#machine learning interview prep

[papayainsectorone]

ice baths

summary: Though young and still learning, Kimi’s natural stamina and desire to prove himself lead him to push boundaries

content: 18+! smutty smut smut smut (consider this a warning), nsfw descriptions, fingering, no protection

word count: 5,5k

pairing: kimi antonelli x fem!oc

a thought: I....I just don´t know what to say about this, i just finished writing this 30 seconds ago when Kimi came up on TV for a pre race interview in Miami on his fucking scooter and ... this feels illegal haha enjoy

The physio room was quiet, humming with low fluorescent lights and the soft, rhythmic hiss of massage oil being pumped from a dispenser. Kimi sat on the edge of the treatment table, shirtless, hair still damp from his earlier run, cheeks flushed from exertion—or maybe something else. Something he was trying not to make too obvious.

Sergi, his physio, tilted Kimi’s head carefully to the side, stretching his neck.

Kimi groaned.

"Can you already prepare the ice bath?" Sergi asked, glancing your way.

“Uh—yeah. Sure.” You blinked, caught off guard. Not by the task. By the sound Kimi had just made.

You turned away quickly, cheeks warm, pretending the ice machine required your full concentration.

Still, you felt his eyes on you again.

You smiled. Subtle. Just enough to let him know you noticed. Just enough to invite him to keep looking.

He blushed. Fully. Bright pink down to his collarbones.

God, he was a boy.

But a very, very pretty one.

“It’s done,” Sergi finally said, clapping Kimi lightly on the shoulder. “Ice bath. Four minutes.”

It wasn’t the first time you'd been in the same room like this. You’d been shadowing under Sergi all week, watching training sessions, prepping hydration, tracking recovery metrics. But this—this had been happening from day one.

Kimi had been looking.

And not the fleeting, dismissive glance most teenage boys gave when they saw someone cute. These were longer. Curious. Almost confused—like he couldn’t quite figure out how you ended up near him.

When you glanced over your shoulder, his eyes dropped instantly. Guilty. Caught. Adorable.

You stepped aside as he walked toward the tub. He looked at it, then at you. Then back at the tub.

“You staying?” he asked, voice low.

You raised an eyebrow. “Should I not?”

“No, I mean—yes. I mean… it’s cold,” he mumbled, reaching for the waistband of his training shorts.

You leaned back against the bench, arms crossed, watching with more interest than you meant to show. He hesitated, then slid the shorts down, revealing tight black boxer-briefs underneath.

Nothing left to the imagination.

He caught you looking.

His ears turned red.

But you didn’t look away.

Kimi exhaled and stepped into the tub, arms braced on either side. The water hit his thighs and his whole body jumped. “Shit,” he hissed, his fingers tightening around the edge of the plastic.

“You’re not going to die,” you teased, walking over and crouching beside the tub.

“Easy for you to say,” he muttered, trying and failing to play it cool. “You’re not sitting in ice water in your underwear.”

Your eyes drifted down to where the waterline just hit his collarbones. His abs were tight, trembling slightly, his legs visibly tensed beneath the surface. His jaw clenched and unclenched.

Then he said it. Quiet. Not even fully confident.

“Maybe you can… help me warm up again in a minute.”

He looked stunned the second the words left his mouth. Like he hadn’t even meant to say them out loud.

Your lips twitched. “Oh?”

His eyes flicked to yours, uncertain—but he didn’t take it back.

You tilted your head, crouched beside the tub, one hand resting lightly on the rim near his. “That’s a bold request, Antonelli.”

Kimi laughed—awkward and breathy. “Was it?”

“You tell me.”

He looked away for a second, eyes flicking toward the door like he was checking if Sergi might walk back in. But you both knew the physio wouldn’t return until the timer beeped.

“No one’s stopping you,” he muttered.

Your smile deepened, and your fingertips brushed the edge of his hand where it gripped the tub. Just the smallest touch—but he stilled under it.

“So you want help warming up,” you said softly, watching him squirm beneath the question. “That’s new. Weren’t you blushing two seconds ago because I looked at your legs?”

He didn’t say anything.

Just looked at you.

Really looked.

Like he didn’t know whether to make a joke or let something real crack open between you.

You leaned a little closer, enough for your voice to drop. “You think I haven’t noticed the way you stare, Kimi?”

His throat bobbed with a swallow. “It’s not just staring.”

“No?” you asked, voice sweet. “What else is it, then?”

He shook his head slightly. “I dunno. Just—whenever you’re around I forget what I’m meant to be doing.”

You bit your lip.

That earnestness. That teenage honesty that slipped past filters. He didn’t even realize how much he was giving away.

Your hand ghosted along his forearm now, the water droplets beading and running where your fingers traced. “You always this distracted in cold baths?”

“Only when you’re next to me in tight leggings.”

You laughed—he made it sound innocent, but your stomach flipped anyway. Your fingers trailed back to his hand, slipping just slightly beneath his wrist. The contact was featherlight, but it sent a visible shiver up his arm.

He sucked in a breath. “It’s only supposed to be four minutes.”

You looked at the timer. “Still got two and a half.”

Kimi’s eyes dropped to your mouth.

You moved your hand again—now along his bicep, where his skin was warmer under the water. Your knees brushed the side of the tub, your body leaning in just enough to crowd his space without touching anything essential.

“You really cold?” you whispered.

He nodded, very slowly. “Freezing.”

“Hm.” You leaned even closer now, lips near his ear. “Poor baby.”

He tensed under the teasing, like the words hit lower than they were meant to.

Then he turned his face slightly, and you realized just how close you were—barely an inch between your mouths.

His voice was quiet, rougher now. “You’re not helping.”

You smiled. “Aren’t I?”

You didn’t kiss him.

Not yet.

But your thumb traced a slow, lazy line across his inner forearm, feeling his pulse skip under your touch. His boxer-briefs were soaked and clinging, the outline of him obvious now, impossible to miss even in the cold water.

He let out the faintest, helpless sound.

And the timer beeped.

You smiled and stood. “Four minutes. You’re done.”

Kimi stared up at you, dumbfounded.

You grabbed a towel and tossed it toward him, eyes glinting. “Dry off, Antonelli. We’ll see if you still need warming up once you’re not half-frozen.”

He blinked, grabbing the towel with wet fingers, his mouth slightly open like he had words but couldn’t figure out what to say.

You didn’t wait.

You turned and walked toward the locker benches—slowly, hips swaying just a little too deliberately.

And Kimi?

You could feel his eyes on you the whole way.

You didn’t make it far.

You’d barely reached the corner of the locker room when you heard the soft thud of wet footsteps behind you.

Then: “Wait.”

You turned—and he was right there. Hair damp, towel half-wrapped around his waist, droplets trailing down his chest. His face was flushed, pupils blown wide. And he looked like he’d made up his mind in the last five seconds.

“Kimi—”

But he didn’t let you finish. Just like last time.

His mouth crashed into yours with the kind of force that only came from pure, boyish urgency. He kissed like he couldn’t stop himself—messy, too fast, breathless—but god, it made your knees go weak.

You caught the edge of the lockers behind you to steady yourself, his hands still wet as they slid to your waist. He kissed like he’d been holding back for days. Maybe weeks. Maybe since the first moment your hands brushed while you passed him the resistance bands and he blushed so hard he had to look away.

You gasped when his lips left yours to trail down your jaw. “Kimi—slow down—”

“I can’t.” He mumbled it into your neck, kissing, biting just enough to make you shiver. “I’ve been thinking about it too much. I can’t slow down.”

His towel slipped as he pressed closer, his cold and damp and very, very hard against you. There was nothing shy about him now—not in the way his hands gripped your hips or how his thigh slid between yours, grinding just enough to make you gasp.

You let your fingers tangle in his hair, tugging gently. “You’re really not holding back.”

He looked up at you then, flushed and wrecked already. “I don’t know how.”

There was something so hot about the honesty. No games. No pretenses. Just a beautiful, breathless boy who wanted you badly and didn’t know how to pretend otherwise.

You kissed him again, slower this time, tongue teasing the seam of his lips until he opened with a soft whine. He groaned when you sucked his bottom lip, his hips rocking against yours instinctively. He was desperate, but trying—trying to make it good, trying to do something right even through the haze.

“Touch me,” he said against your mouth, voice cracking just a little.

You smiled. “Where?”

“Anywhere. Please.”

That please made heat coil deep in your belly.

Your hand dropped between you, brushing the towel aside completely, reaching in his boxers and when you finally wrapped your fingers around him—hot, already leaking, twitching in your grip—his knees buckled.

“Fuck,” he choked, hips jerking forward. “Sorry—I’m—fuck—”

You laughed softly against his neck, stroking slow and deliberate.

“I haven’t—I didn’t even—fuck—” He was panting now, forehead pressed to your shoulder. “I swear, I can go again. I swear.”

That only made you hotter.

You squeezed just slightly, thumb tracing the tip, and that was it.

Kimi whimpered and came.

Fast. Hard. All over your hand, your waistband, his own stomach. His whole body shook with it, face buried against your neck like he couldn’t stand to see himself lose it that quickly.

You held him there, gentle, fingers still trailing over his sensitive skin while he caught his breath.

“Shit,” he whispered again. “I didn’t mean—fuck, I didn’t mean to come like that.”

You cupped his jaw, made him look at you. “Kimi. You’re fine.”

He looked so embarrassed.

But also so wrecked. Eyes dark, mouth swollen from kissing, chest heaving.

“I can go again,” he repeated, almost pleading. “Give me like… two minutes. I swear. Just don’t—don’t leave.”

You grinned. “I’m counting on it.”

His breath was still ragged when he finally pulled back to look at you. His lashes were damp, cheeks still flushed, but his hands didn’t leave your waist. He held you like you might vanish if he let go.

“I didn’t mean for it to be that fast,” he said again, quieter this time. “You just… you’re so—”

You kissed him gently, interrupting whatever apology was about to come. “It’s okay, Kimi. Really.”

But he still looked like he had something else to say.

After a long pause, he asked, voice barely above a whisper, “Can I… touch you?”

Your heart thudded.

There was something about the way he said it—so shy, like the thought alone made his head spin, but he wanted to. Badly. And it wasn’t just lust. It was something tender in the way his fingers skimmed your hip, how he was looking at you like you were untouchable—but he still wanted to try.

You nodded slowly. “Yeah. You can.”

His eyes flicked up to yours, searching. “You’ll tell me if I do it wrong?”

You smiled. “There’s no wrong. Just start slow.”

His hands moved tentatively, reverent almost, as he slid them beneath your shirt. The fabric rose inch by inch, baring your skin to the cool air. He kissed your shoulder, then your collarbone, lips soft, like he was still trying to prove he deserved to be this close.

“You’re so soft,” he murmured, almost like he didn’t mean to say it out loud.

You helped him tug the shirt off, and when your bra followed, his breath caught. He stared like he couldn’t believe you were real, his hands hovering like he didn’t know if he was allowed to touch.

So you took them, guided them to your chest.

And he groaned—actually groaned—when he felt you.

His thumbs brushed your nipples, watching your face as if every reaction you gave was a gift. And when you moaned softly, his eyes fluttered shut, like that sound alone could undo him all over again.

“You’re gonna kill me,” he whispered.

You leaned in, nipped his jaw. “Only if you stop.”

He didn’t.

You could now understand why they called him the wonder child in Formula 1.

Because even now—barely out of breath, cheeks still pink, hands a little shaky—he was learning. Fast. Not confident, not exactly, but observant. Focused. Like he was reading you in real time and adapting with every tiny shift in your breath, every gasp that escaped your lips.

His fingers were unsure at first—slightly clumsy, like he didn’t know whether to squeeze or stroke—but he watched your face like it was the telemetry screen of a quali lap. Every whimper you gave him, every arch of your spine, he adjusted to it. Like he couldn’t not try to be better at this too.

