#ltfs include

[fanboyzuko]

Prompt: Bun Ma briefing the first crew before their transfer.

Countdown to LTF's return: 8 days!

Ooooooh gurl how I had to resist chatting to you when I came up with this idea bc I wanted it to be a fun little surprise. 🤭 Enjoy <33

The door to the interim barracks burst open, and in walked Bun Ma with a regulation bag for personal belongings stuffed to capacity. Hifumi paused mid-sentence in her conversation with Nari, who turned around to follow Hifumi’s shocked stare.

Of all the possible outcomes from the commotion last night, this was something Hifumi never considered. This wasn’t some sort of unfortunate mistake; this was Zuko’s choice.

“Captain, I’m just going to-” Nari half-stood, waiting for permission to abandon her superior in favor of harassing her friend, who was already disappearing with Ju Long before anyone could bombard her with questions.

Hifumi waved Nari off. “I’m curious as well.”

No further words were needed. Nari beelined out the doors after her friend. A pained yelp carried through the doors before the slammed shut behind the three.

Zhen plopped down next to Hifumi, wearing a bemused expression. “How much you wanna wager this was Bun Ma’s idea?”

“I’m not betting anything on the obvious,” Hifumi said, rolling her eyes.

“You’re no fun,” Zhen grumbled, leaving Hifumi to corner Shen instead. Why she hadn’t started her wagers with him was beyond Hifumi.

There wasn’t much time for a decent pool to start before Bun Ma’s little group returned. Nari had a thoughtful expression as she gathered the majority of her department. She said something to them, then returned to Hifumi as if nothing was amiss. Ju Long scurried over to Koji and started frantically whispering to him, which wasn’t all off from him. 

“What’s-” Hifumi started to ask once Nari was seated again, but was interrupted by Bun Ma climbing on top of a table.

“Attention Sazanamites! As you can see, I am here. There was a mistake with the initial paperwork,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows as she stressed mistake. “Seems Captain Asshole realized he forgot Princey’s bestest friend. Very tragic. He and I are very upset. Devastated. Never saw this coming.”

“Just keep talking, Bun Ma,” Shen heckled. “I’m not sure I believe you yet.”

“Hey, Shen,” Bun Ma cheerily smiled and flipped him off.

The few poor souls who happened to be waiting for their new assignments at the same time as the mass Sazanami transfer watched the spectacle in varying degrees of shock and horror. Quite a few glanced Hifumi’s way, having figured out she was the highest ranking in the room the night before.

“Get down,” Hifumi sighed. “Are we soldiers or children?”

Bun Ma saluted her mockingly and hopped down from the table. She immediately lost her balance, hopped a few steps in an attempt to catch it, then crashed into a few of her crewmates instead. The groans and curses soon overshadowed Bun Ma’s suspicious announcement.

Hifumi figured that was the end of it. Whatever scheme the kids had come up with, it didn’t involve her. But then Bun Ma extricated herself from her peers and bounded up to Hifumi with a grin.

“Hey, Cap, since we’re about to part ways forever and all, what do you say to treating your favorite seaman to breakfast in town?”

“Absolutely n-”

Nari threw her arm around Hifumi’s shoulders casually, as if it was perfectly normal behavior. “Oh, Captain, that sounds like a great idea. Treat your favorite ensign, too.”

Ah. So they were including Hifumi in their scheme. From the slight pinch in Nari’s eyes, she had not agreed to this particular tactic to pull Hifumi aside. That was on her for allowing Bun Ma to take charge. Biting back a laugh, Hifumi took pity on her favorite and only weapons’ head.

“Very well. I saw a cafe that looked worth trying the other day.”

Several hours and many, many pots of tea later, Hifumi had a full understanding of everything their young prince had discovered and kept secret until his friends confronted him. While Hifumi needed longer to dissect her thoughts about the war and her nation’s lies, there was one thing she was certain of:

Hifumi would support Prince Zuko. If he wanted to end the war, she had no qualms sharing his goal. She didn’t care about the Fire Nation’s victory anymore—she hadn’t ever since she lost her child. And she knew exactly which crew members would join them in supporting Prince Zuko, the reason Bun Ma and Nari pulled her aside before anyone else.

Zhao had made a grave error dispersing a crew full of deserters and the treasonous who’d found a new purpose in the young, banished prince.

“I am concerned as to how we’ll organize when the time comes,” Hifumi mused, swirling the dredges of tea in her cup.

Nari nodded. “I had the same thought. Not to mention who knows what other radical ideals the kid will pick up by the time he’s ready to challenge his father.”

Bun Ma’s grin did not falter as they expressed their concerns. She leaned forward and clacked a round tile in the center of their table. It looked suspiciously like a pai sho tile, in fact it looked a lot like a rare tile General Iroh preferred.

“Well, ladies-”

“We are not on that level of informality, Seaman.”

“Ugh, well, friend and Cap,” Bun Ma tapped the pai sho tile with her finger. “Dearest uncle happened to induct me into some sort of international secret society he’s been a part of for who knows how long. While no one else can write in or else I’ll be exposed for sharing the secret, everyone can keep up with whatever makes it in the bulletins from me and Uncle.

Nari said the thought going through Hifumi’s mind, “The general trusted you with this?!”

“I know right?!” Bun Ma threw her head back and cackled gleefully.

Hifumi could not begin to fathom General Iroh’s reasoning, but it worked out in their favor this time around. She picked up the lotus tile and inspected it. “How many of these do you think you can acquire before everyone is sent out to their new locations?”

Bun Mu smirked. “I’m resourceful. How many are we gonna need, Cap?

A slow, sly smile pulled at Hifumi’s lips. “Enough to give merit to our highest superior's concerns about his son gaining a political standing.”

[n7punk]

2024 Writing Wrapped

Buckle your asses in because this is a long one (when has it ever been a short one)

Stats:

Fics posted this year: 32 (it honestly feels like way more)

AUs: 25 Canon: 7

Updates (chapters, one-shots, etc): 97 (damn I thought that was higher too lol but that's an average of posting every 3.14 days for the 10 months I wasn't on hiatus and and posting 1.87 times a week if you include my hiatus period, and my goal this year was to hopefully update 1.5-2x a week on average, so that goal was definitely met!)

Total word count: 600,179 (my goal was 600k and I got it in with only a few hours left)

AUs: 400,695 Canon: 41,235

Fandom events: 4! (Big Bang, Sapphic September, AU-ctober, Sheratober)

Novels: 1

Personal projects: 2 (misc)

Writing streak: 730* days

I haven't actually written every day in there, I have a couple of rest days thrown in that I only allow myself if there are extenuating circumstances (power outage, sick, etc) where I give myself a word count of 0 because my counter still picks that up as writing. Having this streak is extremely motivating to me so it's worth the "inaccuracies" to have it force me to write on the days I normally wouldn't because I don't want to break it. Removing the freebie days from this year, they're 6, and going back to 2023 it looks like I had 1 since the streak started, so the "real" count is 723. When I port over my streak to next year I'll use the reduced number so it will be more "accurate". I want to keep those freebies in the single digits every year and I'm happy with that.

