#Dubai School Transportation

[vivekbsworld]

Enhancing Safety and Efficiency with School Bus Tracking Software in Dubai

Safety and efficiency are two of the most critical components of a school bus transportation system. For parents, knowing their child is safe and for the school administration, ensuring the fleet is running efficiently are priorities. In recent years, technological advancements have paved the way for innovative solutions that address these concerns, with one such solution being school bus tracking software. School bus tracking software in Dubai integrates real-time GPS and cellular technology to enhance the safety, efficiency, and transparency of student transportation, ensuring precise tracking, route optimization, and timely communication with parents and schools

The Basics of School Bus Tracking Software

School bus tracking software utilizes GPS technology and cellular communication to track the location of buses in real-time. It offers a range of features such as:

Live Tracking: Parents, school administrators, and the transportation team can monitor the exact location of the buses at any given time.

Route Optimization: The software can help in optimizing routes based on real-time traffic and weather conditions, ensuring timely arrival and departure of buses.

Alerts and Notifications: Parents receive alerts when the bus is near their child’s stop, reducing wait times and enhancing safety.

Driver Behavior Monitoring: The software can track and analyze driver behavior, promoting safe driving practices.

Emergency Alerts: In case of emergencies or delays, notifications can be sent to parents and school authorities.

Efficiency Analysis: It provides data on fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance needs, and route efficiency, helping in cost-saving and operational streamlining.

Benefits of Implementing School Bus Tracking Software in Dubai

Safety: Real-time tracking enhances the safety of students by ensuring that they are picked up and dropped off at the right locations and at the right time. This is especially critical in a bustling city like Dubai.

Efficiency: Optimal route planning leads to faster and more efficient bus schedules, reducing wait times for students and minimizing fuel consumption.

Parental Peace of Mind: Parents can track their children’s journey, giving them peace of mind about their safety and timely arrival at home or school.

Improved School Management: School authorities can manage the entire fleet efficiently, ensuring compliance with routes and schedules.

Emergency Preparedness: The system helps in immediate action during emergencies by providing real-time location data and communication capabilities.

Cost Savings: Through optimized routes and improved fuel management, schools can reduce operational costs.

The Future of School Bus Tracking Software

As technology continues to evolve, so too will school bus tracking software. Future innovations may include:

Predictive Analytics: Using machine learning algorithms to predict traffic patterns, weather conditions, and potential issues along routes.

Augmented Reality Integration: AR could be used to provide a more immersive and interactive experience for students during their bus journey.

Safety Enhancements: Advanced sensors and AI could be employed to monitor children’s behavior on the bus and alert the driver in case of any safety concerns.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Integration with electric and hybrid buses to promote sustainable transportation solutions.

In conclusion, the implementation of school bus tracking software in Dubai has the potential to revolutionize student transportation. It offers a comprehensive solution to address safety, efficiency, and parental concerns, while also providing opportunities for future advancements. As the city continues to grow, leveraging technology like this will be key to maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system for students.

[sandeepsrk007]

Navigating Efficiency: GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems in Dubai

In the bustling metropolis of Dubai, where efficiency and innovation are the hallmarks of success, GPS vehicle tracking systems have emerged as indispensable tools for businesses and individuals alike. With the ability to monitor vehicle movements in real-time, optimize fleet operations, and enhance overall productivity, GPS vehicle tracking systems play a pivotal role in streamlining logistics, ensuring safety, and improving operational efficiency across various industries. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of Gps vehicle tracking system company in dubai, the benefits they offer, and the leading companies providing these solutions in the region.

Enhanced Fleet Management: Dubai's vibrant economy relies heavily on efficient transportation and logistics networks to support its thriving businesses and industries. GPS vehicle tracking systems empower fleet managers to monitor the location, speed, and performance of their vehicles in real-time, enabling them to optimize routes, minimize fuel consumption, and reduce vehicle wear and tear. By analyzing data collected from GPS tracking devices, businesses can identify areas for improvement, enhance route planning, and ultimately streamline fleet operations for maximum efficiency and cost savings.

Improved Driver Safety and Compliance: Ensuring driver safety and compliance with traffic regulations is paramount for businesses operating in Dubai's bustling urban environment. GPS vehicle tracking systems provide real-time insights into driver behavior, including speeding, harsh braking, and unauthorized stops, allowing fleet managers to identify risky driving habits and implement corrective measures. By promoting safer driving practices and enforcing compliance with traffic laws, GPS tracking systems help mitigate the risk of accidents, reduce insurance premiums, and protect both drivers and vehicles on the road.

Asset Security and Theft Prevention: Vehicle theft and unauthorized use are significant concerns for businesses and individuals in Dubai, where high-value assets are constantly on the move. GPS vehicle tracking systems offer robust security measures to protect vehicles from theft and unauthorized access, allowing owners to track their location in real-time and receive instant alerts in case of suspicious activities. By deterring theft and facilitating rapid recovery in the event of a security breach, GPS tracking systems provide peace of mind and protection for valuable assets in Dubai's dynamic environment.

Efficient Resource Allocation: In a city as bustling and fast-paced as Dubai, efficient resource allocation is essential for businesses to stay competitive and meet customer demands. GPS vehicle tracking systems enable businesses to monitor the utilization of their fleet resources, optimize deployment schedules, and allocate vehicles based on demand fluctuations and operational requirements. By optimizing resource allocation, businesses can minimize idle time, maximize productivity, and deliver superior service to customers, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the market.

Leading GPS Vehicle Tracking Companies in Dubai: Several reputable companies in Dubai specialize in providing GPS vehicle tracking solutions tailored to the needs of businesses and individuals in the region. These companies offer a range of features and services, including real-time tracking, customized reporting, driver behavior monitoring, and 24/7 customer support. Some of the leading GPS vehicle tracking companies in Dubai include:

Fleet Management Solutions: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) is a leading provider of GPS vehicle tracking systems in Dubai, offering comprehensive solutions for fleet management, asset tracking, and driver safety. With advanced tracking technology and customizable features, FMS helps businesses optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.

Trackmatic: Trackmatic is a trusted name in the GPS vehicle tracking industry, providing innovative solutions for businesses of all sizes in Dubai. With a user-friendly interface and advanced tracking capabilities, Trackmatic helps businesses improve fleet efficiency, monitor driver behavior, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Fleet Complete: Fleet Complete offers cutting-edge GPS vehicle tracking solutions designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in Dubai and beyond. With features such as real-time tracking, route optimization, and driver performance monitoring, Fleet Complete helps businesses streamline operations, improve customer service, and achieve greater profitability.

Trinetra: Trinetra is a leading provider of GPS vehicle tracking systems, offering advanced solutions for fleet management, asset tracking, and remote monitoring in Dubai. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Trinetra helps businesses enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize ROI.

In conclusion, GPS vehicle tracking systems play a crucial role in optimizing fleet operations, ensuring safety, and improving efficiency in Dubai's dynamic business landscape. With features such as real-time tracking, driver behavior monitoring, and asset security, GPS tracking systems empower businesses to streamline operations, protect valuable assets, and gain a competitive edge in the market. By partnering with leading GPS vehicle tracking companies in Dubai, businesses can harness the power of technology to drive growth, innovation, and success in the city's thriving economy.

[westfieldnursery54]

Learn and Play at West Field Nursery!

Introduction:-

Hello, parents! West Field Nursery is a special place for kids to learn and have fun. They have something cool — affordable School Fees for Nursery and smart Nursery School Uniforms.

School Fees for Nursery:-

At West Field Nursery, they believe every child should have a chance to learn, no matter how much money their family has. That’s why they made sure the School Fees for Nursery are not too much. It means more kids can come and enjoy learning.

Nursery School Uniforms:Guess what? West Field Nursery also has awesome uniforms for the little ones. These Nursery School Uniforms are not just for looks — they are comfy and strong. Kids feel proud wearing them, and it makes everyone look like a team.

How It Helps Learning:-

When things like School Fees and uniforms are easy, kids can focus on learning and playing. West Field Nursery wants to make sure every child gets a good start. Affordable fees and nice uniforms help create a happy and friendly place for kids to learn.

Parents’ Role:-

Parents are important too! West Field Nursery likes talking to parents about School Fees and uniforms. They want parents to feel involved and happy about their child’s time at nursery. It’s like a team effort to make sure kids have a great start in their learning adventure.

Conclusion:-

So, if you want your little one to learn, play, and feel proud, West Field Nursery is the place. With easy School Fees for Nursery and cool Nursery School Uniforms, it’s a great start for every child. Let the

[articlewritter]

Car Rental in UAE

New Arabian Passengers Transport provide the best transports on rent for passengers and labours all over in UAE like Sharjah, Ajmal, Abu Dhabi & Al khaimah

https://icr.ae/services/

[scotianostra]

19th February 1792 saw the birth on Shetland of Arthur Anderson.

Anderson was a businessman and Liberal Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland. He was the first Shetland-born man to represent the Isles.

Born in the Böd of Gremista at Lerwick, the son of a fish curer who had come from Unst, Anderson joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16, and fought in the Napoleonic wars. Moving to London he was co-founder of the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company which became the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. He tried to persuade the British government of the value of building a canal linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea but failed, and it was not until a year after his death than the French built the Suez Canal. Anderson introduced the concept of cruising for pleasure, rather than simply a means of transportation.

Arthur Anderson also formed the Union Steam Ship Company to supply coal to his P&O ships. This later became the core of the great Union-Castle line.

His various philanthropic gifts included endowing the Anderson Educational Institute (now Anderson High School) in Lerwick which opened in 1862.

His company was broken up during mergers and takeover, with P&O Cruises having merged with the Carnival Corporation in 2002, the P&O Nedlloyd container business sold in 2004 and P&O Ferries owned by Dubai World since 2005.

Read the full story of Anderson here https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/…/arthuranderson.html

[leftnotright]

A TEXTBOOK EDUCATION

"This will be a skill-building experience. You've had it too easy. You've had your Family name to back you, and your Right Hand at your every call. It's time you learn to carry yourself, to build from the ground up." Dino Cavallone, the Cavallone Don, fresh out of high school.

Reborn, the deadliest hitman of the modern era, has a special kind of torture up his sleeve for his dear struggling student. Dino will have to see how well he handles alienation, isolation, and worst of all, class participation. “Now, go on, my useless student Dino. Let’s continue your education.” (Or: Reborn sends Dino to Australia. It goes better than he could have ever hoped.)

Parings: N/A Characters: Dino (Katekyou Hitman Reborn!), Vic Hunt (OC - Original Character), Reborn (Katekyou Hitman Reborn!), Romario (Katekyou Hitman Reborn!), Cavallone Famiglia, Enzo (Katekyou Hitman Reborn!), Original Characters Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, University, Pre-Canon, Financial Issues, Fluff And Angst

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

CHAPTER 5: EVEN IF WE GOTTA RISK IT ALL

Dino’s coffee table was covered in papers, every page of debt he had available on display with their numbers highlighted and circled. Open on his computer was an internet window with several tabs all squashed together along the top. Dino reached over and moved his cursor across the words: ‘MELBOURNE CUP 2022 WINNINGS FIRST PLACE: $4,400,000’. 

“A bonus of $500,000 for the owner, if their horse won the group one Irish St. Leger run the previous September,” Dino uttered slowly, reading the details of the Melbourne Cup with slow, careful eyes. He penned it down.

The Melbourne Cup didn’t have the largest purse in horse racing, just a bit of skimming had told Dino that. On a notepad, Dino had written down: ‘ DUBAI WORLD CUP $7.2MIL, KENTUCKY DERBY $1.8MIL, THE EVEREST $6.2MIL (IN SYDNEY!)’

But out of all the horse races, especially in the catchment of Australia, the Melbourne Cup had, by far, the greatest reputation. ‘The race that stops the nation’. What a title.

If Dino were to try and get more bang for his buck, he’d have been wiser to go for the Everest or Dubai. However, Dino wasn’t trying to be a one-hit wonder. With the Melbourne Cup came fame, a name backing his horses and the Cavallone brand. If Dino won the Melbourne Cup, it would only make enrolling in richer races all the more simple. 

A meagre four million wasn’t going to put much of a dent in the Cavallone’s debts. No, winning one race wasn’t going to pull them out of the red. Dino was going to be in this for the long haul, participating in one race after another. 

