#Best water distillation equipment

[plethoraworldatlas]

In reading Marcia's review of her experience with Shadowdark, I contemplated on how I run my own OSE games. This is also fresh on my mind because I am running Miranda Elkins' fantastic Nightwick. Its all about distilling things down to the interesting choice and eliminating the non-interesting one.

Basic Equipment: I am thinking about charging my players a flat rate for all basic dungeoneering equipment that is rolled into weekly expenses-- so 7sp a week for expenses plus ~3-5sp for pick of equipment

Not interesting:  Cost of equipment, especially down to coppers

Interesting: Scarcity (what if there is no 50' rope this week?) and how many slots PC dedicates to basic equipment

Light: Due to torch cost and number per slot, it is easy to carry a lot of torches.

Not interesting: Carrying enough light to last 12-24 turns- easily done

Interesting: When torches extinguish-- like in the middle of a fight or when the goblins you are negotiating with get mad; how many hands in the party are occupied by torches

This is why I prefer to use the overloaded encounter die to simulate inopportune moments when a torch is snuffed out- gust of wind, dripping slime, bucket of sand thrown by a sneaky goblin. And with regards to hands, holding a torch potentially lowers AC, removes a weapon, or makes spell casting delayed (need both hands). One saving grace: torches are an improvised weapon that do 1d4 dmg and are on fire.

Stuck Doors: I now commonly interpret the 2-in-6 chance as a basic surprise roll. If they players fail it, they make a loud noise and alert anything on the other side of the door, but open it next round.

Not interesting: Rolling a d6 over and over again to see if PCs finally break down a door

Interesting: Seeing if PC get surprise on whatever is on the otherside; if additional equipment is brought to deal with doors

I usually like the idea that a crowbar allows and additional 1d6 rolled per individual with one.

Rations: This is similar to the situation with light, its easy to carry enough food/water for 2-4 hours which is more likely the time frame of a dungeon delve-- not a camping trip.

Not interesting: Tracking both food and water separately for nominal circumstances

Interesting: How many PCs carry rations; will rations be used for other things (like distracting monsters) or saved to avoid fatigue

For me the nature of rations are both food and water abstracted. So if a player want to use food as a distraction, mark off 1 rations. If a player wants to douse a small fire, use 2 rations as you frantically empty out a water skin and try to put out the fire consuming the spell book.

Secret Doors & Traps:  Two dungeon features that are opposite sides of the same coin. Really I think Chris McDowall has written some of the best bits on this that boil down to "traps are puzzles" and not really "gotcha".

Not interesting: Situations where the PCs have to pick the exact right spot and roll a 1-2 in 6

Interesting: Adding in environmental clues or other sources of information that allows discovery by players investigating the fictional environment

Now, I will keep both rolls as a back-up for either PCs not having a good idea and/or a back-up for perhaps me being unable to convey the fictional environment properly in the moment.

Weapons: I've yet to find a really good way to do weapons simply outside of 1d6 damage for all types. I don't mind BX's variable weapon damage. And I do like some old rulesets sorta "first strike" if your weapon is larger than an opponents other wise smaller, lighter weapons strike first in subsequent arounds.

So here is what I have got so far: Using a weapon two-handed is a +1 to damage, using an off-hand weapon is +1 to-hit, and a shield is of course +1 AC. I do like that fighters with bows can shoot twice if they did not move and the "cleave" ability.

Not interesting: Weapon factors that are so extensive they require a separate rules discussion, trigger player obsession, and/or orient the whole of gameplay to combat

Interesting: What PCs chose to do with their hands: more armor, more weapons, or more light

So that is it for now, if you'd like to see more of my house rules here is my post on the Serpent Song Hymnal. I hope to have a sorta player version created sometime soon but I'm still trying to dial-in what my go-to "french vanilla" D&D is like.

[uncanny-tranny]

I love giving advice, apparently, so if you are a newly pierced person or are planning on being pierced, here are some of the things I found helpful, as somebody who isn't a professional piercer but has had six plus piercings on my face and body, and multiple ear piercings (which I don't count, since I DIY'd them):

Normal bath towels are your enemy, proceed with caution after bathing. NEVER wipe moisture away from a fresh piercing, always pat it dry

You will hit a new piercing and it will hurt. This is inevitable, just know that you likely haven't destroyed it. Feel free to cry, though, it hurts like hell.

If your piercer gives you instructions, heed them. If you're on restrictions, please take it as seriously as possible

When you're going in for a piercing, please eat or drink something - at least what constitutes as a snack for your body. It really helps

If you're getting an oral piercing, make sure you size down after the healing period - I hadn't sized down for my last oral piercing when I first had the chance, and it was... so annoying to have too-large of jewelry

Not all jewelry is made equally. Do your research on materials, threading, and sizing. I've found that titanium jewelry is really nice for me, and I like it, but that isn't the only option. Make sure you think about your body and its needs and preferences

Close your eyes while being pierced (I found this really helps me)

Don't over-clean a new piercing, twice per day is usually a good place to start

The completed healing period is a very average suggestion - you may heal slower or faster. Try to adhere to that suggestion, though, especially if you do not feel you're healed enough

Personally, I have found that I am completely healed when my piercing feels like just another part of my body, even when it is touched. When my piercings start to feel as though they are foreign when they never do before, I know I likely need to clean them

While I have DIY'd piercings, I personally do not recommend it, especially if you are either not using sterilized equipment, or are piercing a very dangerous place (like the tongue). If you are absolutely positive about committing to the DIY mindset, please try to do due diligence in research at least

Tip your piercer. Body mods are a luxury service, and it takes years to even become a piercer, much less to be proficient at it. Tip your piercer, ESPECIALLY if their prices feel too good to be true - they likely are. Unless you are directed otherwise by your piercer, just assume that you will be tipping them for their services and budget accordingly

Make sure you understand how your piercer wants you to take care of your piercing, and ask questions. There is no question too "dumb"

If you are getting a body part pierced you are insecure about, realize your piercer has most likely seen HUNDREDS of different body parts of various sizes, shapes, and oddities. Your body is not uniquely bad, nor would a good piercer make you feel unwelcome or uncomfortable with your body. If they do, however, DO NOT go through with the piercing. You should feel safe being pierced by somebody, and, indeed, that is the bare minimum.

If you use saline wash to clean piercings, you can DIY it. You will go through NeilMed like no other, and with it being $5USD a bottle, that price can rack up quickly. Make sure you use distilled water and non-iodized salt, though

If your piercing is infected, please don't be too ashamed to seek help. It's in your best interest to make sure you don't get ill or your site gets nasty ("nasty" as in painful)

These are just some of the things I've learned being a pierced person! My piercings are something I absolutely needed, and I do not for a minute regret having them. I want that same happiness to befall you, and that happens when you are able to understand a bit more what goes into piercings. You are, essentially, getting a new body part installed by a pro, and so I don't want you to not be ready for that.

Again, I am not a professional piercer, but am rather a body piercing enthusiast with many different types of piercings. I don't have every piercing, though, so please look at this critically for the piercing(s) that you want or have. At least, treat this like a soft suggestion or ways to help you brainstorm what you will find helpful.

More tips are obviously welcomed, especially if you yourself have more insight or expertise. Good luck to every pierced person or future pierced person reading this💛

[headfulloflettuce]

The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

23. I Present Thee With This Muffin of Friendship

Note: The one in which Cosette makes some friends. Maybe. Sort of.

“Why didn’t you tell me we had literal royalty as customers in the perfumery?”

“Cosette, I didn’t know Briar was related to them. She had come in with some other white haired female and requested to see you. Every time they came you were out. They never made a big deal out of it and neither did I.” Ophelia explained, rummaging through a box, trying to find more of the goldenberry perfume.

“I put some of the new bottles on the further shelf.” Cosette pointed, keeping an eye on the pot full of boiling water and teakwood.

“Thanks.” Ophelia grabbed a few of the bottles, rushing back out into the store, where Theo had been holding down the fort.

After paying off his debts Theo looked happier, working in the perfumery with new vigor. The only thing keeping him down was the occasional comment from his father.

Cosette returned her full attention to the lidded pot, adding more ice cubes to the inverted lid, as a liquid slowly formed in the glass bowl inside the pot.

Homemade distillation was my literal savior in this world. The basic mechanism was that herbs, flowers or in this case wood, were boiled and the heat-resistant glass inside the pot caught and condensed the steam thanks to the inverted pot lid and ice. 

Cosette prepared the perfume bottles for the mahogany teakwood oil, pulling out a homemade pipette consisting of a straw and a very small bottle. 

It wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t afford a professionally crafted one yet. 

Considering the long list of renovations Cosette wanted to make to the perfumery and her investment into the farming project, she wasn’t about to get a pipette with medical precision anytime soon. Not that it was extremely needed at the moment.

After the Winter Solstice we had sold out most of the products I had made, meaning I now have to not only make the goldenberry perfume, which many faeries weren’t able to purchase because there was an extremely limited supply, but I also have to work overtime to restock all other products.

A big flaw in the current system was the low production combined with the long time it took to make everything. Hiring additional would be helpful, if not so costly.

Cosette added another mental note to the growing list of things she would need to spend money on.

She waited for the pot to stop boiling before she carefully squeezed the bottle, taking up some of the liquid and putting it into the prepared smaller perfume vial. After completing that procedure for forty bottles she cleaned the large pot and rinsed the ‘pipette’, setting them and the rest of the equipment to dry.

I need to start thinking about the perfumes for Kallias and Viviane.

Several days had passed and Cosette had written up a list of options, but none of them felt right.

I could play with the teakwood as an undertone for Kallias, but I don’t want to come off as cheap with reusing existing ideas for a literal ruler of a court. He did mention liking the Winter Court forests, maybe a pine scented perfume is a safe bet?

No, too safe; it’s too simple and direct. Again, he’s the ruler of a literal country, his perfume is not only a representation of himself but also his lands. Although, by that logic a simple perfume could be endearing in that it signifies he’s straightforward and easy to approach.

Perhaps I could find some other herb that conveys that smell and feeling? I am sure there must be something in the market, and if not I’ll go into the forests myself to find something.

Viviane was easier as she just wanted a sweet, yet alluring flower based perfume. Boom. Why couldn’t more faes have explicit orders like her?

Cosette sighed.

I can work on this later, it’s best if I help Theo and Ophelia right now.

It was currently rush hour, and faes that were unable to get the goldenberry perfume during the Winter Solstice were showing up to try it now. 

We need all hands on deck right now, and knowing Theo's father he wasn’t about to step up.

Cosette stood up from her chair, the floor beneath her creaking.

Forget all other bullet points on the ‘to fix and purchase’ list - these floorboards are moving up to number one.

Cosette shook her head, trying to not get herself down this early in the day, instead focusing on the task at hand - restocking shelves. She quickly began working on the shelves Theo hadn’t gotten to yet as Ophelia masterfully chatted with the customers, directing and entertaining them.

Cosette returned to the backroom, grabbing a box of the perfumes she just finished making.

I am going to need to make more and I just made this batch. Perhaps this really was a sign it was time to hire people 

Cosette walked back into the shop, stopping next to the counter as she was greeted by the sounds of an argument.

“Excuse me? Who do you think you’re speaking to?”

