#Multi-Room Audio Specialists

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, October 2

Happy Buffy Resurrection Day to all who celebrate!

Cut to Buffy's grave. Zoom in on the ground, which is already churned up from the motorcycles riding over it. Suddenly a hand bursts out from below, then another hand, then Buffy's head and shoulders. She gasps for air, pulls herself up onto the grass, lies there panting. She looks around at the dark forest, very fearfully. Buffy slowly gets to her feet, turns and stares at the headstone with her name on it. She frowns in confusion, then her eyes widen in shock as she gets it.

~~The Bargaining~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

BtVS Triple Drabble: Angry And Hurt by badly_knitted (Willow, Buffy, PG)

Chaperones by apachefirecat (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Crouching on the Knife Handle by vampbrat (Darla/The Master, E)

You’re the Beach, I’m the Wave by Hecate (Buffy/Faith, G)

it's chemistry (but not ours) by ripslayer (Willow, Root, Person of Interest xover, T)

the perils of locker room showers by TechnicolorRevel (Willow/Faith, E)

(not) good enough by howtowords (Darla/Drusilla, G)

They'd done well, all things considered. Joan had managed to stay upright and stern-looking ... by hiddenbysuccubi (Buffy/Spike, unrated)

Chaperones by Apache Firecat (Buffy/Spike, PG)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Green Shards Underfoot - ch. 1-5 by acs (Dawn, multi xover, T)

After Midnight - ch. 1 by JennaRiley (Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, others, T)

Painting Flowers - ch. 1 by crowncitydreams (Buffy/Angel, Willow/Oz, T)

Unholy Matrimony - ch. 9 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2] - ch. 54 by Ragini (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

As the World Falls Down - ch. 1-39 by lovetvfan (Buffy, Highlander xover, FR21) COMPLETE!

Breaking the Code - ch. 4 by Buffyworldbuilder (Dawn, Buffy, Illyria, FR7)

Exorcise - ch. 1 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG)

A Sword in the Man - ch. 8 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Dear Journal - ch. 9 by Desicat (Buffy/Spike, R) COMPLETE!

[Images, Audio & Video]

Icons: 🎨 Icon Pack #13 - Sunstroke (9 icons) by veronyxk84 (Buffy, worksafe)

Artwork: more cangel memes bc i enjoy the power being able to draw gives me by artsying-ifer (Angel, Cordelia, worksafe)

Artwork: Cringetober day 2: tsundere by nivvledoodles (Spike, worksafe)

Artwork and fic rec: “Four hundred and seventy-six days.” Buffy said quietly. by flyora (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Artwork and fic rec: "You got a little fight in you, watcher," she purred. by flyora (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Moodboard: A dragon!Giles/Buffy moodboard for one of my Kinktober fics. by unendingwanderlust (worksafe)

Moodboard: “I’m the thing that monsters have nightmares about.”  Buffy Summers by ourworldofwonders (worksafe)

Moodboard: bi they/them nb trans girl buffy summers by courtillyy (worksafe)

Moodboard: bi demisexual buffy summers by courtillyy (worksafe)

Edit: [For a while, it was love, wasn't it?] —sue zhao by dogmetaphors (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Gifset: btvs 3x20 / ats 1x08 by ptieuca (Buffy/Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: ATS 1.22 | BTVS 3.18 by coffygifs (Cordelia, Buffy, worksafe)

Gifset: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997 - 2003) ⏤ 1.01, 2.09, 2.14, 3.08 by andremichaux (Buffy, Cordelia, Oz, Jenny, Spike, worksafe)

Fanvid: spike’s inner monologue be like by slugessence (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Fanvid: Spike and Buffy || Hunter by Angel (Buffy/Spike)

[Reviews & Recaps]

Season 6 hits too close to home by enrichyournerdpower

Update on this post [first time watcher] by Specialist-Orchid-80

season 7 of buffy is so perfectly set up to investigate the true nature of evil by pinesorneedles

angel the series is the funniest tv show on earth actually. i'm only on episode 7... by notdamien

PODCAST: Episode 76: Expecting (w/ Katie Kaisershot) by Gym Was Cancelled: A Buffy Podcast

[Recs & In Search Of]

[Bangel gifset] iwry2023 most fluffy fic: blush by aboutafox recced by iwillrememberyoumarathon

[Community Announcements]

Big congratulations to MamaBewear on getting BINGO!! by Fanged Four Family Bingo 2024

Updated commission info! [Spuffy] by lilibethdrawsreylo

[Fandom Discussions]

I was always frustrated by how Willow's relationship with magic was addressed in seasons 6 and 7. [commentary in the tags] by thequeenofsastiel

btvs characters and whether or not they ... [NSFW topic] by lesbianmarrow

I cannot believe Buffy was going to kill Faith to feed her to Angel. by lajeunefilleenfeu

I've been doing a year of refusing to chalk anything in BTVS as bad writing or fan service. [Xander, Riley, and Faith thoughts] by desicat-writer

[parallels with Agatha All Along and Tara in the Family episode] by a-couple-of-notes

Meme: [btvs characters plus things i found on my internet travels] by hal-1500

POLL: Best BTVS Season 1 Episode? by gh-0-stcup

POLL: Have you seen Faith's six episodes on Angel the series (aka ATS)? by elizadushkudaily

POLL: AO3 Femslash Top 100: Semi-Finals [Buffy/Faith vs Harley Quinn couple] by ao3femslashtop100-tournament

What If: Olivia wasn't around? by nightshade and many others

Free streaming (for Aussies) [and in USA] by November and famicommander

Discussion of 4.04 "Fear, Itself" updated by November

Discussion of 4.03 "The Harsh Light of Day" updated by November

Discussion of 4.01 "The Freshman" updated by November

First watch - some thoughts by Unlucky-Morning5474

If they did a revival, would they change anything? by NobodySpecialSCL

How would you portray Xander? [in a reboot] by Personal_Reward_60

I just realised something about Xander by BasementCatBill

Sarah and Joss [writing and acting and talent and professionalism] by Moon_Logic

How do you explain Angel's personality in season 1? by spectacleskeptic

How would Angel (Buffy/Angel) react to meeting Booth (Bones)? by Edkm90p

Gingerbread is scary to me by kai-enby

Unpopular opinion? [Fred on ATS] by BloatMyG0at

Do you think Eve was human? by DevilManRay

Fred feels like an Angel version of Willow from Buffy... by BabyBlueN7

Vampires degrees of bad by debujandobirds

Volviendo a ver la serie. 7° temporada. [Spike] by OneTap4588

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

VIDEO: movies should be scary, skincare shouldn't be. [skincare video with SMG] by Philosophy

PODCAST: Bonus Episode - Buffy Cast's Ultimate Survivor Island Showdown! by The Sunnydale Diaries

PUBLICATION: 8 Things I Learned Watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer For The First Time In 2024 by ScreenRant

PUBLICATION: Where Is Eliza Dushku Now? On a Bold Journey into Psychedelics by Boston Magazine

INSTAGRAM: [message to fans re psychedelic-assisted therapy article] by Eliza Dushku

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[bybespoke]

Explore the Best Audio and Video Systems: Integra Home Theater for Sale in Adelaide by Bespoke

For audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts, the experience of top-tier sound and visual quality is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion. If you’re looking to elevate your home entertainment setup, the Integra Home Theater for sale in Adelaide is an option worth considering. These high-end systems are now available through "By Bespoke," one of Adelaide’s leading specialists in custom audio and video components. This article will explore why Integra home theaters are so sought after, as well as why "By Bespoke" stands out as the go-to provider for top-tier AV solutions in Adelaide.

Why Choose an Integra Home Theater?

Integra is a brand synonymous with premium home theater systems. Known for their commitment to superior audio and visual performance, Integra components are built with precision, designed for the most discerning enthusiasts, and offer features that rival even the most sophisticated setups. Whether you’re a cinephile, a gamer, or someone who appreciates the nuances of high-quality sound and imagery, Integra home theater systems provide a cutting-edge experience.

Here are some reasons why Integra home theaters are ideal for your Adelaide home:

Superior Audio Quality: Integra's sound components are meticulously engineered to ensure a rich, immersive experience. With features like high-definition audio processing, multi-channel surround sound, and THX certification, you can enjoy cinema-quality sound in the comfort of your living room.

High-Performance Video Processing: In addition to exceptional sound, Integra home theater systems boast top-notch video processing. With support for 4K Ultra HD and HDR formats, Integra components deliver the clarity, color depth, and detail needed to take full advantage of modern display technologies.

User-Friendly Interfaces: Integra systems are designed for ease of use without compromising on functionality. Features like customizable control interfaces, integration with popular smart home systems, and compatibility with voice commands make controlling your home theater effortless.

Build Quality and Longevity: Integra products are built to last, using high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology to ensure long-term performance and reliability.

Where to Buy Integra Home Theater Systems in Adelaide?

Finding the perfect home theater system requires more than just purchasing the right components. Installation, customization, and ongoing support are just as crucial. That’s where By Bespoke comes in, offering premium Integra home theaters for sale in Adelaide, as well as a range of other top-tier audio and video systems.

Why Choose "By Bespoke" for Your Home Theater?

"By Bespoke" has earned a stellar reputation in Adelaide for providing tailored solutions for home entertainment systems. Specializing in custom installations, "By Bespoke" offers everything from initial consultation to design, installation, and post-installation support. Here’s why you should trust them with your Integra home theater setup:

Personalized Solutions: Unlike mass-market retailers, "By Bespoke" focuses on customizing every aspect of your home theater system to meet your needs. Whether you want a dedicated cinema room or an integrated entertainment area, their team can design and install a system that perfectly complements your space.

Top Audio and Video Components: "By Bespoke" is known for offering a curated selection of the best audio and video components in Adelaide, including premium brands like Integra. They are experts in high-end equipment and can recommend the best products based on your preferences and budget.

Professional Installation: When investing in a home theater system, proper installation is crucial for ensuring optimal performance. The experienced technicians at "By Bespoke" handle everything from wiring to calibration, ensuring that your system delivers the best possible sound and picture quality.

Smart Home Integration: As smart home technology becomes more prevalent, integrating your home theater system with other devices is increasingly important. "By Bespoke" offers solutions that seamlessly integrate with your smart home setup, allowing you to control everything from lighting and sound to security and temperature, all from a single interface.

Ongoing Support: After installation, "By Bespoke" continues to offer support, ensuring that your home theater system remains in peak condition. Whether you need maintenance, upgrades, or troubleshooting, their team is always available to assist.

Elevate Your Home Entertainment Today

If you're looking to upgrade your home entertainment system with Integra home theater components, "By Bespoke" is the premier choice in Adelaide. With a dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, they offer not only top audio and video components but also an unparalleled level of service. When you invest in an Integra system through "By Bespoke," you’re not just buying equipment—you’re getting a fully customized, high-performance entertainment experience that will transform your home into the ultimate multimedia haven.

Don't miss the chance to explore the latest Integra home theater for sale in Adelaide at "By Bespoke." Whether you're building a new entertainment space or upgrading an existing one, their expert team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that your system delivers the very best in both audio and video performance.

For more information on how to get started with your dream home theater, visit "By Bespoke" in Adelaide today!

[homecinemacenter]

Home audio specialist near me HCC happens to be the most prominent home audio specialist near me offering a state-of-the-art SONOS multi-room wireless music system. Now, SONOS can seamlessly elevate the audio experience to suit the personalized convenience of the home audiences.

[digitalfarooq]

Transform Your Bathroom with an AV Tub: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Are you making an attempt to get the most out of your bathing experience? Have you heard about AV tubs and would like greater information? You've arrived at the perfect location! We'll cowl all you want to understand about AV tubs in this in-depth guide, from what they are to how they can enhance your day-to-day routine.

