#all the vendors touched base we has to plan SO MANY MEETINGS

[safyresky]

Shadowy Snippets: In Which Charlie Helps Jacqueline Realize she is the DUMBEST BITCH ALIVE

aka, the moment Jacqueline FINALLY realizes she has a big old crush on Dite 🙃. This one scene has gone through 4 different iterations, and I'm unsure how similar it will be to this most current version in the final draft of Into the Shadows, but figured y'all may enjoy it ;)

It's also a wee bit of an apology for uh. Not having Chapter 5 of Crystal Springs up last week like I had PLANNED! Idk what happened last week? It was BUSY and then EASTER?! HELLO?! I'm getting married in a MONTH. I may explode. Holy hell.

anyway, tldr: got busy last week, felt bad about not posting CS for y'all, decided to share this shadowy snippet as an apology. Will have CS 5 up this week, and maybe even CS 23! We shall see! Enjoy! :3

OH PS: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR INTO THE SHADOWS! If this scene stays, it'd be in like. Chapters 20-30 🙃

---

Charlie had never fallen down a giant hole before, nor had he ever planned to. And he certainly hadn't planned on being chased down the hole by a giant boulder. It looked way cooler in Indiana Jones, and also way safer since he. Y'know. Was running on land and not free falling down a GIANT HOLE in an ABANDONED CASTLE.

Thankfully, Charlie had something Indy didn't: an actual Legend.

Jacqueline had managed to turn around in her descent, so she was staring up at the boulder that was fast approaching them. She glanced back down, and stuck her left hand below her and her right hand above them. Both hands turned blue, and suddenly there was a whiteout. Charlie couldn’t see anything, but he could hear a crazy amount of ice cracking all around them. He could feel the cold wind and the pellets of snow hitting his face.

Well, at least when they splattered he'd be too numb to feel pain for long, he thought. That had been nice of her.

But there was no splat.

There was a soft poof, and a Charlie shaped fluffy white cloud of snow shot up around him, drifting in the air before settling on him. Jacqueline superhero landed beside him, a look of concentration so intense on her face that Charlie didn't dare imagine what would happen if he distracted her, but then again, maybe he wouldn't be able to distract her at all. She was in the zone!

The moment she hit the snow pile, her left hand shot forwards, and all of her effort and energy was focused on the icy tornado above them. There was a grating sound, louder than the crackling, and finally a definite, large THUNK.

Jacqueline still focused above them, until Charlie could see a very thick, blue, dome-like ceiling had taken form. Jacqueline brought both her hands down, and hit the floor. Multiple thick columns popped up around them, and a huge one directly in the centre of the surprisingly large space they had landed in.

"Thank the GODDESS the ground was SOLID," Jacqueline said, as the ice chips settled.

"Were you expecting pointy spiky rocks?"

"One hundred percent. How could you not, with the hole and the boulder—"

"And there was a severe lack of snakes," Charlie said.

Jacqueline laughed. "What is this, Indiana Jones?"

"Dude," Charlie said, getting up and shaking the snow off of him. "This was way cooler! Did you see what you just did? That was amazing! Oh my god! The snow!" he said, gesturing to the pile behind him as he shook a clump off of his boot. "And the dome!" he added, gesturing upwards now. "And that two-tone magic there? That's cool as heck," he said, pointing at Jacqueline's still frosty hands. "Do I get some cool two-tone magic too? Is it going to be red and green? I mean, that would check out because Christmas colours but like they're not my favourites—"

"Two-tone what now?" Jacqueline looked down at her hands, and did the last thing Charlie expected her to do.

She shot up, squealed, and started shaking her right hand, as if to fling the dark blue magic off.

"Woah, woah Jacquie! Hey, calm down! You can just poof us out of here, yeah?"

"Yeah, easily, just, give me a second here. Shoo! Be gone! ARGH!" she yelled, shaking her hand until the dark blue finally subsided.

"No two-tone magic for me then?"

Jacqueline sighed, plunked down in the snow, panting. "You better hope not," She said between breaths. "The only reason it's two tone is because half of it isn't my magic. It's Jack's." she ran her hands through her hair and frowned. "And it's getting bad."

Charlie frowned, brushing errant snowflakes off of him. He stepped forwards until he was in front of the sprite, who was still catching her breath. "Must be scary to have that much magic, huh?"

"A little bit, yeah. My roots haven't thawed in weeks, and I have a really nice hair colour."

Charlie laughed.

"No, seriously! Stop laughing! It's dark brown, right? But it also looks black. BUT. Sometimes, when the sun hits the ends juuuust right, it looks reddish. I don't wanna kill my roots, you know?"

Charlie sighed. "I don’t think this is just about your hair, Jacquie."

"It's not. Us Frosts cope with humour as best as we can," Jacqueline said with a soft smile, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Sure, snow's all nice and cold."

Charlie sat beside her, catching his breath. "Coping, huh?"

"Mhmm." Jacqueline replied, running her hands through her hair. "Having two essences is like. It's a LOT. It's hard. Especially when one is double your age. And Legendary. Not that I'm not, but like. It's different."

"No, I get it. Status versus like, title, right?"

"Yeah, exactly," Jacqueline said, sighing and leaning back in the snow. "Anyway. Magical essences are a huge part of a magibean's whole being and identity. And even though Legends and their Legates can literally share their essences with one another, and ours were able to give us theirs to keep safe," she said, summoning the blue magic again, "they aren't ours. And they're kind of squishing us."

"Squishing?"

"Yeah. The longer we hold onto our Legendary counterpart's essences, the more dominant their essence becomes, the less dominant ours is. We're powerful little fucks, but our Legends? Even more so than us. So our essences are slowly getting squashed. It's why Dite's been grumpy lately, for instance."

"You've all been taking on traits from your Legends," Charlie realized.

"Yeah. And for some of us there's a few nasty side effects," Jacqueline said with a sigh, closing her fist and dismissing the dark blue magic. "See: my roots. I freeze dry, right? It keeps the hair out of my face and cuts static down which is great because I get really zappy sometimes! But it never stays for me."

"Why not?"

"I can't permafrost. Mom thinks it's a side effect of global warming. Dad thinks it's heat sprite lineage. But you see these roots? See how they're crispy white? And icy?"

"Yeah."

"I'm not doing that. I'm waking up like this every day! It's not going away," she said pushing herself forward and huffing. "I think that having Jack's essence is freezing me a bit."

"You mean like, freezing you freezing? Like, like your brother was?"

Jacqueline nodded. "I've been feeling a lot angrier lately, and sure, I'm angry sometimes, but levels like this? I haven't seen it since I—" she looked startled; she glanced at Charlie, mouth still open to speak though she was silent. She snapped her jaw shut and hugged her knees, burying her face in them.

"Oh, shit. Hey, Jacqueline, it's okay," Charlie said, throwing his arm around her shoulder and pulling her in for a side hug. Though she kept an iron grip around her legs, she didn't stop Charlie from pulling her in. "You won't freeze. You never have," Charlie said.

"That's the thing, Charlie!" Jacqueline exclaimed, head shooting up. "I keep saying that, and everyone thinks that but it's not—it's not true!"

She inhaled, looking up at the sparkling icy ceiling above them. "Do you know why I managed to fend off the shadows, when they took your Dad, for as long as I did?"

"I assumed it was because you were a badass."

"Awwh, thank you! That's-that's sweet! I am, aren't I?" She said with a smile, holding her head in her hands and staring at her friend.

"I'll say. I saw you kick through that cloud of fear like it was nothing."

"Because it was nothing," she said. Sighing, she let go of her head, hugging her knees once again. "When they descended on me, they showed me my worst fear. It was me. Frozen."

"That's your worst fear?"

"It was. But the thing is, as I stood there and saw myself, you know, cold, no warm flush, angry beyond belief, I realized that I wasn't afraid of myself anymore."

"How come?"

"Because the image it showed me? Was straight out of Frostmas. I had already lived it. And I survived it. I wasn't afraid of frozie Jacqueline anymore. I had been her."

"And then you punched fear right in the face!" Charlie said with a very excitable mimed punch.

Jacqueline laughed, though it sounded watery. "I sure fucking did. And lasted for a bit longer. But then he came."

"The Boogie Man."

"King of Darkness. Erebus," Jacqueline corrected. "And he found my new fear, and. Well. It worked. I couldn't break out of it that time. I don't know what your Dad did, but whatever it was? I think it saved B-Man and I."

Charlie frowned, doing some fast thinking. "Wait. If you lived that fear already, does that mean that you have been frozen?"

"When Jack used the Escape Clause on your Dad, he created an alternate timeline where he was Santa."

"Which would make you Jack Frost."

Jacqueline nodded. "But because of the Legend-Legate connection, I still remembered the proper timeline. And I grew so obsessed with fixing it and proving that Jack wasn't actually supposed to be Santa, that I accidentally froze myself in the process. And when the timeline was fixed, I came back frozen. But not for long. Your sister thawed my brother. And the shock of that, the power of that was so strong that I felt it to, and it thawed me as well."

"Lucy's a powerhouse!"

Jacqueline laughed. "Yes, and I can never thank her enough. I've never told anyone this, Charlie," she said, looking back at him now.

"But you still have your flawless record. The timeline never happened, right? So technically, you never actually froze."

"That's the thing. It never happened. But my brother and I still remember it like it did. And when I came back from that timeline, I came back…frozen," she said, hiding her face once again.

"It's okay. It happens to sprites from time to time, doesn't it?"

"It can," said Jacqueline, lifting her head a bit. "But that's not the point. The point is, here I am, priding myself on being the one existing winter sprite that didn't have a nasty case of hardened heart, ever, at ALL, but that's a LIE, Charlie. I…lied. And I was terrified of what would happen if my friends found out."

"I don't think a single one of your friends wouldn't be supportive," Charlie said.

"I'd like to think that, too! But that what if is really strong, Charles."

He laughed. "I hate that you call me that."

"And I love that you hate it. I live to bother," she said, seriously.

"You know, I got that vibe. I think that's the middle child talking," Charlie said with a grin.

Jacqueline laughed, exhaling. "When Erebus rammed into me, that's what I saw. I saw B-Man and Elle being absolutely disgusted that I had frozen. Elle stopped being friends with me. My family kept me at arms length; the Twins were scared as could be. And DITE! Ugh that one hurt the most, Charlie. She was crying," Jacqueline said, with the saddest face Charlie had ever seen on the sprite. "Because of me. Because I lied to her. That hurt so much."

"Wow, you've really got it bad for her," Charlie said before he could stop himself.

"What? No I don't. What do you mean?"

"What do you mean what do I mean?"

"I've got it bad for her? Are you saying that I have a crush on her?"

"Well, yeah! NO. Wait. Hold on. Don't tell me you didn't know you had a crush on her."

"I don't?" Jacqueline said, doubty.

"Are you sure about that? I mean, you just told me your worst fear, Jacqueline. And in it, the thing that upset you the most was Dite being upset at you. Not your family, not Bernard or Elle, but Dite."

"We're really good friends?"

"Oh my god, this is the best! You really don't think you have a crush on her?"

Jacqueline looked panicked. "No! I just. You know. She's really nice and sweet and funny, and oh my gods she kicks ass, have you seen her in action?"

Charlie shook his head, staring at Jacqueline's roots. The more she talked about Dite, the less…icy they looked. "I can't say that I have," he said, poking Jacqueline's head.

"Hey! What's that all about?" she asked, rubbing her head.

"Check out your hand," Charlie said, as ice chipped off of the sprite's hair.

She gasped, scratching her scalp a bit more. When she opened her palm, ice was sitting in it, melting.

"And that happened when you started talking about Dite."

"No," she said, looking aghast at the ice in her hands.

"Yes," Charlie said, just as aghast.

"This happened? When I talked about Dite?!"

"Yeah!" Charlie said, laughingly. "Just the thought of her alone gets you all slushy," he said, nudging her shoulder.

"AhhhhHHHHH," Jacqueline squealed, her face very, very flushed. "Holy snowballs. I totally have a crush on Dite. Oh my god. Oh no."

"Well THAT'S not what I expected to hear. It's okay, Jacqueline! There are worse people to crush on!"

"No, Charlie, it's not that! She's amazing. It's just. It's embarrassing, now that I'm thinking about it. I think I've had a crush on her for like, three hundred years."

"Three hundred years?!"

"Yes!"

"Three whole CENTURIES!

"YES."

"And you didn't know??"

"No! I didn't! You think we'd be having this conversation now if I had known?!"

"Your Jack is showing."

"Shush," she replied, rubbing her head. "I am the dumbest bitch ALIVE," she finally said, hands up in the air as she groaned and once again fell back into the snowbank. "She's literally Cupid, Charlie! She's probably known the whole time! That's so embarrassing, of all the people to get a crush on—"

"Again, she's not the worst," Charlie said with a smile.

"Absolutely not," Jacqueline shot back fast, with a happy sigh. "I should ask her out. On like, a date."

"I think so too. I mean, thoughts of her are already melting you a little bit. And I think we both know that she would be your number one supporter if you were to freeze."

Jacqueline laughed. "She's everyone's number one supporter. She's nice like that. She's nice to everyone."

"I think she'd understand if you told her you were frozen once. I think everyone would understand, Jacqueline. I mean, you told me, and I'm still here," he said with a shrug.

"Well, yeah, but it's not like you can go anywhere. We're trapped in a hole in the ground."

"Lighten up, would you? I didn't run away immediately, did I? I'm still here for you, Jacqueline. And so is Dite, and Elle and Bernard and your family, I mean, your brother has known the entire time and he certainly hasn't judged you either. He's been there before. I know telling the truth can be scary," Charlie said, getting up and offering her a hand. "But it's not so scary when you're with the people you love. Including the goddess of pleasure," Charlie added, with an eyebrow waggle for good measure.

Jacqueline snorted, grabbing Charlie's hand. "I can't beLIEVE how dense I am," she said, pushing herself up as Charlie pulled.

"Nor can I. I thought you were the Legate with the brain cell!"

"GOD no. What gave you that idea? That's Xander," Jacqueline said, her grip on Charlie's hand tightening. "Thanks for that, Charlie. I really appreciate it."

"Of course! What're friends for? Ready to go?"

"Are you?"

"Whenever you are," he said with a squeeze.

"In that case," Jacqueline replied with an almost feral grin, "Bundle up, bitch! It's about to get chillay."

And with that, the pair disappeared in a flurry of two tone blue sparks and snowflakes.

And not a moment too soon.

Moments after the last spark floated off, there was a large crack, the boulder falling through the hole, getting caught on the icy pillar below it as it capsized.

[assafencing1]

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[microfinanseer]

First weeks in Mexico City have been exciting, emotional, and enchanting. What a place! And being able to reconnect with family while here has also been very good for me. As we learn more about our cultural history, we learn more about ourselves, don't we?

I've been meaning to start blogging again since arriving, but admittedly have been so distracted (in both good and challenging ways) while in Mexico City, that somehow the time is already getting away from me. That last part of the sentence is the way I learned recently that a Mexican might gladly use the much-embraced passive voice. I didn't forget, but rather the time got away from me. Not my fault. Time's fault.

I'll do better to blog more and post more photos of my current adventures here while working on a book project with my partner, Baylen. We are doing short-term travel in Mexico for the next several months to continue to research and begin writing a book draft of a novel based on my experiences living here in 1982, when it was still known as the D.F. I moved here then from a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. It's a fictional memoir, if you like. Back then, we didn't end up living here for more than 9 months, but the experience of living here at 11 years old, a very formative period of development, left so many strong impressions on me that have been brewing in my mind for years. It feels like the time to share them more widely now. And so with the partnership of my life partner, we're working on a story.

