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#bri stokes
friend-of-giants · 8 months
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Me tomorrow as soon as I get home from work, after my 2 week writing hiatus ends:
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kingspuppet · 1 year
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Guys, I think I finally have a concept down for Goro’s Palace/Shadow and I’m really freaking hyped about it!! Only took me over a year to really figure it out but I’m so excited to be able to share it when it’s ready to go!
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Hate You, Love You - cm punk
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This is my fic. Please do not repost this (reblogs are good). Do not copy my writing. Do not steal my writing. All rights are reserved for my writing and my original character(s).
WWE Masterlist
Bri's 1K Celebration Masterlist
(warnings: enemies to lovers, a few swear words)
(pairing: cm punk x wrestler!f!reader)
(word count: 2k)
(a/n: i combined 2 ideas for this one since i thought they fit really well together)
In the dimly lit backstage corridors of the wrestling arena, tension crackled in the air like electricity. Among the bustling chaos of crew members and fellow wrestlers, (y/n) found herself walking briskly, her mind consumed by thoughts of the upcoming match. As she turned a corner, she almost collided with a figure leaning against the wall, clad in black attire and adorned with tattoos. It was CM Punk, a controversial figure in the wrestling world, known for his sharp tongue and rebellious attitude.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and (y/n) felt a surge of disdain wash over her. She held his gaze, her expression hardening with each passing second. Punk’s lips curved into a smirk, as if he relished the discomfort he caused.
“What’s your problem?” Punk’s voice cut through the silence, breaking the standoff.
(y/n) narrowed her eyes, her jaw tensing at the audacity of his question. “You, apparently,” she retorted, her tone laced with venom.
Punk’s smirk widened, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Ah, so it’s like that, huh?” he mused, pushing himself off the wall and stepping closer to her.
(y/n) refused to back down, meeting his advance with steely resolve. “Don’t act surprised. You know exactly what you’ve done,” she shot back, her voice dripping with contempt.
Punk raised an eyebrow, his expression morphing into one of mock innocence. “Enlighten me, then. I’m dying to know how I’ve managed to ruffle your feathers,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
A surge of frustration surged through (y/n) as she struggled to articulate her grievances. Punk’s nonchalant demeanor only fueled her anger further, stoking the flames of her resentment.
“You think you’re better than everyone else, don’t you?” she accused, her words coming out sharper than intended. “You waltz back in here with your ego the size of a damn mountain, thinking you can just walk all over people.”
Punk regarded her with mild interest, his gaze unwavering. “Is that what you think?” he mused, his tone deceptively casual.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I think!” (y/n) exclaimed, her frustration boiling over. “You don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself. You’re selfish, arrogant, and utterly insufferable.”
Punk’s lips curved into a smirk, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “And here I was, thinking you didn’t like me,” he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.
(y/n) bristled at his shallow response, her temper flaring. “Believe me, the feeling’s mutual,” she shot back, her words laced with scorn.
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the arena. (y/n) could feel the weight of Punk’s gaze on her, his eyes boring into her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
“You know, you’re not half bad when you’re angry,” Punk remarked, breaking the silence with a smirk.
(y/n) scoffed, rolling her eyes at his blatant attempt to provoke her further. “Save it, Punk. I’m not interested,” she retorted, her tone dismissive.
Punk chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that echoed through the corridor. “Fair enough,” he conceded, taking a step back. “But mark my words, (y/n), this isn’t over.”
With that cryptic statement, Punk turned on his heel and disappeared around the corner, leaving (y/n) alone with her thoughts. As she watched him go, a sense of unease settled in the pit of her stomach, mingling with the remnants of her anger.
For better or worse, it seemed that her tumultuous encounter with CM Punk was far from over.
—-
The days that followed their heated confrontation seemed to blur together for (y/n) as she navigated the hectic world of professional wrestling. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to put the encounter with CM Punk behind her, his presence lingered like a shadow, an ever-present reminder of the simmering tension between them.
Try as she might to avoid him, Punk seemed to be everywhere, his presence looming large in the backstage corridors and locker rooms. He would flash her a cocky grin or shoot her a sly wink whenever their paths crossed, as if daring her to acknowledge the undeniable chemistry that crackled between them.
Despite her best efforts to ignore him, (y/n) couldn’t deny the pull she felt towards Punk, the electrifying tension between them sending sparks flying whenever they were in proximity. It was infuriating, maddening even, how he managed to get under her skin with such ease.
Then, one fateful Monday Night Raw, fate intervened, throwing (y/n) and Punk together once more in a twist of cosmic irony. As she made her way through the corridors of the arena, lost in her thoughts, she rounded a corner and collided head-on with Punk, nearly sending them both tumbling to the ground.
