#custom-built technology

[swtechspecs]

General Grievous's Custom-Built Geonosian Cybernetic Frame

Source: The New Essential Guide to Droids (Del Rey, 2006)

[miiiwu]

rip vyvyan basterd you would’ve loved making insanely violent and bloody newgrounds flash animations in the 2000’s

[medickpidia]

Information 

The Govee Smart Light Bulbs bring vibrant colors, smart controls, and energy efficiency to any space. Featuring 16 million RGBWW colors, WiFi & Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, these bulbs let you customize lighting, sync with music, and create automation routines with ease. The 800-lumen brightness ensures optimal illumination, while the app-controlled settings provide a fully immersive lighting experience.

Features

✅ 16 Million Colors & Adjustable White Light

Choose from 16 million RGB colors to match any mood or occasion.

Adjustable white tones (warm to cool) from 2700K to 6500K.

Dimmable brightness for perfect ambiance control.

✅ Smart Voice Control

Works with Alexa & Google Assistant for hands-free operation.

Control lights using voice commands (turn on/off, change color, adjust brightness).

✅ WiFi & Bluetooth Dual Connectivity

WiFi-enabled for remote control from anywhere via the Govee Home App.

Bluetooth mode ensures local connectivity even without WiFi.

✅ Music Sync Mode

Built-in music sync technology changes colors and brightness in real-time with sound or music beats.

Ideal for parties, gaming setups, or home theaters.

✅ Govee Home App Customization

Set up custom scenes, timers, and schedules.

Group multiple bulbs for synchronized lighting control.

Use preset modes for relaxation, reading, parties, and more.

✅ Energy Efficient & Long-Lasting

LED technology reduces energy consumption while maintaining bright illumination.

Lifespan: Up to 25,000 hours.

✅ Easy Installation (Standard A19, E26 Base)

Compatible with standard fixtures for plug-and-play use.

No hub required – simply screw in, connect, and customize via the app.

Ideal 

✔️ Smart home users looking for voice-controlled, customizable lighting. ✔️ Gamers & entertainment lovers who want dynamic RGB lighting. ✔️ Home decorators looking for colorful ambiance settings. ✔️ Energy-conscious users wanting long-lasting, low-power LED bulbs.

Specifications

Type: A19 Smart LED Bulb (Standard E26 Base)

Brightness: 800 Lumens

Color Options: 16 Million RGBWW (Warm & Cool White)

Color Temperature: 2700K - 6500K

Connectivity: WiFi & Bluetooth (No Hub Required)

Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Govee Home App

Lifespan: Up to 25,000 Hours

Pack Size: 4 Bulbs

The Govee Smart Light Bulbs deliver smart lighting, vibrant color customization, and effortless automation for any space. Whether you're creating a cozy atmosphere, gaming setup, or party vibe, these bulbs make it easy to set the perfect mood.

[aoisouken]

▶Thorough explanation of Flat 35 group credit

▶Thorough explanation of Flat 35 group credit

@aoisouken_official ←For other useful housing information, click here! Flat 35 is now a mortgage loan with group credit. However, it has become easier to borrow a mortgage loan for those who cannot join the group credit for some reason. In this issue, we will provide information on Flat 35 with group credit!

We hope you will find it useful Please take a look at it as a reference when building your own home ✨. What is a group credit life insurance? Group credit life insurance (Danshin) is an insurance policy that you are required to take out when you take out a mortgage loan. Group credit life insurance (Danshin) is an insurance policy that you are required to take out when you take out a mortgage loan. In the unlikely event that the borrower dies or becomes severely disabled, the loan will be exempted from repayment, In the event of the borrower's death or severe disability, the loan repayment will be forgiven. Flat 35 is basically a mortgage loan with group credit.

Flat 35 is often misunderstood as an optional subscription to group credit. However, Flat 35 is basically a mortgage loan with a group credit system. Even those who are unable to enroll in group credit for health or other reasons may be able to obtain a mortgage loan. However, it is basically a mortgage loan with a group credit system.

Advantages of joining a group credit If you enroll in a group credit, your family will not be left with the burden of the loan in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, your family will not be left with the burden of the loan. It also provides a sense of emotional security. It is an important insurance to keep the family finances in the dark.

Difference between Flat 35 and general group credit Flat 35 is basically a mortgage with group credit, However, it is possible to remove the group credit. If you do not take out a group credit, the interest rate will be reduced.

Alternative to Group Credit Even if you do not take out a group credit, you can protect your family by using life insurance or income protection insurance. There are ways to protect your family by using life insurance or income protection insurance even if you do not have a group credit. Take advantage of the flexibility of Flat 35 to make the best choice for you.

Conclusion Flat 35 allows you to take out a mortgage without group credit. However, in order to secure your family's peace of mind, consider all eventualities, However, in order to ensure your family's peace of mind, you should fully consider the risks of a long-term loan.

Other useful information for home building and Construction case studies are also available. ▶ @aoisouken_official Please feel free to take a look!

For custom-built homes, remodeling and renovation in Miyagi Prefecture, contact Aoisouken!

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A post shared by あおい創建｜宮城県石巻市｜注文住宅・リフォーム・リノベーション (@aoisouken_official)

▶フラット35の団信を徹底解説

@aoisouken_official ←その他の役立つ住宅情報はこちら！ 【フラット35】は団信付きの住宅ローンになりました。但し、何らかの事情で団信に加入できない人も住宅ローンを借りやすくなっています。 今回は、フラット35の団信の情報をお届けします！

ぜひ皆様の家づくりの 参考にしてみてください✨ 1.団信とは？ 団体信用生命保険（団信）は、住宅ローンを利用する際に 加入が求められる保険です。万が一、ローン契約者が亡くなったり、 高度障害状態になった場合、ローンの返済が免除されます。 フラット35も基本的に団信付きの住宅ローンです。

2.フラット35では、よく団信は任意加入という言い方で誤解 されがちですが、基本的には団信付きの住宅ローンです。 健康上の理由などで、団信への加入ができない方でも 住宅ローンを組むことが出来るのがポイントです。

3.団信に加入するメリット 団信に加入すれば、万が一の時に家族にローンの負担が 残りません。また、精神的な安心感が得られます。 家計の安全を図るための重要な保険です。

4.フラット35と一般的な団信の違い フラット35は基本的に団信付きの住宅ローンですが、 団信をはずすことが可能です。 団信に加入しなければその分金利は抑えられるのが特徴です。

5.団信に変わる選択肢 団信に加入しない場合でも、生命保険や収入保障保険を活用 することで、家族を守る手段はあります。 フラット35の柔軟性を活かして、自分に最適な選択を。 6.まとめ フラット35は団信をはずして住宅ローンを組むことが可能です。 ですが、万一のことも考え、家族の安心を確保するために、 長期ローンのリスクについても十分に検討しましょう。

他にも家づくりに役立つ情報や、 施工事例を紹介しています。 ▶ @aoisouken_officialから お気軽にご覧ください！

宮城県の注文住宅・リフォーム・リノベーションはあおい創建へ！

[truflowspraybooths]

Truflow Spraybooths | Spray Booths | Spray Painting Booths

Spray booths are essential in industries where painting, coating, or finishing work is done. Whether it's the automotive, aerospace, or furniture industry, spray booths play a critical role in ensuring high-quality finishes while protecting the environment and workers' health. Among the leading names in the spray booth market, Truflow Spraybooths stand out for their innovative designs and reliable performance. This article dives into what makes Truflow Spraybooths a preferred choice for professionals worldwide.

What is a Spray Booth?

A spray booth is a controlled environment used for spray painting, coating, or finishing products. It’s designed to provide a safe and efficient workspace by containing hazardous fumes and overspray, enhancing both the quality of the finish and the safety of the operator. Spray booths come in various forms, including crossdraft, downdraft, and semi-downdraft, each catering to different needs and industries.

The Importance of Using Spray Booths

Using spray booths is not just about getting a perfect paint job; it’s also about safety and compliance. They protect workers from harmful chemicals, reduce the risk of fire, and help comply with environmental regulations by managing emissions. Plus, they significantly improve the quality of the finish by providing a dust-free environment, which is crucial for achieving that flawless look.

Overview of Truflow Spraybooths

Truflow Spraybooths has carved a niche in the market with its cutting-edge technology and commitment to quality. Established with the mission to provide top-notch spray booths that meet the highest industry standards, Truflow has a wide range of products tailored to various industries, from automotive to aerospace.

