#event ticketing app development

[mobileappdevelopmentcompanyinuk]

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[idiosys1]

Event Ticketing Applications: Streamlining the Journey from Planning to Showtime

Event Ticketing Applications: Streamlining the Journey from Planning to Showtime

The event industry thrives on creating unforgettable experiences. From electrifying concerts to captivating conferences, events bring people together and foster connections. But behind the scenes, the magic requires meticulous planning and organization.  This is where event ticketing applications emerge as true game-changers.

Gone are the days of paper tickets and long queues.  Event booking applications and web applications have revolutionized the way events are managed and experienced. By leveraging technology, these applications offer a multitude of benefits for both event organizers and attendees, transforming the entire event lifecycle.

Convenience at Your Fingertips: The Core Power of Ticketing Apps

Let’s face it, the convenience factor is king. Event booking applications allow attendees to purchase tickets from anywhere, anytime, using their smartphones or computers. This eliminates the need for physical box offices, saving valuable time and effort for both organizers and attendees. Imagine discovering a concert you desperately want to attend – with a few clicks on a ticket booking application, you can secure your spot and skip the hassle.

This ease of purchase also translates to increased sales potential for event organizers. By removing barriers to entry, event booking applications can significantly expand your reach and attract a wider audience.

Beyond Ticketing: A Multi-Functional Powerhouse

Event ticketing applications go far beyond just selling tickets. They offer a comprehensive suite of features that streamline event management and enhance the attendee experience:

Seamless Event Registration: Facilitate easy registration with customizable forms, allowing attendees to provide necessary information and select preferences.

Flexible Ticketing Options: Cater to diverse audiences by offering various ticket tiers, including VIP packages, early bird discounts, and group bookings.

 Secure Payment Processing: Integrate secure payment gateways to ensure safe and convenient transactions for ticket purchases.

Real-Time Sales Tracking: Gain valuable insights into ticket sales with real-time data, allowing you to make informed decisions and optimize marketing efforts.

Mobile Ticketing: Eliminate the need for physical tickets by providing mobile access through the application. This allows for easy entry, faster check-in, and reduced risk of lost tickets.

 Event Information and Updates: Keep attendees informed with event details, schedules, speaker information, and any last-minute updates directly through the application.

Engagement Features: Foster attendee interaction with features like polls, Q&A sessions, and gamification elements, creating a more immersive and engaging experience.

Data Analytics: Gather valuable data on attendee demographics, preferences, and behaviour. Use these insights to personalize future events and improve marketing strategies.

These features, combined with the inherent convenience of event booking applications, create a win-win situation for both event organizers and attendees. Organizers benefit from increased efficiency, improved data collection, and potentially higher sales. Attendees enjoy a smooth, hassle-free experience from ticket purchase to post-event engagement.

Security and Scalability: Essential Considerations

When choosing an event ticketing application, security and scalability are paramount. Ensure the application utilizes robust security measures to protect sensitive attendee data, including financial information. Additionally, the platform should be scalable to accommodate events of varying sizes, from small local gatherings to large-scale concerts and festivals.

For IT managers evaluating event ticketing applications, consider cloud-based solutions that offer automatic software updates, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and security patches. This also eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure, reducing IT overhead and maintenance costs.

The Future of Events: Powered by Ticketing Applications

The future of events is undoubtedly mobile, and data driven. Event ticketing applications are at the forefront of this evolution, shaping a more streamlined, engaging, and data-rich event experience. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative features, such as:

Personalized Recommendations: Leverage attendee data to suggest relevant events and experiences.

Augmented Reality Integration: Enhance the event experience with interactive AR features that provide additional information or unlock exclusive content.

Facial Recognition Technology: Streamline entry with secure and efficient facial recognition for check-in.

By embracing the power of event ticketing applications, IT professionals, event organizers, and musical event organizers can unlock a world of possibilities, creating unforgettable experiences for attendees while maximizing efficiency and profitability.

Are you ready to transform your events?  Explore the vast array of event ticketing applications available and discover how this powerful technology can revolutionize the way you manage and experience events.

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Are digital tickets secure?

Yes, digital tickets are secure. They often come with unique QR codes or barcodes that are scanned at the event entrance to ensure authenticity.

What should I do if I don’t receive my ticket after purchase?

If you don’t receive your ticket, check your email’s spam folder first. If it's not there, contact the app’s customer support for assistance. They can resend the ticket or help resolve the issue.

Can I use the app to find events happening near me?

Yes, most event ticketing apps have a feature that shows events happening near your location. You can browse by category, date, or popularity.

Is it safe to enter my payment information in the app?

Yes, reputable ticketing apps use secure encryption methods to protect your payment information. Look for security badges and reviews to ensure the app’s credibility.

Can I manage multiple events and tickets within the app?

Yes, you can manage multiple events and tickets within the app. Your account will keep track of all your purchases and upcoming events.

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Check out the blog post: https://shorturl.at/nyL7S

[harrywatson4u]

The Event Ticket Booking mobile application allows users to select their taste and place and make an order for any amount of tickets with the option of digital payment. To Build an Event Ticket Booking App like SeatGeek, engage Dev Technosys for comprehensive development. Employ a user-friendly interface allowing easy browsing and purchasing of tickets. Implement advanced search filters, secure payment gateways, and real-time event updates. Utilize robust backend frameworks and scalable infrastructure to ensure seamless performance. Incorporate personalized recommendations and social media integration for enhanced user experience.

[fare-api]

Event Ticket Booking Mobile App Development

Are you looking for an outstanding event app solution for your business?

Hire our dedicated developer to build an event app for Android and iOS platforms. With years of experience in the event booking mobile app development industry, we customize top-notch solutions suited to your precise requirements. 

FlightsLogic is the top event app development company that assembles all components of the event area. We treat each event app as the augmentation of the brand picture. We offer a component-rich Event services app to members at events of any size. 

 FlightsLogic is a pioneering event management app development company mobilizing all aspects of the event industry. We consider every event and ticket booking app as an extension of your brand image.

Hire an event booking mobile app developer to offer a hi-tech experience to attract a maximum number of customers. With a powerful app, you can attract many sponsors to enhance online brand visibility.

 This arrangement and the presence of abilities to prepare the entire event experience is the thing that has caused us to turn into the top Event App Development Agency. 

 We have a qualified team of event mobile app developers to understand the importance of offering an enjoyable event experience. Therefore, we bring high-end event app development solutions to your fingertips. The overall app experience of users including entrance to events and program scheduling or relevant updates gets a lot simpler than before. Being one of the leading event app development companies, we are efficient in building feature-rich and scalable service apps exclusively to meet your demand!

[netmaxims-technologies]

Unlock the power of seamless event management with our top-notch online event booking app development company. Elevate your events, trade shows, and conferences. Get Free Consultation Now!

[pinesucceed]

Online Event Ticket Booking Software Development Company

Pinesucceed Technologies are the top event & ticket apps development company In the USA and UK. Feel free to contact at @pinesucceed

Contact us: +1 (213) 878-5914‬ Email us: info@pinesucceed.com

[wynterrolls]

Arcana Twilight and Obey Me (OG) Comparison

Background: Obey Me (OG) was officially released on December 11, 2019, while Arcana Twilight was released on August 25, 2022 for worldwide audience. People have said that Arcana Twilight have similar mechanics with Obey Me (OG), but to what extent? I've played both games, so I'll write this comparison.

Disclaimer: The things I would write here would be based on my observation of the game mechanics and features present in both games. I did this post to list down the similarities and difference between both games, and not to cause dissonance between two fandoms.

Similarities

I'll list down the similarities in this format:

[Arcana Twilight feature = Obey Me (OG) feature]

MP = AP

Gold = Grimm

Crystals = Devil Points (DP)

Magic Tickets = Demon Vouchers (DV)

Visit = :D Jobs

Milky Way = Devil's Tree

Sorcerer Cards = Demon Cards

Wish Cards = Memory Cards

Scout = Nightmare

Constellation Room = Chapter A

Wish Room = Chapter M

Possession Room = Chapter G

Dressroom = Majolish

Chat = Chat

Calls = Phone

Diary = Devilgram

Mission = To Do

Shop = Akuzon

Magic Academy = Contacts

Stage = Your Tasks

Arcana Club Membership = Akuzon VIP Membership

Amplifier Stone = Glow Stick

Summon of Sorcerer = Surprise Guest

Unicorn = Raven

Differences

a. Amount of ads

The very first thing that will greet you when you open the Arcana Twilight is an ad. Both games have ads to support their game mechanics, but the amount of ads you could find in Arcana Twilight is more than those in Obey Me.

