So (17M), my mom (37F) and dad (42M) broke up because my mom cheated on my dad with a coworker. My mom moved back in with her parents and my dad into a cheaper apartment. They were not married, so there was no divorce or anything like that. Both my little sister (12F) and I decided that we would rather live with our mom than with our dad. We're both way closer to her than to our dad.
Growing up, my mom was the one we spent more time with since my dad works a lot as a manager at the company he works at. She was the one who would take us to the movies, amusement parks, and also the one who went to my soccer games or other school events. She was also way more affectionate, constantly hugging and kissing us and telling us she was proud of us and loved us, while our dad was more reserved and colder. And she was also the one who would take care of us when we where sick .Well I can't remember the last time he hugged me or told me that he loved me.
He’s Hispanic and he just says that's how he was raised by his dad. He also admitted that part of him thinks showing too much affection is, and I quote, “for women and sissies.” I am a guy, so we have been able to bond somewhat over shared interests like sports or classic cars. But he never even attempted to bond with my sister in a similar way. She's a pretty traditional girly girl who likes rom-coms, romance books, Disney princess movies, Taylor Swift, and stuff like that, which my dad has never once even pretended to take an interest in. My sister once told me she feels like she doesn’t even know him.
He was also not that great of a boyfriend/partner either, from what I can tell. He never took my mom on dates or did anything for Mother's Day or her birthday, while my mom would make sure to buy him something for his birthday. So I can't really blame my mom too much for hooking up with someone else. They separated three months ago and since then, we've only seen my dad a couple of times for a few hours over the weekends.
I was talking to a friend about my parents' separation and they told me that it was really messed up that I “sided” with my mom when she is the one who cheated. First of all, I can’t help that I love my mom, I'm not just gonna stop loving her. And also her cheating does not erase the last 17 years of her being a great mom., Also my dad was a pretty shitty dad and boyfriend, so my mom cheating is partially his fault. So AITAH?

I posted this as a comment in another sub and someone DM’d me, said y’all would like to hear the story. I hope it fits here. TL:DR at the bottom.
I have a very good friend who maliciously complied her way into getting paid for essentially doing absolutely nothing for 19 months.
It was a government job, no surprise there. She and her colleague worked in a state office that kept track of plague cases among prairie dog towns. They were super busy trapping and testing all summer but once winter comes, prairie dogs hibernate so they ran out of work. They told their boss via email there was no more to do for the season that first autumn and their boss responded by telling them to stand by for reassignment. So… they did. For months.
They didn’t want to be accused of theft by just clocking in and out and leaving so in the very beginning, they organized some storage spaces (very slowly), cleaned their office several times, organized paperwork and that sort of thing. When they ran out of shit to do, they started sleeping, doing school work, sudoku, what have you. Initially, they slept in turns so someone was always available if anyone came to check in on them but when it became obvious no one was coming, they stopped bothering.
By summer the following year when the prairie dogs came out of hibernation and she thought her work might resume, the whole office (all the employees, in every department) received an email from someone high up informing everyone that particular department had been cut. Don’t know if it was unfunded, or they got all the data necessary the previous summer, or that particular pet project of some politician was forgotten about, but somewhere along the line, the state fish and game axed the project for whatever reason.
Nothing was mentioned in the email about her job status so her and her coworker continued to go in and do nothing.
She’d tell me about making a giant binder rubber band chain and roping two office chairs together facing eachother to sleep in the seats (she’s only 5ft tall so she fit relatively well), making a “nest” under her desk, and moving the large-ish copy machine out of its cabinet and sleeping inside.
They made sure the security people saw them periodically throughout the day and they were on camera, anyone above them paying attention would have noticed but no one ever took the time. They dodged folks in the other departments for fear they’d get told on and just minded their own business (they rarely had much interaction with other employees anyway).
Eventually, she ran into her “boss” at a show and she asked my friend where she had found new work. My friend didn’t lie and said she still worked there. Where? Where you left them. She said you should have seen her face when the lady put the pieces together and realized what was going on.
The jig was up and she and her colleague were let go that following morning via email before they went in. Because they had technically worked there for so long (I think two years was the threshold), they both got a little severance package.
In case you’re wondering, they got to keep their pay since: 1. they had proof they informed their boss they had no work and she clearly saw the email and responded, 2. they still showed up, 3. they did exactly what they were told, and 4. it wasn’t their job to make sure they actually had work to do. They both qualified for unemployment to boot.
Neither of them used the unemployment since they had both been feeling like the gravy train was sure to derail any day so they had new jobs lined up.
TL;DR: My friend’s job became obsolete. When she informed her boss she and her colleague had no more work to do, she was told to stand by for reassignment. My friend “stood by” for 19 months and got paid to do nothing until she ran into her boss at a show and her boss finally figured out what was happening. My friend and her coworker were quietly let go with a little severance package.
•Edited to add: thank you all for your stories! I had no idea it was so common to “misplace” employees that continue to get paid. Y’all are opening my eyes. Keep ‘em coming!
The quote from Independence Day comes to mind as I read your comments:
“You didn't think they actually spent ten thousand dollars for a hammer, thirty thousand for a toilet seat, did you?”
It’s not Area 51 all that money is going to, it’s forgotten and redundant government employees!
•Edit strikes back: I got my friend’s permission to tell her story of course, and she asked me to include some more things they did with their time while “standing by” (she doesn’t Reddit):
-One autumn, he and her colleague decorated the shared nap hiding spot (a walk-in storage closet) with miniature Halloween decorations and then re-enacted scenes from Hocus Pocus.
-She spent a whole lot of time editing Wikipedia for grammar.
-She learned to knit. Then she learned she doesn’t like knitting.
-Her colleague downloaded plans from the internet on how to make a personal flying device (think: jet pack) and tried to make it with office supplies at 1/16th scale. They knew it wouldn’t fly, they just wanted to see if they could build what it would look like.
-During Christmas, they wrote all new jingles about how bored they were. There were 14 completed songs in total and they recorded them on a little mini tape recorder she still has.
-Her colleague went to night school (evening school, really) and did his homework during the day. By the time they were finally let go, he was just shy of becoming a paralegal. He did finish school and went pretty much straight into a job and all these years later, he’s now a real estate attorney. Good for him!
-“We invented Uber and Lyft.” That is, they worked out a solid plan for a non-taxi ride service that would work based on ordering a car via the internet (this was before smartphones).
-She wrote a bunch of serial killers in prison and told them how disappointed she was in them. She never received a reply.
Thanks again for sharing your stories! Y’all are outstanding humans and you have a fantastic day. :)

You know these two characters have a complicated relationship. It seems Dona hates Emilia, but here are some facts about Dona indirectly helping Emilia:-

1. She allowed Puck (who was under Dona's care 400 years ago) to go and find Emilia. When Puck told her that he is going to find his daughter (in an indirect way, I don't remember the exact quote), she bids him farewell and also makes a contract with him. We dunno the exact content of the contract but I believe it is related to Puck destroying the world in order to make Subaru RbD (as Dona's gospel can see the future).
   
2. It was Dona's gospel that instructed Roswaal to find Emilia in Elior forest. Without Roswaal, Subaru and Emilia can likely never meet.
   

Why did Dona do this? We dunno but there are some hints in Hoshin SS when he says:-

"In that case, since I’m the second most likely to die among my circle, Satella-kun, earnest as she is, probably is searching for me with all her might. If she lost sight of Satella-kun, Echidna-kun would probably get frantic as well. As for Reid-kun; seeing him whenever he could, should be fine."

It seems Echidna really loved Satella. And Hoshin also says that the objective of Satella was to save the world and everyone was in it because they loved/respected Satella:-

"She was an audacious girl, she was pure and honest, and despite being burdened with a harsh fate, she didn’t let it show. Thus, I was moved by her kindness, feeling like I needed to help her."
"All those good-hearted people who’d been made to feel that, were always by her side. As for me, well, I’m not a pure, good-hearted person, so I was just acting like this because that was what was wanted from me."

So most likely Echidna probably was miserable when Satella had to be sealed.
So this brings us back to the question why Dona hates Emilia and I believe these could be the reasons:-

1. Emilia in some way is Satella (remember that Emilia's age is still considered unknown in the new R:Z encyclopedia which is after arc 4) and Dona doesn't want her to have same fate as Satella (Satella and her camp members had the objective of saving the world) so she hates Emilia's righteous attitude (which reminds her of Satella) and she did all this to save Emilia from her cruel fate.
   
2. Emilia is not Satella. However, Emilia reminds Dona of Satella's righteous attitude, which is why she cannot stand Emilia. Although this doesn't answer why Dona helped Puck and why her gospel made Roswaal find Emilia.
   

What are your thoughts? Btw translation credits for Hoshin SS goes to LoremIpsumVerb from WCT.

This is a long post. Would you please read it? I really need some advice.
I met a man very briefly last year. I won't go into too much detail, but let’s say it was a networking event. We were surrounded by many others, but it seemed like we had a very special connection despite all the noise surrounding us.
I always talk the talk about being bold and ballsy, but never actually do anything about it. That day, I walked the walk. I was in the bathroom, fixing my hair. I saw him as soon as I walked out. I decided to move in his direction, despite having no clue who he was or what I was going to say to him once I got there. It was like my body was drawn to him. Some people from my group were already talking to him (I had not noticed them prior to moving closer).
I extended my hand and introduced myself. From the moment I met his eyes, I knew I was in love. I could feel blood rushing to my ears and temples. We proceeded to talk for 20-ish minutes. Just the two of us for the most part. Oblivious to everyone around us. All that time, I could feel that our bodies were drawn to each other. It was very bizarre. Part of my brain could register that even as it was happening. At some point, I let go. I pushed that thought away and just went with it. It was the most wonderful thing to ever happen to me.
It was so easy to talk to him. I don’t remember where our conversation began and where it ended. I remember topics and how I felt like an open book. I can hold down a conversation, but I am a reserved person, even more so after just meeting someone.
He was clearly older than me. I made sure that he was not wearing a ring.
I called my best friend once I got into my car, still high from that rush. It was the most glorious hour of my life. Everything seemed possible. I’ve been in love before, but never like this. It just made sense. It was like we were cut from the same cloth. Something about us clicked. It sounds silly now, but I was so in love. It was beautiful.
At the end of my commute, my friend called back and sent me screenshots of his social media. Nothing shocking or scandalous. Just him and his young kids from a year ago. No wife. No other public activity. We gathered some more details that made it clear we were in very different stages of our lives and the age gap was rather significant (around 15 years).
I was devastated. It all had happened so fast but the heartbreak cut deep. To make it all worse, not one but two people from work commented about “that guy” the next day. I was friends with a few of my coworkers at the time. One particularly knew that I was struggling with dating. She said, and I quote “you just need a tall man like ____.” Another asked if I knew “that guy” beforehand because we seemed to hit off immediately. I was not imagining the connection. Other people had noticed it too.
I think about his eyes all the time. How I felt in those 20 minutes.
I haven’t felt anything remotely similar in the past 8-9 months since. As it happens, work has brought me even closer to him. I’ve heard his names a few times after that. Good things always. I’m aware that I am idolizing him to some extent, but I also know that our chances of being something together are slim. But it’s possible that we will cross paths again.
I have not been able to avoid thinking about him. No amount of journaling or meditation seems to help. I lead a fulfilling life. Hobbies, friends, grad school, a career in the works. I have become utterly uninterested in any form of dating. What is the point if I can’t feel like that? Will I ever feel so pulled towards someone?
His eyes.
He isn’t even my type. I would have swiped left if I’d seen him on a dating app. We are not compatible by standard criteria. I have never been married. I am not even 24. He has young children. The chances are, this man hasn’t thought about me at all beyond a “cool chick huh” the day of. Despite all this, I can’t move on.
I feel so lost. I grew up in a dysfunctional family with emotionally unavailable parents. As an adult, I am fine for the most part. I occasionally go through stressful phases, but no major mental issues. I’ve been in therapy before, but it was for imposter syndrome. I still struggle with some insecurities, both physical and worth-wise, but I don’t think they’re any more serious than an average person’s.
Am I experiencing limerence? I fantasize about him, almost exclusively in non-sexual ways. I imagine the everyday conversations we would have. I think of him in the middle of doing something, trying to imagine what it would be like to have him around in that moment. I wonder if he ever thinks of me. I know he does not.
I don’t feel bad about this at all. He was not wearing a ring. I did nothing wrong. I’d like to get to the root of my problem, whatever it might be, and fix it.

