#workers second affiliate

[melljam]

wait …. wait ….. i just noticed this while finding panels for my previous post

before the hunt for big deal, samuel is shown to be calling a mystery person (chapter 403)

and then in the hunt for big deal it was revealed that samuel and jake teamed up against workers

his betrayal was foreshadowed all along …!!!

[fuckyeahmarxismleninism]

KCTU's 'History-Changing' Indefinite General Strike

"Until Yoon Suk-yeol, Accused of Insurrection, Steps Down"

1. Today (Dec. 5th), as the Korean Railway Workers' Union and Korean Metal Workers' Union begin their strike, school non-regular workers will join tomorrow. The unions state they will continue striking into next week if President Yoon doesn't resign.

2. This is KCTU's second indefinite general strike. The first one lasted 24 days from 26th December 1996 to 18th January 1997, protesting against President Kim Young-sam's rushed regressive reform of labour laws. That strike successfully blocked the legislation. KCTU announces this second indefinite strike in 28 years as "a struggle to protect democracy" following Yoon's alleged insurrection on December 3rd.

3. KCTU states that "What Yoon calls an emergency - the impeachment of government officials and budget cuts - are actually Parliament's constitutional rights." They add that "The martial law declared on the 3rd doesn't meet constitutional requirements and procedures, and doesn't properly follow martial law itself." They demand Yoon's arrest and impeachment for insurrection.

4. On the 3rd, after martial law was declared, KCTU called an emergency meeting and announced an indefinite general strike until Yoon's government steps down. The next morning, they announced they would join the 'National Emergency Action for Ending Martial Law, Removing Yoon for Insurrection, and Achieving Social Reform and People's Sovereignty'.

5. Since Yoon's alleged insurrection on December 3rd, various affiliates and regions branches of the KCTU are discussing their own plans for strikes and rally participation. A large turnout of KCTU members and citizens is expected at the third People's Rally on December 7th.

Via Korean Confederation of Trade Unions

[cathkaesque]

At the [Ethical Consumer] conference, Catherine McAndrew tells the story of an agricultural workers strike in Morocco in 2021. McAndrew works for Landworkers’ Alliance, a union of small farmers and land-based workers affiliated to La Via Campesina, an international organisation of agricultural workers’ unions with 200 million members in 81 countries. McAndrew has been involved in many strikes and worker-led social justice campaigns, including amongst Almeria’s Sea of Plastic — as recently featured in The New Climate. But her Morocco experience remains raw.

“It was on a farm called ‘farm 9’, which belongs to an agribusiness called Azura, which employs about 16,000 people”, recounts McAndrew. Farm 9’s name nods to the faceless anonymity of industrialised agriculture — just one number amongst 80+ farms in Morocco, which mostly export tomatoes to the UK. When the farm workers tried to form a union, they found that they were getting their pay docked for attending union meetings. Following a short half hour protest outside their place of work, McAndrew alleges, the union shop steward “was beaten up by two of his managers in the green houses” and later dismissed.

In response and solidarity, the workers went on strike “from the middle of December 2021, to the beginning of January 2022. So six weeks they were camped outside the farm, literally living in tents”, continues McAndrew. “And on the second of January, the company parked cars outside the gates and made it very difficult for the workers to picket safely. It was next to a major works and one of the workers was killed. Her name was Sabah Dinar. She was 30 years old. She had been at the tomato picker at that farm for nine years, and she left behind four children between the ages of three and 12.” Not that you would be able to gauge any of this from Azura’s glossy sustainability reports, with whole sections on ‘A relationship of trust with our stakeholders’ and ‘Sustainability, the lifeblood of our company’.

McAndrew, however, is keen to stress that Dinar’s tragic story represents just the tip of the iceberg. It is the price developing countries pay for developed countries’ growth.

Sometimes it’s the people themselves who are exported, with clear echoes to the chattel slavery and indentured labour that children in the Global North only learn about in history books. In Huelva, Spain, around 15,000 berry picking workers (again, mostly exported to UK supermarkets) are hired from Morocco through a process called ‘contract in origin’; meaning the workers are tied to specific farms and in effect can’t leave. The Landworkers’ Alliance have evidence of Moroccan workers living in barracks, tagged with GPS trackers. Omar (not their real name), a black worker from Gambia, received €45 for a 6.5 hours of work, picking 40kg of produce. The blueberries are then sold at £12 (€15) a kilo in British supermarkets. As a result, this is Omar’s house:

These aren’t mere glitches in an otherwise well-functioning system. This is the system. Never-ending growth on a planet with finite resources must become, by definition, increasingly extractive, exploitative, and destructive. Capitalism requires losers in order for there to be winners. It’s all there in the image of Omar’s house. Omar lives in the foreground of the picture, in a shanty hut made from salvaged plastic from the polytunnels he must work in. In the mid-distance, people look on from relatively comfortable apartment dwellings — albeit not a prime location, due to the unwanted view, with lower rent than more affluent ‘leafy’ neighbourhoods. And high in the blue sky above in the picture, far from view, are playboy Billionaire space tourists stretching their legs on spacewalks (if I’d have written that sentence even five years ago, it would have seemed grotesque hyperbole — but now, thanks to rocketing inequality levels, it is true).

But where does growth come into this? Catherine McAndrew again: “Growth, in an economic sense, is typically measured as an increase or decrease in GDP, gross domestic product, which is a measure of how much economic activity occurs in a country… it is a sum of every transaction, every purchase, every wage, every investment. Countries need to be seen as growing in order to attract new investments and to be able to borrow money on international markets at affordable rates.” Poor countries, largely those who have been previously Colonised, their goods and materials pilfered in order to develop the now developed countries, are not offered affordable rates. Credit rating agencies charge them much higher interest rates compared to developed countries. Borrowing costs are so high that 3.3 billion people — around 40% of humanity — live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education. “This setup — of measuring everything in dollars and measuring everything in terms of a growing market — keeps rich countries rich and poor countries poor”, summarises McAndrew.

[impactrueno]

Hello Spike! I hope your doing well. I had some questions I wanted ask you, since you are from Venezuela. Sorry If I got something wrong, I'm still learning about Venezuela politics and I'm trying to use the resources available to me, but is Venezuela a fascist country? so many sources say its socialist but that doesnt make sense, isnt M*duro a dictator? my other question is, with the US turning into a fascist country, how bad will this affect Venezuela?

don't believe for a second that venezuela is actually socialist, that's a blatant lie from our government lmao. frankly yeah, at times it lines up with fascism better than it does with socialism because this is a government of hypocrites. 🙃 but hey maybe that's just what authoritarian governments aka dictatorships feel like. to give you an example of how little they actually care about actually following leftist ideals, we're still one of the handful of countries in the americas that hasn't yet legalized same sex marriage. something so basic, and yet. i haven't been able to change my legal name either because there's no support for transgender people whatsoever.

(note that same-sex sexual activity was already legal before hugo chavez in 1997. chavez took over in 1998.)

the government took over private companies, meaning they remained private, just controlled by the government. not the workers. never the workers lol. the economy is still more capitalist than anything because pretty much all CEOs are affiliated with the government, and if there's something these people know how to do is steal people's money because they only care about themselves. all government people and their family live like kings while the official monthly minimum wage for the rest of the population is $2. yes two american dollars. i'm not kidding.

opposition is largely suppressed and censored. all news media is government affiliated, otherwise it gets shut down (or blocked in the country if it's a website, for example twitter has been blocked since last june and i can only access it with a vpn) and there are quite a few foreign activists being paid to shill for our government and talk about how great it is.

you know, i've been paying attention to US news regarding trump and it's actually horrifying to see him essentially speedrunning what chavez and maduro did here in the past couple of decades. it's insane how similar they are. and it's scary too because i know where that leads, and it's something i never thought could even happen in the US. idk i just figured people wouldn't let it happen. but they did, because for some insane reason they voted for trump again. and now it's a horror show every day with every news i read.

i still don't know how that will affect venezuela because both trump and maduro act like children and make deranged decisions on a whim. trump's been sending venezuelan refugees back here, the place they literally had to escape from. if you speak up against the government in any way, you are not safe. hundreds of journalists detained and taken to el helicoide (a torture center) for daring to report the truth. hundreds of students detained and killed for exercising their right to protest. last year around the elections i had to deactivate my twitter for almost a month until things calmed down because i had been posting a lot of informative threads about our situation. i had to stop because they were actively hunting people down. it was blatant terror tactics and i hate that it worked on me

the tariffs thing is going to fuck with literally every country in the world, not just us. i guess we'll just get more stuff from china now? i don't even know what to expect but our already shaky economy is gonna tank because of it for sure. btw did you know our currency is so worthless that we all use USD cash now? it's not official or anything but it's all we got lol. we do still use bolivars for some things and you can pay anything in bolivars if you so choose, but when you look at stores, everything is in USD. our country is a joke lol

i gotta stop there because i think this is getting a bit disjointed and talking about venezuela makes my blood boil sometimes lol but i hope that answers your question. be vigilant of sites spreading pro-chavez/maduro propaganda; it will be very obvious once you pay attention to how things are written 🥴 if you want a clear example of what propaganda reads like, check whitehouse.gov LMFAOOO (i'm serious, the articles they've been posting since trump won are another level of insane, what the fuck is this timeline)

anyway i sincerely hope trump gets an aneurysm or some shit before he ends up pissing off the american people into taking to the streets so he can declare martial law. civilians vs military is not pretty.

