#time attenance provider

[satoruhour]

STILL (ALWAYS) HERE

a/n: part two to this but not really? enjoy!

wc: 2.4k

warnings: spider-man!gojo, a little ooc gojo, mentions of blood and bruises, cleaning up wounds, some angst -> comfort, play on that one scene from tasm 2

you’re thinking that you’ve hit another dead end when you groan into your sheets from the headache that wraps around your head. it’s mild and dull but there’s still that throb at the back of your consciousness that you can’t exactly take your mind off of. at least, that was what you were telling yourself — normal headaches caused by the stress of university, and definitely not because of a trivial fight with your boyfriend.

the daunting calculus question stares back at you like it was mocking you, teasing you for getting heated over such a small thing when you knew he was only looking out for you with the best intentions in mind.

with a longing look to your abandoned convo with spider-man!gojo, you sink again into your pillow, lights suddenly looking too bright and the music in your ears, jarring. you haven’t seen him in school today, thinking him to be dramatic as always. but he didn’t need lectures and seminars at this point, either, knowing him to be one of the smartest people you know.

in the midst of quelling your headache and thinking of how to apologise, you don’t notice the way your vigilante boyfriend weaves his web around the trees just outside your window, crafting a sweet message of i miss you along the branches and leaves.

a tangle of webs, stuck like honeycomb to some abandoned shed, a tangle of webbing like his hip to yours. tangles of countless webs like his lips along your forehead when you fall asleep too early during study sessions and finally, his heart beating in time with yours.

one fell swoop of a rock from above makes you head tilt in utter confusion; in no world could a rock fall against your window in an arc like that come from anyone of this world, this dimension, yet you know no other person with wall-sticking and web-shooting abilities and it’s then when the complicated entanglement of letters come into view.

your heart clenches up just a little at the sight, a clear indication that it’s satoru from the similarity of his handwriting that’s on his own pre-calc homework. before you can call out, he shifts diagonally outside your window, mask removed and chest heaving at the anticipation of your reaction — both to the tension of your fight before and possibly another thing.

the darkness of the night hardly provides clarity, though, so when you don’t walk away, gojo feels the pull of your eyes on him, drawing him in and trapping him within your own web like prey. crawling along the side of your house, he gives you one more small pleading look: roughed up hair looking a little dirty and his body just aching so much.

“baby . .” he mumbles, blue eyes softening at the sight of you after not seeing you for just one day. it does things to him, “may i?”

but you’re not truly prepared for until your ceiling light exposes the reality of gojo’s situation, what with his cut-filled face and rips all over his suit. it’s dirty, like he was dragged around and made a fool of fighting god knows who, and he’s — oh my god — is all you mouth out, he’s bleeding from a fairly large wound in his side which he has held pressure with his mask.

“’toru!” you panic and quieten down, “oh— oh my god, fuck, fuck fuck, what do i do? satoru— you’re b-bleeding—” and you regret every single word you yelled at him just the day before, now rewarded (or cursed, rather) with his pristine white suit stained a deep, traumatising red. you’re shaking, rightfully so, and gojo is more calm than you, using his free and clean hand to rub circles into your sides.

“breathe, you gotta breathe, princess.”

“n-no— you breathe! you’re l-losing blood!’’ your throat closes in, your head fills with thoughts of his coffin being lowered. you start to sob, “satoru—”

“hey, hey, hey,” it’s both gentle and strong enough to catch your attention, brushing the stray strands from your face and you already lean into the long-awaited touch. his thumb wipes away the tears that already start falling, “’m still here, ’m still here. i’ve tried my best to cover the wound with extra shirts of mine, just stuffed into my suit.”

sniffling, you speak through hiccups, “why the hell do you have extra shirts in your fighting-villains backpack? w-why do you even bring a fighting-villains backpack?”

through the absurdity of it all: fucking spider-man bleeding out on your wooden floor, your tears mixing in with blood, the branches outside starting to snap and fall from the added tension of the webs, satoru laughs softly, fully cupping your face now and trying his best not to grimace at the increasing ache in his side. 

“and you always laugh at the weirdest fucking times!” you chastise, still speaking through periodic hiccups and sniffles that you keep stuttering, not even able to smack him like you like to do because you know he hurts, “now wait here, you loser.”

a soft thank you is heard, able to breathe a little harsher now that you’ve gone to find the first aid, anxiety obvious in the pattering footsteps heard. without wasting any time, you grab the kit and let him peel off the suit in the bathroom, not even that much focused on his toned body but the amount of bruises and cuts that litter it.

a new wave of panic settles in your bones, a whimper sounding out when your feather-like touches span over his body.

“satoru . .”

“i’m so—”

“no,” you mumble, getting to work fast by taking out the gauze, bandages, whatever you could use. thank the heavens you at least knew some first aid, wincing whenever he hisses at the stinging alcohol. “let’s not talk about our fight now.”

he swallows, knuckles white from how tight he was gripping the sink, “f-first time you’re not asking me to apologise, heh—”

from behind, he can see you lift your eyes from the careful care you execute on his side, meeting your eyes in the mirror that gloss over again with tears and his heart sinks again.

“p— please don’t make jokes when i’m literally stitching you up, satoru,” you whisper, forehead bumping into his bicep, soft but quick breaths fanning over the skin there, “i don’t wanna talk, not while i almost lost you.”

“but it’s hardly any—”

“gojo satoru!” the shout of his full name shocks both of you, not even sure whether you were feeling angry at the fact that he always downplays his injuries, or sad at the fact that he can’t see that he deserves to be taken care of, too. it was always a guessing game with satoru.

“it’s not just anything, g-god! can you have some regard for yourself?” you don’t care that your words echo off the bathroom walls, its acoustics probably making your wails even more heartbreaking for your boyfriend. “look at yourself and tell me that it’s hardly anything! tell me, say it to my face!”

your nose is red, tear stains already making their home on your pretty face while your fingers squeeze the gauze instinctively, and he tells himself it’s all because of him. it’s all because he didn’t want to be a couple in public in fear that his enemies would target you, because he was afraid they’d use you as leverage, as a decoy, as a trade deal. but that has only made the yearning for you more difficult — pinkies barely brushing against each other, an inside joke swallowed into his throat.

satoru is silent, not sure what he could say that wouldn’t hurt you any further and he turns to lean against the sink counter, bloodied hands staining the marble and suit. and if he looked hard enough, he’s sure he can see the ache of your palpitating heart, bleeding down your chest and pooling at the floor from all the pain he’s caused you.

you dance across the bathroom floor, tiles both cold and warm under your feet as you make your move without any sound, afraid, afraid, like he would get pulled away the moment you touch him.

but he doesn’t go anywhere — just jerking a little at the sudden contact.

“satoru . .” hoarse, tired, it’s what he made your voice sound like just yesterday from shouting, and now, today, “i . .”

you cry quietly but never stop your ever loving hands, holding his face to look up from the shame, and you see how dull his cerulean ones look now, softened but dim, gentle but lacking vivacity. you think maybe it’s the tears hindering it. bit by bit, gojo’s tears fall and he apologises.

satoru apologises over and over, i’m sorry’s muttered into your hair, into your forehead, into your lips and both your hands are shaking like on a first date.

“i just can’t bear to lose you,” you mumble shakily, trembling fingers tracing the lines of his features, “and i hope you know how much you mean to me, and— and how much it hurts to see you so nonchalant about being beaten up like this . .”

you stifle a sob when he kisses your fingers as they travel over his lips, having crossed oceans over his eyes and mountains through his nose. his lips, his lips look just like the sanctuary of everything soft and good and righteous, that sliver of perfect time like on juliet’s balcony.

“i’m sorry, i am so sorry, darling. i—” gojo sighs, pain now turning numb but still trying his best not to move an inch, “i guess i just become so used to taking care of aunt may that, i . . am not used to being taken care of.”

you nod in understanding, “i’m sorry too, for lashing out, for dismissing your efforts to make me feel safe. you were only looking out for me.”

gojo’s eyes avert from yours again, looking down at the one thing that signified his place in society — never that much seen, not much recognised, but still revered as the city’s hero. it represents anything from something as simple as getting back an old lady’s handbag to fighting off a scientist-turned-reptilian. but it also represents the why.

why he fights so hard. a star student like gojo definitely wouldn’t pass off the praises when he saves a falling civilian, but it was much deeper than that when it came to it, wanting the city he grew up in to be safe and to seeing the grateful, relieved expressions of passers-by.

it was for you, when the last face he sees before he closes his eyes for the night is your pretty one and he’d be damned if that changed any time soon.

that night where satoru is all patched up and lying like a statue because he’s afraid he’d tear your nicely done stitches (you assured him it was mediocre at best), his hand finds your hand naturally again, playing with the strands aimlessly.

all thoughts of the news articles showing his cheeky spider mask expression, to the funky poses he pulls (from a camera so high up it would really only be one person who plants it there), phases out the cool, suave spider-man persona and centres the stupid, goofy, annoying gojo satoru.

and you smile softly to yourself knowing you’d be the only one to see gojo satoru like this. 

“i should’ve told you why; it wasn’t fair of me to just stop acting like we’re head over heels— hey, why are you smiling?”

“no reason.” and your smile brightens.

“that’s not no reason,” he matches your grin, pulling on your cheek playfully before his hand goes to your nape like clockwork and tugs gently. like you were just a normal couple after a long day, without any indication of a gash along his side, but gojo satoru was far from normal in the grand scheme of things, “there’s always a reason.”

“is that the motto that the great spider-man lives by?” you inch closer to him, smiling from above in the dimness of the room so much so that it makes you look like royalty and him a mere commoner.

“uh . . no, pretty sure it’s ‘with great power comes great responsibility’,” gojo jests with sarcasm laced in his voice, roping you in and you, letting yourself get caught always as you lower yourself on his chest, but not before your lips meet his in a soft, quiet dance with you both being the only ones in the ballroom.

the rush of love that fills you overflows in the way your mouth moves against his, not wanting this sweet, sweet dream to end. especially if you come out empty-handed at the end of it all with spider-man’s, gojo’s blood on your hands, so you keep your eyes shut tight with a promise to yourself to welcome him with welcome arms the second, third, fourth, nth that he climbs through your window, bloodied and tired.

“i’m still here,” satoru whispers against your lips when he feels just how tense you are, easing out the lines of your face and holds you in that moment, held frozen in time like a scene in a snow globe, “i will be here for as long as we are alive,” he takes your hand and puts it up to his heart to remind you of its status, of how it speeds up a tad bit when you stroke his chest, “and i am alive whenever you are near.”

the quiet moment is shared with another soft kiss, features now relaxed when you smile against his lips and inspire the next few moments of endless laughter and jokes, falling into the same breath when sleep catches up.

in the bathroom lies his white-turned-red suit, left abandoned for the normalcy you both chase in your bedroom for at least a few hours until spider-man has to go back to being spider-man and you have calc questions to finish up on. but until then, with the alarm you set at 6am in secrecy before his classes, you’d wake up just to soak and hand wash the red out, returning the blue and white suit back to its glory.

when satoru wakes up the next morning, he finally knows why your warmth in bed was missing for a brief moment of time when he sees the clean folded up suit with his mask on top. you don’t miss with a sandwich either, and a cheeky note — all the best for your most dreaded class!!! if u can fight and come out alive i believe u can survive prof. masamichi lol.

and he laughs softly, sparing a glance to your sound, peaceful self and he finds a renewed sense of the reason why he decided to become spider-man.

spider-man— satoru seals his love with a kiss to your forehead and a messy mumble of i love you, long overdue from the night before.

“thank you for loving me.”

[lovemyavatar]

Push

Neteyam x Fem!Omatikaya!Reader

Summary: you love teasing the Olo'eyktan's oldest son, but how much will he let you push before he snaps?

Warnings: childhood friends to rivals to lovers, angst, slight enemies to lovers but they're just dumb, (aged up) nsfw, kinda dom Neteyam, inexperienced reader, p in v

Pull, Equilibrium

It started when you were young.

Your infatuation with Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk’itan came on hard, and swift.

It was your fifth cycle around the moon. A group of children came together to play and fish in a small pond. Neteyam, though only a year your senior, was much more skilled than any of you. One of the perks of being the future Olo'eyktan.

He showed you how to hold the line, how to feed the bait onto the carved hook. When you failed time and time again, he waited until no one was looking, and shoved his own fish into your hands. He pulled them up over your head, declaring that you had the first catch of the day.

You beamed, an expression that was reserved only for him for the next several years.

He was a pillar in your life. Always there, a gentle teacher when things were hard. He coached you for weeks before you tamed your own Ikran. Helped you master the bow. Supported you at your coming of age ceremony. Painted your skin with traditional warriors paint before missions. He was your rock, providing stability at every turn.

Until...he wasn't.

One day, as if a flip simply switched, he became cold. When you returned from hunting parties, he was no longer on the sideline waiting. He avoided you around the village, turning the opposite direction if he saw you coming near. If you managed to hold his attention for even a few seconds, he exchanged pleasantries and quickly excused himself.

Your best friend was gone. Just like that.

You had no idea what was going on. Nothing had happened, no fight, no betrayal, nothing you could think of that would tear him away so swiftly. From that day on you tried your hardest to break through the newly formed wall between you.

When he sat alone weaving, you would occupy the space beside him and talk until he responded politely. If he was going on an adventure with his siblings, you'd ask to join, knowing at least one of them would agree. You'd wait around outside his family tent, ready to trail him to wherever he was going.

