#May '17 Book Inventory

[heleentje]

So there's a take that crops up every so often in the Breath of the Wild fandom, and it goes something like this:

Windblight Ganon is such a piece of cake! If Revali were as talented as he claimed to be, he wouldn't have been defeated by it, so clearly he's just an arrogant blowhard.

I disagree. Because while Windblight might have been relatively easy for the player to defeat, circumstances conspired against Revali in every possible way.

Strike 1: The Blight Ganons were tailor-made to defeat the Champions

While it's not stated outright, the Blights seem to be custom-made to put their respective opponents at the worst possible disadvantage. So while Link can avoid the whirlwinds on the ground, they would be very disruptive to Revali's Gale (something he's only been able to do consistently for a short while). Arrows, too, can easily get blown off course by the wind even when using a heavy bow (so can a Rito, who is presumably lighter than a Hylian).

If, on top of that, it was raining (implied by memories #16 and #17), then Revali's favoured bomb arrows would have been useless. Not a great recipe for a fight.

Strike 2: Rito don't see well in the dark

Botw is a game that doesn't tell you a lot upfront, but you can find a wealth of information in every little corner. Case in point, in Gerudo Town there's a Rito named Frita. And she has a very interesting tidbit to share if you talk to her at night.

[Image ID: A Rito named Frita in Gerudo Town says: "Us Rito... We haven't got the best night vision, to be honest."]

When the Calamity emerged, an unnatural darkness blanketed the land. A darkness that persists from its appearance all the way through Link and Zelda fleeing and their final stand at Fort Hateno, up until Zelda temporarily sealed the Calamity (memories #15, #16 and #17).

That’s without even mentioning the laser show Windblight Ganon puts on. Ever encountered a car with LED lights on a dark road? Now imagine how Revali felt.

Strike 3: Revali had to fly non-stop for hours to get to Medoh

After sinking some hours into playing botw, you probably get used to warping all across the map via the shrines. Going from Lurelin to Rito Village is a matter of seconds. And if the Sheikah had been able to unlock the Sheikah Slate fully in the past, that would have been a massive boon to the war effort.

Unfortunately, they didn't. Which means that, when Calamity Ganon emerged, all the Champions had to take the long road to their Divine Beasts.

Now what does that mean for Revali? We can hazard a pretty good guess, but we don't have to, because the art book tells us: Revali flew straight from Lanayru East Gate to Rito Village. It's hard to tell exactly how long that would have taken him, but I'm estimating that would be about 8-10 hours flying non-stop.

[Image ID: A map of Hyrule showing the presumed routes the Champions took to get to their Divine Beasts. Revali's is a straight line across Hyrule.]

Which means Revali (like the other Champions) was probably already exhausted by the time he got to Medoh.

Aaaaaand that's three strikes, he's out!

But if that's not enough for you yet, here's one more thing. Admittedly, this is less solidly canon than the previous parts, but it's conjecture that, in my opinion, is backed up by the Champions' Ballad DLC.

Strike 4: Revali lacked his best weapon and may have been injured

The artbook shows us another salient tidbit. Revali could have detoured if he wanted to, but he didn't: he flew in the straightest possible line across Hyrule Field.

Hyrule Field, better known as the center of the chaos at the time.

Can we really expect a Champion, especially a Champion who's so eager to prove himself, to not stop and at least try to help? And while trying to help, what might have happened to him?

When you fight the Blights in the illusory realm, you gain a set amount of equipment, implied to be what the Champions carried with them at the time. And with Revali, something's missing.

[Image ID: The bow inventory during the DLC fight against Windblight Ganon. It includes a Falcon Bow, Duplex Bow and Phrenic Bow.]

Where's the Great Eagle Bow?

Would Rito Champion Revali, greatest archer in known Rito history, really not be carrying his signature bow, when every other Champion carried their favoured weapon?

This, combined with his route straight across Hyrule Field, makes me suspect that he did engage the Guardians, lost his bow, and may even have gotten injured in the process.

So there you have it. Just about everything was against Revali in that fight. And while Link, and by extension the player, may have had an easy time of it, they went into it at full health and with all the advantages of the Sheikah Slate.

Meanwhile, Revali arrived at Vah Medoh after a frantic hours-long flight only to be thrown into a fight he didn't expect against an opponent tailor-made to counter his every move, while he was unable to see properly and lacked his best weapon. And he still managed to put up one hell of a fight.

[pines-square]

(OOC POST)

Hiiii!!! Welcome to Pines Square, basically it’s a newsies district for me and a few of my friend’s ocs(they’ll be tagged with their characters)

Boundaries:

No NSFW!!! All the ocs and most of the creators are MINORS

I dunno about shipping tbh…it really depends on the oc; but as a basis assume there’s no shipping…

INFO:

The district leader of Pines Square is Jittery!!!(my oc) the second in command being Songbird/Birdie

Feel free to ask questions to any(or all or more than one of) the characters!!! RP interactions may be aloud for certain characters! Just ask :33

Pines square is oddly foresty for a New York town and selling isn’t always the fastest- which is why not many newsies live there.

[OC INTROS]

Name: Jesse “Jittery” Monroe

Owner: @coffeeistired

Age: 14

Sexuality: they dunno anymore…aroace spec??

Pronouns: They/Them

Inventory: coins, random rocks, the other glove(they only wear one) and a small notepad

^ district leader

Name: Kenneth “Mouser” Stewart

Owner: @elmer-not-the-glue

Age: 15

Sexuality / gender: ??? Bro’s just chilling…(he/him, I think)

Inventory: random stuff he picks up!!

Name: Max “Match/Matchstick” Harris

Owner: @thegreatbuttoneer

Age: 15

Sexuality: grayromantic asexual

Pronouns: He/They (AFAB at birth)

Inventory: two matchboxes, one cheap one and one from a fancy bar. (Hasn’t actually been in that bar, found it dropped outside,) scraps of torn up old newspapers or wood, probably a couple dried leaves too

Dating Birdie/Songbird!!

Name: Juliette ‘ Church / Church Bell’ Crowe

Owner: @plxtonixm

Age: 17

Sexuality: ???

Gender: Agender, fem presenting

Inventory: Inventory: notebook and pencil, a penny whistle, half a loaf of bread, bandages, a couple penny candies

Name: Salis “Scrabble” Lovell

Owner: @just-david-jacobs

Age: 17, but if anyone asks 18

Sexuality: ???

Gender: man.

Inventory: newspaper scraps, old charcoal peices

Name: Kit “Songbird(fem)/Birdie(masc)�� Caggiano

Owner: @finchesslingshott

Age: 16

Sexuality: ???

Gender: genderfuild (she/they/he- fem presenting)

Inventory: songwriting notebook, pan flute stolen from an antique store, some loose change, a couple half-broken pencils, their mother's locket

Dating Match!!

Name: Harvey ‘Giraffe’ Byrne

Owner: @piece-of-moss

Age: 15

Gender: FTM, He/They

Inventory: a piece of rope that they use as a leash when needed for Nettle, a scrap of paper with his favorite poem, a stolen bracelet

*Nettle is his dog

Name: Tai ‘Twig’ Saylor

Owner: @twig-collector

Gender:doesn’t know, any pronouns

Sexuality: ???

Inventory: silver necklace given by mother, newspaper scraps with quotes they like

Name: Maíz ‘Pages’ Farest

Owner: @thatmusicaltheaternerd

Gender: transmasc non-binary (he/they)

Sexuality: ace + pan

Inventory: a book or a journal and pen, a ||switchblade|| their glasses and the case, at least three rings (they collect them, and sometimes make them too), and a couple guitar picks

Name: Marcus ‘Baozhi’ Chung

Owner: @crazed-lamb-leg-enthusiast

Gender: man.

Sexuality: confused???

Inventory: haw flakes, a reusable shopping bag and a pair of flip flops in his inventory

[oneknightstand-if]

A stat can be raised to about 70-80 if you focus solely on them, it seems; the exception is magic, which can be raised to 28-32 as of this most recent public update. The highest amount of stats all around that I have gotten as of now is 118; getting the pet pig and their memento helps a lot with charm, taking the origin picture is a must, as is grabbing the laptop. Paramedic gives some extra stats compared to the other jobs too; I should maybe pair that up with the book club (silent) for the extra 5 it has above the other options.

Combine all that in a run, and it may be possible to hit the 120-125 all around, pretty cool! Gotta test it.

The lying about amnesia secret should be considered, but I'm wary of its possible consequences and the price for all those stats. I feel way more confortable with the inhuman secret and its +10 magic.

I can't wait to make the perfect min-maxer run as the game gets updated; it's bound to be fun finding that optimal path to greatness.

I'm loving OKS author, thank you very much.

Saw the update and decided to make a new MC, a fey guy who loves magic and is too pure for this world.

