#Quartz Market size

[abhijitsathe2]

Quartz Market Forecast 2024 to 2032

Quartz is a mineral composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. It is a hard, crystalline substance that occurs in a wide range of colors and forms. Quartz crystals have unique properties that make them valuable in various industrial, scientific, and ornamental applications.

The Quartz Market was valued at USD 13,505.76 Million in 2022 and is expected to register a CAGR of 10.22% by 2032.

Engineered stone products, such as quartz countertops, have gained popularity due to their durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. The rising demand for these products in residential and commercial settings drives the demand for quartz.

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Key Company •Cosentino Group •Caesarstone •Hanwha LandC •Compac •Vicostone •DuPont •LG Hausys •Cambria •Santa Margherita •Quartz Master •SEIEFFE •Quarella •Samsung Radianz •Technistone •QuartzForm •CR Lawrence •Stone Italiana •Granitifiandre •Equs •Diresco •Belenco •QuantumQuartz •Pental •Sage Surfaces (Allen+Roth) •Zhongxun •Sinostone •Bitto(Dongguan) •OVERLAND •UVIISTONE •Polystone

Market Segmentation (by Type) •Press Molding •Casting Molding

Market Segmentation (by Application) •Kitchen Countertops •Facades •Flooring •Others

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[mordormr]

High Purity Quartz Market: Trends, Growth Drivers, and Future Outlook

The High Purity Quartz Market Size is projected to be valued at USD 672.93 million in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 847.46 million by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 4.5% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2029.

Market Overview and Growth Drivers

The High Purity Quartz market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising demand from industries like electronics, solar power, and telecommunications. HPQ is valued for its low impurity levels, especially its minimal iron and metal content, making it ideal for applications where even trace impurities can disrupt functionality. The growing adoption of technologies that require ultra-clean materials is propelling the HPQ market forward, with North America and Asia-Pacific as significant contributors.

Key factors fueling HPQ market growth include:

Semiconductor Industry Demand: HPQ is essential in the semiconductor manufacturing process, where it’s used in quartz crucibles for wafer production. With the expansion of the semiconductor industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, the demand for HPQ is on the rise.

Solar Panel Production: HPQ is crucial for manufacturing high-performance photovoltaic cells due to its high purity and stability, and with global efforts to transition to renewable energy, the demand from the solar industry is substantial.

Optical Fiber and Lighting Applications: HPQ is used in optical fiber production for high-speed data transfer and specialty lighting, which are in increasing demand as digital infrastructure grows worldwide.

High Purity Quartz Grades and Applications

HPQ is typically categorized into different grades based on purity levels:

Standard Grade HPQ: Used primarily in industries where extremely high purity is less critical, such as in some optical products.

High Grade HPQ: Suitable for demanding applications in the semiconductor and electronics industries, where any impurities can impact performance.

Ultra-High Purity Quartz: The purest grade, required for high-performance applications in semiconductor manufacturing, solar panels, and high-end optics.

These grades cater to different end-use industries, making HPQ a versatile material that can be tailored to specific needs within these sectors.

Key Market Trends

Rising Demand in the Semiconductor Industry: HPQ is a primary material in semiconductor manufacturing, as it’s used in the production of silicon wafers. With demand for semiconductors projected to grow due to advancements in AI, IoT, and automotive electronics, the HPQ market is experiencing robust demand.

Growth in Renewable Energy: The solar power sector relies heavily on HPQ in solar photovoltaic cell production. Governments worldwide are promoting renewable energy adoption, driving up the need for high-purity quartz.

Advances in Fiber Optics Technology: HPQ’s use in fiber optics is expanding with the rollout of 5G networks, improved digital infrastructure, and high-speed data transmission requirements.

Exploration of HPQ in Emerging Technologies: Research is underway into HPQ's potential uses in new applications, such as electric vehicle components, advanced lighting, and high-precision optics, potentially expanding the market in the future.

For a detailed overview and more insights, you can refer to the full market research report by Mordor Intelligence https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/high-purity-quartz-market  

[futuretonext]

The Global Quartz Market size is valued at around USD7.5 billion in 2022 & is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.8% during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. The growth of the market would be propelled mainly by the mounting demand for quartz from the booming construction sector as well as electronics & semiconductor industries, owing to its superior physical, chemical, & electrical properties. Quartz is used widely in residential & commercial construction applications, including countertops, flooring, wall cladding, & other surfaces. Hence, the increasing construction activities worldwide, backed by urbanization and the growing number of infrastructure development & renovation projects, are thus fueling the demand for quartz products.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

When they take a home off the market for a while, b/c it didn't sell, it's no help when realtors still keep the listing up, waiting for it to come back. This 1952 mid century modern in Bremerton, WA probably didn't sell b/c of the decor. 5bds, 3ba, 3,300 sq ft. Asking $782,300, which I think is overpriced. So, let's see why it hasn't sold.

It has a long entrance foyer with plenty of closet space.

Wow, it was on the market for quite a while, b/c the photos feature last year's Xmas decor.

You enter this room, but it's not the living room and it isn't too appealing. It's actually the family room and It may have helped if they at least cleaned the soot from the fireplace. There's a little Xmas house in the firebox.

You go thru double doors to enter the open concept living space.

Next to the living room is a very pink dining area.

The kitchen is very large and has a huge island with a wildly patterned quartz counter.

The kitchen features a black & white motif. You can't really see it, but there's an antique stove against the back wall on the left. I don't know if it conveys.

The pantry features a decorative glass door.

This bath has white cabinetry to match the kitchen, plus black & blue tile, a black counter, and contrasting amber quartz bowl sinks.

I'm going to say that this is the primary bedroom. At least they could've straightened out the drapes on the bed.

This is the ensuite. Umm, what's up with the backsplash? Is that paint? The color they chose clashes with the pink shower tile, and I don't know what that mess in the sink is. Looks like Astro-turf and paper flowers.

This bedroom has an extremely large blackboard, which I expect that the owners will take with them.

Personally, I really don't like when homeowners take the doors off the bedroom closets.

Downstairs in the rec room, they have a bed.

There's a kitchenette and it looks like they decoupaged the upper cabinet doors. I don't think that the little merry-go-round will convey.

The bath down here looks newer. It's got nice tile and a large shower.

There's another bedroom down here, too. It's a large size and has sliders to the patio.

Both the back and side yards are quite large and the land slopes. The rocks in the garden must help to stop the land from sliding.

The irregular lot measures .69 acre.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2144-N-Cambrian-Ave-Bremerton-WA-98312/23401906_zpid/?

[celtigxr]

THE PINK DREAD - CH. 22 (Masterlist)

Chapter Summary: It's Maiden's Day. The Royal Conclave has officially begun with guests from all four corners of the Realm gathering into the Grand Hall for the first Ball of the season, where all the Maidens will be presented. Word Count: 5651 CHAPTER WARNINGS: Misogyny. Religious themes.

Series tags: Aemond x Plus size!OfC, Aegon x Plus size!OfC, Celtigar!ofc, Plot with Smut, mdni 18+, Aemond End Game, Angst, Comedy, The Dragons Don't Dance, slow burn, friends to enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers.

Credits: Lace Banner by Aquazero, pearl divider by Pommecita

Maiden’s Day had begun shortly after the arrival of the King and Queen. The last three days were a flurry of last minute preparations. All the unwed ladies of the Realm were being prepared to don their white gowns, displaying their virtue on their sleeve, so they may all crowd inside the Great Sept atop of Visenya’s Hill and pay tribute to the Maiden. 

In the Celtigar apartments, bodies milled in and out of the room with tailors and seamstresses alike. Valeana already had a dress made for herself, which she had done moons ago for Maiden’s Day. Though, at the time, she believed it would have been celebrated at Claw Isle, like it was every year for the past decade. Her sisters were a different story; their dresses were commissioned prior to the funeral, and they were now rushed to adjust days before the event. In comparison, they were plainer than Valeana’s, who had the time to stitch out every detail, but they were still lovely and extravagant, as all Celtigar women were known for.

