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hischierswhore · 2 years ago

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hostile

pairing: Mason Mount x Reader

TW: cursing // asshole!mason // another warning but i cant think of the word rn

A/N: i’ve been obsessed with angst lately, so here’s this 😀

click to read part 2

You sat in the living room of the home you shared with Mason, your boyfriend of 4 years. You were awaiting his arrival, since he’d been at training all day long. Both of you had been rather busy lately, leaving you both little to no time to enjoy each other’s company & presence, so you took it upon yourself to plan out a little movie night for the pair of you.

You had gone to the market earlier in the day to buy some snacks for your movie night, as well as some wine and some ingredients to make Mason’s favorite dinner.

You had prepared some pasta for the both of you, leaving it in the microwave until he arrived. In the meantime, you decided to watch some tv, putting on some F1 highlights reel. Moments later, the front door opened, and you heard the door slam shut, causing you to jump at the sound.

“Hi, my love” You said as you lifted yourself off the couch and made your way towards your boyfriend with your arms wide open to give him a hug after having not seen him since the night prior, though it was only for a few minutes. His body physically tensed as you pulled him into your embrace, with him also turning his head so you kissed his cheek instead of his lips. You could sense that something was wrong.

“Is everything alright, Mase?” You tried to hold his hand, but he quickly moved it and brushed past you and down the hall to your shared bedroom.

All you could think was if you had done something to upset him throughout the day? You hadn’t really spoken to Mason at all today, so you couldn’t think of a reason as to why he was being so standoff-ish towards you.

You decided to not follow him and began plating both your & his dinner. Once both meals were plated and displayed on your dining table, you gave your bedroom door a soft knock.

“Mase? Uhm, dinner’s ready if you want to eat” You sounded awkward as you stood outside the door to your own bedroom before turning to walk back to the dining room.

5 minutes later, Mason came out of your bedroom and sat down in front of you. You looked up at him for a moment, noticing how he had already changed into his pajamas.

“How was training?” You asked as he silently poked at his food before turning his gaze to you.

“It was fine” He mumbled quietly, yet loud enough that you could hear and slightly understand what he had said. He sounded like he wasn’t interested in having a conversation, so you respected it and stayed quiet for the rest of your meal.

After dinner, you brought your plate to the sink to wash it. Mason walked behind you and threw his plate in the sink, causing you to jump and turn to him.

“I’m sorry, but what the hell is wrong with you today?” You snapped at him, causing Mason to stop walking and turn to face you.

“What are you on about now, Y/n?” He sighed dramatically as he leaned on the refrigerator. You stared at him in disbelief.

“You came home in a pissy mood, and now you’re taking it out on me, and for what reason? I didn’t do anything to you, at least I don’t think I did. On the off-chance that I did indeed do something, then I’m sorry Mason, but you have to tell me-”

“Oh my god, it’s not about you, Y/n. For fucks sake, not everything is” Mason’s hands covered his face as he groaned in annoyance.

“Then could you please tell me what’s going on?” You folded your arms across your chest as you leaned against the sink, waiting to hear whatever he had to say.

“I’m just stressed out because of my stupid fucking contract and now I have a fucking reoccurring injury that makes it very difficult to get back to playing on the pitch with the squad”

“Mase, I get that it’s stressful but-” He cut you off.

“No you don’t, Y/n! You don’t understand how stressful this is for me. You’re at home taking phone calls & doing Zoom meetings while I’m out making the money so we can have this” He shouted as he gestured to everything around him. Tears began to form in your eyes as he shouted at you.

You’d always been a sensitive person, crying whenever someone had raised their voice or gave you any sort of criticism. Mason was very aware of this, and always chose to peacefully talk through things rather than get into a screaming match, but today was different.

“You know what, I get it, Mason. I understand that I don’t make nearly as much money as you do. I understand that I have the luxury of working from home while your job requires you to do physical activity, but you signed up for that job. For you to even insinuate that I don’t do shit for us is entirely disrespectful of you. I work hard, Mason, I really do. You don’t ever see that because, as a result of your chosen line of work, you’re barely ever here to acknowledge it. You can be stressed out with work all you want, but that doesn’t mean you have any right to take your frustrations out on me. Hell, I’m stressed too, but you don’t see me shouting at you & dumping all of my anger onto you like a punching bag. I even went out of my way to plan a little date for us tonight, despite being completely stressed out, but honestly, I don’t even want to be near you right now. You’ve done nothing but be a royal asshole to me since you got home, and I think I deserve better than that” You had a few tears streaming down your face as you spoke. Mason stared at you in shock as you turned the running water off and pushed past him to your bedroom.

You locked the door and immediately grabbed your suitcase, packing items you would need for a few days. You heard the front door slam shut, meaning Mason had just left. You grabbed your belongings, locked the front door and left.

You decided to drive to your parent’s house, which was about 45 minutes away. The drive was filled with silent sobs and tears slowly trickling down your face.

Upon your arrival at your parent’s house, you explained what had happened between you & Mason to your mother and she let you cry on her shoulder.

“Sweet girl” She hugged you tightly as you let the tears fall freely onto her shirt, holding her as close as possible.

“Men can be complete idiots sometimes. I’m sure he’s just under a lot of pressure right now and he accidentally took it out on you. I know you mean well, honey, but maybe he just needs some space & time to himself. Do you know how many times arguments like this happened between your father & I? He’ll come crawling back to you once he realizes how stupid he was” She reassured you as she squeezed you briefly before helping you take your belongings to the guest bedroom.

She left the room shortly after, allowing you to properly settle in. You took your charger out of your bag & plugged it into the outlet before taking your phone out of your pocket and plugging it in.

When your phone had adjusted to the new lighting in the room as opposed to the darkness of your pocket, the screen lit up, revealing a plethora of notifications.

You had 8 missed calls and 37 unread text messages from Mason. You decided to turn your phone off for the remainder of your stay at your parent’s residence.