Leyline: Safe | RV Sabotage: False | RV Window: Not Broken | Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion: true

New Inventory: Iron Shard

Thievery? false | Whomp? false | Wanted? false

Merlin Affinity 92 | Flirt Bold: 0 | Flirt Subtle: 1

Adrian Affinity: 101 | Flirt Bold: 1 | Flirt Subtle: 0

Arthur Affinity: 57 | Flirt Bold: 0 | Flirt Subtle: 0

Percy Affinity: 57 | Soulmate: false | Nickname: Quin (Normal)

Magic: 28 Physical: 12 Mental: 55 Charisma: 17

Bold : 120 Sweet : 154 Sassy : -7 Optimist : 88

Caution : 41 Will : 16 Denial : -3 Cloudcuckoolanderness : 6 Silent : 11 Fear Level : -9

Thanks for the stats!

According to my notes, it's currently...

+83 mind +83 charm +83 body +37 magic

... not including the random +5 - +15 stats available from choosing Luck as your talent, but some of that should be mutually exclusive.

There's also no real benefit to gimping all your other stats to push one super high since most solo stat checks are in the 30s in the first game and the few starting-to-transcend-the-limits-of-humanity ones will probably be topping out in the 50s.

The Paramedic boost is a bug that keeps somehow reverting back (again!). The next bug fix update should hopefully fix that one for good.

[odinsblog]

Internalized Racism Inventory

1 Do I trust people of color? Do I ever react to people of color in ways that indicates suspicion or mistrust?

2 In my work or educational experience do I seek out approval from white individuals for a job well done over that of other people of color?

3 Do I/have I ever been embarrassed to respond to another person of color in a language other than English for fear of being associated with my cultural/ethnic group?

4 Do I/have I hesitated to participate in cultural/ethnic heritage events at my place of work/educational institution for fear of being identified with one of my cultural/ethnic groups?

5 Am I a harsher critic of the choices or behaviors of other people of color than I am of white people?

6 When choosing a healthcare provider of other provider of services that requires specific educational training (i.e. attorney, educator etc.) am I less likely to select a person of color versus a white person?

7 Have I/Do I intend to alter my physical features in any way to hide or obscure my own cultural/ethnic features?

8 When choosing a place to live, would I prefer to live within a community that is a community of color or a predominately white community?

9 How often do I refer to other people of color as “ghetto” or by some other derogatory/diminutive term?

10 When choosing books, toys or similar gifts for the children in my life how conscious am I of images, sounds and experiences that reflect their ethnic/cultural identity?

11 In my place of work do I give more weight or credence to the thoughts and ideas shared by white people versus people of color?

12 Do I believe people of color?

13 Have I ever questioned whether a colleague or service provider (of color) was chosen for their position based on an affirmative action initiative?

14 When choosing sources of entertainment (literature, movies, music etc.) how often do I choose art created/produced by people of color?

15 How often am I embarrassed by or fearful of another Person of Color?

16 How often do I mistrust my own thinking or carry around doubts about other People of Color’s ability to think well?

17 Do I ever actively or passively believe or support racial stereotypes about my own racial group (for example: laugh at a racist joke)

18 Have I ever played the role of “gatekeeper”, assisting the white power structure in preventing certain People of Color from admission to an organization, or promotion to a leadership position – for fear of the perception that we’re “taking over?”

19 How often do I overcompensate – actively go out of my way to contradict or disprove a stereotype that I think white people may be holding about me or others in my racial group?

20 Am I ever ashamed of People of Color? How often do I feel ashamed of or avoid those whose skin is “too dark,” hair is “too kinky,” eyes “too slanty,” who dress “too ethnic,” or who talk or play music “too loud?”

21 Do I ever censor my own opinion or passion, or hesitate to make waves when my knowledge and experience are overlooked in a conversation or discussion or argument with white people?

22 Have I ever thought about my own racial group: “We are our own worst enemy.”

23 How often do I doubt myself? Or second guess myself?

24 Do I put on a different persona when I go into white people’s business, organization or home?

25 How often am I unsupportive of a Person of Color’s leadership? Have I ever undermined or sabotaged their leadership?

26 Do I hold People of Color to a higher standard than I hold White People?

(source) related post ↵

[whocaresaboutdecent]

Ineffable May 2024 Day 17: Inspector Constable

Inspector Constable and the Curious Case of the Vanishing Books

Rated: General Audiences | Read on Ao3

Muriel investigated the gap between the books using the magnifying glass that Aziraphale kept in the shop to decipher the minuscule writing in the old scriptures. They held it up to their eye as if it were a monocle and peered through, squinting in concentration.

“Strange,” they muttered, furrowing their brow. “Very strange.”

The disappearance of the books posed a perplexing puzzle for which they had no immediate explanation, and to their dismay, the magnifying glass was of no help. Instead of sharpening their vision, the tool blurred it, so they set it aside with a resigned sigh and knelt on the floor of the bookshop, inspecting the gap in the lowest shelf closely.

Naturally, Muriel had detected the mysterious disappearance of the books right away. Keeping track of things was their job after all, and they weren’t a 37th-class scrivener for nothing. 

(In fact, Muriel had flinched violently at the noise when a neighbouring book had collapsed into the newly created emptiness beside it, indicating a space large enough for at least four books to have vanished by that point).

With their experience as Inspector Constable, and drawing on the insights gained from reading a fair share of the bookshop's detective novels, Muriel knew exactly how to proceed of course - they began looking for clues without further delay.

Unfortunately, there was little to be found. The only notable detail about the missing books was that they all belonged to Aziraphale’s favourites. Otherwise, there were no peculiarities worth mentioning - no scratch marks on the door lock, no broken windows, no signs of forced entry or damage. Although Muriel tried their best, they didn't find any incriminating fingerprints, and nothing aside from the books seemed to be missing (although it was hard to tell with all the fascinating memorabilia Aziraphale had collected over the last centuries cluttering the bookshop).

When their search for clues yielded no actionable insights, they proceeded to the next step: interrogating witnesses.

Muriel’s first stop was Heaven.

“No, books have never vanished without a trace before,” Aziraphale said, sitting behind his desk full of paperwork, looking wary. “Muriel, should I be concerned? Do you need any assistance?”

Muriel let out a nervous laugh and waved their hands in dismissal. 

“Oh, no, not at all. It’s fine,” they assured him, attempting to conceal their embarrassment at having troubled the Supreme Archangel with such a trivial matter. However, after the disappearance of the seventh book in just a few days, they thought it best to clarify whether this was a common occurrence that no one had thought to inform them about.

Muriel squirmed under Aziraphale’s lingering gaze. It left them wondering whether they had given him the impression of neglecting their duty to care for the bookshop in his absence. Hastily, they added: “I … I will conduct an inventory. I am certain they’ve simply been misplaced.”

Aziraphale sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked tired, worn out, and lacked the warm smile and friendly tone in his voice that Muriel had always appreciated for their kindness.

“Keep me informed, please?” Aziraphale requested and Muriel nodded eagerly in response. That was the least they could do. 

“And if you happen to meet…,” Aziraphale's voice trailed off, lost in thought, before he forced a smile and adjusted his attire, shining with a white so radiant that it nearly hurt the eye. Yet, instead of lending him authority, it only made him look pale. 

“No, it’s nothing,” Aziraphale concluded, already turning back to the paperwork piled on his desk, wearing a determined expression on his face. “Thank you for telling me, Muriel.”

Muriel opted for Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death as their next stop. Positioned directly across from the bookshop, there was the chance that Nina might have witnessed an intruder. Armed with a notebook and a pen, Muriel entered the café, ready to jot down every single detail Nina could provide. Inside, Muriel found Nina in the midst of serving a large cup of coffee to Aziraphale’s grumpy demon friend. Mr. Crowley, if they remembered correctly.

“What is it, Cup of Tea?” Nina greeted Muriel, ignoring Mr. Crowley’s extended hand as she held onto the steaming cup rather than placing it on the table in front of him. “Can I get you the usual?”

“Um, no, thanks,” Muriel declined, casting a nervous glance at Mr. Crowley. They hadn’t forgotten how he tricked them into granting him access to Heaven, or how he had refused to let them wait in the bookshop when Muriel had had nowhere else to go. Muriel didn't feel particularly comfortable in his presence, although he certainly didn't appear to match the gruesome and frightening description of a demon Heaven expected Muriel to believe in.

Mr. Crowley had given Muriel a book after all, and Aziraphale seemed to like him, so perhaps there was a hidden kindness to him, though Muriel was hard-pressed to detect it beneath his clenched jaw and grim expression.

“I thought you might be able to help,” Muriel said hopefully, turning their attention back to Nina and recounting everything about the vanishing books. They noticed Mr. Crowley shifting in his seat, but his facial expression remained a mystery behind the shades covering his eyes.

“That’s weird,” Nina remarked after Muriel had finished. “But I am sorry, I haven’t seen anything unusual happening.”

Muriel made a desperate noise, their shoulders sagging.