 He needed numbers. As many hooves on the track as possible to increase his chances of winning high positions if not first place. The more horses Dino had in the races, the more prize money he could rake in - and hopefully, break even.

Racing costs money. 

Training, for both jockey and horse. Transportation, feeding, accommodation, equipment and uniforms. All of that came after the original enrollment payments, and for the Melbourne Cup, there were rounds of it. Three to be exact. 

And that was just the Melbourne Cup. 

Dino grimaced and sipped a cup of water, blessedly cold after Dino had found the ice rack in the freezer. He put the glass against his temple and sighed.

There wasn’t much more he could do by himself. Before Dino ran off with this idea, with all his hopeful ‘what if’s and ‘we could’s, Dino would have to present his case to the Family. And since this was going to involve the horses and a whopping portion of the Cavallone funds, he was going to have to talk to the Stable Master and the Vault Keeper. 

That was a full-blown Family Meeting, Dino had never called one of those before! The last time Dino had even seen the Vault Keeper was-

Dino took a slow breath and concentrated on the feeling of cold perspiration dripping down the side of his face. 

The last time Dino had seen the Vault Keeper was the day of his succession and within the hour of his father’s death. 

The Stable Master, at least, Dino knew quite well. 

“Okay,” Dino murmured to Enzo who peeked out from under the coffee table. “For a formal Family Meeting, who do I need to call? Right Hand, Stable Master, Vault Keeper, probably the Head of Housekeeping to keep them in the loop and-” Dino winced, “Available Guardians.”

The Cavallone Don groaned as he flopped back on the couch, still holding that glass to his forehead to try and ward off that headache he felt creeping up on him. 

It wasn’t working. 

☁ ☁ ☁

 The first thing Vic noticed when Dino stumbled into class was that he was all but dead on his feet. The poor guy was slumped over in his seat, resting heavily on the desk in front of him. 

 Vic came and found her seat next to Dino at their group’s table. She unpacked her laptop and produced a folder, full of the handouts and the straws and blu-tack for their activity. 

“How’re you doing?” Vic asked, and gave Dino a gentle nudge.

Dino’s arm slipped out from under his jaw and his head hit the desk with a ‘ bang! ’. Vic cursed as heads snapped around and quickly moved to scoop up Dino’s head, hissing at the red mark on the boy’s forehead.

“Fuck,” she wheezed and Dino blinked widely, very much awake now. “You’re in a fucking state! When did you go to bed?”

“Uuuh,” Dino squinted as he rubbed his head, “The, uh-”

Vic had the sudden and horrible feeling that this boy hadn’t actually gone to sleep that night. She looked to her folder, then to the lesson’s tutor who was setting up the projector for the day’s rostered presentation: Social Class.

Oh fuck.

Where the hell was Jess? Vic looked at her phone and saw a text in the group chat.

Jessica Cheng

Hi guys, really sorry the trains are being replaced by buses, I’m gonna be like 10 minutes late. 

Jessica Cheng

Can we just move the activity after Vic and I’ll come in last?

Jessica Cheng

I’ll sprint it, I promise

Vic twitched and looked at the clock. They were only required to speak for three minutes each. Dino looked like he could speak for less. 

She groaned and rubbed her head before sending a text back.

Vic Hunt

Sure, we’ll buy you time.

Jessica Cheng

Kk see you soon

Jessica went abruptly offline then and Vic only hoped she was able to get across campus fast enough. 

“I will be okay,” Dino grumbled from inside his pillow of arms. “May speak, uh, slowly. But it will be done.”

Vic looked to Dino and then slumped in her chair. She took a breath through her nose and out her mouth, her feet pressed hard into the carpeted floor. 

“Yeah. Yeah, sure, we’ll be fine.”

“Dino, Jessica and Vic,” the tutor called and Vic grimaced.

By the end of their tutorial, Jess had scampered off to catch her bus home and Dino and Vic had chosen a sunny patch of grass by the Macquarie University's lake to wallow on. Vic was laid out on her back, her limbs still throbbing with nerves after public speaking adlib with Jess coming not ten, but fifteen minutes late to class. 

Vic was sure she had covered the same point twice with multiple stutters and ‘uh’s. 

“That sucked,” Vic whined loudly.

Dino appeared in her peripheral, sat at her side, and gave a weak smile of agreement. Vic had no idea what he was talking about. Despite his loose hold on English - that was only getting better, she kept reminding him - he had spoken with some kind of damning confidence in his voice that made Vic want to kick him in the shins for making her think he was going to all but faint on her. He spoke like he was used to presenting to groups of people! The bastard!

Vic frowned at him severely, before rolling over in the grass and burying her face in her backpack.

“I believe we- we did very well!” Dino assured and Vic huffed when he gave her a pat on the back. Then under his breath she heard him whisper, “How are you not sweaty?”

“Not everyone had pores like a waterfall,” Vic answered before turning her head and asked, “And what the fuck Dino? You were acting like you were going to die when we got up to speak but as soon as we got that slide up you might have well have been Steve fucking Jobs releasing the new iPhone!”

Dino blinked, and then he curled in on himself. His ears flushed red and Vic had the sudden and intense urge to ask if he had put sunscreen on them today. 

“I, uh, hesitated a lot.”

“No more than I fucking did,” Vic pointed out, “And dude your projection. The teacher had to ask Jess to speak up -- and asked me to slow down. Your pacing was spot on!”

Once again, Dino ducked his head and Vic was reminded of Enzo recoiling back after bumping into her thermos during a study session. 

“You know what? Fuck it, you’re helping me with my public speaking skills from now on. You could sell water to a drowning man.” Vic demanded, before reaching out and poking at Dino’s cargo shorts’ pocket. “Now, release the baby.”

Dino laughed and unpacked Enzo from his pocket, the little turtle stubbornly hiding in his shell even when he was placed on the grass between them, safely in Dino’s shadow. Vic grinned and rolled over to her side, cooing happily as the presence of Enzo soothed her academically injured soul.

 “Hello! Oh hello,” Vic chirped, a complete one-eighty flip from the grumpy, huffy mood she had been in before. “He’s not coming out.”

“Too much sun,” Dino offered, gesturing to the heat that bathed the whole lake despite the students that spotted the valley.  

Vic hummed, it didn’t feel too hot to her. But then again, Enzo had spent most of his life in Italy with Dino. Then she poked Enzo’s shell and saw an eye peeking out at her in great disgruntlement.

“Wait,” Vic sat up and stared at the lake. “Wait, he's a turtle, he can go in the lake! A nice swimmy!” 

Dino’s head snapped around. 

 “After being in your stuffy-ass pocket, a good swim must be exactly what he needs!” Vic insisted, grinning with teeth again.

Dino snatched Enzo up off the ground before Vic could grab him, a nervous smile on his face and a whole new sheet of sweat going down his neck. 

“No! No, uh, Enzo is a- a saltwater turtle! I do not know if the lake water will agree with him.”

Vic paused. Fuck he was right. She winced and scratched the back of her head, feeling bits of grass and leaves come out. 

“Right, sorry, didn’t think about that.” 

God that was a dick move. What was she going to do, grab someone’s emotional support turtle and dump it wherever? Think it through Vic!

“It is okay,” Dino assured, and Vic nearly jumped when he touched her arm -- wow, his hand was moist. “It wouldn’t have hurt him. Enzo is a strong boy.”

Then he reached across and gently placed Enzo in her lap, still once again in his shadow. 

“I don’t think he is liking how warm I am,” Dino laughed.

Vic looked down at Enzo in her lap, then to Dino’s open face. She tucked her chin into her chest and bit down on her smile.

Vic spun and flopped back onto her back with a huff, relaxing all over as she lay in the sun. On her stomach, she felt Enzo shuffle around until he settled on the soft, pillowy space of her stomach.

Dino reached into his pocket and fed the still-hiding Enzo a pellet at a time.

“So, what were you even doing for the whole night?” Vic asked.

Dino shrugged, “Uh, I’ve been investigating. Learning about horse racing, and dealing with some Family issues.” 

Vic hummed lowly, “You’re really keen on that racing idea.”

Dino smiled, and leant back on his hands, voice quiet as he said, “If we can race again…It may save my Family.”

Vic blinked, then tilted her head as she observed him. Vic had only known Dino for little over just a month now, but she felt like she had a loose, if not a reasonable, grasp on one of Dino’s core values: Family.

To Dino, family always comes first. In fact, most of their conversations had at some point turned to family. Dino, at this point, could list off all of Vic’s cousins, aunts and uncles, and Vic was sure she would have to fight Romario for adoption rights.

The ‘Dino Adoption’ debate had become a rather hot topic in the Hunt Houses, a split between factions: To-Adopt, and Not-To-Adopt. Not-To-Adopt was dwindling in numbers, however, with every Dino or University-centric rant Vic sent home. Robbie’s crown was slipping, and Vic’s mum had started a guest bedroom Pinterest inspo-board. 

Vic, her mum and her grandma had been steadfastly ignoring Robbie’s screaming voice messages that ‘we don’t even have a spare room!’

Her dad had always liked carpentry, Vic was sure he’d come up with something. He was always rather smart with his hands — something Vic’s mum liked to sing praises of until someone begged her to shut up over a sea of gagging children. Maybe he’d build a barnyard style granny-flat. Speaking of barns—

“So, like, you’ve been breeding horses for years. You got any cute ones? Like, ones that are fluffy?”

Vic felt like she had at least a loose grip on Dino, and nothing got ‘horse girl’ Dino talking like his horses. Only ask for photos if you’ve got the next few hours free. Dino’s Econ tutorial had been cancelled, they had the whole day.    

The things Vic did to keep her soon-to-be-adopted Dino happy. 

Dino was already fumbling for his phone by the time Vic had uttered the words ‘fluffy’. 

“We have this Przewalski Mongolian! Ah! Beautiful coat! So good to brush, and when she’s freshly bathed!?” 

Dino turned his phone and Vic wheezed at the horse, covered in thick packed fuzz and fur. 

“Oh God, hugging that? Fuckin’ bliss,” Vic all but swooned. “I wanna be squished between two.”

Then she paused, sat up and squinted at the corner of Dino’s screen.

“Gimme that.” Vic took Dino’s phone despite the squawk of alarm and zoomed out to see what Dino had tried to hide. 

In the background of the photo was an early highschool-aged Dino, sporting braces on his teeth and several bandaids all over, and being dragged by the waist of his pants by some huge stallion. The panic and flurry of multiple stablehands and Romario himself attempting to save Dino, a direct contrast to the peaceful grazing of the Mongolian in the foreground. 

Vic snorted before wheezing out her whole lung capacity. Enzo gave a disgruntled click and slipped off Vic’s jumping stomach as she continued to laugh, only fuelled by Dino’s betrayed and indignant babbling. 

Dino lept to take his phone back, but their squabble of hands shifted and zoomed until baby-Dino’s face, crumpled and folded in unflattering fear, took up the screen. Vic doubled over again, cackling with belly and teeth.

Dino huffed as he stole back his phone and moved the picture on screen safely back into his camera roll. He crossed his arms and waited for Vic to be done.

 She took a huge breath, glanced at Dino's face, and then promptly let out another belt of laughter.

 “It was not that funny!” Dino scolded, helping Enzo up into his lap.

 “It was!” Vic gasped, and Dino gave her a smack on the arm.

 “Ah! Abuse! In front of the child!”

 “Enzo has seen worse.”

 “No, my baby,” Vic cried quietly, and rolled over to mourn the sweet turtle’s lost innocence.

 Dino huffed and shifted on the spot, phone in his hands.

 “...We also have a new Haflinger foal,” he said and, this time with an iron grip on his phone, showed Vic the knobbly-kneed foal beside its mother.

 Vic snorted and settled down in the sunbathed grass to be once again regaled of the Cavallone’s prized herd. As always, Dino spoke rapidly. Stumbling over words, ‘ahs’ and ‘ums’, repetition and mistakes not slowing him down in the least as he raved about the last Spring’s yield of four new foals. What Vic couldn’t understand through a thick accent or patchy English-Italian half-words, Vic could fill in with the side gestures Dino made. Vic had heard that Italians spoke with their hands, and Dino was only supporting that stereotype as he drew the shape of a massive mare.

 “Nearly two me’s!” Dino exclaimed.

