#health card eligibility | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mostlysignssomeportents · 20 days

Text

The unexpected upside of global monopoly capitalism

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me TODAY (Apr 10) at UCLA, then Chicago (Apr 17), Torino (Apr 21) Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Here's a silver lining to global monopoly capitalism: it means we're all fighting the same enemy, who is using the same tactics everywhere. The same coordination tools that allow corporations to extend their tendrils to every corner of the Earth allows regulators and labor organizers to coordinate their resistance.

That's a lesson Mercedes is learning. In 2023, Germany's Supply Chain Act went into effect, which bans large corporations with a German presence from using child labor, violating health and safety standards, and (critically) interfering with union organizers:

https://www.bafa.de/EN/Supply_Chain_Act/Overview/overview_node.html

Across the ocean, in the USA, Mercedes has a preference for building its cars in the American South, the so-called "right to work" states where US labor law is routinely flouted and unions are thin on the ground. As The American Prospect's Harold Meyerson writes, the only non-union Mercedes factories in the world are in the US:

https://prospect.org/labor/2024-04-08-american-workers-german-law-uaw-unions/

But American workers – especially southern workers – are on an organizing tear, unionizing their workplaces at a rate not seen in generations. Their unprecedented success is down to their commitment, solidarity and shrewd tactics – all buoyed by a refreshingly pro-worker NLRB, who have workers' backs in ways also not seen since the Carter administration:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/14/prop-22-never-again/#norms-code-laws-markets

Workers at Mercedes' factory in Vance, Alabama are trying to join the UAW, and Mercedes is playing dirty, using the tried-and-true union-busting tactics that have held workplace democracy at bay for decades. The UAW has lodged a complaint with the NLRB, naturally:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/alabama-mercedes-benz

But the UAW has also filed a complaint with BAFA, the German regulator in charge of the Supply Chain Act, seeking penalties against Mercedes-Benz Group AG:

https://uaw.org/uaw-files-charges-in-germany-against-mercedes-benz-companys-anti-union-campaign-against-u-s-autoworkers-violates-new-german-law-on-global-supply-chain-practices/

That's a huge deal, because the German Supply Chain Act goes hard. If Mercedes is convicted of union-busting in Alabama, its German parent-company faces a fine of 2% of its global total revenue, and will no longer be eligible to sell products to the German government. Chomp.

Now, the German Supply Chain Act is new, and this is the first petition filed by a non-German union with BAFA, so it's not a slam dunk. But supermajorities of Mercedes workers at the Alabama factory have signed UAW cards, and the election is going to happen in May or June. And the UAW – under new leadership, thanks to a revolution that overthrew the corrupt old guard – has its sights set on all the auto-makers in the American south.

As Meyerson writes, the south is America's onshore offshore, a regulatory haven where corporations pay minimal or no tax and are free to abuse their workers, pollute, and corrupt local governments with a free hand (no wonder American industry is flocking to these states). Meyerson: "The economic impact of unionizing the South, in other words, could almost be placed in the same category as reshoring work that had gone to China."

The German Supply Chain Act was passed with the help of Germany's powerful labor unions, in an act of solidarity with workers employed by German companies all over the world. This is that unexpected benefit to globalism: the fact that Mercedes has extrusions into both the American and German political spheres means that both American and German workers can collaborate to bring it to heel.

The same is true for antitrust regulators. The multinational corporations that are in regulators' crosshairs in the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea and beyond use the same playbook in every country. That's doubly true of Big Tech companies, who literally run the same code – embodying the same illegal practices – on servers in every country.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has led the pack on convening summits where antitrust enforcers from all over the world gather to compare notes and collaborate on enforcement strategies:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cma-data-technology-and-analytics-conference-2022-registration-308678625077

And the CMA's Digital Markets Unit – which boasts the the largest tech staff of any competition regulator in the world – produces detailed market studies that turn out to be roadmaps for other territories' enforces to follow – like this mobile market study:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63f61bc0d3bf7f62e8c34a02/Mobile_Ecosystems_Final_Report_amended_2.pdf

Which was extensively referenced in the EU during the planning of the Digital Markets Act, and in the US Congress for similar legislation:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710

It also helped enforcers in Japan:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Japan-to-crack-down-on-Apple-and-Google-app-store-monopolies

And South Korea:

https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-considers-505-mln-fine-against-google-apple-over-app-market-practices-2023-10-06/

Just as Mercedes workers in Germany and the USA share a common enemy, allowing for coordinated action that takes advantage of vulnerable flanks wherever they are found, anti-monopoly enforcers are sharing notes, evidence, and tactics to strike at multinationals that are bigger than most countries – but not when those countries combine.

This is an unexpected upside to global monopolies: when we all share a common enemy, we've got endless opportunities for coordinated offenses and devastating pincer maneuvers.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/10/an-injury-to-one/#is-an-injury-to-all

#pluralistic #monopoly #labor #nlrb #germany #harold meyerson #supply chain act #right to work #onshore offshore #uaw #vance alabama #vance #alabama #bafa #mercedes #antitrust #trustbusting

684 notes · View notes

lesbianashleywilliams · 4 months

Text

So those of you who have been following me may have noticed that I all but disappeared for about three months...well, that's because I've been planning to go to Japanese language school, and the wheels have really begun to start turning!!!!!!

I have been given the opportunity of my lifetime to be able to attend a Japanese language course at the International Study Institute in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. The course runs for a year, with the opportunity to extend it to two years, if my grades and money are sound [insert sound of children cheering here].

Being able to study Japanese locally and long-term has been a life goal of mine since I was fourteen. Though I'll probably never be able to fulfill my teenage dream of being an interpreter/translator for expats, this feels like the next best thing. Due to suffering from several comorbid chronic conditions that have majorly altered my life, most notably the beast known as systemic lupus erythematosus, I will probably never be able to seize another chance like this ever again. I won't be going in as a total novice, as I was able to take a year's worth of 1000-level Japanese language courses in college…before I had to drop out…… Since then I've been self-studying and using language exchange apps for practice, but nothing will beat the experience of using it in the day-to-day.

At this point in time (January 2024), my first six months of tuition have already been paid for. I am currently in a quiet waiting period while I wait to get to the next steps of the Certificate of Eligibility/Student Visa process. Before that, though, I need to secure my flight and housing. For the sake of my health, safety, privacy and comfort, a sharehouse will not be an option; I will have to seek a private apartment. I am here today to request assistance with the aforementioned flight and initial housing costs. It's still too early to commit to either of those, but:

The average cost of flexible one-way flights from where I am to either of the two Tokyo metro airports (Haneda and Narita) is running around $1200

I am doing some preliminary apartment scouting and am hoping not to exceed $800 per month (I will be traveling with suitcases and will need to properly store them). The apartments I am looking at do not require a security deposit or key money, but will probably come with a guarantor fee.

Now because I'm not going over there through one of the more common avenues - through a university or a job - I have to do it myself. Real life has meant that I've had to dig into my bank balance a bit, and after paying for the first six months I'm a little under the 2 million yen (~$14k) threshold that Immigration likes to see for a year's study. I'm lucky enough in that I will at least have a regular source of (unearned) income, as well as a financial sponsor; it's just the bank balance, flight, and accommodation that are hanging me up. Right now I am setting the initial goal at $3000, but I expect to move those goalposts at least once. Any extra will go towards a flight home for the Christmas holidays in December. After that, it'll go towards paying down my credit cards as much as I can prior to leaving the United States.

I can provide my conditional letter of acceptance from ISI, as well as the school invoice and receipt of the bank transfer for the first six months of tuition upon request (identifying information redacted, of course).

Because there's still a couple of months until I'm set to fly out I put together a GoFundMe (now that's a name I haven't used in a while) to idly collect whatever help I can. At the very least I just need this post to circulate enough to eventually cast a wider net outside of Tungle.hell.

GoFundMe

If you can't use GFM, V3nmo and P4ypal are also options:

V3nmo: @/venus3palette

P4ypal: @/fantasytheater

Again: I'm not in that much of a hurry, and the situation isn't dire! Thank you for combing my wall of text!!!!

