#Dark Spirits Market Size

[foodalliedinfoglobal]

Dark Spirits Market Booming Worldwide with Latest Trend and Future Scope by 2027

Craft spirits have witnessed monumental growth in the last few years, owing to changing consumer preferences toward craft spirits especially whiskey and brandy. According to American Craft Spirits Association, craft spirits are products produced by a distillery, which values the importance of transparency in distilling and remains forthcoming regarding the spirit’s ingredients, distilling location, aging, and bottling process.

Dark Spirits Market Size was valued at $87.2 billion in 2019, and is projected reach $129.1 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.4% from 2021 to 2027.

Global Key Players:

Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Kirin Holdings, Diageo, Suntory Holdings, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi Limited, LT Group, Inc (Tanduay), The Brown–Forman Corporation, and Rémy Cointreau.

A distilled spirit is produced by a distillery producing fewer than 750,000 gallons annually. The craft spirits volume sales have witnessed upswing of 26% in 2019, crossing 80 million liters of craft spirits sold in the U.S. alone. The number of craft distillers has also surpassed 2,000 mark in the financial year 2019. The craft movement has brought rising levels of distilling expertise, knowledge, and innovation. Similar trends have been witnessed across Europe and Asia-Pacific regions in prominent countries such as India, the UK, and France. Increasing demand for craft spirits is expected to provide impetus to the global dark spirits market growth.

Explore More Insights @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/dark-spirits-market-A10287

With increased awareness and consciousness, consumers are scrutinizing food as well as beverages labels these days, with alcohol being no exception. Clean label, organic, natural, no additives, and GMO-free alcohol, including dark spirits have been successfully launched in the market. For instance, Waterford Distillery released Ireland’s first organic whiskey GAIA 1.1 priced at $110. Similarly, Neisson launched organic certified rum. With more players entering the organic market, the market for organic dark spirits is anticipated to gain high traction with new flavors and offerings to lure consumers.

The global dark spirits industry has been slightly impacted amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdown and widespread restrictions across the world. The on trade sales of dark spirits have nosedived across the world, owing to the closure of HORECA industry across the world. Furthermore, recent development in resurgence of the second wave of coronavirus in Europe and North America is one of the major challenges the industry is expected to face in the coming days.

The global dark spirits market is segmented on the basis of type, distribution channel, and region. Based on type, the global market is divided into whiskey, rum, and brandy. By distribution channel, the market is bifurcated into on trade and off trade. Region-wise, the global market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. North America consists of market evaluation for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Europe is studied across the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Russia, and the rest of Europe. India, China, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific are the countries analyzed under the Asia-Pacific region. LAMEA includes Brazil, Argentina, the UAE, South Africa, and the rest of LAMEA.

Key Findings Of The Study

By region, Asia-Pacific dominates in terms of the global dark spirits market share, and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.

By type, the whiskey segment led in terms of the market share in 2019, and is expected to gain market share in the coming years.

By distribution channel, the on trade segment is expected to gain market share in the coming years, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the dark spirits market forecast period.

By region, North America is anticipated to grow with a moderate CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period.

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[wonderlanddreamer]

[1919] The cobbled streets of Birmingham.

The story of how Lydia (and Arthur) convinced Tommy to let her keep a Great Dane who followed her home.

[Part of The Lydia Saga]

The overcast sky hung low over Birmingham, casting a muted grey hue over the bustling streets of Small Heath. Lydia Shelby was undeterred by the threat of rain. With her inquisitive eyes sparkling with the promise of adventure, and her dark hair neatly braided, she embodied both the innocence of childhood and the daring spirit that ran through her family's veins. Her mischievous grin widened with each step as she navigated the cobblestone alleys, her small boots delighting in the splash and splatter of puddles underfoot.

Despite her tender age, Lydia possessed an insatiable curiosity that often led her far beyond the watchful gaze of her family. Today, she was on a mission, driven by stories of hidden treasures and secret places whispered among the neighbourhood children. The alleys of Small Heath, with their mix of bustling market stalls and shadowy corners, seemed to Lydia a labyrinth of possibilities—each turn promising new discoveries and excitement.

As she made her way deeper into the heart of the district, the familiar sounds of the city faded, replaced by the distant clatter of train tracks and the occasional bark of a stray dog. As Lydia wandered deeper into the maze of alleyways, the sounds of the bustling city gradually gave way to a quieter, almost secretive atmosphere. The air was filled with the faint scent of coal smoke and damp earth, creating an aura of mystery that only fueled her adventurous spirit. Her ears perked up at a peculiar rustling sound emanating from behind a stack of weathered wooden crates, their surfaces worn smooth by years of use.

Curiosity surged through her, and Lydia tiptoed cautiously towards the source of the noise, her small heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Each step felt deliberate and momentous, as if she were stepping into the pages of a grand adventure tale. As she peered around the edge of the crates, her eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before her.

Looming large in the dim light was a Great Dane, its presence both majestic and gentle. Its coat was a striking shade of grey, with speckles of rusty brown adorning its ears and paws, creating a mosaic of colours that seemed almost painted by hand. The dog's eyes, large and soulful, met Lydia's with an expression that exuded both wisdom and warmth, as if it had been waiting for her all along.

"Hello, big fella," Lydia whispered, her voice an enchanting blend of awe and delight. The Great Dane, as if sensing a kindred spirit in the small girl, wagged its tail with an enthusiasm that belied its enormous size. The gentle thud of its tail against the crates echoed softly, a rhythmic accompaniment to Lydia's giggle.

Encouraged by the dog's response, Lydia reached out with a tentative hand, her fingers brushing against its velvety head. The dog obligingly lowered its great head to her level, inviting her touch with a grace that seemed almost regal. "You look like a Rusty," she decided aloud, giggling as the newly christened Rusty bestowed a slobbery kiss upon her cheek.

As Lydia turned to continue her journey through the winding streets, she noticed Rusty trailing a few paces behind her, his long legs moving with a cautious curiosity. With each step she took, Rusty followed, his presence a comforting shadow that lingered just out of reach. The two of them formed an unlikely pair, the little girl leading the way while her newfound companion watched over her.

Gradually, as if testing the waters of friendship, Rusty began to close the gap between them. His lolloping gait grew more confident, matching Lydia's pace until he was walking beside her, his tail swishing back and forth like a metronome. By the time Lydia reached the familiar confines of Watery Lane, Rusty was trotting faithfully at her side.

As Lydia approached the Shelby home, a familiar mix of excitement and apprehension danced in her chest. She adored her brothers, but she knew them well enough to understand that surprises were not always welcome—especially those with four legs and a wagging tail! Tommy, in particular, was a man who valued order and control, traits not easily reconciled with the spontaneous arrival of a massive canine.

Standing on the doorstep, Tommy Shelby cut a formidable figure, the sharp angles of his tailored suit accentuating his commanding presence. A cigarette hung idly from his lips, a thin wisp of smoke curling into the afternoon air. His keen eyes, ever watchful, narrowed as they settled on the unlikely duo approaching. A flicker of concern creased his brow as he took in the sight of the enormous dog padding alongside his little sister.

"Lydia," he called out, his voice carrying a note of both authority and underlying worry. "Who have you got there?"

Lydia, undaunted by her brother's stern demeanour, beamed up at him with her most radiant smile. "This is Rusty, Tommy. He followed me home!"

Tommy exhaled slowly, a plume of smoke escaping his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. His mind raced with questions and potential complications. "Lydia, you can’t just bring a stray dog home. What if he’s dangerous? What if he belongs to someone else?"