Cosette paused in the doorway leading into the front space, staring at the scene before her.

“I-I am sorry sir, but we just don’t have that scent on our shelves.” Theo stuttered, cowering.

“Ha! And here I thought this perfumery was supposed to be this amazing establishment. Stores on the perfumery street have the scent I like.”

“Then perhaps you should shop there sir.” Ophelia intervened, stepping slightly in front of Theo, shielding him from the rude customer.

“You dare tell me, Lord Ryker, where I should spend my money?”

Ophelia smiled pleasantly, “I am simply telling you that we do not have that perfume available in our inventory.”

“And I am telling you that you’re providing a terrible service. How will you compensate me?”

A couple other faes who were in the store exchanged glances, staring at the scene before them. They and Cosette wore similar expressions of shock at the male’s audacity. 

“Sir-”

“It’s Lord Ryker to you Autumn shit.”

Cosette saw red, but before she could intervene Ophelia’s voice rang out loud and clear.

“I am afraid we cannot compensate you.”

“Oh and why’s that?”

“Because you haven’t experienced a loss due to our actions.”

“Really, shouldn’t you be treating your customers better?” the fae glanced around, as if trying to get the bystanders' support. 

Other customers quickly looked anywhere but him.

“Well due to your negligence my time and emotional stability has been wasted.”

“And you have wasted my patience, how will you compensate me for it?”

“You-”

“If you continue to cause a disturbance I will call in the royal guards patrolling the streets.”

“This is unfair! I demand to see your boss!”

“My boss has given me and Theo permission to kick out any disruptive customers, or to refuse service as we see fit. Also, with all due respect, I do not feel comfortable letting you near her at the moment.”

“And why’s that?” the male smirked.

“You’re unpleasant and have unclear intentions.” Ophelia began walking towards the front door.

“W-Wait, where are you going?”

“To get the royal guards as promised.”

The fae hesitated, put off by Ophelia’s confidence.

“Ugh.” the male shoved her, rushing out the door.

Cosette approached Ophelia who gave Theo a pat on the back and an encouraging word with which he scampered off to continue tidying around the shop.

“You are amazing.” Cosette smiled.

No wonder the Lady of Autumn kept you close.

“I am lucky to have you here.”

“My, you’re making me blush.” Ophelia giggled, shaking her head, “But seriously, it’s just experience. Years of dealing with snobby rich people hardens your skin, and even then, I still mess up. I am sure you very well remember our attempt to enter Winter Court.”

“Well, that’s not fair. You snapped after we had been hiking for literal days and you had just…left a very unfortunate situation.”

Cosette didn’t want to risk talking about Autumn’s prison with random faes around.

“I guess so.” Ophelia shrugged, tension leaving her body a bit as Cosette squeezed her hand, “I am going to get back to work.”

Cosette nodded, letting Ophelia return to her duties. She was about to pick up the box of perfumes she had set down when a familiar voice distracted her.

“That was quite the performance.”

“Sir Amelio.” Cosette looked at the male who approached her, a beautiful, tall, dark skinned fae by his side. 

She smelled of citrus, oddly familiar to the bergamot-styles perfume Amelio had purchased from me.

“We meet again.” he smiled brightly.

I still don’t understand how this man was a Winter fae. His extroverted nature was everything but it. Him and Blanche stuck out like sore thumbs in this cold landscape.

Now that I think about it, no wonder Aquilo recommended Forrest’s inn, they were very welcoming regardless of your place of origin.

Cosette didn't think too hard about how accepting Forrest or Blanche would be to humans.

It wouldn't lead to any good thoughts.

“Cosette, please meet my wife, Solene.”

Well the scent she wore made sense now.

“So you’re Cosette.” the fae’s voice was cold, despite her warm appearance, “I must thank you for the perfume you made me. It’s exquisite.”

Cosette could immediately tell, this woman was of High Fae blood. The aura surrounding Solene made her shiver. 

“You’re too kind Lady Solene.”

Yet Amelio wasn’t High Fae, not by his lacking aura compared to his wife. However, he had no visible markers and I’d argue held a position of some power and wealth. What gives??

Solene’s face remained stoic as stone.

Amelio…what is your type?

“How was your Winter Solstice sir Amelio?” Cosette continued the conversation.

“It was good and please drop the ‘sir’. What about you Miss Cosette? I heard you managed to get a table at the fair? Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself.”

“If I don’t call you ‘sir’, you drop the ‘miss’.” Cosette corrected, “Yes we did, all thanks to Ophelia’s quick thinking. The fair was quite hectic but a lot of fun.

He chuckled, “I am happy to hear that. Hectic in that sort of environment usually means profitable. The last thing you would want is a table no one visited.”

“That’s true.” Cosette agreed, eyeing the two faes before her, “So, can I help you two with anything today?”

“Oh no, we were just taking a walk in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. Solene here has been curious about the perfumer who made her new favorite scent so I wanted to introduce you two.”

Solene, in Cosette’s opinion, looked bored out of her mind.

“As I said before, it's a very good perfume.” The female fae reiterated 

Cosette wasn't sure but it seemed the woman was almost annoyed by her husband’s excitement.

“One of my favorites.”

“May I ask what your other favorites are?”

“I love ‘iridescent glow’ from Day Court, ‘sea foam’ from Summer and ‘Primrose’ from Spring.” Solene’s dark blue eyes met Cosette’s green ones, “I am proud however, that I can now wear my home court’s perfumes with no shame.”

Cosette nodded, taking note of the perfume names for later.

Always good to be aware of your competitors.

Remembering that they've just been standing in front of the store’s counter Cosette asked, “Would you prefer to go up to my office to continue talking?”

“That would be lovely.” Amelio said.

Cosette quickly put the box of perfumes onto a chair behind the counter, leaving it for Theo.

“Would you like tea?” Cosette set the kettle once they were in her office, giving them the small box of flavors they could choose from.

“That would be lovely.” Solene selected a peach flavored black tea, while Amelio picked out an herbal tea bag.

Cosette poured them all some tea, and sat down across from them, sipping the same blend as Soelene.

Solene is a fae Calypso would be proud of. She had the perfect posture and held her tea cup with grace.

The whole scene made Cosette straighten her back and at least try to sit more elegantly.

No matter how much Ophelia makes me walk in heels I still come off looking like an uneducated peasant compared to these people. It was honestly sad.

Amelio on the other hand didn't bother, sipping his tea casually, leaning back in his chair, and although didn't do anything that would inherently destroy the sense of propriety, certainly wasn't behaving in the most well mannered way.

“I heard that Viviane and Kallias visited you.” Amelio spoke first.

“Yes they did.” Cosette suppressed afrown.

Amelio smiled, “Do you know why?”

Cosette shrugged, “They said they were curious. I believe them, and how did you know they came to visit?”

“The High Lord and Lady like to support the people of their court, especially talented entrepreneurs.” Amelio explained, “Gossip spreads fast, especially if it has to do with the nobility.”

“And here I thought you winter faeries were more tight lipped.” Cosette set down her tea cup.

“Not really, but we do like to act like we’re above such meaningless discussions”. He chucked

“It’s merely harder to tell what we actually think at times.” Solene’s smile was so cold it could make a child cry, “But in reality all of us faeries share one thing in common regardless of our court - a thirst for drama.”

Yeah that checks out considering the way politics were conducted in the books.

Cosette looked at Amelio.

He held her gaze.

“Are you one of the entrepreneurs that they support?”

Now that Cosette thought about it, she didn’t know anything about the politics of Winter Court.

Most of the story took place in either Spring or Night Court. With Autumn, Summer and Day Courts getting notable mentions that gave her an extremely surface level understanding of what they were like. Her mind came up blank for Winter besides the twenty four children that Amarantha killed using an unnamed daemati.

Solene giggled.

Amelio’s smile widened, “We have good relations, yes.”

Cosette tensed.

Did he have other reasons for approaching me then?

“So the real reason you’re visiting me is…?”

“Because I want to grow closer to a fellow business fae.” he answered simply, “I mean, with all the ruckus that you’ve drawn, it’s hard not to be curious.”

Cosette wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse that faes were taking notice of her and the perfumery. On one hand it meant more business, on the other it brought them closer to discovering the truth and ending her journey before it even began.

“I see.” Cosette was trying to find a clue that he was lying.

Guess getting to know established businessmen in the area isn’t a bad idea.

“It seems like I have more to gain from working with you than the other way around.”

“And why do you say that?” Amelio tilted his head.

“I have little experience with business management and a minimal understanding of the inner workings of the Winter Court.”

Investing in me is a huge risk from a logical perspective.

He hummed, finishing his tea and putting down the empty cup, “I respect your honest assessment of the situation, but I can decide for myself if a business relationship is worth pursuing.”

“So I haven’t changed your mind?”

“Your attempt was cute, but no.”

Solene’s eyes tracked Cosette’s movement as the human tried to stay still.

Well, if he’s going to offer up his partnership, it wouldn’t hurt to use it.

“Say, Amelio, I need some advice.” Cosette set her tea cup down.

“Oh?” His eyes sparkled, “I am listening.”

“I have a project I am working on, but I need space to conduct it. Do you know of any buildings that are available for rent?”

“How big of a space do you need?”

“I require a room large enough to house the production and storage of a farming tool about this big.” Cosette gestured with her hands to show an estimated size.

“I can think of a spot.” Amelio nodded, “I have a building where I receive shipments from farms that I own or collaborate with, as well as other products that my group imports or exports. I happen to have a few spare rooms available for rent if you’re interested.”

“Is it far from here?”

“It's a thirty minute walk as it’s closer to the capital’s gates.”

That would be quite the commute for Theo and his father, but it was the perfect location.

“Can I see the rooms?”

“Of course!” Amelio said, standing up, offering his arm to his wife as he did.

Solene stood up as well, linking her arm with his.

Cosette grabbed the cloak she was gifted, walking after them out of the perfumery.

“Ophelia, I have some things I need to attend to, will you and Theo be alright here by yourselves?”

“Yeah of course.” Ophelia gave her a thumbs up, “When will you be back?”

“I’ll be back within two hours.”

“Better be back before we go get lunch.” Ophelia gave her a playful nudge, returning back to her work.

I really envy faes.

Cosette hated that thought as it repeatedly poked its way to the forefront of her mind. She walked with Amelio and Solene down the street, the two dressed in an elegant suit and dress, with light fur coats draped casually over their shoulders.

“You’re not from around here.” Solene stated.

“No I am not.”

I wonder what gave it away, the giant warm cloak perhaps?

“Where are you from?” Amelio prodded.

“I am from the faerie lands. I grew up in a village in one of the central forests.” Cosette lied.

“Ah, no wonder you’re freezing then.” Amelio nodded, “How are you adjusting to our cold climate here?”

“As well as you can see.” Cosette said.

Amelio laughed, “You’re doing better than most. I once saw a Summer Court emissary almost die from hypothermia because he fell through some snow near one of our farms and couldn’t climb out.”

“Was he okay?”

“Yeah, he was found by some farmers and they rescued him.” Amelio said.

“That’s good to hear.”

Amelio positioned himself between the road where carriages and carts drove and Solene.

Did they have the ‘sidewalk rule’ in Prythian too?

Solene glanced at Cosette expectantly. Cosette tilted her head unsure what she wanted from her.