113 notes · View notes

roseglazedlens · 8 months

Note

i love that new bubble tea fic how did u know i was craving some - what do you think leon's and rebecca's bubble tea order would be?

-🍫

⦑ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐚 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 ⦒ [ part one ]

read part two here (ethan winters, jill valentine, jack krauser, claire redfield) read the 'boba tea date' fic here (leon kennedy x gn! reader) characters: leon kennedy, rebecca chambers, chris redfield, ashley graham, carlos oliveira & ada wong a/n: funny you asked, because i had a convo ab this with my friend hahha! also added some other characters too ;) what other characters should i do? content: SFW

LEON KENNEDY

Ever since that date, he sneaks off when you're not around to try all the flavours.

He would be a sweet tooth (despite how passionately he will deny this), and orders the limited edition seasaonal tea with extra foam on top! Always 100% ice and sugar.

He's a closet sweet-tooth (especially RE2 Leon, he looks like he pretends to like coffee, inspired by this)

When you find an empty cup in the bin, he will act nonchalant and say "Oh I happen to pass by for work".

But you already know he's lying when you found a membership card in the frontest pocket of his wallet - probably eligible for a few free drinks at this point.

REBECCA CHAMBERS

Caramel milk tea with pudding. Extra sugar and standard ice.

She likes sugar, and she's not afraid to admit it!

Always get the large size since she works long hours in the lab, so she sips away her drink throughout her shift.

Probably hyped up the shop to all her colleagues already, hoping to find a companion to join her.

Very close with the shop manager since she goes there daily - will chat and banter with them

CHRIS REDFIELD

He would just get plain black tea, no sugar and less ice.

To keep up with his physique and body fat percentage low, he doesn't usually drink unless you drag him there.

Raves on about the antioxidants in black tea and how it's good for you (such a health nerd)

Starts complaining 'it's too sweet' everytime he sips on any of your drinks - apparently even a hint of sugar is too much for this old man sometimes.

ASHLEY GRAHAM

Matcha with fresh milk, extra sugar, cream on top, and mini pearls!

I think she will start drinking mango fruit tea/fruity with popping pearls but eventually branches out to matcha.

She probably thought of doing a bottomless bubble tea stand for her dream wedding ceremony.

I think she would get along with Rebecca with their mutual love for bubble tea! I think they'll be such good friends if not their age differences!

CARLOS OLIVEIRA

Normally, Carlos orders a very normal coconut green tea with no modifications.

Until one day he decides to be really cheeky and order it with every topping the shop has to offer

Rainbow jelly, pearls, pudding, grass jelly, etc. (yes, even red beans)

So many toppings that only half of the cup is liquid and the other half is a concoction of chaos

Bobarista is terrified, but Carlos is grinning widely

Still inhales the whole drink in less than an hour anyway

ADA WONG

She will go for a warm brewed tea (thinking between oolong or earl grey), no toppings or sugar.

Don't think she enjoys iced drinks in general, rather have warm/hot drinks or just plain water.

Something in the bubble tea gives her acne breakouts so she avoids it. Plus her job is so busy that it doesn't allow her such luxuries.

Might indulge in extra sugar if she wants a treat, but suffers the consequences later.

thanks for reading! come check out my other works. ––yours truly, rose. tags: @carlosgf @sporeghost @femnedy @emilzke (not sure people tag for headcanons? but here it is anyway xd) © roseglazedlens - please do not repost, plagiarise, or feed to ai.

216 notes · View notes

fantasyescapes17 · 11 months

Text

Wings (Part 2)

Your debut in society was as spectacular as one could be, but nobody had prepared you for what came afterward. When you find yourself overwhelmed during your very first season and unable to keep up with the rat race to secure yourself an eligible husband, a curious mentor appears- in the form of notorious flirt and self-proclaimed rake, Mr. Kim Mingyu.

Genre: Mingyu x Female!reader. Regency!AU .You are Jeonghan's sibling so your last name is Yoon but the reader has no other physical characteristics.

Warnings: Discussions of social anxiety, smoking (don't smoke kids, the characters in this story are from a time when they didn't know how bad it was for their health)

Word Count: 5k+

Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Series Masterlist [You WILL need to read Patience, the earlier installment in this series first in order to understand the character dynamics in this story. Reading Candle before this is also strongly recommended.]

Your mother's habit of playing cards at Mrs. Patty's home multiple afternoons per week provided a convenient opportunity for Mr. Kim to call on you and impart his wisdom.

Despite your ankle not being fully recovered, you were in dire need of some fresh air. Mr. Kim was kind enough to lend you an arm so that you could hobble down into the garden and sit down at a bench for your first mentoring session.

Your sister-in-law the watchful chaperone, sat underneath an oak tree not far away, just out of earshot and with a book in her hands.

"Well, Miss Yoon," Mr. Kim began. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a single rose attached to a long stem. "In celebration of our new courtship, I thought perhaps you might like one of these."

Your eyes widened as he handed you the flower.

"O-oh," you said shyly, taking it from him. "Thank you."

"Of course, a mere rose is nothing compared to your famed beauty, but I suppose we must give the rose some credit for trying," he continued smoothly.

Your cheeks turned hot at his bold words. Mr. Kim had a playful smile on his face but you turned your gaze away from him, unable to meet his twinkling eyes.

He chuckled and leaned back on the bench.

"I see we have a long way to go," Mr. Kim noted. He spread his arm out on the benchrest behind you. "Allow me to begin today's first lesson. Flirtation is nothing but a game, Miss Yoon, and the sooner you see it that way, the sooner you will be able to master the game and not allow it to overwhelm you."

You swallowed and nodded. "I see."

"This game,” he continued, "is lost the moment you allow your opponent to render you genuinely flustered- as you are now. Do you consider yourself to be more beautiful than a rose?"

You blinked in surprise at the sudden question. "No, no, of course not-"

"Well, you should. Before entering into a conversation with a gentleman, you must first consider yourself to be the most beautiful, precious, magnificent creature that walks this earth. Your vanity must be so enormous that nothing the gentleman says can truly flatter or embarrass you."

You stared at him in disbelief. "Mr. Kim, that sounds very strange and rude. Young ladies are supposed to be humble."

Mingyu tsk-ed. "And how has humility helped you thus far?"

"Not well," you admitted quietly. "But vanity does not seem a much better option."

"Doesn't it?" he challenged you. "I want you to say out loud I am more beautiful than a rose."

"I cannot possibly-"

"Humour me, Miss Yoon. I am more beautiful than a rose," he repeated. "Say it."

You took a deep breath. This felt rather nonsensical, and you were beginning to doubt whether Mr. Kim Mingyu was entirely right in the head. But your sister-in-law was sitting not far away and if she trusted him, then you would try to do what he asked.

"I am more beautiful than a rose," you mumbled.

"Louder."

"I am more beautiful than a rose," you repeated, with a little more volume. Your hands were fidgeting in your lap and you were avoiding Mr. Kim's gaze.

"Once more."

"I am more beautiful than a rose."

"Look at me when you say it."

You forced yourself to look into Mr. Kim's dark, twinkling eyes. He seemed to be delighting in your discomfort. There was a hint of annoyance in your tone when you repeated the phrase again- it was empty words coming out of your mouth now, and seemed to be losing its meaning.

"I am more beautiful than a rose!" you said firmly.

Mr. Kim nodded. He leaned a little closer to you, his dark eyes never wavering from yours.

"Miss Yoon," he said softly. "You are more beautiful than a rose."

You did not even blink.

He leaned back and grinned triumphantly. "See! You were not flustered or shy when I said it this time! You could perhaps have looked a little less irritated, but we will address that problem separately. The point remains- I paid you a flirtatious compliment and you were not embarrassed.”

"That is not because I believed it to be true!" you protested hotly. "It is only because you made me say it so many times that it was less surprising!"

"Repetition breeds familiarity," Mingyu explained to you simply, "and with time, familiarity can blend in with the hard truth."

