#Face Mist Market Growth

[allupdatesofmarket]

Face Mist Market Industry: Growth and Forecast 2033 | Market Strides

Face Mist Market Research Report

Market Strides has recently added a new report to its vast depository titled Global Face Mist Market. The report studies vital factors about the Global Face Mist Market that are essential to be understood by existing as well as new market players. The report highlights the essential elements such as market share, profitability, production, sales, manufacturing, advertising, technological advancements, key market players, regional segmentation, and many more crucial aspects related to the Face Mist Market.

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Face Mist Market Share by Key Players

BIODERMA

Laneige

CREMORLAB

Tatcha

BIO-ESSENCE

Pore Medic

Herbivore Rose

AVENE

OY-L

Ole Henriksen

Bliss

Elizabeth Arden

Kiehls

CLINELLE

REN

Kopari

Renewed Hope

Pixi

Wander

Face Mist Market Segmentation

The report on Global Face Mist Market provides detailed toc by type, applications, and regions. Each segment provides information about the production and manufacturing during the forecast period of 2025-2033 . The application segment highlights the applications and operational processes of the industry. Understanding these segments will help identify the importance of the various factors aiding to the market growth.

The report is segmented as follows:

By Type

Vitamin E Face Mist

Vitamin C Face Mist

Others

By Application

Dry Skin

Normal Skin

Oily Skin

Get Detailed @ https://marketstrides.com/report/face-mist-market

Face Mist Market Frequently Asked Question

1) What are Face Mist Market and why are they important?

2) What is the future outlook for the Face Mist Market?

3) What are the Segments Covered in the Market?

4) Who are the prominent key players in the Market?

Key Highlights

It provides valuable insights into the Face Mist Market.

Provides information for the years 2025-2033. Important factors related to the market are mentioned.

Technological advancements, government regulations, and recent developments are highlighted.

This report will study advertising and marketing strategies, market trends, and analysis.

Growth analysis and predictions until the year 2032.

Statistical analysis of the key players in the market is highlighted.

Extensively researched market overview.

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[dcdreamblog]

So I’ve been looking over the members of the JSA, the All-Star Squadron, and other teams of the era, and I have to say I’m kind of fascinated by how many of them are just some guy in a costume, no powers, and maybe not even a real gimmick like the Sandman. Guys like the Atom, the Manhunter with the dog, the Whip, and personal favorite, Wildcat.

What do you think lead to the rise of this, and why don’t we really see it anymore? Outside of, say, the Gotham crew or the Arrows.

It was the very specific economic and social conditions of the day. In essence, the criminal activity of the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression hit the American lower class like a bomb. The Roaring 20s are remembered fondly by American culture but, as with any boom associated with the stock market and the business class, the growth was often left at the expense of the have-nots. Especially with the prohibition speakeasy making crime rampant and open.

Add to that the hard crash of the Great Depression, crime burrowed in, corruption endemic as mafia rackets became an everyday burden for millions of Americans from coast to coast. With the legend of the Crimson Avenger and The Sandman spreading through the yellow journalism of the day, taking on everyone from the Mob to the Klan it was like all that bubbling pressure in the tank suddenly had an escape hatch.

People who had been pushed to their limits by a system pressing down on them, their loved ones, their livelihoods, they did the only thing that was seemingly having a real, honest to god effect on the ground.

They hit the streets and left the Mob bleeding like a stuck pig in the aftermath.

(Aftermath of the Sandman and The Atom breaking up a booze, drug and gun running shipment. Metropolis, 1940)

Words cannot describe how sharply organized crime retracted between 1938 and 1950. There were thoughts at the time that the institution might have been fully killed off by the hard shock of the Mystery Men era.

Metropolis, Gotham, Calvin City, even small towns Seguro in New Mexico had criminals flinching over their own shadows. The heroes would appear at random, strike like lightning and then vanish back into the mist before the sun came up. They could never be bribed, any attempt to kill them blew up in the mob's face, and as more time passed they became frighteningly organized.

Once the JSA and the Squadron were founded in earnest, your average mugger, rum runner or pimp laid REAL low.

The shortest answer to your question: These people saw their homes and communities suffering and, like any more powerful hero, saw a method to stop it. They took the risks, they painted the target on themselves, turns out they were right.

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER ELEVEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER ELEVEN: "He changed a lot after that and that this story had-"

In Chinese culture, A blue dragon is meant to represent new life, Healing, Peace, Growth and prosperity. A dragon representing the strength and wisdom.

The colour blue itself, While often associated with the sky and the seas can also mean the infinity. A never ending life, A new beginning and revival.

The smoke was pungent in the air.

The dark grey mist sizzled up into the star-speckled night sky like paper lanterns on the new years eve, Floating up into the sky and sizzling out in only a second.

There were hundreds of candles scattered about the forest clearing, The waxes wicks lit up with flickered embers and they burned with the hopes and dreams inscribed onto them. Not even the cold and unforgiving winds of the city could put them out.

The festival night was in full swing, Celebration games and market stalls were eagerly set up with the hopes of filling the wallets of their owners. The sweet yet savoury smell mixing with the smoke filled the noses of the girls entrapped within the city walls.

[F/N] held an unlit candle in her hands, The tinted wax was pristine and perfect amongst the molten of the clay surrounding them and the shrine they were dedicated to. Inari, The deity of foxes and industry, The most enshrined Shinto deity, They were the deity celebrated here tonight.

She watched as another local lighted a candle, The whisping ember combusting into a bright blaze of oranges and yellows within a second.

[F/N] scoffed under her breath as she did, The way the locals lit the wicks were without care and finesse unlike how she did it back in Aomori. It could burn down the nearby shrubbery or tufts of ferns growing from the cracks in the grass, And could especially burn the set-up altar.

She loathed it, She really did. Though the festival was bound to bring out reckless behaviour and attitude, [F/N] wished that they would at least respect the reason it was all happening in the first place.

Yet the saccharine smell of ambrosia was floating in the air was sweeter than the ripest of apples, It was something that flooded into her nose like a rushing tide and placated her venom if only for a moment.

"Sooo… What 'cha gonna wish for?" Mitsuri chimed in, Breaking [F/N]'s train of thought and the mindless gaze to the kitsune statues of andesite and rock laying about. [F/N] just shrugged as she looked at the candle, Only taking a brief glance at her friend.

"Don't know, There's a lot of stuff I could ask for you know.. Money, Strength, Power.. That sort of stuff" [F/N] replied to her as she examined the ebony string spouting from the wax, The clusters of people around her praying to the shrine didn't lead her focus astray from the wick in the slightest.

The people around her placed the inscribed candles of wax down onto the several altars surrounding the enshrinement. Each carried their own wishes of fortune and fame, Love and Lust to the wide spectrum of human desirum.

A tradition carried throughout the ages, A wish to the kami for good luck in the future and it was one the two girls participated in eagerly. One to practice her religion and the other in search of a fun time.

It was a struggle as Mitsuri leaned over to spot the contemplating stone of her friends face. Mitsuri could only huff lightly at her behaviour, Leave it to [F/N] to overcomplicate a simple task.

"How about all three then? I already lit mine and I asked for like.. A bajillion different things!" Mitsuri proclaimed as she pointed to the freshly placed candle sitting atop an andesite altar.

The wax was absolutely mangled with near a 'bajillion' roughly scribbled wishes onto it, [F/N] could barely make out the words 'Love' and 'Mochi' from the jumble of words. She chuckled slightly as her eyes turned up to look at Mitsuri.

"No, No.. I need to wish for one only, I can't be greedy with Inari, 'Tsuri.." [F/N] replied shortly as her brows furrowed. Her lips pursed into a tight frown, A sharp line that felt conflicted at the simple little candle cusped within her hands.

"Maybe I shouldn't wish for anything, I've not got really anything to wish for so it's fine.. I can just light the candle and go. Besides, Shinobu is waiting for us and we still need to slay that demon." [F/N] mumbled as she lowered the candle along with her frown, Putting it down onto the altar gently.

Mitsuri hummed, Tilting her head to the side as she pouted.

"Are ya' sure? We can leave it for now and come back later when you have an idea, You know?" Mitsuri offered, Resting a hand on [F/N]'s shoulder. The comfort of her body heat transferring over to the girl.

[F/N] shrugged.

"No, It's fine.. I just wanted to quickly pay my respects to Inari before heading out to slay the demon. You know, Just a quick thanks for everything.." [F/N] mumbled, A light raising of her shoulders signalled her shying away in embarrassment as she admitted it to Mitsuri.

Mitsuri in turn squealed, Red starting to powder her cheeks.

"Aaah! Cuuute!" She exclaimed with a dopey smile stretched upon her face, Her hands raising to squish her cheeks as an outlet for energy. "I love it when you look all shy like that! It really shows how dedicated you ar-"

Mitsuri's squeal however was cut off by the sudden covering of her mouth, [F/N]'s hands moved quickly to cover it entirely as she looked around as she suddenly became aware of her surroundings.

"Shh! Not so loud, 'Tsuri! People are gonna stare at us!" [F/N] said in a hushed whisper as she frantically looked back and forth at the groups surrounding them, Paranoid about their gazes and the possible scrutiny they could come under.

Mitsuri's hands raised up and gently wrapped around [F/N]'s wrist, A featherlight touch as she lowered [F/N]'s hold from her mouth to reveal a teasing smile.

"More than they already do?" Mitsuri giggled as she tossed a lock of watermelon coloured hair behind her, The brightly candy coloured kimono she wore danced in the breeze as her eyes looked kindly into [F/N]'s own.

[F/N]'s breath near slowed to a standstill as she dropped her arms to her side in defeat.

"Well.. Yeah, That's it. But you know it's just.. Actually, Never mind. It's fine, I'll just light the candle and we can go fight the demon, Can't keep Shinobu waiting. You know how she can be" [F/N] replied as she picked up the candle and tossed it up higher into her other hand with a half-hearted smile.

She tried to focus on the stained paper colour of the wax, A way to distract herself from her surroundings and the possible onlookers to the colourful sight. Among the watered crowd the two of them were like roses in a orchid bush.

From Mitsuri's strange yet seraphic waves of watermelon to the unwilling otherworldly appearance of [F/N]'s form they were both rather different to what you could call normal. It didn't help that their uniforms were designed to emphasise their already unusual get up.

[F/N] didn't enjoy the stares she got from it, She didn't like the way they would burn into her skin like charcoal and leave brandings like scars. [F/N] recalled back to a time where she didn't really care about it, And sometimes she questioned when that had changed.

Mitsuri suddenly gasped, Smile breaching the borders of her cheeks once more.

"That's what you can wish for! The mission's success!" She cheered as her hands rested on the stiff shoulders of [F/N] and looked at her with exuberant glee.

[F/N] blinked at the sudden exclamation, But her slight grimace slowly spread into a warm smile.

"..That's a good idea, Actually. I might actually do that.." [F/N] spoke as she looked back down at the candle. Her hand reaching out for the woven basket full of toothpick-like sticks to carve the wax with.

"Ooh! Make sure to wish that we get enough time to see the festival afterwards!" Mitsuri commented as she watched [F/N] lower the sharp point of the stick onto the clay and start to write.

[F/N] rolled her eyes with a smile as she wrote down the kanji like the flow of water, The strokes going up and down and leaving the calculated trail of [F/N]'s engravings.

She did want the mission to go well, She really did. She wanted them to come out of it uninjured with the demons head impaled onto the blade of her sword. [F/N] smiled as she wrote, Sending a small prayer to Inari in her head as she did.

[F/N] lowered the pick, The residue of leftover wax attached to the thin piece of bark was scraped off onto the boulder it was set on. She extended the candle out and up to her eyeline, Examining the kanji delicately described onto the candle.

Mitsuri leaned over, Reading the writing put down.

"May our mission go well with the demon dead by our swords, May our success to be something to ride home about. And may Mitsuri catch many goldfish and eat plentiful food to satisfy her ungodly appetite. Inari Bless her soul."

Mitsuri grinned.

"Perfection, You really captured my essence in there! Now light it so we can all go do that together, 'Kay?" Mitsuri nudged on as her hands lunged from a nearby lit candle in the cluster. Snatching it into her hands and held it up parallel to [F/N]'s unlit one.

[F/N]'s eyes lowered down to the inferno of an ember burning down the candle, Looking at the half-melted wax dripping down the sides and the molten kanji engraved onto the sides. It was about love, About a girl they met in the markets.

[F/N] shook her head and tilted the top of her candle towards the burning wick of the lit one, Her own mingling with the embers for only a split second before the tip started to sizzle and spit.

She watched the small pockets of smoke and the spark glimmer on the top of the wick, She watched as it started to pick up and burn, The remnants of a tiny fire starting to show until it formed into a mature flame.

[F/N] withdrew the candle and lowered it down, Carefully placing it among a bundle of its own kind and nestling it as the newest member. Her hand dropped to the side, Leaving [F/N] to only admire the sparks.

"..And that is how you light a candle!" [F/N] mumbled softly as she watched the dance of the flame, Her smile matching the warmth of the ember perfectly as her face was illuminated by the fire.

"..Huh?" Mitsuri asked, Tilting her head to the side.

"..Erm.. Don't worry about it." [F/N] said shaking her head, She turned back to face Mitsuri with that same smile.

"Come on, Let's go meet up with Shinobu." [F/N] said as she reached a hand over and gently patted Mitsuri's back, Encouraging her to follow as [F/N] started to march off back towards the more urban city.

"Right!" Mitsuri giggled, Taking one last glance towards the field of flames before prancing over to [F/N]'s side.

They walked towards the roaring festival with a newfound confidence, Both in themselves and the success of the mission. How could they not? [F/N] had sent her wishes and her praise to Inari.

And she knew that they were watching over her, In the safe hands of her patron.

☆♡☆

[F/N] blinked once, Then twice. The grogginess in her eyes still not worn off from her slumber.

Another dream..

She groaned, She tossed and turned before her hand hit her forehead. As always her sleep was conflicted, A rising headache throbbing in the side of her head. It didn't help how tired and weary her body still felt sprawled across the futon.

Her duvet was hanging off the side of it, Barely clinging onto dear life as it only covered a leg. The pillows weren't much better, They were half-out their cases and were flung around like a wild animal had rummaged through her room and used her pillows as chew toys.

