https://preview.redd.it/w3wbxgjzze0d1.png?width=3500&format=png&auto=webp&s=c343619687a11525804d04f755c495d975b2050d
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAG Silver Corp. (TSX / NYSE American: MAG) (“MAG”, or the “Company”) announces the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (“Q1 2024”). For details of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (“Q1 2024 Financial Statements”) and management’s discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (“Q1 2024 MD&A”), please see the Company’s filings on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus (“SEDAR+”) at ( www.sedarplus.ca ) or on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) at ( www.sec.gov ).
All amounts herein are reported in $000s of United States dollars (“US$”) unless otherwise specified (C$ refers to Canadian dollars).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS (on a 100% basis unless otherwise noted)

• MAG reported net income of $14,895 ($0.14 per share) driven by income from Juanicipio (equity accounted) of $19,244, and adjusted EBITDA 1 of $32,447 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
• A total of 325,683 tonnes of ore at a silver head grade of 476 grams per tonne (“g/t”) (equivalent silver head grade 2 713 g/t), was processed at Juanicipio during Q1 2024.
• Juanicipio achieved silver production and equivalent silver production 2 of 4.5 and 6.4 million ounces, respectively, during Q1 2024.
• Juanicipio delivered robust cost performance with cash cost 1 of $2.50 per silver ounce sold ($8.66 per equivalent silver ounce sold 3 ), and all-in sustaining cost 1 of $6.11 per silver ounce sold ($11.22 per equivalent silver ounce sold 3 ) in Q1 2024.
• Juanicipio generated strong operating cash flow of $42,521 and free cash flow 1 of $27,820 in the first quarter of 2024 after tax payments of $25,772.
• Juanicipio returned a total of $17,459 in interest and loan principal repayments to MAG during Q1 2024.
• MAG published its updated technical report on Juanicipio on March 27, 2024 outlining robust economics with an after tax NPV of $1.2 billion over an initial 13-year life of mine, generating annual average free cashflow exceeding $130 million. Mineral Resources increased by 33% from the 2017 PEA, with substantial growth in Measured and Indicated categories. Inferred resources also expanded, highlighting significant near-term, high-grade upside potential. An inaugural 15.4 million tonnes Mineral Reserve Estimate at 628 g/t silver equivalent grade was declared enhancing economic confidence. Extensive exploration upside remains, with only 5% of the property explored, indicating high potential for further discoveries.
• MAG announced 2024 production and cost guidance with Juanicipio expected to produce between 14.3 million and 15.8 million silver ounces yielding between 13.2 million and 14.6 million payable silver ounces at all-in sustaining costs of between $9.50 and $10.50 per silver ounce sold. Juanicipio remains on track to achieve 2024 guidance.
• On March 22, 2024 the Company, through its Gatling Exploration Inc. subsidiary, acquired 100% ownership of the Goldstake property (contiguous to its current land holdings) from Goldstake Explorations Inc. and Transpacific Resources Inc., for consideration of C$5,000.

________________________
1 Adjusted EBITDA, total cash costs, cash cost per ounce, all-in sustaining costs, all-in sustaining cost per ounce and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures, please see below ‘ Non-IFRS Measures ’ section and section 12 of the Q1 2024 MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Q1 2024 Financial Statements.
2 Equivalent silver head grade and equivalent silver production have been calculated using the following price assumptions to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver head grade and “equivalent” silver production: $23/oz silver, $1,950/oz gold, $0.95/lb lead and $1.15/lb zinc.
3 Equivalent silver ounces sold have been calculated using realized price assumptions to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver ounces sold (metal quantity, multiplied by metal price, divided by silver price). Q1 2024 realized prices of $23.73/oz silver, $2,112.27/oz gold, $0.92/lb lead and $1.08/lb zinc.
CORPORATE

• The Company is well underway with the preparation of its 2023 sustainability report underscoring its continued commitment to transparency with its stakeholders while providing a comprehensive overview of the Company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) commitments, practices and performance for 2023. A copy of MAG’s 2022 sustainability report and MAG Silver 2022 ESG Data Table are available on the Company’s website at https://magsilver.com/esg/reports/ 4

________________________
4 Information contained in or otherwise accessible through the Company’s website, including the 2022 sustainability report and MAG Silver 2022 ESG Data Table, do not form part of this News Release and are not incorporated into this News Release by reference.
EXPLORATION

• Juanicipio:
  • Infill drilling at Juanicipio continued in Q1 2024 from underground aimed at upgrading mineralization in areas expected to be mined in the near to mid-term. During Q1 2024, 11,271 metres were drilled from underground.
  • Surface drilling focused on expanding and upgrading the deeper zones and broader regional exploration started in April 2024.
  • During 2024, Juanicipio plans to drill a total of 50,000 metres, with 33,000 metres from underground and 17,000 metres from surface.
• Deer Trail Project, Utah:
  • On May 29, 2023 MAG started a Phase 3 drilling program focused on up to three porphyry “hub” target areas thought to be the source of the manto, skarn, epithermal mineralization and extensive alteration throughout the project area including that at the Deer Trail and Carissa zones. In late 2023 an early onset of winter snowfall impacted the commencement of the third porphyry “hub” target, which is now expected to be drilled in 2024. The two completed “hub” holes to date total 2,738 metres. Both holes intercepted alteration and mineralization in line with what is expected on the edges of porphyry systems. Follow-up drill targets are planned for summer 2024.
  • With the early onset of snowfall, Phase 4 drilling focussed on lower elevations commenced in the last quarter of 2023 and continued through Q1 2024, aimed at offsetting the Carissa discovery and testing other high-potential targets in the Deer Trail mine area. During Q1 2024, 1,208 metres were drilled at Carissa with results pending.
• Larder Project, Ontario:
  • Drilling targeting Cheminis and Bear totalled 5,391 metres in Q1 2024. Targets tested include down plunge extension of the high-grade double knuckle at the Bear East zone and extending the Cheminis south mine sequence down plunge.
  • Cheminis Update: Follow-up drilling of the Cheminis South Cadillac-Larder Break (“CLD”) mine sequence down plunge is planned to test below the most recent intercepts. Hole GAT-24-026 intersected a new zone on the north side of the CLB within a fuchsite-silica-albite altered komatiite grading 3.9 g/t gold over 16 metres with 2 higher grade shoots associated with albite dykes (see Table 1 below).
  • Bear Update: Utilizing the updated model and incorporating the updated data from recent drilling, the Bear East zone was successfully extended down plunge by up to 1,100 metres depth. Hole GAT-24-024NB intersected gold mineralization on both sides of the CLB which confirms the presence of either another structural trap at depth or the continuation of the “double knuckle” zone at surface. Gold mineralization intersected on the north zone included 9.4 g/t gold over 2.2 metres within a strongly altered komatiite with syenite intrusions and 1.6 g/t gold over 4.2 metres on the south zone within the south iron-rich volcanics (see Table 1 below). Bear East remains open in all directions.

