#electronics engineering assignment help

[butterbananabread]

Boys will be boys {L. Minho}

Pairing : Bangchan x fem!reader WC : 6,5k SS : 13 Genre : angst, suggestive, smau Warning : angst, cheating, voyeurism, one sided love A/N : Part 3 of Boys will be boys, this one is centered around Minho and his girl friend. It begins right when the part 2 ends, Chan's girlfriend just left him after finding out that she is pregnant and not wanting to destroy Chan's career.

You fiddle with your bunny keychain while your manager explains what you have to do. It's your first day working as a sound engineer at a Stray Kids concert. You have experience in the business, having worked for Hybe in the past. But you've changed companies since your accident with Hybe and one of the singers. However, JYPE isn't the safest place in the world for you: Minho is there, too, and you're hoping to go unnoticed. Especially since you know who you're hiding in your room.

When your manager stops talking, giving you the schedules and assigning you an assistant. You've arrived two days earlier than the others so you can test the equipment, but today you have to do the test directly with the group members. Looking at the preparations left by your manager, you sit down in front of the controls and raise your glass of hot chocolate to your lips, headphones on. The sound is different, through your ears. You watch the scene from a distance and wait for the members to arrive.

Seungmin arrives first, greeting everyone and approaching you to say hello. He has a slight smile on his face and looks shy and uncomfortable as he searches for your name, a badge. As if he's not sure if he recognizes you. You put your glass on the floor, away from the electronic wires, and stand up to greet him.

“Good morning, I wasn't expecting you to come and greet me- my name is Y/l/n Y/n. Nice to meet you."

You look up at him and he nods, his mouth forming a small "o" as he bends down to introduce himself before walking away. His action forces you to purse your lips, uncomfortable in your turn. "Do you always do this?" He pauses and turns to face you. You feel your skin burn as you play with the laces of your sweatshirt. "I mean - do you often go around greeting all the staff?"

Seungmin looks at the others and tilts his head. It's early, most of the members are still sleeping or playing, they don't have to be there for the warm-up. He just likes to arrive a little earlier than the others. He blinks, straightens up a bit, and shakes his head, smiling at you when he sees your worried look. "No. Usually only Chan takes the time to greet everyone. But he's not feeling well, so I'll do it for him."

It's not his duty to do it in Chan's place. It's nobody's place to do that. Still, she's grateful to him for making the effort. "That's very kind - hm... Thank you for taking care of us." You thank him with a hand over your heart and a big smile on your face before returning to your seat, half-hiding under your sweatshirt as you try to concentrate on the quality of the sound as he continues the round of greetings.

After a while, the members arrive one by one. It's the first time you've really seen them. But you can't help smiling as you manage to put a name to each face. You look at Han Jisung and think of your friend who never stops writing in capital letters. You look at Seungmin and the image of another friend comes to mind. Each of the boys is related to a girl you know. With the exception of Hyunjin.

When everyone arrives, Chan is one of the last to arrive. He enters the stage with Minho by his side. He is perfectly groomed and his makeup is perfect. But his eyes are elsewhere, lost on the horizon. He picks up his microphone, looks down at his phone as if waiting for someone to answer, and you lean forward to discreetly take a picture of him.

"Y/n? Already playing stalker?" Your assistant leans over to look at the photo on your phone, an amused smile on his lips. You shake your head, hide your phone, and frown in surprise at his behavior and words. But you say nothing, unable to speak up and explain what you've just done. It's officially your first day, and you'd better keep a low profile. How do you explain that you did this to show your friend his condition so she knows how much Chan needs her and that their breakup was too brutal for him? He'll think you're some kind of psycho for that.

Lost in thought, you adjust the high-frequency sensing power on Changbin's mic. His mic starts to ring in the rapper's ears, Changbin lets out a shriek as he removes his headphones and looks at his mic, disturbed.

"Oi, Binnie, are you okay?" Hyunjin approaches him to see what the problem is. Jisung's eyes turn to him.

"No, my microphone is acting up, it's set wrong."

"You're not the only one, Chan's is lower than usual." Minho points out. Chris shrugs, runs his hand over his face to wake himself up and mumbles that it doesn't bother him any more. Chris sighs.

"Bear with it. If I remember correctly, we have a new sound engineer."

"Yeah, she's pretty young too." Seungmin adds to Chan's words. He brings the microphone to his lips, his eyes turned in your direction. "Y/n sshi, can you turn up the volume on the old man's microphone? He's deaf so he doesn't notice the problem with his microphone." He lets out a small laugh and looks at Chan, who gives him a small tap on the shoulder. But his tap is weak, without the slightest force.

Minho looks at Seungmin and raises an eyebrow at his words. As everyone goes back on stage and talks into their microphones to see if the volume is more appropriate, you grimace and hide your face. You can't calm your anger at yourself. So you concentrated on adjusting the microphones while Minho and Seungmin chatted, occasionally waving to the fans who were there to listen.

"Shall we take a break now?" Your assistant turns to you, eyes shining with fatigue. It's still an hour before the concert starts and the manager has to check the sound himself. So you get up to get something to eat, taking your empty glass with you. On the way, you play nervously with your phone, balancing it in your hands and wondering when you'll be able to talk to your friends, listening with one distracted ear to your assistant who can't stop talking to you.

When you reach the back, your assistant stops first, greeting a few people more formally, and that's enough to get your attention. You turn to the people as well, greeting them in turn without really looking at them. When you raise your head, your blood runs cold.

Minho. Lee Minho. Lee Know.

He looks at your assistant and then at you, not even seeming to notice you. He quickly waves you off and continues on his way without another word. And you feel tears building up in your eyes. You lower your eyes and start walking to the room where all the staff is meeting for lunch, picking up your phone and stepping away from everyone so you can chat with the girls.

Your hands shake as you type on your keyboard, you sniffle, hiding under your sweatshirt as you check the time on your phone. Soon you'll have to get back to work. You'll have to get behind your sound keyboard and listen to Minho's voice in your ears. And he will pretend that you don't really exist. As if you weren't really there.

Your assistant lands next to you, pats you on the shoulder, and you jump. You turn to him, your eyes red and tears rolling down your cheeks. He looks at you in panic and jumps to his feet, hands in the air, trying to look innocent.

"I didn't do anything!"

"I-I know-I..." You search for your words, your face turning to the other staff who look at you without really understanding, and you dry your tears as you get up and leave the room. "I'll go back to work first."

Seven years ago...

The rain pours down as Minho leaves the main JYPE building. He watches the rain fall, his heart heavy with the realization that he will not be able to continue the adventure. For a few seconds, he feels unable to speak, so he puts his hands in his pockets and stares at the rain without saying a word. He hesitates to call a taxi or even to take his umbrella, and finally decides to continue walking. The rain falls on his face, soaking his hair and forcing his eyelids to close. He takes a deep breath, trying not to cry, and moves away from the building to make sure the cameras don't catch him in a moment of weakness.

He doesn't know what to say to his parents. "I failed"? Such simple words, but so full of meaning. He doesn't want to be a disgrace to his family. For himself. A tiny mistake has earned him a place in the group and a much too quick elimination. Going home sounds like a way to punish him. He doesn't even have the strength to call a taxi. Minho politely refuses the help of the JYPE staff and continues on his way, preferring to enjoy the solitude of the night and reflect on what just happened.

A sneeze leaves his lips and he closes his eyes, lowers his head a little to compose himself and lets out a curse into the rain.

But the rain stops. He still hears it, but doesn't feel it. Heavy breathing can be heard next to him and further away he can see a taxi that seems to be waiting for someone. For him.

Minho looks up, blinking in surprise, and turns his head in your direction, frowning.

"Y/n?" He acts like you're a mirage. He reaches out his hand to touch your cheek, to prove that you're real. Then he steps back, trying to pull himself together as he frowns. "What are you doing here? Don't you have school tomorrow?"

"Idiot! What are you doing in the rain?" Your voice shakes. Even though Minho is the one who got eliminated, you're the one crying. Heart broken by the news. Your breathing is fast, your cheeks are red as he approaches you, trying to calm you down, making you speak lower so as not to draw attention to yourself. He's sweet, caring. Almost loving to you.

"When a cat does something stupid, do you spray water on them?"

"What? No! What are you talking about?" He begins to panic. Did you fall on your head? Why would you even ask him something like that when you know how much he loves cats?

"If a cat falls and gets hurt, if a cat limps and meows for help, do you spray water on them? Do you punish them for something they can't change? They tried their hardest but they failed because of the tiniest mistake ever, do you tell them to punish themselves?" Your voice gets louder with each example. You cough a little, not used to forcing so much down your throat. Tears fall down your cheeks, snot dripps from your nose. Your gaze look for his, but you can't find him.

"No, of course not." He calms down a bit, trying to understand what you're getting at. What's hurting you.

You move forward a little, slip your hand into his to squeeze a little tighter, and look him straight in the eyes. "So tell me, why is it that when it's you, you spray yourself with water? Why do you refuse to look for shelter? Why do you refuse a warm embrace from those who love you? Why are you standing in the rain and not in a taxi on your way home? Why do you treat other cats with tenderness, but forget to treat the cat you are with kindness?"

You lower your head. The pain you feel is great. Sympathy pierces your heart at the sight of Minho in the rain, punishing himself for something he didn't do wrong. Surprise appears on his face as he grimaces and tries to hold back his tears a little more.

You were always sweet to him. Shy. The kind of girl who never speaks, but always watch and learn. Your smile was like a gift tenderly wrapped in a cotton candy scented box. "Thank you." His voice is soft. His thumb caress the back of your hand. "Thank you for looking after the cat that I am."

He squeezes your hand a little tighter and nods, walking with you to the taxi. He looks at the rain, protected by your umbrella, close to your body, your love swathed him softly.

You sit in the back with him and grab a towel from your backpack to start drying his hair. He grunts as he takes the towel from your hands, mumbles that he's capable of drying himself, and watches you for a few seconds.

"Did Minzi send you?" Your body freezes. You let go of his hand and purse your lips. "I don't know how she knew so fast. She really is amazing." Your hand slides up your thigh and your eyes wander to the cab window. Silence fills the car as he taps his phone and wipes his hair, sending a message to Minzi.

Suddenly, everything felt heavy. suffocating. You almost miss the rain and the loud noise from the cars. Surrounded by loneliness and pain, you become deaf to his laughter as he texts her. Not you. Her.

Minzi could have come. She should have. Because the moment you heard he'd been eliminated, you ran out of your house to see him. Minzi? She didn't move from her bed, tired, preferring to wait for him to come home. You're the one who did it all. You're the one who begged Minzi to come. You're the one who finally came to him because she was too lazy.

But you weren't her. You werent as pretty as her. As clever. As full of life.

The taxi door opens and Minho gets out first, a big smile on his lips, while Minzi runs to throw herself into his arms, they kiss as you pay the driver, walking past them and into the house to get a towel to dry off a bit. A short time later, they both return. Minzi lifts her chocolate eyes to you and smiles.

"Sis, I'm going to Minho's, he wants me to be there to break the news to his parents." And without another word she closes the door. Minho doesn't even look at you as he leaves for his house. Forgeting who came for him.

Every step you take makes your heart ache a little more. Each step you climb brings tears to your eyes. Your hands, weak and shaking from the cold, cling to the banister as you climb up to the attic, your room.

You like it. It's big, spacious, and comfortable. But what you love most about your room is the view.

You go to your bedroom window and bend down to look out. From there you can see Minho's room. You smile a little, sit down on the floor and pull your knees up to your chest as he lies down on his bed, pulling Minzi against him for a kiss.

And you imagine yourself in your sister's place.

You imagine Minho's lips on yours. Your breath shakes, your cheeks burn and you feel your core quivers as the thought of him looking at you the way he looks at her.

But nobody knows how much you love him. Nobody ever care.

