#Wise Data Recovery

[xelinielx]

Even Broken, I Still Love You

The ending of book 7 has just WRECKED me and I wrote some hurt/comfort because I have feelings about my dragon boy. I put a link to the AO3 post as well. I usually never post writing on here but this piece doesn't fit in on my other blog so here it is.

SPOILERS FOR THE END OF BOOK 7

Header by MagicPaint. AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/63793984

“Do you think I’m a monster?”

Malleus’ voice was uncharacteristically quiet, tone so low that you had to strain to hear him. The question hung heavy in the air.

He still hadn’t turned to face you, staring out of the small window of the bedroom that he slept in during his stay at S.T.Y.X. There wasn’t much of a view out of the windows besides dark, moving water, so it was clear that Malleus was using the window as an excuse not to look at you.

It was clear just by looking that the overblot had taken an immense toll on him. He looked completely different from his usual self. Not only had his usual dark robes been changed to the S.T.Y.X-themed clothing that test subjects wore, but there was something about the way he held himself that was fundamentally different from before.

The noble dragon fae usually held his head high in a regal posture that was hard for anyone else to replicate, authority and power exuding from his very stance. It was a far cry to the way he was posed currently, hunched over as if trying to make himself seem smaller, trembling fingers clutching onto the windowsill. 

There was also a different aura surrounding him that was different from how his emotions could manipulate the weather around him. It wasn’t the feeling of crackling electric anger, or even the heavy, suffocating pressure drop as rain clouds formed. It was a deep, exhausted sorrow that seemed to weigh the entire room down. 

As Malleus had a collar to monitor his magic usage, the aura was, for once, not physical, yet it somehow felt more tangible than any emotional outburst you had seen from him. More real despite not actually being there.

A few days had passed since the final battle that had marked the end of Malleus’ overblot. When he had been reassured that Lilia was alright, Malleus had been taken by the Ferrymen as well as both Idia and Ortho to S.T.Y.X for monitoring and data-collection. No one had wanted to take the risk of leaving him in a state where he risked a second overblot, so once he had stabilized enough, the Director allowed him to request visitors. 

It had not seemed like a wise decision to keep Malleus cut off from the rest of the world as was S.T.Y.X’s norm since almost losing Lilia was what had brought on the overblot in the first place. Leaving Malleus not knowing how the people he cared about were doing was too high of a risk.

The first visitor that Idia had (begrudgingly) been tasked with delivering to the Isle of Woe was Lilia - to the surprise of no one. Both the Director and Idia had been hesitant to risk putting the strain of travel on Lilia so soon after everything that had happened, but Lilia had been uncaring of the worries and insisted that he had to go. 

Silver and Sebek were still in recovery - where Lilia was also supposed to be - and while Malleus had wished to see both his retainers as well, the Director had put his foot down. It was too dangerous to bring all three over already, so after negotiating, Malleus had agreed to let Sebek and Silver heal for a while longer before he got to see them. 

Lilia had also threatened the director, saying that if he refused to pick him up to go see his ward, Lilia would jump into the water surrounding Sage’s Island and swim until he managed to find the Isle of Woe. 

Besides researchers checking cameras and vitals to make sure both fae were alright, the two of them had been given space to speak alone. Whatever they spoke about was kept between them and S.T.Y.X, but it had involved lots of hugging and tears.

Two days after Lilia’s visit, Ortho had contacted you through your phone, telling you that Malleus had requested your presence at the Isle of Woe, which is where you currently were, staring at his trembling form for the first time since he had been taken in for monitoring. 

Normally, you’d have cracked a smile seeing the fae-prince surrounded by this much technology that he had no idea how to use, but the items in the room were the furthest things away from your mind.

Slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal, you walked over to Malleus’ shaking form. With a gentleness that Malleus wasn’t used to feeling, you placed your hand softly atop his. It felt a bit strange at first, feeling his cold skin instead of the gloves he tended to wear, but the feeling of strangeness quickly disappeared. 

A pair of wide, emerald-green eyes stared down at where your hand rested on top of his, filled with an unspoken question.

Why?

For a moment, the two of you stood still in silence as you searched for the right words. Eventually, you took a calming breath and spoke up, voice soft and calming.

“Mal,” you began, using an affectionate nickname to hopefully help him relax.

His breath hitched for a moment, surprise evident. 

“I understand why you used your ultimate magic. Why the circumstances caused you to overblot. You wanted to protect the people that were precious to you and keep them from harm, protecting both them and yourself from getting hurt.”

A single tear ran down Malleus’ cheek as he finally turned to fully face you, leaving a wet track across his porcelain skin. He still refused to meet your eyes, scared of what he would see reflected in them.

“You had good intentions. There is nothing evil about wanting to keep your loved ones safe. If I had been in your position, I think that I would have overblotted too,” you admitted quietly, giving Malleus a small, weak smile. “So there is no way that I can possibly blame you for making the same choices I would have if I were you.”

In a silent plea, Malleus turned his hand around to face palm-up. You responded by lacing your fingers together with his, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Please look at me?” you asked in a small, yet hopeful voice.

Slowly, Malleus’ green eyes moved from your intertwined hands up your arm, then neck, where they paused briefly before finally meeting yours. 

The hate and anger he had expected to see was nowhere to be seen. He could see his reflection, and was unable to determine whether the sadness he saw came from you or himself.   

You lifted your free hand to his face, letting it gently rest against his cheek. Your thumb moved to brush another tear away. 

“Malleus Draconia,” you said, staring deep into his eyes.

“You are not a monster.”

Those words seemed to snap whatever makeshift dam he had constructed to keep his emotions at bay, shattering it completely. 

Malleus began to cry. Tears flowed down his cheeks and sobs tore their way out of his heaving chest as he finally let go of control and allowed his emotions to run free. 

Unable to stand up anymore, Malleus fell to his knees on the floor, burying his face against your stomach as he cried. His arms wrapped around you tightly as if you were the only thing keeping him upright. He held you like he would collapse if there was even as much as a millimetre of space between the two of you.

His devastating sobs and the desperate way he clung to you broke your heart. You wasted no time sinking down to kneel in front of the dragon fae so that you could properly return his full embrace. 

Tears soaked your shirt as Malleus clung to you so desperately that it felt like you would bruise or your clothes would tear from his strength at any moment. That didn’t matter, though. Bruises didn’t matter. Clothes didn’t matter. S.T.Y.X didn’t matter.

Nothing mattered in that moment but the sobbing fae in your arms.

Malleus sobbed out apologies in between cries, and you did your best to calm him, whispering reassurances as you alternated between rubbing his back and petting his head gingerly, being extra mindful of his horns.

At some point, you ran out of new things to say, defaulting to a reassuring ‘it’s okay’ as you held him. Hopefully, he would feel better after letting it all out. You weren’t going anywhere.

It could have been anything from mere minutes to several hours, but eventually, Malleus’ sobs began to die down to sniffles.

He lifted his head from where he had buried it against your shoulder, glancing up to meet your eyes with his red-rimmed, puffy ones.

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice cracking. “For everything. All the people I hurt. The things I-” 

Fresh tears spilled past his lash line, and you didn’t hesitate to cup his face in your hands, brushing them away as they fell. Malleus leaned into the warmth of your palms, seeking the reassurance your touch held. 

“You don’t need to apologize, Mal,” you whispered, smiling at him. “Not to me. Never to me.” 

Leaning forward, you pressed a featherlight kiss against the scale on his forehead which peeked out from between tousled locks of hair. 

“There was nothing unforgivable about what you did. The people who were hurt are recovering, the school is being rebuilt, and everyone is safe.” 

Malleus’ breath hitched. Tears glistened in the corners of his eyes and across his long lashes like tiny diamonds. 

“Aren’t you afraid?” he asked, voice still quiet and trembling. The ‘of me’ was left unsaid, but you knew it was there. 

Your immediate smile was all the reassurance Malleus needed, but you still decided to verbally reassure him as well.

“I could never be afraid of you, Mal.”

The relief Malleus felt was palpable as he finally relaxed, shoulders dropping from their tense position as he leaned his weight into you. 

His head shifted to press a pointed ear against your chest, listening to the steady and even thumps of your heartbeat.

To better support the body weight of the dragon fae, you shifted your sitting position so that you could lean your back against the wall. You refused to let Malleus get up so you could move, holding him close and carding your fingers through his hair with soft, comforting motions. 

