#cloud based phone services

[vitelglobal]

VoIP video calling works by using an internet connection to transmit audio and video data between two or more devices. This data is sent in packets over the internet, using protocols such as RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). The devices used for VoIP video calling can range from computers and smartphones to dedicated video conferencing systems.

For more details to visit our website - https://www.vitelglobal.in

[virtualphonesystems]

Understanding VoIP Solutions: Enhancing Your PBX Phone System with Modern Technology

In today's fast-paced business environment, effective communication is paramount. One of the most significant advancements in this area is the integration of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions with traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone systems. This article explores how VoIP enhances PBX systems, making them more efficient and adaptable to modern business needs.

What is VoIP?

VoIP technology allows voice calls to be made over the internet rather than through traditional telephone lines. This shift not only reduces costs but also increases flexibility and scalability for businesses. By utilizing a VoIP phone number, companies can easily manage their communication needs without being tied to physical infrastructure.

The Role of PBX Phone Systems

A PBX phone system serves as a central hub for managing incoming and outgoing calls within an organization. It enables features such as call routing, voicemail, and conference calling. Modern PBX systems can be either on-premises or hosted in the cloud, offering businesses various options based on their specific requirements.

Benefits of Integrating VoIP with PBX

Cost Efficiency: VoIP solutions are generally more cost-effective than traditional phone services, especially for long-distance calls. By integrating VoIP with a PBX system, businesses can significantly reduce their telecommunication expenses.

Enhanced Features: Modern VoIP systems offer advanced features such as auto attendants, call queues, and voicemail-to-email capabilities. These functionalities improve customer service and streamline internal communication.

Scalability: As businesses grow, their communication needs evolve. VoIP solutions allow for easy expansion of phone lines and features without the need for extensive hardware upgrades.

Remote Work Compatibility: With the rise of remote work, having a flexible communication system is crucial. VoIP-enabled PBX systems allow employees to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, maintaining productivity outside the office.

Unified Communications: Integrating VoIP with PBX systems facilitates unified communications by combining voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single platform. This integration enhances teamwork and improves overall efficiency.

Choosing a Business Phone Service Provider

Selecting the right business phone service provider is critical for successfully implementing VoIP solutions within your PBX system. Look for providers that offer:

Reliable customer support

Competitive pricing

A range of features tailored to your business needs

Scalability options to grow with your organization

Providers like Vitel Global offer comprehensive solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems while providing robust support and feature sets tailored to various business sizes and industries (Vitel Global).

Conclusion

Integrating VoIP solutions with your PBX phone system is a strategic move that can enhance your business's communication capabilities significantly. By leveraging modern technology, organizations can achieve cost savings, improved functionality, and greater flexibility in their operations. As businesses continue to adapt to changing environments, embracing these technologies will be essential for maintaining competitive advantage in the market. For more insights on how to optimize your business communication systems, visit Vitel Global.

[phonesuitedirect]

5G technology can offer advantages that have the potential to revolutionize the hotel landscape. Let’s take some time to dive deeper into how and why this next-generation wireless technology could have major implications for your business. Read More...

[phonesuite]

Explore the Benefits of Cloud-Based Phone Systems for the Hospitality Industry: A comprehensive analysis of how cloud technology enhances communication efficiency, reduces costs, and improves guest experiences in hotels and restaurants. Learn More...

[sffgtrhyjhmnzdt]

The Future of Communication is in the Cloud: Unleashing Cpass Advancements

In an era dominated by digital transformation, the way businesses communicate has undergone a remarkable evolution. Cloud technologies have emerged as the backbone of this transformation, enabling unprecedented connectivity and collaboration. At the forefront of this revolution is Cpass, a cutting-edge cloud communication platform for business in the USA designed to redefine the future of communication for businesses in the USA.

Cpass, short for Cloud Pass, is not just another acronym in the tech world. It represents a paradigm shift in the way cloud based phone systems for business in usa businesses approach communication systems. This section delves into the fundamentals of Cpass, exploring its architecture, capabilities, and the unique advantages it brings to the Voxvalley business landscape.

Discover how Cpass stands out with its advanced features, such as real-time communication, scalability, and seamless integration with existing systems. Learn how these features set the stage for a more efficient and dynamic communication landscape, 

One of the primary concerns for businesses is security. Explore the robust security measures embedded in Cpass, cloud voip phone services in the USA ensuring that sensitive data is protected throughout the communication process. From end-to-end encryption to secure APIs, Cpass is designed to provide a safe and secure communication environment for businesses.

Unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence within Cpass tailored for businesses. Discover how AI is seamlessly integrated to enhance communication experiences. From chatbots for customer support to predictive analytics, Cpass is at the forefront of intelligent communication solutions 

Business Collaboration 

Explore how Cpass is transforming the way businesses collaborate. From virtual meetings to collaborative document editing, businesses are leveraging Cpass to streamline communication and enhance productivity.

Embracing the Future of Best Cloud Communications Services in USA

As we navigate the evolving landscape of communication technologies in the USA, it's evident that Cpass is leading the charge. This section emphasizes the significance of adopting Cpass for businesses in the USA to stay ahead in the competitive digital space. The future of communication is indeed in the cloud, and Cpass is the key to unlocking its full potential for businesses in the USA.

Closing Thoughts

The blog post concludes by emphasizing the imperative for businesses in the USA to explore Cpass and leverage its advancements for a more efficient, secure, and intelligent communication future. As technology continues to evolve, embracing solutions like Cpass becomes not just a choice but a necessity for cloud based phone systems for business in the USA aiming to thrive in the dynamic world of communication.

[bettys-redwinesupernova]

HEAD OVER HEELS

drew starkey x fem!reader

(mood board does NOT depict readers appearance !!)

SUMMARY: in which drew starkey is head over heels in love with his girlfriend, y/n.

based on this ask !! i really hope you like this anon, you didn’t request a specific plot so i went with this :)

WARNINGS: pure fluff, obsessed!drew but in a cutie patootie way !! (lmk if i missed anything !!)

A/N: i promise guys i will sort out making a master list tonight !! for now, click on my personalised tags like #bettys asks !!