Memories came back to her like a heeling dog, Of yesterday and the dream she had woken up from only moments ago.

The confrontation with Kokushibo. [F/N] groaned slightly but the phantom of a sly smirk was graced upon her face, If she was lucky at all and her prayers were answered Upper six would be taken out of the picture.

If so it would be much easier to escape from now on. [F/N] trusted in Inari that they would take care of it, Help her along and guide her out of the bone-chilling birdcage she was currently locked in.

[F/N] huffed, An arm reaching out and locking around a pillow before pulling it closer to herself. Both of her limbs wrapped around it and she proceeded to bury her head into the comforting cold that it held.

[F/N] sighed, Even though she had slept for at least a good few hours she was still absolutely exhausted. Her body as usual was tied to the bed like an anchor weighing her down, Keeping her trapped.

She wondered how long it would take until she would bite the bullet and get up this time, It was nice in the bed, As much it could be for a worn out mattress and aged pillows. [F/N] inhaled, Taking in the chalky smell of the cushion she clung onto.

Her eyes kept opening and closing, The lasting whisper of her sleep still not erased from her mind. Vison blurry and her eyelids heavy, She strained them open and held them up long enough for her eyeline to hone in on a shape sitting atop the nightstand.

[F/N] groaned, She already knew what it was from the smell underlying the scent of the pillow. It was savoury and earthy, Pungent and enticing. By the aroma alone she could tell that it was decorated ramen.

Great, Kokushibo had been here again and left her breakfast. Routine as usual, The enticement of the aroma was usually enough to get her out of bed. The flavour of the meal being one of the only highlights in her day, As pathetic as it was.

After the first period of only nibbling on her food she had tried to eat more, She'd need her energy to escape after all. It was still difficult to eat all of it though, So she tried to focus on the flavour, The only part she really enjoyed it for.

On the odd occasion that Kokushibo didn't deliver her food, [F/N] would often lie there for minutes if not hours. There wasn't anything to encourage her out from under her covers, So the flimsy comfort of her bedding had to suffice.

Though, The weights tied to her ankles seemed much more heavy today. It didn't prevent the way she hauled her top half into a sitting position, Nor did it prevent the way she draped her legs over the side of the bed.

But the hunch in her posture was noticeable as her hand swiped the food and sat the lukewarm bowl onto her lap, The chopsticks that came with it were quickly snatched and positioned in between her fingers.

With a bit of hesitation she began to slowly push the slimy noodles into her mouth, The salty taste invading her tongue as she started to chew. It was only once she savoured the food on her tongue was when she noticed the note.

It was sat neatly under the plate, A firm outline of the bowls bottom rim was indented to it but as [F/N] picked it up it was still very much readable.

Her eyes scanned over the words.

To [F/N].

Remember, As soon as you wake up you are to eat your food then make your way to the courtyard for your training.

This time, Make sure to wear something much more flexible.

-黒死牟

[F/N] groaned, Slumping her hand down to her side as she read. She wondered if he found some sadistic pleasure in kicking her to the ground, Some disgusting joy rooting from his demonic instincts. He disguised it as training but [F/N] guessed that it was more for his own benefit.

Really, Her skills were one of the only redeeming qualities about her. Redeeming, Not the correct word, Maybe something more along the lines of being the silver in the sand. There wasn't really much to describe it as.

Though pummelling her into the ground to show the gap in their craft was more than enough for the silver to rust. It's funny, Silver isn't even chemically able to rust yet somehow he made it work.

Guess that's what you have with such overwhelming strength, It was strange not to be the strongest in the room. So far above your peers that clouds circled your head, A weird existence and one that felt so very empty.

[F/N] chewed up the rest of the noodles, The chicken and beef toppings left lying at the bottom of the bowl along with the residue of the water.

If she was going to get embarrassed again she's going to do it on a full stomach, Doesn't matter if he hits her so hard that she just pukes it up again. Maybe if she time's it right she can really piss him off.

Either way she sat down the empty wooden bowl back onto the nightstand and got up. Her legs still half-asleep wobbled as she tried to secure her footing.

[F/N] sighed. Let's get this over with.

☆♡☆

"Gah!" [F/N] yelped, Her body convulsing and the taste of iron sputtered out her mouth.

Her entire form tussled around in the air. Launched back and hurtling until she hit the bare ground with a thump, Near leaving a dent in what seemed concrete hard dirt until now. She layed there sprawled out like a ran-over deer in the road, Her wooden sword laying beside her.

"Your legwork is lacking as usual.. You need to be much faster if you want to land a hit on me.." Kokushibo drawled out. If [F/N] wasn't in pain right now, His taunting voice left her in absolute agony.

Nails on a chalkboard, A silver fork hitting the kitchen floor. Hearing both of those would of been preferable to what he told her. He sounded so smug and she so desperately wanted to punch it off his face.

[F/N] breathed heavily, Her lungs ablaze with exhaustion and exertion. She looked back up at him with a bead of cold sweat running down her brow, Eyes narrowing in distaste.

"..I'm doing it perfectly, It's not my fault you've got demonic speed.." She huffed as she turned over, Rolling onto her back so she could stare up towards the gentle embrace of the light speckling through the tree leaves above.

Kokushibo's frown tightened as he moved over a few steps, A shadow casting over [F/N]'s face as her vision was blocked by the visage of Kokushibo.

"Blaming your faults onto me will do you no good.. While you are agile in your own right, It is your attitude that is holding you back.." Kokushibo remarked, His illuminated eyes from within the darkness honed in on her.

[F/N] felt the spark rise up in her as she stared up into his uncanny eyes, The same one that had been festering inside her like a rapidly growing virus for days now. She bit her tongue. Don't say anything, It isn't worth it.

It isn't worth it.

[F/N] sighed lightly.

"..Yes, Kokushibo-sama.." She said as she hauled herself up onto her knees. The plain ebony Samue she fished out of her closet was now stained with the dirt of both the ground and her defeat, Her feet were bare for ease to move yet somehow that was barely enough to fix her faults.

Kokushibo's hand which was resting lazily upon his sword tightened around the hilt ever so slightly.

"Get up.. We are done here for today." He chuffed. Taking one more scouring look at her before turning to stride off.

[F/N] sighed, Watching as he stopped on the other side of the tree's hill before scowling at him from behind. The bastard, The only grace he had was his ability to declare her beatdowns a wrap.

"Thank Inari.." [F/N] mumbled under her breath, Near heaving as she sent her quiet as a mouse prayer to her patron. Her was strong in her chest along with her expression, Eyelids lowering with a small smile on her face.

She barely caught onto the twitch of Kokushibo's ear, Or the side look he gave her glancing over.

"..I see you're not enjoying our sessions.. Coming from your words.." Her prayers were answered yet their receiver was more demonic than divine. Kokushibo's numerous eyes pierced her from behind his bangs, Which cast a heavy shadow under his face.

[F/N]'s head jerked over as soon as the words left his rotten mouth. Her widened eyes quickly composed into a averted calm towards him, Not quite wanting to engage in conversation yet not quite wanting to engage his ire either.

"..Not really no, I don't understand why I'm doing it in the first place and it feels tedious- Kokushibo-sama. Praying to Inari is just helps me through it." [F/N] said as politely and as shortly as he could, Hoping he doesn't ask anymore questions.

He turned his head a little more to the side, Now letting [F/N] get a better view of his grimace and tight-lipped scowl. His nose was slightly scrunched, [F/N] could almost smell the distaste radiating off him.

And it played on his tongue too, She could tell once he spoke.

"Praying to such a cruel god.. I'd advise against it." It was all Kokushibo said, A line he said like he was stating the weather or stating the sky was blue. Callous and casual, That was his tone.

Yet it was one that made [F/N] freeze. Her eyes expanding and her jaw snapping shut like a mechanised doll. The palm that was half pushed into the ground suddenly tensed up, Clenching a handful of dirt and clumps of grass in-between her fingers.

It was that spark, The one akin to the burning flames of the candles in Osaka. Bundled together and burning like a forests wildfire, Their fuel being the wishes and passion of what was inscribed into it.

It was only an ember though, Only the spritz of a lighter. But it was enough, Enough for her to feel the heat.

"..Excuse me? What do you mean by that?" [F/N] said. Though she was levelled and calm the waters were certainly stirring underneath, Her eyebrows were lowered and vision locked onto him to gauge his form.

Kokushibo fully turned around to face her now, Taking a few calculated steps towards her out from behind the hill.

"…I mean to say that the gods are cruel beings, [F/N].. They are unforgiving and uncaring.. Favouring and rejecting at their will.. They do not care." Kokushibo stated. It wasn't even a debate from how he said it, It was just gospel to him as ironic as that was.

[F/N] could only stare at him blank faced. What he was spouting was heresy, It was the words of a heretic only devoted to his disdain. Who was he to insult her religion? The one that has had a place in her heart and soul for decades now.

It was nothing she would accept on the regular, Back when she was free. Then she wouldn't hesitate to speak out and call the offender out on their disrespect, Then there would be no question.

But now that she was here it was a much more complicated matter. Weighing both the mass of her faith and her act of compliance on the scale tipped from side to side, Going up and down to determine the outcome.

The scale stilled, The decision had been made.

"..Maybe some of them, I will not deny that.. But Inari has been nothing but kind to me. They are my god and my guide, I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for them so I don't see how you could say that about them." [F/N] said, Her voice raised an octave.

By now the palm with a fistful of grass had pushed her to her feet, Her stance was wide and as strong as it could be in the face of him. While it was true in Shintoism that some of the gods weren't portrayed in the brightest of lights, It wasn't like they were all evil and unforgiving beings, Especially not Inari.

Not Inari.

Kokushibo breathed air out of his nose, Coming a few strides closer to meet her stance with an overpowering one of his own. Medallion eyes piercing through her with the sharpness of a thousand of his blades.

His jaw opened, Tongue laced with venom as he spoke.

"Inari is the worst of them all, [F/N].." He started, Taking another step forward. "Inari is cruel and sadistic.. Inari takes what you hold dear and gives you nothing in return.. They are nothing but a cold and unfeeling deity." He hissed.

"It doesn't matter how much you worship them or reveire them.. It doesn't matter if you're bleeding out on their altar and screaming for their help.. They don't care." Kokushibo finalized, The acidity near burning in his mouth.

[F/N] could barely respond. She just stood there, Stone cold as if she had stared into the eyes of an accursed snake. The way he spoke about her patron matched the venom of one too. It baffled her.

One moment she was lightly thanking her deity under her breath, The next it had lit the beginnings of what seemed to be his form of a rant, His words almost alluding to something she wasn't aware of. Why it set such a bonfire in the first place confused her to no end as well.

Though, What she did know is that the spark inside her grew into the one that would light that bonfire. The one that would start to rage on inside her.

"Do not talk about Inari that way. They are nothing but kind and benevolent and the god I have dedicated my life to, They have helped me through it all.." [F/N]'s voice came out as a low hiss. Her previous subservient demeanour on the lower end of the scale now as she spat out her words.

Kokushibo huffed, A mocking and smile starting to contort his face.

"..Really.. Then pray tell where they were when you were dying out in the snow.. Where were they when you needed them the most?" He tilted his head, His question rising in volume as he spoke more.

[F/N] gawked and opened her mouth.

"I-"

"-You worshiped them back when you were in your first life.. You adored them just as you do now.. Yet they let you wither away in a blizzard with nothing in return.. Though I don't suppose that has changed now, Has it?" Kokushibo cut in, Leaving her no time to respond.

[F/N]'s mouth snapped shut yet the fire swirling around in her eyes kept burning on him. The absolute anger and rage beginning to kick up inside of her was overflowing, It made her fingers curl and her teeth start to grind, Wanting to take a sword and drive it through his neck.

She opened her mouth once again, Ready to rebut him with everything she had.

But as she went to speak, She had found that nothing came out.

[F/N]'s mind was blank, As a devoted worshiper she should have mountains to say about Inari's good grace and their generosity to give, It was only natural.

But there were no words on her tongue, No memory she could pinpoint that would prove as her saving evidence.

A bead of sweat ran down the side of her head.

"You have nothing.. Don't you?" Kokushibo queried as he surveyed her clocked out form. The still shoulders to the frozen face, He could see it all even without transparent world. His eyes concentrating onto her.

"You.. That is.." [F/N] stammered. Her mind searching for the proper words, Something to say, Anything at all. She gulped, Swallowing down both her saliva and her doubt.

The bead of sweat dropped, Hitting the dried out floor.

"I don't have to tell anything to you" [F/N] finalised as she swayed her head to the side and turned away from him. "You wouldn't understand, A demon especially wouldn't understand the grace of a god."

Kokushibo didn't say anything as he watched her stride away. It was swift and fast paced, Almost as if she wanted to get away from him as quickly as she could as she headed towards the courtyard doors.

He hummed as he watched her go. In hindsight Kokushibo figured that he shouldn't of brought it up, He didn't know what came out of him in that moment. Perhaps it was the way she still unknowingly worshipped them after everything that they did to her.

The gods, They were horrible beings, To him anyways. Whatever admiration or faith he had towards them died when she did so long ago, If they let him get to her on time or didn't put her in that situation in the first place.

The only good they had ever done was bring her back, The only grace they held was her reincarnation. What he had done to deserve it in the first place he didn't know, The only thing he did was their reunion.

Either way it didn't change his opinion on them, They did one good thing out of a thousand atrocities. His mind was steel and his opinions adamant.

He huffed at the thought of them, Taking one last look at the courtyard scenery before disappearing into the air. Deciding that she needed to cool down from her anger and off to find a meal.

☆♡☆

The creaking of floorboards rung out inside the hallway, The reverberations causing the surrounding spiders and invertebrates to scuttle away from the force of it.

[F/N] was angry, She was offended. In all her life she had never heard such enraging words, Such vile insults to her patron and deity, The one she had been worshipping for so long.

Of course, Religion was always the low hanging fruit for younger kids and ignorant older folk to jab at. That, She could handle. She'd ignore it most of the time, Brush it off her shoulder like it was nothing and move on with her life.

It was just an unfortunate part of being in a religious doctrine, It wasn't a good nor was it an acceptable thing by any means but it was a part of a religious woman's life. She was use to it, She could deal with it.

But this? This was heresy.