Retrospective:

1% of Catradora fics!!

that's how I started the year, posting 'stardust, glitter, and love', which let 'freak occurrence: confluence' become my 117th Catradora fic that took me to 1% of the tag (as of writing this I'm 1.17% even after taking nearly two months off lmao). This was a huge goal of mine I was honestly hoping to hit at the end of last year, but kicking the new year off with it was great too.

In late January/February I was working on EtB(LtF), but I got a little ahead and as I was slowly posting the final chapters, I also joined my first fandom event EVER! and wrote Lightbeam for the Big Bang.

The Big Bang was so fun. I want to shout out karo-lynn again for the absolutely GORGEOUS art that went above and beyond with multiple illustrations. Kitten Catra is soooo cute and the way the glowing effects came out is just 🤩 Getting to do Lightbeam for the Big Bang was really great because it was a "milestone" event for the 4th anniversary and the fic I got to write for it was almost a follow-up to my "milestone" fic because they were the only couple in freak occurrence: confluence that hadn't had their "home universe" fic come out, and Lightbeam was the genesis of a long-standing idea (kinda headcanonish) about Adora being the goddess of Etheria that I had, so thank you so much to Tippenfunkaport for arranging it because the final fic and art means so much to me <3 (and also even if I'm still working my way through them, there were a lot of good other fics that came out of it I loved reading!)

To my memory, February/March was a little slower working on MMaM and SYE, but I went a little crazy with OLIG in April/May and had so much fun on that project. I really, really needed it. I'm not going to get into it, but with stuff that happened in my family... this was honestly one of the scariest years of my life. I was trying to figure out why I have vague negativity associated with the OLIG project and then I remembered what was happening around then and realized it had nothing to do with the project itself and in fact that was the only thing that kept me sane. That's probably why I was having one of my troughs in mid/late-May through July. Everything I picked up after OLIG/the Big Bang I just couldn't spark my interest the same and I was tired, but I eventually settled on Slipstream and slowly wrote that for... ages. But I don't want to make it sound like I was depressed that whole time. March-June were really hard, but the main reason I didn't write much in July was actually because I was having so much fun, because I got to meet up with a bunch of friends IRL for almost two weeks. It was so incredible and ugh, I'm committed to making a meetup happen again because I miss them so much.

I think I finally finished Slipstream in August, and that's when it happened. I saw the Sapphic September prompts. I already did individual retros on Sapphic September and Sheratober/AU-ctober, but needless to say: I went fucking insane. The unhinged era returned. And I had a fucking blast. I do want to do more fandom events in the future, but we'll get to that in the future plans section.

I will say, after those events, I honestly felt a little tapped for solid fic ideas. So like, I have a list of 7 ideas I'm interested in (and 1 WIP I'll try to finish and post in January), but I have no thoughts for an actual plot for those 7, it's literally just a tagline, like "Wedding Crashers AU" and that's it (using What a Beautiful Wedding as an example). So there's something there but plot calling to me. The Catradora whirlwind combined with future plans I'll get into later (I promise I'm not going to keep saying that) motivated me to finally pickup my novels again as my next project after the month was over.

I also did something new this year and wrote fanfics without the intention to publish them at any point. I talked about how I lied to myself I wouldn't do it with SB,WCFM to make me start it but lowkey knew the whole time I was going to. That wasn't the case with these other two. One I knew would be bad and had no interest in making good, and the other was for my OCs. For both I wrote 10k in one day. And it was bad. But it was also good. It felt good and the quality or missing scenes didn't matter since no one but me would ever read them. I'm not going to make this a "habit" but I'm definitely open to doing it again, especially for my OCs lol. And though one day I would love to turn them into published characters, I think there's some kind of conflict of interest issues or something with me posting fic of them on the internet, so they will probably continue to stay just for me, but hey, let's talk about novels!

Novels: Oh My God What The Fuck is NaNo Doing

Alright. So, if you don't know, NaNoWriMo used to be a huge thing for me. I won it 4 years straight 2012-2016, and picked it back up in 2020 when I got into writing again because of Catradora. In 2020 I just did a collection of fanfic for it (SLAS/OTOS/misc), and in 2021 I did my first original novel since 2016 in it. When 2022 came around I was burnt out from writing a whole novel that year already, revising the one from NaNo, and trying and failing to start a third novel that summer, so I didn't do NaNo. And, uh. Well. In 2023 there was no way I was finishing even a fanfic project at 50k with adjusting to my new job, so I ignored it.

And can I say, what the fuck. Shit went down. If you don't know, there are plenty of rundown posts and like a 2 hour video essay on it. It's fucking insane. A lot of people lost the motivation to participate, and thus the motivation to write at all for some of them. Not me. I got these emails throughout the year begging and pleading they've changed and it made me actually consider writing a novel on my own - outside of Nano - for the first time in 2 years. I hit my stride and was feeling really high during Sapphic September and was like you know what I can actually do this, and god knows NaNo is continuing to pull garbage every day to keep that motivation up. Once I knew I was doing the events for October I thought it was perfect to do those two theme months and then take a break for my novel on my own.

I now have a week to finish the last two chapters by the end of the year (my goal) and I swear to god I'm going to do it. I'm at almost 90k (I know, I'll trim it in revisions, y'all know how I am). My Novelember 2024 retro post has more details on how that has been going. I just hit a run of writers block over ONE SCENE, but I'm past it now and hopefully these last two chapters will be fast. That's like 3 days each I should be able to do that.

And then... let's talk about

Future Plans:

For the first part of January, I'm actually going to be working on outlining a second draft for that novel I wrote back in 2021. It's a sister book to this one so I want to get it to a stronger place. I do want to finish and post the one Catradora WIP I have tho (brace yourselves it's very stupid). Once the Femslash February prompts go up, I'll start working on those and posting throughout February. I miiiiiiiighht do the Big Bang again if I have an idea I think will be long enough and "cinematic" enough for art. I know I'm going to be super busy 2025-2026 (doing a training course for work 6 hours a week this spring, probably changing roles in the summer, hopefully going full-time in winter of 2025/2026, definitely moving in 2026 and maybe doing a smaller move in summer 2025, etc) so I'm trying to be realistic about what I have time for while also trying to set myself up to hit my big goals anyway because I'm honestly so scared to go full-time because I worry I won't have any motivation or time to write. After the last year and a half of letting my novels languish I'm really concerned I'll never write them if I'm fighting through the difficulty of a full-time job while disabled too, so I want to set myself up for success with being ready to query by then because if I had an actual agent/book deal I think it would keep me motivated (or at least force me to work on them lol) and I want to get these novel out there, the characters are super important to me and the thought of never trying is horrifying.

My big goals for next year are this:

Participate in Femslash February of course, hopefully for at least 20 prompts, though I'd love to do them all if they're good ones for me (After February, I'll either work on Big Bang fic - which means I won't be posting anything - or I'll go back to revising novels).

