#Marina One Residences Developer

[fight-club-fireworks]

Setting: Hermitopia

Today's bonus prompt is favorite build, and while I do have a favorite build, I wanted to take it as an opportunity to focus a bit on the setting of this AU. This AU is based on S10 of Hermitcraft and much of the design of Hermitopia is based on the Hermits' S10 bases. The following descriptions include what bases each area of Hermitopia is inspired by. Don't worry, my favorite build is included in these. I wonder which one it is?

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Hermitopia is located to the south of the Solarian Bay and bisected by the Sola River. Development of the city involved an extensive plan to centralize the economic core of the city and allow for public transit to connect the various regions of the city. Six major districts of the city exist: Downtown, Midtown, the Marina, the Warehouse District, the Research Complex, and the Parks District. In addition to these, much of the outer reaches of the city are residential in nature and are more similar to that of suburban design. (Map designed by me :D)

Downtown: Inspired by Joel's base

Downtown Hermitopia is accentuated by tall buildings and bright lights. It stretches across the Sola River, though the tallest structures in the city are located in the northern section. This includes the Hero Coalition HQ, which is the third-tallest building in the city. As you get further from the center of the Downtown, the buildings slowly grow shorter and begin to hold a few more historical buildings, especially near the river. One of these buildings is the very same bar that holds Joel's Fight Club, the Sword and Shield.

As the economic center of Hermiptopia, Downtown rarely rests. During the day, employees from every part of the city flock to the offices, and at night, the local night life thrives. This part of the city is highly walkable and there are numerous transit options. Those going from the far reaches of the city often opt for the Lev, a mag-lev train that operates on elevated rails throughout Downtown.

Midtown: Inspired by Pixelpulse Valley (Impulse and Bdubs) and Pearl's base

As the Lev moves into Midtown, it dips underground, as it is far enough from the Sola River to operate safely. Other transit options help cover the reduced walkability in this part of the city as commercial and residential zoning collides. Buses and streetcars are the most popular means of transit within Midtown, though many residents also like to ride bikes or walk.

Similar to Downtown, structure height decreases the further it gets from the center of Hermitopia. While many of the tall structures are new and well maintained, there are a number buildings that are have faced the test of time and poor maintenance. Some are abandoned, but others remain in use. Structures of note include EGM Stadium to the northeastern side of Midtown South, the Hermitopia Zoo in the western Midtown South, and the Marvelous MACE at the Midtown-Area Community Engagement Center.

Marina: Inspired by Gem and Grian's bases

Along the northeastern coast of the city, the Marina is bustling at all times of day. The northern half is comprised of ports for cargo ships, tugboats, cruise ships, and other large vessels while the middle is designated for smaller boats, including those for personal use. At the southern end of the Marina, the Marina blends into the Research Campus with the main campus of the Hermitopia Marine Institute, HMI's aquarium, and a few coastal parks. Beneath the Marina, much of the sewers converge before reaching the city's wastewater recovery plant. Past the plant lies the High Trident, which sits along the outflow of the plant as it goes into the Solarian Bay.

Warehouse District: Inspired by Cub, Tango, and Pixelpulse Valley (Impulse and Bdubs) bases

The Warehouse District is comprised solely of warehouses. There are two Lev freight trains that are routed between the Marina and the Warehouse District to allow for transport from the port. Additionally, there are a few docks in the Warehouse District that are designed for small boats that provide transport between the Marina and the Warehouse District along the Sola River. Due to the enforcement of no residential properties in this district, the only people who frequent the district are those who work there or have business. This does pose some problems for the Fireworks Folly Fight Club, located in the district's northwest, but Cub has solved this issue by providing warehouse uniforms for anyone who is staying there.

Research Complex: Inspired by Joe Hills and Ren's bases

The Research Complex stretches along the north half of the city and is home to two universities, multiple research labs, a state-of-the-art power testing facility, and more. The HMI campus takes up much of the coastal part of the complex along the Solarian Bay, while some of the more explosive labs, such as the lab Cub works at, are in the western part of the city.

Parks District: Inspired by Bdubs, Pearl, and Keralis' bases

The Parks District encircles the city, creating a boundary between it and the suburbs. The district is composed of a number of nature preserves, sports fields, playgrounds, and a few community gardens. The Parks District is often a point of community engagement and many of the city's citizens are proud of the green spaces the Parks District maintains.

Residential Neighborhoods: Inspired by Mumbo's base

The residential areas of the city are primarily comprised of single-family housing and mixed-use occupancy buildings. There are a number of locally-owned businesses that are located centrally within the neighborhoods, including Hypno's 24-hour store and a few HPS post offices. The zoning in this part of the city is designed to be walkable, and transit options such as the Lev, buses, and bicycle allow for access to the other parts of the city.

[elbiotipo]

Genetic/cybernetic mods of the Biopunks

This only covers personal mods of course, since artificial inmune systems are ubiqutous (and actually every resident of the Argentine Confederation has to update them yearly or else you'll get a visit from the genedarmes)

Marcos: Biological tattoo on his forearm that allows him to "taste" certain protein sequences, over time he has developed an intuitive sense of them. It's connected to a computing system that processes biological data and also has a USB (or equivalent rather) port that can be used for bioengeering or to play music. Enhanced eyes that see in the low infrarred and ultraviolet. Also, hair that glows blue in the dark.

Florencia: Spots in her hair to host flowers and other plants. Ability to digest cellulose and to generate animal-based nutrients and vitamins. Possibly a THC production implant, who knows.

Ariel: Encrypted personal computer in his forearm, never talks about it. One of his fingers is a multitool and he loves making you guess which one.

Melanie: Implanted cat ears and tail, fully functional (though her brain shifted a bit to learn how to control the tail). Purple eyes with cat-like iris and night vision. Her fangs are natural though.

Marina: None so far! Still not wholly sold in the idea.

Pancho: Literally an uplifited cyborg Franciscana dolphin, with a mechsuit to walk on land and communicate (by mech don't be fooled, he's about the size of a big dog)

[coochiequeens]

Ladies, we can participate in their conference by registering on WECAN’s website. It started June 23 but there is still a few days left.

The Ecofeminist Movement Is Surging. Here’s What Its Advocates Want

More women are connecting environmental degradation with attacks on women's rights, seeing both as rooted in similar values. They’re drawing on personal experiences and reams of research to make their case.

By Katie Surma June 21, 2025

Ayshka Najib (second from right), a climate activist based in the United Arab Emirates, protests at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, UAE, in 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Ayshka Najib

It was an audacious moment. During a recent government hearing, allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro berated Brazil’s environment and climate minister, telling Marina Silva she was “hindering our country’s development,” didn’t deserve respect and should “know your place.”

“You just want me to be a submissive woman,” Silva replied. “But I am not.”

A lifelong Amazonian environmentalist credited with helping slash Brazil’s deforestation rates, Silva walked out after further verbal attacks from members of the powerful ruralista caucus—a pro-agribusiness bloc known for pushing policies that drive deforestation and land conflict with the people living in the rainforest. 

For a growing women’s climate movement, the exchange was more than political theater. It revealed a connection between aggressive resource extraction and attacks on women.

Ecofeminism, a theory that emerged in the 1970s, argues that the conquest of nature and the control of women stem from the same values. Brazil’s own history, ecofeminists argue, reflects this: During the 1964 to 1985 military dictatorship, the regime oversaw widespread gender-based violence and launched “Operation Amazonia,” a campaign to colonize the rainforest and eradicate its Indigenous residents.

In the era of climate change, this theory is gaining traction and urgency from the Amazon to the Middle East. Armed with data and their own experiences, women in this new climate movement are pushing beyond calls to simply increase female leadership in forums like the United Nations’ climate talks. They want to take down the systems they see as root causes of climate change, including patriarchy, capitalism and extractivism—the global pursuit of natural resources for export.

“We didn’t just arrive at this moment of climate chaos,” said Osprey Orielle Lake, founder and executive director of the U.S.-based advocacy organization Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network. “It is built upon systems that have created the conditions for us to be at war with our planet instead of living in harmony with nature.”

WECAN, founded in 2009, is one of several organizations convening women across movements and borders around these ideas. From June 23 to 28, the group will hold its 7th “Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice,” a virtual summit featuring more than 125 women leaders from 50 countries. Speakers will include scientists, policymakers, Indigenous leaders and grassroots organizers across two dozen panels covering topics such as food sovereignty, forest protection, land rights, climate justice, alternative economies and the rights of nature. The public can participate by registering on WECAN’s website.

Osprey Orielle Lake (second from left) marches with the Women for Climate Justice contingent at the Rise For Climate March in San Francisco. Credit: Emily Arasim/WECAN

Past participants have included Jane Goodall and Vandana Shiva. This year’s lineup features Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland; Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change during creation of the Paris Agreement; and a wide range of Indigenous and grassroots leaders from around the globe.

For WECAN’s Lake, the movement’s work has never been more urgent. Already this year, the planet has seen climate-fueled wildfire, flooding and triple-digit heat waves across multiple regions. 

“This is not just an environmental crisis,” she said. “It is a justice crisis and a societal crisis, and how we respond and who is centered in that response matters deeply.” 

The Land and Its Heartbeat

Lake and other women in the movement describe climate change not as a glitch in the system, but the system’s logical outcome, the result of centuries of extractive economies built on disconnection from the natural world. For these women, the path forward isn’t just cleaner energy—it’s a deeper transformation that heals the relationship between people and the Earth. 

Ayshka Najib, a climate activist based in the United Arab Emirates, put it this way: “Capitalism is only 500 years old—we created these systems, and we can create newer ones rooted in equality, justice and respect for everyone’s rights.”

To do that, the movement increasingly is looking to women in the Global South—the Indigenous, Quilombola and local communities that have resisted extractive industries while cultivating their own sustainable economies. 

For this, the Kichwa women of Sarayaku, Ecuador, are providing a master class. For decades, multinational corporations have sought to extract oil and minerals from their ancestral lands in the Amazon. With the arrival of industry to the region came workers. And with workers came prostitution, alcohol and violence, said Patricia Gualinga, co-founder of the Amazonian Women Defenders of the Rainforest (Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva).

A participant of WECAN’s Reforestation and Forest Protection Project sorts collected seeds to sow in plant nurseries in Sarayaku, Ecuador. The project, led by Patricia Gualinga, aims to restore trees threatened by extinction and to reforest lands damaged by climate change and extractive industries. Credit: WECAN

“Women a generation before mine suffered tremendous consequences,” Gualinga said in an interview conducted in Spanish. “Many were sexually raped by workers.”