While here, in addition to the book research and writing, I've decided to spend time improving my Spanish and immersing myself in some creative endeavors. Last week, I took a week-long conversational Spanish class with the wonderful folks at Spanish in the City, where I got to meet some other cool travelers and learn from some stellar teachers. Last week I also started an 8-week long mini-fiction or flash fiction class with Prof. Armando Alanis at the beautiful Centro de Creación Literaria Xavier Villaurrutia. And next month, I'm scheduled to take a pottery class at Taller Contorno, where I will get back in touch with clay and take a deeper dive into the wheel experience. I first took ceramics class in college and then again about 20 years ago, so very excited to embrace this art form again.

In addition to seeing all the city has to offer, I also have spent some time with family who live just outside of CDMX in the small and pretty town of Tlaxcala. It was a great visit and fun to see family, some of whom I hadn't seen for over 20 years or never met in person, and I enjoyed the quieter overnights compared to the bustle of the capital. Life moves slower there and there is much less development. The winding bus ride allowed me vistas of the volcanoes closest to Mexico City, including El Popo that is currently making its presence known again.

I commit to posting more often over the next several months as I travel. After Mexico City, our plan is to head to the Yucatan Peninsula and have some adventures there at the beach and in the jungle. But for now, we are enjoying and settling into a good routine here in CDMX. It's really a lovely, albeit immense place, and I feel lucky to have been able to make the time to take this career sabbatical and embrace more creative projects now.

A few highlights of my time in Mexico City so far & in no special order:

Learning that for decades I was likely speaking Spanish grammatically incorrect in spite of speaking it since I was a child. Until last week I never took a formal class and learned by doing, that's for sure. I just spoke based on what I learned from family and neighbors. Never too late to learn and grow, so it's all good. I appreciate that I'll now practice correct Spanish grammar regularly.

Realizing I can't have enough mole, quesadillas, guavas, or atole. The food here is spectacular even from the most modest of vendors. And talk about baked goods! Some of the best bakeries I've been to while traveling, including in Europe.

Appreciating that Mexico City has more parks and green spaces than I ever knew as a kid. I honestly never saw that side of the city much when we lived here in the early 80s. Walking the main tree-lined streets is a treat. Chapultepec is a natural wonder on its own!

Enjoying my favorite cantina in this city.

Embracing that ice cream is taken very seriously here. This classic spot near where I'm staying is already my favorite.

Question: If you know me, you know fragrance and smell are very important to me. I'm a big lover of perfumes. So why hasn't scented toilet paper really taken off in the U.S? It's a very pleasant surprise and now feels essential to me.

The photo at the top of the post is from the early 70s on one of my first trips to Mexico City with my mom (in the fashionable lilac). I don't know what I was crying about, but I do love my facial expression here. I do nothing else better than to wear my heart on my sleeve sometimes. Unrelated and ICYMI, here is the Spotify playlist I created for inspiration to work on my current book project. It's music I recall hearing while living here in 1982. Hasta pronto!

Until next week!

[thesolitarystripe]

A Strange Meeting

I got ahead of myself in posting Tindyl’s reunion with her guild. Of course, she had a little persuading from an unlikely source.

Some days passed after Tindyl was reunited with her beloved; they went about making plans to continue in their duty to aid Oribos and the rest of the Shadowlands realms. It was a daunting task when done solely as a pair, but, if Tindyl wished it so—the warrior would be steadfast in his promises. Their siege upon Castle Nathria to end the tyranny of Sire Denathrius was plotted delicately and the birth of that mission would occur in the later hours of the day, when the sun hung low and shadows of the dismal trees that littered the courtyard before the castle, stretched thin upon the ground. Hours before, Tindyl kept busy within the markets of Oribos—crafting potions that might give them even the smallest advantage over their foes. She frequented the vendors often, especially with how often she managed to drop her vials and lose them among the hundreds of Alliance feet that tread through those halls.

“Preparing for a battle, young one?”

A voice came from behind the Archdruid, one she could not place to anyone she knew but in its delicate tone, there was an odd familiarity. Tindyl turn on her heel, having concluded her business with the local alchemist and affixed her eyes upon the one that spoke. Another night elf, one whose face was not known to her eyes. It was a female, with shoulder length golden hair, tied tightly up in a large bun upon the top of her head. Two flaming eyes blazed against hers, soft and pale like the color of the moon. The women held one another’s gaze in silence until the older Kaldorei spoke.

“That doesn’t seem like enough to support any army,” her voice was slow and thick, like expensive honey dripping down the side of a golden jar. The woman stepped forward and dared let a single finger poke beneath the leather flap of Tindyl’s satchel, where she had just placed her potions. “Perhaps and army of four,” she shrugged, glowing us flicking up to behold the bewildered expression on the druid’s face. Tindyl knew better than to disrespect her elders but pulled the leather pouch away hurriedly and slapped a palm over the top of it to dissuade the woman from attempting to touch her items again.

“There are many factions within the Alliance, some work in droves—others prefer to work alone.” Tindyl kept her voice steady and smoothed out her features to appear pleasant again.

“Do you prefer it?” One golden eyebrow rose even further up from where it laid across the woman’s brow. “Tindyl, isn’t it?” The female crossed one arm across her body, holding her elbow as her other hand waved upward and tapped a single finger against her lips.

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” Tindyl pointed out hesitantly, uneasy that this woman knew her name and yet she was sure she had never seen her here or anywhere else upon her travels.

“I assure you; we have been young druid but, please, don’t stray from the question.”

This woman spoke with authority and stood with an aura of arrogance swirling about her. Tindyl could feel the power emanating from her counterpart but dared not take a step back, though her legs urged her to. A mage, no doubt. Swift eyes took notice of the staff that hung from her back, fire lapping at the blade as if it were made of wood—a spell of sorts that made the metal burn and yet it spread nowhere else. Who was this woman?

“Perhaps there was a time I preferred the company of others, but those days have since passed.”

“You were a guild leader, no? Have you left your people? Strayed from the flock?”

“Excuse me?”

“A small but mighty guild, with just enough heroes to make miracles happen and save Azeroth. Archdruid Tindyl, the fearless leader with nearly no experience in battle when she signed the guild charter—yet she found those willing to follow and even better, succeeded. Is that not you?”

Tindyl paused, her mouth ajar as her breath evaded her. “No…well...not anymore—I’ve left, you’re correct.” Now, she did take a step back, her confidence dissolving as it had so many times over the last several months. She felt backed into a corner, the high rising walls of Oribos closing in on her as she admitted openly that she was only a shell of her former self; to a stranger nonetheless.

“Why?” These were the first words the mage asked that did not feel as if they were being pressed into Tindyl’s throat with the point of a dagger. They sounded, caring.

“It’s a long story,” was all she could think to say as that tiresome lump formed in her throat. She had been so easy to cry these recent days and it bothered her so.

Silence fell between them. Tindyl’s eyes fell to the floor, her hands still clutching her leather pouch as her shoulders fell along with her resolve to look composed. Heat spread like wildfire across her chin so suddenly, Tindyl thought perhaps the mage had whispered some incantation upon her but her senses told her that it was only the feeling of skin on skin that touched her face. The druid watched as pale fingers had grasped her face, lifting her eyes back up to meet the warm glowing embers that intimidated her so.

“A story that I know; I only hoped you would tell me.” The mage again seemed soft in the way she spoke now, holding Tindyl’s jaw tenderly.

“News travels quickly,” Tindyl sighed, knowing well that rumors and gossip were not below even a hero within the Alliance. Her business traveled from ear to ear and yet none had bothered to come to her for insight into what had caused her to leave her beloved guild.

“Unfortunately, so,” the mage sighed. “I know it is difficult, young one—to be different. There are many that would seek to harm you for that sole purpose. People, beings, do not think like you do. They are not within these ranks to save the world. As difficult as it is to understand, there are some only here for power, greed, and self-gain. They will allow nothing to stop them from obtaining that end goal even if it means defamation of someone else. Betrayal. Lies, deceit! For every good soul, there are the damned ones. They will seek out the light in you and destroy it.” Her fingers clenched Tindyl’s face almost painfully, pulling her in closer. “You cannot let them win.” This came as a whisper. It was not a threat but between those breathy words, Tindyl felt the challenge within them.

“Why.” It was Tindyl’s turn to inquire. Despite the minor ache in her jaw, she peered up at the mage, eyes glistening as she asked the very question that plagued her mind daily. At this, the mage’s hand loosened and for a moment the druid thought the mage was about to pull her in and embrace her.

“My dear, if you spend you days asking that question, you’ll go mad within these very walls. There are so many petty reasons that drive men to act—it will only hurt you to linger on it.”

“Why are people cruel! Why join a cause so noble if your aim is to harm! Why risk your life if you do not care for the living that surrounds you?” Tindyl yelled, the anger that she fought to keep locked away within her pouring out into the face of this intimate stranger. “I’ve lost so much,” her breath hitched, and she looked up to stop the flow of her tears but they rolled defiantly.

“You are not the first Kaldorei to experience cruelty of the world, dor’elah. Many of us have been wounded over the many years that our lives span—it is what you choose to do with that pain, that will forge you.”

“What if I���m tired,” Tindyl’s voice came weakly, embodying the very words she spoke.

“Tired of what?”

“Being wrong.”

“Who says that it is so?”

“I imagine, everyone.”

“Do not let your imagination speak for you. We live based on evidence and tangible truths—who has said you are wrong? The ones that have left? So be it, let them run along with their thoughts because they are exactly that, thoughts. Just because it exists does not make it truth.” Tindyl’s eyes fell back upon the face of her elder, her jaw still nestled in that all too hot palm.  “A hero would make nothing of themselves if they cared for what others thought of them, you would do best to learn that now at your age. I took was young when I learned that what others want, what they believe, will not always align with what is best for me. That does not make me wrong, does it?”

“No.”

“Then why does it make you wrong? Why have you allowed one treacherous man unravel you? Because his allies follow him blindly and hang off his promises like babes to a teat? Hold your head up Archdruid, remember who you are and where you come from. You were not born of weakness. Have your tears and be done with it. Fight for what you are and what you believe in. Dragons do not heed the opinions of the cattle that they eat.” Finally, she released her hold on Tindyl whose tears had suddenly dried. “So, what will you do then druid? Will you be undone by someone who holds less worth and integrity than an old haggard boot? Or will you rise upon the horizon like your precious Mother Moon?”

The mage took a single step backward as if to take her leave, her eyes hard upon the face of the youth before her; that edge to her voice returned in full. She eyed the druid up and down, taking one last look before she spoke plainly.

“Make your decision Archdruid and remember—” Her hand reached out, her index finger finding the hard ridge of Tindyl’s chin just enough to tilt it back upward. “Head up.”

The golden haired Kaldorei turned then and took her leave within a small part of other mages, their cloaks fluttered behind them, her companions deep in conversation. They were gone around the corner before Tindyl could speak.

“Min’da,” her eyes were fixed forward as the realization washed over her. She had never seen her mother, not in her cognizant years. Her father spoke so little of her and Tindyl never dared broach the subject. That familiarity, the way with which she spoke, the fire in her veins—Tindyl knew. The Druid jumped forward after the small party but as she rounded the wall and stood in the entrance of the hall, they were lost among the crowds. Laurel Moonwillow was a powerful fire mage who worked within the Alliance and even had ties within the Kirin Tor; she had left Tindyl and her father not long after Tindyl’s first birthday. Her appearance had changed from the few stories Bai’len had shared of her—once blue haired with eyes to match, cool toned skin and bright yellow eyes. The fire magic had changed her. That was no surprise, Tindyl’s father had harped on that for years and it was one of the main reasons he had wanted Tindyl to fight only with bow and sword. Even as a babe when her affinity for nature magic and druidism began to blossom—he baulked at the thought of his daughter becoming a user of any magic.

Tindyl’s mind raced with all that had happened. After searching the halls for any signs of her mother, she eventually gave up and retreated to the outer edges of Oribos again.

What will you do then druid?

Deep within her heart, Tindyl knew what she must do—but was her heart strong enough after all it had endured, was what worried her.

[piercethevic-idk]

Why Nobody Cares About OnCarrot

10 Best Landlord Computer system software program Strategies for Customers & Residence Managers

As you individual leasing real estate property home, it'd be much as well a straightforward endeavor to have a little something tumble all over the cracks. Even slight stuff like failing to make sure to timetable a mend or not publishing a employ the service of settlement could potentially cause dissatisfied renters and far better vacancy quantities, contributing to lower cashflow and also a home underneath carrying out.

On this web site, we are going to focus on how landlord computer program assists the two very little home buyers and massive property taking care of businesses Increase operations and boost the overall performance of lease actual-estate buys.

Exactly what's House proprietor Laptop application?House owner software program program permits lease supervisors to deal with each facet of any lease household which involve:

Tests and controlling tenantsResponding to servicing requestsScheduling regimen house inspectionsProcessing on the web lease paymentsTracking operating expensesGenerating monthly P&L and cashflow statementsCompiling calendar yr-close taxation-All set economic statements

How Landlord Software package method Operates & Some good benefits of Using ItLandlord computer software could be obtained in two a variety of variations: one) Computer system-centered software package program is downloaded and so are run by your desktop Laptop, notebook, or Personal computer pill. 2) World wide web-centered landlord software program operates while in the cloud and gives on the net entry from your Net-linked device wherever on the globe.

Some home operator computer software answers also present smartphone moveable apps that securely get in touch with Internet-based mostly Personal computer software package to stick to expenses and keep an eye on residence general performance with iOS and Android apps.

Based upon the 2021 Issue in your house Administration Assertion not too long ago released by Buildium, there are actually five greatest techniques renters foresee landlords to provide:

Speaking by means of text concept or emailPaying use onlineSubmitting regime upkeep repair requires onlineElectronic leasingAccess to some citizen portalEven Even though the need for rental assets reaches all-time concentrations, with typical one-house lease occupancy costs at ninety five.3Per cent, the Levels of competition to locate outstanding though holding very good renters is even A great deal stronger. The normal time frame a renter carries on to get in only one-loved ones employ the service of is three years, and landlords are acquiring technology to make the perfect rents although holding tenants lots lengthier.

The most effective house operator software application assist you to effectively get the job done your hire corporation, meet the desires of your own renters, and improve the financial functionality of your respective invest in home:

Transform your on the web tenant program technique to reduce software program glitches, take care of your entire leasing method on the net, and update candidates on her or his application status. Online lease payments collection which includes many different employ payment decisions, timetable repeating month-to-month payments for renters, and programmed use settlement reminders to reduce late obligations and improve earnings.Track servicing requests for tenants and plan repairs with suppliers to boost tenant overall pleasure, continue to keep occupancy quantities good and renter turnover decreased.Automating your property home enterprise with assets operator software package permits you to Minimize back time on forms and plan issues plus additional time increasing income by scaling your lease residence collection.

Very best Computer software method for Minimal House homeowners and large Dwelling ManagersThere are usually two significant forms of landlord software program:

More compact investors with from just one leasing device to a dozen Qualities or even more generally need to have abilities which includes tracking properties Using the portfolio degree and dwelling phase, automating profits and fees, arranging files, and running studies.

Specialist home management enterprises with huge quantities of characteristics under control demand from customers extra sophisticated – and pricey – landlord program techniques for varied kinds of home styles which includes sizeable condo buildings, scholar real-estate, HOAs, and business elements.

