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#and roy turns them into a training tool

ask-the-royal-absol · 8 months

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*The bisharp bodyguards, Roy and Hershel, looked down at their Prime, refusing to budge. They couldn’t let the Prime go without saying what they needed to say.

Destino looked towards the Bisharps, annoyed at their sudden entrance. They noticed that the two had fresh wounds. Hershel with a nasty gash on his face and Roy missing an eye. Seems mother and father had inflicted some form of punishment to the both of them. Destino was quite thankful that they didn’t receive worse wounds. They knew the King and Queen could be quite brutal if they needed to be. Their attention was caught by Hope speaking.

“How are we going to get past them? I could always give them a nice double kick to knock them off their feet.” Hope was ready to fight. She’d knocked them out before, and she could certainly do it again. She was tired of this messing around. She just wanted to be out of here. Destino raised their paw.

Destino sauntered towards the two bisharps. It was going to be easy to convince them to move. Roy and Hershel both looked at each other and Herhsel stepped forward to meet the Prime.

“My Prime, I need you to-“

“Stop and take the prisoner back inside her cell? You know, I don’t think I really want to do that. I quite like doing my own thing and, as your Prime, I shouldn’t have you trying to stop me.”

“No, my Prime, we weren’t going to-“

“Hershel buddy, you don’t have to keep talking. I understand. You’re just doing your job. You’re doing a fine job. Top marks. But, we’re kinda on our way out of here. And you’re blocking the path.”

“My Prime-“

“Shhh, no more.”

Well, that was unexpected. Hershel had never raised his voice at Destino before. It was unheard of for someone of his standing to even consider shouting in that way at royalty. Destino stood in stunned silence for a bit. How dare he raise his voice at them?! Destino wasn’t going to get angry though. Instead, they chose to hear out what he had to say.

“Alright. What’s so important that you have to stop what we’re doing? We’re in a hurry so make it quick.”

A sigh of relief washed over Hershel. Thank goodness the Prime was more tolerant than their parents. He had to make this count. He knelt down, trying his best to meet the Prime’s eye level.

“Thank you my Prime. I shall make this quick as I know that you have a mighty journey ahead of you and the world to save.” He knew? Destino didn’t know how to feel about that. Were there other Pokémon down here that knew they had to save the world? Surely if the Bisharps knew of what they had to do, that would mean their parents did too? So many questions, but not enough time to get to the bottom of it. “My Prime, I have wanted to say this for the longest time. I have not been able to find an opportunity to tell you.” He placed both hands on Destino’s shoulders. Destino had to know. He didn’t know when he was going to see the Absol again so he knew he had to say it now.

“You surprise me everyday. You have many great qualities that will turn you into a fantastic ruler. Your confidence and your charm will prove to be useful tools. But you also have much to work on.” Wow, rude. What on earth would Destino have to work on? They were perfect. Perhaps they shouldn’t have let the Bisharp speak if he was going to insult them like that. “I know you will be able to surpass those negatives and become someone who the Pokémon can look up to. Someone who can inspire others. I see so much potential inside of you. I have enjoyed working alongside you, training you, helping you when I can. I know Roy certainly feels the same.”

Hershel turned his head towards his brother and his brother gave them both a thumbs up and a warm smile. Roy wasn’t much of a speaker. Destino didn’t think they’d ever heard him speak. But he knew his actions spoke louder than any words could. Memories of their time with the two Bisharps flooded their mind. The games of hide and seek they used to play. The training sessions they used to have with the pair. They may not have tried as hard as they could have done but the Bisharps persevered through. The times when Destino would tell them things they would never dream of telling their parents. The support Destino would get from the both of them.

These two Bisharps had been there for Destino their entire life and only just now did they realise how much they relied on the two. How on earth were they going to survive up there without them? They could barely survive down here without their guidance and support. In reality, they couldn’t do anything for themselves. How was they supposed to save the entire world?

Hershel looked straight into Destino’s eyes. He could see they were terrified deep down and hiding it behind their confident facade. Time to give them some words of encouragement. “I know this journey of yours is going to be difficult. I know it is going to be a huge step for you. I have never been up to the surface before but your parents have many times. From what I have been told, it really is not as bad as they have been making it out to be. You will do well up there. I feel you have the skills needed to survive and perhaps even convince the surface dwellers that dark types are not as bad as they fear.”

Hershel then did something that Destino would not have anticipated in a million years. The Bisharp wrapped his arms around them for a hug.

Destino had no words. No witty comebacks. No snide remarks. Instead, they wrapped their arms around Hershel, tightly embracing him.

There was only one thing that Destino could muster up. It came out as a soft whisper.

#pokemon ask blog #pokemon #pokemon askblog #pokemon oc #ask blog #ask the royal absol #destino the absol #chapter 3 #this is probably the best post I’ve ever made #so Destino has different emotions lol

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thefamilyeldritchabomination · 7 months

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Chapter Eighteen: Forever Autumn Pt. 2

Colonel Mustang sat by the fire pit with a possible cannibalistic couple who too wanted the awful fuhrer dead as much as the colonel himself did. A bowl of fireside lamb stew was placed in the hands of Roy Mustang as he absent mindedly ate, this whole scenario becoming increasingly absurd as ‘George’ went to speak to the couple about their plan. Their tracking skills had lined up with what the feral homunculus child had predicted, the Fuhrer was coming home and it wasn’t going to be a pretty thing in the slightest imagination. If the confrontation landed here in the capital, where the government is stationed, this would potentially land the nation in potential anarchy and Roy’s plans of becoming the new Fuhrer going down the drain. Just a loathsome outcome for all involved rang in Colonel Mustang’s mind, there was no way a society like theirs at the moment could survive something like a government collapse. The train of thought derailed as a snap of twigs could be heard, drawing the already tense group’s attention towards the weirdo in the wine red suit.

“You’re not Pride!” Wrath screeched in annoyance.

“Well of course not, I wouldn’t be out to assassinate myself now.” Kimblee answered as he nodded his head to the wilderness group.

“Is everyone out to murder the Fuhrer now!? Seriously I thought I was the only one aside from ‘George’ the Destroyer over there.” Mustang threw his hands up in frustration, sending the emptied bowl of stew flying in the night air.

“It’s highly fashionable nowadays to want to kill off a nation’s leader.” Joel Mancer casually said without a second thought.

“See? Now this is the sort of behavior I was hoping for.” Kimblee eyed the weapons selected for the Fuhrer hunt.

“Oh I see you like our toys we’ve chosen for this hunt too.” Talia perked up at the fact another person was appreciative of the tools brought for such a job.

“What can I say? I’m a connoisseur of violence and destruction. It’s like a soothing lullaby to me.” Kimblee softly cooed as he took a spot by the fire pit, his burgundy suit somehow managing to avoid becoming filthy by Mother Nature.

‘George’ had been silent throughout this entire interaction as he stared at Kimblee with more murder on the mind, but holding back on it as he did say they all needed the help this group could get. For now, the deplorable Kimblee was spared just on the sole purpose of increasing their odds against the Fuhrer. The group sans Mustang who was absolutely in a state over this sudden massive grouping, were conversing as if planning a murder out in nature was a perfectly normal conversation to have. Wrath wasn’t a happy camper either as he eyed the skull in Kimblee’s possession, realizing he was replaced by the group he had adopted as ‘family’. In Wrath’s mind, he learned family was absolute bullshit and he was better off living in the wilds once again. Before Wrath could pounce on Kimblee to steal the skull, there was a sudden snap and rustling of foliage in the woods behind them. Mustang was ready to explode if there was yet ANOTHER person out to murder the Fuhrer before turning pale in the firelight. The crazed murder happy Fuhrer had arrived, looking less human than before from all the human lives he stole. Half his face resembled a skull as a manic grin spread from cheek to cheek looking over the group.

“Oh goodie, looks like I’ll FINALLY have some fun now after a rather disappointing massacre not too far from here.” The monstrous Pride cackled, driven mad by Ernest and the mockery his escape had caused.

“Damn…I thought you homunculus were supposed to look like humans..” Kimblee was mildly surprised before getting his business face on.

“Oh, don't you like my new look? I got all nice looking for the moment I hunt down that bastard Ernest and restore my own pride over this insult!” Pride had clearly exited from reasoning and was very strongly supportive of splattering everyones’ guts on the forest floor as he took the first steps for combat.

=======================================================================

It had been six hours since Envy had left for whatever job Sloth ordered them to do. The banshee screeches were had from the two horrible clay lions and Freddy who had locked himself in the tantrum bathroom. Edward and Alphonse both nearly had a mental breakdown upon seeing the homunculus Hughes taking care of the Nina clone named ‘Ruby’ over everything that had happened. Clearly this day was out for blood and wasn’t going to take any sort of prisoners as the homunculus Hughes comforted the Elrics. Dolly gazed at the door anxiously after Envy failed to return after the one hour mark passed. The only reason why Dolly hadn’t left to locate Envy was because Lust had been on edge as well. Clearly, Lust might know what had happened and was now on ‘keep Envy’s boogers safe’ mode as she too watched the door. Greed was about ready to locate Envy himself when the sounds of explosions could be heard in the distance and the emergency sirens could be heard in the background.

“What the hell is that!?” Greed growled as he got the radio on immediately for the news.

“Fire..Fire is on the gates!” Gluttony chanted as he looked out the window, causing Lust to immediately fling herself off the chair to see for herself.

“This is the emergency broadcast of the capitol, Madame Bradley has ordered an immediate evacuation of civilians to the neighboring cities close by with military escorts. We cannot divulge information just yet other than to follow protocols and leave the capitol in an orderly fashion.” The radio host artificially said as to not induce mass hysteria with the likely reason why the evacuation was happening.

“Goddamn it, Pride has the nerve to come back to Central after everything?!” Lust growled as she started getting the essentials packed away for the evacuation.

“But what about Envy!? They haven’t come back!” Dolly was not liking where this situation was going.

“Dolly, like Dorian and now Ernest, you’re important to Envy. If anything happened to you and Envy found out, this could spell an ever bigger disaster.” Lust calmly explained as she started to pick the tantrum bathroom lock to get Freddy out.

“But we cannot just leave Envy behind! They’re part of this family!” Dolly protested at once at the idea of leaving Envy behind to some horror.

“Lady, listen to Lust, this is the closest Envy has been to being civil. Before they’d be more murder happy and violence inclined. I do NOT want to see what an enraged Envy would be like if something happened to you or those absolutely hideous clay dogs.” Greed jumped in as he too understood what could happen if Envy returned and something bad happened to Dolly during it.

“What if Envy had a memory trance again!? We’d just be leaving them out in the open!” Dolly was about ready to break her glamor from the stress of this entire situation.

“I understand you’re scared, I’m scared for Envy too. The best we can do right now is stay safe for them until then. I will try and locate Envy myself later once we’re out of the Capitol.” Lust placed a hand gently on Dolly’s shoulders to reassure her of this decision. “Alright, I don’t like this, but alright, I need to make sure Freddy is safe, that was part of the contract. I’ll go back to the neighboring apartment then to collect our belongings for the evacuation.” Dolly conceded at last after having to be reasoned with about leaving Envy behind during an emergency.

“That sounds like a plan, I’ll get Freddy out of the bathroom then as he does have the hearse. That one is big enough for all of us to load up into.” Lust relaxed a little as she let Dolly teleport to the other apartment to collect hers, Freddy’s, and Dorian’s belongings.