Hi, lovely Charlotte! I've been watching your content for almost a year, and I'm obsessed with it! I'm actually watching one of your videos as I'm writing this.
I've worked at a wedding dress shop for the past 3 years, and let me tell you, I've got a lot of stories. However, that's for another day. This is about my wedding back in 2019; I apologize in advance for how long it is and how messy the writing is, as I want to compress it as much as possible.
Here's a small backstory before the main event. I (23F at the time) married my high school sweetheart (then 22M) right after college. Let's call him Rick. He was a walking red flag from the start, but naive little me thought it was love and honestly didn't believe I could do better. He didn't get along with my friends or family. It was a very rough relationship altogether. He had already complained about the following before the big day:

1. Having three bridesmaids, even though he only had one groomsman (his cousin);
2. Proposing when he did, as he thought I “made him do it;”
3. Wanting to wear makeup (he said makeup made me look ugly);

Anyways, back to the wedding. The night before is where we’ll start the show. We had the rehearsal, and Rick was obviously not enjoying himself, didn't want to be there (he did this a lot). I was nervous as all get-out, but my bridesmaids really calmed my nerves. As soon as the rehearsal was over, they took me out on an impromptu “bachelorette party” at the local Burger King, where they bought my food and got me a cute little crown (which I still have). It was small, and honestly, I didn’t even expect it, but I enjoyed it because I was with my friends. My aunt (then 38F, let’s call her Bee) was my wedding planner. She was absolutely pissed that they did this, saying that they could have done it on a different day, or done something a little more elaborate because what they did was cheap and not thoughtful. She also said that she hired an organist for when I walk down the aisle. I had told her previously I wanted to walk down to the “Wedding Procession” done by Queen, but she said it wouldn’t be right.
The next day went by quickly, when I look back at it, but in the moment, it was slow, and a lot of crap happened that I honestly never thought about until much later. Buckle up!
My brother (then 18M) surprised me by showing up to the wedding. As I stated earlier, Rick and my family did NOT get along, so having my brother there really made a difference for me.
Rick had “forgotten” to get a suit, so he had to buy one the morning of. Thankfully, they had one at the first store he went to, in his exact size and the color we were going for.
My mom was supposed to do my hair. She agreed to do this months before, but on that day, she panicked and backed out, afraid she would ruin my hair on my special day. One of the friends that went out for the bachelorette party the night before stepped up and did it (it turned out BEAUTIFULLY, by the way), while my maid of honor did my makeup (also turning out perfect). The ceremony went off without a hitch. Even the pictures went well. So far so good, right?
Then we get to the reception. We had BBQ, delicious as heck. Bee, as mentioned earlier as my wedding planner, had given us a few minutes to get our plates before everyone else. Rick instantly began eating. Our guests came up to congratulate us, but he waved them off and told me to take care of them. I tried to flag down Bee, as I hadn’t eaten yet, but she wasn’t paying attention. I entertained each guest that came up, while Rick ate not one but TWO plates of food. Once the guests started to get their food and left us alone for a little bit, I was excited to dig in. Before I could, Bee came up and snatched my plate away, saying it was time for our first dance. I told her I hadn’t been able to eat, because people were coming up to us to talk. She said, and I quote, “Well, you should have told them to go away so you could eat. This is all your fault.” Mind you, I was a people pleaser, and I did not want to seem ungrateful to those who went out of their way to attend. I also told Bee it was her job as the wedding planner to help me out with that. She still blamed me.
During the cake cutting, Rick had a massive nosebleed, which Bee also “disagreed with” and claimed that he should have had it “under control.” Right after were some speeches from the crowd. Most of the attendees came from my side and they didn’t know a lot about Rick, but they still wished us the best. During this, Rick squeezed my hand hard under the table and whispered in my ear, “Way to make this all about yourself. No one is here for me.”
Right after the reception, we were able to change, as we were heading out to our honeymoon. Rick and I walked to our car together where, to my surprise, we saw that my bridesmaids had decorated the windows with “Just Married” and “Honeymoon Bound” and “Honk for the happy couple” on the back windshield. Did Rick find this as amusing as I did? Of course not. He was mad, said they shouldn’t have done it and they should be glad he’s not a petty person or else he’d sue for damages. And, of course, the good ol’ “how could you let this happen?” Bee was also not happy, saying it was childish and that I shouldn’t be friends with them anymore.
I guess you could say that the way he acted during wedding planning and the actual day was an insight on how the marriage would be. 10 months later (after him not working, me having to work 3 jobs to support us, and also him threatening my family and friends), we separated. Telling my family was hard, as I felt like a disappointment. Bee did not help at all. When I told my family that Rick and I were getting a divorce, the first words she said was: “I told you so.” She also mentioned that she was still paying for the wedding and maybe I should have “kept the marriage up” until she paid it off. Side note: I never asked her to do any of that, she insisted she take over so it wasn’t stressful on me during my last year of college.
I’ve grown a backbone and some self-love since then. I have a pretty decent job. I’m still friends with those bridesmaids, who are like sisters to me (one got married a month ago and it was delightful). I have four guinea pigs that keep me on my toes and whom I wouldn't trade for the world. Bee still holds the wedding over my head, but I don't let her make me feel bad about it. I am wearing makeup more now, thanks to the knowledge of a coworker. Now, I use my wedding as a story to brides at the shop if they ever need a laugh or need to know what not to let slide. Most of all, I’ve been engaged to my best friend since October 2023. He is a wonderful man who makes me laugh, is loved by my family and friends, and encourages me to follow my heart. I knew from the moment we got together that this is what love really is, and he continues to prove that to me every single day. <3

AITAH for going through my bfs phone? For some back story. Sorry this will be long.
I 38F and my bf 38M have been together for nearly 3 months. The first month was great, to the point we spent every day either talking on the phone or with each other. my birthday was coming up, a day after a holiday and my boyfriend (I’ll call him Pat for the story). Promised me a weekend I would never forget for my birthday. As we both have come from lots of failed relationships and being cheated on, we both haven’t had the greatest experiences. As the weekend approaches of my birthday, I begin to notice that Pat is being very private with his phone and i saw lots of “interesting” notifications from Snapchat and apps I didn’t know. Which again we’re still new into the relationship, I understand privacy. But he would tell me stories about all his friends and coworkers and what not but when I asked who messaged him or who he’s texting, he would just say a friend and give no information or even a name. So when I had the opportunity I went through Pat’s phone and I understand that is a betrayal of trust. But what I found in there I feel was worse. He had an app called whisper not sure if that’s even a dating app, but between that app, Snapchat, Facebook messenger and others, Pat had been sending sexual messages to multiple women and saving lots of their dirty pictures and sending his own. Granted like none of the women responded, but still. There was also a message on messenger to a friend of his that he has had for years we’ll call her skank and he admitted to having feelings for her at the beginning, but nothing ever came of it. One of the last things he messaged her was, “ I may be shallow, but I think I can get a better looking girl” and he was talking about me. I didn’t know how to feel after seeing all that. I felt lied to, betrayed, ugly, just about every hurt feeling you could. We had a blowout, he cried and begged me not to leave and said he was stupid and he obviously has a problem but he will fix it and it will never happen again. Fast-forward two weeks. I am trying to move past it, but I still have a pit in my stomach, he would show me his phone when I asked, but not actually let me go through it, just scroll fast so my eyes could barely even see what I was looking at. So I decided to check again as proof that he is keeping his word. I was pleasantly surprised that there were no apps, no dirty messages to anyone in Snapchat. No new messages on messenger besides again to Skank. And again Pat’s last message to her again just two days before I looked, and I quote, “I’m sorry, but those are special. And I will only delete them if you ask me to if she can’t deal with some ‘random’ woman’s lingerie pictures. As a man she’s controlling as f***. Why does my best friend have to be so damn gorgeous” I again lost all sense of my thoughts, feeling completely unappreciated and unpretty, and just someone he settling for, because obviously I’m the only one who will give him attention. We spoke again as I cried and freaked out on why he needs to keep her lingerie pictures and why they are so special?!? He said they were a birthday gift. We were not together for his birthday but Skank was and still is in a relationship when she sent them (hence why the name fits). I told him this was unacceptable and if he had just forgotten about the pictures, I probably wouldn’t have cared. But he was actively acknowledging that they were there and it made me so upset that he told her he was keeping them regardless if I found them. After we spoke and cried he blocked her and again promised me he never would do anything again, and how stupid he was and those pictures meant nothing and she means nothing to him. It was just very hurtful. Fast forward to today, about a week again after the second incident. I go through his phone one more time, this time I truly find nothing. Except for one message at about three in the morning to a woman in Israel, where he said hello gorgeous I questioned him about it and supposedly she is just a friend as well as a lesbian, and I didn’t know and jumped to conclusions. Which I feel I have a right to. But he is upset that I continue to go through his phone, I just feel that I need to for a little while more until I feel comfortable enough to trust him again. So AITH for going through my boyfriend’s phone?

Surely I'm not the only person who has clocked this?
https://youtu.be/83NhFFSVx_o?si=TuHwqOSkPo-OpeSM
This guest as well as several others have made calls that sound shockingly similar to Reddit posts I've read. I wish I could find the one this video is referring to but it seems it was deleted. The part about the coworker asking if his wife's looks are "still a problem for him" I verbally quoted verbatim as the woman on the phone said it so I know I've heard it before. This isn't the first time this has happened when I watch his show.