WORD COUNT: 1k

THIRD PERSON +

Drew couldn't stop talking about her. His girlfriend, Y/N, that is.

His castmates on the Outer Banks set had long since grown used to it, though they still teased him mercilessly. It wasn't unusual for him to pull out his phone between takes and scroll through pictures of her, showing anyone who would listen. Even Chase joked once, "You know, Drew, we've all met her. You don't have to keep proving she exists."

But Drew didn't care. He loved talking about her. Loved the way her smile lit up his entire day, the way her laughter felt like sunshine breaking through clouds. Y/N was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he wasn't shy about letting everyone know it.

"She's visiting today," Drew announced, a giddy grin spreading across his face as he leaned against the craft services table.

Madelyn raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. "You've only mentioned that about a hundred times this week."

"Yeah, and what's your point?" Drew shot back, unbothered. He grabbed a bottle of water and opened it, taking a sip before adding, "I just can't wait for you guys to see her again. She's incredible."

Madelyn exchanged a knowing look with Rudy, who was attempting (and failing) to suppress a laugh.

When Y/N finally arrived on set that afternoon, Drew spotted her instantly. She stepped out of the car, her hair slightly tousled from the coastal breeze, and his entire world seemed to pause. She was wearing his favorite sundress—the one he'd told her once made her look like a walking daydream—and he couldn't stop the wide, lovesick smile that overtook his face.

"Y/N!" Drew called out, practically sprinting toward her.

Before she could respond, he had her wrapped in his arms, lifting her off the ground as she let out a surprised laugh.

"Joseph Andrew Starkey! Put me down!" she exclaimed, though she was grinning just as much as he was.

"Not a chance," he replied, spinning her around once before finally setting her back on her feet. "God, I missed you."

"You saw me three days ago," she teased, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"And that's three days too long," he said without missing a beat, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

It didn't take long for the rest of the cast to spot her. Chase and Rudy came over to say hi, both of them giving her warm hugs and cracking jokes about how Drew had been "insufferable" without her.

"You're a saint for putting up with him," Rudy quipped, earning a playful shove from Drew.

Y/N laughed, her cheeks flushing slightly as Drew laced their fingers together. "He's not so bad," she said, glancing up at Drew with a soft smile.

"Not so bad?" Drew repeated, feigning offense. "I'll have you know I'm the perfect boyfriend."

"And humble, too," she teased, nudging him lightly.

The group chatted for a while before Drew pulled her away, eager to have her to himself. He brought her to his trailer, where he'd set up a small surprise for her: a bouquet of her favorite flowers and a handwritten note resting on the table.

"Drew," she said softly, her eyes shining as she turned to look at him. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to," he said, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her waist. "You deserve it. You deserve everything."

She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest as she took a deep breath. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

"Not possible," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

For the rest of the day, Drew was glued to her side. He introduced her to everyone on set—again—even though most of them already knew her from her previous visits. But it didn't matter to Drew. He wanted to show her off, to let the world see just how amazing she was.

During breaks in filming, he would find her wherever she was sitting and drape himself over her like an oversized golden retriever. "You comfortable?" he'd ask, despite the fact that he was the one taking up all the space.

"Very," she'd reply, laughing as she adjusted to make room for him.

When it came time for Drew to shoot his scenes, Y/N watched from the sidelines, her eyes filled with pride. He'd glance over at her between takes, flashing her a grin or a wink, and her heart would flutter every time.

At one point, Madelyn leaned over to Y/N and whispered, "He's like this all the time, you know. Completely obsessed with you."

Y/N's cheeks turned pink, but she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "I'm not complaining," she said softly, her gaze never leaving Drew.

By the time the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the set, Drew was practically attached to her hip. He posted a candid photo of her sitting on a beach chair, the ocean in the background and a soft smile on her face. The caption was simple: My favourite view.

"You're going to make people sick with how sweet you are," she joked when she saw the post.

"Good," he said, pulling her into his arms. "Let them be sick. I don't care."

That night, as they sat on the beach together, watching the waves crash against the shore, Drew couldn't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

"I love you," he said suddenly, his voice soft but steady.

She turned to look at him, her eyes wide and a little surprised.

"I mean it," he continued, his gaze locked on hers. "I love you. More than anything."

A smile spread across her face, and she reached up to cup his cheek. "I love you too, Drew."

In that moment, with the stars beginning to twinkle above them and the sound of the ocean in the background, Drew felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be. With her.

Always with her.

(divider by @kodaswrld !!)

betty’s notes ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚

this was so sweet :’) there’s something about guys who are so lovesick and obsessed with their gf’s that just MELTS my heart😫

i’m still working my way through all my requests from oldest to newest (except a couple i got good inspiration for), so please be patient if you’ve recently requested something !! <3

[vitelglobalindia]

Business Phone Solutions that suit all your business needs | Vitel Global

Vitel Global offers customized business phone services to all types of #businesses. With the latest features on the table – #videoconferencing, Text messaging, #groupchat, and mobility. There are tons of features available along with these. Get in touch with us today for more information about the Cloud Phone services that suit your business.

Learn more about Cloud-based Business Phone Solutions Right Now

[ipcommunications]

A Detailed Guide on Cloud Phone Systems or Cloud Solutions

Cloud-based phone systems have become immensely popular in businesses across the globe. Several service providers have jumped into the business and offering cloud phone systems based on VoIP technology. This has only helped companies to cut down business communication-related expenditures and, at the same time, enjoy better flexibility and scalability.

What Are Cloud-Based Phone Systems?

Cloud-based phone systems or cloud solutions are a kind of telephone service that allows businesses to place calls over the Internet. Cloud phone solutions are hosted outside secure data centers, and the benefit is that companies will not have to install any hardware at the workplace or hire a team to manage it. It is also given the name of cloud PBX or hosted PBX, but the difference is that it uses VoIP technology to manage calls over the cloud IP network.

Do You Seriously Need A Cloud Phone System?

There is no doubt that secure cloud systems can be beneficial for businesses as they trim down expenditures and ensure smooth performance. These phone systems are suitable for small businesses and large corporations also. While determining whether you need it or not, here are a few points to keep in mind.

