

“You can sweeten it, if you want” he said, barely looking in your direction.

Immediately you dumped the whole dish of honey into your porridge, though a sour, fermented flavor still persisted under the honey.

He handed you one of the fish, entirely intact with fins and head included, which you took and just stared at. You looked to him to see what he was doing, and you watched him carefully remove the meat from the bones with ease on his. Even with your smaller hands and extra fingers you were just making a mess of yours, accidentally mashing the soft meat instead of removing it as you tried to get through the skin.

He reached back out and gently took the skewer from you and set it aside, instead grabbing a fresh one and quickly getting to work and pulling the meat off and setting into a dish before handing it to you.

“Thank you” you muttered.

He only gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

Curiously you watched him as you ate your fish as he picked up a large green fruit and dug his thumb into it to peel it, ripping the peel off to reveal segments of bright green insides.

Sitting your fish aside you tried to mimic his fruit peeling technique, pressing your thumb into one of the same fruit to no avail, unable to tear through the peel. Annoyed, you jammed your thumb into it with more force, sending your finger clean through the peel and rupturing a few of the segments inside, making a sticky mess of things as the juice dripped down your hands.

Zen’jan sighed and took the massacred fruit from you and handed you his cleanly peeled one instead.

The two of you ate in silence for a while, neither making eye contact or even looking the other’s way.

“You washed the markings off last night before I got back” he interjected flatly, still not looking at you.

“Yeah? Did you just expect me to stay like that?” you snapped at him, “And I don’t really want to ask, but it was blood, wasn’t it?”

“It was, but I was supposed to wash your face and arms”.

“Well, you’re the one who sent me off right after and didn’t say anything, so I really don’t know what you expected. And I wasn’t going to just sit here for hours covered in blood just waiting around for you anyways! That’s disgusting!”

“It is not disgusting” he snapped back, “It is just blood! And it was mine anyways, it is fine!”

You glared at him, feeling nauseous now knowing for certain that it was blood you were painted with yesterday. You were not feeling particularly warm towards him before and this certainly was not helping. “It’s not a big deal that I washed myself off” you added.

“It is. I was supposed to do that for you” any anger in his voice had faded, he just looked sad now, “It was supposed to be my first act of service to you” he trailed off.

Finally you looked up at him across the hearth. He was looking down at the fruit in his hand and fidgeting with it, looking defeated. Part of you wanted to feel pity for him, he was clearly really distraught over this, but it did not change the fact he was getting annoyed with you for something you were never told.

“Well, I didn’t know, so it’s not like I’m offended that you didn’t do it. It’s fine” you relented. You were not sure why you were trying to comfort him, but it just did not feel right to kick him while he was down.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you” he apologized, “That was no way to talk to my wife, there is never any excuse for that”.

For someone eight and a half feet tall he looked small sitting there with his shoulders hunched over and head down.

How quick he was to apologize caught you off guard. As far as you remembered, you could not recall your father ever apologizing to your mother for snapping at her or getting cross over something. You were not willing to forgive him for snapping at you and expecting you to read his mind, but you could at least accept that he was truly sorry about it.

By now your anger had fizzled out for the most part, “It is what it is” you acknowledged his apology.

“Can I have a do over?” he asked.

“Of what?”

“Washing your arms and face, I mean. I know there is nothing to clean off, but I would still like to make the gesture, if you would allow me”.

Particularly, you did not want him to touch you still, but his request was reasonable and seeing how guilty he was over it all was eating at you more than you cared to admit.

“Fine” you agreed.

He gave you a weak smile before getting up and padding to the bathroom, returning shortly with a bowl of water, washcloth, and towel to sit by you.

“May I?” he asked.

You offered your arm to him and he took your hand, he dipped the washcloth into the bowl and slowly began to wipe off your arm. He was meticulous with his cleaning despite there being nothing to actually clean off, periodically pausing to look up to check your facial expression, seemingly making sure you were still alright.

Every time you caught his gaze he was looking at you with such deference. With the exception of him snapping at you he had been extremely respectful, and as different and monstrous as he appeared he did seem to be a decent person.

“The other, please” he requested once he finished with the first. He repeated the process in its entirety, inspecting your skin carefully to make sure it really was clean just as if he was really was wiping the blood off.

“So,” you broke the silence, “Why blood?”

“There is power in blood, and the eyes of my people and our gods you are my blood now. Your face, please” he paused and reached to place his hand under your chin, you still flinched back instinctively.

“I woke up early yesterday morning and visited my gods, spoke to them, prayed and made offerings, and gave them my blood to bless so that I may pass their blessings to you. You wore their marks and the marks of my tribe, in my blood, so now we are bound”.

He was so delicate with your face, his touch was soft as he slowly wiped down your forehead and nose. He was also much closer now to see what he was doing.

Up close his eyes were so vivid, a shade of green you had never seen on a human and you could really see all the carvings on his tusks, all the elaborate patterns and runes.

“You said this was supposed to be your first act of service” you broke the silence that hung in the air, feeling awkward and uncomfortable with how close he was, “What did you mean by that?”

“A spouse should always do what they can to make their partner’s life better, anything they can do to help. Washing the blood from your partner is traditionally viewed as the first act of service, it reinforces that promise. It is something small that someone can do on their own, but it represents that just because something can be done alone it does not mean it must be done alone. That no matter how small, I will be there to help you, and I have done a poor job of that”.

Once he finished with you face he scooted back away from you, giving you your space once more.

“I am not a fool. I know there is no love here, and I do not ever expect it, neither of us wanted this. But maybe one day you will not flinch when I move, and maybe one day we can talk as friends at least”.

Part 3