What is an AV Tub?

An Audio-Visual tub, or AV bath for short, is a trendy rest room technological invention. It blends contemporary factors that enhance your sensory ride with the calming consequences of a traditional bathtub. With the built-in audio and visible structures in these tubs, you might also unwind to music, movies, or even ambient lighting fixtures as you launch the tensions of the day.

Why Choose an AV Tub?

Enhanced Relaxation: Picture your self enjoyable in a heat bathtub with a historical past of your preferred track playing. An AV tub's calming environment encourages unwinding and lowers tension.

Multi-Sensory Experience: You may also create a multisensory ride in your lavatory by means of the usage of AV tubs. These bathtubs are customizable, so you might also loosen up with soothing song or watch a film whilst taking a bath.

Tech-Savvy Design:An AV bathtub is a notable way to mixture modern fashion and technological know-how if you are a tech enthusiast. It offers a state-of-the-art contact to any bathroom.

Features of AV Tubs

AV tubs come with a variety of features designed to enhance your bathing experience:

Built-in Speakers: High-quality speakers integrated into the tub allow you to enjoy music or audio from your preferred device.

Bluetooth Connectivity: Many AV tubs offer Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to wirelessly stream music or podcasts from your smartphone or tablet.

LED Lighting: Some models include LED lighting options that can be customized to create different moods or ambiance in your bathroom.

Touchscreen Controls: Control your AV tub settings with ease using intuitive touchscreen interfaces located conveniently within reach.

Installing Your AV Tub

The plumbing and electrical structures in your rest room ought to be accurate set up and built-in when installing an AV tub, which normally calls for specialist assistance. The set up technique contains the following steps:

Consultation and Planning: Work with a qualified contractor or plumber to assess your bathroom layout and determine the best location for your AV tub for more information AV tub.

Electrical and Plumbing Setup: Ensure that your bathroom has the necessary electrical wiring and plumbing connections to support the AV tub’s features.

Testing and Calibration: Once installed, your contractor will test the tub’s functionality and calibrate settings to ensure optimal performance.

Maintenance Tips

To keep your AV tub in top condition and prolong its lifespan, follow these maintenance tips:

Regular Cleaning: Clean your AV tub regularly using non-abrasive cleaners to prevent buildup of soap scum or dirt.

Water Quality: Maintain good water quality by using appropriate filtration systems and cleaning the tub’s filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

Electrical Safety: Ensure that all electrical components are inspected periodically to prevent any issues with wiring or connections.

Conclusion

Buying an AV bath is an funding that will enhance your way of life in addition to your bathroom. Whether you favor to unwind after a difficult day or simply revel in the luxuries of current technology, an AV bathtub gives a personalised bathing experience.So, take a seem at the world of AV tubs if you are organized to flip your lavatory into a haven of entertainment and amusement. These tubs will carry new stages of rest and pleasure to your bathing activities with their modern day points and elegant designs.

With an AV tub, trip the bathing of the future and have the last sensory journey in the relief of your personal home. Find out why an growing range of householders are opting for AV tubs in their bathrooms. Take the first step towards a extra opulent bathing trip proper now!

[jasmelon]

sound system installation services

If you are looking for sound system installation services, Interlink Technology LLC is the best company for these services.

Interlink Technology LLC provides professional installation services for a range of audio equipment, such as stereo systems, home theatre systems, multi-room audio and more. Though we understand the challenges of installing audio equipment, our expertise makes the process effortless and stress-free. We work closely with you to comprehend your requirements and create a customized solution that fits both your space and budget.

Interlink Technology LLC is your go-to for all installation needs. Our specialists possess the skill and know-how to take on even complex setups, ensuring your audio equipment runs optimally. Visit here - https://www.interlink-technology.com/audio-visual-systems/automation-system/

[expressantenna]

Revitalize Your TV Experience: Expert TV Antenna Repair Solutions in Brisbane

Television remains a cornerstone of entertainment and information in today's fast-paced world. Whether it's catching up on news, enjoying favorite shows, or relaxing with a movie, a dependable TV antenna is crucial for uninterrupted viewing pleasure. Yet, over time, antennas can succumb to wear and tear, affecting signal quality and reception. Enter Express Antenna Services – your trusted ally for TV antenna repair in Brisbane.

Express Antenna Services recognizes the frustration of poor TV reception. Pixelated images, fuzzy channels, and signal dropouts can swiftly sour your TV time. That's why we're committed to swift and dependable TV antenna repair, ensuring crystal-clear picture quality and uninterrupted viewing.

With extensive industry experience, our skilled technicians diagnose and address a spectrum of TV antenna issues. Whether it's a minor adjustment, cable replacement, or complete realignment, we've got the expertise and tools to resolve it. Using cutting-edge equipment, we pinpoint issues and implement solutions restoring your TV reception.

Weak signal strength is a common headache, particularly in areas with challenging terrain or obstructions. Tall buildings, trees, and adverse weather can disrupt signal transmission, degrading picture quality and causing audio interruptions. Our specialists excel at troubleshooting and optimizing antenna setups for maximum signal strength and stability.

Beyond repairs, we offer installation services for new antennas and upgrades, keeping you abreast of the latest technology. Whether replacing an outdated antenna, upgrading to digital or HD, or installing multi-room viewing outlets, we tailor solutions to your needs.

We prioritize affordability and transparency, offering competitive pricing and upfront quotes, so you know precisely what to expect. Our aim is to deliver exceptional value and assurance, ensuring your TV antenna needs are met without hidden costs.

In essence, if TV antenna issues plague your Brisbane home, don't let poor reception mar your viewing pleasure. Turn to Express Antenna Services for fast, reliable, and affordable repair solutions that restore clarity and reliability to your TV signal. Contact us today at expressantennaservices@gmail.com or 409908221 to schedule a consultation and reclaim flawless TV reception.

[daveg65]

289 - Chuck’s Apple Watch Masimo Finger - With Guest Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Ben Roethig

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by guest Chuck Joiner, Jeff Gamet, and Ben Roethig. Chuck has returned from CES and gives his insights on the show what he found and what stood out to him. Where will the Apple Watch be without the blood oxygen feature? FindMy did we know there was a limit of devices? The Vision Pro Pre orders tomorrow We review what to expect. Apple Reintroduced the HomePod a Year Ago Today and Jeff has thoughts. U.S. Developers Can Now Offer Non-App Store Purchasing Option, But Apple Will Still Collect Commissions. Plus more.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com


Direct Link to Audio 

Links to our Show

Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it!

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee 

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

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Topics

Beta this week. iOS17.3 RC is released. 

Apple Seeds iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 Release Candidates

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.3

Apple Seeds tvOS 17.3 Release Candidate

iOS 17.3 Allows iPhones to Connect to Some Hotel Room TVs via AirPlay 

Apple Releasing iOS 17.3 Next Week With These New Features 

Chuck has returned from CES and gives his insights on the show what he found and what stood out to him. Items he mentioned below. 

Blueant Soundblade Under monitor soundbar

https://soundblade.com/products/soundblade

MacVoices interview with BlueAnt: MacVoices #24013: CES Unveiled - BlueAnt's Soundblade Desktop Soundbar Sounds Great

Scosche PB10PD-SP GoBat 10000mAh Compact Dual Port Power Bank

https://amzn.to/3O5mle

Mudra Smart Apple Watch Bands

Mudra Band

Aukey Qi2 Charging and more

Aukey highlights new Qi2 multi-chargers for Apple users at CES 2024

Where will the Apple Watch be without this? Apple to Sell Series 9 and Ultra 2 Watches Without Blood Oxygen Feature in U.S. Starting Tomorrow 

Masimo CEO: Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Sensor is Not Reliable, Customers Are 'Better Off Without It'

Apple Updates Website to Highlight Removal of Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Feature 

FIndMy did we know there was a limit of devices? Apple quietly increased the Find My limit to 32 items

More Vision Pro discussion

Apple Vision Pro Lacks Wi-Fi 6E Support 

Vision Pro Hands-On: Reviewers Comment on Weight, Disney+ Experience, Virtual Keyboard and More

Apple Vision Pro App Store Launches

Apple Vision Pro Receives FCC Approval Ahead of Launch 

News

Apple Reintroduced the HomePod a Year Ago Today  Jeff gives his views on  the HomePod future and other smart speakers

Great discussion on this.U.S. Developers Can Now Offer Non-App Store Purchasing Option, But Apple Will Still Collect Commissions 

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65, and the show @intouchwithios

  Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet  His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

Ben Roethig Former Associate Editor of GeekBeat.TV and host of the Tech Hangout and Deconstruct with Patrice  Mac user since the mid 90s. Tech support specialist. Twitter @benroethig�� Website: https://roethigtech.blogspot.com

About our Guest

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Mastodon @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Here is our latest Episode!

[avtechnologysworld]

The Importance of AV Design Templates in Modern Spaces

In today's technologically advanced world, audio visual (AV) design has become an integral part of interior spaces from homes and offices to event venues and more. Whether it is for entertainment, collaboration or information sharing purposes, most modern interior designs incorporate some element of integrated AV systems. With such varied applications and evolving technology, AV design templates have become extremely useful for streamlining the design process.

AV design templates allow designers to quickly sketch out X drawing preliminary layouts that can then be easily modified as per specific project needs. Templates ensure consistency in the basic structure and components while allowing flexibility. This introduction examines why templates have become so important for AV design in modern interior spaces.

Standardization of Components

One of the biggest advantages of using predefined AV design templates is that they allow for standardization of basic system components. Most templates include layouts for standard speakers, screens, projectors, microphones and other common audiovisual equipment. This means that designers don't have to start from scratch every time. They can select templates that best suit the general room type and purpose and then customize further.

Standardizing components through templates ensures compatibility. It also simplifies the specification process. Designers can just focus on selecting the right make and model for predefined slots rather than having to design and specify each individual part. This streamlines the drafting and equipment selection phases significantly. It also makes costing and budgeting easier since common parts are predetermined.

Flexibility for Customization

While templates provide a standardized baseline structure, their real power lies in allowing easy customization. No two interior spaces or project requirements are exactly the same. A good template acts like a flexible skeleton that can be modified as per specific room dimensions, audience size, intended applications and other unique details.

Designer Friendly Processes

Templates save designers a tremendous amount of time by providing tested basic layouts that comply with standard best practices. Rather than starting from a blank page each time, designers can kickstart the conceptual design phase from a proven starting point. This also reduces risks of errors or suboptimal initial drafts.

Templates standardize common components and connections but also allow for user-friendly customization and variation when required. They essentially pre-engineer repeatable aspects to optimize the design workflow. Designers can focus on more strategic and creative tasks rather than getting bogged down in basic structural and technical specifications.

Consistent Design Quality

While flexibility is important, consistency in design quality is also critical for complex AV installations. Using standardized templates ensures a level of uniformity across different projects handled by the same or multiple designers over time.

Templates embed design principles, connectivity standards, best practices in component placement, ergonomics and aesthetics that have been proven to work well through previous applications and refinements. This assures clients of a certain baseline quality and performance level regardless of the designer working on a specific project. It builds credibility for design firms.

Ease of Installation and Configuration

Detailed AV installation can be a complex multi-stage process involving electricians, program managers and technical specialists. Templates streamline this by providing comprehensive documentation of pre-approved design solutions.

Contractors benefit from clear technical drawings, specifications and connection diagrams inherent in good templates. They spend less time understanding designs and can easily replicate pre-tested configurations. Modular templates also simplify system integration at the installation stage through standardized interfaces.

Any customizations are clearly noted, making it easy for installers to carry out the designer's vision accurately. This reduces scope for errors and reworks, saving costs and time for clients. Well-designed templates act as virtual guides for smooth, plug-and-play type installations.

