#**scan manipulated for clarity

[meyousing]

ℭ𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔬, ℌ𝔬𝔭𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔏𝔬𝔰𝔰

𝔯𝔢𝔮𝔲𝔢𝔰𝔱: chrollo x pregnant!kurta reader + prompts 12. “haven’t you realized your situation? your life is completely in my hands now.” and 16. "i'll destroy anyone that gets in my way, anyone that tries to get in between us."

𝔰𝔶𝔫𝔬𝔭𝔰𝔦𝔰:  a one-night stand between you and chrollo ends up becoming much more, something that you never would have thought could cost you the cozy life you had made in your village alongside your clan.

𝔫𝔬𝔱𝔢𝔰: yandere chrollo x reader, manipulation/deception, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of nsfw, kidnapping, blood/murder (aka the kurta massacre). this story is a little more morbid than my other work, you have been warned. i will add a cut for when things become more intense :)

You didn't even know it yourself. It was another clan member’s nen ability that informed you of the life growing inside of you–just as theirs ended. The feeling of their bruising grip on your hand letting up ever so slowly as their soul faded away, their last words being something so heavy and bearing so much that you had no choice but to believe them. You knew that you had made a mistake. 

Hiding your face in an attempt to cover up your ever-deepening blush, you turned away from the dark-haired man on his back beside you and sat up, reaching down to pull your cloak off of the floor and begin dressing back up. You felt so embarrassed even after the act was done, this having been your first time–not to mention doing it with a man so charming and seemingly infatuated with you, it was something that you didn’t think you could ever get over. Perhaps you were in a state of shock, did this really just happen? Based on the pleasant but sore sensation between your legs, you didn’t have to pretend. 

It happened on a whim, you had been sent into town by the Clan Elder to buy some extra food from the markets, as this gardening season was off to a slow start and there weren’t enough vegetables to sustain everyone. While at the market you were scanning over various fruits, trying to gauge which ones were new and which were beginning to rot so you could pick the right ones to last you all longer. 

He approached quietly, sneaking up from behind and asking for your opinion on the produce he had selected since you looked like you knew what you were doing. With a smile and an apology (since his sudden voice by your ear had caught you off guard, making you physically jump which then startled him), you were more than happy to help. Somehow, in a whirlwind, one thing led to another and you were following him back to his apartment rather quickly after your meeting, groceries long forgotten. 

“When will I be seeing you again?” he asked, voice husky as he sat up behind you and reached for your hand. He peppered soft kisses along your knuckles, raising chills upon your skin when his lips worked all the way up your arm and to your bare shoulder. You shivered, leaning into him as he pressed against your neck. 

“I don’t know…” your sentence tapered off, a bit too overwhelmed by his warm affections and the clarity of your actions now that they were finished and you had time to reminisce with a clearer mind.

You had somewhat of a lover back in the village, someone you would exchange coy glances with and speak a handful of sweet conversations when the timing was appropriate, away from peeking eyes that would immediately declare your marriage if they caught a glimpse of anything. You knew that you wanted to save yourself for him, but there was just something so irresistible about this stranger, it almost felt like you didn’t have any control of your body when you consented to his advances. You couldn’t even give a definite yes or no to coming back and seeing him again, you were just so confused. Had you just committed adultery? And enjoyed it? Were you going to come back?!

The idea of that put a bitter taste in your mouth. How sickening, how morally unacceptable. With a wince you stood up from beneath the sheets and pulled your clothes back on quickly, ignoring the sticky sensation starting to drip down your thighs even as you pulled your panties back on, moving the substance back up your leg once more. 

“What’s the rush?” he asked, leaning back on his hands and watching you casually, even though you were sure that your urgency was obvious, and there was clearly nothing to be so casual about. You turned to look at him and noticed that the sheet covering his lower half had lowered even further since you stood, making you whip your head right back around with a more crimson complexion than the one you had moments ago.

“I… have to go take care of something at home. They’ll be worried about me, I said I wouldn’t take long in the city” pushing the last button through your shirt and pulling your cloak on once and for all, you brushed yourself off and rushed to the door. 

“Just a minute,” he requested, sitting up a little taller and readjusting the sheet to cover a little more of himself. Thank god. You stopped and spun around with hesitance, waiting for whatever he was about to say with shaky hands that were just itching to pry the door open so you could run out of there. 

“If you’re willing to take a longer route, there’s a path that runs on the edge of the city right by the stall where we met. It’s likely to lead you back home, and there’s a beautiful view there that you cannot miss out on. It should be on the left, you’ll know it when you see it.” 

Your lips twitched upward and he mirrored it, the anticipation of seeing something peaceful in the near future relieved your nerves a little bit. You thanked him, and without another moment to spare you dashed away from that room and out of the apartment building as fast as your legs could carry you. 

What had you just done?! You and that boy from the village were not yet tied together by marriage, but you had a definite emotional connection that would have certainly made it feel like cheating if you were to flirt with another man, let alone sleep with one. Your skin felt itchy and dirty, and the way that your underwear was keeping physical evidence of your copulation filled you with pure guilt. You tried to calm yourself down, walking fast so you could get home as soon as possible and wash your body until your skin was rubbed raw. And how would you explain the lack of groceries you were bringing back?!

One thing after another, it continued to get worse. You were now an adulterer who couldn’t even do one thing right and actually bring home the food you were assigned to get. You couldn’t fulfill the only purpose of this trip because you had to act upon a selfish impulse that came over you out of nowhere. One that was sudden and out of your control, but felt that if you did not act upon it you would simply explode, and how perfect that such an attractive stranger was there to care for your needs.

You shook your head when that thought crept in, shaming yourself and looking up to the landscape before you for a distraction. Your eyes scanned around eagerly, and after a brief few seconds of strenuous searching, you noticed a small, rocky path near the fruit stall. The one that the man had mentioned to you.

The anticipation of seeing something peaceful in the near future relieved your nerves a little bit.

Ah, perfect. That would be sure to calm you down if he was being honest about the view, and wasn’t just saying that to mess with you in an attempt to delay your trip so you would spend more time with him. You knew your way back home very well since you travelled to the city a lot, you knew that even if this path did not lead back to the village you could easily find your way back so long as you continued walking north. Your mind was set.

Trekking down the road, you began to take deep breaths as all of the unease bubbling up inside of you was becoming unbearable, alongside another nervous feeling that you couldn’t place. You felt entirely unnerved, not quite like you were being watched, but like something very bad was about to happen and take the cake for being the worst part of this already awful day. Perhaps it was just caused by the unfamiliar route home. At the very least, this route may have been longer but was definitely more scenic and a lot quieter than your regular one. You had faith that it would pleasantly surprise you too if there was a hidden and scenic view as that man said. 

That man. You had to try harder to get him out of your head. You tried shaking it, rubbing your eyes and temples as if you could physically wash him away if not will him away. You didn’t know how much more anxiety you could take before your heart simply gave up.

You stopped walking, eyelids closing and hands balling into tight fists. Your heart was pattering harshly within your ribcage, pushing achingly against it, so fast. 

Calm down.

Allowing your eyes to open again, you inhaled deeply and observed the spot where you chose to halt. Blinking, you followed the back-and-forth blowing of elegant green leaves and swirly plants with their sturdy vines. You happened to look over your left shoulder, and to your surprise, a beautiful display of the sky was visible through a patch in the trees, as if its branches had been carved out for it to be seen. As ethereal as the twinkling stars looked against the deepening blue yonder, you had a hard time enjoying it because of that angsty feeling that was clawing at you.

If you wanted to feel better, you had to stop wasting time and get home. Perhaps finally being back to some familiarity would provide comfort, allow you to reset your mind, and pretend that nothing peculiar even happened today. Soaking in the view one final time, you committed it to memory to act as a soother while you continued on. You started to speedwalk, and the more you did continue on, the more the environment around you changed. 

The first thing you noticed was how it was oddly quiet. You knew that you were nearing home because the number of swirly plants had increased, and typically by this point you could hear the distant bustling and soft chatter of your elders. But there was no bustling. There was only pure and utter silence aside from the clop of your shoes against the stones under your feet, and the crunching of the fallen leaves trapped between them. 

Something wasn’t right, now you knew that for certain.

Your walk became a run, you didn’t stop and didn’t care about how many bushes or plants you ripped out of the way until you were back to your territory. 

You nearly tripped from how quickly you had to stop yourself from continuing on at lightning speed, lest you get too close to the scene before you.

It was all red. 

Your eyes started to turn the same colour once they took in and fully analyzed what exactly they were looking at, your limbs became numb, your breath hitched, and bile rose to your throat as you saw the multitude of corpses littered all over your village grounds. 

The deceased bodies of the villagers, of your clan members.

“I tried to delay your arrival…what a shame, I really didn’t want you to see this.” 

This voice was familiar. You had just heard it not long ago.

Having never moved this fast before, you nearly gave yourself whiplash spinning around to see who was behind you. Any uneducated onlooker would notice your scarlet eyes and assume that they must have been burning, or at the very least were starting to burn, considering just how intense your gaze was and how much that deep red glowed. You were expressionless but your teeth were grit and your jaw was tightly clenched. Who dared to speak to you this way after you had just been witness to such a lachrymose sight?!

“I–you…” you sputtered, eyes widening impossibly and muscles seizing in shock when you realized just who dared. 

“Me.” It was spoken softly and quietly, yet it was so loud to you even as the only sound in your ears was the intense thumping of your heart–which felt like it was in your throat.  

The man you had just met with. And a silhouette further behind him, a diversely sized clump that was certainly a hidden group of people. A short trail of blood followed their location, starting thick and narrowing off into smaller drips the closer it got to them.

Why was he here, and who were those people?! You had no doubt that they were the cause of this, what was his connection to them? What else did he know if he had “tried to delay your arrival?”

“Y/N…” a frail voice came from your side, far and low and your head lashed down immediately to see the Clan Elder reaching a trembling hand in your direction. 

He was still alive. 

You wasted no time in scurrying to his side, dropping to your knees, and holding his hand with both of yours. The bloodied, empty sockets where his eyes once were made your blood run cold, and the sight of him shaking his head from side to side as if trying to look for you despite being blinded made you want to cry. 

You couldn’t help but think if you had been home sooner… could you have stopped this from happening? Or would you have fallen victim to the massacre as well?

The Elder’s grip on your arm intensified suddenly, making you gasp and wince in pain as he must have been exerting every last bit of life he had into that grasp. A shimmering white aura surrounded his body, flowing through to his hands and lighting up your skin where he was touching. You began to shake from the strength of it all, watching how suddenly he leaned closer to place his mouth by your ear so he could whisper;

“You’re pregnant.” 

Then he was gone. You could feel and see it all; the way his nails lifted back out of your skin, fingers unravelling from around your wrist as his limbs slid back down to his sides, lifeless. That surrounding glow was gone too, dimming out slowly until there was nothing left.

It didn’t feel real. 

You found yourself leaping away from the sudden hand on your back, scowling at the man from a newly created distance, watching him stand up straight after kneeling down to be at your previous level. Seeing him in such close proximity to your deceased clan made your gut churn, you felt sick. He couldn’t just let you mourn, was he not planning to just rip the bandaid off and admit that he was planning this, that he did this?! 

“Haven’t you realized your situation?” He wasn’t looking at you, his gaze was trained intently on the Clan Elder as his hands reached for his pockets. You watched him sharply, none of his movements going unnoticed as you were overwhelmed with the urge to protect everyone around you despite being too late. 

“Watch what you say to me next,” you warned. You did not have any formal combat experience, and any threat of violence was empty, but you didn’t doubt what could be granted to you by adrenaline. Your words must have intrigued the man though, he looked over at you with a grin and rotated his body so he was facing you completely.

“Y/N…” he whispered, using your name for the first time since your meeting which made your skin crawl, and he lifted his hands with upward-facing palms as he began to approach.

Backing away from him was instinctive, but you weren’t careful about your steps and lost your footing, falling backward. Landing on your back, the instant cushioning of your fall made you choke because that fall should have hurt and been solid–you should have landed on a cement path, you knew where you had been standing despite the heavy carmine liquid that was soaking into and staining the rock. 

You were stuck in your landing place for a moment, the sound of your racing pulse booming through your ears once more as you swallowed dryly and looked to your side, head twitching at a turtle’s pace. You didn’t want to see more of it, you already knew what you landed on and what you would be met with if you looked, but it was too late.

The eyeless, deeply frowning face of your husband-to-be. Dead.

Releasing a shrill cry, you could now feel your entire world crashing down. Despair replaced what was once burning anger inside of you. You couldn’t even fight the man off as he walked over and crouched down, lifting you up to a seated position, embracing you, and twisting your head into his chest to shield your eyes. He shushed you, caressed your hair, and rubbed your back, telling you that it was okay, that you were okay. 

He was so, so wrong, he certainly knew it too. The sweetness in his voice sounded false, much too tender in such a horrible situation that it may as well have just been full-on laughter at you. 

You heaved and gasped for air, your entire body shaking as you felt so helpless, trapped in the arms of your clan’s definite killer and embracing him atop the mound of dead bodies, bodies that belonged to those who were like family to you. It was blasphemous, but nobody else was here to help you now.

Everyone was gone. 

But did you deserve help anyway? You allowed this man to seduce you, to have you in his bed, and take you away from that family for so much time; enough for him to plan a killing spree of them all. This was your fault.

You felt his mouth on your cheek, giving a slow and tender kiss, and his hand came up as he pulled away to drag his thumb along where his lips once were. His voice was by your ear shortly after, and he whispered his next words for only you to hear. 

“Your life is completely in my hands now. I’ll destroy anyone that gets in my way, anyone that tries to get in between us. What a powerful family we’ll make together, I’m absolutely thrilled to meet our child."

Another kiss. And another. And one more, on your jaw this time. He was showering you in affection, effectively distracting you as he continued on with kissing, caressing, and embracing you while he stood and held you firmly against him, turning you both back to the path you arrived here on. He was essentially dragging you along like a body bag, you had been paralyzed moments ago once the sight of your deceased lover engrained itself into your memory forever–staying there, looking right at you every time you dared to blink. Your feet picked up remnants of blood as he hauled you along, creating clean lines in the excessive puddles of it where your shoes once were. 

What more could you have done? If you had never obeyed your Elder’s wishes and gone to the market, you would not have met this man whose name you still did not know. Your meeting seemed fated; as if he spared you on purpose, and this slaughter was already planned with the intention of leaving you out of it. But why? Would you ever know? 

All you could do was accept your fate, any future with the clan was finished, because they were not with you anymore. Your life would have no path without them, so you didn’t mind allowing your clan’s killer to be the dictator of your new life. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, he was the father of your child after all, and you were a Kurta. Not all hope was lost.

© meyousing 2023. do not share/export my work on to any other platforms. do not translate my work. 

#✧meyou #✧musinghxhmasterlist #chrollo #yandere chrollo #chrollo x reader #chrollo lucilfer x reader #chrollo lucilfer #phantom troupe #hxh #hxh x reader #hunter x hunter #hxh chrollo #hunter x hunter x reader #chrollo x y/n #chrollo x you

[lovelykhaleesiii]

Omg the prompt!! Stalker!aegon w 7) Please don’t leave me. 🙏🙏

monster writing prompts

Companions

PAIRING: Stalker!Aegon ii Targaryen x fem!Reader

WORDS:

WARNINGS: dark themes, stalking behaviour, manipulation, reference to Stockholm Syndrome, swearing.

His handsome face had grown familiar, although an eery chill coursed through your body whenever you passed by. He never missed a beat.

He was at your local park in the late evenings on the weekdays, as the glorious sun set itself into darkness. It was the only possible time you could go for an outdoor walk, considering you worked 9am-5pm, on the dot. And you initially thought not much of it, considering he too could be in the same position…

Although it grew even more odd, as you found yourself constantly in his presence. Whether it was at the local mall, your gym, or some cosy cafe tucked away into the corner of a street… He would always find you, and you him. 

You naturally felt weary, anxious of the blonde man, as he often was alone and yet, paid no mind. At times, you caught fleeting glimpses of him, and occasionally exchanged a friendly smile. Although, as you grew more sensitively anxious of his intentions, you were desperate to avoid any contact even by means of eyes.

You soon tried to take unexpected turns and twists to your routine. Avoiding the park after work, you would remain in the confines of your home, only to feel the undivided attention of stern, hidden eyes embracing your figure through the clarity of the window.

Immediately blinds shut close. You could scarcely sleep… You would awake to a sudden creak in the floor, and yet as your eyes lurked and vigilantly scanned the dark corridors of your hallway, with only the beams of moon and streetlights aiding your vision, you were convinced it was merely the floorboards acting up. Little to know, a stranger was in your home.

You wanted to move, you no longer felt safe nor secure in the prior comfort of your humble abode and soon after, a blatant “for sale” sign stood proudly on your lawn.

The same creak followed that night, although this time heavier. Even your footsteps did not bear the same effect on your wooden boards.

As you hesitantly yet ever so slowly wandered the corridor, mindlessly and sleepily convinced you were once again, alone. Just as you had turned in defeat, intending to drudge back to bed, you were met with a sturdy force that stopped you from taking another step forward.

A few, crucial seconds had passed, as your mind had awoken in a bolt, fathoming that a stranger… Although, the stranger had trespassed into your home. Before releasing a chilling, ear aching scream only for a sheer second before the man forcibly drowned your screams of help, with the large palm of his hand.

“Don’t you fucking think to scream. I mean no harm at all, Y/N, just listen—”

Petrified, the hot tears began to swell in your eyes, blurring your vision before they shed themselves against your flushed cheek and the man’s hand. His other hand gripped your side tightly, embracing your body against his, you felt feeble against him, as you tried to squirm your way out, with no luck.

“Please don’t leave… Don’t ditch me now, this can be our chance together. Don’t take that away from me… I’ve been pursuing you from the start, and you never stopped me… I won’t fucking let you. Has my devotion not been enough? And you used to smile… What happened?”

How he knew your name you could scarcely say… and yet, your mind had plunged into a sink of memories (as you scoured for a name to fit his face, and immediately, “Aegon” had sprouted into your mind [hearing it being called out a dozen of times from the coffee shop].

“A-Aegon” your broken, muffled voice rejoiced. And immediately, a spark of relief tinged across his unnerving eyes.

“Y-You’re Aegon—”

“You-You know my name… My beloved knows my name, she does of course…”

His grip felt tighter around your bicep, as his hand covering your mouth loosened, your warm breath dampening his fair skin. You hadn’t realised just how close the proximity was, until you felt a twitching sensation brewing against your lower stomach, a bulge pressing into your soft tissue, in turn… Igniting an unfamiliar feeling in you.

“I-I promise… Your life will be better… I will make it better.”

#aegon ii targaryen #tom glynn carney #stalker!Aegon ii #house of the dragon #hotd #Aegon ii imagines #Aegon ii imagine #Aegon ii fanfic #Aegon ii fanfiction #aegon ii x fem!reader #modern!Aegon ii

[winxanity-ii]

⌜Know No Evil | Chapter 06 Chapter 06 | smoldering truths⌟

╰ ⌞🇨‌🇭‌🇦‌🇵‌🇹‌🇪‌🇷‌ 🇮‌🇳‌🇩‌🇪‌🇽‌⌝

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The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the classroom.

The air hung heavy with the murmur of pre-graduation jitters and whispered dreams of high school.

You, however, remained unmoved. The childish excitement of your classmates was a dull echo in your ears.

