#need for speed heat black market

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Please may I have experienced superhero x rookie terrified villain with many many spicy?? I shall trade u my driving license for it. Big please.

The villain punched them in the jaw — accidentally.

It was the hero’s fault, at least partially, since they had decided to sneak up on them. The villain was in the middle of a robbery, concentrating on breaking glass and stealing ancient archeological artefacts. When the villain turned around, heart pounding in their chest, they put a hand on their mouth and stared at their nemesis.

The punch had hurt the villain’s knuckles too, turning them red and making them ache but the villain’s jaw looked the exact same. They had taken a few steps back, had even mumbled a quiet “fuck,” however, now they only smirked.

“Damn,” they said. “That’ll bruise.”

The villain considered running away. The ancient dagger was in their hand, worth millions on the black market.

“…you’re welcome?”

“You disabled the security system, that was smart. But you didn’t think of the fast food restaurant across the street. People watched you break into the museum.” The hero was tall. And usually, the villain was the tall one in their friend group but the hero seemed to be more present than the villain.

They could’ve blamed it on authority but the villain suspected it was focus.

They held up their hands as if to give up.

“Sorry to cause you any trouble, officer.”

“You know I’m not with the police,” the hero said. They took a step towards the villain and in this situation, they could’ve easily taken control over the villain. The punch hadn’t really affected them, hadn’t even intimidated them. “Not a big fan of teams, you know?”

“Ahh, lone wolf.” The villain’s grip around the dagger tightened and they slowly took a step back, their boots crushing the glass on the ground. “Intriguing.”

Would the hero actually put them in jail? Yeah, stealing wasn’t right but the villain needed that goddamn money.

The hero grinned smoothly, whereas sweat ran down the villain’s back.

God, this was what? The fifth time they were seeing each other?

“You like that?”

“I didn’t say that,” the villain replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly. There was a dagger in the villain’s hand, they realised, so they pointed it at the hero confidently. “But I’d like to leave now.”

The hero shook their head and tsked.

“Are you sure you want to add assault to this robbery? Doesn’t look good on a resume, trust me.” They crossed their arms in front of their chest.

“Well, I already punched you in the jaw, so…” Another step forward. Another step back. The hero cocked their head curiously, observing the villain’s movements carefully.

“Oh, you wouldn’t dare.” And the villain hadn’t thought that they would dare but they decided to close their eyes (dumb thought) and stab the hero blindly (even dumber).

Their eyes opened wide when the hero grabbed their wrist and managed to push them to the ground. Suddenly, the dagger they wanted to steal was pressed against their throat and the hero sat on top of them, face only centimetres away from them. All of the air left the villain’s lungs as their heart pumped blood through their system at abnormal speed.

The ground underneath them was hard and the hero was heavy on their hips. They stared up at them, mouth gaping.

“You’re pretty feisty, no?” the hero asked. They leaned in, lips against the villain’s ear. “And provocative.”

The villain didn’t know what to say to that, couldn’t even think of a dumb response. They tried to get up but the hero pushed them down lazily, as if they were bored.

“If you behave, I’ll call it attempted robbery in my report and we can call it a night.” They shrugged. “I’m a generous hero, y’know, and you’re kinda cute.”

“Cute?” The villain could feel their cheeks heat up. Whatever mind games the hero was playing, it worked. The villain didn’t feel like stealing anytime soon.

“Kinda cute. I’ll have to check you for other weapons now.” The villain was sure their whole body was turning a dark red as the hero’s fingers went down their body. Probably the worst part about this was how careful the hero was, how intimate yet respectful the situation was. The villain watched them search for weapons (which were nonexistent) with gentle fingers that weren’t lewd.

The villain didn’t know if they were falling for their nemesis or if they were just touch-starved.

“Hm. Brave little villain, no?” Once again, the hero tilted their head, as if they were toying with their prey. “Let’s talk about this.”

“This feels like a date,” the villain whispered, eyes staring up in shock.

“…who says it isn’t?” The hero winked and began their interrogation.

#not really spicy!! #writing snippet #heroxvillain snippet #heroxvillain prompt #heroes and villains #villain #hero #hero x villain #heroxvillain #an answer for an ask #request

[fadelion]

I'd really dig a Duke solo run right now. Or rather, a Duke focused run that shows off Gotham during the day again and has minimal appearances from other bats and established heroes. Something that shows how he runs things when it's just coming down to him. And brings the old Robin Crew back.

I admit, I feel like the curing of his parents was kinda anticlimactic. Like, if Metamorpho can synthesize a cure for Joker Gas, that guy needs to be on speed-dial. (Is he probably busy and hard to reach like every other hero trying to do this full time while maintaining a personal life? Probably? Would I offer him some of that Batman money to make some time every few weeks or so to examine all the various toxins and such used by multiple Gotham villains? Absolutely.) So, maybe that cure didn't work. Not permanently. A rare misread from Metamorpho, something that he could've and would've fixed ifnhed seen it. Maybe that gas mutates the victim over time, and if they stay dosed long enough, they start to relapse, even if cured. What if Duke's parents just have the occasional fit of mad laughter. Just an incident here, once or twice a month or so. But they seem to get longer each time, and then they start happening once a week. Twice a week. Every other day. And Duke is starting to freak out, running himself ragged on his off time to try to figure out what went wrong.

At some point, he recalls a case he was on that he never really got a chance to fully close out: The White Market. This place (seen in Batman - Case Files: Signal) was a whole villian swap meet, full of interesting gear, tools, spoils, and inventions, all hidden on a whole other wavelength that most people can't even see. Maybe some other villian has a cure-all for this kind of thing, or just something useful until Metamorpho gets free (the man muttered something about a "Danger Street" in one of the quickest phone calls Duke ever had, and Black Lightning and Katana are probably still on the same kind of stuff they were doing when Jason ran into them a few months back). Maybe, after some time has passed, they feel comfortable opening up a Gotham access point again, now that the heat seems to have died down.

Of course, there was a whole other half to that incident. Mainly that a Riko and Dax, somehow empowered by a tech billionaire, showed up to work the same case, Riko leeching Duke's powers to match the wavelength necessary to get into the White Market in the first place. Yeah, it ended with a blown cover and Duke getting beat bad enough that they were able to confirm he has a healing factor, but it's still unfinished business, and going toe to toe and blow for blow with people that used to be friends can't leave a good taste in his mouth. And it's not just Duke trying to figure it out. After all, you don't throw money like that into a project, and then scrap it, especially one of the steps in your plan is to jump a Bat (the new, daytime Bat, but still a bat). So they have to be still looking, right? If he can find a way into that tech guy's system, maybe he can get hold of some information he missed.

So, Duke has with a conversation with Tim about what Duke plans to do (because anybody else is busy (Nightwing running the Titans/League, Red Hood... "recovering"), out of the city (I think Batman is off world in comics at the moment? There's a current running comic about it. ), or might try to stop/join him (Oracle, Black Bat, and Spoiler, who have a Birds of Prey thing running right now, IIRC, and Robin, who's probably helping hold down the night shift). And Tim is all for it, willing to cover some things for him as long as Duke is sharing information and doesn't get himself killed. Duke makes sure Tim has Izzy's contact info and vice versa, and maybe emergency Hatch access, and he's out in the streets the next day, trying to find an access point for information on the place where he might find a cure for his parents. Only instead of a Bat over his shoulder, he's got Izzy in his ear and just his own skills in the field against assorted villians, another billionaire, and whatever he's still gotta deal with in the day to day to even have the time for this.

And all the while, there's a part of him thinking that maybe he can get the old crew back together instead. If they don't beat each other senseless on sight first, anyway.

Or maybe after. A win is a win.

#duke thomas #gotham city #dc comcis #batman #batfamily #dc signal #the signal

[ac3-silvers]

Modified A/B/O master post: Ac3’s version that is more “realistic” so to speak.

AKA: FERAL MAN AU

GENERAL STUFF

- I refer to all heats/ruts as “drops” generally speaking. It’s used as more of a slang term/colloquialism that goes both ways, and heat/rut are like medical terms. You “drop” out of society for like a week tops when it goes down, after all.

- suppressants and birth control vary on setting and time period, but generally speaking are like any other hormone regulator.

- no scent blockers, period. At least not not on the black market. People in my version get weirded out when they can’t smell what the people around them have going on…

- … which leads into the fact that all scents gain a “spoiled” or “burning” smell when the individual in question is distressed. Scents will be explained better in the next section.

- “packs” are usually a few couples, maybe more, or a polycule that live together and hep raise one another’s kids. Generally speaking, even if it’s a poly thing they each have their own “default” partner. Siblings/cousins may be in the same pack but never any other familial relationship besides their own kids.

- houses/apartments/etc are called “dens” and bedrooms are called “nests”. Each pack has a “den” and a “nest” for each couple, with a selection of others for the kids. Babies under 5 sleep with the parents, which is usually when they start to give off a scent other than baby powder (aka they’ve matured enough to start developing little by little. It’s like losing a tooth, it means you’re not a baby-baby anymore).

- what kids are called varies on the person and “base” (explained next section), but it’s usually Cub, Pup, Kit, Hatchling or Spawn. The real difference in what’s used is solely cultural, even if there are no eggs involved in certain terms.

