#dealer brochure

[dielukedie-subaru]

Complete Subaru dealership brochure for the all new 2nd gen. Legacy featuring Rod Stewart and a Barkley from 1993.

[lifebeginsbyleaving]

The Cards We're Dealt

A.N. This is for sterek week. @sterekweek-2024 Prompts tarot cards and dealer's choice (the second one I definitely took too literally lol) Hope you enjoy! :) Oh and this is only part one, part two is hopefully out tomorrow.

Word count: 9,668

***

Whether you play fast and loose, bet it all, or are simply looking for an answer the cards always deal their own fate. 

Derek knows there's no such thing as luck. 

Stiles knows there's no use in trying to change fate. Derek has been a dealer for long enough to have learned the house always wins, but even try as he might to find some trick behind Stiles' tarot reading his warnings ring true and he can't see a single tell in his eyes. 

Stiles' fingers have always found the right card, but what if this tangle with fate is less about reading it and more about following it.

Sometimes you just have to play the hand you're dealt, even if you pull the death card for your future.

****

The table creaked and thudded as it ominously rocked back and forth, the candles flickered in the chilly gusts of wind, the table cloth rustled delicately as the various strings of beads harshly swung and jangled together. Stiles' eyes were rolling back into his head as his nails harshly dug into the plush velvet table. 

"She has a message for you." Stiles gasped out as if he was being choked, his voice strained. The veins on his neck bulged to the point of almost being able to see his heartbeat. 

The man had wide fearful eyes filled with tears and yet he sounded hopeful when he pleaded, "Yes, yes? What is it?!" He was crumpling the brochure that Stiles had given him at the beginning of the reading with trembling hands. 

"Sh-she says, she misses you. And she doesn't want- d-doesn't want you to... To worry. And she told me to tell you how much she loves you." Stiles gasped in a big breath at the end of his sentence and his eyes were starting to come back into focus as the tension slowly was leaving his nails. 

"Wait!  She didn't say anything else?" 

Stiles not only rolled his eyes back into his head with a jolt, but also rolled them sarcastically in his head. "She- oh no I think I'm going to lose her! Wait, no- She says add more spices. Double the amount of cumin and it'll taste like her recipe." Finally Stiles let all the tension over his entire body go and he collapsed forward on to the table. 

The man was freely weeping now. "Oh thank you! Oh thank you! You don't know what you've done for me!" The man reached over to vigorously shake Stiles' hand once he had perked up a bit. 

Stiles mopped some sweat from his brow. "Yes. It is so very draining, but my exhausting work must be done to help lost souls just like you." Stiles hated this part, why couldn't they just pay and leave. "It's not often I get such a strong connection." Stiles faked a loud yawn. "I get so tired after channeling a spirit as wonderful and filled with love such as your grandmother." 

The man came back to himself a bit before he replied, "Yes, of course. I should let you rest. You said one fifty?" 

Stiles nodded and added a tired slow blink as he yawned out, "Tips are always appreciated."

The man looked down at his Versace wallet and pulled out two crisp one hundred dollar bills. "Thank you so much The Magnificent Mieczyslaw." 

Stiles inwardly cringed as the man butchered the name. "Mitch is just fine." 

The man smiled and once again wrestled Stiles' hand into something more akin to someone fighting a snake to the death rather than a hand shake. "Thank you. The Magnificent Mitch. I just needed her to tell me she was okay." The man looked over his shoulder twice and each time Stiles waved vigorously while yawning. 

Finally Stiles let out a sigh after hearing the bell to his shop ring. He reached over to grab his tea from the side table to move it on to the one in front of him. As he took a sip he grimaced at the cold temperature. The man had blathered on endlessly about his ninety-four year old grandmother. Stiles decided to put his cards back in order then go make a fresh cup. He shuffled them mindlessly when two cards fell before him. He picked them up ready to shove them in the pack with the rest when he noticed they were both major arcana. 

The Lovers card was absolutely beautiful. It was drawn in a dreamlike summer haze of a scene. A calm peaceful forest with two sapling trees grew intertwined in front of a calm lake, and in the lake a lover gently held his beloved up letting her float looking at the clouds above. His bright red shirt and her electric blue eyes pulled focus from the other softer elements, but the two running wolf shaped clouds she was staring out could still be discerned if you stared long enough. 

Stiles' eyes barely widened, but the shock still pulled the tender smile from his face as he stared into the steely red gaze of The Devil card. It had gnarled twisted horns and its mouth was open in a scream of anger as the teeth and fangs jutted this way and that.  The card seemed to have a sense of motion from the way its saliva trailed midair all the way back to where its head was thrown back maw open wide. Its throat and jaw was tensed with such a strength Stiles' rubbed his own and he couldn't tell if it was subconsciously because he winced in sympathetic pain, or if he was trying to protect his own skin. The claws on this nightmare seemed more powerful than sharp, they didn't come to a cartoonish point. They did however, remind him of when he'd heard someone say that a sharp knife will cut through skin like butter, but a dull one will tear and gouge out the flesh ripping the sinew out of place instead of snipping. Streets were ablaze behind this behemoth and charred bodies laid all around. 

Stiles jolted out of the world of the card as he felt a sinking in his chest and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He regained himself and breathed in and out to center himself before calling out, "Would you like for me to pull you some cards? See what your fate has for you?" 

There was a silent pause. 

Stiles sighed and muttered under his breath, "Other than skulking around." He increased his volume so the stranger could hear, "And not using my front door, which is quite rude you know." Stiles heard the curtain that separated the waiting area from the back rustle open. 

"We did use the front door. And I wasn't skulking." 

Stiles flung his gaze back up carelessly to where the stranger was entering and his jaw promptly dropped the retort he had prepared rolling out of both his mind and mouth. Standing in front of him was the most gorgeous man Stiles had ever seen. He was sharply dressed in a double breasted black peacoat and tan slacks, but his shoes matched his coat's shiny black buttons. His beard was very well taken care of and short enough it had to be a bitch to maintain. His hair was neatly groomed into a close fade on the sides while the top was a bit longer. Stiles got the sense it was just on that borderline where it was long enough a couple strands would delicately flop down and the man's strong looking fingers would have to comb through it to get it back into place. Stiles wanted to volunteer to help next time it happened, or at the very least feel those fingers himself. His mind flailed for something to say as the man entered his tent. "Actually you can come in my back door." 

The stranger's face scrunched up into some unpleasant emotion that Stiles couldn't figure out as he was busy processing what had come out of his mouth. "Wow I'm glad you try and hit on your clients before they reveal how broken and vulnerable they are and don't just wait until after you take their money." 

"Oh. God. That was out loud. I said that out loud with my mouth hole." Stiles was mortified. 

Stiles was just about to cover his face in shame when a man he did recognize came in right behind the stranger. "Now boys, please at least let me introduce you both before you jump each other. Stiles, this is my nephew Derek. Derek, this charmer is Stiles." 

Peter was often in need of his services and at least a third of the reason he could even afford to get the shop. He didn't need to be offending one of his clients with the deepest pockets. Peter took his family's money and used it to open a casino and happened to hit it big. He also had the most fortunate habit of getting in the sort of trouble Stiles' skills knew how to solve.  "Peter, I told you if you ever need an appointment you can call. I hope you didn't wait long. I would've cleared the day for you." Stiles tried to recollect his composure and professionalism. 

Peter swanned in and plopped gracefully down in a chair like he always did, but this time he chose the one more off to the side instead of directly in front of Stiles before he replied, "Nonsense. Besides, I wanted Derek to see what you can do." 

The stranger, Derek, scoffed, "Right. It was so important for me to see that poor sucker get scammed worse than people taking their pictures with the characters on the strip." 

It was Stiles' turn to scoff. "I helped him." 

Derek raised an eyebrow, "By scamming him using his dead grandmother? That's pretty low if you ask me. If you'd ever lost anyone you'd know what it's like to want to give anything you have just to hear from them one last time." Derek turned towards Peter before speaking again, "This guy? You brought me to this hack for help?" 

Derek went to walk out of the tent but Stiles interrupted his gait with an irritated tone, "I did help him." 

Derek turned around and crossed his arms right in front of the opening. "How do you figure? By taking his money? Fooling him?" 

Stiles rolled his eyes. "Yes dumbass. Look, that man didn't need me to tell him about how he just needs to move on and not be so desperate. He needed to believe in magic for a moment, to hear from his grandmother. He certainly didn't need the money, but he did need to feel like she was safe and passed on okay. He needed that so he could feel okay. Believe, don't believe it doesn't matter. What matters is that he can sleep at night." 

Derek had softened his posture some, but his arms stayed resolutely crossed. "Can you? Knowing you lie and take their money?" 

This was the easiest question he answered all the time. "Yes. Because if I have the choice between lying to someone about someone who has passed or a decision they had to make to ease their pain a little, or telling them the ugly truth that only hurts I'm going to make them feel better. Besides, only the people that want to feel better come to me." 

Stiles looked at Peter's shit eating grin. Stiles squinted at Peter. There was something in the way Peter was looking at Derek that made Stiles feel like he was missing something. Stiles turned his eyes back to Derek and looked him up and down this time with what Scott and his clients called his 'other gaze', but it was really just him looking for clues. Derek tapped his finger against his bicep while he stared down Stiles' intent searching. 

Stiles finally felt like he grasped what Peter was smirking about. "And where do you work?" 

It was the first time Stiles felt like he caught Derek on the off foot. His eyes went steely and his jaw clenched, it made the muscle in his neck clench. Stiles wanted to lick it. Derek spat out, "I hardly see how that matters." 