That is, until one day, when he returned from a hunt and told you how he really felt.

“Eywa, will you just stop?” He turns abruptly, making you lurch to a halt in order to avoid ramming into him.

“What—I don't understand, 'Teyam. Did something happen—” A hopefulness shakes your voice. Hope that it isn't you. That something happened on the hunt to make him so irritated.

“You're so annoying, always following me around.” His hands gesture harshly, anger tightening his face. “Don't you have any friends to bother?”

You simply stood before him, gaping for several long moments. By the time the words processed, he'd already fled with a rough breath. That was the day things really changed between you.

Unbeknownst to you, there was a reason for the sudden shift. His parents, always thinking of the future, had told him a mate would be chosen for him soon. He would be the next Olo'eyktan, after all, and the pairing must be suitable for the prosperity of the clan.

They chose you.

From that moment, you became more than a friend. You became an obligation. Another addition to the long list of expectations his parents piled onto his shoulders. He crumbled under the weight, directing his spite to you since he couldn't show disrespect to his elders. It ate at him, the way he treated you, but the damage had already been done.

At first, you were sad. Many tears were shed over the situation. Many lonely nights spent at the secret spots the two of you had once frequented. Then, you got angry. Who was he to abandon you without reason? Without explanation?

So, you did what any vengeful woman would do and decided to get even.

You decided you would get his attention one way or another. Several methods proved successful. When you challenged him, his eyes would zero in on you, something dark flickering behind the glowing yellow. If you bested him, he'd huff and stalk off, shoulders tense. But if you teased him? That really got the reaction you were looking for.

He'd challenge you to races, and you'd win nearly every time, never wasting an opportunity to gloat.

“Oh, you were so close. Maybe next time.” Your voice is sickly sweet as you release your queue from your Ikran, feet hitting warm stone.

Neteyam lands a moment later, quickly dismounting his own beast. He turns on you, chin dipped, eyes hooded as they slice through yours harshly. “You cheated.”

“Don't be jealous just because I know a shortcut.” A huff falls from your lips as you smooth a braid away from your face.

“You always do this.” Fists clench at his sides, mouth slanting into a deep frown.

“Do what? Beat you?” You blink up at him innocently, and he seethes.

He seemed to always get angry if you put yourself in harms way, scolding you just as he would his siblings.

“You should not be so stupid.” He points a finger directly in your face, shoulders hunched with tension.

“You should not be so uptight.” You mimick his stance, poking a finger into his broad chest.

He growled, actually growled, the sound sending a flutter from your stomach to the heat between your legs. He took a step toward you, hand extending before he thought better and pulled it to his side.

“Be more careful, or next time I will tell your father.” He stalks off in a huff, leaving you to smirk victoriously to yourself.

After some testing, and pushing, you realized that nothing riled him up quite like the sight of you with another man.

You used this to your advantage, waiting until he was in view to share a few lingering touches or soft glances. You never took it too far, knowing it wasn't fair to give anyone the wrong idea. Your actions were innocent enough, but still, they made his blood boil.

He noticed every touch, every smile, every tiny little interaction. He was constantly distracted by it. Hearing the way the other men talked about you, that was hard enough, but seeing it right in front of him? It was almost too much to bear.

The moment he'd had enough came just after your twentieth birthday celebration. The entire clan came together to dance and sing, lifting you up in prayer for a good future. He was looking for you toward the end of the party, eyes flicking over the crowd. He was about to give up, go back to the family tent for the night, when he heard you.

His gaze snapped to the edge of the forest. You emerged with a burst of melodic laughter, head thrown back in joy. You weren't alone. One arm dragged behind you, fingers entwined with another's. Instantly, he saw red, his vision blurring until that small connection was the only thing in sight.

He stalked toward you without hesitation, something pulling at his heart when your smile dropped.

“A word?” He barks the order, giving you no time to protest as he rips your hand free and drags you back into the trees.

“Neteyam, what's going on?” Your voice is breathless as you lurch forward, trying to keep up with his brisk pace.

He doesn't stop until you reach a secluded section of the forest, surrounded by glittering foliage. He turns on you, quickly dropping your hand.

“What were you doing with that boy?” The question is ground out through a tight jaw.

You stumble back in surprise. “I don't see how that's any of your business.”

“When someone touches you, it is my business.”One large step closes the distance again. “Did he touch you, Y/N?”

“I—” This dance continues, you moving back and him advancing, stalking you like prey. “I don't—”

“Answer the question.” His voice drops, the raspy demand making you swallow thickly, something fluttering deep in your stomach. The intensity of his eyes burns through you.

You don't stop moving, walking backward until rough bark presses into your spine. Neteyam meets you there, looming over you from only a few inches away.

“No.” The response isn't as firm as you would've liked, your voice wobbling with some unknown emotion.

“No, he didn't touch you?” He tilts his head down to meet your eyes, one hand moving up to rest against the tree above your head. “Or no, you won't answer?”

You lift your chin in defiance, gaze locking with his in silent challenge. A sudden brashness wafts through you. “Why does it matter?”

“Y/N, I swear...” His jaw clenches so hard he fears he might crack a tooth. He doesn't even sound like himself, breathing ragged and voice deep.

“What are you gonna do, mighty warrior?” A smirk tilts the corner of your lips, seeing how worked up you've gotten him.

He growls darkly, free hand moving to wrap around your throat. Your eyes widen in surprise, a gasp parting your lips just before he connects them with his. He isn't gentle, lips slanting over yours as he takes the final step forward to eliminate any remaining space between you.

With his chest pressed against yours, you feel the rapid cadence of his heart. You can't help but instantly respond, stomach dipping. A pathetic sigh echoes from the trees, your hands lifting to wrap around his thin waist.

“This is what you wanted, isn't it?” He rips his lips from yours, instead moving to litter your neck with sloppy kisses. Your head all but slams against the tree as you throw it back in ecstasy. “You push, and push, just waiting for me to break. Isn't that right?”

A ragged moan falls from parted lips as sharp fangs nip at your skin.

“Say it.” He demands, moving back to pin you in place with a heated glare.

“Yes, yes.” You cage his face between your hands, pulling him back in.

Your lips slot together perfectly, moving in a feverish frenzy. He hums against you, knee knocking into yours to force your legs apart. He pushes his leg up, wedging his muscular thigh between yours.

He groans as your heat warms his skin, covering the sound of your desperate gasp. In an instant he grips your wrists, pining them above your head with one hand while the other moves to rip your loincloth from your hips.

“Is this okay?” He asks a moment too late, but you're too delirious with desire to care. Your head bobs quickly and he wastes no time in reconnecting your lips.

He holds you in place, strong thigh supporting your weight as you begin trembling. Your hips rut against his strong thigh, seeking friction. A broken sound pours into his mouth when his smooth skin catches your clit. Your core pulses with want, aching to be filled.

You've never felt like this, so out of control with desire. You don't know exactly what's going on, just that you need something. Anything to satiate this feeling. A tightness swells in your lower belly. Neteyam groans against you when he feels your slick against his leg.

He can't wait any longer, trailing a feather light touch down the column of your throat, your chest, your stomach, until he reaches the place he wants to be most.

“I need to stretch you, yawne (beloved).” He warns, just before a finger tentatively prods at your entrance.

You cry out against the foreign feeling, though the digit slides right in without protest. You tremble against him, feeling the walls of your pussy clench around the intrusion.

“‘Teyam!” You use the nickname that hasn't passed your lips in years, head tilting back as he gently thrusts his finger a few times.

“Yeah, that's right.” He grumbles, chest tight with emotion, adding another digit. “Say my name, sevin (pretty).”

“‘Teyam, ‘Teyam, ‘Teyam!” You cry out with each languid push against your sex, hips rocking to force him deeper.

He grunts against your neck, forehead pressed into you for support. He's painfully hard beneath his loincloth, hips rutting into yours shakily. He could cum from this, the noises you're making pushing him dangerously close to the edge.

He adds a third finger, and you wail pathetically, the pleasurable sting unlike anything you've felt before.

“‘Teyam, need you, please.” You don't care that you're begging, that he's gotten the best of you in this situation. You just need him to quench this desire, this emptiness suddenly fluttering your insides.

“Fuck, Y/N. You're not ready yet.” His voice is guttural, tormented with the wait, but he needs to make sure he won't hurt you.

You groan in protest, ripping your hands free of his loose hold. He's momentarily stunned as you undo his loincloth in record time. Your fingers wrap around his length, and he mewls. His hips snap forward, broken noises rumbling against your shoulder.

“Now, Neteyam.” You demand, angling his tip at your entrance.

“Shit, yawntutsyip (darling), wait.” His fingers leave you, but you barely have time to register the way your pussy clenches before he hoists you up, wrapping your legs around his hips.

He carries you a few steps to a clearing and gently lays you down, back now pressed against soft grass. You smile up at him as he leans over you, fingers soothing over his cheeks.

“Hi.” You whisper, eyes glittering under the eclipsed sun.

“Hi.” He can't help but grin, heart soaring at the position. He finally has you the way he wants, the way he's always wanted but was too stupid to realize.

“Ready?” He grips his pulsing cock and lines it up to you, gaze boring into yours to make sure.

“For you, always.” Your arms wrap around his neck languidly, pulling him in as he gently eases inside you.

Your back bows from the earth, chest pressing into his. He releases a ragged breath, eyes pinching at the way you're squeezing him. Slowly, slowly, he presses on until he bottoms out, tip nestled tightly against your womb.

“Neteyam…” You whimper, brows pinched, unsure what you’re even asking for.

“I know, baby, I know.” He coos gently, fingertips pushing stray braids from your forehead. “Gonna move now, okay?”

“Please.” You nod vigorously, legs tightening around his hips in encouragement.

“Fuck.” The curse slips past tight lips as he pulls out, slowly pressing back in to test the feeling.

“More, more.” Your head thrashes, the sensation too much and not enough all at once.

His forearms press into the dirt, caging you in as they support his weight. He grits his teeth, restraint tightening his chest. “Don’t want to hurt you, yawne (beloved)."

You groan with frustration and decide to take matters into your own hands. With your legs, still wrapped tightly around his hips, you twist harshly. The two of you roll to the side, Neteyam’s back hitting the ground with the force of the movement.

Wide eyes meet yours in surprise, the expression quickly morphing into one of pure ecstasy as you pull back until his cock is nearly all the way out before slamming back down.

“Fuck, Y/N, wait—” Fingers clamp around your hips to force you still.

Your core rolls forward, grinding your clit just how you need against him. You’re a moaning, stuttering mess, blubbering on top of him. Hands move to press into his strong stomach, stabilizing your efforts.

“Oh, Eywa.” His eyes roll back, hands going slack to allow you more freedom. He’s gone, all composure forfeit under the need to cum, the need to make you cum.

He slides a hand to your front, thumb pressing into your clit gently. You let out a ragged, broken noise, and he circles the digit, needing to hear it again.

“‘Teyam! I—I think…” Breath catches in your throat, muscles tensing around him. Something swells in your lower belly, an unfamiliar but incredibly pleasurable feeling.

He growls, the friction sending his pulsing cock closer to the edge. “Atta girl, come on. Cum for me.”

In an instant you’re frozen, pussy clenching hard until it gushes around him. You scream, the sound echoing through dense trees as you tremble with the force of your orgasm. Your back bows, bringing your closer to him as he lurches upright to take a nipple into his mouth.

“Y/N—I’m gonna—can I?” It's a desperate plea, the last bit of restraint he has left used to hold off his impending orgasm.

You nod quickly, arms encircling his head. “Yes, yes. Fill me up, yawnetu (love).”

He ruts against you, spilling into your core with a rough growl. His fangs nip at your neck, not hard enough to draw blood but to leave a little sting. He pulls you tight against him, arms crossing around your back.

Ragged breaths fill the forest as you both settle into stillness. Your fingers rub gentle circles into the back of his neck, his own smoothing down your sides. You feel the quick thrum of his heart against yours as he twitches inside you, making you whimper pathetically into his ear.

He gently lifts you, pulling out, your core spasming against the movement. He lays down in the grass, taking you with him, tucking you into his side and wrapping an arm around your shoulders. A contented sigh leaves your lips, eyes closing to bask in the afterglow for several minutes.

“You’re mine now, you know that right?” His voice is gentle, no authority behind the words, just speaking them as plainly as the truth.

You chuckle gently, nestling closer to his chest. “I’ve always been yours, ‘Teyam.”

[sshadowritestoriess]

Hi! Assuming you're not like, dead since you've been inactive for 5 months, would you do headconnons on what Ramattra, Zenyatta, and Genji would do for Reader's birthday? I ask because mine is getting close.

Crawls out of my grave… it’s definitely been a rough few months, hello ^^ I’ll do my best.

Ramattra on Your Birthday

Ramattra is the type of omnic that wouldn’t say a word of your birthday as the date fast approaches. You might think he’s forgotten, if the clever ravager was capable of such a thing. But he’s had the date saved ever since you had mentioned it in a long-forgotten conversation

He’s the materialistic sort. Numbers and data mean everything to him - yours in particular, as one of his closest (and last) companions. Ramattra knows exactly the things you like, crave, and want. Some things he’s exceptionally, and unfortunately, quite good at poking fun about; be it because it’s a unique interest or not very well known

But he knows you enjoy that sort of thing, so he’d find a way to acquire it in some fashion : clothing, cosmetics, merchandise, a book or pad, a signed t-shirt, food, tools, tickets… or maybe just a well thought-out playlist he put together just for you. Whatever kind of item he could possibly find that hits as close as possible to that thing that means quite a lot to you, he will have it ready for your birthday

It might just be one thing, possibly two if he couldn’t decide between which you might like the most. He’d have this gift ready just a couple months in advance, just in case you lose interest.

