#top shelf design awards

[r-gelard]

DC Metro Closet Mid-sized women's dressing room idea with a beige floor and carpeting, white cabinets, and recessed-panel cabinets.

[sitepathos]

From Gold to Mold

Chapter 8: The Reunion

“Oh god, look at all these people,” you mutter, looking around the hall the award ceremony from your seat in the developer section, which is full beyond capacity. “Don’t think I’ve seen this many people before.”

The last time you saw so many people was your graduation night at Gotham Academy, but this makes that look like a small office party in comparison.

(There is no need to fret. You have polished your speech to perfection and have rehearsed it so many times you can recite it perfectly in your sleep. And when you are done, all will cheer for you.)

You smile at its words. No matter how uncertain you feel, the Megamycete always has your back. You’d hate to think where you’d be without it.

Well, without the Megamycete, you’d probably be dead.

“Wonder where Alfred is,” you wonder, looking around at the back of the hall. “He said he was coming.”

(We are sure he is here. The butler would swim through shards of broken glass to be here at the biggest triumph of your life.)

You’re so anxious to see the man; it’s been four years since you last saw him in person and you just know he’s going to bring up your lack of visits and probably try to guilt you into visiting since Gotham’s only three hours away, but you intend to stand your ground and go back to Goodsprings tomorrow.

“I hope he likes the suit I got,” you mutter, messing with your collar for the millionth time, not use to wearing such fancy clothes.

(He will. You chose from among millions of choices and made the best choice. Everyone in the room is no doubt in awe of your superior fashion choice.)

The day you were told you were in the running for this award, you drove to Vegas and spent well over an hour at the Men’s Warehouse, looking over and trying on countless suits. The salesman helped a bit, but many people in the Megamycete’s records included many upper class men, men’s fashion designers, and models, so you were more than capable of picking out a tasteful black blazer with a breast pocket perfect for holding your Momma’s pen, a white button up shirt, and matching black pants and dress shoes.

The clothes looked fine on the rack, but wearing them in public for all to see is something you had to psych yourself up for. You feel like a kid playing pretend with his father’s clothes and everyone knows it. Still, you can’t help but feel like a professional and take a little pride in it.

Just then, the lights dim and the audience cheers as the MC steps on stage.

“Hello, everyone,” he says. “Are you ready to kick off the Golden Games?”

The room fills with thunderous applause and cheers, yours among them. You’ve known about this event for years and have never missed watching it. When you first started your game, you fantasized about being at the Gamer’s Gala competing with your fellow developers for the Golden Joystick, but knew there was no chance your first game would ever make it to the first round of voting. Perhaps your second game. Or maybe your third.

But here you are, at this prestigious event with your first ever game in top contention for a prize so many covet.

You pinch yourself to make sure you’re awake and are pleased that you’re wide awake.

The ceremony opens up with the Golden Joystick for the Triple-A Game of the Year and awards for their various categories, like story, gameplay, music, graphics, etc.

“Alright, with all the big dogs out of the way, we finally get to the indie games. And boy, was this year a massive success for so many indie developers with over fifty percent of this year’s most anticipated games being indie games! Let’s go over your picks for this year’s Indie Game of the Year.”

You get a look at the trophy you and your peers are competing for: the Golden Joystick. As the name suggests, it’s a trophy in the shape of an old fashioned joystick made up of a gold material. For a moment, you allow yourself to visualize winning it and displaying it in your office. Hell, you had a spot on a shelf made for it when you got the email from the event committee that Salvage Rights was a candidate for Indie Game of the Year, even though voting was still ongoing.

The MC begins going through the list of games with said games and their developers being displayed on one massive screen behind him with the game’s team showing up on the other one. With each game mentioned, you think about your Momma; you can remember being at some awards ceremony years ago when one of her books was up for some fancy prize. Even back then, you could tell she was so nervous about getting up and making a speech in front of so many people and having it broadcast for all to see.

At the time, you didn’t understand because she would’ve been given an award and everyone could see. Unfortunately, she didn’t win and while she said she hope to win it, it was good enough to be considered for it, you were pissed on her behalf over it.

Being here, you understand why she felt that way. While it would be a dream come true to win the Golden Joystick on your first ever game, just being here, among your peers, is more than enough; knowing you’re skilled enough to make a game worthy of being judged among the best is a tremendous honor. Plus, the thought of having to make a speech in front of so many people makes you so nervous, you fear you’ll lose your lunch.

God, you wish your Momma was here. This is the biggest moment in your professional life and having her in the audience would make you feel better.

(We are sure she would give anything to be here for you. Wherever she is, she is no doubt watching this moment with unparalleled anticipation.)

“And last but not least, the game that exploded onto the scene a month ago and made a surprise cameo on the voting polls, Salvage Rights by Gould Games,” the MC announces as your game appears on one screen while you appear on the other, lit up by a spotlight.

You feel your face break out into a blush as the room fills with applause and cheers. To know that so many people hold you and your work in such high regard… it’s humbling to say the least.

You wave back and give them a big smile.

Finally, the room quiets down, allowing the ceremony to continue.

“Ok, everyone, with all the candidates on the board.” The screen on the right of the stage lists all the games and their developers, yours the last on the list. “We opened the polls for all gamers and had a record breaking ten-point-nine million ones this year for the Indie Game of the Year, guys!”

The room once again fills with applause and a girl runs from backstage, delivers him an envelope, and runs off.

“It took the Gala Committee a while to tally the votes, but when all was said and done, it was clear who the winner was.” He opens the envelope and a drumroll plays from the speakers to buildup the moment. As he pulls out the piece of paper inside it, you realize you’re holding your breath and your heart’s stopped due to the anticipation. “The Golden Joystick for Indie Game of the Year goes to…” He looks down at the paper and looks back up. “Salvage Rights by Gould Games!”

Your eyes become wide as saucers as you process the words, your heart resumes beating and your release the breath you’d been holding since the candidates were announced. You then realize you’re bathed in the spotlights as the big screen shows you at your seat; the room fills with applause and cheers, many people near you congratulating you.

You get up and walk to the stage, nodding and clapping hands with many you pass by on your way to claim your award. Finally, you make it on stage and shake hands with the MC, who gives you the Golden Joystick.

(This is the only way this could have ended. You worked tirelessly on your game and did not stop until it was the definition of perfection. You were more worthy than any other for this trophy.)

“Thank you,” you say into the mic, silencing the room. “I just want to thank my fellow game developers, the Committee, and especially the gamers, who gave me the opportunity to be here.” This garners more applause. “I have to say, when I first started working on Salvage Rights, I never in a million years thought I’d be here, in the most prestigious gaming event, receiving the greatest award an indie game can receive, but I guess I was proven wrong.”

The room fills with laughter and you sigh in relief. Good, they seem to be liking your speech.

(As they should. You revised it over a dozen times and practiced it in front of your stuffed toys at least fifty times.)

“When I first got into video games, it was just because I was a kid who was fascinated by being able to play on a DS anytime, anyplace. Now, I’m into video games because they are the new medium of art. Think about it, there are games out there that have stories that would made Shakespeare weep, music worthy of being performed in symphonies, and art styles that should be studied by artists hundred years from now. It’s a medium that transcends all others that have come before it.”

More applause. Good, they like it.

