#agile approach

[uncodemytraininginstitute]

Embrace agility in software development with "Test-Driven Development: An Agile Approach," a concise guide illuminating the principles and benefits of TDD, empowering developers to enhance code quality through iterative testing practices. Dive into the agile mindset and revolutionize your software testing approach for more resilient and maintainable code. Read more...

[jcmarchi]

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Preview - Hands-On With The New Spiritborn Class - Game Informer

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/diablo-iv-vessel-of-hatred-preview-hands-on-with-the-new-spiritborn-class-game-informer/

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Preview - Hands-On With The New Spiritborn Class - Game Informer

Vessel of Hatred ushers in a wave of change for Diablo IV. The game’s first expansion takes players to the new jungle region of Nahantu and, most importantly, introduces the new Spiritborn class.  I went hands-on with the Spiritborn at a recent preview event and spoke to Blizzard about how it created a class unlike any other in the Diablo series. After spending a couple of hours playing, the Spiritborn may already be my new favorite class in the game. 

Unlike other Diablo classes, the Spiritborn is not based on a traditional fantasy archetype like the Rogue or Mage. Rather, it’s a martial arts-inspired class hailing from the dense jungle region of Nahantu. Described as the apex predator of this region, a Spiritborn arises from a brutal ritual tasking them to survive the wilds of Nahantu. A Spiritborn character’s narration in a cinematic reveal trailer describes it best: 

“Only a few among my people can become Spiritborn. As children, the most promising face judgment in the nest. Our trial begins and ends with pain. Those who are not called are culled. For the weak, all paths end here. For the worthy, that path leads to power beyond compare and a sacred charge to wield it well.”

Succeeding in this ritual allows a Spiritborn to commune with the Spirit Realm to bond with and harness the power of four animal Spirit Guardians: jaguar, eagle, gorilla, and centipede. The Spirit Realm is described as a “byproduct of humanity” and a “ghostly reflection of Sanctuary” by associate narrative designer Eleni Rivera-Colon during a presentation. “The way that we like to see it is that the angels have the High Heavens, demons have the Burning Hells, and humans have the Spirit Realm.” 

The four Spirit Guardians serve as manifestations of human beliefs. The Jaguar represents hunting and providing, while the Centipede represents the cycle of death, decay, and the resulting new life. The Eagle represents the precision and vision needed to navigate the jungle, and the Gorilla is a beacon of strength and protection. 

“You can imagine that if you’re a native of Nahantu if you needed one of these values, you would call upon those gods to embody that value,” game director Brent Gibson explains. “And one of the cool things about the Spiritborn is that they believe that if they devote themselves to this so much that one day when they cross over into the veil, they’ll become Spirit Guardians themselves.”

The Spiritborns sound pretty powerful, so where have these warriors been all this time? Gibson explains that Nahantu is intimately familiar with the Eternal Conflict; it housed Mephisto’s original soulstone during Diablo II. The terrible memories and traumas from that era remain fresh in their minds, so much so that they chose to sit on the sidelines during the various world-threatening events of previous Diablo games to avoid repeating history. But Lilith’s return has finally forced their hands to rejoin the fight. 

According to Gibson, Blizzard began conceptualizing the Spiritborn before Diablo IV launched. Blizzard examined unique combat and power fantasies the existing classes didn’t provide, in addition to player feedback for each. This helped the team create the goal of making a class that sits at the core of its first expansion, as by doing so, it could tie its background and fighting style to a specific new location. 

At first glance, Spiritborn draws inspiration from Central and South American civilizations, which Gibson confirms among other broad touchstones. Rivera-Colon adds that the team didn’t focus on a singular source but on the theme of humanity and what it means to be human. The answer was that humans possess spirits, which snowballed into discussions of how that would manifest.

“The interesting thing is when you think of the concept of a spirit realm, in our research, many cultures have some version of that,” Gibson explains. “So we knew it would be very relatable to more than just the region we know. So one of the things we always take great care of is making sure that we’re inspired by and don’t lift from […] It’s like we’re taking a look at the culture that’s already established in the Diablo fiction, and then we’re being inspired by Central American cultures, Asian cultures, and taking a look at the world as a whole and how we can make it as global as possible.”