You blinked at him. "By which you mean to tell me that I should repeat this strange compliment to myself until I grow confused enough to believe it."

"Precisely."

You sighed and looked up at the handsome gentleman sitting beside you. He was onto something, certainly, but you were still not convinced that this would solve your problem.

"Your methods are rather strange, Mr. Kim," you mumbled.

Mr. Kim did not seem offended. He merely smiled and flashed his perfect teeth at you once more. His easy-going and playful nature made it much easier for you to be more open in the way you spoke to him.

"You will understand in time, Miss Yoon. You only need to trust me. Allow me to give you another example. Your dress is blue."

You raised an eyebrow at Mr. Kim and looked down at your gown- indeed, you were wearing a pastel blue summer gown. You looked back up at him and nodded.

"Yes," you said warily. "I suppose it is."

"The blue in your dress makes you shine brighter than the sun," he continued with a teasing smile. You were well aware that Mr. Kim was trying to elicit a reaction from you this time- but you could not help it. The flirtatious words said in his deep voice caused you to break eye contact with him and avert your eyes shyly.

"I-thank you," you said quickly, but you knew it was too late. You had lost.

Mr. Kim raised an eyebrow. "It is your turn to tell me why one of those statements elicited a different response from you than the other."

You sighed.

"Because the first one was something I already knew to be true, and the second was something that I didn't really believe," you admitted.

Mr. Kim beamed. "Excellent!"

"I think I understand the point you are trying to make," you told him patiently. "In order to not be flustered or caught off guard by compliments I must indulge my vanity and consider them to be true. Then I will be able to receive the compliment more calmly."

"Correct. In short, I want you to be more confident," Mr. Kim affirmed. He stretched his arms out in front of him lazily and leaned further back in his seat. "Enough of that. Now- tell me what went wrong on the night of the Duchess of Graham's ball."

You bit your lip. "I would rather not relive that nightmare."

"You must if we are to assess how to prevent it from happening again," he pressed gently. "Perhaps you should take some time to think about what triggered your anxiety that evening. But I will not overwhelm you with too many lessons in a single sitting. Once your ankle is healed, will you join me for afternoon tea at the teahouse near the assembly rooms?"

You nodded, relieved that he was not pushing you further. "Yes- I should be glad to."

"Then I shall leave you with an assignment to complete in the meantime," Mr. Kim said with a smile. He reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a small sheet of paper. "Stand in front of the mirror and read each of these out ten times before you go to bed."

You took the paper and unfolded it. It contained a list of flirtatious sentences- ranging from simple, realistic ones such as You are the most beautiful woman in the room this evening to more bold and outrageous ones such as The light in your eyes is brighter than the twinkling of all the stars in the night sky.

You stared at him in disbelief. "Mr. Kim! You cannot be serious!'

"Repetition breeds familiarity," he reminded you. "What you hold there is my most precious collection. I do not give it to you lightly- many bachelors of the ton would kill for a glimpse at that sheet. I hope you will keep it safe."

You frowned and tucked the paper away. "I assure you; your collection of rehearsed compliments is quite safe with me."

"Then we shall meet soon. At the teahouse."

Mr. Kim bid his goodbyes and left before your sister-in-law approached you. Her book was abandoned on the grass and her eyes looked a little drowsy; you had a sudden feeling that perhaps she had been napping under the tree instead of reading.

"Well?" she asked. "How was your first lesson with Mr. Kim?"

"I cannot tell if he is brilliant or mad."

She laughed.

"A common problem with men," she said as she took your arm to help you back indoors. "But I am sure everything will reveal itself in time."

—------------------------------------------------------------

You dutifully completed the assignment Mr. Kim had given you. You stood in front of your mirror once the rest of the household had gone to bed, and recited the compliments on his list. It felt silly at first, but you were surprised by how quickly you grew used to them.

Mr. Kim Mingyu was a strange man indeed, but he was right about one thing- repetition caused familiarity which made you more comfortable, and less nervous, with the idea of a gentleman saying these words to you. You began to daydream of a handsome, faceless gentleman whispering these sweet compliments in your ear….

But of course.

There were other problems to surmount.

"Mr. Kim Mingyu?" your mother demanded with a displeased frown. "He has asked you to have tea with him at the teahouse, you say? What do we know about this young man?"

"I have heard he is an only son," you said anxiously. "And that he has a very large estate near where the Chois live."

Your mother huffed. She turned to your sister-in-law, who was sitting at a table nearby and silently writing a letter. "And you?" your mother asked her accusingly. "What do you think of him?"

Your sister-in-law looked up and blinked. "I have heard that Mr. Kim is a rake and has a bit of a gambling problem."

Your eyes widened. Her plan had been to encourage this fake courtship with Mr. Kim, not give your mother a reason to oppose it! But you discovered moments later that your sister-in-law was far cleverer than you.

"Nonsense," your mother said. Her pride would not allow her to agree with your sister-in-law on any matter. "Perhaps he has simply not found a woman captivating enough to retain his attention- and what young man does not play a little cards for entertainment? I think it is perfectly acceptable for you to meet him at the teahouse this afternoon."

"Thank you, mother-"

"But I will chaperone," your mother said firmly. "You may sit at a different table but I will be keeping my eyes on this Mr. Kim."

You sighed. "Yes, mother."

Your ankle was fully healed but still a little stiff when you finally made your way down to the teahouse with your mother. Mr. Kim was waiting by the entrance and he made a grand gesture of kissing your gloved hand.

"You look quite radiant this afternoon, Miss Yoon," Mr. Kim greeted you with a handsome smile. The phrase was one of the lines from his sheet, and you were more amused than embarrassed at the sound of the familiar words.

"Thank you, Mr. Kim," you replied politely.

"And Mrs. Yoon- of course, madam, you must permit me to say that it is very evident where your daughter gets her unrivalled beauty," Mr. Kim flattered her. Your mother was highly susceptible to flattery of this nature. She giggled.

"How very kind, Mr. Kim. I see you are quite the polite young gentleman!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Yoon. May I seek your permission to have a cup of tea with your daughter?" Mr. Kim asked.

"Of course- you may both find a table for yourselves. I shall be nearby, I see Mrs. Grisham and Mrs. Hessington over there…"

Your mother left to join some older women at their table and Mr. Kim led you to another table near the wall; it was still within sight of your mother, but well out of earshot. He gracefully pulled out your chair for you.

"You received my compliment well," he noted with a grin.

You raised an eyebrow at him. "I had heard it so many times before. It was on your sheet. I am sure you knew perfectly well that it would not affect me."

"I was merely testing to see if you completed my assignment," he replied lightly. He sat down across from you- Mr. Kim was almost too tall to fit in the dainty little chairs and miniature tea tables at the teahouse. His long legs were forced to stretch out awkwardly to the side. You held back a giggle as he poured you a cup of tea.

"Something amusing?" he asked.

"Not at all."

He opened his mouth to question you further, but he was interrupted by a sudden commotion from the nearby table of older woman. There was a loud exclamation from your mother and the women seemed to be discussing something with great excitement.

"I wonder what that is about…" you mumbled.

Mr. Kim placed your teacup in front of you calmly. "I would not be too concerned. I imagine they have just discovered the news of the Duchess of Graham's engagement to Mr. Kwon Soonyoung."

You blinked. "Mr. Kwon Soonyoung? I have never heard of him."

"Neither have they. That is what makes it so shocking," Mr. Kim told you with a chuckle. "But we have more important things to discuss. Have you thought more about what went wrong at the Duchess' ball? I heard that you were dancing with Mr. Lee Seokmin when you stumbled and injured yourself."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. "It was not Mr. Lee's fault."

"Then tell me what happened. Let us try to understand it together."

You took a deep breath. You had been thinking about it for the past few days, as unpleasant as the memory was to you, and had come up with a few conclusions.