As much as you loved Mason, he was the last person you wanted to see or talk to right now. His words hurt you, and you wouldn’t be quick to accept his apology.

~~~~~~~~~~

taglist

@ithinkimokeei @myheartgoesvroom @mounthings @tall-tanned-tattoo @itsnotgray @alwaysclassyeagle @charlewiss @pianoisland @fallingin20 @chelseagirl98 @lovelynikol16 @username-envy @pulisicsgirl @notsoattractivearenti @swimmingismywholelife @neverinadream @thoseboysinblue

#✎ natalie writes #mason mount #mason mount angst #mason mount x reader #mason mount x you #mason mount x y/n #mason mount imagine #mason mount fanfic

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theseshipsshallsail · 6 months ago

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Summary:

The brush of Oliver’s sun-bleached fringe tickles his midsection, and the livewire tremor that shoots up Elio’s thighs makes his own mouth fall slack; the lump in his tinder-dry throat so pronounced it’s a chore to overcome it. There are so many things he wants to say. Promises and declarations he’s wholly unqualified to voice; especially when all he has to offer is himself. If not later, when, yes, but Oliver’s intense focus sees him oscillating between god and tribute: worshipped and worshipper.

Mounted on the wall in Elio’s summer bedroom is a framed, antique postcard of Monet’s berm. A six by four, run-of-the-mill keepsake that Maynard - his father’s post-grad intern of two years prior - fished out of a Parisian flea market before mailing on a whim. The tranquil scene dates back to 1905 - near as they can tell from the perforated postage stamp - and while the sepia-toned inscription has faded with time, the image on the front remains an accurate depiction of his secret spot.

The place he used to come to immerse himself in the daring, comic book adventures of Diabolik, or the universal themes of love, loss, and mortality selected from his parents’ library.

The place he’s all but convinced he magicked Oliver to life.

Like sentinels, tall, marine pines surround the hidden copse, their branches providing crucial shelter for the finches and sparrows that flit among the crimson poppies. The sky above is equally divine - azure and cloudless where it skirts the mountain pass - while to the east, a twin-hulled fishing boat trawls the secluded cove; its lone pescatore the sole exception to their blessed illusion of privacy.

In short, it’s exquisite, and as slightly-chapped lips form a decadent seal around the head of his leaking cock, Elio can’t help envisioning this raw, pornographic snapshot in all its Impressionist glory, also. Hung on proud display beside the great man’s Water Lilies, perhaps? A study of light and shadow to rival La Femme à la Robe Verte, herself.

The luckiest kid in the world, Oliver called him once, and indeed, the toe-curling decadence of being taken to the root does something to his crowded ribcage.

Finds him longing to remain in this halcyon afternoon forever.

Schmaltzy, perhaps, but no less true. This isn’t just lust. Some animal desire for completion. It lingers between them: that unspoken understanding. Soothing the nerves that twist his butterfly stomach. Oliver’s devotion - his care - his everything, really, flows through him like the cresting waves below, so Elio can be forgiven for hoarding his confessions as a dragon would gold: utterly distracted by the coaxing pattern of flicks and half-circles that unravel him entirely.

For melting into the dual sensations of too-much and not enough.

For gasping and moaning and honest to God whimpering as the other man plays his body like a magnum opus on the Bösendorfer’s ivory keys.

Oliver’s eyes are closed, he realises. Dark lashes skimming the rosy hue of his cheeks; though be it from exertion or arousal he can’t quite determine. Damp with sweat, blond hair sticks to his temple as he bobs his head methodically, and when Elio cranks up on his elbows to get a better angle, the slow-burn in his abdomen has his knuckles blanching white; an unequivocal harbinger of his barrelling orgasm.

As if on cue, the familiar warmth of Oliver’s palm cradles his drawn-tight scrotum; the pad of a questing finger sliding further to his saliva-slick rim. Elio shivers - biting his star of David when it nudges inside - and with a muffled cry he digs his heels into the grassy bank; electrified limbs seeking purchase when Oliver doubles his expert machinations. Darting his tongue out to trace the prominent vein on the underside of his shaft. Gathering the pearls of excitement as he drives him exorbitantly to the edge.

Taking him apart like he was born for it.

Like they were born for each other.

“Sono vicino," Elio warns, spine arching as that cornflower gaze leaves him feeling seen - recognised - like never before.

His hips buck amidst the swirling strokes: a steady pressure applied perfectly. Lungs heaving, he writhes beneath Oliver’s munificence. Or maybe Oliver writhes with him? Either way, it’s instinctive - a blatant challenge - and Elio comes like it’s being torn out of him. Staring blindly. Garbling out a collection of sounds barely ascribable to any specific language, then begging under his feverish breaths that you’ll kill me if you stop.

Unsurprisingly - yet most deservedly - Oliver’s smirking when he floats back down to earth: Elio can feel it in the graze of teeth against his thigh.

Knows he’s smirking, too, even as he sucks in deep gulps of air; replaying the moment on repeat like a scratched vinyl record.

“Your turn,” he chokes out hoarsely when his heart regains a healthy rhythm, and Oliver’s giddy laughter is lost to a groan when Elio kisses a thousand sonnets over the flushed bronze skin of his torso; green bathing suit tossed who-knows-where as he stokes the embers of need into a towering inferno: white-hot and consuming.

#cmbyn fanfic #call me by your name #elio x oliver

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rhysdarbinizedarby · 1 year ago

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Our Flag Means Death Season 2

The New Zealand Film Commission and Tourism New Zealand partner with Max for season two of Our Flag Means Death to showcase New Zealand to international audiences.

Fast Facts

96% New Zealand crew

78% New Zealand cast

Production based at Kumeu Film Studios

Post-production took place in Auckland

10 New Zealand HODs

67 shoot days

35 sets built

780 Crew

Our Flag Means Death is executive produced by creator-showrunner David Jenkins and Emmy®-nominated star and New Zealander Taika Waititi. In addition to his duties as showrunner, Jenkins directed the first two episodes of season two. Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, and Antoine Douaihy also serve as executive producers. Production for the show moved from Los Angeles to New Zealand for its second season.

Our Flag Means Death stars New Zealanders Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby and David Fane, as well as Madeleine Sami (most recently of the Australian mystery-comedy Deadloch) and Samoan-born Anapela Polataivao.

Many of the key creatives and department heads are New Zealanders, including writer Maddie Dai, production designer Ra Vincent, hair and makeup designer Nancy Vincent and art decorator Megan Vertelle. Together, this talented team elevated Our Flag Means Death, contributing their individual expertise to create a visually stunning and emotionally engaging viewing experience. Of the 780 crew contracted onto the show, 350 worked full time.

Creative talent and picturesque landscapes were key motivators for the move Down Under. Showrunner David Jenkins said “We were looking at the season two budget and asking ‘How do you get the most money on screen?’ New Zealand was the answer. I’ve seen more of our budget end up on screen than it did in the U.S. in season one.”

New Zealand also added a breath-taking backdrop to the swashbuckling adventures of the crew. The lush greenery and stunning coastline provided the perfect setting for the 67-day shoot in Auckland at the end of 2022. There were around 50 sets involved, including the 30-acre forest behind the Kumeu Film Studio, Piha Beach, Howick Historical Village and the wild, black sand Bethells Beach.

And there’s one returning figure impossible to miss on the soundstage: The Revenge, the stately ship that Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard (a.k.a. Ed) commandeered at the end of season one. In real life, it was carefully transported across the Pacific Ocean from the show’s original Los Angeles soundstage. The Revenge is approximately 7m x 28m and there were 3x boat sets that were used to create 10 different boats. The production shot in the Dive Tank at Kumeu Film Studios, built a floating market in the Republic of Pirates, and provided storm water effects for The Revenge.

vimeo

Virtual Production

Given that many scenes in Our Flag Means Death take place on the deck of a ship at sea, virtual production was the most practical and cost-effective way of filming.

Virtual production is the process of generating motion picture or computer-generated photorealistic imagery displayed on a dynamically active large scale LED wall to create a ‘virtual’ environment or location on a soundstage.

Surrounding the ship was a giant “volume” wall comprised of 1700 LED monitors displaying a photorealistic ocean background with rolling waves. As a crane-mounted camera weaved around, the images on the digital display moved with it, creating a seamlessly integrated backdrop.

The New Zealand vendors that worked on the screen were NEP Sweetwater, NEP Big Picture, Riggaz with Attitudes, Theatrical Solutions, Xytech and Disguise.

The creative benefit of shooting on the volume wall was that the production could shoot in multiple locations and times of day all within just a few hours. Additionally, the actors could interact with what they are seeing and the lighting shifted in real time.

Careful planning of scenes and shots resulted in the rapid and efficient deployment of a select number of pre-processed moving plates (backgrounds) on set. Paihia, Bay of Islands, Mercer Bay Loop and Waitakere were among the New Zealand locations featured in the plate shots.

The New Zealand Screen Production Rebate - (International) and 5% Uplift

