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shachaai · 2 months ago

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[Hetalia Version] The Lindworm’s Lullaby

Chapters: 3/14 Rating: Explicit (For Gore) Main Relationships: Arthur Kirkland (England)/Gabriel Cardoso Fernandes (Portugal) Characters: Arthur Kirkland (England), Gabriel Cardoso Fernandes (Portugal), Original Child Character(s), Ludwig Beilschmidt (Germany), Julia Blumenschien (Fem Prussia), Kiku Honda (Japan), Lovino Vargas (South Italy), Assorted Others Other Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Human AU, FBI Murder Mystery/Thriller, Case Fic, Adapted from a Hannibal Fic, Baby Fic, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha Gabriel Fernandes, Omega Arthur Kirkland, Pre-Relationship, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Single Parent Arthur Kirkland, Violence and Gore Canon-Typical to Hannibal Levels, Cute Moments and Murder, Murder Scenes, Dead Bodies, Poisoning, Discussions about torture/infidelity/rape

The FBI is called in to investigate when a series of bodies shows up around Ohio: all of them alphas, and all of them skinned alive. With the killer’s motives a mystery, Ludwig Beilschmidt pulls Arthur Kirkland from the classroom and his vigil at the comatose Madeline Williams’ bedside once more to lend his insight to the case - with very little mind paid to the fact that the busy Arthur, omega and single mother to a six month-old daughter, might have some scheduling issues. Necessity - and pressure from Ludwig - drives Arthur into reluctantly asking Gabriel Fernandes for a favour at short notice. Gabriel is delighted to help Arthur with babysitting - once he has, of course, recovered from both the surprise of learning that Arthur Kirkland even has a baby to care for and, presented with the adorable armful that is a sleepy Lenore Kirkland, feeling a little skinned raw himself.

******

CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2

*****

Chapter 3: deep into that darkness peering

Ludwig’s vague ‘Ohio’ turns out to be Lucas County, Ohio, on the outskirts of the city of Toledo. An abandoned manufacturing plant for electrical goods out in the suburbs off highway 24, just one of many factories standing empty along the more desolate stretches of road.

Even in the deepening shadows of a fading sunset, it’s obvious that the plant is falling into wrack and ruin. Some of its buildings are still mostly intact but more than a few are falling in on themselves, roofs everywhere full of holes and insides open to the elements. The paint is peeling everywhere moss, mould and mildew hasn’t spread, cracks in the plaster giving way to brick dust and rubble. Weeds have pushed up between the tarmac and cement that had once been part of the paving outside, broken glass from smashed windows and abandoned beer bottles crunching underfoot with gravel.

Squatters or youths looking for a thrill have clearly been in all the buildings at some point. Old empty chip packets and smushed-up polystyrene cartons lie caught-up in loops of abandoned rusting wire and under plastic shells of white furniture that never was, aluminium cans rolling noisily in the evening breeze until they dink to a gentle stop against a wall or piece of broken building. The local wildlife has, thankfully, mostly been scared away by the greater vermin of law enforcement officials moving in, but there are probably still a few rats and stray cats about the place somewhere. Bats and birds as well.

Truly, the only thing going for the plant is that it - at least - hadn’t been too far from the airport.

The evening breeze blows by again as Ludwig’s team unload themselves from their assigned cars to the plant, sending long cool fingers up the nape of Arthur’s exposed neck and threading his hair out on the wind’s tangled loom. Arthur shivers. He hadn’t planned for an evening outdoors in damn Ohio when he’d dressed himself that morning, and he’s cold without his scarf.

The sight of the factory itself does not fill him with the warm and fuzzies. Not the building, nor the swarms of law enforcement bustling about the place like flies under their own glaring floodlights as the night grows dark around them. The Toledo and Cleveland offices have sent their agents here already, and a large truck has been set up as the HQ for the scene.

“Oh, Ludwig,” Arthur sighs as the other man crunches his way through debris to walk alongside him, clasping his heart sarcastically-sweet in the picture-perfect pose of a swooning omega. “You always take me to the nicest of places.”

Already ahead of them, call-me-Julia (on the plane) Blumenschien smothers a laugh as she negotiates her way under the crime scene tape with her bulky kit, her long silvery braid swinging with the motion. Lovino Vargas doesn’t bother hiding his smirk as he slinks along after her with the teams’ camera equipment, and even Kiku Honda, usually the most painfully polite of the group, looks to be holding back his grin as he hauls the last of their things out of the cars’ trunks.

As he often does when he’s getting his own way, Ludwig takes the magnanimous approach. Bolsters morale by accepting the dig pointed his way - and even spares Arthur a wry smile as he lifts the crime scene tape for them both to duck under. “Tell me if you feel the same way after you’ve seen the scene. We believe it might be the second one this month.”

Huh. Arthur reaches up to brush back a strand or two of his flyaway hair. “Nothing worth making a fuss about until number two?”

“Once could always be a freak incident,” Ludwig says seriously. “Twice is something we have to be concerned about.” He gestures over a jacketed agent who had been standing at the steps of the HQ truck, the woman obviously waiting for their arrival. Late 20s, maybe, Asian American and serious-looking. Not someone Arthur recognises, but clearly an agent in charge. “Special Agent Linh?”

The agent - Linh - nods, her sleek black ponytail bobbing neatly with the motion. “Sir.” She looks tired and smells faintly of coffee and something floral. An omega. A green woven ribbon omega collar is just visible under her FBI jacket and buttoned-up shirt.

Arthur could really do with a coffee right now. With the night off from looking after Lenore and no need to worry about his caffeine intake provided he ditches the milk he produces for the rest of the night, he could even have a strong one.

“Beilschmidt,” Ludwig introduces himself. Jerks his chin at Arthur. “Special Agent Arthur Kirkland. The latest report?”

“Three bodies,” says Linh, “no ID for any of them. All men, strongly suspected to be alphas. Estimated time of death was two days ago, based upon the early insect activity.”

Which means young maggots. Lovely. Arthur isn’t sure exactly why he’s smiling faintly at Linh with maggots on the table - only to belatedly realise that the other omega reminds him of Marianne. Nothing in her appearance, but that floral smell is of sweet pea. Sweet pea, with Linh, and something like lotuses and lily-of-the-valley. No white musk or roses, nor creamy beeswax blended with vanilla.

Arthur squashes the smile. “Why is there no confirmation of the victims’ dynamic?” Most alphas - even dead ones - are easy enough to identify just by their scent, but, should scent fail, it isn’t hard to pull down a pair of jeans and look for a knot.

Linh licks her lips with a quick dart of tongue - trepidatious. “Each victim has been tied to a chair and had all their skin cut off. Flayed. We’re assuming the victims are all alphas based upon the presence of mass alpha pheromones in the room and what we think are penises with knots on all three victims, but there was some glandular and genital mutilation across all of the bodies. No concrete identification could be made without disturbing the scene, so we need to wait for confirmation about the victims’ dynamics in the lab.”

“Other wounds?” asks Arthur, but Linh just gestures helplessly at him. Another question that the lab will have to answer for them once the bodies are taken to the morgue. “In your opinion, was the flaying done pre or post-mortem?”

The smell of dry, almost sour, flowers in Linh’s scent spikes a little higher, a weird stress note in it edging it into the realms of unpleasant. Her gaze going distant: she’s remembering the scene. “Based upon the amount of blood and the pain scent in the pheromones when we first entered the room where we found the victims… I’d say pre.”

Skinned alive.

The night grows darker yet, and Arthur finds himself unconsciously shifting closer to Ludwig’s body beside him. Seeking some of the warmth exuded by the alpha’s steady bulk, even as Ludwig’s expression turns grim.

Ludwig: “Who called it in?”

Linh: “A man from Toledo’s Urbex League.” Elaborating at Ludwig’s blank look - “Urban explorers.”

Ludwig, exactly as clueless as before: “‘Urban explorers.’”

“People who explore vacant, abandoned, and ruined buildings for fun.”

“It’s a hobby for thrill-seekers with an interest in photography, architecture and historical documentation,” says Arthur. Rolling his shoulders free of the stiffness of cold before stuffing his hands in his pockets to keep them warm. “Sometimes it’s all about the art. Sometimes it’s a search for inspiration. Sometimes it’s a genuine desire to, uh, to preserve constructs for the historical record that others don’t think - or aren’t allowed - to keep. It’s an acknowledgement of the lovely ache of transience with a heap of rebellion thrown in.”

“Stick it to the man,” Linh says drolly, and Arthur likes her all the more for it.

“There’s a moving kind of beauty to be found in the decay of uninhabited space,” he adds, Ludwig still looking unconvinced beside him, “the man-made slowly sliding back into the grasp of nature.”

A bit like sending the painstaking self-construction of a man that is Dr. Fernandes out on a trip to Arthur’s little refuge in Wolf Trap. Unlike many of his neighbours in the local community, Arthur had kept his home as its original build, preserving the wild on his acres of land instead of slapping a McMansion down on top of it all. Nature rules the territory around Arthur’s little white-washed house, a thriving chaos that will have no respect for Dr. Fernandes' soft charcoal and cream attire. Arthur can only hope that nothing too terrible will happen to the alpha as he takes Lenore to Arthur’s neighbour and stops in at Arthur’s house for the dogs. (A little bit of coyote shit never really hurt anyone in the long-term, but Arthur would certainly pay to see Dr. Fernandes wrinkle that big arch nose of his after getting some of the crap on his fancy shoes.)

