#stone and metal console table

[gobuyussomecoffee]

Toronto Contemporary Entry Mid-sized contemporary entryway idea with a brown floor and dark wood floors, beige walls, and a light wood front door.

[danielaprice]

Hall in Toronto Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor entryway remodel with beige walls and a light wood front door

[swashbucklerswan]

Medium Sun Room Inspiration for a medium-sized slate-floor sunroom renovation with a regular ceiling and no fireplace

[katanra]

Foyer Mudroom (Kansas City)

[benbemine]

Transitional Living Room

[azsazz]

Bloody Hearts (Part 2)

Azriel x Cassian x Rhysand x Reader

Summary: A modern mafia AU.

Warnings: Blood, injury, guns, depictions of graphic violence. Ik this isn’t how hospitals work but just pretend for the storyline that it is.

Word Count: 1,780

Notes: Well, it's been a long time since I've worked on this one, but you all voted for it, so here it is! [Not edited]

[Part 1]

_________________________________________

“What the fuck, Rhys?” Azriel hisses when he catches sight of his fearless leader leaning heavily on Cassian’s side, an arm wrapped around his shoulder. He’s pale, lips beginning to tint the blue shade of the moon, and the man can hear his teeth chattering from across the room.

The dark haired man drops a steel-toed boot to the ground with a thump as he pushes himself up from the large oak desk where he’s been monitoring the cameras. The green shine from the screen glints over the twin guns nestled in the double holster across his strong chest and reflects off of the azure stone set in onyx metal around his neck.

He’s quick to make his way around the desk, hitting a single key on the console as he goes, and the screen floods black. It’s second nature by now, never leaving anything unlocked that he doesn’t want anyone seeing, even if it is his comrades.

Azriel’s footsteps are silent but Rhys’ grunts are not as Cassian helps him lie back on the poker table, crimson already staining the velvet top. The chips dig into Rhysand’s back but he can hardly focus on anything other than the ripping pain in his side. He’d dug the bullet out of his side and had slipped from the hospital before they could get any more information from him, even if his mind was screaming at him to stay, not for his wound, but for the beautiful woman behind the counter.

Cassian’s already off to retrieve the medical kit as soon as Rhys is settled. Azriel slips the knife from its sheath in his boot and doesn’t hesitate to cut through the expensive fabric covering the wound. His golden eyes are sharp, calculating as he moves, flickering over the torn and damp fabric, and then to the inflamed muscle of his torn stomach when he tugs away the bloody material.

Rhys grits his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut as the room spins. He feels as if he’s the ivory sphere twirling around the roulette table as he lies there, letting Azriel poke and prod at the wound he’d been so careless as to get.

“How many times have I told you not to go running around with an open wound?” Azriel speaks softly, his voice a low rumble that’s always comforting, even when it’s a threat to their enemies slipping past his lips. 

“At least I got the bullet out this time,” Rhys grunts back in time for Cassian to hear. He’s carrying the med kit in one hand and in the other, a bottle of triple distilled whiskey, one of the expensive bottles Rhys likes to reserve for his more important guests. 

Now seems as good a time as any to break into the copper liquid.

“Who did this?” Cassian asks, handing off the supplies but keeping the bottle for himself. His voice is rough, wanting to know answers so that he can move his people where necessary, to find out where Azriel can plant his spies. His large frame casts a shadow over the wound when he hikes his foot up on one of the plush chairs, and Azriel tuts, shooing him to the other side so that he can see better. “And why didn’t you call one of us for help?”

Both of his friends have seen Rhys like this on multiple occasions. Not necessarily with bullet wounds, but their leader seemed to be needing stitches more often than he’d like. As head of one of the most notorious mafias in the country, he’s sought after by rivals for power, women for his body, sometimes both. 

It comes with the territory, though, and no matter how many times he scrubs his name from every source he can find, they’ll always know who he is, his father had made sure of that. But it’s no life to live hiding, and now, Rhys supposes that it's no life to live always having to look over his shoulder either.

Azriel leaves to scrub his hands, sharing a look with Cassian as he leaves him to fish for information from their leader, whose arm is thrown across his eyes, the gold light from the chandelier too much for him right now.

“Was it the Oleanders?” he questions, taking a swig of the auburn liquor before helping Rhys sit up for a sip of his own. It burns as it goes down, its aftertaste of copper he can’t quite distinguish is his own blood in his mouth or the drink.

Rhys swallows roughly, the liquor sticky in his throat. “The Oleanders, the Canus’, the fucking Tritons, take your pick, they’re all starting to look the same these days.”

“Well, what the fuck are we supposed to do about that?” Azriel asks as he slides back up to the table to begin threading the needle. His eyes are sharp, focused on his task, shaking his head when Cassian offers him a swig. “We already have every disposable knight out there that we can.”

His friend hisses as the needle pokes through his tender skin. He’ll never get used to the feeling, and he doesn’t want to. 

“Fuck if I know,” Rhys sighs, accepting another drink. “All I know is we need to start playing offense, they’re getting too close.”

A muscle in Cassian’s jaw twitches but he nods nonetheless while Azriel grunts his agreement. The three of them will be up for days trying to plan their next move. They need to think of something to shock the rival gangs, to scare them back into place where they’d been when Rhys’ father was still in charge. A new head meant that all past treaties were over, but Rhysand doesn’t regret it for a minute. Not after what his father had done to his mother and sister.

Azriel is meticulous with his stitching, and Rhys concentrates on the stillness of his hands while he patches him up. It had taken a long time for his friend to be able to show his hands like this, even though the three of them are like brothers. A gambling debt gone wrong had left the apathetic man caught and set alight by the Oleanders, harrowing grins and remarks of how he wouldn’t be able to hold his cards after they’d finished with him haunt him to this day, and Rhysand finds him asleep at him computer more often than not, surveillance screen blaring green light and a gun clutched tightly in his marred grip.

“If we knew who put a hit on you tonight we’d be that much closer to knowing where to start,” Azriel murmurs, tying off the suture and sitting back for a better look at his handiwork. This time, he doesn’t hesitate to take the liquor from Cassian, smearing the label red as he does so.

“Was a drive-by,” Rhys answers, his breathing ragged as he sits up. He makes a face at the scrap of shirt hanging from his shoulders, tugging it off and tossing it to a heap on the ground. It lands with a wet sound but he doesn’t care, they’ve all seen worse.

It makes him think of you, offering to help him out of his shirt with wide eyes and red cheeks. You had made his labored breathing worse, struggling to suck down a miniscule amount of oxygen after your beauty had forced it from his lungs. He wants to see you again.

He hadn’t recognized the large blacked-out SUV that had slowed to a crawl next to him. He’d known immediately and cursed himself for taking his phone call outside, and with no knights to guard him. He was sprinting down the block before the window even rolled a centimeter down, his shiny, expensive shoes sounding like their own bullets ricocheting off of the sidewalk as he moved. 

Bullets sprayed the buildings around him, not a soul in sight. Rhys had managed to dip into an alley and disappear, but after having received the lovely wound in his side in exchange.

It could have been much worse.

“I’ll start looking into security cameras,” Azriel says, wiping his palms down his own shirt. He’s already making his way over to his desk, and Rhys would scold him for being a bloody mess if he hadn’t known his friend as well as he does. That glint in his eye tells Rhys all he needs to know about what Azriel will be doing until he finds the culprit. “Where did it happen?”

“Westboro and 8th,” Rhys sighs, sharing a tired look with Cassian. The both of them know that prying Azriel from the screens will be nearly impossible, and they cheers to that, taking another pull from the bottle.

“You need to be more careful,” Cassian tells him. His hazel eyes are glazed with seriousness, his tone stern and fearful all in one. The corners of Rhysand’s frown soften as his friend's tenderness, agreeing with him in full.

“I’ll make sure you know where I’m going next time,” he answers, gaze sliding over to where Azriel’s already tuned deeply into his work. “The both of you.”

He has his own personal guard, a group of trustworthy men that have passed all of his and his friends’ rigorous vetting processes, but it would be nice if he were able to take a breath alone for a moment. Rhys is sure that both Cassian and Azriel will be flanking his sides once more now that this has happened.

Cassian seems less than pleased with his response but Azriel takes it with a grain of salt, fingers flying over the keyboard in an attempt to find the assholes who’ve done this. He tucks Rhys’ words into the back of his mind for later, already thinking of ideas on how to have more eyes on Rhys without being there himself.

“Shower,” Cassian demands softly, removing the bottle from Rhys’ grip. He saunters over to perch on the edge of Azriel’s desk, watching politely and not touching like Azriel has scolded him on many occasions. The thought makes the corner of Rhys’ mouth curl in amusement, even if he knows that they’ll start murmuring about him as soon as he leaves the room.

But he follows Cassian’s orders nonetheless, sliding from the poker table onto his shaky legs. The room steadies after a few harsh blinks but he stays upright, making sure he has his bearings before he moves towards his suite.

“And try not to get that wound wet,” Azriel calls after him, eyes still pinned to the screen before him.

Rhysand rolls his eyes, ignoring his friends, but his smirk curves into a full blown grin.