A flicker of amusement sparked behind your eyes. They chattered about their Quirks, childish displays of power sparking and popping around the room.

How predictable.

Quirks, the very foundation of this hero society, a system ripe for manipulation.

Ten years.

It's been ten years since you'd woke up in this strange reality—in another world not your own.

A world that, upon closer inspection, held a bitter irony.

Here, Quirks were celebrated, seen as the pinnacle of human evolution.

Yet you, the embodiment of control, the once-feared Makima, were Quirkless—or so it seemed on the surface.

The truth, like a slow-burning ember, had gradually ignited within you.

Memories, fragmented at first, had coalesced into a horrifying clarity.

You weren't some Quirkless anomaly—you were the Control Devil. A powerful entity ripped from your own world and deposited in this one through a freak accident you still couldn't fully grasp.

It's been ten, long years since you'd both discovered and accepted the harsh reality of your situation—there would be no devouring by Chainsaw Man.

No rebirth in a world of blood and battle—of becoming one with Pochita, of a life built on fear and adoration.

That dream, once so vivid and tantalizing, dissipated like smoke...forever out of reach.

The initial wave of despair had been crushing. You wandered through life a ghost blending in with a world that offered you nothing but a gilded cage.

The blonde hair, a cruel reminder of what could have been, became an obsession—a desperate attempt to cling to a shred of the life you craved.

You'd latch onto anyone with that shade of gold, a pale imitation of your lost god.

Bakugo, bless his fiery soul, had been your first victim. You'd use your power, his body a marionette dancing to your will.

As time passed, you still found yourself cupping his face, forcing him to meet your vacant eyes, a single, bored sigh escaping your lips, "If only you had brown eyes..." The confusion and rage contorting his face brought a hollow echo of satisfaction.

A sudden bellow ripped through the classroom, shattering your reverie. Your teacher, a portly man with a perpetually harried expression, stood at the front of the class, exasperated.

"So, since you're all third-years," he droned, his voice laden with weary resignation, "it's time for you to think seriously about your futures."

He reached for a stack of papers, his sigh echoing in the stillness.

"I'll pass out handouts for your future plans now, but..." he trailed off, his eyes scanning the classroom.

A flurry of activity erupted. Lights flickered as students activated their Quirks. One boy's arms contorted into spring-loaded coils, another levitated a stack of textbooks with a strained grunt.

You watched with a detached amusement, the corners of your lips curling into a knowing smile.

"...you're all pretty much planning to go into the hero course, right?" the teacher muttered, his voice drowned out by the excited chatter.

"Yes!" the students roared in unison, a chorus of bravado.

The teacher chuckled defeatedly. "Yes, yes, you all have wonderful Quirks!" He held up a hand, the classroom quieting down slightly. "But using your powers at school is against the rules!"

A collective groan rippled through the room.

You leaned forward, your voice a saccharine whisper that cut through the noise. "But wouldn't the true measure of a hero be their ability to control their power, even in the face of temptation?"

All eyes turned to you. A hush fell over the room, the weight of their gazes heavy on your shoulders.

You met their stares with a serene smile, the mask you wore flawlessly. "After all," you continued, your voice dripping with honeyed insincerity, "a hero who can't follow the rules is hardly a hero at all, wouldn't you agree?"

The students exchanged uncertain glances, a seed of doubt planted in their minds. The teacher, however, looked at you with a weary gratitude. "Ah, yes. Thank you, Akuma-san."

"Teach!" Bakugo's voice boomed across the room, shattering the fragile peace. "Don't lump us all in the same group. I'm not gonna be stuck at the bottom with the rest of these rejects."

"That was uncalled for, Katsuki!"

"You all should shut up like the extras you are!" he snarled, his voice laced with venomous contempt.

The teacher, used to Bakugo's outbursts, sighed heavily. "Oh, if I remember correctly, you want to go to U.A. High, right, Bakugo?"

A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. U.A., the prestigious hero academy, was a dream most students only dared to whisper about. The air crackled with a mix of awe and disbelief.

"U.A.?" one student squeaked, his voice barely a whisper. "That national school?!"

"It was in the top 0.2% this year, you know!" another chimed in, their voice laced with awe.

"Their acceptance rate is always really low, too!" another student added, a hint of envy in their tone.

Bakugo scoffed, his chest puffing out with pride, reveling in the shocked silence. "That's exactly why you guys are just extras!" he roared, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "I aced the mock test! I'm the only one at this school who could possibly get into U.A."

He scanned the room, his gaze finally landing back on you. A smirk played on his lips, a silent challenge. "I'll definitely surpass All Might and become the top hero! My name will be inscribed on the list of top earners!"

A glint of something akin to admiration flickered in Bakugo's crimson eyes as he met your gaze. A silent conversation passed between you, a reminder of the unspoken event that took place years ago on the dusty playground.

Back then, after your... introduction to one another, you sparked a flicker of something else in him.

You became a necessary thorn in his side, a challenge he couldn't quite overcome. Here, in the confines of the classroom, you allowed him to maintain his facade of superiority—the "lord" to your unassuming "lady."

However, the dynamic shifted dramatically behind closed doors. You, the seemingly docile enigma, transformed into the puppeteer pulling the strings.

With subtle manipulations and veiled suggestions, you subtly guided his explosive rage towards your own ends.

It was a dance as intricate as it was exhilarating, a constant push and pull between your calculated control and his unbridled ambition.

The teacher cleared his throat, breaking the silent exchange. "Oh yeah, Midoriya, you wanted to go to U.A., too, right?"

A tense silence followed. All eyes darted towards Midoriya, who shrank under the sudden scrutiny.

"Erk..." Midoriya stammered, a blush creeping up his neck.

The class erupted in a cacophony of disbelief. "Hahahaha!" one student roared, tears welling from laughter.

"Huh? Midoriya? No way!" another chimed in. Disbelief morphed into open mockery.

"You can't get into the hero course just by studying!" a voice shouted from the back.

Midoriya's shoulders slumped. "Th-They got rid of that rule! There's just no precedent..." he mumbled defensively.

A guttural growl cut through the chatter. Bakugo, ever the volatile one, slammed his explosive hand clean through Midoriya's desk.

A loud crack echoed through the room, followed by Midoriya's startled yelp. "Gah! Ngh..." he gasped, scrambling back as debris rained down.

Bakugo leaned in menacingly, a cruel smirk twisting his features. "Hey, Deku!"

Midoriya flinched at the nickname, a look of pure terror on his face, his voice barely a whisper. "Ah...!"

"You're below the rejects!" Bakugo roared, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're Quirkless! How can you even stand in the same ring as me?!"

Midoriya, ever the underdog, tried to reason with him. "No, wait, Kacchan! It's not like I'm trying to compete with you or anything! Believe me! It's just that it's been my goal ever since I was little. And well... I won't know unless I try—"

Bakugo cut him off with a dismissive scoff. "Whaddaya mean, unless you try?! Are you taking the test for fun?! What the hell can you do? You're Quirkless!"

You watched the exchange with a detached interest.

This Midoriya—this Quirkless nobody, dared to dream of U.A when even you didn't care for it with all of your power?

A flicker of curiosity sparked within you. Perhaps keeping an eye on him wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

☆

☆

The shrill cry of the school bell cut through the afternoon lull, its harsh clang signaling the end of another day.

You meticulously scoured over your notes, making sure everything was in place before packing things into your backpack, the familiar routine a comforting constant.

As you cleaned up, a flicker of movement in the classroom caught your eye.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw the unmistakable blond spiky hair of Bakugo. He was striding purposefully towards Midoriya, his two lackeys tailing behind him like particularly unpleasant shadows.

A low rumble of annoyance emanated from one of them, but the exact words were lost in the general din of the departing students.

You didn't need to be a mind-reader to know this wasn't going to be a pleasant encounter for Midoriya.

You'd seen enough of these interactions over the years to recognize the warning signs—the puffed-out chest, the simmering anger radiating off Bakugo like heat waves off a cracked sidewalk.

With a mental shrug, you opted to ignore the impending altercation. There was no point in getting involved. Midoriya, bless his heart, would weather the storm as he always did.

Bakugo loomed over Midoriya, a sneer contorting his features. His red eyes crackled with barely contained rage, a stark contrast to Midoriya's wide, frightened eyes.

In Bakugo's hand, you saw a flash of green—Midoriya's precious hero notebook.

Your eyebrow arched in interest. It seems that this wasn't just your usual bullying routine. This was something more.

Taking your time packing up, you were able to witness Bakugo deliver some rather cruel words.

"Hmph...Most top first-string heroes have stories about them from their school days," he started, his voice dripping with condescension before lighting the green journal on fire with his Quirk.

Midoriya can only gasp in horror as his childhood-friend-turn-bully tossed the notebook with a flick of his wrist.

It arced through the air in a slow-motion blur before disappearing through the open window.

"I want the shine of being able to be called the only student to make it into U.A. from this mediocre city junior high school," he declared, a manic glint in his crimson eyes.  "I mean, I'm a perfectionist, after all."

A cruel smirk twisted his lips as he leaned closer to Midoriya, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.  "Ah... And I gotta piece of sound advice if you wanna be a hero that badly. There's a quick and easy way to do it to."

He gestured dramatically towards the window, where the discarded notebook had vanished.  "Believe that you'll be born with a Quirk in your next life and take a last-chance dive off the roof!"

And with that, you were on your way, leaving them to their escalating conflict.

You had things to do, and Bakugo's playground squabbles held little interest for you.

Arriving home, you were greeted by an unsettling quiet. You shuffled inside, the silence pressing down on you.

The usual afternoon routine then unfolded—your mother emerged from the kitchen, her face etched with worry.  "How was school, Y/N?" she inquired, her voice laced with concern. "Did you have a good lunch?" she fussed, hovering for a moment.

You offered a mumbled response, neither confirming nor denying a desire for a snack. She mentioned your father working late, a familiar refrain.

You allowed her to fret for a few moments longer, the silence occasionally punctuated by her worried questions, before retreating to your room.

The revelation years ago still hung heavy in the air.  Instead of continuing the facade of Quirklessness like your unfortunate parents, you'd chosen a different path.

You'd shed a sliver of anonymity, revealing a fragment of your true power—the Control Devil, the Devil of Domination.

With practiced innocence, you'd approached your mother, claiming to manipulate your dolls with "strings." In reality, these strings were meticulously crafted illusions, visible only to those you deemed inferior.

The memory still elicited a wry smile.

Your mother's delight at your "Quirk," a miraculous emergence from two Quirkless parents, had been genuine and heartwarming. Her joy was a stark contrast to your father's reaction. He remained distant, his gaze guarded.

You cared little for his approval though. His wariness simply reinforced your commitment to staying undetected.

In fact, your carefully crafted illusion of a Quirk served as a perfect shield. It was a strategic move, a way to avoid the scrutiny someone like Midoriya faced.

The thought of him, Quirkless and ridiculed, sent a shiver down your spine.  You couldn't help but admire his tenacity, but you weren't about to follow in his vulnerable footsteps.

No, you were the Control Devil, and you'd operate in the shadows, your true power a secret weapon waiting to be unleashed.

Tossing your backpack onto the floor, you settled in to tackle the mountain of homework threatening to bury you. As the hours melted away, your focus remained unwavering.

Your phone vibrated sporadically, a notification flickering on the screen.

You ignored it with practiced ease, the dull glow a minor distraction in your studious world.

Finally, with a sigh of relief, you slammed your textbook shut, the last equation conquered.  Exhaustion gnawed at the edges of your concentration, urging you towards your bed.

A surge of curiosity, however, propelled you towards your neglected phone.

Unlocking it, you were met with a barrage of texts from Bakugo. The first few were cryptic, simply asking if you were busy.

Over the four or five hours you'd dedicated to homework, two more messages materialized, the first a blunt "Can you come over?" and the last, a curt declaration of "I need you."

One could do but wonder what made Bakugo so privy to your touch, presence—approval.

It was simple, really. You just made him feel important.

After the revelation of having a 'Quirk' to your parents, and registering it into the Quirk Registry, you then revealed Bakugo of your secret—a power not of brute force, but of influence: Control.

You swore him to secrecy—the childish way, of course—because if secrecy was what you truly desired, it would be no problem for you to attain it.

It was a lie that he was the first to know, but the deception served a purpose.

It created a bond, a sense of shared knowledge that inflated his already considerable ego. He, Bakugo Katsuki, was privy to your 'secret' (or so he believed).

He was special.

A low hum escaped your lips as you mulled over the messages. It wasn't like Bakugo to reach out, especially with such an obvious need.

The silence of your home pressed in again, and with a shrug, you decided a change of scenery wouldn't hurt.

Leaving your phone on your desk, you grabbed your shoes and headed out the door, the mystery of Bakugo's need leaving a knot of  curiosity in your stomach.

***in case everything wasn't clear, there has been a 10 year time skip between ch.5 to ch.6. hehehe I love writing this so much, lol. also, just wanted to give a heads up, i won't be updating tmr, hence the double update today; i'll be busy completing homework all damn day 💔💔 pray for me y'all. see ya next update 😘

#‧̍̊˙˚˙xaniwrites-knownoevil ml #bnha x you #bnha fanfic #knownoevil #yanderes #quirks #superheros #villains #league of villains #bnha quirks #katsuki bakugo x reader #izuku x reader #shoto todoroki x reader #class 1a #class 1b #makima chainsaw man #makima csm #makima reader #evil #control devil #isekai #isekai'd reader #reader is evil #reader x character #reader insert #mha x you #kirishima x reader #bnha various x reader #bnha yandere #evil series

[ddarker-dreams]

Clarity of Heart.

Yan Shenhe x F Reader. Commissioned piece.

Warnings: Yandere themes, unhealthy relationships and manipulation. Word count: 3k.

To Shenhe, you’re an enigma.

She tries to unravel you, and with every impatient tug of her fingers, ends up forming a tighter knot. Why she even wants to understand you is a mystery in itself. Hers is a life of quiet solitude — a fact that’s never troubled her before. One must have companionship to understand loneliness in its absence. Her master imparted this wisdom to her, further complicating matters.

She supposes there’s no sense in agonizing over the unknowable. Ruminating on why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west would similarly be a waste of time. What she does understand, what’s so tangible that she can almost grasp it with her hands, is that she likes when you’re present and dislikes when you aren’t.

You’re strange, she thinks, not that she has much of a touchstone to make comparisons.

You make a yearly pilgrimage to Mt. Aocang to train, yet whenever Shenhe happens by, you stop everything to greet her in kind. You offer to share your limited supply of provisions, giving her the bigger piece when she insists on splitting things in half. It simply doesn’t make sense. If someone interrupted her training, she’d find them irritating; if someone asked to share her food, she’d refuse.

Though she never felt the need to track time before — the concept you referred to as a ‘calendar’ is not in her lexicon — she finds herself in an agreeable mood when the leaves show signs of turning. The cooling of scorching air and shortening of days proceeds your arrival. Without realizing it, she’ll frequent the base of the mountain, eyes scanning the treeline for your familiar figure.

There are days she spends just like that. Noting the changing phases of the moon, wondering if you’ll arrive when it's waxing or waning.

Sometimes she guesses correctly, sometimes she does not. It’s of no consequence. When you appear, everything else is condemned to be forgotten in a veil of fog.

Every year, she comes to associate new mysteries with you.

However, there’s something about this one that she urges her to investigate further.

“Why did you not use your Vision?”

You suddenly grow an interest in the contents of her mortar and pestle. The herbs release a faintly bitter aroma, lingering in the air where your voice normally flourishes. She finishes grinding it into a paste while you look everywhere but her eyes. Without asking for your permission, she lathers the ointment onto your now bruised bicep. You fight back a flinch, a fruitless endeavor, for she notices anyway.

“It isn’t—” you inhale sharply when she brushes over a particularly sensitive spot, your face contorting as you continue, “A particularly fitting campfire story.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, well, it’s popular for people to gather around the campfire and exchange stories. Sometimes they’re scary, but it’s all in good fun. The answer to your question… I can’t say this story’s very fun. Hence why I said it’s not fitting.”

As always, you teach her much about the bizarre customs of those who inhabit the world. She glances to the nearby campfire, to you, then back again.

“Shall I put it out, then?”

You smile, lines forming beneath your eyes while you do so. The fire makes her feel warm, but you make her feel hot.

“It’s okay, there’s no need for that. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. It has to do with these training trips, actually.”

The pause that follows your words urges Shenhe to respond.

“I’d like to know.”

You gaze up at the stars, your eyes reflecting the brilliant expanse. “A few years ago, I’d been working odd jobs to make ends meet. One of these was a waitressing gig at a fine establishment. At that time, I’d only had my Pyro Vision for a few months… maybe less than that. Since I rarely left Liyue, I hadn’t used it much.”

You hug your knees to your chest.

“There was this drunk customer. He’d been acting flirtatious all evening, but I was just trying to do my job. When it was strictly verbal, I could handle it. I’d dealt with his type before. But… eventually, he reached out and… touched me. I honestly don’t remember much of what happened next. It was warm. I smelled something awful, heard a scream that was even worse.”

The red ropes binding Shenhe’s soul grow taut.

“It was… an event. Turns out the man was a rather important merchant. With a wife and a newborn kid, to make matters worse. The flames had scorched the skin on his hand to the point it was unusable. Had it not been for a friend of mine, Yanfei, I could’ve landed in a lot of trouble. She got him to drop the charges. Still, rumors spread, and people believed what they wanted to believe. It was during that time I met Madame Ping. She offered to tutor me — teach me how to use my Vision, rather than be scared of it.”

Your fingers caress the scarlet gemstone. “That’s why I hesitated earlier. I still have lots of room to improve. Coming out here helps me focus better, though. I don’t know how to explain it. When I see those tall mountains that seemingly go on forever, and am able to reach out and touch the clouds… everything feels right.”

“If you like it here so much, then why do you go back?” Shenhe asks. This question feels important to her, somehow. A riddle that must be solved.

“Liyue Harbor is my home,” you reply without missing a beat. “My master helped me think of it like this: for every painful memory, there’s a memory I cherish to match. I have to go back and remind myself of that. Or else the hurt is all I’ll remember.”

Your posture eases after you finish speaking. Shenhe can tell this philosophy is paramount to you — perhaps even similar to the red ropes that keep her grounded. Everyone arrives at a way to continue forward and this is yours. She glances down at your arm, where a Mitachurl had unexpectedly charged forward and slammed into you.

You had the means to dispatch it, and still, you hesitated. She did not. She hoped your explanation would dispel her confusion, but as is typical with you, she’s left feeling further perplexed. If this is a place that does you good, you should stay. Is returning to Liyue Harbor a type of training for you?

“Thank you again for patching me up. And helping me out earlier,” you give your shoulder an experimental roll. “The way you fight with your polearm is almost magical. I don’t know how you can move like that.”

The praise makes her stomach feel strange, yet it’s far from unpleasant. “I’m glad I was nearby.”

She always is when you’re on Mt. Aocang, but she keeps this detail to herself.

“So am I.”

The wind blows softly through your camp, rustling tree branches and encouraging the fire to crackle. Shenhe’s experienced many nights like this. While she could always appreciate the serene atmosphere, having you present makes it different somehow. It goes from being just another pretty place on the mountain to a slice of paradise. You take the ordinary and turn it into something special, something worthwhile.

“[First].”

“Hm?”

“That man… is he currently alive?”

You shake your head. “He isn’t. As it turns out, he was making shady deals with this group called the Fatui. They aren’t people you want to mess with. No one knows the specifics, but his death was unusual. It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume they did away with him after he no longer held any value.”