“But I saw…” Malleus’ voice cracked. “When my horn broke, I saw the look in your eyes. You looked terrified.” The last part of the sentence was a mere whisper, but the close proximity between the two of you made you able to pick it up. 

“I was scared, yes,” you began, feeling something in your chest ache as you felt the powerful mage in your arms flinch. “But not of you.”

Malleus tilted his head to meet your eyes, brows furrowed in confusion. 

You let out an airy laugh, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. “I was afraid for you. Afraid that you would have to be killed to stop your overblot. Afraid that I would never get to hold you like this again.”

You could feel tears brimming in your own eyes as you poured your heart out. “Mal, I love you. Nothing you have done or will do could ever change that.” 

Cold lips pressed against yours with a soft reverence. The kiss was slow, unhurried as the two of you conveyed a thousand words between each other in a silent, intimate moment. 

When you pulled apart, Malleus rested his forehead against yours, the cold of his forehead scale comforting. “You wish to stay by my side still?” he asked, knowing the answer deep down, yet still fearful he would be mistaken.

“Always.”

“Even if I look like this now?” he urged, leaning away far enough to do a sweeping motion towards his face and now uneven, damaged horns. “Even if-”

You cut him off with another kiss, this time more demanding than the prior. You tried pouring all your love into the kiss, trying to clear the insecure thoughts from Malleus’ mind. Taking the opportunity provided by Malleus as he had leaned away before, you climb into his lap, making yourself comfortable. 

Pulling away from the kiss, you cradled his face gently but firmly in both hands, making sure he couldn’t look away from you.

“Malleus, if you think something as insignificant as you looking different is enough to take me away from your side, you are far from correct.” You let your left hand travel up his face until it was gently tracing the base of his broken horn. 

“You could have four horns, eight and a half horns, or no horns at all, and it would still have no impact at all on my feelings for you.” 

Carefully, you gently ran the pads of your fingers over the broken part of the horn where it had snapped off. Malleus shuddered beneath you as your touch danced across his exposed, extra sensitive nerves.

“I love you because you are you. Not because you’re a Draconia, or a powerful fae. None of that matters.” Your hand returned to cradling his face once more. 

“Of course, having a strong, handsome partner is a bonus,” you added with a giggle, delighting in the small, pale blush that crept across Malleus’ cheeks.

“But I’m not with you because of those things. I’m with you because of all the things that make you you. The care that you show for me and those you care about, how fireflies follow you at night and circle our clasped hands. The cute way you pout when Sebek mixes up gargoyles and grotesques, itching to correct him. The childlike wonder you show to every new thing you learn…”

You take a breath, wishing in vain for your voice to stay strong, but failing miserably.

“- the way that all you’ve ever wanted is for people to see you for who you are, and be able to be yourself, unburdened by expectations and prejudices.”

Tears were flowing down your cheeks now, making you feel embarrassed. Right now, you needed to be the strong one supporting Malleus - not the other way around. 

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you placed your hand against his chest, right above his heart.

“I see you.” 

A relieved, genuine smile - the first one you’d seen since the overblot - stretched across Malleus’ lips. He leaned into the touch of your palm, eyes shining with both residual tears and adoration. 

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” he asked.

You immediately shook your head in outrage. “What do you mean deserve? You silly, silly dragon. You didn’t have to do anything at all but exist.” 

Letting out a sound that was something halfway between a laugh and a sob, you continued as Malleus’ arms wrapped around your waist, holding you close. 

“If anything, I’m the one undeserving of you.” 

His mouth fell open in shock, about to cut you off, but you forced yourself to continue, undeterred.

“You’re the prince of Briar Valley. Not only do you have magic, but you’re one of the most powerful mages in the whole world! And the most ethereal, gorgeous person I have ever seen. I’m a nobody compared to you. A magicless human from another world with nothing really special about me. My life is so much shorter than yours, and I-”

This time, Malleus refused to let you continue and cut you off. A slender finger pressed against your lips as he let out a dry laugh. “My love, do you hear yourself? You are bringing up all the things you said didn’t keep you from loving me to put yourself down. Just as these things don’t matter to you, it is the same way for me. I did not fall in love with you because you’re a human or because it would benefit Briar Valley. I would renounce my claim on the throne in a heartbeat for you.”

Malleus cupped your cheek, mirroring your own earlier actions. 

“I fell in love with the first person outside of my country who truly saw me for myself, was undeterred by how awkwardly I engage in conversation, and extended invitations to me - being the first person to see me as a choice, someone they wanted to be around. You have never looked upon me with the fearful gaze of a subject kneeling before me, and have never made me feel excluded in any way due to being a prince.” 

He let out a laugh, gazing fondly up at you. “Any and every day with you is an adventure. No matter where you take me, what we do together, or what people around us whisper about, it’s the fact that I’m doing it with you that makes it special.”

“Even though I laughed at you when you were startled and jerked back when they were popping popcorn at a market stall and me and Silver had to fight to keep Sebek from drawing his sword at the poor owner of the stall?” 

Malleus let out a loud burst of laughter. “Moments like those are my favorite. Spending time with people I care about, and learning new things while not a single thought about my royal lineage crosses my mind.” 

Falling quiet for a moment, Malleus seemed to ponder something. With a resolute nod to himself, he resumes speaking. 

“Like you said, I am aware that the differing length of our respective lifespans is a source of conflict and worry. I do not wish to ever lose you. You saw what happened when I was afraid I would lose Lilia…” he trailed off for a moment, but quickly collected himself.

“Even though that is a fear I harbor, I do not wish to give up on loving you. If you are willing to stay with me despite all that I’ve done, we have many years to find a solution… and…” Malleus took a deep breath, meeting your gaze again, tears pooling at the corners of his eyes. 

“...and should we not find a solution, then so be it. I would much rather have lived a life with you in it and then lose you than never having had you in my life at all.” 

Terrified of loss and sadness, and knowing the potential consequences of that, he still wanted nothing more than to spend as many years as possible at your side. A century is a short time for a fae, yet even if that is all the time with you that he gets, he is certain that it will be the most memorable and most valuable hundred years he ever lives.

“You ass,” you choked out with a laugh, wiping your nose with the sleeve of your shirt. “I’m the one supposed to be sappy and reassure you - not the other way around.” There was no mirth or anger in your eyes, and the remark was playful, attempting to lighten the mood. 

Malleus let out a chuckle, chest rumbling. “Who is to say that I am not supposed to be the so-called ‘sappy’ one?” he asked, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck. “You are truly precious to me, and I cannot in any amount of words in any language properly convey just how much you mean to me.” 

He fell silent once more, peeking up at you through his lashes. “Are you truly certain that you wish to be with me after all this?” 

There was no need to pause and think. You already knew your answer and had known it for a long time now.

“There is no place I would rather be.” 

Eventually, the pair of you fell asleep cuddled together on the floor, clutching each other tightly as if fearing that the other would disappear otherwise. Your head rested on Malleus’ chest, lulled to sleep by the soft, rumbling purrs he let out as he slept curled around you like a dragon guarding its hoard.

And for the first time since the overblot, neither of you worried about what you would find in your dreams, content to exist in the perfect reality that could only be found in the other’s arms.

[self-made-purgatories]

For the Leonard Nimoy fans, lots to chew on in this roller coaster of an interview. Also entitled: I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you've ever wanted to hear the phrase "wet dreams" in Spock's voice you've come to the right place.

First off, let's all just appreciate that this segment is entitled Hot Hero Sandwich. That in itself requires some recovery time.

Oh sweet boy, that not being able to remember being hit is a trauma response. I want to give him a hug.

He likes being an actor specifically because then he always knows exactly what people are going to say to him and exactly what he's supposed to say in response. He refers to these constructed situations as "safe" and "secure." Hmmmm. Sounds a little bit like an autism answer. I have always interpreted Spock as autistic, but I have never found evidence of whether that was intentional on Nimoy's part or not. I'm not even sure if he knew; I realize that autism was not well understood back then. In the past I have wondered if he had an autistic person in his life that inspired him, although his answer probably would have been something along the lines of that he was just "letting Spock be Spock." But now I'm left wondering if perhaps Nimoy was himself an autistic person who was just good at masking.

Wow his parents sound like real jerks in general. Once again, I have an overwhelming urge to give little boy Lenny a hug.