[thepeaklegendoffirstgen]

a little thing i noticed is that the name diego is just the spanish version of james. both of them means supplanter which according to google means to take the place of someone else. what if its hinting something hmm...

In Spanish! Is that you, Jaey?

"TO TAKE THE PLACE OF SOMEONE ELSE"!!!

This just got even creepier 💀💀 Daniel’s second body is such a mystery, damn it. And if you remember clearly, that body fights using the moves of characters he hasn’t even met yet.

What’s even weirder is that when he’s not copying anyone in UI mode, he uses James’s signature moves a lot. I mean, a lot. It really reinforces this whole theory 😭🤡

But yeah, when Daniel enters UI mode in his second body, most of the moves are clearly James’s, unless he’s deliberately copying someone else. Which is super interesting, especially considering this second body was created specifically to counter James.

And how the hell did UI Daniel know Gapryong’s fist technique and Kitae’s attacks in Workers’ 1st Affiliate?? That’s just… strange. Seriously strange.

Also, think about this: James excelled at everything, and now Daniel’s second body is also flawless, unlike his original one.

Whose place is James planning to take?

Is this going to be a Sukuna & Megumi type of situation?

Because seriously, what did James mean when he said, “Daniel is meant to work for him”? "Try struggle against the truth."

This is getting really scary now🙀

[thefiery-phoenix]

YANDERE YOOJIN(EUGENE) HEADCANONS

I seriously PRAY for you if you have him after you, it's like you've received a death contract from the devil himself. One thing you cannot deny when it comes to him is his determination, when he's set out to do something, he WILL get it done, including of course, stalking you and finding out everything about you. You could either meet him in school when you both are in the same class, you make the unfortunate mistake of standing up for him when he's getting bullied and picked on by the other people and ever since then he decides to know everything about you. It's like the heavens itself sent him an angel, just for him. He lives in his own deluded little fantasy world where you belong to him 

Don't worry if you didn't get the memo, you'll get it soon enough right after he finishes ensuring that silly chemistry partner of yours disappears for good. Male or female, he doesn't give a damn. He doesn't like it when other people are too close to you for his liking. He got absolutely infuriated with that teacher pairing you with someone else other than him, how DARE that happen? You BELONG to him, his mind was working in overdrive, churning with less than savory and unpleasant thoughts but he still maintained his usual calm and stoic manner with his fake smile plastered across his smug face. I'm telling you, this guy is WAY WORSE than a serial killer, he'll have his own sadistic pleasure and fun toying with the person he's after and send the rest of the workers after that poor schmuck where Mandeok will resort to punching them in the face till they're knocked out cold and bloodied on the ground

If you're one of the Worker's and a part of the organization, he doesn't want you finding out about the dark secrets of the organization. He'll specifically warn the others to keep their mouths shut around you and anyone else who dares to slip something by mistake or accident, well... they'll be found dead in the next hour or so. He does NOT want his reputation getting tarnished in your eyes, you do mean a lot to him and he holds you in the highest regard even if he does want you chained up to his bed and be by his side at all times. He gets jealous really fast too but he doesn't really show it outside, he's managed to keep a check and control of his emotions. He'll have that unnerving fake smile plastered across his face as his eyes narrow coldly and he'll give a slight nod to his right hand man Mandeok to deal with the pest which he'll comply 

If you think he won't have files and files of information on you, you're mistaken. He'll send his brother Yuseong after you to find out more about you and he'll make him report EVERY single thing that you in your life, he feels like he's getting a glimpse into the window of your life and he'll use every single bit of information to his own advantage to pull the strings to manipulate you into getting you to be his since that's the kind of guy he is. He's really not above installing secret cameras in your own house either, he'll have a large storage of videos of you along with all your passwords, your search history...everything. When he does his research for you, he leaves no stone untouched, no possibility unchecked 

The other day Mitsuki made a slight joke of you competing in the circus and he almost blew a fuse and was on the verge of forgetting his politeness and was ready to strangle her. His eyes narrowed at her coldly as he spoke "Mitsuki... I do hope you did not forget your position here. You might be the President of the worker's second Affiliate but I am the chairman. Any more unsavory thoughts on the one I intend to pursue...let me assure you that the consequences for you will be dire'' he said in an ominous tone as his expression darkened at her. Mitsuki had no choice but to keep herself from spewing insults at him because he was right. Despite Eugene having a sadistic streak and persona inside him, he doesn't actually want to see you physically getting hurt. He'd rather resort to mind games and emotional manipulation instead of seeing you get hurt physically 

Look, he cares for you in his own twisted way. I'd say you'll be kidnapped by him after a week or two weeks. You'll wake up on a fancy bed with lush and posh furniture around as he enters the room and he'll caress your cheek with a sickly lovesick obsessive look in his eyes. "I'm so glad you're awake sweetheart...there'll be some new changes to your life now. You'll be mine now and there are some rules you'll have to follow'' he said. After your initial hysteria and panicking and demands to be set free, he'll just chuckle softly at you and look at you with an endearing look on his face like you just said something cute and adorable to him. "Let you go, darling, don't be silly...it's a dangerous world out there, I'm doing this to keep you safe. You wouldn't want to make me mad now do you...'' he said as he stared at you in amusement while he could see your will power and determination crumbling slightly as the moment passes by. He would be lying if he didn't like how helpless and scared and vulnerable you looked, on the contrary he actually enjoyed it 

He's going to enjoy breaking you and shaping you like a clay doll that'll obey his every word and wish. The only thing that's keeping you from loving him is your own self which he'll obviously has to deal with. He'll use your family and friends against you and each time you have tears streaming down your face he'll coo at you with mock sympathy and kiss your cheeks and dry your tears. He can't believe he has you in his arms, where you rightfully belong. For the love of god and your sanity, don't even think of trying to escape from him. You do NOT know to what extent he will go through to make your life hell. He'll have you dragged back by his brother Yuseong without saying a word and for the first time, even that fake smile of his disappeared and he'll give you a cold look which will fill you with a sense of dread for what's about to happen 

"This is for your own good darling...you need to learn you NEED me in your life'' he said as you'll be locked in a room and tied to the bed with silk ropes. He doesn't want to hurt you after all. But at the same time he also kind of does so...say goodbye to your friends and family I guess. Don't be too sad when you see their missing or dead bodies on the news channels the next day as he'll whisper in your ear how the whole thing could have been prevented had you not acted like a brat. He does have his soft moments with you at times. He likes talking to you about your day or about anything basically. He likes to spoil you with gifts and forehead kisses and cheek kisses too and pat you on the head like you're some kind of pet when you don't scream at him for 5 whole days. He also likes having you on his lap during his work and he WANTS people to know you're his and you belong to him, that way no one would have the guts to mess with him 

It's not like you can ask someone for help either, all the Workers are strictly loyal to him which makes sense since he IS the chairman after all. Yuseong will be your secret bodyguard, always watching your every move and snitching on you when he feels like you might plan to leave his brother. He would even resort to drugging you or sedating you to make you nice and pliant and obedient for him till your thoughts are occupied of him and only him...he's going to make you his in every way possible...

[veilody]

Made a little gif of Otsuyu hanging onto a raging Vin!

Honestly these two idiots bring my creativity up to a new level - this gif was WAY too much fun. I might make a second version one day to visualise how much she's yapping while he's seeking Daniel. (Scene from 2nd Affiliate Workers Arc)

Rough animation:

[castlephantom]

What if Gapryong Kim wasn't killed? (Analysis)

The entire story of Lookism could change compleatly if Gapryong was alive.

1) Charles Choi wouldn't be that prominent and influencial.

In the main story, Charles is an influencial figure in Seoul and that he is pure evil (considering that he was involved with Gapryong's death). If Gap was alive, Charles wouldn't be that powerful and prominent figure.

2) Jinyoung Park wouldn't gone insaine.

As we all know that Jinyoung is mentaly unstable and that he hides form Charles. If Gapryong was alive, Jinyoung wouldn't had gone insaine and that he would live normaly (and would he the uncle figure to Jake)

3) Jinrang wouldn't have been in prison

We don't know why Jinrang ended up in prison yet, but if his mentor was alive, Jinrang would teach Jake to master the power of the fists and that Gapryong would be proudest teacher im the world.