Stiles grinned. "Oh what do we have here, hmmm?" Stiles tapped his own cheek, he enjoyed making Derek squirm immensely. "A partner or just a spoiled rich kid living off of family money would make you complicit enough, but no it's deeper than that. Not a bartender, you'd get hit on too much and murder someone." Derek narrowed his eyes, but Peter was gleaming with glee. "You don't seem like the behind the scenes number crunching type, and with a face like that it'd be a crime. No you're up close and dirty." Even with him standing across the room and Peter still there Stiles liked the effect he could barely tell he was having on Derek. "Oh no, please tell me-" Stiles didn't even try to stifle his laugh. "You're trying to lecture me about morals and taking advantage of people when they're down and you're a fucking dealer at your family's casino?" 

Derek's face turned sour and Stiles let out a belly laugh. Peter even chuckled slightly. Derek uncrossed his arms and kept his clenched fists by his sides as he stalked closer. He leaned over the table and felt the heat from the candle streaming up to his chin. "I don't use people's dead families to get a buck." 

Stiles sobered at that cutting remark. "No. You use their alive ones." Stiles interrupted Derek's attempt at a rebuttal, "Oh come on, how many 'just one more hand' men walk up to your table leaving behind little girls asking for ponies and wives just begging to not take the money that puts food on the table? How many elderly women are just looking for someone to talk to and something to do and instead gamble away their grandkids college or trusts? I won't pretend like either of us don't take money from vulnerable people, but can we both agree that they're willing to give it. And in a lot of cases they need to give it, even if it only helps temporarily." Stiles tilted his head and raised his eyebrows looking for some form of agreement from the other man. 

Derek merely squinted his eyes and leaned back upright. 

Stiles, ever the bigger person, would accept that. Also he literally couldn't afford to lose Peter as a client. "Now how can I be of service?" He pointedly looked away from Derek and to Peter. 

Peter shrugged and motioned back to Derek. "It's his problem, his story. As much as I love talking with you Stiles." Peter put a hand over his heart. 

That made Stiles smile and roll his eyes considering the first time Peter and him had talked it went much worse than this. Stiles had stabbed him. Stiles looked back at Derek.

A moment of silence later Stiles grabbed for his cards. "How about I give you a free reading to break the ice." 

Derek huffed and crossed his arms again. 

Stiles groaned out, "Oh come on tall, dark, and broody! If Peter brought you here it doesn't matter how much of a hack you think I am, I can help. Sit down and let me read you, then we can move on to giving you the help you so desperately need." 

Derek reluctantly flung the chair back and slammed down into it while making a gesture that Stiles chose to interpret as, 'Oh please help me! Take all the time you need. You're so gracious.' instead of it's more probable meaning of, 'Let's get this over with.'

Stiles began shuffling the cards and took a deep breath to focus and Derek rolled his eyes. 

Stiles huffed out, "Dude, come on. This isn't going to help anyone if you can't even get over the way I breathe." 

Derek started to unbutton his coat. "I just don't think someone holding the key to my future would say dude like a teenager playing Fortnite." 

Stiles got a lot of flack for not being an eighty year old Romani woman so he let it go while doing a couple regular and then reverse shuffles. He slid out the cards in front of Derek in one swift move. 

"I know that trick too." If Derek could look more unimpressed it would surely be record breaking. 

Stiles' head fell to the table and then he whipped it back up to glare at Peter. "God, why did you even bring him here he's such an asshole!" 

Stiles muttered mostly to himself, "That's not even my trick yet." When he turned back to Derek he looked a bit shocked at Stiles' outburst. Almost as if he'd never been called an asshole before, but Stiles knew without a shadow of a doubt that wasn't true. 

"Pick three." Stiles crossed his arms as Derek draped his coat over the back of his chair. 

"Do I have to think about it?" Derek still looked like he'd rather be stepping in dog poop right about now. 

"Nothing so strenuous. Wouldn't want to wrinkle those eyebrows anymore than they already are. Just choose. The cards will call to you." 

Another eyeroll and Derek snatched out three random cards. 

He was about to turn them over when Stiles interjected, "Oh wait, no don't turn them over. That's for me to do." 

Derek stared flatly before setting the card back down.  

"This is just your basic past, present, future spread to get you started." Stiles flipped over the first card. "I'm sure pop culture hasn't failed you so much that you don't know we start with your past." Stiles looked at the card and grimaced. There was a man pierced nine times with swords pinning him down to the ground and another blade jutting up through his heart. The sword blade side pointing to the sky through the body was the only one that had a curved shaft, much like a scimitar. Ten different swords at all angles each causing the anguished look on his face. The battlefield beneath him was more blood than grass, however from the top of the hill his body rested on past all the blazing bodies you could see a vibrant sunrise off in the distance. The man's long limp hand was still gripping the sword stabbed into his heart as if trying to undo the damage done. 

"So do I have to read my own tarot, or are you going to get to it sometime today?" Derek snarked. 

Stiles blew air through his nose at him and started to speak, "Ten of swords. This is a card that shows not just pain, but utter devastation. I'm sorry for all that you've gone through. I can only ima-" 

"You've met Peter before. The family fire was all over the newspapers, only one search away. If you want to use my dead family to trick me you're going to have to try harder." His tone was sharp and cold even as he tried for flippant and his eyes shot icicles directly at him. Derek twitched like he might leave based on Stiles' response. 

Stiles looked to Peter almost as if he was asking permission. Peter nodded. "Do it Stiles." 

Derek hated being looked at with pity, but at least for once he didn't think it was because of his dead family. Stiles almost looked like he was pitying him for what he was about to say. 

"Swords in general mean pain, loss, suffering. The ten in particular means hitting bottom, destruction, failure, feeling stabbed in the back. It can mean betrayal by those closest to you. In your past you were betrayed and it caused the worst day of your life. Your downfall came from your heart and the very one you trusted to safeguard all that was precious to you drove it to ruin instead." Stiles paused to look up at Derek. 

If his earlier demeanor had been chilly icicles now his gaze turned to thawed spring pools. He wasn't on guard anymore, but it was just as dangerous. The vast changing depth of the emotion showed in Derek's eyes made Stiles want to dive in till he drowned. He had never had a reading feel like this before. Something about Derek's eyes felt like he was being read right back, every tell every twitch being examined. Just as easily as the warmth had shown itself it was gone. 

Stiles continued, "But a lot of the swords cards portray loss and defeat. The ten of swords is more specific. It can mean new horizons, it can mean a fresh hope, and the end of a cycle. Ten specifically is the darkest hour before dawn has come. This card tells me you're ready to move on, never forget, but to move forward and truly honor those you've lost by living the way they would want you to." 

Derek had a sharp retort that he wanted to fling back at Stiles but it died on his tongue. No one knew about Kate, except Peter, and he wouldn't be calmly reading a magazine to the side if Stiles had just blurted out that he told him. Maybe a year ago or hell even a few months ago he would've bitten Stiles' head off and stormed out, but he'd been calmer since he moved back to Beacon Hills. The job and being close to Peter and Cora had helped. He knew Laura was just a phone call away and he'd always be grateful for his time with her in New York afterwards, but Beacon Hills was his home. He knew that deep down in his bones even if he didn't quite feel at home just yet. 

"Read the next card." Derek demanded.

Stiles was already flipping it over. There was a group of young saplings in a field. It looked as if a great storm had passed through, branches were strewn about the ground and even some of the trees uprooted.  "Your present. The page of wands, but it was drawn in reverse. This can represent strangers thrust into our lives. Often with the pages cards it has to do with some sort of mentorship or student, learning or growth in some capacity. Drawing it in reverse means something has gone wrong with this apprenticeship. Sometimes a reversed page means foolhardiness, recklessness, or even impulsivity. You're dealing with a situation that is causing you much strife and worry. The trees you've planted have been uprooted or thrashed in some way and you fear it is your fault. This card seeks to tell you it isn't your fault, but still your responsibility. You planted the seeds and tended to them, but you cannot control the storms that come, and even more difficult to accept, you cannot weather them for your pupils." Derek's face was an unreadable wall that made even Stiles question if he was way off. "Do you have anyone you're mentoring right now, or someone who has aligned with your path only to stray." 

Derek replied with no emotion. "You could say that." 

His indifference pissed Stiles off. He was really trying here and this dude couldn't care less. He was going to have to have a talk with Peter about bringing in hot men that were determined to look at him like the dirt under his shoe. Stiles trudged on, "Okay, final card. The moon. Huh, well that sucks." 

Derek leaned in and asked quickly, "What? Why does that suck?" 

A little part of him felt the victory in that, but he shoved it down knowing Derek would leave if Stiles showed that he thought he had won. 

"It sucks because it's an elusive card. It's hard to get an answer out of a moon card. The future is still fluctuating for you." Stiles picked up the card to study it closer. The most prominent thing in the card was of course the moon, but there was a smaller moon reflected in a river. The flow of the river bisected the card on one side there was a family camping next to a roaring campfire and on the other a solitary wolf with red eyes. There was a harsh breeze blowing through the woods on the side of the wolf, but a raven was gently gliding in the canopy above the joyful family. This card confused him, and that rarely happened when he did an actual reading. 

Stiles attempted to pull it all together. "There are a lot of female moon goddesses, this card can hint at women's health, and cycles. All in all this can be a very feminine card, maybe a mysterious or obscured from you woman is trying to warn you or lie to you. I don't know. This card also represents cycles, what we begin we are doomed to repeat, but also that good and evil, dark and light never truly go away they just have phases. There are dark sides to the moon, but also a brightness that we must remember isn't always the time to grasp for just yet." 

Derek's arms crossed once again. "A woman that is either trying to help me or lie to me? So you're just seeing a woman in my future, you don't know jack shit about what she's actually there to do?" 