Lydia paused for a moment, her eyes twinkling with mischief and a hint of the Shelby cunning. "Well, Tommy, you’re always saying to find strong allies, right? Look at Rusty! He’s bigger than Danny Whizz-bang and probably scarier too."

A corner of Tommy’s mouth twitched, betraying a suppressed smile. Lydia had a knack for disarming him with her innocence and clever reasoning.

"And besides," Lydia continued, her cheeky grin widening, "if Rusty belonged to someone else, wouldn’t I have seen someone looking for him by now? He’s not exactly easy to lose."

Tommy raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by her logic and the spark of Shelby wit she exhibited. He glanced at Rusty, who sat obediently beside Lydia, his eloquent eyes watching the exchange with quiet intelligence. "You make a fair point, little one," Tommy conceded, his tone softening, though he maintained his authoritative air. "But he’ll be a lot of responsibility."

Lydia, sensing that she was slowly winning Tommy over, pressed her advantage with the tact and charm of a seasoned negotiator. "You know, Tommy, I bet Rusty’d be great at keeping the house safe. Imagine having a giant dog like him guarding the front door!"

From the window, Arthur Shelby had been observing the scene with amusement. His broad grin was unmistakable as he pushed open the door and sauntered outside, his presence as boisterous and rugged as ever. "Oh, come on, Tommy," Arthur chimed in with a hearty laugh. "Look at the size of him! He’s practically a walking billboard for ‘Don’t Mess with the Shelbys.’ Who wouldn’t think twice seeing him on the doorstep?"

Tommy sighed, casting a sideways glance at Arthur, whose infectious laughter and mischievous twinkle in his eye made it hard to maintain a stern facade. Tommy ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of exasperation that masked his growing fondness for the idea. He shifted his gaze from Arthur’s grinning face to Lydia’s hopeful eyes, her pleading expression charming him more than he wanted to admit.

"Fine," Tommy relented, rolling his eyes but unable to completely stifle a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "But he’s your responsibility, Lydia. You feed him, you clean up after him, and you make sure he doesn’t chew on my shoes."

Lydia squealed with joy, her face lighting up with pure delight as she threw her arms around Rusty's massive neck. The Great Dane, sensing his acceptance into the fold, wagged his tail with joyful enthusiasm.

Arthur clapped Tommy on the shoulder, his laughter still bubbling over. "See, brother? Even the toughest bookies in Birmingham need a soft spot somewhere."

Tommy shook his head, a rare warmth in his eyes as he watched Lydia with her new companion. "Just keep him out of the betting shop, Arthur. Last thing we need is Rusty collecting debts."

[evan-collins90]

The first Torrid store - Brea Mall - Brea, CA (Opened April 18, 2001)

Designed by JGA, Inc. 

From the book: “The retailer, Hot Topic, based in City of Industry, CA, started a short 12 years ago with a concept and a target market; cutting edge apparel, accessories and novelty items--all inspired by alternative music, oriented towards a hip and trendy, teenage market. Hot Topic changed the look of their retail settings, which are usually located in mainstream malls, and the company has recently taken aim at another special market. The new focus is on plus-size teens; an area that the fashion market seems to have neglected. 

Up until this time the 15-30 year old hip and trendy young women who wear sizes 14-26 had no other choice but to shop in the larger size women's shops where the fashions were tailored to the more matronly and conservative tastes. That is how Torrid was born! 

Torrid was introduced in a new, hot and fun retail setting designed by JGA, Inc. of Southfield, MI which has designed the various prototypes for the Hot Topic stores as well. To be sure of the need for such a niche to be filled, the company opened five Torrid shops almost simultaneously; the first in Brea, CA, followed by stores in malls in Mission Viejo, CA, Annapolis, MD, Omaha, NE, N. Attleboro, MA, and Littleton, CO. The merchandise offerings are clustered as "Streetwear," "Clubwear," Rockabilly Wear," and Renaissance Wear" and the stores average about 2,750 SF. Besides the "everyday" slacks and novelty T-shirts, these larger size young women can find black vinyl pants and mini-skirts, black corsets, dog-collar chokers and platform shoes as well as retro-inspired clothing and accessories. In addition to the gothic and prom dresses, Torrid also carries a full line of lingerie for this particular market. Listening to the target market, Hot Topic's Torrid offers teenagers and up the opportunity to look "girly yet fierce." 

The design objective for the prototype store that was designed by JGA, Inc. was to create "a celebration of abundance" and make the setting as unique, unconventional and spirited as the plus-size young women who will be shopping here. Inspired by a "mythological, after-hours club in New Orleans," the atmosphere is romantic, dark and filled with a sense of "unbridled passion." "From the signature flaming heart icon to the curving voluptuous lines throughout the store, excessive materials and scale mirror the zest of the Torrid woman." It starts out front with the shopper-stopping facade which serves as a dramatic gateway to the store. 

The curvaceous and sensuous "hourglass" figures of the Torrid customer is expressed in the hand-crafted metalwork and the backlit translucent glass glowing red. A "drippy" red chandelier and the hand blown flaming heart torcheres add to the store's distinctive sense of place and being. The mosaic porcelain tile floor sets the color palette of jewel tones and metallics. "Visually complex, layers of finishes and architectural pieces evoke a one-of-a-kind artistic flavor." The eclectic mix of fixtures, furniture and furnishings-even the armoires--add to the New Orleans flavor. The hand painted, whimsical and overscaled armoires or cabinets are used to anchor the various zones within the store and at the center of the space a large bronze metallic drape further divides the departments.

The designers added special touches to each area to create that unique, one-of-a-kind feeling to the design. Specially designed, oversized red sculptured chairs with slatted backs are featured in the shoe area. Shoes and accessories are displayed on the slatted backs. The lingerie area takes on a more intimate and exotic--almost Moroccan--feeling with the hand blown glass chandeliers suspended down from large plaster domes. Seen behind this area--beyond a hand painted wall and arc--are the individual, oversized dressing rooms which are equipped with flattering uplights and decorative chandeliers that are visible from other parts of the store. The cash wrap becomes a "focal fantasy" in the total design and it resembles a giant canopy bed topped with twisting shapes and forms.

The space is filled with a pulsating excitement that is so appropriate for the merchandise and the young clientele. In addition to the shimmering palette of rich, deep colors, the warm colored downlights not only enrich the ambient colors and textures but they enhance the merchandise display. The traditional long and narrow mall space is broken up into more personal and individual zones by the variations in ceiling heights, the tin ceilings, finials and the assorted wall coverings. The use of brocades, metallics, and jewel tones on the walls also help to differentiate areas in the store. The metal fixture system--tortoise shell like in appearance--was customized to accommodate the products unique size and length requirements.

If all goes as well as anticipated we can expect to see more and more Torrid shops opening up across the USA- maybe even as many as 700 outlets!”

Images and text were scanned from the book, Stores of the Year 14 by Martin Pegler (2003)

[amelie-sama-blog]

we've gotten to a point where people polluted by the anti spirit are now even dogging on teens and women thirsting for male kpop idols.

