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missacidburn928s-heathenhideaway · 27 days

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One day I'll be dancing on your grave...

Summary:

Lucien “Luci” Greco, you’re piece of shit ex, has come to NY looking for you. He's the reason you had to leave everything behind in the first place. Didn't stop him from searching for you though. The long lost mafia princess. He needs you if he is ever to rightfully take over the family from your father Declan. Little does he know you're doing mercenary work for the highest bidder. He still thinks you're some wilting damsel, a spoiled little princess. Your daddy didn't raise you that way though. You've been primed to take over since birth. Too bad he beat the shit out of you so badly you had to run for your safety. Somehow, even trying to stay under the radar you've befriended the damn Avengers family. A misfit mafia if you’ve ever seen one. You’re all after the same enemy afterall. Maybe, it's time to finally let someone or several someones in, so you can live life without constantly looking over your shoulder. Question is, do you even want the crown anymore?

Warnings:

Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Blood and Violence, Past Rape/Non-con, Past Abuse, Past Sexual Abuse, Past Relationship(s), Past Violence, Mafia Avengers, Mafia AU, Threesome - F/M/M, Vaginal Fingering, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Woman on Top

Notes:

Hello Heathens! Welcome to this dark little mafia world I've created. Please be aware there are dark themes throughout this story so be sure to check the tags with each new chapter just in case there may be something that triggers you. Happy reading! Banner @cafekitsune Divider @firefly-graphics

“Well if it isn't the White Wolf and his Captain.” You deadpan as you enter your living room.

“Jinx.” Bucky speaks from his place on the couch.

“To what do I owe the displeasure of finding you in my home?”

“We came to return this.” Steve places a dagger on the coffee table. “Seems you left it behind.”

“Oh Steven. I don't ‘leave’ anything behind. Every blade has a purpose. You should know that by now. That one was left as a reminder of what happens when people underestimate me.” You start to clean the dirt from under your blood soaked hands with another dagger.

“Now if you're done posturing or whatever it is you came here to do. You can kindly show yourselves out. I have a date with my clawfoot tub, a bottle of 151 and season 2 of the Witcher to get to.”

You turn on your heels and head down the hallway towards your bedroom, undressing and leaving a trail of bloody clothes behind you along the way. You're faithful Doberman Hades on your heels. The pair of enforcers sat on your couch are fixated on the sway of your hips until your form leaves their line of sight.

Bucky runs a hand through his hair, pushing it back. “What do you want to do about this? I’ve never known her to kill just for fun. Clearly someone with deep pockets hired her to take out Sitwell. Not that I’m complaining. That Hydra piece of trash deserved it.”

“Tony is going to want answers. Answers that only she can give.” Steve shrugs.

“If she’s willing. She’s not the biggest fan of Tony.”

“Thankfully she loves Pepper. Let’s see if she’ll come to the compound with us voluntarily first.”

Arching his brow and giving Steve a sly grin. “Afraid to get your hands dirty Stevie.”

“More like I’d prefer to have her tied up in my bed than in the back of my Range Rover.”

“Don’t we all Stevie. Don’t we all?”

You’re staring at yourself in the mirror as your phone begins to vibrate along the counter. You glance down and upon seeing the name flashing across the screen you take a calming breath and answer.

“It’s done. There was no need for you to check in on me.”

“That any way for you to talk to your Da? I know it’s done. I had 100% faith in ya to finish the task. I did raise ya after all. So what if I wanted to check in on ya. You’re so damn far away now. I’m not allowed to call my daughter?” Declan proclaims.

“Da. What do you need? You never call to just check in. We don’t work that way. If you wanted to see how I was doing, you’d fly a goon of yours out and stalk me for a week before deciding if it was worth it to come out here to see me. So what is it? I can’t re kill Sitwell for you.”

“Alright. Alright. I get it." He sighs into the phone. "I have some info I feel ya need to know.”

“And that is?”

“Lucien has been gone for a week. Said he had some business to attend to out of town. I just came to find out from one of his little lackeys that said business seems to be in your neck of the woods. Be careful, petal. Keep your eyes open. He very well may be there for some reason other than to hunt you down and drag you back, but I won't risk it.”

You freeze at the mention of your toxic, waste of space, abusive ex. The reason you had to run away to NY in the first place. You swallow and test the water for your bath.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll stay vigilant, as always. Now leave me be so I can enjoy my post kill ritual.”

“Never one to waste words.”

“I got it from you. Night Old Man.”

“Night Petal.”

Placing your phone on the tray next to the tub you proceed to submerge yourself in the steamy water. You tilt your head back and exhale as tortured memories bring themselves to the surface.

“Sunshine” His voice is getting closer to the darkened corner you’re hiding in. “Come out, come out wherever you are.” He throws one of the dining room chairs away from the table. “Come on baby, I won’t hurt you. I promise. I didn't mean to scare you. You know how I get when I have a shit day and your dad calls attention to my fuck ups in front of everyone.”

His steps get closer and the next thing you know his hand is in your hair and he’s pulling you out into the living room. Tossing you harshly on to the coffee table. You barely get your hands out in front of you before your face can connect with the solid wood.

“You know better than to hide from me, Sunshine. For that, I’m gonna deny you the use of my tongue to open you up. Hopefully you’re wet enough cause I’ve got a lot of pent up anger that I need to get rid of. Don’t move if you know what’s good for you and take this dicking I’m so graciously giving you.”

You brace yourself as he slams himself inside you, grabbing a fistful of your hair and craning your neck back so he can wrap his other hand around it. He’s squeezing so tight you know there will be finger shaped bruises left behind.

You find yourself zoning out as you try to preserve your precious air and he continues his brutal pace. It’s the only way to get through it with your mind intact. Your body will heal. It’s the emotional trauma you're most afraid of. Before you get too lost in your head, he speeds up, hips moving erratically until he stills and you feel him empty inside you. Thank the goddess is stamina is so shitty.

“Much better.” He kisses the back of your head. “See how easy that was Sunshine. Go get yourself cleaned up so we can have dinner. I don’t feel like staying in so wear something that’ll help cover those bruises. Don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.”

You numbly nod your head and limp off to your ensuite bathroom where you stare at the mottled mess of purple around your neck. You heave a sigh and get to work covering up his handiwork.

Hades emitting a low growl, snaps you out of your daydream when the pair of Super Soldier enforcers saunter into the ensuite to see if they can persuade you to come to the compound of your own freewill. You decide then and there to have a little fun with them first. A sort of quid pro quo if you will. You're keyed up from your kill and want to drown out the memories of your past that seem to want to flood back tonight. What better way than with some orgasms.

“Can I help you? As you can see I’m trying to relax.” You announce to the steam filled room.

“Tony would like to see you. He has some questions pertaining to your last kill.” Steve states.