 “Aziraphale will be very angry with me for not paying proper attention,” they lamented, earning a disbelieving snort from Mr. Crowley.

“Oh, he won’t,” he growled. “He’s very good at forgiveness. Trust me, I know.”

Muriel squinted in confusion at Mr. Crowley’s bitter tone, which didn’t quite align with the notion of forgiveness.

“Why do you think the thief took these specific books?” Nina inquired, shooting Mr. Crowley a dismissive glance. “They aren’t the most valuable in the bookshop, are they?”

Muriel shook their head. 

“No. But they're all Aziraphale’s favourites. He keeps them on a separate shelf in the back of the bookshop to prevent customers from accidentally taking them.”

Nina hummed thoughtfully. 

“Sounds like someone is on a personal vendetta,” she speculated. 

Muriel remained unconvinced.

“I think the thief must be lonely,” they proposed their own theory, receiving a skeptical look from Nina.

“What makes you think that?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well, books are like people, only portable,” Muriel explained, fondly remembering the first time they had picked up a novel, the words on the page as comforting as a warm hug, distracting them from feeling out of place on this strange yet exciting planet. “So if someone takes that many books in such a short time they crave company, obviously.”

Nina's expression shifted. She looked as if pieces of a puzzle clicked into place, and then regarded Mr. Crowley with suspicion.

“Or,” she intoned meaningfully, her gaze fixed on Mr. Crowley’s face, her features softening into something Muriel took for sympathy, “craving the company of someone very specific, given that only the favourites are disappearing.”

Mr. Crowley finally snatched the cup from Nina's hands, his patience running out.

“I don't understand why you concern yourself with this matter,” he snarled, downing his six shots of espresso and slamming the cup onto the table with unnecessary force, causing Muriel to flinch. “He left them here without a backwards glance. They don’t seem that important to him after all.”

Muriel hurriedly took a few steps back as he abruptly pushed back his chair and left the café with brisk strides, smoking.

“Watch out for lightning strikes, Mr. Six Shots of Espresso!” Nina called after him as the door shut with a resounding thud. She sighed, and Muriel looked at her with a questioning expression - as did all the other customers who had witnessed Mr. Crowley’s abrupt flight. Nina ignored them, putting a comforting hand on Muriel's shoulder.

“Don’t you worry, Cup of Tea,” she said, the soothing words accompanied by a reassuring squeeze of her hand. “The books will be back eventually.”

“How can you be so sure?” Muriel wanted to know, taken aback by Nina's confidence.

Nina glanced out the shop window as Mr. Crowley sped away in his Bentley.

“Because he won’t be able to bear the look of heartbreak over those missing books on that angelic face for very long when Mr. Fell returns.”

With that, Nina collected Mr. Crowley’s empty cup and tended to the customers waiting at the counter, leaving an even more confused Inspector Constable behind.

********

Prompt List for Ineffable May 2024

[gothyanki]

1, 8, 16 and 19 for Vin

3, 5, 12, 17 for Lykos

<3

20 Tav questions.

Thank you!! <3

Vin’ath:

1. what do they smell like at their freshest? (and/or after a tenday. your choice)

At their freshest, Vin’ath smells like Armour and Weapon (a combination of the actual materials and the substances they use to clean/oil them) + undertones of something… cold? silvery? indescribable to most non-gith + a faint whiff of grass, leaves, and soil + the dried flowers they keep in their pockets because they’re VERY picky about scents. Their favourite is lavender. If they’ve been smiting a lot, there’s also a hint of ozone in there.

I headcanon that githyanki don’t sweat as much as humans do and smell less strong even at their grottiest, so after a tenday it’s probably all of those odours amplified + the blood of their enemies overpowering it all. Lae’zel approves. Vin does not – see above re: fastidiousness.

8. if either, are they part of the astarion/gale book club (magic & literature) or the wyll/shadowheart book club (trashy romance novels)?

At first, neither. Vin got put off reading early on in life – while they excelled at swordplay growing up, they found slate-based learning much more difficult, and the environment they were in was anything but supportive. They fell in love with theatre after getting out of the crèche system, but that didn’t really translate to written literature of any kind. That association with the cult propaganda they had to study was hard to break.

…until, that is, someone who shall remain unnamed lent them a book about a ruthless githyanki pirate whose stony heart was melted by the power of love. Vin may or may not have cried. Ever since then, they’ve been a semi-regular attendee at Wyll and Shadowheart’s reading circles. While they’d still rather see a performance, getting to carry the stories around in their backpack is growing on them.

16. what’s the description of their underwear in the inventory menu?

“Even these sturdy, practical shorts have an aura of righteousness about them.”

(Vin’s definitely a boxers person.)

19. do you have a playlist for your tav? if so, what’s the title + description?

I do, and I’m so sorry about the description in advance! It’s called “we’re in deep tsk’va now” and the description is “sad green paladin seeks dewormer rx”. Here’s the link (there’s a tiny bit of crossover with my Gith/Vlaakith/Zerthimon playlist because a few of these are general githyanki songs in my heart):

Lykos:

3. how would they kiss their LI?

Softly at first, with just a hint of teeth. He likes to start slow and get more intense. Nose and forehead kisses are his absolute favourite to greet a partner with, but he’s a big fan of kisses on top of the head too (giving or receiving, if he’s sitting down and/or actually ran into someone taller than he is). If he can play with their hair using fingers or psionics, he will.

…if you think all this sounds very gooshy and sappy for a githyanki, you’re right!  Man’s a FREAK. He also likes to be told what to do, though, so the secondary answer to this is “however his partner wants to be kissed”.

5. what does their tent area look like? where do they prefer to pitch their tent (next to water, covered on three sides, etc)?

(Yoinking from my other answer.)

He prefers to make his pitch on higher ground, where he’s got a good view of the surrounding area and is away from anywhere that could potentially flood (though he won’t admit it, he’s afraid of deep water - an early lesson on the natural hazards of the Material got to him). His actual sleeping space is small - some people would say cramped - and as covered as he can possibly make it. He once experimented with making and hanging a bead curtain, but it didn’t work out very well.

In what may or may not be an act of rebellion against the controlling environment he came out of, he lets the area in front get SUPER MESSY. He has a tendency to dump everything out of his pack to “sort through it” at the end of the day, and since he picks up everything he can physically carry, that means A LOT of stuff gets piled up there. Gems, trinkets, ribbons, jewellery, beads, books, bones, mirrors, scrolls, a slate or two… then he shoves it all back into his pack the next day to start the cycle over again. While it’s a mess, he never lets it get seriously filthy - he has that typical Astral githyanki hatred of dirt/dust/mould.

12. their companions are gossiping about them behind their back! who is it and what are they saying?

In Act 1, it’s probably Lae’zel speculating out loud about the super-secret Vlaakith cult he belongs to. After they’ve been travelling together for a bit, she starts making ominous noises questioning his loyalty to Vlaakith (she’s right to doubt it!) I think they try to present a united githyanki front at first, but sometimes their differences just JUMP out.

After Y’llek, I think just about everyone would be whispering about him… but for most of them, it’d be more out of concern than anything else. He’s much quieter about his feelings on Vlaakith than Lae’zel is and he underwent a very concrete, tangible loss of power as a result of his quasi-divine sponsor tossing him out on his arse. And – most shocking of all – he stopped braiding/dyeing his hair! The entire party was fretting and/or speculating wildly all the way to the Shadowlands. Then they ran into Minthara again in the worst of circumstances and the gossip took a turn.

17. how do they celebrate their birthday?

I think Lykos comes to see the day he unintentionally broke away from Vlaakith as his birthday, or the closest equivalent that matters to him. He doesn’t celebrate it as such, but he tries to spend as much of the day as possible in quiet contemplation. Sometimes he writes letters to absent friends. If Lae’zel’s around, they might engage in some especially vigorous sparring. Ditto for Minthara, although those duels tend to go to their favourite non-platonic violence place pretty quickly.

[valpoupdates]

MAY CALENDAR POSTING...

So much to see, so much to do, so little time ! Lucky for you, here in the Valparaíso Region, we keep track of it just for you ! Unless stated otherwise, these activities are optional. Residents do not have to take part in these if they don't wish to ! These can be used for threads throughout the month but new threads can't be started for these activities once the month is up. Please track the valpocalendar tag to stay updated month to month ( ©️ )

Casablanca Activities

May 4: To celebrate the 4th, Aire Libre will be showing the original Star Wars trilogy—no, the original original Star Wars trilogy, the one that premiered in Chile in 2003! As the broadcasting company didn’t want to cut to commercial breaks, they instead stitched the commercials into the scenes and started something absolutely legendary.  Spanish subtitles will be provided, and guests are encouraged to come dressed!  Merchandise will be sold of the edited scenes, from magnets to t-shirts to blankets.