“I first started work on Salvage Rights not long after my fifteenth birthday, nine years to the day that I unfortunately lost my Momma to a drunk driver.” You see many people in the audience take notice at this, clearly not expecting to hear something so tragic. “At the time, I was living in a place that neglected me; from the day I first arrived, I was treated like I didn’t exist and any attempts I made to get their attention was ignored.” Clearly your words resonate with people, because you can see a few people tearing up.

“I had someone there I could rely on, and he made those times more bearable, but he couldn’t get rid of that feeling of loneliness that I had felt for years and all I wanted was for my Momma to walk through that door and take me back home. But no matter how much I hoped and prayed, she never came and my loneliness only got worse with each day.

“My only escape from those days were video games. While in real life, I was a nobody in that house, but I was able to dive into one game where I was a noble hero who was destined to defeat the embodiment of evil, or dive into another game where I tamed the mightiest of beasts and triumph over the strongest of champions, or dive into one game where i could master every life skill possible and bring light to a world facing eternal darkness. It was during those days that I learned that games provided an escape from the confines of reality, if only for a little bit. And that’s when I realized I wanted to create a game that could allow someone to escape reality and become the best version of themselves.”

There’s definitely a couple people on the audience crying at this point.

(You have them eating out of the palm of your hand. Time to reel them in.)

“So, I want to thank each and every one of you, both those in this room and watching across the globe, for giving my game a chance and allowing me to fulfill my dream. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

The room explodes into applause and cheers, even a few whistles. I shake hands with the MC once more walk off stage and cross the room back to your seat, shaking hands and receiving pats on the back the entire time.

(A resounding success,) the Megamycete says as you sit down. (They hung on your every word. After tonight, everyone will know of your talent and many will beg for the opportunity to work on their newest project, offering you the world in exchange for your expertise. As they should.)

“Easy, buddy, you’re gonna give me one hell of an ego at this rate.”

(It is only naturally to think so highly of yourself. Compared to everyone in this room, you are a god.)

The rest of the ceremony features trailers for games releasing in the near future and announcements for new titles, making a note to keep an eye on many of them for you to buy on release or pre-order when they become available.

After the ceremony, you follow the rest of the developers to the Developer’s Lounge, a room that’s lavishly decorated and fully stocked with a wide array of food and drinks being served by a dozen waiters, all of it courtesy of Lex Luthor, who is currently talking to a group of triple-A executives, his bodyguard close behind him; many of your peers and various VIPs are already eating, drinking, and talking with other developers, game journalists (ugh), or their personal guests. You gratefully accept a champagne flute from a passing waiter and make your way around the room, looking around for any sign of Alfred.

“Where is he,” you mutter to yourself, scanning the room.

“Mr. Y/N Gould,” a masculine voice calls out to you, making you turn to the source: a tall, blue eyed man wearing a pair of black framed glasses, a grey jacket over a dark blue tie and light blue button up shirt, navy blue pants, and black loafers.

(We sense a spike in your heart rate. Are you alright?)

Oh, you’re better than alright. Some attractive man knows your name and wants to speak to you.

(You are attracted to this man. This is the first time we have ever experienced infatuation firsthand. We look forward to seeing this interaction unfold.)

“Yes,” you say, managing to find your voice. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”

“Clark Kent, Daily Planet,” the man responds, raising his hand and you accept.

It’s then you notice the feel of something metallic and when you glance at his hand, you see a gold wedding band.

Damn it.

(We grieve the loss of your potential mate.)

Oh well, always lots of fish in the sea.

“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Kent?”

“Yes, the Daily Planet was hoping to write an article on the winner of the winner of the Indie Game of the Year. Is there anyway I can talk you into doing an interview?”

(He can still be of use to you. By doing this interview, he can help you find you a worthy mate.)

Great, now you have sentient mold trying to play matchmaker. Well, at least you’ll be able to get more people interested in your game. The Daily Planet’s the biggest paper in Metropolis and has decent following around the country.

“I hope you can wait a little while for that interview, Kent.”

You freeze at the new voice, a voice you haven’t heard in over four years. You hope that, somehow, you’ve made some huge mistake and it’s not who you think it is. You then realize that the entire room’s gone silent, sans a few whispers, and now all eyes are on you and the newcomer behind you, Clark chief among them.

You realize that your breathing and your heartbeat have ceased, and the pit of anxiety and fear from earlier has returned, but there’s now rage included in that mix; rage you haven’t felt in over four years. Rage that finally went away when you finally escaped Gotham and put it and Wayne Manor in your rearview mirror.

You feel a hand grasp your left shoulder and out of the corner of your eye, see a tall figure come to a stop to your right. You slowly turn your head to fae the figure and look up to see your worst nightmare: Bruce Fucking Wayne looking down at you, his signature fake ass smile adorning his stupid mug and a champagne flute similar to yours in hand.

He’s dressed far too formal for an event about video games, wearing a designer black suit with matching pants that probably cost more than your car. You can dig through all your memories of the man and never find one instance of the man wearing anything casual. And that smile of his, the one he always flashes to his insufferable blue-blooded friends; you want to punch him so hard in the face that every last tooth shatters, but you manage to put a lid on that urge.

If only just barely.

(What is this shameless heathen doing here,) the Megamycete hisses. (The audacity of this creature to show up on the best night of your life and ruin it. You should kill him. Immediately.)

Right now, you’re really tempted to give him the Joker Treatment.

“I’m afraid Y/N and I have much to talk about.”

“Mr. Wayne,” Clark stampers out. “Do you know Mr. Gould?”

“I would say so,” he responds in that fake cheery tone he only reserves for galas and paparazzi, those “honeyed words” so disgustingly sweet and fake it makes you want to vomit. Preferably on him. He tries to pull you closer to him, but you’re able to resist it no problem thanks to the Megamycete. “He’s my son.”

And like that, the crowd around you descends into chaos, many of them loudly talking among themselves while others take out their phones and cameras and begin snapping pictures of the two of you, and so many media types are shouting questions towards you and him.

But all that doesn’t really phase you. Right now, you feel as if the world has crumbled around you and now you’re left free falling in an endless void, doomed to spend the rest of eternity in this sort of purgatory.

You’re frozen where you stand, unable to look anywhere else but at the face of the man you hate with your entire being and as you look into those eyes of his, every single memory of your stay at Wayne Manor flashes before your eyes; you’re overwhelmed by the feelings of sadness, loneliness, pain, and humiliation you were forced to deal with during those twelve long, horrible years. Right now, it takes every bit of restraint and willpower you have to not let all the thoughts you have of ripping this bastard’s head off and kicking it so far that every NFL team in the country would offer you fifty million in advance if you signed on with them become reality.

(You should do it. Kill this man. Teach him the meaning of pain. Let him feel all the pain he and his flock have caused you for years and despair. Make him regret ever taking you for granted.)

Ok, your usual voice of reason is now howling for blood. This does not bold well for you.

“Mr. Wayne,” you finally respond, finding the strength to keep your voice steady and not cause a scene (or at least a bigger one than he has already); you brush his hand off your shoulder, making a mental note to burn these clothes (damn it, you paid good money for these). “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, I’m definitely not your son. Perhaps you’ve had too much to drink? Wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not. You should sit down before you make an even bigger fool of yourself in front of all these people.”

His smile falls and you can see the hurt shine in his eyes for a fraction of a second. He’s an expert at concealing his emotions, so for you to do something like that makes you giddy.

