#Quicken Tech Support

[ghostlycamil4]

Hello! I love love LOVEEE your writing so so so so much, its SO inspiring! Anyway, was thinking of angst to fluff? Bakugou x reader (doesnt have to be specified which gender) about the reader passing out from dehydration? No rush ofc, and you don't have to do if if your not comfortable, you can take it any direction you want js no smut pls!!!!! Also maybe a little bit of implied dadzawa ? This is my first time sending a request so, I hope this is the correct place 🐁

𝐵𝑎𝑘𝑢𝑔𝑜: 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠

thank you for your first request this one’s for you some angst, some fluff, and a whole lot of bakugo care. hope it’s what you were hoping for!!

The new suit fit like a glove. Lighter than the previous one, but reinforced at the joints, with flexible plates that followed the line of your arms and thighs without hindering movement.

You observed your reflection with a mix of pride and anxiety. The thermal regulation still wasn't fully calibrated, but the technicians said it would hold up for basic testing.

And just as you were about to ask another question, the floor trembled beneath your feet.

A sharp crash, like metal being torn from its foundations, echoed from the upper floor.

Red. Flashing light. Voices rising.

"Intrusion code on Upper Level. Personnel, evacuate immediately," a mechanical voice rang out from the speakers.

The technicians dropped their tablets and clipboards. Some ran. Others hesitated. One tripped over a box of components trying to reach the exit. Panic hadn’t completely taken over yet, but it was building.

You reacted instantly.

Zipped your suit all the way up. Adjusted your gloves. Left the testing room without looking back.

In the hallway, some students were already guiding civilians. You recognized Iida giving directions and Yaoyorozu creating improvised barriers with polymer plates.

And then you saw him: Bakugo.

His back to you, steps steady, jaw tight, walking in the opposite direction of the evacuation flow. Heading straight for the noise.

"Bakugo!" you shouted, quickening your pace to catch up. "We need to help evacuate! Civilians first!"

He didn’t even look back. Just answered with a grunt:

"Let the others handle that. I’m gonna blow the bastard who dared to break in to pieces."

"Katsuki!" you raised your voice, angry, but he was already picking up speed.

There was no other choice. You growled under your breath and followed, your quirk beginning to hum subtly under your skin, ready to activate.

The plan was to go up, use the elevator in the tech wing... but when the doors opened, it wasn’t civilians who stepped out.

A tall figure, covered in what looked like a torn suit but reinforced at key points, looked at you from inside the elevator with a twisted smile. His eyes had glowing implants, and his voice had a metallic echo.

"Well, well... the explosive brat and the damn gem. Ain’t I lucky."

Bakugo stepped forward without hesitation.

"Tch. Damn scrap metal freak."

Everything moved fast.

Bakugo faced him head-on, moving like lightning, his explosions rattling the hallway. You supported from the side, activating your quirk to weaken the electromagnetic field on his weapons, forcing him to back off every time he tried to propel himself.

But the air was heavy. The smoke from the explosions, the friction of your still-uncalibrated suit, the rhythm of your movements… everything started to feel slow.

Your muscles burned. Your lips were dry. Sweat ran down your neck like you were trapped in a sauna.

You didn’t stop.

Even when the edges of your vision started to go dark. Even when you could no longer hear clearly. Even when your head pounded like your skull was going to split open.

"NOW, DO IT!" Bakugo shouted, launching a direct blast at the villain you’d left with no escape.

You moved your hands with effort. Your quirk activated one last time, creating a breach in the enemy’s protective field. Bakugo’s final hit sent him flying into the wall with a sickening crunch.

Victory. You’d done it.

And then… you swayed.

"Hah?"

That was the last thing you heard from Bakugo before everything shut down.

Your body collapsed sideways, like a rag doll. The suit’s sensors flashed red for a second before going dark. The hallway spun one last time in your vision, and then everything went black.

"Oi! OI!! Don’t fuckin’ do this!!" Bakugo yelled, running to you.

He dropped to his knees clumsily, pulling your shoulders against his chest. His glove touched your cheek, and the heat made him frown. Your lips were cracked. Your breathing, shallow.

"You’re burnin’ up... goddamn it..." his voice was low, almost hoarse. With rage. Or maybe fear.

Bakugo hadn’t moved.

He’d been sitting in that straight-backed chair for hours, not straying from the bed for a second. He’d taken off his gloves, rested his elbows on his knees, and kept his eyes locked on your fingers. Watching every tiny movement. Every tremble. Every breath.

And then the door opened without warning.

Bakugo didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Aizawa.

His eyes were lowered, shoulders a bit tense, hair looser than usual. He closed the door behind him without a word. Walked to the other side of the bed.

And then, his voice:

“What were you thinking?”

Bakugo didn’t answer right away. He just leaned back, exhaling like he’d known that was coming.

"I had it under control," he muttered finally, without looking at him.

Aizawa crossed his arms.

"And that’s why you, the first one to break protocol when it suits you, decided to drag someone with an incomplete suit into a fight."

"That’s not what happened!" Bakugo snapped, rising slightly from his seat.

“And you don't decide when to break the protocols, it's that me!”

Silence. And just when it seemed like it wouldn’t end...

A soft whisper. Barely audible.

"...It wasn’t his fault." Your voice, hoarse, broken, just a murmur.

But your voice... though weak, was firm.

"Bakugo… didn’t force me. It was me."

"We’ll talk later," Aizawa said at last, taking a step toward the door.“About what was done right, and what wasn’t. And why there are always consequences when people act without thinking.”

But before he left, he paused.

He turned his head just slightly over his shoulder.

“Thank you. Both of you. For keeping everyone safe.”

It was blunt. Like someone who didn’t know how to soften the tone. But the message was clear.

He was proud. And scared. But more than anything, relieved.

You turned your face a little, with effort, and noticed Bakugo was still looking at you just like before.

"Don’t go."

He scoffed. Quietly.

"Where the hell else would I go?"

You wanted to say something more, but the words didn’t come. You just moved your hand.

He hesitated. Just for a second.

And then, he took your hand.

Lifted you easily into his arms, and without looking back, took off running.

Content @ghostlycamil4 2025. Do not copy or modify.

[gas-writer]

Working After Hours...

I don't use Tumblr that much, and already posted this new story over on DeviantArt. But if you haven't already read it over there, maybe you'll like it here: A happier, more positive, and longer anesthesia story! Let's see if tumblr will do 9000 words in a single post...

I power down the last computer at the registration desk. The screen clicks off.

Friday nights at Riverside Surgical Center always end like this. Just me, alone in the building; wandering the halls, making sure everything is powered off, closed and packed up for the weekend. It's my favorite part of being the sole IT support specialist here. When everyone else rushes out, I get these perfect moments alone. With the equipment.

The hum of the building's air handling system becomes noticeable as I cross the deserted, silent lobby. My footsteps click against the polished vinyl flooring. I walk to the entrance, diligently checking that the automatic door is locked closed. It is. I’ll lock it again when I leave, but tonight I don’t want any unexpected visitors.

I turn and begin my rounds through the facility. The surgical center’s manager thinks I'm dedicated. In reality, I'm obsessed.

Medical technology has been my special interest since I was a teenager. While other kids collected posters of rock bands, I hoarded medical supply catalogs. By eighteen, I could name every component of an anesthesia machine and knew the admin passwords to a handful of patient monitors. The job here at Riverside isn't high-paying, but it gives me access to a playground of sophisticated equipment that nobody outside the medical profession would get to touch.

The pre-operative area is my first stop. Six curtained bays line the wall, each containing a stretcher with accompanying vital signs monitor. I walk slowly, making sure each monitor (a Phillips model I know well) is powered down. When in use, their screens show blood pressure, SPo2 and pulse rates. They’re seldom used with ECG leads in pre-op. I notice things like that. I’ve always been into the small details.

Regardless, they’re all dark now. The monitoring system's central station sits at the nurse's desk. They’ve already turned it off.

I walk into one of the bays, and push an IV pole out of my way. Mounted on the pole is an infusion pump, its digital display dark. I check the bay's cabinets, making sure the stock of IV catheters, saline flushes, and adhesive dressings are orderly. I don’t really have to do this; it’s a med tech’s job, but… I want to.

As I check the next one, I pocket a couple of alcohol prep pads. Then a few pairs of purple nitrile gloves from the wall dispenser. Nothing that would be missed. I've been collecting “supplies” for months this way. I tell myself I’m building my own personal medical kit for home, but I know I just like having this stuff.

The staff lounge is next. There’s not really anything in here that I need to power off; we’d all be in trouble if I shut the refrigerator down. Nothing seems out of place here. It was one of the nurse’s birthdays today, and there are cake crumbs on the table. I skipped the party, but I helpfully wipe them up. There’s a box of masks by the door, though, and I take one, adding it to my scrub pockets. My heart rate increases slightly at the thought of what I'm planning later, but for now, I just turn out the breakroom’s lights.

Moving on with my patrol, I enter the post-anesthesia room; the PACU. This is more or less a mirror of pre-op, but with closer monitoring. The ECG traces on the monitors get used here. Eight recovery bays face a central nurse's station where the staff can observe all of the waking patients at once. Like pre-op, I verify each is powered down, and catch one that the nurses missed.

I pass through the automatic double doors that separate the PACU from the main corridor. My pulse quickens as I approach my actual destination tonight: the surgical suites. Riverside has three operating rooms; more than average for the facility’s relatively small throughput. Each is specialized for different types of procedures.

OR 1 is the largest, equipped for general surgery. Its boom-mounted equipment arms hang suspended from the ceiling in standby mode. The room lights are off, and the surgical lights on articulating arms are stowed neatly against the ceiling. I stare through the door for a moment, then move on.

I walk to OR 2, which is set up primarily for orthopedic procedures. The C-arm x-ray unit is parked in the corner, draped with a protective cover. Riverside sees a lot of broken arms, ACLs that need repair, and the like, but I’ve never been that interested in medical carpentry. Everything looks alright here, so I move on again.

Finally, I reach OR 3. It’s the smallest of the three rooms, sometimes used for endoscopies, but also for gynecological and urological procedures. This one has always held a special fascination for me, for reasons I leave unexamined for now. The operating table here is equipped with integrated leg stirrups, really more like giant yellow boots, that can be positioned at various angles. The table itself is computerized with both foot pedals and a remote. It can be easily moved to nearly any position, which is why I’ve chosen it for tonight.

I hesitate at the doorway, my heart pounding. The room, like the others, is dark and still. My hand finds the light switch, and I flip it. The room lights and overhead surgical lights come on at once, uncomfortably bright. I let my eyes adjust for a moment, then I step inside and let the door swing shut behind me.

This is my plan. This is the reason I’m so helpful on Friday nights.

I move purposefully. The anesthesia workstations here are slightly older than I might find in an academic center, and frankly, that’s what I want. It still has physical knobs that I could twist, instead of a touchscreen. I approach it; running my fingers along its smooth surface. I think, just for a second, how embarrassed I’d be if someone saw me basically petting the machine. But I’m alone. That’s the point.

On the far side of the operating room is an entire wall of supplies. Opening a cabinet, I locate the components I need. A disposable breathing circuit, nicely packaged with a filter and a gas sampling line. A pair of rebreathing bags, and an adult-sized anesthesia mask. In another cabinet, I find a four-point head harness, designed to keep the mask securely in place during procedures. I lay these items out methodically on the anesthesia machine's work surface.

Next, from a different cabinet I retrieve a pulse oximeter sensor, and a blood pressure cuff. I return to the anesthesia workstation, and connect both to their respective ports on the machine. Even if I didn’t know where they went, the plugs are colored and fit only in the right place. It just takes a few seconds, despite my slightly trembling hands. I think about getting ECG pads; the machine is already setup for 5-lead, but I decide it’ll be too awkward to manage the wires.