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. literally pea sized brain conversations. at the very least, extreme ignorance as to how the kpop industry makes its money.

uhm....? what the actual fuck. be for real right now. "disgusting and just weird"? i have some really bad news for all these commenters...

yes. yes they are. and that's, NEWS FLASH, COMPLETELY NORMAL. were any of these people ever teens?? having crushes on adult celebs is extremely common. and discovering their budding sexuality through these feelings is also VERY COMMON.

when i was younger, i also read BTS smut. and?

it was mediocre quality writing, and bad characterisation most of the time, but i didn't know that, i just enjoyed my time with it.

young girls and grown women feeling sexual feelings and exploring them in fiction shouldn't be this taboo. it's normal. it's to be expected.

"using them for their own greedy sexual fantasies"? at this point my eyes are falling out of my skull!

SEXUAL FANTASIES AREN'T GREEDY. putting sexual fantasies into harmless text format is NOT GREEDY. it's fucking normal. like, wtf do these people think about when they masturbate.

....sooo, do these people never imagined anything sexual about anyone ever? are all beings in their sexual fantasies fictional with no references to real people? have they never fantasised about their crushes before?

and what does even "hard stan means liking a darker concept" mean! dark concepts are often the sensual ones, so you're supposed to like those but because of pure christian feelings and not because you're a human forming a parasocial relationship with a boyband which more often than not involves sexual feelings?

these people all need a serious wake up call. BTS will never know what's going on in your head, using them as puppets for sexual fantasies and gratification is perfectly normal.

it's even MORE NORMAL, because surprise surprise, the ENTIRE kpop industry is built on, profits off of, and actively encourages parasocial relationships and behaviour. the marketing goal for boy bands is to make a maximum of girls fall for their charms, through various means such as music, good looks, nice personalities, and other displays of character in all the variety shows and live-streams and other content they produce.

making girls thirst, is literally how they make their money. making girls fantasise, is literally how they make their money.

and forming a parasocial relationship founded on attraction, inevitably leads to sexual feelings partaking.

also, they know what they're doing. baepsae's choreography didn't get magically bestowed upon them by the heavens. a choreographer worked that out with the company, and did so with a purpose.

as such is the business model of the kpop industry. girls and women are supposed to fantasise. to catch feelings. to thirst. to imagine jungkook "railing them at 3am". it will make them go to concerts, buy merch, follow their socials, stream their music, buy albums, and finance the industry.

these virtue signalers are truly delusional if they think the kpop industry isn't MAKING BANK on exactly what they're calling out to be "creepy and disgusting".

[violettduchess]

"Aere Perennius" 🌟

A/N: I have long admired @ana-thedaydreamer and her beautiful artwork. I am so excited to finally be able to share what we have been working on together! Ana, you are a talent beyond measure and I was overjoyed at the chance to collaborate with you, especially on something honoring our favorite vamp 💜Thank you for your hard work, your time, and your support.

"Aere Perennius" is Latin for, "More lasting than bronze"

Leonardo - Holiday Fluff

Word Count: 1221

---🌟---

There are many things to love about the holiday season, but one tradition that never fails to brighten my spirit like a string of fairy lights in the dark are the Christmas markets. The booths are a feast for the eyes, endless degrees of craftsmanship on display in the form of bright, homemade candles, intricate wooden toys and puzzles, beautiful stained glass decorations, knitted wonders of all shapes and sizes. The smell of mulled wine and hot chocolate mixes with the scent of candied almonds, roasted meat, and gingerbread. Even the crowds are a part of it, the voices calling for small children to stay close, the greetings called across people’s heads to one another, the couples cuddling close together, warm and snug under the twinkling lights.

This is where I am right now, tucked up against Leonardo’s side as I observe the crowds from a cozy corner of the market, right next to the stand that claims it has the best mulled wine in all of Paris (with a recipe straight from Germany, I note with a wry grin). One long arm is wrapped around my waist, holding me close. The other lifts his mug of wine to his lips as he people-watches with me. The woman who runs the stand watches us both, bright-eyed, offering to refill our mugs the moment they are empty. Starting right from the first empty mug, she was so insistent with her benevolent pouring, I decided to keep holding mine close as if there were still something inside but Leonardo….he has been taking her up on her offers, tossing coins whose number grows more and more generous with every refill. 

He’s nearly got a handful of them now when I realize I've been so lost in watching the bustle of the market that I haven’t been keeping track of how long we've been standing there. And how many refills he’s had. It’s too hard to see his face clearly in the shadowy corner we're standing in but there is a laxness to his body, a looseness in his stance that catches my attention. 

Perhaps it's time to get a move on.

“It’s getting late,” I say as I gently extract the empty mug from his hand and set it down on the wooden counter. 

He looks somewhat startled at having to say goodbye what feels to him like so soon but I tug on his arm, leading him away. “Thank you Madame, it was delicious!��� he calls back towards the stand. The woman behind the counter looks as sad as he does, waving goodbye despondently, sad little Christmas dishrag in her hand. I steer him through the crowd, toward the end of the market. He is hailed by so many people who know and admire him: the watchmaker lifts a mug of beer in salutation, the music teacher calls his name with a vibrant “Yoo hoo!”, the bookstore owner nods respectfully. He is such a part of the fabric of this community, the brilliant golden thread that runs through it, brightening everything.

The lights and sounds and smells of the market give way to a dark winter sky littered with bright stars and the cool calm of night time. Arm in arm, we walk. His strides are slower than usual, his eyes bright, cheeks tinged pink with wine. We take a turn, strolling down one of the main streets with displays in the windows. When we reach the toy store, he suddenly stops.

“Cara mia….wait a moment…” He stands in front of the window where tiny lights illuminate the various toys: a shiny train set with a big black engine, the porcelain dolls with their curls and big round eyes, tin soldiers marching in a row. But what has his attention is the model hot air balloon hanging from a string, floating above the other toys. He raises one hand, pressing it against the cool glass. “Stupendo,” he sighs, almost longingly. I smile softly as I place a gloved hand on his lower back. It is well-documented how fascinated Leonardo Da Vinci has always been with the idea of man and flight. Notebooks full of his theoretical drawings of various contraptions and machines can be found in museums all over the world.

“It happens, you know. America, 1903. They invent a flying machine that becomes the basis for air travel.” My voice is as soft as the glow of the lights through the window, my eyes on his face as he stares at the toy balloon. 

He doesn’t answer. Instead he pulls his far-away gaze from the shop window and turns his full attention to me. 

A lock of hair falls across his forehead, his cheeks are still tinged pink. He looks young, boyish. Almost vulnerable. The mask of the cool, eternal vampire sloughed off with every sip and now all I see in the warm light is a man whose expression is filled to the brim with tenderness. He reaches out, his soft leather glove brushing the skin of my cheek.

“Who needs to dream of the sky,” he murmurs in a voice as soft as the silver starlight overhead, “when I can look at you and see the face of heaven?”

It seems the wine, the starlight, the remembrance of dreams has brought out the poet in the man I love. His words fill my heart, lifting it like heat does a hot air balloon. Now my cheeks are flushed and it has nothing to do with any drink. 

I drop my gaze, a sudden shyness overwhelming me until he catches my chin between his fingers, tilting my face back up. I thought the lights in the window or the stars in the sky were luminous. They pale in comparison to the radiance of his golden eyes.

“C’mere,” he whispers, his free arm pulling me toward him, holding my chin as he lowers his mouth to mine. I can taste the echoing flavors of the mulled wine, the cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves as well as the faintest whisper of smoke from his cigarillos. Here in his arms, there is only the present. His dreams in the past, the uncertainty of the future fade with every movement of his lips, every sigh, every touch. If I have learned anything from loving this man, it is the need to live in the right here, right now. Even this moment, an embrace under a dazzling winter sky on an empty Parisian street will end. And somewhere in the future, there will be airplanes. And rockets. And the eternal vampire will experience it all. 