Impact on Long Term Management

Thoughtfully designed AV templates don't just simplify the design and installation phases but also affect the long term usability and maintenance of systems. Standardized layouts and components make it easier for facilities managers to understand room functions at a glance.

Common configurations ensure seamless equipment upgrades or replacements over time by different technicians. Spare parts are also more readily available due to use ofREPEATABLE components. Periodic system checks, calibrations and optimizations become simpler processes that can even be partially automated.

Better User Experience

Perhaps the biggest motivating factor for investing in high quality AV design templates is their impact on enhancing the end user experience. Consistent, well-planned layouts promote intuitive control and usage of complex systems. Standardized control interfaces across different rooms improve learnability.

Familiar templates also make ad hoc or temporary use of spaces smooth by reducing the learning curve. Flexible templates can evolve to incorporate latest technologies with minimal disturbances. Ultimately, their goal is to keep the user experience as seamless and effortless as possible.

Conclusion

In summary, AV design templates have become increasingly important in today's digitally integrated interior spaces. More than just a starting point, good templates provide enduring benefits across the entire design lifecycle from concept to long term maintenance. They promise consistency without compromising on customization needs. Above all, high quality AV templates smooth multi-stage design and installation processes to ultimately enhance the experience of users. Their strengths will continue to drive greater reliance on standardized solutions for modern AV applications.

[homeserviceworks]

The Value Of Concept And Also Aesthetic Appeal In Suspended Ceiling Installation

Layout and aesthetic appeals play a critical function in the world of suspended roof specialists. Suspended ceilings are actually a best solution for instilling a modern as well as unique seek to indoor rooms while also using functional advantages such as soundproofing and also protection. Opting for the correct design and looks participates in an essential part in the last look of any kind of facility. Producing an appeal that mixtures effortlessly along with the neighboring building layout and also atmosphere is a best concern of any sort of suspended ceiling installation professional. In this particular article, we will check out the job of layout as well as visual appeals in the work of a suspended roof pro.

5 Reasons Concept as well as Aesthetics Concern in Suspended Ceiling Installment:

Developing for Functions

When developing suspended ceilings, the performance element of suspended ceilings is perhaps one of the very most considerable parts that require to be thought about. Suspended roofs have many useful perks, such as sound absorption, thermal effectiveness, and also fire safety and security conformity. Functionality is a critical component of concept, particularly when it relates to selecting the correct sort of roof material, dimension, as well as colour. An office partitions Berkshire specialist in suspended ceiling setup need to have an in-depth know-how of the products, along with their conveniences and drawbacks, to develop a practical and also aesthetically feeling free to roof.

Visual appeals

Usually, suspended roofs are actually an obvious component in a room. The appearances of suspended roofs play an important job in interior design, where a suspended roof could be a statement item or even function as an unobtrusive factor that allows various other concept factors shine. Suspended ceilings can be made to go with the bordering décor flawlessly or contrast in a daring declaration. Color pattern, styles, texture, shapes, and lighting angles are actually essential elements that must be actually taken into consideration when designing beautiful suspended ceilings. All of these factors converged to produce a visually enticing and sensational ceiling that may transform any type of area.

Generating the Impression of Area

Suspended roofs may be designed to create an impression of room. Higher roofs are ideal for delivering a sense of airiness and also roominess, while lesser ceilings make a close emotion. Suspended roofs may be made with differing amounts to make a multi-layered sense, which incorporates intensity to any space. The right office partitions Berkshire style can make remarkable graphic impacts that help to improve room as well as lighting in an interior.

Soundproofing

Soundproofing is actually an essential element of any kind of suspended ceiling layout, especially for office facilities. Suspended roof experts must have knowledge of the appropriate materials to use and the appropriate thickness to achieve superior soundproofing. This is actually particularly essential in spaces where audio is an issue, where acoustics need to be boosted or even where audio privacy is actually needed.

Lighting

When it happens to a office partitions Berkshire installation, Lighting is actually vital. A suspended ceiling is actually an excellent remedy for concealing unsightly electrical wiring as well as lighting. Illumination angles, space, and also brightness are components that should be actually thought about when creating the suspended roof. Suitable lighting fixtures has a profound impact on the aesthetic appeals of any sort of space, and a suspended roof expert is actually well-versed with these layout elements and also knows how to combine all of them into any kind of interior room.

Verdict

Design and also appearances are actually important elements of suspended ceiling setup. The best style can create a natural and also seamless look that enriches any sort of interior design or design. A suspended roof specialist should have a rich understanding of the appropriate materials, color design, igniting positionings, and various other aspects that collaborate to make practical and attractive suspended ceilings. Suspended ceiling setup experts are proficient at the office within a finances, ensuring tasks are actually finished on-time and within spending plan. Through a professional suspended roof installation pro, it is actually quick and easy to add a whole brand new measurement to any sort of interior room, producing a classy and also gorgeous setting that is actually as useful as it is actually eye-catching.

[letsiqcontrol]

Turn Your Home into a Smart Home and Enjoy Comfort

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[drgreg]

Dr Gregory Hough

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[trinitydwarka]

Why BAJMC from TIPS

Introduction

Ravish Kumar, Barkha Dutt, Rajat Sharma, Arnab Goswami, Anjana Om Kashyap. These names must jog

your memory. All of these media maestros are big names in the media industry who used their talent and

expertise to follow their ambitions in the field of journalism and mass communication. There are wide no.

of opportunities available in media industry. You can pen down your thoughts at your liberty and have the

opportunity to communicate them freely. The media field is full of surprises. After completing the BJMC

course, you have opportunities to meet new people and expand your network. Your social life is a big

boost. After doing the BJMC Course you can also avail jobs abroad.

What is a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication (BAJMC) course?

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication (BAJMC) is an undergraduate programme that

prepares students for careers in the media, including newspapers, television, radio, and the internet. It

also educates students on the various technologies, equipment, and software used in the media industry.

The course is of three years and is broken down into six equal semesters. BJMC is an excellent career

option for those who have always been curious and inquisitive about current events and issues around

the world. They should be able to write well and report on events to a large audience using various media

outlets.

Scope of Bachelors of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication (BAJMC) course:

Mass communication has emerged as a new career avenue in the modern era.

You can get significant positions in the media if you work in this industry. You should rather do BJMC if

you enjoy exchanging ideas and views and learning about the newest advancements in the media sector.

Some of the available career prospects are:

● Media Consultant

● Journalist

● Content Marketing Manager

● Public Relations Specialist

● Social Media Manager

● Radio Jockey

● Content Writer

● News Analyst

● Photojournalist

● Columnist in Print and Electronic media

● Scriptwriter

● Video and Sound Editor

● Desk Editor

● Camera & Light Operator

● Digital Media Marketer

● Advertising & Corporate Communication

There are a variety of alternatives accessible to you if you want to continue your education in the same

profession. Following are some of the courses that can be pursued after completing this course:

● MA in Mass Communication And Journalism

● PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication

● PG Diploma in Public Relations

● PG Diploma in Event Management

● PG Diploma in Corporate Communication

● PG Diploma in Advertising and much more.

Why BAJMC from TIPS?

● Infrastructure: The College has facilitated a blend of traditional and modern modes of teaching

with technological aids such as ceiling-mounted LCD projectors, white and green boards and

podiums for the faculty members.

● Audio Studio: A Radio Lab with the facility of live broadcasting and recording various radio

programs through top notch microphones and relevant audio editing softwares.

● Audio-Visual Studio: A Video Production Lab/ Studio equipped with multi-camera setup,

teleprompter, newsroom set, Chroma setup and a dozen studio lights.

● Production Control Room: A production control room (PCR) that allows students to do live

interviews/ programs and news bulletins through audio and video consoles.

● Post Production Lab: A Post Production Lab armed with 15 iMac machines loaded with Final Cut

Pro (FCP) and an assemblage of relevant softwares for the editing process like Adobe Premiere

Pro CC, Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop CC, QuarkXpress, Adobe Creative Cloud etc.

● Strong Alumni Network- Alumnus working in the industry are also coming in the institute for

workshops, seminars, guest lectures, etc.

● Well Educated faculty: The faculties are well educated and have their expertise in their own field

by acquiring knowledge and degree from several premium institutes across the globe.

● Online Campus Student facility- ERP System, Google Classrooms, etc.

● Live Streaming services- all the webinars and guest lectures are streamed live on various

platforms for a better understanding of the students.

Major key points in BAJMC from TIPS:

● Webinars in Collaboration with organisations like T- series Stageworks, Balaji Telefilms, etc.

● Life skills training includes preparation for Interviews, Public Speaking, etc.

● Industry Alliance programs in collaboration with foreign universities.

● Curriculum that is tailored to the needs of industry.

● Focus on problem-solving approaches by providing real-life problems.

● Overall holistic development of students.

● Participation of faculty and students in workshops, and project activities.

● Industry-oriented training and internships.

[sfiddy]

So Bad

For @academialynx , who made a donation to her local food bank in return for a fic!  This is a college AU, moderately prof/student (though the theme is that they DON’T break the rules) boatloads of yearning, and janky building maintenance that leads to getting locked in a closet.  She asked me to consider the Brandon Colbein song So Bad.  Which I did.  :)

Thank you, Dear!  Here we go!

Rated T

On AO3

On FF

On Tumblr!  (keep reading!)

Another champagne cork popped and a delighted cheer spread through the room.  Glasses, plastic cups, and hastily drained coffee mugs were refreshed and the party carried on.  Theirs was not a large music department, so to have attracted a fresh, exciting, multi-talented composition and collaborative piano specialist with a few international awards, one ‘early career’ grant and another from the National Endowment for the Arts meant their modest program was about to gain a little fresh clout at interdepartmental tenured faculty meetings.

“Congratulations again, Erik!”  Dr. Nadir Khan hauled Erik into a vigorous handshake and pumped for a full three seconds.  

Erik winced.  He’d be hamfisting the keys tomorrow if they kept this up.  “Thank you, Dean Khan.  It’s an honor to join as a full professor.”

“I am Nadir to you, and don’t forget it.”  Nadir refilled Erik’s plastic cup and tapped his department coffee mug against it, sloshing their champagne into frothy heads.  “It’s hard to believe it’s been five years, Erik!  You cost me a bet, I’ll have you know.  I didn’t think you’d stay after you had to teach that semester of History of Rock and Roll for non-majors.”

The lantern-jawed oboe professor laughed.  “Or the infamous Intro to Music Theory.”

“No, no,” disagreed Umbaldo Piangi, the portly voice teacher.  “When I went on sabbatical to Teatro La Fenice and you gave him The Chamber Music Outreach Project and graduate tutoring.  No warning!”  Even the big man’s clucking tongue was musical.  “But, Piangi is back, no?  I will cut back my performance hours and take back all the lessons and weekends and let Dr. Erik Devereaux return to his writing!”

“Actually,” Erik said, and the room stilled.  “The only part I disliked was the public part.  I never minded the private instruction.  If you would like to split the load, I’m happy to keep the instructional portion while you handle the tours, performances, and...outreach?”  He suppressed the grimace well enough.

Piangi, Italian down to his fine shoes, let out a whoop and grabbed Erik in a hug so tight it pressed his ribcage and nearly dislodged his delicate porcelain mask from it’s fine wire and leather fittings.

“Ah, my partner now!  I will call donors and show off the little tweeting songbirds with my lovely Carlotta while you teach them not to call for worms!  A toast!”  Piangi held up his plastic cup once again.  

Erik accepted a toast that crackled the edge of his plastic cup and hoped for something new and shiny to distract them.  Or for the lights to suddenly flicker and fail as they were prone to do, along with randomly closing doors in the terribly laid out office and work spaces.  The college had access to talent pipelines that the underfunded and neglected department had not been able to tap.  Their aggressive recruitment of him was a last ditch effort for change before the tiny group was relegated to a four piece for the university reagent’s cocktail brunch and a marching band for the far-better funded football team.

