#excellent sales pitch

[yujo-nishimura]

All the rage

A fauxpax at your job leads to some intimate time with your boss Sir Crocodile and even a promotion...

Warning: gore, blood, violence, smut, Sir Crocodile x female reader (It is not as gory as I intended it to write because I also do not want my readers to be disgusted)

NSFW - minors do not interact

words: 1932

I am tagging @lostfirefly since she has explicitly asked for it and she will understand the background of the story.. ;)

What began as a promising career path quickly transformed into a daily grind filled with frustration. Your boss had placed you on the front lines of sales, fully aware that it was your charm and physical appearance that kept customers engaged, rather than the actual product you were selling. Initially, the attention may have been enjoyable, but it rapidly developed into an arduous routine of forcing a smile and feigning interest in even the most absurd customer requests.

In addition to your job-related frustrations, you hated the commute, enduring endless waits for public transportation alongside the empty expressions of fellow passengers. To make things even more difficult, you had developed romantic feelings for your boss, Mr. Crocodile, who failed to provide the attention you yearned for. Nevertheless, he remained the sole reason you clung to the job, at least for a little while longer. 

After enduring yet another exhausting and sweltering morning commute, coupled with three customer calls riddled with complaints, it's no wonder that you finally reached your breaking point.

The client you were scheduled to meet today had already displayed unpleasant behavior over the phone. However, you tried to stay optimistic, believing that people tend to be kinder in person compared to phone or email interactions. As the clock struck 10, the client was still nowhere to be seen, and impatience crept in, knowing your aversion to tardiness. Eventually, he arrived at 10:30, nearly an hour late. Upon entering your office, he offered no apology, opting instead for a shy smile. With his greasy blonde hair, ill-fitting suit, and repulsive demeanor, you took a deep breath and, attempting to maintain your professionalism, offered him a seat and asked if he wanted tea or coffee. To your annoyance, he requested soda water, the one thing you hadn't offered. You reluctantly went to the small fridge in search of anything to satisfy his stupid request.

Upon your return, he sported a sly grin and made inappropriate comments about your appearance as you turned around to face him. For a moment, you contemplated ending the conversation then and there. Not only because of the harassment, but also because he had already exhibited a series of missteps from the start, leading you to believe it would only worsen. However, you reminded yourself that this client had promised substantial purchases, resulting in a significant deal that would not only make you proud but also capture your boss's attention.

As you settled down before the client, you ensured your suit jacket and skirt were impeccably aligned, carefully placing product flyers on the glass coffee table. "So, as we discussed on the phone, this is what we can offer, and we're willing to negotiate a generous discount for bulk purchases," you initiated your customary sales pitch, fully aware that the man was likely not paying attention at all.

"I wasn't aware that they allowed women to work at Cross Guild Corp. as well," he suddenly remarked. 

"Pardon me?" you replied, looking up at him, meeting his watery blue eyes and sly grin once again. 

"I believe men excel in sales and business, but I can see why they placed you on the front line. You're a cute little Missy with a nice little butt. Are they sharing you around here?" 

"Sir...!" you sighed deeply, mustering all your strength to restrain yourself from snapping at him. "At Cross Guild Corp., our team strives to create an inclusive environment that does not discriminate based on gender or sexuality..." you trailed off, realizing that you sounded like a spokesperson for your company's marketing campaign. 

"I actually came here just to find out about your sexuality, girl, since you sounded so nice on the phone!" To your horror, the client stood up, walked around the table, and sat down next to you on the large leather couch. His sly grin remained etched on his face, and you understood that he had no intention of making any purchases. As he forcefully grabbed your hand and pushed it between his legs, you gasped. Your phone lay on the table, and the imposing wooden doors prevented any sound from escaping to alert your colleagues of your distress. Your eyes fell on the letter opener on the table, next to the flyers and paperwork from the morning. 

“I will give you a good tip, so show me - how is your head…!”, he murmured and the grip on your hand got tighter. That was your breaking point. In a split-second decision, you instinctively reached for the letter opener resting on your desk. Its design was reminiscent of the sword once wielded by your chief manager Mihawk, a renowned sword master.

With a swift motion and without any regret you stabbed the small iron blade into the neck of your attacker, making his eyes go wide in disbelief over the blood fountain suddenly gushing out from under his ear. He gargled, trying to cover the wound and hissed “You fucking bitch!” but you had already stood up, trying to get away from the fountain of blood spilling over the leather couch and your black suit and sheer tights.

The guy had finally stopped smiling and you felt a sense of relief. Still heavily breathing you went to your desk trying to grab anything to hold on to. You were still in shock but you also felt like this was the only thing you needed to do today. Your work was done here, time to punch out and go home.

As the client gasped for his final breaths on the couch, a sudden knock at the door startled you. Without hesitation, your boss, Sir Crocodile, made his entrance into the office, dressed impeccably in a sleek black suit, his presence accentuated by the cigar he held. 

"Y/n, I was just coming in to discuss the sales numbers from last month and review our plans for Q3..." he began, but his words trailed off abruptly as his gaze fell upon your pale face, the crimson stains on your hands, and the somber scene that unfolded on the couch before him. 

"Oh..." he remarked, his reaction to a dying person being the one you least expected from all possible responses.

“I…!”, that was all you were able to say, looking in horror at your own hands and the blood stains on the carpet. 

"Did the sales proposal go wrong?" your boss inquired, carefully placing the documents on a nearby shelf to avoid any stains. 

"He... he tried to assault me," you stammered, your voice trembling as you spoke. 

Crocodile approached the lifeless figure and casually lifted his arm before letting it drop back onto the couch with a nonchalant "flop." 

"What a tasteless suit brand. He reeks of cheap whiskey as well... I think you handled the situation very well, dear Y/n!" 

You couldn't believe what you were hearing as your boss praised you. 

"Are you alright, though? It must have been quite a shock for you..." 

With just two swift strides, your boss stood before you, his towering presence simultaneously intimidating and comforting. He gently took hold of your blood-stained hands, inspecting them as though he had stumbled upon a hidden treasure. 

"I'm... I'm fine, I suppose," you whispered, relieved to be able to utter any words at all. 

"How about you take the rest of the day off, my dear?" Crocodile suddenly suggested, causing your heart to race. Did your beloved boss just refer to you as "my dear"?

“I am fine, Sir..!”, you tried to utter and you looked into his dark purple eyes. A rush of adrenaline had run through your body, heightened now by the sensation of Crocodile's warm skin on yours.

He gently raised your hands to his mouth and you gasped in disbelief as he carefully opened his lips, licking over the blood on your fingers.

The tension in the office got unbearable and you suddenly realized that the death of the client and you having killed him had turned Sir Crocodile on. He didn't even ask for your approval, he did not need to hear it, seeing the same fire in your eyes as mirrored in his own was enough proof for him. Without hesitation he quickly grabbed your hips, pushing you up on your wooden office desk, starting to greedily kiss you. His lips tasted like cigar smoke and blood and it made your mind go blank.

Instinctively you wrapped your legs around his waist and put your arms around his shoulders. You were only kissing but you already felt like moaning into his mouth, your arousal palpable. Crocodile did not wait any longer. While still kissing you, he unbuckled his belt, pulling down both his trousers and underwear. His throbbing cock was so huge, pressing against your clothed folds, for a moment you were not sure if you could take it all. He did not give you a choice. Ripping your tights apart, he pulled down your panties and pushed your skirt up. Your bare ass was seated now on documents from the morning briefing and before your boss embraced you, he quickly checked with his fingers if you were ready for him. The slick sound made him smile, he kissed your neck and gently whispered: 

“Killing that guy turned you on, didn't it?”

Without waiting for your reply he pushed into you, his full length filling you in an instant. Surprisingly you were ready to take him - there was no pain, only pleasure. As he started to move relentlessly into you, your thighs and your butt started slapping against the wood of the desk. You moaned into his shoulder, feeling his big cock filling you to the brim. As you held onto him you were able to peek over his shoulder, seeing the lifeless body of the client still slightly bleeding, but much less than earlier, leaving a big crimson puddle on the floor. 

Crocodile gently but vigorously pulled your hair forcing you to look at him. 

“Focus on me, baby. I want you to enjoy every moment of this…!” his deep voice was laced with desire, you could feel his cock pulsating against your velvet folds. 

His demand made you feel getting close to your own orgasm, he pressed his hand on your mouth, trying to stifle your moans and holding on to you while his motions grew more forceful and vigorous. 

“Almost there..!”, he leaned over and whispered these words into your ear.

“I underestimated you, I knew you were beautiful and charming.. but I did not think you had the guts to kill someone…!”, his voice turned husky from the fast-paced breaths.

You pushed your nails into his skin and threw your head back as the orgasm washed over you like a wave. Seeing you squirting all over his cock made him go wild, with some last stuttering movements he pushed his cum inside of you, gently collapsing with his massive body on your suit jacket. You both were panting, the room was hot and sticky, the scent of blood and wrongdoing hung in the air.

He slowly stood upright, handing you your underwear and pulling up his trousers, adjusting his tie in a swift movement. 

Still overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment you silently grabbed your panties, pushing them into your jacket pocket instead of putting them back on. 

"Well, I've been in need of a personal assistant for quite some time now," Crocodile cleared his throat, smoothing back his slicked hair with a swift gesture. "How about we tidy up this mess together and then discuss your well-deserved promotion?"