6 PM: Episode IV: A New Hope 8:30 PM: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 11 PM: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

May 10: Inherited Escapes will be hosting their own AAPI event!  They’ve invited Asian Chilean authors as well as authors of AAPI descent to be part of an author panel and book signing.  Come meet some amazing local authors, come give a big greeting to our international authors, and come spend an afternoon surrounded by people who love to write and love to read. The event will be from 6 PM - 8:30 PM.  Snacks and beverages will be provided; the last thirty minutes will be for book signings (only books bought from Inherited Escapes will be signed).

May 11-12: As fall is ending, Isidora will be selling last season’s products at a discounted price this entire weekend to prepare their inventory for the upcoming season and for the winter time storage.  If you buy any of their products, they’ll also be offering free tours of their winery!

May 17: As the days and nights get cooler, Quintay is seeing an uptick in visitors for fly fishing.  Veteran fisherman and very important scientists have predicted that this particular Friday will be a great time to fish, so Quintay invites families to come and learn how to fly fish from 4PM - 8 PM!  For a small price, kids can borrow fishing gear and life jackets, and get hands-on experience on how to use an artificial lure to catch some dinner.  Post-8 PM, adults can stay and fly fish further.

Quilpué Activities

May 2: To celebrate International Sibling Day, Plantas Altas will be offering a BOGO 50% off from 11 AM - 2 PM! If you ever need an excuse to buy more plants, or if you need a reason to buy a gift for a sibling you love to hate and hate to love, Plantas Altas has you covered with pots, leafy greens, dangling beauties, and all the cute accessories you could want.

May 3: International Supernatural Day is upon us, and no one loves the Supernatural more than the people at Los Fantasmas.  For an out of season night, the team at Los Fantasmas has come up with a spooktacular night.  From 8 PM - 2 AM, they will be hosting a small Macabre Market where the vendors will be selling eerie, unsettling, and just plain scary merchandise.  Two new drinks have been added to the menu for this night: the Cóctel Zombi and El Beso de la Muerte. There’s even rumors of the appearance of a famous but reclusive ghost hunter—but you’ll have to come and find out for yourself!

May 5: Are you the best at Smashbros?  Maybe you’re just the big fish in your little pond.  Casa Dragones is offering you the chance to truly find out!  Test your mettle against other Smashbros players in a Smashbros Tournament!  There is a small entry fee and a portion of it goes to the cash prize pool; winner takes it all, and something maybe even more important: Bragging Rights!  The tournament will be from 2 PM - 6 PM.  Snacks and beverages will be provided, but you are encouraged to purchase snacks from the counter and support your local nerd space.  Please register online at www.lacasadedragones.cl.

May 18: It’s time to shine for one of Caos Tattoos very own: Abril Valdivia!  The Tattoo Apprentice will be having a flash sale of her own designs for a discounted price.  Come support a local up-and-coming artist!  You can still make appointments and receive flash from the resident tattoo artists there. May 25: Quilpué Zoo invites friends and family to meet their new friend, Otto the Octopus!  Otto is a smart, clever, playful, and silly boy.  He loves squirting water at the Quilpué Zoo workers; he loves solving puzzles; and he loves being handled by the zoo employees!  From 10 AM - 2 PM, the event (¡Bienvenido A Casa, Otto¡) will allow kids to see Otto solve puzzles and do tricks; they’ll see a feeding session; and they’ll also learn about octopuses and their habitats!

Valparaíso Activities

May 16: Valparaíso Centro Médico is celebrating the backbone of the hospital: the nurses!  During this time, participating restaurants and stores will be offering nurses discounts in their stores and restaurants.  Check your email for an emailed list of participating locations; all that’s required is to show your hospital badge.  At the hospital itself, expect decorations throughout, a gift basket, a catered meal, as well as a bonus effective this paycheck.  Thank you for your hard work!

May 19: Art thee int'rest'd in loveth?  In hurt?  in what it means to beest a human on this Earth?  Doth thee loveth plays and the arts?  Well, the Shakespeare in the Parketh team shall beest p'rf'rming various scenes f'r free in the Parque Cultural de Valparaíso from 12 PM - 3 PM.  Bringeth a blanket, a snack, and a cousin and enjoyeth the showeth!  T’is family friendly and BYOB, but thee shall beest hath asked to leaveth if 't be true thou art being disruptive.

May 21: The Writer’s Org will be hosting a writing workshop at Biblioteca Santiago Severín from 5 PM - 7 PM.  There are no entry fees and no club fees.  Non/fiction writers can bring 1-2 pieces up to 1500 words total; poets and flash fiction writers will be allowed 3 pieces. 

May 28: Valparaíso Centro Médico is having a Blood Donation Day from 7 AM - 9 PM.  Come save a life and get a t-shirt and hydroflask as thanks!  No registration, signups, or appointments needed.  Walk in whenever you’re free and do your part to help your neighbors in need!

Viña del Mar Activities

May 4: To celebrate International Bird Day, the Bird Watching Org will spend time in the Parque Nacional La Campana from 6 AM - 10 AM to play Bird Bingo.  First person to identify all the birds or get Bingo will get a pack of bird stickers!  You are welcome to bring food and drinks, but try not to bring anything too noisy, and keep in mind that you’ll be carrying all your trash until we make it to a trashcan.

May 12: The Casino de Viña Del Mar would love to celebrate Mother’s Day with you!  From 11 AM - 11 PM, there will be a special Mother’s Day buffet for guests to enjoy.  A raffle will also be done, and 3 winners will be picked to enjoy an all expense-paid trip to Havana, Cuba!

May 24-27: Member Point Event—more details to come!

[camillejeaneshphm]

Beatrice Somerset’s profile:

BASIC INFO

Quote by Character: “To fail is to disappoint.”

Full Name: Beatrice Sage Somerset

Nicknames: Bea

Gender: Cis woman (she/her)

Sexuality: Bisexual 

Alignment: Lawful neutral 

Species: Witch

Blood Status: Half-blood

Date of Birth: February 12 1998 

Race/Ethnicity: White English

Nationality: British

Short Bio: The sister of the bolder Diana, Beatrice has always been content to live in her twin’s shadow. Though she wants to someday have her own independent life, for now she’s happy to be her sister’s shadow. 

Personality: Sarcastic, idealistic, romantic, perfectionist 

Languages: English, French

Likes: Books, music, being in the right 

Dislikes: Crowds, things being sub-perfect. 

Greatest Flaw: Pushes people away 

Greatest Strength: Wit 

Place of Residency: 

birth-17: Winbourne

17-TBD: Winbourne 

TBD-Death: TBD

Future Career: Ministry employee (might go with lawyer?)

APPEARANCE

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye Color: Green

Skin Tone: Pale

Height: 1.56 cm

Weight: 48 kg

Physique: A bit wispy 

Style Choice (what they like to wear): Bea’s fashion sense mainly takes after her dad’s choices of sweaters and baggy jeans, though she throws flannels into the mix. 

Accessories: scrunchies, rings 

Inventory: her wand, her phone, a decent book

Scars: a large scar down her right leg from falling out of a tree as a child. 

Face Claim: Brec Bassinger 

Voice Claim/description of what they sound like: Brec Bassinger 

MAGIC

Wand Description/Picture: Pine, Unicorn Hair

[The straight-grained pine wand always chooses an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells. Many wandmakers insist that pine wands are able to detect, and perform best for, owners who are destined for long lives, and I can confirm this in as much as I have never personally known the master of a pine wand to die young. The pine wand is one of those that is most sensitive to non-verbal magic.]

Wand reaction when chosen: The whole room lit up. 

Boggart: her sister, screaming about how much she hates her. 

Riddikulus Form: di tells a comedy routine or smth idk

Patronus: Borzoi

Patronus Memory: variety of memories with her sister 

Animagus: no 

Amortentia (what they smell like): old books, coffee, leather

Amortentia (What they smell): idk gimme a love interest and we’ll see

Mirror of Erised: herself fully out of her sister’s shadow, recognized for all she really is 

Misc. Magical Abilities: some wand less magic

Favorite/Created Spells: none

SCHOOL LIFE

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw 

Ilvermorny House: n/a

Organizations Joined: none

Apprenticeships: apprentice within the ministry

Professions: ministry worker, law student 

Best Subjects: history of magic, ancient runes, transfiguration 

Worst Subjects: n/a

Class Proficiencies (OWL grade, n /10 or ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆):

Astronomy: EE

Charms: EE

DADA: A

Flying: A

Herbology: EE

History of Magic: O

Potions: EE

Transfiguration: O

Ancient Runes: O

STATS

Power (magic): 7.5/10

Power (physical strength): 6/10

Intelligence: 10/10

Skill: 7/10

Teamwork: 5.5/10

Speed: 8.5/10

Defense: 5/10

RELATIONSHIPS

FAMILY:

Father: Caiden Solace (see profile)

Mother: Valentina Somerset (@endlessly-cursed, see profile)

Twin Sister: Diana Somerset (@endlessly-cursed, see profile) 

Friends:

Closest MC friends:

None (open!)

