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true-blue-megamind · 3 years

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FAN THEORY THURSDAY – Why Did Metroman Retire?

Happy Almost-Friday, everyone! And even though Minion threatens to smother everything he cooks in old Limburger cheese each time I say it: SPOILER WARNING!

Yes, I know, it’s three a.m. and it’s technically Friday, but I’m still calling this Thursday night, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Okay, let’s be honest, Metroman is a character who seems, on the surface, to require little explanation in the film Megamind. He’s only present in the beginning and end, and we spend half the movie believing he’s dead, and we learn that Metroman has done something almost unheard of among superheroes: he’s chosen to retire. The question is: why? There is a tendency to think that he's simply a spoiled rich boy who, (in his social life, at least,) does what he wants without regard for others, but is that really fair? Or could there be other possible reasons? Well, let’s take a look at a few fan theories that may explain why he chose to abandon heroism for a music career.

Metroman Didn’t Want to Be a Hero

Although he’s clearly based on—and perhaps even poking a little fun at—the Man of Steel, Metroman was no Superman. (I mean, okay, he was technically a super-man, since he had strength, speed, and powers far beyond what a human would possess.) Except, here’s the thing: he’s not a carbon copy of the Man of Steel; Metroman and Superman have completely different lives and personalities. This remains true despite the fact that they share a similar origin—that of being aliens from a dead planet—and identical powers—including laser-vision and flight. Even their code names are comparable. However, if we look deeper, it becomes obvious that Metroman and Superman are two very different characters.

Superman is all about being an upstanding hero. Although he can be annoyingly persnickety, and sometimes displays nearly oppressively unyielding strictures about right and wrong, one thing you can say about the Man of Steel is that he’s generally integral. He is exactly what his public image portrays him to be: a Good Guy through and through. The same isn’t true of Metroman, and in some ways that makes him a more complex and interesting character.

The childhoods of the two heroes are extremely different. As I’ve mentioned in Why Was Megamind Raised in Prison, when a boy, Metroman was a bully, not only making young Megamind an outsider and the object of everything from teasing to physical attacks, but also inspiring other students to do the same. Superman, on the other hand, far from being a bully was bullied by Pete Ross. Rather than using his powers against others, he was too responsible and good-hearted to use them even against Pete Ross. Metroman is adopted by super-wealthy parents, and is essentially a trust-fund baby, while Superman was adopted by a farm family. He grows up with a good work ethic and hometown values. Indeed, this economic discrepancy continues into adulthood. As far as we can tell, Metroman doesn’t need to work and has no job outside being a superhero. Superman, conversely, has to earn a living as a journalist. Finally, in the majority of comics, Superman avoids most public appearances, unless he feels they serve some beneficial social purpose. Indeed, he goes to great lengths to keep his identity a secret and avoid the public eye as much as possible. The first time we see Metroman in the film, however, he is basking in a crowd’s adoration at the dedication of a museum in his honor. Indeed, in the original script, then called Mastermind, Metroman’s real identity seems to be widely known. (In case you’re wondering, this is where the name Wayne Smith, commonly used in the fandom, originates from.) So, we see that these character are actually very different: one is a hero strictly for the greater good, and the other, while he certainly does a lot of good things, is also in it for the fame.

This may seem like I’m being harsh toward poor Wayne Smith, but his flaws do not, in fact, make him a bad person. The issue is that we’re comparing him to Superman who, while still certainly imperfect, is intended to be a better-than-average person in every way, including moral. Make no mistake, Metro City’s former hero isn’t any sort of villain; what he is is normal. If we’re honest, most of us would be pleased by wide-spread accolades and honors. He reacts to positive fame the same way nearly anyone would because, at his heart, he’s really just a typical guy. That is the material point: Wayne Smith really only wants to be an average citizen—a music star, perhaps, but still a relatively ordinary person. In that way, he and Megamind are alike: they both desire, more than nearly anything else, to be normal. The key difference is that Megamind’s sincere and driving concern for his city also makes him ideal for becoming a hero. (You can learn more about this particular fan theory in The Warden and in Megamind and Identity.)

So, why did Wayne Smith become a Defender in the first place, then? Again, I’ve briefly touched on this in previous posts, but it appears likely that Metroman was pushed into heroism just as much as Megamind was pushed into supervillainy. Because he was a bully with superpowers, it’s likely that adults around him realized something had to be done about Wayne. Otherwise he was a danger. So, they constructed an environment—the Li’l Gifted School—where he could be conditioned to seek the praise of others as well as to fight Megamind, who had been singled out as his future nemesis. (In fact, that conditioning is probably why he opted for a career that would put him on stage, aside from a probable love of music.)

Because the path chosen for Megamind involved more hardships and pain, it’s easy to forget that Metroman was in essentially the exact same plight. However, the fact remains that these were both children, and they were both being coerced into perceived destinies they didn’t want. Neither of them were given a choice and, in the end, both of them cast off the expectations pressed upon them to become the people they really wanted to be. The difference is that, because of our natural biases, Megamind’s rise to Defender of Metro City seems more noteworthy than Metroman’s step into Mr. Average Joe. The truth, however, is that both characters were basically doing the same thing: being true to themselves.

Metroman May Have Had Health Concerns

We know Megamind and Metroman are close to the same age—although the latter appears to be about a year rather than days old when he lands on Earth—but what that age is is open to supposition. We know, however, that they are almost certainly in their thirties, probably in their mid- to late-thirties. (Take a look at How Old is Megamind for more information about that.) However, we can see that Wayne is already going gray around the temples. Of course, some people’s genetics simply cause them to go gray earlier, and that’s certainly a possibility, but one fan theory suggest there may be more going on. The idea has been put forward that Wayne’s super-speed may be having an adverse effect on him, forcing his body to work overtime to keep up. The resulting physical stress could be making him age prematurely.

That’s not the only factor to consider. As hard as heroism may have been on his body, the effects on Metroman’s mind would have been even greater. Before the events in the movie, Metro City’s authorities—and, indeed, all its citizens—became too reliant upon their superhuman hero, and as a result that hero was run ragged. That isn’t a mere hypothesis. A scene that was storyboarded but never included in the final film makes Metroman’s plight perfectly clear. We see him being called from one end of the city to the other for everything from a massive explosion to an old lady needing help opening a jar. Keep in mind that, when hearing a cry for assistance, the hero would likely be unable to tell who truly needed him urgently and who was simply making unnecessary demands, thus he would have to rush to every call he heard. Even the city’s law enforcement seems to take him for granted, refusing to take criminals he just hand-delivered to jail because they’re on lunch break. The cumulative effect is that Metroman looks nearly frantic with stress.

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This is important because, aside from the obvious mental and emotional concerns, this sort of stress accelerates aging as well. According to an article in the Huffington Post, when glycation and telomere shortening, as well as the over-oxidation, are caused by enduring heightened stress for prolonged periods of time, it can result not only in graying hair and premature wrinkles, but heart trouble as well. Even the memory can be affected, as one study by the University of Wisconsin found that stress can age a person’s brain up to four years faster than normal, and contribute to cognitive problems later in life. (The study was part of a presentation—you have no idea how badly I wanted to write that word in all-caps—and is thus currently unpublished, but information about it can be found in an article from Over Sixty.)

Metroman Retired for the Good of Everybody

As you can see, in a strange way, having a super-powered Defender was actually crippling Metro City. In fact, it may be truly damaging to the local infrastructure and official organizations. Youtuber Olaf Scholtens, in his video Megamind: Power and Identity, uses the metaphor of an airplane manufacturer to explain what’s going on. (If you’ve read my own post Megamind and Identity, you’ve seen this before.) Engineers and factories put a lot of effort and expense into making certain aircraft are as safe as possible, but what would happen if they felt they could confidently assume a superhero would simply catch any plane that crashed, saving everyone on board? Safety standards would probably become far more lax, and people might be in far more danger as a result. Given the way that nearly everyone in Metro City seems to assume Metroman will always save the day, it’s possible that, within the urban area, the same thing could be happening with things like building code enforcement, large construction projects, and even public safety measures. Bridges might not be properly built, fire hazards might not be addressed, and, given the blasé attitudes of the cops in the storyboard, law enforcement officers might not even be bothering to keep an eye on things. By retiring, Metroman forced the city to become more self-sufficient again.

That, however, may not have been the only problem Metroman was trying to solve. Remember the whole discussion about the former Defender’s school boy bullying and the apparent conspiracy to turn one boy into a hero and the other into a supervillain? It’s possible Wayne may have felt remorse for the former and found out about the latter. Having battled Megamind so much in the past, he also may have realized that the blue man never actually hurt anyone, and in fact went out of his way to stage their confrontations in abandoned places. (Again, you can read more about that in both Megamind and Identity and The Warden.) It may be that Metroman real “brilliant plan” wasn’t simply to fake his death, but in doing so to prod Megamind into becoming a hero and thus accepted by society.

There is an alternative theory, put forward in a Reddit post, that Megamind and Metroman’s parents may have known one another, and may have sent both children to Earth with the intention of them becoming a dynamic duo, fighting evil together with Megamind as the brains and Metroman as the brawn. This could have been what Megamind’s father meant when he told his son: “You are destined for greatness.” While there is very little support for this in the movie, it would explain why, in the vast cosmos, both of the young survivors were sent not only to the same planet, but even to the same city.

Whatever the reason may have been, one thing is certain: there certainly is some evidence that Metroman intended his one-time nemesis to become a hero. One of his lines, after Roxanne and Megamind discover he’s still alive, supports this. You know the one. “If there’s bad, good will rise up against it. It’s taken me a long time to find my calling; now it’s time you find yours.” Then, of course, there is another line, when Music Man is watching his former enemy take the role of Defender of Metro City: “way to go, Little Buddy. I knew you had it in you.”

If Metroman really did purposefully help Megamind step into heroism, that could also explain why he didn’t stop Megamind from taking over the city—perhaps he trusted the blue man not to harm anyone and to eventually come to his senses—as well as why he refuses to overtly help defeat Titan. He does, however, clearly subtly assist Megamind, as the latter almost certainly went back to Wayne’s hideout to scan his appearance and voice into the holowatch. All of this together makes it seem quite plausible that Metroman not only wanted to retire, but also wanted the blue man to take his place.

Megamind and Metroman by White-Night-56 on Deviant Art

Maybe this means that, now that Megamind is the Defender of Metro City, he and Music Man occasionally get together to commiserate over the more difficult aspects of being a superhero and joke about the old days.

It’s also quite possible that all of these fan theories could be true. The film Megamind is, among other things, surprisingly subtle, complex, and subversive for an animated movie. Every time I dive deep into some aspect or other of the plot, I am once again impressed by the amount of thought and detail that went into this work. No wonder Megamind—and its characters—have so many dedicated fans.

#Megamind #Megamind movie #Metro Man #Metroman #Wayne Smith #Megamind fan theory #Megamind fan theories #DreamWorks #hero #Defender #Metro City #fan theory #fan theories #Fan Theory Thursday #Megamind fandom #Youtube #megamind

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ashenburst · 4 years

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Diffido

Fyogol angst! 4553 words. Something that happens to be largely liked by the audience, and honestly, for a story that’s almost a year old - this aged well.

This is probably the only BSD oneshot that I genuinely like as well, so I’m transferring it here. BSD is what originally got me into diving deep into fanfiction. It would be only right to share some of my works here. Anyway:

'tis but despair. Sickness unto death. The illness of the worst kind.

His will was strong, resolve unfaltering; his health, however, was not.

Blame it on the poor constitution, on the years of neglect, and the current numerous diseases his body was burdened with. Fyodor's state was horrendous, such that the doctors of the modern would certainly get cold feet from treating this ailing man. No matter his mental strength, he would soon crumble, ill, bed-ridden - maybe even dead.

What good is a brilliant brain left with no power supply? He was aware of his condition. This was a pending task, to have his health improved - but other assignments were due, and they were more important than his very life.

Numbers and codes, and the goddamned malfunctioning. Displayed on those low quality displays whose radiation marred his nerves. All of it tired him, yet all of it was essential to his plan - and he had to keep his focus unwavering, his gaze searching for any error or pop-up that might appear on screen. He had to make sure everything went smooth, thus fast. Time was little, and luck was none.

He was still in the race, although they believed to have long surpassed him - he was still there, he was on his feet. And as long as he could move, he would! He would without any doubt crawl his way back, and reach the goal. Others may had mocked him - no, others certainly were laughing at his failure and celebrating their delusional victory. The man in the back did not care. The goal was one, the goal was his purpose, and the goal was good.

However, he was betrayed. His senses slowly abandoned him, one by one - at first it were the eyes that couldn't focus. Curse them! The tiniest specks of his willpower were now redirected to that one problem - his dying sight. He could no longer see clearly, everything became a pleasant blur that he sinfully enjoyed - it invited him to close his eyes, take a moment of rest, ease his strained optical nerves...

But he couldn't! Even when his typing began to cause many mistakes in the codes, the bones of his fingers aching, he didn't want to rest. Even when the faint sense of balance abandoned him, when his head slowly fell closer to his shoulders - he did not, for even a moment, think of taking a rest, much needed rest.

He ignored his bodily cravings and continued the work, sloppily, in some slurred haste. He would soon pass out, he knew, and he intended to make good use of his consciousness while it was still present. He had to think to himself at one point: "Yes, yes! Look at me, those who try to stop me! Look at me! Fear me! Dedication booming, defying desperation. I would cause the envy of -"

And then the inspirational thought would get forever lost, reduced to naught. His concentration would bolt to some rampant mistake that occurred on screen, or simply - die off as well. Now, both his mind and body were screaming murder, ready to kill their owner and put him to sleep. He was somehow still up, but struggling, soon to succumb to these mortal forces.

So it came as no surprise that one blink later, evening became noon. And Fyodor was deeply disappointed.

Having been hit by that awful stench, he was quick to come back to his defective senses. The odor, evidently, originated from him - and although he was used to it, now, it began suffocating him. The dense air of the room was pressing him. There was little to no oxygen left.

He felt as if he was underwater. The restriction placed on his lungs caused his entire body to be perceived as mush by his nervous system. Then, the inability to move struck him as a sign to stay put. He had to gather faith before he'd once again make sense out of his surroundings. For he needed his mind to wake up first, before his body, as it was lulled by the inert predicament. It would take him more than mere devotion to get up, rather - an introverted, silly pep talk.

One would say he had fallen low, and one would certainly be right to some point, but so long this pathetic monologue remained unheard, nobody could deem him broken.

And it remained unheard, and it served its purpose.

The dim lights of the computers broke through his eyelashes, hurting his bloodshot eyes. More and more red lines filled in the white - no, the yellow of his optics. An unsightly sight indeed, such that it forced him to move his head around, and stare at something more pleasant, more... calming. He made sure to place the entire room under solid darkness. That was what blessed his sore eyes.