In this article are one among the greatest leasing property controlling application obtainable for equally tiny assets entrepreneurs and large home running businesses.

Home proprietor computer software for more compact traders 1. StessaStessa aims to make seek the services of house funds straightforward by aiding The 2 newbie and complicated brokers maximize earnings by way of smart dollars administration, computerized cash flow and cost monitoring, and personalized-created confirming.

Charges are fully thoroughly free of charge and consists of characteristics as an example unrestricted residence tracking, profile and home-degrees dashboards, automated income and price monitoring, genuine-estate document organization and storing, limitless regular monthly studies, and export of taxation-absolutely All set financial records. Stessa does offer optionally offered good quality companies to traders for a value, to assist with lease assessment, property finance loan financial loans, and buyer investigation.

two. AvailAvail provides software program plans particularly created for the do-it-you landlord. The Company provides a complete team of instruments and educational article content to help you the small Trader become a confident and experienced house operator.

You will discover two rates alternate options for landlord computer software application from Take advantage. A no cost Limitless Approach features a limitless variety of lease types with Qualified solutions for on-line rent every month payments, schedule routine maintenance retaining monitor of, tenant screening and history checks, status-specific leases, and syndicate listings for vacancies.

The Unlimited Also Strategy is $5 for each unit each month and entails extra expert services for instance subsequent-day seek the services of payments, custom built tenant computer software and leases, along with the creation of the residence Internet site.

3. CozyCozy has joined on top of Flats.com to provide the little traders with house operator computer software that includes problem-of-the-artwork online rental Command equipment and renter verification scientific studies. The corporate's aim is often to guidance leasing household entrepreneurs be significantly better home entrepreneurs, and give Similarly landlords https://wholesalinghousesinfo.com and renters reassurance.

Pricing for landlord software package program from Comfy is delivered without spending a dime for assets entrepreneurs, Though renters acquire things such as tenant screening evaluations and lender card obligations. Renters insurance coverage system for tenants is usually available as a result of Comfy with the usual insurance policy policy price of about $20 every month.

Inviting house operator application provides a wide array of answers which includes on the web lease program, tenant analyzing, retain the services of assortment, checking of property bills, and doc uploading and storage.

4. Rentec DirectRentec Straight concentrates on featuring landlord computer software alternatives for landlords and property executives with tiny rental assets portfolios. Landlords with ten traits or a great deal considerably less have the choice of selecting a free of charge Computer system software package design, and the organization can provide home running application and tenant screening vendors for entrepreneurs with as quite a few as 5,000 solutions.

The two key paid out for landlord application approaches from Rentec Immediate. Rentec Pro for landlords is valued at $35 a month, although Rentec PM is perfect for property executives and listed at $forty every month, each and every getting an infinite amount of tenants and Homes.

The two systems encompass on-line hire collection, maintenance requests, and bookkeeping. Tenant verification bundles address everything from $7 to $15 for each offer deal, which includes nationwide felony and sexual intercourse offender lookup queries, eviction queries, in addition to a TransUnion credit score report.

5. TenantCloudTenantCloud is an outstanding match for new house owners, professionals and dwelling administrators with any exactly where from a single system to five hundred equipment underneath managing. The small business also provides a no cost halt-to-close home handling system with all-in-1 features inside a cost-cost-free Standard Method that includes examining of rental particulars, giving and acquiring use obligations, and routine maintenance handling.

Rates selections for TenantCloud residence proprietor software contain a no cost Normal method for around 75 versions, a standard $nine a month tactic for nearly a hundred and fifty models, and an Ground breaking system costed at $35 per month. Landlords and professionals could also select solutions solutions for example renter verification, rental documents, insurance policies coverage, and QuickBooks Online at more fees.

Home operator software package method for expert Regulate companies one. AppFolioAppFolio is mostly a potent application approach for Expert home administrators, supplying numerous kinds of capabilities and the capability to deal with different Device sorts which incorporates one-residence and multifamily attributes, condo Homes and pupil housings, dwelling owner businesses (HOA), and in some cases put together-use and industrial characteristics.

The corporation costs a begin-up charge, along with a minimal month-to-month charge of $250. AppFolio software program characteristics contain bookkeeping application plan, hire payments sequence solutions, servicing needs, advertising and marketing and promoting equipment to industry unfilled types, tenant tests Expert services, and customizable on the web tenant software program and leases, applicant credit history score and lease historical past checks, and renter and proprietor portals.

two. BuildiumBuildium provides Similarly home house administration Laptop software and homeowner relationship Command software and it is finest for landlords or executives with fifty or maybe more units. The business is a specialist in a number https://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/?query=real estate investing of asset varieties including household home, pupil home, and inexpensive home household places.

Pricing begins at $50 a month for about 20 models and it is split up into two divisions, Vital and Development. Buildium has further costs for items for instance on-line obligations and Digital lease signing.

Program characteristics include seek the services of administration, on-line lease payments obligations, routine maintenance requests, comprising revenue and payments, and residence dialogue boards.

3. MRI SoftwareMRI Housing Application concentrates on massive professional assets executives and Expert landlords and managers, with the objective of increasing occupancy and reducing Doing the job expenditures. The organization is a specialist in several kinds of asset sorts like sizeable dwelling portfolios, professional qualities, features management, and open public and cost-effective residence.

Pricing is custom made to the personal prerequisites of each purchaser. MIR home proprietor computer software includes choices for on the web retain the services of assortment, tenant verification and rent templates, routine maintenance requests, built-in data processing, resident communication and supervisor settlement, and credit score record Risk running.

4. PropertywarePropertyware delivers program methods to unique-family property homeowners and home supervisors with portfolios of 250 houses or more. Even though the services is for giant portfolios, This system is significantly less complex Because the focus is on solitary-family members Houses.

Charges divisions range between $250 to $450 on a regular basis or greater according to the quantity of units and remedies, such as a a person-time execution payment. Propertyware landlord Pc computer software contains answers for renter promotion and screening, on-line repayments, inspections, seller portals, and upkeep challenge administration.

5. Yardi BreezeYardi Breeze roles by itself staying a refreshingly simple software program reply for small, and midsize landlords and residence directors who have to have aid streamlining strategies. The company is a professional in small and midsize portfolios of household equipment, commercial styles, and merged-use Attributes.

Wind costs commences at $one for every product monthly, that has a minimum amount regular monthly demand of $one hundred for household portfolios. Wind Leading fees commences at $2 for each device monthly, having a bare minimal month to month demand of $200 for commercial and blended-use portfolios.

Yardi Breeze assets proprietor application is made of options for advertising and marketing and leasing, lease assortment, schedule upkeep requires, household management, bookkeeping, and profiles payable.

Wrapping UpRental residence making an investment decision could be energetic, passive, or occasionally several different each. Lively real estate property investors who might have plenty of time and extensive understanding necessary to deal with daily information of each home may possibly pick out landlord software program supposed for pro house supervisors.

However, unaggressive traders might select a a lot more very affordable landlord software program method, even though they make use of the area dwelling supervisor to take care of the leasing assets in Every sector location they're buying.

Employing Laptop software aids the lesser, unaggressive property entrepreneur Blend info for every single house and route the efficiency of the complete hire assets profile.

[financeequation]

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Banking Relationship

Small business banking is often just one of hundreds of priorities those managing SMEs must juggle on a daily basis. When there is already an expert team in place at the bank dealing with your financial requirements for you, it can be easily overlooked in favour of business activities that require a more hands-on approach.

Banks deal with SMEs daily, and most have tailored services to fit their needs. Yet the person within a small business interacting with the bank and taking on financial management responsibilities often isn’t a specifically qualified or trained financial specialist – simply because in small companies, job roles span further and wider than traditional corporates due to resource scarcity. That said, of all the areas that a business should look to really hone in and focus on with a well-trained eye, finance is definitely one.

As with all areas of business innovation, banking has seen a variety of new players come to the table when it comes to offering banking services to small businesses, and as a result, the industry is just not growing but also changing fast. Many of the banks currently offering business services are not the traditional high-street names you’ll have already heard of – and with these new entrants come a new way of ‘doing business’ and a new, strategic, relationship-building focus within the sector.

The lack of resources that many SMEs suffer from is commonplace, particularly when starting up. Most do not have the time, money or appetite to hire a whole accounts department, and we at Finance Equation Ltd appreciate that. You can’t do everything! This doesn’t mean, however, that your business needs to open a bank account and leave any further thought on it until the end of the financial year; or, as unfortunately is often the case, until there is a cash-flow or other financial problem. Instead, you can nurture your business relationship with the bank year-round in a strategic and prosperous way by hiring a part-time financial director to manage the relationship for you.

Why You Should Strengthen Your Business’ Relationship With The Bank

A survey by BCSG found that 73% of small business owners have never made contact with their Banking Relationship Manager. With so many business leaders having had no occasion or reason (that they believe) to meet their bank manager, few appreciate the value that a healthy working relationship with them can bring.

Far from being the stereotype of a rich old man in a suit sitting behind a large desk in a lavish office, bank managers are now more involved than ever, working on business development, service innovation and tech solutions. While many in business still view their bank as a vendor – someone there to sell and lend them money and financial support when required – in fact, modern small business banking works much more around partnerships and growth. Banks are in place to make money, of course, but they stand in better stead to do so as their small business investments and customers grow and flourish. The encouragement and nurturing of their journey is as much the growth of the bank’s own business as it is their customers’.

When a business is in regular contact with their bank and their working relationship is healthy, they are more likely to receive favourable credit terms, updated service offerings, any business ideas or development tools that the bank have available and free business advice and information. Working with, rather than just occasionally for, your bank can create a value-adding strategic relationship for both parties. But how to best foster a relationship of this type? Read on!

 Keep Communications Clear, Concise And Open

If no one in your business has ever spoken to someone at your bank, now’s the time to get in touch. Small business banking requires a much greater understanding of a company than the services offered for large corporates, and bank managers always appreciate learning more about their clients. Your bank will likely already know the basics of who you are and how you operate but it is beneficial for them also to understand who your customers are, who your vendors are, and what the latest updates and developments in your industry are.

Bank managers appreciate the proactivity of businesses approaching them to discuss how and where they are as a firm and will value the opportunity to interject and contribute with ideas, advice and services. Despite many businesses considering their bank manager just a knowledge base on finances, their expertise should not be underestimated. They deal with a variety of different businesses every day and have a unique insight into their operations. Banking staff are often able to divulge market intelligence and to give advice on development opportunities – keeping client confidentiality as required, of course. This as a resource is valuable for a business and should be utilised wherever possible.

Stay In Touch

A bank manager doesn’t need to know every time a business sells a product, but regular contact and updates on how an enterprise is performing is beneficial. This better helps them remain abreast of market, industry and company developments.

Scheduling in a regular meeting with your small business banking relationship manager will ensure a sustainable level of communication remains in place and that financial matters remain a priority. Aim for quarterly if possible, and ideally face-to-face.

Communicating honestly with your bank manager is imperative to a conducive working relationship and will help instil a degree of trust between both parties. Anyone working in small business banking would much rather help prevent issues from arising ahead of time than they would have to ‘firefight’ them reactively later. Statistics from the British Business Bank show that while acceptance rates for business finance are improving, businesses that don’t receive additional finance or credit are being turned down due to industry performance, complexity or weak balance sheets. If the bank already knows a business’s circumstances well, their ability to help as and when needed is increased.

Remain Consistent

While those working in business banking appreciate that the nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship is often evolving and changing, it is important to remain consistent on aims and goals. Demonstrating that your business has a strategy and is working towards it coherently and consistently shows credibility and trustworthiness. What’s more, it can give shape to the regular check-in meetings with banking contacts and allow for a clear vision of how both parties can work with each other strategically.

Research shows that 90% of start-ups fail and there are, undoubtedly, numerous reasons for this. Businesses must pivot and move in line with market trends, needs and fluctuations, but they, too, must remain true to themselves and their company values. The goalposts may shift but the goals themselves should not, and ensuring logical focus exhibits dependability and a want to succeed to the bank. Working the balance between consistency and adaptability is no mean feat but very worthwhile!

If your business does need to shift further than perhaps your bank would have expected when they initially offered service terms, or if further (or different) services are required on the basis of the pivot, the honest and open relationship with your bank will help reiterate to them that your firm is trustworthy and reliable when it comes to performance, and, therefore, payback.

In A Small Business With Limited Resources, Who Should Manage A Bank Relationship?

SMEs rarely have the budget to recruit a whole department of staff to manage accounts, and that’s understandable; with so many competing priorities, it can be difficult to justify mass expenditure. Instead, recruitment can be smaller and lower key. A part-time financial director can oversee and operate not just in-house financial requirements but also the burgeoning and strategic relationship with your bank manager.

Finance Equation Ltd can provide a fully qualified and well-experienced part-time financial director for your business. Our pool of FDs work with and for some of the UK’s biggest and best-known companies and can offer their support and expertise whenever you need it. Furthermore, as specialists, they already have good working relationships in place with small business banking teams and can extend this rapport and related networking to include your business.

A part-time financial director removes the need for an expensive full-time hire while still allowing access to unrivalled expertise, knowledge and networking opportunities. Managing a productive business banking relationship is second nature to an experienced FD and will take hours of time away from your business’ existing workforce – instead, allowing the focus to sit on the management and development of the business.

Finance Equation Ltd’s team of FDs have saved businesses from excessive banking fees, negotiated favourable credit extensions and waived fees, created and provided business plans, introduced and managed new banking options, and kept documentation up-to-date and legally compliant. The ability to skilfully communicate with bank managers can reap benefits for SMEs in a way that otherwise takes years to nurture, for a fraction of the cost and the effort.

Hiring a part-time financial director won’t break the bank, but it may just make it. Take the first step and contact Finance Equation to discuss options.

[flexiblepack5-blog]

Wrapping Up Cannabis: Balancing Compliance And Branding

As the cannabis industry continues to bloom, we’ve seen equal growth in the number of ‘canna-preneurs’ breaking into the market. As investors watch pot stocks soar, the cannabis is becoming more attractive for anyone with big bankroll and entrepreneurial spirit.

For some, this may seem like the Wild West, but that is a mischaracterization. State governments are heavily involved in regulating the cannabis industry, and those companies who shirk their compliance responsibilities can be crushed with heavy fines. This presents cannabis companies with a difficult tight rope to walk: should they focus on compliance or on branding? With the right package and label supplier, however, this choice doesn’t have to be a duality – it’s possible to have your compliance and brand it too.

Common Threads In Compliance

There are several rules shared by most cannabis-legal states. These common threads serve as a foundation for building compliant packaging. Below is an overview of common regulations for packaging flower, topicals, and concentrates.

Common Rules for All Packages of Cannabis Products

All packages for cannabis products in most states must:

Be tamper-evident

Be resealable (if the package contains multiple uses)

Have child-resistant features

Not imitate products typically marketed to children

Not appeal to children

Not make any health claims

Not use the word ‘organic’ in violation of law

Appear opaque (if labeled as an edible)

Even if your state’s regulators do not currently require specific items from the above list, it still serves as a set of best practices. It’s always better to be overprepared, and, as the burgeoning industry has already witnessed, compliance regulations are capricious and subject to change at a moment’s notice.

State Regulations Are Subject to Change

Every business operates under a state-controlled agency, such as the Bureau of Cannabis Control in California or the Cannabis Control Commission in Massachusetts. These autonomous agencies have the authority to change local regulations at will. New rules are implemented quickly, and companies are expected to fall in line or pay the price.