The Obey Me ads are mostly there to help the players gain more chances to battle the stages - thru gaining more AP or gaining more battle chances in hard stages or event stages.

The Arcana Twilight ads, however, are mostly found everywhere, since the ads can be used to double the resources drops/gold and to obtain materials and gold if you don't have MP to farm battle stages. You could even use the ads to reduce the time for Visits, which then you don't have to wait long to get gold to upgrade your cards. The ads in this game is like a massive cheat to progress faster thru the game. All you have to do is watch ads and you'll have your resources as reward.

However, there are times wherein forced ads would sometimes pop out after you complete a battle stage in main story or when you'd open the app. If the player wants to opt out of the ads, unfortunately, they can't do so. I'm not sure if the Arcana Club membership implements a "No-Ads" perk though.

As for why are there so many ads in the game? There's a speculation that the reason might be because of this. The link discussed about the reason for why it looks like they are in need of money. Since ads is an option to gain money in a game, they utilized it in order to make money because they are constantly on red. This is actually a good way for free-to-play (F2Ps) players to support the developers if they can't shell out money or buy the Arcana Club membership in the game.

b. Crystal Rewards in Main Story Stages and Daily Missions

One thing you'd notice right away is that in Arcana Twilight, each battle stage rewards 50 crystals for first-time 3-star clear. Then, after you clear out the whole chapter, you'll receive another crystal reward for 3-starring all stages in the chapter. The daily missions give out 50 crystals each day, so it pays the effort to open the game daily and clear out the dailies.

It is completely different from Obey Me (OG), wherein completing each stage in the main story, you'll only receive devil's tree items in the missions and occasionally, you'll get DP for the boss stage you've cleared for the chapter. The daily missions only give out a total of 18 devil points.

c. Events

Obey Me constantly push events every time in the game. There are times when there would be downtime, but it is pretty minimal. The events have story stages and reward ladders that players could opt to grind if they want the UR cards in the event. There are also event cards that is only available in time-limited event banners, which can boost the points for the reward ladder grind.

However, the Pop Quiz or Celestial Blessing events are mostly for spending players and not for F2Ps because of how much resources you need to put into the event just to get the desired rewards from the ladder. F2Ps could join the Birthday event grind but with proper preparation first. But the good news is that the past Pop Quiz and Celestial Blessing events do come back in Lonely Devil and you could rerun the event for a limited time to grind for the rewards as F2P.

Arcana Twilight, on the other hand, has event cards but there is no event story stages nor reward ladders to grind for. The event story is locked behind the event cards from the limited-time banners.

When it comes to limited-time event banners, Obey Me only have demon cards in the banners, whereas in Arcana Twilight, the event banners include both sorcerer card and wish card in the roster. The Obey Me event memory cards are only available in the event reward ladders.

Both games have event banner reruns and Obey Me rerun banners also retain the pity/total summons done from before, so that players could continue their pulls the next time the banner reruns. As for Arcana Twilight, I have no idea if the rerun banners also retain the pity/total summons from previous banner run.

d. Main Story Chapter Updates

There's this joke in the fandom that while Obey Me updates their main story chapter every week, Arcana Twilight gets update every year. It sounds like a joke, but it's not really far-fetch from what happened.

To start off, I'm not a day 1 player. I only started recently so the things I'm writing here are from what I understood in my research. I snooped around the archives of the official Tumblr account of Arcana Twilight and sub-Reddit and found their posts about the chapter additions in the game and noted their timestamps.

Their very first chapter addition is Floor 10, which means that on its initial release, the game has until Floor 9 only. Floor 10 was announced to be added on September 2022, Floor 11 on April 2023, Floor 12 on late October 2023, and recently released, Floor 13 was added on December 2023.

I still haven't reached Floor 13 yet. I stopped at Floor 8 at the time of this writing, because of the requirement needing me to be at least level 30 to proceed to next floor, which I'm currently low-leveled yet for that, so I could only bid my time and make my team stronger for the next floors.

But from what I could tell, the players feel as if they were left with a cliffhanger with the recent addition, with many of them thinking that a lot of questions were left unanswered. They could see the potential of the story in the game but, a lot of lore details weren't really touched on in the story.

I'm not really sure what happened in Floor 13 since I tried to avoid the story spoiler, but this image below is what I saw mostly talked about.

People are either thinking that this ending credit means that the main story of the game is completely finished or that this credit is saying that this floor is the end of Season 1 of main story.

In my opinion, I'm not really sure how to react to this kind of news. I just recently started the game and wrote the newbie guide and card mechanic guide posts just a few days after playing the game, only to find out that the game is probably on it last leg. I'm not really sure what would happen next for this game and I could only wait it out.

e. Inventory

Obey Me (OG) doesn't have an inventory, while Arcana Twilight has one.

f. Friend list

Obey Me (OG) has friend list where you could gain 50 AP by exchanging with friends daily, while Arcana Twilight doesn't have one.

Sources

Reason for the lack of new content by u/No_Economist_7447

10th Floor: New Additional Stage Notice

11th Floor: New Additional Stage Notice

12th Floor: New Additional Stage Notice

13th Floor: New Additional Stage Notice

➥ Back to my otome game masterlist.

Update Log

12/17/2023 - Uploaded the post.

12/17/2023 - Added additional info about ads, events banner, inventory and friend list in Differences

01/29/2024 - Added the reminder line at the top

[idiacide]

Trial By Fire

A commission fic for the eternally patient @kitkats-pastel-graveyard who requested an Idia x Reader x Floyd fic set in the Culinary Crucible. This will also be my last commission for a while, and its back to our regularly scheduled content.

Idia Shroud/Reader, Floyd Leech/Reader, 6.4k words (got a little outta hand askdfjhaskljfd)

TW: Food, eating, fire, explosions.

I suppose we’ll start with a simple question. What brings you to this quarter’s Culinary Crucible? We’ll start with you, Mr. Shroud.

[Note: After a few attempts at verbal speech, Mr. Shroud instead elected to use the text to speech app to type his response. Somewhat furiously, I might add] My younger brother Ortho thinks I need some more staples in my diet. And also to be able to prepare it myself. Tbh it’s a little annoying, I can cook. I make cup ramen all the time and my specialized recipe is godtier even if I do have to say it myself. The secret is to- uh- actually you probably don’t care. Anyways! Gross otaku don’t need to sustain themselves on anything other than snacks. But he threatened to buy up all the tickets to the next Kismet Punch meet and greet unless I come to this. That’s what I get for uploading him with the alert system...

Anyways, I showed up here, and as we can all clearly see, I’m not cut out for this, so if you could just-

What about you, Mr. Leech? I must admit, I was surprised to see you here. Even we ghosts have heard that you developed much of Mostro Lounge’s menu yourself.

“Eh? I guess I’m in the same boat as Firefly Squid. Jade made me come after I got in trouble again for messing around with the customer dishes. It’s a huuuuuge pain. If people don’t want to spice things up then they can stay home and cook for themselves. Why should I be stuck making the same thing over and over?”

[At this point, Mr. Leech tilted his chair, throwing his head back to look at the kitchen, along with the staff and the headmage. Something seemed to catch his eye, and when he lowered to the ground again he was smiling.]

“Still, guess it’s not all bad. Plus, Jade used his scary voice, which means I’m not allowed to go back to the dorm till this is over with.”

.....You haven’t been home since this started?

“I just said that, didn’t I? So what are we waiting for, I’m gettin excited to try this! Hey, can I use some of the plants I brought from the alchemy labs?”

That would depend on-... Mr. Leech, the event hasn’t started yet!!!

“Cmon, Anglerfish, I wanna see if I can fry an egg on that hair of yours!!”

How did I get involved in this?! “H-hey, let goo of meeeeee!!!”

------

“This is stupid.” You said, for the fifth time in as many minutes as you watched the ghosts attempt to wrench a protesting Idia out of Floyd’s grip. You tugged at the apron around your neck like it might vanish if you did so.

“Oh, come now.” Crowley said, clapping you on the back and refusing to directly acknowledge the chaos his students were causing. “Of all the things I’ve asked you to do to pay the rent on Ramshackle Dormitory, a bit of KP for an event is hardly the most unreasonable!”

“That’s not-......” You let out a frustrated breath, letting the matter of your unfair work conditions rest for the moment. “I’ve seen these contests before, they can go all day. I don’t have that kind of time!”