Floris’ was a shockingly pearl white gown with a modest boatneck neckline, and tight wrist length sleeves. The neck, arms, and hemline adorned with the same damask embroidery stitched into it, with small quartz crystals polished into teardrops dangling along her neckline. Her hair was pulled away from her face, parted down the middle, flowing down her back with only a single braid woven down the middle. Any stray hair would have been held back by her crescent white hood that had a white veil hiding her brown tresses. 

Shyla’s was an alabaster white, with a scoop neckline to accentuate her beautiful neck, and capped sleeves. She had more of an empire waistline, allowing the skirt to flow freely with its light tulle curtains. There was less detail in hers, but there were pearls woven into the skirt sporadically, like white stars on a canvas of clouds. Lastly, she wore lace gloves, a matching pearl choker with a ruby at the center, and unlike Floris, all her hair was piled up, topped with an albino peacock feather. 

With her extra free time, Valeana was able to put her full attention on the dress she had promised Queen Alicent she would make. She had already presented the queen days prior to her departure with sketches of her designs, and Alicent had only responded with requests for minor changes. She did not wish to be scandalous, but she did want to make a statement. The design she chose would be tedious, but Val enjoyed the challenge. Rosy, her ever loyal handmaiden, was always there to assist with her mistress’ work. She had helped many times in the past, which has aided Valeana greatly when it came to multiple gowns for multiple occasions… Which she would likely need these next couple of moons. 

She had a lot of work ahead of her, particularly her own gown for the Creature’s Ball. She had no ideas for herself, and that made it all the more difficult to start. Her hands moved along the soft fabrics that her mother had brought over from Claw Isle and bought in King’s Landing market places. All colours of the rainbow were presented before her, in various shades and saturations. From brilliant cobalt blues, to muted lavenders, to rose blush reds, to even unflattering palettes such as mustard yellow, mourning black, burlap sack brown, and salmon pink.

Maiden’s Day started painstakingly early as everyone got ready, aside from the men who did not need to don their formal attire until later, just before the ball. Valeana strapped in her more formal prosthetic, the one she affectionately called “Ser An-toe-knee Woodsby”, who had a wedged heel to accommodate the height of her wedged shoe. She always preferred this prosthetic over “Lady Footlyn”, it was more elegant, and walking in it felt more natural, but the caveat was that it wasn’t as worn in as she would have liked, and it would always have to be worn with a wedge shoe on her other foot. The increased height made it more difficult for her to stand for hours now that her right foot was made to bear the brunt of her weight on the balls of her feet. Still, she loved the way it made her hips sway side to side. 

Her large ivory gown was pulled over her head, and pooled at her feet with its scalloped hemline. Out of the three dresses, Valeana’s was the only one with colour. Maroon embroidered roses were designed in the grand width of the gown, standing tall on their stems like an award winning rose garden. The same pattern was centered on her bodice, the bud of the rose centered between the width of her breast, and the bottom of the stem ending at the ‘V’ shape at her waistline. Her biceps had the same design as well, although more subtle, taking the snug shape of her arm until it got to her elbow where it flared out in delicate lace. Then, as always in Celtigar fashion, pearls decorated the dress all over, accentuating lines to give it more texture. 

Valeana’s hair took the most amount of time. As long and thick as it was, it took two handmaids to tend to it. They pulled and pinned until it became a single large braid, the knots loosened elegantly, and decorated with sprigs of baby’s breath. Mother wanted it to be put up, but Valeana argued that the weight of her hair would cramp her neck. 

Wheelhouse after wheelhouse left the Red Keep that morning. When they reached Visenya’s Hill, it was crowded with carriages, horses, and women in white. Hundreds of maidens gathered into the Great Sept, leaving behind their mothers, their aunts, their fathers, and other guardians behind. 

Only maidens were allowed to fill the halls of the Great Sept that day. 

In silence, Valeana and her sisters entered the massive structure. It had been a decade since she last saw it and it never ceased to amaze her. The domed ceilings were so high that you could hear a whisper of a prayer from the other side of the Sept. Her eyes roamed around, looking at unfamiliar faces of women and girls alike. From girls as young as three, to spinster women as old as 60. If you were never married, and never laid with a man, you were here to worship and honour at the feet of the Maiden. 

She did not see Ellyn and Wylla in the crowd of white, and she ended up losing her sisters in the shuffle of the crowd. Not wanting to waste time on finding her people, she decided to take place in the first empty space she could. She immediately spotted one on a pew next to a young woman in a frost white gown, hair a beautiful red orange that was laid in waves down her back and plaited into a crown adorning her head. She was on the robust side, with rounded cheeks, a wide waistline, and soft arms. She reminded Valeana a lot of her former younger self, but admittedly this young girl was far more prettier, more vibrant. 

“Do you mind…?” Valeana asks the girl in a whisper. No one dared to raise their voices while the Septas filtered through the crowd with vulture-like awareness. Every once in a while, they would ring a bell when someone was being too loud. 

The girl looked up with surprised sapphire blue eyes, then she relaxed with a kind smile, “No, not at all.” 

Valeana settled in beside her, and took a look around to see if she could spot her sisters, or her two only friends, Wylla and Ellyn. 

“Looking for someone?” The girl next to her asks. 

“Lost my sisters in the crowd,” she admitted. “Trying to spot my friends, but… with everyone wearing white, they all blend in together.”

The girl softly chuckled, then quickly covered her mouth, “Same thing happened to me, but with my cousins. I have no sisters, just too many brothers.” 

Valeana smiled in response, “Who are your cousins?”

“They are Lord Tyrell’s daughters,” she answered simply, then extended her hand. “My name is Lady Catelyn by the way. Catelyn Redwyne. But you can call me Cat, everyone does.” 

Valeana took it and they both shook gently, “Lady Valeana Celtigar.” 

The mention of her name caused the young girl’s brows to raise and her mouth to gape a bit, “You’re Valeana Celtigar?”

The octave of her voice was loud enough for a Septa to sharply bring a bell in their direction. The two girls looked over before hunching down and continuing their whispers. 

“Erm, yes. How do you know me?”

“Your name is spoken all over the pavilions,” Cat whispered in haste as she took a glance around to make sure no one was listening. “They say King Viserys’ two eldest sons are fighting over your hand.”

A deep blush stained her cheeks, “That isn’t… That’s not what is happening at all. Are people really talking about me? I haven’t even left the Keep since I arrived.”

Cat nodded eagerly, “It is all the ladies are talking about. That and your… uhm, many drunken exploits with men.”

“What!?”

The bell rang next to her ear, jostling her in her seat. When she turned around, a Septa was glaring at her with a twisted puckered face. Slowly Valeana turned back around. 

“It was one time,” she immediately corrected. “And I was in the company of women.”

“Well, whatever the truth of it is,” Cat started, a little smile at the corner of her lip, “You are creating quite a stir in the Realm. It has caused a divide between the ladies.”

“What do you mean?”

“Half the women wish to end you, and the other half wish to be you. Either way, all here are green with envy.”

“And which half are you, Lady Cat?”

She smiled sweetly, folding her arms on her lap demurely, “I am a fan of great romances, and therefore, a fan of you. It reminds me much of this novel I read whilst living in Highgarden. It is about a woman from the North forced to marry a Dornish prince, but fell in love with his brother. But she ended up falling for her betrothed too, after some time. It was quite riveting.” 

Valeana’s face was fully pink at this point, from outrage over this news, to flattery over Cat’s praise. At this odd book that sounded far too familiar for her liking. She cleared her throat, “And–and what happened… in the end?”