It was pure and simple pandemonium as the unlikely group scrambled to prepare for an immediate departure of Central with the looming threat of the rancid Fuhrer in the background. The urgency of the situation had even demanded the use of Alphonse’s chest cavity to load items into as Ed was made to hold the painting of polar bears eating people that the homunculi held so dear to them since moving in. Bags upon bags had been packed, Dolly being utilized to teleport these items into the hearse to make the run easier once everything was set. Once the last of the items, Dorian’s train bed, was safely loaded up, the entire group was ready to make the run to the hearse. Dolly had teleported with Freddy to drive the hearse to meet up with the rest of the group. This plan would’ve been flawless had it not been for one particular homunculus who could care less about the evacuation order in place as she stopped the group in the hallway with the robotic stare that read ‘I have no soul, just resentment.’

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wantonwinnie · 1 year

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(Cataclysm spoilers, again)

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One thing that surprised me the most, especially after Convergence didn't spend much time on her, was Enya becoming one of my favorite characters. Not only is her courage inspiring, but she has a really unique relationship with lightsabers (as does Gella, though a little different). It’s one that says a lot about the Jedi as a whole, too.

Of course the lightsaber is especially important to the Jedi as one of their most well-known symbols across the galaxy and a cultural symbol to themselves. Char-Ryl-Roy is aghast that the Path would even suggest them handing over their lightsabers. But Enya begins to understand what the greater good requires, and that hanging onto the sabers is meaningless if that means no discussion or investigation can happen. So she gives up her kyber crystal in order to start the process (without knowing for sure at this point that the Path are warmongering ghouls).

This is a hard but worthwhile step for her, and when the battle starts, she becomes distraught that she is without a Jedi's signature weapon. But Roy, in his wisdom, shows her the importance but limits of the lightsaber. The saber does not make the Jedi. It is merely an extension of the force, literally and metaphorically. So Enya does not need her own saber to fight back against evil or protect others, because she already has the force by her side. Her ally is everywhere.

But it doesn't stop there. In the midst of battle, while fighting off numerous Path members, she finds Orin Dharga's saber. She hasn't met him before, but in recognizing his passing, she is saddened but appreciative of his assistance. She uses the saber to great effect, and later, she ends up unintentionally finding her crystal again while trying to stop the Path elders from escaping.

At the end of the novel, Roy has passed, and Orin's saber is laid with his body. But Roy's saber isn't yet ready to be put away - Enya can feel that the saber still has much work to do, and she has been allowed to train with both her own saber and Roy's.

Using two sabers already has exponential cool factor (yellow and blue combo!), but Enya has purpose behind it. She doesn't want to use it because she can't let go of her master or her past trauma (like Cal from JFO). She uses it because she knows it will help her contribute to the future.

Alongside Gella, who at one point uses Aida's and Creighton's in her own dual action, the lightsabers of this novel are both very personal but also collective. If one looks at Obi-Wan's teachings for Anakin in a very literal (and incomplete) way, then maybe sabers seem more like a simple tool that is a representation of personal responsibility at most. But lightsabers are representative of both the individual and the collective body. Orin died early on in the novel, but his saber lived on through Enya. Particular kyber crystals call to initiates, but Orin's saber hummed in her hands, telling her to keep going. Now Roy's does too.

Obviously this isn't the first time something like this has happened. From the very beginning Anakin's lightsaber was passed on through multiple hands and used a lot. But Luke didn't have any context for the saber to have an emotional connection to it beyond generally knowing it was his dad's. I think the collective connection Jedi have to lightsabers comes across really well through Enya; every lightsaber is connected to every Jedi in a minute but noticeable way. It is a part of them that carries on after death. Despite Anakin turning to the dark side, his legacy as a Jedi from The Clone Wars – and the legacy of the Jedi as well – carried on long after that part of him died.

A common refrain of the Jedi (and some others in the galaxy) is that no one is ever truly gone, mainly because their love and spirit live on in those who remain. This is a great message, and the continued presence of lightsabers after their owners' demises represents that message in a very tangible way.

This post might be really disconnected or irrelevant, but hopefully it made some sense. Enya's relationship with the force and lightsabers is a big part of why I want to see her story continue.

#enya keen #char ryl roy #cataclysm #cataclysm spoilers #the high republic #the high republic spoilers #star wars #my posts #jedi #jedi order

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aramblingjay · 2 years

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Through fresh eyes — Part III

Alternatively titled: How Gary goes from looking at Jamie like he wants to kill him to looking at Jamie like arguing football with him is the highlight of his week (and the greatest honor of his life)

Aka: I somehow started writing an indifferent-coworkers-to-best-friends carraville origin story fic?

Master

The first few weeks, they try to keep the tech stuff to a minimum. If something needs to be shown on the screen with arrows and circles and all the paraphernalia, Gary shoulders the majority of it, intimately familiar by now with how it all works. He didn’t get a replica of the MNF screen installed in his home for nothing.

But the time is fast approaching for Jamie to do a big piece involving multiple clips and annotations, drawing boxes on screen and wielding the stylus like it’s a natural extension of his hand rather than a foreign object he has to will into submission. Jamie is bursting with ideas of pieces he wants to do on City and Norwich and everyone in between, too, which speeds up the timeline even more.

So on the back of their conversation the previous evening, today the training wheels are coming off.

Unlike Gary’s memory of his first attempt at using the screen for more than a simple watch this now, Jamie doesn’t appear the slightest bit nervous. It’s either real or a very, very good act—he doesn’t ask for extra time in rehearsal to go over his bit again, takes it in stride when Scott suggests they switch the order of his last two clips just a few minutes before it’s time for make-up. (The most nervous he looks all evening is when he’s presented with four options for a tie and asked to pick his favorite)

“You feeling ready?” Gary eventually asks as they settle into their seats, just moments left until the cameras start rolling.

Jamie frowns at him. “Fine, yeah. You look more worried than I am.”

Well. Right, then.

“Let’s have a good show, boys,” Ed says, and then they’re away.

As apparently everybody but Gary expected, Jamie does completely fine. Things could’ve been smoother, sure, a little crisper selecting the right highlight tool, a little calmer when the arrows took a second longer than expected to appear, but overall—it’s not even a draw, it’s a win, three whole points in the bag, and Gary is relieved in a way he can’t quite understand.

He meets Jamie’s eyes when they next cut to adverts and gives him a little well done you nod. Jamie smiles back, and something flips in his stomach.

He could be the future of the show, Gary thinks a little wildly. The thought comes out of nowhere but it lingers in the back of his mind the rest of the night, refusing to disappear.

Here and there, other opportunities have steadily started to come his way now that he’s made half a name for himself in punditry and people have stopped shitting on his whole family for his very existence. Managerial jobs that would be a step up from just being Roy’s assistant, one or two business contracts in Manchester, at some point a school was mentioned—things, other things he could be involved in to make a difference beyond just winning silverware for United and viewership for Sky.

But Gary has never been one to start something without seeing it through, and every single one of those offers ended up in the bin because this, here, MNF—this isn’t something he’s willing to leave half-baked and watch crumble in his wake.

But. But.

Leaders name successors all the time, don’t they? Even Sir Alex left in the end.

(Not that that’s going too well for them at the moment)

Jamie comes over and shakes his hand once the cameras turn off, a habit they fell into after the first show and have never really broken (just like the pre- and post-game rituals they both followed throughout their careers, no one’s willing to mess with a winning formula). And Gary can’t help but think, for the first time amongst all the people he’s ever met at Sky in the past two years, he could be it.

It starts entirely by accident.

But Gary looks at himself in the mirror one morning, trying to fit into his favorite pair of jeans, and thinks: Fuck, I’ve let myself go.

At United, this wouldn’t have even been a possibility, but retirement has softened him, in good ways and bad. He doesn’t mind the extra padding on his cheeks, really, the way it rounds out his face so all those insults that started with rat feel a lot more like a distant memory. But something about going up a jean size feels like surrender, like failure, like he’s gone as old and pudgy and weak as he sometimes feels, climbing up the stairs to his flat when the lift is broken.

If Sir Alex could see him now.

Which is how the next weekend Gary goes and finds himself in the fitness wing of Sky studios, a place he hasn’t been in since the first-day tour. The badge around his neck means it’s free to use, which makes it as good a place to start as any.

Vaguely, he remembers having heard that there are guided classes here, offered by professional trainers, but for getting back into it after two years away, he’d rather discover just how out of shape he is in private.

Of course, that’s why as soon as he gets to the stationary bike tucked in the back, in his mind a nice, easy way to start off, there’s Jamie.

They’ve seen each other in all sorts of clobber at this point, football kits and suits and button-ups and t-shirts. Even in various stages of undress, no space for modesty in a dressing room or the greenroom before a show. Yet something about standing here in his athletic shorts and slightly-too-form-fitting gym t-shirt is as naked as he’s ever felt, exposed and vulnerable.

Jamie doesn’t say anything initially, just lifts a hand to him in silent greeting, and Gary manages a thin smile in response.

Shame clings to him like a second skin as he settles himself on the bike next to Jamie’s. There are only two bikes, there’s no other equipment back here that he could pretend to be interested in, and the only thing worse than being embarrassed is being a coward, so he tries to avoid thinking about Jamie and hunts for the Start button on this stupid contraption.

Still, his skin prickles preemptively as he waits for the snide remark that’s sure to come—Finally looked in the mirror, Gary? Trying to get the weight off, Gary? Didn’t fancy seeing you here, Gary. First time since you retired, Gary? Need a little help with that, Gary? What would Fergie say now, Gary?

Honestly, he’s not sure if there’s anything he’d be willing to hear right now that wouldn’t feel like judgment, or an insult, or even worse, pity. Maybe if Jamie just up and left, allowed him to wallow in private the way he initially came back here to do, that would be enough.

Perhaps predictably, Jamie surprises him. “Wanna race?” he asks, just as Gary gives up on trying to find the right button and instead slowly pedals his bike into life.

Gary doesn’t answer, but he starts pedaling faster, and Jamie does too, and that’s how it begins.

After that, there’s a routine. They take the train down on Sunday, usually early in the morning because they’re more often than not scheduled for Super Sunday anyways. Sky always puts them all up at the same hotel in whichever city they’re in, Gary-Souness-Carra-Redknapp in a straight line on the same floor most weekends, with the presenters, touchline reporters, and other staff dotted around the rest of the building.

(In Gary’s mind, it means more than half the building is full of Liverpool fans, because that seems to be the bias around here, but he doesn’t complain too much. Loyalties fade once you retire—not that he doesn’t love United with every bone in his body, but he doesn’t feel the same hatred toward everyone else anymore. It’s hard, after you’ve looked through pictures of someone’s kids and seen them get a trim in hair & makeup and watched hours upon hours of football in a chair beside them, to fester on old rivalries)

After Super Sunday, it’s usually a meal out with all the lads, a few drinks for the ones not on air Monday and some watered-down slosh for the rest of them, before heading in for the night.

Monday morning, it’s him and Jamie arriving early to the studio in London to kick the day off, followed by the morning meeting. The air is buzzing, to say the least, charged with different opinions and emotions and ideas that all get whittled down by lunchtime to lay out a framework for the night’s show.

Lunch after that, usually a working lunch while they’re ironing out the last few talking points (or arguing, as it so often goes, between whether Jamie’s segment idea or Gary’s segment idea should get the extra minutes, clips, and focus). Then a round of exercise, biking or weights or a quick session with the trainer, whatever the other seems less excited about doing. Always together, though, Jamie trying to one-up Gary, Gary trying to sabotage Jamie’s equipment before he’s even started, the only kind of athletic competition they’ll be participating in these days.