“I’m sure you’ll manage. After all, at least one of these contestants is an experienced chef! It shouldn’t take them terribly long to find something to please the judges.”

“Maaan, Firefly Squid, your hair’s not nearly hot enough to cook anything on!”

“That’s what- I-i’ve been trying to-!!”

“Guess we’ll just have to compare teeth sharpness then. Hey Shrimpy!!” Your head jerks to see Floyd beaming at you, waving you over. “Get some tomatoes or something and let’s settle this!”

Idia’s gaze tracks over to where Floyd is looking and he starts, hair shooting a few inches higher. Fumbling for his tablet, he starts jabbing commands at lightning speed. When did this become a competition between US?!

“I eagerly await the fruits of your labors!” And with a flourish of his cape, Crowley’s gone.

-----

Not that it was easy, but you did manage to get Floyd off of competing with Idia to actually focus on the task at hand. At the very least he was eager to help out around the kitchen. You can’t imagine how much of a nightmare this would’ve been if he wasn’t. The ghosts set the challenge, providing a selection of recipes which Idia and Floyd would attempt to master before the day was out. Your heart sank a little more into the depths of your shoes when you saw the list. All of them were chosen with the idea of consistency in mind. As a result, they were finicky. Any shortcuts or distraction would harm the final result.

At the very least, you wouldn’t be responsible for the actual cooking parts. Not even ingredient gathering, since assessing the relative quality of the components was considered part of the challenge. Officially you’d be tasked with primarily grunt work: chopping, timers, dishes, anything they might need an extra set of hands on.

“Shrimpy’s our little helpeeeeeer” Floyd crooned. His arms cinch tighter around your waist as he leans over your shoulder to grin at you. “At least I know it won’t be boring.”

“Juuust great, a babysitter, not like this ordeal could get anymore humiliating...” Idia’s mutter continues to trail off until you decide to clear your throat.

“I mean, you don’t have to utilize me. I’m just here if you need me. That ok?”

He jumps, like he didn’t realize you could hear him. Knowing Idia, he hadn’t noticed he was speaking out loud. “U-uh.....I didn’t mean....I mean-!” He pulls at the edge his sleeves, looking off to the side. “It’s not a problem with you specifically, just. More the concept. I mean I’m glad that it’s you if it has to be anyone, but-.....wait forget that last part-”

Unofficially, your job was wrangling these two. No one said it out loud, but Crowley had functionally implied as much. Floyd in particular was a decided flight risk in a space with this much fire and this many sharp objects. 

Like you’d said, you weren’t exactly thrilled to be giving up your whole day like this. But you didn’t necessarily resent spending time with either of them. Difficult as they could both be in their individual ways, they could both be a lot of fun to be around. 

Something you were going to spend a lot of time reminding yourself of as the day progressed.

---

Idia stared at the array of spices in front of him, comparing it to the recipe notes he’d managed to pull up on his tablet. The ingredients were all so fiddly. Wouldn’t be a problem, normally. Chemistry may be less his bag than engineering but he still had a pretty good sense of what he was doing around a cauldron. The X factor giving him trouble here was taste,though. Wasn’t enough to just check off the boxes, you had to somehow tailor it to individual palates, based on entirely subjective tastes. How was ANYONE supposed to maintain “consistency” in an environment like this- 

“Comin’ through~”

His grousing is cut off abruptly by Floyd’s upper body flopping over the countertop, grabbing at a variety of jars with a few thoughtful hums before dropping them in his apron pocket seemingly at random. Idia jerks his tablet out of reach on instinct, before annoyance overcomes his startle. He flicks over to his text to speech.

Those aren’t even in this dish.

“So? I want to see how it turns out.” Floyd shrugs, giving him that sleepy, creepy grin of his. Not that I’m one to talk, or. Think. 

It’ll turn out like the last 6 times, with failing scores.

“You tryin’ to tell me what to do now, Firefly Squid?” The smile doesn’t slip one notch. Something in the eyes though...they harden. Idia didn’t even think people’s eyes did that in real life until now. “That’s pretty brave of you.”

Oh boy. This threat level was a little OP for him to handle. Still, maybe Ortho’s onto something about him always needing the last word. Even as he backs up half a step, his fingers are flying across the keypad before he can stop himself. I don’t want to be here all day!! Some of us have stuff to get back to.

Floyd freezes in place. Idia prepares himself to bolt, or at least duck and cover.

Before the second year tilts his head back in a high pitched laugh.

This is somehow scarier. “O-oh god please don’t rip my arms off-”

“You’re pretty funny when you grow a spine, Anglerfish!” Floyd throws an arm around his shoulder before he can fully flee. It’s a casual gesture, but it freezes Idia into solid ice. Floyd just smiles, turning him to face the rest of the kitchen. “Just for that, gonna walk you through what you’re missing.”

“M-missing?”

He jerks his chin towards where you stand, bent over a sink as you rinse a few cutting pans. “They’re stuck here just as long as we are.”

“....The prefect? I don’t-”

“Suuuuure you don’t.” He digs his fingers into Idia’s side, making him jump. Floyd laughs, spreading his hands as he backs off through the kitchen.

“Just sayin. Somethin to think about~”

----

You felt like your face was about to start dripping sweat. That last round had been rough, and only resulted in disappointing results. Sort of a theme for the last 4 hours or so. Still, at least you had a bit of a break. Idia, sensing the first opportunity for escape, had volunteered to go out ingredient hunting, and the ghosts, sensing Idia’s thinking, elected to accompany him. There were still one or two hovering around, getting a few things cleaned up. For the most part though, it was just you, Floyd, and the glass of water you were nursing.

“Man, does betta fish have it out for me or what?” He was saying, leaning over the counter next to you. “That last judgment was brutal.” He doesn’t seem terribly torn up about it, spooning some of the leftover consomme into his mouth.

You nod, taking another swallow of water. The last round had been particularly bad, but then, who could account for the bad luck of pulling Crewel, Vil, and Leona all in the same round. “Guess the clarification process still needs work. You sure you don’t want the chef to walk you through it one more time? They are here to teach you.” Floyd snorts, raising an eyebrow and looking up at you. “I know how to do it.”

“.....” You’re unable to keep the skepticism out of your face. Floyd just laughs.

“I know how to do it! I’ve made it like a dozen times for the Lounge. Azul said it was too technical for the regular menu but it’s not like I forgot.”

“Then why don’t you do it?”

“Cause it’s boriiing.” He says this like it should be obvious. And. Actually fair enough, it should’ve been obvious. He pokes your cheek. “Food’s to play with.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s the opposite of what food is supposed to be for.” An incredulous grin creeps up on you. It’s...kind of hard not to feel put at ease when he’s taking it so easy. That was the dilemma with Floyd, for the center of chaos he had a weird way of making stuff feel like no big deal.

“Nah, Shrimpy, that’s just their programming talking for you. I’ll show you,” He pulls the dish closer to both of you, dipping his spoon in and lifting it to your mouth. “Open up.”

You eye the cloudy broth with some suspicion. Granted, Vil’s palate could be pretty delicate, but the face he had made didn’t exactly make you eager...

“C’mon, I gotta force you open?” He’s grinning. You think it’s a joke.

Hope it’s a joke. ...You open your mouth and take in the spoon, trying to swallow quickly. 

Flavorwise, it’s actually not awful. Not that you really notice when you start to absorb the texture. It’s like it’s coagulated, forming a nearly gelatinous texture that coats the inside of your mouth almost instantly. You can feel tiny pieces of something suctioning onto your tongue, making it take a few swallows to get it clear of your mouth. You can’t help making a face, but it only makes Floyd grin harder.

“Gotta use clarification to remove impurities. Which I didn’t do right.” 

“Ok, so….why??” You cough, reaching for your water to wash the mouthfeel out. Floyd pinches your cheeks together, nearly making you spit it out. 

“Because now you know what consomme tastes like with the impurities still swimmin around in there. Where else are you gonna get a chef to treat you to that, huh?” He tilts his head, backing off from you to lean over the counter.

You get the distinct sense that he’s probably messing with you a little. Or a lot. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t mean it. And if you ever want to get out of here…

“So…it’s about the experience with you?”

His eyes brighten, letting you know you’ve gotten it. “Exactly. You can go pretty much anywhere and find food that’s done right, or close to it. And any idiot can figure out how to follow a recipe. So if I’m doing it, why shouldn’t I change it up? Figure out what’s different if I mess things around a little. Even if it’s gross, it’s still different.”

You don’t know whether or not that made sense for you. He certainly said it like it was something that made sense to him. “But….you’re not just cooking for you.”