“To Dr. Devereaux!”

With a conspiratorial grin, Erik drained his cup and winked at Piangi.  “To the songbirds.”

…

Tenure in hand, Erik started his campaign.  Once he ditched the worst teaching credits to lecturers and adjuncts, he could focus on recruiting.  Specifically, to score a few respected but not-yet-headliner talents.  Emerging performers without a good gig had few options and the status and modest stipend to be a ‘visiting artist’ might be more attractive than the floating gulag of a cruise ship.  

A few excellent but relatively unknown performers could teach and perform, receive some finishing, and get quickly farmed out into the world.  The reputation-building move would be pricey, but no one gets paid dividends before investing.

His development grant would cover three such artists.  He got more than fifty applications.  Erik rubbed his eyes under the mask.  It was a good thing he never had plans-- it would be a long weekend.

…

The old music labs building had settled over the years and gained what the senior faculty referred to as ‘personality’.   Erik took this to mean ‘genially hazardous’.  No amount of facility requests or complaints brought the doors and keys division to do maintenance.

He was a quick learner though, and only got locked in his workroom twice before catching the door with his foot became second nature.   He even set a flaking brick, plucked from a neglected flower bed outside, in the corner by the door and kicked it against the frame as a doorstop.  Every time he came to his workroom, a narrow converted closet with a work bench and packed with shelves of manuscripts, music, errant repair kits and recording equipment, he would hit the outside light switch, unlock the door, step in, catch the door, then kick the brick.  

Switch, step, catch, kick.  His shoes were gaining new wear marks.

After kicking the brick into place, Erik opened his laptop and went over the last files.  He’d asked the department admins to strip out the audio files to just the audition pieces and remove identifying details from the fifty applications.  If he was going to invite talent, their first hurdle would be their musicianship.  Once he’d culled the herd to ten, he’d submitted his picks to the dean to select the three finalists.  Now they needed invitations.  Two vocalists and a classical guitarist made the cut and he spent the next few hours getting more acquainted with their files and ignoring the pings of his filling inbox.

At least it was just his inbox.  No one came to the music labs and his closet if they could help it.

If he was honest, no one came to meet him in person if they could help it.

…

Most performers were beautiful.  Entire websites and product lines were devoted to skincare for singers, makeup tutorials, look books and wardrobe consulting.  Erik’s particular variety of deformity would stand out in any circumstances, but in an entire department stuffed with the striking, stunning, and unconventionally glorious, he bordered on eyesore.  Even Piangi could command a room with his generous, rosy smiles and booming laugh.  

The mask was the best combination of memorable and functional he could muster.  Yes, surgery was an option but who signed up for years of unnecessary pain and the risk of infection?  He had better things to do.  

Like meet with his new visiting artists.  

The classical guitarist had supple wrists and forearms like Popeye.  His rolled cuffs drew the eye to the action while his cleverly knotted scarf kept you looking at his face, framed by artfully mussed hair.  

“We’re looking forward to your first concerts and hope you’ll consider collaborations with local programs.”

The baritone had a one in a million voice.  How he hadn’t been snapped up for opera yet was a mystery but Erik supposed it was his poor presence.  When you had the goods, you still had to sell them, and the young man’s love of neon, bad hair, and questionable repertoire (pin the tail on a Hal Leonard page) needed polish.  His work was shockingly precise and sounded like he had a cathedral in his mouth.

“Our faculty and staff are a rich resource for young performers and are always eager to assist.  We often work in parallel with the communications department and local professionals to prepare our artists for the culture and community as well as the stage.”

The soprano was the risk.  The recording had been largely boilerplate and her prior experience thin.  The reason she got in was a one-point-two second pause in her audition tape.  It was the silence that told Erik she had chops.  

Imagine, a soprano unafraid of silence.  It had been late in the weekend when he selected her and had not yet been able to examine the head shot.

“I… um...”

“Yes, Dr. Devereaux?”

“Welcome, Miss Daaé.”

…

The visiting artists would survey classes, provide demonstrations and guest lectures, and appear at university events, auditions, and generally get the word out that the department was shifting to a growth phase.  That was the official description.  Unofficially, there would be a mountain of effort to make each emerging artist a shot on goal for the department.  Recording deals, major and paid appearances, and successful auditions all counted toward the tally.  

Guitar was not Erik’s forte, and as much as he could contribute to the baritone’s look and polish, Erik had cultivated a far more… refined profile than the young man aspired to.  Erik maintained collars sharp enough to cut bread and a spotless sheen on his porcelain mask.  Right now, Dean Khan aspired to cut the young man’s mullet tail off.  

“Excellent, Miss Daaé, right on time.”  Erik slid the fall board up and they prepared to work.  She understood how to modulate her tone, how to select the emotional pitch to match the song, to contrast with it for effect.  She explored her range and willingly failed to find her borders.  It all made for an excellent student.

It was the quiet that made her breathtaking.  The anticipation of her.  Tenths of seconds that tightened the chest and made a quiver run through the blood.  Not often, only when it mattered, and only when it would matter enough to do so.  

When he could stand it no more, he asked her about it.

“I’m sorry, I can try to stop.”

“I didn’t ask you to stop, I asked when you started doing it.”

She considered him, her ribbons of curling hair twisting as she shifted.  “When my father was sick.  I could feel the need for silences because he couldn’t talk anymore.  It just felt… right.”

Erik nodded.  “Again.”

…

She’d been a late bloomer.  A ghost on the scene and at least five years older than the rest of the sopranos at her stage.  It also meant she hadn’t spent her entire high school and college career belting Broadway in the recital rooms, building nodes on her vocal chords.  

They finished late one night and he walked her to her car.  “So what did you do for practice?”

She pinked under the parking lot lights.  “I, um… waited tables at an Italian restaurant.  You know, where your server might sing opera when they bring you breadsticks?”

Erik nodded.  “Parmesan and Puccini?”

Bless her, she giggled.  “Bellinis and Bellini.  A few really knew when they were hearing but most just wanted to hear Nessun Dorma because they heard it on Youtube.  I managed to get a few singing jobs out of it but I mostly just waited tables.”  They stopped at her car but she hadn’t reached for her keys yet.  “I was a bartender and the second understudy for a Gilbert and Sullivan society when I saw your announcement.”

“Their loss,” Erik said.  He left off the second half.

“Thanks.”  Christine hesitated.  “I didn’t expect to be accepted, so… thanks.”  

Something changed in the breeze.  Something cool and soft in the night air mixed with the gold light pouring down from the lights.  It highlighted the curls that spiralled out of control around her neck as she tilted her head just so.  

It was just a moment, a funny thump that ricocheted in his chest at her upturned face, her soft smile.  Maybe her eyes flicked down, maybe her sharp inhale had a little catch in it.  Maybe it was the way her lip twitched, but a red flag suddenly waved in Erik’s head and he stepped back carefully.  He had a powerful fear of heat and burns.

“Yes, of course.  The, uh, department was very happy to offer the opportunity.”

She blinked.  “Of course.  Well, thanks for the great session and walking me to my car.  Have a nice evening, Erik.”

Christine drove away and Erik stood in the parking lot for some minutes after her taillights had faded.  He imagined it.  Surely, he’d taken a friendly conversation the wrong way.  She wasn’t his student, strictly speaking, but he had influence over her career, which would be just as bad.  

Besides, he had completely misread the whole thing.  Surely.  Women didn’t look up at him like that-- like he would kiss them.  After a walk after dark, telling him about themselves, and looking at him like that.

No one looked at him like... that.

Oh no.

…

She wasn’t strictly his student.  He was her mentor.  Even a brief thought made it obvious and completely inappropriate.  Did she think it would improve her opportunities?

Erik swallowed.  No, if that was the game she wouldn’t have backed off.  Surely he’d misread the situation.

…

They brewed tea together.  She remembered his favorite oolong.

…

He saw a cascade of curling hair on his way to the post office and his heart leapt.

It wasn’t her.  The disappointment was too confusing to examine.

…

His mouth went dry when her sweater slipped from her shoulder.  Then he knocked the music from the stand.

She smiled and helped him pick up the sheets.  

There were freckles on her shoulder.

... 

Five months into the visiting artist tour and Piangi had the concert hall packed for their first performances.  Franco the guitarist, who preferred just the one name, would play a twenty minute set, followed by the baritone Burton Armstrong, as baritoney a name as Erik had ever heard, then Christine, and finally Franco would play again with accompaniment.  

Erik was content to stay in a tiny box seat far to the side as Piangi introduced each performer.  Franco had gained the stage he deserved, and Burton had been convinced to get a proper haircut and suit, and sang a particularly impressive Russian ballad set.  

Christine was introduced and settled onto the stage.  She was radiant in dark blue, and decorated her baroque set with agility.  From his perch, Erik could as easily imagine her distributing bellinis as gracing an opera stage.  It was not an insult.  After her short set, she nodded and was joined by Burton.  A duet?  

She looked up and found him, up in his perch.  She nodded, and the two launched into a series of excerpts from Semele, Handel’s somewhat neglected tale of a torrid affair between a mortal woman and the god, Jupiter.

Their gazes met as she sang.

O Jove! In pity teach me which to choose,

Incline me to comply, or help me to refuse!

The baritone thundered.

Too well I read her meaning,

But must not understand her.

If Erik’s ears heard the rest of the concert, he could not recall it later.

…

Dean Khan adjourned the faculty meeting.  “Oh Erik, if you have a moment?”

They waited until the room was cleared and Nadir closed the door, then casually looked over the remaining pastries.  “Excellent concert last month.  The work with Burton is certainly paying off.”  

Erik leaned against the table.  “His socks were bright green, but we felt it was a workable compromise.”

“Franco is excellent in front of the crowd.  Has he met the flamenco dancers yet?”

“I put in a call.  I think he’s going to their weekly meeting next Thursday.”

“Marvelous.  Let me know how that goes when you hear, won’t you?”

“Of course.”  Erik felt his chest tighten the longer Nadir perused the snacks and chose to tear off the bandage himself.  “Anything else?”

“There is, in fact,” Nadir did not look up from the muffins.  “Christine’s performance was exceptional.  Truly filled with passion.”

Erik tried to take a sip of coffee but his cup was empty.  He faked it.  “She’s a wonderful artist.”

“Yes.  I couldn’t help but notice--” Nadir paused over the croissants, then passed them over to examine the cookies.  “You two seem to have a unique and strong mentor-trainee relationship.”

“Thank you.”  It had not been a question.  There was nothing here… yet.  “We work well together.”  

“I’m glad to hear that.  The program you’ve created is admirable for it’s transparency and integrity.”

“I agree.  Thank you for noticing.”

Nadir looked up with a slight nod, then selected a macadamia cookie.  “I’m sure the remaining six months will fly by, Erik.”

He had no idea how to respond.

...

Six months.  There were six months left in the visiting artist term.  There were more sessions, a mini tour, and a series of small concerts meant to showcase the new talent the department had ‘produced’.  

Six months of lies, pretending he was misunderstanding something.  Pretending he didn’t notice the way she was at his side and on his mind.  Then she would leave him to the dull, overworked life he’d made for himself in the hopes of making a name for himself while simultaneously avoiding attention.  More lies, but easier to swallow.  

Her voice came from the hallway.  “Erik?  I’m heating up some water, would you like tea?”

“Is it the one you brought?”

A light laugh.  Sparkling.  “Of course.”

He dropped his work and grabbed his cup.  “Be right there.”

…

A very successful fundraiser was wrapping up on the top floor of the performing arts center.  It had a view over the campus, the nice side, and the glow of downtown caught the streaking rain on the tall glass walls.  

