#fully managed server hosting

[bulltenweb]

Web Hosting and SEO: Boost Your Website's Visibility

In the ever-expanding digital landscape, a website's success hinges on more than just its content and design. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a pivotal role in determining a website's visibility and, consequently, its reach and impact. While SEO strategies encompass a wide range of factors, one often overlooked aspect that can significantly influence your website's SEO performance is your Web Hosting Service. In this blog post, we'll explore the intricate relationship between web hosting and SEO and how choosing the right hosting provider can bolster your website's visibility.

The Need for Speed

One of the key factors that search engines like Google consider when ranking websites is page speed. Google's algorithms favor websites that load quickly and provide a seamless user experience. Slow-loading websites tend to frustrate users and can result in a higher bounce rate, both of which are detrimental to your SEO efforts.

Your Web Hosting Service Provider plays a central role in determining your website's loading speed. Factors such as server hardware, data center location, and the efficiency of their infrastructure all impact how fast your website loads. High-quality hosting providers invest in fast servers and content delivery networks (CDNs) to ensure your site is served to users as quickly as possible. By choosing a reliable host with a focus on speed, you can give your website an SEO advantage.

Uptime and Downtime

Search engines, including Google, also take into account the uptime of your website. Frequent downtime not only results in a poor user experience but can also negatively affect your search engine rankings. If your website is often inaccessible due to hosting issues, search engines may lower your site's ranking as it implies unreliability.

When selecting a web hosting provider, look for one that offers a high uptime guarantee. Most reputable hosts provide at least 99.9% uptime. This ensures that your website remains accessible to users and search engine bots, which is vital for SEO success.

Server Location and Geo-Targeting

For businesses that serve a specific geographic area or audience, server location is critical. Search engines consider the geographical location of your web server when determining the relevance of your website to local search queries.

If you're targeting a local audience, it's advantageous to choose a hosting provider with servers located in the same region as your target audience. This can enhance your website's local SEO performance and help you rank higher in local search results.

Security and SEO

Security is another crucial aspect of web hosting that affects your website's SEO. A hacked or compromised website can suffer severe penalties in search rankings. Hosting providers with robust security measures, such as firewalls, malware scanning, and regular backups, can help protect your website from potential threats.

In summary, the relationship between web hosting and SEO is more intertwined than you might think. Your choice of hosting provider can significantly impact your website's speed, uptime, server location, and security—all of which are essential for SEO success. By selecting a reliable and SEO-friendly hosting provider, you can give your website the best chance to boost its visibility in search engine results and reach a wider audience. Remember that SEO is a multifaceted strategy, and your hosting service is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

[best-develpoment-company]

Unraveling the Power of Managed Cloud Server Hosting: A Step-by-Step Guide?

In today's digital era, businesses are increasingly turning to "cloud server management solutions" to enhance efficiency, scalability, and security. One of the most sought-after options in this realm is fully managed cloud server hosting. This comprehensive guide will take you through the ins and outs of managed cloud server hosting, providing a step-by-step understanding of its benefits, implementation, and best practices.

Understanding Managed Cloud Server Hosting Managed cloud server hosting refers to the outsourcing of server management tasks to a third-party service provider. This includes server setup, configuration, maintenance, security, updates, and troubleshooting. By "opting for managed cloud hosting", businesses can focus on their core activities while leaving the technical aspects to experienced professionals.

Benefits of Managed Cloud Server Hosting Enhanced Security: Managed cloud server hosting offers robust security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and regular security audits to protect sensitive data and applications.

Scalability: With managed cloud hosting, businesses can easily scale their resources up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency.

Cost Savings: By outsourcing server management, businesses can save costs on hiring dedicated IT staff, infrastructure maintenance, and upgrades.

24/7 Monitoring and Support: Managed cloud hosting providers offer round-the-clock monitoring and support, ensuring quick resolution of issues and minimal downtime.

Step-by-Step Implementation of Managed Cloud Server Hosting

Step 1: Assess Your Hosting Needs Determine your storage, processing power, bandwidth, and security requirements. Identify the type of applications (e.g., web hosting, databases, e-commerce) you'll be hosting on the cloud server.

Step 2: Choose a Managed Cloud Hosting Provider Research and compare different managed cloud hosting providers based on their offerings, pricing, reputation, and customer reviews. Consider factors such as server uptime guarantees, security protocols, scalability options, and support services.

Step 3: Select the Right Cloud Server Configuration Choose the appropriate cloud server configuration (e.g., CPU cores, RAM, storage) based on your hosting needs and budget. Opt for features like automatic backups, disaster recovery, and SSL certificates for enhanced security and reliability.

Step 4: Server Setup and Configuration Work with your "managed cloud hosting provider" to set up and configure your cloud server according to your specifications. Ensure that all necessary software, applications, and security protocols are installed and activated.

Step 5: Data Migration and Deployment If migrating from an existing hosting environment, plan and execute a seamless data migration to the "managed cloud server". Test the deployment to ensure that all applications and services are functioning correctly on the new cloud server.

Step 6: Ongoing Management and Optimization Regularly monitor server performance, security, and resource utilization to identify potential issues and optimize performance. Work closely with your "managed cloud hosting provider" to implement updates, patches, and security enhancements as needed.

Step 7: Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning Set up automated backups and disaster recovery mechanisms to protect data against hardware failures, cyber threats, and data loss incidents. Regularly test backup and recovery processes to ensure their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Best Practices for Managed Cloud Server Hosting Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks. Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor server performance metrics such as CPU usage, memory utilization, disk I/O, and network traffic to optimize resource allocation.

Backup and Restore Testing: Test backup and restore procedures periodically to ensure data integrity and recovery readiness. Compliance and Regulations: Stay compliant with industry regulations and data protection laws relevant to your business operations. Disaster Recovery Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive disaster recovery plan with predefined procedures for data restoration and business continuity.

In conclusion, "managed cloud server hosting" offers a myriad of benefits for businesses seeking reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above and adhering to best practices, businesses can leverage the power of "managed cloud hosting" to streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive business growth in the digital landscape.

[foldingfittedsheets]

One of the scariest things that ever happened to me was when I was working at Red Robin. I was around eighteen and I worked as a host. I answered phones, opened doors, and seated people. The job wasn’t strenuous.

One night, the phone rang. It was fully dark outside. My shift was almost over and my mom was picking me up because I still didn’t have a car of my own. She was waiting in the parking lot when the store phone rang.

I picked up with a chirpy greeting and slammed into a horror movie when a gruff voice informed me that he could see me. He had a shotgun pointed into the building and I’d see brain matter sprayed across the walls if I didn’t do what he said. My brain froze in blind panic. I couldn’t believe this terrible thing was really happening to me.

The restaurant was all windows, visible on all sides by the parking lot except for the kitchen. He could be looking in from any direction, shotgun leveled on customers, or coworkers, or me. “Do you hear me?��� he asked.

I stared in blank terror, not answering until he yelled, “Do you fucking hear me?!”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Do you have a cellphone?”

“Yes,” I was so transfixed with fear it hadn’t occurred to me to lie.

“Give me the number.”

My mind suddenly whirred into panicky circles. I couldn’t give some crazy man my phone number, I needed to do something else but I couldn’t make up a number either because my head was pounding with adrenaline. My frightened head latched onto the only other number I had memorized.

I rattled off my mothers phone number.

“You’re going to hang up the phone, walk to the back dumpster with your cell phone in your left hand, and I’m going to call you. No one has to die tonight.”

I stood shaking with the phone pressed to my ear.

“Hang up.”

I hung up the phone. I was trembling, but I knew there was no windows in the kitchen. If I got to the kitchen I’d be safe, and that’s where he told me to go so I could make it there if I just held it together.

I made it to dry storage and met one of the assistant managers exiting. I broke down in sobs and started garbling in incoherent fear. He looked utterly flabbergasted by this, as I had the reputation of being the most level headed of the host staff.

He asked me to wait at the bar. He rushed off to try to finish what he was doing so he could deal with me. I was too scared to leave the kitchen hallway; I huddled as close the end of the bar as I could get without leaving the safety of the wall.

I was sobbing when the bartender looked over and saw me. She gasped in outrage and had me into the managers office in a blink, arms around me asking what was wrong, what was wrong.

I was finally in an enclosed room with a locking door. The gibbering in my head calmed to the point that I relayed the whole thing to the bartender. Near the end, the manager returned. He had my mother in tow.

She was furious, hearing the tail end of my death threat call. Apparently, while sitting in the parking lot she’d received the call I had been too scared to get.

The man had asked if she was me, and she was instantly combative. She didn’t tell him anything, just demanded to know, “Who’s This?” He hung up.

He’d called back once just saying my name and she’d angrily asserted, “No.” He hung up.

My mom was furious and confused and marched into the building. Part of her anger was that I’d given away her phone number. She’s a violently private person. My manager had been making sure the servers knew they didn’t have a host when my mom burst in on a mission of vengeance. He quickly escorted my rampaging mother to the back room and they were both in time to hear I’d received a death threat.

My mom rounded on my manager demanding to know why they hadn’t called the police and he pleaded that this was the first he was hearing about it. The police were called.

My mom and I waited in a booth while my nerves jangled with anxiety. No one had checked the cars outside for shooters and now I was sitting here exposed, surrounded by windows. She tried not to be mad about me giving her number given my emotional state, but she wasn’t thrilled with me.

A police office showed up an hour later. I answered her questions and my manager asked if I wanted anything. Everyone at the table looked astonished when I requested a root beer float. But by god, I wanted one.

The officer assured me that most events like this did not happen on site, that the caller wasn’t here. I didn’t believe the dowdy woman sitting across from me had even bothered to do a security sweep but I drank my float and tried to forget the darkness of the night staring in from all those windows. The clear line of sight on me from every side. The image of brain splattering against the glass divider. I drank more root beer.

I got a day off to calm down. On closing shifts after that my heart would pound when the phone rang and the bartenders all agreed to be on phone duty for me. A private investigator came in one day and I recited the whole event again. He’d been hired by the company as Red Robin’s nation wide had been targeted by the same caller.

The investigator told me he was working on it. That dozens of other businesses across the country had been called. He told me that if I’d given the caller my real number I would have been subjected to sexual assault over the phone.

I was starting to feel stupid. Everyone I told was so sure that he’d never even been present. That I’d never been in danger. The only thing I could console myself with was that many other girls had given him their number, but I hadn’t. I started forcing myself to pick the phone back up on closing shifts.

A few months later I was notified that he’d been arrested. The private investigator hired by a fast food restaurant had done what the police force hadn’t and tracked him down to a small town in the Midwest. My testimony was one of dozens used to convict him and for a while I received checks for 0.23 cents as reparations for the mental distress.

[writinginatree]

At His Princess's Command

Relationship(s): Garrick Tavis/female!Tauri!reader, Xaden Riorson & reader, Violet Sorrengail & reader

Summary: When Garrick almost dies, you can no longer hide that you've been in love with him for years.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, Onyx Storm spoilers, mentions of canon-typical violence, panic attacks, poison, mentions of reader's family being toxic/kinda abusive, slight canon-divergence (reader takes Aaric's place in quest squad and we're pretending they stopped for the night between Hedotis and Zehyllna), one mention of reader having long hair.

Based on this request.

You impatiently tap your fork against your hand, courtly table manners too deeply ingrained in you to start on the cake. No matter what your hosts say, it would be impolite not to wait. But damn, does that cake look good. You really hope the servers hurry with getting the triumvirate their forks so you can find out if the cake's taste matches its appearance.