As forests were razed and waterways polluted, women—responsible for cultivating food—bore gendered impacts. Their workload increased, their health suffered and their traditional knowledge became threatened. “We’re always in constant touch with the land,” Gualinga said. “We can feel it, we can feel the land and its heartbeat.”

Driven by escalating threats, Gualinga and others formed Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva, a coalition of women from multiple Indigenous nationalities, around 2012. They organized protests, partnered with groups like Amnesty International and defended their territories by physically monitoring the forest and turning to the courts. Gualinga’s testimony, for instance, helped Sarayaku win a landmark victory based on the Indigenous right to free, prior and informed consent at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2012. 

Their activism has come at a cost: They’ve faced threats, harassment and arson attacks. Still, the women have persisted. 

Patricia Gualinga was the president judge at the 6th International Rights of Nature Tribunal. Gualinga is a Kichwa leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador. Credit: Katie Surma/Inside Climate News

Gualinga and other women in her community have become prominent human rights defenders and promote the idea of the “Living Forest,” a worldview that recognizes the forest as a living, self-regulating being. They’ve launched reforestation projects, held inter-generational trainings and are leveraging their traditional knowledge to build businesses like the creation of all-organic hair products. 

“Ultimately, we are here to support other women and amplify their voices,” Gualinga said. 

Growing Danger for Women

In communities around the world, extractive companies, climate change and pollution hit women and girls hardest or in gender-specific ways, particularly in low-income populations. These impacts range from adverse pregnancy outcomes to likelihood of displacement and heightened risk of gender-based violence. 

More than 842 environmental conflicts worldwide from the late 1960s through 2022 involved “women environmental defenders as visible leaders,” according to an academic analysis of environmental conflicts documented by the watchdog group Global Atlas of Environmental Justice (EJAtlas), considered an undercount. At least 81 of those women were assassinated. 

In the United States, violence against Indigenous women is so widespread it has its own name: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, or MMIW. Many of these cases are linked to the presence of extractive industries, like oil and gas development, near tribal lands. A 2016 federal study found that 84 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, with more than half reporting sexual violence. 

Osprey Orielle Lake (left) stands with the Indigenous Women’s Tongass Delegation in Washington, D.C., advocating for forest protections. Credit: Melissa Lyttle

The danger isn’t receding. Climate impacts are growing more severe, and the world is on course to exceed the Paris Agreement’s temperature limits. At the same time, governments and corporations are ramping up extractive projects to secure so-called “transition minerals” like lithium, cobalt and nickel, as well as land for carbon offset schemes. The result: a new wave of land conflicts, often in territories that already have a history of violence linked to extractive industries.

Just this month, in Mexico, state police detained Indigenous land defender Estela Hernández Jiménez as she documented alleged abuses against other members of her community, according to the watchdog group Front Line Defenders. At least 10 officers were involved, with witnesses reporting that police used “physical aggression directed at sensitive areas of her body” and that officers “ripped off a button of her blouse, partially exposing her chest, and violently subdued her,” according to Front Line Defenders.

The Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to requests for comment. 

“The Same Systems” at the Root of Problems

Experiencing climate-intensified flooding is what first pulled Najib, the UAE-based activist, into the movement. 

In 2018, when she was 14 years old, Najib was visiting her grandmother in South India when the region’s worst flood in decades hit. Trapped inside their home for days without electricity and water, the family eventually fled to safety. The trauma lingered.

“I was afraid to go to sleep because if I fell asleep, the next time I opened my eyes, I’d be underwater,” she recalled during a recent interview. 

Ayshka Najib speaks with youth climate activists. Najib works with the Untied Nations, focusing on just transition work in the Middle East and North Africa region. Credit: Courtesy of Ayshka Najib

Now, Najib works with the United Nations and other organizations focused on the gendered impacts of climate change in the Middle East and North Africa. There, worsening heat, water scarcity and ecosystem collapse are magnifying existing inequalities. In communities along Egypt’s Red Sea, for example, many women depend on fishing and farming. But marine life is vanishing, crop cycles are shifting and women—often the primary earners—are losing their ability to provide.

That economic strain, Najib said, has a domino effect: a rise in domestic violence, early child marriage and school dropout rates among girls, as well as growing barriers to basic health needs, including menstrual hygiene.

For those who may balk at the mention of the word patriarchy, Najib underscored the bevy of laws in the region that prevent women from owning land, depriving them of revenue and power to make decisions about their livelihoods. 

Ayshka Najib protests at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, UAE, in 2023. Credit: Courtesy of Ayshka Najib

“We have to understand that the same systems that fuel climate change are the same systems that inflict violence on women’s bodies and restrict their rights,” Najib said. 

Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific body convened by the U.N., has said that colonization is a reason some places face worse risks from climate change.

Zukiswa White, a Johannesburg-based climate activist, traces her country’s climate vulnerability back to colonial land theft and resource plunder. First Dutch settlers, then the British, pushed Black South Africans off fertile lands to establish mining and agriculture projects for European profit. 

That legacy, White said, persists. Today, extractive industries still dominate the economy and marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental harm. White works with some of those communities, many of which are impacted by large industries like oil and mining. Those groups, she said, reject Western ideas of progress and are reclaiming or prioritizing other ways of being. 

Zukiswa White speaks at a press conference at the United Nations climate change talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. Credit: Katherine Quaid/WECAN

“We’ve been sold the lie that there’s only one path to development,” White said. “But we know things haven’t always been like this—and around the world, there are millions resisting a culture of endless growth and exploitation.”

This, she said, is a core struggle for the women’s climate movement: “Big business has captured peoples’ imaginations. We need to break that.”

“They Are the Solution”

What alternatives does the movement promote? 

When asked, Lake began by drawing a sharp line between the dominant extractive economy and the women-led models rising in its place. Extractivism, she said, is rooted in domination of nature and labor of the many by the few. It thrives on hierarchy and treats the Earth as a thing to be exploited. But women-led alternatives offer a different path, grounded in collective care for all and a reciprocal relationship with the natural world.

This ethos has naturally aligned ecofeminists with the growing rights of nature movement, which seeks legal recognition of ecosystems as living entities with inherent rights—like a river’s right to flow or a whale’s right to migrate.

Many tribal nations as well as countries including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, New Zealand and India have passed such laws, making the rights of nature a gateway to rethinking how societies are structured. The laws aren’t merely symbolic. In Ecuador, a forest has defeated a mining company in the country’s highest court. In Panama, they’ve been used as a basis for establishing a marine protected area for sea turtles. And in Peru, a river basin degraded by decades of oil spills can now go to court, through its Indigenous legal guardians, to fight back. 

Lake pointed to a range of other thriving initiatives: reforestation projects, “well-being economies,” the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, seed saving networks and cooperatives focused on agriculture, locally owned power and childcare. 

“Research is pretty clear that when you take a lot of these community-led solutions, often run by women, they’re highly successful,” Lake said. “When you add them all up, it creates a very large solution that supports local communities and cares for more people than these top-down programs.”

But that cumulative impact, she said, is often ignored or dismissed.

“If you look at one person or community doing a food sovereignty project, you might think, ‘Oh gosh, they’re only feeding 1,000 people. How can that save the world?’ But people fail to mention that if you add up hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, if not millions, of these small, local solutions—they are the solution.”

WECAN executive director Osprey Orielle Lake addresses media at the United Nation climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. Credit: Katherine Quaid/WECAN

Next week’s Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice comes against a global backdrop of backsliding on women’s rights and environmental protection. 

In March, the U.N. reported that one in four countries is seeing increased gender discrimination, weaker legal safeguards for women and diminished funding for gender-related programs—or all three. That includes the United States, where President Donald Trump has championed broad rollbacks, from defunding women’s health services to gutting mentions of “women,” “gender” or “climate crisis.” He has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a hoax and has presided over one of the most sweeping assaults on environmental and public health safeguards in modern U.S. history, including cuts to renewable energy initiatives.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

“It’s called drill, baby, drill,” Trump told Congress in March.

Women leaders in the movement are using the turbulence to underscore what’s at stake and to fight harder. “If we don’t push back,” Lake said, “we will keep losing ground.”

Having honed its organizing process over the past 15 years, WECAN plans to take the insights from next week’s assembly and turn them into a call to action aimed at governments, financial institutions and international agencies in the lead-up to the COP30 global climate change gathering later this year in Brazil. In the past, the organization’s advocacy has contributed to milestones such as the establishment of the first Gender Action Plan under the U.N. climate negotiations.

“What’s really essential in terms of how we create the world we want is to have direct interventions with policy makers and government leaders,” Lake said. “Our narrative, our solutions will be brought into the mainstream.”

[shadowqueen402]

Decided to color in an art commission of Iben that I bought last year from @lookdem and make it into my main oc!

Meet Aurora Fairbairn. She is the daughter of Oliver and Dahlia as well as the niece of William, Catherine, Lucien, and Selena, the younger cousin of Edward and Henry, the older cousin of Phoebe and Twyla, and the widowed wife of Jasper Reid. She is also the thirteenth Inhabitant of Wonderworld.

Chapter Title: The Widow Too Hurt To Move On

Chapter Quote: "It's better to have a stone heart than a broken one… That way, I won't be hurt again…"

Backstory: Aurora once led a happy life with two loving parents, amazing best friends, and a boyfriend who later becomes her husband. But suddenly losing her husband causes Aurora to become overwhelmed with grief, making her develop a fear of falling in love again. Will she be able to find the courage to move on?

Codename: Lady Of The Everlasting Spring

Novel Description: During their journey, The Grinning Man In A Top Hat led Streetbeat and the others to a secluded stage where the sun shines bright and the weather is just right. In the center of the park, they find a young lady standing by the fountain who warmly welcomes them. Strangely, she is the only resident of Wonderworld that doesn't trust Lance.

English Voice Actress: Lauren Landa

Japanese Voice Actress: Marina Inoue

Occupation: College Student/Part-Time Babysitter

[nsfwmiamiart]

Read this: Part 4 (02/10/2024) When I’m bored at home, I ask ChatGPT the following types of questions:

Questions and ChatGPT Answers:

How Dubai Used Sand for Land Reclamation

Question 1: How has Dubai utilized sand to expand its land area into the sea?

Dubai has famously employed sand to create additional land through extensive land reclamation projects. The process involves dredging sand from the seabed and transporting it to specific locations, forming new land. The primary material used for reclamation is sand, abundant in the region, although crushed stone and other materials may also be utilized to create a stable base.