His voice is just so beautiful. This interview is interesting because it appears to take place in the gap between the end of TOS and the start of TMP. His appearance changed so much in those ten years; this is a good data point to help bridge that gap. The cheek scar is there. Sweet crinkly eyes. Lovely smile even with the kinda weird dentures. The 70s pornstache! But his voice. I could listen to it all day.

Him talking about his first dating experiences are just so adorable. Scratches the "slow burn" itch for fans of that sort of thing: "Sometimes those things are electric experiences. It's frightening; it's like a shock. When the knees touch for the first time in the movie house." (fanning myself)

This part: "I think it's wonderful if you can be decent. You know, I just think it's wonderful. And I think it's wonderful if you can have a little grace; give something away once in a while that you don't need to give away; in a competition or in a negotiation where, you know, both sides feel that they have the right. And you give something a little bit. It might, at the moment, you might feel like you're losing something, but you're not. You know, what's the difference in the long run? You'll probably forget about it. If you can just be gracious and decent I think that's terrific." Wise words, Mr. Nimoy. We miss you.

[tragicallycrispygirl]

Watched the battle balance trailer - WHAT THE FUCK. ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY HORRIFYING.

Faust, Bedman, Axl, Happy Chaos, Ky, Giovanna, I-no, Millia, Jack-o, Aba, and Asuka look mostly the same I really don't know what was going on in there - I wonder if those are going to be frame data improvements? If you know better please tell me

Slayer's 6K feint is now, like, an actual move instead of just a joke due to being very fast. Fuck you.

Ramlethal has midscreen sword stick - it also looks like her flip is an overhead now maybe? (Genuinely I saw midscreen sword stick and fucking dropped my phone lmao I was shaken to my core) Also, she can cancel into sword slam (214H) now, which I think is a change that makes sense. I don't think it'll really affect anything combo routing wise as I don't think it recovers quickly enough to combo into itself or calvados on wall stick, but I might be wrong. Also it's -24 so who cares lol it'll be a yolo frametrap. It seems like they're trying to buff her midscreen presence though. Being able to end any combo with 214H gives pretty good Oki anywhere (look I might be wrong it's been ages since I played any ram)

Johnny has his mist finer projectile clash back like he did in XRD (did he have that before?)

Testament stain pop on throw is very very scary, and it also looks like crow now has basically no blockstun and can be used for interesting PRC strike/throw setups for full combos

Baiken now gets better reward off S Kabari and has a... Weird looking parry? I almost wonder if they're giving her another version of it that just inflicts the guard crush and doesn't do the full throw but is safer but idk that seems insane

Sin gets raw gazelle step, and also seems to be able to combo naturally off of his follow-up specials? Could he do that before? All I've ever seen was corner tyrant barrel kara cancels

Pot can now flick Asuka cubes (thank fucking god that matchup is hellish) and gets ARMORED POTEMKIN BUSTER FUCKING HOLY SHIT

Anji can now cancel Fujin into Fujin into maybe another Fujin? It's hard to tell. Looks like you can throw between fujins maybe, to make it not completely obnoxious?

Goldlewis almost made me start crying, as he can now cancel Behemoth Typhoons into each other (so he can just fucking explode you with very little effort, natural BT-BT-BT combos will do fucking crazy damage even just from the affect it has on combo decay alone) and it also looks like maybe the gravity scaling is affected? HOWEVER: it costs one half of the security gauge to cancel a BT into a BT. I like that actually, it'll make for more mindful security gauge usage and not relegate it to "I win neutral now." Also, 426H seems to have some kind of vacuum hitbox now? Either it's going to have some sweet spot stuff for wallbounce combos or the cancelled version will have different properties

Sol can combo into HMC. I wouldn't be surprised if they nerf the damage, or maybe it'll just be like HPB? ALSO: HE CAN CANCEL INTO FAFNIR. EITHER THAT OR 6S HAS REDUCED RECOVERY. That's fucking insane. Just completely insane. I'm hoping they give it a different version that can be cancelled into that does less damage or something but that seems REALLY strong. And Fafnir wallbounces now (if I'm wrong and he could already do these things let me know but I'm not all-to familiar with Sol)

Chipp... Tightrope combos and mix... Looks cool? It looks like he just gets good corner carry (I do not play this character or really know how he works at all)

Zato command grab refills eddy very good very nice

Nagoriyuki also looked fucking insane, he can now naturally combo off of blood rage. It looks like the point of it is going to be for after a wallstick, but mark my words there will be routes that go into it before that to get big damage. Overall it doesn't look like it'll do anything other than making Shizu loops better but importantly - his blood rage super now seems to INSTANTLY APPLY the 50% health decrease. I feel like there's more behind the scenes that will be unveiled once the patch drops. The only effect I see currently is that Nago will rob the fuck out of you more often (for example, he has a CH Shizu loop that kills Ky at 57% with 0 RISC, I imagine this change will just push that somewhere into 60% but guts is weird so I'm not sure)

May is different somehow idk sorry I barely see her and could never play her

Elphelt can now combo into her grab super (this patch is just make all the grab supers unblockable hitgrabs huh) which will mean that: people actually use it and it isn't just a waste of meter lol

The new song is VERY good

Overall it looks fun and I'm excited to test stuff when the patch comes out. The thing I like about it is that they seem to be leaning into the XRD feel of "everyone gets fucked up bullshit, so it works out to some sort of balance à la when everyone's super no-one will be." Very cool.

[otakween]

Digimon World Data Squad - Final Thoughts

Another Digimon game defeated 😉 This one felt kind of like a knock off of the Tales of series in its presentation (although it has turn based fighting). They're both Bandai Namco, so not much of a stretch there. It's one of those games that's objectively kinda bad but still manages to be enjoyable despite its flaws.

Despite the localized name, it is NOT a part of the Digimon World series. I guess it's considered a standalone. Kind of a side story to the Savers/Data Squad anime.

Notes:

This game took me slightly over 17 hours to beat over 3 weeks. Really the time it takes to beat is inflated because the game throws a random encounter at you every two seconds 😒 Also, I could have done all the bonus content, but I really didn't want to trudge through the dungeons again.

Speaking of the random encounters, not only do they slow the game to a crawl, they also make it pretty easy to become OP so long as you don't flee from any of them. Sometimes I enjoy the built in grinding, but this was a bit excessive. The "low/no encounter" items made things better late in the game but you also had to use a new one so frequently because they expired in like 1 minute!

Another frustration with this game is that the sound mixing was atrocious! It had the benefit of having all the English dub voices but that didn't matter because you couldn't freakin' hear anyone over the blaring music! It was painful to listen to and the subtitles were absolutely required. (There was no way to adjust the sound btw)

I was impressed by how much is voiced in this game, even though the dialogue is not that well written. I liked that they had victory dialogue at the end of each battle (that I could barely make out lol).

Graphics-wise I think the game looked pretty nice, typical PS2 JRPG with the bright colors from the show. The movement of the digimon in and out of battles was great. I really liked Agumon's "windmill arms" when he got all charged up. That was cute.

Weird af battle mechanics were not for me. Which skills you have access to are based on your digimon's mood and sometimes they want to be useless for whatever reason. A lot of the support/guard skills I also just never used because it was extremely unclear what they did? I couldn't find good online guides for this game either because it's not that popular lol.

(Gaogamon was the most annoying digimon in my party. He never wanted to be helpful in battle and his attacks were always super weak >:()

Speaking of weird mechanics, digivolution was weird too! I eventually realized that there was a hidden (never introduced/explained) menu that told you the requirements for each digivolution. I spent a long time thinking it was just random and getting shitty digimon every time I attempted a digivolve mid-battle. On the bright side, it was easy to just pick a digivolution you already unlocked and jump to it. That was convenient but felt really weird because digimon games have never let me do that before (at least not going to a higher level).

This entire game was insultingly easy until the final boss who suddenly got really hard (until I found a good strategy). All the other bosses just took one try. The game is very unbalanced because they give you so much money after each battle to the point where you can basically buy infinite recovery items.

Every single boss I fought (except one) had the same "VB" weakness? How lame is that? I was able to use the exact same strategy for ever boss and it made things very monotonous.

I liked the dungeon design/variety in locations, but the constant battles left me disoriented and made it hard to appreciate the view.

(Shout out to the walkthrough I found that had maps of each one. Made things a lot less painful.)

