Had something come up last second and am looking to possibly get this wristband off my hands for exactly what I paid. It's also unregistered so you can set it up with your info. I'm located in Chicago so if that works we could also meet in person. Otherwise I can overnight ship it through FedEx to you/your hotel! Wristband only btw (I’d like to keep the box).

Every once in a while cases about adoption and US immigration appear here, and I just wanted to add our data point and offer anecdotal insight for others going through the same or similar things.
My spouse and I adopted a teenage son some years ago that was also undocumented with legal entry made at a young age. We had already known this child for the majority of his life. As his family's circumstances deteriorated, we eventually decided mutually with his parents to adopt him. The child's parents are also undocumented and in the country.
This was not easy. First, adoption-based family I-130 petitions take significantly longer than normal petitions. Only in June 2023 did USCIS start publishing adoption-based petition timelines. Up until recently, the immediate relative I-130 category for adoption-based, non-orphan I-130 petitions was more than 53 months. They are processed centrally at NBC at a special office.
Second, the evidentiary burden is very high. But, with the right fact pattern and very careful legal work, it's possible to pull off even if the biological parents are still around and the child is older. There are a few controlling precedent BIA cases that set out some of the evidentiary standards required in these cases that are imperative to understand as a petitioner. Two include Matter of Marquez and Matter of Cuello.
Third, the Hague Convention issue, if it applies, can kill a case before it even starts. Knowing what you're up against relative to the Hague Convention at the very beginning is crucial for anyone attempting this.
And finally, there are only a handful of attorneys nationally that actively specialize in these types of cases. It is imperative that petitioners use someone who specializes in adoptions and immigration, rather than any other family-based immigration lawyer or service.
In the end, our case was successful, and we're all happy to be together as a family. It was a lot of work, diligence, and dedication. Hope this helps & DMs are fine for any specific questions if I know the answer.

My boyfriend and I have been together for several years now and lived together for most of that time. I have a 9 year old son who is super sweet and very easy going. My boyfriend has no kids and wasn't bothered by me having one already, but he has been making comments that make me feel otherwise. I just don't understand bc he's been a part of our family for a good amount of time now. He brings my son up in arguments and points out how much he helps me by taking him to school in the morning (I have to leave quite early as I work 1.5hrs away) obviously I would take him if I could but I just can't. And I do appreciate his help and tell him that often. For context, these arguments could be about anything and he will bring that up almoet just as an argument token or leverage for why he shouldn't have to do anything else.
But, It irks me that he brings it up as if it's a burden for him (he works hard, but he doesn't go to work until 8 and works with his family so his schedule is more flexible). Again, not to sound ungrateful as I know I would otherwise be paying someone to take him to school. But when he makes it sound like such a burden, it makes me wonder what his real feelings are. He keeps making comments about how it's "not his kid" and he's "doing all this work for me" (the school is just 2 miles from our house and takes 8 minutes to get to (for reference). I've also offered multiple times to pay somebody If it's burdening him too much. He always declines and dissuades me from it. But then he'll complain about it repeatedly.
I just feel like after several years and living with us for so long, I would have hoped that even though it's not his kid he would feel as if it were his. My son's father is still in his life, and I share custody with him 50/50, so it's not like a replacement dad situation, but I still expected that he would care about my son the same way. My son loves him and refers to him as a stepdad after how long he's been around. I view us as a family unit now, and it just makes me feel so sad and upset that he keeps framing things this way like it's a chore to help out a bit. I feel like I really don't ask anything else of him and I'm always expressing my gratitude for taking him to school.
I guess I just imagine if it was me in that position, and I loved someone that came with a kid, If I really cared about that person and imagined them being a part of my life indefinitely I would consider their kids basically my kids too especially if they saw me in that way.
Am I missing something? Should I not be bothered by this? It just gets under my skin And it's confusing bc they do have a great relationship and he does seem to care about him, but then he makes these comments and I feel like I get a glimpse of some secret feelings that he hides inside. It makes me question if he's just really good at faking or if he will never fully accept us. Am I crazy??
TL;DR my long term BF remarks that my son "isn't his kid" and acts like helping in small ways is burdensome but otherwise appears to have good relationship with him. What's the real feel?

So there I am, The Desi Playboy, back in my scrawny college days, just a couple of lean dudes fresh off a bar-hopping spree, chilling at the bus stop. Out of nowhere, this hulk of a caucasoid frat bro comes up, gives me a slap on the back that damn near sends me flying into next Tuesday. "Owww!!" I couldn't help but yelp. Dude struts past us, throwing over his shoulder, "Time to hit the gym, boys!!" I brushed it off, ego slightly bruised. After all, I'm the guy who’s been repping out with 20 lb dumbbells in my apartment gym like I’m training for the Olympics. That’s got to count for something, right?
Growing up, our idea of exercise was running away from aunties at family gatherings or maybe the occasional cricket match that was more about snacks than sports. The gym? That was uncharted territory. Our parents, bless their hearts, equated physical fitness with being able to sprint for the bus without wheezing. The notion of lifting weights, tracking macros, and chugging protein shakes was as alien to them as ketchup on biryani.

Attraction: It’s More than Just Physical

Have you ever had a girl flirtatiously squeeze your biceps, reinforcing the stud that you are? How about playfully slapping your ass when you’re not looking? That moment, my man, is raw, primal attraction at its finest—a kind of magnetism most men sadly never get to feel. Are you getting that type of attention from the ladies? Going to the gym and lifting weights is the first step into becoming that fuckable specimen. Picture this: you're strutting around, radiating confidence, and women gravitate to you, captivated, before you even utter a word. Arguably, muscles on a man is the equivalent of nice tits and ass on a woman. It's like you've got this invisible force field of allure, and all it took was a little sweat, discipline, and iron at the gym.
Think about it. In a world where first impressions are made in the blink of an eye, your body speaks volumes before you've even had a chance to dazzle with your wit or charm. It's not superficial; it's literally science. Physical fitness signals health, vigor, and, let's be real, the ability to handle business, whether that's lifting heavy things during a move or just looking damn good in a fitted shirt. An unfortunate reality is that women often manipulate men to get their needs met. However, men can simply manipulate the environment themselves to get their needs met. You think your crush is opening those pickle jars by herself? A nice, jacked body signals to women that you are good at manipulating your immediate physical surroundings.
So, if you're lounging on the fence, wondering whether hitting the gym is worth it, let me spell it out for you: Hell yes, it is. Not for the fleeting attention or the shallow compliments, but for the undeniable boost in how you perceive yourself and, subsequently, how the world sees you including women. It's about becoming a magnet not just for looks, but for respect, confidence, and yes, a whole lot of that good old-fashioned primal attraction.
Get ready to be the guy who walks into a room and commands it, not because you demand it, but because you've earned it, one rep at a time. Let's ditch the excuses, embrace the grind, and transform not just our bodies, but our entire damn aura. The iron calls, gentlemen.

Built Different

Our Desi genes serve us a mixed platter when it comes to body types. Some of us are fat fucks, while others are fragile twigs no matter how many samosas we demolish. For those of you guys on the overweight side.. Do you have Ananth Ambani money? No? Then you literally can’t afford that body if you want pussy. And if you can afford that body it is gonna bite you in the ass when you have heart disease.
Those of you scrawny sticks? Stop looking down at the more muscular bros and start looking at the women they’re pulling. Don’t get me started on that weird gray area a lot of us brown dudes fall into. I’m talking about the skinny fat phenomenon—a term as oxymoronic as 'jumbo shrimp'. It’s that peculiar body type where you look slim clothed but are a marshmallow in disguise. It’s the bane of many a Desi dude, a sneaky reminder of all those laddoos and no leg days. Ready to get rid of the bitch tits?
Look around at the next family gathering. Notice how cousin Rohan is built like a tank, but you got that uncle bod? That’s your first clue that genetics play a bigger role in this game than you might’ve thought. Tailoring your workout to your body type isn’t just smart; it’s crucial if you want to see real, lasting results.
Custom Cuts: Here’s the deal—

• Ectomorph Bros (The Lean Machines): You’re the guy who can inhale a whole pizza and not gain an ounce. Your mission? Focus on strength training to build mass and incorporate calorie-dense foods to support growth. Less cardio, more lifting.
• Endomorph Gang (The Easy Gainers): You look at a donut, and it goes straight to your hips. Your path? A mix of cardio and strength training to shed fat while building lean muscle. And yeah, keeping an eye on those calories is key.
• Mesomorph Legends (The Natural Athletes): You’ve got the best of both worlds but don’t get cocky. Balance is your best friend—equal parts strength, cardio, and a diet that fuels both muscle building and fat loss.

Alright, which of these body types are you rocking? Lean Machine, Easy Gainer, or Natural Athlete? Time to design a workout routine that suits your unique build. Yes, The Desi Playboy is dishing out homework, but trust me, it’s for a mighty good cause: to make you irresistible to the ladies. Now before we actually start integrating that workout routine let’s not forget to revisit the food on our plate.

Desi Diet Doom

The Desi diet is a freakin’ carb fest—a glorious, tasty trap that’s basically a middle finger to your muscle gains and fat loss goals. You probably recognize the following: plates piled high with rice, naan, and rotis, with a side of “Are you even eating enough?” from every relative. Navigating this when you’re trying to get ripped or ditch the belly fat is like being on a diet in a candy store.
Every meal’s a carb carnival, and while you love it, your body’s begging like, “Bro, where’s the protein?” It's like trying to build a house with all bricks and no cement. And oh, the ghee and oil. Delicious? Hell yeah. Conducive to abs? Hell no. It’s like slathering your goals with butter—tasty but terribly counterproductive. Add to that the mountain of sweets at every family function—those jalebis and gulab jamuns are seductive, but they’re saboteurs hiding in plain sight, wrecking your waistline one sweet bite at a time. If you’re gunning for that sculpted look, it might be time to negotiate a peace treaty with your sweet tooth and get serious about sneaking more lean meats and greens onto your plate.
Now let’s be honest, are you cooking all these Indian meals yourself? Or have you become completely dependent on your mom’s cooking? Is the extent of your cooking skills limited to boiling water and maybe, on a good day, making a mean cup of chai? Let me guess you top off the chai with some of Amma’s sweet sweet titty milk too? Listen up, because here’s the deal breaker—women are attracted to guys who’ve got their life sorted, including what’s on their plate. And if you’re letting mom choose whether it’s dal or paneer for dinner tonight, don’t be surprised if she’s also the one choosing your bride.
This, my dudes, is precisely why I’m all about preaching the gospel of DIY in the kitchen. It’s more than just about mixing spices; it’s about mixing independence into your life recipe. Grabbing the reins of your culinary journey isn’t just about impressing dates; it’s about fueling your body right, especially if you’re looking to bulk up and carve out those gains.