Without me.

But I believe it is moments like this one, as I wrap my arms around his shoulders and return his kiss with all the love in the world, that will capture a hallowed place in his eternity and light his heart when shadows dare creep near.

The kiss comes to an end, yet he does not move away. Maybe he’s dizzy with wine and needs to be still for a moment. Maybe he does not want to lose the closeness we share. Either way, he doesn’t step back but instead presses his forehead against mine, eyes closed.

“I love you.”

I breathe out, a hand stroking the back of his neck. 

“I love you too, Leonardo. Always.”

-----

Tagging: @aquagirl1978 @alixennial @alexxavicry @queengiuliettafirstlady @rhodolitesrose @ikemen-prince-writers-posts @bellerose-arcana @thewitchofbooks @redheadkittys @dear-mrs-otome @firestar-otomeobsessed @curious-skybunny @leotoru @kpop-and-otome @writingwhimsey @mxrmaid-poet @silver-dahlia @wendolrea @otomefoxystar @neoqueen-sailorvirgo @myonlyjknight @kissmetwicekissmedeadly

[iturbide]

First, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPLANATIONS I AM ABSORBING THEM-

Second- In terms of ‘history’, I don’t necessarily mean anything violent or such, I mean it more in terms of well… How the city was built, how the religious setting changed, how people of importance entered and maintained their positions. Just.. the things that are recorded and spoken about by historians.

Also- Now I’m Very Curious as to what brought Mirym and Dain there, but I have a feeling it’s Spoilers. That, or friendship.

I'M GLAD YOU'VE BEEN ENJOYING THEM I have. So much lore. It's ridiculous frankly.

But in terms of that history...there's really nothing of particular note? It was established first as a mining settlement to take advantage of both the mountains for quarrying and the nearby river for stone shipping, building up rather gradually from a utilitarian settlement to a settled village, then a larger town, and finally building out into a more proper 'city' (though anyone who's seen cities can tell that it's perhaps ambitious to call it such). The walls have been in development for quite a while, with the first iteration just being an attempt to control floods along the tributary (which were not overly successful; eventually they just had to let the plants grow, which also helped with filtration of the water) but gradually building out over years to surround the city, with gates as a security measure. Some of the oldest sectors of the city are the central plaza (where the market is held), the mill, and the craftsman's quarter near the southern edge, which ultimately put a hard limit on the overall growth in that direction since they can't really move their millhouse and the long-term use of those spaces has left distinct effects; similarly, the buildings closest to the craftsman's quarter are mostly used for storage rather than residency or sales since, y'know, that's where the loud and otherwise unpleasant trades do business (like the tanner).

The religious setting has been a change a long time coming, but it's a fairly routine story for all such cities. After a certain point, ambient magic in a city like that just dries up, and ends up mostly forgotten as the generations pass without anyone being able to effectively learn the craft, which in turn leads to their potential vilification. By the same turn, the old belief in Wild Spirits is forgotten along with magic, and what remains is a shadow of what was: in the case of the city, Six Gods and a Tainted Seventh (representing the elements of light, wood, earth, air, fire, water, and exiling the dark). The belief in Gods over Spirits has spread organically from settlement to settlement once it reaches a size where ambient magic is no longer present in usable quantities, with variations based on regional differences.

Given that this is a pretty self-sufficient town, there hasn't been so much to speak of regarding the everyday history. Magistrates come and go, marshals come and go, brought to their positions by virtue of their skills and sometimes stepping down, other times being removed. It's the kind of boring, dry, names and dates history that drives school children up the wall and I'm not putting any more work into it than that because I'm sparing my inner child.

As for what brought Miryn and Dain, you have to wait until Book 3

[forever-eternal]

Some more of Alternate Fenris: Like I said before, if you want to give them a nickname-- feel free!

Outertale

This Sans is an astrologist and rocket scientist, though he doesn’t share a heart condition as bad as his counterparts he still isn’t allowed to have coffee. Coffee cake, which is Papyrus’ specialty and favorite thing to make, is an amazing substitute and in many more flavor combos than the drink. This Fenris believes gravity is a social construct and floats around half the time, no matter what form she’s in. The humans trapped on the asteroid belt have evolved to not need air to breathe.

Dancetale

Flexibility training allows Fenris’ focus on complex aerial and acrobatic dancing, but will breakdance with Sans and perform fast-paced Latin dances with Papyrus for fun. This Fenris is more focused than she is mean, though her bluntness can still be read as rude by those who don’t know her.

Reapertale

With adopted brothers being Reapers, the Gods of Death, Fenris is the Spirit of Redemption and Retribution. Sometimes seen in dark forests as an abnormally large, white wolf that seems to glow faintly in the dark. More usually seen as a shoeless, hooded figure with a Double-Bladed Axe.

Mobtale

Part of a crime family. Sans is a member of the Upper Circle known as The Judge, while Papyrus is a lower rank referred to as Guard Bones. Fenris manipulates the housing market by buying/building and selling towns in a select area, selecting someone to be ‘Mayor’, and using their money to add onto and upgrade the town (think that song ‘Nook, Line, and Sinker’ by Stupendium). The town’s all depend on how much money the Mayor collects and gives to her. This puts all the blame on ‘Mayor’ instead of herself, even if the residents are the ones who didn’t pay anything.

Some of her towns are great places to live, others are not. It all depends on how much the residents are willing to pay for upgrades and upkeep. When the ‘Mayor’s get rowdy, she has her brother and the Family to back her up.

Oceantale

The Fontman Family have been pirates for generations, born and raised on the open seas. It was only a matter of time for them to find a selkie, a young Harp Seal Selkie. Despite the fact that she’s full grown, this Fenris retains her white fur when she’s decided to go about as a seal. Her love language is gifting shells and other pretty things she finds in the ocean, and these item have only grown more valuable the longer she lives on the ship. She has never heard of a hairbrush.

Instead of a werewolf, she becomes a seal with walrus tusks, nearly the size of a humpback whale.

Storyshift

Princess Fenris is the youngest of the Fontman Royal Family. One of her brothers, Prince Papyrus, vanished when she was still super young. Her oldest brother, King Sans, is incredibly protective of his remaining sibling. This Fenris is a bit younger than most of her alternates, about 17, and is very sheltered. Despite this, she is still incredibly curious and is often in places she shouldn’t be.

[torpublishinggroup]

Showdown in the Skies: Aliens Vs. Dragons!

Strange lights fill the skies. So too does the beating of giant wings.

Shadows of an ominous future meet legends of a mythic past, and do battle. We do not come in peace, for here be dragons.

We’ve assembled a panel of experts to weigh in on the potential victors of each fight.

Check it.

The Xenomorph Vs. Toothless

Proposed Victor: Toothless Expert: Tessa Villanueva, Editorial Assistant

“What chance does anything even have against the Alpha of All Dragons? The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself? Yes, Toothless may look cute and adorable, but his intelligence is unparalleled–he’s been known to show smart and strategic thinking. He can fly over 100 mph and is agile and strong enough to dive-bomb giant dragons and knock them to the ground. He also has plasma blasts, unerring accuracy, and an indomitable fighting spirit that won’t quit–and he fights for his friends? Does the Xenomorph have friends? (Yes, she has a hive, but are they really friends?)”