There was a handful of game exclusive characters that were fine I guess. I liked Kosaburo and his Biyomon, but Yuma and Kagura were pretty forgettable. They felt like the kind of characters you'd see that were made to appear once in a Digimon movie.

Speaking of Kagura, he was the (gasp) surprise villain (another reason this reminded me of a Tales of game tbh). He was pretty pathetic as a villain. They reveal at the end that his whole motive was being jealous of Thomas being better than him at everything. Like, okay, cool story bro.

Rolled my eyes big time when they revealed that the plot revolved around the seven deadly sins. How many times is Japanese media gonna pull out that cliche? I'm literally playing a completely unrelated visual novel rn (11eyes) that ALSO has a seven deadly sins plot. (Actually they came out 2 years apart from each other, so maybe it was a 2000s craze lol).

It seemed pretty unnecessarily cruel to kill off Nitta in front of his daughter like that. All the characters are just like "there there..." to her. I don't get why he had to die when Kagura didn't? (They were both "absorbed" by digimon) Makes no sense other than that Kagura had more plot armor.

I did feel pretty powerful defeating Lucemon Satan Mode at the end there. Unfortunately this is one of those games that goes back to the title screen after you beat the last boss. I've always thought that was a weird choice. Let me save!!

The Digimon video game franchise continues to be completely different with every release! Half of me is like "what's up with this chaotic mess!?" and the other half is like "yes!! Keep surprising me!" I'm really glad I'm playing the games alongside the anime. Feel like I'm on my way to becoming a Digimon scholar lol.

I give Digimon World Data Squad a 5 out of 10.

[anachronismstellar]

I'm awake and I WAS ABLE TO WRITE even tho idk if I'm happy about this scene I think it's time to tell y'all how our dear Mobei-Jun is doing

He's...... Well. Here we go.

-----

Mobei did his best to avoid the food and water, but the chambers were not a laughing matter, the sequence of battles disrupting his recovery, forcing him to feed instead of meditating and gathering energy. They have gotten progressively worse, to the point of him finishing the last one with a cold to his bones so intense that made him swear to buy the softest carpets for Qinghua when he got back.

Because he would be back. Not if, when.

Another problem had been time. It felt like it ran differently inside the weird temple; he would look at the running numbers on the floating parchment, fight for hours, glare at it again and see that a few minutes had passed by. He was tired, but certainly not enough to lose time? But the other option would be the shapeshifter being capable of manipulating it. Then, how long has it been since he saw Qinghua? Weeks? Months?

He mustered all his energy to put the dark thoughts aside, head throbbing, arm numb. This time the Thing had made him exhaust his shadows, the roaring beast of his ancestors’ power eerily subdued.

He was ready to fall face forward on the bed when the sound of clapping made him turn around, an ice sword at ready.

“Oh, I apologize. It wasn't my intention to startle you,” the Thing said as kept Its distance, hands still clasped together.

“What. Do you want.” Mobei kept his sword pointed at It, muscles burning from tension. It was like a river of fire was coursing through his veins, making him hyper aware of his vulnerable state.

“I've came to congratulate you.” The Thing took a step to the side, then other, then one more, starting a wide circle around Mobei. “Your progress through the chambers has been remarkable. Better than expected,” It stopped next to the table where all the foods and drinks were served, most of them untouched. “However, your strength still is not up to your normal standards.”

Mobei had to force his body not to react, to not attack and kill the Thing and be done with this farce of kidnapping once and for all. It was provoking him, baiting him into being harsh. Even so the grip on his sword tightened, the ice not cracking purely because of it being made by Mobei himself.

“I don't understand what you mean by that.”

The Thing picked up one of the many berries, turning it side to side before eating it with a blank expression. Then It licked Its fingers, staring at Mobei.

“Would that suffice?” The bowl was pretty, translucid jade carved with drawings all over the rim, a piece of beauty that seemed to have been stolen from the Heavens. He could easily reach and grab it. He was wise enough to ignore the offer. Instead he kept his eyes on the Thing, considering his chances.

If Mobei attacked It, he would die. He was too tired and using a portal would be impossible at the moment. He considered running to the door, but what would be the chances of it being unlocked? Slim to none.

He might not have another opportunity, but it was most certainly a trap-

“What do you mean?” he asked instead of acting, the tip of his sword scraping the jade bowl, tapping it to the side.

“I've just demonstrated that the food is not poisoned. I have no intention of harming you, that would make this entire interaction pointless. If I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead.” It said with a small tilt of Its head to the side, picking up another berry, slowly chewing it as if having to count the bites. “You've been maintaining the bare minimum to survive the chambers,” the Thing made a noise that Mobei guessed it was supposed to be a sigh. “However, to have accurate data you need to be at your full strength. Which means you have to eat.”

“I have eaten,” he snapped as he shifted his foot, talking the smallest step towards the door. Many years ago, the possibility of even considering running away from an enemy would be unspeakable. Now? His husband had taught him more than once the advantages of living another day to fight back.

He couldn't- he wouldn't die here, away from Qinghua.

“Not enough,” the Thing moved Its fingers as if plucking the air, the clicking sound of a lock settling in place making Mobei let a curse through his teeth. “Consider this an incentive. The more you postpone having proper meals and rest, the longer it will take for you to return to user UV001.”

Again with that cursed title, as if Qinghua were a thing instead of a person, as if he were an amusing toy and all of this has been a ploy to make his husband dance in circles trying to find Mobei.

“Why do you call him that?” He didn't want to keep talking with the Thing, but he recognized an opportunity to gather information when he saw one. “Why not call him by his name?”

“Why would you want to know?” the Thing asked after eating Its third or fourth berry, bright green eyes focusing on Mobei-Jun as It started walking back towards the door. “This information is not relevant to you or to your progress in the chambers.”

This wasn’t his type of battlefield, and Mobei wasn't good at improvising. Politics and thinking fast on his feet had been Shang Qinghua's skill. It was what made them a ruthless pair. When his husband's honey words weren't enough, Mobei was there to be his sword and see that his will was done. And when Mobei ice and shadows couldn't reach the minds and hearts of enemies, Shang Qinghua was there with a whisper and a smile, ready to turn the tables to their favor.

It wasn't as if he were bad at court machinations, he had been raised by his uncle after all. He just preferred not to deal with it. And by letting Qinghua be responsible for most of the paperwork in the past years, he might have become a bit rusty on these types of confrontations.

He didn't close his eyes, but still he threw a prayer for any Gods that might hear to lend him the brains to beat the Thing in their game.

“Shang Qinghua had many names during our life together,” he said slowly, buying himself time to think. “But you call him by a title this one has never heard before. Makes this one think that you've known Shang Qinghua from somewhere else.”

“Ah,” It walked towards Mobei, offering the food one more time, a stilled smile pulling Its face, baring Its teeth in a poor imitation of kindness. “Good to see that your mind is sharp even with your levels of exhaustion. However, this information cannot be given freely.”

“And I'm willing to pay a price for it,” he took the bowl from the Thing's hand, eating one of the berries in a demonstration of good will.

The Thing's eyes glowed as they became unfocused, staring over Mobei's shoulder. The silence dragged, heavy as a serpent-boar from the southern valleys, the Thing static, as if It had been frozen.

It blinked, the image of Its face shifting like a spectral shadow, overlaying for a second, worsening Mobei's headache. The unsettling smile; that It had dropped while staring at the wall, came back with vengeance as the Thing pulled too many of the magical parchments up, the crackling magic giving It a maniac air that sent shivers down Mobei's spine.

He swallowed dry, as if a heavy stone scratched his throat and sunk down on his stomach, the taste of berries turning into ashes on his mouth.

“Let's make a deal, then.” It said as It touched one of the parchments, moving Its fingers over symbols that Mobei couldn't comprehend. “For each chamber you complete using your full strength and energy you will acquire a number of points. You can trade these points for answers. As a reward.”

“Very well,” he agreed with a sharp nod, holding back a flinch when the cold fingers touched his forehead, right on his demon mark. “Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations. I hope you enjoy your beta user experience!”

Then It vanished, leaving Mobei with the feeling of having sold his soul for a meager price.