Love interest:

None (open!)

Dorm mates:

None (open!)

Rivals:

None yet (open to interaction)

Enemies:

n/a

Pets: none

[regalfairytaleacademy]

Technical Information

Name: Yvonne Cryos

(Former: Yvonne Leroy)

Japanese: イヴォンヌ・クリオス (Ivu~on'nu kuriosu)

Quotes: "Rich and Fool, two choices to one. I'll be fool but rich, just for a plan."

Age: 17 y.o

Birthday: September 9th

Star sign: Virgo

Height: 172 cm

Race: Fairy-hybrid

Species: Ice Fairy

Homeland:

Melodie Kingdom (born; formerly)

Sakura Imperial (currently)

Family:

Daniel Leroy (Biological father; haven't seen)

Demeter Harvest (Biological mother)

Pandora Aiko (Stepmother; haven't seen)

Matthew Cyros (Stepfather)

Unseen step-siblings

Riordan Cryos Leroy (Older brother)

Alessia Cryos (Younger sister)

Mitsu Cryos (Younger sister #2)

Rico Cryos (Younger brother)

Nicknames / Aliases:

Evie (by her family and friends)

Dame de neige (by Rook Hunt; means "Lady of Snow", due to her sparkling eyes inspiring his painting of winter scenery)

Mullet (by Floyd Leech; because of her appearance)

Herbivore / Peacock (by Leona Kingscholar; as he described her as the female version of Vil due to being very nagging)

Beauty (by NRC random students who flirting her)

Other:

Monster (by her biological father)

Loser's daughter (by her step-mother)

Vixen (by those envious girls)

School Facts and Fun Facts

Best Subject: Magic History |Machinery

Worst Subject: Linguistics

Favourite Colors: Salmon Pink, Orchid Purple and Beige

Favourite Food: Dumplings | Apple

Least Favourite: Junk Food

Likes: Knowledge, books, adventures, discovery, her step-family, simple romantic date, quiet, sakura viewing, mechanical inventions, her mother's homemade foods, motion videos, happiness, peace, preppy fashion

Dislikes: Wrong answers, nonsense, her cheating biological father, a third wheel, cheap gifts, forced to speak, being flirt, fake romantic novels, fighting, bully, her family being mistreated, haters, mocked, gothic

Hobbies: Inventing, playing chess, reading, babysitting, chatting with Sophia on phone

Talents: Mechanic design, navigation, archery, fencing, strategic, problem-solving, inventory, babysitting, ice manipulation, the transformation of ice fairy

Idol Stat

Performance: Coloratura soprano and suitable for some opera classics. However she can only sing in bass now because her throat problem and a few coughs.

Choreography: Combination of ballet and martial arts, Yvonne's bones are a little soft and easily bend, but sometimes need full recovery. She occasionally showing with elegant hand gestures.

Shimmery Wings outfits: Classical • Quirky

Idol Brand

Winter Princess (冬のプリンセス)

The brand that feature on the Snow Princess of the blizzard realm. The outfits has fur coat and the color palette of the brand are blue to white. It even allowed to use other colors to fit on the stage background. It is Yvonne's preferred brand.

Shimmery Wings: Quirky • Classical

Etymology

Yvonne is a female given name. It is the feminine form of Yvon, which is derived from the French name Yves and Yvette. It is from the French word iv, meaning "yew" (or tree). Since yew wood was used for bows, Ivo may have been an occupational name meaning "archer". Yvonne/Ivonne is also a Spanish girl name.

Cryos is a word of combining form meaning “icy cold,” “frost."

Character Inspired

Yvonne was inspired by

Timmy (Winx Club series)

Bea Spells-a-lots (Lalaloopsy)

[xcelaccounting12]

What are the best accounting software options for small businesses in 2024?

When it comes to operating a small business, have a sound aiming financial to management. To grow while business staying owners profitable, accounting software is crucial a godsend since it helps in the organization and analysis of financial data including reporting, spending and invoicing. In 2024, advances in technology have generated systems for accounting which have become more adaptable, cost-effective, and easy to use compared to their predecessors. Different kinds of companies may discover an approach that's suitable for them, and either they're new ventures, self-employed workers, or developing businesses. The most effective software for accounting substitutes for small companies in 2024 have been presented and detailed in the following section, collectively regarding their capabilities, costs, and advantages, to assist you in selecting the ideal solution for your business.

1. QuickBooks Online

Overview:

QuickBooks Online remains a leading choice for small businesses due to its versatility, ease of use, and robust features. This cloud-based platform allows business owners to manage their finances from anywhere.

Key Features:

Customizable invoicing and payment tracking

Bank reconciliation to automate expense categorization

Integration with popular business tools and apps

Real-time financial reports for better insights

Payroll management and tax calculation

Pros:

User-friendly interface for beginners

Extensive integrations with third-party tools

Scalable for growing businesses

Pricing: Starts at $30/month, with higher tiers for advanced features.

Best For: Small businesses that need scalable, all-in-one accounting tools.

2. Xero

Overview:

Xero is ideal for small businesses that require flexibility and seamless collaboration. Its clean, user-friendly dashboard makes accounting accessible for non-accountants.

Key Features:

Bank reconciliation with real-time updates

Customizable invoices and payment reminders

Multi-currency support for international businesses

Extensive app integrations (over 1,000 apps)

Project management tools for tracking time and expenses

Pros:

Great for collaboration with accountants and team members

Extensive integrations for enhanced functionality

Intuitive and easy-to-learn interface

Pricing: Starts at $14/month, with tiered options for growing businesses.

Best For: Businesses needing collaboration features and app integrations.

3. FreshBooks

Overview:

FreshBooks is designed for freelancers, contractors, and small service-based businesses. It simplifies tasks like time tracking, invoicing, and expense management.

Key Features:

Professional invoicing with automated reminders

Expense tracking and receipt scanning

Time tracking for billable hours

Project management and budgeting tools

Financial reporting for cash flow and expenses

Pros:

Tailored for service-based businesses

Easy-to-use interface with mobile app access

Strong invoicing and client management features

Pricing: Starts at $17/month, with customizable plans.

Best For: Freelancers and service-oriented businesses needing time tracking and invoicing.

4. Zoho Books

Overview:

Zoho Books is a cost-effective accounting solution offering comprehensive features for small businesses. It seamlessly integrates with other Zoho applications, making it a perfect fit for Zoho users.

Key Features:

End-to-end accounting with invoicing, expense tracking, and reconciliation

Tax compliance with automated GST/VAT calculations

Multi-currency support for international businesses

Inventory and project management tools

Client portals for real-time collaboration

Pros:

Affordable pricing for small businesses

Integrates well with Zoho CRM and other tools

Easy tax compliance management

Pricing: Starts at $15/month.

Best For: Budget-conscious businesses and Zoho ecosystem users.

5. Wave Accounting

Overview:

Wave is a standout option for micro-businesses, freelancers, and startups as it offers a free plan with essential accounting features. It’s simple, efficient, and beginner-friendly.

Key Features:

Free invoicing, accounting, and expense tracking

Seamless bank connections for real-time updates

Financial reporting for better decision-making

Receipt scanning (with paid add-on)

Payroll and payment processing (optional paid features)

Pros:

Free core accounting tools

Simple and intuitive interface

Great for businesses with minimal accounting needs

Pricing: Free for accounting, with optional paid add-ons like payroll.

Best For: Micro-businesses and freelancers with basic accounting needs.

6. Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Overview:

Sage offers powerful and scalable accounting solutions tailored for small businesses looking to automate finances and gain deeper insights.

Key Features:

Automated invoicing and bank reconciliation

Cash flow management and budgeting tools

Tax compliance and reporting for VAT/GST

Multi-user collaboration for teams

Integration with other business tools

Pros:

Ideal for businesses needing advanced forecasting tools

Multi-user collaboration features

Customizable reporting options

Pricing: Starts at $10/month with flexible tiers.

Best For: Growing small businesses needing automation and financial insights.

7. NetSuite ERP

Overview:

NetSuite is an enterprise-level software suitable for small businesses planning rapid growth. It offers advanced accounting, reporting, and ERP features.

Key Features:

Comprehensive financial reporting and analytics

Advanced inventory and order management

Budgeting, forecasting, and tax compliance tools

Scalable features as businesses grow

Customizable dashboards for data visibility

Pros:

Advanced reporting for complex needs

Highly scalable for growing businesses

All-in-one ERP solution

Pricing: Custom pricing based on business needs.

Best For: Growing businesses with complex financial and operational needs.

How to Choose the Best Accounting Software

Choosing the right accounting software depends on your business size, industry, and specific needs. Here’s what to consider:

Financial: Select software based on your company's size and financial constraints. Wave and other free choices are suitable for microbusinesses.

Features: Determine whether features are essential, such as multi-user access, spending monitoring, or invoicing.

Easy to Use: Choose software with a user-friendly interface that needs little instruction.