It was a late after noon, I was heading to my job at the gas station circle k in Ohio. My name is Charles Jason. I’m not allowed to tell you exactly where my job is located but this station was old, we barely had anyone visit and it was my night shift. I was alone with just the cook and tasked to make sure the old food was thrown out in the dumpster, but I didn’t do that exactly. I would throw out one bag of it but I had a secound one I take to me to the pond behind the store maybe a mile away. My coworker would take over the cash register when I was gone and would throw old meat or buns into it, making sure not to drop the bag. Your probably wondering why I would throw food into the water instead of just throwing it away i had a good reason, you see a year ago when I started this job I had no friends or pets and I would always come here in my day shift on my 30 minute break. My boss said the moment I got here my shift would start and I was happy for that, one day a tiny baby croc came out of the water and I noticed it was a bit darker then the ones I see on tv or magazines but I was almost more shocked There was a crocodile baby in Ohio! Ohio am I right? But I noticed he has red eyes and it was chirping for its mother, my guess was a guy got it as a exotic pet and instead of just giving it to a zoo or animal control he dropped it into the water. I stared at it and just toss it a piece of my lunch meat and it gobbled it right up, poor thing must of been starving but also it seemed to look at me. For a moment I thought I saw gratitude in its eye as it went up to my foot and laid on my shoe, I was actually surprised it showed any sort of gratitude. I continued to eat my lunch but share with it any scarps, when my break was almost up I had to throw a chunk of my bread into the water and he scurried to it. When I went back to my shift I was told by my boss I got night shift with John. The chef and I didn’t mind him since he gave me free food for my break, during the year he helped cover for me since every night I got out of my way to feed the poor baby. I never saw him again but he still ate the food I gave him, at one point I was just sitting at the pound enjoying the stars when I saw two bright red eyes sticking out of the water. Like a shadow with eyes, I knew it was him cause I’ll never forget his gratitude. I decided to call him a cool name like shadow croc, since he was like a shadow. But I had to get back to work before he could come out, I regretted that cause when I came back the next night I saw he was out of the water, but I saw his foot prints and tail in the mud….. but that’s when it was strange… they where massive… like.. very massive, his feet where larger then any croc prints I saw on the magazines or online. The closes to them where ancient crocs but even then… I still left him the food this time I made sure to give him the whole bag. Cut back to today and I saw him again, he was the same size with the eyes and watch me, I decided to sit down and pat my legs.
“Come here boy, come here shadow croc.”
I would say to him and he did, he came right out of the water but before he fully could he rushed back in when I heard foot steps. Coming towered me and I saw three of the local gang members walking up to me. I knew what was gonna happen as they pulled out two pistols as the third had a metal bat. Threatening me to kill me if I didn’t as I quote “ring out my pockets” and I couldn’t help but hold a chuckle at their slang. But I have nothing on me so I pulled out my pockets showing I had nothing, I guess they didn’t like that cause it’s their turf and told me I was just useless to be around here and pointed their guns at me. I was horrified to think I was gonna die, tell we all heard a very deep growl from the water, the members looked as I knew what it was I looked and shadow croc was at the bank of the water half way out as he was growling. The gang member would scream saying.
“What the goddamn hell is that?” “Is that a damn monster?!” “Man I told you I needed more then a gun!!”
I saw them point their guns backing up a shadow got out of the bank, I finally got a good look at him, he was probably 11 feet tall, his body was bulky looking as well as his feet leaving a print into the ground. His back was covered in large spikes and his hands where almost human looking but claws and webbing made them completely different from a humans, his tail was also large as well with spikes at the tip. The gang members would open fire right at him and all the bullets would hit him on the chest, stomach or head but they all would bounce off or get stuck to his skin. He would roar right at him and I’m telling you he was not slow, he charged right at them grabbing one of their arms and ripped it right off his shoulder joints tossing the arm away as his tail slammed into a the bat guy stomach before he went for a wing, his Spikes stabbed the man in the stomach and swung him on it away to the ground hard. The last guy was able to reload his gun and open fired point blank to his head, like always the bullets didn’t even bother him but they got stuck on his head as well falling out of his head. He then opened his jaw grabbing him and had him in it. But he look at me like he was concerned for some reason and just pulled the guy out and squeezed him tell I heard his ribs cracking and tossed him down. If your wondering why he chose not making him a lunch my guess was he didn’t want the taste of blood… I think he enjoyed the food more then actual meat or blood. He looked at me as I just slowly stepped up and I reached up to him, he actually kneeled down letting me petting him like I did a year ago. He made a noise I can describe like a car engine, I never realized just feeding him only junk from circle k was enough to make him grow this much. But I knew it wasn’t since deer came around this area, how else would he eat when I couldn’t feed him everyday? He then ran back to the pound, I looked around and made a 911 call telling the police I found three men on the ground badly injured dying. It took the police a hour to make it here and all three men where dead, I didn’t question why it took them so long cause it’s ether traffic or the cops they signaled where a hour away. Other wise they where shocked to find the carnage in front of them, I was questioned and I gave them the best answer I had.
“I found them this way officer, I heard gun fire and found them, I think they where attacked by a crazed knife men or groups of them.”
The cops hight my story and continued on, ever since that day I kept feeding him as I still did every week but one night, he left…. I think he finally moved on, I know cause he left behind his trail leading to the forest. I never knew where he went but I know he’ll always be my friend and I hope he’s doing ok where ever he is. ————— Hello! I found this sub of the Reddit cause I love listening to lighthouse horrors. It inspired me to start making monster stories and I thought I’d mostly do this one as a continuation, have him travel the world meeting and or fighting other crypts. If you like this story give it a up vote and maybe some day light house well read this short story. If you have a idea on who he meets or fights let me know! I might be gone for a while or pop up with more stories who know!… thank you for reading!.

There is a lady who wanders in and out of the the Laundromat located down the street from my apartment. 

The neighborhood is decent fresh brick walled stores lined up for convenient window shopping. Wide side walks rarely congested with the exception of the holiday parades. The onnings all decorated in different colors the chaos brings life to the small town. Smiling, waving and sharing pleasantries are a staple of each day. Even someone as introverted as my self can feel comfortable in this little slice of the middle class american dream. To give you a perspective on how small the town is we don't have many chain stores or restaurants. The ones we do have are family owned and you will inveivatibly run into them at least once a week on your work and home life excursions.

 The Laundromat is owned by an old couple maintained by their twins. Two bright young adults attending the community college by day restocking dryer sheets and collecting lint to add to their peculiar hobbies of creating small nick nacks from the towns people donations left on the dryers. Even these two avoid the fragile lady who seems to wander around town but only entering the Laundromat on her daily pilgrimage. Her steps don't give the impression of malevolence but also show now signs of determination. Each step in her thick orthopedic blindingly white shoes seems planned and robotic. That is until she gets to the Laundromat. Her eyes seem to work independently like a chameleon, her nostrils flare as if to pull a destined scent from the air of the warm factory that deletes time from the costumes that the customers choose have collected to much evidence and now must be reset to neutral as not to judge them in the upcoming week. The lady's hair seems to become agitated from its normaly relaxed descent down her back. Her eyes become focused her back straightens and she takes a slow breath in. Her exhale is like one of a dragon rescuing a youngling from its cold counter part. The difference is here you can see it. I'm not lying multiple times I see the air be released like compressed air used to clean out that gaming console you found at a yard sale. Only this time you don't find donkey Kong, Pokemon Ruby or an indie game. Her gate changes to one of royalty walking to sit at their throne. She could balance a magazine followed with a toothpick topped with a watermelon with the grace she approaches her daily discovery. Like stroking the the shoulder of an abandoned dog she carresses a seemingly random piece of clothing and simply says. 

"I only want you to have the best future possible and I believe that it will only be possible if you allow me to take this or promise me you will get rid of this article of clothing in a way that no one will wear it again. Rip it, burn it throw it out with the trash. Unfortunately if you choose to keep it I can only see a future of ash."
Now being from such a small town we tend to humor this woman. Out of respect, belief or pure remorse for the little lady that has no one to entertain her fantasies. Now I know what you're thinking ... "Obviously people chose not to listen and the died a horrible death"
But this isn't always the fact. Now you must be aware that that not all of the woman's choices would be shorts, pants or dresses. Sometimes they could be socks, wash clothes even blankets. At first I did believe that most just entertained her for politeness but like I mentioned earlier I am an introvert. I work remotely and try to do my errands at low peak times.
With this extra time... I eventually found myself researching a few of the individuals that have been approached by the elderly wanderer. In a small town most people here introduce themselves with first and last names. Even if they don't my consistent failure at dating apps allows me the minimal amount of information needed to find the people who I try my best to avoid. To keep the story short and not represent my self as a creeper I'll give you the information on the some of the more peculiar stories I've "educated" myself on. Daisy Elanore Johanson Blake Dane Collins Ashley Duane Gilbert Daisy was a bright early 20s blonde. A bit taller than most woman... (And some men) Her pale green eyes like the inside of fresh limes. She worked at the only motel in our town, cleaning rooms and spending time at the front desk while Walter Adams spent his time at the lake fishing waiting for the rain to stop. Doing her undergrad online and because of her superior intellect and effort she was accepted into Yale on a full ride scholarship. The town celebrated like they found oil and even though the humble D.J. declined the offer of a parade they did gift her with enough Yale merch you would think she was a female F.B.I detective with a chip on her shoulder. In actuality she was pursuing a doctorate in mechanics and physics? Something like that. I'm sure it was her Cave Iron Man that helped her with her motel duties. That I feel like I should mention she built quote unquote "it seemed fun and hell it was to simple to pass up". She even promised to return to do upgrades and maintenance for her coworkers. It wasn't the hoodie, sweat shirt or the ball cap. Not a t shirt, pennant, or parent paraphernalia. Daisy had a service dog.

There is a lady who wanders in and out of the the Laundromat located down the street from my apartment. The neighborhood is decent fresh brick walled stores lined up for convenient window shopping. Wide side walks rarely congested with the exception of the holiday parades. The onnings all decorated in different colors the chaos brings life to the small town. Smiling, waving and sharing pleasantries are a staple of each day. Even someone as introverted as my self can feel comfortable in this little slice of the middle class american dream. To give you a perspective on how small the town is we don't have many chain stores or restaurants. The ones we do have are family owned and you will inveivatibly run into them at least once a week on your work and home life excursions.
The Laundromat is owned by an old couple maintained by their twins. Two bright young adults attending the community college by day restocking dryer sheets and collecting lint to add to their peculiar hobbies of creating small nick nacks from the towns people donations left on the dryers. Even these two avoid the fragile lady who seems to wander around town but only entering the Laundromat on her daily pilgrimage.
Her steps don't give the impression of malevolence but also show now signs of determination. Each step in her thick orthopedic blindingly white shoes seems planned and robotic. That is until she gets to the Laundromat. Her eyes seem to work independently like a chameleon, her nostrils flare as if to pull a destined scent from the air of the warm factory that deletes time from the costumes that the customers choose have collected to much evidence and now must be reset to neutral as not to judge them in the upcoming week.
The lady's hair seems to become agitated from its normaly relaxed descent down her back. Her eyes become focused her back straightens and she takes a slow breath in. Her exhale is like one of a dragon rescuing a youngling from its cold counter part. The difference is here you can see it. I'm not lying multiple times I see the air be released like compressed air used to clean out that gaming console you found at a yard sale.
Only this time you don't find donkey Kong, Pokemon Ruby or an indie game. Her gate changes to one of royalty walking to sit at their throne. She could balance a magazine followed with a toothpick topped with a watermelon with the grace she approaches her daily discovery. Like stroking the the shoulder of an abandoned dog she carresses a seemingly random piece of clothing and simply says.
"I only want you to have the best future possible and I believe that it will only be possible if you allow me to take this or promise me you will get rid of this article of clothing in a way that no one will wear it again. Rip it, burn it throw it out with the trash. Unfortunately if you choose to keep it I can only see a future of ash."
Now being from such a small town we tend to humor this woman. Out of respect, belief or pure remorse for the little lady that has no one to entertain her fantasies. Now I know what you're thinking ... "Obviously people chose not to listen and the died a horrible death"
But this isn't always the fact. Now you must be aware that that not all of the woman's choices would be shorts, pants or dresses. Sometimes they could be socks, wash clothes even blankets. At first I did believe that most just entertained her for politeness but like I mentioned earlier I am an introvert. I work remotely and try to do my errands at low peak times.
With this extra time... I eventually found myself researching a few of the individuals that have been approached by the elderly wanderer. In a small town most people here introduce themselves with first and last names. Even if they don't my consistent failure at dating apps allows me the minimal amount of information needed to find the people who I try my best to avoid.
To keep the story short and not represent my self as a creeper I'll give you the information on the some of the more peculiar stories I've "educated" myself on.
Daisy Elanore Johanson Blake Dane Collins Ashley Duane Gilbert
Daisy was a bright early 20s blonde. A bit taller than most woman... (And some men) Her pale green eyes like the inside of fresh limes. She worked at the only motel in our town, cleaning rooms and spending time at the front desk while Walter Adams spent his time at the lake fishing waiting for the rain to stop. Doing her undergrad online and because of her superior intellect and effort she was accepted into Yale on a full ride scholarship. The town celebrated like they found oil and even though the humble D.J. declined the offer of a parade they did gift her with enough Yale merch you would think she was a female F.B.I detective with a chip on her shoulder. In actuality she was pursuing a doctorate in mechanics and physics? Something like that. I'm sure it was her Cave Iron Man that helped her with her motel duties.
That I feel like I should mention she built quote unquote "it seemed fun and hell it was to simple to pass up". She even promised to return to do upgrades and maintenance for her coworkers.
It wasn't the hoodie, sweat shirt or the ball cap. Not a t shirt, pennant, or parent paraphernalia.
Daisy had a service dog.

