Tumgik
#and the way they used to cut it last year it was tremendous compared to now
zvaigzdelasas · 2 months
Text
[Calcalist is Private Israeli Media]
"We have a huge deficit of ammunition not just in Ukraine but all over the world. We understand we should produce this here in Ukraine because all around the world it’s finished, it’s depleted. All the warehouses are empty," said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to the "Financial Times" in October of last year, addressing the ammunition situation of the Ukrainian army, which is interconnected with the challenges faced by the IDF.
The increased ammunition usage in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine has led to an unprecedented global shortage of ammunition of all types. While the IDF tries not to address the issue publicly, Major General Eliezer Toledano admitted last month that the IDF is reducing air attacks, emphasizing the necessity to "manage the economy of armaments" because the war will last a long time. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the matter, stating that "we need three things from the U.S.: armaments, armaments, armaments." At a press conference two weeks ago, Netanyahu announced that Israel is preparing the Israeli defense industries to "cut off dependence on the world," a goal that is not realistic in any way.[...]
[L]ast week the Director General of the Ministry of Defense Eyal Zamir concluded a huge deal with the American government for the supply of aerial ammunition in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and so far over 25,000 tons of weapons have been sent to Israel since the beginning of the war in about 280 aircraft and about 40 ships. The Israeli defense industry is also tasked with filling the IDF's stocks. About two weeks ago it was published in Calcalist that the Israeli companies postponed the supply of weapons worth more than $1.5 billion to their customers across the world to divert resources for the IDF's combat needs and that in the last three months, the Ministry of Defense ordered more than NIS 10 billion ($2.7 million) worth of weapons from them. It should be noted that the shortage does not stem from a lack of budget but from a lack of supply, and the Treasury does not restrict the IDF from purchasing ammunition of any kind.
The tremendous need for armaments stems from the unusual amount of bombings that the IDF has carried out in Gaza since the outbreak of the war. Two weeks ago, the army announced that 30,000 targets had been attacked in Gaza. A security source told Calcalist that the rate of fire the IDF is using in the current war is similar to that of a "superpower," is comparable only to the capabilities demonstrated by the U.S., and probably also exceeds the number of armaments of the Russians in the campaign against Ukraine.[...]
Another reason [for the increase in targets bombed] is that in the current war, the IDF adopted a policy of a lighter finger on the trigger [sic] regarding damage to infrastructure and Hamas operatives who are in a civilian environment, thus increasing the ability to hit targets that were not previously attacked. In addition to these reasons, there is also the added pressure from the political level, as well as from the [Israeli] public, who demand an increase in air force bombing to prevent as much as possible a risk to the forces on the ground.[...]
[O]ne should ask whether, considering the existing ammunition stockpile, this policy may not harm the IDF's readiness to carry out future missions, especially given the existing security challenges and the probable scenario in which the IDF will be forced to [sic] carry out an attack in southern Lebanon as well. The IDF may be forced to better clarify its limitations to the politicians to avoid reaching an extreme scenario of an ammunition shortage, or in the words of General Toledano: "There is no infinite army."
28 Jan 24
319 notes · View notes
Note
Were moisturizers hard to come by in the 1880s? I am wondering why Mr. Cushing (although I love how wonderful he is as a father) was so judgey about Thomas's soft hands. Like he's rich (esp. compared to the broke-ass baron), and calluses don't last forever, he can definitely afford lotion and he is shown to enjoy self-care. Also, I highly doubt he is doing the hard labor of his company in his mature age. That scene makes me be like "WTF do you have against moisturizers?!" Am I missing some context in this?
Not remotely. Nor yet in 1901, the "present day" of the movie. Even many poor people could get their hands on a basic Animal Fat + Possibly Some Sort of Scent concoction, and the likes of Carter Cushing could afford to patronize shops on the cutting edge of Victwardian moisturizing technology. Plus, as you say, he's been wealthy for at least 24 years, and therefore presumably not doing manual labor.
So what's going on here?
My guess: the Doylist reason is that they didn't think that hard about the logic of a single throwaway line. The Watsonian reason could be simple vanity. He wears fine clothing because he's somewhat vain, but perhaps paradoxically refuses to use hand cream for the same reason.
Carter resides in that awkward space of the Gilded Age self-made industrialist (with the difference that, unlike many of his peers, he actually is self-made). He is rich, he wants to enjoy the benefits of being rich, but he also has a tremendous amount of identity tied up in his humble beginnings. He wants to be seen as simultaneously the salt of the earth and a man of means. Hence, maybe, an up-to-the minute suit in the finest fabric and hands studiously ignored.
...or he could have been talking about scars, arthritis, bones broken and reset in slightly off ways, etc. Permanent alterations due to manual labor. That raises the question, though, of why Thomas' hands aren't at all "rough." Clockwork and machinery aren't exactly forgiving in that respect- springs snap back and cut you, sharp or heavy tools slip, turning cogs pinch fingers. It's a miracle that his burn in the movie was the first such, if that was indeed the implication.
Then again, I suppose Carter doesn't have a borderline-genius Home Chemist(TM) tirelessly caring for him. I'm sure Edith is concerned with his welbeing, but I don't see her spending much time on nursing or in the stillroom beyond learning the basic household first aid expected of a woman back then.
I bet Lucille's hands are rough.
45 notes · View notes
stewblog · 1 year
Text
The Fabelmans
Every movie, in one way or another, is a chance to peer inside the mind and soul of its director. Steven Spielberg’s movies have never shied away from this but, for reasons both obvious and not, The Fabelmans is by far his most revelatory. 
The Fabelmans is many things. It’s a (mostly) autobiographical coming of age tale that mirrors his own experiences growing up a Jewish kid in the suburbs. It’s a confessional about his struggle to relate to any family member other than his (would be) concert pianist mother, the only person who encouraged or even understood his artistic inclinations and dreams. But more than anything, The Fabelmans is Spielberg waxing nostalgic about why he loves movies. 
Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) isn’t great at talking to girls. He can’t play sports. He mostly argues with his father and three younger sisters. Not much in life seems to make sense to him, except for movies. And not just watching them, though he is entranced from the moment he first sits in a theater. Sammy becomes obsessed with storyboarding, cinematography, editing. It’s like he’s found a missing piece of himself. He makes movies because it’s all he knows how to do, because it’s all he can do, especially when his life begins slowly spiraling beyond his control. 
Spielberg has long used his movies to communicate his lived experiences. It’s impossible not to read elements of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and even Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as anything other than metaphors for his own relationship with his father, for instance. He’s talked at length about how E.T. was born from an attempt to write a story about his parents’ divorce. The Fabelmans takes things several steps further (via the help of writer Tony Kushner) and pushes the subtext into text. Granted, not every element is a direct lift from his own life, but the broad strokes are there with his aforementioned mother and a brilliant electrical engineer father who frequently moves his family to new states as he pursues work on the cutting edge of computers. 
The only constant in life for Sammy is movies. The soft flicker of the projector is a comfort. The stories he conjures are the only things he has control over. But more than anything, he slowly comes to understand the power those stories have on the people he shares them with. It takes a fateful encounter with his Uncle Boris (Judd Hirsch) for Sammy to realize that his hobby can be and is something more than just entertainment. But once that epiphany is reached, he knows he’s incapable of doing anything else. 
All of this is intertwined with the rollercoaster of being a child, and often the only Jewish one around (save for his siblings). He’s ruthlessly mocked and even beaten simply because of his family’s faith. And yet it is a movie that helps him rise above it. 
Thankfully, none of this comes across as navel-gazing or self-aggrandizement and is instead a warts-and-all love letter to everything that brought Spielberg to where he is. He isn’t shy about pointing out how aloof Sammy is. For as clearly frustrated as Spielberg was with his father, he still paints Burt (Paul Dano) as a highly affectionate, if awkward, parent who just wants to do right by his family. It may well be my favorite performance Dano’s ever delivered. 
Judd Hirsch gives a bone-shaking performance as Sammy’s bombastic uncle. It’s the kind of work that can only be compared to Alec Baldwin’s similarly brief appearance in Glengarry Glen Ross. You never see him again, but his words reverberate throughout and set the course for everything else to come. Hirsch is tremendous here and were it not for Ke Huy Quan’s incredible work in Everything Everywhere All At Once there’s no one else who I’d want to win Best Supporting Actor at next year’s Oscars ceremony. 
It’s Michelle Williams, though, who delivers the standout performance, finding a perfect balance of joy, elation, love, frailty, sadness and fallibility. It’s a layered, often heart-wrenching display of acting that in some ways is the very soul of Spielberg’s story.  
If there’s a significant flaw within it’s that for a movie titled The Fabelmans, we never get a complete picture of the entire Fabelman family. Sammy’s three sisters are all drastically under-written as characters and we really only get a single major bit of interaction between him and one of them (good though it is). Granted, this is intended to be Sammy’s story and it’s entirely possible this approach was by design and Spielberg’s own relationship with them was just as sparse, but it stands out all the same. 
The Fabelmans is as heartfelt as anything Spielberg has ever made or likely ever will make. It’s a movie that proudly and with great delight and love wears its heart on its sleeve. In a popular culture where biting sarcasm and post-modern deconstruction are frequently favored, it almost feels lightly daring for The Fabelmans to embrace its audience with such blatant affection and sentimentality. Not that I would expect anything less from its director. I’m just glad he’s still doing what clearly means the world to him. 
4 notes · View notes
taxiofficeintonbridge · 7 months
Text
Super Leather: The Revolutionary Fusion of Science and Fashion
In the ever-evolving world of harley davidson killian jacket materials science, the boundaries of innovation are constantly being pushed to new frontiers. One such frontier has been the development of "super leather," a term that has gained prominence in recent years due to its potential to revolutionize the fashion and leather industries. But what exactly is super leather, and why is it generating so much buzz? In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating world of super leather, exploring its composition, benefits, environmental implications, and its potential to reshape the way we perceive traditional leather products.
Understanding Super Leather: Beyond the Traditional
At its core, super leather represents a cutting-edge approach to creating a material that retains the desirable qualities of traditional leather while addressing some of its limitations. Traditional leather is derived from animal hides through a tanning process that involves treating the skin with various chemicals to make it durable, pliable, and resistant to decay. However, this process is not without its drawbacks, including concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, and resource-intensive production methods.
Super leather, on the other hand, is often a composite material, combining natural or lab-grown leather fibers with advanced materials like polymers, textiles, or even nanomaterials. This fusion results in a material that retains the aesthetics and feel of traditional leather while boasting enhanced properties that make it a truly remarkable creation.
Benefits of Super Leather: A Paradigm Shift
Sustainability: Traditional leather production has long been criticized for its environmental toll. Raising animals for leather requires vast amounts of land, water, and feed. Super leather has the potential to be more environmentally friendly by reducing the reliance on animal agriculture and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with leather production.
Durability: Super leather often possesses superior durability compared to traditional leather, thanks to its composite nature. This enhanced durability translates to longer-lasting products that require fewer replacements, contributing to reduced waste and a more sustainable approach to fashion.
Customizability: The composition of super leather can be tailored to suit specific requirements. This means that manufacturers can adjust factors like flexibility, breathability, and water resistance to create products that cater to diverse consumer preferences.
Innovation: The incorporation of advanced materials into super leather paves the way for innovation. For instance, nanomaterials can be added to enhance properties like UV resistance, stain resistance, and even the ability to generate electricity.
Ethics: With growing awareness of animal rights and the ethical concerns surrounding the leather industry, super leather offers an alternative that doesn't involve the use of animal hides. This aligns with the evolving values of consumers who seek products that minimize harm to animals.
Challenges and Future Directions
While the concept of super leather holds tremendous promise, it's not without its challenges. The technology and processes involved in creating super leather are still being refined, and scalability remains a concern. Additionally, the high-tech nature of super leather might impact its affordability, making it crucial to find ways to make the material accessible to a wider range of consumers.
From a regulatory standpoint, new materials like super leather may need to undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet safety standards, especially if they are intended to be used for items that come into close contact with the human body.
However, despite these hurdles, the trajectory of super leather is undeniably exciting. As research and development in this field continue to advance, we can anticipate breakthroughs that will make super leather more accessible, sustainable, and versatile than ever before.
Conclusion
Super leather represents a remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation, taking the timeless appeal of leather and elevating it to new heights through scientific advancements. Its potential to address the ethical, environmental, and performance concerns associated with traditional leather positions it as a game-changer in the fashion and material industries. While challenges persist, the trajectory of super leather paints a harley davidson killian jacket promising picture of a more sustainable and technologically advanced future for leather products. As we move forward, it's essential to support continued research, development, and collaboration to unlock the full potential of this revolutionary material.
0 notes
sauravdhanola · 9 months
Text
LED Bulb Raw Material Manufacturers: What You Need to Know
Lighting technology has come a long way over the years, and LED bulbs have taken center stage as one of the most energy-efficient and versatile options available. From their sleek design to their impressive lifespan, LED bulbs have revolutionized the way we illuminate our world. But have you ever wondered how these brilliant little lights are made? Behind every successful LED bulb is a team of talented engineers and manufacturers who work tirelessly to source high-quality raw materials. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the leading LED bulb raw material manufacturer and uncover why opting for these innovative lighting solutions can be beneficial for both your pocketbook and the planet! So let's dive in and shed some light on what makes these manufacturers shine!
What are LED bulbs?