 Vic imagined a horse that stood well over her own height and immediately felt the need to climb on one. She’d never ridden a horse before, but surely you just, like, clamber up and hold on for dear life.

Dino’s great tale was interrupted, however, when a shrill, aghast voice cut through the afternoon.

“ What the fuck is that!? ”

Dino’s head snapped around and Vic sat up as she saw a girl break off from her group and come storming over. The rest of her group were calling out to her, one of them tried to grab her by her bag.

Vic blinked slowly as the girl came to a stop at Dino’s side, her hackles raised with some kind of righteous anger in her eyes. 

Vic glanced to Dino and asked, “Ah, this your ex or something?”

Dino looked to Vic with wild confusion, “I do not know, I-”

“This is illegal!” The girl snapped and Dino let out a yelp as her hand lashed out and scooped up the still-tucked Enzo. 

In an instant, that warm calm that had utterly steeped Vic’s body flushed out.  

“Oi!” Vic bellowed and sprung to her feet, fists clenched. “What the fuck are you doing?!”

A hot anger boiled in Vic’s blood, Dino’s horror-struck expression only fueling it as he tried to organise himself and ask for Enzo back.

“This!” The girl shouted again, shoving Enzo in Vic’s face, and then Dino’s. “Is an incredibly invasive species! It is illegal to have a Red Eared Slider turtle in Australia!”

“He’s not a Red Slider, you fuck!” Vic seethed, “Enzo’s a Sponge turtle!”

“Look at this shell-”

“Look at his fucking face! ”  

“It's invasive!”

“He’s the wrong fucking species! ” Vic shouted and went to grab Enzo back.

The girl backed out of reach and held Enzo to her chest, loud, angry clicking coming from inside his shell. 

“Red Eared Sliders are aggressive and utterly destroy Australia’s natural freshwater habitats! It needs to be handed over to RSPCA so they can ship it out or put it down!”

Dino gave a sharp gasp of alarm and Vic saw red. 

The hold she had on her temper snapped like a thread pulled taut and with heat in her skin, she lunged forward. Vic went at the girl with nails and elbows. She swiped and poor Enzo went flying in a direction she blindly hoped was Dino’s, a soft ‘aaaaaaaaaaa’ emitting from the shell as it disappeared from her tunnel vision.

The girl screamed as Vic got her hands on her, and threw her whole body weight to send the girl head over heels. She hit the water with an almighty splash, and a flock of ducks noisily took flight.

Vic breathed ragged through her teeth, fists clenched. Her temper, white-hot and utterly boiling her blood, was only slightly settled by the sight of the shell-shocked girl sitting, drenched in the lake.

“Who’s the fucking ‘invasive species’ now, bitch!?” Vic bellowed.

"Got to go, got to go!" Dino chanted near hysterically as he grabbed Vic by her arm and started running.

Vic with gritted teeth and tense shoulders, let Dino drag her across the field and towards the Village. She huffed when she nearly crashed into Dino’s back as he came to a sudden, slow walk. Dino, casually, innocently, walked with Vic passed Campus Security as they sailed passed in their little golf carts.

Vic snorted through her nose and gave Dino’s back a scrutinising look but couldn’t be bothered to see past her own heat haze. 

The gates of the Village came into view and Vic stormed forward, taking heavy, stomped footsteps all the way through to her shitty five-bedroom dormhouse, with her shitty roommates, who didn’t respect her fucking personal space-!

Vic hit her bed facedown. Calm down, calm down, calm fucking down!

Faintly, in the far back of her awareness, Vic heard Dino sit in her creaking desk chair and the thump of him dropping their bags. Dino was such a good boy - what was he doing when Enzo was taken she didn’t look - he was so nice and warm - he walked passed the security didn’t even flinch knew what to do-

Vic rolled onto her back and took a breath in through her nose and out her mouth. In and out, in and out. That girl had said to put Enzo down. Dino’s support animal, someone he took everywhere with him no matter what - Dino needed Enzo and that girl said ‘put down’. 

Vic took another breath in. She clenched her fists. A breath out and clenched her forearms- Why wasn’t it working-

There was a roar in her ears, a thundering thump in her chest.

Then a weight dropped on her stomach, just substantial enough that Vic started out of her rambling spiral. Vic lifted her head and craned her neck, Enzo’s big, beady eyes stared back up at her.

Enzo looked around slowly, before his feet popped out from his shell and, slowly, he plodded up to find a comfortable place on Vic’s chest. 

Just behind Enzo, Vic could see Dino, his hands still outstretched from where he had dropped Enzo on her.

Dino smiled a bit, an awkward, lopsided thing, and said, “Enzo, he, uh, helps me be calm.”

Vic blinked, before she let out a puff of breath. She dropped her head back and used Enzo’s weight to try and sink that rising heat. She felt that familiar rumble in her chest swell and grow, and she let it out in a long, gaping yawn.

Vic hated getting angry, she was always tired afterwards.

Vic sniffed and scratched her cheek, her body heavy right down to the core like her bones were waterlogged. 

“You wanna eat somethin’?” Vic asked.

Dino paused, startled, before he lowered himself to sit on the edge of Vic’s bed and said, “Yeah, what would you like?”

“Chicken nuggets. So many chicken nuggets.”

☁ ☁ ☁

Greasy wrappers and stray grains of salt littered the foot of Vic’s bed as the two of them sat up against the wall, Vic’s phone playing music in the background. Dino heaved as he slumped against the wall. He had eaten an obscene amount of nuggets and sweet and sour sauce.

Vic, somehow, was still going. 40 chicken nuggets, and so far 17 of them were sitting in the seemingly bottomless chasm of Vic’s belly.

Dino slurped on his cola as Vic, unflinchingly, ate her 18th and reached for another. 

“How’s Enzo?” Vic asked through half a mouthful of nugget. 

Dino looked to the turtle that, more or less, had put them into hiding for the foreseeable future — or at least until the blurry video of ‘bodily yeeting entitled Karen into lake’ stopped popping up on Dino’s feed every time he refreshed it. It had become a meme template. The speed of the internet was terrifying.

Vic, hearing the grainy sound of her own voice hollering “Who’s the fucking ‘invasive species’ now, bitch!?” shoved her 20th nugget into her mouth. 

Dino winced and closed his phone. 

“Enzo is fine. I told you, he is hardy.”

Vic grumbled and reached to pet Enzo, who paused his munching on a bag of mixed leaves Vic had pulled from a cooler - an ‘esky’ - in the corner of her room. There were three, all stacked on each other and full of chilled foodstuffs.  

Dino glanced at Vic and saw the 24th nugget disappear. He had already seen a fridge in the shared kitchen on the way up to the room. Now, maybe, wasn’t the best time to ask.

Nonetheless, Dino stored it in his memory, another conversation starter!

Vic’s phone suddenly stopped playing music, and the screen flipped to an incoming call. Vic sighed and shoved her last nugget in her mouth before answering the call from ‘Robbie’.

“What?” She asked, muffled around her chicken nugget.

Dino took another sip of his drink as Vic leant her head on his shoulder. 

Casual touch. Dino hadn't experienced that in… Weeks. It had only just dawned on him how much he had missed it after leaving home. 

Dino shifted a bit to make sure he was comfortable - both for him and Vic. He almost felt like someone priming their lap with blankets, hoping the family cat would choose them for the foreseeable hours.

Dino's rather cosy trail of thought was interrupted by the caller on Vic's phone.

“You fucking threw someone into a lake!?” Robbie screeched from the other side of the phone.

Vic made a lazy, noncommittal noise as she slowly chewed, completely unhurried by the state her brother was apparently in. 

“Vicky, I thought you were over this!”

Vic proceeded to mutter something vaguely mocking through her chewing. Dino snorted a bit despite how he tried to send her a scolding look. Vic ignored him.

“Jesus Christ, Vicky- Why’d you even do it!?”

Vic took a sip of her frozen coke and simply said, “Bitch tried to take Dino’s turtle.”

There was a faint bang, and then a distinctly loud bang. Then came the scream of Robbie being tackled and the fight for the phone.

“Bitch did what to Enzo!?”

Dino glanced to Vic. He had been wondering where she had sent all those turtle pictures — evidently, a good bulk had gone to Bec, her cousin.

“Crazy cunt fucking stole Enzo out of Dino’s lap like he was a Woolies apple and started going on about ‘invasive species’ and ‘putting him down’ and like fuck was I gonna let her talk shit like that!” Vic ranted, waving her cup at the far window like her cousin was standing before them.

There was a pause, before there was a chorus of approval in the background. At least four voices all chipped in with their opinions and Dino was hit with the sudden realisation that there was a roomful of Hunts on the other end of that line.

“You should have thrown her deeper, Vicky!”

“Strengthen those little chicken wings! You’ve gotta start going to the gym!”

“Don’t support this!” Robbie yelled over the cheering and was met with a round of ‘boo’s.

“Oi, we always back family! Even if they’re doing something kinda stupid — we always back our family!”

Dino stared down at the bubbles patterning the sides of his waxed paper cup. Family always backs each other.

“Dino and Enzo are my babies, I’m not letting some half-cocked bitch make ‘em sad,” Vic scoffed and wrapped an arm around him — tipping a bit of ice down the back of his shirt as she did. Not entirely by accident, if Vic’s snicker meant anything as he frantically tried to get it out.

As Dino finally got the last of the ice out from the waist of his pants, Dino saw Vic grin up at him with the usual amount of teeth. He huffed and couldn’t resist smiling back at her.

Romario was going to be so proud of him. Everyone was going to be proud of him! 

Family backs each other, even in their riskiest of endeavours.

“If you wanna adopt the bastard, you’ve gotta stop being violent in public!”

There were jeers and the bellowing of a crowd of people and Vic slipped off Dino’s shoulder and back onto her bed, phone pressed to her ear. 

Dino looked down at Vic as she listened to her family through the phone. She looked the most relaxed he had seen her in — probably ever. Distinctly, it wasn't that strange, almost sedated calm that followed Vic around usually. This calm was the most human he had seen, the most natural.

Dino looked down at Vic, who laid with her eyes closed and her family screaming in her ear, and found himself wondering what kind of Flame she had hidden dormant.

Then, there was a loud crash from Vic's phone and the line went dead, someone had obviously slapped the end button with their elbow or face in the scuffle. Vic scoffed as the music on her phone resumed and she let it drop to the side of the pillow, already pawing around for her frozen coke.

Dino watched her fingertips graze the edge, collecting droplets of perspiration. He nudged it slightly further out of reach. 

"Cunt," Vic hissed and Dino laughed as she uncoordinatedly smacked the side of her calf against his head.

Vic gave a heave of great effort and distress as she rolled onto her belly, finally grasping her slushy drink in hand. She took a long slurp before she craned her neck to look at Enzo, only his little tail visible as he dug deeper into the pile of leafy greens.

"I will not be able to bring Enzo out of my pocket for a time," Dino sighed and saw Vic blow disgruntled bubbles into her slushy.

"Yeah," she bit out, keeping whatever loaded rant she had shoved deep away. 

 Dino smiled weakly and took another drink of his cola, a loud, empty slurp that rattled the straw. Then Dino looked around at Vic's room, the cramped desk, the stacked eskys.

 "If you want," Dino started and leant back on a hand, trying to be nonchalant-

 Vic's body pillow didn't take his weight and Dino gave a gurgled yelp as his arm gave way and he fell. His head connected painfully with Vic's bony knees, Vic gave a gasp of pain and Dino clutched his head. 

 Soon, the two of them sat on the bed, two young adults curled up in groaning pain.

 "What the fuck, Dino?" Vic wheezed, holding her knees as they throbbed.

 "Sorry," Dino whined as the beginnings of a headache settled deep in his right temple. "I wanted to ask you if you would like to meet at my house. Enzo cannot meet you outside for a while."

 Vic massaged her knees before she kicked Dino in the side.

 “Fucking oath I am! Thought that was a fucking given!” 

 Dino winced as Vic kicked him in the side again, before, tentatively, Dino lightly thumped his foot against the back of Vic’s thigh. There was a distinct, fleshy ‘thwap’.

 A pause hung in the air, and Dino had the familiar sensation of social-faux-pas-dread settle in the bottom of his stomach—

 Dino heard something akin to an elated warcry from the other end of the bed, and all seventy kilos of Vic’s weight came crashing down on him, twenty-four nuggets and all. Dino wheezed and the two became a brawling wrangle of slapping hands and kicking feet, all up until Vic rolled and kicked Dino off the side of the bed. 