I swear it feels like I'm in a cult. I've worked there for 4 years but still can't get used to how religious my place of work is and it honestly makes me uncomfortable.
We are required to start every single meeting with a prayer, including huddle, educational classes, etc. Every email from anyone above me is started with a prayer, and I get emailed by the nuns with prayers weekly. The nuns pray on the loud speaker at every single hospital in the organization twice a day at shift change (an annoying time to do it), and it's not like normal prayer about being thankful and blessing sick people. It's like "YOU ARE MY KING AND MASTER. I SUBMIT TO YOUR POWER. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART" for 5 straight minutes. We have a required annual meeting called the "mission integration" where we get together for 4 hours and talk about the "mission" to serve as the "embodiment of God's love". We're told to "know and love" our patients like Christ does by a bunch of nuns. We are read passages from the Bible and hear quotes and wisdom from saints about God's love. We then have a discussion portion where we have to raise our hands and talk about what part of the message really spoke to us and why.
We are constantly hearing about the "mission" to serve with God's love. We aren't called employees or coworkers, we're "fellow mission partners". We are required to recognize each other for "living the mission" on our mission partner portal. If we don't, it gets brought up in our review. We are even asked in every single interview how we feel about having crucifixes in every room. Like... how is that not asking us about our religious beliefs? What are we supposed to say? We all basically had to pretend to have enthusiasm for catholicism in order to get the job, which we all only wanted because they have a monopoly in healthcare in this region.
We got rid of social workers and only have the clergy. They round on everyone each morning and offer to pray. At first I thought this was nice, but... I had a patient who was discharging home with hospice from the ICU. He asked a Father to read him his rights because he was afraid of dying on the way home. The Father told him no because he was Lutheran?? Like, how is that therapeutic? He didn't even offer to find a Lutheran minister, he just said no and left. How often have they been pulling weird discriminatory shit like that when my patients go to them looking for comfort and acceptance and I didn't know? I get he's a catholic priest but this is a hospital for the general public and he's supposed to be the stand in for social services. It felt inappropriate and cruel. He also told a crying nurse that her dead dog wasn't actually in heaven because the catholic church does not believe that animals have souls. I don't know that I like his need to choose strict catholic dogma over comforting grieving people IN A HOSPITAL. He carries holy water to cleanse demons or something and he also wrote a book about exorcisms and includes chapters about how to tell the difference between demonic possessions and mental illness, how to tell if a demon is lying to you, etc. Should he even be rounding on the psychotic patients on our psych floor? It doesn't seem all that helpful. I would really prefer to just have social services.
This all emboldens the Catholic and similarly religious "mission partners" to preach their religion at work. I'm a vegan and get lectured by coworkers about how God gave us animals for our utility according to the Bible when I'm just trying to eat my damn lunch. It feels like there is a correct religion to be there and everyone else has to keep their mouths shut. It's really uncomfortable. There is a crucifix in every room, including the break rooms, statues/paintings of Christ and saints all up and down the hallways, and even life sized statues and paintings of the nuns who run the organization throughout the hospital. It's just a lot. I can't even get an email for mother's day without a prayer "blessing the mothers who guide their motherhood by the word and will of God" like... forget about the mothers who work here and aren't religious then?
Am I sensitive or do other people feel weird about it all? I have a hard time even liking my patients sometimes. I really don't love them like I'm their creator. Why is that an unacceptable way to feel lmao it feels really brainwashed and out of place in an American workplace.
ETA: and they call these mission integration meetings "a gift to us from the Sisters". The gift I want is to not have to come in 8-12 when I'm nightshift to talk about God's love! Gift me more time in my bed next year please.

More has happened. For the first part Coffee date Pt 1 and context to this post. This one might be a bit longer.
So he messaged me again. I (18F) got a text from a random number the other day. I recognized the number as the one that called me twice (previous post). It was Bob (23M) texting me from his friends number. He apologized for what happened and how he acted and wanted me to give him another chance. Told me how he was just excited and had never dated anyone before. I send back a long paragraph telling him that even if he's never dated anyone before he should know basic respect and boundaries. EX: No asking me to hangout that will be my call and choice. No coming up to my work and sitting there just so you can say Hi to me and a few other things. (Keep the first one in mind). Along with telling him that calling me three times, twice from a random number, in under a span of half an hour all because he didn't see me at work is weird. I decided I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him to text me still but I was going to bluntly put down rules and boundaries. Along with telling him that he's the older one and excited or not he needs to still act like an adult and be more mature. I right off told him I'm not doing calls or facetime. Just texting and to stop putting my number in random peoples phones.
I like to give people second chances. (And this has all passed and happened so the comments on the first post I totally get you. I just want outsiders opinions.) He deletes my number and our chat from the friends phone. I send him a few rules and boundaries on his number. He says he agrees to them then asks if I'm free to chat. We chat very basically and he tells me how his day sucked until he started chatting with me again. I then mention how I need to find a ride to this one shop, (my friend/coworker used to take me but he no longer works with me), cause the conversation we were having reminded me that I needed to go. He offers me a ride for there. I think on it because I don't drive or have a license. I think on it for a bit then agree that he can take me to the shop. But only there and back nothing else. Once off work he picks me up and we head to the shop (its 24 hour) and I get what I need and we head back to my place. During the 10-15 minutes we were in the car he asked me over five times to hangout. Suggesting stuff. All of which I decline. The next day was a day off for me and I told him I was just going to stay home and relax after working four days in a row along with I was doing stuff with my friend (lets call him Jasper) at some point in the day already. I have him drop me off at the gate so he can't see which building I walk into. I thank him for the ride and he once again offers to give me thee Stanley cup. I say sure I'll take it whatever. (I don't really care for those cups and I had told him that already) He gives it to me I say thanks then turn to walk away so I could go home.
What he does really pissed me off. He asks if I want a kiss. Like the thing middle schoolers do where they have a piece of Hershey kisses but don't show you the candy they just ask if you want a kiss. I know he's about to pull out the candy after he says that but I say no and that I don't like chocolate. Then head to my place. The moment I get home he texts me asking if I want to chat which I don't respond because I was on call with my longtime friend and it was already around 2:20am. On my days off I usually don't answer messages or anything unless its specific people because my job is socializing for 7+ hours day after day and I want alone me time. He texts me around 3pm on my day off asking once again if I want to go hangout at some park nearby. I don't respond cause I'm with Jasper.
Note: I live with Jasper.
Bob then texts me two hours later asking if I ever see us dating in the future because I seem cold to him. I don't respond once again. The next day he messages me again telling me how he has no interest in hanging out with me anymore because I'm extremely rude and disrespectful and that I owe him money for the cup. So I send back a long paragraph basically saying: You want to play that game lets do it. I gave you a second chance after making me uncomfortable. Gave you rules and boundaries to not cross which you then proceeded to do exactly that the exact same day we talked about it and that he needs to grow up. He then says he came to drive me at 2am and I reminded him that he offered and chose to do that and not once did I ask or beg him for a ride. He picked to do that himself. Along with I told him it was my day off, and he knew that, and that I was going to be relaxing and don't owe him a response. Told him how he asked at least five times to hangout in a 15 minute car ride and then he pulled the dumb "want a kiss" move. And then I called him a middle schooler.
I tell him not to go and make me a bad guy in this when he can't follow basic boundaries and respect that I bluntly put out there for him. He then tells me I deserve nothing good because I "can't understand when someone is being nice". I once again repeat the boundaries and rules he broke. (I repeat it at least six seven times and each time he ignores that point and just focuses on something else. So it becomes a cycle). He repeats that I don't deserve good things because I don't know when someone's being nice to me. He tells me I would be great with someone who can handle my ultra attitude and that he is a broken and sinful person as well. (Middle school sh*t fr) and that me having attitude to someone who likes me doesn't make sense. He then mentions the Bible (I'm not religious in the slightest so I could care less for what the Bible says. I do respect all religion but its don't quote stuff from the bible because I do not care.) I told him Jasper deals with my attitude just fine. He then says he doesn't understand how one cup of coffee would be a problem. So I curse at him a little because he just keeps blatantly ignoring my points on why I'm upset and so once again I tell him and call him an unbearable person because he can't even listen and chooses to focus on one thing that has no point in what the conversation is about. He calls my friend shitty and my job shitty (yet he eats there almost everyday. Crazy) and that he wants his cup back. I tell him the cup will be in the trash. He says he'll come to my work place and get it because he gave it to me out of his heart because he liked me. I tell him if he comes up to my work my manager will blacklist him. (My manager knows all about him and whats been going on). He said he can tell my manager what happened and that I threw away his precious cup. I tell him no need to explain anything my managers know about him.
He goes on to apologize for his harsh words and his stupid anger. I tell him I'm not sorry for anything I said. He asks what time he should get the cup. I give him a time. He then asks me to place it in a parking lot next to my work which I then ask him if he wants the cup or not cause if I leave it out like that it's getting stolen and if it does he better not ask me for any money. He then tells me to just hand it to him through drive and I tell him no. He then texts me a little later and tells me to just keep the cup and that he hopes I forgive him.
AITA? Was I to mean on this? Personally I don't think I was. I think my attitude was justified after everything. Let me know.

First job was a toxic cesspool that I didn't want to be part of so I kinda waited for them to fire me. Although I have strong suspicions that I was set up by certain ass kissing coworkers who couldn't stand me. Let's just say we didn't end on good terms.
Second was recently, there was just too much shit we had to learn and keep learning for a measly salary. This time I quit after only a few days. We said our farewells and that was it, no raging, no drama.
I wonder if I'll ever find a job that I like. At this point I don't even know what the hell I even want to do.
So anyways, any fun stories of you quitting/being fired/ ghosting your employers? 😁