Floyd huffs, his lower lip poking out as he rolls his head back to look up at you. “I’m cooking, aren’t I? If they want somethin’ I don’t feel like making it’s only fair they do it themselves. Why should I have to change to do something I don’t wanna do just to make some rando happy?”

You felt like there were probably any number of retorts to that! You work in a restaurant, do you just never plan on letting anyone else eat your food, you are holding us all hostage for your own creative disputes- But none of them are likely to work on Floyd. He’s stubborn when he sets his mind to something, trying to talk him out of his current position is likely to just make it worse.

Talking him into something else…

“Well, what if you weren’t just cooking for a rando then?” You set the cup aside finally and begin gathering together the dishes still on the stovetop. “What if you pretended you were making it for someone who’s opinion mattered to you.”

“Huh?”

“Like Jade or something?” You shrug, glancing back at him briefly. “It might make you feel a little more motivated.” And maybe get us all out of here before we’re old and grey. Floyd seems to be considering this, which is a positive, and you move to deposit the dishes in the sink.

“....I figured it out.”

“Uh….figured what-”

It’s like he becomes a teal streak for a minute, one minute he’s draped over the counter and the next you find yourself being hoisted into the air, Floyd snaking his arms unders yours like a toddler hauling around some poor cat. You splutter, instinctually squirming before you realize it’s probably only going to tangle you up worse.

“You’re not some rando, so I’m not gonna mind making it for you!” He giggles at your efforts, swinging you from side to side for a second before setting you on the countertop. You straighten your rumpled clothes out as best you can, giving him a look that only makes him snicker more. Still, the content of what he’s said doesn’t pass you by. 

Cooking for you is what’s motivating him?

“Wait, so that means-”

“You gotta taste test everything I make, alright?” He grins, leaning over you as he braces his hands on either side of your hips. “And compliment it plenty. That’ll keep me motivated enough to do it right. It’s a deal, right Shrimpy?”

He’s close enough to leave you a little flustered. Behind you, you hear the doors open. Idia and the others are back from their excursion, and the thought of them catching you two this close isn’t helping the heat on your face. 

“I- Sure, why not, but-”

“Perfect.” He pulls back just as abruptly, rolling up his sleeves as he strides off towards Idia. “Hey Squid, let’s get the lead out already, huh?”

—

Well, you had to give him this. He was an eel of his word. Once properly motivated Floyd was like a small whirlwind, flying in every direction at once. The only pauses were to eventually slide over towards you, holding some morsel he always insisted on hand feeding you and waiting for your review before sending it out to the judges. It was more than a little embarrassing. He’d all but insisted you not move too far from where he’d set you on the countertop, and the ghosts kept giving you weird looks. Still, hard to argue with results. They were flying through dishes now, quickly clearing off the docket with high marks. 

You’d never seen him this intent on something before. Not to mention the food was excellent. No wonder Jade was so impatient to get him back in form.

He pulls a pan out of the oven, carefully carving off pieces and plating them with a practiced grace you’d barely known he was capable of. He lifts a forkful off from one of the plates and blows on it carefully, lifting it towards your mouth. “What’d’ya think, that crust turn out ok?”

You have to open your mouth wide to catch it all, hand cupping under your chin to avoid dropping any bits on the floor. It’s burning hot, for a second you can’t taste anything but heat, but eventually the actual flavor profiles start to settle in. You give him two thumbs up until you finish chewing, swallowing hard. “Lot flakier than the last one.”

“Aahhhh, how great am I, Shrimpy?” You snort, patting his arm as you wipe at your mouth. Floyd gathers the plates, balancing them on his arms while his looks around the room. “Hey Anglerfish! You’re supposed to help me present these, yanno!”

“Just…its’ not like they don’t know I’m in here!” Idia’s voice bounces off of the oven he’s currently got most of his torso wedged into. He’s been in there for the better part of an hour, ‘checking something’. The occasional metal clatter was all you heard from him. “Give me a bit….”

Floyd rolls his eyes dramatically at you, blowing some hair out of his face as he finishes up. “So what do I get if I nail this one?”

“Get?” He’s still not getting it out of his eyes. You decide to take pity and reach over to nudge it to the side. “Uh, then we’ll only have one dish left, and we all get to go home and call it a night sooner, how’s that?”

“Laaaame.” He nips at your hand in passing, making you jerk your fingers back. “I’ve been running this mostly by myself, don’t you think I deserve some kind of reward?”

“What would you even want?”

“Mmmm….” He puts on so much of a show of thinking about it that you can’t help but suspect he may have had something in mind from the start. “Oh! I know. You should cook something for me. That’s fair, right?”

“I…guess?” You blink, slightly taken aback. As far as Floyd favors go this was surprisingly easy to accomplish. Enough so that you’re wondering if there’s another shoe about to drop on your head. “I’m free next Saturday, if you wanna come by Ramshackle.”

“It's a date then.” And without another word, he breezes past you on his way out the door. You feel all the blood in your body rush to your face at once. Date? Date?! You whip your head around to call after him, stumbling over word and thought

“That’s only if you nail them both!” But he’s already halfway out the door. You hear the distant sound of his laugh as the doors continue to swing in his wake.

You sigh, burying your face in your hands as you try to compose yourself. You wish it wasn’t so easy sometimes for him to mess with you…Was he even serious? You don’t know if you’d have a problem if he was, but…

Another loud bang and some cursing bring you back to your surroundings. You decide to let curiosity win out, and walk over to stand by Idia’s splayed out legs. “Everything ok in there?”

His body jerks and there’s another bang, followed by a sharp yelp of pain. Idia emerges, smeared with soot and cupping his forehead. Your eyes widen and you drop down to your knees,trying to get a look at the damage. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry-”

“D-don’t sneak up on someone like that!!” Idia’s eyes look slightly wild, though it may be an effect of that much blue fire and ash floating.

“Do you need ice?” You’re halfway into a standing position before he seems to finally absorb who he’s looking at.

“U-uh!” His hands whip away from his forehead suddenly. “Its….I’m fine. Just…startled me.”

You look very pointedly at the pink spot on his forehead. The tips of his hair flicker a bit and his hand creeps up to cover it before he realizes its not going to make you forget its there. “....I’m fine. R-really.”

That didn’t sound truthful, but the larger part of you really didn’t want to embarrass the guy anymore than you were both already embarrassed. You glance back at the oven. He’s gutted the thing almost completely. A small pile of grimy parts are piled by where he was just laying, and he’s fidgeting with some kind of tool you don’t recognize. When you look back at him you find he’s still staring. Not for long, though, his eyes dart away the second you make eye contact with him. 

Idia’s not really one for conversation, you knew that about him. Even by his standards, though, he’d been unusually withdrawn today. He was clearly pretty out of his depth with most of the dishes. Floyd had picked up the slack after your conversation with him, but in spite of the fact that he hadn’t wanted to do this in the first place, you could tell it kinda bothered him to be dropped unceremoniously in the backseat. Maybe that was the reason he acted like you were coming at him with a hot poker every time you got near him today. 

“Whatcha doing here?” You say, gesturing to the oven. Maybe playing to his strengths was at least a way to get him to level out a little. He looks confused for a minute before he realizes what you’re referring to, like the bump had knocked it out of his mind. Still looking a little pink, he gets to his feet, sending soot flying all over.

“Uh….well, it’s…I mean…” He looks down at his hands, grimacing when he sees the black smears all over his fingers. You find a wet rag in a nearby sink and hand it to him. Flushing more, he wipes them off and picks up his tablet again.

The last dish takes a couple hours in the oven. Even if he gets it right in one go, we’re still going to be stuck here for a few hours. So I thought that maybe I’d try to speed that process up? It’s probably a waste of time lol

“Speed it up how?” You lean down to look inside, for all that accomplishes. Not like you really knew what the inside of a magical oven was supposed to look like.

These ovens are conventional, not convection. Heat emanates from a single source in the base. He crouches down to gesture to it only to realize he can’t do that and type at the same time. After a moment’s hesitation, he sets the tablet aside before reaching in to tap some tubing. “Uh…heat rises, so as the oven gets warmer all of the hot air starts to pool at the top of the dish. It takes a lot longer for the dish to cook all the way through, and it can make it uneven. L-like, the top could be COMPLETELY toast while the middle is still raw and cold.” He keeps glancing over at you occasionally to see if you’re still following.

“So, you’re making it convection?” You shuffle closer to see where he’s pointing. Idia seems a little pleased. At the very least he doesn’t pull back, continuing his explanation with much more confidence.

