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[royally-sea-green]

𝐱𝐚𝐯’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

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𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙨:

⟡ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʙᴇ

⟡ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ɴɪᴋᴇ

⟡ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ɴᴇᴍᴇꜱɪꜱ

⟡ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʏᴄʜᴇ

⟡ ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀʀᴛᴇᴍɪꜱ

⟡ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ɪʀɪꜱ

𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙮 / 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜:

☆.ᐟ human rights poem

☆.ᐟ the stars came out just to get a glimpse of your smile [kotlc, keefitz]

i ship […] reblog if you ship […]

꩜ .ᐟ valgrace

꩜ .ᐟ keefitz

[starmocha]

Me writing the vaguest impromptu Sylus fic with no actual plot unless you squint very hard, minimal dialogues, relying on vibes, very "trust me bro" in less than 2 hours: I like it ✨️💕🥹💖👍✨️🥰💞✨️🫶

Me writing everything else with a planned theme, plot, dialogues, spending an entire day if not week mulling on it just to write out one sentence every hour and question it extensively:

[annerly-san]

Love and Deep Deadlines | A LaDS Corporate AU - Chapter 7

Summary:

Amidst the cut throat culture of Onyxion Enterprises where cutting-edge innovation is overshadowed by corporate chaos, no one talks about how hard it is to be an intern.

Alongside Caleb, the sales department smooth-talker; Zayne, the cold and unflappable CTO; Xavier, a director who might as well be an intern himself; and Rafayel, the overly dramatic Creative Director who brings his own flair to every meltdown, our intern is just trying to survive the workday. Oh, and don’t forget Onyxion’s very own CEO, Sylus, a walking HR violation who gets off on terrorizing his employees.

In this company, will love bloom before the deadlines run deep, or will the company go under first?

Chapter Navigation: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ?

Alternative AO3 link:

I couldn’t sleep much that night.

My heart was hammering as Caleb drove the both of us to work again, picking up coffee from the drive thru just like how he did on my first day. He made his best attempts to tease and jest in order to lighten up the mood, but with the massive restructuring and the major task of presenting falling on me yesterday, even Caleb didn’t sound as assured and confident as he usually was.

We both stewed in mutual anxiety as we watched the floor count rise on the elevator’s display. I ended on the 22nd- where the marketing department lives. Or lived I supposed since only Xavier and I were under marketing now.

Like clockwork, Caleb and I both bid our farewells- a habitual routine.

“All right, have a good day, pipsqueak-”

“See you, Caleb-”

Before I managed to step out of the elevator, Caleb’s arm reached out to grab mine. We both blinked at each other before he shot me a toothy grin, eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Wait, don’t you report to me now? Should you be on this floor then, or do we move you up next to me in Sales?”

My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me.

“Ooooh, you’re right-! You better be a good boss, Caleb! Or I’ll report you to HR!” I shot him a smile, stepping back into the elevator

“Is there even an HR left to report me to, pipsqueak?” Caleb let out a chuckle and pressed the button to head up one more floor. “It’s only me and you in Sales now, so we can take our time to pick our spots and rearrange desks then. Won’t that be fun?”

I laughed and nodded along to him.

But just as the doors were about to close, a hand shot out and barred it from closing: Xavier.

“...Where are you taking her, Caleb?”

“Up to the Sales department?” he responded casually with a shrug. Caleb’s tone was playful, clearly teasing Xavier while holding down the close door button firmly. “Sorry, Xav, but she’s my intern now! Ahahaha!”

Xavier clearly didn’t like that answer. He stood in between the doors, barring it from closing as the sensors detected his presence.

“...Her monitor and things are still here though. She’s a sales and marketing intern. So there’s no reason for her to move from here.”

“She’s reporting to me now, though. As for the belonging, we can come back later once she picks a spot on my floor .”

As the two stood bantering in the elevator lobby, Xavier refusing to let the door close while Caleb was trying to shut the door on him, a ding rang out from the elevator that was across from us.

Moments later, Rafayel appeared from behind the parting doors with crossed arms and a pout on his face.

“There you are! I was wondering where my employees went! You bunch of slackers!”

 He shoved Xavier into the elevator with Caleb and I before stepping in and firmly pressing the button for the sixth floor where his office was.  “Do you know what time it is? It’s been 5 whole business days. The legal department is on its last legs. The CTO is eating carrots. Sylus has actually opened his harassment training, and finally- FINALLY, my employees are getting to work!”

The elevator went up one floor before it began to descend down to the sixth. The four of us stood in the cart, each one of us in our own little world. Rafayel had his hands crossed with a pout on his face. Xavier looked confused and sleepy. Caleb was grinning ear to ear, and I was just tense and on edge.

“So, we’re working on your floor then?” Caleb grinned.

“But don’t the C-suite executives work on their own dedicated floors?” Xavier interjected. “Should the three of us be on your floor, Rafayel. I think that Sales and Marketing is on our own, right?”

“Yea, boss. Sales and marketing got combined, so do we sit in sales? Marketing?” Caleb shrugged and leaned back against the handrail of the elevator. “If we’re going to your office and just rooming with you C-suite executives, we might as well all roll up and just dog pile in Sylus’s office, huh? I’m sure that’ll be cozy. Really improve the corporate culture, right?”

Rafayel shot Caleb a glare, letting out a huff of annoyance right as the elevator decelerated and a resounding ‘ding’ harkened our arrival to the sixth floor.

“Hmph, you’re all lucky that you get to be working on my floor. It’s waaaay better than that broody disgrace of interior decoration that Sylus calls his office,” he waved, walking through the open doors of the elevator as we all got to our destination. “I’ve already issued an order for your desks and belongings to get transferred over.” He waved to the movers who were already arranging our belongings on a few desks that were placed around the vibrant office space.

“Wow, throwing around that C-suite power already, huh?” Caleb whistled, walking over to a desk with different airplane models decorated on it. “Oh, they really brought everything over, huh?” He grinned, looking through his desk before shooting me a wink as he held up a little bobblehead figurine that looks uncannily like our very own Onyxion CEO. Its head and arms bent at strange angles as Caleb waved it around with a smile.

“Oh, so that’s why my desk was gone,” Xavier commented, taking a seat at the desk across from Caleb’s with a sleep mask hung on the edge of the monitor.

“...You didn’t think to question why your desk was gone to begin with?” Rafayel groaned, settling into his private office as the door closed behind him. “Alright, get to work, minions. Let’s make Sylus happy so he doesn’t fire us, yea?”

“Alright, c’mon, pipsqueak,” Caleb patted me on the shoulder. “Let’s get you settled in.”

After the better half of the hour, we all got situated and I finally got around to opening my laptop.

The email notification icon on my task bar made my heart race as I hesitantly opened the program and saw an email from none other than Sylus himself.

_______________________________________

Subject:   Quarterly Presentation Draft Feedback

Good morning.

Nice work on the structure. I’ve added notes for Slide 3—include the projected Q3 metrics. It’ll drive the point home. Find the attached file.

Also, add a closing note about “synergy” between departments; people love buzzwords, even when they don’t understand them.

You’re impressing me. I’m looking forward to Friday.

-Sylus

_______________________________________

My hand was shaking as I read the message. The mouse cursor was flickering violently back and forth on the screen from how much I was trembling.

My eyes were fixated on the words, reading it over and over again. My heart and mind were a whirlwind of emotions: fear, anxiety… and pride?

Caleb peered over curiously at my screen, jaw dropping as he stood up and waved over Xavier and Rafayel.

The three of them gathered around my screen, exclaiming in astonishment like this was some circus.

It kind of was at this point.

“Damn, ‘You’re impressing me?’ Does someone have the harassment training to send to Sylus real quick?”

“This is actually C-suite power being thrown around here, so don’t come after me on something like moving my employee’s desks around, yea?”

“Sylus is really hard to impress, so I guess that’s good?”

“Well, I guess you got some ‘synergy’ to put into this presentation today, pipsqueak.”

I clenched my jaws, face warm with embarrassment, as I started to open the presentation, incorporating the feedback that Sylus gave to me.

After getting one more check through from the team, I sent out the latest to Sylus with the exact feedback he provided. As the hours stretched on to days and the horizon on Friday drew closer, I didn’t hear anything back from him.

The team helped me to rehearse and practice what we had to the point where I was having dreams about presenting even in my sleep- lines and figures etched into the depths of my mind.

And before long, the day of reckoning was upon us. The four of us piled into an elevator to hitch a ride up to the Sylus’s conference room where the all-hands meeting was being hosted. Caleb patted my back in assurance, giving me a wide grin as his shaky hand pressed the button to the 149th floor.

“You’re going to do great, pipsqueak. You’ll knock all of their socks off! We know how hard you worked on this, don’t be nervous-!”

“Says you, you’re shaking like a little puppy-”

“It’s the caffeine!” Caleb protested, shooting a glare at Rafayel. “I drank like two energy drinks and an espresso this morning, ok?”

“Sales guys are always such professional liars-”

“But I guess that’s why Caleb’s Onyxion’s top sales guy.”

On the bright side, the bickering in the elevator in this one ride up helped to alleviate my nerves as the ding of the elevator sounded out, denoting our arrival to the 149th floor.

It was different from the other floors of Onyxion. The walls were painted a matte black, soft lights with red hues illuminated the tall walls. Unlike the pastel colors and bright light of Rafayel’s sixth floor or even the beige and neutrals of the 22nd, the 149th was dark and tense.

As the doors opened, and we entered into the red and black conference room, I could feel my heart drop to the pits of my stomach- my blood freezing in my veins and barring me from moving forward. Nearly a hundred employees sat in the crowd, their heads turning around to stare at us, but only one man had no need to turn.

His crimson eyes bore into mine with burning intensity as he sat in a lone chair that faced the crowd rather than the projected screen behind him: Sylus.

“There you are, my little presenter.” He crossed his arms, leaning back into his seat as the presentation I put together pulled up behind him. “I’ve been waiting for you, sweetie. And I know you won’t disappoint.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel my face heat up with mortification. My legs were like jelly as I walked towards him, drawn in like I was under a hypnotic spell despite the fear eating at all my nerves and senses in my mind.

Sylus gave me a lazy smile, not having taken his eyes off of me for a moment since I entered the room. His hand held out towards me, a small clicker to move the click through the slides in the palm of his hand. I reached out, hand trembling as I took it from him. The skin of his palm felt scorching hot as I brushed against it. As my fingers wrapped around the device, my hand grasping it and picking it up, his fingers curled up to touch mine. The air felt like it was being punched out of my chest at the gesture, my breath hitching in my throat as his crimson eyes bore into mine.

The clicker was shaking in my hands as I went up to the front of the room. I saw Caleb’s concerned gaze for a brief moment before he shot me a charismatic smile and gave me a thumbs up. Xavier and Rafayel also gave me looks of encouragement as I scanned the room and locked eyes with Zayne who was sitting in the front row. His eyes were wide as we looked at each other. Perhaps he was shocked that I was the one that was supposed to be presenting today, but he masked it well and gave me a soft smile.