[disabled-battlekukku]

If you were given the chance to write for a new Sonic, featuring the return of the kuku empire, what would you write? Where would you add world building and who of the main cast, and others, would you feature in it?

SLAMS TABLE. BIG BREATH.

(Biiiiiig thread comin' ahead!)

First of all, if Sega had ever had the balls to bring the Kukku Empire back, it would probably be a Mania-inspired game. And if it did, I think it would have the same, if not very similar plot points and ideas to it.

Old and new stages, with the old ones being from Game Gear and Master System games (y'know, Tails' home console!). Instead of focusing on speed, it would be much more on the exploration aspect, as that was also a great aspect of those. Maybe focus more on the "high flying" aspect. It would be interesting to see how more grounded characters like Sonic and Mighty would deal in this sort of environment.

If we REALLY pushed our buttons farther, the Witchcarters would be there as well, although probably as mini-bosses. Sega seems to favor them anyway. Limit a little of Eggman's appearance, though. Maybe let him cameo at an ending cutscene.

For story? I don't think the Kukkus would be that interested in pursuing the Chaos Emeralds after that, erm, first attempt, hehe. Maybe the Warp Topaz to keep the "modern-trinket-goes-to-classic-world" gimmick they did with the Phantom Ruby. If not, then either the Chaos Rings or Time Stones! Keep the same old shit of Speedy as the "Metal Sonic" of the game and Great Battle Kukku as the typical final boss.

If I was in COMPLETE charge?

I probably wouldn't take it. I can't code a game, hehe.

In all seriousness, I'd probably try some things that the fans wouldn't like it all that much. After all, I love it when Sega tries to experiment and go a bit off the rails with Sonic gameplay (Tails Adventure and Knuckles' Chaotix are my favorite games, after all!)

Sticking to what I said earlier, exploration is kind of an important aspect of Tails Adventure, and I'd proooobably bring back some classic trinket or thingamajig, like the previously mentioned Chaos Rings.

One thing that CERTAINLY wouldn't make the fans happy, judging that I was a massive Pokemon gen 5 fan, is that I'd probably limit gameplay to only Tails and Speedy. Make it a godamn Sonic Adventure 2/Riders split story thingie! And since Sonic Frontiers happens to have Tails implying to be going on an adventure of his own, maybe the game would happen right after that!

For a setting, I don't really know what I would put it. Probably an entirely new setting, as Flicky's Island was already taken by the Witchcarters in the IDW comics! A new place that the Kukkus decided to conquer, but their luck is just used to attract foxes, huh.

While I said that I'd limit main gameplay to Tails and Speedy, there could be a Sonic 06 thing and find others of Tails' buddies to play as. I'd prefer the child characters like Cream, Charmy, and maaaybe Ray since they all seem to focus on flight anyway. For Speedy? Fuck it we ball, introduce new characters! Give my mans some friends, godamnit!

I'd pull a Rush Adventure, where we would be focused on finding resources and building things to maneauver through the place, kind of replacing the need for a shop like most modern overworld Sonic games have.

Honestly, if I had to say everything I'd think for a Sonic game (or a Tails game, as it seems to be getting like here), we would be here for HOURS!

[writingsofestella]

vespera - ch. 4

Apostate!Din Djarin x Ex!Jedi!OC -(no use of Y/N) Canon Divergent - some plot changed for sake of story, the razor crest lives )

tws // general canon violence, usage of blasters and weapons, mentions of death, minors DNI 18+ only, angst, mature content, more tags to be added later on

a/n: sorry for such the long wait!!! i got my inspiration back for writing, so i hope you all like these next few chapter!! we finally get lore, and the reason Din has tracked her down once again.

wc: 2437

previous chapter: [here]

The walk back to her home was tense, quiet, filled with an uneasy silence that made the hairs on her neck stand straight up. However, the rest of the village was much like this too. The uneasy quietness that fell upon the village after the raid was not something she thought she'd ever feel here.

The Mandalorian's steps were silent in the dirt, despite his size, his armor. He kept in step with her pace, walking next to her, as if he hadn't chased her down half the galaxy. He was silent, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see how his helmet constantly surveyed his surroundings. Waiting for another attack or a trap.

As if he wasn't walking her into what was most likely a trap.

Grogu was making small noises, held in his father's arms. He was trying to reach out her, trying to get her attention. She had to ignore it, trying to focus on her surroundings, keep her guard up.

The adrenaline was still pumping through her veins, her body, the Force keeping her hyperaware. It helped her ignore the lingering pain in her leg.

They approached her little home, on the outskirts of the village. Standing in front of her door, she could feel the Mandalorian standing behind her. She shifted her feet, as if half prepared to slip inside and lock him out. Or run. Or both.

But she would be lying if she said she had the energy to outrun a Mandalorian.

Sighing internally, she shook her head, finally opening the door for the both of them to come in. "Can't believe I'm letting a Mandalorian bounty hunter into my home." She half muttered to herself.

"This isn't how I imagined our reunion going either, if it's any consolation." The Mandalorian quipped back, his voice dry.

She simply gave a deadpan look, watching as the bounty hunter walked past her as she held the door open, shutting it behind him and Grogu both. "Right, because your idea of a reunion would be me in cuffs being handed over to your employer." She said, her eyes watching him, analyzing him as he stood there.

He almost looked out of place in her home, all metal and leather, a trained fighter and killer. While her home was built out of natural stone, with plants and fruits, a healer's home. The only thing that stood out, that made the armored killer look even slightly less intimidating, was the tiny green child. One who seemed to be holding onto him, happy to be in his arms again.

"More or less." He responded, his helmet finally looking back down at her, tilting slightly. "Things changed."

"So you mentioned. What is this common interest of ours, then?" She asked him, crossing her arms, putting her weight on her good leg.

"Why don't we sit down?" He commented. "Can't imagine that blaster shot of yours is feeling too good right now." He added on, with a tilt of his head.

Her eyes narrowed at him. She didn't take orders from anyone, let alone a bounty hunter. But only because her leg was hurting, she decided to sit at the table she had. She watched as he followed suit, sitting across from her. Grogu's head barely made it above the table, she took note of.

There was an uneasy silence that grew between the both of them. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, staring him down. Trying to summon some of that exaggerated courage she had once, when facing down too many bounty hunters to count. None of them had saved her though, and none of them had a Force sensitive child.

"I don't suppose our common interest is your child." She spoke first, taking control of the conversation.

"Partially." He answered with, and his helmet tilted down to look at Grogu, sitting on his lap. After listening to Grogu babble something or another, his head looked back up to her. "I was sent to find you."

Her eyes narrowed at him. "By your employers, I presume."

She would defend herself if need be. He would not drag her back. She would not go with him, would not be taken in as a bounty.

"No." He answered, surprising her. "An… acquaintance, you could say."

She stared at him, both confused and on edge, not quite sure if he was lying or not. The Force inside of her told her that he was telling the truth, mostly. "An acquaintance."

He gave a nod of his helmet, and then was reaching into his satchel. On instinct, she jerked from her position, a hand gripping onto the table, ready to bolt.

"Calm, Jetii." He said, pausing in his movements, helmet staring her down. His voice a low rumble. "I swore I would not harm you."

She bristled at the name he called her. She was smart enough to know the word he spoke, and it took everything in her power to run just from that. She was already on edge. Last time he had pulled something from his satchel, from a prior meeting, it had been cuffs, intending on taking her hostage, to cash in on her bounty.

"You do not have the most trustworthy track record, Mandalorian." She finally responded.

He stared her down, only a table separating them, really. She was already weakened from her work in the clinic, from getting shot. How easy would it be for him to take her down, capture her now?

It was only Grogu's cooing that made her tear her gaze from his father.

The child looked up at her with his big eyes, ears tilted downwards. His little clawed hand reached out to her, as if trying to reach for her.

Help?

"It's only because of your child I even let you in my home." She finally spoke, leaning back in her seat again, but still ready to bolt if need be.

"Then perhaps this will convince you."

He pulled out a small holo-device, barely larger than his gloved palm. It looked like it had seen better days, old and probably from during the war. He set it down on the table, sliding it to the middle and pressing a button on it.

At first, she saw nothing, as the old thing made noises that sounded like it was struggling to turn on. Then, a small, blue, flickering hologram appeared. A young man, she thought, with light colored hair. Wearing all dark. Her eyes narrowed as she saw what looked like a lightsaber at his hip.

"Hello Mandalorian. This is Luke Skywalker. I have a request for you." The hologram started.

Her eyes widened, eyebrows furrowing.

Faintly, she could hear Grogu cooing in interest, but she sat there, mind racing.

Luke Skywalker?

"There is a Jedi that I would like you to find. If my sources are to be believed, she is on the planet of Amia. It is of utmost importance that she comes here. She may be the last Jedi healer ever taught before the Order fell, and we need to preserve whatever teachings we can find. For the next Jedi."

Her grip was so tight on the table, but she didn't even notice, as she stared at the hologram, watching as the image flickered in and out. Her mind and heart racing, trying to understand this all. She had never met Luke Skywalker. She knew of him only from the rumors and reports that spread through the galaxy of his actions to take down the Empire. Of his power.

