#Laptop with more features in less price

[mint-yooxgi]

Lethal Protectors - Yandere!Vampires!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Vampire AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader

Words: 6,410

Warnings: Violence and blood. Implied stalking. Past trauma and mentions of a physical assault which almost need in death. Scars. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Well, I never expected this to become this long, but it's based on a dream I had during a nap I took last night lol. Not much, but I hope you enjoy! As always feedback is greatly appreciated!

The trip back to your hometown was meant to be short. Nothing more than a pitstop, really. Say hello to your family, maybe even some friends, then be on your way again. You never expected it to turn into a full month. A month filled with people constantly telling you to stay away from them.

Who were they, and why did the eight of them always suddenly seem to miraculously appear around you whenever you were out? 

You’d go to the store for some food, and suddenly Yeosang and Seonghwa are bickering in the next aisle over about the prices for cereal, while San and Wooyoung gather produce. Other times, you’d run out to grab coffee in the mornings for yourself and your family, only for Hongjoong and Yunho to appear in line behind you, chatting you up about the weather the town has been having lately. You’ve ran into Mingi and Jongho more times than you can count at different thrift stores, that you’re starting to think they might be stalking you.

The odd thing is, growing up in such a small town, you think you’d remember them. It’s not that they aren’t nice people, or so they seem. You just trust your neighbour, Missus Benson who you’ve known for years over eight complete strangers.

Then, the rumours started. Your old school delinquent who’s always had it in for you wanted to ‘talk’. You know exactly what that’s code for, so you started going out less and less, being cautious to always go out with either your parents, or someone you knew to avoid running into an ‘old friend’.

Only, you weren’t the only one that noticed.

Over the past month, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, you have been growing closer to those eight mysterious men. Yunho and Wooyoung never fail to make you laugh, or crack a smile, even unwillingly. Seonghwa and Jongho are always there with recommendations for natural remedies for sudden aches and pains. Both Hongjoong and Mingi quite enjoy talking to you about music, a topic you never really got to discuss in full with any of your other friends, and both San and Yeosang are great at giving advice, even subtly.

It’s a cold Thursday morning when you coincidentally run into Yunho at the coffee shop. He looks concerned, but as soon as you bring it up, it’s like his expression does a one-eighty.

“Just worried about you, is all.” He smiles politely. “Haven’t seen you around lately.”

The corner of your lips twitch upwards as you tense, “Been busy.”

“Is everything okay?” His brow furrows, concern immediately washing over his features.

“Yeah…” Movement outside the coffee shop draws your attention, and you’re quick to head towards the side entrance. “Sorry, Yun, I’ve really got to go. Talk to you later?”

The sound of the front bell jingling is synonymous with the side door slamming shut, the tall male standing there as he blinks in shock. Clearly something isn’t right, and when he turns back around to face front, he thinks he gets his answer.

***

It’s a misty Monday morning when you find yourself beginning to feel too cooped up in the house. Your whole mind is wound, and every little thing seems to set you off - your mother not muting her phone when she watches funny little videos, the sound of your father’s typing on his laptop. Hell, even the sound of the dog’s nails on the floor running back and forth as your sister plays with him is grating on your every nerve. 

Which is why when the mid-afternoon rolls around, you decide that you’ve had enough.

“I’m going for a walk!” You call out, not even waiting for a response as you sling your jacket over your one shoulder, and step outside.

The front door slams shut behind you, finalizing the sudden decision. You’ll take your chances traversing the familiar forest across the street. Ryder doesn’t live in this immediate neighbourhood, anyways, and it’s far too dreary a day for him to be out and about. At least, in your opinion.

Sliding your jacket onto your arms, you’re quick to cross the street. The area seems particularly quiet, but with the grey clouds hanging in the sky, the mist clinging to the air, you understand why.

A small smile tugs at your features as you pause just before the one entrance to the forest. It’s been a while since you went traversing through the woods like you were a kid again, and you can already feel the calming effects of the crisp air cooling your every sense.

Without another thought, you begin.

You walk your old path twice before deciding to sit yourself down at your favourite spot, just beside the small pond in the middle of the woods. A fallen tree provides a natural bench as you stare out across the water, some ducks swimming across the surface. 

You can hear the sounds of natural all around you: leaves rustling as the wind drifts through the trees, bugs humming in the background while animals forage for food. Every now and then, you can hear feet shuffling in the underbrush as a couple or two walk by with their dog, holding hands and smiling at you politely as you turn to say hello.

It’s been a while since you’ve fully submersed yourself like this, and to say you’ve missed it would be a huge understatement. Getting out of the house, especially on a day like today, a day with weather you’ve always been fond of, has done wonders for your mood. Enough so, that you practically forget all about Ryder for the moment. Or, at least, he doesn’t worry you as much as before. Really, what can he do to you now that he didn’t back then?

The sound of approaching footsteps trudging along the path draws your attention. Turning reveals a girl about your age with shoulder length golden locks hanging in loose curls approaching you. The closer she gets, the more you realize how blue her eyes are, and just how familiar she looks.

Her head tilts as she pauses in her steps, a curious call of your name falling from your lips. “Do you remember me?”

You smile, standing back to your feet as you face her. “Of course I do!”

She mirrors your expression as you both hug each other.

“It’s good to see you again, Gabrielle!” You comment, pulling away from her for the moment. “I haven’t seen you since elementary school.”

“You look so different!” She chuckles. “Then again, I imagine so do I.”

You nod, sharing a small laugh with her.

“I know we weren’t really close in school, but would you like to walk with me for a bit and catch up?” She offers, motioning down that all too familiar path that leads to the side roads.

“Sure!” You readily agree, already falling into step beside her.

The two of you talk for about an hour, sharing some details of your lives and what you’re up to now-a-days. Only, you see her brow furrowing slightly in worry as you approach that little pond area you first met once more.

“You mentioned meeting some new faces when you came back for a visit,” she chews on her bottom lip. “Did I hear you right when you said you’ve met Yunho?”

Your own brow furrows slightly, “Yeah. What about him?”

“He and his friends are no good.” She warns you, suddenly grabbing your arms in her hands. “You need to stay away from them.”

“Why does everybody keep saying that?” You shake your head, not quite understanding their concern. “They all seem like nice guys to me.”

“They showed up in town about two years ago, right around the time those animal attacks started happening.” She explains. “So many people have been run out of town, or have left because of them.”

“The guys, or the animal attacks?” You inquire, this being the first time you’ve heard anything about there being any sort of animal attacks nearby.

“It doesn’t matter,” she shakes her head. “They’re dangerous people. Don’t go anywhere near them.”

“No, the person I need to stay away from is Ryder.” You comment, gently removing her hands from your arms. “He still seems to hold a grudge towards me since high school.”

“He followed you to high school?” She blinks, almost dumbfounded, at you.

Quickly, you shift your head from side to side, as if checking if the coast is clear. You’ve had this sneaking suspicion that you’re being watched ever since you entered the forest, but it’s only just recently gotten stronger. Once you determine that no one is around, you motion her closer.

“Gabi, he almost killed me.” Your voice is no more than a whisper as a harsh wind blows passed. Gently, you grip the edge of your shirt, shifting slightly to raise it to about the bottom of your ribs.

Her eyes widen, a gasp escaping her lips as her hands come up to cover her mouth.

“Final year, he cornered me in the locker room.” You let the material of your shirt fall back down to cover the jagged scar on your body, spanning from below your ribs on your right side, all the way across your stomach, and almost to your left hip. “Didn’t even use a blade, but a broken piece of glass from the window he smashed to get in.”

“That’s horrible!” Her whole body trembles. “I’m so sorry that happened!”

“Because it happened before his eighteenth birthday, they couldn’t try him as an adult yet. He got two months in juvie and a slap on the wrist. I got twenty-four stitches, and six months in recovery.” You avert your gaze. “I’m assuming he’s looking for me to finish what he started.”

“But why?” She meets your gaze, tears lining her vision.

“I don’t know,” you shrug, straightening out the front of your jacket. “I never asked, nor did I want to.”

“You should get home, then!” She replies frantically, checking her watch. “Ryder and his gang enjoy hanging out at that entrance over there with their bikes in the evenings. It’s almost around the time he gets here.”

Frantically, she starts tugging your hand to lead you in the opposite direction.

Faintly, you begin to hear the sound of motorcycles revving in the distance.

“Hurry!” She tugs you along, sparing a glance behind you only for her eyes to widen. “Shit. I can just make out some of their bikes at the edge of the path. Sometimes they like to joyride through here cause it’s wide and flat enough. Let me see if I can go distract them for a bit. I’ll meet you at the front entrance in five!”

Without waiting for a response, she pushes you behind her and down the path. You can only watch as she scurries off towards the sound of revving bikes and obnoxious laughter.

Reluctantly, you part ways, looking back over your shoulder every now and then to see if you can still catch a glimpse of Gabrielle. Only, the further you get, the harder it is to tell if she’s alright. She took a big risk doing this for you, especially since you don’t really know her all that well anymore, and you both were never really close to begin with. Still, you will not forget her kindness that easily.

At least Ryder shouldn’t hurt her. From what you recall, he was always trying to impress her in elementary school.

Just as you breach the forest entrance she told you to wait by, your eyes widen. What if she did this to set you up?

No. Her shocked reaction was too genuine to fake. Besides, she was never like that before, and you do not think she’s like that now. Either way, she should be back with you in a minute.

Five more minutes pass by, and you’ve still yet to see any sight, nor hear any sound of Gabrielle. Your worry skyrockets with each passing second, and you know you’re not that far from the side road if you decided to cut through the bush. Something must have happened.

At the shriek of fear you hear faintly in the distance, you know something’s wrong. Even that creeping sense of being watched has left you about twelve minutes ago, and you don’t know what’s going on. Either way, you’re not going to leave Gabi to the same fate you suffered under at the hands of this man. If he wants you, then that’s exactly who he’s going to get.

It takes you less than two minutes to reach the entrance at the side of the road, creeping along the trees to avoid being seen for as long as you can. You turn your head left to see nothing, only to turn right and see about six males sitting around on motorcycles, Gabrielle being held in their midst. She struggles to free herself, a switchblade being pressed to her throat by Ryder who wears a smug grin as he whispers lowly into her ear.

“Ryder.” Your stern voice draws all of their attention as you step out of the woods. “Let her go.”

“Ah, there you are.” He hums, fingers tightening on the back of Gabrielle’s neck. “Took you long enough to show up. You know I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Let her go, she has nothing to do with this.” You keep your voice calm, hands raised defensively in front of you as you keep a fair amount of distance between you and the six men. “You wanted me, not her.”

“I suppose you took the bait easily enough.” He chuckles, shoving Gabi to the ground.

Tears stream freely down Gabi’s cheeks as she scrambles away. All the other males offer her is condescending chuckles, tripping her as she attempts to escape.

Gabrielle runs over to you, a small scrape cut into the skin of her left eyebrow. Her hands once more find purchase on your arms, soft apologies falling from her lips.

“It’s okay.” You assure her. “Get home safely, I’ll be fine.”

She squeezes your arms, rushing back off into the suddenly silent woods and out of sight.

“So, you’ve finally returned after years of staying away, huh?” Ryder scoffs, standing from his motorcycle and slowly stalking towards you like a predator would its prey. “What made you stay? I thought you swore to never spend more than one evening in this town if you could.”

