#luxury optical boutique

[lumiereoptique]

Lumiere Optique

Lumiere Optique is your premier destination in Scottsdale for luxury eyewear and comprehensive optical care. Specializing in both advanced vision technology and stylish, high-quality frames, we are committed to enhancing your sight and style. Our boutique approach ensures personalized service for every client, helping you find the perfect eyewear that reflects your unique personality and lifestyle. Website: https://lumiereoptique.com/

[frameszon]

Frameszon, nestled in the vibrant heart of Connaught Place, stands as the premier destination for best optical store in Connaught place. With a curated collection featuring global brands, our chic boutique offers frames that transcend mere vision correction. From timeless classics to avant-garde designs, Frameszon caters to diverse tastes, ensuring each pair tells a unique story of craftsmanship and style. As the best optician in Connaught Place, Frameszon excels in optical care. Our skilled opticians leverage cutting-edge technology for accurate prescriptions and comprehensive eye examinations. What sets us apart is our emphasis on personalization – we believe eyewear should enhance both vision and personality. Step into our boutique, where precision meets panache, and elevate your vision with Frameszon's expertise.

[beautytreats]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Eco Friendly Fancy Bling Rectangle Reading Glasses.

[writemarcus]

Victoria Detres and Helen Park with Marcus Scott

R.I.S.E.’s launch event. Photo: Heather Gershonowitz.

During the 2018-2019 Broadway season, 100 percent of general managers and 94 percent of producers identified as white, according to a 2021 report from the Asian American Performers Action Coalition. These numbers were reflected in onstage representation as well, with actors who identified as white being cast in 80 percent of the lead roles in musicals and 90 percent of the lead roles in plays.

Since then, there’s been a reckoning with “We See You, White American Theater” disrupting the status quo, promoting over one hundred theater organizations nationwide to respond with action to demands for better BIPOC representation, visibility, and leadership. Several collectives popped up, most notably Black Theatre United, which negotiated “A New Deal for Broadway” between Broadway shows and their touring productions in 2021. However, one might argue that these institutions, while transformative, are primarily concerned with the optics onstage, whilst larger issues loom behind the scenes. In order to incite incremental change, it will have to take those with clout, capital, and connections that operate sub rosa and in the spotlight. Enter Lin-Manuel Miranda.

On June 8, numerous theater artists and industry insiders gathered on the rooftop of the Civilian, a 27-story luxury boutique hotel in Hell’s Kitchen on the edge of the Theater District, for a special announcement: Maestra Music and the Miranda Family Fund partnered to establish RISE (Representation, Inclusion, & Support for Employment) Theatre, with the aspiration of generating more equitable hiring exercises within the theater community by centralizing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) tactics and resources through a network of partners. This came to be when the Hamilton creator approached Georgia Stitt, the illustrious composer and music director who developed Maestra, to discuss launching the RISE Theatre Directory, a free national digital almanac created to promote visibility and hiring of underrepresented artists, backstage crews, and other vital theater employees.

The Brooklyn Rail spoke over Zoom with Victoria Detres (the project coordinator at RISE) and Helen Park (a member of its community of advocates and a Tony Award nominee for her KPOP score) to discuss its service, mosaic of diverse supporters, and subsequent sea change they hope to witness in the years to come.

Marcus Scott (Rail): What was the spark for RISE and how did you get involved?

Victoria Detres: I’ll start with the logistics of it all. So, Maestra Music is a not-for-profit that supports female and non-binary musicians working in musical theater. They had a program formerly called Get To Work. It was designed to share the statistics about where our industry is with hiring practices, and it was formed as a reaction to the pandemic, where everyone recognized where we were failing, and we had a larger movement.

So, we started sharing the resources. It was cultivated with community partners who were also working in various lanes of equitable progress, wanting to move the needle forward. That was happening in 2020, and they were moving the needle forward with the small programming they were doing for Get To Work; it was 2021 when Georgia and Lin-Manuel, oddly enough, ran into each other at a pumpkin patch in upstate New York. Lin had previous conversations with Ava DuVernay because he had given some funding for the ARRAY Crew, which is designated for BIPOC representation in film and television. He was working with Ava to create the same ideal database directory for theater. They recognized that film and television are very different from theater, so they wanted to part ways amicably recognizing that they didn’t have the insight or the knowledge about the theatrical industry that would serve creating the directory.