The nerves calmed a bit as I saw them cheer me on quietly, but the crowd and amount of people watching in on this presentation as well as the cameras streaming this to many others who weren’t in the room was still making me nervous. My ears were ringing as I felt lightheaded with the pressure of delivering with so many people staring at me.

A deep voice shook me of my stupor, my ears honing in towards the source as the world faded to the point where I could only hear his voice: the man that tasked me to do this in the first place. “You got this, sweetie. Just keep your eyes on me.”

The lights started to fade, plunging the room into darkness before the presentation began.

It was like a fever dream.

The hours spent rehearsing and the script and the literal dreams I had about this moment carried me through the slides. I could feel the hundreds of eyes on me as I clicked through each part, but it felt like there was only one pair staring at me throughout the whole thing. And slowly, it felt like I was only giving this entire presentation for one person alone. The tension eased up as I got into the flow of it, going through the slides with practiced ease.

It was over before I knew it.

When the lights came back on again, I was shaken from my trance.

Echos of applause came from the room as the ‘Q&A’ slide came up and someone raised their hand to pose a question.

Instinctively, like how Caleb, Rafayel, and Xavier practiced with me, my hand raised to gesture to the person to let them ask their inquiry. But before I was able to muster up a response, a single resounding clap rang out in the conference room.

“Nicely done,” Sylus says, his voice cutting through the quiet room. I blinked in surprise, already trying to prepare answers for whatever questions the audience had. But Sylus stood up, turning to me with a smile playing on his lips—a cold glimmer and sparkle of amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Don’t worry about answering their questions. Your job was just to put the slides together and present them for me, and you did just that.” He pauses, and I could feel every eye in the room on me as he added, almost too softly, “You can just stand there and look cute, sweetie.”

The blood drained from my face. Cute?

“And I’m the one posing questions, not them. The people who sent you the content—those are the ones answering my questions now.” His gaze flicked lazily to a corner of the table. “Director Qian. What measures are being implemented to address the shortcomings of the second half of this year?”

The room froze over as everyone’s eyes were wide at Sylus’s sudden question. The man in question shakily stood up, voice trembling as he attempted to answer on the spot.

“W-Well, Sylus, we’re still… um, collating the necessary data to—”

“Collating data?” Sylus repeats slowly, voice dripping with disdain. “Interesting. And here I thought your unit provided me with that data to begin with. Otherwise, how would it be in this presentation?”

The room goes cold as Sylus’s gaze shifts to the director. He’s unimpressed, and the silence stretches.

Caleb or Rafayel might exchange uneasy looks, knowing what’s coming.

“I wonder where all of you are getting your sense of job security from,” he mused, slowly tapping the oak table with his finger.  A smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as his eyes lazily moved around the table across all of the directors, team leads and C-suite executives.  “Perhaps I’ve been too lenient with this previous round of layoffs.”  Sylus let out a low chuckle, basking in the heightened anxiety of the room.  “Don’t get too complacent. Just because I’ve laid off 80% of the workforce, doesn’t mean I need to keep the remaining 20% either,” he stood up, chair screeching in the silent room, as he walked over to me - a heavy hand was placed on my shoulder.  It felt like the weight of the world was pressing on my neck. Wide-eyed stares from around the room sent ripples of fear down every nerve in my body.  Cold sweat broke upon my neck and hot flashes of dread and embarrassment boiled up in my cheeks.  I bit the bottom of my lip to keep myself from shaking at his sudden and close proximity as I could feel his stare pierce through my entire being.

I stared with intense fixation on the floor, unable and unwilling to bring my gaze up to look back at the hundreds of eyes on me. Sylus’s hand on me felt like I was Atlas being crushed by the weight of the world. Focusing on the ground was the only way to keep myself from fainting now; I was so lightheaded and dizzy with everything that was transpiring. The floor was an interesting pattern.  The carpet was red and black in crashing and colliding sprays of mist and organic curves that seemed to be at odds with one another, yet perfectly in harmony at the same time. The chaotic red and black swirls felt like they were swallowing me whole, like I was standing on a void painted to look civilized. I could tell that even in the smallest of details, Sylus had total dictation over everything in his organization.  This carpet was a reminder of whose building you were standing in.  Who you worked for.  Who you belonged to.

My keen interest in the floor was broken sharply as I felt a cold finger trace the outline of my jaw, tucking a stray strand of hair back against my ear.  I couldn’t suppress the small squeak of surprise at the feeling and the darkening flush that was burning at my skin.

I heard a piercing screech grate at my ears and a loud crash at the back corner of the room and looked up to see a very flustered Caleb standing straight up with a torn expression between anger and embarrassment.

I felt Sylus’s gaze leave my face and peered up to see him focus on Caleb with a raised brow.

Caleb stared straight back at him, his clenched and shaking fist was a testament to his anger and fraying patience at the situation.

“Are you volunteering to get laid off first, Director Xia? And here I thought I just promoted you. Eager to declare unemployment so soon?” Sylus chuckled, shaking his head with amusement.

I looked up to Sylus in shock and back to Caleb as panic hit me like a truck.  My breath hitched in my throat as I sent a pleading look to Caleb in an attempt to convince him to calm down.  I watched as Caleb bit his lip in an effort to keep his temper and not quip back at Sylus for asking him that question, but I knew that Caleb’s temper would get the better of him if something didn’t intervene soon.

The tension in the room was dense; it weighed down like a suffocating fog, crushing the breath of every occupant within it.

Moments passed in what felt like eons.

“I would advise against firing him,” a cool and composed voice cut across the rising tension between them.  I let out a breath of relief as Sylus’s wrath was redirected from Caleb elsewhere.  I looked towards the direction of the speaker and locked eyes with Zayne who looked on coldly at the situation in front of him.  “I don’t think there’s merit to further staff reductions, especially in our sales force that has met and surpassed their metrics for this quarter already.”

Sylus let out a long, drawn out chuckle.  The deep timbre sent shivers of danger running down my back as Zayne became the sole recipient of Sylus’s volatile wrath.

“I believe that I’ve hired you as the chief technology officer, not the chief financial officer.”  Sylus stepped away from me and started walking towards Zayne.  My muscles tensed up as Sylus towered over a seated Zayne, who held his arms crossed all while maintaining the cool composure he always had ever since we were children.

“Yes. But since you fired the CFO yesterday morning alongside the entire finance department, I was assigned to the dual temporary role of both Chief Technology Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as stated in your org change announcement.  I would say that this is an insight within my jurisdiction to present.”

The air in the room dropped a few degrees and I shivered in the face of such a bold retort.

Sylus was staring at Zayne to the point where I thought that he was trying to kill him from it.  I wouldn’t have survived had I been in Zayne’s seat.  I doubt anyone other than Zayne would have.

Everyone was on the edge of their seat, wondering if there was a tomorrow to wake up to in the post of this ensuing chaos.

And then Sylus laughed.

It was a maddening laugh.

He laughed in the way in which each tone and breath was punctuated with a snide and callous tone- befitting of his control and power over each and every one of us in his building.

“Fine,” he smirked, his intense gaze fixated on Zayne. Even though he said that, everyone could tell that it wasn’t fine. “You’ve made a fair point.” Everyone could tell that there was no truth to his words.  Sylus might have said that to concede for now, but there was surely something else that he would do to retaliate at Zayne’s defiance. I was fearing for him in the back of my mind, my heart rate skyrocketing to the point where I felt that cardiac arrest was soon upon me.

But instead of fearing for Zayne, perhaps I should have been more concerned for myself.

Any lingering doubts I had once about why we needed to do the mandatory HR training on workplace harassment and retaliation had disintegrated in my mind.  I had once laughed at the notion that retaliation and harassment could exist in such ridiculous scenarios in real life, but here it was.  Manifested right into reality right before my very eyes.

My screams of terror were stuck in my throat as I stood rooted in place- completely paralyzed. My once pure perception of working at Onyxion shattered before me. 

I couldn’t believe I was so naive to have admired the Onyxion CEO in the way that I did when I first came to this company.

Sylus’ hand gripped my chin and tilted my head to look straight up at him. I was petrified; my neck was starting to cramp at the intense angle that I had to stare up at him with- his tall frame towered over mine like a giant’s.

He stared into me with those intense eyes of his, and I felt each thread and fiber of my existence and sanity unraveling from my material mind and body, every ounce of control and autonomy I believe I once had working where, slipping from my grasp.

“I heard we haven’t sent out the intern return offers yet,” his fingers crept up my face and traced the shell of my ear.

Alarms blared in my mind. My skin crawled as his fingers brushed against my ear, stiffening me in place.  ‘This is harassment,’ I thought aloud to myself.  ‘This is the workplace harassment that I saw in the training video last month. Is this for real? It can’t be. It really can’t be.’

The corners of Sylus’s lips turned further upwards, visceral enjoyment clear on his face.

“If I could fire the talent acquisition team more than once, I would have done so already,” he mused, face drawing closer to mine.  I held my breath, not daring to breathe with him so close.  “So I guess the task of sending out the return offers can fall on me.”

Sylus stared into my eyes with his intense crimson ones before turning away to leave the dumbfounded room. “Congratulations on your promotion to full-time employee.”

The doors slammed shut behind him, and I felt like all the strings were cut from my body as I collapsed to my knees and fainted.

[ao3feed-tododeku]

My Hero Catademia

My Hero Catademia by Xavs 09 09

In a world where quirks have transcended the boundaries of humanity, a new phenomenon emerges, granting extraordinary abilities to the feline population. My hero catademia V.1 is the captivating journey of Class 1-A at U.A. High School as they navigate a world where humans and cats possess quirks. As they witness the rise of heroic cats and the formation of the Hero Cat Alliance, our young heroes-in-training find themselves embarking on a thrilling adventure alongside their newfound feline companions. Together, they must unravel the mysteries behind these extraordinary quirks, embrace the bonds between species, and unleash the full potential of their combined powers. Join Izuku, Ochaco, Todoroki, and the rest of Class 1-A as they embark on a feline-filled odyssey that will forever change the definition of heroism. It's time to witness the birth of the ultimate tag team: humans and their purrfect partners. Get ready for a tail-wagging, whisker-twitching adventure that will leave you feline fine!

Words: 2432, Chapters: 4/?, Language: English

Series: Part 1 of My hero catademia

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Class 1-A, Midoriya Izuku, Uraraka Ochako, Iida Tenya, Todoroki Shouto, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead

Additional Tags: Cats, Funny, Cute, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Animals With Quirks

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48200809

More Izuku Stories

[zhoumeyourlove]

hey, you can call me xav. he/him, 19, bi gay greyrose (sexuality is Complicated). i like & follow from @xavigav, this is one of my 3 billion sideblogs

my favorite series, roughly in order:

the cursed heart

crimes of passion

blades of light and shadow

perfect match

immortal desires

high school story (og)

it lives (esp. ilitw)

the elementalists

if you want to navigate my blog look at my featured tags!

fic masterlist | mc masterlist | favorite LIs | shining nikki x choices

any dividers on my posts are from @cafekitsune <3

[evansmotorsportperformance]

The Ultimate Guide to 2024 Mustang Parts: Enhance Your Driving Experience

The 2024 Mustang is a beast on the road, embodying the perfect blend of power, style, and advanced technology. Whether you’re aiming to boost performance, enhance aesthetics, or upgrade your ride’s features, finding the right parts is crucial. Dive into our comprehensive guide to the top 2024 Mustang parts and take your driving experience to the next level!