Protein Power Moves

There’s a way to keep the flavors of home without turning into a samosa yourself. It’s about being smart with your choices, making swaps, and still being able to face your grandma without guilt.
Lean and Mean: Start mixing in more lean meats, tofu, and legumes. Think chicken tikka, dal tadka with less tadka, and grilled paneer. Your muscles will thank you. But why stop there? Venture beyond with dishes like Thai grilled chicken or Turkish lentil soup. These global cuisines offer high-protein dishes that still dance on the tongue.
Smart Swaps: Ditch the white rice for quinoa or brown rice. Swap some of those rotis for a big-ass bowl of salad. Sprinkle some Mediterranean zest with a Greek salad, or bring a burst of Japanese flavor with a side of edamame. It’s about keeping the essence of Desi cuisine but making it work for your gains.
Supplement Smartly: Yeah, protein shakes might look like drugs to your folks, but they’re your BFFs on this journey. Mix that stuff with some milk or water, and chug. Think of it as a cheat code for muscle building—quick, efficient, and straight to the point.
Explore and Expand: Don’t be shy to sprinkle some culinary curiosity into your diet. Try Korean BBQ for a protein-packed meal, or if you're feeling adventurous, a Peruvian ceviche can offer a refreshing twist packed with high-quality protein. These flavors not only enhance your palate but also fuel your fitness goals.
So, there you have it. Turning the Desi diet dilemma into a muscle-building manifesto doesn’t have to be a soap opera. Keep the flavors, ditch the excess carbs and fats, and for the love of all that is holy, make protein your main homie. Expand your culinary horizons to keep your meals exciting and your body guessing.

From Diet to Dates

Alright, my fellow Desi bros, let’s wrap this up. If you’re serious about leveling up your game with the ladies, it’s time to get real about your diet, fitness, and lifestyle. Tailor your workout to your body type—whether you're an ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph—and make the gym your second home. Ditch the carb-loaded Desi diet for protein-packed meals. Whether you’re eating lean meats or are a vegetarian, make smart swaps like quinoa for white rice and grilled paneer for fried snacks.
Start cooking for yourself to fuel those gains and show you’ve got your life together. These changes lay the foundation for attracting women by boosting your confidence and health. The journey starts now. Let’s make those gains and turn some heads. The iron awaits, gentlemen.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into lifting and integrating your workout routine to get you on track.
Check out the full article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/desiplayboy/p/iron-and-spices?r=k8bgi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
For more such insights and to continue the conversation, follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheDesiPlayboy.

This is a massive warning to all those in the local area of Columbus, OH who have been dating. There is a depraved woman out there and I need to share my experience.
I recently found out while Facebook Dating has less results, the people there are more friendly and Ive gotten some extra traction there. I will spare you the details but I finally matched with a woman in her late 20s. She had a funny name (which turned out to be fake), her name was Moby, but me not wanting to cloud my sense of humor I stuck with it. And after a week of talking, we hit it off with our first few dates.
She is around my height, a brunette, and likes to wear homemade vintage clothing which caught my eye in the first place since Im into fashion. We talked and flirted a bunch and she seemed to genuinely be into me as much as I was warming up to her!
This is the Glue Girl.
And after 3 weeks, I invited her over to my place. Im currently a field technician, so the money isnt great right now but I secured a decent condo 2 years back even with rising prices.
We head in and have dinner which was left over Rooster's, but unfortunately my AC was due to be repaired in 2 days, so we were sweating. She said she didnt mind since she is an avid hiker.
You will need to listen to this part. Yes we did the deed, but Ive remembered her mannerisms. She was very eager we would sleep together, yet never seemed too tired even at 1am after watching a couple episodes of Yellowstone (dont judge me).
Her purse was in the room of course, but it was quite large and almost looked like a mini suitcase but flabby with leather workings. Its a light green color.
Finally, when I got up to try to put some clothes on, she insisted it would "dampen the mood" and smile, so at the time I couldnt say no to that. Additionally it was hot inside even with the window open.
So we slept together under the covers with no clothes on. It was amazing honestly, but short lived as I fell asleep pretty quickly. We each had just a couple drinks but I still felt comfortable being around her.
Then morning came. I felt cold waking up, then realized the sheets were unruly and off the bed. Moby was gone and the door was wide open. It took me sone time to get to my senses, and the first thing I thought was to check my belongings. If this woman robbed me I honestly wouldnt know what to process because my feelings would have been manipulated.
Everything in my bedroom was luckily still in place. Tired as hell, I go to the restroom.
And thats when I realized I couldnt urinate.
Pain from blockage immediately set in and I had to bend over and clutch my sensitive areas. It was unbearable. I noticed the sticky substance earlier and thought it was you-know-what, but I was very, very wrong.
I kid you not I thought my balls were going to rupture as I called the police. It was an agonizing 5 minutes before paramedics arrived and sent my naked self to the emergency room.
This woman had drenched my penis with Gorilla Glue.
It was so bad my manhood is gone now. It had to be surgically removed due to how much glue came into contact.
I thought I was in a place of trust. I had the most connective night in awhile with a cool girl, but seriously this has messed me up a lot. I cant trust people at night anymore without extreme difficulty aside from my family members, who visited me in the hospital. Bless their souls honestly after experiencing a permanent and mind fucking change.
Do I even get married now when the future years roll in? Should I even try dating anymore let alone let someone sleep in my house, or me sleeping in someone else's place?
I maxxed out my medical leave days at work because I seriously needed some me-time and a lot of therapy. Like god damn I would not leave my worst enemy at the mercy of someone like that. Gorilla Glue, while funny when watching others use it and face consequences in media, is still an incredibly danferous substance.
And me being in the New York Times for having Gorilla Glue put on my dick is not fun. Some will see you and although they may not outright say "Hey! Your the dude that..." you can see the anticipation in their eyes, and kt gets so awkward.
But thats enough of me, because she is still out there.
Remember these characteristics -Goes by Moby (probably a new name now) -Wears vintage clothes with noticeable sewing work. -Has a large, light green purse. -In Columbus
-Uses Facebook Dating but may use other apps. I dont know why she would use Facebook Dating as her main operation but somehow her identity still cannot be found, even with Facebook's notorious data collection. That makes it even scarier.
Stay safe out there.

My husband and I have been together for 5 years, married for almost 4. I want to preface this by saying I dearly love this man. He is a wonderful human being, such a kind partner and he definitely made me a better person.
Here comes the issue. He got into a car accident almost a year ago and Also lost his mom.I try to be empathetic about him losing his mom, however realistically, she made our life (especially mine) hell when she was alive, so while I feel sad about anyone dying, I don't miss her for one second.
Anyways, he is in a very bad spot mentally and physically and he cannot work, so I've been working a couple jobs to make ends meet.
I'm beyond exhausted and when I come home, and see he hasn't touched any of the chores, it makes me so so angry.
I'm also a ball of anxiety because I lost one of my part time jobs, so I don't know how I'm gonna make ends meet this month. It was a very high paying job for a part time, super easy and accessible for me to do despite my busy schedule, and I lost about 800$ income due to it.
Because of my overall mental state, I am so mean to him. Our room is a mess because he hasn't touched it, there's always dishes in the sink (part of it is our roommate's fault), and I always end up having to clean when I get home. And it makes me so resentful and frustrated that I lash out at him. I don't insult him, but I do cry and and get upset and ask him how come he didn't touch anything in the house again and that I'm so tired of this.
I love him a lot. And I know hes going through a really tough spot mentally and physically. He feels worthless because he can't work and is dealing with all these hard issues. But my brain just snaps and I get so angry and I know it hurts him so much, it's like I can't control myself. Any advice how to deal with all of these emotions? I don't want to irreparably harm our relationship.
Also, while I know a lot of people are gonna throw stones at him, and say he needs to pick up his part of the work since he's just staying at home, please understand this is just a really bad period for him.
The reason I'm also being so gracious is because there was a long stretch of time I couldnt work years ago, and he was so so so kind to me. He never complained once for having to work so hard to keep us afloat, even though he at times had to sell plasma to make everything happen.
In that time he never told me to do a chore, he was so supportive of me in everything and when we had the money, he's never once said no to anything I wanted.
He is an otherwise wonderful husband, we are just going through a really really rough patch and I just need advice on how to handle everything.
Also need advice on how to support him in this terrible period for him.

Space Dogs Of Zeta 9 Mini chapter 1
Written by Pixel/Rat
NoP belongs to Space paladin
Fallout belongs to Bethesda
Memory transcript: Ziak, Farsul Technical Archivist
Date: August 12th, 2275 local [human time]
Local ship time: 10:00 [time of early light and work]
Human weapon catalog: “Energy Light Rifle”
Ziak clutched his head as the Predator energy rifle laid on a mounting in front of him, the damned gun didn't just make no sense, the fact it worked was a insult to federation weapons technology itself.