4) The Second Gen would exist, but differently

With Four Major Crews exisctence would be extremely different compared to curent timeline. Big Deal's fate would had been a little different, God Dog and Hostel would be just like the canon, but when it comes to Workers would be different: 1st Affiliate wouldn't have Jinyoung, 2nd Affiliate wouldn't have Sinu, but I'm unsure about the 3rd and 4th Affiliates.

5) Jake vs Gun fight wouldn't happen

I know that sounds imposible, but if we have to remember about Gapryong helping Gun to hide form Yamazaki Syndicate. If Gap was alive, the rivalry between Jake and Gun would be a little, but not that big as the canon (Gapryong wouldn't let his son and his rival's son to fight because he doesn'r want the history to repeat itself)

6) The realtionship between Gapryong with Jake and Gitae

Would be almost the same as the canon, nothing can be changed. Jake would resent his father, and the same thing could be said for Gitae to resent his father (and most likely Gitae would give Minseon a weapon whatever Gapryong goes to see the other women)

7) Yeonwoo Kim wouldn't go in hiding

As we all know, Yeonwoo Kim is hiding (we don't know the reason). If Gapryong was alive, Yeonwoo wouldn't live in hiding.

8) Daniel would be trained by Garpyong, Jinyong and Gun

In canon, Daniel is trained by Gun to become strong. If Gap was alive, he would able to meet Daniel (by pure accident thinks to Jake) and train him to use the power of fists, but also Daniel would be able to meet Jinyoung (in the most normal circumstances) and he will also train him to use copy ability. In totat, Daniel will have three teachers.

[monkejustwantsart]

Posting this animal AU thing I was brainstorming like an idiot. It's super long wah

{Rules I had before this began}

no animal can repeat unless they are canonically familial relatives.

top tiers get to be mythical creatures.

All things may be subject to change with chapter updates

I am to try my best to capture each character as accurately as possible in either appearance, fighting style, behaviour, personality or all.

this is unfinished, it's also lowkey my kinda spectrum. idk if anyone else likes zoology but ye. please feel free to debate me or lend me suggestions!

(please, this took a ridiculous amount of time)

{TOP TIERS}

Jonggun Park (Japanese Oni) 

Junggoo Kim (Gumiho)

DG/James Lee (Red Phoenix)

Jake’s Brother (Chupacabra)

UI Big Daniel (unknown)

{KINGS}

Taesoo Ma (Tibetan mastiff)

Jichang Kwak(Leucistic Black mamba)

Gongseop Ji (Alligator snapping turtle)

Jaegyeon Na (Axis deer)

Seongji Yuk (Wolf spider)

Seodku Wang (Rhino) 

Doksu Heo (Bull)

Jinyong Goh (Black heron) 

Jinrang (Timber wolf)

Baek Sang (Great white shark)

Do Jaegwang #5 (

Song Hashik #6 (

{ALLIED}

• ⁠Zack (peregrine falcon)

• ⁠Vasco (Kodiak bear)

• ⁠Jay (Cheetah)

• ⁠Vin Jin (Tiger centipede)

• ⁠Hudson (African Lion)

{BIG DEAL}

Jake Kim (Tibetan Wolf)

Jason Yoon (chestnut horses)

Jerry Kwon (Hippopotamus)

Brad Lee (Sheep)

Lua Im (Cliff Swallow)

Lineman (African honey badger)

{EX-MEMBERS}

Samuel Seo (Spectral bat)

Johan Seong (Kangal dog)

XiaoLung (Dragon fish)

Sinu Han (Secretarybird)

Changyong Ji (Muskoxen)

{HOSTEL}

Eli Jang (Golden jackal)

Warren Chae (Giant water bug)

Sally Park (elephant hawk-moths)

Max Kang (Coyote)

Derrick Jo (American badger)

{WORKERS}

Eugene/Yuseong (Least weasel)

Mandeok Bang (Gorilla)

Shigeaki Kojima (Shoebill stork)

Hiroaki Kojima (Shoebill stork)

[first affiliate]

Gyeol Baek(Indian Peafowl)

Taejin Cheon (Spotted hyena)

Isu Jo (Striped hyena)

Logan Lee (Wild boar)

Hangyeol Baek (leustistic Indian Peafowl). ~ [{THAT} (mutated and transfigured beyond repair, seems to have some sort of extinct DNA spliced in)]

[second affiliate]

Mitsuki Soma (House cat)

Ryuhei Kuroda (Dingo dog)

Kenta Magami (Tasmanian devil)

Sato Kazuma (Japanese rhinoceros beetle)

[third affiliate]

ViVi. (Albino bottlenose dolphin)

Taegon Wi (Chinese mantis)

Hwang Ho (Asiatic golden cat) 

Huseong Ha (Western lowland gorilla) 

Sowol Jin (Pekingese dog) 

[fourth affiliate] 

Alexander Hwang (Standard rat) 

Ms. Raccoon (Ringtail cat)

{WHITE TIGER JOB CENTRE} 

Tom Lee (African elephant) 

Manager Kim (Manogea porracea. Its a spider)

Sanghui Han (Bald-headed bulbul)

Beolgu Lee (Spider tailed horned-viper)

Robert Choi (American black bear)

Sera Shin (Emerald jewel wasp)

{J-HIGH}

Zoe Park (Black footed cat) 

Mira Kim (Turtledove)

Mary Kim (Golden orbweaver)

Leonn Lee (Spotted hyena)

Crystal Choi (Beom) 

Yui Kim (Bowerbird) 

Duke Pyeon (Donkey) 

Joy Hong (Cheetah)

Kouji (Black-billed magpie) 

Jace Park (Dumbo rat)

Cho Ma (Shortfin mako)

{OTHER NOTABLE PTJ-VERSE CHARACTERS}

Taehoon Seong (Red kangaroo) 

Hansu Seong (Red kangaroo)

Samdak (Emu)

Jincheol Park (Giant river otter)

Seongjun Baek (Oceanic white tip reef shark) 

Jinho Lee (Palm cockatoo)

Yunseong Lee (Red-bellied piranha)

Haru Seong (Eastern cottontail)

Suhyeon Kim (Japanese weasel)

Ancheol Jang (Grizzly bear)

Jinwoo Jang “Ancheol” (Honey badger)

Valentina Alexander (Orchid mantis) 

Manager Nam (Fisher cat)

{Dead characters}

Gapyrong Kim

Charles Choi? 

Jiho Park (German cockroach)

Olly wang (Sea wasp)

Au!Goo Kim?

[omagpies]

We know that after agonist's transformation he'd eventually study sword play. Is this from a lingering need to be capable in duels? An enjoyment of physical activity? Or does he have a goal that requires violence to attain?

agonist's overall quest is to Fix The Bane situation (permanently detangle them? put bane to eternal rest? bring him properly back to life somehow? the details are fuzzy), which along the way semi-morphs into Fix The Scourge Situation.

for that reason, he needs to be mobile and able to defend himself, as a walking talking deer attracts unnecessary (and sometimes violent) attention.

something i haven't talked about yet but you guys may have noticed -- when someone is performing in an official capacity (the emperor, the cradle workers), they wear masks that reflect their affiliation with a profession/guild/etc. of course, this is largely relevant only for bigger cities and their outskirts -- if someone in the wolf mask of the guard appears in a backwater village, they will be regarded with suspicion and ridicule, but in the cities this is very customary.

luckily, rangers wear deer masks -- so, to a degree, agonist can get away with pretending to be one, so that at a glance he doesn't raise much suspicion. but at a second glance something is definitely off (both because, i mean, look at him, and also if he travels through a city, seeing a ranger in the urban setting is odd enough to pose questions), which is where self defense with a sword can come in handy

you definitely got it right with the duel thing -- when agonist can't use his antlers anymore, learning some form of fencing is his best bet (a 1v1 weapon that can be wielded with one hand).

and when he meets snapthaw, the choice of weapon is kind of decided for him as she is a swordsman by (ex-)trade.

(...and then, of course, the three main factions eventually open their manhunt on him, and wielding a weapon becomes of paramount importance)

drawings time :) the boys in their incredible disguise vs what a ranger is supposed to look like. plus bonus emperor because I love them, non-negotiable

[accidentally-in-fictional-love]

If it weren’t a bother, i request 📖🥰🔞💻 :)

Thank you, you do not need to hurry!

Business Merger - Kurt Goreshter/Reader

Warnings: If you aren't in love with Kurt yet this might make you be cause oh my god I love him so much, gender-neutral reader, no use of Y/N, light grinding, oral, slight handjobs and fingering as prep, smut, pillowtalk /)w(\

Wordcount: 5337

Summary: You hated blind dates. Everyone knew this about you. So when your longtime friend claims to have gotten you a date with the hot guy on TV you don't know whether to hit her or kiss her, maybe by Friday you'll be able to tell.