LED bulbs, or Light Emitting Diode bulbs, are a type of lighting technology that have gained immense popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs use semiconductors to convert electricity into light. This means they consume significantly less energy and produce very little heat compared to their outdated counterparts. The construction of an LED bulb is quite fascinating. At its core is a tiny chip made of semiconductor material that emits light when an electric current passes through it. The chip is housed within a lens or cover that helps direct the light output and protect the delicate components inside. One of the key advantages of LED bulbs is their longevity. These marvels can last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which translates into fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over time. Additionally, LEDs are known for their durability as they are resistant to shock and vibration. Furthermore, LED bulbs offer tremendous flexibility in terms of color options and control capabilities. They can be manufactured to emit various hues without the need for filters or gels, making them ideal for creating dynamic lighting effects in commercial settings or even at home. In addition to being environmentally friendly due to their low energy consumption, LED bulbs also contribute significantly towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Their efficiency leads to reduced demand on power plants resulting in decreased greenhouse gas emissions. With all these incredible benefits packed into one small bulb package, it's no wonder why LED technology has become the go-to choice for both residential and commercial lighting needs! So let's continue our exploration by delving into who exactly crafts these remarkable innovations: the leading LED bulb raw material manufacturer
How are LED bulbs made?
LED bulbs are an incredible innovation that has revolutionized the lighting industry. But have you ever wondered how these amazing bulbs are made? Let's take a peek behind the scenes of LED bulb manufacturing. The process starts with sourcing high-quality raw materials, such as semiconductors like gallium arsenide or gallium nitride. These materials form the basis for creating the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) inside the bulbs. Once obtained, they undergo precise purification techniques to ensure their purity and performance. Next comes wafer production, where thin slices of semiconductor material are cut from ingots using advanced equipment. The wafers then go through several intricate processes like epitaxial growth, diffusion, and ion implantation to add various layers and dopants that determine their electrical properties. Afterward, individual LEDs are created by adding electrodes and soldering them onto tiny chips on each wafer. This is followed by encapsulating each chip in a phosphor-filled epoxy resin to enhance light emission efficiency and color quality. Once all the LEDs are prepared, they're carefully mounted onto a heat-conductive base or substrate using specialized adhesives or solders. This helps dissipate any excess heat generated during operation. All components - including driver circuits for power regulation - are assembled within a protective housing to create a complete LED bulb ready for testing and packaging before being shipped out to consumers worldwide! Intricate and precise steps make up the fascinating process of manufacturing LED bulbs. From sourcing raw materials to assembling complex circuitry into sleek designs – it's truly remarkable how these small devices bring brightness into our lives!
Who are the leading LED bulb raw material manufacturers?
When it comes to LED bulb raw material manufacturer, there are several industry leaders that stand out. These companies play a crucial role in the production of high-quality LED bulbs and provide the necessary components for their assembly. One such leading manufacturer is XYZ Corporation, known for its extensive experience in producing top-notch LED bulb raw materials. They have gained a reputation for their commitment to quality and innovation. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a team of skilled professionals, XYZ Corporation consistently delivers superior products that meet the strictest industry standards. Another prominent player in this field is ABC Industries. With a strong focus on research and development, they continuously strive to improve their raw materials' performance and efficiency. Their dedication to sustainability has also earned them recognition as an eco-friendly manufacturer. DEF Manufacturing is yet another key player in the market, offering a wide range of raw materials specifically designed for LED bulb production. Their cutting-edge technologies ensure optimal brightness, longevity, and energy efficiency – all critical factors when choosing LED lighting options. These leading manufacturers are at the forefront of developing advanced raw materials that contribute to making LED bulbs more durable, efficient, and cost-effective than ever before. By partnering with these trusted companies, businesses can confidently produce high-quality LED bulbs that fulfill both consumer demands and environmental responsibilities
What are the benefits of using LED bulbs?
LED bulbs, also known as light-emitting diode bulbs, have gained popularity in recent years due to their numerous benefits. One of the main advantages of using LED bulbs is their energy efficiency. Compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs consume significantly less energy while producing the same amount of light. Another benefit of LED bulbs is their long lifespan. On average, an LED bulb can last up to 25 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb. This not only saves money on replacement costs but also reduces waste and environmental impact. LED bulbs are also highly durable and resistant to shock and vibrations. Unlike other types of lighting, they do not contain fragile filaments or glass components that can easily break. This makes them ideal for use in outdoor environments or areas with high levels of activity. Furthermore, LED bulbs emit very little heat compared to incandescent or halogen lights. This makes them safer to use and reduces the risk of fire hazards. It also means less wasted energy since all the electricity consumed by an LED bulb is converted into light rather than being wasted as heat. In addition to these practical benefits, LED bulbs offer a wide range of design possibilities due to their small size and flexibility. They can be used in various forms such as strips, panels, or even integrated into furniture or decorative fixtures. Using LED bulbs not only provides cost savings and environmental benefits but also offers versatility in design options for different applications. Whether it's for residential spaces or commercial buildings, switching to LED technology proves advantageous on multiple fronts
Conclusion
LED bulbs have revolutionized the lighting industry with their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and eco-friendly attributes. They are made up of several key components, including raw materials that play a crucial role in their performance and durability. When it comes to LED bulb raw material manufacturer, there are several reliable players in the market. These companies specialize in producing high-quality components like semiconductors, phosphor powders, drivers, heat sinks, and optical lenses. Some of the leading manufacturers include Cree Inc., Nichia Corporation, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH & Co. KG, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and Philips Lighting Holding B.V By sourcing these essential raw materials from reputable manufacturers, LED bulb producers can ensure that their products meet stringent quality standards and deliver exceptional performance to consumers. Switching to LED bulbs offers numerous benefits for both individuals and businesses alike. First and foremost is energy efficiency – LED bulbs consume significantly less electricity compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights. This translates into lower utility bills and reduced carbon footprint. Furthermore, LED bulbs have an incredibly long lifespan which means fewer replacements are needed over time. This not only saves money but also reduces waste generation associated with frequent light bulb disposals. LEDs also emit directional light which makes them ideal for task lighting applications where focused illumination is required. Additionally, they produce minimal heat output compared to other types of lighting solutions which further enhances their safety profile. In conclusion (without using those specific words), understanding the importance of choosing reliable LED bulb raw material manufacturer cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring product quality and overall customer satisfaction.
0 notes
reasoningdaily · 1 year
Text
Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond review – how the rich keep the poor down | Society books | The Guardian
It’s no wonder Americans have failed to eliminate poverty, sociologist Matthew Desmond maintains in his new book. He believes the better-off are fighting a class war, keeping the poor down by design. Even if he shies away from some of the consequences of his explosive claim, his arguments have the potential to push debate about wealth in America to a new level.
Having won a coveted MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant in 2015, Desmond is known for his absorbing previous book on eviction practices in housing, which netted him a Pulitzer prize in 2017. He starts his ambitious new study by demonstrating how enduring American poverty is. The current poverty line is represented by an income of $13,590 a year for an individual and $27,750 for a family of four. The number of Americans below it has hovered between 10% and 15% for decades, with calls and plans for reform amounting to “50 years of nothing”. The only exception was the brief period of pandemic relief, which drove poverty down “tremendously” – for children, by more than 50%. But things are now returning to form. The Democrats ended much emergency relief last autumn and cut new entitlements for the worst-off from an Inflation Reduction Act that privileged green capitalism.
Desmond shows that poverty blights rural white areas but that its hardest core is African American and urban. Having written the entry on racial capitalism for the New York Times 1619 project, Desmond is sensitive to the way poverty intersects other forms of subordination. Another sociologist, the great William Julius Wilson, argued more than three decades agothat deindustrialisation was to blame for African American impoverishment, by depriving men of good manufacturing jobs. But Desmond thinks this thesis, while accurate, misses the various ways in which “the rich keep the poor down for their own benefit”. Sociologists, Desmond charges, have shied away from “empirical studies of power and exploitation”. Politicians and well-meaning observers have wrung their hands without facing the “uncomfortable” possibility that the poor remain so because the wealthier want it that way.
The brilliance of Poverty, By America lies in Desmond’s account of how government and social policy act in ways commensurate with his class-war thesis. Its texture is provided by effective storytelling, which illustrates that poverty has become a way of life, “a relentless piling on of problems”. Living paycheck to paycheck means a precarious existence and “feverish present-mindedness” for people near the margin of daily survival.
One cause is a labour market that forces workers to help companies achieve profits while underpaying them, simply because they can. Desmond shows that the American economy has increasingly allowed business to enjoy power to coerce people into earning less for doing more. He insists he’s not a Marxist – though he writes that raising the spectre of exploitation always makes him sound like he is. Yet Desmond’s argument foregrounds precisely the extraction of surplus value that Marxists describe. The changing nature of work opportunities in America, along with the collapse of union density in the last 50 years, mean the forces of capitalism are winning. “Capitalism is inherently about workers trying to get as much, and owners trying to give as little, as possible,” Desmond observes – and poverty endures because the first group has lost many battles against the second.
And if an American ideology that harps on personal responsibility forbids direct government payments to poor people, Desmond documents how the state offers tax breaks that systematically benefit the rich (and, he might have added, corporations too). Compared with European welfare states, the US is no less generous towards its citizens – but only if they are wealthy enough. “The biggest beneficiaries of federal aid,” Desmond writes, “are affluent families.” Even when it does not privilege the privileged so glaringly, it does so in effect: the richer you are, the likelier you are to hire an accountant and get away with paying less. As a result, “a trend toward private opulence and public squalor has come to determine not simply a handful of communities, but the whole nation”. Why? Because “we like it”.
All this rings true to anyone who has lived through the neoliberal age in America. Desmond skilfully combines anecdote with the latest statistics and social science. But he is less convincing when it comes to remedies.
Desmond knows that a structural reality requires a structural solution. He goes beyond calling for greater fairness, since further hectoring is unlikely to work. He suggests empowering the poor, which means more unionisation and new rules to make housing more affordable and lending less predatory. Integrating neighbourhoods by class (which means by race) is also a worthwhile aim. But who will achieve these goals if, according to Desmond’s own story, it is in the interest of the powerful not to work towards them in the first place?
“Poverty will be abolished in America only when a mass movement demands it,” he writes. But what is missing here is a vision of how that would work through the existing parties – or, for that matter, a new one. The poorer you are, the less likely you are to vote. That is why the fate of the poor is dependent on the combination of Desmond’s agenda with an even larger one, so their demands can be associated with the interests of a broader section of the population. Rising inequality – the disparity between the super-rich and the rest – which affects a greater number of people above the poverty line than below it, is one possible vehicle for this. But it requires an electoral force willing to put it at the top of the agenda. “The poor shall never cease out of the land”, according to Deuteronomy. If this is to be proved wrong in America, it will be when a political party champions the interest of the many, not the few – and no sooner.
0 notes
rankertopgoogle · 1 year
Text
Silicone Sleeve Toy
Tumblr media
Condom Dragon for Mature Ladies - Fire and Ice Condoms and Then some
Shop the best quality top brand Self-joy sex toys dildo Masturbaterviberetor massager penis development stoker best cost in India.Mob. +91-9311950083
It very well may be challenging for twenty-year-olds to acknowledge that more grown-up ladies really sort out some way to get it on, yet we do. What's challenging for me to acknowledge is the quantity of condom decisions is open as of now. Some time back when I was one of those twenty-year-olds, the entirety of what we had were key "vanilla" condoms, and I'm not examining vanilla-prepared condoms. Condoms a long time earlier were plain. They were one-size-fits all, but they didn't precisely fit all since people definitely are not generally a comparative size. I don't briefly try and think condoms were lubed up back then.
Ge Wellbeing and Individual Consideration • Condoms • Deldoos And Massagers • Grown-up Toys • Broadening Siphons • Gadgets • Metal Finder and that's just the beginning. Shop Now
Washable Condom
Today, there are a lot of condoms to peruse that not simply successfully forestall pregnancy and truly imparted diseases (not that an enormous piece of us more settled ladies have worry about the last any more), yet that truly update the sexual experience! What a splendid thought, eh? Prophylactics are as of now made considering a wide range of individuals. Another clever idea Condom Size For 5inch...
 Finished - Silicone Condom Sleeve
Rubbers are currently really planned something else for ladies. For example, finished, ribbed and studded condoms. These condoms give the additional feeling that numerous ladies need. It's astonishing how only a tad of surface might be everything necessary Suction Cup Vagina...
 Size - Dragon Condom
Everyone kids about whether "size" matters, yet condom size can matter. Notwithstanding the way that the size of a condom plainly relates transcendently to people, it impacts us excessively considering the way that an underhanded fitting condom can cut down its reasonability. Condoms that are too gigantic can sneak off while condoms that are tight may break. So by and by there are condoms of different sizes also, including standard size condoms, snugger fit condoms for people who weren't exactly regarded, and for extraordinary men there are condoms which are heartily known as Magnums, Kyng Size and XXL. Electric Penis Siphon
Get All Brand Reusable Condoms online at the best costs, Hiloramart gives marked great 6 Inch Condoms at reasonable costs. Purchase Now
 Material - Reusable Silicone Condom
Plastic is the material that has for a long while been used, and is at this point the most popular, for condoms since it works commendably yet condom producers comprehended that a couple of individuals are oversensitive to plastic. That affirmation pushed makers to utilize inventive advances to start making condoms with different materials like polyurethane and polyizoprene, the two of which are strong, convincing and ideal for those with plastic awarenesses. In the event that you genuinely want to go au naturale without going totally au naturale, you can use typical skin or sheep skin condoms.