“And before you give some snarky ass comment, we’re asking if you wouldn’t mind coming in with us of your own accord. Although I’m more than okay tying you up and dragging you in myself.” Bucky wiggles his eyebrows and shoots you wink.

“Okay.” You casually declare.

“What?!” The soldiers stare at each other in shock over how easy that was. Too easy.

“What’s the catch?” Steve asks.

“It’s simple, really. It’s a win/win all around. I’ll go if Bucky uses those metal fingers of his and gets me off, then lets me ride him while I suck on that golden dick of yours Captain.”

“Deal!” Bucky blurts out, making his way over to the tub as he rolls up his left shirt sleeve.

He wastes no time submerging his hand in the hot water and seeking out your folds. He lightly runs his fingers along them and up to your clit where he makes a couple light circles, eliciting a moan from you.

“Fucking soaking and it aint even from the bath water. You’ve thought about this before, haven't you Doll.”

“Wh-what can I say? The metal is sexy. Oh Fuck!” He slides two thick digits knuckle deep inside you and curls them upward. “Yes. Yes. Right there. Right fucking there Wolfie.”

Your head is thrown back in complete pleasure as you give in to the manipulation of Bucky’s metal digits. Steve is off to the side, all of his blood having run to his cock, making his pants extremely uncomfortable, watching you writhe and make the most delicious sounds.

“That’s it. Come on babygirl. I can feel how close you are. Give it to me and then you can take me for a ride. I know you want to be stuffed full.”

His words have the desired effect and your pussy squeezes down on his fingers as you detonate and ride the wave of your orgasm.

Before you fully can come down from your high, you're pulled from the water and impaled on Bucky’s thick girth as he sits on the edge of the tub. The stretch and feeling of being so full almost sets you off once again. You take a moment to let your body accommodate him.

“Thought you wanted to ride me, Doll? So ride. Before I change my mind and bend you over this tub instead.”

Your hips move of their own accord at his threat. Undulating and bouncing to a sensuous rhythm. Losing yourself in the moment.

That is until Steve strolls over and teases your lips with his precome coated tip. “Open up, Doll. Gotta make good on that deal.”

You gaze up at the Golden Adonis standing to your right and give him one sweet kitten lick before you take him down to the root. Hollowing your cheeks, you begin to bob your head along his length, sucking the life out of him. He can’t help the moans and groans slipping out of his mouth as you suck his dick like no one ever has before.

Knowing your mouth is setting the Captain's world upside down, you pick up the pace, grinding and bouncing on the dick splitting you open. You set a tempo that has the room filled with nothing but the wet sounds of skin against skin, moans and language that would make a nun blush.

Bucky has a firm grip on your hips as he pulls you down one final time and erupts inside you, triggering your own orgasm. You come screaming around Steve’s length, setting him off as well. Rope after rope of his hot white seed coats your tongue and throat as you swallow every precious drop.

Releasing him from your mouth you lick any run away drops off your lips and proceed to lift yourself off of Bucky’s lap. “Fuck that was even better than I imagined it’d be. We most certainly need to do that again. Many many times.” You grin devilishly. You are a glutton for sin after all.

You grab a washcloth, dip it into the hot bath and begin to clean up the mess Bucky left behind. Satisfied with the level of cleanliness, you turn towards the out of breath enforcers. “I’m nothing, if not a woman of my word. Grab yourselves a drink and recoup while I throw something presentable on for the big boss man. What are we riding in by the way? Will I need my leathers or are we in a cage tonight?”

“As much as I would love to see you in your leathers, straddling me on the back of my bike.” Bucky bites his lip at the image presented in his mind. “Stevie here, brought his Range. So cage it is tonight, Doll. Gonna have to save that ride for another time.”

“No problem. You’ll just have to enjoy that sight when you're watching me from behind as I sped past you on my Ducati.” You tease.

“You won't be ahead for long, sweetheart. And once I catch you, I’ll gladly bend you over it and fuck you til cant stand, let alone handle you bike and are stuck riding bitch with me.” He cockily proclaims.

“Promises. Promises.” You smugly smile back.

Steve interrupts your moment before it escalates further. “Okay. Enough you two. Although I would love to watch that transpire, we do have somewhere to be. Come on Buck, let our little murder queen get dressed. We’ll be ready when you are Jinx.”

You walk up to Steve and plant a kiss on his cheek. “Always so polite. Even after you just had your massive dick shoved down my throat. Oh you're the best kind of dangerous. I can’t wait to see you unhinged.”

With a whistle to Hades you head back into your room and your walk-in closest to throw on some clothes and be on your way to the Avengers compound.

"There's the woman of the hour. I thought you'd put up more of a fight with the Super Soldiers. Guess I was wrong this time. We were just talking about you." Tony gets up from his chair, grinning.

"We?" You question.

"He'd be talking about me." You gaze down to a blonde head of slick back hair and a voice that haunts your nightmares sitting in front of Tony.

"Jinx, I'd like you to meet…"

"Lucien Greco." You deadpan.

He stands from his seat and turns in your direction. His blue eyes scan you from top to bottom. Cocky smirk plastered on his face. "Hello Sunshine. I was hoping I'd find you here."

"No one calls me that anymore." Another emotionless response from you.

"So I've heard. Jinx. Fitting if I do say so." You barely restrain the growl that wants to emit from your chest.

"You know him?" Bucky asks.

"Yeah. He's the asshole who gave me this.” You lift your shirt and pull up the center of your bralette, showing off the jagged scar in the middle of your sternum. “Right before he left me for dead on the side of the road."

“I didn't leave ya for dead darlin’. I was always coming back. Just needed to teach ya a lesson first.” Lucien imparts.

Before he gets a chance to even take a step, you have him pinned against Tony’s desk. Your favorite dagger, precariously placed under his chin. Blade pressed so close against his throat, a deep breath would break the skin.

“Tony. Please get on with whatever it is you need to discuss with me. Every second that passes I’m one step closer to slitting his throat and that’s just too quick of a death for him in my book. So make it quick and I’ll be out of your hair.”

Tony lets out a sigh. “Unfortunately you’re going to have to deal with him for this discussion. Says he knows who hired you for the hit on Sitwell and that we’re all after the same thing. Revenge.”

“Of course he knows who would have hired me for this hit. He’s been working for him since he was a teenager. Been around him his whole life actually. He is correct about revenge though.” You state a little too calmly.

“Are you implying Declan Scott paid you for killing Sitwell?” Tony questions.

“Never said I got paid for the job.” You shrug your shoulder.

“Why didn't you get paid?” Steve utters.

With a smug little grin Lucien answers for you. “That’s an easy one, boys. He killed her mother. In fact he was the reason she went into labor. Little Sunshine here was born in blood. Taking her first breath as her mother took her last.”

“You’re extra chatty tonight Luci? It’s a pity those words just might be your last.” You look him dead in the eyes, a look of murder in yours.