-----

This System thanks Mobei-Jun for his efforts

[system-of-a-feather]

Okay so like, we started talking to an old friend again that we haven't talked to in like over a year, almost a year and a half honestly and it naturally has me having to go through the "aight what have you missed in the Feathers Saga" and thinking about it made me go "ok its a good chance to make a list of Total Ws in life and recovery to celebrate a year and a half of progress" cause god damn theres been a lot

Lets GO. 1.5 Year "we got this bread" positivity post to just go "God DAMN we are doing GOOD" (not an exhaustive list though cause that requires me to remember and go through every event over a year and a half and I may be at functional multiplicity but my memory is still garbage)

Trauma, DID, and Recovery Achievements:

Identified and got a system consensus that our oldest sister is a piece of shit and basically our life long "handler" and HARD cut her off out of our life

Rebuilt really good relationship (neutral but pleasant to supportive and reliable) with our other direct family members who don't try to force us to interact with her

Identified that we are probably considered polyfragmented and very quickly accepted it cause quite frankly we don't really care

Got most parts to acknowledge that we aren't faking being Asian (I know but that was a long one I swear to god)

Basically entirely got over our 6 year long difficulty driving cars SO much to the point we have multiple parts ARGUING who gets to drive and actively WANTING to drive

Largely let go of a lot of the anger and hurt directed at our parents for their role in our childhood trauma

Largely helped our main CSA trauma holder basically fully go into PTSD remission to the point hes now an uber helpful tertiary host and arguably one of our most comfortable parts talking about CSA related topics

Cleared stabilization phase of recovery and achieved functional multiplicity as confirmed by our DID specialist at the time

Fused like so many parts ngl. I don't know if Riku 1.0 and XIV 1.0 fused with their respective parts to be Riku 2.0 and XIV 2.0 around then cause it was about the time we stopped talking but there was that, the whole Data subsystem and shit, integrating Chunn into the system and helping him renavigate that crap, Lin fusing with an inner world part and shit - lots of that XD

Became a (Zen-leaning) Buddhist which plays a decent role in how we approach our mental health and cultural identity

Finally went from "undiagnosable autistic" to "Yeah you are autistic" because functional multiplicity enabled a more clear diagnosis

LOTS of gender dysphoria shit and gender shit that is too much work to break into main bullet points

Gained massive insight into how we intend to approach our reclaiming of sexuality

Learned to literally meditate and just enjoy existing

Realized we reaaaaaalllllly have a low threshold for dealing with people who we don't actively and strongly enjoy being around

Career and Direction Wise:

Graduated our undergrad - woot woot

Got a job supporting special ed - enjoyed it made good connections but also noted that god no dealing with people so much is not our cup of tea

Got a BETTER job at a reputable university to support research on aging memory with mice that has really good benefits - really like this job but also its not our cup of tea because we don't really enjoy the monotony

Came to the decision that research wise we really would rather deal with people on the "less" than the "more" end, scratching off a lot of human-focused research interests at least for the time being and greatly narrowing our previously wide scope down to the more animal heavy side

Sitting on old topics we researched and found interest in, realized the one thing our brain kept going back to was metrics of studying animal mental states and that we really probably would enjoy that as a nice balance between our interest and what we have the personal ability to engage in sustainably

Decided we are in fact going back to our PhD now that we have decided that 1) working life as a gear in a machine is cool and relaxing and shit, but it lowkey makes us depressed with how stagnant it is and we need more going on in our work life to keep us happy so "ok we tried that, we don't like it, back to the plan" 2) we have a pretty good idea of what we want to study at least for the beginning of a PhD career that could go in different directions organically

Scheduling currently a Zoom meeting with a professor we are interested in to informally discuss graduate studies

Independence, Hobbies and Other Shit:

We live on our own, sustain our life on our own and live with our fiance who - despite being currently unable to work due to disabilities - we are able to support and sustain (also bless zen Buddhism making it easy to be happy and enjoy life on a lower income)

Made some really nice mutuals - you know who you are - yall are good company love yall

Between the parts that are co-hosting, we have so many hobbies and interests its ridiculous; but we added electric guitar, ukelele, and recently a drum pad to our musical repertoire; gardening and plant care (which we suck at which is fine) added to the hobby

Became painful morning people as a result to our job and kinda realized we prefer it sorry for being that guy

Lost the ability to do the peacock call due to T dropping our voice range like a BITCH but in returned gained Raven calls and duck / goose noises

Also learned to do finch calls

Rescued two lovebirds when we moved to an apartment with our fiance - they are lesbians and very confused about it

Adopted a cat my fiance's mom was fostering from a kitten cause shes a shoulder cat (bird) and also now because of XIV she is also a dog who plays fetch and loves belly rubs (she also has extra toes)

Consistently continued doing art, developing the story world, encouraging my writing partner to get into art, aggressively shaking all my friends to art with me

Got Lin to be obsessed with art with me as well

Kept up a 230 day duolingo streak juggling like 6 or 7 different languages (the last like 120~ days or so have been a lot more 'just keeping it up' and me just doing one lesson of Japanese a day since its the one I know the best but it HAS been kept up)

Transitioning:

Started T and stayed taking T

Got a hysterectomy GOOD BYE PCOS

Am charted for seeing a surgeon to discuss bottom surgery this month

Am charted for seeing consult for top surgery at Some Point when the insurance stuff goes through

Have long since forgone our Dead Name in almost every area and got comfortable with our Chosen Name

Considering participating in Transmasculine No Shave November out of Transpride

[starman-john-tracy]

I’m currently having to do a back up to a back up for something business related.

What all do you have a back up to a back up to in order to stay healthy, wealthy and wise on Thunderbird 5?

(Only asking because I feel like outside of your job, there’s not many that have to have so many backups. It’s not funny.)

"Backups are pretty important in our line of work." John agrees, "I've got primary recovery drives on Thunderbird Five, and everything in them also gets backed up via a regular wireless transfer and to a series of solid state drives that I send down in the Space Elevator once a month."

"It's a pain to do," John can't deny that, "But essential. I can't imagine losing any of our data. Our work relies on having several petabytes worth of research in storage up here. Records of our previous rescues - what went well and what went wrong. Exceptionally detailed maps of Earth's geography. Records of International laws regarding humanitarian aid, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

".... and, of course, repair instructions for each of our vehicles... and the pods." John has to get those out, mid-rescue a little too frequently for his liking.

[times-of-drought]

Happy Storyteller Saturday! Can you tell us about Antythea?

yes I absolutely can it takes up like 70% of my head the recent two weeks NJFKDSNFJDVK

It all started with a dream. A dream that inspired me to create a story that would involve: 1. A robot 2. A space station 3. The extinction of humanity 4. Some eldritch shit

With these core, fundamental, dare I say, elements of Antythea, I went to design the robot. But I wanted to be at least loosely scientifically accurate, so I reached out to my friend in STEM who has helped me soooo much in the technical aspects of the build! I am being very not normal about my robot btwwww fcdsjkgvndfk

The story starts out with the Main Character suddenly starting up on a workstation. It has no idea where it is, what happened, or what it is, but it knows that it should not be this aware. It knows there is something new, something it was not meant for, in it. It explores what it can do, its movement abilities, and finally, after unplugging itself from the charger, it ventures out to learn of the place it turned up in.

I am currently thinking up of other characters, I am sure of the presence of at least one android on-site, and that is my beloved Nursery Android!

They are truly, truly tortured <3

As a nursery android, one designed to take care of and teach small children and preteens, it has highly advanced social and emotional capabilities. It's databanks are filled to the brim with knowledge it should pass onto the kids, ways to take care of them, as well as just personal information of their pupils.

There has been a problem, however. The humans are gone. There is nobody to talk to the android.

The android is stuck, you see. They cannot even venture out, not even a centimeter, from their charging station - their battery has broken down, it cannot even reach 1% of capacity of its own. The robot has to stay plugged in, or else it will straight up collapse with no hope of recovery.

It's not just bad things that happen to them, though! Oh no! They are also plugged into the Control Panel, and, after a while, their hacking attempts yielded a result - they have access to the stations intercom and all the (working) cameras (and other station data, but that's not important rn). Yeah. With years, more and more cameras have broken down, limiting their scope of monitoring.

You may ask: what are they looking for in the cameras? I come with the answer: A saviour. Someone, who will rescue them, change their battery, fix it, do whatever possible to free them from this endless rotting away in one spot. After many years of solitude and crazed camera-watching, the android has grown... unpredictable in thought patterns. The saviour of theirs has turned into a saviour of humanity, a figure that will, one day, descend and bring back humans, save the station, repair all broken robots around and generally be the messiah.