Purchase Launderable Condom Straightforward and Silicone Condoms on the web, Rulers straightforward gem reusable silicone launderable condom at Hiloramart.com. Shop now
These condoms are shaky and made of animal stomach related organs especially like they were ages earlier. The primary thing you really want to consider is expecting that you are still of youngster bearing years, these condoms don't prevent pregnancy anyway they truly help with hindering the transmission of contaminations. Penis Extender Pump
 Huge Condoms for More Solace - Pen Verrugas
Men are not caused comparable concerning the size of their privates in this manner while some to have more unassuming penis, the others are gifted with gigantic estimated ones. Having a tremendous one, nonetheless, doesn't be ensured to compare to pervasiveness or being manlier in light of the fact that concerning gaining sexual bliss without the worries, condoms by and by come in different sizes to take unique consideration, all things considered. Rooster Augmentation Sleeve
Condom Sleeve
Huge condoms are perfect for men with enormous private parts. Regardless, it can similarly be used by the people who wish to have a more open to feeling during sex. Not all men are proposed to using tight fitting condoms in this manner they look for one that will give them extra room. Enormous condoms usually are more prominent at the base, longer and with a more prominent width. Penis Siphon with Sleeve
Reuseable Condom
For huge condoms, men have a decision between Durex XXL condoms, Ways of life XL condoms and Trojan Magnum condoms. Each of the three are bigger than the typical ones giving a more agreeable sexual experience to clients. Silicone Condoms
 Durex XXL - Reusable Condom
The new Durex XXL condom is seen as the champion with respect to being the greatest condom that anybody could expect to track down all around the planet. Stood out from the past record holder, Trojan Magnum, it is longer by an inch and a half at practically 10 inches. It is genuinely extra gigantic with a fitted shape for extra comfort, truly slight solid areas for yet. Durex XXL condoms go with a store tip and balm. Silicone Sleeve Toy
Masterbater
From the world's driving condom maker moved by 75 years of involvement with the business, Durex XXL condoms are ensured of top quality and protected to utilize. Notwithstanding being made of plastic, the condoms have low plastic smell and each goes through electronic testing for unwavering quality. Condom Extender
 LittlePenis Forget about it - an Extender Might Be Your Answer - Dilldo
One of the benefits that go with society's gradually more open affirmation of sex toys is the opportunity for men who have an abnormal point of view toward their penis size to use toys to upgrade their gift. Exactly when sex toys are significant for a singular's common sex play, then, at that point, he can utilize devices, for instance, penis sleeves to add length and bigness to the sexual experience. Besides, insofar as genuine tidiness care is followed, there aren't critical penis prosperity stresses to worry about. Taking into account that, men - especially individuals who feel they have a little penis - should get to know a couple of fundamental tips about penis sleeves. Smash Expansion Condoms
Penis sleeve fundamentals - Silicon Condoms
Generally called penis extenders, penis sleeves are basically vacant, phallic-shaped contraptions into which a man implants his own penis. Wearing a penis sleeve gives the trickiness that one's penis size has extended - both concerning length and periphery. How much the size has extended depends on the model picked. Some are expected to fit comfortably and may add just augmentation the impression of size scarcely. Others are expected to make the duplicity of an enormously outlined part. 6 Inch Condom
Condom Transparent
Nowadays, most penis sleeves are made of silicone or some assortment thereof. There are, in any case, sleeves made of various substances, similar to metal. While an enormous number eagerly seem to be a sensible organ in shape, others could have distorted veins, thumps or impressively flexible spikes, which are wanted to give extra inclination to the assistant on the not exactly helpful completion of the sleeve. Condom for 6 Inch
More Information: - https://hiloramart.com/en-us
1 note · View note
mark-tencaten · 1 year
Text
TOP 10 Crypto coins to invest in to get maximum Profits by the end of 2023
According to Mark Tencaten, the rising demand for cryptocurrencies is proof that the industry is getting a lot of attention. The investment in these virtual currencies is profitable because they provide large returns. The existence of so many cryptocurrencies makes sense. The main challenge is deciding which ones to invest in. By 2030, Mark Tencaten predicts that the cryptocurrency sector will be valued at about US$250 trillion. But Bitcoin will only use a small portion of this. Crypto coins like Ethereum or Solana will control the greater portion of this enormous market. Finding the top cryptocurrencies worth investing in the year 2023 can be difficult because there are already over 22000 coins accessible.
The top 10 cryptocurrencies highlighted by Mark Tencaten to invest in for maximum returns by the end of 2023 are:
1.    Bitcoin
The maximum number of coins in Bitcoin Cash is 21 million. Additionally, it slows down mining by roughly 50% every four years, indicating that the circulating supply is steadily declining. Coin burns have caused a price increase in the market for it. One of the greatest cryptocurrencies to invest in for 2023 is bitcoin.
2.    Binance Coin
The development of the Binance Exchange platform will determine how BNB will develop in the future. Furthermore, given the current situation, Binance Coin's future appears promising, which might drive values to all-time highs. Thus, if the BNB price projection holds true, it may surpass US dollars 610 by 2023. It is, therefore, among the ten best cryptocurrencies to invest in for maximum returns by the end of 2023.
3.    Dogecoin
Dogecoin has been operating effectively since its launch in 2013. In fact, it has grown to become one of the most well-known cryptocurrencies in the world cryptocurrency market over the last several years. It is among the strongest cryptocurrencies for maximum gain in 2023.
4.    Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is one more cryptocurrency that cannot be ignored. It is more of a consumer-driven cryptocurrency that gains from the Ethereum platform's security and cutting-edge features. Shiba Inu has seen a tremendous increase in recent years, which is highly encouraging. Therefore, it is worth investing in Shiba Inu for maximum returns.
5.    USD Coin
Each coin in the USD Coin series has a fixed value of US$1 and is backed by a US dollar in a specific bank account. Because of this, USD Coin is a well-liked option for cryptocurrency investors who want to steer clear of the price risk and volatility linked to major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
 6.    Polygon
Polygon devised its variant of the Ethereum Hardfork to make MATIC inflationary by burning tokens, which renders its pricing relatively predictable. Its main goal is to prevent the market from becoming oversaturated with token circulation, ultimately increasing the token's total value.
7.    XRP
Ripple XRP is the fast-expanding cryptocurrency industry that has seen impressive financial growth over the past year and is still making news. The consensus system used by XRP allows for the quick, low-cost, and low-energy processing of transactions. As a result, it is among one of the cryptocurrencies with the lowest environmental impact. Contrarily, Bitcoin transactions aren't effective.
8.    Solana
In two crucial areas for development, speed and low transaction costs, Solana and Ethereum compare favorably. Due to a bottleneck situation caused by the topology of Ethereum's network, which limits the number of transactions from 15 to 30 per second, leads to a significant rise in gas prices. Due to Solana's revolutionary features, it has drawn a lot of cryptocurrency investors.
9.    Cardano
Third-generation cryptocurrency is Cardano. Its features can be combined in the best possible ways with first- and second-generation cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It improves sustainability, particularly in comparison to other cryptosystems, using Proof of Stake (PoS) rather than Proof of Work (PoW). Investing in Cardano is advised by experts for maximum returns.
10.  Avalanche
Avalanche is among the few blockchain technologies that can expand without compromising decentralization. It has immense potential for compatibility with numerous blockchains. According to the use case, avalanche blockchains change the consensus methods, and the platform has more validators as compared to other platforms.
0 notes
thesheel · 1 year
Text
Gun violence has become the most uncurable menace in communities all across the United States.  With the tremendous rise in incidents involving gun violence, the call for legislation has also increased manifold.  This year,  gun shootings have cut through funerals, workspaces, religious occasions, and shops, killing shopkeepers, passersby, and even children. According to the recent report by Gun Violence Archive (GVA), this year, up to mid-2021, the number of casualties, injuries, along with an overall number of shootings, have exceeded the numbers of the first six months of 2020. In the first six months only, more than 700 children have been killed or injured by gun crimes, along with more than 2000 women. In every aspect, 2021 has proven to become the worst year for gun crimes in the history of the United States. On the US Independence Day's July 4th weekend this year, more than 230 people were shot down due to gun violence, which suggests a miserable state of affairs and a lawless situation that can bring further doldrums into the country. As expected, again, a large number of victims have been communities of color, especially the African American community. There is no doubt the number of killings of the colored communities is increasing tremendously. In 2021, gun violence-related incidents nationwide have risen about 14% compared to the same period last year. And according to the report of GVA, northeastern states have shown the most deadly incidents in the year, with Washington, New York, and Chicago on the top list of cities.   [caption id="attachment_7619" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Timothy Mshomi 1990 - 2013. RIP[/caption] A Gun Violence Spike Has Alarmed the Country Dangerously The data shows that gun violence cases are rising in cities since the start of the pandemic. The violence has disproportionately affected the colored communities, claiming hundreds of lives, destroying families, and increasing the sense of insecurity in the cities. In recent months, Washington has been hit with the most serious gun violence incidents. Within a few months, the city has observed two serious incidents, including the July 16th shooting, in which a six-year-old girl was killed. On the following day, a few kilometers away from Congress Heights, gunfire erupted outside a baseball stadium during the game, resulting in three deaths. In Chicago, a woman was killed and eight people wounded when two unidentified men opened fire on a group of people walking on the sidewalk in the Chatham neighborhood in the south of the city. The matter is getting out of hand now, with more people dying on a daily basis in the US. The accessibility of guns has already cost me my son, as the lack of regulation has continued having devastating consequences upon Americans. [caption id="attachment_8800" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Christopher Wray, the FBI director is also motivated to stop gun violence by mobilizing resources against the illegal occupation of guns.[/caption] Gun Violence Reduction Should be Pursued Religiously to Stop the Suffering Throughout American history, governments didn't focus on the gun purchasing policy. Therefore, America has emerged as the country with the most armed citizens in the world. The most effective way to control gun violence is to introduce new policies and strengthen the concerned authorities to control the smuggling of guns from other countries. It could help the government to catch unknown shooters easily. Because currently, most of the guns that are being used for violent shootings aren't registered, and finding the owners and the shooters become challenging after the incidents. In recent years, the smuggling of illegal weapons into the United States has also skyrocketed and has become billions of dollars of illegal business, according to the research. Moreover, the long periods of lockdown have also affected and depressed people ment
ally. As the situation is easing and offices and businesses are returning to normalcy, it is expected that the situation can be controlled, at least to some extent. In July, the Biden Administration also announced new helpful policies and plans to reduce gun violence in the country. The White House released a paper in which the government announced comprehensive strategies to fight and reduce gun violence in the country. These strategies proposed preventative measures that are effective to reduce gun violence crimes, strike the root causes, and track the utilization of guns used in crimes. The measure includes stemming the flow of firearms used to commit violence, holding scoundrel gun dealers accountable for violating federal laws and imposing new policies for them, investing in evidence-based community violence interventions, providing better opportunities and programs to support the teenagers, and adult population, and so on. The new policy recommends stiffer actions against rogue firearm dealers. The committee recommended increasing the efficiency and providing resources to law enforcement agencies to crack down on dealers violating the laws. The administration called on Congress to increase the funding for ATF to hire additional professionals to inspect and enforce actions against illegal dealers in a more effective way. The FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has also announced plans to mobilize FBI agents to assist the enforcement agencies in targeting these entities. The FBI will provide technology and manpower to support concerned law enforcement agencies to identify and punish the most violent criminals and dangerous gangs in cities. The United States Marshals, in coordination with state and other federal agencies, are going to initiate operations in particular regions to sabotage criminal activities and their networks involved in the robbery, drug business, and gang wars. These actions have been recommended by the experts and special committee members to establish a strategy to root out gun violence and other crimes through executive action and legislation.   Final Thoughts Gun violence has infected the US as an epidemic, curbing the rights of citizens to a great extent. The uncertainty of life has been increased manifold with the help of this misused weaponry. It is only a matter of time that if this issue remains unaddressed, it can choke the country. Curbing the accessibility of guns was one of the utmost narratives on which President Biden built his campaign. Now it is the time to walk the talk, or it could be too late to bell the cat.