“Wait. Wasn’t Declan’s wife murdered while pregnant? He has a daughter right? She’s been MIA for the last 3 years.” Bucky adds in.

“That would be, correct gentleman. Although I wouldn't classify her as MIA any longer now would I darlin’.” Lucien chuckles.

You press the dagger in a fraction harder and watch as a trickle of blood begins to slide down his neck.

“Alright. Enough with being vague. Just tell us what you're trying to say, Greco.” Steve growls out.

Smug as ever he lets them know what’s going on. “Alright. Alright. I’ll lay it all out. You’re little Jinx here, is Declan Scott’s one and only daughter. The rightful heir to the Bay Area Mafia. I’ve come to drag her back home where she belongs before Hydra makes good on their threat and ends her fathers life.”

“I’ll be going nowhere with you.” You say through gritted teeth. “You seem to have left out the part where you only want me home so you can lock me up and throw away the key. That way you can run things solo. Not happening. I’d rather bleed out in a ditch again than see you take over for my father. Whatever deal you thought you’d strike here it’s over. Your word is as good as a knife in the back. Your mouth is full of nothing but slick words and a poisonous tongue.”

“You used to love my wicked tongue Sunshine.” You press the dagger in a bit further once again. The tiny river of crimson soothing your raging emotions.

Not wanting to have to clean blood out of the carpets Tony takes charge of the tense situation. “As sexy as it is watching her hold you at knife point, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Seems you are no longer needed for this conversation.”

He presses a button on his desk. “Happy. Would you mind escorting our guest off the premises please. Take him wherever he wants to go, as long as it’s far from here.”

“Will do, Sir.” Happy replies.

“Thanks. Now Jinx. I’m gonna need you to step back from the deadbeat ex so Happy can remove him.”

Bucky comes up behind you and places his flesh hand on your hip and his metal one around the wrist holding the dagger. He whispers in your ear so only can hear. “Let’s make him wish he never stepped foot in here thinking he could get one over on you.” He kisses along your neck as he lowers your hand away from the lowlife's, guiding it down to your thigh, where he helps you return it to its sheath.

“That’s my girl. Head on over to Tony now. Steve and I will be right behind you.” He places a final kiss on your lips and turns you toward is awaiting boss.

You walk over to Tony and he grabs your hand, kissing your knuckles. “We have a lot to discuss, little one. Seems you’ve been holding back on us.”

You laugh. “Don’t say I didn't warn you.”

#poc reader #avengers x reader #avengers smut #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x reader #mafia au #steve rogers x reader

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brimstone-and-cinnabar · 3 months

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[WARNING] [WARNING] [WARNING] [WAR-]

"That's enough of that...."

Welcome to Stage 2 - [SURVIVAL] (Read more below..)

*First off I would like to thank the community for the incredible responses to the first stage of the event! It's a much larger turn out than I expected! Below are all of the responders! (If I missed you please let me know!)

Now, the real horrors begin!

-------------------------------------

Your task now, is to SURVIVE while formulating potential plans to take down the Wither Storm!

[ The Wither Storm has now begun to roam the Overworld, reaching this stage it has acquired three sets of tractor beams and an ever increasing insatiable apatite for blocks AND mobs. Though slow, it hones in on anything living, and seeks to snuff it out as quickly as possible, or assimilate it into it's growing form.

Corrupted blocks cover the command block that powers the beast as it continues it's rampage, the destruction growing even more extreme as time moves on. In regions it has passed from, the ground is stripped bare, even to Bedrock.

Already, casualty reigns in one desert town.. Mobs, people, the very ground itself is coated in ruin... It's ruler.. gone.]

Responses will add to the meter above and progress the Storm through various stages. Hints will occasionally be dropped over the Stage should participants find themselves stuck on what to do.

Responses can range from...

Fighting back against the Storm.

Avoiding the Storm.

Finding ways to distract the Storm from areas.

Ect.

Feel free to let your imagination run wild, and be sure to tag @brimstone-and-cinnabar so I can also respond in kind to what your character(s) decide to do!

There is NO WRONG ANSWER!

This stage will last until the bar is filled or 3 weeks have elapsed! If you have questions, send in via asks or DMs.

Thank you, and-

GOOD LUCK!

#-burn the sky : art post-#-mc ask blog-#-minecraft ask blog-#-The Rising Storm (Event)-

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bratshaws · 11 months

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through the hourglass 168. brb x oc

a/n: sometimes all we need is something cute. that's all <3 i hope you all had a good day today and i hope you remember how loved you are(comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!! <3)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: fLUFF AAAAA

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

116/117/118/119/120/121/122/123/124/125/126/127/128/129/130/131/132/133/134/135/136/137/138/139/140/141/142/143/144/145/146/147

/148/149/150/151/152/153/154/155/156/157/158/159/160/161/162/163/164/165/166/167

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix

@lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @j-6o @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @winter-run @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @fanboyswhore9 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva @genius2050

The days do go by fast, if she had to admit. Sometimes the pain gets worse and she does cry, quietly, into her pillow. She knows he’s fine, he’s been messaging her about it, trying his best to keep her updated while he’s away.

And yet she still worries.

She just has to wait a little bit more, after all they’d talk in a few hours. And she decided that cleaning the house and giving herself a more organized backdrop would work…as in she was cleaning the whole house. And was now in the kitchen.

She was cleaning the floor.

He wasn’t going to see the floor.

But here she was.

She sits on her knees with a heavy sigh leaving her lip, “I need to focus.” she tells herself, looking at the living room where Nicole is, sitting on the floor with the three dogs surrounding her so she doesn’t move forward nor backwards, she’s incredibly entertained by Dr.Chimp so she will never move.

Beatrice smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she looks at Nicole, she is looking more and more like Bradley every day. These past days she did see his baby pictures, because she couldn’t help herself, and noticed how the two of them were similar. Both of them have the angel like features that she adored so much, her smile widening as she remembers how they still have to take more pictures when he returns.

They just…want to be safe when sharing about Nicole, every picture they posted of her online she had her back turned or was bundled up.

Call them paranoid.

Beatrice hums, sighing again before leaning her head back,looking up to the ceiling and then frowning, “What am I doing?” she gestures to her head in exasperation, “Jesus Christ,I think I’m losing it.” Jolene is the only dog that trots over curiously when she hears Beatrice’s monologue, tilting her head at her owner. ‘Am I losing it Jojo?” she gets a whine in response, “Yeah,I’m losing it…I’m okay. Hah,I’m okay.”

She cleaned the whole floor and stands to her feet, rubbing the back of her hand against her temples before looking around the kitchen with her lips pursed, trying to see if there was anything else she could do until it was time to talk to Rooster.