Unleash the Power: Performance Parts 🚀💪

1. High-Performance Air Filters 🌬️

A high-performance air filter ensures your Mustang’s engine breathes better, which translates to increased horsepower and efficiency. Brands like K&N and AFE offer filters that maximize airflow and protect your engine from contaminants.

Benefits: Improved acceleration, better fuel efficiency.

Top Picks: K&N High-Performance Air Filter, AFE Power Pro 5R.

2. Cold Air Intakes ❄️🔧

Upgrade your Mustang’s air intake system with a cold air intake to enhance engine performance. By drawing cooler air into the engine, these systems can significantly boost horsepower and torque.

Benefits: Increased horsepower, better throttle response.

Top Picks: JLT Performance Cold Air Intake, Roush Performance Cold Air Kit.

3. Performance Exhaust Systems 🎶🚀

A performance exhaust system not only adds a distinctive growl to your Mustang but also improves engine efficiency. Look for systems made from high-quality materials that reduce backpressure and enhance exhaust flow.

Benefits: Enhanced sound, increased power.

Top Picks: Borla ATAK Exhaust System, MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust.

4. ECU Tuners ⚙️📈

Maximize your Mustang’s potential with an ECU tuner. These devices reprogram your car’s engine control unit to optimize performance parameters, resulting in a noticeable boost in power and efficiency.

Benefits: Increased horsepower and torque, improved fuel economy.

Top Picks: SCT X4 Power Flash, Hypertech Max Energy Tuner.

Enhance Your Ride: Aesthetic Upgrades 🎨🚗

1. Custom Grilles ✨🔥

Give your Mustang a unique look with a custom grille. From aggressive mesh designs to sleek billet styles, a new grille can completely transform the front end of your vehicle.

Benefits: Improved appearance, enhanced airflow.

Top Picks: Roush Mustang Grille, CDC Performance Grille.

2. Body Kits 🛠️🚀

Elevate your Mustang’s exterior with a body kit. Whether you’re looking for a full kit or individual components like side skirts and rear diffusers, body kits can significantly enhance your car’s aerodynamic profile and visual appeal.

Benefits: Improved aerodynamics, aggressive styling.

Top Picks: APR Performance Body Kit, Steeda Mustang Body Kit.

3. Spoilers and Wings 🕶️🌪️

Add a touch of racing flair with spoilers and wings. These components not only enhance the Mustang’s sporty look but also provide additional downforce at high speeds, improving stability.

Benefits: Sporty appearance, increased downforce.

Top Picks: Saleen Rear Wing, Ford Performance Spoiler.

4. LED Lighting Kits 💡🚗

Upgrade your lighting with LED kits to achieve a modern and striking look. LED headlights, taillights, and underglow kits can make your Mustang stand out even in the darkest conditions.

Benefits: Enhanced visibility, stylish look.

Top Picks: Diode Dynamics LED Headlights, Oracle Lighting LED Taillights.

Comfort and Technology: Modern Upgrades 🌟📱

1. Advanced Infotainment Systems 🎶📡

Stay connected and entertained with a cutting-edge infotainment system. Upgrades like larger touchscreen displays and advanced navigation systems offer an enhanced driving experience.

Benefits: Improved connectivity, better navigation.

Top Picks: Sony XAV-AX8000, Alpine iLX-107.

2. Custom Seat Covers 🛋️🧥

Protect your seats and add a personal touch with custom seat covers. Choose from various materials and designs to match your style while keeping your seats in top condition.

Benefits: Added protection, personalized style.

Top Picks: Covercraft Custom Seat Covers, Katzkin Leather Seat Covers.

3. Upgraded Suspension Systems 🏎️🛠️

Enhance your Mustang’s handling and ride quality with upgraded suspension components. Performance shocks, struts, and springs can make a noticeable difference in how your car feels on the road.

Benefits: Better handling, smoother ride.

Top Picks: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Bilstein B6 Performance Shocks.

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Upgrade your climate control system to ensure optimal comfort in any weather. Features like automatic climate control and advanced air filtration can make every drive more enjoyable.

Benefits: Improved comfort, better air quality.

Top Picks: Ford Performance Climate Control Kit, WeatherTech All-Weather Floor Mats.

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Choosing the right parts for your 2024 Mustang is crucial for achieving the performance, appearance, and comfort you desire. Here’s why our selection stands out:

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Upgrading your 2024 Mustang with the right parts can significantly enhance its performance, appearance, and comfort. Whether you’re looking to boost power, refresh your car’s look, or improve driving comfort, we have the parts you need. Explore our collection and transform your Mustang into a true powerhouse on the road!

Ready to take your ride to the next level? Browse our selection of 2024 Mustang parts and get started on your upgrade today! 🚗💨💥

[technotub]

Which Bluetooth Car Stereo Has Built-In Navigation: Top 5 Products

If you're in the market for a Bluetooth car stereo with built-in navigation, you're in luck! In this article, we will highlight Which Bluetooth Car Stereo Has Built-In Navigation. So, let's dive in and discover the best options available. 1. Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX: Cutting-Edge Navigation and Connectivity 2. Kenwood eXcelon DDX9907XR: Convenience and Advanced Features 3. Sony XAV-AX5500: Budget-Friendly and Reliable 4. Alpine X308U: Sleek Design and Intuitive Navigation 5. JVC KW-M865BW: Feature-Packed and User-Friendly FAQs about Bluetooth Car Stereos with Built-In Navigation Conclusion: Enhance Your Driving Experience

1. Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX: Cutting-Edge Navigation and Connectivity

The Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX takes the top spot in our list of Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation. It offers an impressive 7-inch touchscreen display and a user-friendly interface. This stereo supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing seamless connectivity with your smartphone. With its built-in navigation system, you can easily access maps and directions without the need for additional devices. The Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX is designed to deliver exceptional performance and a stress-free navigation experience. FEATURED

Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX

5The Pioneer AVIC-W8600NEX sets a new benchmark for high-end aftermarket head units and allows you to add the latest connectivity to almost any car.- Every imaginable feature and unbelievable upgrade possibilities. - PriceBuy Now

2. Kenwood eXcelon DDX9907XR: Convenience and Advanced Features

Next up is the Kenwood eXcelon DDX9907XR, a Bluetooth car stereo known for its convenience and advanced features. It features a vibrant 6.8-inch high-definition touchscreen display that ensures clear visibility of maps and navigation information. With built-in Garmin navigation, real-time traffic updates, and voice control, you can navigate effortlessly while keeping your hands on the wheel. This stereo also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing seamless smartphone integration and access to navigation apps.

Kenwood eXcelon DDX9907XR

- Features 6.8" High Definition Monitor with Capacitive Touch Panel Android Auto Android Auto Wireless Wired - Wireless Apple CarPlay High-Resolution Audio Wireless Wireless Mirroring for Android USB Mirroring for iPhone and Android 4 - Camera Inputs / HD Rear Camera Ready Built-in Bluetooth HD Radio WiFi 3 Pre outs 5V Smartphone Connectivity 5Buy Now

3. Sony XAV-AX5500: Budget-Friendly and Reliable

For those seeking a budget-friendly option without compromising quality, the Sony XAV-AX5500 is an excellent choice. This Bluetooth car stereo offers a generous 6.95-inch touchscreen display and a user-friendly interface. Its built-in navigation system provides reliable directions and maps, eliminating the need for relying solely on your smartphone. With Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, you can enjoy seamless smartphone integration and access to navigation features at an affordable price point.

Sony XAV-AX5500

- Bezel-less capacitive touchscreen - Compact rear chassis for easy installation - Built in Rear Camera Input; Camera sold separately - Dual rear USB ports for phone connection and music library - 5V Front, rear and subwoofer gold-plated pre-amp outputs - SiriusXM ready5Buy Now

4. Alpine X308U: Sleek Design and Intuitive Navigation

The Alpine X308U combines a sleek design with intuitive navigation features. It features a 9-inch touchscreen display that enhances visibility and usability. The built-in navigation system ensures accurate and up-to-date maps, allowing you to navigate with confidence. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, you can access your favorite navigation apps and enjoy seamless smartphone integration. The Alpine iLX-X308U is an ideal choice for those who value both aesthetics and functionality.

Alpine X308U

- Built-in navigation system with 3D representations of buildings, landmarks, and terrain maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, plus 7 million points of interest free lifetime HERE traffic service in metropolitan areas text-to-speech voice prompts announce actual road names at turns lane assistance and junction view pinch-to-zoom map interface Alpine Go! app sends destination from your phone to the X308U5Buy Now

5. JVC KW-M865BW: Feature-Packed and User-Friendly

Last but not least, the JVC KW-M865BW offers a feature-packed experience with user-friendly navigation capabilities. Its 6.8-inch touchscreen display provides a clear view of maps and navigation information. This stereo supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling easy integration with your smartphone and access to navigation apps. With its intuitive interface and reliable navigation system, the JVC KW-M865BW ensures a smooth and hassle-free navigation experience.

JVC KW-M865BW

- GENERAL FEATURES: 6.8" resistive touchscreen display, Wi-Fi certified, Waze-ready with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, - EXPANDABILITY: Compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner - ADDITIONAL: Compatible with iDataLink Maestro module, wired connection to parking brake required to access settings and other features on this receiver (the brake must be connected and set for video display) - 5Buy Now

FAQs about Bluetooth Car Stereos with Built-In Navigation

- Can I update the maps on a Bluetooth car stereo with built-in navigation? - Absolutely! Most Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation offer map update capabilities. Manufacturers regularly release map updates to ensure accuracy and introduce new features. For specific instructions on updating your stereo's maps, consult the manufacturer's website or contact their customer support. - Do Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation require an internet connection? - No, Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation systems do not necessarily rely on an internet connection. These stereos come preloaded with maps and utilize GPS technology for navigation. However, certain advanced features like real-time traffic updates may require an internet connection through your smartphone's data or a Wi-Fi hotspot. - Can I use voice commands for navigation with Bluetooth car stereos? - Absolutely! Many Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation support voice commands for navigation purposes. This convenient feature allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road. Simply activate the voice control function and issue commands to navigate to your desired destination. - Are Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation compatible with all smartphones? - Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation systems generally offer compatibility with both iOS and Android smartphones. However, it's essential to review the stereo's specifications and compatibility list to ensure compatibility with your specific smartphone model and operating system version. - Can I play music from my smartphone through a Bluetooth car stereo with built-in navigation? - Absolutely! Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation systems provide seamless audio streaming capabilities. Connect your smartphone wirelessly and enjoy your favorite music or podcasts through your car's speakers. Say goodbye to tangled cables and embrace a clutter-free audio experience. - Do Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation support hands-free calling? - Yes, indeed! Most Bluetooth car stereos with built-in navigation feature built-in Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to make and receive hands-free calls. The integrated microphone and speaker system ensure clear communication, allowing you to have conversations while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Conclusion: Enhance Your Driving Experience

In conclusion, investing in a Bluetooth car stereo with built-in navigation can elevate your driving experience to new heights. The options presented in this guide, including the Pioneer AVIC-W8400NEX, Kenwood Excelon DNX996XR, and Sony XAV-AX5000, offer reliable navigation and a host of additional features. Remember to consider factors like display size, user interface, smartphone compatibility, and advanced functionalities such as voice control and real-time traffic updates. Select the Bluetooth car stereo with built-in navigation that suits your preferences and needs. Say goodbye to getting lost and hello to seamless navigation, hands-free calling, and enhanced audio experiences. Enjoy stress-free journeys and make the most of your time on the road. Read the full article

[rviner]

Ines has had her share of close calls before. Dodging out of the way of someone sprinting from Vanguard, narrowly avoiding getting caught up in street brawls that flare up like storms with no warning. It's life in The Wards, where quick thinking and even quicker feet are survival tools. But this? This is different. The kind of adrenaline pumping through her veins now is sharper, laced with real fear, unlike anything she's felt before. It drives her to move faster than she ever thought possible.