Table 1: 2024 Larder Drillholes Highlights
https://preview.redd.it/qdr6asmzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=aaedd0020755eaf3404201557cc9623acc995125
JUANICIPIO RESULTS
All results of Juanicipio in this section are on a 100% basis, unless otherwise noted.
Operating Performance
The following table and subsequent discussion provide a summary of the operating performance of Juanicipio for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, unless otherwise noted.
https://preview.redd.it/9txq8snzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=0089cf57573e8834bdb641cf9e055619e6f6c5b2
(1) Equivalent silver head grades have been calculated using the following price assumptions to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver head grade: $23/oz silver, $1,950/oz gold, $0.95/lb lead and $1.15/lb zinc (Q1 2023: $21.85/oz silver, $1,775/oz gold, $0.915/lb lead and $1.30/lb zinc).
(2) Equivalent silver payable ounces have been calculated using realized price assumptions to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver payable ounces (metal quantity, multiplied by metal price, divided by silver price). Q1 2024 realized prices of $23.73/oz silver, $2,112.27/oz gold, $0.92/lb lead and $1.08/lb zinc (Q1 2023 realized prices of $22.93/oz silver, $1,959.50/oz gold, $0.94/lb lead and $1.43/lb zinc).
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 a total of 325,081 tonnes of ore were mined. This represents an increase of 45% over Q1 2023. Increases in mined tonnages at Juanicipio have been driven by the operational ramp up of the mine towards steady state targets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 a total of 325,683 tonnes of ore were processed through the Juanicipio plant; no ore was processed at the nearby Fresnillo and Saucito processing plants (100% owned by Fresnillo). This represents an increase of 47% over Q1 2023. The increase in milled tonnage has been driven by the Juanicipio mill commissioning and operational ramp up to nameplate capacity over the course of 2023.
The silver head grade and equivalent silver head grade for the ore processed in the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 476 g/t and 713 g/t, respectively (three months ended March 31, 2023: 363 g/t and 530 g/t, respectively). Head grades in Q1 2023 were lower as low-grade commissioning stockpiles were processed through the Juanicipio plant. Silver metallurgical recovery during Q1 2024 was 89.1% (Q1 2023: 87.0%) reflecting ongoing optimizations in the processing plant.
The following table provides a summary of the total cash costs 5 and all-in sustaining costs 5 (“AISC”) of Juanicipio for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023.
https://preview.redd.it/riqz1yozze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=c5f2edde6bc789d2d379ca3a910beaa1cb262bde
________________________
5 Total cash costs, cash cost per ounce, cash cost per equivalent ounce, all-in sustaining costs, all-in sustaining cost per ounce, and all-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce are non-IFRS measures, please see the “ Non-IFRS Measures ” section below and section 12 of the Q1 2024 MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Q1 2024 Financial Statements. Equivalent silver ounces sold have been calculated using realized price assumptions to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver ounces sold (metal quantity, multiplied by metal price, divided by silver price). Q1 2024 realized prices of $23.73/oz silver, $2,112.27/oz gold, $0.92/lb lead and $1.08/lb zinc (Q1 2023: $22.93/oz silver, $1,959.50/oz gold, $0.94/lb lead and $1.43/lb zinc).
Financial Results
The following table presents excerpts of the financial results of Juanicipio for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
https://preview.redd.it/4zym5dqzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=d25c91cabc7f6c6b35ff61acacc0160f3dfac2e7
Sales increased by $72,207 during the three months ended March 31, 2024, mainly due to 179% higher metal volumes and 2% higher realized metal prices.
Offsetting higher sales was higher production cost ($9,409) which was driven by higher sales and operational ramp-up in mining and processing, including $3,545 in inventory movements, and higher depreciation ($14,083) as the Juanicipio mill achieved commercial production and commenced depreciating the processing facility and associated equipment in June 2023. Operating margin increased by 21% to 52%, mainly due to operational leverage and the lower reliance on the nearby Fresnillo and Saucito processing facilities.
Other expenses increased by $2,159 mainly as a result of higher extraordinary mining and other duties ($872) in relation to higher precious metal revenues from the sale of concentrates and higher consulting and administrative expenses ($2,690) as an operator services agreement became effective upon initiation of commercial production (the “Operator Services Agreement”), offset by lower exchange losses and other costs ($1,566).
Taxes increased by $20,980 impacted by higher taxable profits generated during Q1 2024, and non-cash deferred tax credits related to the commencement of use of plant and equipment in Q1 2023.
Ore Processed at Juanicipio Plant (100% basis)
https://preview.redd.it/koajybrzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=caf1b70c53c47d371b9cebd743877fcd4ae59ba3
(1) The underground mine was considered readied for its intended use on January 1, 2022, whereas the Juanicipio processing facility started commissioning and ramp-up activities in January 2023, achieving commercial production status on June 1, 2023.
(2) Includes toll milling costs from processing mineralized material at the Saucito and Fresnillo plants for Q1 2023.
Sales and treatment charges are recorded on a provisional basis and are adjusted based on final assay and pricing adjustments in accordance with the offtake contracts.
MAG FINANCIAL RESULTS – THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
As at March 31, 2024, MAG had working capital of $72,833 (December 31, 2023: $67,262) including cash of $74,683 (December 31, 2023: $68,707) and no long-term debt. As well, as at March 31, 2024, Juanicipio had working capital of $107,088 including cash of $30,991 (MAG’s attributable share is 44%).
The Company’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 amounted to $14,895 (March 31, 2023: $4,713) or $0.14/share (March 31, 2023: $0.05/share). MAG recorded its 44% income from equity accounted investment in Juanicipio of $19,244 (March 31, 2023: $7,919) which included MAG’s 44% share of net income from operations as well as loan interest earned on loans advanced to Juanicipio (see above for MAG’s share of income from its equity accounted investment in Juanicipio).
https://preview.redd.it/5bneimszze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=323d988dbd92cf6ca4e815fff071c8ec7f45ee00
NON-IFRS MEASURES
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash cost per silver ounce of Juanicipio to production cost of Juanicipio on a 100% basis (the nearest IFRS measure) as presented in the notes to the Q1 2024 Financial Statements.
https://preview.redd.it/0jhh2stzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=c97634763bd00967ddd878bc09b8e069687fae68
(1) As Q3 2023 represented the first full quarter of commercial production, information presented for total cash costs together with their associated per unit values are not directly comparable.
(2) By-product revenues relates to the sale of other metals namely gold, lead, and zinc.
(3) Equivalent silver payable ounces have been calculated using realized prices to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver payable ounces (metal quantity, multiplied by metal price, divided by silver price). Q1 2024 realized prices: $23.73/oz silver, $2,112.27/oz gold, $0.92/lb lead and $1.08/lb zinc (Q1 2023: $22.93/oz silver, $1,959.50/oz gold, $0.94/lb lead and $1.43/lb zinc).
The following table provides a reconciliation of AISC of Juanicipio to production cost and various operating expenses of Juanicipio on a 100% basis (the nearest IFRS measure), as presented in the notes to the Q1 2024 Financial Statements.
https://preview.redd.it/qkx2r5vzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=0c9cb89471512649ac77b5cbe3177b0621d64835
(1) As Q3 2023 represented the first full quarter of commercial production, information presented for all-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining margin together with their associated per unit values are not directly comparable.
(2) Equivalent silver payable ounces have been calculated using realized prices to translate gold, lead and zinc to “equivalent” silver payable ounces (metal quantity, multiplied by metal price, divided by silver price). Q1 2024 realized prices: $23.73/oz silver, $2,112.27/oz gold, $0.92/lb lead and $1.08/lb zinc, (Q1 2023 realized prices: $22.93/oz silver, $1,959.50/oz gold, $0.94/lb lead and $1.43/lb zinc).
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 the Company incurred corporate G&A expenses of $3,964 (three months ended March 31, 2023: $3,262), which exclude depreciation expense.
The Company’s attributable silver ounces sold and equivalent silver ounces sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were 1,757,630 and 2,475,862 respectively (three months ended March 31, 2023: 880,429 and 1,230,412 respectively), resulting in additional all‐in sustaining cost for the Company of $2.26/oz and $1.60/oz respectively (three months ended March 31, 2023: $3.71/oz and $2.65/oz respectively), in addition to Juanicipio’s all-in-sustaining costs presented in the above table.
The following table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Company based on its economic interest in Juanicipio to net income (the nearest IFRS measure) of the Company per the Q1 2024 Financial Statements. All adjustments are shown net of estimated income tax.
https://preview.redd.it/sx6jo7wzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=1fea9df2b8195ce579b570935ab24b9939da5988
(1) As Q3 2023 represents the first full quarter of commercial production, information presented for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is not directly comparable.
The following table provides a reconciliation of free cash flow of Juanicipio to its cash flow from operating activities on a 100% basis (the nearest IFRS measure), as presented in the notes to the Q1 2024 Financial Statements.
https://preview.redd.it/aqnp2dxzze0d1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=56db2245eb87ec1f718edc1890b48b9b5d3ad762
(1) As Q3 2023 represents the first full quarter of commercial production, comparative information presented for free cash flow of Juanicipio is not directly comparable.
Qualified Persons: All scientific or technical information in this press release including assay results referred to, and mineral resource estimates, if applicable, is based upon information prepared by or under the supervision of, or has been approved by Gary Methven, P.Eng., Vice President, Technical Services and Lyle Hansen, P.Geo, Geotechnical Director; both are “Qualified Persons” for purposes of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
About MAG Silver Corp.
MAG Silver Corp. is a growth-oriented Canadian exploration company focused on advancing high-grade, district scale precious metals projects in the Americas. MAG is emerging as a top-tier primary silver mining company through its (44%) joint venture interest in the 4,000 tonnes per day Juanicipio Mine, operated by Fresnillo plc (56%). The mine is located in the Fresnillo Silver Trend in Mexico, the world's premier silver mining camp, where in addition to underground mine production and processing of high-grade mineralised material, an expanded exploration program is in place targeting multiple highly prospective targets. MAG is also executing multi-phase exploration programs at the 100% earn-in Deer Trail Project in Utah and the 100% owned Larder Project, located in the historically prolific Abitibi region of Canada.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the NYSE American has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.
Certain information contained in this release, including any information relating to MAG’s future oriented financial information, are “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively herein referred as “forward-looking statements”), including the “safe harbour” provisions of provincial securities legislation, the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• statements that address maintaining the nameplate 4,000 tpd milling rate at Juanicipio;
• statements that address our expectations regarding exploration and drilling;
• statements regarding production expectations and nameplate;
• statements regarding the additional information from future drill programs;
• estimated future exploration and development operations and corresponding expenditures and other expenses for specific operations;
• the expected capital, sustaining capital and working capital requirements at Juanicipio, including the potential for additional cash calls;
• expected upside from additional exploration;
• expected results from Deer Trail Project drilling;
• expected results from the Larder Project at the Fernland, Cheminis, and Bear zones;
• expected capital requirements and sources of funding; and
• other future events or developments.