“Oh, you know,” you reply casually, backing up all the while. “Lease was about to renew, landlord raised the rent, apartment flooded. The usual.”

“Convenient,” he grins, and the sight only serves to unnerve you. “Had nowhere else to go expect dear old mom and dad.”

“You should know.” You reply bluntly.

Everyone you’ve talked to has explained how much of a deadbeat Ryder is. He’s always trashing the town and causing mischief, but he never gets penalized for it. Bastard’s dad is a cop, no wonder he only really got off with a slap on the wrist when he hurt you all those years ago.

“How’s that scar?” He tilts his head mockingly. “Did wonders to improve your ugly features. Too bad it didn’t kill you.” He pauses ten feet from you, that switch blade getting flipped menacingly in his hand. “Want some more?”

You run; without wasting another precious moment, you turn and flee.

The sound of revving engines reach your ears as you stick to the edge of the road. You’ll have better chances of a car coming by than with people walking through the woods this late in the evening. So, you take your chances on a flat path, sprinting along the wet pavement as the mist continues to hang in the air.

Only, you don’t get very far, for two of his lackeys nearly run you off of the road when they swerve in front of you. The others are quick to surround you, but you don’t even have much time to think before you feel yourself get harshly tackled to the ground.

Blow after blow is given to you, blood seeping out of cuts all along your body. Ryder lets each of his men take turns beating you, saving the knife until the very end when you can no longer feel your right arm, or the left side of your face.

Slowly, meticulously, he reopens that cut he gave you all those years ago. He’s not gentle, either, and all you can think of is that this is just like the first time, only worse. This time, there are witnesses who choose not to help you, screams and pleas of mercy falling on deaf ears.

“There,” he stands back to his feet, spitting on you all the while. “Maybe if you’re lucky, someone on their morning commute will find you.” He kicks you one more time for good measure as your vision begins to fade. “If you’re that lucky, this time.”

Nothing but the sound of their maniacal laughter echoes through your mind as they rev their engines once more. The last thing you see before your world goes black is the faint glow of taillights driving off into the distance.

***

You don’t know how much time has passed, but you do recognize a few things.

One: you’re terribly cold. You can barely feel your body, and consciousness is a battle to maintain as your whole being aches with a pain unlike anything ever before.

Two: you are no longer alone.

Someone seems to be calling your name frantically, your body being held within that person’s embrace. Their caress is tender, cautious not to aggravate your wounds any further than they already are.

Groggily, your eyes blink open, whole body tensing as you hear three unnatural roars sound from just off to your right.

“Tell them to calm down!” The voice holding onto you snaps at someone to their left. “They’re scaring her.”

Finally, your gaze refocusses, and you can just make out the features of the man holding you. Your lips part, his name but a muted whisper as you attempt to speak.

“Shhh,” Yunho coos, brushing a hand tenderly over the top of your head. “We’re here now. It’ll all be okay.”

Faintly, you register the sound of someone pacing just by your head.

“This is all my fault,” a deep voice sounds from above you. It must be whoever was pacing, for they seem to have stopped for the moment. “If I didn’t leave her alone to come get all of you, this never would have happened.”

“You did what any one of us would have, Yeosang.” Another voice replies, a slight sigh on his lips. “If we all hadn’t of gotten here when we did, it would be much worse.”

“Here,” Seonghwa comes to kneel beside you, his arm shaking as he brings his wrist to your lips, “Drink this.”

You try to protest, to resist the red liquid which pours soothingly down your throat, but you cannot. You are far too weak at the moment to do anything other than obey, and besides, you’ll probably die soon. So, what’s the difference if you comply with the wishes of a strange request?

Only, the moment the warmth touches your tongue, you begin to feel strength returning to you. Your breathing is evening out with every breath you take, your wounds slowly seeming to close. The pain is starting to dissipate, and you find you are regaining feeling in all parts of your body.

Your vision clears further, and you can see Hongjoong standing off to the side, both him and Wooyoung looking absolutely livid as the sound of snapping branches reaches your ears. Shifting your gaze, you see both Mingi and San rush out of the woods far too quickly for any human to do, dried blood coating their hands as dirt covers their arms.

Finally, the eldest pulls his wrist away, wiping at the small stain of red that coats your lips with his thumb. Silently, as he does so, the six others standing around you converge.

Yunho’s whole body shakes. You can feel it trembling against you as he pulls you into his chest. His grip is desperate, clinging to you for dear life as if you may disappear again at a moment’s notice.

“Who did this to you?” His voice is calm; deadly. Like the approach of an oncoming storm.

You look down, noticing the torn material of your shirt. Your hands shake as you watch that scar you’ve had for the majority of your life finish healing, the line you’ve become so accustomed to fading into nothing.

Blood still covers the majority of your body, yet all you can do is stare at your hands for the moment. Slowly, you raise them, touching the tips of your fingers to your thumbs, and counting to twenty in your mind. You blink a few times, still debating on if this is really happening or not.

You tilt your head, almost inquisitively, “How…”

“She’s in shock.” Jongho comments.

“Of fucking course she is!” San replies, clearly exasperated as he nearly tears his hair out of his skull. “We only found her bleeding out and on the verge of death at the side of the road!”

You flinch at his tone, and they all take a step towards you.

“Watch it, San.” Mingi warns.

“Like you are fairing any better.” Wooyoung snaps, arms crossed over his chest. “Tearing out the whole forest isn’t going to catch the bastard that did this to our ma-“

“Who did this to you?” Hongjoong’s inquiry is a tad softer than Yunho’s as he crouches beside you. His blond hair is pushed up and away from his face, hiding nothing of his expression of concern as he reaches for your hands. Still, he cannot hide the tremble in his own.

Your lips part, voice catching in your throat. Desperately, you attempt to find the words to say, but none seem to want to come out.

A blink, and Yeosang comes to crouch beside Hongjoong, drawing your attention to him for the moment.

“Was it Ryder?” He keeps his inquiry low, tone even as he meets your gaze.

After a moment of hesitation, you nod. Slowly.

The males all tense around you, but none so much as the one holding you.

“He was the one-“ Yunho swallows thickly. “The one that made you flee the coffee shop that day.”

Again, you nod.

“He gave you that scar you showed Gabrielle today.” Yeosang continues, and in the back of your mind, you wonder how he knew that. Though, from the way your injuries have miraculously healed, the rumours you’ve heard, and those roars that shook the area not even ten minutes ago, you’re starting to piece two and two together. “He did this to you."

The way you swallow, quite thickly at that, is answer enough.

“I’ll fucking kill him for touching you.” Wooyoung seethes, his eyes flashing beneath the dull light of the moon now peeking through the clouds.

“Bastard is lucky to still be fucking breathing right now,” San’s chest heaves with every breath, hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides.

Hongjoong stands back to his feet, turning his back to you as he methodically cracks his neck from side to side.

Gently, Yunho hands you off to Seonghwa, who is more than happy to cradle you in his hold.

“Jongho, Seonghwa, Yeosang, take her home.” Hongjoong rolls his shoulders, only to spare a glance back at you in the next moment. He smiles reassuringly before turning to face front, the others coming to stand beside him in a line. “The rest of us are going hunting.”

A blink, and the five other males have disappeared from sight.

Words of protest begin to form at your lips as you feel yourself being picked up quite easily by the eldest from the ground. You’re still trying to wrap your head around the events that have taken place before your very eyes, but the longer you think about it, the more your head begins to hurt.

“Shh,” Seonghwa coos into your ear, turning back towards the forest and beginning to walk down the path with the other two males in tow. “Just sleep.”

You want to fight it, but at the sudden fatigue that clouds your mind, you have no choice but to fall unconscious for the second time this evening.

***

This time, when you wake, the sound of a crackling fire greets your ears. You can feel yourself being held in someone’s embrace, a soothing hand being brushed over your back as you curl into what you assume is their chest. The odd part is, even though you remember everything, you feel safe, and you certainly feel warm.

A small groan escapes you, your hands coming up to rub at your eyes. You manage to push yourself the slightest bit away from whoever seems to be resting with you on the couch, feeling their chest shake with a chuckle as you nearly fall backwards onto the floor.

“Feeling better?” It’s Yeosang.

You blink, quite a few times at him laying in front of you, just casually holding you steady so you don’t go tumbling from the couch. 

“Uh, yeah.” You clear your throat. “Thanks.”

Slowly, with his help, you sit up. He helps you wrap the blanket you had been using around your shoulders, and that’s when you notice both Jongho and Seonghwa sit in the same room as you. Each male occupies a separate armchair, gazes locked on your form as they observe your every move with nothing but worry in their eyes.

“Are you okay?” Jongho leans forward the slightest bit, fingers desperately clutching at the sides of his chair as he looks to you.

You wrap the blanket tighter around yourself as you nod. 

You stare at the floor, keeping your voice low. “How did you find me?”

The three males share a look between one another.

“We-“ Seonghwa swallows thickly, averting his gaze to the side. “We could smell your blood.”

Before another word can be said from any of you, the sound of a door opening reaches your ears. Glancing up reveals five more men flooding into the room, red coving nearly every free inch of their skin.

Your eyes nearly bug right out of your head, especially when Wooyoung comes to kneel right in front of you, reaching for you with nothing but concern on his features. Only, you cannot help but to push yourself away from him, and as far back into the couch as you can go. 

His expression droops.

“Wooyoung.” Hongjoong hisses.

“Please don’t be scared of us,” he keeps his voice low, nonthreatening. “We would never hurt you.”

“Give her some space,” Yunho drags the male back by the collar of his shirt. “She nearly died tonight, the last thing she needs to be is crowded.”

Each male does not fail to miss the way you flinch at Yunho’s words.

“I understand why people told me to stay away from all of you, now.” You keep your voice low, clearing the roughness of your dry throat as you speak.

You notice the way they all tense, expressions falling, even if only the slightest bit.

“Are you scared of us?” Hongjoong’s tone is soft, nothing but a gentle inquiry as he meets your gaze.

“Should I be?” You quirk a brow. “Because I’m pretty sure if you were half as bad as people said you were, you would have left me for dead at the side of the road.”

This time, it’s their turn to flinch at the reminder of the state they found your body in.

“Right now, I need honesty.” You spare a glance around at all of them as you curl in tighter to yourself. “Can you afford me that?”

“Always.” Mingi breathes, taking a step towards you as if he wants to comfort you.

You take a deep breath in, “You all aren’t human.”

A statement which they pick up on.

“That is correct.” Yunho nods, swallowing somewhat thickly.

“You’re responsible for those animal attacks starting around two years ago that Gabi told me about.” Again, another statement.

“Yes and no,” San grimaces. “There were a few other covens that tried to follow us here. We ran them off.”

You can feel your heart pounding inside of your chest as you continue to stare at the floor. The fire crackles to the side.

“You’re vampires.”

A stillness passes over the room.

“We are.” Yeosang confirms, and he notices how you don’t necessarily retreat any further away from him on the couch this time.

You look up, sparing a glance around the room and fully taking in the bloody appearances of the five males who entered not that long ago. Your hands tighten on that blanket around your form. 

“You killed them, didn’t you?” The words are no more than a whisper on your lips, but they all still manages to hear.