As Ziak let out a defeated whine the sound of the heavy security door opened as Ziaks partner and friend M'aiq entered holding two cups of steaming Gojid Mohi tea and a plate of warmed Venlil Strayu, something the crew had stocked up on in excess due to there extended mission. M'aiq noticed his whining companion and approached him. “Ziak? Is something wrong? You've been working on that new predator weapon we acquired from the last capture, is something wrong?” His companions' sudden speech made the lanky Farsul yap in surprise and let out a low frustrated growl before noticing the morning meal his friend had fetched for the two, eagerly taking the tea and taking a few long sips of the potent stimulant. 

“Oh i can find many things wrong with this damned laser weapon if i can even call it that to begin with” he growled smacking the remarkably durable yet blocky thing with a spiteful paw, it did little but make it wobble a bit on its perch.

“Oh? What have you learned while i grabbed us what was left of morning meal?” his curious companion asked as Ziak growled. “For one, it has no internal moving components, the ONLY moving pieces on this are the trigger, and the battery release, everything else is closer to an archaic laser drive than a weapon!, i mean, its a laser magnetron firing into a compression array, farsul engineering students in primary make these in basic astrometric engineering and somehow not only do predators have the technology, but theyve weaponized it” Ziak spat indignatly as his companion nodded, Ziak taking a sip of his tea and a nibble of Strayu as M’aiq pondered the weapon quizzically, i twas a matte green and gunmetal weapon with its main…body? A simple rectangular cube. “Well…i cant imagine the weapon is all that powerful, it is just a laser after all, we have lasers, mostly used for mining or point defense on space stations or planetary outposts and they cant even effect civilian energy shielding.” Ziak simple stood up, picked up the bulky rifle that took him a short time to adjust to the in-farsul design and pulled its trigger, without warming a sharp CHOOM was heard as a bright red, near white beam of searing light is heard burning the air in the ship as it hit and burned through an aluminum target located in the lab, the laser was not just pinpoint accurate with no recoil but it was STRONG, able to flash cook 8 inches of aluminum and another 4 inches of solid federation steel. M'aiq jaw dropped “HOLY SMEG” M’aiq shouted and ran over to the still glowing target in shock. “How, how could they get THAT much energy into a laser that small?!” Ziak sighed and pressed a lever on the side of the gun and released the bright, nearly fluorescent yellow, fat cylindrical battery from the side of the laser weapons rear. “I had the computer analyze the components of this battery…its a small nuclear fission battery, y’know, like the kinds our warships use as emergency power?” Those words struck M'aiq, although Ziak knew his friend lacked that kind of specific knowledge. “Wait aren't those kinda…..really big?” M’aiq asked quizzically and with a twinge of fear as Zaik let out a sigh of frustration. “There twelve tons on average and are typically housed in a easily ejectable section of a ship, this battery is about….75 percent as potent as that, the other twenty five is compensated by a advanced and complex magnetic confinement system that….that's more advanced than anything i've seen and its just so CONFUSING” 

The Farsul growled in frustration, tossing the weapon back to the mounting where the emergency containment field kicked in, catching the gun in zero gravity and gently placing it back down onto the pedestal.

“Its lens array is just a inferred fused silica compound and babies first laser magnatron, but the high powered electro magnets and battery capacitors are so advanced and powerful that it makes the best federation tech in comparison look like, LIKE” Ziak looked like he was about to explode as M’iaq interjected “Hey hey, maybe this is just….some tribal weapon? Something slap dashed together out of spare parts?” M’iaq questioned as Ziak seemed to try and compose himself and lets out a deep aggravated sigh. “It isnt….when we interrogated the predator about it he said the weapon was of ‘pre-war’ design and had actually been fabricated recently by some weapon smith a part of his war tribe, the “Enclave” or whatever, and its STANDARD ISSUE!” he howled in frustration and contempt “I even did a micron scan of the thing! There are SERIAL NUMBERS, I even cross referenced it with some of the other Laser light guns we captured and they MATCHED which means not only are these things being produced but that predator was telling the truth!” Ziak, now dejected, smacked his muzzle into the table. “So…what does that mean?” M’iaq asked as Ziak looked up frustrated at his friend and colleague “I means M'aiq” he said coldy and with clear frustration “That these humans can produce weapons that can reduce any federation armored vehicle to molten slag with a few volleys….lets be grateful these things aren't automatic, ancestors shield us if these damned predators figure out what a PULSE LASER is….” 

im so happy that im getting ppl interested in my weird crossover fic, and for all the helpfull feedback im getting! dont worry the girls will be breaking out soon
edit, im so sorry i ended up having to repost this due to a error with the title -_-;
prev [ https://www.reddit.com/NatureofPredators/comments/1cs3ppe/space_dogs_of_zeta_9_2/ ]
first [ https://www.reddit.com/NatureofPredators/comments/1cqf246/the_space_dogs_of_zeta_9/ ]

So I’m working on my IC Detachment list, and was wondering what’s working and not working for everyone.
I played my first game with this detachment yesterday, and it wasn’t terrible. I lost but it was close.
Here’s what I ran: -Azreal with 10 Sternguard -10 DW Terminators w/ Librarian -10 Assault Terminators w/ Capt and Ancient -10 Assault Intercessors w/ Asmodai in a base Land Raider 10 Sternguard 1 Scout
-Az was a CP farm on my home obj -DW termies challenged middle obj -Assault termies sat on left obj the whole battle and not attacked once -Ass Ints fought over left objective and held it for 2 turns -Scouts just for actions -Extra Sternguard loitered near the middle not really doing anything
-I really liked the Az Stern combo and the As AssInt combo -Land raider did its work as anti armour -DW shooting is for shit, but they were solid on the middle for 3 turns, using power fists to good effect -Ass terms are really expensive just to sit on obj and do nothing -Extra Stern are a waste
-Using Oath and Vowed worked really well together allowing AZ and Sternguard to fend off 6 Bolter Inceptors over 2 turns. -AoC and Unmatched Fortitude kept DW termies alive through Gladiator Reaper attacks for 2 turns before getting close enough to smash it, and some melts fire from Eradicators -AssTermie combo causes a stalemate against a Repulsor Execution all game, so kept it out of the fight and collected VPs easily
All in all I had fun, getting 45/50 primaries, not great secondaries. I’m thinking of tweaking my list to remove the AssTerms for knights, dropping second sternguard. I’m adding another scout for better secondary play, infiltrators, and either a ballistus or 5 ints in an impulsor for sticky shenanigans.
I’m open to suggestions as to how to improve.

trenta bitch alert: so I work a full time job and Starbucks is my second job. ive appreciated the benefits and the solid pay to supplement the lack of good pay from working at a nonprofit I love. I was barely managing working a couple shifts a week but a few weeks ago it started to get even worse. one week I wasn't scheduled at all, then the next week I came in my store manager literally said "we gotta get you working more hours, I just had to let someone go for not working enough"....... I was like like yeah I want to work more than no hours a week?? now last week she scheduled me 3 days in a row, this week is 4 days in a row and the next week is 22 hrs. I literally work a whole ass other full time job and she knows that. after Mother's Day bogo, my third shift in a row after already working all week, I was literally delirious by the end. my sm was like go take your last 10, I'm like then my shift will be over (bc she forgot to give me that break) so she told me to go home. since that shift I have been extremely fatigued and have been struggling to do anything for 3 days now.
I feel like my only option is to quit because she basically told me ill get fired for working any less than this. my mom and boyfriend have been encouraging me to quit bc this side job was already taking away any energy or free time I had, now it is fully destroying my life. they are offering to support me in everyway, including financially, until I figure out my next move. I am so grateful for them and being able to help me for the time being, but I literally feel so guilty about quitting. I don't know why I feel this way, especially since I'm literally terrified to work again after how the last shift left me. but I feel bad for leaving other partners and even my sm in a shit position. thnx for reading - barista out

So she had 10 turnovers. She played like shit in the first half. Who cares?
CC has always been a high risk/high reward player. She used to make absolutely crazy, insane, elite passes in college on a regular basis- literally every game. She clearly can't pass the same way she did at Iowa because 1- she is facing far better defenders who are actively targeting her 2- Fever have literally no cohesion offensively and you absolutely cannot force the flow of an offense or push pace and throw leading passes if your teammates don't look up, know when to cut, or know when to anticipate your passes 3- from what little I saw of the game tonight (was working from home during it), she was getting really frustrated as she often does on the rare occasions when she plays like shit, and that makes her play even worse. Once she gets into her head, it gets ugly.
Again, I ask you, fellow CC fans- so what? What is 10 turnovers in a season opener?
This is literally her first regular season game. She's had only a few weeks of practice with her team that had an absolutely terrible record last season and (what appears to be) a questionable coach, and she has to completely adjust her game and level of physicality in order to be able to play well at this level. Not to mention that for someone like CC, who plays in a VERY particular style and spent 4 years at iowa in a system that was molded to her playstyle, she needs to adjust. She played like shit tonight. In the bigger picture, does it matter?
She WILL adjust. She didn't break 45 ncaa records because she's overrated. She's legitimately amazing for someone her age. But she wasn't amazing tonight. She played like shit in the first half and ok in the second half. It's one game. And you know what- there will likely be multiple more games like that this season. It's going to take her weeks or months to adjust, and even then, once she gets into her groove, she may very well be held back in certain ways if she's not able to play to her playstyle due to coaching decisions, lineups, not playing the style she's used to, etc.
So- I don't give a shit that she had 10 turnovers. I'm just going to take a sip of my drink, laugh, and joke that CC is already breaking wnba records and even had a double-double in her first game. If you're a fan, you support CC best by not overreacting and freaking out and trying to blindly support her by blaming it on everyone but her, and its also wise to not feed into the internet frenzy about her being overrated and destined to fail.
So, I raise my glass to fellow CC fans- who here wants to drink to her 10 turnovers tonight?
/buzzed ramble over