#one piece #sir crocodile x y/n #sir crocodile x reader #sir crocodile one piece #x reader #yujowriting #sir crocodile #alabasta #sir crocodile smut #one piece x reader #one piece smut

[sgiandubh]

Waypoints, Take 2: POV Shipper

It's been touted and mentioned at length. It has been awaited with immoderate, naïve anticipation. It has been read highlighter in hand, in the hope to discern its true meaning and purpose. It also was the last straw for some people, pushing them out of the fandom when above anticipation and expectations proved somewhat hollow.

To the dismayed and the heartbroken, I say: I hope you do realize this is a) heavily edited and b) published with the substantial contribution of a ghostwriter, handsomely paid to neatly round off the edges and fit this travelogue-cum-memoir in a pre-shaped pitch.

This bloke:

The dilligent Matt Whyman, novelist. Agony uncle for several UK press and online outlets, specialized in teenage love and relationships' counselling. British Council executive, with several stints abroad under his belt. Part and parcel of a number of public health awareness campaigns sponsored by the UK Government, with a special interest for above teenage love, sexuality and relationships. And established, top-tier ghostwriter.

Among others, on behalf of Billy Connoly, the "Big Yin" himself, proof that the Scottish mafia is discreet, but by no means inexistent (an excellent thing). Ah, Sir Billy Connoly and his New-Zealander wife, Lady Pamela Stephenson, whom he met in 1979, while filming together a sketch for BBC2's Not the Nine O'Clock News. Chemistry took care of itself, because she ditched her recently married husband and moved in with Connoly in 1981. Both (at least nominally: Connoly considers himself an atheist, nowadays) Roman-Catholic and married at the time of getting together, Stephenson divorced in 1984 and Connoly in 1985 from their respective partners and live in marital bliss since 1989. For some reason, I think these tidbits are important, go figure.

Sidenote: if you haven't already, watch (if still available on Netflix, otherwise I implore you to look for it on other platforms) an exceptional French series, Call My Agent. You will not only love the humor, you will educate yourself with the basic ropes of celeb PR.

At face value, I couldn't think of a more appropriate consigliere to deal with the brief that (spare the failed Everest movie project) prompted this book. It is not that difficult to figure out:

Evoke at length the past to offer a modicum of explanation of the present. Mention traumatic relationship with father to explain fear of commitment in a solid, steady relationship.

In the process, pay lip service to the Narrative, but take substantial liberty and a daring stand when discussing the horrific Wentworth episode-that-nobody-could-watch. Express controlled discontent towards TPTB, to have the upper hand while negotiating a possible season 8 (fun fact, it worked)

Conveniently send into oblivion Flukenzie Floozy, Quarantein Hooter's Madonna and any other two letter combo born from the hyperactive imagination of the Queen of Nothing, while respecting ToS of bachelorhood - it's still good for the Sales Department.

Camouflage reality of S&C entity, under a London Blitz-worthy blanket of smoke & mirrors, but allow leaks that could easily pass for creative license or babble. Shippers will get it. Dots will connect, coins will drop. We shall overcome.

Simultaneously, offer a plausible explanation for the above UFO co-star/bro-sis/Ginger Jesus- Mother Mary relationship, primarily to comfort and control Mordor, that Troll Nursery. Say what the hell you want, including something along the lines of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, but say it LOUDER FOR THOSE SHIPPER PEOPLE IN THE BACK OF THE COACH. They are used to this one step forward/one slap backward tango and by now, few (if any) will budge elsewhere on the fandom spectrum.

Discreetly crush homosexuality rumors, because they are borderline calumny, at this point in time. However, the Data Lounge crowd could make Mordor look like Bora Bora, so the sooner they get bored and move to the next babyface, the better.

Substantially promote MPC and Great Glen Company, consolidating the image of the giving, thoughtful individual, with a creative mind and savvy enough to branch out in lucrative business projects. Extend fan/consumer/client base to a younger demographic.

Pave the way for exit plan. This report will not discuss it, but hints may have been detected. :)

Wow. This is a mouthful. And I have to say Mr. Whyman did a more than decent job of it, even if for a trained eye the seams are showing, at times.

Like this:

Frazer. You can't make this shit up. This is SRH.

As compared to this (excuse the repetition: the blogger is not lazy - the blogger tries to make a point):

This is Whyman. This has been probably paid extra for. This is painful to read. This failed.

As for leaks, I've found a good handful. Adding all of them here higgledy-piggledy would be tedious, boring and I am not Miss Marple. But I've noticed that feelings hide in plain sight, usually disguised in a song you whistle or some verse you remember, just to keep you company on the road, a propos of nothing (my foot):

I don't know what this woman is talking about, you might say. Whatevs. How about this:

To keep myself sane, I usually rip off a Twix bar or light up a Benson. Others resort to Shakespeare, in lieu of granola bars. The world is a wonderfully diverse place. LOL, don't mind me. I am a dillusional woman, for whom all hope is lost.

Sometimes, this whole pastoral reverie has a Lewis Carroll charm to it (you might want to open this in another tab):

Who is your queen, Sir? Surely not the cheerful woman in leggings, flats and a Playboy T-shirt, huh?

Maybe the key is this childish botanical pun, tucked away at the end of the book:

Knowing that the P in Psillyosam is silent, as in *urv the Psychologist, we read and we grin:

[P]sillyosam Mushroom. Silly O'Sam. Silly, oh Sam.

Hashtag silly. An apt response to lemon and hugs.

To sum it up on a cheerful note, Waypoints is the 4 S book:

Struggles - Success - (fake) Solitude - (with a clear optic to avoid at all costs) Scandal

I thank you for your time while reading this. I hope it was worth it and yes, I confidently rest my case. Until the next memoir, which I reasonably hope would be vastly different.

[wings-of-ink]

Help Lunan all your characters are so lovable I can’t choose T--T What would be your one sentence pitch to advertise each RO?

Anon, I both am sorry for and appreciate your struggle. I am glad my characters have a draw to you. ^_^

A pitch for each is a little difficult, since a lot of their beauty is in their little secrets...buuuut, let's see what we can find. Lately, my spouse and I have been looking to adopt some kitties, so I'm using that as inspiration because I've seen a lot of ads for pets. LOL

Oswin: "MISSING: tame, but will bite if cornered, no collar, answers to 'good boi.'"

Zahn: "Free to good home: friendly & loving, food-motivated - very trainable, housebroken, a little skittish."

Duri: "For sale or trade: spunky, needs room to run, excellent guard but very loving, likes to chew, NOT housebroken."

Rune: "For sale, price firm, no holds: rare breed, beautiful coat, slow to warm up, loyal & snuggly once bonded."

???: ATTENTION: please pick up your animal ASAP, keeps escaping and getting into trash, runs into traffic, craps in my yard while making eye-contact.

I hope this satisfies, Anon! ^_^ Thank you for the very fun Ask!

#god cursed if #twine if #asks #if wip #twine wip #interactive novel #if game #interactive fiction #gc ro oswin #gc ro zahn #gc ro duri #gc ro rune #gc ro ???

[mafaldaknows]

Kylie and timothe are allegedly getting married next year. Now tell me how is thios PR and how he's still getting his cherry popped by Armie Haammer. And I want a logical explaination, not some cult guru shit about believing in love and all that nonsense.

Hello, Anon:

Let’s stop for a moment and consider what the word “allegedly” means.

It seems to me that an unfortunate by-product of our social media culture is that people conflate allegations with facts, to the point that all anyone has to do these days to make something true in many people’s minds is simply to say it somewhere on the internet. It doesn’t even have to be “official”.

Allegations are not facts. Speculation is not confirmation. Hypotheses are theoretical. None of these things assumes itself as the truth, but merely introduces a starting point for further discussion or investigation in order to discover the truth about something.

So why bother to come to my inbox to ask me what I think about something that you already seem to think is true? It seems to me that you don’t need my validation. And don’t worry, Anon. I’ll spare you the cult guru shit about love.

Because what’s love got to do with it?

It takes at least two years for people to stop being on their best behavior around their romantic partners, so making a lifelong commitment to love, honor, and cherish someone in less time than that is a serious gamble, and seems highly unlikely in this case, assuming that at least one of them still has functional critical thinking skills, and isn’t in the habit of setting their life on fire without first contemplating the consequences, as most reasonable grown adults do, especially when making such a major, life-altering decision like getting married to someone they barely know.

What’s ironic to me, Anon, is that if you wanted me to agree with you, this would be a good spot to give you some cult guru shit about love. Because I believe that there are some people who know right away that they’ll love someone for the rest of their lives. But they tend not to need a team of managers and publicists, and constant, chronic, random no-one-asked-for-it-but-here-it-is-anyway press attention to prove it to everyone on the internet, in order to seal the deal. Lovers just love, no press required.

They only just allegedly met this spring. One year’s time is most likely not enough time for them to know if they’re suitable life partners for each other, if they intend to stay married, especially if they’re not even “official in private” and only “casual” at this moment in time, depending on how their insider source is feeling that day, depending on which way the wind blows, even when no one asked. It might be helpful for someone on their PR teams to keep track of what their insider source is telling the media on an hourly basis on an excel spreadsheet or something so they’re at least all on the same sheet of bullshit.

If it happens, then mazel tov to the happy couple, and let’s hope there’s a prenup, to keep things simple when if it falls apart.