Yet, as some hair strands fell over his face, he once again was at trouble. Once again, he was reminded that he couldn't breathe. These hairs that tickled his nose with each exhale and inhale... tickled him - and as he took in a deep breath that would turn into a sigh, he reached a realization, more profound than any other.

He had to move. Some deep instinct told him to go out, or he'd die, right then and there. As if death herself took his breath away - he got alarmed, and at last, did something.

Legs wobbly, he stood up - a bad move, as he got dizzy and almost fell. He found some leverage on the table, his elbow almost hitting the burning desktop. And he groaned - the closest thing to a wail that could be heard from him.

Per se, overworking wasn't bad for this young man. He always had someone to take care of him, at least one servant to make sure he had his meals and some normal sleep. He couldn't take care of himself - as if he were handicapped of the ability, God knew why, let alone how. He was now at his lowest, mere moments away from blacking out. This "rest" he snatched did not help him one bit, and in his mind, in those colorful Russian curses, he cursed, for he wasn't productive for hours and did not gain anything from it. Why was the organism so difficult to please? He did not know, and he did not try.

So if sleep couldn't help, he'd have to do something else to bring his state back into... normal, so to speak. But what was it that he wanted, no, that it, his body wanted - he couldn't deduct. He closed his eyes, a long sigh making his aggravation audible, and he slid down to the floor. His arm, once on the table, now covered his face. He breathed into it, into the sleeve of his shirt - and the air there too was sickening, musky. It reeked of stale. Just like everything else in that cursed chamber.

What was he hoping for? This touch he bestowed himself with, what was the meaning of it? He'd laugh if it were actually funny, but - he was hoping to comfort himself.

He opened his eyes to be met with the same black. Comfort? All he needed was to get himself going, and the comfort would be found right there. The demands were clear - he had to get his body in shape, just for a bit, and get back to work.

He barely got back on his feet, the support once again found on the table. His head was held with his other hand. It did not quite throb this time, but he hissed nevertheless. Illness was all around him. The air itself - one great pestilence that poisoned his lungs, the darkness blinding his already awful vision, and the room, a trap, a trap from which he had to escape if he were to continue living.

Strangely, once he felt his forehead, he sensed his body temperature was alright - he believed he had a fever, but nothing was out of the ordinary. But the motion itself tired him, and he moved his hand away, interested to see if it would tremble. If he were to play doctor, then he might as well examine some other body parts. And as the sight was illuminated by the monitors, he gave himself a wry smile: his spread fingers, ah, the entirety of his hand was shaking, and he, as the patient, felt much pain.

A chuckle was what should have come out of his mouth, but his dry throat turned the sound mute. He did not know what was so amusing about this diagnosis, but so long it livened his soul, may he laugh, and may there be a hand to cover his smile, just like that very instant.

He delved deeper into movement, and began walking. Somehow he did not fall. The wall was there, but he tried to venture on his own, arms free by his side. He had always been independent. That word could easily define him.

Because, during work, the forming of ideals and ideas, he was be independent. During dismissing his well-being, he was independent. And even as he kicked some unfamiliar, heavy rubbish, he was independent. He would pride on that one trait of his more than any other.

The object he almost tripped over was some bottle he did not remember bringing in. He ducked, but oh, he was supposed to duck, he however ended up falling on his butt - and examined it. With his both weak arms, he brought the bottle closer - the liquid was transparent, apparently. He couldn't deduct what it was, as he was unable to focus on the kanji. The strokes began dancing right in front of his eyes. And he, he grew agitated.

He lifted the bottle just a little, comparing it against the light of the monitors. And he hoped that, what he laid his gaze on, was water, for he opened the bottle and drank all of its content.

The gamble was fruitful - this clean, pure water gave him life. Filling up his dry throat, then his empty belly, he found another strength to fuel him. Refreshed, with his mind a tad more explicit in thought, he was ready to venture forward.

Rags that covered the windows didn't offer much light to come in, but enough to reveal him his position, along with the position of the door. Next on the door, on the floor, laid his coat, and inside perhaps all of his current material worth. His phone, shut down, the keys of the apartment, and some money. That was what he remembered, at least.

He put on the heavy coat on his shoulders, the unfamiliar burden making his back arch just a bit. This only added more pain to his already hurt spine. The keys were taken by his trembling hand and used to open the door. And Fyodor was met with another dimension he had probably forgotten existed - the life outside this cavern of his.

It was the fresh air that tempted him to move out, forced him to step outside with much rush. He greeted it with a frown, shyly glancing around the hallway. He did not allow his excitement to be shown.

So as he walked, his steps long, calculated, and above all - slow, he thought of what to do, where to go, what to take - ordering food was out of question for sure, since he had to move himself. So why not connect the two, make it both sweet and profitable. He'd go sit down in a restaurant somewhere and order whatever. Something healthy for sure. A salad, perhaps? With a fruit smoothie. Proteins and vitamins combined. Yes, a great pick.

He then walked outside, and the Sun blinded him without holding back. He lifted his hand and winced at its harshness, his eyes rolling upwards to meet the blues and the whites. Could a simple stroll get that unpleasant? He hadn't even started yet, he hadn't even started yet...

He hadn't even started yet, and he was about to fall. A single gaze directed up was what caused him to feel uneasy, light-headed. His head followed the motion of his eyes, swinging backwards. Nothing was felt underneath his feet - the floor disappeared, no - he no longer felt his legs in entirety. He lost control, he was falling, he barely realized - and once he finally immersed himself in that fleeting moment, he was glad.

But his relief was interrupted, of course it was, as a pair of arms yanked him from behind. He let his body weight rely on them, as he closed his eyes, letting his consciousness drift far, far away... and he was, without any remorse, happy. The satisfaction of learning this one fact soothed him, the very fact he came to understand, through which he met himself better, and discovered, he was indeed no more than man. Name him a God, a Demon, or any eternal deity you may figure, but he remained a human being.

He was mortal, and he was weak. He couldn't bear the weight of the world on his sickly chest. He did not surrender to his responsibility, no - he decided this for his own sake, for once, he thought of himself. His grand heart turned selfish - he was no God to love eternally. What a preposterous realization! This fact, that emerged at the edge of his existence, this fact stated:

Fyodor gave up. Fyodor wanted to die. Fyodor wished nothing else but to abandon this horrid world.

"Dos?"

He smiled at the Sun, and the Sun smiled back.

Fyodor couldn't even fathom the scene he presented to Nikolai. He was far more than a sorry sight - to name him so would be an understatement of the worst kind.

If only he could peek into Nikolai's mind, he'd discover a shocking mess. Thoughts running about, rampant, unable to connect with each other. No sense could be made in such a fuss, yet Fyodor would know: he was the one to cause it.

And he loathed it, with the remnants of emotion that were left inside of him. He loathed to look up, and see and feel the rays on his face. He loathed that he wasn't alone, when death seemed to have taken him by his hand. Nobody was supposed to disturb his final waltz into oblivion!

Because, after experiencing attraction to suicide, in that one bleak moment, he got bored of it, and he knew, he would never again sense it that way. He was jealous of those who could keep this ideal going, for he, he would never belittle himself to worshiping death, and he would never be able to view life from that angle.

His thoughts could simulate it, but his emotions couldn't. He tried to grasp that sensation once again, his fingers twitching, barely moving - yet nothing reached them but still air. His smile did not abandon his lips, no - it seemed to curl up even more in self mockery.

The man in the blonde's arms was no more. The smile Nikolai was welcomed with was a sorry sight, and it brought even more sorrow unto Nikolai's heavy heart. This weight inside his chest forced his breathing to a halt - and as a choke captured the words of worry in his throat, he too, much like Fyodor, went mute due to problems with respiration.

Again, how ridiculous, but they were the same.

But unlike Fyodor, Nikolai could move, he still had life - and he was vigorous to use it for his friend's sake. Had he lost consciousness, he couldn't tell, but he knew he had to do something soon.

"Dos?" He once again called out, his voice broken with a single crack. And his dear friend responded with a faint nod, dreary gaze lost in something above, but most certainly not Nikolai. At that particular instant, the Sun seemed especially warm to Fyodor.

Nikolai brought Fyodor back to his feet, his arm wrapped around his friend. Truth be told, Fyodor could black out at any given moment - and he wouldn't be aware of it, he was sure that if he were to blink, the black would swallow him for hours. So long he was awake, Nikolai would help him, and he would be there to witness. Eventually he was carried back into that sullen apartment of his.

The blonde was appalled by the silence. Fyodor would usually acknowledge his presence in... a dull manner, yes, but at least he would be greeted properly. Now however, Nikolai knew, something awful had happened, for he had never seen Fyodor in this state before.

Hands nervously moving around, he opened the door, brought Fyodor into the stench of that darkness. He searched for a futon, for any kind of bed, but he found none. The apartment was a single room, and the room was comprised of three things: the desk with the laptops, the abused curtains, and some sickening stench.

"Why did you pick this place, out of all the hideouts we have..." Nikolai mumbled, disapproving of his friend's methods in vain. Fyodor responded with a sigh and a petite shrug, and the blonde rolled his eyes. He took off his jacket and threw it on the floor. "There, lay on that."

Fyodor didn't object. Nikolai was glad to see that happen, but along with that, he couldn't help but notice - the speed and direction of Fyodor's movements, they were abnormal, characteristic to that of a man under fever or any other severe pain.

It shouldn't have happened. Fyodor would never allow himself fall this low. Both of them were aware of the fact, yet the impossible happened, furthermore, devastated. Both of them had their own flux of emotions streaming through agonizing disbelief.

The weary man cradled himself. Ill vision did not aid him. He longed to look at his old friend, but his eyelids turned into lead, threatening to murk the scene before him. That which he had seen, appeared as an illusion - a young man whose coat danced along his firm movements. That was supposed to be Nikolai.

It could be, a disgusting film of exhaustion did not let him see better. But he heard clearly those mutters, vexed proclamations and horrified realizations, all directed to Fyodor, all concerning him. He was found guilty in front of Nikolai, and he for once felt remorse.

Now would be a good time to sync with his thoughts, and reveal his confusion at all to which happened. It was disbelief that was expressed so: some detached wandering through his memories and scarce connection with reality. The manner forced Fyodor into concluding that he was indeed in a process of sorts, and the more he tried to turn on his consciousness, the more he was horrified.

Physiological reactions followed. His heart contorted in grotesque he did not deem possible.

He would call it a farce and resort to reason to lull him back into apathy, but the present moment was far from farce. Not even once had his friend, the both sad and joyful jester, shown outright spleen.

"Do you have any idea what were you doing?! You literally look like a corpse, you -"

Yes, Fyodor knew, he knew he hadn't eaten for days, he knew he had only water in the apartment. He knew he certainly didn't leave the apartment. He knew he overworked himself. He did not know, but he felt, he pushed himself beyond boundaries. Fyodor let Nikolai number those assumptions, one by one, each and one of them followed by a harsh question.

Fyodor had no intention, nor energy to deny. There was nothing to go against, after all - Nikolai was right in every sense. He could only do him the honor of listening to his tirade.

All that Nikolai accused him was stained with despair, and this deep emotion did not go unnoticed by Fyodor. This Russian's mind worked on the lowest frequency possible, yet it was more than enough to pick out Nikolai's concealed wails.

Whenever the blond's voice would pitch a tad higher, Fyodor would twitch, and his crucial organ would bend and twist more in hopeless attempts of escape. It was far too beaten up, both physically and emotionally, to withstand any more blows.

And as if Nikolai knew, and as if he knew Fyodor's turmoil, he had to grab him by his shoulders, bringing his horrified expression right in front of Fyodor's, and he had to emphasize the one thing his friend did not understand:

"How could you do this to yourself?"

Fyodor was thoroughly arrogant, but strangely, he did not care about what happened to him. That was why his existence was reduced to saving the world, and that was why, when asked that question, he bothered not to respond in any other way than: "It had to be done."

A croak - he shouldn't have spoken up, for his throat itched, and the answer did not seem to satisfy his friend. Then Nikolai certainly shouldn't have asked:

"Do you know how much I care for you?"

Fyodor did however have a heart. Its content wasn't meant for anyone in particular, no - although Fyodor seemed to have lacked the responsible organ, it ticked its pulse for mankind only. It was a strange love, one could say, or a grand lack thereof, but he wasn't selfish, and his apathy was no ordinary.

If he was apathetic, he wouldn't care. If he was at peace with death, he wouldn't see the living. If he had no heart, he wouldn't feel it break. None of it would have happened if he didn't hurt Nikolai.

Yet it happened. He was falling apart from the inside, just like Nikolai was falling apart from the outside. Throughout this senseless torture, Fyodor finally felt alive.

"I do." Fyodor's lie came in form of a wheeze.

"You're lying! You have no shame, you really don't, do you? If only you knew how much you mattered! If only... if only you..." Nikolai fumbled his words rather clumsily. "If only you knew how much you mean to some people. If only you realized we're selfish and that we value some things more than humanity itself! If only you knew how much I care for you. Do you... do you not understand, Dos?"

One wipe later, and the glass was washed off his eyes.

"Your sacrifice isn't worth it."

"Worth what..?" Fyodor smirked in defiance. "I'm fine with losing myself for a better world."

"Well I'm not! I'm not!" Nikolai pounded the fact into Fyodor's blank face, although all of his hits probably missed the point - there was a possibility, terrifying but existent, that Fyodor's empathy wasn't meant for Nikolai.

"I thought we agreed on this... a long time ago," the man beneath began, "that we would be willing to die... for this cause."

"Yeah, yeah. But you don't get me, do you?" Nikolai shook his head. "No, you get me. You do. You just act oblivious." That, yes, and perhaps Fyodor didn't care for him, but the blonde did not wish to inquire. He did not wish to hear the answer.

A huff came, an angry huff, and nothing else. Fyodor surrendered.

Nikolai cupped his cheeks, fingers almost retracting from the dryness of the white skin. "You can't do this to yourself. You simply can't. There's another way. We'll go through this together, I promise. I promise we will."

"Does it matter..?" Fyodor started, soon to be cut off.

"It does! You can't do this alone. You can't expect to... build the organization from ashes on your own. That's too much, even for you."

"It..." He exhaled loudly as Nikolai's words sank in. "It is."

"There, you see? You made a mistake. But, but! Everything is going to be okay. I'm here now. I'll help you get better..."

Fyodor's relief manifested as a softened expression. Nikolai's thumbs caressed him, each and every movement like bliss. He was undeserving of this care, yet it came, yet it didn't abandon him. Fyodor had his very own angel to protect him! And he neglected him!

Who was selfish there, he wondered - he, for ignoring this pure love Nikolai offered him, or Nikolai, for loving a monstrosity Fyodor presented? He couldn't decide, but he knew one thing for sure. The both of them were clowns in this maddening folly, but they were together, and they would be together.

And Nikolai's apparition turned pleasant to Fyodor's bleak gaze; a comforting smile, that was indeed the right picture to fit the frame. A single sympathetic act, rustling his senses, bringing him the warmth of fondness - he did not know it, but he craved it.