It's your first time at a Stray Kids concert. The crowd is going wild, everyone is talking and shouting, the fans are happy, the boys are jumping all over the stage. But your eyes never leave Minho. Your smile is sweet as your hand caresses your thigh in gentle circles, your attention is elsewhere.

Your assistant turns his head towards you, looking at you with an amused smile on his lips as he leans down to pock your cheek. You frown at him. He smiles a little wider. "I know someone who has a crush on Minho!" You smile softly at him, not responding to his comment, and continue to watch the show, making sure the sound is adjusted.

His eyes are always on you, as if he's watching your every move. You pull your jacket neatly over your shoulders and run your tongue over your lips, trying to ignore his gaze that burns your cheek.

Seungmin grabs Changbin's microphone to yell into it. You quickly adjust the volume of the microphones so that Changbin's ear doesn't hurt too much. As you do so, you feel your assistant's hand brush against yours. You try to ignore the contact, quickly understanding what he's trying to do, and pull your chair back a little further, giving him an uncomfortable smile, hoping he'll understand the message you're trying to convey. But his eyes sparkle. He seems pleased that you're smiling at him.

Suddenly, the concert is long. Too long. You fumble with your phone, sending an SOS to your friends, hoping that one of them will be able to get you out of this situation. Panic wells up in your throat as your eyes begin to moisten again, and you're ready to cry.

It's your biggest flaw.

Did you stub your little toe? Did you get a bad grade? Did they run out of your favorite ice cream flavor? You still remember all the times you cried because your friends were late in wishing you happy birthday. But despite all your tears, your friends never let you down.

And once again, they came to your rescue: Princess sends a message saying she'll take care of the problem, and a few minutes later, a woman arrives asking your assistant if he'll follow her for a check-up. You don't know how Princess always manages to have direct control over everything going on around you, but your shoulders relax as you settle back a little more comfortably in your seat.

“Princess has been using her strange fairy godmother powers again?” a delicate voice echoes as your friend settles down beside you. She watches the whole concert from the auditorium, taking your assistant's headphones and placing them on her ears as she looks at you. You smile back, placing a kiss on her cheek. “As always. Thanks for being here, Noona. I didn't want to be alone. You are like... My second fairy godmother.”

It's your first day at work and everything seems incredibly complicated. Between your assistant who seems a little too clingy for your liking, Minho who didn't seem happy to see you, and the breakup between your friend and Chan, you feel like everything is falling apart around you.

Your eyes burn and you close them. "Do you... do you think I should quit? Apparently he's already asked around if they can change the sound engineer for the next gig."

"What an asshole." Your friend mumbles under her breath as she watches the scene, then shakes her head after a few seconds of thought. Her eyes are full of determination and confidence. You admire her for it. Because you know you'll never have half her mental strength.

"I think you should prove yourself. Stay here, earn your money, show that you're good at your job and make him understand that his presence won't hurt you anymore. After what happened at Hybe's, JYPE is the best thing that could happen to you. This is your chance to show him that you've moved on. Everything's going to be okay, Bunny."

Your head rests on your friend's shoulder as she strokes your back. The rest of the evening is quiet. No one speaks. Soon you can hear your friend's soft breathing as she falls asleep next to you. But you don't blame her. How can you blame her when she's come all this way for you?

And when the concert is over, the lights go down, and everyone leaves, you sit there with your friend. You admire the stars, the silence, the beauty of the universe next to you. The beauty of the universe right in front of you.

Even though it all seems fleeting, you're glad you got a glimpse of it, if only for a few seconds.

"The sound was better than usual, I like the new sound engineer, she's talented and cute." Felix smiles and hums as he removes his makeup. His gaze rests on the mirror in front of him, trying to catch his friends' eyes through his reflection. Seungmin looks to his side and smiles slightly as he takes off his top.

"Is there a single person here that you don't think is talented and cute?" He laughs a little as he reaches for his hoodie to get dressed and warm up, fatigue starting to creep through his limbs. He expects nothing more than to be able to lie down in his bed and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning they have to catch a plane to their next destination: Australia.

Felix is excited to get home and see his family. Chan, on the other hand, seems lost. He keeps looking at his phone, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out what he's looking at. Seungmin falls onto the sofa in the room and pinches his nose as he tilts his head back and closes his eyes to catch his breath.

"But it's true she's good. And cute." He opens his left eye and looks in Minho's direction. He silently removes his makeup. "Minho Hyung, I heard you know her, is that true?"

Minho stops in mid-action. He frowns as the others turn around to hear him. He clears his throat. "Who told you that?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Did she tell you?" He turns to Seungmin and refuses to answer his question. Seungmin has a small smile on his lips, amused by his elder's fuzzy answers. He shakes his head and opens his mouth to answer. But Jeongin's phone starts to ring.

Everyone falls silent.

Jeongin walks over to his phone and looks at it. "It's an unknown number."

The silence lasts a few seconds as he hesitates to answer, unsure. Very often, in this kind of situation, it could be a sasaeng. He waits, hoping the person will hang up, but the phone continues to vibrate. Chan stands up, lets out a long sigh, and finally picks it up, turning on the speaker as he leans over to the phone.

"Hi? Who is this?" His voice is low, filled with fatigue and anger that he tries hard to hide. He stomps his feet, hands on his waist as he leans forward toward the phone.

"Hello...? Yang Jeongin-sshi?..." Your voice is hesitant. You don't remember Jeongin's voice being so deep. So cold. But you've never talked to him before, so that's probably why. You run your tongue over your lips. "It's Y/n, I-"

"What do you want with him?" Minho turns to the phone, gets up from his chair and approaches the phone, trying to find out why you're calling Jeongin. "How did you get his number? Leave him alone."

"Ah, Y/n, hello!" Seungmin adds, amused to hear you when they were just talking about you. If Jeongin's girlfriend was here, she would probably talk about faith.

At the other end of the phone, you startle. Surprised to hear Minho's voice. Automatically, his accusatory tone brings tears to your eyes and your hands shake a little more, already forgetting Seungmin's softer tone. "I-it's on speaker...? Can I talk to Yang Jeongin-sshi alone...? Please. It's kinda- personnal." Your voice trembles and becomes thinner, discreet.

"If you have something to say to him, say it in front of us."

You hesitate. Your gaze falls on your friend sleeping next to you. Slowly, you sniffle and shake your head.

"Excuse me for disturbing you." You hang up, frightened after hearing Minho's voice. He frightens you as much as you love him. He hurts you as much as he makes you feel good.

"What was that?" Changbin looks at Minho, surprised by his friend's behavior. But he says nothing more and sits down to continue removing his makeup. Everyone looks at him uncomprehendingly and Jeongin picks up his phone again.

"How did she get my number? And why didn't you let me talk to her? I wonder what she wanted with me."

"She probably got your number through the girls, apparently she's in the same group as the other girls and they're super close. She's even Princess' best friend." Seungmin added with a shrug, still looking at Minho. His behavior didn't go unnoticed after all.

"Princess' best friend? Innie, can you give me her number?" Felix's eyes sparkle and he stands up all at once to approach the maknae, phone in hand, ready to get your number. But Jeongin is busy looking at Minho.

"Why did you talk to her like that if she's a friend of the girls? Don't you like her?"

Minho finishes removing his makeup and gets up to change. He does it slowly, ignoring everyone's stares, as if none of it matters to him. Once he's changed, he puts his hands in his pockets and gets ready to leave, looking at his friend.

"You should block her number. And tell the girls to stay away from her. She's nothing but a Sasaeng." And with that, he closes the door and leaves, leaving them to their own devices.

You watch the stars from the engineering room, knees on your chest, tears in your eyes. Your friend is sleeping peacefully next to you and you don't have the strength to wake her up. So you let her sleep and stay with her to watch over her. You think back to Minho's tone, to his words, and the pain in your heart is stronger than ever.

Maybe you shouldn't have accepted this job. But it's too late to change. It's too late to do anything else.

Maybe it's even too late for you to think of a better future for you.

A few minutes later, you hear someone knocking on the door. You turn your head, drying your tears and biting your lower lip, not knowing what to say. The door opens and you see Jeongin's face. He looks at you for a few seconds, then turns to your friend, a broad smile on his lips. His eyes crinkle and you understand a little more why everyone compares him to a fox.

"Noona!"

"She's sleeping-"

"Oh."

He puts a hand over his mouth and walks over to his friend to watch her sleep peacefully. As he does so, you allow yourself to admire his gaze. Up close, he's even more handsome than he looks on the big screens, and he has a smile that would melt anyone's heart. You can see why everyone wants to hug him.

"I called to ask if you could help me carry her up to my room without us being noticed or waking her up. I'm sorry for bothering you."

He shakes his head, slips an arm under his friend's knees to carry her in his arms and watches her sleepy face. "When Seungmin told me you were friends with the girls, I thought it must be important. Neither my girlfriend nor my noona would give out my phone number if it wasn't for something they thought was important. Thank you for calling me. It means a lot to me."

You walk silently to your room. You play nervously with the sleeves of your sweatshirt as he follows, careful not to wake your friend. Once in your room, he gently places her on your bed and comes to take off her shoes and cover her up.

"Thank you for taking care of her for me. I'm glad to know she can count on someone during the tour. I can't always look after her and right now, she does need someone to be with her."

He looks at you and you lower your head, unable to hold his gaze. But strangely, even as you mumble a small "thank you" that seems to be stuck halfway in your throat, he stays there, letting his fingers rub against his thighs in an intense moment of reflection.

"Minho Hyung doesn't seem to like you."

"I know..." Your voice is cut off by a hiccup and you already feel tears welling up in your eyes. You're about to cry.

"Don't cry! Please" He leans towards you but doesn't touch you, looking towards the bed, hoping not to wake his friend under the panic he feels. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just... wanted to ask why?"

Your gaze straightens at him, and despite the tears, you stare, confused.

"Didn't he tell you?"

"Yes, but I'd like to hear your side of the story."

"You don't believe him?"

For a few seconds he said nothing, just shrugged.

"Noona has always cared for me. My girlfriend loves me with all her heart. I don't see why the people I love would be friends with a Sasaeng or give my number to a sasaeng." He tilts his head slightly, the silence of the room having a soothing aura after all the noise of the concert. "And for the last few days I've been thinking that it's important to hear the two sides of every story. Misunderstandings happen too easily."

His words make you open your mouth. But no words come out. Your eyes become moist and you purse your lips, remembering the day Minho began to see you differently.

A year ago...

The moaning from the room below makes you frown. You take off your headphones, knowing full well that these sounds are not coming from your music, and look towards your window. From there you can see Minho's room.

The window is closed.

Minho is a creature of habit. He only closes his bedroom window when he's sleeping or when he's not in his room. And since he has become a K-pop idol, he rarely comes to his parents' house. You always know when he's there, the cats get your attention, and his parents are always static when he comes to visit.

Soonie rubs against your leg and meows. Normally, if Minho were here, Soonie would already be out looking for him.

You put your pen down on your desk and slowly get up to walk over to the door and open it, trying to hear what's going on. The moaning is intense and you recognize your sister's voice.

With light steps you go down to the lower floor and approach your sister's door, opening it slowly and silently. It's not right, you shouldn't do this. It's just not right. But your curiosity gets the better of you.

And as soon as you saw it, you closed the door and ran into your room to double lock the door, your heart pounding in your chest. As tears stung your eyes, you picked up your phone and dialed Minho's number, bringing the phone to your ear and covering your lips with your hand so as not to risk screaming and alerting your sister of your presence in the house.

"Hm? Y/n? Everything okay?" You rarely call him, especially when he's on tour. Which he is, judging by his tired voice, even though it's barely six in the afternoon. On the other side you hear the rustle of blankets and a long yawn.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, no. Don't cry, okay? I'm already awake, you're not disturbing me. You never disturb me." Even though he's not there, you can feel his smile through the phone and your heart feels a little lighter. Even though the tears are still rolling down your cheeks. "You're crying, aren't you?" His voice sounds almost amused, as if he knows you too well.