As for popping a cherry, that’s a one-shot deal. Once in a lifetime. You might want to brush up on your idioms, Anon. 💥🍒💥

However T & A chose to define their connection to each other is no one’s business but their own. I’ve said this time and again. And who T sleeps with is also none of my business.

How T chooses to share his business that’s nobody’s business like nobody’s business is the larger issue, imho. The fact that T&K’s presence together has become ubiquitous in the media has now made it my business, like it or not.

Selling their relationship seems to be the point, and that’s the part I struggle with. It’s difficult to see the truth of their alleged love story when it’s so deeply embedded within such an obvious PR sales pitch. Even if they’re madly in love, that doesn’t change the fact that they’re also using each other as a means to an end. Famous people marry each other all the time without ever having to ask one to commodify themselves for the sake of elevating the other’s image.

Unlike some other relationships, however, T &A do not make it their business to make it our business to know their business, every damn day, for months on end. So I have no idea about the status of their relationship; romantic, platonic, doesn’t matter to me, Anon. But I can still be hopeful and watch for signs, with both my feet firmly rooted in reality.

Only time or Tim will tell.

Thanks for your question. ❤️🧿☺️🍒👀

#hello anon #it’s business baby #cult guru love shit #what’s love got to do with it #commit and commodify #a means to an end #isn’t it PRomantic #always be closing #can’t knock the hustle

[twig-tea]

Love in Translation--Everyone Is Right This Show Is Great

Ok so I was convinced by these great posts by @bengiyo here and @lurkingshan here to catch up and prioritize this series.

But then I watched Minato's Laundromat s2 instead (which was a disappointment, bad decision).

And then I lied again and watched Only Friends ep6 as cough you may have noticed based on my posting this past 24hrs.

But now I'm finally actually keeping my word and prioritizing Love in Translation lol

And of course, they were totally right, this show is so good!

I'd already seen episode 1; it was chaotic but cute, and already established the older/younger brother dynamic as well as the chemistry between the two leads and the full cast of supporting characters--who bengiyo rightfully points out are delightful.

Episode 2 hits the ground running and the next few episodes flew by on my catch-up binge; as lurkingshan said, the pacing on this show is FAST and really enjoyable. With the absurd premise established they jumped right into character development and pining! I love a grumpy on the outside because he has too many feelings on the inside character, and Yang is perfect. He fell so hard so fast for Phumjai's sunshine charisma (which bengiyo is so right, is a rare breed of happy and energetic but not annoying). And I love that they've established pretty clearly that Phumjai needs someone to believe in him (hello, Dangerous Romance's Khaotung, I see you), and that Yang warming up and trusting him is going to be the thing to sway his heart. Yang clearly being aware of his feelings and helping Phumjai talk to Tammy anyway is giving me so much of the good kind of pain! I love a pining while helping my love interest with their romance because I am secretly a simp even though I seem cold character. Yang's tiny smiles give me life. And I also really love a smile through my pain because I desperately want to protect everyone around me at cost to myself character, so this show is really giving me everything I could want and then some.

Love in Translation is so good at earning every emotional response the characters give... lurkingshan talked about this in her pitch and I'm going to double down because this show keeps surprising me in the best way. Yang is not just jealous, he knows something. Phumjai is not just inexperienced, he's never been trusted to stand on his own or make any decisions for himself. There's a reason why Phumjai hesitates and why Yang pulls back. Every time there's a character decision that moves forward the plot that in any other show would be handwaved away, it's explained and given context and I am LIVING. I can't wait to find out why his brother is so overprotective, for example, because I now trust this show to give us that.

I can't talk about this show as much as I want to without spoilers so cutting the below for those who have been convinced but don't want to be spoiled. But for those who have not yet been convinced: Below the cut I talk about how this show queues up annoying narrative tropes to undermine them. I also just want to say while I'm still above the line, the chemistry between the two leads is excellent:

this show is very pretty (some really interesting shots and use of the store aisles for framing, as well as lovely colour grading):

the interpersonal drama is so far quite good at staying interwoven with actual work (I know absolutely nothing about running a mini mart but at least they do seem to do work in a workplace show, and at least some of the episodic challenges are about work/sales), and the comedy is not too slapstick. At least one side couple (involving Ngern! My beloved) has an arc clearly forming and I am hopeful the other will too.

And for you colour girlies, @respectthepetty has written brilliantly about the colours in this show meaning things (and already been proven right).

TL;DR Love in Translation is so far a really, really enjoyable viewing experience!

Oh hi! For the record, I will be potentially spoiling through episode 5. This is just me gushing about stuff that might be spoilery, don't expect any brilliance here lol

God I love how this show tees up tropes to undermine them. Tammy is an influencer, but Phumjai fell for her because they met in person and she made him feel competent and listened to. Tammy is a player, but Phumjai is aware and makes no demands. Phumjai made Tammy feel like someone really cared about her and so she decided to be serious about him (rather than Tammy playing into the evil woman stereotype). Yang is clearly already aware of his feelings, but decides to help and Phumjai go on a practice date, and doesn't hold back, AND gives the older brother a baller speech about letting people make their own choices. Phumjai isn't totally thoughtless about Yang during the practice date, he doesn't just focus on Tammy and chooses things Yang would like. And then when he goes on the date he doesn't sublimate, Phumjai realizes something is going on and goes to talk to Yang, who kisses him!!! Phumjai reacts badly and avoids Yang, but it's because he realizes he has a crush and thinks he needs to make it go away rather than because of gay panic. Yang starts pushing Phumjai away, but it's because he's literally under threat rather than because he's scared of having emotions, and he doesn't want to risk Phumjai's safety. And this also puts Yang's intensity, anger, and seriousness about the business and how its doing in context because (I think) he owes folks money and is very worried about being found before he can pay them back.

And because the show gives good reasons for why these characters have these reactions or make these decisions, the show is also able to explain when these reactions or decisions change! Yang doesn't just forget about his crush or his history with Tammy, she proves to him she's serious this time with her actions. Yang thought he was safe and he finds out he isn't, so he stops pursuing Phumjai.

What I'm really, really hoping for in the next ep: we know from the trailer that Phumjai bolts, I'm assuming because Yang says something unclear to push him away again, and Tammy finds him. I'm really hoping this gives Phumjai and Tammy a chance to air things out, and for Yang to realize he needs to be honest with Phumjai about what's going on so that they can ~please for once, BL gods~ face their troubles together!

Also can I just go off on a rant and say how much I love Phumjai? At first I was afraid he would be annoying either because he's so sunshine or because he's incompetent or both, but besides his obsession with Tammy (which I will admit at least is motivating for him lol) he is actually really dedicated to his job and works really hard. Love that Phumjai's recruits are already on his side and defend him to Yang, even moreso than Tag, Phumjai's so-called best friend (I am side eyeing you sir) does to Phojai.

Really holding onto hope that this show keeps surprising me because I'm really enjoying every time it does it!

#love in translation the series #love in translation #typed so i can stop thinking it #bl meta #everyone is right about this show so far: it's great!

[sunshinesmebdy]

Power Surge for Business: Moon in Aries Meets Mercury, Eclipse & Destiny (April 8th)

Get ready for a firestorm of opportunity, because on April 8th, we experience a powerful convergence of astrological forces that can dramatically impact your business and finances. Buckle up, entrepreneurs and go-getters, because I’m here to guide you through this dynamic cosmic dance!

Triple Threat Tuesday: Aries Takes Charge

Three key transits collide on this potent Tuesday, each influencing your business and financial landscape:

Moon Conjunct Mercury in Aries: This dynamic duo ignites clear and concise communication. Negotiations flow effortlessly, and innovative ideas spark like wildfire. Action Item: Schedule important meetings, pitches, or presentations for this day.

Business Implications:

Effective Communication: Use this alignment to express your ideas clearly and persuasively. Collaborate with colleagues, clients, and partners to convey your vision.

Swift Decision-Making: Decisions made during this transit may be impulsive but can yield positive results. Trust your instincts.

Marketing and Sales: Promote your products or services boldly. Engage with customers through direct communication channels.

Financial Impact:

Increased Transactions: Expect brisk financial activity — sales, contracts, and deals.

Risk-Taking: Be cautious of impulsive financial decisions. Balance boldness with practicality.

Moon in Aries Conjunct Mercury in Aries:

Effective Communication:

During this alignment, communication becomes assertive and direct. It’s an excellent time for negotiations, pitching ideas, and closing deals. Business leaders should express their vision clearly to clients, partners, and colleagues.

Swift Decision-Making:

Decisions made now may be impulsive but can lead to positive outcomes. Trust your instincts and act swiftly. Avoid overthinking; seize opportunities promptly.

Marketing and Sales:

Promote your products or services boldly. Use direct channels — emails, phone calls, or face-to-face interactions.

Customers respond well to confident communication.

Aries Solar Eclipse: Eclipses signify new beginnings. The fiery energy of Aries makes this a particularly potent time to launch new ventures, rebrand your business, or unveil a revolutionary product.

New Ventures:

Solar eclipses mark powerful beginnings. Use this energy to launch new projects, products, or marketing campaigns. Set intentions for growth and innovation.

Self-Discovery:

Reflect on your business identity. What drives you? What needs healing or transformation? Realign your business goals with your authentic purpose.

Courageous Initiatives:

Aries encourages bold moves. Take calculated risks. Innovate, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

Business Implications:

New Ventures: Launch new projects, products, or marketing campaigns. The eclipse provides a burst of energy.

Self-Discovery: Reflect on your business identity, purpose, and leadership style. What needs healing or transformation?