When used in this release, any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events of performance (often but not always using words or phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “project”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions), as they relate to the Company or management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. Assumptions underlying the Company’s expectations regarding forward-looking statements contained in this release include, among others: MAG’s ability to carry on its various exploration and development activities including project development timelines, the timely receipt of required approvals and permits, the price of the minerals produced, the costs of operating, exploration and development expenditures, the impact on operations of the Mexican tax and legal regimes, MAG’s ability to obtain adequate financing, outbreaks or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other contagions or epidemic disease will be adequately responded to locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.
Although MAG believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including amongst others: commodities prices; changes in expected mineral production performance; unexpected increases in capital costs or cost overruns; exploitation and exploration results; continued availability of capital and financing; general economic, market or business conditions; risks relating to the Company’s business operations; risks relating to the financing of the Company’s business operations; risks related to the Company’s ability to comply with restrictive covenants and maintain financial covenants pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility; the expected use of the Credit Facility; risks relating to the development of Juanicipio and the minority interest investment in the same; risks relating to the Company’s property titles; risks related to receipt of required regulatory approvals; pandemic risks; supply chain constraints and general costs escalation in the current inflationary environment heightened by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the events relating to the Israel-Hamas war; risks relating to the Company’s financial and other instruments; operational risk; environmental risk; political risk; currency risk; market risk; capital cost inflation risk; risk relating to construction delays; the risk that data is incomplete or inaccurate; the risks relating to the limitations and assumptions within drilling, engineering and socio-economic studies relied upon in preparing economic assessments and estimates, including the 2017 PEA; as well as those risks more particularly described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2023 available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Please Note: Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures in MAG's annual and quarterly reports and other public filings, accessible through the Internet at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov
LEI: 254900LGL904N7F3EL14
​

For further information on behalf of MAG Silver Corp. Contact Michael J. Curlook, Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications Phone: (604) 630-1399 Toll Free: (866) 630-1399 Email:info@magsilver.com 

https://preview.redd.it/d8wzg8yzze0d1.jpg?width=66&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a39ec6a39761447bbd4dbd77e92aef49e95e583e
https://preview.redd.it/qr1wv0zzze0d1.png?width=4000&format=png&auto=webp&s=fadeb32c9245f8b70d903b1c70321decddf77985