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) partnered with Max on season two of the show as a part of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant 5% Uplift.

The partnership recognised the significant economic, cultural and industry benefits the Our Flag Means Death production brought to New Zealand. This included a marketing partnership with TNZ and NZFC to promote New Zealand as a tourism and filmmaking destination. It also included a knowledge-sharing programme related to the LED Volume Wall used during production, and collaborations with New Zealand-based virtual production companies and a wider industry workshop.

The 5% Uplift has now been redeveloped:It’s simple to navigate, and the criteria is clearer and more objective. Has increased opportunities to earn points in the test. Has increased weighting on New Zealand screen workforce development and production activity. Recognises repeat business to encourage studios and productions to return. Introduces sustainability criteria to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s shift to a low-emissions economy.

Applications open for the redeveloped 5% Uplift on 1 November 2023, documentation and guidance will be provided before this date.

The New Zealand Film Commission administers the NZSPR for International Productions on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The purpose of the NZSPR for International Productions is to incentivise the production of foreign and domestic large budget films, television and other format productions in New Zealand in order to provide economic and industry development benefits to New Zealand. More information here.

A domestic rebate is also available to New Zealand productions and Official Co-productions. Click here for more information.

About Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death is based (very) loosely on the true adventures of 18th century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby). After trading the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede became captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes changed after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). To their surprise, the wildly different Stede and Blackbeard found more than friendship on the high seas…they found love. Now, they have to survive it.

In New Zealand, season two debuts on Neon on October 6 and is coming soon to Sky Open.

Source: New Zealand Film Commission

#rhys darby #taika waititi #ofmd #our flag means death #david jenkins #nzfilm #new zealand film commission #Vimeo #ofmd s2 spoilers

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hugovance · 1 month ago

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who: @lencra when: flashback, westerlands where: arts market

"I have never seen such beautiful art beyond the reaches of the Reach." Hugo spoke as he walked over to stand before one of the tapestries. It was a grand display of Vermithor mounted by the last living Dragon King if one ignored those on their stone. And while Hugo did not have a hint of admiration for the man who ruled New Valyria, he appreciated a man of the arts. Or, perhaps, a realm that appreciated the arts. It was what he enjoyed of the Reach, flowery and pompous but brilliant. As brilliant as they were cunning.

As he turned his head he recognized the woman because he had a knack for faces and names and this face belong to the dragon king's queen and as such he bowed forward. "Your Highness, an honor to meet you." He stood up and looked back at the tapestry. "Are you glad to be back in the Westerlands? Beautiful lands." Half as nice as the Riverlands but twice as nice as the Crownlands. Who wouldn't miss being home?

#c: lenora #lenora001

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womanexile · 11 months ago

Note

https://twitter.com/iamnearlyhome/status/1736801787561357359?t=d0MyaNVKPhn2bju5bisweg&s=19

The end of the affair is always death.

She’s my workshop. Slippery eye,

out of the tribe of myself my breath

finds you gone. I horrify

those who stand by. I am fed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Finger to finger, now she’s mine.

She’s not too far. She’s my encounter.

I beat her like a bell. I recline

in the bower where you used to mount her.

You borrowed me on the flowered spread.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Take for instance this night, my love,

that every single couple puts together

with a joint overturning, beneath, above,

the abundant two on sponge and feather,

kneeling and pushing, head to head.

At night alone, I marry the bed.

I break out of my body this way,

an annoying miracle. Could I

put the dream market on display?

I am spread out. I crucify.

My little plum is what you said.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Then my black-eyed rival came.

The lady of water, rising on the beach,

a piano at her fingertips, shame

on her lips and a flute’s speech.

And I was the knock-kneed broom instead.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

She took you the way a woman takes

a bargain dress off the rack

and I broke the way a stone breaks.

I give back your books and fishing tack.

Today’s paper says that you are wed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

The boys and girls are one tonight.

They unbutton blouses. They unzip flies.

They take off shoes. They turn off the light.

The glimmering creatures are full of lies.

They are eating each other. They are overfed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

#nearly home

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why-rock-look-tasty-if-no-eat · 4 months ago

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Silly Game Time: You are getting an all-expenses-paid vacation for one month to anywhere in the world. Where would you choose to go?

Japan, I really miss Kyoto and I have some unfinished beef with the museums I went to. Namely not being able to buy everything that I wanted. There's this gem museum next to Mount Fuji that doubles as a jeweler and I would love to some of the more pricier items than what I was able to get last time. Another museum would be the Kyoto National Museum because omgs do they have stunning artwork and they live rent free in my head. The statues they have are especially breathtaking, it's insane to think that they were carved by hand from wood. Some of those statues are like 7 ft tall and are insanely detailed!

Back to the gem museum, there's a trend over there that I love, it's where the jewelers cut a pattern into the gem to make it look like a star then hang it horizontally to make it look like it's 'dancing' and I'd love to have a diamond version of it because I only have a zircon one. They also have a history in gemology and I could easily spend another three hours in that museum just looking at their displays. Not to mention that they offer to sell some high quality stuff, and the exchange rate practically halves the price for USD.

Tokyo is definitely third on the list, I want to get more creators build figures from Monster Hunter World (MHW) and to just window shop and get some more art. A cat and owl cafe is also on the agenda, the cost adds up the longer you stay. Honestly I'd love to just be able to revisit places I've been and see shrines I didn't see yet, go to more of the monthly flea markets and such. I never thought I'd be able to an ivory carving (terrible and I hope the guy was just getting rid of some heirlooms that was gotten humanely. I doubt it though) right next to a guy selling strawberries and veggies.

The strawberries tasted delicious. Speaking of food, I'd probably try and visit some night markets since I didn't last time (social anxiety let's gooo) and try out some real street food. Maybe go to more corner restaurants and such. Buy more clothes since they're made with humid heat in mind and where I live it's both. That and I like their style.

Uh, if it's a good time of year I'd probably head down to Okinawa and swim in one of their beaches since the province acts similar to Hawai'i being a vacation destination from mainlanders.

For my last three days or so I'd try and see if I could do what I couldn't do last time and go from the lowest point to the highest point in Japan. That's been a goal of mine for some years now and I couldn't fit it into my schedule last time.

It's been almost a year since I was there for work and I still think about Japan. Their work ethic is insane but it's at a pace I'm used to and not every country is perfect. They can be pretty racist but honestly I experienced less racism over there than back in the states. Everyone I met was lovely and didnt judge me to much for tripping up on speaking Japanese. I can understand them verbally and written well enough to get by but their syntax makes it hard for me to write or speak. And, well, since it's all expenses paid I'd take along my family and friends and I'd get to show them the country that holds a piece of my heart 💙

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fleurcareil · 1 year ago

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BC: West Kootenay

Once back down Mount Revelstoke, I picked up a delicious poke bowl from a food truck to eat while waiting for the ferry across Upper Arrow lake... which instead of 30-50 minutes turned out into a 1h20 wait due to delays, mechanical problems etc. A bit of a shame, especially as due to the smoke there was not much to see! 😒

I had been recommended that this would be a good place to paddle which I can imagine on a clear day but I wouldn't venture on the water in these conditions... I might not find my way back! 😅 On the ferry we were laughing that the scenery was so extremely pretty, at least in our imagination 😝

After the ferry landed on the east side of the lake, I had one of the best experiences so far in my entire time in Canada; soaking in the hot springs of Halfway River! 😍❤ It's a bit of a trek to get there, first on a rough stoney road & then 100s of stairs down to the valley floor but it's absolutely worth it! There's 3 man-made pools of different temperatures (the hottest was way too warm), a few natural pools a little bit further and then the river to cool you down. I understand why people I spoke to have been returning for years on end, I could stay here forever ☺... there's no better feeling than to get really hot and then plunge head down into the cold water! Most people tend to only sit in the cold water not submerging their head, so I taught a girl & a few ladies the real magic of going all-in with the hot & cold cycle 🤩 (which they loved after the first shock)