Each Spirit Guardian offers a specific playstyle. The jaguar emphasizes relentless fire-based offense and ever-increasing attack speed. The eagle provides lightning and maneuverability with abilities that let players move quickly while electrifying targets. The gorilla boasts defense, letting players absorb and reduce punishment, then retaliating by pummeling foes with mighty physical blows. The centipede deals with debilitating poison attacks, debuffs, and abilities designed to disrupt enemy mobs. 

Additionally, you can further gear your Spiritborn towards a chosen animal using the Spirit Hall. This menu tab lets players gain bonuses based on the Spirit Guardians equipped in two slots. The first slot grants a themed mechanic based on the chosen animal; for example, the eagle lets players fire Storm Feathers when evading. When you kill an enemy, the second slot bestows a themed bonus, such as the jaguar gaining +1 Ferocity (a new mechanic representing attack speed). Purists can also put the same animal in both slots. A new skill type called Incarnate Skills allows the Spiritborn to equip and gain a passive trait based on one of the four spirit animals. 

The Spiritborn doesn’t only rely on their animal companions. The class is a hyper-agile, demon-slaying machine on its own, thanks to its martial-arts-inspired playstyle. Blizzard developed the Spiritborn’s combat style by examining multiple disciplines, including muay thai, taekwondo, karate, kung fu, and jiu-jitsu. Art director Nick Chilano tells me the character hits home with several animators who practice some form of martial arts – Chilano himself trains in jiu-jitsu. By drawing from these real-life influences, the team created and animated a hybrid style molded around the setting and history of Nahantu. Chilano also says each Spirt Guardian’s playstyle helped narrow down the martial arts style associated with them. 

“So if you think about the gorilla, we’re looking at strong poses, strong attacks, blunt force,” says Chilano. “If you’re thinking about the centipede, it’s earthy, connecting to the ground. So we’re looking at moves that represent that. The Jaguar is aggression: fast, multi-attacks, combo hits. So we start really trying to figure out what martial arts styles fit there. And the eagle is really about precision, repositioning, so we’re looking at a lot of combat that can kind of make sense there.” 

I spent over two hours playing with different pre-made specialized builds of the Spiritborn, and the class was thrilling. Having four animals to work with feels like having four smaller classes in one, and you can mix and match their abilities to form hybrid playstyles or create a “pure” build based solely on one animal. I rocked a jaguar build and incinerated foes with its litany of fire-based attacks. However, I also liked combining the gorilla and centipede skills, which turned me into a self-healing tank that poisoned everything in sight. There’s a ton of potential for experimentation, and I regularly respec’d the skill tree to tinker with various Spirit Guardian combinations. 

The flashy abilities complement the Spiritborn’s base offensive prowess, creating a class boasting fast-paced, hand-to-hand butt-kicking that can quickly warp around a skirmish to take out surrounding mobs. Unleashing a Spirit Guardian’s ultimate attack summons them as a giant ethereal beast to eradicate adversaries, whether it’s the eagle dive-bombing the field or the centipede emerging from underground to spew poison projectiles and streams. This spectacle makes watching the Spiritborn in action almost as fun as playing it. Almost. 

Blizzard has designed weapons and armor to accommodate either approach, with the latter coming as themed armor sets. The Spiritborn are more concerned with function over protection, hence why their armor exposes so much of themselves, and they wear armor that represents the Spirit Guardian they’re devoted to. Weapons-wise, the class favors polearms, glaives, and quarterstaffs to complement its acrobatic playstyle. Blizzard is also cooking up new Legendaries, Aspects, and Uniques for the class. 

The Spiritborn is a blast, and, best of all, newcomers won’t have to wait to start the expansion story to play it. Owners of Vessel of Hatred can choose the Spiritborn at the start of the base campaign so that you can battle Lilith as this ferocious new hero. We can’t wait to play more when Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred launches on October 8.

[border-collie]

Moxie had her first agility class tonight and I was actually impressed with how well she did! Once she figured out the game, she was super excited to play in ways that I hadn’t been able to inspire her on my own. I also learned that she finds collar grabs to be adverseive so that’s a tool I need to find an alternative to. (I use collar grabs with the others I have trained as a neutral restraint, the same idea as a leash.) I would guess that she has probably had collar corrections in the past which is why she finds collar grabs to be adverse. I’m going to try a harness with a back handle and see if she reacts more positively to that type of management. She’s more sensitive than I’m used to, but she also really bloomed and I can’t wait to see where we can go together!