…Dr. Fernandes should be in Wolf Trap - or just leaving the area - about now, actually. Arthur takes one hand out of his pocket to check his phone. No frantic text messages or missed calls from Dr. Fernandes, so Lenore is fine. He can breathe.

Arthur slides his phone back into his pocket. “...Could also just be ghost-hunters.”

Ludwig huffs through his nose, his scent bleeding with exasperated chillies and black pepper. “Go,” he says to Arthur. Nods meaningfully to where the greatest hubbub of sound and light is coming from on-site. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Arthur sighs as well, but obediently leaves Ludwig with Special Agent Linh to go investigate the scene. Blumenschien-Julia, Honda and Vargas had long since gone ahead of him, and Arthur isn’t surprised to see the three of them as he approaches one building less damaged than the others, its heavy industrial door pulled wide open to the night. Floodlights, conversation, and the heavy iron scent of blood drift out.

One of the original investigators - fully suited and booted - stops Arthur before he goes inside. Hands Arthur a fresh pair of nitrile gloves and overshoe covers in matching blue, the whole set reminding Arthur quite starkly of his daughter’s matching sets of mittens and booties for fall. All he’s missing is the hat.

Inside: a big cement box. This building appears to have been used as a storage warehouse in the past, old, now empty, shelves disintegrating into rust where they’ve fallen over on the floor. The few small windows around the large room seem to still be intact, set high up on the walls so that, in the past, no-one passing by would have been able to sneak a peek at the goods stored inside.

It’s a good place to kill someone. Close the door, and almost all sound and light would be trapped inside the warehouse’s four thick walls. With the plant abandoned as it is… three victims could very easily be tortured to death, and no-one but the killer would ever scent their suffering or hear their screams.

Even days after their death and with new, living people on-site the air is still smeared with the intense suffering of alphas, a pungent enough odour that Arthur rocks back onto his back foot for a moment as he steps inside the warehouse. Unable to stop the instinctive wrinkling of his nose, the immediate defensive hunching-up of his shoulders to protect his vulnerable throat. His eyes prickle, threatening to shift to gold, Arthur’s body responding to the pheromones in the air and sending the first trickles of defensive hormones out into his bloodstream. Alert to any danger.

For the scent to have built up to this degree, the victims must have been tortured for many, many hours. Death by a thousand cuts: for most, being flayed isn't a quick way to die.

Photographers and note-takers scuttle around the warehouse like beetles over a corpse. Corpses. Three bodies sit slumped in their plain wooden seats, all in a row, stripped - badly - of their skin from head to foot. Glistening wet muscle, fat and bone exposed to be buzzed over by flies. Hands tied behind their backs, ankles lashed to the feet of the chairs. Blood dried in pools on the floor.

Arthur studies the scene, takes as deep a breath as he can bear, and then lets the golden pendulum in his mind swing.

All of the other people in the room disappear. Then the flash of cameras, the crime scene markers, and the yellow tape. The blood pools on the floor recede like the tide, drain backwards, upwards, up the wet muscle that used to be three men’s legs. Maggots are unborn, retreating into their shells around crusted eyes and slashed-up ears, and flies depart from the buzzing strings of beads they had made against lipless mouths. Skin regrows across mangled limbs like lichen stretching out over the trunk of a tree - but none of the victims wake. All three men remain slumped in their bonds, naked, alive but unconscious.

Arthur circles them to examine them from behind. No signs of head trauma on their scalped skulls, nothing overtly obvious to indicate a reason for the victims’ unconsciousness prior to flaying. They’d likely been drugged.

Further back in time. The victims had been brought into the room one by one, all at the same time. Dragged - there are scuff-marks from the door to a patch of floor outside of the pools of blood the size of a man’s body. A torn-off shirt button too clean to have been here since the plant went out of business in the same area meaning that the victims had been clothed originally, stripped off in the same patch of floor before being dragged over to the chairs. Tied in place with unforgiving cable ties.

The killer waits. The killer waits until the sedating properties of the drugs begin to wear off and his three victims all wake. The victims are still weak, sluggish, unable to resist when their kidnapper approaches them with a blade -

“Any sign of the murder weapon?” Arthur asks the room.

Julia, nearest to Arthur, answers him, too busy bagging up the abandoned shirt button to look over. “Nope. We’re looking for something incredibly sharp though, a blade no longer than six inches. Slight curve.”

“A dressing knife.” The tool of a hunter. Or butcher.

Arthur sinks back into his recreation, the weight of a 6 inch dressing knife comfortable in his hand. Its grip is warm and familiar: an old friend.

The killer begins with the victim in the leftmost chair. The blood under his corpse is the oldest, and blood spatter indicates that he was conscious enough to struggle at least a little when the knife was placed to his skin. Feet first - the killer wanted the victim to last as long as possible, and watch every moment as his skin was sliced from his body. To scream. The killer wanted all three of his victims to watch, John Does #2 and #3 watching #1 tortured to death. #3 watching #2. And #3…

This is personal. I skin these men slowly, one by one, so that the others may watch. I have ordered them by their sins, so that those whose sins were greatest will wait longest for their death to arrive. Look at me. Know me. Do you remember me now? It is important to me that you see what you really are on the inside.

John Doe #1 still has a patch of skin over his right ankle bone almost the size of Arthur’s palm. Thumb-sized pieces of skin hanging loose at the back of his knees, under the curve of his ass where it meets the chair. Eyelids, and the remnants of a nose.

John Doe #2 has been flayed so badly he’s lost one of his balls, and it’s impossible to tell if the man had had a knot at one point with what little flesh remains of his genitals underneath all the blood, under the slippery pool of his own intestines where they’ve slithered forwards out of his abdomen and onto the remains of his lap. There’s a vicious gouge in his perineum: Doe #2 talked back.

I’ve done this before. Humans are not my usual prey - I know how to handle my knife, but the shape of the animal beneath the blade is still unfamiliar to me. That my inexperience extends your suffering only brings me more pleasure, because you deserve to suffer. My cuts grow more precise as I move along the row of my victims, but now I know how to keep you alive for longer as I cut. Peeling off your skin inch by inch, dropping it in a pile in front of you on the floor. Warming to my task.

Arthur frowns, rising from his crouch near the third body. “The killer knew these people.” He’s shaking, the screams of three men still echoing in his ears. Has to clench his hands into fists to get control of himself, the scent of raw spoiled meat stuck in his nose, itching across the roof of his mouth.

“Well, I’m glad someone did,” Vargas snarks, lowering his camera after snapping a picture of the first body’s bound wrists. “We’ve got nothing to ID them with. No clothes, no wallets, and not enough left of their facial features for us to run a photograph of them through the system. If their DNA doesn’t show up in our files we’ll have to start looking at dental records.” Notoriously spotty.

“Any of the missing skin turned up?”

“Nada.” Julia again, still scouring the floor for any more pieces of clothing. For strands of fabric and the marks of feet. “Victims’ personal effects are still AWOL as well. Agents from the local field offices have already swept the plant’s buildings searching for them, and they’ve got the K9s out in the surrounding fields. Just in case any of it’s been dumped outside.”

It’s almost fully dark now outside, so the sniffer dogs should be coming in for the night.

“Just what we need,” Vargas gripes. Grumpy enough that, even though Vargas is a beta, Arthur can smell him from a few metres away, Vargas’ scent green and sharp at the edges with lemon basil over something thicker, spicier, smokier, and woodier. A church’s herb garden kitchen - lavender, something, something and frankincense? “Paw Patrol at the party hosting the world’s most fucked-up ménage à trois. The last time one of the field offices brought out the K9s near one of our crime scenes, we got dog fur contaminating the evidence.”

“You’re kvetching like you’re the one who had to get the DNA of 8 dogs to eliminate them from the suspect pool,” Julia grumbles back at him, exuding just enough of her own sour cherry and almonds alpha scent that Arthur almost misses the moment that the notes of cedar, coffee, pepper and baked bread hit the air around all of them, Ludwig Beilschmidt entering the old warehouse.

It says something about the raw meat stink of the bodies, their pheromones and their blood, that Ludwig smells appealing to Arthur’s nose. An actual beacon of stability amongst this mess, safe harbour for Arthur’s nose.

“Ménage à quatre,” Honda says softly, his eyes limned with the same instinctual gold as Arthur’s. Ducking his chin apologetically when Vargas only looks at him blankly and offers a puzzled huh? “Quatre, not trois. The killer in this scenario makes four.”

Arthur would’ve quite happily taken examining a scene after a real ménage à quatre over this. It wouldn’t have been the first time in his life he’d had to search for evidence using UV - wouldn’t even have been the first time he’d had to do so with four completely naked, thankfully still alive, civilians right beside him.