- primary gender (what the person presents as in terms of like classical gender stuff) is more or less irrelevant and the only effect the “base” they start with has on them is how big their tits and hips are gonna get and what type of them, plus the general vibes you get off their faces and to an extent builds.

ANATOMY/PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL STUFF

- depending on setting (or even “subspecies”) different groups have different animal bases. In the same world/fic you could have the classic wolves alongside sea life (sirens/mermaids), snakes (nagas), birds (harpies), bats (vampires), really any combination of animal and human you can think of. You don’t even need to make it alternate monsters if you don’t want to, I just came up with that bc it’s fun to explore a new form of “race” layered on like how there’s 2 “sex” things you get in A/B/O stuff. This impacts physical characteristics, certain social elements, how they have kids (eggs v no eggs), and other minor details that are totally optional.

- betas are mostly normal folks except they have a fairly neutral earthy smell (think stones, dust, mud, etc.) and are a bit stronger than a standard human. They make up half the population. Betas have a 2-1-1 chance of a beta, alpha or omega kid of either primary gender.

- Alphas are a bit taller on average compared to Betas, prettier than them in a sort of elven way, and have sharper features. Generally lithe, built like runners or gymnasts. Pretty social, usually the ones who do negotiations and trade and the like. You’ll usually see these guys as teachers at schools or running shops. Definitly the most friendly of the bunch, but there are exceptions and when stressed or on edge they become pretty curt and quick to lash out. Middle of the road (physical) strength and speed wise. Better than betas, not as good as omegas. Scents are usually nature ones, like rivers, storms, plants and the like.

-Omegas…

Built like brick shit houses and they usually look 3 seconds from turning everyone around them into a smear on the ground. Aggressive, territorial, blunt, and the most feral of the bunch. If there are alternate forms involved in the thing I’m writing, these suckers tend to be SCARY as hell but in a pretty way. Overall they fully embody the “angry mama bear” trope… 24/7. They are like this because they are the ones who need to rear and guard the kids even if the alpha is gone for some reason or another. They do the hunting, the set up of dens, the kid wrangling, that kinda thing. They smell like “treats” and warm drinks, generally spiced and/or sweet things. Coffee, breads, pies, apple cider, tea, that kinda thing. Most also have a milky undertone somewhere in their scent if they are able to have kids. Once they hit menopause the milky scent is changed to a bit of a fruity chalk- like one, like crushed smarties.

Omegas are very much “yes murder” and the betas and alphas keep them in check with “no murder” and “some murder is okay but not now honey we need this guy to get that nice herbed goat cheese you love so much”. Omegas and alphas have a 1-2-2 ratio of having a beta, alpha or omega kid if they get with a beta. If it’s an alpha and an omega, it becomes 1-3-3.

A lot of social stuff is more or less determined by micro expressions, scents, simple noises and body language. Some people literally only talk in the local language maybe once every couple weeks when they go get groceries or something. Omegas are the worst about it, but also able to make the widest range of sounds and most proficient in the “language”. Betas have the hardest time with the more “feral” side of things, obviously, and make up about half the population. Betas typically live in towns and cities while the other half of society lives out in the wilds or countryside and either have a solid territory or wander around as nomads.

In short, more accurate to the animal kingdom A/B/O set up with a dash of “wouldn’t it be funny if the “mom” role was filled by a brick shithouse man who looks like he’s gonna murder you if you breathe wrong 5 houses over and the “big scary alpha” was a pretty boy who’s shorter than the “wife” and kinda the one you’d think was the “mom”?” Because I’m weird.

#omegaverse #ao3 writer #fanfic #au fanfiction #fanfic tropes #trope ideas #fic ideas #au idea #au info #feral man au #alternate omegaverse idea #have fun with this #i got bored #I have opinions and most people don’t like classic strain abo so yeah #monster au #creature au

[beantownbrownie]

Here’s a lil’ sneak peek at a nice one; this is my daily, a 2017 Jaguar “X260” XF 20d Prestige. It just underwent a full paint correction and detail in prep for sale on Cars & Bids.

This one is finished in Ultimate Black Metallic over Latte/Espresso with Burl Walnut Gloss and Morse Code Aluminum. It’s equipped with its namesake 20d engine, a 2.0l turbodiesel I4, pushing 181 HP and 318 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a ZF 8-speed automatic.

It’s good for a moderate 0-60 sprint of 7.9 seconds, a top speed of 121 MPH, and upwards of 40 MPG. Where its promise really lives is all in the midrange; like most diesel engines, low-end torque is constantly there, but the immense buildup of power that comes on towards the middle of the rev range is what really keeps these pulling and pushing. Couple that natural diesel torque curve with the forced induction of a turbocharger, and this power train comes alive around 1,700 RPMs. Keeping the transmission in S and the drive modes in Dynamic will place the car squarely in that rev band and keep it there as long as possible, always spooling the turbo and maintaining a slightly higher engine speed.

The resulting performance is intoxicating; carving the winding backgrounds of Carlisle, navigating the undulating landscape of Stowe, and overtaking leisurely traffic in Manchester will never once feel slow, or lethargic, or dangerous. You just ease into the accelerator, listen for the telltale whistle, dig in, and feel as an immense surge propels your forward. It’s a charismatic power plant, and one that keeps you on your toes - always keeping you acutely aware of when and where power builds, where it wanes, how it wants to go, and where you can hand off the momentum and torque of the engine to the transmission for a kick-down.

It’s immensely helpful that Jaguar’s complex suspension setup and highly tailored geometry give this car a ride only margins away from a Mercedes-Benz, with the eager spirit of an Audi, and the sharpness of a BMW. With a nearly even weight split, a wider track than many of its primary competitors, and one of the most capable AWD systems outside of Audi Quattro, Subaru Symmetrical, and Alfa/Maserati Q4, and this car definitely poses a unique proposition for the kind of buyer that genuinely wants a nice, daily drivable, efficient, and reliable car, but with all the marks of a sporty and engaging drive, when needed. It’s a car that has usable power at all times, but especially so when you’ve reached the apex of a turn and you rocket out with immediate power on tap, or when you feel the ground rising below you and the car hunkers down and starts pulling like a Mack truck even as it climbs that hill.

In reality, the ingenuity of this car and JLR’s Ingenium engine is that it feels only a step away from a more traditional gasoline engine, but the elements that make it a diesel are not lost either. Its power is similar to any gas counterpart, but there’s far more drama and flair and theatrics with it. In some parts, it harkens back to much earlier turbocharged cars that would drive quite normally until boost kicked in, in outrageous amounts, all at once, and suddenly the entire characteristic of the experience would change. It’s the same reason why I bought not one but two (nearly) identical diesel Jaguars!

After getting t-boned in my XE 20d Prestige, I purchased an E 63 AMG that was flawless in every regard. It was exceptionally well-equipped and was by far the most insane car I’d ever owned, but after barely six months, I sold it and purchased this XF, shipping it all the way from California to Massachusetts in the height of 2022’s wildfires and market inflation, and it’s been a blast ever since.

This one is rather uniquely equipped with options such as the Comfort & Convenience and Technology Packages, plus additional à la carte options, giving it soft-close doors, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power liftgate, 10.2” InControl Touch Pro, 12.3” digital cockpit, 17-speaker/825W Meridian Surround Sound, and 19” Axis 14-spoke wheels.

But, with all that said, it is time for another new experience, and with the fun of summer right around the corner, I think it’s time to part ways with this charming Brit for something a little more exotic. So, I leave you now with a few photos that will be featured on Cars & Bids in the coming weeks:

Here’s a quick spot of the engine and some documentation:

#cars #car photography #cars and bids #doug demuro #cars of tumblr #british cars #jaguar #land rover #jaguar xf #turbocharged #turbo #turbodiesel #luxury #luxury cars #sports cars

[futurebird]

The Grasshopper and the Ants

"Why not stop and have a bite to eat?" Said grasshopper.  The little ant paused, resting her massive, heavy load.  "No time! I must get these seeds to our underground garden!" "Why grow underground? It's nice up here." "In winter the storms will come. We must be ready!"

And with that she hurried off to her nest, running to make up for the time she wasted talking to the grasshopper.  "What curiously paranoid little people!" he thought, as he munched another delicious, sun-ripened summer peach.

The summer days were growing shorter and grasshopper was cold. "Good thing I still have a little oil and my lovely oil lamp." He emptied the last of the oil into the lamp and warmed his long green legs. It was so nice to relax. But, he couldn't stop thinking about the busy ants.

Before very long at all the oil was all gone and the cold returned. "I shall fetch some more from the market first thing in the morning." Said grasshopper, "It's not just the ants who can plan ahead!" Feeling pleased with himself he went to bed.

The next morning grasshopper put on his best coat & his little black cap and walked down to the market. On his way he encountered a whole column of ants going in the opposite direction. 

"Oh no!" He cried, "Have you bought all the oil?!" "Oh no!" Said one ant. "We would do no such thing." Said another. "We've not come from market." Said the third. "We were fetching parts for our windmill!" They all chattered together and indeed each ant had a tool, or a blade, or a motor in tow.  "But it's cold!" Said grasshopper "What good is a windmill? Don't you need oil?" "We have plenty stored..." Said one ant, "But we don't even need it" said another, "Our nest is electric" said the ant he met before, "This windmill will heat it!" They all chattered together.