Participate in one more writing/fandom event (whether it ends of being the Big Bang or something else like Sheratober).

Update/post fic at least 32 times (usually my goal is 1-2x a week, but I'm probably going to be on hiatus working on novels for a few months, so I'm kind of halving 52 weeks and then adding a bit more to it for this goal, hopefully I actually still end up with a weekly "average" but I don't want to set up myself for disappointment).

Revise my novel from 2022 at least once.

Get one novel to the state where it's ready to query by the fall (probably requiring 2-3 revisions, unsure if it will by my current novel or the 2022 one yet).

That's all I can think of right now, but I do want to end as I always do with my thank you for reading because without y'all I don't think I ever would have gotten the confidence to actually pursue publishing but all your kind comments and messages have really changed my life and helped with my imposter syndrome so much <3 Ignoring the confidence thing, I would not have written as much as I do with the motivation I do without those comments, so thank you so much 💖

[accidentally-in-fictional-love]

Fucked / Up - Matty/Johnson [REVISED EDITION!]

Warnings: Pre-canon and canon-typical violence, as well as some OCs and an expanded existing character for world building. Friends to lovers, slowburn, pining, handjobs, exhibitionism, masturbation, blowjobs, anal fingering, coming untouched, dirty talk, overstimulation, rimming, mutual masturbation, multiple orgasms, light bondage, anal sex, semi-public sex, keeping quiet, car sex, frottage, angst, rough sex, hair-pulling, aftercare, grinding, face-fucking, edging, fluff, domestic bliss.

New total wordcount: 81233 (old was ~48k)

Summary: After a long, stressful day, most people liked to get fucked up. Thanks to Johnson's sudden proposition on the night of his 5th year as a Phoenix, Matty was learning that he just liked to get fucked.

Aka, the ten times the two Phoenixes got together over the course of a year as Matty slowly figured out just what the tattoo on his neck truly meant to him.

Read it here ❤️💙

This fic has been fully revised! It took me all week but I just finished it, and it now has over 33k of new stuff from me changing sentences I didn't like, fixing some stuff up, adjusting things now that I know them better and LtF is done, basic stuff like that. But there's also a ton more in here as well, including new scenes I wanted to add as I went, extended existing scenes, and a lot of varying TLC given to the smut, seeing as that was the entire reason I made this fic and got so into this ship and this world to begin with. If you enjoyed the original version a year ago, I hope you give this revised edition a shot if you feel like revisiting it, this series has been my whole world for over a year and I'm so glad that I was able to bring this much back into it even though I was so sure it was done and I'd never reach 50k. I love it and this whole series so much, but if you'll excuse me, I need to sleep for a week nsdkfkssd

[the-perpetual-minutes]

Liminal Sex & Gender

Bvaneim widely recognize a third sex known as liminal sex, with associated gender roles. Though non-Bvanu cultures often consider liminal people intersex, Bvanu culture does not, as the Bvanu concept of endosex is trinary, including male, female, and liminal. The physiology described by this third sex is not exclusive to the Bvanu People (though it may or may not be more common; whether this is the case is highly speculative & hotly debated), it is just not as widely recognized outside Bvanu culture, and when it is, terminology besides liminal may be used.

Liminal individuals are much rarer than male or female ones, and occupy an honored status in Bvanu religious practice due to being seen as possessing a unique spiritual perspective outside binary male/female experiences. According to Bvanu tradition, the first human was created liminal before being split into male and female, and was made in the image of the Bvanu deity, who is often understood to be liminal in nature.

Liminal gender roles include the expectation of “relational balance” & spiritual leadership at the academy.

Sexual liminality may take the form of duality, absence, or fluidity: dual liminals have both male and female sexual organs, and are capable of impregnating & being impregnated, while absent liminals are unable to procreate, and fluid liminals can biologically shift between male, female, or dual/absent over time.

Transphobia within Bvanu communities is uncommon, especially against MTF/FTM trans identities. Where transphobia does appear, it usually centers around gender roles relating to liminal sex, either pressuring LTF/LTM (liminal-to-female/liminal-to-male) trans people who were ALAB (assigned liminal at birth) into liminal gender roles or refusing to allow liminal trans people who were AMAB/AFAB fulfill liminal roles. This discrimination is not condoned by Bvanu teachings, but is an emergent product of intersecting biases, and those doing it may not realize they are doing anything discriminatory. Nevertheless, it happens enough to be a problem.

[amproductreview]

💨 LEVOIT Tower Fan for Bedroom Review (36-Inch) — Is It Worth It?

When summer heat rolls in like that clingy guest who overstays their welcome, all you want is something — anything — that actually cools you down… without sounding like a jet engine parked in your bedroom.

That’s where the LEVOIT Velocity Bladeless Oscillating Tower Fan (36-Inch) steps in. I’ve been using this sleek little lifesaver for a few weeks now, and after plenty of real-world use (and maybe a few naps in front of it), here’s my honest take on whether it’s worth adding to your space.

🔍 First Impressions — Sleek, Safe, and Surprisingly Strong

Let’s start with the design — because yeah, looks do matter when it’s sitting in your room 24/7.

This 36-inch LEVOIT fan has that minimalist, high-end vibe going for it. The white, bladeless tower blends right in with most modern decor and doesn’t eat up your entire floor like some clunky box fan. It’s like the iPhone of fans — clean, smart-looking, and low-key elegant.

Bonus? The bladeless design makes it way safer for kids and pets. No spinning blades means no “don’t touch that!” moments.

And assembly? Total breeze (pun intended). Took me under 10 minutes — snap the base together, plug it in, done.

About this item

𝙎𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙗𝙮𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙖𝙣𝙨: Our innovative airflow design combines a curved air inlet and unique multi-blade design, creating a soft, soothing breeze akin to natural winds

𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙒𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝘼𝙞𝙧𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬: Achieve curtain-like coverage with 25ft/s wind speed, 1062 CFM airflow, and 90° oscillation. Ideal for large spaces

𝘿𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 ����𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧: This fan adjusts airflow based on room temperature using smart sensors, ensuring optimal comfort levels without overheating or freezing

𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧-𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙩 28𝙙𝘽 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 12-𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙧: Sleep, work, or binge-watch your favorite shows peacefully while setting a timer, providing uninterrupted serenity

𝙏𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩: With 4 modes (Normal/Turbo/Advanced Sleep/Auto) and 5 speed settings, this fan delivers a refreshing breeze to keep you cool and comfortable

𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡 & 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: Clear top panel and remote ensure easy control from any location, while the detachable back cover and blades facilitate thorough cleaning

𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙥 𝙏𝙞𝙥: Align the tower fan body before tightening the base nut to avoid crooked installation