A small laugh leaves your lips, and for a few seconds you almost forget why you called him. "Guilty." You purse your lips, your hand caressing the top of Doongie's head as he meows softly. "How's your tour going?"

As much as you'd like to tell him what's going on downstairs, you don't feel up to it. Not while he's on tour.

"Yes, but I miss my children. Can I talk to them?" You turn on the speaker and the three cats automatically approach the phone and meow softly, happy to hear it. While the cats are on the phone with Minho, you put the headphones back on your ears, trying to block out the annoying sounds that are parasitizing your room.

After a moment, the silence seems to become present and you slowly remove the headphones.

"Y/n? Are you still there?"

"Yes, I'm here, Minho! Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"Are you sure everything is okay?" His voice becomes more present, as if he can sense that there's a concern, even through the phone. You don't know what to tell him, so you pick up your stuffed animal from your bed and hug it to your chest.

"Yeah, just a little tired. I really miss you. And the kids miss you a lot."

He laughs.

"They're with their mother and their favorite aunt, so I'm sure they're fine. Give Minzi a kiss for me. I tried to send her a message earlier, but she hasn't seen it yet, she must be studying."

A thousand words press against your lips, the desire to shout to him that no, Minzi isn't studying. No, Minzi is not a busy person. Minzi is a person who has found a completely different interest in the world. And that interest is not Minho. At least not this time.

"You heard us." She doesn't even try to hide it, her coffee mug in her hands, snuggled in her favorite blanket, she sits on the couch and look at you, her eyes seem sad. Filled with sorrow. But no regret. "I truly love him, you know?" You can't answer that. Do you know? How much your sister loves Minho? She cheated on him while his cats where there. In front of his freaking kids. But you can't say a word. Worries burn down your throat.

"Will you tell him?"

"I told you I love him. Isn't the answer obvious?" She straightens her back, still fixing you, judging your actions as if you are her biggest enemy right now. "If I say a word, he will leave me."

"He deserves to know."

"Does he? He is the first one to cheat on me. Always on tour, always doing aegyo for strangers. Forgetting his own girlfriend." Her voice rises as anger burns inside her small body. "I was there before his fame. Now, all I get is money and a few text messages. I want more. I need physical attention. And he can't give me that."

"Then shouldn't you... Leave him?" You mumble, lost in your thoughts while you get down to pat Doongie's fur. "If you're not happy, you should leave him. You are both suffering right now. And that not good, right?"

"He has money and fame. I can find love when he's not around." She sips a bit of her coffee, still looking at you. "If you tell him that I see other men, I will hurt you. So don't do anything dumb."

The choice is both difficult and easy. What can you do? Choose your personal happiness, knowing that your neighbor and your first love is suffering, or become your sister's brimstone, knowing that at least your first love can move on? You bowed your head and became your sister's shadow, fearing her even more than before, shutting yourself off from the world. But the truth was about to come out. You refused to be fooled.

The day Minho returned from his tour, he came straight to his parents and their cats. He cuddled them for hours and slept peacefully in their arms. You didn't have the courage to face him. So you broke the news to him through a message. Was there a better way? No doubt there was. But the fear of seeing him self-destruct in front of you was far greater than the rest.

Still, the rest came crashing down on you.

The next day, everyone is ready to board the plane for the next destination: Australia. Jeongin is in the van with the boys, Seungmin looks at him from time to time with a small smile on his lips and leans over to whisper a few words in his ear. His friend frowns and puts a little more distance between them.

"Hyung, what is it?"

"I found it." Seungmin shows him his cell phone. A photo of you and Joshua having lunch in a small cafe. "She used to work at Hybe before she came to JYPE. But she was fired because of dating rumors between her and Joshua."

He opens his eyes wider and leans toward the photo. You have a big smile on your face as you chat happily in front of Joshua, "They look good together." The words escape him as he wrinkles his nose before raising his eyes to Seungmin. "Were they really together?"

"I asked Changbin Hyung for Lee Chan's number from Seventeen. Apparently it was them. They weren't officially a couple, but they often went on dates together, and when the rumor spread, she was fired from Hybe. But apparently she and Joshua still write to each other and see each other whenever they can. He even said he will visit us on tour just for her.

He sit back more comfortably in his seat and look at the photo for a few seconds before turning off his phone and putting it away. The airport is not far away, they have to get ready for the fans. Seungmin yawns a little. "Where were you last night? You came quite late to your room."

"I was with Bunny. We talked a lot."

"Bunny?"

"Y/n, that's her official nickname."

Immediately his friend starts to tease him, wondering when you two got so close in such a short time. In the back, Minho looks at them with crossed arms and furrowed brow. Minzi still hasn't answered his messages. And the fact that you have a relationship with Joshua from Seventeen doesn't please him at all.

Why Joshua? They look nothing alike. He has absolutely nothing in common. So why him? He shifts a little in his seat, struggling to find a comfortable position, and closes his eyes, suddenly annoyed for some reason that escapes him. He got used to ignoring you. But now that he has to see you everyday and that you seem to have moved on, it annoys him. He hates this feeling that creeps inside of his chest at the tought of you with another man.

[a-power-outlet]

The Great Experiment - Chapter 4

Chapter Title: We'll Meet Again

Norm MacLean x Elodie Brooks (OC) | Pre-War AU

Masterlist | Ao3 | <- Previous Chapter | Next Chapter ->

Word Count: 3.6k

A/N: omg they're finally talking :D

Vaults 31, 32, and 33 were constructed over a period of five years. The base structure was dug out, and filled in with concrete using patented machines that Elodie didn't quite understand. They’d brought down pre-built portions of the vault, from the Overseer’s office to the Compost room, and assembled them like a three-dimensional puzzle.

The most impressive feat, though, was the four-story atrium, with a built-in Telesonic projector. She stood, watching the team on a lift as they assembled the massive piece of machinery. Her eyes were then drawn to the floor-to-ceiling screens, which were being inspected by a large crew with an even larger scissor lift. It was a wonder that it’d even made it down into Vault 33, but she heard rumors about an equipment elevator somewhere in the maze of hallways. She knew she should be doing her own job, but it was particularly fascinating, and relieving, to slow down and analyze the handiwork of other professions.

It also helped with the simmering anxiety of being down here. After all, this was a place meant to be used after the world had ended, after the bombs had fallen on the surface and rendered it inhabitable. This place wasn’t relieving to her in the slightest, it was a testament to humanity’s undoing.

Not that there was anything she could do to stop it. The best she could do was hope that her efforts for this project earned her a spot on the reservation list.

Elodie held out her clipboard, glancing at the foundation she was tasked to overlay as she compared it to a batch of previous schematics. Technically, she was here to collect measurements for the assembly of a hydroponics system below the floor of the atrium of all three vaults. Her and the other agricultural engineers had theoretically designed a system, yes, but they still had to get the exact measurements so that a design could be more than just that. They had to start producing parts, and machines, and an actual system that could provide for a batch of real, living humans that’d inhabit the vaults during the test run and beyond.

It definitely didn’t help that the Three Vaults Project, or TVP, as it’d come to be known, had a mandatory end-date of August of next year because of this test run. Simultaneously, then, every single project had been given a timeline of just over one year. And, of course, she only learned about this after she signed on, and after she’d arrived in California.

To make matters more annoying, they were incredibly restrictive on who was able to access which Vault. The members of the Agricultural Engineering division were divided into three teams, each assigned to one of the respective vaults. The layout was apparently the same in each Vault, so no one had to repeat any measurements or designs, but it didn’t help the fact that everything had to be relayed through electronic messages and very underpaid interns.

Sigh.

At least she was assigned to Vault 33, which had a beautiful view of the ocean. Once you made it past the Vault door retaining walls, and into the upper levels of the building that shielded them from the elements, the Santa Monica Pier was in full display, and it was definitely relaxing after an extended period of time underground.

It was something to look forward to after all of this work was done, and it was something that could keep her going. Whatever it took to get these files in by tomorrow, she’d indulge.

She moved to the nearby tables, which were an impromptu setup for the underground workers. The kitchens in the diner were the first things to be set up, thanks to their proximity to the atrium. So, the higher-ups decided to break them in by hiring people making lunch and dinner for whomever was working that day. It was also definitely a ploy to eliminate wasted time, as the Vaults themselves were set up a mile from the main TVP campus. Regardless, the smell was intoxicating, but she knew the flavor would be bland in comparison to the farm-grown fruits and vegetables she was used to.

The dwellers that were slated to live here would get to experience that. They were supposed to grow corn in Vault 33, if all of the information she’d been given was correct. Every agricultural system revolved around high levels of corn production. She’d designed them, though, to allow the assigned Hydroponics Engineer to easily alter the solution’s properties if needed.

Hopefully, the board would actually approve that measure. People couldn’t just eat corn. Sure, they didn’t have to worry about the nuances of soil chemistry when the chemistry was all controlled by dials and pumps injecting concentrates into water. They’d need a balanced diet, not just for health, but because the people themselves needed more. Living in a vault, only eating synthesized foods and corn, would be hellish. They needed variety, like tomatoes, and herbs, and fruits.

She laid her clipboard in front of her, flipping to a page and adding raspberries to the ever-growing list of seeds to recommend for the Seed Vault. If she was stuck underground for an unknown amount of years, possibly even her whole life, she’d want raspberries. It’d help with the existential dread of being trapped under a hundred feet of dirt and rock.

“What are you doing out of the lab?”

Her muscles tensed as she whirled around in her seat, nearly slamming her knees into the bench she was sitting on as she locked eyes with-

“Norm, stop doing that! You’re going to give me a heart attack!”

“That’s statistically unlikely,” he said, raising an eyebrow at her and faintly smiling. “How’s your day been?”

She looked him over. He had a cafeteria tray in his hands, and had on a typical set of dress clothes. Striped shirt, striped tie, and striped pants. The patterns were faint enough on the former and latter so that the middle stood out, and everything looked fairly cohesive. He’d even worn Vault Tec colors, but she wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. Or, maybe it was standard attire for the men. Most seemed to wear a blue or yellow tie when possible, and Norm seemed fond of wearing one that contained both.

“Bleak,” she replied, clasping her clipboard to her chest. “If I don’t get this done quick, we have no chance of actually completing the agricultural setup in time.”

“You’ll get it done.”

“Because I have to.”

“And because you’re good at your job.”

“How do you know that? We’re in different departments. Fields. Specialties.”

“Got it. Last time I compliment you,” he said, scoffing. She could tell he was joking, even if they’d only been talking for a month, with how his eyebrows raised and his face faintly lit up.

“Can I sit?”

Her eyebrows raised as well, and she nodded before her mouth even formed words.

“Oh, yeah. Yeah, sure!”

She pulled the clipboard closer to her side of the table as he took a seat and set down his tray. On it, there was some fried Cram, mashed potatoes, and green beans, which made Elodie grimace. Of course they'd push the ‘Vault Menu’ right away. They had to make sure it was fully capable of only making post-apocalyptic meals, or else it’d all be for naught.

“You drew those?”

He was pointing at her clipboard, and she nodded in response.

“Kinda,” she mumbled. “I designed the pipe system and the nutrient mixture. A couple others designed the actual pumps and soil mixtures. Someone’s even building a tractor, for some reason. Executives probably told them to, I guess. Might save five dollars.”

“It’s amusing to think of why our superiors do what they do,” he said, “For example, why do they give us a free cafeteria but no health insurance?”

“It’s probably cheaper,” she replied, looking back to her clipboard, then eyeing his tray again. She was hungry, now that she thought about it. “It’s cheaper to give us good food, I guess, because it helps us stay healthy. I’d like to get my eyes checked without shelling out a thousand dollars, though.”

“Everything has to be cheaper, that’s the Vault-Tec way.”

“Don’t say that so loud,” she said, furrowing her brows. “Someone might hear!”

“At this point, they can’t fire us. Plus, my dad would never let them fire me. And, he likes you, so you’re probably safe too.”