 Dino shrieked and clawed at the sheets until he went tumbling, shoulders-first to the floor. He gasped, splayed out on his back on the dorm’s musty carpet and stared up at Vic’s ceiling, dotted with weird marks.

 Vic’s face appeared from over the edge, a smug, vindictive curl to her grin. 

 “Cunt,” she said.

 Dino grabbed his cup, sloshing with half-melted ice cubes, and grabbed Vic by her beloved oversized band-tee and dumped it. 

 Vic shrieked and Dino couldn’t help the belly-deep cackling that burst out as he watched Vic frantically scoop at her bra under her shirt.

☁ ☁ ☁

 It had taken a bit over ten days and several nervous breakdowns, cushioned by either Enzo or Vic, but Dino felt like he was ready to call for a Family Meeting of the Cavallone. Or, well, he wasn’t seconds away from cardiac arrest at the thought of it, now.

 Dino wheezed a bit. Now, he just needed to get in contact with Romario and set it up.

 Dino reached for his phone. He hadn’t tried to contact home in a while. Between university, Vic, races, and his bi-weekly laying-on-the-floor-in-crisis time, Dino hadn’t had the chance to call home in…nearly six weeks now! Going on seven! They were fresh into April, nearly mid-semester break, and Dino hadn’t called since February.

 This was probably, no, definitely, the longest Dino hadn’t gone without contact with the Cavallone. 

 Seeing Vic listening to her family, had reminded Dino of just how much he missed them. Dino just wondered if anyone would pick up, or if Reborn’s contact-ban was still in place.

 Dino withered and dialled Romario’s quick-dial, and uttered a short prayer. It rang once, twice—

 “Boss!” 

 Dino suddenly understood why Vic had just laid down and listened. He could hear so much through the phone. Familiar songbirds, the chatter of Cavallone stablehands and the bray of horses. Suddenly, Dino was hit with the smell of the stables in early Spring; the fresh sand and straw they laid on the muddy ground, the lavender and wild rosemary that grew outside, the sweat and manure.

 Dino wanted to be like Vic and just curl up on his side and listen. 

 “Boss! How have you been!?” Romario asked and Dino heard the clammer and cacophony of news in the background: the Boss had finally called home.

 God, Dino had missed the sound of Italian; a good Sicilian accent.

 “I’m fine, Romario. I’ve still got all my fingers and toes,” Dino assured with a laugh. “I’ve got some killer tanlines, though.”

 “Good! After your exams you were far too pasty looking!”

 Dino rolled his eyes, this wasn’t the first time Romario had feared a potential vitamin-D deficiency.

 “So, tell me, what have you been up to?” Romario urged, and Din could just imagine him leant up against the gates of the stables in his singlet and jeans.

 Dino relaxed into the couch, Enzo snoozed in his luggage-enclosure. 

 “Class is hard,” Dino admitted, “I’ve gotta use Google translate and listen to lectures twice as long. If I didn’t have Vic to help me, I would have absolutely bombed on the vocabulary mini-test!”

 At some point, the update had turned into Dino’s whinging time - but could you really blame him? For months, Dino had been left to flail alone in this strange country, and he didn’t even have the English skills to vent properly to his one friend—

 “I’ve-!” Dino started loudly, a rush of pride returning when he remembered his shining achievement. “I’ve made a friend!”

 There was a beat of silence, before someone far away gasped, “ What?”

 “I’ve made a friend!” Dino repeated, “Her name’s Vic!”

 “A woman!?”

 “She’s really nice! She loves Enzo! She threw someone in the lake for us! And she bought us chicken nuggets!” 

 Dino grinned as he regaled Romario and their menagerie of eavesdroppers about the many adventures he had been on with Vic around the university and to the nearby shopping centres. 

 Dino decided to omit the part where he got lost in the Kmart homewares section, and had to go to the front desk so they could call for Vic over the announcement system. ‘Attention customers, could 'Vic Hunt' please come to the front of the store to collect your…child?’ was still engraved in Dino’s head, along with the stares from the staff. Vic had all but run through the store to get him. By then, Dino had been offered a snake-shaped lolly, half of which Vic stole, and held his hand the rest of the shop so neither got lost in that department store maze. 

 Instead, Dino moved onto how he and Vic met almost daily to study and chat, and how she liked to listen about the horses — Dino nearly flung himself off the couch when he snapped up, suddenly reminded of what this phone call was about.

 “Romario,” Dino said and heard the excited chatter fall silent at his tone. “I want to call a Family Meeting.”

 Romario’s shift was immediate.

 “What for, Boss?”

Dino could hear him move away from the stable and the working hands.

“I’ve been thinking about the state of the Family and the few resources we have. Being so far from home has, well, it’s given me a new perspective.” Dino said slowly, knowing he was about to broach a sensitive subject. “The Cavallone need to use our horses again. The Cavallone need to race again.”

Romario took a sharp, hissed breath in through his teeth. Racing was taboo.

“Boss,” he began shakily, like some part of him expected the ghost of the Eight Boss to enact vengeance upon them. “The Cavallone have been banned for nearly one hundred years!”

“In Italy,” Dino pointed out, looking down at the list of races all around the world. “And only in Mafia circles.”

“You want to race civilians?” Romario asked, the disbelief clear in his voice. “Our Cavallone horses, against civilians? ”

“Yes,” Dino responded, “Our horses. Our… untrained horses.” Dino suddenly felt that cardiac arrest creeping up again. “We need money. Racing is lucrative.”

He gripped his trousers until his knuckles were white. “Please, Romario.” Dino’s voice was quiet in the empty, dark living room. “I believe this will work. I believe this, our horses, can save our Family.”

Romario was silent.

Dino let him work through his thoughts. He knew he was asking for a lot, and for Romario to stick his neck out for Dino. Romario was the one who would have to act as proxy and call everyone to the Meeting, and in doing so, show complete faith in Dino’s plan.

Romario’s voice came through the speaker. “Very well, Boss. I’ll organise the Meeting. Will tomorrow suit you?”

A relieved smile broke out on Dino's face. “Whenever. We’ll have to work with timezones, anyway.”

“Ten hours, right? I will see what I can do.”

Dino let out a long sigh, feeling nearly lightheaded. “Thank you, Romario.”

“Of course, Boss,” Romario hummed, “Get some rest, it must be late.”

Dino looked at his clock, 2AM. He needed to go to sleep, he had class at 10AM. 

“Boss, you should send us photos now that we can talk again. Is Australia really all just desert and city?”

“What? No, there’s plenty of greenery and water here!” Dino laughed, “But it’s hot. A different hot to home. Vic has been busy making sure I don’t get heat stroke.”

“Sounds nice, it’s still cold here. But by the time you’re home, it’ll be warm. You come at the end of your semester, right? June?”

“Yeah, June to August, Winter break. Vic will be miserable, she loves warmth. Like a lizard.”

Romario laughed and Dino let himself flop across his couch. They had just said Dino should have gone to bed, but he couldn’t find it in himself to hang up. Not after so long without his Family. 

“So your friend, Vic, is she a local?” 

“Yeah, Vic’s from Australia,” Dino hummed, and grabbed a pillow to cuddle, sleep beginning to press against the back of his eyes. “She says she was born around here, actually. But her family has moved to, uh, Castle-something. Has a new baby cousin she wants to see.”

“And you said she’s been keeping you alive,” Romario chuckled and Dino gave some kind of senseless whine of indignation.

“Only- Kinda, yeah, but like, leave me alone maybe?” Dino grumbled, before rolling over on the couch, “How’s everyone at home doing?”

Dino cuddled into the throw pillow and listened as Romario recited the usual reports on the comings and goings of the Cavallone estate. It was the usual chaos, with a bit of a curve ball thrown in with the Boss away. But Romario, as usual, managed to wrangle everything under control, especially with the Stable Master acting as the Cavallone regent. 

They were still receiving their local import of barley and hay at a steady pace, and the farmers had offered a ‘loyalty perk’ after generations of working together. Dino nearly teared up as he heard how they had reduced their prices by 10%. He made sure to make Romario write down the family name of every farmer, the Cavallone would always be loyal to them. 

The Ninth’s Guardians were still responding to messages, but only enough to assure that they weren’t dead. Even then, only Croix was handling correspondence. Really, the only evidence that the rest of the Guardians were still around was Croix’s word and the Cavallone delivery boys that dropped off supplies to them. Getting them out to the Family Meeting was probably going to be the hardest, they hardly left the Ranch anymore.

Dino frowned and clutched his pillow. He had been worried about his uncles. Losing a Sky was never easy, and Guardians could only outlive their Harmony with so much grace.

One of the younger Cavallone wards had finally been able to manifest a Flame expression. Though, it was scratching some heads with its Frequency. It was probably just a weird expression, maybe some kind of strong Secondary coming through. They hoped the kid settled down soon, it was causing their carers concern. 

Well that was concerning, Dino hummed and sleepily instructed that the child would be put under watch. 

Brutus got bit on the ass by a mule that morning. It was his own fault, he should have known better than to be off-guard in the presence of one of the biters. The Stablehands had a good laugh out of it and everyone had a good look at the pattern on his boxers. 

Dino snorted and relaxed, listening as the accounts became less and less important, Romario’s reports devolving into mindless updates on the little things Dino missed around the place in the time he was gone. He closed his eyes and opened his ears to the sound of Romario and that far off island of Sicily he so missed.

The next morning, Dino received the notification for the Family Meeting’s appointed time: 8PM. 10AM on the Italian’s side.

He spent the time between classes preparing, making notes, practising his delivery. Anything to get rid of the shake in his knees and the quiver in his voice. Vic had noticed and had offered Dino a sympathetic hiss when she had heard the abridged summary.

“Hey,” she said, giving Dino a gentle shove with her elbow. “If you want, I’ll drop by after the call? We can hang out, get some food?”

Then she had bought him something sweet from the student cafe to perk him up before they parted ways. Dino was always grateful that he managed to make a friend all the way out here.

Dino nibbled on the frankly monstrously-sized cookie as he went about setting up his computer and space, trying to hold his treat in a way that wouldn’t melt the choc chips. He moved a bag of takeaway wrappers out from behind his couch and finally made the trip to the bin, taking a few wrappers and packages of assorted socks. 

He fluffed the couch’s throw pillows and quickly brought that random, dying succulent to the back porch. He was in the middle of gently encouraging the fake Monstera plant to sit right when the chime for the meeting rang out. 

Dino gasped and vaulted for the couch, completely overshooting it and slamming face-first into the narrow space between the couch and coffee table.

“Good to see the boy hasn’t changed.”

Dino’s face went red and he began his squirming crawl to try and get his feet out of the air and back under him. 

“I thought you gave up trying to do handstands when you were little Dino!” Came that teasing, smoker-rough voice and Dino finally flipped himself right-side up.

“I wasn’t trying to do a handstand, Uncle Croix!”

The Rain Guardian to the late Ninth Cavallone and Dino’s Uncle in every sense but blood grinned at him through the screen. He was a jovial man that was going well grey, with a short-boxed beard lining framing his jaw and crows feet pinching the corners of his eyes. 

“Young Romario tells me you’ve been good and roasted down there in Australia! Remember to keep away from the sun, or you’ll end up looking like Anvil, all patchy and leather skinned!” Croix powered on and Dino resisted the urge to sink into his chair, knowing that once Croix was rolling, nothing short of an all out gunfight could stop him.

“Let the boy talk, Croy,” the Stablemaster groused, and Dino looked to the second panel where the rest of the Meeting’s attendants sat.

The Stablemaster, the Vault Keeper, the Head of Housekeeping, and Romario all sat around the one board table they had left, and were turned in their seats to face him. The Vault Keeper sat there, nearly unmoving. If it weren’t for the rest of the room, Dino would have thought the camera was frozen.

Dino started to sweat. The last time he had seen all these faces at once, his father had been a cooling body in the next room. 

“Whenever you’re ready, Boss, we can begin,” Romario urged, and Dino snapped to attention.

“Right,” he said, and looked at his notes just to the side of the computer, written on a little notepad. 

Vic at some point had drawn a small dick on the corner of the first hundred or so pages. Up until literally just now, Dino had thought it was a lop-sided heart. 