Unfortunately I did need to say goodbye to the hot springs as I had another hour to drive to New Denver (next time, I'll stay at the on-site campground!), where I stayed at a hotel run by a friendly Chinese family, so had yummy Chinese food but the room was stuffy and hot 🔥, probably better off camping despite the smoke.

Over dinner, I had a great conversation with an older couple who has travelled the world including Scotland and Colombia so it was fun to exchange notes. It did also make me realize that although I very much enjoy traveling to explore new places, I get my real energy from living in a different country, building a new life there and getting a deeper understanding of the culture (like I did in Canada 😍)... I see my road trip as a farewell to this amazing country that I call home, and although it seems distant at this moment, I'm looking forward to starting a new life in Chile, so together with the worsening fires in BC it felt I was coming to an end to my travels soon. I still had 6 more nights in the Okanagan booked that I was excited about but perhaps after that it would be good to start my return. Fast forward 2 days (as per one of my previous posts); after having had terrible smoke in Nelson and more areas being evacuated I did cancel the bookings and returned east, not even making it to the Okanagan 😔

For now however, the next morning was slightly better and it made me happy to see some snow-covered mountains and semi-blue sky from my window! 😀 I was told that New Denver is a hidden gem so I walked around the old downtown and bought delicious orangy cake from the farmers market. Thereafter, I visited the Nikkei memorial centre at the location of a Japanese Canadian WW2 internment camp which had ofcourse shocking displays and a pretty Japanese garden (I've had my fill now of internment info though; I better hope Canada will never have a war with the Dutch or the French 😅). There was another Japanese meditation garden on the lake but by then the wind had kicked up a frenzy, signalling it was time to leave!

Driving across the mountains to Kootenay Lake, I stopped by in Sandon, which is billed as a ghost town but I didn't get a good idea of its history (I'm guessing mining ?)... currently, it's more of a repository of old trucks, train wagons and a whole collection of electric trolley busses (incl. one from Hamilton!) that are waiting to be restored and put back into use (questionable given their current state). The iced coffee was delicious! 😁

In Kaslo, I visited the SS Moyie Sternwheeler which had functioned as the only local transportation for the villages along the 105km long Kootenay lake until the road was built. The ship is beautifully restored and I can imagine this was pure luxury at the time!

After a well-deserved icecream and a chat with dear Priyanka 😍, I had quick stops at a strangely rounded covered bridge and some falls (of which I've also reached my limit now) and then on to Nelson. My tent site was a bit different on a deck high above the rest of the campground... put in extra stones to make sure I wouldn't roll off in the middle of the night. 😅 Delicious Italian food & local wine on a patio with live music capped off a good day ☺

Next morning though, the smoke was double heavy although it had cooled down 10 degrees overnight, and the bad news of fire evacuations kept rolling in so pulled the plug and canceled my existing reservations (they would have been nulled by the end of the day anyway because of the travel restrictions put in place for tourists), and booked new ones in East Kootenay on the way back to the Rockies. Feeling drab, I spent some time inside at the visitor centre and a restaurant but the smoke was everywhere...it did not only physically feel bad but also mentally it wore me down like a heavy blanket trying to suffocate.😔

I had driven by the Ainsworth hotsprings the previous day so went back and had some good time there... they also have a "cave" in which you can swim which was different... didn't beat the forest hot springs but the warm water was soothing anyway!

In the evening, I went to an Oppenheimer party at the cinema with live music & drinks before the movie, something completely different! 😀 I briefly met an interesting couple who live happily in Nelson & had met many years ago, after she had decided to grow roots in Nelson "because it felt home" after a summer job... gave me hope I'll have the same home feeling when I'll set foot in Chile!

Despite not having been able to truly experience West Kootenay as I had wanted to, I feel that this is an amazing region so will hopefully come back here another time, just not in August.

Wildlife: 2 turkeys, 1 bald eagle, 2 deer, 1 salamander

SUPs: none

Hikes: none

Hot springs: two 🤗

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data-bridge · 2 years ago

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Head Mounted Display Market

#Global Head Mounted Display Market #semiconductors #electronics

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rohitpalan · 8 months ago

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Head-Mounted Display Market Projected to Surge at 25.9% CAGR, Anticipated to Reach US$ 151.29 Billion by 2033

The Head Mounted Display (HMD) Market is poised to undergo a remarkable transformation between 2023 and 2033, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25.9%. Starting at US$ 15.12 billion in 2023, the market is expected to surge to a staggering US$ 151.29 billion by 2033.

Request Sample of This Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-73

Key Figures:

Anticipated CAGR: 25.9%

2023 Market Value: US$ 15.12 billion

2033 Market Value: US$ 151.29 billion

Drivers and Opportunities: The burgeoning demand for head-mounted displays can be attributed to the gaming industry’s insatiable appetite for Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technologies. Moreover, the declining prices of micro-displays are poised to fuel market growth further. The rising necessity for mobile-based AR solutions is expected to be a key growth catalyst in the coming years.

Furthermore, the surge in consumer demand for head-mounted equipment is primarily driven by advancements in display technology, enabling users to experience features such as immersive 3D viewing and high-resolution displays. The controlled demand from the defense sector and the increasing adoption in medical settings are expected to contribute significantly to the revenue growth of the head-mounted device market during the forecasted period. Notably, HMDs are finding increasing applications in medical contexts, facilitating various surgeries and dental procedures. Additionally, their utilization in virtual automobile design and cloud computing for automotive prototyping presents promising avenues for growth in the head-mounted display market.

Competitive Landscape – Regional Trends: The Head Mounted Display market landscape is characterized by intense competition, with key players vying for dominance across regions. North America, with its robust technological infrastructure and early adoption of AR/VR technologies, remains a lucrative hub for market players. Europe is also witnessing substantial growth, driven by expanding applications in healthcare and automotive sectors. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and Japan, is emerging as a key market, riding on the back of its vast consumer base and rapid industrialization.

Restraints: Despite the impressive growth prospects, the head-mounted display market faces some challenges. Technical limitations, such as weight and discomfort, continue to hinder mass adoption. Additionally, concerns related to data privacy and cybersecurity in AR/VR applications pose potential risks.

Request Report Methodology: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-73

Region-wise Insights – Category-wise Insights:

North America: Dominates the market, driven by strong investments in AR/VR technologies, primarily in the gaming and entertainment sectors.

Europe: Experiencing steady growth, with the healthcare and automotive industries adopting HMDs for training and design purposes.

Asia-Pacific: Shows immense potential, with China and Japan at the forefront of AR/VR adoption, not only in entertainment but also in education and healthcare.

Rest of the World: Witnessing gradual growth, with select countries exploring applications in defense and industrial training.

Who is Winning?

Market participants have been concentrating on developments. As businesses strive for a competitive advantage, spending on research and development will keep rising. Microsoft Corporation, Google, Samsung, BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, Huawei Technologies, HTC Corporation, Sony Corporation, LG Electronics, Thales Visionix, Inc., Xiaomi, and Avegant Corp. are a few of the top companies active in the market.

Key Segments Covered of the Head Mounted Display Market

Product Type

Head Mounted

Eyewear

HMD Type

Discrete HMD

Integrated HMD

Slide-on HMD

Application

Gaming, Media,& Entertainment

Aerospace, and Defense

Healthcare and Medical Devices

Engineering & Industry Applications

Education

Others

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia& Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

#Head Mounted Display (HMD) Market

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strangemusictriumph · 2 years ago

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Transparent Display Market - Forecast (2022 - 2027)