Proposed Victor: The Xenomorph Expert: a cat, Assistant Marketing Manager

“The Xenomorph is an acid-blooded, highly adaptive social hunter who has proven time and time again that in space we can hear you scream when it bursts out your chest. She’s a star terror of cinema and has torn through the armor of the Predator, and she frequently carries me to victory royales in Fortnite. Fans of Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), and Alien: Covenant (2017) understand that Toothless, who is domesticated and trained, will be ruined, ribboned, and folded into a scary xeno-cocoon.”

Stitch Vs. Melanchthon

Proposed Victor: Melancthon Expert: Mal Frazier, Editorial Assistant

“So, you might think Stitch is going to win. Sure, there’s no way that the cutest character could ever defeat the scariest character, but we’ll give him a fair crack. Dragon #7332 (no, not your buddy’s discord username) from The Iron Dragon’s Daughter by Michael Swanwick is rusting in a heap in the disgusting child labor factory for years when he finally finds an appropriately malleable pilot and steals Jane. He’s a giant metal dragon war machine built by fairies who eat death magic and [spoilers for a book older than me] kills the entire world. Yes, the whole thing. I think he’s neat. Also he’s named after a dead philosopher which has to give you a stats boost if some kind.”

Proposed Victor: Stitch Expert: Lizzy Hosty, Publishing Strategy Assistant

“Experiment 626 was created to cause chaos across an entire galaxy. According to the mad scientist who created Stitch, he’s bulletproof, fireproof, can think faster than a computer, can see in the dark, and move objects 3,000 times his size. His first instinct is literally destruction. It’s like he was created to not only survive a fight against a dragon, but absolutely destroy them; change my mind.”

Zanj Vs. Tairn

Proposed Victor: Zanj Expert: a cat, Assistant Marketing Manager

“Okay before anything else, if space-pirate-werewolf-queen Zanj asked me to join her in (un)holy matrimony, I would ascend to her side instantly, madly, and without hesitation. By that metric at least she’s the most powerful combatant of this whole bracket, and I think we should take that into account. Max Gladstone’s phenomenal Empress of Forever chronicles the second conflict between Zanj and her allies against the omnipotent Jade Empress, who can destroy planets with her thoughts. Yeah. Zanj is back for round two. But Tairn won’t be.”

Proposed Victor: Tairn Expert: Lizzy Hosty, Publishing Strategy Assistant

“I just read Fourth Wing (I’m late to the party, I know), and when I tell you Tairn could literally destroy a whole fleet, I’m so serious. This dragon took on multiple [redacted] and didn’t even flinch. His only weakness would be keeping his rider alive, but for the purposes of this, Tairn has claimed no rider, so he’s practically invincible and nothing could change my mind. He can shoot fire, his teeth are as big as humans, his wing span could crush dozens just accidentally. Need I say more.”

Deoxys Vs. Chronormu

Proposed Victor: Chronormu Expert: a cat, Assistant Marketing Manager

“Look Deoxys might come from space, but Chronormu helped stave off the invasion of the Burning Legion. Twice. She isn’t afraid. She’s cute, she’s trans, she’s a guardian of the timeways, and when she glances at this silly triangle-island (remember that puzzle? It was awful) and chooses FIGHT, it’ll be a OHKO. Plus Deoxys has base 50 HP, no matter what form it’s in. Flop.”

Proposed Victor: Deoxys Expert: Tessa Villanueva, Editorial Assistant

“First of all, Deoxys came from outer space from INSIDE A METEOR. You cannot get more metal than that. It was on its way to destroy the world, but it stopped just to have this little battle. It’s capable of using any of its Formes to gain an advantage in battle, whether it’s Normal, Attack, Defense, or Speed. It’s also able to regenerate any part of its body! Not to mention its ultimate signature attack, Psycho Boost–sure, the recoil will lower its special attack, but no one’s going to survive that…”

[conjuremanj]

Fet Gede/Day Of The Dead Celebration.

La Source Ancienne Ounfo – is one of the New Orleans based Vodou society – that celebrats the Day of the Dead/Fet Gede with an annual Vodou ceremony to invoke the Gede so we can come together in community to honor the dead (family) or not.

In Mexico's Days of the Dead are the days when the veil separating the Living and the Dead is most diffuse and the Dead come back to visit the living – children visit on Oct 31st, the familial adults on November 1st, and the unremembered Dead on November 3rd. The Haitian Day of the Dead, Fet Gede – the festival of the Sacred Dead, coincides with the Mexican Days of the Dead. The entire month of November.

November 1st. & 2nd. In Haiti & New Orleans this holiday can be a vibrant as Mardi Gras and as sacred as St John’s Eve.

During Fete Gede we “feed” the ancestors with offerings of food or foods that their dearly departed by laying it at their gravesite and wear black white and purple clothing throughout the event.

On this day we actually dance with the spirits. The particular death Lwa that we pay our respects to on this day is (Papa Gede) Baron Samedi, Maman Brigette and the family of Gede.

Even if you are not able to make it to Haiti or New Orleans for Fet Gede festivities here is an outline on how you can still pay tribute to the dead in the New Orleans tradition on a smaller scale.

If you have your own spiritual practice review your practice’s guidelines, incorporate aspects that pay respect Below is a suggestion for honoring the core Gede of the Cemetery on this special occasion.

Preparation: Before you even walk into the cemetery you should be prepared with the following:

Offerings: Pennies and/or rice: I use pennies) To pay the dead before entering the cemetery and at gravesites.

Food: Homestyle food that your loved ones would enjoyed.

Flowers: White, purple or red & flowers that your ancestors liked.

Rum. (you can purchase the shot bottle size) or Coffee (strong/dark) A small pack of cigars or cigarettes (unfiltered)

Wear: black, purple or white.

Visit: On the day of your visit take a shower or bath before getting dressed. As you dress align your thoughts and intentions. Collect your offerings. When you arrive at the cemetery gate: You should ask permission from spirit to enter. Leave a few pennies or rice at the gate. if you get a yes or no answer. If your intuition tells you that you should not enter thank the spirits go away and come back another day, try another cemetery. It's not a bad thing try another cemetery and ask again. Once inside visit the Gede family. The first plot to visit is Papa Gede /Baron Samedi: Aka the Baron (Lord). In catholic and Haitian graveyards, this marker is usually very prominent as the Cross of Baron.

Offering Day: Rum & Cigars. Also acceptable: Coffee, roasted peanuts, sunglasses with one lens, small raunchy toys or souvenirs.

Greeting: (Taken from Voodu Visions: By Sally Ann Glassman)“For the Bawon, in her society– they say these words.

Say: Come to the crossroads, dance, joke, you who are the sentence of death. Accept our offerings. Enter into our hearts, our arms, our legs. Enter and dance with us.”or“Father of all the dead help is us in our (our named persons) grief, let us welcome the dead to the Mysterious Abyss. Make us ever potent and my our offspring be safe in your care”(Place your offering)

Place your offering by pouring some of the rum and puffing a cigar or placing some tobacco. Do not inhale the smoke.

Once you have greeted Papa Gede next visit Maman Brigit Maman Brigit (Gran/Brijit/Brigette) is honored. She is the wife of Baron Samedi and the Goddess of Death. In Celtic traditions she is Brigit. In Yoruba she is Oya. Maman Brijit is a very powerful Lwa and the queen of banda dancing and the market place.

Offerings to her: Coffee or Pepper rum, Purple flowers (violets, lavender, iris, or fuchsia). Puff smoke from the tobacco.

