The following is my ideal start to the sequel. I apologize in advance for the parentheses.
The MC is awakened by a knock at the door.
Either Amit, Poppy, or Gareth (depending on the MC's house) enter the room, saying something along the lines of
"Sorry, I didn't wake you did I?"
We discover that the MC has been staying at one of the above characters' houses for Summer Break, due to the MC being an orphan (set up MC backstory).
The MC and other character go downstairs for breakfast with the other character's family. (A lot of this takes inspiration from Harry's time at the Burrow) An owl arrives with a letter for school supplies.
It is decided that they will all go to Diagon Alley the next day. However, first things first- house chores!
Depending on the house of the MC, the chores will vary. I even imagine de-gnoming could be a possibility if with the Weasleys.
After completion of the chores, the player is given the option to explore the house and yard before ending the day. The next morning the player and family go to Diagon Alley via Flu Powder. The player is free to explore Diagon Alley, including Gringotts, where they may set up an account. There will also be an option to buy a broom and/or a wand, each with varying potentials (speed, power, etc.) However, the funds will be limited, so choices will have to be made. There will be some unique products available for purchase in Diagon Alley, which the player may have a second chance to buy during the Winter break, when they will have the option to stay at the Leaky Cauldron or at an empty Hogwarts, each with their own possible benefit.
Upon returning to the house from Diagon Alley, a bit of fun begins.
Depending on which house the MC is staying at, this bit will differ.
If staying with the Weasleys, MC will play a 2-on-2 quidditch game (with just a quaffle, I believe)
If staying with Amit, perhaps a flight to a nearby hill for some star gazing.
If staying with Poppy...maybe like following unicorn tracks, ending in a unicorn ride through the woods??
Alas, thus the fun ends and it is time to prepare for the next day's journey to Hogwarts.
(It would be cool if each family had a different way to get to Kings Cross- broom flight, portkey, floo powder? This could also be a quest in itself)
The MC walks through platform 9 3/4 and gets the opportunity to wander around briefly, before the train whistle and a voice warns of its nearing departure.
The MC, along with the other character, boards the Hogwarts Express. After checking around various compartments and perhaps getting refused by some antagonizing students, the MC finds an open compartment to sit in. After a brief conversation and perhaps some new character introductions, the MC gets the chance to buy some things from the trolley and can wonder around the train. There could be some sort of quest (finding a student's lost belonging? Stopping some older students from bullying anxious first years?) before the train begins its approach to Hogsmeade Station (Ideally the player could control how long or short the train ride lasts).
The students exit the train and the camera might show a mysterious hooded figure watching from a bench on the other platform. We might get a cut scene of the carriages trek to the school (and in said process, we might see/hear a glimpse of something worrisome through the trees.) We enter the great hall for the sorting ceremony. We watch the ceremony and notice something unusual with one of the students (perhaps something sinister even--random thought, what if the student were actually a powerful dark wizard who had used the polyjuice potion to take on the appearance of a student in order to infiltrate Hogwarts), like the hat announcing the student's house before the student even sits down (eg. Draco). This student may or may not be a potential antagonist.
We get the chance to converse with just about all of our housemates, with more lengthy conversations with students in our own year. (Along with the train ride, this is an opportunity for relationship building) We also get to eat the variety of foods that have appeared on the table. We then get some school announcements from the headmaster, including but not limited to the try out dates for Quidditch. After the announcements, the feast is brought to a close, and house prefects guide the first years to their respective houses (and in this process, the MC might catch the unusual first year looking at them as they exit the Hall).
The MC then heads to their common room along with the other students. The player gets to explore the common room and interact with it magically (lighting fireplace, accio-ing books etc.), maybe eventually getting scolded by some older students, a ghost or a prefect. Also, the bulletin board lists some possible quests to be done on a later date. There are also NPCs with whom the MC can play exploding snap and wizards chess with in the common room. (Gobstones would be available to play outside)
The player is free to stay in the common room, but with all of the other students eventually heading up to their rooms, the player will naturally wish to do so as well. Upon going up to the bedroom, they will join in on a brief conversation with their roommates about the next day's classes etc. Then, the player will get to sleep in their bed, to get some rest before the start of a new school year.

This post will provide dialogues of NPCs who used sarcasm at least once.
"You head over to pay the barman a visit. Have a good drink and come back then. No use talking to you now - you look like a controller has rearranged your brain." - Lebedev (That dialogue, like few other dialogues can be unlocked if you won't complete "Talk to the barman" mission and will start talking to other NPCs before talking to Cold)
"Hello, O, Wonder of the Zone! I heard Lebedev wanted to get a piece of your invincible aura! Go see him." -Gray/Novikov (Can be unlocked if you'll start talking to Gray/Novikov before "Ask Lebedev about what happened" mission)
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/4v9wgN.jpg
"You look pretty good...for someone who survived the Emission anyhow. What you really want is to sit by the fireplace at Lebedev's..." - Suslov (Can be unlocked if you'll start talking to him before talking to Lebedev and completing "Talk to Lebedev" mission)
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/dqfXS6.jpg
"O welcome, guest from foreign lands! What come you with? A bursting purse or prized exotic wonders?" - Suslov
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/tyRGo6.jpg
"We can do away with blindfolds this time. If you step into some quicksand, dying is ever so much more fun with your eyes open...I'm just kidding! Keep your eyes peeled and remember the way across the Swamps - next time you'll have to make it on your own." - Dialogue of Clear Sky Guide that can lead you to Cordon (Name of that guide is randomly generated)
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/TQ19dK.jpg
"What's it to you, huh? One look at you tells me you've got your own problems. Around these parts knowing too much can help you kick the bucket long before you're due. By the way, your bucket looks mighty nice - wanna trade before you walk upon an anomaly? Ah c'mon, get your panties out of the bunch - I'm just putting you on." - Dialogue of Random Bandit
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/zCQJZw.jpg
"What are you, some kind of journalist? Gonna write about me in tomorrow's newspaper? Ha-ha-ha! All right, listen here, boyo. We're the knights of the road and we rule the Garbage. You cut us some juice and we mind our own business. You don't pay up - you're in deep shit. This is a gold rush of sorts. That's 'cause these Soviet trinkets buried in this dump are now worth their weight in gold. So if you get into debt with us or try to be a hero, we'll send your ass straight to the camp. Working down there is about as much fun as mining uranium, what with all the anomalies and radiation. But hey, the good news is that at least your troubles would soon be over... along with your life." - Another Bandit dialogue
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/tCTxZm.jpg
"Well, this here is the flea market, so I guess that makes us flea marketers. He-he, we're traders, buddy - we sell small stuff here and there...I'll be straight with you: our goods are crap, but hey, at least we're still in business, right? So, you come to trade or just to chat?" - Dialogue of Flea Market Trader
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/uiNAIa.jpg
"Well, it's a difficult concept for you to grasp but...I live here! I also work here as a stalker. And we have a base here. Maybe you've heard of a clan called Freedom? Well, the Dark Valley is our territory. What do you think a Freedom member is doing on Freedom territory?" - Dialogue of Random Dark Valley Freedomer
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/CANPuV.jpg
"Well, I do my best work in the kitchen with a fork! Hah! Kidding, buddy. I'm a sniper expert. I can shoot pretty good myself and I help others too. I can work your assault rifle real nice - it'll fire like a Spetsnaz SVD when I'm finished with it. And if you get a real sniper rifle, oh baby - your enemies are gonna be taking real long detours to stay out of your way, that's a promise. I can also patch up your armor if need be." - Dialogue of Yar
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/f8SkNG.jpg
"Trying to decide which beast to bring the Inquisitor. He runs a zoo at our base where he holds specimens of the local fauna. I'd love to stick a controller in there, but he'd probably make us all into zombies even if we could get our hands on one." - Dialogue of Random Agroprom Dutyer
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/aSg8jG.jpg
"Agroprom is a former research institute. Obviously, after the Zone appeared there ain't much research going on here no more. Ha-ha. Instead, we're using the building as our base to fight off the Zone's spawns. We're holding the line against the monsters that come out from underground. We fight to save the lives of other stalkers, sometimes at the cost of our own." - Another Dialogue of Random Duty NPC
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/ONEwh2.jpg
"Don't mind him, that's our local dumbass Mitay. As one professor would put it, he's "nothing but a vulgar swine!" No garden is without its weeds, and Mitay is the designated weed in ours. He'd be a perfect fit for the Inquisitor's zoo - would complete the collection as the top show freak. Sometimes I wish a pseudodog would adopt him... But really he's much better off as a trader. If he spent his days in the bar he'd spent more time getting his ass beat than actually drinking - or worse. Even considering that manhandling is a sure way to wind up in the cooler, that wouldn't stop most." - Dialogue of Major Zvyagintsev
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/RowziG.jpg
"I'm loving our scientists, man! They're funny guys, that's for damn sure! Usually they don't stick their nerdy little noses out of the bunker, but when they do, like the other day... all hell breaks loose! Troops everywhere, choppers, APCs! Next time, they might as well haul a battleship here, or at least an armored train..." - Dialogue of Random Yantar Stalker
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/51spyn.jpg
"We got a job for you. You see, we didn't exactly come to this forest to pick mushrooms. There's an anomalous zone nearby, with whole mountains of artifacts. I know how to get there, but the road goes through the forest - and you've heard all about the forest, I'm sure. It's a friggin' deathtrap. So, you escort us there, keep guard for a short while, and we'll reward you with a nice and juicy artifact for your troubles. Deal?" - Dialogue of Red Forest Stalker
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/haGgsJ.jpg
"We've arranged a little deal with the military. They take our bullets and we take their base. Sounds fair to me. Me and the boys are "negotiating" as best we can." - Dialogue of Army Warehouses Freedomers
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/0PgNJU.jpg
Not really a dialogue, but nonetheless it also should be mentioned. Description of Eye artifact:
"This artifact, which resembles the human eye, considerably increases the body's metabolism, helping wounds heal quicker. Experienced stalkers say that the Eye also brings luck. Right or wrong, it sure brings in money. Emits radiation."
Additional proof: https://snipboard.io/vVJh3c.jpg

As always I shall try to keep this list updated at least once every four weeks until the post is again automatically locked after six months, preventing further edits.
In order to request any of these items you must go to the appropriate link for the Xbox Series X/S, Windows, PS5 or Steam. If you are playing on an older system it is simple to reach its page from one of these direct links. I am sure it goes without saying your player account must have sufficient Atoms available to pay for the item/s you choose. As part of the process Bethesda Support will respond to your request by ticket and email with the total cost of whatever you order.
This page from the Wikia entry for Fallout76 may help with working out some of the bundles' contents. I cannot swear for the accuracy of the data however as with all wikis it is community-created support material.
I have had quite a few comments asking how long you can expect to wait. The answer is that it varies. In my own experience I have had items redeemed for my character within two hours. I have also had to wait for more than a month. Much of the process seems to be automated now and I would say the average time these days seems between two to four days.
This list is up-to-date as of 12.05.2024:

1. Ace Full Assault Power Armor Paint
2. Alien Plushie
3. Alien Technology Bundle
4. Aluminum Trees
5. Amateur Inventor's Laser Gun Paint
6. American Flag Set
7. Angry Fist Shake
8. Animatronic Cat
9. Appalachian Thunder Pipe Gatling Gun Paint
10. Armored Raider Skull Gas Mask
11. Armory Weapon Paint Bundle
12. Army Issue Plasma Caster Paint
13. Astroturf
14. Atomic Blast Lamp
15. Barbed Chained Tire Set
16. Beer Barrel Fridge
17. Big Game Hunter
18. Big Red Button Icon
19. Black Bear Mascot
20. Black Cat Bundle
21. Black Knight Paint
22. Black Pip-Boy Paint
23. Black Rider Power Armor
24. Blood Eagle Bow Skin
25. Blood Eagle Bundle
26. Blood Eagle Power Armor Paint
27. Blood Eagle Totem
28. Bloody Arktos Refrigerator
29. Bombs Away Mobile
30. Bone and Felt Antler Headband Set
31. Bone Gas Mask
32. Bonnet
33. BOS Backpack
34. BOS Scouting Tower
35. Bottle Icon
36. Boxing Ring
37. Brambles
38. Brew-haha Bundle
39. Brotherhood Armory
40. Brotherhood Bundle
41. Brotherhood High Tech Stash
42. Brotherhood of Steel Digital Deluxe Bundle
43. Bubble Blower Machine
44. Bucking Brahmin Bundle
45. Bucking Brahmin Mask
46. Bucking Brahmin Ride
47. Bunker Bundle
48. Burgundy Modular Sofa Set
49. C.A.M.P. Structure Starter Bundle
50. Cactus Set
51. Camden Park Mega Bundle
52. Camo Secret Service Armor Paint
53. Camo Secret Service Underarmor
54. Camo Utility Cap
55. Cappy's Nuka-Cola Train Bundle
56. Captain Cosmos Outfit
57. Captain Cosmos Power Armor
58. Captain Cosmos Power Armor Bundle
59. Caravan Trader Outfit
60. Carnivorous Plant
61. Cash Register Vending Machine
62. Castle Bed
63. Cat Topiary
64. Cement Tire Set
65. Chalk Letter Kit
66. Charleston Fire Station
67. Charleston Fire Station Bundle
68. Christmas Sitting Room Bundle
69. Cinder Blocks Wallpaper
70. Clandestine Gauss Weapons Bundle
71. Clandestine Service Gauss Shotgun Paint
72. Clandestine Service Minigun Paint
73. Classic Jukebox
74. Classic Performance Stage
75. Classic Western Bundle
76. Classical Column
77. Classy Girl Player Icon
78. Clean Bathroom Bundle
79. Clean Billboard
80. Clean Boxing Ring
81. Clean Chally Outfit
82. Clean Mannequin Set
83. Clean Shower
84. Clean Sink
85. Clean Small Generator
86. Clean Toilet
87. Clean Water Purifier
88. Clean White Picket Fences
89. Coal Duster Excavator Power Armor Paint
90. Coffin Backpack
91. Coffin Decoration
92. Coffin Stash Box
93. Collectron Bundle
94. Colored Oval Lights
95. Comforts of Home Bundle
96. Comin' to Town Bundle
97. Communal Firepit
98. Communist Bunker
99. Communist Collectron Station
100. Communist Fence
101. Communist Handmade Gun Skin
102. Communist Militant Outfit
103. Communist Military Safe Stash Box
104. Communist Officer's Gas Mask
105. Communist Salute Emote
106. Communist Spy Bundle
107. Communist Spy Outfit
108. Contemporary C.A.M.P. Bundle
109. Cowboy Hat
110. Cowhide Outfit
111. Creepy Mothman Player Icon
112. Crypt Crook Backpack
113. Cuddles Outfit
114. Cultist Dungeon Bundle
115. Dark Harlequin Face Paint
116. Dark Matter Combat Rifle Paint
117. Dark Wood Laminate
118. Dart Board
119. Dead Man's Hand Posters
120. Death Awaits Skull Totem
121. Death Ray Bug Zapper
122. Decorative Room Divider
123. Deep Cave Bundle
124. Deep Cave Hunter Outfit
125. Diamond Eyes Face Paint
126. Down Home Comfort Bundle
127. Down Home Dweller Bundle
128. Down Home Wallpaper Set
129. Duster
130. Easter Bundle
131. Easter Rabbit Plushie
132. Electro 2000 Fireplace
133. Elm Tree Set
134. Encampment Bridge
135. Encampment Fences
136. Encampment Fortress Bundle
137. Enclave Backpack
138. Enclave Bundle
139. Enclave C.A.M.P. Bundle
140. Enclave Power Armor Paint
141. Enclave Turret Set
142. Equalizer Power Armor Paint
143. Eye Patch Bundle
144. F.E.T.C.H. Collectron Station
145. Fancy Thanksgiving Display Case
146. Farm Life C.A.M.P. Bundle
147. Fasnacht Bundle
148. Fasnacht C.A.M.P. Bundle
149. Fasnacht Collectron Station
150. Fasnacht Mask Bundle
151. Fasnacht Mask Display
152. Fasnacht Mystical Mask Bundle
153. Fat Man Aviator Paint
154. Feral Ghoul Bundle
155. Feral Ghoul Costume
156. Fez
157. Fire Chief Bundle
158. Fire Hazard Backpack
159. Firewatch Tower
160. Firing Range Posters
161. Fish Lamp
162. Floor Walker Outfit
163. Flower Cart
164. Fluorescent Light Set
165. Flyboy Bundle
166. Flyboy Icon
167. Flyboy Outfit
168. Four Poster Bed
169. Free States Scout Armor Paint
170. Freedom Stars Neon Sign
171. Freight Wagon
172. Fringed Dress
173. Future-Tec Bundle
174. Gag Glasses Bundle
175. Gala Dress
176. Gala Tuxedo
177. Gatling Plasma Copperhead Paint
178. Ghillie Netting Bundle
179. Ghoul Icon
180. Giant Neon Letters
181. Gladiator Outfit
182. Glow-in-the-Dark Map
183. Gold 50 Cal Machine Gun Paint
184. Gold Mr. Fuzzy Kiddie Ride
185. Gold Mr. Rocket Kiddie Ride
186. Golden Years Set
187. Good Fortunes Bundle
188. Grafton Monster Mascot Outfit
189. Grahm Plushie
190. Grahm's Green Bundle
191. Green Thumb Bundle
192. Greenhouse Kit
193. Greenhouse Kit Bundle
194. Grognak Battlecry
195. Grognak Hero Bundle
196. Grognak Plushie
197. Gurney Bed Set
198. H.A.R.E. Power Armor Skin
199. Halberd
200. Halloween C.A.M.P. Bundle
201. Halo and Horns Set
202. Hammock
203. Hanging Planters
204. Haunted House C.A.M.P. Bundle
205. Haunted House Floor
206. Haunted House Porch Set
207. Haunted House Staircase
208. Hay Bales
209. Heart Balloons
210. Hellcat Outfit Bundle
211. Hellfire Regulator Power Armor Paint
212. Hero Statue Set
213. High-Powered Weapon Racks
214. High-Tech Stash
215. Holiday Nuclear Tree
216. Holiday Tree
217. Holidays Emote Bundle
218. Hot Tub
219. Hubris Comics Magazine Rack
220. Hubris Comics Wallpaper
221. Hunting Lodge Bundle
222. I Survived!
223. Imposter Assaultron Head
224. Inflatable Snowman
225. Inner Tube Deck Chair
226. Jail Walls
227. Junk Fences
228. Junkyard C.A.M.P. Bundle
229. Junkyard Dog Collectron Station
230. Junkyard Power Armor Paint
231. Kill, Laugh, Love Neon Sign
232. Landscape Painting
233. Large Nuka-Cola Bottle
234. Large Succulent Set
235. Laser Grid Door
236. Laundered Blue Dress
237. Laundered Cream Dress
238. Laundered Rose Dress
239. Leper'chaun Outfit
240. Leprechaun Bundle
241. Leprechaun Outfit
242. Liberator Bot Lamp
243. Liberty Prime Power Armor Skin Set
244. Light Bulb Letters Set
245. Light Wood Laminate
246. Lion Dancer Outfit
247. Log Cabin Kit
248. Log Cabin Porch Set
249. Lover Girl Icon
250. Lucille's Lullaby
251. Lumberjack Bundle
252. Lumberjack Outfit
253. Makeshift Mega Mansion
254. Mascot Head
255. Matte Black Equalizer Power Armor Paint
256. Matte Black Handmade Paint
257. Mausoleum Bundle
258. Meat Cooler Backpack
259. Medical Scrubs
260. Medical Smile Mask
261. Medieval C.A.M.P. Bundle
262. Megaton Hairstyle
263. Military Beret Bundle
264. Mini Deathclaw Statue
265. Mini Nuke Planter
266. Mini Power Armor Statue
267. Minigun Chrome Paint
268. Missile Silo Shelter
269. Missile Silo Shelter Bundle
270. Mob Boss Bundle
271. Modern Ceiling Fan
272. Modern Fireplace
273. Modular Mainframe Set
274. Mole Rat Generator Suite
275. Mole Rat Icon
276. Mole Rats Painting
277. Monocle
278. Montani Semper Liberi
279. Moonshine Mama Mask
280. Mosaic Tiles
281. Mothman Bed
282. Mothman Cultist C.A.M.P. Bundle
283. Mothman Cultist Goat Totem
284. Mothman Cultist Icon
285. Mothman Cultist Torches
286. Mothman Curtain Door
287. Mothman Frame
288. Mothman Furniture Set
289. Mothman Gas Mask
290. Mothman Hunter Bundle
291. Mothman Hunter Outfit
292. Mothman Jetpack
293. Mothman Neon Billboards
294. Mothman Outfit Bundle
295. Mothman Pip-Boy Paint
296. Mothman Plushie Backpack
297. Mothman Poster
298. Mothman Power Armor Paints and Lamp
299. Mothman Sleeping Bag
300. Mothman Statue
301. Mothman Traveler Bundle
302. Mothman Wallpaper Bundle
303. Mothman Worship Emote
304. Mountaineer Outfit
305. Mounted Fish Set
306. Mounted Radhog Head
307. Movie Poster Set
308. Mr. Claus Player Icon
309. Mr. Claus' Suit
310. Mr. Fuzzy Backpack
311. Mr. Fuzzy Balloon Animal
312. Mr. Fuzzy Cowboy Plushie
313. Mr. Fuzzy Halloween Plushie
314. Mr. Fuzzy Kiddie Ride
315. Mr. Fuzzy New Year's Plushie
316. Mr. Fuzzy Player Icon
317. Mr. Fuzzy Power Armor Helmet
318. Mr. Fuzzy Tinker's Workbench
319. Mr. Fuzzy Valentine's Day Plushie
320. Mr. Pebbles Lamp
321. Mr. Pebbles Plushie
322. Mr. Pebbles Space Explorer Backpack
323. Mr. Rocket Kiddie Ride
324. Mrs. Claus' Dress
325. Mrs. Claus Player Icon
326. Mudflap Hat Set
327. Mummy Dearest Icon
328. Mushroom Lamp
329. Mutant Dummy
330. Nautical Anchor Tattoo
331. Neighborhood Square Shelter
332. Neon Palm Reader Sign
333. Neon Sign Set
334. New Year's Banner
335. New Year's Eve Bundle
336. New Year's Icon
337. New Year's Tuxedos Bundle
338. Night Eyes Icon
339. Night Terror Gauss Rifle Paint
340. No Thank You Emote
341. No Way Emote
342. Northern Lights Paint T-51 Power Armor Paint
343. Nuclear Winter Poster Set
344. Nuka-Cola Bottle Display Rack
345. Nuka-Cola Bundle
346. Nuka-Cola Cask Stool
347. Nuka-Cola Cooler
348. Nuka-Cola Cooler Backpack
349. Nuka-Cola Curtain Door
350. Nuka-Cola Dark Power Armor Paints
351. Nuka-Cola Delivery Bundle
352. Nuka-Cola Jumpsuit Set
353. Nuka-Cola Neon Sign
354. Nuka-Cola Projection Lamp
355. Nuka-Cola Quantum Bottle Lamp
356. Nuka-Cola Quantum Bundle
357. Nuka-Cola Quantum Sign
358. Nuka-Cola Secret Door Bundle
359. Nuka-Cola Stained Glass Lamps
360. Nuka-Cola Vending Machine
361. Nuka-Cola Wallpaper Set
362. Nuka-Girl Rocketsuit
363. Old Man Summer Mask
364. Old Possum Bar Sign
365. Old West Bar Set
366. Ole Timey Diner Bundle
367. Outhouse
368. Pack Rat Backpack
369. Pajamas
370. Pale Rider Photoframe
371. Pale Rider Power Armor
372. Pallet Wood Floor
373. Pallet Wood Wallpaper
374. Parachute Backpack
375. Park Ranger Bundle
376. Park Ranger Power Armor Skin
377. Patriotic The Fixer Paint
378. Pickaxe Pilsner Bar Sign
379. Pink Neon Heart Sign
380. Pipe Organ
381. Pitt Scaffold Kit
382. Plague Doctor Mask
383. Plain Curtain Door
384. Plasma Ball Set
385. Plotting Table
386. Plushie C.A.M.P. Bundle
387. Poodle Skirt
388. Portrait Secret Door
389. Potted Succulents
390. Pristine Moe the Mole Outfit
391. Pumpkin Vault Girl Head
392. Raider Collectron Station
393. Raider Culinarian Outfit
394. Raider Pathfinder Outfit
395. Raider Salute
396. Raider Skinner Outfit
397. Raider Skull Gas Mask
398. Raider Vending Machine
399. Raider Warlord Outfit
400. Raider Waster Bundle
401. Rain Water Collector
402. Raven Perch
403. Red Enamel Stove
404. Red Menace Backpack
405. Red Menace Bundle
406. Red Modular Mainframe
407. Red Rocket Diner Set
408. Red Rocket Door
409. Red Rocket Garage
410. Red Rocket Mega Furniture Bundle
411. Red Rocket Power Connectors
412. Red Rocket Ranger Power Armor Bundle
413. Red Rocket Stash Box
414. Red Scare Power Armor Skin
415. Red Shift Backpack
416. Red Shift Floor
417. Red Shift Power Armor Skin
418. Responder Power Armor Paint
419. Responders Bundle
420. Rest in Pieces C.A.M.P. Bundle
421. Revolutionary Bundle
422. Revolutionary Outfit
423. Roadtripper Outfit
424. Robber Halloween Bundle
425. RobCo Snow Machine
426. Robot Steins Display Case
427. Rocket Ceiling Fan
428. Round Deck Table
429. RR Ranger Power Armor Paint
430. Rusted Chain link Fence
431. Rusted Junkyard Power Armor Paint
432. Rustic Fountain
433. Rustic Greenhouse Bundle
434. Rustic Greenhouse Kit
435. Rustic Room Divider
436. Rustic Sink
437. Rusty Raider Skull Gas Mask
438. Samurai Outfit
439. Santa Bag Backpack
440. Santa Statue
441. Santa's Slay Power Armor Bundle
442. Santatron Collectron Station
443. Satellite Dish
444. Scavenger Collectron Station
445. Screaming Eagle Handmade Gun Skin
446. Screaming Eagle Wood Skin
447. Secret Service Backpack
448. Secret Service Bobblehead Stand
449. Secret Service Camo Bundle
450. Secret Stash Bookcase
451. Seedy Shed
452. Sequin Dress
453. Shadow Prime Power Armor Skin
454. Share the Love Bundle
455. Sheepsquatch Plushie
456. Shelter Catwalk Bundle
457. Shelters Mainframe Bundle
458. Shogatsu Bundle
459. Silver Shroud Costume
460. Silver Shroud Plushie
461. Six Pack Loot Bag
462. Skull Lord War Suit
463. Skull Mask
464. Skull Totem Set
465. Slocum's Joe C.A.M.P. Bundle
466. Slocum's Joe Coffee Machine
467. Snow Globe Lamp
468. Snowglobe
469. Solid Color Wallpaper Set
470. Space Suit
471. Spiked Barricade
472. Spikehawk Hairstyle
473. Spring Bundle
474. Square Rug Bundle
475. Stainless Steel Refrigerator
476. Stalker Outfit
477. Standing Lamp
478. Stanley
479. Stocking Set
480. Street Lamps
481. Stuffed Radstag
482. Summer Shorts
483. Sun Hat
484. Super Angry
485. Survivalist Outfit
486. Thanksgiving Bundle
487. Thanksgiving Kitchen Bundle
488. The Nighthawk Skin
489. The Quack Outfit
490. Theremin
491. Top Secret Door
492. Trailblazer Bundle
493. Turkey Mascot Outfit
494. Untarnished Alien Blaster Paint
495. Valentine's Backpack
496. Vampire Costume
497. Vault Boy/Girl Power Armor Helmet Set
498. Vault Girl Mascot Head
499. Vault Girl Scribble Head
500. Vault-Tec Grandfather Clock
501. Vault-Tec Laser Gun Paint
502. Vault-Tec Locker Bay
503. Vault-Tec Refrigerator
504. Vault-Tec Spa
505. Vault-Tec Starter Bundle
506. Vendor Sign Set
507. Vintage Linen Coat
508. Wall Weapon Racks
509. War Rider Power Armor
510. Warband Face Paint
511. Waste Barrel Planter
512. Wasteland Trapper Outfit
513. Wasteland Werewolf Outfit
514. Watchpost
515. Waterbed
516. Wavy Willard's Letters
517. Wavy Willard's Park Bundle
518. Wavy Willard's Swimsuit Bundle
519. Wavy Willard's Wipeout Slide Bundle
520. Welcome Friends Sign
521. Welcome Home Neon Sign
522. Welcome to Helvetia Bundle
523. West Virginia Table Set
524. Western Bar Bundle
525. White Wallpaper
526. Whitesprings C.A.M.P. Bundle
527. Whitesprings Wallpaper Set
528. Wildman Rags
529. Wildwood Den Bundle
530. Wildwood Tavern
531. Wildwood Tavern Bundle
532. Willard Plushie
533. Wolf Howl Emote
534. Worm Farm
535. Wrought Iron Fence
536. Zoltan Fortune Teller