Kokushibo spoke nothing but hatred and loathing, Nothing but acidity and venom. Not from any ignorance or youthful inexperience but it was a genuine distaste for Shintoism and that was something [F/N] just couldn't stand.

She didn't know why when it came from him specifically, His insults and his ire, Was what really ticked her off. [F/N] hated it, Hated the disrespect to her religion and by proxy herself. Perhaps it was the all-knowing look he gave her, Or it could've just been him himself as a demonic prescence defying the gods.

His expression burned into her, Stoked the flames of whatever was already festering inside her like a parasite. Her teeth gritted and the veins on the side of her hand started to swell up from how hard she was clenching it.

[F/N] screamed.

It was over in a moment. Bits of wood and lumber exploded out from the destroyed pillar, A hollering reverberation ran throughout the entire building as soon as [F/N]'s fist made impact with it.

[F/N] whined as she saw her fist stuck in the crater left in the pillar. Bits of the wood lodged into her skin, Digging into her and drawing trickles of blood that flowed down her fist.

She was breathing heavily, Sweat starting to dampen her brow. Her scrunched up examined her hands wound, Which started to sharply ache at her nerves and throb painfully.

[F/N] pulled it out with a tug. Letting it fall to the side like the blood droplets falling to the floor. She stood there for a few minutes, The isolating silence flooding in and invading her, Making her feel so small within the expansive halls.

[F/N] was left to her thoughts as the only noise going through her head. Her hand twitched from the pain, But she ignored it in favour of her own inner monologue.

That bastard, How she wished that it was him that she punched. How she envisioned his face beaten and bloody instead of her own hand. Though it hurt and ached, She didn't feel angry anymore, Instead only the aftertaste.

She exhaled, Letting the air turn into vapour in the cold draft.

What if it wasn't him that made her so angry though?

What if it was something else. She had ignored it so well before but then she wasn't in such a place she was. The cold chill running down her spine, The dusty floors and the near decayed foundations all contributed to her raging mood.

As she imagined his visage in her mind, She didn't feel anymore rage and disgust.

[F/N]'s breath hitched in her throat, Eyes suddenly snapping out of whatever train of thought she was enthralled in.

A dark shadow cast over from behind her, A presence becoming aware within her mind in a single moment.

Her head snapped around, Shoulders raising in guard as her body jerked round. Though gratefully her eyes softened from relief once she saw who it was.

"Akaza." [F/N] greeted normally, Well, As normally as she could with a bleeding fist and her clothing drenched in her own sweat. She looked at the demon, Staring into his own kanji-engraved eyes, All of which spoke of intermediate alarm.

"I smelt blood, What the hell happened?!" Akaza demanded as he quickly scanned over her body. His teeth were bared to reveal his fangs and his fists were clenched as if he was ready for a fight.

[F/N] sighed, Drooping her head down to ponder at her bare feet.

"Nothing, I'm not injured if that's what you're asking." She said, Shrugging him off. Her curled up fist was hidden behind her back, Of which was pressed up against the broken pillar to disguise the crater.

Akaza huffed, His nose scrunching up in disgust as his eyes locked onto the limb pushed behind her. In an instant, He threw his arm out and grabbed her shoulder, Making [F/N] yelp in surprise.

"H-Hey! The hell are you doing?!" She exclaimed as Akaza yanked out her hidden arm, Only to reveal the injuries and blood coating her knuckles like dripping paint. It was already swollen, The splinters still lodged within her flesh.

"Not injured?" Akaza drawled as he looked down at her knuckles, Examining the brushes and feeling the uncontrolled twitches and jerks of her hand within his hold. [F/N] wanted to argue back but with the evidence literally in the palm of his hands it was impossible to do so.

[F/N] yanked it away from him, Letting it swash to her side.

"..Fine, I punched a hole into the wall, See?" [F/N] admitted agitatedly as she stepped aside to display the crater. "I got a bit carried away and needed to let out some frustration. Don't worry, You haven't lost your ticket to number one yet."

Akaza rolled his eyes at her words and groaned.

"Good, I'd rather not risk it" Akaza said. [F/N]'s non-injured hand moved to massage her wrist in a half-successful attempt to soothe her pain as she looked at him, Scrutinizing him up and down while she did.

"Since you're here, Kokushibo's gone I assume?" [F/N] asked. Akaza nodded.

"Yeah, Came as soon as I sensed him leaving." He replied in kind. [F/N] sighed. At least he was out of here, Akaza was someone she could tolerate and Kokushibo was someone she couldn't. She could even say she enjoyed his company at times, Rarely, But she could.

"Great to hear that you're bright and early, Almost as if you like spending time with me." [F/N] drawled sarcastically as she looked back up at him, A teasing glint in her eyes that made Akaza scoff.

"Not in the slightest, I'm only here because I need to kill upper one." Akaza corrected for the hundredth time in the row, All shown in the way his voice just excreted exhaustion and annoyance.

[F/N]'s eyes widened however, That glint in here eyes flickering.

"Ah right! That reminds me!" [F/N] exclaimed as she snapped her fingers, His words sparking a sudden recollection inside of her. A smile blooming on her face like the lotuses in the water outside.

"Hm?" Akaza hummed curiously.

"I fixed our upper six problem, We won't need to worry about him anymore." [F/N] answered with her teeth bare in a grin. She stepped a few feet closer to him, The ghost of excitement running in her voice.

Akaza's eyes expanded.

"What?!" He exclaimed, Genuinely shocked.

"I took care of him. I confronted Kokushibo about where I was and I told him Upper six directed me to where the exit was. He won't be around anymore to impede my escape, Kokushibo will handle it." [F/N] explained, Mildly proud of herself.

Akaza blinked a few times, Almost as if he was baffled about what was in front of him. She took Upper six out of the picture? He was nearly impressed. Knowing Kokushibo he wouldn't hesitate to kill him for such insubordination, Especially against him himself.

Thank god. That little brat was barely strong enough for the upperrank's, Let alone the twelve moons in the first place. Besides, There was no one around to snitch on them now. She had skewered the rat, Taken him out and she didn't even need to lift a finger.

"…That's.. That's great." Was all Akaza could say yet his surprise was still evident in his tone, A tone that made [F/N]'s grin sharpen like knives as she looked at him. It was an expression that looked odd on her, Foreign, Like her own face wasn't accustomed to it.

"Of course it is, We'll be free to continue with the bridge construction now without anything to avoid." [F/N] said. She truly did look like the cat who caught the mouse, The moth on the lightbulb or the tiger in the tree.

It was strange. Akaza felt like he was in unfamiliar waters, Somehow out of practice with her mood. He stared at her for a moment or two, One that dragged out before snapping out of it and opening his mouth.

"…Yeah, Good to know. On topic the topic of that, The real reason I came here early is because I brought what you wanted or whatever." Akaza said as his eyes shifted to his pockets, His hands followed suits and shoved themselves into them.

[F/N] let out a small 'Oh' as she watched him rummage around in his pockets for what he had in there, All before he scavenged out a turn of rope and a cluster of spare nails in his coarse hands.

"Here you go, Enjoy whatever you're gonna do with it." Akaza shrugged as he dumped them into [F/N]'s arms, Of which looked down at the pile now stacking in her hold.

Her eyes ran over them, Scouring and examining every molecule of the acquired goods before her lip quirked. Brows furrowing in confusion.

"..This.. This isn't enough." [F/N] said as she looked down at the barely enough rope, Which looked to be cut off halfway and the nails that were few and far between. The rope was near laughably too small and the nails were half rusted and low quality.

Akaza huffed, Shaking his head.

"I told you, The biwa demon knows everything that comes in and out. If I brought anything more in she would've noticed and gotten suspicious." Akaza explained like he was talking to a small child.

[F/N] looked at him, Her face as blank as untouched paper in a pile. She blinked once, Before her lips tightly pursed and a vein swelling out from the side of her forehead.

"But.. But what the hell am I suppose to do with this..?! It's not even enough to get to the first arch" [F/N] exclaimed as her grip on the items grew tighter, Her knuckles popping out from the force as she looked at him.

Akaza scoffed, Looking her up and down.

"I don't know, Get creative? I said I can't bring you anything more, Alright?" Akaza spelt it out for her but she wasn't listening. She took a few steps towards him, Her noise pointing at his figure.

"Akaza.. I can't do shit with this, Inari knows you might as well've brought me string and thumbtacks because this is bloody useless! I don't even have any tools for the nails." [F/N] hissed as she pushed her face near his, Shoulders raised as if she was intimidating a bear.

The injured hand that was clutching the rope so tight started to bleed more profusely, Blood trickling out the splinter's punctures in ounces but [F/N] never felt it. That spark, That raging spark was with her once more.

It was the bonfire in the winters night, It was the storm within the clouds of her hazy mind as she thoughtlessly berated him. Her teeth were bared and she was near foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog.

Akaza stared back at her, This reaction was completely out of the blue. Though she had brought buckets of her own attitude to any of their reactions, Back then it was just sarcasm or annoyance.

But this? This was anger. It was completely unwarranted too, Her reaction did not fit the situation by any means and it made Akaza feel completely out of his own skillset. Though by instinct he raised his shoulders in return, Going to intimidate her right back.

"Well how about you do something about it yourself? How about you scavenge materials of your own instead of bitching about it to me. I don't know why you're so goddamn angry but fucking calm the hell down, You hear?" Akaza hissed, Near spitting in her face as his eyes locked onto hers.

[F/N]'s teeth bared wider, The veins on the side of her forehead starting to burn and pop out of place as she opened her mouth to yell at him.

But she stopped.

[F/N] looked at him, Suddenly freezing in place. Her eyes that held so much anger fell down, Softening to that of their original state. Her shoulders drooped down with her as she slowly stepped away from him.

[F/N] looked back up at him, Looking slightly puzzled.

"I.. I'm sorry. I don't know why I blew up at you there, I haven't really been myself lately.." [F/N] sighed as she pinched her brow with her healthy hand. She breathed in and out, The inordinate anger leaving her body with every rise and fall of her chest.

Akaza blinked. Looking back at her as his own shoulders fell, Yet his stone hard look stayed on him.

"Whatever, Just get it in check." Akaza huffed as he took a few steps away from her, Clenched hands falling to the side.

[F/N] whined as her hand jerked once more. By now, Droplets of blood dripped down onto the cold wooden floorboards and had created a noticeable mess. [F/N] brought her hand up to her lips, Pressing it against them she tasted the pungent iron.

Akaza's eyelids narrowed in on her hand. His lip quirked down at it before he sighed, Tossing his head to the side.

"Come on, We need to clean this up so Kokushibo doesn't think someone injured you." Akaza said, Turning away before walking down the hall. Beckoning her only once with a signalling of his head.

[F/N] blinked, Slightly surprised by him.

"Alright then.." She said. [F/N] took once last look at the blood puddling on the ground before stuffing the rope and nails into a pouch in her haori, Before stumbling on to follow him. Trailing behind him with an aching hand and a lingering thought on her mind about their interaction.

She didn't know why she had such an outburst, Why she had such an explosion of emotion and primal rage at one of the thousands of inconveniences she had faced before. She sighed as she followed Akaza along.

[F/N] would need to find out later.

☆♡☆

"Ah-! Easy there! Can't you go any slower?"

"Shut it, I'm trying to do it as painlessly as I can."

"Yeah- Obviously!" [F/N] hissed as Akaza pulled out another splinter from her bloody hand. Her teeth were bared and she sucked in a sharp breath of air with every pluck, Eyes glaring daggers into Akaza.

She sat perched upon the dusty kitchen counter, An old med kit was scattered across it with several needles and bandages overflowing from inside the small bamboo tub. It was obviously opened with very little care or finesse.

The kitchen, One of the rooms [F/N] never frequented often due to the very poor utilization of what a kitchen was suppose to do. It was a room that was longer than it was wide with cupboards lining the back wall, All filled with yarns of cobwebs and a myriad of insects [F/N] couldn't identify.

The grills that were sat below the cupboards above were out of use for a very long time, A glove of dust could appear on your hand if you chose to brush it against the top of it. Both that and the old rusty pans and pots in the cabinets were completely unusable.

There was no food here, Nothing edible anyways. Though the med kit was luckily found under one of the grills, Akaza had to shoo away the spiders who had made their home inside it but it was still usable.

"Ah.. Ah fuck!" And it was made obvious by [F/N]'s winces and whines of pain. It was funny, For a woman who had faced demons bigger than her, Took cuts and stabs to her gut with no reaction she sure did feel a lot of pain.

"Oh calm down, That was the last of it." Akaza exclaimed as he held up the tweezers in his hand, The splinter squeezed tightly in-between the two grips before being tossed away onto the floor by Akaza.

[F/N] groaned, Her free hand moving to her wrist to massage it as Akaza moved over to the splayed out med kit and started to rummage through it again. She sighed, The pain subsiding by only by a pitch.

She glanced over to Akaza as he pulled out a new myriad of items.

[F/N] sighed as she waited for him to finish. The pain was more bearable now, It was down to the levels she could tolerate.

Then, Why did she still feel an ache?

Though the majority of all her pain was gone there was still an undeniable thump in her chest, One that felt like a fist was squeezing her heart for all the bloody juices inside. [F/N] pushed her free hand onto her chest and pressed down, Not knowing why but knowing it wouldn't stop the ache.

It was sore, But didn't hurt her nerves. It was painful, But there was no visible injury to be found. It was strange to say the least.

She barely heard the words that were being spoken to her, Her brows only furrowing before snapping back into the current situation.

"Hey! Did you hear me or not, Give me your damn hand." Akaza barked, His own hand was presented and beckoning [F/N] to place hers in his. Akaza held a damp cloth in his other, His eyes waiting impatiently for her.

[F/N] blinked.

"Oh.. Right, Sorry.." She mumbled as she lain her hand down onto his palm. Akaza took no time in dabbing down the cloth onto her knuckles, Which instantly erupted a new kind of burning agony.

"Ah- Fuck!" [F/N] hissed as her body tensed up. The damp cloth, Which was now revealed to be drenched in some kind of alcohol was painful to the wounds splattered on her hand.

Akaza rolled his eyes and mumbled something about humans being weak under his breath. He shook his head and continued to clean and disinfect her wounds with an impatient streak in his movements.

[F/N] sighed, Trying to relax her shoulders and get use to the burning of the liquor.

