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ameliassecrets · 19 days

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Got him (T.N. x reader)

You finally make friends with your next-door neighbour, but it seems you like the same guy.

A/N: So I might have gone horribly overboard with this, but I've been way too inspired recently, so I had to get it out of my system. Anyways, here you go!

(Has been intended as fem!reader, but could also be read as gn!reader since I didn't specify any pronouns)

Exactly one year ago you had officially started your career as an auror. You knew it wouldn't be easy but you were determined, otherwise you also never would’ve been able to get a job at the Ministry of Magic. You were standing on your own feet, so to speak, for the first time in your life, therefore you were faced with new challenges. Challenge number one had been to find an apartment that you liked. After living in your first apartment for a year and constantly having trouble with your landlord, you decided you needed a change.

As it just so happened every available apartment nearby came with three roommates as it seemed, all of which were guys. You didn't necessarily love your new shared apartment, but it was still an improvement on your last one. The boys were nice to you, yet you never really became part of the group and it bothered you.

It made living there even harder and you were starting to struggle. You were desperate to make your room feel like a home, but no amount of furniture and decor could make you feel less caged in your own little space. You felt like you were treading on thin ice, scared to loose footing at any given moment.

Then there were your neighbours. Your roommates instantly got along with them. 'No wonder' you scoffed in your mind. If you had knocked on their door asking for help from a 'strong man', you surely would've been their favourite neighbour as well.

Needless to say you didn’t get along with them. They kept hitting on your roommates, as well as other colleagues as you had heard, and you had quickly disliked them.

You can still recall them giggling as one of the boys was more than eager to lend them a hand.

You didn’t need to get along with them anyways, you had befriended other colleagues and for the most part, as long as you avoided your apartment everything was fine.

One of the colleagues you got along with the best was Hermione Granger. You were both smart and competitive, yet you supported one another, instead of feeling a need to bring the other down. That was probably what made your friendship so strong, nothing but little disputes that were easily forgiven, ever getting between you so far.

But there were also colleagues you hadn’t ever really paid any further mind to. One of them: Theodore Nott. Admittedly he was an attractive guy, with his mesmerizing eyes, dark curly hair and his charming smile that would turn into a sinful smirk ever so often, but you never really got to know him all that well.

Ever since you were paired up together in one of your classes though, getting closer to him was inevitable and Merlin it drove you mad.

He started seeking you out more often, you would always make each other laugh and with all the attention you were now getting from him you couldn’t help being intrigued by him.

----------

You went out to a karaoke bar in muggle London with your colleagues after a particularly hard training session that day. It was a Friday night, so the bar was crowded, but your group was still able to save yourselves a nice table in the corner of the room.

'I need a drink' you thought to yourself after a good half an hour of listening to several people sing. Only when you turned around towards the bar you held back. One of your neighbours was chatting up Theodore. Perhaps you had taken an unexpected interest in him that you weren't quite ready to admit to yourself. But it was brutally clear that so had she.

Whilst you were stood studying them from afar you could make out how she was constantly seeking out the opportunity to get impossibly closer to him, batting her eyelashes at him and carelessly throwing her head back laughing as he appeared to have made a joke.

What made it even worse was that he didn't seem quite as repulsed by her actions as you were. He kept their conversation going, making her laugh and leaning in whenever it was necessary so that she could hear what he was saying.

You hated feeling this way, it was only a silly crush. Oh please who are you even kidding.. he's a colleague. Exactly, 'a colleague', you reminded yourself. Who knows, maybe getting to know her would also help you get to know the others a little better and you would feel more at home?

And with exactly that thought in mind you pushed yourself through the crowd towards them.

"So what are we drinking over here?" You asked the both of them, after you had greeted them with your best smile.

"A sex on the beach" he replied with a toothy grin.

You were cursing yourself for the thoughts that flooded your mind at his reply.

"A sex on the beach? I thought you would take another Cuba Libre" you teased him, remembering his cringe at the taste of the drink he had earlier.

"Please, don't remind me" he begged whilst putting a hand over his heart, his face distorting into one of faux pain.

"Alright", you laughed. "Does it taste good?" You asked, pointing at the drink in his hand.

"It does. I can only recommend it" he said, after having taken another sip of the drink and leaning slightly back against the bar so that he would be able to face you whilst you were placing your order.

After getting your own drink and making casual conversation, one of your roommates came up to the three of you with one of your neighbours in tow.

"Do you also want a tequila shot?" he asked you over the loud music after offering some to the others. You took one of the shots, thanking him, only regretting it at the warm feeling of the liquid going down your throat.

"Salazar, we should sing a song together" your dark-haired neighbour cheered, after you had all downed the contents of the little glasses.

Theodore had protested immediately, his eyes almost comically wide, as they threatened to jump out of his head from the shock.

“Oh come on” You all teased him, his eyes stuck to yours in particular at your pleads for him to sing.

“Only if you go as well” he bargained, with a challenging look, adorned by a wolfish smile on his face.

“Fine, as long as you go” you replied confidently, despite the fact that you were usually uncomfortable singing in front of people. He rose his eyebrows in question of if you really wanted to do this but you left no room for arguments.

As soon as you had formally introduced yourselves, since she didn’t know your name and neither did you know hers, the girl was quick to write your names down on the board.

"I'm Pansy" she had introduced herself, reaching out her hand for you to shake, smiling as you told her your name.

As the girl named Pansy - as you now knew - had run off, you took the chance to introduce yourself to the other girl as well.

"By the way I never got your name.." you sheepishly admitted. Of course it was weird to introduce yourself to your neighbour after living next door to each other for months, but you’d rather have it be late than never.

"That's alright, I'm Daphne" she laughed, giving you a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you, I actually wanted to introduce myself on the first day and ask if you maybe wanted to drink a glass of bubbly together but I kind of missed the opportunity." you told her, smiling back.

"That sounds like a great idea, we should do that. Feel free to come over whenever you want, we can all sit on our balcony if you'd like." You were surprised with how on board Daphne seemed with the plan, seeing as you had never even introduced each other up until now, but then again you were generally surprised how nice she had been so far.

"That does sound good, how about we do that next week?" You asked happily.

"Alright” she confirmed, only to be interrupted by her friend.

"Our names are up on the board!" Pansy announced cheerily upon her return. "Now we just have to wait for our turn."

"Great, I'm going to go back to the others until then if you don't mind." you excused yourself, going back to your table. As the time began to pass you started berating yourself for your actions. Your nerves were beginning to eat you up when Daphne tapped on your shoulder.

"We are going to leave now, we want to go to the club already. Do you want to come with us?" She offered with a smile.

"Actually we were planning to stay a little longer” you had to decline, after giving it some thought “but we're going to join you guys there later, thank you." You added politely.

You were in a tug of war with yourself. You knew how weird it would seem if you were best friends with your neighbours, who you had been making fun of for the most part so far, all of a sudden. Yet you couldn't help wanting to feel like a part of the group with your neighbours and by extension, your roommates, who had taken a liking to them.

As it just so happened, due to their group staying longer and your group leaving earlier than intended, you all left at the same time.

"That sounds great!" Pansy cheered as you and Daphne filled her in on the plans for the following week.

"Alright then, I'll come over first thing on Monday" you joked, as Pansy clung to Daphne’s arm.

"Monday?!" She asked incredulously. "I don't think I'm going to be sober again by then" she stated, making the three of you break out into a fit of laughter.

"Okay, Tuesday it is" you announced.

----------

Apart from the bitterness you had felt when Daphne had openly admitted to liking Theo and leaving with him shortly after, the night had been fun.

After the two had left, you spent the rest of the night dancing with your colleagues, also explaining your sudden change of mind towards your neighbours and they had been nothing if not understanding.

You had also spent the early hours of the morning dancing with a certain Riddle brother, so you didn’t feel quite as bad. He had looked devilishly good in the colourful lights of the club, which accentuated his features. You had shared some drinks and after the club had closed you got some food to sober up. His treat of course.

But even better than the food were the stories he had to tell, one of which had peeked your interest particular. Daphne had apparently been interested in him at first. He told you all about how their friends would purposely leave them alone together and how it made him feel quite uncomfortable a couple of times. You never would've guessed that Mattheo was the guy to feel uncomfortable like that, seeing as he always seemed so indifferent on the outside, but you could only sympathize with the boy.

Even if nothing had happened between the two of you, you were glad for how the night had ended with the two of you simply enjoying each other’s company.

After that night you were still unsure if your neighbours were truly nice people or if it was just a facade, simply because Daphne couldn't have been downright rude to you in front of Theo, but you were willing to give them a chance.

Theodore and you kept getting closer as well as you and the girls.

After that one fateful day on their balcony, sharing drinks and snacks as well as some good stories and laughs, it became a regular thing.

You all got along far better than you had initially expected, mentally chiding yourself for being so quick to judge the girls. Only one thing never really changed. Daphne still liked Theodore. And you still hated it. Although now it was for a different reason.

He had confided in you what had happened after they left the club, how he had been interested in her in the beginning, only to be completely let down by her. She had pulled a switch on him just like she had on Mattheo. Still that was not the reason you hated her feelings for Theodore. No, it was your own guilt.