When his mouth dipped to your chest, his lips were soft and hesitant. He kissed there like he was still convincing himself it was okay—that he was allowed to taste. But when he drew one nipple into his mouth and you let out a sharp gasp, his confidence grew. His tongue circled, tentative at first, then firmer, guided by your breathy “yes, just like that.”

He smiled against your skin.

That little bit of feedback clearly went straight to his ego.

Still, his hands drifted lower, down your stomach, fingers brushing the waistband of your leggings. He looked up at you again, flushed and slightly wild-eyed. “Is this okay?”

You nodded, and he took that permission like a green light.

He tugged them down slowly, revealing more of you, eyes flicking down and then back up like he was making sure he didn’t miss a thing. When his fingers slipped between your thighs, he sucked in a breath.

“God…” he murmured. “You’re—wow.”

You laughed, breathless. “Not much of a compliment, but I’ll take it.”

“No, I mean—” he looked up, lips parted, eyes dark, “I’ve never—this is... crazy.”

But still, he didn’t hesitate.

His fingers explored, tracing slowly, learning what made your legs shift, what made you grip the edge of the bench. At first, too soft, then a bit too fast, but every time you moaned or murmured something back—“slower,” “right there,” “don’t stop”—he adjusted. The way he focused on your reactions made your head spin.

And when he finally found just the right rhythm—just enough pressure, just the right spot—you swore under your breath, and his jaw clenched.

“I’m doing it right?” he whispered, breath catching.

You let out a soft, broken laugh. “Very right.”

His grin was a little crooked, a little boyish—and full of wonder. He kept going, fingers slick and steady now, one hand bracing on your thigh as the other worked you. The trembling in your legs only seemed to make him more determined.

“Tell me when,” he said, voice almost reverent.

And when your hips bucked and your back arched—when you came undone on his fingers—he looked like he’d just won a Grand Prix.

You were still catching your breath, your thighs trembling around his hand, when you felt him stiffen—really stiffen. Not just his fingers now, but all of him. He was still inside you, slow and gentle with his movements, but something about the way you clenched around him—reflexively, instinctively—sent a visible jolt up his spine.

His lips parted like he was about to say something, but then he exhaled sharply through his nose, eyes fluttering closed. "Merda…"

He shuddered.

Just a small squeeze, a shift in your hips, and you felt it—the unmistakable way he tensed and gasped, like someone had pulled the air from his lungs. His forehead dropped to your shoulder for a moment, and his fingers stilled inside you.

“Cazzo…” he muttered, voice tight and ragged. “I—I —”

You blinked, and then realized. His boxers were soaked at the front. Still tight around his hips, but dark and damp now where he’d just—

He looked up at you, horrified and flushed. “I didn’t— I mean, I didn’t even—shit.”

You bit back a grin. He looked devastated, like he’d just crashed into a wall at turn one.

“Kimi.” You touched his face, gently.

He looked up at you like you’d just handed him a lifeline. “It’s not okay. I didn’t even… I didn’t get to do anything for you.”

“You did,” you said with a soft smile, squeezing his wrist where his hand still rested between your thighs. “Very much.”

His mouth opened, then closed. He looked utterly lost.

You leaned closer. “Besides,” you whispered, brushing your lips over his cheek, “you’ve got stamina, right?”

His eyes lit up, like something in him clicked. His breath caught as you kissed just beneath his ear.

“I… I do,” he said, more to himself than to you. His voice cracked a little, but his eyes held fire now.

He sat up straighter, jaw tight. “I can go again. I want to go again.”

And this time, there was no hesitation in the way he reached for you.

His mouth crashed into yours, all teeth and heat and desperation. You barely registered being lifted and eased back until your shoulder blades hit the narrow locker room bench. It wobbled beneath you, squeaking faintly against the tile, but the way he gripped your hips left no room for second thoughts.

He shoved his boxers down just enough to free himself—already hard again, thick and flushed—and lined himself up with a breathless groan. One deep thrust and he was inside you again, filling you so suddenly you gasped.

The stretch made your eyes flutter, but there was no time to settle into it—he was already moving, fast and rough, hips snapping with a kind of urgency that bordered on frantic. The bench rocked under both of you, and his hands tightened on your thighs like he was holding on for dear life.

“Fuck,” he hissed. “Too good, it’s—fuck, I’m not gonna last—”

You could feel it. He was right there on the edge again, the way his rhythm stuttered, how his thighs trembled against yours. But you weren’t there yet—your body straining for more, that tight coil inside you still winding, aching.

“Kimi,” you gasped, grabbing for his wrist. “Touch me.”

His eyes snapped to yours. Understanding hit in a rush, and he didn’t hesitate. One hand slid between your bodies, fingers slick with sweat and your arousal, and found your clit.

The moment he started rubbing—messy, desperate, but exactly what you needed—it hit you like a wave. You arched, cried out, everything tightening as the orgasm slammed into you, hard and sudden. Your body clenched around him, and that was it.

He came with a broken sound, hips jerking deep inside you as he spilled into you. Hot. Endless.

Neither of you moved for a moment. Just panting. Trembling.

Then reality hit him.

“Wait—fuck—” His voice cracked. “I didn’t use a condom. Shit. I didn’t even—”

You opened your eyes to see him staring at you, wide-eyed, breath shallow.

“I didn’t mean to,” he said quickly, his hands shaking. “I wasn’t thinking—I just—” He swallowed hard. “Are you on anything? I should’ve asked. Shit.”

You reached for him, found his face with both hands, and gently pulled him down until your foreheads touched.

“I’m on the pill,” you said softly, steadying your breath. “It’s okay.”

He blinked, stunned. Still braced above you, his chest heaving.

“I mean it,” you whispered. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

His face twisted—relief, guilt, awe, all crashing into each other—but he nodded. “I just—fuck. I don’t usually lose control like that.”

You smiled faintly. “Maybe you needed to.”

A beat passed. Then, slowly, he pulled back.

And when he did—when he slipped out of you, both of you still so wet, so raw—his breath hitched.

He stared.

Your legs were still open, thighs trembling, and his cum was already starting to spill from your lips, slow and thick, slicking down to the bench.

“Dio mio,” he whispered. His voice dropped to something low, reverent.

His fingers ghosted over your thigh, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“You’re…” He shook his head once, lips parted, still breathless. “You’re so full of me.”

You watched his face, the stunned hunger there. He looked like a man who’d just witnessed something sacred.

[joelssimp]

STILL | CHAPTER 20

CW: Sister chaos energy. Domestic, and fluff. Not much on this one, I wanted to explore more of her relationship with Mandy, and how Mandy is slowly changing.

7.2K words

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20 - Mandy

December was its own rhythm. Came in quietly, wrapped in so much snow and the kind of cold that made every breath feel heavier inside my chest. With production on hold, the days stretched out in unfamiliar ways. No early call times, no more standing in frozen sets, and no more frantic mornings prepping gear before light faded. Just… soft mornings working from home, coffee or tea hot in our hands, and some relaxing for the mind.

I stood at the window, fingers curled around a mug of coffee I made in that lazy morning, watching the snow fall thick and slow on the streets of Calgary. It drifted down like it had all the time in the world — soft, constant and endless, like it didn’t care that everything in me still felt like the world was moving too fast.

Matt was doing better in a new clinic up in Ottawa. He sent updates almost every other day now—mostly photos or short texts saying that the routine helps a lot. His eyes were clearer and  steadier. There was more weight on his face, more color too. It wasn’t perfect, but it was him, or as much of him that I remember, enough that the ache in my chest loosened its grip just a little.

I scrolled through his last message while the steam rose past my face. He looked like someone who had been pulled from deep water and finally found land he could step into. Like he could breathe again, and that felt like a small victory in a sense.

On the other hand, around London, I haven't heard much from my dad. Just one small message after the facility confirmed payment had gone through. “Thank you.” That was it. No follow-up, no guilt this time. Just silence, but not in a cruel way. Just dad in his pride, too big to swallow. 

And then there was everything else too—The award was coming. I kept forgetting that it was real, that people were still talking about the photos I took. Interviews were scheduled for January in Los Angeles. I have to fly down there, talk to people about my work, spread the good news about how it feels to work for fifteen to sixteen hours straight, to answer agents, and production. How it feels to be a small part of a giant machine. And to claw my way up the latter alone, trying and error every time.

Pedro will be around the town too. January for him meant Mandalorian season 3 production, and endless nights for me without him by my side.

Since we got back from Canmore we were still… us. Just a little more quiet, and careful. Still tucked behind knowing looks and quiet nights and the way his voice sounded when no one else was around. There wasn’t a name for it yet, at least not one I could say out loud without risking what we have.

But it was as real as it could get behind closed doors. Just us knowing each other, learning a little more each day. Making each other feel good—sometimes too good.

I caught my reflection in the window and didn’t recognize it right away. I looked… tired, and even a little older from the harsh months I’ve endured. But I didn’t feel fragile anymore. Those months had taken so much, but they also gave me more than I could count.

From where I stood I could see the cars coming around the block, and just as my watch turned to another hour of the day I saw the cab turning with an unhurried pace.

She was finally here.

I set the mug down too fast, almost knocking it over. My heart jumped in that stupid, familiar way it always did when something good is about to happen. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed to see someone who knew me the way she did — before all of this. Before Pedro, before the Pandemic and all the complications, before everything cracked open inside me.

She stepped out of the cab bundled in a ridiculous purple scarf, dragging a suitcase across the icy sidewalk, her hair half-tucked into her coat, like she left in a hurry to get here as fast as possible. 

Kate peeked out from her bedroom door, hair a mess, one eye still closed. “She’s here?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, suddenly blinking too fast. “She’s here.”

For the first time in weeks, the flat didn’t feel like a pressure cooker of leftover tension. It didn’t feel like a reminder of everything I hadn’t said to Kate yet.

It felt… softer. Something close to the word “home.”

The knock on the door was barely necessary — I was already halfway across the flat before it came. I opened the door just as the sixteen-year-old raised her hand again, too impatient to wait a couple of seconds. The handle of her suitcase was swinging out behind her like an extra limb.

“Oh my God, it is so cold,” Mandy blurted, barreling inside before I could even get a hello out. “Like, my eyelashes froze walking from the car. That’s a thing? Nobody told me that was a thing.”

I caught her in a tight hug before she could say anything else. Tighter than she expected me to. For a moment, her body stilled inside my arms, but then, she wrapped her arms around me like she knew just what I needed. The way her warmth filled in all the spaces that were still cold inside me, made me exhale softly.

She pulled back with a grin. “Okay, now I’m happy.”

I laughed. “You weren’t before?”

“I was freezing. And your cab driver was listening to this conspiracy podcast so loud, I think I know everything about the moon landing being fake now.” She rolled her eyes as she kicked off her boots. “Also… what’s with the airport being built like a maze? I swear I walked in circles for fifteen minutes before I found the exit.”

She had her scarf half-unwound already, cheeks pink and flushed from the cold, hair full of static. She looked exactly like herself — too much energy, not enough patience, and somehow already planning five things at once before her body had caught up to her brain.

Kate peeked out from her room again, holding a mug. “You’re loud.”

Mandy pointed a finger at her. “And you’re grumpy.”

Kate cracked a smile at that. Mandy had that effect on anybody.

“I brought gifts,” Mandy added in a singsong voice, dropping her tote bag onto the couch. “And snacks. But mostly just me. Aren’t you so lucky?”

“Unbelievably,” I said, still smiling like an idiot.

She launched into a story before I could even ask anything — something about a woman in the seat next to her painting her nails mid-flight (“Hot pink. In an airplane. Who does that?”), and how she almost missed her connection in Edmonton because the gate changed three times. She moved around in our flat like she belonged there, tossing her coat onto the back of the chair, opening a window a crack because “It smells like airplane in here.” Even though the smell came from her clothes.