Universal Site Links
MAG SILVER CORP.
STOCK METAL DATABASE
ADD TICKER TO THE DATABASE
www.reddit.com/Treaty_Creek
REPORT AN ERROR

https://preview.redd.it/gjtyiubtsd0d1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd01eb2583f6c0757ed047ed278dca16f5cc4abd
The landscape of global trade is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances. Recent events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and escalating US-China disputes have not only disrupted established trade flows but have also redefined the geopolitical contours of commerce. According to projections by UNCTAD, global trade witnessed a significant downturn in 2023, reflecting a decline of approximately 5% compared to the previous year’s record levels, amounting to a staggering $1.5 trillion reduction.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde aptly captured the essence of this transformation, noting a fragmentation of the global economy into competing blocs. This fragmentation underscores a fundamental shift in global trade patterns, with nations increasingly gravitating towards politically aligned trade partners. This trend, often referred to as “friendshoring” and “nearshoring,” signifies a departure from traditional trade dynamics.
The United States, for instance, has diversified its trade away from China, redirecting its focus towards countries such as Mexico and Vietnam. Mexico, in particular, has emerged as a crucial trading partner, surpassing China in terms of trade volume with the US in 2023. Similarly, the EU’s trade with Russia witnessed a significant decline following the Ukraine crisis, leading to a surge in trade with alternative partners, including China. These shifts underscore the growing influence of geopolitics on global trade patterns.
Clear identification of opportunities is crucial
In this evolving landscape, clear identification of opportunities is paramount for businesses seeking to navigate geopolitical trade dynamics successfully. The emergence of nearshoring as a viable strategy underscores the importance of agility and adaptability in supply chain management. Countries such as Mexico and Vietnam have positioned themselves as attractive alternatives to China, offering new avenues for trade and investment.
Germany’s experience provides a compelling case study of nearshoring in action. As trade with Russia dwindled, Germany sought alternative suppliers within Europe, thereby reducing its dependence on distant partners. Similarly, Poland witnessed a surge in imports from Germany, signaling a shift towards regional trade networks. These developments highlight the strategic imperatives of diversification and resilience in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
Preparedness for uncertainty: Informed decision-making in global trade
Against this backdrop of geopolitical upheaval, business leaders must equip themselves with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions. The rise of geopolitics as a prominent factor in corporate discourse underscores the need for proactive monitoring and geopolitical risk analysis. From supply chain disruptions to regulatory uncertainties, businesses must anticipate and mitigate potential challenges to maintain operational continuity.
Leaders such as Larry Fink of BlackRock and Elon Musk of Tesla have emphasized the importance of strategic diversification in mitigating geopolitical risks. By establishing a presence in multiple regions, companies can enhance their resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. Moreover, constant tracking of geopolitical events and regulatory shifts enables businesses to seize emerging opportunities and mitigate potential threats proactively.
In conclusion, navigating geopolitical trade dynamics requires a nuanced understanding of evolving geopolitical trends and their implications for global commerce. By conducting geopolitical risk analysis, and embracing agility, diversification, and strategic foresight, businesses can position themselves to thrive in an increasingly uncertain world.
Unlocking insights with an astute research partner
For businesses seeking to gain deeper insights into geopolitical trade dynamics and emerging opportunities, Netscribes offers cutting-edge research and information solutions. Leveraging advanced data analytics and industry expertise, Netscribes provides actionable insights tailored to the unique needs of businesses across various sectors. From geopolitical risk analysis to supply chain optimization strategies, Netscribes equips businesses with the tools and intelligence needed to navigate the complexities of global trade with confidence. Contact Netscribes today to unlock the full potential of your business in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

https://preview.redd.it/idvvfge00c0d1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4ea3bb931c9bbbcf105f223827a646c3051e1c68
The Argentina perfume market represents a vibrant and dynamic segment within the country's beauty and personal care industry. Perfumes, also known as fragrances, play a significant role in the cultural and social fabric of Argentina, with consumers valuing scents for their ability to evoke emotions, enhance personal grooming routines, and make fashion statements. This article provides an overview of the Argentina perfume market, covering its key players, market dynamics, consumer preferences, and notable trends.

Market Overview

The Argentina perfume market is part of the broader cosmetics and personal care industry, which encompasses a wide range of products aimed at enhancing personal grooming, hygiene, and overall well-being. Perfumes hold a special place within this industry, offering consumers a means of expressing their individuality, sophistication, and style through the sense of smell.

Market Dynamics

The Argentina perfume market is influenced by various factors, including changing consumer preferences, economic conditions, cultural influences, and regulatory frameworks. Key dynamics shaping the market include:

• Consumer Preferences: Argentine consumers exhibit diverse preferences when it comes to perfumes, ranging from floral and fruity to woody and oriental fragrances. Preferences may vary based on factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, and occasion.
• Economic Factors: Economic conditions, including disposable income levels, inflation rates, and purchasing power, impact consumers' ability and willingness to spend on luxury items like perfumes. Fluctuations in the economy can affect overall market demand and sales performance.
• Cultural Significance: Perfumes hold cultural significance in Argentina, where personal grooming and appearance are valued. Scents are often associated with memories, emotions, and social rituals, making them integral to everyday life and special occasions.
• Distribution Channels: Perfumes are sold through various distribution channels in Argentina, including department stores, specialty perfume shops, beauty salons, pharmacies, online retailers, and direct sales channels. Each channel offers unique advantages in terms of reach, accessibility, and customer experience.
• Competitive Landscape: The Argentina perfume market features a competitive landscape with both domestic and international brands vying for market share. Key players include global fragrance houses, luxury fashion brands, celebrity-endorsed labels, and local perfumery artisans.

Consumer Preferences

Argentine consumers exhibit diverse preferences when it comes to perfume selection, with factors such as fragrance type, brand reputation, price point, and packaging influencing purchasing decisions. Some of the popular fragrance categories in Argentina include:

• Floral: Floral fragrances, characterized by notes of roses, jasmine, lilies, and other blossoms, are perennial favorites among Argentine consumers, evoking feelings of femininity, romance, and freshness.
• Fruity: Fruity fragrances, featuring notes of citrus, berries, apples, and tropical fruits, appeal to consumers seeking vibrant and energetic scents with a playful twist.
• Woody: Woody fragrances, incorporating notes of sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, and vetiver, exude warmth, sophistication, and masculinity, making them popular choices for men's perfumes.
• Oriental: Oriental fragrances, rich in spices, amber, vanilla, and exotic resins, offer a sensual and mysterious allure, often favored for evening wear and special occasions.