What he does not do is wrap it. Maybe a gift bag if you’d expressed disappointment in that sort of thing - but there’s never a tag or card or anything that would let you know who it’s from. It might just appear at your doorstep like a regular package, or he’d have another bot deliver it straight to you.

Ramattra does not wish anyone a “happy birthday”, unless appropriately prompted to. He might not even have a clear enough schedule to see you that day if you had any plans - a human custom he doesn’t have much interest in partaking in (perhaps because all omnics have the same “birth” day, all thanks to Aurora), but the gift-giving is a meaningful enough aspect he would take advantage of.

He expects no thanks, nor to be treated the same. But if you came to him happy about your gift, that would be entirely enough.

Zenyatta on Your Birthday

This monk is most definitely more of the ‘experience’ type. When it comes to any celebrations or occasions, he tends to lean toward going out to be part of the world.

He’s absolutely asked you just shy of a dozen times what you might like for your birthday, if you’d like to celebrate it early or on the weekend, if you’re hosting a party or just having a day to yourself. All the important things so he won’t accidentally intrude on your special day

Zenyatta likely provides much smaller gifts as compared to his brother - things that might compliment your appearance or home, or represents something about you that he really likes. You’re more likely to learn something about yourself with the kinds of gifts he has to offer

If permitted, he would be joyous to treat you to lunch or dinner. Something made by him, anything you have to request? Or he’d be elated to surprise you with a meal you haven’t tried before, but goes along with the things you normally like. He’s normally spot on, and you just might discover a new comfort food

But if you especially had nothing planned, or just wanted to spend the day with your dear Zenyatta, he would absolutely have something in mind that he would have reserved or set up for weeks in advance. A night at a gala? A local street festival with games and music? A convention full of things you might enjoy - or a wonderful hike through nature. Maybe just a day with a couple of activities he knows you really like; skating, an arcade, shopping, movies, racing - just enough that isn’t too overwhelming, but lets you know he pays well attention to the things that bring you joy.

Whatever the plan is, Zenyatta would have it and be there for it, and be happy just to spend the day with you. His patience is unfathomed - he would make sure that everything you partake in is an experience he knows you wouldn’t turn down. Your smile at the end of the day is all that matters to him.

Genji on Your Birthday

This man is pretty big on surprises. With Genji, you get to start off your morning with a rose and a note on your bedside table.

Perhaps the sneaky cyborg had a treasure hunt set up for you throughout your home, the Overwatch base, or wherever you reside. Or maybe the note tells you where to meet him when you wake? Certainly one of the two, and he’d have quite the elaborate map set up for you

He’d have an array of gifts hidden in places, some that don’t make sense and some that you definitely favor more than the others (a cheap electric kettle versus a brand new hoodie in your favorite color? What was his thought process on these?) but regardless of their individual quality, it’s obvious he’s been very excited to get these to you. And somehow, his best gifts were probably bought just yesterday.

And it doesn’t stop there. Next thing you know, he’s got a blindfold in hand and he’s cautiously leading you to where there is, no doubt, a surprise party he’d set up with friends. (Apologies to those who aren’t big on celebrations with multiple people - Genji would be sure to grovel for your forgiveness later)

If you’re particularly introverted and have greatly expressed a dislike for those kinds of occasions before, then similarly to Zenyatta, Genji might have a few quieter activities reserved just for the two of you. It could even be as simple as a day in playing video games - if you don’t mind getting your ass kicked in the more competitive franchises.

The birthday dessert was definitely something he had made himself, and you could tell. The way it was poorly plated, decorated, and just a tad malformed; inexperienced hands that lack a creative means of decoration certainly took liberties on even writing your name only half in cursive. He would present this as his final gift with a false sense of pride - easy to see in his eyes the shame he felt for being ambitious with frosting.

Genji aims to hear you laugh, and if he could manage being the source of that at any point in your day - then your birthday was a success in his eyes.

[cillianmurphysdimples]

I am the parent of two autistic children. Neither has an EHCP at this time and they both attened a local mainstream school, the same school they have been attended since pre-school nursery.

With my eldest child, the school has been a phenomenal place of support. As his mother, and from the outside looking in as a stranger, with my oldest you will see supportive practices, honouring of his difficulties and differences, and adaptations such as communication cards to ask for things due to selective mutism. They provided an emotional support course, involving a dog, which worked on building up his ability to confidently use his voice around others and authoritatively. They have been supportive and communicated well with me during a recent 10 day absence and couldn't have been more willing to do whatever he needed to return to school.

For my youngest, though, who's behaviours are sometimes a little more difficult to manage than his brothers, this school fails at some many hurdles. From his first day at nursery, where he was shouted at by a staff member and was observed cowering and crying, to the time our SENCo caused so much home upset with a lie she told that he refused to attend school for an entire week because he was led to believe that 'everybody says I'm bad'. I requested, before the summer, that either I, or the SEN budget allocations, provided a Dizzy Fish spinner for him for school as a regulation tool. We use this at home and he spends a lot of time getting the vestibular input he needs from this tool. The SENCo was all for this, and when I said I would pay she made references herself to looking at it along the SEN budget. I received no futher communication from her at all regarding this and since school has started, she has spoken to an advocate (still not me) where she has apparently told them that the school cannot provide a "SEN provision for just one child".

Why not? There's a *£6,000 SEN budget per child with identified SEN needs each year to each school in England. I'm asking for £100 of that for a fucking spinning chair. I even said I'd pay for it myself and provide it. So why can't that be done? What's £100 in a budget of *£6,000 per child (they have AT LEAST 30 children identified with SEN requirements and so they that budget at least 30 times)?!

Outside looking in? He's a handful and he's just "naughty" and they don't see a point. As his mum? They've taken a dislike to me and it's a punishment being handed down on my more "difficult" child just to piss me off.

Can someone explain this to me, like I'm a five year old, because I fail to see what the fucking problem is?!

(*£6,000 according to my last awareness of the budget allocations)

[northwalestransintersexnonbinary]

The Next meeting of the TINN will be comming up in Wrexham soon, if you are interested in attening send us an Ask, DM or email and well send you the details, and please feel free to share this around, either online or by printing out these posters for your local area!

image description under the read more

[Id: a poster for the North Wales Transgender Intersex and Non-Binary Network, across the top of the poster the Networks logo sits accros the Nonbinary Intersex and Transgender Pride flags, boardering each side of the poster are columns of pride flags representing different genders, the Centre of the poster has 4 White test boxes the contents of these boxes read:

Who are we? We are the North Wales Trans, Intersex and Nonbinary Network (TINN) , a Mutual aid, Support and social network, formed in May 2022, we offer monthly meetings to socialise share resources, support each other and offer advice

What do we do? We build bridges, connect people, and create community by providing mutual aid, resource sharing and spaces to be true to ourselves So far in our meetings we have been able to offer:

Social meet ups

Transition related help

Clothing swap events

Advice on getting HRT

Advice on updating Legal documents

With your help we can do even more!

When is the next meeting? Our next meeting will be coming up at the end of this Spring, in Wrexham! If you’d like to know the Date Time and Location, get in touch through one of the contacts below How to get in touch? Email: NW_TINN@protonmail.com Facebook: @Tinn Cymru Instagram: @northwalestinn Tumblr: @northwalestransintersexnonbinary Twitter: @NW_TINN

END ID]

[chuncao]

Murim

Joongdok Modern AU 

Yoo Joonghyuk was a famous pro-gamer who rarely got time to come back home. After months of not seeing his family, he finally had the chance to go back to see his sister. However, when the two met up, Yoo Mia kept talking about this one novel - TWS. She even pestered him to give it a try. The novel apparently was quite famous as it had its own webtoon and animation adaption. 

“You wouldn’t regret it, I swear..” Yoo Mia said. 

With that, Yoo Joonghyuk decided to give the novel a go. After all, he wanted to have something in common with his younger sister, who he can only see once or twice a year. At first, he thought that the novel was typical like those of the same genre but as he progressed through the story, he found himself slowly getting attached to the characters. He was particularly fond of the character DKOS who were always willing to sacrifice himself for the others. His companionship with the main character - Yoo Yoonghan was admirable too. Speaking of the main character, the man was somehow weirdly familiar to him. 

As if he was possessed, Yoo Joonghyuk managed to finish the more than 3000-chapter long novel in less than 2 weeks. It was a considerable feat considering the fact that he wasn’t that much of a reader himself. For nearly 2 weeks, his head was filled with the scenarios of TWS and that one particular character - DKOS. Yoo Joonghyuk felt a deep connection to the character to the point that he cried his eyes out when DKOS decided to sacrifice his life for his companions’ happiness at the end of the novel. In a daze, he tried to search up everything about DKOS on the internet, buy every single merchandise available and read every fan theories about the character. 

Much to his dismay, the fandom didn’t really appreciate DKOS since the man was only considered as a ‘minor’ character. They were far more obsessed with the relationship between the main character and the female lead. Yoo Joonghyuk, on the other side, found those characters boring. The fact that people could overlook DKOS for the cheap romantic relationship upset him quite a lot. 

As he was feeling flustered by that fact, Yoo Joonghyuk decided to rant on his private SNS account. Previously, he only used it to upload pictures of his cooking and small daily stories but now, he also made posts about DKOS. Sometimes it was about how great a character DKOS was, sometimes it was him complaining that the author should have given the character a happy ending. No one really paid attention to his posts, but he felt content just by being able to express his feelings for the character. 

All of a sudden, a user named “Dokja” started to comment on his posts. At first, the person questioned his analysis of DKOS, wondering if the author really portrayed the man as such a noble character. Feeling offended, Yoo Joonghyuk did his best to defend his favorite character. It took them a lot of comments and even direct messages to settle the score, but before he knew it, the two of them had become online friend. The user provided him with a lot of useful insight regarding the novel and he wasn’t obsessed with the main characters like the others in the fandom. Yoo Joonghyuk enjoyed talking to the other, which didn’t happen much considering his character. 

—

Kim Dokja was a writer first and foremost. While he wouldn’t consider himself to be famous, one of his works - TWS - was gaining attention nowadays. While Kim Dokja was grateful that his work finally got noticed, he didn’t expect people to label it as a “romance novel”. The novel was an action one with romance being the subplot but somehow, the relationship between the main character and the female lead really blew up. 

“Can’t believe people find romance written by a virgin interesting.” 

Han Sooyoung would always laugh at him whenever he complained about it. 

One day, when he was scrolling through SNS using his private account, Kim Dokja came across a particular fan of his. The fan seemed to pay no attention to the main characters, instead they had taken liking to a minor character - DKOS. The character was only created for the sake of plot convenience, so Kim Dokja was surprised to see someone actually adore the man. He tried to leave a comment in the post to test the other’s reaction and just like he expected, that fan defended DKOS as if their lives were on line. They spent a lot of time arguing and debating but Kim Dokja didn’t really feel uncomfortable talking to the other. When he took a look at the fan’s account, he saw a lot of cooking pictures and short posts acting like a diary. Their wordings were curt but affectionate at the same time. Somehow, Kim Dokja imagined the other person as a quiet-looking girl who loved to cook and enjoyed spending time with her loved ones. It may sound absurd but kdj felt for a girl who he never met before. 

“What the actual fuck Kim Dokja? I thought you had a crush on Supreme King?” 

Han Sooyoung stared at him in disbelief as he tried to ask her for advices. 

“No, YJH is like my idol, you know? Who would want to date their idol?” 

YJH was a famous pro-gamer who kdj had adored since forever. The protagonist of TWS was actually loosely based on the man too. “You are a simp, Kim Dokja.” Han Sooyoung gave him a judging look when she knew of the fact. 

“Anyway, you are telling me that you like a girl who you have only chatted with? And you aren’t even sure that they are a girl?” 

Han Sooyoung said as she mindlessly chew on the sunflower seeds. 

“I know it sounds stupid but-“ 

“What if she was a middle-aged man who likes to pretend as one of those high school girls? Kim Dokja, the internet is full of shit.” 

His friend deadpanned. She had a point. Kim Dokja didn’t really know know much about the other person except for the fact that they liked DKOS. The two of them mainly talked about TWS with some other topics in between. For example, Kim Dokja did know that the girl had a sister and she adored her a lot despite not being able to spend much time with her. 

He knew how the girl may sound rude but she was actually caring for those around her. Or how she loved murim dumplings and never ate food cooked by others. She had never made Kim Dokja feel uncomfortable and that alone was enough for Kim Dokja to fall for her.

After much consideration, Kim Dokja decided to ask the girl for an offline meetup. At first, she hesitated, saying that her schedule might not allow for it. However, after checking her work schedule again, she finally agreed. For the first time in his 28-year-life, Kim Dokja had a meetup with a girl. It wasn’t a date per se, but he still felt nervous nonetheless. 

Kim Dokja arrived at the meeting point 30 minutes earlier so he still had some time left to prepare for his heart. As he was trying to calm his heart, a message arrived.

"Sorry, something comes up at work. I will arrive 30 minutes later than our agreed time." 

