Let me begin by saying that I’ve been pretty healthy for most of my life. My first real health scare came in 2021 when I was diagnosed with Covid pneumonia and had to spend 5 days in the hospital. They gave me remdezevir and nightly stomach shots so that I wouldn’t get blood clots from the meds. Then, In November of 2023 I was diagnosed with diverticulitis after a CT scan revealed the infection. The night before I noticed unusual swelling in my rib cage that wrapped around the left side towards my back. I remember the pain actually started in the center of my spine about 2 months prior to going to the emergency room. It felt like a burning sensation and sometimes it would twinge. I mentioned that to my primary care physician and she ordered an X-ray of my rib cage. All was normal. Two weeks later I had my colonoscopy and all came back clear. No divirticulitis but I still didn’t feel good. In January 2024 I asked my gastroenterologist if he could do an upper GI. He went one step further and ordered an ultrasound too. In February 2024 I was also diagnosed with Gastritis and IBS. In March of 2024 I thought I had a dv flare up and ended up in the emergency room but the dr said no flare up just gastritis and gave me some pantaprazile. Here we are now May 2024 and I still feel terrible. Nausea mainly in the morning , not feeling rested, and still with stomach pains but now the pain has spread to my legs, arms , and ribs. Today I was holding a gallon of milk in my right hand and felt a pain in my middle finger. I can’t really move it now without having pain. Not only have I lost like 30 lbs since November but my Dr has refused to send me a referral to the endocrinologist because my weight has remained constant for a month. Even though my blood work was supposedly normal there were some irregularities like an amnion gap below 4 and high neutrophils and low lymphocytes. I feel like even though I know I have these three illnesses I feel like I’m not getting a full diagnosis. I’m constantly having a new pains in my body not related to the GI. I’ve had insomnia, eye pains, unexplained swelling/pain in my mouth, face, nose, jaw, neck, throat,chest, arms, legs, joints, testicles. I can honestly say I feel pain in just about every part of my body. I feel like I’m falling apart and Im half the man I use to be. 49 years old but I feel like I’m 79. I’m not able to stand for too long without feeling pain and fatigue. I can’t wear a belt because it feels painfully uncomfortable around my waist. Sound , especially in the morning is annoying. I hate wearing socks because it hurts my legs. It takes a lot of energy out of me to even do the simplest things. I use to enjoy mowing my lawn but now it’s impossible to complete. Ib guard has become my best friend as I find that is the only med that gives me relief besides ibuprofen and aleve. I just find it hard to believe that my health can diteriurate so fast in such as a short time. So many days I ask God to take the pain away and to make me feel like I use to feel, Alive!!!. Every day is a constant battle of mind , body and soul. If anyone else feels similar or would like to share their story I’m all ears. Maybe if enough of us share our stories we can find some type of therapy in the words and hopefully we can also find what we are all looking for ….peace , hope, health, and a normal life again.

Hi! For anonymous purposes, I’m just going to say my name is Andy. I’m (22M) and I got my heart broken for the first time last year. Also for anonymous purposes, her name will be Veronica. She was (28F) and we had met at a concert. We started talking, and at the end of the concert we got each others Instagram. After that night we started texting each other everyday for about 2 weeks. Within those 2 weeks we were calling , always talking. We finally decided on a random night to meet up at a park, and it was great. I immediately had a connection, and we did kiss on the first date. After that we began talking more than usual, and we had went out on a second date.
Towards the end of the second date, we went into the back of her car and started making out, but nothing beyond just sucking her bonkers. Once we were done we started talking more, and made it exclusive to make this work out. We were never together, but we liked each other a lot (from what I felt). We went on a third date to watch the new spiderverse movie, and after we went on her street, parked, and then we did everything except for actually doing the deed. After everything we were just chilling in the back, and we were joking around. I slipped up and accidentally said I loved her. Now I know what y’all are thinking. But I’m extremely used to telling my friends that I love them because that’s just our relationship with each other. I also didn’t say it in a romantic way. But it was still my fault. I panicked and she realized that I didn’t mean it that way. So she said it was okay and that she knew I didn’t mean it like that.
After the night I went home happy. Now before I get onto the next part of what happened. She had gotten out of a 8 year relationship 8 months ago during the time that we were going out (I know, big mistake, found that out the hard way). She also constantly kept telling me she likes me a lot and basically kept assuring me throughout the whole time that she wanted this to work with me and be with me at some point. I’ve also never had a serious relationship before and she was okay with that.