Greeting Maman Brijit: A song that Haitians sing to Maman Brijit goes as follows as translated from Haitian Creole.

“Gentlemen of the cross (ancestors) advance for her to see them! Maman Brigitte is sick, she lies down on her back, A lot of “talk” won’t raise the dead, Tie up your head, tie up your belly, tie up your kidneys, (imitate tying a belt around your waist) They will see how they will get down on their knees.” (get down on your knees) “Maman Brijit, awake it is Fet Gede today”!or“I am calling you Maman Brijit, can you see? I bring food/ smoke and drink to honor you. Please accept this offering. This food and drink and smoke are for you Maman, please bless me with (Healing/ Prosperity/ Favor with … through your grace Maman Brijit.” (Give your offering) Place your offering by pouring some of the rum and puffing a cigar or placing some tobacco. Do not inhale the smoke.

If you are visiting relatives: Pay your respects at their grave, leaving flowers, food or wine. Talk to them.

Make sure to clean up any trash and consider cleaning off their grave. If you don’t have any relatives see if you can find a gravestone with your family’s last name, a noteworthy ancestor of a similar background as you who lived in the town or someone who resonates with you.

Leaving the Cemetery. Before you leave the cemetery Give thanks, collect your personal belongings, clean up if needed and leave immediately. Do NOT look back (Even if you hear someone call out to you…). There is a belief that looking back will invite ghosts to follow you home… When you arrive at your next location wash your hands with the bottle of water before you enter your home over some earth. Then shake the remaining water out on the earth. This helps to prevent any negative energy from ‘sticking’ to you, wipes away mourning and loss, and returns it to the earth.

[providencepeakrp]

Wolf Wild Rescue

The rescue will be accepting donations at their stall all week, offering a variety of merchandise that would make a great holiday gift for anyone in need of a warm hoodie made for Colorado winter days or a mug for that holiday hot chocolate. Don’t be scared off by two of the oldest and laziest rescues lounging at the feet of employees in the booth! They’re content to snooze for a few hours and help demonstrations of irresponsible crossbreeding before returning home for the night.

Farm to Fork

If you smell something delicious, it’s almost guaranteed to come from the large kettles brewing melt-in-your-mouth ham and bean soup and a warm vegetable medley lining the tent beside Farm to Fork’s booth. Other than soup, they also have plenty of organically sourced jerky and fruit and vegetable leathers to browse through as well as other foods that are bound to make your mouth water.

The Midnight Club

Need a little pick-me-up during your late night holiday shopping? Never fear! The Midnight Club will be offering their darkest of brews guaranteed to keep you up for the of the season! Top it off with their Krampus triple dark chocolate cookies if you’re really feeling the spirit.

The Open Range

Have a dog or two or three? The Open Range dog park will be selling oodles of gourmet dog treats for you to spoil them with! Don’t have a dog? No worries! They’ll also be selling cat treats, toys, and treats for a variety of animals including those outdoor birds that may swoop by your windows. All proceeds go to the improvement and upkeep of the dog park located in University Heights.

The Sugar Shack

Stop by the booth that smells the sweetest to fill your stockings hung by the fireplace quickly. The Sugar Shack will be offering everything from bags of mixed candies to holday-themed toy candies that are sure to wow even the most picky child. You can also find handpulled candy canes in a variety of flavors and chocolates in every shape and size to fulfill any of your holiday needs and hosting gift orders!

Blooming Dale’s

A kind old man who could be mistaken for Jolly St. Nick himself, the owner of Blooming Dale’s will have a variety of handpicked in-seasons flower bouquets and potted poinsettas. In a pinch for a holiday tree or have a small space to fill? Blooming Dale’s has partnered with Jack’s Tree Farm to offer the residents of the city a rent-a-potted-tree program. Pick up the tree from the holiday market and return it to either location after the season is over for it to be planted back on the farm.

Frontier Foods

The grocery store will be accepting donations of unopened pantry items to contribute to the local food bank and families in need and will be at their booth for the entire week. Be sure to stop by and see where you can help out!

[kevin--of-desert-bluffs]

WTNV quick rundown - The Novel -

This is the post talking about randon Night Vale/King City and Man in the Tan Jacket facts!

Basic Plot of the Novel is here. Diane, Josh and Jackie random facts here. NV citizens random facts here.

The history of the town of Night Vale is long and complicated, reaching back thousands of years to the earliest indigenous people in the desert. We will cover none of this here. […] It is a friendly desert community, where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful and mysterious lights past overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale.

In NV, pharmacists wear gas masks and hip waders.

Hearts in NV are made of straw and clay and grow at age 9 or at least that's what they're taught.

Manual transmission works like this: 1 - whisper a secret into the cup holder, 2 - grab the clutch (a splintered wooden stake driven into the dashboard), 3 - shake it till something happens whilst taping a series of code numbers into a keyboard on the steering wheel.

Not yielding to a hooded figure will cause a mandatory city-wide ennui.

Encrypted radio pulses announce the opening of 'Lenny's Bargain House of Garden Wares'. As well as the titular function the government will also be unloading failed machines, tests and dangerous substances. The shop is being built on the site where the government was previously doing said tests. If you go to the grand opening sale and find 8 government secrets you get an 'free' government kidnapping and personality reassignment.

To protect against identity theft, Cecil recommends changing your passwords often, wearing a mask in public, blacking out your door number with black spraypaint and 'never ending up on a database'.

The 'Absurd Bowl' and 'Knife Ball' are events that happen in NV.

The NV job market is apparently very scarce as the hooded figures do most of the jobs in NV.

Here is what else we know about the MITTJ. He has a belt which is a darker brown than his shoes. His hair is recently cut. His face is clean and smooth. His teeth are almost white and his left upper bicuspid is a little further forward than the others.

The Moonlite diner has mugs from different sources, some of which leave strange sounds or hum. It has cracked red stools which smell of rubber and sawdust. It's pies are described as 'ok' and some are invisible. Food is served by a grey hand which extends from under the table and should not be acknowledged.

Most people in NV have no idea what doctors do only that it's rumoured to be beneficial. The hospital in NV is built next to the abandoned mine. Hospital rooms are full of cameras and speakers asking you to ask your doctor invasive questions. It was closed years ago and is no longer run by any recognised medical professionals or beings that are or were ever alive.

There are several spy satellites scanning citizens brains and revealing their thoughts. For some reason, Cecil has access to some of these.

'No country for old men' is a kids film in NV. They also have a 'popular animated franchise' about trees with human organs inside who are being cut down until vengeful arboreal spirits eviscerate the loggers. Lee Marvin is in it.

NV is confirmed to be somewhere in SW california.

Childrens friends are assigned by City Council decree based on the numerology of each child's name.

Hot milk drawers are a thing, also all avocados in NV are fake.

Metallic trees that change size each day are considered the plants most suited for a desert climate.

The NV cinema has nightly screenings of John Frankenheimes 1973 'the Iceman Cometh'. Popcorn prices are linked to the coal market.

There is a 'Top Secret Censorship Board' run by a guy called Luis who judges each film based on the risk of being shown a forbidden idea or gesture.

Having a regular police was see as too dangerous as knowledge of them could somehow be used against NV. The previous police were renamed the 'Secret Police', driving dark red sedans with gold racing stripes, black 7-pointed stars with the words 'Secret Police' on the cars side. They also wear capes and have a blowgun belt.

When writing tickets, these officers are required to describe the nature of the sunlight at the time of the infraction in verse.