•       The Available Equipment

•       The Telecommunication Budget

•       Requirements Related To Flexibility

•       Requirements Related To Business Scalability

•       Level of Control You Want Over the Business Communication System

Features of Cloud Solutions

These systems are highly advanced and have features that are not seen in the traditional phone or on premise PBX systems. As a business owner, you will get the flexibility to add and remove parts as per your business’s requirements. Some major functions found in cloud solutions are listed below.

•       Unified Communication

•       Inexpensive International Calling

•       Video Conferencing To Make Remote Working Easier

•       Multiple Device Support

•       Instant Messaging To Several Devices in One Click

•       Artificial Intelligence like Converting Speech-To-Text and Performing Sentiment Analysis

•       Auto Attendant

•       Collaboration Features

•       Virtual Voicemail

•       Voicemail to Email Transcription

•       Sip Forking

•       Ring Groups Integration

•       Block List and Allow List

•       Interactive Voice Response or IVR

•       Direct Inward Dialling or DID

With these features, these cloud solutions offer several benefits, like they become a cost-saving decision. Businesses can also be assured of full-proof security and ease of use. With these cloud solutions, they have access to the latest telecommunication features, and also these cloud solutions are highly flexible and scalable.

[reasonsforhope]

"As a Deaf man, Adam Munder has long been advocating for communication rights in a world that chiefly caters to hearing people. 

The Intel software engineer and his wife — who is also Deaf — are often unable to use American Sign Language in daily interactions, instead defaulting to texting on a smartphone or passing a pen and paper back and forth with service workers, teachers, and lawyers. 

It can make simple tasks, like ordering coffee, more complicated than it should be. 

But there are life events that hold greater weight than a cup of coffee. 

Recently, Munder and his wife took their daughter in for a doctor’s appointment — and no interpreter was available. 

To their surprise, their doctor said: “It’s alright, we’ll just have your daughter interpret for you!” ...

That day at the doctor’s office came at the heels of a thousand frustrating interactions and miscommunications — and Munder is not isolated in his experience.

“Where I live in Arizona, there are more than 1.1 million individuals with a hearing loss,” Munder said, “and only about 400 licensed interpreters.”

In addition to being hard to find, interpreters are expensive. And texting and writing aren’t always practical options — they leave out the emotion, detail, and nuance of a spoken conversation. 

ASL is a rich, complex language with its own grammar and culture; a subtle change in speed, direction, facial expression, or gesture can completely change the meaning and tone of a sign. 

“Writing back and forth on paper and pen or using a smartphone to text is not equivalent to American Sign Language,” Munder emphasized. “The details and nuance that make us human are lost in both our personal and business conversations.”

His solution? An AI-powered platform called Omnibridge. 

“My team has established this bridge between the Deaf world and the hearing world, bringing these worlds together without forcing one to adapt to the other,” Munder said. 

Trained on thousands of signs, Omnibridge is engineered to transcribe spoken English and interpret sign language on screen in seconds...

“Our dream is that the technology will be available to everyone, everywhere,” Munder said. “I feel like three to four years from now, we're going to have an app on a phone. Our team has already started working on a cloud-based product, and we're hoping that will be an easy switch from cloud to mobile to an app.” ...

At its heart, Omnibridge is a testament to the positive capabilities of artificial intelligence. "

-via GoodGoodGood, October 25, 2024. More info below the cut!

To test an alpha version of his invention, Munder welcomed TED associate Hasiba Haq on stage. 

“I want to show you how this could have changed my interaction at the doctor appointment, had this been available,” Munder said. 

He went on to explain that the software would generate a bi-directional conversation, in which Munder’s signs would appear as blue text and spoken word would appear in gray. 

At first, there was a brief hiccup on the TED stage. Haq, who was standing in as the doctor’s office receptionist, spoke — but the screen remained blank. 

“I don’t believe this; this is the first time that AI has ever failed,” Munder joked, getting a big laugh from the crowd. “Thanks for your patience.”

After a quick reboot, they rolled with the punches and tried again.

Haq asked: “Hi, how’s it going?” 

Her words popped up in blue. 

Munder signed in reply: “I am good.” 

His response popped up in gray. 

Back and forth, they recreated the scene from the doctor’s office. But this time Munder retained his autonomy, and no one suggested a 7-year-old should play interpreter. 

Munder’s TED debut and tech demonstration didn’t happen overnight — the engineer has been working on Omnibridge for over a decade. 

“It takes a lot to build something like this,” Munder told Good Good Good in an exclusive interview, communicating with our team in ASL. “It couldn't just be one or two people. It takes a large team, a lot of resources, millions and millions of dollars to work on a project like this.” 

After five years of pitching and research, Intel handpicked Munder’s team for a specialty training program. It was through that backing that Omnibridge began to truly take shape...

“Our dream is that the technology will be available to everyone, everywhere,” Munder said. “I feel like three to four years from now, we're going to have an app on a phone. Our team has already started working on a cloud-based product, and we're hoping that will be an easy switch from cloud to mobile to an app.” 

In order to achieve that dream — of transposing their technology to a smartphone — Munder and his team have to play a bit of a waiting game. Today, their platform necessitates building the technology on a PC, with an AI engine. 

“A lot of things don't have those AI PC types of chips,” Munder explained. “But as the technology evolves, we expect that smartphones will start to include AI engines. They'll start to include the capability in processing within smartphones. It will take time for the technology to catch up to it, and it probably won't need the power that we're requiring right now on a PC.” 

At its heart, Omnibridge is a testament to the positive capabilities of artificial intelligence. 

But it is more than a transcription service — it allows people to have face-to-face conversations with each other. There’s a world of difference between passing around a phone or pen and paper and looking someone in the eyes when you speak to them. 

It also allows Deaf people to speak ASL directly, without doing the mental gymnastics of translating their words into English.

“For me, English is my second language,” Munder told Good Good Good. “So when I write in English, I have to think: How am I going to adjust the words? How am I going to write it just right so somebody can understand me? It takes me some time and effort, and it's hard for me to express myself actually in doing that. This technology allows someone to be able to express themselves in their native language.” 