Yet he seemed to know everything about her.

"She goes by Fyra Thane now."

Fyra, as she was now called, stopped hearing the words he spoke after that. Staring at the hologram, lost in thought. Still as a statue. Eventually the hologram fizzled out, as the recording finishing. And there was an uneasy silence that filled her home afterwords.

Someone here knew what she was. They knew. Who? Who could have known? Who knew Luke Skywalker, a Jedi himself? Who was feeding him this information?

How did a Mandalorian bounty hunter even know a Jedi? Something told her that the small green child, who looked so much like a Jedi Master of her past, was the reason for all of this.

"What is in this for you?" She finally broke the silence, tearing her gaze from the holo-device to stare back up at him. Her voice was a controlled calm, her hand holding onto the table so tightly. "I am sure my bounty would give you more credits than he would."

"As satisfying as it would be to bring you in after you have evaded me time and time again," he started, "I believe it is in both of our best interests to not hand you over."

"And why is that?" She dared to ask.

"Considering the bounty on his head was imperial scientists, I don't think it's too hard of a guess as to who put the bounty on you." He spoke, his voice even and short.

She felt her heart stutter, in both fear and anger. Her eyes glanced from the Mandalorian down to Grogu. He had been hunted, too? Already, at such a young age? It made her angry, that she had failed in her actions that had caused the bounty to be placed on her head in the first place. Disappointed in herself, that she couldn't do what had been needed. Surely, it had caused him to be hunted.

She shook her head, once. "No. It's not." Her voice quiet. She thought for a moment, trying to process all of this. "And if you turned me in-"

"They would come after him, again." He finished with, his voice steely with resolve. The type of voice she had come to expect from a faceless bounty hunter, trained to kill and hunt from childhood. "They know I have him. So if I turned you in, they would-"

"I know what they are capable of, Mandalorian." She shot back, cutting him off before he could continue on that comment. "I know what they would do, and what they have done." She spoke, voice low and even, staring him down.

She let out a tense sigh, closing her eyes for just a moment, trying to let the Force wash over her, to calm her once more. This was a lot to take in.

"What if I don't go with you to see Skywalker?" She dared to ask, opening her eyes once again. She couldn't help the curious nature inside of her, to see what he would say.

He just stared at her, impassive through the helmet, but she could almost sense his annoyance through his beskar. For wearing such impressive armor, it seemed to be too easy to get under his skin.

"You could stay here and have another attempt made at your life." He finally retorted.

She hadn't even had the chance to process that. That Henry had truly, willfully, shot at her. For the first time in months, she felt that danger, lingering around her like a curse, a shadow that would not leave.

She had been foolish to think that she could ever have a home.

"How do I know you won't do the same to me while we're traveling to wherever Skywalker is at?" She countered, but she knew she was in a situation with only one clear answer. "Even if you don't turn me in for that bounty, you haven't exactly been cordial in the past."

Perhaps it wasn't fair to hold his attempts to capture her in front of them. He had been doing a job, and she understood that. But how could she possibly begin to even believe him?

"You saved Grogu." Was the response that finally came. "And he seems to trust you."

Grogu let out a cooing noise, looking from his buir to her once more. His big eyes staring at her. As if trying to convince her to come with them, to go to Luke. She could almost hear him, his tiny little voice, trying to speak to her through the Force.

It was a stupid idea, really. To go with the Mandalorian and his child. His force-sensitive child, who was already so strong and powerful in the Force. All because a rumored hero of the galaxy wanted to learn what she knew for future generations of jedi.

"Would I save you from that sniper if I had just planned on killing you later?" He challenged her, yet she could hear the genuine curiosity in his voice.

"For personal satisfaction? I wouldn't blame you if you did." She retorted dryly.

A noise almost like a huff came from his helmet, as he tilted his head to look at her. It was almost comical, seeing him sitting in the chair. He was not short nor narrow by any means, she took note of. He was broad and tall, and he seemed so out of place in her home. All metal and fight, of battle, in her home of nature and healing. She supposed there were two sides to every battle.

"You saved Grogu." He repeated out. "He is part of my… clan." She could hear the care in his voice, despite how much he might have tried to hide it. Yet the struggle too, as if he could not accept that Grogu was with him again. "You saved him, so you have my word no harm will come to you by my hand."

A life for a life, then.

She rubbed her face, all of this too much for her to truly think through right now. She couldn't stay here. With the sudden appearance of Grogu, and how he instantly latched himself onto her, the other villagers suspected her. Add on his hunter of a father and Henry's attack, she knew it was only a matter of time before she got hurt even worse than today. She suspected people already knew she wasn't normal, especially Jir.

She dropped her hand to stare at the both of them. Taking in who would be her traveling companion for however long it would take, if she agreed. A Mandalorian bounty hunter she had evaded time and time again, who had once been coldhearted and ruthless, willing to hand her over to Imperials. And his child, a creature with eyes so big and wide, full of so much innocence but so much hurt already, who had wormed his way into the stone cold hunter. A child with powers like her own, a creature also hunted.

"When do we leave?"

all writing is my own. please do not redistribute, repost, or share on other platforms. thank you

[ taglist: @znerac @dinwifey - to be added to the taglist, feel free to ask!]

[wood-factory-furniture]

How to Style a Wooden Console Table: 10 Thoughts for Your Entryway

A Wooden Console Table is a flexible household item that can add both usefulness and style to your home. Frequently positioned in the entryway, it fills in as a spot to drop keys, mail, or packs while likewise going about as an embellishing point of convergence. The following are 10 plans to assist you with styling your wooden console table and make an inviting entry:

1. Moderate Stylish

Keep it basic: Choose a perfect, moderate look by putting a couple of painstakingly picked things on the table.

Utilize regular components: Consolidate normal materials like wood, stone, or vegetation to make a quieting environment.

Add a bit of variety: Present a pop of variety with a little jar of blossoms or an enhancing bowl.

2. Natural Appeal

Embrace regular surfaces: Match your wooden console table with other rural components like woven bushels, burlap, or horns.

Add a one of a kind touch: Integrate collectible or rare things, like an outlined photo or a little clock.

Utilize warm lighting: Introduce a pendant light or wall sconces over the table to make a comfortable feeling.

3. Alluring Sparkle

Add a bit of extravagance: Consolidate metallic accents, like gold or silver, with beautiful items or a mirror.

Utilize sensational lighting: Introduce a crystal fixture or an assertion light installation over the table.

Add a hint of extravagance: Spot a velvet sprinter or a rich toss cover on the table.

4. Beach front Stylish

Integrate nautical components: Use shells, starfish, or nautical-themed stylistic layout.

Utilize a light variety range: Decide on delicate blues, whites, and sandy tones.

Add a hint of surface: Consolidate jute floor coverings or woven crates.

5. Modern Edge

Join wood and metal: Match your wooden console table with metal accents, like a metal light or a created iron crate.

Utilize unrefined components: Consolidate incomplete wood or uncovered block for a tough look.

Add a hint of vegetation: Spot a huge pruned plant or a balancing grower on the table.

6. Conventional Class

Utilize exemplary style: Consolidate customary components like porcelain jars, precious stone dishes, or outlined family representations.

Add a bit of variety: Utilize quieted tones like naval force, burgundy, or olive green.

Utilize an assertion piece: Spot a huge improving item, like a model or a jar, as the focal point.

7. Varied Blend

Consolidate various styles: Blend and match different styles and surfaces for an exceptional look.

Utilize various tones: Integrate a brilliant range of things.

Add individual contacts: Show things that mirror your character and interests.

8. Display Wall

Make a point of convergence: Hang a display wall over the console table.

Blend and match outlines: Utilize various edges and sizes to make an outwardly intriguing showcase.

Add individual contacts: Incorporate outlined photos, craftsmanship, or uplifting statements.

9. Capacity Arrangement

Expand space: Use containers, plate, or drawers to coordinate and store things on the table.

Keep it utilitarian: Pick things that are both enhancing and commonsense.

Add a hint of character: Redo stockpiling arrangements with marks or brightening extras.

10. Occasional Stylistic theme

Change with the seasons: Update the table's stylistic layout to mirror the momentum season.

Utilize occasional tones: Integrate varieties and examples that are related with the season.

Add occasional components: Spot occasional adornments, for example, pumpkins in the fall or pine cones in the colder time of year.

Keep in mind, the way to styling a wooden console table is to have a great time and trial with various looks. Don't hesitate for even a moment to attempt new things and customize the space to mirror your exceptional style.

Extra Tips

Think about the size of your entryway: Pick a console table that is the right size for your space.

Focus on the subtleties: Add final details like toss cushions, candles, or books to finish the look.

Make sure to revise: Move things around until you find a design that you love.

Have a great time! Styling your console table ought to be an agreeable encounter.

By following these tips, you can make a wonderful and useful entryway that invites you home consistently.