Transparent Displays Market size is forecast to reach $7.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 44.9% during 2021-2026. Growing demand for liquid crystal display based transparent displays for various verticals, increasing usage of transparent display for Head-Mounted Display (HMDs), and Head-Mounted Display products is analyzed to enhance the Transparent Display market share. In addition high growth for OLED based transparent display devices and high adoption of transparent display for digital signage products are expected to create significant growth opportunities for players in the market during the forecast period. In 2020, JDI developed transparent display with 87% high transparency, which is nearly the same as looking through a clear glass when the display is turned off. In 2020, Panasonic has released commercial 55-inch transparent self-illuminating transparent OLED display panel that does not require a backlight. Hence these developments are analyzed to drive the Transparent Display industry in the forecast period 2021-2026.

Report Coverage

The report: “Transparent Displays Market Report– Forecast (2021-2026)”,by IndustryARC covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Transparent Display market

By Type: LCD, OLED, E-Paper, Others

By Product: HMD, HUD, Digital Signage, Smart Appliance

By Display Size: Small, Medium, and Large

By Resolution: HD, Full HD, UHD, Others

By End User: Industrial, Retail and hospitality, Automotive, Aerospace and defense, Transportation, Healthcare, Sports and entertainment, others.

By Geography: North America (U.S, Canada, Mexico), South America(Brazil, Argentina and others), Europe(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Others), APAC(China, Japan India, SK, Aus and Others), and RoW (Middle East and Africa)

Request Sample

Key Takeaways

Transparent Display market in APAC region held a significant market share of 39.2% in 2020, due to the increase in demand for transparent displays in various end users, such as automotive, Electronics, healthcare.

OLED segment has held significant share of 38% in 2020, rise in demand for OLED display technology due to advantages such as improved image quality, better contrast, higher brightness and much faster refresh rates with lower power consumption as compared to liquid crystal display technology is analyzed to drive the market growth.

High adoption of transparent display for digital signage products is analysed to drive the market growth.

Healthcare sector in Transparent Display Market is expected to witness a highest CAGR of 45.8% the forecast period. Increasing technological advancements in the healthcare industry is paving the way for the use of transparent displays in applications, such as surgery and patient check-up.

Transparent Display Market Segment Analysis - By Type

OLED segment has held significant share of 38.2% in 2020, rise in demand for OLED display technology due to advantages such as improved image quality, better contrast, higher brightness and much faster refresh rates with lower power consumption as compared to liquid crystal display technology is analysed to drive the market growth. Transparent OLED maximizes the advantages of OLED and can be used in various places from stores to autonomous vehicles. Moreover several companies have been launching advanced transparent OLED displays to gain the market traction. In 2021, LG Display has announced its plans to launch its transparent OLED screen. In 2020, Panasonic has released commercial 55-inch transparent self-illuminating transparent OLED display panel that does not require a backlight Hence, OLED display technology expected to provide ample opportunities for the transparent display market during the forecast period 2021-2026.

Inquiry Before Buying

Transparent Display Market Segment Analysis - By End User

Healthcare sector in Transparent Display Market is expected to witness a highest CAGR of 45.8% in the forecast period. Increasing technological advancements in the healthcare industry is paving the way for the use of transparent displays in applications, such as surgery and patient checkup. Transparent displays are being deployed to assist surgeons during critical operations. In addition, the healthcare industry is exhibiting a substantial growth Y-o-Y, moreover several companies and research institutes are developing these displays for various applications. In 2021, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has developed a transparent display surgical navigation system that can reduce the risk of surgery. This system provides high accuracy direct view type virtual-real fusion image information to meet the needs of preoperative communication and intraoperative navigation. In addition this can also be used in medical teaching and smart surgery in the future. Similarly, Companies such as LG, Planar and other are providing digital signage and display technology for the healthcare industry ranges across applications in hospitals and medical offices abound. Hence these global trends are analyzed to create demand for Transparent Display industry in the forecast period 2021-2026.

Transparent Display Market Segment Analysis - By Geography

Transparent Display market in APAC region held significant market share of 39.2% in 2020, due to the increase in demand for transparent displays in various end users, such as automotive, Electronics, healthcare and so on is driving the market growth. In addition, high demand for transparent display panels in South Korea, China, and Japan is a major contributor to the growth of the market. The presence of display panel manufacturers gives it a prime benefit of adopting the latest technology-based display devices, which provides ample opportunities to the transparent display market. In 2019, LG Electronics Inc. completed the construction of its new transparent OLED screen production plant in China. This would extensively increase the production of transparent OLED screens, in display sizes of 55 inches and above, by 60,000 units per month. In 2020, Chinese electronics company Xiaomi has launched Mi TV LUX an edge-to-edge transparent display. Hence these factors are analyzed to drive the transparent display industry outlook.

Schedule a Call

Transparent Display Market Drivers

Growing number of product launches with advancements is analyzed to drive the market.

Transparent displays are expected to change the way of using displays as this technology helps in displaying or transferring information. Many companies are investing in huge amount in R&D activities of transparent display technology. For instance, Samsung to launch a new triple foldable tablet and a transparent display phone in 2021. Similarly in 2021, Crystal Display Systems are planning to introduce the curved transparent liquid crystal display for retail displays that really give that unique edge that stand out from the usual displays. Japanese scientists invented intelligent glasses that remembers the place where people saw their keys, mobiles, and other things for the last time. Moreover, emergence of virtual reality devices compatible with smartphones supplements growth of this market. Furthermore, increasing awareness and adoption of advanced technologies are the factors that drive transparent display market share in the forecast period 2021-2026.

Miniaturization of Electronic Devices Drives the Need and Development of Transparent Display Technologies

These days, advanced technologies are growing faster where in each technology is renewed with implementation of new one. The transparent display came to solve major problems related to the device miniaturization. This lack of space on screen-based displays provide an opportunity for the development of transparent displays. The growth in transparent display market can be attributed to presence of major manufacturers and increasing R&D investments towards technology and product development by research universities and major manufacturers. In 2019, Samsung has announced to invest $11 Billion into Next-Generation Displays. Similarly LG has committed to invest heavily for the development of this technology. Hence these investments are analyzed to provide opportunities for the Transparent Display market in the forecast period 2021-2026.

Transparent Display Market Challenges

High Capital Investment Required for the Development of Transparent Displays

Although Transparent Display market is analyzed to grow at a significant rate, the high initial investments required for the R&D of this technology is set to hamper the growth of the market. The competitive display technology segment, new functionalities will increase the cost of development of the products related to this technology. On the other hand most of the technologies required for the outward of transparent display are in development stage only. The high initial investments and slow development process will hinder the Transparent Display market size in the forecast period.

Buy Now

Transparent Display Market Landscape

Product launches, acquisitions, Partnerships and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Transparent Display market. Transparent Display top 10 companies include Apple, Inc., AU Optronics Corp., Google, Inc., LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, UDC Corp., Panasonic Corp., Sony Corp, Pioneer and Philips Corp. among others.

Acquisitions/Product Launches

In 2020, Panasonic has released 55-inch transparent OLED display module. The new Panasonic product uses a self-illuminating transparent OLED display panel that does not require a backlight.

In 2020, LG has partnered with Assa Abloy to supply transparent OLED automatic doors.

For more Electronics related reports, please click here

#Transparent Display Market #Transparent Display Market Size #Transparent Display Industry #Transparent Display Market Share #Transparent Display Market Report #Transparent Display Industry Outlook #Transparent Display #Display

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mythologeekwriter · 1 year ago

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[Video ID: A series of clips of Jonathan Frakes in Fact or Fiction.

In the first, he is seated and asks "Have you ever walked out of a mall into a huge parking area and realised you'd forgotten where you parked your car?"

In the second, he wears a yellow bicycle helmet and briefly cycles towards the camera, then stops and asks "Ever gone mountain biking?"