So going on to the next part of this. She had went out to Disneyland with her family for the week as a vacation since they are from San Diego, and she lives here in LA. Her texts started being weird, and kinda seemed she was drifting away from our flirtatious texts and so forth. I assumed she was just busy. That weekend we saw each other, and out of nowhere said that she doesn’t think she can do it anymore. She brought up how I scared her and so forth. But she never even talked to me about how she felt throughout that week. As I kept trying to tell her that we can make it work and so forth, she kept trying to say things on why it wouldn’t work due to minor differences that didn’t affect anything that had to do with us dating. We then sat down, tried to play uno, but my heart was already shattered. I don’t know how I kept my composure on not crying. But I was obviously in distress. After I brought everything up again, and she told me that she was sorry and can’t do it anymore. She seemed like she felt really bad but I don’t know. We left and I was in pieces up until now.
For the last 8 months that she hurt me I used alcohol and weed as a way to cope. I was somewhat a little stocky, and then I turned fat. I’m depressed. It was my first time a girl really seemed she wanted to work things out with me, and accept the weirdo that I am lol. Also before I move onto the next part of this, I forgot to mention I’m a metal musician. I’m not well known but I can confidently say that I’m good at what I do. I sing and scream for a band, and for my solo project. But this also kinda ties into this next part. A month goes by, I texted her, and she said how she hasn’t been alone for 8 years, and how she can finally work on herself and blah blah blah. Another month goes by she dates another dude who’s a musician. I was devastated. So that led me into a deeper hole. Another 2 months go by and they unfollow each other, and she deactivated her instagram. A few weeks go by, she’s back on Instagram, posts a photo of herself on Instagram stories, and next thing you know it, she’s dating another guy who happens to be another singer, who has 40k monthly listeners on Spotify, and millions of streams on his music. This was this past January/February.
Now leading up to today, they are still talking. I finally unfollowed her cause she did first. But knowing this made me feel played, and makes me feel worthless. This is my first actual heartbreak, and I finally stopped smoking and drinking as much. I started to go to the gym again, and all of these feelings are coming back again. Except the emotions are hitting me harder. It’s basically been a year, and I still can’t get over her. I’ve actively tried dating a couple times after, but it wasn’t exciting anymore, the girls I went out with had boring and unambitious personalities. I’ve also went to a metal show recently, and I can’t go up to a girl anymore and ask for her number because of how traumatized I am, and I remember the hurt I went through. Even through all of this, she never texted or contacted me once. All she did the next day was text me thank you about introducing her to a band. And then left me on delivered with my response. She messed me up bad, and I don’t know how to let go, heal more, and actually try to be happy again. I’m lost, and it makes me have anger towards her but also still have a lot of sorrow left. I need advice. I wish I was over her, but I can’t stop thinking about her.

I am shattered by the images coming out of gaza. As a human, it makes me sick to my stomach to see other humans in this condition. Why can I not look away? Not in a car crash kind of way, but in a genuinely concerned and conscious sort of way. I went to school for politics and law, and I have a job in a very political field with a lot of emotion. I go to work and deal with the grief of others, and I open my phone to see the most graphic and raw display of carnage I've ever seen. This is the first genocide that most westerners have experienced first-hand - including myself - and it's brutal. To top it off, hearing people say with their chests that "they deserve it" and hearing people justify the visibly-substantiated genocide that is occurring makes me feel like I am crazy. What are they seeing other than the burning flesh and the devastating state of what used to be a vibrant city? The real question is, how far will people go to veil their brazen prejudice? Anyway, needless to say, my mental health has taken a toll. I feel equally overwhelmed with gratitude for my position in the world, and guilty for not being able to do anything tangibly. I participate in demonstrations when I can, and I have donated money and eSIMs, but it's so hard to avert my eyes just because I have the privilege to do so. Surprisingly, more people than not are alarmingly unaware of what's going on, so I know that my algorithm is algorithming, but it doesn't feel right to look away.
Sorry this turned into kind of a rant, hope this isn't removed, and any advice or sound words are appreciated

Due to a long commute and some personal and educational goals that I've set, in the coming months I won't get much time for myself.
Until a couple of years ago, I used to write poetry, essays, and occasionally, short stories as well. I loved writing, especially poetry.
I loved that it had a sense of "play"; I loved that it helped me express myself authentically without putting on a mask; and I loved that the more I wrote, the better I became.
Lately for various reasons I've been unable to write as freely as I was able to before, and despite trying multiple times, I've come to the conclusion that at least at this point in my life, going back to writing isn't possible for me.