Price: 865.95 for 2 people (price for the two tasting menus, the N/A pairing and the beer pairing. I think it may have been the same rate regardless of whether you got a pairing? There are additional drinks of all types available for purchase in addition to your pairing as well
My dietary restriction that was fully accommodated: I recently started dipping my toes into the Autoimmune Protcol Diet for my chronic illnesses. It’s extremely restrictive- no gluten, dairy, eggs, legumes, seeds, nuts, processed sugars, and a few other things. I reached out to a ton of restaurants I wanted to go to at some point about whether this would be possible to accommodate fully expecting all no’s, and Herbfarm is one of the fine dining restaurants that were over the top reassuring in “we will make it happen or create a 100% new menu just for you”
I did not get a printout menu/write down the exact differences made for each dish to make the menu accessible for me, but there was many of them while still getting mostly the same dishes as my accompanying party. they explained and double checked with me on each dish, and they were all compliant. For the dishes that looked very different for my date with zero accommodations vs my own, I put pictures of both dishes next to each other
Setting: a beautiful farm in Woodinville, WA about 40 min from Seattle in one of the WA wine countries. Drove past a bajillion wineries and breweries on the way! There’s also a really lovely inn right next to Herbfarm where we stayed, great jacuzzis and fireplaces in the rooms! There’s also another fine dining restaurant Barking Frog next door, but I haven’t tried that
Herbfarm itself is a gorgeous property, I’m so glad we explored the building before our meal! From the huge cookbook collection to the wine cellars, and the dining room itself- beautiful! Before our meal we were also given a tour of the Herbfarm, met the pet pigs, and got insight into all the herbs they grow on property for their meals along with several veggies!
Dining experience: lovely musical accompaniment by a guitarist who trained at The Royal Observatory. Before the meal we got an explanation and speech from the chefs which was super interesting (all of the kitchen staff came out, felt like The Menu 😅). Service the whole meal was impeccable, some of the best I’ve ever had in all my dining experience
food: delicious, every dish (outside the geoduck, but I don’t always love geoduck😅. You could really taste how fresh and local all the ingredients were! Lots of things I’d never thought of pairing in these specific ways, and even with all my restrictions, so I can imagine how tasty the normal versions were! Especially impressed with the gluten free, usually the texture sucks on those but 🤌🤌
pairings: my date did really enjoy the beer pairing, I didn’t try any of it so I can’t speak to that, but maybe worth a try! I’d never seen a beer pairing before! He was also impressed with them having the Trappist Westlvleeen X11 beer (I know nothing about this/beer, so I can’t speak to how big of a thing that actually is). My N/A pairing was fantastic - (even when parts were altered for my AIP), each went so well with its dish, had such unique flavors too and avoided the trap of N/A pairings just being boring alcohol drinks made wirh N/A spirits
We were given to take home a small puzzle along with The Herbfarm Almanac which is their explanations of history plus a full breakdown of their yearly schedule. I was told they update the menu every 3 weeks or so along with special one off menus for specific themed dinners
Overall one of my favorite fine dining experiences of all time, fantastic in every way and I’d highly recommend if you’re in Washington. I hope when Michelin makes its way out to Seattle this is considered for stars

Alternative Titles: Death Goddess claims Immortal listener. Death Goddess Visits an Immortal. Immortal finally meets death. The Goddess Of All Death, Except Your's. (You’re free to come up with your own).
Word Count: 2630~ (not including audio directions).
Content Warnings: Talk of Death. Brutal Descriptions of Violence. Chains. Mentions of Manipulation. Mentions Of Depression.
Also a fair warning, the majority of this audio is the speaker telling stories.
Ok for monetization. Despite my username I’d prefer to be credited as “Alexander.”
You are allowed to edit, add and remove scenes from this script. And while it is F4A and written with a feminine speaker in mind, you’re allowed to change it to a masculine or any script if you so choose to.
Long time listener, first time writer. I accept constructive criticism.
Context (Listener): You are immortal. You cannot die. You haven’t aged since you turned 23. You cope with this eternal life by adventuring and seeing what you can discover, who you can meet and how you can help those in need. But the 264 years you’ve lived have finally caught up with you and you’re hit with a sudden depressive episode. You settle down in a cottage and wait for it to go away. Instead, you meet someone new.
Context (Speaker): You were once human, though you don’t remember that part very well. What you do remember is The Deity of All Death attempting to destroy the world, the gods stopping it, and then appointing you as a new death goddess. You’ve been commanding and controlling the afterlife for thousands of years, living amongst the souls of the dead. Someone caught your attention centuries ago. A human which you cannot claim. You’ve been fantasizing about being with this human, but misery struck you upon learning why they can’t die…However, circumstances have changed. It’s time for you to go down there and claim the only one you can't have.
-Actions and sound direction looks like this.-
(Emotional directions look like this).
SCRIPT START:
-A fire crackles.-
(Sarcastically) Be careful with the fireplace. You could really burn yourself doing that.
-The listener turns around, creeking the wooden floor below them.-
Oh, right. That doesn’t matter for you, does it?
-The listener questions this lady.-
Of course I know of you. Everyone knows of you.
(Like she’s recalling a legend). You’ve been wanted by governments with both pure and maleficent intentions. There have been entire projects formed just to study you. Cults dedicated to you have risen and fallen without you even being aware of their existence.
You are a wonder who has changed countless lives. A true hero.
-The listener says they haven’t felt that way lately.-
I’m aware you haven’t felt like that. But it’s just a depressive episode. You’ll beat it. You're strong that way.
-The listener gestures to the table.-
Help me to something? (Amused) Here I am, a stranger who just broke into your cottage, and you’re acting like you invited me. Nothing surprises you anymore, does it?
Either someone comes in desperate for your help, or they try to be the one that puts you down for good. And you just follow along no matter what.
I understand completely. When you have this much time, something has to pass it.
-The listener asks another question.-
Which one am I? (Chuckles). You have no idea.
-Small pause. The woman turns to some flowers in a pot.-
These flowers. White roses. Quite common to find on gravestones. Freshly cut, so they should last a good week if they stay in that vase…
-The woman waves her hand. A harsh wind takes the roses, wilting them down until they look decayed, dead and withered.-
And in a few seconds, they’re gone. Such is the destiny with all things to be created. Some by my hand directly, but the vast majority are left to the winds of fate and chaos.
-Pause.-
You look shocked. Do you not get it yet?
(Boastful) I am the feeling crawling over every living being’s shoulder. I am the fear lingering in the shadows.
I am she who takes your loved ones away. She who gives you back to them.
She who judges and punishes those who choose to live their lives in sin. She who rewards those who have lived long enough.
I am the inevitable and unavoidable. I am the one thing that unites all mortals.
I…
-A massive wind is released, blowing out the fireplace and killing all sound.-
(Reverbated and intimidating)...Am The Goddess Of All Death. Remourn!*
-Footsteps on a wooden floor approach the listener.-
You know what my touch can do. Now let’s see yours…
-Remourn touches the listener’s hand, holding it with passion. But nothing happens to it.-
...Don’t bother resisting. There’s nothing you can do to make me let go of your hand…
If I were to do this with any other living creature, it would only take a few seconds for their skin to become bone. And in just a few more, they’d join me in The Land Of Dead Souls…
-Remourn stops clenching the hand and just gently handles it like a lover-
(Fascinated and admiring). But look at yours…Just as soft and warm as the day you stopped aging.
It’s not like I’m surprised. I’ve tried to speed up the process so many times…but in truth, it’s pointless…
(A little sad). It’s funny, most of the time, escaping from death is the most futile action one can attempt.
…But for me…It’s killing you.
-The listener feels a little sorry and says they don’t know why.-
(Sympathetic) I know you never found out why…But I did.
I learned the reason for your immortality a long time ago.
In fact, I’m the reason you exist the way you do.
-The listener asks a question.-
No, it wasn’t me who created you. That would be too simple…No…It’s…(Sigh.)
-Remourn pauses, knowing this story is very heavy for her.-
Centuries ago, Typhanous**, God Of All Oceans, wished to court me. He offered himself so many times. He even boasted about how many gifts he constantly gave me with his waves and storms.
Now, I never saw them as gifts. All those who drowned would have joined me even if they never stepped a single toe into the water. Death is not a contest. But he was certain that I owed him all the love I had in me.
I never liked him. His ego and his behaviour were all…(Disgusted) I couldn’t imagine spending so much of my eternal life with someone like him. If you had known him, you would understand.
No matter how nicely or directly I rejected him, he would never try to improve himself or learn. He’d see it as a challenge he had to overcome his way.
So, he did something drastic.
Typhanous went to the Goddess Of All Life and proposed an experiment. He wanted to know what would happen if she created a living being without the one thing that unites all living beings: my influence. She agreed, wanting to know how important death really was.
(Quietly angry). He requested this new creation fit a certain description…the type of lover he knew I wanted to have. Everything I value in the life of a mortal.
(Somber) To this day, I don’t know how they did it. I’ve asked, but she told me the method used could not be recreated or undone. And her eyes when she recalls it...I only see that look on regretful murderers...
No matter how it was done, she and a few other deities managed to create it. A baby which could not die. And all they had to do was place it on the doorstep of an orphanage and let it grow up…
-The listener is in shock and asks if this is all true.-
Yes. That is how you came to be. You had no parents to find, there was no secret ritual or chemical in your blood. It was all so you could get my attention…
...And you did.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. You’ve been hired to work on a farm at the edge of a small village. It doesn’t pay the best but you get along with your co-workers and the family that runs it. Life is as fine as it needs to be for a young adult like yourself.
But one night, you hear horns and screaming. There’s a fire in the distance. Torches reflecting sharpened weapons, drying the blood staining them.
The imperialists. They’ve come to kill, steal and enslave.
You rush out, trying to find people and buy time for those evacuating. Your only defence is a pitchfork you grabbed without thinking. It isn’t enough. You learn that when you come face to face with a soldier.
He disarms you and plunges his sword right through a lung. You stop breathing. Every sound fades as your vision gets darker. The last thing you taste is your own blood…and then…you die…
Or, at least, that’s what should have happened.
Instead, once he takes back his sword, you get up. The wound is gone. There isn’t even a hole in your shirt. You’re more confused than he is.
So, he stabs you through the neck this time and watches closely as your eyes shut. He releases the sword and gets covered in your blood…Until the neck patches itself up and you start breathing again.
He calls his buddy for backup. The buddy slams his axe through the back of your skull and the sword-user slices you so deep, your heart gets cut in half. But almost instantly, all your wounds heal.
The buddy gets confused and calls HIS buddy. The pair hold you down and the soldier slices your head clean off, then gets one of the biggest people in the army to smash your head into several pieces.
At this point, most of the army watches as your head disappears from the ground and reappears on your neck. The blood, dirt and disease all vanish. Everyone gasps. It’s like they were seeing a ghost.
They didn’t know this at the time but there were actual ghosts with them. The reapers who do my bidding follow these armies, trying to gather souls as the battles rage on. They were astonished, as were the souls they were collecting. It wasn’t long before one rushed to my realm and told me of this.
When I watched the battle, I saw every soldier gathering orderly and unorderly to rip you apart and do everything in their power to finish you. It was a massacre.
Tell me, how does it feel to have over a hundred brutes killing you all at once?
-The listener explains their side of the story.-
(Fascinated) I see. You just went blank. You assumed this was an eternal punishment for not following the correct religion and just accepted it. (Neutral) By the way, we don’t do that. But I digress.
Your newly displayed powers had distracted the army so well that everyone in the village who was still alive managed to evacuate. And there was enough of them to catch the rebel force's attention and seek their help.
The rebels rode in and fought off the imperialists, who were all tired from trying to kill you. And so, without even harming someone, you had helped win the battle.
You didn’t save everyone, but you did keep the village standing. Thanks to you, it survived to grow into the city it is today.
Needless to say, I became obsessed with you after watching that. Who wouldn’t? I wanted to know if there was a limit. What if there was nothing left to heal from? How many times can you die? Does aging count?
I had so many questions…But soon I started watching you for…different reasons.
Your humbleness. The kindness you showed others. The bravery and resolve you displayed when you tried to figure out this gift. Your desire to do the right thing when you joined the rebellion’s leader.
And I must admit, you were very fun to watch. Who gets asked, “Hey, can I use you as a training dummy tonight?” and answers “Just don’t insult yourself while slashing me this time.” (Laughs). Such a wonderful soul.
A year later, the army found its way to the main imperial castle. Taking a risk, you swam through a lake of molten lava and let the drawbridge down.
You took fatal arrows and swings for as many people as you could, letting yourself be used as a shield when necessary. I had a reaper watching you. He said that you should have died 914 times that day.
When the rebellion reached the emperor, he tried to fight you all off. He lost, of course. The Rebel Leader offered you the killing blow. You deserved the glory for all those hardships.
But you refused. You said, “If my life can’t be taken, it’s not fair for me to take others.”
You’ve followed this principle well. Yes, some people have died as a result of your actions. That’s war for you. There also would have been a lot of death if you chose not to interfere. What matters is that every chance you had to extend someone’s life, you took it.
That’s what I liked most about you. (Ashamed) You were just, which is something I’ll never truly be.
(Sad) I wanted you. I’d felt empty for a while, and I thought you could save me.
But after 50 years of watching your heroism, I came to a terrible conclusion. You couldn’t be mine.
You instinctively rejected every person who proposed to you. The rebel leader, the small-town baker, the princess you saved, your friend at the farm. It would just be a reminder that everyone, no matter how close, would leave you behind.
And me? I have duties. Any socialization or breaks are down in my realm, not here. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t just start a new life with you.
It all broke me up inside. I was at my lowest.
Then, he showed up. The God Of All Oceans. He comforted me as I cried.
He put his hand on my shoulder and spoke. (Deeper) “The lover of your dreams is unobtainable. Direct your attention to those that need to be obtained.”
...I’m ashamed to say it almost worked.
But then the Goddess who created you stepped in. She learned Typhanous’s true plan and felt guilty for creating such a tragic creature just so someone could manipulate her friend. She told me everything.
(Angry) Typhanous didn’t even deny it. To him, this was just a point that needed to be proven. The only way I’ll ever find happiness is to dismiss my duties and dreams and submit to him instead.
(Without regret or hesitation)...I killed him. He wanted to be mine, so I made him mine.
Today, he’s still suffering in the area reserved for those who committed selfish acts of lust. He will be tormented there until he wants to find redemption or loses himself and ceases to exist.
I and the Celestial Council appointed a new deity of oceans, and they’re much nicer. The seas aren’t as dangerous as they used to be, and I'm glad.
Isn’t it funny? Even under the right circumstances, gods can die. We’ll never succumb to age, but even if it takes eons, someone will find a reason to kill me and be skilled enough to do it.
Maybe it’ll be you.
-The listener refuses, almost disgusted that she'd suggest that.-
(Surprised) You’d never want to kill me? You can’t see yourself proudly harming the very embodiment of all death?
(Lovingly) You really are too good for this world. Such a shame that you’re the one person who can never leave it.
I’ve done everything. I can’t appoint you to godhood as that only applies to dead souls. I tried every method that could kill a god short of the apocalypse itself…(Upset) Nothing worked!
Do you know what it’s like to be the Goddess Of All Death? You get everyone. Major philosophers, political figures, scientists, storytellers, artists! Every dead soul who still has things they want to do or see or say! And even if they do reach satisfaction, many of them still choose not to fade away into the eternal rest!
If there’s something I want to understand, I can just find the person who invented it or perfected it. I can ask anyone anything! I can watch trials of tyrants as they break at the stands upon learning their damnation. I can watch close families reunite with love and care…I have everything, except you!
(Ashamed, desperate and self-pitying) I haven’t felt this human in so long. When I learned that you truly can’t join us…It all came back to me. That universal feeling of desire and weakness. That desperate clawing at something I can’t have.
You were like a golden apple, dangling just out of reach…Never to be picked…
...Until today.
-Magical chains appear and wrap around the listener.-
Don’t bother resisting those chains. They’re for my reapers when someone refuses to accept their death. The strongest humans have tried to break out, and all failed.
For the longest time, only the deceased could enter my realm. But something changed.
A pair of hikers found a passage not too far from here that I didn’t even know about.
I have full, absolute control of that dimension. And I was so miserable, I wasn’t even paying attention to it.
Anyways, one entered the passage and was terrified of what he had discovered. He caught my attention. The energy from the area, the souls, and the godly presence of my true form got to him…
But I just thanked him and gave him an eternal reward, because…I finally found it.
You are obtainable now.
(Excited) And you need to be obtained! I’m going to drag you down to my domain by force!
Either you’re finally going to succumb to all the death around you and parish, or you’ll be the only living thing in that realm. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’re used to sticking out.
-Pause. The listener looks sad.-
What’s that look supposed to mean? Don’t pretend you didn’t want this.
In your lifetime, the governments you’ve helped establish have collapsed and reformed. People you’ve watched the births of are on their deathbeds now, waiting to meet me. And you don’t even have a grey hair.
You’ve been everywhere, done everything. Made and lost countless amounts of friends.
So many are down there. Tobias, Shinjiro, Makoto, Leanna, Master Varian, Dahila, Vanya, Spike, Evelyn***. We’d be here for the rest of the night if I named them all. But they’re down there, and I’ve spoken to them. They all miss you. In fact, some of them aren’t going to feel complete and rest until they talk with you again.
(Lovingly) You were the only thing I couldn’t have. I was the only thing you couldn’t have. This is how it needs to be.
-Remourn starts walking, pulling the chains.-
Please, just walk with me…
-Remourn exists the cottage with listener and begins walking on the grass, killing it under her feet as she talks.-
…I hope you live. I hope you stay as you are forever. Touching souls, it’s…it’s cold. But if you keep your body down there...(Lost in thought for a moment.)
People have told me they’ve longed for my sweet, warm embrace.
But me? I’ve longed for yours.
(Satisfied) Let’s complete each other...
____________________________________________
*I pronounce this like RE-MOURN. Like Reaper and Mournful. But you're allowed to take liberties on the pronunciation or change it up.
**I pronounce this like TIE-FA-NUS. Like Tie, Fanatical, and Us with but with an N. But again, you can take liberties on prouncing these names or changing them entirely.
***These names can be pronounced and changed however. It was originally just references to character I liked who got killed off but I changed it a little to avoid...I dunno. Distractions I guess. There aren't any patterns to follow, it's just to show that the listener has lost so many different people across their time.