Integration: Make sure it connects with the systems you currently use, such as CRM and eCommerce platforms.

Scalability: Software should be scalable to meet your company's needs.

Support: For it to promptly resolve problems, dependable customer service is necessary. 

Benefits of Using Accounting Software for Small Businesses

Save time: by automating processes like expense tracking, reporting, and invoicing.

Increased Accuracy: Automated computations remove human mistakes.

Cost-effective: Reduce the need for extra employees by streamlining bookkeeping.

Real-Time Insights: Get the most recent reports to make wiser financial choices.

Tax Compliance: Track VAT/GST responsibilities and file taxes with ease.

Remote Access: Use cloud-based tools to manage funds while on the go.

Conclusion 

In 2024, accounting software continues to be a game-changer for small businesses, simplifying financial management and boosting efficiency. Options like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Zoho Books offer robust features to suit businesses of all sizes, while free tools like Wave cater to startups and freelancers. By automating accounting tasks, businesses save time, reduce errors, and gain insights for smarter decision-making. The key is to evaluate your needs, budget, and growth goals when choosing the right platform. With the right accounting software, you can streamline operations and set your small business on the path to financial success.

Connect us : hello@xcelaccounting.com

[lunaamorris]

Understanding Amazon Fees: What Every Seller Should Know

Selling on Amazon can be a lucrative opportunity, but every seller needs to understand the various fees associated with running a store on the platform. These fees can significantly impact your profit margins, so knowing what to expect and how to account for them is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the most common Amazon fees and how they affect your business.

1. Amazon Seller Account Fees

When you sell on Amazon, you need to pay a monthly subscription fee for your seller account. There are two types of seller accounts:

Individual Account: This account has no monthly fee but charges $0.99 per item sold. It’s ideal for sellers who are just starting or don’t plan to sell many products each month.

Professional Account: This account costs $39.99 per month, regardless of how many products you sell. It’s the better option for sellers who plan to scale their business and sell more than 40 items per month.

In addition to the monthly fee, you’ll need to factor in any applicable taxes, and it’s wise to consult an Amazon seller accountant to ensure you’re optimizing your account setup for tax purposes.

2. Referral Fees

Amazon charges a referral fee on each sale you make. This fee is a percentage of the sale price and varies depending on the category of the product. For example:

Books, Music, and Video Games: 15%

Electronics: 8%

Home & Kitchen: 15%

Clothing: 17%

The referral fee is automatically deducted from the sale price when a customer purchases your product, so you don’t need to worry about manually paying it. However, it’s important to factor this fee into your pricing strategy to ensure your profits remain healthy.

3. Fulfillment Fees (FBA Fees)

If you choose to use Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, which involves sending your products to Amazon’s warehouses for storage and shipping, you’ll incur additional FBA fees. These fees consist of:

Storage Fees: Amazon charges monthly storage fees for keeping your inventory in their warehouse. The rates vary depending on the time of year, with higher fees during the holiday season.

Fulfillment Fees: These are fees for picking, packing, and shipping your products to customers. The cost depends on the size and weight of your items. Smaller items generally incur lower fees than larger or heavier ones.

While FBA fees can seem high, the service provides significant advantages, including Amazon’s trusted customer service, free shipping for Prime members, and the ability to scale your business without handling logistics yourself.

4. Shipping Costs

If you are not using FBA and choose to fulfill orders yourself, you will incur shipping costs. Amazon offers discounted shipping rates for sellers, but you’ll need to account for the expense of packaging materials, postage, and shipping to customers. These costs can vary depending on the size, weight, and destination of your products.

5. Advertising Fees

Many Amazon sellers opt to use Amazon’s advertising services to increase their visibility and drive sales. The most common advertising options are:

Sponsored Products: You pay a fee each time someone clicks on your ad. This cost is based on a bidding system where you set your budget.

Sponsored Brands and Display Ads: These ads are designed to promote your brand or specific products and can be more expensive than sponsored product ads.

While advertising fees are an investment in growing your business, it’s important to monitor your return on investment (ROI) to ensure your ad spend is driving profitable sales.

6. Other Fees

There are also other occasional fees to be aware of, including:

High-Volume Listing Fees: For sellers with a large inventory, Amazon may charge a fee for listing products that are not selling well.

Refund Administration Fee: If a customer returns an item, Amazon charges a small fee to process the refund.

Conclusion

Understanding the fees associated with selling on Amazon is essential for maximizing your profits and running a successful business. From monthly account fees to fulfillment and advertising charges, knowing what to expect will help you set the right pricing strategy and manage your cash flow. It’s a good idea to work with an Amazon seller accountant to ensure that your fees are accurately accounted for in your financial planning and tax reporting. By factoring in all these fees, you can make informed decisions that lead to greater profitability and growth on the Amazon platform.

[jasmineleeplays]

Wali Shumayl of Tanas presents to El Cid 3 of his Faris he can spare (i.e. not his best fighter with 20+ prowess El Cid was aiming for). Out of the 3, El Cid decides to pick Agellid who is Wali Shumayl's Steward with 11 Prowess.

El Cid's next order of business is to get out of Tanas in North Africa and head back to the Iberian Peninsula onto Catholic soil again. Thus, he travelled by sea to the church holding of Sitges in the county of Barcelona.

The trip cost him just 545 provisions and 57 days to reach his destination, whereupon nearing the Coast of Tarragona he encountered a group of Catalan traders. The merchant ship held the Masterwork Trinket called the Bejewelled Scriptures which is a scripture book decorated with studded gemstones. El Cid successfully stole the Bejewelled Sciptures from Sanc the trader, and pocketed it into his inventory.

Once they reach shore, El Cid noticed that the Experienced Captain he hired for the journey named Adiba still remained in his Camp. And so, he married to his maternal Uncle, Fernando "the Wrathful" de Amaya.

El Cid and Ximena enter the Sitges Church, noting the beautiful and sacred Catholic decor as they do so. They are then immediately approached by Brother Llop, one of the Monks who enquires how he may be of service to them? El Cid requests for a Blessing of Peace which gives him Piety, Stress Loss and increase Life Expectancy by 10 years.

Next, El Cid and Ximena wander over to the Church's annexed Garden, where El Cid notes that there are so many hidden nooks and crevices to lay with Ximena in. However, El Cid holds that thought as he is not in any need of Stress Loss nor is he in need any further children, given that he has a spare and heir. Instead, he focuses on the delicious-looking wild fruits and herbs in the garden and goes about gathering them to add to The Loyal Vassals' provisions.

After exploring Sitges, El Cid turns to looking for nearby contracts to earn some gold and comes across a posting by Sheikh al-Muzaffar II of Lleida to Protect the Innocent folks of Lleida county.

While El Cid and his followers work on the Protection Prowess scheme, Count Rodrigu Diegez of Asturias de Oviedo, Mistress Ximena's Brother and El Cid's Brother-in-law, sends El Cid an alliance proposal which he accepts.

Next, after 5 months, The Loyal Vassals' Supply Tent is erected and El Cid appoints a new Quatermaster.

Meanwhile, El Cid demands payment of 60 gold for his past loyalty from his now Rival, King Sancho II "the Strong" of Castille. At the same time, El Cid dreams of humbling King Sancho and assuming the throne of Emperor of Hispania, and vows to make his dream a reality.

Finally on 17 April 1074, El Cid finishes slaughtering 5 wolves and successfully protected the subjects of Lleida and received 55 gold and 550 Provisions from Sheikh al-Muzaffar who is now slightly in debt.

We take stock on 2nd May 1074 of Captain Rodrigo "the Campeador" who is now 31 years old and camped out in Sitges located in the Duchy of Barcelona. His Second, Alvar Fanez, is bonding with his wife T'awes Jalayar.

[yhwhrulz]

Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" Devotional for June 4

“Exceedingly Precious ”

Malachi 3:17

A day is coming in which the crown jewels of our great King shall be counted, that it may be seen whether they answer to the inventory which His Father gave Him. My soul, wilt thou be among the precious things of Jesus? Thou art precious to Him if He is precious to thee, and thou shalt be His "in that day," if He is thine in this day.

In the days of Malachi, the chosen of the LORD were accustomed so to converse with each other that their God Himself listened to their talk. He liked it so well that He took notes of it; yes, and made a book of it, which He lodged in His record office. Pleased with their conversation, He was also pleased with them. Pause, my soul, and ask thyself: If Jesus lucre to listen to thy talk would He be pleased with it? Is it to His glory and to the edification of the brotherhood? Say, my soul, and be sure thou sayest the truth.

But what will the honor be for us poor creatures to be reckoned by the LORD to be His crown jewels! This honor have all the saints. Jesus not only says, "They are mine," but, "They shall be mine." He bought us, sought us, brought us in, and has so far wrought us to His image that we shall be fought for by Him with all His might.

Copyright Statement These files are public domain.