Afternoon rehearsal is next, followed by hair and makeup. It’s the hardest part of the day in many ways, looking at the suit and tie and thinking how’s this one gonna turn out then, but Gary’s used to it now. If Jamie doesn’t give him too much stick for what he’s wearing that’s usually a good sign the Twitter vitriol will be pretty tame.

Then the lights turn on, and it’s show time.

Gary settles into the routine they way he always settled into new boots—unsteady at first, missing the way the old ones molded to him like a glove, but growing more and more comfortable by the day, learning the new curves and contours and peculiarities until the thought of having any other boot, any other routine, feels unimaginable.

And then, Jamie’s out one week. “Me daughter’s sick, I won’t be coming in,” he says very firmly during the customary mid-week call with the producers. It isn’t phrased as a question so much as a declaration, and nobody argues.

Family comes first, anyways. They all get it.

Gary stays quiet, lets Scott handle the standard hope she feels better, mate, if there’s anything we can do just say the word pleasantries. Something in him feels a bit like a deflated balloon, all flat and crumpled, but he’s nothing if not a professional compartmentalizer.

Only on the ride down to London does he let himself think about it again. They’ve never taken the train together—Manchester and Liverpool are close but not that close—and yet something about the journey feels long and bleak all the same. For two years he made this trip under exactly these circumstances, expecting to see Ed and Graeme and Redders and Scott and Frankie after he arrived just as he will today, and never once did it feel like this. Gary doesn’t know what to make of it.

Super Sunday itself is…fine. Nothing eventful, one of those weekends where you could write the narrative before a ball was kicked and be just about spot on about how the games would go. No upsets, no drama, no controversy. It’s a bit dull in the studio, really, and Ed cuts to an extra advert break toward the end to avoid broadcasting another five minutes of them sitting around going yeah, I agree with Gary totally and yes, Graeme’s spot on there without much else to say after that. Things get that way sometimes, especially when the game itself hasn’t been particularly inspiring, but he can’t shake the feeling that something’s just—missing.

Someone.

It’s even worse at the hotel. He’s the last to come in, having stayed back a few minutes to run over details about tomorrow’s show with Ed, and a whole group of them are all clustered in the lobby as soon as he pushes past the door.

“Dinner?” Redknapp (Jamie, he reminds himself, even though there’s a different face which comes to mind for that name now) asks, because he’s nice like that.

Gary declines. They’re all Liverpool today, Souness and Redknapp and a couple of the staff members loyal to the wrong shade of red, but even that doesn’t explain why the thought of going out for a meal feels utterly draining. “See you in the studio,” he says as they make for the door, and watches them disappear beyond the revolving glass with a strange detachment.

MNF is the worst of the lot. He hasn’t done one on his own in months, now, hasn’t needed to, and though they bring out the old two-seater table and adjust a few segments so a first-time viewer wouldn’t even notice there was a guest missing, Jamie’s absence is the only thing he notices all day.

“Strange without Carra here, innit?” Ed says to him as they kick off the morning meeting (Gary was early, as he always is, and spent the time doodling on top of his notes instead of looking up to confront the empty room).

“That’s one word for it. Calmer, quieter, more intelligent. Those are other words.”

It’s a test, really. Either Ed with look a bit uncomfortable, hearing him talk that way about a coworker when he isn’t around to defend himself. Or he will laugh.

Ed laughs, and that’s—yeah. Yeah, alright. Apparently his dislike of Jamie Liverpool-is-my-middle-name Carragher is more joke than threat now.

The meeting is too stagnant, almost boring, hearing only his own ideas without much to refute them. Gary can out-stubborn just about anyone, and the show they’ve planned by the end of the hour is as close to his brainchild as anything on TV will ever be, and he hates it. Hates that there won’t be any surprises, unexpected twists of either the good kind or the bad, won’t be any sparks flying when the lights come on because an unstoppable force has met an immovable object.

It isn’t the same, doing this show without that high-pitched Scouse bark constantly in his ear.

He pauses during the halftime analysis after his first comment about zonal marking, a bit of a throwaway line to explain the rather horrific defending for the first goal, and can almost hear Jamie interjecting it’s not the system it’s the execution louder than he hears the producer in his ear moving the clips along. But no such voice materializes, of course, and it throws him off so much he flubs his next line.

Ed chuckles, but Gary hears the booming laugh that should’ve followed his mistake all the same, could swear he hears it all the way from fucking Liverpool where Jamie is most definitely watching on the telly.

Scouse bastard. Ruining his life even when he isn’t here.

His phone buzzes the minute the show’s done, and he doesn’t even have to check to know who it is.

Gary doesn’t look at the message though. Something stops him—pride, stubbornness, a sense that if he doesn’t read it yet at least there’ll be a bit of anticipation to carry him through the twenty minute drive to the hotel.

Normally once the show’s done, they go out for drinks with some of the crew. Real ones, since neither of them usually schedule much for the Tuesday after an MNF. Jamie on any sort of night out is a bit of a sight, actually, and Gary’s learned some things about him that Jamie probably wouldn’t let slip without the drink loosening his tongue. Gary too, though the list of things he really needs to keep quiet shortens by the day.

Today, for obvious reasons, the plan is just a quiet night in his hotel room—check some emails, answer some messages, a quick browse through Twitter to see how the show went down, and then bed. A little earlier than normal perhaps, but he’s scheduled an early train for tomorrow morning, the earliest he could find, can’t wait to get back to Manchester and put this strange weekend behind him.

After he’s settled in the room, nightclothes on, emails answered, he pulls out his phone and finally looks at the message. There are two, in fact, one after another. The second is a long one, and a quick skim through reveals that it’s mainly a list of comments about the show, almost like Jamie actually did keep up the running commentary Gary could swear he heard in his head the whole night. But the message that stands out most is the first, just one simple, damning line.

Bit dull without me really

Gary can’t even disagree.

The other problem, perhaps the bigger problem, is that Liverpool and City are both flying. It’s the worst sort of time to be a United fan, his beloved Reds floundering in the Europa League places (and sometimes trying to fling themselves out of any European competition at all) while both their most-hated rivals battle it out for the League.

Being at Sky makes it both better and worse—he has to give his opinion on it all the time, which numbs the pain in a way, makes it his job rather than his passion. But also, he has to give his opinion on it all the time, and it means there’s no escape.

The cherry on top is that it also means Jamie comes in most Mondays in a good mood with a snarky comment he’s been waiting to unleash, and this one is no different.

“How does it feel, knowing if youse keep this up, it’ll be the first time you haven’t got top four in League history?” Jamie asks walking through the door, skipping any sort of standard or polite greeting as always.

Gary can’t describe, later, why that’s the moment he snaps, but it’s the only explanation for what comes next. “Probably how it feels knowing Liverpool might win their first title the very year after you leave.”

As far as retorts go, it’s a bit clunky, but Jamie doesn’t laugh it off or come back with something sharper the way Gary expects him to. Instead his whole face just sort of—falters, wiped blank, devoid of any emotion in a way that’s as foreign on Jamie as if he started speaking in an American accent. For several moments, he stares almost robotically at Gary, eyes flat and empty, and Gary’s chest squeezes tight, tight, tight, in a way he remembers from scoring his first own goal, from making Phil cry as kids, from every other moment in his life when he knew he fucked up.

Shit.

Then Gary watches as Jamie takes a deep, deliberate breath, schools his expression, shrugs his shoulders, and says with almost rehearsed precision, “Stevie’s flying, me son’s over the moon. That’s much more important to me.”

The atmosphere should go stiff and tense after that, but somehow it doesn’t. Jamie deftly switches the topic as though the last minute never occurred at all, and it’s over quicker than it began.

I’m fine, Jamie is saying implicitly. That one hurt, but I’m tougher than a low blow. Let it go.

Gary can’t.

They’ve taken the piss out of each other on a lot of different fronts over the past several months, and never once elicited that sort of reaction. He’s (incorrectly, he’s aware, but it’s still funny) painted Jamie with the same brush as the Spice Boys, called him slow, called him a burglar, dismissed his ideas as utter rubbish, shat all over Liverpool’s title credentials, suggested Gerrard couldn’t lace Scholesy’s boots—nothing. That last one certainly got the biggest reaction out of him, but not like this.

It’s almost the opposite of a reaction, shutting down rather than winding up, and Gary doesn’t understand what line he’s crossed between sharp but harmless banter and something that penetrates a lot deeper. Only knows that he never wants to again.

What’s this about you meeting with Sir Alex? he texts Jamie first thing on a Tuesday morning. The United grapevine is a real and ferocious thing, and nothing stays secret for long.

He’s gotten so used to the instantaneous replies that it bothers him when this one takes a full thirty minutes to come through, even though he’s aware most people aren’t awake at half five in the morning (Jamie isn’t most people, though, and his sleep schedule seems about as unpredictable as the lottery numbers. Gary could swear that some nights he’s probably not sleeping at all)

Yeah, had a greet chat with him over the weekend

How’d that happen?

Don’t worry, you’re still his favorite

Gary rolls his eyes reading that, though it wasn’t even close to what he was trying to ask. (And he was never the boss’s favorite anyways)

Another message, before Gary can think of a suitable response.

He wrote me a really nice letter after I retired. I had Michael put me in touch with him and we set up a little meeting in Manchester

Those last two words give him pause. The world’s biggest Scouser was in Manchester and he didn’t even know?

Something about the idea of Jamie in Manchester for pleasure rather than business, a private meeting rather than a football match, is strange. And with Sir Alex of all people, the very personification of Manchester United.

Gary tries to imagine setting up a meeting with Kenny Dalglish or Rafa Benitez that was personal, not for Sky, and can’t, something in him protesting at the very idea. He hasn’t mellowed enough for that yet.

Vaguely, he remembers Jamie mentioning that he used to read football autobiographies the way most people read the news, cover to cover, a new one every day. It’s something he’s learned about Jamie in the last few months—he loves football, the game in and of itself, more than anyone Gary’s ever met.

Gary likes football, loves football even, but can admit he probably loves United more, would sooner stay up reveling in Best United Goals compilations on YouTube than watch Brazilian and Japanese second division matches the way Jamie seems to.

Fair play, he types back, because he has mellowed enough to give credit where it’s due.

As March turns into April, Sky start wheeling out the incessant The Run In graphics pitting Liverpool against City, trying to figure out who might win the League. The question gets put to him week after week, and as Liverpool’s unbeaten run stretches on, Gary starts conceding what seemed unthinkable at one point in the season.

It’s Liverpool’s to lose now.

The Reds edge City 3-2 at Anfield, then survive against Norwich to go five points clear the top, and Gary thinks, privately, it might be done here.

Jamie is—up and then down, depending on the moment. There’s obvious enthusiasm from the Liverpool fan in him, to see his team in such a position for the first time in League history. There’s also a shadow of sadness, knowing he could’ve been a part of this moment if he’d stayed just one season longer, knowing this’ll get thrown at him for the rest of his life by people who don’t understand the complexities of retiring as a one-club local player.

They don’t talk about any of this. (But Gary gets it. He suspects he’s one of the only ones who could)

And then, after the next MNF, they do.

“I always knew I had to time it right,” Jamie admits to him over drinks.

They’ve just watched City thrash West Brom to keep the title chase alive, spent the entirety of MNF trying to offer new and fresh opinions on the battle at the top despite there being very little that hasn’t already been said, and Gary is tired. Jamie looks tired too, shoulders slumped, suit jacket tossed against the back of his chair, tie loosened and the top button of his shirt popped open. Many weeks they’re joined by Ed or some of the crew, but it’s only them tonight, just drinks and frank conversation for company.