The message was from the other girl. Kim Dokja, being the coward he was, actually felt relieved for having more time to collect himself. As an effort to stay calm, Kim Dokja decided to open Star Stream to watch YJH. Today, the man was having a match and were it not for the meetup, Kim Dokja would have stayed at home and watched it from start to finish. By the moment Kim Dokja entered the stream, the match had already ended with YJH's team being the winner. The man was now answering an interview but he somehow kept looking at his pocket watch as if he was short on time. Did he have something to do after the match?

Not really interested in the interview, Kim Dokja decided to watch clips from the match. YJH, as amazing as ever, led his team to victory effortlessly. With a calm face and collected voice, the man gave out orders and directions for his team members to follow through. Kim Dokja had to admit, a focused YJH was really hot.

As he was too immersed in watching YJH's clips, Kim Dokja didn't notice a figure approaching him. The man, dressed in full black, kept looking up and down at his phone. After��a while, he approached the spot where Kim Dokja was standing.

"Hello, are you "Dokja"?" 

Kim Dokja recognized his private's user name. He felt his heartbeat quicken but something didn't feel right. The voice was way lower than that of a young woman. 

 "Hello?" 

 The other person asked him again, this time with a hint of annoyance. Wait, why did it feel so familiar. 

 "Yes, I'm Dokja. You are Murim, ri-" 

As Kim Dokja looked up, the sight of someone who he couldn't be more familiar with filled his eyes. It was the same man who he just saw in the screen moments ago. His phone might still be playing footage of the man going through a particularly hard match. The one stood in front of him was none other than YJH himself. 

 "I'm Murim, nice to meet you, Dokja." 

Yoo Joonghyuk, with his ethereal-looking face, gave Kim Dokja a small smile. Oh no, what had he gotten himself into? Kim Dokja felt like he might faint right at the spot. Who would have thought the fan obsessing over a minor character of his novel was in fact the idol he had been admiring for a long time? Someone please tell him that this was just a dream.

[totowlff]

chapter eight — as if i could ever keep a promise

➝ we don't always get what we want.

➝ word count: 3,9k

➝ warnings: none

➝ author’s notes: i apologize for the delay in bringing you a new chapter. these last few weeks have been a little complicated for me, as they culminated in me being fired from work. i'm not upset, as it was a job i wasn't a huge fan of, but coming full circle is always hard. i hope you enjoy this chapter and would love to hear your feedback.

Two agonizing, painfully slow weeks after Cassie’s embryo transfer, she was at her desk at work, trying to get something — anything — done, but her eyes kept sliding over to the clock in the corner of her computer, counting down the minutes until 3pm.

She was leaving work early today to go to the fertility clinic to find out the results of a blood test she’d provided a sample for earlier that morning, on her way into the office.

Cassie was nervous, but excited. The possibility that the cycle would not take had briefly occurred to her, but there were so many more reasons to believe that she was pregnant. The embryologist had confirmed that both her and Toto’s samples were of excellent quality. Both of them were in perfect health. She’d read the statistics and the failure rates, but even those numbers weren’t enough to dash her optimism.

The only thing that weighed on her at the moment was that Toto was not in the country at the moment. He was in China for a Grand Prix, and would be in Bahrain next weekend, and would not be returning to the UK between the two races. Toto had told her to call and give him the results as soon as she found out, but she didn’t really want to tell him that he’d be a father over the phone. 

Instead, Cassie was going to tell him in person when he got home the next weekend. She planned to surprise him with a gift that she’d ordered online the day after her embryo transfer that had recently arrived. 

It was an infant onesie with a gray-and-teal F1 car on the front, and text underneath the car that said “Future Mercedes Driver”. It certainly wasn’t produced by the team, and she knew she should probably forward it to the legal team so they could issue a cease and desist, but she bought it anyway. 

“It’s perfect,” she thought, when it arrived in her post a few days later. She put it in a gift box with teal tissue paper and tied it with an elegant bow with teal ribbon. 

As soon as 3pm came around, Cassie was out of the building like a shot. She barely noticed the scenery passing as she made the half-hour drive from Brackley to Oxford on the M40. 

By the time she was in the waiting room of the fertility clinic, she felt like she was about to jump out of her own skin from the nerves. 

When the receptionist called her name, Cassie bolted to her feet. She sat in the exam room, her leg bouncing incessantly as she waited. After a few minutes, Dr. Hodges, the clinic’s fertility specialist, came in with a laptop in hand.

— Good afternoon, Miss Aldersey. How are you today? — she said, taking a seat in the stool across from Cassie. She had a polite smile on her face. Cassie watched as she opened the laptop and logged in. 

— Hello. I’m… Good, but a bit nervous.

— Understandable — the doctor said — So, let’s just take a look at the results of your bloodwork and then we’ll discuss your next steps. Does that sound okay?

— Yes — Cassie said.

Dr. Hodges took a moment to look at the chart on the computer, and turned the screen toward Cassie.

— Unfortunately, it looks like this round didn’t take. See — she said, pointing to a line on the lab results — You tested negative for any presence of beta hGC, which is a hormone that your body starts producing when a fertilized egg implants. We start seeing it on blood tests around eleven days after conception, which is why you wait two weeks from the date of your transfer. Now, there is a chance this is a false negative, and we can re-test again in a week if you’d like, but…

Cassie felt strange all of a sudden, not really paying attention after she heard the words “didn’t take”. Or maybe it was that everything sounded muffled and distant. She felt like the blood had drained completely from her body, and like a giant pit had opened in her stomach. 

— S-so, I’m n-not pregnant? — Cassie stammered. 

— No, unfortunately not this time — Dr. Hodges said, giving Cassie a sympathetic glance — But, it’s not unusual for the first round to fail, it happens more often than not.

— I… I just thought… I… The embryologist said the samples were both good, and that we are both healthy, and…

— I know, I’m sorry. This is my least favorite part of this job, but, don’t worry, Miss Aldersey. It will happen, and it will all be worth it once you get there.

— I… Yeah — Cassie said, trying to get her bearings again. She glanced briefly around the exam room, looking at the posters on the wall. Most of them were colorful medical diagrams, one with the stages of embryonic development, one with a cross-section of a womb with a baby inside. Seeing the posters in that moment sort of stung, because it was not what her body would look like. Not now, at least — So, um… What now? How… I guess, what do I do now?

— Well, the first step is to stop taking your progesterone — Dr. Hodges said — It will induce a menstrual cycle, and then we wait four to six weeks before performing another embryo transfer. You have quite a few fertilized eggs, so we don’t have to have you go through the full stimulation cycle.

— We can’t… We can’t try again right away? — Cassie asked. She was starting to feel stressed now, she could feel her pulse pounding against her chest.

— Well — Dr. Hodges said — No. It’s possible, medically, but all of the hormones used for the ovarian stimulation are fairly intense, and can cause some inflammation, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which isn’t pleasant. The standard protocol is to let your body take a break from the hormones for at least one cycle. Plus, in my experience, it lets you take an emotional break, as well. IVF is stressful and tiring, and so much stress is going to do more harm than good.

— I… I guess that makes sense — Cassie said. 

— If you want, I can schedule you an exam, just a blood test and an ultrasound, once you’ve had your next period — Dr. Hodges said, trying to sound cheerful, doubtlessly for Cassie’s benefit — That way, we can check to make sure everything looks good before we proceed with a second transfer.

— I — Cassie hesitated. She’d budgeted the costs of the treatment carefully, but Toto joining her on the venture added some extra fees she hadn’t been considering; the costs of his exams and the fees to the solicitor. She knew Toto would gladly pay for his share if she asked. Hell, he’d probably pay for the entire process without prompting, but Cassie didn’t want to ask that of him. This was something she wanted, and she didn’t want anyone else to have to foot the bill for her dreams. However, she had a feeling that the money from her grandmother’s estate that she’d set aside was gone now — I will have to think about it. I also want to… You know… Talk to, um…

— Oh, yes, of course, you’ll be wanting to discuss things with Mr. Wolff. Well — Dr. Hodges said, closing her laptop — Go ahead and schedule an appointment after your period, if you’d like, and we can proceed from there.

The doctor extended her hand to shake Cassie’s before she opened the door and left.

Cassie sat in the empty, quiet exam room for a moment. She felt like she was going through some sort of strange, accelerated grieving process, with her emotions changing every few seconds as her thoughts raced. She took a few deep breaths to try to calm herself down before she left. She feebly waved goodbye to the receptionist as she walked out. 

Cassie needed to stop for a few groceries on her way home to her flat. She felt numb during the entire drive, like she was simply repeating an automated process, a route she’d gone so many times now, from the clinic, to the Sainsburys by her flat, to her flat. As she parked her car, she thought about calling Toto, but she realized, when she pulled her phone out of her purse and unlocked the screen, that it would be well past midnight in Shanghai by then. Toto would — or should, rather, be asleep. She couldn’t bring herself to bother him at this time of night.

She sighed heavily and put her phone back in her bag. 

As Cassie walked around Sainsbury’s, she felt like there was a massive weight on her shoulders, and like her shoes had been replaced with paving stones. She trudged aisle to aisle, barely paying attention to the things she was putting in her trolley. 

She kept catching sight of mothers and fathers with small children in their trolleys or holding their hands, which compounded her sadness. It wasn’t like anything was out of the ordinary in the shop that day, but the lack of possibility of her having children now made her see them everywhere. 

The universe saw fit to rub extra salt in her wounds, though, as she was absentmindedly looking at jars of jam, trying to decide which one she wanted. She’d just picked up a jar of apricot marmalade when she felt a tug on the leg of her trousers.

She turned around to see a small girl brandishing a box of Weetos cereal at her.

— Mummy, I want this one… Oh, sorry — she said, when Cassie turned around to reveal that she was, not, in fact, the girl’s mother. A woman came scrambling up behind Cassie, grabbing one of the girl’s hands. 

— Right here, sweetheart. Sorry about that — she said, nodding her head at Cassie and leading the child away toward her own trolley. 

They were gone before Cassie could even say anything.

She stood, anchored to the floor, between the jams and breads, her shoulders starting to shake from the effort of trying to not cry. She forced herself to take a few deep breaths to try to calm herself down. When she felt like she could move again, she went to the beer & wine section and grabbed three bottles of the first sauvignon blanc she laid eyes on without a second thought. 

Cassie managed to avoid crying on the rest of her drive home, but as soon as she was in her apartment, there was no reason to hold back any longer. She haphazardly jammed things in the refrigerator and freezer as tears streaked down her face. 

She uncorked a bottle of wine and took a swig, not even bothering to pour it into a glass, which she realized would probably make her mother faint. All the less reason to care, she thought, as she sat down on her sofa. She wailed into one of her throw pillows. It was the kind of full-body wracking sobs that toddlers did, too. 

Cassie knew she was quite the sight with her hair disheveled, her mascara and eyeliner making tracks down her cheeks, drinking directly from a cheap bottle of wine, but she didn’t care. It had been a while since she’d had both a good cry and anything to drink, so she felt entitled to both. 

It was a cycle — she would calm down, but she would remember the way her doctor looked at her, or the word “negative” on the line for bHCG on her chart, or she would imagine telling Toto that she wasn’t pregnant, and she would start crying all over again.

Eventually, she cried herself to sleep, just like a toddler would.

Cassie woke up on her sofa hours later, sweaty and disoriented. The lights in her flat were still on, she was still wearing her clothes from work that day. She even still had one shoe on. Her television was on, displaying the Netflix “Are you still there?” message, and there was an empty wine bottle and a bag of open chocolate candies spilling out on her coffee table.

She got up and turned her lights and television off. She stripped her clothes off and flung them into a haphazard pile in the corner of her bedroom, not even bothering to put on pajamas before she plugged her phone into the charger on her nightstand and went back to sleep.

Cassie hadn’t set an alarm, but a buzzing noise woke her up the next morning at around 8h30. She pawed at her table, hand searching for the device before she picked it up and squinted at the screen. Her heart sank when she saw Toto’s name. It was about 16h30 in Shanghai, so qualifying had likely just finished. 

She wanted to talk to him, but she didn’t know what to say. He was doubtlessly calling to find out how Cassie’s blood tests went, to find out if they were going to be parents. He was as excited as she was, which meant he was going to be as devastated as she was, too. It would be cruel to disappoint him so much now, when he was halfway around the world, with races to focus on. 

Cassie set her phone back down and let it ring until it stopped. 

She would figure out how to break the news later. 

Toto had left her a voicemail, which Cassie listened to when she had woken up a bit more.

— Hi Cassie — he said. His voice sounded soft and gentle, even happy — I know it’s only about 8 in the morning in Oxford, so you might not be awake yet, but I was just calling to say hello and to see how things went at the doctor yesterday. We just finished up qualifying, I don’t know if you were up and watching. Lewis got pole, and Valtteri got P3, so that’s good. Anyway, I’m going to go get dinner with Niki here shortly. Give me a call later when you’re awake, okay? Talk to you soon.

Fifteen minutes later, he tried calling again.

Cassie answered this time, but couldn’t think of what to say. Even “hello” wouldn’t come out of her mouth, for some reason.

— Hello? Cassie? Are you there? — she heard him say, before she panicked, and hung up.

She started crying again. It was all too much.

Cassie watched the race the next morning after a night of poor sleep. She’d been up for hours, thinking about all the plans she’d already made for the child she and Toto wouldn’t be having. 