Beatrice surveys the kitchen as if she’s trying to figure out a crime, her eyes scanning the countertops and cabinets for any remaining tasks. She notices a few dishes in the sink and decides to tackle them, there weren’t a lot of them - honestly it was just stuff from lunch but it’d do. Grabbing a sponge and some dish soap she starts washing the dishes, her mind begins to wander, thoughts of Rooster and their life together swirling in her head.

She can't help but feel a mix of emotions—pride, worry, longing. Pride for Rooster and his dedication to his mission, worry for his safety and the unknowns that come with military deployments, and longing for his presence, his touch, his warm embrace.

Rooster always thinks of himself like he’s not…a lot, he knows he’s good, but he gets bashful when it comes to certain compliments still. She gets it, she does, but it was true.

Her husband - God, her husband, it still made her giddy- was…the best change in her life. Who knew that she’d end up marrying the hunky, handsome, charming pilot who always seemed to have the world looking at him? Who knew he’d love her back, if not more than she did love him? Sometimes she still remembers the first months, she remembers the times they spent together…knowing each other.

He was so careful and he was so sweet and polite, he never wanted to make her uncomfortable and he’s still like that even if he knows Beatrice like the back of his hand now. Her smile only widens and her cheeks turn red as she recalls their very first date…and looking back, she could see thing she hadn’t before.

Like how he looked at her. It was…new, it was too new. She wasn’t used in being looked like she was the only girl in the room nor thinking she could take someone’s breath away. Hell she was wearing shorts and a crop top, with her combat boots and some stockings, there was nothing sexy about it but she was too nervous to use something too risqué.

He didn’t care. Honestly, he was too busy staring into her eyes to probably notice her own fears…and that kiss, God, that kiss. The fact he initiated, so smoothly too - because he is extremely smooth, sometimes painfully so- while keeping his eyes on her mouth and asking if she was okay with it.

“Ugh.” she is smiling with her cheeks burning up, bouncing a bit on the kitchen mat as she giggles, “He’s so cute.” and he still made her feel like they are dating. That’s what a good healthy relationship was, Rooster was the best thing that ever happened in her life and she was so happy of everything they built together.

She was scared she’d mess up a bit, more than once, in fact several times, in their relationship. And trying to break what she knew of a relationship was hard, because all she knew then was…Eric. Her brain was downright bamboozled because he was genuinely like a dream, he surprised her every step of the way and she loved it.

And he could read her emotions, he could figure her out easily. He still does…

She missed him.

Beatrice takes a deep breath, trying to center herself in the present moment. She focuses on the rhythmic motion of washing the dishes, finding solace in the mundane task. It provides a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of their current situation. “It’s fine.” she tells herself,looking back at the clock on the wall with her lips parted,”We’ll talk in a couple hours, it’s fine.”

His last message reassured her raging heart, which she was extremely thankful for, but hearing from him would help a lot more. She sets the clean and dried dishes back into the cabinets, fixing each one of them so everything was perfectly aligned before closing the doors, holding onto the handles for a little while longer.

After a soft sigh, Beatrice wipes her hands on a kitchen towel and takes a moment to appreciate her surroundings. The clean kitchen, the comfortable home they've built together—it's a testament to their love and commitment. She reminds herself that their separation is temporary, and they will be reunited soon.

“Alright, now,” she clicks her tongue, pointing to her hair, “I need to get ready.” She walks out of the kitchen to the living room, eyes directing themselves to Nicole who is just giggling and hugging her tiny feet as she sits up on the colorful mat, Eleanor and Jack on either side of her and Jolene standing next to Bea.

Nicole looks away from the tv towards her mother, gurgling happily - her tiny teeth were more visible now which was adorable - “Mama!” she coos, pointing her little hand to the screen, “Ooo!”

Beatrice turns her head just in time to see what she was looking at, then laughs because it was a pilot lion getting treated, “Yep, looks like daddy doesn’t it?” she asks her daughter, gently settling next to her and deciding to give herself a five minute break before taking her shower,knowing she’d have to take Nikki with her upstairs. Nicole bounces a bit on the mat, the little pigtails on her head moving and she points even more to the tv, “What?”

“Dada!”

“Yeah, it looks like dada.”

Nicole laughs, clapping her hand excitedly, the noises making Jack lift his head sleepily only to lie back down, turning his face away from the commotion, “Dada!”

Beatrice smiles, watching Nicole's excitement and hearing her adorable babbling. It warms her heart to see their daughter's love for Rooster, even at such a young age. Hard to believe she was only seven months old considering how active and alert she was.

One of the last times she took Nikki to the clinic - for a check up more than anything - the doctor was so surprised at how much Nikki was able to do already. The fact she was expanding her words was enough to make the doctor smile and tell Beatrice that “she’s a smart little girl already,huh?”

As Nicole continues to point at the TV and exclaim "Dada," Beatrice can't help but feel a pang of longing. She wishes Rooster could be here, witnessing these precious moments with their daughter firsthand. But she knows that he is doing important work, and their call later will bridge the gap, at least temporarily.

She leans closer to Nicole, pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Yes, birdie, dada." Beatrice speaks softly, her eyes welling up with emotion. She takes a moment to collect herself before continuing, clearing her throat "We miss him a lot, don't we? But he'll be home soon, and we'll have lots of fun together."

Nicole giggles, grabbing one of her toys and waving it in the air. Beatrice joins in the laughter, allowing herself to be fully present in this moment. As the minutes tick by, she savors the simple pleasure of being with her little girl, actually enjoying this Dr.Chimp episode and thinking that kids tv nowadays was so much better than when she was a child.

Well to be fair she only watched Sesame Street for a long while, and it was still good so maybe it wasn’t all bad.

Eventually, Beatrice sighs, “Alright.” gently lifts Nicole into her arms, cradling her against her chest. "Alright, my little angel, it's time for Mama to get ready. You're coming with me, okay?" Nicole takes a while to reply because her head is still turned to the tv, little mouth open in amazement.

Beatrice chuckles, gently tickling Nicole’s tummy only for her daughter to squeal in response, curling away from her mother and grabbing onto her hand now instead of the toy, “It’ll be fast, cutie. I just need to keep my eyes on you while I shower, is that fair?”

“Aaa!”

“I knew you’d agree.”

She was so used on picking Nicole from the floor that she could stand up one handed, without letting her go…well, that is until the twins are bigger and then she couldn’t…but until then! She could manage, “Alright, guys,” she turns to the dogs, “Keep an eye on the door, yeah? We’ll be right back.” Jolene answers for her kids with a gentle ‘boof’ and Eleanor immediately scurries off to keep her nose pressed against the glass…while Jack remains asleep.

Beatrice walks up the stairs with Nicole in her arms, carefully navigating each step as she heads towards the bathroom. The soft sound of Nicole's coos and giggles fill the air, bringing a smile to Beatrice's face.