[ignitedfms]

[ manny jacinto, cis-man, he/him ] Look who just landed! VALERIO “VAL” DIZON, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as FORCE LEADER of THE OVERSEERS. The city has plenty of spots for a 34 year old HEXTECH USER like you. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as THE MARBLE HAND, being RIGHTEOUS and CREDULOUS. ( jun, 30, PT, removed for discretion )

00000 - - INTERVIEW INCOMING - - - 001

001101 1- - ARE you A LOCAL OF MARS OR HAVE you LANDED HERE RECENTLY? WHAT IS your OPINION OF THE CITY OF NEW JAKARTA? - 00011011

Val settles into the chair in the interview chamber, hands folded, his white titanium gauntlets a stark contrast against the dark metal of the table. Across from him, the new recruit fidgets with the holographic console, her fingers slightly trembling. Val’s gaze softens with a touch of nostalgia. He remembers being in her very position, the first time he had to do these interviews. The young woman reminds him of himself at the beginning of his journey—full of potential but facing the daunting task of learning the ropes.

“Take your time,” Val says, hoping to calm the girl’s nerves. “This is your chance to get a feel for the process and learn. No need to rush. This is just practice.”

The recruit nods, taking a deep breath before starting. Her voice shakes a little as she asks, “Are you a local of Mars or have you just arrived? What’s your opinion of NEW JAKARTA?”

Val leans back in the chair, crossing his arms as a small, almost nostalgic smile plays on his lips at hearing the question. “Definitely a local. Haven’t you heard about me? It’s always ‘Val,’ never ‘Valerio Dizon’—unless it’s my mother calling me home for dinner… or I’m in major trouble,” he starts with a bit of a joke to hopefully lighten the mood. “Born and bred in the MAWAR DISTRICT. Can’t say I’ve ever thought of living anywhere else.”

He glances at the recruit, catching the slight tension still in her posture. It takes him back to his early days, back when he was the one trying to make a good impression, trying to prove he belonged.

“New Jakarta’s rough, sure. But it’s got a pulse, a kind of rhythm you can’t find anywhere else. It’s the kind of place that teaches you things, about survival, about people. And yeah, it can be brutal, but there’s beauty in it too. You just have to know where to look.”

He watches the recruit jot down notes, and for a moment, he sees himself in that youthful eagerness, the belief that they could change the world.

0101022 - - ARE you AWARE OF THE CRIMINAL CIRCUIT OF NEW JAKARTA? WOULD you BE WILLING TO INFORM THE OVERSEERS IF you SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY? - 001200

Val’s expression hardens, just a fraction. “Aware? I grew up with it. You couldn’t throw a stone in Mawar without hitting someone with ties to the underworld.” There isn’t any bitterness in his voice, just a matter-of-fact clarity. “But here’s the thing—people aren’t inherently bad. I’ve seen good people make bad choices because they didn’t see any other way out.”

He leans forward slightly, meeting the recruit’s eyes. “That’s why we’re here, why we do what we do. To give people another option. And yes, if I see something off, I’ll report it. It’s our duty to keep this city from eating itself alive.”

The recruit nods, a little more confident now, and Val can’t help but feel a spark of hope. Maybe this one will make it. Maybe they’ll be the kind of Overseer who remembers why they joined in the first place.

000111311 - - HAVE you BEEN TESTED FOR ANY TRACES OF SIGHIR? HAVE your TESTS ON THE VIRUSES COME BACK CLEAN? - 0012133

She looks up, her voice laced with a hint of hesitancy as she asks the next question. Val doesn’t blame her. Just hearing the word “SIGHIR” ruffles people’s feathers these days. “Have you been tested for traces of SIGHIR? Are your tests clear of any viruses?”

Val laughs softly to try and break the tension again. He shakes his head with a knowing smile. “Tested more times than I can count. You’ll experience it soon enough. But yeah, nothing out of the ordinary. Clean, every time.”

He watches the recruit relax, just a bit, and makes it a point to add with a hint of seriousness, “But don’t let that make you complacent. The tests are important. This job will expose you to some crazy shit, and you need to be ready for that.”

0113114 - - DO your HAVE ANYTHING TO DECLARE? WEAPONS, AUGMENTATIONS, MECHANICAL PARTS OR AI-RELATED APERTURE? - 0012444

The recruit glances up, a look of relief on her face when she realizes she has reached the final question: “Do you have any weapons, augmentations, mechanical parts, or AI-related equipment that you need to declare?”

Val stretches out his arms, showing the gauntlets that have become almost a part of him over the years. “Just these—my Marble Hands. HEXTECH gauntlets, titanium white. They’ve been with me for years, and I trust them with my life.”

He pauses, letting the recruit get the details down before continuing, “No augments or AI. I believe in relying on whatever got you this far—your instincts, your training. That’s what keeps you grounded.”

As Val speaks, he reflects on how far he’s come from his early days in Marwar, wandering with no purpose, to becoming an Overseer, training the next generation and protecting this city’s people. His own path has been shaped by the lessons he’s learned along the way, and he hopes to pass on that knowledge to the new recruit.

There’s a quiet moment as the recruit finishes, and Val nods, a small gesture of approval. “You’re doing good work here,” he says, his voice steady and reassuring. “Keep at it, and remember why you started. That’ll carry you further than any tech ever could.”

[ruiniel]

Prickly thorns, tender roses

Fandom: Castlevania series (2017-2021)

Rating: Mature🔞

Relationship: Alucard/Original Female Character

Characters: Alucard, Original Character(s)

Summary:

Set after the events of Castlevania (Netflix) Season III. After the betrayal of his young apprentices, Alucard feels barely alive in his lonesome castle. Days wear on, chipping away at his mind and sanity. And what is the son of Dracula to do with this unwanted visitor, suddenly come at his doorstep? Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses- Ovid

Chapter tags & warnings: Dark Romanticism, Inspired by Castlevania, personal interpretation of post-season III Alucard, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Castlevania Season III, POV Original Character, Imprisonment, tension, Not your usual meet-cute, Paranoia, Not Canon Compliant, 'Alucard being unreasonable' is an understatement

III. My chains to rattle

When she stirred, her body felt sore and immeasurably weak, from the tips of her fingers to the toes of her feet. Her eyelids fluttered open to the shafts of light filtering through a window. Ravenna groaned, confused, her mind a whispering desert storm where recent events whirled at will, with no clarity or sequence. She wanted to rise, but something was not right. She looked up and saw that her arms were suspended above her head. In chains. Lovely.

Dread gripped her mind, and she struggled against her bonds. The woman promptly looked herself over and saw she wore the same traveling garb she had arrived in. Her cloak lay abandoned on a nearby table, but she still had her leggings, boots, and tunic. Her dagger was gone. Ravenna breathed a sigh of strangled relief, for she was yet alive and whole, but the meager consolation faded when she remembered who... what had brought her in this state to begin with. Looking about the place, she saw the makings of a chamber. It was as derelict as the others the woman had seen in the short time spent in this forgotten abode.

This is ridiculous.

There was a metal leash fastened around her neck, strung from another chain in the stone walls. Each movement caused a desolate rattling sound.

Not a dungeon, at least.

But still a prisoner.

There was no sign of her savior become captor, and her thoughts returned to inhuman eyes that severed her consciousness from her body with a single stare. And the teeth... no, not teeth, fangs. She had heard the grim tales of this land, come from far away as she was. She had heard of the one called Dracula, king of vampires. Was this...? Had she unknowingly stumbled into the lair of the greatest horror the world had ever known?

"Is anyone there?" she asked, her voice raspy with disuse. Only silence greeted her back.

She slumped against her chains with a sigh. The strain in her arms and shoulders hurt, and the more she struggled, the more intense the pain became.

Hours passed this way, leaving the woman alone with her worries until Ravenna saw the sun slowly make its descent as dusk fell over the world.

In the fading light, she cursed her luck - or lack thereof - which hurled her straight into the clutches of this sinister place and its apparently ruthless owner.

"Who are you?"

The words startled the woman so much she yelped and sprang forward with a metallic clank of her chains.

Flowing shadows filled the space, welcoming the manic lord of the castle who deigned to make his appearance known.

She was afraid, but she was also bitter, and it overran whatever threat was looming behind those cold eyes. "My arms hurt," the young woman muttered, looking away.

"I trust they do," the menace tilted his head to one side, regarding her as a hunting cat would a stray mouse.

She straightened against her chains with a grimace.

"I thought you might need to stand at some point, hence the length," he continued, turning to the sole window in the room.

"So very thoughtful," Ravenna growled, only to be met with a blazing gaze of red. It lasted only a moment before it faded from his countenance.

"Gall. Why am I not surprised," her captor drawled.

As he turned his head to the window again, the woman could not help but sense a seething sort of grief, hanging to him akin to a pressing monolith of immovable stone.

"For the last time, who are you?"

"I told you who I was... lord," she tried civility. "I am called Ravenna. I am not of this land."

He tapped a long finger against his lips, eyeing her. "What is your purpose here, then? In Wallachia?"

She hesitated. "May I at least know your name?" the woman tried.

He was in her face in an instant, clawed fingers grasping her chin none too gently. "You think this is a game?" he purred, a dangerous edge to his soft voice. His face split into a frightful smile that curdled her blood.

"I still believe... it is only courteous for me to at least know your name, following this... warm welcome," the woman choked, the freezing touch of his fingers causing a furious heartbeat to burst in her ears. Ravenna berated herself for the rebellious streak which, once again, might land her in more trouble than she bargained for.