“Didn’t want to turn into me, hauled off at halftime and warming the bench the rest of the season?” Gary chuckles, because he can laugh about it now in a way he couldn’t before.

“No, seriously, that’s the type of thing I was thinking,” Jamie says. “I didn’t want it to get to the point where supporters would see my name on the teamsheet and go for fuck’s sake why’s he playing again.”

“Yeah, I understand that. I understand that completely.”

And he does, genuinely. He doesn’t choose to spend a lot of time thinking about how they are similar, usually more focused on the differences, but it hasn’t escaped him that they were the same type of player on the pitch and the same type of character off it, that their journeys through football have been almost perfect mirrors of one another.

“I think I stayed a year too long,” Gary says suddenly. Jamie looks at him in that intense, focused way of his, and whether it’s the drinks or the company or the fact that there’s a better-than-good chance the club he loves is going to be flayed open tomorrow, the admission comes easily. “They asked me to stay one more season and I did, but I should’ve left when I planned to. It’s the embarrassment, isn’t it, being on the bench watching kids play ahead of you? It’s the embarrassment that hurts.”

“I remember we would train on the Monday with the reserves, while all the lads who’d played would get the day off to recover. There’d be fifteen, sixteen year old kids beside you, enjoying their chance of a lifetime to be in the reserves at a big club, and you’re there thinking—I’ve played in Champions League finals, and now I’m here. Oh my god.” Jamie sighs and takes a sip of his drink. “But if I’d just swallowed me pride and hung on one more year…” He trails off, the implication clear, and takes another sip, longer than the last.

It’s the first time they’ve openly discussed the fly in the ointment, and Gary understands the fragile trust for what it is. “You must be the only unhappy person in the city of Liverpool,” he says lightly, fully prepared to backtrack if this goes as poorly as his last attempt to joke about this particular fly. “Liverpool might win the League, Everton might get top four—everyone else on Merseyside is partying.”

To his relief, Jamie chuckles. ��Yeah, but I’m still doing better than most of Manchester.”

It should hurt, but Gary just laughs.

The next morning, the news breaks. Manchester United have sacked David Moyes.

Though Gary had a feeling it was coming, it doesn’t hurt any less to see it confirmed in bold black letters on the front page of every newspaper in Manchester. Hurts even more, in fact, because it means he gets a call from his mum asking if he’s spoken to Phil yet, and for all that she’s been involved with sports far too long to actually shed tears over this, the sadness in her voice hits him like a dagger straight to the heart.

“He isn’t picking up my calls,” Gary says.

“Mine either. I left him a voicemail, but he mightn’t see it for a while. It must be tough for all of the staff right now.”

“Yeah.”

(They’re both aware that this doesn’t mean Phil’s immediately out of a job, especially with how much the club looks after its own, but they’re also aware that Phil’s efforts as part of the coaching staff this season can’t be branded as anything other than a failure no matter what happens next)

Still, there’s no surprise attached to all the pain—seventh isn’t a position Manchester United should ever be in, no matter whether a member of the manager’s staff, or someday perhaps the manager himself, is the brother he grew up alongside.

No, the only surprising part is that Jamie barely says a word.

He spends the whole week on tenterhooks, waiting for a mocking text or a barbed comment once they’re in the same room, but there’s nothing. Just a curious, “So who do you think the next manager will be then?” as the opening gambit of the morning meeting, and not a single derogatory mention of the circumstances that led to there being a managerial discussion at all.

Even more crucially, perhaps, the only name that Jamie brings up when they float ideas for the evening’s analysis on the United situation is the manager’s. There isn’t a chance in hell that Jamie isn’t aware Phil’s on the coaching staff, but he doesn’t make any digs, doesn’t ask Gary if he’s spoken to him, doesn’t even mention him at all.

It’s a courtesy. Gary knows it’s a courtesy, and he files it away under things to think about more in the future, because it leaves something fluttering in his stomach that he isn’t in the right headspace to process yet.

But it does feel as though a new, unspoken boundary has been drawn and laid out, one that if you’d asked him a year ago, he never would’ve imagined could be established with Jamie Carragher of all people.

I won’t kick you when you’re down.

He remembers that when the discussion switches to the Chelsea game, doesn’t say anything.

Did he celebrate both of Chelsea’s goals against Liverpool, as he does literally anytime someone scores against his most hated rivals? Of course. But he tries to return the favor of Jamie’s quiet tact, keeps it strictly professional and swallows away every taunt that comes to his mind. A year ago, he would’ve been spewing nothing but taunts if given an opportunity to go face-to-face with a slightly-vulnerable Jamie Carragher on the verge of watching Liverpool lose the League because of his best mate’s mistake.

Not anymore.

Banter is for when they’re flying high, and this—this is the world starting to crumble around Jamie’s ears, only worse, because Stevie’s the one in the firing line.

To his credit, Jamie manages to stay equally professional discussing the situation. “It’s just one game, really. Liverpool have to put it behind them and focus on winning their remaining two games, put the pressure on City and take it all the way to the end. Try to outscore Palace and Newcastle in the process, beef up the goal difference. And then, when the final whistle blows, we’ll see where the chips fall.”

“Yeah. It’s the panic that’ll crush them,” Gary agrees. He’s stopped being surprised when they have the same take on things, these days—they see the game through the same eyes, as much as those eyes are often covered by glasses tinted different shades of red. “City have been here before, won it before, so they won’t panic. Liverpool need to keep their heads.”

“What Liverpool need to keep are clean sheets,” Jamie fires back immediately, words crunched and jagged like the teeth of a very serrated blade, and Gary lets it slide because he knows Jamie’s not actually pissed off at him. The frustration is aimed elsewhere, at a backline he’s no longer part of.

(Things would certainly be different if he still was, in ways that have nothing to do with the football on the pitch. Gary thinks of their electric debates nearly every Monday morning, the way a weekend of football never quite feels complete until he gets a snarky message or two from Jamie about the results, how one of Sky’s stationary bikes now has a United sticker beside the screen and the other an old Liverpool scarf tied to the frame, and feels nothing but relief at the way it’s all turned out)

I’m happy here with you. I’m happy here with you. I’m happy here with you.

Gary doesn’t mean to say it. He has thought about foraying more fully into management before, still might someday, and certainly he’d be lying if he claimed the United job wouldn’t be a dream come true. But he’s enjoying his time at Sky, loves doing MNF, and being Roy’s assistant at England is enough to get his managerial kicks without having to deal with the constant pressure of the big office.

That’s what he should say.

But.

They both started the show somewhat miserable today for obvious reasons, and yet several hours in now, Gary can feel his blood pumping, can feel the energy buzzing under his skin like he’s just walked off the pitch after a big derby game. He’s just watched Arsenal move one step closer to cementing their place in the top four, and spent the last ten minutes dissecting United’s shambolic season in excruciating detail, but still he feels electrified, like he could go for another hour if needed.

This is the magic of the show, and of doing the show with the man sat across the table from him in particular—a man as funny as he is frustrating, passionate down to his last toenail, and fucking smart to boot.

So when Jamie asks, “Would you take it?”, expression open and curious like he genuinely thinks there’s a chance Gary should be considered for the United job, and that if asked he would go, Sky and punditry and England are the furthest thing from Gary’s mind.

“I’m happy here with you.”

Jamie blinks at him, uncharacteristically lost for words, but that’s the truth, isn’t it? Whatever this strange partnership they’ve forged, right now, in this very moment, despite the circus surrounding the football club that was once his entire life, he’s happy.

Happy here with Jamie.

It’s a stupid, inane comment.

“Hope we don’t get another Slippy G moment tonight, am I right?” some staffer whose name Gary doesn’t even know says to them as they walk into the fitness room.

He and Jamie are both in their workout gear, guards down, and it takes several moments for the words to process.

“What’s that?” Jamie asks, coming to a stop, an edge to his words that tells Gary he most definitely heard it the first time.

“Slippy G, mate,” the staffer repeats, clearly not having picked up the same hint. “Embarrassing, honestly.”

The best response would probably be to laugh it off and move on. But Gary still remembers how it felt after Euro 96, after Portugal, after the last derby at Maine Road, remembers how it felt to be so low he was sobbing on the fucking floor even more sometimes than he remembers the highs, the wins, the treble.

He sees the impish little grin on the staffer’s face, the way they think they’ve got one over big-and-tough Jamie Carragher. He sees the clench in Jamie’s jaw, the way his expression is terrifyingly blank again, like he’s now learned it gets when Jamie’s scared of what his real reaction might be, and something bubbles up in his stomach that he can’t stop.

“Oi. Fuck off.”

The staffer’s eyes widen comically, eyebrows shooting up to their hairline. “I—pardon, what—”

Gary doesn’t know who this is, doesn’t know who they support, doesn’t give a single shit. “Don’t you have a job to be doing somewhere?” he interrupts, pulls out the voice he’s always had in his locker as an older brother and refined even further as a father, the one that screams cold disappointment and unwavering authority.

The staffer clears out pretty quickly after that.

“Don’t need you fighting me battles,” Jamie says after a moment. He doesn’t sound the least bit angry, which Gary takes as a good sign.

“Yeah, I know. Just—that’s uncalled for, that.”

Jamie stares at him, inscrutable. Then he grins. “Gary Neville defending a Scouser. Who would’ve thought?”

Who would have indeed?

The Palace game is an utter shitshow.

Watching the three Palace goals go in over the last ten minutes is the closest Gary thinks he’s ever gotten to seeing a real-life horror story unfold before his eyes. With each goal, Jamie tenses a little further, shouting more and more at the screen like maybe Liverpool’s piss-poor defense will hear him if he’s just loud enough.

When the equalizer hits the back of the net, and a strange, almost solemn quiet blankets the studio.

Gary doesn’t break it. In some sense, they’re all waiting for Jamie to react first.

The Gary who ran down the touchline to kiss his badge in front of the traveling Liverpool fans would’ve cheered as loud as he could. Now, at the very least, Gary expects to be happy seeing Liverpool throw away the title—he’s already seen City win it once in the most dramatic of fashions, which means seeing them win it again won’t be nearly as hard as seeing Liverpool do it—but Jamie’s standing not four feet away with his head in his hands, and Gary mostly just feels calm.

“Fucking hell,” Jamie says eventually. Nobody tells him off for cursing in the studio. If there was ever a moment that called for a breach of decorum, this would be it.

Jamie’s words burst the bubble of silence, and everyone around them buzzes to life, calling for clips of all three late goals to be queued up, demanding to arrange for the manager or a player or just someone associated with Liverpool Football Club to come on the big screen for a live post-match interview, frantically combing through graphics to find the one on Liverpool’s defensive frailties. Late drama is always a logistical challenge, but this is something else entirely. Even Ed looks slightly flustered, muttering to himself as he rehearses an entirely new post-match monologue.

Throughout it all, Jamie just stands there by the screen, frozen.

“Jamie,” Gary says, as kindly as he can. They have a post-match to deliver, and it’s critical they get this right. “Pull yourself together.”

He does.

They’re nothing if not professionals, and Jamie delivers the post-match as well any anyone could be expected to. Gary tries to let him take the lead, knows from personal experience just how far anger and adrenaline can carry you when you’re the one talking. Listening is the hard part.

They make it through, and Jamie isn’t the only one relieved when the cameras finally switch off.