You couldn't help your own feelings for him getting stronger the more time you spent together in between classes, telling each other more about your lives and your families.

You could still remember him going on and on about how much he loves his grandmother, it was clear she was the most important to him out of his family.

It also didn't help your growing soft spot for him, how highly he talked about his grandma. Theodore had an unexpected soft side, which you grew to love so much you would never dare to admit it.

You weren’t sure when exactly your dynamic changed but at some point it just did.

Perhaps it had been more of a fluid change, rather than an abrupt one, leaving you unable to determine an exact point in time when you started being more than friends.

There was only that one point in time when the tension had built up so far, that there was definitely no denying it any longer.

It was at a colleague’s party, when the longing glances turned into an equal understanding, an eye-contact that was meant to never be broken, speaking the truth about your feelings and desires in the rawest form. His pupils were dilated so wide, you could hardly see the blue of his eyes that you had grown so fond of.

It was the moment when your eyes dropped to his lips and you noticed just how close you two were, when you noticed your breaths mingling, only for him to kiss you with such vigour that you were sure he had completely stolen the air from your lungs.

Friendly touches turned to clinging onto the other, afraid it would all end too soon, trying to feel as much as possible of each other’s bodies.

You had lost all concept of time, too caught up in each other.

Then came the guilt.

The guilt of kissing the man you knew your friend liked as well. Godric you were a crappy friend. You had listened to her swoon about him so often, never daring to speak up about your own feelings for him. Surely you could’ve talked to her, but no, you were a coward. And now there was no going back.

----------

After your classes had ended for the day, you took your sweet time packing your bag. The professor had already left as well as the other aurors-in-training, leaving only you and Theo behind in the otherwise empty room. He walked up to you and you wrapped your arms around his neck, lacing your fingers through the short hair at the nape. You knew he loved when you did that, it was written all over his face.

“Hello, love” he whispers, leaning in to kiss you for the first time that day. You get lost in the kiss for a minute, enjoying every second of it, before you reply with a sheepish ‘hi’. You could feel a blush creep onto your face, so you quickly try to look away, still catching a glimpse of the victorious look on his face.

This was only one part of your routine by now. Once you had accepted that albeit your kiss posed a betrayal to one of your friends, you could neither deny your feelings any longer nor go back to only being friends, your relationship with Theodore had flourished into a steady but secret relationship.

“Do you want to hang back and study together tomorrow?” he asked hopeful. Sure, at first that doesn’t sound like a typical date. In fact, the first time he had asked you to study with him you had given him a questioning look, unsure of whether or not he had an ulterior motive. The library quickly became your favourite place though. Since no one was there most of the time, you could openly hold hands, steal kisses and simply spend some time together as a couple.

"I'm sorry, I can't, I'm going over to the girls' place tomorrow" you apologise, leaving a soft peck on his lips.

"Again?" He whines, although you know it's only half-hearted. He has always been understanding and patient with you.

"I know, I know.. but if I cancel on them now, then they're going to ask me why and I don't want to lie to them, they're my friends." you sigh, tired of hiding.

Truth be told, you were getting rather sick of your current situation and you could see how he was hoping for you to just tell Daphne already. Of course you knew that hiding forever wasn't an option.

"Then don't lie to them" he counters. "I mean how long do you want to keep doing this?" he asked, coming to stand impossibly closer to you.

"Well, you know how Daphne still likes you" you remind him, making him cringe at the thought, "and besides, what do you expect me to say?"

"Just tell her that we're together and that you want to spend time with your boyfriend" he insists, playing with the belt loops on your jeans.

You felt the guilt creep up inside you again, making you look at the floor shamefully. No matter how many times you had told yourself that Daphne wasn't truly interested in Theodore or that the two of you hadn't been close friends when Theo had first kissed you, you knew she liked him and even now as her friend, you're still kissing him.

"I don't care about her, love. Besides she isn't even actually interested in me, I've told you how weird she got that night at the club."

You frown at the memory of how poorly she had treated him.

"I promise, you guys will be fine." he assures you, lifting your face by your chin to make you look at him.

"Alright.." you sigh after a minute of contemplation.

"Wait, really?" he asks surprised by your change of mind.

"Don't make me change my mind again!" you warn, making him pull you in by the loops and kiss you. You let out a content sigh, feeling him smile against your lips. Godric you were down bad for this boy, you thought. But how could you not be, when he so shamelessly loved you as well.

"So you're going to tell them? No more hiding?" he asks again, his face full of hope.

"No, you're right, I have to tell them eventually anyway and I don't want to hide our relationship anymore."

"I'm sorry, what was that you just said?" he teases proudly, pretending he didn't hear.

"I said you were right" You repeat yourself, leaning in again for a kiss filled with all the love you could convey.

#theodore nott x reader #theodore nott x you #theodore nott x y/n #slytherin #mattheo riddle #pansy parkinson #daphne greengrass

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cricketnationrise · 9 months

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Congratulations on 500!!! 🎉🎉 Extremely well deserved!

How about Zahra, 9:37pm, somewhere in England (I leave where exactly entirely up you)?

I'm on ao3 as hwaelweg 💙

for you my lovely, I have a lil date night moment for Zahra and Shaan. hope you love it, and thanks for being AMAZING and screaming about books with me 💜🦗

want your own ficlet? my followers can submit prompts based on these guidelines through January 31, 2024

❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙

9:37pm, london

Zahra looks around from her perch at the bar. The pub is all dark wood and the smell of decades of smoke sunk into the furniture. It’s the most stereotypical English pub she could ever have pictured, and she’d never admit it out loud, but she fucking loves it. There’s classic rock playing quietly over the speakers, often drowned out by the laughter of the group of students in one corner. A pair of old men, who look like they might be part of the architecture, are putting away more Guinness than she’s ever seen in one sitting. Someone’s playing darts near the back, for fuck’s sake.

She’d love the place even more if her goddamn fianceé was here with her, but she of all people understands an unconventional working schedule. Especially when the Claremont-Diaz family is even tangentially involved. If she had a nickel for everytime she dismissed that little annoying popup in Outlook that says “Send during normal working hours instead?” she’d be set for life.

“Another round, dear?”

“I—” A buzz from her phone interrupts and she glances at it, heart giving an excited little wriggle when she sees Shaan’s name pop up. (Well actually he’s saved as “Shawn S” in her phone—a preventative measure against overly-curious June, never-me-a-boundary-he-didn’t-try-to-cross Alex, and too-smart-for-her-own-good Nora. She’ll change it once Ellen’s second term ends and she doesn’t have to interact with those assholes in person on a regular basis. (Shaan had laughed so hard he cried when he found out—Zahra had hit him with a pillow.))

5 minutes. See you soon, love.

>move that perfect ass srivastava >i miss you and stuff

“Sorry about that,” she says to the bartender, a no-nonsense older woman. She runs the pub with kindness hiding an iron fist and Zahra liked her from the moment she sat down. “I will take another round, and can I also get a whiskey ginger?”

“Jack Daniels okay?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect.”

Another burst of screaming laughter covers the tinkle of the bell above the door, but the chilly gust of air at her back makes Zahra turn around. The smile that stretches her mouth at the sight of Shann is soft, loving, and completely involuntary. Thank fucking god Alex isn’t here right now. He’d never let her hear the end of how sappy she looks right now. (Alex once tried to high-five her for locking down that suave motherfucker and Zahra had given him a look that made him hide behind Henry.)

“Everything sorted then?” she asks, tipping her face up to meet Shaan’s. He kisses her quickly and sits on the stool next to her.

“Yeah. I finally got a hold of Gavin so that Alex can “sneak out” to the V&A with Henry tonight.”

“Thank god. Now I won’t have to listen to him freak out about the logistics of proposing anymore.”

Shaan just raises an eyebrow as he sips his drink. “He’ll just bother you about wedding details instead.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”

“I am sorry I kept you waiting tonight.”

Zahra tips her head onto Shaan’s shoulder. “I’ve done it to you enough times. I get it.”

Shaan slings the hand not holding his glass around her waist. Zahra can feel the warmth of him even through their layers of clothing and slumps a little further into his space, utterly trusting him to keep them both upright. They stay like that for a while, not talking, just basking in the fact that they are together and free of their charges for the night. So often they are only in the same country because of some international policy issue. Zahra lets herself sink into the moment, reveling in the rare chance to just sit quietly at a bar with the man she loves.

“This is a good spot. Cozy. Quaint,” she eventually says, gesturing vaguely at their surroundings.

“I’m glad you think so. It’s one of my favorite pubs in London.” He hesitates, eyes distant, then drops his voice and continues. “Arthur and Catherine used to sneak out and come here on dates, actually.”

“Oh?” Zahra sits up so she can look at him properly. He doesn’t talk about the time he was Arthur’s equerry that often, and she doesn’t want to miss anything. From what he has said, she can tell it was a similar relationship to the one she has with Ellen. Close friendship, fierce protectiveness, and a hold-nothing-back, bantering sense of humor—closer to family than employee and employer.