"I think I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all," you admitted shyly. "It was so magnificent and the other young ladies all looked so beautiful. I began to worry that I should make a mistake, or make a fool of myself, and then what should happen to my sister-"

Mr. Kim interrupted you. "Your sister?" he asked in surprise. "I should have imagined you would fear your mother far more."

"I do fear my mother," you whispered. "But with my sister, it is…"

Mr. Kim waited silently for your response.

You took a deep breath and sighed. "My sister has put her marriage with Mr. Choi on hold for my benefit. Everything she has ever done has been to ensure my happiness, and it distressed me to think that she should have to suffer any longer than necessary. If I do not find a husband this season, then my sister will not be able to marry Mr. Choi."

Mr. Kim took a sip of his tea and nodded for you to continue.

"And… and I had always thought it was simply a matter of having a successful debut and choosing the most eligible man that would have me. But when it came to actually standing in the room, surrounded by so many fashionable people and all the grandeur and all the eyes watching me I began to realise it was not going to be as easy as I had thought. And that led to the worry that perhaps I would embarrass myself and be unable to make a match, and what that would mean for my poor sister…”

Mr. Kim cut you off. “It seems to me that all your spiralling anxious thoughts escalate with the fear of disappointing your sister.”

You nodded reluctantly. “That may be true.”

“Then the solution before us is simple,” he replied. “Or, at least, as simple as a solution can be without considering the complexities of executing it. We must prevent you from thinking of your sister while in public.”

You stared at Mr. Kim as he picked up a large slice of lemon cake and took a generous bite from it. He silently offered to put another slice on your plate but you shook your head.

“How can I not think of my sister?” you demanded. “She is the entire reason I am here!”

“That manner of thinking is what is causing your anxiety to spiral out of control," Mr. Kim told you matter-of-factly. "You need to live in the moment. Stop tracing every small action back to your sister and your fear of disappointing her."

"How do I do that?'

"Think smaller," he replied. "For example- why am I here?"

You raised an eyebrow. "Here… in this teahouse?"

"Yes."

"To help me practise interacting with gentlemen so that I can find a husband by the end of the season?" you guessed.

Mr. Kim sighed. "Correct, but no. The purpose is to think smaller. I am here because I like the lemon cakes they serve here," he informed you simply before taking another bite. "Delicious."

"That is…"

"Think small."

"But I cannot always control my thoughts!" you protested. "They often go off on a tangent of their own. How long can thoughts of things I do not care about like lemon cakes ward off the looming dread that comes from thinking about failing my sister?"

Mr. Kim rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He leaned back in his seat and you watched him for a long moment, having nothing to do except sip your tea and admire his handsome form while he contemplated a solution to your problem.

"What if…" Mr. Kim began slowly. "We found a backup thought- a safety net of sorts? Something pleasant that you could force yourself to think of whenever you find yourself spiralling into anxiety-inducing thoughts of your sister?"

You bit your lip. "Such as?"

"You have to find that for yourself. Look for a memory; something that makes you happy. Preferably one that does not involve your sister," Mr. Kim added.

You took a deep breath and thought hard. You'd had a sheltered childhood and spent most of your time at the Yoons' countryside estate with your parents and siblings. It had been a quiet upbringing and you could not think of a single moment that brought any immense happiness.

"When I was nine," you said finally after much thought. "My Father bought me my first pony. I named her Chocolate."

Mr. Kim burst into laughter.

"Chocolate the pony is what you came up with after so much thought?" he demanded with another loud laugh. Your cheeks suddenly felt hot and you stiffened from embarrassment.

"I-I could only-"

"I presume Chocolate was a brown pony?" he continued to chuckle.

The embarrassment was too much to take. Your entire face had now turned hot and your lower lip trembled as you stood up from your seat with a frown. "If you are going to laugh at my expense, Mr. Kim, then I will not sit here."

His smile fell. Mr. Kim hurried to jump to his own feet- it took him a moment since his long limbs were tangled under the tiny tea table. He took your hand and gently guided you back to your seat.

"No- of course not. I am extremely sorry, Miss Yoon. I did not mean to laugh at you."

You stiffened. "But you did laugh."

"I am extremely sorry."

His expression was genuine. You cleared your throat and sat down again, as Mr. Kim hurried to refill your teacup from the pot and handed you a plate with a slice of lemon cake. You accepted it silently and he gave you a small smile.

"I see you do have a sense of pride," he commented lightly.

"I will not be ridiculed."

"I am glad to hear it," he promised solemnly. "Let us come back to the topic at hand. If Chocolate the pony is a thought that makes you happy, then so be it. Whenever you are in danger of feeling overwhelmed, I want you to close your eyes and picture the moment your father presented you with this pony. The pony will be your happy thought."

You nodded. "I… can do that."

"We will test this the next time you are stressed," Mr. Kim suggested. He leaned back and sipped his tea, noticing that you were not eating. "Do you dislike lemon cakes?"

You looked down at them disinterestedly. "Not particularly," you said. "I am not hungry at all. My ankle feels rather stiff in this position. I wish it was possible to walk around instead of sitting still."

Mr. Kim nodded. "We could walk up the street- the weather is pleasant today. But your mother would have to permit you."

"I will ask her."

You went up to your mother's table- the older women were still deeply engaged in gossip about the Duchess of Graham and you had to tap your mother's arm a few times before she would even notice you.

"What?" she demanded irritably. "Can you not see that I am in the middle of a conversation?"

"I was only wondering if I might go for a stroll outside with Mr. Kim-"

"Yes, yes, don't go too far," she said dismissively before turning back to the conversation. Mrs. Patty was loudly making an emphatic point about how it was a terrible mistake to grant daughters their own titles. You turned to Mr. Kim and waved at him to signal that you had obtained her consent.

Mr. Kim opened the door to the teahouse and offered his arm to you. You both began to stroll slowly down the busy London street.

"So," Mr. Kim continued. "Is there anything else that went wrong at the Duchess of Graham's ball?"

You nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. While I was dancing with Mr. Lee, there was a lull in the conversation. I could not think of anything to say to him so I made a foolish faux pas- I asked him if he had any siblings although I already knew he was the Viscountess' brother."

Mr. Kim smiled. "Ah- yes. The art of polite conversation. How to speak constantly and yet say nothing valuable. That is an entire lesson of its own and I am afraid even I cannot impart that skill to you in a single day."

You pouted at him. "Then you condemn me to pass my dances at every social event in silence."

"Conversation is an art, Miss Yoon. But you are fortunate that it is not always necessary to converse in order to communicate. Humans were communicating long before the invention of spoken language."

You frowned up at him. "What does that mean? Must I gesture at my dance partners as though I am speaking to an animal?"

Mr. Kim laughed. "No. Instead of the art of conversation, you will have a much easier time if you learn the art of silence."

"Silence?"

"As long as you do not look anxious or panicked," Mr. Kim explained patiently. "Silence can be a very useful tool. Most gentlemen love to speak. You simply need to prompt them to lead the conversation. A few one-liners such as That was terribly interesting, do tell me more! or I am very interested to learn more about you and the average gentlemen will be happy to take the burden of speaking off your hands."

You nodded thoughtfully. "You must write down some of these one-liners for me."

Mr. Kim chuckled. "All right, I shall prepare a list for you to study. And, if all else fails, you may resort to the golden three."

"The golden three?"

He lifted three fingers. "Hunting, horse-riding and croquet. I have never met a gentleman who did not enjoy conversing extensively on at least one of these subjects."

You nodded. "That is helpful."

"My purpose is to serve," Mr. Kim replied playfully. You had both reached the end of the street. Mr. Kim reached into his coat pocket to extract a small notepad and make a note of your discussion- when you saw something peeking out of his coat.

"Are those cigars?" you asked.

He looked down at his pocket and nodded. "Oh-yes. I was going to go down to the gentlemen's club for a smoke later."

You looked up at him with a curious glance; could you count on Mr. Kim's discretion? After all, he was in a fake courtship with you and clearly your sister-in-law trusted him enough to keep that secret. He had made you comfortable enough to open up to him about your deepest thoughts.

Surely one more secret couldn't hurt?