As if to accentuate his words, Norm placed an elbow on the table, resting his head against his palm as he looked at her.

“Is that why you’re slacking off? Because your dad can bail you out?”

“I’m not slacking off,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I was on my way upstairs. To the surface. I have to pick up a motherboard because our intern broke one. Then, I got hungry.”

“Ah,” she said, nodding. “The food doesn’t look bad.”

Curiously, he hadn’t eaten any of it yet.

“You should go get some before they run out,” he said, motioning towards the diner’s open doors with his chin.

“I doubt they will,” she replied. “And, I have work to do.

“Go eat, Elodie. Can’t work on an empty stomach.”

“Fine.”

Elodie sighed as she stood up from the table, walking over to the diner. She swiped her ID against the scanner, then grabbed a tray. He wasn’t wrong, since her rumbling stomach had only gotten worse the longer she stared at his untouched food and smelt the spices wafting over to her nostrils. And, she couldn’t deny that the fried Cram, regardless of the fact that they could have made something far healthier, looked absolutely delicious.

She was glad, at least, she didn't have to eat lunch alone. In fact, Norm had willingly sought her out, quite a contrast to the hazy memories of their elementary school days. Back then, Norm was a typical loner, not that he wanted anything different. He’d sit on the end of a table, without much care for socializing, and Elodie would slip into the seat across from him. They’d chat, talk, and go back to their homerooms, meeting up after school to walk home together.

Rose often walked with them, if Elodie’s own mother wasn’t available. She was a sweet woman, and Elodie could see the features she’d passed to Norm and Lucy. Neither of them really resembled Hank, but their eyes were a dead giveaway of their relation to Rose.

“Food smells really good,” she said, placing her tray down right atop her clipboard.

Norm still hadn’t eaten anything, but picked up his fork the second that she’d sat down. She followed suit, cutting a piece of the fried Cram off and biting it off the fork.

“Mm… mm!”

He nodded in response, quickly taking another bite. She chuckled to herself, taking a sip of the Nuka-Cola she’d snagged for herself.

“It's good,” he said, eyes flickering up to hers. “Better than school lunch.”

“I was just thinking about that,” she said, feeling her face flush. “We’d trade the pieces of our meals around. You always wanted my carrots.”

“Because I gave you apple slices.”

“God, I’d love some apple slices right now,” she said, grinning mischievously as she popped another slice of Cram into her mouth. “Why can’t this be an apple orchard instead of a corn farm?”

“I dunno. You’re the plant person.”

“I am. And it’s because corn starch is pretty versatile, when I think about it. Apple trees are also way more complex to support with hydroponics. I just want an apple now, though.”

“You can get one when we’re back on the surface.”

“Yeah,” she said, sighing softly. “They don’t even have apple juice down here. It’s a crime.”

“The Nuka-Cola sponsorship was too lucrative.”

She laughed, letting out a soft snort before she covered her mouth in surprise.

“Are you always this skeptical of the company that pays your bills? That’s saving America from nuclear war?”

She briefly felt anxiety spike at the thought, even if it was self-induced. For all she knew, the bombs could have dropped on the surface already, with no warning. They’d have to scavenge whatever they could in the barely assembled shell of a vault they currently found themselves in.

Norm cleared his throat, and her attention shifted back to him.

“It’s always good to be skeptical,” he said. “Just, only in the right company.”

“I’m the right company?”

“You don’t want me fired. At least that’s my assumption.”

“Why would I want you to be? You’re funny, and, most importantly, you do your job.”

“I don’t have enthusiasm for it, according to Betty. She’s like, my personal HR manager, or something,” he said, sighing as he pushed the green beans around with his fork. “I get called into performance reviews every three months. Each time, I get told I lack enthusiasm. It’s hard to be enthusiastic about building vaults where only a few people can survive.”

Elodie nodded. He had a point, and she agreed with it. But, she couldn’t just air out her grievances when surrounded by a slew of other employees.

“I… don’t disagree. I wish we could help more people, but I’m happy to help who I can,” she said. “Besides, at this point, there’s not many jobs doing anything else. Unless you want to work food service-”

“No. I worked at the dining hall in VTU. Never again.”

“When did you do that?”

“The last two years I was there,” he grimaced, taking a quick swig of his own Nuka-Cola. “I lost my scholarship when I dropped out of the Overseer program, so it was the only money I had. Life is tricky like that.”

“I see,” she said, nodding despite her frown. “I didn't know you wanted to be an Overseer.”

“I didn’t,” he grumbled, clearly getting a bit agitated. Elodie felt her heart sink, but Norm kept talking. “My dad wanted me to be one. Lucy had already graduated from the program.”

“That sucks,” she replied. “I… well, on the bright side, maybe you served me dinner at some point.”

“Probably,” he said, face softening a bit. “When did you go?”

“Around the same time as you, most likely, but for four years. Had to actually do some research for my doctorate. I started in 2071, graduated in ‘75.”

“I graduated in ‘74.”

“Small world,” she said, chuckling a bit. “We probably crossed paths and didn't even know it.”

“It’s likely. But the campus was always packed.”

“I wonder if we ever took a monorail together.”

“That would be an extreme coincidence. Those only fit four people, maximum.”

“It’s fun to think about, though,” she grinned. “Maybe we were always crossing paths, but were meant to meet again here. If it happened back then, maybe we’d hate each other.”

“Bold to assume I don’t hate you now.”

“You do?”

“No.”

“Exactly!”

The two continued chatting back and forth, and Elodie found a sense of joy in actually getting to know each other again. They’d had conversations before, yes, but they were mostly superficial, about each other's days and vaguely catching up. But now… now they were bonding over how stupid the fraternities were at VTU, or about how the Vault-Boy statue always ended up covered in graffiti and underwear after football games. It was reassuring, to have an actual conversation where she didn’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or keeping up a good face. She could laugh, and enjoy herself, even if she wasn’t being entirely proper.

Elodie even dared to explain how she’d left an offering at the statue one day, following the superstition that said it’d bring her a semester of good grades. She’d then gone on to elaborate on how her professor had accused her of cheating right after. Norm followed that up with his own story, saying he’d done the same and a pigeon instantly stole the piece of muffin he’d left. Nuka-Cola nearly shot out of her nose from laughter, and she proceeded to whine about how her nostrils were burning.

As their meals wrapped up, Norm was the first to stand, holding out a hand to Elodie.

“I’ll take your tray over.”

“You really don't have to, Norm.”

“I’m already going there.”

“Fine.”

She huffed, holding out the tray to him. Much to her dismay, though, she found that the tray she’d grabbed was fresh from the washer. And so, the top paper on her clipboard had stuck to it, with enough water having accumulated on the bottom of her tray to soak through the rest of the pages. When she’d raised her tray, a few sheets ripped off with a pathetic noise, accompanied by the pitter-pattering of the clipboard falling back to the table. She flipped through a few of them, groaning in annoyance as she realized they were all ruined. Every note, everything she’d done so far today, ruined.

Norm had quickly disappeared from her side, only to return a few moments later, sans their lunch trays. Either he sprinted over, or her fixation on the splotches of ink were making time pass even faster than usual. Both were believable at this point.

“Are you okay, El?”

“No,” she said, unclipping all the papers and balling them up. “I have to go to the surface. Aboveground. Back to campus. Whatever. To get more copies of these plans. God, I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not,” he said, taking the wad of papers and gently unfurling them. “These are still readable.”

“They’re not presentable. I need to redo them,” she groaned, taking the ball of papers from his hand and shoving them into her messenger bag. “You’re not getting rid of me yet, it seems. Sorry about that.”

“I don’t mind the company.”

“You sure? I feel like you’re the type who’d want to ride the elevator and bus alone.”

“I do, but I can make exceptions.”

Elodie felt her face flush, but not out of anger, or annoyance at her situation.

“Well, ah,” she stammered, grabbing her clipboard. “I don’t want to waste any more of your time, then.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but instead, he sighed and grabbed his own bag.

“Where do you have to go?”

“The IT office,” he replied. “I have a stash of motherboards, and a bunch of other spare parts. Good quality ones. If you ever break something, you can email me.”

“Noted.You’re my personal IT man anyways.”

“Just don't call too often. I have actual things I have to do.”

“Me too. It’ll work out.”

They turned to the elevator, which was set up fairly close to the makeshift cafeteria. Norm swiped his access card over the scanner, and the door opened. He put his arm over the door, motioning for her to step inside.

She sighed, pressing the button that would bring them to the vault’s entrance. The doors slid shut, and the elevator rumbled.

“Are other people bad? At their IT jobs?”

The question lingered in the air, something she was far too curious about to simply forget. Plus, if he took the bait…

“No,” he said. “Well, maybe.”

Bingo. Three points were added to her mood meter.

“You’re being cocky.”

“Am not.”

“Are too!”

She snickered to herself as the elevator began to rise, and Norm clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“You’re being annoying.”

“Ah, you do hate me!”

“Right now, maybe I do.”

She laughed again, and noticed the faintest redness on his cheeks. Hell, he was even smiling, a nonchalant smirk as he leaned against the railing around the perimeter of the elevator.

“If you’re mad at me, then I’ll never call you for IT help.”

“Good. I hope your computer breaks. And your plants die.”

Elodie snorted again, covering her mouth as she braced herself against the railing.

“That’s so mean!”

“Mm. I told you, I'd never compliment you again.”

“Fine. We’ll just sit in silence the whole elevator ride then. All two minutes!”

“Okay.”

The ride was silent for half of the time, but Elodie quickly began to giggle as they approached the surface. Norm didn’t crack, which just made Elodie laugh more, and she didn't stop giggling until the sunlight hit their faces, and he finally spoke up.

“Don’t trip when you’re getting on the bus.”

“Hey!”

“It’s a fair warning.”

“Fine. Well, make sure you don’t trip either. Or I’ll trip you again.”

“Rude, Elodie.”

They boarded the bus back, teasing each other back and forth throughout the short ride. It was a relief, honestly, from the stress of having to redo everything. They’d even walked together to her building, which was on the way to his.

They stood in front of each other as she grinned, noting how his face was still slightly flushed.

“See you around, Norm.”

He smiled back, cheeks faintly red.

“Bye, Elodie.”

She had no idea why she was practically skipping into her office, but she wasn't about to argue with it. It was annoying to reprint all of the paperwork, and it was annoying to ride the bus back, and sign back into the Vault and get verified. It was tedious as hell to take all of her measurements again, but hey, getting the same number twice was always a good sign.

At the end of the day, she made her way back to her cubicle, and curiously…

There was a bag of apple slices placed onto the surface, with a small note attached.

Found them in the IT building’s cafe. Figured you’d want some.

-Norm

Now that… that made her whole week absolutely perfect. It didn’t matter how many times she had to redraw the same schematic, or explain to her non-scientific bosses why certain things were crucial when growing plants. She did it all with a smile on her face, and a tingling feeling in her body.

Strange.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Andrew Roth at The Guardian:

USAid security personnel were defending a secure room holding sensitive and classified data in a standoff with “department of government efficiency” employees when a message was said to come directly from Elon Musk: give the Doge kids whatever they want. Since Donald Trump’s inauguration last month, a posse of cocksure young engineers answering to Musk have stormed through Washington DC, gaining access to government computer systems as part of what Senator Chuck Schumer has called “an unelected shadow government … conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government”.

The young men, who are all under the age of 26 and have almost no government experience, have tapped into the treasury department’s federal payment system and vacuumed up employment histories at the office of personnel management (OPM). Roughly 20 Doge employees are now working out of the Department of Education, the Washington Post has reported, and have gained access to sensitive internal systems there too.

The young engineers, whose identities have been confirmed to the Guardian, wanted the same at USAid. One of them, Gavin Kliger, was a 25-year-old techie who has defended the failed attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz as a victim of the “deep state” and claimed he had left behind a seven-figure salary to join Doge and “save America”. Another, Luke Farritor, 23, was a former SpaceX intern who had been given top-level clearances to USAid systems and had requested similar to Medicare and Medicaid. A third, Jeremy Lewin, was an AI specialist also reportedly assigned to the general services administration. A superior planned to lobby the CIA for a clearance for him after he failed to gain access to a secure area.