I didn’t interrupt. Not like there’s anything like stopping Mandy.

I just watched her.

How her face lit up when she talked about things that made her excited, and she was excited to be here — really, genuinely excited, like I haven’t seen her be this happy since March 2020. And it was not because of some bucket list, or because she wanted to escape home for the holidays. She was happy to be my little sister again, to spend time together.

“I have so many plans,” she said, pulling out her phone and scrolling. “Okay, listen, there’s this café that does cinnamon lattes with brûléed marshmallows—yes, you heard that right. And also I found this lake thing people go skating on? And we’re doing that. I don’t care if I fall on my face, you’re coming with me.”

“Skating?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Or watching other people fall, whatever. And—oh! We have to go to Banff sometime, because I’ve never forgiven you for showing me those gorgeous pictures. I want to se mountains with snow. Like full snow globe moment, alright?”

“Okay,” I said softly.

Mandy looked up from her phone. “Okay, what?”

“Okay… I’ll go. To all of it.”

She paused. And then her expression shifted. It was just the kind of shift that only sisters could read. Something behind her eyes softened. That little girl who would cry to me because someone from pre-k stole her toy. That little girl who would always find comfort in me, and I was always there for her. It all just came out in that solo look she gave me.

“Glad you’re here, Mandy.” I spoke so softly, she almost didn’t catch it.

Her smile made everything worth it.

It only took a few hours until she was already doing what she did best: noticing everything. Not just the big things — not the pictures on my bedroom wall, no, those were too easy to spot. Pedro, Bella and Kate in almost all of them.

Mandy noticed the little things. The kind of details I usually thought would go untouched by anyone. But she wasn’t anyone… She was detective Mandy on the case.

“You changed your shampoo,” she said casually as she leaned into the bathroom mirror, using my eyelash curler without asking. “Smells woodsy, and expensive.”

I didn’t answer. She already knew.

She turned and looked at me through the mirror. “Is it his?”

I shrugged, towel-drying my hair. “He uses it, yeah. It’s a nice smell.”

Mandy made a face like she’d caught me red-handed. “You’re using his shampoo.”

“And?”

She didn’t say anything. And honestly? She didn’t need to, that look on her face said it all. And only a sister could get away with it.

By mid-afternoon, I realized she was collecting clues like it was a murder mystery. A pair of socks that were obviously too big for me. A hoodie I didn’t even bother pretending wasn’t his. My laptop wallpaper — a photo of us at his apartment, my head resting on his shoulder, and him kissing the top of my head.

Mandy spotted that one from across the living room, of course.

“Oh my God,” she said, throwing a pillow at me, “you’re so gone for him.”

I ducked and blushed like I was sixteen all over again. “It’s just a nice photo.”

“It’s a photo of a rom-com movie, you guys are the main characters by the way” she said, crossing her arms, “and you’re glowing like hell.”

I tried to play it cool. Failed, obviously.

Later, while she was nosing around the kitchen for snacks, she paused at the magnet on the fridge. It was tiny and plain, shaped like a film clapperboard. The kind of thing you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. But she paid attention to everything.

“This is new,” she said, tapping it with her finger.

I nodded. “He got it for me. Last week I think.”

“And now it’s here,” she said, eyes narrowing slightly like she was piecing together a puzzle. “Hmm.”

I turned away before she could keep staring at me like that.

But then came the moment I’d been waiting for — the one I was looking forward to the most. I pulled the small box out of the drawer by my bed. It was wrapped carefully in a black paper. He left right before going to the airport to board to L.A a few days ago. Told me not to open it, that it wasn’t for me.

“She’s gonna love it,” he said, that night, smiling to himself. “It’s not big or anything. Just… something I thought of when I saw it.”

I held the box in both hands now and turned to find Mandy curled up on the couch, scrolling on her phone.

“I have something for you,” I said.

She glanced up, eyes curious. “What?”

“It’s from Pedro.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Pedro who… oh, right, the Pedro fucking Pascal”

I rolled my eyes. “Just open it.”

She took the box and sat up, untying the string slowly. “You’re not gonna tell me what it is?”

“Nope.”

She peeled back the paper, opened the box, and went silent.

Inside was a necklace — simple, delicate, a thin silver chain with a small star pendant. Etched on the back was just one word. Luz.

“He said it reminded him of you,” I said quietly. “Because when I talk about you, I always say you’re the light in the room. That you make people feel better just by being around.”

Mandy stared at it, her fingers brushing the charm gently.

“He remembered that?” she asked, voice a little smaller now.

“Yeah.”

She swallowed. “Did you tell him I wanted something to remind me of this trip?”

“No. He just thought of it.”

She looked up at me, eyes glassy, “He doesn’t even know me.”

“He knows me,” I said. “And I think… that’s enough for now.”

Mandy nodded, holding the necklace to her chest like she didn’t want to let it go.

“Okay,” she said, voice steadier now. “I officially approve.”

“Approve of what?”

“Of the fact that you’re stupidly, recklessly, deeply into a man who notices this much about people.”

I laughed, feeling that warmth ripple through me again.

“Also,” Mandy added with a grin, “I’m keeping the shampoo.”

It was one of those rare winter days in Calgary where the sky was so blue it felt like a lie. Mandy had practically shoved me out of bed that morning with a “We didn’t cross half the country to stay inside, or at least I didn’t.” 

Kate was already moving through the kitchen, ready for the day, and making the most delicious pot of coffee for a winter morning.

We moved fast. Mandy was hurrying us all around, because she wanted to enjoy as much as possible before she got too tired — with the small detail that she was almost never tired when it comes to tourist things.

“Okay, but where are we going?” I asked, stuffing gloves into my coat pocket as we locked the door behind us.

“Somewhere cute,” Mandy said.

“Somewhere with hot chocolate,” Kate added, bumping her shoulder against mine. “And somewhere that has at least one moose decoration, because your sister is on a full Canadian fantasy tour.”

We ended up at this little market just outside the city. It had stalls filled with overpriced ornaments, handmade mittens, maple-flavored everything, and a live folk band playing holiday covers of pop songs. Mandy was already halfway through a cinnamon sugar beaver tail before I could even blink.

“I like her,” Kate said, nodding at Mandy with a smile.

“I know,” I said, grinning.

Mandy overheard us. “You know, I like you too, Kate. I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s like… you’re the cool best that grounds this mess of a sister I have.”

Kate beamed. “Well, it’s hard being the best-kept secret of the crew.”

“I know, It must be a burden,” Mandy said, licking her fingers clean. “She’s the worst at lying.”

My brows rose. “Are we talking about me like I’m not here?”

“Kind of,” they said in unison.

It only got worse after that. Every time I said anything, and I mean, anything — they found a way to make it about Pedro, or my love life.

“I’m cold,” I said, following Mandy down the end of the market.

“Bet you wouldn’t be if your boyfriend was here.” Kate said in a mocking tone.

A few minutes later my stomach growled. It was almost lunch time, and I hadn’t eaten much.

“I’m starving.” The comment left my lips before I could think about it.

“Pedro would’ve packed snacks. He looks like a snack-packer.” Mandy teased, her laugh a little too high.

I rolled my eyes.

We stopped at a little tent filled with maple leaf shaped hats. I got one to try it on, and regretted right away.

“Is this hat too much?” I asked

“No, but Pedro would lie and say you looked cute anyway.” Said Kate with a smug smile.

“Okay,” I groaned, dragging my scarf up to hide half my face. “You two are menaces.”

Kate wrapped an arm around me, grinning like the devil on a shoulder. “You love it.”

And truthfully… I did. There was something ridiculously comforting about watching the two of them become fast friends — Kate, with her dry sarcasm and way-too-observant eyes, and Mandy, with her bright energy and no-filter honesty. They fit around me like two puzzle pieces, slipping into the spaces I didn’t realize had been feeling a little empty lately.

When we sat down on a bench with hot drinks, Mandy leaned in and said, “So… how serious are you two?”

Kate looked at me like she also wanted to know.

I blinked at them. “Wow. Zero chill.”

Mandy sipped her hot chocolate. “Answer the question.”

I hesitated, heart doing that annoying flutter it always did when I thought about him for more than five seconds. It’s kind of inevitable now. He was the best part of my days, and I couldn’t even remember my life without him in it. Weird how people can turn your little world inside out in just a matter of time.

“I don’t know,” I said. “It’s… a lot. He is a lot, loud, and so good to me. And maybe it scares me a little how right it feels to be with him.”

Kate nudged my boot with hers. “He’s gone for you.”

“I know,” I said softly.

Mandy smiled like she already knew everything I wasn’t saying out loud. “He’ll be back for Christmas, right?”

“Yeah. He had meetings and fittings in L.A. But he’ll be back before the 24th. We’re invited to his latino Christmas, or whatever it is we’re doing together.”

“Good,” Kate said. “Because I want to see you both being disgustingly in love under twinkle lights.”

“I want to see it snow while you kiss him,” Mandy added, voice dreamy.

“Okay, I’m cutting you both off,” I laughed, standing up with my drink. “No more sugar for either of you.”

They followed me, still grinning, still teasing, and I let them. Let myself be wrapped in the ease of it — in the kind of day you only dream about once or twice. Filled with love, and easy teasing, and a warmth in the middle of a cold winter

He wasn’t here, but he was everywhere. In the way they teased using his name on more times than I can count. In the way I smiled without noticing anytime Mandy or Kate said something that instantly reminded me of him. And also in the way they already saw the parts of him that had quietly stitched themselves into me.

The days with Mandy melted into each other like marshmallows in hot chocolate.

Every morning started the same way: I’d wake up to the sound of her already rummaging through the kitchen, humming something cheerful and off-key, trying to make breakfast with whatever was left in the fridge. She didn’t cook as much as she assembled, like someone running a one-woman buffet of toast, cereal, fruit, and way too many condiments for that early in the morning.

“I made you your favorite breakfast,” she said one morning, presenting me with a single pancake and three pieces of bacon stacked in the shape of Yoda ears. “Just how you used to make it for me.”

I blinked at the plate. “So it’s… Baby Yoda themed?”

“Excuse me, it’s Grogu.”

Right. The best star-wars fan this planet has seen. God forbid I make a mistake about it next to her, and now, next to him too. He warned me about the Baby-Yoda and Grogu thing before he left. And also commented on how Mandy would react to him.

“Just… prepare yourself,” he’d said, laughing, “in case she thinks I’m actually Din Djarin.”

I’d laughed too, but now? Now I was starting to believe she might just lose her shit.

“She’s adorable,” Kate had whispered to me the night Mandy arrived, after they’d exchanged maybe two sentences and my sister had already complimented her earrings, her sweater, and the flat itself. “Also? I think she’s low-key taking over my spot as your platonic soulmate.”

“You’ll share custody,” I’d told her.

And truly, our week was filled with just us three. Jokes, teasing, and this warm environment Mandy brought upon us. She was always singing, laughing or even telling a chaotic long story of how her friend at school got busted for skipping class to go stalk a guy she liked. Kate loved the energy, and would engage in every single story like it was the most interesting thing she ever heard.

I showed her all the pictures I took on set, and even the ones the agents said no to. She was cussing them by the third picture.

“Who in their right mind would say no to this piece of art?” She showed the screen to Kate, asking for supportive words.

“That’s what I’ve been saying” Kate pointed out, agreeing with her completely.

And I just laughed. She didn’t know about all the drama, all the sharp emails I got from Franklin or Sue late at night, thanking me for the photos, but some of them couldn’t pass as “good for PP’s image”.