Suddenly, your hand is empty.

You look down at it, then over at your fork in Violet's hand, blinking in confusion. Just as your gaze meets her tense face, Garrick, who sits at your other side, says the cake tastes just like home, and a jolt of terror has the blood freezing in your veins.

The word flares bright in your mind. Poison. Gods, how did you not think of it? Throughout your childhood, you've been drilled about the dangers of it time and time again — though most Navarrians adored their princess, the danger of being poisoned at some banquet or other was never zero. The fact that your hosts hadn't received their forks alongside you should have instantly set alarm bells ringing in your head, but you'd been so preoccupied with the triumvirate's ridiculous judgement of your friends' life choices and wondering if this really is supposed to be the test of wisdom Violet had said was waiting for you, that you hadn't even considered they might test you by poisoning the godsdamned food. That's why Faris had waited until desert, you suppose, so you would be reassured by having survived the main course and fully focused on the conversation — too focused to be suspicious about the missing forks until it was too late.

"Don't eat it!" you shout, head whipping around to face Garrick.

But of course he already has. Gods, how did he manage to shove down almost half the slice so quickly? Why didn't you think faster, fast enough to stop him?

As you watch Garrick's face slacken, it's like your heart stops in your chest. If Violet hadn't snatched the fork from you before you could even think about taking a bite, you would think you're poisoned too. Terror paralyzes you for a second, two, then your body remembers how to breathe and you snap out of the stupor, your hand shooting out just in time to keep Garrick's head from slamming into the table as he collapses.

"Garrick!" Xaden shouts.

Oh gods, no. This can't be happening.

"He's not breathing!" You should do something about that, give him mouth-to-mouth, but you can barely breathe yourself. With your much too fast and shallow breaths, you wouldn't do him much good. "Xaden, do something! He's not fucking brea—"

"I heard you the first time."

Your friend is already on his feet, passing behind your and Violet's chairs to help you lower Garrick to the floor.

The chair topples over as you shove out of it and fall to your knees at Garrick's side, frantically feeling for his pulse. You can't find it. Is it just because you're shaking too hard, or is there no pulse to find?

Mira is yelling at someone to get Trager, but what good is a medic when you don't have the antidote to whatever is killing him?

"What did you put in that fucking cake?!" you snap at the triumvirate, even as it dawns on you that there's no way they'll tell you.

The poison was part of the test — and Garrick failed. You failed.

Xaden kneels on Garrick's other side, opposite you, ear to his chest to check for a heartbeat. "Sluggish but beating."

Thank you, Malek, for not taking him yet. But he still isn't breathing. His face is starting to turn blue.

"Do something," you plead again, wetness trailing down your cheeks. "We have to— to get him breathing again. I— I can't—"

Xaden doesn't waste time on a reply, lowering his face to Garrick's to breathe air into his mouth.

Meanwhile Violet is now trying to get answers from Faris, but, as you already suspected, he isn't talking. That asshole is perfectly willing to let Garrick die on his dining room floor, just for failing to guess that the cake was poisoned.

"Violet."

Xaden's voice is pleading, vulnerable like you've never heard it in the three and a half years you've known him. The realization that even your usually stoic leader is close to losing composure only makes it harder to control your own distress.

You're having a panic attack, you realize — worse than any you've experienced before, and you've had your fair share of them. All the breathing techniques and grounding exercises you know have abandoned you; the only thing you can think of is that you might be about to lose Garrick.

Not that you have any claim to him whatsoever — unlike your dragons, the both of you are merely friends, nothing more. If he dies now, he'll never know you feel more for him than friendship.

"I won't let him die," Violet promises, the words directed as much at you as at her boyfriend.

You tear your gaze from Garrick for a second to give her a grateful look, the panic receding the tiniest bit. Violet is one of your oldest friends — one of the only real friends you had as a child — and has always been the smartest. If anyone can find the right antidote, it's her.

Moments later, the door flies open. Trager and the others — finally. You don't know how much good his medical training can do in this case, but hopefully he can keep Garrick from dying long enough for Violet to figure out how to actually save him.

As Trager joins you and Xaden at Garrick's side, Violet and Mira shout orders at the rest of the squad. They all disperse to do their part, leaving the four of you alone with the triumvirate — all of them bent over and clutching their stomachs, thanks to Violet's arinmint.

"We have to get his heart beating stronger." Trager puts one hand on top of the other on Garrick's sternum, then forces all his weight down. "Keep breathing for him."

You know you should do something, anything, to help too, but you can't bring yourself to take your eyes off Garrick for even a moment, can't do anything but clutch his hand, fight for breath, and pray, pray that Violet really will find an antidote.

You're vaguely aware you'll hyperventilate if you don't calm down, but all you can think about is Garrick. Though your dragons are mated, it's different than with Xaden and Violet, who would almost certainly both end up dead if one of them dies. If Garrick dies, Chradh will likely survive it, and you'll be forced to live in a world without Garrick in it.

The thought is unbearable.

Without interrupting the heart massage, Trager calls your name. "Breathe. It won't help Garrick if you pass out."

"I k-know," you gasp.

Gods, you feel so useless. Worse than useless — you're making the situation worse, distracting Trager from helping Garrick, just because you can't get a fucking grip on yourself.

"It's going to be okay. Just breathe in" — he waits for you to do so — "and out. Good. Again. Deep breaths."

You do your best to force your thoughts to stop spiraling into doom, focusing on your breathing under Trager's instruction. Eyes trained on the almost hypnotic rhythm of his hands compressing Garrick's chest, you slowly regain some semblance of control over yourself.

Giving yourself a firm shake, you rub your hands over your face. When you open your eyes again, Trager and Xaden have stopped their efforts.

"What—?"

"He's breathing on his own."

Oh thank the gods. He's breathing — shallowly, but he is breathing. That's as good as it can get without the antidote.

"You can't die, Garrick," you whisper, curling in on yourself with your head on Garrick's shoulder. Every breath you feel him take comes as a relief. "You hear me? I forbid it."

He always jokes about being at your beck and call, heeding his princess's every command. It always makes you feel a little awkward, a reminder of your power imbalance and the life you'll never be able to fully leave behind, but for once, you hope he meant it.

No matter how ridiculous it is to believe that an order from you will keep him hanging onto live long enough for Violet to find the antidote, you keep repeating it anyway. He is not allowed to die. Not here, not now, not if you have any say about it. You'll personally follow him into the afterworld and drag his sorry ass back out before you let him leave you like this — killed by a piece of cake, of all things! When he wakes up, you'll give him an earful about shoveling the damned thing into his mouth so carelessly, that's for sure. You try to convince yourself he will wake up again. He just has to.

There's noise in the kitchen, then Vi and Ridoc step out of it. Almost at the same moment, Dain returns with Violet's book, and it must contain what she was looking for, because she sends him to get figs.

You blink at that. Figs? You don't know what you expected the antidote to be, but certainly not that. No matter. If they really help Garrick, figs will be your new favorite fruit from now on.

Violet turns to you, sending you into the kitchen with Ridoc to prepare five cups of water. You don't want to leave Garrick's side, but it's to save him, so you make yourself go.

You've just filled the first cup when Dain comes sprinting into the kitchen with the figs. Grabbing the nearest knife, he cuts them as small as possible, crushing the pieces with the flat of the knife for good measure before dumping the stuff into the water cup you hold out to him.

Grabbing a spoon, you head for the door, stirring the mixture as you walk. Dain and Ridoc follow with the other water cups; you don't know what Violet needs them for, and you honestly don't care.

Xaden and Trager already have Garrick on his side, and together, the three of you manage to get the solution down his throat.

Garrick sputters, spitting some of the slurry out, but his eyes flash open. Xaden yells at him to wake the fuck up and drink it. It takes him four big swallows before the cup is drained and he falls back, his head landing in your lap.

He still doesn't look good.

You frown down at him, while Xaden's worried gaze snaps to Violet.

"Give it time," she soothes. "We're under the hour mark. He'll be alright."

You don't take your eyes off Garrick. "You don't know that."

If you weren't still so worried about Garrick you'd be embarrassed at the way you sound, voice shaking and thick with tears. Your heart is still thumping against your ribcage like a trapped bird, but at least your breathing has normalized.

While Violet turns to threaten Faris some more, you run your hand through Garrick's hair.

"Wake up, Garrick. Please. You can't just leave me like this. I need you."

You wish there was magic here, wish you could mentally reach for Garrick or the dragons. Chradh would be able to tell you if Garrick is close to waking up, but you can feel neither him nor your own dragon. Maybe that's for the better — they're probably both furious about the poisoned cake, and getting swamped with dragon rage is the last thing you need right now.

But gods, how you long for Garrick's voice in your head. How you wish he'd wake up and tease you about the tears you shed for him, for believing he would die that easily.

You don't remember how to live without him. Though it's only been three and a half years since that day your dragons choose you and forever bound you together, it feels like you've known him an eternity.

When you think back to life before you became a rider, before you met Garrick, it seems woefully empty.

Abandoning your father's court to go to Basgiath had been the best decision of your life, not just because being a rider allows you to fight for what is right or because your dragon understands you like nobody else, though both things are also true, but because if you hadn't joined the quadrant, you might have never met Garrick, certainly wouldn't have become so close with him and the other marked ones.

When you declared you wanted to become a rider, your father had been far from thrilled, but since — much unlike your older brothers — you rarely ever asked for anything, he had eventually given in and allowed it. Though you hadn't liked entering the quadrant together with your brother, it was your luck that you did. After Alic's death, your father would have never let you go.

But gods, how you had loathed it, loathed Alic, loathed the implications. You knew how it would make you look; like you were just a little girl trailing after her older and stronger brother. For a while, you had even considered going to the healers instead, just to put some distance between yourself and your brothers. But being a rider was what you wanted, had always been your dream, a way to truly make a difference, and you wouldn't let Alic take that from you just because he had decided a dragon would suit his ego. You'd ignore him and make your own path.

It was easy enough to ensure you were put in a different squad, a different wing, than Alic. Even though your status wasn't supposed to mean anything in the quadrant, everyone was eager to please the princess, to win your favor. Precisely for that reason, you kept to yourself as much as you could. You were tired of fake friends, tired of all the lies.

The marked ones were understandably wary of you — it was defying your father that had gotten their parents killed, and they had no way of knowing you despised him, despised the deceit and cowardice he ruled with. They couldn't know you came to Basgiath to escape all that, that you knew what was out there and couldn't stand the thought of sitting idly in your father's palace in Calldyr doing nothing about it, that you wanted to find a way to fight the real enemy.

The open hostility had been strangely refreshing. It wasn't like any of the marked ones tried to harm you — they weren't fools — but they made no secret of the fact they wanted nothing to do with you, and you could feel them glare at you anytime one of them was in your vicinity.

Sometimes other people would get mad about it on your behalf, but when they tried to start fights about it, you quickly shut it down. All you wanted was to be left alone, treated normally; the marked ones didn't bother you.

Alic, of course, was a different matter. While you ignored the marked ones when you could and treated them the same you would anyone else when you did have to interact with one of them, your brother found twisted amusement in the pain the children of the rebellion had been caused on your father's orders, and tormented them whenever he could.

Not that he didn't torment everyone else, too — even you weren't entirely safe from his bullying, though he didn't take it quite as far as with others he deemed farther beneath him. When it suited him, Alic played the protective brother, using you as an excuse to pick on any marked ones he caught being less than friendly to you, only to be the one pushing you around and insulting you moments later.

No one seemed to take notice of it, and you were used to it, so you simply avoided him as much as you could, the way you'd always done. Being away from home made it easier to keep your distance, though in the quadrant's limited space you couldn't help running into him occasionally.

At home, you had been expected to get along. As the only girl, you had been expected to keep the peace between all three of your brothers, to play the perfect daughter of the perfect royal family, smiling even when Alic pinched your arm so hard you teared up. Being not quite a full year younger than him and Halden, you'd spent your whole life quietly suffocating in their oppressive orbit, shielding Cam from their cruelty as much as you could in hopes he would grow up a better person than them.

But at Basgiath, you didn't have to pretend anymore. Though people would never let you forget where you came from, you weren't the princess there, just another cadet. There was no more need for you to associate with Alic.

Dropping the pretense was freeing, but also strange, like speaking a language you weren't quite fluent in. So many times you'd been lectured about being nice to your older brothers, even when they were anything but. Turning your back on Alic when he commanded you to write his assignments for him had felt like committing a crime against the crown, but you'd done it anyway.

And as you grew bolder, more openly cold towards your brother, the marked ones slowly warmed up to you. It was such a gradual change you didn't even notice at first.

Not until the day you faced Garrick Tavis on the challenge mat.

He completely kicked your ass, but he was... shockingly nice about it.

The moment you'd heard his name called out alongside your own, you had prepared to die. It was the first match in which the professors dared to pair you with one of the marked ones, though you had no doubt there'd been requests from them to challenge you before. Considering who you were, it was to be expected they would try to kill you — and on the mat, they would have every right to do it, though even so, there were sure to be repercussions. But in the quadrant, every cadet was equal — or was supposed to be, anyway — so the professors couldn't avoid letting you fight a marked one forever.

The separatist kids had every reason to want you dead, but when Garrick stepped on the mat with you, he didn't seem like he was out for blood. He looked calm, confident, eager for the fight — normal. Like you were just a regular cadet, not the princess of Navarre, not the daughter of the man responsible for hiding the truth and orphaning more than a hundred children, Garrick himself among them.

You wondered if maybe he was just that good at hiding his hatred, if he was trying to make you let your guard down so he could stick a blade in your heart. But you'd seen him fight, knew he was one of the best in your year, outdone only by Xaden Riorson himself. He had no need to resort to tricks if he wanted to kill you.

And he didn't. Didn't try to kill you, didn't even hurt you any more than was strictly necessary to defeat you.

You walked off the mat with all your bones intact, and only a single, finger-shaped bruise blooming around your wrist where he'd gripped it to twist your dagger from you. Your thoughts, however, were a jumble. Not just that Garrick had defeated you so gently, he'd even offered his hand to help you to your feet after you yielded. And he had smiled at you — not the cruel sort of smirk you were used to seeing from Alic when he won a fight, but an actual friendly smile. Slightly cocky, clearly proud of his victory, but friendly nonetheless. Like he was a little sorry for ending the victory streak you'd had going.

It didn't make any sense. The marked ones hated you. Why would one of them spare your life when presented with a chance to end it, let alone be so nice about it? You even wondered if it was a ploy to indebt you to him, if he would hold it over your head and claim you owed him for letting you live, but he did no such thing. He just went on with his life as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

You payed more attention to the marked ones from that day on, started watching Garrick, and realized the glares had stopped — or at least become significantly less frequent. When you passed a pair of them talking to each other in the courtyard, they no longer interrupted their conversation to watch you with narrowed eyes until you were gone. When you had breakfast duty and a marked one got something from your station, they politely thanked you, some of them even giving you a smile. One time a marked girl was nearby to see Alic shove you around, and wordlessly offered a hand to help you to your feet once he'd left.

None of them went so far as to befriend you, but it seemed the growing awareness that you were here to escape your family was enough to come to an unspoken truce.

And Garrick... Garrick slowly but surely started to take up more and more space in your thoughts. It was a little embarrassing, developing a crush on someone you'd never even talked to, but he had a certain charm about him that you could tell others weren't immune to, either. For someone with a rebellion relic, he was a very successful flirt.

He wore the dagger he'd won from you during that challenge strapped among his other ones, but so far as you could tell, he never used it — as if it were too valuable, too precious, something he didn't want to lose or damage. A ridiculous thought, of course, but you couldn't shake the feeling it was true.

Or maybe he just thought it too impractical — it being one of the daggers your father had gifted to you when you departed for Basgiath, it was a filigrane little thing adorned with jewels, looking more like a little girl's toy than an actual weapon. You yourself preferred fighting with the daggers you won in challenges, hating the way the blades you'd brought with you across the parapet seemed to scream spoiled princess.

Every time your eyes met across a room, you quickly looked away, lest Garrick notice the heat rising to your cheeks. You were used to male attention — guys had been hitting on you since you'd barely hit puberty. Everyone wanted the influence they thought they could gain from being with you, or to simply be able to brag about having kissed the princess of Navarre. But there was something different about having Garrick's attention on you, however fleetingly.

Maybe it was just that he didn't seem to care who you were, that even though he should consider you an enemy, he never treated you like it.

You'd never given any of your countless suitors the time of the day, which meant that now that there was someone you were actually interested in, you had no clue what to do about it. Was there even anything you could do? A marked one was the last person you should get involved with, the last person who would even want to get involved with you, no matter how many flirtatious looks he shot you.

Smiling at you from the other side of a room, handing you a book you dropped, brushing hands when you happened to reach for the basket of bread at the same time during lunch — none of that had to mean he liked you, or wanted anything to do with you.

The more you watched him, the more you doubted he even realized how friendly he was to you. Or — just as likely — maybe it was an act. Maybe he actually was trying to get close to you, to use you for your title like everyone else. Having the princess wrapped around his finger certainly would make life easier for him and the other marked ones.

Whatever his motives were, you kept your distance. You had joined the quadrant to bond a dragon, not to chase after boys, regardless of how handsome and charming they were. You needed to keep your eyes on your goal: to become a rider and fight for what's right. Between studying, hours in the gym, and Gauntlet training sessions, you had no time to waste on ridiculous crushes.

You did a good job of ignoring the way your heart sped up whenever you caught sight of Garrick, right up until Threshing came around.

When you stumbled upon him, Xaden Riorson, and Alic in the grounds, your resolve to keep away went right out the figurative window. It came as no surprise that your brother was using the opportunity to go after the marked ones, but you were still shaken that it was Garrick of all people he was targeting. Could Alic have noticed the way your eyes lingered on the marked cadet sometimes, or was it merely coincidence?

Seeing him raise his blade to strike Garrick down, you called your brother's name. You had no idea what exactly you thought you were doing — there was no way you could talk him out of the slaughter he seemed to have in mind. Did you seriously mean to fight him? Gods, you would be in so much trouble if you did. But you couldn't just walk away and let whatever happened happen, no more than you could stand there and watch it happen.

As it turned out, you didn't have to actually do anything. The brief distraction you provided gave Xaden enough time to place himself between his wounded friend and your brother. The following fight was short but brutal — and you did nothing to stop it, even when Xaden raised his sword for the killing blow.

Just before it fell, you turned your back, walking away with Alic's last scream ringing in your ears.

Even now, you sometimes find yourself wondering if the role you played in your brother's death makes you a bad person. You tell yourself it doesn't, that he was the bad person. The lack of remorse you feel about what happened, however, most certainly does. You can't bring yourself to care. He had been meaning to kill Garrick — Garrick, who is worth a dozen Alics. If Xaden hadn't been there to rid the world of your brother, you might have done so yourself. After twenty whole years in Alic's proximity, you had long given up any hope that he might grow out of being such a bully. He never would have changed.

You had still been reeling from the encounter when your dragon found you, leaving you no time to process what had happened — that you and the two marked ones were now co-conspirators in killing your brother. You might have only indirectly contributed to his death, but if your father got wind of it...

You could only hope he wouldn't.

Before you could contemplate what horrible fate would await you should anyone find out how exactly Alic had died, you were soaring through the sky to the flight field, where the next shock was already waiting for you in the form of your dragon's mate — a Brown that had bonded the very person your brother had been trying to kill. And because mated pairs couldn't be separated, that meant you were now tied to Garrick Tavis for the rest of your careers — and lives.

You still hadn't spoken a single word to each other.

It was a lot to get used to; the knowledge that Alic was dead and couldn't torment you any longer, the constant paranoia that someone would come arrest you for letting him die, and most of all, being bonded not just to a dragon, but by extension also to Garrick.

Once the both of you actually got to know each other, you'd instantly clicked, becoming almost as inseparable as your dragons, but despite all the lighthearted flirting, your bond never developed into anything more. It was like there was an invisible line neither of you were willing to cross, feelings the one thing you never spoke about — uncertain territory neither of you seemed willing to enter.

A groan from Garrick abruptly ends your reminiscing. His eyes open, meeting yours. "This is my least favorite isle."

You sob a laugh, silently agreeing. It's such a relief to have him awake and looking at you that you can barely hold back a fresh wave of tears. You hardly notice when Xaden jumps to his feet and attacks Faris; leaning down so your face hovers mere inches above Garrick's, it's like the two of you are in your own little world, shielded by the curtain of your hair.

"How are you feeling?" you ask, tracing your thumb along his scarred cheek.

"Well, I've definitely been better. But," he adds, that adorable dimple appearing as he grins up at you, "considering I have a beautiful princess fussing over me and acting as my pillow, I can't really complain."

"Gods, you're unbelievable." You don't know if you want to slap or kiss him. "You almost died, Garrick! And the first thing you do upon waking up is flirt with me?"

Upside down as he appears in your vision, it's hard to read his expression, but his shrug is entirely unapologetic. "It's not every day I get to wake up with my head on your lap. Those soft thighs do something to a guy, you know."

Un.be.lie.va.ble.

"More likely the poison got to your brain." You shake your head. "Do you even realize how fucking scared we all were for you?!"

No need to mention that it had been you who had freaked out the most.

Your expression must give something away though, because Garrick's face softens, and he reaches up to trace a finger over your cheek. Belatedly, you realize the tracks of your earlier tears must still be visible.

"I'm alright," he reassures you. "It'll take more than some poisoned cake to get rid of me."

You give him a wobbly smile, covering his hand with your own, the other still cupping his face. "Then I guess it's a good thing I don't want to get rid of you. Whatever would I do without you trailing after me?"

"Pretty sure it's usually you who trails after me, princess."

"Whatever. Just promise me that the next time we're served poisoned cake, you won't shovel it down like that."

"Yes, my lady. You can rest assured I will not be making that mistake twice."

Someone clears their throat next to you, interrupting the quiet conversation and reminding you that there are, in fact, other people in the room with you.

"Trager, help the princess with Garrick and start moving him toward Chradh," Dain orders. "Ridoc, let's pack everyone's shit."

The following night, you lie awake on your bedroll, watching Garrick's sleeping form in the firelight. While he seems to be recovering just fine from the effects of the poison — strong enough to keep his seat as you left Hedotis behind, and already back to doling out his usual sarcastic quips when you made camp for the night — the turmoil inside you still hasn't lessened. You can't bring yourself to take your eyes off Garrick, no matter how briefly; every time you do, the bitter taste of fear floods your mouth again.

He was so close to death, so close to leaving you. If he'd died, he would have done so without ever knowing how much he means to you.

The thought haunts you.

You've faced so much danger, overcame so many of your fears, pushed your limits time and time again. You like to think you've become truly brave in the three years you've been a rider, yet confessing your feelings is the one thing you still haven't found the courage to do.

How could you possibly tell Garrick you love him when even his and Xaden's friendship is already so much more than you deserve, considering everything your family has done to them?

Maybe it makes you a coward, but you've decided long ago that you would rather keep things as they are than risk rejection. With all his flirting, you're pretty certain Garrick would welcome you into his bed with open arms, but would he welcome you into his heart, too? He has never shown any indication he's interested in a long-term relationship — not with you, nor anyone else.

Maybe he just doesn't do romantic love.

If that's the case, you're fucked. You don't want a quick fling or to be friends with benefits. You could never be that casual about him, wouldn't be able to handle having him without having all of him. And if you tried and it ended up not working out, things would be terribly awkward. It's not like you would be able to avoid him, thanks to your dragons.

But watching him almost die made those worries pale in comparison to the sheer terror you'd felt at the idea of a life without him.

It's not like this was the first time you've witnessed him in mortal danger; gods know you've all had your share of close calls in your years as cadets, and even more since graduating. But somehow, this felt different. This wasn't just a blade evaded by hair's width, not an almost. This time, he stood right on Malek's doorstep — a door wide open, only waiting for him to walk through.

You've never come as close to losing him as this, never really had to think about what it would be like to have to go on without him, never quite realized just how much you need him, how much you rely on his presence to keep you sane in the midst of this war. You'd never dared to truly let yourself imagine what it would be like to have more than the friendship you built, kept telling yourself it's not worth the risk of destroying what you have, but after you almost lost him completely today...

You're not sure how you're supposed to keep hiding your feelings for him. Everyone saw you freak out. Oh gods, did they realize why you had reacted so extremely? Would they tell Garrick? Would it even matter if they do?

You know he cares about you, the question is just in what way; purely platonically, or maybe romantically, too?

If you don't find the guts to talk to him, you'll never know.

With a sigh, you turn onto your stomach, head resting on your folded arms, turned sideways in a way that will probably leave you with a stiff neck so you can keep Garrick in your sights. Your bedroll is laid out far enough from his to not seem clingy or improper, just close enough that if both of you were to stretch out an arm, your hands would be able to touch.

That's not going to happen, of course. He's sleeping, and you won't reach for him, no matter how much you want to.

You'll just watch over him, let the rise and fall of his chest reassure you that he's breathing. You know you won't be able to sleep anyway, no matter how hard you try.

Every time you close your eyes, the day's events play out in your mind again and again. Garrick chewing on that cursed cake, Garrick collapsing, Garrick laid limp on the floor, unbreathing. Better to stay awake, thinking about your feelings for Garrick and what to do about them, than to relive those moments over and over.

Maybe you should risk telling him. You only have this one life, only one chance to be with him. Do you really want to waste it just because you're scared he doesn't feel the same? What if he does? Wouldn't that be worth risking your heart for?

In the end, you must have dozed off after all, because the next thing you know, the stars overhead are gone, replaced by the dull twilight of early morning.

You've rolled closer to Garrick in your sleep — you're lying on the blank sand between his bedroll and your own, your blanket tangled around you like a constrictor snake.

Garrick's arm is stretched out in the sand next to you; a twitch of your hand is all it would take to make your pinkies touch. To your embarrassment, he stirrs before you can untangle yourself and move back onto your bedding. You can't even pretend to still be asleep; your fight to free yourself from the bondage-loving blanket made you twist into a position no one would believe you can sleep in.

Garrick doesn't even waste time on a good morning before he starts teasing you. "Careful, princess, or I'll get used to that beautiful face being the first thing I see when I wake up."

His voice, low and still rough with sleep, sends shivers down your spine. You're still so sleepy you can't stop yourself from imagining what it would be like to always wake up beside him and get to hear his morning voice.

"Shut up."

He doesn't, of course. "If you wanted to cuddle, all you had to do is ask."

"Shut up! I must have gotten cold in my sleep or something."

Garrick chuckles quietly. "Yeah? Come here then, princess. I'll keep you warm."

If you actually were cold, the heat rising to your cheeks at his words would certainly be enough to change that. Nonetheless, you scoot just a tiny bit closer. A second later, Garrick's hand slides under your waist, pulling you flush against him so suddenly you can barely stifle your yelp of surprise.

Everyone else is still asleep around the dying fire, except for whoever had taken the last watch. In the dim light of dawn, you can just make out their silhouette on the opposite side of your campsite.

Garrick's body is warm and solid against your own, and though you hadn't actually been cold at all, you're far from complaining. You only hope he can't feel the way your heart is racing.

This close, you can make out every detail of his handsome face, from the stubble on his jaw over the scar he got at Resson and those oh so kissable lips to his ever observant eyes.

"You're staring again," he whispers. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you haven't stopped staring at me since we left Hedotis, except to sleep. Did the poison give me purple freckles or something, or is just my good looks that have you so enraptured?"

You're not yet awake enough to make up an excuse or evade the question, so you answer honestly. "Just assuring myself you're still here. That you're breathing. Yesterday was—" You shake your head, words failing to adequately describe the horror you'd felt. "I almost lost you. I just— I can't bear the thought of a world without you in it."

"Aww, you really care about me that much, huh?" he teases.

"Yes," you simply say. You don't feel like joking about the matter.

Garrick must realize it, his expression turning serious. "I heard you, you know. When you told me not to leave you. I thought you didn't like giving orders, but it seems you do have it in you after all."

You shrug, trying to seem nonchalant as you desperately try to remember what exactly you'd said. Had you let slip any of what you felt for him? You'd been so upset — too upset to care what you said or who might hear. "I figured it was worth a try, considering how you always say you'd do anything for me. Thought I'd see if that includes staying alive."

"It does. My life is all yours, princess."

Though the words are lighthearted, joking, his tone is anything but.

"You shouldn't say things like that," you whisper. "I might get the idea you actually mean them."

"I do. Not even Malek himself could make me leave if you tell me to stay."

Your hand curls into a fist around the fabric of his shirt. Gods, when he talks like that, you can almost convince yourself he feels about you the same way you feel about him.

"Good, because I don't know what I would do without you by my side. I don't— I don't think I want to know. When it looked like you were about to die it was like— like I couldn't function anymore." You hadn't meant to admit it, but the words are gushing out faster than you can stop them. "Everyone else did what they had to, but I— I was completely petrified. All I could think was that I was going to lose you and I couldn't do anything about it."

"But you didn't lose me. I'm alive, princess. And I won't be going anywhere, I promise."

He pulls you closer, both arms wrapped tight around your waist, and you rest a palm on his chest. His heart beats strong and steady, not at all like the sluggish slow stumbling it had done when he lay dying on Talia's dining room floor. Without thinking, you rest your head against Garrick's chest and close your eyes, soaking up the sound, every beat a promise that he's alive and will stay that way.

"Garrick?"

"Yes, princess?"

"What would you do if I said I love you?"

With your head still lying on his chest, you can hear his heart speed up at the question.

"If that were the case, I would have to kiss you."

You bite your lip, slightly angling your head to peek up at him. "Really?"

One of Garrick's hands leaves your back and gently lifts your chin, making you fully face him.

"Why don't you try saying it and find out?"

Because you're scared, that's why. But he wouldn't have said that if he didn't mean it, if he didn't feel something, too. He wouldn't play with your feelings like that. And the way he's looking at you...

You shove the fear aside, and say the words you've held back for so long. "I love you, Garrick."

"I love you too, princess," he says just as quietly, and then his lips are on yours.

[kleinv01]

🩵 I'm hosting an art contest !

To celebrate my return from hiatus, I'd like to host something special! This is also a way to show how grateful I am for all of your support, even with my recent setbacks in development. RBs, likes, appreciated.

Read more how to join :

Theme(s) : → You and your favorite LI/character (if you're submitting illustrations entry)

→ Your favorite LI/character in your favorite mood (if you're submitting stickers or emotes entries)

Not allowed : NSFW (explicitly sexual (suggestive OK), extreme gore (mild OK)), hateful or illegal themes, AI assisted / generated illustrations, tracing, stealing, heavy referencing.

💝PRIZE : 1 free art commission from me. :3

You can choose between:

A fully rendered waist-up illustration , OR

A character sprite of your OC in the game’s art style

If we reach 30+ entries, there will be an added 2 winners!

📥To join : Submit your entry in the game's discord server here <

Alternatively, on any social medias you have (Tumblr and X (@himeir0) preferred, since I'm most active there), be sure to tag me @himeiro or this blog @kleinv01 or both lol, and the tag #Kleinv01Contest

You're also free to DM me (discord) if you want to submit privately. Please be aware I will be replying slowly.

Deadline will be on August 1st 2025, 00:00 GMT

I know I sound like a broken record right now, but I genuinely cannot say thank you enough. Managing my illnesses has been a real struggle but creating this game and you guys' support really keeps me going to try and do my best despite all. 🩵

Goodluck everyone! Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions 🩵

[initforthethrill]

socialite, snobbish, wife Cate?

like she a real bitch to anyone, seeing them as plebeians and treating everyone like shit.

UGH YES YES YES. this is so her. you’d never know she grew up locked away because she acts as if she’s always been fed from a silver spoon. but no...she just married up<3

socialite snob wife!cate

wife!cate who signs her texts with her married surname even to people who already know who she is—just to remind them she married better than them. her email signature also includes it and a link to your joint Vogue feature.

wife!cate who once had a server fired mid-gala because they brought her a white wine when she “very clearly asked for something with legs.” you had to gently lead her away before she snapped a champagne flute.

wife!cate who posts thirst traps of you with captions like "my husband. yes, she's taken. by me. stay mad.” and then pretends to be confused when her followers spiral over multiple things including but not limited to: how explicit the imagery is and the use of the word 'husband'.

wife!cate who calls your upper east side brownstone a “little starter home” despite it being three floors, fully renovated, and decorated by a celebrity designer. she does this in front of people who rent.

wife!cate who gets possessive any time someone tries to flirt with you in front of her, she tilts her head sweetly and goes, “that’s adorable. she doesn’t even see other people anymore. isn’t that right, baby?” as she slides her hand into your back pocket.

wife!cate who once “accidentally” bid $50,000 on a silent auction item just to outbid a woman who had once flirted with you at a country club brunch. she later refused the item and told the staff to “consider it a donation from my wife."

wife!cate who insists on front-row seating at every gala, fundraiser, and fashion show—even if it’s not assigned—because “my wife doesn’t like to crane her neck, it gives her headaches.”

wife!cate who once pretended to not know what a dunkin donuts was in front of a group of working-class donors and then turned to you and whispered (not quietly), “baby, that sounds like a slur...”

wife!cate who orders “off-menu” at every restaurant and acts like it’s perfectly normal. if the chef can’t make her a gluten-free dairy-light lavender scone with exactly six berries, she takes it as a personal attack.

wife!cate who refers to every other couple at brunch as “cute…in a youth pastor way,” while spoon-feeding you bites off her own plate and smirking like she won brunch even though it's hardly a competition.

wife!cate whose instagram stories are filled with photos of her hand on your thigh in restaurants, your hands on her waist in mirror selfies, and captions like “still can’t believe i get to go home with her every night.”

wife!cate who once posted a photo of their closet with the caption “organized chaos, just like our sex life,” then turned her phone off for twelve hours to let her followers combust.

wife!cate who demands her morning coffee served in a bone china teacup, even at home. “mugs are for peasants,” she once said while wearing your oversized hoodie and nothing else.

wife!cate who laughed for five solid seconds before answering, “Oh, I don’t.” when a journalist asked her how she stays grounded.

wife!cate who hosts dinner parties with three kinds of place cards: “important,” “tolerable,” and “here because my wife felt bad.” guess who doesn’t get a wine pairing!

wife!cate who books weekly couples massages even though you never want to go. “fine,” she’ll huff, “but I am getting on top tonight. i deserve compensation for emotional labor.”

wife!cate who, when asked what she does for work, answers with “i manage my wife. her calendar. her outfits. her orgasms. it’s a full-time position. i should unionize.”

wife!cate whose phone background is you. her lockscreen is also you. her apple watch wallpaper? yep. you. she once joked she’s legally required to have five photos of her wife visible at all times. “it’s in the prenup.”

wife!cate who often says, “my wife could’ve married a normal person,” and drapes herself dramatically across their velvet couch. “but instead, she picked the one with abandonment issues, wine snobbery, and a praise kink. she’s a saint.”

wife!cate who calls you “husband” in public settings just to watch people short-circuit. then adds a wink. “it’s a vibe thing. don’t overthink it.”

wife!cate who routinely hijacks girl’s nights just to talk about you. “sorry, am I oversharing? i just think it’s insane that my wife's so hot and i get to hit that daily.”

wife!cate who started a private group chat called “people who respect my marriage.” it’s just her, marie, and your mom.

wife!cate who will not get out of bed before 10am unless you're making coffee shirtless. if she does get up early, it’s to do something petty—like call customer service to report a package arriving “without the level of reverence i expected.”

wife!cate who wears your shirts with nothing underneath, pouts dramatically, and says things like “you’re leaving me cold and vulnerable in your absence” when you try to go to the gym.

wife!cate who only agreed to adopting a dog "only if it matches our aesthetic.” she meant it. now you own a cream-colored italian greyhound named versace.

wife!cate who, if you're apart for more than 6 hours, texts “do you still love me?” followed by 27 selfies. you respond “obsessively” every time.

wife!cate whose tequila limit is one. after that, she’s either crying about how perfect you are or grinding on you in front of your friends whispering, “can we go home? i need you to fuck me in the birkin closet.”

wife!cate who has filed complaints at four gyms and one trader joe’s. all because “some bitch” smiled at you. “why was she wearing leggings if not to seduce my wife? be serious.”

wife!cate who does the dishes in designer gloves and calls it “poor girl cosplay.” she insists on being dramatically thanked afterward. you usually oblige—with your tongue.

wife!cate who coos anytime you do something simple and domestic around the house like she just watched you win olympic gold. “that’s my girl. so strong. so domestic. so marriage material.” you usually have to walk away before you fold on the spot.

wife!cate who will not, under any circumstances, grocery shop without full glam and heels. “if someone sees me next to my wife looking less than trophy-tier, i’ll simply die.”

wife!cate who talks to your muscles like they’re people. “did you miss me today, biceps? mmm, don’t worry, mama’s home.” you are actively unwell every time.

wife!cate who once got pinned down during a pillow fight and gasped, “oh no, my big strong wife has overpowered me…guess i’ll have to marry her again.”

wife!cate who drags you to therapy because she saw a clip from the real housewives of beverly hills and thought, “wait. that could be me.” so now she goes to “have issues." when the therapist asks what she wants to work on, cate twirls her hair and says, “i don’t know. maybe my need to be adored every second of the day. or maybe the fact that i’d actually perish if my wife ever stopped calling me baby.” you just nod solemnly.

wife!cate who becomes obsessed with how “pretty” you are when she's tipsy. she touches your face like it’s holy. kisses your knuckles. tries to climb you like a tree. sometimes succeeds.

wife!cate who sometimes starts fake arguments just so she can cry into your shirt and beg for forgiveness she doesn’t need. “yell at me, i deserve it. i bought almond milk instead of oat. i’m a monster.”

wife!cate whose preferred conflict-resolution strategy is putting on lingerie and straddling you mid-apology. it works every single time.

wife!cate who every time she tries to vacuum, gets distracted mid-task, ends up posing with the vacuum like it’s a couture prop, and leaves the carpet half-cleaned. you've learned to finish in silence.

wife!cate who “helps” with chores by sitting on the counter and narrating your every move like it’s a rom-com montage. “there she goes…folding the towels…look at her domestic little muscles…”

wife!cate who walks into every room like she owns the deed. doesn’t matter if it’s a restaurant, boardroom, or the damn post office. she acts like it’s her personal salon and you’re lucky to be breathing near her.

wife!cate who raises an eyebrow whenever someone mentions their ivy league degree and says, “oh, that’s adorable. my wife taught herself quantum theory on youtube. we can’t all be prodigies.”

wife!cate who absolutely will not eat at a restaurant if their menu has photos on it. “i don’t trust establishments that cater to the illiterate.”

wife!cate who pretends to forget the names of people who’ve annoyed her. “oh, her? you mean…ugh, what’s her face? crunchy hair, sad eyes, always dating beneath herself?”

wife!cate who refers to takeout as “emergency cuisine.” she says it with a sigh, like you're rationing soup during war.

wife!cate who refuses to fold towels unless it’s “hotel-style.” one time you just shoved some into a drawer and cate gasped like she’d witnessed a murder.

wife!cate who calls other people’s apartments “quaint” and “bohemian” like it’s not just code for “i’d never survive here.”

wife!cate whose favorite hobby is pretending not to understand broke people problems. “what do you mean you split checks? oh… you mean like…communally? like roommates?” shudders...

wife!cate who makes you carry her around vintage markets like her personal coat rack and says things like, “this scarf smells like an aristocrat’s corpse. i need it.”

wife!cate who fake laughs when someone refers to her as a "tourist" when on holidays. “no, darling. i’m a muse. i’m here to be admired, not assimilated.”

wife!cate who cries at the eiffel tower—not from emotion, but from how hideous the lighting is. “baby, i need a flash. i can’t be seen like this. i look middle class.”

wife!cate who once toasted at a straight couple's wedding with: “to love, commitment, and the bravery it takes to settle for a man when women exist.” the bride choked. you clapped.

wife!cate whose walk is slow, deliberate, expensive. if she’s arriving late, it’s not because she’s rushed—it’s because she’s setting the scene. “the star should never share a call time with the extras.”

wife!cate who thanks people when they compliment her beauty like they’re simply confirming something she already knows. “how kind of you to say what everyone’s been thinking.”

wife!cate who doesn’t sit on the furniture—she poses. even curled up in sweats, there’s at least one accessory. even her slippers are designer. she calls it “domestic couture.”

wife!cate who is appalled when you bring home a rug from a local artisan once. cate stared at it for a full minute and said, “oh. you meant this as…art?” it was quietly donated.

wife!cate who doesn’t do “networking.” she hosts salons. she invites people who can quote poetry, wear cartier, and don’t eat finger food with their entire hand.

wife!cate who doesn’t mingle at events—she holds court. there’s a couch, a cocktail, and a little bit of your thigh under her palm. she’ll listen, maybe even nod, but the vibe is you are lucky to be here.

wife!cate who doesn't argue when someone speaks over her. she just blinks slowly and says, “you must be so exhausted, talking with no one listening.”

hopefully these satisfy your request hehe i kinda lost the plot and went off on mini tangents for some of these lol

♡ | trophy by choice

[nightshadeowl]

[Coming Soon!] Love is Fake, Anyway: A FakeZircon Dating Sim

Love is Fake, Anyway is a visual novel centered around the streamer personality FakeZircon—and you, the player—navigating a new Minecraft world.

After arriving by accident on a server unfamiliar to you, and catching the attention of its host, what better plan is there than to poke around a bit? Zircon says he's got a surprise for everyone at the end of the week, and if you can manage to get on Zircon's nice list—and stay on his whitelist—you might just be there to see it.

In addition to Zircon, meet and spend time with a whole cast of quirky characters! All six active members of the SM3 will appear fully-rendered in special encounters in the game.

This has been a passion project a long time in the making—and there's still lots of work to do! Keep an eye out for progress posts.

Demo release: TBD Full game release: TBD

Find me on Itch.io!

[the-nox-syndicate]

SysNotes devlog 1

Hiya! We're a web developer by trade and we wanted to build ourselves a web-app to manage our system and to get to know each other better. We thought it would be fun to make a sort of a devlog on this blog to show off the development! The working title of this project is SysNotes (but better ideas are welcome!)

What SysNotes is✅:

A place to store profiles of all of our parts

A tool to figure out who is in front

A way to explore our inner world

A private chat similar to PluralKit

A way to combine info about our system with info about our OCs etc as an all-encompassing "brain-world" management system

A personal and tailor-made tool made for our needs

What SysNotes is not❌:

A fronting tracker (we see no need for it in our system)

A social media where users can interact (but we're open to make it so if people are interested)

A public platform that can be used by others (we don't have much experience actually hosting web-apps, but will consider it if there is enough interest!)

An offline app

So if this sounds interesting to you, you can find the first devlog below the cut (it's a long one!):

(I have used word highlighting and emojis as it helps me read large chunks of text, I hope it's alright with y'all!)

Tech stack & setup (feel free to skip if you don't care!)

The project is set up using:

Database: MySQL 8.4.3

Language: PHP 8.3

Framework: Laravel 10 with Breeze (authentication and user accounts) and Livewire 3 (front end integration)

Styling: Tailwind v4

I tried to set up Laragon to easily run the backend, but I ran into issues so I'm just running "php artisan serve" for now and using Laragon to run the DB. Also I'm compiling styles in real time with "npm run dev". Speaking of the DB, I just migrated the default auth tables for now. I will be making app-related DB tables in the next devlog. The awesome thing about Laravel is its Breeze starter kit, which gives you fully functioning authentication and basic account management out of the box, as well as optional Livewire to integrate server-side processing into HTML in the sexiest way. This means that I could get all the boring stuff out of the way with one terminal command. Win!

Styling and layout (for the UI nerds - you can skip this too!)

I changed the default accent color from purple to orange (personal preference) and used an emoji as a placeholder for the logo. I actually kinda like the emoji AS a logo so I might keep it.

Laravel Breeze came with a basic dashboard page, which I expanded with a few containers for the different sections of the page. I made use of the components that come with Breeze to reuse code for buttons etc throughout the code, and made new components as the need arose. Man, I love clean code 😌

I liked the dotted default Laravel page background, so I added it to the dashboard to create the look of a bullet journal. I like the journal-type visuals for this project as it goes with the theme of a notebook/file. I found the code for it here.

I also added some placeholder menu items for the pages that I would like to have in the app - Profile, (Inner) World, Front Decider, and Chat.

i ran into an issue dynamically building Tailwind classes such as class="bg-{{$activeStatus['color']}}-400" - turns out dynamically-created classes aren't supported, even if they're constructed in the component rather than the blade file. You learn something new every day huh…

Also, coming from Tailwind v3, "ps-*" and "pe-*" were confusing to get used to since my muscle memory is "pl-*" and "pr-*" 😂

Feature 1: Profiles page - proof of concept

This is a page where each alter's profiles will be displayed. You can switch between the profiles by clicking on each person's name. The current profile is highlighted in the list using a pale orange colour.

The logic for the profiles functionality uses a Livewire component called Profiles, which loads profile data and passes it into the blade view to be displayed. It also handles logic such as switching between the profiles and formatting data. Currently, the data is hardcoded into the component using an associative array, but I will be converting it to use the database in the next devlog.

New profile (TBC)

You will be able to create new profiles on the same page (this is yet to be implemented). My vision is that the New Alter form will unfold under the button, and fold back up again once the form has been submitted.

Alter name, pronouns, status

The most interesting component here is the status, which is currently set to a hardcoded list of "active", "dormant", and "unknown". However, I envision this to be a customisable list where I can add new statuses to the list from a settings menu (yet to be implemented).

Alter image

I wanted the folder that contained alter images and other assets to be outside of my Laravel project, in the Pictures folder of my operating system. I wanted to do this so that I can back up the assets folder whenever I back up my Pictures folder lol (not for adding/deleting the files - this all happens through the app to maintain data integrity!). However, I learned that Laravel does not support that and it will not be able to see my files because they are external. I found a workaround by using symbolic links (symlinks) 🔗. Basically, they allow to have one folder of identical contents in more than one place. I ran "mklink /D [external path] [internal path]" to create the symlink between my Pictures folder and Laravel's internal assets folder, so that any files that I add to my Pictures folder automatically copy over to Laravel's folder. I changed a couple lines in filesystems.php to point to the symlinked folder:

And I was also getting a "404 file not found" error - I think the issue was because the port wasn't originally specified. I changed the base app URL to the localhost IP address in .env:

…And after all this messing around, it works!

(My Pictures folder)

(My Laravel storage)

(And here is Alice's photo displayed - dw I DO know Ibuki's actual name)

Alter description and history

The description and history fields support HTML, so I can format these fields however I like, and add custom features like tables and bullet point lists.

This is done by using blade's HTML preservation tags "{!! !!}" as opposed to the plain text tags "{{ }}".

(Here I define Alice's description contents)

(And here I insert them into the template)

Traits, likes, dislikes, front triggers

These are saved as separate lists and rendered as fun badges. These will be used in the Front Decider (anyone has a better name for it?? 🤔) tool to help me identify which alter "I" am as it's a big struggle for us. Front Decider will work similar to FlowCharty.

What next?

There's lots more things I want to do with SysNotes! But I will take it one step at a time - here is the plan for the next devlog:

Setting up database tables for the profile data

Adding the "New Profile" form so I can create alters from within the app

Adding ability to edit each field on the profile

I tried my best to explain my work process in a way that wold somewhat make sense to non-coders - if you have any feedback for the future format of these devlogs, let me know!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Disclaimers:

I have not used AI in the making of this app and I do NOT support the Vibe Coding mind virus that is currently on the loose. Programming is a form of art, and I will defend manual coding until the day I die.

Any alter data found in the screenshots is dummy data that does not represent our actual system.

I will not be making the code publicly available until it is a bit more fleshed out, this so far is just a trial for a concept I had bouncing around my head over the weekend.

We are SYSCOURSE NEUTRAL! Please don't start fights under this post

[bulltenweb]

"Demystifying Web Hosting: A Beginner's Overview"

Embarking on your journey into the digital realm often involves concepts that may seem complex and unfamiliar, and one such concept is fully managed web hosting. As a beginner, understanding the basics of web hosting is crucial for creating and maintaining a website. In this beginner-friendly overview, we'll demystify web hosting, breaking down the key elements and providing a foundation for your online presence.

What is Web Hosting?

At its core, web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible on the internet. Imagine your website as a house, and web hosting is the land on which that house is built. It provides the necessary space, infrastructure, and technology for your website to exist and be accessible to users worldwide.

Key Components of Web Hosting

**1. Server: The Foundation

At the heart of web hosting is a server, a powerful computer that stores and delivers your website's files to users' browsers. Think of the server as the engine that powers your website, responding to requests and delivering the necessary information for your site to be displayed.

**2. Domain Name: Your Website's Address

Every website has a unique address known as a domain name The domain name is what users type into their browsers to access your site. Web hosting services often provide options to register or connect your domain name to your hosting account.

**3. Bandwidth: Traffic Allowance

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between your website and users. It impacts the speed and performance of your site. Higher bandwidth allowances are essential for websites with substantial traffic or those featuring multimedia content.

**4. Storage Space: Your Website's Home

Storage space is the amount of disk space allocated to your website on the server. It accommodates your website's files, including images, videos, HTML, and other content. The more storage space you have, the more files and content your website can host.

Types of Web Hosting

1. Shared Hosting: Cost-Effective Entry Point

Shared hosting involves multiple websites sharing resources on the same server. It is a cost-effective option suitable for beginners and smaller websites. However, resource sharing can lead to performance fluctuations during peak times.

2. VPS Hosting: More Control and Resources

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting provides a dedicated portion of a server with more control and resources than shared hosting. It's a step up in terms of performance and is suitable for growing websites that need additional capabilities.

3. Dedicated Hosting: Maximum Control and Power

Dedicated hosting offers an entire server exclusively for your website. It provides maximum control, performance, and security. Dedicated hosting is ideal for large websites with high traffic and resource-intensive applications.

4. Cloud Hosting: Flexible and Scalable

Cloud hosting utilizes multiple servers working together as a single system. It offers flexibility, scalability, and redundancy. Cloud hosting is suitable for websites with fluctuating traffic and varying resource needs.

How Does Web Hosting Work?

When a user types your domain name into their browser, the browser sends a request to the server where your website is hosted. The server processes this request, retrieves the necessary files, and sends them back to the user's browser, allowing them to view your website.

Choosing the Right Web Hosting

1. Consider Your Website's Needs

Understand your website's size, traffic, and resource requirements. Different hosting types cater to various needs, so choose one that aligns with your specific requirements.

2. Evaluate Features

Consider factors like uptime reliability, speed, scalability, customer support, and security measures when evaluating hosting providers. A reliable provider should offer good performance, customer support, and security features.

3. Budget Considerations

Balance your budget with your hosting needs. While cost is essential, prioritize a hosting plan that offers the necessary features and performance for your website.

4. User-Friendly Interface

Opt for a hosting provider with a user-friendly control panel, making it easy to manage your website's settings and configurations.

Conclusion: Unveiling the Mystery

Web hosting may seem mysterious at first, but it's an integral part of bringing your website to life on the internet. By understanding the key components, types of hosting, and factors to consider, you've taken the first steps in demystifying web hosting. As you embark on your online journey, remember that web hosting is the foundation upon which your digital presence is built.

[dysfunctional-redemption]

NEW BEGINNINGS.

> You'd think once everyone had escaped, it was finally all better, correct? No more rounds, no more troubles, no more mistreatment from an unknown entity that seemed to know who and what they were.

> Unfortunately, no.

> Things still need to be fixed.

> Three years. Three years of psychological torment all finally ended like this, but things still need adjusting. They still need adjusting. Everybody still needs to recollect everything they had forgotten existed in the world they were taken away from.

> It was a miracle Roblox and the rest of the Builderman copies still managed to keep the servers running...

> So, you think the story's over, huh? No. It's far from it.

> Why don't we check up on them? Everyone, meet the true Survivors of the sick gameshow hosted on the dark web.

!!!AU INFORMATION, RULES, REFERENCES, AND TAGS BELOW CUT!!!

Dysfunctional Redemption focuses on the aftermath of the greatest "jailbreak" of all of Robloxia. After discovering a broken code in the pocket dimension, the survivors and NPCs (despite some difficulties) have managed to escape the dimension, with the retired exploiter in the group returning to his old ways and helping the killers 5 months after the escape to do the same. This au may include heavy topics of grief, abuse, religious trauma, PTSD, mental health, suggestive themes, and the like, so please proceed with caution once you are going through the blog.

(This AU is HEAVILY SELF-INDULGENT!!! If any of the characters act OOC, please inform me. Otherwise, they are characterized as such because of trauma from their former torment. Victims of such can be broken down like paper but can never be returned back to its proper shape.)

RULES:

- OBIVOUS DNI LIST (xeno/trans/homophobes, racist ppl, pedos, etc.)

- Controversial asks are not allowed for obvious reasons. This blog was made in all good fun.

- Keep things SFW. Combat and suggestive content are ok as long as it's within reason and not fully in detail. Full-on NSFW is not allowed.

- OCs, Other AUs, and crossovers are okay.

- You may use Anon/Asker magic. Keep in mind though that they cannot revive anymore as they are now back in the real-world. If there are any magics that can possibly cause the perma-death of a character, the Mod shall take it upon himself to get them out of the situations unscathed. Of course, mental and physical scarring from the situations is still left behind.

- Mod has no affiliations with the Forsaken Dev Team.

- Again, keep in mind the possible triggering content stated above. If you feel uncomfortable with the topics discussed here, feel free to scroll. Your mental health is always important.

- Mod uses He/They. If you would like to address the mod, please refer to them as Sunny.

- If there were ever a case that a canon version of a character talks to someone from this au, it will be mentioned that they are merely walking around the pocket-dimension, searching for survivors and assisting them with their mission. It is not guaranteed they can help you escape. The admins are still trying to figure out how to cease its show. IT KNOWS IT HAS NO POWER OVER THEM ANYMORE, BUT IT STILL HAS POWER OVER YOU.

- Following the above mentioned, if your muse is released from the pocket-dimension the moment you are playing as them, please say so. No harm at all doing that.

REFERENCES:

007n7 and G1337

TAGS:

#🍋reality-is-lemons - Noob

#🔨powering-imagination - Builderman

#🍗the-chicken-who-cant-fly - Shedletsky

#🍔haxxing-complete - 007n7

#🍕special-delivery - Elliot

#👊mamas-strong-soldier - Guest 1337

#🕶️egotistical-gambler - Chance

#🪽third-times-the-charm - Two Time

#🎃divine-pumpkin-man - Dusekkar

#💣silent-demolitionist - Taph

#⚔️i-was-made-to-hate - 1x1x1x1

#👔corrupted-resident - John Doe

#🌷the-residents-bride - Jane Doe

#🔥little-rascal - c00lkidd

#🎧certified-gamer - bluudud

#👑little-heiress - pr3ttyprincess

#🪻friendly-neighborhood-poltergeist - Azure

#🐰your.debth.is.due - Mafioso

#🔻the-internet-is-my-lemonade - Guest 666

#👁you-look-familiar - RP (duplicate) interaction

#👁im-sorry - RP interaction

#🩶who-are-you? - Anon asks

#✉oh-hello-there - User asks

#☀silly-mod-stuff - OOC

[best-develpoment-company]

What is Cloud Server management and How to set by set Managed Cloud server hosting?

Cloud server management refers to the process of overseeing and maintaining cloud servers, ensuring they run efficiently, securely, and in accordance with the needs of your business. "Best Managed cloud server hosting involves outsourcing" these management tasks to a third-party service provider, which can help you focus on your core business activities while experts take care of the technical aspects of server management. Here are "the steps to set up managed cloud server hosting":

Select a Cloud Service Provider: Choose a cloud service provider such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, or a different provider based on your specific needs and preferences. The selection of the cloud provider will depend on factors like the services they offer, geographic availability, and pricing.

Choose the Right Cloud Server: Determine the type of cloud server (e.g., virtual machine instances) you need based on your application requirements, such as computing power, memory, storage, and network resources. Your "managed cloud server provider in Delhi" can assist in selecting the appropriate server configurations.

Select a Managed Cloud Server Provider: Research and choose a managed cloud server hosting provider. Consider factors like their reputation, expertise, service offerings, and pricing.

Engage with the Managed Cloud Server Provider: Contact the chosen provider to discuss your server management requirements. They will gather information about your specific needs, expected traffic, and application workloads.

Provision the Cloud Server: The managed cloud server provider will set up the cloud server environment for you based on your requirements. This typically includes deploying virtual machines, configuring storage, and setting up network components.