[dmm2929]

How can an interior design office optimize storage and organization for design samples and materials?

In the world of interior design, creativity knows no bounds, and designers are constantly working with an array of samples, materials, and references to bring their visions to life. To foster creativity and maintain a productive workflow, it is essential for an interior design office to have efficient storage and organization solutions. In this blog, we will explore how to optimize storage and organization for design samples and materials in your interior design office, emphasizing keywords related to these spaces.

1. Designated Materials Library:

A well-organized materials library is the backbone of any interior design office. It should feature labeled shelves and drawers to house fabric swatches, paint chips, flooring samples, and more. Proper categorization ensures that you can find what you need quickly.

2. Custom Cabinetry:

Invest in custom cabinetry designed to meet the specific storage needs of your office. Custom cabinets can accommodate larger material samples, project documentation, and design tools.

3. Shelving Units:

Adjustable shelving units provide flexibility to store samples of varying sizes. They are ideal for organizing books, binders, and decorative items.

4. Sample Drawers:

Utilize sample drawers for storing smaller items like tile samples, knobs, or decorative hardware. Label each drawer for easy identification.

5. Articulated Storage:

Articulated storage solutions allow you to store flat or rolled design samples efficiently. These systems maximize space and make it easy to see and access items.

6. Clear Bins and Containers:

Clear plastic bins and containers are excellent for keeping samples visible and organized. Label each container for quick reference.

7. Wall-Mounted Racks:

Wall-mounted racks are perfect for storing rolled materials like blueprints, wallpaper, or large fabric swatches. They keep these items easily accessible yet out of the way.

8. Digital Documentation:

Embrace digital documentation and project management software. Scanning and digitizing design samples and documents reduces physical storage needs while enhancing accessibility.

9. Archive System:

Create an archive system for completed projects and older samples. Off-site storage can be a cost-effective solution for preserving materials that you may need in the future.

10. Ergonomic Workstations:

Design ergonomic workstations with built-in storage solutions. These workstations maximize efficiency and minimize clutter.

11. Vertical Filing Cabinets:

Vertical filing cabinets are essential for organizing project documents, contracts, and client files. Label each drawer for quick retrieval.

12. Material Recycling System:

Implement a material recycling system to ensure that unused samples and materials are properly stored and organized for future use.

13. Display Boards:

Display boards can showcase design concepts, mood boards, and current project ideas. Opt for easily interchangeable boards to keep presentations fresh.

14. Labeling System:

A comprehensive labeling system is a must for efficient organization. Label shelves, drawers, and bins clearly to minimize confusion.

15. Mobile Furniture:

Consider mobile furniture solutions for flexibility in arranging your office space. Mobile shelving units and rolling carts provide easy access to materials and can be repositioned as needed.

16. Sustainability in Storage:

Promote sustainability in storage by using eco-friendly materials and incorporating green design practices in your office's organization system.

17. Meeting and Presentation Room Storage:

Meeting and presentation rooms should have ample storage for client presentations, project samples, and display materials.

18. Material Tracking Software:

Implement material tracking software to keep a digital inventory of your design samples and materials. This can help you keep track of inventory and ensure efficient use.

19. Designated Creative Space:

Create a designated creative space for brainstorming and sketching, equipped with organized storage for sketchbooks, markers, and inspirational materials.

20. Regular Organization Schedule:

Establish a regular schedule for organizing and decluttering. Routine maintenance ensures that your storage systems remain efficient.

In conclusion, optimizing storage and organization for design samples and materials in your interior design office is essential for maintaining a productive and creative work environment. A well-organized materials library, custom cabinetry, shelving units, sample drawers, and articulated storage solutions are key components. Additionally, the use of clear bins and containers, wall-mounted racks, digital documentation, and an archive system can help streamline your materials. Ergonomic workstations, vertical filing cabinets, and material recycling systems support a clutter-free workspace. Display boards, labeling systems, mobile furniture, and sustainable storage solutions enhance functionality. Meeting and presentation rooms should have sufficient storage, and material tracking software can help manage inventory. A designated creative space and a regular organization schedule keep the office efficient and inspirational. By implementing these strategies, your interior design office will be equipped to handle the diverse range of design samples and materials while fostering a creative and productive atmosphere. One can achieve these by getting in touch with the renowned design and build firm such as Flipspaces, who can help you with the same.

[whocaresaboutdecent]

Ineffable May 2024 Day 17: Inspector Constable

Inspector Constable and the Curious Case of the Vanishing Books

Rated: General Audiences | Read on Ao3

Muriel investigated the gap between the books using the magnifying glass that Aziraphale kept in the shop to decipher the minuscule writing in the old scriptures. They held it up to their eye as if it were a monocle and peered through, squinting in concentration.

“Strange,” they muttered, furrowing their brow. “Very strange.”

The disappearance of the books posed a perplexing puzzle for which they had no immediate explanation, and to their dismay, the magnifying glass was of no help. Instead of sharpening their vision, the tool blurred it, so they set it aside with a resigned sigh and knelt on the floor of the bookshop, inspecting the gap in the lowest shelf closely.

Naturally, Muriel had detected the mysterious disappearance of the books right away. Keeping track of things was their job after all, and they weren’t a 37th-class scrivener for nothing. 

(In fact, Muriel had flinched violently at the noise when a neighbouring book had collapsed into the newly created emptiness beside it, indicating a space large enough for at least four books to have vanished by that point).

With their experience as Inspector Constable, and drawing on the insights gained from reading a fair share of the bookshop's detective novels, Muriel knew exactly how to proceed of course - they began looking for clues without further delay.

Unfortunately, there was little to be found. The only notable detail about the missing books was that they all belonged to Aziraphale’s favourites. Otherwise, there were no peculiarities worth mentioning - no scratch marks on the door lock, no broken windows, no signs of forced entry or damage. Although Muriel tried their best, they didn't find any incriminating fingerprints, and nothing aside from the books seemed to be missing (although it was hard to tell with all the fascinating memorabilia Aziraphale had collected over the last centuries cluttering the bookshop).

When their search for clues yielded no actionable insights, they proceeded to the next step: interrogating witnesses.

Muriel’s first stop was Heaven.

“No, books have never vanished without a trace before,” Aziraphale said, sitting behind his desk full of paperwork, looking wary. “Muriel, should I be concerned? Do you need any assistance?”

Muriel let out a nervous laugh and waved their hands in dismissal. 

“Oh, no, not at all. It’s fine,” they assured him, attempting to conceal their embarrassment at having troubled the Supreme Archangel with such a trivial matter. However, after the disappearance of the seventh book in just a few days, they thought it best to clarify whether this was a common occurrence that no one had thought to inform them about.

Muriel squirmed under Aziraphale’s lingering gaze. It left them wondering whether they had given him the impression of neglecting their duty to care for the bookshop in his absence. Hastily, they added: “I … I will conduct an inventory. I am certain they’ve simply been misplaced.”

Aziraphale sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked tired, worn out, and lacked the warm smile and friendly tone in his voice that Muriel had always appreciated for their kindness.

“Keep me informed, please?” Aziraphale requested and Muriel nodded eagerly in response. That was the least they could do. 

“And if you happen to meet…,” Aziraphale's voice trailed off, lost in thought, before he forced a smile and adjusted his attire, shining with a white so radiant that it nearly hurt the eye. Yet, instead of lending him authority, it only made him look pale. 

“No, it’s nothing,” Aziraphale concluded, already turning back to the paperwork piled on his desk, wearing a determined expression on his face. “Thank you for telling me, Muriel.”

Muriel opted for Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death as their next stop. Positioned directly across from the bookshop, there was the chance that Nina might have witnessed an intruder. Armed with a notebook and a pen, Muriel entered the café, ready to jot down every single detail Nina could provide. Inside, Muriel found Nina in the midst of serving a large cup of coffee to Aziraphale’s grumpy demon friend. Mr. Crowley, if they remembered correctly.

“What is it, Cup of Tea?” Nina greeted Muriel, ignoring Mr. Crowley’s extended hand as she held onto the steaming cup rather than placing it on the table in front of him. “Can I get you the usual?”

“Um, no, thanks,” Muriel declined, casting a nervous glance at Mr. Crowley. They hadn’t forgotten how he tricked them into granting him access to Heaven, or how he had refused to let them wait in the bookshop when Muriel had had nowhere else to go. Muriel didn't feel particularly comfortable in his presence, although he certainly didn't appear to match the gruesome and frightening description of a demon Heaven expected Muriel to believe in.

Mr. Crowley had given Muriel a book after all, and Aziraphale seemed to like him, so perhaps there was a hidden kindness to him, though Muriel was hard-pressed to detect it beneath his clenched jaw and grim expression.

“I thought you might be able to help,” Muriel said hopefully, turning their attention back to Nina and recounting everything about the vanishing books. They noticed Mr. Crowley shifting in his seat, but his facial expression remained a mystery behind the shades covering his eyes.