Courageous Initiatives: Aries encourages bold moves. Take calculated risks.

Financial Impact:

Investments: Consider long-term investments or diversify your portfolio.

Debt Management: Address financial wounds — pay off debts, seek financial advice.

Innovation: Invest in cutting-edge technologies or business models.

Moon Conjunct North Node & Chiron in Aries: The North Node represents your destined path, while Chiron, the “wounded healer,” highlights past challenges. This alignment sheds light on any past financial roadblocks and empowers you to step into your true financial potential. Action Item: Reflect on any past financial hurdles you’ve faced. How can you use those experiences to propel yourself forward?

Moon in Aries Conjunct North Node and Chiron in Aries:

Purpose-Driven Actions: This alignment signifies a karmic turning point. Align your business actions with your soul’s purpose. Seek meaningful work that resonates with your core values.

Healing Leadership:

Address past wounds in your leadership style. Lead with empathy and authenticity. Healing within your organization can positively impact financial outcomes.

Networking and Guidance:

Connect with influential individuals who can guide your path. Collaborate with like-minded businesses for mutual growth.

Business Implications:

Purpose-Driven Actions: Align your business goals with your soul’s purpose. Seek meaningful work.

Healing Leadership: Address past wounds in your leadership style. Lead with empathy.

Networking: Connect with influential individuals who can guide your path.

Financial Impact:

Karmic Financial Shifts: Expect changes in income sources or financial stability.

Self-Worth and Abundance: Heal any scarcity mindset. Value your unique contributions.

Collaborations: Partner with like-minded businesses for mutual growth.

Remember: While the impulsive energy of Aries can be a powerful asset, balance it with careful planning. Do your research before making any major decisions, but don’t let hesitation extinguish your spark. This is a day to seize opportunities, ignite your passion, and take your business to the next level!

#astrology business #business horoscopes #business astrology #astrology updates #astro #astrology facts #astro notes #astrology #astro girlies #astro posts #astrology community #astropost #astrology observations #astro observations #astro community

[captainbrookeworm]

Tumblr is going insane for Nimona so I made my whole family sit down to watch it with me and high key it’s not getting ENOUGH attention for how good it is!!!

Here’s my non-spoilery sales pitch:

Sad wet cat of a man and the most gender motherfucker on the planet be gay do crime in medieval/cyber punk kingdom and learn the power of friendship and also arson

For real tho I’ve yet to watch some of these scenes without tearing up, it’s funny, the animation is fucking STUNNING (in a different and fun way to all the other stunningly animated movies this year), excellent voice acting, and yeah I was a sobbing mess at the end of it so check it out!! Go into it blind if you can!

Spoilery thoughts below cut:

- Everyone accuses Ballister of "bringing a monster into our home" SHE ALREADY FUCKING LIVED THERE GOD

- Nimona is unironically a "1000 year old demon or whatever that just LOOKS like a child" but instead of using this fact for weird shit they give her two dads lmao, and it also serves the story in that she’s not experienced at all with complicated relationships and thus can’t fathom why Ballister would want to make up with Ambrosius

- CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG BUT IM PRETTY SURE THE FIRST TIME BALLISTER CALLS HER NIMONA INSTEAD OF “kid” OR SOMETHING IS THE SCENE WHERE HE FINALLY SEES HER FOR WHO SHE IS DONT FUCKING TOUCH ME

- I made a chart for my family to rank all the movies we watch together (because I’m deranged) and my mom turned to me after Nimona ‘died’ and shouted “IF NIMONA DOESNT COME BACK IM GIVING IT A 2!!” lol (she ended up giving it a 7, which is pretty on par with her scores for all the other movies I pick)

- I THOUGHT THE KNIGHTS BEING GAY WAS JUST TUMBLR DOING ITS THING BUT NO THEYRE ACTUALLY GAY GAYS STAY WINNING

- pride flag in the end credits, just for the people watching the movie with their fingers in their ears going “la la la” so they don’t see the lgbt+ metaphors

#nimona #nimona movie #review #pls go watch it immediately I need this movie to be a huge hit #spider punk and Nimona would be BFFs #high key LotL Morro would be too #prolly gonna do some fanart for this movie at some point #it really good

[imaginary-regret-608]

Happy (Late) 2nd Anniversary to Depp v. Heard (I wasn't sure when to post this so I found the closest law-related date that I could) from the COB MOB!

To celebrate, I'm here to introduce Excell V. IyAy and Helpress!

The Main Boss and Handyman of ACT 2: Overrouxled!

Excell V. Iyay, more commonly known by 'Excell' among other nicknames, is the Rouxlmaker. The (Formerly) Formally Four-Armed Foe. Compared to Rouxls Kaard in Deltarune, his Typing Quirk was simplified to better fit the 'holier-than-thou' ideology seen in internet culture.

The name 'Excell V. Iyay' would most likely first be introduced in full by Excell himself, and has multiple inspirations and meanings to it. These range from the 'Iyay' within the name being a reference to Pirate Rouxls in Deltarune Chapter 2, to the pronunciation/initials of the full name (XLVII) also being the Roman Numeral for 47 as a reference to the 47 Rules of the Internet!

As for Helpress, being the sneaky and debatably-charming butler that he is, may be more crazy and money-hungry than what some might think. Maybe striking up a deal with him is your only chance at MERCY?

(NOTE: This is old Concept Art, including the weird era of Crewelle's Design where the idea of the two halves hadn't been established, but it's the only Helpress-Focused Concept Art there is!)

Here's a better look at what Helpress' Current Design looks like, except that the $-inspired shape is still the default!

Also including a miniature introduction to Dero, Helpress' main machine which has a habit of leaving tracks and indents in the floors of Excell's Puzzle Palace. Dero would also appear in Helpress' FIGHT, and functions in a 'Clap-On, Clap-Off' system!

Finally, in regards to this image, in-universe file names (such as the one shown in Helpress' Sales Pitch to 'SUPERCHARGE YOUR Libido™') will probably ACT as a mostly-lighthearted and fun way to expand upon SwilTaett outside of the traditional methods!

#undertale #deltarune #deltarune au #deltarune concept #swiltaett #swiltaett announcement #rouxls deltarune #deltarune rouxls #spamton deltarune #deltarune spamton #my art #pixel art

[beautifulpersonpeach]

kind of random, but I’m curious about your thoughts on what seems to be the intended growth and direction of Weverse and Weverse magazine beyond the kpop sphere

bang pd has said that they want to expand weverse’s use to western artists and fanbases. Of course it’s still almost entirely kpop and kpop adjacent, but in general I like the platform and I think it could be an interesting tool for smaller artists globally. But I also don’t see western artists being that interested in engaging with their fans like this, especially where they already have tools like Instagram live. Maybe I’m biased by my army experience, but the Weverse armys are some of the cringiest (and youngest) imo, and the parasocial relationship encouraged somewhat in kpop isn’t encouraged in the same way in the west. Maybe there’d be interest in the online concert format?

as for Weverse magazine, I like the idea of growing a kpop oriented magazine that actually respects the artists. There’ve been so many dumb articles written about bts that it’s nice to see there be consistently decent interviews with them. The bts/hybe bias shows, but I don’t need constant fluff pieces about the members to appreciate the magazine and I think it’d be better off in the long run if they have objective authors writing about kpop generally. I have seen some articles about western artists which threw me off of what I thought they wanted to do with the magazine and who they want their audience to end up being. Do you see a benefit in trying to grow their reach to western artists and growing their audience? What do you think they want to do with this magazine?

***

You raise very good points. I want to challenge and expand on a few things.

"...and the parasocial relationship encouraged somewhat in kpop isn’t encouraged in the same way in the west."

This is changing. Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Billboard, etc, the main music publications have been highlighting since BTS got on the scene (2020), that musicians should look into actively building dedicated fanbases via more fan engagement, to be more successful. Here's an article from Billboard crediting this shift in the industry to Taylor Swift (I disagree). Also, western artists already leverage parasocial relationships: Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj are all examples of western artists who are about as engaged with their fans as some k-pop groups are. So if the sales pitch for Weverse is a customized fan engagement solution to lean on the parasocial aspect more, there's more than a few western artists who will be interested.

Just wanted to put that out there, and also because it ties to my next point about the (theoretical) competitive edge WV has over a platform like Instagram Live:

IL is technically the better platform because it gives you the widest audience reach. More people have Instagram already installed than they do Weverse.

But the key thing about successful fan engagement, is cultivating a fandom. Meaning, a somewhat organized group of fans. For the fans to organize, they need a fandom space. A shared feed where people in the fandom can communicate and build community. It's somewhat difficult to get this on Instagram and this is why forums like Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, Quora etc thrive.

Weverse's pitch is highlighting a customized solution that combines the best things about those platforms into one thing, creating a dedicated fan space for the artist and their fans.

In theory, Bang PD is right on the money here and with a few adjustments should have a gold mine on his hands. But the platform isn't well managed.

And neither is the magazine.

And so that theory remains just that.

There's been a handful of dumb articles about BTS/members and other artists by Weverse Magazine too. They've done an excellent job with the interviews they've published, and sometimes they've offered critical counterarguments to shoddy logic from mainstream music publications, but the times they've gaffed have been really embarrassing for everyone involved. For example that racist article that undermined Jimin's accomplishments with FACE. One can assume that was maybe their attempt to show less bias towards BTS and come across as 'objective', but all it did was make the writer and magazine look uninformed.