I (26F) have (had?) a boyfriend (29M) for 15 months, long distance for the last 6 months.
He works 9-5 pm, I work 1-9 pm. We try to plan virtual dates every week, usually watching a movie together or playing a game together, while texting/facetiming.
Initially, I would schedule them for 11 pm, so that I had time for dinnechores after work, and he agreed. But he would never be punctual. Sometimes his laptop would be dead, or he couldn't find the charger, or his mom calls, or he gets a work call. All understandable.
He eventually joins the game/movie, and we get on with it having fun, texting about the movie and all. Within half an hour, I notice him not responding to my texts, even when i pause the movie (it pauses for him too). Clearly, he has dozed off. I try to call him on all apps, but I guess he keeps his phone on silent. I usually wait for 30-45 mins, continue watching the movie, hoping he wakes up. But nothing.
Eventually I give up, shut everything down. I know it's not really his fault, but I feel very lonely and sad, cuz I didn't get to talk to him about my day (but he gets to, cuz we talk during my break around 5pm).
The next morning (I wake up much later than him), there's always a slew of texts apologising to me, and how he's beating himself up for dozing off, and it won't happen again.
This was fine a few times. Cute, even. Our working hours are quite different, and I sleep much later than him. He's dozed off on FaceTime with me before too.
I also understand that some people just aren't as anal about routines/time as me.
To improve the situation, I asked him to "prepare" his laptop and shit in advance, so that there's no delays (to no avail).
I started scheduling these dates at 9 pm, right after I got done with work. This meant that I had to delay my dinner and chores, but it's okay I like spending time with him. But he'd never actually be ready at 9 pm.
I even started calling him to remind him about the date 30 mins prior and to get his things sorted. But there's always something with him.
This happened almost every date night for the last 3 months. I stopped planning dates, so he got mad at me saying I'm trying to make him feel bad for something he can't control. I'm not, I'm just sick of wasting my time watching 45 mins of movies/games. I'm sick of feeling so hollow and sad when i realise that he's dozed off once again. It hurts that i so willingly move my schedule around for him, but he can't do anything on time for me. So I broke it off.
He keeps saying that I'm punishing him for "just dozing off", and is very angry with my decision. I've tried talking it out, telling him how i feel, and he says he understands but he can't seem to help it. Bc

I'm 20 years old in college home for the summer, and I can't do this.
I have first-gen, incredibly strict Indian parents. My high school experience with them was awful. Think of all the cliches--needed to be the best academically (ended up being valedictorian of my school and getting a full tuition scholarship), no freedom at all (curfew was 8pm, no leaving the house more than 2x a week even if it was a club, they didn't think clubs or extracurriculars were important), no driving (even though I got my license at 17), physical and mental abuse, threats, etc etc. To make matters worse, I ended up losing all my friends my senior year. The only person that stuck with me was my boyfriend (secret, of course), and we're still together (4 years now).
College was the best experience for me. I made all new friends (except they all live 2+ hours away from my home sadly) and my bf and I are making long distance work. Coming home last summer was fine because I was only there for a month because I got accepted to this research program which I begged them to let me go to, and they did.
This summer, it has only been 1.5 weeks and I'm losing it. My bf just came back and I always make an excuse to see him, that I'm seeing my old "friends" and they don't question it too much but my curfew is still 9 PM. I came home last night at 9:35 PM and I got yelled at, slapped twice, and screamed at about how I have been spending too much money. I literally worked 2 jobs in college last year and have a virtual summer internship. This is MY money. I'm still not allowed to drive, despite having had my license for 3 years now. When I am allowed to drive, it's only like 3 select locations (all no highway) and I have to use our small, crappy car. I need to do shadowing this summer because I'm a pre-dental student, but I'm not allowed to literally drive to do my shadowing hours. My mom takes the small car to work (she refuses to drive anything else) and my dad works from home so we have the big car completely free but I'm just not allowed to drive it at all.
These are just the recent things but there's so many things that I can't do. I've missed out on trips with my friends, concerts with them, etc. My friends (like a group of 15 people are going) recently invited me to this concert in one of my friend's hometowns 2 hours away and offered me a place to sleep but ofc I can't go! I even tried asking and reasoned out how I would get there via public transit and I just got laughed at. It's all my money, too.
The worst part is, even though I've had the best college experience (because they go to bed at 9-10 PM they don't check my location that late, so I've been able to party and finally have that taste of a normal life) and met the most amazing people, none of them can understand this at all. Most of my friends are Indian/Asian and I know a lot of people but everyone I'm close to just doesn't have this problem. I feel bad ranting to them because they don't know what to say or do. Even when they do try, it's things like "try to sneak out" (cameras, motion detectors, etc) or "better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission" like they don't fundamentally understand how bad it could get if I did that.
I'm just stuck. I don't know what to do. I don't know when I can go out with my bf next. I even have to ask permission to go on a walk/run around our neighborhood and need to be back my dinner and can't stay longer than 1 hour on the dot (dinner is at 7:45 PM).
I don't know what to do. I can't get a job because first of all, even though they complain about money to me all the time, they wouldn't let me get a job because it's too much freedom and driving. Secondly, I'm studying for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) this summer and I can barely even concentrate at home because the second it turns 3 PM the TV starts blasting and they're always yelling at each other. I tried to ask if I can go to the library to study and focus, but again they yelled at me about the car thing and then how it would be a waste of gas money and how I can study at home and how I should be waking up at 6-7 AM to study if the house gets loud around 3 PM.
I hope someone on here can understand, even partly, my frustration. I wonder oftentimes what I have done wrong to make them treat me like this. I have talked to them about all of this countless times, and I am currently ignoring them both (only saying yes/no) while also trying to do everything "perfectly" so they don't have anything to yell at me about because they're mad about me coming home at 9:35.
Please help. I just don't want to live like this anymore. I fear this will be my forever.
If I get into my state dental school, my dad said he would want me to commute because it's cheaper but I would be living at home. I would end myself probably. I can't even think about that right now.