Once they reach the bathroom, Beatrice sets Nicole down on her bouncer - which she did bring over by her foot -, giving her chicken toy so she distracts herself, which is immediate. Those plasticky cries are loud and make her ears hurt but every sacrifice is worth it.

She ensures the bathroom is safe, removing any hazards and checking if she got everything - she did place all her clothes there prior from her cleaning spree downstairs - Before adjusting the water temperature and turning her hand back and forth to make sure it was just right for her to shower, “Alright. Now,Nikki,” her daughter is currently chewing the chicken while looking at her, “Mama is going to keep te door just a little bit open so I can see your pretty face,alright?”

“Aa!”

“Yeah, your pretty face!” she says while undressing, kicking the used clothes aside and hurriedly making her way into the shower. The warm water cascades over her, soothing her tired muscles and providing a moment of relaxation.

As Beatrice showers, she keeps a watchful eye on Nicole, who happily plays with her chicken and babbles to herself, sometimes meeting her mother’s similar green colored eyes.. Occasionally, Beatrice leans out of the shower to engage with her daughter, exchanging smiles and playful words. She knows Nikki will be fine, she knows she’s safe and whenever she feels her daughter is distressed, she pops her head out to make her grin.

The sound of the water drowns out the noise from the rest of the house, allowing Beatrice to immerse herself in the solitude of the moment. She takes this time to reflect, to gather her thoughts and emotions. It's during these moments alone that she allows herself to acknowledge the weight of her worries, her longing for Rooster's presence, and the uncertainties that lie ahead.

But Beatrice doesn't dwell on those thoughts for long. She slaps her cheeks to break off the anxiety, “I’m fine.” She knows she must stay strong for herself and for Nicole and the twins. She focuses on being pretty today, it’s been a while since she used make up and why not do that today? It’d not only make her feel good but so would her husband.

Who would either be shocked and stare at her for a few seconds or he’s going to immediately curse at her and say he wished he was home.

Since she washed her hair yesterday, all she does is take a refreshing shower, and she does feel much better afterwards. She glances over at Nicole, who is still happily occupied with her toys while sliding on her robe and tightening it around her waist so she can walk out of the bathroom, “Alright, see!” she spreads her arms so Nikki looks up at her, “Was that long? No,right?”

Nicole giggles sweetly, clapping her hands, “Alright, now,” Beatrice points to the cabinet where she kept all her makeup - God bless Rooster because he never complained, “Mama is going to use some makeup, alright? But I won’t take long.” she says, “I’ll just dress up first.”

She quickly dries herself off and dresses up, humming a lullaby softly as she does. She adjusts the dress - maybe she just wanted to make him feel just a little bit more because it is a bit…sexy. It was a mossy green haltertop dress that hugged her curves just right, including the baby bump and she’d gladly show him once he shows up.

Beatrice looks down at her phone to check the time, ‘Alright, a few more minutes,” she says as she opens her makeup drawer, grabbing everything she needed while Nicole stares, completely stunned by the activity. Beatrice flicks her gaze towards the baby girl with a gentle laugh, “I know right? If you feel into getting makeup when you are older, you can always ask me things.” Nicole especially liked the red lipstick her mother got, ‘ooo’ing the second she pulled out the tube, “And you love bold colors too,so…”

Nicole just gasped happily, watching completely mesmerized as her mother spread the creamy substance over her lips, covering the once pink surface with a burnt red, “There.” she smacks her lips a few times before clicking the tube closed, “Oh, wait, what if.” she rummages through the drawers after tossing her lipstick aside, letting out an ‘aha!’ when she finds a scrunchie. It’s small enough so she could hide in her hair, which she does once she pulls it all up in a bun, tugging only her bangs down so it framed her face.

Honestly she just stared at herself for a few seconds, she was…looking good. And her mind needed this break, she needed to feel like this considering how the past weeks were. “Alright! Now I’m done!”

She turns her attention back to Nicole, who is still captivated by her mother's transformation. Beatrice chuckles and walks over to her daughter, picking her up and giving her a gentle squeeze. "Look, birdie, Mama got all pretty for dada. Do you think he'll like it?" Nicole responds with a toothy grin, clapping her hands in delight. gently playing with the bangs that frame her face.

“Now, for the final touch,” she bought something this week, frivolous but very cute…she got herself shark slippers. It was so cute! She couldn’t deny herself that! And it was so comfortable, she knew she’d need something like that when the twins get bigger and it was so very soft. Nicole looks at her mother’s feet once the slippers slide on before smiling at Beatrice “I know right? We might need one for you, they have crocs like these, for those tiny baby feet.” and she tickles her daughter’s feet as well, it doesn’t make her laugh as when she did with her stomach but it was still adorable.

She carries Nicole downstairs, where the dogs eagerly greet them, tails wagging and sniffing curiously at her freshly done appearance. She giggles and shoos them away gently, making her way to the living room. With a quick glance at the clock, she realizes it's almost time for their call.

She settles down on the couch, cradling Nicole in her arms as they wait for Rooster's call, opening the laptop so the camera can take all of them.She runs her fingers on Nicole’s strawberry themed top, gently fixing her collar, “Do you want to click it?” she moves them closer to the laptop, the loading symbol still going which means he wasn’t there yet, “Here, to answer daddy’s call you press this-” she moves Nicole’s tiny hand to the mouse, “Then here,” and her daughter was amazed by the cursor.

“Oh to be a kid again and just think everything is wonderful.” she giggles, kissing Nicole’s head before leaning back on the couch. The anticipation fills the air, and Beatrice can feel her heart racing. She takes a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm and composed, smell the flower, blow the candle.

Repeat. As many times as necessary.

“Why am I nervous?” she mutters to herself, facing her own reflection on the dark screen,”It’s not like he doesn’t know me.” but she does fix her hair for a few seconds, licking her lips only to give herself a weird look, “Calm down, Jesus. It’ll be fine.”

He will be fine.

“Yeah, he will.”

As the minutes tick by, Beatrice entertains Nicole with gentle whispers and silly faces which distracts her as well. She talks about how excited they are to see Rooster soon, how they've missed him and all the adventures they'll have together and Nicole babbles in response, her eyes sparkling with joy, adding some of her last known words to the mix.

That’s when she hears the connected sound and immediately straightens up.

And her heart just exploded because how can someone look so good all the time. He is wearing his usual black top and his hair is so glossy…she wants to touch it…and his neck looks so nice too but he’s looking away, he hasn’t noticed he's connected yet. That is, until he hears Nicole’s soft gasp, “Dada!”

Rooster’s eyes snap to the screen, Beatrice is holding Nicole up to her face to hide herself at first, knowing their little girl’s reactions was absolutely too precious to pass,”Hi birdie!” his voice gets high and his smile widens, “Oh my Gosh, look at you! You look so big! And you are dressed with strawberries? Oh you look so pretty!”