To gain any critical cred they need more flashy bylines, more socially conscious Korean critics and more mainstream writers, etc. And to increase their audience, yeah more pieces featuring western artists is one way to go about it. They want the magazine as an avenue to tell their own stories and offer their own side, as well as an attempt to participate in discussions in the wider industry, in k-pop and outside k-pop.

This is the wrong way to think about things, but I use Weverse as a bellwether to gauge how efficient and well-run HYBE is. My take on things, using how Weverse appears to be managed as a proxy, is that HYBE is bloated - not quite yet a bureaucratic nightmare but key departments are slow to react whether it's in fixing problems, picking up on trends, course correcting, etc.

I don't know much about coding but the UX/UI on Weverse feels like an afterthought. Almost everything from the color scheme (and lack of personalizing options) to the fact there's a WV streaming platform nobody uses.... they could be doing a much better job with a leaner structure.

Last week if you opened Weverse you'd have gotten a notice to participate in a survey. I left my feedback and I hope y'all did too. BigHit used to be decently good at responding to fan feedback. Let's hope that's still the case with Weverse and HYBE because even the company recognizes that Weverse is underperforming.

#edited to fix typos #bts #weverse #weverse magazine #bang pd #bighit #hybe #music platforms #fan engagement #kpop fandoms

[ofliterarynature]

NOVEMBER 2023 WRAP UP

[ loved liked ok no thanks (reread) DNF ]

The Moonstone • Chaos Terminal • (The Raven Boys) • The Ghosts of Trappist • (Fugitive Telemetry) • From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler • The Art of Destiny • The Bell in the Fog • (Exit Strategy) • Who Goes There? • Salt Magic Skin Magic • The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up • (Dracula) • (Rogue Protocol) • The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store • The Boneshaker • The Archive Undying • (The Scorpio Races) • Camilla

Total: 18 (audiobook: 15 / ebook: 3)

I started my month off by finishing my reread of The Scorpio Races on November 1, as is right and proper :) This has consistently been my favorite of Maggie's books, and it never feels right the years that I haven't reread it. I think I hit the right method this year and rather than binging it or following a structured reread (which would be cool, if you could match the timeline of the book) I listened to the audiobook on and off throughout Oct and finished it off in one last burst one the 1st. I think this is some of Maggie's best writing, but I also admit I am no longer able to judge this one objectively and will save you all the sales pitch for now :)

The Archive Undying was...confusing. It wasn't that I couldn't follow what was happening on the sentence level or in the immediate present, but try zooming out to the larger picture and I was lost. It was hazy, very much like a fever dream. I would not be opposed to trying some of the author's other work in the future, but I have no interest in revisiting this book/series, and wouldn't really recommend.

The Boneshaker has been sitting on my bookshelf for years ever since I picked it up at a library book sale, and it's managed to survive every shelf purge since. And I'm glad it did! It's a strange MG/YA book about a girl, her bicycle, a small western town just off a crossroads, a snakeoil salesman, his medicine show, and deals with the devil. It was fascinating! I've been almost tempted to send a copy to Sydnee McElroy just for fun. I will definitely be investigating the author's other series.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store - I got tempted into this one because the Book Riot Podcast couldn't stop singing it's praises, and then it started making some of the year end/best of lists and... it's ok I guess? I don't really get the hype, tbh, and I got close to DNFing because it just wasn't interesting. I was at least forewarned that the "murder mystery" in the marketing was overblown, but I am here to tell you to ignore its existence completely. There is no mystery, there isn't really even a murder, and it doesn't happen until the end of the book anyway. I fully admit this was just not a book for me, and anyone who wants to read it I wish you well.

Not much to say about my Murderbot reread, other than choosing to give the audiobooks a break and rereading in a text format was an excellent choice, I really feel like I've picked up on a lot of things I didn't before, and it gives me time to think about things (I have some questions about the actual irl existence of rogue secunits, tbh). This is my second full time trough the series, and I think Exit Strategy is maybe the weakest solo link in the original quartet, but that makes me very happy to have the newer books as well. And I have to say it, FUGITIVE TELEMETRY IS BETTER IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

Dracula Daily wrapped up this month, so I'm probably not the only one to have Dracula show up on their reading list. I listened to most of it via RE: Dracula, which I appreciated so much for helping keep me on track this year. I probably won't follow along next year, but big thanks to everyone for helping me learn to enjoy a book I hated both times I had to read it for school! I'll still be percolating that Greenwing & Dart AU somewhere in the back of my mind in the meantime.

I picked up the idea of "sparking joy" from the general internet and have found it hugely helpful in letting go of things in life, so I've been meaning to pick up The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up for a while, and was finally spurred into it when I picked up a copy at goodwill. I found some actionable advice in Kondo's method, but sooo much of the book felt like a sales pitch on how following this method could fix everything wrong in your life (and I mean *everything*). It left a very bad taste in my mouth - I think a workbook or checklist could be useful, but wouldn't recommend the book itself.

Salt Magic Skin Magic is a historical fantasy with magic, adventure, and a gay romance, which is so entirely in my wheelhouse. It hit all the same points I tend to find/enjoy in KJ Charles' work, and I had such a good time reading this - no surprise, apparently she helped edit this! Thanks to the HOTE discord group for reccing this one, I'll definitely be checking out some of the author's other work!

If you didn't know, Who Goes There? is the short story that the movie The Thing was based on - which I have not seen, but I went on a brief dive into antarctic exploration/horror in anticipation of this month's book club (All the White Spaces, which I actually read for last month but that meeting got delayed) and this popped up pretty quickly. It was available from the library and short, so why not?! The beginning felt a little rough, but I would have loved to see the tension of the main plot drawn out even longer. Liked this a lot better than the actual book club book, but I don't know that I'll watch any of the adaptations.

The Bell in the Fog - Lavender House sequel! I was so glad when this was announced; I love queer books, historical books, a mystery with a lead who actually does some detecting, and a character trying to find themselves and their community? Absolute catnip for me. It also doesn't pull its punches about the violence and injustices faced by the queer community, so it's definitely a bit darker than my usual tastes and will have to try hard to make it onto my favorites list. But if the author continues to write these I will absolutely pick them up.

The Art of Destiny - bless the library for not dragging their heels on the audiobook for this sequel, but lucky me, they did finally add the first book in time for me to get them both in the same year. Unlucky me, this does not appear to be the end of this series D: third book when??? Anyway, I won't deny that these books move a little slowly, but when they move, they move. If you want a big fantasy that's diverse, funny, cartoonish but epically violent, has a cast of all ages, and centers it's story on non-romantic relationships - this is so good, come join me in wailing for a book 3 announcement.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler has lived in the back of my mind for a while as a favorite childhood book of a booklr friend who is sadly no longer on tumblr, but who I say hi to occasionally on other sites - anyways, I found a copy at goodwill and took it as a sign. This one's for you, Lourdes! If I'd found this as a kid, I probably would have reread it a lot, that's how I was too lol. For now, it was a fine read, but I don't think it'll have a lasting hold. Any fans interested in more middle grade about fine art might check out the Chasing Vermeer series by Blue Balliett.

The Ghosts of Trappist - I think it's impossible for me to not enjoy myself reading this series (NeoG), but this one was a bit of a backslide from the improvements in book 2. On one hand - a very ambitious plot, probably the least soap-operaish of the bunch, and I loved the emotional arcs (and the possible ART/murderbot reference?). On the other - over a dozen pov characters is too too many. my god. I think a tighter focus could have done a world of good, but if this is also where the series wraps up I'd be totally satisfied. I'll definitely check out the author's other series.

I admit, rereading The Scorpio Races sparked something in me and now I'm determined to set off on a full Maggie Stiefvater read/reread, starting with The Raven Boys. I really loved this when it first came out, but my interested petered out as the series progressed and I started college, and I haven't touched the spinoff yet. My impression from the first book is still that Maggie's writing is so goddam beautiful. Her sentences make me want to weep, but for me there's so much focus on the line that I'm constantly losing track of the big picture. I'm still enjoying myself, but I feel like I'm coasting a lot on nostalgia and aesthetic between moments of a story - though is it me, or does she write a lot in scenes/vignettes, rather than a constant flowing story? I've found some success in centering myself by imagining the scenes as depicted by a CW supernatural teen show of my high school years and it's quite lovely, actually - I can't believe the TV show plans got dropped and never picked up again. We'll have to see how the rest of the series goes.

Genuinely, I can't believe that I read Station Eternity earlier this year and that the sequel, Chaos Terminal, is out already. Despite liking the author's first book (Six Wakes) and normally liking the tropes they're playing with here, I did not like the first book. No idea why I read the second one then (hope?), but it was better, definitely! I still didn't like it. No idea if I'll finally call it quits on this series or get lured into another one if it gets written.

The Moonstone was an unexpected surprise! I made it to November still 2 books short on my 6 classics challenge and panicked when the first one ended up dnf'd - what if this one was bad too??? But I really should know better, give me a half decent mystery and entertaining characters, and I'll be fine. And it was epistolary! I had a good time groaning over all of the characters foibles and quirks, even if I spent the whole time just going, Hey Guys? you could avoid all of this if you just let the nice Indian men have their diamond back. Good fun if you like a mystery and have some patience.