He frowned, and she heard what may have been an incredulous snort. "I am the owner of this castle, and that is all you need to know."

"Are you... Dracula?" she decided to out with it.

The stranger released her and stepped back. A low grumble made its way up his throat, and with increased pique, Ravenna realized he was laughing.

"It is a fair assumption, you know ... we are in Wallachia, you own an immense castle that seems to swallow the light, and I saw the teeth..."

"Enough!" he cut her off. "Why are you here? Speak."

"After you grant me your name, lord," Ravenna braved, despite feeling the fool.

There it was, the low rumble that was his scornful laughter again, and a show of fangs that had her swallowing in dread.

He approached the woman again with slow, feline grace. "I could end you here and now, human," he murmured. Empty eyes locked on hers before trailing to the scrapes on her face, gained during her flight; his gaze took in her disheveled appearance, and finally settled on her neck.

Ravenna shifted, restless. "And yet, you do not," she retorted. Prodding was unwise. Prodding would always, always cause more trials than she could bear. Sage thoughts, and completely unrelated to what actually left her mouth. "The question is... why?"

Her captor raised an eyebrow, watching her as though she were insane. "What is your occupation?"

"I told you, I am a scholar."

"A scholar of what?" he demanded, his frown deepening.

Ravenna rolled her eyes despite herself. "I follow a school of thought that studies alchemy, philosophy, and medicine."

He turned away, hands clasped behind his back. "Interesting..." After a few moments, his shoulders shook in laughter again. What ever could be so amusing?

"Is this the restitution you require for your aid? Keeping me for a prisoner, held like an animal to rot away in your chains?" she blurted. He was so cold, and with him so was the air in the room. It came in shallow mists from her nose and mouth.

He seemed to ponder. "You said you cannot go back into the forest. And you will surely understand - I do not trust you. Hence you are bound until I know more. And with the way this is going, that may take a long, long time." He smiled, baring his fangs for her to see.

The prospect of being chained to a wall in the confines of a castle, at the mercy of a creature of the night no less, was not the most heartening. And she had a quest to continue. Still, Ravenna kept her peace and refused to beg. "Am I truly that much of a threat to someone like you?" she asked, raising her chin in defiance, but the plea was traceable in her voice.

She found it odd how he appeared to retreat, his expression become weary; he averted his gaze. "You all do more damage than you know," he mouthed after a while as to himself, watching the settling night beyond the window.

Ravenna sighed, her head bobbing downward. The metal leash chafed and gnawed at the sensitive skin of her neck. When she lifted her head, she gasped to find him before her. The heaviness of his scent did strange things to her senses, and her mind felt drenched in fog. His hand reached for her and she recoiled. The hand lingered for a split second before continuing its intent, reaching for her neck. Ravenna pressed her eyes tightly shut, her heart pounding. What would he do?

With the brush of cool fingers against her skin, the leash came unfastened and fell to the floor. She breathed again. Looking up, Ravenna stilled when met with the embers of his eyes. They were mere voids, swallowing all feeling and emotion, but there was no cruelty beneath those long black lashes; she was unable to look away.

He reached for her arms, and her astonishment increased when the cuffs around her wrists came undone as well. With absolute agony, the young woman let her limbs down, hissing with the strong discomfort. She looked back into his eyes. "... thank you," she muttered.

He made no reply but did back away. "That, stays," he pointed to the long chain and manacle around her ankle.

"So I am your prisoner," she concluded.

"I prefer the term guest," the vampire offered almost innocently with a dismissive gesture of his hand.

Ravenna regarded him with a wry expression. "... and this is how you treat your guests."

She shivered despite herself at the sudden sliver of ire flitting across his face.

"Oh pardon me, would you prefer a cozy fireplace and a cooked meal instead?" he taunted. "Perhaps a warm bed and a glass of wine, why not!"

"Cease these quips! What do you intend to do with me? You mentioned repayment for your aid... what is it you want?"

"So many questions..." He turned his back on her again, and the shadows in the chamber shifted anew. "The chain is long enough, I suggest you make use of it."

"Wait! Wait, where are you going?" This could not be it. "You cannot just leave me here!" Ravenna cried after him, but there was no one.

A solitary sconce now burned against one wall of the chamber. Weary and aching, the woman slowly approached the dusty bed, falling against the sheets with little to no grace. She was alive; that was what mattered. But maybe not for long.

Somehow, this was still marginally better than having perished at the hands of mindless zealots.

She had never seen, let alone encountered and shared words with a being such as this before. The entire concept of their existence and manner of living was foreign to Ravenna, and despite her situation, the academic drive leading her forward won in the end.

A vampire.

How fascinating.

NEXT

[coldresolve]

Moneymakers, pt.viii // Bitter Mechanics

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After dinner, Conrad watches mutely from the dining table as Renee, after a quick smoke, slouches down on a couch in the living room area with a game console controller in his lap, a drink on the coffee table, and an weary, blank expression on his face. After clearing plates and pans away, Davin fetches a laptop and sits down too. That’s when Conrad snaps out of his dissociated state long enough to excuse himself.

If he’s being honest, he longs to have company, but not here, and not with either of these people. Even if he wasn’t preoccupied with thoughts of breaking free, he would have preferred solidarity.

The handcuffs are still connected to the baluster, although one cuff lays open next to the pillow. They’ll keep him cuffed at night, Davin said, and keep the bedroom door locked as well. It’s only precaution. Conrad can’t fathom the way the man talks about it, as if he expects it to become the new norm. Nothing about this should be normalized.

He crawls onto the bed in the spot he’s been tied to all day, crouching down with his back to the wall, the cold metal of the cuffs brushing against his bare feet. Ears perked for any trace of noise in the hallway, he retrieves the screw from where he hid it in the crack between the mattress and the bedframe. It’s about as long as his index finger, but a third as thick. In the moment, he didn’t know why he even took it, what the hell he was going to use it for, but during dinner, a feeble idea came to mind.

The loose cuff gives several metallic ticks as Conrad locks it around empty air, then runs his finger along the hardened metal to find the small keyhole by touch. Holding the screw like a pencil between his fingers, Conrad tries to pick the lock with it.

Immediately, it becomes apparent that the spiraling threads make it impossible for the screw to fit in the keyhole far enough to reach the pin. Twisting it in helps, but then the screw comes in at an angle and gets blocked by the locks inner walls.

Conrad sniffs.

Stupid idea anyway, wasn’t it?

He palms the screw and gets to his feet, grimacing at the aching in his core and grasping the windowsill to balance on the sinking terrain of the mattress. His tentative hand fumbles briefly with the padlock there, but just from a glance, he can tell that even trying is redundant. The keyhole to the padlock is more complex and much, much narrower than that of the cuffs. There’s no way the screw would fit.

He stands there for a moment, feeling the soft draft that radiates from the window, pleasantly cool against his bruised skin. His eyes make out the unmoving silhouettes of trees in the back yard, mere shadows against the dark sky. The sun sets so early this time of year. Saps the energy right out of him. Makes him long for those moments last year when him and Howard huddled up on their couch along with their cat, watching predictable action flicks until either one of them dozed off, leaning heavier and heavier on the other.

They know he’s missing. Conrad wonders what that’s like, what they think happened. They must have some premonition, right? People always talk about knowing before they really know.

How is he going to explain all of this to them? It doesn’t even feel real half the time.

Careful not to move too quickly, he lets himself slide down the wall, wincing as the surface aggravates the bruises on his back.

He pauses. Runs his hand along the wall, feeling the tiny bumps in the paint, inconsistencies in whatever lies underneath. Knocks on it, and although the sound doesn’t tell him much, the slight pain in his knuckles confirms that at the very least, the wall isn’t made from plywood. It’s more solid than that.

When you sharpen a knife, you use stone to grind away at it, right?

Biting his lip, Conrad holds the screw flat between his fingers and begins rubbing it back and forth across the wall, careful to do it behind the frame of the bed so it only leaves marks that can’t be seen unless you’re standing directly over them. He gives it five minutes of continuous filing, the same repeated motion on the same part of the screw, until he can no longer stand the uncertainty of whether or not he’s making any progress.

Brushing paint dust off with a finger, he holds the screw close to his face, then up in the light, to get a good look at the metal. Maybe he’s imagining it, but the threads seem a tad less sharp in places. The wall itself gets worn down faster than the metal, of course, but with enough time, the metal does wear down.

He tries to curb the small hope rising in his chest. It might not be a stupid idea after all. If he can file the threads down and bend the tip of the screw, he might be able to unlock the cuffs at will. He has no way of opening the lock on the window, but… this is a start, isn’t it?

Heart beating a little bit faster than before, Conrad gets comfortable, fixes his eyes on the door, and files away behind his back.

💵

They’ll expect him to try to escape, so if they don’t see him trying, that in and of itself will raise suspicion.

It’s the first thought that comes to mind when he wakes up that morning. Another kink in his desperate lack-of-a-plan. And he hates that he has to think like them, but they’re fine-tuned to mind games, right? They’ll raise a brow if Conrad doesn’t play.