At the same time, that’s when Lin had run into Georgia. He knew about Georgia’s work at Maestra, and she mentioned the Get to Work program, and the partnership felt like a natural next step. The partnership began officially in 2022. I came on in 2023. There was some formulating about what the program would be. They recognized that Maestra didn’t have the infrastructure to do the entire push of the RISE Theatre Directory on their own, and they needed to hire additional help. That’s where I came in, along with my colleague Adam Hyndman. I came on in January to start the program when they mentioned, “Oh, yeah, we’re launching in June of this year.” I said, “OK, great. Happy to do that!” Adam came on in February, and it was all systems go, ready for the launch, figuring out what RISE Theatre would be.

It wasn’t RISE at that time. It was Get to Work. We had a hot five months of just working to make it happen. And then that’s where Helen comes in with our launch aiming for June. We really wanted to be intentional about the partnerships that we were building and how we actually got the community involved. We wanted to reach out to industry changemakers; cultural leaders who are doing the work in the industry to really get the name out there, but also cultivate partnerships so that we can highlight the good work that’s being done and amplify artists who are doing everything they can to move the needle forward.

Rail: The acronym of RISE stands for Representation, Inclusion, and Support for Employment. What does RISE mean to you in this moment?

Detres: We have this adage of “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and I think in our industry specifically, we are stuck in a scarcity mindset. When you’re seated at the table, you can’t open the door for someone else, and we kind of wanna challenge that. Or, at least, I wanna challenge that with the work that I do. Doing this work, elevating and cultivating community in more intentional ways is only gonna benefit the greater community. But I think we are stuck in a place where we are so at odds and we worry. I feel like the word “equity” doesn’t actually have a good rep because people don’t understand it. Equity means to create an equal playing field for everyone involved, and that’s not the current state of our world, in our industry. And by creating an equitable platform, everyone’s gonna benefit in the long term. For me, it’s really about moving from a place of abundance. RISE is abundance; it’s the abundance mindset. It’s cultivating community for long-term standards. That means everyone is represented at the table.

Rail: Between 2021 and 2023, Broadway saw a major boost in diversity. However, virtually all of those shows shuttered within months or closed early. What are some of the problems or issues that need addressing? Because we’re going into very uncertain times, as indicated by the various layoffs, cutbacks and cancellations by national and regional theaters across the country. How can RISE and organizations like it answer the call?

Helen Park: What I love about RISE in particular is the feeling of action, the emphasis on the action. I think right now it’s hard to see the culmination of this movement that started during the pandemic, like with Black Lives Matter… this reckoning of Broadway. Broadway is actually like “the Great White Way,” you know? I think it’s a problem to just look at it as “Oh, it’s such an easy fix! Let’s just do a play written for the Black community! Let’s do K-pop, let’s do a Korean show!” But then in order to actually execute it and pull out the best capabilities to really make meaningful actual change that does represent the culture accurately, I think there’s a lot of different reasons why these shows in the past season didn’t succeed or run for as long as they maybe deserved. One of those reasons I think is that the people who have always been in this field, who have always done things the way things are done, are doing the same thing over and over again. Then when they’re met with something that’s not familiar territory (in terms of the story or the source material or the cultural background of said project), there is difficulty and they need help. It’s not also just about replacing who’s always been there. It’s not just like giving up space to have someone else to take over, you know?

Rail: You mentioned a reckoning.… In the midst of a global quarantine, there was a cultural and societal reckoning, particularly in the arts and media landscapes where advocates, activists and artivists came out of the wilderness to shine a light on many of the problems facing those who were not cisgender heteronormative white men. Right? In that time, we saw various movements take place, such as #MeToo and We See You White American Theatre and during that time various organizations either generated a listserv or directory. One that comes to mind is “Underrepresented Theater Critics.” How is this one different?

Detres: We have to, first of all, acknowledge the platform that we are on. That I can’t go about saying we are on an elevated platform because of the associations we have. There are so many Excel spreadsheets that I have used in my lifetime that are about BIPOC designers, Black directors, but only because I was in the community did I know those existed. And when I would speak to people I worked with in spheres—when I spoke to white people in spheres—they didn’t know about these. But I think that’s the disconnect with the communities that exist in the industry and I’m really excited about the potential of actually being the connective tissue for our industry. So much of the time we talk about “our voice is power.” Communication is power. How can RISE be the connective tissue for all of these systems to exist? We want to be clear that we don’t wanna override any work that has been created before. We’re not trying to steamroll. But we’re actually trying to recognize what has come before us and understand that this is a natural evolution, that we can ride on this wave of amplification and visibility to become a centralized source, so that we can fight that narrative. Like, we don’t exist. Okay, well then, here’s an easy digestible way to find us. It really is capitalizing on this situation now and understanding that this is a natural evolution of years of work in our community and how we can continue moving the needle forward by understanding that our history cannot be erased, but we can actually evolve from the history that we’ve had.

