#weather-triggered payouts

[farmerstrend]

Global Collaboration for Local Impact: How LM Re, Sprout, and Britam are Supporting Kenyan Coffee Growers Against Drought

Liberty Mutual Reinsurance (LM Re) has announced a partnership with Insurtech firm Sprout, Inc and Kenyan financial services company Britam to introduce a new parametric insurance product aimed at protecting Kenyan coffee growers from financial losses caused by drought. This new product, developed through collaboration at the Lloyd’s Lab Launchpad Pitch, is designed to provide swift payouts…

[olaqueenbeeofastrology]

🤔

#WhatToDo

🧶🙀🐱

About 👻 er

🪃💥

📻🤯

Spiritual scamsters #hamster

Current #astrology transits

Indicate #tomerdevorah related fated events

But there is some

🐽

#hogcallin #pigsfly obstacles to weather 1st before this

♓️🗿

📲📴

☕️🐮

A nasty

Throwing the

👩‍🏫📔

At someone else to pay off

🫵👩‍🏫 #karmicdebt

Using #castesystem philosophy

🎓👩‍🎓

Huh?🤔

Brilliant schemes to scam 🫵out of 🤷‍♀️karmic payouts

Someone wrongs 🫵

🫵

Have a #choice

Forgive

Hold grudges

Bear evil resentment being nice or double-faced and multi hooved 🤷‍♀️👩‍🏫💲frivolous #judgments

Someone can’t pay their #karma

Refuses #accountability

Expects 🫵to stick around and #traumabond

Do 🫵stay in this #darknight of the #soul

Or start

🌞

On this home made #mythicalmethod

🪲the little #scarab has great importance in #Egyptian #Khemet Maat

♎️⚖️💳

🪞s

🪩 frivolous claims made against #Divine ⚖️s

ESPecially when 🫵🏽🪞♈️#wisdom🐏bahhhhhh…. #jupiter #ascendant

No

👩‍✈️🛸

No sirree bub

Just #honest blunt #truth equals #money something others will inve💲t in not #unentertaining stale 🤥🤞🍀😉🧳 #energyharvest ing and #carpetbagging 🫵hard earned #goodluck #positivity expressed in #social environments #community

Right now a #doppelganger is going to use this #blogblurb as personal beneficiary “I found God and Jesus” moment to hogwash 🫵and blame it 🥃on too many🍸or 💊s #RickJamesBish yada yada #yod to align

With favorable #astrology

Shouldn’t 🫵🏽do likewise 🦉

Fights drain

Conflict drains

#lowVibe people come in all #patterns

Tech is 👩‍🏫ing others how to #cashcow 🕶️ with #triggers #ghosting #gaslighting emotionally recharge their 🗣️📣🙊🏦🏧

The same people that caused the problem want to cash or sacrifice 🫛or #CallTyrone 🫵🏽

Signifying🙊s

👉📸🫵🏽

Hoe 🫵🏽 out for their #bigpimpin dreams 🌕

#plaids #Scotland #Uranus #kilts

What do 🫵🏽receive for #longsuffering

#dineAndDash outcomes 📡🪐c😇ssiel doesn’t work for 🫵🏽

Sour

🍇

🦊

#Gemini ♊️ rules on #duality and calling out people will apply as #manifestation

Are you lying?

Are you blaming someone for what you did?

Are you playing God?

Are you judging 📖😿with prejudice bias or resentment?

If so #well …. Actually will be applied in #reverse

Because lack of accountability responsibility ➕refusal to evolve aka

#Thelema hypocritical pun

If you truly love them you will truly shine #benevolence #tomerdevorah

But to act as a guide guru public entity in community denis entitlement behavior

Just because 😼 #Schroedinger aka #hypocrisy #selfhatred produces #loathing #martyrdom

😑shows it’s 🌝

[hhtthoughts]

The Role of Public Adjusters in Denver's Insurance Landscape

Denver, Colorado, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is a city of contrasts. Its stunning natural beauty is matched only by its unpredictable weather patterns and unique geographical challenges. From the serene days of summer to the harsh winter storms, Denver residents face a myriad of potential property risks. In this complex environment, public adjusters have emerged as indispensable allies for homeowners and businesses alike, helping navigate the often turbulent waters of insurance claims.

Denver's Unique Challenges

The Mile High City's elevation and location create a perfect storm of potential property hazards:

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations: Denver can experience temperature swings of 40 degrees or more in a single day, putting stress on buildings and infrastructure.

Hailstorms: The Front Range is notorious for its devastating hail, with storms capable of causing millions in damage in minutes.

Wildfires: Urban-wildland interface areas around Denver are increasingly at risk from wildfires, especially during dry seasons.

Snow and Ice: Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can lead to roof collapses, ice dams, and water damage.

Flash Floods: Rapid snowmelt and intense summer thunderstorms can trigger sudden, destructive flooding.

These diverse risks create a complex insurance landscape that many property owners find challenging to navigate alone.

Enter the Public Adjuster

Denver Public adjusters are licensed professionals who advocate for policyholders in insurance claims. Unlike company adjusters who work for the insurer, public adjusters represent the interests of the property owner. In Denver's unique environment, their role has become increasingly crucial.

Expertise in Local Conditions

Denver-based public adjusters possess an intimate understanding of the area's specific challenges. They know how to identify and document damage that might be overlooked by those unfamiliar with local conditions. For instance, they're adept at spotting subtle hail damage on various roofing materials common in Denver, from traditional asphalt shingles to the increasingly popular impact-resistant options.

Navigating Complex Policies

Insurance policies are notoriously complex, filled with industry jargon and exclusions that can be difficult for the average person to decipher. Public adjusters in Denver are well-versed in the nuances of policies common to the area, including specialized coverage for risks like hail damage or wildfire. They help policyholders understand their rights and ensure that all applicable coverage is utilized.

Thorough Documentation and Valuation

One of the most valuable services provided by public adjusters is their meticulous approach to documenting damage. In Denver, where property values have soared in recent years, accurate valuation is crucial. Public adjusters use state-of-the-art technology and their extensive knowledge of local repair and replacement costs to ensure that every aspect of the damage is accounted for and properly valued.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies

Perhaps the most significant advantage of hiring a public adjuster is their ability to level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies. Denver's insurance market is competitive, and companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts. Public adjusters understand these strategies and can counter them effectively, often resulting in substantially higher settlements for their clients.

Time and Stress Management

Dealing with property damage is stressful enough without the added burden of managing an insurance claim. Public adjusters take on this time-consuming process, allowing Denver residents to focus on their daily lives or on recovering from the emotional impact of property loss. This is particularly valuable in cases of major disasters, where the claims process can stretch on for months.

Handling Multi-Faceted Claims

Denver's variable climate can often result in multiple types of damage from a single event. For example, a severe thunderstorm might cause wind damage, hail damage, and water damage from flash flooding. Public adjusters are skilled at handling these complex, multi-faceted claims, ensuring that all aspects of the damage are addressed.

Expediting the Claims Process

Time is often of the essence in property damage claims, especially in Denver's competitive construction market. Delays can lead to increased costs or difficulty in securing reputable contractors. Public adjusters, with their knowledge of the claims process and relationships with local service providers, can often expedite claims, getting their clients back to normal faster.

Contingency-Based Services

Most public adjusters in Denver work on a contingency basis, typically taking a percentage of the final settlement. This arrangement aligns their interests with those of the policyholder and makes their services accessible to those who might not be able to afford an upfront fee, especially after suffering property damage.

Local Network and Resources

Denver-based public adjusters have developed extensive networks within the local community. They can recommend trusted contractors, provide insights on local building codes and regulations, and even assist with temporary housing solutions if needed. This local knowledge is invaluable during the recovery process.

Advocacy in Disputed Claims

In cases where claims are denied or disputed, public adjusters serve as powerful advocates for policyholders. They can help appeal decisions, provide additional evidence to support claims, and in some cases, assist in preparing for legal action if necessary.

The Impact on Denver's Community

The work of public adjusters extends beyond individual claims. By ensuring fair settlements, they help maintain the integrity of Denver's neighborhoods and business districts. Proper restoration and repairs contribute to the overall resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters and other challenges.

Moreover, public adjusters play a role in educating the community about insurance matters. Many offer workshops or informational sessions, helping Denver residents better understand their policies and how to protect their properties.

In Denver's unique and often challenging environment, public adjusters have become essential players in the insurance landscape. Their expertise, advocacy, and local knowledge provide invaluable support to property owners facing the daunting task of navigating an insurance claim. As Denver continues to grow and face new challenges, the role of public adjusters in protecting the interests of policyholders and contributing to the community's resilience is likely to become even more significant.

[businessresearchreportss]

Current Trends in the Property Insurance Market

The property insurance market is undergoing a period of significant transformation. Driven by technological innovation, a changing climate, and evolving customer expectations, several key trends are impacting the way insurance is bought, priced, and delivered.

Buy the Full Report for More Line of Business Insights into the Property Insurance Market

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Here's a closer look at these evolving dynamics:

1. The Rise of InsurTech:

Data-Driven Underwriting: InsurTech companies are leveraging big data analytics to develop more sophisticated risk assessment models. These models consider a wider range of factors beyond traditional credit scores, leading to more personalized pricing and potentially lower premiums for lower-risk individuals.

Telematics and Usage-Based Insurance: This approach, particularly prevalent in auto insurance, uses telematics devices to track driving behavior and offer premiums based on mileage, driving habits, and risk factors. This incentivizes safe driving and rewards responsible customers.

Smart Home Integration: Insurers are exploring partnerships with smart home technology providers. Homes equipped with leak detectors, smart smoke alarms, or other risk mitigation devices could qualify for discounts or lower premiums.

2. The Impact of Climate Change:

Increased Demand for Catastrophe Coverage: The rising frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, and hurricanes are driving demand for catastrophe coverage (cat coverage). This may lead to higher premiums in certain regions, particularly those prone to these natural disasters.

Parametric Insurance Solutions: This emerging approach focuses on pre-defined triggers, such as wind speed exceeding a specific threshold, rather than traditional post-disaster damage assessments. This can expedite payouts after catastrophes, providing faster financial relief to policyholders.

3. Focus on Resilience and Risk Mitigation:

Proactive Risk Management: Insurers are offering incentives for property owners and businesses who take proactive steps to mitigate risk. Installing hurricane shutters, flood barriers, or fire suppression systems could qualify for discounts or other benefits.

Cybersecurity Concerns: With homes and businesses becoming increasingly reliant on smart technology, cyberattacks pose a growing threat. Cybersecurity coverage, either as a standalone product or bundled with property insurance, is becoming more prevalent.

4. Evolving Customer Expectations:

Digitalization and On-Demand Services: Customers expect a seamless digital experience, with the ability to manage policies, file claims, and receive payouts online. Mobile apps and user-friendly online platforms are becoming the norm. Additionally, on-demand insurance options tailored to specific needs, such as short-term rental coverage, may emerge.

Transparency and Risk Communication: Insurers are facing pressure to be more transparent about risk factors and potential premium increases due to climate change or other factors. Effective communication regarding risk profiles and pricing is crucial for building trust with customers.

5. A Shifting Regulatory Landscape:

Regulation of InsurTech: As InsurTech solutions become more sophisticated, regulators are working to establish frameworks that address data privacy concerns and ensure fair competition within the industry.

Flood Insurance Changes: Government involvement in flood insurance programs may evolve, potentially leading to increased costs or reduced availability in high-risk flood zones.

Conclusion:

The property insurance market is no longer static. These trends signal a future where technology plays a central role, risk mitigation becomes a priority, and customer experience takes center stage. By embracing these changes and adapting to a dynamic environment, the insurance industry can deliver innovative solutions and ensure continued relevance in the face of evolving risks.

[bitcofunblog]

Table of ContentsIntegrating Oracles for Enhanced Smart Contract FunctionalityThe Role of Off-Chain Data in Expanding Smart Contract CapabilitiesBest Practices for Secure Oracle Use in Smart Contract DesignConclusion"Empowering Smart Contracts with Real-World Insights: Oracles Bridge the Gap to Off-Chain Data."Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. They run on blockchain networks and are designed to automatically enforce and execute the terms of a contract when certain conditions are met. However, by their very nature, smart contracts are isolated from the external world and cannot access off-chain data or systems directly. This limitation is where oracles come into play. Oracles are third-party services that provide smart contracts with external information, acting as a bridge between blockchains and the outside world. They play a crucial role in expanding the functionality of smart contracts by supplying them with the necessary data to execute transactions based on real-world events and information that is not natively available on the blockchain. The use of oracles and off-chain data enables smart contracts to interact with external APIs, access real-time data feeds (such as price information, weather reports, or stock market data), and integrate with traditional banking systems. This capability is essential for many decentralized applications (dApps) that rely on accurate and timely information from the external world to function correctly, such as those in finance (DeFi), insurance, supply chain management, and various other industries where smart contracts can benefit from real-world data inputs.Integrating Oracles for Enhanced Smart Contract FunctionalityUse of Oracles and Off-Chain Data in Smart Contracts Smart contracts have revolutionized the way we think about executing agreements in a trustless environment. By automating the execution of contracts on the blockchain, they eliminate the need for intermediaries, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency. However, the functionality of smart contracts is inherently limited by their inability to access or verify real-world data independently. This is where oracles come into play, serving as a bridge between the blockchain and the outside world, and thereby significantly expanding the potential applications of smart contracts. Oracles are third-party services that provide smart contracts with external information, which is crucial for many applications that require real-world data to function correctly. For instance, a smart contract for crop insurance would need accurate weather data to determine whether conditions have met the criteria for a payout. Without an oracle, the smart contract would be unable to access this data, rendering it ineffective for its intended purpose. The integration of oracles into smart contracts introduces a new layer of functionality, allowing them to react to external events and execute accordingly. This capability opens up a myriad of possibilities across various industries, including finance, insurance, supply chain management, and more. Oracles can provide data such as price feeds, temperature readings, flight statuses, and even outcomes of sporting events, which can all be used to trigger specific actions within a smart contract. However, the use of oracles also introduces a potential point of vulnerability. Since smart contracts are designed to be trustless and decentralized, relying on an external source for information could compromise these properties if the oracle becomes a single point of failure or is manipulated. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to ensure that the oracles used are reliable and secure. This can be achieved through the use of decentralized oracle networks, where multiple independent sources contribute data, and consensus mechanisms are used to validate the information before it is fed to the smart contract. Moreover, the integration of off-chain data through oracles must be done with precision and care.