Ultimately, Munder said that Omnibridge is about “bringing humanity back” to these conversations. 

“We’re changing the world through the power of AI, not just revolutionizing technology, but enhancing that human connection,” Munder said at the end of his TED Talk. 

“It’s two languages,” he concluded, “signed and spoken, in one seamless conversation.”"

-via GoodGoodGood, October 25, 2024

[the-kr8tor]

Fate's Funny Way of Saying Hello

Pairing: Ekko x fem! Reader

Word count: 1.5k

Summary: A childhood friend comes to the rescue after a horrendous valentine's day.

Tags: No use of Y/N, no specific physical description of the reader (except for clothing), childhood friend/crush! Ekko, best friends to lovers, pining, established relationship, lovestruck! Ekko, modern AU, CW food mentions, fluff.

Special thanks to @pleaktale for the idea and title!

Navigation

The rain pelts at your front, breeze passing by and splashing your already ruined make-up. Your shoes and the hem of your pretty dress are soaked, immediately regretting that you decided to dress up in your best heels and satin dress just to be stood up by a no good date.

“Fucker.” You curse his name and existence under your breath.

The cold seeps through your thin coat, making you shiver and tuck yourself further into the small awning at the front of the restaurant you were supposed to dine at. It was embarrassing enough that you waited for three hours at the table with nothing but service water and free bread to accompany you. The pitiful stares you got from the wait staff and couples had you embarrassed to your very core. The hearts and pink decorations didn't help much with your cracked heart. And he had the audacity to reschedule the date when you've already been waiting for hours. It's safe to say that boyfriend, now turned ex, will be celebrating Valentine's day alone. And so will you.

With a sigh, you're desperate to go home in your tiny apartment and have a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows. The simple thought alone has your mind going back to six years ago when you once shared a cup with your childhood friend and love, Ekko. You two might've parted ways after graduation and when you had to move for university, but he never truly left your mind even after a handful of lovers. He was truly it for you, the man you always thought you'd spend the rest of your life with. But with the hustle and bustle of life and whatever shit it throws at you and Ekko, you haven't spoken to him or seen him in years. You've only messaged him holiday greetings occasionally and of course the yearly birthday greetings. You always wish that it wasn't that way, that you'd talk to him on the phone until the birds start their morning song outside just like the good old days unlike now with the usual ‘thank you!’ you and him receive. Sometimes you have to accept that friendships and relationships dwindle, but you wish this one didn't, not when he still has a space in your heart.

You feel tears flow down your cheeks, and you immediately wipe it away with your sleeve, accidentally smudging your mascara on the fabric. As if the day couldn't get any worse, you just cost yourself a pretty penny at the dry cleaner. You promised yourself that you wouldn't cry or lament on what happened today, but you can't help but feel that it was all your fault. If Ekko was here, he'd smack you over the head and hold you while whispering reassurances. You hope he's doing well for himself, he deserves that much.

The rain turns into a proper downpour, grey clouds prominent in the sky as the breeze whistles a tune. The small awning shielding you can't take the brunt of it as your front is now drenched. Sighing and shrugging, you take the rain in stride, bracing it all once you walk towards the bus stop across the road. Based on your old worn down wristwatch, you only have to wait four minutes for it to stop by.

Stepping out of the awning, you let the rain soak you, water seeping through your clothes and cold biting into your skin. You either look insane right now or a badass as you strut casually on the soaked pavement.

You stop by the sidewalk, looking left and right and waiting for traffic to let you cross. But as you stand there, drenched from head to toe, make-up wasted as mascara runs down your cheeks, the rain suddenly stops from above you. And just above you.

Looking up, you see an umbrella covering you and not the usual grey skies. Brows knitted together, you roam your eyes down to the handle and over to the hand holding it.

“Figured you need it.” A voice says, one that you haven't heard in years. You're sure that the dozen free bread you've eaten was laced with something that you're now starting to hallucinate. “You seem like you're having a bad day.”

Staring eye to eye with your savior, deep chestnut eyes greets you, and an awfully familiar shade of platinum hair has your lungs frozen.

“Ekko?”

His eyes widen as realization blooms on his handsome face. “I—” whispering your name as if he never stopped calling you, he smiles, tender and soft just like how you remembered it. “Is it really you?”

You nod, hand reaching for him but you retreat back as trepidation holds you down. “Yeah, it's me under this mess.” Gesturing towards your face, Ekko scoffs, a sound akin to a laugh.

“You're not a mess, and I've seen your messier self and this isn't it.” He shakes his head, palm unconsciously reaching out for you before he stops himself. You give him a small smile, enough to have his chest feeling heavy. “How— are you okay?” Skipping the pleasantries, as if the years haven't gone by in a wink. It's still you, the one he loved— still love, standing before him, soaked and with sadness in your eyes, and yet he hasn't seen a more beautiful sight in six years.

“I—” you inhale deeply, glancing at the passing cars before you turn to him fully. The umbrella could barely fit the two of you together and his shoulder gets the brunt of the rain. “No, I'm not.” You let out, voice cracking above the pitter patter of rain.

“Do you want me to beat him up? I still got it in me.”

“How'd you know it was because of a guy?”

“You've got the same face when Harry broke it off with you.” He nudges your hand, and your fingers magnetize to his own; you had to fight it back to your side.

“You still remember that?” Your heart aches for the time lost with him. You want nothing more but to gain it back, but you stay in the present where he is right in front of you, smiling like he hasn't aged a day since you last saw him.

“Of course, got the scar to prove it.” Eyeing the scar on his knuckle on the hand where he's holding the umbrella, you follow his gaze, seeing the barely there star shaped scar.

“I'm still so sorry about that.” You wince, hand already grasping at his hand and thumb brushing along the pinprick scar left. You can't fight it anymore. “I still remember that his piercing got embedded in it.”

Your hand still feels the same against his own.

He watches your concerned face, flinging him back to the past when you tended to the same hand. “I'll do it all over again, he was an ass to you.” Taking your hand, he doesn't stop it, letting it happen. His body missed you just like his heart did. The cold metal of your watch takes his attention briefly, eyes widening at the fact that you're still wearing the same watch he gave you all those years ago. “How…how have you been, trouble?”