Stiles huffed. "Look, it's difficult sometimes." He studied all three cards this time looking to unlock the final one. "It's a major arcana so it's important. Look, see? The ten of swords is an elemental card of air, but the battlefield was covered in fire. The page of wands is an elemental card of fire, but the trees were bashed by wind. That could hint towards the feedback loop of your past and present, your inability to let go. Then the moon card is water based, in this card there remains the elements of wind, moving the trees and fire in the campsite, but water takes up a majority of the space. Water is cleansing, healing, restorative. There is the destruction and pain of the fire present as well as the change and motion of wind, but for your future it's important to stay mailable and looking to where the river takes you, not where it's been. There's two sides to this card one holding elements of your past card and one holding present. This could imply that sooner rather than later you're going to have to make a choice between the two. The lone wolf poses a danger to the family and the family poses a danger to the lone wolf. One must triumph over the other, but the moon does not tell me which choice you make. It only tells me that you and you alone must choose." 

Derek soaked all of the confusing information in. "So I assume the family around the fire represents my past, and the lone wolf my present?" 

Stiles considered it before answering. "Not necessarily, it could mean the opposite. Remember your past card was air element like the wind above the lone wolf, and then your present was fire element. Also there's a raven in the corner above the family. Raven's represent many things across cultures. Absolute power in Nordic traditions due to their allegiance with Odin, they became a very prominent harbinger of death and murder in the victorian era, and in many cultures represent occult and the knowledge it holds." 

"So which is the bird in this case?" Derek asked. 

Stiles looked very somber for a moment before replying in a serious tone. "I've already given you the answer." Stiles dropped the mystic act and cocked a brow at him. "What part of your future is fucking elusive bro and I don't know didn't register with you." 

Derek's mouth gaped in shock. He banged the table and thrust out an open palm towards Stiles. "This is literally your job!" He looked towards Peter. "You're paying him to talk like this to you?!" 

Peter chuckled. "No, right now I'm paying him to talk like this to you."

Derek pulled both of his hands towards his face to cover them with a harsh slap. The moon card had fluttered over onto it's backside with the frenetic movement. 

Stiles quirked his lips at the card and squinted his eyes. He flipped it back over gently.

It was like a completely different card. The moon still hung prominent, but instead of a bright blue river it was stained red. Equally the wolf's previously crimson eyes had turned blue and instead of the pensive look the wolf's maw was lifted in what looked like a baleful howl. The wind was still in the trees. The family was nowhere in sight around the campfire which had turned to just embers. A crossbow bolt held the raven against a great oak tree as its blood seeped down the trunk. The blood trail lead to the river. Stiles didn't know if it was just harder to see the silver against the shiny blue water that was there before, but he hadn't seen the sword at the river bed before. A long curved blade rested at the bottom of the blood stained water taking all of the focus the moon had held before. 

Derek put his palms on the table to push himself up. His chair made an awful noise as it was pushed back. "I'm done with this. You had me for a second, but you lost me." 

Peter started to protest, but before he could get anything out Stiles' hand whipped out and grabbed one of Derek's wrists where it was pulling away from the table. Stiles spoke hoarsely. "Derek. Look at the card." 

Derek's eyes moved in-between Stiles' eyes and where he gripped his wrist. When he saw that he wasn't taking his hand off he huffed and contemplated prying off his fingers. For such a scrawny dude he had quite the grip. Derek bit the bullet and just looked down. He frowned at the changed card. 

Stiles removed his hand to move his past and future cards closer together. He pointed out the heart sword and then the one at the bottom of the river, the same sword. "Derek she's back." 

That seemed to rattle Derek, because the surprise when he looked back up to Stiles was plainly written on his face. Stiles' eyes had glossed over with a milky white moving haze. "She's coming and she will kill them. I sent you the bird. Don't be a featherbrain." 

If surprise was on his face before, now Derek's face showed utter shock. "How did you know that?!" 

Stiles' eyes slowly went from milkshake back to whiskey and with one final blink he was back in control with the moment. "Your mother. She used to call you that sometimes because when you were five you got really angry and called her a feather brain instead of bird brain. It was one of her favorite memories of you." Stiles smiled softly. "She was beautiful." 

Derek looked distrustful even still. "How did you-"

"Do that? Know that? I didn't. When you're as sensitive as I am to divination magic something as simple as telling someone's fortune can bring to life spirits around them that haven't passed on full or are pulled back."

Derek's face showed sorrow. "My mother hasn't passed on fully?" 

There was that pity written all over Stiles' face again. "You think you're the only one that pays the price for the pain you can't let go of? Mercy isn't earned Derek, otherwise your mother would be at rest, it's given. I can tell from not only your past card, but in everything you present to the world your grief defines you. It limits you. It confines you. It is the only thing that holds you here. It is your only anchor in an unsure world, one that holds you back rather than holds you down. The cards tell you you are doomed to repeat the cycle of grief and despair if you cannot let it go." 

Derek looked gutted hearing he'd been the cause of his mother's wakeful sleep. 

"It's not painful." Stiles lied. 

Derek looked at him fully disbelieving. 

Stiles sighed knowing he shouldn't have tried to lie to a werewolf. "Not physically. But if she can sense how lost her son has been without her it can be harmful. I've given her a sort of temporary rest for now." Stiles left out the part about how Peter had been using Talia's spirit for various side projects so he was familiar with putting her on ice. He got the sense this made Derek uncomfortable and he didn't know what to do with the various revelations he'd had. "Now that we've got all of that pesky disbelief out of the way let's get to the meat and potatoes. Why are you here?" 

Derek once again slumped into the chair, but this time with much less irritation and more acceptance. "Two of my pack- err friends are missing." 

Stiles rolled his eyes at the half cocked cover up. "You can say pack I know you're a werewolf. Also dude you just saw my eyes go into twenty seven year old shitzu mode, I think we're passed the me not knowing about the supernatural point." 

"Do you have to be such a smartass? They're not pack." 

"If you want a monotone no nonsense fortune get chinese food or I think the bowling alley might still have a Zoltar machine." Stiles saw the barest hint of a smile after that one and he couldn't help the way his stomach jumped. Stiles continued while trying to repress his glee, "How long ago did they go missing? What do you want to know? Where they are? Who took them? Are they alive?" 

"Two weeks. We got into a fight so I thought they were just cooling off." Derek looked guilty. "I should've known." 

Stiles reached out where Derek had his hand on the table. "I don't even always know, and it's literally my job." 

Derek pulled his hand back. "Yes. To your earlier question. I want to know all of them." 

Stiles shook his head. "You get one." 

Derek waved his hand dismissively. "Money is no object. I need to find them. They're my responsibility." 

Stiles looked regretful. "Amazing I am, all powerful? Sadly no. You get one, not I'm giving you one." 

Derek nodded understanding and then fell silent. He looked to Peter after a moment who seemingly understood his nonverbal request. 

"I'd ask if they were alive. No need looking for a dead racehorse." 

Derek gave Peter a less than thrilled look. While Stiles scoffed and replied, "Peter! That's so rude. Stop pretending to be heartless otherwise one of these days we'll believe you." He turned to Derek. "One question. Take your time." 

The gentle noises of his shop filled the silence as Derek looked deep in thought. Stiles patiently waited. Derek finally spoke, "I want to know where. Where are they, how do I get to them?" 

Stiles shook his head. "Where they are might not necessarily be how you get to them. That's two questions." 

Derek's fists balled and he caught the barest hint of fangs in his snarl. "How is that two! How will I get to them if I don't know where they are?!"

Stiles spent most of his day to day with the supernatural. He was used to supernatural beings asking him for help, used to being around them in desperate times. Although he had magic, it was divination based. More often than he'd like he was at the mercy of raging upset people with the ability to kill him only equipped with answers they came for but still didn't want to hear. Stiles recognized the wild look in Derek's eyes. The desperation, despair, and rage were there, but also an overwhelming guilt. Normally that cocktail had his eyes flashing white hours before so he knew to call Scott to help, but this time he felt something strange. His magic didn't warn him against, it almost thrummed him towards. 

In these situations Stiles had lost count of the times visions had saved his life. However, this flash of his eyes thrust him backwards instead of forward. 

He was in his father's backyard, but not how it is, how it was. Stiles took a step, but stopped to look down. He was barefoot. The warm soft summer grass tickled and pillowed his feet. It was almost dreamlike even though Stiles knew that wasn't how this worked, this was real. He heard a sharp shriek and looked back up towards the yard. 

A little brown haired boy screamed in joy as he ran towards something. His mother. 

Her bright beautiful smile was stretched wide with pure joy. She held her arms wide open from where she was sat on the delicate fluffy grass. It brought tears to his eyes. She was so beautiful. This moment was beautiful, however he knew what happened next. Not because of his abilities, but because he had lived it. 

He heard a growl and even as he tried to turn he only saw a flash of grey. He couldn't see it now, he hadn't seen it the first time. 

Stiles had long since killed the urge to try and call out or change things in his visions, but tears did sting his eyes at the ruined memory. It always hurt to see how much she had loved him before. Once again Stiles' childlike shriek sliced the air, but this time pain filled. The dog had crossed the yard faster than his mother could get up. His jaws sank into Stiles' chubby kid like calf and a sharp stinging had both sets of Stiles' now tear filled eyes looking down at their respective legs. His leg had the marks, blood, and pain but the dog was only attached to his younger self. 

Hearing his mother scream for his father he looked to where she now had them separated and the dog bit at her ankles. Fat tears ran from Stiles' eyes before he buried his pain stricken face into his mother's neck. 

Stiles knew what happened next. His father came barreling out, the owner ran up, his mother yelled, and his father calmed everyone down. He didn't need to see anything else, frankly he didn't remember anything else other than going to the hospital and crying. 

Yet he lingered. 

He saw his father collect information from the man with his hand on Claudia's back. He tuned out of their conversation to look back at her. She wore a look he'd seen many times, but never on his mother. She was terrified. Not of the now calmed dog, or what had just happened. He searched her face, but only came up with fear. 

His mother had always been an avid animal lover, but after this moment she had changed. Something about it had scarred her. He was never allowed to get a dog, not even allowed to bring it up. Why had this moment scared her so much? 

Realization struck him like a ton of bricks as his body exploded in pain. He felt pulled and thrashed as he was assaulted from all angles by phantom fangs. He shouted in pain as the blood ran from the dozens of bite marks menacing his body. He looked at his brutalized limbs and then back up. 