Pedro always made sure to let me know he had nothing to do with that, but couldn’t stop them. I honestly didn’t care much. We knew it was going to be complicated, and we’re here for it. Staying together even when it gets messy.

By Mandy’s second week here, I was texting him more frequently. The weight of missing his presence was too strong to hold on to. He sent me pictures of costume fittings “So… this is like, top secret, but how good do I look on this new costume?”. Another afternoon and he sent a selfie with Jon Favreau, kissing the guy’s cheek with a description “since I don’t have you here… This will do.” And I laughed so hard, Mandy had to come and see what was happening.

By the fourth day of texting every five minutes, he sent me the video.

I was still lazy scrolling on bed before getting up to start the day. My eyes were still adjusting to the light of my screen. There was no caption, no follow-up text, just his face filling up the screen before he turned the camera to show what he had next to him.

From the second 12 forward I couldn’t stop smiling. 

Grogu was sitting on a crate. Pedro waved first and then, the little green animatronic tilted its head and made a small sound.

Pedro’s voice came from behind the camera, warm and amused. “Hey Mandy,” he said, “someone told me you’re a fan. So I got you a personal greeting from the kid himself.”

He moved the puppet’s arms a little, then made the softest cooing sound again. Just the cutest thing I’ve seen.

“I’m coming back soon,” he added. “Save me some of that breakfast art you made for your sister.”

I had to bite my lip from smiling too hard.

“Mandy!” I yelled from my room. “You’re gonna want to see this!”

She came running, probably from the kitchen, still in my hoodie, hair a mess, blinking against the light when I handed her my phone. Kate peeked out from the door, toothbrush in her mouth.

Thirty seconds later, Mandy was gasping. “No. No. You’re kidding.”

Kate leaned over her shoulder. “Wait. Is that the real—?”

“Actual Grogu,” I said.

My sister played the video at least three more times, then held the phone to her chest like it was sacred. “Tell him I love him. Like, in a ‘thanks for this blessed gift’ kind of way, not in a creepy way. But also tell him I cried. Like, from joy.”

I nodded. “I think he’ll get it.”

That whole second week moved in soft, snowy motions. Mandy calmed down after trying to ice-skate and failed miserably, resulting in a full-on bruise on her left thigh. “Not doing that again.” She said, trying to get up from the ice.

We watched Christmas movies — Kate insisted on a Love Actually rewatch, while Mandy demanded The Holiday and then Die Hard, “because it counts, and I won’t hear otherwise.” We took cheesy pictures in the snow, walked through holiday markets, and drank cheap mulled wine from paper cups — Even the sixteen-year-old had a couple of sips, because I am that kind of sister.

And even though Pedro wasn’t there, he was. In the little updates he sent. The memes that popped up on our instagram chat. His photos from set, and mine from everyday stuff. Notes telling me how much he missed me. 

One afternoon, I went down the reception of our building to grab our mail and there was a box with Mandy’s name on it, from Los Angeles and signed by Din. Of course it was.

I didn’t open, it wasn’t mine. I just brought it up, gave  it to her and admired how happy she was. There was a pair of Mandalorian socks and a signed crew jacket he said she’d love.

“She’s going to marry him before you do,” Kate whispered.

“I heard that!” Mandy shouted from the other room.

December 22nd came. And with it, the restlessness.

Pedro’s flight was either late that night or early the next morning — depending on how things went in LA, and I tried not to check my phone every ten minutes.

I failed miserably.

We were watching Home Alone under the living room blanket fort Kate had helped Mandy build when the little punk caught me checking my phone for a message from him again.

“He’s coming tonight?”

“Should be,” I said, eyes still on the screen.

“You want to pretend you haven’t been checking your phone like a maniac?”

I shot her a look. “You want to pretend you didn’t cry when he made Grogu wave at you?”

Kate cackled beside her, and Mandy just flipped me off.

“You nervous?” she asked more quietly.

“Yes,” I said. “But not in a bad way. I just… I miss him. I’m used to him being here, around us, just whispering dumb jokes to make me laugh in the middle of a set-up. Grabbing my camera bag when he thinks it looks too heavy. Just the small and quiet moments. I didn’t think it was going to feel like this.”

Mandy curled her legs up, warm beside me. “You’re in it.”

“I know.”

My phone buzzed.

I grabbed it so fast I nearly dropped it.

Just landed. Be home soon. Miss you. Pedro P. - 20:05

I stared at the screen.

Mandy looked like she was watching a movie’s emotional climax. She was excited to meet him finally, and nervous in the best way. Kate was having fun with all of it, and I just wanted to hug and kiss him like I’ve been wanting to since he first left.

How was this flight so goddamn long? I remember arriving from Los Angeles a few months back, and it was the easiest thing to go through. Now it feels like I might explode before the wheels even touch the snowy ground of Calgary again.

I was running on no sleep, and just watching the sun shift, vanishing against the clouds. Checked my phone at least twenty times in a span of only three hours. There was no way in hell the airplane in the little screen was moving at all.

It wasn’t even the set I missed. Or the city, or even the friends I made here… It was her. Every single thing about that photographer and the way her eyes lit up whenever she saw me. The way she says my name when is just us together. And the way she keeps stealing pieces of my life to hers — My favorite hoodie, or the t-shirt I used to wear around set, or even my shampoo that had disappeared mysteriously.

In the days apart, I even missed the silence between us. The kind of silence where words weren’t needed. Silence so comfortable I could stay in it forever if she let me.

Lately she didn’t need to speak much at all. I knew it all. Whenever she curled herself around my body — It was a sign for me to hold her tight against me. Or whenever she held the kiss just a little longer — My sign to go for a second or a third kiss.

God, I miss her. And the wait was almost over.

Customs was fine. A little longer. The line for non-residents stretching just enough to make me uncomfortable with the stares people give me. The city was too cold the moment I stepped outside. My scarf was buried somewhere in the bottom of my carry-on and I wasn’t about to stop for it. I climbed into the first cab I could find and gave her address before the driver even asked.

Was it a little reckless? Maybe, but I couldn’t bare to go straight to my place without seeing her first. And I knew she was waiting for me.

I watched the city blur past the window as we drove, half-listening to the snow whisper against the glass. The cab was too warm and the heater whistled like it was struggling just to do the basic. 

I unlocked my phone just as another three messages come through from her.

We're watching a movie in the living room. She’s obsessed with the blanket fort Kate helped her build. Cariño  - 20:38

You don’t have to come tonight, if you’re tired. Cariño  - 20:38

But if you do… knock softly. Cariño  - 20:39

God, I love her.

I texted back with one hand.

I’m five minutes away. Pedro - 20:39

Five minutes felt like a lifetime now.

I’d seen the photos and videos she sent while I was gone — her and her sister wrapped up in blankets, mugs of tea or cocoa, snow painting the windows behind them. Mandy looked like her, the same smile and spark, just brighter and younger. Full of opinions, full of noise, and full of so much love.

It made me happy, and relieved to see her with family again, especially when she’d been so withdrawn in the fall. She needed this. She needed someone who made her laugh until she forgot what was weighing her down. And Kate was in the mix now too, the arguments from the last two months a little forgotten. They were still perfect for each other.

And I’d never admit it out loud, but seeing her glow like that? Seeing that light again, even through a damn phone screen?

It made the two weeks I was away, without her, so damn worth it.

The driver turned the corner onto her street. I leaned forward, recognizing the building before we even stopped. My hands were already on the handle before we pulled in fully. It was so fast, and easy… I grabbed my bag, tipped the driver, and stepped out into the sharp, biting cold. The building looked the same as I remembered — tall, and a mix of vintage with modern architecture. 

I stood outside for a moment. Just looking up. This was important, because I was about to meet another piece of her, in flesh. I’ve talked to Mandy before, but to have her here, it made me nervous without noticing.

I climbed the stairs slowly, even though every part of me wanted to run. Laughter echoed somewhere — muffled behind a wall or a door — but it barely registered. I was hyperfocused. Like walking into a dream I’d been having for the past week.

Once I was in front of her door, my heart started to race against my chest. I raised my hand and knocked gently — just like she’d asked me to. Not even a second later, I heard quick footsteps on the other side. Then the soft click of the lock.

My eyes were filled with her image, and damn… My mind didn’t do her justice. That smile was something out of this world, I swear it took me a moment to fully take a breath. Her hair was slightly messy from a lazy night in. A hoodie too big for her, the sleeves swallowed by her hands a little, and that was one of my favorites that she took the last time she was at my place. Her eyes found mine, sparkling a little. Warm and so inviting. I could tell she hadn’t fully believed I’d show up tonight.

She didn’t say anything and I didn’t wait. The second I could breathe again, I stepped in and found her waist pulling her into my body and crashing my mouth to hers.

Messy kisses full of unspoken words were my favorites. Her fingers caught the lapels of my coat, tugging me in like gravity, like maybe letting go wasn’t an option anymore. She made a sound low in her throat, involuntary and needy, and I swallowed it with my mouth.

Nothing else existed, not the room, not even the stretch of time we’d spent pretending this would get easier.

My hands travelled down from her waist, and then—

“Oh, wow, okay,” Kate’s voice cut through, with a tone halfway between a smirk and a warning. “You two wanna maybe dial it down? Keep it PG friendly? We have a guest.”

I blinked. Pulled back just enough to see behind her.

Kate was sitting on the couch with a half-empty bowl of popcorn. She was grinning like she knew exactly what we’d been up to lately — and Mandy was next to her. Cross-legged, wide-eyed, half-laughing and half trying to hide the way her face was red from seeing her sister with me.

“Oh,” I breathed, suddenly aware I hadn’t even stepped inside properly.

She looked over her shoulder and laughed, hiding her face in my coat for a second like she could reverse time and start over. I kissed the top of her head instead and followed her in.

“Mandy,” she said, turning back toward her sister. “This is Pedro.”

Mandy stood up quickly, all awkward limbs and an instant confidence that wasn’t there before. She stuck her hand out but ended up pulling me into a hug instead. Like she wasn’t even thinking about it.

“You guys are perfect for each other, and she’s so gone for you, like, so fucking gone.”

My girl covered her warm face, laughing. “Oh my God, Mandy—”

“I’m just saying,” Mandy started, sitting back down with a grin, “I saw him in every part of this apartment. You guys are basically staring a rom-com.”

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck, roughly aware that I was blushing with her words. “Nice to meet you too.”

“You brought me stuff,” she added, like she was trying to change the subject and be thankful all at once. “That little necklace? And that signed jacket from the show? I cried. Legit.”

I felt my girl reached for my hand without even looking. Her thumb rubbed over my knuckles like a reflex. She was happy to see her sister so excited.

“I thought you’d like that,” I said, sitting down with her by my side. “Jon was excited when I told him who it was for.”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “That’s some fancy stuff, could easily sell it for good money on ebay.”

“Never in a million years” Mandy said slowly and I felt my girl laughing

“She’s my little Star Wars nerd,” She said proudly.

“Not little, I’m a massive one,” Mandy added, grabbing a pillow to hug against her chest. “I’m still not over that Grogu video. I showed it to like four people already. Pedro, you have no idea—”

“I have some idea,” I said with a smile. “Your sister showed me your hoodie collection.”

She groaned. “I told you that in confidence!”

Kate snorted.

The room felt like home. The kind that came with laughter you didn’t have to force, and warmth you didn’t have to earn. The lights were low, the fort still stood in the corner with twinkle lights wrapped around it, and the TV had paused on some animated movie I hadn’t seen in years.

I’d only been gone a week. But walking into this, and to be a part of it like I was a missing piece of the puzzle, it felt so damn right. I was focused on the feeling of missing her, that only now I let myself be a part of it like I belonged.

I felt her body lean into me again. My arm found her waist without even thinking about it. She was warm and her smell was everywhere.