“Of course we did.” Wooyoung states, rather firmly.

You meet his gaze. “Why?”

The eight males nearly blink in surprise.

“They hurt you.” Mingi replies, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “He hurt you.”

“Why go through all of these lengths to help me?” You spare another glance around the room at all of them.

They all seem to blink in mild surprise.

“Because you are important to us.” Hongjoong shifts to crouch in front of you, gently reaching over to clasp your hand in his own.

“You met me a little over three weeks ago.” You deadpan.

“We’ve been searching for you for much longer than that.” Seonghwa breathes out, shifting so that he’s sitting on the edge of his seat.

Your brow furrows. “What do you mean by that?”

“How much do you know about our kind?” San asks, sitting across from you on the opposite couch.

Your eyes narrow slightly at him, figuring this to be some sort of test. “I’ll admit, I’m rather ignorant when it comes to your ways. I don’t think Twilight or Dracula are good history books.”

Mingi and Wooyoung snort, “You’ve got that right.”

“Basics are the same,” Yunho says, beginning to list off, “We need blood, or blood substitutes to survive. Strength, speed, abilities, all the same.”

“Sunlight, garlic, and crosses are all null though.” Wooyoung shrugs, plopping on the couch right beside San.

“Though, there always seem to be one aspect never mentioned for our kind.” Yeosang mumbles, somewhat disappointedly.

“No, the wolves seem to get that aspect more than we do.” Seonghwa rolls his eyes, sitting back in his chair.

“Aspect?” You spare a look around the room before your eyes settle in on the soft brown ones of the male kneeling before you.

“There are many different words for it,” Hongjoong begins. “Fated, life partners, lost souls,” his eyes flash as he watches you carefully, “mates.”

Your head tilts forward in disbelief, “You expect me to believe vampires have soulmates?”

“Believe it or not, we do.” Yunho’s voice is but a mere exhale on his lips as he looks to you, a certain type of fondness suddenly shining there that you’ve never seen before.

Your head begins reeling.

“None of our kind really know how it works,” San looks down at his hands, beginning to pick at some of the dried blood lingering there. 

“It can happen at any stage in our lives, but there comes a point where we begin to feel drawn to a place.” Seonghwa explains.

“Sometimes it’s a hometown, other times it’s where they currently live.” Mingi adds.

“We all felt that pull,” Hongjoong breathes. “To here.” He meets your gaze. “To you.”

“We spent a full year in this area before we realized you were no longer living in town.” Wooyoung’s gaze drops to his lap, a sort of defeated longing taking over his features.

You notice how none of them meet your gaze now, and realization settles in your bones. 

You inhale sharply. “You tracked me.”

“When you’ve lived as long as we have, you begin to think these stories of so called ‘fated’ are simply legend.” Hongjoong admits. “So, when we finally felt that pull, we wanted to do anything to keep it.” He squeezes your hand gently. “To find you.”

A sort of ease lifts some of the tension from the room as it settles over the eight of them

“And we did.” Mingi smiles softly at you, blinking back the tears that suddenly spring to his eyes.

“Getting to know you was the next step,” Wooyoung says, a sort of eager gleam shining in his eyes now.

“Of course, we don’t know everything.” Yunho shoots him a pointed look.

“Once we knew you’d be coming for a visit back home, it made things a little easier,” Jongho admits, his fingers beginning to dance along the armrests of his chair.

Your eyes narrow suspiciously. “That’s sweet and all, but you only talked to me because fate told you to?”

“No!” Seonghwa is quick to protest, extending his arms in front of himself as panic crosses all of their features.

“We wanted to get to know you first, before truly deciding on anything.” Yeosang says, noticing how you turn your gaze to meet his own as he speaks. He smiles shyly, averting his eyes in the next moment.

Of course, they’re not going to tell you the lengths they went to just to get you to stay at your hometown for longer than you had planned. It’s not like they planned to let you leave them. Not when they’ve finally found you. Not when you’re finally theirs.

“And do I get a choice in this?” You quirk a brow.

The males all share a look.

“Of course you do!” Hongjoong assures you. “We would never force you to be with us.”

However, sabotaging any other partners you may desire is not completely off of the table. They’ll all make sure to appear as the best options for you. Them, and only them.

You nod in understanding. Beginning to push yourself off of the couch. Luckily, Hongjoong seems to pick up on your movements, helping you up and onto your feet in the next moment.

“This is a lot to think about.” You reply, rather bluntly. “A lot has happened, and I really just want to go to sleep.”

Seonghwa stands. “I’ll show you to your room.”

Again, your eyes nearly bulge out of your head.

“No.” You shake your head. “I am going home, and then we can discuss this later. Preferably when over half of you are not covered in blood from ripping someone apart.”

“Oh, believe me, Gorgeous,” Wooyoung grins, though it serves to unnerve your more than anything, “We did more than that to that bastard.”

Your whole body tenses, and you watch as San reaches over to smack Wooyoung upside the head.

“Ow,” he rubs at the tender spot, “What the hell was that for?”

At the jerk of San’s chin in your direction, Wooyoung takes in your tense state.

You blink, clearing your thoughts. “One of you, take me home.”

Turning towards the door you’re positive the five had entered from earlier, you begin to make your way out of the room. All eight of them are quick to follow, Seonghwa offering to drive you back to your place for the evening. Both Yunho and Hongjoong offered, but seeing as they’re both still bathed in blood, you opted to decline.

The whole drive back to your parent’s house is silent, Seonghwa attempting some small talk with you only for you to shut him down every time. You’ve been through a lot this evening, and there’s been a lot of information for you to process, so of course the eldest isn’t phased in the slightest. Ever the gentleman, he still bids you a goodnight, and waits until you get inside your house, and have turned on your bedroom light before driving off into the night.

That evening, as you lay in bed, all you can do is toss and turn. Your mind swims with everything you’ve learned, yet you find yourself more relaxed than anything. It’s as if this is always what was meant to be.

With that thought, you turn onto your side, clutching your pillow firmly to your chest. Not even ten minutes later, you succumb to sleep, breathing evening out as your curtains sway in the breeze.

Silently, eight presences enter your room, completely undetected beneath the light of the moon.

“That went better than planned,” Wooyoung comments, a giddy grin tugging at his lips.

“She seems to be taking things well,” Seonghwa nods his agreement.

“It helps that she already knows us.” Jongho hums, shifting in closer to your bed until he’s right beside your nightstand.

“We still don’t know if she’ll fully accept us.” Yunho reaches out for you, only to stop himself when he feels Yeosang’s hand on his wrist.

“Let’s not push our luck tonight, yeah?” He shoots a sharp look at the taller male.

“Either way, we’ll never let her out of our sights again.” There’s a low growl on San’s lips as he says this, filling the space with a promise which is echoed by each one of his brothers standing around you in that room.

“Nothing will ever bring her harm,” Mingi kneels behind the opposite side of your bed, hand gently resting on the edge so as not to alert you of his presence. The whole time, his eyes remain locked on your figure, dead heart racing with nothing but love as he gazes at you fondly. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“That we will.” Hongjoong hums, coming to kneel as close to your sleeping figure as he can. 

Softly, he trails his gaze over your body, noticing how you seem to shiver beneath the gentle breeze that flits through your room. He pulls your covers over your arms, risking a tender caress against your cheek once he’s done. 

“We’ll watch over you, Our Precious Fated,” He whispers lowly, hearing soft growls of agreement echo once more around the room from all of them. “You never have to worry about anything again. We promise: we'll always bring you home.”

[mingtinys]

Spiced Caramel and Rosemary

pairing : jeon wonwoo x gn!reader

fluff , humor , mutual pining , coffee shop !au , college!au , meet cute

warnings : language

word count : 2.7 k

requested ? no

a/n : i can't ever write oneshots in moderation. it's always 3k full standing fics. n e ways, dk best hype and wing man !!

Wonwoo has a routine. And while he doesn't consider himself to be a particularly rigid person, he doesn't often like to stray from it.

He isn't opposed to trying new things– the occasional night out with Seungcheol, karaoke at a bar downtown with Seungkwan, a new game with Chan; but he does find comfort in having a set schedule. Especially during weekdays. Wake up around nine. Go to classes until one. Grab lunch. Work out. And the most important part, be settled down with his laptop, textbooks, and notes by three, locked away in his favorite coffee shop with a subpar dark caramel cold brew in hand. Sure, it's not an award-winning cup-of-Joe by any means, but Wonwoo's always been a tad sentimental and considers the small shop his own little haven.

So, understandably, he's a bit irked when Seokmin flat-out refuses to negotiate on a study spot. Suggesting his own favorite shop a bit further from campus to work on their project. No matter how much Wonwoo vouches for his regular shop, Seokmin won't be deterred, insisting it's the only place he can actually focus at.

Ultimately, Wonwoo decides a little disruption to his routine is worth it if it'll provoke his normally restless partner into being studious for an hour or two.

"I promise, you're gonna love it!" He boasts. Wonwoo just hums in response.

It's no wonder he's never tried Seokmin's favorite spot, much less heard of it. The shop, known as "Local Brew," is tucked away in one of the many alleys in the maze that is the outskirts of campus. Unnoticeable unless you're already looking for it.

The outside is... definitely charming. Chipped brick overrun by moss and the occasional piece of chewed gum frame the glass entrance. The windows of which are scribbled over in neat, pretty writing. Vibrant pinks and yellows showcasing low prices, catchy promotions, and flowery doodles. Seokmin plows right through, sounding the ring of a bell.

A honeyed voice greets him immediately. "Seokmin! It's nice to see you again. Should I get the usual started?"

Wonwoo knows that voice. And subsequently, Wonwoo knows this is the point in which he is, for lack of a better word, absolutely and irrevocably fucked.

Seokmin however, marches on, blissfully unaware of how his friend's heart is in desperate need of some jumper cables. "Yes please, oh, and extra sweet!"

"You're gonna rot your teeth out one of these days, but you got it."

"You're the best," he sings.

"I see you brought a friend this time. What can I– Wonwoo?"

Wonwoo knows it's his turn to speak. But his lips can only form shapes of empty words, like a fish out of water gasping for air. He tries shaking his head, hoping the action will knock a brain cell or two together so he can form a sentence that isn't wholly embarrassing. Though the effects are like that of an Etch A Sketch and he turns up empty-headed again.

He clears his throat and pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, more of a nervous habit than an adjustment, and wings it. "Hi, Y/N, it's um, been a while."

It has in fact been two hours. Probably less.

Wonwoo's internally punching the walls right now. It's been a while? Is he serious? He literally saw you in class earlier. Honesty, could he sound more idiotic?

Your brow furrows and Wonwoo's just about to make a mad dash for the exit until your features soften and a grin tugs at the corners of your lips. "Yeah, I guess you could say so. Dr. Kang's class sure makes it feel that way, huh?"

Wonwoo forgets he's supposed to respond again, and the awkward stretch of silence that results is insufferable at best. He rushes out his next sentence. "I didn't know you worked here."

You happily nod. "Every Tuesday and Thursday. Sometimes weekends."

"I only come when Y/N's working," Seokmin reminds everyone of his presence. "They make the best coffee."