“That’s certainly a shame.”

You blink. “It is?”

“Yes,” she shifts her empty stare in the Harbor’s direction. “I would’ve liked to end him myself.”

Shenhe might be dense when it comes to most social courtesies, but even she knows this topic is taboo. Her entire life up until this point has consisted of training to subdue her homicidal urges. From this diligence on her master’s behalf, she came to glean that killing is an act that’s generally discouraged.

For this reason, she almost regrets her lack of tact if not for the sole possibility it could drive you away.

That’s why her eyes widen slightly when you press your hand over hers.

“It’s okay. I get it,” your tone makes it sound like it too. “If I’m being entirely honest, I thought about it before. I used to get angry when my master said I shouldn't throw away my future due to the past. In retrospect, I couldn’t be more grateful for her patience. She wasn’t protecting him, she was protecting me.”

The smile that Shenhe finds more dazzling than starlight works its way onto your face.

“Besides… if I had gone down that path, then who knows, maybe I wouldn’t have met you? That alone makes me confident I made the right decision.”

-

As far as you’re concerned, Shenhe is nowhere near as enigmatic as the rumors made her out to be.

She has her quirks, that much is undeniable, yet she’s simple at heart. She doesn’t leave you guessing. Mincing words isn’t her style, although it’s not born from malicious intent. To her, it doesn’t make sense why you’d say one thing while thinking another, an element you find refreshing.

You can only recall a single instance where you felt distance from her, despite being physically close.

That instance would be last night.

Judging by the sun’s position in the sky, it should be around noon. Normally, you would’ve seen Shenhe by this point. She prefers to drop by in the morning and then again at night so you can focus on your training. You suppose this ritual was never set in stone, it isn’t like she has to do it. Still, worry gnaws away at your rationality like vermin.

There’s plenty to do to keep your overactive mind occupied. Today marks the last day of this year’s annual Mt. Aocang trip. You pack your belongings up with care, not wanting to desecrate the land that served as your home for the past few weeks. The adepti are generous enough to grant you usage of what’s essentially their abode. The least you can do is ensure everything is returned to how it was.

Wiping the sweat from your brow, you survey your work. You’re running out of menial tasks to justify prolonging your stay. Deep down, you know you’re waiting to spot those silvery strands of hair. It occurs to you then that you’ve never been the one to seek Shenhe out. Where would you begin to search and find her? Traversing higher up feels like a violation, that’s where Cloud Retainer lives.

It wouldn’t be right to depart for an entire year without bidding Shenhe farewell. This predicament leaves you with a limited set of options. You could wait, hoping that she might happen by, or you could leave a note. The latter has an impersonal air to it which doesn’t sit well with you. Especially when you have the distinct impression something about last night changed the dynamic of your relationship.

You’re about to sigh for the umpteenth time that day when your ears pick up on distant footsteps. Relief washes over you in waves, you practically trip over yourself to approach the source of the sound. You know it must be Shenhe before you see her. No one else comes up here, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Shenhe doesn’t acknowledge your enthusiastic wave, opting to inspect where your camp once was instead. It could be your imagination, but you swear she’s frowning.

She speaks up before you have a chance to greet her, an unusual edge in her voice. “You’re leaving?”

“I’m sorry for not mentioning it sooner. I sorta lost track of the days,” you rub the back of your neck. “But yes, I plan on starting the trip back to Liyue Harbor today. I have commitments to attend to. Otherwise, I would love to stay longer.”

You don’t know why you feel compelled to explain yourself. It isn’t as if you’ve been caught doing something you shouldn’t be, yet for whatever reason, that’s what it feels like. The way she fixates on your packed belongings isn’t lost on you. The intent behind her stare is, though. Your closest guess is mild displeasure.

“Then stay,” Shenhe’s response makes it seem so simple. “I’ll help you unpack.”

Without waiting to hear your answer, she makes for the bag that holds your tent, until you block her path. You were aware she could be stubborn when the situation called for it. However, this doesn’t seem like the time or place to charge ahead without paying you any mind.

“Hey, is everything alright? Did I say something that upset you? If I did, please tell me. I don’t want to part on bad terms.”

“We won’t,” she promises. The reassurance does little to make you feel better. “I’m not upset. In fact, I’m quite pleased. The intricacies of understanding others is an art that’s often lost on me. It wasn’t until our discussion last night that things made themselves clear.”

You shift your weight from foot to foot. “And just what became clear to you, exactly?”

“You don’t want to leave, so you don’t have to.”

Your lips part and then close in rapid succession. Did you accidentally drink liquor instead of water this morning? Why is she talking like this is the most obvious revelation in the world? Pursing your lips, you comb the recesses of your mind for any possible statement or action that’d lead her to this conclusion. Misunderstandings always have a starting point. No matter what angle you scrutinize your last interaction from, you can’t fathom how she came to believe what she currently does.

Then again, her thought process differs drastically from yours. You’ve never needed to try

“I’ve learned that people are needlessly confusing,” she approaches you with slow, languid steps. “They’ll want one thing then convince themselves to pursue another. You say you like it here, then offer an excuse when given the opportunity to stay.”

A kindling of frustration flickers to life inside your chest. “That isn’t— I’m not giving excuses.”

She tilts her head. “Then why would you want to return to a place that unfairly condemned you, when you were guilty of nothing?”

No one has ever put it that way — so blunt, so raw — the words are knives that know the perfect place to cut. You swallow thickly. A lump forms in your constricting throat that you thought you’d moved past. She’s in front of you now, looking down at you through snowy eyelashes. She smells faintly of morning dew and herbs. Even in the midst of this bizarre, almost dreamlike experience, there’s a certain serenity to be found. You’re situated in the eye of the storm.

Lithe limbs bring you into an embrace with the utmost gentleness, she takes care not to apply pressure to your healing arm. She treats you as if you were made of porcelain.

“I’ve been told this act provides comfort,” she runs a hand up and down your back, leaving goosebumps behind in her wake. You shiver. “Do you feel comforted, [First]?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Her grip tightens, causing your breath to hitch. “How about now?”

The genuine nature of her inquiry leaves you at a loss. Had it been coming from anyone else, you might think they were mocking you, but this is Shenhe. Her actions are always in good faith, regardless of the quality of their execution. You don’t reciprocate the hug or make an attempt to push her away. For some reason, the idea of shrugging her off instills guilt in you.

An unwelcome little voice whispers you wouldn’t be able to, even if you tried. Her strength is far superior to yours.

You beg the voice to not say anything else.

Shenhe nuzzles her nose into your hair, seemingly forgetting that you have yet to reply. “If a place is full of bitter memories, it’s better to leave it behind, rather than force it to taste sweet.”

“I won’t know until I try,” is your weak rebuttal. It sounded better in your head.

“If you try, you can get hurt again,” Shenhe’s fingers are impossibly cold against your sweltering skin. “So don’t try. Stay. My master has given permission for you to live here with us.”

She parts from you with some reluctance. You watch silently as she rummages through your equipment, putting everything back where it once was. She must’ve memorized how you preferred to set up camp. There’s concentration on her features, she’s intent on ensuring each item is in its proper place. After a few minutes of standing as still as a statue, you lend her a hand.

Your movements are far more sluggish than usual, it’s like there’s an invisible weight crushing you from above.

You test various arguments on your tongue and find them all unsatisfactory. How can you go about convincing Shenhe when you’re not even convinced yourself? For as long as you can remember, you’ve clung to the possibility of righting the wrong, struggling in swimming upstream against rushing currents. Could she be offering you a hand that’d pull you free from dangerous waters?

Or is she dragging you into another uphill battle under the guise of rescue?

From this position, high up in the sky, it’s easy to forget the complexities that inevitably come with regular life. There are no such difficulties here. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to stay a while longer. No one here looks down on you, whispers when you enter a room, or avoids you on the street. Underhanded comments never reach your ears. You had forgotten how much each of these unfair transgressions stings.

Shenhe reopened the wound — perhaps she has a better way to close it.

Until then, you’ll learn to endure the hurt all over again.

#shenhe x reader #yandere shenhe x reader #yandere x reader #yandere #genshin impact x reader #yandere genshin impact x reader #commissions #my stuff

[thewonandonly]

TWENTY TWO.FIVE — AUGUST 6, 2022, 12:45PM

trigger warning: mention of se|f injury! please read at your own risk. if needed, this chapter can be skipped.

you wandered into the convenience store, giving an excited wave to mingi as he drove off, having the weekend off to spend time with his family; which also meant you had no means of getting home, since yunho, jongho and san all had prior commitments. fixing the bag on your shoulder, you turned into the store, your mood already turning to disgust when you make eye contact with seonghwa who stood behind the counter.

"hello, welcome in." he said, his regular smirk decorating his face. you sighed softly, your shoulders slumping, and the bag falling to your hands as you walked over to the back office to clock in for the day.

seonghwa had another one of his songs playing over the store speakers, and you didn't recognize it, so you decided to push it to the back of your mind.

you set your bag down and stood beside him at the counter, "is there anything that needs to be done?"

seonghwa shook his head, blinking slowly, "did everything when i came in."

you nodded.

the silence was unbearably uncomfortable for you, and for a second, you wondered if it was like that for seonghwa too.

you looked down at the counter, before the regular armwarmers across seonghwa's arms caught your eye, "you know, if boss man comes in and he sees you with those on, he's gonna throw a fit."

seonghwa chuckled, placing his hands against the counter as he leaned back, "yeah, you're right." he gently pulled the armwarmers off.

it's been a little less than a week since seonghwa started working at the convenience store with you. he's brought in a ton of customers, mostly high schoolers, and older woman, who normally lose their mind over how "attractive" he is.

you normally got stuck restocking shelves while he worked the counter to rope the customers into buying more than they need. even on the clock, he was more manipulative than ever.

seonghwa noticed that the work load got easier with one person at the counter and the other restocking shelves where it was needed. the work day was already slow for seonghwa as soon as he finished stocking, cleaning and managing the store. but as soon as you walked in, seonghwa already found a few ways to tease you. letting you sit in the uncomfortable silence he had no intention of occupying, treating you like a stranger whenever you purchased a snack for yourself, or even making fun of your music taste.

you both sat at the register, both sharing a sigh with one another. a shiver bellows down your spine as you felt the chill entering the space.

"it's cold in here." you whispered more to yourself.

seonghwa laughed, prodding his cheek with his tongue almost as if he was annoyed, "you're cold? i feel fine."

you thought you knew seonghwa, even with how little you actually do, he was kind of predictable. but he surprised you when he responded like an actual human for a second.

not only were his arms covered in tattoos, that you haven't noted before, due to his constant habit of wearing long sleeves or those armwarmers he just took off; there was scars clinging to his skin. biceps, forearms, wrists. some looked healed, others looked fresh. it was rude to stare, yet, you couldn't pull your eyes away, scanning his arms intently.

seonghwa noticed the staring; i mean, it was hard not to. he thought there was a hole ripping through his arm as you stared. he cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. hongjoong was really the only one who knew about his affliction, and for someone else to finally see the truth that he tried so hard to hide with pigmented ink, and fabrics of clothing, it made him extremely uncomfortable, like he was in those nightmares you get when you show up to school in only your underwear, like he was exposed. some type of clarity might help, "i did it to myself." he gently kicked the counter with his shoe, nodding his head to his arm.

"what?"

"got hospitalized for it." he shrugged, like this was just a nonchalant talk the two of you were having, despite the air getting heavier around the two of you, "well, after the first thing i did, then i got hospitalized again for this." he looked at his arm, turning his arm slowly.

you thought for a second he was talking about the tattoos, the way he admired them, but no, he wasn't admiring the injuries lingering on his arm, he seemed upset by them.

"why—"

the door opened and seonghwa immediately greeted whoever came in, like he wanted to finish the conversation there.

standing there, you felt like an idiot for even staring. you never meant for him to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. as a people pleaser, that's the last thing you wanted.

he gave you a little glimpse into his life, and you should respect it.

all the articles you read about him entered your brain once again, thinking back to why exactly he did that to himself, but you knew why. you knew full well why he was doing that to himself.

you decided to just ignore the thought for a second, grabbing the armwarmers he previously took off, and ran your thumb over them. seonghwa was doing just about anything to hide the part of him he didn't want anyone to see, especially in the moment, helping the guests. he held his hands behind his back, he moved his arm so fast when typing in the product id and he placed his hands on the extra seat the person at register was given to give them a short break off their feet. he seemed anxious about where the convenience store vest was, fixing it to hide the area.

you took it all into account that this is not something he wanted people to see.

when the customers left, you held the armwarmers back to seonghwa, a brief smile on your lips, "so you don't get cold." you whispered, "the thermostat says it's below 60 degrees in here."

seonghwa pulled the armwarmers over his wrists, up to his elbows, and he suddenly seemed like his regular old self.

a smirk covered his face again.

"seonghwa, i just wanted to say, that i'm sorry for saying you were like my dad." you looked at the side of his face, "to me, that's the worst insult i could come up with. but, you're nothing like my dad." you shook your head, "well, kind of, but i mean— wait, that's rude, sorry."

seonghwa chuckled, a natural chuckle, not the degrading one that was given when you were being an idiot, or the one that he gave to wooyoung when he was annoyed, "i know what you're trying to say." he interrupted, "you don't have to ramble."

you laughed softly, nervously. oh my god, why were you getting nervous? seonghwa's the type of person to judge no matter what, or at least you thought he was. you cleared your throat, swallowing the feeling, "start over?"

seonghwa rolled his eyes, "i don't think starting over would have anything to help with this." he motioned to the two of you.

"fine." you shrugged, "by the end of the day, we'll be best buds." she held her hand out, requesting to seal the deal that they'd be friends.

seonghwa was almost tempted to open the door of his lonely brain and allow her in, but he reserved a space for someone else, so he just pretended he didn't see her hand, and turned his head back to the door of the store.

"uh, speaking of being best buds," she started, "do you think you can give me a ride home?"

seonghwa sighed.

this was going to be a weird shift.

PARK SEONGHWA is a stone-cold, cantankerous punk-rock player. He hates everything about the world, and if he had just one chance, he’d do anything to keep the best thing about the world in his arms; you, the complete opposite of everything he’s ever built up to hate.

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[elvenmother]

The Art of Crossed Wires - 8 - The Third Time

Pairing: Marcus Pike x Female Reader Rating: Teen. Warnings: Swearing Chapter: 8/9 Word count: 2769

Summary: After your date with Agent Monroe, you need to fix things once more with Marcus. This leads to a heart-to-heart and, finally, some clarity.

Note: This has not been beta read, so apologies for any mistakes. Almost the last chapter.

Part Seven | Part One | Series Masterpost

After the disastrous date with Garrett Monroe, you decided it would be a good idea to spend the weekend with friends, specifically Mary. One quick phone call on Saturday morning, and she arrived at your apartment within the hour. She’d brought snacks as well as a couple of bottles of wine, just in case, apparently.

Then you told her everything. About how her pranks had put you so on edge that you’d slapped Marcus. About the book and the lunch that came after. About how you’d thought it was a date and made a fool of yourself the following Saturday at the gallery. And finally, about the date with Garrett and how he’d tricked you when you were at your lowest.

“Wow.” Mary sat for a moment, her eyes wide, her chocolate bar paused halfway to her lips. “That’s a lot to unpack and, just… wow.”

“Yeah.” You slumped back on your sofa, stuffing a mini cheese wheel into your mouth.

“Right.” She sat forward, finishing off her chocolate in one mouthful. “Firstly, I am so fucking sorry about the pranks. I went way too far and haven’t really properly apologised for that. So I’m doing it now. I am very sorry. Now, let's take this step by step and fix this…”

“Mess?”

“I wasn’t going to say mess, but yeah, honey, it’s a clusterfuck right now.” Mary dove into her purse and retrieved a pad and pen. “Right, first was the slap, but you fixed that yourself with an excellent gift. But then…”

“Then I went to lunch with him and read too much into it.” You covered your face with your face dramatically. 

“Yes, but again this is fixable.” She patted your knee and continued to write. “Honey, this is an easyish fix. You need to talk to him.”

“I tried that.” Your reply was muffled by your hands.

“No. You explained your point of view, but then neither of you properly talk about it afterwards.” Mary reached over, pulling one of your hands down so she could look at you. “Yeah, it’s awkward. But you need to talk to him about how you were mistaken and didn’t mean to make it…”

“Weird.”

“Uncomfortable. Just be honest. He’ll understand.” Mary smiled at you, and you felt your other hand drop. “Also, you need to tell him what Agent Monroe said about him. Cos, that’s really manipulative bullshit.”

“Urgh, Monroe.” You grabbed a bag of chips, pulled it open and stuffed a handful in your mouth. “‘e’s gonna b’ fuffin’ weir’ wi’ me too.”

“You leave Agent Asshole to me.” Mary looked at you sternly. “I’ll keep an ear out and head off any gossip. I’ll also give some of the other ladies a quiet heads up about his ways.”

“Thank you.” You looked over at your friend. 

“I helped make this mess, and besides, I love you.” She shrugged. “Anyway, we have a plan now, so let's forget about stupid men for the rest of the weekend.”

“Agreed.” You grinned as Mary held her arms open for you.

“Let's cuddle up and watch something dumb.” Mary chuckled as you crawled into her waiting arms.

~~~~~

After spending the weekend with Mary, you felt tons better. Not only had you mended your friendship, but you also had a plan in place. Talk to Marcus. It sounded so simple, but as the hours ticked by on Monday morning, you still had no idea what you were going to say. Sitting at your desk, you tried to focus on your work. However, after reading the same paragraph five times, you knew something needed to be done. This was interfering with work now. You needed to go talk to him as soon as possible before you lost your nerve.

Quietly getting up from your desk, you scanned the office for Marcus, finally spotting him at the edge of the bullpen on his way to his office. Walking briskly across the space, you were thankful that most of your colleagues were focused on their tasks as you passed by them.

You managed to catch up to Marcus by the elevators between the bullpen's large open-plan workspace and the agents' private offices. He stopped as he heard your footsteps, turning with a smile only for it to drop as he saw it was you.

“Hey.” You took a deep breath and smiled. “Do you have a minute?”

Marcus nodded, pulling the files he was holding closer to his chest. “Sure.”

“I wanted to talk to you about the other Saturday at the gallery and what happened. I just-”

“How was your date with Monroe?” Marcus cut you off, his handsome features becoming sharper and his tone more abrupt. You heard your jaw click shut as you stared at him.

“I… it was… what makes you think it was a date?”

Marcus frowned as his eyes darted away from you for a second. His whole body seemed tense as he licked his lips in thought. “Because I’ve had to listen to him talking about it to other agents all morning. I get the impression it didn’t go well, seeing as he’s not saying very kind things about you.”

“What?” A shiver ran down your spine as you remembered just how badly the date had ended and imagined what kind of things Garrett could be saying.

“Yeah.” Marcus swallowed hard. “He took great joy in telling me and a couple of the other agents that you were…” He closed his eyes as if contemplating whether or not to tell you.

“What has he said about me?” You groaned, wanting to get this over with. “Just tell me.”

“That you’re an uptight bitch who wants to bag an agent because you think it’s the way to get a promotion out of the bullpen.” Marcus sighed, rolling his eyes. “But that you won’t put out to seal the deal. His words, not mine.”

“Did he now?” You folded your arms across your chest and scowled. You knew Garrett Monroe was a pig, but this was low even for him. “And you believe him?”

There was a long pause as Marcus bit his lip and looked everywhere except at you. “No.” He said quietly. “I just, I didn’t expect him to be your type.”

“He’s not. I was just… I don’t know… confused about where we stood.” You unfolded your arms as you shook your head. “After we spoke that Saturday, you were really weird with me because of what I said. And then Monroe told me you weren’t into women, so-”

“Wait! He said what?” Marcus held a hand up to stop you midsentence, staring at you incredulously. 

“I think he said so I’d go on a date with him, but at the time, I dunno, it sort of made a little sense.” You shrugged, watching as Marcus’ face relaxed slightly from the tense frown. “I’d made you feel awkward, and I figured it was because you were…you know, gay.”

“Gay? You thought I was gay?” Marcus blinked like you’d just told him you had two heads.

“I-”

“I was flirting with you, and you-” Marcus stopped as two coworkers approached. Quietly watching them as they passed, he frowned. “This isn’t the place to talk about this.”

You thought for a moment as your colleagues left earshot. “Coffee shop?”

“No.” Marcus shook his head. “Look, Monroe has been a grade-A jackass, but he did make me realise we need to fix… this.” He motioned to the two of you. “Would you feel comfortable coming to my place tonight?”

“Your house?” You were taken aback, unable to hide the surprise from your voice.

“Apartment, yeah.” Marcus ran a hand through his hair, still watching to make sure no one was listening. “If that’s too-”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Ok.” Marcus let out another sigh. “I have to get back to work. I’ll email you my address. See you at seven?”

“Seven.” You nodded, watching as Marcus returned the nod and headed towards his office. With your shoulders feeling a little lighter but your head still buzzing, you made your way back to your desk.