Grasshopper marveled at how the ants seemed to think of everything. And he trudged on to the market.  On his arrival he was dismayed to find that the old toe biter who ran the oil shop had raised all his prices. 

"There were storms in the south." Said the big old toe biter. "I'd give you a discount, but I've got all these eggs on my back." Indeed, his back was packed with eggs. "Sorry friend."

Grasshopper returned home with only half as much oil as he'd planned to buy. 

The summer days were gone. The great storm came. 

The winds rattled the garden and stole the leaves from the trees. The winds tumbled the ant's windmill at terrifying speeds. The river was swollen with angry brown water, while deep in the earth, the ants tilled their gardens.  

Grasshopper tried to stay warm. But the oil didn't last long. When the sounds of the storm died he climbed up to the garden. He was terribly hungry and horribly cold. 

But the garden was empty and broken. Grasshopper cried.

Grasshopper cried and sobbed, feeling very sorry for himself. But even as he cried he thought "I know I'm having quite a bawler ... but I don't think I'm crying as loud as this sounds" Yes, some of the crying sounded nothing like a grasshopper at all. It was much too... squeaky. 

Grasshopper stopped crying, the sad squeaky noises continued. It was coming from a toppled berry bush, for trapped in the branches was a little ant.

And she was very very sad because there are few things in the world as pitysome as a lonely ant. 

Grasshopper rushed to help her.

With his long green limbs he freed the little ant from the branches. 

"oh thank you!" she squeaked "Thank you! now I shall be able to get home to my sisters where it is nice and warm, and have some nice food once again!"

Grasshopper tried to smile at this.

But the little ant could see he was not happy. "Oh no! that was a very rude thing for me to say! Whatever will you do with your garden in ruins?"

Grasshopper pulled his best coat around him and straightened his little black cap.  "I don't know." He said at last.  "Well you should come and live with us!" Said the little ant.  "I couldn't do that. It wouldn't be fair. You worked all summer and I did not." "That's true" Said the little ant "But we always have extra, it's our way! How else could we ever be able to help our friends?"

And then grasshopper was crying again. But this time for a different reason. 

When spring came the ants and their new friend, grasshopper, were filled with excitement. So much to do! An elevator for the nest, an upgrade for the windmills & most ambitious of all... a bigger underground garden, one where the fruit trees could grow through any great storm.

The End

#ants #grasshopper #grasshopper people #ant people #antposting #ant stories #fable #ecofutureism

[softsnzstuff]

p/edro x reader for when he was sick during the tlou premier? 🤭🤭🤭

It’s really the way I’ve been waiting to write this for DAYS. But thankfully that’s given me some more time to think about how I wanna write it. I HAVE attended a premiere in LA before for one of the Thor movies so this is based off that experience.

((This will probably end up being short but I totally want to write more P/edro content in the future so keep the ideas coming! Just trying to find the right tone.)) 💗KB

*****

It’s a great day in Los Angeles as far as weather goes. It was usually either cold and rainy OR incredibly dry heat - but today, California seems to have made a peace offering in the form of extremely enjoyable weather.

The cast and main crew of the show, along with a few HBO marketing representatives, are all gathered in the hotel getting ready before the premiere for The Last of Us.

You’re checking yourself in your phone’s camera when your boyfriend emerges from the bathroom, tissue clamped over his nose.

“Eh’ikSHew! H’rrdSCHt!”

“Bless you, bless you!” You call out.

He blows his nose and rolls his eyes at you to show how done he is with being sick.

Usually his immune system was in tip top shape, but juggling different events for tlou and the Mandalorian for the past few months had finally taken its toll.

He started coming down with something a few days ago. A dull ache in his throat that he couldn’t swallow past, and the kind of congestion that hurts your ears and your nose at the same time.

It wasn’t until this morning that he’d spiked a fever. He approaches you, in his suave black button down and slacks, running his hands up and down your forearms, drinking you in.

“You look gorgeous.” He smiles, eyes glazed with fever behind his glasses.

You run a hand carefully through his hair and then rest your hand on his forehead again. “And you look like you feel terrible. After the premiere, you should go straight to bed.”

He wiggled his eyebrows naughtily, “Is that an order?”

You playfully slap his arm with your handbag. Pedro’s mind was almost always in the gutter, but it’s one of the qualities you were drawn to most - his sense of childlike humor. And he cracked himself up too!

“We need to be leaving in five minutes!” One of the handlers poked her head in.

Pedro shrugged on his big overcoat, grateful for the extra layer of warmth. This fever was good for nothing except giving him the chills. The makeup artist added a bit more powder to his nose and then the two of you were heading downstairs to the lobby where the Mercedes were waiting to drive you a few blocks away to the red carpet premiere.

“Mr.Pascal.” The driver nodded, holding open the door for you both.

Pedro stepped aside to let you in first, you sliding across to the other seat and him climbing in after you.

The drive was short. 5 minutes max, but even so, he rested his too-warm head on your shoulder while you rubbed a hand lovingly on his thigh.

“How you feeling baby?” You ask rhetorically.

He sighed, “Like a clicker…”

You frown at the comparison to the severely infected from the show and kiss his temple. “We can cuddle later okay? Let you get some proper rest?”

He nods and lifts his head as the car pulls up. You can already hear the screaming fans through the closed door of the car.

Pedro takes a breath and then gets out of the car, waving to fans before offering a hand to help you out. You take it willingly, and wave to the fans as well. By now they knew you two were an item.

The first stop for the premiere was always talking to the livestream host at the entrance. Pedro was familiar with her and so the intro was quick and easy. After that, he did a sort of movie star speed dating thing, going from table to table to do interviews while you mingled in the background with others.

A wave from across the carpet catches your eye. Bella is smiling and making their way over to you. They’re wearing a nude colored suit that stands out against the carpet.

“Hey Bella!” You fist bump them the way you always did when you two ran into each other on set.

“Hey hey! Where’s your man?” They tease.

You point over your shoulder to where he’s doing the last of his interviews.

“Wrapping up I suppose, but he’s really not feeling well.”

Bella gives a sympathetic frown, before it’s replaced by a mischievous grin. They trot over behind Pedro as he’s doing the interview.

“Hey Ellie Bellie!” He beams, laughing at the nickname.

“Back again for more is Bella Ramsey!” The host announces to the camera.

“Infected, are we?” They look him up and down but he just laughs.

He turns around to look at you and you shrug, laughing as well.

“I’ve got a fever, yeah.”

“Well we are glad you still came out to join us, and are even gladder that you aren’t actually infected.”

That certainly wouldn’t be the last time someone made that joke thinking they’re original…

Pedro wraps up with the interviewer as the host makes an announcement from the main stage, introducing the directors, producers and cast for a group photo.

After the picture is snapped, they’re all free for a few minutes to make their way to the theater for the screening.

Hundreds of fans are lining the streets, some pressed against the barricade and some standing on the display window ledges of the businesses on the street.

“PEDRO! PEDRO PLEASE”

“PEDRITO!!! BELLA!!!!!

“OVER HERE, OVER HERE!!!!”

In addition to being insanely flattering, the thunderous roar of the crowd is overwhelming and your heart aches in sympathy for the headache you know your boyfriend already has.

He loves his fans though, so he starts on one end and begins quickly signing posters and toys, pausing for the occasional selfie and throwing up a peace sign.

He is in a hurry to get to the theater in time before they start the screening, so he makes sure to keep moving down the line quickly. Bella is in front of him, also posing for pictures and signing different things.

You’re a few feet back, following along with his handler and Bella’s handler, watching in complete admiration watching him interact with the fans.

When he finally reaches the end and has to stop, he mouths “thank you, I love you” and holds a hand to his chest, nodding in an almost bowing type fashion as he leaves.

Once around the corner and walking to the theater, he slips an arm around your waist and you pull him closer.

“I’m so sleepy.” He whispers to you as you walk.

“I’m sorry,” you rub a hand up and down his back. “Can I do anything to help?”

“Let me rest on your shoulder in the theater?” He asks.

You smile at the softness of his question. “Of course babe. You can always rest on me.”

#p/edro p/ascal #r/p/f #T/LOU #snzblr #snz kink #Kb writes #sickfic #ask box

[eclecticstarlightconnoisseur]

NOT THE MEEK AND OBEDIENT TYPE

Hello all, This is chapter 2 as promised. Claire is doing the two tasks that Mother Hildegard told her to do. Scrub the chapel floor and think about if she truly has a vocation. This is just Claire and her thoughts. We meet Jamie in chapter 3.

I would like to thank Statell for reading Chapter 1 & 2 way back in 2022 when I first thought of this story. Her input was invaluable. I also want to thank Gotham-Ruaidh who read this after several rewrites and told me it was not trash. I thank you both for your time and encouragement.

So here goes nothing.

Not the Meek and Obedient Type

Chapter 2

Introspection

A bucket of steaming water, a lump of lye soap, and a scrub brush awaited the penitent in the Chapel of the Angels. The postulant and novice instructor, Sister Josepha made sure that Claire would not delay in beginning her penance. There was a lot of floor to be scrubbed. 

Claire needed to get to work as it would take her well into the night to finish the job. She also knew that Sister Josepha would come back to check on her progress before retiring to her bed and didn’t want another reprimand, this one for being a sluggard. Girding up her tunic between her legs, she secured it at her waist with the rope that she used as her belt.  It wouldn’t do to get it dirty as she did not have another clean smock. 