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Product information

Features & Specs

Power Source Corded Electric

Room Type Bedroom

Special Features Remote Controlled, Timer, LED Light, Oscillating

Recommended Uses For Product Refresh Air

Mounting Type Floor Mount

Controller Type Touchpad Control, Remote Control

Number of Speeds 5

Noise Level 28 dB

Wattage 39 watts

Number of Blades 210

Air Flow Capacity 1044 Cubic Feet Per Minute

Speed 25 Feet Per Second

Voltage 120.0

Switch Type Push Button

Indoor Outdoor Usage Indoor

Control Method Remote

Light Type LED

Standby Power Shutoff High Efficiency

Is Product Cordless No

Is Electric Yes

Number of Power Levels 5

Main Power Connector Type Standard wall outlet connector (NEMA 5–15 or equivalent)

Style

Color White

Electric Fan Design Floor Fan

Style Classic 36"

Finish Type Painted

Theme Tower Fan

Collection Name Classic Series

Measurements

Item Dimensions D x W x H 6.5"D x 6.5"W x 36.2"H

Blade Length 36 Inches

Item Weight 8.5 Pounds

Item details

Brand Name LEVOIT

Included Components Remote

Model Name Classic 36-inch white

Model Number LTF-F361-WUS White

Manufacturer LEVOIT

UPC 810123670147

Customer Reviews 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (9,237) 4.6 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#69 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen)

#2 in Household Tower Fans

ASIN B0BVZFQ4DF

Item Type Name Tower Fan

Item Height 36.2 inches

Materials & Care

Material Plastic

Blade Material Plastic

User guide

Specification Met CA65, TPCH, ETL, FCC SDoC

Warranty & Support

Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service. Click here to make a request to customer service.

💬 Real-World Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you’re after something that’s quiet, stylish, and actually cools the room — without costing a small fortune — then yes, this fan is 100% worth it.

It’s not packed with smart home features or app control, but it nails the things that actually matter. It’s quiet. It’s efficient. It’s easy to use. And it looks good doing it.

Want the bells and whistles? Go for the 42″ smart version. But if you just need reliable cooling in your bedroom or home office, this 36″ model is honestly a steal.

⭐ Final Thoughts: A Cool Breeze in a Hot Market

I’ve reviewed and tested more fans than I’d like to admit, and this one? It’s one of the few that feels like a no-regrets purchase.

It doesn’t try to be a spaceship with a thousand buttons. It’s just a really solid, good-looking fan that keeps you comfortable. And honestly? In the middle of a summer heatwave, that’s all I really need.

So yeah — if your AC is struggling or your old fan sounds like a dying lawnmower, this LEVOIT fan might just be your new best friend.

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[odnewsin]

L&T Finance Completes the Acquisition of Paul Merchants Finance’s Gold Loan Business

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, announced the completion of the transfer of the gold loan business of Paul Merchants Finance Private Ltd. (PMFL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paul Merchants Ltd., to LTF. The acquisition includes PMFL’s 130 branches, approximately 700 employees, and business transfer of its gold loan book size of…

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] L&T Finance Limited (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), is transforming the home loan experience with the launch of Knowledgeable AI (KAI), an AI-powered virtual advisor, on its newly redesigned corporate website (www.ltfinance.com/home-loan). KAI, initially unveiled during LTF’s RAISE’ 24 event, represents a significant leap in leveraging AI to streamline and personalize the home loan journey. This innovation underscores LTF's commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower customers and simplify the often-complex process of securing a home loan.   L&T Finance's Knowledgeable AI (KAI) mascot   Designed to tackle challenges such as complex terminology, intricate calculations, and lengthy application processes, KAI specifically addresses the needs of first-time buyers, making the journey to homeownership smoother and more accessible. It offers prospective homebuyers an intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly experience, delivering instant support and expert guidance at their fingertips.   KAI utilizes advanced AI technology, including a specialized Large Language Model (LLM), to understand the unique needs of each user. This allows KAI to provide instant EMI calculations and loan estimates, expert answers to home loan questions, and to provide context and guidance, acting as a home loan guide rather than a mere chatbot.   Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director & CEO at LTF said, "We are pleased to launch KAI, a testament to our dedication to improving customer engagement and streamlining financial processes. With KAI, we are not just launching a chatbot; we are offering a personalized, 24/7 guide to help potential home buyers navigate the often-confusing home loan process. Our goal is to make the home buying journey simple, efficient, and accessible. What makes KAI truly unique is its ability to not only provide immediate responses to specific queries related to LTF's home loans but also offer guidance on a spectrum of related home loan topics.”   KAI goes beyond basic chatbot functionality by drawing information from LTF documents (using latest RAG technology) and providing smooth EMI calculations using interactive sliders. Users can conveniently download EMI schedules and bookmark preferred options. KAI provides conversational style answers making it easy to understand for a broad base of users, and it can also handle follow-up questions seamlessly ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.   About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.ltfs.com), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated ‘AAA’ — the highest credit rating for NBFCs — by four leading rating agencies. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project – “Digital Sakhi”- which focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the ‘right businesses’ has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company’s strategic roadmap - Lakshya 2026. The Company has approximately 2.5 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.Facebook: LnTFS Twitter: LnTFinance YouTube: Ltfinance

LinkedIn: L&TFinance Instagram: Lntfinance !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] L&T Finance Limited (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), is transforming the home loan experience with the launch of Knowledgeable AI (KAI), an AI-powered virtual advisor, on its newly redesigned corporate website (www.ltfinance.com/home-loan). KAI, initially unveiled during LTF’s RAISE’ 24 event, represents a significant leap in leveraging AI to streamline and personalize the home loan journey. This innovation underscores LTF's commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower customers and simplify the often-complex process of securing a home loan.   L&T Finance's Knowledgeable AI (KAI) mascot   Designed to tackle challenges such as complex terminology, intricate calculations, and lengthy application processes, KAI specifically addresses the needs of first-time buyers, making the journey to homeownership smoother and more accessible. It offers prospective homebuyers an intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly experience, delivering instant support and expert guidance at their fingertips.   KAI utilizes advanced AI technology, including a specialized Large Language Model (LLM), to understand the unique needs of each user. This allows KAI to provide instant EMI calculations and loan estimates, expert answers to home loan questions, and to provide context and guidance, acting as a home loan guide rather than a mere chatbot.   Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director & CEO at LTF said, "We are pleased to launch KAI, a testament to our dedication to improving customer engagement and streamlining financial processes. With KAI, we are not just launching a chatbot; we are offering a personalized, 24/7 guide to help potential home buyers navigate the often-confusing home loan process. Our goal is to make the home buying journey simple, efficient, and accessible. What makes KAI truly unique is its ability to not only provide immediate responses to specific queries related to LTF's home loans but also offer guidance on a spectrum of related home loan topics.”   KAI goes beyond basic chatbot functionality by drawing information from LTF documents (using latest RAG technology) and providing smooth EMI calculations using interactive sliders. Users can conveniently download EMI schedules and bookmark preferred options. KAI provides conversational style answers making it easy to understand for a broad base of users, and it can also handle follow-up questions seamlessly ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.   About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.ltfs.com), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated ‘AAA’ — the highest credit rating for NBFCs — by four leading rating agencies. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work® and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project – “Digital Sakhi”- which focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the ‘right businesses’ has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company’s strategic roadmap - Lakshya 2026. The Company has approximately 2.5 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.Facebook: LnTFS Twitter: LnTFinance YouTube: Ltfinance