Gone was the scene in front of him. Only pitch black and grass remained along with his mother empty handed. She was staring right at him. She looked at all the blood but this time there was no yell or movement towards him. She had a blank face, she only tilted her head. 

Stiles had figured out why she had been so scared. That moment was the first time she hasn't divined something bad before it had happened to him. It was the first time her magic failed her. 

Stiles looked back to his wounds then to his apathetic mother. 

"Someone has to care Stiles. Tread lightly you know not what the devil will bring to your door if you invite him in." 

Stiles pushed down the frustration at how vague his vision had been as he was thrust back to the current moment. Not a second had passed, Derek was still as irritated as he has been. "I need to know where they are!"

The memory he had just experienced softened him in a way he never was with clients, much less new ones that hated him. He gently placed a hand on Derek's fist. 

"You feel responsible. We can't claim others blame for a harm that if within our power we would've prevented. Blame is a terrible mistress. The longer you blame yourself the more she gets away with. It makes you rash and impulsive. Your friends are not just lost or gone, they are guarded against you. An unsteady hand cannot unlock even with the right key." 

Derek looked taken aback and yet a shutter of calm rattled through his physicality. He took a breath. "I changed my mind. How do I get to them?"

Stiles once again shuffled the deck, but this time arranged five cards with a measured grace. He put the first four in a square formation and then filled the middle with the last card. They looked like the dots on the five face of a die spread out in front of Derek. Stiles flipped the first card in the top left corner of the square from Derek's point of view. 

The magician. Stiles frowned at the card. His tarot deck was magic in more ways than one. Mostly they were just a focus for his divination magic, but they changed to suit the person and what he was divining for them. Sometimes the pictures even moved, or like it had before, changed images mid reading. This had never happened before though. Normally when he pulled the magician card for someone else it looked either like a legendary witch or like his mystic persona. This was an image of him in his kitchen looking down into a mug of tea. The scene was very intimate and domestic. There were swirls of his magic that cleaned his kitchen and he was just in his Batman PJ bottoms. His hair was sleep ruffled. There would be no mistake. 

"It's me?" Stiles sounded puzzled. 

"Well yeah I assume you painted the deck. A bit pretentious to paint yourself. What does it mean?" Derek asked impatiently. 

"It means me." Stiles pushed out even though he still sounded so unsure. "Not just magic or magic user, this card means me."

Peter piped up, "Well that makes sense. We came here, you're the first step on his journey. Yada yada." 

Stiles shook his head filled with unease. "No this means me. Like me, me. Something I do or tell you, not the reading. The reading speaks for itself, and this is saying my name." 

Stiles moved to flip the next card but Derek put his hand over his. "Whoa whoa, what does it mean though? Do the thing like you did with the others." 

Stiles shook both his head and Derek's hand off of his own. "No. I don't know yet." Stiles felt an unease fill his stomach yet he flipped the next card. 

There was a little boy triumphantly holding two identical sticks up in the air in this card. His proud toothy smile was crowned by bright blonde curls and a cozy knit scarf sat snug around his neck. Behind him laid a crossroads. One long winding path lead to a home and the other back to the woods. 

Derek grabbed at the card hurriedly before showing Peter. "Look familiar?" An edge of worry was in his tone. "This looks like my friend Issac. What does that mean?"

Stiles shrugged. "Two of wands definitely pertains to your question, it's a card of where do I go next. Sometimes the deck draws on what is familiar to you, but it could be a warning. Since we asked such a pointed question I would caution just disregarding it wholly. Maybe bring him with to find your friends." 

Derek looked apprehensive. "I haven't talked to Issac in years. He's in France now." 

Stiles continued, "Maybe it's nothing. The message in this card could be for you. You stand at a crossroad between home and familiar and returning to the woods, the more wild side. Either way this card often has to do with the sadness and loss of having to give something up to pursue a goal or vision. It has to do with dominion over people and the power to control things, but in the same vein an indecision and hesitation." 

Stiles fingers floated over the middle card and went right for the bottom left. They danced for a moment there. "The first two cards were about preparation. What you did do to find them. This, this is how you find them. Where your journey leads." Stiles flipped the card. 

The card was a frenetic animated mess of roots and weaving waving branches. Leaves were fluttering and scattering haphazardly. It was just an ordinary windy forest except for eight thick trunks intricately carved with runic symbols. 

"Eight of wands, haste makes waste, but delay is in poor taste. Timing is everything. This card shows that you need to hurry, but poor planning is the fool's folly. Once you find your confidence to strike there can be no delay, but a fight with mind, body and spirit in tune is necessary as well. This card also can mean being smitten with love due to early depictions of the eight wands looking like cupid's flying arrows. Somehow I doubt that's happening here." Stiles looked up to Derek's face and he was still looking at the cards deep in thought. 

"Oh I don't know, we've got wolf and witch how far stretched is a baby with aim in this moment. After all, unlikely places." Peter teased. 

Stiles flipped the last corner card. 

Similarly to the last card Stiles spotted the runes right away this time and noted they were divining runes on both cards. This time they were carved into branches stuck into the ground like a palisade. All eight of them had the runes, but so did the walking stick the man leaned on. The branches cut off the man from his warring past, and even though there was more carnage ahead of him this was usually a hopeful card. He was bandaged and bleeding, but there was a glint of determination burning in his eyes. Eyes that looked straight at Stiles. 

He had pulled the card in reverse. 

Stiles sucked in a breath and tried to think. 

"Just say it." Derek cut in. 

"Yet another wand card. Wands are cards of action, fire, and decision. It's an urging card. You must do, experience, embody. You've also pulled a lot of cards related to journeys and hard decisions. This one though is usually a very positive card. In reverse it means triumph comes at a great cost if you insist on doing it before you're ready or alone. No warrior alone wins a war and no pain is lessened by feeling it in solitude. This card warns of losing this fight. Of losing what could be precious to you. Of the future you could lose." 

"These aren't helping me figure out where they are." 

Stiles shook his head. "You chose how to get to them." 

Derek huffed in annoyance. "Show me the last one."

Stiles flipped the last card. 

A clearing in the woods created space for the only thing of note in the card. A woman in a cloak with kind whiskey eyes and chestnut hair sat on the ground with an outstretched hand resting on a wolf skull. Small bluebell flowers grew from the eye sockets. 

Once again the overly personal nature of his card's portrayal caused him to pause. Stiles found his words, "This is the death card. Do not judge it. It doesn't represent death itself, it represents the transition to a new phase of life. It's a hard road with one final battle before... Something. I feel a culmination. An answer to the question you've spent a lifetime seeking. How do I get there is your question, but the cards wish to tell you a different answer. The cards say this road leads to pain and loss, but there are two sides of it. Two paths to take. Do you dwell and go back to the pain or do you forge ahead and choose a new beginning? Your choices and actions matter. You alone can choose the future or the past, but your choices have consequences for you and those around you." 

"How is this the way I get to them?" Derek asked.

Stiles sighed. "Unfortunately the cards are not call and answer. They're more ask and the mystical random dude you came to will maybe slightly point you the right way in the dark." 

Derek's annoyance spiked as his patience waned. 

"Hey look dude I gave you the way it's up to you to find it. That's what I got for you take it or leave it man." Stiles set the deck to the side but left the spread. 

Derek stared at all of the cards intensely. "What if I don't figure out what they mean?" 

Peter piped up, "You already know what they mean." 

Stiles pointed a finger over to Peter. "Ding ding. Bingo. Someone's been paying attention on his visits. You win a prize tall, dark, and creepy uncle."

"Is it more time with you, because I already pay your rate for what I want. Well, what I can get from this shop." Peter winked at him. 

Stiles rolled his eyes. "Your prize is don't get coffee tomorrow morning." 

Peter squinted his eyes. "Noted." 

Stiles turned back to Derek. "Follow your gut. Listen to the cards. Oh also for the love of Weiner dogs, have a plan. But definitely act! Don't wait too long. Oh and unless you..." Stiles trailed off after he realized he wasn't helping. 

Derek stabbed a finger into the cards. "These mean fuck all!" 

"Focus. This isn't where they are. You didn't ask that. This is how you'll get there, the journey. Look at the cards, really look. Not for what you see, but what they could be telling you. We have multiple senses, but our most powerful is our inner sense. What pulls you, what draws your eye." 

"The woods. They seem familiar." 

Stiles nodded. "Good. Familiar how? Have you been there before? Do they feel like home?"

Derek tilted his head. "Like I've been there before." He tapped on the card with the curly haired boy. "Okay say Issac has something to do with this, why is he a kid though?" 

"Did you meet him as a young boy?" Stiles asked. 

Derek shook his head. "I met him about five years ago when he was sixteen. His dad was... Not the best. He needed a safe place and I could help him." 

Stiles studied him as he spoke. "That's not the only reason. I can tell you're a good person, but I can also tell there was something about this boy. Just now you looked sad for him, but not in a sympathetic way. You looked genuinely empathetic. I won't ask what or who, but I just ask that you consider this with an open mind. Maybe he represents something childlike in you. A time you had been lead astray from your path, taken advantage of. A time you needed protection." Stiles could tell from the steely jaw and hard eyes he had made a correct assessment. "Don't linger on those moments, but unfortunately I think something about that situation will point you in the right direction."

Derek gave a curt nod and cleared his throat. "Can I take a picture of these?"

"Of course." 

Peter and Derek both stood up. "We've taken enough of your magnificent time." Peter mocked a bow. 

"Always a pleasure Mr. Hale." Stiles bowed his head back. 

"Um, thanks." Derek stood awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. "Oh, how do I pay you?" 

"Your second born and a year's subscription to divination doodads magazine." Stiles said.

"Funny." Derek said with a deadpan tone. 

"I know I am, it's my best quality. Dude you just pay me like anyone else credit, debit, cash, I even take Paypal." 