First Previous Wiki
Ezeonwha was walking down a long hallway. The dry and plain painted walls and the pure white lighting of the lower levels of the 102nd Visitor Welcome Office helped to frame the dingy realities of those who could only afford these floors. Not even capable of having windows, these were for those who were the cheapest of the cheap or those who mingled with them. He'd passed several Guides on the way in, their claws echoing in the halls as a sign of authority in this lawless land.
Here, mediocrity was king, and he was a loyal servant. He drew his cloak closer about his neck, unwilling to reveal himself to those who weren't already equipped to see through it all. He was famous enough to be an abduction target if he let his guard down. This place was no exception, though Justicar tried to make them such. Too much security on the higher levels and too little on the lower levels. That was the way of things.
Another hallway, this one marked with bullet holes. Two contractors and a Guide were discussing the pricing of the fix project when he turned the corner. Their voices quieted to nothing, the stillness pressing down upon them with the same intensity as the false lighting. Ezeonwha clacked his jaws, giving them a low bow before continuing on his way. He saw the Guide's eyes light up with the sign of his implants getting a reading. It was another impromptu way of tracking via facial recognition, but it was an ancient practice.
Nothing was new about what the Guides did; only how many of them seemed to be on general patrol. Had Justicar hired more of them or actually done full conversions for all of them? Those arm cannons surely weren't cheap or ethical to insert into unwilling participants. And giving a victim a gun they couldn't be disarmed of was a very bad idea, even for Elders. And Justicar was better than most Elders when it came to abject stupidity. He'd likely only been dropped a few hundred times as a child versus the more likely Elder average of a few thousand.
Ezeonwha chuckled at his internal joke, heading deeper underground into the complex. He was going to a certain meeting, and it would be best not to be late. Even if the Guides tracked him, it wouldn't be negative. The group he had been approached by a few days ago wasn't a terror group. He'd looked them up. They dealt in 'freedom and liberation from all chains.'
The Eyes Of Liberty had focused upon Penny as their latest propaganda target and perhaps as a valuable ally in their fight against all tyranny. Though such a flowery message was likely steeped in idealism for the lower ranks, with more pragmatic and likely richer inner circle elites and leaders ensuring the pot would always simmer but never boil or grow cold. That was the way movements such as these managed to skirt the line between inaction and terrorism.
It was a dangerous thing to do. But these were dangerous times. If Penny left, he'd die. Someone with a grudge would kill him. It was a given, and he'd made peace with it now. He needed to get to work, to help others like him and those worse off, with just a small piece of the meager time he had left.
He was in the system as a friend of Penny, so little scrutiny would fall on him as he came and went. He had a new friend, one who was very interested in connecting to Penny.
The offer had come through his communicator, and he'd answered it given its interesting title. After a lengthy discussion about their goals for him and Penny, he'd agreed to at least have a meeting. He didn't tell them that he had a tracker from Phoebe, which would 'be impossible to miss' if things went badly. He knew the value he had, which was why one of the androids was also accompanying him under the guise of being a Sprilnav.
The android was 'walking' on all fours, its mechanical motion entirely silent. It was obscured by a wave of holograms and hard light holograms that would ensure that it wouldn't be considered suspicious beside him. His only guard was a capable one, and Phoebe had all the confidence of an AI who knew that the destruction of her android would only be an inconvenience for her.
Ezeonwha came to an unmarked door with a well-worn door frame. One knock. One pause. Two knocks. Another pause. Four knocks. He waited, and the door swung open. Eight Sprilnav greeted him warily but warmly, their eyes shifting to Phoebe.
The inside of the room was a dull red, coming from a pair of lights in the center of the ceiling that cast dark shadows near the edges. The whole room felt dark and dangerous, and the walls were lined with guns, computers, and several drones. Shelves and drawers were neatly stacked against the wall, as well as five couches and four double beds with ladder access to the top portions.
Bags of food rested atop a trash compactor unit, and the room service button on the inner side of the wall that Ezeonwha could see in the mirror was worn down to the raw metal. No paint jobs here, only grit and business. The room faintly smelled of body odor and assorted foods. Not entirely unpleasant, but also not what he'd expected from a group with sich a flamboyant name. Perhaps they worked in cell-based units. And that was another thing.
Minds were visible in the distance of the mindscape, but the people here were huddled together mentally. They appeared to be haphazard, but Ezeonwha recognized an old army-type defensive formation a mere step from each of their positions. They were more than they appeared. Though based on how their room looked, they probably weren't veterans, just decently trained.
As they walked through the doorway, a scanner activated. One of the Sprilnav, wearing a headset with numbers and letters swirling on the inner side of the visor, called out: "Phoebe android. Commando variant. Risk assessment: Certain Death. Ezeonwha. Carrying two pistols, one hidden in the pack on his left, and the other tucked inside a strap near the lower bottom of his chest."
That made them all pause, sizing each other up. Ezeonwha smiled nervously, failing terribly to break the building tension once again. His nerves started to get to him, but finally, Phoebe spoke. "Well, friends. I, for one, am happy to talk of the business of liberty. Tell us, what do you have in mind for my friend Ezeonwha?"
"It is not about him, AI. It is about the freedom all sentient beings deserve, and which we shall bring to the galaxy no matter if we are alive or dead."
"An honorable goal to strive toward," Phoebe said.
"Thank you. Your words are quite kind for your type."
"I didn't know I had one," Phoebe replied. "But thank you."
Ezeonwha turned his head toward the Sprilnav with all the fancy equipment.
"What is the best way for me and Penny to help in the fight?"
"The best way would be for you to start killing the gang leaders you come across. Barring that, have Penny ignore the graveyards, and continue freeing the slaves as she ought to. The dead have their freedom; the living need her work more."
"I agree with my companion," another of them said. "So far, Penny has done more for the fight for justice than any other on Justicar in generations, so it is a terrible thing to ask more, but we must ask. Even knowing the terrible toll it would have if she loses the Judgment, Sprilnav are at stake."
"People are at stake, you mean," Ezeonwha said. "There is no need to bring species into this."
"There would not be, but it is still a clear factor," another of them said, a female who looked more shifty in her gaze and demeanor. The Eyes of Liberty seemed like one of those groups with too much division.
"Do you disagree with each other often?" Ezeonwha asked innocently.
"Here and there," the tech guy said. "Not often enough to be a problem, and not when what matters is at stake."
"But that is the thing. How can you agree on when something that matters is a stake?"
"Is this a test?"
"Why would it be? Think of it as a genuine concern," Ezeonwha said. "To associate with your group, I have to be certain it will be resilient to change and risks escalating in the future. If the gangs cannot strike at Penny, they will pick the next best targets. Currently, that is me. If I associate with you in a way they can find out, and I assure you they will find out eventually, you all may be at risk as well. And your group's seemingly cell-based design also means large scale mobilization is difficult, ineffective, and risks severe coordination issues which cannot be quickly or safely remedied without changing core security features of it."
"You deduced all of that from context? You are smart, Ezeonwha. And have a good brain in your head. Everlasting knows we need one of those between all of us."
They all shared a laugh.
"I am not as young as I may look," Ezeonwha said. "Penny is not properly learned of the danger that faces us here. I am. The Underground will kill me when this is over. Do you want to die alongside me, all for your beliefs?"
Silence descended again. Ezeonwha kept the pressure on them when one of them stepped forward. "For freedom and liberty? Yes. I would die for that."
"As would I."
"And I."
They all declared the rest in orders that followed the patterns Ezeonwha was noticing. There were variances in their levels of belief and faith in their purpose. Each person had a different level of value difference, which meant that their lives would be worth more or less comparatively.
Cohesion was weaker, too. Not a full defector team, but likely pieces of several. Was that by design from a higher up leader, or was that just circumstance? Another thing to figure out later, that wasn't critical yet, but he would know before he truly went on any missions with them, if he did at all.
He suspected running messages to Penny would be the majority of their tasks. The quality of intelligence the Eyes of Liberty had offered was substantial. Perhaps enough for Penny to turn herself from a major annoyance to the gangs into an actual existential threat. With Justicar's swarming protection of the Fort Court and the 102nd Visitor Welcome Office, there was a limited amount of things that even the gangs could do. And if the rumors were correct, a Progenitor would be partaking in the trial.
"To be clear, if I join up with you, Phoebe would come too."
"Why would we let an AI join us?"
Phoebe smiled. "Without me, you'll die in this fight. You have trained for around 2000 days. You're acceptable combatants, as is Ezeonwha. But you are fighting in a city, and underneath it. You need to know how to keep a low profile. You need to know how to move through a crowd, get in and out. And you need to keep collateral damage to a zero, or the gangs will use you like they have others who had your purpose and were less careful to justify their 'protection' continuing. If you march in there and kill 50 slavers, if you kill a few slaves or a single bystander in the process, your credibility will be smeared. And frankly, with me on your team, you won't get blown up by an IED when you try clearing your first room in a fortress."
"IED?" One of them asked, while the rest digested her statement, going through various levels of offended looks.
"Your translator is too cheap. Improvised explosive device. Here, that can be old engines, reused oil, cracked plastic, frictional fuel bombs, circuit extruders, sodium splash grenades, as well as the more military style attacks they can pack, from small micro rockets all the way up to lower level fission or fusion bombs. Though if you're in a fight with those things involved, you're already dead."
"Why?"
"Because unless you're Elders, or holograms, a nuke will kill you whether you're right next to it or just inside the same shield. They concentrate the thermal pulse, so your bones would be ash before the pain hit your eyes."
"And what protection could you bring against that?"
"Telling you it's there before you start the attack. That is, if you listen to me. I value your lives over that of this android, but also I value Ezeonwha over all of you combined. I will not prevent him from doing this, but I will have you all know the risks involved."
"We are prepared, Phoebe. We have done much of the training you say, though we do not believe the gangs would plant explosive devices in their own fortresses. There is too much risk around that, with betrayals so common. However, the minefields we have scouted are easy to defeat with the right tactics. Perhaps you can give us a briefing on those, too?"
A challenge.
"I can, depending on how long you wish to do this for. But I have the stamina for either hours or weeks, depending on which you choose."
"What of your batteries?"
"They are of sufficient quality," Phoebe assured.
"I hope so."
Their tech guy nodded, more numbers flashing on his visor. Ezeonwha hoped he had a different way of display, like through an implant or something, for the missions in darker areas. The Underground was, by its name, not a place where much natural light was to be found. And the gangs controlled all the power systems in their territory. It was another part of the racket.
"Why aren't you guarding Penny?"
Phoebe's back straightened, a subconscious posture change to make her seem more confident. Ezeonwha caught the tactic for what it was, though without extensive knowledge of bipedal forms, it was less likely the surrounding Sprilnav knew it.
"Penny proved before a trillion eyes she's capable of fighting Elders, Progenitors, and a Dreadnaught Captain. Not to mention her immense power. I can shoot bullets, but she can literally snatch them out of the air and eat them. She has her own way of doing things, and it is a good way."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Penny landed in the rubble and headed for the Vaquah with a trail of survivors behind her. Many of them, she could recognize the marks of slavery on, with numbers or brands on their skin or just the trauma crouching in their eyes dulled by the pain of a long life in a work camp. Penny went through the wreckage to the shield surrounding the rubble and the defining line between the rest of the city and the destruction. Several news drones flew above her.
More were arriving from various directions. The soft footsteps grew into a constant drumming sound, like a beating heart of doom. Penny marched with them, heading to the spaceport. A large medical operation there quickly rerouted many of its various branches to the most injured freed slaves.
Penny pressed her considerable psychic energy on the entire group, accelerating their healing, slowing bleeding, and generally repairing their bodies and cells from the trauma they'd suffered. But the cloud over their heads did not brighten. The atmosphere remained tense and mournful. Many of them had lost friends, family, and more. She had no right to ask them to feel any different.
She had freed them, that was all. They were not her servants. She was not their ruler.
Several of them came up to her, offering thanks in the small ways they could. Kind words. Attempts at hugs. Even offers of devout prayer and worship, which Penny respectfully declined. She knew, as did most of them, that veneration for her deeds was inevitable. She didn't want to be seen encouraging it at all, since this was a public place where many eyes were upon her.
She knew that it would be misconstrued as a threat if she did. Religions were some of the most major threats entrenched powers could face if not properly co-opted by the state to suit their needs. And here, the 'state' was a military dictatorship billions of years old, ripened with corruption, money, and the immortality of Elders sporting technology beyond any other in the galaxy.
The sky was blue with shields overhead. The Vaquah hung in the distance, its thrusters gently burning to keep it aloft. A trail of shuttles linked the massive ship with several spaceports, including this one. Penny watched the freed Sprilnav get on it one by one, promising themselves to a new life aboard her ship. Technically, they were citizens of the Autonomous Peoples' Stars.
That protection, Penny knew, was why the Vaquah and its innocent inhabitants were still intact. Elders already had hired mercenaries to attack it. They'd failed, thanks to Rimiaha and Penny, but also the defenses of Kashaunta's Grand Fleet when it was in higher orbit. Kashaunta, despite her willingness to use Penny as she would, also had a certain intelligence and empathy. It was highly selective, and only money and power seemed to flip that switch.
But Penny needed the Elder, and Kashaunta only had use for her as an asset. She palmed the new communicator Kashaunta had issued her after the last one's destruction. Kashaunta's hologram appeared. It looked around, noticing the news drones in the air.
"Not here."
"Where?"
"You will know."
In the mindscape, a Sprilnav appeared on Penny's layer. They felt odd to her, almost like the minds of certain humans high up in the hivemind's network. Penny greeted the Sprilnav warmly.
"Hello."
"Queen and Elder Kashaunta requests your presence on her flagship."
"Very well."
In reality, Penny looked around at the crowd. She waited until it dwindled to nothing, and then spoke.
"Displace."
Conceptual energy twisted, and she stood on Kashaunta's flagship, though nearer to the edge than she'd expected. The Elder was waiting for her in an outfit that looked much like pajamas, though they were under a few armor pieces that appeared anything but decorative. Now that Penny noticed it, it was the same sort of armor that Yasihaut had worn to their last encounter, which interfered with conceptual energy. The Sprilnav were highly advanced. She wondered just how far their technology could go. She'd heard mentions of some ships having artificial gravity, and of nanites and programmable matter. But nothing certain.
"Hmm," Kashaunta said, giving Penny a once over. "You have come back. Shall I assume you are still my ally?"
"Nervous, are we?"
"Nervous is what you should be, Penny. The Judgment is coming. Ten days. Indrafabar and Justicar will both be on the court as High Judges. That is not good for us at all. So I figured a bit of prudence was in order. I have thought long and hard about this, and with the great battles of our time so fast approaching, I figure it is time to mend our relationship before the chasm grows any wider."
Kashaunta motioned to a special looking sword sheath on her back. Slowly, she drew a sword. A Soul Blade. Penny began to draw up her armor.
"Oh, I am not wishing for a fight, Penny. I know the damage you could do, even in my sanctum in the sky. Tell me, do you know how Soul Blades are forged?"
"No."
"Good. And tell me, do you know why they draw so much power to swing, even for Elders and beings as capable as us?"
"I have a few theories."
"I am sure you do," Kashaunta said. "But here is the thing. Soul Blades are typically weapons assigned to highly promising Elders, or even Progenitors. Filnatra, undisputed sword master that she is, can wield them as easily as breathing. If I were to swing this blade, there would be no drawback. Why?"
"Because you own that Soul Blade."
"Because this Soul Blade is mine. It is not just something I own. I own around seven or so more Soul Blades, with some weapons nearing their quality lying in my various vaults even now. You did not detect them, because I willed that not to be. I need you to understand this, Penny. You have power. You have might. But you are not invincible. My Soul Blade, if it struck you, would not cutely separate Nilnacrawla or Cardinality from you. Nor would your speeding space entity be able to block this blade with his flesh. If this cut you, it would release unending agony upon you before you exploded in a burst of burnt gore."
Penny sighed. "There is no need to threaten me. Allies do not threaten each other."
"But you do not see me as an ally. You see me as your means to get through the Judgment. You believe I see you as nothing more but a linear singularity maker, and perhaps a passing curiosity I'm backing on a whim. You neglect to imagine that there might be firmer reasons why I back you, and why more Elders are getting drawn into this conflict. You believe I am comfortable with showing you my more pragmatic and ruthless sides because I am comfortable with the fact that you cannot harm me. That you would not dare to do so, when you need my assistance so badly. That I might even be aiming to normalize my 'new' self with you."
"That is hardly my belief alone."
"Is it now."
Kashaunta grinned. There was no warmth in her gaze.
"Nilnacrawla," Kashaunta said. "Cardinality. Exile. Come out and show yourselves. You are being rude as guests."
Exile detached from Penny's head. He grew into the shifting array of fractals and shapes she was more familiar with. What had once grated on her eyes did so no longer. Kashaunta stared at the speeding space entity for ten seconds, then looked back up at Penny.
"He will not work on us. I will cover his form with holograms if he walks through my ship out of courtesy for my workers and crew, if he cannot."
"I am capable, Queen Kashaunta."
"You are quite knowledgable, aren't you?" Kashaunta mused, looking at him hungrily. "Oh, how I wonder what secrets you have in your head. How many of ours do you know?"
"I will not be taken as a hostage," Exile said.
"You will not because I decide not to," Kashaunta said. "Formally, our species are still at war. There is no treaty."
"The Sp'rkial'nova no longer exist."
"Yes, they do," Kashaunta said. "The name was discontinued for use regarding the lesser specimens we created. But I can assure you, Exile, if you wish to go by that name here, that we still do exist. I am a Sp'rkial'nova in the flesh. In the blood. In the mind. In the soul."
"Say what you will, Sprilnav. It changes nothing."
"On that I agree. Though our views on how things are may differ, and yours is wrong, your opinion is not valuable enough to matter."
She turned to Penny. She would have defended Exile, but he gave her a simple shake of his head area.
Nilnacrawla formed out of psychic energy in front of Penny. Cardi did the same beside her. Kashaunta tapped a claw on the ground. Tables and chairs appeared. A chef brought in food that looked passable and a few decent attempts at human cuisine.
"We do not have to eat, though I would expect that all of you at least sit at the table. We will discuss our grievances, and how to solve them before we proceed with the future. We shall first go to the matter of the Alliance. Penny, many in their number wish to establish contact with you. Do you agree to this? If so, I will add their communicator numbers to the translation program I have reserved for your personal use, in case your own device needs another sudden replacement."
"I agree."
"Good. A first step of diplomacy, I would say. Agreement. Now, Nilnacrawla, you look like you have something to say to me. What is it?"
"Free Meridia."
"Meridia was detonated by planet cracker during the 139th Sector 9 Border War. I am sorry more could not be done."
A cold draft of air rushed out of Nilnacrawla's nose. He glared at her. "You let them die."
"I did not. A Grand Fleet was defending that star system, and three came to lay siege. I am many things. A tactician, a queen, an Elder. But I am not a god. I cannot perform miracles. I evacuated 30 billion people from that world and its surrounding stations before the planet crackers hit it. 4 trillion more souls died in that blast. The best I can do is to offer an apology."
"That will never be enough for what you did. If you had never established your nation, they would still be alive."
"They would be slaves. Chattel slaves, not that cute little 'wage slavery' concept privileged people throw around. Perhaps I should remind you just how much darker that reality would have been for your female descendents, specifically. I am a brutal warlord, a dictator with an iron fist. But my claws do not squeeze nearly as tightly as I could. Metrics say that I could extract at least 370% more profit from my people if I simply enslaved them. But despite the shock this may bring to you all, I do have principles. The Autonomous Peoples' Stars are my people. My nation. My empire, if you think I'm imperialist. But I protect them as best I can."
Nilnacrawla's cold anger didn't lessen. Penny placed a calming hand on his front left thigh. He blinked. He let out a long, pained sigh. And he bowed his head to her. Not to Kashaunta, but to Penny.
"There is no need to be cruel."
"My language was accurate, Penny. He is a strong Elder. Everlasting knows he's stronger than most of these fools. Nilnacrawla was and is a hero of the Source war. I respect him enough not to mince words, or to give platitudes. Coddling is for babies. Nilnacrawla is far more mature."
Kashaunta turned to Cardi. "You have been remarkably silent in this, concept."
"I have."
"A wonderfully succinct statement. Perhaps you can shorten it further. But nevertheless, you and I will be working together with Penny much more in the near future. Rest assured, if you refuse to become more independent, you will be nothing more than a crutch for her to rely on before leaving her to fall when you are ripped away."
"When, Elder? I would like to think your protection is sufficient."
"I am sure the truth is quite the opposite, dear. I will now get to the point. Penny needs to move faster, and needs to break out of her shell. She needs to be pushed to do more. She has signed a binding treaty, which shows she is capable of more than barbarian aliens, as some Elders would call her. You, Cardinality, will help her be a high achiever. To do this, you need to learn more about your own history.
That is the theme of the year, after all. History. My history, Penny's history, Sprilnav history, and even Gaia's history, it would seem."
"Gaia? What do they have to do with all of this?" Penny asked.
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that."
"Excuse me? You don't get to decide that, Kashaunta. You will tell me. I refuse to be coddled, like you say. I demand the respect I am owed."
"You forget yourself, Penny."
"I remember myself, actually. I am all I need to be. I can become all I need if I must. You can hold your backing against me all you want, but you won't withdraw it. As you said, more binds you and I than mere money and ideology."
"And if you're wrong?"
"Then I've doomed my species and my nation to war, and this planet to the full power of my wrath."
"Wrath, Penny. Wrath. The Sprilnav have many words for anger, rage, hatred. There is the desire for vengeance, in varying degrees. There is that for justice, which does differ. And that for belonging. I know you believe you are standing up to me as a way to assert your own authority in this relationship of ours. You believe I see you as inferior, and will pull back my help when it is profitable for me. I will not offer you the consequences of what your words could mean.
You already know them, and that argument is as stale as your view on us Elders. I will say this once, Penny. You are the Champion of Humanity. The apex predator of your planet, the only one mostly in charge of an Alliance that does more than merely dream of overthrowing us. It is easy for me to say you are not a threat, though I do not ignore the threat you and your nation are trying to become. Gaia will be a part of your movement, but even my information is not entirely complete. I will not mislead you by claiming I know Gaia's link to this, just that there likely is one.
And I am not unreasonably petty. I am willing to put all our animosity behind us and start anew. Even if you are not willing to do the same, I am willing to make this work for us. You have more people to care for than just the Alliance, now. Do not forget them."
"A lot of words that mean nothing."
"Because you heard, but did not listen. Perhaps it will be easier this way, Penny. I want you to win."
"Explain."
"You wish to overthrow the current Sprilnav led order of the galaxy. Your path to that will likely be through mass slave revolt. A viable strategy that I could spread far beyond just this planet. And I actually agree with you. This Judgment, this utter insanity around the Alliance and your species has shown me the truth. The Elders as a class and a species cannot be trusted to rule any longer. We need new leaders. Better leaders."
"And yourself?"
"As the hypocrite that I am, and the power-hungry ruler of the Sprilnav, I would obviously exclude myself from that number. Let's be realistic. The Sprilnav will never accept a non-Elder ruler. If you wish to see what our insurgencies would be like, imagine the 2090s Struggles of Asia. Expand that to billions of planets, large and small. Countless ships and space stations. We have more collective ships than you have people. And as your military planners know, there is no such thing as an unarmed ship. Without us, without me, your plans are stillborn. Your galactic Alliance or whatever you make will fall to pieces without proper counseling. In essence, my offer to you, and you alone, is this. The galaxy, for the Sprilnav."
"Who backs your offer, with the power to give it?"
Progenitors Lecalicus and Nova appeared in the room.
"I back Kashaunta," Lecalicus wheezed.
"I observe her offer, and wish it a proper outcome," Nova said.
"Thank you, esteemed Progenitors," Kashaunta said, standing just to bow to them. Penny stared at Nova, balling her fists.
"There will be time for battle later," he said. "But not now. Hear out her request. She does not make it lightly."
The Progenitors disappeared.
"If I accept your offer, it will be on a written record."
"No. It will not be, because if that record is written, my nation will be facing war on all sides. A better idea would be for us to keep this under wraps."
"Perfect for betrayal," Nilnacrawla muttered.
"It would be, yes. But consider the second part of this situation, Nilncrawla. If word of this galactic offer, not just the Pact, were to get out, which is why two Progenitors who know the price of interference were called here, it would mean the deaths of Penny and all her kind. Or do you forget what rapidly approaches us?"
Nilnacrawla frowned. "I did. I apologize, Penny."
Kashaunta spoke up again.
"Penny. You believe I will betray you. So I make an offer of collateral. An offer so unbelievably sacred for us Elders that many would recoil at the mere thought of it. Now that you have signed a backed treaty, you are fully qualified."
Kashaunta grabbed her Soul Blade and presented it to Penny.
"What does this mean?"
"Nilnacrawla, tell her," Kashaunta said. "She will trust your mouth more than mine."
"Bonded Soul Blades are priceless artifacts," Nilnacrawla said. "To offer one to another is the ultimate gesture of trust and respect among many martial Sprilnav cultures. It can also allow for a mind bridge, a soul pact, or a proposal for marriage between two great houses, martial families, or Elders of great wealth and power. To offer this to a human... to anyone... is an ultimate sign of backing, and one of trust.
It is a sacrosanct honor, the absolute agreement of speaking truth and respect. The words I can use in any human language are insufficient to describe the weight of this honor. This gesture is one of absolute truth. Family lines with hatred going back millions of years would never dare to violate this honor."
"Only one Elder in history did so, one who once led a group known as the Stannic Resistance. He does so no longer. Penny Balica, Champion of Humanity... if there is nothing else I can give you to prove that I do really back you, there is this."
"...Just how low are my chances in the Judgment for you to resort to this?" Penny asked.
"They are not zero, but your battle with be incredibly difficult even with this boon of mine. The future of the galaxy, I now realize, hinges on the outcome of this. If we do not have enough trust, they will sniff it out, and we will fail."
So she had no choice. But as Nilncrawla continued to explain in her mind, Kashaunta was getting the worse side of the deal. Which meant she was throwing her backing behind Penny for real, beyond all reproach and retraction. Kashaunta, the most powerful Elder in the galaxy.
"And if I reject this gift, or your reasons for it?"
"Circumstances would demand that I kill you and then myself using this blade as a way to cut apart the dishonor, before my remains are dumped into a black hole to be forgotten forever. I would not do this."
"A dark and archaic custom," Penny said. She would have said more, but she looked at Nilnacrawla's face. He was clearly deeply uncomfortable. Her five words had shaken him more than anything she'd ever said to him before.
"You do not understand," Nilnacrawla said. "This is not something to joke or lie about. With a Soul Blade Pact in play, all else must cease. Right now, there is you, and there is her. Accept or decline. The choice, your only choice, is yours."
"How will this look to the Elders in the court? To the Sprilnav, and the people who back me?"
She could see how it would be a boon and a curse.
"You, and I," Kashaunta said. "The whole of the universe between us right now is you and I. No others exist until this one act is done. There will be trust or there will be death. No in between. No middle ground. The nature of this bond will be a Pact of Blades."
Conceptual energy swirled between them. Penny's natural translation, as part of the hivemind, failed for the first time ever. Her communicator likewise did not translate the words Kashaunta spoke.
"Eis nama kaste Penny Balica, sun lanci Dorima Kashaunta. Ko'ri, lanci nupa bes na Dorima'Pecunyanova. Sp'rkial'nova. Sun. Homo Sapiens."
The air grew thick with tension. It was not just emotional, either. Psychic and conceptual energy gathered. The mindscape started to distort as more and more eyes began to view Kashaunta and Penny. But all of them were Sprilnav eyes. All of them were Progenitors. Nova's appeared brightest and largest, nearly six times the size of the next largest pair. They stared at her, sending psychic and conceptual energy down upon her in waves that forced her and Kashaunta to kneel to the ground.
"I apologize for my earlier words," Penny said. "I should not have denigrated this."
Penny stood for an hour, deeply contemplating the Pact. If it was as Nilnacrawla was describing to her, it was a promise that Kashaunta would not break. If she was offering it at all, especially to Penny, it meant she had a level of trust in Penny's capability far above what Penny had previously thought. Apparently, there were even higher agreements than this that were possible, with this Pact being the lowest level of bond and considered unbreakable with the enforcement of consequences coming from the Progenitors themselves.
She thought of her place in Justicar and the wider universe. Hours passed like water. And then, by the end of it, after nearly 19 hours, Penny finally had decided. She gave a short nod to Kashaunta, who had been kneeling to Nova all this time.
Kashaunta gestured at the sword. "Tol, nopa shikai."
Nilnacrawla fed her a few suggestions on what she would need to say.
"I come to this Pact seeking peace, justice, and hope," Penny said. "And a promise not to betray one another, by lies or by treachery."
Nilnacrawla translated Kashaunta's next words to her.
"I come to this seeking trust, understanding, respect, and peace," Kashaunta said. "And a promise not to betray one another, by lies or by treachery. I make this Pact before the gods, those who equal them, and those who surpass them. I bind them to an oath of silence regarding this event, until I directly instruct them otherwise, in a state of a sound mind, body, and soul. Here, we shall step into a future that needs both of us, casting aside that which is unimportant to focus on the ultimate goals we have. I offer my Blade to Penny Balica, of species Homo Sapiens. In this way, we forge a new future, and walk a new path. I accept the Pact."
"I accept the Pact."
Nova and a hundred Progenitors descended. Nova grew larger, and Kashaunta knelt to him. Penny remained standing. His sharp teeth glittered in the light. He pressed his claws to Penny's chest, and to Kashaunta's chest.
"The Pact of Blades is made before the Progenitors. We agree to your vow of silence. The penalty of breaking it will be dismemberment and disposal into a black hole. Penny Balica, Engineer Kashaunta. To break this Pact without mutual agreement is to call down our collective wrath upon yourselves. You both have agreed, and are of sound mind, body, and soul. The Pact is forged. By sword, by word, by action. I, Nova, Everlasting, Lord of the Progenitors, King of all Sp'rkial'nova, Heir to the Mantle of Power, Heir to Narvravarana, Progenitor, Elder, and Sprilnav, declare the deed done, etched in time, space, and Reality."
They winked out of existence one by one, leaving Penny and Kashaunta alone, to ponder the future. Penny's thoughts turned to the Judgment, and her confidence she could win it began to waver. How much worse was this Judgment going to be than before?
Penny stared at Kashaunta's Soul Blade. With careful fingers, she took it. Kashaunta sat up, satisfied.
"Now we can begin. I shall compile all the news about you I can find, and we shall see how to address the questions the High Judges will ask. Now that you trust me, I cannot betray you."