“This wasn’t an act of passion,” he says, pitching his voice a little further for Ludwig, “but one of cold and pretty methodical revenge. A slow, controlled burn.” Arthur gestures to the victims, one after the other. “One. Two. Three. He deliberately flayed them one by one, so the later victims watched the earlier victims die. They were drugged when they were first brought here, but they were all alive and conscious when the knife was applied to the first one’s skin.”

Julia whistles. “They were tortured.”

That’s exactly the word for it. “Our victims were still under the effects of whatever concoction they were drugged with. They struggled in their bonds - but not too much. Damage from the ties into the raw flesh is relatively minimal, and blood spatter hasn’t gone too far from the bodies.”

Honda pipes up again. “That suggests a high dose of sedatives, paralytics.”

“Which suggests our unsub might be someone who isn’t able to - or doesn’t think they’re able to - handle an adult alpha male without the aid of pharmaceuticals, even when the victim is tied down.”

“Handling one alpha is a great deal different to handling three,” Julia points out. “The killer could just be cautious.”

“We have no way to tell that the victims were awake when the killer started hacking at them,” Vargas complains. “We can check for stress hormones during the autopsy, but the body naturally produces those when it's attacked anyway. The whole revenge theory is entirely suppositional.”

“Suppose then,” grunts Ludwig from behind the beta, and Vargas nearly jumps out of his own skin.

Arthur waves sharply to the body in front of him again: John Doe #3. “He pissed himself pre-mortem, pre-flaying. You can smell the ammonia, and it’s diluted some of the blood that dripped down onto the floor after the urine.”

(“I have it,” says Honda, and approaches so he can snap a few more photos of the floor under victim #3’s chair. To Vargas - “Did the earlier team take swabs?” Vargas only shrugs at him irritably.

“Alright, sourpuss,” says Julia, “you get the fun job of going to find out.”)

“Skinning is an act of humiliation,” says Arthur. “Our killer had to show each of these men exactly who they were underneath the front they were putting up for the world. And make them sorry for it.”

Julia hmms in thought, idly spinning the evidence bags in her gloved hands. “A ‘beauty is only skin deep’ sort of situation?”

Ludwig looks sceptical. “You think these men were targeted for their vanity?” For all their posturing, alphas rarely have the word applied to them.

Julia, unlike many others of her dynamic, has a reasonable amount of self-awareness. (When she wishes to apply it.) She shrugs. “Every alpha gets a little vain during pre-rut. Maybe they all peacocked in front of the wrong person.”

“I’m not sure,” says Arthur, frowning again. “All I really know for certain is that these men did something that personally upset their killer.”

Ludwig looks at Arthur meaningfully. Jerks his chin towards the warehouse’s door before heading in that direction himself. Walk with me.

Arthur goes and walks with him, falling into step with Ludwig just outside the building. Night’s chilly mantle drapes itself out over Arthur’s shoulders again, the crunching of gravel and glass underfoot shockingly loud against the quiet murmuring of agents around them. Arthur has forgotten to take his booties off, and the sharp debris on the ground is slicing their thin plastic to ribbons.

In the distance, a dog barks.

“You were asking about the dogs,” says Ludwig.

“Anything?” Arthur asks, but Ludwig only shakes his head. “Likely the unsub took the victims’ skin with them then.”

“A trophy?”

Arthur shrugs, enjoying the smell of the fresh air outside the warehouse. Staring off into the night rather than at the blinding FBI floodlights, the chaos that is the HQ truck. The road directly outside the manufacturing plant is empty. “...You said this is the second scene.”

“The first body was found three weeks ago. West of here, in an abandoned farm building off Highway 20A, just outside the village of Delta.”

There’s a half-lit billboard out there in the darkness, where the plant’s short entrance road meets the nearby highway. Tall, spectral white letters haunt the display:

WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Heaven? or Ohio? 855-FOR-TRUTH John 3:36

“How far from here?” Arthur asks. Turning his eyes away from the promise of manufactured heaven to concentrate on his balance, lifting up his feet, one after the other, to pull off the remains of the elasticated overshoes he had been given earlier. The matching gloves soon follow, and Arthur warms up his twitching fingers by rubbing them over the back of his neck.

“Around half an hour by car,” Ludwig replies. Looking about as pleased as Arthur feels hearing that answer, Ludwig’s eyes glowing red-white with light reflected from behind Arthur. That’s a lot of ground for the investigation to cover. Where are all the serial-killing homebodies these days?

“The unsub has a relatively wide working area. Must know the region pretty well.”

“It is not too far from here to Michigan,” Ludwig points out gruffly. Another negative. “We could be looking at a killer from out of state.”

“Maybe.” Arthur purses his lips, the tips of his fangs sharp against his tongue. He doesn’t want to imagine another serial killer at large across state lines right now, especially not in states so far from his home. “...What made the locals link the first body to these three? Going from one victim to three is quite a quick escalation. Sudden change in M.O. could mean this is a copycat.”

“First victim is also an alpha with her skin cut off. Still no ID.”

Arthur pauses. “‘Her’? Our victims are all men.” That’s another big difference between the two scenes. “Change in victim count, change in primary gender of victim...”

“Do we have a copycat,” asks Ludwig, a perfect echo to Arthur’s own thoughts, “or someone who knows just enough to throw us off?”

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. “Maybe someone who’s learning. There’s a noticeable increase in the precision of the cuts going from the first victim to the last, a - uh - developing technique. The killer was getting better with practice.”

“Learning on the job.” Ludwig sighs, reaching up with one hand to rub at his temples. “Practice makes perfect, they say.”

Arthur’s sigh echoes him, Arthur using his own hands to knuckle at his tired eyes. Multicoloured stars flash and twinkle in the dark behind his eyelids. His nose is cold. “We need to see the first body.”

“We’re working on it. The locals are putting up a fuss.”

“They’re hitting us with the red tape?” Arthur frowns, a flash of frustration ripping through him. Isn’t it enough that they’ve come out to Ohio to take a look at this mess without being asked to perform tricks as well? “Do they want the FBI to handle this case or not?”

“Oh,” says Ludwig, bone-dry and mirthless, “the local bureaucracy wants rid of it. But apparently there’s some complication with two open missing persons cases and the families involved.” He snorts - “The rich families involved.”

“...They’re each wondering if the Jane Doe is their missing person.” No matter that they’d all get their answers quicker if they just cooperated with the FBI. Arthur shakes his head, muttering - “More money than sense.”

Ludwig doesn’t disagree with him, sighing a long plume of warm breath out into the increasingly cold night. “Money makes the world go round.” Not logic. Fuck it.

*****

Special Agent Linh - Vietnam Julia Blumenschein - Female Prussia

Fun fact: sweet pea has always been an asshole of a scent to obtain for perfumiers. The flower, often referred to as Queen of the Annuals, produces a stress hormone when picked, which ruins its beautiful smell. It’s also a flower that’s used extensively in those fashionable teas/tisanes/cocktails that change colour as you pour them.

Thank you, still, to my friend Reid, who helped me with Ohio lore! The billboard Arthur spots here is based on a real one that google claims is in Ohio, so any mistakes there are google’s fault rather than mine. >>

NEXT CHAPTER

#Shacha fic #engport #Arthur Kirkland #Ludwig Beilschmidt #kiku honda #Lovino Vargas #nyotalia #fem!Prussia #gilbert beilschmidt #hetalia

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burgess-group · 2 months ago

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Our casement windows seamlessly combine practicality with elegance, offering outward-opening designs in a variety of styles, colours, and finishes to suit any home. Crafted from knot-free engineered timber, they are durable and resistant to warping, with three coats of micro-porous paint available in shades like blue, grey, cream and green. For coastal properties, we provide aluminium windows with a protective marine finish. Our team also offers helpful colour swatches to ensure you choose a match that complements your home’s exterior.

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diabolus1exmachina · 2 years ago

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BAE Vantare V12 (1 of 10).

British Automotive Engineering (BAE) is currently working on a new Bond-style sports car in Essex, Great Britain. Of course, it will be a grand tourer with a V12 under the hood. To avoid having to start on a blank sheet of paper, the BAE team led by actor and TV presenter Bradley Walsh looked around intensively and finally selected a good existing base. This comes from the Aston Martin DB9, which rolled off the production line at Gaydon between 2004 and 2016. By using base cars that have already been approved, it is possible to concentrate on other things that have to be developed. Only the roof and windows remain from the original body. All other body parts are given a new look in the style of classic sports cars, such as those driven by Sean Connery as James Bond 007. State-of-the-art hybrid materials such as carbon fiber composite are used for this purpose.

An the end, the newly created vehicle goes by the name of Vantare and is limited to just ten units. All upcoming owners will be able to configure their respective cars completely freely. In addition to colors for the paint and interior, this also includes mechanical upgrades that provide more power. Without these modifications, the six-liter V12 with automatic transmission already ensures that the Vantare accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and on to a topspeed in excess of 180 mph. Leather upholstery is available in a choice of smooth or suede and in modern or classic colors. There are also polished aluminium elements and hand-finished exposed carbon trim. Standard equipment also includes an advanced infotainment system with nine-inch touchscreen display, navigation system, DAB radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

#BAE Vantare #Aston Martin DB9 #James Bond 007

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schvmacher47 · 2 years ago

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Rumour Has It (Pedri x artist! protagonist)

part 1!

view part 2 here ;)

read rumour has it on wattpad!

summary: Being dragged along to the studio of Sira's favourite artist, Pedri never thought he would find himself falling in love with this place or even the owner... He quickly found himself looking forward to hearing about the process of the commission his friend placed, dropping by after practice to pick up Ferran's commission and place his own, just to get another reason to see Ana again. [...]