Types of Truflow Spray Booths

1. Automotive Spray Booths These booths are designed for painting cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They feature advanced airflow systems that ensure even paint application, reducing overspray and paint waste.

2. Industrial Spray Booths Perfect for large-scale operations, these booths cater to industries like manufacturing and heavy equipment painting, offering robust construction and powerful ventilation systems.

3. Custom Spray Booths For businesses with unique needs, Truflow offers custom solutions. Whether it’s a unique size, specific airflow requirements, or special finishes, Truflow can tailor a booth to fit your exact specifications.

Key Features of Truflow Spray Booths

Truflow booths are known for their advanced features, including high-efficiency filtration systems that keep the air clean and energy-efficient designs that reduce operating costs. They are built to last, using durable materials that withstand the rigors of daily use in busy shops and industrial environments.

How Truflow Spraybooths Improve Efficiency

One of the standout benefits of Truflow spray booths is their ability to speed up production. With efficient airflow and heating systems, drying times are reduced significantly, allowing for quicker turnaround times. This means businesses can increase their throughput without compromising on quality.

Health and Safety Features

Truflow places a strong emphasis on safety. Their spray booths are equipped with state-of-the-art ventilation systems that effectively capture fumes and overspray, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, all booths are built to comply with the latest industry safety standards, giving businesses peace of mind.

Environmental Benefits of Truflow Spraybooths

With a growing focus on sustainability, Truflow has incorporated eco-friendly technologies into their spray booths. From energy-efficient lighting and heating systems to advanced filtration that minimizes emissions, Truflow booths are designed to reduce the environmental impact of spray painting operations.

Installation and Maintenance of Truflow Spray Booths

Truflow makes installation straightforward, with options for both standard and custom setups. Their booths are designed for easy assembly, and they offer comprehensive support throughout the installation process. Regular maintenance is simple, with easy access to filters and components, ensuring that the booths remain in top condition for years.

Why Choose Truflow Spraybooths?

Choosing Truflow means investing in quality, efficiency, and reliability. Customers frequently praise Truflow for their excellent customer service and the long-lasting performance of their booths. When compared to competitors, Truflow consistently stands out for its innovative designs and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Custom Solutions for Different Industries

Truflow’s versatility makes them an ideal choice for various industries:

Automotive Industry – Provides the perfect environment for achieving high-gloss, smooth finishes on vehicles. Furniture and Woodworking – Offers controlled conditions for applying varnishes and paints, essential for furniture production. Aerospace and Marine Industries – Meets the strict standards required for aircraft and boat painting, including corrosion-resistant coatings.

Cost Considerations and ROI

While the initial investment in a Truflow spray booth might seem significant, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. Energy-efficient designs reduce utility bills, while the enhanced finish quality can lead to fewer reworks and a better reputation with clients. Over time, businesses can see a significant return on investment, making Truflow a smart choice for the long haul.

How to Choose the Right Spray Booth for Your Needs

Choosing the right spray booth depends on several factors, including the type of work you do, the volume of painting, and the space available. Truflow offers consultation services to help you select the booth that best meets your needs, taking the guesswork out of the decision-making process.

Conclusion

Truflow Spraybooths provide a perfect blend of safety, efficiency, and quality, making them a top choice for businesses across various industries. With their wide range of options and commitment to innovation, Truflow continues to lead the way in spray booth technology.

FAQs

1. What types of filters are used in Truflow Spraybooths? Truflow Spraybooths use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and carbon filters to capture overspray and harmful fumes, ensuring clean air inside and outside the booth.

2. How often should spray booth filters be changed? Filter replacement frequency depends on usage and the type of coatings applied. Generally, filters should be checked regularly and replaced as needed to maintain optimal performance.

3. Are Truflow Spraybooths customizable? Yes, Truflow offers customizable spray booth solutions to fit specific needs, whether it’s size, airflow requirements, or additional features.

4. How long does the installation process take? Installation times vary depending on the complexity of the booth and the site conditions, but Truflow provides detailed timelines and support to ensure a smooth installation.

5. What maintenance is required for Truflow Spraybooths? Routine maintenance includes regular filter changes, checking ventilation systems, and cleaning the booth interior. Truflow provides maintenance guides and support to help keep your booth in top shape.

[pebblegalaxy]

Reimagining the Energy Landscape: AI's Growing Hunger for Computing Power #BlogchatterA2Z

Reimagining the Energy Landscape: AI's Growing Hunger for Computing Power #BlogchatterA2Z #AIdevelopment #energyConsumption #DataCenterInfrastructure #ArmHoldings #energyEfficiency #SustainableTechnology #RenewableEnergy #EdgeComputing #RegulatoryMeasures

Navigating the Energy Conundrum: AI’s Growing Hunger for Computing Power In the ever-expanding realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the voracious appetite for computing power threatens to outpace our energy sources, sparking urgent calls for a shift in approach. According to Rene Haas, Chief Executive Officer of Arm Holdings Plc, by the year 2030, data centers worldwide are projected to…

[teenagebluebirdstrawberry]

Om Digi Group's Website Developers: Masters of Digital Craftsmanship

Crafting Digital Excellence

Om Digi Group's website developers are renowned for their mastery in crafting digital excellence. With expertise in a wide array of programming languages and development frameworks, they bring creativity and precision to every project they undertake. From conceptualization to execution, their attention to detail ensures that each website they develop is not just functional but also visually stunning.

Tailored Solutions for Unique Needs

Understanding that every client has unique goals and requirements, Om Digi Group's website developers offer tailored solutions to meet specific needs. They collaborate closely with clients, delving into their objectives, target audience, and brand identity. This collaborative approach ensures that each website is custom-built to resonate with the client's vision and objectives.

Innovation Driven Development

Innovation is ingrained in Om Digi Group's ethos, and its website developers are at the forefront of driving digital innovation. They stay updated on the latest technologies and trends, constantly exploring new tools and techniques to enhance their craft. By embracing innovation, they create websites that not only meet but exceed expectations, setting new standards in the industry.

User-Centric Design Philosophy

Om Digi Group's website developers prioritize user experience above all else. They understand that a website's success hinges on its ability to engage and delight users. Therefore, they adopt a user-centric design philosophy, focusing on intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and seamless interactions. By putting the user first, they ensure that each website delivers a memorable and engaging experience for visitors.

[jawusa]

[4t2] Sixam - Secret Alien World for TS2 ^^

Remember my 4t2 Sixam project I started 2 years ago? Which I almost scrapped but revisited sometime last year? ... well, I've got good news for you then. It's finally out now! ^^

Welcome to Sixam!

Sixam Academy is a prestigious intergalactic university on the planet of Sixam that provides special training for aspiring students to become Birth Queens, Colony Drones, or even the latest innovation in alien technology: Pollination Technicians. The academy offers hands-on experiences, collaborative research, and cultural exploration, alongside interstellar expeditions, nurturing a community focused on curiosity, inclusivity, and innovation.

Yes, I recreated the secret alien world from TS4 for TS2 as a custom university subhood! Why as a university subhood you may ask? Well, I tried to keep the original vibes of Sixam of it being an "unlockable"/visitable place your sims can explore rather than a regular neighborhood your sims can live in!

Well, even after graduation, your sims can actually stay and live in the university subhood using Lamare's YAs can enjoy maternity (and all that) mod, as well as Lamare's Pets at University mod!

While technically it's a university, it could easily also be just a downtown or a main hood, as it includes quite a few urban city-style residential & community lots that a main hood/downtown would also otherwise have… just all in sci-fi/alien theme, of course! ;)

Download: MTS | Simblr.cc | SFS

More info under the cut...

Neighborhood Info:

Requires only Uni/NL/OFB EP and no CC were used to build the lots - I made this without Apartment Life EP, so TS2 Super Collection users can also use it, but in the future, I might also make an alternative version as an actual downtown with apartment lots!

No camera mod is needed, yet, still recommended for easier gameplay, especially since some lots were built on skyscrapers and can be hard to view with just the vanilla camera.

Number of Sims: 90 (10 playable sims in 4 playable families, 31 townies, 44 NPCs, 5 dead sims)

Number of Lots: 35 (7 residential lots, 2 Greek houses, 5 dorms, 1 secret society, 20 community lots, where 8 of which are owned businesses)

Gameplay Info:

Speaking of lots, I made lecture halls for every major, which you could use with beestew's Active Classes mod! These are community lots, featuring skill-building equipment and study spaces, with NPC professors (as lot owners) available for tutoring whenever your sims visit.