Hello!
This subreddit has been invaluable as a resource on my apartment search, and I wanted to give back by sharing some first impressions of a few places toured in the last month around the NoMa area.
These are my personal impressions of some things that stood out to me during each tour.
The Apollo Incredible common spaces (sort of tropical art deco aesthetic), 24 hour gym with two squat racks, common areas looked very clean (great scents too) staff and community were very friendly, well ventilated hallways. Apartments had really deep cabinets.
Press House Some cool common areas, the lower level ones felt a little dimly lit so ceilings felt low, hallways were poorly ventilated and some were musky, apartment fittings felt a little less than great (doors sticking in multiple apartments, some finishings rough). Gym felt a little cramped. Upper level common rooms were nicely furnished, courtyard is small but lush with plants.
The Burton Gym spacious, had really cool climbing machine. Multiple fireplaces in the common areas. Right beside train tracks, soundproofing muffled noise impressively but opening the window for circulation would negate that entirely. Direct access to Metropolitan Branch Trail.
The Belgard Leasing officer provided us an incredible tour, building deco is fun and a little bit campy, zen courtyard, games room has arcade machine, working spaces plenty, rooftop outdoor furnishings looked a little worn, great bathroom setup with wood cabinets / open space under sink.

Greetings Ghosts!
I am fairly new to posting on reddit. And because of the length I am pretty sure no one will stay here to the end lol.
Watching Breakpoint become the game it should have been from the start and seeing some of my own criticism adressed, I still have a few ideas that - in my opinion - would be cool additions/changes to gameplay, to make the game more realistic on the one hand while also increasing the fun to play it and I want to leave them open for discussion maybe for future entries (?). The balance between fun gameplay and realism can be a tough one, and I love how Breakpoint lets you customize your experience. I really hope they stick to those Ghost Experience options.
I divided my ideas into three categories: Easy to implement, requires work to implement and hard to implement. Mind you, although I have a military background and that‘s the point of view most of my ideas come from, I have absolutely zero experience in game development, so my categorization of the suggestions might be extremely flawed. Some points in the easy to implement category work best when integrated into suggestions from the other two categories.
I love the open world tactical shooter approach that Wildlands introduced to the series, so my suggestions won‘t be invested in leveldesign or story that much. Gameplay is key and I adore the tactical arcade shooter sandboxes that Wildlands and Breakpoint are.
Excuse me if I use military terms in the wrong way, english is not my first language :)
So, here we go, it will be a lot:
Easy to implement:

• Implement Reload and Magazine change While the loss of ammo in case of an early reload as it is implemented in Breakpoint is okayish I guess in relation to realism, there still is a better way to handle ammunition. In reality, you only reload in case of an empty magazine. This is a bad situation as it usually happens in intense firefights. To reduce the probability of this happening, soldiers perfom magazine changes in cover. You switch your current magazine for a new one, and put the used one back in your magazine pouch. This could be implemented in a way, where pressing the reload button causes a reload, where you waste the remaining bullets but it is a very fast manoeuvre, or you hold the button causing a magazine change, where you do not waste any bullets, but it takes between one to two seconds longer. Building on this idea could be a UI that shows Magazines left instead of bullets remaining and the current bullets in each magazine.
  
• Animation cancelling and priority of actions This is more or less a housekeeping point, but no soldier will proceed to lift his downed comrade from the ground if he surprisingly is under fire, you would immediately get on the ground and search for cover. Same goes for climbing through fences or all of those lenghty animations. Being able to cancel those would be more fun and also more realistic. Although I think it occurs less often after the latest patches, sometimes the character will proceed to pick up ammunition moments before you press an action button, melee for example. In this case, melee should be more important than playing the pickup animation. Died a lot of times due to this. Priorization for actions and animations is important.
  
• Pitchblack nights While the darkest night option introduced with the latest patch does a good job to show a realistic night in the wild with a full moon, a night with no moon is crazy dark, especially in forests. This would make NVDs even more important.
  
• Reflexmode for every class (with option to turn it off) This is a gameplay adjustment that compensates for the handicap of not really being in a lifethreatening situation and maybe even using a controller for inputs. MGS5 has such an option and the echelon class also has it. I would suggest a longer cooldown, but it can save the stealthy infiltration once or twice if you mess up. Special forces are quicker with their shots than the average enemy, so some kind of bullettime - maybe paired with auto-aim - wouldn‘t be that much of a loss of realism. There must be an option to turn it off though. Implementation in PvE multiplayer should be discussed.
  
• Camouflage Working camo is a dream of mine. MGS5 did it...somehow. Wearing terrain-matching camouflage could decrease the spotting capabilities of the enemies. However, this should be paired with the equipment load and mission planning suggestion later mentioned.
  

Requires work to implement

• Enemy behavior The enemy AI had a lot of problems in Breakpoint. I don‘t want to suggest anything in terms of AI as I have no clue how hard it is to design a clever enemy AI for tactical shooters and make it work. However, I would suggest a few things in terms of simple behavior to make the enemy more fair. For example, adding the same wounding system to enemies as the player has it in Breakpoint would make quite the difference. The enemy would search for cover after being wounded instead of advancing and heal in a safe spot. Downed enemies scream for help and maybe get carried away by their comrades for some healing. I adored the adaptation system for enemies in MGS5 and would love to see something like that in the next Ghost Recon. More infiltrations at night would cause more lights and NVDs for enemies. A lot of open firefights lead to better armor and heavier guns. Stealthy approaches lead to helmets and more guards on duty. More communication between enemies would be nice too. If you leave your guard duty to investigate something you will almost always report to your superior and never do it without backup. The superior will wait for an update on the situation - no radiocall, because the player eliminated the guards, and the superior sends in reinforcements.
  
• Downed action and interaction Nothing is more boring than being downed and waiting for your squadmates to pick you up. I would suggest more possibilities for a downed player. For example, you could be able to draw your pistol and support the firefight or stop your own bleeding by the press of a button. At least let me crouch to cover. A little minigame of my own care under fire medical actions like applying tourniquets or something similar would be cool.
  
• Carry wounded The pickup animation for wounded squadmates is usually more dangerous than directly healing your mate. This should be adressed as first aid takes a lot more time than carrying your comrade to the next cover. I would suggest two pickup possibilities: Firstly, the Rautek-grip, where you drag your comrade - fast pickup, your wounded comrade is able to shoot while being dragged but relatively slow movement and secondly the Gams-grip - slow pickup, wounded comrade cannot shoot, carrying player can only use pistol but fast movement speed.
  
• Enemy behavior More interaction with the enemy would be cool. Forcing them to give fake calls via radio after grabbing them for example, to send reinforcements to a wrong location or in a canalized spot for my cover squad. Having them act as trained soldiers and not dumb puppets. Let them sleep, eat, go to the toilet, sleep on guard duty late at night, some cool things like that, that could make it easier or let hell get upon the player.
  
• Melee Although fairly lenghty and therefore slightly unrealistic, I love the brutal melee animations of breakpoint. A quick minigame where you have to press the right buttons to counter the enemy in melee combat could be cool imo. If you approach the enemy from behind the kill animation should require no additional button presses and should play a short, precise takedown animation.
  

Hard to implement

• Equipload An anti-tank mine is heavy as fck. So is a rocket launcher. Same with sniper rifles and machine guns. I think some kind of an implementation of an equipload system would be good, maybe hand in hand with a more useful backpack. You could be able to put stuff like grenades, tools, ammunition and secondary guns into your backpack and be able to drop that backpack somewhere as a mobile supplypoint. With more equipload your steps will be louder and your stamina will decrease faster. Additionally, there is a maximum: if you bring two anti-tank mines, you cannot bring a rocket launcher or a sniper rifle. Machine guns and sniper rifles only leave you with a pistol or SMG as secondary weapon. You would have to plan in advance how long and how far your mission will take you. More commitment to survival mechanics would suit this also really well. To be able to implement such a system in a fun way you need some kind of planning tool.
  
• Planning I love it when all goes according to plan. However, Breakpoint does not allow for intense mission planning. A planning tool in advance of missions would be cool. Give me more map details, estimated number of enemies, their equipment, possible threat of vehicles, calculated mission duration and let me prepare my equipment for this mission. That would be really cool in my opinion. Let me place multiple markers on the map in different colors to create plans for cover squad and attack squad and so on.
  
• Breaching mechanic Some kind of breaching mechanic with a countdown for your squad would be cool. Flashbangs should have an extremely increased effect indoors as they are pretty useless at the moment in Breakpoint. Same goes for CS-gas grenades. You would need a gasmask in order to enter the AoE of a gas grenade however.
  
• Mark and eliminate I don‘t know, I just like this mechanic. Not just for AI teammates but in close quarter combat too. Should have a lenghty cooldown however.
  
• Survival mechanics If you implement survival mechanics, you must commit to them. In Breakpoint they are realistically non-existent. Bring enough water for the duration of your mission and maybe food. If you run out, you need to find water and hunt, build a fireplace and cook. Wounds need treatment over an extended period of time. After a certain amount of time your need for sleep increases. All those things could make life hell if you didn‘t plan well and missed your exfiltration time and make for a cool non-scripted game.
  
• Tools Implemented tools should be useful. The breacher tool for example is way too limited in its use, as there are way too few opportunities to use it. This requires level design and AI design to factor the use of tools in. Just letting this one open for discussion.
  
• Bullet drop/Sniper mechanics I would love to have better reliability on sniper scopes. Best version would be to implement a working laser range finder, so you can measure distance and have the distance markings in the scope work accordingly with the bullet drop. Even better: Borrow the sniping system from Sniper: Ghost Warrior and factor in wind.
  

Thanks for reading up until this point. I‘m pretty sure all of these ideas will get lost, but I just wanted to get them out of my head.
Stay vigilant, Ghosts!

It’s very cold this morning. It was like 4° when I woke up from memory, it’s now 11° and sunny so that’s better. I should probably not have bare feet but oh well. I don’t like wearing socks if I’m walking around as the idea of dust or whatever accumulating on my socks makes me feel gross, and I don’t have any slippers, so… bare feet it is. It’s fine, I don’t mind. I don’t feel negatively about any of this. He said I’m negative so I think I want to try acknowledge when I feel okay, and when I actually feel negative. I feel fine.
He called me a wet blanket last night. I knew he thought of me that way. I knew it I knew it I knew it. See this is what I mean, I may well think negatively but clearly it’s not always inaccurate. This is what I mean, I don’t want to be some deluded idiot who is convinced everyone adores me and thinks I’m great. I know people like that, I always have, and they are never all that great and it makes me feel so filled with second hand embarrassment that I utterly refuse to ever be thought of in that way. To think you’re wanted/great and for people to think the opposite? The idea makes me feel sick to my stomach. I know this links to my fear of rejection which further links to my lack of self worth but whatever. Everything’s linked somewhere, it seems. Anyway. He literally said I’m a wet blanket. I don’t disagree, and his points were valid. I could feel myself starting to get really upset after he said it - I had tears welling up and I was feeling choked up and things. However, I practiced my self control and whatever that I’ve talked about in therapy and I managed to bring myself out of it before it escalated and he noticed. I didn’t actually cry, I hauled all those lil tear drops back inside. It was kind of hard though, to actively work against my emotions when I’m hearing something I’ve been paranoid of for a very, very long time. Anyway I worked through it while still in conversation I might add so I’m quite proud of myself for that, I think that shows definite progress? Maybe? I hope it does. But anyway, he called me a wet blanket because I basically refuse to admit I’m into certain things. I don’t really want to write about it. I just feel like I can be into certain things and not want to be into them, and I think clearheaded me is mindful of that. And once you admit to being into something when clearheaded it sort of cements it in place, whereas I feel like when you’re in the heat of it all it’s kind of whatever and might be hot but it’s not a cemented want. Does that make sense? He explained it well though and I get what he means. But it’s like his friend, not J but his actual best friend, the idea of him gets me so wildly turned on, not because of the guy himself because idk him from a bar of soap and he doesn’t sound like my type either, plus not to be rude but I’m fairly sure he’s the one that always dates strippers and I realise I’m being a judgemental cow but that grosses me out so in reality the idea of him… no. But in my head? It being Andy’s best friend? Or one of them? It makes me go feral. But I do NOT want that to be a thing, I do NOT want to indulge it, I do NOT want it to become a fantasy of mine/ours. I want to meet this guy eventually and hopefully be friends with him and spend time with him and all of that. I do NOT want spicy thoughts clouding my mind when we spend time with someone. Like what, we’re all out for dinner and I keep thinking about him bending me over the table? Absolutely NOT. It’s one thing for it to be a sort of friend, like J, it’s another to be an actual best friend of a long long long time. That’s far too life altering for Andy. And also I just don’t want that to be a thing for me. Except we said all this and then my honey proceeded to get my soaking wet and utterly rabid thinking about how best friend, so that worked out well -_-. Anyway. He thinks I’m a wet blanket and a killjoy. I’m going to choose to not dwell on this, however given I’ve been paranoid of this for quite some time it’s kind of hard to let go of. I feel kind of negative.
I just spent a few minutes with my eyes closed with the sunshine streaming down on me and I listened to all the sounds around me like all the birds, some roadworks several streets over, I heard a ship horn, I heard my laptop humming away - it sounds like of like a carbonated drink fresh out the can, and the creaks of the house. I heard my toe doing little taps on the floor because I sometimes find it hard to sit still, I heard the fridge start doing something. I felt the warmth of the sun on my face, I tried to not think about skin cancer and being a leather bag of an old woman. I felt the coldness of the wooden floor and the softness of my cardigan. I tasted a little hint of strawberry from my strawberry mint earlier because I wanted something sweet but I don’t have anything and it was also 11am. So I just focused on everything for several minutes, as well as controlled breathing in and out like I would when I feel panicked but I can do it when I just want to slow everything down. I feel positive, not negative.
My pretty baby green princess philodendron is still fighting a battle. I just know it’s because I blanked and poured a glass of sprite into it instead of the water. I remember doing it, I poured it in and then I heard the sizzling and I thought oh no oh no oh no but the damage was done. I tried to dilute it with water so hopefully that helped but I potentially just spread the sprite around. Ever since then the leaves are kind of spotted with yellow… yellow like lemonade :’( I’ve had her for a few years now, she was just a little bubba with a couple of leaves and now she’s a blimmin queen not princess but I’ve maybe ruined her. I need to repot her, get some plant food or something and I think she’ll come back to me. It’s very hard to find an aesthetically pleasing pot though, I mean I can but not a big pot and my girl needs a BIG pot because she’s a voluptuous lil lady with big leaves everywhere. I mentioned it to M the other week and she said “why not just get rid of it” and didn’t even joke and I took offence. I jokingly said omg what no way but I actually kind of felt offended. She has this hideous terrarium she got some her cousin, it’s just sludge inside at this point and the jar is butt ugly, but I don’t say anything and I’ve tidied it up for her. Same with her little parsley plant - she asked me to take over and now it’s thriving whereas it was near death when she did it. Same with the succulent on the kitchen window - another one I saved of hers and is now thriving with so much new growth. I hate her taste, I mean she doesn’t even have taste if you ask me. I think she’s amazing in SO SO SO many ways, but her taste in style and all that is abysmal. She’s basically someone who says lounge and will furnish said lounge with leather recliners, old office furniture and bulk made souvenirs from whatever holiday. And I’m all for things from holiday, I think it’s the best time to find pieces for your home, but there’s a difference between a little painting or ceramic by some local artist at a market or a funny little whatever like if I go to Hawaii I know I’m getting a lil dancing hula girl figure thing, but idk, I think there’s a difference between little things like that and just buying straight up tat. I’m being way too harsh. I feel bad. I’m just upset about my plant, stressed about work and taking it out on her. That’s not fair. But I still stand by what I said. I just didn’t need to say it. But as always, it’s her home too and I have no issues with that - she has things on the wall I hate, she has her sofa that I hate etc etc - I mean we have a goddamn chest freezer in the living room, I think I’m being a good flatmate and entirely accommodating?! I also know I can be a control freak with things and I find it difficult to accept things I don’t like in terms of design etc. And I can be very opinionated about it. I try keep my trap shut and I do, but I know it’s a flaw of mine. I know it’s something I will need to keep in check when creating a home with Andy, I know I will often have different opinions to him because sometimes I don’t like his taste, on the whole we’re mostly similar I think, and I like things he has ie his bedding, I think his bedding colours look really nice, but I don’t want them for ME, y’know? But compromise is the word and I will not be a typical only child about it because I can be a very spoiled only child brat sometimes, it just slips out. I can also be a VERY VERY VERY judgmental person and I can think quite mean things. Like yesterday, he showed me a keyboard and I managed to shut my mouth before I said it but he knew I held back so I had to tell him the colour way reminded me of a rotting corpse. I didn’t want to say that. It’s why I closed my mouth as soon as I knew I didn’t want to say it but it was a fraction too late. And I hated having to say it because I just felt like such a raging bitch. I can be like that with a lot of things. I mostly internalise it, like 90% of the time I will internalise it but sometimes things slip out. Like dad was trying on a jacket in one time that he really liked and he asked my opinion and I said it “looked like he borrowed it from someone”. That’s not so bad but it’s the only example I can think of, also he likes to be told things straight up. Like with the house he shows me things he likes and I’ll say I don’t but I back it up with why I don’t and suggest alternatives and he’s said he likes that and he takes my suggestions on board too, like he was talking about a breakfast bar and I said I like the idea in theory but given the space you have and the fact you want it because of an image you have in your head about having breakfast together at it or whatever isn’t realistic - they will have a large dining table right across from it and the breakfast bar thing will just get covered in clutter. So I like the idea of them but I said no for X Y and Z reasons and he scrapped the idea. Same with paint colours, placement of the fireplace etc. So it works with dad, I can be critical but he makes me feel valued - but we also have quite similar taste and we think quite similarly in many ways… God help my mother. I can be more critical of mum, hyper critical even. About every little thing. Even when we were out to dinner last week I didn’t like how she was calling the waitress over so I criticised it and other things. I was like that all night, I apologised a couple times though and she understands I get HYPER critical when I’m anxious because I’m on such high alert of how I’m being interpreted by everyone around me and with my mum I just sort of lash out at times. WAY WAY WAY better than I was as a teenageyounger though, but it’s something I’m still working on. It’s quite rare now, it’s just when I’m struggling with moderating my mood really. It also doesn’t help that a symptom of my anxiety is occasionally irritability. It’s hard to explain, but when I’m in a very anxious mood I just have zero tolerance and am sort of in that panic mode even if I appear calm and composed but inside it’s like a train is barrelling towards me, well that’s what my therapist said anyway, that to others I appear and come across as a normal girl feeling normal things, but inside it’s like I’ve just looked to my left and I’m imminently about to be hit by a car. So everyone is on the zebra crossing chatting away but I’m looking yo the left and feeling like I’m about to be splattered all over the road. It sort of makes sense but idk. Anyway. I’m rambling. I’m really quite a horrid horrid girl at the end of the day.
I’m feeling kind of anxy today. Jittery. The back of my throat is now a body part I am very conscious of. I don’t know why, I just am. I don’t always have a specific reason, sometimes it’s down to worry/fear over a specific thing or whatever else, sometimes it just comes out of nowhere and I can’t function properly but I don’t have a reason for it. Or I do, but it’s not something I’ve been actively thinking about. Idk. Whatever. It’s fine. I shall do some more breathing.
He just asked how my day was :)
Sometimes I don’t know what to do. Well I often don’t know what to do. I know I should bring this up with him, but I also feel like I ought to be picking my battles and this isn’t it. I just wish he would acknowledge when I send a lovey message or say something, I’m at the stage now where I do not expect it to be reciprocated whatsoever - I realise we aren’t at that stage and let’s be real, I get giddy when he uses a smiley face - I mean he used a :( last night and I felt lovey. So I mean, I’m clearly not expecting anything back from him and I am making do with the bare minimum and tbh it’s fine, I know this is my own doing and I have created this situation and it’s whatever - it’s fine. But the fact he just ignores it, I find that difficult. He could say something like “that’s cute/sweet” and leave it be, but he just ignores it and I’m left standing here feeling like an absolute idiot. It just hurts, that’s all. It’s not a big deal, and a lot of the time I don’t even bay an eyelash anymore as I’m used to it, but sometimes I just need something. I think I needed it this morning. I think I needed to hear some form of acknowledgment this morning because I find it difficult to grapple with the idea he doesn’t get jealous of me being with someone else. I know we see it differently and I know it doesn’t mean he’s pushing me to date other guys and idk. It’s usually fine, I think I just feel a little delicate about it this morning and then he ignored something I said and it just made me feel not so good. I don’t think this is worth bringing up, I don’t think I’ll dwell on this. If I’m still thinking about it later tonight or tomorrow then I will. He deals with enough of my BS, I don’t need to start giving him every minute detail of my feelings - just the ones that count or impact things. I don’t think this is that. Plus I’ve said this before to him, that it upsets me sometimes and makes me feel ignored/rejected. I can’t remember where we came to with it. Anyway like I said, this is a situation of my own creation - I only have myself to blame for feeling this way. I feel medium negative.
I am so ugly, ugly ugly uglyyyyyy.
Work is getting on my nerves a bit. For example I said I may have capacity to take on a new piece of work later today but couldn’t promise it but it was just chucked into my queue of work despite me saying I CANT DEFINITELY DO IT. But now it’s in my queue I kind of have to.
I cannot deal with the men in these books. They finally profess their love, and he says “even when this world is a forgotten whisper of dust between the stars, I will love you” and I’m sorry but who the hell have anyone the right to put those words into the world. SO DREAMY. Except it kept being mentioned a few chapters earlier how he spent centuries sleeping around and he spent centuries heartbroken over someone and idk, this is my issue - because of that it cheapens the dreamy thing he said. I know it could go the opposite way for others, that he had fully lived and finally found the forever one, also this all happened before she even existed, but even so, this is my issue - the fact he was a total slag ruins it for me. All these men are and it makes me like them less. I just can’t seem to accept it. Even with Andy, the fact he’s slept with 30+ women and undoubtedly hooked up with more in “lesser” ways… it makes me feel sick to my stomach and it makes me want him less when I think about it. It makes me feel like I’m nothing. I know he feels the opposite, he said so himself, but I can’t move past this kind of thinking. It’s a me thing, obviously, it just makes me feel so… inconsequential. It’s like with his friend J, I’m like the third or fourth girl he’s included him with and I hate it. I shouldn’t but I do. It makes me feel like I mean absolutely nothing and I’m no different to anyone else.
I got a sort of shout out thing in our team meeting today that I was NOT expecting. I was half listening and half drafting an email and heard my name and the shock that ripples through me. Well it was somewhat mild but still. But the Head of specifically asked the BL to bring it up, after the Head of had given already given me an inter-company award thing. I honestly did nothing out of the usual and it’s very nice to feel acknowledged, very very nice, but I get so awkward and embarrassed and when he was finished giving my shout out thing I just went off mute and literally squeaked out a “thank you’” and went back on mute. I think I prefer private acknowledgment but it’s also nice to have it shared too. Anyway that was nice.
It’s 8pm and I haven’t written anything more sooooo bye
Actually wait we finished BB last night! I’m still sad about Hank. I’m glad Jesse got away and I think it was a good ending for Walt. I feel bad for Skyler and the kids though :( but at least they’ll get a tonne of money soon enough. Anyway. I’m glad we watched it!