Notable examples of Dubai’s land reclamation efforts include:

Palm Jumeirah: This iconic artificial archipelago, designed to resemble a palm tree, reclaimed approximately 25 square kilometers of land through the careful placement of dredged sand and rocks.

The World Islands: This project consists of 300 small islands shaped like a map of the world, reclaiming around 9 square kilometers.

Dubai Marina: The waterfront area around Dubai Marina involved reclaiming about 10 square kilometers.

Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): This popular development reclaimed roughly 2.5 square kilometers.

Overall, Dubai has reclaimed an estimated 50 to 60 square kilometers of land through various projects, significantly expanding its coastline and contributing to its urban development.

Question 2: Are there any countries with a total area of around 60 square kilometers?

Yes, several countries have a total land area of approximately 60 square kilometers. Here are a few examples:

Malta: Although the entire country is around 316 square kilometers, some of its smaller islands can have areas close to 60 square kilometers.

Saint Kitts and Nevis: The combined area of these two islands is approximately 261 square kilometers, with Nevis around 93 square kilometers and Saint Kitts about 168 square kilometers.

Seychelles (some islands): While Seychelles covers about 459 square kilometers in total, some smaller islands within the archipelago have areas near 60 square kilometers.

Nauru: This island nation has a total area of about 21 square kilometers, with other territories having areas close to 60 square kilometers.

San Marino: This microstate has a total area of approximately 61 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest countries globally.

These examples illustrate how certain countries or territories have land areas comparable to the amount reclaimed by Dubai through its ambitious land reclamation initiatives.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Gaia spots odd family of stars desperate to leave home

The European Space Agency’s Gaia mission has spotted an unusual family of stars all strangely eager to leave home – a family we couldn’t have discovered without the star-surveying spacecraft, and one unlike all others we have spotted to date.

Stars in the Milky Way tend to form in families, with similar stars springing to life in roughly the same place at roughly the same time. These stars later head out into the wider galaxy when they’re ready to fly the nest. While smaller groups can completely dissipate, siblings from sizeable families usually move similarly and largely travel together.

We have seen many star families with Gaia. We’ve spotted strings of stars stretching out across the Milky Way and remaining intact for billions of years, mapped the ancient star streams that wound together to form the earliest structure of our galaxy, and put together a stellar ‘family portrait’ of our cosmic home.By studying star families we can piece together not only the characteristics and behaviour of the stars themselves, but also learn about how our galaxy is evolving as a whole.

A family like no other

Using Gaia data, scientists have now spotted a star family unlike any other: a massive family of over 1000 young stars behaving oddly. Despite its size, the family – dubbed Ophion – will soon have completely dispersed in record time, leaving just an empty nest behind.

“Ophion is filled with stars that are set to rush out across the galaxy in a totally haphazard, uncoordinated way, which is far from what we’d expect for a family so big,” says Dylan Huson of Western Washington University (WWU), USA, and lead author of the discovery paper. “What’s more, this will happen in a fraction of the time it’d usually take for such a large family to scatter. It’s like no other star family we’ve seen before.”

A new model

To find Ophion, Dylan and colleagues developed a new model to explore Gaia’s vast, unrivalled trove of spectroscopic data and learn more about young, low-mass stars lying reasonably near to the Sun. They applied this model, named Gaia Net, to the hundreds of millions of stellar spectra released as part of Gaia’s data release 3. They then narrowed their search to ‘young’ stars of under 20 million years in age – and out jumped Ophion.

“This is the first time that it’s been possible to use a model like this for young stars, due to the immense volume and high quality of spectroscopic observations needed to make it work,” adds ESA Gaia Project Scientist Johannes Sahlmann. “It’s still pretty new to be able to reliably measure the parameters of lots of young stars at once. This kind of bulk observing is one of Gaia’s truly unprecedented achievements.”

“Another is how the Gaia mission is creating opportunities for new collaborative and interdisciplinary science through its open data policy. Several members of the Ophion discovery team are undergraduate and postgraduate students in computer science, who used Gaia data to innovate and develop new methods that are now offering new insights into the stars of the Milky Way.”

Solving the mystery

The question remains: why is Ophion behaving so unusually?

The scientists discuss several options. The star family resides around 650 light-years away near to some other massive gatherings of young stars; energetic events within and interactions between these colossal neighbours may have influenced Ophion through the years.

There are also signs that stars have exploded here in the past. These supernova bursts could have swept material away from Ophion and caused its stars to move far more rapidly and erratically than before.

“We don’t know exactly what happened to this star family to make it behave this way, as we haven’t found anything quite like it before. It’s a mystery,” says co-author Marina Kounkel of the University of North Florida, USA.

“Excitingly, it changes how we think about star groups, and how to find them. Previous methods identified families by clustering similarly moving stars together, but Ophion would have slipped through this net. Without the huge, high-quality datasets from Gaia, and the new models we can now use to dig into these, we may have been missing a big piece of the stellar puzzle.”

After more than a decade spent mapping our skies, Gaia stopped observing in March. This marks the end of the spacecraft’s operations – but it’s just the beginning of the science. Many more discoveries are anticipated in the coming years, along with Gaia’s biggest data releases yet. (Data Release 4 is planned towards the end of 2026, and the Gaia legacy data release is planned for publication not before the end of 2030).

IMAGE: This map of the entire sky was created and released by the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, and comprises data from more than 1.8 billion stars. It shows the total brightness and colour of stars observed by the satellite and released as part of Gaia’s Early Data Release 3 (Gaia EDR3) in 2020. Overlaid as yellow dots are the locations of over 1000 young stars; these stars make up the newly discovered Ophion family, which will soon have completely dispersed from its stellar nursery and scattered across the Milky Way. Spectroscopic data from Gaia was instrumental to discovering Ophion, which is behaving like no other star family we’ve seen to date. [Image description: A large oval fills a rectangular black-background image. The oval represents a projection of our galaxy. Millions of tiny white dots fill the dark oval; a bright white-yellowish band crosses the oval horizontally. Black filaments rise towards the top and the bottom of the image from the bright central band. A scattering of yellow dots overlay the band and filaments, clumped as a rough circle at the centre of the image. These dots show the location of a star family discovered by Gaia. The title of the graphic reads “Gaia spots family of stars eager to leave their birthplace”. A label reads “The Ophion star family” pointing towards the yellow dots. A rendering of the Gaia spacecraft is shown on the left of the oval.] CREDIT ESA/Gaia/DPAC

[dubaihomes]

Dubai Creek Harbour - The Beauty of Tranquility

Dubai Creek Harbour is a vibrant and luxurious community surrounded by the pristine waters of the Dubai Creek and located in the center of the major highways of Dubai, namely, Al Khail Road (E44), Al Ain Road (E66), and the Nad Al Hammar Road (D62). Emaar Properties, the esteemed real estate developer, has launched a new project - Emaar Albero at Dubai Creek Harbour.

A BRIDGE OF GROWTH

The Dubai Creek Footbridge, designed by IJP Architects and AKT II with a 145-metre span over the man-made canal in Dubai Creek Harbour, is a special kind of pedestrian bridge linking one end of Dubai Creek Harbour to the other. In the future, this bridge will lead straight to the Creek Tower, which is currently under construction and is going to be the largest in the world.

THE VIEWS OF THE BLUE HUES

The houses here are surrounded by the panoramic views of the beautiful Creek beach, especially at night when the atmosphere is filled with the glimmering radiance of the moonlight and the chilling airs. The residents can enjoy a peaceful walk beside the shimmering Creek Marina and a day filled with green and lush open spaces at the Creek Park, located by the Dubai Creek. 

A UTOPIA OF HARMONY

Albero at Dubai Creek Harbour offers luxurious and well-furnished 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments starting from AED 1,82 million, AED 2.75 million, and AED 4.2 million, respectively. Like other brilliant establishments nestled in this haven of opportunities, these residences will also provide access to world-class amenities and facilities that will help in making the day-to-day livelihood of its residents peaceful, fun-filled, and comfortable.

COMFORT AND RECREATION AT YOUR DOORSTEP

The community provides quick access to prime locations of Dubai, such as Downtown Dubai, where one can catch the breathtaking views of Burj Khalifa - the World’s Tallest Skyscraper. One can also go on a shopping spree with family and friends in the most famous mall of Dubai - The Dubai Mall that offers a dozen of activities from dining, retail, and shopping to entertainment, and recreation. The Museum of Illusions is also located just a few minutes' drive away from Dubai Creek Harbour, where the residents can experience over 60 visual artefacts, optical illusions, brain teasers, and hands-on puzzles.   

A CONNECTING RING

The community offers seamless connectivity with its excellent network of roads and metro stations, such as the Creek Metro Station, Emirates Metro Station, and the Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station, which are just a few minutes' drive from the community. For wildlife lovers, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, home to 450-plus species such as oryx, flamingos, gazelles, etc., is approachable within 10 minutes, where they can see and experience the views and beauty of the serene nature embedded with beautiful sceneries and lush greenery. Dubai Creek Harbour also has access to basic educational and medical needs, with the King’s School and the American Hospital located nearby.

CONCLUSION

Experience living in this opulent waterfront promenade offering a healthy life of peace and calmness with its premium and well-developed establishments. Dubai Creek Harbour is one of the prominent locations of Dubai where luxury is smoothly combined with comfort and contentment. 

[aloudproperties]

Luxury Hotels for Sale in Dubai – Prime Hotel Investment Dubai Opportunities

Dubai has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading luxury travel destinations, making it a hotbed for hotel investment opportunities. If you're seeking a high-yield, prestigious asset in the hospitality sector, then the 5 Star Hotel for Sale in Dubai listings offer unparalleled value. These premium properties are not only iconic in design but are also proven generators of revenue and prestige. Explore the full spectrum of hotel properties for sale in the UAE’s most dynamic city.

Why Invest in a 5 Star Hotel for Sale in Dubai?

Dubai is synonymous with luxury and innovation. Its status as a global business hub and a top-tier tourism magnet creates a perfect environment for hotel investments. Every year, millions of visitors flock to the city, fueling continuous demand for premium accommodation. The 5 star hotels for sale in Dubai are strategically located in areas such as Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, and Sheikh Zayed Road – ensuring high occupancy and excellent ROI.