“They’d put on casual clothes and ballcaps and make a break for it when her mother got particularly overbearing. I followed discreetly—”

“Of course.”

“To make sure they had a back up plan. And then once Catherine got pregnant, they stopped pretending they didn’t know I was there and invited me to join them. The three of us spent many a late night here, just talking.”

“Sounds great.”

“It was. I—I miss him a lot. But it’s been a pleasure to watch Henry grow into himself. He’s more like Arthur than even he knows.”

He falls silent again, and Zahra smiles at the soft look on his face. He really is disgustingly handsome, people should be absurdly jealous of her life. She kisses the side of his neck, unable—unwilling—to hold in her affection any longer.

“Take me home?” she asks. “I want to not be wearing clothes with a zipper any more.”

“I’d be delighted, Ms. Bankston.”

#cricket writes #ficlet fest 500 #rwrb #zahra bankston #shaan srivastava #otp: weaponized competence #thoughtsofthegirlwiththecurl #also some Arthur feels snuck in there #just crept in while I was looking the other way #whoops

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your7oxygen · 2 months

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Small Space Solutions-- Creative ways to maximize small living spaces

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1. Opt for Multi-Functional Furniture

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Light colors, especially whites and pastels, can make a small room feel more spacious. Opt for a light color palette for your walls, furniture, and décor to enhance the sense of openness.

5. Embrace Minimalism

Less is more in small spaces. Keep your décor minimal and clutter-free to create a clean, open feel. Focus on quality over quantity, and only include items that serve a purpose or bring joy.

#architectdesign #architecture #design #home interior #interior decorating #interiordoor #interior design #interiors #interiorstyling #home #office

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heliads · 9 months

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everything is blue • conrisa space au • Chapter Eighteen: So Die the Kids Worth Saving

Risa Ward escaped a shuttle destined for her certain, painful death. Connor Lassiter ran away from home before it was too late. Lev Calder was kidnapped. All of them were supposed to be dissected for parts, used to advance a declining galaxy, but as of right now, all of them are whole. Life will not stay the same way forever.

series spotify playlist

previous / series masterlist / next

Risa is no stranger to captivity. Sixteen of her years around the standard sun were spent in a jail for children, forced there by parents who couldn’t spare the expense of committing to the dominoes they’d already pushed over. Even the Graveyard had been a bit of a prison, even if it had been the best damn prison of her life. This latest one, then, should be fine. It isn’t.

Maybe it’s the throbbing headache threatening to split her skull that truly makes the difference. This is Risa’s first experience being on the receiving end of a tranq dart, and she’s already decided that she would quite like it to be her last. For the first hour or so, it took everything in Risa to lie very still on her back with her eyes squeezed shut and not throw up. The nausea has worn off a little by now, but every part of Risa hurts, and her brain only seems to want to work at half speed.

Slowly, painfully, she puts the memories together to remember how she ended up here. She had been with Connor in that synth-park, and they’d been found by Dorian Heartland. They’d tried to run, and Risa had sacrificed herself to lock the gates so Connor could get away after she was shot.

She can only hope that her little stunt had worked. Maybe he’s lightyears away by now, free and alive. If he were smart, Connor would use this last bit of freedom to get as far from Dorian Heartland as he could. He’s got a bit of a head start; if he went fully off the grid, there’s a good chance that he might never be found again. The galaxy is a big place. There’s plenty of room for a boy and his ghosts.

Knowing Connor, though, he’s probably lurking nearby until he can get a chance to break her out. Secretly, Risa’s both mad and glad of it. She doesn’t want to be here, she doesn’t want to get distributed. She wants Connor to live, but she wants to live, too. She wants them to be alive together, if possible, and she most certainly does not want the guilt on her shoulders if he dies trying to get her out of here. Risa knew what she was getting herself into when she locked the park gate between them.

Still, the idea that someone might eventually come for her is appealing, even as a metaphorical safety blanket to clutch in her mind while she waits for her captors to come back for her. Once her head clears enough for Risa to slowly raise herself onto her elbows, she takes a good look at her surroundings. She’s been placed in a room that, by some miracle, has managed to beat out her old quarters in the OH-10 StaHo in terms of raw minimalism. There is no furniture here, not even a chair on which she can sit. The walls are bare, the ground smooth and uncovered by rugs. The only object in the room other than Risa herself is the narrow cot she’s been placed on to recover.

Clearly a cell, then. This place obviously isn’t meant to hold anyone for a long time, which means that she’s going to be moved pretty soon. They were probably waiting for Risa to wake up before they could do something with her, but what? If she was headed straight for her distribution, she’d just wake up in the Chop Shop of the nearest harvest complex. Suns, they probably wouldn’t even bother to wake her up, just put her in the embrace of a dozen scalpels. Her last memory would be of Connor screaming her name back in the park, reaching out to her before the darkness of the tranquilizer pulled her under.

Honestly, not the worst moment to be her last. Risa’s done a lot of living. It’s been depressing and boring at times, gritty and terrifying at worst. The brightest spark has been Connor by far. If she had to die now, having not quite made it to the upper age limit of distribution, maybe it would be alright if her last recorded thoughts were of him. At least then she could end on a good note. The last taste on her tongue would be sweet instead of copper-bitter like blood.

Risa gathers her strength, then forces herself into a seated position, swinging her legs over the edge of the cot so she can stand. Immediately, her head protests, and Risa sways so badly that she almost falls over before catching herself in the nick of time. Once she blinks the last of the swirling black spots from her eyes, Risa stands straight again and walks over to the door. Trying the handle once, she discovers it’s locked, although this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise.

The only thing left to do, then, is to wait. Risa’s thoughts, although desolate at times, are certainly a better threat to face than whatever calls her name outside that locked door. She lies back down for a while, then stands up again when the nerves get to be too much, pacing back and forth in an effort to drive off the stress. Time passes, might be hours or just minutes. It’s hard to tell in this windowless box.

She’s just starting to think that they might have forgotten about her when the lock clicks open. Risa springs back, regarding the door warily as it swings wide to reveal Dorian Heartland, hands clasped comfortably in front of him. The man files in, followed by two soldiers, who stand on either side of Heartland.

“Risa Ward,” he says by way of greeting. “Good to see you up.”

“What, afraid that you damaged the product too badly with your tranquilizers?” Risa asks daringly.

Unfortunately, Heartland doesn’t even bat an eye. Risa wonders why she bothers with emotional appeals; this man has no soul on which such claims would grate. “Precisely. I’m glad that you’re able to see things from an efficient perspective. Connor was awfully emotional.”

“Was?” Risa asks, struck by horror. “You don’t mean–”

But Dorian Heartland just waves a hand absentmindedly, clearing her worries from the air like smoke from a snuffed flame. “No, no. I misspoke. I simply mean that, the last time I had an AWOL captive, it was Connor and he repeatedly jumped to conclusions. Connor Lassiter is not dead. Not yet, at least,” he muses, “But he will be. No one can hide from me forever.”

“We did,” Risa hisses. “You had to go to the trouble of laying a trap, remember? You couldn’t find us on your own.”

“Yes,” Heartland admits, “But then I captured you. So the point remains.”

Risa greets this with harsh silence, staring at Heartland as if she could tear the flesh from his borrowed bones with only the force of her eyes upon him. Heartland sits contentedly in the hostile atmosphere, then jerks his chin towards the two men bracketing him.

“I hope you don’t mind the guards,” Heartland says abruptly. “They won’t be casting judgment on anything we say here, trust me. They’re just a necessary precaution, I think.”

Risa arches a brow. “What, in case I go crazy and try to rip the distributed parts out of your body with my bare hands?”

Heartland’s expression doesn’t even flicker at the threat, which is a shame. Risa would like him to be disgusted or afraid. Anything to upset this power imbalance. “Something like that, yes. Were you considering it?”

“I do whenever I look at you,” Risa tells him matter-of-factly. Her old administrators at the State Home would be horrified. So much for only treating adults with respect. Then again, she’s already failed them once, right? Might as well commit until the end. If she’s a wreck, she’ll be one through and through.

Dorian Heartland just chuckles. “Such spirit. It’ll go to good use in a better host, of that I am certain.”

“If you’re so keen to distribute me, why are we still talking? Save your breath and ship me off to the Chop Shop.” Risa says.

Heartland shakes his head. “There’s something I need from you first. I’m certain you won’t mind the delay between yourself and the knife.”

Risa’s forced smile turns a sickening shade. “Hundreds of years alive, and you still need something from teenagers other than their body parts?”

He doesn’t respond to the insult. “Yes, actually. If there’s one fault of the older generation, it’s that we often aren’t the best at connecting to the younger ones. You’re going to do that job for me by speaking to the distributes across the world.”

“How would they possibly all hear me?” Risa asks. It’s somewhat of a pointless question, more a matter of buying time before the inevitable than anything else. Risa has already seen firsthand the impact of one AWOL against the world, and it was called Radio Free Hayden.