“Welcome back,” she whispered, only loud enough for me.

I turned my head, pressed a kiss just under her jaw, and whispered back, “It’s good to be back.”

After a while they all voted on Five Guys, which really meant me complaining about being hungry, and offering the fastest and the most delicious solution. Kate and Mandy jumped right on immediately. Mandy lit up when she heard I was paying for the milkshakes.

“Don’t tip too much,” I heard her saying to Kate as they walked down the hallway, leaving me and Mandy by ourselves. “Last time you tipped more than the food cost—”

“Support your workers!” Kate yelled back before the door clicked shut behind them.

Silence.

It settled weirdly after how loud and chaotic everything had been just seconds before.

Mandy was still curled up on the couch, legs pulled to her chest, flipping through something on her phone, but I could feel her watching me. She was curious, I could tell there was a lot going through her mind. And it’s weird how far she’d come since we first talked.

Back then she hardly said a word to me without shaking like she was speaking to a god. We’ve only spoken the basic. Even when I asked her to deliver my gift to her sister back on her thirtieth birthday.

I sat back against the cushions. Relaxed, mostly. Until Mandy spoke so softly I could barely make up what she was saying.

“You really like her, huh?”

I looked over.

She didn’t look smug. Just… like she already knew the answer and wanted to hear me say it anyway.

“I do,” I said with a shy smile.

She nodded. “She’s different lately.”

“Good different?”

“The best kind.” She gave a small shrug. “She’s always been kind of—” Mandy paused just enough to organize what she was about to say “Tense. Like she’s always holding her breath a little. You know? Even before all the shit with our dad or my brother. It’s just how she is. But now—”

She stopped again, furrowed her brow.

“She’s softer,” she said. “Like she forgets to be mad at the world sometimes. Or she just… forgets to be on guard all the time. It’s weird.”

“Weird good?”

She looked at me for a second longer, and the grin came with a nod.

“Yeah. Weird good.”

I smiled. “She’s been that way with me since the first day. I don’t know why. I didn’t do anything to earn it.”

“Exactly,” Mandy said, waving a hand. “You didn’t try. I think that’s what did it.”

I let that settle.

She knew her sister so well. It’s almost scary how much. The description Mandy just gave on how her sister worked around, the walls she had when we first met... Not the kind of walls people put up on purpose. This was different, the kind that grow with need, like survival. And yet, somehow, with me, she’d let them fall. Just little pieces, like she was testing if I’d notice whenever there was a shift. And I did, of course I did.

“I like you,” Mandy added, the type of confession of a person who wasn’t sure she was going to say it until the words were already out. “I mean, you’re older and famous and whatever, so I should probably be skeptical, right?”

I raised a brow. “Were you? skeptical?”

“Not really,” she smirked. “But I thought about it for like… five seconds.”

I laughed at that. The girl was funny without even trying.

Then she leaned forward a little, more serious now.

“But then I saw how she talks about you. Even when she’s not talking about you.”

I tilted my head trying to read in between the lines. “What does that mean?”

“She’s happy. That’s what it means.”

Simple as that, she’s happy. Even with all the drama with her father, even with her twin almost giving up, and leaving her no choice but to pick up the pieces and try again until it worked. Even with the job that was so consuming, and tiring… Even with all the bad things around—she was happy.

“She deserves happy,” I said.

“Yeah,” Mandy said. “And you make her feel safe. Which I think she didn’t even realize she needed.”

We didn’t say anything after that for a while. Just let it sit between us. The truth of two people that loved one girl so much, they’d do anything to make her happy every single day. The sisterly bond was so strong with them, it made my chest ache in a good way.

The elevator dinged out in the hallway a few minutes later, and I heard that laugh — unmistakable and bright — followed by Kate’s dramatic monologue about milkshake flavors.

Mandy stood up and walked to the door before I could. But before she could open it, I felt a shift in her, protective as hell and ready to tell me off if I say something wrong.

“Don’t mess it up,” she said, smirking.

I put a hand to my chest. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good.” She grinned. “Because I really like that hoodie she stole from you, and I want her to keep it.”

The lock turned, and the door opened with a tud. She stepped inside first, her cheeks pink from the cold, balancing two bags with one hand. “Okay, fries are on the verge of getting soggy, and Kate is still mad I said no to the Cajun ones—”

She stopped, eyes landing on me. That same look she always had on her when she didn’t believe I chose her. Even when I told her that the lucky one in this relationship was me, to be chosen by her when she could have any other guy her age.

I got up, smiled back, already reaching for the bags, and she let me.

Somewhere behind us, Mandy tossed me a wink and headed toward the fridge for ketchup.

We were in this, it was messy but it is ours. And to share this special connection we have with her loved ones, that’s the real deal for me. 

I was so goddamn lucky, it was hard to believe.

[ssaalexblake]

I feel like one of the big differences between Katniss and Haymitch's narration is that Haymitch is aware from the get go that the careers are not his enemy. It takes Katniss a while, and while she's tertiarily aware that the capitol is the one at fault here, she still lets her hatred for the careers she's in the arena with make her forget her anger at the capitol.

The whole thing about the newcomers in sotr is an attempt to upset the status quo, and from Hatmitch at least it is not a projection of hatred towards the careers. I think the alliance was erased from the 50th games not Just because it fully reshaped Haymitch's narrative, but also because it was inherently rebellious even aside from the actual rebellion taking part in that arena.

Because yeah, the careers are allowed to be allies and it's apparently expected of them to do so, but they're also well trained enough to know that after the pack hunting and campfires, they have to kill each other, and they do kill each other. The status quo is not damaged by this shallow alliance that has no real feeling. In fact, portraying the districts as people who are friendly with each other but repeatedly murder each other for their own gain must be great for the propaganda machine.

The other districts, however, when they ally, tend to get attached and not want to kill each other, which is literally in the face of what the games are meant to portray. The kids in the 50th knew full well what'd happen if they killed all the careers before they were all dead, even poor tortured Lou Lou said it to their faces that they'd just murder them all.

(side note: I cannot imagine what kind of training and psychological conditioning they do to the career kids to prep them and make them ready and willing to play friends with other kids for a couple of weeks or so and then have to kill them. Yikes.)

But back to the point, Haymitch may think Panache is unhinged and personally dislike him, but he's inherently aware from the get go that Both of them are nothing but animals to the capitol citizens. During the interviews when Caesar makes a cruel comment towards Panache, Haymitch laughs for a second before he stops himself. He doesn't stop himself because he thinks that Panache is the smartest most honourable guy in the world, he does it because the capitol are laughing at him because they think he's a stupid animal, and the capitol sees no difference between the two of them.

He chose to have empathy with him, despite what he thought of him.

He's psychologically allying himself with the careers here, not out of affection, but out of an ability to differentiate with who is bigger enemy is. He's more than aware that they're just teenagers like him. It's wholly unsurprising that he shared their chocolate with Silka when he saw her crying. He recognised that she's just been through the exact thing he did and would have just watched Maritte die without being able to help.

And yes, Katniss gets here herself, but it is not an inherent awareness in her. She is learning as she goes, which is why her mentor gently reminds her who the real problem is.

[songmingisthighs]

Wanbelyn

introduction pt. i | pt. ii | pt. iii

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ch. vi - fire ?

neurosurgeon!hongjoong × reader

buy me coffee ?

tw : medical emergency

where love and peace is held, i never expected for this to happen. i planned and i planned, i expected, and i hoped, but it was never you. you held what i wanted hostage to make room for you, the thing that i needed but has no means of acceptance. deny me, live your best life.

It had been a while since you stepped into a hospital in the hopes of getting a job. Last time you did, you were younger and more naïve, unaware of what the job entails. Unaware of what was waiting for you.

The thought of working as a nurse kind of made your palms sweaty and knees knock slightly. You suddenly wanted to run but you had already told the HR that you were there and Yeonjun had spent a good amount of time prepping you. Not to mention Wooyoung who gave you the opportunity itself. You can't disappoint them and you can't disappoint yourself. You kept repeating the words your dad told you after that morning's call, "Calm down, take a deep breath, hold until 3, then bust a move."

He's dorky but you love him.

So in your attempt to distract yourself from your nerves, you began looking around the hospital, taking note of the things around you and naming them. It was then that a noise caught your attention from the end of the hall, causing you to immediately snap your head towards the direction. You couldn't see it clearly but you saw an abandoned cart rattling and shaking slightly before a tiny figure emerged, going on his tippy toes trying to get something from the top. It worried you to see a kid rummaging through carts like that as in hospitals, there's a chance that the cart could be filled with medical equipment that children shouldn't play with. You would've attended to the boy and brought him back to his parents but you were about to get called in for the interview any time and frankly, you learn to leave things that are not your responsibility alone. As hard as it was. So you looked back to your lap and took a scan through your resume, recalling the things Wooyoung wanted you to mention and the way you should explain things.

As you were deep in your own head, practising answers to potential questions, you heard clattering sounds from the direction where you saw the boy and soon you saw him on his back on the floor. Your eyes squinted in hopes of getting a better view of what was going on, both curious and worried, so you let your legs move on their own, walking closer to the figure only to hear strangled noises coming from the boy who was slowly turning blue.

"Oh my God," you whispered, body freezing in shock. No matter how much you were trained to face emergencies, the sight of the boy convulsing on the floor with his lips turning blue was scary enough to render you useless. Your hands shook and flashes of memories passed in your head, the figure of the boy who was in front of you mixed together with flashes of another child who was lying on his bed with blaring alarms from machines flooding your mind, almost suffocating you as well.

"No, no," You whimpered, bottom lip trembling as your eyes swam with tears, "Not again."

The boy lay not far from you, face red and lips turning blue in a position that made his choking even worse. You knew you had to help, you knew that at that moment, there was no one else but you who could help him and you needed to act fast.

With a bit of struggle, you managed to get your frozen body moving again slowly, step by step. You fell to his side and saw that the boy was clutching an empty jello container. You immediately put the information in your head, slightly relieved that it was a rather softer food instead of literally anything that wasn't food or worse, something sharp.

Though you were practically trembling in a mixture of fear and PTSD, you braced yourself, you grabbed the boy and dragged him to your lap, placing his chest on your thigh as you made sure his mouth was opened. As you manhandled the boy, you could feel how rigid his body was and it did not make you any more relieved/ Heck, it reminded you how you had to move fast or else it was another kid's life in your hands.

For a moment, you hesitated, you didn't want to do something you felt you were not ready for yet. But what were you supposed to do? So after successfully pushing the thought aside, you began striking the boy's back hard, right between his shoulder blades. The first hit made you stiffen, afraid that you might have done more harm than good and slightly hoping that it was all it took. But alas, the boy's face was turning purple and when you saw his eyes rolling back, something took over your whole body, something that was a mixture of determination and fear. You can not lose this boy, not when you can do something about it, you decided. So you sent blow after blow, one by one, and with each one delivered, you felt your mental state slipping slightly to the point that it seemed like you were not in control of your body anymore. You were fully aware that you had been trying to get the boy to cough up the jello he choked on, but you had absolutely no idea how to stop.

You swore you processed what went on, you swore you finally heard the boy's clear, loud cries from his lung that was no longer congested. You realized that you managed to save the boy but your hand wouldn't stop hitting him until you were yanked away and thrown to the other side. With your body slumping, you slowly regained consciousness of what was going on. Your cognition came back like a wave of cold water crashing onto your body. You hadn't had time to fully comprehend at what point of time you were at when you were yanked up to your feet.

"What did you think you were doing!?" you recognized her as the HR personnel who was supposed to interview you. "What?" you gasped out, a little delirious from your dissociated state but she didn't care, "Why were you hitting that boy!?" she yelled out, surprising you. At the mention of the boy, however, your eyes darted around until you fell to his crying figure. He was being held by a nurse who was glaring at you as we wailed loudly, so loud that it caught the attention of the people who were slowly gathering around. It didn't occur to you earlier at all but once reality crashed down on you, you recognized the boy as Kijoong, the boy Wooyoung brought to Yeonjun's cafe a couple days back.

Just as you felt relieve, the HR personnel snapped her fingers in front of your line of sight. "Well?" She asked, seeking an explanation out of you. Dread crawled to your chest and the look of absolute distaste and Kijoong's wails only made you feel worse, it struck a deep sense of fear in you. "I-I was, I saw him there all alone a-and I noticed he was taking, I think it was jellos? He got up and a-and got like a jello from the unattended cart so-," "So you punished- no, ASSAULTED a child you don't know because he was being juvenile?" She snapped, voice loud as she stressed the word 'assaulted'. Your eyes widened and you shook your head quickly and you moved to take a step back only to fail. That moment you realized that you were being held by a security guard who was rather bulky, unable to escape even if it was just to create some distance. "No! I-I, look, I was-" the words were at the tip of your tongue but your brain was muddled, your cognition was not working correctly and maybe it was because you had had what could only be practically described as an out of body experience, but it was also due to the situation you were put in. Who would be able to stay calm in that situation?

Though she could've waited for you to explain, she simply rolled her eyes and told the security guard to escort you out the hospital after making sure that security has your picture and profile.

"P-profile? Wha- Excuse me?" Things weren't making sense and the people who were there did not provide clarity. The HR personnel paused momentarily in front of you, letting out one sharp exhale, "I'm afraid we can't process you in our hospital, Ms. (y/l/n). The behaviour you had just shown in this very unnecessary situation tells a lot about your personality and I do believe with absolute certainty that you would not fit in with this hospital. Frankly, I do not think you are fit to work in this profession whatsoever. The interview is off, you are no longer permitted back into this hospital, effective immediately," she then turned sharply just as you saw Kijoong being put on a gurney and getting strolled out.

"Wait!" You called out, what for? You weren't sure. It didn't matter anyway because just as Kijoong's voice grew further as he got wheeled away, you were dragged with such force by the security, past the group of people who were glaring, leering, and whispering at your expense.

Honestly, you didn't even care about the interview or the job opportunity, you just wanted to make sure that the kid was okay. Sure, his voice was loud and clear, but you wished there was a way for you to be absolutely sure.

One thing is for sure though, you may have lost an opportunity, but you had potentially saved a life.

network :

@cultofdionysusnet @sandsofire @kflixnet @pirateeznet

taglist :

@yunho-mp3 @strawberry-yeo @luvt0kki @allisonleannn @dinossaurz @khjcs @blackb3ll @aloverga @at1nys-blog @itsbeeble @senpai-of-doom @axo-l0tl @green-thots @intancollins @galaxypox @babyhailey819 @maddiebabyxoxo @alyssajavenss @mirror-juliet @gxlden-bxbyy @charreddonuts @dreamlesswonder86 @mayonnaisehoeshit @kodzukein @teenyfinds @dear-dreamie @mitchloveswriting @soobiverse @satsuri3su @phenomenalgirl9 @guess-monst3r

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@yungilia

[scopethings-blog]

Scope Computers

🚀 Become a Data Science Expert – From Basics to Breakthroughs! Step into one of the most in-demand careers of the 21st century with our cutting-edge Data Science Course. Whether you're starting fresh or upskilling, this course is your gateway to mastering data analysis, machine learning, and AI-powered insights.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

Programming with Python – from zero to hero

Data wrangling & visualization with Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn

Machine Learning algorithms with Scikit-learn

Deep Learning with TensorFlow & Keras

Real-world projects & case studies from finance, healthcare, and e-commerce

Tools like Power BI, SQL, and more

🎯 Why This Course Stands Out: ✔ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step guidance ✔ Taught by experienced data scientists ✔ Project-based learning to build your portfolio ✔ Interview prep, resume building, and placement assistance ✔ Recognized certification upon completion

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✨ Start your journey today—no prior coding experience needed!

[byanyan]

post-college / tattoo artist verse updates, developments, & additional headcanons

ㅤcompleting their associate degree in fashion design at community college and deciding they aren't interested in spending another two years at school for a bachelor's degree, byan begins searching for opportunities in the fashion industry. while they do get more job interviews than they expect, nothing ever ends up being the right fit. either the interview goes horribly (usually due more to their personality and poor work ethic than the work they're capable of producing), or they end up walking out or getting fired before their first week is over (usually due to them creating a hostile work environment or them realizing that the job isn't as appealing as they thought it would be). growing more and more frustrated that none of the work is exactly what they want it to be, that they can't only work on projects that appeal to them, they also start finding that fewer and fewer places are willing to give them a chance.

ㅤwhile getting their latest tattoo done with an artist they've gone to for several of their pieces, who even gave them their first tattoo at age fourteen despite them not having permission from a parent or guardian, the conversation eventually circles around to byan complaining about their most recent job interviews and about how all the work is nothing like what they thought it would be. brea, the artist, who's known them since they were thirteen, has seen a lot of their work since they always want to base their tattoos on something they've drawn themself, and has let them watch her work numerous times over the years, suggests that, if they're interested, byan comes and does an apprenticeship under her. if it goes well, they stick with it, and they successfully get certified, she'll give them a guaranteed job in her shop at the end of it. although blown away by the abrupt offer, they can't deny being intrigued — having always found great joy in tattoos and even learning how to do stick and poke tattoos in order to be able to do several of their own, how could they not be interested? without so much as requesting some time to think about it, byan immediately accepts.

ㅤduring their apprenticeship, when they aren't doing things around the shop like cleaning and prepping work stations, they're drawing or watching brea or the other artists work, learning as they do so. they struggle a little at first, rather frustrated over being relegated to errands and chores most of the time, but they find the grunt work a lot more worth it here than they did in fashion jobs because they're learning a lot when they do get to watch someone work and have them explain what they're doing as they go. plus, they get to draw during work hours. ...although, they still don't handle even constructive criticism of their art particularly well.

ㅤit isn't until they've been there for well over a year in that they finally get to start using the equipment themself, start learning how to use it and start practicing on fake skin, then on themself, and eventually on clients willing to allow an apprentice to give them a small tattoo for a discounted price. all the boring work they've had to do around the shop becomes completely worth it the moment they finally get to hold the tattoo machine in their hand and put ink beneath skin. it was worth the wait, worth the failed attempts at getting a job in fashion, and even worth the two years of schooling for a degree they'll only ever make use of on the side. the instant they're finally able to do more colourful, more detailed tattoos themself, they become even more passionate about the artform than they already were.

ㅤthe downside to their apprenticeship is that it isn't paid — as it's more akin to another few years of schooling than an actual job, they make no money off of it. fortunately, their online shop, which has moved from etsy to its own domain by this point, has maintained its success and thus continued to bring in some money which they can contribute to rent, bills, food, etc. so that sol doesn't have to completely support the both of them. if they aren't working on drawing practice at home, they're working on clothing pieces to sell, as well as commissioned work. this means, unfortunately, that they aren't making as many pieces for themself as they used to or would like to, but it's a necessary sacrifice. they'll have time again in the future.

ㅤabout a little over three years in, byan finally gets certified and starts working full time as an artist in brea's shop, taking their own clients and getting paid quite well for their work. over time, they become known for their use of bright, vibrant colour and their specialty in both very cute designs and stylistic choices, as well as ones which put a darker twist on those cute designs.

ㅤat some point, they start playing with the idea of getting certified for piercing too, since they can do an apprenticeship for that right there in the tattoo shop (with brea as their mentor again, no less) when they have downtime between appointments, although they haven't made up their mind just yet.

ㅤoverall, they've become a fairly functional adult — they still live with sol and their two children cats, and overall they feel much more fulfilled in life. although they still get into trouble with the law, still get into fights for the thrill of it, still struggle with their mental health (while continuing to refuse therapy), and still fall back on unhealthy coping mechanisms... they're a lot happier than they've ever been before.

[aditisposts]

Data Science Career Prospects for International Graduates in Canada

With the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor branded as Canada’s Silicon Valley and Montreal rising as an AI hub - data science graduates find unmatched career mobility given the specialized talent crunch amidst booming tech ecosystems nationwide seeking analytics, machine learning and business intelligence experts across sectors.

Whether it is global networks like Deloitte, CISCO, IBM, Aviva,SAP, Thomson Reuters looking to drive data-informed decisions or emerging startups tackling complex business challenges using predictive models - Canadian employers offer exciting learning opportunities for international students transitioning into full-time high-skilled roles.

Lucrative data science salaries averaging over CAD $80,000 for entry roles also make Canada appealing for applicants focused on immigration pathways. Generous 3-year post graduate work permits enable valuable Canadian work experience for express entry eligibility. PR also facilitates global mobility to the USA given NAFTA relationships. 

While successfully securing full-time employment necessitates preparing for rigorous recruitment cycles - leveraging university career center supports around CV guides, networking events and interview preps can make landing aspirational data science jobs after graduation achievable given Canada’s expanding analytics market.

Posted By:

Aditi Borade, 4th year Barch,

Ls Raheja School of architecture

Disclaimer: The perspectives shared in this blog are not intended to be prescriptive. They should act merely as viewpoints to aid overseas aspirants with helpful guidance. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before availing the services of a consultant. 

[mindcoderswork]

Best Data Analytics Course in Indore with Placement Support

In today’s data-driven economy, understanding how to work with data is a critical skill. Companies in every industry rely on professionals who can interpret and analyze data to make smart business decisions. If you're looking to build a career in this growing field, enrolling in the top-rated Data Analytics Course in Indore with placement support could be your best move.

Mind Coders offers one of the most trusted data analytics programs in Indore, specifically designed for students, job seekers, and working professionals aiming to develop in-demand analytical skills.

🎯 Why Choose Mind Coders?

Mind Coders’ training program is focused on real-world application and career success. Here’s what makes it stand out as the best data analytics course in Indore:

📌 Guaranteed Placement Support with 100+ hiring partners

📌 Live Projects & Case Studies for practical exposure

📌 Certified Trainers with IIT/IIM backgrounds and industry experience

📌 Flexible Learning with weekday/weekend batches

📌 Internship Opportunities for hands-on learning

🧠 Skills You’ll Master

This course is structured to help you build a strong foundation in the most widely used analytics tools and languages:

Advanced Excel – Data filtering, dashboards, pivot tables

SQL – Data retrieval, joins, database operations

Power BI – Creating dynamic reports and dashboards

Python – Data manipulation, visualization, and beginner machine learning

Data Presentation – Turning data into insights for business storytelling

👥 Who Is This Course For?

Whether you're starting from scratch or already working in another domain, this course is suitable for:

Fresh graduates looking to land their first job

Professionals aiming to switch to data or tech roles

Entrepreneurs wanting to make data-driven business decisions

Freelancers and consultants building analytics expertise

📈 Career Benefits

This is more than just a course—it’s your gateway to a data-driven career. With Mind Coders, you'll get:

✅ Resume and LinkedIn profile building

✅ One-on-one mentorship and interview prep

✅ Internship offers to boost real-world experience

✅ Dual certification (Mind Coders + Microsoft Power BI)

✅ 100% job assistance until you're placed

📍 Course Details

Location: Pearl Business Park, Bhawarkua, Indore

Contact: +91-7674040233

Website: https://www.mindcoders.in/courses/data-analytics-course-in-indore

[callofdutymobileindia]

What Makes a Good Machine Learning Course in Chennai? A Checklist for Students

If you’ve been looking for the right machine learning course in Chennai, you already know it’s a crowded field. Dozens of ads. Conflicting reviews. Big promises with small results. The problem isn’t a lack of options—it’s figuring out which one’s actually worth your time and money.