Park: Right now, we are at a critical time where people acknowledge the need for better representation and more authentic storytelling. It can only enrich our community and this medium of theater. I think everybody’s sort of onboard with the theoretical, you know? Like, “Of course, inclusivity!” But I’m really hopeful that through this very specific directory we will see gradual change.

Detres: I think what’s lacking overall is support. All of these shows that closed early because producers broadcast to this audience once and then never invited them back for a different show. The audiences at KPOP showed up because they were excited about this; because they were actually welcomed for the first time. What happens when we start doing that with every show? We gotta stop that model that’s, like, “You’re only welcome to go see a show that fits your personality and your identity.” How many white shows have I seen in my lifetime that I don’t resonate with but I was excited because it was on Broadway and I wanted to go see it and be part of that?! How do we create systems to support people of color when they aren’t given leadership roles, when they’re set up to fail? That’s what I’m really excited about. I think we just don’t talk about what support looks like and how to create structures of support for new things that we’re bringing in.

Contributor

Marcus Scott

Marcus Scott is a New York City-based playwright, musical writer, opera librettist, and journalist. He has contributed to Time Out New York, American Theatre Magazine, Architectural Digest, The Brooklyn Rail, Elle, Essence, Out, Uptown, Trace, Hello Beautiful, Madame Noire and Playbill, among other publications. Follow Marcus on Instagram.

[fantasy02221]

Fantasy Optics provides you with a huge collection of branded frames in Mumbai. We are a boutique eyewear store in Mumbai, offering you luxury brands in frames. We are the leading retailer of branded frames in Mumbai. For more information, visit our site or call us at +91 22 40105657/58.https://www.fantasyoptics.com/product-category/frames/

[newsnow101]

Luxury Eyewear In Salem, Or 4/21/202

We bring European as well as international layouts to you. From as far as Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain as well as Japan to our very own backyards of Portland, St. Louis, and also Chicago. This glasses store in Salem, OR brings you the most special lines and also the majority of valued brands of glasses around the world. Our supply is as innovative and diverse as our clients are! Come in as well as see why Glance is called, "the little optical shop with the far reach!"

Glance provides the most effective lens alternatives available in the market. Innovation keeps evolving as well as high quality keeps enhancing. The lenses we offer you reflect one of the most present technologies as it exposes itself. We will certainly recognize the proper lens design for your way of life. Glance Opticians are hand-selected to concentrate on service. Every customer receives one-on-one focus to assist discover the right eyeglasses to enhance and even create a picture. If you are looking for a luxury eyewear boutique in Salem, Or, let us know

[happeningnow89]

Luxury Eyewear In Salem, Or  4/18/2023

We bring European and international styles to you. From as away as Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and also Japan to our own yards of Portland, St. Louis, and also Chicago. This glasses store in Salem, OR brings you one of the most unique lines and also many valued brands of glasses across the globe. Our inventory is as innovative and varied as our customers are! Come in and also see why Glance is called, "the little optical shop with the much reach!"

Glimpse offers the very best lens options readily available in the industry. Technology keeps progressing and top quality keeps improving. The lenses we give you reflect the most existing modern technology as it exposes itself. We will certainly recognize the proper lens style for your lifestyle. Look Opticians are hand-selected to concentrate on solutions. Every customer obtains one-on-one attention to assist discover the best glasses to improve and even develop an image. If you are looking for a luxury eyewear boutique in Salem, Or, let us know.

[life-sport-travel]