The data provided by oracles must be timely, accurate, and tamper-proof to maintain the integrity of the smart contract's execution. Developers must also consider the economic implications of using oracles, as there are often costs associated with accessing high-quality data. These costs must be balanced against the value that the data brings to the smart contract's functionality. In addition to providing data, oracles can also enable smart contracts to send messages and initiate transactions off-chain. This two-way interaction further extends the capabilities of smart contracts, allowing them to communicate with external systems and perform actions that were previously out of reach. For example, a smart contract could automatically restock inventory by placing an order with a supplier once a certain threshold is reached, all without human intervention. The use of oracles and off-chain data is a critical development in the evolution of smart contracts. By incorporating external information, smart contracts can be applied to a broader range of real-world scenarios, making them more useful and relevant. As the technology continues to mature, we can expect to see more sophisticated oracle solutions that enhance the security, reliability, and efficiency of these interactions. The integration of oracles is not just an enhancement; it is a necessary step towards realizing the full potential of smart contracts and their ability to automate and streamline complex processes in a decentralized and trustless manner.The Role of Off-Chain Data in Expanding Smart Contract CapabilitiesThe Role of Off-Chain Data in Expanding Smart Contract Capabilities Smart contracts have revolutionized the way we think about executing agreements in a trustless environment. By automating the execution of contracts on the blockchain, they eliminate the need for intermediaries, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency. However, the functionality of smart contracts is inherently limited by their reliance on the information available on the blockchain. This is where oracles come into play, serving as a bridge between the blockchain and the outside world, and thereby significantly expanding the capabilities of smart contracts. Oracles are third-party services that provide smart contracts with access to off-chain data, which is data that resides outside the blockchain. This data can include anything from price feeds and weather information to the outcome of a sporting event or the status of a flight. By integrating off-chain data, smart contracts can react to real-world events and execute accordingly, making them more dynamic and applicable to a broader range of use cases. The use of oracles introduces a new layer of functionality to smart contracts, allowing them to interact with external systems and make decisions based on data that is not inherently part of the blockchain. For instance, in the case of a decentralized insurance platform, a smart contract might need to know if a certain event, such as a natural disaster, has occurred to determine whether to release funds to policyholders. An oracle would be responsible for providing this information, ensuring that the smart contract has the necessary data to execute its terms accurately. However, the integration of off-chain data via oracles also introduces potential challenges, particularly concerning security and trust. Since oracles are external to the blockchain, they can become points of vulnerability, potentially exposing smart contracts to manipulation or errors in data reporting. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to implement robust mechanisms for data verification and to use multiple oracles for redundancy, ensuring that the smart contract does not rely on a single source of information. Moreover, the design of oracles must be carefully considered to maintain the decentralized nature of smart contracts. Decentralized oracles, which aggregate data from various sources and employ consensus

mechanisms to validate information, can help preserve the trustless environment by reducing reliance on any single point of failure. This approach aligns with the ethos of blockchain technology, where decentralization is a key tenet. The integration of off-chain data through oracles is not just a technical enhancement; it has profound implications for the potential applications of smart contracts. With the ability to interact with the external world, smart contracts can be used in complex financial instruments, supply chain management, and even governance systems. They can automate processes that were previously thought to be beyond the reach of blockchain technology, creating opportunities for innovation and disruption across various industries. In conclusion, the use of oracles and off-chain data is a critical development in the evolution of smart contracts. By enabling these digital agreements to access and respond to real-world information, oracles unlock new possibilities and use cases, extending the utility of blockchain technology far beyond its original scope. As the ecosystem continues to mature, the focus on creating secure, reliable, and decentralized oracle solutions will be paramount in ensuring that smart contracts can safely and effectively harness the power of off-chain data. This ongoing development will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future landscape of decentralized applications and the broader blockchain industry.Best Practices for Secure Oracle Use in Smart Contract DesignUse of Oracles and Off-Chain Data in Smart Contracts Smart contracts have revolutionized the way we think about executing agreements in a trustless environment. By automating transactions and other contractual obligations based on predefined rules, they eliminate the need for intermediaries. However, smart contracts inherently operate on the blockchain and are limited to the data available on-chain. This is where oracles come into play, serving as a bridge between the blockchain and the outside world. Oracles provide smart contracts with access to off-chain data, which is crucial for many applications, such as those in finance, insurance, and supply chain management. Nevertheless, the integration of oracles introduces new security considerations that must be addressed to maintain the integrity of smart contracts. To ensure secure oracle use in smart contract design, it is essential to understand the types of oracles and the risks associated with them. Oracles can be software-based, fetching data from online sources, or hardware-based, receiving input from the physical world. Both types can be centralized, relying on a single source for data, or decentralized, aggregating data from multiple sources. Centralized oracles, while simpler and potentially more efficient, pose a significant risk as they introduce a single point of failure. Decentralized oracles, on the other hand, offer more security by distributing trust among various data points, but they can be more complex and costly to implement. When incorporating oracles into smart contracts, developers must consider the source of the data. It is crucial to use reputable and reliable data providers with a proven track record of accuracy and uptime. The data source should be resistant to manipulation to prevent any potential tampering that could trigger incorrect contract execution. Additionally, the method of data transmission must be secure to prevent interception or alteration of the data before it reaches the smart contract. Another best practice is to implement fail-safes and fallback mechanisms within the smart contract. These can include conditions that freeze contract execution if the data received is outside of certain parameters, indicating a possible compromise. Moreover, contracts can be designed to require multiple confirmations of data before taking action, adding an extra layer of security. The use of consensus mechanisms among oracles can further enhance security.

By requiring a majority of oracles to agree on the data before it is accepted by the smart contract, the risk of incorrect or malicious data affecting the contract's outcome is reduced. This approach is particularly effective in decentralized oracle networks. Transparency is also key in the use of oracles. Smart contract developers should ensure that the process of data retrieval, transmission, and processing is transparent and verifiable by all parties involved. This transparency helps build trust in the oracle system and allows for easier identification and resolution of any issues that may arise. Finally, regular audits and monitoring of both the smart contract and the oracle system are essential. Audits by third-party security firms can uncover potential vulnerabilities, while continuous monitoring can detect anomalies in real-time, allowing for swift response to any threats. In conclusion, while oracles are indispensable for bringing external data into smart contracts, their integration must be handled with utmost care to maintain security. By carefully selecting data sources, implementing robust fail-safes, utilizing consensus mechanisms, ensuring transparency, and conducting regular audits and monitoring, developers can mitigate the risks associated with oracles. These best practices are not just recommendations but necessities for anyone looking to leverage the full potential of smart contracts in a secure and reliable manner.ConclusionConclusion: The use of oracles and off-chain data in smart contracts is a critical innovation that enables blockchain-based applications to interact with external information, thereby expanding their functionality beyond the deterministic and closed environment of a blockchain. Oracles act as bridges between blockchains and the outside world, allowing smart contracts to execute based on real-world events and data. This integration is essential for many decentralized applications (dApps) that require accurate and timely information from the external world to operate effectively, such as in the cases of decentralized finance (DeFi), insurance, supply chain management, and prediction markets. However, the reliance on oracles also introduces potential points of vulnerability and centralization, as the trustworthiness and security of the smart contract now depend on the oracle's ability to provide accurate and tamper-proof data. Therefore, the development of decentralized oracle networks and trust-minimized mechanisms for off-chain data retrieval is crucial to ensure the reliability, security, and overall success of smart contracts that depend on external data.

[swerine]

The Ultimate Slot Gacor Handbook for Gamblers

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Scatter symbols absolutely are a special image during slots which will induce high quality future affiliate payouts. These kinds of symbols usually visible on virtually all fly fishing reels and will produce captures no matter if or not satisfying you they're just on your spend path. This feature makes it easier for port game enthusiasts to help gain great cash incentives as well as better their gambling practical knowledge. Any appeal regarding slot gacor hari ini is centered on your awareness that hot weather offers more typical payment odds versus a few other online slots. Although this understanding isn't supported by methodical evidence, it provides triggered a good solid frenzy among golfers in search of reliable wins. However, members needs to be attentive and also deal with their very own bank roll properly avoiding the loss of money. Plus, members needs to behavior careful basic research and opt for effective online casinos playing slot gacor.

Should you’re trying to find a method supercharge your internet gambling know-how, bonus offer shots are definitely the perfect formula. These kinds of mini-games is often stimulated through a variety of combos and they are produced to increase a component of delight for a gameplay adventure. Like expand the payout likely of the online slot performance. Also, slot gacor online sites give varied payments opportunities, driving them to be available for competitors of any age along with financial constraints. Aside from that, they supply exceptional customer service, making certain ones games experience is certainly simultaneously pleasure not to mention risk-free. Anytime you’re prepared to examine this thrilling life of slots, enroll at your account which includes a reliable slot gacor web-site right away! In addition to enjoy!

Any time trying to play slot gacor flash games, it’s crucial that you go with a reliable operating system and utilize in charge bank roll operations. Such practitioners can help you improve your potential for successful blotches avoiding trying out profits / losses. Moreover, it’s advocated to enjoy spots which has a wide range of topics regularly. A number of slot gacor hari ini matches feature gradual jackpots which might payout millions of dollars. Sensible Have fun slot machine, including, include network-wide jackpots that will treat golfers through life-changing volumes of hard earned cash. They likewise have superior RTP interest rates plus numerous small to medium sized is awarded that will aid an individual boost their bank roll. These factors create them preferred by gamers.

[prasannareddy]

Simplifying Insurance: A Deep Dive into Parametric Coverage

In a world where risks and uncertainties are an inherent part of life, the insurance industry has continuously evolved to provide innovative solutions that offer peace of mind and financial protection. One such innovation is parametric insurance, a unique approach that simplifies the claims process and provides rapid payouts in the face of predefined, quantifiable events. In this article, we will delve into the concept of parametric insurance, how it works, its advantages, and its growing relevance in today's dynamic world.

Understanding Parametric Insurance

Parametric insurance, often referred to as index-based or event-based insurance, differs significantly from traditional insurance. While conventional insurance typically reimburses policyholders for losses incurred, parametric insurance focuses on specific, measurable parameters or triggers that determine policy payouts. These parameters are typically related to natural disasters, weather events, or other predefined perils.

Download Sample@ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15335

How Parametric Insurance Works

Selection of Parameters: The first step in setting up parametric insurance is the selection of relevant parameters. These parameters could include wind speed, rainfall, seismic activity, temperature, or any other quantifiable data that can be reliably measured.

Data Sources: To assess these parameters, insurers rely on trusted data sources such as meteorological agencies, seismic monitoring systems, or other specialized data providers.

Thresholds and Triggers: Specific thresholds are established based on historical data and statistical analysis. When an event exceeds these predetermined thresholds, the policy is triggered, and the payout is initiated.

Rapid Payouts: One of the key advantages of parametric insurance is the speed of payouts. Since the parameters and triggers are predefined, claims can be processed and paid out swiftly, often within days or even hours after the event.

Advantages of Parametric Insurance

Faster Payouts: Traditional insurance claims often require time-consuming assessments and negotiations. Parametric insurance cuts through this bureaucracy, providing quick payouts when the predefined triggers are met.

Reduced Moral Hazard: Parametric insurance reduces the risk of moral hazard because policyholders cannot exaggerate or falsify claims. Payouts are tied to objective, measurable data.

Customization: Parametric insurance can be tailored to meet specific needs, allowing policyholders to select parameters and triggers that align with their unique risks and exposures.

Coverage Gaps Filled: This insurance type can fill gaps in coverage for risks that are difficult to insure conventionally, such as crop losses due to adverse weather conditions.

Predictable Costs: Policyholders have a clear understanding of when a payout will occur and how much it will be, making it easier to plan for potential losses.

Applications of Parametric Insurance

Natural Disasters: Parametric insurance is frequently used to protect against natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, where the parameters are based on the severity of the event.

Agriculture: Farmers can use parametric insurance to protect their crops against adverse weather conditions, with parameters tied to rainfall levels or temperature thresholds.