“Watch where you’re going, Punk,” (y/n) snapped, her irritation flaring as she regained her footing.
Punk chuckled, unfazed by her hostility. “You’re the one who wasn’t looking where she was going, sweetheart,” he retorted, a playful glint in his eyes.
Before (y/n) could respond, Punk reached out and grabbed her wrist, his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. “Come with me,” he said, his voice low and urgent.
(y/n) tensed, her instincts screaming at her to resist, but there was something in Punk’s eyes, a raw vulnerability that caught her off guard. Against her better judgment, she allowed him to lead her down a deserted hallway, away from prying eyes and curious ears.
Once they were alone, Punk released her wrist and turned to face her, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “Listen, (y/n), I know we’ve got our differences, but there’s something between us, something undeniable,” he began, his voice tinged with urgency.
(y/n) scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive gesture. “Save the melodrama, Punk. I’m not buying what you’re selling,” she retorted, her tone laced with skepticism.
Punk shook his head, his gaze never wavering from hers. “I’m serious, (y/n). I can’t explain it, but every time I’m near you, it’s like...it’s like the world stops spinning, and all I can see is you,” he confessed, his voice raw with emotion.
(y/n) felt her resolve waver, her heart pounding in her chest as Punk’s words washed over her. She had never seen this side of him before, so vulnerable and unguarded, and it stirred something deep within her.
“And what do you expect me to do about it?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to maintain her composure.
Punk took a step closer, closing the distance between them until there was barely an inch of space separating their bodies. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I’ll do anything, (y/n). Anything to prove to you that what we have is real.”
A flicker of uncertainty danced in (y/n)’s eyes as she searched Punk’s face for any sign of deceit. But all she found was sincerity, a raw, unfiltered honesty that left her breathless.
“Do you want me to shout from the rooftops? Because damn it, (y/n), I will,” Punk declared, his voice ringing with conviction.
For a moment, (y/n) was speechless, the weight of Punk’s words hanging heavy in the air between them.
As Punk began to walk away, his footsteps echoing down the empty corridor, (y/n) felt a surge of panic rise within her. She couldn’t let him leave without hearing her response, without understanding the turmoil that churned inside her.
Summoning every ounce of courage she possessed, (y/n) took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. 
“Wait,” she called out, her voice wavering slightly with emotion.
Punk paused mid-stride, turning to look at her with a curious expression. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he regarded her, as if he hadn’t expected her to speak up.
Gathering her thoughts, (y/n) squared her shoulders and met Punk’s gaze head-on. “It was great while you were gone,” she began, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within her. “And before you say anything, let me finish.”
Punk remained silent, his expression unreadable as he waited for her to continue.
“It was great because I didn’t have to grapple with my feelings for you,” (y/n) admitted, her words tumbling out in a rush. “The truth is I like you. Hating you was easy because loving you seemed hard.”
There it was, laid bare for Punk to see – the raw, unfiltered truth of her feelings. (y/n) held her breath, waiting for his response, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for rejection.
For a long moment, Punk said nothing, his gaze locked with hers as if searching for any trace of insincerity. And then, to (y/n)’s surprise, a slow smile spread across his face, lighting up his features with an unexpected warmth.
“You...you like me?” he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.
(y/n) nodded, her throat tight with emotion. “Yeah,” she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I like you, Punk. More than I care to admit.”
Punk stepped closer, his expression unreadable as he studied her. “Why didn’t you say anything before?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and frustration.
(y/n) shrugged, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. “I guess I was scared,” she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. “Scared of getting hurt, scared of putting myself out there, scared of...of what might happen if you didn’t feel the same way.”
Punk’s gaze softened, a flicker of understanding passing between them. “You don’t have to be scared anymore,” he said, his voice gentle. “Because I feel the same way, (y/n). I’ve always felt the same way.”
A surge of relief washed over (y/n) at his words, her heart soaring with newfound hope. Without another word, she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace, as if trying to hold onto this moment forever.
As they stood there, locked in each other’s arms, Punk felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him. Without a word, he gently tilted (y/n)’s chin up, his eyes searching hers with a depth of feeling he had never dared to reveal before.
And then, with a tenderness that took (y/n) by surprise, Punk leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a soft, lingering kiss. It was a moment of pure vulnerability, a silent confession of the feelings he had long kept hidden.
For (y/n), it was a revelation—a moment she had never dared to hope for. As Punk’s lips moved against hers, she felt a flood of warmth wash over her, banishing the last remnants of doubt and fear.
In that fleeting instant, as they stood there, lost in the sweetness of the moment, (y/n) knew that everything had changed. Whatever uncertainties lay ahead, whatever challenges they might face, they would face them together, bound by a love that was as undeniable as it was unexpected.