During the race, she poured over her finances, her heart sinking when she realized that the addition of Toto’s tests and procedures, and the solicitor’s fees for their known donor agreement, had eaten the entirety of what she’d budgeted from her share of her grandmother’s estate, and then some. Her doctor had brought up the possibility of trying again, but there’d be no way to do that now. The process had gone hundreds of pounds over what she’d already set aside, and she couldn’t live with the thought of asking anyone else — not even Toto — to cover the costs of another round.

Not even watching Lewis claim victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, or Mercedes move ahead in the constructor’s standings over Ferrari, could lift her spirits. 

By the time she went back to work on Monday, Cassie felt numb. She wasn’t sleeping well. She barely had an appetite. She’d consumed more wine than anything else over that weekend, and was dealing with a persistent hangover as a result. She continued to ignore Toto’s phone calls and messages. She still didn’t know how to tell him. 

Tuesday was worse.

Stopping the progesterone brought on an intense, monstrous period, the likes of which she hadn’t had in years.

Cassie’s head was pounding. Her mood was worse than before, which she would have thought was impressive if she didn’t feel so awful. On the upside, she had an appetite again, but it was insatiable, making her feel worse with the arrival of bloating that made it impossible to put her pants on. A patch of fresh acne on her jawline was the cherry on top, but the worst was when the bleeding actually started. Before, the slim possibility of a false negative was something she was hanging onto, a small ray of light in the darkness.

But now, she had the final confirmation: she wasn’t pregnant.

She called in sick on Wednesday and stayed in bed, both from the pain of the more-intense cramping and from the feeling like she was drowning.

By that point, Toto had called at least once per day, and sent several WhatsApp messages. She’d read them, and she’d typed a few responses, but couldn’t actually gather the courage to press “send” on any of them.

She didn’t listen to every voicemail he’d left, but the one she did listen to crushed her.

— Cassie, please, I don’t know what’s wrong, or what I did, but please let me know you’re okay — he said — I’m in Sakhir now, and it’s only three hours ahead, so, please, give me a call and let me know what’s going on. I’m worried about you, I haven’t heard from you in almost a week and… I just don’t know what’s going on. I lo… I miss… Okay. Give me a call. Please. Goodbye.

By the time Friday came — a week since Cassie found out that she wasn’t pregnant, she’d at least stopped crying out of the blue. It was like she physically wasn’t able to any longer. She felt as empty and hollow as her womb was.

She still felt horrid about never responding to Toto, and kept making excuses for herself. 

“This is something he needs to hear in person”, she thought. “I’ve acted so awful this week he probably doesn’t want to have a child with me any more anyway.” 

Still, though, she missed him terribly. She would pay any price for him to be back in Oxford with her, because surely, he would be able to take away the deep, constant pain she’d been feeling for a week now. She felt like she’d failed herself, and her own ambitions, but she’d let Toto down as well. 

Somewhere, in the more rational side of her brain, Cassie knew that it was a possibility that the first round wouldn’t work, but she thought it was because of cases where couples had to utilize IVF because of other factors that drove infertility — medical issues on the part of either party that made it so those couples had difficulty conceiving naturally — things that didn’t apply to Cassie and Toto. They were only doing it this way because they weren’t together like a traditional couple, which meant that they weren’t really in a position to try to do things the old-fashioned way.

Cassie’s failure tortured her so much that the only way she’d been able to get any sleep was to imagine that he was there with her as she laid down, imagining herself laying in his arms, like when he’d offered to hold her after her embryo transfer. If she tried hard enough, she could remember the solid warmth of his chest against her back, the fresh, clean scent of his cologne, and how gentle his hands were, in spite of how big they were. Her imagination could only offer her a pale imitation of the real thing, but it was the only way she was able to relax enough to let herself sleep.

As she watched television coverage of the race in Bahrain, her heart squeezed every time one of the television cameras panned to him. Maybe it was Cassie’s imagination, but he didn’t look all that well, either. His hair was in varying states of sticking up in odd places, which Cassie knew was from him running his hand through it whenever he got stressed. His brow seemed to be furrowed constantly, like he was worried about something. 

She wanted to see him again, to talk to him, but now, she thought she didn’t deserve to.

His phone calls became less and less frequent as his trip came to an end.

Given the result of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Sebastian Vettel winning the race and Ferrari retaking the lead of the Constructors Championship, Cassie thought Toto would have other things to worry about after he got back. 

Cassie realized at some point that she needed to talk to somebody about what she was going through, even if she’d missed her chance to talk to Toto about it. Not for the first time, she wished that her and her mother had the kind of relationship that most mothers and daughters had, because this seemed like the sort of thing one would talk to their mother about. 

However, she did have an eccentric, but kind, aunt. While Sybil had never wanted to have children, she would probably be sympathetic to Cassie’s plight, so she called her aunt after she got home on Monday.

— I’m sorry, ma étoile, that sounds awful. If it helps, I know your sister didn’t have an easy time when she was trying to get pregnant. Your father, of course, was a real knob about it, and it didn’t help that your brother and his wife got pregnant right away. I remember him saying, “it’s always the mare and not the stallion”, as if you can compare horses to people — Sybil said — Your father gave Helena such a hard time about it, but it happened eventually, and it will for you, too.

Cassie sighed. She hadn’t known about that, because she had already stopped talking to her parents around the time Helena got married. 

Actually, it was a fight at Helena’s wedding that made Cassie realize that it was probably better for all involved if she didn’t speak to her parents any more. She had to do some mental subtraction to figure out how long ago that was — eight years now, when Cassie was twenty-seven.

— I remember that — Cassie said — That thing about mares and stallions. I never understood that, because even his reproductive veterinarian told him that wasn’t always the case.

Talking about horses, though, made something clear to Cassie, something she didn’t like about the IVF process.

She remembered that her father’s barn switched from live covering — the process of two horses physically mating to produce a foal — to IVF, sometime in the nineties, when Cassie was young. It was easier and more cost-effective, her dad said, to manage breeding so many horses that way. Plus, they could buy sperm from stallions from other farms to produce, saving the cost of having to transport stallions and mares around. But the whole process that Cassie was going through reminded her of that, and made her feel like a broodmare — and not a prized one, either. 

She was hoping to be done with it, especially when she imagined her father talking to her like a mare that wasn’t successfully bred. 

“Well, there must be something wrong with this one,” he’d say. “Bad blood will out, you know”.

— And what did Toto say when you told him it didn’t take? — Sybil said. It caught Cassie off-guard, though she supposed she should have been expecting that question.

— I… Uh… he doesn’t know yet — Cassie said, shyly. 

— What do you mean? Surely you had to have told him. He’s supposed to be the father!

— Well, he was out of the country for a doubleheader, and I — Cassie said. She sighed — I didn’t want to tell him over the phone, and… I wasn’t sure what to say anyway. He’ll be back in the office tomorrow, I think, so I guess I will talk to him then…

She didn’t.

[froizetta]

hi :D 21 and 23 for the writer asks! love ur work! <3

21) Share your favorite piece of dialogue!

I thought this was a tough question until I realised: no, my favourite moments of dialogue are always gonna be Alfred being snarky. He's the most fun to write for me, because being British I can actually capture the nuances of his dialect in a way that doesn't generally come easily with American characters. And his very dry, very sarcastic, very English sense of humour is the most fun to reread in edits. In particular, I'm very pleased with this exchange from chapter 2 of (Love) Triangles, especially the last paragraph:

“No,” Bruce snapped, a little more harshly than he’d intended. “I can’t just…ask him. Don’t be ridiculous, Alfred.” “Ah, yes. I suppose it would be ridiculous to simply ask someone to be your friend, rather than stalking their potential acquaintances under the guise of your secret identity. Really, you’re quite right, sir. Whatever was I thinking?” Bruce sent him a half-hearted glare. “That is not what I am trying to do. This is nothing so juvenile as a bid for friendship.” Delicately, Alfred raised an eyebrow. “Good lord. I hadn’t realized that having friends one’s own age was considered ‘juvenile’. Please forgive your aging butler for being so out of touch with the younger generation.” He sighed. “Alfred…” “No, that’s quite alright, Master Bruce. Things were somewhat different when I was your age, you see,” Alfred continued placidly. “We tended to consider friendship a healthy form of adult social interaction. I sometimes forget that nowadays the done thing is to spend hours of one’s time alone underground, and to associate honestly only with one’s young ward, butler and local bat colony.”

23) Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?

Now this one actually IS tricky. Mostly what I struggle with is the overall flow of scenes rather than individual sentences or paragraphs; furthermore, it's sort of difficult to remember what one struggled with after the fact! Here's an example from chapter 4 of (Love) Triangles, chosen more because of recency bias than because it's a particularly striking example, but I think it's still illustrative:

Unfortunately, just as he was opening his mouth to try his luck again, Kent perked up as if he’d heard something unexpected. By instinct, Bruce felt himself tense as well. A split-second later, he heard it too: the gentle thudding of bare feet on thick carpet. A sound that was getting closer. Immediately and inconspicuously, Bruce braced himself for the worst. He was a civilian right now, as was Kent; he didn’t have his equipment but so long as he got Kent out of the way he could figure something out with hand-to-hand, perhaps talk them down— It wasn’t needed, he realized. Because only seconds later, it wasn’t a madman or Mercy Graves or any kind of villain, but Lois Lane herself who came careening around the corner.

I'm counting this as one paragraph because it started out as one. It got reworked a few times before I was mostly happy with it. Within the context, Bruce is transitioning from an internal monologue in which he's considering Clark as a romantic/sexual prospect, but is interrupted from acting on his thoughts because of the sudden appearance of Lois. In its final form, it's doing several things: linking scenes, planting the seed of Clark's superhearing (Bruce might notice it later), providing characterisation for Bruce (paranoid and hypervigilant, even as a civilian), and most of all creating tension for the reveal of Lois' identity. It was slightly challenging for several reasons, chiefly:

I find that transitioning from internal monologue to action can feel clunky sometimes if I don't properly connect the thought to the action. The easiest way to do it is the interruption of a natural train of thought with dialogue (like another character trying to get the POV character's attention, for example) but that didn't fit here. The first sentence of this excerpt is my attempt at bridging the gap.

The original version did not include Bruce's reaction to the sound. I realised during editing that Bruce would 100% react with caution to the sound of approaching running footsteps, so I needed to reflect that in his internal monologue; however, the addition of that detail made the paragraph feel a little long-winded, so I had to play around with it (e.g. changing the amount of detail, the sentence/clause structure, where to put the line break) until it flowed okay.

Balancing the surprise factor of Lois' appearance at the end was a little tricky. It's a slight surprise to the reader, but not a super dramatic one (say, in comparison to the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter). Building it up too much would make Lois' reveal anticlimactic; too little would undersell the moment and feel flat. Fixing it again involved playing around with the flow of the sentences leading up to it. Originally, the excerpt was all one paragraph, but I found separating it into two (with the em dash signifying Bruce's interrupted train of thought), and then padding out the new second paragraph to make the reveal less abrupt ("it wasn't x, y or even z, but Lois Lane!") drew about the right balance for me.

Am I happy with it? Enough to publish it! Most parts I struggle with end up being 'good enough' rather than 'amazing'. I don't have a beta-reader, so I'm only evaluating it from my limited perspective. And in the end, the reason I struggled with those bits is probably because I don't know the right tools to fix the issue; fresh eyes might see things more clearly and/or have a different perspective.

[cambridgeacademy01]

Where is the English Learning Institution in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi

In a world that’s more interconnected than ever, English language skills have become essential. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, travel the globe, or connect with people from different cultures, mastering English opens up countless opportunities. For many in Laxmi Nagar, finding the right institution to learn this global language can be a daunting task. With numerous options available, it’s crucial to choose one that aligns with your goals and learning style. Let’s explore how you can navigate this journey and discover some top-notch English learning institutions in Laxmi Nagar — starting with Cambridge English Academy!

The importance of English language skills in today’s world

English is often referred to as the universal language. Its prevalence in business, technology, and culture makes it an essential skill.

In today’s job market, many employers seek candidates with strong English proficiency. This ability can set you apart from others vying for the same position.

Traveling becomes more enjoyable when you can communicate effectively in English. It allows for deeper connections with locals and enhances your overall experience.

Moreover, accessing information online is predominantly done in English. From academic research to entertainment platforms, a solid grasp of the language opens doors to valuable resources.

Cultural exchange flourishes through English as well; whether through literature or cinema, understanding this language enables appreciation of diverse perspectives and ideas.

Factors to consider when choosing an English learning institution

Choosing the right English learning institution can be overwhelming. It’s essential to consider various factors that align with your goals.

First, evaluate the curriculum. Look for a program that covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills comprehensively. A balanced approach is crucial for overall language proficiency.

Next, consider the qualifications of instructors. Experienced teachers often provide better insights and personalized feedback, enhancing your learning experience.

Location matters too. Opting for an institution close to home or work can make attending classes more convenient and consistent.

Also think about class sizes. Smaller groups tend to foster more interaction between students and teachers, leading to a richer educational environment.

Investigate additional resources offered by the institution like workshops or online materials. These extras can significantly enhance your learning journey beyond regular classroom hours.

Cambridge English Academy — Top English learning institutions in Laxmi Nagar

Cambridge English Academy stands out as a premier choice for English language learning in Laxmi Nagar. This institution is renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovative teaching methods.

Students here benefit from a dynamic curriculum that emphasizes practical communication skills. Classes are interactive, fostering an engaging environment where learners can thrive.