[lasshoe]

ok if i’m honest i need ted lasso press to start soon because i’m starting to feel a bit too normal and well adjusted mentally so i need those lewsers to say smthn to keep me on my toes

[fayeandknight]

Just signed Forte and I up for two ACT 1 Standard and two ACT 1 Jumpers runs on March 5th.

I am going to try not to have any expectations beyond learning and having fun. (But I'm still nervous.)

[kay1believe]

How to Memorize Everything You Read

Are you tired of reading books and forgetting everything you just learned? Do you struggle to retain information from your reading materials? If so, this video is for you. In this video, we'll share tips and techniques to help you memorize everything you read. From active reading strategies to memory retention exercises, we'll cover everything you need to know to improve your memory and recall. First, we'll discuss the importance of active reading and how to engage with the material you're reading. We'll share tips for highlighting, taking notes, and summarizing the material to help you better understand and retain the information. Next, we'll dive into memory retention exercises that you can use to reinforce what you've learned. We'll discuss techniques like repetition, visualization, and association to help you cement the information in your brain. Finally, we'll share some tips for practicing and testing your memory. We'll talk about ways to review the material you've learned, as well as how to quiz yourself to make sure you're retaining the information. By the end of this video, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how to memorize everything you read. You'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to improve your memory retention and become a more effective reader. So, grab a notebook and a pen, and let's get started on the journey to better memory retention and improved learning. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more videos like this!

[rattinahatt]

favorite character from any media BUT it has to be a woman. in the tags now go (pls talk to me about your favorite fictional women pls pls pls pls)

[ameliaava001]

wwe lol ,,,,,<<<

[pawsitivevibe]

Anyone have any great 2x2 weave training resources?

It will be my first time using this method and I'd love to have a wider variety of video tutorials and what not to help me really understand what I'm doing.

[cheaphousespending]

The UK’s Agile, Sector-Specific Approach to AI Regulation Is Promising – Center for Data Innovation

The UK government released its response to the UK AI Regulation White Paper consultation on 6th February 2024, outlining a new pathway for “agile” artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. It confirmed plans to place greater responsibility on existing sector-specific regulators to oversee the development of AI but also raised the possibility of future binding requirements on the most highly…

[beloveds-embrace]

Idgaf abt how military works sorry yall but imagine the 141 gang having to do mandatory charity and no, not even Ghost can opt out of it regardless of how he says he’s honest to god not fucking fit to be visiting sick patients. But alas.

But they end up meeting you- frail, fragile, and sick you, no visitors around you. Though you look at them with curiosity and admiration, you keep yourself away, almost as if you don’t want to bother them.

You can’t help looking at them, though. You’ve been sick all your life- born to a mother who left you on the doorsteps of an overcrowded orphanage, left alone often and long for your body to just… fail you. You don’t think you’ve seen outside the orphanage walls and then these hospital grounds since your birth. You would be dead now if it weren’t for the CEO of the hospital taking pity on you after you turned eighteen and the orphanage cleaned their hands off you.

And so, you can’t help but envy them just a little. Strong, agile people in the military, bodies fit and healthy. Despite knowing they are always putting themselves on the line, constantly in danger, you can’t help the longing you feel. Longing you don’t realize is clear as day in your eyes.

The one to approach you first is the man you thought one of the prettiest men you’ve ever seen. He introduces himself as Kyle, and despite your silence- your interactions with others that are not doctors or nurses are far and few, and you are painfully shy- but he is nice. Gentle. Easily keeps the conversation going despite. He is so easy-going he has you grinning and laughing in no time. It catches the attention of a the Scot with a mohawk, who joins in by sharing even wilder stories. And then the man with the scary ghost mask, so often in their stories, comes to your little crowd. He is big, scary if the nurses’ reactions are anything to go by, and yet the only thing you’ve ever truly been afraid of is dying with a life not truly lived. So you don’t flinch or cower from him, merely ask if he has anything interesting to share with you.

The last you speak with is John Price. Captain John Price. If there is a man that can embody a bear, it has to be him. You are sure of it. Especially when you witness him smacking the back of Kyle’s head lightly after a teasing comment.

Maybe your chances of a long, fulfilling life are slim but today, just for today, you allow yourself to envision a life with them. Such a strange desire, a useless and wistful one.

“Thank you, for today.” You tell them quietly, when it’s nearing time to leave. Your hands are held in Kyle and Johnny’s, frail and weak compared to theirs. You smile at them, squeezing lightly. “I think this is the most happy and content I’ve been all my life. I won’t forget today.”