For example, California is in the process of changing its rules for child-resistant packaging. Per its current standards, cannabis companies can continue to meet child-resistant requirements with exit packaging until the end of the year. Beginning January 1, 2020, however, every cannabis package must contain child-resistant features before, and in addition to, exit packaging.

Special Rules for Cannabis Topicals and Concentrates

Other rules vary by state, such as font specifications (California requires 6-point font exactly, while Massachusetts gives more leniency with “any legible font”) and warning label guidance (California and Massachusetts have a state-mandated “Universal Symbol” alerting users of the presence of THC, while other states merely require any kind of written warning.) These two regulations are merely examples and by no means is this an exhaustive account of all differences between state compliance regulation. Failure to adhere to any state guidelines can result in a fine, and repeated violations can lead to suspension or revocation of licensure. Needless to say, compliance is serious business.

Branded Packaging in a Regulated Space

With so many rules and regulations already (and more on the way) how does the savvy “canna-preneur” stand out from the crowd? It’s not easy, but with a bit of planning and the help from a good cannabis packaging partner, it’s possible. Here are several tips for making your company stay compliant while showcasing your unique brand identity.

Versatile Base Packaging

The laws may change, but your brand doesn’t have to. Choose neutral base assets to capture the spirit of your organization, but do not overcommit to the current state of compliance in your state. Stick to your logo, an on-brand base material and a color scheme that is visually attractive and complimentary to your other design features. It may also be prudent to get ahead of the curve with child-proofing and resealable packaging, which other states, like California, already require. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. You should definitely consider adding your state’s “Contains THC” label, but know that you are rolling the dice on any other compliance assets. Additional compliance assets, such as lab testing for each batch, can be added as needed with additional labels. By keeping your base packaging versatile, you can order high volumes in order to lock in a lower price per unit, and you can add future compliance regulations with additional pressure sensitive labels.

Variable Labeling

As growers know, cultivation can be more of an art than a science. There is always some variation from one grow to another, and most regulation requires that each crop be independently lab tested. As a result, many dispensaries incorrectly assume they must settle for slap-dash, last minute labels, but there is an alternative. Label vendors can use digital printers, such as the HP Indigo, to manufacture cost-effective, on-brand labels with variable information. Simply choose your basic design layout in advance and update each order with the new lab results. You’ll have eye-catching labels in no time, which you can adhere to your custom printed pouches to keep the regulators happy while turn heads with your awesome branding.

Make it Your Own

Branding is all about identity, so make it your own. Print your pouches with your logo, slogan and complimentary colors. Add finishing touches like matte, gloss or soft touch. Print your logo on the inside of a pouch or add a branded shrink sleeve to your pre-roll tubes. As long as you leave plenty of room for compliance, the design options are endless. If you're stuck when it comes to design - contact us to learn more about our design studio offering.

Properly Navigating the Cannabis Industry

Walking the tight rope between compliance and branding is difficult, but not impossible. The suggestions in this article are a great start, but the goal posts are always moving. Contact Flexible Pack today to speak with a packaging expert, and we can help you find your balance!

[atamascolily]

An Appointment in Sawarra, 7/?

In which Luke has an adventure with Space Customs.

(earlier: one two three four five, six)

Luke had barely disentangled himself from the X-wing's cockpit and put on his translator when a half-dozen figures arrived on the scene. All wore colorful robes in vibrant eye-catching patterns, along with black stiff hats half a meter in length, ornately carved wooden masks, and neon-orange gloves that clashed violently with the rest of their ensemble.

It was hard to see much of the Sawarrans themselves under the voluminous swirl of coverings, let alone many details of age or gender, but their silhouettes and voices were conspicuously human, as was their presence in the Force. What little skin he could see was the darkest shade Luke had ever seen: a rich, deep black with the faintest hint of blue in it. All of the agents were taller than he was, although some of that extra half-meter was due to the elevated bases of their sandals, some of which were impressively high.

The translator itself turned out to be unnecessary, as all six informed him in heavily accented but comprehensible Basic that he was entering sovereign Sawarran territory and as a foreigner, he was required to declare himself at customs before being permitted to enter the station.

Luke groaned inwardly, and sighed. Customs. Right. No escaping bureaucracy. Maybe he should have taken Leia up on her offer of an official diplomatic position instead of coming as a private citizen.

It was tempting to wave his hand and order them to let him pass. Too tempting. Luke gritted his teeth and did his best to ignore the impulse. Luke had grown uncomfortable with using the Force to manipulate others since his time with Joruus C'baoth on Jomark. This unease had only deepened when C'baoth tried to make Luke, Mara, Leia, and the twins his living puppets, molding their wills to his own. His plan hadn't worked, but the slack-jawed, blank look of his own face on C'baoth's clone servant had impacted Luke deeply. Ever since then, he'd been especially reluctant to touch anyone's mind so intimately, let alone for his own casual selfishness.

Besides, he thought sourly, for the trick to work, the target had to be willing to go along--easily distracted, bored, already primed to go along, or  just plain stupid and easily manipulated. Judging from the earnest zeal of the customs agents, he wasn't going to get anywhere with them with anything less than a cudgel--which was far too much like C'baoth's tactics for his taste.

He let the customs agents, led by a tall, stately figure in a wildfire mask, briskly but politely usher him into a sterile but functional waiting room, with a row of cubicles off to the side. Through a thin window-slit in the far wall, custom agents were swarming the X-wing, scanning it for contraband. Luke was glad he hadn't brought Artoo along; the astromech wouldn't have stood for such manhandling of his beloved X-wing and someone would have gotten hurt.

Luke himself was also scanned for illegal substances. He held his breath for a moment when they paused over the bag of uneti seeds at his waste, but the scanner only beeped when it got to his lightsaber, registering it as a weapon. It was duly confiscated over Luke's protests as the agents pointed and whispered among themselves as they passed it from hand to hand, too quiet for his translator to pick up their meaning. Finally, their leader--his wildfire mask expressionless--shrugged and returned the lightsaber to Luke with a bow.  

Satisfied there was nothing harmful in his ship or on his person, Luke was presented with a hard-backed chair, three stylo-pens and a clipboard, along with a four-centimeter high stack of paperwork. Three of agents excused themselves, while the other two retreated to their cubicles and busied themselves with their datapads, shooting surreptitious glances at Luke through their masks when they thought Luke wasn't looking. One of them sported a mask in the shape of a stylized lizard with horns sprouting out of the eyes and nostrils in all directions; the other some sort of fish, surrounded by bright blue waves.

The reason for the sheer number of forms became apparent as Luke examined them more closely. The bottom half of each page was in standard Aurebesh, but the top halves were in a pictographic calligraphy he couldn't even begin to make sense of without an ocular add-on to his translator.

The Sawarrans wanted to know everything about him, from the exact make and model of his ship, the precise length of his planned visit (which Luke left blank), and the purpose of his trip in the first place, which was multiple choice. There were a dizzying array of options, but "tourist" wasn't one of them, and nothing else even remotely applied to his situation.

An entire page was taken up by a stern warning against smuggling contraband, which was defined as "any organic or non-organic substance not approved by the Access Station Sovereign Port Authorities". Luke thought of the uneti seeds in his pocket, undetected by the scanners, but decided he didn't need to declare them since he had no intention of staying here for long. Besides, he couldn’t risk the Sawarrans confiscating them.

"I'm here to deliver a message to a professor at the university on Sawarra, not offload cargo," Luke complained to his minders in annoyance. "Why do I have to do this?"  

The pair shook their head, their expressions unreadable behind their masks, and informed him in unison that he must follow proper protocol and complete all sections of the appropriate forms in order to have his visitation permit approved. Sensing a grim stubbornness in the agents to rival his own, Luke sighed and went back to work.

In the end, he wrote "Jedi Knight" as his occupation, trying and failing not to feel like an imposter. He'd called himself a Jedi many times before, but there was something bald and impersonal about seeing it on written out on the page that didn't come out in casual conversation.

Lizard-head bowed when Luke presented the completed pile of paperwork, and took the stack away with him. Luke sat in the uncomfortable chair and did his best to meditate to calm his frazzled nerves while Fish-face twitched nervously and pretended not to stare at him.

After about twenty minutes, Lizard-head returned, solemnly informing him that there would be an unfortunate delay in processing his paperwork. In the meantime, Luke would be issued a temporary visa and permitted entry to the rest of the station.

"Great," Luke said, taking the little seal the agent offered, and striding for the door. Depending on how fast he could get a message to Dr. Mendoza, maybe he could be on his way back to Coruscant by the time the bureaucrats had finished.

The station itself was small and surprisingly crowded, but that was due more to the cramped conditions than an abundance of visitors. There were more Sawarrans than foreigners, all easily distinguished by the vibrant colors and patterns of their robes, though apparently only the customs agents wore the masks and gloves (for quarantine, Luke realized belatedly). Most of the Sawarrans appeared to be men, though there were a few women who he thought might be prostitutes--they had the same dead-eyed stare he'd seen in other ports of call. Yet if they were prostitutes, they didn't make any overtures or meet his eyes when he passed, which struck him as odd.

He made a beeline for the nearest message kiosk, only to be sternly informed by the veiled attendant who examined Luke's seal that his temporary visa would not allow for messages to the main planet, let alone the university. No amount of cash would convince the vendor to change their mind. Like the agents, the vendor was too stubborn to budge without a major intervention in the Force that probably--<i>probably</i> wasn't worth the effort. Luke sighed and continued on his way.

After three similar exchanges with three different kiosks in succession, a frustrated and confused Luke retreated to the back corner of a dimly-lit bar that appeared to cater entirely to foreigners who appeared as annoyed by this place as he was. His drink was watered-down and tepid, but it dimmed the headache that was threatening to overshadow him and calmed his frazzled nerves.

He didn't understand the rules here, but that was fine, he'd figure it out. His visa would be approved soon enough, and he'd do whatever he had to do to get a message to Karrde's contact. He'd find a way. It was just going to take a little longer than he thought, that was all.

As if on cue, the door to the bar was flung open with a shout as a robed and veiled Sawarran stumbled through in agitation. It was Lizard-head the customs agent, tottering to keep his balance on his raised sandals as he ducked through the doorway.

"YOU!" he shouted in Basic with a dramatic flourish, pointing directly at Luke. "YOU ARE A JEDI?"

So much for keeping a low profile. Everyone in the bar was staring at them, and he didn't like it. He sat up, careful to keep his hands in plain view the entire time. "That's right," he said, and braced himself for... what, he didn't know.

"<i>Come</i>," the agent ordered, and gestured to him. "We must go, go. You are wanted immediately!"

Luke left his half-finished glass on the table, along with what would be a hefty tip if New Republic credits had any value here. That was fast, for processing paperwork, but maybe, just maybe he was in the clear--

Either that or he was in deep trouble.

[spidersteam40-blog]

P&G, Big Companies Small Quantity Vendors On Settlements - WSJ

Where to Find Wholesalers That Can Easily Offer You the most effective Products

Wholesalers are actually recognized for delivering the client along with top quality products at a good cost. If you want to find high quality suppliers of a specific item, our company need to try to find suppliers that offer what our team want.

The amount of Suppliers raises over time and, as their competitors enhances so carry out the costs. In other words; Vendors, if permitted to grow out of control, find yourself eating into the profits of the business. When our experts start to utilize more products in our daily life, our company commonly make mistakes when it comes to choosing the right Provider.

Prior to our team start our look for the best Distributor, our team should initially seek a firm that may meet our essential needs for basic materials. For visit web site , for a hair straightener, our experts require it to become of top quality as our experts prefer our hair to appear nice. But how do we know if the Vendor uses these resources?

It is strongly encouraged that you keep a checklist of Providers who deliver premium quality items at a low cost. You should recognize just how much you are actually paying for every thing before you get it. For instance, if our team desire to get a great deal of all of them, after that our company require to value them depending on to volume. This will definitely help us get merely those things at a low-cost rate.

Business, that use cheaper resources, are going to certainly not make a profit considering that they will definitely have way too many expenses. It is actually recommended that we adhere to Providers that offer items of excellent quality at an affordable price. Certainly not merely will this aid our company spare money yet also enhance our incomes.

When our company have actually selected a provider and found a checklist of Providers, our team need to have to begin browsing online. Our company can start through looking on Google.com or even every other online search engine. Only input the key words that relate to the sort of items that we would like to acquire.

Online search engine will provide you a great deal of results to pick from. Make sure to read through the small print. Try and search for the name of the business together with certain services or products. In this way, you are going to receive additional details on the company.

Some distributors, for some reason, provide even more information than others. You need to have to recognize what is actually the major concentration of the business prior to you go ahead to purchase an item from them.

Other points that we ought to do when our experts are hunting for a supplier is to make an effort as well as contact them. Take a look at the e-mails of the business just before contacting them for further particulars. Look for out if the company follows up along with the purchases they acquire and also if they have the capacity to manage the demands that they obtain.

Yet another thing to carry out is actually to learn if the business is actually registered with any sort of regulatory physical bodies. You must also look at if the firm is actually signed up along with any other worldwide or even national bodies. This is actually considering that most of us know that unregulated vendors are usually the ones that can easily certainly not offer you the very best offers on services and products.

Some Providers, in their try to take on each other, are actually much more competitive along with one another in regards to the services and products they offer. They at times use un-necessary deals like totally free freight, which are really incredibly costly in the future. This may seem to be interesting some folks but it is actually certainly not a good idea.

Dealers need to adhere to an extremely rigorous standard procedure as well as their suppliers should stick to a set of plans to make sure that there is actually no negativeness that could creep into the firm. If you intend to find a provider who gives high quality products at a practical cost, then the most effective option will be actually to examine the ISO specifications for top quality.

Establishing an Industry B2B Profile to Market Your Organisation

Online marketplace B2B profiles may be a terrific possession to your advertising strategy. Through producing a blog site or using a social networking sites internet site, you can communicate along with your potential customers in an on the web fashion and obtain the most recent headlines, product or services offered for your service. You can easily likewise use your blog site or social networks accounts to update your prospects concerning any kind of changes that are occurring in your business.

You could be questioning what is a B2B online market account? go to site may produce an internet site and a blog post. Often times you will wish to have both together, so you can frequently share info with your leads and keep a relationship with them. Furthermore, it is actually simpler to improve your weblog or site with details when you are servicing your website.

To put together a B2B industry account, you are going to require to determine the amount of opportunity you want to devote to building your business. There are actually lots of opportunities that are free of charge or affordable to sign up with. Make certain you do your investigation and pick a system that is right for you.

If you mean to utilize your blogging site to sell products or services, the best way to market is to select a system that allows you to become in the clients base for as low as one week. After that time has passed, you will definitely be actually added to the data source and will definitely start to market by yourself. This is the quickest way to acquire your service relocating.

You can also pick to sell items that you produce. This is actually usually called "buyer-driven" marketing. When you choose to market something that you generated, it may be incredibly beneficial to have an online market B2B account to market to your clients.

Possessing an on-line market B2B account is actually extremely crucial for the majority of small companies. While your competitions are delegating their advertising, you can take full advantage of the world wide web and your resources. It is going to not simply offer you much more purchases yet are going to make it achievable for you to grow your business without must leave your house.

When picking an internet market B2B account, make certain you are actually taking advantage of any plans that are actually on call to you. You can establish a basic account that is going to give you more functions. You can locate these plans by doing a search for "on the web market place B2B".