LinkedIn: L&TFinance Instagram: Lntfinance !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[alexesguerra]

Little Blue Truck's Halloween: A Halloween Book for Kids (Little Blue Truck) Little Blue Truck's Halloween: A Halloween Book for Kids Board book – Lift the flap, July 5, 2016 by Alice Schertle (Author), Jill McElmurry (Illustrator) ---Brand New---- Celebrate Halloween with the #1 New York Times bestselling Little Blue Truck and friends! Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party. Lift the flaps in this large, sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! Will Blue wear a costume too? About the Author Alice Schertle is a poet and author of many well-loved books for children, including the beloved, #1 New York Times best-selling Little Blue Truck series,Very Hairy Bear, Button Up!, and All You Need for a Snowman. She lives in Plainfield, Massachusetts. Jill McElmurry was the illustrator of many picture books, including her own Mad About Plaid, When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt and the best-selling Little Blue Truck series, written by Alice Schertle. She happily divided her time between the wide landscape of New Mexico and a green island in Minnesota. Jill passed away in August 2017. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Ina Ltf Br edition (July 5, 2016) Language ‏ : ‎ English Board book ‏ : ‎ 16 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0544772539 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9780544772533 Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 3 years, from customers Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 300L Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 0.72 x 8.13 inches

[marvellighting1]

HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well

Maximizing Your Lighting Solutions with High-Quality LED Drivers and Lamps

In today’s fast-paced world, energy-efficient lighting products are essential for homes, businesses, and industrial applications. As the demand for sustainable lighting grows, choosing the right LED drivers and lamps can significantly enhance your lighting system's performance. At Marvel Lighting, we offer a range of innovative lighting products designed to provide energy savings, superior performance, and long-lasting durability. In this article, we will explore how some of our top-rated products, including the LD35W-36 Constant Voltage LED Driver by EPtronics, the 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series Dimmable Lamp with Swappable Lens by Green Creative, the 18W DA Series Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver by LTF, and the HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well, can help you achieve better lighting efficiency and performance.

Understanding LED Drivers and Their Importance

An LED driver is a crucial component that provides power to your LED lighting system. Its primary role is to regulate the amount of power supplied to the LED light fixture, ensuring consistent performance and preventing the LED from overheating. A well-chosen LED driver enhances the life of your LED system while improving its overall efficiency.

LD35W-36 Constant Voltage LED Driver by EPtronics

One of the standout products in our collection is the LD35W-36 Constant Voltage LED Driver by EPtronics. This 35W driver is designed for constant voltage applications and is perfect for residential and commercial LED installations. Whether you're lighting up a retail space or installing energy-efficient lighting in your home, this driver provides consistent voltage, which ensures that your LED lights maintain their brightness and performance over time.

The compact size of the LD35W-36 makes it ideal for space-saving installations, and its high efficiency guarantees reduced energy consumption. Whether you're looking to retrofit existing lighting systems or install new ones, this LED driver offers flexibility and reliability for various lighting projects.

Energy-Efficient Lighting with the 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series Dimmable Lamp by Green Creative

Lamps are another vital component in any lighting system, and selecting the right lamp can impact energy use, lighting quality, and aesthetics. The 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series Dimmable Lamp by Green Creative is one of our most popular products, combining high efficiency with outstanding versatility. This lamp, available in a 6-pack, is perfect for both residential and commercial applications.

One of the key features of this dimmable lamp is the swappable lens. The ability to change lenses allows you to customize the light output to suit different spaces, making it an excellent choice for everything from living rooms to commercial galleries. Additionally, its energy-efficient design ensures that you can enjoy bright, consistent lighting without compromising on energy savings.

By upgrading to the 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series lamp, you not only reduce your overall electricity consumption but also enhance the quality of light in your space. Whether you’re looking to create ambiance with dimmable lighting or highlight specific areas in your home or business, this lamp delivers exceptional performance and flexibility.

Enhancing Lighting Control with the 18W DA Series Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver by LTF

For those seeking better control over their lighting systems, the 18W DA Series Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver by LTF is a great solution. This driver is designed to provide a consistent current to your LED fixtures, ensuring smooth dimming and long-lasting performance. It’s ideal for applications where adjustable lighting is essential, such as restaurants, offices, and residential environments.

One of the primary benefits of the 18W DA Series driver is its ability to enhance the dimming performance of LED fixtures. Smooth, flicker-free dimming not only creates a more pleasant atmosphere but also increases the lifespan of your LED lights. Whether you need to set the perfect mood in a restaurant or adjust lighting in a work environment, this driver allows for precise control over light levels.

In addition to its excellent dimming capabilities, this LED driver is highly energy efficient, helping reduce your overall electricity costs. If you're looking to integrate adjustable lighting into your home or commercial space, the 18W DA Series Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver by LTF provides the control and efficiency you need.

The Power of Reliability with the HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well

When it comes to powering large-scale lighting systems, reliability is crucial. The HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well is a top-tier solution for industrial and commercial lighting applications. This driver is designed to provide constant power output, ensuring that your lighting system remains stable and performs consistently under varying load conditions.

With an output of 80W, the HLG-80H-15 driver is capable of powering high-intensity LED lighting systems used in warehouses, factories, and other industrial environments. Its rugged construction and IP67 rating make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations, providing the durability and reliability needed in harsh environments.

This driver’s constant power feature ensures that your LED lights operate at optimal efficiency, even in fluctuating electrical conditions. By choosing the HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well, you can rest assured that your lighting system will maintain its performance, saving you both energy and maintenance costs over time.

The Importance of Choosing High-Quality Lighting Products

In today’s competitive market, investing in high-quality lighting products can make a significant difference in energy savings, lighting performance, and system longevity. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to reduce your electricity bills or a business owner aiming to create a more energy-efficient environment, the right LED drivers and lamps can offer substantial benefits.

At Marvel Lighting, we understand the importance of providing our customers with the best lighting solutions available. That’s why we carefully select products like the LD35W-36 Constant Voltage LED Driver by EPtronics, the 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series Dimmable Lamp by Green Creative, the 18W DA Series Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver by LTF, and the HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well. These products are not only energy-efficient but also built to last, ensuring that your lighting system operates smoothly for years to come.

Conclusion

Choosing the right lighting products is essential for optimizing performance, reducing energy consumption, and creating a comfortable, well-lit space. Whether you need reliable LED drivers like the LD35W-36 Constant Voltage LED Driver by EPtronics and the HLG-80H-15 Constant Power Driver by Mean Well, or versatile lamps like the 11W PAR30 E26 REFINE Series Dimmable Lamp by Green Creative, Marvel Lighting has you covered.

Our selection of high-quality LED drivers and lamps ensures that you can find the perfect solution for your home, business, or industrial lighting needs. Explore our full range of products at Marvel Lighting and take the first step toward creating a more energy-efficient, sustainable lighting system today.