The turmoil was gone! The Sun shone upon him, and if only he allowed himself bask in its light earlier, he wouldn't hurt this feeble heart before him, this indeed fragile soul that sacrificed its freedom for him. Fyodor would never ask for a better companion.

"Kolya," he dared whisper, furrowed eyebrows from the strain of his thoughts. Kolya listened, he listened carefully, only to hear, "thank you."

"You're welcome," he responded, moving away from Fyodor, who in turn closed his eyes. He had to take a rest, even for a couple of seconds, even that much. He had seen all he needed, after all.

"I'll go get you something tasty to eat. Something I know you'll like for sure," Nikolai informed Fyodor, then proceeded to open the window. Once he moved the curtains, a splash of dust filled the air around them, dancing around like ghosts of snowflakes.

Strangely, they pleased Fyodor. He looked upwards, and right in front of Nikolai, through the newly introduced sun rays, he discovered some better times. Be they of the past or the future, they did not belong the present, yet they brought him delight. In their background, stood his dearest friend, he too a bright scene.

"Until then, don't forget to breathe. Pretty please!" The man in the light then chimed, trying his best to amuse his friend on the floor. He succeeded, for he lured out a weak, however sincere smile.

"I'll get going... and, Dos, Dos, remember this!" Nikolai stood by the door, his cape fluttering around as he halted his movements. Fyodor peered at him with interest - now what else would he offer, besides this endless love he possessed ?

"I love you," Nikolai announced, hand on his heart as he bowed just a little. Ah, so it was nothing else but a public exclamation.

"I know. I love you too." They exchanged smiles before abandoning each other all over again.

The Sun had a cataract. Another day would soon bleed by, soon to leave a dry corpse. Its sockets gaped at the star, jaw wide open, hollow skull directed to the sky ever since the carcass laid down. It awed, mute, at the celestial wonders above. The Sun could only warm it, for its vision was faulty. It could not see the decaying meat it heated. Its eye was long diseased by the Earth where he died.

#fyogol #fyodor x nikolai #fyodor dostoyevsky bsd #bsd fyodor #bsd fyodor dostoyevsky #bungou stray dogs #bungou gay dogs #nikolai gogol bsd #bsd nikolai gogol #bsd nikolai #bsd fanfic #bsd oneshot #angst #death #hah #omg i actually like my writing #nikolai x fyodor

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darkarchercatalyst · 3 years

Text

All right, rant time, and the theme... is themes. (The other theme is Mirai Nikki. We’ll get there.) Quick disclaimer that I’m far from having any sort of expert opinion on literature, so there are likely people who will disagree with me or say things in a much more precise manner. That aside, here we go.

One of the core elements in whether or not I find a piece of fiction satisfying is whether or not it can maintain a consistent theme throughout. Thematic elements exist across a wide range of moods, goals, genres, and so on, and generally reflect on the driving philosophy of the narrative work. They are the parameters that create the framework in which a fictional world exists, much like the laws of physics in reality. When characters and plot move along with respect to the laws that govern them, it provides a cohesive experience. This doesn’t necessarily mean the story is good, but it is coherent. If characters and plot actively subvert the themes of their setting, then it creates a jarring or dissonant experience in the viewer (I’m looking at you, Gurren Lagann).

Sometimes this can be used to great effect. A “twist” ending or sudden change often relies on a thematic shift to move the story from one paradigm to another, with the jarring nature of that transition intended to create emotion of some sort in the viewer. However, to do so effectively requires for the secondary theme to be present throughout the first theme, but simply hidden or not acknowledged. Whether a second theme that enables the twist was properly set up is often seen in whether an audience feels like the twist “came out of nowhere.” Well-executed thematic shifts reward their more perceptive and invested viewers.

The other important part of themes is that they provide a vector along which the story and characters develop. This doesn’t mean that all characters and story beats evolve in the same way, nor should they, but the theme of the work provides the boundaries for the trajectories each element takes. We ultimately want the end state of the characters we like to be somewhere along the thematic route from where they started. Whether the net movement is positive or negative doesn’t necessarily matter as long as we felt that the character’s path had meaning. This is the predominant reason that most people find the endings of shounen manga disappointing, since often the trajectory of the characters’ stories get narrowed down into some sort of textbook feel-good ending that doesn’t reflect any complexity of the plot that came before.

Now then, for the core of the rant. The reason that I hate Mirai Nikki’s ending is that it completely breaks with the thematic elements of the series in order to provide not even a feel-good ending but a self-serving ending on the part of the author. The core element of Yukiteru’s character from the beginning is that he is a passive observer of the world around him. He is highly perceptive and precise in his observations, but it is entirely outwardly facing without regard for himself. This is stressed multiple times throughout the series, as is Yukiteru’s passivity in the face of ongoing events. It is only when he is thrown into a life-or-death situation where his own survival is paramount that this self-neglect becomes a critical flaw, which is then supplemented by Yuno’s character of being entirely centered on Yukiteru. In a messed-up way, their views of the world are necessarily complementary for both of them to survive. This is a good thematic hook to start off on, and intersects with the other diary holders and the ways they each in turn view the world around them.

Mirai Nikki also deals strongly with the ideas of justice and personal codes of honor. The moral perceptions of the contributing characters and the way that each action is justified against those morals is as important to the themes of the story as their preferred method for recording the events of the world. These morals are often intentionally skewed in the sense that it takes an outside morality, often in the form of characters uninvolved in the battle royale like Nishijima or Yukiteru’s friends, to provide a baseline against which the dynamic personalities involved are measured. So far, so good. Throughout the series this served as a decent dynamic and reference point for just how far afield the characters go.

A two-fold problem arises with the way these thematic elements, and we’ll work backwards through them. First, the baseline that the series relied upon for grounding its moral code is broken in response to the event where Yuno kidnaps Yukiteru and holds him hostage. Eventually Yukiteru is saved and released, only to turn around and decide to stay with Yuno anyway because she loves him and the only way he can “save” her is to stick with her. This alone isn’t a breach of Yukiteru’s passive nature despite being frustrating to the viewer, but the problem is the more meta context in which it is portrayed. The characters serving as the moral basis for the series rightfully are disturbed by Yukiteru’s decision, but contextually they are depicted as being wrong for attempting to convince him otherwise. This initial point of fracturing in the theme of the story carries forward in the sense that the series reorients around Yukiteru’s actions becoming deterministic. He simply does what he has to do without regard for exactly where on the moral spectrum that falls. That could have been handled effectively if the moral backbone was maintained. However, it is cast into doubt by the author’s decision to portray a bad decision (with respect to the story so far) as unilaterally good rather than simply reasonable within the context of the story.

This draws a direct line to the second big fracturing point of the thematic elements of the story, which is the ending. Even after the aforementioned breach in the moral core of the story, there is some attempt to regain it by coming back to Yukiteru’s friends and bringing in Akise as an off-kilter moral foil for Yukteru and Yuno’s actions in the last arc or so. This never quite lands aside from having a plot device by which to force Yukiteru’s “character development” at the very end, but more on that in a moment. The core issues it that by the time the series ends, both Yukiteru and Yuno are “bad” characters not just from a reader perspective but from the baseline morality that pervaded the first half of the series. Yukiteru sacrificed his personal morals and Yuno was revealed to have almost none for the sake of winning the war, and the only reason they are still the protagonists by the end is that Yukiteru at least is still “better” than the other bad guys. However, due to the themes of justice pervading the series there is at least some need for consequence for all of the “bad” characters. Except... this doesn’t happen. Yukiteru ends up winning the war and Yuno dies, at which point the thematic conclusion would be that Yukiteru must suffer some consequence of note or at the very least come to a realization that his behavior should change to atone for the actions he took even if they were out of necessity. Instead, he mopes around until Yuno from the next universe was brought to him and they live happily ever after.

This also creates a problem in that it breaks Yukiteru’s character arc and catapults him back to how he was at the beginning of the series. Yukiteru starts from a passive observer to a more active element, but all of this continues to be outward-facing. He behaves within the story as a response to the stimulus around him, but most personal senses of motivation or responsibility are only cursory at best. Only in the final arc, in order to escape being Reality Marble’d and stop Yuno, does he realize his own responsibility for the state of the world around him and acknowledges that he must be the one to take action out of his own motivation. He gains resolve to do not just what must be done in response to the current state, but the “right” thing. Until... he doesn’t. He certainly does the first step in resolving things by winning the war, but then it stops there. Any personal sense of responsibility is immediately torpedoed because he lost his love interest despite being realizing that it was necessary to correct things. Only when she comes back does he regain motivation. This becomes a direct contradiction to the development that Yukiteru took into becoming an active character. He devolves immediately into his dependence on Yuno for motivation.

You could compare this to NGE, which seems to be what the author wanted anyway since they both have a depressed protagonist who “grows up” in the course of messy relationships with girls and authority figures set against a background of apocalypse. They both even have the silver-haired homoerotic male friend with divine knowledge who shows up late in the series as a character motivator for the protagonist. Anyway, whether or not you like Shinji Ikari as a character (I do not), his story follows a linear progression toward the end. He starts as someone with little sense of purpose or belonging and dependency on the affirmation of others, but ends up with the ultimate position of “I want to live in this world.” That final state is a powerful statement of just how far the character has come. Mirai Nikki doesn’t have this. Instead it moves past the character’s resolution and completion of the thematic progression in favor of doubling on the codependency that necessitated the early character state. The protagonist’s development was taken back so that he could still need the yandere girlfriend and they could be together in the end.

So what would have been the proper conclusion to Yukiteru’s thematic progression? It would be the role of an active observer. Throughout the story he becomes privy to the trauma of his friends (especially Yuno) and the many evils of the world that led people to act horribly. Then he was given the power of god by winning the battle royale. The natural progression then would be that he recedes into the background as before but now with the knowledge and influence to fix the problems that burdened the world around him. Instead of shutting down and shutting out things, he would return to his original position of being unseen and only seeing others, yet now with the maturity and capabilities to do something in that role. This carries his resolution from the final arc forward into the epilogue with satisfying consistency. Maybe then after he does all that you could justify bringing Yuno back, but honestly it would be better if she wasn’t even aware of what he does behind the scenes at that point.

That’s a long-winded way to fully articulate why I felt that Mirai Nikki just completely fell flat in the end. This wasn’t even failure to execute, but it was an active deconstruction of what the story seemed to be trying to achieve. All in favor of maintaining the OTP or whatever.

#dark rants #mirai nikki #cerastes #ryo-maybe

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skepticaloccultist · 4 years

Text

The Society with No Name

I had taken the train in from our temporary accommodation in the English countryside to deal with a few pressing matters back in London. Our house in Hackney has been packed, and while most of it will go to storage some is on its way to Portugal. We have taken offices there, and are preparing to sign the papers for our new home in Portugal in the coming days.

There are many things I will miss about London, though these days of plague mean that I miss them already. The bookshops and private libraries, the lectures and occasional events that bring me out into the night. But this country has become a shambles, and more sensible accommodation is in our future.

Among those things that I will think of even in the brightest of Portuguese sunshine is a place that I have come to consider a second home in London. One of the few reclusive lairs in central London that affords one such as myself a bit of respite, and a proper coffee, or whiskey as the case may be.

Located down a street too narrow for any but foot traffic, two right turns from Leicester Square station, is a rather peculiar building that seems to have grown like a weed among the more traditional structures around it.

Painted these days where there is wood on its two facades in a dark blue, the building is narrow at its base, a corner slot some 20 feet on either of its two street facing sides. Stretching some five or so stories tall it is impossibly angled outward over the sidewalk as it rises. Not in any modernist architectural style, just in a centuries long battle with gravity.

The door is nondescript, black painted wood under a stone mantel that bears the number "13", though the vagaries of London's postal code system mean that it hasn't had that number as a street address since shortly after Queen Victoria expired.

If one were to knock at the door, no one would answer. To enter, one needs to have a key.

+++

I became a member or "key holder" of the society sometime during the summer of 2009. It had long been on the fringes of my social group, small though it has always been. Though it was only through a chance meeting of a standing member that I was invited to join.

As many will know I have spent my life politely declining membership in a range of secret societies, handshake clubs, and masonic fraternities dressed up in various historic ethnographic fashions. I have never been much on membership in anything, initiatory or otherwise. I am not a very social fellow when it comes down to it.

It was the complete lack of any "club" like structure that the society presented that drew my attention. Members are not encouraged to interact, no events public or otherwise are planned. One simply pays annual dues and receives a key that grants them access to the building, including a small lobby bar staffed 24 hours a day, a number of rooms of various sizes furnished with arrangements of chairs and tables with doors that can be closed, and access to one of the largest private esoteric libraries in the world, taking up an entire floor of the building.

Not only is one not compelled by the society to interact with other members, but if you have not been introduced it is considered impolite to attempt conversation. Ideal for the recluse who seeks a perfect Turkish espresso at 1am, with the least amount of social interaction possible.

When one has entered through the front of the building the hall is modestly lit, a short entry that has a coat room to one side and opens into a sort of lobby, with a cafe style bar set into the rear of a small room, a few chairs and a table or two along one wall and three booths along another.

The bartender on duty never comes from behind the bar to serve, and it is expected that each member bus their own tables before they leave. A hallmark of the society is courteousness.

Opposite the entry way across the tiny lobby is the staircase, which goes upward around a tattery old iron lift. The stairs creak as you climb them, but the hand railing is fixed solid. Not something that can be said for the lift.

I have ridden the lift on several occasions, each time being reminded why no one ever rides in the lift. The noise alone is enough to think a banshee was the operator.

One climbs the slender stairs, pausing on the occasional landing to peer out of the crooked windows onto the street below. No one ever seems to be on the streets when you look out of the windows, regardless of how crowded the streets were just moments ago when you were approaching the building.

On each floor the stairs open to a landing that leads into various rooms. Some more private than others. The rooms are decorated minimally, with shelves of books and curiosities left over the years by members.

On the third floor is the library.

+++

The origins of the society seem to have come out of a select group within the British supper club the "Ye Sette of Odd Volumes." Members of that organization seem to have acquired the building in the early 1900s and from there the society evolved.

It is unknown to current members who actually owns the building, or if the society holds it in some obscure trust. Though a general trust fund was setup in the 1950s and covers staff pay and building upkeep, the annual dues each member pays seem to come to about the required budget each year.

The building was built sometime in the 18th century, though from its ill fitting the upper few stories must have been a later addition. Typical of the period the rooms are mostly wood trimmed plaster walls. Each of the member rooms is painted in a particular colour scheme, though these seem to change as years go by.

As was typical of societies of the early 20th century membership is coed, with women being key holders from the beginning. The only restriction to membership is that members must live within commuting distance of London. Those members that leave the region must relinquish their key. It is intended as a place of solitude for those who need it in their dealings with the city, a place to coordinate and consult with the volumes in the library.

It is said among older members that the building was a well known opium den in the late 19th century, frequented by literary types and dragon chasing aristocrats. The layout of the rooms certainly lends itself to the idea of opium beds and servitors, with the rooms' high ceilings perfectly suited to smoke filled chambers.