Nicole giggles, bouncing on Beatrice’s lap, leaning closer to touch the screen with her tiny hands, letting out a confused whine when she couldn’t feel her father’s face, “I know honey,I wish I was there too.” he flicks his gaze towards Bea, “Are you hiding from me?”

“I’m not.”

“Kinda looks like it.” he pauses, “Are you wearing makeup?”

Well, now she just had to show him,didn’t she, “Well,” she moves Nicole out of the way a bit - she was still on her lap but no longer hiding her mother’s face- “I wanted to doll up a bit,” she shrugs innocently, “What do you think?”

And he’s quiet.

So quiet she thinks his connection is bad, but she could see him blinking. In fact she could see his brown eyes drag down her body then back up to her face “...holy fuck.” well, she was right about both of his reactions, apparently “Gorgeous…what the hell.”

“Do you like it?”

“Do I like it? I love it. You look even more beautiful than you already are, my god.” and he keeps moving his eyes, not knowing where to look anymore “...you look stunning. Are you going somewhere?”

“No,I’m just feeling pretty today.”

“You are always pretty.”

Her cheeks heat up and her smile turns shy,”Roos…I…” she giggles,covering her face, “You are too smooth.”

Rooster's words make Beatrice's heart flutter, it's amazing how his words have the power to make her feel so special.

She lowers her hand, revealing her smile once again, and playfully teases, "Smooth talker, huh? You always know the right things to say." Beatrice leans closer to the screen, her voice filled with affection, "But I’m glad you like it.”

Rooster's gaze softens, his expression filled with love and adoration, one of his hands coming up to hold his head upright. "Hmhm…” his eyes drop down again, his smile a bit dopey, “...fuck you look so good. Kinda wish I was there to admire it closer." and the innuendo isn’t lost by her, who clears her throat in hopes to keep herself in check.

“Well…when you come back you can…see it.”

“I’m counting on it.” The connection crackles for a moment, making her stomach drop briefly only for his face to appear clearer than before “--but that’s for another time.”

She blinks in confusion,”Huh? Sorry Roos, your audio cut for a second there.”

“Ah…well,” he smirks, “That’s fine, adds to the mystery.”

She shifts Nicole on her lap, while staring at him - narrowing her eyes playfully before shaking her head. She moves closer allowing her daughter to reach out and touch the screen. Nicole giggles and babbles, Beatrice has to gently hold her hand so she doesn’t slap the screen too hard, “How’s everything there?”

He sighs heavily, running his hands through his hair and interlacing them on his nape, the movement makes his biceps bulge and she has to remember to keep herself together. “Honestly,it’s…tiring, always is. It’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of things to check.”

“Are you managing though?” she asks cautiously, “Are all of you?”

‘Oh yeah, it’s been going fine. It’s just we are also helping the new recruits, but besides that,” he flaps his hand,”It’s fine. This place is just cold.”

“Are you complaining about the cold?”

“This ain’t Virginia,gorgeous.” he smirks, “But I’ll live…how are you though, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’ve been keeping myself busy, I’m uh, going to buy some stuff for Evelyn’s gender reveal party and then I’ll get some stuff for the sleepover.” Rooster arches his brow in confusion,”Oh,Shells is throwing a sleepover for us, and for Nikki too.” she leans down to kiss her daughter’s cheek, earning a soft giggle, “And I’m going to take some snacks and- oh!” she moves a bit on the screen, scooting to the side while carrying Nicole before stretching her leg, ‘Look!”

She flaps the shark slipper, angling her foot this way and that so he can see all the details, “Is that a shark?”

“Yes!Isn’t it adorable?”

“Yeah…just like you.” she sputters embarrassedly, appearing back on the scene with Nicole still laughing, “You look really good, you know? I mean, you always do…but I think because you dressed up, so nicely for our call I’m just,” again his eyes trail down,”Admiring everything.”

Beatrice's cheeks flush at Rooster's words yet again. She can feel her heart racing, his compliments filling her with warmth and affection.

"Thank you, Roos," she says, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Your words mean the world to me. I wanted to make this call special, just for you."

Rooster's gaze intensifies, "And you succeeded, gorgeous. You always know how to make me feel special, even from miles away. Are you…going to do that in the next calls?."

“I mean…yes, sure.”she looks down at her stomach, “It’s also up to these guys but…yeah. Sure.”

She watches as Rooster runs his hand through his hair again, his eyes filled with mirth and adoration, a mix only he could have, “I know. Are they okay?” she nods, giving him a short explanation from her last time at the clinic “And your dad?”

“He’s just as fine, he’s still taking some meds but he’s much better than before.” she explains, playing with Nicole’s hands. “And he’s needing some help so Michael is staying over for a little while.”

“That’s great to hear, gorgeous. I’ll let everyone else know and-” he looks beyond the screen, his eyebrows furrowing “Yes,McAllister I’m talking to my wife.” followed by a less than impressed expression, “Yes.McAllister…do you mind? Right now?” a soft apology followed by a ‘goodbye sir!’ was heard. Rooster sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips.

Beatrice chuckles, shifting Nicole's hand gently so she doesn't harm the screen. "So your fanboys are there,huh?”

Rooster is now supporting his chin on his hand, shaking his head “Yep. They are…they are good kids, just all over the place.” he explains “McAllister has a crush on Jessie.”

Beatrice’s mouth drops open, “Shut up. Are you serious?”

“You know I don’t lie.” he smirks, “He asked me to keep quiet but I had to share this with you so…eh,he’ll forgive me.”

‘Oh that’s so cute–a Rooster and Bea 2.0! Like we talked about.”

His smile widens because he couldn’t help himself.

"Yeah, it's pretty adorable," he says, his voice filled with a bit of pride. "I can't help but feel a sense of joy knowing that our fans have connected with each other. It's like our love story has inspired them in their own lives."

Beatrice's eyes sparkle with excitement as she leans in closer to the screen. "That’s so romantic,Lt.Bradshaw.”

Rooster nods, his gaze never leaving Beatrice's eyes dark and directly looking into hers "Thank you…Mrs.Bradshaw. You are too sweet." They shared a few more snippets of their separate journeys for a little while, thankfully they never ran out of things to talk about.

When the time comes for him to go back to the grind, he stops then looks into her eyes again

"I'm proud of us, Bea," Rooster says, his voice filled with sincerity. "I really am."

Beatrice's eyes well up with tears of joy, a gentle gasp escaping her lips. "I'm proud of us too.”

Rooster's smile softens, his voice filled with tenderness. "And I'm proud to be your husband, Bea.” oh that’s just dirty. “You have no idea how much.

“You are going to make me cry.”

“Good tears?”

She smiles sweetly, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much ,”...the best.” she whispers, “With you is always the best kind.”