Solene’s expression remained unchanged as she gestured Cosette over to stand by her side.

Oh.

Cosette joined Solene away from the curb.

“Have you had a chance to explore the capital?” Amelio picked up the conversation again.

“Oh, yes I have. The innkeeper of Forrest’s inn gave me and Ophelia a tour of the city when we first arrived.”

“Ah, Forrest’s inn, nice folk there.”

“You know them?”

“They used to source their food from me for their cooking.”

Cosette felt daring so she decided to ask, “Do they now purchase from a person who doesn’t support the current rulers?”

“Haha, no.” Amelio’s eyes were full of mirth, “No they just moved to another local farmer who supports Kallias. I believe he’s a relative of Forrest.”

Keeping it in the family made sense.

The group stepped out onto a busy street full of carts and faeries who were transporting goods into and from buildings. They passed by buildings that were built from white oak, but were so clean and polished that they looked like they were made more out of ice rather than wood.

It seemed to be emulating the style of the royal palace that looked like it was made from ice and crystals. 

Deciding to tempt fate again Cosette asked, “The style of architecture is similar to that of the royal palace. Is that meant to be an indicator of political support or was this just a popular aesthetic?”

Amelio laughed, “You are a clever one, aren’t you?”

Cosette couldn’t help the small blush on her face.

It felt nice to be complemented, okay?

“To answer your question however, yes and no. The style itself is popular within the court. I mean, it is the Winter Court, after all. It would be stranger if people didn’t obsess over glaciers and icicles. However, this type of architecture was popularized with Kallias’s predecessors, so the association is certainly present.”

Amelio led them into one of the large wooden buildings. Inside there was a front area with a secretary behind a small desk, and several hallways leading off into different rooms, as well as a large staircase.

The secretary looked up, “Lord Amelio, welcome back.”

Wait, Lord?! Was I addressing him casually this whole time?

“I am not here for long, just going to go check on the empty rooms we have on the third floor.”

“Of course, Lord Amelio. Oh, by the way, your men told me to let you know that the recent shipment of crops was received.” she handed him a stack of papers, “This is the whole inventory. We’ve already processed it.”

“Perfect.” Amelio took the papers, leading Cosette and Solene upstairs.

The interior looked wellkept, a stair or two creaking as they ascended.

“There it is.” Amelio pushed open a door on the third floor, some crates standing in the corner near the window of the landing.

The door revealed a long room with large windows, tables and shelves. It smelled of dust and wood. Cosette ran a finger along the table, the surface rough with small dents in it.

“So, is it to your liking?” Amelio smirked.

This is actually exactly what I had in mind.

“Yes, it is.” Cosette said calmly, trying to not show her excitement.

Amelio hummed, opening the door at the end of the large room, “This connected room is a package deal with this one. I also have this third room,” Amelio walked back out into the hallway and showed them the room across, “You could use this as additional work space or for storage.”

“How much is the rent? 

“30 gold per month if you’re just taking the large room, and 40 if you’re taking this one as well.”

That was a lot of money, but at the moment our sales were decent enough to be able to afford it. Though, that meant it would take a while before I could hire additional help. Custom orders, especially the ones from Kallias and Viviane, will bring in big revenue, but I will also need to get started on working on a perfume or product that’s accessible to the public.

“By the way, do you have workers for the project?” Amelio inquired,

Ahhh, if I decide to hire additional woodworkers I’ll also need to pay them!

“Yes, I have two.”

“I can recommend some of my men if you would like additional experienced workers.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t want to impose.” Cosette answered carefully.

I want to retain power over this project. Handing off more and more to Amelio seemed like a bad idea.

Amelio nodded, his smile not wavering, “Very well. Would you like some recommendations?”

Cosette looked at him hesitantly.

“Free of charge.”

So you just want to help me out of your goodwill?

As if reading her mind he clarified, “I want you to like me Miss Cosette. It would be nice if you permitted me to endear myself to you.”

I thought we agreed to drop the formalities?

“I appreciate your honesty.” she paraphrased his words back at him, “But I think it best if I start learning about Winter Court’s economy and work sources in further detail myself.”

Amelio wore a happy expression despite the rejection. In fact, he almost looked happier at the news.

“Then you have my full support. When would you like to start using the space?”

“Could I have a couple weeks? I want to show the space to the people I wish to hire first.”

“Of course. Just let me know when you wish to use it.” Amelio winked, “If you take too long I might give it away to someone else.”

“I’ll be timely, don’t worry.”

“How much further do we have to walk?” The elder groaned.

“Not far.” Cosette sighed.

This man was grating my nerves.

Theo meanwhile chewed quietly on his sandwich.

Cosette had decided to take the two men to see the building the next day during the perfumery’s downtime, giving Ophelia permission to close down early so that it wasn’t too overwhelming to manage the place by herself.

The only downside of this building was the distance we had to walk to get to it. I am going to have to allocate some funds to pay for carriage rides back and forth.

“Can we get a hint at least for what this surprise is?” Theo asked.

“It has something to do with your gift for the Winter Solstice.” Cosette said.

“Right, the supposed gift that we never got.” the elder grumbled.

“You’ll get to have it soon.” Cosette tried to keep the irritation out of her voice.

They eventually got to the building, the street it was located on was full of carts filled with various manufactured goods, heading to the gates or being unloaded. There were also some wagons with food, wrapped up and stored properly in boxes.

“The Forge District!” Theo perked up, glancing around with interest.

“Forge District?”

“Some of the greatest smiths and creators in Winter Court work here!” Theo couldn’t contain his excitement, barely sticking to the group as he kept trying to get a peak at the carts and the stuff inside them.

I didn’t realize this place was that big of a deal.

Cosette could admit it looked better than the supposed industrial section of the capital they visited. With proper guards and actual commercial activity the street looked alive rather than creepy or abandoned. Although, they had visited the supposed ‘industrial district’ on a day when all the faes stayed home, so Cosette tried to reserve her judgments.

Why didn’t Amelio flaunt the area’s worth though? Wouldn’t it have helped his case in convincing me to rent it?

Stepping inside the building, Cosette approached the front desk. The secretary looked up.

“Lord Amelio warned me you’d be coming in today.”

“I am just here to show my partners the room.”

“Take your time.” the secretary pushed forward a key, returning to her work.

Cosette took the key, leading the group upstairs to the third floor.

“Lord Amelio? You know him?” Theo stared at Cosette with wide eyes.

Even the elder had perked up, his eyes gleaming with interest.

“He ordered a custom perfume from me and came to give his thanks. We got to talking and he offered me a room to rent.” Cosette explained.

“Woah.” Theo whispered.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well, Lord Amelio is a very well-known business fae due to the farms he runs and his port trading businesses. He is also credited with helping to keep the economy together during Kallias’s absence, along with a couple other important business figures.” Theo continued, “Though, I mostly admire him because he is a Lesser Fae, yet he commands respect amongst the nobility. How many can claim to be able to do that?!”

Cosette hummed, processing this information. 

So my gut was right, he’s not High Fae. How did he get this far then? 

“Please, the man just married lucky.” the elder kept his voice low as he gossiped, “That wife of his is from a prestigious family. No one will say a word because of her.”

Now Cosette didn’t know what to think.

Was it really just Solene pulling all the strings?

“And why do you need to rent a room?” the elder raised an eyebrow at Cosette.

“I promised you two a gift for the Winter Solstice. I have been working on a side project that will involve a lot of woodworking.” Cosette opened the door, stepping aside so they could see inside, “My gift to you is this project. Working on carving wood rather than perfumery.”

“What is the project?” Theo murmured, walking between the long tables, staring at the workshop in wonder.

“It’s a farming tool that will, in theory, help increase the current harvest.” Cosette explained, “Here is my design for it.”

She showed Theo and the elder her diagrams and sketches of the spirit ‘house’.

“It has a lot of details, and I’ve seen your old works when we were clearing out the perfumery. They’re beautiful. So is the cart you created and the gift you gave Blanche and Forrest. You’re very attentive and are amazing artisans that I would be lucky to have on my team.”

“You know, most faes get each other money or something else if they can't come up with a gift.” 

I am sorry, I thought this was a good gift!

“This is perfect!” Theo’s eyes lit up as he stared at the room as if it were a treasury, “The location is great too!”

“How is the location great?” the elder drawled, “Buildings full of construction projects and ruckus.”

“I’ve been searching for a space that we could move into.” Theo said, turning to his father, “This is one of the neighborhoods I was considering because it’s cheap.”

“Wait, move out?!” the elder exclaimed, staring at his son, “But why?”

“Well, Cosette owns the building, and she and Ophelia still live at an inn. It’s only fair ”

Was…was this a moral compass? From a fae?

Cosette couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She wasn’t looking forward to the eventual discussion of asking them to kindly find a different house to live in, or finding a room for herself and Ophelia elsewhere.

Thank you Theo for bringing this up yourself!

“She let us stay there.” the elder grumbled.

“Yes, because Cosette is kind.” Theo frowned at his father, “She let us keep our home despite the fact that she owns it, she helped us pay off our debt, and now she is offering us a job within our field of interest!”

“It’s not what we used to do before.”

“Well, it’s not exactly what we used to do but it’s a starting point.” Theo argued, “We have to restart somewhere, and this seems like a good place.”

The elder grumbled, but Cosette easily ignored him. She felt so proud of the man before her for standing up to his father.

“So,” Theo grinned at Cosette, “When do we start?”

“As soon as possible. I’ll contact Amelio and finalize the payment.”

“I-We look forward to working with you.”

“You really don’t have to move out.” Blanche watched Ophelia and Cosette pack up.

“Blanche we’ve imposed long enough.” Cosette set her bag on the bed, finishing putting clothes away.

“You’re not imposing though…” Blanche grumbled.

“We can’t live in an inn forever.” Ophelia stood up, finishing wrapping her clothes as well, “Besides we’ll visit.”

“You better.” Blanche pulled them into a hug, “Me and Forrest will miss you two.”

“We’re moving just a couple blocks away!” Cosette hugged back.

“Still, I expect you to come here several times a week for dinner.” Blanche ruffled both of their heads, gently messing up their hair.

“We will, don’t worry.” Cosette soothed.

“Yeah! You also better come over to play with me!” Fermin peaked around his mother’s skirts, glaring at Cosette and Ophelia.

“How could we miss out on play time with you?” Ophelia squished Fermin into a hug.

“Ack, on second thought, leave! And take your hugs with you!” Fermin managed to break free from Ophelia’s hold, running away.

Ophelia laughed, teasing the child as Forrest picked up their bags.

“I can carry them.” Cosette insisted.

He shook his head, “I’ll help you take them to the perfumery.”

“Look at my perfect husband.” Blanche kissed Forrest on the cheek, her eyes looking into his with a flirty spark.

Forrest returned the kiss, his expression soft.

The group went downstairs, Blanche putting another bag into Forrest’s arms.

“Here, take some dinner with you.”

“Aw, Blanche. Thank you.” Ophelia hugged the fae again.

Blanche hugged back, holding the younger fae gently. She reluctantly let go as Ophelia took Cosette’s hand and they left the inn with Forrest following behind.

Approaching the perfumery they could see Theo and his father leaving with their own bags. Few words were exchanged as they had to get to their new home and check that all the furniture they requested was moved appropriately.