Hello everyone, GrimaIsBestWaifu here. As you might know, I am a massive fan of Book IV and its characters. Today marks around four years since I officially came around to Book IV after initially being a hater. Needless to say, as a Book IV nerd and enthusiast, I secured a copy of FEH's second art book at the first opportunity in order to further immerse myself in my passion. While it's an illustrations book first and foremost, I found the most value in the sections that went into detail about the lore, story, and characters of Books IV and V (but mostly IV, heh).
As of today, there is no official English version of this book, so non-Japanese readers are limited in how much information they can glean from it. This is a tragedy I can't abide, being heavily invested in FEH's story and wanting others to be able to appreciate it too, despite its flaws. There is also a decent chance that some information contained in this book will be changed or omitted in the official English version, so in that event I hope this might serve as an attestation to the "original" version. In this post, I intend to go over the section that describes the events that take place in Book IV's story. To see my translation of the section of the art book that expounds on Book IV's lore and characters, go here.
Disclaimer: I am not a native Japanese speaker, nor am I fluent in the language. English and Japanese are very different languages, so I will do my best to make things flow nicely in English while retaining as much of the original meaning as possible. Italicized text indicates my own speech, words that do not come from the book. The book's story recap is also told in past tense, but I use present tense in my translation here because I think it flows better and is easier to understand.
Chapter 1: The Dream One day, Alfonse and the others are summoned by Queen Henriette. According to her, an inexplicable incident has occurred in one of Askr's border villages in the wheat country where all its residents have fallen asleep. All efforts have been exhausted in attempting to save the sleeping villagers, who appear to be having nightmares, but none awaken. Henriette tasks them with investigating the sleep sickness there. The Order of Heroes complies, and after entrusting them with the Redolent Censer, she sends them off to the village with a smile. On the way to the village, Loki appears before the party and speaks in a way suggesting she may know something about the sleep sickness. It's possible she is planning something yet again...Alfonse and the others cautiously forge ahead.
As the Redolent Censer continuously burns with poison-nullifying incense, they arrive near the village. Sharena feels at ease and expresses gratitude towards her mother, who gave them the treasure in order to protect them. But in that moment of relaxation, she lets out a big yawn. Anna scolds her before stifling a yawn herself. Upon noticing this, Alfonse and Kiran are also beset by a fierce drowsiness, rendering them incapable of standing. By the time they realize the censer is ineffectual, it's already too late, and they are unable to resist closing their eyes...
Alfonse is with Henriette, along with Zacharias and Veronica. He is confused due to only having vague memories about why they are on a mission together. Suddenly, Zacharias attacks Henriette and corners Alfonse alongside Veronica.
Then, a girl abruptly appears and envelops the surrounding area in a dazzling light by reciting an incantation and prayer, causing Zacharias and Veronica to disappear. As Alfonse is yet again confused by the situation, the girl smiles brightly and says, "I'm Peony! I'm a ljósálfr—or light elf, you might say. I'm from the land of dreams, Ljósálfheimr." (This quote is transcribed from the official ENG script and is not a direct translation of the book's text, which uses the JP quote)
Chapter 2: Missing You (JP: One Person, Missing) The dream realm, álfar... Peony puffs out her cheeks when Alfonse cannot believe his ears. They regroup with Sharena and Anna, but Kiran is nowhere to be found. Even after following Peony's advice and trying to bend the dream world to their wishes, Kiran remains missing. Peony guides the party in their search for Kiran, claiming that the Dream-King Freyr could help.
While on the move, they fight off soldiers of nightmares, who are born from the fears of mortals and take on the forms of Heroes. Sharena also speaks with Peony about possibly having met before somewhere in the distant past. Peony responds that it might have been in a dream, and the two smile at one another, since they are quite similar and it appears they will get along well.
There a girl appears with black wings fluttering. She turns out to be Triandra, the Nightmare. As a dökkálfr from the realm of dark dreams, she is giving mortals nightmares under her liege's orders. Alfonse and the others confront Triandra when she tries to erase (In JP, the word for "erase"/"extinguish" is frequently used in place of "kill" when pertaining to the álfar) Peony. Triandra withdraws after being put at a disadvantage, stating that she won't give up.
Peony leads the group to a location with a large bed(s). Sleeping in a dream is the way to gain an audience with the Dream-King, so Sharena and Anna fall asleep. Before following their lead, Alfonse notices that he can't remember his childhood very well. Though that disquiets him, he nevertheless trusts Peony and closes his eyes. Peony is overjoyed at their faith in her as she watches them.
(In the ENG version, Sharena mentions that there are "many" beds, but the JP version doesn't make any indication of their number. Due to the fact that this art book previously mentions THREE adults being able to fit on one, it's possible that Alfonse, Sharena, and Anna all slept on it at the same time and that there is only one. However, the possibility that there are multiple of them remains open)
Chapter 3: Gullinkambi (JP: Horn of Gullinkambi) Alfonse and the others arrive in the realm of fantasy, the dream within the dream, by Peony's invitation. There stands Dream-King Freyr, who gives Alfonse the horn Gullinkambi. By remembering one's self from before falling asleep, wishing to return to the waking world, and blowing the horn, Alfonse and his party, along with the wheat country village's residents, can awaken. However, Freyr continues, stating that they must first drive back the two dökkálfar who have invaded Ljósálfheimr and are showing mortals nightmares. While offering his thanks, Alfonse asks about Kiran's whereabouts. However, even though he should know everything about the dream world, Freyr does not know where Kiran is, them being one who exists outside of the world's reason. He advises them that should they blow the horn, Kiran will also awaken. Thus, the party wakes up from the dream within the dream in order to begin their march and fight the dökkálfar.
The group traverses the dream realm following Peony's lead. Suddenly, Kiran appears before them. Though Alfonse and the others are relieved to see them, they halt in their tracks upon spotting who was next to them. "I am Plumeria, the dökkálfr of lewd dreams." (Again from ENG script)
Plumeria attacks the group along with nightmare soldiers that take the forms of Heroes from "Genealogy of the Holy War". Alfonse and the others fight them off, but Kiran also withdraws as if accompanying Plumeria. Peony states that this is because Kiran has been trapped by the dökkálfar's nightmares. Alfonse clenches his fist tightly, swearing to get Kiran back.
Chapter 4: On Dark Wings (JP: The Fluttering of Black Wings) The two dökkálfar show nightmares to mortals in Ljósálfheimr under their liege Freyja's orders. While Plumeria makes her disdain towards humans known, Triandra shows signs of concern towards Peony, who is her opposite in role.
The party continues traveling across Ljósálfheimr by following Peony's slightly dubious directions in pursuit of the dökkálfar. Anna and Alfonse can't wrap their heads around the actions they take in the dream world that would be illogical in reality. Suddenly, Sharena's gaze falls on a certain field of flowers. She says she remembers playing with girls her age in a flower field in a dream. She also remembers there being a girl similar to Peony, but Peony herself doesn't seem to recall this.
The party arrives at the Dream Gate, where the dökkálfar along with soldiers of nightmares lie in wait. They take up their weapons and repel the dökkálfar, after which Peony prompts Alfonse to blow the horn. Then, a crestfallen Peony bids them farewell, stating that they will forget about álfar like her, but that she will always watch over them, and she gives them a smile. Alfonse and the others close their eyes, trusting that they will meet again in a dream someday.
As the sound of the horn reaches Freyr's ears, his sister Freyja appears before him. Her true objective is to take her brother to Dökkálfheimr, over which she rules, while he is defenseless after handing off the horn. Were the Dream-King to leave Ljósálfheimr, order would be disrupted and nightmares would begin to flow into the mortal world and become reality. Freyja burns with jealousy upon witnessing her brother worry over the humans. Thinking to recompense them for stealing her brother's heart, her smile widens.
Chapter 5: Twisted Reality (JP: Distorting World) Alfonse wakes up to the smell of incense. Apparently, contrary to how much time they'd perceived, only a moment has passed in reality. While the other members of the Order confirm that everyone is fine, Alfonse notices that Kiran is missing. But strangely, Sharena and Anna cock their heads when he says Kiran's name. "The summoner of legend was called Kiran, right?" (ENG)
Alfonse is shocked when it doesn't appear to be in jest, based on Anna's tone of voice. Just then, an earth-splitting laugh rings out. The party prepares for combat, only to find that there stood Surtr, the king of Múspell who should've in the past been defeated. Though shocked, Alfonse faces off against Surtr, who ends up vanishing like the Zacharias and Veronica from in the dream. As the villagers awaken, unidentified troops are reported to have appeared in various places. Alfonse heightens his vigilance, suspecting that nightmares are manifesting in reality, as the group moves to eliminate those forces.
Though Sharena really can't remember Kiran, her gaze wavers from a profound sadness welling up inside. Alfonse cheers up his sister by swearing to do something about the situation. If nightmares can be defeated in the dream, they can be defeated in reality... Under this presumption, the Order marches on and discovers Peony being attacked. After rescuing her, she successfully uses her power to make Sharena and the others recall their lost memories. Then, Peony informs them that nightmares have been able to flood into the real world because Freyr has been taken to Dökkálfheimr, the nightmare realm.
Chapter 6: Dreaming Reality (JP: Dreams in Reality, Reality in Dreams) According to Peony, Freyr's sister Freyja is in Dökkálfheimr, and because they are in the same place simultaneously, the "Waking Dream" is allowing nightmares to spill into reality. In order to put a stop to the Waking Dream, the group searches for a ljósálfr who lives in a misty forest...Mirabilis, the Daydream. On their way to the forest, they encounter the real Veronica. After finding out about the situation and what the Order's objective is, Veronica states that she will come along. She says this is because she heard that her brother, Bruno (Zacharias), and Xander have returned from their travels and are now in the misty forest.
After the party arrives at the forest, they split up in search for Zacharias, Xander, and Mirabilis. Parting ways with Sharena and the others, Alfonse and Veronica venture deep into the forest and find the former two. Veronica smiles upon being reunited with her brother after such a long time apart, but her shoulders slump when she hears that he and Xander must soon leave again. She faintly smiles again when Zacharias invites her to join them, stating that he doesn't want to make her feel lonely anymore. Seeing this, Alfonse asks Zacharias if they could work together to fend off the nightmares. Apprehensively, he agrees, to which Alfonse continues. "...Thank you. As I thought, you aren't really Zacharias. [...] You said something you shouldn't already know." (This quote is a translation of the JP, since I feel the ENG line doesn't fit as nicely in this context)
At this, Zacharias and Xander's attitudes change. After repelling their assault, Veronica declares her cooperation with the Order. She then urges Alfonse to tell her about his memories of being with Zacharias. However, he realizes that he cannot remember anything from long ago for some reason.
Chapter 7: Steeped in Twilight The Order of Heroes realizes the severity of the situation that has befallen them after hearing that nightmares have reportedly been appearing unceasingly across Askr. They head deeper into the forest in search of Mirabilis so they can go to Dökkálfheimr, save Freyr, and eliminate his captors. After the scenery becomes blurry for a moment, Peony searches the surrounding area and happens upon Mirabilis. She rubs her eyes, appearing to be sound asleep. Peony pleads with her, wanting to get to Dökkálfheimr by way of Mirabilis' daydream powers. Just then, Triandra appears, the dökkálfar having also invaded the real world. She creates a nightmare embodiment of Hel, ruler of death. After defeating it, with Mirabilis in tow, the group departs in the direction of the point of twilight, which is close to Dökkálfheimr. Along the way, Sharena is bothered by a feeling that she has also met Mirabilis in a dream in the past. She believes that she, Peony, Mirabilis, and two other girls did something important together.
Eventually, they arrive at the point of twilight. It seems that here, they can cross into the nightmare realm by being given a "particularly scary daydream" by Mirabilis when day gives way to night. However, Triandra attacks them once more. Soldiers of nightmares come at them without end as they are surrounded by the sea with nowhere to run. Veronica calms the others down as they panic, stating that she will handle their pursuers on her own while they go on ahead. The last time they were in the dream world, only a moment passed in reality. Because of this, Alfonse and the others believe they will make it in time, so they close their eyes and make their way to the nightmare realm.
Chapter 8: Wallowing in Love (JP: Drowning in a Dream of Love) The group ventures into Dökkálfheimr. They are quickly met with Plumeria, who mystifies them with a bewitching sweet scent, but they somehow manage to fend off her attack. While in pursuit of a retreating Plumeria, Alfonse hears the voice of a sad young girl. However, he doesn't know whose voice it is, and the group marches on.
After catching the gentle scent of flowers whose fragrance is different from that of Plumeria's nectar smell, Sharena mentions that she remembers it. She claims it's the smell of the flower field in which she played with the other girls in her dreams. She then recalls swapping hairstyles and clothes with one of the girls who greatly resembled her, and even going to each other's homes. Anna is startled, thinking this sounds like a "changeling". As Anna explains how changelings are álfar who switch places with human children, Sharena listens with an absentminded countenance.
Plumeria again stands in the party's way, accompanied by nightmare soldiers modelled after Heroes from the "Awakening Outrealms", as they hurry to Freyr's side. However, the Order emerges victorious once again and goes on ahead. While wounded in her defeat, Plumeria hears the voice of a young girl crying for her mother, which she remembers. There, Freyja appears and grants her strength, healing her. After rising to her feet, Plumeria asks if she was a mortal before Freyja gave her life as an álfr. Freyja's expression clouds over, and she tells Plumeria that her father didn't love her or her mother, so he abandoned them. And because her daughter interfered with her desire to be with another man she loved, Plumeria's mother threw her into the bottom of a well and left her there.
By Freyja's words, Plumeria was a child nobody loved. But now, after drinking the nectar and becoming an álfr, she should just forget about that past. Her voice filled with compassion as she speaks, Freyja gives Plumeria a smile.
Chapter 9: Violent Fantasies (JP: Dream of Killing Someone) (Curiously, the recap begins with the events of Chapter 9 - 3, skipping over the first confrontation with Triandra in this chapter)
The queen of nightmares, Freyja, has abducted her beloved brother Freyr to her realm. With an ecstatic expression, Freyja declares that they shall fill the mortal world with their dreams. Freyr is dismayed, lamenting that Freyja originally didn't wish for the destruction of humans and that the two of them have already succumbed to ruin. He regrets turning human girls into álfar in order to drive back the disaster that befell the dream world in the past, when mortals gave up their dreams. Burning with jealousy over his constant concern for mortals, Freyja clenches a certain necklace.
Alfonse and the others rush to rescue Freyr, defeating Triandra, who stands in their way. As she stands up, saying that she can't yet afford to disappear (In a similar vein to what was mentioned above, the word for "disappear" is often used instead of "die" when pertaining to the álfar in JP), memories of her mortal past also pile up in her mind. Freyja appears before her, telling her that she and her younger sister were viciously abused by their non-blood related father. To protect her sister, who was in danger of losing her life, Triandra killed their father. Freyja assures her that she is not to fret over this, since she only did what she could. To this, Triandra quietly responds that she is alright.
Alfonse and the others finally reach Freyr. However, he has come under the curse of the necklace Brísingamen, and all of his dream powers have become Freyja's. With both of their powers in her grasp, Freyja has become the ruler over all dreams and is now able to freely control the dream world and bend reality itself to her whim. None are able to oppose her... Helpless against the unrelenting onslaught of Freyja's replicas and nightmare soldiers from all directions, the group falls back. However, the path leading back to Veronica has entirely vanished. "There is no way for you to survive. Taste despair in your attempts to escape." The nightmare queen sneers at them, exceedingly beautiful, (This line was very awkward to translate, I am sorry)
(To my knowledge, the quote used above doesn't actually appear anywhere in the Japanese script. It seems to just be a concise rephrasing of Freyja's dialogue at the end of the chapter)
Chapter 10: Lack (JP: Loss) The Order takes Freyr with them as they continue to flee. According to him, so long as Freyja is the ruler over all dreams, they can neither escape nor subjugate her. Even so, not wanting to give up, the group thinks of a plan. Just then, Freyr begins to tell of his and Freyja's past piece by piece. As a child, Freyja was always crying from being mocked by everyone over having a mark on her face. Freyr would steadfastly comfort his sister, who came to only smile for him. Then, she stated that she wanted to join herself to someone compassionate like Freyr when she grew older. She eventually matured to become beautiful, but didn't accept anyone's affections.
Sharena reassures Freyr along the way, to which Freyr confesses that the dream world once teetered at the brink of ruin. The only ones who could prevent the destruction of the dream world and save the hearts of mortals were children from the real world. But children who partake of dream nectar can no longer return to their world... Because of this, Freyr thought that perhaps if the children were in unfortunate circumstances, they would be happy to become special versions of themselves. He sacrificed innocent children in order to save the world even knowing it was sinful. After this, Freyr falls silent.
Their withdrawal fruitless, Freyja once again corners the Order of Heroes. Though she mocks them over their futile efforts, Freyr states that there is one way for them to escape.
"Freyja's power is the sum of our combined strengths... Therefore, one of us must be shed..." (ENG)
Freyr petitions the Order and offers himself up to them. Discerning his meaning, as Freyr can no longer manage to end his own life due to Freyja's control, Alfonse and the others cut him down.
Freyja cries out as she asks Freyr if mortals really are so precious to him that he would throw his life away for their sake. However, Freyr responds that nothing is more important to him than she is. It is because he loves her that he doesn't want to see her destroy the mortals, which is why he should disappear. Leaving her with those words, Freyr bids his sister farewell.
Freyja wails in sorrow and despair at the loss of her most beloved brother, after which she vanishes to some other location, bringing the dökkálfar with her. Due to Freyr's demise, dreams stop distorting reality. Now, they must wake up and return to their world. To grant Freyr's final wish, and to reunite with the missing Kiran...Alfonse and the others press onward.
Chapter 11: Plumeria's Dream (JP: Plumeria the Lewd Dream) The Order wakes up the the sound of Veronica's voice calling out to them. Just when they begin to relax, thinking everything is back to normal, Freyja appears before them. Chaos unfolds as everyone wonders how that can be, when nightmares shouldn't be able to encroach on reality anymore... The group is once again forced to engage in combat as they retreat. Freyja then tells them about the álfar's past as if to mock them. The álfar were originally human children who played together, who were called to the dream world in order to save it. She also describes how Mirabilis was a child who was abandoned by her mother after she was born. Finally, she tells of how among those children, the only one who didn't become an álfr was Sharena. Enveloped in Freyja's light, Sharena suddenly clutches her head in pain and faints.
After regaining consciousness at a boulder to which the group retreated, Sharena tells Alfonse that she now vividly recalls what happened in the world of dreams. "We wanted to save the world... Only...I stayed behind..." (ENG, but for curiosity's sake, the JP line goes "Only I wasn't able to become a hero...even though we said we'd save the world together...", which I think hits harder)
Sharena profusely apologizes with tears spilling from her eyes, saying that she might not really be Alfonse's sister. That she would play changelings with a girl who looked just like her, and that they would genuinely trade places upon waking. That she has memories of the small, run-down house in which the girl she'd exchange places with lived. That she might just be an ordinary child who swapped places with Princess Sharena in the dream world. And that as a consequence, the real Princess Sharena wasn't able to return home... Sharena appears discomposed as she suddenly recalls so many memories. Alfonse soothes her, saying that her memories of that house must have come from when she'd wake up as the other child.
Desiring to have them suffer like her after losing her brother, Freyja sends Plumeria after the group so the álfar will be made to kill each other. Plumeria follows her commands without saying a word and stands in the way of Alfonse and the others. She attacks them while looking like she is in tears...saying that she doesn't need reality, and that she wants to be in a dream forever. The party cannot hope to survive without fighting back so long as she continues to target them. Thus Alfonse and the others deal the final blow against Plumeria through their heartbreak. She grasps at the air and cries out for her mother over and over again like a small child as her body disintegrates. (I already felt really bad playing this story chapter in-game, but having this description makes it even worse...ow, my heart)
Even with Plumeria's defeat, the nightmares' assault does not relent. How can this be, when the Waking Dream shouldn't be able to occur with King Freyr dead? After assessing and reflecting on the situation one more time, Alfonse finally formulates an answer. "This has all been a dream... From the very beginning... Everything. All of it." (ENG)
They have been in a dream since the time they heard about the sleep sickness from Queen Henriette. If this is a dream, they should be able to return to reality this time if they blow the horn Gullinkambi in front of the Dream Gate. Alfonse marches on determinedly.
The Order takes a rest on the way to the Dream Gate. At their base, Anna reports to Alfonse about Sharena's condition after having stayed with her for a while. Afterwards, she begins to make small talk about a dream she had a little while ago about being a squirrel. She comments on how strange it is that she was convinced she was a squirrel in the dream, even though she isn't one... At this, Alfonse feels as though he is catching onto something.
Chapter 12: Triandra's Dream (JP: Triandra the Nightmare) Alfonse witnesses a daydream during the group's respite. A dream of the World of Steel, with towers stretching up high enough to pierce the skies. Peony calls it a grey world where people have forgotten how to dream. To make the álfar kill each other, Freyja sends out Triandra again. However, Freyja ponders why Plumeria and Triandra obey her orders without regard for how they are effectively being used and discarded. She asks Triandra why they would go so far as to throw their lives away in service to her. Triandra responds that she and Plumeria adore her, and that perhaps it is because mortals want to help those they care about even if they get nothing in return. Freyja shakes her head at this, being a god who doesn't understand this sentiment. She watches with a conflicted look in her eyes as Triandra departs.
Alfonse and the others fend off the advancing nightmares on their way to the Dream Gate. They are met with Triandra standing in their path, and upon seeing her, Peony's expression changes. Triandra speaks of how she could not forgive herself for being powerless to protect her younger sister as a mortal. Her dream was to obtain the power she desired in order to strike down those who would do evil. After she loses against the Order and collapses to the ground, having lost her power, she gazes at Peony and apologizes to her.
"Forgive me... I wanted to keep you safe just...a while longer..." (ENG) "...S-sister..." (ENG)
As Peony's words sorrowfully fall from her lips, Triandra's body disintegrates.
Led by Mirabilis, the group arrives before the Dream Gate at last. Following Freyr's instructions to "[p]icture the world outside the dream, and wish to return," (ENG) Alfonse sounds the horn, but for some reason, nothing happens. Alfonse goes over his thoughts once more, trying to figure out if there is something wrong with his thought process. Then, he remembers what Anna said a little while earlier. "If what I suspect is true...then the life I remember before the dream...is not my life at all..." (ENG)
Just then, Kiran appears before the Order. Alfonse is elated upon their reunion, but Kiran appears to be under the control of nightmares. With the help of Veronica and the others, he manages to render Kiran unconscious without killing them. By Peony's suggestion, they remove the hood that conceals their face. Under the hood of the collapsed Kiran...was unmistakably Alfonse's face.
Alfonse's suspicion is then confirmed. The reason why he couldn't recall his memories with Zacharias, and why he dreamed about the World of Steel, is because his past with Zacharias doesn't exist and the World of Steel is where he truly hails from.
"I am not Alfonse. [...] My name...is Kiran!" (ENG)
When they remember their true self, Freyja appears and tells them that they are having this dream because they wished for it. That Alfaðör, creator of all things, decided that Alfonse should no longer exist after he defeated Hel, sovereign of death. The Creator's will always comes to pass, and thus the real Alfonse is dead, so Freyja says.
Chapter 13: Reality Freyja continues, saying that Kiran gave form to this world and took on Alfonse's role out of grief over his loss. She claims that because Kiran is one who exists outside of the world's reason, if they combine efforts with Freyja, they could make the dream persist forever and have all their wishes come true. However, she declares that should Kiran choose reality, they will wake up in a world without Alfonse, and that she will use her power to take the lives of all of the álfar. With that, she disappears.
Peony states that because Freyja's nightmare powers still cover the area, they will be unable to use the horn. Even the álfar do not know if Freyja's pronouncement of Alfonse's death is the truth or a lie. A painful reality may await them... Holding onto that sense of unease, Kiran and the others head in Freyja's direction.
"Peony... My best friend, who I played with in the flower garden... That was you, wasn't it?" (ENG)
Sharena speaks with Peony, positing that Peony had switched places with her and drank her share of nectar because she knew there would be no going back to being human. Even so, Peony smiles, saying that making people happy was her own happiness. That neither of them know who was who originally, and that they are both each other, like two halves of a whole. If they defeat Freyja and return to reality, Peony and the other álfar will in turn be erased and the Order will forget about the dream. Sharena sobs over not wanting to lose a friend again. At this, Peony gives her a ring made of flowers. (It's a "chain" in ENG, but in JP it's described as a "指輪", as in a ring you put on your finger)
"[Even] if we do forget, that does not undo everything that's happened. [...] But if...if there's some way you can remember me, then maybe we can meet again someday, somehow..." (ENG)
Sharena and Peony join hands and nestle up close to one another as if in prayer.
On the other hand, Freyja's heart is swayed by emotions she cannot comprehend. Unconsciously, she begins to speak to Triandra and Plumeria, but both of them have disappeared in carrying out her orders. Though she insists that only her brother matters to her, as though trying to convince herself of it, her expression gradually clouds over. Kiran and the others eventually reach Freyja, and after defeating nightmare soldiers that appear one after another, Freyja herself finally falls as well. She disappears, leaving them with the proclamation that she will use all of her remaining power to erase everything about the álfar from existence.
The end of the dream draws near. The sound of the horn reverberates through the dream world. As she expresses her gratitude, Peony's form grows faint.
Kiran awakens to a voice calling their name, which turns out to be Alfonse's. He tells them that they, along with everyone else, had fallen asleep for three days and nights. Sharena seems to not remember anything and smiles as though nothing had happened. However, during their mission, Sharena discovers that she is wearing a flower ring on her hand. She is perplexed by this and clutches her chest, suddenly feeling like her heart is being torn apart. Then, someone claiming to be Sharena's childhood friend comes for a visit. Upon laying eyes on the person in question, her eyes tear up.
"Good morning, everyone! I'm Peony! I'm a ljósálfr—or light elf, you might say. I'm from the land of dreams, Ljósálfheimr." (ENG)
In Dökkálfheimr, Triandra and Plumeria, who should have disappeared, open their eyes. Before them stands Freyja, who tells them that they have no need to obey her any longer. Freyja's life fades away, having lost most of her power in reviving Triandra and Plumeria instead of erasing the álfar. She herself doesn't know why she did so even though she doesn't love anyone except her brother. In spite of this, she gave up her life for the sake of others, just like her brother had laid down his life for the mortals he so loved. Triandra and Plumeria vow to find a way to revive Freyja. The children weep as they grasp Freyja's hands, to which Freyja says that she truly cannot understand. Even so, she responds that she is happy and smiles gently.
And thus concludes the story of Book IV, neatly summarized as presented in the art book. I apologize for any inaccuracies in my translations and any confusion they might cause. This was an intensive passion project born from my love for Book IV, and I hope those who took the time to read this very long post found some enjoyment out of it. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please do share them if you so wish! I very much enjoy discussion about everything Book IV. Also let me know if there is any other material you'd like for me to translate, and I might make an attempt in the future. Thank you for reading!