The donors had been generous, delighted with the new features of the program and the willingness to be accessible.  Erik stayed to the side, avoiding the center of the room where Piangi and his wife Carlotta took up residence.  Nadir circulated the room, nudging him out from time to time for a refill and to participate.  When forced to do so, Erik sloshed some middling red wine into his glass and let himself slip into Christine’s gravity for a few minutes before drifting away again.  

He could feel her gaze.

The cocktail party was to end at eleven-thirty, and by then nearly all the guests had left.  The last ones were rushed  out and Piangi hurried to the bar.  

“Open season!” 

A quick crush to the bar and every open bottle was ‘liberated’ to the long-suffering exhibits.  Christine topped off her glass and passed the bottle to a fellow soprano, hardly twenty years old, and the two laughed and kicked off their heels.  Piangi and Burton laughed over an earlier flub and the cello player, finally able to pack his instrument and relax, demanded and received a full glass.

Erik tipped back a hearty, warm swallow and emerged from the hinterlands.

“Oh, hi Dr. Devereaux!  Did you just get here?” teased Carlotta.  “Your legend only grows the more you hide.”

“All part of my devious plan,” he conceded.  Christine’s giggle mingled with the laughs of her peers.  “If you’ll excuse me.  Piangi, brilliant as always.”

“Same to you, Erik!  We plan many parties now, no?”

Easing his way towards the mirth, Erik relaxed.  There were plenty of others around, and this was just the after party to a long dog and pony show.  Listen to the pretty songbirds and throw money at the program, invitation only.  They all deserved drinks after three hours of that.

Christine was plucking a pin from her hair.  She shook the curls loose.  “Hi Erik!  God, I’m so glad to see you.”

“Oh?”

She held up a bottle.  “Yeah, you need a refill.”  

It had been a long night.  These events could be tricky to navigate.  Sometimes there was politics, other times business rivals.  More often, donors expected special privilege and access in exchange for their checks, as if the last hundred years of progress meant nothing.  The way a few of them had looked at Erik, maybe it didn’t.  

He let her pour some white wine over the dregs of his red.  Improvised rosé.  “Everything go okay?”  

“Good enough.  I think I have some auditions, and some stuff nearby might open up for me.”

“That’s great.  Who with?”

A nice chorus.  A solid baroque group.  Both could springboard to bigger things.  A few bigger things were here.  

“What’s bigger?”  She asked, her eyes dark and soft.  

He had not meant to speak, and now he rushed his words.  “Things!  Choirs, operas.  There’s a few small opera troupes and there’s churches that need choral directors that know how to work with organ and piano.”

She sniggered.  “Organs.”  The other soprano dissolved into giggles.

Erik pulled out his phone.  Clearly neither was driving tonight.  He absently tallied up his glasses and admitted he wasn’t either.

“Do you play the organ, Erik?”

“Yes.”

Christine stepped closer and, on pure instinct, Erik put his arm around her as she turned her head to speak.

“Can I watch?”  

His collar was tight.  He pulled up the app and ordered a car.

They ran through the rain, more than sprinkled, less than soaked.  Plenty wet to shiver from the chill of the driver’s exuberant air conditioning, though.  Between giggles and poorly composed directions, they dropped off the other soprano who wobbled successfully to her door before their driver sped away.  Christine did not shift away to the other seat, but leaned into him, tucking herself against his side.  

The driver glanced in the rear view mirror, then looked away.

She was cool and smooth.  Her loosened curls had tightened from the wet and tickled his neck and brushed against his mask.  

Her hand on his thigh.  Erik said nothing.  If he was silent there was a kind of deniability, or denial at least, of what was happening.  If he could deny that her fingernails caught on the inner seam of his trousers, then she could deny that his hand was firmly planted at her waist, holding her close.

And if she could deny that, then she could also deny that her nose bumped his chin, her ragged breath loud in his ears.  And they could both deny that their lips grazed, a not-kiss somehow more intimate than if their lips moved and pulled at each other.  Like her singing, it was the pause that made your breath catch and your insides tug.

“What number?”

Dashboards lights reflected in her eyes.  “That one,” she said, and cautiously settled.  The driver pulled forward and Christine unbuckled.  

“Good night, Erik.  See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Christine.”

The driver glanced in the rearview.  Erik looked down.  “Sorry.”

The driver shrugged.  

One more month.

…

He was hiding.  He’d been hiding for weeks; stopped looking for her, stopped even wondering where she was or if she was alone.  There was no way to be near her without the pretense of a piano that wouldn’t leave him shaking.  No way to think about her without wanting.

He was Erik, a composer, a conductor, performer, designer of auditory spaces and translator of music.  He was a collaborative pianist and vocal specialist.  He’d given everything to music and the service of it, the delivery of it.  He didn’t need this. He’d never had this.

No one ever offered.  So he’d found fulfillment elsewhere, until now.

Erik hunched over his work, safely tucked into his corner of the music labs building.  Between grading, senior thesis submissions, revisions to his own publications, and a request for a letter of recommendation, he could be plenty busy late into the night with no need for anyone to--

“Hello?  Erik?”

Erik snatched at his mask and settled it.  He’d been found.  Time to lie, except he can’t lie to her.

“Can I help you with something, Christine?”  He gathered a stack and stood.  She met him by his door.

“Well, yeah,” she paused, blocking his path momentarily before stepping aside.  “I need your signature on my visiting artist release.  And another on my endorsement for my new job.”

Erik hefted his armload to the work closet.  “I’m sure they look forward to meeting you.  Come on.”  He unlocked the door and held it open, then followed behind her, hitting the light switch with his elbow before catching the door on his foot, then he kicked the brick into place.  He had to hold the stack to keep it from spilling across the work table.

She handed him the forms.  Erik moved to a span of clean tabletop and started scanning the release form.  Government agency boilerplate to satisfy the grant was mixed with flowery language so no one would suspect they were anything but artists.  Yesterday Franco had brought Burton’s form-- yep, this was Christine’s.  So on and so forth.

Erik had just finished scratching out his signature when he heard a familiar scrape.

“Why on earth do you keep a-”

Click.

“--brick?”

Erik pressed the heel of his hand into his chin.  

“Are we… locked in?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”  A faint rumble vibrated in the walls.  “I don’t suppose that was just… construction?”

Erik let out a mirthless laugh.  “There were storms brewing earlier.  Besides, does this building look like they work on it?”

“Not really.”

Another rumble, louder, and the light fixture jittered.  

Christine finally took a deep breath.  “Have you been avoiding me?”

“No!  Yes.  I don’t know.”  He touched his hairline, recapped a pen.  “We crossed a line.  I had to get back behind it and I couldn’t if we…”  His hands skated across the table top nervously.  

“Is this about being my mentor?”

Erik barked an ugly, bitter laugh.  “What else?  God, you just, out of nowhere, with your smiles, and the way you look at me, and sing to me, and the Semele…” Erik’s skin grew tight as he recalled the cocktail party.  He turned, face growing hot beneath the porcelain and his throat tightening.  He was a ruin.

“--and the touching and wanting and you’re… you’re just going to leave!  I’m a fucking idiot!”

On cue, an extended, throaty roar of thunder rattled the stone and brick until the bare bulb above could suffer no more.  With a loud pop, the narrow room went dark.  They both scuffled in the dark until they had hold of something sturdy.

“Erik?”

He was embarrassed.  He was frustrated.  “What.”

“You need to sign the other form.”

“Want to get away that bad?  Fine.”  He reached for a desk lamp and tried to turn it on.  He flipped the switch furiously.  The power was out.

“Here,” Christine held up her phone and lit the screen.  Her screensaver was… them? Beside a piano together?

Erik snatched a pen from the table and slashed his name.  “There.  Just search for facilities or call the university police.  They can unlock the door.”

“Erik, did you even look at it?”

“Why bother.”

She snorted at him.  “God, you’re so blind.”

“The lights were out.”

“Fine, you want to be a jerk, be one, but at least look at where I’m taking a job before you decide to walk.”

She lit up her phone once more and he glared at the page like it was staring at his mask.  He tracked the offer and terms until he reached the party names and…

“You took a job at… a middle school?  Here?”  He looked up into the dim light.  “You’re not leaving?”

“Meet the new grade six to eight choir director.  Go Scotties.  And now you have no direct influence over my career.”

Her screensaver dimmed, and before it went dark, Erik could make out a flash of their faces, turned to each other.  He wondered if Nadir had seen this moment, because they looked as passionate as lovers despite being feet apart.

The room went black again, and he could hear her moving.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“That much has been apparent.  What do you know?”

She was close.  Close enough to feel the way she shifted the air.  “I know way too much about motif design, lyric phrasing--”

Closer.  “Go on.”  Her hips were near his. 

“Harmonic theory, vocals”

 “Can attest.”  Her fingertips were at his jawline, tracing his mask.  “I thought it would be cold.”

“It’s been on my face all day.  Early Romantic era competition and,” his voice scraped over gravel, “that I want you. So bad.”

Her kiss was her reply.  Erik’s hands flew around her as she pivoted to the table with him, dragging his mask upwards.  He gasped as cool air brushed his face, followed by light, curious fingertips and her hot mouth.  Erik knocked over the stack of papers and files with a satisfying splatter.

“Is that light over there?” she asked, dragging her lips from his.  “Around that cabinet door?”

“What?” he panted.  “I thought that was a panel.”

She pushed him off gently, peering up at the wall.  “Right there, see?”

Sure enough, there was a thin line of light.  It was a hidden door with a magnetic latch. 

“They can’t keep the regular door from locking you in but they put a trick door at the back?”  Erik complained as he climbed through awkwardly.  Very awkwardly.  Her lips were red and swollen.

“Let me grab my things and we can get out of here.”

Erik checked his watch.  “First, we’re turning in your forms.”

“It’s almost five!”

“We’ll make it if we run.”

Panting, they caught the dean just as he was packing up to leave.

“Erik, Christine?  Are you alright?  That was some storm we--”

Erik shoved the forms at him.  “Yep. Terrible storm.  Here.”

“Indeed, Erik.  Why, your hair is a mess and I’ve never seen your shirt untucked.”

“Big wind.  Yep.  Almost hit by lightning.  Here, time stamp?”

“Miss Daaé, you may want to adjust…”

“For God’s sake just take the stupid form so we can go!” Christine shouted.

Nadir laughed and scanned the forms.  “I don’t want to see you until Monday, Erik.  You better be late.”

He didn’t make it in until Wednesday.

...

[arthurhusr346]

27 Finest Freelance Mobile App Developers For Hire In April 2021

Content

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Why Should You Work With A Mobile Application Development Company?

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So, if you are ready to increase your profits, include a mobile application development approach right into your company advertising and marketing plan. Totally tailored to resolve millennial individuals' custom needs, the mobile application will assist you unlock considerable values for your company. If you do not have relevant in-house resources, you can constantly go with selecting a professional business. Below are a couple of benefits of contracting out mobile app growth to the appropriate partner in the market. The right person for the ideal solution makes the app advancement simple and also faster. As it eliminates the risk of triggering unnecessary mistakes as well as aids to reduce the price of advancement dramatically. With several app advancement firms in the market, not all can develop an application as per your expectations.

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If you uncommitted about the details of how it works-only that it works. This platform provides to it's individuals, novices or advanced, the capacity to create something that grows their service with mobile application growth with the utmost simpleness. App Makers LA is a full-service mobile application development firm with a concentration on software application advancement and also site style across systems. The company assists individuals and also companies of all dimensions, throughout any stage of the procedure.

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The mobile app advancement team consists of thinkers and doers that use the highest level of critical leadership with innovative implementation.