“Thank you again Forrest.” Cosette said, taking the bags from the burly man.

Forrest nodded, “No problem, don’t forget to lock up for the night.”

“We won’t!” Ophelia and Cosette waved him goodbye as he began the walk back to his inn.

Cosette took a deep breath, smiling as she looked at the perfumery in a new light. The place had always had a cozy charm to it, but now, as the two women stood staring at the tables decorated with perfumes and the clean shelves, it felt different.

“Can’t believe we actually have a home now.”

“I know.” Cosette didn’t like the feeling that settled in her stomach - guilt.

I am not replacing my true home.

Cosette steeled herself.

I am looking for a way back-No, I will find a way back. It just might take some time. This wasn’t a replacement. It was temporary.

Cosette took the bags, carrying them upstairs, followed by Ophelia.

“By the Cauldron, your walk is practically flawless.” Ophelia complimented observing Cosette as she walked up the stairs to the mezzanine.

“I would be disappointed if it weren’t after hiking through the woods in heels.” Cosette answered dryly, “Though I don’t think I compare to the fae quite yet.”

“What are you talking about?! It’s a good walk! My training methods are elite and should not be questioned.” Ophelia giggled, catching up with her friend.

“Yeah, yeah.” Cosette rolled her eyes, “You’re amazing Ophelia. You don’t need to fish for compliments.”

“I am not fishing!” the fae insisted.

Cosette turned back to her Ophelia, her dress spinning elegantly as she maintained her posture, “Just tell me and I’ll shower you in them regardless.”

A beat passed as Ophelia stared at her, before shaking her head and smiling again, “You’re a silly human.”

“And you’re a silly fae.”

Ophelia sighed, her eyes full of pride seeing Cosette’s graceful movements, “My little baby is growing up so fast.”

“Not a baby.” Cosette scowled.

“You are a baby though. You were like twenty one last time I checked!”

“I am twenty three now for your information.” Cosette muttered, Ophelia pinching her cheek playfully, opening the door to her bedroom.

They had agreed Ophelia would take Theo’s room and Cosette the elder’s.

“I am going to go unpack and then warm up the food.”

Cosette nodded, “I’ll join you once I finish up.”

“Sounds good.” Ophelia twirled away dramatically, closing the door behind her.

Cosette could hear happy gasps as the fae explored and settled in. She could only imagine how Ophelia felt having her own room having lived in a prison cell for such a long time.

Cosette walked into her own room, immediately pinching her nose.

That sweet smell again.

She opened the window to air out the bedroom, trying to find the source. Apart from a couple soaps, similar to the ones the elder used to have downstairs, she found nothing.

Sighing, Cosette wiped down the bookshelves and closet, hanging up her clothes. She changed the bedding and mopped down the floors, closing the window soon after as it began getting cold. 

The sweet smell was almost gone which allowed Cosette to relax. Deciding she had done enough for the evening she headed downstairs into their back room to set up dinner, Ophelia joining her soon after.

“Hey, did you get settled in?” Cosette warmed up the meat and rice on the small stove they had.

“Yes, the room is wonderful. There’s a window and the bed is so warm. And the closet Cosette, oh the closet! I am going to fill it with so many dresses.” Ophelia rambled, helping to set the plates, “What about you? How’s your room?”

“It’s nice.”

I am happy she’s happy.

Cosette twisted and turned.

Go to sleep dammit.

She had already gone through all the comfortable positions she could think of, leaving her frustrated and staring up at the ceiling. Cosette was tempted to get up and work but it was around two am in the morning, and if she did that she’d be running on no sleep when the perfumery opened.

Cosette scowled, fluffing up her pillow and snuggling into it 

Is Ophelia sleeping already?

Deciding she had nothing better to do, Cosette got up, still wrapped up in her blanket, and walked several steps to the second door in the mezzanine, dragging her pillow. She knocked.

“Cosette?” a muffled voice sounded.

Cosette carefully opened the door, peeking inside, “Hey, it’s me.”

The room wasn’t anything amazing. From Ophelia’s compliments one could have thought she had the master bedroom in a manor.

Any room would be impressive compared to a cell.

Ophelia was sitting upright in the bed, her hair a mess.

“Can’t sleep either?”

“No.”

Ophelia sighed, collapsing back into her bed, letting out an annoyed groan, “Seriously, it shouldn’t be this hard.”

Cosette climbed into bed, relaxing with Ophelia’s familiar presence next to her. Ophelia pulled the human closer, snuggling. Cosette gently ran her fingers through the fae’s hair.

“It really shouldn’t be.”

Ophelia hummed in agreement, gazing softly at Cosette, closing her eyes as her friend brushed her hair.

“Ophelia, I have a question about Lesser Fae: how do you know if someone is one, versus a High Fae? I know that Lesser Fae usually have markers that separate them from the more human-like High Fae, but is there any other way? I mean, you and Theo don’t exactly have features that make you look non-human.” Cosette asked, voicing her growing confusion over the past several days.

Ophelia flinched.

“Ophelia?”

“Sorry.” Ophelia pulled away, her eyes a dull brown.

“Did I say something?” Cosette sat up slightly.

“No. No, you didn’t say anything.” Ophelia rubbed the space between her eyes, “I just forget how little you know at times.”

Cosette waited patiently for Ophelia to continue.

“Usually you can tell by the aura and power a fae exudes how high up the food ladder they are. As for physical markers,” Ophelia inhaled sharply, “It’s not always an obvious visual marker. We don't walk around naked you know? Some might hide their Lesser Fae traits if possible, like tails or wings.”

“But why hide them?”

“If you’re in a big city like the capital, where there are many nobles and High Fae, it benefits to fit in. Besides, High Fae are seen as the epitome of beauty and perfection.” Ophelia’s voice turned bitter, “Many will try anything to achieve the same visual standard.”

“Oh.” Cosette whispered.

“The rank of Lesser Fae is technically a spectrum, ranging from fae who might be of mixed blood to those who have never left the forest.” Ophelia moved back closer to Cosette.

“Thank you for explaining.”

“It’s nothing.” Ophelia closed her eyes.

Cosette gazed at the fae next to her, conflicted on what to say.

I clearly hurt her somehow.

“Ophelia-”

“Shh, time for sleep.” Ophelia pulled Cosette into a hug.

Cosette closed her eyes.

Less prying, more hugs. Got it.

Cosette got up quietly, not wanting to disturb Ophelia early in the morning. They had a couple hours before the shop would need to be opened so Cosete decided to get an early start to her day.

Not like I was sleeping anyways.

She had managed to fall asleep initially but a feeling of restlessness woke her up. Cosette was currently blaming that stupid restlessness for her having to change in very cold temperatures.

Getting dressed and going downstairs she lit the fireplace and wrapped herself up in a throw blanket.

Why was it always freezing?

Cosette knew the obvious answer, but still chose to be huffy about it. She grabbed a box of some cinnamon perfume and took it out to the front, beginning to put them on their shelves.

Since I have no idea where to start for Kallias’s perfume, let’s consider Viviane’s. She said she wanted a flower based scent, so I have to find out either her favorite flower or a scent that is neutral enough that she could wear it on a daily basis. However, it also needed to be sweet and alluring.

Perhaps roses? They were traditional and sweet. They’re also romantic! Alternatively, I could lean into the fact that she is a Lady of a Court, meaning her scent needs to represent her as a political figure. What are popular Winter Court flowers? I’ll have to go to the market to investigate.

As for Briar…

Cosette rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Yeah I have no idea about Briar. Maybe something sweet and innocent? She seems quite energetic so perhaps something with an undertone of spice?

Turning around Cosette let out a small yelp of surprise.

Briar was pressed up against the glass of the perfumery. She waved.

Cosette hesitantly waved back.

Aquilo poked his head into view, waving as well.

Please don’t tell me the royal family has decided to visit again. I can’t handle that right now - I’m cold and sleep-deprived!

Cosette opened the front door for them.

“Hi!

“Hello.” Cosette didn’t see Viviane and Kallias behind them.

A good sign.

“Please, come in.” Cosette stepped aside, letting them into the perfumery, locking the door afterwards.

I don’t need people thinking we’re open at seven in the morning.

“Good morning.” Cosette said.

“Good morning! We came to visit!” Briar beamed.

“I can see that.” Cosette was hoping her lack of sleep wasn’t horribly obvious, “Is there a particular purpose to this visit, or…?”

“Oh, well I know I requested you make my perfume by getting to know me, but I thought having you show up to the palace for our first meeting might be too intimidating so we decided to visit you here!” Briar explained.

Cosette blinked, the tiredness making it hard to get the details of Briar’s ramble.

“I appreciate your concern.” Cosette said, gesturing to them to follow her upstairs, “I do apologize for not reaching out or visiting you yet. I have been busy finding a spot for the farming project, and getting everything set up for it.”

“Oh that’s okay, how’s the project coming along? Did you find where you want to produce the farming equipment?” Briar skipped after Cosette to her office upstairs.

Briar, give me your morning energy.

“It’s going well. I found a spot for the production of it thanks to Amelio.”

“Amelio?” Aquilo asked “You know him?”

“Well we met briefly when he ordered a custom perfume from me. He visited recently, which was when I found out that he had extra rooms in a warehouse of his. He happily offered to rent me the place for a fair price.”

“Do you always wake up early to prepare the shop for the day?” Aquilo sat down on one of the chairs after Briar had taken her seat.

“No, I just couldn’t sleep.” Cosette admitted.

“If you’re having trouble sleeping I can recommend this herbal tea, I believe it’s a blend of chamomile and passionflower tea. They sell it at most well respected shops. My soldiers say it works like a charm.”

“I’ll look into it, thank you.” Cosette nodded, setting a teapot to boil, “What kind of tea do you two want?”

“Something sweet.” Briar said.

“I’ll skip the tea.” Aquilo gestured to his cup of what Cossette assumed to be coffee.

“So you walked all the way here from your home?” Briar asked

“Well actually we live here now.”

“We?” Briar clarified.

“Me and Ophelia. Theo and his father moved out, so we moved in.” Cosette noticed how Aquilo stiffened for a second before relaxing again.

“Where did you live before this?” Aquilo sipped his coffee

“We stayed at Forrest’s inn.” Cosette brewed the tea.

“An inn? Isn’t that expensive?”

“We got a discount.” Cosette smiled, setting two tea cups on the table.

Briar perked up as if she remembered something and pulled out a beautiful box labeled ‘Frosted Bakery’. She opened it to reveal various pastries: cranberry scones dusted with powdered sugar, cinnamon muffins and gooseberry danishes. The box was practically overflowing with the quantity and diversity of sweets.

“What’s this?” Cosette’s mouth watered at the spread, her stomach growling.

Briar smiled, “I thought since I am visiting you this early we should have breakfast together so we stopped by one of our favorite bakeries.”

Uh-huh.

“I appreciate it.” Cosette took her seat.

On second thought, if you’re going to feed us for free please come more often.

“Here, try the muffin!”

Cosette obediently tasted the cinnamon muffin, the mixture of the spice and sweetness coating her mouth.

Oh my god my tastebuds.

“This is so good.” Cosette chewed.

“Right?!” Briar bit into a muffin as well, pushing a scone towards Aquilo who gave an appreciative nod.