A little back story on the situation I am going to ramble a bit but for the sake of detail and context I gotta. I (22m) have worked at (shitty mexican restaurant chain _____ which I'm sure you can guess) for 4 years of my "adult" life. This job has paid rent, car note, and medical for me for a long time and as much as we hate seemingly dead end jobs they pay bills so I can't complain. I've been there since the grand open of the location and have been blindly faithful to it in that span. we've been through 4 gms and 3 field leaders and 1 super field leader (idk wtf they are called) so the job is a shit show deluxe. I've been crew for 2 years and manager for the other 2 until recently the dumb ass new hire field leader pushed through demotion documents and stripped me of the title so now I'm again crew and notably susceptible to termination very easily vs two major parties agreeing on the topic before hand.
Context aside now the story. Me and a manager got into word, spare the details aside most of the crew I ask says I was in the right but oh well it's spilled milk. The GM catches me at the door and explains to me that she believes I am "problematic" and she was planning on ending my employment there on the spot. Honestly she is in every right to do that and it would've been bullshit on many fronts but hey that's life oh well. She takes me outside and that's when she shows her ass. She explains that since I've been there for so long and others have too, they believe they can't be replaced. She says and I quote "I will run this b**ch short everyday, you guys can go". She names a few of my friends and says that she can have another me next week if she wanted, labor is high anyway.
Now the conversation is over and she believes I've been handed god's mercy by her hand I continue to work. It ate at me, almost to the point where I was going to cry.....(Grown man crying grow up right?). I tell a friend just to make sure I didn't hear wrong and what do you know, he says that was a horrible thing to tell someone and that's shitty. I then muster up the courage to talk to her in private. I explain to her that while my misconduct was handled fair by her (bullshit but fair), the comment about us being replaceable was malicious and ugly and it made me sick and co-workers agree that it was nasty. She then gives one of the worst, deceitful and manipulative "apologies" ever. She says that the comment was supposed to "inspire me to do better" and "She's sorry for how her words made me feel" and "If I don't believe she appreciates me then she not gonna force me to stay". Complete disregard for empathy, my intelligence, and my time. I explain to her that when she said that it attacked my pride as an individual, It stripes my meaning of waking up and going to work. I explain that I want a transfer but she exclaims that she likes me working there and I do good work and reassures that I'm taking it wrong.
Listen I do exceptional work and so do my coworkers. I also however have pride and did not let a comment like that go unchecked. I just want to know if I'm overreacting or taking it wrong because this situation is tearing my insides up. I want to stay it pays my bills and my doctors. Honestly a transfer is the right move but moreso on a person front.
What would you have done?