You can easily expect to pay a charge for any sort of sort of internet industry B2B accounts that you decide on. The fee is actually generally low, but it depends upon the form of profile you pick. An excellent rule of thumb is to pick a course that gives solutions for the very same cost as a print registration.

Your B2B online market profile must be actually easy to use, user-friendly and also inexpensive. It must deliver you with a selection of tools that will aid you handle your marketing campaigns, company and items. Be sure you understand the details of any kind of deal you authorize.

Your business might have an email list or a weblog. Additionally, you may select which social media sites and blogging sites to utilize for marketing. You will certainly additionally intend to make use of these internet sites to get in touch with your customers as well as clients.

Remember, to use a b2b account to market your service, you require to become capable to reach your consumers through these online sites. You need to include lots of relevant information regarding your business in each of your sites. This assists your clients to consider your company, while your possible consumers are actually also told of your company.

Locate the very best bargains when you shop for your item, by doing some purchasing around and also discovering the most ideal packages when you purchase in bulk, or in short, free classifieds. Not merely will this spare you amount of money, but you are going to likewise manage to get to a larger team of folks than if you are actually attempting to advertise private items.

[porterdinghy80-blog]

Distributors Of PPE In Stock: Smallbusiness

Where to Locate Dealers That May Offer You the greatest Products

Wholesalers are actually understood for supplying the client along with high quality items at an excellent cost. So as to find top quality producers of a particular item, our team must look for vendors who use what our team desire.

The number of Distributors boosts over time as well as, as their competition increases thus carry out the costs. In short; Distributors, if permitted to begin control, end up eating into the incomes of your business. When our company begin to utilize more items in our day-to-day lifestyle, our team often create errors when it pertains to deciding on the appropriate Supplier.

Prior to our team begin our hunt for the very best Supplier, our experts need to to begin with search for a provider that can meet our fundamental needs for raw materials. As an example, for a hair straightener, our experts need it to become of first class as our experts want our hair to look pleasant. But just how do we know if the Supplier delivers these resources?

It is actually very suggested that you keep a list of Distributors who provide premium quality items at a low cost. You must know how much you are purchasing every product just before you get it. For example, if our company intend to purchase a bunch of all of them, then our company need to have to price all of them depending on to amount. This are going to help us buy merely those things at a low-priced rate.

Providers, that utilize much cheaper basic materials, will certainly not make a profit because they will definitely possess excessive expenses. It is actually recommended that we stick to Suppliers who deliver items of excellent quality at a low cost. Certainly not merely are going to this aid our company save cash however likewise improve our incomes.

When we have picked a vendor as well as found a checklist of Providers, our company need to start browsing online. Our experts may start by browsing on Google or every other search engine. Just key in the search phrases that relate to the kind of products that we wish to get.

Search engines are going to give you a bunch of outcomes to select from. Make sure to review the small print. Attempt and also seek the label of the business alongside certain services or products. By doing this, you will definitely get more details on the provider.

Some distributors, by chance, deliver even more details than others. You require to understand what is actually the principal emphasis of the business prior to you go forward to buy an item from them.

sign up for Ali etc that we must carry out when we are looking for a supplier is to make an effort as well as call all of them. Check out the e-mails of the firm before calling them for additional details. Look for out if the business follows up along with the purchases they get as well as if they have the capacity to manage the requests that they receive.

One more thing to accomplish is to determine if the provider is registered along with any governing body systems. You ought to also check out if the company is enrolled along with some other international or national body systems. This is actually given that most of us understand that uncontrolled distributors are actually often the ones that can not give you the most ideal bargains on services and products.

Some Vendors, in their attempt to compete with each other, are actually more affordable with each other in relations to the product or services they deliver. They in some cases deliver un-necessary promotions like totally free freight, which are in fact very pricey in the end. This might seem to be attracting some individuals however it is not suggested.

Dealers need to adhere to a quite rigorous code of behavior and their suppliers need to stick to a collection of policies to ensure there is no negative thoughts that might sneak into the provider. If you wish to discover a provider that gives quality products at an acceptable cost, then the most ideal option would certainly be to check out the ISO specifications for top quality.

Setting Up a Market Place B2B Profile to Market Your Company

Online market place B2B profiles can be a splendid possession to your marketing tactic. By developing a blogging site or utilizing a social networks site, you can connect along with your prospects in an on the internet manner as well as acquire the current news, products and services accessible for your business. You can also utilize your blogging site or even social networks accounts to notify your potential customers concerning any type of adjustments that are actually happening in your business.

You may be questioning what is actually a B2B online market account? You can easily develop an internet site and a weblog. Sometimes you will definitely want to possess each all at once, so you may regularly discuss relevant information along with your potential customers and preserve a connection along with them. On top of that, it is simpler to update your weblog or even site with information when you are actually focusing on your internet site.

To put together a B2B market account, you are going to need to have to choose the amount of time you want to commit to creating your organisation. There are many opportunities that are free or even low-cost to sign up with. Be sure you do your investigation and also choose a course that corrects for you.

If you want to utilize your blog site to sell products or services, the most convenient means to market is actually to select a course that enables you to be in the customers base for as low as one week. After that time has passed, you will be actually contributed to the data bank as well as will definitely start to market on your own. This is actually the quickest technique to receive your business moving.

You can also opt for to market products that you develop. This is actually generally called "buyer-driven" advertising. When you determine to sell something that you developed, it may be extremely beneficial to possess an on the web marketplace B2B account to market to your consumers.

Possessing an on the internet marketplace B2B account is actually really significant for most small businesses. While your competitions are actually delegating their advertising, you can take full advantage of the net and your information. It will definitely not merely offer you a lot more sales but will certainly make it possible for you to develop your company without must leave your home.

When deciding on https://alietc.com/suppliers/food-agriculture/farm-products-grains-fruits-etc/other-dehydrated-vegetables on the web market place B2B account, are sure you are taking advantage of any sort of systems that are actually available to you. You may put together a simple account that will certainly provide you extra functions. You can easily locate these plans by performing a look for "online marketplace B2B".

You can anticipate to spend a fee for any type of kind of on the web market place B2B accounts that you pick. The cost is generally marginal, yet it depends upon the sort of profile you opt for. A good general rule is to decide on a plan that gives companies for the very same price as a print registration.

Your B2B online market account should be actually user friendly, simple to use and also inexpensive. It needs to deliver you along with a selection of resources that will aid you manage your advertising projects, company and also products. See to it you comprehend the particulars of any sort of arrangement you sign.

Your business may possess a newsletter or a blog post. Furthermore, you may pick which social media internet sites as well as blogs to use for marketing. You will certainly also desire to utilize these sites to get in touch with your customers as well as customers.

Remember, to make use of a b2b profile to market your business, you need to have to be capable to reach your consumers by means of these on-line locations. You ought to feature loads of info concerning your company with all of your sites. This assists your clients to keep in mind your business, while your possible customers are also advised of your provider.

Find check it out when you shop for your product, by doing some purchasing around and locating the most effective bargains when you purchase in bulk, or in other words, cost-free classifieds. Certainly not simply are going to this conserve you loan, but you will certainly also manage to reach a much larger team of individuals than if you are actually making an effort to advertise private items.

[peace-coast-island]

Taking a road trip!

Taking the scenic route

Digby, Isabelle, Arabella, and I are kicking off the new year with a road trip!   

We’ll be driving down Sunset Rose Blvd. - one of the most prettiest highways in the area that’s full of nice places to stop by - until we get to Wizpire. After spending a couple days over there, we’ll be taking Lighthouse Lane through Spectrum Falls and make several stops along the way until we get back to the camp. 

The RV’s all packed and ready to go! 

Places to see at Sunset Rose Boulevard Tea and Cakes For breakfast we stopped by a cute cafe that was highly recommended by our friends. Good thing we got there before the morning rush ‘cause as soon as we left, the place was started to get packed! I got oolong tea, a taro bun, and a matcha mochi cake - yum! Also, I love that they serve the tea in a reusable cup because the design is so pretty and it keeps the tea warm for a long time without burning your tongue. 

Paper Florals A stationery shop full of handmade goodies! After hearing about Rolly & Cece expanding their online shop by opening a store in Stellaire Creek, I was ecstatic. So obviously we had to stop by there and check it out! Today was also a lucky day as we got to meet Rolly & Cece in person, which was super awesome as I’m a fan of their vlog since discovering them last year.   

Spent nearly 900,000 bells on a journal and a bunch of stickers - but it was definitely worth it!   

Bubbles to Go For lunch we stopped by a sandwich and bubble tea place! I heard it’s known for their tiger milk tea and banh mi sandwiches. We also got shaved ice topped with condensed milk, mung beans, and grass jelly - a childhood favorite! It’s been a while since I had banh mi - like a real one, not an Americanized one -  and this definitely hits the spot! 

Origami Peak After getting our food, we drove a few miles up to the famous Origami Peak, a popular spot for sightseeing and taking pretty pics. We set up a picnic on the grass where we can see the mountains and the infamous rocks shaped like origami animals. The weather’s a bit chilly today, but that doesn’t take any from the lovely view of the sky and scenery as well as the good food and company. I think if it was a bit warmer, we wouldn’t have this place to ourselves.   

Now I can cross off visiting Origami Peak from my bucket list! 

Woodland Creatures & Wishes I’ve never heard of this place but Isabelle and Arabella were hyped about it, so naturally I was too! The shop’s run by Arabella’s friend May, who’s super sweet and I absolutely love her whimsical and minimal aesthetic. She makes jewelry and enamel pins as well as art prints. She also has a vlog channel so I’m definitely gonna check that out later! 

I love her art style, especially how she draws woodland creatures. So I had to get an art print, a bracelet full of animal charms, and a super cute hedgehog enamel pin!   

Kuy Theav Parlor There was a Cambodian restaurant on the way so I knew we had to stop there at some point. From what I’ve heard, it’s known for its Phenom Penh noodles, also known as key theav. Since Isabelle, Digby, and Arabella never had kuy theav, I wanted them to try it, especially since this is authentically Cambodian. Also, kuy theav places aren’t as common as pho places. 

Final verdict is two thumbs up from everyone! Definitely gonna take my mom here in the future! 

Tarts and Hearts It’s getting late and we need a place to stop by. Luckily Nutmeg’s place is along the way and she offered to let us stay over in her cabin for the night. We managed to get there about an hour before closing time so we got to hang out at Tarts and Hearts and enjoy tea and pastries. Nutmeg’s been trying out some new recipes so we got to try those out too! 

The next morning we had espresso and pastries for breakfast, went sightseeing at the mountains for a couple hours, and then took off on the road. 

Trina’s Trinket Box A cute shop full of handmade trinkets and decor! Trina teaches online classes on things like seashell crown making, branding for small businesses, and glass bead making - and Arabella highly recommends these courses for anyone interested in any of those topics. Trina was also more than happy to show us some trinkets she’s been working on, which was fascinating! 

Of course, I bought a butterfly trinket and a celestial ornament to decorate my camper. I did some redecorating a while ago so the new decor will go perfectly with it. 

Cloud Cafe Spent about three hours at a cafe to pull out our computers and get some work done. I know it’s a vacation but Isabelle and Arabella need to touch bases with the others as once the trip’s over, they’re gonna be super busy. Also, there’s things I need to get done so future me won’t be in over her head when plans unexpectedly change. One of my goals this year is to procrastinate less so I’ve been trying out some new things to improve my workflow, get organized, and stop leaving things at the last minute. 

In those two hours I managed to get a lot done - and I think the caramel latte and veggie quiches helped a lot. The general vibe of this place makes me feel productive and ready to go! 

Tulip Park More sightseeing and taking pretty pics of the tulip garden, the fountain, and the creek. We also enjoyed tea, churros, and sesame balls from the vendor stands. Today happened to be ping pong day at the recreation square in the center of the park so we went there and played a few matches. Got lost along the way since the park is huge, but we discovered many cool stands and bought some stuff like bracelets, stationery, and scarves. 

It’s been a long while since I last played ping pong and it was a lot of fun - especially after sitting in an RV for hours! 

Preppy Pizzaria One last stop before our final destination! The restaurant was a bit crowded when we got there so we walked around the shopping area for about half an hour while waiting for seats. The wait was definitely worth it though as it’s one of those popular restaurants that lives up to the hype. The pizzas are fresh out of the oven and from where we sat, we could see the kitchen.   

We also ordered a couple large pizzas to go so they can serve as a late night snack and breakfast. 

Half an hour later we reached Wizpire around 9, which is pretty much right on schedule. I’m looking forward to a day of rest before the big seashell hunt the day after!

[telecomnetwork1]

The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement

Sourcing telecom services for your company is a tricky business. At the enterprise-level, telecom procurement teams face a myriad of services choices and dozens of different vendors to choose from in an ever-changing technological environment.

In the wake of these various challenges, an apathetic attitude toward contract negotiations has taken hold, with organizations choosing to renew agreements instead of seeking out new alternatives that can provide significant cost savings as well as create new operational efficiencies and a higher level of service.  However, at the end of the day, while the problems experienced during telecom procurement are complex and numerous, they can be overcome.

Here are five of the most commonly encountered issues and tips on how to effectively manage them.

1. Inaccurate & Incomplete Data

While accurate data is typically available, most organizations, from lower middle market companies to global enterprises, will often struggle to have all the data needed to provide their procurement teams, in addition to not being organized in a centralized manner that is easily accessible.

If your in-house procurement managers lack insight into your current usage and spend, existing vendor relationships, and are not privy to the Company’s short and long term goals with it’s communications, contact center, and security needs, they are essentially left in the dark and have a big disadvantage in pursing the procurement process. This results in the inability to extract the greatest value, a failure to create the optimal cost-savings, and greatly reduces the chances of designing the most effective solution.

To provide accurate and reliable data, you must perform in-depth and detailed analysis. Conducting a full assessment of the company’s current software and systems used, a detailed baseline of the firm’s telecom spend, and taking into account the company’s expansion plans, acquisitions, consolidations and operational objectives – will enable you to put together the necessary data requirements. And, with the assistance of your outsourced telecom procurement team (yes, that would be us), we can benchmark all of our your requirements and create a detailed RFP to go to market with for the industry leading service providers to bid on.

2. Lack of Industry Experience

The current telecommunications market is evolving faster than ever.  With the constant stream of new technologies and vendors entering the market in addition to the fact that we’re at the beginning stages of a big transition into cloud, mobile based services and a completely connected world with IoT, only those who work within the telecom sector on a daily basis can ever truly understand its nuance.

Your in-house procurement teams and IT service firms are likely skilled at handling and managing large, ongoing contracts, but without an in-depth knowledge of such a volatile market, even with their expertise, negotiating the best rates and understanding which telecom solutions and providers best fit with your needs will nearly be impossible.

To leverage expert telecom insight, organizations must bring on the services of those with long-standing ties and a wide network of relationships in the telecom industry to truly understand the technology and services that are available and present the best solution.

3. Failure to Engage Stakeholders

Stakeholder engagement is a delicate matter and we understand that  telecom service procurement isn’t everyone’s top skillset and it can prove difficult to capture a stakeholder’s imagination when discussing data collection, putting bid packages together and negotiating contracts.

Managing stakeholder expectations and keeping everybody informed are key factors to procurement success. In addition, prioritizing the cost-savings and improved cash flows that are generated as a result is the best method of keeping everyone on-board. 

To ensure this information is expressed as clearly as possible, your procurement team (whether in-house or outsourced) should create detailed reports that provide insight into the facts and figures underpinning the sourcing process as well as an outline of the timelines and each person’s respective involvement. Clear information will provide the best possible chance of obtaining stakeholder sign-off. 