“I love their peppermint-chocolate chip cookies and danishes, but the muffins will always have a special place in my heart.”

“Any particular reason?” Cosette took a sip of her tea.

“It was one of the first sweets I tried when I came to Winter Court.”

“I see.” Cosette watched Briar as she devoured her treat.

I am going to need to look into the Children of the Blessed. Perhaps knowing more about the group within the actual world of Prythian rather than as some group that showed up a couple times within a romantasy novel will give me insight into Briar’s behavior.

There was a knock on the office door and Ophelia peaked in.

“Good morning.” the fae blinked sleepily.

“Good morning.” Cosette greeted her, “How did you sleep?”

“Well.” she shivered, walking over to the desk and grabbing a blanket from one of the shelves that lined the walls. Ophelia did not ask any questions regarding the two guests, merely casting them a calm glance.

“We’re having breakfast, feel free to take anything.” Briar offered, pushing the box of treats towards the faerie.

“Thank you.” Ophelia set aside a scone and a glazed brioche bun for herself, going to make herself some tea.

“Would either of you like a blanket?” Cosette asked, feeling guilty she didn’t offer immediately.

Aquilo shook his head but Briar happily took one.

Cosette finished her tea and muffin, watching Briar chug the remainder of her tea.

“I was wondering, would it be possible to see how you make perfumes?” Briar asked, “Or at least the equipment you use?”

“Oh? Want to steal my company secrets?” Cosette joked.

“I-No! Never!” Briar looked insulted

“Relax, I am kidding.” Cosette smiled, “I would be happy to show you.”

Briar glanced at Aquilo for approval, who nodded, taking another gulp of his coffee.

Cosette got up, letting Ophelia have her seat, and led Briar downstairs.

In the back room Cosette carefully pulled out vials and pots, setting them up to begin working after her guests would eventually leave.

Briar’s eyes sparkled, “Is this what you use to make the perfumes?”

“Yes, we use this to extract oils from things like wood or flower petals.” Cosette explained, holding out a glass vial for Briar to look at closely.

Briar carefully took the glass, examining it, following Cosette, observing her every action.

“We use these larger bowls to collect condensation and oils.” Cosette decided to entertain Briar, “Over here I mix various scents together to create more complex perfumes. I use this,” Cosette showed the pipette, “To collect smaller or larger quantities of oils to produce the desired, nuanced scent.”

“Woah.” Briar in awe whispered.

It was honestly a bit funny how easy it was to impress a human in this world. Back home people knew what a pipette was, and had maybe even worked with one if their school was well-funded. It just went to show how behind the humans were within Prythian.

“Show me more!” Briar leaned over Cosette’s shoulder.

“My pleasure.”

Next: Chapter 24 - Pointy Stick of Doom

Back: Chapter 22 - A Very Polite Non-political Conversation

Masterlist

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[l3x01d]

98' Furby Battery Contact Replacement/Repair Guide

What you'll need:

soldering iron, flux, 60/40 leaded solder, related safety equipment

size 1 bit Phillips-head screwdriver

needlenose pliers

new battery contacts (the little metal parts inside the battery compartment that touch the batteries) for AAs (the ones i ended up using i got on ebay and were called "Battery Spring Plate AA Battery Contact Nickel Plate 28mmx12mm for DIY 20 Pcs")

q-tips and very very thin/small disposable make up brushes (i found some marketed as stirrers for drinks or resin)

very thin/sharp pry tool or xacto (depends on how corroded the contacts are! you might not need this)

**If you're using this guide for other electronics: Pay attention to what each contact looks like and where it's placed. Take many pictures both close up and far away to help you later! The point is to try and recreate the contacts as exactly as possible. The most important part is that the batteries "contact" (touch) the metal. If there's multiple parts to the compartment (like on this furby) there should be metal connecting all the parts. This will become easier to understand as you read this guide.

This is xXToh-Loo the VoideaterXx! They've been hanging out on my work table while I worked up to changing their heavily corroded battery contacts.

I'm not gonna go over skinning them since there's so many guides/videos already online. I didnt think of doing this guide until after i finished so the pictures are of new/clean contacts. Sorry for any confusion this causes! step 1. open the battery compartment

step 2. clean whatever you can. i have no pictures of this but i used a combination of scraping the corrosion off with my xacto and cleaning it up with isopropyl soaked q-tips. ive heard white vinegar works really well but ive never used it. if you use white vinegar be careful not to get it inside the rest of the furby! also wipe it down after with water. (making sure its VERY dry before putting batteries inside. use distilled if at all possible. your water may have sediments or metals that could interfere with the batteries)

step 3. bend up the metal that connects the top right side of the contacts. wiggle them until they detach from the compartment. used an exacto or something similar to help with this if they're really stuck. be patient! this might take a while. ****If they really won't budge dont give up! You might need to scrape along the inside edge of the metal [or where you think the metal should be if theyre really rusted/corroded] with your exacto until you dig out a lot of the rust/corrosion. Then try and stab it repeatedly almost like slicing a bagel along the whole side inbetween the metal and plastic. Be careful not to hurt the plastic. Wiggle the exacto side to side all along the edge to break it free.*** Remove and dispose of the old contacts.

step 4. using the xacto and pliers do a similar thing to the other side. there are no metal flaps on this side so it requires more patience but keep going! i promise you'll get it out just be careful. once you get it detached from the back grip the spring with your pliers and pull it out that way.

Step 5. Do the same for the inner right side of the battery compartments. These are unique in that they have a long metal part coming off of the contacts. Remember this for later. You may have to open the casing to remove this part? I cant exactly remember. Just be careful and slow. I go over taking the casing off later on.

Ignore the rest of the contacts for now! Clean everything again to the best of your ability. It's time to take off the casing. There's six screws, two halves of the casing, and one back sensor button. Be careful taking the halves apart! There are speaker wires and I will detail how to do so.

Step 6. Take all six screws and the sensor button out. Keep them together!! They're small and rolly.

Step 7. Take off the casing. Start with the "pet" sensor facing you. Take off the Left casing completely. Crack the Right side a bit until you see the speaker. Grip both wires firmly. Tug it a little to get it out. It shouldn't take much pressure at all. Let the speaker hang and take off the Right casing.

If you tilt your furby up you'll see this spring. be carful with it! mine fell out so you might want to consider taking it out and putting it with your screws.

Pretty much the whole rest of this guide involves soldering. It's annoying but not something that will risk any electronics being destroyed so it's actually a pretty good beginner project.

Step 8. Turn on your soldering iron. Get your safety gear on.

Step 9. Desolder the wires on the side of the contacts and remove the contacts. You might have to really work at these ones! These were the worst ones in mine in terms of corrosion. Make sure there's no corrosion left on the wires. Be careful not to damage the wires with the iron.

Step 10. Clean the compartment again and make sure to get any corrosion on the internals (if there is any! mine didnt have any)

Step 11. Cut the tab off of one of the sets of contacts you have. Keep it and put it aside. Put this in the top Left slot in the compartment. Make sure to put the spring in the - slot and the dome in the + slot.

Step 12. Cut one of the contacts in half along the tab. Keep the tab on the spring side. Put it in the top Right slot in the - side. Bend the tab to secure it.

Step 13. Put the dome from the contacts you cut in half in the Left + slot. Put the tab BEHIND it and bend it to secure them. The domes on the contacts I got don't go out very far so I have to get creative.

Step 14. Cut two more contact sets in half. Cut a strip alll the way down the middle including the tab. Keep these strips for the next step.

Step 15. Solder one strip to the spring side a tabs width inside of the square. The strip should line up with the indent when placed into the compartment.

Step 16. Solder the second strip to the middle of the dome square. Solder another dome ontop of that to ensure the battery makes contact.

Step 17. Place these new contacts into the bottom right of the compartment.

Step 18. Cut another contact in half. Cut another strip off the bottom of a full contact set and THEN cut that contact in half. Solder the strips into the middle of the full spring and dome squares. Place them into the bottom Left of the compartment making sure the strips are through the hole that goes to the internals of the furby.

Step 19. Bend and trim both strips on the inside of the furby. Solder the wires to the bent strips. (Step 9 has a good pic of what its supposed to look like) Shove the second cut dome square behind the soldered in one in the compartment to ensure battery contact.

Make sure the metal contacts touches all the batteries and both long metal ends in the bottom right touches both top right bent tabs when the compartment is closed. It should now work perfectly! Put some batteries in and have fun. : ]

[burninglights]

For the love of god don't die in my labs, there's a lot of paperwork if you do. is one hell of a sentence. It made me laugh quite a bit. I'm not that familiar with University and professional labs, is it a common occurrence that machines say they're done while they are not really?

heyo, anon!

So my uni lab was a high-volume lab, meaning we were running undergrad, postgrad and doctoral thesis projects simultaneously. Between glassware, autoclaving our powdered agar suspensions with deionised distilled water to make sterile agar suspensions and media and the lab techs sterilising equipment for first year labs and demos, our autoclaves were going near constantly.

What happens with the autoclaves is that they beep once to tell you that the cycle is finished, and again to tell you that the autoclave has depressurised and is safe to open.

Because we weren’t just running the autoclave and we’re doing other tasks concurrently, it wasn’t all that hard to forget which beep you were on, and if it was the first beep, you ran the risk of opening a pressurised autoclave and getting a face full of ~90c steam at about 6atmos, which would, at best, their degree burn you to hell and back.

(The autoclave has lights on the top indicating which part of the cycle it’s on, but you can’t control for user error, and 40 harried undergrads who haven’t been in a lab for two years on account of The Rona doing their thesis project are like. the poster demographic for user error.)

To forestall us from reducing our faces and/or extremities to a homogenate with the texture of chunky marinara, our prof made us confirm with the lab techs — absolute rockstars who had been working alongside the university professors researching COVID and keeping the research teams on other projects afloat throughout the acute phase of the pandemic — who have had years of experience using autoclaves under time pressure and at speed, that we were on the ‘safe to open’ part of the cycle before opening the autoclave with every use.