In the third he is stood behind a desk with books, a magnifying glass and other assorted objects on it, holding books, and asks "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

In the fourth, he is sat a table with a red and white checked table-cloth on it, and gestures with a menu as he asks "What's the right tip?"

In the fifth, he is leant against a sink, and asks "Have you called a plumber to your home lately?"

In the sixth, he stands beside a ladder and asks "How superstitious are you?"

In the seventh, he holds bundles of paper money, stood in front of a desk with a tombstone on it, and asks "How much money would it take for you to spend the night in a cemetery?"

In the eighth, he stands by a pair of antlers mounted on a wall, and asks "Would you display this as a trophy?"

In the ninth, he stands by a desk covered in toys, and asks "Do you have a pet?"

In the tenth, he stands by a glass cupboard containing cakes and asks "Do you have a sweet tooth?"

In the eleventh, he holds a rock, and asks "Do you believe in the power of a curse?"

In the twelfth, he sits by a screen which is probably displaying the graphs resulting from a hearing test and asks "Have you had your hearing tested lately?"

In the thirteenth, he walks across the room as he asks "Planning a trip soon?"

In the fourteenth, the camera shows only his head and shoulders, as he asks "Can you remember the tallest men you've ever seen?"

In the fifteenth, he walks across the room as he asks "Do you love to go a'wandering beneath a clear blue sky?".

In the sixteenth, he opens a newspaper as he asks "Have you ever noticed what big stars real estate agents have become?"

In the seventeenth, he holds papers and asks "Are you careful with your personal records?"

In the eighteenth, he sits by a laptop and printer and asks "Does your computer ever seem to have a mind of its own?"

In the nineteenth, he walks across the room in the direction of a desk with candles on it, asking "Have you ever visited a Chinatown section in a major city?"

In the twentieth, he carries a box and walks across the room, asking "Have you ever visited a flea market?"

In the twenty-first, he sits at a counter and asks "Have you ever visited a truck-stop?"

In the twenty-second, he carries a tray wand asks "Have you ever had a job as a waiter?"

In the twenty-third, he stands by a poster for "The Walking Plank", which has the name of the restaurant in all caps, and the words "Fun & food for the whole family" also in all caps, with an image of a pirate carrying a burger. He walks sideways, asking "Have you ever noticed just how many successful restaurants are theme-based these days?". As he does so, a poster reading "Coconut Cave" with an image of a a palm tree becomes visible.

In the twenty-fourth, and final, he walks towards a tray of wet cement with a stick, and asks "Have you ever had the desire to write your initials in wet cement?"

End ID.]

me messaging a casual acquaintance: hello, how are you?

me messaging a best friend w/zero lead-in:

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aiwikiweb · 7 days ago

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Maximize Your Content's Impact with Recraft AI: Tips and Tricks

Recraft AI offers powerful tools to convert 2D images and videos into immersive 3D experiences. To fully leverage these capabilities, consider the following tips:

Main Content:

Tip 1: Utilize the Neural Depth Engine for Precise Conversions

Explanation: The Neural Depth Engine generates detailed depth maps, ensuring accurate and realistic 3D conversions. Take advantage of its precision to enhance the quality of your content.

Tip 2: Experiment with Camera Controls for Dynamic Motion

Explanation: Use Recraft AI's camera controls to add dynamic motion to your 3D visuals. Adjusting angles and perspectives can create more engaging and interactive content.

Tip 3: Preview and Adjust Settings Before Finalizing

Explanation: Before completing the conversion, utilize the preview feature to see how your content will appear in 3D. Make necessary adjustments to achieve the desired effect.

Tip 4: Optimize Content for Various Platforms

Explanation: Ensure your 3D content is compatible with different devices, including mobile phones, head-mounted displays, and 3D screens, to reach a broader audience.

Tip 5: Stay Updated with New Features and Tutorials

Explanation: Regularly check for updates and tutorials to learn about new features and best practices, keeping your content creation process efficient and effective

Use these tips to enhance your marketing strategy with Recraft AI. Visit Recraft AI and see how AI-driven insights can help you achieve your goals.

#MarketingTips #RecraftAI #PredictiveAnalytics #2Dto3D #ContentCreation #CampaignAutomation #LeadGeneration #MarketingStrategy #AIinMarketing

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charlenasaxen · 11 days ago

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The Radix Quotes

“The Holy Guard had tracked him to Notre-Dame. Amid flickering torches, the eighty mounted warriors”

“They would not rest until della Rovere revealed his secret. Could he endure their torture? The priest feared he was unsuited for martyrdom.”

“golden cuirass and headdress shimmering in torchlight. The tail, woven in a net studded with pearls and rubies, slapped against its hide. Hooves shod in gold stamped”

“The bloodthirsty Duke of Valentinois was not among his cavalry”

“Cesare Borgia emerged from the bell tower. The tall duke was draped in a velvet cloak with gold brocade”

“Cesare Borgia had once been considered the most handsome man of his age”

“The Radix is the unfathomable mystery of God. The Secret of Secrets.”

“Della Rovere would never surrender the Radix to a man who poisoned enemies and corrupted the Church”

“I believe you, Father. You are a thief, not a liar. But know that I shall find it.”

“lightning glinted over the Abbaye de Saint-Germain”

“I’m speaking about how you killed her.”

“I did not mean for that to happen.”

“His childhood friend, Machiavelli”

“Raphael, you do not understand.”

“I understand Borgia. You are seduced by him.”

“But I fear God’s wrath more than the Devil’s strength.”

“I’ll behead Niccolò as easily as that bull.”

Machiavelli’s eyes sparkled with fear.

“He faced the heavens, then closed his eyes. Thunder roared like cannon fire.”

Machiavelli pleaded, with the blade creasing his throat. “Listen to reason.”

“Farewell, my friend.” He blessed the two men, then made the sign of the cross over himself.

“Notre-Dame’s rose window blurred past as he plummeted, the wind howling in his ears”

“He made a slashing gesture across Machiavelli’s throat, leaving a line of della Rovere’s wet blood”

“Think you have me figured, huh?” He smiled. “Heading to the library. Brynstone out.”

“Cast in reddish gold glass, Arabic chandeliers decorated the gold-leaf ceiling”

“Turns out it’s true, Brynstone thought. People do buy pets that match their own personalities.”

“Brynstone caught his chiseled reflection in the display glass. He squinted, intensity sizzling in his ice blue eyes.”

“Brynstone opened the standing Egyptian sarcophagus, hoping it was empty”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks for your help. Brynstone out.”

“upright mummies guarded the room like battle-hardened sentries”

“everything from sugar, lime, and salt to frankincense, mercury, and alcohol”

“He caught his breath after reading the inscription above the glass door.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT”

“Brynstone had never seen a “honey mummy.” God knows, he’d always loved the name.”

“His face was another matter. The nose was missing, thanks to a famous royal blunder.”

“Caesar Augustus had inspected the mummy, brushing his hand across the face. Bad idea. Caesar had snapped off Alexander’s nose.”

“he had a nose, more than his Macedonian neighbor could say”

“della Rovere had stashed a priceless relic inside Friar Zanchetti’s corpse”

“He rolled back on his feet, breathing and swallowing, ears ringing.

The endoscope was coated in blood.”

“Although Armstrong and Starr had once been political rivals, they had settled their differences before coming to the White House”

“Armstrong had been with the Starr family on the day Andrea was diagnosed”

He placed the silver angel in her open palm. Her eyes fluttered open.

The child’s face glowed. “Thank you, Mr. President,” she giggled.

sliding her hand around his arm. “You’re able to enchant little girls and little old ladies and everyone in between.”

“I took a correspondence course.” He flashed a smile. “Presidential Schmoozing 101.”

“brimming with greenery, limes, and pineapples”

“The president’s little brother was worth twenty billion dollars now”

“As far as he knew, they shared a positive work relationship. This conversation looked different.”

“I’ll take it in the Oval.”

“Trade magazines had christened him the Market Alchemist based on his skill for transforming”

“twisting away from the weapon. The curved blade brushed past his shoulder”

“Zanchetti’s corpse burst like a piñata under their weight”

“Now the big question, he thought. Is the Radix inside?”

“State Department justified it based on death threats and his status as a prince.

Brynstone knew otherwise.”

“Guns aren’t allowed in here. House rules.”

“I don’t sweat the rules.”

“You’re my kind of guy, Anderson.”

“Please say Alexander the Great is intact.”

“Alex is fine,” Brynstone assured. “Although he could stand a nose job.”

“Not even Brownies?”

“I look awful in brown. It was a fashion choice.”

“He was my grandfather. When I saw Amherst on Berta’s list, I decided to come here.”

“He took the assignment because he could provide a humane death”

“Distant church bells serenaded the new hour as he waited”

“Courage is in his heart, loyalty is in his brain, but another organ commands him”

“I suppose there is no harm in telling a dead man. I have been contracted to kill John Brynstone.”

“As I said, I cannot torture you in a more deserving manner. For that, I apologize.”

“I keep it for the occasions when he visits Aspen. After tonight, it goes in the garbage.”

“In a hail of gunfire, Brynstone dove into the chamber”

“Sorry, buddy, Brynstone thought. You’re not hitching a ride.”