The rooms on the top two floors of the building are more open, like small ballrooms. Though furnished with a few chairs they are easily emptied out for purposes privy to only the society members behind closed doors. These rooms, unlike those on the lower floors, have windows that can be opened. It is considered polite to book a room ahead on the calendar if one plans to need it for more than a day, though exceptions are often made.

+++

Unlike the other floors, which are divided into smaller rooms, the landing of the third floor has only a single door, made of glass and requiring a key to open, the same as the buildings front door. This is the entrance to the society's library, a densely packed but well organized room full of books, maps, papers and other ephemera.

The society's library grew out of the private libraries and individual donations of previous members of the society, usually upon their death. It takes up the entire third floor, with fiction and other non essential volumes found across the shelves of many of the members rooms on other floors.

The first member whose private collection was to form the core of the original library, who willed a portion of their collection to the society upon their death, was William Sharp, former Golden Dawn member and founder of the Celtic Society. After his collection was sorted other members began to add works, then as members passed on it became a custom for their private libraries to be donated to the society.

By the end of the second World War a librarian had been employed as part of the staff trust. Initially just a job of sorting and keeping records it has evolved into a more curatorial role as the members who donate their collections often have a great overlap in their private libraries' holdings and there is only so much space on the third floor.

Works from the library can not be removed from the building. Anyone attempting to do so is banned without recourse. They may be taken to the members rooms but must be signed out at the time, though signing out is on an honors system of a paper list on a clipboard near the library door. In the history of the society a book has never gone missing.

The holdings of the library are much of what you would expect, rare volumes, original manuscripts. The society holds the personal papers and effects of several of its former members. Possibly my favorite object in the library, though in no way occult, is a stack of love letters written between botanist and writer Edith Wheelwright and Beatrix Potter in the late 1920s. An eloquent longing preserved in a private way that will never be seen by public eyes. The two women's handwriting alone makes one ache with decadence.

+++

The gentleman who primarily works behind the bar is an eloquent older Italian who speaks a dozen languages in passing and can read one's tarot on a rainy day. He makes a distinguished espresso as well.

I have long attempted to get him to stock some pastries at the bar but he refuses, serving only liquids hot and cold. On days where I am holed up in one of the rooms I often pop around the corner to an unremarkable ramen noodle shop. A tiny place decorated in a trendy colourful style but a passing bowl of noodles if one knows how to order.

I was able, sometime after a year or so of being a key holder, to insist that the bar stock my preferred bourbon. Though I had to personally supply the first few bottles kept behind the counter they eventually began to replenish themselves.

I do run into friends who are also members occasionally on the stairs, though more often I am in the building to meet them directly during daylight hours. The hours I generally keep tend to be late, and while there are others who frequent the society at similarly nocturnal intervals, like myself, they keep to themselves and their business.

It will be a shame to have to hand in my key in the coming month, I will be unable to spend as much time as I would have liked here in this comfortable late 19th century chair, whose time for a reupholstering was ages since, and to look out of the window on the landing outside of the library, where no one ever passes by below regardless of the time of day, and the park across the way from the building seems to go unnoticed to anyone but the squirrels.

Perhaps London will lure me back one day, after the plague and the war have passed? Previous members in good standing are always welcome to return if they find themselves living full time in London again. In the meantime I drink a final espresso or two from Silvio, taking the bourbon with me, and spend some time in the library saying my goodbyes.

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shxwmaster · 4 years

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— the si:7 & assassin’s guild —

The Assassin’s Guild was established 75 years ago by order of Erwill Youngton of the Stormwind Guard, 42 years before the First War. Pathonia Shaw, known by the public as the “Silver Cutpurse” at the time, had been caught thrice for stealing before offered a rare opportunity: hang, or serve Stormwind.

Of course, she chose the latter.

Pathonia recruited rogues, assassins and other agents from the Stockades in waves. One would eventually become her secret lover and right-hand man, of course — each recruit was vetted thoroughly, a code hammered into each one: serve Stormwind above all else. If you couldn’t enjoy being paid to cause a little professional havoc, you weren’t fit to be here. You do not bite the hand that feeds you.

Most of the first-gen assassins of the guild were recruited from the Stockades, a good amount of them saved from certain death just as she was. She ensured her point was drilled into them: Stormwind is the reason they’re alive, the reason they breathe — this mercy she helped bestow upon them is not one taken lightly. She was a thief for the thrills, an adrenaline seeker, a path that almost got her killed, but now, she’s serving a higher purpose, she’s paid for the act and it’s in service of a much grander picture, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of it?

The Assassin’s Guild became a powerhouse. Propaganda strengthened the name of them once they’d become public figures, yet so much about them is kept secure and hidden. Even when deployed on the field, commanders and generals would scarcely know what those agents are there for, only that they were getting a job done. It was not their business what that was.

The Assassin’s Guild is composed of five parts, a hand that wields a dagger:

The Fourth Finger - These are the jacks-of-all-trades: they commonly handle the burial of victims (and Stormwind Assassins), body-hiding, and alibi-establishing. They ensured the Assassins' identities do not get discovered. They are also in charge of recruitment. This is the lowest rank available, and highest populated. • Fun fact: Mathias was made a Fourth Finger Assassin at age 10! The Third Finger - These assassins excel in espionage, often working with rogues from the First and Second Finger to gather information, read and remember scrolls without stealing them, and serve as lookouts and diversions while the others do their jobs The Second Finger - dedicated to "acquisitions" of material, either taking already stolen material to give to its rightful owner or taking a particularly powerful item from a person it would be politically uncomfortable to kill outright. The First Finger - The highest level a rogue can get before becoming a leader within the Thumb. These folks are dedicated to the assassination, targets being anyone from rival military leaders to corrupt priests, high level targets entrusted only to the best. The Thumb - The leaders of the Guild, consisting of approximately 30 or so rogues, all who were close with Pathonia. These leaders are in charge of the other four Fingers, leading, training, taking reports, and even running the books and making sure salaries are distributed.

In Year -18, during the Gurubashi Wars that nearly fell Stormwind, King Barathen Wrynn was slain in battle. His Royal Guard was not enough, and the Assassin’s Guild found that even their efforts were not enough. Had Medivh not been made to unleash his full power against those forces, they would have lost everything.

Pathonia was forced to come up with new solutions. It wasn’t so much that the Assassin’s Guild was faulty or incapable, but rather that their jobs and tasks were more generalized and broad instead of specialized. They served the throne, of course, but they tackled missions of all manner of genre so long as it fell under the umbrella of Stormwind’s interests.

Upon Llane’s coronation, Pathonia set a meeting with him, and from there, the Sixth Finger was established: The SI:6.

Stormwind Intelligence: The Sixth Finger served the king directly and only the king. The rest of the Assassin’s Guild would tackle any other task that didn’t suit the king’s needs, and the SI:6 would be a more public figure. They would collaborate more with generals and commanders instead of operating relatively independently, and would be acknowledged more alongside their generic soldier counterparts. The SI:6 were also established at the same time as the 6th Legion Army, an elite force of veteran soldiers put together after witnessing the death of Barathen Wrynn. For a time, the SI:6 rogues and 6th Legion soldiers worked together in harmony, making them the deadliest force to be reckoned with.

18 years later, the First War began, and the Guild found themselves faced with a never before seen threat. Alien creatures hyped on demonic blood were suddenly pouring onto their lands and conquering everything — no one was prepared for that. The emergence of the orcs and the Dark Portal prompted the birth of the Seventh Finger: SI:7. The sister branch to SI:6, these rogues were dedicated to all the same tasks on top of investigating the orcs, specializing in their form of warfare, learning their language, tactics, names, armor, weapons, etc. etc. They were formed as a very specific response to this threat, and were given the orders to step on anyone it takes to emerge victorious. SI:7 was free of any and all tape, even the very few lines that had been established in the rest of the Guild. Morality means nothing in the face of survival — Pathonia wanted efficiency above all else with the SI:7.

But in spite of it all, they still, still failed.

As Stormwind was overrun, the SI:6 and 6th Legion made their final stand, knowing that they faced certain death. Resources from the Guild were stretched thin ( especially since Pathonia had redirected a decent chunk of rogues in search of Mathias, who had attempted to run away a month prior [:link to post pending:] ), and thus, they were met with crushing defeat. The SI:6 taskforce was annihilated, the sole survivor being Elling Trias, who lost his right eye in the battle. The SI:7 would go on to replace the SI:6 and fulfill its purpose, as the extinct taskforce was now rendered defunct. After the First War, the 7th Legion would also be established for similar reasons.

Initially, the Stormwind Intelligence forces were intended to be nothing more than just a branch of the Guild, but the Great Wars reshaped the identity, and soon, SI:7 took precedence over the Guild, growing its own separate purposes until eventually, Pathonia established that the two were not the same anymore.

The Assassin’s Guild is dedicated to weaponizing and utilizing the skills of thieves, rogues and assassins of any and all origins and deployed across the world or in domestic areas. Their jobs are still essential and pivotal, and still technically within Stormwind’s name, but it is wholly independent and operates under leadership of a council (The Thumb).

The SI:7 takes orders directly from the throne, and at times, from Generals and Commanders on the field as well. Their tasks are specialized to protect Stormwind’s interests, and are involved in the grander campaign of things. The SI:7 do not often trouble themselves with small gangs or corrupt individuals and nobles unless necessary (ex: one forgettable mayor poses a political threat to the crown, or a gang trafficking weapons to and from Stormwind would be tackled by SI:7).

The SI:7 takes orders from the Stormwind government. The Assassin’s Guild takes orders from no one but themselves.

Mathias Shaw leads the SI:7, and is a member on the Thumb. He leads both, but holds sole command over the SI:7 as a whole, whereas in the Guild, he’s merely one voice on a council, and is not particularly active on said council. All in all, they came from the same origins and suit the same needs, and make up the deadliest force the kingdom of Stormwind has to offer.

#si report: meta #file: stormwind intelligence #file: stormwind assassins #file: pathonia #si report: headcanon #( and here's where i cobble the rpg and my personal headcanons )#long post #preemptive strike ; queue

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jobsalertpakistan · 4 years

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Labor of Third World Countries

Labor is one of the most basic parts of human flourishing and can even be considered as the transgression qua non of the financial development of organized associations. Visa acknowledgment to Canada and Australia dwells in the underlining truth that there are streets to be assembled and structures to raise. Actual hands are needed to finish the determined developments. Work in industrialized nations are getting costly and under priviledged nations have the wealth of human influence to flow their quality and make an equilibrium. In Unites conditions of America, handymen are one of the generously compensated exchange authorities. In any case, on the off chance that one visits down to the Texas belt, the costs of handymen face a record-breaking low. The flood of modest work from Mexico helps with decreasing the paces of handymen and other talented workers. Building homes in California is less expensive than contrasted with building a comparative neighborhood in Boston or New York. The basic explanation for this conduct is the accessibility of gifted work.

One can site 1,000,000 instances of the upsides of gifted work and its bountiful accessibility. Workers from all around the globe has made America where it is today and different countries are following the pattern. The mixture of civic establishments will make and cultivate brightness and model works. The streets joining the fifty states have been set somewhere near German contractual workers who moved here 100 years prior, the emergency clinics are soaked with gifted masters from China and Canada who have been brought up in the nation after their folks moved into USA looking for fundamental work.

Dreams and its street to reality lie in the way that there is an eminent gathering of mental and actual greatness in any country. Pakistan is honored with the large number of people that dwell inside its limit dividers. This is the country that has a dramatic overflow of human hands and bodies at each curve in the street. Essential markers identify with this reality. Jobs Alert Pakistan A great many house hold laborers are working at underneath global standard wages to try and come to neediness level status. A great many kids are utilized in mechanical processing plants on pitiful wages because of the wealth of laborers in the production line zones. Faisalabad is marked as the public center and focus of material industry and this isn't because of the inventive personalities that are working nonstop or the apparatus being sent out from Italy, however all things considered because of the modest work accessible in the inward and external skirts of the city. Faisalabad is on the guide of Pakistan because of the development of human hands and bodies. Gugranwala can likewise be refered to. Measurements from the legislature of Pakistan demonstrate that 60% of towns have graduate nonconformists and are looking for work. Laborers travel miles looking for work agog to discover something that can keep their stoves warm. Experimental information infers that this country has the human hands important to sling its difference into additionally day to day environments. Making streets and building houses isn't advanced science. With such modest work the chances of accomplishing the fantasies are so inside handle. Envision what America made after the convergence of every one of those settlers hundred years back or even England. The achievements that can be accomplished by Germany and Italy on the off chance that they had this number of laborers at this stage is unimaginable.

China, the senior sibling nearby can be the excellent responsibility and the passionate motivation. With a large number of laborers cycling to businesses and wearing fundamental clothing, this incredible country has accomplished achievements and points that no other country on the planet can even envision. It is the main country on the planet that can flaunt sending out to all the nations on the planet with the most different arrangement of products. From a huge number of lead pencils that are sent to South Africa to the little wooden dolls sold in the huge toy stores in Australia, China has become a nearby brand. The purpose for China being triumphant lies in the reality of dealing with and planning the individuals at large scale manufacturing levels. China was effective in taking advantage of its limitless HR and sharpen its workforce over the steady section of years.

Human force is an extraordinary blessing whenever comprehended and used completely. With the upside of millions of youth promptly accessible, Pakistan needs to sharpen this sideline profit and cut lastingness on the planet market. This will require monstrous measures and even make destruction for explicit time periods. On the off chance that turning into a victor in the consistently evolving economy, than Pakistan should be in full ready and begin estimating its key qualities, instructing the majority, preparing the labor and zeroing in on long haul objectives.

There are a few sensitive points that all countries of the world require to ponder at this stage. The world is presently associated and data is moving at the speed of light. There is no space for unvolatile questions and glitches. Countries will pay intensely in the event that they don't stay up with the current patterns and obliterate the current obstructions. The lip overhauling political frameworks and the energized topics of boggling discourses can not free the agonies and misfortunes one will gather if all measures are not taken into proportionate steps. The market is greatly all inclusive and the set back deterministic of budgetary misfortunes. Nations are presently being decided by its imagination, comprehension of the global necessities and its dedication to its drawn out objectives. Pakistan will bomb wretchedly in the worldwide circles and wind up scrutinizing the non-utilization of such a gigantic associate of human presence. The conversion of labor and utility is obligatory for endurance. Cut urban communities with the blue prints of china and give intends to build up and settle nearby business sectors. Malaysia and Thailand are nations with labor and mentality. Economies of scale are legitimately corresponding to the scholarly buildup of the basic worker. These countries alongside India have effectively imbedded an attitude that can drive and work with cutting edge instruments and build up a more normal efficiency when contrasted with worldwide business sectors.

Pakistan is miles from that sea tides. It is just at its outset. We have to focus on the basic and helpful market of large scale manufacturing where hands are a higher priority than zeroing in on assembling baffled Intel chip coding designs.