And as they finally pulled away, their breath mingling in the stillness of the corridor, (y/n) couldn’t help but smile, a sense of wonder filling her heart. For in that kiss, she had found not only solace but also hope—a hope that whispered of a future filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.
And as Punk looked at her, his eyes filled with an emotion she had never seen before, (y/n) knew that their journey together was only just beginning—a journey that would take them to places they had never dared to dream of.
With that thought lingering in her mind, (y/n) leaned in once more, her lips meeting Punk’s in a sweet, tender embrace. And as they kissed, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of their newfound love.
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bottlecap-press · 5 months
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From Bri Stokes' chapbook, A Throat Full of Forest-Dirt, available from Bottlecap Press!
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bonefall · 1 year
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please tell me more about bristlefrost in this au i love the idea of her shooting ashfur out of heaven like a comet!!! it’s so so cool and her execution… AAA!!!
What I love about Bris and want to preserve is how intelligent she is. Hawkfrost famously has redemption in this rewrite-- I imagine she reminds Ivypool a lot of her Dark Forest mentor who lost his life taking a stand against Tigerstar.
Bris is an excellent strategist, a great fighter, and an upcoming prodigy. Ivypool is extremely proud of her. The Firekin family has high expectations, and Bris and Thrift are meeting all of them.
(Which is good because Flippaw... he's... he's a special boy. No honey we don't want to see how far you can fit an ant up your nose.)
But Bristlepaw is still a child. When Bramblefake targets her for his tyranny games, she's susceptible because she wants to impress her leader. When Ivypool realizes what's happening, she steps in immediately, offering herself as Bramblestar's lackey instead to spare her daughter from what she had to go through in her youth.
And as Bramblefake stokes Ivypool's unaddressed resentment for codebreakers, including Dovewing and Heartstar, Bristlepaw starts seeing Rootpaw.
And I've told that story before. She is caught. She begs her mother to help her, knowing Bramblefake will do something horrible, Ivypool does not listen.
Bristlefrost's public execution is the real start of the arc, and the bloody reckoning Ivypool has with her mindset. Her daughter is dead in a flash.
Bristlefrost doesn't stop there though. She's a ghost who interacts with Rootspring all arc long, attempting to rally the others and do what they can as earthbound spirits. Ashfur commands her later as a mind controlled ghost, but in the final fight, she lands the final blow to knock him out of StarClan.
I have a budding idea that Ashfur unlocks some kind of massive Seraphim form after eating some of the ghosts he controls, or even a StarClan Warrior. He absorbs them somehow, and becomes a being so massive that he couldn't be killed with normal claws.
Bristlefrost knocking into him destroys the Meadow of Young Stars. Shatters it, breaks the entire thing into a million pieces and makes it so that only a single bridge remains between the Dark Forest and StarClan. One less magical and impenetrable than the old Meadow, which has to be physically defended.
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aconflagrationofmyown · 9 months
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Because we all miss Captain Presley, a book cover in his favor (bc AWM should really be a novel ❤️)
Ummm, you’re telling me that this masterpiece has languished in my inbox all this time? The crime of it! Bri, bri, bri, I cannot- this is waaaay too pretty and stokes my ego a little too much.
Off I go to write that man actually getting dressed for the day and doing something besides Rosey
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oakpinejuniper · 3 months
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pretty stoked to see waxahatchee in april, bc both dave and i love her! we like each others' music well enough but i feel like she's one of the few bands we really dig on our own. and she's playing at his old fave venue! and somehow i have never seen her live.
im also thinking about buying tickets to the deathcab/postal service give up/transatlanticism tour....bc i love an album retrospective....and it would give us an excuse to spend a weekend in Albany and i could show him my old haunts and so on.
i'd really like to see sylvan esso too, another act i feel like i should've seen multiple times already. was supposed to go with bri and ben in september but the show randomly got canceled for no apparent reason.
just want more excellent live music this year!!!
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ofmoonlitmagic · 4 months
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[ rudy pankow | he/him ] Another face is seeking safety in New Orleans. Make sure to welcome BRIGGS MIKAELSON to the home of the resilient. Rumor has it that they are an 24 year old HYBRID (WITCH/WEREWOLF), who is one of the SACRIFICED but we’ll keep that a secret. They are said to be IMPULSIVE, but that’s all a façade to cover up their LOYAL nature. We’ve heard that they can be found listening to FAR FROM HOME by FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, which sums them up pretty well. Let’s hope that they can find a way to survive this harsh new world.
PINTEREST. WANTED. (template cred.)
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄:
𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: briggs mikaelson 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: b, bri (but mostly just briggs) 𝐀𝐆𝐄: twenty four 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: september 23rd 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍: new orleans 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄: new orleans 𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: account holder at the bank called mikaelson, occasional pickpocket 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: chaotic neutral, but trying to be good 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: tbd.
𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂: backwards caps, cloudy moonlit nights, torn pages from old books, combat boots and cargo shorts, closed doors, foggy windows, the smell of burning wood and sage.
𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: death tw, child abuse tw, fire tw, murder tw
𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘:
Briggs lost his mother at a young age, left with very few memories of her and a father who had no control of his temper. The violence escalating as signs of his mother's magic made themselves known, fueled by the emotions rising in the helplessness of his situation. Anger most of all. He is strongest when he's angry, but it makes him volatile...susceptible to repeating the patterns set by his father. Every fight leaving him right at the edge of giving into the urge to take that final victory: the opponent's very life. Both terrifying and invigorating.
One fateful night, the latest rise of his power set the family home ablaze...his chance for escape. Whether his father survived, he still doesn't know nor does he care. He was free.
But he was alone. On the streets of New Orleans, he learned to fend for himself. With untrained powers and a gene pleading to be triggered, Briggs kept often to the shadows. Surviving off what he could take from others without their notice, it wasn't much of a life, but at least he was alive.
Then came Freya and Keelin, taking the teenager into their care. From them, he was able to finally learn more about his witch and werewolf sides and how to control both. At long last, he had solid parental figures.
The last seven years have been his happiest and healthiest, however, it almost made him too trusting. Tricked by a member of a New Orleans's coven who convinced him she would help him save his sister, Gemma, who had been sacrificed three years ago, he was then captured himself, sacrificed, sent to a prison world. His rage stoked anew, he was determined to return to his mothers, his family. Cost was unimportant. Once again, the consequences of his actions have gone without a care to the aftermath.
He is loyal to the Mikaelsons more than any other, especially now. They are the only people he can trust, and there's nothing he won't do for them.
𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍'𝐒: ⭒ He is suspicious that it was his father who killed his mother, the accusation of the crime led to the fight that fateful evening ⭒ Incredibly hot-tempered and careless, his ability to reign in the wolf begging to be released has diminished after his capture ⭒ Even though he was 17 at the time of being taken into Freya and Keelin's care, he won't be told he's not a Mikaelson. He speaks very, very little (if at all) about his biological parents ⭒ One of the "lucky" ones in that he was one of the last captured and sacrificed, losing only about a month, but the betrayal took some of the last scraps of his trust. ⭒ more tbd.
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:
parents: freya mikaelson (adoptive mother), keelin malraux mikaelson (adoptive mother), gideon vaughn (biological father - status unknown), waverley vaughn (biological mother - deceased) relationships: riley shaw (best friend/platonic soulmate), more tbd siblings: nik mikaelson (adoptive brother), ella mikaelson (adoptive sister), gemma mikaelson (adoptive sister), erin mikaelson (adoptive sister) extended family: elijah mikaelson, rebekah mikaelson, klaus mikaelson, kol mikaelson, hope mikaelson, hayley marshall, luna mikaelson, artemis azarov mikaelson wanted: found here
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elfinismsarts · 1 year
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I was tagged by @friend-of-giants for this one and I'm so stoked for it!!!
Post the first sentence of your last ten fics, or if you just have one long-fic, then the first sentence of the last ten chapters // last ten chapters it is! Which is funny bc I have exactly ten chapters from where I put botw on hiatus (unless you count the intermission which I'm not). Maybe spoilers? But I hope more than anything it creates intrigue!
Chapter 26: The Price of Failure- When the first light of dawn broke out over the plains of Whiterun in the form of the sun's swift rise, Firien felt as though she was seeing it for the very first time.
Chapter 27: Markarth- While Vilkas had always admired the Dwemer-inspired architecture that made up Markarth, he hated the city itself.
Chapter 28: The River Camp- True to Lydia's word, the old Imperial camp had been taken over by refugees.
Chapter 29: Silver Blood- Any mirth Firien had in Markarth had long since vanished and had been replaced with the same deep-set exhaustion and quiet resolve that had plagued her between Kynesgrove and Whiterun, and it worried Farkas.
Chapter 30: The Reach of the Old Gods- "Little elf."
Chapter 31: Hurt- The banks of the Karth River were becoming something like a sanctuary for Firien.
Chapter 32: The Bitter and the Sweet- Vilkas stared straight ahead, not meeting anyone's eyes as Iain glared at him with fury, his breathing harsh and rapid and dangerous.
Chapter 33: Into the Mine- Thick thunderheads had settled across the skies of the Reach when Firien finally stepped out of Skoll's hut, and Farkas nearly froze in disbelief, his fingers stilling where they were fiddling anxiously with the fraying leather of his "borrowed" cuirass.