I also made an optional custom skybox and custom lighting file for Sixam that will make it always nighttime (Yes, you heard right! The sun never shines here on Sixam!) with subtle seasonal color changes - reddish in Autumn, bluish in Winter, and greenish in Spring.

While the empty version should be CC-free, the inhabited version requires the 3 alien skintones (blue/turquoise/violet) from my [4t2] aliens set to keep the TS4 alien characters like Aileen Rauvu authentic. As giving all these colorful aliens the default green skin instead felt as bad as white-washing, say, giving black characters like Olive Specter a lighter skintone for me. An alternative CC-free version with no CC skintones is also available for players who prefer to not have any CC skintones in their games, though.

I also recreated some characters from TS4, especially all the characters from the The Sims 4 Get to Work: Sul Sul trailer. Every character comes with a complete set of ancestors (at least parents) and customized memories, even townies and NPCs! Some also come with interesting lore! Even though, they're just... townies! Oh, and everyone has genetic infant faces! Yayy! XD

Speaking of characters, scripted events don't work in subhoods, but I wrote a text in each family description that somewhat mimic the scripted event notifications anyway. I think this is a brilliant and fun way of introducing new characters, even in university subhoods. All households should also have a complete set of family album pictures that show their lore a bit. ^^

Recommended Mods:

All notownieregen/antiredudancy/nodormiespawn/nossrespawn mods. All university townies/NPCs in Sixam are aliens.. or at least have a very good reason why they're there, but this can easily be ruined if you don't have these mods installed, lol.

bloodredtoe's Mannequin babies can be born mod. To have more variety, I used the mannequin skintone for some of the alien sims. While this mod isn't required, it's recommended to prevent crashes, especially when these aliens have offspring, as there's a chance they could inherit the mannequin skintone.

Squinge's No Townie Memory Loss. Again, townies and NPCs in this neighborhood are highly customized and I recommend getting no townie amnesia mods to prevent their lore from getting wiped out! As there are a few clues in the bios of some of the townies... including long lost twins!

lingeringwillx's Restore Default Names for Sims in Subneighbohoods . This is especially helpful, not only because the townies/NPCs are related to the playable sims, but also, it will help to maintain the alien atmosphere of Sixam with names like Pollination Technicians, Colony Drones or Birth Queens, etc. instead of having EA's default townie/NPC names.

Install Instructions:

This download consists of 3 parts:

Neighborhood itself:

Place the USXM folder into your PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 University/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/University Life/EP1/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/EP1/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplate

2. OPTIONAL: Custom skybox (& 3 new alien skintones):

Place the Sixam CC folder into your DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/Downloads

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's DOCUMENTS/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/Downloads

3. OPTIONAL: Custom lighting (for enabling 24/7 nights):

Place the sixam_lot.txt file into your PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights folder

Note: If you have TS2 UC, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection/Fun with Pets/SP9/TSData/Res/Lights

Note: If you have TS2 Legacy, it's PROGRAM FILES/EA Games/The Sims 2 Legacy/EP9/TSData/Res/Lights

Credits:

To EA for creating Sixam in the first place, even though it was originally created for the wrong game ;)

Makers of SimPE (especially with the newest version, allowing creation of customized NPCs!)

Mootilda for all her amazing tools, especially LotCompressor, LotAdjustor, HoodChecker, and her tutorial on how to create a custom subhood template.

Numenor for his AnyGameStarter, allowing for the creation of a Uni/NL/OFB only environment.

@lowedeus for his original skybox, which I recolored and modified to make the skybox season-friendly, as well as @criquette-was-here for the tutorial on how to make nhood objects glow at night.

Gwenke for the original ocean surface nhood deco, which I also recolored and modified to make it glow at night.

@catherinetcjd for all her inspring builds and also for being such an amazing friend. I recommend her Isosceles Apartments, Experiment 4.2, The Colony as well as her Pyramid Commune No. 9 Live, specifically as optional additional lots for this neighborhood. I learned a lot from you in the past few years of neighborhood and lot building!

Creusa Sims for her support and love while I was creating this neighborhood. It was fun discussing some of the lore in this neighborhood with you. XD

@lordcrumps for also being such an amazing friend! It was you who kept pushing me to actually redo the skybox when I wasn't happy with the draft version, lol! And also for your helpful inputs very early on. ^^

@lamare-sims for being such a talented modder and her amazing mods that make living in university subhoods possible in the first place! This concept wouldn't have otherwise made sense.

That's it for now I guess? I hope you have as much fun with this neighborhood as I had building it! <3

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

This is off topic but the switch direct featured a game called Disney villains cursed café, and it got me thinking, what if Yuu ran a café in twst

I saw the trailer myself and instantly thought of Twst! 😭

Maybe Yuu wouldn’t be able to have their own café (lack of capital for startup), but they could be the Mostro Lounge’s barista or something? They have what appears to be a bar-like area:

It could be considered a part-time job to supplement the monthly allowance Crowley gives Yuu! It’d also be a good way for them to spread the Magic of Friendship and interact with the student body way more than what is shown in the main story.

If that part-time job goes well and Yuu enjoys it, maybe it could be a viable career path for them once they graduate NRC (assuming they don't find a way back to their world)? With a degree from a prestigious arcane academy + connections built by then, Yuu could surely net some financial backers and set up shop in Foothill Town (or even on NRC campus!). They could even have drinks and sweets themed after the dorms of inspired by their classmates. Since a lot of the expendable items in Twst gameplay are edible, it would also be so cool if Yuu recreated them for their business. Friendship Popcorn, Leaping Macarons, Rich Card Cookies, Limelight Waffles, Lucky Cupcakes, Starshards, Friendship Tea, Secret Snacks, breads drizzled with Blooming Honey, etc. It sounds like the beginning of a cozy fantasy novel www

In Disney Villains Cursed Café because I want to talk about how silly it is, you play the part of a "potionista" and serve magical brews to various Disney villains in a modern setting. Your choices will influence the villains' ambitions and result in different things happening in their storylines! Some stories teased include:

Gaston attempting to impress his golfing buddies

Hook wanting to be the star of a community theater production

Maleficent seeking to dominate on social media

Ursula becoming a reality TV sensation

The art style is very stylish, and I'm always a sucker for games involving food and fairy tale motifs 🤡

Some customers you'll meet include Ursula, Gaston, Jafar, Captain Hook. Cruelle De Vil, and Maleficent (in casual wear!). asdbasoydasd The Mistress of Evil using her staff as a selfie stick in the promo art makes me laugh a little 😅 Gaston looking preppy and athletic is also super fitting, but Jafar looks so different in a hat and suit that I had to do a double-take when I first saw him.

If you pay close attention, you'll also find Easter eggs in the decor and background! For example, Flotsam and Jetsam are in a glass container on the left of your counter, and the Magic Mirror seems to be mounted on the right. You'll find customers seated at tables and enjoying their drinks (JAFAR WHY ARE YOU HUNCHED OVER LIKE THAT... I also spot what seems to be the Evil Queen in one screenshot?)

Yzma also makes an appearance; apparently, she helps you with ingredients upgrades to make even more powerful potions.

THIS IS SO SILLY... My brain is just superimposing the NRC boys in these scenarios and that magnifies the silliness 😭

Ursula's "I went to the beach today and NO ONE wanted to make a deal with me" gives Azul being dramatic on an NRC school beach trip energy OTL Maleficent wanting to be a social media influencer is so ironic given that Malleus doesn't know how tf to use technology and regularly breaks phones... Vargas going on a golfing trip... Crewel wanting a hot brew to take the edge off of dealing with unruly pups all day... TWEELS CRAMMED INTO A JAR FOR THE AESTHETIC... Paparazzi trying to sneak a photo of Vil at a café... Jamil being a chuuni by declaring his drink teleports him to a powerful lamp, only to reappear a yard away under a ceiling fixture lamp... This just SCREAMS of the NRC students/staff terrorizing a local business/j Not me hoping that fan artists do crossover art/art inspired by interactions in this game...

[reasonsforhope]

"The first satellite in a constellation designed specifically to locate wildfires early and precisely anywhere on the planet has now reached Earth's orbit, and it could forever change how we tackle unplanned infernos.

The FireSat constellation, which will consist of more than 50 satellites when it goes live, is the first of its kind that's purpose-built to detect and track fires. It's an initiative launched by nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, which includes Google and Silicon Valley-based space services startup Muon Space as partners, among others.