"..Hey Akaza, Do you believe in a god?"

Akaza's movements stopped mid swipe. Of what focused attitude had enthralled and captured his attention before was now broken. His eyes darted up to meet [F/N], Whose head was swayed to the side and her gaze far off yonder.

"Where the hell did that come from?" Akaza said as the cloth pressing against her knuckles was suddenly withdrawn as tossed aside onto the counter of which she sat. [F/N] bit the inside of her lip, Thinking to herself for a moment.

"I don't know, I just noticed you had prayer beads around your ankles and thought I'd ask." [F/N] replied mindlessly as her entire self seemed to be somewhere else entirely. She seemed out of it entirely, Making Akaza raise an eyebrow.

He shrugged before continuing to patch up her wounds.

"Stuff from my human life, Might of been a Buddhist. I don't know." He said quickly. [F/N] took a glance to look back at him, Seeing his face dropped down from her higher point and focused right back onto cleaning her wounds.

[F/N]'s closed lips tightened and pursed together into a slight frown. "What about now? Do you still believe in Buddhism?" She asked again as she watched Akaza's form for any jerks or freezes. Akaza only shrugged as he continued his work.

"Don't know, Don't care. Religion isn't something I think about often." Akaza replied. He finished disinfecting her wounds, The sickly iron that was coating her hands before was now gone and the wounds freshly clean.

[F/N] nodded slowly as Akaza went to shuffle around in the med kit once more, Taking in his words.

"Why?" Akaza asked as he pulled out a roll of white bandages, Completely fresh and soft within the grip of the demon. [F/N] turned to look at him, Thinking over her words before speaking.

"I'm just a bit confused is all. I'm a Shintoist, I use to be a shrine maiden before this. I use to be really connected to my patron, Inari, But right now I just feel a bit out of it right now. It's nothing, Really." She commented absentmindedly.

Akaza's eyebrows knitted together as she spoke, He felt like there was a bigger rabbit hole than was being presented. He felt like there was more to dig through, Something underneath but whether he would chase it he didn't know.

So he stopped talking and opened his mouth, Letting that lead him along.

"You're in a literal shrine right now, I don't see how you could be disconnected from your religion" Akaza said as he lightly tugged [F/N]'s hand back into his grasp and started to bandage up her knuckles.

[F/N] sighed.

"..You probably don't know this, But this place is a replica of where I lived beforehand. The other one was better, It was well-kept and not decaying like this one.." She mumbled as she looked at the rotten wood and the spiders running along the side-lines.

"This place has been here for centuries, That's literally impossible." Akaza replied as he rolled the bandages.

"Yeah, I said that too, Akaza." [F/N] said in turn "But as I also said it's confusing, The other one was bigger too after it was fashioned into the kakushi base. It had another floor and much more rooms, It's just a bit of a downgrade.." [F/N] said.

She recalled the warmth of the rooms or the lively chatter which would be found in the halls, All the activities and the singing of crows from the aviary. The smell of fresh food that would come from the kitchen, Now turned into sawdust and sulphur.

Akaza's eyes however widened in recognition.

"..The Kakushi Base?" He questioned, Amber eyes like broken glass now staring up into her own irises. [F/N] blinked, Realising what she had said before she sighed.

"Yeah, It was a base of operations for the slayers. Kokushibo had attacked us a few weeks ago- No, Months now at this point. He had tried to kill me but.. You know" [F/N] said as she pointed down to the bandages around her mid-section, Still there and nearly healed entirely.

Akaza stared at her for a few minutes. His face going blank and something inside his head started to whirr, It started hit and turn before suddenly it clicked.

"Oh goddamnit, No fucking way.." Akaza said. The bandages in his hand were suddenly slammed down onto the kitchen counter, Akaza stepping a good few feet away from her. Looking at her like she had a dozen heads.

[F/N] looked back at him, Thinking for a second before it hit her.

"You heard about it?" She asked tiredly as she picked up the bandages beside her and tore them from the roll, Tying it around her knuckles into a knot and finishing her first aid.

Akaza however just gawked at her, No, Not at her, It was at her haori. The realisation of who this was from the patterns of dragons and cerulean blues painting the fabric, The one that was shown in his masters death warrant for them.

It was the same haori they both wore. Akaza could've just shrugged it off by similar patterns or they just happened to have the same kind, But by the way she reacted? No, She was aware.

[F/N] in turn just sighed and shook her head.

"Yes, I am the one who killed a thousand demons. Yes, I fought Kokushibo back at the real shrine. Any more questions?" [F/N] exasperated as she placed the bandage roll beside her and folded her arms, Looking at him prepared.

Akaza blinked. Back when he had gotten the call from his master to kill this slayer, The flash of who he was. The strong stature and the haori of blue flowing in the rushing winds as he slayed another one of his kind.

The mask, The kitsune mask with such electrifying eyes stared into the view of the vision with such power. He held such otherworldly grace even when taking a life, Akaza was absolutely thrilled.

A strong opponent, A truly strong opponent. As soon as Akaza was delivered the vision he was ecstatic, Finally someone he could battle against to test his own prowess in fighting. He couldn't wait to meet him, Which is why Akaza went straight out to find him.

Akaza had looked for ages, He had went to several towns and villages where the Hashira had been spotted in search of him. He had looked for ages, Scoured and sought after him for months but in the end coming up empty.

But now as that man now woman was sitting atop the kitchen counter infront of him, Hand injured and bandaged by Akaza himself, Akaza had no idea what to do.

"..I don't really know how you feel about this, But if you-"

"How the hell are you him?! How can someone like you kill one thousand demons, You don't even look like a man. How is that possible?!" Akaza yelled as he stepped a heavy foot closer to her, Of what force caused a minor tremor.

[F/N]'s brows furrowed, But she ultimately stayed calm. "Akaza, Look. It's complicated, I can explain it to you if you want alright? But I promise it's not that big of a thing" [F/N] said as she tried to placate his sudden detest towards her. It was surprising, She didn't expect him to react this way at all.

But as she looked at him, Seen his stance and raised shoulders and the way his wolfing eyes looked at her like an injured doe. [F/N] could tell he was enraged.

But why?

"Being the Hashira that killed one thousand demons? A strong swordsman turning out to be just some throwaway shrine-maiden? Not such a big thing.. Bull. Shit." Akaza chided as his eyes locked onto her with a burning fire.

"M-Mind your manners, Akaza-dono-!"

Both Akaza and [F/N] froze.

A voice called out from behind him, A shrill, pubescent tone.

Akaza's body jerked around in a near second, His raised shoulders which were held in anger were now on guard as his eyes met that of the intruder. [F/N] also peered round behind Akaza, Her eyes widening on the unfamiliar figure.

Kaigaku stood within the doorframe. He was hunched over slightly with a nervous grin plastered all over his face, His entire figure was reminiscent of some kind of rodent or hamster on their hind legs.

"I thought you got rid of him." Akaza hissed lowly under his breath, Not taking his eyes off Kaigaku.

"I thought I did." [F/N] hissed back as she recognised the kanji in his eyes.

Kaigaku's nervous grin widened slightly, His posture straightening out as he took a few steps towards the pair. His fingers were fidgety as he moved, [F/N] in turn finally hopped down from the kitchen counter and backed up against it besides Akaza.

"I- I mean I'm sorry to interrupt you, [F/N]-sama. Akaza-dono.." Kaigaku said, Only adding Akaza's name on as an afterthought and keeping his eyes upon [F/N]. Taking a few steps closer, [F/N] pushed herself further against the counter.

"Ah, right-! I should probably introduce myself, I'm sorry. Erm-.." Kaigaku dusted off his old slayer uniform by sticking out a clawed hand towards [F/N].

"M-My name is Kaigaku, I am upper rank six. I-It's great to meet you, Kokushibo-dono has spoke a lot about you-!" Kaigaku said, Lightly bowing down in front of her and ignoring Akaza entirely.

[F/N] stood there, Looking down at Kaigaku for the first time. She had only seen him in black and blue flashes before, Nothing else but seeing him in corporeal form? It wasn't even why she was surprised no, It was why he was here in the first place.

[F/N], She thought he would be dead. Kokushibo, From what little [F/N] knew about him she knew that he would most likely kill him or at least get rid of him. [F/N] thought, She really did.

Her hands grew clammy as she looked down at his taloned hands, Nails shining in the dim kitchen light, Her eyes widened and petrified at the sight of him.

Inari, I thought you'd take care of this..

Kaigaku, Who stood there for a good few seconds hesitantly withdrew his hand after realising she wasn't gonna take it. He raised back up, Fiddling with his hands skittishly as he smiled at her.

"I see.. Well that's fine then! I.. I hope we'll get along!" Kaigaku cheered lowly as his foot tapped rhythmically on the wooden floorboards, Closing his mouth and leaving all three of them in awkward silence.

Akaza on the other hand stood on guard, His teeth bared in preparation of a fight. [F/N] wouldn't lie about getting him out of the picture so Kokushibo must've let him go somehow, Especially if he was here right now. Why? He didn't know.

But as he looked at Kaigaku's new demeanour, His cheery and overly-friendly persona that he wore like a glove. Akaza knew exactly what he was doing.

He was sucking up to [F/N].

"I-I cleaned up the mess you made in the hallway, By the way!" Kaigaku explained as he moved even closer to her. [F/N] seethed through her teeth, Kaigaku becoming way too close for comfort.

"I.. I- Thanks but I-"

"How the hell are you here, Fucking leave you little brat." Akaza interrupted, Not giving [F/N] time to speak. His hands started to ball up into fists, Creating veins. Kaigaku, Only acknowledging his presence now, Peered over to him with the same attitude he gave [F/N].

"Akaza-dono.. I don't think that language is very appropriate.. W-We're all friends here right?" Kaigaku stuttered as he tilted his head towards Akaza, A sharp glint in his ebony eyes revealed everything Akaza needed to know.

But he barely focused on it as he pushed Kaigaku aside away from [F/N].

"Answer me. What the hell are you doing here?" Akaza spat at him as he pushed his face up into Kaigaku's, His taller stature straightened in an attempt to intimidate. The glint grew brighter, More malicious as it became between the two.

"Let me tell you then." Kaigaku hissed.

☆♡☆

"Wait no- Ack-!" Kaigaku hissed as he coughed up blood.

His body was launch, Tossing and turning in the air for only a minute before his back slammed against the nearby wall. Cuts of varying sizes littered his body, Barely regenerating under his ruined uniform.

Kaigaku slid down onto the ground, His body twitching and jerking while drenched in his own blood. A shadow was cast upon the wall as heavy footsteps slowly stalked towards him, Thumping loudly with every lowering of his foot.

"Stay quiet.. I don't want to hear your grovelling.. " Kokushibo spat as he looked down at his Tsuguko lying on the ground. His sword was drawn and held so tightly in his hand that his knuckles turned white.

All six of his eyes were locked onto him, Anger coursing through every one of his swollen veins as he looked at the young boy with such malice and disgust. He licked his lips like a lion about to strike the gazelle, His fingers itching to strike Kaigaku down.

Kaigaku's head raised weakly and looked up at his master, Several teeth were missing from his mouth and blood was rapidly flowing out of it. He bit back the tears, Fear enveloping his entire being.

"M-Master, Please wait-! I-It wasn't me.. It was-"

"I told you to stay quiet, Boy.."

A sharp kick to his stomach interrupted his speech. Kaigaku screamed as more blood shot out from his mouth and splattered across the ground. His stomach was on fire, Like all of his intestines were rearranged within his body.

Kaigaku's head fell right back onto the dirty flooring of the abandoned house they were in, His body was near mangled at this point. He had been called by Kokushibo to meet him here, On arrival he had been ambushed by the man.

Kokushibo stalked closer towards him, Getting down onto his knees and looming over the boy. Casting a heavy shadow over him as his taloned hand reached out towards him, Golden eyes gleaming with rage.

Kokushibo's hand firmly gripped Kaigaku by the scalp, His claws digging into the boys raven coloured locks and yanking his head up to meet him. Forcing his eyes to meet his masters own, Fire burning into him.

"You are lucky that I have chosen to spare you.. The only reason you are is because I know you didn't try approach her.. You wouldn't dare" Kokushibo told him, His grip on Kaigaku's scalp tightening making him whine out in pain.

"But.. You did let her spot you.. I told you to remain unseen, Did I not?" Kokushibo tilted his head as he watched Kaigaku's bloody and beaten body squirm within his grasp. He looked down almost sadistically, Almost enjoying his pain.

"I suppose it doesn't matter now.. However." Kokushibo commented as his hold on Kaigaku's hair was let go, Kaigaku falling back down onto the floor with a thump and a yelp as he lay there writhing.

Kokushibo got up from his kneeling position, Sheathing his sword into it's hilt.

"Though.. Let me tell you one thing." Kokushibo said as he turned back to look at Kaigaku, The cold night's air drying up the blood quickly upon both their bodies.

"You treat my sister with respect.. One day she will be your superior, And you will need to answer to her.. You will treat her as you treat me, With fear and submission." Kokushibo hissed as he turned back away and started to walk off, Leaving Kaigaku to suffer.

☆♡☆

Akaza let go of Kaigaku, Tossing him to the side like an unwanted children's toy.

"You disgusting brat.." Akaza hissed as he stared knives into the boy who stumbled back into the kitchen wall. Akaza backed off, Though his glare stood strong as he marched away, Swinging the door open and marching away.

It was slammed shut, The force so strong that it shook the foundations of the building. It left the two of them alone, [F/N] glancing nervously at Kaigaku and Kaigaku looking back at her with some faux admiration.

"[F-[F/N]-sama! I- Erm.. I'm so sorry for him.." Kaigaku said as he shuffled towards her with his hands clasped. [F/N], Now that she was up close to him could sense his soul aura much more pungently now. It was vile, It was rotten. It was an apple that was moulding from the inside out, His persona that he put on was completely fake and [F/N] could tell that from the feel of his aura alone.

[F/N] sucked in a deep breath through her nose.

"Yeah.. Um, It's fine.." [F/N] replied quickly as she backed away towards the doorway, Looking at him like he would pounce any second now. She moved slowly, Eyeing him down with a furrowed brow and bared teeth, Trying to mimic what Akaza did.