My only DNF this month was the previously mentioned classic - from the moment I decided on a classics challenge, I knew I wanted to try something by Frances Burney given how much I liked her novel Evelina. Unfortunately for me, the only one the library had on audiobook was Camilla... and it was 37 hours long. I gave it a shot, but only made it about 3 hours in. I really do applaud Burney for her ability to create characters who are intentionally/unintentionally causing harm even if they sometimes have the best of intentions. It's absurd, truly, but I'm not in a place I can take that right now - especially since the victims were children, and it happened *repeatedly*. I think if I was to try this one again I'd need to take it slowly in small parts.

Am I horribly wrong about anything? Do you have any classics you'd recommend for next year?

#bec posts #book log #2023 #wrap up 2023 #books #booklr #book review #the moonstone #midsolar murders #the raven boys #murderbot #neog #the ghosts of trappist #from the mixed up files of mrs basil e frankweiler #the art of prophecy #the art of destiny #wesley chu #the bell in the fog #who goes there? #salt magic skin magic #the life changing magic of tidying up #the heaven and earth grocery store #the boneshaker #kate milford #the archive undying #the scorpio races #frances burney

[sirtaliesin]

Hmmm Jason and Etrigan dealing with some no magical tech; either some stuff wayne tech made, batman found or just general everyday tech?

This took me a bit, but the first thing I thought of was Jason shopping for a mobile phone. Thank you for the suggestion!

Phone Shopping

This was absolutely ridiculous.

Jason looked from one display to the next, mood shifting between irritation, disbelief, and bewilderment. He needed a mobile phone not a computer. Placards with an array of photographs and cheerful blurbs sat next to the variety of models on display. Proudly declaring excellent camera quality, recording features, excessive storage, and a number of functions that didn’t seem necessary on a phone.

Most of the models on display seemed to take the actual function of a telephone as secondary at best. If they considered it at all. Looking between the touchscreens and the model numbers, a sense of regret pooled in his belly. He recalled the conversation he’d had not more than a week ago that had necessitated this outing. That he really did need a mobile phone for when he was out, especially since the last model he’d had suffered an unfortunate demise via hellfire more than a year ago.

The lamentation that he hadn’t brought one of his friends with him was short lived. Bruce, while fairly knowledgeable about these things, would have drawn far too much attention. Zatanna might have been a more reasonable choice, but he couldn’t bring himself to bother her about it either.

“Can I help you find something sir?” The salesperson Jason had been studiously avoiding asked.

“Perhaps. Do you have anything less,” Jason gestured to the variety of smart phones with Wayne Tech logos, “Complicated?”

“We have a new model with a very sleek operating system just over here.” The young woman – Jason noted her name tag read Andie – said while she led the way to a different display near the counter.

The newer models were, like the rest, overly complicated smart devices with fragile screens and boasting excellent cameras. Jason felt a headache forming. The young woman was talking to him again, describing the benefits of a telephoto lens and a higher megapixel rate, excellent battery life, and enough storage for his needs. What those must have been by the estimation of whoever designed that handheld computer, Jason couldn’t even imagine. The only thing she’d said thus far that had any appeal was the long battery life.

“Um, I was thinking of something a little more utilitarian.” Jason hazarded, trying to shift away from the sales pitch for the shiny new model.

“Oh? We do have some very basic models as well, Wayne Tech’s older models are perfectly serviceable-“

“Do you have anything that doesn’t have a touch screen?” Jason interrupts.

“Without? Well, we have some flip models-“

“Could I see those please?”

Andie tilts her head and gestures bemusedly to the opposite end of the store. Furthest from the door, Jason notes. Not exactly hidden, but certainly not the bright eye-catching displays of the smart models. They are far more utilitarian and familiar, more akin to his old phone than any of the cameras that also allowed one to make a call.

“I think this will do just fine.” Jason says finally, picking out a simple flip phone. It has a camera still, but at least it has buttons. Easier to use if he couldn’t see, and he was certain he’d be less likely to destroy it.

Andie rings up the purchase for him and helps him change over his number with a smile. Jason contemplates the dark glass panes of the other devices on display as he leaves. The black mirror surfaces that wink to life with glowing colour aren’t terribly appealing.

Three months later, after a particularly complicated trip to New Hampshire, Jason returns home to find an unassuming box on his kitchen table. A note in a familiar hand tucked under it.

‘Just try it out. -Bruce’

Jason ignores the new Wayne Tech smart phone for another month on principle.

#Jason Blood #asks #my fic #writing prompts

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. I'm gonna write this daily so chapters will probably be short and sweet. Today's song is Lovely Day by Bill Withers.

Warnings: Drunken decision making, unsolicited dick pics

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~~

The Instagram post is obviously a mistake. But in Blaine's defence he was:

very drunk

unwilling to give up a reservation at Di Fara, a booking he'd made nine months previously to guarantee a table for Valentine's Day, and 

clearly losing his mind because of very justifiable reasons and therefore found the whole thing hilarious. At the time. 

It probably would have been fine except Blaine has, at this point, gathered quite a respectable following with his reels of genre bending interpretations of popular songs. There reaches a point where one becomes an actual Influencer and posting dumb shit on the internet stops being a joke between friends and starts being an example of youth culture going off the rails. Or something. He's not even a youth. He's in his late twenties. 

He winces through his hangover as he looks at the post again. He'd gotten Sam, who is an enabler more than anything, to take it. He's shirtless, posing like a total fuck boy with his hair artfully tousled and giving the camera his best sultry expression. An expression that he would never willingly admit to practising in the mirror. It's so cringey he can barely breathe. 

Which is nothing compared to the caption. 

Wanted: Valentine's Day Date

I have reservations for two at Di Fara, but SEBASTIAN decided he was more interested in fucking some guy from the gym than eating the best Italian food in New York. I thought it was weird that he couldn't even pick me up with all the time he was spending at the gym. Your loss SEBASTIAN, I would hate to waste such an amazing dining experience on a rat face LIAR. 

Offering: This hot body. A fully paid meal comprised of aforementioned excellent Italian food. Salvation from a Valentine's Day evening spent Sad and Alone. 

Seeking: A man that is not Sebastian. 

The comment section is flooded of course. There's well over four hundred, a massive number for him, and probably includes some non followers. If he knew it was this easy to manufacture engagement on his posts, he would have done it a long time ago. A quick skim indicates a range of reactions. From sorrow for his break up with Sebastian - who was once a regular on his feed - to hilarity at the nature of the post, to quite sincere sales pitches as to why they should be the one to get the date. 

sebsational94 my name is sebastian but I am not THE sebastian. I would never play you like that boo. can I still qualify? 😇

boooomers Can't believe this is the way we get to see Blaine Anderson shirtless. I am UNWELL

wlfricbea brooo you really be callin out ur man like this omg. rip king seb u will be missed 

cherycool When you say you are offering your hot body, what are we talking here? 👀

tinbd @ cherycool Right? Is Blaine Anderson a Slut? 

sofee.bailey Alexa, play Lovely Day by Bill Withers. Because it's always a lovely day when people take out the TRASH

musicallymotivatedd … still waiting for this cough syrup cover you keep promising 🙄

Blaine's phone buzzes in his hand and he almost drops it out of pure fear. But it's just a message from Tina laughing at him. And then demanding to know why he didn't just ask her to a fancy dinner. Which is a valid point. Blaine has several single friends he could have a fun evening with. But he was drunk on Peach Schnapps, not making functional decisions. He really is a slutty drunk and he literally never learns.

After a moment to psych himself up, he flips to his DMs, which are much worse. He's not particularly stringent with his privacy settings and his inbox is full of chat requests and a LOT of dick pics. As if he's going to pick a date based on the shape of someone's dick. It's exhausting. 

He taps out a message to Tina. 

Blaine: I've never seen so many dicks in my life

Queen T: Sorry can't relate 

She's useless.

Blaine: This isn't funny. I'm in an ocean of dick

Queen T: A sea of penis. A sea-nis if you will

Blaine: I won't

Queen T: Aw Blainey Days. Are you traumatised? I can come and make you some breakfast 

Blaine: Yes please 🥺

Queen T: OMW

#klaine #kurt hummel x blaine anderson #klaine fic #klaine fanfiction #my fic #fic: BA vs Valentine's Day

[courseyoulovemeyoudontknowme]

The Emperor's New Groove (2000, Mark Dindal)

17/01/2024

The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 animated film directed by Mark Dindal.

It is the 40th Disney classic, and began as an epic musical called Kingdom of the Sun with directors Dindal and Roger Allers, but over the course of its six years of production it was transformed by Disney executives into a light buddy comedy about Kuzco, a young and selfish Inca emperor who, mistakenly transformed into a llama by his former advisor Yzma in an attempt to poison him, tries to regain his human form aided by the generous farmer Pacha, who teaches him to be altruistic.

The film, shown for the first time in the United States on December 15, 2000, was not a great financial success but received generally positive reviews, being considered one of the best films of Disney's post-Renaissance era and being nominated for an Academy Award for Best song for My Funny Friend and Me, performed by Sting.

However, the film achieved greater success and notoriety from the public later, thanks to excellent sales on the home-video market, and had a sequel and direct-to-video spin-off entitled Kronk's New Groove (2005) and an animated television series entitled The Emperor's New School (2006-2008).

Kuzco, a spoiled, selfish and arrogant young Inca emperor, intends to build, as a birthday present, a new holiday home with a swimming pool called Kuzcotopia on the top of a hill, at the price of destroying an entire village of farmers. Due to the naivety of Kronk, Yzma's aide, a potion is poured into the glass from which the emperor drinks that transforms him into a llama.