It was a warm, bright day in early February, the clock was about to hit four in the afternoon. Ana's pants and the sleeves of her sweatshirt were covered in old, dried-off paint. She stared at the blank canvas in front of her, twisting the big paint brush between her fingers. The white canvas slowly but surely blurred with the curtained window front of her studio.

Ana sat with her back to the front door. It was a quiet day, not many people found their way into one of Barcelona's many, narrow, secluded alleys. And if they did, it was only with a certain goal in mind.Whether it was to take photos of the picturesque alleys, to go to one of the cosy cafés, restaurants or bars, or to visit her studio.

But it wasn't one of those days. And that was okay. She found the peace and quiet extremely pleasant. A welcome change from the stressful city and university life.

Sighing, Ana dipped the brush into the brown acrylic paint diluted with water. The liquid paint dripped onto the floor when she applied the brush to the canvas and spread the paint over a large area.

The former white of the canvas disappeared, the canvas was now tinted in a light brown colour. Satisfied with the new starting position, Ana reached for the magazines beside her and tore up article after article. She dipped another brush into the container filled with glue and began to randomly paste the torn articles on the canvas.

She did what she did best, let her creativity run wild. The randomly placed newspaper articles created a new depth to the canvas, creating the perfect starting point for an abstract portrait.

Even though art was a passion that required patience, patience was exactly what Ana never had when it came to waiting. Spending hours working out details on paintings? No problem. Waiting for the thin layer of paint and glue to dry? Big problem. That's why she always had a hairdryer at hand, in most cases she didn't want to deal with her impatience - The hairdryer thus became her little helper, speeding up the drying process in no time. She loved it, so she didn't lose any time and could start almost immediately with the actual sketch.

Lost in her thoughts, Ana let her pencil run over the canvas, and the initially confused lines quickly formed the shape of a female face. Carelessly, she dropped the pencil back into the bowl on her cart, which she now pulled towards her. The three-tier Ikea trolley looked like one big mess - or even a battlefield. The once white paint was adorned with colourful blobs of paint - oil and acrylic - apart from the new aluminium foil on the top surface - a kind of improvised colour palette. The lower two floors were crammed with paint tubes, sorted by oil and acrylic paint despite the chaos, containers of thinner for the oil paints and all the brushes.

Soft music accompanied the calm atmosphere in her studio as she mixed different acrylic colours and diluted them with water. The paint dripped again, on the floor, trousers, sleeves, as she spread the liquid paint with a soft brush along her sketch and on the newspaper articles.

Without a precise idea, she taped random spots on the canvas and exchanged her soft brush for a large spatula, which she generously covered with white and red acrylic paint and dragged it across the canvas.

The clock was about to hit five in the afternoon when Ana reached for the hairdryer again to dry the acrylic paint faster when she heard the door to her studio open. She rolled up her sleeves and fixed her hair before rising and walking towards the two young men that had just entered the studio.

»How can I help you?« she asked with a friendly smile on her lips. The taller of the two began to speak. »I would like to commission a painting.« – »Sure, would you like to sit down over there to discuss the details?« He nodded in agreement and dragged his buddy with him to the table in the corner.

»What do you have in mind?« she asked as she also sat down at the table and crossed her legs. She pulled a sketchpad and pencil from a drawer, placing the utensils on the table in front of her. »The whole thing is supposed to be a gift for my girlfriend, I brought you some pictures to use as templates...« He told her, spreading out some printed photos on the table. The photos showed a young woman with her horse.

»Sira adores your work! She's been talking non stop about wanting a painting of yours for ages...« he finally continued. »Oh, I'm glad to hear that.... Looking at these photos, I think we have two options here, option one would be, we keep it completely realistic, no frills, just a realistic oil painting. Option two would be a mixed media version...« She explained, meanwhile feeling the interested gaze of the other man, who had remained quiet until now, on her. »Mixed media is what?«, the aforementioned man inquired. »Mixed media is, as the name suggests, a work of art made from many different media.«

»Well, if you're saying that Sira loves her art style, then this 'mixed media' thing would probably be the best choice, right?« – »Gee, you do have brains, Pedri. Who would have thought.« – »You obviously didn't think of it yourself. At least one of us can think straight...« Ana grinned in amusement as she overheard the conversation. »I think your friend is right.« – »Ferran.« – »I think he's right, Ferran. I'd go for the mixed media version too.... Especially if she likes the style as much,« Ana said with a grin.

»I'd trust the female advice if I were you, Ferran« – »Are you questioning my decision-making ability when it comes to gifts for my girlfriend right now?« – »No, I'm just saying that you should trust the female intuition, I guess she knows what she's recommending,« Pedri gestured wildly to clarify his statement. »I can also just make a sketch and then you can still decide...« – »That sounds great, let's do it that way.«

Ana picked up her pencil, immediately starting a sketch of one of the photos that Ferran brought along. Whilst her main focus was now on the sketch, she still continued her questions regarding the painting. »How big do you want the canvas to be?« – »There's literally no need to ask Ferran that, out of all the people I know, he's the one with the worst spatial imagination.« Ana raised her head, the sketch suddenly not as important anymore. Pedri looked at his friend from the side, a wry grin on his face. Ferran just shook his head. »That's so not true!« »Oh yeah? May I remind you of the Christmas tree which was way too tall for your apartment? Or the wardrobe, which didn't fit through the front door?« – »There was literally no need to bring that up.« Ana grinned as she overheard the conversation.

She continued to run the pencil in her hand across the piece of paper, the lines slowly forming an image of the reference photo. »Sounds like a problem we can solve in no time...How about we finish setting up the order portfolio and then look at different canvases with different dimensions?« Both young men nodded in agreement, leaving Ana satisfied working on the final touches of the sketch.

»You know, this is just insane, right?« – »What?« – »This!«, he pointed at the sketch. »You did this in what? Barely five minutes.« Ana just shrugged. »It's my job, it would be very inconvenient if I wasn't able to sketch this quickly.« she mumbled and quickly put her pencil away, being satisfied with the outcome of the sketch. »So I'm right in thinking, that I'm doing a painting based on this sketch?« Ferran simply nodded, being at a loss of words.

Ana took a folder from the shelf behind her. Rummaging in her drawer, she took a ballpoint pen and started filling out her portfolio template. »Since we already have the sketch and reference photos, I'd only need your name and the date by which you need the painting. We'll discuss the price later, once we've decided on the size of the canvas.«, Ferran nodded in agreement, still having a surprised look on his face.

»It'd be great if I could pick the painting up by the end of March.« »Should we agree on the 29th?« – »That's perfect.« Ana nodded and noted the date down. »For how long have you been doing this?« »What?« – »Painting. When did you start?« – »There are photos of me painting at just the age of two, so probably even long before I could really talk. My parents told me that I'd always wanted to destroy the house... As far as I know they had to paint at least a few walls white again after I've decided to paint on them..« – »Sounds a lot like us, don't you think Ferran?« – »The destroying the house part definitely!« A wide grin spread across his face. »Care to explain?« »You don't know?« Both young men looked surprised at her. »Am I supposed to?« – »Given the fact that you live here in Barcelona, I'd say yes. At least the majority of women around your age would definitely know who we are.«, Ferran explained. »That sounds very...cocky.« – »Believe me, I wish it was different...« Pedri shook his head. »You can't have it all I guess..« – »Well I think there are a lot of guys who would enjoy all the female attention you apparently get.« – »I know, but that's just not the point of being a professional footballer...« – »Oh yeah right, I think I know who you are... At least if you're the guys my sister's boyfriend keeps talking about. And that one guy that looks like he could still be in highschool, supposedly forming the new greatest duo of all time with you, just like Xavi and Iniesta once were... I'm not much of a football fan though. Actually I’m one of those who just watches it when it's the Euros or the World Cup, so it's just what I picked up from my soon to be brother in law.« She explained, remembering how Catalina and Carlos had dragged her along to the group stage matches of the Spanish national team in Seville.

Ana just shook her head, twisting her ballpoint pen between her index and middle finger. She indeed never has been really into football, just then recognising the two young men that have found their way into her studio from all the billboards. »So your full name is?« – »Ferran Torres García.« – »Alright, we’re all set. I’d say we can have a look at the canvases now.« Ana quickly tidied up her desk, putting the order portfolio neatly away into her drawer, before she stood up and indicated them to follow her.

