#sky dance

He had never been one for tracking.

It was a skill, one most people who used it had spent many sweeps perfecting, he had not. But Selene was a shifter, and he had a scrap of his targets clothing, and worst case scenario he knew Ptillo would help him when she returned from wherever she was. But he was not willing to simply wait for that to happen, and so he set out. He decided not to tell anyone exactly what he was up to, so slipping out happened in the early hours of the evening, when many members of the hive were still asleep, especially his beloved Keonin, curled up with a wriggler on either side of her. Hopefully he would be home before anyone could worry too much.

Shifting once outside the door, he moved cautiously, ears perked forward and eyes keen, watching for Hunter. That one could cause him problems with the trying to slip away quietly thing. Perhaps if they were closer he would have requested help with his tracking, but no, he was going to do this himself. Luckily there was no sign of the wolf and Selene was able to get far enough away to feel comfortable shifting into an easier and faster movement, rather than creeping. 

The purple figured he would head to the last place he knew she was living, and start attempting to track her from there. And so he set off, glad this form was built for running. His long legs moved easily, and despite the gravity of everything he felt fantastic, wondering to himself why he did not do this more. The running, not the hunting.

Getting to Her hive was easy enough, though it was empty, her scent somewhat faint. He seemed to have gotten lucky, as he was sniffing around, as the crunch of boots on stone reached him. Peeking around the corner revealed the very Jade he had come here to confront, HIS symbol still displayed proudly on a chain. Selene shifted, stepping out, much to her surprise.

“Solare” he said with a barely held back growl. Oh, she broke into a huge grin, and her words dripped in a coo.

“Selene, I knew you’d come to your senses eventually~” 

He cut her off with a snarl, it was less threatening with his mask in the way but it got the point across. Her head tilted slightly, not unlike a bird, green eyes glittering. He did not speak again before lunging. He had always, from the time they were little, been faster than her, lighter on his feet. Her becoming a drinker had done a lot to even that playing field, while also pulling her even further ahead in terms of raw power, but Selene did not think about any of that.

Solare responded swiftly, keeping herself from toppling over just barely, her nails raking down his face. She pulled the mask down, and left gouges in the already scarred half of the purples face. He snarled, turning and snapping his teeth at her hand now that his mouth was free. They sank in. She hissed, using his grip on her to yank him forward, sinking her fangs into his neck through his clothes, right in her favorite spot. They quickly both released and retreated. Solare cradled her injured hand, eyes tinted red, while Selene held his neck, and for once, it was fury that painted his features, not fear.

“Oh my darling Moon, is that all you got? I see you got a tail, sweet pet, maybe you should tuck it between your legs and I’ll remind you how good a time we can have” she gave him a cocky grin, though it faltered for a moment “I’ll show her she was wrong, that you still need me, and once you realize that too we can get rid of that wannabe mate of yours. It will be just like old times, I’ll take care of the threat to us, and you can make the body disappear after.”

That was the final straw. Selene could feel the beast inside him, snarling, begging to be let out, to rip her to shreds. But no, he wanted to be here for this, so she knows it’s Him and not just pure Instinct and Rage. He fought against it, that moment giving her the opportunity she needed to lunge forward, pinning him against the wall. He faltered for a moment as she loomed over him, feeling so small. Once upon a time this would have felt safe. Now it felt like staring at a snake ready to strike.

She ran her tongue across her fangs, fully extended, and went to tug his jacket and shirt down enough to have access to his neck and shoulder. Both ended up tearing slightly, as he struggled to push her away to no avail. Her teeth sank in and now he had a new problem, though one that calmed the other at the very least. The warmth and pleasure of her venom started to spread, though he continued to fight, scrabbling for anything he could use to get her away. The purple undid the buckle holding her axes, and they clattered to the ground. This was just enough noise for Solare to pull back, puzzled.

He took her looser grip and dropped like a rock, grabbing one of the axes and using what turned out to be the blunt side to smack her leg, causing her to stumble and fall back slightly.

He stood, taking the unfamiliar weapon in hand. It was cruel, and heavy, nothing he would use normally, and for a split second he wavered again.

Until he saw the dried purple.

He had no way of knowing where it was from. Himself? Ptillo? Oh Ptillo, she believed in him, didn’t she? He was doing this for her, for Keonin, for the whole pack.

And so

He swung

It took the bite of the axe for her to realize he was not just playing as normal, green splattering across the delicate purple. Heh, he looked good in her green, always had, and the way her blood splattered across the wall behind him gave him the illusion of wings. And for just a moment she could think about how things used to be, how good they were.

Maybe she had driven him to this. Did she regret it?

She did not get a chance to figure that out as the blade came down again, severing her neck.

Selene stood, breathing heavily as a glint of silver caught his eye. He dropped the axe, bending down to grab the pendant he had given her once upon a time. Despite its age it still was beautiful, though the green and purple that coated it hid much of that. He held it up to the sky, one dual colored necklace framed by the moons.