“Y/N,” he pathetically responds as he reaches out to you, but you take a step back. “I am—“

“You’re a sperm donor, nothing more, Mr. Wayne,” you hiss, revealing in the hurt expression that breaks out on his face. It’s probably fake, a stunt to pull for the crowd, but you don’t care. You’ve held all these feelings in for years and now that you have the chance to give this son of a bitch a piece of your mind, you’re taking it. “You’re not my dad and I’m sure as hell not your son!”

“Y/N, I know I wasn’t the best father to you, but—“

You lose it at that. All the abuse and misery and neglect you had to deal with from him and his kids for over ten years, and he has the nerve to say he “knows” anything about how you feel? In a swift motion, you throw your champagne at him, dousing his face in the clear-yellowish drink that quickly pours down his neck and soaks his expensive black jacket.

The crowd gasps at this, but you absolutely couldn’t give a shit. This was to be the best night of your life and he had to go and ruin it by daring to show his hideous face and dare to have a conversation with you. Fuck, he probably took Alfred’s place, so you had no one here to share in your big moment, something that makes you even more pissed off.

Throwing your champagne at him only made your rage burn hotter, demanding to inflict as much pain and suffering on this man that you’ve suffered for years. You quickly close the gap between you two, deliver a harsh right hook to the right side of the man’s jaw and follow up by shoving the man as hard as you can (though still holding back a lot of strength so you don’t reveal what you really are), causing him to topple to the floor, landing on his ass.

At this rate, you don’t really care what people say about you after this, all you care about is hurting him. You look down at the pathetic wretch at your feet and love the look of horror and pain etched on his face, reveling in the terror in his eye and the blood dripping from his closed mouth.

(Yes,) the Megamycete screams. (More. More. Make him hurt. Make him bleed. Make him realize who the superior one is.)

“Someone call an ambulance, this asshole’s gonna need one,” you growl, pouncing towards the man who made you lose the best years of your life, ready to pound his face so hard that they’ll have to rely on fingerprints to identify him.

Just then, you’re caught in mid-air and when you look behind you, it’s Clark, his arms wrapped around your waist in a surprisingly strong grip.

“Mr. Gould,” he says in a tone like he’s trying to soothe a startled animal (which isn’t too far off the mark). “Please, control yourself.”

You don’t want to. In front of you is the man who treated you like shit from the day you two met, making you wish you were in the car when your Momma died so that you never met him. This was suppose to be your night — your moment of triumph — and he had to go and ruin it. And you want nothing more than to put this man in a full body cast, and that’s you being generous.

But when you see the look of total shock on his face, and everyone in the crowd who has the same expression, your rage finally cools down. Not because you feel guilty over what you did to Bruce, you were ready to reduce him to a bloody red paste, but because everyone just saw your absolute worst.

You go slack in Clark’s hold and that’s when he finally lets you go, having to command the mold to reinforce your leg bones to keep you standing because without it, you’re ready to collapse form the burst of energy you just burned through.

“Is there a problem here,” Lex says as he emerges from the crowd, Mercy following close behind. He glances down at Bruce and a ghost of a smirk appears on his face.

“I have an axe to grind with him,” you say, doing your best to even out your voice. “I’m sorry for making a scene.”

“What about pushing Mr. Wayne,” Lex asks, motioning to the man.

“No, that’s something I’m very proud of.”

You can see Bruce flinch at that and it makes you feel good.

“Well, it’s always a pleasure to see Bruce Wayne be taken down a peg,” the man chuckles. He then turns to the rest of the crowd. “Alright, show’s over, everyone. Go back to your own business.”

Slowly but surely, the crowd breaks up and the party resumes, but you can definitely tell many of the media types are still looking at you and Bruce and are no doubt chomping at the bit to talk to either of you, many of them furiously typing on their phones, probably texting their bosses and sending whatever pictures and videos they took.

“Mr. Gould, I’d be honored if you would give me a few minutes of your time.” He extends his arm as if you were a woman. “I have much I’d like to talk with you about.”

You discreetly glance down at Bruce, who looks like he’s ready to do to Lex what you did to him a minute ago. You know that Lex is only doing this to piss off Bruce, his biggest business rival, and is probably using you in hopes of getting some speck of dirt on Bruce and maybe even some Wayne Enterprises secrets.

And god damn it if the thought of that doesn’t make you giddy.

“Of course,” you say in a sweet tone of voice, looping your arm in Lex’s. “The honor would be mine.”

He leads you towards a private area of the lounge and as you pass by Bruce, who’s still on the floor, you glance over at him and give him a dirty look, making it clear that you hate his guts and the next time he tries something like this, you won’t hold back.

You don’t know what Bruce wants and why he’s suddenly showed up after four years of your leaving, but chances are he’s only here to serve his own agenda and you want nothing to do with him or his crazy ass family. You have your own life and are finally happy for the first time in years, and you’ll be damned if you’ll allow all your hard work to be destroyed.

If it comes down to it, you’ll wage war against him and the rest of the Bats.

(Yes, clip their wings. Tear them to shreds. Grind them into powder. Tear down everything that they are and leave nothing behind so they are forgotten by the world.)

Bruce watches as you and Lex wonder off to some desolate corner of the lounge, simultaneously plotting an attack on Lex Corp that will hot Luthor hard and replaying his interaction with you, going through millions of different ways that could’ve gone better. Or at least, not ended with you almost tearing him limb from limb, the only thing saving him was Kent’s intervention.

Ok, maybe approaching you like Brucie Wayne, millionaire playboy philanthropist, was a bad idea, but it was the only way he could think of that wouldn’t scare you off. He really thought that talking to you with his usual charm and bravado would’ve at least given him a chance to talk to you.

All it got him was a look into your temper.

Fuck, the look of pure rage and disgust in your eye the entire time you talked to him. Right now, he just wants to curl up and die, but he also wants to scoop you up into his arms, hug you tightly, and beg for your forgiveness, no matter how much of a fool he made of himself or how much you bite, scratch, and hit him.

It’s then he thinks back on you shoving him and it’s then he realizes it doesn’t make any sense. He’s a solid six-foot-two, way taller than you and while he would never call you weak, you definitely aren’t a bodybuilder, so he should’ve been able to withstand your shove no problem. But he’s been fighting against beings with super strength all his adult life, so he knows the difference between a strong human and a Meta.

But you’re not a Meta, right? He’s spent the last twenty-four hours digging up every piece of information he can on you, your medical records from Southern Hills Hospital being one of the first things he delved into. When you were born, you were a healthy baby boy, no signs of illness and certainly no trace of the Meta Gene. He even has your medical records during your time in Gotham (Alfred being the one to take you to all your appointments because he certainly didn’t do it), and everything points to you being in perfect health.

So, how were you able to shove him like that, a man who goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Bane on a regular basis?

“Are you ok, Bruce,” Clark asks, extending his hand to help him up.

“I’m fine,” he responds, brushing the hand aside and getting up on his own.

“Pardon me if I don’t believe that, I could tell you were shaken up by that.”

If there’s one skill Bruce prides himself on, it’s his ability to conceal his emotions, able to hide his true feelings from anyone and everyone, even from telepaths such as Martian Manhunter.

But seeing how his son, his baby boy, feels about him made him forget his control. Him not being able to hide the pain he felt when you lashed out at him, clearly holding a lot of anger and resentment towards him, was one of the few experiences that has shaken him to his core.

“Mr. Wayne,” Vicky Vale says as she emerge from the crowd and approaches them. “Care to make a statement on what just happened?”