Kneeling on the floor, she picked up the brush and dipped it in the water. It was hot. Her fingers turned red and smarted from the heat. She snatched her hand out of the pail quickly and shook her head. Sister Josepha decided to add another layer to her suffering. She blew on her fingers and then waved them around to help cool them. Once they no longer stung, she applied the soap to the brush and bent to her work. 

Scrubbing the floor was not the only task Mother had given her. She needed to examine the strength of her desire to become a nun. Claire never considered becoming a nun as her calling. Everyone simply assumed that she would join the sisters’ community. After all, she came to live in the convent as a child, after losing both her parents in an accident. 

Her parents, Henry and Julia, were on their way to the market to sell the small amount of produce their farm yielded. Their horse Jack pulled the cart. The other cotters secretly called him Black Jack because he had a coat and heart as black as coal. Some believed him Satan’s own stallion who would readily carry anyone who rode him away to the depths of hell. He had an irascible nature and a tendency to bite. Jack’s saving grace was that he could run or work for hours without easily tiring. Henry prized him for his soundness and strong wind as did many of his neighbors. Jack often found himself in the breeding shed with some sweet-tempered mare. The farmers hoped that the gentleness of their mares would offset any potential for snappiness from his progeny. Henry made most of his coin by breeding Jack, not by tending his farm. Rocks littered the land and the soil was so poor that even weeds refused to grow. But the little family managed to eke out a living nonetheless. 

 A witness to the accident told everyone that Jack abruptly reared up, shaking his head wildly, lips curled back, and his eyes rolled back showing only the whites. He raced up the road at break-neck speed with the little cart bouncing, as cabbages, onions, and carrots spilled out. Henry did his best to try to control the beast, but Jack was too strong and too frightened. The cart's wheel fell into a rut in the road, shattering it. The cart continued on a deadly trajectory from sheer momentum careening into a tree, instantly killing Henry and Julia. Jack, however, disappeared which did not surprise anyone. His broken harness remained attached to the cart. No one saw him run away, giving rise to further evidence of his demonic spirit.

The villagers did the best they could to see the Beauchamps decently buried. The tender question remained, however, of what to do with the child. Deciding the fate of little Claire was a delicate matter undertaken by the village’s priest and the magistrate. As she had no other relatives other than her Uncle Lambert, an itinerant jack-of-all-trades, and Lord knew where he was. After much discussion, the village elders decided it would serve her best if she went to live at the Abbey where she would be educated, cared for, and safe. The townsfolk were not unkind or uncharitable people by any means. They were dirt poor and having to raise and feed one more mouth would put a strain on any of the families. At the age of eight, she went to the convent. That was ten years ago. Everyone automatically assumed that she would join the community of nuns. Everyone except Claire, who was now having second thoughts.

Scrubbing the tiles lent Claire a sense of monotony. Dipping the brush in the water, soaping it up, washing and rinsing, and repeating the process over and over again did not require skill or concentration. It was exactly the type of mindless activity that encouraged introspection. The second task Mother set for her to do - was to decide if she wished to become a nun.

Claire didn’t know what she wanted. How could she? Her experiences of the outside world were those of an eight-year-old child. What did she know of the world outside the convent? 

Claire often heard the tales the new postulants told. Some liked to tell stories about their clothes. They spoke of the pretty lace-trimmed petticoats they wore, stocking with embroidery on them, wearing new gowns, and their lovely shawls. She never had anything but the garments from the Abbey. Well, that was not entirely true. She had a shawl of many colors that her Uncle Lamb had brought her on one of his rare visits. It became her most prized possession; the only thing she ever owned. Claire often thought it must be a sin to love it as she did because she should not have an attachment to things. But the colors were festive, the pattern lively. The texture was so soft and fine that it contrasted with her coarse habit. A shawl made for a lady to wear to a party. Frequently, she would look at it, just to admire it. And when she felt lonely, she curled up with it in her arms, falling fast asleep.

Other postulants talked about going to festivals, wearing flowers in their hair, playing games, dancing, and...boys. The girls would giggle and laugh about dancing with them. And how the boys would chase after them making them squeal as they attempted to get away. Invariably, the boys were faster and caught the girls. The boys would demand a kiss from their captives in exchange for their freedom. 

Claire wondered what it would be like to dance with a boy. To be held in his arms? What would a kiss be like? Would it be a sloppy, messy meeting of mouths? Or would it be warm, tender, and wonderful? Her meandering thoughts freely floated toward her true question, what would love be like?  

Claire’s mind wandered to one of the few memories she had of her parents. Each night after they ate their meager supper, Henry hoisted Claire on his shoulders and took Julia by the hand. Together, they would walk outside breathing in the fresh evening air as they viewed their farm. Once settled along a railing, he pointed to different parts of the field explaining his plans for clearing and working the fields. “Someday our farm will be prosperous,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “And I will build you a grand manor to live in that will be the envy of the town.” He wrapped his arm around Julia’s waist pulling her closer to him, “I shall dress you and our princess in the finest gowns made of silk and lace.” Julia would smile at him and lean her head on his chest, “I know Henry. I know.” The threesome watched as the lavenders and blues of twilight settled over their farm. Henry clasped Julia’s hand, bent his head, and kissed his wife sweetly. 

Lifting Claire from his shoulders Henry placed her down between her parents. He bussed her cheek, “I love you, my princess,” making her giggle as his stubble brushed her cheek.

“I love you too, Papa. And I love you, Mama.” Claire reached up and took hold of their hands walking home together.

Her parents didn’t have many material things but what they did have, Claire believed, was love. 

She had never done any of the things the other girls had done and wondered if she was missing something. Missing the opportunity to live, to experience life. Ultimately, the new postulants chose to give up these earthly contrivances and enter a consecrated life. They chose; whereas Claire had the decision thrust upon her. If she had nothing to compare to, how could she give the Abbess an honest answer about her choice of vocation?

The Abbess. What about the Abbess? She had taken Claire in when she had nowhere to go and treated her like a daughter. Would Mother think her naught but ungrateful? What would the other nuns, who were her companions, friends, and in every sense but blood, her sisters think? Perhaps they would feel abandoned by her. Would they hate her? 

Mother welcomed each new postulant with a caution. Entering the religious life should not be lightly made. They would make personal sacrifices and only those truly called, faithful, and willing to serve the Lord above all else could find happiness in this life. The Lord wanted followers not to be followed. Claire wondered, did she have the calling and the will to serve? She exhaled heavily, thinking such weighty thoughts made her headache. 

After brushing back several curls that had escaped from her wimple, Claire sat back on her heels surveying her work. The floors were scrubbed clean. However, her habit still managed to absorb the filthy water ruining her last clean robe. She sighed heavily realizing that she needed to wash out her habit and hoped it would dry in time for morning services. 

Perhaps this was not a punishment at all but meant to galvanize her into taking action. To take control of her life. Children left home every day to get married, take up a position, or seek adventure. Mayhap it was time for her to leave her home.  A sudden cold wave of fear skittered down her back. What would she do outside the convent? How would she live? Here in the convent, she need not worry about food, clothes, or shelter. But outside? Then what? A smile slowly crept across her countenance brightening her face. She could offer her services as a healer. She had been Mother Hildegard’s apprentice and Mother said her skills were as good as her own. All she needed to do would be to find a town that needed a healer and begin there. It was settled. She would leave the convent. Tonight. 

Claire rose and stretched her back, fingers and knees all aching from her labors. For the last time, she emptied the bucket of wash water, placed the remaining sliver of soap, and the brush in the pail returning them to their storage space. No journey should begin without prayer, she thought. She went to the sanctuary and knelt before the altar.  Head bowed, hands folded in devotion, Claire asked both for forgiveness for leaving and for the Lord’s blessing on her journey. As she walked back to the vestibule, she turned to look once more at what had been a large part of her life for so many years. She was struck with the thought that she would never see this place again.

Her first priority would be survival. For that, she needed food and drink. She decided that some hard cheese, bread, and a skin of water would last for a few days. In the kitchen, Claire found two small sacks, one for the food and the other suitable for the herbs she would find along the way.  She quietly scurried past the rooms of the sleeping nuns contemplating what else she should take with her. Noiselessly, Claire opened the door to her cell. She looked over the room taking in everything. In the middle of the room, her cot stood with a small pillow and the blanket folded at the foot. A crucifix hung above the small bed adjacent to the wee window that let in light and air. A hide hung over the opening to keep out the night chill. Against a wall, an old battered trunk stood containing her few meager possessions. The ewer and basin rested on a rickety table against another wall. Finally, she spied the brazier that kept her warm. It felt odd to be leaving the only home she had ever known. And suddenly she was seized with pangs of homesickness. Bracing herself against the fear of leaving and the fear of not leaving, she opened her trunk taking out her most serviceable clothes, her shawl, and her digging knife. She placed everything into a pack that could easily be carried. Silently, she closed the door to her room, hurried out into the night air, and left through the back entrance of the Abbey.

A single room was brightly lit and a lone figure moved about watching out the window as Claire departed. “Au revoir,  mon Cheri. May God bless and protect you. I hope you find your heart’s desire.”