“That’s weird,” Nina remarked after Muriel had finished. “But I am sorry, I haven’t seen anything unusual happening.”

Muriel made a desperate noise, their shoulders sagging.

 “Aziraphale will be very angry with me for not paying proper attention,” they lamented, earning a disbelieving snort from Mr. Crowley.

“Oh, he won’t,” he growled. “He’s very good at forgiveness. Trust me, I know.”

Muriel squinted in confusion at Mr. Crowley’s bitter tone, which didn’t quite align with the notion of forgiveness.

“Why do you think the thief took these specific books?” Nina inquired, shooting Mr. Crowley a dismissive glance. “They aren’t the most valuable in the bookshop, are they?”

Muriel shook their head. 

“No. But they're all Aziraphale’s favourites. He keeps them on a separate shelf in the back of the bookshop to prevent customers from accidentally taking them.”

Nina hummed thoughtfully. 

“Sounds like someone is on a personal vendetta,” she speculated. 

Muriel remained unconvinced.

“I think the thief must be lonely,” they proposed their own theory, receiving a skeptical look from Nina.

“What makes you think that?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well, books are like people, only portable,” Muriel explained, fondly remembering the first time they had picked up a novel, the words on the page as comforting as a warm hug, distracting them from feeling out of place on this strange yet exciting planet. “So if someone takes that many books in such a short time they crave company, obviously.”

Nina's expression shifted. She looked as if pieces of a puzzle clicked into place, and then regarded Mr. Crowley with suspicion.

“Or,” she intoned meaningfully, her gaze fixed on Mr. Crowley’s face, her features softening into something Muriel took for sympathy, “craving the company of someone very specific, given that only the favourites are disappearing.”

Mr. Crowley finally snatched the cup from Nina's hands, his patience running out.

“I don't understand why you concern yourself with this matter,” he snarled, downing his six shots of espresso and slamming the cup onto the table with unnecessary force, causing Muriel to flinch. “He left them here without a backwards glance. They don’t seem that important to him after all.”

Muriel hurriedly took a few steps back as he abruptly pushed back his chair and left the café with brisk strides, smoking.

“Watch out for lightning strikes, Mr. Six Shots of Espresso!” Nina called after him as the door shut with a resounding thud. She sighed, and Muriel looked at her with a questioning expression - as did all the other customers who had witnessed Mr. Crowley’s abrupt flight. Nina ignored them, putting a comforting hand on Muriel's shoulder.

“Don’t you worry, Cup of Tea,” she said, the soothing words accompanied by a reassuring squeeze of her hand. “The books will be back eventually.”

“How can you be so sure?” Muriel wanted to know, taken aback by Nina's confidence.

Nina glanced out the shop window as Mr. Crowley sped away in his Bentley.

“Because he won’t be able to bear the look of heartbreak over those missing books on that angelic face for very long when Mr. Fell returns.”

With that, Nina collected Mr. Crowley’s empty cup and tended to the customers waiting at the counter, leaving an even more confused Inspector Constable behind.

********

Prompt List for Ineffable May 2024

[the-writing-mechanic-official]

1: What is the best compliment you've gotten on any of your works?

-Onetime I wrote a plot twist in a fic and everyone in the comments (a total of 4 people) were shocked beyond words. Best chapter ever.

2: Do you have readers that you recognize by name (even if they may not comment regularly)?

-4 or 5, yes. I read their works, they read mine. We kind of are each others' fans.

3: Do you have scheduled uploads and if so, when?

-No...not yet.

4: How long was the longest work you've written?

-My longest work was the third draft of my novel, at 44K words.

5: What is your go-to way to deal with writers block?

-Random prompts. Journaling. Watching videos/making posts about writing (procrastination?).

6: Do you have a motivational cycle? (As in phases in which you barely write and phases in which you write so much holy shit).

-Yes, they sort of come and go, months at a time, maybe a year.

7: How long are your uploads in regular?

-In my fanfics, I keep most chapters 1.2K to 1.5K. In my novel though, each chapter is 2K to 2.5K.

8: Do you look through any and all replies to your work? Why?

-Yes! I love to see people's opinions on my work and build on critique. I often get inspired from comments on my works.

9: What genre is your favorite to write?

-Action/Adventure, but I had a romance faze at some point and it wasn't all that bad. I am currently writing Sci-Fi adventure, which is very interesting.

10: Do you read and write similar stuff or are there differences?

-To some extent. The things I DON'T read and DON'T write are exactly the same though.

11: What kind of relationships do you like writing best? (Family, platonic, romantic, etc.)

-Platonic friend (preferably groups) but a romantic one pops in once in a while.

12: Do you write in your first language? Multiple languages? A secret, third option?

-I used to write poetry in my native language (Arabic), but my works and novel are in English.

13: How many WIPs do you have open?

-3 atm. 2 will probably be abandoned fics soon. That and 7 other stories I have in my inventory.

14: What POV do you write? First person, second person, third person?

-I'm honestly still trying to decide. My works are mostly in 3rd, but I'm experimenting with 1st.

15: What is the weirdest thing you had to look up for writing?

-... Wendigos. 5 Punishments of Ancient China. Number of people who drown yearly in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. etc.

16: What is something you didn't have to look up but is still weird to know?

-I couldn't get an answer by looking it up, but I had to conjure the symptoms and after effects of having your earlobe split open.

17: Could you or could you not successfully pull of a murder (at least in theory)?

-I will do the murder, but it won't be long before they figure me out.

18: Do you have a beta reader?

-No... not yet.

19: Do you edit your works?

-Of course. The more serious ones at least. small changes here and there sometimes.

20: Do you start on new ideas immediately or do you write them down until after you finish your current WIP?

-I write them down, but every time I think of a scene or concept in them, I write it quick.

21: How serious do you take your writing? Do you get money for it? Do you want to? Is it a hobby or a profession?

-It is not what I'm planning to have as a full-time job, but it is a nice hobby but I hope I can publish and get money from writing a series one day.

22: How often do you write fanfic? (From not at all to exclusively).

-I used to. Not that often anymore.

23: Is there a project you want to talk about?

-I am dying to explain this book of mine to someone, except that it is the third in a series of four and it is yet to be fully plotted. (It's called Ruins of Place, btw).

24: Do you stick to the same writing style or do you try out new things when you can?

-I find my writing style change after every fallout a little, and I feel it's improvement :).

25: Have you ever gotten hate and if so, how did you deal with it?

-My fanfics were in a small fandom, so really, no one complained much. As for my novel, it has yet to meet someone else's eyes.

26: Do you have a special writing process you have to follow every time you write?

-No?

27: How many people you know irl read what you're writing?

-None. They know I'm writing, but unless this book is finished no one shall see it (and don't even come at the fanfics.)

28: What would you say is your specialty in writing?

-Internal monologue and fight scenes. Sarcasm too, if it counts.

29: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

-Sometimes, but not that often. A mix of anything that doesn't put me to sleep in the first 30 seconds.

30: What is, in your opinion, the greatest achievement that you have reached in writing?

-Finishing each draft is a great feeling. 10yo me might have not known it, but the 210 pages of a hand-written abominable story I wrote back then was the reason I got the idea to develop steadily.

Know yourself as a writer.

Writer ask game! (Both fanfic writers and non-fanfic writers)

1: What is the best compliment you've gotten on any of your works?

2: Do you have readers that you recognize by name (even if they may not comment regularly)?

3: Do you have scheduled uploads and if so, when?

4: How long was the longest work you've written?

5: What is your go-to way to deal with writers block?

6: Do you have a motivational cycle? (As in phases in which you barely write and phases in which you write so much holy shit)

7: How long are your uploads in regular?

8: Do you look through any and all replies to your work? Why?

9: What genre is your favourite to write?

10: Do you read and write similar stuff or are there differences?

11: What kind of relationships do you like writing best? (Family, platonic, romantic, etc.)

12: Do you write in your first language? Multiple languages? A secret, third option?

13: How many WIPs do you have open?

14: What POV do you write? First person, second person, third person?

15: What is the weirdest thing you had to look up for writing?

16: What is something you didn't have to look up but is still weird to know?

17: Could you or could you not successfully pull of a murder (at least in theory)?

18: Do you have a beta reader?

19: Do you edit your works?

20: Do you start on new ideas immediately or do you write them down until after you finish your current WIP?

21: How serious do you take your writing? Do you get money for it? Do you want to? Is it a hobby or a profession?

22: How often do you write fanfic? (From not at all to exclusively)

23: Is there a project you want to talk about?

24: Do you stick to the same writing style or do you try out new things when you can?

25: Have you ever gotten hate and if so, how did you deal with it?

26: Do you have a special writing process you have to follow every time you write?

27: How many people you know irl read what you're writing?

28: What would you say is your specialty in writing?

29: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?

30: What is, in your opinion, the greatest achievement that you have reached in writing?

Please don't feel pressured to answer anything you're not comfortable with!