Top 10 Unforgettable Swimming Pools Around The Globe: Dive Into Luxury

https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1781 Top 10 Unforgettable Swimming Pools Around The Globe: Dive Into Luxury - https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1781 Table of Contents Top 10 unforgettable swimming pools1. Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool – Singapore2. The Hanging Gardens of Bali – Indonesia3. Huvafen Fushi Maldives – North Malé Atoll, Maldives4. San Alfonso del Mar – Algarrobo, Chile5. Amangiri Resort – Canyon Point, Utah, USA6. The Library – Koh Samui, Thailand7. Belmond Hotel Caruso – Ravello, Italy8. St. Regis Lhasa Resort – Lhasa, Tibet9. Katikies Hotel – Santorini, Greece10. Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, Nevada, USAConclusion Top 10 unforgettable swimming pools Discover the world’s most luxurious swimming pools with captivating designs, breathtaking views, and exceptional amenities. Dive into the ultimate swimming experiences that redefine relaxation and splendor. Here’s our curated list of the top 10 unforgettable swimming pools around the globe. 1. Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool – Singapore The Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool sits atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, offering a jaw-dropping view of Singapore’s skyline from 57 stories above. This is the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool and spans an impressive 150 meters. 2. The Hanging Gardens of Bali – Indonesia Nestled in the heart of the Indonesian jungle, The Hanging Gardens of Bali features a two-tiered infinity pool that overlooks the lush rainforest and the Ayung River. Experience the serene atmosphere and enchanting beauty of this unique destination. 3. Huvafen Fushi Maldives – North Malé Atoll, Maldives Huvafen Fushi Maldives boasts a stunning underwater spa and an incredible infinity pool equipped with fiber-optic lights. Revel in the magical nighttime ambiance and witness the mesmerizing transformation of the pool into a starry galaxy. 4. San Alfonso del Mar – Algarrobo, Chile The San Alfonso del Mar resort is home to the world’s largest saltwater pool. Stretching over 1 kilometer in length, the pool is filled with crystal-clear water pumped directly from the Pacific Ocean, offering a truly immersive swimming experience. 5. Amangiri Resort – Canyon Point, Utah, USA Hidden in the desert landscape of Canyon Point, Amangiri Resort offers an extraordinary pool experience. The pool is built around a natural rock formation, seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment and providing an unforgettable escape. 6. The Library – Koh Samui, Thailand The Library resort in Koh Samui features a unique red swimming pool, colored by an innovative combination of red, yellow, and orange tiles. The pool’s striking hue contrasts beautifully with the white sandy beach and azure ocean. 7. Belmond Hotel Caruso – Ravello, Italy Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, the Belmond Hotel Caruso features an infinity pool with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Float above the clouds as you take in the exquisite beauty of Italy’s coastline. 8. St. Regis Lhasa Resort – Lhasa, Tibet The St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet houses the Gold Energy Pool, an opulent indoor pool lined with thousands of gold-plated tiles. Relax in the warm salt water and indulge in a truly luxurious experience while admiring the stunning Himalayan vistas. 9. Katikies Hotel – Santorini, Greece Renowned for its picturesque beauty, Santorini boasts the Katikies Hotel, a boutique hotel with a charming infinity pool that offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and the famous Caldera. Unwind amidst the iconic white-washed buildings and cobalt blue waters. 10. Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, Nevada, USA The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas presents a one-of-a-kind swimming experience with The Tank, an impressive pool complex that features a 200,000-gallon shark tank. Glide down the thrilling three-story waterslide and immerse yourself in an aquatic adventure like no other. Conclusion These exceptional swimming pools offer unparalleled experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression. From breathtaking infinity pools to innovative underwater spas, each destination on our list provides an unforgettable backdrop for your next luxury getaway. Dive into the world of opulence and discover the remarkable swimming pools that truly redefine indulgence. Embark on a journey to explore the most awe-inspiring swimming pools across the globe. From rooftop havens with panoramic cityscapes to serene hideaways in tropical paradises, these destinations offer unmatched aquatic experiences. Immerse yourself in the world of luxury and create unforgettable memories at these lavish retreats. Mike Izzo https://lifesporttravel.com/?p=1781

[moonandcoeyewear]

Moon & Co Eyewear

Moon & Co Eyewear is a luxury designer eyewear optical boutique located in downtown Sarasota, FL. We also offer Sarasota eye exams to make your experience complete and seamless. We specialize in eye exams, custom prescription eyewear, state-of-the-art lens technology, and High Definition Technology lenses, and have an eye doctor on staff.

[bohemianewportbeach]

Most Stylish & trendy Dresses to Wear in 2021

Art of fashion incorporates colorful butterflies and unveiled eye-catching wardrobes ecstasy. However, resisting yourself, especially when longing for accessible Fashion Clothing Stores, is quite intricate.

[upstairsdownstairsandinbetween]

‘The Other Place’’, Pingle County, Guangxi, China,

Studio 10,

All images © Chao Zhang

[myeyeboutique1]

Eye Boutique

Address

4015 Washington Ave. Suite D

Houston TX 77007

Phone

(832)800-7259

Phone 2

(832)800-7359

URL

https://myeyeboutique.com/

Business Email

Eyeboutiquehouston@gmail.com

Social Links

https://www.Facebook.com/Eyeboutiquehouston

https://www.Instagram.com/Eyeboutiquehouston

https://youtube.com/channel/UC3J14mq7Hy8r33FMyzonkZg

Business Description:

Founded in 2020 with over 14 years in the optical business, on top of a number of years working as a brand ambassador for major luxury houses. We here at Eye Boutique have changed your typical eye exam visit by incorporating the best eye exam doctors in Houston, a boutique store and a true luxury shopping experience.