4. Global Delivery Oversight Issues

As communications become more open and the business community becomes more globalized, the bigger the need is for a world view of telecom services. Remote workers, outsourcing partners, and vendors are connecting from all corners of the world whether it be the US, Europe or APAC region. To take advantage of this fact and to facilitate seamless communications, companies need their telecom contracts to be manageable on all continents.

Although vendors are becoming increasingly competent at supporting international telecom installations, the ongoing support needed to ensure success is often far from global.

To alleviate this issue, you need to work alongside a procurement firm that can support your needs on a global scale and coordinate the bidding process with the most suitable partners.  This can help you to ensure that all telecom contract stipulations are honored in full, regardless of which country the services are being delivered in.

5. Price & Service Changes Over Time

The most meaningful figure that a procurement team can impact, regardless of being in-house or outsourced, is your company’s bottom line. Their value as an integral function of the business is directly correlated to generating savings and positively impacting cash flows.

The rate at which telecom providers change pricing and their service profiles is daunting to keep up with, and what may be great technology this year, can essentially become outdated next year and have completely new pricing. If you signed a long term contract at the then current rate, you’re likely overspending based upon the current benchmarked rate for the same service in subsequent years. In addition, if alternative newer technologies were used to service your current needs, not only is it likely that you will benefit from significant savings, you can also achieve more flexibility and new operational efficiencies. Or perhaps you acquired another company that’s on another carrier and/or consolidated offices. Cancelling services to close offices and bringing all services to your existing carrier will typically create additional savings and remove the administrative overhead with managing another vendor. While these all may be small items that remain unnoticed, over time, they add up to be significant sums of money.

To effectively reign in these price and service changes, your procurement teams must ensure due diligence is paid toward telecom vendors honoring contract terms and conditions and regular reviews are made of all service lines. This is achieved by making sure your team has the capability to properly manage and audit all bills. If a disparity is found, you’ll have the ability to act on it and receive a refund of the overbilled portion. In many cases, we’ve seen recoveries go deep into 6 to 7 figure sums.

The Solution to Your Sourcing Challenges

As the number of available technologies continues to grow and new vendors are coming on the scene while others are being acquired and consolidated with the majors, its become increasingly harder to find a solution that best meets your organization’s needs. Possessing keen insight into the telecom industry, an independent and neutral telecom procurement firm can help you overcome many of the hurdles you’re likely to face.

More and more, companies are leveraging new communications and contact center technologies to create additional competitive advantages for themselves. Enabling their employees with the latest tech to increase productivity, engage with customers better, and unify communications firm-wide in a more simplistic manner, utilizing services like Unified Communications as a Service (or UCaaS), is definitely on the rise.

When it comes to creating a solution and going out to bid with multiple providers, specialized firms like Boon Networks can help organize all the necessary information so everything is available to benchmark the company’s service profile and to ensure all contract stipulations are honored. What’s more, with extensive visibility into many carriers and service providers and having a deep understanding of what they are really willing to provide, telecom procurement firms are perfectly situated to help you become attuned to your specific service needs and can share valuable insights during the entire procurement process.  

To speak with a Boon Networks specialist and discover how we can help with your procurement challenges, get in touch with us.

The post The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement appeared first on BOON NETWORKS.

from BOON NETWORKS https://boonnetworks.com/the-5-biggest-issues-in-telecom-procurement/ from Boon Networks https://boonnetworks.tumblr.com/post/190977758822

[telecomsmart1]

The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement

Sourcing telecom services for your company is a tricky business. At the enterprise-level, telecom procurement teams face a myriad of services choices and dozens of different vendors to choose from in an ever-changing technological environment.

In the wake of these various challenges, an apathetic attitude toward contract negotiations has taken hold, with organizations choosing to renew agreements instead of seeking out new alternatives that can provide significant cost savings as well as create new operational efficiencies and a higher level of service.  However, at the end of the day, while the problems experienced during telecom procurement are complex and numerous, they can be overcome.

Here are five of the most commonly encountered issues and tips on how to effectively manage them.

1. Inaccurate & Incomplete Data

While accurate data is typically available, most organizations, from lower middle market companies to global enterprises, will often struggle to have all the data needed to provide their procurement teams, in addition to not being organized in a centralized manner that is easily accessible.

If your in-house procurement managers lack insight into your current usage and spend, existing vendor relationships, and are not privy to the Company’s short and long term goals with it’s communications, contact center, and security needs, they are essentially left in the dark and have a big disadvantage in pursing the procurement process. This results in the inability to extract the greatest value, a failure to create the optimal cost-savings, and greatly reduces the chances of designing the most effective solution.

To provide accurate and reliable data, you must perform in-depth and detailed analysis. Conducting a full assessment of the company’s current software and systems used, a detailed baseline of the firm’s telecom spend, and taking into account the company’s expansion plans, acquisitions, consolidations and operational objectives – will enable you to put together the necessary data requirements. And, with the assistance of your outsourced telecom procurement team (yes, that would be us), we can benchmark all of our your requirements and create a detailed RFP to go to market with for the industry leading service providers to bid on.

2. Lack of Industry Experience

The current telecommunications market is evolving faster than ever.  With the constant stream of new technologies and vendors entering the market in addition to the fact that we’re at the beginning stages of a big transition into cloud, mobile based services and a completely connected world with IoT, only those who work within the telecom sector on a daily basis can ever truly understand its nuance.

Your in-house procurement teams and IT service firms are likely skilled at handling and managing large, ongoing contracts, but without an in-depth knowledge of such a volatile market, even with their expertise, negotiating the best rates and understanding which telecom solutions and providers best fit with your needs will nearly be impossible.

To leverage expert telecom insight, organizations must bring on the services of those with long-standing ties and a wide network of relationships in the telecom industry to truly understand the technology and services that are available and present the best solution.

3. Failure to Engage Stakeholders

Stakeholder engagement is a delicate matter and we understand that  telecom service procurement isn’t everyone’s top skillset and it can prove difficult to capture a stakeholder’s imagination when discussing data collection, putting bid packages together and negotiating contracts.

Managing stakeholder expectations and keeping everybody informed are key factors to procurement success. In addition, prioritizing the cost-savings and improved cash flows that are generated as a result is the best method of keeping everyone on-board. 

To ensure this information is expressed as clearly as possible, your procurement team (whether in-house or outsourced) should create detailed reports that provide insight into the facts and figures underpinning the sourcing process as well as an outline of the timelines and each person’s respective involvement. Clear information will provide the best possible chance of obtaining stakeholder sign-off. 

4. Global Delivery Oversight Issues

As communications become more open and the business community becomes more globalized, the bigger the need is for a world view of telecom services. Remote workers, outsourcing partners, and vendors are connecting from all corners of the world whether it be the US, Europe or APAC region. To take advantage of this fact and to facilitate seamless communications, companies need their telecom contracts to be manageable on all continents.

Although vendors are becoming increasingly competent at supporting international telecom installations, the ongoing support needed to ensure success is often far from global.

To alleviate this issue, you need to work alongside a procurement firm that can support your needs on a global scale and coordinate the bidding process with the most suitable partners.  This can help you to ensure that all telecom contract stipulations are honored in full, regardless of which country the services are being delivered in.

5. Price & Service Changes Over Time

The most meaningful figure that a procurement team can impact, regardless of being in-house or outsourced, is your company’s bottom line. Their value as an integral function of the business is directly correlated to generating savings and positively impacting cash flows.

The rate at which telecom providers change pricing and their service profiles is daunting to keep up with, and what may be great technology this year, can essentially become outdated next year and have completely new pricing. If you signed a long term contract at the then current rate, you’re likely overspending based upon the current benchmarked rate for the same service in subsequent years. In addition, if alternative newer technologies were used to service your current needs, not only is it likely that you will benefit from significant savings, you can also achieve more flexibility and new operational efficiencies. Or perhaps you acquired another company that’s on another carrier and/or consolidated offices. Cancelling services to close offices and bringing all services to your existing carrier will typically create additional savings and remove the administrative overhead with managing another vendor. While these all may be small items that remain unnoticed, over time, they add up to be significant sums of money.

To effectively reign in these price and service changes, your procurement teams must ensure due diligence is paid toward telecom vendors honoring contract terms and conditions and regular reviews are made of all service lines. This is achieved by making sure your team has the capability to properly manage and audit all bills. If a disparity is found, you’ll have the ability to act on it and receive a refund of the overbilled portion. In many cases, we’ve seen recoveries go deep into 6 to 7 figure sums.

The Solution to Your Sourcing Challenges

As the number of available technologies continues to grow and new vendors are coming on the scene while others are being acquired and consolidated with the majors, its become increasingly harder to find a solution that best meets your organization’s needs. Possessing keen insight into the telecom industry, an independent and neutral telecom procurement firm can help you overcome many of the hurdles you’re likely to face.

More and more, companies are leveraging new communications and contact center technologies to create additional competitive advantages for themselves. Enabling their employees with the latest tech to increase productivity, engage with customers better, and unify communications firm-wide in a more simplistic manner, utilizing services like Unified Communications as a Service (or UCaaS), is definitely on the rise.

When it comes to creating a solution and going out to bid with multiple providers, specialized firms like Boon Networks can help organize all the necessary information so everything is available to benchmark the company’s service profile and to ensure all contract stipulations are honored. What’s more, with extensive visibility into many carriers and service providers and having a deep understanding of what they are really willing to provide, telecom procurement firms are perfectly situated to help you become attuned to your specific service needs and can share valuable insights during the entire procurement process.  

To speak with a Boon Networks specialist and discover how we can help with your procurement challenges, get in touch with us.

The post The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement appeared first on BOON NETWORKS.

from https://boonnetworks.com/the-5-biggest-issues-in-telecom-procurement/

from Boon Networks - Blog https://boonnetworks.weebly.com/blog/the-5-biggest-issues-in-telecom-procurement

[boonnetworks]

The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement

Sourcing telecom services for your company is a tricky business. At the enterprise-level, telecom procurement teams face a myriad of services choices and dozens of different vendors to choose from in an ever-changing technological environment.

In the wake of these various challenges, an apathetic attitude toward contract negotiations has taken hold, with organizations choosing to renew agreements instead of seeking out new alternatives that can provide significant cost savings as well as create new operational efficiencies and a higher level of service.  However, at the end of the day, while the problems experienced during telecom procurement are complex and numerous, they can be overcome.

Here are five of the most commonly encountered issues and tips on how to effectively manage them.

1. Inaccurate & Incomplete Data

While accurate data is typically available, most organizations, from lower middle market companies to global enterprises, will often struggle to have all the data needed to provide their procurement teams, in addition to not being organized in a centralized manner that is easily accessible.

If your in-house procurement managers lack insight into your current usage and spend, existing vendor relationships, and are not privy to the Company’s short and long term goals with it’s communications, contact center, and security needs, they are essentially left in the dark and have a big disadvantage in pursing the procurement process. This results in the inability to extract the greatest value, a failure to create the optimal cost-savings, and greatly reduces the chances of designing the most effective solution.

To provide accurate and reliable data, you must perform in-depth and detailed analysis. Conducting a full assessment of the company’s current software and systems used, a detailed baseline of the firm’s telecom spend, and taking into account the company’s expansion plans, acquisitions, consolidations and operational objectives – will enable you to put together the necessary data requirements. And, with the assistance of your outsourced telecom procurement team (yes, that would be us), we can benchmark all of our your requirements and create a detailed RFP to go to market with for the industry leading service providers to bid on.

2. Lack of Industry Experience

The current telecommunications market is evolving faster than ever.  With the constant stream of new technologies and vendors entering the market in addition to the fact that we’re at the beginning stages of a big transition into cloud, mobile based services and a completely connected world with IoT, only those who work within the telecom sector on a daily basis can ever truly understand its nuance.

Your in-house procurement teams and IT service firms are likely skilled at handling and managing large, ongoing contracts, but without an in-depth knowledge of such a volatile market, even with their expertise, negotiating the best rates and understanding which telecom solutions and providers best fit with your needs will nearly be impossible.

To leverage expert telecom insight, organizations must bring on the services of those with long-standing ties and a wide network of relationships in the telecom industry to truly understand the technology and services that are available and present the best solution.

3. Failure to Engage Stakeholders

Stakeholder engagement is a delicate matter and we understand that  telecom service procurement isn’t everyone’s top skillset and it can prove difficult to capture a stakeholder’s imagination when discussing data collection, putting bid packages together and negotiating contracts.

Managing stakeholder expectations and keeping everybody informed are key factors to procurement success. In addition, prioritizing the cost-savings and improved cash flows that are generated as a result is the best method of keeping everyone on-board. 

To ensure this information is expressed as clearly as possible, your procurement team (whether in-house or outsourced) should create detailed reports that provide insight into the facts and figures underpinning the sourcing process as well as an outline of the timelines and each person’s respective involvement. Clear information will provide the best possible chance of obtaining stakeholder sign-off. 

4. Global Delivery Oversight Issues

As communications become more open and the business community becomes more globalized, the bigger the need is for a world view of telecom services. Remote workers, outsourcing partners, and vendors are connecting from all corners of the world whether it be the US, Europe or APAC region. To take advantage of this fact and to facilitate seamless communications, companies need their telecom contracts to be manageable on all continents.

Although vendors are becoming increasingly competent at supporting international telecom installations, the ongoing support needed to ensure success is often far from global.

To alleviate this issue, you need to work alongside a procurement firm that can support your needs on a global scale and coordinate the bidding process with the most suitable partners.  This can help you to ensure that all telecom contract stipulations are honored in full, regardless of which country the services are being delivered in.

5. Price & Service Changes Over Time

The most meaningful figure that a procurement team can impact, regardless of being in-house or outsourced, is your company’s bottom line. Their value as an integral function of the business is directly correlated to generating savings and positively impacting cash flows.

The rate at which telecom providers change pricing and their service profiles is daunting to keep up with, and what may be great technology this year, can essentially become outdated next year and have completely new pricing. If you signed a long term contract at the then current rate, you’re likely overspending based upon the current benchmarked rate for the same service in subsequent years. In addition, if alternative newer technologies were used to service your current needs, not only is it likely that you will benefit from significant savings, you can also achieve more flexibility and new operational efficiencies. Or perhaps you acquired another company that’s on another carrier and/or consolidated offices. Cancelling services to close offices and bringing all services to your existing carrier will typically create additional savings and remove the administrative overhead with managing another vendor. While these all may be small items that remain unnoticed, over time, they add up to be significant sums of money.

To effectively reign in these price and service changes, your procurement teams must ensure due diligence is paid toward telecom vendors honoring contract terms and conditions and regular reviews are made of all service lines. This is achieved by making sure your team has the capability to properly manage and audit all bills. If a disparity is found, you’ll have the ability to act on it and receive a refund of the overbilled portion. In many cases, we’ve seen recoveries go deep into 6 to 7 figure sums.

The Solution to Your Sourcing Challenges

As the number of available technologies continues to grow and new vendors are coming on the scene while others are being acquired and consolidated with the majors, its become increasingly harder to find a solution that best meets your organization’s needs. Possessing keen insight into the telecom industry, an independent and neutral telecom procurement firm can help you overcome many of the hurdles you’re likely to face.

More and more, companies are leveraging new communications and contact center technologies to create additional competitive advantages for themselves. Enabling their employees with the latest tech to increase productivity, engage with customers better, and unify communications firm-wide in a more simplistic manner, utilizing services like Unified Communications as a Service (or UCaaS), is definitely on the rise.