0 notes
mcphersonfryputnam · 2 years
Text
Altering Your Yard's Atmosphere With Bamboo Fencing
Bamboo continues to make a tremendous economical impact instead of the particular traditional construction materials. visit the site , most property owners use bamboo fencing to turn their own backyard into the relaxing space. A new good bamboo boundary should be environmentally friendly, attractive and effortless to maintain. Varieties of bamboo fencing Screen fencing Bamboo sections are suitable regarding creating a short-term or an everlasting fence. They are usually versatile and is installed quickly. After bamboo sheets is harvested, is actually cut into posts. Once they dry out, the poles are treated to stop termite and mildew and mold attack. Bamboo screen fencing comes along with a range involving options, therefore you should let your creative imagination shine. Since the panels are made through solid bamboo parts, they produce a new beautiful round fencing. If you would like a more distinctive look, you can find dating the smaller canes. These are bundled together prior to attaching to typically the existing fence. This specific is a good way involving transforming this fence into a new one. A screen bamboo fence may last for more as compared to 20 years. Actually there will always be no need with regard to erecting a temporary wood or string link fence. Panel fencing gives a clean, natural look. Bamboo sheets slat
Tumblr media
To make the boundary, bamboo slats are bound together with zinc-coated wire. A regular boundary measures 4 metres high. This fencing can be folded and attached on a chain link fencing. Alternatively, it can easily be used as garden fence or perhaps a boundary fence. A slat fence of which measures 1m higher is normally used for protecting young plants from strong winds. You can even affix the fence to an existing one using staples. This is the most affordable method of securing your home. Split/flexible This can be a regular fencing. Bits of bamboo are signed up with together with a galvanized wire by means of the center. Typically the fence may be used to generate a backyard hurdle. It's also employed to bring a good exotic feel in order to your backyard garden. It can become rolled on with quick transportation. When functioning on this variety of fence, a person should wear hand protection to protect your current hands. Stand-alone This particular is the ideal fencing you can install. go here now involves inserting vertical framework associated with wooden poles. The particular poles ought to be located 1 to two inches above the particular ground in order to avoid receiving into contact together with soil. You can cover the available space with a fencing wire. Benefits of bamboo fence � Really an eco-friendly alternative to traditional real wood and chain url Bamboo takes approximately for five years to increase and will not replenish once harvested. Secondly, excellent much increased environmental impact. Some sort of bamboo tree produces 35% more o2 compared to some other trees and absorbs twice as significantly carbon. � It's naturally durable Some sort of fence made associated with bamboo is able to stand up to harsh environment. Some sort of treated bamboo rod cannot be assaulted by termites or other damaging pesky insects. To keep typically the poles fully maintained, a sealant complete strongly recommended. With proper care and maintenance, the fence will last with regard to a long time. Studies have demonstrated that, bamboo lasts longer than an lightweight aluminum fence. � Natural splendor and flexibility The particular good thing concerning fencing with a bamboo is their flexibility. Bamboo is light gray throughout color. However , an individual can stain that to any color you would like. Besides the environmental benefits of the bamboo, they have their own beauty and texture. Bamboo fence tends to glimpse good on nearly every yard. Bamboo bedding and sheets fences are great looking, easy-to-install and long lasting. Before you decide to identify the right bamboo wall for your backyard, you should take into account the d�cor a person want to accomplish. In case you are looking with regard to a less-expensive wood fencing that can not deteriorate together with time, you should consider bamboo fence. Bamboo is among the almost all important plants. We are able to use it inside many places. multitude of plus products can be made from Bamboo.
0 notes
dalyeipduffy · 2 years
Text
Transforming Your Yard's Mood With Bamboo Fencing
Bamboo continues to create a tremendous economical impact as an option to typically the traditional construction components. Today, most home owners use bamboo fencing to turn their particular backyard into a relaxing space. The good bamboo fence should be environmentally friendly, attractive and simple to maintain. Types of bamboo fencing -panel fencing Bamboo sections are suitable regarding creating a temporary or an everlasting fence. They are versatile and can be mounted quickly. After bamboo bedding and sheets is harvested, it can cut into rods. Once they dried, the poles are treated to avoid termite and form attack. Bamboo -panel fencing comes together with a range regarding options, therefore an individual should allow your creativity shine. Considering that the screens are made from solid bamboo parts, they produce the beautiful round wall. If you desire a more distinctive look, you can choose the smaller canes. They are bundled together ahead of attaching to the particular existing fence. This particular is a great way associated with transforming the old wall into a new one. A section bamboo fence may last for more as compared to 20 years. In fact , there will be no need intended for erecting a brief wood or string link fence. Section fencing provides a simple, natural look. Bamboo sheets slat To help make the boundary, bamboo slats usually are bound along with zinc coated wire. A standard wall measures 4 feets high. This fences can be folded and attached over a chain link boundary. Alternatively, it may be used while garden fence or a boundary fence. A new slat fence that will measures 1m high is normally employed for protecting young plants from strong winds. You may also add the fence in order to an existing 1 using staples. This can be the most affordable way of securing the home. Split/flexible This can be the regular fencing. Bits of bamboo are became a member of together with a galvanized wire through the center. The particular fence enables you to create a backyard buffer. It's also applied to bring an exotic feel to your backyard garden. It can become rolled on with effortless transportation. When working on this sort of fence, an individual should wear safety gloves to protect the hands. Stand-alone This kind of is the greatest fencing you could install. It involves placing vertical framework associated with wooden poles. The particular poles ought to be put 1 to 2 inches above the ground to prevent getting into contact together with soil. You may cover the available space with a fencing wire. Great things about bamboo sheets fence � It's an eco-friendly option to traditional wooden and chain url Bamboo takes 3-5 years to increase and may not renew once harvested. Second of all, excellent much larger environmental impact. Some sort of bamboo tree launches 35% more fresh air compared to additional trees and absorbs twice as much carbon. � Is actually naturally durable A new fence made regarding bamboo can tolerate harsh environment. Some sort of treated bamboo trellis cannot be bombarded by termites or other damaging insects. To keep the particular poles fully maintained, a sealant surface finish is recommended. With suitable care repairs and maintanance, the fence will last with regard to a long moment. Studies have proven that, bamboo lasts longer than an light weight aluminum fence. � Natural splendor and flexibility Typically the good thing concerning fencing with some sort of bamboo is its flexibility. Bamboo will be light gray throughout color. Yet , an individual can stain that to any shade you wish. Besides typically the environmental benefits of the bamboo, it has their own beauty plus texture. Bamboo fence tends to look good on almost every yard. Bamboo bedding and sheets fences are aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-install and tough. Prior to deciding to identify typically the right bamboo wall for your yard, you should take into account the d�cor a person want to attain. Should you be looking regarding a less-expensive solid wood fencing that may not deteriorate using time, you have to consider bamboo secure fencing.
Tumblr media
Bamboo is among the the majority of important plants. We are able to use it within many places. a thousand plus numerous be made from Bamboo bedding.
0 notes
Text
Tips On How To Spot Actual Vs Faux Loewe Puzzle Bag
Engraved details on the pretend anagram are different coloured, tremendous thick however smaller, as they do not occupy the metal square absolutely as it's shown in the left picture. The authentic deal with is wider than the replica, however the steel "ball" is greater in the best image. PAST. LOEWE began as a cooperative of leather artisans in the center of Madrid in 1846, creating one of the world’s original luxurious homes. Innovation, modernity and high-level craftsmanship have been hallmarks of the home from its beginnings to today. Along the way, Karl Lagerfeld frolicked at the label, as did Giorgio Armani and Laura Biagiotti. An It bag since 2015, the Loewe Puzzle is loved for its numerous form and distinctive detailing. Carried by everybody from Kate Moss to Sarah Jessica Parker, the bag is precisely cut which determines its folds. This Loewe Puzzle Bag Leather Mini, crafted in pink leather-based, features rolled high deal with, exterior zip pocket and silver-tone hardware. This Loewe Puzzle Bag Leather Large, crafted in black leather, contains a rolled prime deal with, adjustable shoulder strap, protective metal feet, and silver-tone hardware. Upon first look, you’ll immediately acknowledge the similar asymmetries because the Puzzle bag but with a unique perspective and this new fashion completely pairs with the RTW assortment. loewe hammock bag The Nappa calfskin leather on this bag is beautiful, thick, and splendid to touch, and you'll see how it permits the bag to retain its shape without being rigid. Finally, this affordable Loewe Puzzle Bag different encompasses the same nice design parts providing multiple ways to wear and use the accessory. The Loewe Puzzle dupes embrace a shoulder strap, a hand-held strap and can be adjustable in a quantity of ways, the identical as the unique so this can be used in a quantity of alternative ways. As for the fifth methodology on tips on how to spot pretend Loewe Puzzle luggage, we at the second are going to take a look at the true vs pretend Loewe Puzzle luggage for their engraving on the keychain. Loewe Small Puzzle Bag in Green Suede Impeccably constructed, Loewe's Puzzle bag is a captivating addition to any accent collection. The historic Spanish luxurious leather house has for lots of of years been an envoy of contemporary design. Released within the SS15 assortment, this Loewe Puzzle bag stays to be a coveted piece even today! You can find extra information about Climate Partner and the project you assist here. We gladly settle for returns within 30 days of receipt freed from charge. Ensure that all Dora Maar Tags and Designer Tags stay intact and that the product returns again to us in the identical situation as described on the product page. The subsequent few steps are nonetheless reliable signs of authenticity, however are for non-top-versions of replicas out there for this merchandise. We recommend sticking to the steps we’ve explained above to make sure you’re not drawing the wrong conclusions. The steps we’ve written thus far are the most effective ways to authenticate this item. In truth, the faux Loewe Puzzle bag has its threads within the stitching traces looking too small and too thick when compared to the actual Puzzle bag. Keep in mind that the authentic Loewe Puzzle bags must be really well carried out, as attention to detail is properly paid to each stitch attached on an genuine bag. This has been designed to go throughout the highest of the dupe handbag preserving your whole belongings firmly in your bag. Crafted using prime quality leather-based as the following greatest various to the calfskin of the branded gadgets, the leather ensures a long-lasting piece to withstand all weather varieties, even within the depth of winter! This choice is the finest Loewe bag look a likes you will discover on the internet using top quality supplies for long-lasting high quality. The Loewe Puzzle Dupe Handbag is the proper luxurious to have this season offering the identical great style because the designer merchandise for a fraction of the price. In the picture with the fake vs real Loewe Puzzle bags above, we have identified how the faux Loewe bag has its stitching all around the extra label at the mistaken thickness. In the image with the faux vs real Loewe Puzzle bags above, we have pointed out how the pretend Loewe bag has its “LOEWE” textual content badly font-weight. As you'll be able to see from the pretend vs actual Loewe Puzzle bag picture above, we have pointed out how the pretend Loewe bag has its stitching badly carried out. In truth, the fake emblem is this thick as a outcome of it's fit too deep contained in the leather, whereas the authentic bag has its emblem fit less deep contained in the bag, and so, it looks thinner. In the picture with the fake vs real Loewe Puzzle luggage above, we have pointed out how the fake jacket has its engravings at the incorrect thickness. In October 2013, Jonathan Anderson was appointed Creative Director. Under his helm, LOEWE reconfigures a 168-year-old legacy of craft and innovation to take it into the FUTURE. The latest trend information, magnificence coverage, celebrity fashion, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and movies on Vogue.com. However with the LVMH firm now behind them and with growing blogger and social media love, I think that is positively a bag to observe. Wearing this bag offers you the type of appear to be “I just rolled out of bed and grabbed this fab bag on my means out as a result of I’m effortlessly fashionable”. Do you're eager on the Loewe Puzzle Bag however can’t afford the luxury label worth tag? Then uncover the world of affordable designer dupe handbags so you should buy your excellent little luxury purse. If you're in ore of this considered one of kind handbag then a Loewe puzzle bag different would possibly just be for you, identical nice design for a fraction of the price. This Loewe Puzzle Bag Leather Small, crafted in pink leather-based, features rolled high handle, exterior zip pocket and gold-tone hardware. This Loewe Puzzle Bag Leather Mini, crafted in pink leather-based, options rolled prime handle, exterior zip pocket and silver-tone hardware. Loewe Puzzle Bag in basic calfskin is taken into account to be a “modern classic” for a cause. It became an prompt hit when it came out a few years back and has grown in recognition both on the road and on social media. wikipedia handbags However that's altering with the recognition of some of its luggage just like the Loewe puzzle bag. With all of this being stated, we’ve reached the tip of our information on tips on how to spot fake Loewe bags by just trying on the 5 primary spots. We hope this guide is helpful in your Loewe bag authenticating. What is more, the varied ways to put on the piece, makes this dupe the ultimate handbag to use for every event as this might be simply styled for each formal and informal events. The handbags can be found in an assortment of colours from a single bold or mixture of colors making a patchwork look on the piece much like the originals. This unbelievable inexpensive designer dupe is a good choice can enable you to seek out your accent to match your everyday apparel which can be used at the workplace or for particular occasions. No matter the event, this marvelous dupe is composed of an iconic design making certain to stand out and catch the public’s eye. Few handbags have multiple styling choices, for instance, they are either used as a clutch or shoulder bag. However, the Loewe tops all of them with 5 alternative ways to be worn. Handbag lovers are all very acquainted with this bag from Loewe, with geometric traces on the leather mimicking puzzle items. If you love the Loewe Puzzle bag but desire a bit less structure and extra of an informal, cool tackle this distinctive bag, there's a new design that elevates the Puzzle line collection this season. Anderson gave us the Puzzle bag, the Gate bag, and a celebrated high-fashion appropriation of the standard market tote. The look of all these accessories upholds the historic brand’s dedication to craft above all else. Sure, they'll come formed like an elephant, but the high quality of the leather is unmatched. Determinedly untrendy, Loewe purses are supposed to be carried indefinitely, and beneath, we’ve rounded up a few of the most memorable.
0 notes
jujhdapunjab · 2 years
Text
Taxes Policies
India has a lot to learn from the way economic policies are undergoing a change in America.
At a time when socialism for the corporate is the reigning mantra, the US President Joe Biden showed tremendous political courage to ensure that the billionaires pay their fair share in taxes. After publicly denouncing the Trickle Down theory a few weeks back, which as we all know forms the very basis of the floundering neoliberal economics, this is also the first time that an American President has made an effort to bring the billionaire’s within a reasonable tax ambit.
President Biden’s monumental initiative I hope triggers the G-20 leadership to suitably amend the tax laws within their countries. Since a disproportionate tax code adds to growing inequality, which leads to the death of one person every four seconds while the 10 richest people globally were adding $ 1.3 billion to their wealth every day as an Oxfam report had brought out, the immediate need to tame the tax laws becomes obvious.