Dino let out a short snort. He took a breath, and with Vic’s supportive presence in the form of a collection of penned dicks, he began.

“I believe it is safe to say that we are all aware of the state of the Cavallone,” there was a grumble of consensus. “We are sinking, with the last of our furniture reaching their final bid, we have no way of keeping up with the debt.”

Romario winced, and the Stablemater frowned. Croix didn’t utter a sound, and watched through the screen with a solemn expression. 

“At the rate we are going, our Cavallone will succumb to debt and be bankrupt within five years.” Five years. Dino would barely be twenty-three. “We need a way to stop this, our Family, from falling apart.” 

Dino glanced at each face on his screen, “We need to race again.”

The Head of Housekeeping went pale. Croix shifted back in his chair, and the Stablemaster’s expression became utterly stormy. 

Romario looked at Dino through the camera and nodded, as if to say, “go on.”

Dino pushed on, referring to his notes, and those little dicks, whenever he felt his resolve waver. He recalled the great success Cavallone horses flaunted during their golden age, referenced the sheer profits the Family had turned from racing, and how the Cavallone could enjoy the same today. Dino highlighted articles, winning and race purses, and the prestige that came with it. He pointed out budgeting, and plans, and week's worth of fervent research and study. 

Dino pushed that all of this was within grasp. Outside of the thin borders of Italy. Outside of the influence of the Mafia. That the Cavallone’s retribution was there for the taking if they just reached for it.

Faces were grim. 

The Vaultkeeper had turned her head away.

The Head of Housekeeping smiled like he was in pain. He probably was. He had been young, but he had been there during the reign of the Eighth. He had been there to watch him break.

“You want us to race?” The Stablemaster asked, gravel in his tone. “You want us to gamble away the last of the money keeping us afloat?”

Dino took a breath, “That money is time we bought ourselves by selling our history. Do you know what the other Families call us? A Family selling off their pride.”

“Pride will not pay out our debts-”

“In a starving house, pride is all we have left,” Dino rebutted, “Pride, and spite, and a vindictive Will to live. Is this not all we have left to heat our halls and till our fields, and feed our horses — who sit stagnant in their stables, because of men who were too weak to beat us!”

Dino sat straight, his shoulders squared and seethed.

“Since I was born, I have only heard smuggled whispers of the glory of the Cavallone horses. Our trophies sit in dusty, moulding boxes! Instead of taking us on fairly with dignity, they hide behind one another and slash at our ankles! Our right to race was just the tipping point, our trade with merchants and businesses have been undercut by the same hands! How long do we intend to cower at the echoes of the Eighth’s tantrums, and the descendants of tiny men!?”  

The Stablemaster, everyone, had sat up at Dino’s tone, the furrow of his brow, the square of his shoulders. The Vault Keeper turned to Dino slowly.

Dino unclenched his jaw and breathed, long and slow, out through his nose. 

“I know I’ve only been Don for not even a full year, and I know I am asking for more trust than I may deserve. But I believe that our horses are our key to survival. I am willing to bet on it.”

The Stablemaster narrowed his eyes, “What are you betting?”

Dino smiled.

“What is the Cavallone if not my life and head?” 

Croix sat up sharply, “Dino!”

“If the Cavallone fail to pay off their debts, our ‘benefactors’ will expect to be paid in blood,” Dino frowned, “At least this way, you all can renounce the Cavallone name.”

“Like absolute hell would we let you take the fall!” Croix boomed, peeking his laptop’s microphone and leaving a static buzz. 

Romario stood from his chair, “I cannot agree to those terms! Even if the Cavallone falls, I will not leave you, Boss.”

“Unless you have some secret Cavallone blood in your veins, you won’t be much of a prize,” Dino huffed, “But thank you.”

“Okay, I’m in,” the Stablemaster said, and Romario’s head snapped around.

“You can’t be serious! On those terms!?” 

“No, dumbass, those terms are utter horseshit, but he’s proved his conviction. So I’ll bite,” the Stablemaster, the man who called all the final shots on the horses of the Cavallone and the only one who could undermine the Don, turned to look at Dino. “The Cavallone will go down kicking.”

The Vault Keeper turned her hooded head to Dino and said in a voice all raspy and old as ash, “Little Dino, we will never leave you to pay for the mistakes we did not help avoid. Do not say as much again.”

It was cold and scolding, like the distant aunt the Cavallone Vault Keeper was. The Keeper of the Cavallone’s treasures and secrets. She would have never left her station. 

“Right,” Dino smiled, feeling warm to the core. “I meant no insult. But my argument still stands.”

The Vault Keeper looked to the Stablemaster, Head of Housekeeping and Romario. Croix sat silent in his chair. 

“I’ve already said my stance,” the Stablemaster shrugged, “I’m in. The boy Boss knows what he wants, and he wants to race. So long as the horses are safe, I’m happy to let them out of their stables.”

Romario huffed as he dropped back into his chair, fixing his suit jacket, “I support the Boss’ plan to race.”

“It’s a risk,” the Head of Housekeeping said softly, “Keeping up the salaries of the house’s staff will be difficult.”

“Of course, we’ll cut back where we can to keep them paid,” Dino assured, and the man nodded. Dino had always made sure their staff was paid, it was one of the highest priorities. “I’m sure there are some functions on the estate that can be put on hold. Please, make a list of what you think can be done without, and we’ll work through cutting it.”

“...Very well,” he said, slightly ashen.

Dino gazed upon the man who had taught him to button his shirts, and cleaned up after him every time clumsy little Dino made a mess.

“When you get the chance, please, get those trophies out from the attic. They shouldn’t be hidden, let them be on display again, as they should be.”

The Head of Housekeeping blinked at Dino, before he smiled, his grey, wrinkled face softening.

“As you wish, Boss.”

The Vault Keeper sat still again, utterly unmoving. Then she sighed, nearly slumped over as she bowed under the weight of her decision.

“Little Dino, I hope you know what you’re getting us into. I never wanted you to become a gambler.”

“Just this once, I promise,” Dino smiled, “And a few more times after we win.”

‘After’. When, not if.

The Vault Keeper scoffed at Dino. 

Then everyone turned their attention to the last man yet to speak: Croix, the Ninth Rain Guardian and representative of all the Cavallone Guardians. He sat there, seemingly staring through the screen and far away. 

Dino clenched his fists on his knees out of frame of the camera. He hated seeing his zio like this. Guardians could only outlive their Harmony with so much grace.

“Uncle Croix?” Dino urged gently. 

Croix’s clouded eyes lit up with awareness as he came back to himself. He glanced around the screen, taking in those faces that were looking at him expectantly. Dino smiled in a way he hoped was reassuring.

“Whatever you want to do, Dino, your uncles will support you,” Croix said, “I’ve never seen a Cavallone horse race, either. We are long overdue — just, don’t make betting your life a habit.”

Dino grinned sheepishly, and his heart felt bright. 

“That said,” the Stablemaster interjected, and something in his tone made Dino’s stomach tighten. “If we’re going to do this, we do it properly, Boss.”

Dino nodded, “Of course, I don’t plan to do this half-cocked. As you allow, I’d like to use our best-performing horses.”

The best of the Cavallone’s prized herd. Their fastest, their most enduring. 

The Stablemaster crossed his arms, lined with hair and thin scars. 

“Then you’ll be asking for Glory.”

Dino’s smile went thin. He nodded.

“Yes, Glory is at the top of the list. She is our best horse.”

Romario glanced at Dino.

Croix lowered his eyes to his lap, his face carefully blank. Every breath he took was slow and measured.

“Understand me, Dino Cavallone, if you allow anything to happen, or treat her anyway less than she deserves, I will withdraw my support immediately,” the Stablemaster promised, his voice laced with warning.

Dino swallowed thickly. If the Stablemaster pulled out, everything Dino had worked for would come undone within hours. As soon as the Stablemaster called for it, every Cavallone horse would come home.

All for Glory.

For a moment, Dino remembered the thundering of hooves, the frantic screams, a sick bed, the stinging scent of antiseptic. 

An empty bed, the sheets clean and pressed flat. The room utterly still.

Dino let out a long breath, and pushed aside those thoughts and the burn in the back of his throat. 

“Of course, Stablemaster,” Dino said solemnly, purposefully. “I assure you, Glory will be safe and treated with the best care we can afford our horses moving forward.”

The Stablemaster stared at Dino, scrutinising him down to the bone. Then he nodded, one stiff, sure nod.

“On your head, Boss,” he said.

“On my head,” Dino agreed softly.

No one in the room spoke, the silence stretching and strangeling everyone on the call. Dino shook his head and sat up to address the Head of Housekeeping.

“Please organise that list on the estate budget cuts, and send it to me as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Boss,” the elderly man said.

“Vault Keeper, please keep an eye on our finances throughout. Alert us immediately if you notice something awry. We can’t allow for mistakes.”

“Very well,” she responded.

“Stablemaster, please compile a list of our best horses, and everything you believe they will need during and after transport.”

“It’ll be extensive, they're picky bastards.”

“I’m sure we can handle it,” Dino assured, “Romario, you will be my proxy, as always. Please help where you can and keep things running smoothly. We cannot let the other Families get wind of this.”

“Of course, Boss,” Romario nodded, and Dino nearly wheezed in relief. 

Where would he be without Romario? 

Then Dino looked to Croix, who sat watching the flurry with a look of… Nostalgia. Pride. Pain.

“Uncle Croix,” Dino said, and the man sat to attention like all those times the Ninth had called upon him. “Please watch out for yourself and my other uncles. I want you all in good health when we hold a Cavallone-style celebration.”

Croix blinked. Then he let out a booming laugh that Dino had heard throughout his childhood.

“Right! Right! Gotta get these beer bellies fitting back in their suits! Give us some time, won’t you, Dino? Don’t go winning too fast?”

“Bah, you’ll need to cut more than the beer to get back into your suits! Dino, you should budget their cheese, too!” The Stablemaster heckled, and Croix gasped hard enough to choke. 

“My cheese is lite!”

“Light in colour maybe! I’ve seen you scarf that down!”

Dino laughed as Croix vehemently defended his ‘sampling’ of the local delicacies. 

“It puts money back into the local economy!”

“But Croix,” the Head of Housekeeping uttered, a concerned and amused pinch to his brow that spoke of the years he had spent herding Croix and his fellow Set when they were just young men. “Didn’t you develop an intolerance to lactose recently? The doctor said as much.”

Croix thinned his lips and refused to respond. 

The Meeting wound to a close, and everyone had their orders. 

The Cavallone horses would race again, under the crest of their Tenth Generation.

Dino closed his laptop with a weary and utterly stressed sigh. He slumped back into his couch and scratched his nails through his hair. 

He had done it. The first Family Meeting as Don, and he had actually done it! He had convinced the Family to go along with this stupid, ride-or-die plan! Jesus Christ, Dino needed a drink. He was craving Pepsi, the kind he had drunk with Vic.

A steady thump, thump, thump sounded through the walls, the bass beat made the floors vibrate. Dino glanced to his windows — one of his neighbours had a party going. 

The clock on Dino’s phone glared that it was nearly 10PM. Dino yawned and stood from his divot in the couch, scanning the floor for where Enzo had crawled off to. Then he heard it.

A soft ‘clink, chunk’ and repeat. 

Dino listened to the jangle and crunch, and let out a soft groan of, “Enzo, why me? I wanna go to sleep so badly!”

Enzo peered from around the bedroom doorway with a soft wheeze. Dino picked his phone from the table and typed up a text to Romario, taking a drink from his cup as he did. Someone was trying to break into Dino’s dormhouse.

Dino put aside his glass and scooped Enzo up off the floor as he made his way back to his bedroom, turning off the lights as he did. He closed his bedroom door and felt the faintest clunk as the latch fell into place and a jimmy-rigged security system swung into activity. 

Dino had been tutored by Reborn, after all. He had to learn something from the PTSD.

Dino followed his bedtime routine. He changed into some light pyjamas, washed his slightly sweaty face, brushed his teeth and crawled into bed, Enzo cuddled up against his chest. Right over the heart.

Dino closed his eyes, let out a long breath and listened. The crunch of dried gum leaves out near the back porch. The metallic groan as someone mounted the porch railing. The soft, muffled crack of glass. 

Dino continued to breathe, slow and unhurried. He needed his would-be hitman deeper in his house. Dino clutched the handle of his whip, coiled under the blankets with him.