And in return? Neither will they. How could they ever forget you, the sweetheart in the hospital bed, your sickness keeping you away from the joyful life you deserve?

The won’t forget you. Not at all. And when you start receiving gifts, polaroids and letters and texts, you already know who is sending them to you.

It makes things just a little easier- your life just a little brighter.

Other works + help me choose a title for this!

[jcmarchi]

DJ Fang, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Pure Global – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/dj-fang-co-founder-chief-operating-officer-at-pure-global-interview-series/

DJ Fang, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Pure Global – Interview Series

DJ Fang is a technology executive and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience driving digital transformation and innovation across industries, including finance, energy, and healthcare. He has led initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, combining business expertise with technical skills in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure.

As a serial entrepreneur, Fang has successfully built and scaled businesses, excelling in product development, market strategy, and operational execution.

Pure Global combines real-world experience, AI, and data to create smart and efficient medical device regulatory consulting solutions for more than 30 markets.

Could you share your journey from working with top consulting firms like Deloitte and PwC to becoming the co-founder of Pure Global? What inspired this transition?

My journey to co-founding Pure Global was shaped by two pivotal moments. First, the COVID-19 pandemic threw the world into chaos, forcing individuals, businesses, and governments to re-evaluate how they operated. As a volunteer helping hospitals and schools source PPE, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges people faced adapting to sudden changes in regulations and market access. That experience really opened my eyes to a critical need.

Second, my entrepreneurial drive came into play. I’ve always been drawn to identifying challenges and creating effective solutions, embracing the process of refining and adapting ideas to address changing needs.

Before Pure Global, I had my own big data and cybersecurity consulting firm, and prior to that, I worked at Big Four firms like Deloitte and PwC. I was constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, creating custom solutions for clients facing unique challenges. It was exciting work, always dynamic and demanding.

At Pure Global, I’m tackling similar challenges but with a healthcare focus. We’re helping MedTech companies bring quality products to market faster and more efficiently. It’s incredibly rewarding to apply my skills and experience to make a real difference in this critical industry.

Pure Global was founded during a critical moment in the pandemic. What were the key challenges and opportunities you identified at that time that led to its creation?

During the pandemic, we began by volunteering to help hospitals and schools source PPE. As we worked with global suppliers, we gained insight into the complexities of international trade and regulations. While assisting manufacturers with changing pandemic rules, we also improved our internal processes for efficiency.

Initially, we only supported a few organizations. However, as requests from manufacturers seeking assistance across various countries grew, we identified a clear need – and a market opportunity – for technology to modernize traditional, often inefficient workflows. We saw an opportunity to make a significant impact by developing solutions to address these challenges

Your Resource Center leverages AI to provide real-time regulatory updates and compliance insights. Can you walk us through how the AI algorithms identify and prioritize regulatory changes across 30+ global markets? What challenges did you face in training these models?

Our Global Markets Resource Center serves as a centralized hub for the latest regulatory updates and insights across all major global medical device markets. We’ve built a robust system to gather regulatory data from diverse sources, such as official agency websites, legal databases, and public announcements. This includes web scraping with intelligent parsing to extract data from unstructured formats like PDFs and HTML, as well as using APIs where available.

When clients register their devices in our Pure Certification module, we leverage AI to suggest the most relevant changes and prioritize them for review. AI text embeddings and similarity calculations rank these updates. For example, if you have a ‘portable dialysis machine’ and three related news articles:

Article #1: New guidelines for the disposal PPEs (cosine similarity to product: 0.2)

Article #2: FDA approves a new portable dialysis machine with improved safety features (cosine similarity: 0.8)

Article #3: Cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered in connected medical devices (cosine similarity: 0.5)

Text embeddings convert all text into numerical representations in a multi-dimensional vector space. Cosine similarity then calculates the distance between these vectors. The higher the cosine similarity, the greater the relevance of the article to the product.

The Translation Manager uses AI to convert technical documents into over 20 languages. How does the system ensure accuracy and cultural relevance in translations for highly regulated markets, and how does it compare to traditional translation methods in terms of speed and compliance reliability?

AI is truly breaking barriers in this regard. From our internal testing with localized regulatory experts, the accuracy of these AI translations exceeds 80%. Combined with our proprietary MedTech-specific multilingual glossaries, we can push this to over 90%, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional translation methods.

With AI-driven tools like the Translation Manager and Certification Manager, what kind of feedback have you received from clients about their efficiency gains?