"Debit is fine." Derek took out his wallet as Stiles stepped behind the counter. He punched a few things and Derek swiped his card. Before putting it back he hesitated before speaking,  "You really don't feel bad about this? Charging people to help them?" 

Stiles shrugged. "I gotta eat. Do you feel bad asking poor suckers betting their mortgage payment, black or red?" 

"Yes." Derek confessed. 

"Then of the two of us the one out of balance with their life isn't me. Would you like your receipt?" 

A laugh shocked him as it made it's way out. Derek agreed. "Maybe you're right. No thanks."

"I hope you find them." Stiles said earnestly. 

"Don't you already know?" Derek asked walking to the door. 

"Not how it works. But I do have a feeling you will." Derek seemed the determined type to Stiles. 

"Do I have to pay extra for feelings?" Derek's hand rested on the doorknob, but he waited for Stiles' reply. 

"Nah, I'll give those to you on the house." Stiles smirked at him. 

Derek heard the bell chime and wondered if Stiles had enchanted it. Things long dormant in him fluttered to the surface as he left. 

He would find his friends. Maybe afterwards he could come back to the shop to thank Stiles for his help. Maybe. 

***

Stiles juggled some of the grocery bags to the other hand to knock. It was a long day, a taxing one with the Hale's visit. He was glad it was over. It had been strange having such a personal vision in the middle of a reading. It had thrown off the rest of his day till he decided to close up early and hit the grocery store. Seeing his mom's face filled with such joy had been like a balm on a wound long closed. It didn't heal anything, but it helped the scar stretch. He missed her so much he wished he could revisit that moment when he wanted to, but it was a vision not a mercy. 

The door finally opened and the dagger struck his heart like it always did. A woman with warm whiskey eyes and chestnut hair opened the door surprised. "Stiles, what are you doing here?" 

Stiles took a deep breath in for when his throat inevitability caught. "Hey Ms. Gajos." 

She smiled. "I told you, you can call me Claudia." 

Stiles forced a smile and pushed on. "I really can't, you know that." 

She took some of the bags from him. "Ever the respectful young man. The sheriff sure raised you right. And I told you you don't have to keep bringing me groceries. You and your father have been like mother hens since I fell doing the gutters. It wasn't even that bad and it was months ago." Claudia gestured wildly as she spoke. 

Stiles turned away from her and placed them on the counter. "My mother did a really good job too." Stiles' eyes went glossy but he willed down his emotions. 

He turned back after a moment and she looked lost in thought. "Right of course I'm sure." She looked around confused. "Were we having dinner? You brought over stuff for meatloaf? Are we having meatloaf?" 

Stiles pulled himself together. "No Ms. Gajos. I should go. I'm sorry." Stiles felt the familiar spiral of pain, indulgence, and then finally guilt. 

She looked so upset. "No no, you can stay. I just can't remember. I can't remember something?" She looked at him with lost pleading eyes. "Are we supposed to eat together? Just let me remember what I-what I... Stiles I'm forgetting." 

Stiles started to panic. He grabbed her glasses. "Here. Calm down Ms. Gajos. You're just forgetting your glasses." He held them out hoping he hadn't sent his mom into a spiral. 

Her face got wiped of concern and panic and she smiled. "You're such a sweet boy. You better head home. How silly of me and I'm not even sixty yet. Forgetting my glasses what an old lady thing. I thought I'd be all old and wrinkly and covered in baby powder by that time you know." She snorted. 

"No you're not old. Everybody forgets little things every now and again." He reasoned. 

She turned and cupped his cheek and smiled. "It's good I have a little mischief maker like you around to help me remember." 

"Yeah." His voice croaked. "Bye." He turned and walked to the door without looking back. 

"Drive safe. That jeep is a death trap!" 

Stiles only waved behind. 

He made it to the jeep and threw it into reverse as the tears fell. Seeing her was always hard, but today he'd pushed too much. He wished he could stop visiting, it only upset her. But how do you greive someone who's still there? Neither of them could let her go. The town and doctors thought it was just a bad case of amnesia, but his dad and him both knew. They knew this was a curse. A nasty one, one that Stiles had been trying to figure out for over a decade. 

The curse had made her forget, but the real curse was that they remembered. Knowing didn't make it easier, in fact he so often wished he was the one that forgot. But that wouldn't piece their family together. 

He couldn't help that right now. He could pour over tomes like he did every night, but right now his mind pulled to Derek. That was a unique reading. He didn't feel as in control as he normally did. He wasn't guiding Derek though the cards, the cards guided both of them. Thinking about the strange gruff man brought a smile to his face. He had liked him a lot more than he expected. Derek was as unique as his tarot cards were. Something about him was magnetic and repelling in equal measures. Although he was pretty sure he was rude on purpose. 

Tomorrow was a new day. He could worry about curses and cute boys when he wasn't so exhausted. 

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1969 Lincoln Continental

The 1969 Lincoln Continental was a class act—and the end of an era

The last year of the 1960s was also the final year for the classic Continental. Only gradual changes had been made to the car since its debut in 1961, and the center-opening doors lasted nine model years before giving way to a larger, all-new, body-on-frame Continental for 1970. Many cars saw drastic style changes between 1961 and ’69 (like Cadillac!), but not the Continental. Even in its last year of the decade, it remained smooth and elegant, yet subtle. Refined.

“Lincoln Continental: America’s Most Distinguished Sedan,” extolled the 1969 dealer brochure.

The sedan differed from its 1968 predecessor with a new checkerboard-style grill with a raised center section, mildly updated taillights, and a few other slight changes. The convertible, of course, was absent, having left the model lineup after 1967.

[hirocimacruiser]

Honda Civic brochure pages.

CIVIC

The Super Civic was a new trend car with economy and dynamic performance suited to the 1980s.

1300 S

1500 SC

It perfectly combines the best fuel economy in the 1500cc class with powerful driving performance.

Resource and energy conservation are common themes around the world. The new CIVIC is available with a new engine system that takes advantage of the excellent combustion efficiency of the lean burn method, which is the greatest advantage of the CVCC engine. It offers not only excellent fuel economy, but also low maintenance costs and a low price.

10 mode driving, Ministry of Transport inspection value

1500CE model E-SR 18 km/l

60km/h constant speed test value

28km/l 1500CE, GF (5 door) Model E/SR, Model E-ST

And yet, it still has the powerful driving feel of a sports car. It's truly a Super Civic.

For example, the new cliff-cut panel in front of the passenger seat provides enough space that there is no need to push the seat back.

An aerodynamic body that provides a smooth ride.

The styling minimizes air resistance and is focused on practical aerodynamics. It is agile in urban areas and stable and smooth on the highway. The new suspension grips the road firmly.

The springs of the front and rear suspensions have been offset to provide a more comfortable ride. The rear also uses a new Honda-style strut system, a world first, to ensure sufficient compliance. The suspension is much tighter.

1300・5-door LX

A new instrument panel.

The functions necessary for driving are concentrated around the driver. The centralized target meter () that places the speedometer and tachometer in one view, as well as the newly designed rotary channel radio, are also standard equipment. The design is easy to see and use.

A large, international-sized interior designed for the world.

Compared to conventional 5-door vehicles, the interior length is 25 mm longer and the interior width is 35 mm wider. Furthermore, the clever use of each space has resulted in an amazingly efficient interior.

All models are fully open hatchbacks.

It is a big opening that opens to the full width of the body from a low position, that is, just above the bumper. Moreover, the interior floor is low and flat. Large and wide objects can be easily loaded. The three-stage variable rear seat is extremely practical. It is a design that prioritizes ease of use.

1500 3door CX

Wild ride. CX

1500 3door CE

CIVIC

1500 5door CF

1300・3-door SE Model E-SL Engine model EJ ●CVCC・1,335cm2・Water-cooled inline 4-cylinder horizontally mounted OHC-68 horsepower ●Fuel economy 22km/ℓ(60km/h・flat road test value)●Front-wheel drive●Overall length 3,760mmOverall width 1,580mm ●Strut-type four-wheel independent suspension●Front-wheel disc brakes ●4-speed

1500, 3-door CE, Model E-SR, Engine model EM CVCC-1.488cm2, water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder, horizontally mounted, OHC-80 horsepower, Fuel economy 28km/ℓ (60km/h, constant speed test value), 18km/ℓ (10 mode running, Ministry of Transport review value), Front-wheel drive, Overall length 3,760mm, Overall width 1,580mm, Strut-type four-wheel independent suspension, Front wheels, Disc brakes with servo, 5-row

*1500-3 door SE is made to order.

If you're looking for a Civic, visit your local Honda dealer.

CIVIC VAN

Gentle on luggage and gentle on people. The capable Civic Van is born.

The luggage compartment is 1,520mm long (with two occupants), 1,270mm wide at its widest point, and 805mm high, making it spacious and easy to handle. Highly refined quality. Powerful and robust dynamic performance. Extremely quiet and safe, this is the birth of a reliable business car that pursues a high level of harmony between passengers and business.

1300-5 door SV, LV model J-VC Engine model EN 1,335cm * Water-cooled inline 4-cylinder horizontal OHC, 70 horsepower ● Fuel economy 18.5km/(60km/h, constant speed test value) ● Front wheel drive ● Overall length 3,995mm, overall width 1,580m, overall height 1,385mm ● Front wheel servo disc brakes ● 4-speed

[diabolus1exmachina]

Maserati  A6G/54 Spider by Frua (1 of 10). 

From 1954 Maserati offered the final edition of the A6G sports car. As with its predecessor, the sales designation 2000 GT was frequently used in brochures and advertisements. On the race tracks of the World Sports Car Championship, the corresponding offshoots were called A6GCS. By 1957, only 60 Maserati A6G/54 cars had been built, with the bodies being exclusively built by external coachbuilders such as Allemano, Zagato and Frua. 