Key reasons to consider this investment:

Consistent year-round tourism

Tax-free income environment

Stable real estate laws

High net worth clientele

Event-driven hotel demand (Expo, COP28, international summits)

Overview of Hotel Properties for Sale in Dubai

Dubai offers a diversified range of hotel properties for sale, including operational 5-star hotels, under-development resorts, and boutique luxury concepts. These properties vary in size, from 100-room boutique establishments to expansive 500+ room mega-hotels with conference facilities, fine-dining restaurants, rooftop pools, and private beaches.

Some of the most exclusive hotel sale UAE deals include:

Turnkey 5-star beachfront hotels with full occupancy histories

Branded hotel chains selling under NDA with global affiliations

Off-market luxury hotel portfolios in Downtown and Marina

Mixed-use towers with hotel and serviced residences

Exclusive Hotel Sale UAE – A Gateway to Elite Hospitality Assets

We specialize in curating exclusive hotel sale UAE portfolios that aren't widely available in the public market. These listings often include:

Fully operational 5-star hotels

Luxury hospitality developments with branded management

Iconic hotel towers offering dual-use as commercial and tourist accommodations

Each asset is vetted thoroughly, with full financial documentation and historical performance data available upon request. Investors are assured of confidentiality, transparency, and access to premium off-market hotel opportunities in Dubai.

Top Locations for 5 Star Hotels for Sale in Dubai

The address matters in hospitality. These are some of the most desirable investment zones for hotels for sale in Dubai:

Palm Jumeirah

Home to some of the world’s most iconic beachfront resorts, Palm Jumeirah remains a top-performing hospitality location. High occupancy, strong ADR (Average Daily Rate), and long-term brand equity define the hotels available here.

Downtown Dubai

The heartbeat of Dubai, Downtown offers luxury 5-star hotels for sale within walking distance of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Dubai Opera. This location is favored by business travelers and high-spend tourists alike.

Dubai Marina and JBR

Hotels in these areas benefit from a mix of business and leisure guests. Properties often feature skyline views, beach access, and proximity to Dubai’s nightlife and retail destinations.

Business Bay

A fast-emerging hotel zone ideal for investors looking for affordable entry points with strong upside potential. Hotels here attract both corporate clients and luxury seekers.

Dubai Hotel Investment – ROI and Future Trends

Dubai hotel investment is more than a status move – it’s a strategic wealth-building vehicle. The average ROI for operational hotels ranges between 6-10% annually, with upside from branding, renovations, or operational restructuring.

Emerging trends include:

Eco-luxury hotels with sustainable architecture

Branded residences linked to hotel operations

Serviced apartment hotels catering to long-term guests

AI-powered hospitality tech integrations

With hotel occupancy rebounding post-COVID and Dubai's aggressive tourism targets, there's no better time to explore hotel investment Dubai opportunities.

Legal and Transactional Overview for Hotel Buyers

Purchasing a hotel for sale in Dubai involves structured due diligence. Foreign investors enjoy full ownership in designated freehold zones. Here's a general outline of the buying process:

Letter of Intent (LOI) & NDA Signing – Establish interest and confidentiality.

Access to Financials & Site Visits – Evaluate income streams, occupancy rates, P&L statements.

Offer Submission – Based on yield, brand value, and market benchmarking.

SPA Agreement & Regulatory Approval – Finalize through Dubai Land Department.

Our consultancy team supports buyers through legal structuring, market valuation, and investment modeling.

Confidential Listings – Off-Market 5 Star Hotel Sales

Most high-value 5 star hotel sales in Dubai remain off-market. These properties include:

Flagship city-center hotels under global brands

Boutique resorts with 90%+ occupancy year-round

Investor-to-investor deals bypassing public listings

We maintain a trusted network across the UAE and are authorized to facilitate direct transactions on behalf of hotel owners and developers.

Who Should Invest in a 5 Star Hotel in Dubai?

Ideal investors for hotels for sale in Dubai include:

HNWI and UHNWI seeking portfolio diversification

Institutional investors and REITs targeting hospitality exposure

Hotel management companies looking to expand footprint

Private equity firms aiming for operational turnarounds

Whether you're acquiring as a trophy asset or for active operational management, Dubai’s hospitality landscape offers unmatched potential.

Conclusion – Secure Your 5 Star Hotel Investment in Dubai Today

Dubai’s hospitality market remains one of the most attractive and resilient in the world. Owning a 5 Star Hotel in Dubai not only promises excellent financial returns but also strategic positioning in a growing global hub. From exclusive hotel sale UAE listings to branded hotel properties for sale, we offer personalized, secure, and high-yield investment pathways.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of Dubai’s legacy in luxury hospitality.

Explore premium hotel properties for sale now – the future of hospitality investment begins here.

[nastenkaromanov]

Odessa A’zion, 24, cisgender female, she/they ; ] … the photo on the missing poster is of ANASTASIA "ANYA" ROMANOV EKATERINA KOVALCHUK . they are TWENTY SIX, and have been missing for NINE YEARS . when the sun rises, they work as a BARBER. rumors in town say they can be CYNICAL and ALTRUISTIC. they chose to live at THE DOCKS and have an uncanny resemblance to Maeby Fünke - Arrested Development,  Victoria Page - The Red Shoes (1948), Susie Bannion - Suspiria (2018) can they survive another night ?…⸻ bloody pointe shoes, nag champa incense wafting through ratty curtain filtered sunlight, a secondhand grand piano.

Name: Anastasia "Anya" Romanov

Alias: Anya, Ana, Nastenka

Gender/Pronouns: Female, She/They

Age: 26

Birthdate: 12/15

Big Three: Sagittarius, Scorpio, Aquarius

Occupation: Barber

Height: 5'5"

Known Languages: English, Russian, Esperanto

Hometown: Manhattan, New York City

Residence: The Docks

Family: Viktor Kovalchuk (father)

Friends: tba

Relationship Status: single

Sexuality: pansexual

Other Relationships:

Character Inspiration: Maeby Fünke - Arrested Development,  Victoria Page - The Red Shoes (1948), Carrie Bradshaw - Sex in the City, Susie Bannion - Suspiria (2018), Liz Lemon - 30Rock

Biography

tw: abuse (mental and physical), forced disordered eating

Anya, Ekaterina Kovalchuk, was born into the looming gilded halls of privilege. New York’s upper echelon. The only child of a powerful businessman, Viktor Kovalchuk. A man whose shadow constantly loomed over her as much as his wealth. But just underneath the surface of luxury was a start marked by tragedy. Her mother, a brilliant but fairly reclusive artist — had passed while giving birth to Anya. Giving her a sense of guilt that was never hers to bear. It cast a shadow over her life. Her father, ruthless and influential, only saw Anya as an extension of himself. A mere reflection of his wild ambitions.

She grew up in a sprawling penthouse with an incredible view of a city she was never allowed to explore. Her schedule was meticulously curated. Nannies and tutors. Warmth, love, suspiciously absent. Viktor always avoided discussing the subject of her mother; offering no solace to his daughter. Bearing the brunt of his grief. He poured all of his focus into shaping Anya into perfection. Dutiful, disciplined. Bringing honor to the Kovalchuk name. But she was naturally curious and creative, traits trickled down from her mother who was only a dream to her now. It was stifled. She sketched in secret, hiding her works under her bed. Beside books she borrowed from housekeepers, guards or cooks. The people who did a better job of raising her than Viktor. Whom highly disapproved of these frivolous distractions.

At the tender age of eight she was thrusted into the world of Russian ballet. Deemed appropriate for a girl of her name and stature. Anya showed great promise but she found the rigid nature stifling. Nevertheless, she worked tirelessly, praying that she could gain even a shred of his approval.

Despite having peers in ballet, her early years were quite lonely. Friends were few and even farther between. She rarely attended any social events, taught to distrust those who had the potential to take advantage of the Kovalchuk name. The adults around her, save for the employees who became more like parents to her, treated her as a job, a nuisance rather than a person. Her only moments of happiness came from stolen daydreams or escaping into books. Usually read while she snuck away to the marina to sit around on one of her father’s boats. She fantasized about these stories, about running away. A thought she had dismissed as a childish fever dream until much later.

When she turned fifteen years old, Viktor sent her away to a prestigious ballet academy. It was nestled into the snowy countryside of Vermont. To her father it was the only acceptable environment to shape her into the daughter he wanted. A looming place where perfection was the bare minimum and weakness was never to be tolerated. He hoped this would be a good head start if he wanted her to later attend Bolshoi. The academy's exterior looked like it was straight out of a movie. This made it easier for her to compartmentalize. Anya would just pretend she was the main protagonist of an old black and white film. It was a grand, gothic building shrouded in icy forest. It's halls were lined with portraits of legendary dancers. Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Pavlova. Beneath all of the beauty and the legend, there was a harsh world that lay dormant. Breathing in the walls while it waited to be unleashed. It prided itself on creating world-renowned ballerinas but it's methods used tended to be less than orthodox.

Their days began before dawn even stirred awake, punishing drills that left the students breathless. Anya, who was deemed a stellar dancer back home was deemed here, incredibly average. The coaches had no mercy -- berating the students and doing their best to pit the students against one another. Humiliation seemed to be a favored method, and injuries were seen as weakness. Usually ignored until you're immobile. She really struggled to adapt to this and her natural talents could never make up for the physical and physiological toll of these rigorous demands. They were always monitored, especially those unfortunate to be born a woman, every intake of calorie scrutinized. Friendships were rare and often short lived. The constant competition was a breeding ground for jealous and suspicion.

There was one instructor, Mother Sylvia -- who was particularily cruel to little Anya. She had a keen eye for finding insecurities and using them as leverage. Anya was an easy target for her because of her father's wealth and his power. Sylvia would sneer at Anya and mock her; calling her the 'Kovalchuk Princess'. She would berate her and push her harder than all of the others. She learned the only way for her to survive was to just shut up and keep her eyes on the ground or in the mirror. When she dared to look.

It wasn't just the physicality that got to her but also the control. Any phone calls or letters to home were censored and heavily monitor. Leaving the grounds? Out of the question. Are you out of your mind? The isolation was unbearable for her. She was lonely at home but at least she had people to actually talk to. Her love for dance was quickly being replaced with resentment. Any want to be there -- it had been gone within a year tops. Anya, the rebellious spirit she is, would fight the academy in small ways. Staying up late to dance the way she wanted. Freedom and fluidity. Far from the perfection that was demanded of her with an iron fist. She would sneak out at night and traipse through the forest, singing to the fireflies.