“He squeezed off two shots before dropping into a cushion of forest”

“one thought haunted him. What if the Radix isn’t in the cista mystica?”

“Aspen Mountain loomed ahead with its formidable 3,267-foot vertical”

“Like a frozen Mardi Gras, Wintersköl boasted a fireworks extravaganza and a torchlight descent”

“staring in disbelief as the helicopter blasted into the mountainside beneath them”

“blinding powder sprayed the helicopter”

“the wave threatened to crush the torchlight skiers. He hoped they had abandoned their formations and raced to safety.”

“He braced as the helicopter rolled down the steep mountain face. The bird busted apart as it flipped.”

“hurling him upside down as if he were strapped inside some psychotic carnival ride”

“jumped for the gondola, diving into a wall of white”

The blond man pulled him inside the gondola.

“That’s a beaut,” the man cried in an Australian accent. “Good on ya, mate!”

“We invented an extreme sport,” he laughed. “Hope we survive to claim credit for it.”

“With the avalanche rumbling around them, the roof dug into the snow, nearly flipping them”

“snow blasted his face. He hoped the cista mystica in his belt would survive the ride.”

“A bitter stillness settled over the mountain. Buried in snow, Brynstone groaned”

He squinted. “Is that blood on the snow?”

Hollingworth gaped at the bills. “For that kind of money, mate, I can forget anything.”

“The Void refers to the moment you realize you’re losing your mind. Leo also calls it the Revelation of Madness.”

“the words and symbols painted on the north wall formed a composite image of Jesus with disciples surrounding him”

“Jung is at the heart of understanding our puzzle. We must learn his secrets.”

“Synchronicity brought you here, you know? Our families share a bond.”

“We met years ago, when you were little.”

“He did it again, knocking over wall after wall like massive book dominos”

“Remember this: the Tree of Life blossoms in the Land of the Dead.”

“She tugged on her Pooh hat. Nothing made him smile like a baby in a hat.”

“You could stick it on his headstone: JOHN BRYNSTONE LOVED BABIES IN HATS.”

“He swallowed hard. She had grown so much. His daughter. His only child.”

Then she said something like “Daa-da.”

Tears stood in his eyes, blurring the image of his child.

“He hated it when giving his best at work conflicted with giving his best at home”

“He couldn’t tell Kaylyn that his life might be in danger. He didn’t want to scare her.”

“Honey, I gotta go. Love you.” He ended the call.

And maybe his marriage.

“The road was open now, with no one ahead. That’s when he heard gunfire.”

“another one advising, 45 MPH CURVE AHEAD. Good advice.”

“With two SUVs trapping him against the tunnel’s right wall, he didn’t worry about steering”

“Both men shouted. Brynstone seemed to be pissing off everybody tonight.”

“My baby daughter said her first word tonight,” Brynstone said. “You had to go and ruin that moment. Makes me downright unhappy.”

“Next time, stay in Aspen,” he called, “with the damned scorpions.”

“A sleek black cat napped on the center of the mahogany table. Brynstone smiled.”

“Making a low chirp, she stared up at him”

“he changed into Levi’s and headed for a leather club chair with Banshee curled against his bare chest”

“he could see the jambiya dagger plunged deep into his father’s chest”

“the man’s voice sounded choked and desperate.

Get out of here before he comes back. Hurry, Johnny.”

“Brynstone remembered struggling to brake as he looked down the dark stairs, thinking he was about to die”

Jordan emerged from the galley. “Ready for a dirty martini?”

“You must be a mind reader.”

glancing at the muscled contours of his stomach. “Why the sutures?”

“Didn’t you sew up Banshee when she lost her eye?”

“It was the least I could do after she saved my life.”

“Recognizing her name, the cat sauntered over and rubbed against his leg”

“My daughter refused to kiss me unless I shaved.”

She traced her hand along his defined jaw. “Smart kid.”

“The thieves had ignored the other work. They just wanted her sculptures.

In a weird way, it was a compliment.”

“created an outdoor piece for the Olympic Sculpture Park on Seattle’s waterfront”

“He bought her a drink. She told him she missed Eclipse. He promised visitation rights. The rest was history.”

“For all she knew, he could be having an affair.

She prayed that wasn’t the case.”

“In reality, Dr. Ryder’s “miracle discovery” was actually a cocaine extract”

“Brynstone cupped Banshee’s face. She issued a deep purr.��

“The kitten’s cry had distracted the gunman and saved Brynstone’s life”

“His one-eyed companion joined him. Kaylyn called them soul mates, sharing a fearless streak and a craving for adventure”

“He stopped the intruder, but the guy stabbed Delgado. My dad died that night. Delgado came close.”

“the only time her husband lowered his guard was when he was with his family”

Dillon Armstrong gave a sneaky smile. “Mind if I come in?”

“He is a sinner begging for redemption,” the Knight said. “I have been sent to save him.”

“And as always, Ariel Cassidy would whisper the same words before climbing into her casket: the Tree of Life blossoms in the Land of the Dead.”

“Raised in secrecy, the child was nurtured on stories about the relic that had once belonged to his grandfather, Pope Alexander VI”

“The pages were filled with a bizarre enciphered script and cryptic watercolors of unfamiliar plants”

“Who does he think wrote it?”

“Raphael della Rovere.”

“the knights had appointed d’Aubusson as the Keeper of the Radix”

“The delighted Pope commissioned scholars to study the relic, but none could decipher its secret.”

“the root itself”

“I had no idea what the Radix could do until I saw Zanchetti’s mummy.”

“A Voynich B cipher,” he added. “Hopefully, my friend will know what it means.”

“That’s what the records show. My predecessor, Paul Fischer, kept notes all the way back to Eisenhower.”

“He glanced over as the vice president slid into the chair beside him”

Starr gave a roguish grin. “I just said the same thing to your brother.”

“What’s the best part?” Starr asked, standing.

“All of it.”

“White House was one of the loneliest places on the planet”

“you should notify Aspen police. Not the president of the United States.”

“He disabled my camera equipment. He immobilized my security team. He crashed one of my helicopters.”

“Two had to be fished out of the Colorado River. This man is not a common intruder.”

stared at the December night. “I want to get to the bottom of this fast.”

“The Ten Commandments are engraved on the handle. All seventeen of them.”

“Cori couldn’t catch her breath. She couldn’t believe this was happening.”

“Blood dripped off her toes. She shined the flashlight on Perez’s face. His head was almost severed.”

A gun barrel nuzzled the back of her head.

“Step away from the door,” a cool voice ordered.

“Told me to contact the guy on the card.”

“John Brynstone?”

“Then you better start talking.” The dark-haired man brought out his ID card. “Because I’m John Brynstone.”

“As he petted the cat, her tail twisted into a question-mark shape”

Cori turned to her. “Who are you?”

“Don’t ask,” Jordan advised.

“She saved my life, so I adopted her. Truth is, she adopted me.”

“He’s a cryptanalyst. He tried to break code on something called the Voynich manuscript. It pushed him over the edge.”

“He’d chiseled the base of each to widen the opening. Edgar painted da Vinci’s messages inside each skull.”

“Alchemists called it the Radix ipsius, meaning ‘root of itself.’”

“Of course, there’s a familiar symbol for the Radix. One that’s in every pharmacy in the country.”

“The Rx symbol?”

“Cori,” he said, staring into her blue eyes, “it’s not a myth.”

“No one has laid eyes on the Radix until last night. That’s when I found it.”

“A fire burned part of Dickinson Hall. All that’s left is the one notebook in my house. I’ll show you.”

He had warned against calling the authorities.

“We have to go,” Brynstone said, turning at the sound of a distant siren. “Now.”

“Little wonder it was the most secretive intelligence agency on the planet”

“Brynstone’s a risk-taker. The man never gives up. We couldn’t have designed a more perfect special operator for this mission.”

“Mr. President, the relic is called the Radix.”

Armstrong and Starr exchanged looks.

“Two high-level intelligence agents are missing, and the NSA has no idea what happened?”

“John Brynstone is like a son to me. I’m confident he’ll turn up soon.”

Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

“A book code,” he said. “That’s what it is.”

“See the number sequence? Wurm wrote his message in the ‘traitor’s code.’ Benedict Arnold used it back in 1779”

“The general deceived and betrayed you your father never searched for the Radix”

“Wurm’s message took on a new meaning. He had used the traitor’s code”

“And miss the fireworks?” Starr grinned. “The Service would have to kick me out.”

“When I get back to the penthouse, we’ll arrange to secure the Radix. Then we’ll celebrate.”

“Beveled opaque windows shattered behind her. Glass shards burst into the lobby. Heat seared her back and hands.”

“Dillon was out there. Someone had tried to kill him.”

“Deena climbed to her feet and staggered toward the door, screaming as she rushed to the sidewalk.”

“the woman pulled her to her feet. Deena stumbled, leaning on the firefighter for support.”

“He looked broken, pinned beneath the car. All she wanted was to hold him and hear his voice again.”

“What’s Dillon’s condition?”

“He’s in an ambulance.”

“I’m sure he’ll visit after you go back to sleep,” he said, working the time-honored tradition of holiday manipulation.

“We issued him special security clearance. Right, Kevin?”

At the door, Agent Quick nodded. “Yes, sir. Mr. Claus has been cleared.”

“He wondered about that secretive purchase Dillon and Deena had discussed. Did it have anything to do with what had happened to his brother tonight?”

“Poor kid.

Banshee cuddled against her, working some feline therapy.”

“Who called?”

“President of the United States,” he answered, starting the engine.

“Okay, fine,” Cori sighed. “Don’t tell me.”

“Preparation. Stealth. Intuition. Infiltrating a high-tech facility was artistry.”