You can only petition a speeding ticket if you go to city hall, so most people just pay the ticket, even if they're given one when they're not in a car.

Some magazine articles in NV; "10 ways to redecorate your bloodstone circle", "How to lose weight without losing sight of your own mortality" and "A cake recipe that only people who hate our government will want to try so mail us your best pictures of making it and we will take you away."

Some doors in NV require you to bleed on them to open.

There is an annual Imaginary Corn Festival and Fun Fair. There is a costume contest sponsored by the NV daily journal (dress as the decline of the printed word) where winners will not be forced to sign up for a several subscriptions to the journal.

The NV version of a Greek Salad is fruit and pumice stones.

The NV tourism board has a brochure with the tagline 'A town full of hidden evils and the secretly malevolent' featuring a picture of a diverse group of townfolk smiling and looking at the camera in the windowless prison they will be kept in until enough tourists visit NV to buy their release.

Aside from known eateries, there's also apparently places called 'Shame' and 'Pieces O' Grass' and 'Missing Frog Salad Bar' (which serves orangemilk and salad' in NV.

NV knowledges says the only known book on European history was a pamphlet on Svitz which was burnt by the 'Book Cleansers' because they mistook the giraffe on the front for a handgun.

It is illegal in NV to not have some kind of tracking device on you at all times. Most people choose a mobile phone but some still wear bulky tracking collars.

Most planes in NV are private, propeller, secret military drones and government planes used to make chemtrails.

The world government all wear blue headphones and horn-rimmed glasses.

Flamingos in NV are creatures that have six legs and double beaks.

Most bath gel or greeting card stores in NV have a full staff of bleeding saleclerks.

NV city hall is topped with ancient volcanic stone towers.

There is a service called 'Lifelock' in NV where they just lock you up and destroy all records of you existing to 'protect you from identity theft, impersonation, assassination, assignations and memory removal'.

Larry Leroy finds these things out in the desert: a metallic sphere that fell from the sky and whistles softly as if bored, his double, the body of the main in the pinstripe suit and a new way of breathing. The main in the pinstripe suit btw, goes through an existential crisis during the novel, cumulating in him trying to touch the planet of awesome size and then, death.

KC is a small town of little over 10,000 people in Monterey County. It's newspaper is called the KC rustler. Citizens include Wanda Nieves and Ynez.

The post office in KC is a one-storey stucco building with no front door, a splintered parapet walls with missing letters on it's marquee and a tree that has grown through the broken sidewalk and into one of the many shattered windows.

There's a 'video store' which only contains tall shelves full of loose tapes, some labelled and some not. Some shelves are densely packed, others nearly empty. The labels are handwritten and some simply have rows of x's, j's, p's etc. The walls at the back are made of mud and are easily pulled away to reveal a different room behind it. There's a music store containing a woman on a chair who pulls a face at Jackie/Diane. A bait shop where the empty jars keep exploding and cutting the man working there. A phone shop where the salesclerk doesn't remember ever having a customer before.

The flies that the MITTJ sells form a protective cloud in front of him whenever he is threatened.

The copier in the KC city hall is endlessly printing, so that there's stacks of paper everywhere. The receptionist is typing on a computer which is actually just a carved block of wood painted to look like a computer.

KC has a Taco Bell which people would stop off at on their way to either a town called Greenfield of a state wildlife area.

Stay tuned next for the sound of a creaking spine and the soft collapse of paper onto itself.

[abellinthecupboard]

The Last Mojave Indian Barbie

Wired to her display box were a pair of one-size-fits-all-Indians stiletto moccasins, faux turquoise earrings, a dream catcher, a copy of Indian Country Today, erasable markers for chin and forehead tattoos, and two six-packs of mini magic beer bottles—when tilted up, the bottles turned clear, when turned right-side-up, the bottles refilled. Mojave Barbie repeatedly drank Ken and Skipper under their pink plastic patio table sets. Skipper said she drank like a boy. Mojave Barbie secretly hated the color of her new friends' apricot skins, how they burned after riding in Ken's convertible Camaro with the top down, hated how their micro hairbrushes tangled and knotted in her own thick, black hair, which they always wanted to braid. There wasn't any diet cola in their cute little ice chests, and worst of all, Mojave Barbie couldn't find a single soft spot on her body to inject her insulin. It had taken years of court cases, litigation, letters from tribal council members, testimonials from CHR nurses, and a few diabetic comas just to receive permission to buy the never-released hypodermic needle accessory kit—before that, she'd bought most on the Japanese black market—Mattel didn't like toying around with the possibility of a Junkie Barbie. Mojave Barbie had been banned from the horse stables and was no longer invited to dinner, not since she let it slip that when the cavalry came to Fort Mojave, the Mojaves ate a few horses. It had happened, and she only let it slip after Skipper tried to force her to admit the Mojave Creation was just a myth: It's true. I'm from Spirit Mountain, Mojave Barbie had said. No, you're not, Skipper had argued. You came from Asia. But Mojave Barbie wasn't missing much—they didn't have lazy man's bread or tortillas in the Barbie Stovetop to Tabletop Deluxe Kitchen. In fact, they only had a breakfast set, so they ate the same two sunny-side-up eggs and pancakes every meal. Each night after dinner, Mojave Barbie sneaked from the guesthouse—next to the tennis courts and Hairtastic Salon—to rendezvous with Ken, sometimes in the collapsible Glamour Camper, but most often in the Dream Pool. She would yenni Ken all night long. (Yenni was the Mojave word for sex, explained a culturally informative booklet included in Mojave Barbie's box, along with an authentic frybread recipe, her Certificate of Indian Blood, a casino player's card, and a voided per capita check.) They took precautions to prevent waking others inside the Dream House—Mojave Barbie's tan webbed hand covering Ken's always-open mouth muffled his ejaculations. One night, after drinking a pint of Black Velvet disguised as a bottle of suntan lotion, Ken felt especially playful. Ken was wild, wanted to sport his plastic Stetson and pleather holsters, wanted Mojave Barbie to wear her traditional outfit, still twist-tied to her box. She agreed and donned her mesquite-bark skirt and went shirtless except for strands of blue and white glass beads that hung down in coils around her neck. The single feather in her hair tickled Ken's fancy. He begged Mojave Barbie to wrap her wide, dark hips around him in the “Mojave Death Grip,” an indigenous love maneuver that made him thankful for his double-jointed pelvis. (A Mojave Death Grip Graphic How-To Manual was once included in the culturally informative booklet, but a string of disjointed legs and a campaign by the Girl Scouts of America led to a recall.) Ken pointed his wooden six-shooter and chased her up the Dream Slide. The weight of the perfectly proportioned bodies sent the pool accessory crashing to the patio. Every light in every window painted itself on as the Dream House swung open from the middle, giving all inside a sneak peak at naked Ken's hard body and naked Mojave Barbie gripping his pistol, both mid-yenni and dripping wet. Ken was punished by Mattel's higher-ups, had his tennis racket, tuxedo, Limited Edition Hummer, scuba and snorkel gear, aviator sunglasses, Harley, windjammer sailboard, his iPad and iPhone confiscated. Mojave Barbie had been caught red-handed and bare-breasted. She was being relocated—a job dealing blackjack at some California casino. On her way out the gate, she kicked the plastic cocker spaniel, which fell sideways but never pulled its tongue in or even barked—she felt an ache behind her 39 EE left breast for her rez dog, which had been discontinued long ago. Mojave Barbie tossed a trash bag filled with clothes and accessories into her primered Barbie Happy Family Volvo, which she'd bought at a yard sale. The car had hidden beneath a tarp in the Dream House driveway since she got there. She climbed through the passenger door over to the driver's seat, an explosion of ripped vinyl, towels, and duct tape. She pumped and pumped the gas pedal, clicked and clicked the ignition, until the jalopy fired up. Mojave Barbie rolled away, her mismatched hubcaps wobbling and rattling, a book of yellow WIC coupons rustling on the dash, and a Joy Harjo tape melted in the tape deck blaring, I'm not afraid to be hungry. I'm not afraid to be full. Mom and Dad Barbie, Grandma Barbie, Skipper, and Ken stood on the Dream House balcony and watched Mojave Barbie go. Grandma Barbie tilted at the waist whispering to Mom Barbie, They should've kept that one in the cupboard. Dad Barbie piped in, Yep, it's always a gamble with those people. Mom Barbie was silent, hoping the purpling, bruise-like marks the size of mouths circling Ken's neck were not what she thought they were: hickies, or, as the culturally informative booklet explained, a “Mojave necklace.” Skipper complained to Ken that Mojave Barbie had flipped them off as she drove out the wrought-iron gates, which, of course, locked behind her with a clang. Ken fingered the blue bead in his pocket and reassured Skipper, Mojave Barbie was probably waving goodbye—with hands like that, you can never be sure.