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If you're looking to create a simple app for iPhone as well as Android gadgets without coding, Appy Pie is our finest for the majority of choice to think about. Right here is just how easy it is; Simply choose a template, add your functions, as well as publish-- it's that easy. So see to it you understand what you would require an application for before you consider this type of software program. Use Upwork to talk or video clip telephone call, share documents, and track task milestones from your desktop computer or mobile. Upwork has the largest swimming pool of confirmed, remote Mobile Application programmers. Built-in integration is offered various services like Microsoft Office Plugin and also Google app Authentication. For marketing, it will certainly permit you to connect with an exterior platform or create your very own.

Globe's 50 Finest Mobile Application Advancement Business & Application Programmers

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Messapps.

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On average, an efficient mobile application advancement firm does not take greater than 10 months. Nevertheless, the timeline is subject to the requirements of the growth stages. However, the most effective approach to estimate cost as well as time for your application is to ask for quotes and also timelines from the shortlisted mobile app development firms. This will enable you to contrast between different companies and also make the final decision. STRV is a software layout & design team of 200+ specialists working out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, London as well as Prague. Founded in 2004, the company supplies application and also internet development, UX/UI, website design and also app testing via complete product distribution and also group enhancement engagements. Supplying 70+ apps each year, they deal with customers big as well as tiny from markets consisting of financial solutions, e-commerce and also education and learning.

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iBuildApp is a web home builder that provides adjustable layouts for iPhone, iPad, and also Android applications and also assures that you can create an app in five minutes. For usual application kinds, template-based systems such as iBuildApp can occasionally generate usable results, as long as the selection of widgets consists of the capability you require. Mendix is free for an app with as much as 10 internal users running in one atmosphere in the Mendix cloud. For more customers, even more environments, assistance, or an SLA you'll require to pay, beginning at $1,875 per month for one application. From $5,375 each month you can run unlimited applications in the Mendix cloud, as well as from $7,825 per month you can run them in various other private clouds.

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With the gradually expanding dependency on mobile phones, mobile applications are the trick to better customer experience, greater engagement, and more effective functioning for your business. Halcyon Mobile is a full-service mobile app growth company headquartered in Cluj Napoca, Romania. With a team of more than 100 workers, Halcyon Mobile has actually developed award-winning apps given that opening its doors in 2005. The group also specializes in UX/UI as well as item style, internet advancement, and also artificial intelligence.

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Ask for the setting of repayment, and also its frequency to make certain that readily available resources match the cost of the project.

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The firm has a team of over 350 mobile app experts that passionately comprehend company demands to change your company concept into reality. The mobile app advancement team consists of thinkers and doers that use the highest degree of calculated leadership with advanced implementation. Holding a diverse portfolio, ThoughtBot is leading its position in the listing of top 50 mobile application advancement companies in U.S.A.. From concept to deployment, the firm guides you throughout the application development procedure to attain the best possible end results. With 16 years of experience, the company has strong bonding with its clients by using superior mobile app remedies to resolve organization troubles. With a strong track record for meeting stringent deadlines, the group complies with a customer-oriented solution version straightened with the most up to date technologies and also devices to meet ever-increasing expectations.

The layout patterns for mobile applications are developing swiftly which means you will need to continuously update your apps. For this, you will certainly need the best Android app programmers who are experienced to create apps that optimize your customer reach. This not permits you to record brand-new audiences, but additionally increase sales and profits to transform your company concept into an effective venture. Key services includes mobile consulting and mobile application development and also web application advancement and also have actually created mention-worthy apps for all platforms with upgraded modern technologies. They believe in issue solving, user engagement and developing amazing experience. Qburst has actually provided variety of mobile applications for its clients that is from belonging to cross-platform to mobile-web apps and also from user-friendly customer applications to game altering B2B apps. Well experienced in integrating upgraded innovations as well as attributes according to the business needs as well as work for little, tool as well as big business.

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. That goes double if you deal with Oracle modern technologies, Java or Red Hat Linux. The certification web page includes a link to the Salesforce Certified Platform App Home Builder Test Guide. Salesforce advises hands-on experience, completion of one or more training courses, Trailhead tracks and also self-study. Credential holders must pass maintenance module exams with each new item release cycle. Candidates for an MTA Programmer credential should anticipate to comprehend as well as make use of the most recent version of Microsoft Visual Workshop as their primary advancement tool. Additional method examinations are available on the GIAC test prep work web page ($ 159 each). GIAC also suggests candidates attend training at real-time seminars, testimonial self-study products and also gain functional experience to plan for the test.

Yes, moreover, companies encourage clients to embrace an organized approach called the Marginal Viable Item. This mock-up of the genuine application enables customers to examine their assumptions to derive vital details as well as eliminate engineering waste.

Together with the high quality, clarity, as well as efficiency of an application comes to its safety. Make security another person's headache with mobile app advancement firms

[the-original-b]

Archangel--Chapter 1: the Silvio Stakeout

Format: Prose / Ficton, multi-entry

Part in Series: 2 of 9 (Previous chapter)

Word Count: c. 6,100

Summary: Specialist Krueger follows a lead on the traitor to an exclusive vacation club in Miami, where he finds that there’s more to the plot against the Branch than initially suspected.

Trigger Warning(s): blood, violence, enhanced interrogation

“Good evening, Krueger,” Khai said over her headset. “Again, Mr. Wells extends his thanks for your help with the delivery the other day, and he’s begun to look for the leaks in his circle of trust, per your advice. He’d like your help with some of them.”

“I’m listening.” Krueger held an old flip phone to his left ear as he muted the television and sat down in front of his dinner—a lean cut of chicken with steamed broccolini and brown rice.

“We’ll start by addressing the bug you found in his office phone. Of all his lieutenants he only trusted three of them enough to grant access to his conference room. He’d like you to get some information from them.”

“Who’s the first one?” He held the phone in place with his shoulder while he cut a piece off his chicken.

“C.J. Silvio: internet personality and son of the Southeast Region’s Managing Partner, Charles Silvio. A man of night life, excess, and debauchery, your usual popup celebrity.”

“Charming.” He put the piece in his mouth and started to work on the vegetables.

“Once a month he retreats to Miami to confer with other Branch managers in the Region. They’re set to meet in South Beach, where he’ll spend the week indulging in all the decadence there before and after the conference.”

Krueger swallowed. “So we act when his guard is down.”

“Precisely. He’ll book his usual stay at the Aurora Club in a week, so I’ll arrange for your stay there to coincide with his.”

“Transportation?”

“I’ll take care of that, too. Business class flight to Miami International and car rental reserved for Sebastian Weber.”

“Rules of engagement?” Krueger took another bite.

“Observation only,” Khai clarified. “Mr. Wells was clear on that. Remember, the rest of our Branch still has no idea you’re with us, so there’s no need for unnecessary violence. And the last thing we want is to have the son of Silvio killed.”

Krueger swallowed. “I’m still going to need tools.”

“I’m curating your selection as we speak. You’ll just have to finalize it.”

“I’ll be there in forty minutes.” Krueger folded his cell phone shut to end the call.

 ``````

“I thought this was an observation job, Miss Khai.” Krueger examined the hardware before him and shot Khai an incredulous look. He’d already selected a directional microphone and declined a pair of military-grade binoculars.

“It is,” Khai confirmed, “but Mr. Wells and I agree it’s better to be prepared for the worst. Due to the nature of this task, however, I’ve narrowed the usual selection down and eliminated the more, conspicuous, options.”

“That wasn’t a complaint.”

“Excellent.” Khai sorted through the firearms and handed him one. “FN Five-seven USG.” Krueger took up the weapon and inspected it. “Lightweight polymer frame and slide, twenty-round magazine. Low caliber, high-velocity, armor-piercing. They might not go down at first, but accurate follow-up shots won’t be an issue with this one.”

Krueger was familiar with the weapon, having trained with one in preparation for a protection job some years ago. He racked the slide back and held it out with both hands to acquire the sight picture. It was as easy as pointing his finger.

Khai smirked. “Do you like it?”

“Tempting,” Krueger said. “But the idea is to not be noticed.” He put the gun down and picked up one of its 5.7mm rounds—a tiny replica of a rifle cartridge. “And these are very loud.”

Khai nodded. “I figured you might want something quieter.” She handed him another candidate, a .45 ACP Colt Government.

“Old Faithful,” Krueger noted, taking the gun into his hands. He examined the threading at the end of the barrel.

Khai handed him another piece. “AAC TiRant 45 suppressor.”

Krueger affixed the tube to the end of the pistol and looked down the sights, acquiring an accurate picture before dry-firing to test the trigger weight. He nodded in approval at Khai and placed the .45 on the tabletop beside him. “I may need to be quieter than even this,” he said.

“Do you want the karambit again?”

“I was thinking something less… permanent.”

“Right,” Khai nodded. “Rohypnol, then.”

  ``````

Krueger stepped off the plane and reclaimed his bag from the conveyor before heading over to Enterprise to pick up his rental car—a nondescript barebones mid-size sedan that was good for little other than getting him from point A to B. He had another stop to make before getting settled in.

Khai had his tools sent to Miami in the days before he arrived. They waited for him in the trunk of an unattractive coupe at a municipal parking lot. Krueger used a valet key duct taped inside the wheel well to unlock the car and reclaim his goods, and then headed to his lodging.

The illustrious Aurora Club. A sleek hotel located in the middle of South Beach, and a destination popular among Spring Break travelers with fake IDs young enough to be Krueger’s children. He pushed the thought of his seventeen-year-old daughter spending time in a place like this out of his head and strode to the front desk.

“Hello, sir. Welcome,” the receptionist said from behind his desk. “Are you checking in?”

“I am.” Kruger said. “Name’s Sebastian Weber.” He made a point to pronounce the W to make the receptionist’s job easier.

“Weber… Weber…” the receptionist checked the reservations. “Ah, there you are! Your reservation was made by a Liz K... paid in full, seven nights’ stay. Ocean view..! She must like you, huh?”

Khai had only shared with him where he was staying and for how long. She was mute on the details of the trip she booked for him. “She spoils me, yeah.”

“I’ll say...” He retrieved a keycard from under the tabletop and handed it to Krueger. “Room 1946. Enjoy your stay at the Aurora Club, Mr. Weber.”

“I certainly intend to. Thanks.”

``````

Krueger tapped his keycard on the reader immediately left of the door when he arrived at his room. He turned the door handle downward and pushed it to reveal a neatly organized room with a desk and lamp, flat panel television, marble-top night table with matching bed linens, a cozy couch in the corner, and just enough auxiliary luxuries to justify the cost of staying here.

Mr. Wells could write it off as a business expense, or see it as an investment. It didn’t matter to Krueger, ultimately.

Krueger placed his bags on the floor and walked through the sliding glass doors overlooking the beach. He retrieved the burner phone included in his kit to dial the only number stored in it.

“This is Khai,” she said after it rang thrice. Her tone was all-business, one he’d only previously heard when she first reached out to him so long ago.

“It’s me,” he said. “I’ve arrived on the premises.”

“Hello, Krueger.” Her tone pulled a one-eighty back to the warm, friendly one she usually spoke to him in. “How are the amenities?”

“Stellar. You really didn’t have to go so far out of the way for me.”

“Mr. Wells said to keep you happy, no matter what.”

He could see her grin in his mind’s eye. “I’m a man of simple tastes, Miss Khai, it doesn’t take expensive gestures like this to please me.”

Khai chuckled on the other end. “You’ll have to enlighten me some time, then.” She took a breath, getting herself back on track for the job at hand. “Young Silvio’s flight gets in tonight,” she said. “He’ll most likely commemorate his arrival at a nightclub, followed by an after-party at his suite… feel like getting in touch with your wild side?”

“I think I’ll stay in. It’s a school night after all.”

“I’ll leave you to prepare, then,” she said, laughing under her breath. “Best of luck.”