"Can I have one?" you asked hesitantly.

Mr. Kim looked down at you in confusion. "A cigar?"

You nodded.

"Whatever for?"

"To smoke, naturally."

Mr. Kim glanced furtively around the street and then lowered his voice. He seemed mildly concerned, but also amused. "Miss Yoon, I am sure you do not require me to inform you that young ladies do not smoke in public- and they certainly do not smoke cigars."

You turned away from him with a sigh. "If you do not want to give it to me-"

Mr. Kim looked torn. He glanced up and down the street once more to make sure nobody was looking at you both before taking your arm and steering you towards a narrow, deserted alleyway. Your eyes widened.

"Mr. Kim!" you hissed. "We shall be caught if we leave the main street. Or do you wish to end up in a scandal like Mr. Jeon and Miss Hong-"

He brushed your concerns away lightly. "Mr. Jeon is a good friend of mine but his inexperience was his downfall. I am not quite so careless- you are safe with me," he promised. Once you were both alone in the deserted alleyway, out of the view of the main street, he took the cigar out of his pocket.

"Are you sure?" Mr. Kim asked you.

You nodded.

He carefully lit the cigar and held it up. "It is not at easy as it looks," he told you firmly. "Place it to your lips like so and take a deep breath through your teeth. You will almost certainly cough the first time-"

You snatched the cigar from him and placed it expertly between your lips. You took a long, satisfying drag and held the smoke in your lungs for a moment before smoothly exhaling.

Mr. Kim stared at you for a long moment before the corner of his lips turned up and he let out a small, disbelieving chuckle.

"That," he said with a grin, "was not your first cigar."

"I never said it was."

"You must forgive me if I am surprised, Miss Yoon, that a young lady who claims her happiest memory is Chocolate the pony knows how to smoke a cigar designed for gentlemen," he said, sounding almost impressed. Mr. Kim folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall of the alleyway as he watched you take another drag.

You exhaled before frowning up at him. "You will not laugh at Chocolate."

"I am not laughing at all."

The tobacco relaxed your nerves and you quickly stepped away from the smoke before putting out the cigar. Mr. Kim was watching you curiously and you felt self-conscious under his gaze. You could almost read the questions in his dark eyes.

"My father used to leave his cigars lying around," you explained, your cheeks warm. "One of the stable boys taught me how to smoke them."

Mr. Kim's eyes widened in absolute delight. "A stableboy?" he gasped, pretending to look absolutely scandalised. "Miss Yoon!"

You flushed deeply. "That is not-"

"Is that why Chocolate the pony is such a pleasant memory for you? Because of the stableboy?" he laughed. His eyes sparkled playfully as he watched you compose yourself.

You frowned. "You will tell no-one. Once we step back onto the main street you will never mention Chocolate, cigars or a stableboy ever again," you ordered. "Especially not to my brother or sister-in-law."

Mr. Kim beamed. "I am sworn to secrecy, my lady."

"Good."

You both slipped back onto the main street and turned back towards the teahouse. Mr. Kim kept glancing at you out of the corners of his eyes- he seemed to be unable to take his gaze off you, and you suddenly began to feel rather flustered from the attention.

You noticed a large, modern building coming up on the opposite side of the street that had large sheets covering the entrance.

"Whatever is that?" you wondered.

Mr. Kim tore his eyes away from you and turned to look at the building. The corner of his lips curved up in a smile.

"Interesting that you should notice that," he said lightly. "That building belongs to me."

"Does it really?"

He nodded. "Indeed. It is an art gallery that I decided to fund not long ago. It should be open to the public in a few weeks' time."

You looked at him in interest. "An art gallery? I did not know you had artistic inclinations, Mr. Kim."

"I consider myself a… patron of the arts, so to speak. I would be delighted to invite you to the grand opening of the gallery once we have announced it."

"I would be delighted to attend," you replied. Then you paused. "Provided, of course, we are able to resolve my crippling anxiety and fear of social events in the meantime."

Mr. Kim grinned as you both arrived back at the teahouse. Your mother was waiting for you inside.

"I think it is time we put some of your lessons into action," he said. "The Hessingtons' ball is on Saturday; I intend to see you there. You may reserve the first dance for me."

You nodded. "I should be glad to."

Mr. Kim reached for your gloved hand and lifted it slowly to his lips as his dark eyes rose to meet yours. You saw his usual playfulness and a hint of something far darker behind those eyes. He kissed your hand and his lips lingered for a moment longer than necessary before allowing it to fall.

Your breath hitched in your throat.

No wonder they called this man a rake.

"Goodbye for now, Miss Yoon," he said quietly before turning away down the street and leaving you in a foggy, confused and flustered state.

—--------------------------------------------------

#mingyu scenarios #seventeen scenarios #seventeen x reader #mingyu x reader #mingyu fluff #seventeen fluff #regency!au #seventeen fanfiction #seventeen angst #seventeen imagines #mingyu fanfiction #mingyu x you

370 notes · View notes

genshin-impact-updates · 3 months

Text

Version 4.4 Event Notices Compilation (2)

"May Fortune Find You" Daily Login Event

During the event, log in on 7 days in total to receive Intertwined Fate ×10 and other rewards!

〓Event Duration〓

2024/02/03 04:00:00 – 2024/02/18 03:59:59

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 5 or above

〓Event Details〓

"Genius Invokation TCG" Heated Battle Mode: Tactical Formation

〓Special Rules〓

● In this edition of Heated Battle Mode, Travelers must use Character Cards selected on the spot and randomly generated Action Cards to do battle.

〓Event Duration〓

2024/02/17 10:00:00 – 2024/03/04 03:59:59

〓Event Rewards〓

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 32 or above

Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

And complete the World Quest "Battlefield of Dice, Cats, and Cards"

〓Event Details〓

● After the event starts, Travelers can go to the Invitation Board of The Cat's Tail to participate in Genius Invokation TCG duels under the special rules of "Heated Battle Mode."

● Travelers can invite teammates or participate in duels via match-making after reaching Player Level 4.

"Genius Invokation TCG" The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Stratagems

〓Event Duration〓

Available throughout the entirety of Version 4.4

〓Event Rewards〓

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 32 or above

Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

And complete the World Quest "Battlefield of Dice, Cats, and Cards"

〓Event Details〓

● After the event starts, Travelers can go to Prince at The Cat's Tail to select stages to challenge.

● This event includes 4 stages and each stage has its distinctive challenge rules.

● In each stage, Travelers can configure different parameters, including stage difficulty, the health of opponents, and the number of rounds to complete the challenge within.

● After completing the challenge, points will be obtained based on the parameters selected. Achieving the required scores will allow Travelers to claim the corresponding rewards.

"Triumphant Frenzy" Event: Adapt Swiftly to Dispatch Foes

〓Event Duration〓

2024/02/15 10:00:00 – 2024/02/26 03:59:59

〓Event Rewards〓

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 20 or above

〓Event Details〓

● For 5 days after the start of the event, a new challenge will become available each day.

● Each challenge will have four rounds of battle. Before the first round of every challenge, you can select four characters to form a team, and before each following challenge round, you can select two characters to join the team.

● Every character starts with 2 Resolve. Each time a character takes part in a combat round, they will lose 1 Resolve. Characters who run out of Resolve cannot continue to be deployed.

● Each challenge will have a unique type of "Roiling Resolve": Special effects will be obtained based on the total Resolve of the team members. Pay attention to these effects and use them effectively to obtain their benefits in battle.

● The trial characters available in this gameplay mode will inherit the same Constellation levels of the characters owned by the Traveler.

#genshin impact #genshin impact updates #genshin impact news #official #events #i wish tcg events gave primogems. then maybe people would actually play them

138 notes · View notes

trracstudy · 15 days

Text

We're recruiting 15-18 year olds for a study! If you live in the US in an urban OR rural area and speak English, you're eligible to participate. Optional entry into a raffle for one of 20, $25 Amazon gift cards. You do not need parental permission to participate. This study will take about 30 minutes and will help us better understand youth mental health!