Notes: My first fic with Kurt 💗🥰💗 I love him so much, I was giggling and kicking my feet as I tried to write as much of this at work as I could /)w(\ I also took so long you had a birthday, so ayyy happy birthday! I almost didn't write this one since I felt uncomfortable filling a smut request for a minor, but it all evened out naturally, and I see you in my notes all the time, so thank you so much for the request and I hope you like it 💗💗💗

You'd never been one for blind dates, for starters. Everyone knew this about you, how you preferred to get to know someone first before doing anything like meeting them, but when your longtime friend and co-worker briskly walked up to you that morning you knew you were in for trouble without even needing to know the reason.

‘How'd the merger go?’ you asked the moment she opened her mouth, but your attempts at saving yourself from whatever she had to say would not dissuade her today.

‘Potential merger, and that's precisely what I wanted to talk to you about,’ she told you excitedly; great, you'd walked right into it. ‘Y'know how we all thought they were small-time and this would be an easy buy?’ You did very much so, it was the talk of the office all week, one more small startup swallowed up by the big boys upstairs. ‘Well it turns out that they're the ones who stopped those guys last weekend! Y'know, the ones on TV who got interviewed when Ant-Man was splashing around the bay!’

‘Oh shit, that's who they were?’ You'd watched that report live, fascinated by the explosion on your feed about how one of the rogue heroes who fought alongside Captain America himself was now making an appearance after two years.

‘Yes! They still showed up for the merger, even after all that, and, get this, Harland doesn't even want to take them over anymore, he wants to make them affiliates! They're gunna have a floor here come August!’ She was clearly excited, with how hyperactive she got over normal things it must've been difficult for her to keep her composure while it was all going on, and you felt the need to commend her when she continued and stunned you silent. ‘But that's not the best part; a few of us got to talk with the guys afterwards over dinner, and guess who's got a date for Friday Night.’

‘Hmmm… is it you?’ You raised an eyebrow at her, she was always the one to get the dates growing up since she tended to outshine everyone in the group no matter who you were with, but she just shook her head and bit her lip with a wide grin.

‘Nope,’ she practically vibrated, that feeling that you were in trouble arising again seconds before: ‘It's you! We started talking about some other people from around the office and I brought you up and one of them thought you sounded nice, so you're meeting him in four days!’

You were stunned. You were genuinely, honest to God stunned. She'd known you practically all your life. She was basically an honourary sister to your family at this point. And she still went against your one rule against blind dates and with a local celebrity no less.

‘You're too happy to speak, I knew you would be, it's been a while since the last one, yeah? Don't worry, he might be a little eccentric but he was very nice, I almost asked him out myself, but I figured you might be a better match for him.’

You didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted, at least this date would be with a superhero, that would make for an interesting conversation starter at least. ‘Okay, well, I think I can handle a date with Ant-Man, yeah, that might be doable-’

‘What? Oh, no, your date is with his friend, the hot one with the hand tats.’ Again you were stunned silent, a deep blush spreading over your cheeks in not only remembrance of the man in question and how he was indeed hot, but also because you had no idea how you were going to pull off this not-so-blind-date with someone you knew nothing about other than that your boss almost bought him out. ‘I knew you'd be excited, you're so red- okay okay, so here's the address, it's that nice place over by that coffee shop we like, you know the one, he said he'll be waiting outside so you can go in together so do not be late, do you need me to write all this down, actually? Lemme grab a pen-’

Oh yeah, you were definitely in trouble.

The rest of the week went by in a blur, your thoughts on what the hell you were going to wear to this fancy as hell restaurant he'd picked out and what the hell you'd even say to him. You knew nothing about him other than the basics, that he was Russian thanks to the interview, that he was good with computers and worked with security thanks to your job wanting to buyout his, and apparently that he'd been in jail for five years thanks to the whispered word around the office. All four of them had, including Ant-Man himself which was incredibly interesting, but you'd never even stolen candy from the shop down the street when you were a kid, what were you going to have in common with this guy?

You were decent with computers, but that was only because you liked video games, and you were pretty sure this hardened criminal turned security expert (which now made sense to you) wasn't going to talk to you about the latest mobile games that were advertised to you no matter where you looked. This was why you hated blind dates, all of this was too stressful, everything you planned beforehand was just bouncing back to you as a negative, he wouldn't care, this was going to end in disaster. Hell, maybe the date would go so bad he'd convince the others to not accept the affiliation and they'd find someone else to partner with; you'd definitely be fired for that one, your entire job and livelihood were now on the line thanks to this date, if you didn't impress this guy you could lose it all-

You felt sick to your stomach as you called a cab to the restaurant, your outfit pristine and overly expensive as to impress him, your hair neatly styled and making you look sophisticated, and your stomach so upset that every bump in the road was about to make you ruin the upholstery.

There were already cars lined up outside, the valet taking their keys and switching out with the woman behind him, and you realized that a cab was not the right move to impress as the rich people outside looked down their noses at you. You resisted the urge to look down back at them if only to save the little you had for lunch as you stepped out, your hands clasping together as you nervously scanned the crowd for his somewhat familiar face.

You turned when you heard your name, your cab driving off and revealing the man jogging across the street to stand with you, and your face lit up at the sight of him; his hair was impeccably styled just as it was in the interview, which you definitely hadn’t watched about 50 times for any hint of what to say, and while he did wear a suit he also wore a leather jacket overtop, the collar upturned and making him still look a bit different than the people around you. You couldn't help but stare as he approached, his smile nervous but very excited as he gently grabbed you by the shoulders and kissed both of your cheeks. 

‘I’m Kurt, from the meeting; is nice to meet you, your friend, the loud one with expressive eyes, she show me photo on the phone,’ he explained as his right hand remained on you, and it took you a moment to realize how tall he actually was when he stepped up onto the curb with you. ‘Reservation is for hour from now, I wish to know you better before we settle on whether to proceed with dinner or no, your friend said you would like that more than the “blind date,” as she called it.’

You made a mental note to buy her lunch as you nodded, the people around you staring at him as they tried to figure out if he was dangerous or not between the jacket and the heavy accent and the tattoos, and you felt protective as you took his hand and started off down the street.

‘Did you have anything in mind?’ you asked as you walked, and he looked around before pointing to the café you liked, your steps hurrying in excitement even though you were going to have dinner later.

‘Coffee?’ he just asked, and you nodded as you walked inside, dressed to the nines, and grabbed a table by the window. He pulled out your chair for you before sitting down across from you, the baristas who were already very familiar with you but not your date whispering behind the counter, you saw out of the corner of your eye. ‘Is nice place, I see as I head to work but never been inside,’ he thought as he looked around, his jacket now on the back of his chair and only making him look all the more dressed up without it.

‘Yeah, I come here almost every day, it's my favourite place,’ you said as you gazed upon the familiar decor, the smell of coffee and the sandwiches they made mixing perfectly with the donuts and other treats, your stomach growling as it eagerly waited for you to get your usual. ‘So, uh… what do… I mean I already know what you do for work, and I guess you know what I do? So um, what else do-?’ You were floundering, you were going to going to blow it, you were going to lose your apartment-

‘Forgiving me if I might be making you nervous? Your friend did saying you were preferring to talk beforehand, but when I heard about you…’ You instantly calmed as your expression softened, he was looking at you so genuinely as he rested his arms on the table, was… was he nervous? ‘You're looking so stunning tonight, your picture, it did not do you justice.’

You didn't realize your mouth was a little agape until you snapped it shut again, and when he smiled at you it was almost apologetic.

‘Sorry, is been a while for me, have I offended you?’ he then asked in response to your silence, and you were quick to sit forward and reach for his hand to make sure he stayed where he was.

‘No, no it's not that, it's just… it's been a while for me, too,’ you admitted to him, and he just smiled again before looking a bit more relaxed.

‘Good evening, may I take your order?’ The barista, Moina, someone who definitely did not have Waitress as part of her job, had approached while you were distracted, and you hid your face from her as he looked impressed with the service.

‘No, we're just talking before dinner,’ you tried to say, but your stomach growled again as Moina tapped her pen against her notepad with a smirk.

‘I'll bring you your usual, is there anything you would like, Mr….?’

‘Goreshter,’ he answered, the name sounding so good when said by him that it made you want to hear more. ‘Do you have the menu for to look over?’

‘She's not a waitress, she's just nosy,’ you revealed, and he nodded in understanding. ‘I guess one donut can't hurt our appetites too much.’ You stood together, Moina hurrying back to prepare your coffee while her co-worker eagerly awaited the gossip before the two of you walked over and instantly made her stop. He admired everything in the display cases, the large array of coffee ignored as he eyed up the pastries instead. You had been kidding, there was no way you'd fill up on sweets before what was going to be a painfully expensive dinner, but he didn't hold back as he motioned for someone to come over.