»I would probably opt for a rectangular format, as it kind of stretches out the painting rather than compromising it. Which is great in this case, as a square format would just compress it, it wouldn’t look great.« Ana explained, while she led the two men to her hidden storage room. »Now coming back to the spatial imagination, do you have an idea of how much wallspace you want to cover?« she asked, while she already picked out a few canvases she in general always recommended to clients. »I took a photo, we have this wall in our hallway, pretty empty so I figured we could put it there.« said Ferran, unlocking his phone to show Ana the photo he took of his hallway. She had a quick look at it, immediately getting a feeling for the space that should be covered. »How about something like this?« she grabbed a canvas from her storage shelf, putting it on her spare easel. »This is 1,40 metres wide and 1,20 metres tall. Normal wall height is at least 2,50 metres, so it’s not taking up too much space, while still covering up the empty space without being too bulky. « »Sounds… great?« – »I told you he has literally no idea!«, exclaimed Pedri from the other end of the small storage room. He had subconsciously moved off to the other hand and found himself looking at paintings which Ana had stored for her next exhibition. Still amazed by the works of art he’d just seen, he slowly returned, slightly shaking his head in disbelief.

»This is just insane…«

#pedri x reader #football fanfic #football imagines #footballer x reader #pedri fanfic #footballer imagine #pedri gonzalez x reader #lcstinhistcry #pedri imagine #pedri blurb #football fan fiction #football blurb #football one shot #pedri gonzález blurb #pedri

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lethaldiablerie · 1 year ago

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RED-VELVET, GUTS, WHORE.

Lights, Camera, Acción. Winter dusk’s constellations whistled transcendent dreams, bathed in the ethereal glow of aurora’s luminescence. Airy bittersweet radiant amidst melodrama in the air. Ensnared by the meaning of slumber, I existed in-between a haze cognizant disruption and somnolent reverie. Awakened by the silence, burdened by the aphasic blare of the alarm's siren. Still I lay, halfway slanted over my body draped on the pearly-white and ivory golden rounded couch in despair. Languishing, unfathomed by the remnants from the night prior. A hangover grippingly lingers, seeping within and regret chokes me tight.

An aluminium can of Coca-Cola Cherry descends in echoes cluttering spillage on the white marble floor, as the scent of cigarette musk lingers in the atmosphere. Cursing breaths elicit underneath my throat and between faded red-stained lips. Wrapped in light's embrace, I’d wander through the resplendent marble vestibule interior of my apartment and enter its marbled white duluxe bathroom abiding inside the steamy mist.

Moments within time passed by hastily. The water droplets that were cascading down my freshen skin and glistening diamonds were now dry. My platinum tresses blew out and straightened to perfection. With a glimpse of anticipation, I begin to apply skincare products on my adorning bare facade with the right amount of elixir. The serums and creams melt seamlessly, enhancing my features. I glowed, dewy like a glazed doughnut and metamorphosed the art besotted flawlessness. A reflection initiates an art canvas amongst finger painting various colors to create an illusion of beauty, soft pads of my fingers blend in Les Beiges foundation by Chanel, my perception of art would be naturals, delicately blending in to embrace color. Then, I conceal without a brush, it'll look natural and any imperfections underneath the eyes will magically disappear using The Chanel Radiance Concealer as a little goes along the way. I add another touch of a blush, reaching for the N°1 de Chanel lip and cheek balm, a little dab here and there would suffice a bit of warmth.

Then, I use a brush to delicately dance, each stroke creates a symphony of shades and hues as I lace together artistry and self-expression.

I enhance my dewy glow, defining my features. Chanel's Les Beiges bronzer sculpts my sharp cheekbones. For my eyelids, I use the luxurious Ombre Premier cream eyeshadow, and for my perfectly shaped brows, I reach for Chanel's Le Gel Sourcils. A few strokes to shape and define my fuller brows. And at last, by accomplishing the look, I apply the Noir Allure mascara for voluminous lashes. Since my lashes are naturally long and I don't wear falsies, it makes other models presume they have feathers for eyes. With the Chanel Nude Brun lip pencil I trace the shape of my cupid's bow, filling in the corners. And a glossed layer for a mesmerizing finish.

Passing through an elevator exit, alabastrine glow painted air illumination, heavenly renaissance interior upon the ceilings reconcile with a gaze before relinquishing for day. Bypassing the doorman who greets residents “Good Morning,” I feel a breeze of winter air wandering along the sidewalk around a nearest corner and a further pathway I spotted Au Cœur Couronné nestled upper-right in the corner, it’s sign in the shape of a reddened heart underneath a golden crown pendant embedded on peal-white cobblestone wall, arched windows and the doors infinitely ajar. Au Cœur Couronné beckons me inside without a second thought, saccharine pastry collides with the robust aroma of delicate brewed coffee and Chocolat Chaud. I preferred this place amongst other coffeehouses. The interior full of historical art statues, paintings attached upon carmine walls and golden panels ignite French architecture and monochrome checkerboard floors. Au Cœur Couronné's cake exhibit varied its delicacy with marbled macarons of scarlet cherry, pearly-white, and speckling gold leafs. Éclairs. Cupcakes of carmine served with velvety white chocolate frosting and on top a glint of glitter, on the far left array’s cherry and raspberry torté, blackberry red wine chocolate gourmet and decadent strawberry tarts. A burst of redness captivating the art of passion and desire, but lastly among it all was the heart shaped red-velvet cake embroidered in its velvety texture, tiny hearts and rich palate. Adrifting, I withheld from the cake stand, making a note to order one for Friday. My attention temptingly drawn to the savoury salads. I was enticed, gazing for no more than three seconds. Salade de fraises, épinards et laitue. I've been in this position before. But an error suffices, an allergy to strawberries. I loathe food as much as I'd yearned for it. A prying urge to endorse pain, satisfaction had won as my intrusive thoughts consumed the very best of me. Upon reaching the plastic transparent box and pomegranate dressing resting on top, I rested it on the counter as the barista behind greeted me with a warming welcome.

“Morning, what can I get for you today?”

Through the reflection of noir sunglasses, he is unaware that I am gazing while he harbours a smile with his ocean blue eyes, exhausted with genuine curiosity. I paused momentarily to ponder what I'd been craving for.

“A regular on the go will do. Make it 170 degrees, but don't burn the foam and no sugar.”

As he gestures towards the coffee machine, brewing a fresh pot with steam flowing and the aroma of fresh beans filling our senses. I wander off to claim my seat by an arched window, seeking a more subdued light. Craving for grandiose between my lips, I search for the heart-shaped Vivienne Westwood lighter and ignite a grandiose cigarette. The smoke swirls around me in a wistful dance. Coffee is served and I ask for the card machine, paying for the things I purchased.

Ashes burned in-between a few sips of brew and smoke. I'd take a break from intoxicants to inhale crisp, cold draft, then exhale. Amidst all tranquil, my own thoughts soon conspired upon me. They crept in and whispered as temptation overbared the bylaws of my consequences. I'd soon disremember about my allergic susceptible affect, the indulgence of pain this would bring. Embracing determination to my senses, it became apparent that I disregard haunting thoughts and savour Salade de fraises, épinards et laitue.

Lights, Camera, Acción. Strut on the runway, evade from jogging, running, or waving. Let your countenance remain stoic, and prevent smiles. Embrace the power of a resting bitch face. Stay focused and exude expressionism of the higher ground. At the Chateau Hall rhythmic melodies reverate, stroboscopic light and camera flare beaming within the distance. The upcoming fashion extravaganza, a spectacle of sartorial brilliance drew nearer with each passing day, casting a shimmering aura of anticipation upon our hearts. The runaway stage design was noir, monochromic, capturing attention with bold elements. Mirror pillars would reflect the stage and the centrepiece persists with an open wide mouth, symbolising the presence and nature of the fashion world. It almost looks surreal with a touch of mystery behind it, but overall its aesthetic would be an unforgettable runway experience. Models would walk in as others would exit out. I was supposed to be up there myself, but being already late, I'd face consequences. Leaning upon the door frame, gazes of the cosmos never faltered as colleagues who participated exulted the platform.

‘’Oh, look who decided to show up. Tardy Barbie thinks she's too prestigious for punctuality. Iris won't be thrilled, that's for sure. Guess nobody asked for your fashionably late entrance.’’ Ugh.. Ava’s voice is unbearable like chipped manicured nails on a chalkboard. I find it insufferable when I take a deep breath, the calmness I once abide shattered into pieces, and my body tenses up in utter cringe. Enduring in silence.

‘’Fuck off, Ava.’’

In cold response, still gazing at the stage of catwalks and visuals. A flamed light ignites Gauloises attempting to search calming waters.

“No, I'm going to stay here and watch you get in trouble. Iris should be here any second now.’’

“Aw, like the time you had wandered in and saw your fiancé's cock down my throat, or the time he and I fucked in the bathroom at your wedding? God, he hated you.”

‘’You are such a cold-hearted /bitch/,’ I can hear her voice triggering in a wearing tone.

‘’And you’re a cunt. Maybe deep throat better and you’ll eventually keep someone.’’