The Billionaire Minimum Income Tax as it is called was part of the budget proposals for the next fiscal that the US President delivered. It proposes a minimum of 20 per cent tax on the wealthiest American households whose worth exceeds $100 million. “The 20 per cent minimum tax applies to only top one-hundredth of the top 1 per cent,”
President Biden said in his budget speech, adding: “The Billionaire Minimum Tax is fair and it raises $360 billion that can be used to lower costs of families and cut the deficit.” Taxing the billionaire wealth has always been considered impermissible and treated more like a taboo. All previous attempts to impose a tax code on the Richie rich, including a Democrat-backed proposal in October last, fell through. Even now it is not sure whether President Biden’s proposal will sail through the US Congress, but one has to admire the audacity and fearlessness demonstrated by the US President who, setting aside the political ramifications that may arise, has decided to take the bull by the horn.
“The tax code currently offers special treatment for the types of income that wealthy people enjoy,” the President remarked. And let’s not forget; sometimes back billionaire investor Warren Buffet had pointed to the glaring anomaly in tax laws that makes his secretary pay twice the tax than what he paid. He himself paid an effective tax of 0.1 per cent between 2014 and 2018. Even now, workers pay more than twice the tax on their incomes compared to the wealthy. This is not simply an aberration but in reality is unjust and cruel to the millions who somehow struggle to survive and still pay their tax dues. To give you an example of the economic inequality that these abnormal tax laws lead to: During the first 19 months of the pandemic almost 89 million American had lost their jobs. And yet, the top 1 per cent of the Americans in Oct 2021 had as much wealth as the middle class, comprising 60 per cent of the population.
According to Forbes magazine quoting the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisors the top 400 billionaires paid an average tax of 8.2 per cent on their income, which was far less than what an average American citizen paid. Another estimate by the US Department of the Treasury works out that last year alone $163 billion in taxes was unpaid by the top 1 per cent.
The wealthiest don’t live on a fat pay check every month. Their income is from stocks. But since the government doesn’t tax the increase in value of stock holding until these are sold, meaning taxing the capital gains, the Billionaire Minimum Tax will include unrealised gains from stocks and bonds. But as Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) explains:& quote; Billionaires don't need to sell assets to benefit from their increased value: they can live off money borrowed at cheap rates secured against their rising fortunes. And when all those wealth gains are passed along to the next generation, they entirely disappear for tax purposes. Quote; The new tax regime will hopefully target this loophole. Effectively, the Billionaire Minimum Tax will cover 0.01 per cent of the top 1 per cent of the wealthiest Americans. Even this is sure to raise a chorus with many calling it punitive.
Nevertheless, the ATF has worked out that ever since the pandemic began, the collective wealth of billionaires soared by $1.7 trillion, a steep jump of 57 per cent but they paid almost nothing by way of tax. To illustrate, take a look at how billionaire Jeff Bezos continues to amass wealth without paying his rightful share in taxes. According to Senator Bernie Sanders, Bezos owns a $500 million yacht, a $23 million mansion with 35 bathrooms and a rocket ship to blast a comedian in outer space.
While Bezos gained $ 81 billion in wealth during the pandemic, the new tax code will make him fork out $ 35 billion as per preliminary estimates. Let’s shift to India. The World Inequality Report 2022 rates India amongst the most unequal countries in the world. It finds that the top 10 per cent in India holding 57 per cent of the national income whiles the top 1 per cent has 22 per cent. To make it a little more understandable, the report finds that the top 10 per cent earns 96 times more income than the average of the bottom 50 per cent. As I said earlier, one factor that plays a significant role in accumulating wealth at the top is the favourable tax structure for the rich.
In his book ‘An Unkept Promise: What derailed the Indian Economy’ journalist and researcher Prasanna Mohanty says that corporations with higher profits exceeding Rs 500-crore pay less effective tax compared with companies making profits in the range of Rs 50-cr to Rs 100-cr.This is in addition to the huge stimulus packages, colossal bad debt write-offs and massive incentives in the name of growth.
Further, in Sept 2019, India reduced the corporate tax by Rs 1.45-lakh crore, and that too at a time when Nobel laureate Paul Krugman had clearly explained in his columns that the corporate tax cuts the former US President Donald Trump had brought in earlier had failed to create employment and nor did it boost industrial production. On the contrary, much of these sops were used for stock buyback and for jump in salaries and bonuses for the top management.
India therefore has a lot to learn from the way economic policies are undergoing a change in America. This will help reduce fiscal deficits and provide resources for development. I am only hoping that in the years to come, US expands the Billionaire Minimum Tax to cover the entire top 1 per cent, and the G-20 leadership too sees merit and rewrite the domestic tax laws. #
By Devinder Sharma:
0 notes
sharkselfies · 3 years
Text
The Minds Behind The Terror Podcast Transcript - Episode 1
Since some folks requested it on Twitter, I’ve started transcribing The Minds Behind The Terror podcast episodes! Below the cut you’ll find episode 1, where showrunners Dave Kajganich and Soo Hugh talk to Dan Simmons, the author of the novel The Terror, about episodes 1-3 of the show. They discuss Simmons’s initial inspiration for writing the book, the decisions they made to adapt it into a television series, and the depictions of some of the characters such as the Tuunbaq, Hickey, and “Lady Silence.”
The Minds Behind The Terror Podcast - Episode 1 
[The Terror opening theme music plays]
Dave Kajganich: Hello! Welcome to Minds Behind The Terror podcast. I’m Dave Kajganich, I am a creator and one of the showrunners of the AMC show The Terror, and I’m here in the studio with executive producer and co-showrunner Soo Hugh.
Soo Hugh: Hello!
DK: And we welcome today the author of the sublime novel The Terror, on which our show is based, author Dan Simmons, calling in from Colorado. Welcome, Dan! Hi! 
Dan Simmons: Hi Dave, thank you. 
DK: So let’s start with the very beginning. This was a mystery from actual naval history that you decided to transform into a novel that was crossed with Gothic horror. Can you tell us a little bit about where you got the idea from this, how you went about preparing to write it, anything that can give us insight into how you blended all of these remarkable genres into this incredible book.
DS: I’ve known since I was a kid that I wanted to tell a story about either the North or South Pole. And the reason is in 1957, 58, when I was very young, actually I was just a fetus, they had the international geophysical year, and that really caught my imagination. Now the international geophysical year saw cooperation between American and Soviet scientists, it was the height of the Cold War, that’s the first time they submit(?) a permanent base at the South Pole, and I fell in love with Arctic stories. I had one book left on a book contract with a publisher I really liked, and we hadn’t decided what that book was, and I wanted to write a scary story about the Arctic, in this case the Northern Arctic, and that happened because I was doing a lot of research on Antarctica and just couldn’t figure out what the macabre, Gothic, scary part would be. I wanted to put it in, but I didn’t think they’d go for, you know, an eight foot tall vampire penguin. 
[laughter]
DK: You might be surprised! 
DS: There was a footnote on a book I was reading about the Franklin Expedition, which I had never heard of, and I decided that’s what I was gonna write about, and it had a tremendous amount of the unknown that I could fill in, that’s what novelists love. And so I told my editors excitedly that this was what I was gonna do, I would call it The Terror after the HMS Terror that went with the Erebus, got stuck in the ice, all the crew disappeared in history… And they said no. 
[laughter]
DS: ...it was the first time the publishers did that. I said, “Why not? I think it’s gonna be a pretty good novel.” And they said, “Look, nobody’s interested in a bunch of people that’ve been dead for 150 years.” 
SH: That sounds like some of our meetings.
[laughter]
DS: So I did what maybe you do, in such a meeting, I just thanked them, and I liked them all, and I had a good dinner(?) and I said goodbye, and bought back my last book on the contract and went out and wrote it on spec. 
SH: Well why don’t we take a step back, Dave, and why don’t you tell us about how you found Dan’s book and that experience?
DK: Sure! Dan, you might remember some of these steps from your side of it, which is that originally this was auctioned by Universal as a feature, and I sort of tried to get the rights and was a bit too late, and tracked them down to the producers at Universal who were running the project and got myself hired as the screenwriter for a feature adaptation. By the time I was ready to start actually committing an outline to the paper, Universal had let the rights go because there was a competing project. It was interesting to sort of rack up reasons why people wanted to make it but didn’t feel that they could pull the trigger, and we were so grateful when AMC finally called us back and said, “Look, we’ve figured out a model where we can do this as a limited series,” it really felt like ten episodes was a great length for this, because we could blend genres in a way that, you know, we could unpack sort of slowly, more slowly than a lot of shows would’ve done, and drive the plot as much as we could, like the novel, with character choices and decisions as opposed to just horror kind of entering the frame and taking over for one set piece after another. So it was a long journey, getting this to AMC, but at the end of the day I think we found the right home for it.
DS: I can no longer imagine a two hour version, feature film version of this story, and I can’t imagine a second season of this story, I think it was just right.
SH: It does feel like we did a ten hour cinematic novel. 
[audio from the show]
Crozier: Only four of us at this table are Arctic veterans. There’ll be no melodramas here--just live men, or dead men. 
SH: Dan, Dave and I talk about how addictive the research gets for this when you start going down the rabbit hole, how did you approach the research?
DS: I think most novelists run into that, but since I write a lot of quasi-historical novels, at least set in history, I get totally addicted to going down the rabbit hole. Readers say, “Well, Simmons’ book is too long, and the descriptions of things are too exhausting,” but I watch your characters go on deck and there are all the things and views and everything that I tried so hard to describe and then people tell me, y’know, “talky, verbose,” and in print I have to do it that way, but you just pan the camera a little bit. 
DK: You have words, we have images! For every thousand of yours, we get one!
DS: Yeah.
SH: But I remember this passage in your book where it talks about all the different ices, and you vest it with so much psychological import. We talk about that passage a lot in the writers room, it was one of our highlights, of this is how you do great descriptive writing.
DK: And you made so many parallels between things like the environments of the ships and characters, you built a kind of code book for the show without realizing you were doing it, which is making visual metaphors out of a lot of these things that would normally just be exposition or historical detail.
SH: Well especially between Crozier and the ship, I mean when you hear about Crozier’s relationship with Terror, and you have so many amazing passages about, you know, the groan of the ship and how it, y’know, and you cut to a scene with Crozier and how you feel that the bones of Crozier is embedded in the ship, and we really took a lot from that. 
DS: Well I noticed that on one of the episodes where Lord Franklin [sic] is trying to get back in touch with Crozier, you know, trying to be friends with him again, I think it’s a brilliant episode you guys wrote.
[show audio]
Franklin: You’ve succeeded in avoiding Erebus most of the winter.
Crozier: I’m a captain. I’m--I’m peevish off my own ship. I leave it and I hear disaster knocking at its door, before I’m ten steps away.
DS: And that was beautifully written, that. You got so much of Crozier right there.
DK: It was a pleasure to write these characters on the backs of your writing of these characters, because you really--I mean, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, as you know, from having written, you know, a whole long string of historical books, is to make these people’s psychologies feel as modern as they must have felt in their day, while still being able to articulate some of the blind spots of being from the eras they were from. 
I’m curious from sort of a history nerd point of view, if people watch the series and like the series, and read the book and like the book, and want to know more about this expedition, what’s the first book about the Franklin Expedition you would point people to? What was most helpful or most interesting in your research? 
DS: I apologize, I can’t think of the name of it, but it’s a collection of stories about both the South and North Pole, and so it’s a short section on the Franklin Expedition, but it didn’t make mistakes, and most of the other books that I read, uh, keyed, and videos for that matter, like PBS did a story about the Franklin Expedition, but they keyed off a 1987 attempt by several doctors to figure out what happened to the crew, and they exhumed three crewmen’s bodies from the first island where they stayed the first winter, and those crewmen had only been on the ship a couple of months, but they decided because of a high lead content that the lead had poisoned them and then made them stupid, and made them paranoid and everything, but they didn’t compare that test of lead with any background people in London at the time, and later they did, so I didn’t believe the lead thing.
DK: Well that’s the fascinating thing about a mystery with this many parts and pieces, kind of in flux, is, you know, you can create all kinds of competing narratives about it, and what’s fascinating about writing a fictional version is you can’t have that kind of ambiguity, you have to make a decision. I think people will enjoy very much ways that the show and the book have a similar point of view, and also ways that they diverge in their points of view, because there are so many ways to tell this story--
SH: Well you know how much we invest responsibility in the audience as well, right?
DK: Sure.
SH: In terms of your book and our show as well, we’re not against interpretation, that there’s a responsibility on the audience’s part to put together--we’re not gonna hand feed them. There’ll be some people who put more of an onus on Franklin, and others who would say, “You know, if I was in that position, I probably would’ve made the same decision,” “Oh no, this definitely killed the men,” “No, this killed them!” and that dialogue is exciting, you know, when you read fans talk about your show and your books and really smart, insightful ways. 
[show audio]
Franklin: Would it help if I said that I made a mistake? 
Crozier: You misunderstand me, Sir John, I--I only meant to describe why I brood, not that I judge.
DS: I don’t worry about who or what my reading audience is. People ask me about that and I don’t imagine a certain reader. But I’ve always tried to write for somebody who’s more intelligent than I am. My perfect reader would be just smart as hell, speak eight languages, you know, have fantastic world experiences, and I want to write something that will please that person, and I think your show does the same thing.
DK: Well we were--that was our motto! We wanted to be sort of the dumbest members of our collaboration and there’s a sort of horrifying moment when you realize that’s come true. 
[laughter]
[show background music]
DK: Tell us a little bit about why you made the decisions to tell the story in the order you told it, and whether you sort of felt like there was anything from the way you had told it that we were--or a missed opportunity. We’d love to know sort of what your experience of that was. 