First Chapter Previous Chapter
The weighty thud of a suitcase hitting the floor snapped Mrs. Vilonte from her thoughts. She reached for a shot glass and filled it with scotch, her eyes drifting towards the staircase where her husband stood, ready to depart, his coat and hat in hand, suitcase beside him.
“Such a fine example of a gentleman,” she quipped, before knocking back the shot, the fiery liquid stoking her bitterness while at the same time loosening up the tension in her muscles.
“Shattering our marriage and leaving your family behind. Bravo, truly the epitome of manliness, Philip!”
“I need to go away for a little while for my own sake.”
“Sure, just a little while,” she retorted with a tone dripping in disdain.
“I'll be on my own staying at a hotel downtown. I need to be alone to think about things.”
“Alone? Oh, please. I could smell that cunt’s juice lingering on your breath from here.”
“I already told you that I'm not sleeping around!”
Mrs. Vilonte scoffed incredulously, knowing that wasn't true. While running through the surreal forest in search of escape, she stumbled upon a field of mirrors. There, reflected back at her, she saw him and that... bitch (she couldn't bring herself to say her name).
“You disgust me,” she spat.
“I disgust you? Look around you! Our family is now broken! There's nothing much to salvage. I don't know why I've stayed this long with you.”
Her husband spread his arms, indicating to their sparsely furnished home, a stark contrast to its former opulence, once boasting luxurious chairs, sofas, tables, and an assortment of porcelain and gold souvenirs gathered from various corners of the world. After Mrs. Vilonte's recent release from the hospital, they resorted to selling off belongings to alleviate their mounting debts.
Gabrielle remained missing, and the once fervent public support for their search had dwindled. Instead, attention now fixated on their son George, who had been arrested for a heinous crime, a revelation that shook Mrs. Vilonte to her core, questioning if his profession as a pediatrician concealed darker truths.
As if their troubles weren't enough, the Vilontes faced another blow as their son-in-law Eric de Leon announced that once Gabrielle was found, he would sever ties following a leaked video of his wife's affair. At first, Mrs. Vilonte dismissed the rumors, convinced of their falsehood until the relentless gossip and media scrutiny left her with no choice but to see it for herself.
Despite her belief that they were mistaken, the disturbing reality sneered at her in the video. It wasn't just her daughter losing herself in the throes of passion that upset her, but the sickening revelation was that the man was none other than the young-looking Salerno. He stood there, drenched in sweat, gasping for air, a triumphant grin plastered across his face as he stared directly into the camera.
The sight was seared into her mind, a repulsive image she longed to erase and obliterate from her memory.
She poured another generous measure of scotch, the amber liquid glinting in the dim light. Downing it in one motion, she clenched her eyes shut, feeling the sting of hot tears welling behind her eyelids.
The once vibrant family photographs that were hung on the walls now seemed to mock the present reality. They were moments of happiness and togetherness that felt distant and unattainable.
Their meals together had become silent affairs, punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery and the heavy sighs of resignation. Love had been replaced by apathy, joy by melancholy. They had become strangers to each other.
“This isn't the life I envisioned for our family,” she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. “Do you ever wonder what got us to this level of wealth? How we have managed to come this far?”
“Because of our children, of course. And Gabrielle had been the one to give us so much.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she erupted into laughter, her hand finding its place over her heart as if to contain the cynicism and bitterness bursting within. Her head swayed from side to side in disagreement.
“Oh, Philip, you don't know anything.”
Exasperated, Mr. Vilonte released a heavy sigh, his gaze narrowing with frustration as he focused on her. “That's because you never tell me anything. You always keep me in the dark.”
“You wouldn't like the truth. If you knew, trust me, you'd despise yourself.”
“I just want the truth.”
Perhaps fueled by the scotch coursing through her veins, she felt a surge of excitement, finally ready to shove the raw truth in her husband's face. “Everything you've ever enjoyed—the house, our children's successes, the money—they’re all because of me!”
“You? Just you alone?” he dismissed with a snort.
“I may have had a little help from beyond.”
“Beyond? What does that even mean?”
“I made a deal with some…with something…” her voice trailed off, the words hard to admit. “When Gabby lost her role as First Chair violinist at the beginning of her senior year, I felt I had no choice but to intervene. I did what needed to be done.”
Mr. Vilonte's voice carried a weight of seriousness as he asked, “What did you do?”
“I offered sacrifices. Victoria was the first, and Gabby was the second.”
Mrs. Vilonte stood up, her legs unsteady from the scotch's effects.
With careful steps, she walked over to a table and picked up Gabby's violin which had been believed to have been destroyed at the concert hall, yet it mysteriously reappeared by her bedside one morning.
She shoved the instrument into her husband's hands. “This violin is Victoria.”
“You mean that you stole this from the Sullivan girl?” He blinked at her, taken aback.
“No, I didn’t steal it. What I'm saying is, this violin is made out of her.”
Mr. Vilonte drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. “Isabella, really now! You're talking nonsense.”
He returned the violin to her, wiping his hands with a handkerchief as if ridding them of something unclean. Mrs. Vilonte then pulled out the bow from the case and showed him its auburn hairs.
“Do you remember that she had hair like this?” she asked. “Dark red hair. This is her hair. And the wood of the violin and bow… not real wood but bones. Her bones!”
Mr. Vilonte scowled. “Stop it! Stop talking!”
But she pressed on, her voice escalating in fervor. “You need to understand. I wasn't just in a coma at the hospital; I was transported elsewhere, to another realm entirely. It was a shadowy forest, seemingly lifeless except for the tree surrounding me. They were alive. They stood bare, devoid of leaves or undergrowth. Then this monstrous creature appeared and felled one of the trees. The tree let out a cry. It screamed. I believe those trees were souls. The creature crafted string instruments from them, but Gabby's violin is unique. Hers was made not just from Victoria's soul, but from her very flesh and bones.”
Mr. Vilonte stood in stunned silence, only to be snapped out of it by a car horn blaring from their driveway. He cleared his throat, donned his hat and coat, and grabbed his suitcase.
“That's my ride,” he said.
“Didn't you hear anything I just said?”
“I... I'm at a loss for words, Isabella.”
“Don't go, Philip! Please, stay.”
“And why should I?”
“Because... because…” Her voice trailed off, unable to find a compelling reason.
“I need to leave,” he sighed, pausing at the door. Turning to his wife, he added, "Please, Isabella, seek help. I beg of you.”
Mrs. Vilonte moved to the window, drawing back the curtains just enough to see her traitorous former assistant in the driver's seat. Anger welled up inside her, fueling a sudden craving for another sip of scotch.
XXXXX
“You’re quiet. Is there something wrong?” Sara asked, quickly glancing over at him. Mr. Vilonte sighed as he gazed out the window. “It's just... I'm amazed at how fast my life has turned upside down within a matter of weeks.”
“Did you tell her about us? Are you having regrets?”
“No regrets about us,” he reassured her, “and somehow, she already knew about us. I'm not sure how, but she did.” He reached over, placing a comforting hand on her thigh and gently stroking it.
“Good! I was starting to think you were going to ask me to turn this car around and drive you back to that devil woman!”
“Oh, definitely not! You know much I would rather be with you. I can't wait until we get to the hotel.”
Sara smiled and pushed the gas pedal, but as she crossed the train tracks, the car suddenly stopped. Despite pressing the gas again, the car remained immobile, the car remained stuck in place.
XXXXX
Her hands glided over the violin's smooth surface, fingers delicately plucking the strings. The sound swelled, filling the quiet house. She reached once more for her scotch, taking another sip.
She tried to make sense of the chaos that had become her life. It was as if a storm had swept away everything she held dear, leaving behind only wreckage and ruin.
XXXXX
The engine hummed, and the wheels screeched against the railroad tracks, but the car wouldn't budge. Sara switched off the engine, then restarted it, pressing the gas again.
“Why isn't it moving?” Mr. Vilonte questioned.
Sara slammed her palm against the steering wheel, exclaiming, “I have no idea!”
As the warning bell sounded and the barriers lowered, he yelled at her to hit the gas—the train was nearing. With the car still stuck, Mr. Vilonte suggested they ditch it and run to safety.
However, when he pressed the ejection button, his seat belt tightened around him, holding Sara back as well. Panic surged through them. They frantically pulled at their seatbelts and pressed the ejection button with growing desperation.
Mr. Vilonte glanced out the window, his eyes widening in alarm as the freight train drew nearer, its horn blaring loudly.
XXXXX
The shot glass tumbled from her fingers, hitting the wooden floor with a clang and rolling away, leaving a trace of spilled scotch. Gripping the violin tightly with both hands, her hold grew stronger, fueled by a rage that heated her blood.
She opened her mouth, unleashing a guttural scream that echoed through the room. Clutching the violin by its delicate neck, she hoisted it high and forcefully slammed it onto the table with all her might. The instrument shattered upon impact, with strings snapping and splinters scattering in all directions.
Tears welled in her eyes. She raised the broken instrument and flung it against the wall. Moving to the scattered pieces, she lifted her foot and stomped down on the pieces, envisioning each stomp as a blow to her husband's face.
“Fucking bastard! You and your trash whore!”
When she was lost in the field of mirrors, each mirror presented a window into a potential future. She had watched their entangled figures in bed, and overcome by the sight, she took a rock and shattered the glass. But the pieces reassembled on their own, replaying the scene before her again.
In one mirror, a different scene played before. George appeared smart in his suit, yet his hands were bound behind him as he was led into court. The judge pronounced him guilty, struggling to keep his composure as he read aloud the details of the horrific crime. His voice was thick with revulsion.
Then in another, she witnessed her granddaughter growing up without a father, while her mother was lost in profound depression. Friends and neighbors turned their backs on the family, and as school bullying and financial problems escalated, they were forced to move from house to apartment, ultimately finding themselves living out of their car.
Victoria's cackling laughter surrounded her. “See what will become of your family.” Mrs. Vilonte covered her ears, pleading. “Stop it! Stop laughing! I don't want to hear it!”
“Oh, but look, not all of your future is bleak. Sometimes, there's a glimmer of sunshine after the rain.”
“Lies!”
“Look in that mirror. Open your eyes. See for yourself.”
She turned to see a mirror revealing Gabrielle in bed, restless and tossing. Her eyes clenched shut, sweat glistening on her brow as she cried out for her mother. Beside her was a small red creature, with thin arms and legs, bearing the face and tusks of a swine.
The sight was deeply unsettling. The mere sight of the creature filled her with an overwhelming sense of disgust, as she gazed upon an abomination that defied nature itself.
XXXXX
The crash happened in an instant. As the train barreled forward, the car was crushed beneath its force metal twisting and bending, windows exploding into shards. The deafening noise of metal grinding and glass shattering overwhelmed him.
A powerful force hurled him into the air. Then, as fast as it had all happened, his vision darkened to black. When he finally came to, he was upside down, held in place by the seat belt. He glanced towards Sara, but she appeared as a red blur; his vision still clearing.
Tentatively reaching out, he felt her warm, soft skin, which was damp. Bringing his hand closer, he saw his fingers were covered in blood mingled with fragments of flesh.
The air thickened around him as the devastating realization washed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him numb. His fingers clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as he struggled to hold back his grief.
In that moment, Mr. Vilonte felt his soul enveloped by a darkness so deep that it seemed impossible to find his way back to the surface. But, suddenly, the stink of gasoline blended with burning metal and rubber reached him, pulling him back to reality.
He knew he had to escape the car immediately. His fingers fumbled for the ejection button, but hesitated when the ground started to shake and he spotted the hooves of what appeared to be a large goat approaching.
XXXXX
Her breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, each one a struggle as she grappled with the overwhelming emotions that threatened to eat her up. She steadied herself against the wall before bending down to gather the broken violin pieces. She tossed them one by one into the fireplace, dousing them with lighter fluid and setting them ablaze.
As the fire consumed the wood, it crackled and hissed, releasing tiny embers that spiraled upwards like fiery spirits seeking escape. The varnish on the violin began to bubble and blister, turning from a glossy sheen to a charred, matte texture.
Victoria's bones began to smolder, its fibers unraveling and curling as they were consumed by the heat. The scent that filled the room was a mix of burning bones and melting varnish, a pungent aroma that stung the nostrils and lingered in the air.
She sank into the sofa chair, taking a swig directly from the scotch bottle. A blend of relief and closure washed over her as she watched the flames reduce the violin to ashes.