Probably just so he didn’t get pulled away from his agar plates for a major incident review, but it’s the thought that counts! 😂

[selfdiagnosedeyemotif]

Chapter Four (Tyrri):

Port-des-Lumières is a really cool place that I really like and I just want to talk about it because I like it

Most of the Deltalands is fairly wet and marshy but as soon as you approach the sea cliffs and shit start popping up

Sitting atop these cliffs in Port-des-Lumières is not one but two lighthouses, one much larger and newer than the other

The old one is in fact the library that Willie and Dante spoke of; after the new one was built, no one wanted to tear the old one down, so they just renovated it and converted it into a library, called The Beacon

The bit where the light goes was fairly overlarge, so they plopped some tables in that bad boy and it became the designated Best Study Area Ever

Also in the top bit is a multicoloured orb of light in a spherical cage. That one got put there as a prank by some teenaged mages and no one is quite sure how to take it out. So you’ve got the wide open sea on one side of you and The Orb on the other

Tyrri ascends this delightful little place and begins her final assessment of her information

To trigger this, you enter a Synergize section, with a fairly low damage threshold

First synapse (magic in the water): the magic in the water has origin signatures that line up extremely closely to populations of animals in the area in comparison to their magical strength (more magical creatures and more common creatures show up the most in Tasslemore’s analysis)

Conclusion: the magic comes from those animals

Hypothesis: the magic is given freely by those animals for whatever reason, confirm with further research

Second synapse (properties of the crystals): the structure of the crystals lends itself well to capturing magic via contact and then releasing it into another magic-conductive material, but cannot hold magic for very long on its own

Conclusion: the crystals could be used to capture oncoming magic and store it for later use

Hypothesis: the crystals could be used to absorb magic from other magic-conductive materials before transferring it to other MCMs

Third synapse (origin of the crystals): the crystals have the same magical makeup as the water, only distilled and in a fully solid form (stated in Tasslemore’s research, potentially previously hypothesized by Tyrri)

Conclusion: the crystals grew from the water, similarly to those silly little experiments you do as a kid only far more magically potent

During the Synergize section, the facts will be laid out and the player will be prompted to select one of three conclusions

If they’re wrong, Tyrri will go on about it for a bit, and then say “no, that couldn’t be right” or something along those lines

Think of those Revisualization sequences from the 3D Ace Attorney games; it’s an interactive cutscene meant to make it so that the player feels more involved than if Tyrri came to her conclusions on her own

Tyrri furiously writes down all of her notes, notices that the sun is beginning to set, and then sets off for the inn (the next cargo shipment leaves the following day)

Outside of The Beacon, Tyrri has to go through a crowd of people for reasons (I guess it’s a busier town)

Two people stand out as not being generic NPCs; one of them bumps into Tyrri and begins walking away, which she doesn’t notice at first

Exiting the crowd, Tyrri realises that her messenger bag is gone

All of her research, all of her equipment, years of work, all stored in a small satchel

Tearing back through the crowd in pursuit of the thieves, she spots them

Turning a few corners and gaining on them due to her expertise in back alleys, they duck into a sewer nearby, leading into…

The Fourth Dungeon: Aqueduct of the Port

It’s the Grandport Sewers, gang. I’m a fraud.

Truly nothing interesting to say about this one

Might take some inspiration from the Seat of the Water Sprite in the Crestlands as well but I truly cannot be interesting about this

Sorry, gang.

The sewers open up into a single gap between some of the buildings that forms a rough circle: there seems to be some kind of design drawn onto the ground as well

Sneaking up on the two interlopers, Tyrri overhears a few things

First, the two are named Michaelis and MacPherson; MacPherson has a heavy Scottish accent that really emphasizes the “Makk” in his name

Second, Michaelis mentions something about how weird it is to “work for a seventeen year-old, no matter who her pop is”

Tyrri eventually bursts in on them, triggering…

The Fourth Boss: Michaelis and MacPherson

Duo bosses! My favourite!

No seriously I love duo bosses so much octopath needs more of them

Anyway it’s a similar split focus to the Mystery Man and Shady Figure from Ophilia’s story

Michaelis focuses on beating you down with AoE spells whilst MacPherson presses the debuff button

MacPherson goes earlier in the turn order but Michaelis has two actions rather than one

They enter boost mode together with the lines “On your mark, Michaelis!” “Always, MacPherson!”

When you take one down the other immediately enters boost mode and gains an additional action per turn, standard fare

Once again I don’t have a ton to say about this boss, Tyrri’s route isn’t nearly as boss-focused as Aestia’s was (I miss Eldroy and the Pontifex…)

After the boss ends, the duo is backed into a corner, and Tyrri is about to retrieve her bag, when…

A sudden gust of wind sweeps her off her feet

The culprit? Simple. There she is, emerging into the light right now

One hand concentrating on some kind of spell and the other raised in an offensive position is none other than Catena Novi

She looks kinda worse for wear, which I unfortunately can only really portray by making her hair messier

Accursed tiny octopath sprites and their lack of emotive control

Anyway she walks in, refusing to even look at Tyrri, and sweeps her out of the room with another gust of wind

Michaelis/MacPherson makes a “you ready, boss?” type comment to confirm that she is, in fact, the one of which they spoke

Tyrri looks up as the design on the ground flares to life, revealing its true nature as a teleportation circle

“Cat?”

Catena turns, eyes shadowed, before turning her back again

And just like that, they’re gone. All of that research down the drain. Stolen.

There is yet one spark of hope: there’s only one place that Cat could have gone

Tyrri rises from the ground, brushes herself off, and heads to the harbour, bound for the colony of scholars across the sea

The story will continue in Seekersgate

[boissonsaumiel]

Mead Making for the Blithe and Erratic: A Tutorial

For a One Gallon Batch:

Ingredients ($20USD+):

~3lbs (48oz, 1.5L) raw, unprocessed honey

~2.5quarts (2.4L) drinking water

1 packet of dry yeast

Supermarkets typically sell honey in 1lb/16oz containers or smaller. You can find 3lb containers if you order online. Make sure to buy raw, unprocessed honey. The pasteurization process may destroy the anti-bacterial enzymes that protect your batch from contamination during the initial stages of the brewing process.

If you trust your tap water enough to drink it you can use that, otherwise you can buy a gallon of whatever bottled spring water you prefer (just don't use mineral water or distilled water).

Wine yeast is preferred, but bread yeast works too; the resulting mead will have slightly lower alcohol content if made with bread yeast. Note: mead with higher alcohol content is more shelf-stable.

Equipment ($10USD+):

1 gallon carboy set (includes 1gal./3.8L glass brewing vessel plus drilled rubber stopper w/ airlock; sold as a unit for $15 on amazon)

brewing siphon (about $5+ on amazon; DO NOT get a petrol siphon; product must be made with food safe materials)

optional: 1gal. airtight drink dispenser with spigot** (see footnotes)

If you'd rather not pay for a glass carboy, you can instead use any empty plastic gallon-sized milk/juice jug you have lying around. You'll still need to get an airlock ($2+ on amazon). Punch a hole through the lid of your plastic jug to attach the airlock (borrow your neighbor's drill), then seal off any potential air leaks with food-safe cling wrap, Elmer's glue, or some other non-toxic sealant.

Steps:

Add honey* to the brewing vessel + enough lukewarm drinking water to fill it 85% full.

Let the honey fully dissolve in the water. Stir it, or screw on the lid and shake it.

Add 1 tsp yeast.

Kill the remainder of the yeast packet in half a cup of boiling water (you can nuke it in the microwave) and add that too. It gives the yeast some extra nutrients to help it ferment.**

Add a little more water until your fermenting vessel is 85-90%full.

Put in the rubber stopper/airlock.

Store the carboy somewhere room temperature. Ideal fermenting temperatures vary depending on the yeast. Wine-strength mead ages well at room temperature (64-75º F). Mead with a lower alcohol level should be aged at slightly cooler temperatures.

Swish the liquid in the carboy around once a day for the first 5 days, to make sure the honey really is fully dissolved and not settling to the bottom.

Wait for fermentation to finish (usually 3 or 4 weeks but it may take longer) -> when air bubbles stop coming out of the airlock, it's done fermenting (give it a couple weeks after it seems to have stopped to be extra sure).

Your mead will still be cloudy at this point. Remove any solids you might have put in the brew like fruit or spices (you can use a metal sieve, or cheese cloth, or a coffee filter, or whatever you have on hand to strain it), and seal off the container (be SURE fermentation has stopped, because you can EXPLODE your container if you seal it off when fermentation is still going.***

Wait for the mead to clear. All the yeast/particulates from the honey will slowly settle to the bottom of the container now that it has completed fermentation. This might take several weeks, or even several months**** depending on which honey you used.

Transfer the cleared mead into a new container(s), leaving behind any particulates and dead yeast that have settled to the bottom of the container.

At this point (3-4 months after you started the batch) you can go ahead and drink it, OR if it doesn't taste good yet, you can continue to let it age for up to 2 years in an airtight container***** in a temperature controlled root cellar/wine cellar/wine fridge.

Best served cold. Chill before drinking.

.

*If the honey is too thick to pour directly into the carboy, warm a half gallon of water in a large pot pot (no hotter than 95°F/35°C, which is the internal temperature of a beehive -> DO NOT boil) and let the honey dissolve in it before adding it to carboy.

**You can also buy commercial yeast nutrient. Or you can not add any nutrient and your mead will probably still come out fine, but it might take longer to ferment and require more aging to taste good.

***If your container is a conventional jar/jug, you will need to buy a brewing siphon for step 10. If, however, you use a jar/jug with an attached spigot, you will not need a siphon.

The spigot will allow you to pour off the cleared mead, while leaving behind any unwanted residue that has settled to the bottom of the container. Do TEST the spigot first to make sure it doesn't leak.

****I know I said you could us a plastic jug, but once the fermentation is complete you should transfer it to a glass container(s) to let it clear. You can buy additives to make it clear faster by searching for "brewing clarifiers" online. Or you can just drink it cloudy if it passes your personal taste test.

*****If you want it to have an oaky flavor, you can age it in an oak barrel, or you can get the same effect by adding oak chips to the batch before sealing it off in a glass container.

.

I see a lot of brewing guides tell you that yeast nutrient is absolutely necessary. My mead has always tasted fine without it. YMMV.

You can buy additional equipment to measure exactly how alcoholic your mead is and exactly what the pH is in your carboy etc., etc., but I just don't see the point unless you're a professional brewer making mead with intent to sell.

Some mead guides will tell you that you need to buy special sanitizer and use special gloves and build a special cleanroom to avoid contamination. Contamination risk is higher if you're doing a fruit mead using a fruit that rots easily like raspberries. But if you stick to basics, risk is low since both raw honey and the alcohol it is converted into have anti-fungal/anti-bacterial properties. Just wash & rinse your hands and your equipment with regular dish soap.

Honestly, as long as you don't let any NYC sewer rats piss directly in your carboy and you should be fine.

[beantothemax]

Chapter Four:

Port-des-Lumières is a really cool place that I really like and I just want to talk about it because I like it

Most of the Deltalands is fairly wet and marshy but as soon as you approach the sea cliffs and shit start popping up

Sitting atop these cliffs in Port-des-Lumières is not one but two lighthouses, one much larger and newer than the other

The old one is in fact the library that Willie and Dante spoke of; after the new one was built, no one wanted to tear the old one down, so they just renovated it and converted it into a library, called The Beacon

The bit where the light goes was fairly overlarge, so they plopped some tables in that bad boy and it became the designated Best Study Area Ever

Also in the top bit is a multicoloured orb of light in a spherical cage. That one got put there as a prank by some teenaged mages and no one is quite sure how to take it out. So you’ve got the wide open sea on one side of you and The Orb on the other

Tyrri ascends this delightful little place and begins her final assessment of her information

To trigger this, you enter a Synergize section, with a fairly low damage threshold

First synapse (magic in the water): the magic in the water has origin signatures that line up extremely closely to populations of animals in the area in comparison to their magical strength (more magical creatures and more common creatures show up the most in Tasslemore’s analysis)

Conclusion: the magic comes from those animals

Hypothesis: the magic is given freely by those animals for whatever reason, confirm with further research

Second synapse (properties of the crystals): the structure of the crystals lends itself well to capturing magic via contact and then releasing it into another magic-conductive material, but cannot hold magic for very long on its own

Conclusion: the crystals could be used to capture oncoming magic and store it for later use

Hypothesis: the crystals could be used to absorb magic from other magic-conductive materials before transferring it to other MCMs

Third synapse (origin of the crystals): the crystals have the same magical makeup as the water, only distilled and in a fully solid form (stated in Tasslemore’s research, potentially previously hypothesized by Tyrri)

Conclusion: the crystals grew from the water, similarly to those silly little experiments you do as a kid only far more magically potent

During the Synergize section, the facts will be laid out and the player will be prompted to select one of three conclusions

If they’re wrong, Tyrri will go on about it for a bit, and then say “no, that couldn’t be right” or something along those lines

Think of those Revisualization sequences from the 3D Ace Attorney games; it’s an interactive cutscene meant to make it so that the player feels more involved than if Tyrri came to her conclusions on her own

Tyrri furiously writes down all of her notes, notices that the sun is beginning to set, and then sets off for the inn (the next cargo shipment leaves the following day)

Outside of The Beacon, Tyrri has to go through a crowd of people for reasons (I guess it’s a busier town)

Two people stand out as not being generic NPCs; one of them bumps into Tyrri and begins walking away, which she doesn’t notice at first

Exiting the crowd, Tyrri realises that her messenger bag is gone

All of her research, all of her equipment, years of work, all stored in a small satchel

Tearing back through the crowd in pursuit of the thieves, she spots them

Turning a few corners and gaining on them due to her expertise in back alleys, they duck into a sewer nearby, leading into…

The Fourth Dungeon: Aqueduct of the Port

It’s the Grandport Sewers, gang. I’m a fraud.