Chapter 34: In the Dark- "No one escapes Cidhna Mine."
Chapter 35: Losing Game- Being a guard, Vilkas decided, was one of the most uneventful and boring jobs possible in Skyrim.
ooooooo what is the gang up to now???? ANYWAY thanks for the tag bri!!
tagging @argisthebulwark and uhhhh does anyone else actively write?? if I'm forgetting about you I apologize and consider yourself tagged ok? ok
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mrsgiovanna · 2 years
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Hey Bri! I was wondering if you had to choose between a Tsundere Giorno, Drunk Giorno, or Shy Giorno which would you choose and why? 😁 Also hope you’re doing well
Lovely Bella 🌟💕 how are you doing?
Oooooh there's a question, I'd say a drunk Giorno. Okay so, i feel the alcohol allows his playful arrogant side to show. Ruddy cheeked, hair tousled and with a sardonic smile adorning his face, hes so charismatic and is fully aware that he owns the room, his ego further stoked by the way in which you're draped on him. Idk I just feel his controlled demeanor is cast aside for a bit, he's a little domineering but in a nice way and just an overall just a joy to be around 😃😍🥰😳😏🏃🏽‍♀️
Which do you prefer? 👀
Omg this ask is giving me all kinds of brainrot (ty ty tysmm😆)
Here's a Giogio
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mariacallous · 1 year
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Nearly a decade after its inception, momentum behind China’s sweeping Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) appears to be slowing as lending slumps and projects stall—forcing Chinese President Xi Jinping to again rethink a floundering initiative that he once hailed as his “project of the century.”
After doling out hundreds of billions of dollars, experts say China’s lending for BRI projects has plummeted, largely a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s own economic slowdown. Support has also waned as partner countries drown in debt and fractures emerge—literally—in projects, fueling uncertainty about the future of the sprawling initiative. In 2022, 60 percent of China’s overseas lending went to borrowers in financial distress, compared to just 5 percent in 2010, said Bradley Parks, the executive director of the AidData research group at the College of William and Mary.
“At its peak, it was really looked at as the centerpiece of China’s economic engagement with the rest of the world,” said Scott Kennedy, an expert in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Now, he said, it is a “shadow of its former self.”
Xi launched the BRI in 2013 as an ambitious infrastructure development campaign that would span more than 140 countries and export China’s industrial overcapacity, boosting China’s diplomatic clout and enhancing its global influence. Given its sheer scale and scope, many referred to it as China’s version of the Marshall Plan—only bigger and bolder. But Beijing’s vision has also been murky, intensifying scrutiny and controversy over the initiative and the contracts involved.
“No one really knows for sure what Beijing is trying to get out of it,” said Michael Kugelman, the deputy director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center and the writer of Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief. “That sort of has lent this mystique to it that has led to a significant amount of suspicion, particularly from those governments that worry about China’s rise.”
Instead of a sleek geopolitical campaign, researchers describe the BRI as a decentralized jumble of deals and projects that all loosely fall under the same banner of infrastructure development. Hong Zhang, who researches Chinese public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, said that the BRI should be seen as a slogan, not a single program. “A lot of things were happening in the name of Belt and Road,” she said, adding: “Beijing has little control over things going on on the ground.”
China’s lending had already slipped before COVID-19 hit, a trend that was accelerated by the pandemic’s fallout and then China’s own economic slowdown. For many countries, taking on Chinese loans also quickly became unsustainable—particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove up prices in the global marketplace—stoking backlash against Beijing’s lending habits.
One of the most glaring examples is Sri Lanka, which defaulted on a mountain of debt last year as it grappled with a spiraling economic crisis. But cracks emerged far earlier: After struggling to cough up enough money to Beijing in 2017, it signed over the rights to a strategic port, fueling alarm of the dangers of China’s lending practices. In Pakistan, which owes nearly one-third of its foreign debt to China, protests have erupted around a major port project. And in recent weeks, debt-laden Zambia has been tensely wrangling a restructuring plan with China, its biggest bilateral creditor.
The BRI has “fallen on hard times,” Kugelman said. “I think that many, many countries have realized that they simply don’t have the luxury of an economic structure that can withstand the type of loans that have been coming in from China for so long.”
Some of that can be attributed to the haphazard way in which the BRI was executed. To advance the initiative, many Chinese firms were so focused on administering projects that issues of economic feasibility and risk were not prioritized, said Yun Sun, the director of the China program at the Stimson Center.
“The Chinese did not think through the economic viability of a lot of these loan projects because their priority was [to] glorify BRI, to implement projects to ensure that BRI materializes and is happening all over the world,” she said.