Some US officials had begun calling the young engineers the “Muskovites” for their aggressive loyalty to the SpaceX owner. But some USAid staff used another word: the “incels”. And as early as Thursday of last week, Musk had personally placed a telephone call to a senior USAid official demanding that they be given access to the secure facilities and other key data, including badge swipes and server access. In the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, USAid had been presented as a pilot test for a large-scale overhaul of the federal government that would downsize agencies and arbitrarily move federal employees to looser contracts that made them easier to fire. “If the Trump administration is successful here, they’re going to try this everywhere else,” said Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey, a former USAid employee who came to protest alongside fired and furloughed workers outside the agency’s headquarters on Monday. “This is just the beginning.”

[...] Inside the building, chaos reigned. Areas that were once declared restricted, with limitations on electronics like phones and watches, suddenly loosened their security protocols to allow in uncredentialed outsiders. Doge employees were said to obscure their identities to prevent online harassment, a tactic that was repeated at other agencies.

What Musk and DOGE are doing to USAID and numerous other agencies is an act of shame on America.

[avatarskywalker78]

OC Introductions - The Starfinder Crew

In order:

Captain Andy Henderson, Co-Pilot of Starfinder One - a seasoned pilot who's been with Mercury for over fifteen years, he's assigned to One's maiden flight alongside Sheridan as he's been one of the craft's many test pilots over the years and is one of the most experienced officers they have, and his skills help to keep the ship in the air long enough for repairs to be carried out after its' sabotaged. In one universe this is by International Rescue and Henderson stays with Mercury for some time - in another, it's by the superb engineering team, and both he and Sheridan are commended for their brave actions, but the experience persuades him to take a step back from active duty, though still very much involved in the Starfinder Programme.

Elen Harper, Chief Engineer of Starfinder One/Four - very highly skilled engineer who was headhunted by Mercury almost a decade ago and who has been part of the space programme from the word go. She knows every inch of the main and back-up components of the ship and she is key to both rescues as she's able to work out how to get every extra second in the little time they have. No nonsense and able to command a room, very few people dare cross her, and she is furious over the sabotage of One, vowing to make sure no one ever gets a chance again.

Marianna di Muro, Crew Member of Starfinder One/Captain of Starfinder Four - as a crewmember she's bright, bubbly, and somehow even more enthusastic than Sheridan, delighted to be working on the ship and thrilled over the opportunity to get others interested in space travel. But she's highly capable in any emergency and able to pilot One if the principal pilots are incapacitated in some way, with a degree in physics and chemistry. As Captain she's much more serious, very much aware of the dangers of the experiemental core powering their ship, and quickly orders the crew to their respective jobs after the meteor strike.

Ashton McDonald, Secondary Engineer on Starfinder One/Communications Officer on Starfinder Four - in both ‘verses has a tendency to be underestimated by people outside of Mercury because of his youthful appearance, but he’s a highly qualified mechanical engineer with a specialisation in communications, and though somewhat gruff with people has a heart of gold underneath. In the early years of the Starfinder Programme his communication skills didn’t get called on much as there were plenty of others able to cover it just as well, but on Four he’s the person in charge of electronics, and while the others race to stabilise the power core he works with Elen to set up a makeshift comms system.

Marcus Valence, Junior Engineer on Starfinder One/Secondary Engineer on Starfinder - very serious even when there isn’t an active emergency going on and is highly dedicated to the work he does, he lives and breathes aircraft of all kinds and it’s been his dream to go into space one day. He gets his chance with Starfinder One and although it soon goes to shit he acquits himself well and plans to remain a member of the principal crew. On Four, he’s working directly under Elen and has an expert knowledge of the proton-fusion core, so he’s the one to go with Sheridan to try and stabilise it.

Taryn Elton, Engineer and Atomic Specialist of Starfinder One

Karl, Engineer on Starfinder One

(Details and picrews to be added!!)

Tagging (let me know if you want to be added or removed): @shrinkthisviolet @starstruckpurpledragon

[nickthetoony]

MG 1/100 RGM-79 GM (Clara Hart Use)

Pilot lore under the cut.

This lightly customized blue colored GM was the personal unit of Warrant Officer Clara Hart, assigned to her from before the Attack on Jaburo all the way up to the conclusion of the war during Operation Star One. Aside from its blue color scheme this GM was functionally identical to other GM units. As a commander unit, it sported two beam sabers rather than the standard one, which Officer Hart would dual wield in battle against many opponents.

21-Year-Old Clara Hart was born in California and throughout her early childhood developed a fascination with machines, a fascination she would eagerly share with her parents who supported and encouraged her interest in spite of their general ignorance to tech. At age 18 she was accepted into the Berkeley Engineering program and worked her way through an undergraduate degree, a privilege she had earned by largely eschewing social interactions for most of her high school career.

All this would be for nothing however, when Zeon declared war on the Earth Federation and made landfall on Earth with their state of the art Zaku mobile suits, eventually reaching California. 

During the war, Hart was drafted into the effort against Zeon initially as a mechanic, helping maintain the tanks and fighter craft of the Federation ground forces. Due to the strong Zeon presence in the continent, Hart’s life became one of extreme stress and pressure, not the least of which due to the death of her father earlier during the invasion. 

After the battle of Odessa and Federation Mobile Suits began to retake North America, Clara’s unit was assigned several early production GMs, though the pilot for one of them was unexpectedly killed in a Zeon ambush. Short on manpower with a new pilot not expected to arrive, Clara was forced to sortie in the GM despite her inexperience.

In spite of her lack of confidence and training, Clara proved an adequate MS pilot, particularly excelling in melee combat with a beam saber, and even participated in the defense of Jaburo. During this battle she would earn her title as the “Gouf-Slayer” after fighting four Goufs and destroying three at the cost of heavy damage to her unit. After this battle, Clara would be promoted to Warrant Officer and assigned as the leader of a mobile suit squadron.

Clara and her unit would join the attacks on Solomon and Jaburo aboard the Salamis Class Ship “Bloomington”. It was during this period that Clara’s GM would gain its blue paint scheme, inspired by the Goufs Clara had destroyed back on Jaburo. 

Despite Clara’s embarrassment at the color scheme, her squadmates insisted it was good for morale, and moreover the rest of her squad had already adopted the blue color scheme anyway. It was also during this time that Clara would reunite with the Gouf pilot that had escaped her, Sophia Fos, (now piloting a Rick Dom), and striking up a rivalry with her.

At the Battle of A Baoa Qu, Clara performed admirably even against the high performance Gelgoogs, taking advantage of both her GM’s agility and adaptability to survive the battle. It was during this battle that Clara and her squadmates would meet Sophia Fos in combat for the last time, a fight that ended rather anticlimactically after Fos quickly betrayed her squadmates and surrendered, the woman realizing that Zeon was on it’s way out and that there was no more point in fighting.

After the war, despite gaining some limited notoriety for her skills as a pilot, Clara quickly resigned from the Federation Military and completed her engineering education. In 0081, Clara and her mother moved to the Von Braun city on the moon where she gained employment as a designer for mobile construction workers under the Kalvis Heavy Machinery company. The company would eventually be bought out by Anaheim Electronics, and some of its designers (including Clara) poached for a new MS Development branch. During her time here, Clara would meet with Sophia Fos in civilian life this time, the other woman now working as a test pilot for AE. After a turbulent few months of the most dysfunctional courting their coworkers had ever seen, Clara and Sophia would officially (if not publicly) begin a relationship, with Clara cruelly subjecting her mother to the pain of knowing Sophia Fos when the latter woman moved in with them a year later. 

(To her dismay, Clara’s mother and Fos would get along quite well.)

During the Gryps War, while neither Clara nor Sophia would officially join with the AEUG, they did contribute to the construction, testing, and fielding of several of the organization's key machines.

Clara Hart was a “neurotic, panicky” woman, wracked with anxiety who nevertheless seemed to be driven by a primal urge to survive. She was often described by her squadmates as being fairly quiet and introverted, though taking her role as a leader with appropriate seriousness and care for those under her command, and becoming deeply saddened at the loss of her comrades in battle. 

Her romance with Fos was sparked by an emotional break three years in the making when the more cavalier carefree woman insisted on “loosening her up”, an effort which ended with a fist fight outside a bar where Clara quickly became a sobbing mess in spite of her position both on top off and punching Fos repeatedly in the face, a dam breaking which finally resulted in her seeking therapy and forming a genuine connection to Sophia who was not (as one would expect) now terrified of her.

Clara Hart

Sophia Fos

picrew link

[jackthebard]

Ok I normally don't comment on things like this, but I HAVE to share the beef that I have with my sophomore year (I was about 15, for our international audiences) Introduction to Electronics teacher.

For the record: I still know this person's name. I can find them on facebook. I have since gone into teaching, myself, and I often think about reaching out to her and dropping her a message saying "Hey. Thank you for teaching me how NOT to be a teacher, you miserable" I'm not going to finish that on Tunglr.fuck.

I made an off-color joke at the start of the year, and she made it personal. She kept on messing with my grades, practically insulting me in the middle of class, and it got to the point where I had to ask my dad for help.

Just to give you a bit of an idea where my dad and I were at in our relationship: At this point in time, he would later tell me that there were moments he wanted to kill me with his own hands. We did not have a good relationship, but I was so A-type brained at the time and wanted to do so well in school that I was willing to ask my dad for assistance even though we were on the rocks. Retrospectively, I think this was what started to mend our relationship.

He helped me with an assignment, and I turned it in. When it was returned, I got 5 points... out of 50.

I returned home on the verge of tears because I was wondering what I had done wrong, how I had messed up. My mother took a look at me, a look at the assignment, and a look at my dad. We all knew how messed up things had been with this teacher, and my parents were daggers drawn against her because she had been screwing me over so bad.

My mother said, "Honey. You're going to have to go into that parent-teacher conference, otherwise she is not going to come out of it alive." Mom was about to be on the news.

So the day of the PTC comes by and I'm sitting in the room with the dean of students, this miserable fucking termagant of a teacher, and my dad is running a little late.

He shows up in his United States Air Force dress blues, captain's insignia proudly displayed on his shoulder, his cover tucked under one arm alongside a blue folder (Dad always said "Important shit goes into the blue folder"). He walks in and sits down. Says hi to me, greets the dean, nothing to the teacher.

He opens the folder and pulls out my homework, slides it across the table and says "Show me where this is wrong."

This rancid bitch, wearing shorts and a t-shirt in contrast to a man in LITERAL MILITARY DRESS, says "I don't think I need to. I'm certified to teach this field, and I'm an expert in Electrical Engineering. If I say the homework is wrong, then it's wrong."

Dad pauses. Reaches back into his folder. Pulls out another piece of paper. Slides it across the table.

"I am," my old man says, "A NASA certified Electronics Technician. I did this assignment with him. If you are not able to produce a matching level of certification or show me where this is wrong, you have two options: Either you fix my son's grade, or I will have your job."

She changed the assignment to 50/50.

But she still didn't pass up an opportunity to throw me under the bus when she was legally allowed to get away with it.

Anyways! Fuck that bitch, may her pillow always be warm, her meals always be unsatisfying, and may she get stood up on every date she goes on.

does everyone have a teacher that they still have beef with/ hold a grudge against today??

[fieldez]

Field Efficiency with Field Force Management Software by FieldEZ Technologies

In today’s dynamic business landscape, managing a mobile workforce efficiently is crucial for success. Organizations dealing with on-ground service teams face constant challenges in task allocation, real-time communication, performance tracking, and ensuring timely service delivery. This is where field force management software becomes a game changer. FieldEZ Technologies stands out in this space with innovative software solutions tailored to transform field operations across industries.