[aflamethatneverdies]

The 4th of June 1832

The clear day as the sun rose in the sky seemed to be long, drawn and unbearable in terms of heat and without any respite in terms of rain for the Parisians. All through the day Enjolras had been walking across several districts and quarters of Paris, his shoes showed some signs of wear by the evening. As the sun went down, Enjolras waited at his lodgings for the arrival of his friends. 

Bahorel and Feuilly knocked on the door softly three times, there was a sound of the latch being removed and the door opened, the fresh face of Enjolras greeted them. He had taken off his cravat, rolled up his shirt sleeves and smoothed out his printer's smock which he wore over loose dark trousers. His black waistcoat and white shirt underneath were still in immaculate condition. His dark blue (almost black) frock coat was laid neatly on the bed.

Enjolras told them that he wanted to air out some words to dry and needed their input, causing their conversation to start with a laugh, not because they hadn’t heard this in casual conversation enough times, Enjolras sometimes used a printer’s language because of habit and also because it was familiar, comfortable and warm. He knew this, and had always greeted his friends in this manner, to see laughter on their faces. They fell to discussing immediate strategy and placement of their groups, once the funeral passed through Faubourg Saint-Antoine. 

Combeferre and Joly were still at Necker and Salpêtrière respectively, finishing their shifts, after Combeferre had returned from Picpus in the morning, and Joly from talking to medical students. Courfeyrac was milling outside the cafes and neighbourhoods where polytechnics gathered, and Bossuet was haunting the law school courtyards, engaging the students. Prouvaire had not yet returned after being told to speak to the lodge of the Rue de Grenelle-Saint-Honoré.   

Enjolras’ eyes were a little red, his face more brittle, visible lines of concentration and worry were evident on it. He had spent the entire day, after an early meeting with Cougourd d’Aix- with workers around the markets of Saint-Denis and Les Halles; among the hustle and bustle of , men, women, children coming and going, bicycles speeding past, gamins and gamines playing in the street. There was a basket maker’s shop, a fishmonger’s stall, a tailor’s shop and a butcher's shop; several rag pickers were walking around, as well as some hawkers and women who plied their trade as prostitutes.  He then walked to Rue Saint-Martin and Rue Aubry le Boucher and made arrangements for a safe house where insurgents could congregate after the riot.  

The tocsin of the Saint-Merri Church rang eight or nine times before he thought to make his way back to his lodgings. It was as well as he did that. He had formulated a plan in his head of the best ways to attack and defend the barricades.

He had been hearing stories of workers who were struggling to feed their families, now that cholera was also waging a war on the city. He had heard these stories for the past few months, both from the workers and from Combeferre, and had tried to reassure some of his friends that they were fighting for a change and needed their support. It becomes hard when he seems families, each with a similar affliction of poverty, misery and hunger. Combeferre had talked of bodies of the dead piling in the hospital, going unclaimed in the morgue; they could not even remove them quick enough. Enjolras' thoughts were always turned towards the people, even more after the heartache of July Revolution.

Enjolras has a family, well he has a father, back in Puy, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Sometimes when he was in a mood, Enjolras could tell an amusing story about  his grandfather who had lived a colourful life before settling as a bookseller-publisher after 93.   

The business had been successful, the grandfather not only opened a printing press in his home town of Puy but travelled to Paris and with the help of an old friend set up shop in Paris. His uncle had no sons, and his only daughter was married to a man in a different trade who showed little interest in printing. Thus it was that Enjolras had been training as an apprentice since his teen years, having finally graduated from an apprentice journeyman to a journeyman despite the Le Chapelier law, which had banned many guilds and trade unions.

He had been talking to workers in different trades, tailors, joiners, masons, and others, to get a sense of how hard it was for them to form unions or mutual aid societies. Some mutual aid societies were emerging in secret, a few had been discovered and banned and arrests made. Some journeymen allowed to continue on their Tours without much resistance. It depended on how good a master you had. Enjolras shifted his printer's cap in his hands, that is not how it should be.

There was much to fight for still despite a lot of blood having been spilt over centuries fighting for greater rights for workers. He thought back to the Réveillon riots of 89, the dawn of liberty had to be delivered from the birth pangs that had gone on for too long, it was inevitable. It was also late, he sighed wistfully, looking at the clear sky. He felt a stirring of melancholy within him, Prouvaire often talked about that, the one that was the burden of poets and revolutionaries. I am not a poet, he told the sky, and smiled as he felt some raindrops on his face.

For himself, he had found the occupation of a printer-publisher of much use; a Master printer is always in communication with different sections of society, he could set the type (he laughed a little at his own joke) of the entirety of Paris, while also choosing to work against his own class, the petit bourgeoisie.

His uncle did know that he dealt in marrons and chose to not inquire too deeply about which books he was illegally smuggling because Enjolras was a willing and efficient worker. Enjolras had therefore at his ready use, a supply chain which was not just useful for smuggling books under the cloak, so to speak, but for all sorts of revolutionary materials, and which had been honed to a high degree to evade random police inspections.  

It was unclear how the conversation had drifted to their own families. Courfeyrac had delivered the box of bullets and cartridges to Enjolras for safekeeping and it was sitting snuggly underneath the floorboards, hidden by the rug. Enjolras had positioned his chair near it.

Courfeyrac was attached to this box, it was his greatest piece of art, he ranked it even higher than a novel or two he had written while bored. His oldest brother had inherited the running of his father’s estate, his second brother had taken the cloth and become a priest, and here he was, the third brother, with his playthings and his mistresses, as his father would say. He did not mind being called frivolous in the least.   

Bahorel was sitting opposite him taking up two chairs and striking his favourite pose, Feuilly ended up taking the chair in the middle. There was a thrill in the air, of things having been set into motion- the heat matched the tempers of Paris.

“I feel a thrill of happiness when the community around Saint Denis or Les Halles or Saint-Antoine know that they can turn to me or to any of us,” Feuilly said smiling. “And we may not always know where to turn to, but we find the help needed somehow or we work towards it together. We have made some strides towards the idea of unions, of workshops, of less hours, of children having more time to play and to get an education.” That I could not receive beyond a few classes, he added to himself.  

“You have created an ever expanding family around you, my friend.” Enjolras squeezed Feuilly’s hand in his and Feuilly responded by placing his head on his shoulders. The wind from the open window swept through his hair and Enjolras rearranged it for him. 

Feuilly looked back over his childhood, the years of uncertainty and longing for love, of living in a foundling hospital, of having the village school master beat him and other children, of being sent as an apprentice to do odd jobs at 12. At being taken in by a kindly fanmaker in Grenoble, and then being passed around to his cousin in Paris. His years were not entirely happy, but he was able to create temporary pockets of familial comfort. He had seen many childrens’ futures disappear under the yoke of labour and the prospect of earning a few sous to feed themselves, but for the kindness of strangers who had welcomed him, his might have followed suit. Tears had started rolling down his eyes, and he let them flow.   

Enjolras softened and in the warm glow that the gas lamp threw on his face, looked at them both fondly, “I was going to wait until the others returned but, you, all of you are my family.” He took out his handkerchief, and wiped the tears from Feuilly’s face and then softly and tenderly he hugged him.

Bahorel tried to joke that he was an ardent Philadelphe– midway through the sentence, his voice broke down, choked with deep feelings of love for them both; for all of them, he declared to the entire room, his voice more of a howl than a shout of joy. For the others were always present here with them even when they were scattered around Paris and even if they scattered around the world or became busy in their lives, he would still carry them with him. He was a Romantic after all.  

Feuilly had to brush a few odd tears that had strayed in his eyes again at this fresh declaration and outpouring of love from Bahorel. He may have adopted many of the communities as family, but his closest, dearest family were still the ones gathered here. Enjolras too was not immune to the romantic passions in service of revolution and friendship, he hugged them both. The door opened at that instance and Courfeyrac, Combeferre and Prouvaire walked in. 

“What, no greeting at the door?” Courfeyrac asked, putting some more rifles and boxes down. Combeferre opened the trap door and hastily moved them all there. “We were waiting there for your usual greeting, aren't you afraid police spies might be trying to enter-” he broke off as he saw their faces full of happy tears and hugged them all.

“I came through a long circuitous route and made sure I wasn’t followed but the police rarely give a second glance to a bourgeois looking gentleman carrying arms,,”Courfeyrac said laughing, putting his hat down and sitting cross legged on the bed. He and others had trailed some mud across Enjolras’ floor, he grinned sheepishly. “I had stashed some arms away from the July Revolution and from my friends who are all into hunting parties.”

They all took their places on the chairs or on the rug on the floor and conversations flew back and forth cheerfully. They were confident and hopeful that they had reasonably managed to do as much preparation as they could in the time they had, which had been only a few days from Galois’ funeral to General Lamarque’s. A day or two’s preparation was all that was often given to prepare for riots in a city that was as much a lover of riots, as Paris was. A day or two was all that was sometimes needed if everything else went to plan. 

They had set the powder kegs around the city, only a spark was needed, and Paris had assured them that it was ready for that spark, for that fire. They were talking about the future in high hopes, discussing how they all should take a few days to rest and remain underground once the riot ended, no matter what the outcome. They promised themselves not to burn themselves out, neither on literature (Prouvaire and Bahorel added a resounding ‘hear hear’) nor on political organising.