It was bad, she had no way out. But you can only keep something caged so long before they gnaw at the bars and claw their way to freedom. Her gnashing of the bars came during her third year there. Anya had been witness to another dancer collapsing while they were rehearsing a routine. Instead of helping her, the instructors in the room simply berated her and dragged her out like she was rubbish. She couldn't watch this anymore, she couldn't be the next one. That night, she packed a small bag with the essentials. What little money she had squabbled together. She snuck past the guards easily; even if they did see her, she didn't think they would tell. Truth be told they probably had the biggest hearts in the vicinity, she could see the pain in their eyes grow larger with every blow witnessed. She ran through the surrounding woods, the socks on her feet nearly frozen to her flesh.

Then, she found the tree. It called to her like a magnificent siren. A place to sit and rest her legs, she had only made it a half mile away from the academy but her body was tired from the constant conditioning. Anya sat beside it and laid her weary head upon the bark. Her eyes dipped closed for what she thought was a moment but when she opened them it was light out. And she wasn't where she was when her eyes had shut. Anya had made it to Aracadia. An unusual town tucked between the veil, one that welcomed her with open arms and helped her become who she is. Who she was always meant to be. She met an old barber who taught her everything he knew, and helped her get adjusted at the Docks. The first night she decided to shed her former name, still afraid someone might find her even dimensions away. To Anastasia Romanov, from Disney's Anastasia -- feeling a bit like a lost royalty herself.

At twenty six, she still lives at the Docks of Arcadia, far away from her gilded life. One that offers freedom and anonymity. She's happy to be surrounded by the faded brick buildings and small town charm. The community is full of other people running from something too. She finds peace with that in a strange way. It's a far cry from the high society that felt like a prison.

Being a barber gives her purpose and control over her life in a way she hasn't experienced before. The buzz of her clippers, the quiet conversations held between -- a grounding ritual that helps her be herself. Something that was once a necessity now a source of happiness for her. Working with her clients has made her realize how much she really values connection -- something she had been deprived of for so long.

Anya's found her own sense of belonging. She doesn't need to seek approval from anyone ever again. She's now just a girl who's cutting through the chains of her past; one snip at a time.

Additional Information/Headcannons

Anya has a secret talent for piano, or more so, great piano training. She's hardly likely to play for anyone and her favorite composer is Chopin, she feels he really encapsulates her melancholy.

She loves horror movies. Particularly the weird and unsettling. Anya loves David Cronenberg for this -- her favorites are the Fly and Dead Ringers.

Anya is fiercely protective of her people and especially her neighbors at the Docks. She's known to track down troublemakers -- not for violent reasons, she just wants to have a ... chat.

Despite being stubborn, she couldn't hold a grudge even if her life depended on it.

She's a pack rat and loves to collect trinkets and tchotchkes.

Anya doesn't realize this but she's a bit charismatic. Sometimes people can feel drawn to her by her charm and her calm demeanor, but she doesn't pick up on it. She thinks she's a very unserious person so she's confused as to why people confide in her or want to be around her.

She's extremely stubborn. More stubborn than a mule. Once Anya has an idea or inkling in her mind, she will do it or die trying.

Wanted Connections

Mentors

Friends

Found Family

Fellow Rebels and Rascals

Confidants

Protectors/Protectee's

Exes/Hookups/Unrequited Love

Neighbors

A Muse

tbc

[luxury-residences]

Sobha Realty Dubai – Luxury Apartments & Villas for Sale

Dubai is a global hub for luxury real estate, and Sobha Realty Dubai stands at the forefront of premium residential developments. With an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, Sobha Developers Dubai has redefined urban living through world-class projects featuring stunning architecture, cutting-edge amenities, and sustainable design principles. Whether you are looking for a luxurious villa, a high-rise apartment, or an exclusive waterfront home, Sobha Realty offers the perfect blend of elegance and comfort.

Why Choose Sobha Realty Dubai?

Sobha Realty is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, premium locations, and sustainable living concepts. Each development is meticulously planned to provide an unparalleled living experience, featuring sprawling green landscapes, state-of-the-art clubhouses, and breathtaking city views. With an array of Sobha Realty Dubai projects spread across prime locations, investing in Sobha properties guarantees not just a home but a lifestyle.

Top Sobha Realty Dubai Projects

1. Sobha Hartland 2 – The Epitome of Elegance

Located in Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, Sobha Hartland 2 is an architectural marvel spanning over 8 million square feet. This luxury development offers 5 and 6-bedroom villas, as well as 1 to 4-bedroom apartments across three exclusive communities – Riverside Crescent, Sobha Skyscape, and Sobha Skyvue Solair. With resort-style pools, an indoor movie theatre, yoga zones, and lush green spaces, this project is designed for those seeking the ultimate in comfort and exclusivity.

Prime Location: Just minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall, and Burj Al Arab.

Sustainability Focus: Featuring energy-efficient amenities, water conservation systems, and vast green spaces.

World-Class Amenities: Includes a 40-seater indoor theatre, infinity pool, outdoor gym, and sky gardens.

2. Sobha One – A Modern Masterpiece

Sobha One is an ultra-modern residential community offering high-end apartments with panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline. Designed for contemporary urban living, Sobha One boasts world-class retail, fine dining, and wellness facilities, making it a prime investment for homeowners and investors alike.

3. Sobha Seahaven – Waterfront Living Redefined

Set in Dubai Harbour, Sobha Seahaven is an exclusive waterfront community offering stunning sea-facing apartments. Residents enjoy direct access to private beaches, marinas, and luxury yacht clubs, ensuring a premium coastal lifestyle.

4. Sobha Siniya Island – The Ultimate Luxury Retreat

Sobha Siniya Island is a prestigious island development offering ultra-premium villas with private beaches, exclusive clubhouses, and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. This one-of-a-kind project is perfect for those seeking a high-end sanctuary away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Key Highlights of Sobha Realty Dubai

Over 8 Million Sq. Ft. of Total Land Area dedicated to luxury developments.

More than 12,000 Residential Units featuring world-class facilities.

39% Open Spaces ensuring a serene and eco-friendly environment.

Strategic Locations near Dubai’s iconic landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Waterfront, and Business Bay.

Top-Notch Amenities, including private pools, sensory gardens, BBQ areas, yoga zones, and outdoor play spaces.

Why Invest in Sobha Realty Dubai?

Investing in Sobha Developers Dubai projects guarantees high returns, prime locations, and an unmatched luxury experience. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly villa, a high-rise apartment with panoramic views, or an exclusive island retreat, Sobha Realty offers the best real estate opportunities in Dubai.

Strong Market Value: Properties appreciate over time, ensuring profitable resale value.

Luxurious Lifestyle: Homes feature premium finishes, modern architecture, and sustainable living.

Excellent Connectivity: Close to Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport, and major business districts.

Where is Sobha Hartland 2 Located?

Sobha Hartland 2 is situated in Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, offering seamless connectivity to major areas like Dubai Design District, Business Bay, and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. With just 10 to 15 minutes to Downtown Dubai and Dubai Mall, it is the perfect choice for luxury living in a prime location.

Conclusion

Sobha Realty continues to set new benchmarks in Dubai’s luxury real estate market. Whether you are looking for an opulent villa, a contemporary apartment, or a waterfront residence, Sobha Realty Dubai ensures world-class living with premium amenities and strategic locations. Explore Sobha Realty Dubai properties today and invest in a lifestyle that redefines luxury.

Check out more Luxury Properties in Dubai from Premium Developers in promising locations.

Contact Us:-

Website:- www.luxuryresidences.in

Call:- +91 9899055030

[sshbpodcast]

Character Spotlight: Deanna Troi

By Ames

I’m sensing excitement for our new character spotlight blogpost. That can only mean one thing: the Enterprise’s resident Betazoid is here to do her empath thing, and frequently not much else. We’re big defenders of Marina Sirtis here on A Star to Steer Her By, though we don’t always feel the same way about how the writers developed her character – or more frequently, how they failed to do so at any given opportunity.

When you give Deanna Troi something to do, she super nails it, and we’ve got the examples to prove it! On the flip side, we’ve also got plenty of times she missed the mark by a few lightyears. It’s like people in the 90s had no idea how to write about mental health. Or write for women in something other than some kind of sexual peril. Or sometimes just write for women at all. So plop down on the counselor’s couch as you read our best and worst Troi moments below and sense our emotions about them over on this week’s podcast episode (discussion starts at 1:09:34). Tell us how that makes you feel…

[Images © CBS/Paramount]

Best moments

You can’t hide the emptiness from me Let’s start things off with Troi actually doing her job as a counselor as she occasionally does throughout the series, and she even uses some of her Betazoid empathy when she psychoanalyzes Armus in “Skin of Evil.” It’s compelling to watch her deduce his whole deal, and use her skills to find a way to distract him with his own rage and allow for her escape.

What’s under the words is what’s important We also remember shipping her and Riva from “Loud as a Whisper” like whoa. The two had natural chemistry and he kicked off a whole string of random mediators whom Troi got down with. But Riva definitely proved to be the best as he and Troi showed us that finding ways to communicate form the basis of any kind of relationship – personal, cultural, or otherwise.

Can I borrow a feeling? Here’s one more great example of Troi actually using her empathy to some purpose. Now don’t get me wrong, “Shades of Grey” is a pretty pointless and boring episode for the most part, but even I have to admit that watching Troi sensing Riker’s emotions was a good touch for her character, and her connection with her imzadi was pretty palpable in this sloggy clipshow.

Eyes in the dark Oh boy, another pretty terrible episode that actually has some quality Troi moments. It’s no wonder her character doesn’t usually get the credit she deserves: whenever she’s actually doing something noteworthy it’s in the lousy episodes that people just want to forget. But in “Night Terrors” she saves the day by figuring out the nightmare puzzle and getting a much deserved nap.

Why do you have to be so nice? Upsettingly, in the same style as the sexy characters like Seven of Nine and T’Pol, Deanna seems to mostly get used on the show to get mindraped a lot or otherwise treated as a plaything for men (and that includes men in the audience for whom her terrible jumpsuit was definitely crafted). So it makes me shout for joy when she beats the hell out of Jev in “Violations” because both he and the writers deserved that.

You will take orders from me and no one else The tippy top of anyone’s Troi list should be her amazing performance in “Face of the Enemy.” This was one of our highlights of all of TNG since everyone and their second foremother has been underestimating Troi this whole dang time. So to watch her infiltrate a Romulan ship, pass herself off as a Tal Shiar operative, and save the defectors without blowing her cover was as surprising as it was engrossing. It makes you wish they had written her like this all along.