So the A6G/54 presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1954 had to meet high expectations. On the one hand, its driving performance was to clearly exceed that of its direct predecessor. On the other hand, Maserati naturally also wanted to increase its production figures again. And last but not least, there was direct competition with Ferrari, an up-and-coming company that had been enticing customers by building sports cars in the immediate vicinity since 1947. Accordingly, the engineers under Gioacchino Colombo began to thorougly rework the two-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Compared to the A6G, the ratio of bore to stroke was changed, turning a long stroke engine into a short stroke engine with two overhead camshafts. Compared to the A6GCS, Maserati used a chain instead of sprockets to drive the camshafts in the A6G/54 to improve reliability in everyday use. These measures increased the revs and thus the power output, which in this case was around 50 percent higher than that of the predecessor. Expressed in figures, 110 kW/150 hp was initially available, later even 118 kW/160 hp thanks to dual ignition.

As already mentioned at the beginning, Maserati at that time only produced the engines, transmissions and the tubular frame made of steel tubes including suspensions for the A6G/54. Then they sent the components to the coachbuilder selected by the individual customer. The official brochures offered a choice of four bodies. Tipo A and Tipo B came from Frua, Tipo C from Allemano and Tipo D from Zagato. Pinin Farina had previously fitted various A6 and A6G chassis, but then fell out of favour with Maserati when they entered into close cooperation with Ferrari. Only for the A6GCS, a few bodies were still being built there at the request of Maserati dealer Mimmo Dei.

This dealer was also the one who started the ball rolling for the A6G/54 Frua Spider. After a Spider based on a A6GCS chassis with the engine of the A6G/54 was completed in Pietro Frua’s workshop in the spring of 1955, Mimmo Dei ordered a small series of ten vehicles. However, only the first one was given the same design as the original model. The other nine were given an extended front and other modifications in detail. Different bumpers and small fake air intakes on the rear fenders for example.

[gregdotorg]

Frank Lloyd Wright's first building in New York City was an exhibition pavilion for a retrospective of his own work, in 1953, made with a "flexible pipe structure" that we now know from every sidewalk shed in town. His second building was a full-on Usonian house next door to it on a vacant lot facing Fifth Avenue. His third building was the Guggenheim Museum, which was also built on that vacant lot, after the first two were cleared out.

[CORRECTION: The Guggenheim was his FOURTH building in NYC. His third was a Guggenheim-shaped Porsche dealer showroom on Park Avenue that was demolished by cowards in the night before it could be landmarked.]

images: Frank Lloyd Wright Exhibition Pavilion and Usonian House sketch; photo from Fifth Ave & 89th St; and inside. the latter two are from the exhibition brochure.

[all-the-things-2020]

No Better Place - Chapter 20

Summary: Monica has an idea and Cassidy gets a huge shock.

Warnings: description of panic attack

Word count: 3500

When Javi submitted a request for additional funding to add an equine therapy component to his department’s program, he hadn’t expected much. To his surprise, the city had responded within a week with a promise of at least $5,000 a year and the possibility of more. It turned out that the police chief’s wife and the mayor’s niece were both involved in a riding group that performed at local rodeos and parades, raising money for charity. Both of them were enthusiastic about adding a horse centered program to the city’s slate, and had applied subtle pressure to the chief and the mayor.

Monica worked with Mary Sue to draw up a proposal. Things progressed nicely as spring approached, until the day Monica appeared in Javi’s office, a frown on her face. “Bad news, boss,” she said.

“What’s up?” Javi asked.

“Mary Sue just got an offer she can’t refuse,” she said, sinking into the chair. Her belly was getting bigger and she took every opportunity to sit. “A very rich family in Dallas -- I’m talking J.R. Ewing rich -- has a child with several disabilities. They’ve made substantial donations to the Children’s Hospital in Dallas and they heard about the work Mary Sue is doing from someone who had been visiting the hospital here. Long story short, they’ve offered her a ranch -- like a five thousand acre ranch -- and a budget of $50,000 a year to move her organization up there so she can work with their kid. Of course, they’ll be able to write most of it off on their taxes, but still, it’s an amazing opportunity for her and they’ve even offered to help her husband find a job in Dallas. She couldn’t say no.”

“Where does that put us?” Javi asked, leaning back in his chair. He’d just gotten a tentative promise to kick an additional thousand dollars into the program budget from a local car dealer, provided he got a mention in all promotional materials and a small ad in the Blue Ridge brochures.

“Square one,” Monica admitted. “She did say the owner of the property she’s leasing would be amenable to transferring her lease with all the existing agreements to another nonprofit.”

“Which doesn’t do us any good, since she’s the only equine nonprofit in the area,” Javi sighed.

Monica shifted in her chair. “Well, maybe we could get someone from elsewhere to move up here,” she said carefully. “Like maybe someone from Laredo?”

“First of all, she won’t answer my calls. Second of all, she’s not a charity,” Javi said curtly.

“She’s not a charity right now,” Monica said. “But Rob’s got several nonprofits as clients. The paperwork isn’t that difficult, and if she registers as a nonprofit, she can get donations to help with expenses.”

Javi stood up. “She won’t listen to me,” he said. “She won’t even talk to me or my dad.” He ran a hand through his hair. He knew from what Chucho had mentioned that things were not going well financially for Cassidy, and this could really help her out. If she was willing to hear him out.

“How about if Rob and I get everything together, figure out exactly what she’d need to register with the IRS and then we figure out some way to get her to listen to our pitch?” Monica said. “If we have to, we can drive down there and ambush her at home.” She paused. “Look, Javi, I know you still love her. That’s abundantly clear. If there’s even the slightest chance this will get you two talking again … if the distance was the issue, then this solves that problem. She’d be a fifteen, twenty minute drive from your apartment. Hell, you could move out there with her and commute to work, no sweat.”

Javi stared out the window, which didn’t have much of a view, just an alley that allowed access for delivery trucks and the brick wall of the adjacent building. “It’s worth a shot,” he said quietly. “But if she says no, that’s it. It’s done.”

“Got it, boss,” Monica said. “I’m gonna go call Rob.”

******************************************************************************

Cassidy heaved a bag of chicken feed onto the stack on the end cap display. It was selling well, and she’d had to replenish the stack once already today. She didn’t mind working at the feed store. It smelled amazing and she knew that every hour she worked earned her a bale of hay or a bag of pellets. Gary gave her a 15% employee discount, and often threw in samples the feed company salesmen left on their rounds. Jenny was back from her maternity leave, so Cassidy wasn’t getting as many hours, but Jenny was glad to have backup in case she needed to stay home with the baby, and it was still well worth her while to keep the job. Not to mention it was a thousand times more interesting than her mind numbing job bagging at the Cash-n-Carry.

The bell tinkled above the door and she glanced up to see who was coming into the store. “Damn it,” she muttered as she saw it was Chucho. Gary was at the bank and she was alone so there was no way she could avoid him.

“Hey, Mr. Pena,” she said, “what can I do for you?”

“Well, first, you can call me Chucho,” he said, leaning casually against the counter. “We’re still neighbors after all. And second, I have a favor to ask you. Which might turn into a job for you, so hear me out.”

Cassidy stood behind the counter, arms crossed over her chest. “Go ahead,” she said warily.

“A friend of mine bought a horse. Supposed to be some really well bred stock horse from a fancy ranch in Oklahoma. Turns out he’s well bred all right, but he’s been running the range for three years and the son of a bitch is wild as a pronghorn. They had to lasso him and shoot him full of tranquilizers to get him on the trailer and my friend isn’t having any luck taming him down. They gelded him but that just knocked him out for half a day and he’s still breathing fire. Santos is ready to cut his losses and get rid of the crazy cabron but I told him I’d talk to you about trying your hand at him. If you can’t train him, he’ll end up at the slaughterhouse or getting shot for hurting someone.”

“And what’s in it for me?” Cassidy asked.

“Santos will pay training fees if you’re willing to take him on,” Chucho said. “I told him you have a good setup. There’s a transport leaving his town this week, and he can get the horse on it. They’ll drop him off at my place, since I have a cattle chute next to the main road. It’s one of those big horse vans and they can’t handle the narrower roads. I figure we can either wrestle him into my trailer to get him to your place, or pony him over like you did with Buster after he got loose. Anyway, if you’re willing to take a look at him, they’ll drop him off sometime Saturday morning. I’ll call you when he gets there and you can come over and see what you think. Santos said if you can’t take him on, I should put him in the next auction.”

Cassidy closed her eyes for a moment. The last thing she needed right now was another horse, especially a crazy one, but if this Santos was willing to pay training fees, and it would save a horse from slaughter, how could she say no? “Okay,” she said. “But just to look at the horse, Chucho. That’s all.”

Chucho held up his hands. “That’s all I’m asking for, Cassidy,” he said. “I’m just trying to help out a friend. And a horse. And a neighbor.” He held out his hand and she shook it. “Good, I’ll call you when the monster arrives.” He tipped his hat to her and walked out of the shop, the bell tinkling in his wake.

************************************************************************

Cassidy pulled her truck up under a tree in front of Chucho’s house. There was already an assortment of vehicles in the driveway, including the truck Javi had driven and a faded green minivan she’d never seen before.

Luis waved at her from where he was tinkering with the engine on Chucho’s ancient Gator. “El jefe’s in the house,” he called out. “Said to tell you to go on in and get a cup of coffee. He’s got a few phone calls to make, then he’ll take you to see el diablo.” He laughed and shook his head.

Cassidy went up the steps to the front door. She knew Chucho would tell her to come in the kitchen door, but it felt more proper to enter through the front of the house like a guest. “Hello?” she called out as she stepped inside the house. “Chucho?”

“In the kitchen,” he called out. “Come on in and help yourself to coffee. I’ve got one more call to make.”

She walked through the living room and into the kitchen. She froze as soon as she reached the doorway. “What the hell?” she stammered. Javi was sitting at the table next to Chucho.