Catelyn sucked in her lips sheepishly, “Oh, I dare not say. Not here, not on Maiden’s Day.”

Valeana shot a look at the giant statue of the Maiden, whose feet they all circled. Then she looked back at the Redwyne girl, “Whisper it into my ear.”

Tentatively, Cat leaned over and cupped her hand over Valeana’s ear, “They both became her lovers. Often at the same time.” 

If it was possible, Valeana’s face went pinker. Her eyes glanced back at the Maiden, green eyes filled with religious guilt. 

Maiden, forgive me for my thoughts. She thought, swallowing thickly. 

The Great Hall was near its capacity with the collection of noble families that crowded it. Hundreds if not a full thousand people mulled around, mostly men as half the population of their guests were making their way towards the Red Keep from the Great Sept. Aemond lurked in the fringes of the hall, eye moving along to each faceless body, trying to identify who belonged to which family. He spotted Lord Borros immediately; he was an easy character to pick out from the crowd, and it was not because of his size. He was loud and tended to take up as much space as possible. Along with him, he found Jason Lannister, their Lord Treasurer’s twin brother. Lord Tyrell and his Dornish wife, the Redwyne brothers, the Starks, the Freys, and even the Greyjoys were in attendance.

Aemond knew that most would not stay longer than the length of the Tourney; it was not just wives that these bachelors looked for, but titles and knighthoods, of which the King promised. But there were many bachelors indeed, easily identifiable by their attire. 

The maidens wore white, and so did the un-affixed men, save for the widowers. The young men and boys that had not married once wore various shades of white doublets and jerkins. Their breeches are generally a darker colour, and a formal cloak of their house colours framed their bodies. 

Aemond abhorred the colour white on him, but at the very least the dark forest green of his cloak gave him the depth of darkness that he preferred. The lapels and stitching of his satin jerkin carried the same green, and in the same shade of white, dragons were embroidered onto his shoulders and the bottom near his hips. His cloak hung on a gold chain clutched in the jaws of two dragons at his shoulders. His eyepatch was the only black piece of clothing on him; it was his most formal one, with swirly switching in the leather. The strap this time was tucked under his hair and under the shell of his ear on one side, giving room for the golden circlet above his brow, showing his status as a prince of the realm. Lastly, part of his hair was intricately woven into a series of plaits that collected into a fishtail braid that went down the center of his head, the length of the rest of his hair fanned over his back like a sheet of silk. The process of which was irksome, as Aemond absolutely loathed anyone but himself and his mother to touch his hair. 

His eye fell onto Aegon, who wore similar garb, but held more gold than green on his doublet. His hair was only half pulled back into a small twisted plait on the back of his head, and the circlet that rested on his brow had emeralds encrusted around the gold rim. He kept himself busy with socializing, as that was what Aegon was known for. He surrounded himself with the team of Redwyne brothers, laughing loudly over goblets of wine, likely made from their wineries. 

Aemond moved his attention away from him, landing onto his uncle who was on the other side of the hall, keeping to the fringes just like him. Daemon wore black, whether by a personal preference or to convey the fact that he was still in mourning. It was likely the former of the two, knowing his uncle’s reputation. Daemon’s cloak was black as well, though the inside was blood red, making the Rogue Prince look like the Black Dread in human form. 

And of course, Daemon was looking directly at him.

Aemond kept his eye on him, refusing to move it an inch. 

It was always so strange to him that he and his uncle had not formally met at Leana's funeral, and even after the incident, no regard was spared. Daemon lurked in the shadows while his mother screamed for justice over Aemond’s eye, and not once did the Lord of Flea Bottom say a word about him claiming his late wife’s dragon. It wasn’t until only a couple days ago that they had even locked eyes with each other, after Valeana and Jacaerys greeted each other. 

It was bizarre. Like looking into a mirror that showed him his future. 

The staring contest broke when Daemon was joined by his step sons, oblivious to Aemond’s spectre on the other side of the Great Hall. Both men wore identical garb, save for their colouring. As heir to the heir, Jace wore a red cloak, draped over one shoulder, being held on by a silver dragon’s claw. His brother wore a muted aquamarine one, and his doublet had the image of the seahorse woven into patterns at his breast. With Lord Corlys still abed with no indication of survival, Luke’s choice of colours was a clear statement that he was the heir to Driftmark… But anyone with eyes knew the title belonged to Lord Vaemond Velayron. 

The doors to the main entrance opened with the blaring of trumpets announcing the arrival of the maidens. A hush went through the crowd as all men, and married and widowed women flanked the sides in order to make room for the ladies that would be presented. The first, of course, was Princess Helaena, who was dressed resplendently in a true white gown with a train that followed behind her. Her hair unbound, with a crown of white flowers upon her head. Her dress had little crystals woven into the hems and linings, and the shape of butterflies could be seen in the fine embroidery. Her sleeves were long and billowy, flowing into her skirts and covering her arms and hands completely. 

It was painfully obvious how nervous and fretful she was. She slowly descended down the wide staircase, eyes flickering around the crowd as her eyes shone with a glossiness of unease. Helaena was not good with crowds, and here she was on display for the entire Kingdom. Aemond made a step towards her, intent on collecting her from her personal hell, but his mother beat him to it. She swiftly cut through the crowd that parted and bowed for her. Upon reaching Helaena, she took her hand and silently pulled her through the crowd towards the head table where the royal family would be seated. 

After that was settled, the gently bred ladies were introduced to the room three to four at a time. There were the Four Storms, the Baratheon sisters, then Jason Lannister’s girls, and so forth. After a lady Redwyne and her Tyrell cousins were introduced, the names of Floris, Valeana and Shyla were announced, and Aemond snapped to attention. 

“Lady Floris Grafton, Lady Valeana Celtigar, and Lady Shyla Celtigar,” the announcer’s voice echoed in the hall. Aemond’s eye swept around for a moment, noticing some of the women whispering to each other as they craned their necks to watch the three girls descend down the stairs.

Aemond tried to appear impartial, but his body moved without his consent. He stepped in between bodies, forcing them to part with his shoulder. When people craned to see who had been cutting through them, they jumped aside. Had Aemond been paying attention to his surroundings, he would have noticed he was not the only one that filtered through the bodies to get closer. Apart from him, there were three others.

Valeana had her hands clutched in her gown, chin down on her clavicle as she watched her steps down the stairs. Her hair practically glowed in the midday sun that shone through the skylight and stained glass windows, giving her a halo of dust particles dancing around in the air about her head. Aemond has never seen her in white before, at least not from head to toe. She was radiant, like a star on earth. 

A divine creature descended from the Seventh Heaven. 

The Maiden in flesh and bone.

His eye trained on her every movement, his vision a tunnel and she was the light at the end of it. She was the only thing that existed in that room, in that world. Once she reached the ground, her eyes lifted and like a magnetic force they immediately found him. 

There was a ringing in his ear as he became deaf to everything and everyone around him. They were suspended in time the moment their eyes locked onto each other. Aemond’s lips parted as the breath was quite literally stolen from his lungs, and his life flashed before his eyes. All moments in time that he shared with her, as far back as babes. 

Squeals of laughter and delight as they played in the rain and mud, and then ran through the corridor tracking dirt on the flagstone, being chased by two irate Septas. Sitting back to back in a copper tub as the same two women scrubbed them down to their bones. 

Wrestling over the last lemon tart on their shared platter underneath the Heart Tree, getting tangled in the roots as they tugged at each other’s hair and pinched each other’s arms. They always ended up splitting it in the end when Valeana tapped out, huffing in disappointment and ignition. 

Their “discreet and secretive” sleep overs they would have under a large desk in the royal library. Sharing a large pillow and blanket as he practiced his Valyrian to her until she fell asleep on his shoulder. Maester Artos would always find them, barking loud enough to wake them in a startle, causing their heads to bump into each other.