Notable Trends

The Argentina perfume market is characterized by several notable trends that reflect evolving consumer preferences and industry innovations. Some of the key trends include:

• Celebrity Fragrances: Celebrity-endorsed perfumes continue to attract attention in the Argentina market, with celebrities from the worlds of music, film, and fashion lending their names and personas to fragrance lines targeted at their fan bases.
• Natural and Organic: There is a growing demand for natural and organic perfumes made with sustainably sourced ingredients, free from synthetic chemicals and preservatives. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing eco-conscious and health-conscious options in their beauty routines.
• Personalization: Personalized perfume experiences, including bespoke fragrances, custom scent blending, and fragrance layering techniques, are gaining popularity among Argentine consumers seeking unique and tailored olfactory profiles.
• Online Retailing: The rise of e-commerce has transformed the perfume retail landscape in Argentina, offering consumers convenient access to a wide selection of fragrances, exclusive deals, and personalized recommendations. Online retailers leverage data analytics and virtual try-on tools to enhance the digital shopping experience.

Key Players

The Argentina perfume market is home to a diverse array of domestic and international brands, each offering unique fragrance portfolios tailored to meet consumer preferences and market trends. Some of the key players in the market include:

• L'Oréal Argentina: A subsidiary of the French cosmetics giant L'Oréal, L'Oréal Argentina is a leading player in the local perfume market, offering a wide range of fragrances under its various brands, including Lancôme, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and Ralph Lauren.
• Puig Argentina: A multinational fragrance and fashion company, Puig operates in Argentina through its subsidiary Puig Argentina, distributing popular perfume brands such as Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Prada.
• Avon Argentina: Avon Products, Inc., a direct-selling cosmetics company, has a strong presence in the Argentina market, offering a diverse selection of perfumes through its network of independent sales representatives.
• Natura Argentina: Natura &Co, a Brazilian multinational cosmetics group, entered the Argentine market following its acquisition of Avon in 2020. Natura offers a range of natural and sustainably sourced perfumes under its own brand as well as through the Avon portfolio.

Future Outlook

The Argentina perfume market is poised for continued growth and innovation, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and industry dynamics. Key factors shaping the future outlook of the market include:

• Innovation in Fragrance Formulations: Perfume manufacturers are expected to invest in research and development to create innovative fragrance formulations that cater to emerging consumer trends, such as sustainability, wellness, and personalization.
• Digital Marketing and E-commerce: The digitalization of perfume retailing is expected to accelerate, with brands leveraging social media platforms, influencer marketing, and e-commerce channels to reach and engage consumers in new and immersive ways.
• Sustainable Practices: Sustainability will remain a key focus area for perfume brands, with increasing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging, ethical sourcing, and transparent supply chains to meet the demands of environmentally conscious consumers.
• Market Expansion and Diversification: Perfume brands will continue to explore opportunities for market expansion and diversification, targeting untapped consumer segments, geographic regions, and distribution channels to drive growth and brand visibility.

In conclusion, the Argentina perfume market represents a dynamic and evolving segment within the beauty and personal care industry, characterized by changing consumer preferences, cultural influences, and industry innovations. With a diverse array of fragrance options, distribution channels, and key players, the market offers ample opportunities for growth and differentiation in the years to come.