“This” he said, voice strained “This is all you will EVER get from me”

Elimination of DEI Initiatives:

Sky Dance confirmed the elimination of Paramount’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing recent executive orders, the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and federal mandates.

Changes include:

Removing demographic-based hiring goals (race, ethnicity, sex, gender).

Eliminating demographically focused leadership programs.

Ending minimum spend requirements for diverse vendors.

Closing the Office of Global Inclusion and removing DEI-focused roles and messaging.

Financial and Operational Plans:

Sky Dance will infuse $1.5 billion in cash to support all divisions, including over-the-air broadcast.

Plans to upgrade Paramount Plus’s algorithm, enhance advertiser targeting, and integrate AI into workflows.

Commitment to support CBS’s local broadcast stations.

Political Context

FCC Chairman’s Statement:

Brendan Carr highlighted Sky Dance’s commitments as aligning with the Trump administration’s priorities, particularly addressing perceived bias in legacy media and eliminating DEI initiatives.

Trump Administration Involvement:

A prior lawsuit against CBS’s 60 Minutes was settled by Paramount for $16 million. Claims of an additional $20 million deal for Trump-related advertising or programming were denied by Paramount leadership and unconfirmed by Sky Dance.

The merger approval has been politicized, with concerns raised about government influence over media concessions.

FCC Vote and Dissent

Vote Outcome:

The FCC approved the merger 2-1, with Commissioner Anna M. Gomez (Democrat) dissenting.

Dissent Statement:

Gomez criticized the approval as enabling government overreach, potentially threatening press freedom by extracting financial and ideological concessions.

Impact on Programming

South Park Deal:

Paramount secured a $1.5 billion, five-year deal with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for exclusive streaming rights and five new 10-episode seasons. The season 27 premiere openly criticized Trump and Paramount, suggesting creative freedom persists.

Speculation on Other Shows:

Questions remain about the future of Paramount’s linear networks (e.g., Comedy Central, MTV) and shows like The Daily Show. The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has raised concerns about political motivations, though South Park’s continued critique may counter such claims.

Future Leadership and Strategy

Leadership Changes:

David Ellison will become CEO, and Jeff Shell (formerly of NBC Universal) will serve as president.

Hybrid Model:

Ellison aims to position the new Paramount as a media-technology hybrid, leveraging resources from Oracle (founded by his father, Larry Ellison).

Potential Network Changes:

Paramount’s linear TV networks may be spun off, similar to moves by NBC Universal and Warner Brothers Discovery. The NFL’s TV contract with CBS includes a change-of-control clause, but renegotiation is more likely than termination.

Financial and Workforce Impact

Cost Savings:

Sky Dance identified $2 billion in cost savings, with nearly 20% of Paramount’s U.S. workforce already laid off and more downsizing expected.

Shareholder Dynamics:

The merger will proceed despite pending shareholder lawsuits, which cannot halt the deal.

Broader Implications

Optimism vs. Controversy:

Sky Dance’s takeover was initially seen as a preferable alternative to private equity or studio mergers, preserving Paramount’s movie studio. However, political controversies and layoffs have tempered optimism.

Uncertain Future:

The role of the Trump administration in influencing news and entertainment, alongside technological and operational shifts, will shape the new Paramount’s trajectory.

Notes

South Park’s Role:

The show’s bold critique of both Trump and Paramount suggests resistance to editorial control, potentially setting a precedent for creative independence.

Legal and Political Challenges:

Democratic officials may investigate the merger for alleged concessions, but these are unlikely to affect the deal’s closure.

Political Influence, Corruption, Democratic Norms, and Ethics

The merger between Sky Dance and Paramount Global, as approved by the FCC, raises significant concerns regarding political influence, potential corruption, adherence to democratic norms, and ethical considerations. Below is an evaluation of these aspects based on the provided report.

1. Political Influence

The merger process appears heavily intertwined with political dynamics, particularly involving the Trump administration, which raises questions about the independence of regulatory decisions and media operations.

FCC Chairman’s Statements:

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s public endorsement of Sky Dance’s commitments, which align with the Trump administration’s priorities (e.g., addressing perceived media bias and eliminating DEI initiatives), suggests political motivations influenced the approval process. Carr’s framing of the merger as a step toward restoring trust in media through “diversity of viewpoints” mirrors political rhetoric, particularly from conservative factions critical of “legacy media.”

Alleged Concessions to Trump:

The report references a settled lawsuit against CBS’s 60 Minutes for $16 million and unverified claims of an additional $20 million deal for Trump-related advertising or programming. While Paramount and Sky Dance deny these claims, the ambiguity and timing of these allegations (post-meeting with Carr) suggest potential political pressure or negotiations behind closed doors. Such arrangements, if true, could indicate an inappropriate use of political influence to secure favorable media treatment.