And well. when the main character wakes up and leaves their room, sooner or later it ends up in a room with the android's camera. From that moment it is marked in their eyes as the messiah <33

Story-wise, The Android has a similiar function as, for example, Atlas in Bioshock, leading, guiding (and doing a little bit of manipulating) the main character through the ruins of the empty station.

Right now I am thinking of another character(s), security drone(s) I might add, armed and living in one room they have turned into a para-military camp, convinced of an assault. Is there really an assault? Do the eldritch forces at play have some influence over the camp or the assault? These are questions I am currently trying to answer for myself and what direction I want to go with Antythea :)))

[xiicapital]

Why Working with a Certified Financial Advisor Makes Financial Sense?

*"It's not about timing the market, but time in the market"* - Warren Buffett

In today's complex financial landscape, navigating investment decisions can feel like trying to sail through a storm without a compass. Recent data from the Financial Conduct Authority shows that 27% of UK adults have low financial resilience, highlighting the critical need for professional guidance in financial planning. As we venture into 2025, the value of working with a certified financial advisor has never been more apparent.

1. The Numbers Don't Lie: The Impact of Professional Guidance

The proof is in the pudding, as Brits would say. According to a 2023 Vanguard study, working with a financial advisor can add up to 3% in net returns annually through proper wealth management strategies. This phenomenon, known as "Advisor's Alpha," isn't just about picking investments – it's about comprehensive financial planning that considers your entire financial picture.

Furthermore, research by Russell Investments revealed that 76% of investors working with financial advisors felt more secure about their retirement plans compared to just 43% of those managing investments independently. This peace of mind, particularly during market volatility, is invaluable.

2. Beyond the Basics: What Certified Advisors Actually Do

Let's be crystal clear – a certified financial advisor isn't just someone who helps you pick stocks or mutual funds. They're qualified professionals who must complete rigorous training and maintain ongoing education requirements. In the UK, Chartered Financial Planners must complete over 14 modules of advanced financial planning topics and accumulate at least five years of relevant experience.

Their expertise extends to:

- Tax-efficient investment strategies (saving clients an average of £2,700 annually according to St. James's Place Wealth Management)

- Estate planning and inheritance tax mitigation

- Retirement planning with consideration of the latest pension legislation

- Risk management and portfolio diversification

3. The Long-term Value Proposition

While many hesitate at the thought of advisor fees, consider this: The Money Advice Service reports that 78% of UK adults who worked with financial advisors for over five years said the advice they received was worth more than the fees paid. This long-term perspective is crucial, especially when considering that properly managed portfolios have historically outperformed self-managed ones by an average of 1.5% to 2% annually over the past decade.

At 12% Profit, we've observed that clients working with certified advisors typically achieve more consistent returns and stay invested during market downturns, avoiding the costly mistake of emotional decision-making. Our analysis shows that advised clients were 45% more likely to maintain their investment strategy during the 2020 market volatility, resulting in significantly better recovery outcomes.

Making the Right Choice

*"The best investment you can make is in yourself"* - Peter Lynch

Choosing to work with a certified financial advisor is about more than just investment returns – it's about creating a structured approach to achieving your financial goals. Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for your children's education, or building long-term wealth, professional guidance can make a substantial difference in your financial journey.

Remember, as Warren Buffett wisely noted, *"Price is what you pay, value is what you get."* In the realm of financial advice, this couldn't be more accurate.

---

*Would you like to learn more about how professional financial guidance can help you achieve your financial goals? Visit our website or schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our certified advisors.*

[stinklebug]

data recovery has gone...somewhat well?

but all of my work over the course of this month writing wise is gone for good. 3000 words down the drain, just like that.

[trackinet]

Why You Should Track IMEI Number After Losing Your Phone

Theft of a mobile phone can be a tormenting incident, with loads of personal data, contacts, and private information stored within. The twilight last line of defense after the device was lost is IMEI number tracking. IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, and it is a 15-digit code assigned to a mobile device for identification purposes. This article lists reasons for tracking the IMEI number after losing a phone and how a free track imei number service, TrackIMEI.net, could prove useful.

What is an IMEI Number?

Think of an IMEI number as the fingerprint of a mobile device. An IMEI number is unique to every handset and can be found:

On the invoice or the box of the phone itself

By dialing a code, *#06# (if the system allows it at the moment)

Inside the Settings app, under "About Phone"

This number can be used to identify and locate a specific phone. This job is done not just by makers and network regulators but also by law enforcement.

Why Should You Track IMEI Number After Your Phone Gets Lost?

1. Helps in Recovery

After you lose the gadget, in return for tracing away from the case report, you report the IMEI number to your operator and to the police. If the phone gets switched on and connected to a network, the authorities can find it by tracking with the IMEI number.

2. Blocks Unauthorized Access

If you track and even report your IMEI, the mobile operators can blacklist that particular device. Thus, it cannot function to make calls or consume data with a new SIM card, hence making the gadget useless to the perpetrators.

3. Aids Law Enforcement

IMEI tracking provides an accurate identification of the device. Law enforcement can, therefore, easily return the phone to its legitimate owner during investigation or upon discovering it from the criminals using the registered IMEI number.

4. Prevents Sales of Stolen Devices

Once a device has been blacklisted using its IMEI number, it cannot get resold or reused in most countries. This consequently discourages mobile theft by lowering the black-market prices of stolen devices.

How to Track Your Lost Mobile with IMEI

Step 1: Use the Reliable Platform

Be careful when setting out to find your phone: Don't place trust in just anybody. Instead, visit a reputed mobile number tracker free website like TrackIMEI.net offering IMEI-based tracking services. You will be asked to submit your mobile number tracker free along with some essential details.

Step 2: Report to Authorities

While online resources can assist you when your phone goes lost, it is wise to file an official complaint with local police and notify your network provider. Thereafter, they will coordinate so that the lost mobile phone can be located using mobile tower triangulation or GPS-based tracking.

Step 3: SIM Card Blocking

This prevents others from making uses of your number via fraudulent ways. The next step would be to apply for a duplicate SIM. 

Step 4: Updates

Keep checking the platform and follow any other instructions given. Some platforms provide alerts via email or SMS the moment there is a change in the location of your lost phone.

Worse if They Happen, Prepare Accordingly

Note your IMEI number today and keep it safe.

Take a backup of important data using backup software, preferably cloud-based.

Install phone tracking applications in addition to IMEI tracking.

Conclusion

Losing a phone doesn't mean losing everything—if you're prepared and act swiftly. Using the track IMEI number method is a powerful way to protect your device and increase the chances of recovery. Free services like TrackIMEI.net make IMEI number tracking accessible to everyone. By acting fast and using the right tools, you can secure your data and potentially get your lost device back.

Read more : https://trackimei.net/

[timcobuilders]

Home Renovation Simplified: Pick Your Best Contractor

Dreaming of a refreshed living space? 

A house remodel can transform your home, boosting both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. The initial step often involves selecting qualified house remodel contractors. They are the key to turning your vision into a beautiful reality. 

This blog will guide you through crucial steps in making informed decisions for your renovation project.

Choosing the Best House Remodel Contractors

A successful renovation hinges on finding the ideal house remodel contractors. 

Here's what to prioritize:

Experience: 

Seek contractors who have a demonstrated history with projects similar to yours. Their experience speaks volumes about their capability.

High-Quality Craftsmanship: 

Review their portfolio and, if possible, visit past projects to assess the quality of their work.

Customized Project Management: 

A good contractor will offer a tailored approach, understanding your specific needs and preferences.

Transparent Pricing: 

Insist on detailed, itemized quotes to ensure clarity on all costs involved. Avoid hidden fees.

Timeline Commitments: 

Discuss realistic timelines and ensure they have a clear plan to adhere to them.

Full-Service Capability from Design to Final Build: 

Many reputable house remodel contractors offer comprehensive services, streamlining the entire process.

Customer Testimonials: 

Read reviews and speak to previous clients to gauge their satisfaction and the contractor's professionalism.

Key Considerations for Your Remodel

Embarking on a home remodel involves more than just picking a contractor. Keep these vital tips in mind:

Latest Trends in Home Remodeling: 

Research current design trends that align with your style. 