The sound of boots pounding against the metal floor echoes in her ears, the vibrations shaking beneath her feet. They're too close. Way too close. Her heart slams against her chest as she and Xavier tear down the street, Main Street just ahead, a place she foolishly hopes will offer some kind of safety. But as they finally reach it, the brief flicker of relief evaporates.

A scream slices through the chaos, and the street explodes into motion. Ines barely has time to react as the crowd surges, a wave of people pushing and shoving in a frenzy. She grips Xavier's arm like a lifeline, her breath ragged, trusting him to guide her through the stampede. "I can't get it!" Ines shouts, trying to yank her comms free. But, she's boxed in by bodies pressing in on all sides. If it weren't for Xavier's steady grip on her shoulder, she'd be lost in the crush and swept away in the wave of people. Panic rises in her throat as she stumbles. "Xav...Xav, what if dad's back there? Or Lola and Raf!?" the fear is raw in her voice. Jakob. Her mind races as the crowd jostles them from side to side. "I wanna go back! Xav! We need to turn back!"

And then the explosion shatters the air, a ball of flames hitting a market stall and then another into a building. A concussive blast that ripples the street. Ines's grip tightens onto Xavier as she's nearly swept away by the people screaming and scattering in every direction. Her feet are almost tripping her over herself as she keeps moving but her eyes are darting, searching for anywhere that could help them navigate away from the chaos.

"If I was complaining, you'd know about it. Stop derailing shit." Xavier dismissed her, but gave Ines an unimpressed look. "I don't do everything dad says." he laughed slightly, almost offended at her perspective before he scoffed. "You're just trying to piss me off. Won't work." he added, focusing ahead. Ines rambled on about balloons and farts, and Xavier heard it but his attention started to drift. He wasn't zoning out completely, just scanning. It was instinct now, checking their surroundings. His eyes flicked to unfamiliar faces, noting the tension in the air, the subtle shift in energy. He could feel something off, something hovering just on the edge of his awareness. I

It's only when Ines joked about someone else picking her up that he snapped back, his expression a mix of mild annoyance and vague concern. "Obviously not. Should've seen how worried dad was every time Tommy said he'd watch out for you." he chuckled but there wasn't long for it to stick. Trouble was already there. "I'm not fighting." Xavier insisted but his voice was low and his hand tightened at Ines's arm, ready to steer her in whatever direction was needed. He could feel the tension just in the footsteps behind them, that moment where the air seemed to thin. He knew whatever was about to happen was a moment they couldn't avoid.

"Dammit, Nes." Xavier hissed as she glanced back. He didn't even need to see it, he heard it. The scrape of feet against the metal, the dull thud of movement picking up speed. Xavier shifted into gear with his sister, pushing Ines off so she could take the lead. A quick look over his shoulder and he caught a glimpse of their attackers, masks covering their faces, weapons clutched tight. Makeshift, but no less dangerous. They moved as a unit, fast and deliberate, no hesitation.

"Oh, want me to just stop and ask who these guys are? What the fuck?" Xavier shouted back to Ines's question, moving alongside her and matching her pace. Slightly concerned that she could run faster than him, but also thankful. Main Street had never seemed so safe before, and Xavier was already thinking several steps ahead. As they reached the end of the alley, he grabbed hold of Ines again, pulling her with him to get lost in the crowd. He hoped to slip into the shadows, to wind through bodies until they lost the group. But, everything changed. Before they could even run much further, a woman's scream echoed and just like that, the whole street erupted into chaos.

"Shit, what the fuck is going on?" Xavier shouted, his head swiveling to glance around as a crowd surged into life, moving like a current. All he could hear was metal connecting to flesh, the horrible scorched stench of a plasma knife doing its job. "Okay, we gotta find..." his voice was loud and strained, keeping Ines moving forward, hand on her shoulder now as he made sure she stayed in front of him. "You got your comms? Find out where dad is, maybe it's safer at the shop."

[royally-sea-green]

LET'S RUN FREE UNDERNEATH THE STARS

── .✦

xaveria | minor | she/her | straight/bi/pan/questioning | swimming | hufflepuff | child of tyche | dauntless | district 6 | aquarius | istp | professional procrastinator | wes bennett's gf | pinterest | discord: dyingoflaughter

── .✦

dni over 30, under 13, basic dni

── .✦

artists: taylor swift, one direction, gracie abrams, olivia rodrigo, sabrina carpenter, niall horan, coldplay, lauv, rosé, fall out boy

── .✦

movies/shows: legally blonde, percy jackson and the olympians (disney +), xo kitty, the adam project, five feet apart, true beauty, descendants (1, 2 and 3), all of us are dead, train to busan, red white and royal blue, wonder, young royals, the on1y one

── .✦

books: percy jackson, heroes of olympus, magnus chase, keeper of the lost cities, cherub, henderson's boys, moon base alpha, land of stories, harry potter, hunger games, maze runner, divergent, mortality doctrine series, song of achilles, they both die at the end, i hope this doesn't find you, the darkness outside us, better than the movies, this time it’s real, if you could see the sun

── .✦

dms and asks are always open <33

── .✦

m. list

── .✦

currently:

reading: ???

listening to: thnks fr th mmrs by fall out boy

watching: bright time 芥子时光

THE STARS CAME OUT JUST TO GET A GLIMPSE OF YOUR SMILE

[blog-autoradio-double-din-blog]

La meilleure unité double tête DIN 2019

Les unités à double tête DIN sont plus désirables que le plus petit DIN simple car vous aurez plus que probablement un plus grand écran. Cela signifie que la stéréo aura plus de fonctionnalités, regarder mieux et ajouter une valeur supplémentaire à la voiture.

La meilleure unité de tête double DIN est l'écran tactile Pioneer AVH4200NEX System avec un écran motorisé, Bluetooth intégré et de nombreuses autres fonctionnalités.

La plupart des stéréos à double DIN de rechange ont un écran LED élégant avec de grands boutons pour contrôler le système. Les unités de double DIN d'OEM qui ne sont pas trouvées dans les voitures Premium n'ont généralement pas de grand affichage terne regardant et les boutons dispersés partout.

Vous pouvez aussi joindre dans un autre site concernant avec GPS Hyundai ix35

Unité principale Pioneer AVH4200NEX 2-DIN.

La marque Pioneer est leader du marché dans la catégorie stéréo double DIN avec des unités de tête disponibles pour une gamme de budgets. Le AVH4200NEX est un stéréo double DIN haut de gamme qui comprend un amplificateur interne avec 14 watts RMS et 50 watts x 4 canaux.

Pour les propriétaires de voitures souhaitant appel mains libres Bluetooth sans les tracas de l'utilisation de speakerphones, cette stéréo est ce que vous voulez. Il a Bluetooth intégré qui peut être utilisé pour les deux mains sans appel qui prennent en charge deux téléphones et le streaming audio.

Alpine ILX-107 double DIN stéréo in-Dash

Alpine est une marque audio haut de gamme et l'ILX-107 est la stéréo double DIN la plus chère au sein de cet article. Il n'est pas seulement trop cher, les caractéristiques et la qualité de construction est excellent et contrairement à beaucoup de solutions de rechange, il a la navigation avec les cartes Apple.

L'unité double DIN Alpine ILX-107 est très ciblée vers les produits Apple tels que les iPhones. Les logiciels inclus tels que Apple CarPlay peuvent fonctionner sans fil et sont très faciles à utiliser une fois que vous commencez à vous habituer à elle.

Sony XAV-AX100 double récepteur DIN

Sony est l'une des plus grandes marques dans le monde et leur technologie audio est très réputé pour être l'état de l'art. En termes de stéréos de voiture, Sony ne serait pas le premier "aller à" unité que vous choiriez, mais le XAV-AX100 est très populaire et offre une excellente compatibilité avec les smartphones Android et Apple.

L'écran est 6,4 pouces avec des commandes tactiles sensibles pour utiliser les fonctions de la navigation, playlists musicales, appels téléphoniques et bien plus encore. C'est aussi le seul double DIN avec un cadran rotatif, qui est une très belle touche.

Pioneer AVH-290BT double unité de tête DIN

Avec un élégant écran LED 6,2 pouces, le Pioneer AVH-290BT est une unité de tête d'écran entièrement tactile avec de nombreuses fonctionnalités. La conception de cette stéréo double DIN particulier est en conformité avec ceux des voitures de marque de voiture de première qualité, mais à un dixième du prix. Le design épuré et discret n'est pas intrusif pour le cockpit des voitures et complimente la majorité des voitures.

Le Pioneer AVH-290BT n'a pas de navigation par satellite, cependant en utilisant votre téléphone et le lien vers l'audio de cette stéréo est un petit prix à payer. Dans l'ensemble, il est le meilleur bon marché Pioneer double DIN stéréo pour ceux qui veulent s'en tenir à la marque populaire.

Corehan Android double DIN stéréo

Le Corehan Android exploité double radio DIN a un grand écran LCD 6,95 pouces. Le design épuré de cette stéréo est très similaire à une tablette, qui sera très bien dans la majorité des voitures.

Si vous êtes très technique, vous êtes en mesure de programmer cette double radio DIN à des fonctions personnalisées. Bien que, cette unité de tête a déjà un large éventail de fonctionnalités, y compris une connexion Bluetooth OBD, qui peut réduire le besoin d'un scanner OBD2.

Kenwood DDX773BH 6,95 HD

Le Kenwood DDX773BH est l'un des plus beaux à la recherche de deux stéréos DIN sur le marché aujourd'hui. Le grand écran avec des bords limités non seulement semble grand, mais il est également écran tactile avec un affichage pointu.

Comme les caméras de recul sont de plus en plus populaires, le besoin d'unités de tête double DIN pour les soutenir sont nécessaires. Cette stéréo Kenwood ajustera automatiquement l'affichage à la caméra de recul lorsque la marche arrière est sélectionnée.

[guide-autoradio-blog]

Les meilleurs autoradios de voiture avec Apple Car Play et Android auto.