[adnanfinowings]

Top 3 Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India 2024

Description

Explore the top Lifetime Free Credit Cards (LTF) in India for 2024, offering substantial rewards without the burden of annual fees. These cards cater to savvy consumers seeking value across dining, entertainment, and travel expenditures. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card leads with its comprehensive rewards program and travel perks, while ICICI Bank Credit Cards provide varied benefits from cashback during festivals to savings on online shopping and movie tickets. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card stands out for new users with discounts on Zomato, Amazon Pay, and more. Choose wisely and maximize your benefits with these LTF cards tailored to diverse consumer needs.

Why choose Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India for 2024

Navigating the expansive landscape of credit cards can be daunting, but Lifetime Free Credit Cards (LTF) stand out as attractive options for savvy consumers in India. These cards, which come with no annual or renewal fees, offer substantial rewards across various spending categories like dining, entertainment, and travel, making them highly desirable in the market.

Understanding Lifetime Free Credit Cards

Lifetime Free Credit Cards are particularly appealing because they eliminate the financial burden of yearly fees while offering robust rewards, cashback, and other enticing benefits. This combination of long-term advantages without ongoing costs makes LTF cards a preferred choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking value and efficiency in their spending habits.

Top 3 Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India for 2024

Choosing the right LTF credit card involves considering factors such as reward rates, welcome benefits, additional perks, and how well they align with different consumer needs and preferences. Here’s a detailed overview of the best Life Time Free credit cards available in India for 2024-

1. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card

The IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card is renowned for its comprehensive rewards program, travel privileges, and entertainment perks, all without any joining or renewal fees. It caters to individuals who frequently spend across diverse categories and offers the following key features-

Key Features– Earn 10 Reward Points (RPs) for every Rs. 150 spent, welcome gift vouchers, complimentary railway lounge access, roadside assistance, and discounts on movie tickets.

Best Suited For– Ideal for users seeking a versatile card with benefits spanning travel, entertainment, and everyday expenditures.

Rewards– Significant reward points on all expenditures, with enhanced benefits on entertainment and travel spends.

Welcome Offer– Enjoy Rs. 500 vouchers upon spending Rs. 15,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance.

Perks– Complimentary railway lounge access, roadside assistance, and attractive discounts on movie tickets further enhance its appeal.

2. ICICI Bank Credit Cards

ICICI Bank offers a range of credit cards tailored to various consumer needs, including online shopping, rewards, travel, and cashback. They frequently feature enticing offers and benefits such as cashback during festive seasons, discounts on Zoomcar bookings, savings on Ajio transactions, and reduced prices on INOX movie tickets.

3. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

Designed with entry-level users in mind, the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card offers substantial discounts and cashback on popular online platforms and partner merchants like Zomato and Amazon Pay. It caters primarily to new credit card users and online shoppers looking to maximize savings on their purchases.

Key Features– Discounts and cashback on partner merchants such as Zomato and Amazon Pay, along with entertainment benefits.

Best Suited For– New credit card users and frequent online shoppers interested in exclusive discounts and savings.

Rewards– Earn cashback and discounts on partner merchant transactions.

Welcome Offer– Specific details on the welcome offer are not specified, but ongoing benefits focus on savings and discounts across online platforms.

Perks– Access to attractive discount offers on Zomato, Amazon Pay, and other popular online sales events enhances its utility for everyday transactions.

Conclusion

Choosing a Lifetime Free Credit Card in India for 2024 involves more than just selecting a financial tool; it’s about leveraging opportunities to maximize rewards and benefits while minimizing costs. These cards, devoid of annual fees yet packed with perks across dining, entertainment, and travel categories, cater to the needs of budget-conscious consumers seeking value and efficiency in their spending habits.

The IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card stands out for its robust rewards program and travel privileges, making it ideal for those who enjoy a versatile spending experience without the burden of additional fees. Meanwhile, ICICI Bank’s diverse range of credit cards offers tailored solutions from cashback on festive spends to discounts on everyday purchases like Zoomcar bookings and movie tickets at INOX.

For new credit card users and online shoppers, the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card provides attractive discounts and cashback options on popular platforms such as Zomato and Amazon Pay, ensuring savings with every transaction. Additionally, considering Finowings Academy as a viable option could potentially offer unique benefits that cater specifically to educational expenditures or specialized rewards.

Investing in a Lifetime Free Credit Card isn’t just about financial prudence; it’s a strategic decision to align your spending habits with long-term benefits and convenience. By understanding the distinct advantages of each card and how they cater to different consumer profiles, individuals can confidently choose a card that best suits their lifestyle and financial goals for the year ahead.

Disclaimer-

Please note that this blog is not a recommendation for buying or selling any stock. We encourage readers to conduct thorough research, consider their risk tolerance, and consult with financial advisors before making investment decisions.

[ailtrahq]

Bitcoin (BTC) is clinging to the key $26,800 mark prior to the Oct. 12 Wall Street open as United States inflation data continued to beat expectations.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: TradingViewBTC price reacts as CPI surpasses predictionsData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC price volatility staying muted after two-week lows seen the day prior.These had come thanks to U.S. macroeconomic data revealing persistent inflation continuing to take markets by surprise. On the day, the September print of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) bolstered the trend, coming in at 3.7% year-on-year versus 3.6% expected. Less food and energy, the tally was 4.1% — matching forecasts.“The all items index increased 3.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, the same increase as the 12 months ending in August,” an official press release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed. “The all items less food and energy index rose 4.1 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 0.5 percent for the 12 months ending September, and the food index increased 3.7 percent over the last year.”Reacting, financial commentary resource The Kobeissi Letter nonetheless emphasized the tight spot in which monetary policy — and the Federal Reserve — now found itself.“We have PCE and PPI inflation rising with CPI inflation above expectations,” it wrote on X. “How can the Fed cut interest rates any time soon?”The concept of “higher for longer” when it comes to U.S. interest rates is broadly expected to result in pressure for risk assets, including crypto. Following CPI, the odds of the Fed hiking rates further at the next meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Nov. 1 were nonetheless minimal at just 7.4% per data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.Fed target rate probabilities chart. Source: CME GroupAnalyst on Bitcoin vs. macro: "Bad = bad"Turning to Bitcoin itself, already cautious market participants had little reason to expect a return to upside in the short term.Popular trader Skew continued to flag $26,800 as the zone for bulls to flip to support.$BTC 4H CPI later today going to see how LTF structure develops clear 4H demand area here & $26.8K remains important for control If buyers can reclaim & hold $26.8K will look for some kind of 4H EMA trend test or reclaim staying more cautionary till confirmations pic.twitter.com/58BKDZyLBj— Skew Δ (@52kskew) October 12, 2023 Monitoring resource Material Indicators revealed a lack of bid liquidity much above $24,750, a key level from the past two quarters.Looking at #BTCUSDT on #FireCharts < 30 mins ahead of today's Economic Reports 3 things stand out:1. Bid liquidity laddered down to the LL at $24,750 2. Yellow stopped their TWAP sell strategy 3. Purple Whales have been selling pic.twitter.com/4cant18F4o— Material Indicators (@MI_Algos) October 12, 2023 “It's been a while since we've discussed whether good = good or good = bad for BTC price,” co-founder Keith Alan added in commentary on the macro aspect ahead of CPI. “I'm no economist, but based on yesterday's reports, the overall economic outlook and geopolitical tensions, I'm going to go with bad = bad.”Continuing, trading firm QCP Capital described “unabated” downhill trajectory on Bitcoin and largest altcoin Ether (ETH) coming despite various potential bullish factors in Q4.“Hopefully the relative underperformance of BTC and ETH to the upside now also mean their beta is lower to the downside as well, should CPI come in stronger than expected,” it wrote in a market update earlier on the day.“Otherwise, we continue looking at the key levels of 25-26k on the downside, and 29-30k on the topside as critical to determine the next trend.”This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