This story took place between 2022-23. It is long but there is a backstory that is pertinent to the information. All names are fake.
So I (27 F) was friends with Amy (29F) for six years. We met when we worked at the same place. We had been through a lot together as friends in that six years including breakups, deaths, divorce and significant friend group changes. Amy was married when we first met but ended up getting divorced. We live in Town A which is almost dead center between two other towns, Town B 45 minutes south and Town C being about and hour north. This is important for later on.
When Amy and her now ex-husband separated with the divorce pending she started dating that same summer (2021) they were not officially divorced until early 2022. In July of 2021 Amy met Xander (34M), and they started dating that month. Xander and I got to know each other more as their relationship progressed and I really liked him. In Fall of 2021 I found out that I was pregnant which was exciting as I had had a miscarriage not long before. Amy and Xander were both very happy for us. I was due in summer of 2022 just a few day after my own birthday. Fast forward to May of 2022 (I am now about 6.5 months pregnant). Xander contacts me privately and says he his planning on proposing to Amy on their one year anniversary and asked me for help with the ring. I was excited for the two of them and immediately said yes I was happy to help! He asked if I could come with him to go ring shopping as I knew what she liked/wanted and had access to her Pinterest. We set up a day and I waddled around three different jewelry stores with him helping him pick out the ring. Prior to his and my appointment I took my friend out and had her casually walk around and look at rings and had the salesperson get me pictures as covertly as they could. We ended up picking out a gorgeous ring and I kept it hidden at my house until he was ready to propose.
My baby shower was set for July the day BEFORE their one year anniversary and when he was planning on proposing . Now I did NOT pick this date. Amy and my mother did as they planned the entire thing. I wasn't even told the theme until I saw the invitations. I wanted it this way as I had a rough pregnancy and was tired and sick a lot of the time. Amy asked me for a guest list with contact information for these people and that was the extent of my contributions. The week of my baby shower I kept trying to get Amy to come with me to get her nails done and she would just refuse so without spoiling the surprise I let it go. I show up to my baby shower to see MAYBE 8 people. I was hurt but figured it was summer and a lot of people may have already had vacations planned so while I was sad I was grateful for who came and got us gifts. I found out later that this was not the case.
The proposal happens the next day and she says yes and the planning begins immediately. About 2 weeks later I am about a month away from my due date and Amy lets me know that her and Xander have picked a date. May of 2023, barely ten months later. I was a little shocked because that isn't a lot of time to plan a wedding and I was about to have a baby. I let her know that I will do what I can to help her plan and be there for her but that wasn't a lot of time to plan (or pay!) for all the things and I will need her to be gracious with me as I learn how to be a new mom. She said she totally understood and would also do what she could to support me and baby. She asked me to be her MOH and I accepted with the conditions that she understand that a lot of the maid of honor things I may not be able to do simply because of how quickly she was getting married and the baby's imminent arrival. Again, she said she totally understood and just wanted me to be a part of the wedding as much as I was able to be. She also said she totally expects baby to be at the wedding and is already thinking of how to accommodate for baby's presence there. That made me feel good and confident that this would all work out.
I ended up having my baby almost a month to the day later however it was an emergency c-section. It was not the beautiful happy moment that most people imagine as I almost died. I don't even remember holding my baby for the first time. The most prevalent memory I have is fighting to open my eyes and stay conscious (Everyone came out on the other side alive and healthy, thank goodness!). Amy and Xander came to visit us in the hospital after the birth and at this point had not been given full details of everything. When they showed up my husband let Amy hold the baby and gave them the run down of what had happened. All I got was a "Oh my gosh!" and then Amy went straight into talking about wedding plans... I should have said something then but was honestly just too tired.
Things begin to happen a little faster now. Baby and I had a rough time and had to go back into the hospital after being born. We only had to stay one night but when she was informed all we got in return was a "Oh no. I'm sorry." Now I didn't expect her to do something spectacular but it honestly felt like it just didn't matter to her. A few months go by and wedding planning is still happening. They selected their venue which was just past Town B. I called and made her a dress appointment the following January/February as well as started looking around for makeup artists for her as she doesn't typically wear makeup ever and I wear it regularly. There is a wedding dress shop that was right up her alley style wise located in Town B where Amy worked. I had a Saturday appointment set for her and I to go and take a look around. That week (like Monday or Tuesday) I found out that she goes to the shop ALONE and ends up finding her wedding dress. I was again shocked but told her, from the pictures she sent after she had already bought it. That the dress looked amazing. I expressed that I was upset that she went alone but glad she got such a good deal on it (think $2k dress on sale for $800).
She asked me last minute to go to floral shops with her on day and thankfully my husband was home that day and able to watch the baby. I agreed and we ended up driving to every single florist in town only to be turned away by all but one because she didn't make an appointment and the person she needed to talk with for wedding arrangements was unavailable at the time. By the end of that adventure she told me how upset she was that she had only been able to get one quote. I was blunt with her and said that she should have made an appointment or at least called ahead to see if anyone was available. She said that typically the MOH (i.e. me) sets up those appointment. I was annoyed and had a little heart to heart with her and said "I understand that but the last appointment I made for you, you ignored. I also am having a really hard time right now. If you need to pick someone else to take on the MOH duties I totally understand and there will be no hard feelings. I will even still give a speech if you would like me to." She said it was fine and she wanted me to be MOH still. We also had planned on going to a bridal expo the following weekend and I reminded her that most of those people would be there as well as others. She was placated by this it seemed and we ended up going to the bridal expo with her two other bridesmaids.
Now I had met these two other women ONCE. They were friends with her fiancé and she had only met them 3-6 months prior. While they were not mean or rude to me they certainly weren't welcoming. I kept getting comments like "well you are the one with a kid" or "I'm glad you didn't have to bring the baby". It rubbed me the wrong way but again I didn't say anything because it isn't about me right now. Amy ended up booking no one at the expo but did sign up to have a jewelry party. I ended up being unable to attend because I was having a really rough time and my kid was still not sleeping through the night at the time and my husband and I were having a really bad argument. I do admit I should have told her about what was going on and I can see how it hurt her that I didn't tell her but I was in the thick of it, sleep deprived and struggling with post partum depression. I did end up apologizing to her.
The next issue was the makeup trial. I told her specifically beforehand that she will more than likely have to try a few different artists because each has their own unique style and since she doesn't ever wear makeup they will all probably feel strange to her. I did have her look over the photos of the makeup artists that I think she would like and have her put in order the ones she wanted to try. After the appointment she told me that she felt like she looked like "a tranny" and hated the artist I picked. Again I was annoyed and told her that I was doing the best I could and this was difficult because she does not wear make up and there isn't much else I can do other than look online and message some people.
Now the bach trip became the next problem. A group chat was made to include myself and the other two bridesmaids. Amy is not one to go out and drink (she doesn't even drink at home) so I explained to the bridesmaids that I think a fancy dinner would be perfect. We could find other things to add to it like a theater show or something like that. We selected a theater show and a really fancy restaurant that I know Amy would love dates hadn't been decided yet because we had to nail down some details still. They agreed but when it came down to the actual planning things got really quite and I never got a reply. I didn't want to tell Amy either because she was already upset with me over the makeup artist trial I had set up for her.
At this point I am getting burnt out between her, the baby, and all the other issues going on that she was FULLY aware of (I had been fired from my job the day before Christmas Eve so now finances had become difficult). I told her again that I was struggling with everything and would understand if she wanted someone else to act as MOH as I was still just doing the best I could but it didn't seem like it was enough. Again she told me she understood.
The next big issue was the bridesmaid dresses. A couple days before the appointment both me and my kid ended up getting sick. I let her know that we would be unable to go. She asked me if I was sure and that other people would be there to help me with the baby included her soon to be SIL and one of her bridesmaids moms... I told her "I am not driving my sick baby to a different town to have absolute strangers hold him just to try on dresses. Especially during flu season." She said "Okay well I guess I will send you some pictures of what we pick." I told her fine and that was it. I should note that the bridal shop she selected was in Town B so I would have to take my baby all the way down there. I didn't get pictures till the next day. The dresses had been selected and all I had to do was get a dress that was the color assigned to me. I selected several that I liked that were within my budget and sent them to her. She nitpicks all of them and says my tattoo will be visible in all of them. Again, color me shocked. Up until this point she had NEVER mentioned my tattoo (on on left side of my chest and partially on my shoulder) being an issue. I vented to my husband and he helped me calm down and said while he thinks it is strange that she is suddenly against my tattoo when hers are visible in her wedding dress I should at least try to see if there were some styles of dress that I liked that met her criteria.
I ended up buying one of those multiway dresses that you can change the style of the top so that we could find out that worked for us both. It was in this god awful lilac tone that looked awful on my skin tone but not my wedding not my choice. She came over that weekend after it arrived to look at it. I hadn't even shown it to her when the subject of me being MOH comes up again and I told her the same thing as before, that I was struggling but doing my best and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if she felt like she needed to pick someone else to do the things she was expecting of me. Girl RAN out of my house crying when I said this. I looked at my husband like "WFT just happened?" as, again not the first time we have had this conversation. We didn't talk for almost a week (not normal for us) until i asked her to come over and talk so we could figure out what was going on. She shows up and starts going in on me saying how everyone else who is engaged is getting all of these trips and gifts and she isn't. How this should be so much more fun for her and it isn't. How she isn't happy that I am not doing all the MOH stuff that I should and she understands that I have a baby but she just isn't happy. She said that since the baby showed up everything is different and I never have time for her. She said "I had to get my wedding dress all alone! Yippee for me!" and now I am ANGRY.
I snapped and told reminder her that SHE chose to go in on her own after work and try things on. That we had an appointment set up and she just ignored it. I also reminded her that I asked for grace while I figured out how to be a new mom as she was the one who decided to get married within less than a year. That she was the one who went around to placed WITHOUT appointments and expected everyone to drop things for her. I also warned her to watch her mouth when it came to my baby because I had gotten pregnant before she was engaged and let her know before the baby was here that things would be different since I was now responsible for a whole as human. We had a heated argument but eventually came to an agreement that I would still be MOH just without the duties (i.e. I would be giving a speech and walking down the aisle as MOH and on the website as MOH but nothing outside of that now). I told her that I was planning on getting just her and I appointments to get out nails done before the wedding as a present for her and some much needed one on one time for us. She said that sounds amazing and she would love to do that. I gave her the tentative date I was thinking and she agreed. I thought things were, while a little tense, on the mend.
Fast forward and I see photos of her and the bridesmaids, her future SIL and some other woman at her bachelorette party. I had apparently been uninvited and not told. I was EXTREMELY hurt by this. The following weekend I see MORE pictures of her at a DIFFERENT Bach party that her coworker threw for her. I ended up checking her website (as I did periodically) and what do you know? I had been removed ENTIRELY. Now, while I understand that I had signed off on giving up my MOH duties, my understanding was that I was still MOH. I see her future SIL is now listed as MOH. I show my husband and he is also confused as he was home when her and I had our heart to heart. I message her the next day and asked if we could go get coffee and talk. She took awhile to respond but eventually did.
Since this story is so long I will try to summarize as best I can. It started with me gently confronting her about how I saw the website and I thought it was a bit rude that she didn't just tell me that she was replacing me in all aspects and not the ones we had talked about. She said she understood and should have told me before doing anything. I told her that in all honesty I didn't believe her because she had repeatedly told me that she understood things but her actions showed otherwise. I then brought up the bach party and how I wasn't even told anything and she said NOTHING. I explained how it made me feel and asked how she didn't notice I wasn't there and why she hadn't reached out to see where I was? So it was either she didn't care that I wasn't there OR she was made aware that I wasn't there which meant her new "friends" had lied to her OR she had asked them not to invite me. Again she said NOTHING. When she did respond it was a string of "I'm sorry" and "I wanted you there". We talked about it some more but honestly I felt like shit and just didn't care anymore. I told her that we would need to work on things because this was ridiculous and I was seeing a pattern now (including before her wedding/engagement). She said that she agrees and wants to work on things.
We left it at that and a week later I messaged her to ask her what type of manicure she wanted so I could let the salon know. She then informs me that she already had an appointment with the other bridesmaids for the SAME DAY that her and I had agreed on... I snapped. I responded with "Okay" and ignored her for the rest of the week. The day before the wedding she sent me a message asking if I was still coming. I did not respond. I understand that I should have said something and how my silence probably hurt her but I was just so done. So AITA for not going to her wedding?
**Edit: I forgot to include the baby shower guest list! She kept asking me if anyone had RSVP'd yet which I thought was weird since it was HER number on the invites (from what I could see of the sample invite my mother showed me). I later found out that she had been in charge of the invites and apparently didn't send most of them out or follow up with people. The 8 people who were there were the people who my mother invited personally.