‘I'll be taking two of these,’ he told Moina as he pointed to the red-filled danishes on display, and she nodded as she got out two and placed them on some small plates on the counter. ‘Black coffee, also.’ His order was ready the same time yours was thanks to its simplicity, and you got out your wallet to pay for your own coffee when he held out his hand. ‘No paying, not when we're still on date,’ he just said, and you could only nod as he paid for yours as well and escorted you back to your table. You sat down and went to take a sip when he pushed the second danish towards you, it was a gift, and you were in the middle of trying to refuse when he shook his head and lifted his own. ‘You wish to know me, know I enjoy such desserts.’

‘But dessert before dinner?’ you asked conspiratorially, but he was already taking a bite, so you had no choice but to accept his kind offer. It turned out that the red was raspberry, and you hummed in enjoyment of it as you quickly took a second bite; that was what you loved about the place, no matter what you tried they always nailed it. He nodded in agreement to your enjoyment, and when your mouth was empty you took that sip of coffee, Moina making it exactly the way you loved yet again.

You talked casually as you ate, and you noted how the girls lowered the lights for atmosphere in your corner of the café as you listened intently to him speak. Never once did you bring up what happened at the bay, and only after you'd been talking for almost an hour did you learn that the Scott he was talking about was actually Ant-Man. You didn't realize you were late for your reservation by five minutes until you got a text from your friend, the question of if you'd had a fun time alerting you to the time, and you quickly got up and gathered your things; you'd taken off your own jacket ages ago, his suit coat joining the back of his chair, and he watched you disappointedly before you motioned to the door.

‘It's 8, we're gunna miss our reservation,’ you told him as you went to run your dishes back to the counter, Moina calling for you to leave them from her spot by the espresso machine.

‘You wish to continue?’ he asked hopefully, and you smiled just as hopefully as you nodded at him. He stood and grabbed his coats, his arm outstretched for you to take as you headed back out into the night, thumbs up from your friends the last thing you saw before the door closed behind you. Thankfully the restaurant was basically right next door, the walk over fast as you approached, but the new people heading in took one look at the both of you, linking arms, giddy from the pleasant conversation, with your coats hanging off of your free arms, and decided that you weren't good enough for this place. He straightened himself up, ready to walk in, but you held him back, your cheeks flushing again as you looked up at him.

‘Hey, why don't we do dinner at my place instead?’ you suggested carefully, your heart racing as he looked to the doors and then back at you.

‘I would prefer that, this place too trashy for my date,’ he agreed, the people around you offended as you then flagged down a cab, only for him to lead you to a parked van nearby. It was decaled professionally for his business, and the front seat was high and roomy as he helped you up to it, and when he joined you in the driver's seat he lifted your hand to press a kiss to your knuckles. ‘Where to?’

You fumbled your address twice before giving him the correct one, and something in the air changed as he pulled into the parking lot dedicated to your building. He followed you all the way up to your apartment, your nervous chuckle of, ‘Well, this is me,’ making him move a little closer to you as you unlocked the door and pushed it open. You were glad you'd cleaned in your panicked nervousness as he took in your place, your hands shaking a little as you took both his coats and laid them over the back of your couch after hanging up your own. ‘Uh, let's see what I've got in my kitchen, or we could order out? I can make a mean chicken parmesan though, or a burger? Whatever you're up for.’

You were nervously talking again, the change of location had completely reset you but for a different reason as he turned to face you, and behind that serious expression was something else; he was also nervous still, but there was excitement in there as well as the hope from before, and you swallowed when you realized you were backed against your table. 

‘I can also order a pizza, if you'd like,’ you tried to continue, but all thoughts of eating went out the window as he lifted your hand to his mouth again. He took his time, kissing each of your knuckles all the way to your fingertips before placing your hand against his cheek, and the warmth of his skin was electric as he stepped so close to you but didn't make contact, he was waiting to see what you wanted.

‘ты мне очень нравишься,’ he whispered into your palm, and you felt your breath catch at it all, your mind not even processing that it wasn't even English at first. ‘I really like you,’ he clarified when you tried to ask what he said, and your eyes widened in excitement as he moved even closer, ‘I was very much happy you accepted the date.’

‘I am too, I mean, I like- I like you too,’ you whispered, your voice just barely escaping as he brushed his thumb over your jaw, and when he suddenly leaned down to kiss you you felt the sparks run down all the way to your toes. It was chaste, and he pulled away just as fast like he was surprised with himself, his body moving away from yours as he instantly apologized.

‘Forgiving me, I did not mean-’ he started to say, now he was the one panicking about messing everything up, and you just smiled before pulling him back down to continue the kiss.

He relaxed the moment he knew it was okay, your body leaning further and further until you were bent over the table, your back hitting the cold wood and your legs wrapping around his waist to keep him close. He groaned into your mouth, were you really about to do this? But one shift of his hips against you made you realize yes, yes you really were as you tangled your hand into his hair and made him do it again. He obliged, your body shifting up the table with each short thrust, your mouths only leaving the other to moan or pant, and when you could take it no longer you pushed him back enough to work on the buttons on his shirt.

‘Where is bedroom?’ he asked as he helped you, your heart pounding hard as he took off his shirt and stared down at you, and you only pointed down the hall before he was picking you up and carrying you. You kissed his neck the whole way there, and he found the correct door and placed you on your bed before helping you reach a similar state of undress. One by one your fancy clothes were tossed to the floor without a care, your perfectly styled hair a mess the more he kissed you and ran his hands through it. More tattoos revealed themselves to you as you became more acquainted with his bare skin, and they decorated him by staining his arm and chest black, souvenirs from his time in prison along with the ones on his hands. He was fit, with the tiniest amount of tummy, his skin plush under a dusting of hair that trailed down into his boxers, and you bit your lip at the sight of what eagerly awaited you underneath.

He didn't remove them though, just cupped the back of your neck and leaned you back until he was on his hands and knees above you; he spoke in Russian again, catching himself faster this time before telling you that you were stunning, the thrill calming a bit as he just looked down at you. ‘So lovely, from moment I saw I wanted to be meeting you,’ he said softly, a sudden thickness in your throat as you felt more adored than you ever had been before.

‘I was excited when she told me I would be seeing you tonight,’ you admitted, and he smiled gently before leaning down to press kisses from your lips down to your collarbone. You watched him as he worshiped you, his hands trailing over your sides as he moved further down, your chest heaving as he hooked his fingers under the band of your underwear. He spoke in Russian again but he didn't have to translate as you just nodded, your last article of clothing joining the others as he lifted your legs over his shoulders and kissed you again.

Your hands found his head as he moaned against you, not wanting to force him down but also really wanting to do nothing more than that as he gripped your hips, and when he silently encouraged you to move as you pleased you didn't dare offend him by keeping still. He knew what he was doing, his tongue just as talented as his hands must’ve been as your pleasure built, the thought of him slipping a digit or three inside of you making you jolt as a particularly good burst made you gasp. He didn't stop until you warned him, the hand in his hair tugging a little too hard and making him groan again, he wanted to finish but you needed him, you couldn't let him go home without him coming too, and you were not going to let it be via your hand after that.

He licked his lips as he caught his breath, the sight of him between your trembling thighs so enticing that you couldn't hold back, and you sat up just enough to grab his hands and guide him back up to you. You could taste yourself on his tongue as he kissed you, your head swimming as he laid himself flat over you, his weight feeling so comfortable and addicting that just the realization of waking up without him tomorrow morning was suddenly a painful thought even though it'd never occurred to you before. You clung to him then, scared that he might disappear, but he wasn’t afraid of your sudden desperation as he kissed you so softly it nearly made you cry.

‘I wish to have you,’ he asked against your lips, and you kissed him again before nodding, his forehead resting against your own.

‘I wish to have you too,’ you told him back, and when he sat back to slip his boxers over his hips and down his legs you thought that he might be the most beautiful thing on earth. Usually you weren't so sentimental, not for sudden hookups at least, but with him it felt right as he laid beside you and got you to straddle him. You'd seen it but he felt so large pressing against you, your throat thick again as you gave yourself a quick reprieve to grab the lube and condoms you kept in your nightstand, both rather neglected since your last relationship had ended. You felt nervously giddy as you tore open the condom, unsure if you should put it on him or if you should hand it over while you prepared yourself, your mind going blank as he whispered something you didn't understand and guided your hands down.

Wordlessly he helped you roll it onto him, his movements slow and patient as you felt his pulse under your fingertips; he was so hard you didn't know how he could be this calm when it was killing you, your body already aching to have him inside of you. He could sense your readiness but he just chuckled lightly to himself, his large hand wrapping around yours and trapping your palm and fingers around his dick as he led you to give him a slow stroke, then another, and another, his eyes glazing over as you got the picture and continued as he let you go and picked up the lube from where you’d placed it. 