You visibly blush at that, "Ah, stop that. Seokmins easy to please, as long as it's sweet he's not too picky. I'd take his word with a grain of salt." Another pause. It's truly a wonder how Wonwoo manages to stay at the top of his class yet struggles to uphold a perfectly mundane conversation. He's stuck just marveling at you, cute and clad in your brown barista apron.

"So," you drawl out. "Were you looking to order anything?"

Right. He's at a coffee shop. He should order coffee. Wonwoo's eyes dart to the menu above your head, relieved he has an excuse to do something other than stand there like a deer in headlights.

"Sorry, it's his first time here." Seokmin whispers. Wonwoo is pretty sure he wasn't supposed to hear it, but his friend has never been great with subtlety.

"No worries, if you have any questions feel free to ask."

Why do you have to be so... radiant? Sweet. Patient. Kind. You. Geez, Wonwoo is down. Bad. Has been since the first day of class when you asked to borrow a pen. Even more so the second day when you took the empty seat next to him to return the utensil and never bothered getting up.

He nearly died when you asked for his number the following week. Claiming you'd need at least one friend in class to get through an entire semester of high-level calculus. Wonwoo isn't used to receiving the amount of attention you've invested in him. Usually, he finds a seat on the aisle and keeps to himself for the few classes he doesn't share with a friend. But you seemed to have no problem claiming him as your "calculus buddy" as you liked to call it, despite the multitude of empty seats you had to choose from.

And as much as Wonwoo doesn't want to be the fool that falls in love with the first person to show the slightest interest in him, he can't help but get a little giddy on the days he has calculus. The odds are stacked against him when it comes to his feelings for you. It's been two months since you asked for that pen, yet he still finds your presence warmer than the sun itself.

Though, at least he knows when he'll see you for class and can mentally prepare himself to not say something completely and utterly embarrassing for the hour you're next to him. But he's never considered the possibility of running into you beyond the walls of the mathematics building. So you can imagine the inner turmoil in his brain as he tries to formulate a way to get through this interaction with his ego unscathed.

"Uh, Wonwoo, you're holding up the line, buddy." Seokmin nudges him.

The line in question is just an elderly couple who seem like they couldn't care less about the wait. Rather caught up in surveying the pastry selection.

"Just get whatever you do at that other place," Seokmin suggests. Which is a genius idea, except another quick scan of the menu reveals you don't offer it.

Wonwoo looks to his friend pleadingly, "What did you get?"

Luckily, Seokmin is as perceptive today as he is sociable and extends Wonwoo a lifeline. "Why don't you just surprise him?" He says, which seems to pique your interest. "You can trust Y/N, that's how I found my favorite drink here!"

"I can do that!" Wonwoo isn't one for surprises. Though the excitement that’s radiating from your person at the proposition has Wonwoo agreeing instantly. "Any allergies or preferences?" 

"No, just nothing too sweet, iced if you can."

You nod and scribble something down on a clear cup.

Seokmin pays, and Wonwoo couldn't be happier to hide away in a booth in the furthest corner of the room. He lets his head fall into his hands, propped up on the table by his elbows. That couldn't have gone any worse. Wonwoo groans as someone shuffles into the seat across from him. He peeks through his fingers at who it is.

Seokmin's chin is rested in his palms, elbows propping him up all the way across the table to lean in way too close to Wonwoo. Judging by the wide, knowing grin on Seokmin's face, there's no escaping his friend's inevitable prying curiosity.

"Sooo... how do you know, Y/N?"

"We have calculus together," Wonwoo says shortly, hoping to curve Seokmin off the topic. It doesn't work, of course.

"I see, I see," his friend nods, pauses, then says, "And how long have you had a crush on them?"

The blunt question sends Wonwoo sputtering, drawing the attention of nearby patrons as he slaps his chest, trying to regain his composure and lung capacity. He mutters out apologies with pink-tinged cheeks to the surrounding tables. Clearing his throat once more, Wonwoo glares back at his instigator, who's wiggling his eyebrows, a little too happy with himself.

"That long, huh?"

"I'm never coming back here with you."

"Oh come on," Seokmin whines. "It wasn't that bad."

"I'm writing my Will tonight. You'll never see or hear from me again. I'm going to live in the woods far, far, away from any life on earth. Become a hermit and– what?" Wonwoo deadpans, giving his friend an incredulous look upon noticing his expression of wild bewilderment.

"Nothing," Seokmin put up his hands in surrender. "It's just weird seeing you like this. I mean, I've never seen your brain actually malfunction like that before. Like, you really—"

"I'm leaving."

"—Okay, okay, sorry." He grins sheepishly. "You're really worked up over them, huh? It's endearing. I feel like I've seen a new side to you Wonny!"

Wonwoo just sighs, giving up completely on trying to stop his friend's teasing. It's better if he just endures it until he eventually moves on to another topic.

"So, how do you plan on asking them out?"

"I'm not."

"What!?" Seokmin loudly exclaims, and Wonwoo shushes him as all attention falls on their table once more. He speaks again, though this time in a whisper. "Why not?"

Wonwoo shrugs, "I dunno, they're just so lively and outgoing and confident. I doubt I'm even their type." It's not that Wonwoo lacks any or all confidence in his character. Contrary to what others may think, he's quite content with himself. Hasn't ever felt a need to alter his personality or conform to those around him for the sake of making friends.

But people like you should really be with... well... people like you. Like Seokmin or Mingyu or hell, even Joshua.

It's Seokmin's turn to glare at Wonwoo now. "Wonwoo, my friend, my buddy, my pal. I say this to you with unwavering, trustworthy, unbiased—" Wonwoo doubts that "—factual, one hundred percent, certainty. You are like, the perfect boyfriend."

Wonwoo scrunches his face up at that.

"I'm serious!" Seokmin slaps his hands down on the wooden table, making it rattle, and starts listing off traits with his fingers. "Wonwoo, listen, your boyfriend-ability potential is through the roof. You're smart, built, super attentive, have great bone structure, and you've got that shy, quiet, mysterious, gamer-guy charm to you. People really dig that nowadays."

Wonwoo chews at his lip. As over-the-top and exaggerated as his friend's dazzling reviews of his supposed "boyfriend-ability" may be, it really does wonders to boost the morale. It has Wonwoo's confidence soaring, a newfound determination burning in his chest. Maybe he will ask you out.

Until the air around their table shifts and a fluttering presence eclipses any short-lived ambition.

"Sorry for the wait," You're smiling down at Wonwoo, two plastic cups in hand. "It took a while to figure out what you might like. But then I remembered you usually have something with caramel every time you come to class. Though if you hate it I'm more than happy to remake something for you!"

You're blushing madly, but all Wonwoo can focus on is the fact you pay him enough attention from day to day to know the contents of his coffee order.

You set the cup down in front of him, then hand Seokmin his. "I hope you enjoy!"

Wonwoo's useless brain fails him once more. "You too."

You're off and back behind the counter before Wonwoo registers his mistake. That's like strike twelve for him at this point.

"Ah, young love." Seokmin interrupts Wonwoo's sulking, biting down on his straw with the corner of his mouth.

"Shut up."

Wonwoo picks up his cup and examines its contents. It's noticeably darker and thinner than Seokmin's, but he still can't really tell what exactly it is. However, you'd think the coffee was brewed with holy water and magic fairytale beans by the way Seokmins already sucked down half of his.

Wonwoo rotates the cup, squinting at the scribbles of black sharpie on the side. Dark roast, spiced caramel, rosemary, oat milk.

"Rosemary?" He reads, shooting a look at his friend who stops slurping on his own to shrug. "That's an odd flavor."

"I've learned not to question Y/N's expertise long ago, they know what you like even if you don't. It's sort of creepy." He visibly shudders.

"What's yours?"

"Dark chocolate, cherry, vanilla, and whole milk, extra sweet."

"Fruit? In coffee? That doesn't sound like it'd be good." Wonwoo frowns, suddenly doubting the efficacy of his own beverage.

"Shall I go tell Y/N you think they're a terrible barista then?"

"No!" Wonwoo answers a little too quickly and a little too loud. He clears his throat. "—I mean, no, no it's fine. I'm merely saying it's unique, is all."

Seokmin places his hand over Wonwoo's wrist and physically shoves the cup toward his lips, causing the straw to jab into his skin. "Ow!" He complains, swatting at his arm.

"Oh my God, just drink it. I promise it'll be better than whatever boring, run-of-the-mill, bean-water, you get from that other place."

Wonwoo frowns and grumbles, "It's not boring." But he knows that's far true.

Hesitantly, he takes a sip. The spiced caramel hits his tongue first. It's a warm flavor, a pleasant contrast to the drink itself being cold. Then the rosemary edges in with a strong, yet not too overpowering taste. The oat milk blends everything together smoothly and leaves a nice aftertaste.

"Wow," the word slips out. Wonwoo pulls the drink back to examine it again, eyes wide. It's easily the best thing he's ever tasted, far better than, as Seokmin put it, his usual run-of-the-mill order. Wonwoo can't even fathom how your mind came up with a drink so addicting. If God is real, then Wonwoo's positive they have a dazzling smile and work at Seokmin's favorite coffee shop.

"Good, right?" Seokmin grins.

"Amazing."

"You know, if you asked Y/N out they'd probably make your coffee any time you asked~"

That's a pretty convincing argument.

Wonwoo likes his routine. And he's quite fond of his regular coffee shop, so he still frequents there to study.

Except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

And sometimes weekends.

"Hi, Wonwoo," you greet with your usual bright smile. "Same as usual?"

"Yes, please." He matches your smile, having finally recovered from the catastrophe that was his first visit. Ever since Seokmin let it slip how you'd been gushing about Wonwoo to him ever since you discovered they were friends, he's been feeling a little more confident.

"You know, if you ever want to try something new, I won't be offended." You narrow your eyes at him. But Wonwoo just shakes his head at you, chuckling.

"Eh, I try not to stray from what I already know too much."

"Oh, so that's why you haven't gotten rid of me as your calculus buddy yet." You quip.

"Among other reasons." He shrugs, lips pulling back into a toothy grin. Wonwoo fishes into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet to thumb through his cards.

"It's okay, it's on the house today."

Wonwoo looks up, brows furrowed. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah! I always give my favorite customers free coffee on Sundays." By the way your eyes quickly dart back at your other coworkers, Wonwoo doubts the validity of that.

"Well, I'll have to pay you back somehow."

"Next week's homework would be great!" You grin cheekily.

"Hmm," Wonwoo thinks for a moment, readjusting his glasses. "I would, but I haven't started it yet. Could I offer to take you out instead?"

"I would like that very much."

[compusever]

Hi there! Bit of a weird question, and I’m not sure if this is the right blog for this, but… best laptop for privacy? I’m going to go to uni in a year and my parents have said that they’re going to buy me a laptop, which is awesome, except— I don’t know which one to chose? I’ve never had a laptop before but I try to take being private online as seriously as I can, and so I don’t really care… well, like, I do care that the laptop has good storage and works and stuff, but I care mostly about how private it is. Which one supports adding privacy-related stuff the best? Which one steals your data the least? I… am actually not sure what kind of questions I should be asking, since… again, never had a laptop before, and I don’t know what about its make makes it private (other than like general online privacy practices across all devices), so I was just wondering if you had any recommendations for me? Tldr: don’t care about fancy features, just want a laptop that more or less works, but would love privacy to be the main focus. This can sort of come at the expense of convenience - I don’t care it if’s harder to set up, use, etc., so long as I can connect to the internet with it.