When it comes to creating a solution and going out to bid with multiple providers, specialized firms like Boon Networks can help organize all the necessary information so everything is available to benchmark the company’s service profile and to ensure all contract stipulations are honored. What’s more, with extensive visibility into many carriers and service providers and having a deep understanding of what they are really willing to provide, telecom procurement firms are perfectly situated to help you become attuned to your specific service needs and can share valuable insights during the entire procurement process.  

To speak with a Boon Networks specialist and discover how we can help with your procurement challenges, get in touch with us.

The post The 5 Biggest Issues in Telecom Procurement appeared first on BOON NETWORKS.

from BOON NETWORKS https://boonnetworks.com/the-5-biggest-issues-in-telecom-procurement/

[shamrocksolutionsllc]

5 Reasons to Break Up with Your Legacy OCR System

This time of year, love is on many of our minds. Naturally, we begin taking inventory of our personal relationships and reflecting on what value they add to our lives. Periodically taking inventory of the value your relationships are contributing in your life is a good practice to get into. Not just in your personal life, but professional too. There are probably some relationships there that could use some attention, systems that would benefit you and your organization if they were enhanced. One application that you likely need to move on from is your legacy OCR system. Nothing takes the romance out of relationships quite like costly expansion, outdated functionality, or limited integration capabilities. There’s not much about that to love.

Here are five reasons you might want to call time on your stagnant OCR relationship:

After the first date, they always make you pay!

Many Intelligent Capture Solutions vendors are charging per document type, and even gouging customers with high document throughout costs. Sound familiar? With Shamrock’s Intelligent Capture solution, there’s just one core cost. What does that mean? You can expand the solution across your entire enterprise or with a department-by-department or process-by-process basis, without being penalized or charged for the expansion. Our consultants can help you prioritize and execute your customized rollout plan.

 They’re out of touch.

Would you still borrow your dad’s tweed, elbow-patched jackets to go on dates if you’re a guy, or your mom’s prom dress that’s been gathering dust in the closet for 40 years if you’re a girl? Of course not! Besides being woefully out of date you would look out of place. You shouldn’t let your technology remain stuck in a time warp either. If your Intelligent Capture solution is still reliant on a thick client, you may want to rethink your strategy. Our solution is driven from a browser and is built with a cloud, mobile, and SaaS-first mindset. This means you get the latest features delivered quickly and conveniently, with continuous uptime.

 You feel like you’ve outgrown your partner.

We hate to say it but some spouses rank higher than others, so do systems. If your system significant other is still utilizing the word “template,” turn and run immediately. Our flexible solutions is based upon a set of rules and utilizes sophisticated machine learning (aka AI) to understand the context of the various document types you may encounter. This way, you’re covered no matter how many kinds of documents you might have to process, and which formats you receive them in.

 Communication is poor or minimal.   

Our solution is built on a modern framework of web services and open APIs allowing easy, fast integration into any system. Doesn’t that sound better than the costly, slow, programmatic integration that bogs down your IT staff or requires your vendor to help?

 Your love is not reciprocated.   

Does it ever feel like your partner has, in the immortal words of The Righteous Brothers, lost that loving feeling (cue the Top Gun soundtrack just in time for this summer’s sequel)? We suspect that on balance, the cost of owning your current system vastly outweighs the benefits you derive from it. It’s needy, high-maintenance, and demanding, leaving you feeling exhausted and unappreciated.

You deserve better, and we have just the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact us today to start over with an Intelligent Capture solution that meets your needs, gives you all the latest features, and, maybe even brings you flowers and chocolates from time to time. OK, we made that last bit up.

The post 5 Reasons to Break Up with Your Legacy OCR System appeared first on Shamrock Solutions | Professional Services & Software for Content Management.

source https://shamrocksolutionsllc.com/5-reasons-to-break-up-with-your-legacy-ocr-system/

[emeraldwaves]

Title: A Dragon’s Magic Chapter 6 Pairing:  Kacchako Rating: M Word Count:  5,430 Summary: Uraraka Ochako has always believed in dragons, though she was constantly told they were long since extinct. Now an adult and professional mage, she’s ready to help her parents as a healer for their village. The last thing she expects is for her beliefs to become a reality, but when a dragon attacks her village, she learns there’s more to magic than she ever could’ve realized. Read on AO3 Thanks to @its-love-u-asshole for reading this over. Todoroki is finally here

"I see it!" Uraraka cheered, pointing towards a tower way off in the distance. Katsuki growled. Did she really have to be so energetically happy all the damn time?

Katsuki immediately picked up his pace, scuffing his boots against the ground. "Great, let's walk faster then."

His body ached and his cheeks throbbed. The dragon didn't enjoy feeling the subtle pulses of pain which pressed against his face. He should never have transformed for her last night. He wasn't even sure why he did... Her stupid face looked so fucking eager, and maybe he liked the idea of impressing her... just a bit. Fucking humans were so easily swayed by things they didn't understand, whether it be for good or for bad.

Holding his human form was turning out to be more difficult than he thought. The dragon was desperate to come out, wanting to take over his body... and when he gave it permission last night, it was hard to not stay in it completely.

"Here," Uraraka said, breaking his mind of his thoughts as he turned to the girl next to him. "You'll need your cloak to cover your face." She reached her hand up towards his cheek and he smacked her hand away, grabbing the long red cape from her.

He didn't need a repeat of last night, when their lips were so damn close, noses almost touching. What the hell was that anyway? She didn't say anything, neither of them had, and Katsuki wasn't keen on bringing it up.

"Ah..." She pulled back her hand. "S-Sorry," she stammered. "Are you okay, Bakugou?" she asked. "You seem extra, uhm, upset... today..." she said slowly.

"I'm fucking fine!" he hissed. Like hell he was going to tell her he was in pain and not looking forward to walking through a city of humans.

On the horizon the city appeared, and Katsuki wrinkled his nose. It smelled like smoke... but not the kind he was familiar with. It felt artificial, and even from this far away, the air felt sticky against his bare skin.

He wrapped the cloak around himself, pulling the furry hood up over his head. Uraraka's eyes scanned his body, as if she were looking for something. He jerked his head back, watching her movements carefully. "Oi, what-"

"Good! Okay... if you keep your head angled down a little bit, you should be fine. They shouldn't see the scales on your cheek..." she nodded, continuing towards the bridge which led to the central city.

Katsuki did as he was told, keeping his gaze towards the stone bridge. He hated looking like he was bowing his head to these damn creatures, but the last thing he needed was to get caught in the giant human base. In the small village, he had a chance, especially with Uraraka helping him... here, there was no way he would be able to escape and he doubted she would have any say over anything that happened.

"Todoroki's place is close to the library," Uraraka said, trying once again to make small talk. "I think it's cause he likes to study so much. Or 'research' as he calls it," she laughed.

Katsuki also didn't give a shit about meeting her friend. He was a means to a fucking end. He wanted to get in, find out where dumbass Kirishima was, and then leave. They didn't have time to sit around and catch up... but knowing Uraraka she would want to do just that.

"State your business."

Katsuki stopped walking, turning his gaze to meet the soldier who stood in front of him.

"We're visiting a friend!" Uraraka was quick to jump in. "Todoroki Shouto, he's a mage and my friend from school."

"Yes, I am aware of the scholarly mage," the man said, and Uraraka blinked.

"You are?" she asked. "I uh... Okay! Great!"

"I hope you have a nice visit," the man nodded, bowing to her.

Katsuki blinked, stepping after her as they made their way inside the city gates. It was surprisingly easy to get into the city. Katsuki expected to answer far more questions than that... but perhaps this Todoroki person was more important than Uraraka let on. How many people used his name to get into the city?

The buildings were far taller and closer together than Uraraka's village, and he glanced towards her as she walked through the streets in awe, her mouth wide open. "W-Wow..." she breathed. "This place is huge!" she blinked. "I've never been here before!"

As they came to a crosswalk, Uraraka paused, blinking as she glanced down the streets. "Uhm..."

"What?" Katsuki asked, tilting his head.

"I... actually have no idea where the library is. I-I hope Todoroki is home too... I didn't really have anyway to contact him that I would be coming!" she laughed, rubbing the back of her neck.

"What?!" Katsuki growled. "So you have no fucking clue where you're going!?"

"S-Shh!!" she said, reaching up to cover his mouth.

"MMMPHMMM..." he grunted against her hands, trying to pull back.

"Don't be so loud!" she said. "You're calling attention to us!"

She moved her hands from his mouth and he immediately grabbed her wrist. "Oh and that was inconspicuous as hell!" he scoffed.

"T-The last thing we need is people seeing y-your- your!!" She pointed directly at his face.

"HAH!? You're the one making a fucking scene right now!" he yelled, slapping her finger away from his face.

"W-We'll just have to ask someone then!" She glanced down one of the pathways, noting the stalls lining the streets. "Look!" she said, pointing yet again. "There are plenty of vendors down there. I'm sure one of them knows where the library is and we can figure out where Todoroki is from there!" she said, looking rather proud of her plan she clearly pulled out of her damn ass.

"Whatever, Cheeks," he huffed, waving his hand. "You lead the fucking way." He was already tired, the energy in the city draining him. There were so many humans and smells overwhelming his senses. Already five or six people bumped into him and he was ready to absolutely cut their throats out. "Can we please just get a fucking move on-"

"Uraraka!?" A voice called out, and both of them turned to see a young man standing in the middle of the street. His hair was strange, half white and half red, split perfectly down the middle and large scar covered part of his eye.

"T-Todoroki!" she gasped. "We found you!"

~~

She never felt so damn relieved in her whole life.

"T-Todoroki! We found you!" she blurted out upon seeing him.

He blinked, his multi-colored eyes widening. "You were looking for me?" he asked, still standing awkwardly in the middle of the road. Todoroki was never the best at social interaction.

Letting out a sigh of relief, she approached him first. "Yes, thank goodness we found you."

"We?" he asked, glancing at her once again.

"Mhm! This is Bakugou!" she paused, not wanting to tell Todoroki everything out loud on a crowded street. She knew he would be thrilled to say the least, and surrounded by a large amount of people didn't seem to be the time and the place. "He's... uhm... actually..."

"Your boyfriend?"

Ochako's face lit up completely red. "W-What!?" she flailed her hands up and down, shaking her head quickly. Her brown hair whipped against her cheeks. "N-No! Nothing like that!" she hurried

Why would Todoroki think that? They weren't even standing next to each other! Sure, they had one awkward almost kiss the night before, but there was no way Todoroki would know about that!

"Ah. Sorry," he said, nodding his head.

"He's just a friend!" she squeaked out and Bakugou stepped by her.

"Oi. Half and Half," he said, pulling his hood back enough to show his scales, exactly what Ochako didn't want him to do. "We got a fuckin' problem. You gonna talk to us or not?"

Todoroki's eyes widened, his gaze shimmering with excitement and confusion as he stared at Bakugou's face. "Let's... Let's get back to my place," he nodded, glancing at Ochako.

"Yeah, good plan," she nodded. Walking next to Bakugou, she followed Todoroki's brisk pace. "You shouldn't just pull your hood back like that!" she hissed.

"Okay, Mom," he snorted.

"Do you want to get caught?!" she frowned, reaching up to smack the backside of his head.

"OI!" he yelled, and Todoroki turned to look back at them, tilting his head.

"We're fine..." she said, waving her hand quickly.

She folded her arms, and tried to focus on the sights, instead of how stupid Bakugou was being.

Admittedly, Ochako wasn't sure what to expect when they made it to the city, and so far the entire experience only made her anxious. There were far more people than she initially anticipated and she kept glancing towards Bakugou, nervous his cloak would fall off and people would notice his scales immediately. Of course, he obviously didn't care, since he was willing to take it off to show anyone!

She sighed, and tried to focus on the buildings. They were packed tightly together and Ochako wondered what it would be like to leave your house everyday and see so many people... so many faces you didn't recognize. Back home, Ochako knew everyone and a simple walk into town would elicit at least four or five 'good morning's.

It actually surprised her Todoroki would live in a place like this. She assumed it probably had plenty of supplies and information, so the trade off was worth it.

Not wishing to deal with Bakugou's huffy attitude, she skipped ahead, standing next to Todoroki. "It's good to see you Todoroki!" she smiled.

His hands were wrapped around the bag full of various supplies. The deep red and ice blue gems on the bracelets which wrapped around his hands glistened in the daylight. Ochako was certain she had never seen Todoroki without the jewelry.

"It is... good to see you too, Uraraka," he nodded. "Though... surprising. I didn't receive word you were coming."

"Actually, I, uh, didn't send word!" she laughed nervously. "It's been a whirlwind of a few days."

"I can only assume," he muttered, glancing back at Bakugou. The angry blond stomped down the street, hands shoved into his pockets. He looked annoyed, glaring at anyone who looked his way. At least that stopped people from staring too long.

"Yeah... I can explain when we're in private."

"Indeed," Todoroki nodded. "This should not be discussed in public."

They continued down the street, pushing past crowds of people until they came upon a large building. It was white with a golden dome on top, and large stairs led up to a pillared entrance. "What is that?!" Ochako gasped, her eyes widening.

"The library. It's rather large inside. Later we might have to use it," he admitted. "Depending on... what you have to say."

"It's just a giant fucking building, who cares. Keep moving," Bakugou muttered, pushing his hand against Ochako's back.

"A-Ah! O-Okay!" she blushed, continuing forward.

"My place is only a bit away."

Todoroki wasn't joking when he said he lived close to the library. Just on the other side of the street, he stopped at a thin building, pulling a key out. He opened the door, hurrying them both inside.

The room was small, full of various bottles and potions, trinkets Ochako had never seen before. There was a small kitchen and table off to the side, as well as shelves of books. There was a staircase in the back which probably led to his bedroom, and knowing Todoroki... more books. It was incredibly organized. Far more organized than Ochako could ever dream of being.

"You're not human are you?" Todoroki asked, placing his bag of new supplies on the table.

"Cutting right to the chase, are you Half and Half?" Bakugou snorted, yanking his hood down. The scales glistened in the sunlight pouring in through the front windows. His ears were long and noticeable now without the hood as well and Ochako hated how much she blushed looking at how attractive he looked.

"I don't see any reason to dance around the subject. This is clearly why you're here, is it not?" he asked, turning towards Ochako.

She bit her lip. "It is... Bakugou is... a dragon."

Todoroki's eyes widened. "A dragon?! An actual, thought to be extinct, dragon?" he gasped and immediately stepped towards him.

"Don't touch me!" he growled, angrily glaring at Todoroki. "And I swear to fucking hell..." Bakugou snorted. "Why the hell do all humans think dragons are extinct?!"

"Because technically you are... As far as humans are aware... dragons do not exist."

Bakugou clicked his tongue. "Yeah because that's what we wanted you to fucking think," he snarled.

"Exactly, so forgive us if we look at you as something we didn't believe to exist," Todoroki scoffed, folding his arms.

"Uraraka," Bakugou hissed, pointing his finger out in Todoroki's direction. "Who is this fucker again?"

Todoroki's eyes widened and blinked at the finger in front of him.

Ochako sighed, and rubbed her forehead. "Please, Bakugou, there's no need to be rude. Todoroki is a professional mage. We went to school together for awhile, but he graduated before me. He's an incredibly gifted elemental mage. He can manipulate ice and fire at the same time."

"Hah?" Bakugou leaned forward, glaring at the other man. "Where the fuck is your staff or whatever?"