"Oh.. W-Where are you going?" Kaigaku said, Perking up as he noticed her movements to leave. [F/N] blinked once, Shaking her head before answering him.

"I.. I need to go do some stuff." [F/N] said quickly as her movements picked up, Her body now turning around as she started to make her way towards the door much more swiftly. Only taking a small glance back at him.

Kaigaku blinked, Before slowly nodding.

"Oh.. Okay then, H-Have fun, [F/N]-sama!" Kaigaku called out to her as he watched her stumble out of the kitchen in quick succession. [F/N] didn't dare look back after that, Only focusing on getting out of there.

☆♡☆

[F/N] ran.

As soon as [F/N] was out of his line of sight she bolted. She didn't care, She ran down the hallways and didn't dare to look back to see if he was following her at all. Not stopping for a second.

Her lungs burned, It felt as if she was breathing in fire with every breath. Every succession of her feet in front of her made her want to collapse onto the cold wooden floorings and never get back up.

But she continued onwards. [F/N] didn't know where she was going or how long she was going to run for, That didn't matter. It was a matter of escape is what it was. From what she had no clue either.

Why he was here, Upper six. Why it set her into a frenzy confused her, It was all confusing, Everything was. He was suppose to be out of her way entirely, His death was suppose to lighten her load.

But he was here, Kokushibo had let him go for some unknown reason.

Inari, You were suppose to take care of this, You're suppose to take care of me.

[F/N]'s thoughts ran miles per hour along with her legs, Tears speckled at her eyes but didn't dare to fall. Her eyes blinked, Her feet burned. She took in a sharp intake of oxygen, But it wasn't enough and it hurt too.

[F/N]'s sprint stuttered into a run, Then a jog then walk. All until she collapsed against one of the shrines doors in exhaustion.

Her body lain against it, Her lungs rising up and down and up and down. Over and over again to regain her lost stamina. She sighed, Her skin was bathed in sweat and it rolled down her in near buckets.

Things were suppose to go better, She was suppose to get out of here. She had faith that it was going to happen, But now she had no idea at all what she felt.

[F/N]'s hand which was placed against the wooden door lightly trailed along the timber, Her hand feeling the dips and the curves in the architecture until it hit a jut. [F/N] blinked, Taking one more deep breath in before pushing herself to her feet.

It was a sign that she felt, A small bump in the wood with carved out letters. [F/N] read it, Recognition flashing in her eyes.

The Haiden.

[F/N] stared at it for a few minutes, Seemingly breathless as she read the words over and over again like a sutra.

Out of all her time here she hadn't been to the haiden, She had passed it, Passed this room every now and then but never read the sign. Never took a glance towards the door or gain an interest to the contents inside.

But now? It was enticing, Something drawing her eyes to the doorknob. She looked down at it, Nervous as she grimaced.

[F/N]'s fingers twitched, Her hand slowly raising before resting it upon the silver of the doorknob. Her hand gripped onto it, Feeling the cold silver on her skin as she started to turn it.

The door opened with a squeak, One much louder than [F/N] was anticipating and making her wince. Though she didn't stop as she let the door swing open on its own, Letting the dark void of the room inside become visible to her.

[F/N] was hesitant, Looking at the light-devoid room with unfamiliarity before she took a step in slowly.

She walked into the haiden, Looking around at the shadow infested room with a distraught nostalgia. Her eyes ran over every wooden pillar near collapsing in on itself, Every woven basket empty and dusty.

It was cold in here, Freezing like a winters night and leaving a burning frostbite in it's wake. It felt so chilling, Making [F/N] shiver once she felt it run down her spine. At the end was the altar, The one that stood so high before.

But now it was a shell of it's former self. Of what grand and high form it took before was now abolished into a dirty wreck. [F/N] gasped lightly at the sight of it, Was this really how such a sanctity was kept?

There were only puddles of wax within the candle holders atop it, The spiders making home within the crevices. It didn't stop [F/N] as she made her way down to the front of it, Standing before it as she always did but now it was different.

[F/N] felt no more sense of wonder or comfort within the walls, That sense of protection and safety she felt while she was in here was long gone. Replacing it was only a faint remnant of what was, Of what use to be.

[F/N] lowered onto her knees in front of it, In a praying position. She had no proper candles or material to light them with so she decided to do without. She sat there for a few moments, Taking in the derelict room before she spoke.

"Inari.." [F/N] started, Watching as her words turn into mist in the cold air.

"Inari I don't know what I'm doing anymore.. I have served you my entire life, I have been your devoted servant, Your worshipper and your follower." She started to say, Her voice picking up in volume with every word.

She gulped, Swallowing down her hesitancy.

"I don't know why I'm here, In the haiden or in the shrine at all. You were suppose to keep me safe from harm or hurt but you haven't. I've been through so much, I've lost so much. I feel so much pain every second of the day but you aren't fixing that…" [F/N] said, Shaking her head as she remembered.

"Shizuko.. Mitsuri.. M-My siblings.. I.. I don't know why you aren't making it better? T-That's what you're suppose to do, R-Right?" [F/N]'s voice grew shaky, Something blocking her throat as she felt warm water tickle at her eyes.

"..Are you even real, Inari? Have I been following nothing but ink on paper my whole life..? Please, Inari.. Answer me.." [F/N] begged. Her hands pressed in a praying position below the altar, Putting her head down onto the carpet to bow.

The cold draft blew across the haiden, It stayed quiet. Only the scuttling of mice and the settling of the foundation was heard. [F/N] bit her lip, The hot water starting to trickle down her face and sting at her skin.

[F/N] blinked, Sniffling once.

"Why won't you answer me..?" [F/N] asked near pleadingly, Trying her best to keep her lips in a shaky smile as she tried not to cry.

"Please.. Just answer me.." [F/N] whispered, Pressing her hands even tighter together.

But she sat there, Head pressed against the old carpet as she waited for something to happen.

And waited and waited.

Next Chapter

[adriankyte-writes]

Tell me more about Awkward Conversations! Who else is having them?? :D

You know what I'm working on RIGHT NOW? Lol. I finally got over the slump I hit on this one and it's moving along at a clip. I intended to set the next conversation during the events of The Queen, but on a rewatch I realized that the needed characters were not where I remembered them to be. So I had to write a whole new venture instead, I had an idea that I was going to turn into an unconnected stand alone, but it's become the setting for the next conversation.

Want a peak inside the harth hive? I wrote this yesterday and it is very unedited.

They walk in silence for some time, it can take Guide some time to reorder his thoughts. After their millenia together Bonewhite has learned to allow him that time, he will speak at his own comfort. They walk in companionable silence through the more brightly lit area of the ship where the worshippers live. The smells of cooking meat and vegetables assail them. Bonewhite stops at a market stall to acquire a bowl of fruit. He carefully selects a merchant he has not visited recently. His favor to any worshipper could cause unrest and strife between the rest.

The halls grow dimmer and the mists rising from the floor become more pervasive when they exit the lift several floors later. The chamber is filled with small symmetrical growths, a soft blue light emits from the circular pods which grow out from them in a soothing pattern. The chamber itself is something of a mess. Data readers are scattered haphazardly on a nearby surface, a few falling over to the floor. Discarded garments have been trampled and kicked into out of the way corners. There is a set of terter seeds set in a vine hoop near the center of the room.

Bonewhite enters and places the bowl of fruit on the growth which served as a table in the room. Guide hesitates at the doorway. There is an angry hiss from a nearby corner. He glances over, surprised to find a terrelin trapped inside a carefully constructed net cage.

How do they manage to keep catching them?

Come in, he shoots at Guide. He carefully releases the terrelin, resetting the cage as he had found it, sans occupant. The tiny lizard hisses and bites at his fingers, a soft buzz of warmth shooting through him as his body purified the toxins from his bloodstream. The tiny scavengers are venomous but not enough to be a threat to wraith, even here in the creche. The warming aftereffect of their bite might even be why the crechelings continued to catch them.

Guide takes a seat at the table, watching Bonewhite as he proceeds through the creche. He walks to the first of the glowing pods and places a hand against it. The thick opaque membrane turned clear giving him a view of the occupants. Five tiny wraithlings slept in a pile of bodies inside. He smiles softly down at them. He moves from pod to pod, checking the groups of wraithlings as they slept. Most of the pods contained groups that were matched by age, but in some groupings there might be an older wraithling who has protectively joined a group of younger ones. The creche had their own order among the wraithlings, how they dealt with each other would say much on how they would later handle their adult responsibilities.

He looks in on a particularly mischievous pair of crechelings, known for giving the creche master a hard time. The were curled into each other in a tangle of limbs. Sometimes they were joined by other members of the creche, but often the two shared a pod only with each other. Both wore healing scratches and bruises, although if from a fight or worming themselves into some place they shouldn’t be he couldn’t tell. Their long white hair was tangled and dirt smudged their faces and hands.

 “I have acquired Icemaul,” Guide speaks quietly.

Ah. Not the research but the wraith himself.

He expects to feel anger at the news. Perhaps even betrayal, that Guide has taken in the wraith who had done such terrible things. Instead he feels worry, for Guide in his vulnerable state, and for the hive, should Icemaul gain hive status.

“Where is he?”

Relief flashes across Guide’s face.

“A research outpost on Tylirs.”

The desert moon was an exile position, a lab with a few truly genius clevermen, too useful to be destroyed, but too unsuited to join the hive that had taken them from their queens. Such a position was meant to be a way for them to prove useful until they were willing to join the hive.

“He didn’t request hive?” as Bonewhite remembered him, the cold eyed wraith had been rather adept at making himself useful and currying favor from those in command.

Guide flashes his teeth, “I didn’t offer it.”

Bonewhite feels a rush of gratitude, and sends a touch of it through his bond to Guide, letting the soothing touch of green brush against him. Guide’s posture shifts slightly, minutely, as he relaxes.

“I have set him to the task of designing a birthing pod that will carry a human-wraith hybrid. He is curious, of course. Once it is completed…”

“He will need to come to the harth to oversee it’s installation,” Bonewhite finishes for him. A dangerous prospect for him then.

“You will not allow him into the creche,” he hisses, the bubble beneath his hand going opaque and concealing the sleeping wraithlings inside.

“Agreed,” Guide’s voice is hard.

Bonewhite draws a long breath, settling his whirling thoughts and prodding his emotions, He will be dangerous to you, to her. If he succeeds he will wish to keep her.

I know.

End excerpt.

So I know you know, but for anyone else wondering, Awkward Conversations is a series of conversations between the characters in my Stormbourne series about human wraith relations. Some of them are smexy and some of them take some surprising turns. There's a lot of insight into wraith culture and lifestyle.

[betterthan777]

=> Beginning of The End [Pt.3]

>[First] | >[Pt.2]

-----

⠀ You’d been in a daze for the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon. Even now, there’s still absolutely zero correspondence from Skaianet.

Sobriety was forced upon you and had expertly swept away the lingering sense of floating, replacing it with the tightly wound and rusted coils of anxiety. What was supposed to be a day of recovery from a night of celebration was now a dissociative panic attack from which you couldn’t bring yourself out of. There was a good reason, of course, but still. You were supposed to be stronger than this.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀You are Vriska Fucking Serket.

You pick at your food. Absolutely none of it seemed appetizing which was no fault of the staff. You still feel awful inside, in a deeply unsettling way that persisted even before Dirk issued his ultimatum and that hasn’t really faded or changed even with the addition of the new upset. Whatever. Your fork is dropped hastily and clatters against the plate, disturbing the contents here and there. You needed to clear your head.

You’re out in the streets of L8dy’s Country within the next five minutes, walking along the sidewalk with your hands buried wrist-deep in the pockets of your light jacket. The sun is most of the way down, the day’s heat is lingering. Misters spray fine droplets of water into the air, carrying on the slight drafts and making everything feel a lot cooler than it was.

People gather their things and bring them inside for the night. What used to be hollowed out buildings, half-collapsed and pieced together, are covered in new growths of cement and rebar. There are planks of wood closing off holes once blasted by artillery, plastic wrap pulled over drywall. The scabs of L8dy’s Country are everywhere and abundant. 

Ahead of you, two kids probably no older than 13 laugh and run through the streets. They weave in between retrofitted vehicles driving slowly down the block and people hauling in their goods from the market. High-pitched elation chirps out before they vanish down one of the streets and you can no longer see them, only hear the echoes of their play under the living thrum of the city.

You keep walking.

Over the next two hours you venture further away on-foot from L8dy’s Mansion than you’ve ever been with no guns or guards in tow. Nobody out here recognizes you. The only people with any kind of recognition are the few faces you’ve seen at the Casino, and even then it’s only been a point or a wave to acknowledge you. This part of L8dy’s Country, even so close to the heart of it all, is so disconnected from the seedy underbelly you’ve created that it’s flourishing without you. Wild growth from planted seeds.

There were so many people here, more than you could fathom. Seeing numbers on a sheet was a vastly different experience. Down here, on the ground, you can smell the myriad scents of cooking dinners, of fresh laundry, of perfume and cologne catching on the air. It’s so much easier to breathe out here. You shrug your jacket a bit tighter as the sun finally crests down over the horizon and you feel the chill of the desert night air starting to creep in. The misting system had shut off a few minutes ago, but the air was still humid and the residual cold hugged itself to your skin.

Where were you going? ‘Away’ was the easy answer, though not entirely true. You know that you can’t just walk out of L8dy’s Country, not only because the barricades have shifted so far away and the city has expanded so massively outward that you’d never make it on foot, but… you can’t leave L8dy’s Country. Not in that sense. You’ve put too much work into her, died too many times to raise her up and built her on the foundation of your own bones a hundred or so times over. Letting Skaianet roll in and destroy everything you’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into felt like the loser’s surrender.

So you keep walking. You keep thinking of all of the different angles you could take. You start wondering why you were so opposed to killing an Alternate of yours, when that was something you’d done already. It should be a piece of cake. There was nothing she could do to you that you haven’t already done to yourself, and you highly doubted that if you failed your mission Skaianet would uphold its threat of not reviving you. You are probably the only person who can take you out. 

They needed you. You take a modicum of solace in that thought.

⠀ Before you know it, you’re walking up the busted steps to an apartment complex that’s vaguely familiar to you. You’ve been here before, never on foot, but you recognize the paintings and banners and the patterns of broken foundations. Tank’s house. Your feet are tired but they manage to get you to the intercom and you punch in her door code. There’s a long silence as the line connects and the acid in your stomach shifts. Nerves? Maybe. You can’t dwell on it.