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw x named reader #tgm oc #tgm fic #tgm fanfiction

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stabbyfoxandrew · 3 months

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Guardian Angel Neil AU- page 2

Neil Josten died at the hands of his father a few months before canon begins. After his death, he was made into a guardian angel. He’s tasked with keeping Andrew Minyard safe at all costs. When they meet on the roof for the first time, Andrew thinks he’s imagined Neil. And he worries both about his mental health and his love life because this boy is perfect. But he’s not real.

Fanart for this au can be found: here, here, and here! <3

─────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───────────

Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98, Part 99, Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103, Part 104, Part 105, Part 106, Part 107, Part 108, Part 109, Part 110, Part 111, Part 112, Part 113, Part 114, Part 115, Part 116, Part 117, Part 118, Part 119, Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123, Part 124, Part 125, Part 126, Part 127, Part 128, Part 129, Part 130, Part 131, Part 132, Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138, Part 139, Part 140, Part 141, Part 142, Part 143, Part 144, Part 145, Part 146, Part 147, Part 148, Part 149, Part 150, Part 151, Part 152, Part 153, Part 154, Part 155, Part 156, Part 157, Part 158, Part 159, Part 160, Part 161

list updated on 4/16/24

#andreil #aerie's AUs #Guardian Angel Neil AU #aerie's masterposts

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championofravens · 4 months

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Tali’s thoughts/analysis on CSM ch. 151

Or: How you haunt the narrative in a story with no afterlife

(Spoilers abound)

Makima’s death has always been very interesting in the context of Chainsaw Man and its greater world building, something not typically touched upon often by other folks in the fandom. As mentioned by user @Jelimore when they approached me to write this, there is no afterlife confirmed within the story’s canon (at least not with the sort of certainty the population accepts other facets of the divine). It’s a fascinating implication in a world where Hell is real and already populated by denizens who are born and resurrected there. Based on what Makima describes of her time in Hell with the Chainsaw Devil, it is not a metaphorical place of suffering but almost has its own societal structure completely alien to humanity’s. So it seems safe to assume it is not widely believed in this world that a damnable soul can descend to Hell after it dies.

Heaven is much more nebulous. Heaven is implied only through hallucinations at the time of death (think Aki and Yuko’s final moments of peace) or a comforting word given to those at death’s door (the Angel Devil soothing a dying woman). This makes sense as the narrative works hard to neither confirm nor deny the existence of a singular God ruling the world. The story has never invoked divine intervention or any other godlike acts. If anything, we are rapidly approaching a junction in which a God Devil is more likely to arise as we see the looming shadow of the Death Devil and Nostradamus’s prophecy.

I believe both of these decisions are what really helps the story have such impactful and painful deaths- the mundanity of it all in a fantasy world that death could just be a black nothing as far as we know.

The idea of death becomes all the more interesting as we look to Devils, who can be completely destroyed to the extent that they are eradicated from existence and their very influence ceases to remain. It goes far beyond human death. In one of my all time favorite chapters, Makima lists a number of Devils who have been destroyed so completely (eaten by the Chainsaw Devil) that whatever concepts were born from them- or vice versa- are no longer even within the human consciousness. I think the first example she brings up to Kishibe is especially telling: Nazism is something that had to exist prior to its Devil, and when the Nazi Devil was eaten, it still wiped out that political party from the fabric of reality. Though the Nazi Devil did not create Nazism, its destruction assured it was as though it had never even existed.

So. Let’s talk about Makima’s death and Chapter 151.

Barem foolishly attributes a possible reasoning for Natuya’s inability to control him as the fact his body remains under the control of Makima even beyond death. Though this is something contradicted in all we know of how Devils work, Makima is not forgotten. Makima is not erased. Makima’s physical body and arguably her “soul” have been as thoroughly killed and buried as they can be and yet we do not forget her like other Devils. This is because Makima was destroyed. Not the Control Devil herself. He is still attributing an amount of divinity to a corpse however. His second idea that his inability to be controlled comes from a pure loyalty to her… well, I think that’s wrong as well.

Makima’s power of Control is forged from a feeling of superiority, a feeling cultivated and encouraged and fed throughout her life until she had innate control over all humanity. I believe Makima was encouraged in her position to see those around her as less than, which is a task that is already easy for Devils to follow. Natuya, raised by Denji, is saved in part by the love she has for him but also the average life he gave her. Though she has a strong Devil nature that has her putting an amount of distance between herself and others, we just finished a chapter in which she retracts those feelings for the sake of continuing her life with Denji. Even though she says it should be acceptable for her to hurt and kill as a Devil, she is more bound to her happy life than to following her instinct. We know it is not an indomitable force, or rule of nature, that she has to follow and we know it is not something encouraged by those around her.

So in that aspect, a man who just so easily destroyed her happiness and took multiple gunshot wounds without faltering, a man fused with a powerful Devil, it makes sense she may falter and lose that superiority. Her powers in ch. 151 seem to stem clearly from grief and rage as opposed to the calm certainty with which we’ve seen her use it before even when she is upset (think: Asa). It’s for this reason that I think Natuya fails in controlling Barem.

An irony of this is that Barem is blind to the intricacies of Makima’s power and how it works, unlike the readers, despite his devotion to her which is what leads him to think he is being protected by a more romantic notion. He was, after all, just a puppet during his time with her. His devotion is to a Devil that no longer exists and a woman with no power beyond that of anyone seeing ghosts in the throes of grief.

I think this chapter paints a very interesting and first time distinction between what Denji killed and didn’t kill at the end of Part 1. In the simplest words- Denji killed Makima, a human woman. That is what she became when Denji ate her and prevented her healing and resurrection and allowed her to die in a way no Devil ever has. She is as dead as any other human is within the story… and that is how she haunts it. It is what gives her power even still. Denji did not eat the Control Devil. He ate the first woman he loved. That is why Natuya is alive and why Makima gets to have a surprisingly human hold on the story in death.

(Tune in for Tali’s unhinged fanon explanation about Ahashi’s role in part 2, including the effects of Makima’s eyes in his skull and his puppeting by the Public Safety Division)

#chainsaw man #csm #csm spoilers #makima #ty again so much lenga!!!!

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qsmp-a1-updates · 8 months

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Day 151 Quests & Update

Feed the baby toasts

With the baby's help, build, repair, or redecorate a structure near spawn

Do a cooping competition against your baby

Share some songs you like with the baby

Sing the baby a lullaby about the sky

While today is Sunday so no quests need to be done, I want to give today's tasks as an option as I will not be on until late tomorrow ^-^

A1 has all tasks completed due to just being adopted, and is ready to start next week with their new family!