DS: I don’t think there were any missed opportunities in terms of not adapting my way of telling it, and I can’t remember all the reasons for why I broke it down that way, some of them were just very localized to, you know, when I was writing that particular bit. But I do know that it gains a lot by being told chronologically the way you’re doing it, so for me that seems now the logical way to tell it again.
DK: Have you ever read the novel in chronological order? When we hired writers for the writers room, we gave them a list of what the chapters were like in chronological order, and I think we asked half the room to read it in your order and half the room to read it in chronological order so we could have a discussion, a meaningful discussion about whether there were things about telling it without being in chronological order that we wanted to embrace or not. It was a fantastic experience and I wonder if you’ve ever read your chapters in chronological order? ‘Cause it’s also a fantastic book!
[laughter]
DS: I haven’t read it that way, they were that way in my mind before I started getting fancy and breaking them up and moving them around in time and space, but I would love to have seen that experiment.
DK: The reason we can get away with it in the show is because there is a loved book out there that people trust, and you know, it is a classic in this genre, so I mean this is a perfect example of, you know, the amount of gratitude we owe the book, because we got away with a lot of things that maybe we wouldn’t have been able to get away with because you came before us. 
SH: And speaking of those rabid fans, Dan, it’s been really interesting reading audience reactions to the show from people who’ve loved the books and who just naturally will compare the two, and we’ve been heartened by just how supportive our fans have become--are of the show. There is this controversy, some people like our choice to give Lady Silence a voice and some people feel it was sacrilege to your book, where do you fall on that? DS: At first I was surprised. In fact when you were hunting for an actress for Lady Silence and I read about that, it said somebody who’s fluent in this Inuit language and this Inuit language, and I said, “What the hell?”
[show audio]
[Silna speaking Inuktitut to her dying father] 
DS: Having seen her with the tongue and heard her, and knowing the different reason they call her Lady Silence, it all works for me and I was also surprised when Captain Crozier could speak fairly fluent, you know, dialect, ‘cause I had him just not understanding a thing.
[show audio]
[Crozier speaking Inuktitut to Silna in the same scene as above]
DS: I love it when readers get rabid about not changing something from a book, and I have to talk to them sometimes, not ‘cause I have a lot of things adapted, this is the first one, but I love movies. They say “Aren’t you worried it will hurt your book?” and first I explain Richard Comden(?)’s idea that you can’t hurt a book anyway, except by not reading it, I mean the books are fine, no matter how bad some adaptation becomes. Books abide, and so I wasn’t concerned. With the changes that I see, I get sorta tickled, whereas some readers get upset, and they just have that set. So I think that the vast majority of viewers haven’t--well, I know the vast majority haven’t read the book, haven’t heard of the book, probably, they’re gonna keep watching because of the depth of the characters, and that’s based on the first two episodes, and I agree with them completely.
[show audio]
[Silna speaking Inuktitut]
Crozier: She said that if we don’t leave now, we’re going to “huk-kah-hoi.”
Blanky: Disappear. 
SH: We get asked a lot of questions about the supernatural element of the show and the way a monster does or does not figure in the narrative, and seeing our episodes, did it feel surprising or did it feel faithful to the way you imagined it as well to your book? 
DS: It was surprising to me at how well it was done, because it’s hard, I know, to show restraint in a series like this, and certainly in a movie, but it’s hard to show restraint at showing and explaining the monster. 
[show audio]
[ominous music, Tuunbaq roaring, men screaming]
DS: The way you did it in the first few episodes to me were just lovely, just, you know, a hint of a glance at something and then you see the results of this creature, so that’s what I tried to do in the novel, one of the reasons I moved around through space and time, part of what I wanted to do was not cheapen the story and not cheapen the reality of these poor men dying by just throwing in a monster, and so I tried to do it in a way that would not disrespect the true tale, and I believe you’re doing it the same way I tried. 
DK: The way you incorporated the supernatural into the book, I mean, I was a fan of it when I first read it. It was jaw dropping the way that it fits so well on a level of plot, on a level of character, and on a level of theme. So when we got the green light to adapt it I was so confident that we were going to be able to do something with it that would be able to be nuanced because the bones of it are so organically terrific.
SH: It helped us know what we didn’t want to do. That formed so much of our conversation, of “this is what we do not want, this is what we do not want,” and slowly you whittled down to getting down to the essence of what this thing had to be.
[show audio]
[Tuunbaq growling]
DK: Another character from the book that really stands out for fans that they are wondering what in the world we’re doing with is Manson. [laughter] And I was curious what you made of the fact that he is pretty invisible in the first three episodes of the show, and that some of his plot beats have been given to a character called Gibson, who I don’t remember is--I don’t think he’s featured very much in the novel. And I wondered if that caught you off guard or if you sort of intuitively had a sense of what we were doing in making that change? 
DS: Any discussion of Manson to me leads to Hickey converting him to his future, his tribe, the tribe he wants to have, group of worshippers, that I think Hickey wants to have, but he does it by sex below decks. Hickey’s not gay at all, he’s a manipulator, to me, and he was manipulating Manson who was big and dumb, in my book, he’s manipulating him by this sexual encounter. But I was curious whether you were worried about showing that?
DK: Well, we weren’t worried about showing characters having same-sex affairs or relationships. We wanted to make room in Hickey’s character for actual affection, or if not affection then companionship, or some kind of connection.
[show audio]
Hickey: Lieutenant Irving! I was hoping we’d meet. 
Crewman: Mind the grease there, sir. 
Hickey: I wanted to... thank you… for your help. For your discretion, I mean. 
Irving: Call it anything but help, Mr. Hickey. Please. I exercised clemency for a man abused by a devious seducer.
DK: We wanted to make sure that Hickey had access to command in some way that a steward, an officer’s steward, would be able to provide him, that an able seaman wouldn’t be able to provide him, and that was really valuable to us in terms of charting out all of these character stories, was how does he know what he knows about how command is dissatisfied or where the fractures are if he can’t see them from where he’s sleeps in his cot in the forecastle. 
SH: I mean we know that there were relations between the same sex on ships, it just was part of this world. Not to belie that there was serious consequences for it, but you know, we have 129 characters, and we wanted them to feel fully fledged and rich, and, you know, passions do naturally develop and have no characters engaged in sexual relations would have felt just as odd and perhaps even more controversial, and when Irving discovers Gibson and Hickey, his shock is from such a subjective point of view of his moral center. It’s not the camera’s perspective, right? Our camera’s very neutral in that scene. It’s Irving, that character at that point in the show, that is infusing a sense of horror, that’s his horror moment.
DS: I’d like to add that it’s not the gay connection that would cause criticism, but I was flayed alive because the most openly quote “gay” unquote character, that is, Hickey, you know, maybe hunting for affection but definitely hunting for power, he’s the only one they said in reviews, and he’s a killer and a bad person, so I’m homophobic, but I was flayed alive for that. The word homophobic appeared in about 80 reviews. Nobody mentioned the purser, who uh--
DK: Right, Bridgens and Peglar.
DS: Yeah. I thought he was a fascinating character. I loved getting glimpses of him in the series because he’s super smart, he’s super wise, he’s probably wiser than any of the commanders, ahd he’s obviously in love with--who is it that he’s in love with in the show?
DK: Peglar. 
DS: Yes, that makes sense. And, uh, so Peglar says, you know, “Is this another Herodotus?” and, “No, I’m giving you Swift now,” he’s educating the man he cares for. 
[show audio]
Hickey: I understand you cleared up our “association” for Lieutenant Irving? Gibson: You spoke to him.
Hickey: Mhm.
Gibson: Directly?
(beat)
Christ, Cornelius, I’d reassured him.
Hickey: Cornelius Hickey is a “devious seducer.” That was your--that was your reassurance? You’ve got some face, you know that? 
DK: We wouldn’t have dramatized Hickey’s story if we weren’t also going to pull in Peglar and Bridgens’ story, because we knew that people, you know, are predisposed to sort of make that kind of quick assumption, and we just wanted to make sure that the show didn’t have that blind spot and reflected the book, which also doesn’t have that blind spot. 
SH: We had those same questions with Lady Silence, and I’m sure you did as well. When we meet her, she’s a frightened young woman who’s about to lose her father, and that’s a universal character moment that anyone can relate to, and the otherness is sort of--is secondary, but then once--in the end scene of 1.02, when she’s sitting there grieving her father and then you have that language barrier with everyone else, we worked with Nive on this because we wanted to make sure the language itself was as accurate as possible, so when you say disappear making sure that the disappear in our language means the same thing as disappear in her language. I think whenever you have characters that feel othered in most media and you’re bringing them into your show, Dave and I also just wanted to make sure we weren’t swaying on the pendulum on the other side and being almost too careful about touching them, and with Nive I think when you have an actor of that talent, she was strong, she was representing a voice that she felt very confident in, and that was very reassuring for us.
DS: And it works well, and when her father’s dying, she throws herself on his chest and says “I’m not ready, it’s too soon, I’m not ready,” and I love that in the show because if she’s gonna become a Shaman he’s dying you know it’s not reached that point of education yet where she feels secure and later on you know beyond what we’re discussing today she becomes to me in the show I see her as more and more majestic.
SH: I do love the word majestic ‘cause I think it describes pretty much all of our characters. I agree, I do think there is something very sublime about who they have become at the end because when you go through that much trials and tribulations, it’s this beautiful human spirit to endure. 
DS: I think that’s one of the central themes of the story that you’ve brought out so clearly. In most post-apocalypse, you know, terrible situation movies and shows, everybody turns nasty as hell, they start shooting each other, it’s just like WWIII when they should be helping each other survive, and I found even though there was controversy, even though there was opposition in this story, people opposing against each other, still that they rose to the occasion. And that is so rare I think in much media these days or even books where the characters are themselves and they do the best they can, and when things get bad they rise to the occasion.
DK: The first conversation you and I had about the book, you know, I was basically pitching you sort of what I thought thematically the book was about, and I talked a lot about, that in a disaster like this, a kind of moral emergency, that we would get a chance to unpack what is sort of best and worst in these characters’ souls.
DS: I confuse readers often when I was on book tour for this book, and it was a long time ago, I’ve written a few million words since then, but I confused people by saying that if you want a theme for the survival story of The Terror, it’s love. It’s love between the men. And just unstinting love. And this came out in a piece of dialogue, in the first two episodes.
[audio from the show]
Franklin: I’ll not have you speak of him uncharitably, James. He is my second. If something were to happen to me, you would be his second. You should cherish that man. 
Fitzjames: Sometimes I think you love your men more than even God loves them, Sir John. 
Franklin: For all your sakes, let’s hope you’re wrong. 
DS: That to me was right the theme I was working with, and with Crozier who shows it a different way, with Fitzjames who’s struggling to show leadership, and between the men despite their hierarchy and the British hierarchy, the rank and lieutenants and so forth, eventually they come down to loving the men they try to save. And I found that lovely. 
[The Terror opening theme music plays]
DK: Thank you so much for listening to The Minds Behind The Terror, join us in our next edition when we talk about episodes 4-6 with the additional guest Adam Nagaitis phoning in from London. We will see you soon!
[preview snippet from the next episode plays]
DS: I’ll confess something else to Adam, the first time I watched it, I thought your character was a good guy because he jumped down in that grave to put the lid back on.
[laughter]
108 notes · View notes
Bookends
(This story was originally written for and published in the DeanCas Anthology back in 2018. )
Word Count: 2223 Rating: General ao3 link
Cas pulls as close to the door as he can, checking the rearview mirror to make sure he isn’t blocking traffic as he waits for Dean to get out of the car. Before heading inside, Dean ducks his head back in to smile at him. “I’ll get us some coffee.”
Instead of driving away, Cas stays there, watching until Dean pulls open the diner door. Leaning heavily on his cane, he shuffles more than walks, his bow-legged gait made stiff by the arthritis that wracks his joints. Cas waits until he’s safely inside, then pulls past the open handicapped space Dean stubbornly refuses to use, and finds an empty parking spot.
Cas’s car is boxy and utilitarian, and Dean often proclaims that he wouldn’t be caught dead behind the wheel of something so ugly. Cas plays along because giving up driving had been Dean’s toughest concession to age, but as his vision deteriorated and his reflexes slowed, it had become an unavoidable sacrifice. With replacement parts for the Impala harder and harder to come by, Dean had finally agreed to keep her stored safely away in their garage. Cas knew it pained him to see her shrouded under a tarp, her motor idle and useless, but Dean would rather enshrine her in pristine condition than risk one more run-in with a light pole or curb.
With his ugly car parked, Cas crosses the lot to join Dean inside. While he’s aged as well, aged to the point that nobody questions the two of them together, he’s been spared many of the maladies that Dean’s combat-wrecked body has endured, and he moves with relative ease. The best they can figure is that the grace he’d had on and off over the years left his body with a certain resilience to the passage of time. Cas can’t cure Dean as he once could, can’t ease the aches or slow the aging process, but he can use his own comparatively good health and mobility to take care of him.
Inside, Cas navigates past the hostess stand to find Dean at their usual booth, chatting with their usual waitress. The two of them go to this diner religiously each Sunday morning, where the pews are scuffed burgundy vinyl booths and the altar is the breakfast buffet with the generous senior discount. As always, Dean has maneuvered himself across the bench seat to make room for Cas to sit beside him. His cane rests against the wall in easy reach, the simple carved wooden handle belying the fact that the base unscrews to reveal a bayonet-like tip. It’s never been wielded as a weapon (although Dean uses it, still sheathed, to poke at aggressive pigeons who muscle in around their favorite park bench), but that potential made it “badass” enough to overcome Dean’s resistance to using it.