“Whosit?” Tank’s voice eventually cracks out. Her gruff tones ease your nerves some and you can’t help but smile.

⠀“Take a guess.”

There’s a long silence. You’re not sure if she heard you or not. You’re about to speak again when you hear the buzzer and the telltale click of the front door unlocking, so you steal yourself inside and head up to the third floor where her shitty little apartment was. The air inside the building is stagnant and hot and immediately evaporates the lingering mist on your skin, and suddenly once again your mask slips back on.

When she opens the door, Tank is wearing just a ratty bralet that barely covers anything due to the cigarette burns, solder burns, and general wear-and-tear holes that litter it all over, along with a pair of camo cargo pants two sizes too big for her tied at the waist with a bundle of scrap wires. She’s also sporting some rather impressive bruises and scrapes, the most striking of which was a double black eye that made her look not unlike a raccoon. She lurches forward and hugs you so tight you feel like you might die right then and there.

She invites you in and you step around the piles of scrap and half-finished robotics projects, trying not to look indignant as you choke on the oil and grease in the air. Tank gestures for you to sit on her couch and moves a cardboard box filled with various assorted engineering viscera so she can sit with you. Before anything is said, she offers you the weed she’d been smoking just before you came in. For the first time probably ever, you say no, and Tank does her best to sober up. 

“...what’s up, babe?” She asks you with a grave intonation. It sounds weird on her, she was usually so aloof. This is an unusual situation, you suppose. Your fingers twist together in your lap, metal claws digging under keratin nails to pick the dirt out.

You’re quiet for a long time. Tank takes a final drag off of her smoke and pinches it out, getting comfortable on the threadbare and rough upholstery of her sofa to share in the silence with you. At some point you stop fidgeting, and the both of you sit there in silence only broken by the mechanical clicks and vyrrs of her apartment

⠀ “...I think I’m leaving, and I might not come back.” The words don’t fit together in the way you want them to, they don’t carry the implications or context necessary for Tank to ‘get it’ as anything more than the standard ‘I’m going to do something stupid and I’ll probably die plus Skaianet is mad at me’. You see it on her face, the gloss of ‘okay but you’ve always come back’ and the invalidation of your actual vulnerability. Tank slings her arm over the back of her couch and your stomach turns.

Your mask is still up. You’re acting weird but your expressions, your body language, all parts of your ‘Gambling Queen of L8dy’s Country’ visage are working in tandem so you can’t fully blame Tank, as much as you want to. She’s supposed to know you. She’s supposed to know that if you were going on some great, exciting adventure where you were risking your life, you’d be excited like you usually were and you’d be coming to say goodbye and have a night of fun in standard ‘You Only Live Once’ hedonism. Tank, if anyone, was supposed to be able to see past the flamboyance and try to stop you. The wounded void left by her failure to actually see you heats up and you start feeling prickles itching under your skin.

You move to stand and Tank interrupts you. A glare leaves you and shoots through her before you can stop yourself. Tank doesn’t shrink to it, and at the moment you can’t tell if you appreciate it or if it just pisses you off more.

“...like, leaving leaving?” She finally asks in clarification.

⠀So much of you wants to tell her that it was fine, that it was stupid of you to come here and that you’d be back to have drinks again by the weekend, that you were just drunk, or high, and you shouldn’t have come here and interrupted her hard work being stupid. You want to leave, to rush out of her apartment and ignore any attempts she made to contact you before you left. She would be better off without you, she didn’t actually care about you if she didn’t know you well enough to realize you were trying to say goodbye. God, she must actually hate you. Your chest tightens and your throat aches as you once again try to stand.

Tank pulls you into another hug before you can, she leans across her couch and buries her face into your chest. Her robotic arms lock around you, comforting and solid, and you melt into the embrace. Every inch of anger and panic you were feeling escape in a flood of tears while you grip onto Tank, a lifeboat in a storm, and she just holds you until you’re done sobbing.

Once you were, she plants a chaste kiss on your lips and gets up to go make coffee. The emptiness of her side of the couch makes you feel so small that you might vanish between the cushions if you shift in the wrong way. You’re tired now. Your body is heavy and stiff from the walk, from the cry, from the tension of the news, from the heat, from everything it had gone through in the past 24 hours and everything it will go through in the next 24.

⠀ You and Tank talk over coffee for a while. You explain to her everything for the first time. You tell her about The Game. You tell her about Skaianet. You tell her about your life as a Troll, you even go into details about what it was like trying to feed your mother before she died and the terror that you might be the next meal if you didn’t keep it up. She does an excellent job of active listening, even for the things you know she couldn’t possibly understand. Partway through, she lights her weed cig back up and you trade off until the roach smoulders and you’re both floating through the remainder of the conversation.

It’s probably an hour or three later by the time you’ve talked enough for five separate people. Tank knows you now more intimately than anyone else on this side of the fourth-wall, maybe even more than the puppeteer pulling the strings. You once again tell her that you might not come back from this one, that if there was a version of yourself strong enough to give Skaianet the slip and integrate into a different Universe while being wholly disconnected from the safetynet of respawn, she might be stronger than you. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

You expect Tank to try and console you, to tell you that no, of course not, you’re the better Vriska and she has no idea what you were capable of- which you know to be a lie before Tank even says it. You’re older now, you’ve slowed down, you’ve gotten comfortable and weak. Being so far away from canon, stripped away from your peers and your social ranking, it’s changed you. Tank surprises you by looking grimly for a moment, and asking about Anna.

Anna was your ‘Understudy’. She was a girl you’d rescued from Skaianet a few years back, the lone survivor of her SBURB session. She’d come through around the same time as El had, maybe around the same time as Sollux had, and you’d just so happened to be at the compound while she was being debriefed. She was a Rogue of Hope, you hadn’t managed to get much information about what her session had looked like in your time teaching her how to run L8dy’s Country but you were damn sure if anybody could take up the throne, it’d be her.

⠀“Anna’s good. She doesn’t know I’m leaving, but I’m sure she’d step into my shoes no fucking problem. I don’t really want to tell her that I’m going on the off-chance I come back.” You let out a tired laugh. “Y’know… just in case she tries to take over while I’m gone and I’m too beat up when I get back to claim my rightful place again.”

Tank laughs disingenuously but you appreciate the gesture. She understands the implications of LC’s politics.

“...do you want to kill her? The other you?” Tank asks.

The question seems odd, out of place. Your brows knit as you think about the answer. Did you? You remember that at one time you’d desperately wanted to be the ‘ultimate’ Serket, to be the shining example that all other alternates were graded by, but that felt like so long ago. You remember the bitterness you felt about being Canon, about having your victory torn away from you, and about how much harder you felt you had to work than some of the other Vriskas you saw puttering about in their 'Victories'.

If Tank had asked you that question five years ago, your answer might be different. Right now, however...

⠀ “No, not really. I mean good for her, right? She got out of this shithole. No more sandstorms and heat rash and fucking... water treatment plant failures. Bandit raids. If she managed to fuck off and stay fucked off for however long she has, I kind of feel like the asshole going there and like… not even bringing her back, just obliterating her in whatever life she’s built for herself out there.”

Tank picks some loose threads on the hem of her couch. “Then don’t.”

You laugh. 

‏‏‎Tank doesn’t.

“I’m serious. Don’t kill her if you don’t want to.”

“If I don’t, L8dy’s Country will fucking fry Tank, I can’t do that to everybody.”

“You don’t really think that Skaianet would do that, do you?”

You shrug. “I do, kind of. I don’t have any reason to think they wouldn’t. They let everyone on Earth suffer while they bunkered down for the apocalypse. I don’t think a bunch of rebel yokels working off of a fucking barter system have any value to people who throw away shoes when they get a single scuff on them.”

Tank doesn’t like that answer, but she accepts it.

“...I just don’t think you should do something you really don’t want to do. Like you said, sounds unfair for you to waltz up there and throw a wrench in shit just because some stuffy assholes told you to. Doesn't really sound like you, Spin.”

It didn’t, and you hated that.

⠀ The conversation dies off, you change the subject a bit but nothing really sticks as things come to a natural conclusion. Tank offers to drive you back home and you decline, knowing that she couldn’t possibly do that safely if you were feeling as fuzzy as you were after just a couple hits. Coffees are finished, hugs and kisses are given, and you find yourself back on the now darkened streets of L8dy’s Country.

The nightlife is incredible. Neon signs that have been salvaged and repurposed cut through the darkness, scattered windows have warm yellow-orange light from a mix of candles and incandescent bulbs, and the streets are lined with various scumbags loitering about and making ‘illegal’ trades. You felt more at home with this crowd than you did the families that met you on your way in. You even get to punch a guy in the face who hits on you persistently even after you told him to fuck off, which felt amazing.

Soon you’re back home, though, and the wall of noise and smell hits you the second you walk through the entryway to L8dy’s Mansion. The casino is bustling, wild and busy for a Wednesday night. People were still spending their chips and vouchers from the 8/8 Cele8r8tion and the noise of the machines and the hoots and hollers of the guests bring your headache back in full force. 

It doesn’t take long to snake your way through service hallways and elevators to get back up to your office, where you find the night’s dinner sitting under a silver cloche and a long island iced tea sitting with its glass absolutely drenched in sweat, not an ice cube in sight. You make your way around the back of the desk and find your seat, swiveling into place. 

⠀ ‎ Something you hadn’t seen from your doorway was the little slip, no bigger than a playing card, sitting in front of the covered meal. Its front is embossed with the sickly, almost neon-lime loops and crosses of the Game Emblem, Skaianet’s emblem. You don’t want to open it. You slide it to the side, up by your computer mouse, and decide to have dinner first so as not to spoil it.

Dinner was some sort of seafood chowder and a couple legs of king crab, cooled to room temperature and just barely palatable because of how long it’d been sitting. The biscuit that had come along with it had gotten soggy from the condensation on the inside of the cloche. You choke it down and leave a shallow film of soup in the bowl, too anxious to finish it.

Opening the card was next.

You wait several beats, willing something, anything else to happen to steal your attention away, but nothing comes.

It’s just you, the silence of your room, and the card on the table.

You open it.

In very sterile print, Courier New font, are your assigned coordinates and a brief description of the other You's location.

It’s familiar to you. Of course she would go there, it was so similar to home. She would’ve known its layout like the back of her hand, especially after the bullshit she went through with TJ. 

‏‏⠀ It’s Pandora. 

‏‏‎⠀ Of course it’s Pandora.

----

>[Pt. 4]

[marketanalysisdata]

Vertical Farming Market Analysis And Segment Forecast till 2030

The global vertical farming market was valued at USD 6.92 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.1% from 2023 to 2030. This rapid growth is driven by several key factors, with one of the primary drivers being the increasing adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices to produce fruits and vegetables. As the global population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, there is an escalating demand for urban agriculture solutions, particularly in cities where traditional farming space is limited or unavailable. Vertical farming, which involves growing crops in stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, is well-suited to meet these demands, offering a more sustainable, space-efficient method of food production in urban environments.

The vertical farming market is currently in a high-growth stage, marked by significant technological innovation. Various advanced technologies, including sensors and cameras, are being increasingly integrated into vertical farming systems to enhance resource efficiency, improve crop yields, and address challenges such as limited space and environmental constraints. Additionally, technologies like hydroponics (growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution), aeroponics (growing plants in air or mist without soil), LED grow lights (to simulate sunlight), and automation systems (for enhanced precision and efficiency) are frequently employed to improve farming outcomes, optimize energy use, and boost overall crop quality.

The growth of the vertical farming market can also be attributed to several broader trends, such as steady population growth, government incentives, the limited availability of cultivable land, and an increasing demand for high-quality, fresh food. Another important factor is the growing consumer demand for organic food, which has positively impacted the vertical farming sector. As more consumers place higher value on organic and locally grown products, vertical farming offers a viable and scalable solution to meet this demand, providing fresh, nutritious produce in a sustainable manner.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Vertical Farming Market

Regional Insights:

In terms of revenue, Europe led the vertical farming market in 2022, holding a market share of approximately 31.7%. Europe is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period (2023-2030). The region’s strong market position can be attributed to growing awareness about the importance of alternative farming solutions, particularly due to challenges such as scarcity of fertile agricultural land and the effects of population growth. The shift towards urban agriculture in Europe is being driven by the need for more efficient food production methods in cities with limited space.

Europe is also expected to experience significant growth in the vertical farming sector due to the expansion of genetically modified (GM) crop technology and advancements in nanotechnology and robotics for farming. Nanotechnology, in particular, is helping improve food packaging, optimize disease and pest control, and boost overall crop performance, making it a key technological enabler in the region's vertical farming industry.

The European Environment Agency has launched several initiatives aimed at building vertical farms to address ongoing challenges related to population growth, climate change, and the need for more sustainable food production methods. These efforts are expected to continue driving market demand in the region as governments and private entities invest in sustainable agricultural solutions.

In Africa, the vertical farming market is anticipated to grow due to the increasing urbanization and the commercialization of indoor farming. As cities expand, there is rising demand for space-efficient farming solutions. However, the region faces significant barriers to growth, including lack of financial resources to build modern vertical farming systems, as well as limited access to water and land. To overcome these challenges, innovative farming models, such as vertically stacked wooden crates and sack gardens, are being explored and adopted. These low-cost alternatives provide a way to practice vertical farming in resource-constrained environments, offering a potential avenue for growth in the region.

Browse through Grand View Research's Category Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

The global cannabis vertical farming market size was estimated at USD 487.5 million in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2025 to 2030.

The global field device management market size was valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2025 to 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The vertical farming market is relatively fragmented, with several key players operating across different regions. Some of the prominent companies driving the market include Agrilution GmbH, Aerofarm, Brightfarms Inc., Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd., Freight Farms, GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd., Green Sense Farms, LLC, and Vertical Farm Systems. These companies are at the forefront of innovation in vertical farming technologies, working to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and scalability of urban farming solutions.

Vertical Farm Systems is focused on developing fully automated growing systems that use reusable mediums and energy-efficient climate cells. The company integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to optimize growing conditions, allowing for more efficient farming with less human intervention and higher precision in crop management.