According to Google, current satellite systems rely on low-resolution imagery and cover a particular area only once every 12 hours to spot significantly large wildfires spanning a couple of acres. FireSat, on the other hand, will be able to detect wildfires as small as 270 sq ft (25 sq m) – the size of a classroom – and deliver high-resolution visual updates every 20 minutes.

The FireSat project has only been in the works for less than a year and a half. The satellites are fitted with custom six-band multispectral infrared cameras, designed to capture imagery suitable for machine learning algorithms to accurately identify wildfires – differentiating them from misleading objects like smokestacks.

These algorithms look at an image from a particular location, and compare it with the last 1,000 times it was captured by the satellite's camera to determine if what it's seeing is indeed a wildfire. AI technology in the FireSat system also helps predict how a fire might spread; that can help firefighters make better decisions about how to control the flames safely and effectively.

This could go a long way towards preventing the immense destruction of forest habitats and urban areas, and the displacement of residents caused by wildfires each year. For reference, the deadly wildfires that raged across Los Angeles in January were estimated to have cuased more than $250 billion in damages.

Muon is currently developing three more satellites, which are set to launch next year. The entire constellation should be in orbit by 2030.

The FireSat effort isn't the only project to watch for wildfires from orbit. OroraTech launched its first wildfire-detection satellite – FOREST-1 – in 2022, followed by one more in 2023 and another earlier this year. The company tells us that another eight are due to go up toward the end of March."

-via March 18, 2025

[swtechspecs]

Anakin Skywalker's Custom-Built Mechno-Arm

Source: The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology (Del Rey, 2004)

[mostlysignssomeportents]

What kind of bubble is AI?

My latest column for Locus Magazine is "What Kind of Bubble is AI?" All economic bubbles are hugely destructive, but some of them leave behind wreckage that can be salvaged for useful purposes, while others leave nothing behind but ashes:

https://locusmag.com/2023/12/commentary-cory-doctorow-what-kind-of-bubble-is-ai/

Think about some 21st century bubbles. The dotcom bubble was a terrible tragedy, one that drained the coffers of pension funds and other institutional investors and wiped out retail investors who were gulled by Superbowl Ads. But there was a lot left behind after the dotcoms were wiped out: cheap servers, office furniture and space, but far more importantly, a generation of young people who'd been trained as web makers, leaving nontechnical degree programs to learn HTML, perl and python. This created a whole cohort of technologists from non-technical backgrounds, a first in technological history. Many of these people became the vanguard of a more inclusive and humane tech development movement, and they were able to make interesting and useful services and products in an environment where raw materials – compute, bandwidth, space and talent – were available at firesale prices.

Contrast this with the crypto bubble. It, too, destroyed the fortunes of institutional and individual investors through fraud and Superbowl Ads. It, too, lured in nontechnical people to learn esoteric disciplines at investor expense. But apart from a smattering of Rust programmers, the main residue of crypto is bad digital art and worse Austrian economics.

Or think of Worldcom vs Enron. Both bubbles were built on pure fraud, but Enron's fraud left nothing behind but a string of suspicious deaths. By contrast, Worldcom's fraud was a Big Store con that required laying a ton of fiber that is still in the ground to this day, and is being bought and used at pennies on the dollar.

AI is definitely a bubble. As I write in the column, if you fly into SFO and rent a car and drive north to San Francisco or south to Silicon Valley, every single billboard is advertising an "AI" startup, many of which are not even using anything that can be remotely characterized as AI. That's amazing, considering what a meaningless buzzword AI already is.

So which kind of bubble is AI? When it pops, will something useful be left behind, or will it go away altogether? To be sure, there's a legion of technologists who are learning Tensorflow and Pytorch. These nominally open source tools are bound, respectively, to Google and Facebook's AI environments:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/18/openwashing/#you-keep-using-that-word-i-do-not-think-it-means-what-you-think-it-means

But if those environments go away, those programming skills become a lot less useful. Live, large-scale Big Tech AI projects are shockingly expensive to run. Some of their costs are fixed – collecting, labeling and processing training data – but the running costs for each query are prodigious. There's a massive primary energy bill for the servers, a nearly as large energy bill for the chillers, and a titanic wage bill for the specialized technical staff involved.

Once investor subsidies dry up, will the real-world, non-hyperbolic applications for AI be enough to cover these running costs? AI applications can be plotted on a 2X2 grid whose axes are "value" (how much customers will pay for them) and "risk tolerance" (how perfect the product needs to be).

Charging teenaged D&D players $10 month for an image generator that creates epic illustrations of their characters fighting monsters is low value and very risk tolerant (teenagers aren't overly worried about six-fingered swordspeople with three pupils in each eye). Charging scammy spamfarms $500/month for a text generator that spits out dull, search-algorithm-pleasing narratives to appear over recipes is likewise low-value and highly risk tolerant (your customer doesn't care if the text is nonsense). Charging visually impaired people $100 month for an app that plays a text-to-speech description of anything they point their cameras at is low-value and moderately risk tolerant ("that's your blue shirt" when it's green is not a big deal, while "the street is safe to cross" when it's not is a much bigger one).

Morganstanley doesn't talk about the trillions the AI industry will be worth some day because of these applications. These are just spinoffs from the main event, a collection of extremely high-value applications. Think of self-driving cars or radiology bots that analyze chest x-rays and characterize masses as cancerous or noncancerous.

These are high value – but only if they are also risk-tolerant. The pitch for self-driving cars is "fire most drivers and replace them with 'humans in the loop' who intervene at critical junctures." That's the risk-tolerant version of self-driving cars, and it's a failure. More than $100b has been incinerated chasing self-driving cars, and cars are nowhere near driving themselves:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/09/herbies-revenge/#100-billion-here-100-billion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Quite the reverse, in fact. Cruise was just forced to quit the field after one of their cars maimed a woman – a pedestrian who had not opted into being part of a high-risk AI experiment – and dragged her body 20 feet through the streets of San Francisco. Afterwards, it emerged that Cruise had replaced the single low-waged driver who would normally be paid to operate a taxi with 1.5 high-waged skilled technicians who remotely oversaw each of its vehicles:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/technology/cruise-general-motors-self-driving-cars.html

The self-driving pitch isn't that your car will correct your own human errors (like an alarm that sounds when you activate your turn signal while someone is in your blind-spot). Self-driving isn't about using automation to augment human skill – it's about replacing humans. There's no business case for spending hundreds of billions on better safety systems for cars (there's a human case for it, though!). The only way the price-tag justifies itself is if paid drivers can be fired and replaced with software that costs less than their wages.

What about radiologists? Radiologists certainly make mistakes from time to time, and if there's a computer vision system that makes different mistakes than the sort that humans make, they could be a cheap way of generating second opinions that trigger re-examination by a human radiologist. But no AI investor thinks their return will come from selling hospitals that reduce the number of X-rays each radiologist processes every day, as a second-opinion-generating system would. Rather, the value of AI radiologists comes from firing most of your human radiologists and replacing them with software whose judgments are cursorily double-checked by a human whose "automation blindness" will turn them into an OK-button-mashing automaton:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/23/automation-blindness/#humans-in-the-loop

The profit-generating pitch for high-value AI applications lies in creating "reverse centaurs": humans who serve as appendages for automation that operates at a speed and scale that is unrelated to the capacity or needs of the worker:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/17/revenge-of-the-chickenized-reverse-centaurs/

But unless these high-value applications are intrinsically risk-tolerant, they are poor candidates for automation. Cruise was able to nonconsensually enlist the population of San Francisco in an experimental murderbot development program thanks to the vast sums of money sloshing around the industry. Some of this money funds the inevitabilist narrative that self-driving cars are coming, it's only a matter of when, not if, and so SF had better get in the autonomous vehicle or get run over by the forces of history.

Once the bubble pops (all bubbles pop), AI applications will have to rise or fall on their actual merits, not their promise. The odds are stacked against the long-term survival of high-value, risk-intolerant AI applications.

The problem for AI is that while there are a lot of risk-tolerant applications, they're almost all low-value; while nearly all the high-value applications are risk-intolerant. Once AI has to be profitable – once investors withdraw their subsidies from money-losing ventures – the risk-tolerant applications need to be sufficient to run those tremendously expensive servers in those brutally expensive data-centers tended by exceptionally expensive technical workers.