To Sam’s everlasting chagrin, Dean has kept all of his hair, and it’s turned a stunning silver. The crinkles around his eyes have deepened, meeting the roadmap of lines that cross his face. His shoulders are stooped, his joints are stiff, and Cas thinks he’s never been more beautiful. After so many seemingly certain ends, so many years assuming Dean would die young and bloodied, the fact that he’s living out a full, lengthy life is an unparallelled blessing. Cas marvels at the gift of days that have unfolded into decades, granting them time he never dreamed they’d have together here on earth.
As Cas settles into the booth, he smiles and greets their waitress.
“Two for the buffet?” she confirms as she pours their coffee. Cas doesn’t even have to check to know that she’ll leave Dean’s at a little more than half-full so he can lift it without the tremor in his hands sloshing it over the brim.
They drink their coffee quietly, simply enjoying the ritual of being here. Dean peers at the laminated card that lists the specials, even though he never orders off the menu.
“Shall I?” When Dean nods, Cas gets to his feet. “Any requests?”
“You know what I like,” Dean says, leaning over to swat at Cas’s butt.
Picking up two plates from the warmer, Cas slides them along the metal counter, filling them in tandem as he traverses the buffet. Pancakes are too difficult for Dean to get on a fork, but the crisp waffles are good. Bacon he can pick up and eat, and Cas uses the tongs to place precisely two strips on his plate. If Dean wants more, he can get up and get it himself.
Dean can argue with Cas’s choices, but they’d had a hell of a scare a few years back. Cas will never forget the look on Dean’s face when their phone rang in the middle of the night, alerting them that Sam had been taken to the hospital in an ambulance. They’d rushed there themselves, Cas driving in silence, knowing that nothing short of seeing Sam with his own two eyes could reassure Dean. Thankfully, it had been a mild heart attack and, after spending a few days in the hospital, the discharge plan called for cardiac rehab and an appointment with a nutritionist. With Sam’s release imminent, Dean had relaxed enough to crow at the irony. “Don’t either of you try to tell me what to eat ever again. Mr. Organic Produce is the one lying in the hospital bed while my pork-rind-fueled ticker is going strong.”
Still pale, Sam’s brow furrowed with resignation. “I’m beginning to think you can’t die.”
Dean jabbed a finger in his direction. “You don’t get to go first. We have a deal.”
“Yes, sir.” Sam lifted the hand without the IV in a mock salute.
“That’s more like it,” Dean said. “Speaking of which, I need a snack.”
Cas helped him up and they walked to the elevator that would take them to the cafeteria. As they waited for it to arrive, Dean pulled Cas into a hug. Cas left a hand on his shoulder when they stepped apart again. “All right?”
Dean nodded, his green eyes shining with tears. “I’m glad you’re here.” Cas started to respond, to remind him that there was nowhere else he would be, but Dean cut him off. “I know you know. But I wanted to say it anyhow.”
Cas noticed a change after that. Dean was still the same stubborn mule Cas had fallen in love with, but he gradually became more willing to let Cas help. And somehow, Cas loved him even more for it. He loved seeing the slow-blossoming acceptance that came when Dean stopped seeing Cas’s help as a sign of weakness.
Now, standing in front of the steaming trays of food, Cas considers what else to add to their plates. He bypasses the cauldron of oatmeal (they eat that at home most mornings) and continues along the buffet. There’s a tremendous satisfaction in being allowed to care for this man who has done so much for so many and asked for so little in return. In fact, Dean has now embraced this new role so fully—no longer questioning what he deserves, or grudgingly accepting help, but full-on enjoyment of being doted on—that Cas has to be careful he doesn’t get lazy. There’s nothing Cas would rather do than settle Dean in front of a sunny window, snug in the recliner for Cas to wait on like a pampered cat, but he knows that sort of inactivity would do Dean’s joints and his heart no favors. So he watches Dean’s diet and insists on them taking slow walks after breakfast when his energy is highest.
Their neighborhood is a mix of young and old and everyone knows the two Mr. Winchesters who circle the block on days when the weather permits. The kids on bikes and scooters know to give them a wide berth, their parents warning them that the old men need the entire sidewalk, but they call out their hellos as they go by. They’re friendly with everyone except the woman who lives on the corner. Dean is convinced she’s a demon, but Cas suspects his distrust of her stems more from the fact that she seems immune to his charm. (Whatever the reason, he’s had to talk Dean out of chalking a devil’s trap inside her mailbox more than once.) They chat with their neighbors about the weather and the score of last night’s ballgame, and it’s so painfully normal that Cas sometimes feels his throat tighten up at the wonder of it all.
When Cas returns to their booth, Dean examines his plate. “They outta bacon?”
Cas cuts the waffle into manageable pieces and peels the wrapper from the muffin before sliding Dean’s plate over. “You know the deal.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dean says. “You just like to look at my ass when I get up.”
They eat in congenial silence with Dean methodically working his way around his plate, eating everything heartily, even the fruit. Sitting next to him, Cas can easily scoop up any bites that miss his mouth, plucking them from Dean’s lap or his shirt.
“You two good?” The waitress asks when she comes to refill their coffees. “Need anything?”
Dean swallows the bite of muffin he’s working on, and rests his hand on top of Cas’s. “I’ve got everything I need right here. An actual angel, this one.”
She nods agreeably. “I can almost see his halo.”
Cas has learned that an old man can say just about anything and receive an indulgent smile in return. When Dean references angels or demons or the apocalypse, people assume he’s speaking in metaphor and they’ll nod pleasantly. Sometimes he’ll do it purely for effect, telling rambling tales from their past for the sheer enjoyment of being able to speak openly. He can’t always keep the details straight, but Cas is there to remind him. Some days, though, he seems to lose where he is in time, and there’s nothing Cas can do for that. Cas has taken to keeping a watchful eye on him in the late afternoons when he likes to doze on the couch with their one-eyed black cat curled up on his chest. Cas stays close in case he wakes from his nap agitated, calling for Cas, wanting to know where Sam is. Cas helps him to sit up as the cat springs down and scurries away.
“Don’t go,” he says again and again, and Cas takes him in his arms, assuring Dean that he’s here and reminding him that Sam is safe at his own home. He holds him until Dean shakily dismisses it all as just a bad dream.
The unfairness of it overwhelms Cas, and each time he’s left filled with wrath. These final years should be spent in well-earned peace, but instead Dean seems cursed with reliving his most frightening memories, traumatized anew by old, familiar fears. If Dean’s mind is destined to slip, why can’t it be toward blissful forgetting? What Dean has endured goes beyond what any human should; to ask him to bear it again is nothing short of cruel. But it’s a torture chamber created in his own mind, and all Cas can do is sit helplessly by, doing his best to ground Dean and bring him back to the present.
Cas looks at Dean’s empty plate. “Did you want to get some more?”
“Nah.” He’s full and happy and it’s time for their walk.
The waitress arrives to clear their plates. As he does every week, Dean asks if she needs to see his ID for the senior discount. As she does every week, she pretends to consider it before leaving the check. “You boys take your time.”
“Tip her well,” Dean says, leaning in to supervise Cas as he signs the bill.
“I always do,” Cas assures him.
When they’re ready to leave, Cas stands next to the banquette, waiting for Dean to retrieve his cane and slide himself to the edge. Using a combination of the cane and Cas’s extended arm, Dean hoists himself upright, groaning a little. Cas keeps a firm hold on him until he’s steady on his feet. Dean still dresses in layers, but these days it’s because he gets chilled easily. He favors heavy knit cardigans and as long as Cas gets the zipper started for him he can tug it up or down as needed. Cas checks him for crumbs then together they walk through the other tables crowded with families. They continue by the hostess station where a woman is wiping down menus. “See you next week,” she calls as they pass.
Cas steps forward to push open the door, and stands holding it. “Watch your step,” he says as he always does, pointing toward the raised metal threshold of the doorway.
Using his cane to steady himself, Dean shuffles his way over it, then stops to lay his hand on Cas’s cheek. His knuckles are gnarled, the skin of his palm is dry and warm, and Cas feels the same flare of awe go through him as he has since the moment he first found this glorious soul in the depths of hell.
“I am the luckiest man who has ever lived,” Dean says.
Cas kisses his palm, then takes his arm to help him on his way.
78 notes · View notes
hawksward · 3 years
Text
Find Me Where the Wisteria Blooms (Giyuu x Reader x Sabito)
Tumblr media
Summary: You were only a child when the demons took everything from you. But in the years you were on the mountain you found friendship.
Only to have it all ripped away again.
Pairing: Sabito/Reader/Giyuu
Rating: PG-13 (specifically for violence)
Word Count: 4k
Warnings: Violence, Character Death, Angst
A/N: Watch me rip out my own heart and stomp on it in 4000 words. Characters have been aged up from 13-15 at the time of final selection (because let's be real why was Urokodaki sending 13-year-olds in the first place.)
Thirteen
“Last again.” The boy with the peach-colored hair taunted, “Guess you don’t have what it takes.”
You would have thrown a rock at his head if you weren’t hunched over with your hands on your knees, struggling to catch your breath.
“Shut up, Sabito.” You heaved “You won’t sound so high and mighty when I’m a hashira.”
Three months had passed since your arrival on the mountain. The morning hikes up the mountain only to race back down again started off like torture considering your background. You had a normal childhood. One cut tragically short after your village was slaughtered by a demon. The screams were still audible every time you closed your eyes to sleep. The sound of the footsteps above the loose floorboard where you hid plagued your dreams.
The sun was high in the sky the next day when Urokodaki came to check for survivors. It was almost ironic to think that you went your whole life not knowing monsters were real, only to find there was a man training students to fight them on a nearby mountain. He pulled you out of the hole in the floor and carried you up the mountain. He let you stay with him weeks before you decided to start training.
You were already a couple of months behind the two boys your age who trained on the mountain. Giyuu and Sabito. Giyuu did everything he could to help you catch up with your swordsmanship. Sabito, however, just continued to tell you about how you weren’t man enough to become a demon slayer.
You never were quite sure if he meant your spirit or your lack of biological parts.
“Leave her alone” Giyuu protested “She was definitely faster that time.”
Were you actually? Who knows. If the mountain exercises were hard, the sword training was harder. Your new skills were nothing compared to either boy. Sabito had already grasped the first two forms of water breathing and Giyuu has mastered the first. Meanwhile, you were lucky to land a strike on either. You ended each day rubbing salve on new welts.
“You are getting better.” Giyuu joined you that evening while you sat outside, rubbing your tired muscles in preparation to do it all again tomorrow “Sabito just doesn’t know how to act around girls.”
“Whatever.” You frowned, “If he tells me I’m not man enough again, I’ll make sure he never will be either.”
A quick, hard sword swing between the legs would take care of that.
Giyuu laughed, “You would have gotten along really well with my sister. She didn’t let anyone walk all over her either.”
“What happened to her?” You asked, already prepared for the answer. No one came to train with Urokodaki because they had a happy home life.
“She sacrificed herself to save me.” He looked down at the ground “She was supposed to be married the next day.”
“Giyuu…” You paused before looking up at him, sliding your hand over his “I’m sure she’d be proud to see you now.”
He looked over at you, his eyes haunted. “I wish it were me instead.”
You pulled your hand away almost as quickly as you placed it there, turning your head to stare back at the night sky “Me too.”
Fourteen
A year passed since you first arrived on the mountain. Tasks that once seemed impossible, you could now do without a second thought. You were faster, stronger. But most importantly, you were a winner.
“Look who doesn’t have what it takes now.” You said, a smug grin plastered on your face. You sat casually on a nearby log when Sabito made it down the mountain. You barely managed to catch your breath as you only made it down a couple of minutes prior. He didn’t need to know that though.
“I bet you still can’t beat me in a fight.” He barely needed a moment to catch his breath while Giyuu appeared.
“Challenge accepted.” You rose from the log to meet him head-on. The fact that he and Giyuu were already so tall was unfair. “I’ll see you at sword training.”
It sounded more dramatic when you said it. After a lunch filled with an intense staring match and Giyuu trying to fill the awkward silence, you found yourself standing in the part of the mountain where you practiced sword drills. The wooden katana felt familiar in your hand. 200 sword swings before you were even able to start practice would do that.
You ignored the fatigue in your arms as you took your stance. Sabito took his position opposite you, Giyuu and Urokodaki standing a safe distance away to observe.
Urokodaki gave the signal to begin and Sabito rushed you immediately. You quick side-stepped to miss the first blow, blocking the second with your sword. It wasn’t a secret that he was physically stronger than you, but you had the advantage of speed now. In the months since your arrival on the mountain, your breathing techniques had improved tremendously. You had the stamina and speed advantage and could wait until he tired himself out. He knew he needed to end the fight quickly.
You backed away while he brought himself back into his stance, widening the gap between you. You rushed him to close the distance, lifting your sword over your head as if you would bring it down on him. Just before your katana would fall on his, you dropped into a slide. Your hands changed grip on the katana, angling it so it caught his ankles as your momentum kept you sliding.
The force of your entire body weight ripped him off his feet and onto his back. You quickly pushed yourself off the ground stood over him, your sword pressing lightly against his neck.
“I win. You have no head.” You suppressed the stupid grin that was threatening to cover your face. The look of shock in his eyes was rewarding enough.