Après avoir recherché 70 modèles et tests 19, nous avons constaté que le Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX est le meilleur autoradio de remplacement pour les conducteurs qui utilisent Apple Car Play ou Android auto pour profiter des fonctions de leur Smartphone à partir du tableau de bord de la voiture, ce qui facilite et plus sûr de diffuser de la musique, naviguer vers une destination ou effectuer des appels téléphoniques mains libres. Quel que soit le système d'exploitation téléphonique que vous utilisez, le Pioneer facilite la connexion et l'utilisation de ces fonctionnalités que n'importe quelle autre chaîne stéréo que nous avons essayé.

Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX.

Distingué par l'option rare d'utiliser une connexion sans fil à Car Play ou Android auto (vous pouvez également brancher si vous le souhaitez), le Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX a également un écran qui est plus attrayant et personnalisable que beaucoup d'autres stéréos'. Il dispose de contrôles physiques intuitifs et d'une suite de fonctionnalités supplémentaires, y compris plusieurs connexions d'entrée/sortie et un lecteur de CD/DVD. Ce modèle Pioneer manque de navigation intégrée (vous aurez à utiliser votre téléphone pour cela) et un écran tactile capacitif-caractéristiques de notre choix de mise à niveau comprend-mais ce que vous faites ici (avec les centaines de dollars économisés en sautant le système de navigation) ajoute à un modèle C'est plus attrayant que les stéréos compétitifs que nous avons testés.

Vous pouvez aussi accédé dans dans un autre site concernant Autoradio Megane 3

Sony XAV-AX100.

Si vous voulez juste Apple Car Play ou Android auto, mais ne me dérange pas d'avoir à utiliser une connexion USB filaire pour les utiliser, le Sony XAV-AX100 est un bon choix. Contrairement à la plupart des stéréos double-DIN, ce Sony dispose d'un bouton pratique qui facilite les ajustements de volume. Son écran de 6,4 pouces est clair et réactif, bien qu'il soit plus petit que la plupart des autres modèles. Comparé à notre Top Pick, le XAV-AX100 manque également un lecteur de CD/DVD, la capacité de radio par satellite, et la possibilité de personnaliser l'illumination des boutons pour compléter l'intérieur de votre véhicule. Il n'est pas également conçu pour se connecter à un adaptateur iDatalink pour fonctionner avec les commandes du volant de votre voiture et d'autres fonctionnalités.

Pionnier AVIC-W8400NEX.

Le PIONEER AVIC-W8400NEX est presque la même stéréo que notre Top Pick, avec l'ajout d'un système de navigation intégré et un écran capacitif qui permet multitouch, pincer-à-zoom-contrôle de type. Comme avec notre Top Pick, vous pouvez vous connecter à la fois Apple Car Play et Android auto soit sans fil ou avec un cordon USB. La navigation intégrée vous permet de rester sur la bonne voie dans les zones où la mauvaise réception rend le mappage basé sur le téléphone peu fiable, ou vous voulez garder votre téléphone libre pour d'autres utilisations ou minimiser sa batterie et la consommation de données. Les fonctionnalités supplémentaires Tack quelques centaines de dollars sur le prix, donc nous recommandons ce modèle que si vous avez besoin de ces fonctionnalités — disons, vous passez beaucoup de temps à traverser des zones sans beaucoup de couverture.

Pioneer AVH-3400NEX

Si votre voiture n'a qu'une ouverture de tiret simple DIN (7 par 2 pouces) pour la stéréo, le pionnier AVH-3400NEX, avec un écran tactile coulissant intelligent, est votre meilleure option pour Apple Car Play et Android auto. Il est facile à utiliser, avec un bouton de volume pratique et de gros boutons sur le devant pour des fonctions courantes. L'écran motorisé de 7 pouces glisse hors et vers le haut pour l'utilisation, vous donnant effectivement la même interface qu'une stéréo double-DIN. Et il se rétracte de nouveau dans l'unité de tête quand vous éteignez la radio ou voulez simplement le cacher tout en écoutant l'audio. Mais en utilisant Car Play ou Android auto avec l'appareil nécessite une connexion filaire USB, et en fonction du tableau de bord de votre voiture, l'écran peut bloquer les contrôles climatiques ou des évents (il s'étend à environ 4 pouces au-dessus de la stéréo).

[scbrvght]

" fair enough, " a slight shrug accompanied his words. some things the guy was just going to have to navigate on his own. xav didn't want to taint anything in his own bias. the truth was, he was pretty sure every species had its good, bad, and then it's worse. most were arguably attractive -- demons had to make deals, vampires get blood, sirens were feeders. many of their kind had something to gain from mortals, so pretty privilege often came with the territory. " lucky for you, good looking isn’t too hard to come by around here. " the darkness in his eyes faded as quickly as it had come, a shift he hardly felt anymore, so accustomed to it. " I don’t do too much soul claiming these days anyway, " orbs narrowed slightly. " besides -- I'm not even sure if you've got one. " there was a hint of playfulness in his tone but as he said -- reapers were rare. there wasn't a whole lot even her knew about them. he eyed the other as if trying to see through him, like he would be able to see what was in there. " mutually beneficial arrangements -- that's much better. " he explained, the dark amusement in his eyes making it clear he was half-joking. " relax -- I won't put you a under contractually binding one. " leaning back against the wall, posture relaxed. " I'll keep you from getting your ass handed to you. "

demons. were nate still alive they'd almost certainly have been included on the list, written off with no second thought. having met some, or maybe just the one, that answer was a little less clear cut. “ if i came across a good looking one, and the situation came up... i wouldn't rule it out. ” he considers slowly, amusement lingering even if he's simply giving xavier an honest response to his question. “ besides, if i rule out everyone guess this... existence would get pretty dull. ” live and learn, as xavier had initially put it. not that he dwells on the intricacies of the language for long, can't bring himself to care much when the eyes of the demon in front of him are flashing black. at least that was one thing which the human media had gotten right. “ mh, suppose that depends - if you get bored and the deal's broken, are you sending me back to hell? or do you just get my soul? ” if he still even has one. or ever had done. either way the questions in jest, time spent in xavier's company not exactly long and yet he trusts him more than the various demons he's seen on tv. “ you've got yourself a deal. i'll do my best to keep you sane. ”

[guide-stereo-voiture-blog]

Les meilleurs stéréos de voiture.

Tournez le volume de votre trajet avec les meilleurs stéréos de voiture sur le marché.

Les stéréos de voiture ne sont pas aussi simples qu'avant. Certains font simplement votre trajet un peu plus fort sans Extras à parler, mais des modèles plus avancés vous propulsent dans l'âge des systèmes d'info divertissement à écran tactile, même si vous conduisez un 1987 Pontiac Le Mans. Si vous êtes prêt pour une mise à niveau, consultez les meilleurs stéréos de voiture actuellement disponibles flambant neuf. Envisagez d'obtenir de nouveaux haut-parleurs pendant que vous y êtes, aussi, pour la pleine «nouvelle voiture son expérience sans le prêt de 60 mois.

Vous pouvez aussi joindre dans un autre site avec les autoradios gps.

Sony XAV-AX100.

Le XAV-AX100 de Sony figure sur la liste croissante des stéréos de voitures de rechange compatibles avec Android auto et/ou Apple CarPlay. Cette unité fonctionne avec les deux, offrant aux utilisateurs un écran de 6,4 pouces, ils peuvent naviguer avec leurs doigts, avec des commandes vocales, ou en tournant un cadran rotatif commode. Les fans de musique apprécieront l'égaliseur 10 bandes intégré, tandis que ceux qui obtiennent queasy à l'idée de stationnement parallèle se sentiront mieux après avoir allumé la caméra de recul. Notez que le XAV-AX100 ne comprend pas le matériel requis pour votre voiture pour voir ce qui est derrière elle; C'est juste compatible avec les systèmes intégrés.

Pioneer MVH-X390BT.

Les CD sont si 1997, non? Pioneer MVH-X390BT devrait être votre Go-to Aftermarket voiture stéréo si vous pensez que le disque compact appartient à un musée avec l'Apple II, le magnétoscope, et le jeu original Grand Theft Auto. C'est un récepteur Bluetooth qui permet aux utilisateurs de diffuser de la musique et de faire des appels mains libres, à condition qu'il soit installé dans une voiture avec un microphone. Ne vous inquiétez pas, l'ajout d'un microphone Aftermarket est bon marché et facile si nécessaire. Il ya un port USB, aussi, mais le MVH-X390BT n'inclut pas un lecteur de CD. La partie fraîche est elle est compatible avec l'application gratuite de Pioneer ARC, qui transforme n'importe quel smartphone compatible en une télécommande.

Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X701.

Le Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X701 fonctionne bien comme une stéréo de milieu de gamme. Il n'est pas aussi basique que les unités moins chères sur le marché, et il n'est certainement pas aussi avancé que les modèles haut de gamme, mais il offre un bon son avec une fonction de Boost Bass et un égaliseur 13 bandes. La connectivité Bluetooth permet aux utilisateurs de diffuser de la musique directement à partir d'un Smartphone, et il transforme l'appareil en une télécommande après que les utilisateurs téléchargent l'application distante gratuite de Kenwood. mieux encore, le KDC-X701 peut se connecter à deux téléphones en même temps.

Pioneer AVH-X490BS.

Le composant central de l'AVH-X490BS de Pioneer est un écran de 7,0 pouces avec une résolution acceptable de 800 × 480 pixels. Vous aurez besoin d'un slot assez grand dans votre tableau de bord pour l'installer, ce qui signifie qu'il ne sera probablement pas tenir dans les voitures anciennes sans travail de fabrication rusé. Pioneer signale que la connexion USB filaire permet un son propre et clair lorsqu'un Smartphone ou un iPhone est branché, et que l'AVH distribue suffisamment d'électricité pour empêcher la batterie de votre appareil de fonctionner à un niveau faible. La connectivité Bluetooth et un ampli intégré sont tous deux inclus, la navigation est disponible moyennant des frais supplémentaires, et les utilisateurs peuvent télécharger des applications comme Pandora, Spotify et SiriusXM.

ALPINE CDE-143BT.

Nous ne recommandons pas le CDE-143BT d'Alpine à un véritable audiophile teint en laine, car c'est une unité relativement basique. Au lieu de cela, c'est une excellente option pour ceux qui veulent simplement remplacer un stéréo cassé, ou ceux qui achètent une voiture sans un pour commencer. Il regroupe les fonctionnalités fondamentale que vous attendez dans une chaîne stéréo moderne (y compris la connectivité Bluetooth, un lecteur de CD, et un port USB haute vitesse) dans un package simple qui est facile à installer et ne sera pas briser la Banque. C'est une unité discrète prospectifs aussi, donc il se mélange dans quel que soit le type de voiture, il entre en.

[dehautdesert]

Honestly this has been living in my head rent-free ever since I read the series.

Just imagine the culture clash between another Betan frill and a guy who grew up in a feudal society with horses and warlords and ladies preserving their virtues and never even saw a spaceship until he was an adult. He goes offworld for the first time and there are girls in short shorts.

And now he is put into a position where he has to learn very very quickly and navigate politics that are nigh incomprehensible to him before his planet gets either enslaved or incinerated.