First Chapter Previous Chapter
The weighty thud of a suitcase hitting the floor snapped Mrs. Vilonte from her thoughts. She reached for a shot glass and filled it with scotch, her eyes drifting towards the staircase where her husband stood, ready to depart, his coat and hat in hand, suitcase beside him.
“Such a fine example of a gentleman,” she quipped, before knocking back the shot, the fiery liquid stoking her bitterness while at the same time loosening up the tension in her muscles.
“Shattering our marriage and leaving your family behind. Bravo, truly the epitome of manliness, Philip!”
“I need to go away for a little while for my own sake.”
“Sure, just a little while,” she retorted with a tone dripping in disdain.
“I'll be on my own staying at a hotel downtown. I need to be alone to think about things.”
“Alone? Oh, please. I could smell that cunt’s juice lingering on your breath from here.”
“I already told you that I'm not sleeping around!”
Mrs. Vilonte scoffed incredulously, knowing that wasn't true. While running through the surreal forest in search of escape, she stumbled upon a field of mirrors. There, reflected back at her, she saw him and that... bitch (she couldn't bring herself to say her name).
“You disgust me,” she spat.
“I disgust you? Look around you! Our family is now broken! There's nothing much to salvage. I don't know why I've stayed this long with you.”
Her husband spread his arms, indicating to their sparsely furnished home, a stark contrast to its former opulence, once boasting luxurious chairs, sofas, tables, and an assortment of porcelain and gold souvenirs gathered from various corners of the world. After Mrs. Vilonte's recent release from the hospital, they resorted to selling off belongings to alleviate their mounting debts.
Gabrielle remained missing, and the once fervent public support for their search had dwindled. Instead, attention now fixated on their son George, who had been arrested for a heinous crime, a revelation that shook Mrs. Vilonte to her core, questioning if his profession as a pediatrician concealed darker truths.
As if their troubles weren't enough, the Vilontes faced another blow as their son-in-law Eric de Leon announced that once Gabrielle was found, he would sever ties following a leaked video of his wife's affair. At first, Mrs. Vilonte dismissed the rumors, convinced of their falsehood until the relentless gossip and media scrutiny left her with no choice but to see it for herself.
Despite her belief that they were mistaken, the disturbing reality sneered at her in the video. It wasn't just her daughter losing herself in the throes of passion that upset her, but the sickening revelation was that the man was none other than the young-looking Salerno. He stood there, drenched in sweat, gasping for air, a triumphant grin plastered across his face as he stared directly into the camera.
The sight was seared into her mind, a repulsive image she longed to erase and obliterate from her memory.
She poured another generous measure of scotch, the amber liquid glinting in the dim light. Downing it in one motion, she clenched her eyes shut, feeling the sting of hot tears welling behind her eyelids.
The once vibrant family photographs that were hung on the walls now seemed to mock the present reality. They were moments of happiness and togetherness that felt distant and unattainable.
Their meals together had become silent affairs, punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery and the heavy sighs of resignation. Love had been replaced by apathy, joy by melancholy. They had become strangers to each other.
“This isn't the life I envisioned for our family,” she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. “Do you ever wonder what got us to this level of wealth? How we have managed to come this far?”
“Because of our children, of course. And Gabrielle had been the one to give us so much.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she erupted into laughter, her hand finding its place over her heart as if to contain the cynicism and bitterness bursting within. Her head swayed from side to side in disagreement.
“Oh, Philip, you don't know anything.”
Exasperated, Mr. Vilonte released a heavy sigh, his gaze narrowing with frustration as he focused on her. “That's because you never tell me anything. You always keep me in the dark.”
“You wouldn't like the truth. If you knew, trust me, you'd despise yourself.”
“I just want the truth.”
Perhaps fueled by the scotch coursing through her veins, she felt a surge of excitement, finally ready to shove the raw truth in her husband's face. “Everything you've ever enjoyed—the house, our children's successes, the money—they’re all because of me!”
“You? Just you alone?” he dismissed with a snort.
“I may have had a little help from beyond.”
“Beyond? What does that even mean?”
“I made a deal with some…with something…” her voice trailed off, the words hard to admit. “When Gabby lost her role as First Chair violinist at the beginning of her senior year, I felt I had no choice but to intervene. I did what needed to be done.”
Mr. Vilonte's voice carried a weight of seriousness as he asked, “What did you do?”
“I offered sacrifices. Victoria was the first, and Gabby was the second.”
Mrs. Vilonte stood up, her legs unsteady from the scotch's effects.
With careful steps, she walked over to a table and picked up Gabby's violin which had been believed to have been destroyed at the concert hall, yet it mysteriously reappeared by her bedside one morning.
She shoved the instrument into her husband's hands. “This violin is Victoria.”
“You mean that you stole this from the Sullivan girl?” He blinked at her, taken aback.
“No, I didn’t steal it. What I'm saying is, this violin is made out of her.”
Mr. Vilonte drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. “Isabella, really now! You're talking nonsense.”
He returned the violin to her, wiping his hands with a handkerchief as if ridding them of something unclean. Mrs. Vilonte then pulled out the bow from the case and showed him its auburn hairs.
“Do you remember that she had hair like this?” she asked. “Dark red hair. This is her hair. And the wood of the violin and bow… not real wood but bones. Her bones!”
Mr. Vilonte scowled. “Stop it! Stop talking!”
But she pressed on, her voice escalating in fervor. “You need to understand. I wasn't just in a coma at the hospital; I was transported elsewhere, to another realm entirely. It was a shadowy forest, seemingly lifeless except for the tree surrounding me. They were alive. They stood bare, devoid of leaves or undergrowth. Then this monstrous creature appeared and felled one of the trees. The tree let out a cry. It screamed. I believe those trees were souls. The creature crafted string instruments from them, but Gabby's violin is unique. Hers was made not just from Victoria's soul, but from her very flesh and bones.”
Mr. Vilonte stood in stunned silence, only to be snapped out of it by a car horn blaring from their driveway. He cleared his throat, donned his hat and coat, and grabbed his suitcase.
“That's my ride,” he said.
“Didn't you hear anything I just said?”
“I... I'm at a loss for words, Isabella.”
“Don't go, Philip! Please, stay.”
“And why should I?”
“Because... because…” Her voice trailed off, unable to find a compelling reason.
“I need to leave,” he sighed, pausing at the door. Turning to his wife, he added, "Please, Isabella, seek help. I beg of you.”
Mrs. Vilonte moved to the window, drawing back the curtains just enough to see her traitorous former assistant in the driver's seat. Anger welled up inside her, fueling a sudden craving for another sip of scotch.
XXXXX
“You’re quiet. Is there something wrong?” Sara asked, quickly glancing over at him. Mr. Vilonte sighed as he gazed out the window. “It's just... I'm amazed at how fast my life has turned upside down within a matter of weeks.”
“Did you tell her about us? Are you having regrets?”
“No regrets about us,” he reassured her, “and somehow, she already knew about us. I'm not sure how, but she did.” He reached over, placing a comforting hand on her thigh and gently stroking it.
“Good! I was starting to think you were going to ask me to turn this car around and drive you back to that devil woman!”
“Oh, definitely not! You know much I would rather be with you. I can't wait until we get to the hotel.”
Sara smiled and pushed the gas pedal, but as she crossed the train tracks, the car suddenly stopped. Despite pressing the gas again, the car remained immobile, the car remained stuck in place.
XXXXX
Her hands glided over the violin's smooth surface, fingers delicately plucking the strings. The sound swelled, filling the quiet house. She reached once more for her scotch, taking another sip.
She tried to make sense of the chaos that had become her life. It was as if a storm had swept away everything she held dear, leaving behind only wreckage and ruin.
XXXXX
The engine hummed, and the wheels screeched against the railroad tracks, but the car wouldn't budge. Sara switched off the engine, then restarted it, pressing the gas again.
“Why isn't it moving?” Mr. Vilonte questioned.
Sara slammed her palm against the steering wheel, exclaiming, “I have no idea!”
As the warning bell sounded and the barriers lowered, he yelled at her to hit the gas—the train was nearing. With the car still stuck, Mr. Vilonte suggested they ditch it and run to safety.
However, when he pressed the ejection button, his seat belt tightened around him, holding Sara back as well. Panic surged through them. They frantically pulled at their seatbelts and pressed the ejection button with growing desperation.
Mr. Vilonte glanced out the window, his eyes widening in alarm as the freight train drew nearer, its horn blaring loudly.
XXXXX
The shot glass tumbled from her fingers, hitting the wooden floor with a clang and rolling away, leaving a trace of spilled scotch. Gripping the violin tightly with both hands, her hold grew stronger, fueled by a rage that heated her blood.
She opened her mouth, unleashing a guttural scream that echoed through the room. Clutching the violin by its delicate neck, she hoisted it high and forcefully slammed it onto the table with all her might. The instrument shattered upon impact, with strings snapping and splinters scattering in all directions.
Tears welled in her eyes. She raised the broken instrument and flung it against the wall. Moving to the scattered pieces, she lifted her foot and stomped down on the pieces, envisioning each stomp as a blow to her husband's face.
“Fucking bastard! You and your trash whore!”
When she was lost in the field of mirrors, each mirror presented a window into a potential future. She had watched their entangled figures in bed, and overcome by the sight, she took a rock and shattered the glass. But the pieces reassembled on their own, replaying the scene before her again.
In one mirror, a different scene played before. George appeared smart in his suit, yet his hands were bound behind him as he was led into court. The judge pronounced him guilty, struggling to keep his composure as he read aloud the details of the horrific crime. His voice was thick with revulsion.
Then in another, she witnessed her granddaughter growing up without a father, while her mother was lost in profound depression. Friends and neighbors turned their backs on the family, and as school bullying and financial problems escalated, they were forced to move from house to apartment, ultimately finding themselves living out of their car.
Victoria's cackling laughter surrounded her. “See what will become of your family.” Mrs. Vilonte covered her ears, pleading. “Stop it! Stop laughing! I don't want to hear it!”
“Oh, but look, not all of your future is bleak. Sometimes, there's a glimmer of sunshine after the rain.”
“Lies!”
“Look in that mirror. Open your eyes. See for yourself.”
She turned to see a mirror revealing Gabrielle in bed, restless and tossing. Her eyes clenched shut, sweat glistening on her brow as she cried out for her mother. Beside her was a small red creature, with thin arms and legs, bearing the face and tusks of a swine.
The sight was deeply unsettling. The mere sight of the creature filled her with an overwhelming sense of disgust, as she gazed upon an abomination that defied nature itself.
XXXXX
The crash happened in an instant. As the train barreled forward, the car was crushed beneath its force metal twisting and bending, windows exploding into shards. The deafening noise of metal grinding and glass shattering overwhelmed him.
A powerful force hurled him into the air. Then, as fast as it had all happened, his vision darkened to black. When he finally came to, he was upside down, held in place by the seat belt. He glanced towards Sara, but she appeared as a red blur; his vision still clearing.
Tentatively reaching out, he felt her warm, soft skin, which was damp. Bringing his hand closer, he saw his fingers were covered in blood mingled with fragments of flesh.
The air thickened around him as the devastating realization washed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him numb. His fingers clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as he struggled to hold back his grief.
In that moment, Mr. Vilonte felt his soul enveloped by a darkness so deep that it seemed impossible to find his way back to the surface. But, suddenly, the stink of gasoline blended with burning metal and rubber reached him, pulling him back to reality.
He knew he had to escape the car immediately. His fingers fumbled for the ejection button, but hesitated when the ground started to shake and he spotted the hooves of what appeared to be a large goat approaching.
XXXXX
Her breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, each one a struggle as she grappled with the overwhelming emotions that threatened to eat her up. She steadied herself against the wall before bending down to gather the broken violin pieces. She tossed them one by one into the fireplace, dousing them with lighter fluid and setting them ablaze.
As the fire consumed the wood, it crackled and hissed, releasing tiny embers that spiraled upwards like fiery spirits seeking escape. The varnish on the violin began to bubble and blister, turning from a glossy sheen to a charred, matte texture.
Victoria's bones began to smolder, its fibers unraveling and curling as they were consumed by the heat. The scent that filled the room was a mix of burning bones and melting varnish, a pungent aroma that stung the nostrils and lingered in the air.
She sank into the sofa chair, taking a swig directly from the scotch bottle. A blend of relief and closure washed over her as she watched the flames reduce the violin to ashes.

<< First < Back
My ears perked up at the shifting of branches outside of my view. A low growl echoed through the dense foliage that surrounded me. Who was there? What was there?
I had been wandering this forest for what felt like days, but in reality, was only a handful of hours. I was searching for anything, anywhere that could help me on my new journey. Minutes earlier, a hunger and thirst had gnawed at my insides, reminding me I no longer had the soul power to simply ignore hunger and thirst. I had chuckled to myself, recalling the moments my soul shattered and a singular piece ejected into this dimension, continuing my existence, but at a cost of most of my soul.
I instinctually willed power into my hand, shaping it into a sword, before sighing when was warned of using too much before I had finished the hilt.
SP: 14
Soul stage: Shattered
Soul power gain multi: 0.01X
I couldn’t risk losing the final shreds of soul power I had left. With a grimace, I stopped making the sword, willing the power back into my soul, and taking quick glances at my surroundings. Even without my supernatural abilities, I was still a talented fighter.
Is what I would have said if the creature charging at me wasn’t a wolf or boar shaped thing twice my height.
Diving for cover and out of the path of the creature, I booked it. Screw hunting, there was no way in hell I was taking down this freak of nature. Sprinting through the trees, I failed to account for the fact that the gigantic wolf-boar was, in fact, faster than me.
Battle instincts hadn’t disappeared with the rest of my soul, however, as I flattened myself again when the wolf was upon me. I was about to scramble to my feet again when I heard something yell behind me.
The language was unrecognisable, but I stayed down when I saw a flash of light from where the voice originated. A searing hot ball of flame flew over my head, nailing the wolf in the face, stunning it briefly. I looked up to see a man, hands coated in a bright purple light, chanting something. He pushed them forwards, bombarding the creature with a flurry of purple bolts.
The animal screams in agony before crumpling, and the man lands, breathing heavily. He turns to me, grinning and spoke in a language I could not interpret. Right. Isekai worlds, different languages. Duh.
Upon noticing my blank face, he stared expectantly.
I instinctively reached towards a universal translator skill I once had, before realising in that space was just… emptiness. I let out a sigh. Power loss was a steep price to pay for survival.
“Um… do you speak English?” I stuttered out.
The man returned my blank stare.
“Well, I guess that’s a no.” I picked myself off the ground and dusted myself off, checking for any cuts and major damage. A couple of bruises, throbbed, a painful reminder of my loss of healing abilities. When I turned my attention back to the man, he had begun a string of gestures.
First, he pointed to me, then made a mouth opening and mimed putting something in. I supposed it had been an offer of food. Odd, but I nodded in response. I suppose I shouldn’t question the culture of the world, and this man was offering me a free meal, which I wasn’t in the mood to turn down.
He turned, gesturing me to follow, which I did. He lead me back to a small cabin, deeper into the woods and lead me inside. It was quaint, like what someone would expect an abode in the middle of the forest to look like. A brick fireplace, a small bed, a bookshelf, it emanated the sense of rustic comfort.
He picked a book from the bookshelves, flipping it open to an empty page and leaving it on the table with what looked like a writing utensil. Then, he made more gestures. He pointed to me and wrote onto the book. A crude representation of a person, an arrow, and a chair.
Was he asking me to attack a chair with an arrow…?
Wait he wasn’t done. He added an extra symbol that showed the person sitting onto the chair. I mentally facepalmed. So much for universal imagery. I took a seat and pondered the exchange. Even though it seemed like images and their representations were universal, it became very apparent that even the simplest gestures could be interpreted incorrectly.
He put the book and the utensil down and went to the small kitchen area, which held a steaming pot. An aroma of a freshly made stew lingered in the air. Stereotypical, but beggars can’t be choosers.
While waiting for the man to finish making the food, I turned my attention to the fragmented state of my soul.
SP: 15
Soul stage: Shattered
Soul power gain multi: 0.01X
In the 10 minutes we had spent walking, my soul had accumulated a whole extra point of soul power. I groaned at the painfully slow speed and mulled over my options. Previously, I had upgraded my generation speed with my soul power. Spending soul power to make more soul power, I had likened it to an idle game. Alternatively, entering higher soul stages would provide a boost in soul power and reduce skill costs.
I tried upgrading my soul generation capacity first. I focused my meagre power inwards to expanding my soul, coaxing it to grow. It was… way easier than normal, which made sense I suppose, due to the small state of my soul. Soul power condensed and coagulated around my soul, making it bigger, stronger, giving it more capacity and power. Sure enough, when I checked my status…
Soul power gain multi: 0.02X
Doubled. Not bad, but still pitifully weak. I tried the next strategy. Soul stages were entered and exited based on user willpower, which I fortunately had a lot of training with. Even if my soul was lost, my mind wasn’t. I called upon the will that would have easily allowed me to enter soul stage 1 and…
Warning, soul cannot handle excess soul power.
A sharp pain pulled me out of entering the soul stage. I had apparently reached the willpower requirement, but my shattered soul couldn’t handle the influx of energy. I sighed, stuck as a shattered soul until I could find some way to repair it.
Fortunately, my downed spirit was cheered by the presence of the fresh soup placed in front of me. I gave the man a smile, which he returned before digging in. Despite the mouth watering aroma, a sliver of doubt remained. What if the food was unsanitary, or potentially poisonous? But the battle for hunger eventually won over, and I scooped spoonfuls of the ambrosia into my mouth.
After our meal, the man pulled the book to him, in which he drew a house and a question mark next to it. I took a gamble and guessed he was inquiring about my home. For all intents and purposes, I was homeless, which I illustrated by drawing a stick figure walking away from a home with a cross through it.
The man had a look of understanding, before getting up and rummaging through his cupboards, eventually withdrawing a roll of some sort of soft fabrics. He handed them to me, started drawing again. Drawing a sun half obscured by a line, most likely a horizon, followed by a house with an arrow pointing towards it. He emphasised his point by pointing towards me and pointing down towards his feet. He wanted me to… stay?
I hesitated. I had far overstayed my welcome, but then where else would I stay? This kind stranger offered a roof over my head when I had none, so I wouldn’t turn down his generosity. I nodded and looked for a place to lay down the linen… mattress… thing.
***
Stretching and yawning, I winced as the remnants of back pain and exhaustion faded. Blinking away the haze of sleep, I gathered myself. Memories of yesterday flooded in, and I sighed. Still stuck in this Isekai world, great. Checking my interface, I noticed I had accumulated a bit of SP to work with.
SP: 158
Soul stage: Shattered
Soul power gain: 0.02X
First things first, I would try repair my soul as much as possible. Focusing inwards once more and directing energy towards my soul, I felt it expand much more readily than yesterday. Newly formed solid structures held much of the power together as it coagulated into one. I exhaled and checked my status again.
SP: 58
Soul stage: Foundation
Soul power gain: 0.2X
Empty talent slots: 1
I smiled, noticing my soul stage had transcended from “shattered”. It still wasn’t in the realm of what I was used to, so it was probably still abysmally weak, but a 10 times increase in soul power was very welcome. Though one unfamiliar feature caught my attention. Talent slots? What the hell were those?
The user expresses a strong desire to understand. Filling talent slot
The question vanished as soon it was arose, but a new addition took its place.
SP: 58
Soul stage: Foundation
Soul power gain: 0.2X
Talents:
Worldly information matrix
A subconscious echo popped into my mind as I read.
Talents were permanent emplacements within one’s soul that greatly boosts one specific aspect about the person. Whether it be mana regeneration, or a group of or even just one spell, it will strengthen that aspect significantly. Talent slots are unlocked upon the growth of one’s soul.
How the hell did I know that?
Before I could ponder any longer, shuffling was heard next to me, and the man sat up and stretched.
“Mmm, what’s the time…?” He muttered. His voice was deep, gruff, yet friendly and had an edge of kindness to it.
I looked around for some sort of time implement, and upon finding one, responded, “I don’t know how to read your clocks.” However, the words left my mouth in a language I never knew I could speak. We locked eyes in disbelief, and both made an exclamation of surprise.
“What the… I thought you couldn’t speak our tongue!”
“I didn’t know I could understand your language!” I fumbled over the unfamiliar words in my mouth. But whatever changed, it allowed me to speak this new dialect.
Gathering ourselves after the recent discovery, he sat me at the table as he poured me some form of hot beverage.
“So you can understand me now. Excellent! Now, who are you truly?”
“I am…” I hesitated. I searched my past, urging it to provide me my true identity. I sighed, knowing that my true name was lost to time. Instead I provided the name bestowed upon me by those I protected, by the world I had left behind. “I am Custos. The guardian of Earth.”
“I see. A pleasure to meet you Custos, I am Orion.” He chuckles, “I am no guardian unfortunately, just a humble hermit alone in these woods. It’s not common I get visitors. I have never heard of this ‘Earth’. Would you please enlighten me”
I hesitated once more. These people did not seem to know about interstellar travel, let alone interdimensional. “It’s a land from far, far away.”
He nodded, and sipped from his cup, urging me to do the same. “That explains why you didn’t know our tongue. Speaking of, how did you manage to learn our tongue so quickly? No translation spells around here, I assure you.”
“Apparently I used a talent slot to unlock a-“
The sound of a cup clattering onto the table cut me off. “You used a talent slot for it?! Why?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are they that valuable?”
The man gave me an exasperated look. “Valuable? They’re priceless! Enhance magic, grant infinite strength, and you chose being bilingual.”
“Ah I see. Is this permanent?”
The man shook his head. “Every human has 5 talent slots. Permanent, unchangeable, and once a talent has been assigned there is no way of removing it.”
I pondered his statement. It seemed to conflict with the information my own talent provided me, but I shook it off, disregarding it for another time.
“Unfortunate,” I said, taking a sip from my own cup. It tasted like a mocha, but less strong. “You mentioned you know spells? Are you some sort of wizard?”
He chuckled, “Not really, the mages are really up there in terms of skill. I’m just someone who wanted a bit of peace and quiet and learned a bit of magic along the way. This book has been my magical bible.” He stood and fetched another book from his bookshelf, opening it in front of me.
The words shuffled and morphed into a language I could understand, courtesy of my talent, as I read through it. It contained a comprehensive list of spells, alongside Orion’s notes and diagrams, scrawled over the pages.
“Interesting.” I murmured, a spark of curiosity igniting within me. “Well, best I take my leave. I’ve far overstayed my welcome.”
“Friend, no need to worry about that. You may stay as long as you like. Especially if you haven’t a place of your own.”
This man kindness bordered on naivety, but at least I didn’t have to worry about dying for now.