He's still thinking about it when, not long after sunrise envelops the guest bedroom in cold light, Davin comes in to unlock his restraints.

“Sleep okay?” Davin greets him, evidently an early riser himself – his waist-length hair is damp from a shower, and there’s no trace of morning fatigue on his face.

Thoughts fixed on the screw tucked away in its hiding place, Conrad nods a little too eagerly, catches himself, and suppresses a grimace.

There’s a slight pause in Davin’s demeanor, and Conrad doesn’t miss when the man’s gaze jumps from his face to his hands and back to his face. He snorts as he unlocks the cuff. “Alright.”

Conrad could kick himself. Of course acting nonchalant in a situation like this isn’t the same as acting natural. Naturally, Conrad should still be in a scared, dissociated state – and now they’re mutually hyperaware of each other, although Davin is better at hiding it than Conrad is.

He keeps his eyes downcast and his shoulders hunched as Davin follows him into the kitchen.

He has to have a plan B, and plan B has to be visible. It has to be real, even if it doesn’t serve the purpose they think it serves. He still has to give it a genuine shot.

💵

It happens sooner than he expected it to.

He thought they’d give him another day to recover, but they don’t. The bruises are still deep and dark across his body, but it happens that afternoon.

He hears them in the hallway and barely has enough time to hide the screw a split second before Davin opens the door, his expression blank as ever. And then Renee follows.

All thoughts of acting are gone from Conrad’s mind. They’re here to take him upstairs again. This is real.

He stands up, instinctually backing himself into the corner of the room. A rush of adrenaline surges through his system, as if he’s been doused in cold water.

Renee smiles at the sight of him, nonchalantly adjusting his black leather gloves. “Sir,” he says, “turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

Conrad only manages to squeak out a “N—” before his throat closes shut. He swallows, eyes flickering between Renee and Davin. He can’t move.

“C’mon, now. We can’t keep people waiting.”

Conrad nearly retches at the thought of which people Renee is talking about. “I can’t,” he croaks out. “You can’t.”

Renee snickers, stepping closer. “Can’t what?”

Heart beating dizzyingly fast in his ears, Conrad swallows again, hands pressed flat against the wall behind him. “I can’t go back up there.”

“That so?” Renee grins, not halting his slow approach.

 “I c-can’t go back up there,” Conrad says again.

Renee reaches for him then.

Conrad shrinks away, stammering out “Don’t, don’t!” as Renee grabs hold of both of his bruised wrists and tries to pry his hands onto his back, using his stature to push Conrad further back into the corner. Conrad has no room to kick, and no leverage to push Renee away, so he brings his knee up instead, cringing as it lands.

Immediately, Renee lets him go and buckles over himself, falling against the bed as he clutches his groin, his moan of pain stifled by breathlessness. “Motherf—” he hisses through gritted teeth.

Conrad doesn’t wait for him to get back on his feet. Instead he scrambles past him, only to make eye contact with Davin, who watches with a small, amused smirk playing on his face, but doesn’t move a muscle to catch him or even block his way. His nonchalance makes Conrad hesitate, but only for a split second – then he sprints out the bedroom door.

With Renee’s shouts rolling through the hall, Conrad runs as fast as his bruised body will let him, as fast as the smooth floor will permit without him slipping on his face. Rounding the corner from the hallway to the kitchen area, he grabs the wall to slingshot himself towards the entranceway and the front door.

It's locked. His shaking hands fumble with the tumbler as he pants for breath, but when he unlocks it and tries the door again, it doesn’t open more than a fraction before a second lock – a padlock above his eye level – seizes its movement.

Conrad lets out a sound of discontent and spins on his heels, pushing himself off the door. The moment he rounds the corner of the entranceway, he crashes into the figure of a now-recovered Renee and tumbles to the floor, not hard enough to get winded, although the deep bruises on his body rear up with pain.

But although Conrad hectically scurries backwards on all fours, Renee isn’t in a hurry to catch him. His eyes are dark, his jaw set. He’s walking.

The sight is enough to make the dam break for good, and tears well in Conrad’s eyes as he stumbles to his feet and runs past the dining table and the couch group in the living room area.

The sliding glass door sports a padlock as well.

Conrad lets out a cry of despair, slamming a closed fist uselessly against the glass pane. He’s still fruitlessly hitting the glass when a hand grabs him by the collar of his t-shirt and yanks him backwards, after which Renee throws him back-first into the wall and pins him there.

Conrad gasps at the pain in his battered body, clawing at Renee’s arm, vision blurry.

“You picked a fuckin’ interesting time to piss me off,” Renee growls, and before Conrad can even think of responding, a punch lands on his cheekbone, whipping his head sideways. He has no time to recover before Renee’s hands coil around his neck, pushing the back of his head into the wall and cutting off his frantic breathing.

Conrad claws at Renee’s arms, hits the man’s chest, tries to leverage his fingers in between the hands and his own throat, but nothing grants him even a sliver of breath, and soon enough, sparks begin to dance across his vision, and his lungs begin to ache.

Renee’s grip on his throat is vice-like, his eyes are wide and intense, jaw set as he squeezes. Behind him, another figure slowly enters Conrad’s field of view, unfocused and distant.

“Renee,” a voice says sternly, and with a final jerk that pulls him forward and slams his head back into the wall, the pressure lets up, all at once.

Conrad sinks to the floor, coughing and wheezing, trying desperately to blink the stars out of his eyes.  He’s still recovering when a knee in his back presses him flat to the floor, as a solid grasp on one wrist pries his arm onto his back, and a cold band clicks around it. When he tries to resist, tries to squirm away, Renee leans further weight onto the knee, agitating his battered back. Conrad lets out a cry of pain, one that cuts short only because he’s still heaving for breath.

“Yeah, you shoulda fuckin’ thought of that,” Renee sneers.

“Easy.”

“You – why’d you just stand there, huh?!”

A low chuckle. “You seemed to have it under control.”

Renee scowls. “Fuckin’ asshole.”

Once Conrad’s hands are cuffed behind him, Renee removes his knee and gets back to his feet, taking a moment to collect himself. “Get up,” he says then.

Conrad can’t get himself to move. His eyes seek out Davin, but the man has turned, headed back towards the stairs. His cheek hurts. His eyes are burning.

“Get the fuck up, Conrad.”

The name, said as is, sounds ominous in Renee’s mouth. Conrad tries to maneuver himself up, but apparently isn’t moving fast enough to his liking. He has barely gotten his legs curled up under himself before a hand in his hair yanks his head back and up.

“Ow! Renee, please,” Conrad gasps, staggering to his tiptoes to follow along with Renee’s movement, as he is haphazardly directed back towards the stairs. He can barely breathe. He can feel individual strands of hair on the back of his head being pricked loose by Renee’s hand. The tears flow freely now. “Please,” he whispers, “please don’t do it again, Renee, please don’t do it again. Pl—”

Renee suddenly stops in the hallway, pinning Conrad stomach-first to the wall with a shoulder as he fumbles with something in his pocket.

Conrad whines breathlessly. “Renee, please. Renee, please…”

The pressure on his back lets up a tad, and something passes over Conrad’s vision a split second before the cloth hits his mouth. The moment he tries to turn his face away from the gag, Renee presses the side of his face into the wall, closing the distance between them.

“You’re gonna bite it,” Renee gnarls in his ear, “or I swear to fucking god, man…”

He doesn’t finish the sentence.

The realization that there’s nothing he can do washes over Conrad like a wave of exhaustion. The strange urge to lie down and let whatever happens happen. He breathes out, feeling his shoulders slump.

“Better,” Renee mutters, sounding almost relieved as he guides the cloth gag into Conrad’s mouth, tying it tight on the back of his head. Then he grabs him by the arm and pushes him onward.

This time, Conrad can see the stairs, but the knowledge of what awaits at the end makes them harder to traverse than before. The air gets warmer the further up he goes.

The spotlights are already on, the fan of the server whirring. Behind the desk, resting his chin in one hand, Davin shoots Renee a look as he enters, hauling Conrad along by the arm.

There’s a chair in the middle of the room, facing the camera, and besides it – rope.

Conrad feels the grasp on his arm tighten as he hesitates.

“Try me again,” Renee says lowly.

Conrad swallows. Feels his mind slip as he lets Renee steer him towards the chair and sits him down. He watches, as if from a distance, as Renee crouches beside him and starts to bind his legs to the legs of the chair, muttering under his breath as he goes. Knots are tightened with sharp jerks to the rope, ones that bite at the skin under Conrad’s jeans. Fighting back is no use. He has already lost.

“One-thirty waiting,” Davin says.

“Good for them,” Renee says, sarcastically cheerful.

“I’d rather it didn’t become a habit.”

Renee pauses, half-turning on his haunches, shooting Davin a look that Conrad can’t see. He looks at the cusp of saying something, then hesitates, turning back to his work. “Noted,” is all he says over his shoulder.

Another breadth of rope is tied around Conrad’s waist, looping around the chain between the handcuffs, securing his hands firmly behind the back of the chair. When Renee is finally done, he steps back, briefly checking his work before he turns to prepare himself for the stream.