“Drink?” Gary asks him after the show, fully expecting Jamie to decline. It’s the last MNF of the season, and Jamie probably does need several drinks, but Gary doubts he’s the company with which Jamie wants to down them tonight.

So he’s not surprised when Jamie shakes his head. “I need to be home,” he responds quietly, voice thinned out and hollow. All of the frustration and anger that got him through the show is gone now, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness that Gary is all-too familiar with. Football has torn all their hearts out before, his included. “Need to see Stevie, I—” he breaks off, and it’s the first time in all the years and months Gary has known him, first with England and now, as almost-friends, that he looks like he might cry. “G’night.”

“Night, Jamie.” I’m sorry, he wants to add—he never wanted Liverpool to win the League, but he didn’t want them to lose it like this either.

He doesn’t say anything. The cloak of his eight League titles sits heavy on his shoulders, a weight that feels suffocating rather than emboldening for the first time in his life.

Jamie manages a twisted, painful smile that Gary never wants to see again, and then he’s gone.

“First season working together. How’s it been, lads?” Ed asks at the Sky end-of-season do.

Gary’s well on his way to getting drunk, Jamie is quite clearly already there, but he feels entirely clear-headed as he considers the question. It’s been a disappointing season for him on the pitch, his beloved United clearly not covering herself in much glory, but off the pitch, in the studio, there’s only one way to describe how it’s all gone.

“Brilliant,” Gary says honestly.

“Loved it,” Jamie says at the same time.

“On to the next one then!” Ed exclaims, before disappearing in the direction of the bar.

Jamie’s eyes meet his, and the music in the background swells to a crescendo as they clink their glasses together.

Gary smiles. On to the next one.

#carraville #jamie carragher #gary neville #*fic #*writing

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to-pick-ourselves-up-7 · 1 year

Text

The Marks of Running Ink pt.90

The Walking Dead [Soulmate AU]

Pairing: Negan x Tory Miller (ofc)

Summary: Peace had a way to be boring and exciting at once, for Tory Miller, it was lonely until it was not. Her life was about taking it slow, one day at a time.

Warnings: SLOW BURN, angst, swearing, death, violence, fluff, hurt/comfort, child endangerment, general trauma, drama, mentions of infidelity and polygamy, general lack or morals, mentions of nudity, graphic sexual scenes (nsfw), mentions of blood, apocalyptic world. As always, I don’t want to give the story away in the tags, read at your own risk.

Author’s note: This is the epilogue forThe Marks of Running Ink. It contains a major character death, a sixteen-year time-skip and it's sad. And when I say SAD, I really do mean business. If you prefer the happy ending, stay back in chapter 89. Heed my warning. If you prefer the gritty stuff, do go on and read under your own risk.

••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

She Chose to Love

Alexandria, VA.

Ella sighed softly and deposited the flowers over the grave, she liked coming here on her own.

Tommy was always a weeping mess and her Dad was too sad to even go around to the grave, but Ella could forgive that. They missed her. She missed her too but...she'd had her for a lot longer than they did.

“They miss you, Mama, but I promise they love you,” she told to no one in particular. The graveyard was empty, except for her and her voice speaking to her mom.

With another sigh, she stood straight and read the inscription on the headstone.

Victoria J.M. Smith

She chose to love every day

Her mother had been so many things.

Of all things it could have been, it was what her Dad had picked. Her mom had been part of the Council of Communities, she was one of the surviving members of Alexandria, she’d become a doctor without real training, she was a mother and a wife and a friend.

Yet, the words stared back at Ella with stark clarity.

She chose to love every day .

She wanted to ask her Dad what they meant, but she feared he’d go into an early –or late grave – himself.

Ella walked back home to find Tommy working on the front garden. Her little brother had inherited their father’s green thumb, so Ella could focus on her carpentry work.

“Hey, Tommy, all good?” she asked, checking on him before going to the garage-slash-workshop. Her little brother turned his head to her with a little smile. Fuck, he looked so much like their mom.

“All good, Ells,” he said. “Just de-weeding some of the basil plants, you know how Pa’ gets about it.”

She chuckled. “Give him a break, he is old.”

“I heard that, young lady!”

They both turned to see their dad. He was getting out of the workshop and Ella wondered what disaster she’d find in her wake. Their father walked firmly and with energy, if a bit lopsided at times, he was still their old man, but his hair had turned almost completely white since their mother had died.

“You know I have permission to call you old, you’re my dad,” she said, echoing old words and making Tommy chuckle behind a cough.

Her father kissed her forehead and went inside grumbling and saying there would be spaghetti for dinner.

Once she couldn’t hear him anymore, Ella turned to Tommy. “How is he really?”

“He didn’t cry this morning, but he’s acting a bit weird,” her little brother said, his frown was just like Grandpa Roy’s. “You’ve come to keep an eye on him?”

“Yeah, it’s her birthday today.”

••• ••• •••

By all means, it was a life well lived.

Tory held onto Negan’s hand as the diagnosis she already suspected was given to them.

It was so fucking cruel.

She could see Negan crumple inside because they knew what would come would be terrible.

“I don’t have enough tools to tell you exactly how much longer, Victoria, but…”

“It’s bad, I get it. Thank you, Henry, really.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

She’d pulled Negan away from the little office and to the horses that would take them to Alexandria. He was numb, but she could understand. It felt like a joke, a sick joke from destiny.

Tory knew there were many things they hadn’t done just yet. Many things that they would need to do yet. So many things they should have done.

They rode to Alexandria in silence.

They arrived late enough for Ella to be gone and Tommy to be already in bed. They showered the grime from the road and went to bed in silence.

Negan’s arms surrounded her and held her closely.

Her voice was stuck under a knot in her throat, but the darkness was the only thing that would keep them from shattering completely. Tomorrow, they would have to be strong, they would be parents and figures of authority and all the reassurances would have to be for their children.

Ella was twenty-four, but Tommy was only sixteen.

“Can you believe my father will outlive me? The old bastard.” Of all things, it was the first that came to mind. Negan kissed the back of her neck, warming her body and making her forget the ever-present ache that –she now knew – would never go away.

“What am I supposed to do without you?” he whispered, finally bringing up the topic she was dreading.

“You choose to live, every day, you choose to be better for them, every single day, until it’s over for you too,” she whispered back. Tory knew she didn’t need to say their children’s names.

“It should be me, fuck,” he choked out.

“But it’s not, Negan. We have to accept it,” her voice trembled in the end and she didn’t sound so sure anymore.

“I can’t put you down,” he said, his voice breaking as he sobbed against her back. It shattered her heart, splintering it into oblivion.

“We’ll tell Henry. He’ll help us and I’ll be with you and the kiddos, Negan.”

“Why is it always you?” he asked, demanding an answer she didn’t have. “Lucille, Elle, you… It’s not fucking fair.” She turned into his arms, inhaling deeply his fresh scent. Pine and mint and fresh water, with a bit of the orange soap they had at home.

“No, it’s not fair,” she confessed, tears rolling to the tip of her nose and the side of her head. “But it’s what we have, the shit hand we’ve been dealt with. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. It’ll never be your fault.”

••• ••• •••

Tommy had been a surprise. They were happy with Ella, despite the time Negan had been put away in a cell. Tory had never expected to have another child, they were definitely not looking to get pregnant. It just happened.

Ella had been over the moon at the idea of being a big sister and Negan was happy with another child, whatever came their way.

When the baby boy had been put in her arms, Tory fell in love.

They had toyed with names for months, but her baby boy demanded a good name.

“Thomas Nathan Jones-Smith,” she’d told Negan, who’d rolled his eyes at her insistence on hyphenating their names, but not contradicting her.

“Tommy for short,” was all he said.

Tommy had come to complete their family and fulfil their lives with his smiles and antics. He was a calm baby in a way Ella hadn’t been. But the bond Tory shared with Ella was akin to the one Tommy shared with Negan. She would never begrudge her son or husband for that relationship.

They had sixteen blissful years.

••• ••• •••

Tory did not regret a single day.

She wrote letters to them. For all of them.

Even for Carl, who was now the leader of the Hilltop and had a family of his own. Tory wrote to him about how grateful she was for the bond that had become a friendship and how she admired him for doing what was needed.

She wrote to Ella about being a mother and how she had changed her life for the better, how she had filled her days with love and smiles. How she had taught her to forgive.

She wrote to Tommy about all the things she still wanted to teach him, how much she’d loved him from the moment she knew he would come into the world.

To Negan, Tory couldn’t write a letter.

She told him every day, every morning. Something that hadn’t changed in sixteen years was unlikely to change now.

“I’m choosing to love you today as well,” she’d say every morning as they woke up. And she continued to say it until she couldn’t leave their bed anymore. “But it’s time.”

Negan held her hand until it cooled between his, as tears rolled, silent and inevitable down his face.

••• ••• •••

She was as peaceful as Elle had been. She looked so young, despite the few grey hairs he could see.

It was all rather silent and anticlimactic.

Negan always imagined Tory would go out of their world with a bang, yet, she left with a smile, her pretty eyes closed. Her last words seared on his skin forever. An indelible ink-like mark that would never let him forget.

Today, he was reading those words again.

I’ll never stop choosing you .

He couldn’t explain how every choice Tory had made for more than half her life had been a choice made out of love. It hadn’t always been for love of him, fuck no , he couldn’t claim such an honor. But Tory had loved her mother and chosen her over her father, she had loved her step-dad and her first lovers so much, she’d chosen them above her own safety. She’d loved Maggie enough to save her and that child of hers. She’d loved him enough to keep secrets that others would have aired for sympathy.

Ella had asked him why he’d picked the words of her mother’s gravestone to be that. He had never fought with his daughter, but he fought for those words nail and tooth.

And how fiercely she’d loved Ella and Tommy? He couldn’t even describe it.

She’d chosen to die in a way that would not torment him too.

He wanted to make that choice too, but he knew it wasn’t his time yet.

But when the time came, he hoped his good choices would outweigh the bad ones, because the road was still long ahead of him.

#negan #negan angst #negan x ofc #negan soulmate #soulmate fic #the marks of running ink #epilogue #my writing #angst

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paavifilms · 1 month

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Lights, Camera, Action: Unveiling the Benefits of Corporate Film Production Services

In today's digital era, the corporate landscape is increasingly turning to video as a powerful medium for communication, storytelling, and brand promotion. Amidst this trend, the demand for professional Corporate Film Production Services in Gurugram has surged, offering businesses a myriad of benefits in enhancing their corporate image and engaging their audience. Let's explore the transformative advantages that these services bring to the table.

Professionalism and Quality Production: Corporate Film Production Services specialize in creating polished, high-quality video content that reflects the professionalism and values of your brand. From scriptwriting to cinematography, these services ensure that every aspect of your corporate film is meticulously crafted to resonate with your target audience and leave a lasting impression.

Tailored Brand Storytelling: Effective corporate films go beyond mere promotional content; they tell a compelling story that resonates with viewers on a deeper level. Corporate Film Production Services excel in understanding your brand's unique narrative and translating it into a visually captivating and emotionally resonant story that connects with your audience and reinforces brand loyalty.

Versatility in Content Creation: Whether it's corporate videos, brand documentaries, training modules, or promotional campaigns, Corporate Film Production Services offer versatility in content creation to suit your diverse communication needs. From live-action filming to animation and motion graphics, these services adapt to various formats and styles to convey your message effectively.