Truly nothing interesting to say about this one

Might take some inspiration from the Seat of the Water Sprite in the Crestlands as well but I truly cannot be interesting about this

Sorry, gang.

The sewers open up into a single gap between some of the buildings that forms a rough circle: there seems to be some kind of design drawn onto the ground as well

Sneaking up on the two interlopers, Tyrri overhears a few things

First, the two are named Michaelis and MacPherson; MacPherson has a heavy Scottish accent that really emphasizes the “Makk” in his name

Second, Michaelis mentions something about how weird it is to “work for a seventeen year-old, no matter who her pop is”

Tyrri eventually bursts in on them, triggering…

The Fourth Boss: Michaelis and MacPherson

Duo bosses! My favourite!

No seriously I love duo bosses so much octopath needs more of them

Anyway it’s a similar split focus to the Mystery Man and Shady Figure from Ophilia’s story

Michaelis focuses on beating you down with AoE spells whilst MacPherson presses the debuff button

MacPherson goes earlier in the turn order but Michaelis has two actions rather than one

They enter boost mode together with the lines “On your mark, Michaelis!” “Always, MacPherson!”

When you take one down the other immediately enters boost mode and gains an additional action per turn, standard fare

Once again I don’t have a ton to say about this boss, Tyrri’s route isn’t nearly as boss-focused as Aestia’s was (I miss Eldroy and the Pontifex…)

After the boss ends, the duo is backed into a corner, and Tyrri is about to retrieve her bag, when…

A sudden gust of wind sweeps her off her feet

The culprit? Simple. There she is, emerging into the light right now

One hand concentrating on some kind of spell and the other raised in an offensive position is none other than Catena Novi

She looks kinda worse for wear, which I unfortunately can only really portray by making her hair messier

Accursed tiny octopath sprites and their lack of emotive control

Anyway she walks in, refusing to even look at Tyrri, and sweeps her out of the room with another gust of wind

Michaelis/MacPherson makes a “you ready, boss?” type comment to confirm that she is, in fact, the one of which they spoke

Tyrri looks up as the design on the ground flares to life, revealing its true nature as a teleportation circle

“Cat?”

Catena turns, eyes shadowed, before turning her back again

And just like that, they’re gone. All of that research down the drain. Stolen.

There is yet one spark of hope: there’s only one place that Cat could have gone

Tyrri rises from the ground, brushes herself off, and heads to the harbour, bound for the colony of scholars across the sea

The story will continue in Seekersgate

thankfully this one fits in a single ask, even though its way more important than chapter 3

wasn’t expecting the crystals being those little growing dinosaur sponges wasn’t a plot point I was expecting but here we are.

Iris you’re forgiven for making the dungeon just the Grandport Sewers because I also have a sin to admit… I had to go look back at tyrri’s chapter one to remember who catena was IM SORRY

(btw this is absolutely not a ‘your writing’ issue it’s entirely a ‘my brain is horrible at remembering names’ issue)

considering the final boss’s title for tyrri was ‘the final solution’ I am… concerned with what catera wants with that research. girl you better not create a horror this world has not yet seen for the sole pursuit of knowledge.

[alanshouse-painting]

Preparing Your Home For House Painting

A house paint job can give your home a new and fresh look. It can also breathe life into an older home.

When it comes to painting your home, there are several factors that can affect the cost. Some of these are the type of wall substrate or siding that you have, labor, and the kind of paint.

Interior Painting

Painting your home's interior can give it a fresh, clean look and increase its value. However, before you begin a paint project, there are some preparations you will need to do.

The first step in interior house painting is to inspect your walls for any damage. This includes holes and loose patches of old plaster.

Repairing damaged areas is important because it helps to ensure your new paint adheres to the surface properly.

Another important thing to do is to make sure your wall surfaces are clean and dry. Dirt, oils, chemicals and water can compromise the bond between paint and your surface and will flake off over time.

You should also move furniture away from the walls, if possible. This will help to prevent any paint splatter from damaging the upholstery on your furniture.

Exterior Painting

Painting a house’s exterior is a big job that needs to be done with care and attention. Preparing the surfaces before painting will ensure that paint adheres to the surface and looks great when it’s finished.

Before getting a quote from a painting contractor, walk around your home and see what areas you need to prep. Remove any outdoor fixtures and trim bushes to make it easier for your painters to get around the home.

You should also power wash the exterior to remove any mildew, mold, dirt, or debris. It’s also important to clean the windows and doors before painting.

You should also avoid painting your exterior during rainy weather. If it’s wet, the paint may not dry properly, which can result in blistering and peeling.

Power Washing

If you’re planning to paint your home, power washing is a great way to remove stains and grime before you apply a new coat of paint. This will save you time and money, as well as make your home look fresher.

When used regularly, power washing can also help extend the life of your siding and other materials. It also can clean off weeds, moss, and algae that build up on driveways or other surfaces.

Professional power washers use top-quality equipment to ensure that they’re cleaning your property safely and effectively. They’ll also know what cleaning materials to use and how much pressure to apply to different areas of your property.

Using a power washer on your own comes with greater risk than you might think. It can damage your property if you don’t use the proper techniques or the right equipment. This is why it’s best to call a local professional to handle the task.

Wallpaper Removal

If you have a wallpaper in your house that is outdated or not quite what you want it to be, the time has come to remove it. Fortunately, it can be a fairly simple and easy process with just a little patience.

The first step is to prepare the room where you plan to work on removing the wallpaper. This includes clearing out curtains, outlets, switchplates, and artwork.

Once that's done, cover the floor and baseboards with a drop cloth to protect them from any excess water. Next, tape up the walls with painter's tape to create a watertight barrier for the area.

Then, mix a homemade solution using fabric softener and hot water or distilled white vinegar and hot water to dissolve the wallpaper glue. Apply this mixture to the wall and allow it to soak in for a few minutes. Then, use a scraper or putty knife to peel it up. Repeat this method until the wallpaper is removed.

Alans House Painting - Trusted Home Improvement Contractor

Alan's House Painting is a trusted and experienced home improvement contractor. They specialize in interior and exterior painting, drywall repair and texturing, and pressure washing. Their team is dedicated to providing you with the best painting services possible. They are also licensed to perform commercial and residential work.

Licensing:

All contractors in California must have a valid license with the state’s licensing board, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB is one of the highest-rated boards in the nation and requires applicants to pass a written exam and prove at least four years of experience. It also requires them to carry workers’ compensation insurance and a bond that protects you in the event of a lawsuit.

Insurance:

Ensure your contractor is insured by contacting their insurance provider to verify that they are in good standing and have the required coverages. In addition, make sure they are covered by any other relevant insurance policies that may apply to your home improvement project.

Reviews:

You can find out more about Alan's House Painting by checking their ratings on various websites. You can also leave feedback on their BuildZoom profile and file a complaint with the CSLB if you have a problem. This will help other customers know whether or not they can rely on their service. If you have a positive or negative experience with Alan's House Painting, let us know in the comments section below!

Alan's House Painting PO Box 2125 Davis, CA 95617 (530) 756-8188 https://alanshousepainting.net

[mcgowanh2o]

Business Name: McGowan Water Conditioning

Street Address: 101 N Grant St

City: Missoula

State: Montana (MT)

Zip Code: 59801

Country: USA

Business Phone: (406) 728-3590

Business Email: info@mcgowanh2o.com

Website: https://mcgowanh2o.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montanawaterconditioning/

Business Description: Independently and Locally Owned and Operated. Proud to be serving Montana for the last 50+ years. We work to supply safe and affordable drinking water and home filtration systems to Missoula and the surrounding areas. Through the years we have expanded North to Polson and Seeley, West to Plains, South to Darby and Sula, East to Drummond, and all of their surrounding areas. Including some special requests as far as Townsend and GreatFalls. We select what we offer our customers based on what works. Each and ever single client is a valuable customer to us, so we firmly believe in only using the best. We do not skip out on quality and we only offer what is truly needed for you to gain safe and healthy water. Good Water Matters

Google My Business CID URL: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=687232797968667853

Business Hours: Sunday Closed Monday 8am-5pm Tuesday 8am-5pm Wednesday 8am-5pm Thursday 8am-5pm Friday 8am-5pm Saturday Closed

Services: Water softening equipment

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Keywords: water treatment, distilled water, water systems, water softeners, u v filters, reverse osmosis filters, iron filters, arsenic filters, water testing, water delivery, water coolers, bottled water, water system installation

Location:

Service Areas:

[qocsuing]

Key Techniques for Effective Electric Forklift Handling

Key Techniques for Effective Electric Forklift Handling Introduction: Electric forklifts are an essential part of many industrial and warehouse operations. They offer environmental benefits, cost savings, and operational efficiency. However, to maximize these advantages, it's crucial to handle electric forklifts effectively. This guide outlines key techniques for operating electric forklifts safely and efficiently.

1. Understanding Your Equipment:

Know Your Forklift: Familiarize yourself with the specific model of your electric forklift, including its controls, load capacity, and safety features. Understanding these elements is fundamental to effective handling. Forklift | China Trader Wholesale Materials Handling RT scissor reach stacker forklifts Sale Buy Online Industrial Equipment | Forklift Read the Manual: Always refer to the manufacturer's manual for detailed information about your forklift. This will provide you with essential guidance on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

2. Pre-Operational Checks:

Daily Inspections: Conduct thorough inspections before each use. Check the battery charge level, tire condition, hydraulic fluid levels, and ensure there are no visible damages or leaks.

Safety Features: Ensure all safety features, such as brakes, lights, horn, and alarms, are functioning correctly. Address any issues immediately to prevent accidents.

3. Safe Load Handling:

Proper Loading: Make sure the load is within the forklift's rated capacity. Position the load evenly and securely on the forks. Tilt the mast back slightly to stabilize the load during transport.