“Missed me?” You intend to joke, but you wish he did miss you.

Yes.

“Yes.” Ekko chuckles nervously, nose scrunching up and eyes crinkling at the corners. Shifting his weight, he still hasn't let your hand go. “I–I did.”

You feel a tear flow down your cheek, this time you don't have the rain to mask it anymore. “I missed you too, Ekko. We just stopped talking and I thought—”

His arm wraps around your back, pulling you close despite your wet clothes clinging to him. “I'm sorry, I got too busy and—” he sniffs as you find your usual place on the crook of his neck, warming you. “—I should've tried at least.”

“No, it's my fault.” You whisper atop his skin. “I should've visited just like how we talked about. And called and texted and fucking did something.” Frustration and guilt rolls off of you in waves. “I'm sorry too.”

Ekko reluctantly pulls away, thumb brushing the tears away from your cold cheek. His love for you can't return because it has never left.

“Let's try again then.” Maybe this time all the longing glances and obvious pining would blossom into more than friendship. He hopes it will when his heart still sings for you after all these years. “I'm here now, out of everyone in the city, we bumped into each other. It's a clear sign, trouble.”

“You telling me that Ekko, the same Ekko who used to scoff at astrology, now believes in fate?” Poking his side, he beams at you and the sun peeks behind the grey clouds as if it had come out to see the fated reunion.

“Well if you're standing here with me, it must be, right?” Tugging you close, he cups your cheek, drenched skin atop his warm palm. But he doesn't seem to care as long as you stare at him warmly with your hands pressed on his chest like you used to.

“Let's catch up. Care for a hot cocoa at my place?”

“With the same tooth rotting marshmallows you love?” You nod, excited for what the future entails. Ekko grins, eyes shining from sunlight beaming down on the two of you. “Let's not waste time then.”

Banners by @/cafekitsune

Photos from Pinterest

[phonesuitedirect]

In this blog post, we look at some emerging trends in 4G/5G/6G technology and explore how embracing them can help you develop your business into the hotel of tomorrow. Read More...

[phonesuite]

In this post, we take an in-depth look into just how valuable VoIP peering and Unified Communications solutions are for hospitality organizations today by improving communication quality, reducing costs, and enabling seamless collaboration across various departments. Learn More...

[mynnthia]

compiling my headcanons for what video games dungeon meshi characters would like, if they were gamers in modern day

some taken from this post and my reblog additions there. added more characters, with some suggestions by friends/mutuals (marked by *asterisk ).

this can also be a games recommendation list based on your fav/most relatable characters too, if you want

characters that are not are included are bc i dont have ideas for them. if i only list the genre name but not any specific titles, its bc im not familiar enough with the character/genre to pick a specific game.

this list is, of course, biased towards games im more familiar with. feel free to ask me to elaborate on my choices or make suggestions in the comments

Laios' party:

Laios: plays lots of Monster Hunter. loves Spore but he doesnt often play past the tribal stage. likes Pokemon but he's more focused on catching the pokemon than following the story. played WolfQuest and DragonFable back in the day. enjoyed the concept of Bugsnax but wasn't interested in dealing with the NPCs

Marcille: mainly Dwarf Fortress, RTS games, some colony sims. but also sometimes The Sims, and dollmaker dress-up games. i could see her also enjoying Rollercoaster Tycoon and making elaborately-themed parks. might also occasionally indulge in some visual novels if she's in the mood for narrative she has Stardew Valley so she can have something to play co-op with falin, but its not a game she plays a lot of otherwise. when playing with falin, marcille micromanages the farm to maximize productivity, and does the decorations

Chilchuck: puzzle games and hidden object/escape room games as a video game-equivalent to finding/dismantling traps and lockpicking. i think he'd also enjoy Bejeweled.

Senshi: mainly Wii games and Cooking Mama. occasionally plays Snake on his 15-year-old nokia phone. i dont think he would enjoy games like Overcooked or restaurant manager games, because he likes to take his time making food, not stressing about customer service

Falin: some *Legend of Zelda games – she likes the exploration aspect in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, maybe also some of the toon zelda games like Minish Cap or Wind Waker she also plays Pokemon (*Pokemon Go when she's traveling), and i think she would enjoy some indie games, like Penko Park or Chicory: A Colorful Tale. plays Stardew Valley co-op with marcille – falin mainly takes care of the animals, mining, and picking the crops. occasionally makes improvement suggestions that marcille didnt think of

Izutsumi: i could see her enjoying games with parkour mechanics, like *Assassin's Creed, or Mirror's Edge. or maybe something simple but requiring cat-like swipes, like Fruit Ninja. despite her impatience, i think she could also enjoy action games with interesting longer narratives, as evidenced by [this omake] (relevant portion pictured below), so maybe *Final Fantasy 7 – my friend who's familiar with the game said "she’d find Cloud and Vincent relatable"

[ID: a dungeon meshi omake, where laios' party watches a nightmare monster manifest marcille's dream. there are snippets of dramatic soap opera-like dialogue. the rest of the party are initially enthusiastic but get bored over time, meanwhile izutsumi remains enthralled]

Kabru's party

Kabru: definitely Crusader Kings. maybe also some rpgs with relationship/faction mechanics, such as *Fire Emblem (one of the older ones or FE:3H) or Fallout: New Vegas (hes maxing out the speech stat asap) i think he would also enjoy mystery games like Pentiment and Return of the Obra Dinn – he would love the process of getting familiar with the many characters and deducing "who did what" in both games.