So the hardware is pretty agnostic on this, the place where privacy is going to become an issue is in the software.

Windows loves to track you and send your data back to homebase; Apple is a walled garden that doesn't let people get deep into configurations; linux is intimidating for a lot of people.

Your actual best bet on privacy would be to get a laptop with no OS and install a linux distro on it, but it sounds like that's probably not something that's terribly approachable for you. So in that case I'd recommend getting a Windows laptop (mac prices aren't worth it) and going through this list to change the settings to ensure better privacy.

HOWEVER please note that you should be getting a laptop with a full OS. Windows has an option for "windows 11s" or "windows 10s" and first off you should be going with 11 at this point but second that "s" means that there are pretty strict limitations on what you can do as a user in terms of configuration and installation.

If you are willing to pay a bit more for Windows 11 Pro instead of windows 11 Home, the pro license cuts off some of the more annoying tracking that Windows does automatically, but I'd say you're better off simply getting the home license and really digging into the settings and getting to know it and setting it up for yourself.

BUT if it's at all possible, honestly I'd say get a bare metal laptop (that means it's just the hardware, no software, you need to install an operating system before you do anything) and install linux. HOWEVER keep in mind that there are some significant downsides to using linux as a student, mostly that you'll likely run into software at some point that you won't be able to install. Also if you're not already pretty good with computers it can be difficult to keep a linux machine running (but very easy to make it private; that's the tradeoff - you can make it more secure more easily, but you really have to know how to fix your own computer if something goes wrong.)

For your situation, again, I think a Windows 11 Home laptop with the settings adjusted is your best bet.

Absolutely positively don't get a chromebook (you've got no control of the settings on a chromebook and the thing is made to feed information to google) and don't get a mac (you can get better specs on a PC at a lower cost).

For an idea of budget on this, I'd say you can probably get something from Dell, Lenovo, or HP for around $650-1000 dollars that's got decent specs (12th gen or newer i5 processor, 16gb RAM, 512GB SSD) and maybe something more like $500-800 from acer, asus, or samsung. Whatever computer you end up getting, you should get the added drop protection warranty because that means the manufacturer will fix your laptop if you drop it, something that is a bigger deal for college students than most people (because of your environment you're more likely to end up with drop damage than a lot of people AND because you're a college student you probably won't be able to afford to fix or replace the computer)

Good luck!

[gryficowa]

God damn it, I'm going crazy, I'm planning to buy a smartphone (Not too expensive or anything), but all smartphones use cobalt, same with laptops

Not counting that one day I will have to replace the laptop, because replacing anything in it is a disaster, and the service centers usually repaired my laptops mediocrely (In short, they lived shorter than before sending them to the service centers)

I'd rather have a PC, not only is there no Intel (I use notebooks), there's also no Cobalt, but there's no money (even to assemble it myself) and no space

So I'm in a trap, because I'm planning to buy my first smartphone (Yes, I have a 23 kata this year, I didn't need it, but now it would be useful for listening to music, or to be able to send something to communicate something, it's supposed to be an old smartphone, problem in that it only works on wi-fi, and often there is no wi-fi, I need a smartphone with cellular data, MP3 or MP4 is also out of the question, because I don't have it and I would have to play all the songs, and that would be irritating, I know, a trivial problem, but I would like to be able to watch various things and give clicks for Palestine, but that won't work with MP3 and MP4 , and laptops also work on Wi-Fi, so there's a chance that I will be able to access the Internet when I am in a place without Wi-Fi is impossible)

And unfortunately, smartphones and laptops use a battery consisting of Cobalt, and notebooks still use fucking Intel

In addition, it doesn't help the fact that for some reason my notebooks have a shorter lifespan than standard laptops, because they get too hot, which is a nightmare, but I need them because I draw digitally and record gameplay, which doesn't change the fact that this feature of notebooks annoys me, because they are less durable than regular laptops, and they should be better because they are larger, therefore, they are more efficient (Or maybe it's because I live in a fucking block of flats where the apartment is warm, summer is terrible for a notebook, because I like spring and summer, unfortunately, notebooks get hotter, I use a board for cooling, but there are only two USB inputs on the laptop I use, so at the moment, when I draw in digital, I have to connect the cooling board because the notebook gets hot and I have to move it to the side because it's Lenovo and the cooling board has a fan in the fucking middle)

I know, I randomly got angry, but it's frustrating that everything necessary has to have either Cobalt or Intel, i.e. something made on human blood and that kills it

I know they say you can't live ethically in capitalism, but it still kills me because if you want to help, you have to buy a device that consists of an element or a graphics card that was obtained by harming other people

It's not fair that everything that is necessary in these times (like the ability to seek information and help people) is created this way, it all makes no sense when the price is human life that you can save with this technology that was created by taking away many others live, it became a pretext for exploiting people and colonizing, technology was supposed to bring us closer together, not to harm people who want to live

I know, my problems seem trivial, but it's just killing me

[canmom]

the unity thing is a hot mess huh. they will probably find some way to walk back some of it in response to backlash, clarify the install fee if they do commit, and solve some of the cases where it's prohibitively expensive (mostly f2p mobile games), maybe delay the Jan 1st deadline because their 'install detection' tech obviously isn't there - but 'retroactively changing the license' part is the really scary one. especially since this goes against some of the on-record promises made by Unity in the past.

it's kind of impressive how like... one of the cornerstones of the entire modern game dev industry can completely evaporate its trust overnight. this has apparently has to do with the company's IPO, the loss of most of the founders, the ex-EA CEO etc. but regardless of motivation, it's extremely horrible from a game preservation standpoint if we start to see games getting pulled from stores to shield against the new install fee.

this means everyone's going to start looking for Unity alternatives. the obvious one that comes to mind is Godot, which has the advantage of being lightweight and open source. however, Godot's got significant performance issues baked into its architecture, especially in comparison to Unity's DOTS and Burst compiler. by contrast, Unreal is a beast in terms of grahpical performance (not so much CPU-side, it's beaten by DOTS there), but it's anything but lightweight - on my old laptop the editor had a bit of a tendency to swallow up my 1050Ti's VRAM and crash. still, this will probably be a real shot in the arm for Unreal lmao

Bevy is the engine with the most promise imo (pure ECS with the power of the Rust compiler underlying it), but Bevy is immature, and lacks a lot of features you depend on in Unity (which is to say, Unity has some really great tools for profiling and debugging which Bevy lacks, plus Unity has a lot of good built in systems for VFX, shader authoring etc.) particularly the rendering side needs a lot of work. if anything good comes of this, it might be a whole lot more interest in developing Bevy.

for my line of work in VR, if Unity becomes toxic, this is pretty devastating. nearly every game for standalone VR is made in Unity - I feel like I can count the non-Unity games on the Quest 2 on one hand. almost all the pedagogical information out there is written for Unity. so I can only speculate what's gonna happen there. it may be that Unity is able to stay on as the default for Quest 2/3, since Meta has made it so most games are sold on a flat one-time price rather than f2p. of course it does rather depend whether Unity's secret proprietary install-counting tool starts counting pirate installs.

all in all I guess we see how this shakes out but it's kind of a rough thing to happen less than a year after I become a game dev working in unity ^^'

[thetechrobot]

Spacetop G1, World’s first Laptop that uses AR Glasses instead of a Display

A laptop that employs augmented reality glasses as a display was called the Spacetop G1 system, and it was shown to a thousand productivity pioneers by the tech firm Sightful last year.

The upgraded Gen 1 device removes the requirement for the user to stoop over a tiny screen when working remotely on a laptop by placing a 100-inch virtual display directly in their eyes.

In this blog, The TechRobot will showcase the World’s first AR laptop: Spacetop G1. So let us begin.

What is Spacetop G1?

Sightful’s Screenless Laptop, the Spacetop G1, combines a computer with comfortable, lightweight augmented reality glasses. Running on the device is SpaceOS, a spatial operating system with an emphasis on online operations intended for productivity.

The weight of the AR glasses is 85 grams, but the Vision Pro, depending on the Light Seal, weighs between 600 and 650 grams. The keyboard is bulkier compared to a MacBook Air or iPad Pro, measuring less than 12 inches in width and weighing three pounds.

Cost of AR Laptop

The Screenless Laptop, Spacetop G1 charges $1,700 and is just a keyboard with spectacles attached.

Spacetop G1 Specs

Spacetop G1, features a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 CPU, Kryo GPU, Adreno 740 AI, dual eNPU V3, 48 INT8, 12 FP16 TOPs, 16 GB LPDDR5, 128 GB UFS3.1 storage, and 8-hour battery life.

They have two OLED display screens, a 50° field of vision, a 90Hz refresh rate, and very crisp text rendering.

The glasses enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G, and a 5MP camera. They also contain a microphone for use in online meetings.

Benefits of AR Laptops

1. Endless View

With Spacetop’s Virtual Desktop, you may get amusement and information without having to navigate around, making it a convenient substitute for real screen space. Although it’s not the only solution with this functionality, this one could be the easiest to use.

A standard keyboard and touchpad, Spacetop’s AR glasses, and a perhaps lower price tag might allow customers to enjoy endless screen areas without sacrificing functionality. For individuals who would rather have a more ordered workstation, this would be a time-saving alternative.

2. Absolute privacy

Multi-monitor laptop attachments should not be used in public areas due to the increased danger of uninvited eyes peeping at private information caused by an excessive number of physical displays. Although privacy screens are available on certain computers and monitors, they are limited to one monitor.

To solve this, Spacetop is a Screenless Laptop, letting the user see their screen alone until it is shared with others. But it also means that those standing close to the user can’t see the screen without their glasses.

3. Improved posture

Laptops’ screens are firmly attached to the keyboard, making them portable yet uncomfortable. Some people find relief from this neck pain by attaching a desktop monitor.

The screenless laptop, Spacetop, provides a more comfortable height and does away with the need for arms or ergonomic monitor supports. Due to this, laptops are a better choice for use at home or in the workplace.

4. Laser Focus

Spacetop G1 is an Augmented Reality (AR) device that reduces visual distractions so users can work productively and enjoy their free time. The apps it may utilize, including Windows or macOS-based software and limited gaming, are restricted by its Android-based operating system and mobile hardware.

Notwithstanding these drawbacks, Spacetop provides a more practical experience than a typical computer since it places all of the necessary components in front of and surrounding users. Instead of letting others decide for them, users may choose whether to allow virtual distractions to affect them.

Highlight – Introducing Travel Mode For Meta Quest Headsets

Best AR Glasses for Laptops

1. Apple AR Glasses

Apple plans to develop AR glasses that look like conventional spectacles with a built-in display. A prototype of the glasses has a thick, attractive frame and resembles high-end luxury sunglasses. With references to Project Starboard and reports of a glassOS, the prototype is anticipated to function on iOS 14.

Though it could take a few more years for a public release, rumors indicate that Apple has already started the second phase of development. The glasses will have the ability to add prescription lenses, gesture-controlled instructions that connect with the Apple Watch, and a true vision display on both lenses.

Possible capabilities include the ability to use virtual things in real-world settings, do activities without using a phone, and enable immersive phone conversations and remote collaboration software.