As Sri Lanka buckled under its debt, China officially gave it a two-year debt moratorium in early February—and it’s just one of dozens of countries that have now been offered at least a partial reprieve. In 2020, China delayed debt repayments for 77 nations. But that has also left Chinese lenders swimming in risk, Parks said, leaving Beijing in a precarious economic position.
“They’re in a kind of firefighting mode,” Parks said. “They are frankly ill-equipped for the challenge that they’re up against right now because they don’t have a long history of being an overseas lender in times of crisis.”
Still, for many countries with few other options, Beijing has a lot to offer. Bangladesh, for instance, has been on a Chinese-funded infrastructure investment spree that has been quite popular, Kugelman said. In Latin America in particular, China has made new inroads and ramped up investments, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In an effort to contest China’s expanding influence through the BRI, many Western nations have been scrambling to offer up their own alternative development initiatives—with little success. By 2027, the United States and G-7 aim to funnel some $600 billion into their Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment—a revamp of the Build Back Better World campaign that they unveiled in 2021. Despite being launched more than a year ago, the European Union’s 300-billion-euro answer to BRI, called the Global Gateway, has failed to make much of a splash on the global stage.
“To be quite candid, I don’t think any country, whether the U.S. or any other nation, can hold a candle to what China has been able to do with its infrastructure investments,” Kugelman said. “It has such a deep footprint in so many parts of the world.”
Beijing now appears to be recalibrating its approach, softening its rhetoric around the BRI’s capabilities, focusing on smaller projects, and shifting course to offering debt-ridden countries emergency loans. In 2021, Xi also announced a Global Development Initiative (GDI), a small and vaguely defined program that emphasizes China’s position as one of the world’s developing countries, while focusing on education, clean energy, and poverty—all in conjunction with the United Nations. To further the GDI, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged cooperation with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The GDI reflects a more multilateral approach to development—potentially signaling Beijing’s effort to diversify its strategy in the long run, said Sun of the Stimson Center.
Parks said that the GDI could simply be an effort to rebrand the BRI amid mounting criticism. “I think it’s mostly smoke and mirrors,” he said.
But for all of its problems, don’t expect Beijing to abandon the BRI—or its underlying goals—given how deeply intertwined it is with Xi himself. In 2017, the initiative was even enshrined in the party constitution.
“Officially, you would never hear the Chinese government admitting that the Belt and Road was a mistake, or the way we approached Belt and Road was a mistake,” Zhang said. “That would not happen because Belt and Road is so closely tied to Xi Jinping’s personal political legacy.”
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meggie-stardust · 2 years
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WIP Ask Meme: "At This Truth We Have Arrived"
Well, well, well, Bri. As it happens, you picked my Team Alpha Steter Mini Bang fic.
The title is from the same song I'm using as an epigraph to the fic, which I hope will also answer some questions if anyone goes back and reads the epigraph again after finishing the fic. I went a little vague on some answering because a) I didn't want to deal with the mechanics of it and b) sometimes vagueness is best.
I think I've said before that this takes place about 5 years after S3 where we officially abandon canon events, and it starts with Peter returning to Beacon Hills. (omg just writing this out I realized I wrote myself a continuity error and I need to go back and adjust some timeline stuff... has Peter been gone just 5 years or was Laura's death 5 years ago or both??)
I'm really stoked on this fic, and I'm even more stoked on the art that @bettertasting is doing for it. For now, I'll post a bit I haven't shared before:
“Well?” Stiles prompts, and Peter comes back to himself. The air feels charged with anticipation, and in the heavy silence, Peter realizes that once again, he can’t hear Stiles’ heartbeat.  “Powerful,” he says eventually.  Stiles tilts his head to the side, as if he’s trying to figure something out. Peter isn’t sure if he likes being the focus of this intense observation.  “You’ve always been powerful. You are a born werewolf.” Peter smiles ruefully. “This is a different kind of power.” “You were Talia’s Left Hand.” It’s not a question. Peter has never talked about this with Derek and Cora, and yet Stiles seems to just know.  “I was,” Peter agrees.  Stiles nods, considering. “Did you like feeling that powerful?” “Why can’t I hear your heartbeat?”  Stiles grins like he’s pleased Peter has finally asked. “So we can be on equal footing.” Peter is impressed despite himself. “And you block your scent for the same reason, I suppose? How does the rest of the pack feel about this? Or am I special?” Stiles shrugs. “They got used to it.”
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genjades · 2 years
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#GENJADES            .  .  .            a  study  in  disgraced  catholic  school  girls,    becoming  the  girl  your  parents  warned  you  about,    a  litany  of  undiscovered  crimes,    choosing  the  wrong  boyfriends,    putting  yourself  first,    believing  in  yourself  beyond  your  wildest  dreams.        cora  jade.  