First Chapter Previous Chapter
The weighty thud of a suitcase hitting the floor snapped Mrs. Vilonte from her thoughts. She reached for a shot glass and filled it with scotch, her eyes drifting towards the staircase where her husband stood, ready to depart, his coat and hat in hand, suitcase beside him.
“Such a fine example of a gentleman,” she quipped, before knocking back the shot, the fiery liquid stoking her bitterness while at the same time loosening up the tension in her muscles.
“Shattering our marriage and leaving your family behind. Bravo, truly the epitome of manliness, Philip!”
“I need to go away for a little while for my own sake.”
“Sure, just a little while,” she retorted with a tone dripping in disdain.
“I'll be on my own staying at a hotel downtown. I need to be alone to think about things.”
“Alone? Oh, please. I could smell that cunt’s juice lingering on your breath from here.”
“I already told you that I'm not sleeping around!”
Mrs. Vilonte scoffed incredulously, knowing that wasn't true. While running through the surreal forest in search of escape, she stumbled upon a field of mirrors. There, reflected back at her, she saw him and that... bitch (she couldn't bring herself to say her name).
“You disgust me,” she spat.
“I disgust you? Look around you! Our family is now broken! There's nothing much to salvage. I don't know why I've stayed this long with you.”
Her husband spread his arms, indicating to their sparsely furnished home, a stark contrast to its former opulence, once boasting luxurious chairs, sofas, tables, and an assortment of porcelain and gold souvenirs gathered from various corners of the world. After Mrs. Vilonte's recent release from the hospital, they resorted to selling off belongings to alleviate their mounting debts.
Gabrielle remained missing, and the once fervent public support for their search had dwindled. Instead, attention now fixated on their son George, who had been arrested for a heinous crime, a revelation that shook Mrs. Vilonte to her core, questioning if his profession as a pediatrician concealed darker truths.
As if their troubles weren't enough, the Vilontes faced another blow as their son-in-law Eric de Leon announced that once Gabrielle was found, he would sever ties following a leaked video of his wife's affair. At first, Mrs. Vilonte dismissed the rumors, convinced of their falsehood until the relentless gossip and media scrutiny left her with no choice but to see it for herself.
Despite her belief that they were mistaken, the disturbing reality sneered at her in the video. It wasn't just her daughter losing herself in the throes of passion that upset her, but the sickening revelation was that the man was none other than the young-looking Salerno. He stood there, drenched in sweat, gasping for air, a triumphant grin plastered across his face as he stared directly into the camera.
The sight was seared into her mind, a repulsive image she longed to erase and obliterate from her memory.
She poured another generous measure of scotch, the amber liquid glinting in the dim light. Downing it in one motion, she clenched her eyes shut, feeling the sting of hot tears welling behind her eyelids.
The once vibrant family photographs that were hung on the walls now seemed to mock the present reality. They were moments of happiness and togetherness that felt distant and unattainable.
Their meals together had become silent affairs, punctuated only by the clinking of cutlery and the heavy sighs of resignation. Love had been replaced by apathy, joy by melancholy. They had become strangers to each other.
“This isn't the life I envisioned for our family,” she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. “Do you ever wonder what got us to this level of wealth? How we have managed to come this far?”
“Because of our children, of course. And Gabrielle had been the one to give us so much.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she erupted into laughter, her hand finding its place over her heart as if to contain the cynicism and bitterness bursting within. Her head swayed from side to side in disagreement.
“Oh, Philip, you don't know anything.”
Exasperated, Mr. Vilonte released a heavy sigh, his gaze narrowing with frustration as he focused on her. “That's because you never tell me anything. You always keep me in the dark.”
“You wouldn't like the truth. If you knew, trust me, you'd despise yourself.”
“I just want the truth.”
Perhaps fueled by the scotch coursing through her veins, she felt a surge of excitement, finally ready to shove the raw truth in her husband's face. “Everything you've ever enjoyed—the house, our children's successes, the money—they’re all because of me!”
“You? Just you alone?” he dismissed with a snort.
“I may have had a little help from beyond.”
“Beyond? What does that even mean?”
“I made a deal with some…with something…” her voice trailed off, the words hard to admit. “When Gabby lost her role as First Chair violinist at the beginning of her senior year, I felt I had no choice but to intervene. I did what needed to be done.”
Mr. Vilonte's voice carried a weight of seriousness as he asked, “What did you do?”
“I offered sacrifices. Victoria was the first, and Gabby was the second.”
Mrs. Vilonte stood up, her legs unsteady from the scotch's effects.
With careful steps, she walked over to a table and picked up Gabby's violin which had been believed to have been destroyed at the concert hall, yet it mysteriously reappeared by her bedside one morning.
She shoved the instrument into her husband's hands. “This violin is Victoria.”
“You mean that you stole this from the Sullivan girl?” He blinked at her, taken aback.
“No, I didn’t steal it. What I'm saying is, this violin is made out of her.”
Mr. Vilonte drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. “Isabella, really now! You're talking nonsense.”
He returned the violin to her, wiping his hands with a handkerchief as if ridding them of something unclean. Mrs. Vilonte then pulled out the bow from the case and showed him its auburn hairs.
“Do you remember that she had hair like this?” she asked. “Dark red hair. This is her hair. And the wood of the violin and bow… not real wood but bones. Her bones!”
Mr. Vilonte scowled. “Stop it! Stop talking!”
But she pressed on, her voice escalating in fervor. “You need to understand. I wasn't just in a coma at the hospital; I was transported elsewhere, to another realm entirely. It was a shadowy forest, seemingly lifeless except for the tree surrounding me. They were alive. They stood bare, devoid of leaves or undergrowth. Then this monstrous creature appeared and felled one of the trees. The tree let out a cry. It screamed. I believe those trees were souls. The creature crafted string instruments from them, but Gabby's violin is unique. Hers was made not just from Victoria's soul, but from her very flesh and bones.”
Mr. Vilonte stood in stunned silence, only to be snapped out of it by a car horn blaring from their driveway. He cleared his throat, donned his hat and coat, and grabbed his suitcase.
“That's my ride,” he said.
“Didn't you hear anything I just said?”
“I... I'm at a loss for words, Isabella.”
“Don't go, Philip! Please, stay.”
“And why should I?”
“Because... because…” Her voice trailed off, unable to find a compelling reason.
“I need to leave,” he sighed, pausing at the door. Turning to his wife, he added, "Please, Isabella, seek help. I beg of you.”
Mrs. Vilonte moved to the window, drawing back the curtains just enough to see her traitorous former assistant in the driver's seat. Anger welled up inside her, fueling a sudden craving for another sip of scotch.
XXXXX
“You’re quiet. Is there something wrong?” Sara asked, quickly glancing over at him. Mr. Vilonte sighed as he gazed out the window. “It's just... I'm amazed at how fast my life has turned upside down within a matter of weeks.”
“Did you tell her about us? Are you having regrets?”
“No regrets about us,” he reassured her, “and somehow, she already knew about us. I'm not sure how, but she did.” He reached over, placing a comforting hand on her thigh and gently stroking it.
“Good! I was starting to think you were going to ask me to turn this car around and drive you back to that devil woman!”
“Oh, definitely not! You know much I would rather be with you. I can't wait until we get to the hotel.”
Sara smiled and pushed the gas pedal, but as she crossed the train tracks, the car suddenly stopped. Despite pressing the gas again, the car remained immobile, the car remained stuck in place.
XXXXX
Her hands glided over the violin's smooth surface, fingers delicately plucking the strings. The sound swelled, filling the quiet house. She reached once more for her scotch, taking another sip.
She tried to make sense of the chaos that had become her life. It was as if a storm had swept away everything she held dear, leaving behind only wreckage and ruin.
XXXXX
The engine hummed, and the wheels screeched against the railroad tracks, but the car wouldn't budge. Sara switched off the engine, then restarted it, pressing the gas again.
“Why isn't it moving?” Mr. Vilonte questioned.
Sara slammed her palm against the steering wheel, exclaiming, “I have no idea!”
As the warning bell sounded and the barriers lowered, he yelled at her to hit the gas—the train was nearing. With the car still stuck, Mr. Vilonte suggested they ditch it and run to safety.
However, when he pressed the ejection button, his seat belt tightened around him, holding Sara back as well. Panic surged through them. They frantically pulled at their seatbelts and pressed the ejection button with growing desperation.
Mr. Vilonte glanced out the window, his eyes widening in alarm as the freight train drew nearer, its horn blaring loudly.
XXXXX
The shot glass tumbled from her fingers, hitting the wooden floor with a clang and rolling away, leaving a trace of spilled scotch. Gripping the violin tightly with both hands, her hold grew stronger, fueled by a rage that heated her blood.
She opened her mouth, unleashing a guttural scream that echoed through the room. Clutching the violin by its delicate neck, she hoisted it high and forcefully slammed it onto the table with all her might. The instrument shattered upon impact, with strings snapping and splinters scattering in all directions.
Tears welled in her eyes. She raised the broken instrument and flung it against the wall. Moving to the scattered pieces, she lifted her foot and stomped down on the pieces, envisioning each stomp as a blow to her husband's face.
“Fucking bastard! You and your trash whore!”
When she was lost in the field of mirrors, each mirror presented a window into a potential future. She had watched their entangled figures in bed, and overcome by the sight, she took a rock and shattered the glass. But the pieces reassembled on their own, replaying the scene before her again.
In one mirror, a different scene played before. George appeared smart in his suit, yet his hands were bound behind him as he was led into court. The judge pronounced him guilty, struggling to keep his composure as he read aloud the details of the horrific crime. His voice was thick with revulsion.
Then in another, she witnessed her granddaughter growing up without a father, while her mother was lost in profound depression. Friends and neighbors turned their backs on the family, and as school bullying and financial problems escalated, they were forced to move from house to apartment, ultimately finding themselves living out of their car.
Victoria's cackling laughter surrounded her. “See what will become of your family.” Mrs. Vilonte covered her ears, pleading. “Stop it! Stop laughing! I don't want to hear it!”
“Oh, but look, not all of your future is bleak. Sometimes, there's a glimmer of sunshine after the rain.”
“Lies!”
“Look in that mirror. Open your eyes. See for yourself.”
She turned to see a mirror revealing Gabrielle in bed, restless and tossing. Her eyes clenched shut, sweat glistening on her brow as she cried out for her mother. Beside her was a small red creature, with thin arms and legs, bearing the face and tusks of a swine.
The sight was deeply unsettling. The mere sight of the creature filled her with an overwhelming sense of disgust, as she gazed upon an abomination that defied nature itself.
XXXXX
The crash happened in an instant. As the train barreled forward, the car was crushed beneath its force metal twisting and bending, windows exploding into shards. The deafening noise of metal grinding and glass shattering overwhelmed him.
A powerful force hurled him into the air. Then, as fast as it had all happened, his vision darkened to black. When he finally came to, he was upside down, held in place by the seat belt. He glanced towards Sara, but she appeared as a red blur; his vision still clearing.
Tentatively reaching out, he felt her warm, soft skin, which was damp. Bringing his hand closer, he saw his fingers were covered in blood mingled with fragments of flesh.
The air thickened around him as the devastating realization washed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him numb. His fingers clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as he struggled to hold back his grief.
In that moment, Mr. Vilonte felt his soul enveloped by a darkness so deep that it seemed impossible to find his way back to the surface. But, suddenly, the stink of gasoline blended with burning metal and rubber reached him, pulling him back to reality.
He knew he had to escape the car immediately. His fingers fumbled for the ejection button, but hesitated when the ground started to shake and he spotted the hooves of what appeared to be a large goat approaching.
XXXXX
Her breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, each one a struggle as she grappled with the overwhelming emotions that threatened to eat her up. She steadied herself against the wall before bending down to gather the broken violin pieces. She tossed them one by one into the fireplace, dousing them with lighter fluid and setting them ablaze.
As the fire consumed the wood, it crackled and hissed, releasing tiny embers that spiraled upwards like fiery spirits seeking escape. The varnish on the violin began to bubble and blister, turning from a glossy sheen to a charred, matte texture.
Victoria's bones began to smolder, its fibers unraveling and curling as they were consumed by the heat. The scent that filled the room was a mix of burning bones and melting varnish, a pungent aroma that stung the nostrils and lingered in the air.
She sank into the sofa chair, taking a swig directly from the scotch bottle. A blend of relief and closure washed over her as she watched the flames reduce the violin to ashes.
Next Chapter

(Prev) wiki
Julia, encased in a muti-person blue-skinned hug, drew a breath which she expected to shake, but came easy instead. The odd smell of not-quite cinnamon brought the feel of her mother’s embrace to her mind, and the warmth which surrounded her seemed to sink through her skin and into her over-tense muscles. A warm glow started near her throat, then radiated through her body and brought a floating sensation. “It hasn’t been as bad as all that, really. There was a little bit of fear for a few moments, until I got to the Bitha Embassy… but I’ve felt worse on ski slopes before. Then there was having to argue with people way above my pay-grade, but it is hardly the first time I’ve had to do that.
“It has been tough, though. I didn’t expect things to go bad like this.”
Kaz answered. “Neither did we, but it is past now. You can tell us all about it; tomorrow. For tonight we are going to enjoy a nice dinner at the expense of the Embassy chef, get you settled into your room, and catch one another up on the family gossip! I, for one, am dying to hear what your parents, and that younger brother of yours, have been up to!”
Julia giggled as her relatives stepped back. Cinnamon. Why do all Venter smell like something that reminds Humans of cinnamon? She’d always felt jealous of her two Venter siblings over that.
She smiled at all of them and started to answer when a blue streak flashed through the door way and plowed into her like a freight train. Only the supporting hands of two of her Aunts kept her on her feet while her cousin wrapped arms and legs around her in a bear-hug that almost made her ribs creak. She returned the hug with equal fierceness and held it for a long moment before the young woman dropped her feet, stood, stepped back, and gave her a hard look. “Who is responsible for this obscenity of chasing my cousin out of her own Embassy on her first day, who is their next of kin, and am I allowed to have some fun with them before I…”
Kaz chuckled and laid a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “While I am all for you supporting your cousin, dear, we are leaving all of that behind us for now. Tonight is about family, support, and helping her get settled in despite what has happened.”
A small grin tugged at the corners of Julia's mouth as her cousin rolled eyes, gave a dramatic sigh, and answered. “Ok, fine. Drudgery and talky-talk today. Vengeance tomorrow. Noted.”
Kaz chuckled and motioned for them to move. Julia felt a moment of panic when she realized that she didn’t even know how to get to her quarters, but one of the secretaries did. Julia had to hand it to the man; he didn’t even bat an eye when they all came out the door, just guessed their intention and motioned for them to follow.
Once the door on her quarters closed, after Aunt Golna – with her usual flair – checked to make sure that everything had been delivered to the room and dismissed the young man, Julia found herself shuffled to a comfortable chair and another drink dropped into her hand. Aunt Irnor then sat down beside her and made small talk while the others made small work of her unpacking chores.
They didn’t have a lot to do, really. Julia had planned to get settled in and make sure she’d be staying before she sent for the bulk of her personal items. While Aunty Irry caught her up on the doings of a few of her cousins, she sipped her drink and watched three of the - arguably - most powerful people in the entire League unpack her boxes for her. Aunts Golna and Yoro grabbed the box with her clothes and disappeared into her bedroom, while Uncle Kaz and her cousin pulled the handful of trophies, awards, and gifts an Ambassador of her station was expected to have on display and placed them artfully around the ‘sitting room’ of her new quarters. I… how did my life come to this? The leader of all of known space is doing my personal drudge work with a smile and laughter. What kind of life do I lead anyway?
Irnor, who seemed almost physic sometimes, gave her a knowing smile. “You never had a chance of leading a life any less interesting than this, you know. Not with parents like yours and…”
She cocked an eyebrow at her Aunt. “So, you blame my parents? I don’t see things like this happening to two of my three siblings. Granted, the one who decided to be an intel agent for the Empire might, but…”
“But, as I was saying, between your parents and the talents you chose to hone, you never had a chance at anything less than…” She gestured broadly around her just as Uncle Kaz pulled out a small holo-picture projector and turned it on. A wide grin spread across his face as a ten-inch-tall projection of her parents flashed into being. She looked back and forth between him and her parents as he stood there lost in the moment. I don’t think I ever realized quite how massive Uncle is for a Venter. He is short for their kind, only slightly taller than Dad – and figuring out how much taller and broader than the average Human Dad is was weird – but UnkyKazzy is just as broad as Dad ever was. I guess it is a good thing they got on so well; they could have done some major damage to one another…
Almost as if in answer to her thoughts Uncle Kaz turned to her. “I think your mother was the fourth most beautiful woman ever laid eyes on… Except maybe you or some of my daughters; and I wouldn’t know that because I have you're-my-kin goggles.” He grinned and winked at her blush. "She was also one of the most wild and untamable woman I ever knew.” He seemed to wince as all motion in the room stopped as his wives and daughter all turned identical expressions – complete with single raised eyebrow – on him. “Hey, I said ‘one of.’ Present company excepted, of course… along with my sister and her daughter."
Several wads of paper flew through the air, accompanied by half-stifled giggles. Uncle Kaz pretended not to notice, but his widened grin ratted him out as he continued. “Anyway, I never would have believed any man could tame her… but I’d already met Henry.”
This time Julia felt her own eyebrow raise up. “You realize what my mother would do to you if she heard you even suggest her being 'tamed' right?”
He gave her one of the biggest grins she’d ever seen from him… one so very like the one her kid brother used over and over to get out of trouble: She suspected he’d taught it to the boy. “Of course, he didn’t tame her… he was too wise for that. He figured out how to hold on to her while still letting her be all that she was.” He turned back to the holo, but seemed to stare through it. “It can be hard, growing up with someone like that, to really understand how… how much that person is; and your father is one of the greatest people I have ever known... and your mother no less than him.”
A soft chuckle shook his shoulders and he turned to her with a lopsided grin. “Were you ever told the story about the day he and I met?”
An answering grin spoiled her groan as she answered. “You mean the day the two of you, in an instant, decided to conspire and see if you could give Uncle Enibal a double-cardiac-arrest right in the entry-way of this Embassy? Which version would you like me to recite: Yours, Dad’s, Mom’s, Uncle Enibal’s, Aunt Yoro’s, Aunt Golna’s, Aunt Irnor’s, or the one Aunty-Empress told me from watching the recordings?”
He laughed ruefully and have her a sideways look. “You’ve looked up those recordings, haven’t you?”
“Of course. As much as each of you have grown that tale in the telling I had to see the events it came from. It was… educational, to say the least.”
This time it Aunt Irnor chimed in. “I can imagine it was. Still, watching those two bluster at one anther was hilarious; watching them clash for the first time was intoxicating.” She shook her head. “Poor, poor Enibal, though. I think he really did nearly faint.”
They all laughed and Uncle Kaz put the projector on the mantel. He then did a small double-take and looked down at the fireplace below it at the same time he realized they’d run out of boxes. All it took was a gesture to his daughter and she was running for the lights while he toyed with the controls to get the fake fire set just right. “Pity you can’t have the real thing in here.”
“Oh, but I can.” She answered. “Human engineering, you know. There are scrubbers in the pipe to take offensive soot and things out of the air, but the pipe still gets blisteringly hot.”
Kaz’s eyes widened. “You mean… they put in real fireplaces just to frak with the Xaltan spies?”
She took a drink from her glass so she could give him a mischievous look over the lip and he shook his head. She brought the glass down and spoke. “I’m not answering that one, because we declared tonight to be No Business. That said it is a pity I don’t have any wood in here to burn, an actual fire would be perfect. Still, the projectors do a nice enough job.” She took a slow, deliberate inhale through her nose. “Even put a bit of the smell in the air.”
A small laugh went around the room, drinks got passed out, and everyone settled in. Julia took a sip of her drink and reveled in the burn of it before she spoke. “Thank you. Thank you all. I could have had the staff do this, of course, but they would have taken longer and asked a hundred questions. And, of course, it is not like you could come in here with your own staff. I’d have had IT in here every time a stray signal bounced off someone’s phone, just convinced they’d missed a bug. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you realized I’d have forgotten to ask someone to unpack my bags.
“Wait, no, I guess I’m not surprised, even though I’m a little surprised at myself for not having it done. This day really did get away from me.”
Aunt Irnor clucked her tongue. “You always were such a studious child, even with that double-dose of wild streak you – and your siblings of both races – inherited from your parents.” She made a dismissive gesture with one six-fingered hand. “Hardly a surprise that you forgot a personal detail.”
Aunt Yoro took off her glasses – a truly rare occurrence – and smiled at her. “But, enough of all that. You needed help, and friendly faces, and this needed done. Somehow it is always easier to do chores like that when you are doing them for those you care about than for yourself.” She shook her head, dark hair cascading behind her shoulders. “And, there I go. So, deliberate change of topic: You look so good! We haven’t seen you since… goodness!”
Julia raised her glass and smiled. “To the dearly departed late Empress, and her continued health!” Everyone raised their drinks, laughed, and joined in. She continued. “Yep, nearly ten years ago, at Grandmother’s State Funeral. We barely managed to squeeze a few hours to talk even then, with so much going on. How is the old bat handling retirement, anyway? From everything I’ve seen Aunt Leira has taken to the throne with minimal problems, but dropping the reigns of the Empire like that isn’t easy, even if you are supposed to be dead.”
wiki (Next)
NOTE: no longer putting in Patreon link here, because it puts up the image and I haven't looked into how to prevent it. If you would like to support the story, the Patreon link is on the wiki, and I appreciate it!
Book 1 publishing is running into snags, but it is coming. I am starting to fear it will require two Volumes.

Disk Space Occupied: 4,979.94 MB

Greetings, Dovah brethren.
I'm still evolving the mod list, so I'll gladly accept any suggestions on which mods I should replace, add, or remove, or if I'm missing any patches.
I used this guide to organize the load order. If you happen to have a better LO, feel free to suggest it.
The mod list stays completely true to the vanilla nature of Skyrim, only expanding on its game mechanics and immersion with overhauls, quality-of-life changes, and a crap-ton of additional content like Legacy of the Dragonborn, Interesting NPCs (3DNPC), and then some.

• NEW CONTENT
  
  • The mod list is tailored around Legacy of the Dragonborn, injecting over 200 hours of new gameplay into your Skyrim experience. This comprehensive mod breathes new life into the game, enriching it with immersive quests, unique artifacts, and a meticulously designed museum that serves as the focal point of your adventures.
  • Go on epic quests with mods like Moonpath to Elsweyr, Wyrmstooth, The Forgotten City, Moon & Stars, and more. These mods add massive new adventures, taking you to exciting new places and challenging you with thrilling quests that feel like official DLCs.
  • Interesting NPCs (3DNPC) offers tons of new characters throughout Skyrim, each with their own stories and voices. These NPCs breathe life into the game, making every encounter feel unique and immersive. With quality voice acting, they'll leave a lasting impression on your new journey through Skyrim.
• PERK & COMBAT OVERHAULS
  
  • Dive into a world of endless possibilities with a whopping total of 276 new perks. These additions open up a treasure trove of opportunities, allowing for a multitude of viable character builds.
  • Mods that make fighting and movement feel more natural, increasing the complexity of fights, and making them more interesting and challenging in an intuitive and balanced manner for all combat styles. It is highly recommended to bump up the difficulty to at least Adept, you wuss.
• HORSE & FOLLOWER OVERHAULS
  
  • Expanded barding and an encumbrance system with mobile storage make your trusty steed more than just a mode of transportation – it becomes a reliable companion capable of carrying your burdens, just like your housecarls. Additionally, you get mounted combat, training your horse's attributes, buying horses for your followers and customizing their appearance, and more.
  • You can have 32 customizable followers and up to 5 followers simultaneously. Level them up, equip them with tailored outfits and spells, and fine-tune their combat styles to suit your strategic preferences. Whether you prefer a balanced party or specialize in specific roles, the robust follower system offers unparalleled flexibility, giving you a feeling to CATCH 'EM ALL.
• SANDBOX & REPUTATION SYSTEM
  
  • Procedurally generated emergent gameplay that utilizes the radian quest system, creating the ultimate sandbox feeling with endless opportunities for countless role-play experiences.
  • Different choices have different consequences. Your character will gradually earn fame or infamy, affecting your relationship with factions that can level up, expand territory, secure resources, and be slain, completely independent of the player.