2. Meta Glasses

Rebranding Facebook to Meta, Mark Zuckerberg is concentrating on augmented reality glasses and headsets. The business plans to deliver Meta spectacles, a prototype of their augmented reality spectacles, in late 2024. The Project Nazare and Project Aria prototypes provide a fully functional augmented reality experience, with 3D visuals and an elegant design. It is anticipated that the Meta Glasses will include an immersive experience with radio, speakers, and cameras, a holographic display with built-in projectors, batteries, and sensors, and a broad field of vision. In 2024, the prototype is anticipated to be released.

3. Xreal Air 2 Ultra

The Air 2 Ultra glasses from Xreal are an improvement over the Air 2 model and are aimed at competing with Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Quest 3 headsets. Complete positional tracking, a form factor akin to eyeglasses, and compatibility for immersive AR apps, TV viewing, and flat-screen gaming are all features of the Air 2 Ultra.

It has a 52-degree field of vision, 500 nits of brightness, two cameras for environmental mapping, hand tracking, and compatibility with Xreal’s Nebula AR environment.

Is AR safe for your eyes?

Prolonged use of AR might result in headaches, nausea, and straining of the eyes. This is a result of our eyes continually focusing on objects at different distances when using AR. This can cause pain and eye tiredness.

Conclusion

The future of laptops with AR like the Spacetop G1 marks a breakthrough in laptop technology by utilizing augmented reality to provide a 100-inch virtual display that improves user posture, productivity, and privacy.

The Spacetop G1 presents a new option for remote work by addressing typical ergonomic concerns associated with standard laptops by mixing AR glasses with a powerful computing machine and the SpaceOS operating system.

Despite several drawbacks associated with its Android-based operating system and the possibility of eye discomfort after extended usage, the Spacetop G1 breaks new ground in augmented reality technology by offering consumers a more useful and engaging experience.

[vpjdrums]

Tomtoc Navigator-T61 Rolltop Backpack 20L Review

I Recently ordered a backpack after years of using shoulder bags. I still like my briefcase/shoulder bags for client meetings or office scenarios, but they’re just not convenient for travel or out in the field work. I didn’t need a backpack specifically for cameras because I use a Sony point/shoot camera and/or a small Sony camcorder, so no extra lenses or flashes are needed to be packed. But, I definitely need something that can protect my MacBook and other gear/necessaries.

That’s when I discovered @tomtocbags a relatively newer designer/manufacturer of laptop sleeves/bags/backpacks and gear cases. I really like the modern and sleek designs of their offerings. I also like their sustainability features: Manufactured with at least 50% recycled materials, manufactured at facilities that protects the rights and health of workers, and made with chemicals safer for people and the environment. They seem to be going for the market taken up by more expensive bag manufacturers like Timbuk2. Tomtoc was a refreshing and pleasant finding.

What I like about this backpack:

Modern, sleek, sustainable, and durable design.

Ample room for gear, clothes, and other necessities. Especially when rolled all the way up. Nice padded protective pockets for both a laptop and tablet, and slots for additional gear/tech.

Water resistant materials and waterproofed front pocket and back access zippers.

Expandable side pockets that can easily accommodate larger water bottles.

Quick access back zipper for laptop/tablet pockets, luggage strap on back, and a nice key hook/strap inside front side pocket.

Comfortable back padding and padded shoulder straps (no sternum strap, which I don't mind) with three carabiner loops on each side.

Price points that are much less than what companies like Timbuk2, Stubble&Co, and Wandrd are charging.

My wishlist for Tomtoc:

Side mount/compression straps to secure a longer umbrella, taller water bottle/thermos, and/or tripod would be nice. The backpack does have two top loops on both sides of bag that a carabiner paracord (see 1st above photo) or something like a Think Tank Photo Disguise Strap could be attached to.

I would have liked the inner lining to be orange, bright yellow, or lime green for visibility when searching for things inside.

I would have liked the bag to be a little larger at least aesthetically. I’m taller/larger (6’ 1” over 200lbs) so when not fully rolled up it looks a little small on me. Not an issue when the backpacks fully packed and rolled up (expands from 17 to 20L) though. However, I can see the size being a benefit when traveling by plane or when getting around in a city environment.

Though not that big of a deal, waterproofing the top and front side zippers like the front pocket and back access ones would be a smart move going forward.

Along with the carabiner loops, I wouldn't mind seeing a D ring on one of the shoulder straps in the future. But, nothing that a carabiner paracord (see 2nd above photo) wouldn't solve.

Final thoughts:

The Tomtoc 17-20L Navigator Roll Top Laptop Backpack definitely strikes a nice balance between great quality and affordability, making it one of the best minimalist roll top backpacks available at this price range. Not only is it constructed with durable materials, but the inside is ample enough for clothes and gear perfect for both short leisure and business trips, and also daily commutes and onsite work. Definitely recommend this backpack. Looking forward to checking out more of their products.

Update: I attached an 8Link Quick Release Magnetic Sternum Strap. Helps when I’m carrying more than usual and especially while traveling/away.

[marketkar]

mobile phone

NEW GENERATION 5G MOBILE PHONE WITH BEST DEALS

4 minutes, 10 seconds Read 

EASY WAY TO CHOOSE PHONE 

POCO has finally confirmed a date on screen for its new phone , it carries screen-to-body ratio of 93.3% at it as minimal possible art . It will carry a 7.69mm slim body. The company has confirmed LED screen for the PREMIUM ART . The TEAM confirms 108MP rear camera for the phone, blue and golden colours, but we can expect more colours possible and wish for our choice. Based on earlier news the phone will be renamed, the phone will be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 13R Pro 5G which was launched in China last year, so we can expect a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen, Dimensity 6080 SoC (Rebranded Dimensity 810) SoC, 108MP + 2MP rear cameras, 16MP front camera, Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor, 3.5mm audio jack, and a 5000mAh (typical) battery with 33W fast charging. The phone will be sold on Flipkart, similar to other POCO phones. Since the phone will compete with realme 12, it is expected to be priced in Rs. 17,000 range. A Mobile Phone in this day and age of this running era are far more than just tools for communication on the move, not for only calling or messaging it contains our world in it The MARKETKAR.IN is just one click away from you table we take you to the new mono world of best category mobile phone timeline its where about issues relevant to you and your mobile.…let me take you to know whenever new launch with new camera features on any Web pages will get you notified on this website telling you about mobile relevant information and news some of which could save time and money. Ever wondered how the Apple name came to be and why? Well here is how it all began. Who new Jobs was on one of his “mid full days ” and had just come back from an apple farm and thought the name sounded fun, spirited and not intimidating in anyway. That’s how it work choice of your thought your choice matters . Chose it wisely from latest mobile series’s from MARKETAR.IN The very first iPhone was personally announced in early 2007 by Steve Jobs himself from the ground up suffice to say that they have not only led the whole SmartPhone industry but have also revolutionised the mobile phone into SmartPhones that we see today, to put it quite simply they more or less shrunk a Mac laptop computer to fit into the palm of your hand coupled with great aesthetics in terms of design, with their great desktop and laptop computers they produced. A natural transition for Apple

Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series is still fresh in the market, which means that the best Apple iPhone 15 prices far off the original retail price. We’ll likely see some worthy price cuts during this year’s Black Friday sale son but the more significant savings will be record-low iPhone 14 prices instead, as part of the early Apple Black Friday deals. The standard iPhone 15 has a starting price of 80k, with the iPhone 15 Plus sitting at 90 k and the iPhone 15 Pro at 99. Only the iPhone 15 Pro Max was given a higher starting price than the previous year , but it now has 256GB of storage at a minimum, instead of the original 128GB, making it more on par with the original iPhone 14 Pro Max price. The best iPhone 15 deals are usually found through new contract offers and by trading in your old handset. If you’re not on fussed choosing and owning the latest Apple smartphone, or one of the best iPhones for photography at all, then take a look at our guides to the best camera phones in 2023, as well as the best Samsung Galaxy S23 prices for Android fans

DEPENDING ON YOUR BRAND CHOICE AND PRICE RANGE AT LOW COST AND EMI OPTIONS ALSO AVAILABLE

Pre booking of upcoming variety of phone’s available at MARKETKAR.IN in today’s rapidly growing world in tech landscape staying updated is the most demanding thing today. Know your latest smart gadget at very cost friendly part With it’s essentials. The wide variety and range choices in latest mobile phone what set apart the competition in best price market with latest design at the effective cost with warranty Key features like 5g connectivity advance camera systems revolutiozing mobile photography with multiple mode added with advance technology.

[makcity09]

MacBook Pro A1278 13" Touchpad Replacement #New Delhi

How Replacing Your MacBook Pro A1278 Touchpad Can Boost Your Workflow:~~

journey of replacing your MacBook Pro A1278 touchpad is more than a technical upgrade; it's a strategic move that can significantly boost your workflow. The touchpad is the gateway to seamless interactions with your device, and opting for replacement is akin to unlocking a realm of efficiency and precision.

Imagine a touchpad that responds with unparalleled accuracy to every swipe, gesture, and tap. The MacBook Pro A1278 Touchpad Replacement is designed to elevate your touch experience, ensuring that each interaction is not just smooth but also tailored to your specific needs. This upgrade becomes a catalyst for boosting your overall workflow.The MacBook Pro A1278 Touchpad Replacement Price is a small investment that yields significant returns in terms of user experience and efficiency.

How to Replace a Faulty Touchpad on Your MacBook Pro A1278:~~

Replacing a faulty touchpad on your MacBook Pro A1278 involves a series of steps. Please note that performing these actions requires careful handling and attention to detail

Power Off Your MacBook Pro:Shut down your MacBook Pro and disconnect any external devices.

Remove the Bottom Case:Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws securing the bottom case.Gently lift and remove the bottom case.

Disconnect the Battery:Locate the battery connector on the logic board.Use a plastic spudger to carefully disconnect the battery.

Locate and Disconnect Touchpad Cable:Locate the touchpad cable connected to the logic board.Use the spudger to disconnect the cable.

Remove Existing Touchpad:Remove the screws securing the touchpad.Carefully lift the touchpad out of its place.Pay attention to any adhesive or connectors that may be attached.

Install the Replacement Touchpad:Place the replacement touchpad into the designated area.Secure it with the screws.

Reconnect Touchpad Cable:Reconnect the touchpad cable to the logic board.

Reconnect the Battery:Reconnect the battery cable.

Replace Bottom Case:Place the bottom case back onto the MacBook Pro.Secure it with the screws.

Power On Your MacBook Pro:Power on your MacBook Pro and check if the touchpad is functioning properly.

Benefits of Replacing the Touchpad on Your MacBook Pro A1278:~~

Improved Responsiveness: Over time, touchpads can wear out or become less responsive. Replacing the touchpad with a new one can restore the original responsiveness, making your interactions with the laptop smoother and more precise.

Enhanced Multi-Touch Functionality: Newer touchpad models may offer improved multi-touch functionality. Replacing the touchpad can provide you with access to updated hardware that supports advanced gestures and features, enhancing your overall user experience.

Increased Durability: If your current touchpad is damaged or worn, a replacement can provide increased durability and longevity. This is particularly beneficial if you rely heavily on your laptop for work or other activities.