And then the Betan frill accepts to go back to his decimated home planet with him - what kind of psychology would she have to have to do that? What does she think of it? What does she think of Xav's beloved brother who's slowly going insane? How does she feel about her daughter marrying this severe-looking dude who lived in the forest and scalped Cetagandans since he was like 14?

Lois said she'll never write about the Cetagandan occupation era because she doesn't care for writing something THAT grimdark (and I don't blame her lol) but it'd be such a fascinating period to explore.

Vorkosigan Saga prequel I want to see after reading Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance: how Prince Xav met and married the Betan woman who became Aral Vorkosigan’s grandmother. Interplanetary intrigue! Galactic arms deals! Resistance against the Cetagandan invaders!

[info-voiture-stereo-blog]

Les meilleurs autoradios avec CarPlay d’Apple et Android Auto

Après avoir mis en 40 heures de recherche voiture 35 stéréos et parler à des experts et un autre 20 heures essai neuf des modèles plus prometteuses, nous pensons que le Sony XAV-AX100 des dépenses sont la meilleure stéréo pour les conducteurs qui remplacent leur voiture unité de stock et que vous souhaitez le avantages de le CarPlay Apple ou Android Auto. Ces systèmes vous permettent d’accéder à des applications utiles et fonctionnalités sur compatible iPhone et appareils Android pendant que vous conduisez, sans qu’il soit nécessaire de regarder ou de toucher votre téléphone. Le XAV-AX100 est le plus facile à utiliser, possède l’écran plus réactif et est un des modèles plus abordables, que nous avons testé.

Sony XAV-AX100.

Le Sony XAV-AX100 vous offre une intégration transparente CarPlay Apple et Android Auto, mais aussi un écran clair, réactif et un bouton de commande très pratique, sans faire vous payez pour les suppléments que vous ne pouvez pas besoin comme un lecteur de CD, une radio satellite ou intégré dans la navigation, il offre la meilleure combinaison si vous voulez compter sur votre téléphone pour le divertissement et de navigation. Il s’inscrit dans la commune d’ouverture standard double-DIN (7 par 4-pouces) tableau de bord de nombreux véhicules et ses 6,4 pouces répond rapidement quand vous la tapez, sans le léger retard, nous avons vu dans d’autres modèles. Contrairement aux autres stéréos double-DIN, que nous avons testé, il possède une poignée traditionnelle pour le réglage de volume, rendant plus facile à utiliser pendant que vous conduisez que les modèles avec contrôle tactile seule ou petits boutons. En plus du système de commande vocale intégré de Sony, Siri yeux gratuit permet de possesseurs d’iPhone Siri permet de passer des radios et contrôler les autres fonctions en dehors de CarPlay. Semblable à d’autres modèles, que nous avons testé, le Sony prend également en charge de Bluetooth, beaucoup de radio-stations préréglées (30), sorties de préamplificateur pour étendre votre système audio et une entrée vidéo si vous souhaitez vous connecter à une caméra de recul.

JVC KW-M730BT.

Le JVC KW-M730BT est une bonne alternative à la Sony XAV-AX100. Il coûte généralement environ la même chose mais vous permet d’Écoutez des stations de Radio de HD et pouvez se connecter à un récepteur radio satellite SiriusXM. Son écran légèrement plus grand de la (6,8 pouces) est clair et lumineux, avec des boutons énormes, facile à utiliser. Cependant, nous n’aimions pas utiliser le JVC autant que nous avons fait le Sony car il manque Siri yeux libres, a des petits boutons pour la commande de volume au lieu d’un bouton de facile-à-grip et a moins de préréglages (20 contre 30).

Kenwood eXcelon DNX694S.

Si vous voulez intégré dans la navigation et un lecteur de CD, le Kenwood eXcelon DNX694S est un excellent choix, mais il en coûte généralement environ deux fois plus que notre premier choix. Le système de navigation Garmin intégré est utile si vous êtes fréquemment dans les zones à faible réception cellulaire et cartographie par téléphone n’est pas fiable. L’écran vous donne écran fractionné : un côté montre votre tour-par-tour directions, par exemple, tandis que l’autre présente vos commandes d’informations et de la lecture audio. Vous bénéficiez également de couleur variable rétroéclairage pour coordonner la stéréo de votre voiture autre éclairage intérieur. Alors que les modèles à bas prix ont généralement un port USB à l’arrière, le Kenwood a deux, donc vous pouvez utiliser un seul téléphone à exploiter CarPlay Apple ou Android Auto tout en chargeant un deuxième téléphone. Le Kenwood également prend en charge la HD Radio et a des entrées et sorties pour connecter des périphériques plus externes, tels que caméras et écrans DVD arrière extra vidéo. Toutefois, les menus de la DNX694S peuvent être compliquée, lourde et dérangeantes pour utilisation alors que vous êtes au volant et l’écran est parfois moins sensibles que ceux de notre premier choix et le Runner-Up.

Pioneer AVH-3300NEX.

Si votre voiture a seulement un tiret (7 par 2-pouces) single-DIN d’ouverture pour la stéréo, le Pioneer AVH-3300NEX, avec un écran tactile coulissant, est votre seule option pour CarPlay d’Apple et Android Auto. Heureusement, c’est un choix solid, avec un écran de 7 pouces, radio satellite, Siri yeux gratuit et une foule d’applications. Il est un des appareils plus simples à utiliser, avec un volume utile et gros boutons sur le devant pour les fonctions courantes. Il a même un lecteur de CD, si vous aimez faire tourner des disques. L’écran glisse dehors et pour l’utilisation et se replie vers le haut lorsque vous éteignez la radio (ou même quand vous voulez juste pour cacher tout en écoutant), qui vous donne une interface similaire à celle de nos recommandations de double-DIN. Toutefois, selon le tableau de bord de votre voiture, l’écran peut se bloquer les commandes de climatisation ou les évents (il s’étend d’environ 4 pouces au-dessus de la stéréo) et la conception implique complexité plus mécanique, ce qui signifie plus de choses qui pourraient mal tourner.

ILX Alpine-107.

Si vous ne voulez pas avoir à brancher un câble USB votre téléphone chaque fois que vous montez dans la voiture, vous pourriez préférer l’Alpine iLX-107. C’est la seule stéréo qui vous donne la possibilité de connecter votre iPhone sans fil pour CarPlay, qui peut être vraiment pratique (même si elle ne fait pas Auto Android). L’interface de l’iLX-107 est relativement facile à utiliser, avec les boutons de volume capacitif réactif sur la lunette. Son écran peut être capricieux, cependant, et nous avons eu souvent à chasser et à picorer pour trouver ce que nous voulions dans les menus.

[laurasfox-originals]

A New Life – A Good Servant Bonus Story  - Excerpt

The action in this story happens mostly after the main storyline and it tries to include all the suggestions and asks from my patrons. One of the things they wanted to know was “more of Marcus”. So hopefully, I delivered. :)

This is an excerpt:

Marcus leaned against his trustful van and began playing with his knife. Ayn had filled his head with some stupid ideas he could not believe he was getting all worked up now. So he was supposed to pick up some former Master from Aeria and get the guy’s precious bum across the desert, to Haven. Ayn was sure as hell that Marcus was going to like the guy.

“And he has pretty brown eyes, and a tight ass,” Ayn had told him while presenting his best friend the man Marcus was going to meet soon.

“You had me at ‘tight ass’,” Marcus had laughed.

Where could Ayn get the idea that the guy was going to like Marcus, too, that was a mystery. That Marcus was going to like the guy, that was sure. Because Marcus liked almost anyone, man or woman. Of course, he had his preferences. He liked his men weak and delicate, and his women strong and willful. Yeah, he liked one to give him lip. It made the fucking so much better. Some said he had some fucked up tastes.

And now Ayn had filled his head with some crazy stories about this guy. He had met Lucas, and he knew Xav, Ayn’s lover, well enough. If Masters had all been chosen like those guys, strong and tall, that had to mean that Ayn was just pulling his leg. And that was what everybody was saying. The former Masters had quite the fanbase everywhere they went. They just weren’t exactly his type.

Not that Marcus wouldn’t have gotten down and dirty with any of them. That, if they were interested. But, so far, he had had no such luck. Most of them still carried a chip on their shoulders to care about getting between the sheets with guys they thought beneath them.

All in all, he wasn’t supposed to get all worked up. Yet, there he was, waiting for this guy who was supposed to be, according to Ayn, everything his cock and balls needed.

He almost dropped the knife when he saw the guy coming down the stairs of the building in front of which he had parked his van. The guy was carrying a heavy luggage in one hand.

Ayn, the fucker, hadn’t lied. The man was dressed in a dark suit that was hugging his lithe body nicely. He had wavy hair the color of milk chocolate pulled at the back into a ponytail, and his pouty lips were to die for. Marcus couldn’t see his eyes, though. The guy was walking stiffly, his gaze cast down.

“Allow me,” he hurried to take the guy’s luggage.

The man seemed to resist for a second, but eventually he let Marcus take the bag from his hand.

“Arnaud, right?” he asked, wanting to see the man’s eyes.

Wow, was all Marcus could think. Caramel eyes, the shape of almonds, stared at him, and, from up close, the heart shaped lips were begging to be kissed. Fuck. How was he going to drive with this beautiful man by his side? Ayn should have known better. If there was going to be some accident, he was going to blame it all on that fucker of a friend of his.

***

Arnaud could feel his heart struggling against the cage of his chest, the moment his eyes met the other’s. He had to look up to do that. The man was strong, tall, and towering over him, making him feel puny. His dark eyes were glinting with mischief, and Arnaud was certain he was internally laughing at his so-called travel companion.

He cleared his throat and pulled at his collar. For some reason, the man’s proximity was making him feel hot. Maybe he just feared for his safety. The man looked like he could destroy someone like Arnaud just with a simple touch. But fear was usually cold, not hot like this.

It took him moments to realize the man had asked him a question.

“Yes,” he mumbled, and stiffened.

“I’m Marcus,” the man offered a large callous hand.

Was he supposed to take it? Back in Drena, he used to be a stickler for etiquette. Therefore, he could not simply overlook the gesture. He let his hand into the man’s paw, noticing how pale his skin looked like, a stark contrast against the man’s tan.

“A pleasure to meet you,” he said by force of habit and squeezed lightly the offered hand.

Which engulfed his, and kept it there, definitely more than what was socially accepted, if he could still remember such things correctly.

“The pleasure is all mine,” the man leaned in, and Arnaud could feel his breath hitching, as he delved deeper into the dark eyes.

The man was handsome, he realized through a small wave of vertigo. Not handsome like the pleasure slaves in Drena, or the servants. Not like Antoine. But his wild hair, fashioned, although that was not probably the right term, in convoluted corn rows hanging down his chest, and his rough face, and, most of all, his scent bringing the smell of desert and sun with him, along with aged leather and something else, had a strange effect on Arnaud.

He could hardly breathe. Could the man have the means to hypnotize him? By all means, Arnaud shouldn’t have been impressed by a mixed blood individual who looked a bit worse for wear, if he was judging the situation correctly.

“You were supposed to be well rested,” he pulled his hand out of the man’s grip. “And you look like you’ve spent your entire night drinking.”

Marcus raised one hand.