``````

Krueger’s Sunday night was spent in his hotel room studying the information Khai put together for him. Young Silvio’s picture, height, weight, build, preferred beverage. When he wakes up, goes to bed, when and what he eats, how frequently he uses the bathroom, the kind of women he attracts. He put a composite profile together and designed his plan around it.

Monday morning came and Krueger ran three miles along the beach before returning to the hotel for a lean breakfast. He studied a hotel brochure over black coffee and made mental notes of the services and suites offered there, deducing where in this labyrinth his prey was likely roosting. He went back upstairs to change into his swimwear.

That afternoon, when Silvio and his entourage were just starting their day at the pool area, Krueger lay on a bench drying off in his trunks and a sleeveless shirt, a small gym bag on the floor immediately to his right. He had his directional microphone tucked under the small of his back and pointed where he knew Silvio and his buddies would be while he listened in with a single wireless earbud. He would periodically turn pages in a copy of Michael Crichton’s Prey and peer over his aviator sunglasses at a passing woman every now and then to maintain the illusion.

Silvio returned to the pool area that evening, surrounded by young bikini-clad women he displayed like trophies to all the on-looking boys who didn’t know better. Krueger had the microphone tucked under his thigh toward the crowd as he stayed seated at the bar just far enough into Silvio’s peripheral vision that he blended into the background.

Krueger uploaded the recordings to a laptop supplied to him and studied the audio that night, finding no mention of Wells or the conference room. Between his public displays and audio logs, Krueger could safely hypothesize one or a combination of three things: C.J. Silvio was either clean, very smart, or very dumb. But tomorrow was a new day, he would solidify his theories then.

``````

Tuesday was mostly a repeat of Monday: Krueger went for his run in the morning and had his breakfast at the hotel and a swim afterward. He returned to the pool that afternoon for more surveillance on Silvio and his crew. He chose this time to not wear a shirt and display a lean athletic build that he maintained despite his age, left shoulder half-sleeve tattoo of dense tiger stripes, and stylized skull and crossbones tattoo on the right side of his chest to more casually fit in as he observed Silvio and his entourage from his pool bench.

He stopped when he noticed a more effective opportunity to gather information pass right in front of him. Krueger covertly shut off the microphone under him and slipped it back inside the bag just out of sight before standing up to follow this new lead, taking his equipment bag with him.

A young, supple woman with long, wavy dark hair in a canary yellow bikini and see-through sarong made her way to the bar and leaned against it. Krueger had seen her yesterday evening hovering around Silvio along with so many other impressionable women, but there was something different about her. And here she was again, associating with him although her body language practically screamed she’d rather not. She peered back over to Silvio again, the look in her eyes was almost contemptuous.

Krueger stood next to her and ordered a mojito. “Excuse me, miss?”

She turned to face him, taken aback at first by the lack of effort he put into successfully getting her attention.

He motioned Silvio. “I saw you hanging around that young man there,” he said sliding a few bills in her direction. “Let him know his next margarita is on me.”

The girl looked down at the money and back up at Krueger. “Uh, yeah. Sure, you bet.”

Krueger smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

His play worked to perfection. Krueger watched peripherally as the girl in yellow and black handed Silvio a fresh margarita, and thumbed back in his direction. And before long Silvio stood up to swagger over to him, drink in hand.

“Hey man,” Silvio said, grinning behind a pair of single-lens sunglasses “I just wanted to say thanks for the drink!”

Krueger turned to look at Silvio from behind his aviators. “No problem. I saw how much fun you and your friends were having over there.”

Silvio laughed and bobbed a little. “I like this guy,” he said, apparently to an imaginary audience. “I’m Charlie!” He held out his fist.

“Sebastian.” Krueger met Silvio’s fist with his own.

“I’m hearing an accent, Sebastian. Where’re you from?”

“Germany.”

“Aah, Deutschland! Am I saying that right??” Silvio’s smile was earnest.

Krueger nodded in approval. “You’re very close.”

“Ha ha, nice!” Silvio gained his footing again. He was intoxicated even at this hour. “You here on business or pleasure?”

“I find, at times, they’re one and the same.”

Silvio laughed louder. “I love this guy!” he said. “You gotta come hang out with us!”

“Some other time, maybe. I have to get back to it, unfortunately.”

“No, no I’m serious,” Silvio said, patting Krueger’s shoulder and holding on to it. “You have to party with us tonight!”

Krueger tilted his head slightly, projecting the illusion of mulling it over. “Yeah, that might seem possible.”

“Yes!! We’re meeting back here at 9:30, be there!”

“Looking forward to it.” Krueger held his fist out for Silvio.

Silvio tapped it with his own. “My guy,” he called after Krueger as he left the area. “I love the tats, dude!”

``````

Krueger arrived at the pool area at 9:35, in a lightweight short sleeve blue shirt that buttoned up the middle and khaki swim trunks. Silvio warmly welcomed him among his entourage with a hug and a smile that he matched. He took a seat among the crowd—three other heavy-set men in t-shirts and shorts he had previously seen around Silvio, and about a dozen women in various assorted swimsuits who kept marveling at his eyes, telling him they’d never seen eyes like his before.

At about 11:20, Silvio broke away from the group, saying he didn’t feel great and citing how little he ate all day. He encouraged the rest of the group to keep partying in his absence, but by 11:40 all that remained was Krueger and the dark-haired girl from before, this time in a green bikini top and white capri pants. Even his buddies were nowhere to be found.

“I hope Silvio’s okay up there,” Krueger said.

“I don’t,” the girl said. “I hope he got food poisoning and it ruins his whole week.”

Krueger shot the girl a look. He could see she was deadly serious about what she said. “Why get close to him if you hate him so much?”

The girl recoiled a little. “My big sister, uh… got pregnant with his kid.” She shook her head. “That scuzzball dumped her as soon as she told him. I wanted to ruin him. Humiliate him somehow.”

Krueger knew that wouldn’t have ended well for her. For all his extroversion and charm, C.J. Silvio was still a man with connections to very dangerous people. “What did you say your name was?”

“Andrea,” she said.

“Andrea,” he echoed. “My daughter was almost an Andrea. She’s a few years younger than you.”

Andrea gave him a look. “No kidding. What’s her name?”

“Victoria. Her mother, my ex-wife, preferred it.”

“Victoria.” Andrea nodded, looking down briefly at Krueger’s left hand and confirming the absence of a ring on his finger. “It’s a good, strong name. My sister’s name… and you said you were Sebastian, right?”

“That’s right.” Krueger hated having to lie to Andrea, but he had a job to do. Fortunately, he thought of a way to both do that and help the girl out. “Andrea, do you want to get Charlie back for your sister?”

“Hell yeah..!”

“Meet me at the bar in fifteen minutes,” he said, getting up. “I’ll be back.”

``````

Krueger tapped the keycard at the reader just beside the door to Room 2000, the Conquistador Suite, where Young Silvio was staying. He’d known where to find him after recording him boast about booking the suite for the week, and lifted the key moments after it fell out of Silvio’s pocket earlier that night. He crossed the threshold to find the lights still on, empty liquor bottles and condom wrappers on the floor of the common area, and Silvio himself passed out on the couch across from his open suitcase. He figured Silvio staggered back to the front desk to get a replacement key when he realized he’d lost his first one and didn’t make it to his bed before succumbing to the Rohypnol Krueger slipped into his margaritas.

It was almost poetic, to do unto Silvio what he had no doubt done to others. Still, Krueger almost pitied the man, and he still had a job to do. He scanned the room quickly, spotting an open laptop in the kitchenette, and then moved silently across the floor to peer into each of the four bedrooms to find them all empty. Once he identified Silvio’s space, Krueger scooped him up under his arm pits and dragged him to bed.

Silvio murmured in his sleep as Krueger laid him on top of the mattress. “Don’t ever trust somebody you meet at bar, Mr. Silvio,” he said in response as he went for the door. “Especially not one who sends you a drink.” On the way out he flipped the lock in the doorknob and pulled the door shut behind him to lock it.

Then he went for the laptop. He tapped the mousepad twice to wake it up. The desktop icons and open windows greeted him.

“Kein passwort,” he said to himself. “Dieser idiot…”

He retrieved a USB flash drive and antenna from his pockets, plugging them in to Silvio’s laptop and running the scripts stored in them, designed effectively to run a copy-paste command of the entire computer—programs, files, keystrokes, everything—and transmit it downstairs to a receiver connected to Krueger’s laptop and write it to an external solid-state drive. It was over in ten minutes. Krueger recovered his devices and left the room the way it was.

Then he made his way back to the poolside bar, where he told Andrea to wait for him. He presented her Sivio’s room key. “Charlie’s in room 2000,” he said. “The Conquistador Suite.”

Andrea’s eyes widened. “No freaking way..!” She took the card. “How’d you get this from him?”

“He dropped it. His suitcase is open in the common area. Why don’t you throw his things over the balcony..?” he added with a smirk.

Andrea couldn’t help but laugh. She looked down away from Krueger to the key card in her hand and then back at him. “Why are you doing this for me? You don’t even know me.”

“Let’s just say I know a few people who would like to see Charlie Silvio calm down. And you seem like a nice girl who loves her sister and would do anything for her.”

Andrea gave Krueger a warm smile. “You know,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You’re probably the coolest, most genuine and honest person I’ve ever met at this place. And Victoria is lucky to have you as a father.”

Krueger blinked. “It means a lot that you’d say so. Thank you for that, Andrea.”

“No, Sebastian” she said, gesturing the key card in her hand. “Thank you for this..!” She smiled again and hesitated for a little before letting an excited squeal out and hugging Krueger, then backing away just as quickly. “That’s if I don’t see you again,” she said with a nervous laugh and shrug before trotting toward the elevator to Silvio’s suite.

``````

After Krueger’s run on Wednesday morning and breakfast on the hotel grounds, he took his laptop and the external drive to the Miami Beach Regional Library to study what he pulled from Silvio’s computer; when the library closed for the day he took it back to his room. Upon returning he turned on the local news to see the celebrity gossip reporter cover a story about C.J. Silvio scrambling to recover his clothes from the bushes surrounding a South Beach hotel before returning to his work. He sifted through the materials for hours—a collection of music, movies, pornographic images and video, Skype records, anything he could find—but finding nothing implicating him in the plot against Wells. He still had half the transcription to cover, he’d pick it up tomorrow morning.

Silvio left the hotel grounds Thursday afternoon with his three male companions to attend the conference with his father, the Southeast Region’s Managing Partner. Krueger didn’t need the directional microphone to know how that conversation would play out. The way he saw it, he and Andrea did Young Silvio a favor.

He returned to his room that night to continue his examination of the external drive. At 11:30pm he arrived at a string of Wrike instant messages sent between Silvio and another user, HeimdallrsEyez.

It was more a string of attempts at contacting Silvio. HeimdallrsEyez would initiate the conversation with a dollar amount. Silvio wouldn’t respond. A few days later HeimdallrsEyez would write back with a higher amount which Silvio would ignore. This happened three more times before Silvio finally responded with Fuck off already! I’m not doing it!

Krueger sat back in his chair to reflect on it. HeimdallrsEyez knew how close Silvio was to Wells, and was probing him for a price that would entice him to betray his boss. But when Silvio refused and the offers stopped coming, HeimdallrsEyez found someone else. This crystalized Krueger’s prior hypothesis.

He was taken from his thoughts by a knock at his door.

Quickly and quietly, Krueger hid the laptop and external drive in a dresser drawer and traded them for his Colt Government and suppressor. He fixed the extension to the end of the barrel and quietly approached the door, keeping the weapon trained on it as me moved.

He pressed the end of the suppressor can against the door and looked through the peephole at a young, attractive wide-eyed woman dressed in the hotel staff’s uniform. “Mr. Sebastian?” she called through the door to him. “I’m sorry if I woke you, but Mr. Silvio had me send this up to you.” She presented a bottle of champagne.