Footsteps over the tile, and disappeared on the rug. Breath outside the bedroom door.

All Dino’s interior doors opened inwards. Dino had to wait.

The door unlatched. The person peered in through a crack. The tip of Dino’s whip caught them in the eye. 

Dino untangled himself from his sheets, watching the man stumble back, clutching his face. Dino almost sympathised with the guy, he had been whipped in the eye more times than he — or Romario — could count.

The would-be assailant stumbled blindly, before giving a sharp gasp as he felt a tug at his clothes. Dino had learnt much from Reborn, and from personal experience, nothing threw someone off like having the threat of indecent exposure during an otherwise serious situation. 

The man fumbled with his shredding pants, hooks and wires ripping and peeling at his suit, eyes red and watering.

Dino stood — and promptly planted his face into the hard weave of the floor rug. Dino groaned. He should have known this was going too well. He heaved himself to his feet, cradling his carpet-burnt nose. 

The man pulled himself free from the last of the hooks, cameo-print briefs on display and belt clinging to the last scraps of a waistband. 

Dino reeled his whip back and lashed it across the man’s bared thigh. It didn’t wrap around like Dino had hoped, but it made the man buckle to the floor with a muted gasp again. 

He was being quiet. Being careful not to alert Dino’s neighbours. But the beat and thump of music from a few doors down told Dino that the majority of his neighbours were either too busy partying away the last hours of a Friday night, or trying to drown it out, to notice.

Better for him, honestly. The crack of a whip wasn’t exactly covert.

The man hissed between his teeth and pulled his weapon of choice from his pocket. Wire glinted and strained in his leather-gloved hands. He lunged, wire tight and Rino pulled his whip across his face. 

He could hear the wire pluck at the leather of his whip, but it never bit through. Something birthed from Leon would never buckle that easily. 

Dino gritted his teeth and kicked at the man’s knees. He went down with a sickening crack and his knees bowing like a bird’s. 

The hitman threw something at Dino from the floor, and Dino swallowed a cry as some kind of powder, hot and irritating, coated his face. Dino pressed his lips and eyes shut, and didn’t dare to breathe, wiping his face with his shirt. Dino fumbled and kicked as he felt hands and wire reach for his ankles.

His face burnt, and Dino tasted something acrid and bitter on the tip of his tongue. Every one of his senses begged Dino to get it off, wash it off, do something.

Dino scrubbed at his lips and around his nose, desperate to breathe again. He charged forward, palming at the walls and feeling the way to the bathroom. Something pulled at Dino’s ankles, the sound of wire pulled taut and a small, sharp pain was his only warning before Dino went toppling into the living room. 

His shoulder crashed into the coffee table and the cup Dino had left to ‘future him’ tipped over and splashed directly into his face. Dino sputtered and spat, before finally taking a sweet, lungful of air. He could still taste the remnants of that powder, but he could breathe. Dino palmed at the tabletop and wiped his face with the pooled water. 

He peered an eye open, and immediately felt the tear-inducing burn. He gritted his teeth and bore it as the blurry figure of his hitman crawled its way towards Dino. 

Dino scrambled to his feet and grabbed his whip. 

The man lunged, sprung from his one good leg. He caught Dino around the middle and the two crashed into the wall console, the dying pot plant dropped and shattered on the carpet. 

Dino struggled as the man tried to press his wire against Dino’s throat. Dino kicked his knee again and felt the bone move under his toes. The man reeled back, mouth agape in a silent scream.

Dino wrapped his whip around the man’s throat and yanked tight.

[buycommercialpropertiesindubai]

Expert Advice on Buying Your First Home in Dubai

Buying your first home in Dubai is an exciting milestone, but it can also be a complex process. This blog provides expert advice to help you navigate the journey of buying your first home in Dubai successfully.

For more information on home loans, visit home loan dubai.

Defining Your Budget

Assess Your Finances: Start by assessing your current financial situation, including your income, savings, and existing debts. Determine how much you can afford to spend on a property without compromising your financial stability.

Mortgage Pre-Approval: Obtain a mortgage pre-approval to determine your budget and streamline the buying process. A pre-approval gives you a clear idea of your borrowing capacity and demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer.

Down Payment and Additional Costs: Ensure you have sufficient funds for the down payment, typically 20-25% of the property's value for expatriates. Consider additional costs such as registration fees, agent commissions, maintenance charges, and moving expenses.

For property purchase options, explore Buy Luxury Property in UAE.

Researching the Market

Market Trends: Stay informed about current market trends, including property prices, demand and supply dynamics, and future developments. Utilize online resources, real estate reports, and market analyses to stay updated.

Location Analysis: Analyze different neighborhoods in Dubai to identify areas that align with your lifestyle and investment goals. Consider factors such as proximity to schools, workplaces, and amenities.

Property Types: Familiarize yourself with the different types of residential properties available in Dubai, such as apartments, villas, townhouses, and penthouses. Each type has its own advantages and considerations.

For mortgage services, consider Dubai Mortgage Advisors.

Choosing the Right Property

Location: Choose a location that offers easy access to essential amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, and public transportation. Popular residential areas in Dubai include Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Arabian Ranches.

Property Condition: Inspect the property for any structural issues, maintenance needs, and potential repairs. Hire a professional inspector if necessary to ensure the property is in good condition.

Developer Reputation: Research the reputation of the property developer. Established developers with a track record of delivering high-quality projects on time are usually a safer choice.

For rental property management, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Title Deed Verification: Ensure the property has a clear title and is free from any legal disputes or encumbrances. The DLD provides title deed verification services to help buyers confirm the property's legal status.

Sales Agreement: Review the sales agreement carefully and seek legal advice if needed. Ensure all terms and conditions are clearly outlined, including the price, payment schedule, and any additional costs.

Residency Visa: Property buyers in Dubai may be eligible for a residency visa. The visa duration and requirements vary depending on the property's value and the buyer's nationality. Consult with the DLD or a legal expert to understand the specific visa requirements and benefits.

For property sales, visit Sell Your Property.

The Buying Process

Property Search: Use online property portals and engage with reputable real estate agents to find suitable properties. Schedule viewings to inspect potential properties and assess their condition.

Making an Offer: When making an offer, consider the current market conditions and the property's value. Be prepared to negotiate and make counteroffers if necessary. Your real estate agent can assist you in negotiating the best deal.

Finalizing the Purchase: Once the offer is accepted, both parties sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the agreed terms. Pay the initial deposit (usually 10% of the property's value) and proceed with obtaining the necessary approvals from the DLD.

Real-Life Success Story

Consider the case of Emily, a first-time homebuyer who successfully purchased her first home in Dubai. Emily conducted thorough research, obtained mortgage pre-approval, and chose a reputable developer. By following the steps outlined in this guide, Emily secured a beautiful apartment in Dubai Marina and enjoys the vibrant lifestyle and amenities the area offers.

Future Trends in Dubai Real Estate

Sustainable Developments: There is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable properties in Dubai. Developers are increasingly incorporating green building practices and energy-efficient features into their projects.

Smart Homes: The adoption of smart home technology is on the rise. Properties equipped with advanced security systems, automated lighting, and climate control are becoming more popular.

Mixed-Use Communities: Integrated communities that offer a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational facilities are gaining popularity. These developments provide residents with a convenient and holistic living experience.

Conclusion

Buying your first home in Dubai can be a rewarding experience with the right preparation and knowledge. By defining your budget, researching the market, choosing the right property, and navigating legal considerations, you can make a successful investment. For more resources and expert advice, visit home loan dubai.

[emiratesviisa]

Exploring the UAE: 10 things to do in Umm Al Quwain

Even while Umm Al Quwain isn't the most well-known emirate in the United Arab Emirates, it does have some undiscovered jewels. There are numerous benefits to visiting, even for just one day, including outdoor activities and traditional Emirati culture. The following are the top 10 things to do while you're there after receiving your emirates visa for South African citizens. 

Mangrove Beach

The picturesque setting in Khor Al Yeefrah, hitherto a hidden gem in the emirate, is currently being improved with things like thatched parasols, swings, a cafe, and BBQ spaces. For those who want to explore the diverse flora and fauna in the emirate's protected area, kayaks are available for rent, and on the weekends, a DJ spins music. Although there is a minor entrance fee for cars, the amenities, and the picturesque setting make the trip worthwhile. Already, people like to picnic there at dusk.

Kitesurfing

Get away to Kite Beach Center, where Bali and Zanzibar collide. The first licensed kitesurfing school in the emirate is located at this laid-back beach resort. All instructors are qualified by the International Kiteboarding Organization, and classes are offered for all skill levels. Although there is a little admittance fee (see the website for the most recent costs), it's a terrific place to spend the day relaxing in the sun and taking part in other water sports like kayaking or snorkeling. Additionally, visitors may stay overnight or rent cabanas for four hours, however, reservations are advised due to the busy season.

Tarzan Gym

This unique idea creates a space on the beach that resembles something that might appear in The Flintstones more so than a typical gym. This entertaining gym is tucked away in Kite Beach Centre and is made up of several wooden pieces of equipment. Giant wooden dumbbells, barbells, and monkey bars are just a few of the adult-only "toys" available, making it a fun spot to go with friends and one that looks great on Instagram.

Thunder Road Pizza & Grill

Although Dubai is frequently mentioned as the nation's culinary capital, Thunder Road is a true hidden gem. With hundreds of handcrafted cheeses, mouthwatering pizza, and, to top it all off, stunning ocean views from the patio, this Italian restaurant run by Italians will transport you to Italy. You must taste their handmade burrata. It's Italy meets the US with a pool table and kids' playground at the Barracuda Beach Resort, making it well worth the day trek up the coast. There is even a grocery store there where you can stock up on genuine Italian treats after applying emirates visa for South African nationals.

An abandoned aircraft

On the coast of the tiny emirate, an abandoned Russian cargo jet has become quite the attraction. The former skydiving airport is now home to the Barracuda Beach Resort, and the Soviet-era aircraft is visible from the E11 that leads to the hotel. It has been there for over twenty years. It is a fascinating location for aviation enthusiasts that was once cloaked in secrecy. We now know that the Ilyushin IL-76, sometimes known as "Candid" under NATO operations, originally flew for the Soviet Union in the 1970s to replace the equally illustrious Antonov 12.

Vida Beach Resort

The Vida Beach Hotel, the newest addition to Umm Al Quwain's tourist scene, enables pet owners to enjoy the emirate's lovely coastline without having to locate a sitter. The hotel is stylish and, as one would expect from Emaar, the attention to detail is excellent. It is one of many hotels that have seen a market niche for the growing number of staycation travelers in the nation looking to bring their pets with them.

Umm Al Quwain Fort and Museum – Fort Al Ali

The fort-turned-museum, one of the emirate's most cherished assets, provides tourists with a wealth of historical information. The Al Mualla royal family's founder, Sheikh Rashid Bin Majid Al Mualla, ruled Umm Al Quwain in 1768, making it the city's oldest historical structure. The fort was initially used as his residence and administrative center, but since becoming a museum in 2000, it has become a memorial to the history of the little emirate. Visitors can tour the property's former prison, weapon room, military room, and numerous other household spaces, providing a glimpse into construction methods used long before the contemporary UAE was created.

Siniya Island

Take a boat from the shore to Siniya Island, which is eight kilometers east of Umm Al Quwain, where the island provides a fantastic glimpse into the historical and ecological splendor of the emirate. Before relocating to the mainland 200 years ago, Umm Al Quwain residents first settled on the island. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife on the island, including birds like the Socotra Cormorant and the Arabian Gazelle. The island is known for its mangroves, ghaf trees, and desert flora and fauna. On the island, there are 65 different archaeological sites, including burials, building remnants, and towers.

Dreamland Aqua Park

Dreamland, one of the oldest water parks in the area, has established itself as a landmark. The park, which opened in 1997, is 250,000 square meters in size and has more than 30 rides, slides, and other attractions. Families can camp overnight or rent an air-conditioned cabana for a day to enjoy the park's beautiful gardens on the coast. This area is more than just a waterpark.