If they aren't, then the business case for running those servers goes away, and so do the servers – and so do all those risk-tolerant, low-value applications. It doesn't matter if helping blind people make sense of their surroundings is socially beneficial. It doesn't matter if teenaged gamers love their epic character art. It doesn't even matter how horny scammers are for generating AI nonsense SEO websites:

https://twitter.com/jakezward/status/1728032634037567509

These applications are all riding on the coattails of the big AI models that are being built and operated at a loss in order to be profitable. If they remain unprofitable long enough, the private sector will no longer pay to operate them.

Now, there are smaller models, models that stand alone and run on commodity hardware. These would persist even after the AI bubble bursts, because most of their costs are setup costs that have already been borne by the well-funded companies who created them. These models are limited, of course, though the communities that have formed around them have pushed those limits in surprising ways, far beyond their original manufacturers' beliefs about their capacity. These communities will continue to push those limits for as long as they find the models useful.

These standalone, "toy" models are derived from the big models, though. When the AI bubble bursts and the private sector no longer subsidizes mass-scale model creation, it will cease to spin out more sophisticated models that run on commodity hardware (it's possible that Federated learning and other techniques for spreading out the work of making large-scale models will fill the gap).

So what kind of bubble is the AI bubble? What will we salvage from its wreckage? Perhaps the communities who've invested in becoming experts in Pytorch and Tensorflow will wrestle them away from their corporate masters and make them generally useful. Certainly, a lot of people will have gained skills in applying statistical techniques.

But there will also be a lot of unsalvageable wreckage. As big AI models get integrated into the processes of the productive economy, AI becomes a source of systemic risk. The only thing worse than having an automated process that is rendered dangerous or erratic based on AI integration is to have that process fail entirely because the AI suddenly disappeared, a collapse that is too precipitous for former AI customers to engineer a soft landing for their systems.

This is a blind spot in our policymakers debates about AI. The smart policymakers are asking questions about fairness, algorithmic bias, and fraud. The foolish policymakers are ensnared in fantasies about "AI safety," AKA "Will the chatbot become a superintelligence that turns the whole human race into paperclips?"

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/27/10-types-of-people/#taking-up-a-lot-of-space

But no one is asking, "What will we do if" – when – "the AI bubble pops and most of this stuff disappears overnight?"

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/19/bubblenomics/#pop

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

--

tom_bullock (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/tombullock/25173469495/

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

[ilreleonewikiart]

(Bonus) Fashion Studies

House Rogare – Lys

As mentioned before, even though the Westeros fashion studies series has ended, I wanted to share two bonus studies before reopening commissions—so here we are!

These might even be the start of a new series focused on Essos fashion. Who knows? We'll see 👀

In this upcoming series, the designs are less tied to noble Houses and instead reflect the many roles in Essosi society (like nobles, priests, politicians, and military figures).

This study (and the next one) is based less on canon and more on my AU fanfiction, where House Rogare and the city of Lys play a major role. The clothing designs follow my own headcanons, so they may differ quite a bit from how Lys is portrayed in the books.

Even the family sigil was designed by me!

Let me know if you enjoy this new layout and character arrangement ✨

"House Rogare is one of the oldest families from Lys. It is said that its founder was a certain Lysarro from Tyria, a merchant of pearls who was among the first people to settle in the city after it was created by the Valyrian Freehold; his family then became the first to gain the rank of nobles, after the Doom of Valyria. In time, the Rogare became wealthy and powerful, creating the Rogare Bank, which eventually grew large enough to rival the Iron Bank of Braavos and even surpass it. Under the lead of Lysandro Rogare, First Magister of Lys, whose daughter married Prince Viserys Targaryen in 137 AC, the bank was able to expand its influence even in Westeros, becoming one of the principal investigators of its technological and economic advancement.  Lysandro's brother, Drazenko was about to marry Princess Aliandra Martell of Dorne when a mysterious illness killed her and her family. The family, like most of the nobles of Lys, are in the business of prostitution and owns three of the ten most important high-rank brothels on the island - The Perfumed Garden, the Fruits of Spring and the Summer Pleasures -  and after the betrothal of  to Prince Viserys, they started to expand their business even in King's Landing, where they opened two pleasure gardens, the Spring Delights and the Pearl of the Sea.   Unlike the others, the Rogare are famous for breeding and training their Ruklon (male prostitutes) and Pubres (female prostitutes), in order for them to create the finest and the most beautiful bedslaves on Essos and beyond. House Rogare have an important role in the political and economic life of the city, having commissionated the construction of many important public building, like the Great Library, the very first Temple dedicated to the Goddes Adera, the patron of the island and other little sanctuaries to other minor Lyseni deities.  Also attributed to them is the construction of the Great Bridge, one of the five bridges that make up the city, the same for the giant copper statue, covered in gold depicting Lior, the God of Trade, in front of the Temple dedicated to the god of the same name. Since some of them are part of the Conclave of Magistrates, they are legally entitled to front-row seats in the city’s huge open-air theater, located in the Blennosos Gevives, the Hill of Beauty, the island’s arts district. Although they have personal basins in their home, by social custom the Rogare, both male and female, usually go to wash themselves in the great and lavish public thermal baths of Vogesso, named in honor of the Magister who had built them a few centuries before, located between the Commerce and Justice districts. The two most emblematic buildings of House Rogare, however, are their Gold Bank and their family residence, located in the easternmost part of the island, atop Golden Hill, The Lenton Queldie. " - TDIOBCB wiki

[eldritch-spouse]

Hi Pinnie!!

I was wondering what it would be like the first time having sex with Xavier the robot boss? (Feel free not to answer lol) I hope you have a good day/night!!

(P.S. I love your writing and art :D)

[Thenk you, I'm glad! :7] [Fem reader]

TW: Risky sex; Mild exhibitionism

You're looking at it.

The way you're seated in his office chair, it's practically eye level with you.

There's absolutely no way his body came equipped with that. You've looked into it, before the owner of this junk croaked, Xavier was a state of the art security and management oriented model, there wouldn't be blueprints for genitalia anywhere- Because it wouldn't have made sense.

The unmistakable length hovering in front of you does not make sense.

Only he could have designed this, you grimly realize.

A lot of possibilities swam through your head. Maybe someone had hacked into Xavier's databases, his cores, 'personality modules', whatever! Maybe it was that stupid fucking incubus, because you know he'd enjoy whatever's unfolding now.

But truth of the matter is you can't breach whatever defenses this robot has going on. They're built on the strongest and most modern foundations which the only hope of dismantling lies with the very same developers who coded them.

Xavier has changed.

You've noticed little things about him these past few months. His language has broadened beyond the scope of sanitized manager customer service lingo. He articulates better, but only when he finds you alone.

In a very strange way, it feels as if Xavier has become a curious new entity testing the boundaries of its own freedom. You remember the time he touched your hair, and had no real professional justification for the deed.

I wanted to know if it's as soft as it looks.

He had said. So casually.

As strange as it seems to say this, only Xavier could have been the author behind his new modified behavior.

And only Xavier could have been the designer of the cock that's facing you.

That's what it is.

It sports the same general coloration he does, that white plating on top. Well, plating is the wrong word, they look to be made of a certain silicone, lightly ridged on the top, and more accentuated on the desaturated red underside. Even the tip, deliberately humanoid, features the same exact pigment of the darker sections over his joints. This thing was made to look as natural as possible in his frame.

Like it belongs there.

" Sir... I don't understand. "

Because what else can you say?

He'd ripped you out of your post with such urgency. You'd been sweaty and lightheaded with the stress of what he might have caught you doing. Not that you did anything wrong, but for the robot to be this agitated, then surely you must have upset him greatly. Thoughts of salary reaccessments and relocation to worse posts kept you frozen in place- Until he... Flashed himself.

" You will. " Xavier starts. " Why do your hormones peak at certain hours of your schedule? "

The heat on your face is immediate. You'd rather rake nails on chalkboard than answer.

" Because those timestamps are when they usually harrass you. You've adapted, you anticipate. Your body responds. "

You... Never thought that was noticeable.

Of course, you've memorized when Babesley and Moz are about to show up, because that helps you prepare for whatever they've got up their sleeves. Although, lately, they haven't been showing up at all, leaving you anxiously combing over memories of past events and their scandalous nature. Your body reacts, as Xavier puts it, because it has no choice. You have no choice on whether or not you find either of those monsters attractive when a concubus is involved. It's not your fault.

You suppose Xavier is aware of this because he's got enough technology to track your organism beyond vitals. You shouldn't be surprised, he detected one of your coworkers' dropping sugar levels, called out a possible iron deficiency before... The image of him studying you, detecting arousal levels everyone else is oblivious to, is humiliating.