Rin: she takes pride in being an indie gamer (translating her disdain for upper class magic academy mages -> disdain for AAA games). given her chain-lightning magic in canon, i think she'd enjoy games with AOE-type magic, so maybe games such as Vampire Survivors. my mutual also suggested she might enjoy indie mystery visual novels like *Paranormasight, and that her AAA guilty-pleasure would be *Final Fantasy 14 – that rin is "a hardcore ff14 raider. would join PUGs and shot-call every week. #holm and diya might also play ff14 casually with rin but holm would be fishing mainly"

Mickbell: mainly Bethesda games like Fallout and Skyrim– enjoys the bootstrapper power fantasy in them. the type to go out of his way to pick up all the loot he can, to later sell

Kuro: enjoys the same games as Mickbell, but for the open-world exploration and investigation factors

Toshiro and Tansu's party:

Namari: her interest in fighting and weapons could translate to brawler/fighting games and action games with a focus on weapon stats – so maybe *Street Fighter, *God of War, and/or *Dark Souls. might play *Monster Hunter with laios but for the weapons. i could also see her occasionally enjoying truck simulators

Toshiro (Shuro): has the perseverance for soulslikes and other high-difficulty action and/or metroidvania games, but would take his time overthinking item/weapon synergies sometimes. given [his fondness for bugs], i could also see him enjoying Hollow Knight

Tade: would enjoy the cute aesthetics and lighthearted gameplay of Animal Crossing and Katamari. would also like idol anime rhythm games

Kiki: i think she would enjoy horror games such as Resident Evil, but would play it while super chill. i dont have much reasoning for this aside from vibes

Canaries:

Mithrun: plays Doom. got into Hollow Knight but still hasn't finished it because he keeps getting lost. senshi introduces him to Cooking Mama later on, which he finds surprisingly therapeutic

Cithis: plays Hitman and enjoys staging elaborate accident kills. i think she'd also enjoy The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, with her background as a devious fortune-teller

Fleki: surreal indie games like Hylics. also plays Team Fortress 2, and is a scout main. occasionally joins lycion in Animal Jam

Lycion: active WolfQuest and Animal Jam player. occasionally joins fleki in tf2

Pattadol: plays Stardew Valley – shes comparatively a normie, but on the meticulous side. she would enjoy perfecting her in-game farm

Otta: plays Genshin Impact. the serious reasoning is because of her (earth) elemental magic and how genshin has an elemental magic system (from my understanding. ive never played it). the joke reasoning is how some genshin players play to collect "waifus", and how otta goes through a lot of women in her dating life

Other:

Leed: runs her own guild in World of Warcraft

Winged Lion: god-games like WorldBox or Simmiland. and Darkest Dungeon (this ones mostly a joke)

Thistle: plays the original Plants VS. Zombies. also plays Minecraft and is very serious about it, but hasn't updated his game in years (translating the fact hes a 1000-year-old kid frozen in time -> playing "slightly old" games popular in the early 2010s)

[ID: tweet reply by twitter user ranchuppi – "thistle calls it lord delgal's server but he is the only mod. whole royal family is locked in spectator mode. Hell. living hell on earth."]

[deleteddewewted]

Supermarket Romance: Cocoa and Painkillers (Christmas Special) P6.5

Modern! Demetrian Titus x Gn! Reader

MDNI

W: Ableist Language (From Titus), Friends with feelings, NSFW (Masturbation), Imagine this takes place after the event of chapter 6 (You'll see why), Age gap, Doing Holiday Stuff

If you want to buy me a Ko-fi

Taglist: @kingmagnificolover @garlickedbreads @eliferraris @justeverythingnothingelse @absent-still @laura-naruto-fan1998 @lichkingofangmar @hatsubara-8chan @riokunova @sk-3-tch @futtorliya @missmannequin

The colder months wrecked Titus' body. He didn't particularly enjoy the snow or the rain as it made his joints stiffen and his muscles tighten uncomfortably. Steroid injections were a no-go for him as he was on too many different mediations to allow for the use of them so he had to make do with painkillers. During his service he made sure to rub muscle cream on his body as often as he could, hoping that the cream would help ease the pain in his body, and then take 2 to 3 painkillers to truly numb himself. It made working bearable when based up north in a country that knew only snow and cold weather but when he had the opportunity, he would clamor at the chance to be sent somewhere with nothing but desert and dust storms, at least there he knew his body wouldn't complain.

The cold was not the only thing he disliked either. The holidays, especially Christmas, were hard on him too. He had to make plans to avoid people in his apartment complex or to minimize interactions with coworkers when he had to come into the office. Christmas was a loud affair. He knew that it would mean crowded drive-thru's, crowded streets, and stores. It would mean that his senses would be bombarded with all the lights and decorations that would be put out. He would avoid it as much as possible when deployed but indulged some of his men if they had the time to even set up a tree or make a meal.

Guilliman had called him, asking him if he had already put up his tree, and when he revealed he hadn't, Guilliman sent him his own tree and forced him to decorate it. He did put up lights and some charms but he refused to plug it in so that it lit up. Titus sometimes found himself staring at the unlit tree thinking about how many Christmases he had with his parents and the pile of presents he used to get from Santa Claus. There was a joy in the memory but it began to grow clouded by the ones where he spent them alone in his office filling paperwork detailing brothers who were killed in action. To say that this was his least favorite time of the year was an understatement.

He shook the memory away and instead looked down at his phone. Calgar and he had been texting all day, happy wishes and promises to meet for the New Year's were exchanged. Calgar and he did exchange gifts, even if neither one of them was a big fan of the holiday. His former superior sent him a gift card with a new notebook and pen from a brand he barely knew how to pronounce. It looked expensive and when questioned why he would spend so much money on a book and pen, Calgar responded with, "You're terrible at making notes for yourself but you were always great at documenting." It was a true enough statement but it still made Titus nauseous at the idea of how much money was spent. Titus in exchange got Calgar a bottle of his favorite alcoholic drink and a gift card for a store the man frequented. It wasn't anything big but it did make it so Titus' guilt for being avoidant dissipated. His parents had also sent him gifts but he didn't dare open them. There was usually a letter attached to them and he was scared to see what it said.

He didnt know what to do with the rest of his night. He didn't feel like cooking and the heated pad he had placed on his knee felt too nice to remove. He was planning on ordering takeout but he got a call from you as he was looking at the menu from a restaurant he frequented. He answered your call, wondering why you would be calling him so late, but also because your were calling him instead of texting him.

"Hello?" He asked tentatively.

"Hi, Titus! Merry Christmas!" You greeted him.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Y/n." Your enthusiasm was contagious. A fluttering feeling in his stomach came back and so did a smile that he hadn’t taken notice of.