It takes everything he has to not let out a groan. Of course, Vicky Vale is always there whenever some drama happens to either him or his children in public. She had a field day with him when he she asked about his bruises and limp he got last time he fought Killer Croc and he had to play it off as some really kinky sex he and some supermodel had.

“Not now, Vicky,” he responds, leading Clark closer to where you and Lex walked off to. “I have a prior engagement with Mr. Kent here.”

“I didn’t know you had a son before Damian,” Clark whispers as they walk.

“Let’s just say I did everything wrong when it came to him,” he responds back, keeping his voice low. “I found out I screwed up and came here to try to make amends. You know how that ended.”

“I know, we all had front row seats to that. Also, I’ve been listening to his and Lex’s conversation the entire time.”

“What’s that bastard saying to him,” he hisses, pissed off beyond words that snake is talking to you, his baby boy.

“So far, Y/N’s just trash talking you, calling you every name in the book and angry that you ruined his big night.”

Bruce winces at that. He knew it’s Alfred you want here to share in your achievement, but he couldn’t miss this night, not when he’s missed so much of your life. To see you, smiling on stage and acting so humble after wining an award as important as that was absolutely mesmerizing.

Of course, your speech hit him like a freight train. He knew he wasn’t the father you deserved, but to hear you talk about your time with him so poorly was more than he was prepared to handle. Of course you miss your mother and he’s glad you think so highly of her, but is there really nothing he can do to make you reconsider giving him another chance? To give his family another chance?

“Lex is now offering to be a benefactor to Gould Games; Y/N have total creative license on all projects and would be given a massive office in one of Metropolis’ premiere high-rises.”

“In exchange for WE secrets, no doubt.”

The thought of you and Lex working together makes him sick. The man is a snake and wouldn’t hesitate to betray you if it benefitted him in any way. If you need money for your new games, he’d be more than happy to do it! You could be a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises with as large a budget as you want, with your choice of office in Wayne Tower or around Gotham. You’d have all the best computers and software that money could buy and if you need to hire more people, you can choose all the people you want and he’d personally arrange for them to be flown to Gotham, ready to work as soon as possible.

“That’s right,” Clark responds. “Don’t worry, he turned him down. Looks like you won’t be losing nay more money to Lex this year.”

“Y/N doesn’t know anything.”

As sad as it is, that’s the truth; you’d been shut out by all of them that you couldn’t give any of his secrets away. Hell, you don’t even know that you’ve been living with Gotham’s vigilantes.

“He’s been kept in the dark about everything,” he mutters as he looks at you, chatting away with Metropolis’ biggest wannabe.

Maybe he should tell you that he and your siblings are Gotham’s vigilantes? Not that it’s any excuse with how they treated you for yeas, but with any hope, it would make you more understanding on why they were always so busy and at least consider talking with them.

Just then, Clark winces at something Lex just said.

“What,” he snaps.

“Lex just invited him for dinner. And based off his tone, he has more in mind than just business.”

And with that, all he can see is red and he’s filled with rage at the bald bastard.

“Bruce, wait,” Clark calls out as he stops over to where you are.

“Bruce,” Lex says with a smirk as he approaches the both of you. “I hope you’re not looking for another beating from Y/N.”

He looks over to you, your expression clearly indicating you’re visualizing beating the hell out of him right now.

“Of course not, I just wanted to extend an invitation to him for dinner. It’s been forever since we had a father-son dinner.”

“We’ve never had dinner together before,” you snarl.

“His loss, I assure you,” Lex responds, giving you a look that makes Bruce want to punch his lights out.

“Y/N has nothing you want, Lex,” Bruce growls, trying to keep his anger from getting the best of him. “Leave him alone.”

“I disagree, Bruce. Y/N is charming, witty, and a delightful to be around.” He has a twinkle in his eye that makes Bruce even angrier. “He definitely takes after his mother.”

Bruce opens his mouth to spit some insult at the fucker, but you intervene.

“Yes, Momma raised me well,” you say, looking right at him before looking back at Lex. “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Luthor, but I’m afraid I’m heading back home first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe the next time I’m in the area?”

“I’m certainly hoping that will be soon.” He pulls out a card and hands it to you. “My personal phone number and email. The next time you come to Metropolis, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and I’ll see to it you’re afforded every luxury this city has to offer.”

“Thank you,” you responded, taking the card and pocketing it. “I certainly hope to visit again soon. Metropolis is way better than Gotham. Hard to believe that cesspit is its sister city.”

He winces hearing your clear disdain for his city, the home of his family. Your rightful home.

“Indeed,” Lex chuckles. “Gotham is so painfully outdated in every respect it’s almost funny. If I had my way, all of its archaic structures would be torn down and replaced for more modern and aesthetically pleasing replacements.”

“That style is Gotham,” Bruce growls, unable to put up with the disrespect of his city. “Gotham has resembled its current form for over a hundred years now. It’s a reflection of its storied past.”

“A storied past of misery and insanity,” you respond. “Gotham isn’t a place where good people end up. It’s a spiderweb that slowly drains everyone within it of all they have, leaving nothing but empty husks behind. Maybe all of it should be torn down.”

You say the words, but all he hears is his voice. When his parents were killed, he felt the same way about Gotham as you do. It took him years to finally shed his hatred and resentment for the city and see its beauty. As much as you’d probably hate to admit it, you really are his son.

“I’d love to stay and continue this riveting conversation, but I’m afraid I have an appointment across town. He turns to his bodyguard. “Mercy, ready the car.” She nods and leaves. “And Y/N, I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay here in my city. Perhaps you’d allow me the honor of taking you to the airport myself?”

“I’d like that very much, Mr. Luthor,” you say, giving that bastard a smile that makes his blood boil.

“Please, call me Lex.”

“Ok, Lex,” you say with a chuckle.

Oh, he’s going to make Luthor suffer for this. When he gets back to the Batcave, he’s going to plant so many viruses into Luthor’s systems, he’ll spend months recovering a single piece of data.

Finally, the man walks away, leaving you and him alone at last.

“I’ll say this only once, Mr. Wayne,” you say in a tone that shows you mean business. “So listen close: I don’t know what you’re doing here or what you hoped to achieve here, but stay away from me. I’m finally happy for the first time in years and I won’t allow you to fuck it up for me.”

He winces at your words. And the fact that you’re calling him “Mr. Wayne,” like he’s a stranger (though with how he treated you for over ten years, that’s not too far from the truth). He knows that he has no right to be called “dad” or “father,” but you can’t even call him by his name like your siblings do? Do you really hate him that much?

“Y/N, please—“

“Shut the fuck up,” you growl, cutting him off. “This is your only warning: stay away from me. I’m not weak like I was when I was first dragged to Gotham. Keep butting in where you don’t belong and I’ll personally reunite you with your parents.”

You go to walk away, but he grabs you by your shoulder. You quickly snap your head to look at him, your expression so full of hate and disgust. He knows this isn’t helping his case, but he can’t let you leave like this; he needs to keep you here so he can talk to you, to beg you for just a few minutes of your time.

You grab his hand with yours and begin squeezing so hard his hand begins to throb and he has to fight to hide his expression of pain from the crowd.

Not only do you not look you visit the gym, but this type of strength is something beyond what a normal human is capable of. Just what secrets do you have?