Everyone turned towards Enjolras, he was lost in thought, hope shining in his handsome face as he gazed quietly at the people around him and beamed. "I will try." he said, laughing and hiding his face. Combeferre squeezed his hand, the strains of Ça Ira broke out in the room.

Enjolras thought he might visit his father in Le Puy and take Combeferre and Courfeyrac with him, Bahorel and Prouvaire had made plans to visit Bahorel’s family in Lyon. The talk had moved to discussing all the various eccentricities of their own families or employers, uncles, aunts and cousins were also not spared, and in Bahorel’s case of the various farm animals too.

They echoed their feelings of mutual adoration towards each other several times, and why should they not? They had survived many years of riots, navigated many differences of opinion and still cherished each others' company and turned to each other for support.  

One thing they kept coming back to and were heartily agreed upon, was that if they were not killed in these riots, they were not going to stop from trying to set the city alight to usher in the new dawn.

#barricade preparations #my fic #this is uh from a longer piece #but I couldn't resist posting the 4th and 5th June ones on barricade day #one day more #les mis #I forgot my tags for barricade days #barricade days #barricade day #posting now before I become too terrified of posting

[govindhtech]

Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan: Silent Powerhouse review

Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fans

The popular brand in PC cooling solutions, Alphacool, has introduced its Apex Stealth Metal line of cooling fans. The mistaken misunderstanding that the whole fan would be composed of metal contributed to the new fans’ considerable excitement before they arrived in the PC community.

The 120mm high-performance Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan is intended to cool computer components. It has a distinctive design with a metal frame and proprietary decoupling technology that lowers vibration and noise.

There are four color possibilities for the fan: gold, chrome, white, and matte black.

There are two versions available:

Standard: 400–2,000 RPM, 82.9 CFM airflow, 3.07 mm H2O static pressure.

Power: 400–3,000 RPM, 119.3 CFM airflow, 5.12 mm H2O static pressure.

VersionSpeed Range (RPM)Airflow (CFM)Static Pressure (mm H2O)Standard-160082.93.07Power-2600119.35.12

Regarding how loud the fan is, users have left varying feedback. While some find it quieter than comparable fans on the market, particularly at lower speeds, others find it to be noisy. Though not the finest, the fan’s performance is usually regarded as decent.

These fans stand out for their distinctive design, which combines a metallic frame with plastic components that are disconnected from the metal, whether or not they are completely composed of metal. The fan’s operating effectiveness is influenced by this design decision in addition to its visual attractiveness.

The Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan 120 mm and the Apex Stealth Metal Power 120 mm are two different variants in the series that are mainly differentiated by their maximum rotational speeds. The latter, intended for more demanding applications, can hit an astounding 3000 RPM, while the former can only go up to 2000 RPM. These fans, which come in four color choices (White, Matte Black, Chrome, and Gold), combine design and practicality, making them a flexible alternative for a variety of PC setups.

Each fan from AlphaCool comes in a cardboard box with premium fasteners, an extension power cord, and a little, gentle cleaning cloth. Although the cleaning cloth may seem unnecessary, it comes in useful when using the Chrome and Gold variants of the fans since even a little touch leaves a noticeable fingerprint imprint on the frames. Because the fan cables are so short and include both a male and a female connection, the extension wire is also essential.

This enables a daisy-chain configuration where many fans are connected in parallel to one another and are powered by a single extension wire; users must be aware of the maximum amperage the power supply can provide to avoid harming the motherboard or fan controller. Three Apex Stealth Metal fans may be powered without any problems by a single header on most gaming/performance motherboards.

Hydro-Dynamic Bearing (HDB) engines were chosen by AlphaCool because of their reputation for quiet operation and longevity. Although HDB designs are more affordable for performance fans, they are not the greatest kind of fan engine layout. Furthermore, a layer of versatility is added by the broad PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) control, which enables users to modify the fan speed as necessary. Interestingly, if combined with a PWM controller that allows a zero-RPM mode, these fans may stop completely. This capability might be very helpful in low-heat situations or when attempting to reduce noise.

The question “Why isn’t the entire fan made out of metal?”. The quick answer is that there would be many technical and safety concerns if a fan’s moving components were made of metal. In addition, the increased mass of metal would result in a notable rise in power needs and energy consumption, with no discernible improvement in performance. However, the finest compromise between the two material types is achieved when plastic is used for the fan’s hub and blades and metal is used for the fan’s frame. This enhances the fan in places where the metal can work to its advantage rather than against it.

Before purchasing the Alphacool Apex Stealth Metal Fan, take into account the following factors:

Cost: The fan costs more than a lot of other 120mm fans available for purchase.

Level of noise: When the fan is running at higher speeds, some customers find it to be quite loud.

Performance: While not the greatest, the fan’s performance is usually regarded as decent.

Aesthetics: Some users may find the fan’s distinctive design attractive.

FAQS

How does the performance compare to other fans?

The performance, which includes respectable static pressure and airflow, is typically regarded as excellent. In rare instances, however, some more recent or expensive fans may perform better than it.

 Is this fan suitable for radiators?

Yes, you may use the fan on radiators in liquid cooling systems because of its static pressure.

What is the warranty for this fan?

You can usually find warranty information on the product page of the store where you are buying.

Where can I buy this fan?

The fan is sold via the Alphacool website and a number of PC hardware stores.

rea

[mamun258]

Looking at the tourism industry supply chain product planning from the explosion of "Erbin"

At the beginning of the new year, the city of Harbin achieved explosive popularity, and this is inseparable from the planning and design of the tourism supply chain behind it. In this article, the author uses supply chain thinking  HE Tuber  to look at the commercial value that the tourism industry brings to micro-products in the supply chain. Let’s take a look.

01

Recently, Harbin's tourism market has continued to heat up, and ice and snow business cards have become popular: "In the three-day New Year's Day holiday in 2024, Harbin received a total of 3.0479 million tourists and a total tourism revenue of 5.914 billion yuan. The number of tourists received and total tourism revenue reached historical peaks. Success Creating a world of ice and snow is also a vivid practice of gold and silver.”

As a Northeasterner whose ancestral home is Jiangsu and who lives in Zhejiang and grew up in the black soil, the author feels really happy and proud of his hometown when looking at the information in the online media. He also hopes that more friends can visit the Northeast and experience the charm and charm of ice and snow first-hand. Heroic culture.

Why is the city of Harbin and its tourism industry so popular? On January 2, He Jing, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said in an interview: Harbin’s popularity this winter is actually no accident. It has been a year of preparation. Multi-dimensional analysis has also been done on the Internet: "The depth of multiculturalism, the thickness of European culture, the warmth of the people of Harbin, the enthusiasm for building an ice and snow economy, the speed of creative marketing and promotion, the intensity of optimizing the business environment..."

The author believes that this year’s preparation is about industry operations and planning, as well as the planning and design of the tourism supply chain. Today I want to use supply chain thinking to see the commercial value that the tourism industry brings to micro-products in the supply chain.

02

First of all, some friends may ask: Is the tourism industry also related to the supply chain? I don’t think this question is surprising at all. Most people’s understanding of supply chain should be related to the physical industry.

In fact, this is not the case. With the development of business, the product scope of the supply chain has already expanded from physical products to general products, virtual products and services, ranging from consumers' basic necessities, food, housing and transportation to all aspects of spiritual and entertainment needs. The author also mentioned in the previous article A series of activities that mobilize resources for supply based on commercial value to meet the needs of the demand side is the supply chain.

Therefore, we look at the tourism industry from a macro perspective, create greater market economy commercial value, mobilize all aspects of the tourism industry (transportation, sightseeing, accommodation, catering, shopping, entertainment, etc.) to provide tourists with a good travel experience. This series of activities forms The tourism industry supply chain is included, and the subdivided industries in each link will also involve the supply chain field.

This year's Harbin: frozen pears on the plate, Pegasus on the ice in front of the Sophia Church, hovercrafts on the Songhua River, hot air balloons, etc. appeared one after another. Many locals said: Harbin feels strange to me. As a Northeasterner who has studied in Harbin for four years, the author happened to travel to Harbin for a few days during the Chinese New Year last year. The information on the Internet really refreshed some of my knowledge.

Today, the author starts with food, drink and entertainment in the tourism industry, and uses supply chain thinking to take a look at the products and services that are popular in Harbin's tourism market. They are: frozen pears fancy cut and plated, travel photos of Russian princesses in Sophia Church, and the early opening of Ice and Snow World. The previous article shared You can combine it with actual cases to have a better understanding of the commercial value and customer experience created by supply chain product design, supply chain model, supply chain planning, etc.

1. New ways to eat Northeastern frozen pear

For an authentic Northeasterner, like the author, everyone must have been amazed by the fancy new way to eat Northeastern frozen pears recently. Analyzing this small innovation and change from the perspective of supply chain thinking, the author found: The modified knife arrangement of frozen pears The disk has the same commercial value as the classic Internet case [Pin Xixi Cutting a Knife]. The analysis is as follows:

[Product positioning] Traditional products are positioned for one person to eat, while new products are positioned for multiple people to taste. The product has changed from "black box" to "white box" to encourage new users to try it.

[Product unit] Regardless of traditional products or new products, there is a high probability that the minimum sales unit and inventory storage unit of the product will still be 1, and the management cost will not change. However, after the product is cut into pieces, the minimum consumption unit for consumers will change from 1 frozen pear. It became a piece of frozen pear.