"I was calling to ask if you felt comfortable with me dropping your gift by your house or if you wanted to meet up some other day so I can give it to you?"

"Gift?" He questioned.

"Yeah, i got you something.”

"That's very considerate of you, but you didn't have to-" He tried explaining himself but you cut him off before he could finish.

"Nonsense. We're friends and everyone deserves a little something for the holidays." You exclaimed.

"I-" he didn’t know what to say. He was actually left without words. It was considerate of you but he hadn’t gotten you anything for the holiday as he didn't know this was something you were planning on doing.

"Oh shit, were you busy? I'm sorry.” You apologized.

"No, not at all. I was just- I'm at home wondering what to do for the day and I was doing nothing of importance." He tried reassuring.

"In that case, we should go to the city's downtown area! There's so much going on over here. They even installed an ice skating rink in the main plaza!"

"Oh, uh... sure. Do you want to meet there?" He asked, his heart started beating faster in his chest at the suggestion of spending time alone with you.

"I'm already here! I'll see you when you get here then!" You bid him goodbye before hanging up.

Titus groaned as he got up from his bed. His leg felt better but he still made sure to put more weight on his uninjured leg. He began getting dressed and put on as many layers of clothes as he could. He wore a thick turtle neck with a coat on top and a scarf around his neck to keep warm. He grabbed his wallet and keys from his coffee table and was about to open his front door before he stopped himself. His cane sat laying by the front door and he contemplated leaving it before just grabbing it and leaving in a hurry.

Ice and snow covered everything, making it a nerve-racking drive to the city center. When he finally reached the location you had sent him and made sure to give himself to decompress and relax in his car. He needed to mentally prepare himself for the assault on his senses as the lights of the gaudy decorated homes and plaza assaulted his senses. He took deep breaths in before he got out of the car. He walked over to the center of the plaza where an ice rink had been erected and spotted you standing by the wall watching the skaters.

"Y/n, it's good to see you." He looked at you from head to toe. You looekd adorable bundled up in later of clothing.

"Titus! Im glad you could make it. Do you want to look around the stalls, do a little bit of window shopping to pass the time before i give you your gift?" You asked.

"Why not give me the gift now?" He jokingly asked, a smile already making its way on his face.

"It'll ruin the magic of it." You teased. You smiled back at him, and grabbed his hand before leading him towards the stalls.

These mini stores had a variety of items. Some of them containing trinkets to fill out space, others having food, and others specialized gifts. Titus and you looked at items, some of them being more interesting than others. You caught him looking at a stall selling knifes and old military memorabilia. He picked up what looked like an old knife with a leather sheath. He inspected it for a moment before putting it down again, looking away from the stall entirely. You waited for him to walk towards the next stall before grabbing the knife and buying it. You placed it in your pocket and followed Titus again.

This continued, eventually, the two of you ended up with Santa hats that he had bought for the both of you. He had handed it over, a slight blush on his face as he admitted he felt a little silly buying the hats but it was in the spirit of the holiday. You grabbed it from him and placed it on your own head before walking over to a stall selling food and placing an order. You paid for the meals as well as hot cocoa for the two of you but Titus' had a sugar substitute. Whip cream decorated the surface of the drink and as you both sipped on them while you waited for the food, you noticed some of the whipped cream made itself home on the tip of Titus's nose.

"You got a little something there." You pointed at your own nose hoping he would understand. Titus's eyes widened a little before he passed the back of his hand against his nose hoping to remove the cream. You watched him struggle to remove a splotch of whipped cream and took matters into your own hands. You took your thumb and removed the remaining cream before smiling up at him, telling him that he missed a spot.

"Oh... thank you." His eyes couldn't meet your own. He was grateful that the Santa hat covered his ears as he knew that they were burning red and you would know that he was flustered. Your orders were called out and handed over. You led the way toward a row of benches that the event organizers had set out. You sat across from Titus and started discussing everything you had seen. You did most of the talking as Titus focused on eating his meal, the anxiety of being surrounded by so many people creeping in.

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you so interested in the knife at that one stall?" You asked. You took a bite out of your food as Titus directed his eyes at you, surprise evident on his face.

"The military knife?" He said, covering his mouth as he finished chewing his food.

"Yeah." There was a pregnant pause as he avoided eye contact. He chewed on his food and swallowed before responding.

"My father had one in his collection when I was growing up. It just looked familiar." This spiked your interest.

"Was he a collector?"

"He still is, though I do not know if to the same extent. He believed preserving items of the sort was useful and taught us something of value." He explained. You must have looked surprised as he let out a chuckle before taking a sip of his drink.

"He sounds like an interesting man." You joked.

"I will have to agree with your statement. He was a Sergeant in the military, devoted to his work, and very much a mentor and a leader. He inspired me to enlist." You couldn’t see it but there was a melancholic touch to his words.

"Oooh, that explains a lot." There was a pause in the conversation. Neither you nor he continued speaking, but before you could break the silence, Titus spoke.

"That's how I got my leg injury." He blurts out. You looked at him and then at his cane.

"Did your father know about the injury? Or..." Your voice trailed off as you redirected your eyes to him. A sadness that wasn’t there finally appeared in his features.

"He knew. My mother knew. A few colleagues and friends as well. They visited when i was recovering." His leg began to bounce under the table, anxiety beginning to creep in as he explained himself.

"I hope you don't mind me asking but, are you not... close to your parents?"

"We had some differences that we couldn't over come. We havent spoken since i was discharged." All of sudden, Titus feels like he’s out of breath. He shoves food into his mouth to try and hide it before speaking again.

"What were the differences?" Titus paused at your question. He looked up at you, ignoring his food for a moment to inspect you.

"They wanted me to not re-sign my military contract back when I was 20. They wanted me to quit and go to school instead, and settle down. I got offered a 7-year contract, signed it, I eventually ended up staying for over 20 years in service. Became a Captain, and felt fulfilled. Then I..." He paused, taking a sip of water before sighing and looking back at you again, "Then I was hurt in an explosion and I was medically discharged. Now my biggest struggle in life is climbing stairs and socializing instead of filling paperwork and training drills." He tried to joke but you could hear the sadness in his words.