Labsah Camel Racing Track

Camel racing is one of the oldest Emirati customs and is popular with both royals and commoners. It is a unique event in the nation and gives locals an opportunity to show off their cherished possessions. This is where the more genuine aspect of the country can be seen, even though it's a little bit rougher around the edges than events like the Dubai World Cup. Weekends in the winter are often when races take place around the 4 km track. Watch this amazing camel race after getting your emirates visa for South African passport holders.

[shapoorjiproperties]

Imperial Avenue: The Ideal Choice for Families Seeking High-End Living

Imperial Avenue is the epitome of luxury living in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Developed by Shapoorji Properties, this stunning high-rise boasts 45 floors with 5 podium levels and 13 high-speed elevators taking you to decadently finished 1,2 and 3-bedroom residences or 4 and 5-bedroom podium villas with private pools.

The contemporary and sleek architecture accompanies spacious balconies that offer breathtaking views of the city skyline and iconic Burj Khalifa and the entire Downtown skyline. Each apartment at Imperial Avenue Downtown Dubai has been crafted to perfection, featuring high-quality finishes and modern fixtures.

Residents at Imperial Avenue can enjoy an array of amenities designed for ultimate relaxation and entertainment. Take a dip in either one of two infinity pools or unwind in the Jacuzzi while taking in panoramic views of Dubai's vibrant landscape. Other facilities include a state-of-the-art gymnasium, steam room, two indoor & outdoor children’s play areas, and much more.

What sets Imperial Avenue apart from other developments is its prime location right in the centre of Downtown Dubai. Just minutes away from major attractions like Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa Park, it is an ideal choice for families seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle experience.

Imperial Avenue offers unmatched luxury living coupled with first-class amenities that cater to every need imaginable - making it one of the most sought-after addresses for apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai!

The Heart of Dubai

Imperial Avenue boasts an enviable location at the heart of Downtown Dubai, an in-demand location for luxury apartments in Dubai. The neighbourhood is within close proximity to renowned landmarks, including Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera, Dubai Fountain, Museum of Future, Green Planet, Dubai Frame and Dubai Mall.

Residents even enjoy easy access to a wide array of shopping destinations, ranging from high-end designer boutiques to more affordable fashion outlets. Fine dining options are also aplenty in this bustling area, with numerous Michelin-star restaurants like Ristorante by Niko Romito, Stay by Yannick Alleno, Tresind Studio, Armani, etc., serving up delicious cuisines from around the globe.

For families with young children, Downtown Dubai offers plenty of options for entertainment and education. There are several renowned international schools located within close proximity to Imperial Avenue, like JSS Private School, Dubai International School, and more on top of that, there are many family-friendly activities such as KidZania and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo too.

The location also offers excellent connectivity via major highways and public transportation links. With its central location, residents can easily travel throughout Dubai while enjoying stunning views of the skyline along the way. Whereas if they wish, they can take the Sheikh Zayed Road, which connects the city to Abu Dhabi.

The Amenities: A Modern Oasis of lifestyle experiences

The two outdoor areas around the infinity pools on the 26th and 9th floors are perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day, with stunning views overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa. Imagine taking in the sunset from your very own infinity pool - it's truly an experience like no other.

For those who enjoy staying fit and active, there's a state-of-the-art gym on-site equipped with all the latest equipment. And if you prefer to exercise outdoors, you can take advantage of the jogging track around Imperial Avenue or play a game of squash on their court.

But that's not all - there are also plenty of spaces for socialising and entertaining guests, like an A/V room for movie nights and a Multipurpose Hall for large parties!

And when it comes to convenience, Imperial Avenue has got you covered too. With its own retail and supermarket located on the ground floor along with several retail outlets nearby, including City Walk Mall, just minutes away by car or foot - everything you need is right at your fingertips.

The Homes: Immaculately crafted residences

Imperial Avenue is a true testament to luxury living in Downtown Dubai, and the homes are no exception. Each residence has been immaculately crafted with the finest materials and attention to detail.

The apartments for sale in downtown Dubai range from 2-bedroom to 4-bedroom flats near Burj Khalifa. You can choose from various options as per your family size or preference. The rooms are spacious and designed with modern aesthetics, providing an open and comfortable atmosphere perfect for relaxation.

The kitchen is well-appointed with state-of-the-art appliances, sleek countertops, and ample storage space, making it easy to cook delicious meals daily. The bathrooms feature designer fixtures that complement the elegant design of each home.

Moreover, residents can enjoy breathtaking views of the iconic Burj Khalifa through their apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows. It's almost like having a private viewing platform right at your doorstep!

Whether you're looking for a cosy one-bedroom apartment or need more space for your growing family, Imperial Avenue offers luxurious living spaces suited to every lifestyle requirement.

Why Imperial Avenue is the Ideal Choice for Families Seeking High-End Living

With its prime location, modern amenities, and immaculately crafted residences, it offers an unparalleled lifestyle experience that is hard to find elsewhere.

Whether you are looking for a 2-bedroom apartment or a spacious 4-bedroom one facing Burj Khalifa, Imperial Avenue has something for everyone. From state-of-the-art fitness centres and swimming pools to children's play areas and a grand landscaped podium, plenty of facilities are available for residents of all ages.

To sum it up, Imperial Avenue offers luxury apartments in downtown Dubai that cater perfectly to families who value quality living standards with proximity to all essential businesses & services nearby. So if you're looking for an exceptional lifestyle experience in the heart of the city, then look no further than Imperial Avenue!

[vivekbsworld]

The Benefits of School Bus Tracking Software in Dubai

In recent years, technology has transformed various industries, and the education sector is no exception. One such technological innovation that is revolutionizing school transportation is school bus tracking software. In Dubai, this software is increasingly being adopted by schools and parents alike for its numerous benefits. This blog post will explore the benefits of school bus tracking software Dubai.

Ensuring Child Safety: One of the primary reasons for the widespread adoption of school bus tracking software in Dubai is the enhanced safety it provides for students. With real-time GPS tracking, parents and school administrators can monitor the location of the school buses at all times. This feature is particularly crucial in a bustling city like Dubai, where traffic congestion and road safety concerns are prevalent. Knowing the exact location of the bus allows for quick intervention in case of emergencies, ensuring the safety of the children on board.

Improved Communication: School bus tracking software enables seamless communication between parents, school administrators, and bus drivers. Parents can receive alerts and notifications about the bus’s arrival and departure times, ensuring that their children are picked up and dropped off safely. Likewise, school administrators can communicate with drivers, track routes, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Enhancing Efficiency and Accountability: In a city like Dubai, where traffic can be unpredictable, school bus tracking software helps optimize bus routes, leading to greater efficiency. By identifying areas with heavy traffic or congestion, bus drivers can navigate alternative routes, reducing travel time and ensuring timely arrival at schools. Moreover, the software also facilitates accountability, as it tracks the speed and location of buses, ensuring that drivers adhere to safety guidelines and regulations.

Cost-Effective Solution: Investing in school bus tracking software is a cost-effective solution for schools and parents alike. By streamlining bus routes, reducing fuel consumption, and enhancing operational efficiency, schools can save on transportation costs in the long run. Additionally, parents can save time and money by avoiding unnecessary trips to the bus stop, as they can track the bus’s location in real-time.

Parental Peace of Mind: For parents in Dubai, where traffic and road safety are top concerns, school bus tracking software provides peace of mind. Knowing that they can monitor their children’s bus location and receive notifications about any delays or emergencies ensures that parents can focus on their daily activities without worrying about their children’s safety.

Conclusion: In conclusion, school bus tracking software is a game-changer in Dubai’s education sector, providing numerous benefits for schools, parents, and students alike. From ensuring child safety and improving communication to enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, the software is a valuable tool for modernizing school transportation. As Dubai continues to embrace technological innovations, the adoption of school bus tracking software is poised to become increasingly widespread in the years to come.

[sandeepsrk007]

Steering Towards Efficiency: The Role of Fuel Management Systems in Dubai's Transportation Landscape

Dubai, a city synonymous with architectural marvels and technological advancements, is on a relentless quest for sustainability and efficiency, especially within its transportation sector. Amidst this pursuit, fuel management systems have emerged as a pivotal tool, revolutionizing how businesses and government entities manage their fuel consumption. This blog explores the impact of Fuel management system in dubai shedding light on their functionality, benefits, and the broader implications for the city's sustainable future.

The Essence of Fuel Management Systems

Fuel management systems are sophisticated technological solutions designed to monitor, control, and optimize fuel consumption and stock management. These systems provide precise data on fuel usage, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of how fuel is consumed by fleets of vehicles or individual units within an organization. In Dubai, where the transportation sector is both a lifeline and a significant contributor to the city's carbon footprint, the adoption of fuel management systems is not just beneficial but essential.

Key Features and Functionalities

Real-Time Monitoring: Offering a granular view of fuel usage, these systems enable businesses to track how much fuel is consumed in real-time, identifying trends and inefficiencies.

Inventory Management: They keep a meticulous record of fuel storage levels, alerting managers about replenishments, thereby avoiding stockouts or overstocking.

Theft Prevention: By closely monitoring fuel levels and usage patterns, these systems can alert operators to possible theft or unauthorized use.

Environmental Impact: Through optimizing fuel consumption, these systems play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation activities.

The Benefits Unfolded

The implementation of fuel management systems across Dubai's transportation and logistics sectors has brought about a multitude of advantages:

Cost Reduction: By identifying wasteful practices and promoting fuel-efficient behaviors, organizations can significantly lower their operational costs.

Operational Efficiency: Real-time data and analytics empower fleet managers to make informed decisions, optimizing routes and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.

Environmental Sustainability: Every liter of fuel saved translates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Dubai's ambitious environmental goals.

Compliance and Reporting: These systems facilitate compliance with local and international environmental regulations, simplifying reporting processes.

Leading the Charge: Dubai's Adoption of Fuel Management Systems

Dubai's rapid adoption of fuel management systems is a testament to the city's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Major transportation companies, logistics providers, and government fleets have integrated these systems to enhance their operations. The initiative not only reflects Dubai's proactive approach to environmental stewardship but also sets a benchmark for cities worldwide.

The Road Ahead: Integration with Smart City Initiatives

Looking forward, the integration of fuel management systems with Dubai's smart city initiatives presents an exciting frontier. The potential for these systems to interact with other smart technologies—such as traffic management and autonomous vehicles—promises even greater efficiencies and environmental benefits. By leveraging data analytics and AI, Dubai is poised to redefine the future of sustainable transportation.

Conclusion

In a city that never stands still, Dubai's embrace of fuel management systems exemplifies its forward-thinking ethos. These systems represent a crucial step towards a more sustainable, efficient, and economically viable transportation sector. As Dubai continues to evolve, the role of technology in driving environmental sustainability remains paramount, with fuel management systems playing a key part in this ongoing journey. The city's commitment to embracing such innovations not only enhances its green credentials but also provides a blueprint for others to follow in the quest for a more sustainable future.

[westfieldnursery54]

Nursery Schools In Dubai

Elevate your child's growth at West Field Nursery, a beacon of quality among Nursery Schools In Dubai. Join us for a nurturing blend of education and fun!

[articlewritter]

Best passenger transport near me

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[almirathr]

Explore the Best Compound Villas Near Mall of the Emirates

Are you searching for a serene yet accessible living space in Dubai, close to one of the city's most iconic shopping destinations? Compound villas near Mall of the Emirates (MOE) offer the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience. Whether you’re a family looking for a spacious home or someone who enjoys having everything within arm’s reach, these villas provide the ideal environment for a modern lifestyle.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of living in compound villas near Mall of the Emirates, the features these homes offer, and why this location is so desirable.

Why Choose Compound Villas Near Mall of the Emirates?

Prime Location with Easy Access to Key Areas Located in Al Barsha, one of Dubai’s most sought-after neighborhoods, compound villas near Mall of the Emirates are perfect for those who want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Dubai while retreating to a private and peaceful environment at the end of the day. Being in proximity to MOE means you have easy access to major roads, including Sheikh Zayed Road, making it simple to get to downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, and more. Public transport options and excellent road networks further enhance the convenience of the location.

Proximity to Mall of the Emirates (MOE) One of the most significant advantages of living near MOE is the unparalleled access to shopping, dining, and entertainment. As one of Dubai's largest malls, MOE boasts more than 630 retail outlets, luxury brands, a wide selection of restaurants, a cinema, and even an indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai. Living near this iconic shopping center means you're always just a stone's throw away from these attractions, making it a convenient destination for leisure and everyday needs.