Her face lighting up whenever he presented her with menial gifts, such as shiny rocks, seashells, flowers, or rusted jewelry found on the beaches of Blackwater Rush. She would always make something out of them; pendants, earrings, or unconventionally sewn in an embroidery loop, woven in her art for eternity. 

She running to him in tears after the Greyjoy boy kept on pinching and slapping her behind whenever she had her back turned. He had taken his handkerchief and dried her tears and smoothed down her hair, vowing that he will never let him touch her again. 

And then lastly when his father told him he would be marrying her, his best friend. And his one and only weakness. His pride and fear consumed him then, but now…

Now, as he watched her turn away, her hand poised out to grasp the hand of her elder brother, he was consumed by a new type of fear. The fear of losing her completely, of which his pride now would not allow. 

Valeana Celtigar belonged to him. 

As time took motion once more, the chorus of music and chatter filled his eardrums. Aemond was returned to reality, left to stare at her back as Clement brought his Valeana over to the side, where the rest of her family waited. Aemond forced himself to turn away before he could do anything rash in front of quite literally all of the Realm. 

The first dance of the ball was to begin shortly after the mingling of guests, and it would be followed by the feast, and a parade of fools and entertainers. Aemond intended to reach Valeana before the dance could begin, before Aegon or Jacaerys could reach her. He cut through the crowd in long strides, hyper aware of the eyes of his father, mother, sister, and rogue uncle upon him as he narrowed the space between himself and the Celtigars. However, before he could even get within yards of them, his path was intercepted by Lord Borros and the eager brown eyes of Maris Baratheon. 

“Prince Aemond,” The Stormlord greeted, his smile calculated and false. It didn’t reach his dark eyes, which assessed him with keen suspicion. “I thought you might have lost my beautiful daughter in the crowd, and so I personally escorted her to you.”

Maris looked up at her father in gratitude before back at Aemond, “I told my father it was my wish to take my first dance with you, Prince Aemond. If it pleases you.”

The reality of his decisions of the past few weeks weighed heavily on his shoulders in that instant. Since that moment in the corridor with Valeana the other day, he had forgotten he had shown personal interest in Maris Baratheon. By now Borros�� surely was already fixated on the idea of betrothal, else he would not be here carting his daughter to him like a sacrificial lamb. More likely than not, the Stormlord surely had talked to the King about it already, which presented more problems. Had this been a week ago, Aemond would have only hesitated for a moment before bending to duty, should it have been the will of his father and mother. Both of which he knew were against it for some vague reason, given the lecture that was given to both him and Aegon the night of their return.

His eyes flickered above their heads where he could just about make out Valeana, standing partially behind the body of a girl with red hair and a round, plush face. Aegon and Jace crowded them, effectively snuffing out his chance at claiming Val’s first dance.

Aemond’s jaw was tense when he looked back down at Maris, but he forced himself to smile, just enough to make him look convincing. 

“It would please me greatly, Lady Maris,” he extended his hand to her, which she took with a bright smile and casted a look to her father over her shoulder. 

Lord Borros hummed satisfyingly, “Wise choice, my Prince. Next to my little Floris, she is the best dancer at Storm’s End. Beauty, brains, and grace!”

“Father! Please!” Maris chided, taking her place at Aemond’s side. Too close for comfort. Too close for him to look detached.

Separating himself from Maris now was going to be a challenge. The last thing he needed was contention with Borros Baratheon, when in the future his mother and grandsire may need his loyalty.

Aegon was well into his cups before the maidens arrived for the ball, and that was simply due to his nature. A man who quickly found friends among strangers, Aegon was by all accounts a social butterfly, and an avid social drinker. When the maidens started to enter the Great Hall, he leaned against a large pillar casually next to Redwyne brothers, as the four of them each judged every girl that walked in. 

“Ah, Cassandra Baratheon,” Aegon turned to the three men, “Beautiful, but a bore. She complains about every bloody thing.”

“That is unfortunate,” Cleyton, the eldest, tutted. “I like tall women.”

Aegon scrunched up his nose at that, “Do you really? Not for me. I like them short… easier to align their nose with my cock.”

The men laughed and turned back to the parade of women. Jason Lannister’s daughters came in after, hair like spun wheat and looking like clones of each other. 

“I’d take them all, one at a time, or all together, really,” Ser Cedric, the second son, giggled into his cup while his younger brother slapped him in his arm. 

“Such a pig, Cedric. A greedy pig,” Colin chided, earning him an incredulous look from Cedric. 

“You’re one to talk, baby brother. You were ogling the widows like a hunger panged hound.”

Cleyton leaned into Aegon’s shoulder, “He likes older women.”

Aegon’s shoulders shook with a soft laugh, “I do not blame him. Older women often make the most eager sluts.”

“Lady Wylla Stark, Lady Barba Bolton, and Lysara Karstark.” 

“Oh, now she is a work of art,” Cedric stepped forward, his hand gesturing to the raven haired woman descending the stairs. “I always thought Northern women were large, hairy and had beards. Thank the Seven I’m wrong.” 

“I’d be careful with that one,” Aegon said thoughtfully. “She will emasculate you with her eyes alone.” 

Cedric smirked widely, “Sounds like my kind of woman, then. I enjoy a good hunt every once in a while, you know?”

Cleyton snorted, shaking his head, “You forget she’s a Stark; a direwolf. She’s the hunter… And you are a pretty boy with a long stick and shiny hair that you spend too much time on.” 

The boys laughed, even Aegon, as Cedric shook his vibrant mane away from his face haughtily, “Thank you for calling me pretty, brother. You know how it gets me hard.” 

“Good gods,” Colin sighed embarrassingly into his palm. 

Then the doors opened to three women, two tall and willowy with dark brown to black hair in coiled curls and thin braids, and the third a shorter girl in an empire waistline dress and bright orange hair tumbling about her shoulders. Clearly a chubby one, even with the cut of her dress that tried to shield her unwanted curves. 

“Oh, that is simply not fair,” Aegon tutted, “You don’t pair up the thoroughbreds with the mule.” 

“Oi, careful now,” Cleyton rebuked while Cedric made a sharp hissing sound through his teeth before covering his grin with his fist. 

“That’s our sister, my Prince,” Colin quickly added. 

Aegon grimaced, sucking at his teeth as he casted a look over to his new mates, “Sorry. What I mean to say is: Your sister is very lovely.”

The girls were introduced as Lady Sharis and Malora Tyrell, and Lady Catelyn Redwyne, first cousins likely from their mother’s side of the family. 

“Lovely, sure,” Cedric snorted in his cup, earning him a quick whack from his elder brother upside the head. 

It was not long after that the Celtigar sisters were introduced to the crowd. The mere appearance of Valeana was enough to sober Aegon, but only to then get drunk at her visage after. 

“Oh, ho, ho,” Cedric dog whistles and nudges Aegon’s arm, “That’s her then? The Celtigar girl that’s gotten the Princes of the Realm all in a tizzy. Now I can see what the fuss is all about. It’s the only bloody thing Cat, Shar and Mal can ever bleedin’ talk about.”

Aegon grinned, eyes still glued onto Valeana as she descended down the stairs slowly, her sisters trailing ahead of her at a faster pace. 

“The whispers have reached the pavilions then?” Aegon’s eyebrow raised, not paying them a minute of his attention. His teeth grazed his bottom lip as his eyes drank in every inch of her. Her neck, her hair, her bosoms and her cinched waistline. He felt a stir in his loins and the overwhelming desire to taint her white dress by deflowering her took over his senses. 

Her maidenhead will be his. 

He stopped listening to the Redwyne brothers; their prattle was background noise to him as he swallowed the remains of his goblet and quickly shoved it into one of the boys’ empty palms. 