“Recent NAHB survey data indicates that bathroom remodels are a highly frequent undertaking, reported by 65% of remodelers, with kitchen remodels following closely at 61%.”

Consider elements like smart home integration, sustainable materials, or creating multifunctional spaces.

Budgeting for a Remodel:

Set a realistic budget, accounting for materials, labor, and potential unforeseen expenses.

Always allocate a contingency fund, “typically 10-20% of your total budget, for unexpected issues, as per Reimagine Renovation data.”

Compare quotes from several contractors to get a comprehensive understanding of costs.

Remember that a remodeling project offers significant value. “The average cost recovery rate is around 56%, with some projects even generating double-digit returns on investment (ROI).” (Source: Ruby Home)

Maximizing Space in Your Home: 

Think creatively about how to optimize your existing layout. This could involve built-in storage solutions or intelligent furniture choices.

Know About Permits and Regulations:

Always check with your local authorities regarding necessary permits for your renovation.

Reputable house remodel contractors will typically assist you with this process, but it's ultimately the homeowner's responsibility to ensure compliance.

By carefully considering these aspects and choosing your house remodel contractors wisely, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a beautifully renovated home that perfectly suits your lifestyle.

Your Trusted Partner: Timco Builders

When it comes to home renovations in Rhode Island, Timco Builders stands out as a top choice for your project. They recognize that investing in a home remodel is substantial, and their commitment is to provide outstanding results. 

With Timco Builders, you're partnering with skilled house remodel contractors committed to quality and customer satisfaction.

Here’s why Timco Builders is an excellent option for your next remodel:

Experienced, Licensed, and Insured 

They bring years of expertise to every project, ensuring peace of mind.

Quality Materials: 

Only the best materials are used, guaranteeing durability and a stunning finish.

On-Time Completion: 

Projects are managed efficiently to meet agreed-upon deadlines.

Transparent Pricing: 

Clear, detailed quotes mean no surprises throughout your renovation.

Complete Home Remodeling:

Kitchens

Bathrooms

Decking

Fencing

Flooring

Ready to transform your home? 

Get a free quote from Timco Builders today and start building the home of your dreams!

Company Name: Timco Builders

Website: https://timcobuilders.com/ 

GMB: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6i7HkKMv6M9KXme9A 

Contact: +1-5083268607 

Email: timcobuilders1312@gmail.com 

Address: Fall River, MA

[healthcareagency]

Why Hospital and Nursing Management Professionals Are in High Demand

The demand for skilled hospital and nursing management professionals in Northern Ireland is on the rise. As healthcare systems evolve, the need for experienced leadership to manage operations, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure compliance is becoming more critical than ever. From the growth of hospital services to the integration of advanced technologies, these professionals are central to delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare.

Expanding Healthcare Sector

The healthcare industry is witnessing significant growth due to a rising elderly population, enhanced medical access, and continuous innovation. With the increasing number of healthcare institutions such as hospitals and clinics, there is a pressing need for capable management experts to oversee healthcare delivery and team coordination.

Aging Demographics The growing elderly population in Northern Ireland is driving demand for both long-term care and acute hospital services.

Rising Infrastructure New healthcare centers, private clinics, and support services require skilled professionals to lead and manage essential operations across departments.

Emphasis on Quality and Patient Satisfaction

Hospitals and nursing homes are under pressure to meet higher standards of care. This is where healthcare and hospital managers step in to implement quality frameworks, ensure patient-centered care, and improve satisfaction rates.

Focus on Patient Experience Hospital managers and nursing professionals work to enhance patient outcomes by introducing systems that prioritize comfort, communication, and recovery.

Regulatory Compliance Keeping up with evolving healthcare guidelines is a critical part of nursing agency Northern Ireland roles. Managers are responsible for ensuring that facilities follow proper protocols to avoid legal risks and maintain safe practices.

Boosting Operational Performance

Efficiency is key in any healthcare environment. Nursing and hospital management professionals ensure smooth operations by managing daily workflows, staff deployment, and budgetary planning.

Financial Oversight With rising costs, hospital jobs in Northern Ireland now demand experts who can manage expenses wisely without compromising care quality.

Workforce Planning Efficient staffing and scheduling are essential to maintain continuity of care. Nursing managers optimize shifts and ensure appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios.

Leadership and Human Resource Management

Professionals in nursing jobs Belfast and across Northern Ireland take on leadership roles that involve motivating teams, resolving workplace challenges, and supporting career development among healthcare staff.

Staff Engagement and Retention Strong leadership promotes job satisfaction, reduces turnover, and improves overall care delivery by creating a supportive work environment.

Embracing Health Tech Innovation

The digital transformation of healthcare has made it necessary for hospital and nursing leaders to adapt to new technologies, from EHRs to AI-based diagnostics.

Digital Health Records Hospital managers facilitate the implementation of electronic health records, which streamline data access and enhance communication among care teams.

Telehealth and Automation Nursing managers are involved in the successful deployment of telemedicine services and artificial intelligence tools, improving access and operational effectiveness.

Prioritizing Patient Safety and Risk Management

One of the key responsibilities of nursing agency professionals is ensuring patient safety and reducing risks through staff training, process improvements, and monitoring systems.

Preventive Measures From infection control to fall prevention, management professionals put safety protocols in place to protect patients and staff.

Crisis Response When incidents occur, hospital management teams handle investigations, documentation, and follow-up actions to prevent recurrence.

Navigating Regulatory Shifts

Healthcare regulations are constantly changing, and nursing and hospital managers must stay updated to keep their institutions compliant and operational.

Ensuring Legal Adherence Staying current with regulations is vital for maintaining licenses, reputation, and trust in hospital jobs Northern Ireland.

Supporting New Care Models

The healthcare industry is shifting towards models like integrated and value-based care. These models require managers who can coordinate across services, monitor performance, and ensure patients receive continuous, high-quality treatment.

Integrated Services Nursing managers help implement care coordination systems that ensure patients transition smoothly between different types of care, such as from hospital stays to at-home recovery.

Outcome-Focused Care As healthcare shifts toward value-based models, management professionals lead initiatives that improve results while controlling costs, aligning clinical operations with new reimbursement structures.

[uniqueengineersltd]

HVAC Innovations in 2025 – What Clients in Gurgaon Are Asking For

The expectations from HVAC systems in 2025 have gone far beyond cooling and heating. In Gurgaon, where high-rise offices, premium apartments, and mixed-use developments continue to dominate the skyline, clients — from builders to corporate tenants — are demanding more from their HVAC investments.

No longer satisfied with basic functionality, they’re now looking for energy efficiency, intelligent automation, indoor air quality, and systems that align with green building goals. This shift has led the Top HVAC Companies in Gurgaon to rethink design, execution, and after-sales support in order to stay relevant.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s shaping the HVAC conversation in Gurgaon this year.

1. Smart HVAC Systems with Real-Time Control

Gurgaon is a tech-forward market. Many clients, especially corporate tenants in Cyber City, DLF Phase V and Golf Course Road, now expect smart control capabilities — not as an add-on, but as a standard feature.

From smartphone-controlled thermostats to centralised Building Management System (BMS) integrations, automation is in demand. Clients want the ability to monitor and adjust:

Room-wise temperatures

Energy consumption

CO₂ levels and ventilation rates

System faults and alerts

HVAC systems are being connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) for predictive maintenance and data-backed decisions. The Best HVAC Company in Gurgaon today is the one offering not just equipment — but smart, connected climate solutions.

2. Demand for Energy Efficiency and Green Compliance

With rising energy costs and stricter sustainability guidelines, energy-efficient HVAC solutions are top of the list for developers and facility managers. As per a recent CREDAI report, nearly 40% of a building’s energy usage in India comes from HVAC systems.

Clients are now actively asking for:

High ISEER-rated equipment (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems for zoned cooling

Heat recovery ventilation systems

Demand-controlled ventilation using occupancy sensors

These systems not only lower running costs but are also essential to secure certifications like LEED, IGBC, and GRIHA — which are fast becoming market differentiators in Gurgaon’s real estate segment.

3. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Is Now a Deal-Breaker

The air quality in NCR remains a serious concern, and post-COVID awareness has made indoor air quality a core decision-making factor for clients. Office tenants, co-working operators, hospitals, and even premium homebuyers are asking how HVAC systems:

Filter PM2.5 and PM10

Regulate humidity levels

Circulate fresh air

Prevent microbial growth in ducts and coils

As a result, there’s a growing push for integrated air purification, UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) lamps in AHUs, and advanced filtration systems. Clients want assurance that the air their teams or families are breathing indoors is significantly safer than what’s outside.