Keywords:

Optometrist near me

Eye Exams near me

Best eye doctors in Houston

Eye Doctor near me

Eye check up near me

Sunglass store near me

Contact lenses

Eye exams

Eye check up near me

Eye doctors near 77007

Optometrist 77007

Designer eyewear

Sunglass store

[wordywarriorwrites]

Chapter 7: Pedestal

Series Master List | A03 | Rating: M​ Summary: Bogged down by duty and somehow always in her younger sister’s shadow, Katherine D’Beaux has lived a luxurious, albeit utterly directionless life. Bucky Barnes is a no-frills, no-nonsense business owner who cannot afford any personal distractions. When an embarrassing and costly incident brings their two, completely different worlds together, they’ll soon discover there are still some things that money just can’t buy. Series Warnings: Language, violence, alcohol, smoking, explicit sexual content, illegal activities.

The boutique offered an ultra-exclusive selection of dresses, and with the color options narrowed to red and white, choosing one for the Fire and Ice Ball should’ve been a relatively simple process.

But Katherine’s opinion wasn’t the only one that mattered. Her mother’s perspective had to be taken into account and her sister’s viewpoint had to be considered as well. She also needed to be mindful of all the other eyes and countless cameras that would be upon her, because while being a D’Beaux commanded a high level of respect, it wasn’t a foolproof shield one could disappear behind.

They’d been at it for hours, and after rejecting yet another dress, Katherine was beyond frustrated, and her patience for the entire debacle had waned. Even the attendant who’d been assigned to help her was tired, and she was about ready to admit defeat when an item that had not been set aside for her caught her eye. Katherine asked that it be brought to her dressing room, and when she closed the hidden zipper, she knew the search was finally over.

The floral lace dress was elegant, with long sleeves, a princess-seamed bodice, fitted skirt, and open back. After Katherine admired it from every angle, she opened the door, and went to show it to her mother and sister.

“Well, what do you think?” Katherine prompted as she stepped up onto the dais. 

Isobel whistled and nodded, “Your ass looks fantastic.”

“Oh, Isobel, you are so vulgar,” Charlotte chastised. “Now, Katherine, I think you look lovely, but are you quite sure about the color? Red is just so aggressive for a lady.”

“Mother, stop nitpicking,” Isobel interpolated tartly. “It’s a charity gala, not a First Communion.”

Charlotte pursed her lips and folded her hands in her lap, “Well, before a final decision is made, I would like to see it with heels. Isobel, would you be so kind as to go and help?”

Never one to pass up an opportunity to shoe shop, she eagerly got up from her seat, and rushed off. From her vantage point, Katherine saw her mother check to make sure Isobel was out of ear range, and as soon as they were alone, the interrogation began.

“Have you spoken with Mr. Rogers?” she asked.

Katherine shook her head, “Not yet, but I have scheduled an appointment.”

“Good girl,” Charlotte praised as she got to her feet. “His fortunes are on the rise, and we need to make sure we extend an offer before someone else does.”

“And if he refuses?”

“Then, you’ll just have to persuade him, won’t you?”

The inquiry was just as rhetorical as it was frightening, because Katherine knew her mother fully intended to maneuver Mr. Rogers into her life whether she approved of it or not. While she didn’t have any objections to his firm taking on representation of their family, she had no interest in pursuing him romantically. Her mother was presenting him as a favorable option on both scores, but Katherine knew it was more about optics and opportunity than happiness or romance.

Her mother had always called her a “good girl,” but if being a good girl meant giving up Bucky, Katherine knew she wouldn’t be able to do it. Just the mere thought of him made it difficult to breathe, and she knew they hadn’t known each other long, but the connection was real, and it was honest. With him, Katherine felt like she didn’t have to pretend, and the fact that Bucky could see right through her and hadn’t shied away meant more to her than anyone could possibly comprehend.  

When she was a child, there had been countless things she hadn’t been able to say no to. Whole grains, vegetables, medicine, naps, baths, cleaning her room – those things had been good for her. Private language tutors; dance and piano lessons; museums and operas; finishing school and the debutant ball – those things had made her a well-educated, well-rounded young lady. She’d even gone to college and graduated with honors, but she’d never actually used her Interior Design degree because – as her mother put it – she was, “destined to do more than decorate houses.”

Now, she was an adult, who was fully capable of making her own decisions, and Katherine would be damned if she allowed her mother or anyone else to tell her Bucky Barnes wasn’t good enough for her.

Charlotte stepped up onto the platform and patted her shoulder, “I will have an invitation sent to Mr. Rogers after your meeting. He should be introduced to our people as soon as possible.”