“Excuse me,” he pushed himself from the column, eyes trained on Valeana as she parted from her family to go converse with none other than Catelyn Redwyne, of all people.

As he made his way through the milling bodies, in the corner of his eye he could see another filtering through towards the same destination. His eyes caught his nephew’s, and with a dual glance back at Valeana, the race was on. The two princes cut through the crowd, causing curious looks and shocked whispers at the sight.

“Seven Hells,” Valeana startled when she turned around just in time to see the brown and silver haired princes all but collide with each other. Overwhelmed by the sudden attention, she put Catelyn in front of her to shield her. The redheaded girl did not seem to complain. 

“Good Maiden’s Day, Lady Valeana,” Aegon greeted first, a knowing smile upon his face. “You look resplendent today.”

“Thank you, my Prince,” Val curtsied stiffly. 

“I dare say she always looks resplendent,” Jace smiled, his hands folded neatly in front of him, “But, you do look exceptionally more today, Lady Valeana. White suits you.” 

Aegon sent him a withering look. 

Catelyn turned to Valeana, all wide eyed and gleaming with barely concealed excitement. Aegon didn’t see, but she mouthed: “Three princes?!”

Valeana’s eyes widened slightly at her before returning her attention to the men in front of her, “Prince Aegon, Prince Jacaerys, this is my new friend, Lady Catelyn Redwyne.”

“But, please call me Cat. Everyone does.” 

“Ah, yes, I was just acquainting myself with your brothers,” Aegon bobbed on his feet and smiled politely at her. “Lively lads, them. It is true what they say about the Redwynes; they can drink anyone under the table and still walk in a straight line. A talent I someday wish to have.”

Cat giggled, then gave a soft snort, which caused her to blush heavily and cover her mouth, “Oh! Oh, dear, that was embarrassing.”

Aegon hummed amusingly, smile still donned, “Aren’t you a darling. If I can make a lady laugh to the point of snorting, then I have succeeded in life.”

The four of their heads perked up at the sound of lutes and drums, signalling that the first dance was about to begin. Aegon turned back around, eyes finding Valeana’s His mouth opened, ready to ask her for a dance, but Jace was quicker and his request left no room for refusal. 

“I promised Lady Ursula that you would be the first I asked to dance, Lady Valeana,” Jace stepped forward with an extended hand, his smile charming, “I hope you do not do me a disservice by forcing me to break that promise.” 

Valeana swallowed, looking at Aegon briefly with pained eyes, and then back at Jace. The corners of her lips tugged upward, twitching as she tried to keep a polite face. 

“Well, I would never wish to disappoint my mother,” she placed her hand in his, and he gently pulled her into his orbit. 

Aegon glowered silently, nostrils flared as his finger curled into fists. Jace gave him a smug look of triumph, the end of his lips turning into an insufferable smirk before returning his baseborn brown eyes onto Valeana. She gave Aegon one last look before she disappeared onto the dance floor. 

“Strong bastard,” Aegon hissed, forgetting he was not alone. 

Catelyn laugh-snorted again, then promptly covered her mouth, eyes wide with realization. “Oh no, I should not have laughed at that.”

Aegon’s mood significantly shifted; his smile broadened as he turned to her. “Oh, but I am glad you did,” he tilted his head and offered her his hand. “May I have your first dance, Lady Cat?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE SNEAK PEAK He hummed, his eyes glancing down to the floor where her feet were hidden behind the hem of her dress, and then back up.  “I didn’t see you dancing.” She couldn’t help her eyes from narrowing, “You were watching me?” There was a faint smile there, one that she could not decide if she liked or not. Though what he said after did make her toes tingle and her face feel hot.  “Always.” 

Notes: Oh, where do I begin. You finally get to meet my other babies. If it wasn't obvious already, the heroine for Aegon's Spin Off story has been introduce, along with her brothers and cousins. They party hard at the Arbor, what can I say. I havent decided yet if I'll wait until the end of TPD to post his story yet, but I will warn you guys, that there will be a mia moment of no updates for probably two weeks as I try to work on both of them simultaneously. I've only written the prologue, and I need to make sure I get the timeline right. But that will probably not happen until sometime in November.

Tag: @queen-of-elves, @keylin1730, @anakilusmos, @weepingfashionwritingplaid, @sugutoad, @desireangel

( if you wish to be tagged for this story, just give me a reply! )

Please do not re post, redistribute or plagiarize my work. The only other place this story is posted on is ao3 under the same username.

[insainted]

maisie ― gluttony 12 / greed 1 / wrath 2 / pride 2 / sloth 3 / envy 2 / lust 2

gluttony 12. does your muse have a sweet tooth?

having grown up not really having had much—or any—sugar due to the nature of how and where they grew up... no. in fact, things are quickly too sweet for maisie, and it feels like a nasty, dry film on the back of their throat. they much prefer salty or, as per the muñoz family, spicy.

greed 01. what does your muse collect, if anything?

rocks! rocks and geodes, the shinier the better. they collect them from the foot of the mountains and whatever washes down from crater lake—which is questionable behaviour at best—and tumbles them for weeks until they become nice and shiny. they have such a big collection of different kinds of rocks—their favourites being petrified wood, tiger quartz, and opalite moonstone—that they use much of the duplicates in their collection to barter in the central market, to varying success.

wrath 02. how does your muse handle anger? do they have anger issues? how do they manage or vent their anger?

maisie wasn't always an angry person, but trauma kind of changes your brain chemistry. anger is definitely a permanent part of them now, often a pilot light underneath it all, making them quick to action, intolerant to injustice, and unable to back down from a fight. the worst part about this pilot light is that they're a very capable and dangerous individual, and as much as many people in burnington—most in their family included—consider their willingness to fight and their mouthiness as reckless bluster, in a conflict, it's not usually maisie that's in danger—they're very capable, both mentally and physically of doing grave bodily injury to people even far bigger than them, which is exactly wherein the danger lies.

pride 02. in what areas might your muse be a little overconfident? are they overconfident in the sense that they don't have the skills to back it up, or in the sense that they do have the skills but they are obnoxious in their confidence?

most definitely the latter. having been trained to fight and defend themself against things bigger and scarier than people even since they were small enough to walk, talk, and hold a gun, maisie knows exactly what they're capable of—even if almost everyone in their life doesn't realise—and it means that they're much too comfortable dealing with and jumping into conflicts than their size and age might warrant. their bluster and obnoxiousness is definitely that of a very young person, but their skills are similar to a twenty-year-old special forces veteran, and it makes for a very difficult combination.

sloth 03. what chores/responsibilities does your muse avoid doing at all costs?

anything to do with the kitchen. except maybe eating. cooking, cleaning dishes, putting away groceries, the only people who can get maisie to do any of these things are if they're santiago diaz muñoz on an average day or lindsay o'halloran taking on a specific tone of voice. anyone else will simply get a scoff and complete disregard.

envy 02. what kinds of things does your muse get jealous about?

maisie doesn't really get jealous too much, because they're happy with who they are and that means having to accept everything that got them to that point (thank you, santi), but if there was anything... it's the way the more older individuals in the silver lining get taken seriously, or at least, in their perception anyway.

lust 02. what is your muse's sexuality? if asexual, are they sex favorable, sex indifferent, or sex repulsed?

maisie has never really engaged in this part of themself yet, but they do know they feel differently about feminine people than they do masculine people. frankly, maisie is absolutely not interested in men, cis or trans, but any feminine individual who flirts with them in even a veiled manner will absolutely turn them into a fumbling, bumbling, blushing mess.