Bad thoughts, they hurt her We’ll talk more fully about Lwaxana another day (definitely make sure you’re following this page for that!), but Deanna’s relationship with her mother is still one of love and admiration despite how much their personalities clash. Which is why it’s so lovely in “Dark Page” for us to see Deanna go into her mother’s mind to help her through reliving the trauma of losing her first child, Kestra Troi.

I’d read two chapters Another good gal relationship we don’t see nearly enough of in the show is the Troi-Crusher friendship. It’s always nice to see the two lady characters of the show interacting and [sometimes] passing the Bechdel test, but specifically we actually have to shout out to the progressive moments of “Sub Rosa” that actually discuss female pleasure in a positive way. Get it, girls!

Everyone orders Geordi to his death eventually A couple more from season seven, when Troi finally seems to have hit some kind of stride and developed as a character, even going so far as to take the command test! It’s in “Thine Own Self” that she proves she has what it takes to officially be put into the command rotation when she orders a simulation of Geordi to his death. After our La Forge spotlight, we all kinda wanted it.

I’m sensing horniness Caitlin also wanted to make sure to appease the Troi-Worf shippers out there. There may not be many of you, but you’ve got some solid foundation after we saw this unusual couple give it the old college try starting in “Eye of the Beholder.” We’ve got to admit: it was an interesting pairing of the Klingon who had a lot of emotions and the Betazoid who could sense them.

I’m a leaf on the wind Many people would put crashing the Enterprise in Generations on their Worst Moments list, but not us! Frankly, that thing was going down no matter who was in charge, and we’ve got to give Troi a lot of credit that she landed that saucer as safely as anyone could. Normally, splatting into a planet surface would yield no survivors, but pretty much everyone walked away thanks to her!

Have you tried plexing? We see Troi do the impossible and actually help Barclay through therapy in episodes like “Hollow Pursuits” and “Realm of Fear” even though she has every right to not work with someone who was diddling her likeness in the holodeck. But she stuck with it, even into Voyager episodes like “Pathfinder” and “Inside Man.” Give it up for the Goddess of Empathy.

—

Worst moments

Wouldn’t you rather be alone with me? With me in your mind? Another week, another “The Naked Now” reference. We’ve said it before: it’s so disgusting for all the female characters to just get horny while they’re spacedrunk, while all the male characters have a variety of drunken behaviors. Sadly, Troi is relegated to swooning all over Riker while she’s infected with the polywater virus, and we’re pretty done with it.

When I snap my fingers, you will bark like an Antican So frequently I can’t tell if Troi is practicing legitimate psychiatry, some made-up future psychiatry, or just what writers from the 90s thought psychiatry entailed. But episodes like “Lonely Among Us” give me the impression it’s the latter when suddenly Troi is doing some kind of hypnosis thing on Worf and Crusher after they’d been possessed by some random entity. Cluck cluck cluck.

Turn off your beam into my soul A small factor that I have to give Troi a little bit of guff about is when she tries to force counseling onto Stubbs in “Evolution.” An allegedly trained counselor should know that it can be harmful and even dangerous to therapize someone who does not consent to it, and it actually made me a little uncomfortable to watch. Leave this man to his mental baseball games, lady.

You’re unusually limber this morning In a reminder that the writers of this show have no idea how to write for women, we get this utterly embarrassing aerobics scene from “The Price.” Sure, the ladies can talk about boys if they want to if that’s what they’re into, but it’s so obvious that they’re in these skimpy leotards just to appeal to the adolescent boys in the audience and for absolutely no other reason. Gross.

It’s more than just letting them cry on your shoulder Troi spends most of  “The Loss” literally going through the stages of grief over her empath powers, and I guess her favorite stage was pissiness since she just camped out there and bitched at everyone she interacted with. And then Guinan so smoothly schools her on counseling that Troi hits rock bottom hard enough to come around the other side again somehow.

The chain of command is the chain I go get and beat you with... “Disaster” could have gone on both lists because Troi does end up being right in the end, but it’s going here partly to make room for other examples above and partly because Troi was so out of her depth trying to lead during a crisis. In reality, her move was the wrong move, as she learns later in the afore-mentioned “Thine Own Self” which teaches her the correct move was to kill Geordi!

I never met a chocolate I didn’t like For some strange reason, the writers decided that one of very few character traits that define Deanna Troi other than being an empath (in case you forgot) is that she’s obsessed with chocolate. And in “The Game” we practically get to watch her orgasm over a chocolate sundae in a fully out-of-place scene that just reminds us that the writers rarely knew what to do with her.

If it looks like an android and quacks like an android… The writers also frequently had no idea how to write for Troi when she was supposed to be doing her counselor job too! In fact, in “Hero Worship” she pawns off a kid clearly suffering from post-traumatic stress on an entirely unqualified and ill-suited Data, whose ability to relate to people is questionable at best. There’s a reason we never hear from Timothy again…

Sign here, here, and here More terrible counseling comes in “Cost of Living.” I have to give Worf credit for going to Troi for help with his brat son, but the advice Troi gives them to write up a parent-child contract is perplexing! Alexander is a child, somewhere between two and twelve years old (who can tell with Klingons?). Treating him like a contractor is so impersonal that it surprised me coming out of her.

But forward we look and forward we go The will-they-won’t-they thing between Troi and Riker was always frustrating, since they need to both remain single so they can woohoo random aliens. So it actually seems like the perfect answer to Troiker shippers (is that the right portmanteau?) when Tom Riker shows up in “Second Chances” and Troi blows it. How she said no to that man I’ll never understand.

And have you noticed how your boobs have started to firm up As we’ve said a bunch of times now in these character spotlight posts, the attempts at comedy in Insurrection very rarely land. And one of the most groan-inducing moments is when Troi remarks on her newly perky tits because of the effects of the Ba’ku planet, which just goes to remind us that she was first and foremost meant to be a sexual object for the fans to ogle.

I never kissed you with a beard before On the subject of dumb jokes from Insurrection, we have to complain again, even though we already covered it in the Riker spotlight, about Troi shaving off his beard because they were suddenly acting like horny teenagers again. And shame on her for acting like kissing a man with a beard is yucky! I can tell you from experience it’s the way to go.

—

Our therapy session is now over, so make sure you’re keeping up with our weekly appointments as we have more TNG crewmembers to analyze next time! We hope you’re also slogging through Enterprise with us over on SoundCloud or wherever you podcast, telling us how you feel over on Facebook and Twitter, and doing your plexing exercises whenever you’re stressed out.

[kercsene-aaa]

( clayton cardenas, cis man, he/him ) SANTIAGO LÓPEZ : the FORTY year old resident that's been around the SEA CLIFF MARINA RAIDERS for TWO DAYS. when the infected swarmed the streets the first night, SANTI really proved how DEDICATED + LOYAL they were. however, many would argue that they can also be quite CALLOUS + CYNICAL. five years has passed since their old life ended and the new one began, developing skills that have helped them become a RAIDER within their group. it makes sense to see them thriving at the job because of their TRACKING SKILLS & KNIFE.

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.

NAME: santiago emiliano lópez.

NICKNAME(S): santi.

BIRTHPLACE: dallas, texas.

LOCATION BEFORE: dallas, texas.

OCCUPATION BEFORE: mechanic & mc member.

AGE: forty.

GENDER IDENTITY: cis man.

ROMANTIC / SEXUAL ORIENTATION: biromantic, bisexual.

CURRENT LOCATION: sea cliff marina.

TIME AT CURRENT LOCATION: two days.

CURRENT JOB: raider (in training).

𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐘𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐒.

FATHER: emiliano alejandro lópez ( died in 2022 )

MOTHER: daniela maria lópez ( died in 2024 )

BROTHER: luis antonio lópez ( died in 2020 )

SISTERS: carmen daniela lópez ( died in 2025 ) & mariana sofia lópez

𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋.

HEIGHT: 6 foot & 2 inches.

EYE COLOR: brown

HAIR COLOR: black with some grey

TATTOOS: TBD.

SCARS: TBD.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘.

POSITIVE TRAITS: dedicated, loyal

NEGATIVE TRAITS: callous, cynical

MORAL ALIGNMENT: chaotic neutral

LIKES: TBD.

DISLIKES: TBD.

𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄.

born in 1989 to emiliano alejandro lópez and daniela maria lópez, née garcia, santiago was the eldest of four. his brother, luis antonio lópez, died in 2020 from brain cancer and his sister, carmen daniela lópez died one year after the wildfire virus spread. both deaths weighed heavily on santi, who was always close with his family.

the lópez were poor but always made the best of it, both parents working two jobs to provide for their family and santi started to work to help as soon as he could. santiago has always been very protective of his family and it was well known that anyone who messed with his siblings would see him come defend them.

santi has always been more street smart than book smart and he barely graduated high school. studies were for his siblings, not him, and it was almost a miracle he had a diploma, considering how often he skipped classes. his mother wanted to see all of her children graduate and it's the only reason santi did it.

as soon as high school was over, he started to work full time as a mechanic, at the same place he had been working part time for a while. santi had been working on his bike since he got it at 16.

santi always had a soft spot for the sister of his best friend and as they both entered adulthood, he realized that what he felt went beyond friendly feelings and for a time, he cleaned up his act for andrea. she was there for him when his brother died and for a while, their relationship was the best thing in his life and santi worshiped the ground andy walked on.

thing started to turn sour when he got in deeper with some of his friends, andrea's brother included. santi was slowly turning to the life of a criminal, wearing the patches of a motorcycle club. the weight and stress of it all changed him and santi started to pull away from andrea, both in an attempt to protect her and because he was starting to hate the man he was becoming.

𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑.

as soon as things starting to go south, santiago urged andrea to leave the city with him. crowded places were becoming too dangerous. getting both of his sisters and andrea to safety was the only thing that mattered to him. he had no real plan, no real connections that could help them, it was only survival from then on.

when his sister died one year into the so called end of the world, it broke something in him. it was like the little hope he had left that things could get better vanished entirely. he hadn't been able to protect her and santi once again felt worthless. they went from groups to groups, never settling anywhere long enough to set real roots, if such a thing was still possible.

then the worst happened, the group was attacked and andrea and him were separated. santi was a shit boyfriend, but he loved her and for so long, he looked for her. it was only about six months ago that he stopped doing so. maybe it was easier to think she was dead than the alternative, that she was still out there but without him. he had failed her, had started to do so years ago.

a chance encounters had him and the few of his group being recruited to the sea cliff marina. he was hurt, his groups was starving, there was no other real choices. he never expected to see andrea again but it seemed that life had other plans for him.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.