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FULL    NAME    .    brianna    elisabeth    coda    .    NICKNAMES    .    bri    ,    cj    .    ZODIAC    .    capricorn    .    DATE    OF    BIRTH    .    01/14/2001    .    PLACE    OF    BIRTH    .    chicago    ,    illinois.    OCCUPATION    .    professional    wrestler    ,    the    devil    on    your  shoulder    .    POSITIVE    TRAITS    .      freewheeling    ,    vehement    ,    resourceful    ,    ambitious    ,    bold    .    NEGATIVE    TRAITS    .    hedonistic    ,    capricious    ,    pugnacious    ,    harebrained    ,    inconsiderate    .    MORAL    ALIGNMENT    .    chaotic    neutral    .    MYERS    -    BRIGGS    .    estp    ,      the    entrepreneur    .    HOGWARTS    HOUSE    .    slytherin    .
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everyone  knows  a  girl  like  her.    bruised  knees  &  a  catholic  school  girl  skirt,    her  parents'  worst  nightmare  come  to  life.  wrestling  was  meant  to  just  be  a  family  outing,    something  meant  to  entertain  her  younger  brother    -    not  stoke  the  flames  of  rebellion  even  further  in  a  child  already  toeing  the  line.    but  brianna  fell  in  love,    found  a  hope  outside  of  detentions  and  having  her  knuckles  smacked  with  rulers.    to  this  day,    it's  the  only  thing  she's  ever  loved  that  hasn't  turned  its  back  on  her    -    that  hasn't  cheated  or  lied,    that  hasn't  made  her  regret  each  moment  spent  dedicated  to  it.  
she's  known  for  trouble.    causing  it,    chasing  it,    always  one  second  away  from  finding  herself  embroiled  in  it.    selfish    &    reckless,    the  kind  of  girl  that  your  therapist  warns  you  about    -    it's  not  that  she  doesn't  care,    it's  that  she  forgets  to  not  put  anyone  but  herself  first,    spends  more  time  chasing  whatever  high  sounds  the  best  for  the  night  rather  than  putting  someone  else's  feelings  in  her  sights.  
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mobscene-updates · 2 years
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ADMIN NOTE. Activity check one.
So, whilst this is primarily an updates page, it will also be where the new, more stringent activity checks will take place. It was discussed briefly before now, but here is where I will formally cover the process of what the new rules will be. If things improve, they’ll drop back down again and be less strict, but until then, these are compulsory, and I shan’t be lenient in the same way I have been until now. 
If you have not already requested a hiatus, it is too late. You can’t wait until you know there’s trouble to do it. If you know you’re going to be busy and away from the group, you know, and you have the time to let me know.
Those excluded from this round of activity checks due to a pre-discussed hiatus are:
Lina
Lia
Mina
Sam
Bri
Mari
Italian characters (indefinitely)
These hiatuses are now concluded. To be exempt from the next activity check, you must come to me and request another. Hiatuses will no longer be open-ended. They will last a maximum of two weeks, and you must check in at the end of this period so that I know you haven’t just disappeared entirely. If you have no interest in coming back after this time, that’s fine, but it’s just helpful to know so I don’t hang around waiting forever. 
WHAT CONSTITUTES ACTIVITY?
What is required for activity is now changing. 
One reply a week to a coffee shop starter that you end up waiting another week to continue, just so you don’t technically break the activity limit, is no longer good enough. You have to be here, actively pushing forward the general plot of the group, or, if that’s not the case, showing examples of genuine character development in the meantime. This might sound daunting, but it isn’t. If you think it is, that might be a good sign that you just don’t have the time to dedicate to a group setting anymore. If the dash gets stagnant, and if people are waiting too long for replies on important threads, it just doesn’t work out.
I will list some examples of what passes as good activity, and also, bad. Please note, however, the bad is not always to be discouraged. (Read for further information.)
It simply can’t be all that’s happening. 
GOOD: 
Mob-related plots. Anything criminal, no matter how small, particularly if it ends up being a multi-faction thread, is fantastic. They often open doors for others to react to what’s happened, or for the subsequent planning of retaliation. I’m not talking about big plot drops like people being assassinated or things getting blown up, those come in moderation. But this is a role play about organized crime. I want to see more of it. 
Darker starters. The same starter in a different setting over and over again isn’t going to get anyone excited. Think outside of the box. Make it more Mob-related. If you’re a neutral, witness a crime. Get caught up in something you shouldn’t, and potentially face some consequences for it depending on who replies. If you play a gangster, put your character in a precarious situation and open it up to opposing factions only. Wander into an enemy establishment and cause a fuss. Have someone spot you with a weapon. Pass commentary on politics and see who you can rile up. There are plenty of options to explore if you can give it a little thought. 