“Now don’t get mad, Cassidy,” Chucho said. “I’m sorry I lied to you but I needed to get you over here. Javi needs to talk to you and you won’t answer the phone, so we had to do this.”

Javi was fiddling with his coffee cup, clearly nervous. “Sit down,” he said quietly.

“I’ll stand,” she replied, although she did step further into the kitchen and take the cup that Chucho held out. She didn’t want coffee but it helped to have something to do with her hands.

“Look, Cassidy,” Javi began but her attention was diverted when someone else walked into the room. She was tall, with long hair and a curvaceous figure, one that Cassidy recognized. And she was even curvier now, clearly several months pregnant.

Cassidy dropped the cup of coffee, not even pausing as it shattered against the tile floor. She ran blindly for the back door, hardly able to breathe, her legs rubbery and weak. “Cassidy!” Chucho and Javi both called but she forged ahead. She reached the back porch before her legs gave out and she collapsed into a ball on the floorboards, sobbing and whimpering. No wonder Javi wanted to talk to her. He wanted to rub it in her face. He’d not only found another woman, he was having a baby with her. They were probably getting married.

Her throat constricted until she began to panic at her inability to swallow. She felt a hand on her back, rubbing gentle circles, and once she’d calmed down marginally, she glanced over to see the woman kneeling beside her. “It’s okay, Cassidy,” she said calmly. “You’re having a panic attack. You’re going to be okay.”

“Get away from me,” she hissed. “Don’t you dare touch me!” She crumpled even further onto the floor. The last thing she wanted was Javi’s new girlfriend consoling her.

“Hey.” She heard Javi kneel down on her other side. “Don’t talk to her like that.” He laid a hesitant hand on her back, and she shook him off.

“You don’t touch me either,” she said. “And I’ll talk to that bitch anyway I want to.”

“I know you’re upset, Cass,” Javi said evenly, “but that doesn’t give you the right to talk to Monica that way. She’s just trying to help.”

“Cassidy, why are you so mad at me?” Monica asked carefully. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough,” Cassidy managed to spit out.

“Now, just because I’m Javier’s assistant doesn’t mean I’ll automatically take his side,” Monica went on. “Why don’t you sit up and when you’ve calmed down a bit we can start over again.”

“What the hell?” Another man had joined them on the porch. “I leave for five minutes and you knock Javi’s girl on the ground? Your methods are getting weirder and weirder, Monica.”

“Shut up, Rob,” Monica said. “Cassidy, this asshole is my husband Roberto. Just ignore him.”

“Wait. What? Your husband?” Cassidy was incredibly confused. “Oh, my god, this is worse than I thought.”

Monica helped her sit up. “I don’t understand,” she said. Javi, Chucho and Rob were all kneeling around her, looking just as confused as she was.

“You and Javi … and your husband … whose baby is it?” Cassidy managed to stammer.

“Um, Rob’s of course,” Monica said. “Wait, did you think me and Javi ..?” She started to laugh, then Rob joined in.

“I saw you,” Cassidy insisted. “I saw you in Javi’s apartment. He was smoking on the balcony. You gave him a drink and rubbed his back and took him inside.”

Javi’s brow was furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Rob’s eyes went wide. “Wait, wait, I think I know what happened. Was this right before you left Javi the message breaking up with him?” Cassidy nodded. Rob looked smug. “The night after Andre died. Monica and I took dinner over to Javi’s place so we could make sure he was all right. And he went out on the balcony to smoke and I told Monica to take him a glass of whiskey and she did. And you were there?”

Cassidy could hardly think straight but she nodded. “I was in my truck,” she said flatly. “I’d driven up to talk to Javi and I saw him and I saw her and … I left.” She started crying and folded up, her face pressed against her knees.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Javi said as he slid his arm around her shoulders. “If you’d just talked to me.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to,” she said between sobs. “I thought you were cheating on me. You hadn’t been down for weeks, I was already upset because of …” She stopped herself before she blurted out something she didn’t want the others to hear. “I was upset.”

Javi pulled her against him and let her cry. She heard Chucho, Monica, and Rob go back inside. Javi didn’t say anything, he just held her. Once she was out of tears, he gently kissed her forehead. “Do you think you can come inside and hear what we have to say now?”

“We?” she stammered.

“Me and Monica and Rob,” he said softly. “We came down here with a business proposal for you. Well, for you and me. I mean, for you and my department.” He shook his head. “Just come inside and listen.” He helped her to her feet and wiped the lingering tears from her face with his thumbs. “Just hear us out and we’ll go from there.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll listen.”

******************************************************************************

They talked for several hours. Javi let Monica and Rob do most of the talking, content just to sit next to Cassidy. She listened attentively and asked a million questions, especially as Rob explained the requirements for forming a nonprofit. “You’ll need a mission statement, which isn’t that hard,” Rob said. “And a board of directors, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be happy to act as your financial officer, at least to start, and I’m sure we can get one of the High Society Cowgirls on board, which will give you some clout with the city. Maybe even the mayor’s niece but at least one of her friends. They’re all bored housewives looking for good deeds to do while they play with their horses.”

At one point, Chucho slid a plate of turkey sandwiches and a pitcher of sweet tea onto the table. Javi poured a glass for Cassidy and she thanked him shyly, letting her fingers brush against his as she took it from him.

Finally, Monica sat back. “So, do you want to go for it? I know it’s a huge undertaking, and we’re under a bit of a time constraint so we don’t lose funding, but it’s definitely doable.”

Cassidy looked down at the table, chewing lightly on her lower lip. After a long moment, she nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it,” she said.

Rob pumped his fist in the air, which prompted Monica to shake her head and call him a dork. Rob just shrugged. “And now,” he said, pushing back from the table, “I think it’s time for these two,” -- he pointed at Javi and Cassidy -- “to have a nice long talk and patch things up. Because I for one am sick and tired of Javi moping around all the time.” He made a shooing motion with his hands. “Go on, get out of here, go find somewhere to canoodle.”

“Canoodle, really?” Monica said. “Who are you, my grandpa?”

Javi stood up and pulled Cassidy’s chair out for her. As she got up, he couldn’t help letting his hand rest against her back for a second as he steered her toward the door. He let her walk through first and simply followed. She led him away from the house, toward her truck, which was parked in the shade.

“You probably think I’m an idiot,” she said as she unlatched the tailgate and laid it down. She hopped up to sit in the truck bed, her feet dangling over the end of the tailgate. Javi joined her.

“Not at all,” he said. “But I am curious about what triggered the whole thing. You said you were upset about something, and that made you drive to San Antonio to talk to me.” He left it at that, hoping she’d share with him but willing to let it go if she wasn’t ready.

She reached over and took his hand, sliding her fingers between his. It felt right, and Javi relaxed just a bit. She told him about the pregnancy test, her decision, and how she’d been fantasizing about things before she pulled into the parking lot and saw him and Monica on the balcony.

“I probably should have charged up there and confronted you,” she admitted. “But I was just so shattered. I … I was afraid that instead of telling you off and dumping your sorry ass, I’d end up forgiving you.” She played with his fingers. “I overreacted.”

“Not really,” Javi said, leaning back on one elbow while she kept his other hand in her lap. “I’m sure it looked really bad. And I don’t have a stellar record of fidelity.” He huffed. “I probably would have thought the same thing if I was you.”

Cassidy dropped his hand and leaned back next to him, propped up on both elbows. She idly kicked her feet in the air. “I’m sorry I doubted you,” she said softly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t make more of an effort,” Javi said.

She shook her head. “No, you made way more of an effort than I did. I didn’t want to give up anything. I wanted my independence, and you, at the same time, and that wasn’t fair to you.”

“Were you really going to rent out your place and move in with me?��� he asked.

She smiled. “Yeah. I really was.” She reached over and ruffled his hair. “You need a trim.”

He frowned. Monica had said the same thing last week. Then she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. “I missed you,” she whispered.

“I missed you, too,” he said. He shifted so he was in a more comfortable position and kissed her back, just a bit more deeply. He felt her sigh and relax against him.

“Are we good?” he asked after a long moment. “I mean, I know you want to go ahead with the move to San Antonio, starting up the nonprofit and all that, but you and me … are we okay?”

“We’re okay,” she said. “We’re good.”

The truck bed wasn’t the most comfortable place for a make out session, but they didn’t care. It was cool in the shade and the twittering of the birds overhead was soothing, so the bits of hay that worked their way inside their clothes and the hard steel ridges digging into their backs and sides weren’t much of a deterrent.

During a moment of rest, Javi smoothed her hair back from her face. “Were you really disappointed that you weren’t pregnant?” he murmured.

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Yes,” she said, as color filled her cheeks. “I was.” She opened her eyes. “I thought I’d be relieved but … I wanted a future with you, Javi. I still do.”

“We’ll have it,” he said. “I promise.”

[inquisitor-apologist]

'What if' for the no excuses ask game? Dealer's choice for which story --sithfox ❤️

Ok, so I’m currently working on that Reva backstory fic, and there’s a scene like halfway through where she tries to pick the pocket of an Imperial Academy student (6 months to a year after the purge) and it turns out that the student is young Kallus (hey, I’m a sucker for cameos and street rat Kallus) , who gives her some credits and an Imperial Academy recruitment brochure.

On the back there’s a warning to report any Force-Sensitives to the newly formed Inquisition, and that where Reva gets the idea to turn herself in to them. Obviously, things would diverge heavily if she never learned about the Inquisition, so here:

She almost does it. She wants to so badly. But. But any gutter rat knows that the military is bad business. If she's caught, if he attacks her, she'll explode again, and if an Imperial officer sees her use the Force... she thinks about the clones. Flooding the level (flooding the temple), searching every inch of ground for her (searching for Jedi), shooting on sight (killing them all). There's no bodies left to hide her anymore. She watches the Imp walk past, and does not follow.