— Natalie Diaz, When My Brother Was an Aztec (2012)

[sonalidigitalmarketer]

Website Development Agency in Ahmedabad: Crafting Digital Success

In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a robust online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. A well-designed website serves as the cornerstone of your digital identity, attracting customers, building trust, and driving business growth. If you’re searching for the best website development agency in Ahmedabad, you’re taking the first step towards creating a digital masterpiece. This blog explores what makes a great website development agency, the services they offer, and why Ahmedabad is a hub for exceptional web development services.

Why Choose a Website Development Agency in Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad, a thriving business hub, is home to numerous skilled and innovative web development agencies. Here’s why businesses are flocking to Ahmedabad for website development:

Rich Talent Pool: The city boasts talented developers proficient in cutting-edge technologies like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Laravel, and more.

Cost-Effective Solutions: Agencies in Ahmedabad provide high-quality services at competitive prices.

Cultural and Business Synergy: With its entrepreneurial spirit, Ahmedabad fosters a collaborative approach to understanding and fulfilling business needs.

Key Services Offered by Website Development Agencies

A reliable website development agency in Ahmedabad provides a wide range of services tailored to meet diverse business needs:

Custom Website Development: Unique, feature-rich websites designed to suit your brand identity and audience.

E-commerce Solutions: Robust e-commerce platforms with secure payment gateways, inventory management, and user-friendly navigation.

Content Management Systems (CMS): Development using popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal for easy content updates.

Responsive Web Design: Mobile-friendly websites optimized for seamless performance across devices.

Web Applications: Interactive web apps to engage users and streamline business operations.

SEO-Friendly Websites: Websites built with on-page SEO strategies to enhance visibility and rankings on search engines.

Maintenance and Support: Ongoing support to ensure your website remains updated, secure, and functional.

What Makes a Great Website Development Agency?

When choosing a website development agency in Ahmedabad, look for these essential qualities:

Experience and Expertise: Proven track record in delivering diverse web development projects.

Client-Centric Approach: Agencies that prioritize understanding your goals and offering tailored solutions.

Portfolio of Success: Check their portfolio to gauge creativity, technical expertise, and industry-specific knowledge.

Timely Delivery: Efficient project management and adherence to deadlines are crucial.

Post-Development Support: An agency should offer reliable maintenance and updates after project completion.

Top Website Development Trends in 2024

As technology evolves, modern website development agencies in Ahmedabad keep up with the latest trends, such as:

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Delivering app-like experiences on web browsers.

Voice Search Optimization: Websites optimized for voice commands to improve accessibility.

AI-Driven Development: Using artificial intelligence to personalize user experiences.

Dark Mode Design: Popular for enhancing user experience and reducing eye strain.

Motion UI: Engaging animations and transitions for better user interaction.

Why Partner with a Local Agency?

Choosing a local website development agency in Ahmedabad has its advantages:

Face-to-Face Collaboration: Enables better communication and understanding of project needs.

Understanding of Local Market: Insights into regional preferences and user behavior.

Quick Support: Easier to resolve issues and provide immediate support when required.

Adeves Media Private Limited: Your Trusted Website Development Partner

At Adeves Media Private Limited, we specialize in creating websites that not only look great but also deliver exceptional performance. With years of experience and a client-first approach, we have established ourselves as a leading website development agency in Ahmedabad.

Why Choose Adeves?

Expertise in building dynamic and scalable websites.

Customized solutions tailored to your business goals.

Skilled team proficient in the latest technologies.

Commitment to timely delivery and unparalleled support.

Conclusion

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Funko Batman: The Ultimate Collectible for Fans of the Dark Knight

Few things in the pop culture collectibles market have as won over fans' hearts as Funko Pop! figures. The Funko Batman figures are recognisable depictions of the adored Dark Knight among the wide variety of personalities and designs. For both ardent Batman fans and casual collectors, Funko Batman figures have become essential possessions because of their distinctive combination of style, intricacy, and affordability. This article will explore why Funko Batman is such a cherished collectible and what makes it standout in the world of pop culture memorabilia.

The Appeal of Funko Batman

For many years, the Batman franchise has been a mainstay of popular culture thanks to its menacing protagonist, recognisable villains, and intricate narrative. Funko, which is well-known for its unique vinyl characters, has created a collection of Funko Batman figures that flawlessly encapsulate the spirit of Batman. Fans are drawn to these characters for a variety of reasons. Collectors of all ages are drawn to their stylised yet easily recognisable design, to start. The oversized characteristics, like Batman's cowl and powerful build, are endearing and authentic to the character.

In addition, Funko Batman figures come in a variety of designs, ranging from those inspired by the numerous film adaptations to vintage comic book renditions. Due to this variety, fans of both the classic Adam West Batman from the 1960s and the gritty, contemporary version from the Christopher Nolan movie can choose a Funko Batman figure that resonates with their connection to the character.

A Collectible for All Fans

Funko Batman is highly intriguing due to its accessibility. Funko Batman figurines are reasonably priced, which makes them available to a broad spectrum of collectors, in contrast to other luxury collectibles that carry a high price tag. But quality is not sacrificed for this affordability. Every Funko Batman figure is meticulously sculpted, meaning that even the slightest details, like as the utility belt around his waist or the Bat symbol on his chest, are accurately recreated.

The fact that Funko Batman figures come in a variety of shapes and sizes contributes to their allure. Funko has options to meet every collector's demand, whether you are searching for a larger 10-inch figure to become the focal point of your collection or a conventional 3.75-inch figure to display on your desk. Furthermore, Funko frequently produces unique and limited-edition Batman figures, which ups the thrill and rarity factor of collecting.

Conclusion

For fans of the Dark Knight, Funko Batman figures have solidified their status as must-have collectibles. Whether you are a lifelong Batman fan or brand-new to the Funko world, they have something for every fan with their distinct blend of charm, detail, and affordability. Collecting Funko Batman figurines is more than just a hobby—it is a way to celebrate the heritage of one of the greatest superheroes of all time and foster a sense of connection with him. For everyone who enjoys the world of Gotham City, Funko Batman is a must-have, whether you are starting or adding to an already-existing collection.