The next part is here! This episode is actually so long that I'm going to split it, so today, you're only getting part 1 of 3.
DISCLAIMERS (the same ones as before)
The point of this fanfiction is not to be a straight-up continuation of events with the same themes, intensity, and tone. If you go into it with those expectations, you are probably not going to like it. Rather, it’s supposed to be how I wish things went if these events were real life. The resolution you want for a real-life situation isn’t often the right choice for a show, but it can be incredibly beautiful. Think of what you’re about to read to be a separate show then.
Episode 1 of this fanfiction begins after the episode “2:00” (season 2 episode 4), so it replaces the episode “Cake” and the ones that follow it. This fanfiction expects you to have seen the entirety of seasons 1 and 2, so you should watch those first.
I myself bursting into the story here. The narrator and me are the same. While my character is like 95% real me, don’t take events about my life described here as facts. Some aspects of my life have been changed for the story. In my head, I started writing like an “alternate me” character in 2016, fulfilling a lot of the things that I wish I had in life, adding that to my story. I’m not really from Ukraine. I speak fluent Ukrainian as a foreign language, I started learning it in 2014, and I’ve talked to tons of people from there, but I’m not from Ukraine. I also don’t have as much money as I do in the story. I wish lmao.
If you want to post your own fanfiction, feel free to do so! To get your own post flair for your fanfic, and to appear in the side bar, please message me.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 6 - “ATTIC”
Part 1 (day 1)
So I'd be scheduled to work with Sean in the kitchen again, maybe a few days later, and Leanne would be "allowed" out of the attic again and have some time in the kitchen with me, like with Tobe in the real show (which Dorothy only started to allow because her strategy of pure torture and isolation wasn't working...). Julian would be there to watch us while Dorothy is at work (it would be around 10-11 AM) and Sean is shopping for new parts for the dishwasher.
https://preview.redd.it/0c1nl07xi80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=e80511c2313074880382dd5b1773a6a046c0c90b
This time, we’d be told to cook something for Sean, following his recipe, maybe filling squid with a mix of mashed vegetables and spices.
This time, we’d be told to cook something for Sean, following his recipe, maybe filling squid with a mix of mashed vegetables and spices.
With Julian there, we’d be pretty limited in the things we can talk about, but the air would be noticeably lighter because of my gift for Leanne that neither of us can talk about yet, and you could tell on her face and especially in her eyes how much that has touched her. I’d imagine we’d talk about the stuff either of us likes to cook. She’d tell me that she doesn’t actually cook that much on her own. I’d be surprised and ask what she likes to eat, and she’d open one of the drawers and show me the cans upon cans of tomato soup and tell me she likes to just warm up a can every day and add some side dish on the plate, like toast, and something to drink, usually just water. She’d be a bit embarrassed about it because her experience is that people think that’s weird, but I’d tell her that I think that’s cute, and she could tell on my face that I mean it. I’d tell her how I eat obscene amounts of Ben & Jerry’s, even more so in the summer, and how her eating so much tomato soup reminds me of that, and I’d tell her how I drink sooo much Cola Zero that I’ve built up a lot of resistance to caffeine. “I can drink a whole two liter bottle, take my meds, and then go to bed just like that” (Side note: Coca Cola’s US website actually lists a two liter bottle among their sizes. Is that correct?) She’d be amazed and almost not believe me, but I’d show her my almost empty two-liter bottle in my backpack, with a little bit of condensed water from my fridge still on the outside, and she’d look at me with big eyes, bewildered and amazed, and we’d both chuckle before Julian tells us to stop. Quite confused, I’d ask why, like, what’s wrong with us laughing, and he’d tell us something like me not being there to have fun. I’d ask “Mister… What’s your surname?” - “Pearce” - “Do you have employees, Mister Pearce?” - “My father does, and I wouldn’t hire you anyway.” - “Oh, good, I wasn’t going to apply for a job with you in the first place. I can’t say I’m surprised that nobody wants to work for you.”
Leanne would be proud that I’m sticking it like that to Julian, and before he even has a chance to reply, she’d ask him “Could you please get us some wheat flour from the basement?” - “You want me to get you a fucking bottle, too?” - “Two would be nice.” - (Julian rolls his eyes) “I think I’d get two for myself, so I don’t lose it with you both!”, and he goes into the basement. As soon as Leanne can hear the door shut, she would suddenly tell me to fill up a bag she takes out from under the sink with ALL of the water bottles in the kitchen and a lot of the food in there that can be eaten as is and doesn't require cooking, and she’d tell me to do the same with my backpack, quietly go up to the attic, and hide there, so I can’t be seen if Julian comes upstairs, anticipating that she will be left alone in there again for days without food. I'd be confused at first, but she'd frantically beg me to do it immediately, and I'd trust her, I’d nod and say “okay” and do it. Julian would come back, and she'd pretend that I left. Julian would command her around again to finish up in the kitchen, and soon after, he'd lock her in the attic again, not knowing that I'm there.
I'd be shocked and really confused and concerned after realizing he just locked us in, and in that moment, she'd come to me, begging me on her knees to get her out of there, crying. At first, I’d just look around in shock with my jaw dropped, but then, I'd just hug her and just comfort her and let her know I'll do it. I'd feel so sorry for her... I wouldn’t know yet how long she’s been locked up for and why, but that wouldn’t matter for me to decide to help her. Really confused, I’d ask her to tell me what’s going on and why she’s locked up there. I’d be so shocked.
Once she’s calmed down enough after begging me to help her in full desperation, we’d sit down on the mattress. She’d tell me the full story - from the moment she first arrived at the Turners' in season 1 to now, including Dorothy’s brutal acts of violence and the pranks Julian and Sean played on her in season 1 to drive her out of the house, but she'd only mention the Church of Lesser Saints in passing as that's another really painful and complex topic she doesn't want to get into, and she wouldn't tell me about reanimating the doll yet because she knows how unbelievable the truth sounds (she tries not to let anyone know about her powers anyway). She'd stop several times while telling me all that because it's so hurtful, and I'd just comfort her and hug her . She’d cry out that it’s her fault and that she never should have come back. I’d just tell her that none of this is her fault and that she didn’t “come back” because she was taken against her will. “You can’t blame yourself for any of that. It’s not like they gave you a choice. It’s not your fault.” I’d tell her that she deserves none of the things they’ve done to her, I’d be absolutely horrified by them. She’d tell me about Sean’s visits to her, how he stopped coming upstairs after she was buried alive,
https://preview.redd.it/nfcpodj7j80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=51f4fc8c9cf9bbc64ed04133019220890cb18b05
and how he told her stories about Dorothy to try and make her (Leanne) feel sorry for her (Dorothy), so she can tell him where Jericho is. “I told him that Jericho died, and he just said nothing and stood up and got out after a while. He knows that there’s nothing I can do…” While she cries on my shoulder, I’d just comfort her, rubbing her back, and just express my absolute shock at the things she’s telling me and just try to make her feel at least a little bit better. I’d be like “Those are the worst things I’ve ever heard… He actually defends her? Like, he got you out of a hole in the ground and still told you that she’s ‘ not a bad person ’?” Leanne would nod. “Oh my God, what a piece of shit… What an absolute piece of shit… I’m so sorry you’re going through that… She’s trying to kill you, she’s starving you, she forces you to use the bucket, and… Oh my God, I’m so sorry…”
I’d just let her cry for a little while as I’m comforting her. I’d cry myself, just so shocked and horrified and scared. Unsure if that’s what she wants to do, she’d ask me if I’m going to call the police. I’d ask her how long she thinks we’ll be in here, and she’d say she doesn’t know. “Do you think someone will come up here before tonight?”, and she’d shake her head. “Mr. and Mrs. Turner don’t come up during the day anymore”. I’d suggest we wait until everyone’s asleep tonight and then try to find a way out. She’d say that she’s already tried everything, and I’d be like “Of course, but now, we got a lot more options because you’re not alone up here anyway. Like, okay, that’s gonna sound really hard, and it probably is, but I can try to step up on your shoulders and reach the skylight, stuff like that. If we can sneak out without them knowing, that’s probably a lot safer for you than calling the police while we’re unarmed and the Turners are not. And the last thing you need right now is another traumatic situation”. She’d look up at me, surprised that I’m even considering her well-being like this. “And if we don’t manage to get out tonight, we can still come up with a plan. What do you say?” And she’d smile and nod. I’d smile back and rub her back and say “Heeey, it’s gonna be alright. I’m getting you out of here! Until tonight, let’s just make the best of it!”, and she’d smile really hard at that, which would really touch me, seeing her smile like that because she has hope now, and she’d almost cry.
“So how did you like the cake?”, I’d randomly ask her. She’d look me directly in the eyes and tell me how delicious it was, full of joy, and show me the porcelain baby and say that she wants to keep it. I’d be like “I told you you’re special!” with a big smile and embrace her over the shoulders as she’s smiling back. She’d go “Thank you so much, Daria!”, and I’d be like “Of course!”
I’d then go “Hey, let’s eat some of this stuff! You must be starving!”, and we’d divide the food and water we got upstairs, dividing it into rations for three days (just to be sure…), making her ration for today a bit bigger because she hasn’t eaten in days. Because calling the police would create a dangerous situation for us (and it’s not like there are any lengths the Turners wouldn’t go to), we’d keep that as a last resort if we run out of food, “but let’s see what we can do tonight”. Among the food in my backpack would be every single can of tomato soup from the kitchen and a can opener 😊 Even though it’s cold, the soup would be like heaven to her! And I’d be like “Mmm! Hey, honestly, this is way better than I expected!” - “You like it?” - “Yeah! I thought it might be a bit dull, but there’s, like, what’s in here? I think there’s some celery, definitely some salt, and there are some chunkier bits, like, yeah, this is pretty good!” This is her comfort and favorite food, and because it’s such a rare choice, I don’t think anyone has ever told her that they like it (even the way Dorothy said “You do love that soup, don’t you?” in season 1 kinda communicated that she found it odd or weird),
https://preview.redd.it/m0qd3ffbj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=3ca1365daff79f8b126460f21423e516ee5e9dd7