Link to participate: https://fordham.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ehWjq8RIi2c14Oy

Reach out to us at [email protected] with questions!

#mental health #teen #genz #research #gift card #paid #psychology #psych #mental health support #mental health awareness #mentally ill #depressed #anxious

37 notes · View notes

riddle-me-ri · 1 year

Note

If you're taking requests is like to requests the riddlers with jealousy scenarios! Thank you

A/N: as much as I don’t like ACTUAL jealousy and try to refrain from jealous tendencies I find in myself…jealousy scenarios are kinda fun to write for rip…is that bad? I feel like that’s bad lmao. Sorry that if some if not most of these tend to repeat the same scenarios (co-worker, waiter, colleague, they’re just such good set-ups asdfgh)

Jealousy Scenarios with The Riddlers:

Arkhamverse Riddler:

Edward was absolutely furious. Why would you ever even begin to comprehend such a thing? Surely, you had to be smarter than this. You knew better than this? From all your time privileged in his presence…

“You would rather be a trembling brain-dead guinea pig than being a productive and useful assistant in a very intellectually stimulating environment mind you!”

“Ed. I just said Jonathan stopped by asking for you…”

“But you let him into my work space!”

“Upstairs is the living area, not your work space here in the basement or your tracks in the sewers. And his leg was giving him issues, so I let him rest.”

“Oh please! Our dear, ex-professor has many issues, but that leg isn’t one of them. He moves better with it than when he was in perfect health!”

“If you’re jealous of another man being alone with me can just say that you’re not comfortable.”

Edward groaned in frustration. “I’m not jealous of that walking tarp of burlap!”

You shrugged, but patted Ed’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “Sure, sweetie.”

Reevesverse/Dano Riddler:

“Wow, he is something, isn’t he?” You remarked at the TV.

As much as he admired the vigilante another part of him couldn’t stand him.

Ed really should have seen this coming. How could you not be absolutely smitten? He was everything he wish he had an iota of.

Batman is intelligent, strong, fast, and assertive…

Meanwhile, Edward Nashton is just dull, awkward, quiet, and weird…what the hell did you see in him anyway?

“Eddie? Everything okay?”

Your sweet voice knocked him out of his reverie. He was back on the couch with you, watching the news of the Batman’s latest escapades.

“Oh…uh…y-yeah I’m fine..”

You quirked your eyebrow, not sure if you were going to accept that answer.

“He is incredible…” Ed commented as he turned his attention back to the screen of Batman narrowly escaping a gang of thugs in a high speed chase on the highway.

Oh, that’s what it was. For all the admiration one can have for another, there’s still that habit of comparison mentor to mentee.

“Yeah, he’s all right. But I bet he’s an absolute stick in the mud and not nearly as intelligent as a certain handsome fellow I know.” You scooted closer to Edward on the couch and even sold the comment with an actual nudge into his side.

Edward noticed you got closer and was confused when you nudged him. Then he took in what you said. He lifted his head up a little with a soft smile on his face.

“You…you prefer me to Batman?” “I prefer you over everyone and anyone else, Eddie. If I had a choice, it will always be you.”

Gotham Riddler:

The GCPD was full of eligible bachelors. Mostly guys just looking for a good time or friends with benefits.

You were too good for them, all of them really. Even too good for Edward. Yet he was able to woo you somehow. Despite the two of you being in a very obvious relationship, with approval from Gordon, Lee, even Bullock…it didn’t stop some officers from trying to disrupt what you two had.

Edward was coming up to your office to take you out to lunch. However, he was surprised to see an overwhelming sight.

Flowers, cards, letters were strewn all over your desk and overflowing to your floor.

You looked up at him. Your eyes wide and your skin pale, like you had seen a ghost.

“E-Eddie…I…I wish I could explain but...I have no idea…w-who these are from? Or w-w-what’s going on?” You looked around looking for any sort of indicator of who sent the gifts.

Edward’s fists clenched, a snarl growing on his face. He stood there still as a rock, trying to keep his innate reaction to just run amok in the GCPD to find the culprit in tact.

You noticed Ed was quiet for a long time. You noticed his tense expression and his thousand yard stare into the floor.

“Y-You…you don’t…like them..do you?” Ed regretted asking it as soon as he grumbled it out through barred teeth.

You sighed, sympathetically. Walking around the baskets and bouquets and made your way to him.

“I would have adored them if they were from you, but they’re not. So as far as I’m concerned, these flowers can be re-sent to someone else or tossed. And the cards can go straight into the disposal…you don’t need to be jealous, sweetheart.” You gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheek.

You smiled as you saw the tension all throughout his body slowly melt away from the kiss.

Then, as if a lightbulb went off, Edward’s eyes widened in revelation.

“W-Wait, before you throw anything away!” Edward went to your desk and gathered some of the cards and the bouquet. “While I still have my gloves on anyway…”

“What’re you doing?”

“...gonna search for prints…” he mumbled quickly, so when you made out what he said he was already too far gone to catch back up with him.

BTAS Riddler:

Something was off with Eddie tonight. However, you couldn’t quite put your finger on it.

“Eddie…you’ve been awfully quiet tonight…you know how much I love hearing your voice.” Which wasn’t an exaggeration either, and you did miss speaking to him.

You saw him slightly shuffle his weight on the opposite end of the couch.

“I’m fine…”

“Eddie…I know when you’re not fine, sweetie. Please talk to me…” You fluttered your eyelashes at him, and poked out your bottom lip for good measure.

Edward groaned in defeat. “I hate it when you do that…it’s too effective.”

“That’s why I do it.” You grinned.

“I just can’t understand how oblivious you are, darling…you clearly couldn’t tell he was…was…”

“He who? Jervis?”

Edward growled. “Yes…Jervis…”

“Eddie, he was just being polite!”

“He didn’t have to kiss your hand.” He grumbled, crossing his arms defensively.

“Aww, Eddie,” you scooted closer to his side of the couch. You wrapped your arms around him and snuggled into his side.

“You don’t ever had to be jealous, darling. I will always love and adore you, no matter what…you know that.” You looked up at him, smiling reassuringly at him.

He stole a glance into your eyes, and sighed. Edward knew it was ridiculous, but he couldn’t help it. He wrapped an arm around you and began rubbing your back.

“I-I know…still doesn’t mean I have to like it though…”

You snickered into his side as he chuckled along with you.

Zero Year/Capullo Riddler:

“You don’t need to be jealous, Eddie…”

Edward scoffed. “Jealous? Please, I’m not jealous of anyone.”

“So you just threatened my date with a bomb sent to his work place…for funsies?”

Ed shrugged. “It’s been dull here, lately…and I haven’t been a public menace in a minute.”

You rolled your eyes. “Well, I’m not stopping you, so stop keeping me from having a dating life!”

“You don’t need to date anybody…” He grumbled under his breath.

“Ed, you’re the one that said we weren’t-”

“I’m not going back on my word…I just…” He shrugged.

“You just want me to focus on you, you needy bastard…”

He put his hand up with his index finger pointed out. “Ah, ah, that’s Mr. Needy Bastard to you…”

“Uh huh, sure…needy jealous bastard…” You smirked as you walked off.

“I. Am. Not. Jealous! I’m the Riddler! I’m not jealous of anyone! If anything they’re all envious of me.”

“Did you choose to wear green cause you’re just knee deep in envy?”

“I’m redirecting the bomb. It’s now going to your workplace.”

Twojar Riddler:

“Edward! Ed! Slow down!” You were running to catch up with him as he dragged you by the wrist back to the car parked along the sidewalk.

He let out a frustrated sigh and let go of your wrist. Edward continued his steady pace as he rounded the car to go to the driver’s seat. You still stood there; confused and somewhat shaken from the sudden action.

“Can you please get in the car?”

You walked up to the open window and leaned your head in. “Not until you explain what the hell is going on?”

Ed grumbled. “I just want to go back home–”

“Was it that waiter?” Earlier in the evening a waiter made a couple passes at you while Edward was in the restroom and he walked in on the waiter trying to get your number.