I flicked the burning cigarette in her direction, walking in another. She tugs on my arm, her face glowing red but I divert by shoving past her side. Things were still intense between me and Ava, her attempts to taunt me and dredging up past indiscretions perceived as nonchalant. Faces turn at the small commotion across the entrance exit Ava follows like a lost puppy still raging on about the great mistakes I made. Dwelling in the past is far long and exhausting. We were never friends, not even close. In an inconvenient time, while I am still being provoked Iris walks down the hall, folders in hand, and her facade burning red. There is steam almost eliciting out of her ears. I knew Ava would get into shit for causing a scene with her intricate interplay. I watched as Iris dismissed Ava further away from me, disdaining the havoc behind, then turning to me with a stern faded glare. She inquired about my whereabouts. And I explain, though Iris seemingly visibly upset in her frustration with everything else.

“You can't just show up when you want to, otherwise, nothing will work out. I think we'll have to sit you out on this one.” Iris assigns me the task of designing for Alina, lacing her words with a subtle threat of consequences for being late again.

“And Carmilla, if you ever show up late again, I will fire you. That's a final warning.”

Alina Xialing abides in high fashion, soaring elegance at the zenith of 6.5. She is attired in delicate lingerie, and her confidence scaled the rooftops, alluring the ethereal glowing atmosphere. It reflects on her soft, glowing skin. We both have diverse aesthetics but identical concepts for every design, as if it were the art of fate drawing us together. She informs me that my work is immaculate, admiring the designs almost warmed up my icy cold heart and would be honoured to wear every piece. Upon the attire fitted on her slender figure is a translucent skin mesh top laced with Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” in noir infinite artwork. Her skirt is shortened to her slender thighs, and she wears high-knee heels creating a stunning visualisation. The tattoo on her right arm adds an edgy glimpse to her final ply of artistic expressions. I perceive as if I’d near despise her.

On the runway an array of girls find solace in intoxicated elixirs for confidence and courage, others imbibe for ketamine and a variety while the majority use the pleasure in any substances they can get their hands on. They’re driven by famine and insatiable hunger exhilarated by their own experience, it's no wonder they seem halfway through their demise. I stood on the top floor, leaning over the balcony, I couldn't help but observe the disastrous scene unfolding on the runway. The model, seemingly under the influence, stumbled along the path, her eyes drawn to something beyond the gleaming, flashing lights. It was as if she had taken more than enough substance to charge past her limits. Beside me stood Iris and her boyfriend, engaged in a conversation laced with flirtatious undertones. He shamelessly tried to win her over, while Iris, seemingly tipsy and lightweight, laughed uncontrollably. Just like the model, she stumbled like an idiot, and my eyes widened in shock as I heard something crack, I almost dropped the burning Gauloises.The entire place seemed to synchronise its gasps, stifled laughter, and the model's face was now full of blood, dripping onto the floor. To my surprise, Iris rejected her boyfriend's advances, adding another unexpected twist to the chaotic scene rushing past to aid the falling model’s side.

‘’You’re staring.’’

I hear a deep, stoic voice say in one ear.

‘’What?’’ Caught off guard, I respond.

‘’I said, you’re staring.’’ Repeating his words. He takes the half-burned cigarette and settles it in-between his lips. I can’t believe my eyes won't tear away from his intense gaze. It’s consuming me.

‘’Way too much.’’

He reminded me so much of…

‘’I was gazing.’’ Sternly, I managed to say.

‘’And?’’ He challenges.

‘’Why are you with Iris? She’s out of your league.’’

‘’I keep some women for entertainment purposes.’’ He shrugs in response, a smirk forming upon his lips.

‘’You’re disgusting.” I whisper, secretly intrigued by this. Half-smiling. We both step closer, feeling the tension build around us. I reach into my pocket and hand him a slip of paper with my apartment number written in red. I slip it into his white, golden, and silver ringed palm. As my eyes wander away from Iris' boyfriend, I notice the untouched bottles of champagne on the table. I end up taking one with me as I head back home.

Back at the apartment, I sit, indulging in a delicious tub of ice cream. The bottle of champagne is almost half empty, and I can't help but get swept away by the scenery, glamour, and drama of Gossip Girl. I admire the art of Blair Waldorf her epitome of ambition and determination, always striving at the top, and a little like Serena, effortless with beauty and a free-spirited nature. The one who has it all. But just as the show on the screen reaches its peak, there's an interruption at my door. I get up from the pearly-white and ivory-golden rounded couch, dragging both feet on the white-marbled floor. The timing couldn't be worse. I'm caught off guard, trying to find the right words to navigate this unexpected encounter.

He would only want one favour from me with his heartless demeanour, add it with a few lines of ketamine and coke and we’re both all over the place. It's a moment of confusion, conflicting emotions, and the lingering question of whether I should let my ex-boyfriend inside.

And I do, surrendering into his embrace. The door closes.

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chrisconfessed · 2 years ago

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The Lighthouse

As Dolly drove up the narrow dirt track towards the ominous Maine coastline, she observed the dark clouds and hissing wind circling the towering white structure ahead of her on the cliff edge, the fierce wind appearing to chase the clouds around the circular exterior in an aggressive game of chase.

Outside of the hired classic Cadillac, she passed long-forgotten properties with dilapidated exteriors, neglected lawns and battered white picket fencing. Although Dolly could sense the eerie emptiness of the buildings she passed, she could feel a continuous gaze from the broken windows, the town’s soul was still in residence.

Glancing down to her right past the gearshift, lying on a meticulously restored cream leather seat, the metal box sat proudly. She had promised to urgently deliver this menacing box, with all its secrets hidden within, before it was too late. Looking back up towards the road through the windscreen, Dolly brushed a rogue strand of mahogany hair away from her youthful face, clearing her vision.

As Dolly increased her speed, heavy rain started to pelt the beautifully appointed car with a steely determination, the force of the rain pushed back on the fragile aluminium exterior with a might that suggested it knew her mission was a fool’s errand. The sudden and thunderous roar of lightning did little to break her focus; she was just mere minutes away from arriving at her final stop, the old lighthouse.

Passing through the property’s main gates, the track narrowed further upwards with potholes littering the way and making the car bounce along in an erratic manner. Dolly’s stiletto pressed down with force on the brake, bringing the Cadillac to a grinding halt on the pebbled drive, ending its treacherous journey directly outside a porch attached to the small building nestled under the towering structure.

Thankful that she was wearing her heavy fur coat, Dolly stepped out of her cocooned protection into the great forces of Mother Nature, the metal box tucked tightly under her arm. The rain, encouraged by the unforgiving wind, had slanted to an angle, attacking everything with the power of a thousand knives.

With rain falling on to her beautifully painted face, Dolly looked upwards to the top of the shining beacon just in time to see a bolt of lightning attack its tallest point. Her face brightened under the flash of light, showing an expression of steely determination and naïve youth. The teenage girl inhaled a huge breath of air and took her first steps towards the lighthouse.

Written by Chris Coote-Stubbins

#maine #lighthouse #fiction #shortstory #horrorstory #horror literature #short story #horror

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construction654 · 4 hours ago

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Sustainable Design: How to Incorporate Eco-friendly Materials into Your Home

In an era where sustainability is more than just a buzzword, integrating eco-friendly materials into your home design is a step toward a greener future. At Alpha Design Lab-best construction company in Bangalore, we believe that great design should not come at the expense of the environment. Whether you're building a new home, remodelling an existing space, or making small yet impactful changes, there are countless ways to incorporate sustainable materials without compromising aesthetics or functionality.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Materials?

Sustainable materials offer numerous benefits beyond environmental conservation. They help reduce carbon footprints, improve indoor air quality, and often come with enhanced durability. Choosing eco-conscious materials can also support ethical manufacturing practices and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Key Eco-Friendly Materials for Home Design

1. Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is one of the most stylish and sustainable materials available. Sourced from old buildings, barns, and factories, it adds a rustic yet timeless charm to interiors. Whether used for flooring, furniture, or wall paneling, reclaimed wood reduces the need for new lumber, thus helping to conserve forests and minimize waste.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, making it an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood. Its durability, strength, and versatility make it suitable for flooring, cabinetry, and furniture. Unlike slow-growing hardwood trees, bamboo matures in just a few years, making it a highly sustainable choice.

3. Recycled Metal

From kitchen backsplashes to light fixtures and furniture, recycled metal adds an industrial-chic aesthetic while reducing the demand for newly mined materials. Aluminium, steel, and copper can be repurposed into elegant home accents with a lower environmental impact.

4. Cork

Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without damaging the tree itself, making it an ideal renewable resource. Its natural insulation properties make it great for flooring and wall coverings, contributing to a quieter and more energy-efficient home.

5. Recycled Glass

Recycled glass countertops, tiles, and décor pieces are an innovative way to repurpose waste. These materials offer a beautiful, contemporary look while preventing tons of glass from ending up in landfills. They also require less energy to produce than traditional glass products.

6. Low-VOC Paints and Finishes

Traditional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release harmful chemicals into the air. Opting for low-VOC or zero-VOC paints improves indoor air quality and reduces environmental pollution while ensuring a safe and healthy living space.

7. Natural Fibber Textiles

Choosing organic cotton, linen, hemp, or wool for upholstery, rugs, and curtains minimizes exposure to synthetic chemicals. These materials are biodegradable and often produced using sustainable farming practices.

8. Recycled and Upcycled Materials

From salvaged bricks to upcycled furniture, giving materials a second life reduces landfill waste and adds unique character to your home. Thrifted decor and repurposed materials can make for stunning statement pieces with an eco-friendly touch.