I connect the breathing circuit to the outlet and inlets on the anesthesia machine, carefully attaching the corrugated tubing and the rebreathing bag. The mask will go at the end of the circuit, but for now, I just slightly inflate the plastic seal around the mask’s rim with a syringe, then I lay it down on top of the machine

I press the power button on the anesthesia machine, listening to the startup sequence of beeps and watching as the ventilator performs its self-test. When it’s done, I perform a machine check, following the same protocol the anesthesiologists use each morning. I verify that oxygen flows properly from the wall outlet through the machine's pipelines. The backup oxygen cylinder shows pressure on its gauge. The nitrous tank is open and full. I check the carbon dioxide absorbent canister; it's fresh, the granules still white instead of the purple that would indicate it’s all used up. This is good, because I’m not actually sure which cabinet would hold a replacement, and I don’t want to search.

It takes a few minutes, but the checks complete cleanly. The rebreathing bag inflates and deflates properly and everything holds pressure. I slip the mask onto the business-end of the anesthesia circuit, pressing it in place firmly.

This machine, I note, has two vaporizers on it, purple and yellow, iso and sevo. I don’t plan to use these, but I see that the liquid level indicator on the sevoflurane shows about a quarter full. I’m intrigued but volatiles are far too dangerous to mess around with.

With the electronic foot pedals, I adjust the operating table to its lowest height setting and position it at a slight incline, so I can sit comfortably on it. The table’s dual armboards easily fold down, out of the way completely. I’m relieved to see the stirrups are likewise folded down; I'll have no need for those tonight. When I’m done, the operating table resembles a very expensive, very black chaise lounge.

I wheel the anesthesia machine closer to the operating table, careful not to pull the gas supply hoses too far. With some effort, and a couple more change to the operating table’s pitch, I position it where I can just about reach the machine’s controls, while seated on the table.

I shimmy to the center of my operating-table-made-chair. I smooth out the sleeve of my left arm and wrap the blood pressure cuff around my own bicep. It’s awkward. I struggle with the Velcro, trying to get the cuff closed in the right place on my arm, and to tighten it appropriately. After a few attempts, though, I get it close enough. The pulse oximeter clip goes easily onto my right index finger, and rhythmic beeping starts to track my heartbeat. I reach to the anesthesia machine, and using my middle finger to put the button, start the cuff. Within seconds, the monitor displays my vital signs: heart rate 92, blood pressure 138/84, oxygen saturation 99%. My elevated heart rate and blood pressure doesn't surprise me. I've been fantasizing about this whole thing for months.

I reach out to the machine’s controls and set the oxygen flow rate to 6 liters per minute. The flow meter's ball rises in its chamber, indicating the gas is flowing as expected. The room fills with a quiet hiss.

I pick up the mask, and I feel a momentary hesitation. What I'm about to do crosses a line, from a special interest to something more dangerous and much more against the rules. But the temptation is too strong to resist. I've come this far, after all.

I bring the mask to my face, feeling the soft plastic seal against my skin. It's cool at first, but quickly warms against my face. I take a deep breath, smelling the significant plastic scent of the new breathing circuit and mask. The oxygen fills my lungs.

I pickup the black head harness, and, with a little more awkwardness, I secure the mask to my face, tightening the straps until it stays sealed tightly even when I’m not holding it.

My breathing sounds loud inside the mask. For a few moments, I watch the rebreathing bag inflate and deflate rhythmically with each breath I take. I watch my oxygen saturation maintain at 99% on the monitor. Everything is working perfectly. It’s time to take the next step.

I reach for oxygen flow knob again. This time, it twist down… and twist the nitrous oxide tap open. I know how the flowmeters work, and set the balls to a roughly 33% nitrous oxide flow. I take a deep, deliberate breath through the mask, and the effects begin almost immediately. A pleasant warmth spreads through my limbs. I hold the breath for a second, then deliberately take another very big breath. My fingertips tingle with a curious numbness. By the third breath, a buzzing sensation starts at the base of my skull, radiating upwards into my head. I’m surprised, and more than a little bit pleased, at how fast I’m feeling the nitrous. I've read about this feeling countless times in medical literature and online, but experiencing it firsthand is amazing; both the physical sensation and the forbidden nature of what I'm doing. I want more. I turn the oxygen down slightly again, and the nitrous up.

I lean back onto the operating table, letting my arms fall to my sides, and take in more of the gas as I relax.

The room maintains its sharp edges and clinical brightness, but my perception of it begins to shift. The surgical lights above me seem more intense, their glow extending just a bit beyond their actual boundaries. The rhythmic sound of the gas flowing through the circuit becomes hypnotic. My breathing is less intentional now, but even so, I’m still breathing slowly and deeply. The rebreathing bag inflates and deflates and I enjoy watching it for a couple of minutes. Inhale, exhale. Inflating, deflating.

I check the monitors with slightly unfocused eyes. My heart rate has decreased to 84 beats per minute; it’s still elevated from my normal resting rate but lower than before. My oxygen saturation remains good. The blood pressure reading cycles automatically every five minutes. The cuff tightens around my arm before letting go with a soft hiss: 125/76. The beep of my heartbeat has slowed.

I laugh, muffled by the mask. I watch the rebreathing bag some more.

The blood pressure cuff cycles again; time is stretching, I’ve floated here five minutes already, and dissociated without realizing it. There’s a clock on the OR wall, and I watch it for a minute. It moves simultaneously slowly and fast. I smile. I’m happy, and… I want more.

I decide to increase the concentration. My movements are deliberate, almost ceremonial, as I pull myself upright, then reach out to adjust the flowmeters. I’m already around 50%, and I want a bit more. I twist the nitrous upwards, nearly as high as it’ll go. I can tell the difference almost immediately.

The buzzing in my head intensifies, becoming a gentle vibration that extends through my entire body. The boundaries between myself and the room begin to blur. The operating table beneath me seems to become softer, much softer, as if I might sink through it if I relaxed completely. I don't, though; I still have the presence of mind to lower myself back onto the table gently, instead of falling off.

I let myself drift again. I think about the nurses and surgeons who work in this room, wielding their instruments, controlling life and consciousness with practiced hands. Now I'm doing the same, in a way. This thought seems somehow hilarious and profound. I don’t start laughing but I’m pretty close. Before I know it, the blood pressure cuff is cycling again.

I raise my hands in front of my face, fascinated by how distant and blurry they seem. I wiggle my fingers, watching the movement with detached curiosity. There's a delay between my intention and the action, as if I'm connected to a video game on a bad internet connection. I slide my palm along the cool surface of the operating table, the sensation of touch seems simultaneously intensified and muted.

A new thought surfaces through the haze of nitrous oxide: what would sevoflurane feel like? I know that nitrous, at normal pressure, can’t actually knock anyone out. But sevo, at even at moderate concentrations, induces unconsciousness within minutes. I don’t want that. Even while intoxicated, I clearly understand the consequences of gassing myself to far. But my understanding of MAC is that at lower concentrations, like, say, 1% or 2%, people my age will generally remain awake. At least for a little while.

I could try it. Just a little.

I know it’s dangerous, but the idea is irresistible.

I sit up again, and reach for the anesthesia machine, my movements a lot less coordinated now, through the nitrous fog. First, I turn down the nitrous oxide flow to zero, allowing pure oxygen to clear my system for a moment. I take several deep breaths, feeling some of the fuzziness recede. My thoughts sharpen enough for me to recognize the recklessness of what I'm about to do, but not enough to stop me.

I turn the yellow vaporizer dial just a bit, turning it to 1%, then to 2%. Enough to taste it, to feel its initial effects for real. I’m not feeling tentative now, like I was with the nitrous, even though I know I’ll need to quickly turn it off. I breath all the way out, and the sevo begins to flow.

The first breath is still mostly oxygen, and I let myself settle back onto the table. When I take the second breath, though, a distinctly sweet smell fills the mask. It smells chemical, like a harsh cleanser, but… not unpleasant. I don’t feel anything. I take another careful breath, then another. Only then, does the effect hit me.

A heavy warmth spreads through my body, like someone’s thrown a weighted blanket over me. Another breath, and I start to feel distinctly tired. The nitrous made me feel fuzzy primarily, this is making me feel drowsy.

I try to breath normally, and the edges of my vision begin to blur, the periphery darkening slightly. It’s as if a camera’s vignette effect has been applied to my eyesight. The beeping heartbeat sound in the room seems to recede, becoming muffled and distant. It’s much more intense than the nitrous, and much more intense than I expected. I understand, in a moment, how stupid I’ve been. I need to turn the gas back off.

I sit up, trying to reach the machine, and it feels like I’m moving through syrup. My intention to move my hand doesn’t match my muscles exactly; the same effect as the Nitrous but more severe. The machine seems farther away than it was a moment ago. I reach for the vaporizer dial, and my own hand seems disconnected, as if it’s not mine.

Before I can reach the dial, another hand appears in my peripheral vision. A hand that is, for sure, not mine.

I try to turn my head, movements sluggish, brain struggling to process this unexpected development. A figure in blue appears, standing beside me, and grabs my wrist, pulling it back from the vaporizer.

"What have we here?" a female voice says. "Someone's been playing with toys they shouldn't touch." The words have a British accent, and seem to echo strangely in my ears.

I start to speak, but the mask is still harnessed to my face. I try to reach up to remove it, but the woman grabs my other wrist, too.

In the harsh surgical lighting, I see it’s a woman in blue scrubs, a surgical cap covering reddish hair, bright eyes above a white surgical mask. It's a nurse, but in my disoriented state, I can't immediately identify which one. Panic cuts through the chemical haze. I wasn't supposed to be discovered. No one should be here. The staff all left. I made sure of it.

I’m not sure what to do. I try to stand, to pull away, but my reactions are dulled by the anesthetics already in my system. The sevoflurane continues to flow; I still haven't turned it off, and each rapid, frightened breath draws more of the agent into my bloodstream.

"Turn it off," I manage to say, my voice muffled by the mask. "Let go of me!"

"I don't think so," the nurse replies. I feel myself being pushed backwards, down onto the diagonal operating table. "You've set everything up so nicely. It would be a shame to stop now."

I'm larger than her, stronger under normal circumstances, but the sevoflurane has substantially undermined my coordination. She pushes me down easily. But I’m not done yet; I turn sharply, trying to break her grip, and succeed in pulling one arm free. I reach for the mask, intending to tear it away, but she’s fast, or I’m slow. She blocks my hand, catching my wrist again.

"Oh no, you don't," she says, her voice hard. "Keep that mask on."

Fear spikes through me. Each breath is drawing more sevo into my system. I thrash, but the head harness keeps the mask firmly in place despite my movements, and the continuing supply of anesthetic makes my fight increasingly clumsy.

The nurse adjusts her grip, pinning one of my arms under her body, while reaching for something on the anesthesia machine I’ve placed so conveniently close by. To my horror, I see her turn the sevoflurane vaporizer not down, but up. I can’t see where she’s set it, but I know anywhere above 3% will rapidly render me unconscious.

"No!" I shout this time, the word completely intelligible even through the mask. I buck upward, pressing my legs against the table, trying to get up. For a moment, I think I might break free. The pulse oximeter rips free from my finger, setting off a high-pitched alarm from the monitor.

I’m able to slide my right arm free of the tangle of limbs, and I grasp at the mask, fingers scrabbling at the head harness, but they just… won’t… get it… My fingers don’t work right.

The nurse recovers quickly, catching my free wrist a third time, and forcing it down. She swings one leg over me, straddling my chest and fully jumping on the table. Before I know it, she’s on top of me. She’s using her weight to pin me down. Her face is close to mine now. It’s aggressively intimate, her blue eyes intense above her mask.

"Don't struggle, love" she says, her voice simultaneously soothing and menacing. "You'll only make it worse for yourself."

With her full weight on top of me, my movements grow increasingly fruitless. Even if she wasn’t on top of me, the feeling of heaviness, the feeling that started after my first few breaths, is much stronger now. Each time I try to push her off, the physical exertion forces me to breathe harder, deeper, pulling more sevoflurane into my system. I realize that the more I fight, the faster the anesthetic is taking hold.

My vision begins to waver, the straight lines of the room twisting and bending. The nurse's face above me seems to split and rejoin, her mask and eyes turning blurry and confusing. I blink rapidly, trying to clear my head, but my eyelids are harder and harder to open each time I do. It doesn’t help at all.

"You're quite strong," she comments, sounding slightly out of breath, but in control. "But the sevo is stronger, love. Always wins in the end."

My strength is failing rapidly now. My arms feel impossibly heavy, as if I’ve been tied down with giant elastic bands. I still struggle, but my movements are feeble, uncoordinated. I’m losing.

The room begins to spin in slow, nauseating circles. The lights overhead multiply, separating into a rainbow of colors. My hearing seems more affected now too: the nurse's voice echoes strangely, as if coming from multiple directions at once. The alarm from the disconnected sensor sounds distant, as if I’m underwater.

I'm aware of my breathing becoming slower, deeper.

"That's right," the nurse says, her voice drifting to me through layers of distortion. "Stop fighting now. You're doing so well."

I watch the nurse as she climbs off of me, but somehow, her weight seems to stay. She maintains her grip on my wrists for another few seconds, but my arms have gone limp. She releases them cautiously, maybe prepared to restrain me again if I’m faking it, but I am very much not faking it.

I can barely lift them now. My eyelids feel impossibly heavy. I force them open only with tremendous effort, trying to focus on her face, but my vision is degraded, or my brain won’t control my eyes. I can’t tell which. I try to think of something to say, but I can’t.

"Good," she says, her tone shifting to something almost… sexual. "You're submitting beautifully now."

I hear the sound of electric motors as she repositions the table, I feel myself tipping backwards. She’s straightening my legs, raising the table, returning it to a flat configuration. She gently places my arms at my sides. I want to resist but can only manage the weakest of movements.

The nurse moves to the anesthesia machine, adjusting something I can't quite see. The sevoflurane concentration, I realize distantly. She's increasing it again. The time I breath, the gas rushes in forcefully, making me breath fully and deeply. She’s squeezing the rebreathing bag.

"Just close your eyes and drift off now," she orders, her voice seeming to come from very far away. "It’s dreamland for you."

My eyelids flutter. No amount of effort can keep them open. I realize with a distant sort of horror that I'm about to lose consciousness. I make one final, feeble attempt to sit up, to roll off the table, but my muscles refuse to cooperate.

A strange feeling of peace begins to replace my fear. The inevitability of going under becomes almost comforting. I can no longer remember why I was fighting so hard against this feeling. I’m so incredibly tired and I just want to sleep. With each breath into the mask, it gets stronger.

"Perfect," she murmurs, watching as my resistance fades completely. "That's exactly right. Let it happen." I hear her, but I don’t understand.

I can’t see the nurses’s face anymore, as spinning blackness rushes in from the edges of my vision. Yet somehow, I know she's smiling as she watches me fall down to oblivion. The world clicks off.

I drift up through darkness. Consciousness returns in fragments as my brain boots up.

First comes the sensation of touch: cool air on bare skin, pressure around my wrists, on my back, on my thighs and ankles. A moment later, my sense of position; proprioception. I’m on my back, my arms splayed outwards, my legs in a strange position.

I try to rub my eyes, but the pressure on my wrists keeps them from moving.

It takes several seconds, maybe a whole minute, to process what just those two senses are reporting, what all that means. I'm lying on my back, restrained somehow.

Next, I hear a steady beeping. It’s increasing in speed as I wake up. No memories yet, but the sound seems familiar.

My eyes are closed. Only with some effort am I able to force them open. As soon as I do, I blink against harsh, circular lights overhead. Surgical lights. The operating room comes into fuzzy focus, and with it, my fragmented memories.

I'm completely naked, immobilized, and splayed open on the operating table. I remember being caught, overpowered.

My mouth feels incredibly dry. I try to swallow but barely produce enough saliva. My whole body feels sore, like I’ve just run a marathon or fought a wrestling match, which, in a way I did.

I try to move my arms again, turning to look at my wrists restrained to the table’s perpendicular armboards. I’ve seen Velcro positioning straps used here before, the kind intended for patients at risk of pulling out IVs or simply moving too much while anesthetized for surgery. The restraints here are not those, but padded leather cuffs that more resemble something from a 1950s insane asylum. I don’t know where they came from, but I’m not sliding out of them any time soon.

I lift my head slightly, fighting against residual dizziness, and look down the length of my body. As I feared, I’m completely naked; my clothes and underwear both gone. ECG electrodes have been placed on my naked chest. That’s not good.

Much worse, my legs are elevated and separated, positioned in the yellow leg-lifting stirrups that hold my feet and ankles. I'm in the lithotomy position; as if someone’s positioned me for a gynecology, urological, or rectal procedure. I try to pull my feet down, but unsurprisingly, the yellow boots and straps are tight and strong enough that it’s useless. A strangled noise escapes my throat as I realize how completely vulnerable I am. My heart beats faster and I hear the heartbeat monitor on the anesthesia machine match it. I try to stay calm and finish examining my situation. I’m not going to find a way out by panicking.

I don’t see any people around, thankfully. But it’s obvious the room has been transformed since I lost consciousness. The anesthesia machine has been pushed back to its usual position above my head. I can stretch to see it; its displays glowing with data, my heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and now ECG and respiratory traces.

My eyes dart around the room, taking in details that send fresh waves of adrenaline through my system. Surgical instruments have been arranged on a Mayo stand beside the table; gleaming metal specula, retractors, forceps, and scissors. An electrocautery unit sits ready, its grounding pad visible but not yet attached to my body. A black endoscope is coiled on a blue-draped table nearby that I’m sure wasn’t there before. Everything is positioned as I’ve seen it used during the work week, all as if in preparation for an actual procedure. Or more than one procedure.

I remember the clock on the OR wall. It reads 6:17 PM. I try to remember when I started my self-administered anesthesia experiment; the surgical center closed at 4, so it couldn’t have been long after 5:00. More than an hour has passed that I can't account for. An hour during which someone, the nurse who caught me, has prepared this nightmarish scenario.

The door to the operating room swings open, and she enters, as if summoned by my thoughts. Now that I can think clearly, I know who this is. It's Nurse Evelyn, the British transplant who joined the surgical center staff six months ago. I suddenly recall it was her birthday cake crumbs I cleaned up an hour or so ago.

She’s fully attired for the OR now, a disposable yellow isolation gown tied over her scrubs, her hair tucked completely under a bouffant cap. No hint visible of her red locks anymore. Her hands are white latex.

Her bright blue eyes above her mask crinkle at the corners, suggesting the smile I can't see.

"Ah, you're awake," she says, her accent pronounced as she approaches the table. "Welcome back to the land of the living. How are we feeling, then?"

"What the hell is this?" I croak, my voice hoarse. "Let me go right now!"

Nurse Evelyn tilts her head, studying me with amusement. "That's not a very diplomatic way to address the person who caught you abusing clinic equipment, is it? You're in quite a sticky wicket. Imagine what administration would think if they knew you were playing doctor after hours."

She moves to the anesthesia machine, checking the displays as if we’re in a normal, professional situation. "Your vitals are stable. No worse for wear, I think. How’s the nausea?" I have no nausea, thankfully, but I don’t answer.

"Why am I restrained? Why am I…" I can't even say it, the vulnerability of my naked, exposed position.

Nurse Evelyn laughs, the sound light and warm despite the circumstances. "Why are you strapped down and undressed? Self-preservation, love. Couldn't have you waking up and bolting before we had our little chat."

"As for the stirrups, well, I needed to conduct a thorough examination while you were under. Very thorough. I had to make sure you were healthy enough for what I have planned, you understand."

Heat floods my face as the implication sinks in. I think she’s joking, but I have no way to really know. "You had no right…"

"Rights?" she interrupts, stepping closer to the table. "Let's discuss rights, shall we? Did you have the right to use the anesthesia machine on a lark? To use controlled substances for your personal entertainment?" She leans over me, her eyes intense above her mask. "No, you didn't. But I understand why you did it. We're not so different, you and I."

"What do you mean?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite my racing heart. The beep of the heart monitor betrays me.

"I saw how you set everything up. The care you took with the preperation. The way you monitored yourself." She runs a gloved finger along my forearm, a strangely gentle and intimate gesture. "I think you’ve been planning this a long time. And I also think you weren't just curious about the physical sensation. You wanted to experience the vulnerability, the surrender of control. The submission."

Her assessment hits uncomfortably close to the truth. I don’t know what to say to her. She’s not exactly right, but it’s frighteningly close. There’s for sure some connection between the equipment I’m especially interested in and intense power dynamics; anesthesia has, along with it, the requirement to complete surrender to another's care. I, of course, don’t voice this, but my silence speaks volumes.

"While you seem to enjoy being the patient," she continues, "I prefer the other role. The one who decides what needs to happen. When consciousness begins and ends. The one who holds complete power over another human being." Her eyes glitter. "Quite the perfect match, wouldn't you say?"

"You're crazy," I whisper, though I think I don’t really mean it. I think she can tell that I actually do understand. I feel something inside me; not just fear, but a flicker of dark excitement I don't want to acknowledge.

"Crazy? No. Unconventional, perhaps." Evelyn moves to the foot of the table, between my spread legs, and I feel a fresh wave of vulnerability. "Here's what's going to happen. It's Friday night. No one's due back until Monday morning. You and I are going to this entire weekend exploring our mutual interests. I’ll send you under in various ways; different medicines, different combinations. I was an anesthesia nurse in England, you know. I'll take care of you quite professionally, of course."

"You can't just keep me here," I protest, though my voice lacks conviction. "People will look for me."

She raises an eyebrow. "Will they? The solitary IT worker who avoids social interaction and lives alone? Will anyone call on you?” I don’t answer, and again my silence speaks. “No. You're not due anywhere until Monday morning. Same as me."

I struggle against the restraints, panic rising again. "This is kidnapping!" I protest. It’s not halfhearted; I’m genuinely scared, even if that’s not the only emotion anymore.

"It’s hardly kidnapping," she counters smoothly. "You mostly did this to yourself. I just… helped you a bit.”

What you should realize now, love,” she continues. “Is that I could easily report what I caught you doing. That's career-ending at minimum, maybe even criminal charges." She leans over me, staring into my eyes. "Or, we could have a mutually beneficial weekend. You get to explore your fascination with anesthesia in ways you never could alone. I get to practice my skills and indulge my own… interests."

Her gloved hand rests on my thigh, the touch clearly intended to be suggestive, intimate. "Do we understand each other?"

I stare up at the surgical lights, my thoughts racing. The situation is surreal, terrifying, and yet… I can't deny the dark thread of excitement growing under my fear. Part of me has always wondered what it would be like to fully surrender to anesthesia in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. To let go completely.

Something in her tone, in the absurd situation itself, makes a hysterical laugh bubble up from my chest. "This is insane."

"Perhaps," she agrees, "but I think it's exactly what you wanted. Just not how you expected to get it."

"What exactly are you planning to do to me?" I ask, my voice steadier now.

"I’m going to put you to sleep again," Evelyn tells me. "I’ll try different induction techniques. A sevo mask induction, as you've already experienced. We’ll try the isoflurane, too, I think. A standard propofol induction. Certainly ketamine in some combination. Perhaps etomidate, if I decide you’ll risk the side effects" Her voice takes on a dreamy quality. "I’m told each one feels different going under."

I swallow. “You can’t just anesthetize me over and over,” I object, but I don’t think I’m convincing.

She doesn’t seem convinced. “It’s definitely not recommended. But neither is the scheme I caught you playing out, is it? There are some risks, but you’ve already been taking some of those, haven’t you? I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it.”

I swallow hard, looking down at my spread legs. "And the position I'm in now? The surgical tools?"

"I think it's better if I don't explain everything I have planned," she says, voice dropping to a near whisper. "Fear of the unknown heightens the experience, doesn't it? You’re vulnerable. Exposed. At my mercy." Her eyes crinkle as the heartbeat tone speeds up. "All I’m going tell you is that you won’t feel a thing."

Nurse Evelyn leans closer. "If you cooperate, though, this could be quite pleasant for you too. Some patients report euphoria, lovely dreams. You may even find the experience… arousing." Her tone drops on the last word, sending an involuntary shiver through me.

I close my eyes, weighing my options. While she’s implied I have a choice, I suspect there really is none. She has me literally and figuratively tied down. Fighting seems pointless; she controls the drugs, the restraints, everything. But I’m not ready to trust her, even with the desire she’s ignited below my fear.

“Please, just let me go,” I protest again. But I’m not sure if I really mean it.

"I don't think you mean that, love" Evelyn reads my thoughts, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. She moves to stand beside me, her white gloved fingertip tracing a line from my collarbone down my naked chest, all the way to my waist. "I think you're just scared to admit it."

The latex of her glove feels cool against my skin. I shiver again, and my breath catches involuntarily. Evelyn leans in close. I can feel her warm breath through the mask she’s wearing. She whispers in my ear.

"You enjoyed it, didn't you? When I caught you… when I held you down… when I made you breathe in the gas until you couldn't fight anymore."

My pulse quickens, betraying me on the monitor with an accelerating beep. My memories replay as she describes them; her weight on my chest, my useless struggle, the sweet smelling gas filling my lungs against my will. I realize, to my horror, that I’m getting noticeably aroused thinking about it.

"I saw your eyes before they closed," she continues, voice silky and intimate. "That moment when fear gave way to something else. When you realized you couldn't stop it happening. You want that feeling again, don’t you?" I don’t answer. My mind races. I can’t help but feel she’s right. But I think about all the surgical tools laid out. And I don’t trust that I have a real choice here.

"You're going to put me under again no matter what I say, aren't you?" I finally ask.

"Clever," she says approvingly. "You'll be spending quite a bit of time off with the fairies this weekend. But how pleasant that time is, and how pleasant the time in between is, depends entirely on your attitude."

She moves to the head of the table, starting up the fresh gas flows. "Shall we begin? Don’t answer. You’re right, you don’t have much of a choice. A little nitrous again to start, I think."

Despite everything, I feel my resistance beginning to crumble. The fear remains, but alongside it grows a perverse curiosity. What would it be like to experience all those different anesthetics, administered by someone who knows exactly what they're doing? I think I’m going to find out.

She lowers the mask towards my face, holding my chin only lightly with her gloved hand. I move my head to the side, trying to avoid the mask. It's a futile gesture, but some part of my brain, maybe the majority, still rejects the idea of submitting so. The mask follows my movement, and her grip on my chin tightens.

"Let’s have no foolishness," Evelyn scolds, her tone sharpening.

She presses the mask firmly against my face, creating a tight seal. "Deep breaths now. Be sensible."

Against my better judgment, I feel myself relaxing slightly. The fact that it’s all being decided for me is strangely reassuring, even as the situation remains profoundly frightening. I do as instructed, and begin to breath, deeply.

She turns the nitrous oxide flowmeter, and I hear the gas begin to hiss through the circuit. "Just breathe normally. Fifty percent to start, I think. You'll feel it soon enough."

I inhale obediently. I can’t really smell it, but within moments, the familiar warm tingling begins in my extremities, slowly spreading inward. The steady beeping from the pulse monitor starts to slow.

"There you go," Nurse Evelyn says, her tone suddenly soothing instead of sharp. "Just like that. Nice deep breaths."

The nitrous works quickly, creating the same vibrating sensation I experienced earlier. The fear fades, replaced by a slight detachment that makes my situation seem less threatening, more surreal. The restraints around my wrists and ankles no longer feel quite as imprisoning. I forget about my nakedness after a few more breaths. My head starts to feel fuzzy, as if cotton is being stuffed into my brain.

"Good?" she asks, watching my face closely. I nod, unable to deny the pleasant sensations washing through me. I try to organize my thoughts. The gas already makes it difficult to think critically, but the fear and desire still war within me. Evelyn watches me with those intense blue eyes, monitoring my response to the nitrous oxide. She seems to know exactly what she's doing with the anesthesia equipment. Professional. Controlled.

Can I trust her? She's holding me captive, but there's something oddly reassuring about her dominance. She’s confident, and she clearly knows what she's doing. But she's also clearly unhinged, willing to cross professional and ethical boundaries without hesitation.

Just like I am.

I really did want this, in some way.

"Alright," I say finally, my voice muffled by the mask. "I'll cooperate."

Her eyes light up with genuine pleasure. "Brilliant! I knew you'd come around. We're going to have such fun together. I think we have a bit more to do tonight, but it’ll be over before you know it.”

I wonder exactly what she means, and exactly what she’s planning for me, but I don’t have time to ask.

"Now we'll add the sevoflurane. One percent to start." She adjusts the vaporizer dial. "This will be just like before, only now I’m in control the whole time."

The distinctive odor of sevoflurane mingles with the nitrous oxide. My eyelids grow heavy again, the room's edges softening. Nurse Evelyn secures the mask with the harness, which I hadn’t realized was already behind my head.

“Now, love, with both sevo and nitrous, you’ll go off quickly,” she explains. I know there’s a phenomenon where having both nitrous and a volatile on at once increases the effects, but I can’t remember if 1% is already enough to anesthetize me.

I’m starting to feel more drowsy. Like before, the nitrous made me detached, but the sevo is making me want to sleep. I force my eyes wide open, trying to stay awake as long as I can.

“Up to three percent,” Evelyn’s voice seems distant and echos in my ears. I know that’s enough to put me out. The visual hallucinations begin immediately. The vignette effect from before returns, my vision narrowing. The lights begin to wash out, strange colors begin to fade in. When Evelyn leans over me, her white mask seems to glow. The yellow color from her isolation gown seems to stretch out around the room.

"Time for dreamland again. Why don’t you count backward from one hundred?" she instructs, increasing the sevoflurane concentration. I can’t see how far, but the smell increases significantly.

"One hundred… ninety nine…ninety eight…" My voice sounds distant to my own ears, the words slurring together. I look up at her and her face seems to distort. The room begins to spin. The yellow of her gown changes into a confusing medical rainbow, yellow, blue, white, green, along with nameless colors that don’t exist in normal reality.

Nurse Evelyn's gloved hand rests gently on my forehead, a gesture that might be comforting under different circumstances. "You’re doing brilliantly. Keep going."

I’m supposed to be counting.

"Ninety seven… ninety six… ninety five…" The numbers come with increasing difficulty. I already can’t remember what number I was on. Have I made a mistake? My tongue feeling thick and uncooperative in my mouth. The ceiling above me seems to spin faster, expanding and contracting with my breathing.

"Nine…" I manage, though I can’t hear myself. I'm no longer sure if I'm speaking aloud or just thinking the numbers. What was I counting?

"Almost there," she encourages, her British accent barely penetrating my mental haze. "Just slip off again."

The room begins to spin faster, Nurse Evelyn's face above me, already blurred and stretched, begins multiplying and rejoining like a kaleidoscope image. I try to raise my hands, to pull the mask off. One last moment of confusion. Of course, the restraints don’t let me move at all. I’ve been helpless this whole time.

"Perfect," she murmurs down at me. My eyes close of their own accord. My body relaxes. The spinning, the drowsiness, the sense of weight over my body is all too much to fight.

Consciousness fades even faster now. Darkness takes me again. My brain turns off.

My head throbs. I realize I’m awake. I don’t remember going to sleep. I try to open my eyes, but my eyelids feel impossibly heavy. It occurs to me that maybe they've been taped shut, but I don’t know why that thought comes to me. A mechanical beeping lines up with the throbbing in my head. Rhythmic. Familiar. A patient monitor? I shift and it feels like I’m in a bed. Somehow, I think I'm in a hospital bed. My mouth feels like it's stuffed with cotton, my tongue thick and clumsy. I try to swallow, but produce barely enough saliva and my throat is sore. The details of how I got here elude me, for the time being.

It takes a minute, but I finally manage to force my eyes open, only to immediately squint; above me are harsh, fluorescent lights. White, institutional ceiling tiles come into focus. They also seem familiar.

With effort, I raise my right hand to rub my eyes, and feel a tug. Looking up, I see an IV catheter secured to the back of my hand with section of transparent tape. A line of clear IV tubing snakes up to a half-empty bag of fluid hanging from an IV pole nearby. The movement causes my hospital gown to shift against my skin, and I discover I’m wearing a hospital gown.

I’m disoriented but my memories begin to fall into order. I remember my plan for the night. Going to the operating room. I remember my interrupted experiment. Evelyn catching me. Her weight on my chest as she held me down, forcing me to breathe in the anesthetics. I think of the restraints. I remember her making me go under a second time. I think I remember something else, something after that, but it’s too blurry to piece together. In any case, I remember enough.

I bolt upright, but like opening my eyes, I instantly regret it. The sudden movement makes the room spin and my headache momentarily gets worse. I grab at the IV site, about to simply pull it out, when a voice stops me.

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

I hadn’t noticed until now, but Nurse Evelyn is quietly standing at the foot of my bed, arms crossed. Her mask is gone and her red hair is down now, freed from the surgical cap, falling in waves around her shoulders. She's changed into fresh scrubs, feminine, pink, instead of the light blue from before.

Her blue eyes evaluate me.

"How are you feeling?" she asks, her British accent pronounced in the quiet room. She steps closer, and taps a few buttons on the patient monitor, silencing the rhythmic beeping. She turns, and reaches for my wrist to take my pulse manually. I don’t think to pull away, my brain is still booting up. Her fingers are cool against my skin, and strangely intimate.

"Headache," I manage to croak. "Tired. Thirsty." My voice sounds like a dry croak; my throat is rough. "What time is it?"

"Just before 9," she answers, releasing my wrist. "Post-anesthetic headache is not unusual. The volatile agents can do that, even sevoflurane. It'll pass."

I look around, taking in my surroundings more fully now. I am in a hospital bed, or more accurately, I'm in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. Eight recovery bays, mine right next to the doors. The other beds are still empty, their monitors dark, including the one I’d turned off when I’d checked it just a few hours ago.

I glance down at my body, suddenly aware of how little I know about what happened while I was unconscious. Quite a lot of my body is vaguely sore, maybe from exertion, but maybe from something Evelyn did after I was anesthetized. I try to recall what time Evelyn told me, a what the time on the OR clock had been, and I think it’s been more than an hour. That’s time to do quite a few things. My throat hurts, so I’ve probably been intubated. The memories are missing, but I know, deep down, she’s done something.

I pull at the thin hospital gown, searching for any signs of surgical intervention.

"What did you do to me while I was out?" I ask, my voice carrying an edge of fear as I examine my lower body, looking for incisions, stitches, anything out of place. "Did you… operate on me?"

Evelyn watches my frantic self-examination with amusement in her eyes. She tilts her head slightly, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. She lets me search for a minute; I can tell she’s enjoying it.

"You won’t find anything amiss this time, love. Nothing that left a mark or that’d put you out, really." She steps closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I suppose I did start the world’s most painless IV. But I might do more next time. Wouldn't that be interesting?"

I try to not to react to how close she is, or her comment. I think I shiver slightly. Maybe in fear, but maybe very much not. I look into her eyes, and for moment, there’s only the sound of the patient monitor taking my blood pressure again.

"I'm not restrained," I observe, quietly. After being tied down in the OR, the freedom feels strange, almost suspicious.

Evelyn smiles widely now; since she’s not wearing a mask anymore, the expression is fully visible. "Do you need to be? You're hardly in any condition to cause trouble. Besides, you agreed to cooperate, remember?"

I nod slowly, though I’m still somewhat conflicted. Did I agree? I recall the moment of surrender, the choice made. It was surely made under duress, but was also driven by something deeper, my special interest, and the connection to Evelyn that I’m not quite ready to admit.

"There's water if you need it," she says, gesturing to a plastic cup with a bendy straw on the bedside table, stepping back. "But nothing to eat, and nothing to drink after midnight. You're scheduled to go back to the OR first thing in the morning."

My stomach tightens at her words. "Back to the OR? For what?"

"For whatever I decide," she replies simply. "We have a full weekend ahead of us, remember? Different induction techniques to try. And once you’re asleep, whatever I want." Her tone is light, conversational, as if discussing plans for a casual outing rather than forced unconsciousness and potentially surgery.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, the movement causing the IV tubing to pull slightly. The floor feels cold beneath my bare feet. This is my chance. I could rip out the IV. I could leave now. Evelyn is alone, I'm not restrained, and despite my headache and lingering soreness, I’m confident I could overpower her now that she’s not holding an anesthesia mask. Or I could just run. I could run out the door. I could tell someone what she’s done. Or I could try to keep it all a secret.

But I hesitate. I don’t do any of that. Not yet.

Evelyn watches me, head tilted slightly, a knowing expression on her face. She's not moving to stop me. She's not threatening me. She's simply waiting, as if she already knows what I'll decide.

"Get some natural rest," she says finally, turning toward the door. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

And just like that, she walks away, her footsteps fading as she crosses the PACU. At the doorway, she pauses to turn out the main lights, leaving only the dim glow of the single patient monitor and the emergency exit signs. Then she's gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

I sit there on the edge of the bed. She left me alone. Unrestrained. With a clear path to escape. I think through it all again. I could pull out the IV, find my clothes, and be gone before she returns. I could report her, or I could simply say nothing. She’s surely cleaned up all the evidence already. I could just leave.

Instead, I find myself thinking about what she said earlier in the OR. About how we’re similar. My fascination with experiencing anesthesia, her desire to administer it. Two pieces of a disturbing puzzle that somehow fit together perfectly.

I groan. My body is sore, and my head pounds. I'm exhausted from fighting and from the drugs still circulating in my system. My thoughts aren't entirely clear. At least, that's what I tell myself as I swing my legs back onto the bed and lie down again.

I'm just too tired to make any decisions tonight. I'll think more clearly in the morning. Then I'll decide then what to do. In the morning.

I roll onto my side, adjusting the thin PACU pillow under my head. Despite everything, despite the danger and the fear and whatever else I’m feeling from my complex new connection, I feel myself drifting back toward sleep. And somewhere beneath the exhaustion and confusion, a small part of me knows that by putting the choice off, I’m making the choice.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

I close my eyes and shut down again, back to dreamland.

[ajortga]

lead, part 1

pairing: jenna ortega x fem reader

a/n: I don't know how to work this, it's my first story on tumblr, i use wp and I found this story so interesting, so I wanted to try tumblr out, we'll see how this goes!

in which, you get paired as a lead with your crush, jenna ortega.

part 2

-

Theater.

That's where home is to the heart.

It's just so captivating. You never want to let go of it. You know you won't.

You want to do it forever when you're older.

It all started when you were in 6th grade, you can remember it like nothing could ever be forgotten. Your teacher told your class that you would be visiting the high school and experiencing their performance of Matilda. You sat in the second row, next to your friend as the shining lights began to dim and the chatters quieted.

You can just remember how captured you were in the performance. Part of it was the actors, the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors that worked together so perfectly. Your focus was on them, the setting, everything. But you knew that day, something changed.

You remember telling yourself,

You want to do that for the rest of my life.

You remember thinking of directing or acting whenever your parents asked what you wanted to be when you were older, those careers were one of the only ones that stuck each time. Sure you knew it wasn't going to be easy, but a part of you told you that this is what you wanted. That's why you were trying, even after every time you were told no.

So you applied, 9th grade year. You remember crying to your parents when they rejected the dream of acting.

You had never cried so hard more than how much you did that day. Even when you knew your parents weren't so supportive of your film future, you just..

You just wanted to try.

So you did. Then you got into advanced theater and that was all it took for your passion to grow.

You auditioned, you sang okay, you loved to act, you wanted to do everything with film.

–

Today was the day of terror.

Well you wouldn't say terror, more like the anticipation was killing you.

Middle of sophomore year, which was now, you had auditioned for the lead role. Before you only got ensembles or tech, well there was a reason, you never had the guts to audition for a lead role.

The whole day you were shaken up, biting your nails, your heartbeat quickening whenever you heard even a mention of the musical.

During your film elective, right before theater, you were nearly dying.

Not even taking in any of the teacher's words, they were translated into musical songs. You shouldn't be so excited or afraid, you were in theater already, you were certain to get at least one role.

Something was different though.

You wanted the lead.

"Nervous feelings for the theater, huh?" It was a soft, sing-song voice next to you.

You turned to see your classmate, Jenna.

She was a small brunette with pretty wavy dark brown hair and warm caramel eyes that you could drown in.

You couldn't tear your eyes off of her, she was so pretty.

You glanced at your shoes, "Yeah.. Yeah sure, I wouldn't say nervous though."

She laughed, looking at you for a moment, "You know, I was there when you auditioned, your vocals were on spot and your acting was captivating to say the least."

You broke into a small smile, "Well thanks Ortega. I'm not used to compliments, especially in theater. You auditioned for which part? I saw you practicing lines the other day."

Now it was Jenna's time to smile, she looked back at you, "Yeah, it was pretty quick, I auditioned for one of the lead's too, not your part though. I just went through my script real quick, I honestly feel that when I look at scripts once, it sticks to me."

You were going to respond but the bell for last period rang, it was the moment of truth.

You held your breath, exhaling a sigh after a moment and turned to Jenna.

"Well I think this does it, good luck then?"

She nods, grinning, "Goodluck y/n."

Wait a minute, isn't the only other lead role the love interest?

Now that you are in theater, with everyone talking, you decide to grab your headphones and click play on your spotify.

You eased, you shouldn't be so nervous but you were. If you didn't get the lead, it would show your talent and you would under look any of your true abilities in film. If you got the lead, it meant that all eyes were on you, you would be playing next to Jenna.

Your heart sang.

Lie.

Not a lie.

Stop!

Your legs bounced up and down as your classmates were waiting for your theater teacher's response for the cast of the musical.

Your teacher, Mrs. Jenn went around the classroom, almost all of your friends getting ensemble or background roles, could it be any worse? The small roles were taken by your much more talented friends, didn't that mean that you could get a small role too? Or was it just life telling your oblivious brain that you were going to get the lead?

The teacher turned to you, grabbing a card from her basket, and made eye contact, she smiled.

"I loved your audition y/n. You depicted and portrayed the part perfectly, you got the lead role along with.. Oh! Ms. Ortega! Congrats girls!" She clapped her hands together, "Alright team, rehearsals start after school starting next week on every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! Let's wrap it up, I'll be handing you your scripts that we'll memorize in class."

Your stomach flipped, your heart was jumping out of it's chest, you got the lead you wanted!

That is what you wanted...

Right?

Then why is your heart beating so quickly?

Maybe it was knowing that the girl you developed puppy love for was going to play a love interest to you.

As Mrs. Jenn came up to you, she handed you a script that held lots of pages..

A specific page caught your eye, a scene where you and Jenna had to kiss, your eyes widen, nearly choking on nothing.

This was going to be a big problem..

[komohine]

What *is* your canon complaint ending for Jaith?

They die but in a very specific way so that its not as painful as it could be.

My friends wanted keith to die on a mission and then for james to die of LUNG CANCER like 30 years later and i decided that was too depressing.

So instead, they die together in a botched mission taking down one of the last Galra strongholds left over from when it was a colonial empire!! Here’s some context before the writing:

—————

Keith’s hands shook as he finished setting the timer for the bomb. He didn’t understand, truly, how an Olkari could willingly align themself with what was left of the Galra colonial empire. If not for their significantly more advanced tech, the bombs would’ve gone off. Keith would be off the ship. He’d get to go home. Slowly, he sunk to the floor, one hand over the gash in his ribs he had gotten getting to this room. That was thanks to the Olkari too. What did he say his name was…

Keith looked up and around him. The room was where the power crystal was housed, right at the centre of the ship. It was the only place where the frequency for the manual override code could reach most if not all the disarmed bombs scattered around the ship. It would save this already botched mission. He could only thank whatever was out there that there weren’t any casualties on their side.

Keith watched as the timer on the bomb in front of him ticked down. The manual override could be easily destroyed, and he wasn’t about to risk it, not when they were so close to liberating this planet.

It really was a shame that the override would only be sent out once the timer on it reached 1 second, to prevent any chance of disarming the bombs a second time. It really, really was a shame that the override was attached to the bomb in front of him in the first place. The bomb he strapped to the pulsing purple crystal to make sure that no matter what happened, this ship would not come out of the firefight in one piece.

The door to the room opened. Keith whirled around, his heartbeat soaring as he brandished his mother’s blade. He knew he was going to die here, but he still needed to protect the bomb. That’s what he told himself, at least. That’s why his hand shook, why his breaths quickened, why his heart squeezed with anxiety.

“Keith!”

It was James. Of course it was.

Keith lowered his blade, then dropped it. He stumbled to his feet as James ran toward him, and tried to run to meet him in the middle. He stumbled, weak from blood loss, and James caught him. Keith leaned into him, glad that someone else was supporting his weight because he knew his legs could not. They sunk to the floor, James careful in every movement.

“James- James what are you doing here?” Keith exclaimed, suddenly acutely aware that there are only thirty seconds left on the timer. James smiled at him, brushing a strand of hair from Keith’s face. He looks sad.

“Where else would I be?”

And Keith wants to say something but he looks into James’ face and he knows that he knows exactly what he’s done. He bites his tongue.

James stands, pulling Keith to his feet, one hand around his waist and the other firmly grasping Keith’s.

“Come on,” James says, “let’s get out of here.”

There’s 5 seconds left.

Keith stares at his back as they begin to run. 4 seconds. He wishes their gloves weren’t separating their skin. 3. He wishes James hadn’t turned his face away. 2. There was so much more he hasn’t said.

1.

The room is filled with light.

[enterprisereview]

iEnergizer BPO: Transforming Business Process Outsourcing with Technology and People‑Centric Solutions

Introduction

As traditional BPO models evolve under digital disruption, Adarsh Kumar — Co‑founder & COO of iEnergizer BPO — is redefining the industry by harmonizing advanced technologies with human-first strategies. Under his leadership, iEnergizer has become a global leader, offering omnichannel support and cutting-edge services that elevate client and employee experiences.

Visionary Leadership of Adarsh Kumar

Award-Winning Influence

Adarsh Kumar was honored as the Economic Times Business Leader 2024 for Excellence in BPO, a testament to his inspiring leadership, innovation, and client-centric focus. His vision centers on leveraging emerging technologies and fostering employee development to lead sustainable growth.

Driving Operational Excellence

Under Adarsh Kumar’s stewardship, iEnergizer has built a reputation for operational excellence — winning the National Awards 2023 for Operational Excellence & Quality in the BPO Industry . His influence extends across process standardization, quality control, and performance management, ensuring world-class service delivery.

Technology-Led Service Innovation

Omnichannel Customer Experience

Adarsh Kumar has led iEnergizer to scale omnichannel services — phone, email, chat, and technical support — for 70+ Fortune 500 clients, supported by over 20,000 skilled professionals across eight delivery centers . This multi-channel integration reflects his commitment to seamless customer journeys.

HEmbedding Automation and AI

Under Adarsh Kumar, the company integrates automation and AI into routine workflows — improving accuracy, quickening turnaround, and lowering costs. His leadership ensures that technology enhances, not replaces, the human touch central to BPO.

People-Centric Culture and Talent Growth

Investing in Employee Development

At the heart of Adarsh Kumar’s philosophy is empowerment. He championed initiatives like SEED (School for Employee Education and Development), which fosters professional growth and boosts employee retention theweek.

Cultivating High Retention & Engagement

Thanks to Adarsh Kumar’s policies, iEnergizer enjoys best-in-class retention rates. His strategy focuses on recognition, wellness, team activities, and growth, transforming employees into advocates and strengthening client satisfaction business-standard.

Strategic Growth and Client-Centric Model

Diversified Service Portfolio

Adarsh Kumar led efforts to diversify iEnergizer’s offerings — ranging from customer support to technical services — spanning verticals like finance, healthcare, and retail. His leadership ensures that evolving client ecosystems receive tailored, end-to-end solutions .

Global Delivery Excellence

Under Adarsh Kumar, iEnergizer’s eight delivery centers emphasize consistent quality through integrated methodologies and centralized governance, delivering scalable and reliable operations theweek.

Balancing Technology with Empathy

Tech as an Enabler

Adarsh Kumar sees technology as an enabler, not a replacement. He ensures technology augments human capabilities — preserving empathy, adaptability, and nuance in customer interactions, even with automation.

Innovation with Accountability

Under Adarsh Kumar, technological innovation is measured. By meeting performance benchmarks and quality standards, iEnergizer delivers accountability alongside agility, avoiding tech hype with pragmatic implementation.

Leadership in Recognition and Thought

Garnering Industry Accolades

Adarsh Kumar’s impact has earned iEnergizer prestigious recognitions — from the ET Award in 2024 to the 2023 National Award for Operational Excellence . These awards validate his fusion of strategy, tech-savvy, and human leadership.

Setting Industry Standards

As a thought leader, Adarsh Kumar influences BPO sector standards, balancing innovation with compliance, agility with stability. His viewpoints help shape policy, standards, and next-gen service models.

The Road Ahead

Expanding Tech-Enabled Services

Guided by Adarsh Kumar, iEnergizer plans deeper adoption of AI, RPA, data analytics, and digital self-service — maximizing client ROI while preserving service quality.

Sustaining People-First Values

Even as automation expands, Adarsh Kumar commits to culture-first practices — prioritizing learning, inclusive leadership, and wellness to keep technology grounded in humanity.

Conclusion

Adarsh Kumar exemplifies a compelling leadership model in modern BPO — uniting technology, talent, and tenacity. Under his guidance, iEnergizer has advanced from basic outsourcing to a global strategic partner. As workflows automate and client demands evolve, his blend of innovation and empathy positions iEnergizer for continued leadership in a rapidly changing industry.

[citizens-reversemortgages]

What’s the Best Company for a Reverse Mortgage?

Finding the right financial path for retirement can feel overwhelming—especially when exploring reverse mortgages. If you're considering this option, you're likely hoping to access your home equity without the stress of monthly payments. Reverse mortgages can be a smart, flexible tool for many seniors, but choosing the right lender is just as important as choosing the right loan.

So, how do you know which company is truly the best fit? Let’s walk through what to look for—and why Citizens Lending Group in Anaheim, California stands out as a top choice.

What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

Before choosing a provider, it helps to understand the basics. A reverse mortgage is designed for homeowners aged 62 or older, allowing you to convert a portion of your home equity into cash. Unlike traditional loans, you don’t make monthly payments—the loan is repaid when you sell your home, move out, or pass away.

It’s a way to gain financial breathing room in retirement while staying in the home you love.

What to Look For in a Reverse Mortgage Lender

Not all reverse mortgage lenders are created equal. Here are the top five qualities to prioritize:

Experience and Reputation: Choose a company with a proven history and positive customer reviews. Experienced lenders know the ins and outs of reverse mortgages and will guide you through every step with confidence.

Loan Options and Flexibility: The right lender offers more than just standard HECMs. Look for providers that also offer proprietary reverse mortgages if your home value exceeds FHA limits—or if you want more control over how funds are distributed.

Transparent Fees and Costs: A trustworthy lender will give you a full breakdown of fees—no hidden surprises. Compare origination, servicing, and appraisal fees when weighing your options.

Responsive Customer Service: Having a dedicated team to answer your questions is key. Whether you're comparing terms or navigating paperwork, you deserve support from people who treat you with patience and respect.

Education and Guidance: A good company sells you a loan. A great one educates you first. Look for a lender that provides easy-to-understand resources, offers one-on-one consultations, and genuinely wants you to make the right choice.

Why Citizens Lending Group Is the Best Reverse Mortgage Company

If you’re looking for the best reverse mortgage company, look no further than Citizens Lending Group in Anaheim, California.

Here’s why:

Specialized Expertise: Reverse mortgages are their focus—not a side offering. You’ll work with specialists who understand the unique needs of retirees and who are committed to helping you make the best financial choice.

Personalized Guidance: No cookie-cutter advice here. Their team tailors every consultation to your specific goals and financial situation.

Local and Trusted: Based in Anaheim, they’ve earned a strong reputation in the community and beyond for honesty, transparency, and exceptional service.

Clear Communication: From explaining how a reverse mortgage works to walking you through paperwork, their team is with you every step of the way—no jargon, no pressure.

End-to-End Support: From initial questions to loan closing, you’ll receive consistent, reliable support from a company that genuinely puts your interests first.

Call Citizens Lending Group today at (866) 539-5119 to speak with a local expert and explore the best reverse mortgage options available to you.

Other Notable Reverse Mortgage Lenders

While Citizens Lending Group leads the pack, other reputable companies include:

American Advisors Group (AAG) – Known for a national presence and strong educational tools.

Liberty Reverse Mortgage – Offers multiple loan types with a customer-first approach.

Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC (RMF) – Provides innovative options like Equity Edge for eligible borrowers.

One Reverse Mortgage – A Quicken Loans affiliate offering a tech-forward application experience.

Total Mortgage – Focuses on competitive rates and clear communication.

How to Apply for a Reverse Mortgage

Once you’ve found the right lender, here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

HUD-Approved Counseling – Required to ensure you fully understand the loan’s terms.

Application – Work with your lender to submit financial documents and complete the paperwork.

Home Appraisal – A certified appraisal helps determine your loan amount.

Loan Closing – After approval, you’ll attend a closing session to finalize everything. Funds are then disbursed based on your chosen payment method.

Secure Your Retirement With Confidence

A reverse mortgage can offer real peace of mind—but only when you choose a lender that has your best interest at heart.

If you're ready to explore your options with a trusted mortgage lender in Anaheim, contact Citizens Lending Group at (866) 539-5119. Their team will help you understand the full picture, answer every question, and support you through each step with care and clarity.

Because retirement should be about freedom—not financial stress.

[neha-patel23]

Bilva 2: Crafted Corners of Calm in a Chaotic World

In a world that rarely pauses, where the pace of life continues to quicken, finding a place that offers stillness, warmth, and an enduring connection to serenity is rare. Bilva 2 by Bhavisha Homes has emerged as that rare sanctuary — a living space that doesn’t just offer shelter, but carefully carves out calm in the heart of urban chaos.

When city life overwhelms with its relentless buzz, Bilva 2 steps in like a quiet breath of fresh air. Nestled in the promising locales of Bangalore, this development is more than just another residential project. It is part of a growing wave of new projects in Bangalore that prioritize peace, design, and livability over density and chaos. It is a vision of what modern life can look like when it honors the human need for space, serenity, and mindfulness.

Bilva 2: A Thoughtful Retreat by Bhavisha Homes

Every element of Bilva 2 reflects the craftsmanship and vision that Bhavisha Homes is known for. This isn’t a project born out of mass-market trends — it’s the result of thoughtful planning, meticulous design, and a deep understanding of what today’s homebuyer seeks: balance.

Bhavisha Homes has established its name in Bangalore’s real estate landscape by consistently creating spaces that resonate with lifestyle aspirations. Bilva 2 continues that legacy by providing residents with more than just a place to stay. It offers a lifestyle carved out of tranquility.

As one of the most promising new projects in Bangalore, Bilva 2 offers a unique value proposition — rooted in calmness yet surrounded by the vibrancy of the city. In a city constantly reaching for the skies with its towering ambitions and crowded streets, Bilva 2 remains grounded — both literally and emotionally. It’s a deliberate contrast to the chaos, a gentle reminder that home should be where stillness resides.

Why Bilva 2 is More Than Just a Home

The philosophy behind Bilva 2 is simple yet profound — homes should nurture. In every line, corner, and curve of this project, that belief takes shape. Every structure is intentionally placed to enhance privacy, maximize natural elements, and reduce the intrusion of the outside world.

Rather than imposing itself on the landscape, Bilva 2 coexists with it — allowing natural light, airflow, and green spaces to shape the living experience. This harmony between structure and surroundings is what transforms a living space into a sanctuary.

With Bhavisha Homes behind the vision, Bilva 2 offers an understated elegance that speaks louder than lavish embellishments ever could. Here, you don’t just live — you grow, you breathe, and you reclaim the moments that often get lost in the rush of daily life.

A Location that Offers Stillness in the City

What truly sets Bilva 2 apart is its choice of location. In Bangalore, where real estate often prioritizes connectivity over quality of life, Bhavisha Homes has found a rare balance. The surroundings of Bilva 2 offer proximity to essential urban conveniences while maintaining a gentle detachment from the city’s noise and haste.

Among the new projects in Bangalore, Bilva 2 stands out for placing equal emphasis on accessibility and ambiance. This location doesn’t just support your lifestyle — it elevates it. The everyday commute becomes smoother, the weekends more rejuvenating, and life a little less cluttered. And in this pocket of calm, Bilva 2 rises with quiet confidence.

Crafted Corners That Reflect a Slower, Better Life

What does it mean to live well? For many, it’s not just about luxurious finishes or high-tech additions. It’s about how a space makes you feel. Bilva 2 by Bhavisha Homes embodies that belief by creating corners that invite you to slow down. Whether it’s the walkways shaded by green canopies, the sunlight slipping through large windows, or the gentle flow of air through open corridors — every element contributes to a quieter life.

These are not features designed for show. They’re crafted for experience. In a time where people seek more meaningful connections — with nature, with family, with themselves — Bilva 2 offers the right backdrop.

Bilva 2: Designed with Purpose, Delivered with Passion

One of the most compelling reasons to consider Bilva 2 is the passion behind it. Bhavisha Homes is not merely a builder; it’s a curator of environments. With every project, they aim to offer more than structures — they aim to deliver stories. Stories of people finding their peace, of families growing together, and of individuals rediscovering what it means to feel truly at home.

This project doesn’t shout for attention. It simply invites those who are looking for a different kind of home — one that restores instead of overwhelms, calms instead of clutters. As more new projects in Bangalore compete for attention, Bilva 2 quietly distinguishes itself by putting heart before hype.

Find Your Corner of Calm

In a world that demands so much of us, home should be the one place that gives something back. Bilva 2, with its purpose-driven design and rooted philosophy, offers exactly that — a place where you can breathe, reflect, and find your rhythm again.

If you’re searching for a residence that truly embodies peace, simplicity, and intentional living, your search may end at Bilva 2 by Bhavisha Homes — one of the most thoughtfully designed new projects in Bangalore.

This article is already submitted on Medium -

[pcrtisuyog]

Where Do Clinical Research Courses Fit in the Future of Digital Health and AI?

The healthcare sector is going through a significant change. Clinical research is changing at a never-before-seen rate due to the development of digital health technology and the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). A significant query that emerges when this change quickens is, what role do clinical research courses play in the future of AI and digital health?

The reason for this is the growing need for experts who are knowledgeable about digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in addition to conventional clinical research procedures. Let's examine the applicability and changing function of clinical research courses in this ever-changing environment.

The Changing Landscape of Clinical Research

Digital health and AI are reshaping clinical trials by:

Automating data collection and analysis

Enhancing patient recruitment through predictive analytics

Using wearable devices and remote monitoring tools

Improving patient adherence via mobile health apps

Enabling virtual and decentralized trials

These technological advancements demand a new skill set, making clinical research education more essential and future-ready than ever before.

Bridging the Gap: Traditional Knowledge Meets Digital Innovation

Traditional clinical research focuses on:

Designing clinical trials

Regulatory and ethical compliance

Data management and biostatistics

Pharmacovigilance

While these remain foundational, today’s researchers must now also understand:

AI-based diagnostic tools

Machine learning models in drug discovery

Data privacy and cybersecurity in digital platforms

Integration of electronic health records (EHRs)

Use of real-world evidence (RWE) from digital sources

This is where clinical research courses evolve—not to replace but to enhance traditional competencies with digital acumen.

Why Clinical Research Courses Are More Important Than Ever

In the AI-driven healthcare era, clinical research professionals play a critical role in ensuring that innovations are scientifically validated and ethically sound. Here's why clinical research training will be indispensable:

1. Demand for Tech-Savvy Researchers

Clinical trials are increasingly using AI for protocol design, patient matching, and data analysis.

Professionals need to interpret AI-generated insights within a clinical context.

2. Ethical and Regulatory Oversight

AI and digital health tools must comply with regulatory bodies like the FDA, EMA, and ICH-GCP guidelines.

Trained clinical researchers ensure compliance while adapting to new regulatory frameworks.

3. Interpretation of Complex Data

AI tools generate vast amounts of clinical data.

Researchers trained in data literacy and digital tools can draw meaningful conclusions and support clinical decisions.

4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The intersection of healthcare, data science, and IT means working in cross-functional teams.

Clinical research courses increasingly incorporate interdisciplinary modules, preparing students for collaborative environments.

Key Components of Future-Focused Clinical Research Courses

To stay relevant, modern clinical research programs are expanding their curricula to include:

Introduction to Digital Health Platforms

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Data Science for Clinical Trials

Use of Wearables and Remote Monitoring Devices

EHR Integration and Real-World Evidence

Ethics and Cybersecurity in Digital Research

These additions help students develop a hybrid skill set that bridges traditional medical knowledge and modern technology.

[agentsrepublic2]

How a Tech Call Center Can Improve Your Business’s Efficiency

In these days’s speedy-paced enterprise international, efficiency is the key to staying aggressive and turning in superior customer service. One of the handiest solutions for reinforcing operational efficiency is integrating a tech call center into your commercial enterprise approach. By outsourcing or setting up an in-residence tech name center, corporations can ensure smoother operations, quicker issue decision, and standard growth. Here’s how a tech name middle can extensively enhance your enterprise’s performance.

1. 24/7 Support for Customers

One of the maximum good-sized blessings of a tech call middle is that it gives round-the-clock customer service. Technology businesses, particularly, advantage from this as their clients may require assistance at any time of the day or night. A tech call middle affords constant, always-on carrier, which can cause faster problem decision and a better consumer revel in. This guarantees that your business doesn’t miss out on capacity sales or purchaser retention opportunities because support is unavailable.

With 24/7 aid, issues may be tackled promptly, decreasing wait times and preventing frustration from building up among your customers. This instantaneous response enables keep purchaser delight, a essential issue in preserving lengthy-term relationships and loyalty.

2. Streamlined Customer Interactions

Tech call facilities are designed to address both technical and non-technical patron inquiries. Whether it is troubleshooting a complex difficulty or answering a easy question, name center dealers are skilled to manipulate those interactions efficiently. By using specialized agents with knowledge in precise areas of generation, your business can provide incredibly centered assist to clients, decreasing the time it takes to solve troubles.

The performance of name center sellers guarantees that each patron interplay is streamlined. The capacity to quick identify issues, provide effective answers, and offer follow-up help without prolonged delays boosts the productivity of your enterprise. Customers will experience greater valued, and also you’ll spend much less time on redundant calls or unnecessary escalations.

3. Cost Savings and Resource Allocation

Running a committed in-house assist group can be luxurious. Hiring and training personnel, retaining workplace area, and handling administrative obligations add up. A tech name middle allows your enterprise to outsource this function, regularly at a lower cost. By leveraging a 3rd-birthday celebration carrier issuer, your business can keep on recruitment, training, and overhead prices, in the end improving your backside line.

Additionally, by using releasing up your internal group from routine customer service tasks, your business can reallocate resources to more critical areas which include product development or advertising. This shift permits for higher usage of inner expertise and may enhance the general performance of your operations.

4. Access to Advanced Technology and Tools

Tech call centers frequently appoint present day technology to beautify their offerings. This can consist of advanced CRM (Customer Relationship Management) structures, AI-powered chatbots, automatic ticketing structures, and analytics tools. These tools improve efficiency with the aid of streamlining workflows and presenting retailers with short get entry to to purchaser statistics, which quickens resolution instances.

Incorporating those technologies no longer handiest helps your commercial enterprise function more successfully but additionally presents your clients with a higher revel in. For example, chatbots can answer simple inquiries and unfastened up retailers for greater complicated troubles. Similarly, automated systems can music issues in real-time, ensuring that not anything slips through the cracks.

5. Improved Scalability

As your business grows, so does the demand for customer service. A tech call center offers scalability that would be difficult to gain with an in-residence group. Whether you want extra dealers to deal with elevated name extent or specialized aid for brand new merchandise, a tech name center can speedy adjust its sources to meet your evolving needs.

This flexibility guarantees that your enterprise can maintain up with increase with out compromising the best of assist. You can scale up throughout peak instances, such as product launches or seasonal promotions, and reduce whilst aid demands drop. This adaptability facilitates hold operational performance at the same time as saving fees in the course of quieter durations.

6. Better Focus on Core Competencies

For many companies, focusing on the center aspects in their operations is critical to growth. By outsourcing customer support to a tech call middle, your crew can devote greater time and energy to regions like product innovation, advertising and marketing, and sales. Rather than diverting interest to resolving technical problems, your group can deal with what it does high-quality.

This lets in your business to remain agile and innovative, as you’re not slowed down by way of habitual aid demanding situations. The tech name center, with its specialised know-how, can manage those duties efficiently, ensuring that your internal team has the time and resources to awareness on long-term desires and increase techniques.

7. Enhanced Customer Insights

Tech name centers gather considerable amounts of records from consumer interactions, which may be used to identify tendencies and pain factors. By analyzing these insights, your enterprise can pick out habitual troubles, improve merchandise, and higher anticipate customer wishes. This facts-driven technique can decorate decision-making and lead to greater strategic making plans.

For example, if clients time and again report the identical trouble, it is able to indicate a want for product updates or improvements. Alternatively, if there’s an boom in a specific sort of help inquiry, it is able to sign an possibility to offer proactive communique or self-service options to lessen call for to your call middle.

8. Increased Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

When clients can without problems reach knowledgeable agents who resolve their issues fast, delight levels growth. A tech call center ensures that your business is constantly on hand and responsive, main to a higher fee of client satisfaction. Satisfied customers are more likely to turn out to be repeat consumers and suggest your products or services to others.

Improved purchaser satisfaction not only ends in loyalty but also boosts your popularity inside the market. Word-of-mouth referrals and superb opinions can cause an boom in new customers, expanding your commercial enterprise’s reach and achievement.

Conclusion

Integrating a tech name center into your commercial enterprise version is a strategic pass that may considerably beautify operational efficiency. From presenting 24/7 help to leveraging superior technology and liberating up internal sources, a tech name middle permits your commercial enterprise to attention on what matters maximum even as ensuring first-rate carrier on your clients. The scalability, fee financial savings, and valuable patron insights offered with the aid of a tech call middle make it an critical tool for groups looking for to enhance their efficiency and keep a competitive side in these days’s speedy-paced marketplace.

[researchrealmblog]

Powering the Future: A Casual Guide to Battery Technology

In simple words, the contemporary world as we know it would not be thinkable without batteries. From life-supporting devices like pacemakers to cellphones, batteries energize the several compact electronic devices all around you.

They have also discovered working in the past few years in electric vehicles and are touted as a "silver bullet" for the future of renewable power storage systems. They offer an easy and portable source of electrical power, permitting us to stay connected, and work efficiently, and can make a more supportable future possible when recharged with renewable power.

The battery technology market is witnessing development and is projected to reach USD 176.92 billion by 2030.

The Basics of Batteries:

Let's gain some basic knowledge regarding batteries. Batteries are power storage devices that change chemical power into electrical power. The most popular kind you encounter every day is the lithium-ion battery, popular for its high-power density and rechargeability. It is the powerhouse behind your devices and electric vehicles.

A Brief History Lesson:

Batteries are not a recent discovery. Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist, made the first chemical battery in the early 19th century. It was known as the Voltaic Pile, made from alternating discs of copper and zinc and copper detached by cardboard saturated in salt water. Fast forward to today, and we've come a long way.

The Evolution of Battery Technology:

In the past few years, battery tech has changed significantly. We have witnessed improvements in materials, such as shifting from lead-acid to lithium-ion, which carried lighter and more effective batteries. Nowadays, academics are discovering solid-state batteries and other pioneering tech to make batteries secure, more powerful, and eco-friendly.

The Green Revolution:

As the world grapples with ecological worries, batteries play an important role in the shift towards renewable power. Battery storage permits us to use solar and wind power, loading it for when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. This makes the path for a greener, more sustainable future.

Electric Vehicles (EVs):

One of the most thrilling workings of battery tech is in EVs. EVs are becoming progressively popular, thanks to enhancements in battery capacity and charging infrastructure. They are not just ecological; they are also extremely fun to drive!

In the coming few years, it is estimated that the increasing acceptance of EVs among customers will quicken the utilization of lithium-ion batteries, as they are an eco-friendlier substitute to orthodox fuels.

China is known as the world's topmost manufacturer of EVs. This is due to the demand for electric vehicles being more compared to other nations, as a result of increasing government steps in order to encourage the utilization of EVs.

Battery tech is an exciting field with a bright future. From your mobile phone to the worldwide shift toward clean power, batteries are at the heart of it all. As tech endures to progress, expect even more thrilling growths in the field of batteries. So, next time you plug in your device or hop into an electric vehicle, remember the extraordinary journey of these little powerhouses!

Source: P&S Intelligence

[maxwalton2024]

Quicken Won’t Open After Update?

If you just updated Quicken and it won’t open, you are not the only one. Many people have this annoying problem after an update, but the good news is there are ways to fix it. Whether you keep an eye on your money or your investments, Quicken is a strong tool, and when it stops, it can mess up your plans. In this guide, we will show you some simple steps to get Quicken working again, and we will talk about how Quicken Premium Tech Support can help if the problem stays.

[perspectiveunbound]

Boosting Growth: How Regulatory Reforms Empower Scotland's Small Businesses

The Impact of Regulatory Reforms on Scotland's Small Businesses Hello, dear readers! Today, we delve into the significant impact that regulatory reforms can have on Scotland's small businesses, exploring how easing regulations can fuel growth and innovation within this vital sector of our economy. Small businesses are the backbone of Scotland's economy, contributing immensely to both employment and local development. Yet, these enterprises often face disproportionate challenges under heavy regulatory burdens that can stifle growth and deter innovation. By advocating for and implementing thoughtful regulatory reforms, we can create a more nurturing environment for these businesses to thrive. One key area for reform is the simplification of tax compliance. Reducing the complexity and cost of compliance allows small business owners to focus more on expanding their operations and less on navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, easing planning regulations can quicken the pace at which new businesses can set up shop and existing ones can expand, leading to quicker job creation and economic growth. Moreover, with the rise of digital platforms and the increasing importance of the digital economy, it is crucial to revise outmoded regulations that no longer suit the modern business landscape. By doing so, we not only support traditional businesses but also pave the way for new ventures in tech-driven sectors. The benefits of regulatory reform extend beyond economic measures; they also promote creativity and resilience, allowing small businesses to adapt quickly to market changes and new opportunities. This adaptability is particularly vital in a post-pandemic world, where the ability to pivot and innovate is key to survival and success. Let’s continue to champion policies that facilitate ease of doing business, not just to keep Scotland competitive but to ensure that our local communities flourish. Thank you for joining today's discussion on how regulatory reforms can enhance the operational landscape for Scotland’s small businesses. Warm regards, Alastair Majury *Perspectives Unbound* --- *Stay tuned to Perspectives Unbound for more in-depth analysis on how free-market principles are being implemented to stimulate competitive and sustainable economic growth in Scotland.*

[imjuanita]

Six TipsPicking The Right Medical Licensing Solution

In the health care market, obtaining the required licenses and also accreditations is important for physician to exercise officially and also morally. Nevertheless, browsing the complications of health care licensing may be intimidating as well as taxing. That's where medical licensing services come in, using support to streamline the method. Opting for the appropriate company is important for ensuring accuracy, effectiveness, and compliance.

Six Suggestions To Assist You Choose The Optimal Clinical Licensing Company:

Online reputation and also Expertise Begin by investigating the track record as well as expertise of the licensing provider. Seek providers along with a proven keep track of history of effectiveness in helping with Florida medical license for a selection of health care specialists. Examine on the web testimonials, testimonies, as well as request for recommendations from co-workers or qualified systems. A trusted service will certainly possess a past of happy customers as well as a detailed understanding of licensing requirements around different conditions or countries.

Comprehensive Services

Review the variety of companies used through the licensing service. Essentially, choose a supplier that supplies extensive support throughout the entire licensing process, from initial application to revival and also beyond. This ought to include application planning, paper verification, credentialing, exam sign up, and also continuous support. A one-stop-shop for all licensing needs can conserve opportunity as well as deal with the hassle of coping with multiple vendors or even companies.

Knowledge in Specialty Areas

Medical licensing demands may vary dramatically based upon specialty, state rules, as well as even worldwide criteria. Guarantee that the licensing solution has knowledge in your particular region of technique. Whether you are actually a physician, nurse, counselor, or various other healthcare professional, the service ought to be skillful in the unique licensing needs appropriate to your area. Specialized expertise guarantees precision and also conformity adapted to your private conditions.

Technology and Efficiency

Seek a licensing service that leverages innovation to improve procedures and enrich effectiveness. Attributes including on-line application gateways, file management systems, and automated pointers can streamline managerial tasks as well as quicken the licensing timetable. Additionally, ask about turn-around times for Florida state medical license application processing and also communication stations for status updates. A tech-savvy provider may help you navigate the licensing labyrinth with marginal problems and irritation.

Client Support as well as Interaction

Helpful communication and also receptive client support are vital when selecting a health care licensing solution. Make sure that the supplier gives prompt assistance and clear advice throughout the licensing process. This features access to proficient reps who can address your inquiries or even issues in a timely method. Straightforward interaction develops trust fund as well as confidence, allowing you to remain educated and also involved every action of the means.

Price as well as Value

Eventually, consider the expense framework as well as general market value proposition of the licensing solution. While price is definitely a variable, focus on market value over the most affordable ahead of time price. Analyze the solutions consisted of in the prices package, including application fees, paper verification, and also continuous support. Review rates models and also charge designs one of different companies to find out the very best suitable for your budget and also necessities. Consider that investing in a respectable as well as effective licensing company can inevitably save you opportunity, stress and anxiety, and potential conditions in the end.

To conclude, choosing the right medical licensing solution requires careful consideration of variables such as online reputation, solutions supplied, expertise, innovation, client help, as well as cost. Through complying with these 6 ideas, you may make an enlightened decision that streamlines the licensing process as well as guarantees compliance along with regulatory needs. Whether you are actually a veteran health care expert or a recent grad, partnering with the right licensing company can lead the way for a prosperous and satisfying career in medicine.

[sachinaggarwalok]

6 IdeasSelecting The Right Clinical Licensing Solution

In the medical care field, acquiring the necessary licenses and licenses is vital for doctor to practice legitimately as well as ethically. However, navigating the complications of health care licensing may be intimidating and taxing. That's where medical licensing solutions been available in, giving help to enhance the method. Selecting the ideal service is actually crucial for ensuring accuracy, performance, and compliance.

6 Ideas To Assist You Choose The Suitable Clinical Licensing Service:

Credibility and reputation and also Experience Begin by exploring the reputation and experience of the licensing specialist. Try to find providers along with a tested record of results in promoting Florida medical license for an assortment of health care specialists. Examine on the web testimonials, testimonies, as well as seek endorsements from co-workers or even expert systems. A trusted solution will have a history of completely satisfied customers as well as a thorough understanding of licensing requirements all over different conditions or nations.

Comprehensive Providers

Assess the array of companies supplied by the licensing solution. Preferably, pick a supplier that delivers comprehensive support throughout the entire licensing process, coming from initial application to revitalization and past. This ought to consist of application preparation, documentation verification, credentialing, assessment sign up, as well as continuous help. A one-stop-shop for all licensing needs to have may save time as well as do away with the headache of working along with numerous providers or even organizations.

Know-how in Specialty Locations

Medical licensing criteria can differ considerably based upon specialized, state regulations, and also worldwide criteria. Make certain that the licensing service possesses expertise in your specific region of method. Whether you are actually a doctor, nurse, specialist, or even other health care expert, the company ought to be fluent in the distinct licensing needs pertinent to your field. Specialized understanding ensures accuracy as well as compliance customized to your specific conditions.

Technology as well as Effectiveness

Seek a licensing solution that leverages innovation to streamline procedures as well as enrich efficiency. Attributes like on the internet application websites, file monitoring systems, and also automated suggestions can streamline administrative duties and quicken the licensing timetable. Furthermore, inquire about turn-around opportunities for Florida medical license application processing and also interaction channels for condition updates. A tech-savvy specialist can easily help you navigate the licensing labyrinth with marginal problems and stress.

Customer Support and also Communication

Efficient communication as well as reactive consumer help are actually important when opting for a clinical licensing service. Guarantee that the provider offers punctual help and crystal clear guidance throughout the licensing process. This includes accessibility to proficient representatives who may address your inquiries or issues in a well-timed way. Straightforward interaction builds depend on and self-confidence, allowing you to remain informed as well as involved every measure of the way.

Cost and Worth

Lastly, take into consideration the expense framework and total worth recommendation of the licensing solution. While cost is undoubtedly a variable, focus on value over the most competitive ahead of time expense. Examine the companies included in the prices deal, such as application charges, document confirmation, and on-going help. Compare costs versions as well as charge constructs amongst different providers to identify the greatest suitable for your spending plan and also needs. Remember that buying a credible as well as effective licensing solution may eventually conserve you opportunity, worry, and prospective issues in the long run.

Lastly, choosing the correct medical licensing solution requires careful consideration of elements such as track record, solutions gave, expertise, innovation, client assistance, as well as cost. By following these six tips, you can create an educated choice that simplifies the licensing process and makes certain conformity along with governing demands. Whether you are actually a skilled medical specialist or a recent grad, partnering along with the correct licensing service may lead the means for a successful as well as fulfilling career in medicine.

[damn360llp]

Cutting Through the Digital Wave: Using DAMN360LLP to Unleash the Power of Social Media Marketing in Mohali

In Mohali, a bustling metropolis where innovation and progress collide, social media marketing (SMM) has taken on a more crucial role for companies looking to establish themselves online. DAMN360LLP, a dynamic force that is utilizing social media to boost businesses to new heights, is among the trailblazers in this arena.

Understanding the Social Media Landscape in Mohali

Companies are starting to realise how crucial it is to have a strong online presence as Mohali's digital pulse quickens. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms have grown from being basic networking sites to powerful marketing tools that offer a direct channel of connection with the tech-savvy and diverse audience in the city.

DAMN360LLP, the Creators of Digital Presence

Allow me to present DAMN360LLP, a forward-thinking digital marketing company creating waves in the competitive Mohali market. Social media marketing expert DAMN360LLP develops unique solutions that meet the specific needs of local businesses. Their approach transcends conventional marketing tactics by placing a strong emphasis on building authentic connections with the intended audience.

The Foundation of Social Media Strategy at DAMN360LLP

1. A focus on the audience

DAMN360LLP specialty is knowing the demographics of Mohali inside and out. By means of comprehensive market research, they ascertain the inclinations, actions, and patterns of the regional populace, guaranteeing that each social media initiative strikes a genuine chord.

2. Development of Creative Content

Considering how much stuff there is in the world, DAMN360LLP understands the importance of captivating creativity. Their group of strategists, graphic designers, and content producers works together to create visually attractive and captivating content that makes an impression on Mohali's online audience.

3. Choosing a Valuable Platform

DAMN360LLP is aware that there are differences across social networking sites. Based on the target population, their strategy involves a thorough selection of platforms to achieve maximum reach and engagement. DAMN360LLP modifies its approach based on what draws them in more—the visual allure of Instagram or the professional ties of LinkedIn.

4. Information-Based Judgmentation

Analytics is the cornerstone of DAMN360LLP Social Media Marketing campaigns. For Mohali businesses, they ensure optimal results and a measurable return on investment through constant monitoring, assessment, and real-time tactical modification.

Success Stories: The Effect of DAMN360LLP on Businesses in Mohali

 Regional Retail Resurrection

The goal of the DAMN360LLP partnership with a conventional Mohali retail company was to close the gap between their physical and virtual presences. By implementing focused Facebook and Instagram marketing strategies, they revitalized the neighborhood retailer by boosting foot traffic and building a devoted online following.

A Tech Startup's Ascent to Notoriety

DAMN360LLP developed a LinkedIn-focused plan for a Mohali-based IT startup in order to leverage the professional networks that are common in the area. What was the outcome? a rise in partnership prospects, enhanced industry credibility, and increased brand visibility.

Difficulties and Achievements in the Changing Mohali Environment

There are several difficulties when navigating Mohali's digital currents. However, DAMN360LLP sees obstacles as chances for creativity. Their ability to adapt to changing consumer patterns and overcome platform algorithm changes has allowed them to be at the forefront of Mohali's dynamic digital marketing scene.

Prospects for the Future: DAMN360LLP Goals for Mohali

DAMN360LLP sees an ecosystem where every business, regardless of size, uses social media marketing to its full potential as Mohali continues its digital ascension. Their dedication to supporting the digital expansion of neighborhood companies is consistent with Mohali's goal of creating a vibrant and connected business community.

Within the field of Social Media Marketing in Mohali, DAMN360LLP is a shining example of creativity and achievement. In order to help businesses in Mohali not only keep up with the digital wave but also ride it to unprecedented success, DAMN360LLP offers not only services but also a partnership that is committed to navigating the constantly changing social media landscape.