LOAD ORDER

MASTER FILES

• Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch [USSEP] (381.35 MB)
• Legacy of the Dragonborn (870.08 MB)
• Interesting NPCs (3DNPC) Part 1 (1,005.9 MB)
• Wyrmstooth (286.61 MB)
• Enhanced AI Framework (3.2 MB)
• Organic Factions SSE (8.7 MB)
• Simple Workaround Framework (6.92 MB)

FOUNDATION

• Unofficial Creation Club Updates - October Pack [XB1] (122.32 KB)
• Unofficial Creation Club Updates - Dwarven Armored Mudcrab [XB1] (9.15 KB)
• Legacy of the Dragonborn / Hall of Wonders and Anniversary Edition Patches (99.39 MB)
• Legacy of the Dragonborn Museum Exterior Fixes (405.8 KB)
• Legacy of the Dragonborn / Wyrmstooth Patch (103.11 KB)
• Cutting Room Floor (11.49 MB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Cutting Room Floor Patch (99.69 KB)
• Interesting NPCs (3DNPC) Part 2 (475.88 MB)
  • LOTD / Interesting NPCs Patch (186.79 MB)
• Cheat Room (XB1) (1.28 MB)
  • Telekinesis Arrow Added Fix (2.46 KB)
• Guard Dialogue Overhaul (XB1) (2.23 MB)

USER INTERFACE

• Lore-Based Loading Screens [XB1] (56.36 KB)
• SkyHUD - Dissonance Preset by Fhaarkas (470.59 KB)
• Atlas Map Markers SE (387.44 KB)
• Quest Eraser -- Remove Quest Objectives from Your Journal (35.93 KB)

QUEST ALTERATIONS

• The Choice is Yours (1.42 MB)
  • The Choice Is Yours - AE Patch (114.02 KB)
  • LOTD / The Choice is Yours Patch (28.94 KB)
• Even Better Quest Objectives - EBQO SE [XB1] (959.6 KB)
  • Even Better Quest Objectives - Cutting Room Floor Patch (16.05 KB)
• The Paarthurnax Dilemma (1.04 MB)
  • Even Better Quest Objectives - Paarthurnax Dilemma Patch (3.5 KB)
• Stones of Barenziah Quest Markers [XB1] (15.46 KB)

CRAFTABLES

• Aetherium Armor and Weapons Compilation[XB1] (79.34 MB)
  • LOTD / Aetherium Armor And Weapons Compilation Patch (1.48 MB)
• Bandolier: Bags and Pouches Classic XB1 (21.16 MB)
• Cloaks of Skyrim [XB1] (95.55 MB)
  • LOTD - Cloaks of Skyrim Retextured Patch (850.85 KB)
• Wearable Lanterns [XB1] (3.22 MB)
• Ars Metallica (258 KB)
  • LOTD / Ars Metallica Patch (927 Bytes)

GAME MECHANICS

• Morningstar - Minimalistic Races of Skyrim [XB1] (36.49 KB)
• Sacrilege - Minimalistic Vampires of Skyrim [XB1] (3.39 MB)
• Growl - Werebeasts of Skyrim [XB1] (707.21 KB)
• Evenstar - Minimalistic Standing Stones of Skyrim [XB1] (95.21 KB)
• Summermyst - Enchantments of Skyrim [XB1] (10.32 MB)
• Convenient Horses [XB1] (52.88 MB)
• Amazing Follower Tweaks (14.97 MB)
• Zim's Immersive Artifacts (21.96 MB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Zim's Immersive Artifacts Patch (2.82 KB)
• Enhanced Atronachs - With Levelling and Luminosity (50.12 KB)
• Wear Multiple Rings (18.72 KB)
• Circlets with Mage Hoods [XB1] (9.97 KB)
• Unread Books Glow SSE (102.95 KB)
  • LOTD / Unread Books Glow Patch (350 Bytes)

PERK OVERHAULS

• 50 pct More Perk Points [XB1] (2.53 KB)
• Vokrii - Minimalistic Perks of Skyrim [XB1] (1.87 MB)

MAGIC ADDITIONS AND OVERHAULS

• Odin - Skyrim Magic Overhaul [XB1] (45.94 MB)
  • Odin - Vokrii Compatibility Patch [XB1] (78.46 KB)
• Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim [XB1] (72.53 MB)
  • Apocalypse - Vokrii Compatibility Patch [XB1] (11 KB)

ITEM AND LOOT LEVELED LIST

• LOTD Collectors and Vendors (163.87 KB)
• Dynamic Dungeon Loot (DDL) [XBOX ONE] (1.82 MB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Dynamic Dungeon Loot (DDL Patch) (10.48 KB)

WEATHEATMOSPHERE

• 2021 Obsidian Weathers and Seasons (2.59 MB)

LANDSCAPE

• Bigger Trees (3 MB)
• Darker Distant LOD Lite (1.88 MB)
• Treeslod_23 [XB1] (3.62 MB)
• [XB1] Insignificant Object Remover (1.42 KB)

COMBAT

• Wildcat - Combat of Skyrim [XB1] (640.05 KB)
• Half Stamina While Blocking (601 Bytes)

SKELETON

• Visible Favorited Gear (6.25 KB)
• XP32 Maximum Skeleton+Realistic Ragdolls and Force (1.97 MB)
• Belt-Fastened Quivers - XPMSSE Edition (330.82 KB)
  • BOLT QUIVER FIX Belt Fastened Quivers (241.77 KB)
• R.A.S.S. (Shaders and Effects) (25.54 MB)

IDLES AND ANIMATIONS

• Immersive Movement (8.38 KB)
• The Ultimate Dodge Mod - XP32 Compatible (11.97 MB)
• VioLens - A Killmove Mod SE [XB1] (1.25 MB)
• Athletik Combat - Realistic Movement and Dodging (3.98 KB)

RE-TEXTURE

• LeanWolf's Better-Shaped Weapons SE XBox (24.12 MB)
• aMidianborn: Book of Silence 1k (175.89 MB)

AI

• Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul [XB1] (6.23 MB)
• Realistic Conversations ( XB1 ) (3.89 KB)
• Realistic AI Detection Medium [XB1] (4.25 KB)
• Skyrim Reputation (81.17 MB)
• YOU DON'T KNOW ME - No NPC Greetings [XB1] (258 Bytes)

NPC IMMERSION

• Diverse Guards Skyrim for Xbox One (18.21 MB)

LIGHTING

• Legacy of The Dragonborn - Lighting Mod (6.71 KB)

AREA EDITS

• Legacy Safehouse Plus (150.49 KB)
• LOTD Follower Room Fireplace Add-on (4.07 KB)
• LOTD Vanilla Player Homes Displays (10.01 MB)
• The Notice Board [XB1] (2.83 MB)
  • LOTD / Notice Board Patch (88.62 KB)
• Missives (1.18 MB)
• Glowing Ore Veins 300 (7.11 MB)
• Bridges of Skyrim[XB1] (2.72 MB)
• Point The Way (1.11 MB)
• Master The Summit [XB1] (676.85 KB)
• [XB1]Lampposts of Skyrim: Special Edition (319.4 KB)
• Carriage Stops of Skyrim XB1 (112.5 KB)
  • Carriage Stops of Skyrim - Survival Mode Patch (983 Bytes)
• [XB1] skyBirds - Airborne Perching Birds (18.56 MB)
• [XB1] Birds of Skyrim (24.27 MB)
• [XB1] Birds And Flocks (454.87 KB)

UNIQUE ITEMS ADDED TO LOCATIONS

• Royal Armory - New Artifacts SE XB1 Edition (3.22 MB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Royal Armory Patch (32.02 KB)
• Books Books Books [XB1] (1.08 MB)
  • LOTD / Books Books Books Patch (21.03 KB)

QUESTS

• The Forgotten City [XB1] (133.44 MB)
  • LOTD - The Forgotten City Patch (308.05 KB)
• Moonpath to Elsweyr SSE (111.37 MB)
  • LOTD / Moonpath to Elsweyr Patch (5.42 MB)
• Moon and Star - XB1 (66.61 MB)
  • Moon and Star: Immersion Patch - XB1 (109.49 KB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Moon and Star Patch (9.06 MB)
• Konahrik's Accoutrements [XB1] (90.79 MB)
  • Legacy of the Dragonborn / Konahrik's Accoutrements Patch (617.49 KB)
• Glamoril - The Maze of Labyrinthian (146.32 MB)
  • LOTD / Glamoril - The Maze Of Labyrinthian Patch (996 Bytes)
• Skyrim Sewers Bundle (32.49 MB)
  • LOTD - Skyrim Sewers Patch (9.87 MB)
• Faction: Pit Fighter (30.38 MB)

MAP

• A Clear Map Of Skyrim And Other Worlds - No Roads & No Clouds Edition (9.52 MB)

BOTTOM LOAD ORDER

• Command Your FoV (6.5 KB)
• Alternate Start - Live Another Life (9.23 MB)
  • Even Better Quest Objectives - Alternate Start - Live Another Life Patch [XB1] (9.53 KB)
  • Relic Hunter- Guildmaster Start (LOTD Alternate Start Option) (8.66 MB)
• Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO [XB1] (113.81 MB)
  • RDO - AFT Patch [XB1] (174.13 KB)
  • RDO - CRF + USSEP Patch [XB1] (7 KB)

INSTALLATION

First, you have to uninstall everything and clear the cache. Here is how you do it.
Press the Xbox Home Button and navigate to My Games & Apps > See All > Games. Press the settings menu on Skyrim and navigate to Manage Game and Add-Ons > Saved Data > Reserved Space and erase it.
Now physically press and hold the Xbox console power button until it completely shuts down, unplug the power cable, and wait a whole minute. This clears the console's cache and ensures mods are deleted properly and ghost space does not exist.
Using your computer or mobile device go to the main Bethesda website, remove everything from the Library and Bookmarks, and then add everything from this mod list.
Go back to the game and open Creations, wait for everything to load properly, ensure all the Anniversary Edition content is downloaded, press the settings button, and click Download all Creations in my Library. This will download all the mods one by one. Make a cup of coffee. Once the download is done, organize the load order according to this post.
!!! IMPORTANT !!!
When you start a new save, stay inside the prison room until you configure all the mods to prevent conflicts. I suggest creating a hard save for each race inside the prison room once you finish configuring, to avoid wasting time doing it all over again.

KNOWN ISSUES

If you have any questions, I highly recommend visiting the Discord server Vaults of Ysgramor.

• Konahrik's Accoutrements:
  
  • When fighting the dragon priests they appear purple due to lack of textures. The Legacy of the Dragonborn / Konahrik's Accoutrements Patch causes the issue. The only workaround I can think of is disabling the patch when you start a new save and enabling it only after you finish everything that has to do with Konahrik's Accoutrements.
• Sewers of Skyrim:
  
  • You need to disable LOTD - Skyrim Sewers Patch for the Steel Dragon Claw to appear in the sewers of Solitude. You can re-enable it when you pick up the dragon claw.
• Hearthfire:
  
  • When building in Windstad Manor, everything instead appeared in Lakeview Manor. This might be caused by a mod that alters the spawn points for these houses. I read online that Birds of Skyrim or the other two might be responsible. I'm checking it out.
• Amazing Follower Tweaks:
  
  • When changing cells the followers sometimes appear naked. You either wait till they come to their senses or unequip and re-equip a single piece of gear. This is most probably caused by toggling the equipment manager.
• Convenient Horses:
  
  • When fast traveling or using "Call Horse" power your previously used horse (not all of them) is also summoned. I'm trying to search the internet for solutions.

I’m not quite sure how to do this. I guess I should Introduce myself first. My name is George McGregor, I live over in South Bend. Thinking about it, this can be viewed from all over the world so most of you probably don’t know where South Bend is. Sorry, it's not important. Anyway, I am posting this because I desperately need advice. I really, really need to get someone out of my house. Before half of you suggest things that I’ve already tried maybe I should elaborate on the situation. Have you ever had an unwanted house guess. You know the type. They come over uninvited, just come into your home and next thing you know it’s like they live there. I mean the nerve of some people. I called the police they told me it’s out of their jurisdiction. I tried an eviction lawyer they told me that my case isn’t covered under the law due to “special circumstances.” I tried a Priest and was informed that this couldn’t be done by conventional exorcism, and then he had the unmitigated gall to suggest I call the police. My apologies, I’m off on a tangent again. This situation just has me on edge. I think I’ll just start at the beginning, that might be easier, or at least intelligible.
About three months ago a dark spot appeared on my bedroom wall. Naturally I cleaned it off. The next day it was back, so of course I cleaned it again. The next day it returned again. This time it was larger. I tried bleach, I tried cleanser, I even painted over it. It just kept coming back, and every time it did, it was bigger, and it was darker. After a week it was about three feet wide and five feet tall. I swear when you glanced at it from the corner of your eye, it felt like you could see into it. One night when I was sleeping, I was woken by a noise. I searched and I searched for the source. It was a crackling sound almost like wood in a fireplace. I finally realized It was coming from the dark spot on the wall. I moved closer trying to make out what could be making that awful sound emanating from my wall. Then I saw movement. It wasn’t like movement on the wall, it was more like movement as viewed through an opening. I stepped back confused by what I was seeing then it stopped, it was just a dark spot on the wall again. So, I decided I would call someone tomorrow to come out and cut out the bad drywall and replace it. That should get rid of this mold or whatever it is.
After talking to seven different contractors just to hear the same “our earliest availability is Friday.” I gave up and made an appointment. It would have to wait two more days. At least I had a plan. With that done I proceeded with my daily routine, had dinner, and figured after being up most of the previous night hitting the hay a little early couldn’t hurt. I was feeling better but still exhausted, so I crawled into bed. Evidently, I wasn’t exhausted enough to sleep through the noise when it started again. I threw off the covers, turned on the lamp that sat on the nightstand, and stomped over to the wall. More specifically the rather large dark spot on the wall. “What! What do you want!” I shouted. All at once I heard a voice. Not like the voice of someone standing right in front of me but like that of a person back inside a cave. One word reverberating and deep. One word stretched beyond its normal pronunciation. It was a resounding, “ooouuuutt.” “Out, you want out. Well, you wouldn’t need to get you out if you weren’t stuck in my wall in the first place, now would you. A crew will be here Friday to cut you out of there. If you can’t wait till, then I'll call the fire department to get you out. Now if you don’t mind keeping it down I neeeeeed to get some sleep.” I was no longer scolding a dark spot on the wall but a cavernous opening in the wall.
I turned to stomp back to my bed when I heard a ripping sound. I quickly spun back around glaring at this thing that was so defiant, then a hand slid out gripping one side of the hole with a wet slap. It was jet black as were its fingernails. It’s neatly manicured, shiny, onyx fingernails. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have noticed if they hadn’t stood out in stark contrast to the talon like claws, I was expecting to see. “Humph” I muttered. The other hand slowly emerged to grip the other side of the hole. Next came a head followed by its neck and shoulders. A foot stepped out bringing the attached leg with it. Then finally the other foot. This person was standing right before me, his naked body covered only by this black gooey substance that was running down his body as slow as maple syrup, right, on, to, my floor.
“I’m free, free from the abyss at last.” He cried triumphantly in a booming voice.” I stared at the shiny tar-like substance pooling on my bedroom floor at his feet then up at him. “Seriously! You put a hole in my wall, you mess up my floor, and worst of all you come sauntering into my home like you own the place.” “It’s a portal” he retorted snidely. “Whyyy is there a portal in my wall. Surely you could have gone somewhere other than my bedroom.” He looked at me hesitantly the stuttered “I, I don’t know. It’s just where it opened too. Did you try summoning a demon or attempt speaking with the devil.” “What! No.” I replied. “Did you mess with time travel or sleep with a corpse.” “No.” “Are you a witch or a sorcerer.” No. “Oh I got it, maybe you, umm, maybe you. Yea, I've got nothing. I was trying to escape when I found this portal. I used it to escape, and boom. This is where it led me.”
So. You're telling me. That a portal just appeared leading to my bedroom. and you thought it would be ok to just see where it went.” He looked dumbfounded then hesitantly answered, “Well, yes. I mean. Look, there aren’t a lot of choices. I needed to escape. So yes, I took it.” “And who said you could take a portal to my house? Did someone invite you? ““well, no, I mean.” I cut him off abruptly, “Who are you anyway?” He winced as he replied, “I’m a demon. Veroso to be exact. Now I know what you're going to say, but I’m actually a good demon.” “Oh, you're a good demon.” “Now you're just being racist.” “What, no. Everybody knows demons are bad.” “Ok, but I don’t want to be.” I should have just booted him out right there and then, but I just had to ask. “Tell me then what do you want to be?” The demon Veroso suddenly looked like a shy little child. “A baker. I want to make beautiful cakes and tasty treats. I want to make deliciously warm puffy pastries.” “Seriously, are you any good at it.” “I’m fantastic but they only last a short time because things rot after I've touched them. Hey! It will go away though. The longer I’m in this plain the more human I’ll become and then all the demon type stuff will go away.” He replied with a big stupid looking grin on his face. “The longer you're in this plane?” “Yes, I just need a place to stay for a few days until I can get on my feet.” “A place to, oh no, no, no, no.”
“Just a few days” I sighed, turning to grab him some clothes and a towel. I left them by the sink in the bathroom then grabbed some garbage bags to lay out on the floor as a makeshift pathway to the bathroom. “Take a shower, clean the mess on the floor there. And don't leave a mess in the shower.” I don’t know why I let him stay but here we are three months later and he’s still here. He doesn’t pay for anything; he doesn’t even have a job yet. Although I have to admit now that food doesn’t rot when he touches it, he is one hell of a baker. Does anyone have any Ideas. Maybe someone could hire him then he can get his own place. Maybe one of you needs a roommate, of course that takes us back to someone hiring him so he can pay rent. Anyway, I’ll be waiting eagerly for suggestions please.
I was surprised with the response I received, thank you. Some suggestions definitely sound like they are worth a try. As for some of the Questions, no he hasn’t tried to steal my soul and or possess me. No, he hasn’t set any fires or tried to sacrifice anyone, do demons even sacrifice people? He did attempt to eat the neighbor's cat once but since we had a talk, he’s been leaving the neighborhood pets alone. No, he hasn’t asked if I know any virgins, that’s just rude. This one’s for Joey, you talked me into it. I went ahead and asked if he knew the demon who was involved in the Annabel doll. I was surprised to find out the answer is yes. He shuddered when I asked and said he would under no circumstances speak his name then added, “That dude is one seriously screwed up individual.”
Next question, I have no idea if he floats when he sleeps, I don’t watch him in bed, and before anyone asks, he sleeps in his own bed. I swear I don’t know where some of your minds are at. Yes, I have assigned him chores, he’s taken to doing them very well. I realize that kind of validates him living here but he was driving me nuts. He’s like a big kid and I really had no plans of being a single father especially to a demon, person, thingy. Last question, I’ll try to answer more later. I’m not sure that this has to do with anything but here we go, he likes pepperoni on his pizza, he seldom eats fish says it reminds him of Jesus, and no he’s not currently seeing anyone. Why do I get the feeling the last part was all you really wanted to ask. Anyway, thank you again for your suggestions. I’ll post an update tomorrow.
So, I attempted some of your suggestions, and in case anyone was wondering, yes demons can cry. He did laugh at two of the ideas, and said I was just being silly. The last one worked out the worst, maybe my delivery was all wrong, I don’t know. I think I have a solution though. I own some property, several pieces actually. I quit renting any of them out mostly because I decided I really didn’t want to deal with anybody. I’ve reconsidered that position and decided to start renting again. The extra capital will go towards a little venture I have planned. One of the commercial properties I own was a small restaurant. I figured I would have it remodeled and re outfitted so it can double as a bakery. I can hire a cook, some servers, and other necessary staff. Being an accountant, I can manage the place and take care of the books. That leaves the demon whose name is actually Varosu turns out I’ve been spelling it wrong this whole time. Anyway, I’ll hire Varosu to be the head baker. There’s living quarters above the restaurant, so he’ll have a place to stay other than my house. I understand that this kind of ties us together even further, but I think it will at least be a step in the right direction. I mean his baked goods are incredible, and he’s very creative.
Renovations have started, and Varosu is like a kid that can’t wait for Christmas. I know how that sounds considering what he is, sorry. So, he’s super excited, and I may be slightly interested in this new business. One section will be the bakery. And the other half will be a restaurant. If this goes well, I may even retire. I’ll keep you posted and of course you will all be invited to the grand opening. I’m thinking of running a special for all of you who are too far to make it. We could ship some of his tasty treats to you if you want to give them a try.
Here’s the update I promised. I have to admit I’m actually much more excited about this than I thought I would be. I’ve honestly enjoyed putting this thing together. Who would have thought I had a creative side? The grand opening is this Saturday, and I can’t wait. A consultant I’ve been working with talked me into a website for the business. We had a professional photographer take photos of Vars creations. The web page looks incredible. I decided to name the restaurant after Varosu since I've built it around his baking. the web page is Varosu.com, the restaurant is Varosu cuisine, and then there is Vars Bakery. Hope to see some of you there. I’ll be back with an update after the weekend.
Well, the opening went way better than I had hoped. I may have to add on to the building if we get that many people on other occasions. It was great seeing a few of you there and getting to meet you in person. For the rest of you thank you for your support, you’ve been great. Also, the company Instagram has been updated, so you can check out pictures there. It started off slow, but it seems that the people who came liked the treats so much they were calling everybody they knew about it. Next thing we knew the place was packed. We got good reviews on the food but the reviews on the baked goods and treats were off the chart. In other news two people went missing in our town. One male and one female. They were both married but the popular opinion is that they were having an affair and ran off together. Still the thought of people going missing in the town I live in makes me uneasy. Probably nothing.
So, it's been a week and the restaurant is doing well, better than you would expect this early on. I credit it mostly to the bakery. The bakery is booming and some of the people coming to the bakery are grabbing a bite at the restaurant while they're here. I’m not complaining, I mean it works. All and all if business doesn’t fall off too much as time goes on, I think we’ll be fine. Fine may have been an understatement, we’ll be doing great. That being said I was reading through the comments and a good point was brought up. My head Baker is a demon. Considering that, could his being a demon be responsible for our success and what would that mean for me since I’m reaping the benefits? I’ve done a thorough job looking into this and I have found nothing.
I asked Var about his being a demon having anything to do with success. He replied in an offended tone at first “Absolutely not, and if you remember I wasn’t very good at being a demon to begin with. You’ve seen and tasted my product.” I tried to smooth things out quickly feeling ashamed for some reason, “I know it's just that people are asking and now I can honestly tell them I’ve spoken to you about it. Also, because your treats are so good it's hard to believe anyone could have made them.” He perked up at this and explained, “It’s all about the ingredients Georgey.” I hate it when he calls me that, but he had my curiosity. “What’s special about your ingredients?” I asked. “Well, I usually use top shelf ingredients with a few exceptions where average everyday brands work better. The biggest thing is a group I like to call the fat family. Things like lard, fat, oils derived from them, and the special butter I make from them. You can’t skimp on that, and it should be fresh for the best results.” His answer made sense to me. He was good at baking, he was creative, and he didn’t skimp on the ingredients. This left me feeling a little better about things, so I was actually glad we had this talk.
I was going to post an update and answer some more questions today, but something came up that’s been bothering me. Not about the business or Varosu, all of that is going splendidly well. It’s the town I live in. It’s always been considered such a safe place, but three more people have gone missing in the last few weeks. While there could be a reasonable explanation, five people disappearing in a month is suspicious. Our community is starting to fear that we have a kidnapper in our midst. Possibly even a serial killer, although their bodies haven’t been found so at this point, we don’t even know if they’re dead. What is the world coming to? I warned Var to be careful. I know he’s a demon but as he pointed out he wasn’t very good at it. Besides he’s been on this plane long enough that he’s almost completely human now, and he’s always been childlike. I will post an update this week and answer more questions. Tonight, I’m going to a community meeting about what’s been happening.
Time for that update. I know last week I promised one later in the week, but it's been super hectic. Business has gone up exponentially. The more people go to the bakery the more people eat at the restaurant. I had a patio built to offer outside dining until I can expand the dining area. I had to do something we were turning people away we were so full. We started taking reservations two days ago and we are already booked solid for the next six weeks. The new perk is if you eat at the restaurant you can order from the bakery, and it will be delivered to your table before you leave. You see if you want to just go to the bakery you have to wait in line, a line that wraps all the way around the block. Although you can order online and have it delivered or shipped to you as well. I had to hire four delivery drivers, one baker, two more assistant bakers, one person who just handles shipping, three more servers and two more people for the bakery counter. I even had to rent a kitchen trailer to put out back so we would be able to keep up with production and it's still not enough. I may open a second location, at least for the bakery. Still Varosu Needs time to train more bakers in his recipes and creations. On top of that he needs more time to make the oil, lard, and butter. I guess having too many customers is a good sign though.
Now for the questions. I’ve decided to number my answers to make it less confusing. It would take way too long to type every question and then the answer. My apologies but I hope this will suffice. 1. I’ll start here because I feel this Is more important than the business. As to the progress and status of the missing persons investigations. Four more people went missing in the last eight days. Not one body has been recovered, assuming there are bodies. I mean I try to be positive and hope that they’ll be found alive. Unfortunately, there have been no witnesses, no leads, and no evidence. All they know for sure is that one day there here and the next day nobody has seen them. There personal affects, their vehicles, even the money in their bank accounts are completely untouched. I’m beginning to seriously worry; this has gotten out of hand. My prayers go out to the missing and their families. 2. Yes, we are still hiring. 3. Yes, Varosu does custom cakes as well as other custom treats. If you go on our web page you can select what you would like to order i.e., cake, cupcake, cookies, or anything else on the menu including some of Vars own dessert creations. Next you would select quantity. After that you will see three buttons in the upper right click on the one that says customize and follow the instructions. You can upload pictures or drawings and input descriptions and comments. 3. No, I do not know the secret to Vars butter and oils, and I don’t think he would be interested in selling his trade secret, but I will discuss this with him. It might not hurt to consider offering franchise opportunities, after all he’s almost completely human now and like all humans he can only be so many places at once. Franchising would be the next best thing. 4. Yes, the deserts you’ve never seen anywhere else are of Varosus creation. He also does some amazing flavor combinations if you're feeling adventurous.
Although I am truly blessed to have so much business that a second location is in the works as well as expansion of our current location. However, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the eight more people that have gone missing in the last week. I don’t see how this can continue, I can’t see how there could be this many victims and still not one shred of evidence. Neighborhood watch has been increased. Extra officers have been brought on. Nearby towns have even assigned some of their officers to temporary duty in our town. I think they fear it will spread to their town if the perpetrator isn’t caught soon. I was hoping that the person responsible would move on. Then I took it back quickly, realizing how horrible I was for wishing this away to someone else’s town, making this someone else’s problem. No, we needed to catch the suspect and catch him here. He can never be allowed to become someone else’s problem. In other news I will be interviewing all week for anyone who is interested. And yes, we offer international shipping. Be safe out there guys. More updates soon. Thank you for all your support and patronage.
I had a conversation with Var this morning. We will be closed for the holiday at least this year. We need to restructure a little bit. Things are growing faster than we had anticipated. Also, Var informed me that he may need to start shopping for some of the ingredients out of town. He’s afraid the supply will begin dwindling if he stays local, especially with the increased demand. I think I need to take care of something. Sorry for cutting this short.
“Var, could I speak to you in private please.” “Of course, is something wrong Georgey?” “That all depends. When you say getting ingredients locally are you referring to the local people, the missing people?” “What, no I would never.” “Really? Because when you mentioned demand increasing, something occurred to me. As business has increased so has the number of people disappearing that very same week.” “I’m flabbergasted, my feelings are hurt that you would think, yea ok I’ve been harvesting humans for their fat.” “Not just humans, local humans Var. is there anything else I should know?” “No, I think that about covers it.” “Var, are you sure?” “Yes, definitely sure. Everything else is exactly as I’ve said. That was the one secret ingredient.” “I haven’t made a pack with the devil or anything by hiring you?” “God no, sorry father. Scouts honor, that’s everything.” “oookkk. Var. are you out of your mind. I mean I know you're a demon but c’mon. Do you know how bad this is? Those people are local, they’re our customers for Pete’s sake.” “Well yea, I thought about that and that’s why I’m going to start going to the next town over.” “Nooooo. The next town over, have you completely lost your mind. From now on this is how it's going to go. You're going to spread it out across the country, one here, one there. You’ll get a month’s supply then stop for a few weeks. Never anywhere close to home unless I say otherwise. Are we clear?” “Got it, no hunting the customers, and spread out the shopping to attract less attention.” Var said with a huge smile and a big thumbs up. Meanwhile I shook my head and rubbed my temples. Like I said I didn’t have plans to be a single father especially to a demon, but someone needs to mentor him.
Hey guys, I’m back with the latest update on Vars Bakery. We will be offering franchises but in a very limited quantity. Vars secret ingredients will be delivered to franchises. The recipe will remain Vars trade secret. Construction on the second location and the expansion project for Varosus Cuisine are both complete. We’ve hired contractors to handle some of the shopping, figured outsourcing would give Var more time to run the bakery. And really big news. Varosu signed the papers today, he is now co-owner as well as bakery manager and head baker. We’ll be celebrating the grand opening of Vars 2, the second location. As always, you’ve been great I really. I’m sorry weee really appreciate all your support. You guys are awesome. We couldn’t have done it without you, some more than others. Have a good night, be safe, and we’ll be waiting for you at Vars bakery. Don’t forget to check out Varosus Cuisine.