[fanboyzuko]

I don’t know if you’re still taking prompts, but if you are, what if Canon Zuko met Hui?

"Well, look at this." Azula said, backing away as they pushed her into a corner. "Enemies and traitors all working together."

A strange swirl of light appeared above her as she raised her hands over her head in surrender. Zuko knew he shouldn't take his eyes off his sister for a second. There was no way she didn't have a trick up her sleeve, but the circle of light continued growing larger at a rapid pace.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the anomaly, distracting even Azula as she glanced up. "What is-"

Three screaming figures came hurtling out of the light and landed directly on top of her.

"Owww, I think I broke something."

"Yeah! Me because you broke your fall on me!"

"Guys, I think we landed on someone-"

"AZULA?!"

The three Earth Kingdom teenagers that fell from the sky scrambled to their feet. As the smallest one checked on Azula, who had been knocked out from the force of three people falling on her, Zuko got a good look of the scar fanning out from his left eye, across his face.

Was this some sort of sick joke?

The boy looked up from Azula (how did he even know her?) and his unscarred eye bulged out of its socket. His companions shared similar shocked expressions, but they were staring right at Zuko while the boy's gaze locked on the Avatar.

"Are you an airbender?! Do you know the Avatar?"

"Well, I am-"

The Water Tribe boy shoved his hand over the Avatar's mouth, looking between Zuko and the scarred boy in a strange mix of disbelief and distrust. "How about before we figure out what in the world is going on, we take care of Zuko's terrifying sister before she wakes up."

"You're going no where near my sister!" Zuko snapped. He may have just been fighting against her, but no way was he going to surrender her to them!

The scarred boy glanced away from the Avatar, only for his eye to bulge even more "Un-" The girl with him covered his mouth with a forced laugh.

"Maybe let's make sure our landing cushion isn't too hurt and get through some..." She shared a look with the other Earth Kingdom boy, then, for some reason, Uncle and the Avatar's group. "-introductions..."

"I can take a look at her," the waterbender said in clear disgust while pooling her water around her hand.

"No!" Zuko shouted, almost overshadowed by the scarred boy's exclamation of, "Are you a waterbender? Do you know how to heal!?"

"Is anybody going to explain what the heck is going on?" The Avatar's newest companion huffed, waving her hand out at the scene before her. "Where did these new people come from?"

"TOPH?!"

She cocked her head toward the scarred boy with a confused scrunch of her nose. "Do I know you?"

"This is some very bad nightmare, I'd like to wake up now please," the Water Tribe boy groaned.

"We're just- Going to go over here for a moment!" The Earth Kingdom boy said in a nervous rush, dragging his companions away from the unconscious Azula.

Somehow between the strange trio scurrying away to have a hissed conversation, Uncle convincing Zuko to let the waterbender check on Azula, and a lengthy round of introductions that involved a lot of weird stares at Zuko and the Hui boy, Uncle started serving tea. And since Uncle set up tea, it meant everyone settled down to have some. And somehow that meant they were under a temporary truce as they figured out what spirit energy transported Hui, Bun Ma, and Ju Long into the middle of their standoff against Azula.

The whole situation was really starting to piss Zuko off. Hui was some sort of scholar researching the last Air Avatar and had some crazy ideas about her relationship to Zuko's ancestor Princess Akari. He had no stopped asking the Avatar questions about airbender culture and customs since they all settled for tea. Between his questions, Hui rambled nonstop about Avatar Yangchen and her companions. If that wasn't bad enough, he kept trying to include Zuko in his conversation as if Zuko should know anything about any of this, or even care about it!

"Nephew, isn't it fascinating to hear such detailed stories about Princess Akari?" Uncle asked quietly, so not to disrupt Hui's argument with the waterbender about Princess Akari's supposed spirit healing ability. "I remember you were quite enamored by her when you were younger."

Sure, he had been interested in her gentle flame technique and how she was close to dragons, but he wished he had never heard of his great-aunt before now that everyone get giving him looks as Hui shared his stupid stories! Worse were Hui's calculating looks between Zuko and the Avatar while he stressed the deep bond of the past Air Avatar and Fire Royal and how they worked together.

Zuko may have accepted this temporary truce—because clearly Hui's group had some sort of connection to him from how everyone was acting—but he was not the Avatar's friend! Once they got to the bottom of this strange day, Zuko would finally capture the Avatar like he was supposed to and go home. Stories of Princess Akari and Avatar Yangchen be damned.

A quiet groan between Uncle and Zuko made him jump. He looked down as Azula groggily opened her eyes and took in their ridiculous party gathered around Uncle's travel tea pot. She didn't even test her bindings before dropping her head with another groan.

"Please tell me I'm having a nightmare and I wasn't taken out by a second Zuko falling on top of me."

((Behind the scenes from everyone else's perspectives. Bun Ma and Ju Long immediately clock canon Zuko as Zuko and that somehow they're in the future or a different reality since Toph didn't recognize their Zuko. So they convince LTF!Zuko to keep being Hui, because he also quickly puts together that somehow he's faced with an older version of himself and they're probably not in their world.

(Since canon Zuko has Iroh and Azula to place him, while LTF!Zuko has Bun Ma and Ju Long who don't exist as Zuko's friend in canon so canon Zuko is able to fool himself into not recognizing himself. Which, to be fair, I think isn't so crazy a concept. I don't think Zuko examines himself often in the mirror and looking at his younger self in an Earth Kingdom getup, it'd be fairly easy to disregard similarities as a really strange coincidence.)

Meanwhile Sokka's reasoning is hold up! Don't admit to being the Avatar or else we'll get TWO Zuko's going after us! But then he and all the gang start doubting what they see before their eyes bc "Hui" is??? Nothing like the Zuko they know?? Aang and "Hui" are hella vibing fanboying over Yangchen together all the while.

And then Iroh is kinda just there. Stumped. And confused as to wtf is going on. But also hopeful that this wild whacky encounter will convince canon Zuko to rethink his path... But also he is dumbfounded as to what could have possibly led to "Hui" being the way he is.