(I already am planning to play more badminton, learn cooking(right now I only know how to make a few basic dishes like omelets) and play chess in my free time)
What creative outlet(Except writing, and except something like programming or something done on computers) do you suggest I should try? I don't want something that has a lot of cost involved, nor something that is too taxing on my mind. Something that I can easily start with and continue for a long time.
(The reason I've asked for no suggestions involving phones or computers is because due to studying CS and also doing some extra projects and practise in programming, I spend a lot of time on my screen, and would like to get out of it).

Cover Art!
Just because you’re transported to another world, doesn’t mean you’ll escape from your pain.
Abused by her parents, thirteen-year-old Frances only wants to be safe and for her life not to hurt so much. And when she and her class are transported to the magical world of Durannon to fight the monsters invading the human kingdoms and defeat the self-titled Demon King, Frances is presented with a golden opportunity. If she succeeds, Frances will have the home she never had. If she fails, Frances will be summoned back to the home she escaped.
Yet, despite her newfound magic and friends, Frances finds that trauma is not so easily lost. She is dogged by her abuse and its physical and invisible scars. Not only does she have to learn magic, she has to survive the nightmares of her past, and wrestle with her feelings of doubt and self-loathing.
If she can heal from her trauma, though, she might be able to defeat the Demon King and maybe, just maybe, she can find a home for herself.
[The Beginning] [<=Chapter 217] [Chapter Index and Blurb] [Chapter 219 June 11 or see the next chapter now on Patreon]
The Fractured Song Index
Discord Channel Just let me know when you arrive in the server that you’re a Patreon so you can access your special channel.
***
Ginger makes an offer to Lakadara. The rest of Telkandra's remaining brood discuss the fate of their allies.
“Not good?” Sara asked as Helias strode into the tent and made his way straight to the bottle of wine.
“Not good,” Helias muttered.
Sara nodded woodenly. “Privacy spell?
The tauroll waved his sheathed Fangroar and after pouring himself and his wife a drink, sat down. “We’re safe. Oh Galena, this is really not good.”
“How dead are we?” Sara asked, her tone light.
“We’re not dead. We’re just in a lot of danger and even if we somehow force the humans to retreat, we’ve lost this war,” said Helias.
“Explain.”
Helias drank deep, noting that Sara was also drinking deep as well. “Thorgoth is going after the humans. That part of the plan is as good as it gets. We’ll be attacking them, and using the dragons, whilst our forces hold off Titania. Our objectives are also well-chosen.” Helias buried his head into his hands and let out a deep groan. “But winning this doesn’t change anything.”
“If we can defeat the humans, why won’t that change anything?” Sara bit her lip. “Unless it renders us unable to beat Titania?”
“Yes. Even on the chance we beat the humans we won’t be able to invade them, we won’t be able to defeat Titania. We’d be at a stalemate and both armies would have to withdraw.” His hands dropping to the table, Helias stared at his wife. “And we don’t have any reserves left. We’re going to lose the war, even if Thorgoth lives.”
“If we defeat the humans—”
The general shook his head. “By defeat, I mean we’ll hurt them but we can’t prevent them from withdrawing. We might kill a few of their leaders, their important mages and Otherworlders, but they will still have soldiers. After coming so close, they won’t surrender. They’ll keep attacking until they kill enough of Thorgoth and Berengaria’s supporters that nobody will help them, or until both of them die.”
“Alright so, what do we do?” Sara asked. Helias looked at his wife, noting how still she sat. Her wings were clamped tight to her back and her lips were drawn tight.
“Sara, I don’t have good answers.”
Sara steepled her trembling fingers as best she could. “They’re going to be better than mine. I don’t know anything about war.”
“Right. Well, you need to surrender to the humans if you are captured. Present yourself as a non-combatant. Cry, scream, anything to declare that you don’t mean any harm,” Helias said.
“Why not Titania?” Sara asked.
“She has every incentive to kill you off and far less compunction about doing so. Killing our family off would allow her to have more land to give away to her loyalists. In contrast, the humans have Erlenberg troops fighting with them along with those of the Lightning Battalion. They’re going to be far more friendly to Alavari civilians,” Helias said.
Soft hands, grabbed onto Helias’s waist with a surprisingly firm grip. “What about you? I can get away, but how are you going to survive this?”
“I don’t know. I—”
“Don’t you dare! Our daughter needs her father and I need my husband!”
The general stared at his wife. “Sara, I can’t surrender to the humans if we win. They want me dead.”
Sara refilled Helias’s glass. “Then you need to help Thorgoth defeat them.”