and she’d love hearing that! I’d ask her if she’s ever had Ben & Jerry’s, and she’d say she hasn’t. “I’m gonna give you some when we’re out of here, you’re gonna love it! My favorite flavor is Cookie Dough S’Wich Up, it’s like vanilla ice cream mixed with cookie dough, Oreo pieces, and brownie pieces, and also some chocolatey stuff mixed in with the vanilla in some spots!”, and that would sound great to her, she’d look forward to it. And I’d give her the rest of my Cola Zero. She’s probably had some before, but right now, she’d enjoy every bit of it.
I’d take out my two phones at some point (I actually do have two - an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini lmao, but there was no 15 Pro Max at this time, so I’d have an iPhone 13 Pro Max here) and give her the Samsung because, like, we don’t really know for sure if anyone will come upstairs before tonight. I’d add my own number as a contact as well and add her as a contact on my iPhone under the number of the Samsung phone, so this way, she can call the police herself if the Turners find me upstairs with her, and the police can find out where I am if anything happens to me, and vice-versa.
After we’re done eating, knowing that we’re left with like ten to eleven hours until we can try to get out, we’d just sit there on the mattress saying nothing for a few seconds. Breaking the silence, I’d look around a bit and ask “Did the attic look the way it did when you… you know, or did you decorate it like this?”
https://preview.redd.it/x38rzmzdj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=18f45af349fce7f3783887e7e2eb3a27c7c27ced
She’d say she did. “It’s beautiful, especially with the lights and stuff! You’ve got a good eye!”, and she’d smile a bit in embarrassment. I’d be like “Hey, I mean it! No need to be embarrassed!” and then say “Have you heard about, like, I don’t know what to call it, but some department stores have LED chains that you can stick to surfaces and control the color of with a remote. Most of them can even fade back and forth between colors. When we’re out of here, if you want, I can show you some. If you already like these lights, you’re gonna love them!”, and she’d smile and say that that sounds great! I’d show her some on my phone, and we’d imagine putting them up around us and talk about our ideas that we couldn’t realize because we obviously just wanna get out of there, and we’d talk about where we’re gonna go once we are. I’d suggest my place, a small rental house like twelve minutes by bike from there that’s technically in East Lansdowne, where we can stay at least for a little while, and she’d say she’d love to, but to please take her somewhere safe where the Turners can’t find her, somewhere far away, certainly not this close to them. I’d suggest going to a hotel, and that would sound great to her. We’ll probably have to go to my place first just to get my stuff, but yeah, we can go to a hotel from there. I’d again just reassure her that it’s gonna be alright.
She’d bring up that I told her I’ve spent an exchange year in California, and I’d say that yes, I’ve spent a year in San Diego and add “Still the best year of my life.” She’d ask why, and in her own words, she’d say that we talked so much about HER life, and she wants to know some more about me. I’d tell her I wasn’t the first one in my family to do a student exchange year. My sister went to Denmark from 2008 to 2009. “You got a sister?”, Leanne would ask, and I’d tell her I got two and ask about her family, and she’d tell me she’s an only child. I’d tell her my sisters moved out, or rather, they were forced out, in 2007 (I think) and 2012, so I was alone with my parents for several years, which felt a lot longer. “Time already flies by at twenty-three now”. And anyway, at the time, I thought my mother, who did most of the “parenting”, wanted to make me happy by letting me go abroad for a year, but in retrospect, it’s pretty obvious that she just wanted to be rid of me for a year, the same as when my sister went to Denmark. In retrospect, I remember how many arguments she and my sister had after she came back, which was partly because she definitely enjoyed being rid of her for a year, and then, she had to “deal” with her again. Leanne and me would just lock eyes, and I’d say “We both got terrible moms” and chuckle because of it while still having sad expressions on our faces.
I’d say “Anyway, my first choice were the US, and I got placed with a family in San Diego, California, or [sãn ˈd̪je.ɣ̞o] in Spanish”. Surprised, she’d ask “You speak Spanish, too??”, and I’d be like “Yeah, but not back then”, and in awe, she’d ask how many languages I speak. I’d answer her in each language before saying what language I was just speaking in - fluent Ukrainian, English, and R*ssian, rather good Spanish, some French and Dutch, and I’ve forgotten most of the Finnish and Azeri that I used to know, and I’d show her on Google Maps where that’s even spoken. She’d be really impressed ahaha, and a bit embarrassed about herself. I’d be like “Hey, it’s okay, you don’t need to compare yourself to anyone. Life’s not a competition”, and that would be a really important lesson in life for her, certainly very different from how she’s been taught to think before, especially by her mother and by the Turners. She seems pretty smart anyway, and when I tell her that, she’d be really surprised and flat-out say no, and I’d be like “You’re super resourceful in the kitchen, like, you can come up with solutions to problems pretty quickly, you’re great at remembering details, and you already know that you got lots of special skills! I’d say you’re pretty smart!”, and she’d smile again before making a sadder face and telling me that she never went to school because the Church never let her. I’d be like “That’s… That’s horrible. If you want, there are YouTube channels out there that maybe you can use to learn about all the stuff you missed out on”, and she’d nod a little with a bit of a smile. “Doesn’t say anything about your intelligence anyway. Credentials are only credentials, and school is pretty terrible at telling you how smart you are.”
Back on talking about California, I’d tell her about my year there from August 2014 to August 2015. While there, I didn’t even realize how free I was all of a sudden because I was away from my parents for the first long time in my life. I changed a lot in that year because I didn’t have them look over my shoulder and judge my every move anymore. My mother even took me by the hand outside up until I left for America, and suddenly, I could socialize with whomever I wanted, I could stay outside of the home after school, like, AT ALL, the family I was with, they actually cared, like, I could talk to them, I could just ask when I needed stuff, and they didn’t force their restrictive values and stuff on me, I could just be me, y’know? I’d tell her that my time in California was also the first time I had a girlfriend (a little hint there ahaha), which my parents would have gone ballistic over if they found out. Leanne would ask if her and me still speak, and I’d be like “No, not in a very long time”, and she’d ask about the family I stayed with in San Diego, if we’re still speaking, and I’d be like “Oh yeah, we do. They know about where I live now, about a lot of the things that’s happened in my life since 2015, and yeah. We actually talked just a few days ago.”
“If it’s not too personal”, I’d ask, “do you still talk to your parents?”, and she’d shake her head and say she doesn’t, and that she doesn’t wanna talk about that, maybe another day, and I’d be like “Okay” and respect that.
Back on talking about California, I’d say “ignorance is bliss”, so to come back from America a year later (we already moved to Kyiv City before I left for America), where nothing had changed, with how much I had changed in that year without realizing it, my home life became horrible as a result. I suddenly realized that my parents having loud arguments several times a week is NOT normal, and I began to realize that my mother probably never cared so much about me and my autism diagnosis (which I got in 2006) because she loved me, but because she used it to cash in benefits for it all these years. I have no idea how much she received, but one time, I saw the bank statements of my parents’ shared account, and there were the equivalent of like $8000-$9000 in there, while I only received the equivalent of like $30 per month as an allowance. For years, a health inspector would come by once a year to check up on me (mostly by just talking to my mother) for continuing the granting of the money she exploited me for, and for years, she'd taught me to act like - literally - the most mentally disabled person ever during those check-ups, either ignoring the inspector completely and acting like they're not there at all, or cowering up in a corner and pretending I'm terrified. This way, she cashed in the money that's granted for the care of people whose level of disability is comparable to that of late-stage dementia patients… While the government was already struggling financially! Living in a normal environment for a year really changed me, and I didn't notice it until I came back, when I finally stopped playing along, which would make everything worse for how I was treated, and just one month later was when my parents broke up and decided they wanted a divorce, which made my world crumble even more than it already had.
If I didn’t have feelings for her, I’d probably just call the police, but because I do like her in that way already, I’d just go the extra mile and comfort her and ask her if she can tell me what’s going on and stuff, assuring her that I’ll get her out of there.
If Leanne was a completely different person and I didn't have feelings for her, I'd probably call the police, but when you're slowly starting to fall in love with somebody, you just wanna make sure they're safe and be really careful about this. I haven't gotten to a lot of the stuff in my life yet because it's a long story, but with how Leanne and me both went through parental abuse, parents who worked really hard to make us feel horrible, strict religious abusive upbringings, horrible punishments when we left religion, feeling so left behind in our development because of our upbringings and struggling to succeed in the wider world as a result (it's so hard to actually find someone who understands what that's like. I feel so much comfort and understanding knowing that Leanne can really relate to this!), and falling into the traps of other people who used our lack of experience and agency, we both went through so many similar things in different ways, and I'd think we'd bond soooo much over that, knowing and feeling how much we both understand each other through the similar things we went through, that would bring both of us so much comfort! I think we'd not just be great, but great for each other, not only through our similar experiences, but also through our similar personalities and values, like how we're not fitting in with people. I love her peculiarities so much that people just call weird, like how she eats sooooo much canned tomato soup, how she arranges everything so tidily, like her plates or her food in the kitchen, or how she keeps bugs she tries to reanimate.
https://preview.redd.it/h2t0cxyjj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=6df143cc40eeab0fef3b56884a424da685c2d1cf
Something I'd notice so easily at this point in the story already are the ADORABLE ways she reacts to things with her face and verbally! Some examples of what I mean by that are her short pauses before she speaks if she doesn't know how to answer right away,
https://preview.redd.it/u5yj2u9nj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=b3fdaaa7db350b8664b4f0391e5ba57621cae47a
how she answers non-verbally sometimes like smiling and nodding instead of saying yes,
https://preview.redd.it/4nkz9lvnj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=509294d626b4e85f75a630214fecb5a836f6955f