Tips for Incorporating Sustainable Materials into Your Home

1. Prioritize Locally Sourced Materials

Buying locally reduces transportation emissions and supports regional economies. Look for nearby suppliers who offer reclaimed wood, stone, or handmade tiles crafted from sustainable sources.

2. Choose Energy-Efficient Materials

Opt for materials that contribute to better insulation and energy efficiency, such as cork flooring, insulated windows, and eco-friendly roofing materials like metal or green roofs.

3. Opt for Durable and Long-lasting Materials

Sustainability also means choosing materials that stand the test of time. High-quality, durable products reduce the need for frequent replacements, ultimately cutting down on waste.

4. Repurpose and Reuse

Before discarding old furniture or decor, consider repurposing or refinishing them. A fresh coat of low-VOC paint, new upholstery, or minor alterations can breathe new life into old pieces.

5. Incorporate Greenery

Adding indoor plants improves air quality, enhances aesthetic appeal, and creates a natural, refreshing ambiance. Consider living walls, potted herbs, or even a small indoor garden for an eco-friendly touch.

The Future of Sustainable Home Design

The demand for sustainable design continues to grow as homeowners become more conscious of their environmental impact. Innovations in biodegradable materials, energy-efficient technology, and smart home solutions will further revolutionize the way we create eco-friendly spaces.

At Alpha Design Lab- best interior designers in Bangalore, we are committed to integrating sustainability with aesthetics, ensuring that your home is both stylish and responsible. Whether you're making small eco-conscious choices or undertaking a major green renovation, every step towards sustainability counts.

Are you ready to embrace eco-friendly design? Let’s create a home that’s beautiful, functional, and kind to the planet. Contact Alpha Design Lab today for expert guidance on sustainable living.

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#alphadesignlabs #construction company #architectdesign #interior design #best interior designers

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aparatmentsinkochi · 3 days ago

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When purchasing a flat in Kochi, one of the most important factors to consider is the quality of construction. With the city's rapid urbanization and booming real estate market, it can be challenging to differentiate between properties of high quality and those that might cut corners. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, ensuring that the flat you buy meets all construction quality standards is crucial for your long-term satisfaction and investment. In this blog, we’ll guide you through key points to help you evaluate the construction quality of a flat in Kochi.

Check the Builder’s Reputation and Track Record

Before diving into the specifics of construction quality, it’s essential to know the builder or developer’s reputation. Research their past projects, the quality of those developments, and customer feedback. Established builders with a good track record of delivering projects on time and with quality craftsmanship are more likely to build homes that will stand the test of time.

Verify the Structural Design and Engineering

The foundation and structural integrity of a building are the most important aspects of construction. A poorly built foundation or weak structural design can lead to severe issues like cracks, water leakage, and even unsafe living conditions.

Look for architectural plans and approvals:

The building should have a detailed structural design, stamped by qualified engineers.

Ensure that the builder has used quality materials like reinforced cement concrete (RCC) for the foundation and load-bearing structures.

The materials used in construction directly impact the durability and longevity of the flat. When inspecting the property, look out for:

Ensure the walls are made of high-quality bricks and are plastered evenly. Check for smooth finishes on ceilings.

Tiles should be of good quality, without visible cracks or misalignments. Ceramic, vitrified, or marble tiles are popular choices.

Check if the plumbing uses corrosion-resistant materials like CPVC pipes and quality faucets. Similarly, ensure that electrical wiring is done using ISI-marked cables and fittings.

Check the doors and windows for sturdiness and smooth operation. Aluminium or UPVC windows are preferred for durability.

Check for Compliance with Local Building Code

Every city, including Kochi, has specific building codes and regulations that must be followed for a construction project to be legally compliant. These codes ensure the building meets safety standards and environmental guidelines. Some key aspects to check:

Fire safety measures

Ensure that the building has smoke detectors, fire exits, and fire-resistant materials.

Ventilation and lighting

Check for proper ventilation systems, large windows, and open spaces for natural light.

Seismic safety

Given Kochi's proximity to the seismic zones, make sure the construction adheres to earthquake-resistant building standards.

Inspect the Finishing Touches

The finishing of a flat can significantly impact its overall look and feel. Well-done finishes are a sign of attention to detail and good craftsmanship.

Paintwork

Look for even and smooth paint finishes with no visible streaks, drips, or patches.

Carpentry and fittings

Ensure doors, windows, and cabinets are neatly installed and aligned properly. Wooden fittings should be treated to prevent damage from moisture.

Bathroom fittings

Inspect the sinks, taps, and shower areas to ensure they are firmly fixed and show no signs of leakage. .

Waterproofing measures

Inquire about the materials used for waterproofing in the walls, roof, and basement .

Review the Quality of Common Areas and Amenities

If the flat you’re purchasing is part of a larger building or apartment complex, check the quality of common areas and amenities.

Lift installation

Ensure that lifts are of good quality and regularly maintained.

Parking spaces

Check if the parking area is spacious and easily accessible.

Clubhouse and recreational facilities

These should be well-built, with durable furniture and fixtures.

Landscaping

The outer spaces should be well-maintained, with proper drainage and landscaping.

Inspect the Project’s Legal Documentation

Finally, before making any commitment, ensure the project has all the necessary legal documentation. These include:

Clear title of land

Ensure that the builder has the clear title deed to the land.

Approved plans

Check whether the builder has the necessary approvals from local authorities (such as the Kochi Municipal Corporation or the Town Planning Department).

Occupancy certificate

This is proof that the building complies with all regulations and is fit for occupancy.

RERA Registration

Ensure that the property is registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), which ensures the project is legally compliant.

Conclusion

Buying a flat in Kochi can be an exciting venture, but it’s essential to take the time to inspect the construction quality thoroughly. From researching the builder’s reputation to checking the materials and legal documentation, every step plays a crucial role in ensuring that you make a sound investment. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your new home is built to last and meets all your expectations. If you're looking for flats for sale in Kochi, ensure that you take the necessary steps to verify construction quality. Additionally, if you're interested in apartments for sale in Kochi, consider these tips to ensure you’re making a well-informed decision about your future home!

#Best Flats in Kochi #2 bhk flats in ernakulam

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newlookcoatings · 2 months ago

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#homeimprovement #aluminium windows #can you paint aluminium window frames #christchurch #repaint aluminium joinery #painting aluminium window frames

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regencywindows · 6 days ago

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Why Aluminium Windows Are the Best Choice for Modern Homes

Aluminium windows are becoming the top choice for homeowners and builders due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance.

Benefits of Aluminium Windows

Durability – Resistant to rust, corrosion, and extreme weather.

Low Maintenance – Unlike timber, aluminium does not require regular painting.

Energy Efficiency – Modern aluminium frames come with thermal breaks to reduce heat loss.

Sleek Design – Slim profiles allow for more natural light.

Popular Aluminium Windows Styles

Sliding Windows – Space-saving and stylish.

Casement Windows – Great for ventilation.

Awning Windows – Perfect for all weather conditions.

Upgrade your home with aluminium windows to enjoy long-lasting quality and a modern touch.

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contentcreator12 · 10 days ago

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How Aluminium Frames Enhance the Elegance of Glass Doors and Windows.

Glass doors and windows are a popular choice for modern homes and offices. They bring in natural light, offer clear views, and add a sense of openness to any space. When paired with aluminium frames, their beauty and functionality are taken to a whole new level. Let’s explore how aluminium frames enhance the elegance of glass doors and windows.

The Beauty of Aluminium Frames

Aluminium frames have become a favorite choice for many people because of their sleek and stylish appearance. Here’s why:

Slim Profiles: Aluminium frames are strong yet lightweight, which allows for slim designs. This means more glass and less frame, giving your doors and windows a clean, modern look.

Customizable Designs: Aluminium can be easily shaped and painted in different colors, allowing you to match your frames with any interior or exterior style.

Elegant Finish: The smooth finish of aluminium frames adds a touch of sophistication to glass doors and windows.

The Strength and Durability of Aluminium

Aluminium is a strong and durable material. It lasts a long time and requires little maintenance. Here’s how this benefits glass doors and windows:

Resistant to Weather: Aluminium frames can withstand harsh weather conditions like heat, rain, and humidity. This makes them a great choice, especially for places like Dubai.

Rust-Free: Unlike some other materials, aluminium does not rust, keeping your frames looking new for years.

Secure and Sturdy: Aluminium frames provide strong support for glass panels, making your doors and windows safe and reliable.

Benefits of Using Aluminium for Glass Doors and Windows

Improved Aesthetics

Aluminium frames give glass doors and windows a modern and elegant look. Their sleek design makes any space feel more stylish and luxurious.

Better Views and Natural Light

With their slim profiles, aluminium frames allow for larger glass panels. This means:

More natural light enters the room.

Unobstructed views of the outdoors.

Energy Efficiency

Many aluminium frames are designed to be energy-efficient. They can help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter by:

Using thermal breaks to reduce heat transfer.

Supporting double-glazed glass for better insulation.