“A broadcast,” Heartland answers her. “Pre-recorded, obviously. I don’t trust you enough to do anything live. I have a feeling that you’d try to act out. As for your script, I should think it would be obvious. Scores of teenagers around the worlds have felt inspired by you and Connor. They think anyone could avoid distribution by just running away or even fighting the Juvenile Authority officers. It’s inconvenient to my policies, I’m sure you can understand. You’re going to convince them that distribution is a good thing.”

Risa actually laughs. It feels good to clear her lungs. “That’s absurd. I’m not going to say that, obviously. Who in sunfire do you think I am?”

Heartland sighs, although his polite smile hasn’t shifted for an instant. “You know, I have to say I’m disappointed, Miss Ward. I was really hoping that you’d be willing to think a little more rationally. Then again, I suppose I learned my lesson with Connor when I asked him the same thing. No one likes to feel as if they’re betraying their friends.”

“So you knew better,” Risa summarizes. “Fine, nothing changed. Kill me already.”

He scoffs lightly. “Oh, no, no. You misunderstand me. Just because you are not willing does not mean that you won’t film it. If there’s one thing I have learned over my centuries, Miss Ward, it is the importance of control. If you cannot inspire it naturally in others, then you must have a way of manufacturing it synthetically.”

Risa’s throat dries up. “What are you talking about?”

Heartland’s sinister smile broadens. “I have a way of making people do what I want. Trust me, you won’t feel a thing.”

Risa’s head rears up. “No. Whatever you’re talking about, I won’t do it.”

Heartland takes a step forward, leering down at her with his unsettlingly asymmetric eyes. “That’s the thing, my child. You will.”

He beckons his guards with one finger and they lunge forward, seizing Risa and dragging her from the room. She fights the whole time, but these soldiers have the benefit of a steady diet and workout regimen, plus several more years of experience under their belt, and they hoist her down the corridor like an errant child.

She’s deposited in a larger room. There’s a machine in the corner that she doesn’t recognize, sized to hold either a small engine or a large person. Most of it is underneath a polished, curving shell, but there’s a window on the side near the top. A conveyor belt feeds in and out of the coffinlike center piece, and a bland logo on the side labels the machine as UNIS.

Risa doesn’t recognize it, although she is more familiar with the several cameras pointed towards a chair in the center of the room. She’s steered into the seat and held there by the guards, while someone in a doctor’s scrubs appears in the door after Heartland, preparing a syringe loaded with a substance even Risa can’t recognize.

“What are you doing to me?” She asks. Risa tries to sound brave, but her voice cracks along the way, and she’s exposed for what she really is– terrified, absolutely terrified. Risa wants to be courageous, but in this moment, hope seems like a far and fleeting thing.

Heartland sits down on a chair opposite her, giving Risa the vague impression of a particularly fascinating holo about to be studied. “I’m taking over your self control. It’s a simple procedure, merely a matter of adjusting your brain to be more open to receiving instruction. I’ve had plenty of time to develop it, so don’t worry about that. It’ll fade once I’m done, so I can still have your cerebral matter harvested without issue.”

“Sounds like you’ve thought this out perfectly,” Risa growls, watching the doctor loom ever closer, syringe in hand.

“I have,” Heartland says pleasantly. “All things according to plan.”

Risa wonders about this plan, if he’s been working on it since his first natural lifetime, if it’s ever shaped or changed. She wonders if her life factored into it at all, if her death will affect it. If there’s any conceivable way she could throw it off kilter.

Then the needle is in her vein, and the only thing Risa can wonder about is just what is being pumped into her, and how to fight it. Already, she feels that something is shifting in her mind. Her head is a little fuzzy, more so than just the lingering aftereffects of the tranq. Something is wrong, very wrong. She tries to struggle against the guards holding her in place, but halfway through flailing around, Risa can’t entirely remember why she wants to do this. It would be much more convenient to just sit there and wait for instruction. There’s a man opposite her. She hates him, she thinks, or did at one point. Why? He wants her dead– yes, that’s it, but the deep cut of that is blurred a little, no longer relevant. It is simply a fact, and Risa is not affected by facts.

“Risa Ward,” the man says. “Do you know who I am?”

Risa ponders this. The hands are gone from her shoulders, but she has no need to run. “No.”

“Think harder,” the man urges. “You will remember.”

Now that he’s suggested it, Risa recalls it easily. “Dorian Heartland,” she answers, the name rising readily to her lips as if she were answering a question in school.

“Yes,” he nods. “That’s right. Do you know what I need you to do?”

“Film a holo. About distribution. I’ll say it’s the right thing to do,” Risa says obediently. Something churns in her stomach when she relays these words, but she can’t fathom why. This is what is expected of her. Why would it be wrong?

Heartland claps his hands together once. “Technology. You have to love it.”

This makes no sense to Risa, but she watches motionlessly as Heartland abandons his chair to stand behind a recording device in front of her. His empty chair is removed by an assistant, who returns moments later holding a holo in her hand. It projects only a few large words into the air, just out of sight of the recording device.

“You’re going to say exactly what we show you on the holo display,” Heartland informs her. “No deviations, no improvisation. Our story is sufficient.”

“Okay,” Risa affirms.

They click a few buttons on the recording device and a green button flashes on the side, indicating that the camera is live. Risa’s attention is forcefully dragged over to the holo with her script. It feels as if an invisible hand is pressing against her skull, forcing her to look at the words, tugging her jaw open and shut to speak the words.

“My name is Risa Ward, and I am an AWOL,” she begins. “I ran away from my State Home when I heard I was going to be distributed, even though they only wanted to help me. I didn’t understand that this choice was for the best, and by becoming an AWOL, I was ridding the galaxy of the resources it desperately needed.”

She pauses for a moment, frowning. Her heart is beating erratically in her chest, and she wants to suggest to Heartland or the doctor holding the empty syringe that she should perhaps be checked out, but then she remembers that she was not to say anything but what was projected by the holo, so she stays silent before carrying on as normal.

“Distribution is a necessary task for the survival of the human species. It’s a good thing, and I realize that now. All distributes who have run away should turn themselves in to the nearest harvest colony. We all know what is right, and we have a moral duty to fulfill our responsibility to the galaxy that raised us.”

Bile is rising in her throat. A voice flashes across Risa’s mind, screaming no, no over and over again. A heartbeat later, she realizes that it is her own. Risa doesn’t want this.

Heartland snaps his fingers, dragging her back to reality. Risa realizes that she must have gone silent; although she was urged to say only what was on the cues, Risa was never given guidance as to how slowly she could say it, or if she could pause for an exceptionally long time, or even stop speaking. Somehow, her body is rebelling, even if her mind can’t recall why this is important.

Now that she’s been reminded of the task at hand, Risa straightens up. “I say again, stop running from distribution. It’s for a good cause. I stand by it.”

Heartland joins her, standing in front of the recording device with a pleasant smile. “You heard it there, from one of the galaxy’s most notorious AWOLs. To prove it, Risa Ward will conduct a distribution right now.”

Risa’s eyes widen. Her blood runs cold in her veins. This isn’t a direct order, and since the assistant has put away the holo with Risa’s script, she realizes that she can’t say anything at all. Her lips feel stretched thin in a forced smile, so dry that they crack and begin to bleed. She can’t move to fix it. She can’t do a thing at all, not unless Heartland tells her.

The door to the room flies open. In struggle three guards. At their center is a shifting figure, thrashing about wildly in an attempt to escape. Risa stares at him unblinkingly, watching as the guards force the boy to the machine in the back of the room. Once they’ve got him pinned, standing in place in front of the machine, she realizes she knows him. This is Starkey, from the Graveyard. And, according to Heartland, she is about to distribute him.

Heartland’s hand comes down on her shoulder. It’s supposed to be comforting, she thinks, or maybe just a reminder that she must obey him. That wasn’t a problem before. It isn’t supposed to be a problem. Maybe it is.

“What do you think of this boy facing his necessary distribution, Risa?” Heartland asks her.

Risa feels as if she’s being torn apart. “No,” she grits out through bloodied lips. “No.”

It’s just two words, but Risa feels as if she’s fought a battle. Unperturbed, Heartland just sighs. “We’ll have to cut that out of the final holo,” he directs his assistant, then turns to Risa again. “One more time. How do you feel about Mason Michael Starkey’s distribution?”

“It’s good for the galaxy,” Risa’s mouth says.

Across the room, Starkey’s face contorts. “Risa! Don’t let them do this to me.”

It is Heartland, however, who interrupts. “She’s not just going to let them do it,” he remarks, “She’s going to oversee it herself.” Turning towards the recording device, Heartland continues, “This is our new UNIS system, capable of distributing a patient without needing a doctor. The latest technological advance around. All Risa has to do is press a button on the side to begin the process. She’d love to do that, wouldn’t she, Risa?”

Risa bites down on her tongue so hard she tastes a spill of copper in her mouth. Her voice box is begging to say one thing, just one thing, that will stop all of this pain. The yes gets muffled somewhere in a desperate cough Risa lets out, a cough that turns into a choking, hacking spill of blood into her lap.

Heartland sighs again. “Risa.”

“Yes,” she mutters bitterly. “His distribution will be good.”