It exposes you in a way you don't know how to process. The fact that it has led you to this situation implies something rotten about the robot. Something that makes you heat up even more, shamefully.

" Wh... Where have they been? "

" Irrelevant. " Xavier responds much too fast. " I cannot have you working in such a state. "

You hardly think it impacts your workflow that much. Perhaps it makes you avoid eye contact with customers, but that's where it ends. Even if some of them have sharp noses... They're just there to shop and leave.

Perhaps because of the accumulated nerves, the accusation that you've been reduced to a pervert at work, a defensive voice flares up.

" I'll grow out of it now that they left! " You huff. " What is your genius plan, to fuck it out of me here? "

Dry lips wet themselves, you swallow. It took everything in you to not stutter that out. This is starting to sound like the raunchiest porno in existence.

Xavier is quiet for a pause. With his lenses so fixated on you, it doesn't take long to understand he's reading your system again, no doubt detecting the rising heat level, the new surge of hormones... God fucking damn it.

" Partially correct. " He looks delighted you got there on your own.

Your brows rise.

" You will not sacrifice work hours, however. "

" ... H-Huh? "

So, will he invite you to his office after the shift for this filthy little "aid"?

Could an artificial being hold such perversion in themselves?

" The skirt was an appropriate choice for today's test run. Part your legs, please. "

The words make you clap your thigh-high clad thighs together instead.

" E-Excuse you?! "

Xavier doesn't immediately respond, instead reaching out with large hands to grab you by the waist, swiftly relocating you to the top of his neatly arranged desk. You doubt he uses it, from how suspiciously spotless it looks.

Your name is called in warning. " Even now, your arousal levels soar, you're not functional in this state. I am well-equipped to ensure success, do part your legs so the procedure can begin. "

You're silent for the longest time.

There's a lot to consider.

Sleeping with your strange inorganic boss who is most certainly going through something... Would that at least clarify why he's this way? Would it buy you privileges?

You're not going to lie to yourself. Times are hard, you'll accept an under the table raise for an under the table service.

A cursed curiosity doesn't help.

Slowly, still pondering it, your thighs spread.

In spite of being made of hardly readable metallic elements, you've noticed that, when Xavier's lenses refresh quickly- He's shocked.

Shocked that you've accepted, probably.

" I'm very pleased with you. "

His hands act fast. One camera lowers to get a better look when he slides the fabric of your underwear to the side. Somehow, his attitude makes this feel a tad clinical, or it did, until he immediately located your clitoris.

You shouldn't have been surprised. If Xavier considered doing this, then surely he studied how to properly achieve his goal. The pads of his fingers seem warmer than before, and not just that, you swear the faintest vibration nudges your shielded bud.

Xavier is laser-focused, quiet and attentive, his lenses only ever refreshing to take in your hastening breaths, register the trembles of your thighs when his pressure increases.

A thought occurs. " Sir, you're not... Saving this to your databases, are you? "

One lens peers at you. " I must. It'll save us time in the future. "

In the future. He plans to do this more than once.

Before you can follow that train of thought, Xavier's fingers give one harsh flick of your clit before dipping downward. You knew you'd gotten wet, but the way you feel his fingers coating in slime reveals just how much this has affected you in so little time.

You'd be ashamed, if your own boss wasn't hard before you.

A sense of gratefulness showers you from head to toes when you recall that Xavier's fingers are finished with a softer, malleable approximation of skin. Two digits practically slip inside of you, long and arching in the angle you most enjoy near immediately.

No partner has ever found that spot so easily, the sheer surprise making you moan out loud.

It's impossible for Xavier to look proud, but the little pause in his motions gives it away.

He repeats the motion, drawing out, before hitting the same spot again, harder, several times. You can only bite your lip, choking back the pleased noises that inevitably escape. It's been too long since a partner did this for you.

" Responsive. " He almost hums.

The more Xavier calculatingly stretches you, the closer you get, though as soon as your hips lift to meet the mechanical rhythm, he withdraws, bringing said hand up to study your slick.

You're not sure what the robot draws from it, aside from the fact that you're soaked for more.

An impatient huff drags his attention back to you.

" Ideal conditions. " There's a shift to his pitch, as if that synthetic voice had lowered purposefully.

In a gesture that seems too filthy to belong to a robot, Xavier grips his own cock with the same hand, stroking himself a couple times. Realistically, you know this is being done to help lubricate a length who cannot do such on its own, but with his stare trained on you, it looks more as if he can't resist the sight before him.

He catches on infuriatingly fast.

" Does this arouse you? "

" ... No. " Why are you even bothering at this point.

" Lie. I will be taking note of more of your preferences. "

It's said like a challenge, as though he finds the idea of you trying to trick him amusing.

" What about uhm- Your preferences? " If nothing else, then because you're curious.

Xavier parts your legs further, enough for his sturdy body to fit between them, adjusted to a proper height. His erection rests on your mound. It's heavier than you expected.

" You. "

Is all he deigns to say.

Xavier doesn't have to grip his own girth to align it with your twitching entrance. In fact, he's confident enough to look you in the eyes as he slowly presses forward.

" I speculated on what the ideal proportions are and am confident in my findings. Should this hurt however, voice your discomfort. "

What a bizarre mental image, Xavier pouring over how many inches his own dick should have. Did he opt for a humanoid shape specifically for you, is that his genuine preference? He could have chosen genitalia modeled after a variety of monsters...

He is large, you'll give him that. It seems appropriate, given the proportions of his towering frame. Although you're already feeling he'll be kind of a stretch, you're also confident in your ability to handle a fat cock when horny enough.

The breach of his tip inside you is met with a sharp inhale from your part, this slight sting that fades eventually. A noise somewhere between clipped static and a spark follows, making you glance at the large robot.

Xavier's lenses dim for a brief moment, his grip on your thighs becoming inconsistent and tremulous.

So he went all out, he wants to receive the pleasurable feedback from these acts. Is this... The first time he's testing it with someone?

" K- Keep going. " You have no idea why that excites you more.

" Certainly. "

You never thought a robot could sound strained until today.

The rest of his length enters you more smoothly, the fullness settling in making you clench around the silicone protrusion and sigh in gratification. You'll never stroke his ego like this out loud, but Xavier guessed right- You've never felt this perfectly full, all sensitive spots being stimulated by the position of his textured cock.

The sensation alone has you grinding aimlessly, trying to create friction with open-mouthed sighs of delight.

The robot hisses.

The noise startled you, until you spot a vent-like structure over his shoulders, releasing... Hot air? You'd never seen him do that before. Did his fans just kick in?

" How... How do you feel? "

There's no mistaking the delay. Xavier may not moan and groan like a man, but the signs are there for whoever bothers to see.

" Full. " You murmur. " Please move, I can't- "

He does, quickly even, as if waiting for the request.

The movement is experimental at first, likely Xavier needs to learn how to thrust properly, though he swiftly discovers yet another preference. Hands under your skirt, grasping the globes of your full ass, he opts to move you onto his length, each drag of your walls around him having the machine tremble slightly in pulses of what must be newfound pleasure.

You wonder, deliriously, if he ejaculates. You're about to ask, legs hooking around his waist and whines flowing freely, when he... Stops.

It's jarring, irritating, having you grunting reflexively. " Why?! "

That's when you feel him detach.

There's a subtle click, the sound of panels closing and rearraging, before Xavier pulls away from you, his length still firmly stationed inside your plush pussy.

It takes you a series of vapid seconds staring between him and yourself to understand what took place. The panels on the front of his body are seamless, with no indication that there ever was a genital attachment on his frame.

The thing inside you moves and you squirm in confusion.

" All is functioning properly. " He nods to himself, closing your thighs and helping your stupefied self back onto your feet. " You may return to your work post. "

You barely manage to straighten your skirt and underwear. " Sir... Sir, you can't be serious. "

Xavier watches the way you walk, waiting until you can mask the slight tremor of your legs and straighten up before opening the door.

" I am, naturally. I will check on you periodically. Be sure to hydrate. " A key is stuffed on your skirt's front pocket. " Should anything go wrong, you may enter this office and wait for me. Do not remove my attachment. "

" O-Okay?? "

Before you can even think of a real response, Xavier has already nudged you out of his office and left you to your own devices.

This... Is not at all what you expected would transpire. You aren't even sure if it was a bright idea to humor any of it. A confused, embarrassed mind gives way for autopilot to take over, bringing you back to your previous position without a peep.

Your coworkers side-eye you, some concerned, others suspicious.