Here’s the thing: a Machine Learning Course in Chennai isn’t just about certificates. It’s about gaining the skills to solve real-world problems, land a job, and understand the science behind modern AI systems. So if you’re confused about which course to pick, this checklist is your roadmap.

1. Starts with the Basics, But Doesn’t Stay There

A solid course should start at ground zero—Python programming, data handling with Pandas, visualization with Matplotlib and Seaborn. But it shouldn't stop there.

What to look for:

Python and basic programming logic

Data preprocessing, cleaning, feature engineering

Step-by-step explanation of model building

You don’t need prior experience in ML to start. But by the end, you should be able to go beyond tutorials and build real models.

2. Mathematics That’s Actually Explained

You can’t escape math in machine learning. But that doesn’t mean you need a PhD to get started.

A good course will teach you the “why” behind the “how”—linear algebra for matrix operations, calculus for optimization, and probability for uncertainty modeling.

Red flag:

If the course completely skips the math and just hands you code, you’ll hit a wall later when things stop working and you can’t troubleshoot.

3. Covers Both Classic and Modern Algorithms

A machine learning course in Chennai worth your attention will dive deep into both foundational algorithms and newer techniques.

What should be covered:

Linear & Logistic Regression

Decision Trees, Random Forest, XGBoost

KNN, SVM, Naive Bayes

Clustering (K-Means, DBSCAN)

Dimensionality Reduction (PCA, t-SNE)

Intro to Deep Learning (ANNs, CNNs, RNNs)

If it stops at linear regression, it’s outdated. If it jumps to deep learning in week one, it’s rushing.

4. Hands-On Projects with Real Datasets

Here’s the deal—employers don’t care if you “completed a course.” They care whether you’ve built something.

A good Machine Learning course in Chennai will include at least 4-5 capstone projects using real-world datasets across domains like:

Finance (loan prediction)

Healthcare (disease classification)

Retail (sales forecasting)

NLP (sentiment analysis)

Computer Vision (image recognition)

Projects force you to wrestle with data in its raw, messy form—and that’s where the real learning happens.

5. Uses Industry-Standard Tools

You shouldn’t just be learning theory. You should be working with the same tools and libraries that the industry uses.

Make sure your course includes:

Scikit-Learn for traditional ML models

TensorFlow / PyTorch for deep learning

Pandas, NumPy for data manipulation

Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly for data viz

Jupyter Notebook / Google Colab for code execution

Git/GitHub for version control

If your course doesn’t teach you how to use these in projects, it’s not preparing you for real-world scenarios.

6. Explains Model Evaluation and Tuning

Training a model is just step one. You need to evaluate its performance, tune it, and understand its limitations.

Look for a course that teaches:

Cross-validation

Confusion matrix, precision, recall, F1-score

ROC-AUC

Hyperparameter tuning (Grid Search, Random Search, Bayesian Optimization)

Avoiding overfitting/underfitting

This is the kind of detail that turns students into job-ready professionals.

7. Focuses on Career Outcomes, Not Just Content

A good machine learning course in Chennai won’t just teach you skills—it’ll help you apply them in the job market.

Look for:

Resume and LinkedIn profile guidance

Interview prep (including ML system design and coding rounds)

Mock interviews with feedback

Access to internships, job referrals, or hiring partners

Courses that treat placement like an afterthought? Not worth it.

8. Support That Doesn’t Disappear After You Pay

Whether it’s doubt-clearing sessions, weekend Q&As, or mentor check-ins—support is a huge part of a successful learning journey.

Questions to ask before enrolling:

How are doubts handled? Live sessions? Forums?

Can you reach mentors one-on-one?

Are recorded sessions available if you miss a class?

Is there post-course support for projects or job prep?

If the only interaction you have is with a chatbot, look elsewhere.

9. Batch Timings That Actually Work for You

Let’s be real. If you’re a student or working professional, you can’t afford to miss classes or burn out.

A good course will offer flexible options:

Weekday or weekend batches

Morning or evening slots

Part-time options that run 3–6 months

Self-paced recordings in case you fall behind

Make sure the schedule aligns with your lifestyle. Otherwise, even the best content won’t matter.

10. Transparent Pricing and Value for Money

Price alone doesn’t determine quality—but it should reflect the value offered.

A solid Machine Learning course in Chennai may range anywhere from ₹40,000 to ₹1,50,000, depending on:

Duration (2 months vs 6 months)

Depth of curriculum

Project support

Mentorship and placement services

What matters more:

Is the pricing transparent?

Are there any hidden fees?

Do they offer EMI options or scholarships?

If the course gives you skills you can use to land a ₹6–10L job, it’s an investment—not an expense.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Machine Learning Course in Chennai isn’t just about location or price—it’s about fit. Fit with your career goals. Fit with your learning style. And fit with the quality and support the course provides.

A good course will not only teach you the technical know-how, but also give you the confidence to apply machine learning in real-world scenarios, explain it to others, and build a portfolio that gets noticed.

So take your time. Do your research. Attend trial sessions. Talk to past students if you can.

And remember: the goal isn’t to collect certificates. The goal is to build skills you can use to create impact, earn well, and stay relevant in a fast-changing tech world.

[shivam1605]

How Sam Kingsley Transformed His Career to Earn ₹8.5 LPA in Data Science

When Sam Kingsley decided to pivot his career toward the rapidly growing field of data science, he knew he needed more than just ambition—he needed the right training, practical exposure, and a support system that could help him break into the industry with confidence.

That’s when he found the Postgraduate Program in Data Science & Analytics at Imarticus Learning.

With a curriculum designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands, the program offered Sam more than just theoretical learning. He immersed himself in real-world, industry-aligned projects that challenged him to apply his skills to solve practical problems. The expert mentorship and hands-on training gave him a deep understanding of tools like Python, SQL, Tableau, and machine learning frameworks that are in high demand across sectors.

Through this journey, Sam not only built a robust skill set but also gained the clarity and confidence to pursue his goals in the data science domain.

Today, Sam is working as a Data Scientist at iBridge, drawing a salary of ₹8.5 LPA. His success is a testament to how the right blend of quality education, project-based learning, and dedicated career support can truly transform one’s professional trajectory.

Why the Postgraduate Program in Data Science & Analytics at Imarticus Learning stands out:

Beginner-friendly and ideal for career switchers No prior experience in tech? No problem. The program is structured to support learners from diverse backgrounds, helping them build skills from the ground up.

Project-based learning using real tools and datasets Students work on actual business problems using the same tools and techniques employed by professionals, ensuring they graduate job-ready.

100% placement support with access to over 2000 hiring partners The Imarticus placement team actively supports learners with resume building, interview prep, and direct connections to hiring companies across industries.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a working professional looking to upskill or change domains, this program offers a clear path into the world of data science and analytics.

If Sam’s story resonates with you, it might be time to take the first step toward your own data science journey.

[technoscriptsemb-blog]

Get Skilled in Embedded Systems with Placement Support at Technoscripts Pune

We all use machines every day: phones, bikes, smart TVs, even kitchen appliances. But have you ever thought about what actually makes them work? Behind most of these smart devices, there's something called an embedded system. It’s a small system inside the machine that controls how it behaves. And the crazy part? Industries today are hiring people like crazy who know how to build these systems.

That’s where Technoscripts Embedded in Pune comes in. It’s one of the few institutes in the city that teaches embedded systems in a way that actually makes sense. They don’t just throw theories at you. They help you understand things step-by-step, starting from scratch. You don’t need to be a genius or come from a big engineering college. If you’re interested in electronics and want to learn how machines really work, this course is for you.

The trainers at Technoscripts are super helpful. They’ve actually worked in companies, so they know what matters in the real world. You start off learning basics like C programming, microcontrollers, and electronics. Slowly, you move on to advanced stuff like RTOS, ARM architecture, and communication protocols. The best part is you get to work with actual hardware. Not just watching here, you’re actually building circuits, writing code, testing outputs, and making small projects on your own.

This hands-on learning is what sets Technoscripts apart. Students here have made smart home models, small robots, sensor-based systems, and more. These aren't just fun projects, they're the kind of stuff you can show in job interviews. And trust me, it helps a lot when you can say, “Yes, I’ve built this myself.”

Now here’s the real deal placement. Most students join courses because they want a job, right? Technoscripts totally get that. They don’t just teach you and forget about you. Once your training is done, their team helps you build your resume, prep for interviews, and even practice speaking confidently. They take mock interviews, give you tips, and even help you apply to real companies.

They’ve got links with companies in Pune and outside too—places like Bangalore, Chennai, even Hyderabad. So students who finish the course and give their best do get good offers. Some of the past students are working as Embedded Developers, Firmware Engineers, and in R&D teams of electronics companies. And most of them didn’t even have fancy degrees—they just had the right skills and the right guidance.

Technoscripts also gives proper certificates for course completion, live projects, and internships. These really help when applying for jobs. And the good part? You can take this course even if you’re working somewhere else or studying. They have weekend and online batches too. So no matter your schedule, you can make time for it.

A lot of students come to this course feeling unsure, some are from non-tech backgrounds, some have gaps in their careers, and some just want to switch from IT to core electronics. But with regular support and the way the course is taught, they end up building confidence, finishing projects, and getting placed.

In simple words, if you’re someone who loves electronics, wants to work in the embedded field, and needs real support in getting a job then this course is made for you. Technoscripts Embedded in Pune is not some random training center. It’s a place where you actually learn, get help at every step, and move ahead in your career.

You don’t need to be perfect to start. You just need to start.

If you’re looking to make a career in embedded systems and want a comprehensive, hands-on course with placement support, Embedded Institute in Pune Technoscripts is a solid choice. With its job-oriented curriculum, expert mentorship, and industry exposure, the course is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. Whether your goal is to get hired, build innovative IoT products, or work on cutting-edge automotive systems — Technoscripts equips you with the skills to make it happen. Join Now Our Embedded Systems Course in Pune with Placements.

[infograins-tcs]

Data Science Training in Indore – Transforming Data into Career Success at Infograins TCS

Enter the Future of Technology with Data Science

In today's digital economy, data is more valuable than ever. From finance and healthcare to retail and IT, every industry relies on data-driven decision-making. This has created a surge in demand for skilled data scientists. Infograins TCS, a leading Data Science Training Institute in Indore, offers a dynamic and hands-on training experience that equips learners with in-demand data skills to thrive in the tech industry.

What You’ll Learn in Our Data Science Course

Our Data Science Course in Indore is meticulously designed to help students master data processing, statistical analysis, data visualization, machine learning, and AI implementation. Using tools like Python, SQL, Power BI, and TensorFlow, our curriculum blends theory with practical applications. By the end of the course, learners are equipped to handle complex data sets and deliver actionable insights that drive real business impact.

Key Benefits – Why Choose Data Science at Infograins TCS

Choosing our Data Science Training in Indore gives you access to:

Practical, real-world projects guided by industry experts.

Flexible learning formats – online and classroom options.

A blend of statistics, machine learning, and data visualization tools.

Career support including resume building, interview prep, and capstone projects. This program is perfect for freshers, working professionals, and students seeking a career pivot into data science.

Why Choose Us – Leading Data Science Training Institute in Indore

Infograins TCS stands out as a trusted name in IT education, with a specialized focus on modern technologies like data science, AI, and machine learning. As a top-rated Data Science Training Institute in Indore, we offer:

Expert-led sessions with practical labs and mentor support.

Updated course content aligned with current industry needs.

Access to internship and placement opportunities in top firms.

Lifetime access to course materials and future updates.

Certification Programs at Infograins TCS

Our certification validates your data science expertise, offering a recognized credential that enhances your resume and marketability. After successful course completion, learners receive industry-approved certification, making them eligible for roles like Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, or Business Intelligence Developer.