Fixing Physical Damage: If your existing touchpad is physically damaged due to a spill, impact, or other incidents, replacing it can address the issues and prevent further damage to the internal components.

Compatibility with Software Updates: Newer touchpad models may be better optimized for the latest operating system updates and software. Upgrading the touchpad can ensure compatibility and a smoother experience with the latest software features and improvements.

Addressing Unresponsive Areas: If certain areas of your current touchpad have become unresponsive or erratic, a replacement can solve this problem, providing a consistent and reliable touch experience across the entire surface.

Improved Aesthetics: Upgrading the touchpad can be an opportunity to choose a model with a different design or finish, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your MacBook Pro.

[oldlaptop]

The Value and Sustainability of Refurbished Laptops

In a world where technology is developing quickly, finding the right balance between performance and cost is crucial. Buying used laptops is one option that is becoming more and more common. But what does the term "refurbished" really mean, and how does it impact computer usage?

What Refurbished Computers Involve

Used laptops that have been meticulously restored to nearly new condition are called refurbished laptops. This calls for routine component testing, inspection, and replacement in order to maintain optimal functionality.

The following are some benefits of choosing refurbished computers: Refurbished laptops are typically significantly less expensive than new ones in terms of price.

Environmental Impact: Choosing a reconditioned laptop will help reduce the quantity of electronic waste that ends up in the environment.

Understanding the Renovation Process

Overview of Renovation

When the laptop is being refurbished, every part is carefully examined and checked. Any broken parts are located and replaced to ensure that the device meets quality standards.

Quality Assurance Metrics

Diagnostic testing: Comprehensive testing to identify any issues.

Component Replacement: Changing or improving current components to make sure they meet performance standards.

Changing Out Components

Used laptops are regularly upgraded with faster CPUs and more RAM, exceeding the original specifications in terms of performance.

Crucial Features to Consider When Buying a Refurbished Laptop

dependable suppliers

Make sure the suppliers you choose are trustworthy and have a good track record of offering high-quality reconditioned computers.

Return and warranty guidelines

Warranty Coverage: To provide protection against flaws, look for a warranty period.

Return Policies: Be aware of the conditions under which you can return a reconditioned laptop.

Comparison of Specifications

To determine whether a refurbished laptop is worth the money, compare its characteristics to those of new models.

Popular Models of Refurbished Laptops

Refurbished Dell Laptops

Explore the range of refurbished Dell laptops known for their reliability and performance.

Laptops Refurbished by HP

Explore the alternatives in the lineup of refurbished HP laptops that combine functionality and style.

Refurbished Laptops by Lenovo

Lenovo provides a wide selection of reconditioned laptops to meet various user requirements.

Savings and Value for Money: A Comparison of Prices for New Laptops

To determine the savings, compare the cost of refurbished laptops with those of new laptops.

Both affordability and performance

Refurbished laptops are a sensible option for customers on a tight budget since they frequently offer superior performance at a small fraction of the price of new equipment.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Cutting Down on E-Waste

Choosing a refurbished laptop helps lessen the impact that electrical waste from abandoned gadgets has on the environment.

Eco-Friendly Renovation Techniques

Find out what environmentally friendly methods refurbishing firms use to reduce their carbon footprint.

Reviews & Testimonials from Customers

Actual Refurbished Laptop User Experiences

Learn from consumers who have bought and utilized refurbished computers, emphasizing their own experiences.

Both positive and negative comments

Examine the advantages and disadvantages of reconditioned laptops based on user feedback.

Advice on How to Take Care of and Handle Refurbished Laptops Properly

To guarantee life and peak performance, maintain your reconditioned laptop according to recommended guidelines.

Security precautions and software updates

To safeguard your refurbished equipment, be cautious and update your software frequently. You should also put security measures in place.

In India, Refurbished Laptops Are Available

Expanding Pattern in India

Examine the growing demand for reconditioned laptops in the Indian market.

Best Selling Items and Brands

Find out which companies and top sellers in India are selling reconditioned laptops.

Obstacles and misunderstandings

Typical Untruths Regarding Refurbished Laptops

Examine and dispel popular misunderstandings about buying reconditioned laptops.

Resolving Customer Issues

Address the typical worries that customers might have when thinking about purchasing a reconditioned laptop.

Future Trends in the Refurbished Laptop Industry

Technological Advancements

Explore the anticipated technological advancements in the refurbishing process.

Market Forecasts

Analyze market forecasts for the expansion and development of reconditioned laptops.

Summary of the Benefits of Refurbished Laptops

List the main benefits of selecting reconditioned computers, highlighting their affordability and durability.

Encouragement of Knowledgeable Buying

Emphasize the advantages and debunk any misconceptions to help readers make well-informed judgments when thinking about purchasing a used laptop. Visit our site for more products at Retechie.

[riemmetric]

Phantoms | Original Fiction

​ Notes: This is based on today’s prompt from @flashfictionfridayofficial​: late night train. CFR (Căile Ferate Române) is the Romanian Railway Company. Timișoara is a city in the west of Romania. Bucharest is the capital and it is located in the south, in the middle of a big plain. Sinaia is a town in Transylvania, best known for being a ski resort. 

She boards the train at half past nine. There are a good twenty minutes left before departure, but the cars are already here, waiting patiently for a new locomotive, and her elderly laptop weighs heavily inside the rucksack. The night is pitch black. It’s been raining heavily all day – never a white Christmas in Timișoara – but come evening, the skies have cleared up. There’s no more street light reflected on the clouds to aid the wilting lightbulbs in the train station. There’s a single light fixture that works here on platform two, and it keeps flickering in and out of existence. It’s not even close to her car. Without the locomotive to supply power, the train is dark like a cave. 

She enters her compartment and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror above the sink. The shadows are falling over her face in a way that seems wrong. For a long second she doesn’t recognize the woman staring at her from the mirror and her heart quickens its pace. A tremor shakes the car and lights flicker into life. The heater begins to hum its song. She locks eyes with herself in the mirror. The same familiar features, hiding behind the new pair of glasses she has picked up this morning. It was just the glasses. She’s not yet accustomed with the glasses. 

Her roommate enters their compartment two minutes before departure. She had hoped against all hope to be spared of a companion (who’s traveling to Bucharest between Christmas and New Year’s Eve?), but it can’t be helped. She hopes in the future she will be able to afford to buy out an entire compartment in the sleeping car, but for now even the price of one bed here feels exorbitant. 

“Going all the way to Bucharest?“ her companion asks, while making herself comfortable on the bottom bunk. 

“Yes. And even further than that. I’m going to Sinaia.“

“Oh dear, you’ll be travelling quite a lot then. Sucks not to be able to take a direct train, isn’t it? Damn CFR.“

She doesn’t tell the other woman that yes, it’s a lot of time and money, but it’s worth it, it’s so worth it. She doesn’t tell her that she’s bought a one-way ticket, that she hopes she will not come back home for a long time. She doesn’t tell her she’s going to Sinaia to start her life over. She just nods, wishes her companion good night, and shuts off the light. 

*

She’s trying to sleep and it’s not working. This is not an unusual occurrence, but she has hoped that maybe now, when she’s finally shed her shackles, her brain will stop pumping out the poison. The rocking of the train is slowly becoming less pronounced. The breaks shriek, the G-forces push her slightly forward, then everything comes to a stop. She opens her eyes and expects to see the harsh lights of a train station peering through the lopsided curtain. The world outside is dark. 

She sits up. The mirror above the sink catches her face. There is a delay on her reflection as she moves, as if her image is composed of a thousand lazy pixels who are not paid well enough to work at this hour. Her phone shows her an impossible combination of time and location. She peers through the curtain, but it’s hard to see outside and she doesn’t want to disturb her roommate. She climbs out of the top bunk and fumbles in the dark until she finds her shoes. She puts them on outside, in the dim yellow light of the corridor. There is no movement anywhere. She pulls down the window and peers outside. The lights from the train paint the clouds and snowy fields in the same creamy yellow, that fades into black as the fields continue into eternity. The frost cuts her cheeks. More light bleeds out from the second-class cars, where the overhead fixtures never turn off. The shadows of sleepless people dance across the field. 

Her feet walk her towards the end of the car. The door is open. The ticket inspector is standing outside, snow up to his shins, smoking. The sleeping car is the first one next to the locomotive and she can see the figure of the train conductor, leaning outside his little window and shouting angrily into his phone. 

“Did the locomotive break down?“ she asks. 

The answer of the ticket inspector is not at all surprising. “Yes. We’re waiting for a new one from Craiova.”

She frowns trying to remember whether or not they have passed Craiova already. The wind makes the top layer of snow dance in the lights bleeding out from the train and the edges of the world soften. Through the haze, she sees a herd of deer prancing through the field. She gasps and points in their direction. Some of them are very small and she tries to remember if deer have babies during winter. 

“They’ve been here for a while,“ the ticket inspector says. “They must think we have food.“

At the same time, the train conductor throws his phone into the snow and swears. 

The cold makes her teeth chatter. She knows she will not be able to sleep and she feels safe here in the doorway, next to the ticket inspector. She needs a coat. She goes back into her compartment to retrieve it. She doesn’t notice that her reflection doesn’t show up at all in the mirror above the sink this time. 

When she steps back into the corridor, the ticket inspector is at the other end of the car, looking through the window. The bottoms of his trousers are completely dry. 

Back in the door frame, she frowns at the snowy plain, but try as she may, she can’t make out the markings of where the deer have walked. A thought: nobody has walked on this field for a thousand years. 

The train conductor is searching the snow for his phone, still swearing. He’s wearing only a white T-shirt, strikingly bright against the night. He looks up and sees her. 

“What a fucking piece of shit of a situation, right?“

She nods. The conductor finds his phone and waves it triumphantly above his head. “I called Craiova. We’re gonna have about two hours of delay, maybe more. Fucking piece of shit country.”

The expected arrival time inscribed on her ticket reads 8:06. Locomotive breakdowns happen all the time, so she hasn’t bothered to buy a ticket for Sinaia yet. She will get one from the train station, for whichever train will be next. 

“Are you an engineer by any chance, miss?“ the conductor asks. 

Her heart leaps in her throat. It’s what it says on her diploma and she has tried so hard to love it. But the world of mechanical systems never listened to her. She tried so hard to coax them into life and always fell short. They were not meant for each other and she had to let them go. 

“No, sorry. I’m a writer,“ she replies and it’s not a lie even though she hasn’t published a book yet, because this is the dream that saved her, the dream that will start tomorrow, in Sinaia. 

There’s movement at the corner of her eye and she turns, still wondering about the deer. But it’s just a couple of passengers stepping out of the second-class car, lightning up cigarettes. 

“Fucking piece of shit country,“ she hears them say, even though they’ve stepped out from the sixth car and she’s standing next to the locomotive. When she glances back at the train conductor, he’s gone. 

*

She’s sipping a cappuccino in the coffeeshop closest to the train platforms in Bucharest’s northern train station. A throbbing headache is growing behind her eyes as she’s desperately trying to piece together the faint memories of the previous night. The cold, the people. Which people? Which deer? That yellow light, bleeding out from everywhere, infecting everything like a fungus. Her phone is sitting on the table, turned on, showing an impossible hour: half past eight. 

[keepinstyle]

How to buy the perfect messenger bag for men?