The emperor ventures into the jungle alone, coming across a pack of black jaguars; saved at the last minute by Pacha, Kuzco accepts the latter's conditions to be able to return to the palace.

Meanwhile, Yzma celebrates the emperor's funeral and is proclaimed empress; while she toasts with Kronk to her success, the latter lets slip that the emperor is still alive, so the two leave together to look for him.

Kuzco: protagonist of the story, he is the emperor of the Inca Empire.

The idea for Kingdom of the Sun was conceived by Roger Allers and Matthew Jacobs, and development of the project began in 1994. When pitching the project to Disney's then-CEO and president Michael Eisner, the latter said that "it has all the elements of a classic Disney film", and thanks to his success as director of The Lion King that same year, Eisner gave Allers carte blanche with both casting and plot. In January 1995 Variety reported that Allers was working on "an original Incan-themed story".

In 1996 the production team took a trip to Machu Picchu, Peru, to study Inca artifacts and architecture and the landscape in which this empire was created.

Kingdom of the Sun was supposed to be the story of a greedy, selfish emperor (voiced by David Spade) who finds a farmer who looks just like him (voiced by Owen Wilson); the emperor trades places with the peasant for fun, just as in Mark Twain's archetypal novel The Prince and the Pauper. However, the evil witch Yzma plans to summon the evil god Supay and capture the sun so she can stay young forever (the sun gives her wrinkles, so she speculates that living in a world of darkness would prevent her from aging).

#the emperor's new groove #animation #2000 #List of Walt Disney Animation Studios Films #Rogers Allers #Buddy film #Emperor #Inca #llama #united states #Academy Award for Best Original Song #My Funny Friend and Me #sting #direct to video #kronk's new groove #the emperor's new school #jaguar #Funeral #inca empire #Matthew Jacobs #michael eisner #the lion king #variety #machu picchu #peru #owen wilson #Archetype #mark twain #The Prince and the Pauper #Supay

[sunny-mercya]

Hey, Brother do you still believe in one another?

04.2. Keeping Secrets

Heiji Hattori x Male Reader | Platonic! Shinichi Kudo x Brother Reader

Fandom -> Detective Conan/Case Closed

Masterlist | Previous / Next |

When you're talk, talkin', talkin' 

I hear the secrets that you keep, keep, keep

Dinner time was finally over and you all were send of to bed. You greeted this happily, feeling exhausted like always and laying on the bed would be a bit of help. Luckily you were sharing a room with Heiji, if you had to share with a stranger, you either would stay awake the next 3 Days or searching for a broom closet. 

Once in the room, you changed into some comfy clothes to sleep in. They consisted of shorts and one of Heijis shirts. You loved the hoodies and shirts of your Boyfriend, a bit bigger your size—but this was the reason. Comfortable bigger and they gave you a sense of comfort. Something you craved more than ever right now.

After you both had finished the nightly routine of hygiene, you looked through the Quiz-paper, which you guessed had more over 100 Questions on it and neither Heiji or you could answer any of them. Well, a few, perhaps simple or basic one, could you answers—Shinichis constant fanboy like gushing, was quite helpful this time.

You had woken up in the midst of night. Not from a nightmare, neither from yourself or Heijis, sometimes way to tight, hugging. What had awoken you, was a unsettling feeling in the pitch of your stomach. Giving you painfully cramps, pulling at your muscles as if they were rubber bands—stretching till released to snap against your sides.

You had good guess of what it was. Shouldn't have eat dinner or maybe not that much, you didn't had a appetite at all and never really had to begin with. Sometimes you detest food or the mere thought of eating, bringing you into a mental gagging. You would eat, if only minimal, then you weren't so keen of starving yourself. You just couldn't stand it, the food and its smell, most of the time. Simple as that.

You got up from the bed, if you were about to vomit any minute soon, the bile rising already and gulping it down again—to buy you a few more seconds of time, isn't as ideal as someone might believe, it would be safer and better if you were already in the bathroom and kneeling in front the toilet. 

Heiji had thrown his jacket over your shoulder, giving you warmth with it and rubbing your back. Shushing you gently as you empty your stomach more and more. You wanted to apologise for waking him up, god, you probably woke everyone up, but the bile keep rising— eyes brimming with tears whenever you gagged and the drop of temperature you felt was making it worse. A new wave of cramps rolled through your stomach, dunking your head more into the toilet as bile rose again and somehow this one was worser than the ones before. 

Flushing the toilet over and over again was, besides your own gagging, the only sound you really taking notice of. Sounds so loud they are about to give you a headache. Swearing under your breath, that if a migraine will come now too, you're gonna scream. Such a great way to start the day.

Laying on the couch, cold wet cloth over your face, you barley stayed focused for whatever seemed to happen. The morning had already an excellent shitty start and to this point it wasn't even getting better.

Of course there would be a damned murder case. Of course. It's like a curse or something, wherever you went, be it with Heiji or your Brother or anyone else, there was a Case to solve next door. Like as if there was a kind of sickly twisted sale for it.

Conan had a Case to solve and to act more like a Child, then Hattori seemed to have a guess about his true identity. So being around you, for a moment or more, seemed like the best option. 

You were mumbling, probably nonsense, to Ran. Too out of it to care who it even was. Conan had notice in the morning first just how miserably and sickly pale you looked. He knew though what occurred to you, having been there for you during the many nights, back then, when you vomited your guts out.

Conan climbed onto the couch, snuggling into your side and instantly you pulled him closer. Conan, as of current, is a child and children at some point will get sleepy. A small nap wouldn't hurt, right?

Conan wasn't able to nap anyways, not with you hugging him closer and chatting his ear off, about just how adorable he was and how much he looked like Shinichi in younger years. Tapping his nose, a thing you liked to do, every so often. A sign of affection, how you always liked to call it. 

«Ne [Name], do you feel alright? Can I tell you about my favourite Holmes Case?»

«Just loosely, sure you can do munchkin holmes,» though before Conan could even begin, you had dozed off.

Your body had decided to wake up to a time, where a lot had happened. Two Victims, the murder obviously among us, no car to use and no way of calling the police right now. Heiji had filled you in with the necessary information. Such a mess and it would even get more messier.

After an hour of being awake, barley getting back into working functional and being focused and not constantly in a state of absentmindedness. A blackout occurred, you getting roughly pushed into something, sort of furniture, was basically the highlight of this trip. Once the light was back one, the apparent third victim, thanks to Heiji, and only gotten a stab wound instead of the death. 

A discussion had broken out.

«Heiji! Is everything okay?» Conan had almost gotten a shock, when he peered from behind the door. You being so near, could lead you to find out about him and his secret. Using his voice-changer, to lure you away from Hattoris sleeping body and telling you, with the voice of Hattori; that everything was alright and that he just wanted to test Mr.Mori's detective pose. 

You were relieved that Heiji wasn't hurt. Standing back up you took a few steps back, listening Heijis solutions of the murder was and for their possible reason to do such grotesque inhumanly things.

Heiji crouched down to Conans hight, giving him a smirk. Seeing the child acting even more childlike and almost skittish, confirmed Heijis suspicions.

«Oi, you're Kudo aren't you?» Heiji asked bluntly, no need to sugarcoat it. No lie or child like act could help Conan now. 

«but but, Hattori, I'm just a child who wants to be like Holmes, so what are you talking about?» Conan chuckled nervously, waving his hands around. He needed a plausible lie. Quick. 

«Sure, so then you wouldn't mind if I tell them about it right~?» asked Heiji, nodding his head towards you and Ran.

«AH!» Conan didn't wanted to shout so loudly, but he did and when he grabbed Hattoris sleeve, to pull him aside, he saw the twisting of your face into a grimace—brows furrowed. You were skeptical.

During the long bus ride home, Conan had taken a seat next to Hattori. Speaking with him in a hushed manner, not wanting to wake up—since you finally had peaceful slumber. Conan had no other choice but to tell Hattori everything of his secrets. Perhaps it was for the best, if he didn't want to risk it of being found out by you or Ran. 

You would behead him, hating him even when you would know about Conan's/Shinichis—his secret. 

«I will tell you everything, but you have to promise me not to tell anyone, neither Ran and especially not [Name]. Promise me.»

If Heiji had known that day, just how hard it would be too keep this damned secret from you and how much it hurting you till you finally had collapsed, Heiji wouldn't have perhaps agreed to it. 

Got a secret, can you keep it?

Now you're tellin' lies 'cause you have sworn to keep it.

Got a secret, can you keep it?

#male reader #anime #case closed #detective conan/case closed #heiji hattori #heiji hattori x male reader #shinichi kudo #kudo shinichi #hattori heiji #x male!reader

[ei-banana]

pairing: makomiko (sfw)

wc: 969

Miko finds there are some perks to summer. Namely: Makoto, in all her brilliance.

———

The tide was high when spring turned to summer. Makoto glided down busy streets draped in silks of brocade design, far brassier than her usual wear. She nodded kindly to shopkeepers and the errant seaman, picking absently at her kushiten as if her citizens didn’t stand agape, awed in the wake of her deific splendor.

As if Miko didn’t trail doggedly behind, fists balled and forehead damp with sweat.

The sun was relentless at its zenith, blaring and cruel; her robes clung to her skin in a way most vexing, her visage furrowed with discomfort. Traipsing about the thick of mortal merriment was far from Miko’s own idea of respite, but Makoto’s patient smile had the power to whittle away at her fortitude like nothing else.