Starkey screams at her again. Risa’s head is a mess of right and wrong, complacency and rebellion. Briefly, she wonders if this is how Dorian Heartland feels with all of his hundreds of different brain donors– a broken, raucous symphony of overlapping voices, all shouting over each other until he goes mad. She thinks she’ll crack first. She’s got less experience with insanity.

Heartland grips her by the arm, leading her over to the distribution machine. “On the illegal AWOL sanctuary known as the Graveyard, Risa Ward as a medical officer in charge of healing runaway distributes. Now, she’ll put that knowledge to good use by overseeing this AWOL’s distribution.”

Risa’s head shakes back and forth, a violent denial. “No,” she grits out once more.

Heartland’s gaze feels like a brand burned into her skin. She can practically hear the hiss of searing flesh. “Try again.”

Risa straightens up like a puppet on a string. “This is the perfect process.” She gestures to Starkey, who’s staring at her in abject horror. “This boy was selected to help us all. Now he will. Distribution is required to save our universe. A person is not a person. A person is nothing more than the sum of their parts. Sometimes, the galaxy wants those parts back. We are giving them back now.”

The guards force Starkey onto one end of the conveyor belt. He tries to fight, but he’s been strapped in with thick metal bands that resist even the smallest of motions. “Risa,” he begs, tears starting to slip out even despite his attempt at a stony demeanor. Risa is embarrassed for him. “Risa, please. I know I messed up. I know I did. Please, don’t do this to me. I won’t bother you again, I swear. Not you, not Connor. Please don’t do this.”

Risa stays silent, unable to do anything but stare at him. He’s sobbing openly now; so much for the brave boy, so much for the bold one who stalked Connor deep in the bones of the Graveyard, who swore he could do the whole savior thing so much better than any of them. “Please, please, please. I’m just a kid.”

Risa leans closer. She can’t explain why. Starkey seizes hold of her hand, clutching to it so desperately she almost thinks he’s trying to break her bones to stop the process. Quietly, in a voice scraped raw from pleading, so fine of a whisper that Risa barely hears him at all, Starkey begs, “Just kill me now, Risa. I’m scared of this. I’m scared.”

Risa is crying. She wasn’t told to do this, so she automatically stops once she realizes it’s happening, but the tear tracks refuse to leave her face. They burn treacherously against her skin. She’s doing something wrong. This is wrong.

“I can’t,” she tries to say. Only some of the syllables make it out.

“Yes, you can,” Heartland soothes. “Just press the button, Risa. I am asking you to do this.”

Her body lurches forward, towards a panel on the side of the machine. Starkey is pleading with her again, saying anything to get her to slow down even a little. He’s choking on the tears and saliva in his mouth, blood running out of fresh wounds on his face. He’s telling her to take one of the guards’ guns and shoot him now. He wants it fast, and unwinding won’t be fast. Please, Risa. Please.

“Just one button,” Heartland repeats. “Do you not have hands capable of completing the task? A mind with which to listen and receive commands? I ask this of you, Miss Ward. I demand it. Heed not the boy. He would say anything to avoid this fate.”

“To avoid agony?” Risa asks. Her teeth gnash down around the syllables, and she has to force her jaws apart to keep speaking. “How horrible, that he would want to live.”

“Yes,” Heartland says. “Horrible. End it.”

Risa’s arm flies up on its own command. She half expects to see Heartland gripping the wrist, compelling her to this awful task, but this is Risa, all Risa. The instrument panel is smooth. Risa’s mind knows how to start it. She can do it right now. It is what has been asked of her.

No.

The button awaits.

No, please.

So easy to activate.

Risa, please. I never wanted to hurt you.

She can’t tell if it’s Starkey speaking or her.

Risa. Risa!

She presses the button.

Starkey screams once, never-endingly, a high, drawn-out sound that makes Risa clap her hands to her ears in a failed attempt to block it out. The conveyor belt jerks him forward into the machine. A hatch shuts him inside, and the scream is abruptly cut off, like a slashed throat. Through the small window in the side, Risa can see Starkey thrashing about. Something metallic flashes near the bulging veins in his throat, a needle maybe, and his muscles slacken completely. They’ve paralyzed him to conduct the procedure. Starkey’s eyes drift slowly in his skull, and then they roll up to meet Risa’s gaze. She sees it in his expression when they start to cut. He may not feel it, but the brain knows anyway when it starts to disappear.

Risa spins away from the window, and, unable to suppress her gag reflex any longer, throws up in the corner of the room. This is wrong. This is wrong. Starkey is being distributed, and she can’t stop it. She started it. It was all her fault. No, not her fault. Heartland’s. Heartland’s fault, because he was the one who injected her with that solution, the one that took over her neurons and made her comply. Risa doesn’t want to comply anymore.

When she straightens up from the fetal position, Risa realizes that the machine has gone silent. The rest of the guards have shifted around in the room, as has Heartland, leading her to believe that significant time has passed while she was trying to undo the mental lock on her self control. A hatch at the opposite side of the machine clicks open, and a series of small containers roll out, each individually labeled with pre printed signs. Heart. Hands. Liver.

It’s Starkey, in pieces. Unwound. Acid surges forth in Risa’s throat again, but she manages to fight it back. Across the room, Heartland rises from his chair, clapping his hands together matter-of-factly.

“Well, that’s over, then. Not so hard, was it? A job well done.”

He moves to inspect the vials and flasks, but Risa stands in between them, blocking him off. “You don’t come near him,” she hisses.

Heartland frowns. “Why not? It’s not a him anymore. Just pieces.”

“Still Starkey,” Risa glares. She couldn’t protect the boy from this awful fate, maybe, but she can watch out for him now.

Heartland sighs. “Come on, now. You have to obey me. Step away from UNIS.”

Risa doesn’t. The tug is gone from her brain, the metal hook slipped out from the cerebral matter. It can pull her no longer. “Not a chance.”

Heartland’s brow furrows. “Let’s try that one more time. You have to step away.”

“No,” she spits. “You can’t mess with my head anymore. Get the fuck away from me.”

Heartland glances back at the doctor, who’s still idling in a corner, scrubs creasing from his awkward posture. “You gave her the full dose, right?”

“Yeah,” the doctor confirms. “No way it should have worn off this quickly.”

Heartland swings around to look at her again, peering at Risa like she’s a lab rat on a dissection table. “Fascinating. What could have caused that breakthrough?”

Risa just grins, sickening and slow. “Me. We’re better than you think. Stronger than you know.” She turns back towards the recording device, which is still blinking a methodical green in the background. They must have forgotten to turn it off during the process, or maybe they were hoping for a triumphant speech after Starkey’s unwinding was over.

“It’s wrong,” she shouts, “All of it is wrong. Unwinding will never be worth it. Get your parts and pieces somewhere else. The children don’t have to bear your burden. Unwinds deserve to live.”

Instead of being genuinely alarmed, Heartland just looks disappointed. “That accomplishes nothing. We’ll just cut that clip out. And seriously, Risa, language. I thought I’d only have to lecture Connor about that.”

Risa feels maniacal. “We’re more alike than you think. It’s him and me, always will be.”

Heartland tsks under his breath. “I can see that now. I had hoped that at least one of you would be able to listen to reason, but I suppose the same fate will befall you anyway. No matter,” he says crisply, directing his guards towards the unwinding machine, “Take the samples away. We can finish their packaging and send them off later this evening. Who knows, maybe I’ll even keep some skin. I could use a new graft or two.”

The thought of any bit of Starkey ending up in this monstrosity makes Risa’s stomach sour. Not entirely aware of what she’s doing, Risa reaches behind her, grabbing a container. Lungs. Trying desperately to ignore the fact that she’s holding the still moving samples of someone she knew, Risa holds it high.

Heartland’s face pales. “What are you doing? Put that down.”

“No,” she mutters. “Starkey wasn’t yours when he was whole. He won’t be yours in pieces, either.”

She holds the glass container in her hand for a second longer, then throws it down onto the ground, where it shatters and breaks. Pink liquid spills onto the floor, depositing a pair of intact lungs onto the ground. Risa watches as they desperately beat, fluttering in the air from the sudden lack of nutrients, and then go still.

“What are you doing?” Heartland shouts.

“I’m killing him,” Risa announces. “He’s not your toy anymore. None of him.”

No more will Starkey suffer. They say you’re still conscious even after distribution, that each and every one of your pieces remembers what it was like to be whole and responds appropriately. If any semblance of Starkey is still alive and thinking in these vials, Risa will put him out of his misery. She launches another container to the ground– kidneys– then grabs the brain samples as the guards attempt to draw near. These are the ones she needs to destroy most of all, the parts of Starkey that can still form thought. She couldn’t save him from unwinding, but she can save him from the awful, permanent afterlife of being a foreign part in someone else’s body. Maybe he’d want it. Or maybe this is just the only thing she can do to destroy Heartland’s carefully laid plans.

Risa’s hand and legs are stained with pink and red from where the vials shatter. Her limbs are covered in gore, but still she keeps going, until each and every sample is gone. It’s a mercy, she thinks. No one should continue like this. She eyes the pieces visible in Heartland’s own face, how the seams ripple with the contortion of his face. If she launches herself at him now, is there a chance she could claw those parts out, too?

She’s taken down before she gets the chance. Once they no longer have to fear the threat of destroying any more of Starkey’s samples and incurring the wrath of their boss, the guards tackle her in moments. Risa is sent plummeting to the ground. Her hair becomes matted with blood, Starkey’s blood, but she still fights and punches and kicks and claws until they drag her to her feet. The last thing Risa hears before she’s forced back into the hall again is Heartland shouting to the guards to prepare her for her own distribution, and then the door shuts on him and the only sound is her scuffling against the iron lock of the guards’ hold.

A nurse is sent in to take Risa��s vitals. Risa is tied down firmly to a chair; they had to hold her still and send more guards to bring in the seat, plus tie her down. She bit at least one of them. When the nurse comes inside, she almost drops her supplies in shock at Risa’s condition. She must be an absolute mess; blood and cell media has dried on her clothes, her skin, her hair.

“What did you do?” The nurse asks, horrified.

Risa grins slowly, deliberately. Madly. “I killed him. I killed Starkey.”

She’s happy about it, the killing. If there was ever a girl named Risa Ward, a girl who thought that she could be good enough to beat the rising distribution rates at the OH-10 State Home, who believed that she could maintain her morals and decency even as an AWOL, she died on that bloodstained floor with the bits and pieces of Mason Michael Starkey. So die the damned. So die the innocent.

This is how Risa loses herself. Blood splashes and bone splinters. In a few short hours, she’ll be nothing more than that. So much for victory.

a/n: are we having fun guys

unwind tag list: @reinekes-fox, @sirofreak, @locke-writes

all tags list: @wordsarelife

#unwind #unwind imagines #unwind oneshot #unwind series #unwind fanfic #unwind dystology #unwind dystology imagines #unwind dystology oneshot #unwind dystology series #unwind dystology fanfic #connor lassiter #connor lassiter imagines #connor lassiter oneshot #connor lassiter series #connor lassiter fanfic

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procarpetcaretx · 1 year

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15 Charming Tiny House Communities - Bob Vila

Tiny house communities are popping up all across the nation, and they’re attracting long-term residents and vacationers alike. — Read on www.bobvila.com/articles/tiny-house-communities/

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#benefits of tiny homes #Design #DIY Tiny Homes #environmental sustainability #financial freedom #flexibility #minimalist lifestyle #mobility #Prefabricated Tiny Homes #Small space living Multi-functional furniture Space-saving solutions Minimalist living Compact living Smart furniture Small space design Org #Sustainability.#Sustainable Living #time management.#tiny home living #Tiny homes #tiny homes small spaces home organization interior design minimalism DIY space-saving furniture selection decluttering plants in small space

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clanwarrior-tumbly · 1 year

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May I request specimen 13 general romantic relationship headcanons if that's okay?

Yeah! It's okay!

Note: Reader was a volunteer/test subject at the facility.

........

When you were assigned to interview Specimen 13/Siren....you were kinda relieved it was her and not that freaky puppet, creepy goop monster, or that infamous "wall of flesh".

You were basically locked in the flooded testing room where she peacefully sat upon a crate, never looking directly at you but willing to talk.

However, all she does is tempt you into drowning by singing sweet melodies to you, as she's done to all her other victims.

Fortunately, you were smart and plugged your ears with stuffing from some old furniture to resist her calls.

When she realizes it hasn't been working, she actually looked at you in curiosity, and you could see that she was quite beautiful..although her eyes remained covered by her hair.

She admits you're smart, but still tries coaxing you into following her, promising you will find "paradise" away from this mansion, surrounded by foamy blue waves and basked in beautiful sunshine.

It doesn't work.

In her frustration she reveals her more terrifying true form to you....yet you don't flinch. You look surprised, but don't immediately run away screaming. You still talk to her and ask her questions as normal.

Now you've intrigued her.

But one day, Siren overhears a GLab assistant saying you'll be assigned to another specimen soon bc you didn't die to this one yet.

She fears she'll never see you again, and drowns them when they tried escorting you out of the testing room before kidnapping you.

You're considered deceased by the rest of the staff, but she actually took you somewhere safer: her home, a makeshift cave where she hoards little trinkets, whale teeth, and seashells.

To make a long story short, you realized she saved your life and end up falling for her.

Not her call, but her shy yet protective personality.

Ofc, Siren does her best to give you a comfortable sleeping space and food (which may or may not be human).

You always remind her that she's beautiful, no matter what she looks like. She's quite egotistical already but appreciates it nevertheless.

As a sign of trust, you eventually take out your earplugs and allow her to sing lullabies to you whenever you can't sleep.

If you can't swim or struggle to swim, she'll teach you how to.

Should another specimen come by her rooms, she'll hide you from them, not wanting any of them to take you away.

Spooky did eventually find out about your relationship with her, but...she's surprisingly supportive and just tells you "don't break her heart lol".

#clanask #anonymous #spooky's jumpscare mansion x reader #spooky's house of jumpscares x reader #specimen 13 #fluff #headcanons

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sprinterbuzz · 12 days

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Van Rental at DFW Airport: Sprinter Buzz

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of travelers each year. For many of those visitors, reliable transportation is essential, whether it’s for a family vacation, a business trip, or group travel. Renting a van from DFW Airport can be a smart, cost-effective solution for those who need more space, comfort, and flexibility than a standard rental car can offer. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of van rentals, the types of vans available, tips for choosing the right van, and the top rental companies at DFW Airport.

Why Rent a Van at DFW Airport?

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Comfort: Modern vans are equipped with comfortable seating, entertainment systems, climate control, and other amenities that make long trips more pleasant. Whether you’re headed on a road trip or navigating Dallas traffic, the comfort of a van enhances the overall experience.

Cost-Effective: Renting a van can be more economical than renting multiple smaller vehicles, especially when traveling with a large group. You’ll save on rental fees, fuel, and parking by consolidating your transportation needs into one vehicle.

Flexibility: With a van rental, you have the flexibility to go where you need, when you need. Whether it’s a hotel, a business meeting, or a tourist attraction, you can set your own schedule without relying on public transportation or ride-sharing services.

Types of Vans Available for Rent at DFW Airport

There are various types of vans available for rent at DFW Airport, depending on your specific needs. Here’s an overview of the most common options:

Passenger Vans: These are ideal for transporting larger groups of people, typically seating between 7 and 15 passengers. Passenger vans are commonly used for family vacations, group trips, or shuttle services. They offer comfortable seating and sufficient storage for luggage.

Minivans: A minivan is perfect for families or smaller groups of up to 7 passengers. They offer a balance of space, comfort, and fuel efficiency, making them a popular choice for road trips and airport transfers. Minivans also feature foldable seats for extra cargo space.

Cargo Vans: If you're traveling for business and need to transport equipment or goods, cargo vans provide ample storage space. These vans are also useful for moving furniture, catering supplies, or other large items. Cargo vans are spacious but still easy to drive.

Luxury Vans: For those looking for a more upscale experience, luxury vans come with premium features such as leather seats, advanced entertainment systems, and enhanced climate control. These are often rented for corporate events, VIP transport, or special occasions.

12-15 Passenger Vans: For large groups, a 12- or 15-passenger van is the best option. These vans are perfect for sports teams, large families, or company outings. They offer maximum seating capacity while maintaining comfort and legroom for passengers.

Top Van Rental Companies at DFW Airport

DFW Airport has several major car rental companies, many of which offer a wide selection of vans. Here’s a look at some of the top van rental providers you’ll find at DFW Airport:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Enterprise is known for its extensive fleet and excellent customer service. At DFW Airport, Enterprise offers a variety of van options, including minivans, passenger vans, and luxury vans. They also have flexible rental terms and a well-organized pickup process.

Hertz: One of the most recognized names in car rentals, Hertz offers a variety of van rentals at DFW Airport, including both passenger and cargo vans. Hertz is a great option for travelers looking for reliable, well-maintained vehicles and competitive pricing.

Avis: Avis is another popular choice for van rentals at DFW. They offer minivans and passenger vans with a focus on comfort and safety. Avis frequently provides discounts and promotions, making it a great option for budget-conscious travelers.

Budget Rent-A-Car: True to its name, Budget provides affordable van rental options for those looking to save money without sacrificing quality. They offer 7- and 12-passenger vans, ideal for family trips and group travel.

Alamo Rent-A-Car: Alamo is a great choice for international travelers, with a wide range of van rental options. They offer quick check-in services and have a reputation for providing clean, comfortable vehicles.

National Car Rental: National caters to business travelers and those who prefer a premium rental experience. Their selection of luxury vans and passenger vans is perfect for those needing extra comfort or high-end features.

Things to Consider When Renting a Van at DFW Airport

Size of the Van: Determine how many passengers you’ll have and how much luggage or cargo you’ll be bringing. Choose a van that accommodates your group comfortably, with enough storage space for your belongings.

Duration of Rental: Rental companies at DFW offer flexible rental periods, from a few hours to several weeks. Be sure to consider your travel itinerary and whether you’ll need the van for just the airport transfer or for the entirety of your stay in Dallas.

Rental Price: Prices for van rentals at DFW vary depending on the type of van, rental duration, and demand. Booking in advance can help you secure better rates, especially during peak travel seasons. Be sure to compare prices across different companies to find the best deal.

Insurance: Rental companies offer various insurance options, including collision damage waivers and liability coverage. Make sure to review your existing auto insurance policy or credit card benefits to determine if additional coverage is necessary.

Airport Pickup: DFW Airport has a dedicated Rental Car Center, accessible via shuttle from all terminals. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the pickup and return process, as well as shuttle schedules, to avoid delays in your travel plans.

Extras and Add-ons: If you're traveling with children, you may need a van with child safety seats. Some rental companies offer add-ons such as GPS navigation systems, Wi-Fi hotspots, or additional driver options, so be sure to inquire about available extras.

Benefits of Renting a Van at DFW Airport

Convenience: Having a van ready for you as soon as you land at DFW saves time and simplifies logistics. You can hit the road immediately and travel without any delays.

Wide Selection: With several major car rental companies operating at DFW, you have a wide variety of vans to choose from, ensuring that you find the perfect vehicle for your trip.

On-site Support: Most rental companies have customer service representatives and support staff at DFW, ensuring that any issues or questions can be resolved quickly.

Conclusion

Renting a van from DFW Airport is a practical and convenient solution for families, groups, or business travelers needing extra space and flexibility. With a range of van options available—from minivans to luxury passenger vans—travelers can easily find a vehicle that suits their specific needs. Whether you're visiting Dallas for business or pleasure, a van rental will enhance your travel experience, providing comfort, convenience, and cost savings throughout your trip. By considering the type of van, rental terms, and the best rental companies, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey from the moment you arrive at DFW.

#Van Rental DFW Airport #15 passenger van rental dfw airport #dallas sprinter van rental

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simply-whump · 2 years

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Maiden Holmes (少女大人) - Whump List

Whumpee : Pei Zhao (Prince Qi) played by Zhang Ling He and Xie Bei Ming played by Zhang Jia Ding

Synopsis : An opportunist foe at the imperial court takes advantage of a situation to force Pei Yan Zhi to step down as head of the army. Feeling bettayed, he vows to get to the bottom of the intrigue and goes undercover to investigate, pretending to be a commoner to help him work undetected. On his quest for the truth, he meets a remarkably smart and resourceful young female detective named Su Ci. Together, they form a close bond. (MDL)

Genres : Historical, Mystery, Comedy, Romance

Note : The leads here are one of my all time favorite couple in a Chinese drama. No misunderstanding that lasts forever, great chemistry, so much skinship and they also have some of the most steamy kisses I've seen in any Cdrama !

Warning ! Possible spoilers below!

Pei Zhao (Prince Qi)

Ep 1 : Back covered with scars — Handcuffed to female lead — Fighting while handcuffed, falls in the water — Falls from a hill, stuck in a hole, says he has poor eyesight and can’t see well in the dark

Ep 2 : Frees himself from the handcuffs — (Flashback) On the battlefield, forehead grazed by a poisonous arrow, face bloody, poison got in his eyes — (Present) Fighting, briefly blinded by some light, vision blurry, can’t see, guided, trips and almost falls — Concern for him — Vision normal again

Ep 3 : Female lead ties a rope around his neck while trying to reenact a murder, choked, concern for him, neck a bit bruised, given a scarf to hide it — Nightmare, dreams about the battlefield, wakes up startled, concern for him

Ep 4 : Pretends to be drugged and to passes out — Kicked

Ep 5 : Worried for someone — Knife put at his throat

Ep 6 : Worried for someone, angry — Vision blurry, fight while blindfolded — If you want to see one of the hottest Cdrama kiss, it’s here — Knife put at his throat

Ep 7-8 : None

EP 9 : In bed, eyes treated, helped up

Ep 10 : A bit depressed, spacing out — Concern for him — Drinking — Crying

Ep 11 : Pulse taken, doctors says treating his eyes is too risky (he may be blinded forever if it fails), still wants to do it, must apply a treatment to his eyes for 12 hours without interruption — In bed undergoing his treatment (blindfold on his eyes)

Ep 12 : Treatment still being applied, helped to walk, stops his treatment because he is worried about the female lead, vision blurry, concern for him, goes to save her — Grabs a blade with his bare hand — Worried — Vision blurry, cut on his hand, bandages himself — Vision blurry — Bandages on his hand a bit bloody, concern for him — Vision blurry — Vision worsening, dizzy, leaning against a pillar, almost collapses, becomes completely blind — Scolded for interrupting his treatment, blindfold on his eyes, concern for him, doctor says his eyesight might be incurable

Ep 13 : Concern for him, still blind and blindfolded, runs into furniture, helped to walk, more concern for him — Forces himself to eat disgusting food — Had a nosebleed, concern for him — Friends work hard to make a cure for him — Identity revealed — Decides to undergo a dangerous treatment, treated, given medicine, new blindfold put on his eyes, in bed, shaky breathing, in pain — Looked after, in pain, sweating, falls asleep

Ep 14 : (Treatment continues from previous episode) Has a nightmare about the battlefield, panicking, restrained, pinned to his bed, concern for him, bleeding from the mouth — Blindfold taken off, vision a bit blurry then clears, cured

Ep 15 : None

Ep 16 : Worried for someone

Ep 17 : Teary-eyed

Ep 18 : Worried for someone

Ep 19 : Pinned under furniture with the female lead, concern for him, hits his back

Ep 20 : Female lead sees his back full of scars

Ep 21 : None

Ep 22 : Attacked, slapped, almost stabbed — Blamed unfairly, bitten, feelings hurt, crying — Goes into a suspicious toxic basement, dizzy, carrying female lead, concern for him, collapses unconscious, given mouth to mouth breathing, chest compression, wakes up (Gif Set)

Ep 23 : Difficult fighting, injured, uses himself as a shield to protect the female lead, hit, spitting blood — Helped to walk, weak, wound revealed, concern for him, wound treated, bandaged, kissed (not whump but this kiss was so great, I had to put it in) — Helped to walk, hugged, in pain, concern for him, carried

Ep 24-27 : None

Ep 28 : Worried for his friend, comforted

Ep 29 : Friend died — Crying, remembering the times they fought side by side, comforted

Ep 30-32 : None

Xie Bei Ming

Ep 1 : Sleeping powder thrown at his face, passes out

Ep 2 : Still unconscious, wakes up after water is thrown at his face — Poisonous powder accidentally gets in his face, lips swelled (kinda disfigured, comedic)

Ep 8 : Different kind of poisons tested on his arm, arm burning (comedic)

Ep 11 : Headache

Ep 14 : Drunk

Ep 19 : Poisoned, given an antidote, passes out, woken up (comedic)

Ep 24 : Feeling conflicted, concern for him — Finds out his adoptive father is the bad guy — Depressed, drinking

Ep 25 : Keeps laughing against his will after being given some “laughing medicine” — Depressed

Ep 26 : Given medicine

EP 27 : Drunk, helped to walk, put in bed, looked after — Distancing himself from his loved ones — Drinking

Ep 29 : Sword at his neck

Ep 32 : Stabbed while shielding his father, collapses, bleeding from the mouth, concern for him, dying — Unconscious in bed, concern for him — Looked after, wakes up, speaking weakly

#maiden holmes #whump list #asian whump #whump #cdrama #chinese drama #zhang linghe

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candidscape · 30 days

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Eco-Friendly Interior Design: Sustainable Solutions for Your Home

As awareness of environmental issues grows, eco-friendly interior design is becoming increasingly popular. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also contributes to a more sustainable and healthier environment. Here’s how you can embrace sustainable solutions in your interior design:

1. Choose Sustainable Materials

Opt for materials that are eco-friendly and have a minimal environmental impact. Look for:

Bamboo: A rapidly renewable resource used for flooring, furniture, and decor.

Recycled Glass: Ideal for countertops and tiles, recycled glass reduces waste and adds a unique touch.

Reclaimed Wood: Salvaged from old buildings or furniture, reclaimed wood offers a rustic charm and helps reduce deforestation.

2. Opt for Low-VOC Paints

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in traditional paints can negatively impact indoor air quality. Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints that are less harmful and contribute to a healthier living environment. Many eco-friendly paint options come in a wide range of colors and finishes, so you don’t have to compromise on style.

3. Incorporate Energy-Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting solutions not only reduce your energy bills but also minimize your environmental footprint. Consider:

LED Bulbs: They use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan.

Smart Lighting Systems: These systems allow you to control lighting remotely and set schedules to minimize energy use.

4. Use Sustainable Fabrics

When selecting textiles for your home, choose fabrics that are both stylish and sustainable. Options include:

Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful chemicals, organic cotton is soft and eco-friendly.

Hemp: A durable and versatile fabric that requires minimal water and pesticides.

Recycled Polyester: Made from recycled plastic bottles, it helps reduce waste and can be used for upholstery and curtains.

5. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Modern appliances that are ENERGY STAR® rated use less energy and water, helping you reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Look for energy-efficient models for your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliances.