Katherine met her mother’s eyes in the mirror, “Mr. Rogers may have the coveted privilege of representing our family, but he will not, however, have me.”

“You will inherit a responsibility that should not and cannot be shouldered alone. And in this matter, as with all things, it is mind over heart, not the other way around.”

“Mother, you may dictate every other decision in my life, but this is one choice you will not take from me. Do you understand?”

“Katherine Elizabeth D’Beaux, what has gotten into you?” she chided.

Katherine jerked away from her, but before she could say anything more, both Isobel and the assistant returned with several pairs of shoes. Most of them were practical, would prohibit her from falling, and stop her feet from aching, but she wasn’t in the mood for sensible. Her sister waggled a box of black and strappy heels that looked decidedly impractical, so, Katherine took them out, and tried them on.

The look of abject horror on her mother’s face as she walked the length of the boutique was precisely the reaction she’d hoped for. Katherine stated decisively that she would take them and the way Isobel beamed at her only served to bolster her resolve. After she gave them back to the clerk, she returned to the dressing room, and dug her cell out of her purse. She got about three words into her text to Bucky when the screen lit up and his name appeared.

“I was just thinking about you,” Katherine said by way of greeting.  

“Were you?” he wondered. “Care to share your thoughts?”

“Not while I’m in public.”

“Tease.”

“Scoundrel.”  

Bucky chuckled, “So, where are you? What are you up to?”

“I’m with my mother and Isobel,” she explained as she took a seat. “The Fire and Ice Gala is coming up soon, and I needed to get a dress.”

“Can I see it?”

“I could send you a picture. Or you could come to the party with me and see it then?”

“Are you asking me to escort you to the ball, Katherine?”  

Katherine bit her lower lip and stared down at the red lace, “Yes, I am.”

“Hmmm,” Bucky murmured. “I will agree to an evening of torture via penguin suit, but only if you agree to have dinner with me tonight.”

“Very well, I accept your conditions.”

After a playful negotiation over time, location, and who would drive, Katherine told Bucky she would see him soon, and ended the call. With her mood improved, she hurried to change back into her clothes, and rushed out of the dressing room. While she eagerly waited for her selections to be rung up and packed, Isobel and her mother decided to have an early dinner, and invited her to join them.

“Thank you, but I have other errands I need to run,” Katherine told them as she accepted her bags. “I will see you both later.”

With excitement coursing through her veins, she practically ran out of the boutique, and haphazardly dumped her purchases into the backseat of her car. As soon as she got home, she put away her things, had a quick snack, and took a very thorough shower that left her feeling both totally relaxed and yet undeniably wired.

By the time Katherine finally made a decision on what to wear, she had very little time left, and had to keep a watchful eye on the clock. She managed to take care of her hair and put her clothes on, and was almost finished with her makeup when she heard her phone ping. Bucky texted he was on his way up, and a few minutes later, the elevator signaled his arrival, and she heard him call out her name from the foyer.

“Two minutes!” Katherine hollered back.

She did her best to make it quick, but Bucky must’ve gotten tired of cooling his heels, because just as she stepped into the living room, he entered it at the same time, and they collided. The sofa saved them both from falling, but it didn’t prevent her from unintentionally stepping on his toes, or accidentally knocking flowers he’d brought her out of his hand.

“Oh, Bucky, are you alright?” Katherine fretted.

He laughed and shook out his foot, “I’m fine. It’s what I get for being impatient.”

She expressed more concern, but he waved it off, knelt down, and picked up the bouquet. They’d definitely been crushed, but were still lovely, and Katherine immediately took them to the kitchen. After she unwrapped them and put them in water, she rejoined Bucky, and asked if he was ready to go.      

Bucky shook his head and motioned her forward, “Come ‘ere.”

As soon as Katherine stepped within arm’s reach of him, Bucky grabbed her by the back of the neck, hauled her in close, and proceeded to kiss her absolutely senseless. Within seconds, all the effort she’d put into getting ready was ruined, but by the time he let her come up for air, she no longer cared what she looked like.

“Now, we can go to dinner,” he murmured gruffly. “Or we can stay here and order takeout.”

Katherine giggled, wiped away the lipstick from his lower lip, and told him the offer was very tempting, but that they would never really get to know each other if they didn’t talk. It was a subtle hint that he picked up on right away, and after she tidied herself, they headed to the restaurant.  

Over the next several hours, it became even more obvious that the attraction she felt was more than just physical. Bucky’s heart was pure, his mind was sharp, and he made her laugh, but more than that, he actually listened when she talked. She found herself opening up to him in ways she never had with anyone else, and they stayed until they were forced to leave.