[monsterkong]

A Luxury Coastal Experience at 2800 Ocean Blvd, Corona del Mar

🌅 Where Ocean Views Meet Timeless Elegance at 2800 Ocean Blvd 🌴

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🏠 Brion Jeannette's Vision: A Masterpiece of Architecture

Brion Jeannette is known for his ability to craft homes that blend luxury with functionality, and 2800 Ocean Blvd is the perfect example of his visionary designs. This French Country-style cottage sits on a rare 65' deep corner lot, offering an impressive 96' of west-facing frontage. The views here are simply unmatched, making this home a true standout in the area.

With over 4,700 square feet of living space, 2800 Ocean Blvd is both spacious and inviting. The design incorporates beautiful antique details, including leaded glass windows and beamed ceilings, while modern updates like new quartz countertops and wood cabinetry in the kitchen ensure that the home is as functional as it is stylish.

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The indoor spaces at 2800 Ocean Blvd are made to flow seamlessly into the outdoors. The backyard features beautifully landscaped grounds with multiple patios, a barbecue area, and plenty of space for entertaining. Ocean breezes add a touch of magic to every gathering, and with views like these, you’ll want to spend every moment outdoors.

🌙 A Retreat for Relaxation: The Bedrooms and Bathrooms

The upstairs primary suite is a true retreat, offering sweeping ocean views and a private balcony where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific. The suite includes a cozy fireplace, a luxurious marble walk-in shower, a jacuzzi tub, and a spa-like vanity area – it’s the perfect space to unwind after a busy day.

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The crown jewel of this home is the rooftop deck, which offers panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding coastline. Whether you're looking for a place to entertain guests or simply enjoy a peaceful moment alone, the rooftop is the perfect spot to take it all in.

🏖 The Best of Corona del Mar Living

Located just moments from the beach, Lido Marina Village, and with easy access to John Wayne Airport, this home puts you at the heart of everything that makes Corona del Mar so special. World-class dining, shopping, and recreation are all at your doorstep.

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When it comes to buying or selling luxury homes in Southern California, Tim Smith Real Estate Group is the name you can trust. With over $5 billion in career sales, they offer an unrivaled level of service and expertise. Their innovative approach to real estate marketing – including stunning aerial footage and beautifully produced videos – ensures that each property is presented in the best possible light.

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Don’t miss out on the chance to own this extraordinary coastal retreat. If you’re ready to make 2800 Ocean Blvd your home, reach out to Tim Smith Real Estate Group today to schedule a private tour. You won’t want to leave once you experience the beauty and luxury of this home.

👉 Visit Tim Smith Real Estate Group for more information and to schedule a viewing.

[wolveswatchspace]

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Replica Watches: What to Look For

Replica watches offer an exciting way to enjoy the elegance and sophistication of luxury timepieces without the hefty price tag. However, navigating the world of replica watches can be daunting for beginners. At WolvesWatch.com, we believe in helping you make informed decisions. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to look for when buying replica watches.

1. Understand the Different Grades of Replica Watches

Replica watches come in various grades, each with different levels of quality and detail. The primary grades include:

Low-Quality Replicas: Often made from cheap materials with poor craftsmanship. These are easily identifiable as fakes.

Mid-Grade Replicas: Better materials and improved craftsmanship, but still lack the fine details and precision.

A5 Replicas: High-quality replicas with exceptional materials, craftsmanship, and details. These are nearly indistinguishable from the originals.

For the best experience, aim for A5 replicas, which offer the closest match to genuine luxury watches.

2. Examine the Materials

The quality of materials used in a replica watch is a significant indicator of its overall quality. Look for:

Case Material: High-quality replicas use stainless steel or gold plating that matches the original.

Crystal: Sapphire crystal is used in premium replicas for scratch resistance and clarity.

Strap/Bracelet: Genuine leather or high-quality metal bracelets are signs of a well-made replica.

3. Check the Movement

The movement of the watch is its engine. A good replica should have a reliable movement that offers accurate timekeeping. There are two main types of movements:

Quartz: Battery-operated and often found in lower-priced replicas. They are accurate but lack the prestige of mechanical movements.

Automatic/Mechanical: These movements are more desirable in high-quality replicas. They mimic the intricate mechanisms of genuine luxury watches.

4. Pay Attention to Details

High-quality replicas pay meticulous attention to details. Look for:

Logo Placement: Ensure the logo is correctly placed and matches the original in size and style.

Dial Markers: Check the alignment, size, and font of the dial markers.

Engravings: Quality replicas have precise and clean engravings, matching the original.

5. Weight and Feel

A good replica watch should have a substantial weight, similar to the genuine article. The watch should feel solid and well-constructed when worn. Light, flimsy watches are a red flag for poor quality.

6. Research the Seller

Not all replica watch sellers are created equal. Research the seller’s reputation before making a purchase:

Reviews and Testimonials: Check customer reviews and testimonials to gauge satisfaction and reliability.

Customer Service: Reliable sellers offer excellent customer service and clear communication.

Return Policy: Ensure the seller has a return policy in case the watch does not meet your expectations.

7. Compare Prices

While price should not be the sole determinant, it can be an indicator of quality. Extremely low prices often signal low-quality replicas. Compare prices across different sellers to understand the market rate for high-quality replicas.

8. Secure Payment Methods

When purchasing online, ensure the seller uses secure payment methods to protect your financial information. Look for SSL encryption and reputable payment gateways.

Why Choose WolvesWatch.com

At WolvesWatch.com, we specialize in high-quality A5 replicas, ensuring our customers receive the best in terms of materials, craftsmanship, and accuracy. Here’s why you should choose us:

Extensive Selection: We offer a wide range of replicas from top brands like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet.

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Navigating the world of replica watches can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and careful consideration, you can find a high-quality replica that offers the elegance and prestige of luxury timepieces. Start your journey with confidence at WolvesWatch.com and discover a world of affordable luxury.

[bough-25]

A visit gone wrong

Written by @2blueberrylover2 (thank u so much)

Bough smiled at Sabrina and Rozar as they ran around him and his husband, Alloy ‘Ram’ Thorns.

They were currently in Pop Village for a visit, as the twins wanted to learn more about pop culture and history so they could learn more about their Da’s family.

Ever since they learned that they were fifty percent Pop Troll (the other percentage being twenty-five percent Rock Troll and twenty-five percent Heavy Metal Troll), they have been begging to come for a visit.

They were currently walking through the market as the twins checked out everything around them; Rozar had his precious longhorn cow plushie ‘Ted’ clutched in his arms tightly as his tail wagged excitedly behind him.

Sabrina held her twin's other hand tightly as they went, making sure they didn’t get separated. She was the older sister (five seconds is still five seconds), so she had to make sure that nothing hurt her baby brother.

Thorns grinned as he watched the twins, “Don’t go too far!” he shouted.

“We won’t!”

Thorns and Bough gave each other a knowing look as they made their way over to look at a stall that had piqued their interest, allowing the twins to do their own thing.

Sabrina grinned as they ran around. They were finally in Pop Village! She made sure to keep her brother close to her, knowing that almost anything could and would scare him. Her pinkish-purple canines were on full display due to her grin, indicating that they were Pop Trolls, even if only half.

Rozar’s own canines were beautiful cherry red and Sabrina was definitely jealous of them sometimes. They were just so bright and pretty!

She felt her brother squeeze her hand twice to get her attention. Slowing to a stop, she turned to look at him, and he clicked at her a couple of times before pointing out a booth ahead of them.

Nodding her head, she turned to look at the booth and saw that it was full of different kinds of crystals and rocks.

Minty eyes shone brightly in excitement, and her tail moved full speed behind her; she squealed loudly in excitement before running towards it, dragging Rozar with her. She could hear him let out a sort of whine as he was dragged along, though he didn’t stop her, so she kept going.

Arriving at the booth, they looked at all the different crystals and rocks excitedly, both of their tails going a mile a minute as they looked.

After a few minutes, Rozar poked his sister's arm and signed to her. Sabrina turned her attention to her brother to and nodded along with his signs. Once he finished, he held up the crystal he had been talking about.