Multi-person threads (ie. more than two participants) that create a more interesting social dynamic on the dash. They end up being more fun, and that in itself stokes muse for everyone involved, including those reading. Plan a drunk night out where everyone gets smashed and dragged into drama. Drunk text your boss. Black out, accidentally wander into enemy territory with your boys, and end up in a fast-paced thread between two sides trying to work your way out of it. Some of our most memorable Mob moments came from threads like these. It brings everyone together in character, as well as out, and both are important.
Self paras. If you have the kind of character that doesn’t routinely end up in drama, that’s fine too. Balance social/family heavy threads with self paras. There are plenty of opportunities for character development outside of crime heavy plots. If you’re having a particularly difficult time placing them into what’s currently happening, perhaps try another angle. Maybe some internal monologue about the events in question (especially when news stories start breaking on the Advocate again.) A self para about an important moment from their past that you wish to explore in further detail. A memory with a character important to them. Past trauma, past relationships, insights into family. Deep-dives that make both yourself, and everybody else, feel more connected to the character you play. Let’s get invested in each other’s work again. 
Event planning. Again, this is limited in its frequency, but planning events is a great way to spark an activity surge, so anybody who puts the effort into this, and subsequently being around to host it, gets an immediate activity pass for those two weeks. Bonus points if you can somehow work a nice mob drama plot drop into it.
BAD: 
Text threads. These are absolutely invaluable. I’m not discouraging them in the slightest, because they’re great for social development, and especially for the quick transfer of information between characters. They just can’t be all you’re doing. They will not count toward any form of activity check; seven-day limit included.
Vague starters and replies. ‘I’m sorry, did you say something?’ Don’t always make the other person do all the work. If you’re writing the starter, put the effort in to directing it somewhere. The same with your replies. When you read them back before posting, make sure that they add direction and motion to the thread. Are you giving something for your partner to respond to? No? Then perhaps consider rewriting it so that this changes. Give what you want in return. 
Instagram/social media posts. I love these, and once again, they play a fun and interesting part on the dash. Particularly for breaking personal news to the wider audience. This isn’t me saying don’t use them, because we all like to see little snippets into our characters’ lives, and they’re certainly fun to create. Just make sure they’re not the only thing you’re doing. 
Posting only closed starters. These are infinitely important, particularly for pre-established plots, but by their very nature, they close you off to other people. If you are going to post a mass of closed starters, be sure to post an open as well, or reply to as many open starters as is feasible, to balance it out. A poor closed to open starter ratio is exactly what ends up in bubble role playing. If you can’t handle posting open starters because you can’t keep up, maybe drop a character to limit the workload. Also if you’re going to post an open, be sure to actually respond to the replies you’re getting. I will now be policing open starters to check this. Posting a starter and getting four responses, only to continue with none of the threads after that, is unacceptable. You’re wasting the time of people who put the effort into replying. I am not yet policing those who only post opens, and don’t reply to any of the ones in the tag, but if you don’t start changing it, I will send out warnings. 
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means, from here on out, everybody is going to need to be a little bit more conscious about what they’re giving to the dash.
There will still be a seven day activity limit.
On top of that, though, there will now be an extra activity check once every two weeks to assess the quality of this activity. So, you might not technically have been inactive for more than a week, but have you actually contributed? (See good vs. bad activity examples above.) You will be required to submit at least one example of meaningful activity to me. Self paras, contributions to plots, an important thread with somebody that showed some development for your character. I think you understand what I mean by this point in the post. 
There will be a master list of every character linked in a moment. Beside it will be two dates. The date that you last submitted this information to me, and the date the next submission needs to reach me by. This can be done at any time. There will be no specific dates for activity checks. Some of you could owe me on a Wednesday, some of you could owe me on a Saturday, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s at least once every two weeks. You can also submit early. For example, if you posted a self para five days ago, but you fancy posting another and submitting that to me, too, you’ll have your limit extended two weeks from beyond the point at which you submitted the second self para to me. 
If you have any questions about what any of this means, you can reach me via the main, tumblr messenger here, or on Skype.
I will be posting an example within the next few hours courtesy of Alexa so you can see what I’m looking for, and also how these posts will happen, and subsequently contribute to making this page a good place to keep up with all the important happenings on the dash.
YOU ALL HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY TO COMPLETE THE FIRST CHECK.
No exceptions. No hiatus requests. 
Thank you.  
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jerseydeanne · 2 years
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Boris is going to hang on until October he doesn’t want to go it wi be an early election
Good Riddance, BOJO the clown 🤡
We do fear the next batter in this political musical chair.
Love, JD 😜💋
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fch7 · 4 months
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Powerful Gospel and Christmas Mix from #HOWCEE Radio. Thanks  
Bob Marovich
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