Clients have reported significant efficiency gains through the use of our AI-driven tools. Many have experienced reduced translation costs, particularly for high-volume content, thanks to the automation of previously manual tasks. This has not only cut costs but also accelerated workflows.

Additionally, the consistency and flow of translations have improved. Our multilingual translation terminology management ensures consistent language use across all translated materials, which is critical for maintaining brand identity and clarity in technical documentation. Previously, depending on who performed the translation, the flow could differ slightly. With AI-driven translation, however, the consistency and flow are seamless.

In your opinion, how is big data reshaping the MedTech industry, especially in regulatory compliance and market access?

Some exciting developments in the context of big data are as follows:

Data-Driven Decision Making (Market Intelligence): Big data tools provide comprehensive analytics, enabling companies to make informed decisions about market opportunities, patient behavior, product development, market access, and commercial success.

Post-Market Surveillance: Real-world data monitoring can identify safety issues or areas for improvement, leading to faster, more effective post-market surveillance.

Real-World Evidence (RWE): Analyzing large datasets of real-world data (patient records, clinical trials, device usage) can provide evidence of product safety and effectiveness, supporting regulatory submissions and post-market surveillance. However, much of this information still resides within large hospital systems and research institutions, and accessing it remains a challenge.

Cybersecurity:  With the surge in connected medical devices, wearables, and healthcare IoT devices generating vast amounts of data, the attack surface for cybercriminals continues to expand. Sensitive patient information stored in large datasets becomes a prime target for hackers, potentially leading to data breaches that compromise privacy and safety. Then, many healthcare organizations still rely on outdated systems with insufficient cybersecurity measures, increasing the risk.

How do you envision the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and MedTech evolving in the future?

There will be more personalized options as AI enables the development of medical devices and treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs. By analyzing patient data, including genomics, lifestyle factors, and medical history, AI can optimize device design and functionality. Additionally, AI can accelerate the design and prototyping of medical devices by generating design options, simulating performance, and optimizing for specific requirements, allowing companies to iterate quickly and bring new products to market faster.

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly emphasized in the MedTech space. This shift comes as regulators recognize its growing importance and transition from a reactive approach—mainly responding to incidents—to a more proactive approach focused on risk management and prevention. As submission requirements for cybersecurity continue to increase in rigor, companies will need to prioritize cybersecurity throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from design to deployment, to ensure the safety and reliability of their devices.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for medical device manufacturers in the next five years, and how does Pure Global aim to address them?

The biggest challenge is that regulatory agencies worldwide are raising the bar for safety, efficacy, and cybersecurity, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with evolving requirements across multiple markets

How Pure Global can help:

AI-Powered Regulatory Intelligence: Pure Global’s AI platform monitors regulatory changes across 30+ markets, offering real-time updates and personalized alerts for compliance.

Streamlined Submission Workflows: AI helps reduce time and costs for regulatory submissions, making the clearance and approval process more efficient.

Market Intelligence: With a comprehensive database covering regulations, product registrations, and clinical trials across 30+ markets, manufacturers can analyze trends, identify opportunities, and assess competition.

What advice would you give to startups and scaleups in the MedTech space looking to navigate complex regulatory landscapes?

Prioritize Regulatory Strategy Early On:

Integrate from the start: Incorporate regulatory considerations into your product development from day one, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Proactive planning: Establish a clear regulatory strategy early, outlining target markets, device classification, and necessary approvals.

Expert advice: Consult regulatory experts or experienced consultants to understand the specific requirements for your device and target markets.

Stay Agile and Adaptable:

Expect changes: Regulatory landscapes are constantly evolving, so be ready to adapt your strategy as needed.

Flexibility: Keep flexibility in your product development plans to accommodate potential regulatory changes or market requirements.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Pure Global.

[ecango-blog]

Embracing change is like stepping into a new chapter of your favorite book – unpredictable, exciting, and full of potential twists. Life throws curveballs, shifts gears, and takes unexpected turns. Adapting to change is not just a skill; it's a survival strategy, a passport to a richer, more fulfilling existence.

Think about it: when the familiar becomes unfamiliar, we're faced with a choice. We can resist, cling to the past, and yearn for what was, or we can open ourselves to the possibilities that change brings. It's akin to learning a new language. Initially challenging, but as you immerse yourself, you discover a whole new way to express yourself. In this post, let's delve into the essential holistic strategies for mastering the art of adaptation. Follow Ecango for more helpful tips!