Krueger acknowledged the numerous red flags in this scenario, but holstered his weapon under his pale, loose button-up shirt and opened the door to accept the champagne. “Thank you, miss,” he said. He took another look at this woman; her name tag read Tessa. “That’s very generous of him.”

“Yeah,” another male voice to his left said. He recognized it belonged to one of Silvio’s boys. “It is.”

Krueger expected it. He turned his head to see down the barrel of a MAC-10, and the three of them lined up against the wall behind it. Krueger slowly put his hands up shoulder-high.

“Let’s go for a drive, Fixer,” the one holding the gun said.

``````

They escorted Krueger to an SUV in the rear parking lot of the hotel, got inside and all sat in silence as they took him south along Route A1A, turning left on 5th Street toward the MacArthur Causeway.

Krueger sat between two of the hit men in the back seat while the third one drove. He noted the MAC-10 in the lap of the man to his right and a semi-auto pistol in the hand of the one to his left. Krueger finally spoke when they made it to Watson Island. “When I checked on Silvio the other night,” he explained, “you three weren’t in the suite with him. Which tells me you’re not with C.J. Silvio, Wells, or even the Partners. You’re with the competition. And I’m guessing your room service girl Tessa is too.”

Their silence confirmed his theory.

“You were installed next to him to spy on him, report his daily activities to your superiors, and at some point in the future kill or kidnap him to lean on his father Charles Silvio.”

Right again. Their uncomfortable shifting confirmed it.

“The only question that remains,” he mused as he crossed his arms, “is what gave me away?”

Silence at first from the hit men, then the driver spoke up. “Well…”

“Mackie, shut it,” the man to Krueger’s left said.

“Gaz, come on, he’s gonna be fish food in five minutes. What difference does it make?”

Gaz shrugged. “Fair point, I guess.”

Mackie continued. “It was your eyes. One green, one blue.” Mackie steered the SUV onto an exit ramp as he continued. “There were rumors floating around the community of a fixer. A specialist with different-colored eyes and tattoos who offered his services to anybody willing to pay him enough.”

“Top dollar,” the man to Krueger’s right said.

“We suspected it was you when you sent Silvio’s kid the drink, but didn’t know for sure until that night, when we could see you without the sunglasses.” Mackie steered the vehicle off-road, finding a secluded place under an overpass in the northwest corner of Watson Island, away from prying eyes and ears. “We called the Company after baby Silvio went upstairs, then got the order to get rid of you.”

The Company: the ones responsible for the attacks on Wells’ shipments over the prior weeks and the Partners’ chief rivals. Of course it was them. “And you’ve chosen a fine place for it,” Krueger said. “Only problem is, you made a rookie mistake.”

“What’s that, dead man?” Mackie put the vehicle in park.

“You forgot to check me.”

Krueger grabbed hold of his handgun’s grip from over his shirt and sprang to face the man to his right, squeezing the trigger twice to shoot out the back of his own shirt and kill Gaz while he swatted the MAC-10 off the other man’s lap. Then he threw a hammer fist into his throat to stun him before Krueger pressed himself against Gaz’s body, drawing the gun from under his shirt, and shooting the other man once in the chest and head.

By the time Mackie realized what was going on behind him and he scrambled to recover his gun in the passenger seat, the muzzle of Krueger’s .45 was pressed against his head behind his ear.

“Mackie, right?” Krueger said.

His shock began to subside and was replaced with fear. “Y-yeah…”

“Let go of the gun and place your hands on the wheel, Mackie,” he ordered, his command void of emotion.

“Okay.” Mackie placed the gun back onto the passenger seat and did as commanded.

Krueger switched hands to keep his gun pressed against the back of Mackie’s head and reach over to the front seat and recover the gun—a .40 caliber AMT Hardballer. He switched hands again to open the rear driver side door and push Gaz’s corpse out through it before stepping out himself and keeping the gun trained on Mackie. “Step out of the car and keep your hands up,” he commanded.

Mackie did as instructed, leaving the still-running car and walking away from it, turning to face Krueger.

“Now take off your shirt.”

“What?”

Krueger fired, catching Mackie in the right kneecap. He let out a yelp as he fell to the ground and grabbed hold of his wound. “Your shirt,” Krueger ordered. “Take it off.” Between the blood and bullet holes in his, Krueger would need another one.

The Specialist’s lack of inflection and stern tone solidified Mackie’s terror. “Arrgh, alright! Alright, I’ll do it!” Mackie writhed out of his t-shirt and threw it aside.

Krueger kept his .45 trained on Mackie as he moved the shirt further away from him with his foot. He knew he only had the one magazine and had fired five times, so he would have to make his last two bullets count. “How many of you are at the hotel?”

“Wha—?”

Krueger shot Mackie in his left kneecap. “How many, Mackie?”

Mackie cried out in pain. “They’ll kill me if I tell you!” he shouted.

“I’ll kill you if you don’t. And then I’ll kill them.”

Mackie cursed under his breath as he winced in pain. “There’s ten of us. We were all watching Silvio.”

“And how many of them know about me?”

“Just us and the girl, I swear!”

Experience told Krueger that Mackie was telling the truth. He had no reason to lie after all. “Danke, Mackie,” he said. Then he raised the gun with both hands and put his last round between Mackie’s eyes. He looked off in the distance toward the mainland as he replayed the conversation over in his head. “Amateure,” he added.

Then he went to work. He fished in Mackie’s pockets for hotel keycards, finding one for Silvio’s suite and a second for Room 1014. He loaded Mackie’s body back into the SUV with the others, picked up the casings from his spent bullets, and tossed them into the car along with his own empty gun and underarm holster. He went back in for Mackie’s Hardballer to tuck it into his pants behind his back, and removed his ruined shirt to absorb as much of the blood on the ground as possible before throwing it into the car with everything else he was getting rid of. Then he walked over to the still-running car and put it into drive, letting it idle forward into the water. Finally he picked up Mackie’s t-shirt and slipped it on over his head before heading back up to return to civilization… by walking, he soon realized.

``````

Tessa rolled the room service cart to Room 1014, reading the note on the door to come right in, as it was propped open with the bar portion of the swing lock. She thought nothing of it as she crossed the doorway with the cart into the dimly lit room, kept a few lumens from pitch black by the tabletop lamps.

“Mackie?” she called out to him.

“I’m afraid not.”

Krueger’s voice took her by surprise. She stifled a terrified gasp as she sprang around to watch him walk out of the bathroom while he dried his hands off with a towel, wearing the same black t-shirt Mackie was wearing when they took him from his room. He turned to the room door to release the swing and shut it properly.

Then Krueger faced her and brandished Mackie’s Hardballer, thumbing back the hammer and pointing it one-handed at Tessa.

Tessa recognized the handgun. She began to tremble visibly as she shifted uncomfortably and reasoned what happened to Mackie and the others.

“I can see you’re new to the fold, so I’m going to give you a choice,” Krueger said. “You can call the others for help and die tonight—forgotten in a hotel room—or you can walk away and live.”

“I want to walk away,” she said immediately, her voice wobbling and lip quivering. “I want to walk away, please let me walk away..!”

Krueger returned the hammer to the resting position and lowered the gun. He stood aside and gestured the door with a head tilt. “Go,” he said.

Tessa bolted past him, stifling sobs as she wiped her cheeks and ran down the hall, leaving the cart behind.

“Gute nacht,” he called after her. Then he left the room himself, making a mental note to dispose of Mackie’s Hardballer in the morning.

``````

Khai was awakened at 2:50am by the vibration of her business phone on her night table. She reached out for it and held it up, squinting at first to see the screen and read the number on it. She sat up against her headboard when she recognized the area code, fumbling for her glasses before finding them behind the clock radio. She answered the call and held it up to her ear. “It’s Khai,” she said, filtering the sleepiness out of her response.

“There’s been a development,” Krueger said on the other end. “We weren’t the only ones watching Silvio.”

Khai moved to sit on the side of the bed and took a deep breath to pull herself together. “Give me a minute.”

She stood up and went to her walk-in closet, finding a bathrobe to throw over her satin nightgown before heading over to the bathroom and splashing cold water on her face. Then she headed for the spiral staircase down to the kitchen area, priming her laptop and switching to her headset.

“Alright,” she said. “I’m back,” she said. She turned on her coffee machine and placed her favorite mug under the spout, and then sat down to log into her computer. “Tell me what you’ve got.”

“The Company,” Krueger said. “Ten total on site, three of them close to Silvio.”

Khai cursed under her breath. “The Partners won’t like that.”

“They won’t be reporting back to their associates, I’ve seen to that. The ones closest to Silvio tried to kill me off-site. They failed.”

“But the damage may already be done,” she reasoned. “They could have been following him for years, who knows what they found out about the Partners from that, spoiled little shit..?” She took her glasses off and held them in her right hand while leaned back in her chair and tilted her head back, shutting her eyes tight and pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and first finger to compose herself again. “What about Silvio?”

“He’s clean,” Krueger said. “But I may have a lead on the mole in Wells’ organization.”

Khai sighed, opening her eyes again. “First bit of good news I’ve heard all week,” she said. “What did you find?”

“A message trail. I pulled it from his laptop with the tools you supplied.”

“I’m in front of my computer now,” she said, straightening up and putting her glasses back on. “Can you send me the messages?”

“Of course.”

Khai got up to respond to the gurgling of the coffee maker in the corner and reclaim her mug. Savoring its smell and warmth, she held it in both hands and took her first sip, shutting her eyes and letting out a quiet, satisfied sigh before returning to her workstation with her liquid bliss. “I see it,” she said. She read the usernames of the involved parties. “Heimdallr’s Eyes..? Interesting.”

“Is that supposed to mean something?”

“In Norse mythology, Heimdallr is the watchman of the gods,” Khai explained, “supposedly all-seeing. If he’s calling himself the eyes of an all-seeing deity, it’s safe to assume he either has a vast information network at his disposal, or works for somebody who does.” She looked away from the monitor for a moment before looking back and taking another sip. “Can you get me Silvio’s laptop?”

“I can have the cloned device stored on the SSD arranged for pickup by the Partners here,” Krueger said. “If you’d like to see it sooner I can try sending its contents to you.”

“That’s perfect,” Khai said. “Log in to Mr. Wells’ VPN and send it over the intranet, and then arrange for the drive to be picked up.” Khai stood up and walked over to the sliding glass doors overlooking her patio and backyard with her coffee. “In the meantime I’ll relay what you’ve shared with me to the interested parties…”

“Could you include a message for Silvio?”

“What’s that?”

“Treat Victoria right,” Krueger said. “He’ll understand.”

Befuddled, Khai shrugged and said, “I’ll just have to trust you on that.”

“Do trust me on that… I had to get rid of the gun, unfortunately,” he confessed. “Take it out of my check.”

“That’s… hardly a problem, but if you insist I can arrange that…” She sipped from her mug again. “You should try to get some rest, Krueger.”

“I’ll sleep when you do, Miss Khai.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “You were nearly killed on a reconnaissance assignment. You must be at least a little shaken up.”

“I’ve been nearly killed on almost every assignment I’ve taken for the last fifteen years. There is very little that can shake me up these days.”

Khai chuckled to herself. “Be that as it may, it’s past three in the morning. I’ll be awake with plenty to do on my end but your part of the job is done. You can relax now.”

“What does somebody like me do to relax, Miss Khai?”

“I’m certain somebody as creative and resourceful as you can figure out a productive way to spend the next two days.”

“I’ll send you a postcard from the gator farm, then.”

“Looking forward to it,” Khai said laughing to herself. “Good night, Krueger. And excellent work.” She ended the call and headed back up the stairs to her bedroom to make her bed and start her day properly.

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