Data Migration and Application Deployment: If you have existing data or applications to move to the cloud server, work with the provider to ensure a smooth migration process. You may need to install and configure your software and applications as well.

Security Configuration: Ensure that the server and applications are properly secured. This includes setting up firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and access controls.

Managed cloud service providers in Delhi | Types of cloud managed Services in Dwarka | Cloud managed services scope of work | Benefits of managed cloud services | Cloud management services | Cloud management services company | Unmanaged cloud storage with nwspl |

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[neonmetro]

You should totally make a WHOLE ask dedicated to AU ulys. . .totally asking for a friend. . .hehe. totally

-Ulysses loving anon

yesss.... YESSSS (SICKOS) GO MY ULY AUS

there are multiple aus as you are familiar... but i'll mainly talk about cain, o&n, and lcb (yay!) since they're the ones i've written the most about

CAIN ULY !! brief overview, he was On Track for achieving the american dream, good job, finally raising a family, before he got involved with a sin and managed to run away, though with his son and wife both turned into sins, uly having bound to telemachus, or rather the fleshy, one eyed amalgamation, "polyphemus"

he was involved with the hunt "Where a Judge Must Remain Impartial" (dm'd by @soundofastar :), a lore hunt for nephel warhol) where he was . um kind of impeding every single part of the hunt, but he did end up help the group talk to a 15 year old nephel to help kill her mom who was the sin host with polyphemus :)

there was also a valentines oneshot where nephel and another friend's character, harvey, were doing training for how to act during hunts where he had a cameo where he was a landlord of the sin host and just had the most deadpan voice the entire time. he was trying his best but you know how old men are... nephel and harvey were interrogating him for information and when nephel said she recognized him he was adamant on keeping character. he also was entirely avoidant before he sic'd security on them, putting through a battle. then harvey threatened ulysses by kicking a chair REALLY HARD and scaring him off, making him run away.

this is the first time nephel met ulysses again after 15 years btw like this is their reunion. but they did have a nice moment as he was running away and when they were trading candy...

I DO WANT TO ONE DAY DO A LORE HUNT FOR HIM sighs dreamily

NEXT UP!!! O&N ULY!!!!!! he's a trojan virus turned denizen ai, trained off of the memories of director odysseus of project paradiso (owned/played by @inkwell-passion) as a prank and to slander odysseus' name

uly fully thought for a long while that odysseus' wife penelope loved uly more than ody because his memories and code tell him the time he spent with his penelope was actually odysseus' penelope (not confusing. whatsoever)

he has some insane abandonment and obsession issues, he spends most of his time in his servers creating 3D simulations of his loved ones to create memories he Does Not Have. and will in fact latch onto any woman that shows him a modicum of affection and they will become his new obsession but will still call you penelope

he's also being tormented by every imaginable higher sentient being than he is and he does not catch a fucking break EVER

LCB ULYSSES!! he's a miserable piece of shit that does almost nothing but get drunk on the bus and makes other people hate him (except not entirely true. he does genuinely try helping out with chores/maintenance on the bus

he is a human dough clone of outis limbus company, he's from an entirely different mirror world than canon lcb and was brought into this world to prove that lcb had the same technology as a wing.

he was specifically chosen because outis was the 2nd strongest out of all the sinners without being a literal bloodfiend, and it was a good choice overall to have another workshop expert without actually needing to pay him (he's here because he's forced to, not because he wants to work here)

i also really want to have this weird codependent flesh relationship with outis but i haven't quite figured it out... but its freaky.

he has a really bad tendency to project his ex onto any current partners and that usually destroys their relationship but the thing is he doesn't mind being a stand in for someone else as long as it allows them to both pretend they're with someone better

fatherhood is even worse . he was supposed to be a father, then he got transported to this evil fucked up mirror world and now he can't even dream of seeing his wife or son his identity is pretty much annihilated in one fell swoop, learning there isn't just One version of him, and learning in this world, he isn't even the original

he has always had an inflated ego but the whole mirror world human dough debacle has made it 5000x worse and he's now pretending he has a god complex to try and feel normal with the latter i think he feels its just Better if they don't like him so they don't interact with him and this whole situation won't feel real and he won't have any qualms about leaving everyone behind at a drop of a dime. HE HAS A HEART OF GOLD BUT IN THE WAY GOLD IS MALLEABLE AND WILL CRUMBLE IF YOU STRIKE IT HARD ENOUGH

and honestly the best part of lcb uly is that i canonically can have an excuse to dress him up in so many outfits and egos because he is literally exactly like outis and will have the same ids as her

[satureja13]

Lenny is taking a break while the others are still over in Jonathan's quarters. They can't wrap their brains around that Sai has a fiancé... He'd have a lot to explain once he wakes up again. But the show must go on. They finally found Tiny Can! After all these months! But how did he end up with Jonathan? The last time they saw him, he was broken. His circuits blew after he'd rescued them out of the Therapy Game, from Ji Ho's evil Grandfather... Kiyoshi: "So how did you find Tiny Can? He got destroyed. And how did you manage to enter the Otherworld and get past the protection - eh... plant-swamp-thing to get to him?"

Jonathan: "I don't know about any of this. Actually, Tiny Can found me. He was utterly broken though. Took me months to repair him. I think I will have built him and therefore he came back to me when he needed help. It carries my signature coding." Jack was wondering how one could not know if he'd built Tiny Can? And what's with that weird time term 'will have built him'? Maybe Jonathan's brain is just as busy and stuffed as his and he forgets things? Then Vlad asked away and Jack forgot about it... This is all so confusing - and exciting! Vlad: "Months? This is so weird. How was he able to host the Therapy Game during this time? There are no issues known. Or any downtimes." Jonathan: "Well, I'm utterly sure that Tiny Can here is not the host of the Therapy Game. There is a save game left on his hard disk though. And from time to time he plays me a message, from you two. Jack and Jeb." Jack: "Oh, that's an old one. Where a future Jeb tells the others they should stay together and how to activate the ship?" Jonathan: "No, it's another one. Maybe I can make him play it again tomorrow. He's still not fully fixed, I fear. Oh my, only Sai could turn an invaluable artefact into a gaming server ^^' "

Jonathan: "Sai was clever to hide his signature so no one could trace the Therapy Game back to him. The Council is eager to get a grip on the developer and stop this game. It made their live so much harder since so many creatures have a community now. And get help. But even though Sai's signature and mine are quite equal, since I'd tought him everything about programming, there are still parts that I only developed after we got separated... And he came back to me, so I could help him..." They fell silent for a while, trying to put it all together... To compute... But they are tired and it's all too much.

Jack: "Well, I guess these are problems for later. The other question is: Who is hosting the Therapy Game now?" Jonathan: "I tried to find out from which Game that one save file is he still kept. It is from the Therapy Game - and it's hosted from everyhere. Literally. It's a giant network that uses 'volunteer computing'. Users from all over the galaxy 'donate' processing space. Maybe you've heard of it. It's often used in science." Jack: "Oh! I installed it too! To find the origins of pizza. Hey, what's that look? We're quite a few. Pizza is too amazing to originate from our little world! There is something bigger behind it!" (Where he's right, he's right ;)

Kiyoshi: "But this means - it's impossible turn off the Therapy Game." Jonathan: "Why would one want to turn it off? It's amazing and has extremely good reviews in the 90's?" Kiyoshi sighed: "Sai is convinced it's a threat. Ji Ho almost died. And even though we know Tiny Can only tried to save him from his grandfather, Sai still thinks it could mess with the players' brains." Jonathan: "It really doesn't. Tiny Can has no evil or corrupted circuit in him. He made very sure everyone is safe and no one can meddle with the code again. There are also disclaimers and the game even checks back if the players are ok all the time and takes measures if it gets uncomfortable for them. The game wraps around the players needs and it adjusts itself. Even though Tiny Can did the majority of the work, Sai - and all of you too - can be so proud of yourself for starting this."

Jonathan looked over to Sai: "I still can't believe I found him. How long has it been since I last saw him? Five years? Six? I thought they'd killed him. Thank you for taking care of him." Jeb cleared his throat: "We are all exhausted. Let's continue tomorrow. Sai should hear about all this too." Jack, towards Jonathan: "You must know Jeb is Sai's..." Vlad interrupted him and hissed: "Jack!" Jonathan: "There is another quarter right across the corridor. I asked the maintenance droids to get it ready for you." Kiyoshi: "Thank you. See you later then."

They left Sai in Jonathan's bed to recover. And when they entered their quarter, there were only five beds. So Jonathan seems confident that Sai will stay with him? Jack's brain thought it's best for him to clear everything off of it and deal with all these crazy news tomorrow. Or later, since they don't know which time it is here on this mining colony in the hazy middle of nowhere. And he's excited and enthusiastic as always. Plus - Jeb should be distracted.

Jack: "Look! The view! And there's Skully! Hey Skully, who's looking after the ship?" Skully: "Malfoy and Axl. Thought you might need me. How's the captain doing?" Jeb said nothing and just went over to his bed.

He sighed: "We should spare Sai from all this. Insisting to keep him as a leader broke him. We even betrayed him for trying to leave without him - to save tiny Can. And he betrayed us for leaving without us - to kill Tiny Can. This is all to much for him. And we can't go on like this. Jonathan will be able to take better care of him than we are. Sai left everything behind for Jonathan. Left his his realm and sold everything he had - to be with him." Vlad: "Maybe you are right. We did what we could to carry the burden with him but it wasn't enough. And he did what he could to be there for us and it broke him. He surely wasn't made for all this madness that comes with us."

Kiyoshi: "And without the meteorites, we can't go back home to the otherworld anymore. It would be safer to split up anyway, so the Council won't see us as a threat anymore. And each couple had their own place to live." Jack went silent. He just knew it. The evening before they'd left home. He'd had this odd feeling and he knew it would be for the last time they'd see their home in Otherworld's Tomarang... Ji Ho: "But what about the message from Future Jeb? He urged us to stay together!" Jack: "Jonathan said there is another message from them. Maybe he tells us that everything is fine now that we've fulfilled our mission to find Tiny Can? Or whatever it was he wanted us to stay together for?" Vlad: "It's useless to wreck our exhausted brains over this now. Let's sleep - and see what tomorrow brings." Ji Ho: "Maybe our mission was to bring Jonathan and Sai back together? It all started after we found Tiny Can in that temple. And he went back to Jonathan when he needed help. And he knew we would try to find him..." Poor Jeb... And Future Jeb even wanted to make it happen. Why? Because he knew they wouldn't last? After all of their break-ups and quarrels?

Skully brought a matching song for them. It goes like this:

'I go dancing on the ceiling sometimes It's always fun but I get scared of the climb Will you catch my fall? Catch my fall?

The notes I play put a stain on my heart Some songs I hate, some I hate even more I act a fool Am I the fool?

So tell me, Eric, does it hurt, hurt? (Uh-huh) So tell me, Eric, does it hurt? (Not at all)

I'm killin' life like a one way ticket to hell I'm on a high goin' down, down, down I wanna wipe that sad, sad feelin' away Down, down, down

I'm killin' life like a one way ticket to hell I'm on a high goin' down, down, down I wanna wipe that sad, sad feelin' away Down, down, down (Oh, oh, oh, oh) (Oh, oh, oh, oh)

The words I sing burn my throat as they leave Desperate measures for these times are in need Do you feel the same? (Feel the same) It's such a shame'

Killin' it - Foxy Shazam (Live version, more bass than in the official one, I love it!)

imo this is one of the most unterrated songs I know. It's only availavle on compilations on spotify o.o So if you liked the kind of songs Skully, the Boys and I played so far, you should give it a try.