“Kinda.” He presses his palm to the back of the oven. “Normally a convection oven would have a fan in the back to keep the air circulating, but obviously I can’t just install one of those. So….I’m improvising.” He reaches past you to pick up some kind of iron contraption, two hollow iron tubes hastily bolted into two rotating plates. “Managed to find some lazy susan turntables, then just attach them to some of the magically run blowtorches.” He fishes for a second for his want, tapping the base. Twin blue flames suddenly spurt out of both of the tubes, making you jump back. Idia stifles a snicker, though he does move it away with a mumbled apology. “The force of the jets should keep it spinning. All I have to do is wire both of them into the magical heating elements and disable the base, and we should be golden.”

“Both?”

He shrugs, picking up a near identical device.

“Is that….safe?”

He huffs, almost indignant as he cuts the magic feed to the first torch. “Do I look like I want to blow us all up.”

You grin faintly. “I dunno…”

The scowl deepens, but even you can tell its mostly for show. He sets the devices down, rearranging himself so he can crawl back into the oven. “It shouldn’t take too much longer.”

“Do you want help?” You shuffle around a bit so you can sit down properly by the oven mouth.

“....Uh…..I mean….” His hands still. “Y-you don’t have to.”

“I mean, its gonna get us out of here faster, right?”

“Prob-...may-....I mean, I’m gonna try, obviously, but its probably gonna be really boring to help on, and-and-’

“So let’s get started.”

“....Fine. Hand me that screwdriver.”

To be entirely honest, you weren’t exactly certain how much what you were doing qualified as helping. Most of your contributions amounted to handing him tools or moving stuff out of the way. Idia would explain what he was doing, but a lot of it was either a little beyond you, or his explanation was far too looping for you to make sense of it. Mostly you kept him company while he messed around with the wiring, a tool clenched between his teeth except to occasionally answer your questions. Floyd eventually came back from judgment, shooting the both of you a questioning look, but went to start work on the next dish without much resistance.

And yeah, ok, it was a little boring at times. But as he got more and more focused on his work it was like he forgot to be jumpy. You’d already known Idia could be a very different person when he felt comfortable in his environment, but you think this might’ve been the first time you’d seen him this at ease. Enough that the conversation could drift to other topics, giving you more of a chance to at least contribute to the conversation.

“...so the point is, Grim is officially banned from Pomefiore until further notice.” You say, taking back the wrench he hands you.

Idia snorts, pulling his head free of the oven door. “Good luck backing Vil down from that.”

“I just didn’t realize lotions could be that expensive.”

“He custom orders them from a place.Though, the company does brand deals with him so I doubt he’s paying a dime. Uh…watch yourself.” He nudges you lightly on the shoulder, indicating you should back up. He uses his wand like a welding torch, sparks flying in every direction as he carefully binds it down to the oven. You hope the kitchen ghosts weren’t super attached to the way this thing was before. You wait for him to finish before you continue talking.

“Then why is he making me-?!....Wait, how do you know that?”

“Uh…..” He flushes, getting to his feet. “I think we should test this.”

“It done?” Floyd calls from down the counter. “Just finished this up.”

“W-well I don’t know if I’d say it’s done, I was gonna test it out with something-”

“Eh, no risk, no reward.” Floyd grabs one of the discarded shelves and slides it in at the proper height, placing the dish on top of it and closing the oven.

Idia scowls, though his gaze softens somewhat when he sees your amused expression. “Fine. Not like I’m the one who has to remake it if it messes up.”

“That’s what you think~” He plugs the correct temperature. You all watch as four blue lights go off at once, slowly picking up speed as they begin to spin. You hear Idia let out a sigh of relief next to you, and nudge him gently.

“Nice work.”

He doesn’t seem up to a response, but the pink color on his cheeks and the smile he can’t hold back says enough. “Uh…it should go about four times as fast, if I did this right.”

“Thirty minutes then? Nice.” Floyd manages to get an arm around Idia’s neck before either of you can blink, pulling into a noogie. “Knew you’d be good for something, Anglerfish.”

“Hey-!!!”

“Well, while modifying the equipment wasn’t a part of the challenge, I do have to applaud your creativity.” The head chef’s voice cuts off your attempt to call Floyd off. He drifts over to inspect Idia’s work, nodding appreciatively, though the next sentence is a little sharp. “I trust you’ll be able to restore it to its original state?”

“I…..y-yeah.” Idia says, trying and failing to wrestle himself free of Floyd’s grip before he just lets his arms fall loose. “I’ll fix it…”

“Excellent.” The head chef tilts his head curiously, gesturing for Floyd to finally let him go. Idia rubs at his neck, snatching up his tablet again as he continues to shoot dirty looks at a still grinning Floyd.  “How did you manage to balance the torches you installed with the existing heating elements?”

It was easier to just disable it. Idia shrugs, still looking pretty pleased with himself. Wiring was simple enough to figure out.

“.....You disabled it?”

Yeah. The torches create enough heat in a confined space anyways. It’s probably a little less exact than the actual base component uh why are you looking at me like that

The head chef had turned a pale shade of grey you’d only seen a handful of times in your roommates, a color that indicates agitation. “These ovens are in near constant use during a school day. If one of the ovens goes down we don’t have time to wait for a repairman. The fire fairies who control the school fires are instructed to operate as a backup. Meaning that if they receive a signal that one of the heating elements has gone down…”

You see a dim orange light in the oven behind him, getting brighter by the second.

The last thing you’re aware of is something colliding into your side.

—-

Well, this is definitely a startling turn of events for the finale! How are you both feeling?

“Ahaha, oh man!” [Mr. Leech drops his wand, lowering the protection spell that he’d managed to place around himself and his fellow contestants. The Octavinelle second year looks none too displeased by this conclusion]. “Haven’t had a reflex test like that in a minute. What a rush!”

“E-exit interview now?! Is this really the time for any of us to-....[VULGARITY REDACTED] don’t be dead, wake up!!! Wake up!!!” [Mr Shroud begins shaking the Ramshackle Prefect, who he seems to have tackled in order to shield them from the blast.]

—-

The world swims back into view in a blur of sound and images. The smell of smoke fills your nostrils and you’re vaguely aware of someone shouting. The ache on your head draws more immediate attention. Slowly, though, the hazy blob of blue and white resolve themselves into Idia’s face, hovering over you and looking like he’s about to throw up.

“What…”

“Oh thank god.” He groans, head dropping as he finally stops shaking you.

“Ehhhh, Shrimpy’s alive.” Floyd leans over him to check on you, earring dangling until it nearly brushes your face. “Almost had me worried for a sec there.”

“You’re not hurt are you?? Is it bleeding? Did something stick you? What year is it?”

The questions just made you feel dizzy. You look around, trying to make sense of what you were seeing. You were standing in what initially looked like a bombed out ruin. The other ghosts were gathered around what you guessed was probably the remains of the oven, dousing it with water and wind spells. Some tiny orange flickers kept darting around them, chattering in a high pitched bell tone you couldn’t understand. You turn back towards your own group. A ghost hovers over all three of you, the one you recognize from the interview at the start. “...Was anyone hurt?”

He sighs, turning off his tape recorder. “Aside from you three, the only other occupants of the room at the time were ghosts. Thanks to Mr. Leech’s quick thinking and Mr. Shroud tackling you out of the way, you were all shielded, though likely a little rattled by how far you were thrown.”

You look back up at Idia, both of you seeming to notice at the exact same time that he’s still half on top of you. The hair on his head turns fuschia and he pulls off you immediately. You catch his hand before he does though. 

“....Thanks” You say, trying to ignore the heat in your own face. It worsens the color tremendously, and for a moment it looks like he can’t decide what expression to make. He settles for nodding, before pulling his hands back to bury his face in them.

Floyd waves a bit to catch your attention, holding up his index and ring finger. “How many fingers am I holding up.”

“Two.”

“How about now?”

“Mr. Leech!”

You laugh, though it aches a little, and reach over to push his middle finger down. “None now.”

“Perfect, still got all the important bits.” He reaches over to pat Idia’s leg. “No harm done, Anglerfish. Shame about the dish though.” He sighs, glancing over at the ghosts. “Maaan that’s a bummer. After all that work I kinda wanted the victory speech.”

“Don’t speak too soon, Mr. Leech!” The head chef calls, lifting his head from the cluster of ghosts still gathered around the oven. “We may have something salvageable!”

“What?!” All of you lift your heads in unison towards him.