“Then what? We’re never winning this war. Thorgoth is going to be invaded and—”
Cutting him off with the clink of her goblet against the table, Sara hissed, “And what? Why think that far? We can plan for that after this battle, so long as you are still here and with me.”
Letting out a breath Helias pushed his hair back and allowed himself a sigh. Reaching across the table, he took his wife’s hand.
“Sara, you’re right, but you know you can escape this if Thorgoth is defeated.”
The harorc placed her other hand on top of his. “We’re partners. I need you. We need you. So promise me that you’ll do your damndest to live.”
Helias closed his eyes and nodded. “I promise. First things first, before we turn in we need to talk to the dragons.”
***
Fennokra stalked slowly toward the camp. This wasn’t the collapsed side-passage where she and Yolandra had some privacy. This was the main camp where Thorgoth and their army were preparing for what had to be the final battle.
It was also where her siblings were swallowing the last of what seemed to be a side of salted pork.
“Velkandra, Makentra, we need to talk.”
Their second-eldest sister licked her lips, her neck rising to Fennokra’s level. “I am assuming you mean in private?”
“Of course.” Fennokra could see Velkandra’s haunches tensing to raise herself higher. Her sister was trying to look down on her. Allowing her head to dip, she held her height.
“Alright.” Velkandra flicked her tail and Makentra, licking his lips, followed them.
Since their enemies had set up their siege camp behind them, the Alavari camp had been reduced in size. Still, there was the alcove of the collapsed tunnel. Whilst couriers and soldiers crossed across this natural cavern to the defenses on the other side, they kept a good distance away.
Yolandra was waiting for them, scratching something into the cave wall. Fennokra let out a rumble in her throat and her sister turned from the wall suddenly, shaking her head.
“Velkandra, Mankentra—”
Velkandra puffed a cloud of smoke out. “What’s this all about?” she hissed, lips drawn back to show teeth.
Fennokra took a step away from her sister to take Yolandra’s side, her eyes narrowed. “Are you joking? Do you not think we should at least discuss what is going on?”
“And what would be the point? It is a bit late to be having this discussion. The course of the winds have been chosen,” said Velkandra.
Yolandra rose to her full height on her four legs, but even so she was still shorter than the silent Makendra. “The winds can be fickle, Velkandra, and where we are is proof.”
Velkandra pursed her lips, eyes for the first time, looking toward the ground. “The survival of our family is tied to that of Thorgoth. To abandon him would be death by the hand of the Stormcaller and her allies or by his hand.”
“Besides, if we were to abandon Thorgoth’s cause, that would be dishonorable. We promised to assist him,” said Makendra.
Fennokra blinked at her brother’s tone. It was quiet and yet there was a touch of a deep growl to his voice. His claws were ever so slightly digging into the ground.
“We are dragons. We can think and make decisions for ourselves. We are allowed to consider other options, are we not?” Fennokra asked.
Velkandra’s tail flicked violently side to side as her neck turned to her younger sibling. “Then why does it sound as if you wish to follow in the wingbeats of our elder sister?”
“Who we killed. I was there. I lost a claw striking her down!” Fennokra raised one clawed hand, flexing the remaining digits.
“On that, why did we have to kill Lakadara?”
All golden eyes fixed on Yolandra, who held the gaze of her siblings with a contemptuous scowl.
“Lakadara betrayed us,” said Velkandra, almost growling.
“I’ve been thinking over what happened. Lakadara said nothing about betraying our mother. She merely was questioning if Thorgoth was trustworthy,” Yolandra said.
A scowl flaring his nostrils, Makentra growled. “He fed us, trained us in how the humans and their allies fought. Hid us from their eyes—”
“And now Caldra is dead!” Yolandra exclaimed.
“Which is why we must kill the Stormcaller and her friends! So we can avenge him and our mother!” Velkandra almost completely unfurled her wings. Only the tips slapping the stone forced her to pull them back.
“Then what?” Yolandra asked.
Velkandra frowned. “Then what? We’d have our revenge—”
Yolandra’s tail cracked against the ground. “Then what? You all must have heard of what Thorgoth is capable of. What he’s done to others.”
Makentra rolled his eyes. “Sara’s story is just a story. She might have been just trying to turn you.”
“She was honest and she is not the only tale I’ve heard. You must have heard rumors of what Thorgoth did to his own son, Teutobal,” said Fennokra.
“Propaganda,” Velkandra hissed through her gritted teeth, while smoke wafted through the gaps. “In any case, we have no other option. We fight or we die.”