Travel: Travelers can purchase parametric insurance to cover trip cancellations or delays due to specific events, such as hurricanes affecting their destination.

Energy Sector: The energy industry often uses parametric insurance to hedge against revenue losses caused by fluctuations in wind or solar power generation.

Related Links:

Insurance Third Party Administrator Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/insurance-third-party-administrator-market-A12542  Blockchain in Insurance Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/blockchain-in-insurance-market-A11767  Umbrella Insurance Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/umbrella-insurance-market-A14761  Liability Insurance Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/liability-insurance-market-A15352 

[amginvest]

Introduction of UPI to the emergence of innovative new products

From the introduction of UPI to the emergence of innovative new products, the Indian personal finance space is evolving at a rapid pace

Absolutely, the Indian personal finance landscape has indeed witnessed significant transformations in recent years, with the introduction of various technological advancements and innovative financial products. From the advent of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to the emergence of fintech startups and digital banking solutions, these changes are reshaping the way individuals manage and interact with their finances.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI has revolutionized the way people make transactions in India. UPI enables seamless and instant money transfers between bank accounts through mobile devices. This system has democratized digital payments, making it accessible to a wide range of users and contributing to the growth of the digital economy.

Digital Banking and Fintech: The rise of fintech startups has brought innovative financial products and services to the fingertips of Indian consumers. Mobile banking apps, digital wallets, investment platforms, and robo-advisors have made managing money, investments, and savings more convenient and efficient. These solutions cater to the evolving preferences of tech-savvy consumers.

Digital Lending and Credit: Online lending platforms have simplified the process of availing personal loans and credit for individuals. These platforms use advanced algorithms to assess creditworthiness, enabling faster loan approvals and disbursements. This has expanded access to credit for a broader spectrum of consumers.

Investment Innovations: The availability of investment platforms, both traditional and robo-advisory, has empowered individuals to explore a range of investment options, from stocks and mutual funds to fixed deposits and government bonds. These platforms often provide educational resources and tools to assist users in making informed investment decisions.

Insurance Technology (Insurtech): Insurtech startups have disrupted the insurance industry by offering user-friendly platforms for purchasing and managing insurance policies. Additionally, parametric insurance products, which provide payouts based on predefined triggers like weather conditions, have gained traction, especially in agricultural and weather-related sectors.

Financial Inclusion and Rural Expansion: The digital revolution has extended its reach to rural areas, with the introduction of simplified mobile banking and payment solutions. These initiatives have played a crucial role in enhancing financial literacy and inclusion, bringing banking services to previously underserved populations.

Regulatory Changes and Consumer Protection: Regulatory authorities have also been adapting to the changing landscape. Regulations like open banking and data protection measures are being introduced to ensure consumer data security and foster competition and innovation in the financial sector.

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[amandlas]

almost gone (in these little moments get your cards out)

tfota | jude x cardan, she doesn’t come back au, no smut, hurtful and punishable tbh (ao3)

entry to jurdan week 2020 by @jurdannet - day 7: wild card! a what-if au had jude tried to make a new life in maine (don’t worry, cardan shows up). heaps of angst. little payout. sorry in advance. trigger warnings: violence, guns, shooting, and death mention.

[canon divergence from twk ending. title from “lay your cards out” by poliça]

*

gone. she’s gone. avulsed from her land, never hers, and her lover, never loved. the mortal world welcomes her with wide arms, arms that are shorter than she remembers, a little less homely, much less magical. after all, how can the ordinariness of television, powder tea, and surround sound compare to the true magic of faerieland?

vivi says it will be well. of course she does. why wouldn’t she, with her strong blood and pointed ears.

jude stares and stares at the tv. at the window. at the door. she’s not so stupid as to believe it will allay her want, but like programming, she follows the routine nonetheless.

*

two months. oak is recalcitrant to her teachings. vivi is buoyant in her obliviousness. they do not see her. she cannot see herself. the closest thing she has to a mirror is miles away, attending a new husband and parading with stars dangling from rounded ears. if taryn were to come, jude thinks she wouldn’t recognize either of them.

*

she is ashamed to watch her pillowcase blotted with tear stains at nightfall.

it’s more embarrassing than waking up the first time to menstrual blood staining her sheets, two stories up in madoc’s estate, knowing not what it meant or what to do.

jude duarte avoids as superfluous emotions as sadness or hopelessness. being a mortal in faerie, those sentiments would wash her out of focus, riddle her with doubt, and with a certainty would so far as kill her.

but, she thinks, i am not in faerie anymore. i am no longer in a place where blood is a better find than tears. where eyes are dry and swords are sated by throats and bellies.

perhaps in her native world it is safer. that’s what jude wanted this whole time, was it not? safety. if she were meant to feel relief, she should feel it now.

survival feels wet against her cheek.

*

he keeps slugging his damn arms. jude tugs oak roughly to her, fixing his stance, and urges him to strike.

“will i still be king someday?”

as per usual, he tries deflection to talk out of a combat lesson. jude is unmoved. “yes.”

“are you sure?”

she shifts her weight to her other leg. “there is no other way.” his form is poor. she identifies his weaker side and rounds slowly to it. “the crown answers to blood. raise your elbow higher. protect your face.”

oak listens for once. his voice is shrill still. “so there is no one else?”

of course there’s someone else. another bearer of the crown, another royal to lead their nation. but jude grits her teeth and resorts to her best asset: lying. “no. no one else.”

her little brother pauses, their lesson half-present in his mind. intrigued, she watches the scrunch of his brows as he formulates a thought. “unless cardan has a child. then there would be another.”

if he sees her freeze, he doesn’t mention it. the scenario turns her thoughts errant, threatens her with a conniption. some sick part of her wishes to linger on the possibility, but with oak before her and posed to fight, she cannot allow herself that masochism.

oak stands expectant, his arm growing weary and slouching. the least she can do is not lie.

“i suppose.”

he remembers none of the stance the next evening.

*

“no word from dad. taryn either.”

jude lifts her face to catch vivi rummaging through envelopes of mail. “what, were you expecting miracles? a shift in the weather?” she scoffs, coming back to her task. counting money. hard-earned cash from late shifts of all services and flavors. espionage, theft, the occasional sparring match. the underground fae crime ring taints the soul, but it pays in fifties.

vivi interrupts her quick fingers. “he liked you best, you know. dad always gave more of himself to you than to me or taryn.” she notices her brother sitting at the couch, leans in to rumple his hair. “or oak.”

jude shoots vivi a cruel look, an exasperated look. “what good that did to me.”

her sister’s eyes are fierce as a growling cat where they pin her in place. “quite some good, your highness.”

jude does a fucking great job at not screaming.

*

she hates to think of the name.

what could his true name be, she wonders? if she commanded it, before the brokering of their epically failed marriage for his release, jude asks herself if he’d given it. if he’d hated her that much more.

her mind swirls with reminders of midnight black eyes, of fingers against her lips and the abstruse feeling of possession by another being.

she won’t think of it. she won’t dream of it. she won’t aerate the two syllables in a whisper of dark sky. she certainly won’t be pelted with the scariest word, the four letters she refused since childhood to allow a place in her. the word that died with a blade on its back as it ran to the kitchen. the word that meant a certain foolishness, a certain danger. she won’t. it’s her new mantra: she won’t, she won’t, she won’t.

falsehoods have always been her strongest asset.

*

“we shouldn’t be watching this shit,” heather sighs between mouthfuls of red licorice.

they’re leaning on the couch, lined up like soldiers catching their breath amidst pilgrimage to battle. the television blares high. jude notices heather has shifted her free hand to cover oak’s eyes.

she inspects the playing show more closely. one second there’s a wide shot of scenery, familiar in its medieval setting, and the next there’s a person. a striking young woman with silver hair like new iron falling in tresses across pale shoulders.

the figure is so intimate it nearly makes jude jump. “a princess,” she murmurs.

heather shakes her head. “no. oh no. well, sorta.” oak squirms in her hand, breaking free of her hold, to which she sighs and acquiesces. “sure, i guess, but more than that. it’s complicated.”

from her place next to oak, jude nods. “royals tend to be.”

her sister’s lover, or ex lover (certainly an ex something), barrels on. she uses hand gestures to further her explaining. “her father was the mad king, but she was only a baby when he got dethroned. she was exiled from her home, far across the sea. then she married a powerful man, leader of a tribe, and sorta grew into herself. after he died, his rivals and his people tried to disbar her. turns out she had more in her arsenal than was believed.” heather wags her eyebrows at the show.

jude couldn’t be more confused until a huge, black winged creature crosses the screen. “are those…”

“yup,” heather confirms. “the mother of beasts. and her husband’s people, they followed her. even though he was gone, and was their real ruler, and it was unacceptable that she rule on the basis of who she was, they still accepted her as leader.”

jude stiffens. “really.”

they made it seem so close, so easy to reach. the princess-who-wasn’t-a-princess straightens her spine, amplifies her voice. when she speaks, people heed.

heather slices her reverie. “because she has magic.” she points to the overflying monsters. “badass.”

ah. because. she. has. magic.

a non-magic girl slouches back in her non-magic couch, watching a non-magic box, consumed by baneful imaginings.

*

unprepossessing. that is what they called her. ugly, if wine or fury loosened their vocabulary. how had i let someone who called me that touch me at the collarbones? kiss my throat? call me his sweet villain? jude has no answer. she replays and loops the plethora of adjectives her dear husband and company had called her. wormfood. unsightly. repellent. direful. unbecoming. synonyms alike to the same derivative, final word.

mortal.

the circle of worms, she and taryn. daughter of dirt.

she wishes she were nobody’s daughter.

*

it takes her three nights after that to realize now she really is nobody’s daughter.

*

her exile hits the half year.

*

bride of faerieland. the mortal queen.

a fugacious dream, she finalizes. no more than a fleeting child’s wish. had she remained at home, no, in faerie , she’d never have been queen. not without the people’s approval and not with her mortality. a hollow crown, a fool’s wreath.

she cements it into her brain, sears it to memory. she never. would. have been. a true. queen.

oh, but what a vision they would’ve been. jude, stiff boned with graying hair, and cardan beside her, youthful as ever and tethered to her with ball and chain. unescapable. a fresh minted prison for him. he’d be gagged to ask for her kisses, much less beg for them. when her skin sagged and time plundered her heart, how quick he’d be to run from her. a bat out of hell.

when it processes that she’s thought of his name, written it to existence in the myriad of her thoughts, she breaks into a cold sweat.

*

she won’t call her exile a blessing. there’s many descriptors for the singular event that redefined the last leg of her fleeting teenage life, and blessing won’t cut it. recently, however, jude has had the chance to add timely to the list.

jude kills a troll. he’d been preying on humans the same time as her abscond to the human realm. this particular troll began his horror streak after developing a taste for the helpless glaze in their eyes at final moments before teeth sunk into shoulders, the way they rolled back or if the occasion came up that the eyelids would fall crookedly. the funny look of a drugged, passed out, mindless loon. except these were dead loons, victims to the desire of a beast. these humans had been lured into the abandoned subway tunnel, but jude had strolled there all on her own.

“that bitch carries the devil,” commented one of the fae. gathered in a ring, stealing glimpses of her over their shoulders.

waiting for her pay, jude kicked the tip of her boot into the solid ground, arms crossed. “that bitch can hear. i may not have fae hearing, but i’d abstain from testing me were i in your shoes.”

the fae she had spoken to was of the sea, and was barefoot. irony not lost on her.

sooner than expected, jude duarte developed a reputation. successful runs, frightening recounts of what she did to earn her money, it swiveled up and circled around her like a tornado. some fae considered testing if the legend was bigger than the person, and some fae had lost the use of a limb. she knew she’d been strong before, but this new world taught her what an unstoppable force she was. had always been.

they give her a nickname. fearful of evoking the name given to her at birth, though being human it had no effect on her. still, shadows shivered at her wake, watching, consuming jude duarte’s trail of defeated foes. in the damp, cold streets of maine, in a world she long since had cut true tethers from, she’s reborn as the wrath.

in her mind, somewhere in the bowels of the elfhame palace, the court of shadows laugh up a storm.

*

oak grows less querulous and more capitulant to his role. jude in turn decides to do the same with her old-but-now-new home amidst mortals.

she watches tv. repaints her bike. buys new clothes. eats toasted waffles with peanut butter and honey.

when heather mentions a museum across town, jude no longer stares at her blankly. she doesn’t fumble or grasp for words. her foot’s planted on the ground, steady and strengthening.

she becomes inclined to music. an old trait, now in a new ambient. vivi glamours money to grant her a gift, a small excuse to cheer her up. the gadget fits most of her hand, sensitive to her tact and bright during the darker hours. heather hauls her laptop once in a while to upload new songs onto it, teaching jude how to sift through the list.

music player in her hand, jude sheepishly assembles a queue of songs that she likes. tunes that have replaced bards in taverns or notes plucked from lutes.

an aggressive song by a vexed wife goes first, the one with words that hit jude harsher than she wants to admit, the title saying not to hurt yourself. another one called once upon a time. a wedding song turned rock, a “strong electric guitar” according to heather, the singer belting about being loved tenderly. paint it, black by the stones that roll. where once her fingers would’ve stumbled over the gadget’s buttons, today she masters with ease.

the stunted child, the wraith of a human girl she once was rears her head in jude’s dreams. she gains color with each passing day.