I'm a new nurse who graduated in December. I started on a med-surg unit in a new-grad residency program in January. I was being bullied by some of the staff, spoke up about it but nothing changed, and overall was truly not cut out for this specialty. I was having daily panic attacks before and after work, stopped enjoying life, and cried all the time. I am very interested in psych nursing/outpatient. I live in OR and have applied to several places, but most of what I'm finding is only inpatient med-surg/ICU/ER, eto which is not something l'm interested in. I applied for a child psych position up in WA at a top hospital, and made it to the second round of interviews. I am very conflicted on if I am offered the job, if I should take it. The biggest reason for that is finances. I still live at home and am able to save a TON of money doing so. I have student loans & a car payment that if I was able to start work soon, couple wipe out in 1-2 years. I do pay rent but not nearly as much as I would be paying in Seattle where I could potentially work. My husband and I are trying to weigh the pros and cons, and moving would mean that our finances would be a lot more tight, and I would not be paying my loans off soon at all. On top of that, I truly love living with my family and am very close to them (my husband likes it too, we live in a big house and all split bills and are content). I fear that I could potentially be passing up my dream job though if I am offered it and don't take it. I also don't know how long I should keep looking for jobs in Northern OR until I give up because I have no more options left for the fields I want. Overall, I don't want to make an irrational decision and leave everything and be more strapped financially, but I have always wanted to work in psych and it's a great hospital. I need some outside perspective because each day I just feel more and more defeated when I'm not finding a good job that fits for me, or am turned down. I need a rational and logical perspective to help me make the most sound decision. Thank you so much in advance :)