Fennokra, her claws grinding against the floor, had had enough.
“Velkandra, Makentra, have you ever considered that Thorgoth is perhaps using us for his own goals? We have not even considered what he might do to us after we’ve destroyed the humans and their allies. How do we know the Stormcaller and her allies might treat us better? Besides in the first place, she never intended to kill our mother—”
Fennokra blinked. She was flying backwards, something hard was bearing her into the wall. Dizzy as if struck by one of the Stormcaller’s spells, she realized that the force was the foreclaws of her elder sister. Mad rage lit those golden eyes that were the exact same shade as hers. Horrified, Fennokra tried to throw Velkandra off, but her sister was larger and heavier than her.
“Say that again. I dare you to say that again—ARGH!”
Velkandra rolled off, forced off of Fennokra by the Yolandra shoving into her side. As the elder dragon recovered, the smallest of Telkandra’s brood hissed, “It’s the truth! You are a fool to deny it!”
An ugly sneer on her lips, wings quivering with fury, Velkandra snorted. “The truth? Oh right so we are speaking the truth then. Well here’s the truth. Our kind is doomed!”
Makentra blinked. “Sister?”
“Of course Thorgoth is going to get rid of us or try to after this campaign. He has to, but right now he needs us and that’s what we need to rely on until we gain more strength. Of course, whether he wins or the Stormcaller’s allies win, how can we expect to survive in a world dominated by these lesser species hm? How could they ever not see us as a threat?”
Velkandra stalked toward the wide-eyed Fennokra and Yoandra. Her head turned side to side as she fixed her sisters with wild wide eyes.
“Well? Tell me Fennokra. Speak the truth Yolandra. Or are you both too afraid to admit that our kind are doomed and the only thing is to live as long as we can and hopefully avenge those that hurt us as we do so.”
“You’d have us fly to our deaths?” Makentra asked.
The stammering voice brought Velkandra around. Extending a wing, she touched its tip to her brother’s. “I would at least have us fly together.”
Fennokra shook her head. “We’d knowingly fly with a murderer of children and someone who would want to kill us after we’ve stopped being helpful to him.”
“And we have no other options,” said Makentra. Letting out a breath, he rose to his claws and walked away. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sisters.”
Velkandra, without another word, turned for the exit. “You know it’s true, Fennokra, Yolandra.”
Fennokra closed her eyes. Yolandra, though, narrowed hers. “Doesn’t change that Lakadra’s blood is on our claws.”
Velkandra flinched and left. She strode away so quickly she nearly stepped on Helias and Sara as they came to the cave. She gave the pair no acknowledgement other than a growl.
“See you tomorrow, General,” said Makentra, his tone curt. “We will talk to King Thorgoth ourselves for the plan’s details.”
“Of course,” said Helias. He bowed as the pair left before turning to Yolandra and Fennokra. “I believe we missed something important?”
“Be honest, General Helias. Even if we succeed tomorrow, your king has no use for us after we help him kill the Stormcaller, am I correct?” Fennokra asked.
Sara and Helias didn’t say anything. Their slight move to stand closer so they could hold hands was enough.
“I thought so,” said Fennokra. She let out a sigh and glanced at Yolandra, who nodded. “We will be on the battlefield tomorrow. Where are we going?”
“You’re going with me. We’re attacking the forces sallying from Kairon-Aoun. The plan is that you dragons breathe flame over their army to soften them before we attack.
“Understood. Any questions Fennokra?” Yolandra asked.
Fennokra shook her head. What could be asked anyway?”
Yolandra flashed the pair a joyless smile. “For what it is worth, you two have been good caretakers to us. Even if it was to preserve your own lives.”
Helias didn’t bow. Instead he extended a hand. Yolandra stared at him, but Fennokra, recognizing the gesture, extended a single talon.
“May you always be able to see the sun.” At the dragon’s blink, Helias smiled. “It’s an Alavari saying. It may come from when we used to be enslaved by the Goblin Empire. It means good luck.”
Yolandra nodded and Fennokra found herself smiling.
“Our mother taught us a saying as well. May you never fly alone. I wish that for you both,” said Fennokra.
“Thank you,” said Sara in a quiet voice. She curtsied and the two dragons dipped their heads. They watched Helias and Sara leave with placid smiles.
Then, when nobody was looking, they turned from the entrance to hide their bulks as best they could. The gloomy light of the alcove their only curtain of privacy.
***
Frances slowed slightly as they approached Lakadara’s enclosure. However, Ginger did not slow down.