Outtakes

The counter scene from the first pic. Behind the window, you can spot Lenny :3

From the Beginning 🔱 Underwater Love 🔱 Latest

Current Chapter 'Goats in Space': starts ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Piglets in Space' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 23-29

[mckiwi]

Strange Tales of Halloween

Hosted by A Strange Server. Each prompt will be treated as a daily journal entry written by Stephen Strange.

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Prompt: Stars

Friday, October 25th, 2024

I woke up early to America screaming. I don’t think I was even fully awake yet before I was running toward her room. All I could see was her thrashing around under the blanket while the air above her bed crackled with that signature light blue of a star portal forming. Her eyes were squeezed closed as she cried out for her moms. 

I managed to wake her up, but apparently that gave her just enough focus to let the star portal form fully. She woke up terrified and tried to send us back to my Defender Variant’s universe. I had one arm latched to the bed frame while the other tried keeping her from being sucked into the portal. Once she had calmed down, she closed the portal and cried for a few minutes. All I could do was hold her and wait it out. 

We ended up both falling back asleep there. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing. We watched the original Beetlejuice and played a few board games. Nothing that required too much energy or hand strength. I spent all that strength trying to hold us both down. She didn’t ever talk about what she saw in her nightmare. I didn’t push. I don’t like talking about mine either. 

-S

[sanjosegourmetcatering]

Buffet Catering

Buffet catering is a popular food service style where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes laid out on a table or counter. This setup allows for a casual dining experience and provides guests with the freedom to choose what and how much they want to eat. It's an excellent choice for events where guests may have different tastes and dietary preferences.

In buffet catering, you typically find a range of options, from appetizers to desserts. This can include salads, entrees, sides, and a selection of beverages. The flexibility of buffet catering is what makes it a favored choice for weddings, corporate events, and parties!

Benefits of Buffet Catering

There are numerous benefits to choosing buffet catering for your next event. First, it caters to diverse dietary needs, allowing guests to create their own meals. This can be especially important when you have vegetarians, vegans, or guests with food allergies.

Additionally, buffet catering can be more cost-effective compared to plated meals. By serving food in bulk, you often save on labor costs since fewer servers are needed. Plus, it's a great way to minimize food waste, as guests can take only what they want!

Variety of food options

Cost-effective for large groups

Casual and social atmosphere

Planning Your Buffet

When planning your buffet catering, consider your guest list and the type of event. Think about how many people you’ll be serving and what dietary restrictions might apply. This will help you decide on the right menu and portions. Don't forget to include appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts!

It’s also important to set up the buffet in a way that encourages flow. Place dishes in an order that makes sense—salads first, followed by main dishes, then sides, and finally desserts. This way, guests can easily navigate the buffet without crowding.

Menu Ideas for Buffet Catering

Creating a menu for your buffet is where the fun begins! Here are some ideas to consider:

Mixed greens salad with assorted dressings

Grilled chicken or beef skewers

Pasta salad with seasonal vegetables

Vegetarian options like stuffed peppers

A variety of desserts, such as mini cupcakes and fruit tarts

Make sure to include options for everyone. You might even want to label dishes that are *gluten-free* or contain common allergens. This will help guests feel more comfortable when making their selections!

Setting Up Your Buffet

Setting up a buffet involves more than just placing food on a table. The presentation plays a vital role in enticing guests. Use decorative trays, colorful napkins, and proper serving utensils to create an inviting display. Make sure everything is easily accessible, and consider providing hand sanitizer nearby.

It's also a good idea to have a designated area for beverages. Keeping drinks separate from food can minimize congestion at the buffet line. Plus, having ice buckets for drinks can keep beverages refreshing!

Hiring a Catering Service

If managing buffet catering feels overwhelming, consider hiring a professional team to take the stress off your shoulders. A trusted San Jose catering service can help you plan the menu, set up the buffet, and provide staff to assist your guests. This allows you to fully enjoy your event while the experts handle all the food logistics smoothly and professionally.

When choosing a catering service, consider their experience with buffet setups and ask for references. Look for reviews online and see if they offer tasting sessions to sample their food before making a decision. This can ensure that you're making the right choice for your event!

Conclusion

Buffet catering is a fantastic option for any event, offering flexibility, variety, and a casual dining atmosphere. With thoughtful planning and presentation, you can create an enjoyable experience for your guests. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, corporate event, or family gathering, buffet catering can meet everyone's needs and make your event memorable!

Don't wait—start exploring your options today and make your next event a delicious success!

Contact Us: Handheld Catering San Jose 99 S. Almaden Blvd.#659 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 465-0466

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffet Catering

What is buffet catering?

Buffet catering is a food service style where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes laid out on a table or counter, allowing for a casual dining experience.

What are the benefits of buffet catering?

Buffet catering offers various benefits, including catering to diverse dietary needs, being more cost-effective compared to plated meals, and creating a casual and social atmosphere.

How should I plan my buffet catering menu?

When planning your buffet, consider your guest list, dietary restrictions, and include a variety of options such as appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts.

What are some menu ideas for buffet catering?

Menu ideas for buffet catering can include mixed greens salad, grilled chicken or beef skewers, pasta salad, vegetarian options like stuffed peppers, and a variety of desserts.

How do I set up my buffet?

Set up your buffet by placing dishes in a logical order to encourage flow, using decorative trays for presentation, and providing a designated area for beverages to minimize congestion.

Should I hire a catering service for my buffet?

Hiring a catering service can ease the stress of managing buffet catering, as they can assist with planning the menu, setting up the buffet, and providing staff for your event.

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[phoebe-delia]

Hi Phoebe! If you're still accepting prompts, would "a single thread of gold tied me to you" from the song lyrics list be acceptable (and/or drarry soulmates)?

I love your writing, and I hope December is treating you well! 💜

One single thread of gold tied me to you

Oh, sweet anon, thank you so much! Both for the prompt and for your kind words about my writing. My brain has been being mean to me lately about my writing, so this made me smile.

I love soulmate stuff so much but I'm not sure I've ever written it before! So. Here's my take on it. I wrote a little Victorian AU, because I LOVE Victorian AU!Drarry.

Draco nearly choked on his champagne and had a coughing fit when he saw Harry Potter again. It took everything he'd learned in his decade of decorum training not to simply spit out the large sip he'd just taken of champagne and spew it all over Lady Coatesworth-Haye's gown. Though if Draco hadn't been focusing his energy elsewhere at that moment, he might've had the passing thought that her gown couldn't be made worse for it.

Still, he managed to swallow while keeping one eye on the old woman and the other on Potter. The man moved easily through the ballroom, exchanging greetings with the party-goers. Potter had a charming smile for each of them, but Draco felt his confusion nearly outweigh his shock at seeing Potter continue determinedly through the crowd, as if on a mission.

"...wouldn't you agree?" Draco was pulled from his musings to look back at the haughty and wrinkled face of the woman in front of him.

Draco cleared his throat. "Yes, quite right, madame." He glanced around, relieved when he saw a server coming toward them with an empty tray. "If you will excuse me," he said, not waiting for a reply before walking off, setting his half-full champagne glass down on the passing tray.

Draco moved quickly but tried not to make his haste too obvious, lest the guests think the son of the hosts was trying to leave his parents' own party. He finally made his way outside to the balcony and braced himself on the railing. He breathed heavily, letting the cool night air fill his lungs while he tried to formulate a plan.

What on earth was Potter doing? Draco wanted to scream. He immediately regretted having left his champagne inside.

He had to get out of there, party be damned. He'd claim he'd fallen ill and then take his leave. "Forgive me, Mother," he muttered to himself, preparing to brave the crowd one last time and strategizing how he'd be able to escape without running into Potter.

He heard the door open, the noise of the party briefly spilling into the peaceful night before it shut again.

"Draco?"

The sound of his name, in that voice, brought tears to Draco's eyes. He forced them back, absolutely refusing to let himself cry. "Potter," he replied cooly, not turning around to greet him.

He heard Potter take a step toward him. "I've been looking for you."

Draco kept his expression neutral, turning his head slightly over his shoulder. "Well, you've found me."

"I was hoping to speak with you."

“I’m afraid I must decline."

"Might I inquire as to why?"

"I've fallen ill. You would do well to keep away from me, Potter."

Potter frowned and stepped closer into Draco's space. "You seem perfectly healthy to me." He pressed the back of his hand to Draco's forehead. Draco froze at Potter's light touch. Potter's hand left warmth in its wake when he lifted it from Draco's person.

"Ah," Potter said, nodding. "You are sick. But I believe we suffer from the same affliction."

Draco scoffed. "Oh, really?"

"Yes. Heartbreak is contagious."

Draco whipped around to face Potter fully, glaring at him. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Potter smiled at him a bit sadly. "We have to discuss this sooner or later, you understand."

Potter's hand moved closer to Draco's, but Draco yanked his hand away. "I see no reason why we should ever have to discuss this."

"I can give you three reasons."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Easily. First, I miss you terribly." Potter took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Draco's heart skipped a beat. "What-"

"Second, you pine for me just as strongly."

"But—no, I—"

"And third," Potter placed his hand firmly over Draco's, and a thin, shimmering golden thread appeared and tied itself around their wrists, linking them together. "We belong together," he whispered.

Draco felt a tear slip down his cheek as he looked at their joined hands.

"And no matter how much you want to pretend we'll never work, or that society will never embrace us, it hasn't made me love you any less." Potter lifted his other hand to cup the back of Draco's neck. "Stop running from me. Stop running from yourself."

"Harry." It came out of Draco's chest like a wheeze; like it was the last gust of air from his lungs. His breath shuddered as a few more tears spilled. "Nothing's changed, you know that. My parents won't accept our soulmate bond, and they never will. Do you know the risk you took by simply coming here?" Draco turned his hand over to lace his fingers with Harry's.

"I had to see you. I was distraught, and hurt, and so angry. But I've thought it through, and I've got a plan." Harry's expression shifted to one of fierce determination. "Draco, come away with me. We can leave now, tonight."

"H-Harry," Draco breathed. "You're mad!"

"Mad for you, perhaps," Harry grinned at him. "Just picture it, Draco. We can escape and live a life of our own. I've got a friend a few towns away by boat. She can take us in while we find a permanent home.

"You've got your own vaults, now; out of your parents' control. And so have I, since my birthday last month. We might not have our titles, or our status, but we'll be comfortable." Harry met his eyes directly. "And we'll be free to love each other, openly. Without fear."

Harry wiped a tear from Draco's cheek. "I know the choice isn't easy. But can you honestly tell me that you would be happier here than with me? Would you truly rather marry someone you don't love in order to please your parents? Instead of the person chosen by the Gods to love you?"

Draco took a shuddering breath. "Harry," he began. "You were right; I've missed you like a part of me." He forced back more tears. "And then tonight, when you found me out here, I thought you were going to tell me you'd given up on me."

"No, my love," Harry shook his head. "Never."

Draco sniffed. "I've thought constantly about that day. About all the things I should have said and didn't. But I don't wish to waste any more time. The answer to your question is yes, Harry, of course. I love you." Draco crossed the short distance between them and pulled Harry into a kiss.

A few skipped heartbeats later, they pulled away, breathless and a bit teary. "Thank Merlin you said yes," Harry chuckled. "I don't know what I would've done."

"Of course I did. I'd follow you anywhere, Harry." Draco sealed his promise with a small kiss on Harry's lips. "Anywhere."