~~~~~

Marcus’ apartment building was a tall modern building. The exterior was made up of red brick and glass, and it dwarfed some of the older buildings on the street. To the left of the large double glass doors was the intercom panel. After double-checking your email on your phone, you found Marcus’ apartment number and pushed the smooth silver button.

A few minutes and an elevator ride later, Marcus greeted you at his apartment door. He must have showered as soon as he got home, his hair still slightly damp with little droplets falling onto the shoulders of his t-shirt as he showed you into his modest apartment. You watched as he fussed, tidying cushions and books before motioning for you to take a seat on the sofa.

“Have you eaten?” He perched on the arm of a nearby chair, tugging on his t-shirt nervously.

“No, I barely had the chance to change before heading over here.” You gestured to your more casual clothes: a graphic tee and well-worn jeans.

“Me too.” Marcus nodded, smiling slightly before standing and pulling his phone out of his own jeans. “Take-out?”

“Sure.” You still left nervous despite the attempts of both of you to make this feel relaxed. “I’m happy with whatever you like. Just nothing too spicy.”

“Got it.” Marcus thought for a moment before swiping on his phone. “Pizza?”

“Sure.” You repeated and waited while he placed the order, taking in his home.

The outside of the building was very modern; something echoed inside and further demonstrated by the clean, crisp lines in the apartment. However, even if you hadn’t known this was Marcus’ apartment, everything about the decor screamed it to you in full volume.

Soft, plush armchairs and a big comfy sofa dominated the living space adding much-needed bursts of vibrant colour to the stark white of the walls. Portraits hung alongside landscapes and abstract pieces. Beautiful photographs sat next to sketches. Looking over at the walls, you felt a smile creep onto your face as you realised almost every inch of them was covered in art. 

Two massive bookcases overflowed with books, graphic novels and what looked like a couple of TTRPG rulebooks. Then in front of them on the shelves, each probably deliberately positioned, were tens of tiny sculptures. You had been tempted to call them knickknacks, but that somehow felt like diminishing their beauty. Small wire models shared shelves with Funko figures. A grey speckles picture frame with green tentacles bursting out of it sat next to a bronze handbell shaped like a southern lady, the hoop skirt flaring out to form the main bell casting.

“Shouldn’t be too long.” Marcus snapped you out of your observations, tucking his phone back into his pocket. Following your eye line, he smiled at the bell. “My grandmother’s. She collected them. I remember she had a sideboard in her house covered in them. When she passed me, my brother, my sister and all the cousins got to choose one to keep. I chose the southern belle.”

“That’s a lovely way to remember her.” 

“Yeah.” He moved from the arm of the chair to sitting properly in it. “Funny thing was there were no arguments either. We all had different favourites, so everyone got the bell they wanted.” Marcus paused for a moment, still looking at the bell, before taking a deep breath and turning back to you. “So… let's get awkward.”

“Ah.” You nodded, taking a deep breath of your own. “Yeah, no point putting this off.”

“I’ll start.” Marcus frowned for a moment. “I owe you an apology.”

“Me?” You could hardly believe your ears. “I’m the one who made it weird.”

“No, you weren’t. Well, yeah, a little. But I did too.” He paused as he chose his next words, his eyes locked onto your face. “You think you made it weird by thinking of our lunch as a date and then saying so. But the truth is you saying that to me caught me off guard because I’d also been thinking of it like that.”

Marcus stopped and seemed to be collecting himself while his words sunk in. It had been a date. And more than that, you hadn’t imagined him feeling the same way.

“I need to tell you about something that happened to me just before I moved to D.C.”, Marcus spoke again after a few moments. His voice seemed quieter, softer almost, and the more he spoke, the more fragile he sounded. “Just before I got my promotion to the task force, I was seeing someone. A fellow agent. I was… I fell for her. Hard. Even asked her to move here with me.”

“But she said no?”

“Actually, she said yes. I called in favours to get her assigned here too and eventually asked her to marry me.” Marcus swallowed, and you could see him fighting tears. “Again, she said yes, and I thought everything was perfect. I was so in love. But as you’ve probably guessed, it didn’t end well. She left me and…”

Marcus stopped to collect himself. You shifted along the sofa towards him until you were sat at the other end and could reach his hand. Slowly you reached out for him, and to your relief, he took your hand, giving it a squeeze.

“She broke my heart.” He said finally. “I went over and over what I did wrong. Eventually, I think I figured it out. I went too fast, rushed it. Story of my life.” Marcus let out a mirthless laugh. “Anyway, I made a promise to myself to take it slow. And I’ve tried. But then I met you.”

“I’m sorry about what happened.” You weren’t sure what to say. You could certainly relate, not ever really having had much luck in love yourself.

“I loved our lunch together and couldn’t wait to see you again. I thought about you all day Friday. Wondering what you were doing. Imagining what it would be like to…” Marcus trailed off for a moment, squeezing your hand again. “But I was also scared because I could already feel myself falling for you. Moving too fast again. But I got around that by telling myself it was just one-sided.”

“But then when I confessed the same thing…”

“Yeah.” Marcus dropped his head down, looking at you through his eyelashes. “I froze because, well… that made it real, and that scared me. And by freezing, it sent you the wrong message, which is why I’m the one who needs to apologise.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from letting out a soft laugh. “We’re quite the pair. We’ve both been overthinking this way too much.”

“Yeah.” Marcus chucked. “I should have said something but chickened out every time I saw you. But then-”

“Monroe.” You scowled. “That asshole.”

“Yeah.” Marcus frowned. “He told me he had a hot date but didn’t say who. Kept dropping hints, which I obviously didn’t pick up on. So when I saw you with him that night, it felt like my heart had been stomped on-”

“Marcus, that’s not why I-”

“I know.” Marcus reached over and took both of your hands in his. You had to marvel at just how large and gentle his hands were. “It felt like that cos I knew I’d screwed up and missed my chance. Well, I thought I had.”

“I, um…” You ran your thumb over the back of one of his hands, looking up into his smiling face. “Can I ask? Who were you with that night?”

You watched as he gave a soft chuckle. “My older sister Amelia. I called her to ask for advice. Told her I was doing it again.” He laughed harder. “She came to visit last weekend to deal with her idiot brother, well, one of them anyway.”

You could pretend you weren’t relieved, and Marcus must have noticed your shoulders relax, although thankfully, he didn’t say anything. Instead, the two of you sat for a moment, smiling at each other, basking in the glow that comes from knowing the other person returns your feelings. 

“Start over again?” You said finally with a small giggle. This was becoming almost ridiculous. 

“Third time’s the charm, right?” Marcus gave you a lopsided smile, his warm brown eyes twinkling. 

“So, to be clear.” You needed to hear him say it. “This will be a date?”

Marcus leaned forward, pulling your hands towards him and stared directly into your eyes. “Definitely a date.”

~~

Taglist: @jxvipike, @miraclesabound, @littlemisspascal, @galaxyofmando, @pintsizemama, @athalien, @zanzann, @furiousmushroom, @ghostofaboy, @thebestrouge, @janebby

#marcus pike #marcus pike x reader #marcus pike x f!reader #the mentalist #the art of crossed wires #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing

[muhammadarslanalvi]

Seeing Beyond the Pixel: An Introduction to Digital Image Processing

Have you ever stopped to wonder how that blurry picture from your phone gets transformed into a crystal-clear masterpiece on social media?

Or how scientists can analyze faraway galaxies using images captured by telescopes? The secret sauce behind these feats is Digital Image Processing (DIP)!

Imagine DIP (Digital Image Processing) as a cool toolbox for your digital images. It lets you manipulate and analyze them using powerful computer algorithms. You can think of it as giving your pictures a makeover, but on a whole new level.

The Image Makeover Process

DIP works in a series of steps, like a recipe for image perfection:

Snap Happy! (Image Acquisition) - This is where it all starts. You capture the image using a camera, scanner, or even a scientific instrument like a telescope!

Person taking a picture with smartphone

Picture Prep (Preprocessing) - Sometimes, images need a little prep work before the real magic happens. Think of it like trimming the edges or adjusting the lighting to ensure better analysis.

Person editing a photo on a computer

Enhance Me! (Enhancement) - Here's where your image gets a glow-up! Techniques like adjusting brightness, contrast, or sharpening details can make all the difference in clarity and visual appeal.

Blurry photo becoming clear after editing

Fixing the Funky (Restoration) - Did your old family photo get a little scratched or blurry over time? DIP can help remove those imperfections like a digital eraser, restoring the image to its former glory.

Scratched photo being restored

Info Time! (Analysis) - This is where things get interesting. DIP can actually extract information from the image, like identifying objects, recognizing patterns, or even measuring distances. Pretty cool, right?

Xray being analyzed by a doctor on a computer

Size Matters (Compression) - Ever struggled to send a massive photo via email? DIP can shrink the file size without losing too much detail, making it easier to store and share images efficiently.

Large image file being compressed

Voila! (Output) - The final step is presenting your masterpiece! This could be a stunningly clear picture, a detailed analysis report, or anything in between, depending on the purpose of the image processing.

Highquality image after processing

Real World Wow Factor

DIP isn't just about making pretty pictures (although that's a valuable application too!). It has a wide range of real-world uses that benefit various fields:

Medical Marvels (Medical Field) - DIP helps doctors analyze X-rays, MRIs, and other medical scans with greater accuracy and efficiency, leading to faster and more precise diagnoses.

Cosmic Companions (Astronomy) - Scientists use DIP to analyze images from space telescopes, revealing the secrets of stars, galaxies, and other wonders of the universe. By enhancing faint details and removing noise, DIP allows astronomers to peer deeper into the cosmos.

Space telescope capturing an image of a galaxy

Eagle Eye from Above (Remote Sensing) - Satellites use DIP to monitor Earth, tracking weather patterns, deforestation, and other environmental changes. By analyzing satellite imagery, researchers can gain valuable insights into the health of our planet.

Satellite image of Earth

Unlocking Your Face (Security Systems) - Facial recognition systems use DIP to identify people in images and videos, which can be used for security purposes or even to personalize user experiences.

Facial recognition system unlocking a phone

Selfie Magic (Consumer Electronics) - Your smartphone uses DIP to enhance your photos, automatically adjusting brightness, contrast, and other factors to make your selfies look their best.

Person taking a selfie

The Future's Looking Sharp

DIP is constantly evolving, thanks to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Imagine self-driving cars using DIP for super-accurate navigation in real-time, or virtual reality experiences that seamlessly blend real and digital worlds with exceptional clarity. The possibilities are endless!

So, the next time you look at an image, remember, there's a whole world of technology working behind the scenes to make it what it is. With DIP, we can truly see beyond the pixel and unlock the hidden potential of the visual world around us.

References:

Gonzalez, Rafael C., and Richard E. Woods. "Digital image processing." Pearson Education India, 2008.

Jain, Anil K. "Fundamentals of digital image processing." Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "Digital Image Processing: An Introduction." https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Digital-Image-Processing/dp/0134806743

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). "Image Processing and Analysis." https://www.baeldung.com/cs/energy-image-processing

Patel, Meet, et al. "Image Processing Techniques in Medical Field: A Literature Review." Journal of Medical Physics, vol. 40, no. 4, 2019, pp. 140001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782694/

#artificial intelligence #coding #machine learning #python #programming #digitalimageprocessing #dip #image

[cardansstail]

Fallen TOG (A throne of glass fanfiction)

AO3 Wattpad (english is not my first language so I apologise for any grammatical error)

Chapter 25

Word Count: 11.194

Isabella’s hands were shaking, even as she held onto the book clutched between them. Her breathing had turned shallow, so she forced herself to calm down. It worked, although there was little clarity in her spiralling mind.

The drawings staring back at her seemed to burn a hole inside her chest, she could feel it growing, gaining strength as it ate away at anything of hers.

Slowly, she braced herself as the tip of her finger traced the wyrdmark, the same she had accidentally, mistakenly, unknowingly, drawn on the male’s body. Realistically, she knew the etched ink held no power in itself, it was the blood and the will of the wielder who could exert the power of this type of magic. Still, the idea of her being able to manipulate a sorcery of such kind was ridiculous. Unexplainable. Absurd. Absolutely, and utterly illogical.

Nevertheless, the book had ended up in her hands, the wyrdmark had been carved on the male’s skin despite her lack of knowledge, and she could now read what used to be blank pages.

Isabella knew, as well as the lines in her hands and the scars on them, that the world carried very little coincidences within it, and she had already run out of them. Therefore, she could only hope that whatever Gods were using her as their pawn, planned for nothing but greatness and happiness for her, and the rest of them.

For some reason, the idea of lying idle in the midst of a game with the heavens above made her restless. It made her itch until the urge to claw at her own skin became insufferable. And so with a new idea in mind -one that burned brighter than the stars and blinded more strongly than the sun- she clung tighter to the open book in her lap.

She brought it closer to her, even as she scanned the pages for what she was looking for. Once she did, she unsheathed the knife she now always carried with her -even in her sleep- and pricked the skin on the tip of her finger until she drew blood. Crimson as ever, she stared at it before pressing her wound on the clean and recently healed skin of her wrist. She stole one more glance at the book before drawing a sign on her own flesh.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a gentle light emerged from the mark, and as it deemed, her skin began to burn.

Studying the reaction manifested on her flesh, she snatched her pen and ink -courtesy of Rowan’s, who had insisted buying it to her after they had left Killax’s- and scribbled notes on the margin of one of the book’s pages.

It was written with her quick, inattentive handwriting. It was merely three words that would later on become part of the book itself, magic as all knowledge was; it read,

discere est dolent

to learn is to ache.

She repeated the words, chanted them, as she worsened her wound and used her blood to draw more wyrdmarks, not completely unaware -even though she wanted- of the pain they caused in her.

-

Lorcan knew Rowan was happy. There was a jovial strout to his steps, a tugging smile at his lips, a twinkle in his eyes, and a tilt to his voice.

It was quite the horrendous sight, he had to admit to himself.

The male who had been his friend for centuries was beaming with happiness like the sun high in the sky. His good could not be evaporated no matter how hard he tried. And the Gods knew how much he had.

Because for all he loved Rowan -to which he would deny till the end of his long days-, there was nothing he found as annoying as happy people. Regardless of the reasons behind their moods.

So as Rowan sang lowly to himself -and for everyone’s disgrace, swayed his hips to the rhythm of whatever it was he was muttering to himself- Lorcan pushed him from behind. The male did not fall, of course not, he was a trained warrior after all, but he did stumble. Which was proof enough of how distracted he had been.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Rowan seethed.

He shrugged, “Your good mood was annoying me”

His friend rolled his eyes, “For fuck’s sake” He returned to his task at hand, which was basically overseeing as the soldiers engaged in a controlled sword-fight with each other, and correct their mistakes in order for them to improve. Most of them were little fuckers, so Lorcan wanted very little to know with them.

He crossed his hands over his chest and pretended to survey the training. He nudged Rowan with his shoulder. “What?” His friend hissed.

Lorcan looked at him from the corner of his eye. “Are you not going to tell me the cause behind your uncharacteristic good mood?” He drew in a flat tone.

At that, he saw as a wide number of emotions play behind Rowan’s eyes, and how his friend tried to control the smile threatening to bloom and show all of his teeth and fangs in a non-but-very-much-so savage way.

Lorcan’s nostrils flared, “You truly are disgusting when you are happy,”

“That’s because you were born with a frown on your face,”

He almost howled at that, “Maybe” He told him, as he felt his lips curving in a small smile. “So, what is it?” He insisted.

Rowan blinked. “What is what ?”

He glared at him, “Do not play dumb with me, I’m not Fenrys”

His friend snorted, “Certainly not,”

Lorcan wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him until he spat what was on his mind. “Alright,” He imperceptibly moved closer to his side so the sound of their voices wouldn’t be loud enough for those with a sharp hearing around them to listen. “You can tell me,”

Rowan stole a glance his way from the corner of his eye, “I’ll like some privacy, Lorcan”

He grinded his teeth before clenching his jaw in resignation. He clapped his hands together, loud enough for the soldiers around them to snap out of their fights, and Lorcan had to contain the curse threatening to leave his lips, they were so easy to distract it was embarrassing. “Alright, everyone!” He called.

“What are you doing?” Rowan hissed through gritted teeth.

Lorcan ignored him as he eyed the quick grouping soldiers with a graveness he knew would make them wary. Lucky for them, the only purpose of his -for the moment- was to hear what his friend had to say.

So he nodded as the last of the soldiers fell in line before clasping his hands behind his back and straightening his back. “You’ll be happy to hear that you are clear for the rest of the day. Enjoy your break,” Joyous whispers broke the silence they often fell under in his presence. “But you all better have improved for tomorrow, otherwise I’ll make sure to tire you until you’ll wish you were resting one metre underground”

That shut them fast enough, and they saluted accordingly before they scattered around. Soon, they were left alone, with metres of grass as their only companions to their current solitude.

He turned in his heels to face Rowan, and found him frowning; his arms crossed over his broad -but not broader than his- chest. “That was unnecessary,”

He raised an eyebrow in his direction, and didn’t try very hard to feign innocence. “Was it?” He shrugged. “I thought you said you wanted company, am I not a good friend for making your wishes come true?”

“You are a pain in the ass, that’s what you are”

Lorcan cocked his head to the side, contemplating. “But one of the good types of pain in the arse, that’s for sure”

Rowan groaned against the hands covering his face in exasperation. “Don’t start”

He raised his hands in surrender, “I will not. As long as you quit your bullshit and tell me what has positively gotten into you”

Rowan shook his head, “Everyone may complain about Fenrys’ nosy ass, but you are definitely better” He shot him a look. “You are just better at hiding it”

Lorcan flashed him a smile he knew was dripping with smugness. “I’m often better at everything”

He choked a laugh at his words, “Now, what has gotten into you ? I know for a fact you are highly aware of your mediocrity”

“Please, you wish you were as good as me”

To his surprise, Rowan looked even smugger than he did as the smile on his face widened with every passing second. “I do not,”

He eyed his friend from head to toe, “Is that right? Why not?” And then he added, for good measure. “You should, thought”

Rowan’s smile did not deem. In fact, it had only grown, which made Lorcan shift on his feet because the sight was quite scary. His friend looked maniac. Happiness did not look good on everyone.