“Guilty as charged,” he laughed.

“Seriously?” Arnaud pursed his lips. “And we’re supposed to travel for how many hours?”

“We might take two days. We’ll stop along the way to rest, don’t worry, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart?!” Arnaud exploded. “Just who do you think you are?! I see Lucas intends to eliminate me in a rather convoluted manner! There are other ways to do that, I am certain!”

Marcus caught him by the elbow as he tried to turn on his heels and retreat to the relative safety of the home he had just left.

“I’m a hell of a driver. You’re safe with me. So hop on,” the man said in a voice that brooked no argument.

Arnaud wished he had the courage to protest. But the man’s hand on him was firm, and he allowed to be helped to climb inside the man’s strange vehicle.

 ~Through the desert~

Marcus eyed his charge with curiosity. Arnaud’s beautiful face was a bit flushed, a delicious shade of pink coloring the height of his aristocratic cheeks. Maybe the guy was pissed. Well, it wasn’t like Marcus could resist teasing the guy.

But, damn, Ayn had been right. Not only the guy was beautiful as sin, he was also delicate and just like Marcus liked. He had a bit of fire in him, but not like Ayn’s Xav. This one begged to be taken in hand, he could swear. By how quickly he had obeyed the moment Marcus got a bit hard on him, that had to be it.

He almost cursed as he plopped himself down on the driver’s seat. The fucking curse of having big balls. Without paying much attention to his precious charge, he adjusted the front of his pants. He was going to give Ayn a piece of his mind once back. Again, how the hell was he supposed to drive like that? He patted down his dick. Arnaud was frigging beautiful, but now was no time to think too much of the man next to him. He had to prove the guy he could drive even after a night spent partying. Who said people in Aeria didn’t know how to party? Marcus was certain he was corrupting some scientists, and helping them fry some of their very productive brain cells. It was okay; they had enough of that, and way too little fun.

“I cannot believe you just did that,” Arnaud murmured.

“What?” Marcus said confused.

The pink on the guy’s cheeks was turning red.

“You don’t expect me to say it, I hope,” Arnaud turned and gave Marcus the cold shoulder.

Marcus scratched his head. What could it be he had done that was pissing off the guy again?

“All right, I won’t call you sweetheart unless you beg me to,” he said.

“It’s not about that,” Arnaud replied, and remained half turned, as much as the seat allowed him to.

It was quite nice, Marcus thought. Because of his lithe frame, Arnaud had managed to turn on one side, so he was practically presenting his ass now. In his desire to show Marcus he didn’t care to look the guy in the eyes, he was actually doing him a favor.

“I bet people always love watching you go, baby,” he laughed and ignited the engine.

Arnaud turned to look at him now.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said,” Marcus said with satisfaction.

“So you think I wasn’t worthy of my position?”

Marcus almost scratched his head again, but he needed both hands on the wheel to navigate the streets of Aeria and take them out to the main road. This guy was complicated; he could bet.

“What position?” he asked. “I bet you’re lovely in any position.”

From the corner of his eye, he could notice the man seething now.

“I have a feeling you’re trying to insult me,” Arnaud hissed.

“Insult you? I think I’ve just complimented you,” Marcus said promptly. “Although I bet it’s on your back that you like it most. Or maybe … on your fours?”

There was silence for more than two seconds, so Marcus tore his eyes from the road to look at his companion.

“Ouch!” he yelled, and almost took the wrong turn.

That slap had stung. As fragile as the man looked, he had a heavy hand. He dared to steal another glance at the guy. He had turned to look at the road ahead, and he stood stiffly in his place. But his eyes were a bit too shiny.

“Sorry about that,” Marcus said. “I’m not used to polite company.”

The man’s eyelids fluttered, but Arnaud said nothing.

“Well, see, I’m a joker,” Marcus continued, seeing that the man didn’t say anything. “Everyone knows that. My fame precedes me. Everywhere I go, people say. Hey, it’s Marcus, the joker. And seriously, they laugh.”

“Do you always talk so much?” Arnaud finally spoke.

Good. So the man wasn’t that severely pissed.

“The radio is broken,” he pointed out at the dashboard. “So I need to compensate, or else I’ll die of boredom.”

“So why don’t you fix it?” Arnaud asked again.

“One, I have no idea how. Two, I like to drive others nuts with my chatter.”

“Do you have a toolbox somewhere?”

“Why?” Marcus looked at his companion.

“So I can repair the radio.”

Arnaud’s face had a normal color now. That was good. Phew, disaster averted. Ayn was going to laugh when Marcus was going to tell him that he got slapped for being an ass. But Xav was not going to be amused, and Marcus was not crazy about how Ayn’s partner had a way of dealing with mofos. Case in hand, he was surely to tell everyone not to give Marcus a drop of booze for at least one week. And his stash at home was dwindling. Yeah, Xav was going to ride his ass hard for being disrespectful to Arnaud. Maybe he just had to keep his big mouth shut.

“Yeah, it’s in the back, somewhere,” Marcus gestured over his shoulder. “It might take you all the way to Haven to find it.”

“I will take my chances,” Arnaud said, his lips still pursed in displeasure. “I’d rather inhale dust and whatever it is in the back of this vehicle than spend hours next to you.”

“Ah, that hurt,” Marcus covered his chest with one hand. “Even worse than your slap. By the way, I think you did it too hard. It’s burning,” he rubbed his cheek.

His companion snorted.

“You deserved it.”

“Not one ounce of mercy for a man in pain,” Marcus shook his head with mirth.

“You cannot be serious. Let me see,” Arnaud spoke.

Marcus focused on the road ahead, as warm fingers touched his cheek. His hands were itching to grab that caring hand and kiss it. But he had startled the man enough for at least one day.

“Your cheek is a bit warm, but you didn’t suffer any damage.”

“Glad to hear,” Marcus inhaled the man’s sweet scent.

After so much time spent in the desert, Xav was almost as ragged as the rest of their bunch. But this beautiful man was still an aristocrat down to the tip of his fingers. Marcus was wondering what the hell he had brought in that big luggage. If it was clothes, those were not going to keep well. He needed proper clothes, leather and jeans, to face the desert. They were going to find something for him. Although, it was a bit of a loss. Marcus wanted to admire the guy in his nice clothes, and without them, of course. He bet the man had a sexy lean body, easy to make love to.

Again, he needed to pay attention. Luckily, there wasn’t much traffic between Haven and Aeria, and there were still few parts of the road in construction. So even if he wasn’t 100% focused on driving, there wasn’t much to worry about.

The man moved away from him, and seconds later, Marcus heard him fiddling in the back with whatever was there. If he had been asked, Marcus would not have been capable of giving an inventory.

“It’s good that you have two spare tires,” Arnaud spoke from the back.

“Two? Yeah, that’s good,” Marcus chuckled.

“How long since you cleaned this place?”

“Hmm, that’s not something I remember,” Marcus replied.

“Ah, found it,” Arnaud spoke, and soon, he was back, and ready to get to work.

Marcus stole glances toward the man, as Arnaud carefully took out the radio unit, and began working on it. There was a shorter strand of wavy hair coming loose off the tie at the back, and Marcus was dying to touch it.

For his safety, he decided against it. For the same reason, he kept his eyes on the road for the next hours.

***

Arnaud could feel the man’s eyes on him, heavy, like a gaze could have a physical quality. He was lucky to have something to keep his hands and mind busy. Or else, he was afraid that he was going to look up and face one of those stolen glances directed at him.

He could claim he was unaffected. But the man’s lewd comments had done more than anger him. They had reminded him of times lost long ago. Antoine, Arnaud was certain, had despised him. Of course, the slave had been flattered with the attention, and, at first, even a bit shy in matters of the bedroom. But soon enough, his cruel nature had reared its ugly head. Antoine had been hard and merciless at times, and Arnaud had taken it all. Yet, even that had always made his skin and flesh burn hot, and deep down, he had hoped the slave had feelings for him. That, he knew it, hadn’t been the truth.

He was trying to tell himself that Marcus’s words had been just as callous as Antoine’s disdainful comments. But he somehow knew it wasn’t like that. Marcus was easygoing, a bawdy character, for sure, but he wasn’t mean. Should Antoine have been still alive, he would have spat on his former Master now.

“Here,” he said, and pushed the radio back into the dashboard.

He fiddled for a while with the controls. Cheerful music filled the air. He leaned back, pleased with his work.

“That’s nice,” Marcus commented. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Arnaud could feel his lips twitching. The man knew well he was stepping on Arnaud’s nerves. But he was doing it nonetheless. And that, somehow, felt … liberating. While in Aeria, everyone had walked around him like on eggshells, trying to win him over with kindness. And Arnaud didn’t believe in kindness.

So this change of scenery was probably good. For a while, they listened to the radio and continued to cross the desert toward their destination.

***

“Hey,” someone called for him, and with difficulty, he opened his eyes.

“It appears that I’ve fallen asleep,” he apologized right away.

“That’s okay,” Marcus said joyously. “But now we really need to camp.”

“Camp? Where?” Arnaud looked out the window. They were no longer moving. “We’re in the middle of the dessert! There can be wild animals and …”

“I know the desert like the back of my hand. That’s how I know there’s a perfect spot for camping not far away from here. We’ll have fresh water and we can make a small fire.”

Arnaud felt pretty disoriented despite Marcus’s confidence in his outdoors skills.

“How are we going to sleep? Is there shelter of some kind?”

“I have two sleeping bags,” Marcus answered promptly.

“Sleeping bags!” Arnaud expressed his indignation. “Am I expected to sleep on the ground?”

“Ah, that would be too hard on your lovely bum, right?” Marcus shook his head and grinned. “Well, if you want something softer, I can offer you something else.”

Arnaud wasn’t certain he wanted to hear what the man was willing to offer. At the same time, he knew he was going to hear it, anyway.

“You can sleep on top of me,” Marcus opened his arms wide.

“That should earn you another slap,” Arnaud pointed a finger at him. “But it’s hard to slap someone properly while being seated in a vehicle, it seems.”

Marcus laughed loudly, clapping his hands.

“Then let’s get down, so you can slap me properly.”

“You think you are so clever,” Arnaud said through his teeth. “You think that I won’t do it. That I am afraid of you. I know I might not be who I was anymore, but, in Drena …”

Whistling, Marcus got out of the van, leaving Arnaud’s words in suspension and slamming the car door behind him. The nerve on the man! Arnaud could feel the tip of his ears getting warm. With a humph, he decided to get out, too.

He was seething, and lost in his own thoughts that he almost crashed into the other’s massive body.

“I was just coming to hold the door for you,” Marcus said. “Seeing your … position.”

The words were spoken casually, but Arnaud knew he was trapped between the van door he had just closed and Marcus. He could inhale the other’s smell, and, by all means, he should have felt disgusted, but there was nothing like it. The man’s scent made him want to taste, too, and that was a frightening thought. How low was he willing to go, due to his weak nature? With Antoine, at least, he had held the resemblance of power, due to his station. There was nothing like that to protect him from this man.

“Would you please step aside?”

“Why?” Marcus placed both hands above Arnaud’s head, resting them on the roof of the van.