And then Azula wakes up and addresses the elephant mouse in the room lmaooo I can't even begin to imagine the hijinks that ensue from this point 😂 ))

[compo67]

Are you still working on the time travel AU?

Hi, anon!

Oh my goodness, thank you for asking. The short answer is yes. The long answer is below the cut.

Letter to Follow is a J2 AU fic I've posted on Patreon as part of bonus content. It will be housed on Patreon until completed in full, where it will then transition to AO3, just like any other bonus Patreon fic in the past. It's at about 30,000 words and 50% finished, so it's a long fic, slow burn.

LTF takes place in Naples, Italy, 1985, where Dr. Jensen Ross, Distinguished Professor of Physics, works at the prestigious University of Naples. Jensen is a respected faculty member and expert in his field, and he specializes in particle physics. He often works with his colleage, Dr. Haji Siqqidui. She keeps Jensen balanced and integrates him into her family. One day, Dr. Jared Padalecki, of New York City, shows up, ready to start his sabbatical and write a book about the history of physics and engineering in Naples. Jared holds two PhDs--engineering and history--and teaches at NYU. At first, Jensen dislikes Jared's outgoing, "American" personality. But the more time they spend together, the more they explore Naples, the closer their bond. This fic takes into account everything going on in/around 1985, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the stigma of gay/queer identities/culture, and pop culture. The fic also incorporates pictures and media throughout, sort of like a photo journal. Jensen's working on something new, on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery--but is it really in the name of physics? Or is he working on something more personal?

I love this fic. I love it because it taught me so many new things. I discovered a love of physics. In high school, I was so good at chemistry and math, but only if I had the extra help/guidance. Since I was better at English and the arts--read: it was easier to do--I put all my focus on that. Then I think of the plot to Letter to Follow and wow! All my love for science came rushing back. Let me tell you, dear, that I put so much time and effort into learning and understanding the concepts that Professor Jensen is (madly) in love with--I spent so many hours writing on white boards, watching YouTube videos, listening to podcasts, reading textbooks, and taking notes. I can tell you how a particle collider works. I can map out the Standard Model of Physics.

But.

I can't tell you how time travel works.

And *that* is what I ran into--head first. Ouch.

I thought I could write it away. Every time I worked on LTF, I thought about that Simpsons quote, where Homer wants to make a movie: "It's about a killer robot driving instructor who travels back in time for some reason. His best friend is a talking pie."

D'oh! How the fuck can it happen? I wanted to go with neutrinos, but then ran into problems there. I thought, okay, let's switch to dark matter. Nope. God particle? Fine. Particle accelerator. Right, but exactly what particles? And how would Jensen access a particle accelerator on par with CERN? Then I read the news about muons and thought--AHA! I gotchu now, physics!

And then my personal life crashed and burned. This is back in September, when I stopped working, went into IOP, and struggled to function. I was also taking a class for grad school and that needed/used up all my attention. From October to November to December, it was hit after hit after hit. I'm only now just standing up, shaky, but there. I thought losing my beta would result in not being able to write anything. But it turns out, wow, I /can/ write on my own. I wrote on my own for years before getting any betas (okay, some of that shows, yikes). Am I always perfect with grammar? Fuck no. Do I always get continuity right? Nope. But do I approach these verses and characters with enthusiasm and love? Hell yes, I do.

For a while, I thought LTF wasn't worth finishing because... it's different than any other fic I've written. There's no a/b/o or mpreg. Not a lot of smut and it's a slow burn. Jensen is very dry in this verse, and increasingly affected by the stress of his work.

But I found the answer: Jared. I'll be switching the POV to Jared going forward. So the first half of the fic will be Jensen's POV--extremely necessary and sets us up well with physics content and side characters. The second half of the fic will be Jared's POV--extremely necessary and sets us up well with the engineering side of physics and the modern era.

This way, dear anon, I do *not* have to figure out the specifics of time travel and I get to play to my strengths with content about engineering, HIV, and culture. Jared is a pip in this verse. He compliments Jensen very well. I can't believe the answer was there this whole time. Now, I don't need to stress over the fact that it's actually really hard to come up with a plausible approach to time travel. Like, really, really hard. I reached out to two particle physicists and even with their guidance, could not put the puzzle together in a way that made a stronger argument/sense.

I know it might sound silly that I expected myself to solve time travel or come up with such a detailed, plausible explanation for it, just for a fic. But that's the kind of writer I am. That's the kind of person I am. The pandemic hit just as I had booked a visit to the Fermi Lab. It's still not open to visitors. I wanted to create something that wasn't "a wizard did it" or "black holes! lolololol." (Please, don't ever attempt to time travel through a black hole. Yikes.)

I did this kind of thing with It Takes a lot of Water and wanted to improve upon it. But I had a lot of self-doubt: did people even like this fic? Are my readers interested and engaged? Is Jensen too dry? Too boring?

But the more content I've consumed surrounding physics--and the more physicists I've spoken to--I understand that this narrative is actually pretty accurate.

So. There you have it. Short answer yes. Long answer yes, I just need to come back to it. I need a reread, a refresher, and a walk through of my notes. I need to believe in myself again that I can balance more than one WIP.

Thank you for the interest, anon. You've re-lit my engagement with this fic and I appreciate that so much. <3

-Cal

[beedaleebjd]

Happy new year!! I was too tired this week with all the goings-on, but here’s my 2019 end-of-year photo! I didn’t get to this for 2018, which I regret- but my little family doubled since then, so it feels like a great time to start! These photos aren’t the best, but I didn’t wanna set something fancy up when me and the boo are in the middle of re-arranging our bedroom- I’ll save that for when they’re ready for photoshoots this year. 💦

Anyway, from left to right, there’s Starchaser (DC Bella in green skin), Pisces (DC Wanda, in the back), Void-Hime (LS Wanwan), [redacted] (DIM Laia HCE head- and my only floating head, yay!), Cecelia (DF-A Bibi + LTF body, sitting in the chair), My nameless Lati Yellow Sunny holding a Kazari (Sakura & Paper) I got as a gift, Pollyanna (LTD Tyltyl), Cassidy (LTD Jack), Olive (BBB Isabella), March (Dollzone Ivy), and Hye-Rin (Nano Haruka 21cm Obitsu) sitting in front!

I included Sunny and Kazari for the time being since the two seem to like to hang out on my shelf instead of being boxed- but I haven’t decided if I’ll keep them yet, hence them not being named. I’m excited to see how this bunch evolves by the end of 2020! I have some 2019 reflections and 2020 doll/craft goals forthcoming, if I can sit still long enough to get to them!! 😂

[glazed-transacotta]

I don't post about Lioden much-

But this is my heir! He's the son of my first king!

I like the flame mane on him, but I'm still iffy- So I included him without it.

He's 100% clean, including no big 4, since both his parents were the first of their line. He also has a special base, but few marking.

Him as a male, and his ltf form withour decor: