#Agile Manufacturing

[avalontec]

Life Cycle Management

Electronic Manufacturing Services Across the Product Life Cycle

Avalon the top-rated EMS companies in India renowned for their quality services, technical expertise, and customer satisfaction.

[getoncrm]

Boost Your Business with Salesforce CRM!

Discover the magic formula for swift market mastery! With Salesforce CRM, you're not just keeping pace—you're setting the rhythm.

Why adapt when you can pioneer? Plunge into the Salesforce CRM revolution.

Secure your complimentary consultation today! 

[vabroapp]

Agile Insights from Vabro

As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of project management, it's essential to understand the nuances of Agile frameworks. At Vabro, we're committed to helping teams unlock their full potential. Our latest research reveals key trends and insights into the adoption and growth of Scrum and Kanban frameworks. Stay ahead of the curve and learn how these methodologies can transform your workflow!

(Source: Grand View Research & Grand View Research)

Market Segmentation:

Scrum: Dominant in software development (71%), IT (63%), and finance (56%) industries

Kanban: Widely adopted in IT (61%), software development (55%), and manufacturing (46%) sectors

Industry-Wide Usage:

Scrum: Preferred by 75% of Fortune 500 companies

Kanban: Adopted by 40% of Fortune 500 companies

(Source: Grand View Research & Grand View Research)

Popularity:

Scrum: Used by 58% of Agile teams, with 21% using a hybrid approach (Source: VersionOne)

Kanban: Employed by 26% of Agile teams, with 15% using a hybrid approach (Source: VersionOne)

(Source: Grand View Research & Grand View Research)

Growth Prospects:

Scrum: Expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2023 to 2030 (Source: MarketsandMarkets)

Kanban: Projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2023 to 2030 (Source: Grand View Research)

(Source: Grand View Research & Grand View Research)

Key Statistics:

71% of Scrum users report improved team productivity

63% of Kanban users report enhanced delivery speed

55% of Agile teams use Scrum for project management

26% of Agile teams use Kanban for workflow management

Comparison: Scrum and Kanban share similar goals but differ in approach. Scrum excels in:

Prescriptive framework

Iterative development

Role-based responsibilities

Kanban shines in:

Visual workflow management

Continuous delivery

Flexibility and adaptability

Conclusion: Scrum remains the leading Agile framework, dominating the software development and IT industries. Kanban, while less popular, has a strong presence in IT and manufacturing sectors. Both frameworks are expected to grow, with Scrum leading the charge. As the Agile market evolves, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each framework will be crucial for organizations to make informed decisions and maximize their productivity and efficiency.

Visit www.vabro.com and get started today!

[rubylogan15]

Revolutionize your manufacturing process with generative AI: predictive maintenance, enhanced design, improved quality control, and streamlined supply chains. Embrace the future!

[spica123]

[reasonsforhope]

It’s an open secret in fashion. Unsold inventory goes to the incinerator; excess handbags are slashed so they can’t be resold; perfectly usable products are sent to the landfill to avoid discounts and flash sales. The European Union wants to put an end to these unsustainable practices. On Monday, [December 4, 2023], it banned the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.

“It is time to end the model of ‘take, make, dispose’ that is so harmful to our planet, our health and our economy,” MEP Alessandra Moretti said in a statement. “Banning the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear will contribute to a shift in the way fast fashion manufacturers produce their goods.”

This comes as part of a broader push to tighten sustainable fashion legislation, with new policies around ecodesign, greenwashing and textile waste phasing in over the next few years. The ban on destroying unsold goods will be among the longer lead times: large businesses have two years to comply, and SMEs have been granted up to six years. It’s not yet clear on whether the ban applies to companies headquartered in the EU, or any that operate there, as well as how this ban might impact regions outside of Europe.

For many, this is a welcome decision that indirectly tackles the controversial topics of overproduction and degrowth. Policymakers may not be directly telling brands to produce less, or placing limits on how many units they can make each year, but they are penalising those overproducing, which is a step in the right direction, says Eco-Age sustainability consultant Philippa Grogan. “This has been a dirty secret of the fashion industry for so long. The ban won’t end overproduction on its own, but hopefully it will compel brands to be better organised, more responsible and less greedy.”

Clarifications to come

There are some kinks to iron out, says Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany and the European Fashion Alliance (EFA). The EFA is calling on the EU to clarify what it means by both “unsold goods” and “destruction”. Unsold goods, to the EFA, mean they are fit for consumption or sale (excluding counterfeits, samples or prototypes)...

The question of what happens to these unsold goods if they are not destroyed is yet to be answered. “Will they be shipped around the world? Will they be reused as deadstock or shredded and downcycled? Will outlet stores have an abundance of stock to sell?” asks Grogan.

Large companies will also have to disclose how many unsold consumer products they discard each year and why, a rule the EU is hoping will curb overproduction and destruction...

Could this shift supply chains?

For Dio Kurazawa, founder of sustainable fashion consultancy The Bear Scouts, this is an opportunity for brands to increase supply chain agility and wean themselves off the wholesale model so many rely on. “This is the time to get behind innovations like pre-order and on-demand manufacturing,” he says. “It’s a chance for brands to play with AI to understand the future of forecasting. Technology can help brands be more intentional with what they make, so they have less unsold goods in the first place.”

Grogan is equally optimistic about what this could mean for sustainable fashion in general. “It’s great to see that this is more ambitious than the EU’s original proposal and that it specifically calls out textiles. It demonstrates a willingness from policymakers to create a more robust system,” she says. “Banning the destruction of unsold goods might make brands rethink their production models and possibly better forecast their collections.”

One of the outstanding questions is over enforcement. Time and again, brands have used the lack of supply chain transparency in fashion as an excuse for bad behaviour. Part of the challenge with the EU’s new ban will be proving that brands are destroying unsold goods, not to mention how they’re doing it and to what extent, says Kurazawa. “Someone obviously knows what is happening and where, but will the EU?”"

-via British Vogue, December 7, 2023

[happyceostrategies]

How to become a learning company with continuous improvement

A learning company aligns its strategy, culture, and processes to develop the skills of all individuals and leverage their collective intelligence.

Kaizen : A mindset for learning and adapting in a changing world Lean management in times of crisis means learning to adapt constantly, learning to learn, integrating organizational learning as a vector of performance. Isn’t the goal of a Lean approach then to design an autonomous and self-learning system for the quest for performance? By changing the behavior and culture of individuals towards…

[joshuathejack]

The Desperate Need for Change Leadership

The Desperate Need for Change Leadership is now live at JoshuaJack.com! #change #leadership #management #agility #lean #adapt #improve #feedback

For years, the concept of change management has been relegated to high-paid consultants and consulting firms that use phrases like, “think outside the box” and “synergy.” If you immediately think of a commercial from the 90’s I applaud you – you are my people – but let’s get back to the topic at hand. Change was also something that you went to class to learn and gained “belts” to be able to take…

[lostconsultants]

5 reasons to adopt Kanban

Kanban is a method for managing and visualizing work in a production process. It is commonly used in software development and manufacturing. Originated from Japanese automotive industry in 1940s, it involves using boards with columns and cards to represent work items, allowing teams to track progress, limit work in progress, and make process improvements. The goal of Kanban is to improve flow,…

[tridentinfotech]

Running a Small Business? Business Central Can Help You Grow Fast!

dynamics 365 business central / By Trident Information Systems

An SMB might come across various challenges. However, they might not have enough resources to overcome each. It is advisable to pick a centralized solution such as Dynamics 365 Business Central. It is important to pick the right Business Central Implementation Partner with years of expertise.  

As an IT Operational head, you might encounter various issues regarding your current technology, since there are only a handful of professionals burdened with overflowing responsibilities. Rather, you can choose an eligible Business Central Implementation Partner, so you do not have to worry about it anyway. Otherwise, it is more complicated to improve, maintain and build an IT environment than you might have perceived. Some of the most common issues that IT Operational heads might come across include: 

System Integration: It might become a headache to integrate multiple services written in different formats. Even though system and service integration formats may reap tremendous benefits, it all compresses into inbuilt complications.  

Cost Cutting: Balancing technological evolution with cost-cutting becomes one of the most daunting tasks for the IT department. Having said that, IT engineers need to take care that their technical solutions comply with the cost requirements. Instead, they can have D365 BC and contact a Business Central Implementation Partner to take full charge of its maintenance and upgrade. 

Data Protection: Cybersecurity or safety is one of the biggest concerns of IT these days. Since we share a great deal of personal data, identities, and much more via various online platforms which makes it is prone to data theft and other security issues. IT engineers need to adopt a suitable solution that guarantees data security.  

Enhancing workforce productivity: Every business on earth aims at securing improved workforce productivity. Creating strategies to enhance productivity can be challenging since an SMB might compete with older and more stable businesses. Getting a Unified Business Management Solution can help. The right technology with the right Implementation Partner will only take you to the top.  

Internal Network: Robust and secure internal network is a basic need for any organization. There should be well-planned solutions to meet current requirements, and suitable, scalable, and flexible technology should be opted for.  

How can Business Central help you scale your Small-to-midsize business? 

When you are looking for the Best ERP Solution for your business, either cloud or on-premises, you are most likely to cross paths with Dynamics 365 Business Central. Being one of the top ERP solutions, it helps you process your business operations seamlessly by automating and streamlining them. However, if you have already experienced LS Central’s services and are planning to upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, here are the benefits you are entitled to if you proceed further. 

Premium Add-Ons 

With Business Central you can get premium add-ons under a unified platform such as Microsoft o365. You can access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive for Business. Some Office 365 apps support mobile versions for more flexibility and ongoing operations such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, etc. You can also claim 1 TB of OneDrive for Business Cloud Storage per user.  

Power BI  

Get your business insights more easily with a Power BI. It is a data visualization system designed by Microsoft, which helps you create dashboards and relevant reports. With Business Central’s Power BI, you can flexibly customize and drill-down reports. You can even merge data from different companies and make a thorough comparison or use it to create a better strategy. Some BI reports can even be engraved within Business Central, and you don’t even have to leave the system. So don’t be afraid to create complex dashboards as Power BI has it all covered. For a better experience, we recommend contacting an experienced Microsoft Business Central Implementation Partner.  

Cloud Security 

Shifting to the cloud only enhances your employee’s flexibility. Nevertheless, it also exposes your business to sometimes subtle and sometimes detrimental effects. Business Central follows Microsoft’s modern lifecycle policy which states an inevitable service update every six months in April and October. Microsoft’s Application security helps to secure your Business Central Applications irrespective of their hosted location. It authenticates, Authorizes, Audits, and Encrypts data and performs a security development lifecycle (a process of developing even secure software). Being hosted by and on Microsoft Cloud Azure, bank-level security is guaranteed.  

Flexible, Scalable, And Extensible  

Another key feature of Business Central is its flexibility. Since it allows industry-specific tools, you can get it adapted to your system and be more in touch with the most important data to the business. Another factor supporting its flexibility is the cloud. Having your system upgraded to the cloud can retain more data than a particular database or server. Not just this, it is scalable and can easily manage data, which means it is suitable for various companies and ideal for growing businesses.  

Rapid Deployment with the Right Business Central Implementation Partner 

Being robust doesn’t mean being complex. Have smooth and easy deployment with Microsoft Azure. You can even opt for an on-premises deployment of your hardware. It is all centered around what you prefer. Azure links up to 100 facilities all together via this one massive network. Each feature is highly secure and if combined, you are ensured safety. Whatever you prefer, it will never be a hurdle in the rapid deployment of Dynamics 365 Business Central. We recommend contacting a suitable and highly skilled Business Central Implementation Partner, who is experienced enough to take care of your business management needs.   

Final Words  

We can conclude that Business Central is one of the best business management solutions available and can potentially overcome all SMB business challenges. It is important to pick suitable Business Central Partners such as Trident, a Business Central Implementation Partner, and LS Central Diamond Partner armed with an instantly skilled team and over 20 years of experience. Contact Us, for further.

BY:

Trident Information Systems Pvt. Ltd is one of the leading global providers of Information Technology services and business solutions with over with a proven track record of over 21 years. We have been consistently adding value to the business bottom line of our global clientele.

https://www.tridentinfo.com/running-a-small-business-business-central-can-help-you-grow-fast/

[vexwerewolf]

God I wish IPS-N had an Artillery Mech.

I have mixed opinions on this. I think it's thematic and interesting that - in the core book, at least - each of the three commercial manufacturers had a missing role. IPS-N had no Artillery, SSC had no Defender and Harrison Armory had no Support. These absences felt like they kind of spoke to the values of each corporation.

Then in The Long Rim, we got the Sunzi, a Harrison Armory Support, and it was interesting to see what sort of thing the Armory considered to be Support - it's a fundamentally more selfish kind of Support, in that instead of repairing or removing conditions from an ally (like the Lancaster) or providing targetting assistance (like the Swallowtail), you're simply deciding where on the battlefield they are.

In Field Guide to the KTB, we got the White Witch, and again, we see what SSC feels like a Defender should be: one that reveres and pushes the boundaries of the human form by simply adapting to damage, becoming inured to it over time.

The problem with an IPS-N Artillery frame is twofold:

Core Bonus Lineup

Firstly, while they initially lacked a class of mech, there was nothing about SSC or HA that innately hampered the idea of one. There was nothing innate about the way SSC frames operate that prevented them from having Defenders, nor HA from having Supports.

IPS-N has one very serious issue when it comes to Artillery frames: its Core Bonus lineup. Two of its Core Bonuses (Gyges Frame, Titanomachy Mesh) are focused exclusively on melee combat, three (Briareos Frame, Reinforced Frame, Sloped Plating) are based around survivability, and the last (Fomorian Frame) is a niche option designed for certain builds. There's nothing in its CB lineup that an Artillery frame wants as a first priority.

Contrast this with SSC, which gets Neurolink Targeting (+3 range to all ranged weapons), and HA, which gets Heatfall Coolant System (Overcharge capped at 1d6), which are both great for Artillery frames.

Now, it's true that HORUS doesn't get any Core Bonuses directly useful for an Artillery frame either, but the one core Artillery frame that HORUS has is the Pegasus, which is extremely abnormal both by Artillery standards and by frame standards in general. (Also, it could be argued that Lesson of the Held Image is good as a way of applying free Lock Ons for yourself).

Not having any useful Core Bonuses is a problem for IPS-N that is compounded by the other major issue:

Combat Ethos

Each of the four core manufacturers is tied to a mech skill - Agility for SSC, Systems for HORUS, Engineering for HA and Hull for IPS-N. IPS-N hulls tend to be biased significantly towards high HP, Armor and Repair Cap, often at the expense of Sensor Range, Heat Cap and SP - the former grouping being stats that Artillery cares less about (since they tend not to want to be in the front lines), and the latter being stats they care more about (since Artillery frames tend to focus around one powerful gun backed up by a large number of support systems).

IPS-N frames are built to get up close and personal with the enemy, usually engaging at a maximum distance of 5 spaces. No ranged weapon that IPS-N makes shoots beyond Range 8.

I'm not saying that IPS-N couldn't have an Artillery, by any means, but there are more mechanical issues with it than any other class-manufacturer combination.

[snap-oversteer]

Hi:) Gotta say I find you infinitely cool and your car headcanons are so damn fascinating. Feel free to ignore me but do you maybe probably have some thoughts on Blurr? Since his personality heavily revolves around the fact that he’s the fastest racer on his planet I feel like you can give a really interesting perspective on him

- Keferon

DUUUUUDDDDDEEEEEEEE Blurr is so hard to pinpoint exactly what car he could be... theres just so, so many historical cars that completely dominated the racing scene, and there's many more that's to come. Before i go onto full-fledged experimental vehicles, lemme first introduce you to the Bugatti Bolide

THIS piece of art and engineering is a track-only hypercar, and it recently debuted at the 2023 Le Mans. It has all the bells and whistles you'd expect a race car to have, W16 engine, carbon all over, carbon brakes, 7 speed dual clutch transmission, what have you. The paint color is dubbed Agile Blue and what more perfect car to assign to our beloved Blurr. Bugatti claims it makes about 1825 horsepower with 1850 n/m torque, with a top speed of 501 km/h (311 mph).

Speaking of Le Mans, let's dive into those vehicles now. For those unfamiliar with Le Mans, it's a 24 hour endurance race held in France. It's one of the oldest racing series to exist, predating Formula 1 by 30 years, and it's still continuing now!

In Rescue Bots, Blurr IS in fact an LMP (Le Mans Prototype) styled car.

judging by the headlights it looks more to be a newer LMP Ferrari, but ehhh while its not a bad choice i wouldnt really associate Blurr with Ferrari, that brand's nature would be more suited for Mirage. but damn do they have good lookin cars. I would, though, associate Blurr with older Porsche. Statistically, Porsche is the current record holder for the most successful manufacturer in Le Mans to date with 19 wins, with one of their most iconic cars being the Porsche 917 & Porsche 956.

I think it would be criminal to not honour Blurr's racing history, that's why i'm putting a race car in here.

Honorable mentions! :

Ford GT40 - THE car that beat Ferrari at its own game, and has gained a cult following ever since.

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro - The car that beat Porsche's 16 victories, driven by Toms Kriestensen, and holding the most driver victories in a single car (9)

McLaren F1 GTR - I just like how it looks lol

[britsyankswheels24]

🇺🇲 Step back in time and experience the roar of the iconic AMC Javelin, a true legend of American muscle cars! Introduced in 1967 by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Javelin was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop automobile manufactured across two generations, spanning from 1968 through 1970 and then from 1971 through 1974 model years. It was designed to compete in the pony car market segment against rivals like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

🚗💨 The AMC Javelin burst onto the scene in 1968, showcasing a sleek design and powerful engines. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin offered a range of trim and engine levels, from economical pony car variants to high-performance muscle car models. Its distinctive appearance, featuring a long hood and aggressive stance, turned heads on the streets and racetracks alike.

🏭 Besides being manufactured in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Javelins were also assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Venezuela, and Australia, showcasing its global reach. American Motors even offered discounts to U.S. military personnel, leading to many Javelins being exported overseas.

🛞 Under the hood, the Javelin packed serious power. It was available with inline-six engines or potent V8s, delivering thrilling acceleration and speed. The AMX variant, equipped with a 6.4-liter V8, boasted over 300 horsepower!

🏆 The AMC Javelin wasn't just about looks—it excelled on the track too. It competed in Trans-Am racing, demonstrating its speed and agility. In fact, the second-generation AMX variant was the first pony car used as a standard vehicle for highway police car duties by an American law enforcement agency. Today, the Javelin's unique style and racing heritage make it a sought-after classic among collectors.

💔 By 1974, the automobile landscape had shifted. While other manufacturers downsized engines in response to changing market demands and fuel shortages, the Javelin's big engine option continued until production ceased in November 1974 amidst the Arab oil embargo and declining interest in high-performance vehicles.

🦅 The AMC Javelin embodies the spirit of American muscle cars, blending style, performance, and affordability. It's a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. Get ready to hit the road and experience the thrill of the AMC Javelin!

[spica123]

[hra-official]

The full Hercynian Refurbished Armaments catalogue is availeable for test pilots

After several rounds of workshopping and redesigning, our newest frames and licenses are availeable for purchase for those pilots who want to take advantage of the "Early Bird" price in exchange for collaborating in the final round of QA.

We have:

Antlion: a stealthy sniper that can zero in undetected and hit much harder when unseen.

Redback: a spider-like Defender/Controller that protects allies by turning their Soft Cover into Difficult AND Dangerous Terrain for enemies.

Robberfly: a super-agile striker that gets more dangerous the more it moves.

Aireina: born as a one-off custom Robberfly for a Boan pankrati, this Alt-frame combines the Robberfly's agility with a giant sword that scores devastating critical hits and gets more accurate if it strikes thorugh another enemy

Shamhat: an Enkidu redesigned for speed over area denial, this powerful Striker/Controller gets faster the more it heats up, and can easily wrangle both enemies and allies in the perfect position. Both the hypertext catalogue and the Comp/con compatible .lcp file are availeable here.

Let us hear what was you experience piloting our debut frames!

[OOC]

The Beta 0.47 vesrion of Hercynian Refurbished Armaments contains the titular manufacturer, 6 core bonuses, 4 licenses, and 5 mechs (one is an Alt Frame)

The free download on itch.io contains a PDF and the .lcp file

@beatrice-of-the-stars @goldiemacaroni @ips-northstar-official @harrison-armory-incorporated @smith-shimano-corpro @horus-unofficial @general-massive-systems @horizoncollective @ktbofficial @unshackledhorusshitpostbot @rainbowgod666 @sylvanus-cypher @corsair-mc-official @msmc-796-official @revvedandrunning @metavaultfugitive @albatross-lancer @officialunionhr @kazsartcorner @terkmc @autos-official

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I've been dreaming of the Plotting Serpent.

A Sorcerer in the Sands seeks something far bigger than himself. Freedom, sweet freedom.

How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die?

Bundled up in several layers, Jamil makes his way down a twisting path and into an open market.

The ground crunches softly under his boots. His breath is chilled, turning into a fleeting fog as he exhales. He retreats to the comfort and safety that his bulky coat provides, watching bales of white lazily drift down around him.

Snow instead of sand—imagine that.

The market operates straight out of the town square. From a vantage point--his temporary housing upon a hill--he can see the entirety of it, all the stalls forming a circle. The market is, by no means, large—but it has the spirit of something grander. The banter, the bartering.

Not so different from the bazaars at home.

Jamil ducks in, taking his time to pace around to each vendor. He’s agile and bright, like a child first viewing the moon and rushing to catch it in his palms.

Most sellers—and most customers—are elderly, gnarled like the roots of a tree. The cold colors their rounded cheeks the same red as many of the apples on display.

There’s pink and yellow and green too, and other fresh produce. The majority of it, he is told, is grown in Harveston. Others are foraged from Mt. Moln—nuts, plants, berries, and mushrooms.

Other stalls offer already manufactured goods. Scarves and gloves to protect against the winter, steaming apple drinks and sweetly spiced snacks, toiletries lovingly handcrafted with botanical oils.

His eyes light up with interest. He stops to inspect a row of shampoo and conditioner bars.

Feel free to touch and smell! says a sign at the stall.

He does, testing the weight of a bar in his hand. It is light and has an easy slip to it, and gives off the faint aroma of apples. Slightly tart and juicy.

It'll be good to have on hand, especially when it weighs less than liquid variants. The sign says these bars are made with apple seed oil, an ingredient that treats split ends and dryness while restoring a shine...

He absentmindedly feels the ends of his hair. The locks are normally dark and glossy, but the cold has not treated them well, leaving them slightly dry and brittle.

That's the cost of travel. It can be difficult to predict how my skin and hair react to different climates.

“Excuse me,” Jamil calls out to the stall owner, “I’d like to buy one of these shampoo bars, please. One in the conditioner bars as well."

“Sure thing!!” The owner wraps up the bars and slides them over. As Jamil hands him a few bills, he pipes up. “Say, yer not from ‘round here, are ya, sonny?”