Ombudsman Role:

Sky Dance’s commitment to appoint an ombudsman to address ideological bias complaints, potentially including those from the Trump administration, risks creating a mechanism where political actors could exert direct influence over newsroom decisions. This undermines the principle of editorial independence, a cornerstone of free press.

Assessment:

The merger approval process shows clear signs of political influence, particularly through the alignment of Sky Dance’s commitments with the Trump administration’s agenda. This raises concerns about the politicization of regulatory oversight and the potential for government interference in media operations.

2. Corruption

While direct evidence of corruption (e.g., bribery) is not confirmed in the report, several elements suggest the possibility of undue influence or ethically questionable concessions.

Alleged Trump Deal:

The unconfirmed $20 million advertising or programming deal with Trump, if true, could be interpreted as a form of quid pro quo to secure FCC approval. Even without confirmation, the mere existence of such claims, coupled with the $16 million 60 Minutes settlement, creates a perception of potential corruption, undermining public trust in the process.

DEI Rollbacks:

Sky Dance’s swift elimination of Paramount’s DEI programs, explicitly tied to recent executive orders and Supreme Court rulings, appears designed to appease specific political factions. While legally permissible, the abrupt dismantling of these initiatives in exchange for regulatory approval could be seen as a transactional move to curry favor with the administration, raising ethical red flags.

Lack of Transparency:

The absence of clear statements from Sky Dance regarding the alleged Trump deal and the rapid timeline between Ellison’s meeting with Carr (July 15) and the FCC’s approval (July 24) suggest a lack of transparency in the decision-making process. This opacity fuels suspicions of behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Assessment:

While not definitively corrupt, the merger process contains elements—such as unverified financial deals and politically motivated commitments—that create a strong perception of impropriety. The lack of transparency and the alignment of Sky Dance’s pledges with political priorities further erode confidence in the integrity of the process.

3. Democratic Norms

The merger’s approval and its associated commitments challenge democratic norms, particularly those related to press freedom, regulatory impartiality, and corporate accountability.

Threat to Press Freedom:

The appointment of an ombudsman to monitor ideological bias, combined with Sky Dance’s commitment to “diversity of viewpoints,” risks creating a chilling effect on journalistic independence. If the ombudsman prioritizes complaints from powerful political actors (e.g., the Trump administration), CBS News could face pressure to align its reporting with specific ideological goals, undermining the media’s role as an independent check on power.

Politicization of Regulatory Oversight:

The FCC’s role is to ensure that broadcast licenses serve the public interest, but Carr’s emphasis on political priorities (e.g., combating media bias, eliminating DEI) suggests a partisan approach to regulation. Commissioner Anna M. Gomez’s dissent, which warned of “abuse of power” and threats to press freedom, underscores the risk to democratic norms when regulators prioritize ideological agendas over neutral oversight.

South Park as a Counterpoint:

The continued creative freedom of South Park, which openly criticized both Trump and Paramount in its season 27 premiere, suggests some resistance to political control. However, this may be an exception, as the show’s billion-dollar deal and cultural significance likely afford it unique leverage. Less prominent programs or journalists may not enjoy similar protections.

Assessment:

The merger process undermines democratic norms by introducing political influence into media regulation and threatening editorial independence. While South Park’s defiance offers some reassurance, the broader implications of Sky Dance’s commitments and the FCC’s politicized rhetoric suggest a troubling erosion of press freedom and regulatory impartiality.

4. Ethics

The ethical implications of the merger touch on corporate responsibility, workforce treatment, and the balance between public interest and private gain.

DEI Elimination:

The rollback of DEI initiatives, while legally compliant, raises ethical concerns about abandoning commitments to diversity and inclusion in response to political pressure. This move prioritizes regulatory approval over fostering an equitable workplace, potentially alienating employees and audiences who value such initiatives.

Workforce Impact:

The layoffs of nearly 20% of Paramount’s U.S. workforce, with more expected, reflect a prioritization of cost savings ($2 billion identified by Sky Dance) over employee welfare. While downsizing is common in mergers, the scale and timing—amid a politically charged approval process—suggest a lack of ethical consideration for workers’ livelihoods.

Public Interest Commitment:

Sky Dance’s pledge to operate in the public interest, as required by the FCC, is undermined by its concessions to political priorities. Ethical media operations require independence from external pressures, yet the ombudsman and “diversity of viewpoints” commitments suggest susceptibility to ideological influence, compromising journalistic integrity.

Creative Freedom vs. Control:

The South Park deal and its unfiltered content indicate that Sky Dance may tolerate creative freedom in high-value properties. However, the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and speculation about other programs (e.g., The Daily Show) raise ethical questions about whether political considerations are influencing programming decisions.

Assessment:

The merger reflects ethically questionable decisions, including the abandonment of DEI programs, significant layoffs, and concessions that prioritize political appeasement over journalistic independence. While South Park’s freedom suggests some ethical boundaries are respected, the broader pattern indicates a willingness to compromise principles for regulatory and financial gain.

Conclusion