Hello! I'm assuming if you are here you are probably not a degenerate (they just saw the [17/F] and spammed me), so let's be Friends! Bored out of my mind and would love to chat with some other people and pass the time.
A bit about me: Hi! I honestly just go by Doll (lol). I like animals (alive and dead), cooking, woodworking, sewing, and interior design! Oh yeah, and did I mention dogs? I have two siblings myself (I know, boring information, do you want me to bore you with my school grades instead?). Random ass stuff I enjoy is collecting transformers (yes, the robots that turn into cars), mall window shopping, and go-kart racing.
I guess Ill mention that I am playing "Love Bites (So Do I)" by Halestorm on repeat, so if I don't respond immediately it's probably because I am jamming to part of the chorus (or likely intro to the third chorus).
Useless info just because I like adding it
Fav color: Pink, with Black being a close second
Fav animal: The Orange Breasted Falcon
Fav vehicle: either the Honda CBR 600 RR motorcycles or the 4-4-0 "American Type" steam locomotives
Favorite part of nature: Absolutely love canyons, it's like looking back in history
If you wish to chat then send a message, I would love to talk.

Hello, I'm hoping this is the right place to go. I was given a rc /drivable mini jeep from family to give to my best friend's child but need to get it cleaned up and working. Unfortunately when I select on either the remote or pedal inside to "go" it whines then clicks. If a start to push it I can feel it pull away for half a second before cutting out. I've never worked with electric motors before just the electronics on my Jeep. Would this be all the motors dead (it has a few) or something else cutting power. Thanks for any assistance you can provide. Oh and it does have a brand new battery. Thank you power wheel experts

How will I explain to my partner’s family that I am exhausted with caring their son. I am working in night and handling our business in the morning. Tomorrow will be his follow up check-up ask his mother if she can join him but no luck. I am tired! I am always thinking that this is not what I see myself. We’re not married though. We’ve been together for 5 years. He cheated on me twice and here I am caring for him. I don’t know? Am I selfish?! Am I unreasonable? I have personal goals. I can’t even visit my parents cause of this. More over I am financially challenge bcoz of this! No help from them at all. Medicine, food, shelter and electricity is all on me. I’m just tired. I don’t know ugh.

I'm 20 years old in college home for the summer, and I can't do this.
I have first-gen, incredibly strict Indian parents. My high school experience with them was awful. Think of all the cliches--needed to be the best academically (ended up being valedictorian of my school and getting a full tuition scholarship), no freedom at all (curfew was 8pm, no leaving the house more than 2x a week even if it was a club, they didn't think clubs or extracurriculars were important), no driving (even though I got my license at 17), physical and mental abuse, threats, etc etc. To make matters worse, I ended up losing all my friends my senior year. The only person that stuck with me was my boyfriend (secret, of course), and we're still together (4 years now).
College was the best experience for me. I made all new friends (except they all live 2+ hours away from my home sadly) and my bf and I are making long distance work. Coming home last summer was fine because I was only there for a month because I got accepted to this research program which I begged them to let me go to, and they did.
This summer, it has only been 1.5 weeks and I'm losing it. My bf just came back and I always make an excuse to see him, that I'm seeing my old "friends" and they don't question it too much but my curfew is still 9 PM. I came home last night at 9:35 PM and I got yelled at, slapped twice, and screamed at about how I have been spending too much money. I literally worked 2 jobs in college last year and have a virtual summer internship. This is MY money. I'm still not allowed to drive, despite having had my license for 3 years now. When I am allowed to drive, it's only like 3 select locations (all no highway) and I have to use our small, crappy car. I need to do shadowing this summer because I'm a pre-dental student, but I'm not allowed to literally drive to do my shadowing hours. My mom takes the small car to work (she refuses to drive anything else) and my dad works from home so we have the big car completely free but I'm just not allowed to drive it at all.
These are just the recent things but there's so many things that I can't do. I've missed out on trips with my friends, concerts with them, etc. My friends (like a group of 15 people are going) recently invited me to this concert in one of my friend's hometowns 2 hours away and offered me a place to sleep but ofc I can't go! I even tried asking and reasoned out how I would get there via public transit and I just got laughed at. It's all my money, too.
The worst part is, even though I've had the best college experience (because they go to bed at 9-10 PM they don't check my location that late, so I've been able to party and finally have that taste of a normal life) and met the most amazing people, none of them can understand this at all. Most of my friends are Indian/Asian and I know a lot of people but everyone I'm close to just doesn't have this problem. I feel bad ranting to them because they don't know what to say or do. Even when they do try, it's things like "try to sneak out" (cameras, motion detectors, etc) or "better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission" like they don't fundamentally understand how bad it could get if I did that.
I'm just stuck. I don't know what to do. I don't know when I can go out with my bf next. I even have to ask permission to go on a walk/run around our neighborhood and need to be back my dinner and can't stay longer than 1 hour on the dot (dinner is at 7:45 PM).
I don't know what to do. I can't get a job because first of all, even though they complain about money to me all the time, they wouldn't let me get a job because it's too much freedom and driving. Secondly, I'm studying for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) this summer and I can barely even concentrate at home because the second it turns 3 PM the TV starts blasting and they're always yelling at each other. I tried to ask if I can go to the library to study and focus, but again they yelled at me about the car thing and then how it would be a waste of gas money and how I can study at home and how I should be waking up at 6-7 AM to study if the house gets loud around 3 PM.
I hope someone on here can understand, even partly, my frustration. I wonder oftentimes what I have done wrong to make them treat me like this. I have talked to them about all of this countless times, and I am currently ignoring them both (only saying yes/no) while also trying to do everything "perfectly" so they don't have anything to yell at me about because they're mad about me coming home at 9:35.
Please help. I just don't want to live like this anymore. I fear this will be my forever.
If I get into my state dental school, my dad said he would want me to commute because it's cheaper but I would be living at home. I would end myself probably. I can't even think about that right now.

Heya guys,
Okay so, here's what happened:
Ran into my ex, she greeted me hi, i gave her an acknowledging nod and smile and continued walking, that's when i heard her say "Okayy..." in an annoyed tone. Queue first mistake: I turned around and asked "what?"
She asked me why i was so cold towards her, i said i didn't really mean it, and we started chatting. At first, the conversation was cold and straight forward, but then we relaxed a bit and started chatting. Somehow the topic of hookups started and oh man, did it rock my world.
You guys can freely read my other post here, but it's pretty much how i found out what she was up to. Two months after the break-up she made out with someone, then made out with someone else a month later, then hooked up with a guy, and is no seeing another person, but she said "things were casual" and that she "is not looking for a relationship".
Further on, she claimed that i was much better in bed than the other guy, and that she appreciated my attentiveness in the bedroom. (Yaay, i guess)
I don't know why i even entertained the conversation, but i was simply enthralled with her. She made jokes about how i have an anxious attachment style and how she has an avoidant attachment style and how those types of people are attracted like polar opposite magnets.
Next thing i know, i called her on the phone, because she went home frustrated about something (I know, extremely stupid mistake). But she ended up crying to me on the phone about stuff, and she kept saying "I don't know why i'm even ranting to you right now - We shouldn't even talk to each other."
She also mentioned how she went to therapy, a psychiatrist, and got her life together.
We went for a coffee the next day and i decided to ask her if she still had feelings for me:
"I am weirdly attracted to you" - She said
"I feel weird about this whole situation, but also weirdly comfortable, but don't let that give you hope" - while smiling.
I then asked her what she wanted to do:
She stated "I don't know, i'm torn and confused"
Then i said "Well, i would like to try again,"
And then, like a switched turned on in her brain, she was immediately cold.
She was assertive, and strict all of a sudden, and not nearly as flimsy as before.
"Listen, this won't work, we tried, but we're not good for each other, please move on, don't dwell on this any more"
Why, what happened in that split second for her to act so differently all of a sudden?
Also, what was her whole plan with this whole conversation?
I feel used and like a massive loser, she made me out to sound desperate.
What was this whole thing about?
I'm really willing to discuss with someone about this
Dang.

1. To the people that took classes where they donated free As with voluntary finals, grade your own work, grading outstanding work, etc. I feel bad and good for you because you are getting good grades but the education you paid for is ruined. I think the strike was a double edged sword for these people's academics.
   
2. The admins are currently in the process of administrating nothing into this university. I don't know how they can even be called an "administration" if all they administer is letters about graduate strikes that don't do anything for anyone/explain how they are still underpaying graduate workers.
   
3. I like some of the BU Today emails but I think I have around 2000 of them stacked up in my email, mostly unopened.
   
4. Rescheduling/moving of course offerings. Idk why they did it man but they moved one of my courses, that I already registered for, in the middle of finals week to days and hours that no longer worked for me so now I can't take that course anymore 😩
   
5. The elevators/escalators at Warren were and probably still are unfixed. To my knowledge most elevators at warren do not have floor lights working. Also, two B tower elevators were not working for a whole semester. The long escalator going down hasn't worked since Fall 2023. The toilet by B tower needs Piza Tower levels of continuous renovation.
   
6. During finals week all dining halls shut after 3 pm when I needed their high quality food for mere sustenance
   
7. Most CDS floors require you to work quietly which is good for some people but it seems very anti-argument/anti-brainstorming/anti-vocal. I'm not saying an officer shows up if you are not quiet but it still seems limiting in some sense.
   
8. This is kind of a me thing but instead of building CDS I think bu should have secured their ENTIRE campus on this side of the Charles River.
   
9. Protests were tame at BU compared to other universities. I think one reason for this was the fact that BU does not have enough "grass". I do not consider BU Beach, whatever that thing is in front of COM, the shrubbery near the green line, or the trees on the sidewalk grass. This campus is literally a concrete hell, all stone no grass. I believe the city painted the bike lanes green to hypnotize us into seeing more grass around campus.
   
10. Have a lovely summer everyone
    

Lately I don’t give the slightest damn about a challenge, at least in the traditional sense. I’m working 8-6 and don’t need any more stress in my life. So I’ve been running Stellaris on the easiest difficulty and gunning for achievements. It’s something to do with my time after 3000+ hours of replaying my usual empires over and over again.
My last two games ended horribly despite this. Each one, I was flattened by the AI before year 2250. First one was Obsessional Directive & Astro-Mining Drones, when the AI somehow managed to have 10k fleet power when I could only muster 2k. Second was an attempt at Synthetic Fertility that ended with facing down 4-5k fleet power in year 20 when I had 1k and not enough worker pops to build more.
I would have started another game but man, this game is deliberately trying to provoke me and idk if I have the patience for it anymore. I know this for a fact because I checked the war status on that second game and said “ok well it’s just a war of humiliation. Can I just surrender and tell them to go away?” And they said no. You cannot make this shit up.
I’ve had problems like this trying to play multiplayer, too. I don’t know what Paradox wants from me anymore, man. Is anything other than hyper-optimized builds viable anymore? I just wanna vibe, man.