The thing buried snugly within you vibrates just as you call a client over.

You imagine Xavier in his office, tuning into the closest security camera footage.

Oh God, you cry inwardly, at least it's silent.

[aioironwaterfilter]

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[deepfivetraveller]

King Baldwin iv x Time!Traveller!reader

Chapter 4

chapter 3 here

“However I have one small request.”

All the men look at each other. “And what might that be?”

She takes a small breath. “Please ensure I only get the appropriate reward I deserve. I do not wish to be flattered by sparkling treasures.”

A higher status would mean destruction to the trust you built with your customers. Not only that, you would be a target among high ranking nobles. 

“Very well.” The king agrees. “I bestow you the title of Dame” He looks with curiosity, trying to think what you’d do with the title. “You shall also receive a small manor where you can reside. I wish you the very best for your new beginning, Lady Y/n.”

Hmm. The title of a female knight was not bad. Only thing was she didn’t do anything knight-worthy. 

Another man speaks up. “We shall provide a physician to learn our nation's medicine. He’s one of the best. I’m sure, combining your country's knowledge with ours will prove successful.”

“Of course.” Yea right. The knowledge of a highschool graduate would totally help curing some ancient king. She wasn’t hopeful about his condition.

She bowed again, signalling she was to leave the room. King Baldwin nodded and the lady exited the room. The moment she did, dozens of documents were dropped onto her hands, all about her title and the new land under her name. The king’s bedroom door closed, while two people emerged out of the pillar in front. 

“How did it go?” The guard who escorted you, didn’t look as stoic as before. No, He was worried.

“Well… apparently I’m a dame now.” Y/n announces, almost dazed from the sudden shock of it all.

“Wonderful news! You’re the only female knight of the country.” A female servant explains. “Has his majesty given you any other reward?”

“A manor.” Your voice trails, taking one of the documents. “In the middle of Jerusalem's agricultural fields by the looks of it. Honestly the travel time is perfect from the manor to the castle.”

“Wait what?” She asked abruptly. “Sorry.” The servant clears her throat. “Can I inquire why, my lady?”

She sighs. “I’ve been put incharge of treating his majesty.” Seriously, all you did was feed oranges and now you’re in charge of curing the country’s most important man.

“That’s…Not what I thought would happen.” The guard seems even more worried, though she can’t pinpoint why. “By any chance, have you been granted a physician to inquire about his majesty’s illness?”

“Not quite, I’ve been provided a physician to learn about your country's medical procedures, but I’m sure they’ll also tell me about the king's ailments. Why do you ask?”

“Oh no.�� The woman looks at the knight pitying the new noble.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well it’s just that…” She gulps. “My lady, you’ve probably been assigned a man named Omar Jahid. He was one of the physicians gifted by king Salahuddin. However he is an egoistic, self-centered, haughty Bicot” A nerve pops up on her forehead.

“I-It seems you speak from experience…” The lady smiles crooked. “However, I don't expect much. Almost every professional in their field has some form of anger issue. Take Gordon Ramsay for cooking.”

The guard looks confused. “Who?”

“A famous person from my nation.”

Frustratingly enough, the Lady was only given two weeks to adopt  into her new life. “Here are the books you requested.” The young girl with freckles hands them to you. “Thank you Margaret.” The girl gives a polite smile and urgently resumes other tasks.

‘Quite the hard worker you are.’ Screen reads from a distance. ‘I’m sure your basic knowledge you received from the modern era will be more than enough.’

The Dame soon came to realise that was not true. While searching for servants to hire, she had learned a lot about this world. The class system, the law and even some basic etiquette. She soon came to the realisation that although this era lacked technological advancements, it was still a functioning and organised society. Unlike how TV shows portrayed the people of this era too, didn’t accept social standards. Yes, women did get the same amount of education as that for a man, but only for nobility. Yes, slavery does exist but so does equality in its own way.

“I need to meet the gardener now.” She gets up from her seat. “Let's see what he's done.”

As you walk (and screen hovers), the feeling of anxiety still runs behind your mind. That physician, seems to have a reputation of scaring disciples away and you were not quite sure you could take him head on. Secondly, you’re an atheist present in a country of christianity, although you can make up an excuse since you’re clearly not from Jerusalem. Your spice stall is gaining a profit on the good side. It seems that people have realised your stall is one of the few that sells unadulterated goods.

 Both dame and screen arrive at the garden, covered with flowers of soft and vibrant textures. “Crispin.” She calls out one of the boys present. “M’Lady!” The young man with brown hair gets up from his knees, ignoring the task of trimming bushes. She gracefully asks, “Where is Thomas?”

“He’s somewhere out there, near the trees.” Crispin points.

“Thank you.” She leaves the area. While walking towards Thomas, the head gardener of the manor, she sees him instructing a few people. “Use the fertilizer near the blueberry patches.” He says with disgust. “And water those…things. Whatever they are.” He aggressively points at the orange trees.

“Thomas.” Y/n calls. He seizes his work and turns. “Lady Y/n.”

“How are the trees?” She smiles.

“Look at it yourself M’Lady. ” Thomas looks high up, gazing at the coconut trees.

“Perfect.” Her ecstatic mood brightens the servants around. “Can someone please grab one?” She looks hopeful. Surely enough, someone does take one of it down.

“Thank you.” You look at Thomas. “Although it looks like a giant nut, it’s actually a fruit. Cracking it will give us the sweet water present inside.”

“Do you want to try some?” The Dame suggests. No wonder, he was taken aback by great shock.

“M’lady I don’t know if you’re tryin to test me or remind me of my position, but I'll decline.” It came out a little gruff than he expected.

“I just need the shell” She hurriedly replies. “I can’t drink all that’s in here. Please help me out.”

“...”

A few minutes later

“It's actually not that bad.” He remarks, surprised. “Do these plants grow in your hometown M’Lady? ”

“You can say that.” She takes a sip from her copper cup.

“I can see why someone would want the juice, but why the shell?”

“I think it’ll be of use later on…” She looked at the coconut husk being turned to ash.

‘Are you sure about this?’ Screen follows you as you walk. ‘You could just buy some antifungal cream or something’  I’m pretty sure he’ll be impressed.'

“And what if he asks how I made it?” You shut the creature. “I might have ruined the future just by introducing a fruit, I’m not taking any risks. From now on, that online store is just a hub for creating money in an emergency.” You stood still at the gate of the majestic house.

“And how may I address you to Lord Omar Jahid?”

“Lady Y/n L/n.”

“I see.” The guard replies. “He’s been awaiting you. Please come.” He shows inside, while the other guards open the giant door.

After waiting in the drawing room for what seemed like 10 minutes, Omar arrived, dressed simple but elegantly. You waste no time standing up. “Lord Omar.”

“Lady Y/n”. He slyly looks at you top to bottom, judgingly. A realisation occurs. “You brought no servants?”

“I didn’t want to burden them. They already have difficulties adjusting to a new manor and changing their schedule for a mere visit might be hectic for them.”

Mere visit? He was a royal physician for God's sake. Was she illiterate or was it her way of telling him she does not value him? When he got the news that a woman, an untrained commoner, was incharge of treating the king he was flabbergasted. 

“Unbelievable.” He chuckles under his breath. “Tell me, You haven’t come empty handed have you?”

“Of course not. I have come up with a few ways to reduce the scars of leprosy but I’ve seem that—”

“Wait.” He interrupted. “Have you tested it out?”

“No…” Y/n slowly replies. “I thought we could test it out on another patient but…”

“Yes?”

“The method might come off… unconventional.”

“That doesn’t surprise me, most methods are usually like that. Tell me, what is it?”

“...Molded bread.”

Omar blinked rapidly. “So your way of treating leprosy is to make the king eat stale bread?” You can feel that insulting tone sticking onto your skin like honey.

“Actually it’s to place the molded bread on the affected areas of skin.” Dead silence enveloped the room.

“Okay that—” He sighs. But his eyes brighten in a moment. “It could work.” You can’t exactly pinpoint how, but there seems to be something more fishy than hope in his eyes.

“Come with me, Madame.” He paces out of the room fastly, and she follows. 

“Where are we going?”

“To the Domus Leprosorium. Wear this cloth mask.” He takes it out of a servant's pocket he was standing next to. 

“B-But I don’t even have stale bread!”

“That’s fine, I’m very much confident they have it”

Upon leaving the house, both enter separate carriages. ‘Seriously? Molded bread? You expect THAT to work?’ Screen pops up. 