[fallingskiesandrisingseas]

But what was most baffling to all that met the Pevensies after they came back was that they were kind.

Really. Not pretending, not because they were insecure. True, empathic. Far too understanding for children their age. They all have music in them.

Peter’s hands feel too small for him, but he shakes hands all the same. Gentle pressure. There is nobility behind those eyes. Eyes that always border on the supernatural sort of blue, especially in the dark.

He plays the guitar, gently coaxing otherworldly sounds out of an instrument that did not know it could be played like that. He helps his siblings with their homework, is taller much faster than his peers. Seems to take up more space, even though no one understands how a teenage boy manages that.

He doesn’t like doing nothing, ever. He instructs his classmates in grammar, gives away figures he cuts from wood with a knife that seems too sharp for a boy that small. He never hurts himself, though.

As the years pass, Peter grows strong. But he is gentle. He does not seem to be brash, even when many of his friends are. Peter keeps his emotions in check. Noble. Not undangerous, but not belligerent. Peter only ends fights, and only with people that deserve it.

He offers advice, a pat on the back. Teachers wanna dislike him, some do not like the look behind those eyes. Most find they cannot. Peter is popular with both adults and children, speaks sense and laughs often.

Peter is kind. Pious, devout. His faith is unmovable like rock. Did the kids meet God on the estate of their uncle?

Edmund plays the violin. A sad Edmund is a rare sight, but when he plays sad he can keep his whole floor awake. Somehow, Peter always finds h him quickly, effortlessly attuned to his brother’s moods. They play chess, then. Their chess master must have been a champion, Ed beats people with ease. He’s usually not smug about it.

Ed speaks politics and war in earnest, accepts critique graciously, is elegant in a way Peter never manages. Peter speaks frankly, but Edmund can wrap words up real nice. He doesn’t mince words, but his classmates grow into liking the sound of his voice. They appreciate that Edmund does not lie, even when speaking tactfully. Edmund can dial the temperature in a room, change it to suit himself.

He, too, laughs often, but Edmund is known to smirk. He likes being right and he often is. He’ll entertain anyone with a good story, always seems to have the right information to help you out. Remedies to illness, connections, job openings, how to sneak out of PE.

He’s a spider in a web. A bit reserved for a 11 year old, and oddly well-connected. A real ghost when he wants to be, but he never scares people with it.

Aslan would not approve of that. He believes in God as well, but much more intellectually. He’s got the intelligence to back it up and wit to match. A scholarly belief, but not lacking conviction.

Teachers like his enthousiasm, remember a moody nagging child when he left and see a secure young man come back.

Edmund will stand up for what is right. He gets into some trouble like that, but his verbal agility saves him always. Edmund has strong principles and will not bend them for anyone. No matter the trouble he gets in.

The bond with his brother is unbreakable. They even walk the same, chest out, left hand on their belt. They seem most at ease when fencing.

Susan was always warm and tenderhearted, but when she comes back there is a difference.

She seems to have gained authority. It’s real strange watching a 13-year old use her beauty like a grown woman, but Susan has learned to wield it, to stun people so she can creep under their skin. People LISTEN to her now.

Her wit is like a knife, but she avoids cutting deep. Susan is reasonable, and strong, and principled. The little drama others get involved in does not bother her, and she seems immune to petty insults. She has killed before, with her hands.

She will do it with kindness now. She is not very approachable ( that would be Lucy ), but she is kind. She used to mother over her brothers and sisters, but now that they have raised each other in a court full of magic she has gotten more relaxed. They listen to her on important issues, trust in her judgement. Her brothers does not deem himself more important, she is both well-spoken and well-respected by her siblings. Equal. It baffles the old men that teach her. Irritates them, too.

There is an air of mystery around her. Half a look is enough to get what she wants, Susan’s friends laud her security in herself, her Mona Lisa smile. She seems to temper moods easily, makes people feel at ease.

She most of everyone exudes royalty. It’s the grace. Susan plays the harp, her long fingers dancing across the strings like she’s had a lifetime of practice. She’s elegant, never caught off guard. Jamais faux pas.

She does not get angry. She knows who she will be. She is anxious to become an adult, yes, but she only wishes to look how she feels. Not to look differently. Yet the wish to be taken seriously, to have someone see you as an adult, it makes her surprisingly similar to her peers.