The academy also boasts qualified instructors who bring years of experience to the classroom. Their expertise ensures that students receive personalized attention tailored to their needs.

Additionally, Cambridge English Academy often incorporates technology into lessons. This modern approach resonates well with younger audiences and enhances the overall learning experience.

With flexible class timings and various course options available, it accommodates different schedules and proficiency levels seamlessly.

Reviews and testimonials from students and parents

At Cambridge English Academy, feedback from students and parents speaks volumes. Many learners share how the supportive environment has boosted their confidence in speaking English.

Parents often express gratitude for their children’s progress. They note significant improvements in communication skills and academic performance. The personalized attention each student receives is frequently highlighted as a key factor.

Students appreciate the interactive teaching methods that make learning enjoyable. Engaging activities keep them motivated and eager to participate. This approach not only reinforces language skills but also fosters camaraderie among peers.

Moreover, testimonials reflect an appreciation for the dedicated faculty who go beyond traditional teaching. Their commitment to helping students overcome challenges creates a lasting impact on both personal growth and language acquisition.

Unique features and teaching methods of Cambridge English Academy

Cambridge English Academy stands out with its innovative teaching methods tailored to various learning styles. Each lesson is designed to engage students through interactive activities, ensuring they remain invested in their progress.

The academy employs a communicative approach, emphasizing real-life conversations and practical usage of the language. This method not only builds confidence but also prepares learners for authentic interactions outside the classroom.

Another unique feature is personalized feedback. Instructors provide one-on-one attention, identifying areas for improvement while celebrating individual strengths. This fosters a supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to take risks in their speaking and writing.

Additionally, technology integration enhances the learning experience. With digital resources and online practice sessions, students can continue their studies beyond traditional class hours. These features make Cambridge English Academy an ideal choice for anyone aiming to improve their English skills effectively.

How these institutions cater to different levels of proficiency

English learning institutions recognize that students come with varied backgrounds and proficiency levels. This understanding is crucial for effective teaching.

For beginners, classes often focus on foundational vocabulary and basic grammar. Interactive methods, like games and group activities, make learning engaging from the start.

Intermediate learners benefit from a mix of conversational practice and advanced grammar lessons. Institutions typically incorporate real-life scenarios to help these students build confidence in using English in everyday situations.

Advanced learners are challenged through nuanced discussions, literature analysis, and business communication skills. They might also have access to specialized courses tailored for professional growth or academic purposes.

Personalized assessments ensure each student progresses at their own pace. With small class sizes, instructors can offer focused attention where it’s needed most.

This tiered approach enables every learner to thrive while feeling supported throughout their journey towards fluency.

Cost comparison and value for money

When considering an English learning institution, cost is often a key factor. The fees can vary widely across different academies in Laxmi Nagar. It’s essential to look beyond just the price tag.

Cambridge English Academy offers competitive rates while maintaining high-quality instruction. Their experienced teachers and comprehensive curriculum justify the investment. Many students find that what they learn here translates into better job opportunities and enhanced communication skills.

Another aspect to consider is additional costs such as study materials or exams. Cambridge provides resources included in their package, minimizing hidden expenses.

In contrast, some institutions may advertise lower upfront fees but charge extra for essential services later on. Evaluating value for money means assessing both quality of education and total expenditure over time.

Choosing a place where you feel confident about your growth makes all the difference in your language journey.

Additional resources and support provided by the Cambridge English Academy

Choosing the right English learning institution can make a significant difference in one’s language journey. At Cambridge English Academy, students benefit from a wide array of additional resources that enhance their learning experience.

The academy provides access to online platforms filled with interactive exercises and practice materials. This allows students to study at their own pace and revisit challenging topics as needed. Moreover, they offer workshops and seminars led by experienced educators, focusing on real-world applications of the English language.

Students are also encouraged to participate in conversation clubs where they can practice speaking with peers in a relaxed environment. These sessions foster confidence and fluency while building essential communication skills.

Support doesn’t stop at the classroom door either. Cambridge English Academy emphasizes holistic development by providing guidance for standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Their counselors assist students in preparing for these exams, ensuring they understand what is required for success.

With such comprehensive support systems in place, learners find themselves well-equipped not just academically but also personally ready to tackle various challenges ahead.

[waghaditi]

Electric Vehicle Battery Adhesive Market Future Trends Influencing the Growth of EV Batteries

The electric vehicle battery adhesive market is experiencing rapid growth due to the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the evolving needs of battery technologies. The continuous advancements in battery designs and material innovations are driving the market toward the development of more efficient, safe, and reliable adhesive solutions. As automakers and battery manufacturers work to meet stricter safety and performance regulations, several future trends are emerging that are expected to shape the electric vehicle battery adhesive market in the coming years.

Key Future Trends in Electric Vehicle Battery Adhesive Market

Increased Demand for Lightweight and High-Performance Adhesives As electric vehicle manufacturers prioritize improving energy efficiency and driving range, reducing the overall weight of vehicles has become crucial. Lightweight materials are being increasingly integrated into EV battery packs, and adhesives that are both strong and light will play a major role in holding these components together. Future adhesives will focus on reducing weight without compromising their structural integrity, which will significantly contribute to enhancing the overall performance of EVs.

Advancements in Thermal Management Solutions Thermal management is one of the most critical aspects of EV battery performance, and adhesives are playing a key role in this area. As EV batteries become more powerful, they generate higher heat, requiring better thermal conductivity and heat resistance from adhesive materials. The future of the electric vehicle battery adhesive market will see adhesives that are more capable of dissipating heat, preventing overheating, and maintaining a consistent temperature across the battery pack to optimize its performance and longevity.

Focus on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Adhesives Sustainability is a growing concern for both the automotive industry and the adhesive market. With the increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles, the electric vehicle battery adhesive market will continue to evolve towards developing adhesives that have minimal environmental impact. Future trends will likely see the development of bio-based adhesives, lower-emission adhesive formulations, and recyclable adhesive systems. These innovations will not only support the overall sustainability goals of EV manufacturers but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of vehicle production.

Integration with Smart Technologies for Monitoring and Maintenance Future electric vehicle battery adhesives may incorporate smart technologies that enable real-time monitoring of battery health and performance. Adhesives embedded with sensors could detect changes in temperature, pressure, and voltage within the battery pack, providing early warning signals for potential failures or hazardous conditions. This integration will allow for more precise control over battery conditions, ensuring better safety and performance. Smart adhesive solutions could also simplify the maintenance of battery packs by providing valuable data on the battery’s state, improving service life and reducing operational costs.

Innovation in Multi-Functionality Adhesives The trend towards multi-functional adhesives is likely to continue as manufacturers seek solutions that combine bonding, sealing, insulation, and thermal management properties in a single adhesive. Future adhesives will aim to meet the evolving demands of electric vehicle battery packs by addressing multiple challenges simultaneously. Adhesives with multi-functional properties will streamline the production process, reduce the number of materials needed, and improve the efficiency of battery manufacturing.

Growth in Solid-State Battery Adhesive Solutions Solid-state batteries, which promise higher energy densities and enhanced safety over conventional lithium-ion batteries, are rapidly gaining attention in the EV industry. The introduction of these batteries brings new challenges for adhesive solutions, as solid-state batteries require specialized adhesives that can handle unique properties such as higher voltages, improved thermal stability, and compatibility with new materials. The electric vehicle battery adhesive market will likely see a surge in demand for adhesives specifically designed for solid-state batteries in the coming years.

Increased Focus on Global Standardization and Regulatory Compliance As the electric vehicle battery adhesive market grows, the need for universal standards and regulations will intensify. Future trends will involve greater efforts in ensuring that adhesives meet global safety, environmental, and performance standards. Adhesive manufacturers will work closely with automotive and regulatory bodies to align their products with evolving standards, ensuring that adhesives used in battery packs are safe, efficient, and durable under various conditions.

Shift Towards Automation in Manufacturing Processes The growing demand for electric vehicles is pushing the automotive industry to adopt more automated manufacturing processes. Adhesive application in battery production will increasingly be automated to improve consistency, speed, and precision. Future trends will see the integration of robotic systems and automated adhesive dispensing technologies to streamline production lines. This will not only enhance the efficiency of battery assembly but also reduce waste and improve the overall quality of battery packs.

Custom Adhesive Solutions for Emerging EV Battery Designs As electric vehicles evolve, new battery designs are being introduced, such as pouch cells, prismatic cells, and cylindrical cells. Each of these battery formats requires tailored adhesive solutions that meet specific structural and functional requirements. The electric vehicle battery adhesive market will likely see more customized adhesives designed to fit the unique demands of different battery configurations. This trend will be driven by manufacturers’ need for specialized adhesives that can ensure durability and safety while accommodating the distinctive characteristics of each battery design.

Collaboration Across the Value Chain The electric vehicle battery adhesive market is expected to witness greater collaboration between adhesive manufacturers, automotive companies, and battery producers. By working together, these stakeholders can develop adhesive solutions that are better suited to the specific needs of EV battery systems. The future of this market will involve close partnerships to foster innovation, improve performance, and meet the evolving needs of the electric vehicle industry.

Conclusion

The electric vehicle battery adhesive market is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, environmental concerns, and increasing demand for more efficient EV batteries. These emerging trends indicate that the industry will continue to innovate and expand, providing critical solutions to the challenges posed by modern battery technology. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the role of adhesives in enhancing battery performance, safety, and sustainability will only grow in significance.

[mycoderesist]

CES 2025: The World's Biggest Tech Showcase

What is CES? The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is one of the largest and most influential technology trade shows in the world. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES showcases the latest innovations in consumer electronics, spanning industries like automotive, smart homes, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and more. CES 2025 continues this tradition, offering a glimpse into the future of technology. Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, CES attracts exhibitors, attendees, and media from around the globe. It's not just a showcase for gadgets but a platform for unveiling groundbreaking ideas and fostering business opportunities. CES 2025 is no exception, promising exciting developments and futuristic concepts. Key Highlights of CES 2025 1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning AI continues to dominate the tech landscape, and CES 2025 is filled with products and solutions powered by advanced AI. Expect demonstrations of: AI-driven personal assistants that are more conversational and context-aware. Autonomous vehicles using AI for improved navigation and safety. AI in healthcare, enabling faster diagnoses, personalized treatments, and innovative wearables. 2. Smart Home Innovations The smart home sector sees substantial advancements in CES 2025. Key products include: Interconnected smart appliances that communicate seamlessly with each other. Energy-efficient systems designed to reduce carbon footprints. Advanced security systems leveraging AI for real-time threat detection. 3. Sustainability and Green Tech Sustainability is a big theme at CES 2025, with companies showcasing technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact. Highlights include: Recyclable and biodegradable materials in electronic devices. Energy storage solutions for renewable energy sources. Smart city concepts featuring sustainable urban planning technologies. 4. Automotive Technology The automotive section is always a crowd-puller. At CES 2025, visitors can expect: Electric vehicles (EVs) with extended range and faster charging capabilities. Self-driving cars with enhanced AI systems for a smoother ride. Flying vehicles in the prototype stage, hinting at a sci-fi-inspired future. 5. Health and Wellness Technology Healthcare technology has a prominent presence at CES 2025, with innovations that include: Wearable health monitors providing real-time data on vital signs. Telemedicine advancements making healthcare accessible from anywhere. Robotic caregivers designed to assist the elderly and those with disabilities. Who Attends CES? CES is a meeting ground for diverse participants, including: Tech Enthusiasts: Individuals eager to see cutting-edge innovations. Industry Professionals: Executives, engineers, and developers from leading companies. Media Representatives: Journalists and influencers reporting on the latest trends. Investors: Venture capitalists seeking the next big breakthrough. Startups: Small companies showcasing their ideas alongside tech giants. Why is CES Important? CES is more than a showcase; it’s an ecosystem where ideas flourish and partnerships form. Here’s why it matters: Trend Forecasting: CES sets the tone for tech trends in the coming years. Networking: A hub for industry connections and collaboration. Global Impact: Many products debuting at CES become household staples worldwide. Business Opportunities: Startups can attract funding, and companies can secure deals. Notable Announcements from CES 2025 While specific announcements vary, CES 2025 is expected to reveal: The latest flagship smartphones with unparalleled performance. Breakthroughs in quantum computing applications for consumers. Innovations in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for gaming and professional use. Advances in space tech, including satellite-based internet and consumer-grade exploration gear. How to Experience CES 2025 CES 2025 offers several ways to engage:

In-Person Attendance: For a hands-on experience, attendees can explore exhibition halls and attend keynote speeches. Virtual Participation: Live-streamed events and digital showcases make CES accessible worldwide. Media Coverage: Major tech outlets provide detailed reports and highlights for those unable to attend. Closing Thoughts CES 2025 is a window into what’s next in technology. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business professional, or simply curious, CES offers insights and inspiration for the future. From AI to green tech, the innovations on display promise to reshape how we live, work, and connect in the years ahead.

[4rartsandcrafts]

The Role of PSC Coaching in Public Service Exam Preparation

Public service commission (PSC) exams in Kerala are the gateway to securing government jobs and provide an opportunity to serve the nation. These exams are highly competitive and require you to know more about various subjects. However, if you want to pass these exams and get a career in civil service, administrative roles, or other government positions, PSC coaching can play a crucial role in your preparation. 

If you are aiming for a career in government jobs, joining the Best PSC Coaching Centre in Calicut, Kerala, can be an excellent way. In this blog, we will explore the role of PSC coaching in public service exam preparation. 