You felt your breath still as he poured some onto his palm, a blush spreading down to your shoulders as he then coated his own fingers in it instead of letting you, and when he sat up and got comfortable against your headboard you crawled on your knees until you were on his lap, your hand still moving over him as he reached between your legs. ‘Tell me if it’s becoming too much,’ he told you, your lips parting before you felt him press against your entrance; instantly your back arched as he held you in place, a hiss escaping through his teeth as you squeezed him a little too hard, and you apologized as you quickly kissed him, each sorry eaten up as he started to finger you in earnest. 

You resisted the urge to ride him as he worked, your hand keeping a steady pace in return as you were stretched open for him, his hands truly just as talented as his tongue as he found that sweet spot inside of you that made your eyes roll back. He spoke to you again as he held you to his chest, but you weren’t sure what language it was this time as your waning orgasm was teasingly built up again. ‘D-don’t,’ you managed to say, needing to warn him not to do it too much, and he kissed your neck as he went back to stretching you instead, a second finger added and scissoring you open. You bit your lip and sped up your hand on him, now you the one to tease as he had to stop, the desperate groan in your ear telling you that he couldn’t wait any longer.

‘ты мне нужен,’ you heard him say before you were toppling to the side and onto your back, your body bouncing just a little before he was pushing your legs to your chest. ‘ты такой замечательный…’

You thought for just a moment that maybe he couldn’t concentrate long enough to translate anymore, English completely forgotten to him now that you were in his arms, and you wanted to hear more as he lined himself up and pushed inside as far as he could go. You share a breath as you both stilled, your arms around him as he clung to you and the sheets, time stopping as you looked up into his eyes. It’d never been like this before, usually if you were lonely enough for a hookup you’d quickly fuck and that would be it, but this was different, he was different as he let you adjust around him, his hand finding yours again as he kissed it before breathing shakily against your palm.

‘я хочу, чтобы это длилось вечно…’ His voice was so soft, his hips jutting slightly with every shift of your bodies, and you brought him back down to you as you wrapped your legs around him again.

‘Please,’ was all you could say back, and he kissed you as he started to move. His hand stayed grasped in yours as he thrust into you, a slow but still deliciously hard pace that had you rocked up towards the headboard with each one. Your nails dragged and dug into his skin as you clung to his back, presumably a curse falling from his lips as his free hand slid from your lower back to your hip. You couldn’t get enough of him, how each kiss still tasted like black coffee and danishes, how he was so big but he still held you soft enough that you wouldn’t even bruise, how even when his pace sped up a little he never stopped holding your hand.

You linked your fingers together and urged him for more, you weren’t even sure if he could understand you anymore as he just opened his eyes to look into yours, but one quick kiss was enough to break the barrier when you nipped at his lower lip. He smirked at you before flipping you back over, a laugh leaving you as you were effortlessly pulled back into straddling him; the top of his head hit the headboard in his excitement and you laughed again as he swore, but still your hands didn’t separate as he kept fucking up into you, his own big smile on his face when he saw yours. You braced yourself on his chest, right over another tattoo as you rode him, the angle allowing him to go even deeper as you arched back, his hand gliding over the expanse of your thigh, your hip, your stomach, your chest, all so he could commit you to memory.

‘ты красивый,’ he breathed, something in his tone making you stop and stare, and something in those words made the lump in your throat return until you were sniffling; you didn’t realize you were crying until he was sitting up, pulling you towards him, your movements stilling as he kissed away your tears and held you to him. He helped you move as you continued to ride him, your chests pressed together while he kissed your neck and held your face to his shoulder, more praise falling from his lips as it all became too much.

You clenched down around him as you came, and he grabbed your hip and guided you so you’d keep moving, your knees aching but you never stopped until he was laying back down again. You let him use you as he chased his own release, your hands now clasped between your chests as you caught your breath, and when he finally came you felt almost disappointed at the fact that you couldn’t feel him come inside you, a thought that had never occurred before now seeming so warranted as he collapsed onto the mattress. You didn’t let him pull out as you remained on his chest, your head in the crook of his neck as you watched his Adam’s apple bob with each swallow, and finally his hand left yours if only to cup your cheek.

‘милая моя… you… you are wonderful,’ he panted, his senses coming back to him as he kissed the side of your head, and you practically melted into him as you held him a little tighter.

‘It’s Saturday tomorrow, I hope you’re not planning on leaving,’ you tried to tease, but you couldn’t help the slight hopefulness that crept into your voice.

‘нет, I took weekend off for date,’ he said, his hand now brushing through your hair. ‘I did not want to hope, but…’ Your face flushed again, the thought of someone like him being so nervous about what you’d think of him making you feel more important than any date or partner had ever before. ‘Monday, we will becoming neighbours together, we start moving our stuffs into floor below yours, I’ll be seeing you more?’

‘Oh you’ll be seeing me a lot more, if you’d like?’ Your finger traced shapes over his chest, that hope arising again as you looked up at him, and when he smiled you had to stop yourself from confessing your love after the first date.

‘I would be liking that, very much.’

Maybe blind dates weren’t so bad, after all.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Ed Pilkington at The Guardian:

The American Civil Liberties Union, a leading defender of rights and freedoms enshrined in the US constitution, has drafted several major lawsuits it is prepared to file should Donald Trump try to wield excessive or unlawful power at the start of his second presidency, which starts on Monday.

Cecillia Wang, the ACLU’s recently appointed national legal director, said the organisation was fully set, with plaintiffs lined up and legal complaints already written. The incoming president’s plans to mass-deport millions of undocumented immigrants, his threats to pursue vendettas against his political enemies and his talk of mobilising the military for domestic purposes, are all squarely in the ACLU’s sights. In an interview with the Guardian, Wang declined to put a number to the lawsuits that are ready to roll, saying: “I’m not keeping count.” But she added: “We’ve been fleshing out the legal theories, drafting briefs, working with prospective plaintiffs. We’re preparing for litigation in earnest.” The organization is already primed to file suit under the 14th amendment, Wang said, against any move by Trump to end birthright citizenship. The president-elect has made eradicating the right bestowed by the constitution on any child born within the US a pillar of his second-term objectives. “We are ready to file a lawsuit to challenge any attack Trump launches on birthright citizenship – the complaint is essentially drafted, we’re lining up plaintiffs in the case,” she said.

On Sunday, the ACLU marks its 105th anniversary. It was founded in 1920 with the mission of protecting conscientious objectors in the wake of the first world war and so-called radicals amid the anti-communist frenzy that followed the Russian revolution. On Monday, the organisation faces arguably its biggest test when Trump returns to the Oval Office threatening to blow up many of the core rights and liberties that form the ACLU’s bedrock. Wang views Trump’s plans as an existential threat to a range of individual rights and freedoms protected by the constitution. She points to free speech and association safeguarded by the first amendment, the fourth amendment firewall against unlawful arrest and excessive force and the equal protection clause the ACLU is using to defend the rights of transgender people against sex discrimination. “From his efforts going after immigrants, attacking the very idea of protest, his threats to call out the military and threats to go after transgender and LGBTQ Americans – all these things tear at the heart of US democracy and society,” she said.

[...] The organization helped put a stop to family separation at the Mexican border, prevented a citizenship question from being inserted into the 2020 census and forced the contentious Muslim travel ban to be rewritten twice before the supreme court finally approved it. The ACLU also pushed back relentlessly on Trump’s other policies, winning a major victory in 2020 prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and transgender workers. After the supreme court abolished the constitutional right to abortion – a decision that came during Joe Biden’s term but fulfilled a core Trump promise – the ACLU and its affiliates immediately filed lawsuits to protect reproductive rights in almost a dozen states.

With the return of Donald Trump to the White House tomorrow, the ACLU is prepping up to fight Trump’s attacks on civil liberties.

[mariacallous]

Top career officials at the Department of the Interior (DOI) were placed on administrative leave late last week after declining to immediately give affiliates of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) levels of access to a payroll system that would in theory allow them to, among other things, stop individual Supreme Court justices’ paychecks.

The New York Times has reported that these officials include the DOI’s chief information and information security officers; sources tell WIRED they also include a top lawyer.

For several weeks, say sources with direct knowledge of the situation, DOGE operatives have been seeking what they termed “full” or “system” access to the DOI’s payroll, human resources, and credentialing systems. Among the systems to which it demanded full access is the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS), which is housed in the DOI’s Interior Business Center and is used by dozens of federal agencies ranging from the Department of Justice to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to handle payroll and records associated with more than 275,000 federal workers, including at agencies outside the executive branch.