He meets your gaze and he has to suppress the fear he feels when looking in your eyes. There’s hate in them, no doubt about that, but there’s something else in them. Something dark. It also doesn’t help that you have his mother’s eyes and seeing them look at him that way cuts him to his core.

You shove his hand away from you and you storm off, ignoring as a dozen journalists come up to you and leaving him to stand there, watching you walk away from him and ignoring the throbbing of his hand.

“You ok,” Clark asks after walking up to him.

“No,” he mutters. He looks down at the camera in the Kryptonian’s hand. “Did you take any pictures of him during the ceremony?”

“Yeah,” the reporter responds, holding it up. “I was in the press section of the audience. I got a couple good shots.”

“Send them to me,” he orders while walking off.

Many reporters try to talk to him, but he doesn’t spare them a second glance. Right now, all that matters is planning his next move. You’ve made it very clear that you resent them for how they treated you while you lived with them and while he understands that perfectly, you need to understand that he’s your father and his children are your siblings.

He’s happy that you’ve made a life for yourself in Nevada and are successful in your career as a video game developer, but you’re a Wayne and all Waynes belong in Gotham, under his roof.

He gets his phone out and tells his children to be ready for a family meeting as soon as he returns in the morning. As much as he wants to find a way to bring you back to the fold on his own, he can’t do it alone. With any luck, your siblings will be able to reach you. Hell, he might have to call on Alfred to help bring you home.

He will uncover everything about you (including whatever what you just did) and when he does, he’ll use that knowledge to make you realize you’re son and your rightful place is by his side, where he can keep an eye on you and shield you from the dangers of this world.

One way or another, you’ll come back to Gotham and when you do, he and you’ll siblings will shower you in the love you deserve. And after that, they’ll throw the biggest gala ever, with you as the centerpiece, and show you off as the most important member of the Wayne Family; all of Gotham elite will climb over one another in hopes of courting you, but he and you siblings will never allow them to come anywhere close to you as you won’t need anyone but them to keep you company.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes or what he has to do, he’ll learn your secrets (as is his birthright) and lead you back to where you belong.

Even if he has to drag you back home by your ankles.

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[vintage1981]

The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee Kickstarts Deluxe Blu-ray Edition

The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee mixes traditional documentary with a dash of fantasy. It is narrated by Christopher Lee himself... in the form of an elaborate marionette, voiced by Peter Serafinowicz. The marionette was custom designed and built by Arch Model Studios, who made all of the puppets for Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs and Asteroid City and Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. 

The film combines new, exclusive interviews with filmmakers, including Peter Jackson, John Landis and Joe Dante, friends and family members with animated flights of fantasy from a wide variety of artists including 2000AD's Simon Coleby, award winning stop-motion animator Astrid Goldsmith and the legendary illustrator Dave McKean who directed, scored and animated a whole chapter of the film himself. 

Spanning eight decades and almost three hundred films, Christopher Lee became famous for his iconic performance as Dracula. But he was so much more than just the Hammer Horror roles he is so fondly remembered for. His career took him from uncredited parts in 1950s swashbucklers with Errol Flynn, through famous performances in 007 and Star Wars films, cult hits like The Wicker Man and The Return of Captain Invincible, right up to a lead role in cinema's biggest event - The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Along the way, he worked with everyone from Orson Welles to Mario Bava, Jess Franco, Tim Burton, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. 

Yet his story is so much richer than just his career. Lee was born into Italian aristocracy, with a military career shrouded in secrecy and kept his private life closely guarded. Some of his ventures and adventures seem highly improbable yet, as the film reveals, he often found himself in unexpected situations - he witnessed the last ever death by guillotine, was cousins with 007 creator Ian Fleming, he met Tolkien, performed with the classic Saturday Night Live line-up, was a friend and neighbour of Boris Karloff, he was the oldest person to ever get on the Billboard music charts (with his own Heavy Metal album), was an expert knife thrower, professional opera singer and a Nazi hunter. And somehow, he also managed to appear in almost 300 films of both the highest and lowest quality imaginable. 

The film is finished and producers Jon Spira and Hank Starrs want to share it with you by producing a top quality Blu-Ray with great extra features and a really amazing LIMITED/NUMBERED EDITION COFFIN-SHAPED BOX SET, full of goodies, which will look killer on the shelf of any discerning cineaste. The jewel in the crown of this box-set will be a 3D 'death mask' of Christopher Lee designed and produced by Arch Model Studio exclusively for this set. They also want to host some screenings - both online and in real cinemas - so we can all experience it together and you can get to meet some of the people behind it.

Making this film has been a fascinating journey - producers excavated the British Film Institute archives where they hold Lee's personal collection of scrapbooks detailing his career in his own hand, been given access to personal photos from the family archive, they met and interviewed his closest friends and family from all over the world and we've worked with some incredible artists, puppeteers, animators, musicians and filmmakers to bring his story to the screen in the most cinematic way. Whether you're a fan of Horror, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings or just cinema history in general, we think you'll be delighted by this revealing and eclectic documentary.

Risks and challenges

The film is fully edited and ready to go. This Kickstarter is to fund the final bits of post-production and the production of a fantastic Blu-ray and deluxe collectors edition box set as we're all still committed to physical media. Please note that all illustrations of rewards are designs/prototype images. The final items might differ - we hope they'll actually be better.

[celeste444spacey]

Fame Manifestation Princess of Pop vaunt ⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

The newest pop girl, multiple grammy awards winner- me. Yes, i brought pop back. True pop music is back again, thanks to me. I am quintessential to 2020s pop. Tell me why i am the luckiest girl ever??? I am the biggest artist in the world right now, i am quite literally the definition of famous. Oh and did i tell you how i am THE it girl? People CANNOT get enough of me. I am the prettiest ever, like literally the most ethereal pretty angelic hot individual to walk on this earth.

I am so so loved, like i have zero haters. Everyone is my fan, even if they say they are not my fan, they are my fan. Everybody loves me. I am the most respected and admired celebrity. I am the top 1 most loved famous people. My music is so so so good that i got even hip hop bros jamming to my songs. I am literally the most loved artist ever. The more fame i gain the more love i gain.

I have the best record label ever. I am signed to <record label you like>. They are so so supportive, they always work in my favor. Sorry but i am my record label's favorite artist and it shows. I am so so preferred in the industry.

I am a fashion icon. I am a brand ambassador of <designer brand>, i am a trend setter. My hair is on point, my fashion sense is just- mwah!- my make up is perfect.

I exude confidence, i am a badass bitch effortlessly, i am perfect. I ooze iconic energy. Even the memes people make of me are just iconic where people just go "god! i love her!".

I am THE performer. Like my stage presence is insane, my performances are so iconic and they live in everybody's minds rent free. Girl even Beyonce herself said that my stage presence is unmatched and it's so powerful.

I am so immune to trolls and haters. I have even trolls reform their ways of living and turn into my biggest fans. Come on! What's not to love about me?

Oh and all my albums and songs are POP BIBLE PERIODT. My songwriting is perfect like i write with a quill of fire, my vocal runs are insane, my songs are just perfect, the productions??? Just mwah! My debut album ended every other debut album ever. My album releases are a worldwide PHENOMENON.

I keep sweeping all these award shows like a goddamn tsunami. My shelf doesn't fit all these awards anymore damn. Every award show red carpet i gotta hold and pose with like 10-15 awards and it's so much work! 😩 But oh well 🤭. And i keep making money like a goddamn money tree.