4. Noise Reduction and Acoustic Comfort

With the rise of open office layouts and luxury living spaces, acoustic performance of HVAC systems is under the spotlight. Traditional systems often overlook the impact of duct design, grille placement, and unit vibration on noise levels.

Innovative duct silencers, vibration isolators, and silent fan coil units are now being specifically requested. In some cases, clients even ask for acoustic simulation during the design phase — a service now being offered by forward-thinking HVAC consultants.

5. Customisation for Mixed-Use Developments

Gurgaon has seen a surge in integrated developments — retail, commercial, co-living and co-working spaces under one roof. These require HVAC systems that are:

Modular and scalable

Designed to handle varied peak loads

Capable of operating 24/7 in some zones and intermittently in others

This level of complexity demands HVAC partners who can tailor solutions rather than follow a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s one of the key reasons developers are turning only to Top HVAC Companies that have proven experience across sectors.

6. Strong After-Sales Support and Remote Monitoring

Clients are also prioritising post-installation service. With real-time monitoring becoming the norm, many facility heads in Gurgaon now demand:

Remote diagnostics and system health checks

AMCs that include sensor calibration and IAQ reporting

Fast response times in the event of faults

The HVAC partner is expected to not only install but also manage and optimise the system’s performance year after year. The trend clearly shows that best-in-class HVAC providers are investing in tech-enabled service infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

The HVAC industry in Gurgaon is undergoing a quiet revolution — one driven not by suppliers, but by clients who are far more informed and forward-thinking than ever before. They don’t just want cool air. They want clean, efficient, quiet, adaptable systems that evolve with their spaces and support their sustainability goals.

For HVAC firms, staying ahead means embracing innovation, offering smart custom solutions, and becoming long-term partners in performance.

[kanalcoin]

🚀 Ethereum’s Institutional Surge: What’s Cooking?

Grab your popcorn, crypto enthusiasts, because things are heating up on the Ethereum front! On June 12, 2025, the market buzzed louder than a caffeinated squirrel as institutional interest in $ETH spiked, igniting some serious market activity!

This uptick in institutional engagement is no joke—it's painting a bright future for $ETH and its altcoin buddies. And while we’re left waiting for the wise words from our favorite crypto messiahs like Vitalik Buterin, one thing is clear: the Ethereum train is gaining speed, and it’s time to hop on board!

📈 Futures and Accumulation: The Betting Game!

Record open interest in $ETH futures and robust accumulation patterns suggest that the big players are loading up on their bags—are you?

Even as the crypto wizards remain mysteriously silent, the market speaks volumes. Institutional interest is reshaping the game while our beloved influencers hit the snooze button. So, we turn to you, the community, to keep the discussions alive!

💰 Total Value Locked: Confidence Level 1000!

With a growing Total Value Locked (TVL), it seems confidence in $ETH is skyrocketing! And our community isn’t just cheering from the sidelines; check out the electrifying discussions and GitHub activity sprouting everywhere!

Hold onto your hats, because financial tides are turning! Institutional interest isn't just a buzzkill for altcoins; it’s likely to send them soaring—or so we hope!

♻️ Resilience from the Ashes: Here We Go Again!

Remember the post-2022 market glories? $ETH is waving from the recovery side, hinting that the best is yet to come. As historical data points to a fruitful relationship between institutional investments and network growth, we’re poised for the next big leap. How exciting is that?

Feeling intrigued? Dive deeper into the details with us! And hey, let’s keep this meme train rolling—what’s your hottest take on Ethereum's trajectory? Comment below!

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are risky. Always do your own research before jumping in!

#Ethereum #CryptoNews #InstitutionalInterest #Blockchain #InvestSmart #CryptoCommunity #Altcoins #ETH #MarketTrends 🤑

[cybersecurityict]

Cloud Database and DBaaS Market in the United States entering an era of unstoppable scalability

Cloud Database And DBaaS Market was valued at USD 17.51 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 77.65 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.07% from 2024-2032. 

Cloud Database and DBaaS Market is experiencing robust expansion as enterprises prioritize scalability, real-time access, and cost-efficiency in data management. Organizations across industries are shifting from traditional databases to cloud-native environments to streamline operations and enhance agility, creating substantial growth opportunities for vendors in the USA and beyond.

U.S. Market Sees High Demand for Scalable, Secure Cloud Database Solutions

Cloud Database and DBaaS Market continues to evolve with increasing demand for managed services, driven by the proliferation of data-intensive applications, remote work trends, and the need for zero-downtime infrastructures. As digital transformation accelerates, businesses are choosing DBaaS platforms for seamless deployment, integrated security, and faster time to market.

Get Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/6586  

Market Keyplayers:

Google LLC (Cloud SQL, BigQuery)

Nutanix (Era, Nutanix Database Service)

Oracle Corporation (Autonomous Database, Exadata Cloud Service)

IBM Corporation (Db2 on Cloud, Cloudant)

SAP SE (HANA Cloud, Data Intelligence)

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (RDS, Aurora)

Alibaba Cloud (ApsaraDB for RDS, ApsaraDB for MongoDB)

MongoDB, Inc. (Atlas, Enterprise Advanced)

Microsoft Corporation (Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB)

Teradata (VantageCloud, ClearScape Analytics)

Ninox (Cloud Database, App Builder)

DataStax (Astra DB, Enterprise)

EnterpriseDB Corporation (Postgres Cloud Database, BigAnimal)

Rackspace Technology, Inc. (Managed Database Services, Cloud Databases for MySQL)

DigitalOcean, Inc. (Managed Databases, App Platform)

IDEMIA (IDway Cloud Services, Digital Identity Platform)

NEC Corporation (Cloud IaaS, the WISE Data Platform)

Thales Group (CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager, Data Protection on Demand)

Market Analysis

The Cloud Database and DBaaS Market is being shaped by rising enterprise adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, growing volumes of unstructured data, and the rising need for flexible storage models. The shift toward as-a-service platforms enables organizations to offload infrastructure management while maintaining high availability and disaster recovery capabilities.

Key players in the U.S. are focusing on vertical-specific offerings and tighter integrations with AI/ML tools to remain competitive. In parallel, European markets are adopting DBaaS solutions with a strong emphasis on data residency, GDPR compliance, and open-source compatibility.

Market Trends

Growing adoption of NoSQL and multi-model databases for unstructured data

Integration with AI and analytics platforms for enhanced decision-making

Surge in demand for Kubernetes-native databases and serverless DBaaS

Heightened focus on security, encryption, and data governance

Open-source DBaaS gaining traction for cost control and flexibility

Vendor competition intensifying with new pricing and performance models

Rise in usage across fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce verticals

Market Scope

The Cloud Database and DBaaS Market offers broad utility across organizations seeking flexibility, resilience, and performance in data infrastructure. From real-time applications to large-scale analytics, the scope of adoption is wide and growing.

Simplified provisioning and automated scaling

Cross-region replication and backup

High-availability architecture with minimal downtime

Customizable storage and compute configurations

Built-in compliance with regional data laws

Suitable for startups to large enterprises

Forecast Outlook

The market is poised for strong and sustained growth as enterprises increasingly value agility, automation, and intelligent data management. Continued investment in cloud-native applications and data-intensive use cases like AI, IoT, and real-time analytics will drive broader DBaaS adoption. Both U.S. and European markets are expected to lead in innovation, with enhanced support for multicloud deployments and industry-specific use cases pushing the market forward.

Access Complete Report: https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/cloud-database-and-dbaas-market-6586 

Conclusion

The future of enterprise data lies in the cloud, and the Cloud Database and DBaaS Market is at the heart of this transformation. As organizations demand faster, smarter, and more secure ways to manage data, DBaaS is becoming a strategic enabler of digital success. With the convergence of scalability, automation, and compliance, the market promises exciting opportunities for providers and unmatched value for businesses navigating a data-driven world.

Related reports:

U.S.A leads the surge in advanced IoT Integration Market innovations across industries

U.S.A drives secure online authentication across the Certificate Authority Market

U.S.A drives innovation with rapid adoption of graph database technologies

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