Increased Engagement and Brand Awareness: Video content has proven to be highly engaging and shareable across digital platforms, making it an invaluable tool for increasing brand awareness and engagement. Corporate films produced by professional services are tailored to captivate and retain viewers' attention, driving higher levels of engagement and expanding your brand's reach.

Enhanced Credibility and Trust: Investing in professional Corporate Video Production Agency India conveys a commitment to quality and professionalism, enhancing your brand's credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of your audience. Well-produced corporate films instill confidence in your brand and position you as an industry leader, fostering stronger relationships with customers, clients, and stakeholders.

Cost-Effectiveness and Return on Investment (ROI): While professional video production may seem like a significant investment upfront, it offers substantial long-term benefits in terms of ROI. Corporate films produced by reputable services deliver tangible results in terms of increased brand visibility, engagement, and ultimately, conversion rates, making them a cost-effective marketing solution in the long run.

Conclusion: In today's competitive business landscape, corporate films have emerged as a cornerstone of effective communication and brand promotion. By enlisting the expertise of Corporate Film Production Services, businesses can unlock a wealth of benefits, from enhanced brand storytelling and engagement to increased credibility and ROI. As video continues to dominate the digital realm, investing in professional corporate film production is not just a luxury but a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in the modern marketplace.

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moneyallthetime · 3 months

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🚀💡 Affiliate Marketing Training Programs: Your Ultimate Guide To Success!

🚀💡 Affiliate Marketing Training Programs: Your Ultimate Guide to Success! 💼💰Hey there, future Affiliate Marketers! 👋 Are you ready to dive into the world of affiliate marketing and unlock your potential? Today, we're going to explore the ins and outs of Affiliate Marketing Training Programs. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on an exciting journey! 🚀Understanding Affiliate Marketing Training Programs First things first, what is an Affiliate Marketing Training Program? 🤔 Well, think of it as your roadmap to success in affiliate marketing. These programs teach you the ropes, from the basics to advanced strategies, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this competitive field. It's like having a personal coach guiding you every step of the way! 🏋️‍♀️Explaining the Basics of Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is all about promoting other people's products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral. It's a win-win situation. You make money, and the product owner increases their sales. But, to excel in this field, you need to understand its nuances, and that’s where training programs come into play! 🎯The Importance of Proper Training in Affiliate Marketing Success Training programs are your key to unlocking the full potential of affiliate marketing. They provide you with the tools, techniques, and strategies you need to stand out from the crowd and succeed. Remember, knowledge is power, and with the right training, you can turn your affiliate marketing dreams into reality! 🌈Different Types of Affiliate Marketing Training Programs Available There are many types of training programs available, each with its own unique features and benefits. From online courses and webinars to eBooks and coaching programs, there's something for everyone! The key is to find the one that suits your learning style and goals. 🎁Identifying Reputable Sources for Training Not all training programs are created equal. To ensure you're getting the best training possible, look for programs from reputable sources. These could be established affiliate marketers, well-known marketing institutions, or trusted online education platforms. Remember, quality training is an investment in your future success! 💎Key Features to Look for in a Trustworthy Program So, what separates a good training program from a great one? Here are some key features to look for:Credentials and experience of trainers: Your trainers should be experienced affiliate marketers who have a proven track record of success. 🏆 Curriculum structure and content relevance: The curriculum should be well-structured and cover all aspects of affiliate marketing. 💼 Success testimonials and case studies: Real-life success stories can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the training program. 🌟 Ongoing support and community access: A good training program doesn't end with the course—it provides ongoing support and gives you access to a community of like-minded individuals. 👥Navigating the Costs and Investments Investing in a training program is an investment in your future. But how much should you expect to pay? The costs can vary widely, depending on the depth and breadth of the program. However, remember to evaluate the return on investment (ROI). High-quality, comprehensive training can equip you with the skills to generate a substantial income in the long run.There are both free and paid training programs available, each with its pros and cons. While free programs can provide a basic understanding, paid programs often offer more comprehensive and in-depth training. Many paid programs also offer financial assistance and flexible payment options, making them accessible to everyone. 💵💳Leveraging Training for Long-Term Success The journey doesn't end when the training program does. To ensure long-term success, you need to implement the strategies you've learned and stay updated on the latest trends in affiliate marketing.Networking with other affiliate marketers and participating in affiliate marketing communities can provide valuable insights and opportunities. And remember, learning is a lifelong process. Continually developing your skills and knowledge will keep you at the top of your game! 💪🔝There you have it—your ultimate guide to Affiliate Marketing Training Programs! With the right training, a dash of determination, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can turn your affiliate marketing dreams into reality. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and start your journey today! 🚀💡As always, never stop learning, never stop growing, and never stop believing in your potential! Until next time, stay awesome! 😎👍 Read the full article

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ciolook · 3 months

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Seamless Business Operations: The Role Of Professional IT Support

Imagine a workplace where technology dances to your tune, where every click, swipe, and interaction hums with effortless rhythm. No more frantic troubleshooting, no more productivity-stifling tech headaches, just the smooth, flowing melody of seamless operations. This is the harmonious and smooth symphony conducted by the maestro of modern business: professional information technology (IT) support.

But beyond the dreamy vision, what instruments do tech virtuosos, companies like Solutions 4 IT, wield? How do they transform your IT infrastructure into a finely tuned orchestra, playing flawlessly in perfect harmony with your business goals?

This post will cover that. Keep on reading to learn more.

The Unwavering Foundation: Building Your Digital Fortress

Think of your IT infrastructure as the stage upon which your business performs. Servers, networks, and software are the sturdy pillars, the intricate wiring, the very bedrock of your digital ecosystem.

Professional IT support, your tech architects, meticulously construct and fortify this fortress with unwavering precision. They proactively monitor your systems like vigilant stagehands, identifying and resolving potential glitches before they turn into disruptive ovations. No more heart-stopping moments of server crashes or network meltdowns – your operations hum along, glitch-free and reliable, ensuring the show always goes on.

The Swift Conductors: Orchestrating User Support And Training

Even the most magnificent orchestra needs a skilled conductor to guide the flow. Professional IT support consists of team of experts acting as your digital maestros, providing instant support to users navigating unexpected tech hurdles. A quick call, a remote click, and voila! That pesky printer dilemma vanishes, emails start flowing again, and productivity soars like a well-rehearsed crescendo.

But prevention is always better than cure, right? That’s why professional IT support also offers personalized training sessions, equipping your team with the tech-savvy they need to avoid common issues and navigate your systems with the confidence of seasoned performers. Think of them as pre-show rehearsals, ensuring everyone knows their part and plays in perfect harmony.

he Future Forward Ensemble: Embracing Security And Innovation

In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, standing still is akin to missing the curtain call. Professional IT support doesn’t just keep your tech afloat; they propel you towards the future. They stay abreast of the latest security threats, crafting robust cyber defenses that act as your digital bodyguards, keeping your data safe from prying eyes and malicious attacks.

Think of professional IT support as the cybersecurity percussion section, creating a rhythmic barrier against digital dissonance. But they’re not just protectors; they’re innovators as well. They act as your tech compass, guiding you towards cutting-edge solutions and workflow symphonies that optimize efficiency and boost your competitive edge. Think automation, cloud solutions, and the latest productivity tools – professional IT support unlocks the future, one byte at a time, ensuring your performance stays fresh and cutting-edge.

The Unshakeable Backup Singers: Proactive Planning And Disaster Recovery

The unexpected loves to crash uninvited parties. But with professional IT support as your tech confidante, even the most unforeseen tech storms become manageable. They meticulously plan for disaster, mapping out recovery strategies that get you back on stage, faster than a conductor rallying the orchestra after a dropped baton. No more sleepless nights spent frantically looking up ‘data recovery’ on the web for answers.

With professional IT support, you sleep soundly, knowing your digital world is in capable hands, with backup singers ready to fill the gaps if any notes falter.

The Cost-Saving Chorus: ROI And Partnership – The Sweetest Melody

Every business decision boils down to one question: ‘Is it worth it?’ When it comes to professional IT support, the answer is a resounding ‘Bravo!’ Their expertise pays for itself in countless ways. Fewer tech hiccups mean increased productivity and boosted employee morale, like a chorus singing in perfect harmony.

Proactive maintenance prevents costly downtime and data breaches, ensuring your performance doesn’t incur unexpected expenses. And by embracing innovative solutions, you streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and gain a competitive advantage that translates to real bottom-line growth, like a standing ovation from your shareholders.

Indeed, professional IT support isn’t just an expense; it’s an investment in the future of your business, ensuring your financial performance hits all the right notes.

Interlude: Beyond the Technical Curtain – The Human Symphony

While flawless technology forms the foundation of seamless operations, the true magic lies in its impact on the human side of the equation.

Empowering the Ensemble: The Human Melody

Picture a workforce no longer chained to frustrating tech hurdles. Professional IT support’s proactive support and personalized training liberates employees from tech anxieties, allowing them to focus on their unique talents.

Imagine designers seamlessly crafting visuals without software hiccups, marketers sending campaigns with click-perfect precision, and salespeople closing deals with digital tools singing in perfect harmony. This is the human crescendo professional IT support conducts, boosting morale, enhancing creativity, and unleashing the full potential of your team.

The Customer Concerto: A Seamless Overture to Loyalty

In the digital age, customer experience is the curtain call. Professional IT support helps businesses craft seamless customer journeys, ensuring every interaction is an effortless aria.

Imagine websites that load like lightning, online stores where checkout dances gracefully to fingertips, and support channels that resolve issues with a single, harmonious note. This is the customer concerto professional IT support composes, turning fleeting website visitors into loyal brand ambassadors, singing your praises far and wide.

The Human-Tech Duet: Leading the Innovation Chorus

The future of business lies in the perfect duet of human ingenuity and technological prowess. Professional IT support recognizes this, actively collaborating with your team to identify pain points, brainstorm solutions, and implement transformative technologies. This collaborative spirit fosters a culture of innovation, where employees, empowered by seamless technology, become co-conductors in the symphony of your business evolution.

Read more: https://ciolook.com/seamless-business-operations-the-role-of-professional-it-support/

Source: https://ciolook.com/

#internationalbusinessmagazine

#magazinesforentrepreneurs

#globalbusinessmagazine

#topbusinessmagazine

#bestbusinessmagazineforentrepreneurs

blogsonentrepreneurshipandbusi

#internationalbusinessmagazine #topbusinessmagazine #blogsonentrepreneurshipandbusiness #magazinesforentrepreneurs #businessleaders #internationalbusinessmagazin

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apeironmrc · 3 months

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Importance of Feasibility study for Business Growth

“People who count their chickens before they are hatched act very wisely because chickens run about so absurdly that it’s impossible to count them accurately.” ― Oscar Wilde

Business success is primarily determined in terms of ROI, which is the amount of profit that will be generated from the venture. Perception of the same is an imperative call that enhances the Initiation of business proposal. Feasibility study followed by appropriate Business planning are the right tools in place that gives a perfect shape to the proposal. Engaging expertise for feasibility studies can optimise time and money along with diligently serving the study requisites.

A feasibility study is a comprehensive analysis of the Market for a product, service or location in terms of Economical, Technical, operational, demographical, legal and competition factors.

Economic Feasibility: This assessment plays crucial role in determining the positive economic benefits that can be provided by the proposed project. This involves a cost/ benefits analysis of the project, that gives clear picture on the cost and benefits associated with a project. This gives decision makers a choice on investment decisions and well in advance planning on financial resources to be allocated for the project. It also serves as an independent project appraisal, in turn enhancing its credibility.