*

by the time her exile hits eight months, jude begins the transition. she intends it to life, gives it air to breath.

i, jude duarte, will be happy in the mortal world.

she wills herself to change on a molecular level. when the desire of faerieland hightails back, she slams it to the back of her mind. she transforms the pain into power, into will. the scar left behind from her banishment becomes fuel for her new life. for the transformation into who jude could truly be in this wide, marvelous, enormous human world.

they don’t want you. they have not once wanted you.

he doesn’t want you. not like you do him.

he

doesn’t

want

you.

move on, she begs herself. move on. move on. move on. stop chasing after ghosts.

*

the wrath is elbow deep in a goblin’s guts. he swindled bryern a bagful of gold coin. it came down to her to rescue it back, and assure the impediment of a repetition. that’s when she met her.

“hnnnnggg…” moans a figure across the room.

jude ignored the drugged out junkies on her way in, leaving them in the back burner while working through the bulk of her job. but the turncloak goblin is dead, and was that noisy mound moving?

“help…” she hears.

jude rarely considers herself so altruistic. but the meekness of the plea pulls her across the room, tugs her legs to the sprawled person.

human. a girl, dirty blue hair all too reminiscent of nicasia, but not so polished as to pass for a sea princess. no, this girl appeared on the edge of a precipice, thin coat of sweat across her body.

“more,” the girl begs.

like clockwork. jude squats down to get closer. “want me to get you out of here?”

weakly, the girl nods. “she’ll find me.”

“what’s your name?”

the stranger smacks her lips, eyes rolling in her head. “lolli.”

lolli turned out to be an easy haul but a terrible map. jude exasperatedly dragged her through alleys and corners, hearing the laments of her companion through the journey. lolli got sidetracked from her ride-or-dies, see, shot up a bit too much powder - something she called never - and had an urgent need to return to the clan.

jude’s self-preservation rang high when she knocked on the selected door and met a fae two heads taller than she. his red skin shone bright in the doorway, his glamour invisible to jude’s geas.

“thank you for bringing pop back to us. i’m qylin” he says across from jude, having invited her in and given her a once-over. “uh, you mortal?”

she’s declined a drink, but accepted a chair. “as they come.”

qylin moves closer. “and you took out melbor? pop’s supplier?”

“is pop meant to be lolli?”

“her full name’s lollipop.”

“oh. i see.” a red flush runs across her face. “melbor huh? didn’t catch his name. i did catch both his kidneys though.”

qylin whistles.  “damn. a mortal.” he pronounces it with wonder. nothing like she’s used to. it falls with disbelief in her ears.

“that’s quite a might you got in you. here.” in an outstretched hand, jude finds a tiny acorn that no doubt has a message inside it. “if you ever quit meandering for coin and want to run with the real wolves, i’ll answer.”

wolf. she’d been a girl and she’d been a mortal. then she’d been wormfood and after that she’d been a queen. couldn’t say jude once considered herself a wolf, or imagined running with them. then again, she had become so many things far from her imagination.

the ward. the mortal. the queen. the wrath. her list of faces ran endless, each mask pressing heavier and heavier on her fragile composition.

*

in the beginning, vivi congratulated her like a preschooler with a trophy. “look at you, making an effort. i told you home wasn’t so bad.”

months later they’ve turned to “you are too far out” accompanied by the tapping of her foot, a face riddled by concern. “you’re jumping into danger again.”

vivi didn’t know how jude missed being afraid.

*

if she dreams of cardan, the sting pulls her awake and breathless into the chirping crickets of the dark hours.

*

ninth month. her exile is a baby somewhere, born and breathing. a marking reminder of her incipient rule cut short.

jude duarte makes a decision. she steps outside of the girl she used to be, the teenager latched to a world that had not once been hers.

the acorn is light in her hands. she splits it open, unrolling the paper inside, and when she sees the address and phone number it takes her a total of eighteen minutes to pack.

*

saying goodbye without telling them it’s goodbye cracks a new wound in her already shattering heart.

*

oak thinks she’s going to the gym. vivi thinks she’s babysitting oak. heather might’ve had a clue, but she kept silent while jude hugged her, muttering a quick thanks for watching her brother while vivi came from the post office.

it appears, after years, she’d learned to say farewell to all things that were close to her.

*

qylin refrained from asking questions, just as jude liked it. she watched, studied, learned, kept to her rank while scheming for more. the room and cot qylin offers is as home as any she’s had.

*

when she urged cardan to inveigle the princess of the undersea, it led them to a hidden alcove draped with vines, to a couch where she’d bared more of jude duarte than she had in her entire life. the memory is both a memory and the dream that recurs most in her sleep. their tryst, their unculminated tumble, their fumbled connection, whatever people would want to call it. in her sickest hours, jude allowed herself to think of it with a tender gaze, with a pink shiny filter, with the dreaded word she’d been on the run from for years.

that you hate me. tell me that you hate me.

“i hate you,” jude whispers. “i hate you and i married you and i hate you.” the two phrases weren’t mutually exclusive.

*

lollipop has been gone for weeks, but her junkie spirit is alive.

the wrath evaded nevermore like cats did water, but the gradual acclimation to qylin’s ring fills her with misplaced ease. it took them damn near six months, but jude finally surrendered her arm.

it pricks, the needle, like the pinch on her finger when cardan stabbed her for the salt in her blood. for the antidote to faerie fruit.

she’s high. she’s at a revel in new york and she’s vulnerable and she’s high.

it doesn’t take long for jude to cement her decision to never do drugs in her natural life again. but once that’s been engraved in her think tank, the world turns mellow and technicolor. it tells her to enjoy while it lasts.

she’s surrounded by leaves, platter of fruit, dancing pixies and slender fae. painful reminders of the home she direly tries to forget.

in a mirage, she pictures black curls under a golden crown of flowers. cruel lips forming a smile.

as if underwater, ears plugged with chlorine liquid, jude hears a seductive voice to her side. “what a pretty thing.” a woman. tall and thin, fae ears and slit green eyes. eyes that fall down to jude’s chest. “busty.”

not all quite there, jude struggles but succeeds in recognizing the tone coming from her courtier. and before she can respond, to her surprise, a second woman emerges from the back of her new companion.

she’s got beautiful straight teeth and straighter talons. “careful. saphine can bite.”

after being called hideous half a life, this come-on douses jude awake like a bucket of water. she studies the two girls and the raking nature of their eyes. she thinks perhaps if she paid more attention she could’ve recognized that in cardan’s eyes. could’ve told it apart from the hatred, the arrogance and the disgust.

without preemptiveness, without pause to think it over, jude tugs both girls to her. her body busts in sensation.

she remembers cardan in a maze, draped in languor and gold faerie drug and girls. black shark eyes watching her while horned girls had their way with him. one kissed his neck, she remembers, and another his knee.

“here,” she scoffs, pushing down sapphire or whatever’s head to her knees. “above my boot.”

a chuckle. “feisty, huh?” she hears, and she truly doesn’t care.

next, jude unceremoniously pulls the second girl up to her neck, leading them exactly where and how she wants them. she’s a constellation of heat and brief spikes of libido.

does cardan think of her? when he’s in bed or bedding someone new, whichsoever activity he performs at night, does jude cross his mind? does he remember her? sometimes in the ridiculous seclusion of her mind she thought cardan would be faithful to her once upon a time. she could slap her own cheeks for such foolishness.

his face appears stark in her memory. deep hollows on his collarbones, raven black hair and eyes devouring her like fruit. his lips, they’d been so soft.

jude leans her head back and laments her ghosts. she inhales sharply.

after the hot spell passes, after jude feels the trickle of tongue make its way up to her thigh and another down her chest, she pushes them away.

why? she doesn’t know. jude is only sure of the fact that she’s tired and doesn’t want this and instead wants a glass of water then maybe a bed.

saphine tilts her head, rolls her eyes, and waves her off, moving along. jude is thankful, for the first time, at being so easily discarded.

*

a month later makes two years since her infamous exit.

“unless cardan has a child,” oak said. many moons past.

the memory of him brings upon a dream. the opposite to her listless, watered-down dreams she grew used to having.

she sneaks through the palace, it’s name near forgotten to her, crawling against walls or chasing shadows.

he’s there. he’s in many of her dreams and he’s there in this one. hair astray. tilted crown. reclined on a couch, his tail freely swishing left and right.

if he remembers their pact of marriage, he doesn’t bother to show it. no mourning, no sadness, no desperation. unlike the other dreams of him, in this he’s placated. joyful, even, in a way so seldom his character.

jude’s understanding is little.

something squirms in cardan’s arms. when she gets closer it nearly takes her breath away to a fault, threatening to kill her. it’s a baby. older than a newborn but small enough to fit in his arms, to paw at his chin and gargle.

no test could prepare her for this sight.

and cardan. he’s absolutely changed. reinvented in the light of this babe, this creature jude hasn’t seen the face of. because that is his spawn, the tiny tail swishing from its rear indicates as much. that, combined with the black tresses, leaves no doubt that she is looking at a king and his heir.

in the depths of her shriveled dignity, jude duarte senses another break, another disgusting branched crack.

her husband is inconsolable in love. his bright smile slashes wide across his face, softening his sharp cheekbones. he lifts the baby to his face, pressing their noses together, cooing. she hardly recognizes him. but she recognizes the lack of a need for her.

this was a nightmare.

cardan lets the child descend, adjusting them in his lap with heartbreaking gentleness. to her horror, the toddler turns and pierces jude in place with raven black eyes.

she runs cold all over. the child has the look of a girl.

her coloring is unique, darker than cardan’s and any fae’s. it’s closer to… jude’s own. and below the black curls, which she realizes now is actually dark amber brown, there’s ears. rounded, untipped, human ears.

jude is utterly unmoored. the scene melts. she wakes up to hands descending upon her, to frightened questions of why she was screaming and that she’s woken up half of the gang. they cannot get a straight answer from her, and after plowing her with cups of water and aspirins from a quick run to the mini-store, the most they get from jude duarte is a somber face and a fall into her pillow.

*

jude becomes a gallery of girls. she’s judy, and she’s martina, and she’s amelie with the occasional latika. running in qylin’s underworld gang requires her to. police don’t catch her, fae detectives don’t either, and if by chance she needed to run an errand the name she gave was one of a basinful of fake i.d. cards.

“i once had a twin,” she offhandedly told someone.

“what was her name?” they asked.

jude slurped from a tall gas station soda cup. “doesn’t matter.”

*

three years. the earnest smile she’d lost a number of winters ago returns tenuously but surely. as a sliver, as a tiny reminder, as a planted seed showing the very smallest evidence of root.

*

a pixie joins their ranks. young and limber. her cerulean skin reminds jude of a blue court under the sea.

“fand,” she greets the mismatched group. “newborn nomad.”

jude welcomes her by the form of a nod, turning back to the display of headshots splashed on the table, organizing it into a semblance of order.

she feels fand dance around her, suspicious to her presence. she thinks for a hot minute that fand might want to cause trouble. jude focuses her attention to the knife hidden between her breasts.

the pixie stares at her, unabashed, and right as jude thinks to reach to her chest, fand grows the courage to ask. “you. do i know you?”

the question falls flat. “i don’t believe so. there’s little chance our paths crossed.”

fand squints. “well, i’ve just left elfhame. finally broke from that unruly mess.”

lightning forks in jude’s chest, attacking her nervous system. an old phantom possesses her body, causing her to still.

the pixie moves closer, inspecting. “your look, it’s so familiar.”

jude understands in a minute.

taryn. fucking taryn. always, forever, impossible-to-be-rid-of taryn.

summoning years of falsehoods and acting experience, jude breaks eye contact to laugh and feign offense. “all mortals look the same to fae, i’m sure.”

that is not a lie. she learned that from the wickedest prince himself.

*

when fand slips away from the gang two nights later, jude forces herself to block it from memory.

*

she’s almost twenty-one. in faerie she might have died since she was eleven.

here, she’s got a family. a rough knit circle of confidants, people she rarely thinks twice about trusting anymore. her music keeps her company, and her growing arsenal of skills, of wins, it warms the smallest piece of her soul.

how could she have hated such a place?

*

“counterinsurgents. we calculate two dozen below the bridge,” jekka, qylin’s second, explains over a map.

jude’s focus is precise, uninterrupted.

the years, the lack of practice from a simple lack of need to, makes it so that she doesn’t religiously check the perimeter, doesn’t spot a green face. his dark tuft of hair and hooked nose, spying from the window, hidden among leaves and wind.

if she had seen him, she might’ve remembered her old friend. if she’d seen him, she might’ve broken down in tears, or begged for a word, or done none of those things to help jekka figure out their positions for the next day’s raid.

*

“watch for the sniper!” one of her gang yells.

jude ducks, experienced muscles leading her across the space, the shielded street with broken streetlights. abandoned houses repurposed for criminal night creatures sprawl one after the other. they’ve chosen one a stone throw from the river, so close they could taste the salt while counting bloody fae or human scalps.

five, six, seven leaps and she’s out of shot, crammed into a wedge in the building. she took down three counterinsurgents already. the wrath ran rampant today.

another figure jumps out the window, two yards from her, and takes off running through the backside of the house, the one facing the water. swift as the wind, jude pursues in fervor.

bam.

first the noise like thunderclap. then the pain.

oh.

when they screamed sniper, she expected an arrow. she expected a taut bow and a sharp, easily removed tip of metal. not a bullet.

*

in the end, jude has been a galaxy of abridges.

she’s had abridged parents, gone before her eighth birthday. that led to an abridged innocence and an abridged life in their rudimentary home in maine. she’s had an abridged relationship with her sisters. an abridged sense of belonging.

she had an abridged romance with a prince and king. that chapter being severed short was, as they all were, not her fault.

she had an abridged marriage. an abridged kingdom rule.

to be culminated in an abridged life. thin and meager.

she hopes no matter how small her garden has been, that each poison flower and cherry blossoms she’s sowed has done its best to enrich the tiny piece of universe allotted to her.

*

she should’ve known when she saw the river.

in water all began, and in water it ends.

there are no screams. no chaos. the gang has left her, chasing their foes further up the street, looking to corner them. jude? she’s going for a dip. a passage to the next life. she’ll float to it. gargle on the last of life.

“huh,” she whispers.

the ache is pungent in her back, the bullet hitting close to the spine but not quite. deadly, though. deadly for sure.

she wasn’t queen of nothing. she was queen of death, the hierophant of misery. her whole life has been a string of it. well, no longer.

jude duarte reaches the water’s edge, using each fiber of her strength to not fall in quite yet.

*

in the haziness of all that she’d done and all that she’d run from, he comes to her. in dream, in flesh. she’s not yet in the water.

“jude.”

this has to be the mark between. the straddling line of life and death. because somehow, impossibly, she hears him.

“jude!”

or?...

her brows scrunch in confusion, a naked toe in the river already. she wants to turn, but the seeping life at her back won’t allow it.

she doesn’t need to. long arms surround her, someone moving in front of her to read her face, to see what lies there.

it’s him.

jude’s lids droop. her back is on fire, and she burns in the flames. he’s barely changed. matured into his looks, if she had to put it into words. his tar eyes, slender lips, pointed nose and legendary black curls suddenly remind her of being seventeen.

there’s so much in his face she can barely read any of it. “is it you? is it really you?” he demands.

she’s always been jude. who jude became, that was a different question. one she no longer cares to ask.

“i found you. i finally finally found you.” his voice is incredulous.

is he the harbinger of the beyond? was that his role to play this entire time? her thoughts eddy and murk the more time passes with a hole in her back.

it is an arcane thing, in truth, to be held by a creature she’s craved and despised. her body responds on its own by pressing closer, seeking warmth.

he might be crying. could also be the angle of the sun.

“please,” he whispers.

she hasn’t said his name in years.

“cardan.”

his eyes fall closed.

her mouth repeats the motion, recognizing the familiarity of his name. cardan. once her king. her husband. the sight of him brings forth a wave of emotions, cascading through her like a waterfall.

cardan tugs her close to a punishingly tight degree. “i thought you dead.” he speaks into her ear. “we searched for years. i thought you were gone. gone, jude.”

the word pulls her back, creates distance between them. jude lets herself get lost in his eyes, those splendid eyes, bottomless and infinite, a serene look on her face as she responds:

“almost.”

the fractious prince too arrogant to be a ruler does not stand in front of her. this man is similar, but a sense of strength she hadn’t seen is forefront and shining. jude wishes she could appreciate it.

if only this weren’t the last time.

“so it is you.” she says it with wonder, with a detachment that lets her turn away from his arms and face the river.

cardan’s intake of breath indicates he has finally seen her wound. he twists his neck, shouts to someone far back, hidden in the houses. “shes hurt! SHE’S HURT!” his voice is raw and desperate.

jude walks into the water.

a hand at her arm stops her, keeps her in place, but she shrugs it off with newfound confidence and turns around. cardan’s incredulous face sparks memories of faraway lands and kingdoms.

“what are you doing?” he demands.

jude’s lips break into a smile. how she missed his voice. she walks back until water reaches her waist, then her chest, then the crown of her head.

“stop!” she hears.

the layers of the girl she was, who she is, who she could’ve been, they merge. yes, she had missed faerie. yes, she had wanted cardan. yes, she had wept tears of rage at knowing she could not have either of them back. if she cried now, her tears would turn to river water, melding into the beautiful greater whole.

a hand grips her chest. another tugs on her neck, urging her up, up, up.

air. sweet air in her lungs.

jude gasps, her plans interrupted. the bulletwound at her back sears at the salt water, the sensation so intense it actually numbs her and leaves her feeling very little.

cardan presses her flush to his body. he raises her up, and his face is marked with horror and betrayal.

“how could you?” he weeps. his features are anguished, desperate. he’s shaking her by the shoulder. “how could you?”

jude smiles a wet smile. “remember when you pushed me into the rapids? and you forced my twin to abandon me and kiss your cheeks? i can’t remember a time when i’ve been warm since then. the water, it was cold. like a leech.”

“the roach is gathering for a salve. jude, you will be okay. you need to get out now.”

she realizes there’s something wrong. “wait. no. that’s a lie. i am a liar.” she tilts her face to his, eyes meeting. “you were warm. behind the throne room and in your bed. you kept me warm. but you ripped me from my home and i've been cold since.”

cardan does something she didn’t imagine him capable of. he didn’t do so when balekin beat him. he didn’t do so when his family was slaughtered. he did so this moment, with her encircled by his arms. cardan sobs.

maybe this is when he understands he’s been forever her herald. the marker of her death. their destinies, interlinked, but only for this.

as he bares himself open, jude candidly studies his face. there’s freedom in allowing herself to admit she missed him. missed all of it. her kingdom that never was.

“i’ll heal you,” he implores. his hand runs down wet and shakingly down her face. “you’re my queen. we’ll use our magic. we will, jude, if you stay with me. don’t you get it? the exile was fake. i never meant for you to vanish. i’m begging you, please, help me heal you.”

her forehead falls on his. waist-deep in water, she feels his short breaths fall on her cheek. “you held hatred for me once.”

slowly, miserably, cardan shakes his head. the motion makes her pull away but he doesn’t let her, staying together. “love. i held love, jude.”

love

four letters.

years of running. and it caught up to her all the same.

his words hit her worse than the sniper did. she staggers in his embrace.

“hold.” he says the word with intensity. “i hold, jude.” cardan refuses to let her go, won’t let her fall. “you walked away with my heart.”

thoughts swirl in her head. they swim around like the fish crossing in between their legs.

“hold,” she says weakly.

hold love. he loves me.

impossible. and true.

“huh.”

*

“hold me,” she asks him. and he does.

he does.

he appears vacillant to his actions save for holding her.

jude can’t remember a time when she wasn’t running. from her parents’ demise. from madoc’s threats. from the cruel fae. from her sister’s betrayal. from cardan’s torments and, apparently, his ministrations of love. from her own shadow.

they haven’t moved from the water. it’s been a minute. it’s been four years.

jude feels her body slag, the water making up for the new deadweight.

“i wish you’d never left me,” he murmurs.

gratingly, she lifts her hand to trace a finger along the hard, straight line and point of her husband’s ear. “cardan, are you here to ask me for a divorce?”

his face breaks. she’s fully leaning on him, his long arms cradling her to his chest. amidst their soaked clothes, she feels the thudding of his heart against her cheek.

jude’s eyes flutter open and closed. “i want to tell you i will. i want to tell you i’ve waited for it. i - ah…” a jab of pain causes her to pause. “i want to tell you it hasn’t been eating me alive to be apart from you. i want to tell you… so… many… lies.”

through her misty vision, she sees cardan shake his head. “you are not leaving me.” the conviction in his voice draws a laugh from her.

“oh, cardan.” it’s the last good breath in her lungs. in the distance, she feels the ripples of someone entering the river, racing towards them. she sees only pitch black eyes. “i already have. i already have.”

they are esoteric, rendered in numinous light. from their entwined bodies in the water, there grow white flowers at the riverbed, their petals straining for the sun.

[chickensarentcheap]

Best Part of Me -Chapter 36

Warning: brief mention of attempted suicide, SMUT

Tagging: @innerpaperexpertcloud​, @alievans007​, @c-a-v-a-l-r-y​, @ocfairygodmother​

Every time she closes her eyes it's there. Dhaka. The dirty, crowded streets; a sea of pedestrians and vehicles. Rundown tenement buildings and hotels; broken or missing windows, rusted balconies and faded, chipped paint. Narrow, cluttered alleyways and over populated laundries and the odd restaurant and cafe.  Vendors peddling their goods among the chaos. It had been loud; a level of noise that she hadn’t anticipated. A continuous drone of honking horns and revving engines and  incessant chattering and laughing. Yet at night it would grow eerily quiet; sundown and the call to prayer bringing a silence...a stillness...that was almost breathtaking.  

There are so many moments...images...permanently ingrained in her mind. That hotel room with its filthy walls and its water stained ceiling; the stark white and pristine bed sheets an odd and stark contrast against the dirt and grime. Torn and faded curtains covered the windows; or least attempted to. The balcony was rotting and weathered; cracked contract cement, wobbly and dent...and in some places missing...railings. It had been a shit hole; too much mismatched and broken furniture shoved into such a small area, a kitchenette that boasted a stove with only one matching burner and a barely functioning bar fridge and only one set of dishes and cutlery. The toilet had to be fixed every time you flushed it and the shower nozzle was barely higher than she was tall, and there never seemed to be any hot water or pressure to it.  Yet it hadn’t been the worst accommodations she’d ever bunked down in; a paradise compared to some of the conditions she’d been subjected to while in the Middle East. And after things had taken an intense -yet not so surprising- turn, nothing around them had mattered anymore; able to temporarily escape the reality of their surroundings and the uncertainty of the situation. And they’d seek out that escape -and the profound pleasure it brought with it- as often as possible.

She can see Gaspar’s. Luxurious by Dhaka standards; a beautiful, well kept home just outside of the city limits. It should have been a relief; getting behind that iron security gate and those four supposedly welcoming walls. Finally off the streets and away from the violent and gunfire and the unpredictability; no longer having to watch your back every single second. But it had made things worse; she should have been grateful and somewhat relaxed and able to let her guard down. But the uneasiness had lingered; the absence of any true sigh of life within the hole eating away at her even as she stood in a hot shower and washed away all the dirt and the blood.  There was a wife but no actual evidence of one; only a single toothbrush in the holder by the sink, nothing by hygiene products geared towards me, no housecoat -feminine or otherwise- hanging behind the door.

He’d been an intimidating man; not as tall or as muscular and defined as Tyler, but big and burly and strong in his own right. Putting on a good show with the welcoming smiles and the friendly chatter, but always watching her out of the corner of his eyes. Calling her ‘the girl’ or ‘that girl’ even when she was in the room. Rolling his eyes or scoffing every time she attempted to speak. He didn’t trust her; in the same way she didn’t trust him.  There was no doubt that he felt that, which in turn made his hostility towards her even stronger.  

And when he’d confronted her in that darkened, upstairs hallway, the threat he presented had become all too terrifyingly real. Accusing her of being cunning and manipulative; willing to say or do anything to guarantee that Tyler would get her out of Dhaka alive. Even if it meant ‘whoring herself out’ to him. That in the end -once they were out of Bangladesh and all was said and done- she’d leave him even more damaged and broken than he already was. Telling her that he knew what she was up to; he recognized the deviousness and the sneaky little games she was playing. Even congratulating her on being able to do it so well and for pulling it off as long as she had.   He’d tried gaslighting her:  she was only “slowing things down, putting an even bigger target on his back. You’re going to get him killed. How are you going to feel then? Knowing he died for you. Will you even care?”.  Admitting that he was  impressed by just how evil and calculated someone so “small and cute and innocent looking” could actually be. And there was nothing she could have  said or done to change his way of thought.

She was the enemy and she needed to be eliminated at all costs.

“The kid AND the girl.”  She can actually hear it in his voice, see  the vehemence and determination on his face.  The same way she can still see his sneer and the darkness in his eyes in that upstairs hallway when he’d reached out to touch her hair and…

Ovi. Ovi opening the door across the hall. The harsh whispers and Gaspar’s threats and lewd, degrading comments jarring him from rest. All of fourteen years old with that mop of hair and those huge dark eyes and that scared, anxious face. His life turned upside down in the blink of an eye because of his father’s transgressions. He could have easily ignored it; listening to every word that was said while cowering under his blankets. But he hadn’t. He’d cared enough to put a stop to things; growing bolder and braver as each second of that long and trying day ticked away.   Afterwards...when the thread had been neutralized...she’d made the kid take a vow of secrecy. That they’d never speak of that moment again and that he’d never...under any circumstances...breathe a word of it to Tyler.  And he was still loyal; holding onto that secret even seven years later.

Bile rises in her throat. He has that effect on her. Gaspar. Even the mere mention of his name makes her feel nauseous. It’s worse now; knowing just how vile and evil he could be behind that fake smile and his promises to help. It had probably been his plan all along; he’d probably gone to Asif the second he finished talking to Nik. Seeing it as an easy payday; convinced that there was no way Tyler would turn down the deal. Why wouldn’t he give up some random girl he’d been casually fucking and a drug lord’s kid? Five million is a lot of money in your pocket, and when combined with your freedom, it would be ridiculous to turn it down.  After all, that's what Gaspar would do. No questions asked. He wouldn’t think twice about getting rich off of someone elses pain and misery. And weren’t all the mercenaries like that? At least in his eyes? Ruthless. Merciless. Savage. What were two strangers compared to that kind of money? An easy choice, in his eyes.

She shouldn’t be surprised. That he’d stoop to that level.  And there’s vindication to be had in the fact that he’d hadn’t gotten away with it. A guilty pleasure in knowing that he’d gone to his grave...and hopefully the deepest recesses of hell...without seeing a single cent of Asif’s money. He hadn’t known Tyler as well as he thought he had; he’d never expected him to both turn down the offer and fight to the death -if need to- to stop Gaspar from getting his hands on her and Ovi. It had been a fitting end; sitting on those steps in his house, watching and listening as he took his last breaths. She’d felt nothing; not even the slightest bit of remorse or pity. At least not towards him. She’d felt it for Ovi; just a kid and being forced to pull the trigger and having it on his conscience for the rest of his life. And she’d felt it towards Tyler; knowing how hard it hits when you’ve been betrayed by someone you thought you could trust.  Gaspar would have killed him. His loyalties had switched to Asif and with Tyler out of the picture, the entire ten million would have been his to keep. It’s a bitter pill to swallow; saving a man’s life and having him betray you THAT badly.  All Gaspar had cared about was the payout. Not the three lives he would have destroyed in the process.

The guilt returns with a vengeance. Appalled that she’d even asked what she had earlier in the day. If he’d considered...even for a split second...accepting the deal. The one person that she’s always trusted...who trusted her in return...being subjected to a question that makes her nauseous to even think about. The only person in her life who has ever made her feel safe; giving her an overwhelming sense of safety and security that no one else had ever managed to do and she’d never realized she wanted OR needed. Who’d been so willing to die for her that day on the bridge and who would do so...without hesitation...even now.  The last person who should have ever faced a question like that. She’d seen the hurt in his eyes;  how deeply it had cut him. Far deeper and far more painful than any physical injury he’d ever received. The fact she’d even think that about him...see him in that way...doing more damage than the actual words themselves. And she’d regretted it the second she’d said it; setting the way his eyes darkened and his expression hardened and his jaw tightened. He rarely got that way with her; not even during the most intense fights they’d had over the years. His temper could be volatile and his words cutting and harsh, but his face...his demeanour...never did THAT. It was cold and brutal. Scary, even . And that’s something he’s never made her feel. Fear.

Esme has no idea why she asked that question in the first place. She doesn’t think that way about him; never has. Even seven years ago there had been no doubt in her mind that he would have done anything and everything in his power to keep her safe. To get her the hell out of Dhaka. And that time spent on the Sultana Kamal Bridge should have been all the answer she needed. When she sat there listening to him choke on his own blood; having to put her fingers through the bullet hole in his neck to keep him alive. That should have been  enough. All the proof she needed. He HAD been willing to die for her. He almost did. On the bridge and in the hospital and even all those years later when he’d tried to take his own life because the demons of the past were just too much to bear.

She pushes those thoughts out of her mind. Of all the things she’s seen and all the things she’s heard, nothing cuts deeper as hearing the person you love -more than life itself- tell you that they don’t want to live anymore; that you’d be much better off without them. No amount of reasoning with enough to convince them otherwise. No amount of tears and begging and pleading enough to get them to change their mind. And when you’re the one that finds them when they've gone through with their attempts…

A flood of tears threaten and she squeezes her eyes shut in an attempt to hold them back. Nothing good ever comes out of dwelling. Whether it be about Dhaka or Gaspar or all of the other battles that have been fought between then and now.  And she rolls over onto her side; watching the way his body rises and falls with each steady breath and the slivers of moonlight that bathe his skin.  His back towards her as he sleeps facing the hall. It’s been the same way for almost seven years; his insistence on facing the door in the same way he won’t sit in a public place with his back towards an entrance. Always ready for any possible threat that could come their way; knowing they stand a better chance of survival if he’s the first person someone encounters. It gives them both a sense of security; him confident in his strength and skills, her confident in his willingness and ability to protect her.

***

Moving closer to him, she uses her fingertips to slowly and methodically trace the large Nordic compass tattoo that sits between his shoulders. In time moving down to each scar and blemish that mars his skin; those little imperfections that make up everything  unique and beautiful about him. He hates that word; despises it being used to describe anything about him. As if it somehow takes away from everything he’s been through; dulling those edges and diminishing his strength and toughness and ‘softening’ him. It’s  ludicrous but understandable.  It’s what happens after years of witnessing abuse and toxic masculinity at its finest. He’s nothing like the man he’d grown up with; aman he’d been expected to respect and emulate. And despite that harsh bringing and the nerves of steels and the hardness...the roughness...that comes from years in the military and then as a mercenary, he’s breathtakingly human.

Behind that tough as nails facade and those jagged edges, he possesses a staggering amount of compassion. There’s a kindness  in his eyes; if you look close enough. It’s none more evident then when he’s with his children: patient and calm, very rarely raising his voice and most certainly never raising a hand. Both face and tone gentle and those strong hands with their scars and calluses and busted up knuckles capable of so much tenderness. Whether it be fixing Millie’s hair or patching up skinned knees or tending to busted lips and bloody noses.   Even a husband...and especially as a lover...the sides to his personality are vastly different; always knowing what she craves. Whether it’s the need for him to be aggressive and dominant or soft and gentle. He just KNOWS. Before she even has to ask. Able to read it in her body language and see it in her eyes; reacting to the situation and becoming exactly what she wants and needs him to be.  He’s complex and sensitive; far more than other people realize.

Her lips replace her fingers; pressing feathery kisses across his shoulders and onto the nape of his neck and along his hairline. A hand sneaking under the arm that rests lightly against his side, palm slowly travelling over her chest and down to his abs and lower; the hair that makes up his ‘happy trail’ wiry and rough against her fingers.

“Baby…” his voice is a low rumble; groggy from sleep. “...what are you doing?”

“Admiring.”

“What time is it?”

“I don’t know. Really late or really early. Depends how you look at it.”

Sighing, he reaches for his phone as it charges on the nightstand; not objecting when her hand slides even lower. “It’s three in the morning.”

“I'm not allowed to admire my husband at three in the morning?”

“You should be asleep.”

“So should you.”

“I was. Until my brain caught up with my body and realized you were getting ready to jerk me off.”

“I wasn’t even close to doing that. But now that you mentioned it…” her hand continues its descent,  smiling against his shoulder when he groans deep within his chest as her nails lightly drag along his hardening length before taking it in her  hand; warm and thick and solid against her palm.  

And his own hand slips beneath the sheet that slits low on his hip; much larger and stronger as it covers hers, showing her exactly what he needs.  Her mouth slowly travelling over his shoulder and the back of his neck; lips soft, tongue moist, teeth lightly nipping. Loving the power she has over him; the way his breath quickens and his body trembles ever so slightly and his cock grows full and hard in her grasp.  

“Hey…” she protests, a dramatic pout on her face when Tyler rolls over to face her.

“Not like that,”  he says, and kisses her.  Even his kisses have a different side to them. Right now they’re soft and languid and tinged with the lingering remnants of sleep. A hand wandering as his lips down move to her neck slipping up the front of her tank top and cupping one of her breasts; thumb passing over the nipple as he licks and sucks at the sensitive flesh at the side of her throat.

It’s all too much; the scrape of his beard against her skin, the way he alternates between gently caressing the nipple and firmly punching and twisting it. The ache between her legs is profound; almost unbearable. And her eyes close and a whimper escapes her lips and one hand tunnels in his hair and the other reaches between them to work on his cock once again. Enjoying the sounds that escape him and the way his body tenses and his hips jerk towards her.

“You’re gonna make me cum,” he says, and then uses his size to his advantage and pushes her onto her back.

“That’s the point.”

“I said not like that.”   He kisses her again; deeper now, more insistent. Demanding. A hand grabbing a hold of her hip and the fingers pressing into her flesh as he encourages her to open her legs. A long, low groan tumbling from his mouth as he slips into her with a slow, deep thrust.

She sighs, eyes fluttering closed as he moves inside of her. Each thrust fluid and intentional; every push causing a whimper to escape her lips. Legs falling open and bending at the knee; that simple change in position pulling him in even deeper.  He feels so good; those hungry and needy kisses, the way the muscles of his back move against her, the bulge of biceps and forearms as he bears his weight on outstretched arms.  And when he breaks out of a particularly deep and demanding kiss, she reaches up to grab a hold of his hair;  yanking his head back and then trailing the tip of her tongue along his throat, over his Adam’s apple and up onto the underside of his chin. Tasting the sweat on his skin, feeling the trickle of his beard. And when she pulls his bottom lip between her teeth, something unravels inside of him. Movements become faster. Harder. Spurred on by the noises she makes and the way her nails rake down his back.

“Make me cum,” she whispers. “Please...Tyler...make me cum.”

He reaches between them, the tips of two fingers toying with her clit. Until he can feel her shuddering against him and her hips lift off the bed; kissing her in order to stifle the cry that she emits. And he continues to move inside of her; pushing through the contractions and the convulsions of those inner muscles.

“Let me finish in your mouth,” he says, eyes searching hers for permission. And when she gives a nod of consent, he pulls out and rolls onto his back. Fingers of both hands tangling in her hair as she kisses, lick, and nibbles her way down his body. “Fuck…” the word leaves him in a low, drawn out groan when she lightly sucks at the tip before fully taking him between her lips. And it takes all his will power to not grab a hold of her head and fuck her mouth. Letting her do all the work; eyes closed and chest heaving, hands gently resting in her hair. “...feel so good…” he praises. “...feels so fucking good.”

Her hand curls around his shaft; working together with her mouth to drive him closer to the edge.  Soon it becomes impossible to bear and he can no longer hold back; hands tightening in her hair and his hips rising off the bed, forcing her to take him even deeper. Fucking her mouth win the way he he would her body while buried inside of her. Until he’s coming hard and fast, pushing down on her head until the tip of his cock hits the back of her throat; long, hot spurts of semen that she accepts willingly, swallowing every last drop. Mouth and hand working together to drain him dry,  leaving him a panting, quivering mess.

“You’re so fucking good at that,” he breathes, and then cocks open an eye as she kisses her way up his body; her eyes sparkling, a prideful  grin on her face.  “Yeah...you SHOULD be proud of yourself and things you can do.”

“Maybe you’re just easy to please.”

“It’s not that. Trust me. It’s you. All you,” he pushes a hand through her hair once again, lightly tugging on her dark tresses as he pulls her down into a long, deep kiss. And she settles her body against his; head against his shoulder and their chests pressed together, her legs resting between his.

“Thanks for waking me up,” Tyler says, and she laughs. “Normally I’d kick your ass out of bed for waking me up at three in the morning, but I think you had a pretty good reason.”

“It didn’t go the way I planned,” Esme admits. “You were supposed to let me do all the work.”

“That NEVER  happens.”

“Because YOU  won’t let it happen. Because you’re stubborn and you won’t ever just lie back and let me spoil you."

“I don’t know, I remember being laid up after knee surgery and you pretty much had to do everything. And by the way, I know it’s been three years, but you did an awesome job. My dick says thank you.”

She grins and presses a kiss to the side of his neck. “Your dick is very welcome. He’s lucky I like him so much. I can’t stand most dicks. Yours? He’s alright.”

“That’s because all the other dicks you had didn’t know what they were doing. Mine? Legend.”

She laughs at that,  and he drops a kiss on the top of her head; palm slowly running down her spine and settling at the small of her back. Fingertips grazing over the tattoo that resides there; remembering how she’d been so embarrassed when he’d seen it for the first time. A ‘tramp stamp’ she’d called it, though he still doesn’t fully understand the phrase. It had been a drunken mistake during her first year at college and she’d always regretted it. But didn’t mind when...in Dhaka...he'd pinned her to the bed face down, hands tightly holding her hips as he traced the tattoo with the tip of his tongue.

And he closes his eyes. Prepared to settle back into sleep with her slight, small body pressed against his. Knuckles brushing along her spine.

***

“How well did you actually know him?” Esme asks.

Tyler’s eyes snap open. He’s slightly disoriented; on the edge of sleep when she spoke. “Who?”

“Gaspar.”

“Why are we talking about him? Especially now. Right after we made love.”   He doesn’t use that term often; mainly because their ‘go to’ has always been straight up fucking. As crude and harsh at it sounds. Very rarely were things slow and gentle in the bedroom.

“How close were you guys? Acquaintances? Friends? Best friends?”

“I dunno,” he shrugs. “Why are we talking about him?”

“I’m just curious.”

“It’s almost four in the morning,” he points out.

“When you say he was your friend, do mean you were friends with him like you are with Koen and Rata, or…”

“A friend as in we worked some jobs together and we’d go out for beers afterwards or we’d meet up if we ended up in the same place. Not friends as in I’d known him my entire life or I’d go to his place and visit during my downtime or send him text messages and Christmas cards and all that shit.”

“So basically a work friend,” she concludes.

“Yeah...basically. Why are we talking about him again?”

“And you saved his life, right?”

“Once. Why?”

“How? How’d you save his life?”

“Esme, what the hell?  Why are we talking about this? Is it ‘cause of what I told you today? That’s why I DIDN’T tell you before. Because I knew it would bother you. I knew you’d dwell on it and ask questions I don’t have answers for. If I’d known this would happen…”

“Humour me,” she says. “I want to know. How you saved his life.”

Tyler sighs. “He went into Honduras to do a job for some mobster type. Ended up fucking the guy’s wife and getting caught. So Nik sent me in there to get him out. He was a couple of hours away from a pretty painful and gruesome death when I got there.”

She scoffs. “You should have left him there.”

“Well what’s the saying? Hindsight is twenty-twenty? If I’d known then what would happen in Dhaka, I would have have told him to go fuck himself and bought a front row ticket to watch his execution. But…”

“It wasn’t your fault, you know. What happened that night. I know you blame yourself for taking Ovi and I there. But it’s not like you  knew he was going to fuck you over.”

“I knew something wasn’t right. When I talked to him in the kitchen. There was something weird about the way he said ‘how’s the kid and the girl?’. And then talked about leaving to go and kiss his wife and it seemed...I don’t know...like it was bullshit.”

“There was no proof there was a wife.”

“He was wearing a ring,” Tyler points out.

“That means nothing. Lots of people wear rings on that finger. We never found out for sure. You know, it'd probably be pretty easy to look up if there really WAS a wife.”

“Why would we bother?”

“Just for curiosity’s sake, I guess.”

“Who gives a shit? It’s been seven years. If there was a wife, I’m sure she realized pretty quickly how much better off she was without him.”

“I still don’t understand how he could do that to you. Especially after you saved his life. Betray you like that.”

Tyler shrugs. “Money’s a hell of a motivator.”

“You never took the money.”

“I’m not a psychopath.  He obviously was. And I don’t want to talk about this again. The whole deal thing. Once was enough. And it didn’t end well.”

“I didn’t mean it. What I said. It was a stupid fucking thing for me to ask. I don’t even know why I DID ask it. It’s like it just came out.”

“Baby,” he runs a hand over her hair and kisses her temple.  “We already talked about this. We don’t need to do it again.”

“I feel like complete and utter shit about it. For hurting you like that. I never...ever...would do anything to intentionally hurt you. And I’m a shit human being for doing what I did and I feel terrible and…”

“Esme, stop. We’ve been through this. You said you were sorry, I accepted it, we moved on.”

“You should be angrier.”

“Says who?”

“Me. Because I know how I’d feel if you said something like that to me. If you all but accused me of being like Asif or Gaspar or guys like Mahajan Senior. It would kill me inside. And I’d be so pissed and hurt and…”

“And I was and now I’m not and you need to drop it. It’s fine. You apologized, we talked about, what more is there? I’m not angry. Am I hurt still? A little. But I’ll get over it. I’ve said plenty of mean shit to you when I’ve been mad, yeah?”

She nods.

“And you’ve always forgiven me. Every time. So let it go. Please. It’s over.”

“I am sorry,” she tells him. “That I said it. Because I’ve never…ever...thought that about you.”

“I know. Is that why you woke me up? To apologize in a different way?”

“Maybe.” she admits. “Did it work?”

“I’d already forgiven you. So you didn’t need to go to all the trouble.”

“You mean I could have saved all the time and energy and spared my jaw the hard work and pain?”

“You’re being dramatic. You do it willingly so it can’t be THAT bad.”

“I do it because you like it. And because I like doing it for you. And if I’m being honest, it kinda turns me on.”

Tyler grins. “You ARE dirty.”

“It’s easy to be dirty being married to the likes of you. You’ve got skills. Mad skills. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to marry you in the first place”

“Yeah? What are the other reasons?”

“It’s a whole bunch of things,” she says. “The way you can always make me laugh even when I’m having a really shitty day. How you always compliment me even when I know I look like crap. How you always look at me like I’m the most amazing woman in the world. Because you’re a great kisser and you’re nice to look at and you help make beautiful babies.”

He smiles and presses a kiss to her forehead.

“And mostly because I love you and I thought I’d never love anyone THIS much. Especially after Mark and all his bullshit. I didn’t think I’d ever get married again. And then you came along and that was it. Everything changed. I often wonder how things would have turned out if we met differently. Do you ever think about that?”

“Sometimes,” Tyler admits.

“I always have it in my mind that if you’d met me at my cousin and Gs’ wedding, would things have gone down then? If I hadn’t been overseas…”

“I would have fucked you in the coat check room for sure.”

She raises her head and frowns.

“Just saying. And you wouldn’t have wanted to know me then. I was an even bigger mess than when we DID meet.”

“Okay...so if not there...where?”

“I dunno. I always imagine that you would  have been here on vacation and we would have run into each other that way.”

“On the beach?”

“Sure. That works.”

“I so would have been checking you out,” she giggles.  “All the muscles and the tattoos and those eyes and that hair…”

“I didn’t always have that hair, you know.”

“Every scenario I ever think of, you have that hair. Humour me. Would you have checked me out?”

“I’ve seen you in a bathing suit. So, yeah. I would have checked you out.”

“It weird to think about,” Esme muses. “A different version of us. A normal version. A normal Esme and a normal Tyler. With normal jobs and normal lives. I think you would have made a good cop. Or a firefighter. Or even just stayed in the military.”

“I always think you would have made  a good teacher,” he says. “Or a nurse. Considering all the times you’ve had to take care of me. And how good you are at giving sponge baths.”

She grins. “Would still have fallen in love with me? If I’d been normal?”

“How normal?”

“If I’d been a nurse or teacher. Same personality, just a different career.”

“In a heartbeat. What about you? Would have fallen in love with me if I’d just been some normal guy?”

“Hmmm…” she ponders. “I don’t know…”

Tyler scowls. “You know what…?”

“I’m kidding,” she laughs, and presses a kiss to his lips. “I would have fallen in love with you a million times over.”

Smiling, he places a kiss on her temple and wraps both arms around her, holding her tightly and securely. Until her breath softens and evens out and he knows she’s asleep.

[newstfionline]

Headlines

4 dead as suspected twisters, other storms batter the South (AP) A swarm of tornadoes and storms that left a trail of destruction across the Southeast killed four people, injured a dozen more and left victims to bundle up against the cold as they picked up pieces of their homes Tuesday. The death toll from the violent weather rose to four Tuesday morning after heavy rain hit Greenup County in Kentucky overnight, sparking a flood watch.

New Orleans declared a state of emergency after a cyberattack (MIT Technology Review) The city told its employees to shut down their computers as a precaution this weekend after an attempted cyberattack on Friday. New Orleans is just the latest government to face ransomware attacks, after nearly two dozen cities in Texas were targeted in August, plus Louisiana in November (causing the governor to declare a state of emergency). The phenomenon goes beyond the US, too: in October Johannesburg became the biggest city yet to face a ransomware attack.

12 Inmates Dead in Shootout at Panama Prison (AP) Twelve inmates were killed and about a dozen more were wounded in a gunfight Tuesday inside a prison in the capital, Panamanian authorities said.

Rio De Janeiro Mayor Halts All Payments Amid Budget Crunch (AP) Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella has suspended municipal treasury payments in the midst of a year-end budget crunch caused by debts for salaries of medical professionals. The measure halts all payments, including for suppliers and year-end salaries for municipal civil servants. City Hall issued the resolution after labor court decisions froze municipal accounts and obliged payment of doctors, nurses and other health professionals contracted by social organizations who run health clinics, and went months without salary.

UK’s Johnson seeks to rule out Brexit trade pact delay (AP) uoyed by a big new Conservative majority in Parliament, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson toughened his Brexit stance on Tuesday, ruling out any extension of an end-of-2020 deadline to strike a trade deal with the European Union.That could mean Britain leaving without a deal on trade terms at the start of 2021, a prospect that alarms many U.K. businesses.

France’s Unions Aren’t Giving In (Foreign Policy) Today, French labor unions have called on teachers, doctors, and other public sector workers to join the third mass protest against the government’s proposed reform to the pension system after a broad plan was published last week. Transport workers have been on strike for 13 straight days, disrupting rail links nationwide as the holidays approach. The unions have pledged to keep protesting until the government withdraws the reform. Union activists consider any attempt to raise the retirement age a “red line.” They are particularly angered by the proposal to reduce the pension payout for those who retire at the legal age of 62, encouraging workers to wait until 64 to receive their full pension. Among developed countries, France still has one of the lowest retirement ages. But its pension system is one of the most expensive and, as life expectancies rise, the deficit is growing.

Plans to Discipline Polish Judges Trigger Warnings, Protests (AP) Poland's Supreme Court has warned that legislation being pushed by the populist ruling party that would allow for the dismissal of judges who dissent from the government's views could ultimately lead to Poland leaving the European Union.

Indian Kashmir Sees More Than $2.4 Billion Losses Since Lockdown: Group (Reuters) A lockdown in Indian-administered Kashmir has cost its economy more than $2.4 billion since the government stripped it of its special status, officials of the Himalayan region’s main trade organization said on Wednesday.

Money talks: Hong Kong protesters weaponizing spending power (AP) Digging in for the long haul against Hong Kong’s government, protesters are expanding their struggle from the streets to their wallets, weaponizing their spending power to punish businesses they deem hostile to their cause. The aim: to drive some firms under in the deepening recession gripping the crisis-hit city. Guiding the consumer choices of tech-savvy protesters are apps that increasingly are color-coding businesses--everything from dentistry clinics and toy stores to dumpling restaurants and sex shops--into two categories: yellow for protest-friendly, blue for suspected opponents.

Chinese Leader Xi Visits Gambling Hub Macau as Nearby Hong Kong Seethes (Reuters) China’s President Xi Jinping begins a three-day visit to the gambling hub of Macau on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of its handover to China, with security tight and some media barred entry as protests rock nearby Hong Kong.

It's Sizzling: Australia Experiences Hottest Day on Record (AP) Australia experienced its hottest day on record and temperatures are expected to soar even higher as heatwave conditions embrace most of the country.

Netanyahu’s challenger (Foreign Policy) Israeli politician Gideon Saar has officially launched his campaign to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as head of the Likud party. Though he remains an underdog, Saar is gaining support ahead of the party’s Dec. 26 leadership vote. The bid marks the first serious challenge to Netanyahu within Likud as he faces corruption charges that could push him out of office after 10 years.

[peggywong8898-blog]

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AC & HV - Installation, Repair, MaintenanceWater Coming From Water Heater

Washington DC 20020A/C is among the most complex and crucial systems in your home and can be harmful when it fails. It's critical that homeowners comprehend the fundamentals of their system, the types of maintenance they ought to perform, warning indications of approaching issues, and when to hire an expert for aid. It's usually not enough to simply google "Ac Cleaning", and information specific for Washington DC 20020 is even harder to find - so read the text below to understand it step-by-step.    Commercial Installation.

If you own a commercial property, then you most likely already understand the significance of having a premium, dependable HEATING AND COOLING system. When you have to impress your clients or keep your occupants and staff members happy and productive, a comfy environment can be a great tool. Ensure that your property is as comfy as can be year round. There are many reasons the setup of heating and a/c system must only be installed by experienced, certified professionals. Some are very apparent. To begin with this is even more complex than your house system. When you are dealing with such a big system including numerous incorporated, interconnected components, years of knowledge and experience are necessary to guarantee that everything collaborates for the success of the system as a whole.

Even considerations such as the sizing of the system are essential to getting the high - quality, effective service you should have in your service or business property. If your system is too little for the area, it will overwork itself, aiming to reach temperature levels beyond its capabilities. If it is too big it will be simply as inefficient, short cycling and sustaining extreme wear and tear. Make sure that every step of your commercial heating and setup job is managed with the necessary knowledge.แอร์ หนองคาย

A/C System Replacement Service In Washington

When you utilize that kind of system - you depend on its continuous, reliable service for a number of reasons. When this service is compromised it can trigger severe problems and can even put your business ventures at danger. Frequent breakdowns are just undesirable.

Those consists of a lot of expensive, large devices. The replacement of such a system is a quite big project, and probably not one you remain in a rush to carry out. Often the partial or total replacement of your commercial heating and air conditioning system is the very best alternative. If the environment in your commercial space is at risk due to bad system efficiency or regular breakdowns, call your trusted service provider. It might be time to upgrade to a new, more efficient and more dependable system.Duct Insulation Services.