Her friends have not been old yet, is all. But Susan is calm and collected. People see her as someone you can tell a secret to. She never hurts someone, is usually a neutral party, speaks sense to adult and kids alike. She is not ignorant, however, will use every trick in the book to keep the peace. She knows when to go nuclear. Vis pacem para bellum.

Lucy is a sun in human form. She has a joie de vivre that is unmatched, is gay and golden-haired and never in a bad mood.

Lucy is kind by default, does not turn it off, does not turn it down. She’s witty and funny and quick on her feet. She has been grown before, yes, but enjoys being young for a few years more. She dances, sings old tunes. Her voice is her favorite instrument, you can usually hear Lucy coming.

Whistling a tune in the halls is known to improve the moods of everyone who hears it immensely. Young girls need to figure out who they are, but Lucy knows, knows what she’ll be and who she likes and what kind of people she wants to be around. She is not pretending, never moody. She can get sad, of course, but her older brothers and sisters are always nearby when that happens.

Lucy is genuine and fierce and convinced, immovable at times. Admired for her drive, but respected for her empathy. She speaks to everyone, often distributes flowers. There’s no naivite in her at all, she simply wishes to be like this so that the world may imitate her. She likes to see people prosper, is the first with praise.

She will go far, is the consensus. There’s steel beneath the soft exterior, Lucy has fire below the flowers. She’s well-liked and well-loved. She has love in spades, it seems, animals and stragglers and misfits and outcasts. She’s popular, her room is a good place to get a cup of tea and someone who will listen to you for some time. After a while she no longer bothers with the door.

That a heart that size fits in a girl that small is a mystery to many. Lucy does not think it is a mystery at all. It is the heart of a lion.

Her faith is as vocal as the rest of her, she sees it confirmed in all that is beautiful, all that is kind. She never tries to convert anyone but there are several people who have told her that version of God is someone they would like to know.

The Pevensies often see each other at parties, where they like to stand together. Edmund knows about everyone, everyone knows Peter, everyone likes Susan, but it is Lucy who knows everyone.

They are kind, but not weak. Peter gets his knuckles bloody sometimes, Edmund does not abide by the rules of unjust teachers. Susan and Lucy solve their problems differently but no less effective. Kindness is their usual way of operating, but they are still kings and queens. They will not allow cruelty, will not let bullies go unpunished.

They are sure of what they are and sure of what comes after death and this makes them kind. Kind , not harmless. Kind, not spineless. Kind, not ignorant. Kind, not naive.

Kind despite. Maybe kind because. The kings and queens of Narnia are proud of what they are, honour the teachings of their lion friend. Kind.

When the crash happens and three siblings die, everyone they know mourns deeply. Without them, the world is less kind.

[md000001]

Navigating a Potential Recession: The Key Focus Areas for #CIOs

During a potential recession, the role of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) becomes even more critical in helping the organization navigate through economic challenges and uncertainties. These break into two types of action, those that help build the future, but improve efficiency, and those that reduce costs. Innovating for the future: Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging data analytics can…

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I know you already do stuff on the baby bee hybrids. But what about the other hybrids/ monsters with their babies? Like what kind of parent are they? Do they want more? AAAA BABY FEVER

Cow/bull hybrids

-cows are of course great with their little ones, but the bulls are surprisingly gentle and soft on their young!

Puppy hybrids/Werewolves

-oh my god they love their pups so much! They’re eager for them to be old enough to play, but are also patient with their slow and less agile bodies.

Cat hybrids

-always can see a papa carrying one of his kittens by the scruff or swishing their tail so their baby can play with it. And they take so many nice naps together!

Bunny hybrids

-incredibly protective helicopter parents. Kits are small and fragile and need gentle care, so they’re always following after and fretting over their young.

Nagas

-not as attached as some other monsters, but do make sure their young are safe. Kind of a relaxed approach to parenting.

Dragon Hybrids

-it’s not easy at all to reproduce with a dragon hybrid, so their hatchlings are treated like precious little gifts from above. They’re the only creatures besides their mate that is allowed to touch their precious hoard

Wasp Hybrids

-very strict but also very protective and attached. They will defend the little ones with their lives, only their queen takes a higher priority

Vampires

-much like humans, it depends on the individual. Some vampires are doting parents that will move the sun and stars to make their little ones happy. Others abandon them in whatever place they can, the child is lucky it it’s an orphanage and not a patch of grass in the middle of a forest.