6. Embrace Upcycling and Repurposing

Give old furniture and decor a new life through upcycling and repurposing. This approach reduces waste and adds unique character to your home. Consider:

Painting or Reupholstering Furniture: Transform outdated pieces into stylish, custom creations.

Repurposing Materials: Use reclaimed materials for DIY projects, such as creating a coffee table from an old door or shelves from wooden pallets.

7. Integrate Indoor Plants

Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home but also improve air quality by filtering pollutants. Opt for low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or peace lilies, which are known for their air-purifying properties.

8. Choose Sustainable Flooring Options

Eco-friendly flooring options can dramatically change the look and feel of your space. Consider:

Cork Flooring: Made from the bark of cork oak trees, it’s renewable and offers natural insulation.

Linoleum: Made from natural materials like linseed oil and wood flour, it’s biodegradable and comes in various colors and patterns.

Recycled Carpet: Made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, it provides comfort while reducing waste.

9. Implement Water-Saving Fixtures

Conserving water is an essential aspect of eco-friendly design. Install:

Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads: These fixtures reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.

Dual-Flush Toilets: Offer two flushing options to minimize water consumption.

10. Support Local and Artisan Products

Choose locally-made and artisan products to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies. Local artisans often use sustainable practices and materials, adding a unique touch to your home while minimizing your environmental impact.

By integrating these eco-friendly interior design solutions, you can create a home that reflects your commitment to sustainability while enjoying a stylish and comfortable living space. Embracing these practices not only benefits the environment but also promotes a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

#home interior #interior decorating #interior design #indian cinema

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digitalbath1988 · 1 year

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Save A Horse, Ride Soldier Boy Part 2

The first of my requests! Part 1 is on A03 and I’ll link in comments.

Pegging Homie fanfic should happen over the weekend ❤️❤️❤️

TW: highly dubious consent, throat fucking, PIV sex, soldier boy being a douchebag, period appropriate sexism

April 1954

The office was nearly abandoned, most executives were on Easter holiday with their families. Not Dr. Vought. The man always had energy for running his empire. Thus, Esther was waiting until later on to take a week off. Although, given her financial status as a widowed mother of two, probably all she’d afford to do would be sit around her cramped apartment and take her kids to the park.

She’d been assigned to Dr. Vought’s favorite conference room today, a sterile modern space with walls painted light blue and white furniture. The man himself was out at some sort of off site meeting to look into making toys of the Supes. It sounded so silly!

Esther clicked away, a bit less stressed today as she didn’t have the pressure and deadlines of the busy typist pool. The stack of work was still impressive, but she knew she’d get through it before the meeting she’d been asked to join for Dr. Vought.

In preparation, she pulled out her compact quickly to check her appearance. She didn’t even have a chance to powder before a face appeared behind her in the mirror.

“Hi sweet cheeks. Heard you were holed up in here. Surprise, it’s me.” Soldier Boy grinned at her. Today she could smell alcohol leaking from his pores, she marveled at how sober he looked.

“You’re supposed to be overseas!” Esther half asked, half accused.

“Sure was. But Fredrick Vought flew me back here for some photos and measurements for this toy idea he has.” He sat down next to her while she continued typing away. Esther pretended her heart wasn’t pounding in her chest.

His hand followed hers on the typewriter. Esther sighed as the page went from perfect typing to jibberish in a second, weighing in her mind starting over or trying to correct it.

“He’s gonna be gone for maybe two more hours. How about you keep me entertained until then?”

“No.” Esther said tersely, to make her feelings clear.

He looked furious for just a second, before bursting into laughter.

“No?!” he mocked, getting bodily closer. His warm laughter washed over her like an over-tight bear hug. “You almost sound serious about that, doll.”

“I am!” Esther huffed.

“You sound adorable too. Tell you what- you’ve got five whole minutes to get naked.” He smirked.

She glared back. “Sir, what happened last time was a mistake.”

“It wasn’t a goddamn mistake, Miss Davis.” He gripped her thigh hard. “I’ll tell you the truth- you needed that shit just as much as I did. Now, don’t be a fucking brat. You’ve got four minutes left.”

“I’ll scream.”

“Three.”

He glowered at her.

“Someone will see us.” Esther said as a last ditch effort.

“We’ve got the whole floor to ourselves, you could probably scream your head off and nobody would know. Two.”

Esther thought about what he’d said last time about her job status, how Dr. Vought valued Soldier Boy over a lowly typist, and how she needed to feed and care for her children with this money. “Fine.” She said, standing up.

“One minute left.” He said with a maddening eyebrow raised. Esther glared again as she pulled down her skirt and unbuttoned her top. He seemed unaffected by her discomfort, he just grinned as she pulled off her bra and panties. “Atta girl.” His hands eagerly grabbed at her bare hips, pulling her back towards him, close enough so he could speak into her ear. “I’m gonna mess up that lipstick you’ve got on. On your knees.”

“But!”

“On your knees RIGHT NOW.” He barked.

Esther complied, having an idea of where this was going based on much more pleasant times with James when he was still alive. She unzipped his tight pants, secretly admiring the way his obscene bulge looked in them. What is wrong with me? “See, I knew you were a smart girl.” That already enormous, semi-hard appendage of his snapped to life like a soldier giving a salute, as she gave it a tentative lick on the underside. She got to work trying to please this poor tempered man. He hissed through his teeth.

He’d been right about the lipstick, it smudged red all over the shaft of his cock, until eventually she’d consumed it an a frantic effort to please. It was a messy, sex frenzied experience. Esther wasn’t the least bit surprised to feel his hand on her head, undoing the carefully pinned and curled updo she wore everyday. The pins were flung carelessly to the floor, and his hands went into her now unencumbered hair, pushing her down further on his cock. She was gagging, helpless and slick with her own drool, as more and more of his dick went into her mouth and throat.

“Those assholes in the office said they couldn’t assign you to me today because Dr. Vought needed you, fuck, think I need you more doll. I knew that damn mouth was talented.” He kept shoving himself in, using her mouth like it was a cunt. She gagged so hard she almost threw up, but somehow choked the bile back.

He stopped short of filling her mouth, an almost predatory smile on his face. “Did I do something wrong?” She asked, suddenly nervous.

Soldier Boy didn’t answer, he just pushed her up against the glass door of the conference room. She put her hands against it as a reflex. “What are you?!” A hand snaked around her mouth, muffling her. Another groped at her body, examining her as if she was a piece of meat. Finally it braced itself against her breasts. She yelled, helplessly muted, into the red gloved hand. A (now sopping wet) cock rubbed and pressed itself inside her cunt, and a male groan resonated behind her. “Even better than that whore mouth of yours.” She couldn’t process, just heard a slapping sound as he pounded her, a delicate balance between the glass and their bodies. He jerked her body back by her tits, then forward, then moved his hand to her hips and repeated the movement. She bit into the hand on her mouth, which only triggered a even more brutal fucking, however he moved that hand to her hips too. Now Esther was genuinely concerned that they’d break the door.

What a sight they’d be if someone happened to walk by, her naked except for stockings and garters, tits distorted against the glass, in contrast to the nearly fully clothed Soldier Boy. She really would look like a whore, and she doubted anyone would believe that she hadn’t asked for this. As if to distract her from her pesky thoughts, he started to apply gentle pressure to her clit.

“Don’t pretend like you’re not enjoying it.”

“You’re a bad, bad man, how dare you!” Esther cried out, although the pressure inside her got dangerously close to eruption.

“You keep telling yourself that, sugar tits. Pretend like you don’t look at my cock every chance you get. You need it as much as I do.” She moaned at his nasty words, and he pressed harder against her nub, triggering an embarrassing flood, which only stroked his ego. He laughed and fucked her harder as she shivered out an intense climax. “Don’t be embarrassed, I tend to have that effect on women.”

“Fuck you.”

“You already are.” He flipped her around and jacked himself off on her face, as if to humiliate her even further and ruin the remnants of her perfect matte makeup.

“Tongue out next time I do that,” he mentioned. “You’ve got ten minutes to clean yourself up before he gets here.”

The yellow light in the bathroom almost felt more heavenly than depressing. Esther’s orgasm had left her in a soft focus, glossy reverie. Her hopes that no one would interrupt were granted. She did the best she could to fix her hair and makeup, before returning to the conference room.

“Oh, Soldier Boy, have you met Miss Davis?” Asked Dr. Vought as she sat down. Soldier Boy nodded. “She helped me out a couple of times in a pinch. What a great gal you’ve got there, sir.”

Esther had to keep her face friendly and neutral, and went about taking the notes for the toy venture, before eventually Soldier Boy was brought elsewhere for measurements and photos. She could have sworn Dr. Vought gave her a strange look, but there was nothing she could do for it.

A day later and the receptionist called her downstairs. Esther panicked, thinking that she’d been seen getting fucked up against the glass door the other day. But her heart stopped pounding so hard as the grumpy old woman indicated a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a card.

The card was about as sentimental as she’d expect. “Already looking forward to seeing you in three weeks.”

—-

#soldier boy #soldier boy fanfiction #soldier boy fanfic #the boys fanfic #the boys fanfiction

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