“The blast seems to have knocked it skyward rather than consumed it. As we can’t call the judges back in here, we’ll have to test it ourselves. However…” A handful of the kitchen staffs gather around the blackened-serving dish, sticking a fork in the pan and lifting it to their mouths. All of you watch with bated breath, even Floyd is silent as you stare across the smoking husk of the kitchen.

One by one, they chew. Swallow. Consider. Then, one at a time, all three of them send a burst of magical light into the area that shapes into a glittering number.

10.

10.

10.

You don’t know who laughs first. And maybe its the stress of the day, or the chaos of five minutes ago. Maybe it really is just genuinely that funny. Once one of you starts to giggle though, it catches on with the other two like its contagious, all three of you helpless to it. Even Idia, who curls in further on himself to try and muffle a high-pitched, wheezing laughter you’d never heard before.

You’d won. 

A loud cry of distress manages to startle all of you out of it. Across the ruins, Crowley drops to his knees in the grass. It’s hard to make out what he’s saying at that distance, or if he’s even speaking at all. Regardless, it’s pretty clear that he’s sobbing. The interview ghost perks up remarkably once he spots him. “Must go get a comment from him….Congratulations to you two on passing.” He nods to you as he drifts towards the weeping Headmage.

“I’m…in s-so much trouble.” Idia says, still fighting hard to get a handle on the nervous giggling.

“Sure are.” Floyd sighs contently, flopping back on the ashy ground. “But maaaan was that fun. After this, you gotta come do it to the ovens in the Lounge, alright?”

“I think Azul might have a problem with that.” You let your weight rest back on your hands as you stretch out. The new lump on the back of your head still hurt, but it had at least stopped throbbing in pain. 

“Pfffft, whatever….oh, hey!” Floyd sat up, like he just remembered. “We passed. That means you still owe me dinner!”

You blinked, only to burst out laughing when you realized what he was talking about. “I guess I do.”

“You have to cook for Firefly Squid too, alright? Only fair.” He yanked on Idia’s hoodie, making him yelp.

“When did I become a part of this…” He mutters, brushing himself off.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” You say quickly. “But….I wouldn’t mind you coming along.”

He stares at you for a second, like he’s trying to figure out if you’re messing with him. You wonder if he was aware that Floyd had called it a date. You wondered if he’d mind. 

You wondered if you’d mind.

“.....Fine.” He sighs, but just as he turns his head you can see the barest trace of a smile. “As long as I don’t have to mess with any ovens.”

“Promise. Though, I don’t think I can guarantee a lack of explosions.”

[enbycrip]

ID: a tweet by Catch These Words 9 May

“Technology has changed all of our lives in profound ways. As a blind person it has opened up opportunities I'd have never had access to before. I can access printed content by taking a photo of it on my phone and running it through some software. I can read ebooks with ease, browse the news, order groceries, and access audio described films.

But even as all of these things have become available to me, the Web, and technology in general, feels like it gets less and less accessible by the day. Websites become overly complex and filled with ads which I can't easily pass by with my screen reader. I want to buy a ticket at a train station, or purchase products at the supermarket, but I can't find any staff and all of the machines are touchscreens without any accessibility features. I'm moving house and everywhere I look is fitted with cookers, washing machines, and microwaves that are touchscreens and impossible to access. I can't buy a printer or a coffee maker without having to dedicate huge amounts of time to figuring out if I'll be able to access it. I may have to call my bank and explain that the latest update to their app does not work with VoiceOver.

It's a never-ending cycle of wondering if this new development in tech will change my life in an incredible way, or be yet another door slammed in my face. Designers don't think about disabled people. If they do they are determined to make a product specifically for us, completely misunderstanding the barriers we face. They aren't considering the reality that we want and need access to the products everyone else is using. Trying to make these products and services accessible at the end of the design process doesn't work, and so they decide accessibility is just too difficult. They don't consider the truth that if they'd made it accessible from the start, it wouldn't be nearly so complex.

This is the reality of disability in 2023. We live in a world that has the wealth and tech to make so many things accessible to so many people, but the willingness isn't there.”

Yup.

You need to build accessibility into everything - from products to events to government initiatives- from the start or you’ll decide it’s too costly and too complicated, without considering how any other aspect would be if you tried to build it in in the final stages.

The amount of money councils and corporations spend on “consultations” with disabled people that go nowhere because of this could easily be used to employ us and include accessibility from the beginning, working from lived experience.

[cosplayinamerica]

Natty Cosplay began cosplaying about 10 years ago, and since then she’s fully embraced the fandom, and found her tribe amongst fellow cosplayers and friends who attend conventions in and around her home state of Florida. Like many of us her journey into cons, and cosplays, began with a push by friends to join them for a trip to a nearby anime con.

Natty recalled, “My friends already got tickets, and they were like “come on book your ticket. We’re going to MetroCon”. And I was like, “You’re right I should. I lived here this whole time, and I never went. It’s almost like I almost forgot, but they reminded me.”

It was at this convention where she debuted her first cosplay, as she tried out the world of anime conventions

.

“I just put together a little Poison Ivy cosplay by gluing on a bunch of leaves I had to a bodysuit, and you know we just walked around and had a great time,” Natty said. “I didn’t even delve so much into con culture. I just thought it was a place to shop really. I walked around the vendor area and saw so many booths, comics, and figures, and [other[ things.

As time went on, I found I had more space and time and resources and funds to get deeper into the hobby. That’s when I started being more consistent with it.”

She has continued to delve further into cosplay, and now has quite a variety of cosplays she considers her favorites.

Natty said, “My very favorite one is that first cow cosplay. I did that one for Holiday Matsuri, and we had a cow meet up with other people dressed as cows. That was really fun. We did some pictures, videos, and I passed out little cow treats like candy. That was really fun.”

Natty continued, “My second favorite one is from ‘The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!’The anime is not as popular, but I love it. I dressed up as the Demon Lord. I love that cosplay. She never speaks, and she just eats all the time. It’s such a cute character, and it’s a very funny show.

Lastly Natty mentioned her third favorite cosplay she cosplayed was “Katara from Avatar The Last Airbender.” Natty remarked, “I want to revisit that and get more props for it, but I really had fun in that cosplay too. I want to bring that to a con.”

Natty loved the camaraderie and togetherness she had experienced, and she really wanted to help others find that as well, so she developed her first app “Show Buddy.” Natty recalled, “I launched Show Buddy around 2018. That was to help people find friends to go to concerts and festivals together. I would basically make a listing and curate a bunch of events that were going on in the United States, and have a group chat attached to it so people could sign up, join the group chat for the event and message back and forth. I think it’s still on Google Play, but I had to take it down off the Apple App Store around 2020.

I pulled the app down due to the nature of things at the time, but it was really fun while it was up and running, and I did meet a few people while I was using the app at that time. So it was a great experience, and I might pursue something a little bit more updated in the future.”

Natty took away some key lessons from her experience creating Show Buddy that have informed her about friendship and social hangouts in this day and age.

Natty remarked, “I learned that for some reason, it’s a lot harder for people to make friends and find people with the same hobbies in this day and age. I think a lot of people don’t like going to events alone, and if they have a chance they would rather go with someone. Though there’s nothing wrong with going places alone, I think just that the social atmosphere of things is just really lonely now. And there’s definitely a demand for people that want to meet new people and make new friends while they’re traveling or going to an event.”

When asked if Natty thought this related to conventions too, she replied “Oh yeah, for sure. There’s definitely a demand for [connections] with cons too, especially with this type of group, [that can be] a little bit shy and feel they’re pushing themselves. They’re putting themselves out there, but maybe they don’t have a lot of experience going to places alone. So I can see that being a thing for cons too.”

Though many generations can of course struggle to find friendship and connections, I was wondering if this might be extra challenging for today’s youth.

“I think a lot of people [would] agree,” Natty said. “It feels like more pressure now because on social media, you want to show a really flashy life. You want to not see your truest self sometimes. You kind of put up a perfect snapshot of that moment on your social media compared to what really happened behind the scenes in real life. So I do think that it was a little bit freer back then. It was easier. It was more natural. People liked posting unedited pictures of what they did with their friends for the weekend, whereas now everyone’s maybe pushing a product or something.”

One aspect of cosplays and conventions that Natty really appreciates is how it’s a wonderful space to meet a wide variety of people.

At conventions for instance, Natty said “I’m meeting married couples, families, and kids. It’s interesting but of course cosplay is everyone. It’s all different ages. So it’s nice to meet other people. You sort of just find your tribe and where you fit in.”