“I had a date,” Rowan almost sang.

Lorcan tried not to let the surprise show on his face. “Truly?” Rowan nodded. “A real one? Not one that happened only in your head, then?” He laughed as the male growled and shoved him back playfully.

“Remind me again why I even bother being friends with you,” Rowan snapped -though the sound carried no real anger, and the words were weightless-, his gaze focused on something over his shoulder.

He smoothed the wrinkles of his black shirt. “Because I’ve saved your ass more than once”

“So have I,”

He shrugged, amused with their friendly and familiar banter. Sometimes he did not realise how much he missed it -how much he needed it- until they were already at it. “But I am still better at it than you,”

Rowan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as his shoulders slumped with defeat. “Maybe,” He conceded, the bastard.

“I’ll make sure to remind you of that for the rest of your life, but now, I’d actually like to hear about your date”

Rowan opened his mouth to speak, the curves of his lips instantly tugging upward into what he knew would be an impossible-to-contain-smile, when they were interrupted by a high pitched voice he would recognize even if he were deaf, for he felt it deep inside himself every time the speaker talked.

“Did someone say date ?” Fenrys’ appearance should not have surprised him. The male did, after all, seem to have a sixth sense for gossip. Still, he could not help but groan at their interruption, even if he was a little impressed. “As in, a real date?”

Rowan scoffed at that, “Why does everyone keep asking that?” He sounded suddenly defensive.

Fenrys did not hold back with his answer, his tone one of an adult speaking with a child. “Because we’ve heard you talk in your sleep” Then, he pulled his lips together and exaggerated the sound of kissing as he continued speaking. “ Oh, Isabella, you are so pretty. Isa, I’m so glad you liked my cooking. Shall we go to that shop, I’m sure you’ll love it there, Isa ” He had mimicked Rowan’s voice and repeated some of the many sentences his friend had spoken while dreaming, deeply asleep.

His Royal Highness’ cheeks tinted with the lightest of pinks as he threw himself at Fenrys, the two of them ending on the floor.

“Help! Somebody help me! He’s trying to kill me” Fenrys yelled from the top of his lungs as he lay on his back on the floor.

“Stop being a crybaby I’m just messing with you,” Rowan told him from his place on top of him, his tone one that revealed he knew of the youngest male’s tactics.

“Messing with me?” Fenrys repeated loudly, his face incredulous. “Your hands are around my neck!” He accused.

“But I’m not squeezing it, am I?” He responded, with a self-satisfied smile.

“Agh!” Fenrys complained as he shoved Rowan’s hands away, and the male complied by standing up as his body shook with laughter. Fenrys’ eyes narrowed on Lorcan -who was not doing a good job of hiding his own chuckles- and stood up while he dusted off his clothes and arranged his hair until he was clearly satisfied.

“This is so not what I expected when I heard about your date,” Boyo grumbled as he finished smoothing his pants.

“You mean, when you eavesdropped. Again ” Lorcan corrected him.

He waved him off, indifferent to his words. “Semantics. I loath semantics”

“Because you like to twist words to your own benefit,”

“Because I love getting my way,” Fenrys said, his words accompanied by a saccharine smile and a wink in his direction. Lorcan scoffed and looked away. Rowan merely chuckled. “Anyway, tell us everything about your date” He added, as he rubbed his hands together in delight at what was to come. He reminded Lorcan of a pup with a new toy.

Rowan blushed, and Lorcan groaned loudly. “There is not really much to tell,”

“Bullshit,” Fenrys and Lorcan said at the same time.

He shrugged, then, looking almost shy. And damn if the sight didn’t make Lorcan shiver in horror.

“Well, last night, when I went back to our tent after speaking with Orion, I found the place empty. Normally, I panicked” He rolled his eyes at that. His friend continued, “Luckily, she appeared not long after. But she had been visibly attacked-”

“What?!” Fenrys yelled, at the same time Lorcan’s hands fisted at his side and he managed to choke out through his rising anger, “Who the fuck did that?”

Rowan nodded, his eyes sombre. It was clear that even the reminder of the sight of Isabella hurt was enough to darken his mood. Lorcan didn’t imagine the shift in the air, the rising roaring of the wind before he went on. “Not to worry, she handled it herself. So well, in fact, that she killed him before he could do any real damage to her,” There was such palpable pride in his voice, so much respect and contentment shining in his eyes.

Lorcan whistled, incredibly impressed. And if it was also pride what warmed his chest, he didn’t dare admit it. “It was about time, I knew she had it in her”

“We should throw her a party to celebrate,” Fenrys nodded enthusiastically. Both Rowan and Lorcan shut his idea down immediately. The young male merely pouted at the rejection.

“So, needless to say, I helped her get rid of the body in the middle of the night,”

“Romantic,” The wolf called with a sigh.

“I’m sure it was a night she’ll never forget,”

Rowan shrugged, looking way too pleased with himself.

“But-” Lorcan began, much to his friend’s dismay. “I don’t think that counts as a date”

Rowan looked suddenly alarmed before he shut his feelings down and his face was masked with a blank expression.

Fenrys shook his head in disagreement. “Of course it counts! It’s the beginning of a legendary love story,”

He couldn’t help but sigh as he rubbed his temples. It wasn’t possible that out of all of them, he was the one who had to explain this. Him . Lorcan, who had only ever had one serious relationship; who had only fallen in love once, and had done nothing with his feelings other than hide them in fear of- well, it didn’t matter.

“Listen,” He began, slowly, as if he were talking with children. “I want you two to be together,” He told Rowan, whose face had remained frozen in its closedness. “But you cannot possibly count that as a date. If you want one, you have only to ask. I do believe she’d say yes,”

“She would not,” Rowan said through a clenched jaw. His eyes were far away. Perhaps in a land where all love was requited, and there was no dread in feeling.

“I know you will never find out until you try,” He tried to say with as much care as he could. It pained him to have to speak such cruel reality to his friend, but he did not want him to find joy in a lie. A delusion. Lorcan would never want that for him, for he knew what it was like. He had lived like that for decades, now.

“I-” Rowan tried to speak, but failed. He closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath. His hands were trembling with the force of contained emotion, and the sight broke something inside of him. There were heartbreaks that were unbearably painful. Heartbreaks impossible to recover from; heartbreaks that could rip one heart’s in pieces and function only as a ghost of what it once was.

“I can’t ,” He forced himself to say. He swallowed, and unshed tears shimmered in his eyes even as his cheeks remained dry. “I have already been rejected once. I do not think I can endure a second. Not from her.”

Lorcan had never been empathic. He had never cared much for others in his life, he had never bothered with others until he had found Rowan, Fenrys, and Gavriel. He had never cherished bonds as much as he cherished the ones that tied him to his friends. His only friends. And so the pain that was now threatening to shatter Rowan felt familiar to Lorcan, and it endangered him too, for he felt his friend’s ache as if it were his.

“It’s alright,” Fenrys whispered to Rowan, a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Forget he said a thing, we both know Lorcan is no expert on love”

Lorcan knew he was joking, trying to lighten the mood, seeking laughter in the face of sorrow with a mastered weapon used for humour.

Still, the comment twisted his stomach until everything inside of him hurt.

“Right,” He told them, flatly, an achievement accomplished by the strength of his pure will. “Ignore me”

Rowan shook his head, and straightened his shoulders. He rubbed the back of his neck. “No, you are right. Ever since I’ve met her I have done nothing but rejoice in delusion and live for impossible dreams. It is tiring, and I’m exhausted. I believe it is time for me to erase all fantasy from my mind, in order to lose all self-deception” He smiled, and it was a tight, forced sight. “Only then will I be able to see past my own illusions. It’ll be for the best,”

Lorcan opened his mouth to speak, although he was not sure of what words he could utter to bring comfort to his friend. He was, after all, in quite a similar -worse- situation.

But he did not remain for longer, for Rowan left them soon after, and then there were only two.

“I hope you are happy with yourself,” Fenrys told him from his place next to him. They were both staring at where Rowan had disappeared to, but even in such a position, Lorcan knew Fenrys’ sole attention was on him.

So he did not spare him a look as he said, “Why would I?”

“You just broke that poor male’s heart,” He shrieked, and only he could make that sound and still sound accusing.

“He broke his own heart long before me,”

“Oh, and you would know because you are an expert in the matters of the heart, are you not?” Fenrys turned, then, and his narrowed eyes burnt a hole in Lorcan’s chest.

He crossed his arms over his chest so the young male would not be able to notice the trembling of his hands, the force with which he was restraining himself from- from;

Lorcan sighed, “Can you not do this right now?” He murmured, it sounded too much like a plea to his own ears.

“Ha!” The wolf jeered. There was a frown on his handsome face and lines around his eyes. “Why am I not surprised? You never want to talk, never want to face your-”

“Stop” He ordered, his voice louder than he had intended. Harsher. He rubbed at his temples as he tried to find the words he should say and not the ones he wanted to speak. “I’m tired, and the past is the past. I cannot understand why you can’t let it go”

Of course he could understand, for he couldn’t let it go either. But their reasons were different, and perhaps that was why he often drowned in agony.

“ Fine, ” He snapped, and it was only centuries of training that allowed Lorcan not to flinch at the stiffness that that one single word conveyed. He did not stop him as he turned on his heels and left him behind. All alone. Again.

Lorcan cursed, his face to the skies, his eyes closed in concentration; his heart buried in a land of ghosts that stirred his present even if they belonged in the past.

There had once been a time in his life when he had thought happiness could be his, when he had been deceived into believing that love -the kind that was strong enough to raise armies and build empires- was something tangible that could belong to him in the safety of somebody else’s arms.

But that had been long ago. Before his own shadow betrayed him and shattered the pieces of devotion that had made him stronger.

He shivered at the memory of warm lips leaving a trail of wet kisses on his jaw, his neck, his shoulder. As the phantom of a hand entwined with his tugged at him, as the weight of his body on top of his as they moved in sync, now threatened to bring him to his knees and leave him breathless.

All Lorcan had was the echo of what once was, and the ache of what could not be.

Usually, he could behave as if he were not just half of a soul. Sometimes, however, he could do nothing but wait for the worst of his pain to pass, so he could recover and go back to pretending.

Rowan had said it was tiring. His friend was right.

It was so tiring that sometimes he did not want to wake up. So exhausting that most days he could barely bring himself to eat. So draining that he often wondered how he was still standing.

Rowan thought he was alone in his pain, he thought that he would probably not survive it, he was sure he would not be able to bear it for much longer; but, regarding that, his friend was wrong.

He would survive it, he would tolerate it, and one day everyone would forget why he was aching in the first place. He did only need to look at Lorcan, he was proof enough of his words, even if nobody knew it. Even if they were all unaware of the reason behind it.

Lorcan took a breath, and went on.

-

Isabella stared at the new bruises on her arm, and the fresh scars. They were uniformed, of different shades, and irritating.

She could count with one hand what she had learnt, and already she felt like a break was needed. Already the pain was weakening her purpose, and rotting her will.

She glanced at the book in front of her, at the next wyrdmarks she ought to study, but her current arm would be useless if she continued to use it. So she covered it with the sleeve of her shirt, and uncovered her other arm. It was unmarked.

Isabella had just gripped the knife once again when the opening of her tent rustled, and Rowan stepped inside. She thanked the gods for the fact that her knife was remarkably small, and that she managed to hide it under her tights without looking suspicious.  

Still, a small crease formed in between Rowan’s brows as he inspected her from head to toe, then his gaze strayed to the open book in her lap, and she felt herself begin to panic. Instinctively, she opened her mouth to say something, anything, for she was not sure what lie she could sprout to explain the reality of her situation.

Nevertheless, Rowan beat her to it. “What are you doing?”

“I-”

His eyebrows shot upward, “I’m sorry, were you going to write?”

She forced herself not to look confused, “Something like that,”

His gaze went back to the book, and she prayed his sharp eyesight was not good enough for him to read the names of the wyrdmarks she had been about to test, even if from his place the drawings were uncommonly noticeable.

“I’ll never understand why Killax gifted you a blank book,” He said, so oblivious that Isabella’s mouth fell open.

She recomposed quickly, and feigned nonchalance. Her shoulders went up and down in a shrug. “Who can really understand anything he does?”

Rowan snorted at that, a shake to his head as he took a couple of steps further into the tent. “You are right,”

Isabella eyed once again the book in her possession, stared intently at the drawings, the words, the margins and her handwriting. Her head snapped up to where Rowan stood, his back was to her. He seemed to be going over his belongings. Nothing about his demeanour seemed false or wary, but Isabella could not help but feel the need to be cautious.

“Maybe he was expecting you to fill it in,” He said from his place.

“Maybe,” She agreed, distractedly. Her attention was on the book, and it remained there even as she picked it up and stood up. She walked to Rowan’s side, and found him folding his clothes into perfect squares of the same size. Huh. “I was thinking…”

“Mhm,” He made the sound to notify her that he was listening, despite the fact that his sole focus appeared to be on his clothes, and the need for all the folds to be isometric.

“And I was wondering if you could try to teach me the tongue of the thorns,” Her words had his head snapping up, his eyes now solely on hers. Isabella leaned a bit closer to his side, enough that his warmth penetrated her clothes, and brought comfort to her mind. She could have sworn even her wrenching arm subdued in its ache. “I’d like to be as prepared as possible,” It was a confession offered in the middle of an operation.

They were borrowing time in an era of unavoidable, impending wars. They had begun her training after her request, but she knew now that they would have found a way to teach her how to defend herself even if she had not asked, for they knew that the chances of something happening in their absence grew as rapidly as the number of the dead.

Rowan’s history and geography lessons were wide and detailed, but she knew that even after all the knowledge she had acquired, it was not enough. Renelle had used her magic to have her master the common tongue in mere minutes, as if she were a native. But there were more languages to explore, more places to study, more stories to discover, and more holes to unveil. The recent events that she had been a main part of were clear signs of it. They urged her to act, and to blind fate as she controlled it.

She needed more. She wanted more.

And Isabella could not think of a different -or more convenient- start but with the leaning of tongues.

Rowan had once explained to her that the common tongue had been created as a medium of communication between the Fae -who in the past were only speakers of the Old Language- and the humans -whose tongues were simpler and diverse-. With the birth of the imparting of information, bonds between tribes and kingdoms had started the rise of globalisation -heavily accentuated by the self-imposed seclusion of the Witches- until the divulgence of languages became a second-nature. The Fae learned -and even adopted- human tongues and mortals remained in ignorance regarding the Old Language.

Even if most found it an inconvenience, or believed the knowledge of multiple tongues to be useless, Isabella knew the power that came with the speaking of a foreign tongue. Not only it facilitated the skill of deceiving but also the expertise of manipulation. People were known for revealing secrets in the face of strangers if they believed to be shielded by the nature of their tongue and the incomprehension of a non-speaker.

She knew that all kingdoms were wielders of different speeches, and that while the Fae often adjusted to the relatively young tongue of Wendlyn and Doranelle, they were fluent in many of the languages and dialects bred by humans. The tongue of the thorns, on the other hand, was known to be the speech of the folk, older than time, and more lost than Isabella’s mind.

And unlike the Old Language of the Fae, it could be spoken even by those whose blood was as ordinary and dull as the magicless children; for it was the tongue of the earth, the whispers of the wind, the carrying of the water and the burning of a fire.

Words were magic in itself, they carried power and working. She could barely imagine what she could do if she spoke the tongue of the thorns, how it could possibly be combined with the wyrdmarks in her possession…How an irreplaceable weapon it could be. And she wanted it to be hers.

“I am aware that it may prove to be useless, but-”

“Why?” It was a simple question, but one she could not bring herself to answer with honesty.

“I find it interesting,” She grabbed a pair of pants from his backpack and helped him fold them, exactly the way she had noticed he liked it. “You told me once it was the language of the world, that it had existed when very few things did, and that it had once been believed to be the tongue of peace,” She stopped her work to look him in the eye. She found him staring at her with an expression in his eyes she could not determine with a word she knew of. “Don’t you think it ought to be spoken again?”

“It is a forgotten tongue, Isa,” He leaned on the small table he had placed the night before and still not taken back. One of his big hands was sprawled there, supporting most of his weight, while the other lay on his hip. She found the position entirely attractive, so much, in fact, that she looked down at the pile of clothes. “The only reason why I speak it is because all members of the royal family were forced to endure lessons for it,”

She dared a quick look in his direction, “Does that mean your cousins speak it, too?”

He snorted, unimpressed. “Of course not. They were all too restless or uninterested to actually learn”

Her mouth quivered to the side due to the contained smile she was struggling to keep in check. “Are you saying you were a little nerd?”

His eyes narrowed playfully on hers, “I do not know the meaning of that word. Is it as otherworldly as yourself?” Those words in his mouth sounded too much like a compliment.

She shrugged only one of her shoulders. “Maybe,” She grabbed another piece of cloth to keep her hands busy. “I could teach you many words just as that if you taught me the tongue of thorns”

Rowan laughed, and it warmed her chest to know it was not at her, but rather in amusement for her. “When did you become such a tenacious thing?” There were wrinkles around his eyes caused by the smile he wore. She found she liked that very much.

“I’ve always been one,”

“Oh, you are right,” He stood straight and tugged at her ponytail. “I still remember when you forced all of us to apologise,” He chuckled, and the sound sent vibrations all over her spine.

Isabella smacked his arm and sat on the floor. “Does that mean you’ll teach me?”

He seemed to consider her words thoroughly as he rubbed his recent stubble. “I wish I could, but I don’t think I’ll have enough time now that a group of Novyk have been spotted in the east of the sea, too close to our shores for our liking,”

She stood up abruptly at that, “When was this?” She demanded.

“I was informed of it early this morning,” He sighed. It was well past noon now.

“But-” She tried not to allow fear to control her as she hugged herself. “What is to happen now? What should we do? I didn’t hear anything at all, was there an announcement that I missed?” She had spent all day inside the tent, it was possible she had failed to hear something at all.

Rowan shook his head, and paced the small place. “We have already sent more soldiers to the shore to protect and contain the fort in case of an attack, only those that were dispatched are aware of the news -apart from you and I, of course- and it must remain that way. The least we should want is for everyone to grow anxious with uncertainty” She nodded to everything he said. At last, he stopped walking and rested his hands on his hips. “For now, we will do as usual, we have no reason to believe that they will attack. They could be merely studying the surroundings for all we know, so it is unnecessary to worry when nothing is certain”

She cleared her throat so her words would not come as merely a whisper. “And what if they do?” His tired eyes were on her, and she did not need to see her reflection in his gaze to know she looked quite panicked. “What if they decided to attack? What then?”

“Then we better pray the soldiers stationed in the shore are enough,”

“And if they are not?”

He shook his head, “Lorcan and I should be more than enough,”

She wanted to say more, but Rowan didn’t, for he picked the book she had left abandoned due to their conversation and studied it with the same interest one would a fallen leaf.

The sight reminded her of another step of her mission. Since she could not ask him directly if he could see the writing of the book -for she would not only sound crazy, even if he believed her, but she would also have to explain what the book contained- she opted for another approach.