[User Experience] Allow more consumers to have the opportunity to try new things, without the pressure of not being able to eat, avoid the waste of not being able to eat, and increase the motivation of consumers to try new things. If it tastes good, try more. If you don’t like to eat, don’t worry. Consider it a new experience.

[Supply chain investment] Use supply chain thinking to focus on supply chain investment, adding processing and tool changes, adding ingredients, and plate distribution...the cost is minimal.

[Business Value] According to online reports: During New Year’s Day, the sales of frozen pears in Harbin increased by 226.99% year-on-year. Although it is impossible to effectively verify the value brought by the increase in people flow and product innovation, the network talk and traffic brought by the frozen pears The value has proven that Harbin’s popular frozen pears are also responsible for this.

Some people may think that the author's analysis is a bit fussy. In fact

there are more examples in the business world of frozen pear knife and plating innovation that you can learn from and refer to:

[Proactive service increase] Everyone is familiar with the marketing routine of noodle shop owners: buying noodles changes from adding eggs or not, to adding 1 egg or 2 eggs. The business increase brought by proactive service...

[Cross-border product design] In recent years, companies have continued to make breakthroughs in commercial product innovation. From the cross-border ice cream collaboration between Moutai and Mengniu, to the sauce-flavored latte launched by Luckin and Moutai, they are actually an innovative combination of supply chain product design. Marketing plan, ignite business tipping point...

[Product and Service Improvement] The example of changing frozen pear knives to the plate is abstracted: it provides consumers with value-added services of changing knives on basic products. The increase and experience that product services bring to business can be extended to other industries: From The cold traditional toilet to the warm smart toilet provides a comfortable experience. From the traditional oil truck to the tram, it not only replaces the power source, but also provides an intelligent driving experience... and even extends to the industry: in recent years, the real estate company where the author works has delivered a large number of new homes. Most of them are from rough delivery to hardcover delivery. The increase and improvement of this hardcover service has increased the unit price per customer, but it also saves the time and cost of independent decoration after the customer purchases the house, and reduces the environmental sanitation and noise caused by different decoration times in the community. question…

The commercial value brought by product design innovation is worthy of deep thought. We should not only think about the product itself, but also use supply chain thinking to think about the positioning of design innovation, the experience brought by investment, and the path and effect of realizing commercial value.

#video #sharing #watch #upload

[shantnusingh]

Key Features and Benefits of WD Black SN850X

If you’re searching for a top-notch SSD to enhance your gaming PC, consider the WD Black SN850X. Western Digital’s latest and most advanced PCIe 4.0 SSD provides unparalleled gaming storage with lightning-fast speeds, minimal latency, and ample capacity.

Let’s explore some of the key features and benefits that make this SSD an excellent choice for gamers.

Speed and Performance

The WD Black SN850X is considered one of the fastest SSDs available, boasting impressive sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. With such rapid performance, you can experience near-instantaneous loading times for games, applications, and files.

Additionally, it supports the latest PCIe Gen4 interface which provides double the bandwidth compared to PCIe Gen3 SSDs. This means you can fully harness the power of your storage and system components, ensuring optimal performance for all your gaming needs.

Capacity and Durability

The WD Black SN850X is available in various capacities, ranging from 1TB to 4TB1. This provides ample storage for your favorite games, which can require 200GB or more storage.

Additionally, you can store other files like videos, music, and photos without concerns about running out of space. It is designed for durability with a 5-year limited warranty and a high endurance rating of up to 1,200 TBW. This ensures long-lasting performance and reliability for your SSD.

Gaming Mode 2.0

The WD Black SN850X offers a unique feature called Gaming Mode 2.0, designed to optimize the SSD’s performance specifically for gaming. This software-based enhancement is activated through the proprietary WD Black Dashboard, a monitoring and management tool for your SSD.

Once enabled, Gaming Mode 2.0 predicts and pre-fetches the game assets that are likely to be loaded next, storing them in the SSD’s cache. As a result, loading times are reduced, and game responsiveness is improved. It’s worth noting that Gaming Mode 2.0 is exclusive to Windows users and supports the most popular games on the market.

Optional Heatsink

One standout feature of the WD Black SN850X SSD is the inclusion of an optional heatsink with the 1TB and 2TB models. This heatsink serves a dual purpose: dissipating heat to prevent throttling or overheating and adding a stylish touch to your SSD.

Conclusion

The WD Black SN850X Online is an exceptional SSD with advanced features designed specifically for gamers. It delivers incredibly fast speeds, minimal lag, and ample storage capacity. One standout feature is Gaming Mode 2.0, which optimizes performance for gaming purposes.

Additionally, the option to add a heatsink not only keeps the SSD cool but also adds a stylish touch to your PC. If you’re seeking a high-performance SSD that exceeds gaming requirements and offers additional benefits, this should be at the top of your list.

Source: https://freshinkblog.com/key-features-and-benefits-of-wd-black-sn850x/

#WD Black SN850X Online

[chemicalresearchupdates]

Sustainable Innovations in the Direct Thermal Film Label Market

The Direct Thermal Film Label Market refers to a segment of the labeling industry that utilizes direct thermal printing technology for producing labels. These labels are typically used for a wide range of applications, including product labeling, shipping labels, barcode labels, and more. Direct thermal printing is a process where heat is applied to a special thermal paper, resulting in the creation of high-quality, durable labels without the need for ink or ribbons.

In recent years, the Direct Thermal Film Label Market has witnessed significant growth due to its numerous advantages. One of the key benefits is its cost-effectiveness as it eliminates the need for ink or toner, reducing operational expenses for businesses. Additionally, direct thermal labels are known for their high printing speed and simplicity, making them a preferred choice for applications requiring rapid label production.

The market overview of the Direct Thermal Film Label Market highlights its increasing popularity across various industries. Companies in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing have adopted direct thermal labels for their convenience and efficiency. This has led to a surge in demand for direct thermal printing equipment and label materials.

The Direct Thermal Film Label Market Industry is characterized by a growing number of manufacturers and suppliers. As the demand for direct thermal labels continues to rise, competition among these companies intensifies. Manufacturers are constantly innovating to develop advanced label materials, improve print quality, and enhance label durability. This competitive environment has resulted in a wide variety of direct thermal label options available to consumers.

Trends in the Direct Thermal Film Label Market include the increasing emphasis on sustainability. With environmental concerns gaining prominence, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly label materials and practices. Many manufacturers are now offering direct thermal labels made from recycled materials or those that are easily recyclable, aligning with the global push for sustainability.

In conclusion, the Direct Thermal Film Label Market has evolved as a cost-effective and efficient solution for labeling needs across various industries. Its growth can be attributed to its advantages, including ease of use, cost savings, and speed. As the industry continues to expand, manufacturers are focusing on innovation and sustainability to meet the evolving demands of the market. This market segment is poised for continued growth and development in the coming years.

For More Reports: 

Textile Flooring Market Polymer Concrete Market Conductive Carbon Black Market Magnesium Metal Market

#Direct Thermal Film Label Market #Direct Thermal Film Label Market Growth #Direct Thermal Film Label Market Trends

[countrywinggroupofcompanies]

Easy programming barcode printing scale for sell Kikuubo

Digital Barcode Printers in Kampala Uganda

A barcode printer is a device specifically designed for printing barcode labels or tags. It is commonly used in various industries, including retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and more. Barcode printers are essential for generating and printing barcode labels that can be scanned and read by barcode scanners or other automated systems.

Here are some key features and types of barcode printers:

Direct Thermal Printers: These printers use heat-sensitive paper to create the barcode image. They generate images by selectively heating the paper, which then turns black in the heated areas. Direct thermal printers are suitable for short-term applications and do not require ribbons or ink cartridges.

Thermal Transfer Printers: These printers use a thermal printhead to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the label material. The ribbon is heated, and the ink is transferred onto the label, creating a durable barcode image. Thermal transfer printers are ideal for long-lasting labels and can handle various label materials.

Desktop Printers: These compact printers are designed for small to medium volume printing applications. They are commonly used in retail stores, small warehouses, and offices. Desktop printers are cost-effective, easy to use, and offer a range of connectivity options.

Industrial Printers: Industrial barcode printers are built for high-volume printing in demanding environments such as large warehouses or manufacturing facilities. They are robust, durable, and capable of printing large quantities of labels quickly. Industrial printers often offer advanced features like high-resolution printing, large label roll capacity, and rugged construction.

Mobile Printers: Mobile barcode printers are compact and portable, allowing users to print labels on the go. They are commonly used in industries like logistics, field service, and healthcare, where mobility and convenience are crucial. Mobile printers are battery-powered and typically connect to mobile devices or computers via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Barcode printers usually connect to a computer or other devices through wired or wireless connections, such as USB, Ethernet, or wireless networks. They are compatible with various barcode symbologies, including UPC, EAN, Code 39, QR codes, and more. Some barcode printers may also support additional features like color printing, label cutting, or integration with barcode design software.

When choosing a barcode printer, consider factors such as printing speed, print quality, connectivity options, compatibility with label sizes and materials, and overall durability based on your specific requirements and application needs.

Thank you for allowing Accurate Weighing Scales (U) Ltd the privilege to serve you in advance.