the way she moves her eyes when something's awkward,
https://preview.redd.it/7pits5koj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=45bd06c9198a480c47e61c8f8b3256fc958a7202

that is SO INCREDIBLY CUTE, I adore it so much, it adds so much to her personality! I'd notice that so hard already and absolutely adore it!
And even though we wouldn't know much about each other yet, we'd already notice and really like these things about each other. And up there, when I tell her a little bit about my life like I just have, she'd really feel for me, too and comfort me back, and that is honestly so wonderful to imagine for me ❤️ She'd sit there next to me and listen a lot and look at me, and embrace me a little bit. She wouldn't really know how to do that yet because it's not something that people ever did for me or taught her to do for others until I just came along, but she'd now know how good that feels and do it for me, too, as best as she knows how, and that's the best thing about it!
Late that night, when we think that everyone else is almost certainly asleep, we'd try to find anything we can in the room to get through the door of the attic without being loud enough to wake anyone up (because then, we'd both be screwed), but there would be nothing we could do to get out right then and there without the Turners waking up. If there was, Leanne would have been long gone already. We’re both twigs lol, so we’d step up on each other’s shoulders to try and reach the skylight, but it would be too high. We’d look for long solid objects to try and reach the skylight, but anything we find wouldn’t be enough. I’d double-check the door to the other part of the attic, and it would be locked. Smashing any doors would wake everyone up at night and make them come upstairs during the day. The window is locked, and it’s way too high for a safe fall anyway. So we'd make plans. If, in three days, we're still locked up, we will call the police because we'd have no other choice, but if Sean or someone else comes in by then, Leanne would be ""given"" a few hours out of the attic again, and they would leave the attic unlocked like they did before
https://preview.redd.it/xlgdf3mrj80d1.png?width=780&format=png&auto=webp&s=1b517528b4d494774c463ee320cd0ded84367809
because they'd think no one else is in there, and I would leave all the rations in the attic, sneak out of the attic, and leave through the basement. I'd leave the Samsung phone with her, so that she can reach me after I get out of there and prepare to get HER out of there. The plan would be for me to go home, taker a shower, type up everything I've seen into a PDF file addressed to the police, and send the PDF file to one of my internet friends (I actually have such a hard time making friends, another way in which Leanne and I are so similar and would really get each other). (I’m changing his name for this story for privacy reasons) I'd probably choose my friend Liam for this. I'd tell him that if I'm not back online telling him I'm safe in 24 hours, that he should then open the PDF file and call the Philadelphia police and read it all out to them. If I lived in America, I'd definitely get a gun lol. In Pennsylvania, I'd actually be able to just go buy one, I'd pass the requirements of the instant background checks. I'd get my gun, pack up everything we'd need for the next couple of weeks, and get a taxi to like one block away from the Turners', and with my gun for intimidation (considering that they're holding her hostage, this would probably fall under acting in defense of a third party), lock the Turners in the bathroom, have Leanne come downstairs, and leave with her, get to the taxi, and drive off, out of Philly, and be safe from the Turners for now.
But we'd leave the details for the next day. By this point, I'd need to tell her about some of my medical conditions, like night terrors, which usually fade during one's youth, but for me, they never did, so that she's prepared if they happen and doesn't get too freaked out, and so she knows that they're completely triggerless and can happen to me even after the best of days. I’d tell her that people don’t usually remember their night terrors at all, so she knows that I will act like nothing happened in the morning because I literally won't remember, it's only sometimes that I know that SOMETHING scary happened, but I rarely ever remember the night terrors themselves at all), and also so she knows to make sure I won't hurt myself or her if I have an episode, and also because it's a safety issue in this situation, to make sure that the Turners don't hear me, because if they did, we’d be screwed. And I'd have to tell her about my PTSD (because of the war in Ukraine, I’d tell her I’d lived through the first three days of it), which gives me nightmares, and to please wake me up if she notices I'm having those. We'd share the tiny mattress and covers that are up there, say good night, and fall asleep next to each other! Because I wouldn't have my meds, she'd fall asleep first, and I'd just look at her for a while 😊