The cost of work for development has expanded 30% from a year ago. Drivers, cooks, and cleaners are charging great past the necessary standards. Trucks and oil rates identified with transport has influenced the cost of products. Be that as it may, I can't help thinking about why this case is? At the point when we have a great many human faces restlessly standing by to work and procure a rupee. The social lack of interest that has become ingrained in our psyches as a development has been the genuine distinct advantage. Nobody is prepared to educate and cultivate on. The weakness level here in Pakistan is at its most elevated plateue . The raw numbers relate an account of means and probability yet the refined and implanted examples reason that we are prepared to arrange misfortunes no matter what. In the event that the normal components are all around instructed in this nation, the work rate and prudent advantages can undoubtedly turn to a positive measurement. In the event that each 10th individual from the pool of 2.4 million youth that are serving no divisions or associations become painters, woodworkers, typists or even drivers, the pool from where we can pick will increment and open rivalry will additionally lift the conditions. In any case, in the event that we browse a pool who are hard coded with never to permit others to enter the space mentality, at that point negativity will stir its way up the blood chain and encourage disdain and aggression. This is the ideal opportunity to zero in on the current bit of leeway we have on the lookout and open the entryways for these youthful crowds. Make occupations that have an essential impact in the economies of scale. Gain from the Chinese and become impetuses for neighborhood item fabricating. Close entryways of imported product. Examine the differential favorable circumstances of nearby business sectors. This is an ideal opportunity to deliver solidness and believability.

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pearlplusau · 5 years

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Pearl Plus AU- The bright light part 2

Amethyst 8XWJ was one of the earliest to pop up from the Earth’s crust. When she first emerged off the kindergarten walls, she face-planted on the hard ground and was immediately greeted by a fellow quartz soldier, 8XWI. All gems she emerged with were great and fun, but 8XWI was special. When she saw others summoning their weapons, she was able to conjure her own with just one attempt. When she was taught about the Great Diamond authority and how the system works, she immediately adapted to the idea of higher power and understood her purpose of serving to live, living to serve. She was skilled, she was talented, she was… listening and attentive.

“What’s holding you back?” Holly asked in a sympathetic tone, her face twitched from calm to manic. “No idea where My Diamond’s pool is?” She brings back the whip once more, grinning to herself, “Shocker! (pun intended)”

She gripped the handle tighter, amplifying the static and electric current, causing an ear-splitting buzz to ring around the area, and flunged it towards 8XWJ’s arm. “Huh?” before she was able to react, electricity coursed from the handle to the tip and zapped her whole without warning, “Ahhhhh!” she screamed and trashed, but the whip won’t let go!

She kneeled down, and tried to resist! But it was too much, she thought of her comrades, her fellow amethysts losing the battle on Earth! Never will she be able to see them again! She didn’t want to give in, but…her form begged to differ.

The surge of destruction was too much! Being weak from her previous punishment, she couldn’t hold much longer, and…

Poof!

A purple quartz gem clinked as it landed on the platform, clattering as it stayed on its spot. 8XWJ was poofed and retreated into her gem.

Holly Blue Agate was smiling as she set her weapon down and thought to herself. ‘Finally, took care of the annoying purple upper-crust.’

“That takes care of that!” She claimed out loud as she dusted her arms off, and glared to the other gems gasping around her.

“Was that really necessary Holly?” Aquamarine questioned in annoyance, “Poofing gems in the open wide would be lead to…” She held her thought and snapped her fingers, realising her true intentions, “Ohhhh, I get it, you want us to report your little crime to the diamonds so you’ll be able to deliver the message, clever…”

“Yeah yeah, don’t get your hopes up, I know the rules around here.” Holly replied as she slipped the purple gem into her front pocket.

A loud voice boomed from all around the area, “HOLLY BLUE AGATE FACET 2D CUT-22! YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN TO HAVE TEMPORARILY DISABLED AN AMETHYST, PLEASE REPORT TO THE HALL ROOM IMMEDIATELY! YOUR CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR ACTIONS WILL BE JUDGED BY THE GREAT DIAMOND AUTHORITY. HOLLY BLUE AGATE FACET 2D CUT-22! YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN…” the voice repeated the same statement until the blue gem found her way to the hall room.

As she leaves, she glanced at the surrounding gems as they muttered their predictions, different coloured sapphires glanced around nervously and whisper information among themselves, but Holly took no interest in what the future holds, her plan of meeting the Diamonds will be worth all the negative impact on her image.

She went in search of a warp pad, the fastest way to the Diamonds, a white pearl was at the control panel and stated her crimes,

“Holly Blue Agate, you have been reported of dismantling an amethyst out on the open. As you know, you will be sent to the judgement hall and be set on trial by the Great Diamond Authority! Any last words dear?” The pearl asked before giving the confirmation code on the warp pad.

“Why yes Pearl! I look forward to be in the presence of the powerful Yellow Diamond, AND my glimmering diamond of course! This judgement will be a little talk between us don’t you worry.”

“We’ll see about that…” The pearl thought while typing in the code.

Holly was cuffed in glowing white shackles by two Topazes, her eyes widen as this is something unexpected.

“What is this? Handcuffs? Is this really nessasar-” Before she could finish her question, the shackles glowed and bounded Holly in a white bubble. Frozen in time, she was unable to finish her statement, her mouth was wide open but her facial expression remained annoyed.

“Huhu! This new law implemented is really rather convenient for us, don’t you think so Topaz?” The pearl had a smug face of enjoying these minor “punishments” while the topazes were unfazed with the statement. They proceeded by raising a control panel that resembles a joystick and monitored the bubble by sending it to the designated location.

Inside the orb, Holly could still see, but she could not speak, she could not move. The only sense she could control was her sight, but all she saw was the orb heading to somewhere no agate had been before. Her white boots were in uneven positions, this frustrated her, but she cannot do anything about it, she simply stayed frozen,

It was a long journey, but Holly can make out the structures and buildings leading to the black coloured cubed Courtroom. As she gets closer, she realised there’s still a chance the diamonds won’t even attend the trial for a Quartz soldier, she tried to have cold feet as she felt nervous but the atmosphere wouldn’t allow it!

The orb came to a halt, the front of the orb scanned the building’s wall, taking a sample of the colour to match the Courtroom building. The colour dripped down from the top like a small current of black ink being poured over. When the orb was fully covered in Black, it slightly floated up and went through the wall with the sound of electric current zipping through the air.

The black orb enters a dark room, where it finally dissipated away in a cloud of back dust.

“-ary…” She finally finished her sentence hung over her mouth during the entire trip. She sighed and readied herself, wanting to look as best as she could be for the Great Diamond Authority.

The wall opened up a door sized hole, a tense, anxious blue zircon came in mumbling with floating screens around her, she was just a bit shorter but also belonging to Blue’s court by her colouring. She looked around the room and spotted the blue agate, her face contorted in bewilderment and confusion.

“YOU’RE the one on trial? But you’re an Agate! When the files came in it says two quartz soldiers “roughhousing” in front of the Great Ballroom!” She examined the tall gem and retrieved a hologram picture from her monocle, it shows a purple gem being violently taken hold by the blue gem.

“Why yes! I did took advantage of that amethyst, you see, she had vital information about an issue of a colonisation process and asked me to inform the diamonds!” Holly tried to explain her actions, but Zircon just looked mortified while taking in the information given, she pulled out another hologram screen and typed in the new info.

“The door to the trial room will be accessible any second, do you have any more information to give before we proceed matters and actions to the diamonds?” The lawyer gem urged as she readied her equipment.

“That will be all, surely the diamonds would listen to what I have to say before deciding what to do with me!” Holly spoke with a dab of uncertainty.

The door to the courtroom opened up.

“Let’s go.” Blue Zircon led the way with Holly trudging behind her.

In the dark room, Holly stood on a glowing platform, waiting for the arrival of the three diamonds. A yellow zircon warped to the left of Holly, she took one look at her opponent lawyer and smirked, “New to this huh? First job and you get to defend an abuser? Isn’t that a bit, anticlimactic?”

“Being my first assignment, no, it’s not thanks for asking.” The tone in her reply was not at all thankful nor sincere, but before she could finish, two pearls warped into the room in front of them.

Yellow Pearl was the first to speak, “All rise for the luminous Yellow Diamond!” Yellow warped in and proceed to her throne with an expression of annoyance.

Blue Pearl continued, “The lustrous Blue Diamond.” Blue warped in and slumped into her throne in…. anger?

Both pearls synchronise for the last diamond, “And the Great, Magnificent, Brilliant White Diamond!” The brightest diamond warped in and shone the room so bright Holly was blinded for a moment, until the diamond dimmed her light and proceed to the throne in the midst of Blue and Yellow.

“Let’s just finish this so we can go back to our duties.” Stated White diamond before starting the trial.

Having the three diamonds present was not as glamorous as expected, in fact, it was intimidating.

The three diamonds stared down at the accused with annoyance and little patience.

It was VERY intimidating.

The yellow Zircon initiated the trial by stating the situation and the actions committed.

“…And so, here we are, at the end of this trial our great leaders will decide the fate of this Agate and end this case.” Yellow Zircon was about to proceed to her points and arguments but the diamonds up there were not at peace with each other.

“Is everything all right my Diamonds?” The lawyer asked with her arms saluting.

But the diamonds took no notice, Blue and Yellow Diamond were silently arguing about the topic beforehand, while White looked like she wants to just zap the accused and get things over with.

“This does not look good….” Blue Zircon whispered to Holly, “Why don’t you just admit your bad choice of actions and get it over with?” She suggested.

“Never! What I did to that gem was for a reason, and that reason will not be wasted from the inconvenience of the diamonds.” Holly protested but took one more glance at the diamonds, Blue diamond looked more unhappy and upset than usual, she looks like she’s trying very hard to hold in her sadness and frustration, Yellow diamond has her outfit to be slightly ruff and off placed, with her electric current leaking from her finger tips, not being her usual strict self. As for White Diamond, She just looked as same as before, her face says, “It would be so much easier to just blast this gem with my powers and have this all done immediately!” And it looks like she’s not having the patience to handle the current situation.

“Fine! Just because this trials wasting out leaders’ time, I’ll just present the information, but not without evidence.” Holly glanced at her pocket and checked the purple gem in place, and went into the confession.

“My Diamonds!” Holly saluted while addressing the leaders, “There is something I would like to confess.”

The diamonds paid little to no attention to the Agate, as they were occupied with their own matters.

Holly could hear some words mumbling amongst them, but could only pick up Pink Diamond’s name and nothing more.

Yellow spoke with a slightly louder voice, loud enough for Holly to get the picture.

“Blue, this is not the time to defend pink and her failing colony! You of all gems should have known her failure was inevitable, why struggle now to try and help her when you could help me convince this to White?” Yellow Diamond whispered, sounding infuriated but also trying her best to lower her voice for the sake of their reputation.

“This is the exact type of behaviour that will led her thinking we don’t trust her! You gave her a chance to prove herself, so you must stick with it!” Blue snapped at Yellow louder than she should, which tipped White into snapping back,

“Enough!” She demanded and glared, both diamonds froze and sat back down.

“Proceed this trivial little judgement so we can get it over with!” The diamond commanded.

“Yess of course My Diamond!” Blue Zircon saluted and summon some holographic files, she fuddled a bit, tried to pull the right file, but ended up dropping them to the floor like paper scattering around everywhere, but worse.

“Deepest apologise, I’ll just….uhhh…” Blue Zircon was dripping more tears than sweat, she tried to collect herself and the files, but she could feel the stares of the three powerful diamonds looming over, her anxiety is building up, it’s reaching the limit, she wasn’t ready for this!

She took on a desperate glance at Holly, hoping someone would help her out, but Holly had other plans in mind.

“My Diamonds!” Holly stood up, addressed and saluted in a clear, articulated voice.

The diamonds glared daggers at her for disrupting the defendant, but it was clear that she had caught their attention.

“I understand that this trial has interrupted your daily schedule, and I know you are all in a hurry of getting back to more important matters, I will be able to speed up this trial if you generously allow me to speak freely for just mere minutes. Hopefully, this can all be resolved as soon as it can be.” Holly explained to the diamonds and hoped that they would agree with her.

The three diamonds exchanged looks of uncertainty, but they also wished to get back to more pressing matters.

Finally White Diamond spoke, “Very well, you are given 5 minutes to prepare your explanation that will be brief and informative, no stuttering and mumbling will be tolerated and if so, you will be executed immediately! We shall have a short recess, Dismissed!”

Everyone retreated into their own rooms.

(First of all, i would like to thank @marzipanotaku16 for her amazing points and criticisms for making this work better than anticipated, we’ve known each other online and through the magic of steven universe. She’s also the friend that encouraged me to start a blog and share the writing for everyone to read, this blog wouldn’t be here without her.

Anyways, this story took longer to write and it would be concluded at part 3, I have some plans and ideas for more stories that may intrigued y’all but haven't really started drafting yet, so that’s gonna take a while to finish up.

And I would like to remind y’all that this is not completely a pink pearl oriented story, this blog is for me to express my ideas through the power of writing and the internet (lame lol)

This tells me you read the whole thing, so thank you, dear reader, and have a splendid day, happy reading and enjoy! )

#Diamonds #HollyBlueAgate #Zircons #Pinkdiamond #Corruption #yellowdiamond #bluediamond #whitediamond #stevenuniverse

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thealogie · 5 years

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u said the other night that u would explain the "you go too fast for me" line, i'm not the anon that asked about it but if u would be willing to do so still, i would love to hear ur thoughts. i have a straight friend who laughed at it bc they interpreted it as the surface level "crowley drives really fast" and thought it was intended as a joke and i don't know how to explain to them the depth of that line and i was hoping ur reading ur thoughts might help me articulate mine. thank u

oh yeah absolutely. I should have known that my adhd would get in the way of me remembering to explain it without that ask there to remind me!

Ok I feel like you’re asking me to explain it to people who literally do not have any media literacy so let me take it truly step by step.