Brightfarms Inc. is an indoor farming company that specializes in fresh packaged salads grown in controlled environments. The company emphasizes the development of efficient vertical farming systems that prioritize resource efficiency and sustainable practices. Their products are sold locally, reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

Bowery Farming is another emerging player in the market, providing vertical farming solutions combined with digital agriculture The company, based in New York, operates farms in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, using data-driven insights to optimize crop growth and improve operational efficiency. Bowery Farming is expanding its footprint in the U.S. and continues to focus on sustainable farming practices that can scale with increasing urban populations.

Aerofarm is a S.-based indoor farming company that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and plant biology to enhance the efficiency and productivity of its vertical farming systems. The company’s mission is to address the shortcomings of the existing food system and improve the growth and quality of fresh produce through advanced, sustainable farming techniques.

These key players are actively developing and implementing new farming technologies to meet the increasing demand for sustainable, high-quality produce while reducing the reliance on traditional farming methods that are often constrained by land and resource limitations. Their efforts are focused on improving crop yield, reducing environmental impact, and driving the global adoption of vertical farming techniques.

Key Vertical Farming Companies:

AeroFarms (U.S.)

Illumitex, Inc. (U.S.)

American Hydroponics (U.S.)

Agrilution GmbH

Brightfarms Inc.

Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd.

Freight Farms

GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd.

Green Sense Farms, LLC

Vertical Farm Systems.

Order a free sample PDF of the Vertical Farming Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[marketstudyreport]

Vertical Farming Industry Outlook, Research, Trends and Forecast to 2030

The global vertical farming market was valued at USD 6.92 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.1% from 2023 to 2030. This rapid growth is driven by several key factors, with one of the primary drivers being the increasing adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices to produce fruits and vegetables. As the global population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, there is an escalating demand for urban agriculture solutions, particularly in cities where traditional farming space is limited or unavailable. Vertical farming, which involves growing crops in stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, is well-suited to meet these demands, offering a more sustainable, space-efficient method of food production in urban environments.

The vertical farming market is currently in a high-growth stage, marked by significant technological innovation. Various advanced technologies, including sensors and cameras, are being increasingly integrated into vertical farming systems to enhance resource efficiency, improve crop yields, and address challenges such as limited space and environmental constraints. Additionally, technologies like hydroponics (growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution), aeroponics (growing plants in air or mist without soil), LED grow lights (to simulate sunlight), and automation systems (for enhanced precision and efficiency) are frequently employed to improve farming outcomes, optimize energy use, and boost overall crop quality.

The growth of the vertical farming market can also be attributed to several broader trends, such as steady population growth, government incentives, the limited availability of cultivable land, and an increasing demand for high-quality, fresh food. Another important factor is the growing consumer demand for organic food, which has positively impacted the vertical farming sector. As more consumers place higher value on organic and locally grown products, vertical farming offers a viable and scalable solution to meet this demand, providing fresh, nutritious produce in a sustainable manner.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Vertical Farming Market

Regional Insights:

In terms of revenue, Europe led the vertical farming market in 2022, holding a market share of approximately 31.7%. Europe is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period (2023-2030). The region’s strong market position can be attributed to growing awareness about the importance of alternative farming solutions, particularly due to challenges such as scarcity of fertile agricultural land and the effects of population growth. The shift towards urban agriculture in Europe is being driven by the need for more efficient food production methods in cities with limited space.

Europe is also expected to experience significant growth in the vertical farming sector due to the expansion of genetically modified (GM) crop technology and advancements in nanotechnology and robotics for farming. Nanotechnology, in particular, is helping improve food packaging, optimize disease and pest control, and boost overall crop performance, making it a key technological enabler in the region's vertical farming industry.

The European Environment Agency has launched several initiatives aimed at building vertical farms to address ongoing challenges related to population growth, climate change, and the need for more sustainable food production methods. These efforts are expected to continue driving market demand in the region as governments and private entities invest in sustainable agricultural solutions.

In Africa, the vertical farming market is anticipated to grow due to the increasing urbanization and the commercialization of indoor farming. As cities expand, there is rising demand for space-efficient farming solutions. However, the region faces significant barriers to growth, including lack of financial resources to build modern vertical farming systems, as well as limited access to water and land. To overcome these challenges, innovative farming models, such as vertically stacked wooden crates and sack gardens, are being explored and adopted. These low-cost alternatives provide a way to practice vertical farming in resource-constrained environments, offering a potential avenue for growth in the region.

Browse through Grand View Research's Category Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

The global cannabis vertical farming market size was estimated at USD 487.5 million in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2025 to 2030.

The global field device management market size was valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2025 to 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The vertical farming market is relatively fragmented, with several key players operating across different regions. Some of the prominent companies driving the market include Agrilution GmbH, Aerofarm, Brightfarms Inc., Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd., Freight Farms, GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd., Green Sense Farms, LLC, and Vertical Farm Systems. These companies are at the forefront of innovation in vertical farming technologies, working to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and scalability of urban farming solutions.

Vertical Farm Systems is focused on developing fully automated growing systems that use reusable mediums and energy-efficient climate cells. The company integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to optimize growing conditions, allowing for more efficient farming with less human intervention and higher precision in crop management.

Brightfarms Inc. is an indoor farming company that specializes in fresh packaged salads grown in controlled environments. The company emphasizes the development of efficient vertical farming systems that prioritize resource efficiency and sustainable practices. Their products are sold locally, reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

Bowery Farming is another emerging player in the market, providing vertical farming solutions combined with digital agriculture The company, based in New York, operates farms in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, using data-driven insights to optimize crop growth and improve operational efficiency. Bowery Farming is expanding its footprint in the U.S. and continues to focus on sustainable farming practices that can scale with increasing urban populations.

Aerofarm is a S.-based indoor farming company that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and plant biology to enhance the efficiency and productivity of its vertical farming systems. The company’s mission is to address the shortcomings of the existing food system and improve the growth and quality of fresh produce through advanced, sustainable farming techniques.

These key players are actively developing and implementing new farming technologies to meet the increasing demand for sustainable, high-quality produce while reducing the reliance on traditional farming methods that are often constrained by land and resource limitations. Their efforts are focused on improving crop yield, reducing environmental impact, and driving the global adoption of vertical farming techniques.

Key Vertical Farming Companies:

AeroFarms (U.S.)

Illumitex, Inc. (U.S.)

American Hydroponics (U.S.)

Agrilution GmbH

Brightfarms Inc.

Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd.

Freight Farms

GrowUp Urban Farms Ltd.

Green Sense Farms, LLC

Vertical Farm Systems.

Order a free sample PDF of the Vertical Farming Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[kamalafarms]

Aeroponic Farming for Urban Areas: Growing Fresh Produce in Indian Cities

As Indian cities continue to expand, the demand for fresh, locally grown produce is rising, while available farming land is shrinking. Traditional farming methods face challenges in urban areas, such as limited space, water scarcity, and soil contamination. This is where aeroponic farming in India comes in as an innovative solution, transforming how we grow food in densely populated cities.

What is Aeroponic Farming?

Aeroponic farming is a cutting-edge agricultural method where plants grow without soil. Instead, plant roots are suspended in the air and sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist. This process significantly reduces the need for water, space, and pesticides, making it an

ideal choice for growing fresh produce in urban settings. Aeroponic farming in India is particularly suited for high-density cities, where available land is scarce and water conservation is critical.

Why Aeroponic Farming is Ideal for Indian Cities

Space-Efficient:

Urban areas have limited space, making traditional farming difficult. Aeroponic farming in India allows vertical farming setups, utilizing minimal space while maximizing yield. A small rooftop or balcony can support the growth of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs, bringing fresh produce right to city dwellers' homes.

Water Conservation:

Water scarcity is a major concern in India, especially in urban areas. Aeroponic farming in India uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming methods, as plants are misted with only the necessary amount of water and nutrients, with no waste.

Faster Growth and Higher Yields:

With nutrients delivered directly to the roots, plants in aeroponic systems grow faster and healthier. This makes aeroponic farming in India highly efficient, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce even in densely populated cities.

Benefits for Urban Consumers

Aeroponic farming in India is not just beneficial for farmers but also for consumers.

With produce grown locally in urban settings, transportation costs and food miles are significantly reduced. This means fresher, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables delivered to city markets or directly to consumers’ homes. Urban residents can even engage in personal aeroponic farming in India, growing their own food on balconies or terraces.

The Future of Aeroponic Farming in India

As the population in Indian cities continues to grow, the need for innovative and sustainable farming solutions will become even more critical. Aeroponic farming in India offers a scalable, eco-friendly approach to growing fresh, pesticide-free produce in urban environments. With advancements in technology and increasing awareness, we can expect to see aeroponic farming in India become a key player in the future of urban agriculture.

To Know More   https://kamalafarms.com/the-role-of-aeroponic-farming-in-mitigating-climate-change-in-india/

[fathimashammas761]

Hydroponics Farming in the USA: A Sustainable Future

Introduction

Hydroponics farming is revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in the USA, offering innovative solutions to traditional farming challenges. This soilless method of cultivation allows plants to grow in nutrient-rich water, leading to faster growth rates, higher yields, and reduced resource consumption. In this post, we will explore the benefits of hydroponics farming, successful case studies across the USA, and practical tips for starting your own hydroponic garden.

What is Hydroponics Farming?

Best Hydroponics farms is a method of growing plants without soil, using a nutrient-rich water solution instead. This approach allows for precise control over nutrient delivery, leading to optimized growth conditions for various crops. By eliminating soil, hydroponics farming reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests, making it an ideal choice for urban environments and regions with poor soil quality.

Types of Hydroponic Systems

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): This system involves a thin film of nutrient solution flowing over the roots of plants, allowing them to absorb water and nutrients efficiently.

Deep Water Culture (DWC): In DWC, plants are suspended in a nutrient solution with their roots submerged in water. Air stones provide oxygen to the roots, promoting healthy growth.

Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain): This method periodically floods the plant roots with nutrient solution before draining it away, providing aeration and nutrients.

Aeroponics: In aeroponics, plant roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrient solution, maximizing oxygen exposure and nutrient absorption.

Benefits of Hydroponics Farming in the USA

1. Increased Crop Yield

Hydroponics farming in the USA can yield up to 30% more crops than traditional soil-based methods. The controlled environment allows for year-round growth, leading to multiple harvests per year.

2. Water Efficiency

Hydroponics uses up to 90% less water than conventional farming. The recirculation of water means that less is wasted, making it a sustainable option for regions facing water scarcity.

3. Space-Saving

Hydroponics systems can be set up vertically, making them ideal for urban areas with limited space. This approach allows farmers to maximize their output per square foot, increasing food production in densely populated regions.

4. Reduced Chemical Usage

With hydroponics, farmers can reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, as the controlled environment minimizes pest issues. This results in cleaner, healthier produce.

Hydroponics Farming Trends in the USA

Urban Hydroponics

Urban hydroponics is gaining popularity as cities seek sustainable solutions to food production. Vertical farms, such as AeroFarms in Newark, New Jersey, utilize hydroponic systems to grow leafy greens in repurposed warehouses, supplying local markets with fresh produce.

Educational Institutions

Many universities and colleges across the USA are incorporating hydroponics into their agricultural programs. Institutions like University of California, Davis, and Cornell University offer research and training in hydroponic farming, preparing the next generation of farmers for sustainable practices.

Community Gardens

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs are increasingly adopting hydroponics. These initiatives not only provide fresh produce but also educate communities about sustainable farming practices. Hydroponic community gardens are popping up in cities nationwide, fostering local engagement and healthy eating habits.

Successful Hydroponics Farms in the USA

1. BrightFarms

Based in New York, BrightFarms operates greenhouse hydroponic farms that supply supermarkets with fresh, locally grown produce. Their model emphasizes sustainability and community engagement, reducing food miles and promoting healthier eating.

2. Gotham Greens

Gotham Greens is a pioneer in urban farming, with greenhouses located on rooftops in cities like Chicago and New York. Their hydroponic systems allow for year-round production of leafy greens and herbs, contributing to local food systems and sustainability.

3. Plenty

Plenty is at the forefront of vertical farming technology, using advanced hydroponic systems to grow crops in controlled environments. With farms in several locations across the USA, Plenty aims to produce fresh food while minimizing environmental impact.

Getting Started with Hydroponics Farming in the USA

If you're interested in starting your own hydroponics farm, here are some practical tips to help you get started:

1. Choose Your System

Decide which hydroponic system best suits your needs. Beginners may find Deep Water Culture or Nutrient Film Technique to be more manageable, while experienced growers may want to explore aeroponics or vertical farming.

2. Select Your Crops

Begin with easy-to-grow crops like lettuce, herbs, or strawberries. These plants are well-suited for hydroponic systems and can help you gain experience before moving on to more challenging crops.

3. Invest in Quality Equipment

Purchase high-quality hydroponics equipment, including grow lights, nutrient solutions, and pH testers. Proper equipment will ensure optimal growth conditions and minimize the risk of crop failure.

4. Monitor Conditions

Regularly monitor your hydroponic system's pH, nutrient levels, and temperature. Maintaining the right conditions is crucial for healthy plant growth.

5. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about the latest trends and techniques in hydroponics farming. Online courses, workshops, and local agricultural extension programs can provide valuable knowledge and resources.

The Future of Hydroponics Farming in the USA

Hydroponics farming in the USA is poised to play a significant role in the future of agriculture. As the demand for local, fresh produce continues to rise, hydroponics offers a sustainable solution to food production challenges. With advancements in technology, hydroponic systems are becoming more efficient and accessible, paving the way for a new era of farming.

Innovations in Hydroponics Technology

The integration of technology, such as sensors and automation, is enhancing hydroponics farming. Smart systems can monitor plant health, optimize nutrient delivery, and even automate lighting, allowing farmers to focus on maximizing productivity.

Policy Support

Government initiatives promoting sustainable agricultural practices and investments in research are further driving the growth of hydroponics. As awareness of food security and environmental issues increases, hydroponics will become an integral part of the agricultural landscape.

Conclusion

Hydroponics farming in the USA represents a promising future for sustainable agriculture. With its numerous benefits, including increased yields, water efficiency, and reduced chemical usage, hydroponics is paving the way for a new era of farming. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, the world of hydroponics offers endless possibilities for innovation and growth.