What is Field Force Management Software?

Field force management software is a digital solution designed to automate, streamline, and optimize the operations of field teams. It enables businesses to track field personnel, assign tasks dynamically, monitor performance metrics, and ensure timely service execution. Whether you’re managing a team of service engineers, sales executives, or retail promoters, an effective software suite ensures improved productivity and customer satisfaction.

FieldEZ Technologies — A Pioneer in Service Management Software:

FieldEZ Technologies is a leading provider of field service management software and mobility solutions. Trusted by thousands of users globally, FieldEZ offers a range of products that cater to diverse operational needs:

ServiceEZ: Tailored for managing after-sales service and maintenance teams, ServiceEZ helps schedule jobs, manage service tickets, capture feedback, and ensure SLA compliance.

SalesEZ: Designed for sales professionals, this product empowers managers to monitor field visits, lead progress, and enhance client engagement through real-time data and analytics.

RetailEZ: Ideal for managing retail execution, RetailEZ enables effective tracking of field promoters, stock visibility, planogram compliance, and more.

Key Features of FieldEZ’s Field Force Management Software:

Automated Task Scheduling — FieldEZ’s software enables automatic task allocation based on availability, proximity, and skill set, reducing response times and boosting field efficiency.

Real-Time Tracking & Communication — Field agents can be tracked in real-time, enabling managers to make quick decisions and support field teams proactively. Integrated messaging tools also improve internal communication.

Custom Reporting & Analytics — Detailed dashboards and custom reports provide actionable insights into agent performance, customer feedback, and operational bottlenecks.

Mobile-First Interface — Designed with a mobile-first approach, the software ensures that field agents can work seamlessly from their smartphones, even in offline mode.

Customer Engagement Tools — Enhance the customer experience with timely updates, electronic signatures, instant feedback capture, and more.

Why Choose FieldEZ?

FieldEZ’s service management software stands out due to its flexibility, ease of integration, and industry-specific customization. Whether your business is in telecom, healthcare, BFSI, manufacturing, or consumer goods, FieldEZ’s modular approach ensures that you get a solution that perfectly fits your operations.

The software doesn’t just manage field tasks — it empowers your business to grow. By reducing turnaround times, lowering operational costs, and increasing transparency, FieldEZ helps you deliver superior customer service.

Final Thoughts:

In an era where field operations are central to customer satisfaction and business success, adopting a robust field service management software like that offered by FieldEZ Technologies is no longer optional — it’s essential. With products like ServiceEZ, SalesEZ, and RetailEZ, FieldEZ enables businesses to gain a competitive edge through technology-driven field efficiency.

If you’re looking to elevate your service standards, improve team coordination, and streamline workflows, FieldEZ’s field force management software offers the perfect solution.

[medibillserv75]

Medical Billing Services

Medical Billing Services: The Backbone of Financial Health in Healthcare

Medical Billing Services play a pivotal role in the healthcare ecosystem by handling the complex financial and administrative tasks that allow providers to focus on patient care. In today’s fast-paced, regulation-heavy environment, accurate and efficient billing is essential—not only to maintain steady cash flow but also to ensure compliance with ever-evolving payer and government requirements. Whether outsourced or managed in-house, Medical Billing Services are the operational engines that keep clinics, hospitals, and private practices financially healthy.

As healthcare providers strive to improve patient outcomes and manage administrative burdens, the value of expert Medical Billing Services has never been more evident. These services help healthcare organizations navigate claim submissions, reduce denials, track payments, and stay up-to-date with changes in codes, insurance policies, and federal regulations.

What Are Medical Billing Services?

Medical Billing Services involve the end-to-end management of the healthcare revenue cycle. This includes translating patient visits and treatments into standardized billing codes, submitting claims to insurance companies, managing denials, reconciling payments, and invoicing patients for any remaining balances. The goal is to ensure that providers are reimbursed accurately and promptly for every service rendered.

These services can be performed in-house by a dedicated billing department or outsourced to specialized firms that offer full-service billing solutions. Regardless of the setup, the mission remains the same: streamline billing workflows, ensure regulatory compliance, and maximize revenue collection.

Key Components of Medical Billing Services

Medical Billing Services encompass a wide range of functions that support the complete revenue cycle. Each stage is critical in reducing errors, minimizing payment delays, and improving financial performance.

1. Insurance Verification and Patient Eligibility

Before a patient is seen, billing teams verify insurance coverage and confirm eligibility. This step helps prevent denials due to inactive policies or non-covered services. Proper verification also clarifies patient responsibility for co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance.

2. Medical Coding

Accurate medical coding is essential for translating clinical documentation into standardized codes used by insurers to determine reimbursement. Certified coders assign ICD-10 codes for diagnoses and CPT/HCPCS codes for procedures and services. Errors in this step can lead to underpayments, audits, or rejected claims.

3. Charge Entry

Medical Billing Services include entering itemized charges based on the provider’s documentation. Each charge must align with the services provided, ensuring accuracy and justifiability if audited. Proper charge entry speeds up claim submission and reduces billing discrepancies.

4. Claims Submission

Once charges are entered and coded, claims are submitted to insurance companies through electronic clearinghouses. Clean claims—those submitted without errors—have a higher chance of getting approved on the first pass. Medical Billing Services optimize this process using claim scrubbing tools to catch errors before submission.

5. Payment Posting

When insurers remit payments, billing services match these payments to patient accounts. They also apply any patient responsibility amounts and record denied or underpaid claims for follow-up. Timely and accurate payment posting is vital for cash flow forecasting and reconciliation.

6. Denial Management and Appeals

Denied claims are an unfortunate but common reality in medical billing. Effective Medical Billing Services include rigorous denial tracking and resolution workflows. Teams investigate the cause of denials, correct errors, and submit appeals with supporting documentation to recover lost revenue.

7. Patient Billing and Collections

Medical Billing Services also manage patient invoicing for balances not covered by insurance. Clear, timely, and patient-friendly billing statements are crucial for maintaining trust and improving collections. Offering multiple payment options and assistance with understanding bills can significantly reduce aging receivables.

8. Reporting and Analytics

Advanced Medical Billing Services provide detailed financial reports that help providers track key performance indicators (KPIs) like Days in Accounts Receivable (A/R), claim rejection rates, and average reimbursement per visit. These insights inform business decisions and highlight opportunities for improvement.

The Benefits of Professional Medical Billing Services

Whether delivered internally or outsourced to third-party providers, Medical Billing Services bring substantial benefits that directly impact the operational and financial health of a practice.

1. Increased Revenue and Faster Payments

Medical Billing Services improve first-pass claim acceptance rates and reduce reimbursement delays. With expert coding, timely submissions, and effective denial management, providers receive payments faster and with fewer errors.

2. Reduced Administrative Burden

By outsourcing or centralizing billing tasks, healthcare providers can redirect staff time and energy toward patient care. This helps reduce burnout, improve workflow efficiency, and lower the cost of managing billing in-house.

3. Fewer Errors and Denials

Experienced billing professionals are well-versed in payer guidelines and coding updates. This reduces the risk of common billing mistakes such as incorrect modifiers, mismatched codes, or incomplete documentation.

4. Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Medical Billing Services help ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations, CMS requirements, and payer-specific rules. Regular audits, training, and adherence to best practices protect providers from legal or financial penalties.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

As healthcare organizations grow or expand services, Medical Billing Services can scale with them. Outsourced billing providers, in particular, offer flexibility during peak seasons, staff shortages, or regulatory shifts.

6. Better Patient Experience

Accurate billing leads to fewer disputes and more transparent communication with patients. Clear financial policies, accessible support, and streamlined payment options contribute to higher patient satisfaction and loyalty.

Common Challenges in Medical Billing Services

Despite their importance, Medical Billing Services face ongoing challenges that can hinder performance if not properly addressed:

1. Constant Regulatory Changes

Healthcare billing regulations and insurance policies change frequently. Staying updated with coding guidelines (ICD-10, CPT), payer contracts, and billing rules is an ongoing responsibility that requires consistent training and policy review.

2. Claim Rejections and Denials

Even with robust billing systems, claims can be rejected or denied. Efficient billing services must be equipped with denial management protocols to quickly correct and resubmit claims without losing revenue.

3. Incomplete Clinical Documentation

Accurate billing depends on thorough documentation from providers. Missing, vague, or inconsistent notes can delay billing or result in claim denials. Billing teams must often coordinate closely with clinical staff to ensure documentation supports coding and billing decisions.

4. Delays in Patient Payments

With high-deductible insurance plans on the rise, patients are responsible for a greater share of costs. Medical Billing Services must prioritize clear communication and offer flexible payment options to improve collections from patients.

5. Integration and Technology Gaps

Outdated software or disconnected systems can slow down billing workflows and create inefficiencies. Seamless integration between billing systems, EHR platforms, and clearinghouses is essential for streamlined operations.

Technology’s Role in Modern Medical Billing Services

Technology is transforming Medical Billing Services, bringing automation, accuracy, and analytics to the forefront. Modern billing platforms offer features like:

Real-time insurance verification

Automated coding assistance

Electronic claim submission and tracking

AI-driven denial predictions

Payment reminders and patient portals

Customizable KPI dashboards

These tools reduce human error, accelerate cash flow, and provide valuable insights for financial planning. However, even with automation, experienced billing professionals remain critical to interpret complex cases, manage exceptions, and ensure quality control.

Conclusion

Medical Billing Services are indispensable to the financial success and sustainability of any healthcare organization. They ensure that providers are paid for the care they deliver, that patients receive accurate and understandable bills, and that all financial transactions comply with industry regulations.

As healthcare continues to shift toward value-based care and patient-centered models, the need for efficient, compliant, and technologically advanced billing services will only grow. By investing in skilled billing teams, streamlined workflows, and smart technology, healthcare providers can strengthen their revenue cycle, reduce financial risk, and focus on delivering exceptional care to every patient they serve.

[bfitgroup]

Collaborative Projects: Why Teamwork Matters in Engineering

Engineering is more than just solving equations or designing machines. It’s about working together to build better solutions. Whether you’re a student working on a classroom assignment or a professional in the field, teamwork plays a huge role in engineering success.

If you’re studying in a city like Dehradun, known for its excellent engineering education, you’ll find teamwork is a big part of student life. Most of the best engineering colleges in Dehradun encourage students to work in teams on real-world problems, giving them a taste of how engineers operate in industries.

So, why is teamwork so important in engineering? Let’s understand.

1. Real-World Engineering Is Never a Solo Task

Have you ever seen a bridge built by one person? Or a mobile app created without a team? From civil projects to software applications, engineering tasks are always completed by groups of professionals with different skills.

For example:

In a BTech Mechanical Engineering project, one student might focus on design, another on calculations, and another on testing.

In a CS Engineering group, one member might handle coding, another UI design, and another debugging.

Learning to work together as students prepares you for the teamwork expected in companies and research centers.

2. Sharing Ideas Leads to Better Solutions

When students work alone, they only have their own ideas. But when a group comes together, everyone shares unique thoughts. One student may think logically, while another thinks creatively. When combined, these different ideas often lead to smarter solutions.

In many engineering colleges in Dehradun, group brainstorming sessions are part of the learning process. Whether it’s an electronics circuit or a software tool, students are encouraged to solve problems by working together.

3. Learning from Each Other

One great benefit of team projects is peer learning. Not everyone understands every topic the same way. In a group, you might explain programming to your friend while learning 3D modeling from them.

Working with others helps you:

Improve your communication

Gain confidence

Understand topics more deeply

Many students in best college in Dehradun say that they learned more from peer interaction than from lectures alone.

4. Realistic Deadlines and Role Division

Engineering projects often come with tight deadlines. Group projects teach students how to divide tasks and finish on time. In a typical group:

One member researches

One does the design

Another writes the report

Someone presents the project

Dividing work teaches responsibility, time management, and the importance of trusting teammates — skills that are essential for every engineer.