Step 1: writers, actors and directors use subtext in film. Literally all stories have SOME KIND of subtext because stories suck without subtext. subtext can be things that are implied about a character’s feelings (eg we kind of know han and leia have feelings for each other before they tell us so), it can be symbols you use to encode your story with political/ideological messages (famous example: the eyes in the great gatsby...the light in the great gatsby...gatsby in the great gatsby), and you use it to create tension and raise the stakes in a scene by making the scene be about two things at once, a surface level thing that moves the story forward and s secondary thing that moves character forward...I wish I could think of any other famous example off the top of my head but the one they use in so many writing classes is basic instinct...the detective interrogates sharon stone “what’s your new book about?” She says “about a detective who falls for the wrong woman.she kills him.” She’s implying he’s gonna fall for her etc. This is super obvious but there can obviously be subtler examples

Ok so premise 2: it’s more likely that a scene or piece of dialogue or plot point serves a purpose beyond its literal meaning when reading it literally (and only literally) would render it completely superfluous to plot or character. This is especially true of gay coding in film. is there any point to Plato having a picture of Alan Ladd in his locker or swinging around a rubber hose like that in Rebel without a Cause if NOT to tell us he’s gay? 10/10 film teachers (all across the Kinsey scale) say nope all of that is there to Drop Hints He’s Gay. Ok at this point if your friends go “obviously that’s just a prop not a plot point that has another purpose as well”...he’s a great example. in BBC Merlin when Arthur is dying he gives his seal to someone to take back to Guinevere, naming her as his successor and then he goes off with Merlin who is trying to cure him and then he dies in Merlin’s arms...on the dvd commentary, as he hands off the seal, the writer of the show said “oh there goes the last vestige of his heterosexuality—i mean marriage!”...like yeah he was half kidding but writers absolutely know this stuff and they know use of subtextual cuss creates a subconscious impression in the viewer’s mind, leading them to the right emotional place (in the Merlin example, even if you don’t read the handing off of the seal as a symbol of him saying “goodbye to his heterosexuality,” it gives you the mental impression that he is easily parting with Gwen and going with Merlin).

Finally in the context of that actual scene: 80% of the conversations aziraphale and crowley have in that montage are completely unnecessary to plot. it’s all about character. By the time we get to the car specifically, we already know aziraphale is anxious about rules but willing to break them, we know these two like each other and we know crowley likes to be nice to aziraphale. So what possible new thing could they communicate? well, lots. even without a gay reading...we get that aziraphale cares enough about crowley to specifically break a rule for him, that he’d rather do this than see crowley in danger, and we also get that crowley wants to hang out and is disappointed that aziraphale won’t come with him. Up to the point where crowley offers to give aziraphale a lift as a thank you, you can be like “ok even if I read this at a surface level, I’m getting new character information, this all makes sense and is communicating new information to me” but it’s utterly pointless to have crowley offer a SECOND TIME and insist “I’ll give you a lift anywhere you want to go” and it really serves no purpose for aziraphale to say “you go too fast for me” in THAT voice if NOT to tell us a subtextual GAY story. What does it add to the story for crowley to offer again and for aziraphale to say I can’t come with you because you go too fast if NOT to also communicate to us something about their relationship? even if you don’t read it romantically it’s just so clear that it communicates crowley being needy and aziraphale being unwilling to get on crowley’s level about breaking the rules/being friends. But it’s clearly romantic (like deliberately meant to build up subtextual “oh it’s forbidden” romantic tension). Look at the performances and directing choices! They matter! he doesn’t say this line in a funny way...this could have been played as a joke. Like aziraphale was using heaven as an excuse the first time he said no to the ride but actually he’s been trying hard to hide that he’s scared of cars going too fast!! I know it doesn’t sound like a good punchline but I could 100% direct that scene to be incredibly funny with no dialogue change. You just need to change the tone and pacing to set up “you go too fast for me crowley” as a comedic reveal...but he says it softly....he says it super seriously and sadly......why.....WHY......

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tellsubway-blog · 5 years

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Things We Didn’t Know About Subway Restaurants Across The US

DIDN’T KNOW: UNIQUE SECRET MENU OPTIONS

Numerous natural ways of life have a secret menu intended for certain uncommon customers or those with a one of a kind code to get the extra options. Subway is one of the top options that offers a secret menu in certain situations. It is all the more so the customer getting creative by inventing their very own sandwich by putting it together with the ingredients advertised.

A portion of the secret menu sandwiches are chicken cordon bleu, tuna melt and flame broiled cheddar with tomato. Not each location will conciliate this as certain workers just know how to put together the sandwiches on the menu, but there are all that could possibly be needed chains that would enjoy the off-menu sandwiches.

DIDN’T KNOW: FOUNDED BY A 17-YEAR-OLD

Not numerous customers of Subway would most likely theory that the restaurant was established by a teenager. Fred DeLuca was the one to think of the thought for a sandwich shop. Another prime supporter Peter Buck was part of the procedure as the companion to loan DeLuca $1,000 to get it going.

The restaurant discovered achievement instantly with customers making the most of their sandwiches. Most restaurants to wind up enormous worldwide fast-natural ways of life typically have comparable stories of one vision starting everything. Subway is extraordinary as in somebody yet to turn into a lawful adult was the individual to create such an effective business.

DIDN’T KNOW: WASN’T ORIGINALLY NAMED SUBWAY

Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway in Connecticut, but it wasn’t technically named Subway. The name of the first location was Pete’s Super Submarines, named after the prime supporter. Its prosperity prompted the realization that development was likely going to turn into an option.

The name changed to Subway in 1968 as DeLuca was smart enough to roll out the improvement within a few years before it was too late. Subway was the better name to stand out and locate a more extensive achievement. Numerous individuals would have been content having one fruitful restaurant with an exceptional name, but DeLuca wanted Subway to continue developing under its new name.

DIDN’T KNOW: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFERS A UNIQUE SPECIAL ON RAINY DAYS

Most customers appreciate Subway for their great arrangements to get offered at certain times. The $5 Footlong specials have turned into its most prominent arrangement at different points in the year. Southern California enthusiasts of Subway have it far and away superior, with a yearlong arrangement that enables them to appreciate a supper on days with terrible weather.

There is an extraordinary Rainy Day Special for Subway restaurants in Southern California that enables one to get a free six-inch sub and soup with the buy of another sub and an enormous beverage. It should be possible to give two individuals a brisk bite or a bigger dinner for one individual.

Stormy days are a lot increasingly a good time for people in Southern California.

DIDN’T KNOW: PRIOR NAME FOR THE 6-INCH SUB WAS “THE SNAK”

One of the biggest choices for a customer at Subway is trying to choose the footlong sub or the six-inch sub. The yearning level for somebody is the biggest factor, but the costs are likewise different. Footlong subs are pricier prompting both sizes being mainstream among different customers.

Subway used to have a ton of fun name for the six-inch sub to market it better. The Snak was the name used to arrange the littler sandwich. It was simpler for marketing purposes to have a cute name to attempt to prevail upon customers. Subway ultimately chosen it was too befuddling as customers requested the exact length of the bread.

DIDN’T KNOW: TOASTING SUBS CHANGED THE GAME IN 2005

The option to toast a sandwich is among the most well known aspects of Subway. Most customers love to have their bread toasted in the broiler with the sandwich being in perfect condition after eating time. Nonetheless, it is anything but difficult to forget or not understand that the toasted subs are a relatively new thing.

Subway didn’t start toasting sandwiches until 2005. They went numerous decades without the toasted option. The new addition to the restaurants in 2005 was an enormous hit. It motivated Subway to put it in each location to turn out to be part of the experience. Subway is tough to envision today without the toasted subs, but it wasn’t constantly accessible.

DIDN’T KNOW: TAKES BREAD MEASURING VERY SERIOUSLY

Customers often question the exactness of the size of their Subway sandwich. It is human instinct to want to a greater degree something worth being thankful for, and numerous people accept their footlong or six-inch subs ought to be bigger when getting it. In any case, Subway takes this quite genuinely when getting the bread prepared.

Each footlong and six-inch sub is each deliberate to explicitly fit exactly the size it advertises. Subway makes it known that the integrity of their image could come into question if the bread size is inaccurate. Except if it is a one of a kind situation, the length of your bread at Subway is exactly what it should be.

DIDN’T KNOW: OREGANO AND OLIVES ARE THE LEAST POPULAR OPTIONS

The toppings and condiments offered by Subway are seemingly the biggest purposes behind their prosperity. With such a significant number of options accessible in front of you, a sandwich can be created to suit anybody’s extraordinary taste inclination.

Two explicit options that don’t really get as much love as the others are oregano and olives. Oregano is the least well known condiment to add on top of your sandwich or serving of mixed greens. Olives are the least prevalent topping that not many individuals place on their sandwich. Don’t stress in case you’re in the minority, as Subway has no designs to get freed of them.

DIDN’T KNOW: COOKIES MORE BELOVED THAN SANDWICHES

There is a tremendous after for the treats at Subway as the favorite item on the menu. The soft-prepared treats at Subway are delightful and have a one of a kind taste dissimilar to most other fast sustenance desserts or snacks of such nature. Numerous customers very much want the treats over the sandwiches as the primary explanation behind going there.

Subway workers have guaranteed that customers often would admit they got the sandwich since it enabled them to likewise arrange the treats at lunch or supper. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, twofold chocolate and raspberry cheesecake are a couple of the more prominent treats accessible.

DIDN’T KNOW: THE SECRET INGREDIENTS FOR VEGGIE PATTIES

The veggie patty at Subway is one of the famous sandwich options accessible. Numerous vegetarians opt out it a try because of the absence of non-meat sandwich combinations on the menu. The veggie patty is often seen as a secret formula to those that appreciate it and want to know exactly how it is made.

It is a genuinely basic formula with evident ingredients. Subway has uncovered that it is made mostly with soy and mushrooms. Other ingredients like onions, carrots, red chime peppers, darker rice and soy sauce include different tastes that mix together well. The veggie patty is a decent option because of numerous tasty ingredients conveying achievement.

DIDN’T KNOW: OPENED RESTAURANT FOR WORKERS BUILDING 1 WORLD TRADE CENTER

Subway has locations everywhere throughout the country with each state having numerous restaurants. Most are effectively open on a sustenance guide search, but there was at least one amazing location off the framework. The laborers revamping the tower at 1 World Trade Center got lucky with a Subway location opening for them in 2010.

Subway opened the location in a moveable case for the workers to request sandwiches and have a decent supper during lunch or supper at work. The specialists likely appreciated such an option accessible in what was a difficult activity. On the off chance that you ever visit the milestone, appreciate the fun fact that Subway assumed a little job in it.

DIDN’T KNOW: RESTAURANTS SHOULD HAVE 37 MILLION DIFFERENT COMBOS

It is difficult to eat each and every Subway sandwich. The different sandwich types on the menu are conceivable to all try eventually, but the toppings, condiments and breads all add different combinations also to make each sandwich a little different.

Subway figured it out and acknowledged there were a total of 37 million different combinations accessible when factoring each and every ingredient to look over. Most individuals stick with a bunch of sandwiches once they eat at Subway enough. The 37 million combinations could be inspiration to roll out a couple of improvements. Just don’t try to eat each and every combination.

DIDN’T KNOW: JASON BIGGS ONCE WORKED AT SUBWAY IN NEW JERSEY

Most celebrities have maintained ordinary sources of income like the rest of us before finding their approach to acclaim. Actor Jason Biggs is one to work at Subway during his time trying to make an honest living. New Jersey was the spot Biggs experienced childhood in, and he took work as a sandwich artist at a Subway location after leaving school.

Biggs saw his profession explode in the late 90s with the achievement of American Pie. It has enabled him to continue getting work in the acting industry for a long time now. Given a portion of his scenes in the motion picture establishment, a portion of his previous customers may have felt blended emotions after getting sandwiches from him at Subway.

DIDN’T KNOW: BMT NAMED AFTER NYC SUBWAY LINE

The BMT sandwich is a famous decision at Subway and has been for a long time. A meat trio of pepperoni, salami and ham is known for the abbreviation of the Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest sandwich when requesting today. In any case, it used to stand for something else when first created.

Subway was roused by the New York Subway line titled BMT when thinking of a name. The train line stood for Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation. Both names have changed as the MTA presently alludes to it as different individual lettered train lines. Subway chose to go for a name that resonates with individuals outside of NYC.

DIDN’T KNOW: PASSED MCDONALD’S AS BIGGEST RESTAURANT CHAIN

A standout amongst the most prideful facts for Subway is that it has turned into the biggest restaurant chain in both America and the world. Most individuals would not get it, but Subway authoritatively passed McDonald’s to turn into the top in general chain with the most locations.

There are approximately 45,000 Subway restaurants as of this writing. The diversifying options promotion

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Things We Didn't Know About Subway Restaurants Across The US

DIDN'T KNOW: UNIQUE SECRET MENU OPTIONS

Numerous evolved ways of life have a secret menu intended for certain exceptional customers or those with a one of a kind code to get the extra options. Metro is one of the top options that offers a secret menu in certain situations. It is all the more so the customer getting creative by inventing their own sandwich by putting it together with the ingredients advertised.

A portion of the secret menu sandwiches are chicken cordon bleu, tuna melt and flame broiled cheddar with tomato. Not each location will pacify this as certain representatives just know how to put together the sandwiches on the menu, but there are all that could possibly be needed chains that would enjoy the off-menu sandwiches.

DIDN'T KNOW: FOUNDED BY A 17-YEAR-OLD

Not numerous customers of Subway would most likely estimate that the restaurant was established by a teenager. Fred DeLuca was the one to concoct the thought for a sandwich shop. Another fellow benefactor Peter Buck was part of the procedure as the companion to loan DeLuca $1,000 to get it going.

The restaurant discovered achievement instantly with customers making the most of their sandwiches. Most restaurants to end up enormous worldwide fast-natural ways of life typically have comparative stories of one vision starting everything. Metro is exceptional as in somebody yet to turn into a legitimate adult was the individual to create such a fruitful business.

DIDN'T KNOW: WASN'T ORIGINALLY NAMED SUBWAY

Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway in Connecticut, but it wasn't technically named Subway. The name of the first location was Pete's Super Submarines, named after the fellow benefactor. Its prosperity prompted the realization that development was likely going to turn into an option.

The name changed to Subway in 1968 as DeLuca was smart enough to roll out the improvement within two or three years before it was too late. Tram was the better name to stand out and locate a more extensive achievement. Numerous individuals would have been content having one fruitful restaurant with a novel name, but DeLuca wanted Subway to continue developing under its new name.

DIDN'T KNOW: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFERS A UNIQUE SPECIAL ON RAINY DAYS

Most customers appreciate Subway for their great arrangements to get offered at certain times. The $5 Footlong specials have turned into its most prominent arrangement at different points in the year. Southern California fanatics of Subway have it far and away superior, with a yearlong arrangement that enables them to appreciate a feast on days with awful weather.

There is a unique Rainy Day Special for Subway restaurants in Southern California that enables one to get a free six-inch sub and soup with the buy of another sub and a huge beverage. It should be possible to give two individuals a speedy bite or a bigger feast for one individual.

Blustery days are a lot progressively a good time for people in Southern California.

DIDN'T KNOW: PRIOR NAME FOR THE 6-INCH SUB WAS "THE SNAK"

One of the biggest choices for a customer at Subway is trying to settle on the footlong sub or the six-inch sub. The craving level for somebody is the biggest factor, but the costs are additionally different. Footlong subs are pricier prompting both sizes being prominent among different customers.

Tram used to have a ton of fun name for the six-inch sub to market it better. The Snak was the name used to arrange the littler sandwich. It was simpler for marketing purposes to have a cute name to attempt to prevail upon customers. Tram ultimately chosen it was too befuddling as customers requested the exact length of the bread.