After Certification – Career Advancement and Internships

Completing the Data Science Training in Indore opens up a spectrum of opportunities in both startups and multinational companies. Infograins TCS offers post-course support including live project internships, industry networking sessions, and job referrals. These career-boosting services ensure students don’t just learn but also launch successful data careers.

Explore More Courses – Build a Broader Skill Set

To strengthen your data science foundation, we recommend complementing it with relevant IT courses. Infograins TCS also offers:

Python Programming and AI

Machine Learning & Deep Learning

Power BI & Tableau for data visualization

Excel Training in Indore – a critical tool for early-stage data analytics

Cloud Computing and DevOps for data deployment

Each course is designed to offer practical skills that synergize well with data science, enhancing your overall career prospects.

Why We Are Your Trusted Learning Partner

Infograins TCS isn’t just about teaching – we mentor, empower, and guide you toward real success. With our expert faculty, modern infrastructure, industry connections, and flexible training options, we’re more than just an institute. We are your partner in growth. Our goal is to make every Data Science Training in Indore a transformative experience that delivers real, measurable results.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who should take up the Data Science Course? The course is ideal for students, IT professionals, business analysts, and engineers looking to transition into data-centric roles.

2. Do I need a programming background for this course? No prior programming experience is required. We start with foundational concepts and gradually progress to advanced tools and techniques.

3. Is the course available online and offline? Yes. We offer both classroom and online training formats, giving learners the flexibility to choose based on their preferences and schedules.

4. What kind of certification will I receive? Upon successful course completion, you’ll receive a recognized certificate from Infograins TCS, validating your knowledge and practical skills in data science.

5. Do you provide job assistance after the course? Yes. We offer internship opportunities, placement assistance, and interview preparation to support your transition into the industry.

Join the Best Data Science Training in Indore Today

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to upskill, Infograins TCS is your destination for expert-led, hands-on Data Science Training in Indore. With a blend of theory, practice, and career guidance, we ensure you’re prepared for a successful journey in the world of data.

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How to Verify Accreditation of a Data Science Course

As data science gains momentum across India, more students from cities like Nashik are exploring this promising career path. But while the field holds great potential, choosing the right course can be tricky—especially when so many options are available both online and offline. One of the most important, yet often ignored, steps is checking whether the course is accredited or recognized by a relevant body.

Accreditation ensures that your certification has weight, your curriculum meets certain standards, and your time and money are invested wisely. Without this verification, students risk enrolling in courses that may not be respected by employers or aligned with real-world demands.

Why Accreditation Makes a Real Difference in Job Outcomes

Accredited courses offer credibility. They show potential employers that your learning has been evaluated by an established authority and meets industry standards. In a growing education market like Nashik, this is particularly important because many learners compete for the same opportunities.

If you're joining data science courses in Nashik with placements, you’re likely doing so with the aim of securing employment soon after completion. Accreditation adds legitimacy to your profile and improves your chances of getting shortlisted. Companies look at both the skillset and the institution’s reputation when hiring.

Red Flags to Watch Out For When Choosing a Course

Unfortunately, not all training providers are transparent. Some may promote placement guarantees or partnerships without actual proof. This is where extra research matters—before paying the fee.

When evaluating a data science offline institute in Nashik, ask yourself:

Is the institute affiliated with a recognized educational board or company?

Does it mention partnerships with known tech firms or universities?

Are student testimonials consistent and detailed?

Can they provide samples of past student placements?

If the answers to these are vague or missing, you may want to reconsider.

The Role of Practical Training in Accreditation

A well-accredited course won’t just hand you a certificate—it will make you job-ready. That’s why it's also important to check if the course includes practical elements like hands-on projects, industry case studies, and internship opportunities.

Enrolling in data science courses in Nashik with placements should mean more than classroom theory. Look for institutes that include structured project work that reflects real job scenarios. Practical exposure helps you develop problem-solving skills, which are a key part of technical interviews.

Reputation Matters as Much as Curriculum

Even if a course includes trending topics like machine learning or data visualization, its effectiveness depends on who’s teaching it and how well the material is delivered. Reputation is built over time through consistent results, successful student outcomes, and active presence in the local tech community.

Choosing a data science offline institute in Nashik with a strong local presence ensures that you're learning in an environment that understands market demands. Speak to alumni or check LinkedIn profiles to verify the kind of companies that hire from the institute.

Don’t Rely Only on Certifications—Look at Career Support

A final tip: don't let certification titles distract you from examining the institute’s career support. Accreditation should be backed by actual placement training, which prepares you for real-world hiring challenges. This includes mock interviews, resume sessions, and interview prep support.

If the course promises job assistance, find out what that really means. Ask whether they assist in resume building, refer you to hiring partners, or conduct campus interviews. A reputable data science offline institute in Nashik will be able to give you names of companies their students have joined.

DataMites Institute is known for its specialized programs in Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning, offering learners globally recognized certifications backed by NASSCOM FutureSkills and IABAC. The institute's focus is on building real-world skills through project-based learning, internships, expert-led classes, and interactive case studies. Students receive full support for placements, ensuring they are well-prepared for the job market. Training is available in both online and offline formats across major cities including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune, as well as internationally in the U.S. and Netherlands. The curriculum is kept current with industry advancements to meet the evolving needs of employers. DataMites Training Institute is committed to shaping professionals who are ready to thrive in today’s data-driven world.

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Struggling to Land a Job? Discover TICE’s Job-Oriented Courses in Kolkata

Introduction: The Frustration of Job Hunting in Kolkata

Searching for a job in Kolkata can feel like an endless cycle—submitting resumes, attending interviews, and still facing rejections. You’re not alone. Thousands of fresh graduates and mid-career professionals struggle because they lack the right skills that employers demand.

What if there was a way to bridge this gap?

At The Institute of Career Excellence (TICE), we understand the struggle. That’s why we’ve designed job-oriented courses in Kolkata that align with industry needs, ensuring you gain practical skills, certifications, and placement support—giving you a real shot at landing your dream job.

Why Traditional Education Isn’t Enough Anymore

Many students complete degrees but still struggle to find jobs. Why?

Theoretical knowledge - job-ready skills – Companies want hands-on experience.

Rapidly changing industries – What you learned 3 years ago may be outdated.

Lack of networking – Many jobs come through referrals, but students often miss out.

This is where job-oriented courses make the difference. Instead of just theory, you get:

Industry-relevant training

Real-world projects & case studies

Placement assistance & interview prep

Certifications that employers value

Top Job-Oriented Courses in Kolkata at TICE

If you’re serious about securing a job quickly, here are some of the most in-demand courses at TICE:

1. Digital Marketing Certification

Why? Every business needs digital marketers.

Skills You Gain: SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Marketing, Analytics.

Job Roles: Digital Marketer, SEO Specialist, Social Media Manager.

2. Data Science & Analytics

Why? Companies rely on data-driven decisions.

Skills You Gain: Python, SQL, Machine Learning, Data Visualization.

Job Roles: Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Scientist.

3. Full-Stack Web Development

Why? Tech jobs are booming, and developers are in high demand.

Skills You Gain: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js.

Job Roles: Frontend/Backend Developer, Web Designer.

4. Fashion & Retail Management

Why? Kolkata is a hub for fashion and retail.

Skills You Gain: Merchandising, Brand Management, Visual Merchandising.

Job Roles: Retail Manager, Fashion Consultant, Brand Executive.

How TICE Ensures You Get Hired

Unlike generic courses, TICE focuses on real employability. Here’s how:

Industry Expert Trainers – Learn from professionals who know hiring trends.

Live Projects & Internships – Build a portfolio that impresses employers.

100% Placement Support – Resume building, mock interviews, job referrals.

Alumni Network – Connect with past students working in top companies.

Success Stories: Real People, Real Jobs

Meet Priya, a commerce graduate who struggled for months before joining TICE’s Digital Marketing course. Within 3 months, she landed a job at a leading agency with a 30% higher salary than her peers.

Or Rahul, who switched from a low-paying sales job to data analytics after TICE’s training—now earning twice his previous salary.

These aren’t exceptions. Hundreds of TICE students have transformed their careers.

Conclusion: Stop Struggling, Start Learning & Earning

If you’re tired of endless job rejections, it’s time to take control. Job-oriented courses in Kolkata at TICE give you the skills, confidence, and opportunities to break into your dream career.

Ready to change your future?

Call TICE today or visit our website to enroll in a course that gets you hired!

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How Data Science Courses in Coimbatore Help Break Career Barriers

In today’s tech-driven job market, learning data science is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a working professional, a data science course in Coimbatore can be the catalyst you need to overcome stagnant career paths and leap into high-demand, well-paying roles. With businesses increasingly relying on data to make decisions, the demand for data-savvy professionals has skyrocketed. According to the World Economic Forum, data science and AI specialists are among the top emerging jobs worldwide. Enrolling in a data science course not only teaches you technical skills but also opens doors that were previously out of reach.

The Career Roadblocks You’re Facin

Stuck in the same role for years? Or struggling to transition into tech? You’re not alone. Many professionals find themselves hitting a ceiling in roles that no longer challenge or reward them. With automation replacing routine tasks, traditional roles are evolving—or disappearing. That’s where upskilling becomes vital. A comprehensive data science course in Coimbatore arms you with relevant, future-ready skills such as machine learning, data visualization, and predictive analytics. These skills are directly aligned with market needs, offering you a smoother path into high-growth sectors like finance, healthcare, and IT.

Why Coimbatore is Becoming a Data Science Hub

Known for its educational institutions and growing tech ecosystem, Coimbatore has rapidly transformed into a hotspot for data science education. The city combines affordability with quality learning, making it an attractive destination for aspiring data scientists. The presence of multiple learning platforms and supportive peer networks enhances the overall experience. Moreover, choosing a top data science institute in Coimbatore ensures access to seasoned faculty, industry-aligned curriculum, and real-world projects that make learning impactful and career-relevant.

How These Courses Bridge the Skill Gap

Data science isn’t just about coding—it’s about solving real-world problems using data. The best courses in Coimbatore focus on experiential learning, integrating case studies, live datasets, and interactive labs. This approach bridges the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs. These programs are meticulously designed to equip you with tools like Python, SQL, and Tableau, ensuring you're not just job-ready but future-ready. Choosing a top data science institute in Coimbatore gives you a competitive edge by focusing on employability and hands-on expertise.

Success Stories and Market Demand

Graduates of data science courses are increasingly landing roles as data analysts, business intelligence specialists, and AI engineers. According to NASSCOM, India will need over 1.5 million data professionals by 2026. These courses are instrumental in helping individuals pivot to data-centric roles, even if they come from non-technical backgrounds. Alumni testimonials consistently highlight how a data science course in Coimbatore helped them transition successfully, often doubling their salary within a year of completion. That’s a compelling reason to consider enrolling.

Navigating the Learning Journey with Confidence

One of the standout advantages of taking a course in Coimbatore is the learner support ecosystem. From career counseling to interview prep and mentoring sessions, you’re guided every step of the way. The structured curriculum allows even beginners to progress steadily, gaining confidence with each module. When you study at a top data science institute in Coimbatore, you’re not just learning theory—you’re becoming part of a community that propels your career forward.

Breaking career barriers begins with one decision—choosing to upskill. A data science course in Coimbatore can be the launchpad that moves you from stagnant roles into dynamic, in-demand positions. Choose the right path, and watch your career transform.

Renowned for excellence in data science education, DataMites Institute in Coimbatore provides specialized training in AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Python, and more. Accredited by IABAC and NASSCOM FutureSkills, the institute features experienced mentors and a curriculum aligned with current industry trends. Offering offline data science training in Coimbatore, DataMites ensures students receive real-world exposure, internship opportunities, and full placement assistance.

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