The ducts in your home have an essential job to do, though it might look like a fairly basic job to somebody without experience in the heating, cooling, and ventilation market in Washington DC 20020. Duct are pathways through which flight to and from the furnace or cooling system. But along the path to the rooms of your house, poorly insulated ducts can run into some difficulties, raising your energy bills and leaving you a little less comfortable.แอร์ หนองคาย

Insulating the ductwork in your home can have a positive influence on your bills, your comfort, and the state of your heating and air conditioning system. Your heating system or heatpump transfers heat to the air in order to keep you warm in the winter. However much of this heat might get away if the air ducts are not insulated correctly. Insulating materials slow the transfer of heat, implying it is harder for heat to leave the ducts. Insulated ducts can retain heat more quickly, enhancing the performance of your heater. แอร์ หนองคาย

It is a common misunderstanding that insulating locations of your home is only important in cooler weather condition. Even throughout our hot, damp summer seasons, insulated ducts can help to keep you a lot more comfortable. Your ducts often run through hot, unoccupied areas of your home like the attic or crawlspaces. Insulation keeps this heat from moving into the ducts and warming the cool air.Advantages And Disadvantages Of The 3 Fireplace TypesWood-burning FireplaceA wood-burning fireplace uses logs as its primary fuel source. Though you will not have to stress over installing a gas line or running up your electric bill, acquiring wood on a regular basis can end up being quite pricey. You must also clean the fireplace and chimney regularly to get rid of soot and debris. It can dramatically reduce your utility expenses, however, as it can fill in your heating system.Gas FireplaceGas fireplaces utilize gas to warm your home. A vented unit runs similar to a traditional wood-burning fireplace, save for that it sparks by just pressing a button. There is no need to purchase wood or go through the trouble of lighting the fire. Thus, there is no soot to clean up or charred wood to eliminate. Higher-end gas fireplaces even feature realistic ceramic logs that mimic the appearance of wood systems. The downside to this option is that it does require gas, which involves gas line installation and regular monthly energy costs.Electric FireplaceAn electric fireplace is powered purely by electricity, that makes it among the easiest to run. Merely flip a switch or push a button to ignite the fire and enjoy the heat. The disadvantage to an electric system is that you may need to cover the cost of wiring installation and may see a spike in your regular monthly electrical bills. Bear in mind, however, that they are normally more cost effective and energy effective than central heating systems.What Kind Of Furnace Should You Install In Washington DC 20020?Electric Furnaces - $670 to $2,000.Electric is the cheapest method to go in regards to preliminary costs. Electric furnaces do not require special venting, fuel pipes, or tank. They're easy to preserve. They are small and inexpensive to install. They tend to be relatively safe because there's no fuel combustion involved. And they last a long period of time - 15 to 20 years usually. Sadly, electric furnaces, though more effective than they were 10 years ago, are still the least efficient option and might bring higher bills. Electric furnaces are most typical in parts of the District Of Columbia that do not withstand extreme winter seasons. If you live somewhere that requires you to utilize your heat for the better part of the winter season, then you will wind up spending a small fortune yearly to warm your house. The monthly payout isn't really worth it to make up for the initial price savings.Gas Furnaces - $1,200 to $2,400.Natural gas furnaces frequently cost a bit more than electric, and unless you're replacing an existing one, they come with the added expense of putting in gas lines from the street and building extensive ductwork. But they're usually much more efficient, and that can translate to lower utility bills. A relatively plentiful resource, gas has actually become a relatively low-cost fuel source. Natural gas furnaces also have the benefit of heating up the house incredibly rapidly compared to other fuels, so consider that you're not just paying for effectiveness, you're paying for convenience and comfort. You can transform a gas furnace to propane for a minimal expense. Gas furnaces are suggested for anybody, but especially for homes that withstand severe winters as it is more economical to warm your house with gas than it is to warm it with electricity.Oil Furnaces - $1,800 to $5,800.When oil was cheap, oil furnaces dominated the market. They do need tank, but that provides customers the alternative of buying large amounts at one time, getting rid of the regular monthly heating bill. As oil rates increased, oil furnaces ended up being the dinosaurs of the heating market, and the federal government offered refund incentives for house owners to convert to natural gas. They are still offered, though, if you happen to live someplace that has an abundance of oil for a low cost.Professional Ocean Breeze Furnace Repair Work.

The chill of winter can be a scary thought when your furnace needs a repair work. When one in your home goes on the fritz, you need it repaired right now to keep your family safe and comfortable. Our technicians are offered for emergency repairs and will show up on time. Each and every single one of our technicians is certified in their trade and complies with a rigid in-house certification program that ensures their knowledge, verifies their commitment to the customer, and ensures quality in finishing every repair with the highest level of quality.

When you requires a repair work, trust the experts at our business. We'll show up on time and in uniform, and repair it correctly the very first time. Plus, our specialists are available for emergency service. We service all top brands of electrical and gas furnaces. Our specialists have years of experience in the HVAC market, so you can rest assured that the specialist who makes your repair work is knowledgeable and experienced.

How Much Does Furnace Repair Work Cost?

What occurs when your furnace breaks down? Couple of things are worse than waking up and realizing that the appliance responsible for warming your entire house has broken. In that case, offered the typical cost of setting up a new furnace, it's simple to start fretting about just Just how much a furnace repair in Washington DC will cost you.

On average, furnace repair work costs $287, with some homeowners investing just $60 while others paying $900 for furnace maintenance. Repairs to an electric furnace can run you $300 or less, while gas one repair works can be more complex and variety from $375 to $1,200, depending upon exactly what requires service. A lot of property owners invest in between $133 and $456 to repair it.Signs Of Evaporator Coil Issues

Considering that it's one of the most crucial parts of the AC, when something fails with the evaporator coil, the signs are unmistakable. Keep an eye out for the following signs in your home that might imply difficulty with the evaporator coil:

Irregular temperature level circulation in your house such as cold areas or warm spots.It switches on and off all the time without in fact cooling anything down.Warm air rather of cold air originating from the vents.Condenser system making odd noises due to being overworked.Increased or irregular humidity in your house.Strange noises originating from the air handler.

If you experience any of these issues, you may have an issue with your evaporator coil. Seeing anything odd with your A/C unit merits a call to a professional. Our skilled professionals can accurately detect the issue and let you understand the very best way to continue with a repair.

Exactly What To Expect With Professional Evaporator Coil Upkeep

The evaporator coil depends upon a stream of fresh, clean air to work appropriately. If the coil ends up being contaminated, it can freeze or malfunction. We recommend investing in regular evaporator coil upkeep to make sure it runs properly. We offer the following maintenance solutions in Washington District Of Columbia:

Cleaning - If the coil is unclean, we will clean it to ensure it does not freeze.Repair - If we notice any damage to the coil, we will fix it to avoid a breakdown.Replacement - If the coil is beyond repair work, we will replace it to guarantee it continues to run efficiently.What Are The Benefits Of Timely Evaporator Coil Repair Work Or Replacement?

There are a range of benefits that arise from repairing or changing an evaporator coil in a timely style. One benefit is that having your evaporator coil fixed can preclude it from breaking down totally, an occasion which would demand that you purchase a brand-new one, spending money you might have conserved or spent on more vital things.

In addition to saving cash by ensuring that your evaporator coil is repaired in a timely manner, doing so also helps ensure that you will have cool air blowing through your A/C. A properly maintained evaporator coil will supply you with even cooling at all times.3 Signs You Required Heatpump Repair

Heatpump are a reliable and cost-effective alternative to more traditional kinds of a/c, however considering that they utilize the exact same standard system as a/c unit, they frequently suffer from extremely comparable problems. Great maintenance can help, obviously. But it begins with the house owner realizing the need for a repair and acting accordingly. Here are 3 signs you need heat pump repair.

Cooling capacity is lowered.

If your heat pump isn't really producing cool air like it ought to (or warm air if you're running it in the winter), it increases strain on the system and costs you in higher regular monthly heating costs as well. Lower cooling capacity can arise from a leak in your refrigerant, a problem with the compressor motor, problem with the expansion valve and comparable issues. You may check your evaporator coils for frost build-up, which is a good sign that your cooling capability isn't really what it must be.Air flow is reduced.

Decreased air flow can be as problematic as minimized cooling capacity, since the heat pump isn't able to blow air into your home with the speed that it needs to. Again, they usually suggest it has to work more difficult to do its job, which costs you more money in monthly bills as well as increasing strain as a whole.Odd sounds.

This can include odd humming noises, arcing noises, rattling noises, or anything that you do not connect with the normal operation of the heat pump. It's an apparent sign of a problem, however the cause can originate from practically anywhere. Immediately shut off the heat pump and call a specialist from Washington District Of Columbia the minute you identify any odd sounds.VIDEO: Water Coming From Water Heater Washington DC 20020For over 20 years our HVAC & Air Conditioning Contractors serving the residents and companies of the Washington DC 20020 locations. Replacing, maintenance, or fixing any of your cooling or heating devices: speak with the experts....4 Indications It's Time To Change Your A/c Unit.

Air conditioning unit are an important part of a comfortable Washington DC 20020 way of life, however unfortunately, they aren't designed to last forever. If you can see indications that your a/c unit is on its last leg, then you can take procedures to save for its replacement before you face an emergency. Here are four signs that can show your air conditioning unit needs replacement - and if you need Air Conditioner replacement services today, contact the cooling experts at our company!

1. Your Utility Expenses Are Going Up2. You're Calling Frequently for Service3. Your Unit is Over Ten Years Old4. High (or Low) Humidity Levels in Your HomeAt the point when employing somebody to fix your A/C, your real point is to see the jobs go on successfully without any issues. Hiring a professional can similarly shield you from events of incidents. If you are looking for trusted technicians who provide premium repair services, then we are the business for you.If you found this text useful don't hesitate to send it to your buddies. If they have a problem or an emergency, they surely will need this info on  AC Replacement Service in Washington DC 20020.    Copyright © 2018 AC & HV - Installation, Repair, Maintenance

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How Commercial Real Estate Investors Are Weighing Climate Change When Planning Future Business Strategies

While COVID-19 is the leading disruptor of the commercial real estate market at the moment, the industry is preparing for even further long-term disruption from climate change. According to housing professionals, the rising sea levels, increasingly volatile swings in temperature, and the routine occurrence of natural weather-related disasters— ranging from hurricanes and floods to droughts and wildfires—have forced brokers and investors, alike, to reckon with this potentially existential threat.

“I am aware that businesses are concerned about locating or staying in California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Boston due to climate issues,” says RE/MAX Town & Country’s Bruce Ailion-. “Personally, I would not invest in climate-sensitive areas, as I believe we will not see a change over an investment holding cycle, and expect extreme weather events to continue.”

As the company’s associate broker based out of Atlanta, Ailion says he expects his region in the Southeast to remain relatively stable. However, he noted that climate change seems poised to worsen, and the fall-out could ultimately span the whole country.

“I am concerned that as these [extreme weather events] accelerate, we will see social unrest and significant global disruption,” Ailion says. “Climate change is more than just it getting hotter, colder, wetter, and drier. These will have geopolitical and security implications that are in a pressure-cooker situation—once overheated, it cannot be reversed.”

Recently, global real estate investment management firm Heitman teamed up with the Urban Land Institute to research investment trends in light of increasing risks brought on by climate change. The report found that even though flood and fire insurance can offset some short-term exposure to climate-related losses, those policies alone will not protect commercial real estate investors. According to the report, new investment strategies to deal with the risks include the following:

Mapping physical risk for current portfolios and potential acquisitions

Incorporating climate risk into due diligence and other investment decision-making processes

Incorporating additional physical adaptation and mitigation measures for assets at risk

Exploring a variety of strategies to mitigate risk, including portfolio diversification and investing directly in the mitigation measures for specific assets

Engaging with policymakers on local resilience strategies

Joel G. Block, a disruption futurist in the commercial real estate industry and founder of the private equity firm Bullseye Capital, says that such measures need to be taken seriously. “No investor can afford to put their head in the sand,” Block says. “Climate change is a real thing, whether it’s manmade or otherwise. There is something going on and it’s changing the risk profiles of certain territories.”

According to Block, insurance companies have been using many antiquated methodologies and datasets, which will have to be updated as weather events worsen. As “100-year storms” become more and more regular, the premiums will have to spike in order to support all the payouts. Owners will then pass it on to tenants, who pass it on to consumers, and eventually, population migrations will be triggered—maybe not directly because of weather, but because of the consequential economic fall-out.

When considering an investment in an environmentally sensitive region, Block advises investors to work with local specialists who have a better understanding of what communities are at risk or will be at risk in decades to come, and which ones could be problematic from a compliance standpoint.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) provides education to its members about a variety of topics pertaining to climate change. According to the association, “NAR recognizes the threats posed to the commercial property by extreme weather events, such as flooding, droughts, and hurricanes, and is working to help members and state and local associations adapt and thrive in the face of these increasing climate risks. To achieve this goal, NAR supports sustainable energy practices, voluntary incentives, tax credits such as the 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, and energy efficiency education and research for real estate professionals, real estate owners, developers, tenants, and occupants. NAR also supports smart building and high-performance construction technologies that enhance the community while protecting the environment.”

Block adds that volatility in the commercial real estate market could be used as a negotiation tactic to acquire assets at better entry prices. Some assets, which are deflated from insurance or regulatory instruments, could spark even cheaper fire sales if there’s a perception that demand is decreasing.

Eric Molfetta, vice president of Investments at Colliers International, Las Vegas, specializes in industrial properties, a subset of commercial real estate that has been thriving amid the pandemic due to the surging demand for logistics and warehousing. He agrees that just because the weather won’t substantially impact his region (Las Vegas has always been hot), climate change will still be an issue.

One of the main drivers is the increasing regulations in neighboring California, which is mandating a switch to electric vehicles by 2035 and has higher taxes relative to most states. Therefore, Molfetta predicts an accelerated exodus to business-friendly states such as Idaho and Texas in order for businesses to remain competitive.

“At the end of the day it always comes down to the bottom line,” Molfetta says.

Andrew King is a contributing editor to RISMedia.

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