Technical Feasibility: This assessment focuses on the technical resources needed for the project. That involves the evaluation of the hardware, software, and other technical requirements, training needed for the proposed system. This helps in determining whether the currently available technical resources can cover up the capacity needs and also whether the technical team is capable of converting the ideas into working platforms. Additional technical advancements / support systems needed to meet the capacity and technical training needed to handle the project are to be proposed.

Legal Feasibility: This assessment studies on laws and regulation compliances that should fall in place for the project and guides on meeting the paper requirements. Also investigates whether any aspect of the proposed project conflicts with legal requirements like delimiting laws, data protection acts or social media laws. The organization can save considerable time and effort by having firsthand information on legal compliances.

Operational Feasibility: This assessment involves analysing whether the proposed project would subject to meet the requirements of the organisation, overcoming the challenges of Project Constraints like Technical, Technology, Budget, Resource etc, Corporate Constraints like Financial, Marketing, Export, etc and External Constraints like Logistics, Environment, Laws, and Regulations, etc. Within the stipulated time or estimated time for the project

The significance of feasibility study is” hitting the mark” before committing resources, time, or budget. Further it uncovers new ideas that could give new dimensions for the proposed project.

Engaging Market Research and Consulting, an expertise in Conducting a feasibility study is always beneficial to the project as it gives the organization and other stakeholders a clear picture of the proposed project. Some key benefits identified are

» Identifying Project credibility

» Improves project teams’ focus

» Identifies new scopes / unlock new dimensions

» Provides Insights on “go/no-go” decision

» Identifies potential business alternatives

» Enhances the success rate by evaluating multiple parameters

Several other factors considered under feasibility study includes product or service marketability, company’s financial stability, technology and resources required, return on investment and competition.

Hence a Project feasibility study gains its importance by evaluating a project before starting it on terms of its viability and potentiality to be successful, that guides through decision making and moving forward.

Source Link: https://apeiron.sg/importance-of-feasibility-study-for-business-growth/

#market research #feasibility study #business expansion #business plan #business growth

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monolithm007 · 4 months

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10 Key Benefits of Hiring an Advertising Agency for Your Business

In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, effective advertising and marketing are vital for success. While some businesses opt to handle their advertising in-house, many are turning to advertising agencies to help them navigate the complex world of marketing. If you’re wondering whether hiring an advertising agency is the right move for your business, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll explore the 10 key benefits of hiring an advertising agency, and why it could be a game-changer for your brand.

1. Expertise and Specialization

Advertising agencies are staffed with professionals who specialize in various aspects of marketing, including branding, digital marketing, social media, and more. When you hire an agency, you gain access to a team of experts with a deep understanding of the latest industry trends and best practices.

2. Cost-Effective Solutions

Contrary to popular belief, hiring an advertising agency can be cost-effective. Agencies have established relationships with vendors, which often result in better rates for media buying, production, and other services. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the overhead costs of hiring and training an in-house marketing team.

3. Fresh Perspectives

Advertising agencies bring fresh, outside perspectives to your business. They can offer new ideas and creative solutions that you might not have considered, helping you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

4. Time Savings

Running a business is time-consuming, and managing advertising efforts can be a full-time job on its own. When you hire an agency, you free up your time to focus on core business operations, while the agency takes care of the marketing details.

5. Access to Advanced Tools and Technology

Advertising agencies have access to cutting-edge tools and technology that can enhance your marketing efforts. Whether it’s analytics software, advertising platforms, or creative design tools, agencies invest in the latest resources to deliver the best results.

6. Targeted Marketing Strategies

Agencies conduct in-depth market research to understand your target audience and competition. This data-driven approach allows them to develop tailored marketing strategies that resonate with your ideal customers.

7. Consistency in Branding

Maintaining a consistent brand image across all channels is crucial. Advertising agencies ensure that your brand’s messaging, visuals, and tone are cohesive across online and offline platforms, building brand recognition and trust.

8. Measurable Results

One of the significant advantages of hiring an agency is their ability to track and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. They provide you with detailed analytics and reports, allowing you to see the ROI of your marketing efforts.

9. Scalability

As your business grows, so do your marketing needs. Advertising agencies are equipped to scale their services to accommodate your evolving requirements, ensuring that your marketing efforts stay aligned with your business goals.

10. Competitive Edge

In a crowded marketplace, having an advertising agency on your side can give you a competitive edge. They stay ahead of industry trends, helping your business stay relevant and competitive.

In conclusion, hiring an advertising agency like Monolith Marketing can be a strategic move for your business. With their expertise, cost-effective solutions, and ability to drive results, they can help you navigate the ever-changing world of marketing while you focus on what you do best — running your business. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Monolith Marketing to discuss how they can tailor their services to boost your brand’s success.

#advertising agency

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gratix-technologies · 4 months

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Understanding the Role of Digital Marketing Agencies for your business

In the era of digitization, where the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, businesses are increasingly turning to digital marketing to connect with their target audiences. For many companies, the complexities of the digital landscape necessitate the expertise of a digital marketing agency. This article delves into the concept of a digital marketing agency, exploring what it is and why businesses are seeking their services.

What is a Digital Marketing Agency?

A digital marketing agency is a specialized entity that offers a range of services designed to promote a brand or business in the online space. These digital marketing agencies leverage various digital channels and platforms to create and implement comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to the unique needs and goals of their clients. The primary objective is to enhance brand visibility, attract a target audience, and ultimately drive conversions and revenue.

Key Components of Digital Marketing Agencies:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Digital marketing agencies often employ SEO experts who optimize a website's content and structure to improve its visibility on search engines. This involves keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building to enhance organic search rankings.

Social Media Marketing:

Social media has become a powerful tool for brand promotion. Digital marketing agencies develop and execute social media strategies to engage audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This includes creating compelling content, managing ad campaigns, and fostering community interactions.

Content Marketing:

Content is king in the digital realm. Digital marketing agencies create and distribute relevant, valuable, and consistent content to attract and retain a target audience. This includes blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, and more.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising:

PPC advertising allows businesses to display ads on search engines and other platforms, paying a fee each time a user clicks on the ad. Digital marketing agencies design and manage PPC campaigns to drive targeted traffic and generate leads.

Email Marketing:

An effective way to nurture leads and maintain customer relationships, email marketing is often a key service offered by digital marketing agencies. They design and execute email campaigns, focusing on personalized and relevant content.

Analytics and Data Analysis:

Digital marketing agencies leverage analytics tools to track and analyze the performance of campaigns. This data-driven approach enables them to make informed decisions, optimize strategies, and demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) to clients.

Why Businesses Choose Digital Marketing Agencies:

Expertise:

Digital marketing agencies house professionals with specialized skills in various aspects of online marketing. This expertise is invaluable for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape.

Cost-Effectiveness:

Outsourcing digital marketing services can often be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team. Businesses can access a range of skills without the overhead costs associated with hiring and training personnel.

Focus on Core Competencies:

By entrusting digital marketing to experts, businesses can focus on their core competencies and leave the intricacies of online promotion to professionals who stay abreast of industry trends.

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, the role of digital marketing agencies is crucial for businesses aiming to establish a robust online presence. These agencies act as strategic partners, helping businesses navigate the complexities of digital marketing and achieve their goals in an increasingly competitive online world. As technology continues to advance, the importance of digital marketing agencies in shaping and elevating brands is only set to grow. In a city as vibrant and competitive as Delhi, Gratix Technologies has carved a niche for itself as the best digital marketing agency. With its strategic approach, holistic services, innovative solutions, results-driven focus, client-centric philosophy, and a talented team, Gratix Technologies continues to empower businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. As the digital marketing industry evolves, Gratix Technologies remains at the forefront, helping businesses not just navigate the online world but excel in it.

#Gratix Technologies #digital marketing #digital marketing agencies #digital marketing services

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gurushrconsultancy · 5 months

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For having a successful organization, a dynamic & efficient workforce stands as a stepping stone. Therefore, currently, many businesses are investing in recruitment, training & employee engagement, recognizing their key role in company victory. Traditionally, this task lies within the Human Resources (HR) department. Liberia's human capital management completely changed the dynamics. With Human Capital Management (HCM), you will find an advanced strategy that helps organizations to attract top talent & effective employee performance. Implementing this strategy involves investing in a dedicated human capital management system. But you will get the highest ROI from this.

Human capital management beats traditional HR functions. It focuses on building an employee lifecycle that guarantees an organization acquires & keeps the right workforce. Thus, in the current scenario fueling business growth HCM is very crucial. Leveraging modern IT tools & applications, HCM automates processes & enhances employee effectiveness.

Simply put, HCM encompasses the spectrum of activities spanning an employee's journey within an organization.

What is Human Capital Management?

Employees are a real-time asset for businesses. Without quality employees, it's really hard to grow as a great service provider or product provider. HCM (Human capital management) or human capital management helps to create an environment that increases the potential of the workforce through specific means. Also, many HR Consultancy Services in Liberia use HCM & this brings a lot of benefits to them.

It is followed by the implementation of certain policies & processes related to employee hiring, management, and development. In addition, it plays a vital role in empowering hiring managers and executives to make important decisions about everything including capital utilization.

From workforce costs to their future needs, promotion, training, and operations, all of this falls into this category. These processes are known to act as a motivational force for employees, in turn improving business value.

What is the best definition of human resource management?

HRM (Human resources management) or human resource management compromises formal systems designed to manage people in an organization that is integrated with three primary roles. HRM focuses only on cores. It is widely connected to meet the human resources needs of small and medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, HCM is HRM's expanded vision.

The important distinction between human resource management and human capital management is that human capital extends far beyond the HR function to encompass the organization's total people strategy. Human capital is owned by all business leaders & resides in all members of the organization.

Why Does HCM Matter for Your Organization?

Understanding the essence of HCM sheds light on its significance within an organization. The advantages of embracing human capital management extend to redefining how an organization manages its most crucial resource—its employees.

Here are the key benefits of adopting a human capital management strategy for your organization:

Precision in Talent Acquisition: HCM focuses on recruiting the most suitable talent for specific roles based on competencies and strengths, surpassing mere skill matching.

Streamlined HR Functions: Implementing HCM solutions consolidates disparate HR systems, streamlining & accelerating HR activities through software-driven automation and analytics.

Enhanced ROI and Cost Reduction: An efficient HCM system improves performance and simplifies processes, reducing costs through automation and adherence to best practices.

Boosted Efficiency and Productivity: HCM emphasizes employee training for skill development, elevating productivity, and optimizing workforce efficiency by aligning individuals with roles that best fit their capabilities.

HCM also makes it easy to get human resources jobs in Liberia. In summary, embracing human capital management is not just a change in HR management; it's a 360-degree shift that redefines how organizations can boost their most vital asset—their workforce.

#Human capital development program #Human resources Jobs in Liberia

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xtruss · 5 months

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Image: Wikimedia Commons

5000-Year-Old Tablets Can Now Be Decoded By Artificial Intelligence, New Research Reveals

— M.J. Banias | November 27, 2023

A team from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Mainz University of Applied Sciences has unveiled an AI system capable of deciphering ancient cuneiform texts. This novel technology, leveraging 3D models, represents a significant advancement in understanding one of humanity’s earliest forms of writing.

Published in The Eurographics Association Journal, the researchers’ study focused on a set of cuneiform tablets from the Frau Professor Hilprecht Collection. These tablets primarily originate from ancient Mesopotamia, a historical region in present-day Iraq. Often referred to as the cradle of civilization, this area is where some of the earliest human societies developed. These tablets, in particular, are inscribed with a series of symbols, signs, and wedges that form the languages of the region, such as Sumerian, Assyrian, and Akkadian.