Delgado’s eyes brightened with intensity. “You’re the son I never had, John.”

“You represented his greatest hope and his greatest fear. Too bad Jayson didn’t live to see you climb out of that wheelchair.”

“Tell me, John, did you witness its power? Did it make you a believer?”

“Or breaking into the home of the NSA director?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Together we can capitalize on the power of the Radix. Join me, son.”

Brynstone stood over him. “Trust me. You would have preferred the syringe.”

“When fighting Borgias, it was always a good idea to make it short”

“she reached up, then ran her fingers across the desk, finding a sculptor’s knife”

“their words cut off by the discordant crash of piano keys”

“It wasn’t Dad’s mission.”

“You would have stopped had you known that. But we can’t stop. We have to find the Scintilla.”

“It’s not easy to convey Professor Cassidy’s ideas under a paint-can label.”

Brynstone looked at Cori inside the vehicle. “We’ve come too far to give up now.”

“That’s Banshee Brynstone.”

“Not a good day for fingernails,” she sighed

“She headed for a grove of evergreens, taking out her gun. He brought out his Glock, covering her.”

“the gray shingled cottage decked with window boxes. A cutting garden bordered it with tall grass waving in the wind.”

“Jim convinced me that dark things from my past could return to haunt me. He was protecting me, but that meant he had to lie to you.”

“If anything happened to me, I wanted you to know the truth.”

“Rest assured, I will kill Dr. Brynstone,” the man said, “but first I may need to kill his wife and child.”

“Metzger looked around, unbelieving, at the hotel room.

Kaylyn Brynstone was gone. And she’d taken her baby.”

“They broke the clay sculpture my son made for me last night. Some people can’t help but ruin the holiday spirit.”

“He looked like a tourist, with Mickey Mouse shorts and a sweatshirt that read California Cool.”

“Kaylyn tried to pull away her daughter, but he pressed the blade to Shay’s soft neck.”

“It claims the Radix can be dangerous, especially when combined with certain ingredients.”

“You’re talking about the Scintilla.”

“You can use the Radix to create two chrisms. The White Chrism can heal, the black can kill.”

“The Black Death,” Jordan whispered. “Are you serious?”

“That’s what the legend says. Together, the Radix and Scintilla can deliver the greatest good or the greatest evil.”

“I’ve seen its power. Over time, it can regenerate necrotic tissue in a mummy.”

A tear streamed down her cheek and dripped onto the blade. “Hurry, John. He has Shay too.”

called the one person who could help. Alex Armstrong picked up after the first ring.

“Mr. President, I’m sorry to bother you.”

“It’s beautiful. Still alive after so many centuries.”

“I’ve waited a lifetime for this moment.”

“Remember, he was the model for Machiavelli’s The Prince.”

“She visualized herself placing the Radix in her mother’s hand. She flirted with that image, watching Ariel Cassidy’s face brighten.”

Jordan shook her head. “I’m going with you, John. I want to help you find Kaylyn and your daughter.”

wrapping her arms around his neck. “Good luck finding your wife and daughter.”

He kissed her cheek. “Good luck finding the Scintilla.”

“Jordan embraced Cori, who stooped and petted the cat”

Brynstone softened his voice. “Good luck, Edgar. God knows you’ll need it.”

“What would you do for redemption? For immortality?”

“Andy must be lucid during my work. I want him to experience everything I do to him.”

“Banshee played in the aisle, kneading her paws”

“Brynstone had advised her to wait. She thought about his cat and realized she missed Banshee.”

“alchemists had coined the word arcanum to describe secrets revealed to loyal followers”

“Carl Jung cloaked his concepts with psychiatric code words like collective unconsciousness and archetype”

“Jung did refer to the unconscious mind as the Land of the Dead”

“Jung’s dream castle was a stone personification of his unconscious mind.”

��With Dillon in a coma, she was more anxious than ever”

“It is my destiny to become Keeper of the Radix. Find it.”

“Good,” the Knight answered. “I am ready for him.”

“it represented the Tree of Life. Crusaders destroyed this Judean date species during the Middle Ages.”

“took one seed—she nicknamed it Methuselah, after the 969-year-old grandfather of Noah—and fertilized it.”

“I’d say your brother has a fifty-fifty chance of pulling through.”

Deena closed her eyes, absorbing the information.

“Secret Service can try to stop me from going to that hospital, but it won’t do them any good.”

“Guten Morgen, Herr Doktor. You have a beautiful family.”

In a crackling voice, Kaylyn said, “John, please hurry—”

“I don’t need NSA’s Men in Black. I can handle Metzger.”

“absorbing the fabric of the conversation”

“What would have happened if they had eaten from the Tree of Life?”

“Immortality,” he answered. “Adam and Eve would have lived forever.”

“Eavesdropping on the director of the National Security Agency. It’s like interrupting a telemarketer’s dinner with a sales call.”

“When I asked about Metzger’s physical ID, he just laughed.”

“Then, he thought about his wife and baby girl in the hands of that monster.”

“Although far from complete, his painting of a man crucified on an X-shaped cross was already remarkable”

“Andrew could train his gaze not on his executioners nor on the earth, but on the heavens above, where his beloved kingdom awaited.”

“He pushed the plunger, squirting blood into the red ochre”

“Listen, Deena, if the Radix can do what you claimed earlier, we could help Dillon.”

“Because,” she said, “the Radix belonged to Jesus Christ.”

“The staff took root, flowering for centuries at Christmastime. Today a thorn bush stands on Wearyall Hill.”

“Joseph of Arimathea was the first Grail Keeper?”

“More importantly, he was the first Keeper of the Radix.”

“it remained buried but never forgotten, as generations of mystery cults kept alive the Radix romance”

“Sensing its importance, Locke traveled to the Holy Land to have it blessed”

“After that, the Knights of Saint John became the Keepers of the Radix.”

“the Templars had been charged with defending the Holy Land”

“The Vatican had no idea the Knights Hospitaller possessed the greatest relic in Christendom”

“I believe in the Radix. So does your brother. Do you?”

“Maybe,” he said. “If it can save Dillon.”

black shirt emblazoned with the message “Guns don’t kill people. I kill people.”

“Bob the Driver”

“Negative,” he answered. “My family’s inside. There’s no room for error.”

“Hand over my wife and kid and I’ll tell you over a cold beer.”

“Präzisionsscharfschützengewehr”

“Ja,” Metzger winked. “I like games. Know why? Because I always win.”

“The history of Christianity was littered with mythical healing agents, ranging from the Holy Grail to the shadow of Saint Peter”

“It is I whom he must take seriously, not my father.”

“He headed to his wife, fighting the urge to sprint toward her”

Cloud patted his back. “Don’t see Bob or your baby. At least we found your wife.”

Without blinking, he whispered, “She’s not my wife.”

“She wore Bob the Driver’s pinkie ring on her finger”

“He let her keep the ring. He had a feeling Bob wouldn’t miss it.”

He frowned. “How did you get out of the car?”

Following instinct, he darted outside the lobby entrance with the cat chasing.

He looked at her. “It says, ‘Go home.’”

“The realism astounds me. I feel as if the man is screaming through the paint.”

“I’m afraid my studio is in a frightful disarray.”

“His homecoming felt bittersweet when he spotted his daughter’s unopened Christmas presents”

“Know the guy?”

He nodded, staring at the body. “A neighbor.”

“Enough games,” Brynstone announced. “We’re settling this in Las Vegas.”

“their chili red MINI Cooper”

“southward into the dark woods. Thorn bushes cut at their legs.

Jung’s dream castle loomed ahead. Bollingen Tower was haunting. And haunted.”

“Before long, laughter, singing, and music flooded the woods. Jung sensed dark figures parading around the tower.”

“the vinecrossed wall”

“The creepy part about the image? Philemon looked like Edgar Wurm.”

“Symbols and images crammed the curved walls, some painted in vibrant colors, others carved into stone.”

“menagerie of creatures prowled the tower walls. Dragons acted as silent sentries”

“With the Tree of Life,” he answered, pointing. Protruding from the wall, a sculpture of a white oak climbed the tower.”

“Ever hear of a scytale?” he asked, pronouncing it like Italy.

A figure darted past the courtyard door.

“Did you see that?” Wurm asked. “We have company.”

“Sooner or later, Wurm knew, he would need to take the root from Cori.

Even if it meant killing her.”

“She’s not making the trip to Vegas.”

“Aww. You should have let her come to Europe with us.”

“trying to make sense of this place. Then something cold slithered past her shoulder.”

he turned her head.

“That’s no snake. Take a look.”

A white arm floated on the water.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the woman in his arms. “Poor Lucrezia.”

“Notre-Dame of Paris resides on the same site where centuries before a Roman temple had been built.”

“Feel like I missed it.”

“We’re heading to Paris on a luxury jet.”

“The Borgias are a ranting bunch of psychopaths, and I fell into a race to find the Radix before them.”

“The desperate priest concealed the Radix inside the Zanchetti mummy, then fled the village”

“the Celtic tribe who worshipped Esus and gave their name to the city of Paris”

“Take a look at the branch he’s chopping. Scientists can’t identify it because they’ve never seen a plant like it.”

“We’ve seen it,” Cori whispered. “It’s the Radix.”

“he’d grabbed a change of clothes and his favorite photograph of his daughter”

“Brynstone felt as though he could trust no one except Jordan and Wurm and Cori”

“the Hospitallers enjoyed a more heroic reputation. Legends told of their bravery during the Crusades.”

“But if the Pope secretly used the Radix to heal, then he would get credit for the miracles.”

“It would be the supreme triumph of religion over science.”

“Like I said, you have no idea how many powerful people want the Radix.”

#quotes #the radix

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