The DOGE associates in question are Tyler Hassen, an energy executive and acting assistant secretary of policy, management, and budget at DOI; Stephanie Holmes, who runs HR for DOGE and is the acting chief human capital officer at DOI; and Katrine Trampe, an adviser to Doug Burgum, the secretary of the interior.

According to sources with direct knowledge, when asked why they sought full access to these systems, the DOGE operatives said they specifically sought levels of permissions that would give them the ability to create, pause, and delete email accounts. This functionality doesn’t, strictly speaking, exist for any one user within the systems they were seeking to access, because such actions are, as a security measure, designed to be initiated by one person and approved by another. Granting their request would thus require them each to be given an essentially God-mode level of access to the entire system architecture.

According to sources and a risk assessment memorandum reviewed by WIRED and first reported on by the Times, top career officials saw several issues with granting these unprecedented levels of access.

First, it raised an inherent security issue. No single person at DOI has root-level permissions to all the systems the DOGE operatives sought to access, which could allow them—or an outside actor who had compromised their credentials—to do anything from overwrite the code base to look at the W2s and other personal information of, or even stop payments to, individual federal workers. (According to one source, who cited The Atlantic’s recent reporting on top national security officials sharing sensitive military information in a Signal chat, a specific concern raised within the Department of the Interior was that DOGE affiliates might share the credentials in an insecure way, leading to a breach on par with the hack of the Office of Personnel Management a decade ago, in which tens of millions of federal personnel records were accessed by hackers linked to the Chinese government.)

Second, it wasn’t clear that the DOGE affiliates had the authority to either access these systems or do what they purportedly wanted to. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump gives the US DOGE Service broad authority to access unclassified systems. But while Holmes is detailed to DOI from the US Digital Service, Hassen and Trampe are DOI employees and are not, according to one source with knowledge, even part of a formal DOGE team. That means they have no authority or privileges past those of a normal DOI employee. Even Holmes, the acting chief HR officer, does not obviously have the authority to cut off the email accounts of DOI employees outside her own office, let alone workers situated at other agencies or even outside the executive branch.

To determine whether it was possible to grant the requested access, the officials concluded, it would be necessary to review federal privacy and information security law as well as lines of authority within DOI.

According to sources with knowledge, these issues were raised at a Thursday morning meeting between top technical and legal staff from the DOI and DOGE, where the career officials asked what specifically the DOGE affiliates were trying to do so as to evaluate whether there were legal means of granting them the necessary access. When pressed for information that would allow officials to evaluate DOGE’s request and the risks it would raise, Trampe, the sources say, simply reiterated that they sought system-level access that would allow them to create, pause, or delete email accounts, citing the authority of the executive order and saying the matter was not up for debate. It was made clear during the meeting, the sources say, that the deadline for granting the access was Friday.

Following the meeting, top technical and legal officials drafted a risk assessment. (“Full administrative/root access enables individuals to initiate and modify personnel and payroll actions, potentially locking out other authorized users. Additionally, personnel with elevated privileges across multiple systems become prime targets for credential compromise by nation-state adversaries or other malicious actors,” they wrote.) Ultimately, they concluded that because of the inherent risks, only Burgum had the authority to grant the access DOGE requested.

Late Friday afternoon, the chief information and information security officers and the associate solicitor at the Department of the Interior were, according to sources with knowledge, placed on leave and told they were being investigated for workplace behavior. It is believed within the department that on Saturday, DOGE was granted access to the FPPS, though sources were unclear on the level of the privileges they’d been given.

“We are working to execute the president’s directive to cut costs and make the government more efficient for the American people and have taken actions to implement President Trump’s executive orders,” says a DOI spokesperson who did not give their name.

“These people,” says one source at DOI who worries that DOGE affiliates could inadvertently destroy parts of the nearly 30-year-old FPPS, stop paychecks, or allow for a breach of the entire system, “have no idea what they’re doing.”

[bigdealsgoddog]

Yandere Eugene x reader

Find the original post here

Turns out Eugene had lied. Well, you still weren’t sure of it but when he had told you his brother awaited for you downstairs if you did decide to run but he had you handcuffed to the couch for a few hours now so it didn’t make sense for him to still be waiting. However, considering your binds it was unlikely you could do anything about it anyway.

Eugene was sat next to you, flipping through one of the Manila folders from his cabinet. He seemed to be in a good mood. He had a small smile on his face as he hummed a tune to himself. He snapped the folder shut, making you jump slightly but harden your glare as your eyes dart across the room.

“Oh don’t look like that, you still haven’t even answered my question.”

“I don’t see the need to” You snapped at him, shifting your glare back at him. Eugene chuckled, shaking his head “(y/n) it’s simple. How long have you been in contact with Jake Kim?”

“I’m sure you already know the answer to that” you spat at him, scrunching up your nose “how about we just cut to the chase-just send me off like all your traitorous enemies. Because I’m sure as hell not working for you.”

Eugene leaned forward, resting the Manila folder on the table before turning to you and resting his hand on your thigh. You tensed up from the touch, trying to shift a little further from him but he took this chance to move closer to you, his free hand reaching out for yours. “You’re not going anywhere all those fools were sent to. You’re a bit more…special to me.” His smile sent a shiver down your spine, realizing between the handcuff and Eugene’s slowly tightening grip on your other hand, you weren’t going to escape anytime soon.

“I’m certain you’d think I’m crazy, which I understand. I’m sure you’re so scared” what concerned you more was that big grin staying on his face as he narrowed his eyes at you “which is fine. You will be scared for a while I’m sure” he lifted you up with surprise ease as he shifted under you to pull you into his lap. His arms wrapped around your waist as he rested his chin on your shoulder, your body entirely tense. You had no idea how you were supposed to react to this behavior, Eugene never showed himself to be even a little bit of an affectionate person yet here he is. You’d assumed he’d have killed you by now for what you knew and did. “You still haven’t answered my question” He suddenly tightened his arms around you, making you wince and tense up more

“What-uh-what question?” You panicked a little as Eugene snorted “how long have you been in contact with Jake Kim. It’s a simple question. I just want to know how long you’ve betrayed me.”

He hummed seeming to think of an idea “how about you tell me your answer and I’ll tell you exactly what’s happening to Big Deal at this moment” you can practically feel the grin on his face as he said that, making your blood run cold. “What did you do?!” You tried to turn to look at him but he only held you tighter “Nuh uh. I want you to tell me how long you’ve been in contact with them. And then I’ll tell you.” You gritted your teeth at his words, you didn’t want to give in but you needed to know that Big Deal would be ok.

Part of you didn’t want to know his forbid they weren’t.

What did it matter you’re pretty sure he knew the answer anyway “since the second affiliate.” You said quietly and Eugene nodded “I see, so around the same time he reacquainted with Sinu as well.” He clicked his tongue and you frowned, glaring at the ground.

“Tell me what you did to them.”

“Oh I didn’t do anything” he said matter of factor and you let out a sigh of relief, relaxing a little until he opened his mouth again “I’ve sent Eli hang and the rest of the workers to take care of them. They will all be arrested by the time the fight is over. I knew Jake Kim planned to jump me before that happened however I left a decoy. And when he still tried sending backup to collect me at my safe house, I had a little mouse to deal with first” his smile began to grow again and tears welled up in your eyes. If Jake could’ve stopped him knowing he would head to his home first…

You shouldn’t have tried to stick around for more information.

Eugene chuckled and kissed at your cheek, turning your anger into disgust as your fear began to rise. He still hadn’t said how he was going to deal with you.

“You still seem oh so scared. What’s wrong?” He cooed, rubbing circles into your thigh. You hate the fact he seemed to be enjoying your fear “what do you plan to do with me then.” You snapped, trying to sound more confident than you actually did

“Hmm. Probably keep you here.” He leaned up, kissing your temple “with me. I know you won’t love me back just yet but overtime you’ll learn to. For your own good” he reached up, brushing back a bit of your hair and completely stopping any thought you had.

Love him back?

“What the fuck are you talking about” you blurted, making Eugene chuckle again “I’m not sure exactly. There’s something about you that just…interests me so much. It’s almost become an obsession” he twirled a lock of your hair around his finger as he spoke “it pained me surprisingly a lot to find out you were working with Jake Kim.” He stopped his twirling, making you tense up. He reached to your sides and lifted you up again to let himself up. He grabbed the key and unlocked the cuff keeping you to the couch and grabbed your wrist giving you a grin “Cmon. Since I’m not sure if you showed yourself our bedroom yet let me show you that and exactly how I felt when I found out you betrayed me.”