[heathcareforallworld]

Micro Mesh Nebulizer Market Research: Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast to 2032

The global healthcare industry is experiencing significant transformation with advancements in drug delivery systems, and one such area seeing rapid evolution is the Micro Mesh Nebulizer Market. Micro mesh nebulizers are medical devices used to administer medication in the form of a mist that can be inhaled directly into the lungs, a critical treatment method for respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. These devices stand out from traditional jet and ultrasonic nebulizers due to their compact size, precision in drug delivery, and the use of advanced vibrating mesh technology. As the prevalence of respiratory diseases rises worldwide, the micro mesh nebulizer market is anticipated to experience robust growth through 2032. This article explores the market dynamics, drivers, challenges, and future trends shaping the micro mesh nebulizer market.

Market Overview and Growth Drivers

The micro mesh nebulizer market has been growing steadily due to the increasing incidence of respiratory disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death globally, with millions of people suffering from chronic conditions that require consistent treatment. Inhalation therapy, especially with nebulizers, plays a critical role in managing these diseases. Micro mesh nebulizers offer a more effective and convenient treatment option compared to traditional inhalers and nebulizers, which is driving their adoption.

Micro Mesh Nebulizer Market Size was estimated at 1,038.95 (USD Billion) in 2023. The Micro Mesh Nebulizer Market Industry is expected to grow from 1,119.68(USD Billion) in 2024 to 2,038.3 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Micro Mesh Nebulizer Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 7.77% during the forecast period (2025 - 2032).

Several factors are contributing to the growth of the micro mesh nebulizer market:

Rise in Respiratory Disorders: Respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD are becoming more prevalent, primarily due to increasing pollution levels, smoking habits, and urbanization. As these conditions require long-term treatment, the demand for nebulizers is growing, with micro mesh nebulizers becoming the preferred choice for their accuracy and portability.

Technological Advancements: Continuous advancements in medical technology are improving the efficiency and functionality of micro mesh nebulizers. These devices now offer quieter operation, faster drug delivery, and enhanced battery life, making them more appealing for both clinical and home use. This has led to higher adoption rates among patients and healthcare providers.

Aging Population: The global aging population is another key driver of the market. Older adults are more susceptible to chronic respiratory diseases, and nebulization is a preferred method of medication administration for this demographic due to its ease of use and effectiveness in delivering medication directly to the lungs.

Portability and Convenience: The portability of micro mesh nebulizers has revolutionized drug delivery for patients with respiratory conditions. Unlike traditional nebulizers, these compact devices can be easily carried, allowing patients to receive treatment on the go, enhancing their quality of life.

Challenges Facing the Market

Despite the promising outlook, the micro mesh nebulizer market faces several challenges that could impact its growth:

High Cost: Compared to traditional jet nebulizers, micro mesh nebulizers are relatively expensive due to the sophisticated technology involved. This can be a barrier for adoption in low-income countries or regions with limited healthcare budgets. However, as the technology matures and becomes more widespread, costs are expected to decrease, making the devices more accessible.

Competition from Other Drug Delivery Systems: Other respiratory drug delivery systems, such as metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs), are well-established in the market. These devices are often cheaper and more familiar to both patients and healthcare providers, which could limit the expansion of the micro mesh nebulizer market.

Regulatory Hurdles: Medical devices, including nebulizers, are subject to stringent regulations regarding safety and efficacy. Delays in regulatory approvals, especially in emerging markets, could slow down the introduction of new micro mesh nebulizer products, impacting overall market growth.

Market Segmentation and Regional Analysis

The micro mesh nebulizer market can be segmented based on product type, end-user, and region:

Product Type: The market can be classified into reusable and disposable micro mesh nebulizers. Reusable nebulizers are widely used in home healthcare settings due to their long-term cost-effectiveness, while disposable nebulizers are primarily used in hospitals and clinics for one-time treatments.

End-User: The key end-users of micro mesh nebulizers include hospitals, clinics, and home care settings. The home care segment is expected to witness significant growth, driven by the growing preference for at-home treatments, especially for chronic respiratory conditions.

Regional Analysis: Geographically, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the market, largely due to the high prevalence of respiratory diseases, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and the early adoption of new technologies. Europe follows closely behind, with a growing demand for portable nebulizers. The Asia Pacific region is projected to witness the fastest growth due to increasing healthcare expenditure, a rising aging population, and expanding access to healthcare services.

Future Trends and Market Outlook

The micro mesh nebulizer market is poised for substantial growth over the next decade, with technological advancements playing a crucial role in shaping its future. Manufacturers are focusing on developing more affordable, compact, and efficient devices to cater to a broader demographic. Moreover, the growing trend of telemedicine and home healthcare services is likely to fuel demand for portable and user-friendly nebulizers. Furthermore, strategic collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers to develop integrated drug delivery systems are expected to drive market innovation. With rising healthcare awareness, increased government support, and a growing focus on patient-centered care, the micro mesh nebulizer market is set to expand significantly through 2032.

[globalgrowthinsights]

Train Communication Gateways Systems Market Trends, Demand & Future Scope till 2032

Train Communication Gateways Systems Market provides in-depth analysis of the market state of Train Communication Gateways Systems manufacturers, including best facts and figures, overview, definition, SWOT analysis, expert opinions, and the most current global developments. The research also calculates market size, price, revenue, cost structure, gross margin, sales, and market share, as well as forecasts and growth rates. The report assists in determining the revenue earned by the selling of this report and technology across different application areas.

Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Train Communication Gateways Systems in these regions till the forecast period

North America

Middle East and Africa

Asia-Pacific

South America

Europe

Key Attentions of Train Communication Gateways Systems Market Report:

The report offers a comprehensive and broad perspective on the global Train Communication Gateways Systems Market.

The market statistics represented in different Train Communication Gateways Systems segments offers complete industry picture.

Market growth drivers, challenges affecting the development of Train Communication Gateways Systems are analyzed in detail.

The report will help in the analysis of major competitive market scenario, market dynamics of Train Communication Gateways Systems.

Major stakeholders, key companies Train Communication Gateways Systems, investment feasibility and new market entrants study is offered.

Development scope of Train Communication Gateways Systems in each market segment is covered in this report. The macro and micro-economic factors affecting the Train Communication Gateways Systems Market

Advancement is elaborated in this report. The upstream and downstream components of Train Communication Gateways Systems and a comprehensive value chain are explained.

Browse More Details On This Report at @https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com/market-reports/train-communication-gateways-systems-market-100575

 Global Growth Insights

Web: https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com

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[vapehk1]

E-Cigarette Market Boom: $35.9 Billion Growth Expected by 2028!

The global e-cigarette market is anticipated to expand by a whopping USD 35.9 billion from 2024 to 2028 in an electrifying update, escalating at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.09%. This surge is attributed primarily to the growing perception that e-cigarettes offer a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products. As innovation continues at a rapid pace, companies like Altria Group, British American Tobacco, and JUUL Labs are at the forefront, introducing cutting-edge e-cigarette devices that enhance user experience and offer personalized options. What's Driving the E-Cigarette Popularity? The market is seeing significant traction from hybrid vaping devices that combine the best of traditional and advanced vaping technologies. These devices cater to various vaping styles, from mouth-to-lung (MTL), which mimics the sensation of smoking a cigarette, to direct-to-lung (DTL) that produces more substantial vapor clouds. Features like adjustable wattage and temperature control are making vaping a more customizable and enjoyable experience. Despite the bright outlook, the industry faces hurdles such as health concerns related to vaping, which could slow down market growth. Also, the ever-evolving regulatory landscape continues to pose challenges that could impact the future trajectory of the e-cigarette market. Regional Insights North America is expected to contribute a significant 37% to the market's growth, with ongoing innovations and increasing consumer adoption shaping the industry landscape. However, the market is also gaining momentum globally, with significant contributions expected from Europe, APAC, and other regions. Is It Just Smoke and Mirrors? As the e-cigarette market fogs up with a predicted $35.9 billion growth, it's hard not to wonder if we're just blowing smoke or witnessing a genuine revolution in smoking alternatives. While the market outlook is as promising as a nicotine high, health concerns linger like a stubborn cloud of vape. But hey, isn't innovation all about rising above the mist? Read the full article

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Steeping Success: Insights into the Tea Market

Tea, a beloved beverage enjoyed by millions around the globe, holds a special place in cultures, traditions, and daily rituals worldwide. From its humble beginnings as a medicinal drink in ancient China to its widespread popularity today, tea has evolved into a diverse and dynamic market, offering an array of flavors, varieties, and brewing techniques to suit every taste and preference. In this article, we delve into the rich tapestry of the tea market, exploring its history, trends, and factors driving its enduring appeal.

The history of tea dates back thousands of years, with its origins rooted in ancient China, where legend has it that Emperor Shen Nong discovered the invigorating properties of tea leaves when they accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water. From there, tea cultivation and consumption spread along trade routes to neighboring countries and eventually across the globe, shaping cultures, traditions, and social customs along the way.

Today, the tea market encompasses a wide range of products, including traditional loose-leaf teas, tea bags, ready-to-drink beverages, and specialty blends infused with herbs, fruits, and botanicals. Consumers have an abundance of options to choose from, whether they prefer the bold and robust flavors of black tea, the delicate and fragrant notes of green tea, or the soothing and aromatic qualities of herbal infusions such as chamomile and peppermint.

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One of the key drivers of the tea market's growth is its perceived health benefits and association with wellness and mindfulness. Tea is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds that have been linked to various health benefits, including improved heart health, digestion, and cognitive function. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious and seek out natural and functional beverages, tea has emerged as a popular choice for its potential to promote overall well-being and vitality.

Moreover, the rise of specialty and artisanal teas has transformed the tea market, offering connoisseurs and enthusiasts a curated selection of high-quality, single-origin teas sourced from renowned tea-growing regions around the world. From the mist-covered mountains of Darjeeling to the lush tea gardens of Japan's Uji region, each tea variety offers a unique terroir, flavor profile, and brewing method that reflects its cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

Furthermore, the tea market has embraced innovation and sustainability, with a growing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging, ethical sourcing practices, and traceability throughout the supply chain. Tea companies are partnering with growers and cooperatives to ensure fair wages, labor practices, and environmental stewardship, while also investing in research and development to improve cultivation techniques, yield, and crop resilience in the face of climate change.

In conclusion, the tea market continues to thrive and evolve, driven by a combination of tradition, innovation, and changing consumer preferences. As tea enthusiasts explore new flavors, brewing methods, and experiences, the market is poised for continued growth and expansion, offering endless possibilities for discovery and enjoyment. Whether enjoyed as a morning pick-me-up, a soothing bedtime ritual, or a social gathering with friends, tea remains a timeless and beloved beverage that transcends borders and cultures, steeping success for generations to come.

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Industrial Air Purifiers Know in Detail about the Global 5G Communication Market Analysis, Forecasts, and Overview and Market Development

Industrial Air Purifiers Market Outlook — 2027

The global industrial air purifiers market size is expected to reach $4,164.2 million in 2027, from $2,711.0 million in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2020 to 2027. Industrial air purifier is a device used for purifying indoor air in industries to maintain healthy and safe environment for employees. It is also called as industrial air cleaner, and is available in both portable and non-portable types. Industrial air is primarily contaminated by the particulates let out during various processes such as metal processing, food & beverage processing, wood working, and welding. This fuels the need for industrial air purifiers, which are highly efficient in combatting bacterial and nonbacterial pollutants with the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and molecular filters. These filters particularly capture smoke particles, fine dust, mold spores, and fumes & oil mist.

The global employment in industries has been propelling significantly in the recent years, owing to increase in demand for processed food and metal fabrication. Individuals employed in such industries face direct impacts of the unnatural environment in enclosed industrial space. For instance, the general working shift time of an employee in industry is eight to nine hours. During this period, the employee constantly inhales smoke, fumes, and other small dust particles induced through industrial processes. Such employees face severe health hazards, which may cause prolonged negative effects. Thus, for maintaining indoor industrial environment and to promote safety of employees, the deployment of industrial air purifiers is necessary. This boosts the growth of the global industrial air purifier market. Moreover, air pollution is one of the major cause for health and environmental problems on the global scale. Formation of thick smog and rise in frequency of acid rain have indicated that the outdoor air pollution has been increasing at an alarming rate. In industrial workspaces, the indoor air quality (IAQ) is majorly degraded by the presence of dust and fine particles generated by the activities carried out in factories such as welding, metal cutting, and use of powdered ingredients in food processing. These processes generate smoke, chemical fumes, and fine dust, which stay concentrated in the enclosed industrial spaces, thereby affecting the occupants to a large extent. This creates a demand for industrial air purifiers to improve the air quality of the enclosed industrial spaces, which, in turn, drives the growth of industrial air purifiers market.

The global industrial air purifier market is segmented into type, portability, end-user industry, and region. By type, the market is categorized into molecular and particulate. On the basis of portability, it is classified into portable and non-portable. Deepening on end-user industry, it is segregated into food & beverage, metal processing, agriculture, construction, and others.

The global industrial air purifier market is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa). Asia-Pacific held the largest market share in 2019, whereas LAMEA is expected to grow at the fastest rate throughout the study period.

Competition Analysis

The key market players profiled in the report include Camfil, Honeywell International Inc., SPX Corporation, Trotec GmbH, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Euromate BV, VFA Solutions B.V., Daikin Industries, Ltd. (AAF International), Airoshine Air Purifiers, and Mankastu Impex Pvt. Ltd. (Atlanta Healthcare).

Many competitors in the industrial air purifiers market have adopted product launch as their key developmental strategy to expand their industrial air purifier product portfolio. For instance, in February 2020, the company Camfil launched Megalam EnerGuard and Absolute V. Megalam EnerGuard filters for cleanroom applications. These filters are low in cost and offer significant energy efficiency. The Absolute V. HEPA filters are termed as most energy-efficient filters and provide more than 20% energy savings. Similarly, the players are adopting acquisition strategy to strengthen their foothold in the industrial air purifiers industry. For instance, in February 2017, the company Parker Hannifin acquired the company Clarcor based in the U.S. Clarcor majorly provides industrial air filters and air purifiers.

Full Report With TOC:-https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/industrial-air-purifiers-market-A06290