Tranquility and Privacy in Gated Communities Compound villas near MOE provide an exclusive lifestyle with gated communities that offer privacy and security. These villas are part of well-maintained, secure compounds that often include private entrances, surveillance systems, and access-controlled entry points. This setup ensures that you can enjoy peace and quiet in your home, away from the crowds and noise of the city.

Ideal for Families and Professionals The spacious design of compound villas makes them ideal for both families and professionals. These villas typically feature large living spaces, multiple bedrooms, and dedicated areas for recreation and work, providing the perfect environment for family living or professional setups. With private gardens, outdoor spaces, and recreational amenities, these homes cater to every aspect of a balanced lifestyle.

Close to Top Schools, Healthcare, and Other Amenities Living near Mall of the Emirates also means that you are close to some of Dubai’s best schools, healthcare facilities, and leisure destinations. Whether you’re looking for international schools for your children, high-quality healthcare services, or recreational facilities, the Al Barsha area offers everything you need for a comfortable life.

Features of Compound Villas Near Mall of the Emirates

Spacious Interiors for Family Comfort Compound villas near MOE are designed to offer spacious living arrangements. With multiple bedrooms, expansive living rooms, and generous outdoor spaces, these villas provide families with the comfort and space they need. Open-plan layouts, high ceilings, and large windows ensure that the villas are bright and airy, creating a welcoming atmosphere throughout the property.

Private Gardens and Outdoor Areas Many compound villas feature large private gardens that are ideal for outdoor activities, family gatherings, and relaxation. These landscaped gardens offer a sanctuary where residents can enjoy Dubai's year-round sunshine. Whether you’re gardening, hosting a barbecue, or lounging in the garden, these outdoor spaces extend the living area and enhance the overall living experience.

Premium Finishes and Modern Amenities The villas near MOE come with high-end finishes, ensuring a luxurious living experience. From gourmet kitchens with the latest appliances to spacious bathrooms with premium fixtures, every aspect of these villas is designed for modern comfort. The homes often come equipped with smart home features, ensuring that lighting, climate control, and security systems can be managed remotely for added convenience.

Shared Amenities within the Compound In addition to the privacy and luxury of individual villas, many compounds near Mall of the Emirates offer shared amenities that add value to your living experience. These can include communal swimming pools, fitness centers, children’s play areas, and 24-hour security, providing a resort-like lifestyle right at your doorstep.

Private Parking and Storage Space Compound villas near MOE typically come with private parking spaces, ensuring you always have a secure place for your vehicle. These villas also often offer extra storage space, making it easier to keep your home organized and clutter-free.

Benefits of Living in Compound Villas Near Mall of the Emirates

Unmatched Convenience The proximity to Mall of the Emirates and its surrounding amenities means that you will have access to everything you need, from shopping and dining to entertainment and recreation, within just a few minutes' drive. The ease of access to key roads and transport links makes commuting around Dubai hassle-free, while the quiet, residential nature of the compound provides a peaceful retreat from the city.

Increased Privacy and Security The secure, gated nature of the compound ensures a high level of privacy and safety. Whether you're enjoying time with your family at home or away on vacation, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is safe and protected. Many of the compounds are equipped with CCTV cameras, security personnel, and controlled access points, ensuring the security of both residents and their properties.

Exclusive Lifestyle Living in a compound villa near Mall of the Emirates offers an exclusive lifestyle characterized by spacious living, privacy, and luxury. The carefully curated designs and upscale finishes found in these villas ensure that each residence is comfortable and impressive. Many of these homes also boast unique architectural features that add to their appeal and make them stand out as a symbol of luxury.

Close-Knit Community The neighborhood around Mall of the Emirates is home to a diverse community of professionals, expatriates, and families. Living in a compound often means becoming part of a close-knit community that shares similar values and lifestyles. Whether it's attending neighborhood events or simply getting to know your neighbors, these compounds foster a sense of belonging.

Long-Term Investment Value Properties near Mall of the Emirates are in high demand due to the area’s popularity and proximity to key areas in Dubai. Purchasing a compound villa near MOE can be an excellent long-term investment, as the demand for homes in this prime location continues to rise. The combination of location, luxury, and convenience ensures that the property retains its value over time.

Conclusion: Live in Luxury and Comfort Near Mall of the Emirates

Compound villas near Mall of the Emirates offer a lifestyle that combines the best of luxury, privacy, and convenience. With spacious homes, private gardens, and proximity to Dubai’s premier shopping and entertainment destinations, these villas provide everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable life.

Whether you're seeking a family home, a place to relax and entertain, or a high-end property in a prestigious location, these villas deliver an unparalleled living experience. With easy access to top schools, healthcare, and transport networks, living in a compound villa near Mall of the Emirates places you at the heart of one of Dubai’s most desirable neighborhoods.

[buycommercialpropertiesindubai]

What to Look for When Buying Residential Properties in Dubai

Buying residential properties in Dubai requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure you make a wise investment. This blog outlines what to look for when buying residential properties in Dubai.

For more information on real estate, visit Dubai Real Estate.

Location

Proximity to Amenities: Choose a location that offers easy access to essential amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, and public transportation. Proximity to these amenities enhances the property's value and convenience.

Future Development Plans: Research future development plans in the area, including infrastructure projects, commercial developments, and recreational facilities. Areas with planned developments often experience appreciation in property values.

Neighborhood Safety: Ensure the neighborhood is safe and secure. Check crime rates and the presence of security measures such as gated communities and surveillance systems.

For property purchase options, explore Invest in Dubai Real Estate.

Property Condition

Structural Integrity: Inspect the property for any structural issues, such as cracks, leaks, or foundation problems. A property in good structural condition requires less maintenance and ensures a longer lifespan.

Interior and Exterior Finishes: Evaluate the quality of the interior and exterior finishes, including flooring, walls, roofing, and fixtures. High-quality finishes enhance the property's appeal and durability.

Age of the Property: Consider the age of the property. Newer properties may require less maintenance, while older properties might have historical charm but could need renovations.

For mortgage services, consider Mortgage Company in UAE.

Developer Reputation

Track Record: Research the developer's track record and reputation in the market. Established developers with a history of delivering high-quality projects on time are usually a safer choice.

Customer Reviews: Look for customer reviews and testimonials from previous buyers. Positive feedback and satisfied customers indicate the developer's reliability and commitment to quality.

Completed Projects: Visit completed projects by the developer to assess their construction quality, design, and overall appeal. This provides insights into what you can expect from the property you are considering.

For rental property management, visit Rent Your Property in Dubai.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Title Deed Verification: Ensure the property has a clear title and is free from any legal disputes or encumbrances. The DLD provides title deed verification services to help buyers confirm the property's legal status.

Sales Agreement: Review the sales agreement carefully and seek legal advice if needed. Ensure all terms and conditions are clearly outlined, including the price, payment schedule, and any additional costs.

Permits and Approvals: Verify that the property has all the necessary permits and approvals from relevant authorities. This includes building permits, occupancy certificates, and compliance with zoning regulations.

For property sales, visit sell your house.

Investment Potential

Rental Yield: Research the potential rental yield of the property. High rental yields indicate strong demand and profitability for rental properties. Areas with high rental demand, such as those near business districts or tourist attractions, tend to offer better returns.

Capital Appreciation: Consider the potential for capital appreciation. Properties in areas with ongoing infrastructure development, economic growth, and high demand are more likely to appreciate in value over time.

Market Trends: Stay informed about market trends and economic indicators that impact property values. This includes factors such as interest rates, inflation, and government policies affecting the real estate sector.

Real-Life Success Story

Consider the case of James, an investor who successfully bought a residential property in Jumeirah Village Circle. James conducted thorough research, inspected the property's condition, and chose a reputable developer. By following the guidelines outlined in this blog, James secured a high-yield investment and has seen significant appreciation in property value.

Future Trends in Dubai Real Estate

Sustainable Developments: There is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable properties in Dubai. Developers are increasingly incorporating green building practices and energy-efficient features into their projects.

Smart Homes: The adoption of smart home technology is on the rise. Properties equipped with advanced security systems, automated lighting, and climate control are becoming more popular.

Mixed-Use Communities: Integrated communities that offer a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational facilities are gaining popularity. These developments provide residents with a convenient and holistic living experience.

Conclusion

When buying residential properties in Dubai, it is essential to consider factors such as location, property condition, developer reputation, legal compliance, and investment potential. By paying attention to these aspects, you can make a well-informed decision and secure a valuable investment. For more resources and expert advice, visit Dubai Real Estate.

[teslaproperties]

Top 10 Tips for Buying Property in Dubai: A Guide for First-Time Investors

Dubai is a hotspot for global real estate investment due to its high-quality infrastructure, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and favorable tax environment. However, understanding the real estate market may be challenging for novice investors. Here’s a guide with the top 10 tips to help you make a smart, profitable investment in Dubai’s dynamic property market and preparing you to property buy Dubai.

1. Understand Dubai’s Property Types and Ownership Rules

Dubai offers both freehold and leasehold properties. Freehold areas are open to foreign investors, allowing full ownership, whereas leasehold properties offer long-term leases up to 99 years. For those looking to buy property in Dubai as a foreigner, focus on designated freehold areas, like Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.

2. Research the Market Thoroughly

The Dubai real estate market can be highly dynamic, with prices fluctuating based on location, property type, and economic conditions. Keep up with the latest trends and prices in key areas, such as Dubai apartments for sale and dubai houses for sale in popular neighborhoods. Tools like property listings on Tesla Properties can help track the market.

3. Define Your Investment Goals

Choose why you want to purchase real estate in Dubai. Are you aiming for rental income with high returns, a second home, or a long-term investment? Certain areas, like Business Bay and Downtown Dubai, are ideal for Dubai apartment investment due to high rental demand.

4. Explore Financing Options and Budget Carefully

Through both domestic and foreign institutions, Dubai provides a variety of funding choices. Typically, you’ll need a 20-25% down payment, though this can vary based on residency and the real estate agency in Dubai you’re working with. Factor in additional costs like registration fees, real estate agency fees, and maintenance charges to avoid surprises.

5. Choose a Trusted Real Estate Agency

Working with a reliable real estate agency in Dubai like Tesla Properties ensures you have experienced professionals guiding you through each step. They’ll provide access to a variety of properties in Dubai, handle negotiations, and ensure you meet all legal requirements.

6. Investigate Off-Plan Properties

Off-plan properties (those under construction) can be more affordable than completed properties. Payment options that lessen the financial load are provided by several developers. However, thoroughly vet the developer’s reputation and the project’s completion timeline, as delays can sometimes occur. Some prime Dubai apartments for sale and villas in this category offer great potential for value appreciation.

7. Focus on Location and Amenities

Location is key to any successful Dubai real estate investment. Areas with easy access to transportation, top-rated schools, and shopping districts are highly desirable. For investors, popular communities like Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Jumeirah Lake Towers offer high returns and easy resale options. Evaluate the property’s amenities too, as pools, gyms, and parking can increase its rental and resale value.

8. Consider the Total Cost of Ownership

When calculating your investment budget, don’t just consider the price tag. Additional costs include:

Property registration and transfer fees

Maintenance fees for buildings

Costs associated with property management (if you intend to rent it out)

Insurance

These expenses affect the profitability of your investment, especially for those looking to buy apartments in Dubai as rental properties.

9. Review Legal Requirements and Documentation

Ensure that the property has a title deed and meets the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) requirements. Contracts in Dubai are typically straightforward, but it’s essential to read the fine print, especially if you’re purchasing an off-plan property. A trusted real estate agency in Dubai will help ensure all paperwork is correctly filed.

10. Plan for Long-Term Rental Potential

If you’re investing in Dubai real estate for rental income, research the rental yields in different areas. Certain neighborhoods like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Jumeirah Village Circle are known for solid rental yields. Working with a management agency can help maximize rental returns, while you focus on maintaining long-term appreciation for your property.

With these steps, you’ll be better prepared to invest wisely in Dubai’s competitive real estate market. Working with professionals like Tesla Properties provides peace of mind, and makes finding and purchasing the ideal property easier for investors, expats, and first-time buyers alike. Dubai’s market offers substantial growth potential, so take advantage of these tips and dive into one of the world’s most exciting real estate markets to property buy Dubai. For more information on buying property in Dubai, visit Tesla Properties.