5. Boosts Creativity and Innovation

Teamwork doesn’t just solve problems — it creates new ideas. When minds from different backgrounds and skills come together, something unique often happens.

For example:

A student from an IT background might come up with a mobile app idea.

A mechanical student might figure out how to design the casing.

Someone from civil engineering may suggest where and how it can be used on-site.

This mix of ideas leads to innovation….

To read more, visit: https://blague-courte.com/collaborative-projects-why-teamwork-matters-in-engineering

[infodreamvision]

Stepping Into the Future: Why Merino Offers the Best Shoe Cover Dispenser for Smart Spaces

In every modern workspace, the entrance is more than just a doorway—it’s a boundary between the outer world and a controlled, hygienic environment inside. Whether you’re managing a healthcare facility, food processing unit, luxury showroom, or a high-security lab, cleanliness and professionalism begin at the floor level.

Enter the game-changer: Merino International’s shoe cover dispensers—recognized by clients nationwide as the best shoe cover dispenser solution for speed, hygiene, and reliability.

The Evolving Need for Automated Hygiene

The world has changed. So have customer expectations.

Gone are the days when manually handing out shoe covers or asking guests to remove footwear was acceptable. Today’s customers expect seamless, touchless solutions—and staff expect automation that reduces repetitive tasks.

A shoe cover dispenser is no longer a luxury—it’s an operational necessity.

Key Drivers Behind the Demand:

Rising hygiene expectations post-pandemic

Pressure to reduce manual labor costs

Higher focus on sustainability and clean environments

Desire for a more professional visitor experience

What Makes Merino the Industry Leader?

At Merino International, we believe in creating products that work effortlessly while leaving a lasting impression. Our shoe cover dispensers combine design, durability, and innovation to deliver outstanding performance in every setting.

✅ Touch-Free Technology

Just step in and go. Our dispenser applies shoe covers instantly—without requiring users to bend, press buttons, or get assistance.

✅ Sturdy Engineering

Engineered for high footfall zones, Merino’s dispensers can withstand continuous use across shifts.

✅ Low Maintenance, Quick Refill

Refilling takes seconds, and maintenance is nearly hands-free. You get uptime and efficiency—without extra staff.

✅ Space-Smart Design

Slim profile. Floor-friendly. Perfectly fits any entrance or clean zone.

✅ Aesthetic Appeal

Sleek metal or composite finish options available to suit your interiors.

Applications: Designed for Multiple Industries

Merino’s shoe cover dispensers are already enhancing operations across a wide range of industries:

Hospitals & Clinics: Maintain sterility and patient confidence.

Pharmaceutical Labs: Avoid cross-contamination in sensitive zones.

Luxury Apartments & Villas: Impress buyers during property tours.

Food Production Facilities: Comply with FSSAI and HACCP regulations.

Hotels & Spas: Combine hygiene with guest experience.

Educational Labs & Institutions: Build safety habits among students.

Electronics Manufacturing & Cleanrooms: Protect delicate components from dirt and static.

A Real-World Transformation

Imagine this: A premium dermatology clinic in Delhi serving 200+ patients a day. Before installing a Merino dispenser, they had two staff members assigned to monitor and distribute shoe covers at the entrance. Patients would often miss the process, leading to floor stains, delays, and frequent complaints.

Today, patients step into the Merino dispenser, cover their shoes within seconds, and proceed to their appointments. The staff is freed for more valuable tasks. Cleanliness scores during audits are at an all-time high. Patient satisfaction has improved dramatically.

That’s what the best shoe cover dispenser does—it streamlines operations, enhances brand value, and saves time.

Eco-Conscious Options

Hygiene should never come at the cost of the environment. That’s why Merino offers eco-friendly, biodegradable shoe cover options for clients seeking sustainable choices without compromising on cleanliness.

We help you stay compliant, clean, and climate-responsible—all in one package.

What Clients Say

“Merino’s dispenser added more than hygiene—it added style and sophistication to our entrance.” — Arjun S., Luxury Real Estate Developer

“We wanted a machine that works, every single time. This is it.” — QA Head, Food Processing Unit

“No more awkward moments asking VIP guests to remove shoes. This dispenser speaks for our brand.” — Clinic Manager, Mumbai

Why Merino?

We’re not just product manufacturers—we’re problem solvers. Every unit is backed by expert guidance, timely delivery, and lifetime support. Our service network covers pan-India, and we cater to both small offices and enterprise-scale needs.

Whether you need one dispenser or a hundred, we’ve got you covered.

Get in Touch

Ready to transform your space with the best shoe cover dispenser?

📞 Call Us Today: +91 9717546056 🌐 Explore More: www.merinointernational.net

Let Merino help you build a cleaner, smarter, and more professional environment—starting from the ground up.

Final Thoughts

In a world where first impressions and health standards matter more than ever, an automated shoe cover dispenser isn’t just a device—it’s a statement. It tells your visitors, employees, and clients that you care about every detail, including the ones beneath their feet.

Step into tomorrow’s hygiene. Choose Merino—the name trusted for the best shoe cover dispensers in India.

[innovativedesignproductsus]

8 Important New Product Development Steps

Bringing a new product to market is an exciting, yet challenging process. Whether you’re launching a tech gadget, a consumer product, medical device or an industrial solution, the process of new product development requires meticulous planning, creative thinking, and a clear/ well executed strategy. In this blog, we will walk you through some of the stages of new product development including new product engineering and new product prototyping.

Stage 1: Idea Generation

Everything begins with an idea. This stage can include:

Brainstorming sessions

Market research

Competitive analysis

Before diving into new product development, it is important to understand what is needed in the marketplace.

Stage 2: Idea Screening and Validation

Before you begin the new product engineering process, ideas should be screened and validated based on:

What exists already in the marketplace

What existing patents are already held

Technical Feasibility

Potential Profitability

Stage 3: Concept Development

In this stage, technical designers and engineers begin to develop the functional solutions and product image.

Key tasks include:

Concept Sketches

Technical Design Solutions

Design and Technical Refinement

This step will set the stage for new product prototypings.

Stage 4: Technical Engineering

A team of experienced engineers must be assigned to the project for:

Electronic Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Design

Textile Design and Engineering

New product development must balance unit cost goals, product features and overall design!

Stage 5: Product Prototyping

This is where you finally produce a physical product sample.  Prototyping can take a number of stages:

Proof of Concept

Alpha Prototypes

Beta/ Demonstration Grade Prototypes

Stage 6: Market Testing

Testing your product in a real-world environment is vital before a full-scale launch.

Conduct beta testing

Use informal focus groups and surveys

Measure user satisfaction

New product prototypes can be used in the market testing stage to gauge feedback and user interest.

Stage 7: Manufacturing

Produce Custom Tools and Molds

Make and Test Product Sample

Produce Product

Conduct Q/A

Stage 8: Commercialization and Marketing

Now it’s time to launch.

Develop Branding

Launch Website

Develop Business and Sales Strategy

New product development doesn’t stop at the factory. Continuous feedback, marketing optimization, and customer engagement define long-term success.

Conclusion

The path from idea to product launch is filled with obstacles and opportunities. By understanding and applying the 8 essential stages of new product development, and leveraging the power of new product engineering and new product prototyping, you can increase your chances of market success. Stay agile, remain user-focused, and embrace iteration. Great products aren’t just built—they’re developed through rigorous, thoughtful processes backed by research, design, and continuous improvement.

Have a Great Idea- Give us a call

At IDP, we help startups and businesses design smarter, build faster, and confidently launch. From concept to prototype to full-scale production—our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to begin:

Let’s connect at https://innovativedesignproducts.com/get-started/ or call Holly Grantham or Jennifer Rivkind at 949.748.1902 to discuss your project!

About The Author

Innovative Design Productsis a product development company with expertise in medical devices, electronics, mechanical engineering, wireless and more. Contact us today at 9497481902 for more information.

[bmqualitymaster]

The Role of QMS in Enhancing Product Quality for Electronics & Appliances 

The electronics & appliances manufacturing sector has been highly competitive for a long time, with the intensity only increasing in recent years. Makers in this industry understand product quality can make or break a brand’s reputation, and hence a strong commitment to quality to help build consumer trust and reduce cost of recalls/defects, is needed. 

However, ensuring consistent product quality without a specialized tool isn’t easy. It is anyway quite complex due to the presence of factors like supply chain variability, evolving consumer expectations, and tightening regulatory standards. And when quality lapses, even the well-established brands face setbacks, leading to recalls and reputational damage. 

As market demands are fast evolving, driven largely by various trends like smart home integration, and sustainability awareness, electronics & appliances manufacturers need solid systems in place to maintain quality. Because even the best in the business struggle to keep pace without an integrated electronics and appliances Quality Management System (QMS). 

Challenges to Product Quality without a QMS for Electronics and Appliances 

Some of these big businesses may have state-of-the-art production lines, but without a QMS software at their disposal, they are forced to employ an old-school method of working with fragmented stuff like paper-based audits, siloed data, and ad-hoc corrective actions. This leads to: 

Invisible quality risks, as without real-time dashboards, emerging defect trends remain hidden until customer complaints come in. 

Missed compliance deadlines, which in turn risks regulatory fines when critical documents like calibration logs or compliance certificates can’t be produced on demand. 

Delayed NC & CAPA, with unaddressed non-conformances, and unnoticed corrective-preventive actions resulting in recurring defects and substandard product quality. 

Inconsistent training that results in operator errors due to rapid product changes not matching the updated training. 

In such a scenario, it goes without saying that dedicated quality management software for electronics and appliances solves these pain points. How? Keep reading. 

Role of QMS in Enhancing Product Quality in Electronics & Appliances Manufacturing 

An effective QMS for electronics and appliances transforms quality from a reactive process into a proactive, integrated one, which is part of every stage of production, with all its modules seamlessly working together. Let’s see how: 

By centralizing Document Management & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), QMS ensures every stakeholder has access to latest assembly guidelines and inspection checklists. As a result, costly errors caused by outdated paperwork are eliminated, paving way for consistent adherence to best practices. 

When non-conformances occur, the NC & CAPA module captures them automatically and launches structured root-cause investigations. Corrective and preventive actions are then assigned, tracked, and closed within the platform, thus guaranteeing permanent resolutions rather than temporary fixes. 

The Training Management module aligns skill development with product evolution; as new IoT-enabled or energy-efficient appliances roll off the line, required courses and certification renewals are automatically scheduled, keeping teams proficient and compliant. 

Change Management and Risk Management work hand-in-hand to control every engineering revision or component substitution. Each change request undergoes documented review, risk assessment, and traceable approval before implementation, drastically reducing the chance of design flaws or firmware glitches reaching customers. 

Calibration Management Software further improves precision by automating equipment-maintenance schedules and securely storing certificates to prevent out-of-tolerance readings. 

Customer satisfaction gets a boost through Complaint and Audit Management. Complaint registration, documentation and categorization enables rapid investigation, timely resolution, and proactive recalls if needed. At the same time, digital audit trails and automated checklists streamline internal, external, and regulatory audits, ensuring you’re always ready for inspection. 

Finally, Inspection Management simplifies setting up quality tests, organizing inspection plans, and digitizing various aspects of the inspection process. Detailed inspection reports offer meaningful information, empowering teams to spot trends, trigger immediate corrections, and foster a continuous-improvement culture. 

In sum, a complete QMS software for electronics and appliances lifts product quality at every step, making zero-defect output possible. 

Benefits of a Web-Based QMS for Electronics & Appliances 

By adopting an electronics and appliances quality management system, manufacturers unlock: 

Instant, anywhere access: Quality teams, engineers, and auditors collaborate in real time from any location. 

Seamless data integration: One source of truth for all quality records accelerates decision-making and continuous improvement. 

Proactive quality control: Intuitive dashboards and automated alerts catch deviations in production lines before they snowball into recalls. 

Regulatory peace of mind: Extensive audit logs and compliance records are always at your fingertips. 