At one o’clock in the morning, Bucky saw her up to her penthouse, gave her another sweltering kiss, and said he would text her when he got home. It wasn’t easy to let him go, but she did, and the message she received from him less than an hour later hadn’t only confirmed that he’d made it back to his place safely.

Bucky wanted to see her again, and within minutes, their second date was planned. As Katherine got ready for bed, she realized that she was falling fast, and for the first time in her life, she wasn’t scared.

And she sure as hell wasn’t sorry.  

Chapter 8: On the Rocks

[rxtaliation]

△  ||   @the-quantum-repairman​   requested  for  a  starter

            A  wide  variety  of  shops  lined  the  nearby  streets   :   antique  &  art  stalls   ,   jewelry   &   accessory shops   ,   l u x u r y   boutiques   ,     &   stores  selling  newly  improved  androids   ,   all  showcasing  an  array  of  the   f i n e s t   items  in  Detroit   .   Tourists  flocked  to  them  like   f i r e f l i e s   to  a  lamp   ,   enthusiasm  accentuating  their  features   .   The  silvery  melody  of  the  drawl  of  sightseers  rang  through  his  audio  processors  as  they  ambled  past   .   But  he  was  not  interested  in  the  luxurious  shops   ,   no   ,   he  traveled  further  into  the  city   .  

           The  city  was  as  it  was  before   ,   just  devoid  of  the   w a r m t h   that  made  it  worthy  of  that  term   .   It  was  a  collection  of  buildings   ,   roads  laid  like  a  carpet  for  a   q u e e n   that  would  never  come   .   The  only  sound  was  a  black  bird  that  cried   ,   searching  for  scraps   .   Connor  stopped  in  front  of  a  two  storey  building   ,   optics  examining  it  carefully  .   This  was  the  correct  address   .

          He  adjusted  the  tie  around  his  neck   ,   before  entering  the  shop   .  Connor  was  greeted  with  several  android  parts  on  display   ,    recovered   &   renewed  quite  impressively   .   He  scanned  his  environment   ,   his   b r o w n   optics  finally  landing  on  an  individual  .   

            “   Excuse me   ,   are  you  Thomas  Thaler   ?   ”

[againstfate]

V / Yukihana Information { Corpo }

Satomi Yukihana, American born, 25 years old. Former Arasaka Assassin, for sometime employed by Michiko but would not be associated with Danger Girl, she thinks the entire thing is juvenile even stupid. Yuki would return to her position as security for Arasaka’s top employees / elite. When blacklisted by the company, she went utterly berserk as her entire life has been centered around working for them, she would soon learn how to live as one of Night City’s most ruthless mercs.

As a kunoichi, she was considered emotionless / stoic. Never to flinch in the face of danger, she took her role quite seriously. Hence, Yuki is alright with the knowledge she will eventually die when Silverhand’s engram pierces her neuro system. She is considered to be apathetic, nihilistic, sarcastic && with a dry tongue. Despite this, she would show great empathy towards family units - with Jackie Welles’s death, she chose to send his remains home where they belonged. Yuki’s only weakness is regarded to be her grandmother, who raised her since birth within Charter Hills. Her biological parents are presumed dead, she doesn’t mind, she has her grandmother Hanami. Hanami will always say, deep down Yuki mourns but she was built to be a shield, she cannot show weakness.

Yukihana is 5’10, all legs weighing around 125lbs. Throughout her time training to become an assassin she wore short hair, only 2inches long. Black is her natural color, but she bleaches it bright sapphire blue, her optics have given her emerald eyes but she was born with dark grey. Near to Michiko she looked like a stunning young model, her beauty is refined && deadly sleek akin to a viper’s. She grew her hair out during her later years, many would presume it was to gain the attraction of a potential lover - they were right, but she would never disclose who her heart yearns for. During her time with Arasaks she wore latex bodysuits, combative boots, the standard military gear given to bodyguards. As a merc, her style changes but she still likes catsuits, she tends to pair them with denim shorts that teeter on just scraps, crop tops, knee high rocker boots - she wears her hair pushed back, wild. A far cry from the days of elegance && Corporate luxury.

Like many assassins, she is enhanced with mantis blades that she somehow was able to keep. Yuki’s spinal column has been replaced along with her dermal system, her skin always has a glowy / dew like fixture to it but that’s simply the tech. It is extremely hard to puncture, lacerate, or puncture her but she does know if another assassin such as Oda or Takemura squared off with her she would be dead. Simply, they have the tech && means to defeat her. Others can try, they will graze her, but it will take work to cause her destruction. 