DIDN'T KNOW: TOASTING SUBS CHANGED THE GAME IN 2005

Metro didn't start toasting sandwiches until 2005. They went numerous decades without the toasted option. The new addition to the restaurants in 2005 was a huge hit. It enlivened Subway to put it in each location to turn out to be part of the experience. Tram is tough to envision today without the toasted subs, but it wasn't constantly accessible.

DIDN'T KNOW: TAKES BREAD MEASURING VERY SERIOUSLY

Customers often question the exactness of the size of their Subway sandwich. It is human instinct to want even more something worth being thankful for, and numerous people accept their footlong or six-inch subs ought to be bigger when getting it. Be that as it may, Subway takes this quite genuinely when getting the bread prepared.

Each footlong and six-inch sub is each deliberate to explicitly fit exactly the size it advertises. Tram makes it known that the integrity of their image could come into question if the bread size is inaccurate. Except if it is an extraordinary situation, the length of your bread at Subway is exactly what it should be.

DIDN'T KNOW: OREGANO AND OLIVES ARE THE LEAST POPULAR OPTIONS

Two explicit options that don't really get as much love as the others are oregano and olives. Oregano is the least well known condiment to add on top of your sandwich or serving of mixed greens. Olives are the least prominent topping that not many individuals place on their sandwich. Don't stress in case you're in the minority, as Subway has no designs to get freed of them.

DIDN'T KNOW: COOKIES MORE BELOVED THAN SANDWICHES

There is a colossal after for the treats at Subway as the favorite item on the menu. The soft-heated treats at Subway are scrumptious and have an interesting taste not at all like most other fast sustenance desserts or snacks of such nature. Numerous customers considerably lean toward the treats over the sandwiches as the principle purpose behind going there.

Tram workers have guaranteed that customers often would admit they got the sandwich since it enabled them to likewise arrange the treats at lunch or supper. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, twofold chocolate and raspberry cheesecake are a couple of the more prevalent treats accessible.

DIDN'T KNOW: THE SECRET INGREDIENTS FOR VEGGIE PATTIES

The veggie patty at Subway is one of the well known sandwich options accessible. Numerous vegetarians opt out it a try because of the absence of non-meat sandwich combinations on the menu. The veggie patty is often seen as a secret formula to those that appreciate it and want to know exactly how it is made.

It is a genuinely straightforward formula with evident ingredients. Tram has uncovered that it is made mostly with soy and mushrooms. Other ingredients like onions, carrots, red ringer peppers, dark colored rice and soy sauce include different tastes that mix together well. The veggie patty is a decent option because of numerous tasty ingredients conveying achievement.

DIDN'T KNOW: OPENED RESTAURANT FOR WORKERS BUILDING 1 WORLD TRADE CENTER

Metro has locations everywhere throughout the country with each state having numerous restaurants. Most are effectively available on a nourishment guide search, but there was at least one amazing location off the lattice. The laborers revamping the tower at 1 World Trade Center got lucky with a Subway location opening for them in 2010.

Tram opened the location in a moveable case for the representatives to request sandwiches and have a decent feast during lunch or supper at work. The laborers likely appreciated such an option accessible in what was a difficult activity. In the event that you ever visit the milestone, appreciate the fun fact that Subway assumed a little job in it.

DIDN'T KNOW: RESTAURANTS SHOULD HAVE 37 MILLION DIFFERENT COMBOS

It is difficult to eat each and every Subway sandwich. The different sandwich types on the menu are conceivable to all try sooner or later, but the toppings, condiments and breads all add different combinations also to make each sandwich a little different.

Tram crunched the numbers and acknowledged there were a total of 37 million different combinations accessible when factoring each and every ingredient to look over. Most individuals stick with a bunch of sandwiches once they eat at Subway enough. The 37 million combinations could be inspiration to roll out a couple of improvements. Just don't try to eat each and every combination.

DIDN'T KNOW: JASON BIGGS ONCE WORKED AT SUBWAY IN NEW JERSEY

Most celebrities have maintained typical sources of income like the rest of us before finding their approach to popularity. Actor Jason Biggs is one to work at Subway during his time trying to make an honest living. New Jersey was the spot Biggs experienced childhood in, and he took a vocation as a sandwich artist at a Subway location after leaving school.

Biggs saw his profession explode in the late 90s with the accomplishment of American Pie. It has enabled him to continue getting work in the acting industry for a long time now. Given a portion of his scenes in the motion picture establishment, a portion of his previous customers may have felt blended emotions after getting sandwiches from him at Subway.

DIDN'T KNOW: BMT NAMED AFTER NYC SUBWAY LINE

The BMT sandwich is a well known decision at Subway and has been for a long time. A meat trio of pepperoni, salami and ham is known for the abbreviation of the Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest sandwich when requesting today. Notwithstanding, it used to stand for something else when first created.

Tram was enlivened by the New York Subway line titled BMT when thinking of a name. The train line stood for Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation. Both names have changed as the MTA currently alludes to it as different individual lettered train lines. Tram chose to go for a name that resonates with individuals outside of NYC.

DIDN'T KNOW: PASSED MCDONALD'S AS BIGGEST RESTAURANT CHAIN

A standout amongst the most prideful facts for Subway is that it has turned into the biggest restaurant chain in both America and the world. Most individuals would not get it, but Subway formally passed McDonald's to turn into the top by and large chain with the most locations.

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waterfront dining in ocean city nj

Waterfront dining in ocean city nj offers lunch, dinner, drinks and specials

Is there anything more charming than looking out over the water while eating with somebody special? A waterside dining establishment is an ideal place to bring a romantic day for an evening of great eating in sea city NJ There are several beachfront dining establishments for you to pick while you are in the ocean city NJ location and you will need to do your research to find one of the most romantic. Choose waterfront dining in ocean city nj when planing a dinner with family.

The dining establishments in the ocean city NJ location that has a beachfront sight will certainly frequently capitalize on their prime place and supply a charming and gorgeous setting for guests to appreciate the view. Take a look at the locations of these dining establishments to discover the ones that use the best view of the setting sunlight for the most beautiful night. Second, take a look at the type of restaurant. Some of the waterfront dining establishments are more casual and might not suit your purposes. If you are searching for an excellent eating experience, see to it that you select the right type of restaurant for your night. Find the best breakfast in ocean city NJ restaurant for having a variety of food.

Consider the menu if you can previously you make your reservations. Lots of dining establishments have their list online to ensure that you can get a feeling for the type of food and dining establishment that you are considering. You might also discover details on any songs or enjoyment that is provided at the dining establishment that might aid you to make your decision. Dining establishment sites are a terrific solution to those who are planning a special evening out.

Preparation, an enchanting night at a beachfront dining establishment, is a fantastic method to reveal your unique a person how much they indicate to you. If the night is going to be added particular, find out from the restaurant if you can have blossoms supplied, a specific container of champagne brought to the table or a unique cake produced your visitor. An enchanting night may consist of a proposition of some sort, so see to it that it is a night to keep in mind.

Inspect the dress code at the beachfront restaurant so that there are no problems when you get to your particular location. Every one of this info can be established when you are making your reservations. If the timing is essential for your booking, you might need to have several dining establishments as alternatives for your evening. This is why you should pick your beachfront restaurant thoroughly if it is going to be a special place for the life of your connection. Naturally, also if you intend a first romantic date at the beachfront restaurant, it will certainly still be a location you will certainly bear in mind for life.

When you plan a night in a waterfront dining establishment as a romantic evening or for the area for a marital relationship proposal, it will become your particular location for many years. Whenever you go back to that dining establishment, you will keep in mind that single night and all that it implied to you. A pair that is beginning their life with each other at this brunch in ocean city nj restaurant will possibly go back for anniversaries and unique moments through their life.

For the majority of ocean city, NJ families, going out to consume is a treat. Many people can not pay for to dine out consistently, so when they do, they need to have the most effective time feasible. In the world of dining, waterfront restaurants are the best choice to enjoy your meal. Here are three reasons why consuming on the ocean, a lake, or a river is the best dining experience.

The Sight

Waterside restaurants exist to make sure that restaurants can enjoy the view of whatever body of water exists outside the home windows. From dawns to sundowns, high trend to reduced trend, the sights from a shoreside eatery are unmatchable. In some locations, you can identify seals, dolphins, and also whales from your table. If you have a little a seafarer in you, you can admire the sailboats, luxury yachts, and electric motor watercraft as they cruise previously. Even during the harsh climate, people enjoy sitting within the warm, safeguarded confines of a coffee shop, steakhouse, or dinner and watching the tornado exterior. Many people also discover the views at shorefront dining areas to be incredibly charming, which make them excellent places for every little thing from initial dates to wedding anniversaries.

The Atmosphere

Along with the incredible views, the audios and smells of waterside restaurants aid produce the excellent dining experience. First is the scent of the water, which is a lot more widespread by the sea, but is experienced at lakefront and riverfront dining facilities as well. For many people, the smell is fresh and stimulating; maybe it also advises them of a treasured coastline holiday.

Second is the terrific audios that are fundamental to their location. If the structure gets on stilts, one can frequently listen to the waves splashing against the pilings below. For those improved arid land, diners experience the audio of waves crashing on the coastline, the river rushing past, or the peaceful quiet that pervades over a lake. These audios can develop a soothing atmosphere that goes entirely with a relaxing supper after a stressful day at the workplace.

The Fresh Seafood

Opportunities are, if you are eating at seafood in ocean city nj restaurant next to a lake, river, or sea, they will offer some fresh fish and shellfish. Some higher end waterside restaurants could list when a fish was captured, and even consist of the name of the captain and the watercraft that made the catch. Others might supply anchors, which enable guests to stroll over oyster beds. Many eating facilities are known for allowing visitors to choose their crab or lobster from a tank. Others operate as both fish and shellfish representatives and dining facilities, allowing patrons to see as the crabbers, lobstermen, or fishers supply their catches straight to the restaurant. No matter what sort of tidewater, bay, or river you are eating beside, they will most likely offer something fresh captured from that place.

Grilled Halibut, Flounder, or Sea Bass

Some fish kinds are much easier to grill than others. Thicker, extra oily varieties like Salmon, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Swordfish are considered simpler to the restaurant because their structure does not tend to stick or break down on the grill. The mark of a real seafood cook is a smoked sort of delicate fish, like Halibut, Flounder, or Sea Bass. Appropriately grilling fragile fish leads to a tasty meal, yet calls for a specialist technique. Waterfront dining establishments are your best choice for finding the very best grilled fish.

Lots of cities today are bringing their Waterfronts back to life. Watersides which were utilized mostly for trade are being renewed as "individuals areas" as cultures, and communities enhance and grow. Beachfront is an essential part of cities, their urban landscape and contribute to a city's vitality. Active and varied waterfronts draw in diverse crowds of individuals and increase its long life

Unlike various other exceptional eating facilities, a lot of beachfront dining establishments resource their active ingredients from neighborhood fishers and utilize cooks with details training in preparing fish and shellfish recipes. They set the standard for the penalty, fresh fish and shellfish dining, and that's why these five dishes are best-taken pleasure in when gotten seaside and prepared by an exceptional chef. You will not see this rare delicacy on just any type of fish and shellfish food selection, however waterside dining establishments serve this specialized chilled, as an appetizer.

While consuming in dining establishments inexpensive eating establishments, individuals call for to adhere to a specific guideline. In such dining establishments, people typically come dressed in formal attire. The people that consume in such eating facilities commonly use a generous quantity of cash as the idea to the stewards. Such dining establishments deal with a few of the most celebrated chefs. Therefore an individual can anticipate the very best kind of food to be offered below. In a few of these restaurants, the food preparation locations have a glass wall surface to make sure that consumers can see correctly just how the chef is preparing the food. The lobster in ocean city nj restaurants have an outstanding setup. As a result, customers can rest and appreciate a delicious meal.

Much these days' morning meal culture shows up taken in with the idea of price. The corner store, donut shops, and fast food drive-thrus all turn up allured within the viewpoint that this valuable early-morning dish needs to be completed in as little time as useful. In some way, over the last variety of years, people seem to ignore the reality that pushing an Egg McMuffin down your throat while you are flooring it to make it via the crossway before the light adjustments is not precisely a pleasurable means to consume a meal. Such is not the condition at morning meal. Factors are a little calmer ideal listed below and a great deal additional tranquil than much of the contemporary morning meal culture in this nation.

The area is tiny and charming, and the team shows up to understand almost every customer that obtains a cubicle or tummies around amongst the feces at the old-fashioned counter. While it does not take an extended period to have a dish listed below, it's clear that the focus is far more on getting a kick out of a healthy, tasty morning meal or lunch-- with a little of real little talk-- as opposed to completing to remove your plate.

We take these baked elegances and schmear them with cream cheese mixes, layer them with smoked fish galore and furthermore periodically toss a drive top. That's why there is never a day that we do not intend to evacuate on heaps from the city's most superb delis or bakeries. After mindful variable to consider and a lot of schmears, we have picked this listing of our favorites. Get fish and chips in ocean city NJ restaurant with affordable price offers.

Bagels are a routine of everyday life. They are among a large amount a lot more common breakfast foods or possibly make use of as a snack once in a while. This leaves great deals of individuals asking yourself just how they can make this sufficient incentive on their own. Bagels need a little perseverance and time to prepare, yet ultimately, it is a rewarding experience for those who place in the effort. Discover the most appealing morning meal bakeshop, for some delicious food things.

Visit To The Website for getting more information related to waterfront dining in ocean city nj.

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Why You Must Experience SEO 2019 At Least Once In Your Lifetime

First of all, allow us just quickly define exactly what Localized Search Engine Optimisation (Local SEO) is. Local SEO is definitely basically the optimising your site to perform better within the particular search engines by allowing this to be found for your key phrases which relate to the region by which you're located. User-generated content racks up serious SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION points by providing sites along with fresh content, bundles of inbound links, and sources for organically framing natural attributes. You'll find it right here Also really worth checking away is Moz's Beginner's Explained SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION, ” which you'll find right here, and the SEO Success Pyramid from Small Business Search Marketing and advertising. Off-page SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION strategy refers to the impact of a change in some other websites in your search rating. 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But in case we're looking for a larger trend it's that SEO plus what we call real marketing” will continue to blur the particular lines between them as the particular job of the SEO turns into that of a traditional online marketer - having to understand the particular user, the competitors, the market and also the implementation part. Thanks for going to the world of Search Motor Optimization (SEO). For example, we regularly produce content on the topic associated with "SEO, " but it's nevertheless very hard to rank nicely on Google for such the popular topic on this acronym alone. What can this industry shifts show about the particular future of SEO and content material marketing? Search engine optimisation (SEO) is on a move. 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phanestechnology · 3 years

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What is DeFi?

The ecosystem behind Decentralized Finance explained simply

It’s been on everyone’s lips for quite some time now, and it reflects the idea of decentralization better than pretty much anything that came before it. We are talking about Decentralized Finance or called DeFi for short. It’s an idea on which big-name projects such as the decentralized lending platform MakerDAO are already built and celebrate great success. But there is so much more behind DeFi. It’s an entire ecosystem. Credit protocols, security coins, stablecoins, derivatives, exchanges, and much more adorn the wonderful world of DeFi. Sound interesting? Then wait and see because DeFi has so much more to offer.