She gasped in excitement at the raw teal fluorite cluster in his hand.

Taking the cluster from his hands, she looked it over excitedly. She was purchasing this cluster today.

They continued to look for a little longer, and they found a few more crystals that they liked, including a small Hercynite for her collection, a large Ammonite for Rozar to carve, and two small haüynites, one a pink-ish red and one blue for their Pa and Da.

They had made sure to bring different crystals and stones for trading, so when Sabrina talked to the trader, they had agreed to 12 crystals in exchange for the four they chose, extra due to the size of the ammonite and the rarity of the hercynite.

They ended up giving the trader a rose quartz, a blue lapis, a jasper, an aquamarine, an amethyst, a jade, a hematite, an amber calcite, a quartz, a malachite, a tiger's eye, and lastly an emerald. Sabrina had a feeling that the trader was more excited about all the different crystals they got than what they sold.

Grinning at Rozar excitedly, they put their purchases in their hair and started making their way back to their Da and Pa.

They were stopped, however, when a random Pop Troll randomly grabbed onto Rozar’s arm. Whimpering loudly, Rozar tried to pull his arm out of the grip; however, the stranger would not let go.

Hearing her brother whimper, Sabrina’s head immediately whipped around to look at the random troll. Her hair and tail immediately puffed up in defense as she began growling.

“HEY! Let go of him!”

When the troll still didn’t release his arm, Sabrina moved forward quickly and bit the troll's arm hard.

The Pop Troll screamed out, letting go of Rozar and clutching his arm in pain.

The scream gained the attention of all the trolls around them, making Sabrina and Rozar freeze up.

- With Bough and Thorns -

While they had been looking at one of the stalls, Queen Poppy and Princess Viva had come over and started talking to them, asking how things are going over in Heavy Metal territory.

As they stood their and talked they could hear the trolls around them shouting and running farther into the market. They looked at each other in confusion until they heard someone mention that one of them was holding a cow plush with long horns.

Neither wasted another second before taking off on all fours to find their twins, Poppy and Viva running behind them, though much slower than themselves.

As they came up on the kids, they saw a Pop Troll off to the side, screaming at the twins while clutching their bleeding (and… bitten?) arm, while the twins stood of to another side, huddled together with Sabrina infront of Rozar.

Thorns went to the children and wrapped them in his arms, holding them tightly to his chest, while Bough jumped in between the children and the Pop Troll, still on all fours, and roared at the troll. Shutting them up, though his glowing red eyes definitely helped with that as well.

Bough’s hair was puffed up protectively as he stood between them all. He stayed on all fours until Poppy and Viva showed up and then immediately moved towards his husband and children.

At some point, unnoticed by Thorns and Bough, Frontier and JD had also made an appearance, standing on the edge of the different trolls around them.

Poppy had quickly made her way over to the bleeding Pop Troll, trying to difuse the situation and talk with them, however, they just continued to yell and scream about the children.

Viva looked like she wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure what to say.

Thankfully, JD and Frontier decided to step forward at that point.

“That’s ENOUGH!” shouted JD, gaining the attention of everyone around him and shutting up the screaming Pop Troll. “Now unless you are one of the three trolls affected, you all need to FUCK OFF!”

This caused many to immediately run away from the scene, those who stayed didn’t last much longer when Frontier let out a loud and deep growl.

JD smirked at his… friend(?), yeah friend. He then turned to the remaining six trolls in front of him.

“Now, Viva, why don’t you go ahead and take this troll to see Dr. Moonbloom and get their story while we help out Poppy here.”

Relieved to have something to do, Viva nodded quickly before moving forward and scooping up the troll before running off.

JD chuckled at the hyperactive troll before turning to his youngest brother and his family.

Poppy made her way over as well. “Thank you, JD.” She turned back to Bough, Thorns, and the twins. “Are they okay?”

Bough still seemed to be too much on edge to give a response, so Thorns answered instead after checking on both of them.

“Yes, they’ll be okay.”

Poppy smiled in relief, knowing the twins would never cause trouble like that troll had been trying to say they were.

“Great! Now then, how about some ice cream? My treat and I have your chili flakes to add on top!” she singsonged at the end.

This caused both children's ears to perk up in excitement, nodding their heads and staring at their Da with puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, alright. Let’s go get some ice cream.”

[frostbite-the-bat]

WHAT AN AMAZING COLLECTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love the dragons protecting the display OOOOOOOUGH SHARKS TEETH YEAAAAAAAAA Do you have any specific favorites? (& What about them said Pick Me to you? (i love rocks sm but have none space so i only have a lil bag of my own) )

YESS!!! THANK YUOU!!! and ofc i gotta have dragons B)

and HMMM OKAY lemme THInks

so *now* pick and buy gems at trinket stores whenver i go travelling and see any tha i just dont own yet (or if theres a piece that's really pretty to me that i DO have, but it's just unique and cool and i want it)

but back then id just..! buy whatever was Cool to me . id always buy so many at once my god

my favorites are defo my extra silly fancy lookin gems!! lemme show em here (older pics) (some are fancier bc i took them for my personal collection list google doc)

bismuth!!

these quartz! i was told they are some type of quartz! these are special to me because i got them a year ago during a school trip to germany - i only had a few euros on me and i ended up spending it all on gems. we checked out the christmas markets and there was an friendly old fellow who was selling gemstones and other things! he even had a cutter and could speak english. we chatted a bit and i listened to him talk about things (like how these lil fellas are formed. i know nothing about chemicals but i just think these things are interesting!!!! i actually get most my gems from giftshops near cave tours because i love visiting them and think it's interesting ^^

anyways he had a little box of various "rocks" that could possibly be geodes that he'd cut and see if they are! the price depended on their size. he said that i could guess with the weight and feel of the "rock" and let me pick from a few that could possible be ones. i said it didn't matter to me if it's gonna be hollow or not, since it's cool to me anyways!

so while my classmates waited and stared at me i just watched this guy cut it nicely in half like this - and he then even cut the smaller flatter piece of it, too. it was very nice! it's also where i bought the tooth, the bismuth, and some other things that i forgot as well... oops. i got a lot of gems

this shimmery pretty goldstone / aventurine glass ! wacky picture quality but i don't feel like getting new pics (+ im on pc now) (lie: i ended up getting new pics later)

. it's a man-made lil' mineral, but it's very lovely regardless! i honestly only care about the "realness" only i it's a scam of some sort. any rock, trinket, gem or mineral, man-made or not is very niceys to me. (i still want an opal tho i only got an opalite which was mislabeled. i dont think on purpose since these stores sometimes accidentally mislabel or misspell things. or use czech names which gets confusing. yeah i may have inaccurate names for some of my gems but i try my best to be accurate. im no pro im just a collector little beast)

some type of peacock ore! (either treated chalcopyrite or bornite, as i've previously written down. i'll trust my past self)

aura quartz! one of my first 3 pieces ive ever gotten that sparked my collection

all of these little fellas i bought at the same place for really cheap! filled my lil collection quite a bitso. i loves tghem. theyre like cereal To Me

in order: garnet, carnelian, emerald, tusquoise (why isnt this one in my list. oh my god how many gems did i miss. i still have a few to add that ill list on the list later that i need to re-check what gems they are. lord.) opalite, chalcedony, snowflake obsidian, obsidian (?), onyx. + not pictured an aquamarine which...? i cant find? im not checking if i put it behind a bigger gem and i cant FIND IT.

i really need to do a new and better gem list . oops. i cant always rely on my memory for these names

my EYES! in order: tiger's eye 2x, hawk's eye, bull's eye

my funny silly mosly multicolor fellas idk they fit the Vibes. i likes thgem (appreciae this secion i had to make sure and like re-identify half of these but i still could be incorrect)

in ORDER... lapis lazuli, sodalite 2x, elbaite (most likely), chrysocolla, rhodonite, blue apatite, amazonite, kyanite

dalmatian jasper and unakite

...some kinda jasper?

so ya!! thats some of my Rocks. this took a while bc i had to look what some of these are again @_@ i loaves them . todays guzma enrichment: this

[sugarfairy117]

Character Information Description:

Name: YingXian

Gender: Female

Species: Celestialing

Hair Color: Platinum Blonde

Eye Color: Pale Celeste

Skin Tone: white

Body Type: curvaceous

Three Sizes: B86-W57-H86

[_______]

Path: Harmony

Element Combat: Imaginary

Fraction: Astral Express

World: Astral Express (On Profile); Xianzhou Luofu (Formerly)

[_______]

Appearances:

YingXian is a beautiful young milky white skinned curvaceous woman with ample bosom. She has long waist length platinum blonde hair with m-parting curtain bangs. YingXian has alluring almond shaped pale celeste eyes, with feminine eyelashes.