[matthewarnoldstern]

The best cars I've ever own

In honor of my brother Randy's 60th birthday, here's a list of the best cars I've ever owned. It features vehicles from Honda, Toyota, and Chevrolet.

My brother is turning 60 next month. Cars have always been an important part of his life. When we were kids, we spent every September visiting the car dealers on Reseda Boulevard collecting brochures for all the new year’s models. He turned his passion into a career. His website and YouTube channel is named Victory & Reseda after the neighborhood where we grew up and the gas stations on the…

[lxspedeza]

because drugs are always a good solution, right? @abyssaldespair

„What do you mean you’re leaving?!” Slender fingers curl around the dealer’s arm, the blonde looks absolutely flabbergasted. It’s her first time purchasing shady stuff, from a shady looking guy in the shadiest little corner of the campus. She’s already glad she made it here without somebody finding out.

Professors were fine, the least of her concern, there’s no mishap on her side that Yamanaka money couldn’t solve. If her friends found out however, that she’s out here buying drugs to repress the immense pressure just for a little while… they would throw a fit, possibly organize an intervention and tail her in every waking minute. Ino loved her friends, but she would rather not listen to Sakura’s drug prevention campaign speech ever again, if it was avoidable.

“You can’t expect me to smoke it alone.” a tug on his sleeve, blue hues accusing. “You didn’t even give me a tutorial brochure, which is just poor costumer service by the way. How do you expect me to know how to take this?! Look at me, Tobi. Do I look like someone who’s rolled a single cigarette before?” Her free hand moves to clasp at her head, painted fingernails digging into the scalp. She looks positively pained, the walls closing in, she struggles to control her quickening breathing. Another tug. “I can’t do this alone. You have to stay with me, okay? You seem tough but you don't want me on your bad side, trust me - so just make a weed cigarette thing and smoke it with me.”

[dielukedie-subaru]

New 2nd gen. Subaru Legacy books coming my way!

[penhero]

PenHero.com Article

Parker Vacumatic vs. Sheaffer Vacuum-Fil: Sheaffer Wins

An interesting conversation at the 2023 Washington D.C. Pen Show prompted me to revisit this article, originally written in 2003. That year I discovered an undated Sheaffer sales brochure titled, “Fountain Pen Selling Facts: Helpful Information For Retail Salespeople” probably released as early as 1934. Parker got an early start in the vacuum filling game with the release in late 1932 of their new Vacuum Filler, actually the second name used for their new diaphragm filling “sacless” pen which would eventually be called the Vacumatic. Sheaffer was late by a year before offering its own vacuum filler, cautiously offering their new Vacuum-Fil pen as a sub-brand by early 1934. The Vacuum-Fil system was moved to Sheaffer's top Balance pens later that year. But how to compete with the popular Parker Vacumatic? Sheaffer armed their dealers with fact sheets and sales brochures to equip retail sales people to show why that new Sheaffer was better!

Read the story about these interesting pens here:

[plywoodbazar]

Looking to expand your reach and connect with customers in the plywood and timber industry? PlywoodBazar.com offers a golden opportunity to list your business for free on a platform designed specifically for the plywood and wood products market. Whether you're a manufacturer, supplier, or dealer, our platform helps you connect with a wide network of buyers and sellers across India.

Why List Your Business on PlywoodBazar.com?

No Registration Fees: Enjoy free listing for your plywood-related business and grow your customer base without any upfront costs.

Enhanced Visibility: Reach a targeted audience looking for plywood, timber, laminates, and related products.

Nationwide Exposure: List your business and get discovered by potential customers across India, all at no cost.

User-Friendly Interface: Easily create and manage your business profile, add your product details, and showcase your services.

Gain a Competitive Edge: Stand out in the industry by showcasing your expertise, products, and services on a trusted platform.

How to List Your Business for Free?

Register on PlywoodBazar.com by creating an account.

Fill in your business details, including contact information, product offerings, and company profile.

Upload images or brochures of your products to make your listing more attractive.

Go live and start connecting with potential customers right away!

Join the Growing Network

Thousands of businesses have already benefited from listing on PlywoodBazar.com. By listing your business for free, you’ll be a part of an ever-expanding community focused on providing quality plywood and wood products to a wide audience.

Take advantage of this free opportunity and grow your business with PlywoodBazar.com today!

[renaultsindia]

Comprehensive Guide to Renault Kiger Price: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction to Renault Kiger

Renault Kiger, the latest sensation in the compact SUV segment, has been making waves since its launch. Combining style, performance, and affordability, the Renault Kiger is a standout choice for drivers looking to elevate their driving experience without breaking the bank.

Understanding Renault Kiger Price

When considering Renault Kiger price, it's essential to delve into the details to understand what makes this vehicle a compelling option in its category. Renault Kiger price varies depending on the trim level and optional features chosen. As of the latest updates, Renault Kiger price starts at an attractive base price, making it one of the most competitive options in the market.

Features and Specifications

Engine Performance

The heart of the Renault Kiger is its powerful engine options. It offers a robust yet fuel-efficient engine that delivers exceptional performance on both city roads and highways. Renault Kiger is equipped with a 1.0L turbocharged engine that ensures a smooth and responsive driving experience.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Step inside the Renault Kiger, and you'll be greeted by a well-crafted interior that blends comfort with cutting-edge technology. The cabin boasts premium materials and ergonomic design, ensuring every journey is enjoyable. Technological advancements such as wireless smartphone replication with Android Auto™and Apple CarPlay™, tri-octa LED, auto AC, wireless charger etc. further enhance the driving experience, making the Renault Kiger a tech-savvy choice in its class.

Safety Features

Safety is paramount in the Renault Kiger, with a comprehensive suite of safety features designed to protect passengers and enhance peace of mind. From advanced airbag systems to hill start assist, electronic stability program, rear seat belt reminder, tyre pressure monitoring system, traction control system etc. every aspect is meticulously engineered to prioritize safety without compromising on style or performance.

Trim Levels and Options

The Renault Kiger offers a range of trim levels to cater to diverse preferences and budgets. Each trim level comes with its own set of features and options, allowing buyers to customize their vehicle according to their needs. From the entry-level model to the top-of-the-line variant, there's a Renault Kiger for every discerning driver.

Buying Guide and Financing Options

For prospective buyers interested in purchasing the Renault Kiger, exploring financing options is crucial. Dealerships often offer attractive financing packages and promotional deals that can make owning a Renault Kiger even more affordable. 

Conclusion

The Renault Kiger redefines the compact SUV segment with its blend of style, performance, and affordability. Whether you're drawn to its powerful engine, advanced technology, or comprehensive safety features, the Renault Kiger delivers on all fronts. By understanding the Renault Kiger price and exploring its various features and trim levels, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your driving preferences.

Download Kiger Brochure: https://cdn.group.renault.com/ren/in/my-23-brochure-updated-nov-23/Kiger%20Brochure.pdf.asset.pdf/cf0de0a9d6.pdf

Enquire Now: https://www.renault.co.in/contact/buy-a-car/buy-a-car-request.html?modelAdminId=kiger-hc1-ph1

Book a Test Drive: https://www.renault.co.in/contact/book-a-test-drive/book-a-test-drive.html?modelAdminId=kiger-hc1-ph1

Find a Dealer: https://www.renault.co.in/find-a-dealer.html

[perfectriders]

Benefits of Yamaha Blue Square Now At Your Service in Bangalore

Yamaha blue square Dealers in Bangalore has opened Blue Square, a concept-driven showroom that incorporates the business’s “racing DNA,” according to the two-wheeler manufacturer. It is governed by Yamaha’s “The Call of the Blue,” a programme that was launched last year and has expanded thanks to two crucial elements: experiences and products. The firm wants to maintain this momentum by redesigning the consumer experience throughout all of its showrooms, aided by aesthetics and an atmosphere supported by Yamaha two-wheelers.

What is Yamaha Blue Square all about?

The phrase “Blue Square” refers to the brand’s history in international races, the “square” alluding to a “one-stop buying junction” and the “blue” to Yamaha’s racing heritage. The purpose of this effort is to provide a communication hub that will enable customers to access a range of information as well as accessories and clothing. The record management interface, which would digitally log all customer records, will be another standout feature.

Customers will also be able to obtain product brochures by scanning the QR codes on the vehicles, among other things. In addition, a cafe will be available for patrons to unwind and converse.

In addition to Blue Streaks, which provides prompt customer service, Yamaha highlighted that it will also arrange touring programmes with a riding advisor.

In keeping with the Yamaha philosophy, Yamaha blue square in Bangalore serves as a one-stop shop for all of the motorcycling requirements of consumers. The Blue Square store was created to give clients access to and an understanding of Yamaha’s racing heritage. Customers can interact with the Yamaha Blue Streaks rider community through the showroom. Customers can interact with other riders who share their interests thanks to the strong network of Yamaha aficionados.

According to the Yamaha philosophy, Blue Square Showroom serves as the customer’s one-stop shop for all of their bicycling needs. Customers may learn about and connect with Yamaha’s racing heritage at the Blue Square showroom. Additionally, the showroom serves as a venue for clients to interact with the Yamaha Blue Streaks rider group. Customers may connect with other like-minded riders thanks to this vibrant network of Yamaha aficionados.

Although it is still in its infancy in our nation, the Blue Square dealer model will soon become the standard for all Yamaha dealerships across the country. Plans are in motion to ensure that all Yamaha dealerships around the country are transformed into Blue Square ones in about three years.

In the future, the business intends to sell all products through a single type of dealership. When Yamaha does introduce its first electric vehicles, they will all be sold in Blue Square dealerships side by side with the current selection of small-capacity two-wheelers.

Yamaha has also stated that digital customer records will be kept at the Yamaha blue square in Bangalore. By scanning the QR codes on the vehicles, buyers would be able to digitally download the pamphlets. With timely communication and personalised marketing, the relationship between the dealer and the consumer will be improved. Yamaha also intends to deploy Dealer Management systems and face-scanning systems in the future for improved communication.