ANDREA ROMERO. his ex-girlfriend and the one he thought was the love of his life, even if he didn't think he was worthy of her. the two got separated years ago after an attack on their group and after looking for her for two years, santi thought she was dead. the feelings he had for her never entirely died.

MARIANA LÓPEZ. the only family member he still has and one he'd do anything to protect. santi has always been there for his siblings and he has grown even more protective as he lost everyone else but her.

NEW PROMISES. it started when he still had hopes that andrea was alive, while he was still looking for her. it was nothing more than sex, the relief and tenderness he needed. it wasn't supposed to mean anything but it's not so clear anymore and while santi cares for them, he can't bring himself to love again.

RIGHT HAND. being some sort of leader for his small group was never the plan but against all odds, people started to look up to him, to the way he didn't shy from the hard choices that had to be made for their survival. next to his sister, this is the person he trust the most.

[andyromero]

( adria arjona, cis woman, she/her ) ANDREA ROMERO : THIRTY8 year old resident that's been around the SEA CLIFF MARINA for TWO MONTHS. when the infected swarmed the streets the first night, ANDY really proved how PERSUASIVE + RESILIENT they were. however, many would argue that they can also be quite HOT-HEADED + IMPULSIVE. five years has passed since their old life ended and the new one began, developing skills that have helped them become a RAIDER within their group. it makes sense to see them thriving at the job because of their RESOURCEFULNESS and WILLINGNESS TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SURVIVE.

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.

NAME: andrea calliope romero.

NICKNAME(S): andy, the feisty one.

BIRTHPLACE: dallas, texas.

LOCATION BEFORE: dallas, texas.

OCCUPATION BEFORE: diner employee. nursing student.

AGE & BIRTHDAY: thirty8. march 21.

ZODIAC: aries.

GENDER IDENTITY: cis woman.

ROMANTIC / SEXUAL ORIENTATION: biromantic, bisexual.

CURRENT LOCATION: sea cliff marina.

TIME AT CURRENT LOCATION: two months.

CURRENT JOB: raider (in training).

𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐘𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐒.

FATHER: javier romero.

MOTHER: julietta romero née flores.

BROTHER(S): mateo (44), javier (42)

SISTER: jimena (40)

𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋.

HEIGHT: five feet, seven inches.

EYE COLOR: brown.

HAIR COLOR: dark brown.

TATTOOS: TBD.

SCARS: TBD.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘.

POSITIVE TRAITS: intuitive, knowledgeable, resilient, resourceful.

NEGATIVE TRAITS: guarded, impulsive, sarcastic.

MORAL ALIGNMENT: chaotic neutral.

LIKES: oversized shirts, classic rock, learning.

DISLIKES: being told what to do, being doubted, small spaces.

𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐒.

andy was born and raised in dallas, texas. her mother was a night nurse and her father was a maintenance man. she was the youngest of the family, having been born after two brothers (mateo and javier) and a sister (jimena). being the fourth child meant that andy never really had anything of her own.

her home life wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. her parents worked a lot to ensure their children were cared for, but it meant losing out on quality time. until she turned thirteen and the entire dynamic shifted. her oldest brother, mateo, got into some trouble that required their parents help. it was only the first incident, but every single time, they bailed him out, regardless of the toll it took on the rest of the family.

right before she turned eighteen, she moved out. she bounced from couch to couch for awhile, thankful that she had friends who understood her situation. she wanted something for herself, even if it meant clawing her way through life to get it. she took a bunch of odd jobs until she saved up enough money to get a place of her own.

at the age of twenty-three, she tried college for the first time. unfortunately, there wasn't much she could do between her busy work schedule and lack of funds. with one semester under her belt and a student loan bill that would take her a year's worth of work to pay off, she made the difficult decision to call it quits.

a couple of more years passed by and her desire to do something more with her life never ceased. at the age of twenty-six, she met a man who initially made her feel like she could do anything. he was a couple of years older, had his own place and a good job, and he made so many promises to her that it was impossible not to fall into him.

for the first time in her life, andy felt seen. of course, like every other good thing that had ever come her way, it didn't last. not even in a year into their relationship and the man was already breaking his promises. every broken promise came with an excuse, so she let it slide. by thirty, she'd reverted back into feeling like nothing more than a shadow.

instead of leaving, she stayed and went through the motions of life. she had a roof over her head, a nice one at that. not even a week after her thirtieth birthday, the healthcare firm she'd been a CNA at let her go. their reasoning had been something along the lines of budget cuts on staffing and in the end, it didn't matter.

the job search was unsuccessful, but fearful of not having her own income, she went for a job that was outside of what she wanted. it was a small diner right off the highway and while the pay wasn't all that great, the tips made up for it.

she'd only been at the diner for a couple of weeks when a handsome man walked in a couple of hours before the end of her shift. while taking his order, conversation soared and the rest was history. nothing physical ever happened between them for a number of reasons, but she grew to care for him deeply.

said man encouraged her to chase what she considered a pipe dream. he even went as far as covering for a couple of the semesters where she couldn't afford it and had considered dropping out. for three years, they stayed in contact with the occasional meet ups.

right after passing her clinical exam, andy reached out to share the news with him. rumors had circulated that something had happened, but the reality of the situation only sank in after the phone call was cut short and all lines went dead.

𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐔𝐒.

when the phones went down, the initial panic began to settle into her bones. she'd been mid-call when the line when dead, leaving her to wonder what the hell she was going to do. she was pacing outside of the diner when it all fell apart, hoping that a certain truck driver would come kicking up dust like he had so many times before.

instead, it was her boyfriend who came to her rescue, panicked, but confident that he knew what to do. his suggestion? getting the hell out of dodge. so, selfishly, she took the risk and made her own suggestion. head towards the coast, head towards him. him being the man she'd been emotionally entangled with for years.

along the way, everything that could happen, did happen. first it was their car running out of fuel, then after a couple of tight spots for fuel, it was a flat tire that couldn't be replaced because her boyfriend had used the spare months prior and hadn't thought to replace it. typical for a man who never thought much of anything.

for three years, they bounced from group to group. some were kind and welcoming and others were cold and cruel. during one of the last groups they ventured into together, things went south. where her boyfriend ended up, she has no idea, but andy didn't stick around to find out. she ran until her lungs dared to cave in, only looking back when she could no longer hear gunfire.

it was at this point that everything changed. once more, she was alone. then again, hadn't she been alone for most of her life? she took what skills she'd learned over the years, on top of her own medical training, and pushed onwards. again, she was met with awful people along the way, but by some luck, she always managed to find her way out again.

until one interaction left her with rope tied around her wrists, a blindfold, and a gag to ensure she'd bite her spiteful tongue. what awaited her on the other end of the walk she assumed was to her death was far more surprising.

𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀.

it's been two months and she's still finding her footing. having rikter (she knows him by his legal name) around has made the transition a little easier. she has a lot of questions, a lot of concerns, a lot thoughts, but she's kept them all to herself.

she's trained as a nurse, so she offers first-aide assistance when needed as a means of pulling her own weight. she's ready to start training as a raider, though she still has her reservations.

𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.

FRIENDLY SUPPORT. sea cliff marina specific. this is someone who has been with the group longer than she has. they might notice that she's still finding her footing and offer a helping hand. it doesn't have to be straight up friendship at first, but little offerings here and there to help her adjust?

SOMEONE SHE'S HELPED. andy had just passed her clinical exam right before the wildfire virus struck. she has general medical knowledge and can help patch up small things.

A FAMILIAR FACE. someone that she could have ran into during her travels. she came all the way from texas, so the possibilities are endless! it can be a positive or a negative connection. maybe they helped one another, or maybe they have beef. totally up for anything!!

FAMILIAL. currently, there is no official plan for what happened to her family members. this can be plotted further is someone is interested in a sibling connection, or even a parental connection.

THE EX-BOYFRIEND. this will require lots of plotting and it isn't a current romantic connection. these two have a drawn out past and got separated about two years ago.

[morally-grey-girlbosses]

Bracket has been updated for Round 2! Matchup list is in text under the cut. Round 2 will begin within a few days. The loser's bracket will begin after the main bracket concludes.

Betty Grof (Adventure Time) vs. Evelyn Wang (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Edelgard von Hresvelg (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) vs. Almalexia (The Elder Scrolls)

Maeby Funke (Arrested Development) vs. GLaDOS/Caroline (Portal)

Nico Robin (One Piece) vs. Helen Richardson (The Magnus Archives)

Nefera de Nile (Monster High) vs. Lady Barbrey Dustin (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Jennifer Check (Jennifer's Body) vs. Moira O'Deorain (Overwatch)

Artemis (Greek Myth) vs. Tomie Kawakami (Tomie)

Rachel (Animorphs) vs. Shego (Kim-Possible)

Tabitha Scarlet (Scarlet Hollow) vs. Morgana Pendragon/le Fey (BBC Merlin)

The Witch (Into the Woods) vs. Nimona (Nimona)

Klaasje Amandou (Disco Elysium) vs. Ianthe Tridentarius (The Locked Tomb)

Sailor Galaxia (Sailor Moon) vs. Lady Alcina Dimitrescu (Resident Evil: Village)

Vriska Serket (Homestuck) vs. Willie Jack (Reservation Dogs)

Galadriel (Lord of the Rings) vs. Charlie (Don't Starve)

Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond (Steven Universe) vs. Tokiko Shigure (AI: The Somnium Files)

Shion Sonozaki (Higurashi When They Cry) vs. Yuko Ichihara (xxxHolic)

Laerynn Coramar-Seelie (Critical Role: Exandria Unlimited) vs. Granny Weatherwax (Discworld)

Catherine Earnshaw (Wuthering Heights) vs. Starlight Glimmer (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Rocky Horror Picture Show) vs. Jinx (Arcane/League of Legends)

Eva Ushiromiya (Umineko When They Cry) vs. Empress Phillipa Georgiou (Star Trek)

Paige Duplass (The Silt Verses) vs. Dr. Pamela Isley AKA Poison Ivy (DCEU)

Reagan Ridley (Inside Job) vs. Kalina AKA Shadow Cat (Fantasy High)

Power (Chainsaw Man) vs. Marcille Donato (Dungeon Meshi)

Remy "Thirteen" Hadley (House MD) vs. Fang Runin / Rin (The Poppy War)

Han Sooyoung (Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint) vs. Wu Zetian (The Iron Widow)

Emma Perkins (The Hatchetfield Series) vs. Nadja of Antipaxos (What We Do In The Shadows)

Junko Enoshima (Danganronpa) vs. Malva (Pokemon)