Silence. Edward crossed his arms and sunk in the driver’s seat.

“Oh my God, Ed…”

Edward rolled his eyes. “Will you, please just get in the car?”

Gotham City Sirens Riddler:

“Oh, hey there, Mr. Nygma. This is Mr. Sale, he called earlier about–”

Edward barely heard what you said, his brain was too busy taking in the sights of the scene before him. You were sitting, slightly propped up on the edge of your desk. While the presumed, “Mr. Sale” was standing before you mere inches away. Your cheeks were flushed red possibly from laughing and whatever words were just transpired.

Mr. Sale backed away and walked over to end, holding out his hand for a handshake. “Mr. Nygma! Such a pleasure to meet you!”

It took everything in Edward not to grimace outwardly. He could read this man like an open book. Rental three piece suit. Over-priced cologne. A faint oval outline where the skin was paler around his left ring finger.

Armed with this, Edward knew his next plan of action. “Ah, well…I wish I could say the same for you, Mr. Sale. But I’m afraid I’m far too busy for your case.”

Flabbergasted, Sale was gaping his mouth like a fish out of water. “B-B-But, you, you haven’t even heard my case! You can’t just–”

“Oh, but I can…privileges of owning a private firm. And I’m not about to waste my or my assistant’s time…running in circles…because you want to frame your wife of cheating to cover up your own infidelity.”

“Oh, I can assure you, I’m not wasting your assistant’s time.” Sale stole a glance at you and winked.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Mr. Sale. Have a good day or not, I don’t care.”

Sale was about to say something in defense, but growled in frustration instead and took off. He left the office with the slam of the door.

You came up behind Ed and embraced him from behind. “You’re sexy when you’re jealous.”

“Oh, please…I wasn’t jealous.”

You squeezed him a little tighter, giggling softly. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Telltale Riddler:

“What are you staring at?” Ed asked.

“Huh?” You were knocked out of your reverie with his question. You were looking out the window of your shared apartment.

“You’ve been daydreaming out of that window for almost half an hour.”

“Oh, uh, just people watching.”

Edward looked up from his desk to you. He let out a frustrated sigh when he said, “hm, you could be more productive by assisting me…”

You turned to look at the man; annoyed and confused. “You just told me not to bother you, Ed.”

“Annoying me and assisting me are two different things. Or you can go and people watch outside…and see what all the troubled idiotic youth is up to.”

Oh…poor Edward. No matter how many times he tried to shield it or ignore it. His age…the age gap between you two was something he was always weary of.

You shook your head, scoffing in disappointment. You got up from your seat and walked over to his desk.

“Nah, I’d rather not lose the brain cells, so whatcha working on Eddie?”

Edward was surprised to see you come to his desk. He was almost certain you were going to walk out the door.

“Well…for starters…ugh…could you please not sit on the desk! There’s a spare chair over in the corner!”

You chuckled softly. “Yes sir, on it!”

Young Justice Riddler:

Who was he kidding, he didn’t stand a chance with you to begin with…

No matter how many times you genuinely checked in on him, kept him company, and included him where you could. All those open opportunities that were the building blocks to Eddie’s confidence in a relationship with you was completely knocked down before the foundation could even settle in. Thanks to this new Light recruit you were training.

“Hey, Eddie!” You called out to him. You ran down the corridor to catch up to him.

“Why such a long face? I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you lately, things have been crazy!” You chuckled nervously.

“Oh, uh…no worries. I-I get it..”

“Hey, let me make it up to you! There’s this new place downtown that just opened. Wanna hang out and grab a bite there?” You offered.

You did feel bad about leaving Eddie in the dark. Despite the increase in the Light’s numbers, training the newbies was taking up a lot of whatever free time you had. You missed talking to Edward, you could actually be yourself around him and not have a care in the world. Plus he was too damn cute for words.

“Uuhh…umm but what about that newbie? D-Don’t you have plans with them?” Edward asked before he really had a chance to stop himself.

You grabbed his shoulder to stop him from walking as you turned him around to face you. “Eddie...what’re you talking about?”

“I-I-I didn’t mean to assume something…I-I-I just noticed that you-you were spe-spending a l-lot of time with th-them and the-they seem to like you..a lot..”

You put your fingertips up to his lips to seize his nervous panicked rambling.

“Eddie…” You sighed. “I’m just training them. Yeah, they flirt, but I rebuke them. There’s nothing going on outside of training.”

“Really?” He mumbled behind your fingers.

You chuckled. “Yes, really. Besides, I’m interested in someone else. I have been for awhile actually.” You slowly removed your fingers from his lips.

“W-Wait, really? Uh...who?”

Your eyes widened when you realized he really didn’t get it. Bless him, this absolute dork.

“It’s you, Eddie.” You stated, figuring bluntness was the way to go as you sealed the confession by taking your hand in his.

You felt his hand slightly tighten around yours. “Wa-really?” He almost squealed.

You did everything you could to not bust out laughing. You shook you head, trying to shake the giggles. “Yes, you. Now, about our first date…”

Hush (DCAU) Riddler:

Needless to say, Edward was jealous of everyone. He would never admit it, but he was. Secretly, seething, he despised most everyone. Especially those that had things he didn’t. Strength, power, influence, perfect health. Perfect health…

“Hey, Eddie!” You came through the door, dropping your belongings and stepping out of your work shoes.

He didn’t deserve you he really didn’t. He wouldn’t blame you if you dropped him and left him for your co-worker at work that obviously has the hots for you. Of course you were too kind and rather oblivious to see that, but he adored you for that all the same.

“Hey sweetie,” he greeted back half-heartedly. “How was your day?”

“Oh, same old same old. Although, something weird happened, you know that co-worker I told you about? Scott? The one that’s been super friendly?”

Through gritted teeth, Edward nodded. “Y-Yeah, I do…what about him?”

“He asked me out to dinner tonight, it was so random…I thought he was just being friendly…to be friends.” You shrugged as you plopped beside Edward on the couch.

Edward could feel his fist slightly clench in frustration.

“Y-You said no…though right?”

“Edward!” You practically squealed in disbelief. “Of course I told him no! I have you! I’d never do such a thing.”

“I-I know…I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, that wasn’t right of me to ask…” He sighed in defeat. “I…I haven’t been in the best mindset as of late.”

You nodded. “It’s okay, when you’re ready we can talk about it. But for all the questions and riddles in this world, don’t you dare question my feelings for you…okay?”

You leaned your head on his shoulder and wrapped your arm around his waist and embraced him in a side hug.

“Okay, sweetie. I won’t, I promise.”

#ri writes #the riddler x reader #edward nygma x reader #arkhamverse riddler x reader #reevesverse riddler x reader #dano riddler x reader #btas riddler x reader #zero year riddler x reader #capullo riddler x reader #the war of jokes and riddles riddler x reader #twojar riddler x reader #telltale riddler x reader #young justice riddler x reader #yj riddler x reader #hush (dcau) riddler x reader #jealousy headcanons #jealousy scenarios

270 notes · View notes

allthecanadianpolitics · 1 year

Text

"The Yukon is giving residents up to $1,300 a year for dental care bills that aren't covered by other forms of insurance.

The program, that started taking applications on Wednesday, covers all dental treatments that will relieve pain or infection, treat cavities and restore chewing function. Routine procedures, like dental cleanings, will also be covered.

Stephen Doyle, the Yukon's acting deputy minister of health, said the program should be able to help up to 8,000 Yukoners.

"We've already received a few applications," Doyle told CBC. "The intent is to get them processed as quickly as possible and get people ... seeing the dentist as soon as they can."

The program is open to Yukoners that have a territorial healthcare card, no other dental insurance plans and make less than $60,000 per year as an individual or less than $90,000 for individuals with two children. After that, the threshold increases with family size.

The Yukon already has a dental care program for children under 12. Any children that are not eligible for this program could be eligible for the territorial dental plan if their parents still meet the income bracket requirements.