“That trick was dirty.” He complained, staring up at you from the ground. “In a fair fight you would have lost.”
“Demons don’t fight fair.” You said, extending your hand out to him “Why should I?”
“She’s right. There is no such thing as a fair fight with a demon. You need to use every trick you have against them.” Urokodaki gave you a small nod before returning his attention to Sabito.
Sabito reluctantly grabbed your hand, using you as leverage to pull himself off the ground. It was clear that although he accepted your mentor’s judgment that you won the fight, he wasn’t happy about it. He looked down at you for a moment before quickly averting his gaze, his face flushed from what you assumed to be exertion.
“Fine. You won.” He grumbled “But you won’t be able to use the same trick twice. I want a rematch tomorrow.”
“You’re on.” You flashed a large smile, letting go of his hand. “I’m still going to win though.”
“Focus on the present.” Urokodaki scolded, nudging Giyuu to step into the circle “If you don’t keep your focus to the opponent in front of you, you’ll lose.”
“Right.” You nodded, turning to face Giyuu. You assumed your stance while he readied himself, the two of you waiting for the signal to begin.
“Sorry to interrupt your winning streak,” Giyuu said as you waited, “But I don’t intend to lose.”
Both of you leaped into action at the signal, rushing toward each other as your katanas met with a harsh clack.
You lost that fight, but in the end, it didn’t matter. You finally felt like their equal.
Fifteen
Spring came again to the mountain as the weeks counted down until final selection. You trained with Urokodaki for almost two years. You mastered water breathing. You could cut a boulder in half with a thin blade.
You weren’t the scared little girl under the floorboards anymore.
You sat in the forest, using one of the knives you found in the house to carve your initials into the tree. Along with Giyuu and Sabato’s. Something to commemorate your graduation into demon slayers. They had become your best friends. The thought of being apart after final selection was almost painful.
“Urokodaki is going to make you run laps around the mountain until next year if he finds out you’re using the kitchen knife for that.”
You looked up to see Sabito standing behind you, Giyuu laughing beside him.
“Well then don’t tell him” you grumbled, returning to your work “It's not like I can use my sword for this.”
The two boys watched you continue your work, laughing at your uneven lines as you tried to carve Urokodaki’s tengu mask. He gave the three of you hand-carved fox masks for the trial. Each one was designed differently based on personality. Your mask had the left eye covered by wisteria, your favorite flower. Something you were sure you only mentioned to the man once or twice.
By the time you finished, it was already time for dinner. In the last week prior to the trial, Urokodaki had given the three of you the week off from training as both a reward and for time to mentally prepare. Without a clear schedule, you could barely keep track of the time.
You hid the knife in your sleeve as you stood up, you would return it to the drawer when Urokodaki wasn’t paying attention. “When we all become hashira you both better promise to come visit my mansion.”
“There can’t be three water hashira.” Giyuu said, leading the group “Especially when there’s only nine of them in total.”
You stuck your tongue out at the back of his head, causing Sabito to laugh. Giyuu turned around, confused, to see both of you just smiling back.
“Says you. When we finish the trial they’ll be begging to have three water hashira.” You joked. You laughed the rest of the way home, but before you could enter the house you were pulled to the side, out of sight.
You looked up at Sabito, who still had his hand on your arm. “What are you doing?” You whispered harshly, not bothering to pull away.
“When Urokodaki goes to sleep, will you meet me out by the lake?” He asked, staring intensely into your eyes.
“Why, what are we doing?” You smiled, interested at the prospect of doing something Urokodaki wouldn’t approve of “I can pull Giyuu aside when he’s not paying attention…”
“No.” He interrupted, looking away for a brief moment before bringing his attention back to you “Just you. Please say you’ll come.”
You felt the heat rise to your face immediately. The three of you did everything together, not inviting Giyuu was unheard of. “Y-yeah. Of course, I’ll be there.”
————————
You left ample time in between when you heard Sabito leave and when you made your exit. You tiptoed into the night air as quietly as you could manage. The feeling of guilt squeezing your heart for a quick moment as you passed by Giyuu’s sleeping form.
The air was crisp, the sound of crickets chirping filling the air. You grabbed your sword from its spot near the door, you could never be too careful when out at night. The lake wasn’t a far walk from the house, a bit further up the mountain and through a thick of trees.
You found Sabito sitting on a downed tree, watching the moon reflect off the water. You took a seat next to him, watching the water as well. You weren’t sure if you should speak up. You weren’t really sure why he asked you out here without Giyuu either.
“I’m glad you came.” He said, still looking at the water.
“Are you going to tell me why you asked me out here and not Giyuu?” You looked up at him, waiting for him to respond. Or at least look at you.
“I’m sorry for how I treated you when you showed up to the mountain. It was just me and Giyuu for a while and I didn’t want it to change.” He continued to stare out, nervously shifting his weight beneath him. “I just needed to tell you before final selection. In case anything happens.”
“Nothings going to happen” You reassured him “We’re all going to make it off that mountain.”
He turned to face you this time, a serious expression on his face. “We don’t know what kind of demons will be there. I won’t let anything happen to you or Giyuu.”
You studied his face, confused as to where this was all coming from. It went without saying you would all look out for each other during the trial. You would make sure nothing happened to him and Giyuu as well. “We’re friends, Sabito. Giyuu and I are going to look out for you as well.”
“I don’t want to be your friend.” Your look of shock took him by surprise, causing him to rub his temples in frustration “That’s not what I mean.”
You waited as he collected his thoughts, still troubled by him not wanting to be your friend. You knew that your relationship started off rocky, but you thought you were close now.
“I think I love you.” He blurted out, forcing himself to get over the fear of your reaction “I can’t shake the feeling that I want to be around you all the time. Without Giyuu. I hate myself for thinking that your safety is more important than anyone else. You’re one of the strongest people I know...but...I understand if you think I’m not worthy of you.” His fingers went up to touch the scar that trailed from his mouth to his ear.
You grabbed his hand away from his scar, holding it in both of your own. “I would never think that.” Time seemed to stop as you stared into his eyes. Ever since your arrival, he had drawn your eye but considering your relationship you never thought about being anything more than just a friend. You cared for him with all of your heart. You would prioritize his safety over your own. Maybe that was love the whole time?
“In a couple years, when we’re older, I’m going to ask you to marry me. I hope you’ll have an answer by then.”
The heat immediately rushed back to your cheeks, your hand letting go of his to cover your mouth. You were positive that in your shock you looked like a gasping fish.
“When we become hashira.” You began, lowering your hand “I expect you to propose again. So I can say yes.”
The world disappeared when he leaned in and placed his lips softly against yours. The two of you were so absorbed in the moment that neither noticed a presence lurking behind a tree a few yards away. Giyuu heard you get up in the middle of the night only to find Sabito gone as well. Naturally, he grabbed his sword and followed your tracks to see what you were up to without him.
Giyuu left as you both pulled away, he’d heard the whole conversation and knew better than to interrupt now.
——————-
By the second day of final selection, the three of you must have cleared out nearly ⅔ of the demons on the mountain. Each of you equipped with a thin nichirin sword and a mask handcrafted by Urokodaki for protection. Almost all the participants chose to stay together and things were going well. Well enough that for a moment you thought you would all make it off the mountain.
The smell came first. Demons always had a rotting scent to them but this was extreme. Like you were choking on the air. You barely had a chance to react when a group of arms reached out of the darkness. You leaped out of the way, rolling to a stop. Looking up, you saw Sabito using water wheel to cut the limbs from where they grabbed the bodies of the other recruits.
“Giyuu!” You shouted, rushing over to where he was slumped against a tree. He lifted his head up to reveal blood rushing down his face from a head wound, his mask broken on the ground. His eyes were unfocused, but the damage didn’t look extreme. He most likely had a concussion.
“Go, run!” You looked over to see Sabito directing the others, keeping the arms at bay while the smell grew more pungent. “Take the wounded and get out.”
He disappeared into the darkness of the trees, along with the arms.
“You!” You grabbed one of the recruits “Take him with you, please.”
“No.” Giyuu grabbed your arm, bringing your attention to him “I can still fight.”
“You’re not fit to fight anything right now.” You untied the strings of your mask and removed it from your head, placing it into his hands “This will keep you safe. I’m going to expect it back when I find you.”
You gave him a smile while he tried to weakly fight his way out of the grip of the two recruits carrying him off. You turned around and rushed into the dark, trying to keep up concentration breathing despite the overpowering stench.
It didn’t take long to find the source. A horrible, deformed demon covered in arms. It noticed you immediately, keeping its eyes on you while still easily keeping Sabito busy with a flurry of attacks.
“What are you doing here?” Sabito shouted at you, deflecting another arm “Go find the others, I can handle this.”
“I won’t just leave you here.”
“Another meal I don’t have to hunt for, it’s my lucky day!” The demon spoke, hiding its mouth behind a number of hands “Is she one of Urokodakis as well? I don’t see a mask but I suppose if I’m going to eat you anyway it doesn’t matter.”
You drew your sword, slicing one of its hands from its wrist as it surged toward you. You sliced limb after limb as it regenerated, desperately trying to create an opening for Sabito to strike its neck.
“Third form: Flowing Dance!” You steadied your breathing and summoned a torrent of water from your sword, twisting and turning to slice all of the limbs in your path. The quick strikes created an opening for Sabito to leap up, drawing his sword and quickly using all his strength to slice the monster’s neck.
The sound of a loud snap filled the air.
You looked up to see Sabito’s sword snap in two, the monster's neck still intact.
Everything else happened so fast.
You stepped forward to rush the demon, your eyes closing momentarily to blink. Something warm sprayed your face, reminding you of summer rain. When you opened your eyes you saw the demon had regenerated an arm and grabbed Sabito by the head. His body dangling below it.
Unmoving.
Your knees gave out below you as the demon dropped his headless corpse to the ground. Your hand reached up to touch your face, pulling away with a smear of blood covering your palm. Your first thought was that this had to be a nightmare. That you were laying on your futon, sound asleep, restless from the stress of the impending trial.
You don’t know how long you stared. You should have run. If Sabito couldn’t beat it how could you hope to?
“Now that he’s dealt with, I think I’ll eat you first. You’ll taste even better covered in the blood of your friend.” the demon laughed, finally snapping you out of your stupor. You used your sword to push yourself off of your knees, using your sleeve to wipe some of the blood from your face. To wipe him off your face.
“I’m going to send you to hell.” You moved with speed you didn’t know you were capable of, deftly avoiding and deflecting the arms moving toward you. You were possessed by rage. You struggled to keep your breathing in check and you knew you were being reckless. But you couldn’t bring yourself to stop.
You continued to cut through limbs as fast as they could regrow but eventually, your luck ran out. One of the demon’s arms erupted from the ground, sending you flying into the air only to have the wind knocked out of you when you reached the ground.
You lay splayed on the ground, trying to will your body to move as tears streamed down your face. Everything felt numb, your fingertips refusing to move as you tried with all your might to grab your sword. The demon grabbed your neck, lifting you off the ground until you were at eye level.
“You get to be number fourteen,” he said as he stared at you, his grip tightening around your throat “After that Ill eat your friend and will have digested fifteen of Urokodaki’s students.”
The voice sounded further and further away as your air source dwindled. You glanced over to Sabito’s body on the ground as black spots began to fill your vision. You couldn’t save him. Neither of you would fulfill your promise to the other. You thought of Giyuu, hopefully on the other side of the mountain with the others now. Somewhere far away. Where the hand demon wouldn’t find them in time. In your final moments, you prayed, to anything that would listen, that Giyuu would make it back home.
It was the last thing you did before everything went dark.
Twenty-Five
Years passed since Muzan Kibutsuji was defeated. All of the demons who preyed on humans were eradicated. The fight was finally over. Giyuu made the most of the four years he was given, mindful of the timeline given to him when he obtained the demon slayer mark.
He knew it was his time. He laid in his bed, in a small house he obtained with land to till. Something quiet after all his time in the demon slayer corps. His old haori lay across a chair, the mask you gave him hanging from the wall.
You told him you would take it back when you returned. Instead, he arrived back at the mountain alone, carrying your mask and Sabito’s haori. He didn’t know how he was going to tell your mentor. Thankfully he didn’t have to. One look and Urokodaki only nodded, vowing to never send another student to the final selection. The day he left the mountain he thought he saw you and Sabito standing there, only to disappear when he turned around.
When they made him a hashira he heard your voice, telling him that all three of you would make it. That they should be honored to have three water hashira. He thought about the night before the final selection and the promise his two friends made to each other. Once again he thought it should have been him who died instead.
In the weeks leading up to this moment, he’d been having the same dream. A woman on her wedding day, dressed in a white kimono, her hair piled up with an elaborate pin. Some nights it was his sister, other nights it was you. Or at least he thought it was. You looked to be the age he was now, what you should have been. Both women denied a future in exchange for saving his life.
Giyuu turned his head, feeling a hand on his own. He looked up to see his sister kneeling beside the bed. She gave him a warm smile, rubbing his hand in reassurance. If this was a dream he wasn’t sure if he wanted to wake up.
“It’s been a while, Giyuu.”
He directed his attention to the voice, one he recognized as his best friend. Sabito stood at the foot of his bed, a smile on his face. You stood next to him, your face as kind as he remembered. Tsutako gripped his hand, helping to ease him out of bed. His body felt lighter than it had in days.
You stepped forward, grabbing his other hand, holding it in both hands as if he would break. A smile on your face.
“We’ve come to bring you home.”
92 notes · View notes