Conrad’s gaze trails to the floor then, by its own accord drawn to the least nauseating sight in the room – at least, that’s what he thinks, until he spots a few brown stains on the hardwood, not far from where he’s seated, bound. His own blood, now dried, from just a couple days ago.

Soon to be joined by more.

Conrad closes his eyes.  

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[residential-interior]

Make A Great First Impression With These 10 Interior Design Tips

It sounds cliché, but first impressions last the longest. They are the ones who start conversations and command second glances. However, when designing your home, you must incorporate interior design tips that will help you create the best impressions. You could easily achieve your goal with bold and creative thinking. You can then sit back and relax, watching your guests stare at the incredible spaces you have created. 

To make the best impression, here are some top interior design ideas:

Layouts should flow freely

As you create open, free-flowing spaces, you create visual expanses that are both luxurious and elation. The fewer interior walls mean that you get plenty of natural light and good ventilation, which makes you feel connected to the outdoors. Open-plan living-dining kitchens are common, and there is enough space for entertaining. Metal screens could be used to separate the sections into larger areas. The gold tone of the screens could add a luxe effect to the environment. 

A welcoming entryway

To make a great first impression, create a truly inviting and attractive entrance foyer. However, make sure that your interiors are filled with charm. Geometric pattern flooring, a bold rug, slanting console tables, ornate mirrors or artwork on the walls, and a head-turner light are just a few easy ways to make your entrance stand out You can also add contrasting panelling or wallpaper to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Floors with a luxurious feel

Imagine yourself walking on a gleaming natural stone floor and feeling special. You can also try the same effect on wood flooring and some beautifully crafted ceramic or porcelain floors. This is only possible if you pay attention to the quality and aesthetics of the material used and the craftsmanship involved in laying the tiles. Make your flooring shine also with eye-catching inlays or patterns that are an instant visual impact. 

Walls with embellishments

The walls of walls that speak! The beautiful panels, exotically clad or wallpapered walls keep your attention for a long time. Additionally, they add an extra dimension to your interiors, showing the designer's or homeowner's dedication to carefully decorated interiors. You can also implement these quick interior design ideas - hang mirrors, and art, or display a gallery of photographs, paintings, frames, masks, and wall art; paint the walls in a trendy shade. 

Furniture with a statement

Choosing furniture in a space is not just about functionality and practicality, but also about introducing interesting shapes and forms. You can certainly attract attention from onlookers with the aesthetics of your furniture pieces or sets-up. Use our interior design tips to bring a unique look to your interiors with custom furniture carefully created just for you. Thethekedaar also produces custom-designed furniture in our fully-equipped manufacturing facility. 

Lights that turn heads

Lights that offer a sense of style and luxury, such as the show-stopper, are one of the best interior design ideas. Chandeliers, pendant lights, large installations, and a wide variety of items are available to elevate the interior. Their most visible features of them become a significant attraction. 

Luminous metallic glow

Stunning metallic surfaces and accents do not match the glamour they bring to a space. This is why they remain popular among interior designers. You can also create metallic finishes through furniture pieces, as well as décor accessories. Gold, rose gold, and antique finishes have a luxe edge. The sparkling surfaces and finishes add to the sense of sophistication. 

Let's make it up

Interior design tips for creating a great impact, are incomplete without mentioning artworks, whether there is mural art, painting sculpture, wall art or installations. The interiors are given a certain character by them. With artwork, you could also add colour, texture, movement, and dimension to the spaces. 

Handpicked accessories

Decor accessories such as heirloom articles, antiques, collectables, and items picked up during your travels are essential interior design tips to add the finishing touches. However, these finishing elements do not necessarily need to be taken into consideration at the last minute. Decor pieces that really complement and flatter your design theme will tie everything together coherently and leave a lasting impression if you pick them right from the start. 

Plants of life-size

Greenery is an essential element of interior design for all kinds of places, as it enlivens a space like no other object. By paying attention to the selection of plants, you can achieve great aesthetic results. Plants with large, sculptural plants add an impressive look. Drama is a surefire way to draw attention! 

[intrainterior]

Your Home with Intra Interior: Interior Design Ideas for Every Space

Interior design is more than just decorating; it’s about transforming spaces to make them functional, comfortable, and beautiful. At Intra Interior, we understand the unique styles and needs of homeowners, especially in Bhubaneswar, where we bring a touch of creativity and elegance to every project. Whether it’s a living room, bedroom, or bathroom interior design, our team of experts offers the best home interior design in Bhubaneswar at affordable rates. Here are some fresh ideas for each area of your home that can help you achieve a perfect look.

Bathroom Interior Design

Bathrooms may be functional spaces, but they can also be beautiful and inviting. Our bathroom interior design ideas focus on clean lines, ample lighting, and storage solutions that keep your essentials organized. For a luxurious touch, add natural materials like stone or wood, or go with a minimalist look using modern fixtures and a neutral color palette. If space allows, a small seating area or plants can give your bathroom a spa-like ambiance.

Interior Design Ideas for Every Room

Our team at Intra Interior specializes in creating unique interior design ideas that reflect your personality. Whether you want a bold statement wall in your drawing room or a cozy, functional layout in the living room, we ensure that each room in your home feels cohesive and welcoming.

Drawing Room Interior Design

The drawing room is often the first space that guests see, so it should be stylish and comfortable. For a refined yet relaxed look, opt for a neutral palette with pops of color through cushions, rugs, or artwork. Wall-mounted shelves or a statement lighting fixture can add depth and character to the room without overcrowding it.

Living Room Interior Design

Your living room is the heart of your home, where family and friends gather. At Intra Interior, we believe in designing living rooms that are both functional and visually appealing. Use a mix of textures, such as a soft sofa paired with wooden or metallic accents, to add warmth. Our living room home interior design ideas also include using large windows for natural light and opting for layered lighting to create different moods.

Hall Interior Design

The hall is more than a transitional space; it’s an opportunity to make a design statement. Keep it simple yet elegant with a console table, mirror, and wall art. For larger hallways, adding a bench or storage unit can increase functionality without compromising style. At Intra Interior, we understand that each corner of your home should be thoughtfully designed, including hallways.

Middle-Class Simple Bedroom Interior Design

Creating a beautiful bedroom doesn’t have to break the bank. With our middle-class simple bedroom interior design ideas, you can enjoy a stylish and comfortable space that fits your budget. We focus on maximizing space with smart furniture choices, such as beds with storage and compact wardrobes. A calm color palette with soft lighting can make a smaller room feel cozy and inviting, while mirrors can add depth and reflect light.

Home Interior Design in Bhubaneswar

When it comes to home interior design in Bhubaneswar, Intra Interior is known for bringing elegance and functionality to local homes. We take pride in understanding the specific needs of our clients, ensuring each space reflects both style and comfort. Our experienced designers can transform any room, whether it’s a cozy apartment or a spacious villa, making us a preferred choice for the best interior design in Bhubaneswar.

Cost of Interior Design in Bhubaneswar

Worried about the cost of interior design in Bhubaneswar? Intra Interior offers affordable packages tailored to suit a range of budgets. We believe that quality design should be accessible to everyone, which is why our pricing is transparent and competitive. Our services include everything from initial consultation to design planning, material selection, and project completion, ensuring you receive exceptional value at every stage.

About Intra Interior

As a leading name in Bhubaneswar’s interior design industry, Intra Interior has become synonymous with quality, creativity, and client satisfaction. Our team is passionate about delivering intra-home and intra-house designs that reflect each client’s vision. Here’s what sets us apart:

Intra Interior Photos: Browse our portfolio to see our past projects and get inspired by our design aesthetics.

Intra Interior Reviews: We take pride in the positive feedback we receive from our clients. Each project is a testament to our dedication and attention to detail.

Intra Design: Our design philosophy is about making beautiful spaces accessible to everyone. With a team of skilled designers, we bring creativity, professionalism, and quality to every project.

Whether you’re looking for bathroom interior design, hall interior design, or a complete home renovation, Intra Interior is here to bring your vision to life. We combine style with functionality, ensuring each room serves its purpose while looking stunning.

Final Thoughts

Interior design is about creating spaces that are uniquely yours, and with Intra Interior, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands. From luxurious living rooms to simple yet stylish bedrooms and functional bathrooms, our designs cater to every taste and budget. Ready to transform your home? Let Intra Interior be your partner in creating a space that you and your family will love for years to come.

[kumarprakash]

Making a Chic Centerpiece with Decorative Trays

Decorative trays are useful and adaptable décor pieces that can improve the appearance of any space. They can assist you in creating gorgeous centerpieces that connect different aspects of your home's décor when used imaginatively. A well-designed ornamental tray can be the ideal foundation for showcasing your favorite items and giving the room a sophisticated touch, whether it is placed on a dining table, coffee table, or console. With an emphasis on using sunburst mirrors UK as coordinating design elements, we'll look at how to use ornamental trays to make chic centerpieces in this post.

1. Selecting the Proper Tray

The tray itself is the cornerstone of any chic centerpiece. A balanced and striking arrangement requires careful consideration of style, material, and size. Examine the following choices:

Metal Containers

Metal trays give your centerpiece a sleek, contemporary appearance, especially if they are finished in brass, gold, or silver. They make a stunning contrast when used with organic elements like stone or wood.