Natty stumbled into another fandom that really took her into a new unfamiliar world she then fell in love with. Natty recalled, “When I was younger, I was always searching online for shows on websites that had them hosted free, and I was looking for something and I accidentally clicked on a Korean Drama (K-Drama). It kept coming up, so I was like “I’ll watch this”. And I was so invested. I was like, “Wow, my mind was blown!” I didn’t even know about this culture and this country until I started getting really into that K-Drama. The K-Drama was ‘My Girl’, by the way, [which is] super old, but I just fell in love with it.”

Natty really went full steam into her love of Korean culture afer that, and this accidental click would lead her to studying overseas.

Natty remarked, “I was so inspired. I was learning Korean, like very beginning Korean, and my college had a study abroad program for South Korea. So I did a summer abroad at Yonsei International Summer School. And I met so many different people. We had a great time. We were always hanging out together, and it was great.” Natty continued, “[I loved] learning so much about the culture and just a different way of life. It was way more advanced, and a lot more convenient.. It had its good and bad [qualities], but

I enjoyed all of it. And then I went with my Korean friend to see her family because she was visiting. They were just so kind and generous to me and they gave me so much fruit, which is very expensive. We had to carry this huge bag of fruit back to our dorm. It was like watermelon, strawberries, peaches, all sorts of things, and I was so happy and grateful for that.”

Natty made sure to capture her time over in Korea, and she actually turned this into an eBook for others interested in learning about the country and culture of Korea. “I made a journal for each day,” Natty said. “It’s kind of like a blog with a picture for that day and everything I did. I’m glad I did that because it was for all those three months, so it was really well documented.”

She’s considered revisiting it, and perhaps re-editing parts, and when considering that she revisited many of her entries.

Natty remarked, “I read it and I remembered things that I did that I completely forgot. I had my fortune told, which was very fun. I also went to Japan from South Korea for like three days with a few friends, and that was also so much fun.”

Though Natty missed a lot of what Korea offered when she returned, she has noticed how much the cultural landscape has changed here, and how so many international foods, products, and stores have come over to the U.S. Natty remarked, “Ten years ago when I came back from South Korea, I missed having Korean food and everything, but now I can get that at the tip of my fingers with DoorDash. That did not exist before. Now we have a lotte Mart and so much more coming. So I’m happy about that.” Similarly she’s seen the world of cosplay and fan conventions evolve too, and primarily for the better. Natty said, “I like how much the cosplay space has grown. Now I see all types of shapes and bodies and skin tones and hair textures. Cosplay doesn’t have to be exactly like the picture or the anime. You can make it however you like and be creative with it.”

Now about 10 years on into her fandom, Natty’s continuation with cosplays and conventions just makes sense for her. “It just feels so natural to keep doing this,” Natty remarked. “It’s fun, I love the social aspect, and I would rather be spending my money on that than bills and stuff. So I feel like if I’m working at least I should work for something I enjoy too. So I always make a point to try to get one cosplay item and that keeps me going. [Otherwise] I’m just working, but not enjoying myself.”

After slowing down her work on Show Buddy, she continued to embrace her side-hustle side, and she’s used her creativity to work on a new Exchange app. Natty explained, “It’s a listing website where you can post what services you offer in exchange for what service you’re looking for. For example, if you are a hairstylist and you’re looking for a makeup artist, you can post that and contact each other so that you don’t have to pay. You can just exchange that service. It’s kind of similar to Freecycle and other websites that do that. A lot of people do this already. I noticed a lot of people looking for things and they’ll offer their professional services, so I just wanted to make a website listing so that it’s all in one place and you don’t have to make a Facebook post or make a random post elsewhere looking for that.”

Like with cosplay, Natty has gained a lot through her creative efforts working on projects like Show Buddy and now her new Exchange website.

Natty said, “I love having a little side project. I work full-time for a Fintech company, but you know in my free time I do like to put out my websites and thoughts and apps and all of that. And there’s always a place for everything. You always have an audience for everything. It’s just finding the audience. That’s the hard part, but you know you should always do it because you never know what may come out of it.”

[thejobwala]

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[itsnicholasmc]

Touts Out! How Twickets is changing the landscape of ticket resale

As Twickets’ growth smashes 1.5 million visitors in 2022 and gross revenues soar by 140% compared to pre-covid, it is no surprise that popular Stockport-based band, Blossoms, has joined Twickets’ already prominent list of partners, including George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, and Adele.

The ticket resale revolution began in 2011 on Twitter as “@Twickets” by London-based web designer and music fan, Richard Davies, to combat empty seats in “sold out” gigs. Just over a decade later and Twickets has evolved into a formidable business that has changed how we do ticket resale.

Pre-2011 saw music-lovers, theatre-enthusiasts and sport-goers ripped off by resale prices in the secondary ticket market. The resale industry was unsympathetic to fans that cancelled their plans due to unforeseen circumstances but did not want their ticket going to waste.

It meant empty seats in shows that were supposedly “sold out”. However, this left a gap in the market for an ethical fan-to-fan ticket resale service, and Mr Davies delivered.  

Initially using twitter to connect fans, his idea was to resell tickets at face value or less; within two years, Twickets resold 45,000 spare tickets. 

A movement had begun and was quickly gathering momentum. With the introduction of an easy to navigate website, locating events became simpler; be it sport, music, or theatre and arts, the internal search engine allows the user to find specific events by name, date, and location. 

With the added features of a Live Ticket Stream and allowing users to set up alerts that ping straight to their phone, Twickets continued to grow and new partnerships forged with influential artists and companies like Spice Girls and Gigs and Tours.

Twickets has forced a change in the industry despite rivals adopting similar models like a dynamic pricing program. Twickets still remain the only service that can resell any ticket to any event, anywhere. 

Fan-to-fan interaction is encouraged through Twitter with prompts for friendly, nostalgic conversation while updating them on the latest available tickets or to draw attention to those pesky touts. 

Their frequent informative blog keeps the fans in the know with current developments and new partnerships and has resulted in Twickets seeing over 300k tickets listed in Q2 this year.

The “Events Near You” feature - available on their app and website - promotes last-minute tickets in the user’s immediate vicinity. Also, the buyer can “Make an Offer” on the original selling price, preventing tickets from going to waste. 

Twickets reached three million new users in 2019 and ticketed over 25,000 events, with over 60% of their transactions made within the last week before a show takes place.

Since 2019 the app has been downloaded over 100k times while transactions have risen by 30%.

WHAT NEXT?

With the international market looking for resale reform, Twickets, having doubled its revenue in international territories - particularly in mainland Europe - is looking to expand into Germany and France.  Change is happening. Twickets is showing it can be done by putting fans and artists first.

What are your thoughts? Have you had a bad experience with ticket resale? Tell your story in the comments below.

[venturebox]

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[koishua]

HIIII MY LOVEEEEE !!! what have you been up to ?? i need to send more asks to you >:(( i just always and forever want to be talking with you it makes me so happy <333 like talking with you comes so naturally and like I JUST LOVE YOU A LOT and i want to talk to you abt everything and anything

so random questions from me, it seems like you use public transit a lot and i just barely started using it myself, IS IT CONFUSING WHERE YOU LIVE/HAVE LIVED BC IT WAS SO CONFUSING TO ME AT FIRST. the busses tripped me up so much this past monday that it took me almost three hours instead of one to get home LMAO :,) and i mean ig it's not confusing anymore but sTILL i'm curious abt your experience lol

HI RIA!!! so much has changed and developed the past two months, my love idek where to begin 😔😔 currently tho im omw to an amusement park with a bunch of other people!! im excited, bc i had to miss out on the last four opportunities to go there bc of either work or sickness 💀💀 AND STOP YOU'RE MAKING ME CRY 😭😭 YOU'RE THE BEST HAVE I TOLD YOU THAT?? you're always so, so sweet ;-; i can't get enough of your being :')

as for your question, i do! it's my main form of transport. i probably spend like 7 hours on trains and busses every week bc of school and work </3 i get to places by car maybe twice a month. i was like 13 when i first started using public transport and it was to go to school, so i just followed what everyone else on the bus was doing 😭😭 we moved to the cityside two years ago tho so now i have to take three separate busses everyday and the trains during the weekends so it's a lot more complicated, but you get the hang of it after the first two times!