“Because I need to take care of the …”

His throat was getting dry. He could not find his words. And Marcus wasn’t helping, but making the situation worse, as he was slowly leaning in more, until …

He pushed the guy away with all his might.

“I don’t know who you think you are,” he hissed, and quickly moved away.

Anyway was safer than in this man’s close proximity. Marcus was everything he wasn’t, and he craved.

“Where is the sleeping bag I’m supposed to use?” he spoke quickly, for fear that the man might just jump him.

And he wouldn’t have the strength to say ‘no’.

“Are you going to sleep? On an empty belly?” Marcus asked. “Our friends in Aeria packed a lot of goodies for us to have.”

“I cannot believe it!” Arnaud raised both hands toward the sky.

It wasn’t night yet, but the evening was taking its rightful place, smudging the horizon with streaks of dark blue and harsh red.

“What?” Marcus asked.

“You think this is some field trip! Everybody thinks that it’s some sort of joke! Everything! Everything’s changed! That’s what happened! And I’m the only one who …”

He trailed off. He was making a fool of himself. Back in the days, his tantrums had been considered just signs of a weak personality, but the Trainers had eventually allowed him to be as he was. Maybe they had just kept him around because they had found him entertaining. But, no, the Trainers never laughed. They weren’t humans, they …

He let his arms down. Marcus was already getting busy setting up the fire, apparently not in the mood to indulge his travel companion in his endeavor of trying to make sense of this new world. The man was even humming a tune, and wasn’t paying one ounce of attention to Arnaud.

And that was making him feel slightly embarrassed. Under normal circumstances, there should have been at least two servants and one slave to fawn over him and try to appease him. Even to his eyes, his behavior now seemed childish.

Without a word, he sat by the fire, and, when Marcus offered him a plate with food, he accepted it without making a fuss.

***

Marcus had kept a straight face while looking at his traveling companion eating, for as long as he could. The man was a bit too much work if he were honest to himself. Clearly spoilt rotten, and with an attitude to go with that bad upbringing.

But definitely handy with a tool in his hand. Marcus’s radio had been dead for at least five years if he remembered correctly. Also, the former Master was beautiful like no one Marcus had ever met in his life. Of course, that was no reason to put up with the guy’s hissy fits.

For now, Marcus was willing to wait. Observing Arnaud was fun. He could tell the guy was not some innocent. When they had gotten down from the van, Marcus had almost kissed him, and Arnaud had given all the right signals, half closing his eyes, and parting his lips.

Only thinking about that was giving him a hard on. But he needed to bid his time with this skittish colt. Maybe he was ready to be mounted, maybe he wasn’t. Marcus was not some wishy-washy idiot, but he was not going to force anything on the guy, if he didn’t want it.

“Nighty-night,” he said, and made himself comfortable in his sleeping bag.

The fire was going to turn to dying embers in hours, so they had enough heat until they had to be up again.

It must have been past midnight, when Marcus felt someone shaking him.

“What?” he asked groggily.

“I think I’m hearing wild animals,” Arnaud whispered, hovering over him.

“Of course you are. We’re in the middle of the desert,” he replied, wanting nothing but to go back to sleep.

“So, are we going to let ourselves devoured by these animals?” Arnaud whispered again.

“Why are we whispering? And no. No one’s going to eat us. Just sleep,” he said.

“Hey, it’s our safety at stake,” Arnaud shook him again. “We would be safer in the van.”

Was it a good idea to tell Arnaud about the high-grade ultrasonic device Edgar had given him to keep wildlife at bay during his travels? The device was covering a good area, even if it was installed in the van. He had turned it on before starting the fire.

Nah, that was way too much fun. And it was presenting him the perfect opportunity.

“Shut up and sleep,” he said gruffly.

“I can’t! Not with all the coyotes howling in the distance!” Arnaud protested.

He pushed down the zipper on his sleeping bag.

“Come here,” he reached for Arnaud with one hand and pulled him down.

“What are you doing?” Arnaud hissed like a wildcat.

“I’m making you sleep,” Marcus said. “If it’s the only way to shut you up …”

“Shut me up?!”

Arnaud wasn’t fighting, despite his angry words. As Marcus grabbed him and placed him next to him, carefully tucking both of them in, the former Master remained silent. Damn, the man smelled like the best cookie in the universe. He was clearly a stickler for hygiene, but right now, he was sweating, probably in fear.

Marcus hummed contently, and stuck his nose into the back of the guy’s neck. Arnaud was scared, but his breathing was slowly turning to normal. That was good. Marcus threw one hand over him and pulled him closer.

He was expecting some protests. But instead, the guy pushed himself back, adjusting his position. And that was a big frigging problem. Because the guy’s lovely bum was now pressing directly on his crotch. Damn, keeping the one eyed monster down was going to be an issue, given the circumstances.

“Don’t even think about it,” Arnaud spoke, but he pressed his arm over Marcus’s, and tangled them together.

“That’s kind of hard,” Marcus complained, pleased with his pun.

Arnaud shifted, making Marcus grunt. All right, Arnaud was going to sleep with a big cock pressed against his ass.

“Are you that easy?” Arnaud mumbled.

“Except from my trustful right hand, and a somewhat friendly drinking buddy I met two weeks ago, I’ve been in a bit of a dry spell lately,” Marcus confessed.

“For the record, this happens only because if we get pounced by wild animals, I hope that they’ll eat you first,” Arnaud said. “And if you cannot help it … well, I can live with it.”

Marcus was fighting hard not to laugh and smooch the guy. He had been expecting so much opposition. Yet, despite how much the guy was running his mouth, he was easy to take. But Marcus was going to move slowly, and not scare the guy. The pert buttocks slightly rubbing against his cock were definitely worth it. Both of them.

***

He had slept like a log, even with the coyotes howling in the distance. In the morning, he slid slowly from the other man’s embrace, and met the dessert dawn with fresh eyes. By the itinerary the man had given him the prior evening, in a few hours, they were going to be in Haven.

Where he was going to meet Xavier, and his new destiny, whatever that was. He stole a glance toward the still sleeping giant. It had felt good to sleep in the guy’s arms. Of course, he was trying to tell himself that desperate times called for desperate measures, but that was not the truth.

The truth was that, for those hours, in the dead of night, in that unfriendly environment, sleeping on the ground, he had felt protected. The man’s body heat had lulled him into sleep, and now he was well rested as he could not remember to have ever been before. With all the comfort and luxury that had surrounded him in Drena, he had rarely felt safe there.

To took one bottle of water and proceeded to wash his face. Methodically, he continued his grooming, ending with his hair, which he needed to comb extensively so that it didn’t become all tangled and messy. It was a habit he had had to pick up as there was no servant for him to comb his hair every day.

He turned to see Marcus getting up.

“’morning,” the man waved at him.

From the corner of his eye, he observed the man taking care of himself. Unlike him, Marcus shed his shirt completely and proceeded to wash his torso and face in the small pond nearby.

Arnaud was curious. Unlike the slaves he had kept, Marcus had his back and arms marked by scars and old wounds here and there. His dark tan was uneven, but nonetheless, strong muscles rippled under the skin, as the man moved with the confidence and grace of a wild animal.

“Do you like what you see?” Marcus turned toward him, flashing a big grin.

“How old are you?” Arnaud found himself speaking.

“Not sure,” Marcus shrugged. “The people who found me and took me to Haven weren’t sure, either. I might have been four years old, or seven. So, now, some say I’m 34. Others go for 37. I’ve always been a big guy,” the man opened his arms to prove his point.

“Where did they find you?”

“Somewhere around this desert,” Marcus gestured widely. “The caravan I was with got attacked or something. The raiders had killed everyone, but, somehow, I was a lucky bastard. So others who were scavenging around returned to their home with a bouncing baby boy,” he laughed.

Arnaud was astonished to hear all that. It seemed unfathomable, whatever Marcus was saying.

“Why are you all scarred like that?”

Marcus grinned, his white teeth a contrast against the dark face.

“Plenty of battles. I have a pretty good winning streak, but not all my victories have been easy.”

“And Xavier thinks the lot of you can be civilized,” Arnaud pursed his lips. “Don’t tell me you’re ready to abandon a life of crime to tend the fields.”

“The fields?” Marcus snorted. “No such thing in the desert, sweetheart. And that life of crime you’re speaking about? I didn’t choose it. It chose me.”

Arnaud looked the other way, annoyed. He knew he was rude to talk to Marcus like that. But he needed to put a distance between them after the intimacy from the previous night.

“Cat got your tongue?”

He almost jumped. He hadn’t heard or sensed the man getting close to him. Dark eyes were staring him down from above, and he gulped loudly. It didn’t help that the man didn’t care about putting his shirt back on. His dark skin was glistening with droplets of water.

“Ayn told me you’d be a piece of work. So I’m not surprised,” Marcus spoke. “But, sweetheart, you better open those big brown eyes wide open, because you’re no longer in fairyland. You’ll have to work your butt off to keep a place in this world. Nothing is handed down to anyone on a silver platter around here.”

Arnaud took a few steps back, to escape the man’s hypnotizing gaze.

“Handed down? You have no idea!” he exclaimed. “I worked hard to get where I was,” he pointed at himself, trembling with self-entitled rage. “So much knowledge, so many things, crammed into my brain, since I was five! And never a moment without something to do or learn! Walk like this, sit like this, don’t laugh, don’t cry, don’t look up, or don’t look down!”

Marcus’s grin became lopsided.

“That’s some shitty childhood,” the man scratched his head, a gesture Arnaud noticed as being the man’s way to deal with things he couldn’t understand. “So, you didn’t have that much fun, huh?”

“Fun?” Arnaud asked, as if he couldn’t understand the word.

He was still shaking a little.

“Yeah,” Marcus confirmed. “That’s okay. Where we go, we’ll have plenty of fun.”

“I don’t see how I’m going to have fun,” Arnaud crossed his arms over his chest.

In two large steps, Marcus was right in front of him.

“Like this,” he said, and, before Arnaud could protest, the man cupped his jaw and guided his lips into a kiss.

It ended quickly, nonetheless. Arnaud could hear himself breathing hard when the man stopped. The dark eyes were scouting his, for signs of weakness, certainly. But he could not tear his eyes away and he stood there, looking at the other, getting lost into that gaze drawing him in.

“You’ll see,” Marcus took him by the shoulders to guide him toward the van. “You already know me there, and I’m known as the fun guy everywhere I go.”

“I thought you were the joker,” Arnaud mumbled, still finding it hard to wrap his head around the kiss from earlier.

“I’m a multi-tasker,” Marcus laughed.

He was helped into his seat, and when Marcus came to take his place behind the wheel, some minutes later, the man had the shirt and leather jacket back on.

“Don’t we have to gather our things?” he asked.

“I took care of everything while you sat here, pouting. I stripped some to the roof, and left behind some things. Other travelers might find them useful. We’re only hours away from Haven, so no reason for us to carry everything with us.”

“All right,” he mumbled.

For the remainder of their journey, Arnaud spent his time watching the never ending desert through the window. Marcus was silent, too, so it was good that they had the radio. All he could think about was the kiss and what it meant. Probably nothing.

~End of excerpt

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