“Hold on, Ginger, what’s the plan?” Frances asked.
Adjusting her new crown mid-stride, Ginger said, “I’ll show you. I’m certain it’ll work, though.”
Frances’ eyebrows rose. “Is that crown getting to your head already?”
The new Queen of Erisdale flashed a slightly nervous grin over her shoulder. “Yes actually, but I think that’s a good thing in some way. Don’t you?”
Frances found herself nodding. It was strange to see her friend even more confident than usual and so comfortable in the regal crown that she wore atop of a standard Lightning Battalion light blue uniform. Yet she rather enjoyed the new gait that Ginger had.
“I do.” Frances smirked. “Your Majesty.”
Ginger rolled her eyes. “Fuck you.”
Giggling, Frances stopped herself as they drew even closer to Lakadara. The dragon was drawing herself up, placing her massive foreclaws over each other.
“Lakadara. I am Ginger, the new Queen of Erisdale. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The dragon coughed, blowing out a puff of smoke. “Greetings Ginger, Queen of Erisdale. I’m sorry for your predecessor’s demise.” Lakadara’s golden eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”
Ginger dipped her head. “Thank you and as to why I’m here. I have a proposition. If you accept it, I will grant you and your kin, the domain of the Erisdalian mountains marked by the Kwent River Valley, Freeburg and Athelda-Aoun as your home in perpetuity, so long as you do not attack humans unless in self-defense.”
“I am unfamiliar with human geography. From the Stormcaller’s expression, I assume that is a lot.”
Frances swallowed and closed her mouth, but she didn’t question her friend. Ginger, still smiling slyly, nudged her. “It is. Frances, can you lend me a hand here?”
Nodding, Frances closed her eyes and imagined a rough map of Erisdale and its territories. With a wave of Ivy’s Sting she created an image of Erisdale, highlighting in red the expanse of the mountains that bordered Alavaria and Erisdale. The area that Ginger had described sketched a rough red triangle between the three points. It was a fairly sizeable area with a low and Alavari human population.
“My husband is in negotiations with Queen Titania and I’ll have to talk to Frances and Prince Timur, but we are quite certain that Athelda-Aoun will also be included in this area,” Ginger said.
Lakadara’s golden eyes were flickering as she examined the land. Suddenly, she turned, long neck arching toward the Erisdalian Queen. “And what must I do? Fight on your kingdom’s behalf?”
Ginger shook her head. “No.”
“No?”
“Nope. If you would like to do so we can renegotiate the agreement, but my husband and I fully intend to grant you this land.”
The dragon’s tail lifted up as her eyes narrowed. “Explain yourself and the favor you seek. This is far too generous.”
“Let me explain myself first. If what I’m told by my experts is correct, you can lay eggs by yourself without a mate, but it takes time right? A few decades?”
“Yes. Still, that doesn’t explain—”
“Here me out. This war is going to end. We may lose, but if we win, banishing you to the north is making you Queen Titania’s problem and she’ll have more than enough problems to deal with. You might just end up coming south again and we know how that ended. I’d prefer to avoid that so that means we need to make an agreement. You need a new home and I need peace for Erisdale. If the kingdom has to give up some poor agricultural land then I’m all for it.”
The dragon nodded. “I see, but why so much land? Why not just give me a cave? Or request my service as Thorgoth did?”
“And how will you eat? Hunt? Where will your grown children go? I’m making an agreement that will last for decades, not just a few years. As for service? I was tempted, but you wouldn’t agree to that anyway and why should you? We haven’t given you any reason to agree.” Ginger gave Frances a wave to dispel the map. “Maybe in the future we can work something out, especially if the dragon population increases. Your service in return for more food, but again, I want to start us off on the right path, not the left path.”
“Left path?” Lakadara asked.
“Erisdalian expression. It means the wrong path,” Frances said helpfully.
Lakadara nodded slowly. “You still ask for a boon, though.”
Ginger nodded. “Yes. I want you to speak to your siblings. Before the upcoming battle starts, tell them of my deal with you. So long as they choose to accept that deal and defect, then I will have it so our forces will not hurt them. After that, you may leave. I will not request you to fight with us.”
“You want me to show myself to Thorgoth? To the siblings that tried to kill me?” Lakadara asked, mouth agape.
Ginger stepped closer to the dragon, who lifted her head away from the queen. “I want you to save your siblings. I want you to save yourself from becoming the last purple dragon in existence. I would rather you not be alone, stewing in hatred for my kingdom and our allies who brought down your family, even if we had just cause. I want peace. What do you want?”