Easy Maintenance

Aluminium frames are low-maintenance. You only need to clean them occasionally with a damp cloth to keep them looking good.

Why Choose Glass and Aluminium Companies in Dubai

Dubai is known for its hot climate, and aluminium frames are perfect for this environment. Best glass and aluminium companies in Dubai understand the specific needs of the region. They provide:

High-quality aluminium frames designed for the weather conditions in Dubai.

Expert installation services to ensure your glass doors and windows are safe and functional.

Custom designs to match your personal style and preferences.

Tips for Choosing the Right Aluminium Supplier

When looking for an aluminium supplier, keep these tips in mind:

Reputation: Choose a supplier with good reviews and a strong reputation for quality.

Experience: Look for companies with experience in creating and installing aluminium frames.

Variety: Ensure they offer a wide range of designs, colors, and finishes.

Customer Support: A good supplier will provide excellent customer service and help you choose the right products.

Conclusion

Aluminium frames are the perfect partner for glass doors and windows. They enhance their elegance, improve durability, and make maintenance easy. By choosing reliable glass and aluminium companies in Dubai, you can ensure that your home or office looks stylish and modern while staying functional and energy-efficient.

So, whether you are building a new space or renovating an old one, consider aluminium frames for your glass doors and windows. They are a choice you won’t regret!

For more details contact Us:

Sales Office: Park Lane Tower - 609 Burj Khalifa St - Business Bay - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.

Factory : Plot 06 - Industrial Area 13 - Sharjah - United Arab Emirates.

Tel : +971 58 186 8400

Tel : +971 424 0 25 26

Email: [email protected]

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lakemacquariefencing · 22 days ago

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Aluminium Privacy Screens: A Modern Solution for City Living

In today’s rapidly growing urban environments, the quest for privacy has become an increasingly common challenge for city dwellers. With the rise of high-density living, particularly in apartment buildings and townhouses, people find themselves living in close proximity to others, often with little more than a thin wall or shared balcony separating them from the outside world. The bustling nature of city life—whether it's busy streets, noisy neighbours, or crowded public spaces—can make it difficult to maintain the sense of personal privacy that many desire in their homes.

As cities grow vertically, residents are faced with the dilemma of balancing open, airy spaces with the need for seclusion. Traditional privacy solutions, like tall fences or privacy walls, can be cumbersome, visually obstructive, or even unsustainable. This is where aluminium privacy screens Newcastle shine as a modern, elegant solution for maintaining privacy in urban spaces. Offering a blend of form and function, these screens not only protect your private spaces but also elevate the aesthetic appeal of your home or office.

Aluminium privacy screens provide a sleek, stylish, and durable barrier that keeps unwanted eyes at bay while preserving the open, airy feel that urban living often encourages. Whether it's for a balcony, terrace, garden, or even windows, these screens give you the freedom to enjoy your personal space without compromising on natural light or airflow. With the growing demand for efficient, low-maintenance solutions in city living, aluminium privacy screens have emerged as an ideal choice for those seeking a balance of privacy, practicality, and design.

The Need for Privacy in City Living

City living offers many conveniences, but one of its biggest drawbacks is the lack of privacy. In densely populated areas, buildings are often stacked close together, with little space between them. Whether you live in an apartment, townhouse, or house, your windows and outdoor areas are often exposed to neighbours, pedestrians, or street traffic.

This lack of privacy can lead to feelings of discomfort or insecurity, especially in personal spaces like balconies, terraces, or backyards. At the same time, city living encourages openness and connectivity to the outside world—people want to enjoy the fresh air, the natural light, and the views of the cityscape.

Aluminium privacy screens offer the perfect solution to this dilemma. They provide a clear division of space without completely obstructing light and airflow, striking a balance between privacy and openness that is essential for comfortable living in a modern urban environment.

Benefits of Aluminium Privacy Screens

Durability and Strength: One of the major benefits of aluminium privacy screens is their durability. Aluminium is a highly resilient material that can withstand the harshest weather conditions without losing its appearance or integrity. Whether it’s the scorching summer heat, the heavy rains of winter, or the salty air of coastal areas, aluminium will not rust, warp, or corrode like other materials such as wood or iron. This makes it the perfect choice for outdoor privacy solutions that are built to last.

Low Maintenance: Urban living can be busy, and many city dwellers don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to constant upkeep. Fortunately, aluminium privacy screens require minimal maintenance. Unlike wood, which needs regular painting or treatment to prevent decay, aluminium can be wiped down with soapy water to keep it looking fresh. It won’t fade or chip over time, which makes it a practical long-term investment.

Aesthetic Appeal: Aluminium privacy screens are sleek and modern, making them an attractive feature in any home or business. They come in a variety of finishes, including matte, polished, or anodised, offering flexibility to suit different styles, from industrial to contemporary. Whether you're looking for a design that complements your minimalist balcony or a statement piece to define your patio, aluminium screens provide a stylish solution.

Light and Air Flow: While you want privacy, you don’t want to sacrifice the natural light or ventilation that your space provides. Unlike solid walls, aluminium privacy screens allow light to filter through, creating a bright, airy atmosphere. Perforated or slatted designs ensure that the space remains open and breathable while still protecting your privacy from curious onlookers.

Sustainability: Aluminium is 100% recyclable, making it an eco-friendly choice. As urban populations grow and cities become more crowded, there is an increasing demand for sustainable building materials. Choosing aluminium not only ensures a long-lasting product but also contributes to reducing waste and conserving resources.

Design Options and Customisation

One of the most appealing aspects of aluminium privacy screens is their versatility in design. The material can be moulded, shaped, and finished in a variety of ways, allowing for endless customisation options. Homeowners can choose from a wide range of designs to suit their specific needs and preferences.

Decorative Screens: Aluminium screens can be customised with intricate designs, such as geometric patterns, nature-inspired motifs, or even bespoke graphics. Laser cutting technology enables highly detailed and precise designs, which can serve as both a functional and artistic element in your space.

Functional Screens: Many aluminium privacy screens are designed to serve a dual purpose—offering privacy while providing other benefits, such as shading from the sun or protection from strong winds. For example, screens with smaller perforations or solid panels can block out more light, making them ideal for creating a cosy outdoor living area or shielding windows from the glare of the sun.

Custom Fit: Aluminium privacy screens can be tailored to fit any size or space, whether you're working with a narrow balcony, a wide terrace, or an expansive garden. The screens can be made to measure, ensuring a seamless fit and maximum impact.

Aluminium Privacy Screens for Various Applications

Balconies and Patios: In high-rise apartments or urban homes with small outdoor spaces, aluminium privacy screens can transform a balcony or patio into a private retreat. These screens shield the space from the views of neighbours, creating a secluded oasis where you can relax, entertain, or unwind. Their modern design enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor area, adding a touch of sophistication and privacy.

Fencing for Ground-Level Homes: For homeowners in cities with limited yard space, traditional fences might feel bulky or outdated. Aluminium privacy screens are a stylish alternative to conventional fences, providing a sleek barrier that defines your property while keeping prying eyes out. Whether you’re enclosing a backyard, garden, or pool area, aluminium privacy screens are an elegant solution.

Window and Door Screens: Aluminium screens can also be used on windows and glass doors to provide privacy without blocking natural light. For ground-floor apartments or houses, these screens can act as a decorative barrier, shielding your interior from street views while still allowing you to enjoy the outside world.

Installation and Maintenance

Aluminium privacy screens are designed for easy installation. Many suppliers offer pre-fabricated screens that can be mounted onto existing structures, such as fences, walls, or railings, or fixed to posts for free-standing installations. For a more customised solution, you can work with a professional installer to ensure a perfect fit for your space.

As mentioned earlier, the maintenance of aluminium privacy screens is minimal. Periodic cleaning is all that’s needed to keep them looking as good as new. Simply wash them down with water and mild detergent to remove dirt, leaves, or debris. Since aluminium doesn’t rust, you won’t need to worry about corrosion in wet climates. Additionally, unlike wood, there’s no need for repainting or sealing over time.

Cost-Effectiveness of Aluminium Privacy Screens

While the upfront cost of aluminium privacy screens may be higher than traditional wooden or plastic options, their long-term value far outweighs the initial investment. Aluminium’s durability means that you won’t need to replace your screens every few years, and the low maintenance required translates to savings on upkeep.

Moreover, the aesthetic appeal of aluminium privacy screens can enhance the overall look of your property, increasing its curb appeal and potentially its resale value. A stylish and well-maintained outdoor space can be a major selling point for potential buyers or renters, making aluminium privacy screens a smart financial decision in the long run.

In an urban environment where privacy is often a luxury, aluminium privacy screens offer a modern, effective solution for homeowners and renters alike. They provide the perfect blend of privacy, light, and air flow, all while adding a contemporary touch to any space. Whether you're looking to enhance your balcony, create a secluded garden, or simply protect your windows from prying eyes, aluminium privacy screens offer a sleek and durable solution that meets the demands of modern city living.

With their minimal maintenance needs, customisable designs, and long-lasting appeal, aluminium privacy screens are an investment that will elevate both the functionality and style of your living space for years to come.

#aluminiumprivacyscreensnewcastle

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