Todoroki tilted his head, glancing towards Ochako. "Staff?"

"Oh! Dragons don't need... magical objects to perform magic," she explained.

"Ah," Todoroki nodded and held up both his hands. Across the back of his palm where two different hand bracelets. One was blue and shimmered like ice, the other was a bright red, glowing orange like fire. He had the ability to shift his magical current internally, making it easy for him to switch between the two elements. "I wear these all the time. I often forget I have them on."

"Mmmm," Bakugou grunted. "I don't care about his mage status. Do you know where Kirishima is or not?!"

"Kiri... who?" Todoroki asked, again looking confused. He was shockingly unfazed by Bakugou's outbursts, and Ochako shook her head, moving towards Bakugou.

"You can't just ask him that without explaining things further," she said.

"Yes," Todoroki nodded, pressing his fingers against his forehead. "Please explain to me why you have a dragon with you and why he apparently is also a human. Don't get me wrong... I'm thrilled my theories on the existence of dragons isn't incorrect. However, I am very lost..."

Ochako pulled out a chair from the table, taking a seat. "That's understandable!" she giggled. "I mean we did just sort of show up out of the blue and were like 'Hi we need help also he's a dragon!'"

"Yes," Todoroki laughed, taking a seat next to her. "That is exactly what happened."

Sighing, she glanced at Bakugou. "He attacked our village a few days ago... and they caught him, chained him up and were about to kill him, but I protected him," she explained. "Of course, that got me banished from my village."

"Banished?" Todoroki blinked. "Your town is harsh."

"S'not fuckin' harsh!" Bakugou snapped, interrupting. "I tried to destroy their fucking village and this idiot jumps in front of me. I don't know what the hell she was thinking!"

Todoroki frowned, glaring up at the blond. "She was thinking she wanted to help you. You should be thanking her. Though... I am surprised you gave up living in your village."

"Oi-"

"Bakugou, please, it's fine..." she said, shaking her head at him. "I... I couldn't let them kill him," she explained. "Right in front of my very eyes was the creature I'd always believed in... and I needed to know more. You get it, right Todoroki?"

"Mmmm," he nodded. "Yes. It's nice to have things... confirmed."

"You two dragon loving freaks," Bakugou hissed, folding his arms.

"I only wish he was more pleasant," Todoroki sighed.

"I know. He's got this awful personality. It really makes me wonder if all dragons are like this," she muttered.

"OI!" Bakugou snarled, slamming his hand down onto the table. "Don't talk about me like I'm not fucking here."

Ochako rolled her eyes, and turned back to Todoroki. "Bakugou explained to me that dragons are running out of magic... he thought we were taking it from them, but we're not. He didn't realize humans don't naturally have magic like dragons do," she explained.

"Shitty Cheeks!" he snarled. "I didn't say you could tell everyone our life fucking story!" Air huffed from his mouth and Ochako sighed again.

"Bakugou... Todoroki is going to help us. He knows more about dragons than anyone I know! That's why we became friends!" she laughed softly.

"Yes. My childhood was... less than pleasant," he said, not wanting to elaborate anymore than he needed. "I spent most of it reading and researching. I wanted to be the best at magic and I wanted to discover new and exciting things. I've always believed in the mythical... there are too many eye witness accounts to not... and I've been doing dragon research ever since. Whenever there is any news, I hear about it. In fact, I heard about your attack... however the rumors have been so scattered and unclear, I was uncertain if any of it was true. Apparently it was..."

"You heard about it?!" Ochako gasped. "Word travels fast!"

"Words don't need to sleep and stop at night, slowing us down!" Bakugou hissed.

Pouting, Ochako folded her arms. "I brought you here because I thought Todoroki could help us! Not have you sass me!" she huffed and turned back towards her friend. "A-Anyway... I thought you might be able to help us," Ochako smiled. "Bakugou had a friend he was with, and they were separated. Have you heard any other rumors? Besides the ones from our town I mean..."

Todoroki stood up, pushing away from the table. "It's funny you mention this. I was out shopping for supplies to leave tomorrow. A village just a days walk away apparently has captured a red dragon. It's not public news, I simply heard about it from various informants. I was hoping to learn more. There have been rumors of a dragon in a neighboring city as well... but I've been hearing about that for years, with no solid information to find. Of course... seeing as you can take on the forms of humans. I suppose anything is possible. There could be many dragons hiding among us. But since you and your friend just appeared, Bakugou, I take it the red dragon is the one we will be searching for?"

"Mmm... sounds like him..." Bakugou muttered.

Todoroki approached him, his eyes intently staring at the scales on his cheek. "Care to explain these more?" he asked, pointing. "It's a dead giveaway for what you are."

"Stay the fuck away from me, Half and Half!" he snapped.

Ochako stood up and adjusted her hat. "It's impossible to get him to tell me anything, but... he did explain the dragon is his true form. He needs magic to hold the human one and since he's running out-"

"You don't have enough to maintain your disguise..." Todoroki said.

"Shut up!" Bakugou hissed.

"It's important to note. Who would've guessed dragons can take on a human form as well," he mumbled. "Or that they don't need magical items to use magic. But I don't understand why you thought humans would be taking your magic?" Todoroki asked.

"Who the fuck else would it be?!" Bakugou hissed.

"Obviously someone else since it's not humans," Todoroki stated bluntly. "What else can you tell me?"

"Nothing!" Bakugou snapped, folding his arms. "You don't need to know anything else!"

"Right," Todoroki sighed, glancing towards Ochako knowingly. "I will join you then. I will take you to the village where the other dragon is thought to be and-"

"Fucking forget it! You're not coming with us!" Bakugou hissed.

"B-Bakugou!" Ochako snapped, stomping her foot against the ground. "Todoroki is trying to help us!"

"Fuck!" Bakugou growled. "I've had enough of you fucking humans. Thinking you can shove your face in my fucking business. You can stay here with him and I'll go get Kirishima myself!"

"You have no idea where you're going!" she yelled back. "Stop being so rude!"

"FUCK!" he yelled again and shoved his hood up over his head. He yanked the front door open and stormed outside, slamming it immediately shut behind him.

"B-Bakugou! You can't just-" she cried out and stepped forward to follow him, but Todoroki gently touched her shoulder.

"You're right, he has no idea where he's going. He'll come back," he nodded.

Ochako bit her lip. Bakugou was the type to go off and do plenty of stupid things anyway... "I'll be... I'll be right back, Todoroki," she nodded and followed Bakugou out the door.

~~

The problem with being in the city was that Bakugou was frustrated as all hell with humans and the only thing fucking surrounding him were goddamn humans. He growled, keeping the hood over his head and turned down the main street, walking briskly.

It felt like his worst goddamn nightmare was coming true... surrounded by human mages, he couldn't even maintain his stupid form. His face throbbed so much... he just wanted to rip the scales from under his skin... or change into his dragon form... He knew he couldn't cave to those desires.

Todoroki was worse than Uraraka. Bakugou couldn't place why, but he hated the guy. He just wanted to go and get Kirishima back... why did they need to make it a huge quest!?

"B-Bakugou!" he heard her voice cut through the crowd and he began to walk faster. Couldn't the idiot just cut him a fucking break!?

"Bakugou!" she yelled again, her voice closer. He honed in on the sound of her boots, the gentle tap against the cobblestone. He couldn't start running, it would call far too much attention to himself, and in the moment he spent thinking of what to do, he felt her gentle hand wrap around his.

"Oi!" he snapped, pulling back. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Just leave me the fuck alone!" he growled.

"B-Bakugou, please! What if you get lost and then..." she sighed, stopping herself as she glanced down at their hands, slowly pulling away. "If... you really want to leave... you can. The whole point of freeing you was so... you could be free to do as you wanted," she whispered, her brown eyes staring at the ground.

He blinked at her, watching the sadness take over her features as people in the street passed them by, walking around them without a second glance.

His cheeks heated up suddenly. What the hell was this!? Why the fuck did she have to have such a cute fucking sad face!? He rubbed his forehead and grit his teeth. "Look, there's a lot of fucking humans here and it sucks, okay?"

"Yeah... it's even too much for me," she giggled softly, still unable to look him in the eye.

Reaching forward, he grabbed her hand. "C'mon," he said and dragged her back towards Todoroki's place.

"Are we going back?" she asked, gripping her hat as he tugged her along aggressively.

"No. Just... shut up for two goddamn seconds!" he hissed and pulled her towards the steps of the library, taking a seat on the edge. "I was trying to find a less crowded place than the goddamn street."

"Yeah... that was pretty packed," she said, glancing to the section they came with people walking to and fro.

"I don't want Todoroki to come with us," he stated bluntly. "You already told him too goddamn much. Humans don't deserve to know about us!"

His voice was far too loud and he knew it, but he didn't care. He needed her to understand. "You can stay here with Todoroki and do all your stupid magic research and I'll go get Kirishima and we can fucking leave and you never have to hear from us again!" he said, tapping his foot angrily against the ground.

Ochako stared at him, tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. "Is... Is that really what you want?"

He froze. Why the hell did she have to fucking cry about it!? Was she so damn attached already? He supposed it was his fault she had to leave her village... there was a very small part of him which still felt guilty about that.

"Fuck," he snapped. "When you make that stupid face, how the hell am I supposed to know what I want?" His voice was quiet as he spoke out the words.

"A-Ah!" she gasped, and wiped her eyes quickly. "I-I'm sorry Bakugou," she said. "I'm just... I keep going back and forth between missing home and being so excited to adventure and see the world!" she admitted. "The thought of it ending so quickly... made me sad I guess..."

He bit down on his lip and ran his hand down his face. Stupid cute Cheeks and her tears and her genuine act… the way she wanted to actually stay with him after he was nothing but rude. What the hell was her damn problem?

And why the hell did he care about how she felt?

Finally, he pushed himself up. "Fine. You and Todoroki can take me to Kirishima. But the second we get him, me and him are fucking leaving!"

"Okay, Bakugou," she nodded, her eyes still trembling. Why?! He just said she could come with him. Fucking women made no sense.

"And no more goddamn questions! I won't be answering anything else!" he continued, folding his arms across his chest.

"R-Right," she replied.

"And stop telling shitty Half and Half about my shit!" he snapped, watching as tears began to fall freely from her eyes.

"Oi..." he muttered, gently patting her head. "Why the fuck are you still crying?"

"I-I'm just... I'm just really happy it's not over..." she whispered.

"So don't fucking cry then," he growled. He wanted some peace and quiet, but it was obvious this was not going to happen in this goddamn city. "Let's go," he snapped, wrapping his hand around her wrist.

"Okay," she nodded, and slid her hand down his wrist down so their hands linked together. As much as he hated humans, he didn't mind holding hands with her.

~~

"Welcome back," Todoroki said, opening the door after Bakugou rudely banged on the front of it.

"Thanks Todoroki..." Ochako muttered. "Sorry for the delay. We can all go find the red dragon together."

"Good. We can leave tomorrow as planned. Are there any supplies you need?"

"Maybe... it wouldn't be a bad idea to walk around the vendors," Ochako nodded.

"Mmm," Bakugou growled, his arms folded across his chest as he stormed towards the couch, flopping down on it. "I'm staying right here. Like hell I'm going to walk around all those humans."

"That's probably for the best. The last thing we need is you getting noticed," Todoroki admitted.

"Get her warmer fucking clothes!" he called out, waving his hand back and forth.

"Ah! Yes! I really should... get my own cloak!" she giggled.

Todoroki nodded, grabbing his wallet as he led her towards the door, opening it so they could step outside. She glanced back, watching Bakugou laze about on the couch. He looked comfortable, and he probably would be thankful for the peace and quiet.

Shutting the door behind her, she let out a sigh. Being away from him would probably be just as good for her. She was constantly stressing he would leave and taking a break to catch up with Todoroki sounded nice.

"We probably should discuss some things away from him anyway," he said, leading her down the street.

"I kinda thought the same thing!" she giggled. "Well... he's not that bad... when you get to know him. He has his... soft moments."

"I'm sure. I don't know how you would put up with him otherwise."

"He's..." she trailed off, her cheeks flushing. She didn't really know how to describe what Bakugou was in regards to her. Even with his unruly behavior, she didn't hate him... in fact, she found him oddly endearing. "He's... a dragon!" she laughed. "I can't help but... want to learn more."

"Yes. About that..." Todoroki began, navigating through the crowd of people. "Tell me what you know."

"I basically already have. They don't need magical objects to use magic... the dragon is his true form and he uses magic to hold the human one," she explained. "I figured that one out on my own when he shifted back to human form and couldn't get rid of his scales."

"So his face is stuck like that?" Todoroki asked.

Ochako couldn't help but laugh. She forgot how blunt Todoroki could often be. "Yeah... as far as I can tell..."

"Human forms..." he muttered, tapping his chin. "There could be so many dragons we don't know about."

"I don't know..." Ochako admitted, glancing at some of the cloaks on one of the racks the street vendor had placed out. "From how he speaks, it doesn't sound like there are many dragons left. At least on the island he mentioned."

"So they live on an island. Of course, there could be more hiding as humans here. It makes me wonder about the information I have regarding the other dragon."

"The other one?" she asked.

"Yes... apparently there is another dragon in a neighboring city... living with a powerful mage..." he explained. "The rumors are strange though... they don't make much sense. It was something I tried finding out about but... when I went to the city the mage was mysteriously absent," he explained. "But it makes me wonder if the dragon took on a human form..."

"It's possible..." she said and pulled a pink cloak from the hanger, stepping into the vendor to pay.

"Thank you for coming to me," Todoroki admitted.

"Please," she said, folding it up as she bowed to the man. "You were the first person I thought of. No one else believed in dragons as much as me!" she giggled. "I mean... Deku and Iida were always on my side but it was different with you."

"Mmm..." he nodded. Ochako was aware of Todoroki's frustrating past. His father was a well-known professional mage... he worked with fire, and he was incredibly talented at it. Todoroki's father had pushed Todoroki to use multiple kinds of magic, wanting him to surpass even the strongest of mages. It took a toll on Todoroki when he was much younger, which was why he researched dragons and other mythical creatures... as a means to escape.

He and Ochako had bonded at the magic academy they attended together. Though the boy was quiet and blunt, they worked well together.

"Are you okay, Uraraka?" he asked, breaking her from her thoughts. He held some fruit in his hand, pulling more into his bag. They would most likely need to stock up on food for the trip.

"Ah! What do you mean?" she asked, surprised by the question. "I'm doing fine!"

"What about your parents? Iida and Deku?"

She pursed her lips, looking towards the ground. "I... I do miss them..." she said softly. "I think I keep focusing on this journey and solving the 'mystery of the dragons'... it... hasn't really hit me that I can't go back," she said softly.

"I see..." Todoroki muttered, paying for the food supplies he grabbed. "I'm sorry to bring up something painful."

"It-It's okay!" she said, looking determined again. "We're all going together to find out more about dragons! It's a dream come true, Todoroki!"

"Indeed," he said, nodding with a small smile. "I look forward to traveling with you."

"Me too," she smiled.

The two walked together, gathering supplies, and though the sense of excitement still bubbled in Ochako's chest, she couldn't help but worry the end of their quest was looming dangerously on the horizon.

She didn't want this to end... unsure of where she would go once Bakugou inevitably left her. As much as she was drawn to him, she knew he wouldn't want her to stay with him forever. They were from two completely different worlds, eventually it would all fall apart. The idea made her chest ache... and it was a pain she wasn't quite ready to face.