People will have to re-apply each year to the program.

The government is committing $1.8 million towards the program. Doyle says that should be enough money for all 8,000 Yukoners who could be helped by the program, even if they max out their benefit."

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

#cdnpoli #canada #canadian politics #canadian news #canadian #yukon #yukon territory #dental care #dental #healthcare #dentalcare

302 notes · View notes

sharp-edges · 1 month

Note

yes it was the connor post I haven’t read that intently in ages

the connor post nonny is refering too

YESSSSSSS, i cant be normal about him because no one else is able to be normal about him, the part that gets me, that im being really abnormal about at this specific second is him and his family temporarily MOVING TO SWEDEN, when he was 15 so he could train.... that's not normal!!!!! he never had a normal teenage years, we will never have normal adult years, i need to wipe the worlds memory of him and send him to college for two semesters, i need him to throw up in the bushes outside a frat, i need him to regret taking an 8am, i need him to socialize with people who don't play hockey, i need him to be normal. i need the league to teach these kids to take hits, i need them to try and acclimate the kids who don't get sent to a farm team after getting drafted, how many fucking rookies need to get hurt, and take bad hits for the league to finally realize that they aren't doing well by them. how many more players need to use the nhlpa player assistance program before they realize that taking a bunch of children and signing them to multi year contracts and with a schedule that leaves you traveling and away from your non hockey friends and family for months on end is a recipe for unhealthy coping mechanisms, mary @pwhl-mybeloved said earlier that someone sent in 15 duplicate cards to get graded of a kid who isn't eligible for the draft until 2026, the era of social media is putting even more eyes on "generational talents" THIS QUOTE FROM EMILY KAPLAN AT ESPN

Bedard tries to stay out of public when he can, and as he gave me a tour in his off-roader SUV, bumping some top-40 music, it became apparent why. When he stopped at a red light, a car pulled up with four adults who recognized Bedard instantly. The driver honked and waved enthusiastically as the three passengers frantically fiddled with their phones to take photos. Bedard, clearly experienced with this exact scenario, politely smiled back. "There's a bit of buzz, and for me, it's kind of crazy to see some of the things and people I've been compared to," Bedard said. "It's a lot different getting recognized out and about. It's something I'm getting used to. It's supercool feeling the support. But you know ... I'm still a kid." He's understating the buzz.

^^^^^ HE WAS 17!!!!!!!! THE ENTIRE ARTICLE GUTS ME

he's too young!!!! we are putting children on too high of pedestals, we make children sign contracts with an organization that doesn't care, not about their physical health, not about their mental health, we are stuck perpetually dooming hundreds of children each fucking year.

people want to be angry at cutter gauthier because he "broke up" jamie and tz but i care that a child (okay hes 20 now… and was 19 when the tarde happened, and he was 18 when drafted) who informed the flyers back in MAY OF LAST YEAR, that he didn't want to sign, WAS DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD!!!!! because the flyers dragged their heels for almost a year and wouldn't take his "im not signing" as an answer!

the fucking amazon tv show "focusing on 10-12 players" will never show any of this shit, the league wants to grow its audience and appeal to a younger and more female audience, but young people are smart, and more people are going to notice, cutter didn't break to mainstream audiences, but this fucking amazon show is going to bring a bunch of eyes, and those eyes are going to look at connor, because there is no fucking way he isnt going to be one of the players they focus on, the league isn't that stupid, and those new eyes are going to see what i see, and i won't be the only person walking round in circles mumbling about gifted children never adjusting.

#asks #anon #connor bedard #cutter gauthier #too i guess #this started out all hahah im abnormal about connor and ended with me screaming about the nhl lack of concern for its youngest players (or #any of their players for that matter)

26 notes · View notes

transgenderteensurvivalguide · 1 year

Note

Hi! So I’m trans and I’ve been going by my preferred name for a long time, and everyone calls me that name (except for family who are transphobic). But basically, I want to legally change my name. I still get called my deadname a lot when it shows up on legal stuff and I hate it. So I need to convince my mom So my question is, how can I bring this up and convince her to let me change it? I already know the legal process.

Lee says:

You know the legal process already which is a great first step! But knowing what the process will entail both legally doesn't mean that you've fully considered the logistics.

Start by making a list of all the places where you will have to update your name (school, doctor's office, bank, social security, health insurance, etc) and then look into what each of them requires to update your name.

There's a lot of paperwork that needs to be done when someone changes their name, and you want to show that you're aware of that, you've read all of the applicable policies/guidelines already and you're prepared to handle it yourself.

Convincing your mom that you're ready for the decision will also be easier if you can show her how committed you are to it. In total, a legal name change can cost $500 or more (in some cases; some people pay less depending on the fees where they live and if they are eligible for fee waivers for court fees) and you'll need to calculate that exact cost for your situation.

You'll probably need to pay court fees (often $250 or more), a few certified copy of the original name change decree (often around $10 per copy), the cost of a new ID if you have a learner's permit, driver's license, or non-driver's state ID (often $13 or more), plus the cost of a new passport and passport card (around $160), an updated birth certificate (around $55), etc. And of course you'll also need to think about the fees for mailing things through the post office.

Depending on your state's laws, you may also need to pay to publish notice of the petition in the newspaper for some amount of time like three consecutive weeks if your local newspaper charges for notices to be published, and you may have to pay to have documents notarized.

Now that you've calculated what the cost of changing your name will be, you need to find a way to get that money. Once you've saved up all the money that you'll need to change your name, move on to the next step.

Finally, collect all the information that you'll need (save all the links to a document or print the website pages) and print out all of the forms that you'll need (court forms, social security forms, passport forms, school policies and forms, etc). Don't think of this as something you're doing to convince your mom-- you're doing this for yourself, because it's what you need to do!

In this situation, I'm assuming that your mom supports calling you by your chosen name and isn't included in the 'family who are transphobic' category. I'm also assuming that in your state you either need only one legal guardian to consent to a name change, or you only have one legal guardian (your mom), or you only need to convince your mom and then she will convince your other parent.

Getting your mom on board will be easier when you can show her that you've fully considered the process of legally changing your name, but you also have to convince her that 1) it's something that you NEED to do, and 2) it's something that you need to do NOW and not when you're 18 or older.

Having that type of conversation isn't easy, but it's a good opportunity to show off your maturity. That means listening to her concerns and actually addressing them, not yelling at her (I know you wouldn't but I have to say it!! Some people do!!), trying to stay calm and taking deep breaths, etc.

If she says that she's worried that you'll change your mind because you're young, tell her that you've been using this name for years and are unlikely to change your mind.

If she doesn't understand why you can't just wait until you're older to change your name legally, show some vulnerability, get emotional, and talk about how being deadnamed affects your levels of gender dysphoria, how often you come across your deadname, how your mental health will be improved when you can change it, etc.

Recognize that you'll likely need to have multiple conversations with her on the topic and it won't be a single one-and-done in a day-- it may take several months before you win her over. Try to keep the big picture in mind. If you have a therapist, they may be able to help you prepare for talking with her.

Finally, remember that you know your mom the best! The things that might have convinced my mom aren't necessarily the same things that will convince your mom. The things that my parents were worried about may not be the same things that your parents were worried about. You are the only one who can figure out what the right path is for you to achieve your goal.

The last thing I'll note is that sometimes you can't win every battle. I was able to convince my parents to let me change my name legally as a minor, but I wasn't able to medically transition until I turned 18.

If you aren't able to convince your mom to let you change your name, remember that it isn't the end of the line. Eventually, you will be 18. And all of this work that you've done will make it much easier for you to change your name at that point-- you'll have all the paperwork at the ready!

It can be difficult to be unable to transition in a way that you need to, but know that you'll survive and you'll get there eventually, and you need to take care of yourself (physically and mentally!) in the meantime to be at your best when it is time for you to achieve that goal.

Followers, any advice for anon on convincing a parent to let you legally change your name as a minor?

#Lee says #legal name change #parents #trans #transgender #legal name change as a minor

112 notes · View notes