“Yes. I am but a traveler.”

“Traveler!” The owner’s eyebrows shoot up. “Real fancy livin’ ya must have."

“No, not at all. I try to live humbly and travel light.” Jamil indicates his backpack, the one piece of luggage that follows him wherever he goes.

"That so? Not many young folk visit these parts." The owner strokes his rounded chin in contemplation. "I figured ya must be on yer way to the city. A lot more for youngins to see 'n do there."

“I beg to differ. The village has shown me incredible hospitality during my stay. Delicious foods, friendliness... I can enjoy Harveston's natural sights without worry. I'm content with just that."

With each word that leaves his lips, he feels the weight that has been on his shoulders lifting.

Jamil, you're free, the wind seems to whisper. The realization is intoxicatingly sweet and crisp, the first bite taken from a forbidden fruit.

"Aww, that warms mah heart ta hear ya say," the owner beams. "Yer a good kid, yer parents would be proud of ya."

"My... parents?" Jamil falters at the mention of them.

His parents are back home. His sister, too. Najma had texted not long ago, pestering him about bringing her a souvenir and asking when he’d be back.

His family is waiting for him. And... who else is there?

Jamil's brows furrow. Suddenly, he feels as though someone should be beside him, and he, trailing after them. A hopeless person buying up all the stalls, shoveling new dish after new dish at him.

"Here, try this, Jamil! Oooh, and this! That looks super tasty, have some too! And this cracker!"

"Where did you get all this food from?! There's no way we'll be able to feasibly finish this before it goes bad. Why do you never listen to me, Ka..."

A growl rips from his stomach. Jamil's eyes widen, and his face heats.

The stall owner's laugh cuts through his confusion. "Gahahah! Ya hungry there, son? Here, lemme grab ya somethin' on the house."

"Oh no, sir, I can't accept that."

"I insist!! Won't be long 'fore ya mosey on outta here and move on ta the next place. Eat yer fill while yer here, there ain't nothin' like a homegrown Harveston meal or snack anywhere else in Twisted Wonderland!"

The owner rustles with utensils behind the stall, He fills a container with a generous slice of pie--oozing with apple filling--and fluffy pancakes, plus a few potstickers. Then he pours hot tea, apple cubes bobbing in the spiced brown liquid, into a paper cup.

Jamil gets a whiff of it from where he stands and--against his better judgment, his mouth waters. When the owner hands him the container, cup, and a wooden fork, he doesn't refuse them.

"Remember us ‘n all the fun times ya spent here."

"Thank you, sir." Jamil bows his head. "I will. I'll never forget your kindness."

"Don't 'cha mention it. Go on 'n git now, ya got plenty more of the village to visit!""

Jamil departs with his purchase and his gifts, which he immediately settles into.

Lifting the paper cup to his lips, he sips his tea. It's deep and tangy from the cinnamon and apples it has been brewed with. He pleasantly warms from head to toe.

It isn't long before he downs the rest of the drink, apple cubes and all. They're not fresh, but dried--so when his teeth slices them into halves, they're springy and chewy, with a strong flavor.

Jamil lowers the cup, dragging out a satisfied sigh.

It's then that he realizes he's walking directly into a black wall. He veers sharply to the right, but still brushes his arm against that of the incoming person.

“Pardon me. I wasn't watching where I was going...” Jamil looks back, but is startled to find no one where his shoulder has made contact.

Hm? Was I imagining things?

Jamil glances around the marketplace. The crowd is too sparse for him to miss anyone. There are grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, each dressed in thick coats and boots, some wrapped in scarves and others sporting fuzzy hats or earmuffs.

But no one is wearing all black.

He shakes his head.

It was probably nothing then.

Jamil returns to browsing the square, his every stride as light as a feather. He feels as though he is dancing atop the snow.

The cold no longer bothers him.

The wind, carrying a new message that resonates with his heart. It seems stronger now, rumbling like a deadly avalanche.

"Be free, Viper. Be free."