Isabella picked up the pen she had left discarded in her bedroll. She took steps that led her closer to him, until she was by his side. She offered him the pen she had gifted her not long ago, and smiled up at him.

“I know you said you won’t have enough time, and I understand,” He appeared to be going through mixed emotions as he pursed his lips, even if his eyes remained gentle. “But could you at least write your name in it?”

His eyes never strayed from hers as he spoke, “And what would you do with it?”

A half-smile tugged at her lips, “I just want to see it written,”

Rowan sighed, then nodded. “Okay,”

“Okay?”

“Yes, give me that pen,”

She did not even try to hide the smile his words generated on her. She handed him the pen, and waited eagerly as he passed a page where the wardmarls were bigger, for each of them occupied a whole page, and clear descriptions were settled on the rest of the space. From the corner of her eye, she studied Rowan’s expression, and came to the conclusion that his face betrayed no emotion. He looked indifferent. Oblivious. Unmindful of the ink in front of him.

He brought the pen to the page and wrote a series of letters that appeared to be more signs than an ordinary typing. Characters and symbols were united until they created something beautiful, but as soon as Rowan had finished writing, the ink disappeared as if it had never been there in the first place. They were erased by themselves.

Isabella noticed the frown on his face, and the way his eyes went from the page to the pen. “Is this working?”

She held her breath, “Yes, I used it merely minutes ago”

His eyes remained fixed on the pen, “Maybe it needs more ink, would you bring it for me?” She did, and even as the pen was freshly filled, Rowan’s pattern of letters vanished as soon as they were done.

“It’s obviously not working,” Rowan stated, flatly. Perhaps a bit annoyed. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you another one,” He reassured her.

She considered declining his offer, but in the end, nodded. She already had her answers, anyway.

The book’s continents were only visible to her.

-

It took Isabella three days to finally be done with one section of the wyrdmarks, and by the time she had finished, both of her arms were so deeply wounded that she could barely lift them up. Which was a great inconvenience, for her training required her to be in constant movement, in flow with all of her body.

Needless to say, those three days had been painful.

And so when the fourth day arrived, she had been quite excited to leave that small chapter of the book behind. In her free time, she had busied herself by mindlessly reading some of the other pages of the book; only to come across Rowan’s words.

They were there, etched on the page in his elegant handwriting. Isabella could not understand why, however, for they were on a completely different page to where he had written them, and strongly visible despite the fact that she had seen them vanish -and he had never seen them at all-.

Even so, she read and read the words. She thought they were quite long to be just his name, but same words in different languages often varied in length depending on the tongue’s alphabet, so she let the thought escape her.

She traced the words with the tip of her fingers, and momentarily wondered what could happen if she traced them with her blood, when the words faded until they were unreadable, and reformed into ones in a foreign language she had recently become acquainted with.

Veritas vos liberabit.

The truth will set you free.

-

Isabella could not find an explanation to the words spoken by the book. She knew, for some indecipherable reason, that Rowan had not written them, so they could not be a translation to what he had committed to the paper.

The unknown bothered her.

-

Rowan stared at the green hills and the trees through the window of the Banjali’s castle. He detested the place, and yet he always found himself coming back to it, whether because it was the fate of a warrior, or that of a royal, he did not know.

With his hands crossed behind his back, but his eyes focused on all the beyond from the outside, he listened to Orion’s voice.

“There has been no reports from the Shores of the Skull in the last five days, I believe we ought to send a small group to investigate and report back,”

“Have you considered that perhaps the reason why the first group we sent has not answered back will keep a second group from reporting back, too?” Gavriel told the male, his voice kind and open to hear solutions, yet firm and strong.

“What else could we do? Our ways of communication have been deadly silent since the first report, and we have yet to come up with a new way to relay messages”

“Do not bring the name of Death into this,” Lorcan snapped, his words curt. “You will only call for him and have him rain on us”

Orion’s hands went up in the air in exasperation, although Rowan could notice that it was mostly fear what fueled his state. “He will be falling upon us sooner or later if we do not take action. We need to know what is going on in the shores, it is no coincidence that the Novyk happened to be close to it”

“No,” Rowan agreed. “That’s obvious”

Orion seemed both relieved and terrified by his words. “They are planning an attack,”

“It’s probably already in motion, if the lack of reports is any indication” Fenrys said from his place on a chair.

A round, wooden table took most of the space in the room made completely out of stones. Tapestries hung from the walls, one with the image of the map of Wendlyn and Doranelle, another with Rowan’s family crest -a sigil of a white, flying hawk, and the outline of a crown with the kingdom’s mantra-, and others that represented different times of their history. Six matching chairs were scattered around the table, whose base was filled with a medium sized map of all Banjali. It even had texture and was embossed with accurate buildings and all lakes and caves.

“Then we must ring the alarm, alert everyone and be ready” Orion’s words were reasonable. And yet…

“No,” Rowan’s voice rang loud with its order.

Orion’s eyes grew wide, “What-?”

Lorcan’s eyes found Rowan’s, and the male cooked his head to the side. His friend’s curt nod was all the response needed.

“We will not alert anyone of the possible attack,”

“I believe you mistook the word ‘possible’ for ‘impending’” Orion corrected, his jaw clenched in barely contained anger.

Rowan stared at the male lazily, through hooded eyes that conveyed nothing but utter boredom. “I did not,”

“But why ?” Orion practically screamed. Sweat shone in his brow.

“Because I say so,” He drawled, slowly.

“That makes no sense, if we do not ready ourselves we will be in disadvantage, no good will come from it”

“Perhaps,” Gavriel interrupted, his tone laced with severity. “We ought to consider an alternative,”

“What alternative?” Orion yelled, his skin pale from the terror he was handling, and now the aggravation caused by his orders. “Have you all gone crazy? There is no alternative, we must prepare and fight,”

“We will fight,” Rowan agreed with a nod. “But there shall be no warning,”

“Why? Why would we-?”

But he did not get to finish his sentence, for the loud sound of an explosion interrupted their peace. Shouts came from outside through the window, and the doors to the room were thrown wide open as the guards outside entered and joined in the chaos.  

Orion looked wildly around, his hands were gripping the border of the table, his knuckles white with the force of his grip. Rowan sidestepped him as he barely glanced in his direction. He knew the rest were following, for he could feel their presence close to him. Years of fighting alongside each other had acquainted them to a normalcy in which they were one mind divided in four different bodies.

They ran through the halls of the castle, past soldiers leaving their positions and bolting through the gates. Outside, he watched as trained warriors succumbed to panic and fed the mayhem. They were running from one place to the other, swords unsheathed and tightly gripped. The healers, who Rowan knew were always prepared and in the healing wing of the castle and also positioned close to the soldiers’ tent -and where, hopefully, Isabella had listened to him and would remain there until the attack passed-, were nowhere to be seen.

The soldiers stationed in the walls of the fortress were screaming for reinforcements, and he could feel the beatings the magical shield was resisting. That caught his attention, for he had thought they would attack from the shores, not from the woods. Interesting. He decided to save that information for later analysis, and focused his attention on the field.

A shining light caught his attention from the corner of his eye, but he did not bother turning his head, for he knew where it was coming from. In response to its fade, a massive golden-brown mountain lion with the tawny eyes roared and charged for the walls, climbing it with its paws and gigantic claws. A slightly smaller wolf joined him, and together they reached the highest point of the walls. Soldiers around them scattered to make room for them.

Rowan glanced once in Lorcan’s direction before shifting to his animal form. As he took fly and left him behind, he managed to hear him mutter, “Yes, yes, I ’ll take the fucking stairs,”

He didn’t even bother reaching the floor of the fort before shifting to his humanoid form. A soldier gawked at him, but he ignored him as he walked to the border of the wall and looked to the other side. A group of Novyk had their hands raised, palms glowing with their magic, and Rowan understood they were using counter-magic to try and weaken their fort.

In the trees, hidden fae were shooting arrows on fire and aiming at the chests of the soldiers. He raised a single eyebrow at the scene, this was why they were all screaming and running around? Soldiers nowadays had grown too soft.

A warrior on his side fell to his knees as he clutched an arrow piercing his shoulder. Rowan waved a hand and his wind turned the fire of the arrow off. The male could deal with the rest on his own.

Just as he looked up, he caught one of the sticks with his bare hands, it had come close to his head, but it held no threat as he broke it down in two and threw the now useless sticks to the Novyk wielding their magic. One of the sticks even smacked one in the head. He might have used a bit of his magic to manage that.

Lorcan reached his side and stared boredly at the scene, “Well, I’ll admit I’m kind offended by this pathetic attempt”

“Yeah, it looks too easy, doesn’t it?”

The male shot him a look, “ Too easy, perhaps”

“Indeed,” He agreed.

“I’ll take care of the ones oat the front, you can deal with the monkeys in the trees”

Rowan nodded, and he willed a strong wind to come roaring from behind at the same time that Lorcan’s darkness curled dangerously in his hands before he directed it at the group in front of the gates, and shadows engulfed them. Immediately, their attacks against the magical shield stopped, and their screams grew loud with each passing second.

He strengthened the power of his wind until it was strong enough to have the shooters from the trees falling down to the floor from their spots. Rowan spared only one of them as he cut their air supply from his place. They choked, their eyes growing wide and their weapons falling from their hands as they brought them to their necks. It took less than a minute for them to fall dead on the floor. Except for one.

Lorcan’s blackness dissipated only to reveal the limp corpses left in its trail on the floor. Black markings that reminded Rowan of veins covered the dead bodies, and a look of horror and pain was still tugging at the lines in their faces, freezing that expression forever. Similar ones were worn by the bodies left behind by Rowan.

He turned on his heels and inspected the guards. “Those of you who were stupid enough to get injured, go to the healing wing in the castle. The rest of you, clean this mess and report back to your positions,” The order ran true and was met by the obedience of everyone.

Lorcan was still staring at the bodies of those they had murdered when he commented, “You forgot about one,”

Rowan looked over his shoulder to the male he had spared. He was frozen in his place, too dumb -or maybe too smart- to try and run away. “I didn’t. We need intel,”

“Huh,” Lorcan huffed.

Fenrys growled lowly, and jumped from the high fort and landed perfectly on his four legs. He prowled to the male slowly, his teeth bared and a grumble coming from deep within his chest. He barked at him, and grabbed his leg with his sharp teeth just as the male finally tried to stand up and run. Boyo dragged him back, while the male screamed. They disappeared through the gates.

“Sir!” An unknown soldier called erratically.

Both Rowan and Lorcan turned in his direction, “What?”

“We have been informed that there’s been an another attack,”

Rowan’s whole body stiffened at that, “Where?” He snarled.

“Inside the camp, they arrived from the shores. They-”

“Where are they now?” He cut him off, already dreading his answer.

“Last report claims they were close to the soldiers’ tents, and heading to the healing-”

Rowan did not stay to listen to the rest, he had heard enough. He shifted to his animal form and left them behind. He flew, and used his wind to speed him up. He needed to get there before they got to her.

-

Isabella heard the screams before she truly registered what was happening. The healers shot to their feet as the yells coming from outside began.

She looked around, at the poles in the middle of the place containing the tent, at the empty rows of beds and the nightstands to their sides, at the flaming tears contained in jars illuminating the entire space, and at the tables in all corners that were filled to the brim with bandages and jugs of all sizes and colours.

Everyone’s attention snapped to the entrance of the tent as a soldier covered in blood limped inside. He was gripping a wound where his arm should be, but there was nothing there. Just blood sprouting from where he had once had a matching arm.

Louisa, a petite female with blinding white hair and a thin, pale complexion, was the first one to come to his aid. She guided him to one of the beds and shouted orders to the rest of the healers, who did not even have time to comply before more warriors barged inside.

Isabella stared at the scene, and faintly realised that the screams coming from outside were accompanied by the sound of swords halting against each other and moans of pain.

A female warrior fell on one of the empty beds, and she cried for help as she tried to stop the blood coming from a wound in her stomach. The female locked eyes with Isabella, and repeated, “Help!”

She wanted to tell her that she had little to no knowledge in the art of healing, but a quick look around confirmed that all healers were preoccupied with other patients, and they were out of their depths as more and more kept coming.

She was out of options, so she walked to the female and stared at the ripped, infected flesh of her stomach, at the peering organs and all the blood coming from it. Isabella did not allow herself time to doubt her actions as she ran to one of the tables and grabbed bandages and bottles of alcohol.

She returned to the female’s side and poured the contents of the bottle on straps of gauze she had cut with her hands. She pressed it to the female’s wound and tried to clean it the best she could. The fae cursed and hissed through her teeth at her ministrations.

“What happened?” She asked her, trying to distract the female from her pain, and also to learn of the incidents that had led to this. Even if she had a good idea of who was behind it.

“The Novyk, they-” She began, and stopped abruptly to whimper as Isabella pressed a new wet gauze to her tear flesh. “They came out of nowhere. From the shores, we didn’t know-”

Isabella had heard enough, and centred her attention on the lesion. The female was losing too much blood, she needed her flesh to be sewn back together before she died of blood loss. Her head snapped up to try to catch one of the healers’ gaze, for it was one thing to clean a wound, and another to suture an injury.

But they were all too busy, all drowning in their own patients, going from one bed to the other, blood in their hands and aprons. None of them were in a position to attend to the female in Isabella’s care.

Her eyes fixed on the wound, and then on the female’s eyes. Her whole face was constrained in pain, but still she tried to hide it. “No offence, but you are a shitty healer,”

“I’m not a healer,” Was all she said before turning and going back to the table to grab more equipment. She returned to the soldier’s side as soon as she could. She could feel the female’s eyes on her as she washed her hands on alcohol and placed a thick needle above the flaming tear.

“Then what are you doing here?”

“I’m trying to help,” Her response was drowned out by a cry from one of the soldiers lying on a bed close to them. Isabella turned to look back at the needle and steadied her hands so the female would not notice the tremble in them. “What’s your name?”

“N-Nalani,” She replied, followed by a groan.

“Well, Nalani, I apologise beforehand if this doesn’t work” The reddish, gleaming needle in her hand and the thread in the other.

“That’s fine,” The female reassured her with a groan. “It doesn’t matter if I die by your hands, I’d have died anyway for blood loss because the healers wouldn't have gotten to me in time”

Isabella tried to ignore the truth in her words. Instead, she leaned closer to the wound. “This will probably be painful,”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m already in pain”

“Right,” She swallowed and willed her nerves to go away. Her hand barely trembled as she brought the needle to her skin and pierced her flesh. Nalani hissed, and closed her eyes as she tried to remain still for her. Isabella continued, and held her breath as the thread went from one side of her skin to the other, closing it slowly.

It must have taken her way longer than expected, but by the time she cut the loose thread and placed the needle on the nightstand, Nalani’s blood had stopped. She cleaned the stitches and covered it in bandages. She had no idea if what she had done had truly helped, if Nalani was not suffering from internal bleeding that she was clueless to, or if by closing the wound she had worsened her condition or accidentally infected her. But it was done, and she let the female rest as she left her side.

Around her, patients kept strolling in, but she noticed that no more screams were coming from outside, only from those inside the tent. Despite the fact that perhaps she could be of more help, Isabella ventured outside.

Night had fallen long ago, and the moon shone despite what it had been a witness of. She walked through the corpses lying on the floor, and did not make eye-contact with those who were tasked with retrieving the bodies and piling them on top of the other. The earth had been watered with blood, and she distractedly wondered if the result of that would be manifested in the growth of red roses.

A fire burnt not far away, and the smell of burnt flesh had her covering her nostrils with the palm of her hand. The attack had taken them by surprise, and although they had won, the number of deaths had taken a toll in the air they breathed.

She came to a clearing, and noticed that even the water from the lake was having trouble cleaning the blood remaining on the shore.

“Isa?” The familiar voice came from behind her, and she turned on her heels at the sound.

As soon as her gaze found Rowan’s, she saw his face visibly relax. She noticed the way his shoulders slumped, and the breath that left his lips. His long hair was tousled and dirty with splatters of blood. Sweat on his brow was mixed with what she knew was someone else’s blood. A cut in his lip was the only sign she could find of an injury on his body.

“I-”

He did not let her speak, for in an instant his arms were around her, and his face was pressed in the space between her shoulder and neck. She froze as she realised he was breathing her in, in her scent.

Slowly, she raised her arms until they were hugging him back, and she relished in his warmth.

“I’m so glad you are okay,” He murmured against her skin. “I was so worried,” He confessed. She could only tight her hold on him. She had been so worried for him, too. She had not allowed herself to admit it, to even think about it, for there were things she needed to do, and it would have done no good if she had allowed her fear for him to cloud her reasoning.

But now, in his arms, and he in hers, she allowed herself to release all the tension, all the terror she had nourished since the beginning of the attack.

“I told you to stay in the healing tents and when I found out they had ambushed us and that they were going there, I- I couldn’t think. We stopped them before they could reach you and when it was done I went there but you were nowhere to be found I-” He explained in a rush.

“I went for a walk, I needed some air but I stayed there during all the commotion. I promise,”

“Good,” He whispered as he ran a hand through her back and leaned away to look at her face. Reluctantly, she relented.

“How did they manage to get past all the shields around the lake? It makes no sense they would be able to do so, you told me they were unbreakable, that the inside of the fortress was the safest place in all the continent,” She made sure not to sound accusing, for she wasn’t. All she was, was confused. Perplexed.

Rowan shook his head, and the clenching of his jaw was the only sign of the change in his mood. Anger was palpable in his words as he spoke, “We were betrayed,”

Isabella could not contain the gasp that escaped her lips, “By who?”

“Orion,”

“Are you sure?”

“Very much so,”

Her hands fell limply to her side, even if his own remained on her. “And where is he now?”

A sinister smile tugged the corner of his lips upward, “Gavriel made sure he is locked in the dungeons” The surprise that they even had dungeons didn’t even register to her. “Next to one of the Novyk we intercepted,”

She did not even blink, “Have you spoken with him yet?”

“No,” His response was slow. “I’ll let the others deal with him first”

“Are they all okay, then?” His nod brought her the last piece of relief she needed. Isabella nodded, and together they stared at the reflection of the moon in the cold waters. “You know next time this happens I will not stay in the healing tent,” It was not a question, she would not let it be. She allowed it to be a fact, and an unavoidable premonition for him to grow accustomed to.

She heard the exhale of his breath, “I know,”

“Good,” She repeated his words, and she knew there was a small smile now tugging at his lips.

“There are many things I need to do now, everyone will want answers and the training will have to be more demanding, for what happened tonight is proof that we have grown too used to an idle life”

Isabella bumped her hip with his, “It can wait till tomorrow”

Rowan rubbed the back of his neck, and she noticed that the action caused more blood and dirt to stained his skin. “No, it cannot. In fact, I should probably head back to the healing tent, I am no physician but I have enough experience with injuries to help” He turned to look at her, then, and his hand found her cheek. She involuntarily leaned into his touch. “You should go rest,”

“No, I’ll accompany you,”

“It's cramped enough in there, and you need to rest”

“Rowan-” She began.

“Please,”

Isabella made a show of rolling her eyes, and he took a step back. She saw his back as he left, and begrudgingly went to their tent, for she knew he was right. She would be of little help now that all the injured were in the infirmary, she would only be an inconvenience.

Still, it felt abnormally wrong to go back to an empty tent.

-

It was dawn when Rowan returned. She couldn’t find sleep, so when she heard the sound of his steps she bolted upright.

He paused in their opening when he noticed she was awake, “Not sleepy?” She shook her head.

Rowan sighed as he sat on a chair and began taking off his boots. “Is everyone alright?” She asked him from her place on her bedroll.

He cocked his head to the side, “As alright as they can be,”

“What’s the number of deaths?”

He rubbed the side of his jaw, “Around fifty-two”

“Holy shit,”

“Indeed,”

“And how many Novyk were a part of the attack?” She fidgeted with her blanket.

“Sixty-four,”

“Any survivors?”

She could feel the pleasure in his words as he responded, “None”

“Great,” Then, “How did you know Orion was the snitch?”

He unbuttoned his shirt and took it off as he talked. Isabella had to look away as heat accumulated on her cheeks. “I had my suspicions after we were informed of the first sighting of the Novyk. It was too coincidental. And, sadly, it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with back-stabbers”

“Why did you not confront him sooner, then?”

He cracked his neck and his back. Still shirtless. He was trying to kill her. “I couldn’t. We had no proof, and it is better to get answers through torture after confirming of a betrayal. Otherwise it can be problematic,” He stood up and unbuckled his belt and let his pants fall on the floor as he continued. “Furthermore, I wanted to see how it would play out. I knew they were going to attack, I just wanted to know how, that’s why I told you to remain in the infirmary, I just never thought they would do a double attack. They got me there”

She was momentarily distracted as Rowan started dressing. She tried not to gape as she asked him, “Are you not going to bath?”

“Too tired,” He responded while putting on new clean pants. “I’ll do it tomorrow. Maybe” He added with a smirk.

“You are disgusting,” She claim through a chuckle.

“Disgustingly attractive,” He winked at her and stretched his arms over his head on purpose.

But all playfulness abandoned her when she noticed his hand. “Oh my Gods, Rowan, your hand! What happened to it?” It was red and scarred, swollen and already shining with blisters.

He looked at it uninterestedly. He shrugged. “An arrow on fire. It’ll be just fine tomorrow”

“Liar,” She rose from her place and walked to his side. He tried to hide his hand behind his back but she took a hold of it before he could do so. “Let me see,”

“You would take a look at it even if I didn’t let you,” He sounded way too amused and pleased for his own good.

Her eyes remained on his injury, and she made sure to be gentle as she inspected it. “You went back to the infirmary to help others and yet couldn’t ask anyone to heal you ?”

“It’s nothing,”

“Don’t” She ordered him harshly. “I think I may have some bandages in here, it’ll hel-” She had started turning to go look for them, but he stopped her by bringing his other hand on her hip.

“There’s no need, I’ll be fine in a couple of days” His words came out in a whisper, so he leaned his head closer to hers to be heard.

She thanked herself for not panting as she accused, “You said earlier it would be fine tomorrow. Not in a couple of days”

His smirk had her angling her body imperceptibly closer to his. “Semantics, Isa”

“You have no idea how much I wish I could be of bigger help,” Her confession left her lips in an even lower whisper.

He brought his healthy hand to her cheek, “You are more than enough,”

Isabella rolled her eyes in feigned annoyance, trying to lighten the mood since it had turned heavier and deeper than she had intended. “You are a liar,”

“Of course not,”

“That’s what liars always say,”

They were intently staring at each other, and they were close enough that she could notice the slightly greener spots in his eyes. A creased formed in between his brows, “I’m sorry I will not be able to teach you the tongue of thorns,”

For some reason, the fact that after everything that had happened, the fact that what he was most worried in the moment was that he would not be able to fulfil her request had her eyes flooded with unshed tears. “That’s fine,” She croaked out.

His frown deepened, “No, it’s not. I wanted to”

Isabella shook her head and took a couple of steps back. “It really is fine, Rowan. Don’t worry” Then, so as not to sound as if she were running away from the moment, she added. “We should rest,”

She was running.

-

It took several days for things in the camp to go back to normal, and even though they had won, the mood had not improved.

Isabella had decided, in the meantime, that she ought to learn the ways of healing. There were not many wyrdmarks regarding that skill, so she had tried reading more of the book to find anything else. It had been in that moment when the pages turned in their own volition, as if the book were alive, and stopped in a blank page.

She saw the ink appeared out of thin air, and saw it form a new sentence.

Serva me, servabo te. Save me, and I will save you.

Just as she finished reading the words, they vanished, and in its place appeared even more ink that transformed into more words. She read the pages, and realised it was a completely new chapter about botany. It was explained with precision and in detail the flowers and plants better used for making paste, and how its variations could be used for treating different pains.  

She scanned the rest of the pages, and found that they were all about healing and remedies.

As she did so, she came to a number of conclusions.

This was exactly what she was looking for

This meant she would be able to be of big help to the camp

The book had a mind of its own, and its responses varied regarding what she sought

-

It was dark when she hurried out of the dining hall and went back to her tent to grab her book. She almost ran to the trees to look for the different plants she would need for her first remedy.

Isabella had been so focused on her search that she didn’t hear anyone approaching until he spoke.

“What are you doing?” She was startled, and looked up to find a beautiful male staring patiently at her.

She closed the book quickly. “Nothing,”

“Okay,” He nodded slowly, and seemed almost uncomfortable under her gaze. “Do you need any help doing nothing?”

“Not really,” She just wanted him to leave so she could resume her search.

“I see,” He turned to the side, and the moonlight highlighted his features. She realised she had seen him before, and that she could still remember his name despite the fact they had never spoken.

“Vinhen, right?” She asked him, warily.

A smile transformed his face from beautiful to gorgeous. He seemed happy that she remembered him. “Yes, and you are Isa,”

#fallen #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 #wattpad #throne of glass #rowan whitethorn #lorcan lochan salvatorre #lorcan salvaterre #fenrys moonbeam #gavriel #rowaelin #rowan x mc #writing #book #books #acotar #rhysand #feysand #fallen tog #new chapter

[rvsqualitycertificationspvtltd]

Top 5 Benefits Of Non Destructive Testing 

In the realm of non-destructive testing (NDT), technological advancements continue to revolutionize inspection methodologies, paving the way for superior results and enhanced efficiency. Among these innovations, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing stands out as a game-changer, offering unparalleled benefits for various industrial applications. As a leading authority in ISO certification and quality assurance, RVS Quality Certifications Pvt Ltd., one of the prominent Non Destructive Testing Services providers, is committed to highlighting the advantages of PAUT for businesses seeking excellence in inspection processes. Let's explore the top five benefits of Such testing:

Enhanced Inspection Capabilities: Such testing represents a significant leap forward in inspection capabilities, allowing for comprehensive assessment of materials and components with precision and accuracy. Unlike conventional ultrasonic testing methods, which utilize single-element transducers, PAUT employs multiple elements that can be electronically controlled to steer and focus the ultrasonic beam. This dynamic beam control enables inspectors to tailor the inspection angle, focal depth, and beam size, facilitating thorough examination of complex geometries, curved surfaces, and composite materials.

Improved Detection of Defects: One of the primary advantages of Such testing is its superior defect detection capabilities. By manipulating the ultrasonic beam's characteristics, such as angle, focal depth, and frequency, inspectors can optimize the inspection process to detect defects of varying sizes, orientations, and depths within the material. Whether conducting tube inspections, weld examinations, or structural integrity assessments, PAUT enhances flaw detection sensitivity, thereby minimizing the risk of undetected defects and ensuring the integrity of critical components. We also offer Infrared Thermography Services and NDT Level 2 Certification Courses which are important for organizations in a variety of sectors, assisting with the maintenance of buildings and equipment by identifying abnormalities that may suggest possible problems.

Time and Cost Savings: PAUT offers significant time and cost savings compared to traditional ultrasonic testing methods. The ability to perform multiple scans simultaneously and in real-time streamlines the inspection process, reducing downtime and expediting decision-making. Moreover, the versatility of PAUT allows inspectors to inspect larger areas or multiple components in a single scan, eliminating the need for repetitive testing and minimizing labor and equipment costs. As a result, businesses can achieve greater operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

Versatile Applications and Training Opportunities: PAUT's versatility extends beyond traditional inspection applications, encompassing a wide range of industries and sectors, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. As the demand for PAUT expertise continues to grow, there is a corresponding need for comprehensive Phased Array and TOFD Training programs to equip professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge. RVS Quality Certifications Pvt Ltd. offers industry-leading training courses in Phased Array and TOFD, designed to empower inspectors, engineers, and technicians with proficiency in advanced ultrasonic testing techniques, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Enhanced Data Visualization and Analysis: Such testing provides enhanced data visualization and analysis capabilities, empowering inspectors to extract valuable insights from inspection data with unprecedented clarity and detail. Advanced imaging techniques, such as sectorial scanning, C-scan imaging, and 3D visualization, allow for comprehensive mapping of defects and material properties in real-time. This wealth of information enables stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding asset integrity, maintenance strategies, and risk mitigation measures, ultimately enhancing operational reliability and performance.

In conclusion,

Such testing represents a paradigm shift in non-destructive testing methodologies, offering unparalleled benefits in terms of inspection capabilities, defect detection, efficiency, and data analysis. As a trusted provider of Tube Inspection Services, Ultrasonic Testing Services and ISO certification training and consultancy, RVS Quality Certifications Pvt Ltd. recognizes the transformative potential of PAUT in enhancing quality assurance and asset integrity across diverse industries. Embrace the future of inspection technology with Such testing and elevate your organization's commitment to excellence and reliability.

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[zerogpt1]

Zerogpt: Your Trusted Guardian Against AI Deception and Plagiarism

Unveiling Zerogpt: The Ultimate AI Detector

In today's digital age, where information flows freely across the vast expanses of the internet, ensuring authenticity and originality has become paramount. With the proliferation of AI-generated content and the rise of sophisticated chatbots, distinguishing between genuine human input and artificial intelligence has become increasingly challenging. Enter Zerogpt, the pioneering AI detector designed to tackle this very issue head-on.

Text Detector: Unveiling the Power of Zerogpt

At the core of Zerogpt lies its robust Text Detector capabilities. Whether it's scouring through online articles, social media posts, or academic papers, Zerogpt employs advanced algorithms to identify AI-generated content with remarkable accuracy. By analyzing various linguistic patterns, syntactic structures, and semantic clues, Zerogpt effectively sifts through vast amounts of text to pinpoint instances of AI involvement.

Zerogpt's text detection prowess extends beyond mere identification, empowering users to scrutinize content for potential plagiarism or unauthorized AI assistance. With Zerogpt by your side, maintaining the integrity of your written works has never been easier.

Zeroing In on AI Chat Detection

In the realm of online communication, distinguishing between human and AI-generated messages can be a daunting task. Enter Zerogpt's AI Chat Detector feature, a game-changer in the fight against deceptive chatbots and automated responses.

Powered by state-of-the-art machine learning models, Zerogpt meticulously analyzes conversational patterns and linguistic nuances to differentiate between genuine human interactions and AI simulations. Whether you're engaging in online chatrooms, customer support channels, or social media platforms, Zerogpt provides real-time insights into the authenticity of the conversation at hand.

Empowering Content Creators with Zerogpt

For content creators, protecting intellectual property and ensuring originality are paramount concerns. With Zerogpt's AI detector plagiarism feature, creators can safeguard their works against unauthorized replication and content theft.

By leveraging cutting-edge plagiarism detection algorithms, Zerogpt scans digital content repositories, flagging instances of potential plagiarism and unauthorized AI usage. Whether you're an academic researcher, a professional writer, or a digital marketer, Zerogpt empowers you to uphold the integrity of your creations and maintain your reputation as a credible source of original content.

The Zerogpt Advantage: Trust, Transparency, and Reliability

In an era marked by technological advancements and evolving digital landscapes, trust and transparency are non-negotiable. With Zerogpt, users can rest assured knowing they have a reliable ally in the fight against AI deception and content manipulation.

Backed by cutting-edge AI technology and a commitment to excellence, Zerogpt stands as a beacon of integrity in an increasingly complex online ecosystem. Whether you're a content creator, a researcher, or a concerned consumer, Zerogpt empowers you to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and clarity.

Conclusion: Embracing a Future of Authenticity and Accountability

As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the digital age, the need for robust Zerogpt AI Detector solutions has never been greater. With Zerogpt leading the charge, users can embrace a future defined by authenticity, accountability, and trust.

Whether you're safeguarding your intellectual property, combatting plagiarism, or simply seeking assurance in online interactions, Zerogpt is your trusted partner in the pursuit of truth and integrity. Together, let us forge a path towards a digital future where transparency reigns supreme, and authenticity prevails.

#ai chat detector #zerogpt ai detector

[shalu620]

Unveiling Python's Potency: A Comprehensive Exploration of its Boundless Applications

In the dynamic realm of programming languages, Python emerges as a powerhouse celebrated for its simplicity, readability, and unparalleled versatility. This comprehensive exploration delves into the diverse domains where Python's impact reverberates, ranging from web development to artificial intelligence, showcasing its indispensability for developers worldwide.

Python's Dominance in Web Development: Empowering with Flask and Django

Python's imprint in web development is profound, notably through frameworks like Flask and Django. These tools empower developers to effortlessly create dynamic and scalable web applications. While Flask's simplicity suits small to medium-sized projects, Django's comprehensive set of features caters to larger applications with its batteries-included philosophy.

Python's Role in Data Science and Analysis: Harnessing Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy

Python's rich ecosystem plays a pivotal role in data science and analysis, with libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy leading the way. Pandas excels in data manipulation, NumPy supports numerical operations, and SciPy extends capabilities to scientific computing. This trifecta makes Python the preferred language for extracting insights from complex datasets.

Python's Prowess in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn Leading the Charge

Python dominates the machine learning landscape, with TensorFlow and PyTorch at the forefront. Coupled with the versatile scikit-learn library, these frameworks facilitate the development of machine learning models, enabling applications in artificial intelligence.

Python's Simplicity for Automation and Scripting: Streamlining Repetitive Tasks

Python's clarity and ease of use shine in automation and scripting, making it an ideal choice for simplifying repetitive tasks and creating scripts for system administration. Its versatility extends to scripting, saving significant time and effort in day-to-day operations.

Python's Impact in Game Development: Unleashing Pygame

For aspiring game developers, Python offers the Pygame library, providing a platform to create engaging 2D games with relative ease. Pygame's simplicity serves as an excellent starting point for developers entering the captivating world of game creation.

Python's Reach in Desktop GUI Applications: Empowered by Tkinter and PyQt

Python's influence extends to desktop applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) through tools like Tkinter and PyQt. These empower developers to build interactive desktop applications, broadening Python's capabilities beyond the confines of the web browser.

Python's Proficiency in Network Programming: Excelling in Connectivity

Python's prowess in network programming is evident through libraries like Twisted, designed for building networked applications. Frameworks like Django further enhance Python's capabilities in web applications, showcasing its versatility in the networking domain.

Python's Role in Cybersecurity: A Comprehensive Toolkit

Python's extensive library support is a boon for cybersecurity professionals, providing a comprehensive toolkit for tasks such as penetration testing, network scanning, and security analysis scripting. Python's versatility equips cybersecurity experts with robust tools for critical operations.

Python's Lightweight Power in the Internet of Things (IoT): Ideal for Embedded Systems

Python's lightweight footprint makes it an ideal choice for IoT applications. MicroPython, tailored for microcontrollers, extends Python's reach to embedded systems, solidifying its position as a powerful language in the IoT landscape.

Python's Educational Impact: Nurturing a Passion for Coding

Python's readability and simplicity make it an excellent educational tool, fostering a love for programming among beginners. Its gentle learning curve and extensive resources position Python as an ideal language for teaching programming concepts to students of all ages.

In essence, Python's versatility is boundless. Whether you're a novice taking initial steps into coding or a seasoned developer navigating complex projects, Python empowers exploration and innovation across a wide spectrum of applications. More than a tool, Python emerges as a gateway to endless possibilities in the dynamic landscape of technology, supported by its adaptability and a vibrant, collaborative community. As we unravel the layers of Python's capabilities, it becomes clear that this programming language is not just a means to an end; it's a catalyst for innovation in the ever-evolving world of technology.

#python course #python training #python #technology #tech

[ravifuke]

The Basics of Yoga: A Beginner's Guide

In a fast-paced world filled with stress and distractions, many individuals seek holistic approaches to improve their well-being. Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, has gained immense popularity for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. If you're new to yoga, navigating through the diverse styles and techniques may seem overwhelming. This beginner's guide aims to break down the basics of yoga, providing you with a solid foundation to embark on your yoga journey.

Understanding Yoga

Yoga is more than just a series of physical postures; it's a comprehensive system designed to unite the body, mind, and spirit. The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to yoke or join together. The practice involves various elements, including physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles to cultivate a harmonious and balanced life.

Starting with Asanas

Asanas, or yoga poses, are the most recognizable aspect of yoga for beginners. These physical postures are designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and balance. Whether you're standing, sitting, or lying down, each pose serves a specific purpose.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Begin your yoga practice with the foundational Mountain Pose. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, arms relaxed by your sides, and focus on your breath. This pose establishes a sense of grounding and awareness.

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This iconic pose engages the entire body, stretching the back, shoulders, hamstrings, and calves. It also promotes blood circulation and energizes the body.

Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I): Warrior I strengthens the legs and core while improving focus and concentration. This pose encourages a sense of empowerment and determination.

Child's Pose (Balasana): A restorative pose, Child's Pose allows you to relax and release tension. It's an excellent way to rest between more active poses and connect with your breath.

Practicing Pranayama

Breath control, or pranayama, is a vital aspect of yoga that helps connect the body and mind. Breath is considered a life force (prana), and manipulating it can influence your mental and physical states. Here are two simple pranayama techniques for beginners:

Deep Belly Breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing): Sit or lie down comfortably. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to expand. Exhale slowly through your mouth, drawing your belly in. Focus on the rhythm of your breath, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Sit in a comfortable position. Use your right thumb to close off your right nostril and inhale deeply through your left nostril. Close your left nostril with your right ring finger, release your right nostril, and exhale. Inhale through the right nostril, close it off, release the left nostril, and exhale. This technique balances energy and calms the nervous system.

Meditation for Mindfulness

Incorporating meditation into your yoga practice enhances mindfulness and mental clarity. Meditation involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or breath, fostering a sense of inner peace. Follow these steps to begin your meditation practice:

Find a Quiet Space: Choose a quiet and comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Sit on a cushion or chair with your spine straight and hands resting on your knees.

Focus on Your Breath: Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. Notice the inhalation and exhalation without trying to control it. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath.

Body Scan Meditation: Shift your focus from your breath to different parts of your body. Starting from your toes, gradually move your attention upward, paying attention to any sensations or areas of tension. This technique promotes relaxation and body awareness.

Yoga Ethics: The Yama's and Niyama's

Yoga isn't just about physical postures and breath; it also encompasses ethical principles known as the Yama's and Niyama's. These guidelines provide a moral and ethical foundation for yogic living.

Yama's (Social Ethics):

Ahimsa (Non-violence): Cultivate kindness and compassion towards yourself and others.

Satya (Truthfulness): Be honest and truthful in your thoughts, words, and actions.

Asteya (Non-stealing): Avoid taking what doesn't belong to you, whether it's physical possessions or someone else's time.

Brahmacharya (Moderation): Practice moderation in all aspects of life, including food, work, and relationships.

Aparigraha (Non-attachment): Let go of possessiveness and cultivate a sense of non-attachment to material things.