Oh also! So many other celebs admit on having a crush on me (around your age ofc bb). <Your celebrity crushes> said they liked me. Remember the time i met <celebrity crushes>??? They were like so smitten.

I am so so fucking iconic.

I am THE princess of pop.

[indierpgnewsletter]

Hearts of Wulin does wuxia melodrama so well

Apart from Urban Shadows 2e, I’m also playingHearts of Wulin with some lovely folks. For those who don’t know, Hearts of Wulin is a game of wuxia melodrama. There are a lot of wuxia games out there that are focused on the gravity-defying wirework and the martial techniques (with their ornate names) and sure, that stuff is fun but I have no interest in those games. Hearts of Wulin shines because of that second part – the melodrama.

Melodrama falls in a weird space for me because primarily, it makes me think of the kind of bollywood movie I don’t watch. The movies I avoid like I’m allergic to them. But why do I like it in games?

Melodrama is about grand emotions, simply felt. (Drama is when the emotion isn’t simple, I guess.) It’s about heightened feelings played completely straight, no winking irony. I’m not proud of my how essential that irony is to me – how difficult it is to not be embarrassed by simple emotion – but that sadly is the case.

Hearts of Wulin understands that melodrama is appealing but is hard to sustain. You have a scene of love or vengeance – it’s big, it’s over-the-top but then what happens? Passionate people push towards climactic outcomes. How do you go big but not immediately end the story? Hearts of Wulin has a very simple answer: you run away. Through its move design, it creates a loop where players are constantly wrestling with their big, stupid feelings but before they can say the things that need to be said, the scene ends. This is the key: big emotions, never spoken.

I cannot overstate how fun this loop is. At the start of the game, you entangle yourself with other characters into these fraught situations and then you spend session after session, going right up to the point of resolution and then being pulled back. It’s the same formula behind award-winning Starcrossed.

The interesting thing is that running away can be played seriously or ironically. It might be a poignant retreat or it can be chaotic, panicked fleeing. Regardless, it releases the tension (without eliminating it) and stops the game being one-note. We tend to play it for laughs, mostly. Because it’s very funny. And also, aforementioned fear of emotion.

There’s lots to say about this game including how it has much more empty space than most PbtA games (no moves for everything!) but this is its core genius. I’m putting it alongside Pasion de la Pasiones on the metaphorical shelf for games that are definitely someone’s favourite game waiting to be discovered.

[pettyrevenge-base]

Friends called me a Fake Engineer, I bought their dinner.

My daughter 17, asked me to post this here. And Im the Dad who does as the women in my life tell me, which is how I ended up in a restaurant tonight with snobs. So the characters, my wife, wife’s coworker 1 and her husband arrogant engineer 1(AE1), wife’s coworker 2 and her husband my CPA, and Lastly AE2 and his wife. Each couple has two teenage children with us.

We are at a Japanese steakhouse in America where the chefs cook in front of you. CW1 and AE1 invited all of us for their youngest daughter’s birthday. Since their daughter is close with our daughter. So the parents are at one table and the teens at another. At the teen table my daughters (17 and 14) order sushi appetizers, mocktails, and shrimp with scallops. At our table the Sake is flowing along with a few top shelf drinks. My wife and I order our appetizers, drinks and dinners. We are all paying for ourselves and I see AE1 and AE2 seem to in competition for who can spend the most. My CPA and I chuckle at them and stay out of the fray. Until AE2 hears my daughter order and says to her, “careful now your daddy is only and agricultural engineer. He doesnt make as much as us real engineers.” For context they are structural engineers with Bachelor degrees, Im an agricultural engineer with a PHD. I work for governments, private investors, and several agro corporations. I own my own consulting firm. I help build sustainable reusable gardens. And this work allows me to travel to poorer countries and help them use what they have to start growing their own food. Apparently these men thought All I did was travel to impoverished places and teach people to dig in the dirt. They believed I did all this work for free and therefore made very little money. Im not “rich” by any stretch, but Im comfortable. We dont do extravagance, so we have savings and my wife works. However in 2023 I was awarded a handsome contract to design tower gardens in several states. Its a seven figure contract over three years. Back to dinner These guys ask me about the most ridiculous things. Like “is it good to grow onions and carrots in the same garden?” And were laughing at me and my work until their wives told them to stop. I chalk it up to drunken arrogance and dont even bother to answer. My CPA was laughing so hard he almost fell out of his chair. Apparently, he is AE1’s CPA as well. And knows the ins and outs of both our finances. AE1 taunts CPA to tell the table what he brought home last year after bonuses. CPA pulled up the figures on the phone and tells us. Its about 1/3 of what I brought home in 2023. The CPA says “I have yours up want me to share?” I decline. And he nods. Que another round of taunts. I go to the restroom and find the waiter. I pay for the whole check and leave a generous tip on top of what they added for a big party. After our sobert the waiter thanks me in front of everyone for the tip and wishes everyone a good night. AE1 and AE2 stare at me for a moment. I smile nod and tell CPA to tell them my income last year. After which I simply said goodnight. Petty absolutely, gratifying damn right.

Source: reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge

[ruknowhere]

Approaching Seventy

A spider crawls beneath the screen,

designs a web in the corner and waits

with the patience of a calendar.

This is the end of summer,

scent of decay everywhere in the outside air,

flowers, planted last spring with such

a sense of promise, leaving one by one,

disappearing into the earth.

I think of endings--

final page of a novel

and the characters you've come to love

placed on the shelf,

a wave from a doorway-- those slight

or heavy sadnesses---

friend in Sagaponock the last time I saw her,

waving from the dock as the ferry pulled out

and the wake lengthened between us,

or swells on a stormy crossing,

pine boughs, dark, lifting and falling

in heavy rain, one night of my childhood,

beyond the small stair top bedroom

at my aunt's Vermont inn, as I lay awake--

wood smoke and voices from the lobby below,

a memory of suitcases standing by a farmhouse

front door, milk cans topped with snow, the pale

complexion of my mother who left and didn't return,

memory of lilacs--branches my brother and I used to climb through,

scratching ourselves as we hid from each other--

not long ago, at an airport, we hugged goodbye again--

what I left behind when I moved

to this senior apartment--some feeling of usefulness,

half of my books, most of my clothes.

Sometimes, it feels as if I've said goodbye to everyone.

Through the north window, I watch clouds move off

beyond my vision, and somewhere dissolve into rain.

Patricia Fargnoli of Walpole NH, a former New Hampshire Poet Laureate, is the author of five collections of poetry. Her latest book, Duties of the Spirit (Tupelo Press, 2005) won the Jane Kenyon Literary Award.

[greatbigbellies]

Favorite outfit for someone with a big ol preggo belly? Maybe one with the belly covered and one bare.

I'll do you one better, I'll give you a gradient from covered to bare!

For fully covered, there's nothing cuter than a big dozy sweater. I'm picturing something that was a sea of soft, warm fabric before the wearer was pregnant, but now at full term barely fits. It still covers the tummy completely, but it's stretched, creating this slope from the neck, over the chest, and rounding inward across the bottom hemisphere. Bonus points if you can still see the outie through the thicker fabric, and BONUS bonus points if the wearer hovers their sweater clad bump under a mistletoe, so you have to kiss the tummy.

For peeking belly, it's really sexy when you see someone wearing a maternity graphic tee (the walmart/fast fashion "oh baby", "mama vibes", "hello baby", "baby on board" type fare.) that is, despite being made to cover pregnant bellies, too small for their belly. It rides up constantly, exposing a cheeky sliver of pregnant tummy between the shirt hem and pants waistline. Bonus points again awarded if the pants don't button properly.

For mostly uncovered belly, a high cut shirt or low cut crop top is really delightful. Something that, by design, pregnant or not, is designed to bare the midriff. A pregnant person wearing that is actively choosing to show off that tummy and the confidence is sexy. Maybe it covers some of the top shelf of the tummy, but is clearly supposed to leave a lot exposed. I will once again award bonus points if there are stretchmarks. I fucking love stretchmarks.

For "so uncovered it's basically completely bare but technically there is something there"... fishnets over a pregnant belly are a very rare, very fun treat. It's literally all out to see but something about the extra crisscross pattern and seeing an outie navel poke through the holes is... good shit. Bonus points just for wearing that cause it's so fucking hot.

For fully bare, I've seen some formal dresses that are form fitting, typically kinda mermaid styled, but have selective, intentional empty spaces for skin to show through. Some of these dresses have large circles cut in the front to show the midriff. Some of these dresses end up on someone who is pregnant. Those are special. Anyone wearing a dress like that is going somewhere probably pretty formal, and showing off the bare, pregnant bump, just out, in that setting, in a dress that exemplifies it so much... that's super fucking hot. That confidence is super rare and very attractive. Bonus points if that person is me, because I would kill to rock a fit that fine.

[atplblog]

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[instacrystalusa]

The Elegance of Crystal Corporate Awards: A Timeless Choice

In the world of corporate recognition, the choice of award can make a significant impact. Crystal corporate awards, with their timeless elegance and versatility, have emerged as a popular choice for honoring outstanding achievements. These awards not only convey appreciation but also offer a touch of sophistication that can elevate any corporate event. Among the myriad options available, the square trinket box stands out as a quintessential example of crystal excellence.

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Why Choose Crystal Awards?

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The presentation of an award plays a crucial role in its impact. Crystal awards, with their sparkling clarity and elegant design, naturally command attention and convey a sense of prestige. When paired with thoughtful presentation, such as a beautifully designed box or a formal ceremony, these awards can leave a lasting impression on recipients.

Incorporating a crystal award like the square trinket box into a recognition program not only honors individual achievements but also reinforces the values of excellence and commitment within the organization. It sends a powerful message about the importance of recognizing and celebrating success, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation.

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Recognizing achievements through crystal awards can significantly enhance corporate culture. It shows employees that their efforts are valued and appreciated, which can lead to increased motivation and loyalty. Additionally, the elegance of crystal awards contributes to a sense of pride and accomplishment among recipients, further strengthening their connection to the company.In conclusion, Crystal corporate awards offer a blend of beauty, durability, and personalization that makes them a standout choice for honoring exceptional achievements. The square trinket box exemplifies the refined elegance of crystal awards, making it an excellent option for corporate recognition. By choosing crystal awards, companies not only celebrate individual successes but also reinforce a culture of excellence and appreciation within their organization.

[dollycas]

Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery) by Andrea Penrose #Spotlight / #Giveaway

I am still trying to get my reading back on track and bring #Flashback Friday back. Until then . . . Murder at the Serpentine Bridge: A Riveting New Regency Historical Mystery (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery) Historical Mystery 6th in Series Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Books (September 27, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496732537 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496732538 Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496732545 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496732545 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PJ2LTTW Audiobook ASIN B0B64G6MBH For fans of Bridgerton looking for a mysterious twist on the glittering ballrooms of the Regency—a masterfully plotted story from a USA Today bestselling author that combines engaging protagonists with rich historical detail and international intrigue, plus a touch of romance that readers of Amanda Quick and Deanna Raybourn will savor. Charlotte, now the Countess of Wrexford, would like nothing more than a summer of peace and quiet with her new husband and their unconventional family and friends. Still, some social obligations must be honored, especially with the grand Peace Celebrations unfolding throughout London to honor victory over Napoleon. But when Wrexford and their two young wards, Raven and Hawk, discover a body floating in Hyde Park’s famous lake, that newfound peace looks to be at risk. The late Jeremiah Willis was the engineering genius behind a new design for a top-secret weapon, and the prototype is missing from the Royal Armory’s laboratory. Wrexford is tasked with retrieving it before it falls into the wrong hands. But there are unsettling complications to the case—including a family connection. Soon, old secrets are tangling with new betrayals, and as Charlotte and Wrexford spin through a web of international intrigue and sumptuous parties, they must race against time to save their loved ones from harm—and keep the weapon from igniting a new war . . . About the Author Andrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Andrea Pickens and Cara Elliott. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards. A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks. Find more books by Andrea Penrose HERE.  I am giving away a Paperback Advanced Review Copy of Murder at the Serpentine Bridge! The contest is open to anyone over 18  with a US or Canadian mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries! Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries! Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End August 2, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[3d-crystal-uk]

Celebrating Excellence with 3D Crystal Awards: A Unique Touch in the UK

When it comes to recognizing achievements, 3D crystal awards offer a sophisticated and memorable way to celebrate excellence. These awards are crafted with precision, using advanced laser engraving technology to embed intricate 3D designs within pristine crystal blocks. Perfect for corporate events, academic ceremonies, and personal milestones, 3D crystal awards provide a timeless and elegant keepsake.

In the UK, the demand for 3D crystal awards has surged, with businesses and organizations seeking unique and high-quality awards to honor their top performers. The ability to customize these awards with logos, personalized messages, and detailed images makes them a standout choice. Whether displayed on a desk or shelf, they serve as a constant reminder of hard-earned accomplishments.

Choosing 3D Crystal UK for your award needs ensures superior craftsmanship and a product that truly shines, making your recognition moments unforgettable.

[kinzaa-interior-design]

Top Rated Interior Designers in Mumbai — Kinzaa

Interior designing is not just about arranging furniture or picking out paint colors; it’s about creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. In a bustling city like Mumbai, where space is a premium, the role of interior designers becomes even more crucial. Among the myriad of interior design firms in Mumbai, one name that stands out is Kinzaa.

Importance of Hiring a Professional Interior Designer

Many people underestimate the importance of hiring a professional interior designer. They may think that they can handle the design process on their own or with the help of a contractor. However, professional interior designers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They understand how to maximize space, create cohesive designs, and select the right materials and finishes.

About Kinzaa — A Leading Interior Design Firm in Mumbai

Kinzaa is a renowned interior design firm based in Mumbai, known for its innovative and personalized approach to design. With a team of skilled designers and architects, Kinzaa has been transforming spaces across the city for over a decade.

Services Offered by Kinzaa

Residential Interior Design

Kinzaa specializes in creating luxurious and functional interiors for residential spaces. Whether it’s a cozy apartment or a sprawling villa, they tailor their designs to suit the unique needs and preferences of each client.

Commercial Interior Design

Renovation and Remodeling Services

In addition to new construction projects, Kinzaa also offers renovation and remodeling services. Whether it’s updating an outdated kitchen or giving a facelift to a tired living room, they have the expertise to breathe new life into any space.

Unique Approach to Interior Design

What sets Kinzaa apart from other interior design firms is their unique approach to design. They believe in combining functionality with creativity, ensuring that every space they design not only looks beautiful but also serves its intended purpose.

Portfolio Showcase

To showcase their diverse portfolio, Kinzaa regularly updates their website and social media channels with photos of their latest projects. From modern minimalism to classic elegance, their portfolio reflects the versatility and creativity of their designs.

Client Testimonials

The true measure of a design firm’s success lies in the satisfaction of its clients. Kinzaa takes pride in the glowing testimonials they receive from satisfied clients who rave about their professionalism, attention to detail, and stunning designs.

Awards and Recognitions

Over the years, Kinzaa has garnered numerous awards and recognitions for their outstanding work in the field of interior design. From industry accolades to client nominations, their trophy shelf is a testament to their dedication and expertise.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Pricing and Packages

While the cost of hiring an interior designer can vary depending on the scope of the project, Kinzaa offers competitive pricing and transparent packages. They work closely with their clients to create customized solutions that fit their budget and timeline.

How to Contact Kinzaa

If you’re ready to transform your space with the help of Kinzaa’s expert designers, you can contact them through their website or by phone. Their friendly team will be happy to schedule a consultation and discuss your project in detail.

Conclusion

When it comes to interior design in Mumbai, Kinzaa stands head and shoulders above the rest. With their unparalleled expertise, innovative designs, and commitment to client satisfaction, they have earned their reputation as one of the best interior designers in the city.

[invinciblemediacardiff]

Insights into the Role of a Web Design Company

A business website serves as the digital face of a brand – shaping first impressions for customers discovering products and services online. Though many tools now offer DIY website builders, partnering with an experienced web design company still provides immense value.

Beyond just creating an attractive site, web design firms serve as strategic partners to boost visibility and drive growth.

Crafting an Exceptional User Experience

At its core, a web development company in UK focuses on crafting an intuitive, aesthetically pleasing website aligned with a brand’s positioning. Unlike inexperienced freelancers dabbling in web design, full-service digital agencies bring research-backed best practices to optimize site functionality.

From streamlining navigation menus to balancing engaging copy and images, a cohesive user experience encourages visitors to explore pages and convert to customers. A stellar web design company knows which layouts, color schemes, and calls-to-action work best across desktop and mobile platforms. Custom site designs also allow brands to stand apart from competitors instead of using rigid off-the-shelf templates.

Structuring Sites for Search Engine Success

Beyond great design, a web design company also ensures site architecture and metadata meet technical SEO Company best practices. Short for Search Engine Optimization, SEO remains the top method for brands to get discovered online — making it a web design essential.

Without proper SEO strategies baked into site development, stunning pages might never reach their target audience. Reputable Web Development Company in UK implement tactics like descriptive page titles, effective URLs, schema markup, alt text tagging, and internal linking to help pages rank high in Google and Bing. Integrating an SEO mindset from inception minimizes the need for future website rework.

Driving Quality Traffic That Converts

A great web design company doesn’t just build the website and then disappear. Reputable agencies continue supporting clients with ongoing SEO Services in the UK to boost visibility and analytics to gauge performance.

Custom blog content keeps sites fresh and relevant in search results. Email marketing integrations allow collecting visitor contact info for future outreach. In-depth metrics from Google Analytics identify well-performing pages to replicate and underperforming areas to refine. A reliable web design partner actively helps implement strategies to improve conversions into sales or email newsletter sign-ups.

Delivering Results Through True Partnerships

Rather than handing off a site and then moving to the next project, the best web design firms treat clients like strategic partners invested in long-term growth. They schedule periodic website performance reviews to showcase increasing organic traffic and highlight new e-commerce features or content needing to be added.

Effective Web Development Company in UK also train clients to independently access site analytics, upload fresh blog posts, monitor conversions, and tweak basic SEO settings accessed through the content management system (CMS) dashboard. Empowering brands to manage and maximize their custom website delivers lasting returns on investment.

Choose Invincible Media for Bespoke Website Success

Since years, Invincible Media has helped UK brands boost market visibility through custom web design and development. Their award-winning team leverages decades of combined expertise to create high-performing websites aligned beautifully with client goals.

From aesthetics to user experience and organic search performance, bespoke websites by Invincible Media outpace rigid one-size-fits-all platforms. Through transparent communication and ongoing performance optimization, they empower brands to excel digitally across desktop, mobile, and voice search channels.

Final Take Away

Let Invincible Media’s passionate web design talents facilitate your brand’s customer experience transformation. Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation on crafting results-driven websites that leave competitors behind.

[xpertawards]

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Top-Notch Quality, Every Time

When you pick up a trophy from Xpert Awards, you're getting nothing but the best. Our trophies are made to last, crafted with top-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. They'll look awesome on your shelf for years to come!

Customize Your Trophy, Your Way

Want to add a personal touch to your trophy? No problem! At Xpert Awards, you can customize your trophy however you like. Add your name, a special message, or even your team logo – the choice is yours! Make your trophy truly one-of-a-kind.

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[apn-music]

Kiive Audio's FilkChannel MK2 includes new preamp, EQ and compressor modules

Kiive Audio presents a new version of FilkChannel MK2 with new preamp, EQ and compressor modules.

"FilkChannel might be the best guitar eq of all time! That eq is so bulky and meaty!" JESSE RAY ERNSTER (Grammy Award Winning) The Filkchannel Strip is an analog modeled plugin & is based on some of the best Danner Cassette Modules from the 70's. The Filkchannel Strip MK2 offers a wide variety of tonal options with it's 7 modules.

From light analog warmth on vocals, acoustic guitar & mixbus, to aggressive and gritty tones for in your face drums, bass, and heavy guitars, Filkchannel is your one-stop-shop channel strip! If you own the original version As always, this is a free update to original owners.

What's New in MK2?

- 4 New Modules (two compressors, two preamps, 3 EQs Total) - Drag and Drop Signal Chain - In and Out meters - New GUI - Multiple Sat Types Per Preamp - New Menu and Top Bar - Improved Modeling on Original modules

Below is a description of the preamp, EQ, and compressor modules included in FilkChannel.

Preamps

Pre 1 PRE 1 allows you to take your sounds from either softer/warmer analog tones (set to the left) or you can drive your sounds with aggressive harmonics and distortion (set to the right). In addition, this module has an added trim knob to attenuate the added gain from the input knob. Pre 2 (New) Pre 2 captures the essence of renowned German radio engineering. With 2 saturation modes, it's perfect for adding vintage character to your audio with ease.

Equalizer

EQ I EQ I gives you 3 bands of parametric EQ for complete sonic flexibility. This section also includes a HP and LP filter both ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz. As well as shelf buttons for the high and low frequency bands. EQ II (New) EQ II gives you wider tonal flexibility with it's inductor based midrange, input/output transformers, as well as extremely rare components that make for a super exciting, but controlled equalizer unit. EQ III (New) EQ III is based on an ultra-rare German Broadcast Equalizer. This EQ features a variable mid-band frequency selection, and fixed low and high band positions.

Compressor

COMP I The first compressor allows you to add punch and attack to your tracks with our fixed attack and release opto-style compressor. Use the in and out knobs to adjust the amount of compression and set the ratio using our variable-ratio knob. This section also includes a dry/wet mix knob to dial back the amount of compression being applied. COMP II (New) COMP II features a VCA style compression designed in Germany. It includes Compression and Limiter options that can be independently controlled from each other, making it to be a workhorse for any genre/instrument you're mixing. Detailed information about Filkchannel MK2 can be found on the Kiive Audio website. Read the full article