[thefiery-phoenix]

yandere h.c for Sam, too <33

Sure

YANDERE SAMUEL SEO HEADCANONS

There are no words to express how much I simp for this man despite him being a walking red banner lol 

If you've managed to catch his attention, all I can say is RUN. Although that wouldn't really do you much good either since he's the President of the Worker's Affiliates and he does have a lot of influence, being Eugene's right hand man(before stabbing him in the back) does have it's own advantages. You could be a regular cafe worker or a member of the Worker's Affiliates, whatever it is, when he lands his eyes on you the only thought that will be running through his head will be 'They're MINE' 

He's one territorial, possessive, obsessive and manipulative MF to say the least. He has no qualms even going as far as literally THREATENING the people you're close to, friends and family included just so he can be with you. A literal walking red flag, his arrogant cocky smirk itself should be obvious. He wants possess you and make you his completely, he'll fall HARD for you and when he does, he won't be able to come back from that chasm of obsessive love for you. You remind him of a small little prey, so helpless and naive and he likes it that way. Don't get him wrong, he does love you, in his own twisted obsessive manner of course 

Man here has abandonment issues to the core, daddy issues, Gun issues(Lol who doesn't) and insecurities as well but when you comfort him, he's confused at first, he's genuinely taken aback. It's been so long since he's remembered someone taking the time and effort to comfort him and make sure he's doing all right. He'll reply in a calm and stoic manner that he's fine but deep down his heart is racing wildly, he's secretly really glad you're taking the time to comfort him. He'd rather die than admit this but he does appreciate your gesture. He likes how innocent and sweet you are, which makes him want to protect you and keep you safe. With him. Where you rightfully belong 

He's really not above bugging your entire apartment with hidden cameras so he can get a glimpse of your daily life, it's like a window into what you do everyday. He finds it so amusing and thinks it's adorable how you haven't figured out that he's secretly watching every move you do. He'll have his men find out more about you and the amount of information he has on you, he's ready to write a whole freaking research paper about you, that's how well he knows you now. Your social media accounts, your contacts list and yes, even all those fan fiction sites you like reading and visiting...he'll have them all. He'll immediately block all the people he doesn't like, he doesn't want some random pest stealing you away from him. He'll get information on those annoying pesky friends of yours and his mind will be racing of thoughts on how to dispose of them as soon as possible so you'll be his in every way possible 

No matter what, Samuel is ALWAYS around you one way or another. If some random person tries to hit on you or something, the very next day they'll immediately be reported missing. People will start disappearing from your life like flies and it's all HIS doing. He either pays them money to prevent them from seeing you again or he'll just straight up murder them. Though he does lean towards the second option quite frequently. If you try to accuse him of something, he'll just smirk at you and say something like "Sweetheart, you're mistaken. I wouldn't act as rash and unprofessional as this..." Yeah Right

You'll be kidnapped pretty soon because no WAY is he going to stand by and let someone try to steal you from him. You're HIS. You'll wake up on his bed while he'll have his usual standard smirk on his face as his arms are crossed over his muscular tattooed chest and he strides over to you. "Ah good, you're awake...there are going to be some changes to your lifestyle now'' he says in a calm manner as he lights a cigarette and smokes it calmly, like everything is all right after he literally just kidnapped you. Scream and throw as many number of tantrums as you want, he'll just find you amusing. If you want to cry, he might pretend to be slightly annoyed at first but he'll sigh softly as he wipes your tears with his thumb and then whisper in that husky voice of his in your ear to be good for him unless you want your loved ones to be safe. Sadistic MF 

You, of course won't know the reality of what he actually does and he prefers to keep it that way. What you don't know won't hurt you. Though he might be unhinged at times, he has his soft moments with you as well. He likes to hold you in his arms and press soft kisses to the nape of your neck and steal a few kisses on your lips every now and then. His kisses on your lips always leave you wanting for more and slightly gasping for air, he's that good lol. He just likes physical intimacy with you a lot. He might not be too expressive by words about his feelings of love for you but he believes that his actions are enough to make up for them. If anyone else touches his hair, he'd have broken their hand by now but if it's you, he'll have a soft smile on his face and pull you on his lap as he hums contentedly. It really HAS been a while since he's felt so happy and he couldn't have been more thankful since you came into his life 

He'll take you out for dates in fancy restaurants and spoil you with whatever your heart desires. Or if you want to have a quiet night in, that could be arranged too with you in his arms. I seriously pity the poor fool who tries to hurt you or steal you from him though. He will straight up TORTURE them with the way he fights. He loses complete self control when he fights, his mind is like a beast filled with pure unadulterated anger and rage as he breaks the bones of whatever schmuck dared to set their filthy eyes on you. Or he'll just kill them, not after banging their head to the wall over and over again and stomping on their face as he calmly smokes a cigarette (because MOOD) and he'll end up choking the person to death with one hand. After that's done, he'll grumble about how he's got blood on his suit but he's glad to go back home to be with you. Don't question the blood on his suit...just don't, for the sake of your sanity. He does get rather annoyed when they keep screaming for mercy though, he'll just smile at them in an unnerving manner and cut their tongue off to silence them 

Samuel adores you and loves you with all his twisted heart. Deep down he's still a bit insecure of himself. Don't even think of leaving him, it's a death wish. He'll just track your location in a few moments and he'll drag you back home. You'll end up being tied to his bed until you earn your freedom and his trust to move around again. Besides, you don't need to whine and complain so much, not when he's the one taking care of you. He's ready to do ANYTHING to ensure you stay by his side no matter what...

[thepeaklegendoffirstgen]

Sorry for the long text that I wrote theorizing i just thought you brought up an interesting topic. I understand if I wrote too much and bored you with my theorizing.

Considering his silence whenever Crystal is mentioned and his rage at Charles jump, there's definitely more to their relationship than meets the eye.

Take into consideration the fact that when he first offers to give Daniel information he does it at a loud party, it was almost as if he wanted no one to hear what he was offering Daniel.

Then there's also his rage at Charles jump, it seemed like rage at being bested. My guess is that James knows Charles had two bodies but he doesn't know where his other body is.

It's highly likely Charles has two bodies because 1 even with the 10 geniuses he has only 4 so far actually know of his criminal dealings. Crystal and Koji seem unaware about Charles shady dealings. I actually believe Charles was shaping Koji to enter into the criminal part to erase the evidence of his activity. While Koji is money hungry he isn't shown to be evil, but greed mixed with desperation could make Koji go bad.

Which is something Charles is fully capable of doing, taking a look at Gun he was pretty much headed to being like Shingen in his lethargic state. Charles is the manipulator of Gaps group. Even a majority of the population believed he was a good guy until the evidence came into light. Charles definitely had connections in Korea he would have easily got Guns backstory and known what would make him tick in the way he wanted.

Note that every single affiliate was lead by a teenager who could get what they wanted or needed as long as they worked with Charles. It can't be a coincidence that Kenta is given the job where he gets the least amount of Info on Gun there is no way Kenta would agree to be with the fight club knowing he's lining Guns wallet.

I think that Charles was probably holding something important to James. James probably had the ability to remove Charles power from his life. I think Charles jump striped James of the ability to be free of him. I think there's way more to Gaps incident than just Charles wanting to remove him as a stumbling block.

Especially looking at how the brothers from Ollies hostel got framed out of nowhere. It seems like that was James back up plan. Considering the amusement that Charles right hand man showed even after Charles got cornered, I think Charles probably has something that is a weight to James. Also 4 of Charles other geniuses are yet to be revealed. Eugene is moving workers in the shadows for something big Charles is out of the light right now. If he has a second body he is probably moving in a grand scale too.

As for him and Crystal I honestly hope he sees her as his sister, because she has no one in the world right now.

Man Noooooo💀 are you that Hyun Kyung anon? I’ll be honest, those long inboxes scare me 😭😭If you are, pls block or mute me and leave me alone respectfully. But if you're not, then cool, sorry for accusing you.

Anyway, dude, isn’t it obvious that James knows the two bodies secret? So of course he knows about Charles too.

People who actually read Lookism, yes, "READ" know how much James’s presence shapes the narrative and thematic cohesion of the story. But of course, haters gotta hate and ignore that. James isn’t just physically strong, he’s hella smart too that’s probably why Charles had to keep him on a leash.

Bruh, what ? Only one of Charles’s geniuses is left to be revealed. So far we’ve got: James, Gun, Goo, Crystal, Kouji, Tom Lee, Jinyoung, Eugene, and the lawyer. That’s nine. I think last is Kitae.

And Crystal isn’t alone. She’s got her J High friends. Plus, Daniel and Eli still care about her deeply.

But yeahhh, I would love love love it if Crystal and James turned out to be siblings. I mean, James has exploited tons of people, and considering how much he hates Charles, he definitely would've used Crystal too if she were just anyone else. But he’s never done her any harm. That makes me feel like he genuinely cares about her, maybe he truly sees her as a sister or someone who shouldn’t be dragged into the mess unnecessarily.

Sigh… but knowing Lookism, they’re probably going to end up as doomed siblings. Yikes 😭😭