Niyama's (Personal Ethics):

Saucha (Purity): Maintain cleanliness and purity in your body, mind, and surroundings.

Santosha (Contentment): Cultivate contentment with what you have, finding joy in the present moment.

Tapas (Discipline): Embrace self-discipline to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

Svadhyaya (Self-study): Engage in self-reflection and study to understand yourself better.

Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine): Surrender your ego and trust in a higher power or purpose.

Choosing the Right Style of Yoga

Yoga comes in various styles, each catering to different needs and preferences. As a beginner, it's essential to explore different styles to find what resonates with you. Some popular styles include:

Hatha Yoga: A gentle and beginner-friendly style that focuses on basic poses and breath control.

Vinyasa Yoga: A dynamic and flowing style that synchronizes breath with movement, promoting flexibility and strength.

Iyengar Yoga: Emphasizes precise alignment and the use of props to enhance strength, flexibility, and stability.

Ashtanga Yoga: A vigorous and structured style that follows a specific sequence of poses, promoting strength and stamina.

Kundalini Yoga: Integrates physical postures, breathwork, and meditation to awaken and channel energy throughout the body.

Restorative Yoga: A relaxing and rejuvenating style that involves passive poses held for extended periods, promoting deep relaxation.

Developing a Consistent Practice

Consistency is key when it comes to reaping the benefits of yoga. Establishing a regular practice, even if it's just a few minutes each day, can lead to noticeable improvements in physical and mental well-being. Here are some tips for building a consistent yoga practice:

Set Realistic Goals: Start with achievable goals, such as practicing for 10-15 minutes a day. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the duration and intensity of your practice.

Create a Sacred Space: Designate a specific area for your practice, free from distractions. This could be a corner in your room or a quiet spot in your backyard.

#yoga #yogaforbeginners #yogalife #yogadaily

[mouadmoustaid]

Jake & Finn in the land of joy

Creating cartoon characters is not only a delightful and enjoyable task but also a skill that demands a profound understanding of the chosen drawing style. Mastery involves the ability to manipulate shapes seamlessly, allowing artists to work without the constant need to refer back to source images. This isn't a tutorial per se, but rather a collection of concise notes outlining each step in the process.

Commencing the artistic journey, I opted for the humble yet versatile HB pencil—the iconic yellow Staedtler pencil adorned with black stripes and a red cap. This served as my initial tool, allowing me to delicately sketch the preliminary lines and establish the foundational shapes that would shape the entire illustration. Moving forward, I transitioned to the Staedtler 6B, a renowned blue pencil, to meticulously craft the final outline and bring the cartoon characters to life.

Subsequently, I scanned a hand-drawn illustration to transfer it onto my Mac, employing the powerful capabilities of Photoshop. To achieve the desired effect, I selected a high-quality brush with substantial size, ensuring clarity and sharpness in the lines. Setting the brush's hardness to 100 percent, I emulated a technique reminiscent of inking with pens on tracing paper or a faintly printed image.

This particular inking method demands keen concentration and meticulous effort, akin to traditional pen-and-ink processes. An upcoming tutorial, both written and in video format, will delve into the intricacies of executing this technique. Notably, the process is enhanced by utilizing multiple layers, a strategic choice that facilitates precise control over the delineation of the illustrated lines.

The final stage involves the addition of colors. To align with Cartoon Network's distinct aesthetic, I meticulously selected colors in accordance with the network's well-established color palette—widely recognized and celebrated in both the realms of illustration and design worldwide. Commencing with the application of a solid color for each character, this phase is nuanced and deserving of a dedicated tutorial. Subsequently, I ventured into creating shadows for each element, a step that is ideally integrated either during the initial drawing process or upon completion of inking.

In exercising restraint, I opted not to delve too deeply into the realm of colors, as this genre of illustration thrives on its inherent simplicity. While it's not obligatory, I consider it a personal choice to maintain this characteristic style. However, it's worth noting that the potential for customization is boundless; one can add layers and intricate details of colors to suit individual preferences and artistic inclinations.

#jake and finn #finn the human #jake adventure time #finn adventure time #adventure time #adventure time art #adventure time fanart #art tutorial #adventuretimetutorial #adventure time finn #adventure time jake #cartoon network #cartoonnetworkpalette #colorpalette #cartoon #cartoon artist #cartoon art

[niharikasharma672345]

The Guardian AI: Protecting Your Digital Castle in the Age of Misinformation

Imagine a medieval kingdom, its reputation built upon the whispers of merchants, the songs of troubadours, and the pronouncements of the royal court. Now, enter the digital age, where the kingdom's image dances across screens, whispered in tweets, sung in videos, and proclaimed in online pronouncements, often fueled by the capricious winds of misinformation. In this realm, protecting your reputation requires a new kind of guard, one powered by the keen eyes and lightning reflexes of AI-based online reputation management tools (AI-OORMs).

Before the advent of AI-OORMs, managing your online image resembled battling shadows. Negative reviews lurked in dark corners of the internet, defamatory articles spread like wildfire, and brand-damaging rumors thrived in the fertile soil of digital anonymity. Traditional methods involved manual scouring, reactive responses, and often, a frustrating sense of impotence against the sheer volume and velocity of online information.

But just as alchemists sought to turn lead into gold, AI-OORMs transmute the chaos of the online world into actionable insights. Imagine a vigilant sentinel, tirelessly scanning the vast digital landscape, identifying potential threats with laser-like precision. AI algorithms crawl through social media posts, news articles, forums, and review sites, meticulously analyzing sentiment, detecting inflammatory language, and pinpointing sources of negativity. This comprehensive monitoring, akin to a knight patrolling the kingdom's borders, allows for early detection and swift intervention, preventing small embers of discontent from erupting into full-blown reputational crises.

Beyond mere monitoring, AI-OORMs wield the analytical sword of sentiment analysis. Like a court jester deciphering the king's moods, these tools delve into the nuances of online language, discerning genuine criticism from malicious attacks. They identify the true source of dissatisfaction, helping you understand the "why" behind the negative sentiment. This deeper understanding equips you to craft informed responses, addressing genuine concerns with empathy and professionalism, while effectively countering unfounded attacks with evidence and clear communication.

The AI-OORM's arsenal doesn't stop there. These tools leverage the power of predictive analytics, peering into the digital crystal ball to anticipate potential reputational storms. By analyzing historical data and current trends, they identify emerging threats and vulnerabilities, allowing you to proactively shape your online narrative and build resilience against future attacks. Think of it as a wise advisor whispering warnings of approaching enemies, enabling you to fortify your digital defenses before the onslaught.

But what differentiates AI-OORMs from mere technological muscle is their ability to personalize engagement. Imagine not a cold, robotic response, but a genuine, human-like interaction. AI-powered chatbots engage with online audiences, addressing concerns and resolving issues with a tailored approach. These digital diplomats, guided by human oversight and ethical principles, can restore trust, repair damaged relationships, and turn frustrated customers into loyal brand advocates.

However, wielding this technological power necessitates responsibility. Transparency is paramount. Just as a noble knight swears allegiance to a just cause, AI-OORMs must operate with clarity and ethical purpose. Users deserve to know how their data is used, how decisions are made, and how AI algorithms influence outcomes. Responsible development and deployment of AI-OORMs ensure that this technology, like a virtuous knight's sword, serves to protect, not to manipulate.

In conclusion, the digital age demands a new guard, one capable of navigating the treacherous terrain of online reputation. AI-based online reputation management tools, wielded with wisdom and responsibility, offer a powerful shield against the slings and arrows of misinformation. By harnessing the analytical prowess and strategic foresight of AI, we can not only defend our digital castles but also actively shape our online narratives, building trust, fostering loyalty, and ultimately emerging victorious in the battle for control over our digital selves.

So, let the trumpets of innovation sound, and let the banner of AI-OORMs fly high. In the ever-evolving digital landscape, these tools offer a beacon of hope, a promise of a future where our online reputations are not at the mercy of chance, but crafted with the precision and foresight of a wise and vigilant AI guardian.

[gabriel-macedo]

Revolutionizing Medicine: The Evolution of Digital Radiology

In the ever-evolving field of medicine, technological advancements have consistently played a pivotal role in improving patient care. One such groundbreaking innovation is digital radiology, which has transformed the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses. From its humble origins to the most advanced imaging systems available today, digital radiology has revolutionized medical imaging technology. In this article, we will delve into the development of digital radiology and its significant impact on healthcare.

The Advent of Digital Radiology:

Digital radiology emerged as a revolutionary breakthrough in medical imaging in the late 20th century. It replaced traditional film-based X-rays with digital sensors, enabling the acquisition, storage, and manipulation of images using computer technology. This transformative shift eliminated the need for costly and time-consuming film processing, while offering numerous advantages in terms of speed, image quality, and accessibility.

Advantages of Digital Radiology:

1. Enhanced Image Quality: Digital radiology produces high-resolution images, providing greater clarity and detail compared to traditional X-rays. This level of precision allows healthcare professionals to detect subtle abnormalities and make accurate diagnoses.

2. Efficient Workflow: The digital nature of radiological images enables swift transmission and accessibility, facilitating seamless collaboration between healthcare providers. The ability to store, retrieve, and share patient data digitally enhances the overall efficiency of healthcare systems.

3. Radiation Reduction: Digital radiology technology allows for dose optimization, minimizing the amount of radiation patients are exposed to during diagnostic procedures. This reduction in radiation exposure ensures patient safety while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

4. Image Manipulation and Analysis: With digital radiology, medical professionals can manipulate images through various software tools, enabling enhanced analysis and interpretation. Features like zooming, image enhancement, and 3D reconstructions aid in identifying and understanding complex conditions.

5. Integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR): Digital radiology seamlessly integrates with electronic health record systems, ensuring the efficient organization and accessibility of patient data. This integration enables comprehensive patient care by providing a holistic view of a patient’s medical history.

Advanced Digital Radiology Systems:

Over the years, digital radiology has continued to evolve, resulting in the development of more advanced imaging systems. Some notable advancements include:

1. Computed Tomography (CT): CT scanners employ digital radiology technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. These 3D images aid in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, from internal injuries to cancerous tumors.

2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI scanners use powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of internal body structures. Digital radiology technology has greatly improved the speed and quality of MRI scans, enabling more accurate diagnoses.

3. Digital Mammography: Digital mammography has significantly improved breast cancer detection rates by providing high-resolution images for accurate diagnosis. It allows for the detection of smaller tumors and reduces the need for additional imaging, leading to better patient outcomes.

Other advantages and important information about Digital Radiology include:

1. Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS): Digital radiology led to the development and widespread adoption of PACS, which is a system for storing, retrieving, and distributing digital medical images. PACS revolutionized image management by replacing physical film libraries with electronic image archives accessible to healthcare professionals across different departments and locations.

2. Digital Radiography (DR): Digital radiography is a key component of digital radiology. It involves the use of flat-panel detectors that directly capture X-ray images and convert them into digital format. DR offers greater sensitivity, dynamic range, and image quality compared to traditional film-based X-rays, allowing for faster image acquisition and improved patient comfort.

3. Radiation Dose Monitoring: Digital radiology systems often incorporate radiation dose monitoring tools, which enable healthcare providers to track and analyze the amount of radiation patients receive during imaging procedures. This feature helps ensure that patients receive the lowest possible radiation dose while maintaining image quality, thus minimizing the potential risks associated with radiation exposure.

4. Teleradiology: Digital radiology has facilitated the growth of teleradiology, which enables the remote transmission of radiological images for interpretation by radiologists located in different geographic areas. Teleradiology has improved access to specialized expertise, particularly in rural or underserved areas, allowing for timely and accurate diagnoses.

5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications: The integration of AI technologies with digital radiology has opened up new avenues for improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. AI algorithms can assist radiologists in detecting abnormalities, analyzing patterns, and prioritizing cases, thereby enhancing diagnostic precision and reducing turnaround times.

6. Radiation Therapy Planning: Digital radiology plays a crucial role in radiation therapy planning for cancer treatment. Advanced digital imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), are combined with digital radiology to precisely target tumors and optimize radiation delivery, resulting in improved treatment outcomes.

7. Hybrid Imaging: Digital radiology has paved the way for hybrid imaging modalities that combine multiple imaging techniques to provide comprehensive diagnostic information. For example, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) combines functional PET imaging with anatomical CT imaging, enabling precise localization and characterization of abnormalities.

8. Ongoing Developments: Digital radiology continues to advance with ongoing research and development. New technologies, such as digital tomosynthesis, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and molecular imaging, are being explored to further enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve patient outcomes.

In conclusion, digital radiology has transformed the landscape of medical imaging, revolutionizing the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses. From its early beginnings as a replacement for traditional X-ray film to the advanced imaging systems available today, digital radiology has significantly improved image quality, workflow efficiency, and patient safety. The integration of digital radiology with electronic health records and the advent of advanced systems like CT, MRI, and digital mammography have further enhanced the capabilities of medical professionals in providing accurate diagnoses and delivering optimal patient care. As technology continues to advance, digital radiology will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Unlock the Future of Medical Imaging with Our Digital Radiology Ebook!

Are you ready to delve into the fascinating world of digital radiology and discover how it has revolutionized the field of medicine? Look no further! Our comprehensive Digital Radiology Ebook is your ultimate guide to understanding the cutting-edge technology that is transforming the way doctors diagnose and treat illnesses.

Packed with valuable insights and up-to-date information, this Ebook takes you on a captivating journey through the evolution of digital radiology. From the groundbreaking discovery of X-rays to the most advanced imaging systems available today, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how this technology has reshaped medical imaging practices.

Why should you get your hands on our Digital Radiology Ebook? Here are just a few reasons:

1. Uncover the Advantages: Discover the numerous benefits of digital radiology over traditional film-based X-rays. Learn how digital radiology enhances image quality, streamlines workflow, reduces radiation exposure, and enables advanced image analysis — all leading to improved patient care.

2. Explore Advanced Imaging Systems: Get a firsthand look at the state-of-the-art imaging systems transforming medical diagnostics. From computed tomography (CT) scanners to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital mammography, you’ll explore the latest advancements that are pushing the boundaries of medical imaging.

3. Gain In-Depth Knowledge: Our Ebook provides a comprehensive overview of digital radiology, covering everything from the basics to the most advanced concepts. You’ll delve into topics like picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), radiation dose monitoring, teleradiology, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging — equipping you with the knowledge to stay at the forefront of the industry.

4. Embrace the Future: As technology continues to advance, digital radiology is poised to shape the future of healthcare. Our Ebook explores the ongoing developments in the field, such as hybrid imaging and the integration of digital radiology with radiation therapy planning, giving you a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your understanding of digital radiology and its transformative impact on medicine. Whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking to enhance your skills or a curious individual eager to explore the wonders of medical technology, our Digital Radiology Ebook is the ultimate resource you need.

Unlock the future of medical imaging today! Grab your copy of our Digital Radiology Ebook and embark on a journey that will empower you to navigate the dynamic world of digital radiology with confidence and expertise.

Order now and unlock the power of digital radiology: https://linktr.ee/Ghalmac200

#radiology #digital #health #medicine #technology

[lifetimeheritage]

How 4K Film Scanning Maintains Consistency Across Time

The use of 4K film scanning, the most recent and cutting-edge technology in the field of film preservation, is essential to ensuring continuity across the years. Scanners with 4K resolution are able to capture every nuance of a film's original celluloid print with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that the film's precious memories will last for decades to come. This method ensures that no information is lost or altered during the conversion from film to digital by transferring each frame digitally onto a high-resolution platform. Since 4K scanners are so precise, they can faithfully recreate the original film's colours, textures, and even subtleties. More importantly, unlike analogue formats, this method does not degrade or wear out with time. Digital files created by 4K scanning offer unrivalled clarity and fidelity, giving classic films fresh life while preserving their originality for future generations.

Filmmaking Advances with 4K Film Scanning

Gone are the days when filmmakers were limited by the constraints of traditional film formats. With 4K film scanning, a whole new world of possibilities has opened up. This revolutionary technology allows filmmakers to digitize their analogue films and unlock the true potential of their work. The beauty of 4K film scanning lies in its ability to capture every tiny detail with stunning clarity and precision. The high resolution ensures that no aspect of the original footage is lost, preserving the filmmaker's vision as intended. From vibrant colours to intricate textures, every frame comes alive on screen, immersing viewers in a cinematic experience like no other. But it's not just about enhancing visual quality. 4K film scanning also breathes new life into old classics and forgotten gems. By converting outdated analogue films into digital format, these timeless masterpieces can be enjoyed by audiences for generations to come. Moreover, this technology offers immense flexibility during post-production processes. Filmmakers can easily manipulate and enhance their footage without compromising its integrity or losing any vital information. With advanced colour grading tools and editing software at their disposal, they have complete control over fine-tuning each frame according to their artistic vision. In addition to its creative advantages, 4K film scanning also future-proofs valuable archival material. As time goes on and technology continues to evolve rapidly, older formats become obsolete and deteriorate over time. Digitizing these films through 4K scanning ensures that they remain accessible in a modern context while preserving them for posterity. All in all, filmmaking advances with 4K film scanning offer endless opportunities for creativity and preservation alike. It enables filmmakers to push boundaries further than ever before while safeguarding cinematic treasures from fading away into oblivion – truly bridging the gap between past and present in an extraordinary way!

Convert 16mm Film to DVD and Relive Your Family's History

Do you have boxes of old 16mm film laying around in your attic? Perhaps they contain precious memories from your family's past - birthdays, holidays, and everyday moments captured on celluloid. While these films hold a nostalgic charm, they can deteriorate over time and become unwatchable. That's where converting them to DVD comes in. By transferring your 16mm film to DVD, you can preserve those cherished memories for future generations. The process involves using advanced technology like 4K film scanning to ensure the highest quality conversion possible. With this method, every detail is captured with stunning clarity and vibrant colours. Once converted to digital format, you'll be able to easily watch and share these special moments with loved ones. Imagine gathering together as a family and reliving those long-forgotten times - laughter echoing through the room as everyone marvels at how young Grandma looked or how mischievous Dad was as a child. Not only does converting 16mm film to DVD allow you to revisit your family history whenever you want, but it also provides a convenient way to store and organize these precious memories. No more hunting through dusty reels or worrying about their condition deteriorating further. Preserving your family's history by converting 16mm film to DVD ensures that those treasured moments will continue to bring joy for years to come. Don't let time erode the beauty of these memories – take action today!

Why Should You Transfer to Digital?

We live in a world where technological advancements are constantly changing how we do everything. There's no doubt that digital innovation has become fundamental to the ways in which we go about our daily lives, from our means of communication and commerce to our leisure activities. Why, then, should you make the transfer to digital? Let me explain it to you in more detail.

Envision a world where any piece of information you seek can be accessed with the tap of a smartphone screen. Imagine a world where there are no barriers to communication and where staying in touch with loved ones across the world is as easy as clicking a button. Envision being able to quickly and easily obtain information from the world's leading experts without ever having to leave your home.

Consider all the time you've wasted digging through stacks of papers or scouring the house for lost files. You may eliminate these inefficient routines and usher in more time for the things that matter by making the switch to digital solutions.

Going digital, however, has revolutionary power in terms of creative expression and individuality, much beyond its obvious practical benefits. With so many options available, the potential for creative expression is boundless, whether in the form of musical composition or visual art.

Why, then, should you make the switch to digital? The key is waiting for you to unlock it in this dynamic world of infinite potential. Your choice to move on into the future rests squarely on your shoulders.

#16mm Film to DVD