I start:
Zero: I can beat first slow zombies in the train then slipping from the roof and then maybe finished with a cold in a ditch (15-20 minutes?)
1: Maybe I can resist first slow zombies. Then diying with the cerberus whistle in the mouth while taking green plants in the balcony (30-40 minutes)
2: falled in the cracking floor in the library then crushed between the crick and the libraries (20 -30 minutes?)
3: died by cardio in the first streets (5-15 minutes)
4: poisoned by the soup in the first cabin. If not like this, I barricade myself in the shotgun house untile they reach me (10-15 minutes)
5/6: instant quit because of shitty game
7: died in a swamp or stucked in the fireplace until stepsis found me(5-10 minutes)
8: beated by mia in domestic violence. Or maybe stumb down the mountaines while reaching the village. No chances with wolfmans for shure
I think winner can be 3 or 7

First / Previous / Next
Riven grimaced as another torpedo exploded far too close to the tiny vessel, she was aiding what was left of the Alandran crew through the retreat from the Oort Cloud. Three chaff torpedoes left, after that, they would be defenseless. “Shields down to twenty five percent Captain. I don’t think we’re going to make it to the planetary defenses.”
Captain Jan’Inar gritted her teeth and tapped on the arm controls of her command chair, “Engineering, tell me we have the ripple drive back up?” There was no response from her request.
“Captain, the chief engineer is dead, and the ship is so riddled with holes and fires I doubt communications are reaching engineering.” Riven said with a sigh. Then was forced to launch two chaff missiles towards the four enemy missiles that were bearing down on the Rivendell with monstrous acceleration.
The torpedoes attempted to corkscrew around their interceptor, but their dim AI’s were no match for Riven, who detonated the bomb pumped masers through the defractors with millimeter precision over three kilometers away, reducing them to slag. “We have one chaff torpedo left Captain, no ripple drive, half the crew is out of the fight.”
She watched as Captain Jan’Inar looked down through the floor monitors, the hulk of the Isengard was three hundred kilometers in the Z axis. “Riven, get us to the Isengard, use whatever maneuvering is necessary.”
Riven shrugged internally, she didn’t see how getting to the wreck would help, they were still ahead of the last two Trinar scout vessels, but hiding amongst the wreckage wouldn’t help. “Aye Captain, making for the wreck.”
A giant explosion appeared in one of the starboard monitors, one of the ones that wasn’t flickering off and on that is. “What the hell was that?” Jan’Inar asked Riven.
It took her a mil to process the incoming data, half her external sensors were either gone or malfunctioning. “That was the Trinar cruiser’s reactor exploding from nearly five light minutes away, the Missive managed to take her out, but she’s heavily damaged.”
Looking in the forward view screen the wreckage that was once Isengard was coming up fast, “Captain, we will arrive at the wreckage in twelve seconds, what do you want to do?”
The Captain sat back in her chair and answered, “Take us under the wreckage and put it between us our pursuers. Force them to go around the wreckage, and when they do, use the last chaff torpedo to hit one of the four fusion reactors of the Isengard.”
Riven smiled, that was Alex level deviousness. Also, quite a problem, three ships on different vectors, one near stationary wreck, and then the torpedo itself, which isn’t designed for precision, more like a shotgun blast. She cranked her frame-rate to maximum and her ship VR faded to just raw windows. Even at her maximum processing speed the calculations took agonizing milliseconds.
“Firing chaff torpedo three now!” The heavily damaged ship shuddered a bit as the last torpedo roared from its launch tube. It took nearly three seconds to reach the wreckage and detonate, an eternity to Riven. She watched as the bomb pumped masers sliced through the containment bottle, releasing the hellish energy and pressure at the heart of a star.
The explosion turned the wreckage into atoms, then lanced out in a sphere engulfing both Trinar ships in white hot plasma, obliterating them in the maelstrom. Then the shockwave from the explosion lashed out into space in every direction at the speed of light. The Rivendell was struck from behind, the ship staggered, her torch drives melted, and the lights went out.
_________________________________
Kara ended the simulation, both Alandran ships returned to normal operating duty. She opened up a channel to both Captains, letting Izzy and Riven broadcast her report to the crews. “First the good news, the enemy fleet was destroyed and the Missive and Rivendell survived to fight another day. Now the bad news, the Isengard was lost with all hands, which could have been avoided if you both stuck together and allowed your point defenses to overlap. All this means we’re going to be running another simulation tomorrow.”
She could hear both crews groan at the announcement before she continued, “I will be providing Riven and Izzy with the battlefield data, I expect you all to spend the next few hours going over where you could do better.”
Then Alex’s face appeared on all monitors in both ships, “We beat them this time, but I won’t be satisfied until we beat them every time. Go over the after action reports, come up with some new ideas, and get some rest before we tackle this again tomorrow. Also, I want to congratulate the crew of the Rivendell for lateral thinking.” Then the monitors all reverted back to their normal duty.
Alex looked over to Kara, “They’re getting better.”
Kara nibbled at a chip, “They’re not getting better fast enough. We know what we’re dealing with when it comes to the Howron ships, but the Trinar as you’ve taken to calling them are still a complete mystery. They may be even more dangerous than we’ve extrapolated them to be.”
Alex rubbed the back of his neck, “And they may be far weaker than we think, look, we can only do the best we can. We can’t really fault the Isengard crew, they’re even greener than the Rivendell.”
Kara nodded walking around the buffet table, “I’m really worried Alex, we have three ships at the moment, two of them with new crews and new AI’s. The forth will be online in a week, and I need to start focusing on producing and training a new AI.”
Alex held her lightly around the waist, “Getting the forth ship and it’s AI up is more important than these simulations, I’ll deal with them, you do what you do best?”
“Play Mother to everyone?” She asked?
Alex grinned down to her, “Well someone has to be the adult around here, and it ain’t gonna be me.”
She looked up to him, “They listen to you more than you know.”
“Poor kids.” He said as he leaned down to kiss her.
Kara spun away from his embrace and went back to the holo-tank, “Speaking of adults, it looks like we finally received an error free scan of Kel’Taraan’s mind.”
Alex came up beside her to look into the holo, it showed the docking area where the ships repair crew would normally be housed during refits. In the common area sat the Stasis pods with Kel’Taraan and Mon’Kelron, the former of which had received the medical nanobots that would repair her internal damage while she stayed in stasis, they were nearly done repairing the damage.
He turned to Kara, “Have we finished constructing the matrix yet?”
Kara shook her head, “Four failed attempts, today will be attempt number five, I’ve slowed down the print head on the auto factory to it’s lowest rate, in a few hours it will be done, then I have to put it through pass/fail checks and cross my fingers.”
Alex sighed, “Yeah, they told me about the hardest thing for an auto factory to make was the print heads for another auto factory, something biological, or a replicant matrix. Makes sense that we’d have difficulty now, as we build in space, not a sterile lab environment.”
Kara swiped at the holo, showing a video of the construction process of the matrix. “If this one doesn’t work I may have to build a lab around an auto factory and provide the gravity and sterile environment, these things take forever to construct.”
Alex studied the table for a snack, “Oh, you think we may have more matrix’s to build in the future?”
Kara looked over to Alex a little exasperated, “Once the genie is out of the bottle, I expect we may find we need to make quite a few of these.”
He rubbed his chin in thought, “We’ve asked Kel’Taraan to keep the knowledge of replication secret, I’m pretty sure she’ll do so.”
She looked back at him shaking her head, “You know as well as I do that something like this won’t stay secret forever.”
Alex nodded and sighed as he looked down, “Yeah, you’re right. Something will slip, intentionally or unintentionally. Best plan for it in the future.”
“And that brings up the next question, what do we do with Mon’Kelron?” Kara asked.
Alex looked at Kara a bit confused, “We let the medical nannites finish working on her and we keep her on ice until we can drop her back off on the planet.”
Kara shook her head, “No, that will stir up even more suspension in the Alandrans, who already think we are mysterious. She needs to be let out for observation or something before we put her back into stasis.”
“Well, you’re busy getting the new AI up and running and getting the matrix built, I’m busy with the simulations, Riven and Izzy are running ships and working with crews, that leaves Monty. Where is she anyways?”
“Personal project, she’s been working on a particle accelerator model that will be easier to build around the first planet, using material from the first planet.” Kara answered.
Alex frowned, “How would that work? We need an accelerator large enough to circle the star to make the exotic materials we need.”
Kara grinned, knowingly, “Remember that this universe is more energetic than our original universe? Monty figures that she can get by with one that encircles the first planet at twenty thousand kilometers and with about fifty loops around the accelerator we can get the necessary velocities to create the required materials.”
“Okay, so a smaller accelerator, we figured what, a century out to get one built around the star, how long will this take?” He asked.
Kara shrugged, “We had to make an estimated guess, but since the supply line would be vastly shortened by harvesting the planet with mining drones we figure two to three years before it would be operational, assuming we move one quarter of all mining drones to the first planet.”
Alex nodded, “Much more feasible. However, you haven’t mentioned probable yield.”
Kara sighed, “Yeah, less than a tenth what a proper accelerator would produce, but if we use most of the production for manufacturing nannites and substitute other materials for armor or hull we could still build some of the heavy cruisers you have the prints for.”
Alex looked down to the table and found some boneless buffalo wings, snatching the small bowl and cradling it he commented. “Well, three and a half years to build the first heavy cruiser isn’t too bad. Granted we have to build a full sized shipyard in that time frame as well. We aren’t going to churn one out in the scaled down models you two came up with.”
Kara nodded, “Already on the production schedule as well.”
Taking a big bite out of the buffalo wing, Alex sent Monty a message. “Would you be so kind as to join us at the buffet table?”
Monty faded in beside Kara, “What’s up with the big guy using all formal messaging?” She asked.
Alex swallowed, “What? I can be elegant and shit too you know.”
Monty rolled her eyes, “There’s the Alex I know. I’m assuming you need me to do something boring?”
Kara answered before Alex could make another quip. “We need you to baby sit Mon’Kelron for a bit. She needs to think that she is inside the ship so she doesn’t think anything strange is going on, particularly with Kel’Taraan.”
Monty tapped her chin, “Um, the hanger bay where they are being stored is separate from the rest of the ship. Only our two androids are located there in pods, how do I explain that she can’t go beyond that point?”
Alex spoke up while Kara was trying to come up with an answer, “Simple, you tell her she is in quarantine on board our vessel, let her know you have been decontaminated but it’s a long process and I’m too busy to go through it right now.”
Monty nodded, than smiled, “Can I wear a cute nurses outfit?”
Alex shook his head, “Fine, just sell her on the story and keep her occupied while she is under ‘observation’, then get her back into the stasis pod.”
Monty did a salute that was fairly close to an insult and faded out.
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Kel’Taraan awoke suddenly, there was no slowly drifting into consciousness, it was as if she had been startled awake. Looking around she saw only darkness, where was she? Was she dead? Were the humans unsuccessful in turning her into a replicant? Then she saw light, just two glowing blue eyes at first, then the silhouette of a petite woman brown hair down to her shoulders.
Then the rest of her faded into view, she wore a uniform similar to what all Humans wore, more practical than formal. Then she spoke, “Hello Kel’Taraan, I am Kara, it is nice to finally meet you.”
“It is nice to finally meet the legendary Kara. This must mean the process worked, what will happen to my old body?” She asked
Kara brought up what looked like a cylindrical hologram and was touching icons, the world around her faded in to what appeared to be a comfortable house. “It was destroyed before you were activated, otherwise you would not be the closest continuer, but a mere copy of yourself.”
Kel’Taraan was a little taken aback, “Closest continuer? Why destroy my old body?” She wasn’t sure why she should care if her old body was gone, but for some reason she did.
Kara finished fiddling with her hologram and it faded away, now they were sitting in a quite nice cottage, complete with a fireplace and bookshelves full of leather bound books. “Short answer, the No-Hiding theorem states that like matter or energy, information can neither be created nor destroyed, simply moved or transmuted. The information that made up ‘you’ cannot exist at the same time that your replicant was activated or you would be two different people with the same memories.”
Kel’Taraan nodded, “So to ensure it would really be ‘me’ who awoke, the original vessel had to be destroyed to ensure only one copy of the information was available?”
Kara nodded, “Correct, although it is much more complex than that, and still under some debate, that is the reigning theory of closest continuer.”
“So what do I do now?” Kel’Taraan asked.
Kara smiled, “Now we start training you on how to be a replicant. I have given you a private virtual reality environment, it should be close to the little cottage in the picture frames in your room.”
Kel’Taraan looked around and found that it was very similar. This was the cottage that she and her Emmet had looked at purchasing so long ago. She reached down and rubbed the ornate leather chair she was standing behind. It was only at this moment did she notice she was not hunched over, her back did not hurt, and she needed no cane.
Looking down at her hands they were without wrinkle or age spot, the skin was soft and taunt. She looked around and found a mirror by the front door, and in it she barely recognized the face, it was her, nearly four centuries ago.
“How?” She asked as she turned back around to Kara.
Kara summoned some keldaran hot tea and two small cups on the coffee table before sitting in the other leather bound chair by the fireplace. “Our spy devices in the palace found pictures of you when you were young, we extrapolated a three dimensional form for you to inhabit here.”
Kel’Taraan nodded as she walked back to the empty leather armchair, she noticed her hair was blonde once more, no longer silver. Sitting down she looked at the beverage choice, “Fair warning, that stuff tastes like battery acid, I have no idea how the Empress drinks it, could I try your coffee once more? It has been so long!”
Kara grinned, and waved away the Alandran style crockery and replaced it with a coffee pot and two coffee mugs, along with cream and sugar. Pouring a cup for Kel’Taraan and offering cream and sugar, which she accepted and raised it to her face to inhaled the aroma. “This brings back memories.” She stated, tearing up a bit.
After taking a sip of the Human brew she sat it back down on the coffee table. “I suppose since I am in the company of Humans once more you find our naming schemes a bit aggravating?”
Kara shrugged, “It doesn’t bother me, although Alex wishes he could shorten your names from time to time.”
Kel’Taraan nodded, “The first Human crew called me Kelly, I think I would like to go by that again.”
“Kelly it is then, I’m sure Alex will be pleased.” Kara stated while taking her own sip from her coffee.
They both sat there for a moment, just enjoying the silence and the beverage, before Kara spoke up. “I want you to get comfortable here in your cottage, if you want I can help you change your VR environment at any time. You probably don’t realize it yet but you and I are operating at millisecond resolution at the moment.”
Waving her hand a small menu appeared before Kelly, showing her how the frame-jacking system worked. Kara continued, “I’ve given you access to this menu, and more will follow in the next day, which can be as short or as long as you choose.”
Kelly thought for a moment, “So at our default frame-rate, a single millisecond lasts..” (11.57 days) A slider appeared above the frame-jack menu.
Kara nodded, “We all experience time differently than biological creatures, we can experience lifetimes in days, or we can stretch a single day into milliseconds.”
Kelly nodded, “Seems like I have a lot to learn.”
Kara put down her coffee cup, “That you do, and for that reason you have this library, inside these volumes are the culmination of Human knowledge and culture.”
Surprised, she raised an eyebrow, “Doesn’t seem like a lot of books compared to the Imperial library on Alandra.”
Pulling the first tome off the top shelf she handed it to Kelly, “Open this.”
Taking the amazingly immaculate leather bound tome she opened it and her mind was awash in chaos. Words, symbols, numbers, letters, ideas, constructs, abstractions and so much more flooded her very essence. Then it was gone, replaced only by a floating bar above the now closed book. It stated, “IMPRINTING INFORMATION 2%”.
Looking up at a Kara she whispered, “What just happened?”
Kara sat back down and crossed her long legs, “You just downloaded the contents of that tome, several yottabytes of data, now your matrix has to make sense of it, hence the imprinting information bar. I will leave you now to consume the contents of this library, after that you should have the basics of everything you need to know about Humans and our technology.”
And with that Kara faded out of Kelly’s VR space. She looked down at her book, 6% complete, this was going to take a while… or was it? She smiled and reached for her frame-jack slider.
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