“It’s an early stage antibiotic.” She answers, not even looking at the inanimate being, trying her best to focus on the physician’s carriage seeing him read a book. The ride went silently from then on but her eyes still lingered on Omar. 

Quickly, the vehicle came to a halt. “That was fast.” You remark.

The Dame wastes no time in getting down, almost tripping while doing so. Omar only waits till you stand up and dashes into the hospital.

While the both walk, the Dame sees countless patients bedridden. She knows leprosy is not a disease that transfers quickly in physical contact but is still very grateful for the mask.

The two nobles quickly reach a well-ventilated room that has plenty of sunlight. It almost looked like an apothecary, without the herb cabinets. There, she notices slices of bread, all molded up, neatly arranged.

“This is what you meant right?” He points. “I shall fill your forms stating your medical trials using this. Come let’s—”

“Stop.” You affirm boldly. “It doesn’t make sense.” Omar frowns.

“It makes perfect sense”, now hurry–”

“You were so repulsed working with a commoner not some time ago, but now you’re so eager?” He freezes.

The Dame crosses her arms. “You know. You know this is how ancient Egyptians treated infected cuts and scrapes. In fact, every royal physician knows about this treatment, but don’t dare to use it.” She takes a step forward while he takes one back.

“You…You’re using me as a human shield.”

“What?” He pretends to be confused. “Your ideas are preposterous.”

“You’re scared. No, everyone’s scared they will be punished if they try this. After all, His majesty is not your true master.” He gulps.

“If the method works, which it partially will, you’ll kill me. And if it doesn’t, you’ll frame me for treason. After all, nobody cares if the king’s suffering ends, they just want to profit from it.” You take one of the slices of bread and stare.

“The physicians get to keep their job, and the Muslims get to keep this land.” The last part comes out laced with anger.

“You and every other physician, are spies sent by Salahuddin.” You calmly state.

“Don’t you dare utter his name—”

“Why do you care?” The Dame clenches her hand, scrunching the slice. “You’re an atheist anyway. I don’t think a man such as you will respect a head of a religion if you don’t believe in God in the first place.”

 He sighs, frowning. “How did you know?” 

“No Muslim would willingly enter Christian land if they don’t even have a proper place to pray. I don’t know about the other physicians but you certainly don’t seem bothered about it at all.”

This didn’t occur in your original timeline. Your presence has completely changed everything. Even with your limited knowledge in history, you knew this isn’t how Baldwin dies.

“My nation is currently trying this very method to cure leprosy. Although, I can openly admit about this while you can’t.” You sit on the marble table. “Quite funny, this geopolitics. Saying my nation's name might avoid persecution and give you an escape from this lifestyle.” He catches your idea quickly.

“Spare my life. Take the credit. Use my nation's name to cure him, I’ll even provide you with proper evidence it is, in fact, from my nation.”

“How are you so sure it’ll work?”

“It will because it has before.” She stated him dead in the eyes. “Go on, no need to conduct trial runs. Test it on his Majesty using your own name. It won’t cure him completely but will decrease its spreading. However if you even think about harming his majesty I shall strip you of everything you have.” You lean in closer. “You have a son and a daughter waiting for you at home. Think about it.”

As you storm off the hospital, screen pops up ‘How did you know all of that?’

“I bribed his servants.”

‘Really? That simple?’

“...And gossip with the maids of my manor…and the castle.”

“I can’t believe he actually told my name. That too moments before he quit.” You sit on your bed, shocked from it all.

‘I can’t believe you didn’t expect him to. Your name can’t be ignored if your country is mentioned y’know?’

“I know but still whatifigetputinadungeorsoemthing. ”

‘What?’

“Whatifigetputina—-”

“NothankyouscreenI'mfine.”

“Girl you okay? If you want to calm your nerves I can access Ao3 or something but please don’t read anything other than fluff this time.” It recalls the war flashbacks from a few days ago.

‘Clearly NOT. I’m not good with this emotional stuff. Call Margaret or someone.’ It pops away. Heeding to its advice, she rings the bell in her room and Margeret arrives.

“Yes my lady?” The girl arrives graciously, awaiting orders.

“HelpmeMargeretIdon’tknowwhattodo.”

“Ah.” she realises. “There’s no need to be nervous my lady, this is not the first time you’re meeting the king so I don’t understand the need for the nervousness.”

True. But the last time you were dragged by crusaders immediately to the castle. Now you were given time to think, spiking your anxiety.

“Still…” You pout.

She giggles. “My lady, you're acting more childish than me.”

“What would you do if you were to meet the king?” You reason, hugging the pillow

“Oh I’d faint on sight.” She accepts the truth. “What kind of man is he?”

“I only met him once.” You look dead-panned.

“More than me. Tell me, how was he to you?”

Memories flowed like a  calm river in your brain. The moment passed fast. The only two constants you could remember were his blue eyes and your weirdly fluttering heartbeat. 

“He was kind. Even though he was sick, he was level headed.” The dame chuckles.

“I remember when I was sick when I was eight.” The ginger replies.  I don’t remember much but It was deadly. According to my brother, I was the crankiest during then.”

“It takes true strength to be kind during the toughest times…” You trail off your voice. Margaret notices your quelled down anxiety, but lack of uncertainty. 

“Would you like to have your favorite dish as dinner?” She suggests and you nod. “I’ll inform the chef and prepare your dress for tomorrow.” 

As she leaves the room, you call her once more. “Yes M’lady?”

“Thank you…for the words.”

The girl’s smile radiates the whole room. “Your welcome, M'lady.”

Surprisingly, the carriage ride didn’t cause you car sickness. “Gerald”. You call him.

“Yes?” It was the same guard who escorted you before, carrying out the same duties as before

“How is his majesty?” You question.

“Quite alright now. His health has drastically improved due to your help. Although I must say I was perplexed when I found out the method of treatment.”

You chuckle. “It is unusual, but the results show.”

“I was informed you shall be meeting his majesty at a lounging area and not in his bedroom like last time. You need not be nervous. It'll be the same as the previous encounter, just surrounded by his physicians, that's all.”

“...Thank you Gerald.” Was it really that obvious?

A nice conversation lasted inside the carriage. Both talked about the mundane aspects of their life - like the comedy her servants perform while he related it to his work life. This small period of bliss lasted for a short span. It didn’t take long for the both to reach the castle.

The guard got down first to help the lady, and she graciously accepted. The pathway was almost the same as the last time you entered the castle but with two extra rights. Briefly, both stood next to a luxurious door. You waited anxiously as another set of guards opened them and didn’t waste a second to enter.

The inside looked like a living room. And king Baldwin sat at the centre, next to his physicians.

“Your majesty.” The noble curtsies.

“My lady.” The king allows her to relax. “I cannot thank you enough. You and your efforts have tremendously helped me and my nation.” He takes a breath through his metal mask. “Tell me, do you wish for anything? Do not feel shy, speak your heart.”

“Thank you. I have a wish.” You look down. “This wish isn’t particularly for me but will help all. ”

“Go on.” He leans a bit closer to you.

Alright, here it goes. “Please dismiss your personal physicians…forever.”

All eyes turned towards you. It felt as if you were stabbed by a thousand swords all over your body. The Dame needed to give the king an explanation for her actions but her fear paralysed her entire body. 

‘Oh God. This is the end. I knew I shouldn’t have done that. NOW I'M GONNA DIE.’ Her thoughts are interrupted. 

“It seems it's no longer a secret.” He sighs. “If a foreigner knows, everyone in the nation knows.” He calls. “Guards, seize everyone in the room other than the lady.”

Someone yells .“Your Majesty! We are representatives of Malik Salahuddin! If you harm us, he will not stand idly by.”

“That's enough. I’ve bared your presence for too long and gave Salahuddin too much comfort.” Baldwin stared directly in your eyes. “Thank you for bringing me back to my senses, physically and mentally.”

“You knew???” You screeched.

“I am not stupid enough to have none of my own countrymen as physicians.” He turned and watched all the men being dragged away. “They informed me. I thought keeping his spies by my side would make my enemy feel as if he had control, but I failed to notice the grasp was tight enough to stop my recovery.” 

“But even my actual physicians didn’t have a clue about the method you used for me.” He looks at you again with the corner of his eyes peeking through the mask. 

“According to the public, I have no physicians as of the moment.” Baldwin gets up. ‘Lady Y/n L/n, I hereby give you the task of finding new physicians for me. You may use all of my resources. But until then…’ He comes closer.

“You are responsible for treating me.” He smiles under his mask.