Vermouth (Detective Conan) vs. Eleanor (Do Revenge)

Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion) vs. Leliana (Dragon Age)

Anthy Himemiya (Revolutionary Girl Utena) vs. Kyoko Sakura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

O-Ren Ishii (Kill Bill) vs. Gwendolyn Poole AKA Gwenpool (Marvel Comics)

Lappland Saluzzo (Arknights) vs. Dr. Harleen Quinzel AKA Harley Quinn (DCEU)

Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) vs. Rue Kuroha AKA Princess Kraehe (Princess Tutu)

Eve (Biblical Canon) vs. Ellie Williams (The Last of Us)

Marina (Sinbad: The Legend of the Seven Seas) vs. Sucre/Sugar (OFF)

Shodan (System Shock) vs. Halea Haumea (Phantomarine)

Arcee (IDW Transformers) vs. Wu Zetian (IRL History)

Miranda Pryce (Wolf 359) vs. Perihelion / ART (The Murderbot Diaries)

Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum (Adventure Time) vs. Lady Macbeth (Macbeth)

Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb) vs. White Gladys the Orca (IRL)

Doctor Carmilla (Doctor Carmilla and The Mechanisms) vs. Catra (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Jasnah Kholin (The Stormlight Archive) vs. Medea (Greek Mythology)

Odin (The Bifrost Incident) vs. Nana Daiba (Revue Starlight)

Beatrice (Umineko When They Cry) vs. Any Female Praying Mantis (IRL)

Veronica Sawyer (Heathers) vs. Eleanor Guthrie (Black Sails)

Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) vs. Shadowheart (Baldur's Gate 3)

Noi (Dorohedoro) vs. Beatrix Kiddo (Kill Bill)

Rat God (Mad Rat Dead) vs. Petra Solano (Jane the Virgin)

Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club) vs. Cinder Fall (RWBY)

Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (M*A*S*H) vs. Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd)

Claudia (Interview with the Vampire) vs. Lady Eboshi (Princess Mononoke)

Entrapta (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) vs. Princess Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Samantha Groves AKA Root (Person of Interest) vs. Shanoa (Castlevania)

Makima (Chainsaw Man) vs. Raphaella la Cognizi (The Mechanisms)

Yennefer Vengerbeg (The Witcher) vs. Toriel Dreemurr (Undertale)

Elizabeth Swann (Pirates of the Carribbean) vs. Wanda Maximoff AKA The Scarlet Witch (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Mapleshade (Warrior Cats) vs. Gertrude Robinson (The Magnus Archives)

Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) vs. Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Muu Kusonoski (Milgram) vs. Romanadvoratrelundar (Doctor Who)

Rouge the Bat (Sonic the Hedgehog) vs. Yubel (Yu-Gi-Oh)

Ponyo (Ponyo) vs. Aubrey (OMORI)

Dr. Olivia "Liv" Octavius AKA Doc Ock (Into the Spider-Verse) vs. Helena George Wells (Warehouse 13)

Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic the Hedgehog) vs. The Fairy Godmother (Shrek 2)

Nami (One Piece) vs. Lucretia (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

[prop-leaf]

Top Residential Plots in East Coast Road (ECR) Chennai: Invest Wisely

East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai is more than just a scenic route; it’s a thriving real estate hub that offers premium Residential plots for those seeking a perfect blend of urban living and coastal serenity. Whether you're looking to build your dream home or make a sound investment, plots in ECR are among the most coveted in the city. Here’s a look at the top Residential Plots in ECR that stand out for their location, amenities, and long-term value.

Pearl Beach Ocean Front Phase 2

Pearl Beach Ocean Front Phase 2 offers an exceptional opportunity with 7 acres of prime land, featuring plots ranging from 636 sq. ft. to 3445 sq. ft. Whether you prefer North, West, South, or East-facing plots, this development provides versatile options to suit your needs. These ready-to-build plots are ideal for constructing your dream home in a serene oceanfront setting. Pearl Beach Ocean Front Phase 2 combines natural beauty with modern convenience, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a tranquil yet accessible location.

Nahar Backwater

Nahar Backwater in East Coast Road (ECR), Chennai, offers an exclusive opportunity to own a plot in one of the city's most prestigious locations. Spanning 6.47 acres, these ready-to-build plots range from 3698 to 7868 sq. ft., providing ample space to craft your dream home. Situated in the scenic ECR corridor, known for its serene coastal ambiance, Nahar Backwater ensures a perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. With its prime location and generous plot sizes, this development is ideal for those seeking a premium lifestyle in Chennai's rapidly growing real estate market.

Radiance Marina

Radiance Marina, located on East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai, spans an impressive 50 acres, offering luxurious residential plots with unit sizes ranging from 3610 to 39321 sq. ft. This exclusive development is designed for those seeking spacious living in a serene environment. With ready-to-move options, Radiance Marina provides the perfect opportunity to build your dream home in one of Chennai's most sought-after locations. Enjoy the convenience of coastal living while being close to the city's vibrant amenities, making Radiance Marina a prime choice for discerning homeowners.

Benefits of Choosing Plots in ECR

Prime Location: East Coast Road (ECR) is one of Chennai’s most sought-after locales due to its scenic coastal views and strategic location. It offers easy connectivity to major business hubs, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, making it a convenient choice for residents.

Investment Potential: Plots in ECR are known for their high appreciation value. The area has witnessed consistent growth, making it a lucrative investment option. The presence of premium residential and commercial developments further enhances its value.

Quality of Life: Living in ECR provides a serene and picturesque environment. The coastal breeze and green surroundings contribute to a healthier lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Community and Safety: ECR boasts a vibrant community with a focus on safety and security. The presence of gated communities and vigilant local authorities adds to the sense of security for residents.

Secure Your Investment with DTCP Approved Plots in Chennai by Propleaf

When investing in real estate, opting for DTCP Approved Plots in Chennai ensures a secure and legally sound investment. DTCP, or Directorate of Town and Country Planning, approval signifies that the plot adheres to all statutory norms and regulations. This approval guarantees that the land is suitable for construction and development, mitigating risks associated with unauthorized or non-compliant properties.

Propleaf, a trusted real estate consultant, offers a range of DTCP Approved Plots in Chennai, ensuring that buyers receive quality and compliance in their investments. The benefits of DTCP Approved plots are manifold. They come with clear title deeds, reducing the risk of legal disputes. These plots are also more likely to be free from encumbrances and are easier to get loans for, as financial institutions prefer properties with regulatory approvals. Additionally, DTCP approval often means better infrastructure and planning, contributing to a higher resale value. Investing in such plots offers peace of mind and a sound investment opportunity.

Conclusion

When investing in residential plots along East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai, opting for DTCP approved plots ensures compliance with regulatory standards and long-term value. These plots not only offer a prime location but also come with the added assurance of legal clarity and quality infrastructure. Partnering with a trusted Real Estate Consultant like Propleaf can further streamline your investment process, providing expert guidance and access to top opportunities in the region. Make a wise investment by choosing DTCP approved plots and leveraging Propleaf's expertise to secure your ideal property on ECR.

Source:

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Gaia spots odd family of stars desperate to leave home

Stars in the Milky Way tend to form in families, with similar stars springing to life in roughly the same place at roughly the same time. These stars later head out into the wider galaxy when they're ready to fly the nest. While smaller groups can completely dissipate, siblings from sizable families usually move similarly and largely travel together.

We have seen many star families with Gaia. We've spotted strings of stars stretching out across the Milky Way and remaining intact for billions of years, mapped the ancient star streams that wound together to form the earliest structure of our galaxy, and put together a stellar "family portrait" of our cosmic home. By studying star families we can piece together not only the characteristics and behavior of the stars themselves, but also learn about how our galaxy is evolving as a whole.

A family like no other

Using Gaia data, scientists have now spotted a star family unlike any other: a massive family of over 1000 young stars behaving oddly. Despite its size, the family—dubbed Ophion—will soon have completely dispersed in record time, leaving just an empty nest behind.

"Ophion is filled with stars that are set to rush out across the galaxy in a totally haphazard, uncoordinated way, which is far from what we'd expect for a family so big," says Dylan Huson of Western Washington University (WWU), U.S., and lead author of the discovery paper. "What's more, this will happen in a fraction of the time it'd usually take for such a large family to scatter. It's like no other star family we've seen before."

The research is published in The Astrophysical Journal.

A new model

To find Ophion, Dylan and colleagues developed a new model to explore Gaia's vast, unrivaled trove of spectroscopic data and learn more about young, low-mass stars lying reasonably near to the sun. They applied this model, named Gaia Net, to the hundreds of millions of stellar spectra released as part of Gaia's data release 3. They then narrowed their search to "young" stars of under 20 million years in age—and out jumped Ophion.

"This is the first time that it's been possible to use a model like this for young stars, due to the immense volume and high quality of spectroscopic observations needed to make it work," adds ESA Gaia Project Scientist Johannes Sahlmann. "It's still pretty new to be able to reliably measure the parameters of lots of young stars at once. This kind of bulk observing is one of Gaia's truly unprecedented achievements.

"Another is how the Gaia mission is creating opportunities for new collaborative and interdisciplinary science through its open data policy. Several members of the Ophion discovery team are undergraduate and postgraduate students in computer science, who used Gaia data to innovate and develop new methods that are now offering new insights into the stars of the Milky Way."

Solving the mystery

The question remains: why is Ophion behaving so unusually?

The scientists discuss several options. The star family resides around 650 light-years away near to some other massive gatherings of young stars; energetic events within and interactions between these colossal neighbors may have influenced Ophion through the years.

There are also signs that stars have exploded here in the past. These supernova bursts could have swept material away from Ophion and caused its stars to move far more rapidly and erratically than before.

"We don't know exactly what happened to this star family to make it behave this way, as we haven't found anything quite like it before. It's a mystery," says co-author Marina Kounkel of the University of North Florida, U.S..

"Excitingly, it changes how we think about star groups, and how to find them. Previous methods identified families by clustering similarly moving stars together, but Ophion would have slipped through this net. Without the huge, high-quality datasets from Gaia, and the new models we can now use to dig into these, we may have been missing a big piece of the stellar puzzle."

After more than a decade spent mapping our skies, Gaia stopped observing in March. This marks the end of the spacecraft's operations—but it's just the beginning of the science. Many more discoveries are anticipated in the coming years, along with Gaia's biggest data releases yet. (Data Release 4 is planned towards the end of 2026, and the Gaia legacy data release is planned for publication not before the end of 2030).