Understanding Importance of PSC Exams

Public Service Commission exams are held to select candidates for a range of government positions. The selection stages contain three stages: preliminary exams, main examinations, and interviews. These exams test your knowledge, analytical skills, and decision-making skills. The competition is high, and thorough preparation is essential to stand out.

The Benefits of PSC Coaching

Structured Study Plan:

PSC coaching institutes provide a structured study plan that covers all important topics. This ensures that you don’t miss out on any important areas and can use your time effectively.

Expert Guidance:

Coaching centers employ experienced faculty with extensive knowledge of the exam pattern and syllabus. They can offer valuable insights and tips to help you get the job.

Comprehensive Study Material:

One of the biggest advantages of joining a PSC coaching institute is access to high-quality study material. This includes notes, practice papers, and previous year's question papers, which are crucial for your exam preparation.

Mock Tests and Evaluations:

The coaching center conducts regular mock tests and evaluations that will help your progress and identify areas that need improvement. This continuous mock test ensures that you are well-prepared for the actual exam.

Peer Learning:

Group study offers significant benefits, including learning from peers, sharing insights, and staying motivated. Engaging in discussions and collaborative learning can deepen your understanding of complex topics.

Time Management:

PSC coaching institutes teach the importance of time management. They teach you how to use your time effectively during the exam, which is crucial for completing the paper within the allocated time.

Confidence Building:

Regular practice and expert guidance can significantly boost your confidence. This is essential for performing well under the pressure of the exam.

Choosing the Right PSC Coaching Institute

Selecting the right PSC coaching institute is crucial for your career success. Here are some factors to consider:

Reputation and Track Record: Look for institutes with a history of producing successful candidates.

Faculty Quality: Ensure the institute has experienced and qualified teachers.

Study Material: Check for they are using comprehensive and updated study material.

Fee Structure: Compare the fees of various coaching centers to choose one that provides the best value for your investment.

Infrastructure: A good learning environment with necessary facilities such as libraries, computer labs, and comfortable classrooms improves the study experience.

In conclusion, PSC coaching is essential for excelling in competitive exams by offering structured study plans, expert guidance, and valuable resources. For aspirants preparing for Kerala PSC Degree Level Exams Training in Kerala, choosing the right coaching institute can significantly boost your chances of success and help secure a rewarding career in public service.

When searching for the best PSC coaching center in Kerala, it's essential to consider factors like location, flexible batch timings, and an affordable fee structure. The Best Academy stands out as the top choice, offering exceptional study materials, thorough mock tests, and personalized attention to meet the unique needs of every student. Choose The Best Academy for a comprehensive and results-driven approach to PSC exam preparation!

[texasmadehustler]

What is your best childhood memory?

What is your worst childhood memory?

What was your biggest fear as a child?

What was your favorite year of school?

What was your favorite subject/class in school?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

What was your favorite game to play?

What is the single most important thing you learned as a child?

What is your most memorable family event?

What do you admire most about your parents?

What do you look forward to about being a parent?

If you don’t want to be a parent, why?

Do you want to live near or far from relatives?

When your parents get old, how do you plan on taking care of them?

When was the first time you said “I love you” to someone in your life other than family?

When and where did you go on your first date ever?

Do you remember our first date?

Were you nervous during our first kiss?

When did you know you loved me?

What is your ideal night?

What is your favorite thing about me?

Do you believe in true love or love at first sight?

Do you think people are made for each other?

Where is the perfect honeymoon locale?

Describe a fun date that only costs $20.

Describe the most romantic date you can think of — spare no expense!

Would you rather acquire material items or experiences?

If it cost the same, would you live in a mansion or a mid-sized house with a lot of land?

In what scenario, if any, is it okay to lie?

When, if ever, is it okay to break the law?

What is the most important lesson to teach a child?

How often do you go out of your way to help someone?

If you could pick a new “golden rule,” what would it be?

What are important societal values? (ex. Democracy, fundamental rights, etc.)

How have your values changed from ten years ago?

What do you see as your best character trait?

If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be?

Would you consider yourself a pessimist or an optimist?

When were you the most disappointed in yourself?

When were you the most proud of yourself?

Generally speaking, do you like the way you look?

If you could change one thing about the way you look, what would it be?

Do you put as much effort and emphasis on inner beauty as outer beauty?

Who in your family do you view as a role model?

Are you inspired by any celebrities dead or alive?

What thought or object gets you through the day?

Do you find praise or criticism to be more motivating?

What inspires you to better yourself?

What advice would you give to your children to stay determined?

What is the best way to motivate each other?

What is your greatest success to date?

What do you hope to achieve in the short-term?

What is your long-term goal?

What is your biggest regret?

What mistake did you learn the most from?

What are you most ashamed of?

Is failing less, equal or more important than succeeding?

What do you look for in a friendship?

What is/was your longest lasting friendship and how did it last so long?

Do you think you can have multiple best friends or only one?

Do you think your pet can also be your friend?

Do you consider your parents as friends?

Do you think opposite genders can maintain a friendship without developing a love interest?

What is an unforgivable action?

What is your advice for long-distance friendships?

Do you have different advice for nearby relationships?

In your opinion, can long-distance relationships survive?

Do you think a couple should split costs?

Do you think it’s better to save money or invest?

How should household chores be divided?

What do you look for in a significant other?

What is the most important thing in a relationship? (e.g. trust, respect, etc.)

How often should a couple argue or fight to maintain a healthy relationship?

What was your best birthday?

If you could only celebrate one holiday each year, what would it be?

Do you prefer family events or alone time?

Provided there is good weather, do you enjoy indoor or outdoor activities?

What is your ideal wedding ceremony?

Describe your perfect vacation.

What is the best concert you’ve ever attended?

What events are on your bucket list? (ex. Lollapalooza, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, etc.)

When, where, and how long was the best road trip you’ve ever taken?

Would you rather spend a week in New York City or Los Angeles?

Have you ever been camping? What was your favorite part?

Is there anything that gives you overwhelming anxiety?

How do you handle high-stress situations?

What is the most stress-inducing thing that could happen at work?

What helps you decompress?

Is there a smell that instantly relaxes you?

After a horrible day, would you prefer a nice dinner out or a cozy movie night?

Are you terrified of anything fictional? For example, the supernatural or zombies.

What is your biggest fear in life?

Do you have any phobias?

Do you have any irrational fears?

What was the worst nightmare of your life?

Do you like to pull scary pranks on people?

What is the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Do you think flying or mind reading is a more functional power?

If you could have one human talent that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? (excluding more wishes)

If you had the power to correct one problem in the world, what would you fix?

Where would you go if you could teleport anywhere in the world?

If you could be an animal for a week, what would you be?

If you could be an object for a day, what would you be?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

If you could eat anything you wanted right now, what would you order?

You’re going to outer space — what planet do you want to see?

If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do on your last day?

Would you rather go back in time to see the dinosaurs or jump forward a thousand years to see our futuristic society?

If you could make one book or movie a reality, which would you choose?

If you could be a character from a hit television show, who would you pick?

When was the last time you got stood up?

What was the most embarrassing or sloppy night out you had?

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done in public?

What embarrassing thing have you done that you never told anyone about?

What’s your grossest habit?

What’s the biggest lie you told a romantic partner?

What don’t your parents know about you?

What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried in bed?

What’s the most bizarre text you’ve received?

Has anyone ever cheated on you?

Who do you pretend to like but actually don’t like?

Who is the most toxic person in your life?

What embarrassing thing did you do regularly when you were a kid?

Have you ever hooked up with someone who smelled bad?

What is the cringiest thing you’ve put up on social media?

What’s the worst hair cut you’ve had?

Have you ever had a crush on a cartoon character?

When was the last time you crapped your pants?

What was your worst rebound?

What is the worst fight you’ve been in?

Do you get jealous if your partner hangs out with or is friends with people of your gender?

What was your biggest fear as a child?

Have you ever hooked up with someone and you didn’t know their name?

What was your biggest mistake?

When did your hubris get you into serious trouble?

What is the most detestable thing you would do for 1 million dollars?

What do you feel most guilty about?

What embarrassing thing have your parents caught you doing?

What are you self conscious about?

What’s the most serious crime you’ve committed?

Who’s most to blame for your baggage?

Have you ever had a crush on a romantic partner’s friend?

What’s the most awkward date you’ve been on?

How much of an open book are you?

When are you most in your element?

What’s your way to vent stress?

Where is the most spectacular place you’ve been?

How important is looking good to you?

What was or is your favorite piece of clothing?

What famous person do you admire?

Would you ever open a business? If so, what type?

What’s your outlet for creativity?

What’s the most annoying thing you have to deal with on a daily basis?

What do you take for granted?

What do you consider pretentious?

What do most people just not get?

What did you learn too late?

What lesson was hardest for you to learn?

Who got a reputation they didn’t deserve?

What food do some people consider normal but you think is gross?

What did you learn way later than you should have?

What is something that everyone seems to love but you hate?

When was a time you were terrified?

Where do you feel most at home that isn’t home?

Who do you wish you could reconnect with?

What is the best present you’ve gotten?

When was a time you were falsely accused of something?

What small slight are you still upset about years after it happened?

What aged like milk?

When did you fake it till you made it?

Who depends on you the most?

What are your tribes?

How adventurous do you think you are?

When was the last time you did karaoke?

What is the most annoying new “innovation“?

How often do you get into political arguments with people?

What has changed most since you were a kid?

What do you think you’ll be like when you are old?

How do you think other people view you?

What’s the worst holiday?

What competition do you think you’d be most likely to win?

What upgrades to your belongings would you like to make?

What was/is your favorite pet?

What irrational fear do you have?

What is your go to snack or a snack you have a hard time stopping once you start?

What is the most tedious thing you have to do on a regular basis?

What’s is the coolest decorative thing you own?

Who much did/do you like or hate school?

How comfortable do you feel in a crowd?

Do you think dreams have any significance or is it just your brain doing maintenance?

What job are you uniquely qualified for?

What questions should people ask each other more often?

What are some of your personal rules?

What are some of the worst things that people do to your favorite foods?

What are some of the best examples of the illusion of safety in daily life?

How much do you rely on other people?

What is you most treasured possession?

How gullible are you?

What is the funniest haircut you’ve seen in the wild?

What are some of the benefits of growing old?

What’s the spiciest thing you’ve ever eaten?

What type of personality do you find most exhausting to be around?

What defines you most as a person?

Who is the funniest person you know?

What is the dumbest thing you’ve seen someone do in person?

What idea or ideas would you love to act on if you had the time, money, and/or know how?

What is something that happened recently that took you completely off guard?

What are you putting off?

What is your best story about one of your teachers?

Do you think the present is better than 15 years ago? Why or why not?

What kind of first impression do you think you give?

What are some of the most “backwards” things about your country, how about some of the most “progressive” things?

How do you feel about the direction your life is headed?

What do you think of the advances in AI, optimistic or nervous?

Do you believe in absolute truth?

What kinds of beliefs or values have shaped history the most?

Do you think once an invention becomes possible, it’s inevitable that someone will invent it?

How accurate do you think some of the stereotypes are for certain countries? What stereotypes do people have about your country?

Do you think the place where you get your news presents an accurate picture of the world? How could it be improved?

How could your work or school be better than it is now?

Would you ever volunteer to join the military?

What, besides posture, do you constantly have to remind yourself of?

What radically new forms of government can you think of?

What kind of long-term career goals do you have, if any?

What do you need more practice doing?

How much of a person’s personality is up to them and how much is just who they are?

Why do you think people like the things they like? Is it all environmental influence or do you think some preferences are genetic?

When is reality least real for you?

Where would be a cool place to throw some more joints and muscles in our bodies?

If you could be half animal like a mermaid or centaur, what animal would you choose?

Where would be the funniest place to make 1 ton of pudding instantly appear?

If people’s names had to be changed to accurately describe the person, what would our new names be?

Which condiment would be the funnest to swim in and which would be the worse?

[justice4maiella]

https://www.change.org/Justiceformaiella

Justice for Maiella – Demand Accountability in Veterinary Care

We, the undersigned, are calling for immediate action to address the lack of accountability and poor veterinary care that has deeply impacted the life of Maiella, a beloved pet. This petition seeks justice for Maiella and aims to ensure that no other pet owner endures the inadequate and harmful experiences that she faced under the care of Vet R at a practice owned by Independent Vet Care Limited.

Why This Matters:

Maiella’s story is one of prolonged suffering due to inadequate diagnostic practices, improper treatments, and a lack of informed consent for procedures that ultimately caused harm. Despite repeated requests for second opinions and referrals to specialists, Maiella’s treatment plan remained stagnant, resulting in further distress for both her and her family. Independent Vet Care Limited, the parent company of hundreds of local veterinary practices that present themselves as independent, must be held accountable for ensuring proper care standards at all their clinics.

Key findings from Maiella’s case include:

• Excessive and Costly Treatments: Under Vet R’s care, treatment costs exceeded £8,000 without yielding positive outcomes. After months of ineffective treatments, invasive procedures, and repeated imaging—all of which showed no results—Maiella continued to suffer. Once she finally saw a specialist, the solution was simply to change the protein in her food. This simple dietary change could have prevented weeks and months of non-stop vomiting and suffering.