Wooden Dishes

A wooden tray provides coziness and a touch of rustic charm. It gives your décor a natural, organic touch and is ideal for boho or rural types.

Trays that are mirrored

Mirrored trays provide a luxurious touch to your centerpiece by enhancing light and reflection. A mirrored tray enhances light and gives off an opulent vibe when combined with accessories like candles or sunburst mirrors UK.

2. Adding Layers to Create Visual Interest

After choosing the ideal tray, it's time to add layers of components that will make your centerpiece pop. The arrangement gains depth and visual interest when various materials, forms, and heights are combined.

Candle Holders and Candles

Warmth and a welcome atmosphere are produced by candles. To create a dynamic look, choose candle holders of different heights and types. When illuminated by a nearby sunburst mirror, glass hurricanes or metallic candle holders appear gorgeous.

Florals and Greenery

Use real or artificial vegetation, such flowers, succulents, or tiny plants, to give your tray a more organic feel. Bright or neutral-colored flowers will lighten the arrangement and give the focal point a lively vibe.

Decorative Items

The exhibit gains personality when little sculptures, books, or ornamental boxes are placed on the tray. Think about pieces that match the room's overall motif for a unified effect, like metallic accents to go with a nearby sunburst mirror.

3. Including Mirror Sunbursts in the Design

In order to create a unified and fashionable design in your space, a sunburst mirror UK can be a dramatic addition to your beautiful tray centerpiece. Here's how to successfully include it:

The Tray's backdrop

As a backdrop, position the sunburst mirror behind your tray. Together, the tray's and the mirror's reflective properties intensify light and produce an eye-catching focal point.

Equilibrium and Harmony

For symmetry and balance, place a sunburst mirror UK over your ornamental tray if it is placed on a sideboard or console table. Harmony is created by the sunburst mirror's circular, glowing shape, which contrasts wonderfully with the trays' more angular designs.

Layering that Reflects

Make use of reflective items on your tray, like metallic bowls or glass vases. These items add layers of shine and reflect light when placed next to a sunburst mirror, resulting in a unified, bright area.

4. Customizing Your Centerpiece

Your style and individuality should be reflected in your centerpiece. Here are a few ideas for adding unique elements to your ornamental tray:

Heirlooms for the Family

Showcase sentimental objects like little family heirlooms, vintage jewelry boxes, or antique trinkets with special importance. In addition to adding a distinctive touch, these objects give the room a cozier sense.

Decor for the Seasons

To maintain your centerpiece current and appealing all year long, switch up your tray with seasonal décor. You may add tiny pumpkins, pine cones, or flowers with fall hues throughout the fall. Think about adding holiday-themed candles or ornaments over the winter.

Picture Frames

To add a personal touch, include little framed images in the tray. These components assist in transforming your focal point into a meaningful display, whether it's a family photograph or a favorite vacation photo.

5. Setting Up the Tray for Equilibrium

Balance is essential for an effective tray arrangement. The following advice will help you arrange things without taking up too much room:

Strange Numbers

Make sure to arrange everything on your tray in odd numbers, like three or five. Because odd numbers tend to attract the eye more than even ones, this strategy produces a more balanced and natural appearance.

Different Elevations

To create depth and interest, use items of different heights. To create a layered impression, tall candles or vases should be combined with shorter items like beautiful bowls or little books.

Don't complicate things.

Less is frequently more, despite the temptation to stuff your platter to the brim. To avoid the arrangement appearing cluttered, leave some empty space between items. The secret is to curate a look that is both fashionable and practical.

6. Concluding Details

After positioning and styling your tray, stand back and assess the final effect. To make sure the arrangement feels harmonious and balanced with the rest of the room's décor, make any necessary changes.

Lighting: To optimize natural light, if your tray is set on a dining table or coffee table, place it close to a window or add a nearby bulb. This will improve the tray's and the surrounding sunburst mirror's reflective components.

Positioning: Make sure the focal point doesn't get in the way of conversation or the room's ability to function. To avoid obstructing the view across the table, place taller things near the back of the tray.

Conclusion

An easy and efficient technique to improve the interior design of your house is to use decorative trays to make chic centerpieces. You may create an eye-catching arrangement that gives flair to any area by combining various textures, heights, and materials. By combining your tray with complimentary pieces, like a sunburst mirror UK, you can create a sophisticated and unified appearance that expresses your individual taste. 

[hilaricollective]

Decorative Bowls Online Shopping: A Guide to Elevating Your Home Décor

When it comes to home décor, it’s often the small details that make the biggest difference. One such versatile décor piece is the decorative bowl. Whether placed on a dining table, a console, or a coffee table, a decorative bowl can instantly elevate the aesthetic of your space. With the convenience of online shopping, finding the perfect decorative bowl has never been easier. Here's your guide to shopping for decorative bowls online.

Why Choose Decorative Bowls?

Decorative bowls aren’t just functional items; they’re an artistic addition to your home. These bowls can come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes, making them an ideal accent piece for any interior style. From rustic wooden bowls to modern glass designs, there’s a decorative bowl for every aesthetic.

Here are a few reasons why decorative bowls are a must-have:

Versatility: They work well in any room – from the living room to the kitchen or bedroom. A decorative bowl filled with fresh fruit can make a stunning centerpiece in the kitchen, while an empty sculptural bowl can add a modern touch to your living room table.

Instant Style Upgrade: Even the most minimalist spaces can benefit from the visual interest a decorative bowl brings. It’s an easy way to refresh your room without a full makeover.

Cultural and Artisanal Value: Many bowls, like the hand-sculpted Venice Bowl from India, are made by artisans, offering a unique, one-of-a-kind piece that brings global craftsmanship into your home.

Key Features to Look for When Shopping for Decorative Bowls Online

When browsing for decorative bowls online, consider the following features to ensure you find the perfect one for your space:

Material: From ceramic to wood, glass, and metal, the material of the bowl sets the tone for its style. Wooden bowls exude warmth and are perfect for rustic or bohemian interiors, while glass or metallic bowls bring a more contemporary, sleek look.

Size: Decide where you want to place the bowl and choose the size accordingly. A large bowl might work as a focal point on a dining table, while a smaller one could be ideal for shelves or side tables.

Functionality: Some decorative bowls are also functional. While many are purely ornamental, you can find bowls that are food-safe and perfect for serving or storage. However, some, like the Venice Bowl, are not water-tight or food-safe but serve as stunning décor pieces.

Craftsmanship: Handcrafted bowls often carry unique detailing and cultural significance. Supporting artisans and their craft by purchasing handmade items ensures you get something truly special for your home.

Color and Design: The bowl's color and pattern should complement your existing décor. You can go bold with bright colors or keep it neutral for a minimalist approach.

Popular Decorative Bowl Styles to Explore

If you're ready to start your search, here are some trending styles in the world of decorative bowls:

Handcrafted Wooden Bowls: These pieces, often carved by artisans, bring a natural, organic touch to your home. They are great for rustic, boho, or even minimalist interiors.

Metallic Bowls: Perfect for modern and industrial styles, metallic bowls, whether brass, copper, or stainless steel, add an element of luxury and sophistication.

Ceramic and Porcelain Bowls: Known for their elegant patterns and textures, these bowls are timeless and work well in traditional and contemporary settings.

Glass Bowls: A transparent glass bowl can fit into any interior style and is perfect for displaying decorative elements like potpourri, stones, or candles.

Best Online Stores for Decorative Bowls

Here are some top online stores where you can shop for stunning decorative bowls:

Etsy: For handmade and artisanal bowls, Etsy is a treasure trove of unique finds. You can discover handcrafted pieces from around the world, each with its own story and charm.

Wayfair: Known for its vast home décor selection, Wayfair offers bowls in all shapes, sizes, and styles, ensuring there’s something for every home and budget.

West Elm: If you're after a modern aesthetic, West Elm offers a curated selection of chic, design-forward bowls.

CB2: For sleek, contemporary pieces, CB2 is a go-to for minimalist and modern home décor enthusiasts.

Pottery Barn: Known for its blend of traditional and modern designs, Pottery Barn has a variety of decorative bowls that add elegance to any room.

How to Style Your Decorative Bowl

Once you’ve found the perfect decorative bowl, it’s time to style it. Here are some creative ways to incorporate it into your décor:

On a Coffee Table: Use a large, shallow bowl to hold coffee table books, or fill it with natural elements like stones, pinecones, or dried flowers for a rustic feel.

In the Kitchen: A large bowl filled with fresh fruit can become a striking centerpiece on your kitchen island or dining table.

On a Console or Entryway Table: Place a decorative bowl on an entryway table to hold keys or small items, or simply let it shine as a standalone statement piece.

On a Shelf: If you’re styling a bookshelf or open shelving, a decorative bowl can add texture and visual interest.

Conclusion

Shopping for decorative bowls online is an enjoyable and creative way to enhance your home décor. Whether you’re looking for a functional bowl or an artistic, handcrafted piece like the Venice Bowl from India, there’s something for every taste and style. Keep in mind the material, size, and design to find the perfect fit for your space, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles to make your home uniquely yours.