No amount of kitsune’s wit could have kept her away. She had avowed defeat before the airy invitation fully left Makoto’s lips, and now she marched, counting the cobblestones as she went.

“Oh, Miko, look!” Makoto halted her stride so abruptly that Miko nearly rammed headlong into her back, pivoting for the new facet of her wonder. She reached for Miko’s hand without a word, twining their fingers tightly, leaving no stragglers behind. “Ei would love those…”

At once, Miko was thankful for the bothersome weather—the firmness of Makoto’s touch called her cheeks to dapple, red enough to rival the sun’s burn. “I have a hard time believing Ei would fancy anything here,” Miko said, ears flicking as Makoto led them deeper into the throng of people. “Aside from the three taiyaki you’ve already ravened.”

Makoto glanced over her shoulder, eyes narrowed and nose scrunched. “We can always get more, besides,” she gestured to the stand they now found themselves before, eyes alight with flickering intrigue, “aren’t these just adorable?”

Bits and bobs of odd sizes and shapes dotted the wooden counter—small figurines crafted from stone and metal, rows of prismatic, paper yōkai, and dozens of hand-woven effects. Shimamura’s Sundries lay just out of sight from the rest of the bustle, its attendants peering up at them with hardly suppressed awe.

Two young girls—twins, if their identical faces spoke well and true—floundered before their elysian customer. The one on the right squared her shoulders and raised her chin, steeling herself for her practiced sales pitch despite the way her jaw trembled.

“Might I interest you in our wide selection of artisanal goods?” The words were clunky on her tongue, the syllables falling out slow and stilted; her sister elbowed her sharply, glancing pointedly at Makoto’s flashy hair fixture. “Your Excellency,” she tacked on quickly, bowing her head in respect.

“Raise your eyes, dear. I’m here to welcome in the season, same as you.”

The girl looked up at Makoto’s gentle words, the corners of her lips raised in the brash beginnings of a smile. “Does anything catch your eye?” she prompted again, cheeks rosy with renewed vigor.

“With such fine-made curiosities on display, I’m sure I can be convinced.”

Makoto’s praise wrought a giggle, the faintest puff of the girl’s chest. She took pride in her family’s work, brandishing each item with a loving description each. Miko regarded the exchange, heart clenching when Makoto stooped low to meet the girl’s eye.

Among the people, gods often played—performative in nature, engaging just enough to keep their reverent audience bated. But Makoto was far more affable than most. She joined in their merry, their sorrow, adopting their plight as her own—she would summon the deluge of abundance should their bountiful harvest ever wane.

A fearsome emblem of thunder’s might she may have seemed, though, at the crux of human mundanity, she certainly thrived.

She was beautiful beneath the golden blare of midday, childlike wonder softening her elegant mien. She was the picture of benevolence, dropping Miko’s hand in favor of rummaging through her billowing sleeves, surfacing a pouch of mora far heftier than her chosen purchase begot. She set it before the twins’ mirrored looks of astonishment, parting with a subtle wink.

“It looks just like Chiyo, don’t you think?” Makoto danced the paper yōkai through the air, tapping Miko’s nose with the tip of a folded horn. “I have a feeling Ei will agree.”

Miko huffed, swatting at Makoto’s hand when she made for another attack. “Ei is often assenting where Chiyo is concerned.”

“It’s quite endearing,” Makoto acceded, sighing fondly before she nudged Miko’s shoulder, changing the subject with a knowing lilt. “Thank you for humoring me today, I could sense your frown deepening with each passing storefront.”

“I wasn’t—” Miko stopped short, blustering in the face of Makoto’s lighthearted accusation. They had reached the city’s outer limits at last, the sunset wreathing Makoto’s frame in hues of orange and purple; she balked at the sight, at the humored brow raise that followed. “I just thought we could spend the day in… or something,” she muttered, suddenly contrite.

“And we will. Come tomorrow, I’m all yours.”

“All mine?” Miko teetered forward, drawn forth by the promise of unfettered indulgence. She was woozy from the day, inches from sundering the tenuous space left between them, but the glint of Makoto’s teeth begged her look of askance. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch, darling,” Makoto whispered, sealing their lips before further doubt was sowed.

She tasted of the tart dregs of yuzu, of early summer’s cloying offering. Miko pilfered the luring vestige until she grew lightheaded, leaning back to admire the besotted look of fervor now veiling Makoto’s face. She swiped her thumb below the glossy puff of her bottom lip, popping it into her mouth, humming deep enough for Makoto’s lashes to flutter.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Miko said with feigned nonchalance. She spun on her heel for Tenshukaku’s looming might, her hidden smile broadening when it was Makoto, then, who lost her footing.

#makomiko #raiden makoto #yae miko #drabble

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

GOP Presidential Hopeful Ramaswamy Sued Over Strive’s Practices | Bloomberg

In separate lawsuits, two former employees at the candidate’s Strive Asset Management claim that the anti-ESG investment firm pressured them to violate securities laws.

Vivek Ramaswamy has been rising in presidential polls partly on the strength of his business accomplishments. Before he started running for the Republican nomination, where polling averages now put him in third place behind Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, Ramaswamy founded and ran a drug development company, Roivant, which he took public in 2021. Then he started an asset management firm, Strive, presenting it as a conservative answer to the ESG movement’s focus on investments’ environmental, social and governance impacts. Strive’s motto, meant as a contrast to ESG, is “invest in excellence.”

But two former employees have filed lawsuits in recent months against the investment firm as well as Ramaswamy and his co-founder Anson Frericks that suggest practices at the company were something less than that. They accuse Ramaswamy and Frericks of aggressively pushing employees to violate securities law and of mistreating staff. They also suggest that the company has struggled to meet lofty growth goals for its “anti-ESG” investments.

Christopher Lenzo, a lawyer for plaintiff Joyce Rosely, said the two suits raised questions about Ramaswamy’s seriousness as an asset manager. Strive “was founded, in retrospect, largely as a PR mechanism for the presidential campaign of Ramaswamy,” he said. “Not a lot of thought was given to running it as an investment firm.”

Neither lawsuit has been previously reported. Ramaswamy’s track record will be in focus during next week’s presidential debate, when DeSantis allies have signaled that he plans to concentrate attacks on Ramaswamy. “Strive intends to vigorously defend itself,” the company said in a statement. “Beyond that, it is our policy not to comment on active litigation.” Tricia McLaughlin, Ramaswamy’s communications director, didn’t comment on the lawsuit. She noted that Ramaswamy, who served as Strive’s executive chairman until earlier this year, left Strive when he decided to run for president. “Strive is completely separate from Vivek and his campaign,” she said.

The first suit, filed in Kansas by a regional sales chief who was dismissed as part of a reorganization in March, also says Ramaswamy misrepresented the company’s finances to employees and investors, exaggerating its growth when pitching venture capitalists and recruiting staff. The former employee, John Phillips, claims he was induced to leave a job at JPMorgan that would have paid him more than $1 million in 2022, based on promises made by Ramaswamy and others that Strive was well financed and that Ramaswamy was dedicated to the company.

In reality, according to the suit, Strive was “undercapitalized,” and Ramaswamy was planning a presidential bid. The suit was filed in June, three months after Phillips claims he was fired by Strive without cause. Strive has filed a motion to dismiss the case.

In the second suit, filed Aug. 8 in a Union County, New Jersey, court, Rosely claims she was fired as co-head of institutional sales in retaliation for raising concerns about sexual harassment at the firm and violations of securities laws. She contends she saw a Strive executive make aggressive sexual advances toward a more junior staffer.

When Rosely, a veteran of State Street and Goldman Sachs, complained to Frericks, Strive’s president, he told Rosely it was “none of his business,” according to her complaint. At the time, Frericks, a former beer distribution executive who went to high school with Ramaswamy, held the company’s most senior position.

Like Phillips, Rosely claims that Ramaswamy and Frericks pressured her to violate securities laws. She says she was asked to use sales materials that improperly promised future returns and urged to allow employees who were not yet registered to sell securities to pitch clients. Rosely also claims she complained about Ramaswamy’s social media posts, which she believed constituted unlawful securities sales.

Both Phillips and Roseley were fired in March, alongside another executive who Rosely says was also complaining about the securities law violations. She claims that Strive told her the firing was part of a reorganization but also that everyone who was dismissed as part of the reorganization was over 40 years old. Her suit alleges that she was the victim of age discrimination, as well as retaliation for raising concerns about harassment and securities law violations.

In April, a month after the dismissals, Matt Cole, Strive’s chief investment officer, was named chief executive officer. In a June memo, Cole acknowledged the departures of “underperforming members of the distribution team.” He also signaled that Strive, which manages exchange traded funds (or ETFs) with about $1 billion in total assets as of Aug. 17, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, would tone down its political rhetoric and focus on promoting “shareholder capitalism” instead of criticizing ESG. The memo, first reported by Semafor, said that growth in the firm’s funds had slowed in 2023 in part because investors had seen the firm as “political over investment oriented.” The memo said growth had resumed and would accelerate in a “‘hockey stick’ fashion” starting in 2025.

#us politics #news #bloomberg #Vivek Ramaswamy #republicans #conservatives #2023 #2024 elections #Roivant #Anson Frericks #mistreatment of staff #violations of securities laws #strive #exchange traded funds #ESG movement #Environmental Social & Corporate Governance