#qsmp #egg a1 #daily summary #a1 adoption project

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chubby-dumpling-project · 11 months

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alva claire, born 1991, Jamaican, American

note: avatars for @taskweekly’s TASK 005: BODY DIVERSITY, TASK 021: BLACK FACECLAIMS, [TASK 151: JAMAICA

#tasksweekly #alva claire #alva claire avatar #alva claire 400x640 #400x640 #rpg #rpg ressources #faceclaim #faceclaim suggestions #rpg faceclaim #forumactif #polish rpg

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compneuropapers · 4 months

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Interesting Reviews for Week 1, 2024

Tasks and their role in visual neuroscience. Kay, K., Bonnen, K., Denison, R. N., Arcaro, M. J., & Barack, D. L. (2023). Neuron, 111(11), 1697–1713.

Psychopathic traits and theory of mind task performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Song, Z., Jones, A., Corcoran, R., Daly, N., Abu-Akel, A., & Gillespie, S. M. (2023). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 151, 105231.

Sensitivity and specificity in affective and social learning in adolescence. Towner, E., Chierchia, G., & Blakemore, S.-J. (2023). Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 27(7), 642–655.

#neuroscience #science #research #brain science #scientific publications #cognitive science #reviews #neurobiology #cognition #psychophysics #computational neuroscience

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mariacallous · 4 months

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The Red Sea might just be history’s most contested body of water. It has been the site of imperial or great-power competition for at least 500 years, from the Portuguese search for the sea route to Asia all the way to the Cold War. It remains the most important trade link between Asia and Europe. The Suez Canal at its northern egress has been displaced by the Singapore Strait as the world’s most important chokepoint, but it’s still the second-most vital; 30 percent of global container ship traffic moves through that canal. Container ships are to globalization what eighteen-wheelers are to the United States—the workhorses of trade. And there are important energy flows here: 7.1 million barrels of oil and 4.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas transit the Bab el-Mandeb (the southern entrance to the Red Sea) every day, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

So attacks by Houthi forces on “Israeli” shipping in recent days have the potential for major disruption. “Israeli” is in quotes because commercial shipping ownership is complicated and opaque: Ship ownership, ship operation, and flag of registry often differ, and none necessarily has any bearing on the ownership or destination of the cargo on board or the nationality of the crew. What’s more, Houthi attacks have quickly morphed from semi-targeted at ships nominally linked to Israel to more indiscriminate. The world’s most important container shipping firms—including MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and Cosco—have paused on sending ships through these waters for fear of loss of life or damage.

Enter a new U.S.-led task force with the somewhat on-the-nose moniker Operation Prosperity Guardian, a naval coalition to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks. It will operate under the aegis of a preexisting mechanism, the Combined Maritime Forces, a counterpiracy and counterterrorism naval coalition (the world’s largest, by far) that operates out of Bahrain. So far, nine countries have signed up officially (though some with very modest contributions—Canada, for example, is sending three staff officers and no ships yet); there are reports that others have quietly agreed to participate or contribute. India, which has a lot at stake here (especially in the disproportionate number of Indian nationals among the crews of major commercial lines), is not part of the coalition but is independently contributing two vessels to the effort.

The United States and France have long had bases in Djibouti to project power across the Red Sea, recently joined by Japan and China, and the European Union operates out of the French base to support Operation Atalanta, a counterpiracy task force that protects trade in the nearby Gulf of Aden (alongside the U.S.-led Combined Task Force 151, which has the same mission). But this skirmish is an astonishingly asymmetric fight. With a handful of missiles and drones, the Houthis have succeeded in placing at risk one of the most important arteries of the global economy.

The asymmetry has caused some of the debate to focus on the cost of the drones versus the cost of the missiles being used to defend the ships. It’s the wrong metric. The right calculation is cost of the missile versus cost of the target. If a drone attack succeeds, it could wreck a ship worth anywhere upwards of $50 million and carrying trade goods likely in the $500 million range—and in some cases, roughly double those amounts.

The real problem of volume is a different one. The primary ships being used for these operations—for the United States, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; for the United Kingdom, the Daring class—sail with an arsenal of roughly 60 missiles that are useful for shooting down drones or missiles. (They carry other types of missiles as well, rounding out the complement of armaments, but not ones germane to this fight.) At the pace at which the Houthis have been conducting attacks, a single ship would expend its relevant armaments in a couple of weeks and need to be rotated out; there’s no way to replenish these missiles at sea. If the Houthis keep up the pace of attacks and have a steady supply of drones and missiles (which seems likely), the cost of maintaining a naval escort operation—including the costs of operating the ships at distance—will rapidly rise into the tens of billions of dollars.

The West faces three options, all with serious downsides.

First, reroute the shipping. For now, until the task force is assembled, shippers are switching routes between the Red Sea and the long voyage around the Cape of Good Hope off southern Africa. It’s been done before, when the Suez Canal was closed as a result of Arab-Israeli wars in the late 1960s and early ’70s. But global trade then was a fraction of global trade now. Rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope would add roughly 60 percent of the transit time (and fuel cost) from Asian ports to European ones, not just adding costs to shippers (who would pass those costs onto consumers) but more importantly gumming up the works in global just-in-time manufacturing. While this is an acceptable option for a week or two, any longer and the disruption to global sea-based supply chains would be significant.

Second, attack the missiles and drones at the source, either to eradicate the armaments or deter the attacks. Already there’s a drumbeat of criticism that U.S. President Joe Biden hasn’t yet authorized this course. Easily said but less easily achieved. It would not be too hard for Houthi forces to hide both themselves and a stockpile of drones and missiles from U.S. targeting, so any attacks—from two U.S. carrier strike groups in nearby waters—would have to be pretty wide-ranging and even then are likely to miss pockets of weaponry. Would Iran—the Houthis’ primary backers—be thus deterred? It’s unclear how or why; Iran is surely willing to allow the Houthis to sustain substantial casualties for the “win” of harassing “the West” in the Red Sea. Attacking Iran itself is the next logical step and may prove necessary, but that carries its own major risk of escalation while Israel is grappling with the missile threat from Hezbollah on its northern border with Lebanon.

Third, widen the coalition. So far, Germany has not joined in, to some criticism but with good reason. There are mounting demands on Germany’s modest navy in Northern European waters, where the Russians are flexing their subsea muscles. Australia was asked to join but made the counterargument that its modest naval capacity is better deployed in the Western Pacific. Japan could contribute, especially since it has a base in Djibouti. Another potential contributor is China, which has a base nearby and a long track record of contributing to counterpiracy operations in the Indian Ocean. There’s a dilemma here for the West, though: Do the Western powers prefer to (a) pay the price of protecting global sea-based trade, of which China is the largest source and arguably primary beneficiary, or (b) help facilitate China’s growing capacity to project naval power across the high seas?

The entire episode highlights this point: There’s a deepening contradiction between the reality of globalization, heavily dependent on sea-based trade and on China, and the reality of geopolitical contest, in which naval power is rapidly emerging as a central dimension. Tensions and bad choices abound in the Red Sea—but they are also a harbinger of tougher choices and turbulent waters ahead.

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