Sources: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/421/0007587617
https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000494580
Quote: (Papago translated 1st article)
Actor Na In-woo is leaving '2 Days & 1 Night Season 4'.
As a result of the News 1 coverage on the 7th, Na In-woo will soon drop out of KBS 2TV entertainment program '2 Days & 1 Night Season 4'.
Since its broadcast in February 2022, Na In-woo has joined "2 Days & 1 Night Season 4" as Kim Seon-ho's replacement, and has been meeting viewers while leading the program with Yeon Jung-hoon, Kim Jong-min, Moon Se-yoon, DinDin, and Yoo Seon-ho for more than two years.
In particular, Na In-woo has solidified his cute youngest image in the program from the beginning of her joining, and he also showed bickering chemistry with other members, giving them a big laugh.
He continued his acting career while appearing in "2 Days & 1 Night" Season 4. In particular, he was greatly loved when he played Yoo Ji-hyuk, the male lead, in tvN's "Marry My Husband."
Na In-woo, who will leave '1 Night 2 Days Season 4', will focus more on acting for a while, and it has been confirmed that whether to replace Na In-woo is currently under discussion.
Quote: (Papago translated 2nd article)
Following actor Na In-woo, producer Lee Jeong Gyu will leave Season 4 of "2 Days & 1 Night."
According to a report by Spotify News on the 7th, producer Lee Jeong Gyu will leave KBS2's entertainment program "2 Days & 1 Night Season 4 (hereinafter 2 Days & 1 Night" after filming on the 7th and 8th.
"2 Days & 1 Night" opens a new chapter with the departure of producer Na In-woo and Lee Jeong Gyu. Joined in February 2022, Na In-woo will leave the program about two years and four months after becoming a regular member of "2 Days & 1 Night" replacing Kim Seon-ho.
Producer Lee Jeong Gyu will also leave the directing position after two years and two months since replacing Bang Geul-yi as the main director of "2 Days & 1 Night" in April 2022. Producer Joo Jong-hyun, who has been directing "2 Days & 1 Night" with producer Lee Jeong Gyu, will replace him.
Na In-woo is said to have decided to leave "2 Days and 1 Night" to focus on his main job, acting. At the same time, producer Lee Jeong Gyu also left "2 Days and 1 Night", drawing attention to "2 Days and 1 Night" which marked the "Season of Farewell."

For Context I’m 19 make roughly 8 - 12k a month, I had bought a cheap car nissan altima bought it for 20k total (5k down, financed 15k) because I was a first time buyer, my credit union only allowed me that much to be financed, however 3 months of payments later unfortunately got in an accident and wrecked it, now I’m back on the hunt for a vehicle, and stuck between 3 options.
1) My Dealership just got a 2023 BMW M240i, no accidents 1 owner, 7.3k miles for 50k, really good price for it, and really rare find especially since it’s the color i love. Payments would be anywhere from 900 to 1000 per month on a 60 to 48 month loan 5k - 10k down + 200 in insurance.
2) Lease a tesla, 2024 Model 3, they are requiring 4 to 7k down payments would be 400 to 600 bucks a month, for 24 months 12k mi, and the reason i’m leasing it’s not only the EV depreciation is crazy, but I’ll only be paying for half the car but get a full 40k loan reported to my credit(nice hack to build car history quickly)
3) Get another Altima, have a cheap payment 300 - 500 a month, not love my car like the last one, and just get a point A - B and only build loan history for a 20k car.
Insurance is roughly the same from the quotes i got for all the vehicles (200 - 300 a month) and for more context about to move out with some coworkers/close friends and split rent totaling 775 a person for 4 people, added an extra 500 bucks on my personal expenses once i move out just in case something exceeds my normal expenses. I have no debt aside from a credit card i pay every month, no payments aside from misc subscriptions that average out to 20 bucks a month, got around 45k saved up(just in case one of my roommates leave or im let go, i can survive off of it for a year) and finally don’t plan on selling cars for the next year probably move to realestate or tech sales in hopes of making 4 to 6x my current income and have a better working environment.
Last bit, trying to keep my monthly expenses under 3000 a month and with either option i pick im still in budget(including the future lease im about to acquire)
Just want to know which option gets the most value because of course getting the cheapest option is the smartest, but that ain’t fun or efficient in building credit.

Albert I'm not doing good man I know you don't like to hear that from me, me and my ex had a situation that lead to a break up, it was so bad that police was called but that's not all apparently we been on and off are relationship been toxic and not good sad the person would literally stand in front of the door with a sharp object preventing me from leaving as a excuse from the sharp object quotes saying they felt I was going to hurt them which I wasn't if u feel I was going to hurt you why would you stand in front of the door preventing me from leaving? So eventually we both talk until both side of us was calm or so I thought time went on things was good thing when we about to go to bed the person demanding my government documents and my wallet person when I try to talk him out from getting them he gets hostile with me with a kitchen knife 🔪 jerking at me like he going to stab me if I don't give it to him he used my possession hostage so that I wouldn't leave we both in the bed he napping with my possessions under him with a knife by his side eventually I wake up before he does I grab his phone go in the bathroom I look through his device and sees photos of him taking pics of my social security number and my ID he wakes up I pretend like I'm making snacks for us to eat in the kitchen then once his guard I snuck in the bedroom and lock myself in he's banging and kicking at the door trying to open it with the kitchen knife 🚪 so I dial 911 and before the cops got there he managed to bust it open I was able to stall and talk to him soon enough the police came I didn't press charges on him because I didn't know what he'll do if I did I don't want no part of him anymore we had on and off moments but this was the craziness or crazy The police made him give me my possession back when escorted me from the premises but this dude still has photos of my government documents in his phone and worried he's going to try to sabotage my life he's making fake accounts sending me proof that he knows my social we haven't been good compatible with each other one time before this situation he threatened to leave me in a whole another city while he was driving 🚗 I got scared waited for a red-light and as I open the door he gas the pedal and I went flying out there was no cars close at range when I fell out still just crazy and now this been hit slap in the face by him and I never hit him back got me laid off from all my jobs with the whole nudes stuff forwarding them to my coworkers as a result of me getting fired I'm not perfect I do understand action can come back at you for doing wrong this and yes I have done wrong thing out of My character like apparently cheating while we broken up with one another?? Being catch on hookup apps, being intimate with other people knowing i wasn't over him and getting back lying saying i wasn't until he found out making false commitments gensure out of peer pressure afraid of being alone he explained in his saying that I abuse him not physically but mentally and bad people should get bad things coming to them 10x I'm not saying he's wrong for those thoughts of actions I do belive in karma and I know it's pouring on me I played and hurt too many people to walk away and feel blaze of fire around my body like I'm walking into a shadowing deep dark place with every steps I constantly make of my actions 😔 😥 now I will reap what you sow

Albert I'm not doing good man I know you don't like to hear that from me, me and my ex had a situation that lead to a break up, it was so bad that police was called but that's not all apparently we been on and off are relationship been toxic and not good sad the person would literally stand in front of the door with a sharp object preventing me from leaving as a excuse from the sharp object quotes saying they felt I was going to hurt them which I wasn't if u feel I was going to hurt you why would you stand in front of the door preventing me from leaving? So eventually we both talk until both side of us was calm or so I thought time went on things was good thing when we about to go to bed the person demanding my government documents and my wallet person when I try to talk him out from getting them he gets hostile with me with a kitchen knife 🔪 jerking at me like he going to stab me if I don't give it to him he used my possession hostage so that I wouldn't leave we both in the bed he napping with my possessions under him with a knife by his side eventually I wake up before he does I grab his phone go in the bathroom I look through his device and sees photos of him taking pics of my social security number and my ID he wakes up I pretend like I'm making snacks for us to eat in the kitchen then once his guard I snuck in the bedroom and lock myself in he's banging and kicking at the door trying to open it with the kitchen knife 🚪 so I dial 911 and before the cops got there he managed to bust it open I was able to stall and talk to him soon enough the police came I didn't press charges on him because I didn't know what he'll do if I did I don't want no part of him anymore we had on and off moments but this was the craziness or crazy The police made him give me my possession back when escorted me from the premises but this dude still has photos of my government documents in his phone and worried he's going to try to sabotage my life he's making fake accounts sending me proof that he knows my social we haven't been good compatible with each other one time before this situation he threatened to leave me in a whole another city while he was driving 🚗 I got scared waited for a red-light and as I open the door he gas the pedal and I went flying out there was no cars close at range when I fell out still just crazy and now this been hit slap in the face by him and I never hit him back got me laid off from all my jobs with the whole nudes stuff forwarding them to my coworkers as a result of me getting fired I'm not perfect I do understand action can come back at you for doing wrong this and yes I have done wrong thing out of My character like apparently cheating while we broken up with one another?? Being catch on hookup apps, being intimate with other people knowing i wasn't over him and getting back lying saying i wasn't until he found out making false commitments gensure out of peer pressure afraid of being alone he explained in his saying that I abuse him not physically but mentally and bad people should get bad things coming to them 10x I'm not saying he's wrong for those thoughts of actions I do belive in karma and I know it's pouring on me I played and hurt too many people to walk away and feel blaze of fire around my body like I'm walking into a shadowing deep dark place with every steps I constantly make of my actions 😔 😥 now I will reap what you sow