“How do I know I can trust you?” The dragon suddenly grimaced. “Ah, right, you want a lasting peace. You have every reason to want peace.”
Ginger, arms crossed tapped her foot. Frances could see how stiff her friend was, but the action was also comforting. That her magic-less friend had such control over the situation, despite being faced with the dragon was rather…badass.
Letting out a puff of smoke that slowly drifted into the cavern, the dragon pondered the queen’s proposal. Frances held her breath and yet the dragon remained silent, only her tail moving from side to side.
Ginger waited, still content to wait for the dragon’s answer. Frances couldn’t. The tension coiled in her chest, waiting to explode.
“Lakadara, what do you want for your future?” Frances asked.
The dragon glanced at Frances, golden eyes wide. She turned back to Ginger, who continued to stand tall, awaiting Lakadara’s answer patiently.
“I accept your offer, and your promise for the future,” said Lakadara, dipping her head.
“We are glad that you wish the same as we do,” said Ginger. She extended her hand and Lakadara, took her claw and put the tip of it on the queen’s palm.
*Author’s Note: Queenly Ginger was really neat to write 😀 *

I’m 25F and i would like to start off by saying that usually when i get a uti, they go away within a day or two without treatment.
this time, the uti is weirdly severe compared to what i’m used to. my urethra stings more and i’m constantly having to go pee. this has lasted for about a week and a half until now.
when i first noticed it i immediately started taking cranberry urinary tract supplements. while taking these i noticed my symptoms would almost go away but it would come right back again the next day and i’ve been stuck in this sort of cycle.
i hear that utis can travel to your bladder and kidneys if left untreated so any advice is appreciated.

My family has booked a vacation to Rodanthe in the Outerbanks this summer
The home is on stilts right on the beach, right on the water, where the beach has significantly eroded over the past years.
My family is suddenly anxious to read the reports on collapsing homes. A few are thinking: Is this home going to collapse while I am there? Will the beach be full of debris from the collapsed home and I will step on a nail or wire? They're also worried about hurricane season in general..
So far I am thinking the vacation will be great and I am not particularly concerned.
I am writing to ask what locals think about this perceived risk.
thank you for any who can provide any insights.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/05/28/rodanthe-home-collapse/

Was at a family reunion a few weeks ago that was hosted at a major national hotel chain in the northeast- with locations nationwide.
Whenever the bar tender would turn around the get something (ice, mixer) I would grab a bottle of vodka and self pour my glass. I did this about 4 times, I usually used a friend who ordered a real drink that went on my tab, as a distraction- playing the nice guy buying everyone drinks when I was also self pouring.
I’ve confirmed 100x that there was no camera on the bar. The pics on google are HD and also confirm there were no cameras. Asked a few cousins who confirmed they never saw cameras (and they were the lookouts).
now that i’m sober and a few weeks have passed I feel extremely ashamed and guilty. I would like to make it right but i’m afraid if I call the GM at the hotel it will become a very big deal. I dont want it to become a very big deal.
I’m also concerned they might tally up the bottles and realized 1/2 - 1 full bottle is missing and put 2 + 2 together.
What should I do here? Keep my mouth shut? retain an attorney to contact the hotel and square up + some extra $$ to make it go away? contact the hotel myself and come clean?

My girlfriends father has passed away recently. I think the most I can do is offer support and be there for her when she needs me. She flew to his home state for the funeral and to help out her family. I've noticed she's been more distant from me and I can't help but feel like I am doing too much. I don't spam her with calls or anything but I did text her the other day that I am here to support her and wished I was there with her. She just said thank you. It was out of character. I understand she is going through it and I don't want to cause problems where problems aren't necessary, I've just never dealt with something like this before and have noticed her pulling away a bit which she has never done before. Not sure what to make of it or what to do.
edit: From the outside looking in I would say that she is going through it and I am overthinking but even in the beginning of when she went back home she was much more communicative.

I met a guy around 3 weeks ago on TT. Started following him for his content. I messaged him and from the start he seemed very interested in me, but I don't want to over think it. We got to get to know each other very quickly and talked a lot. We have SO much in common just in our life situations. We live far from each other but he's from my state and wants to move back here someday. He's been telling me goodnight sweet dreams and good morning every day since we started talking. Started out very flirty and kinda sexual. We've both sent pictures of ourselves (not sexual but flirty and regular life pics) Since then we've kept talking all the time. A lot of times he'll message me first, and if I'm he's sending me random funny tik toks. I know it'll probably go no where but I love how we've connected and just don't want to run him away ever lol. He hates me talking bad about myself.. he hates taylor swift and I'm a swiftie but he likes my bracelets i make lol.