Many are over 5,000 years old and offer a glimpse into ancient civilizations, covering a wide range of topics from everyday life to legal matters.

“Everything can be found on them: from shopping lists to court rulings,” said Hubert Mara, one of the study’s authors. “The tablets provide a glimpse into mankind’s past several millennia ago. However, they are heavily weathered and thus difficult to decipher even for trained eyes.”

The team turned to AI for help.

Using a novel AI process to decode ancient cuneiform tablets, they leveraged a sophisticated AI model based on the Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture, a specialized system designed for object recognition. The study utilized a unique dataset consisting of 3D models of 1,977 cuneiform tablets, with detailed annotations of 21,000 cuneiform signs and 4,700 wedges.

The AI’s methodology entailed a two-part pipeline: initially, a sign detector, built on a RepPoints model with a ResNet18 backbone, identified cuneiform characters on the tablets. In simple terms, the RepPoints model combs through the ResNet18 collection of images connected to the Mesopotamian languages and then combines the patterns to ‘see’ the text. This step was crucial for locating the signs accurately. Subsequently, the wedge detector, using Point R-CNN with advanced features like Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) and RoI Align, classified and predicted the wedges’ positions, which forms the basis of the cuneiform script’s fundamental elements, allowing the AI, in effect, to ‘read.’

These tools take the 3D scans of the tablets and sift through the multitude of measurements of things like the impression depth made by the stylus into the clay or the distance between the symbols and wedges. This nuanced approach enabled the AI to overcome the challenges posed by traditional 2D photographs, such as inconsistent lighting and color distractions, thus providing a more accurate analysis of the ancient texts.

Traditional research on ancient texts uses optical character recognition software (OCR), which converts scanned images or 2D photographs of the writing into machine-readable text.

“OCR usually works with photographs or scans. This is no problem for ink on paper or parchment. In the case of cuneiform tablets, however, things are more difficult because the light and the viewing angle greatly influence how well certain characters can be identified,” said co-author Ernst Stötzner.

Ancient scrolls, parchment, and old books are easy- they are a 2D medium translated into another 2D medium. Cuneiform tablets, however, are 3D, and all that depth impacts interpretation.

To address this, the research team put their AI system through an extensive training regimen, utilizing three-dimensional scans and supplemental data. A substantial portion of this data was contributed by the Mainz University of Applied Sciences, which is currently leading a significant project focused on creating 3D models of these ancient clay tablets. This enabled the AI to achieve remarkable success in accurately identifying the symbols inscribed on the tablets.

This technology not only democratizes access to these ancient records but also opens up new avenues for research, allowing for broader analysis and interpretation of historical texts. Future enhancements could extend its application to other three-dimensional scripts, such as weathered inscriptions found in cemeteries.

— MJ Banias is a journalist and podcaster who covers security and technology. He is the host of The Debrief Weekly Report and Cloak & Dagger | An OSINT Podcast.

#The Debrief #MJ Banias #5000-Year-Old Tablets #Artificial Intelligence #Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg #Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz #Mainz University of Applied Sciences #Eurographics Association Journal

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graphic-designing07 · 5 months

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BEST DIGITAL MARKETING TRAINING & COMPANY IN MOHALI & CHANDIGARH – SOLITAIRE INFOSYSTEMS

The new course in digital marketing training is now available in Solitaire Infosystems! We’re glad you’re here. As we go into the next phase of technology and digital marketing in 3…2…1, it is anticipated that the sector will grow exponentially over the next few years, creating a wide range of job and business opportunities. One expert infers that one of the top skills to learn would be digital marketing.

Digital marketing may appear straightforward, but from a technological perspective, it can be somewhat challenging. Therefore, having a thorough knowledge of the subject is essential. This ability is useful for both students and company entrepreneurs.

Digital Marketing Training In Mohali

The fact that digital marketing is affordable and can reach a larger audience is one of the strategy’s most important benefits; from a commercial and popularity standpoint, this is extremely doable. It is clear that digital marketing is currently more cost-effective than conventional marketing strategies.

Take Jobs: People with solid knowledge of digital marketing can work in the highest-paying positions in the field and support themselves. According to data, there are more than half as many open positions in digital marketing organisations. As a result, a qualified applicant with practical DM knowledge can find employment rapidly. Additionally, they were able to stand out and surpass the other candidates in the field because of their practical knowledge of digital marketing technologies.

Digital Marketing Training In Mohali, Chandigarh

Global Reach: The candidate has the organisational skills necessary to run a firm if he chooses to launch one. Use websites, blogs, and other social media platforms to reach a larger audience, collect leads, and turn them into customers to increase income. For better results, the target audience might even be specified. Additionally, businesses can employ digital marketing to build their brand. It should come as no surprise that digital marketing is significantly less expensive than conventional marketing strategies.

High Return on Investment: It is clear that digital marketing efforts outperform more conventional marketing strategies in terms of ROI. Better market penetration is seen as specific locales are targeted by social media and search engines.

Results that are both trackable and measurable: From an analytical perspective, factors like leads and conversions can be easily and more effectively tracked, and as a result, new tactics can be developed accordingly. It is possible to track parameters like engagement, click through rate, and impressions more effectively. This increases the company’s revenue in an indirect way.

Low prices Digital marketing campaigns are far more affordable and efficient than traditional marketing methods. They can be used to create branding campaigns for products and services. A team of digital marketers is all you require.

Important Details:

Practical instruction and weekly homework

10+ active projects

25+ platforms and tools for digital marketing.

Lessons are held in a classroom.

Training for interviews and resumes

A certificate will be handed to you once the course is finished.

access to live projects recommended by the industry.

Alternate courses are offered.

Career-oriented, industry-required education

customised education

Learn from the best digital marketing experts.

skilled trainers with experience in digital marketing.

Live project instruction

fewer batches for more individualised service.

Course Duration

The Solitaire Infosystems’ courses are mostly created by industrial specialists. Without sacrificing the standard of instruction, the courses are designed to cover practically all of the essential components of the digital marketing curriculum. The courses at Gratis School of Learning have the following durations:

30 days

six months

45 days, 4.5 months

a.30 days

This is a brand-new course that Solitaire Infosystems is providing to support both students and business owners looking to build a solid career in the field of digital marketing. In a 90-day timeframe, the curriculum covers every aspect of digital marketing. The course is specifically taught using excellent tools and hands-on expertise. One of the strongest aspects of this course is the personality development instruction, which helps candidates develop their personalities as both business owners and corporate employees.

b.Six months

Students who are interested in a long-term career in digital marketing can benefit from this course. The emphasis of the course is on developing the students’ skill sets for longer terms. The programme is broken down into more than 20 sessions, and it covers everything from theoretical introductions to tools like Google analytics. Regular sessions for answering questions, technical symposiums, practise exams, interview preparation, and personality development are all part of the industrial training.

c.45 Days

The business is well known for offering the best six-week industrial training programmes in Mohali and Chandigarh. One of the most important factors contributing to the institution’s high-flying reputation is its cleverly crafted curriculum and its sessions for question-and-answer sessions. To keep up with the brief training period, the trainers have prepared and incorporated the regular tests correctly. The programme has been created to help students learn crucial advanced topics in digital marketing. Five modules have been created for the training in light of the limited time available.

Future Scope

The candidates can succeed in digital marketing in a variety of employment categories in addition to their business:

a. Manager of digital marketing, brand manager, social media manager, creator of online content, and business analytics expert.

b.Search engine optimization expert

c.Professional web designer, blogger, email marketer, and search engine specialist.

Conclusion :

We are a leading Mohali and Chandigarh digital marketing firm. You can rely on Solitaire Infosystems for flawless and high-quality services relating to digital marketing. Working together right away with a top-digital marketing company in Mohali for the most individualised experience at the lowest cost.

#digital marketing

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scalingsharks1 · 6 months

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Elevate Your Online Presence with Expert Web Marketing Companies

In today's digital age, a strong online presence is paramount for businesses looking to thrive and succeed. The competition is fierce, and standing out in the virtual marketplace can be challenging. That's where web marketing companies come into play, offering the expertise, strategies, and tools to help businesses not just survive, but thrive in the digital landscape.ﾠ

The Role of Web Marketing Companies

Web marketing companies are your trusted partners in navigating the complexities of online marketing. They offer a range of services designed to enhance your online visibility, engage your target audience, and drive tangible results. Here's what you can expect from these expert firms:

Strategic Planning: Web marketing companies start by understanding your business goals, target audience, and unique selling points. They develop a tailored strategy that aligns with your objectives, whether it's increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or boosting sales.

Website Optimization: Your website is your digital storefront. These companies ensure your site is user-friendly, responsive, and optimized for search engines (SEO). This, in turn, leads to higher organic search rankings, attracting more traffic and potential customers.

Content Marketing: High-quality, relevant content is the backbone of successful online marketing. Web marketing companies create compelling content that informs, engages, and converts visitors into customers. This can include blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics.

Social Media Management: Social media platforms are a goldmine for connecting with your audience. Web marketing companies manage your social media accounts, creating and scheduling posts, running ad campaigns, and engaging with your followers.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC): PPC campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and social media can provide an immediate boost in visibility and traffic. Web marketing companies design and manage these campaigns to maximize ROI.

Email Marketing: Building and nurturing a list of subscribers is a valuable asset. Web marketing companies create email marketing campaigns to engage with your audience, share promotions, and keep your brand top-of-mind.

Analytics and Reporting: To ensure your marketing efforts are paying off, these companies provide in-depth analytics and regular reports. This allows you to track the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

Why Partner with Web Marketing Companies?

Expertise: Web marketing companies are staffed with experienced professionals who stay updated on the latest trends, algorithms, and best practices in the industry. They bring this knowledge to the table, saving you the time and effort required to become a marketing expert yourself.

Focus on Your Core Business: By outsourcing your marketing efforts to a trusted partner, you can focus on what you do best – running your business. This allows you to be more productive and efficient.

Cost-Efficiency: Instead of hiring and training an in-house marketing team, outsourcing to web marketing companies can be a cost-effective solution. You pay for the services you need when you need them, without the overhead of full-time employees.

Measurable Results: With the right tools and techniques, web marketing companies deliver measurable results. You can track the performance of your campaigns, ensuring that your marketing budget is delivering a solid return on investment.

Customization: Every business is unique, and web marketing companies recognize that. They tailor their strategies to meet your specific needs and goals. This customization is key to achieving success in the digital space.

Adaptability: The digital landscape is constantly evolving. Web marketing companies are equipped to adapt to these changes, ensuring that your online marketing strategies stay up-to-date and effective.

Choosing the Right Web Marketing Company

Finding the right web marketing company for your business is a critical decision. Here are some key factors to consider when making your choice:

Experience and Reputation: Look for companies with a proven track record and a positive reputation in the industry. Client testimonials and case studies can be valuable indicators of their capabilities.

Services Offered: Ensure the company offers a comprehensive range of services that align with your marketing goals.

Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential. You should be able to communicate your needs, and the company should be responsive to your queries.

Transparency: A good web marketing company should be transparent about their strategies, pricing, and results.

Cost and ROI: Evaluate the cost of the services in relation to the expected return on investment. A good company will provide a clear understanding of the potential ROI.

Scalability: Ensure that the company can grow with your business and adapt to your evolving needs.

For More Info:-

digital marketing firm

web site marketing companies

business lead generation companies

Google Ads Campaign Management Services

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