For inquiries on deliveries contact us

Office [phone], [phone]

Address: Wandegeya KCCA Market South Wing, 2nd Floor Room SSF 036

Email:  [email protected]

https://averyweighingscalesuganda.wordpress.com/category/crane-weighing-scales/

#barcodeprinters

[platforms1]

Barcode printing scales with reprint function wholesaler shop Kampala

Digital Barcode Printers in Kampala Uganda

A barcode printer is a device specifically designed for printing barcode labels or tags. It is commonly used in various industries, including retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and more. Barcode printers are essential for generating and printing barcode labels that can be scanned and read by barcode scanners or other automated systems.

Here are some key features and types of barcode printers:

Direct Thermal Printers: These printers use heat-sensitive paper to create the barcode image. They generate images by selectively heating the paper, which then turns black in the heated areas. Direct thermal printers are suitable for short-term applications and do not require ribbons or ink cartridges.

Thermal Transfer Printers: These printers use a thermal printhead to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the label material. The ribbon is heated, and the ink is transferred onto the label, creating a durable barcode image. Thermal transfer printers are ideal for long-lasting labels and can handle various label materials.

Desktop Printers: These compact printers are designed for small to medium volume printing applications. They are commonly used in retail stores, small warehouses, and offices. Desktop printers are cost-effective, easy to use, and offer a range of connectivity options.

Industrial Printers: Industrial barcode printers are built for high-volume printing in demanding environments such as large warehouses or manufacturing facilities. They are robust, durable, and capable of printing large quantities of labels quickly. Industrial printers often offer advanced features like high-resolution printing, large label roll capacity, and rugged construction.

Mobile Printers: Mobile barcode printers are compact and portable, allowing users to print labels on the go. They are commonly used in industries like logistics, field service, and healthcare, where mobility and convenience are crucial. Mobile printers are battery-powered and typically connect to mobile devices or computers via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Barcode printers usually connect to a computer or other devices through wired or wireless connections, such as USB, Ethernet, or wireless networks. They are compatible with various barcode symbologies, including UPC, EAN, Code 39, QR codes, and more. Some barcode printers may also support additional features like color printing, label cutting, or integration with barcode design software.

When choosing a barcode printer, consider factors such as printing speed, print quality, connectivity options, compatibility with label sizes and materials, and overall durability based on your specific requirements and application needs.

Thank you for allowing Accurate Weighing Scales (U) Ltd the privilege to serve you in advance.

For inquiries on deliveries contact us

 Office [phone], [phone]

 Address: Wandegeya KCCA Market South Wing, 2nd Floor Room SSF 036

 Email:  [email protected]

https://barcodescalesuganda.wordpress.com/category/mineral-weighing-scales/

https://weighingscalesineastafrica.wordpress.com/category/mineral-jewelry-weighing-scales/

https://weighingaccurate.wordpress.com/category/jewelry-and-mineral-weighing-scales/

#Crane (hanging) scales Whole sale scales Baby scales Mini palm scales Industrial platforms assorted weighing brands including Avery Salter H

[dcwaterpump]

Met Diverse Needs & Improved End Customer Experience—TOPSFLO Pump | the Pioneer of Intelligent Speed Regulation Technology

With the progress of the times and the development of science and technology, people's demand for smart products is getting higher and higher. This need extends to the pump industry as well. For example, professional fields such as medical treatment, automobiles, laboratories, and water treatment have high requirements for the volume, noise, and power consumption of water pumps. At the same time, the market demand for customized speed is also increasingly strong.

The customized speed regulation function of TOPSFLO DC brushless centrifugal pump (hereinafter referred to as "centrifugal pump") has been widely used in fields that require high speed regulation. Thanks to TOPSFLO's customized speed-regulating water pump solution, infinitely smooth speed regulation can be achieved, and closed-loop control can be realized through speed feedback. Therefore, it can be easily adapted to different working conditions in different industries, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process.

Benefits of Customized Speed Control Function for Small Centrifugal Pumps

At present, there are many types of magnetic drive centrifugal pumps products on the market, many of them do not have speed regulation function, nor do they support customized speed regulation, because the speed regulation function of the pump will make the electronic solution design of the circuit board more complicated, and the requirements for stability and reliability are higher. The cost will also be higher.

TOPSFLO Micro DC Pumps has experienced electronic engineers. When designing electronic solutions, they will consider the needs of customers in different industries. Therefore, the circuit board has excellent performance in terms of stability and reliability, and has been unanimously recognized by many customers at home and abroad. The following are the three major advantages of TOPSFLO centrifugal pump customized speed regulation function:

1.Can adapt to the needs of different stages of actual working conditions

The  magnetic drive centrifugal pump which customized with speed regulation function, can adjust the speed based on the actual application needs, and control and adjust the water flow, water head, and pressure of the pump to meet the actual working conditions of customers in different industries.

2. Low power consumption, high efficiency and long lifetime

The start-up function of the speed-regulated water pump is very prominent, so that the start-up current changes from zero, the maximum value does not exceed the rated current, and it is very stable without impact, and the control power is very small under the same process. Moreover, the efficient speed regulation method can control the output torque more accurately, reduce the motor loss and the heating of the electronic components, prolong the service life of the pump, and save the maintenance cost of the equipment.

3. Simple operation and convenient control

Generally, a centrifugal pump with speed regulation function has 3 wires, namely red wire, black wire and blue wire. Usually, the red wire is the positive pole of the power supply, the black wire is the negative pole of the power supply, and the blue line represents the speed adjustment line. The wiring method of the speed regulation function of the centrifugal pump is very simple, the control is convenient, and troubles caused by improper operation can be reduced.

The excellent performance of the customized speed regulation function of  TOPSFLO small centrifugal pumps is due to the company's excellent R&D and design strength. Started in 2005, TOPSFLO has a group of professional structural engineers, motor engineers and electronic engineers, who can not only customize the speed regulation function, but also customize the size, structure, materials and other aspects of the pump. Over the years, TOPSFLO has cooperated with many internationally renowned companies such as Tesla, Whirlpool, Bosch, KTM, KOHLER and provided OEM supporting services, which has won unanimous praise from customers.

If you have customized needs for OEM projects, TOPSFLO will try our best to meet them; if you want to know more about the speed regulation function of centrifugal pumps, please continue to pay attention to TOPSFLO!

Email: [email protected]

Whatsapp/Wechat：[phone]  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/topsflobrushlessdcwaterpump/

🔗Miniature Diaphragm Liquid Pump: http://www.topsflo.com/mini-liquid-pumps/

🔗Micro Gear Pump: http://www.topsflo.com/micro-gear-pump/

🔗Brushless Centrifugal DC Pump: http://www.topsflo.com/brushless-dc-pump/

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[h2pro-beautylife]

A Comprehensive Overview of Professional Blow Dryers: Understanding and Selecting the Ideal Hair Dryer

When it comes to achieving perfect hairstyles, a hair dryer is an essential tool. Professional blow dryers, specifically designed to deliver outstanding results, are highly sought after by both hairstylists and enthusiasts. This article provides a comprehensive overview of professional blow dryers, outlining their advantages and offering guidance on choosing the best hair dryer for individual needs.

Exploring Professional Blow Dryers: Professional blow dryers stand out due to their powerful airflow, advanced technologies, and ergonomic designs. These dryers are tailor-made to meet the demands of professionals and are widely used in high-end salons. However, they are equally favored by individuals seeking salon-like results at home.

The Power of Airflow: A significant feature of professional blow dryers is their ability to generate a strong and efficient airflow. This reduces drying time, a crucial factor in salon environments where efficiency is key. Additionally, these dryers often include multiple heat and speed settings, allowing customization based on hair type and desired style.

Advanced Technologies for Exceptional Results: Professional blow dryers incorporate state-of-the-art technologies to achieve superior outcomes. Ionic technology, for example, minimizes frizz and static, leaving hair smooth and lustrous. Ceramic and tourmaline technologies are also commonly integrated to ensure even heat distribution and protect the hair from damage.

Ergonomics for Comfort and Ease of Use: Considerable attention is given to the ergonomic design of professional blow dryers. Lightweight construction ensures comfortable handling, even during extended use. Ergonomic handles and strategically placed buttons enhance usability and ensure intuitive operation.

The Best Professional Blow Dryers in the Market: To assist in the search for an ideal professional blow dryer, we present a selection of highly regarded models available in the market:

Black Diamond Dryer – HD3700 Professional Blow Dryer: This lightweight dryer combines a powerful motor with ionic technology for fast drying and reduced frizz.

H2PRO HURRICANE HYBRID 3600 Salon-Grade Hair Dryer: Equipped with advanced ceramic and tourmaline technologies, this dryer offers precise heat control and optimal hair protection.

H2PRO AGACCI D2100 Pro Series Blow Dryer: Built to meet professional needs, this dryer guarantees exceptional performance, durability, and versatility.

These examples represent some of the top professional blow dryers available. When choosing a hair dryer, consider factors such as hair type, desired styling options, and budget.

Conclusion: A professional blow dryer is an indispensable tool for achieving salon-quality hairstyles. With their powerful airflow, advanced technologies, and ergonomic designs, these dryers consistently deliver exceptional results. When searching for the best professional blow dryer, explore reputable brands and models like the ones mentioned above. Invest in a high-quality professional blow dryer to enjoy salon-level styling in the comfort of your own home.