In this article, we will clarify the most important question of all: what is DeFi? Then, we’ll introduce you to the vision behind it all. We will explain what DeFi is all about and which promising projects are already working on it at full speed. As always, it’s worth staying tuned because this will be not only educational but also exciting.

What is DeFi?

DeFi is essentially just a conventional financial instrument built on a blockchain. Primarily, the Ethereum blockchain is used for this purpose. DeFi applications are mostly based on open-source protocols for creating and issuing digital assets. Their advantage, among others, is that they are designed to offer notable benefits of operating on a public blockchain, such as censorship resistance and improved access to financial services. In this way, the DeFi movement addresses an important core criterion of cryptocurrencies, and that is the promise of making money and its transaction universally accessible. And that is for every person, no matter where he or she lives in the world.

The DeFi movement takes this promise even a step further. It aims to provide a global, open alternative to every financial service available today. These include the ability

· to save,

· take out loans,

· trade,

· take out insurance

and much more. All that is needed is a smartphone or computer with an internet connection.

This makes it possible to use smart contracts. Those who have already read our knowledge article about Ethereum already know that smart contracts are self-executing contracts. These make it possible to develop far more sophisticated functions than simply automating the sending and receiving of cryptocurrencies. Such decentralized applications are called dApps.

· In the context of DeFi, dApps already exist that can

· The creation of stablecoins,

· the completion of a credit transaction

· executing automated advanced investment strategies.

· What makes DeFi different from the traditional financial system?

The key question, of course, is why use these DeFi-dApps at all? After all, traditional banking or Wall Street counterparts already exist for all of these products mentioned. Unfortunately, this is only true in certain parts of the world. There is also the following difference. At their core, dApps and their associated business processes are not managed by a company, institution, or individual. Instead, the processes are automatic, and the associated rules are hardcoded in the smart contract. There, they are visible to all and transparently represented in the form of code.

Once the smart contract is implemented on the blockchain, it can execute itself with little or no human intervention. DeFi-dApps are thus visible to everyone but pseudonymous. They cannot be directly assigned to the real identity of the user. DeFi-dApps can be used from anywhere in the world where an internet connection is available. They are censorship-resistant and, thanks to the automated execution of the smart contracts and the visible code, conclude contracts and/or their use trustworthy and transparent, even without intermediaries.

Not without reason, DeFi is currently one of the fastest-growing sectors in the crypto field. More than $600 million worth of cryptocurrencies have already been invested in smart contracts in question, and thus in infrastructure. What exactly are some of the most important and popular use cases and projects in the DeFi sector, let’s take a closer look now.

1. open credit protocols — accessible to everyone

Open credit protocols have probably attracted more attention recently than any other category in the field of DeFi on Ethereum. Largely due to the meteoric rise in Dai's use and other P2P protocols like Dharma and the creation of liquidity pools like Compound Finance, decentralized lending is garnering powerful attention, and rightfully so. Open, decentralized lending offers numerous advantages over traditional lending structures. It enables

· The integration of lending/borrowing of digital assets,

· the insurance of digital assets,

· instant transaction processing and new methods of secured lending,

· broader access to people who are unable to access traditional services

· standardization and interoperability, which can reduce costs through automation.

Secured lending using open protocols such as MakerDAO and Dharma are designed to minimize the need for trust. They achieve this by making use of the functionality of Ethereum-based smart contracts. Open protocol lending is entirely confined to the public blockchain and has some intriguing long-term implications for expanding financial inclusion worldwide. MakerDAO is the most well-known decentralized lending protocol.

2. issuance platforms and investment

Issuing platforms encompass a wide range of platforms, including multiple exchanges that simultaneously serve as issuing media. A significant portion of issuance platforms are in the security token space.

Well-known security token issuance platforms such as Polymath and Harbor provide issuers with the framework, tools, and resources to launch security tokens on a blockchain. They are preparing their own standardized token contracts for securities (i.e., ST-20 and R-Tokens) that allow for automated compliance and customizable trading parameters to meet regulatory requirements. Besides, they are similarly integrated with service providers such as broker-dealers, legal entities, and others to assist issuers in their process. Dual exchange/issuance platforms include Overstock’s tZERO, for example.

Issuance platforms and investment management systems are likely to grow rapidly in importance as more participants enter the open finance world while providing growth for the DeFi ecosystem.

3. decentralized betting platforms

Decentralized betting platforms are among the more compelling components of open finance that are highly complex but offer tremendous potential. Augur launched a censorship-resistant platform based on Ethereum last year that allows people to bet on just about anything. Other projects, such as Gnosis, are aiming for something similar.

Betting platforms, or prediction markets, have long been popular financial tools for hedging risk and speculating worldwide events. Decentralized prediction markets enable the same thing, but with cryptocurrencies and without the ability to censor the markets. Everything from political and weather forecasts to hedging all kinds of risks on financial or adverse events in the real world is already offered in Augur.

4. exchanges and open marketplaces

The role of exchanges is fulfilled by decentralized exchanges (DEX). A DEX is a P2P marketplace for assets on Ethereum between two parties, where no third party acts as an intermediary in a transaction. Thus, they differ from centralized exchanges like Coinbase & Co. in this respect. Some DEX also uses some highly innovative methods of exchanging tokens such as atomic swaps and other non-depository means of exchanging one asset for another with minimal settlement time and risk.

Other types of open marketplaces focus on exchanging non-fungible tokens (NFTs), often referred to as crypto-collectibles. Platforms such as OpenSea and Rarebits facilitate the search and buy/sell of crypto assets ranging from NFTs in games such as Cryptokitties to virtual land parcels in the game Decentraland. Some marketplaces, such as District0X, are even said to allow users to create their own exchanges and vote on management procedures. Current examples of dexs that offer cryptocurrency trading include Binance DEX and Ether Delta.

5. stablecoins

Stablecoins now come in a wide variety of models. They differ in part in how they issue coins, how their reserves are checked, and the mechanism for fixing their price. Stablecoins are tokens issued by a blockchain that are intended to maintain a stable value. There usually is a peg to an external asset such as USD, gold, or others to achieve this. Roughly, the following 3 categories can be distinguished in stablecoins:

1. Crypto collateralized

2. Fiat collateralized

3. Non-collateralized

Crypto collateralized stable coins include Maker’s Dai. Fiat-backed stablecoins, however, are by far the most popular stablecoins on the market. First and foremost is Tether, although there are now numerous alternatives. The models for these stablecoins do not differ much from each other. With all of them, users have to trust the providers. Some offer regular and voluntary audits to create the necessary trust through transparency.

Unsecured stablecoins are neither centralized nor backed by crypto assets. They are built on an algorithm to maintain a stable value. To put it simply, the algorithm considers supply and demand as parameters and adjusts them accordingly, always to keep them in a balanced ratio. The basis was the pioneer in this category but failed due to regulatory concerns. As a result, the project was scrapped.

The future of DeFi — potential or all hype?

The final question, of course, is how great the potential of the whole DeFi movement is? Basically, it can be stated that there are many things in the field of cryptocurrencies that are simply overhyped. The immeasurable potential is attributed to the vision so that the actual product has no chance at all to live up to the exaggerated expectations. What follows is severe disillusionment and disinterest. However, with DeFi, it is a bit different because there are already some finished products like MakerDao, and the market has received them well.

Nevertheless, we are still in a very early phase of the whole DeFi movement. However, the potential behind it is huge. Even if only one spate of DeFi, such as Lending, were to succeed in the future, that is already more than enough. If the DeFi ecosystem can offer loans at better conditions than most national banks and other lending institutions, this could lead to global adoption.

But this is also where we are already at one of the biggest hurdles that the DeFi sector still has to overcome. For one thing, more education is needed so that the masses even know that this alternative exists. As before, only a tiny percentage is even concerned with the issues surrounding cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Even fewer deal with the DeFi sector in particular or have even heard of it. On the other hand, the user-friendliness of such products must be improved enormously to set the necessary course for the broad masses to use it and for global adoption to take place.

#defi #decentralized finance #cryptocurrencies #crytocurrency

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itscryptovision-blog · 6 years

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Welcome.

Hello everyone welcome to my blog. Herein, I intend to inform any who are intrigued, even by the slightest, about the wonderful world of cryptocurrency. I have been following cryptocurrency since bitcoin and the blockchain first came out in 2009. I bought my first bitcoin in 2010 for 11 dollars. This last December I sold it for 19,000 dollars. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life. As a college student, every bit of money is as important as ever. I felt like I hit the lottery. I paid off a few college loans and had some of my investment left over. I thought, well it happened once, so I think it can happen again so I bought into more cryptocurrency. This time was much different though. Since 2009, over 1000 different cryptocurrencies have been created, all of which having their own unique use case. Before we are to dive into how each of these digital currencies can positively impact the globe, we need to take a step back again.

To enlighten those who are not familiar with digital currencies, or cryptocurrencies, they are virtual store-of-values, and behave similarly to an investment in the stock market. The general name for these comes from the root word “cryptography” which involves security embedding for computer programs and software. It is indication of the featured security bonuses. The actual currencies themselves take no physical form, which creates ease and sustainability in its production. Think of all of those lovely pennies laying around on the street that cost more to produce than they are worth in store value. Cryptocurrency includes ease of storage, transfer, and operation, as well as offering inexpensive and more rapid transactions. It gives users pseudo anonymity, privacy, and financial independence from governments and central banks, which serves as one of the many characteristics creating value for these digital currencies. At the moment there is no government or central bank that can issue cryptocurrency. The lack of central banks and government control allows users of cryptocurrency to maintain total decentralization.

Cryptocurrency started with three main coins - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Currently, as I mentioned earlier, there are over 1000 different kinds. Most of these cryptocurrencies can be broken down into three different groups. The first group, often referred to simply as currencies, are used for micro transactions. Given that these are the quickest and cheapest to transfer between parties, these are the most familiar and used. Currency cryptos are traded like fiat currencies like the US dollar or the Euro. The most common currency crypto by a majority is Bitcoin. Many different cryptocurrencies out there try to replicate bitcoin and add their own twist or try to make a better usable crypto. It is often speculated that Bitcoin is the most valuable given its “first mover advantage”, but the fact of the matter is that it is valuable, thus indicating global desire for fair and equal spending power. Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash are examples of coins being used for micro transactions. These essentially work the same way a bank account works. If you want to buy something, you send an amount of a currency from your wallet to the person’s wallet you are purchasing anything from. A wallet serves as your very own, accessible only by you, bank. That’s right, you are your own banker. Putting people in charge of their own wealth, you will see banks around the globe step up to the challenge that will be suppressing this technology. Federal and international banks alike are nothing more than a business, and at the end of the day they seek to make money off you simply trying to live. Again, there is significant value that comes with that potential.

The second category of cryptos are the “utility” cryptocurrencies. Utility currencies exist to perform a function different than transfer of wealth within a blockchain; a blockchain is simply the name of the coding technology used in developing cryptos . Ethereum and Basic Attention Token (BAT) are prime examples of cryptos given value because of their utility purposes. Ethereum allows developers to create applications within a network of blockchains, an enormously powerful shared global infrastructure that can move value around and represent the ownership of property. It is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud or third-party interference. Ethereum enables developers to create markets, store registries of debts or promises, move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past (like a will or a futures contract) and many other things that have not been invented yet, all without a middleman or counterparty risk. Anyone with a vision can purchase some Ethereum and make it reality on the Ethereum blockchain. Basic Attention Token or BAT for short, is a blockchain based digital advertising browser and utility token that can be exchanged between publishers, advertisers and users. The neat thing about the utility of BAT token is that it is based on user attention as users view ads and content in the brower’s tabs.. BAT has a browser that is catered to the user on how they spend their time online. This allows publishers of ads the perfect way to engage specific audiences. BAT’s ads are anonymously matched with customer interests. Using learning algorithms, the browser caters less irrelevant ads to the consumer.

The last category of cryptos are the “app/platform” cryptocurrencies. These represent the equivalent of an app or platform. While this area is still being created as developers get more and more creative with blockchain technology, one platform that I am most thrilled about is one called Steemit. Steemit is nothing more than a social media platform, yet it offers so much more than any other social media platform currently in existence. As we all know by now, we are a product on most social media platforms, and we are sold out to businesses in the form of our data and contributions, think targeted advertisements. At the end of the day, isn’t it peculiar that we do not get a share of that wealth we create for platform developers? That is where Steemit intends to change the game. When a user of this platform presents something on their page, Steemit rewards the creator of the content based on how big of an impact it has amongst other users. This is especially valuable for two reasons; the first reason being that people with a genuine product to offer people can present it on this platform, and help fund their effort with the currency they recieve for bringing content to Steemit. The currency received is called Steem, and though not recognized as one of the greats, can be used for exchange of value between peers. The second focus in which we find value for this technology is in its ability to give back to the average user for the data they contribute. If you are on Steemit posting photos, and you have 500 users liking that photo, Steemit rewards you for offering something that other people liked. You are no longer creating wealth only for some company selling your data, but also for yourself as you are part of the reason that data has any value to marketers. As more and more platforms are created under this premise, there is opportunity for major shift in distribution of wealth.

Another app or platform coin that I am very fond of is called Siacoin. Most people in today’s day and age are familiar with the cloud, specifically the ICloud and Dropbox. Both platforms are popular and are used by many people. But how safe is the ICloud or Dropbox storing all of your information you please to keep in the cloud? Both of the platforms have been hacked many times, which makes you question if your information could be stolen as well. What if there was a cloud storage platform that couldn’t be hacked? There is! Siacoin is that platform. The platform separates your files, and encrypts them with a code that makes all of the files you choose to store, available to the users eyes only. This means no outside company or third party can access your files like many cloud storage providers do. To store items away on the platform, you can only use Siacoin tokens as means in exchanging for a place to store your files. Once exchanged, the users files are the spread among the platform and divided into smaller pieces that are then distributed in the decentralized network. Having files on the decentralized network secures consumers information from any kind of hacking or manipulation. Not only is it the most secure cloud storage platform, but it the cheapest as well. Siacoin’s service is about 90 percent cheaper than the leading cloud storage platforms like ICloud, Dropbox, and Amazon. Purchasing 1TB of storage on Siacoin’s network will run the user about $2, compared to the $23 that Amazon charges per month. I think we all know the better option here.

There are many more cryptocurrencies in this space that offer a unique potential to improve the world. The list is truly expansive and only growing as more and more brilliant faces get involved. I believe so much in the good that cryptocurrency could do for us if they were given the proper chance, as with the passage of time, there are always well defined waves of change and the zeitgeist of this forthcoming wave is indisputably cryptocurrency. Once understood, it only feels right that this technology holds an influential spot in history.

#cryptocurrency #news #MKT400UWL

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