YingXian wore a sleeveless strapless short flowly white dress with a spaghetti strap white and pale blue bodice with gold trim. The bodice is split on the right side with pale blue criss cross strings with a gold tassel attached to the end of the last string.

The upper half of the bodice had a pale blue with a gold crisscross hourglass trim print in the middle and has three small four star print design at the mid bottom. YingXian has detachable white fab tip angel sleeves with gold tassel at the tip of the fabs.

She wore thigh high white socks and low heel pale blue flats and has a gold crossover bangle anklet around her left ankle. YingXian has a hanfu white lotus flower hairclip with gold chain white quartz charm bead tassels.

[________]

Character Stories:

character Detail:

A kindhearted and friendly young woman who wields a sword called “Blessing Light”. She’s a member of the Astral Express, on its trailblazing expedition.

YingXian doesn’t know much about her past as she has amnesia due to something that happened that ties with her past. But she not bother by it, as she knew her memories would return one day. Right now, YingXian enjoying her current memories with the Astral Express.

But when YingXian memories return, she’ll be in for an unexpected surprise.

[___________]

Character Story I:

• Unlocked at Character’s Level 20:

It was just a another extremely average day aboard this giant ship. The markets were opened and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. The young woman looked around in awe by the mesmerizing sight of the city.

This was her first time being out after being confined in a dark place for a long time. It felt nice to feel the warmth of the sun upon her skin and the gentle breeze of that blew through her hair.

Everything was new to her, yet she couldn't understand the nostalgic feeling, that linger in her heart. When she made it to the port, the escorting soldier removed the last of her shackles.

The young woman turned around to ask the soldier something, but stop when she saw the hateful look the soldier had. The young woman also noticed everyone else had the same look.

She felt uncomfortable as she doesn't understand why they're looking at her like that. The young woman drop what she was going to ask and turn back. She walked forward never looking back as the spaceship's door closed.

The spaceship takes off, the young woman takes one last look at the place, taking in the breathtaking grand spaceship. She felt her heart ache as she doesn't understand why she feels great sadness leaving.

*Just few more sentences 😊*

[________]

Character Story II:

•Unlocked at Character’s Level 40

…..

[________]

Combat:

*Might come soon or later 😅*

[________]

Trivia:

*coming soon 😅*

[_______]

Etymology:

应 Yīng means “Answer” and 仙 Xiān means “Fairy” into “Answer Fairy”

仙仙 XiānXiān means “Fairy Fairy”

( Please spare me for updating this early, she’s still fresh and I was on hold for a long time with this oc character until I saw the video of Honkai Star Rail version 1.6 update and a got inspired real quick, so more details on YingXian will come soon and the race she is, if you have questions don’t hesitate to send them to the comments and no hateful comments please. Thank you and have a great blessed weekend! 😄👍)

[aishavass]

Quartz countertops market to gain popularity over the coming years, owing to low product cost and availability in a wide range of designs, patterns, and...

[savithar]

Best kitchen countertops in banglore

 1. Cheapest kitchen countertops near me ?

Kitchen countertop costs vary widely depending on materials, location, installation, and finish details. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Laminate: ₹180–₹2,800 per sq ft

Granite (basic): ₹160–₹350 per sq ft

Quartz: ₹280–₹450 per sq ft (mass-market); ₹642–₹984 per sq ft at premium sellers

Soapstone: ₹3,300–₹6,300 per sq ft

Marble: ₹3,300–₹5,625 per sq ft

Stainless Steel: ₹4,900–₹11,200 per sq ft .

2. What’s the Absolute Cheapest Kitchen Countertop?

If your sole priority is cost, laminate (Formica-style) countertops are by far the most affordable:

Prices start as low as ₹180–₹300 per sq ft for simple, machine-cut edges and basic installation.

They’re available in a wide variety of colors and prints.

You might find specials or clearance deals pushing the price even lower.

However, laminate isn't the sturdiest in the long run—it’s prone to scratches, burns, and edge peeling. Still, for tight budgets or rentals, it’s the go‑to cheap countertop.

3. Estimating the Cost of Your Countertops

To estimate your total countertop cost, follow these steps:

Measure your countertop area (length × width in sq ft).

Add 5–10% extra to account for cutouts (sink, stove), off‑cuts, and wastage.

Choose your material and confirm its per‑sq‑ft rate with your supplier/showroom.

Add fabrication costs (cutting, edge finishing, polishing)—₹40–₹100 per sq ft depending on complexity.

Include delivery and installation, usually ₹30–₹80 per sq ft, more if your layout is complex or access is tough.

Sealing/final finishing typically ₹10–₹30 per sq ft for stone material

4. Where to Find the Cheapest Countertop Near You

Asking “cheapest countertop near me”? Try these strategies:

Local laminate dealers—stock liquidated or end‑of‑line designs at clearance rates

Sheet‑goods suppliers—some sell kitchen‑grade laminates directly

Cabinet fabricators—they often stock standard laminates in bulk

Hardware & building‑material stores with economy countertop inventories

In Bengaluru, for instance, you might explore:

Industrial areas like Jigani or Nelamangala for wholesale stone/laminate

Multi‑brand kitchen showrooms (e.g., Mann Granites, Material Depot) that sometimes offer budget slabs

Home‑improvement centers like HomeTown or local dealers offering deals

Tip: Visiting two or three different markets helps you compare quality and negotiate bulk‑order discounts.

.

5. Step-by-Step: From “Near Me” to Installed

Search “laminate countertop dealers near me” or “budget kitchen countertops Bangalore.”

Visit showrooms—note price lists, ask for economy slab models.

Request free samples—test appearance, scratch resistance, edge quality.

Check credentials—ask about warranty, sealing, guarantees, delivery timeline.

Measure accurately—or hire professionals to take on‑site measurements.

Get multiple quotes—at least 2–3 offers, word‑of‑mouth helps.

Negotiate delivery/installation included.

Inspect final installation—look for smooth edges, even alignment, level finish.

✅ Final Thoughts & Keyword‑Rich Summary

If you’re searching for cheap kitchen countertop near me, your go‑to choice is laminate or Formica-style countertops, starting around ₹180 per sq ft in India. For slightly more durable and still budget-friendly options, consider economy quartz (₹280–₹450) or basic granite deals (₹160–₹350)—especially if you can pick slabs locally and bundle fabrication/install. Estimating is straightforward: measure your countertop area, add ~5% for wastage, multiply by material prices, and add charges for edges and installation.

For the cheapest kitchen countertop near me, find local laminate dealers, request samples, get 2–3 quotes, and simplify edges to save fabrication costs. With proper comparing and negotiation, your total installed countertop cost can land in a smart ₹15k–₹25k range for a standard-sized kitchen—delivering value both short-term and long-term