• Severe Physical and Emotional Toll: Maiella lost over a quarter of her body weight and endured non-stop vomiting, yet no alternative treatment plan was offered. The invasive procedures she underwent were repeated multiple times without producing meaningful results. Records from the practice documented that Maiella was even found sleeping in her own vomit, raising significant concerns about her in-patient care and monitoring.

• Exploitation of Vulnerability: Vet R, who also held the position of director at the practice, leveraged their role to influence decisions without proper oversight. This is especially concerning given that the pet’s owners were vulnerable, with one owner qualifying as disabled under UK law due to cancer. Such a power imbalance exacerbates the emotional and financial strain on clients who rely on their veterinarian’s expertise and integrity.

Why We Need Your Support:

This petition urges Independent Vet Care Limited and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to take meaningful action by re-examining the standards and practices demonstrated in Maiella’s case. We demand:

• A Comprehensive Review: A thorough investigation into the veterinary services provided, ensuring that they align with industry standards and prioritizing patient welfare over profit.

• Policy Reforms: Implementing stricter policies and oversight to prevent similar issues in the future, including the assurance of second opinions and full transparency regarding treatments and diagnostic practices.

• Accountability and Transparency: Greater accountability within the practice to prevent patient harm, including repercussions for practices that fail to meet basic care standards.

The Cost of Inaction:

Maiella’s case is a poignant reminder of the importance of ethical and competent veterinary care. It highlights the need for stronger regulation of Independent Vet Care Limited, a parent company overseeing hundreds of practices that may pose as small, independent clinics. If these issues remain unaddressed, more pets and their families could face similar tragedies.

Sign This Petition to:

• Show your support for Maiella and her family.

• Pressure Independent Vet Care Limited and the RCVS to uphold veterinary standards and conduct an independent review.

• Advocate for the well-being and safety of all pets under veterinary care, ensuring they receive the proper attention and treatment they deserve.

Justice for Maiella is not just about one pet’s story—it’s about ensuring that veterinary practices maintain the highest standard of care, transparency, and compassion for every animal and their family.

Please sign and share this petition to stand up for Maiella and for better veterinary care everywhere.

#JusticeForMaiella #PetCare #AnimalWelfare #VetReform #SupportAnimals #PetAdvocacy #VetStandards #PetHealth #ProtectOurPets #StopAnimalSuffering #DogLovers #PetParents #AnimalRights #PetWellbeing #ResponsiblePetCare #TransparencyInVetCare #PetCommunity #FurFamily #AdvocateForPets #CompassionateCare #ChangeForPets #ProtectPets #PetSafety #AnimalCompassion #VetAwareness #PetLovers #StopNegligence

[travel-visa-tips]

Portugal Visa For Indians - Everything You Need To Know

Planning a trip to Portugal from India? You're in the right place.

This guide is designed to help Indian citizens navigate the Portugal visa process. It's a comprehensive resource that covers everything you need to know about obtaining a Portugal visa.

We'll explore the different types of Portugal visas available for Indians. This includes the Portugal tourist visa and the Portugal travel visa. We'll also delve into the eligibility criteria and the application process.

You'll find tips for a successful visa interview. We'll also discuss common reasons for visa rejection and how to avoid them.

Whether you're traveling for business, pleasure, or other purposes, this guide will provide you with the necessary information. So, let's get started on your journey to obtaining a Portugal visa for Indians.

Understanding the Portugal Visa Requirement for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens planning to visit Portugal must secure a visa before travel. This requirement is due to Portugal being part of the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Agreement facilitates border-free travel among its member countries but requires visas for non-members.

To enter Portugal, Indians can apply for a short-stay Schengen visa. This is typically issued for tourism, business, or family visits. Understanding the visa type needed and preparing the required documents are crucial steps for a hassle-free application process. Proper preparation helps in ensuring a smooth journey to this beautiful European destination.

Types of Portugal Visas for Indians

When traveling to Portugal, Indian citizens can choose from various visa types based on their travel purpose. Understanding each visa type ensures selecting the right one for your visit.

The most common types of visas for Indians are:

Tourist Visa: For leisure visits to explore Portugal’s beauty.

Business Visa: For individuals attending conferences, meetings, or business-related activities.

Short-Stay Visa: Covers a range of short-term visits, including family events or academic courses.

Each visa category has specific criteria and documentation requirements. It’s crucial to identify the correct visa type to streamline the application process. Applying under the correct category minimizes the risk of application rejection. Always check the specific requirements and regulations of the chosen visa type before applying, as they can vary slightly depending on the purpose and duration of the stay.

Eligibility Criteria for Portugal Visa

To apply for a Portugal visa, Indian citizens must meet specific eligibility criteria. Applicants need a valid Indian passport with at least two blank pages and validity of at least three months beyond their planned stay.

Additionally, you must demonstrate proof of financial means to cover travel expenses during the stay. Providing evidence of travel insurance, covering potential medical emergencies, is also essential. Depending on the visa type, documents such as invitation letters or proof of accommodation might be required. It is advisable to review the specific requirements for each visa type to ensure complete and accurate submission.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Portugal Visa from India

Applying for a Portugal visa involves several steps. Start by determining the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose, such as tourism or business. Gather all necessary documents and ensure they meet the specified requirements.

Once your documents are ready, fill out the Portugal visa application form accurately. Schedule an appointment with the nearest Portuguese consulate or visa application center. Attend this appointment on time, bringing your application form and all required documents.

Here's a concise breakdown of the steps:

Identify the correct visa type for your visit.

Collect all required documents, including proof of finances.

Fill out the visa application form accurately.

Book an appointment with the Portuguese authority.

Attend the appointment with necessary documents in hand.

After submission, you can track the status of your application online. Be patient while your application is processed and check for any updates.

Required Documents for Portugal Visa Application

Securing a Portugal visa starts with gathering the proper documents. Accurate documentation significantly impacts the approval process. Ensure each document is up-to-date and error-free before submission.

Below is a checklist of essential documents needed for the application:

Completed visa application form.

Passport-sized photos as per specifications.

Valid passport with at least two blank pages.

Proof of accommodation for the entire stay.

Travel itinerary detailing entry and exit dates.

Evidence of sufficient financial means, like bank statements.

Travel insurance covering the duration of the trip.

Invitation letter if visiting family or on business.

Employment letter if applicable.

Copy of return or onward travel tickets.

Each document plays a crucial role in supporting your application. Remember, the details must align with the information provided in the visa application form. Double-check everything to ensure a smooth process. Missing or incorrect documents can delay or even result in the denial of the visa application.

Visa Application Fees and Processing Time

Applying for a Portugal visa involves a fee, which varies based on the visa type. These fees are non-refundable, so be sure to verify the exact amount before applying. Payment can be made at the visa application center, often in local currency.

The processing time for a Portugal visa is typically around 15 working days. However, this can vary depending on the time of year and the volume of applications. It's wise to apply well in advance of your travel date to account for any unforeseen delays. Early submission can prevent last-minute stress.

Tips for a Successful Visa Interview

The visa interview can make or break your application, so preparation is key. Dress smartly and be punctual. First impressions do matter.

Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans clearly and confidently. Ensure you understand the itinerary and have documentation to support your answers. It’s crucial to remain calm and honest throughout the interview.

Understanding the cultural norms can also help you express sincerity. Showing genuine enthusiasm for visiting Portugal can positively influence the outcome. Also, bring all necessary documents in an organized manner for quick access.

Handling Visa Rejection and Appeals

Facing a visa rejection can be disappointing, but it's essential to stay composed. Understanding the reasons for rejection is the first step to a successful appeal.

Begin by reviewing the rejection letter carefully. It usually outlines the grounds for refusal. Address these issues directly in your appeal letter, providing additional documents if necessary. Ensure your response is well-organized and factual.

Seek professional guidance if needed. A visa consultant can offer insights into strengthening your appeal. Remember, persistence and thorough preparation enhance your chances of overturning the decision. Stay proactive and follow up as required.

Additional Considerations for Indian Travelers to Portugal

When traveling to Portugal, there are essential factors for Indian visitors to keep in mind. Planning your trip thoroughly can enhance your travel experience and avoid potential issues.

Here are additional considerations:

Ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your stay.

Familiarize yourself with Portugal's cultural norms and etiquette.

Check the latest COVID-19 protocols and entry requirements.

Have a detailed travel plan and confirmed accommodation.

Carry sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the stay.

Always prioritize staying updated on any changes in visa policies or travel restrictions. Stay informed by checking official government websites before you embark on your journey.

[caitlinphleb]

Opening Your Career: The Essential Guide to Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Skills

Unlocking Your Career: The Essential Guide to Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Skills

Are you ready to elevate your career⁣ in the healthcare sector? Understanding⁢ and mastering essential skills as a‍ medical assistant and phlebotomist can open many doors for you in the ever-growing healthcare field. This guide will provide you with an in-depth look at the skills required, the benefits of these roles, practical tips for success, and real-life experiences‌ that can inspire your journey.

What is a Medical ⁣Assistant?

A medical assistant plays a crucial role in ‌the healthcare system by supporting healthcare professionals in⁢ various tasks. Medical assistants are responsible for administrative and clinical duties, functioning as a bridge between patients and providers.

Key ⁤Responsibilities of a Medical⁢ Assistant

Taking patient ⁢histories and recording vital signs

Assisting with exams and procedures

Administering medications and injections

Handling laboratory ⁣specimens

Scheduling​ patient appointments

Managing insurance claims and medical records

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood from patients for various tests, ​transfusions, or ⁣donations. Phlebotomists play a key role in diagnostics and patient care, ensuring that the blood⁤ collection process is safe and efficient.

Core Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist

Collecting blood samples using⁤ appropriate techniques

Preparing⁢ samples for laboratory testing

Maintaining cleanliness and safety in the workspace

Communicating effectively with patients to⁣ alleviate anxiety

Documenting and labeling samples correctly

Essential Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Skills

Acquiring the right skill set is vital for ​success in these roles. Below is a table outlining⁣ essential skills for both medical ​assistants⁤ and phlebotomists:

Skill

Medical Assistant

Phlebotomist

Communication

Interacting with patients and healthcare ⁤staff

Explaining procedures to patients

Technical Skills

Using medical⁢ equipment, EHR ‍systems

Blood collection techniques

Attention to Detail

Accurate patient records‍ management

Correct labeling of blood ⁤samples

Empathy

Providing compassionate patient care

Reassuring patients during blood draws

Basic First Aid

Administering emergency procedures

Knowing how ​to respond⁣ to reactions

Benefits of Being a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist

Choosing a career as a⁤ medical assistant or phlebotomist comes with several benefits:

Job Demand: With the aging population ⁣and increasing healthcare needs, both ‌roles are in high demand.

Career Advancement: Opportunities for specialization and advancement, ‌including supervisory roles and other allied health professions.

Variety: Work ‌in diverse settings, such ⁤as⁣ hospitals, ‍clinics, labs, and even research facilities.

Patient Interaction: Regularly interact with patients, making a positive impact on their healthcare experience.

Flexible Hours: Many positions offer part-time schedules or flexible hours, accommodating various lifestyles.

Training and Certification Pathways

Becoming a skilled ⁢medical assistant or phlebotomist typically⁢ requires a combination‍ of education and certification. Here’s​ a brief overview:

Education

Enroll in a recognized medical assistant or‍ phlebotomy program.

Complete ⁢coursework on anatomy, physiology, medical⁢ terminology, and clinical procedures.

Gain hands-on experience through internships or clinical externships.

Certification

Obtain relevant certifications such as the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or⁤ Certified Medical Assistant⁣ (CMA) for⁣ medical assistants.

For phlebotomists, consider⁢ certifications like the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT).

Practical Tips for Aspiring Professionals

Gain Experience: Volunteer or seek part-time positions in healthcare settings to build your resume and gain practical skills.

Network: Attend healthcare conferences and join professional organizations to connect ‍with others in the field.

Stay Updated: Keep abreast of the latest healthcare trends‍ and technologies through continuous education.

Develop Soft Skills: Work on communication,⁣ empathy, and teamwork, as these‌ are crucial in healthcare interactions.

Real-Life Experiences: Case Studies

Let’s⁣ explore a couple of case studies demonstrating ⁢how ‌medical assistants and phlebotomists positively impact patient care.

Case Study 1: The Role of a Medical Assistant

Jane, a certified medical assistant, worked in a bustling family clinic. She noticed many ⁤patients were anxious before their ​appointments. By implementing a friendly greeting and providing reassurance, she improved the patient experience significantly. Her emphasis on communication ​not only made patients⁤ feel more comfortable but also increased‍ appointment adherence by 30%.

Case Study 2: A Day in the Life of a Phlebotomist

Tom,‍ a phlebotomist, faced challenges in drawing blood from patients with a fear of needles. By employing empathetic communication and distraction techniques, he successfully built rapport with patients, resulting in a ‍smoother blood collection experience. His approach minimized patient⁤ stress and decreased the likelihood of fainting episodes, showcasing the impact of soft skills in phlebotomy.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career as a medical assistant or phlebotomist offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in healthcare. By mastering‌ essential skills, pursuing the ‌right training, and​ learning from real-life experiences,⁢ you⁣ can unlock ⁣a fulfilling career path. The future⁤ of healthcare is‌ bright, and with ⁣dedication ​and the right skill set, you can be​ a vital part of it. Begin your ‍journey today and step into a role that not only offers job⁣ security but also the chance to impact lives positively.

https://phlebotomytechnicianschools.net/opening-your-career-the-essential-guide-to-medical-assistant-and-phlebotomy-skills/