With so many messenger crossbody bags in the market, it may be confusing to choose the perfect satchel. This accessory has become one of the most essentials for the style of a modern man. With both shoulder and crossbody straps, you can go anywhere with a stylish messenger bag. Carry your essentials in style with a Crossbody/Shoulder Bag for Men. So, what should you be looking for when buying best leather crossbody bag for men?

Leather vs. Canvas ?

Material is a matter of taste but can also be related to the purpose of use, dress style, cost, and durability. Canvas messenger bags are more for a casual style while in college or travelling, and probably is more for the younger generations. Make sure you get waterproof canvas to protect your items. Also, canvas messenger bags are offered at a lower price. Genuine leather crossbody bags are more suited for business purposes, as they look more elegant. However, some crazy horse style messenger bags can be good also for college, and indeed stylish while travelling. Genuine leather shoulder bags for men look good for all ages and can last a long time, if you follow the care instructions for it. If you are willing to pay a little more money, then a real leather satchel is worth it.

Size with enough space for your essentials

Make sure to know your needs to get the right size of the shoulder bag you intend to buy. If you intend to carry an iPad, laptop, books or other items, check the size information of the ipad bag/ tablet bag before buying and always remember to allow some reasonable margin of expected human error to be on the safe side.

Check the internal features and choose a satchel with a lot of pockets, zipper pockets, internal compartments, and external zipper slots to keep your items well organized. In addition to any needed functionalities.

It is good to get a shoulder bag with adjustable strap to suit your height.

Style:

Crossbody bags come in many styles and functionalities. Some are square, or rectangular across the shoulder which can have enough space if you want to carry an iPad, books, phone and accessories or even laptops. There is also a chest sling bag for men that can be worn as sling backpacks too, which are usually smaller in size, and more convenient to carry and more comfortable for the shoulders.

If you want to use your earphones while carrying the bag, get a chest sling bag for men with an earphone hole. There are sling bags with USB charging port if you need it.

If you are a follower of trends and fashion, or prefer a specific style, you can get a sling bag the suits your taste. However, timeless style cross shoulder bags always prove to be a winner not only for those with a classical taste, but for everyone, especially if you have a reasonable budget for a leather satchel.

Budget:

You can find a selection of canvas across the shoulder bags withing USD 60. If you want to invest more money, say above usd 60, and you want it to stay looking good for a longer time, you can have good choices of leather messenger bag for men within USD 70. Or leather shoulder bags less than USD 80 .

No matter your destination, A well-chosen shoulder bag for men adds a tasteful touch of sophistication to your everyday look, while keeping your items secure, organized, and easy to reach. A perfect combination of style and practicality.

Maha Awad EZLIFEGOODS

[izzyizumi]

Digimon Adventure{s} (Series)/[02] ~ (Closet!) Cosplay ~ (Post-02!)Koushiro[u] Izumi {Aesthetic[s]} / Detail shots {January 2k23} (I don't have a full-size plush of partner yet so I usually consider this Koushiro to be late-final-year of middle school Koushiro, or a Koushiro who enters high school and has a jacket in similar color / style as previously {I intended to cosplay Koushiro pre-Tri as well}.)

In my fic-verse, Koushiro has such a jacket in the darker green color; maybe different color tie and pants because the school location changes (I used "Odaiba High" at the time writing my old fic-verse). There, Koushiro was already in 2nd~ year of high school and Taichi was in the 3rd~ year about to graduate (by J.P.N school system schedule); the original fic follows them all through University years. In my fic-verse the green may also be slightly more "muted" to distinguish it, I haven't fully decided yet; but this jacket still looks pretty bright if sunlight hits it, despite it being dark emerald green) featuring (Me) / @izzyizumi Also in the original fic; The Digital Gate had, similar to Tri, since closed briefly; travel functioned a little closer to 02 still, when they could only see their partners briefly at times via Gate-hopping (until a lead-in to pre-epilogue era had them all "meeting" again under various circumstances). So the Koushiro I cosplay is one who's supposed to be a little distant from having seen partner 'Mon in a while and is feeling the effect of it. (They typically still communicated via brief e-mail messages when possible / when the Gate allowed contact, but it was different.) Fortunately Taichi usually comes in more and they start hanging out. {Wig was bought from & styled by a previous Koushiro cosplayer!} - The jacket for Koushiro's (02) "school!" uniform is actually closet cosplay jacket found in a regular department store sometime just before 2k15! Finding it in this exact shade / color was amazing, I'm not quite sure I'll ever find much close in the future!! (As it's from around 2k15, it's a little old, but holding up!) - Gold Laptop is my own! (in use since about 8~ years ago, aka also around 2k15!) {I bought it less for the cosplay [it was sometime before the pre-Tri fan base revival, actually; I was still actively following the series and Koushiro-relevant fan base things on this blog and in my own time] and mainly because color, price + condition was seriously good for 200+ GB of storage space at the time.} {The yellow laptop Koushiro canonically uses has never really been produced in the right "full" size (Yet?!?), so this was a "next best thing" until I can get a shell replacement or the like similar to the canonical yellow-and-white laptop!}

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[2amtoday-blog]

From AirPods to iPads to MacBooks, Here Are the Best Apple Deals at the Start of 2023

Graphic: Joe Tilleli If you’re an Apple fan, then you know that the company’s popular iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watch, and AirPods don’t come cheap—and sales can be sporadic. That’s why we’ll do the hard work for you. Come here periodically to find the best bargains across all Apple devices. Scope out some great prices on AirPods Max, iPads, and Macs below. And stay tuned: we’ll be updating this page regularly. Graphic: Joe Tilleli So what’s new about the second generation AirPods Pro? for starters, they have twice as strong active noise cancellation, longer battery life granting up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, and 30 hours of total listening time thanks to the MagSafe charging case, a new smaller silicone ear tip for tinier ears, a new chip, enhanced Bluetooth, and more. G/O Media may get a commission Graphic: Joe Tilleli Help yourself, a friend, or a loved one never lose a wallet or keys again with the help of an Apple AirTag. This four-pack is just $99 today. G/O Media may get a commission Graphic: Joe Tilleli This rugged GPS and cellular-enabled watch is designed to meet the needs of endurance athletes, outdoor adventurers, and watersport enthusiasts. The corrosion-resistant titanium case is the largest we’ve seen on Apple Watches at 49mm. G/O Media may get a commission Graphic: Joe Tilleli The 2021 MacBook Pro has a 16" screen and is powered by the M1 Pro chip. This version has 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. Get it for 16% off. G/O Media may get a commission Graphic: Joe Tilleli This 2020 13" retina display MacBook Air utilizes the M1 chip which delivers 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation all while using way less power. Save $100 on the laptop at Amazon.

Apple Watch Series 8  | $499

Graphic: Joe Tilleli The Series 8 adds a multitude of features such as Crash Detection and Fall Detection which can automatically connect you with emergency services. The Always-On Retina display is bright and easy to read.

AirPods Max | $480

Read the full article

[hyyzoblogs]

Top 5 Laptop Brands available In India

Despite the fact the thanks to smartphones and tablets, people spend less time in front of screens, there are still situations where a genuine computer is needed, and for the vast majority of people, that means a laptop.

A new laptop is a significant purchase, and if you're not familiar with laptop benchmarks, it can be challenging. The best laptops give consistently great performance and dependability with a multitude of cutting-edge features for work, school, or home. We've evaluated them and provided our recommendations because it might be challenging to tell the difference between the fantastic and the good. Due to this, we have compiled a list of the top 5 laptop producers. But first, the following are some things to think about before buying a laptop:

If your lifestyle involves travel, choose small-screen laptops with screens between 12 and 14.5 inches because they are portable and lightweight.

Before purchasing a laptop, check the RAM and SSD card.

Invest in a laptop with a longer battery backup if you travel frequently. Ideally, more than nine hours

Portable 2-in-1 computers are available. You can choose between detachable and bending-back laptops. Use your professional judgment.

Below is the list of the top 5 best laptop brands :

Here are the top 5 laptops available in each category, along with suggestions on how to pick the best laptop for your needs.

APPLE

HP

DELL

ASUS

LENEVO

Here is a list of the top laptop manufacturers in India, from which you can choose. There is a wide selection available from all of these brands. In the comments, tell us about your favorite brand.

Keep in mind that Hyyzo (the best online cashback website in India) sells products from various companies, including these. It is the best cashback website in India and its connected to more than 100 online retailers. Prepare to purchase all of your favorite goods while taking advantage of Hyyzo's fantastic prices and cashback offers. Buy now!

[digidarshini]

Explanation of the HP Printers

HP Printers are reliable and versatile printing devices manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (HP), catering to both personal and professional needs. HP offers a wide range of printers, including inkjet, laser, and all-in-one models. Here's an explanation of their key features:

Variety of Printer Types:

Inkjet Printers: Ideal for home and small office use, offering high-quality color prints for documents and photos.

Laser Printers: Known for fast printing speeds and efficiency, ideal for large volumes of black-and-white or color documents, often used in businesses.

All-in-One Printers: Multifunctional printers that can print, scan, copy, and sometimes fax, providing an all-in-one solution for office tasks.

Portable Printers: Compact printers designed for mobile users who need to print on the go.

High-Quality Printing: HP printers are known for their sharp print quality, whether printing text documents or high-resolution photos. Their inkjet models produce vibrant color images, while laser printers provide crisp, professional-looking text.

Wireless Connectivity: Many HP printers offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to print wirelessly from their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops without the need for cables. HP also supports Wi-Fi Direct for easy printing from mobile devices.

HP Smart App: HP printers are compatible with the HP Smart App, enabling users to print, scan, and manage their printers directly from their smartphones. The app also offers cloud-based printing, so users can print documents from anywhere.

Efficient Ink and Toner Use: HP printers are designed to optimize ink and toner usage, ensuring cost-effective printing. Their HP Instant Ink subscription service delivers ink or toner directly to your door when levels are low, reducing the hassle of running out of supplies.

Fast Printing Speeds: HP laser printers, in particular, are known for their fast printing speeds, making them suitable for high-volume environments. Some models can print up to 30 pages per minute or more.

Energy Efficiency: HP printers are built with energy-saving features like auto-off technology, which turns the printer off when not in use, and HP EcoSmart Toner, which uses less energy during printing.

Mobile Printing Solutions: HP printers support a range of mobile printing solutions, including Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Mopria, allowing users to print directly from their mobile devices without needing a computer.

Automatic Document Feeder (ADF): Many HP all-in-one printers come with an automatic document feeder, enabling users to quickly scan or copy multiple pages without manually feeding each page.

Duplex Printing: HP printers often include automatic duplex printing, which allows printing on both sides of the paper, reducing paper usage and costs while being environmentally friendly.

Durable and Long-Lasting: HP printers are built to last, with robust designs that can handle frequent use. Their laser printers, in particular, are known for their durability in business environments.

Affordable Options: HP offers a wide range of printers at different price points, from budget-friendly models for home users to high-end models designed for professional and commercial use.

Security Features: HP business printers include advanced security features like encrypted printing, PIN-based print release, and secure boot to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

In summary, HP Printers are versatile, offering excellent print quality, efficiency, and a range of features that cater to both home and business users. With wireless connectivity, mobile printing solutions, and cost-effective ink or toner options, HP printers provide reliable performance for various printing needs.