"How come you didn't... why not let your friends help you when you knew you needed help?" You didn't want to come off judgemental, but you questioned him anyway. It sounded like he had a support system like there were people, including his parents who wanted to help him but you didn't have the full story.

"I spent my life helping others. I knew I wasn't invisible but I didn't think I would ever become... this." Titus explained. "I didn't know that being crippled would come with all of these new conditions and routines. I thought I would find my end in the heat of war." His tone grew bitter as he spoke. Anger, sadness, resentment evident in his face as he tried to not lethis emotions get ahold of him.

"How did you come to terms with all of this?" You redirected.

"I didn't. I still struggle. I sometimes refuse to use my cane or my leg brace even though I know I need them. I'm a stubborn old man, Y/n." Titus lamented. You looked at him, waiting to see if he would say anything else before reaching out and holding his fisted hand. You looked for his eyes, finally meeting those pretty blue eyes you couldn't stop thinking about even after you left his presence.

"Well, i hope you know that you can reach out to me. No questions asked, you don't even have to explain. I'll be there." You offered, squeezing his hand in the process.

"No questions asked?" Titus questioned.

"None." You reiterated. You both cleared out the bench and began walking over to his car. He offered you a ride but you turned it down in favor of walking, you still thanked him for the offer. You pulled out a box from from your bag, tape keeping the lid closed.

"Merry Christmas, Titus." You handed the gift box over to him, telling him to open it when he got home. He smiled down at the box before thank you.

As he drove away he snuck short glances at the gift box you had given him which was sitting in the passenger seat. The red-striped box had a green ribbon sitting on top of it with a small card reading, ‘From: Y/N, To: Demetrian Titus’ followed by a drawing of a blueberry. He couldn’t stop the smile that grew on his face. A gift from you meant so much and yet he didn’t know what was in it. What could it be? Maybe you had gotten his another leg sleeve. Maybe it was an attachment for his cane. It was big enough to fit large items like a tablet or even folded clothing, so whatever its contents were, they were still a mystery to him.

As he arrived to his apartment he made sure to park carefully before putting on his breaks and turning his engine off. He hesitated for a moment before grabbing the box, irrational thoughts of possible horrors that the box may contain flashed in his mind. He slowly opened the box, prying the tape off one by one before removing the lid to look inside. Decorative paper filled the box but in the very center was not what he was expecting. A small glass object, frame, contained what he couldn’t only say was a true piece of art. One of your drawings laid flat in a glass frame, his likeness captured and placed on paper by your talented hands once again blessed his eyes. There he was, wrinkled and scarred, his face in a joyful expression looked back at him with an addition of yourself including. He assumed you used the pencil to make this as the texture looked grainy and the paper wasn’t thick enough to use paint on. He loved it. It set his heart ablaze and the fluttering in his stomach into override. You captured his likeness and your own in what he could describe as tasteful. You made sure to get all of his facial scarring perfectly, even the smaller scars that have fainted with time were still there. The faint scars of an explosion that pushed shrapnel into the left side of his forehead were there, shaded in lightly to show the raised skin left behind, even the one on his cheek that he got from a bullet that had also took a chunk out of his ear was present in the drawing. His eyes began to water as he analyzed the gift further. You did such a good job at capturing him. He was about to put the drawing back into the box but he noticed something else sitting inside. The knife he had been looking at was there, wrapped in gift paper, almost like you’d hidden it on purpose.

He pressed the back of his head against his seat head cushion. He didn’t know what to do with you. You paid attention to him, to his likes and dislikes. You were considerate when many would simply just ignore him. He grabbed the box with his gifts and took it with him into his home. He placed the box on his kitchen table and made his way to his bathroom to wash up. His clothes came off in layers, all of them now feeling like too much fabric as his shower heated up the room. He cleaned himself, hoping that the fluttering feeling would go away but it didn't. It only grew worse and worse as he showered and eventually stepped out of it. He made it back to his bedroom, boxers intact as he adjusted and readjusted himself in his underwear. Once in the privacy of his own bedroom, Titus began pressing the palm of his hand against his crotch hoping that the friction he was creating was enough to relieve him. It wasn't but he enjoyed the feeling nonetheless.

His soft moans became whimpers, and his hard dick became more than that. Titus couldn't help himself, for the first time in a long time he took off his underwear and started palming at himself. He began to slowly stroke himself, his free hand finding a place on his abdomen as he pleasured himself. It was electric. He couldn't remember the last time he masturbated or felt this much pleasure in the past year. Depression having consumed him made it hard to stay erect but to also find interest in such basic pleasure.

He pumped himself slow at first and picked up speed when he imagined you being the one to stroke him. The thought at first made him jump. He shouldnt think of you in such a way, you in his bed telling him that he's being good and that he deserves this. He bucketed his hips as he thought of you pressing your mouth against he tip of his cock, leaving kisses and licking the head like it wouldn't get a reaction out of him.

He panted into the cool air of his apartment as he seemed his climax at the chant of your name. He repeated it like a prayer almost hoping that it would help get him to cum quicker. With shallow breath he jolted as he felt the once righting knot in his stomach release itself violently as his balls clenched. His cum coated his hand and abdomen as he continued to stroke himself through his orgasm, not stopping until he felt like he had been fully drained and had nothing left to give.

As he laid on his bed panting, his hand still on himself, he said your name one last time before closing his eyes and groaning. No, this wasn’t right. He shouldn’t be doing this to the thought of you, to the sound of your name. How was he going to face you when he’d see you next? How was he going to look at you and carry on a conversation like the image of you praising him and helping him relieve himself hadn’t happened.

Titus breathing was erratic as he thought about what would happen if you found out. Would you abandon him? Think he was disgusting? Would you rescind the offer you had made him about being there if he needed you? Tears began to prick at the corners of his eyes but he was too tired. His orgasm left him feeling like a loose sack of bones that he didn’t have the energy to cry. He instead wiped his hand on is discarded boxers and fell asleep. It could all wait in the morning when he had a clearer head.