Low and Slow: Keep the load as low as possible when moving and avoid sudden movements. This helps maintain stability and control.

4. Maneuvering Techniques:

Controlled Speed: Always operate the forklift at a safe speed. Slow down when turning or navigating through tight spaces. Avoid abrupt starts, stops, and sharp turns.

Use Spotters: When moving large or bulky loads that obstruct your view, use spotters to guide you and ensure safe maneuvering.

5. Battery Maintenance:

Proper Charging: Follow correct charging procedures to maintain battery health. Avoid overcharging or undercharging, and ensure the charging area is well-ventilated.

Water Levels: Regularly check the water levels in lead-acid batteries and top up with distilled water as needed. Proper hydration is crucial for battery performance and longevity.

6. Ergonomics and Comfort:

Adjust Seating: Adjust the seat and steering wheel to a comfortable position to reduce operator fatigue. Good posture is important for long-term health and effective operation.

Take Breaks: Regularly scheduled breaks can help prevent fatigue and maintain focus, leading to safer and more efficient operation.

7. Safety Protocols:

Wear PPE: Always wear personal protective equipment, such as safety shoes, hard hats, and high-visibility vests.

Emergency Procedures: Be familiar with emergency procedures, including how to perform an emergency stop and what to do in case of a tip-over or collision.

8. Training and Certification:

Continuous Training: Ensure that all forklift operators are properly trained and certified. Regular refresher courses can help keep skills sharp and up-to-date with the latest safety practices.

Skill Development: Encourage operators to continually develop their skills and stay informed about new technologies and techniques in forklift operation.

Conclusion: Mastering the handling of electric forklifts involves a combination of knowledge, skill, and adherence to safety protocols. By following these key techniques, operators can enhance efficiency, ensure safety, and extend the lifespan of their equipment. Whether you are a novice or an experienced operator, these best practices are essential for effective electric forklift handling.

[james34111]

How to Properly Clean and Maintain an Evaporating Dish for Long-Term Use

An evaporating dish is an essential piece of laboratory equipment used in various chemical processes, especially to evaporate solvents and concentrate solutions. Maintaining this tool properly ensures its longevity and performance, which is vital for achieving accurate experimental results. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean and maintain an evaporating dish effectively for long-term use.

Understanding the Material

Before cleaning, it’s important to know the material of your evaporating dish. Most are made from porcelain, ceramic, or glass. Porcelain and ceramic are generally more resistant to high temperatures, while glass dishes are more fragile. Different materials may require slightly different cleaning methods, so understanding the type of dish you have will help you determine the best approach.

Pre-Cleaning Inspection

Before cleaning, inspect the dish for any residues, cracks, or signs of damage. If there is visible damage, it may be unsafe to use in high-temperature applications. If there’s residue from previous experiments, note the type of material stuck to the dish as this can impact the cleaning method you choose.

Initial Rinse

After use, immediately rinse the evaporating dish with warm water to remove any loose debris or residual chemicals. This step prevents the buildup of substances that can be harder to clean later on. If the dish has been used with water-soluble substances, rinsing should be sufficient to remove the bulk of the residues.

Cleaning Solutions

For tougher stains or residues, use an appropriate cleaning solution. A mild detergent can remove organic materials, while a more acidic solution, such as diluted hydrochloric acid, can remove mineral deposits. Always handle chemical cleaning solutions with care, using gloves and protective eyewear to avoid accidents. Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools that may scratch the dish, especially if it is made of glass.

Scrubbing

For stubborn deposits, gently scrub the dish using a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge. Do not use steel wool or harsh scrubbing pads, as they can damage the dish's surface, affecting its durability and performance.

Drying and Storage

Once the dish is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it with distilled water to remove any cleaning solution residues. Dry the dish completely before storing it in a dry, clean location. Storing an evaporating dish in a moist environment can lead to degradation over time.

Routine Maintenance

Periodically inspect the dish for wear and tear. Small chips or cracks can compromise its effectiveness and safety. Replace the dish if there are any significant signs of damage.

By following these cleaning and maintenance tips, you can ensure the long-term usability of your evaporating dish, keeping it in optimal condition for all your laboratory experiments.

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Effectively Use Silver Nitrate Lab Equipment and Mercuric Nitrate in Your Experiments

In the world of laboratory chemistry, precision and accuracy are paramount. For many researchers and scientists, understanding and correctly utilizing chemicals like silver nitrate and mercuric nitrate is essential for successful experimentation and analysis. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of using these important chemicals, highlighting best practices, safety protocols, and effective techniques to ensure optimal results.

Understanding Silver Nitrate in the Laboratory

Silver nitrate is a versatile reagent with a wide range of applications in both analytical and preparative chemistry. Its primary uses include as a staining agent, in precipitation reactions, and as a precursor in the synthesis of other silver compounds. When working with silver nitrate, it is crucial to understand its properties and handling requirements to avoid common pitfalls.

Firstly, silver nitrate is a powerful oxidizing agent, which means it can react violently with reducing agents or combustible materials. Therefore, it is essential to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and incompatible substances. Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety goggles when handling this chemical to prevent skin contact and inhalation of its fumes.

In the laboratory, silver nitrate is typically used in aqueous solutions. Prepare these solutions by dissolving the solid nitrate in deionized water, ensuring that the solution is well mixed. It is important to handle the solution with care, as it can stain skin and surfaces, leaving persistent marks.

Key Techniques for Using Silver Nitrate

Titration: Silver nitrate is frequently used in titration processes to determine the concentration of halides and other anions. Ensure that you use precise measurements and follow standard procedures to achieve accurate results.

Precipitation Reactions: This reagent is also utilized in precipitation reactions, where it reacts with chloride ions to form a white precipitate of silver chloride. To maximize efficiency, carefully control reaction conditions such as temperature and concentration.

Staining: In microscopy, silver nitrate can be used to stain proteins and nucleic acids, enhancing the visibility of cellular structures. Prepare the staining solution according to the protocol specific to your experiment to achieve the desired results.

Best Practices for Using Mercuric Nitrate

Mercuric nitrate, another critical compound in laboratory settings, is known for its role as a reagent in various chemical reactions and as a catalyst in organic synthesis. Its applications extend to the synthesis of mercuric salts and as a reagent in qualitative analysis.

When working with mercuric nitrate, safety is paramount. Mercuric compounds are highly toxic, and exposure can lead to severe health issues. Always handle these substances in a well-ventilated fume hood and wear appropriate PPE, including gloves and masks.

Mercuric Nitrate is typically supplied in solid form and can be dissolved in water to create solutions for use in various reactions. When preparing solutions, use distilled water and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the chemical. Always label your containers clearly to avoid accidental misuse or cross-contamination.

Key Techniques for Using Mercuric Nitrate

Catalysis: In organic synthesis, mercuric nitrate serves as a catalyst in several reactions, including the oxidation of alcohols and the formation of mercuric salts. Carefully follow reaction protocols to achieve the desired outcomes.

Qualitative Analysis: Mercuric nitrate is used in qualitative analysis to test for the presence of certain anions. For example, it can react with chloride ions to form a white precipitate of mercuric chloride. Ensure that you handle these reactions in a controlled environment to avoid exposure to toxic fumes.

Synthesis of Mercuric Salts: When synthesizing mercuric salts, mercuric nitrate serves as a starting material. Follow established procedures for safe handling and disposal of mercuric compounds to minimize environmental and health risks.

Ensuring Safety and Efficiency

Handling silver nitrate and mercuric nitrate requires adherence to stringent safety protocols to ensure both effective experimentation and personal safety. Always consult your laboratory’s safety data sheets (SDS) for detailed information on these chemicals, and adhere to recommended practices for storage, handling, and disposal.

In addition to safety measures, maintaining accurate records of your experiments, including concentrations, reaction conditions, and observations, is essential for reproducibility and analysis. Regularly calibrate your lab equipment and ensure that all reagents are stored correctly to maintain their efficacy.

Mastering the use of silver nitrate and Mercuric nitrate is crucial for achieving precise and reliable results in laboratory experiments. By following best practices and safety guidelines, researchers can harness the full potential of these chemicals while minimizing risks and ensuring the integrity of their work.

For more information on handling and utilizing laboratory chemicals effectively, or for any specific queries related to your experiments, feel free to reach out to Spa Corporation. Our team of experts is dedicated to supporting your research needs and ensuring your laboratory practices are up to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

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Dental Equipment Care and Maintenance Tips

Proper care and maintenance of dental equipment are crucial for ensuring their longevity, reliability, and the safety of both patients and staff. At Alfarsi, the best Dental Equipment Supplies in Muscat, Oman, we understand the importance of keeping the equipment in top condition. Here are few tips to help you keep your dental equipment running smoothly and providing optimal care to your patients.

Our dedication to offering expert installation and maintenance services is equally admirable, as it aids dental offices in keeping their equipment in top operating condition—a necessity for providing patients with high-quality dental care.

Here are some detailed tips for maintaining various types of dental equipment:

Sterilization Equipment

Regularly clean the chamber and trays of autoclaves to prevent residue build-up that can affect sterilization efficiency. Use only distilled water to avoid mineral deposits that can damage the equipment and compromise sterilization. Perform routine biological spore testing, such as weekly tests, to ensure the autoclave effectively kills all microorganisms. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for regular maintenance and calibration to keep the autoclave operating at peak efficiency.

For ultrasonic cleaners, change the cleaning solution daily to maintain its effectiveness and prevent contamination. Clean the tank to remove debris and wipe down the exterior to keep the unit in good condition.

Dental Chairs

For dental chairs, clean the upholstery with mild soap and water or approved disinfectants, avoiding harsh chemicals that can damage the material. Regularly check and lubricate the mechanical parts, and inspect and tighten any loose screws or bolts. Periodically inspect the electrical components for frayed wires or loose connections, and ensure the chair is properly grounded. By following these maintenance practices, you can ensure the longevity and safe operation of dental chairs.

Intraoral cameras

For intraoral cameras, use non-abrasive cleaners for the lens and disinfect the handle and cable after each patient. Store the camera in a protective case to avoid damage, and ensure the cable is not kinked or pulled. By adhering to these practices, you can maintain the camera’s functionality and longevity.

suction unit

For suction units, perform daily maintenance by cleaning and disinfecting the suction lines and ensuring filters are cleaned or replaced regularly. On a weekly or monthly basis, disassemble and clean the traps, and check and adjust the vacuum level as necessary. Annually, have a technician service the motor and mechanical parts to ensure optimal performance. By following these maintenance routines, you can keep suction units functioning efficiently and effectively.

Dental Lasers

For dental lasers, clean the exterior with a soft, damp cloth, ensuring no liquid comes into contact with the laser source. Regularly check the calibration and have the laser professionally serviced as recommended. Inspect and maintain safety goggles and other protective equipment, ensuring all users are trained in laser safety protocols. Following these guidelines ensures the safe and efficient operation of dental lasers.

Properly maintaining dental equipment not only extends its lifespan but also enhances performance and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. Equipment installation, maintenance, inspection and servicing are essential for preventing breakdown and extending the useful life of dental & medical devices. Al Farsi the leading Dental & Medical Supplies in Oman  have a dedicated team of to provide engineering services to medical and dental practices in the Sultanate.