Enhance Product Quality with TecWork’s QualityPro QMS 

QualityPro QMS for electronics and appliances by TecWork offers one unified platform tailored to your unique needs. If you’re looking to implement a full-scale quality management software systems, know that our solution delivers agility and control, and lets you enhance product quality effortlessly.

[fitbudd01]

FitBudd: The Ultimate Online Personal Training App for Fitness Professionals

In these days’s speedy-paced, digitally-pushed international, fitness experts are increasingly more turning to generation to elevate their offerings and develop their business. One name main this virtual transformation is FitBudd, a powerful platform designed for personal running shoes who want to supply a continuing training experience to clients — anytime, everywhere. If you're a health train looking for a wiser manner to teach customers, boom engagement, and streamline your operations, the online personal training app from FitBudd is precisely what you need.

What is FitBudd? FitBudd is an advanced on-line non-public schooling app created particularly to help non-public running shoes, fitness coaches, and fitness center owners construct and scale their education companies. It empowers fitness specialists to deliver customized schooling programs, monitor customer progress, agenda exercises, and talk effectively — all within a branded mobile app tailored to their enterprise.

What units FitBudd apart is its consumer-pleasant interface, automation features, and a complete suite of tools that reduce guide responsibilities so trainers can attention greater on purchaser transformation and much less on administrative hassles.

Why Personal Trainers Are Switching to FitBudd With the fitness industry shifting on-line, private trainers want a solution that no longer only maintains the fine in their provider but additionally allows them to amplify their attain beyond the health club floor. FitBudd offers a expert-grade on-line personal training app that allows trainers to head global, manipulate more customers, and build ordinary profits streams — all without compromising on personalization.

Here are some key motives why FitBudd is becoming the pass-to preference for health experts:

1. Branded App Experience With FitBudd, running shoes get their very personal branded app, custom designed with their name, brand, and precise design elements. This allows set up a robust logo identity and builds trust with clients. Instead of sharing usual PDFs or spreadsheets, running shoes can supply customized applications via a premium app revel in that reflects their brand.

2. Automated Workout Programming Creating workouts for more than one clients may be time-consuming. FitBudd simplifies this with effective automation gear. Trainers can create workout templates, assign programs in bulk, or even set up progressions that adapt to every patron’s fitness stage. Whether it's power training, weight reduction, or mobility training, FitBudd makes program delivery rapid and scalable.

3. In-App Communication and Engagement One of the biggest challenges of on-line education is staying connected with customers. FitBudd includes built-in messaging, push notifications, and comments equipment that permit running shoes to stay in consistent touch with their clients. This improves responsibility, motivation, and lengthy-time period retention.

4. Client Progress Tracking and Analytics Data-driven education is key to fulfillment in cutting-edge fitness. FitBudd enables running shoes to monitor each element of a consumer’s journey — from workouts completed to weight changes, frame measurements, and extra. These real-time insights help running shoes make knowledgeable choices and constantly improve their consumer’s results.

5. Seamless Payments and Scheduling No greater chasing invoices or using more than one apps. With FitBudd, you can collect payments, schedule sessions, and control subscriptions — multi function place. It helps global payment gateways and offers full transparency into your earnings.

6. Marketing and Business Tools FitBudd isn’t just a training app — it’s a business growth engine. It comes geared up with landing web page developers, lead capture equipment, electronic mail automation, and referral systems. Trainers can without difficulty promote offerings, run online challenges, and convert leads into paying clients without needing to be tech-savvy.

FitBudd for Every Kind of Fitness Coach Whether you are a solo personal teacher, a yoga instructor, a CrossFit educate, or run a boutique studio, the net private education app from FitBudd adapts for your business version. It supports special training codecs along with:

1-on-1 training

Group education

Hybrid models (in-man or woman + on-line)

On-call for video libraries

Weekly/month-to-month program subscriptions

This flexibility makes it smooth for fitness specialists to provide numerous carrier applications and cater to a huge range of clients throughout the globe.

Real Success Stories with FitBudd Thousands of health specialists have already converted their agencies with FitBudd. Trainers who once struggled with spreadsheets, customer management, and inconsistent earnings now run absolutely computerized agencies with loyal client bases and developing revenue.

From solo running shoes incomes six-figure incomes on-line to studios expanding their attain with virtual services, FitBudd is redefining what’s possible within the international of health education.

How to Get Started with FitBudd Getting started out with FitBudd is straightforward and strain-free. After signing up, the FitBudd group works carefully with you to construct your branded app, set up your programs, and onboard your clients. The platform offers exquisite customer service, together with tutorials, onboarding calls, and success resources to make certain a smooth transition.

Final Thoughts If you’re severe approximately developing your personal schooling business, going on line isn’t just a fashion — it’s a necessity. And with FitBudd, you've got the last tool to thrive on this digital-first technology.

The online personal schooling app from FitBudd gives you everything you need — from exercise programming and customer management to branding, engagement, and monetization — multi functional streamlined solution.

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Power System

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A Day Life of an Engineering Student at Arya College

Student Life at Arya College Jaipur

A day in the life of an engineering student at Arya College of Engineering & IT, Jaipur, is a vibrant blend of academics, hands-on learning, campus activities, and personal growth, reflecting the college’s commitment to holistic development and career readiness.

Morning: Academics and Skill Building

Classes Begin: The day typically starts with lectures and lab sessions. Arya College offers a robust curriculum across engineering branches like Computer Science, IT, Electronics, Mechanical, and more, taught by experienced faculty who focus on both theory and practical application.

Hands-on Learning: Students regularly participate in workshops and practicals, especially in cutting-edge labs such as the R&D Robotics Lab, PCB manufacturing, and advanced computer centers. These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between academics and industry needs, fostering innovation and technical skills.

Faculty Interaction: The faculty-to-student ratio is about 1:35, ensuring personalized attention. Faculty members are approachable, supportive, and actively mentor students for academics and placements.

Midday: Campus Life and Extracurricular

Lunch and Socializing: Arya College’s campus is lively and student-friendly, with food courts, medical facilities, and departmental stores to cater to daily needs.

Extracurricular Activities: Students can engage in a wide range of extracurriculars—dance, singing, art, literature, event management, drama, and sports. The college hosts annual fests, sports meets, and cultural events, providing platforms to showcase talents and unwind from academic rigor.

Student Clubs and Hackathons: Technical clubs, coding competitions, and hackathons are frequent, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and practical problem-solving. These activities are supported by industry collaborations, giving students exposure to real-world challenges.

Afternoon: Projects, Internships, and Industry Exposure

Project Work: Students often dedicate afternoons to project development, research, and innovation, especially in their second and third years, when internships and real-world applications become a focus.

Internship Preparation: Arya College’s strong industry alliances offer ample internship opportunities. Students can apply for internships independently or through the college, gaining practical experience that is invaluable for placements.

Career Guidance: The Career Guidance Cell offers counseling, resume workshops, and mock interviews, preparing students for campus placements and future careers.

Evening: Hostel Life and Personal Time

Hostel Facilities: For outstation students, Arya College provides comfortable hostel accommodation with modern amenities, fostering a “home away from home” atmosphere.

Self-Study and Group Discussions: Evenings are often reserved for self-study, group discussions, or collaborative assignments in common areas or the library.

Relaxation and Recreation: Students unwind with sports, music, or simply spending time with friends. The campus environment is described as lively, friendly, and supportive, making it easy to build lasting friendships and networks.

College Life Made Easy: Support and Essentials

Supportive Environment: Arya College is known for its approachable faculty, student-friendly administration, and a campus culture that celebrates all festivals, making students feel at home.

Essential Facilities: The campus includes medical help, food courts, departmental stores, and reliable transportation, ensuring all students' needs are met conveniently.

Affordable Education: The college is recognized for its reasonable fee structure and scholarships for academic and extracurricular achievements, making quality education accessible.

Essential Things for College Students at Arya College

Academic Materials: Laptops, notebooks, textbooks, and stationery for daily classes and projects.

Personal Essentials: Hostel residents need bedding, basic utensils, toiletries, and laundry supplies.

Tech Tools: A good laptop, headphones, and access to online resources for coding, research, and assignments.

Campus ID and Documents: For access to labs, library, and administrative needs.

Participation Gear: Sports shoes, musical instruments, or art supplies for extracurriculars.

Health and Wellness: Water bottles, basic medicines, and access to the campus medical center.

Student Perspective

“Campus life at Arya College of Engineering & IT, Jaipur, is just phenomenal. The environment is lively and friendly, with lots of opportunities to groom your personality, learn something new, and celebrate all festivals with enthusiasm. Once you graduate, you will definitely miss the Arya College campus life.”

Conclusion

Engineering education in India with A typical day at Arya College of Engineering & IT, Jaipur, is a dynamic mix of rigorous academics, hands-on technical exposure, vibrant campus life, and holistic development. With strong faculty support, extensive industry connections, and a welcoming environment, students are well-equipped to excel academically and personally, making college life both enjoyable and rewarding.

Source: Click Here

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Returns and Warranty Requests nulled plugin 2.6.4

Unlock Seamless Warranty Management with Returns and Warranty Requests Nulled Plugin If you're running a WooCommerce store and looking for an all-in-one solution to handle product warranties and return requests, the Returns and Warranty Requests nulled plugin is exactly what you need. This powerful tool empowers store owners to efficiently manage post-purchase services without the need for expensive subscriptions. Get this premium plugin for free from our platform and streamline your customer support like never before. Why Choose the Returns and Warranty Requests Nulled Plugin? The Returns and Warranty Requests nulled plugin offers seamless integration with your WooCommerce store, helping you automate and manage all customer return and warranty requests in a centralized dashboard. Whether you're dealing with defective items, refund claims, or general product issues, this plugin ensures a transparent and reliable process for both store owners and customers. Technical Specifications Plugin Name: Returns and Warranty Requests Compatible With: WooCommerce 4.x and higher License Type: GPL (Nulled Version) PHP Version: 7.4 and above Multisite Support: Yes Language Support: English (default), WPML compatible Features and Benefits Automated Return Process: Streamlines return, refund, and warranty requests directly from the user's account page. Custom Warranty Terms: Assign different warranty durations to individual products or categories. Email Notifications: Keep your customers informed with automated updates on their request status. Advanced Admin Panel: Easily monitor and manage all active and past warranty claims from a single dashboard. Documentation & User Guidance: Built-in tips and hints to help you configure the plugin with ease. Use Cases The Returns and Warranty Requests is ideal for eCommerce websites that sell electronics, fashion, appliances, or any product that benefits from warranty coverage. With this plugin, you can: Handle defective or damaged product returns efficiently Provide extended warranties to enhance customer trust Allow customers to upload images and details to support their claim Reduce manual communication and errors in return processing How to Install the Returns and Warranty Requests Nulled Plugin Download the plugin ZIP file from our website. Log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New. Click Upload Plugin and select the ZIP file. Install and activate the plugin. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Warranty to customize your return policies and warranty rules. Once installed, your store will instantly support hassle-free return and warranty processing—enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is it safe to use the Returns and Warranty Requests nulled plugin? Yes, the version available on our website is thoroughly tested and safe for use. We ensure all nulled plugins are clean, malware-free, and ready for secure installation. Can I use this plugin with my existing theme? Absolutely! The Returns and Warranty Requests nulled plugin is designed to be fully compatible with all modern WooCommerce themes and builders. Will this plugin affect my website speed? No. The plugin is optimized for performance and has minimal impact on website load time when configured properly. Where can I find other nulled plugins like this? If you're interested in enhancing your site's security, check out our iThemes Security Pro NULLED plugin available for free. Is there an SEO plugin available too? Yes! You can download Yoast seo nulled to boost your search engine visibility effectively. Final Thoughts The Returns and Warranty Requests is the go-to solution for WooCommerce store owners looking to streamline post-purchase support while avoiding recurring costs. By downloading this plugin for free, you're not just saving money—you’re elevating your customer service and building long-term trust with your buyers. Don’t miss

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