She varies on her opinion of Johnny, at one instant she finds him to be a hysterical man she would ignore on the streets while another, a somber remnant of a ghost. Since her remarks can be quite crass && dry their banter can escalate quickly or have them snicker. There is only one instant throughout the game Yukihana shows him extreme fear && sorrow, the day she fixed the rollercoaster in Pacifica. As a little girl, Hanami would take Yuki to amusement parks, she remembers her first roller coaster && how it felt to be afraid but alive. Hearing Johnny laugh, her screams entwined, the desire for one more ride! 

All of Pacifica gleaming in the distance with the sun kissing her cheeks. It made Yuki want to live, it is where she accepts that as V - so many call her their friend, they love her. To know that when she dies that bliss she feels shall never be experienced again, she cries openly && regales Johnny about her grandma, how she’s scared to leave her alone. All her life she has been prepared for the end, but now it is here && she’s terrified. When the relic malfunctions, she thinks back on that day when the pain is so intense, the seasalt in her lungs - both of them laughing. For once she was free, on top of the world, adrenaline in her veins && not alone. Her entire thought process has always been she has no one to come home for, husband, children, ect - who cares? Now she has learned, this isn’t necessarily true. 

Her entire apartment oozes her personality, from different band posters to her arsenal. Full of melee weapons && medicine, Yukihana rarely spends time there but she finds it a piece of heaven in Night City. Her worst is smoking, the apartment has a thick plume of smoke that smells fragmented specifying she prefers a boutique brand she’ll indulge in. She treats Evelyn’s cigarette case with love && care, she hasn’t the heart to use it later on in the game but keeps it as a memento for good luck - like a kiss to wish her off. This is the only thing Johnny && her agree on, otherwise, she particularly finds it delightful to remind him he’s insufferable.

Bonus Trivia: Her drink at the Afterlife is simple, sake bombs! Yukihana can vogue like no one’s business, making her an incredibly fun person to club with. In tarots, she is represented by The Fool - Yukihana symbolizes absolution, the end. Prefers Kerry’s version of Chippin In to Johnny’s, they both agreed. 

[ledlightt]

LED is always there as an option for you

Whether you are thinking about installing new lighting in home or upgrading the existing one, looking to shine your favorite showcases, or adorn your backyard swimming pool with dramatic lighting, LED is always there as an option for you. LED luminaries are actively creating enchant and colorful environment in every possible sector like industrial, commercial, residential, security, public places, hospitals, automobiles and electronics. LED has registered its presence in widespread area and yet expanding with numerous possibilities.

 Some of the application areas that are distinguished and beautify by LEDs are: FEATURING THE RETAIL MARKET - Retail market that includes shopping malls, jewelry shop, garment store, boutique and other general stores are now becoming point of attraction and interaction with use of LED lights. LEDs can precisely highlight the product and set the aura of the shop to reflect mood. The cool and colorful lighting by LED enhance the shopping experience and makes them feel luxurious with power of light. SETTING MOOD AT WORKPLACE - The right amount of creative and dramatic lighting make mood of the employees to stay at the workplace. Due to its portability and different colors, LED offers flexibility to illuminate any shape and design. 

The controlled intensity and focused direction of LED creates comfort space environment to work. INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSE LIGHTING - Industries and factories are usually of huge size and work 24x7 to manufacture their product. These places require brighter light to work efficiently and in need to reduce energy consumption. Thus, LED is the smart move for them. Switching to LED light has reduced their energy cost without compromising with light quality. OUTDOOR LIGHTING - LED illuminates any outdoor spaces in unparalleled way with its enhancing visible appearance. Roadways and parking structure are now using LED lights to appeal its visibility and security. Cities are upgrading to LED Street light to improve light quality and efficiency. 

 Parks, hotels, airport, and railway station are switching to LEDs for better light performance, security and to reduce maintenance expenses. INDICATORS AND SIGNALING - LEDs are actively used as lighting indicators because of their low energy consumption, low maintenance and small size. Mostly one color LED lights are used in automobile and traffic signal indicators. LEDs also act as luminaries for fiber optic cables that uses its light for signaling in telecommunication and for lighting application. DECORATIVE ART LIGHTING- Use of LED for decorative purpose is a traditional practice. 

People use various LED items to adorn their Christmas trees, frames, showcase and range of LED products to produce festive light. UNDERWATER AND SWIMMING POOL LIGHTING -China 100W led street light Manufacturers With the enhancement in technology, LEDs are now available in waterproof form for underwater application. LEDs are now capable to create a dramatic lighting effect in your aquarium and luxurious swimming pool area along with cutting your energy cost.