everyone knows i have an absolutely terrible sense of direction, but i don't get lost easily now, so if i can do it, everyone can 💀💀and oml three hours?? 😭😭 i mean it's totally okay tho dw haha it can be daunting at first 🤧🤧 recently i had to get back home from an event all the way on the other border of the country myself, so that was an adventure 😭😭 the trip in total took 8 hours </3 im now extremely confident about my travelling abilities tho lol since i can navigate airports too. ticking off my travel checklist one by one 💀💀

and the thing is even if you do manage to get lost in this country, it's super easy to find your way back. there are maps and services EVERYWHERE and there's a super convenient app that tracks EVERY train and bus in the country, so you know exactly which one to take and all the details and whatnot. also it's relatively affordable and if you can't afford monthly tickets, social services always offer financial aid (from what i know), so pretty much everyone can travel with public transport. it's like, one of the most common way of getting around here 🤧🤧 there's even a special offer for everyone during the summer: the 9 euro ticket that takes you EVERYWHERE in the country. normally your monthly tickets only take you around in certain regions, but the 9€ ticket can get you anywhere you want!! only for these three months of summer tho lol and then the tickets usually range from around 30-60€/month depending on the range of your ticket. i wish they only made the ticket for students tho bc now EVERYONE is taking the trains and it's SO crowded 🥴🥴 one time it was so suffocating and hot that my friend almost fainted in the train ://

oh well </3 anyways. enough of me rambling. what have you been up to? im curious about how you're doing hehe

[emfunerals]

Concierge Services Australia

Concierge services are becoming increasingly popular as people realise that their time is precious. Companies are also starting to offer concierge services as a part of their employee benefits.

Insurers with a claims concierge service provide an extra layer of customer support for policyholders filing insurance claims. They use human staff, apps, or a combination to improve customer communications and streamline the process.

Business Concierge

A business concierge services australia is a valuable tool for business owners. It can save time and money by helping you with various tasks, such as planning events or making reservations. It also offers advice on local restaurants, shops, and attractions. It can even help you acquire tickets to special events.

Depending on the size of your company, the cost of a business concierge can vary. Some may charge per task or hourly, while others offer a flat-rate fee for a subscription. It is important to find a company that fits your budget and needs.

A concierge service business plan is essential for entrepreneurs aiming to succeed in luxury services markets. With clear market analysis, financial projections, and marketing strategies, it provides a framework for achieving competitive advantage. The plan also includes methods for performance monitoring and continuous improvement. This helps ensure adherence to high standards and enhances customer satisfaction.

Personal Concierge

A personal concierge specialises in helping individuals manage their time and errands. This can include grocery shopping, paying bills, organising events, booking transportation and more. These services can be a lifesaver for busy professionals and families. Typically, the services are billed hourly or by package. Some concierge businesses also offer membership tiers for recurring monthly fees.

To launch your concierge business, you will need to develop a formal business plan. This will outline your mission, proposed services and ideal customers. It should also include startup costs and financial projections. You will also need to line up any required licensing and permits.

Popular niches for a personal concierge service include executive and professional households, seniors, dual-income families, medical patients and real estate agents. However, you should carefully evaluate your own skills, connections and interests before deciding on a niche. You should also have professional liability insurance to protect your business in the event of damage or injury.

Events Concierge

Whether organising business events, buying tickets to a concert or sporting event, or even booking accommodation for an overseas trip, concierge services can help.

They are also a crucial part of building management. These jack-of-all-trades professionals are caretakers, planners, communicators and more. They must be able to provide a range of services tailored to their clients’ needs and interests.

When choosing a concierge property service, make sure they have professional certifications and are trustworthy. They should be transparent about their billing practices and follow strict privacy policies. Additionally, they should be able to respond to enquiries within a timely manner. They should also have access to a wide network of resources to help with specific requests. This can be especially beneficial if you are looking for a concierge service that specialises in a particular area. For example, a concierge that understands the city’s coffee culture can help you plan customised coffee experiences and connect you with local baristas.

Travel Concierge

Travel funeral planner are able to create bespoke trips for small groups that are tailored to their clients’ personal wishes. They take into account everything from the flights to hotel accommodations and transportation. They also provide expert advice and recommendations that will enhance the experience.

They have the ability to open doors for their clients to exclusive experiences and private events in luxury destinations. These include sold-out concerts, one-on-one tastings with renowned chefs, VIP seats at sports events, and more. In addition, they can also recommend hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

They have extensive local, regional and global networks which allows them to make arrangements that are unique and incredibly satisfying. In addition, digital technology and industry-friendly software programs assist them in better comprehending their clients to deliver an enhanced positive travel experience. They are available around the clock to meet all their client’s needs and offer peace of mind. Their services are highly valued and appreciated by many customers.

[charlottelane23]

Revenue Streams for Dream11 Clone Script

Nowadays, the market for such activities is rapidly expanding, and platforms like Dream11 have contributed to this development. In order to enter this highly profitable market, building a Dream11 clone script can be a valuable business model for entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, to support and develop such a platform, it is necessary to have several revenue sources. Below are the main sources of revenue that can be implemented in a Dream11 clone script

They need to discuss entry fees and contest participation.

The primary source of income for fantasy sports platform is the entry fees charged from the users in various tournaments. Players buy a ticket to participate in a contest, and the host platform earns a percentage of every ticket sold. The rest is then divided among the winners. The multiple format of the competition such as one-to-one, multiple entries and winner takes it all ensures that the platform attracts many people and make high revenues.

Advertising and Sponsorships

Advertising can be a big source of income if one develops a Dream11 clone. Offering a targeted advertising platform in the form of banner, video or sponsored content the platform can earn revenue for advertisers keen on reaching sports enthusiasts. Also, there should be a regular income; this can be obtained by sponsoring brands, teams or leagues. Sponsorships may range from branded competitions, sponsored gifts, and special deals.

In-App Purchases

Offering in-app purchases is another effective way to generate revenue. Users can buy virtual goods, such as team enhancements, premium statistics, or exclusive access to expert advice and strategies. These purchases can enhance the user experience and provide additional value, encouraging users to spend more on the platform. Implementing a tiered membership system with different levels of benefits can also incentivize users to upgrade and pay for premium features.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a concept that requires the cooperation between companies that help each other promote their products. However, it benefits the platform by charging a commission for any sale or any leads that are made from the linked products. In the case of a Dream11 clone, appropriate affiliations may be retail stores that specialize in sports products, ticket-selling platforms, brands of sports equipment, and online betting sites. This is because you will be recommending products with high appeal to your audience and hence satisfying both of you.

Data Analytics and Insights

The company can add value to consumers by providing additional and enhanced statistics for a subscription fee as part of the fantasy sports platform. This can embrace elaborate mans of player performances, team patterns, outcomes, and probabilities of results. Thus, giving users the knowledge and skills to make the right decision on those special fantasy teams, and paying for the cost of such premium services.

Subscription Plans

Subscription plans may be useful to ensure that there’s a stable and consistent income. Users can upgrade to monthly or yearly paid memberships that provide more benefits as ad-free, early access to contests, enhanced data and feedbacks, and premium customer service. Subscription based models can be flexible to offer different levels and types of subscription options that cover all needs and price points of a users’ market and help maximize subscription profits.

Referral Programs

Programs such as this encourage the current customers to invite new players to the site or application. The platform could easily expand by encouraging existing users to invite new ones through the use of bonuses, lower fees, and entry fees. This also increases the chance to collect entry fees; at the same time, it supports the community-driven growth model, helping to decrease brands’ marketing expenditures while increasing customer retention.

Broadcasting and Pay Per View Sporting Events

Broadcasting of the live sports events and providing paid options for the same will pull more traffic from the people who are willing to pay for the live streaming of sports events. Alternatively, the platform can engage broadcasters, get streaming rights and offer the full experience to fans – playing fantasy sports while watching their favorite games. This dual engagement can greatly enhance the user return rate and the overall sales.

Merchandising

It is also possible to generate supplementary income through the sales of the branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, and memorabilia related to various sporting events. Using the brand identity of the platform and its audience, you can deliver specialized merchandise that will be attractive to sports enthusiasts. With the help of pets users may increase sales by releasing a limited number of products and involving famous sportsmen in creation of these products.

Conclusion It is pertinent to note that a Dream11 Clone Script can bring promised revenues through various sources. Therefore, through the efficient positioning of entry fees, advertising, in-app purchases, affiliate marketing, data analytics, subscription plans, referral programs, and live streaming, merchandising, you can develop a sustainable business model. The strategy is to innovate and/or improve the user experience as consistently as possible to maintain the relevance and desirability of your platform to the steadily increasing population of fantasy sports players.