What if any of this would mean he likes me? Or since the sexual flirt has slowed down is that bad? He still loves the pics I send him and I'm always calling him handsome and sending 🥰🤭😜🙈 type emojis lol

I (19m) think I’m scared to grow older. Sorry this will be a little rant, I just have to get this off my chest so tune in.
All throughout my life my parents were emotionally abusive and there were many mental issues I had to face. I been put down a lot and oftentimes just felt unloved and unseen. That made me live through some tough times but since a few years I got better and better and by now I would say I’m emotionally healed. I don’t know how I feel about my family, but that’s okay I still got time to figure that out one day. However, every now and then I feel in a way I can’t explain. In that spirit for the last few days I just been randomly crying with no particular reason. Today I just wanted to make an end to it, so I listened a little more closely.
So many times, I feel that my time is running out. It’s very difficult to explain. I know I’m still young and there’s so much more to discover. Aside from that I’m taking a gap year of travel and work and I even got a rough idea what I wanna do work wise (first choice would be music wish me luck lol, otherwise probably medicine). And you know I think all that ties in with me sometimes not feeling good enough or in need of controlling other people. I know it’s messed up but it’s almost like an addiction. The reason behind that I believe is in my childhood.
All throughout my life my parents were very nostalgic. They only listened to old music, only watched documentaries of their youth and so on it’s crazy. Especially something that comes up till this day when talking to my dad is that he says he had a good youth and not much more. He always told me that being young is the best part of your life. Especially the years I’m in right now, so the late teens would be the most important ones and ever after it would only go downhill. So with every birthday I was told that this would be the best year of my life life, consequently I believe that’s a big reason why it feels so frightening to let time pass. After all I only ever been told that this means letting the best years of my life fly by. It’s actually crazy to me it almost feels like tomorrow I’d suddenly grow wrinkles and settle down with 6 kids lmao.
It only makes sense that for people my parents age time flies faster - they simply experienced more years of life. Yet, I think I have to understand that I still got a lot of time left and being young doesn’t mean living your best life. I just wish I could really internalize that. Still writing this really made me feel a little better, thank you if you stayed this long, love u!

I've thought about switching things up for tonight's script and decided to make it an M4F one! I guess this kinda flows into the lore of my previous three scripts, with this being a sequel to the third one. Hope you enjoy it! As always, my script is free to use without monetization, just crediting me under my YT Handle @"AkitaScripts" is all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Synopsis: You and your boyfriend have been together for about a week. You just had your first date a few days ago, and the two of you have discussed not to tell anyone. However, your classmates are beginning to notice your relationship with him, with some jealous students making fun of it. Eventually, it becomes too much for you, and you end up in detention after a fight in the hallways. As you exit the school, you find your boyfriend waiting outside in the rain…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(The school is nearly empty, and the rain is pouring outside the walls. All of the students except you have already left. As you walk out through the quiet hallways, you hear the janitor mopping the floor, rumbling about his job.)
[faint dialogue from the Janitor]
(You barely pay attention to whatever the janitor said as you reach into your backpack, only to find nothing but your books and supplies. You forgot your umbrella back at home. You put on your hood and push open the doors, the gates of freedom letting out a loud creak. You point your head down to the ground and begin to walk outside, feeling the rain hit your head. Suddenly, you stop feeling the raindrops, and you look up to see your boyfriend, the VA, close to you with an umbrella.)
VA: Hey.
(You lock eye contact with him with gloomy pupils.)
[short pause]
VA: I heard about what happened from Jalen… and I’m sorry you had to-
(You suddenly wrap the VA in your arms, interrupting him. Tears begin to roll down your face and onto his shoulder as you start crying.)
VA: Hey, hey… it’s okay… it’s okay.. (holds you close to him with one of his arms, and kisses you)
[pause]
VA: Hey… look at me.
(You raise your head up from his shoulder, looking him in the eyes.)
VA: It’s going to be okay… hey, you wanna go sit down somewhere? We shouldn’t be standing out in the open.
[pause]
VA: Alright, follow me, and stay close to me.
[short pause]
(You and the VA walk in silence for a few minutes to a nearby pavilion. After a few minutes, You gently shake his arm to get his attention.)
VA: Mhm? (looks at you)
[pause]
VA: Did he tell me anything?[pause]
VA: Well, other than you landing in detention, Jalen didn’t say much. I just got the news an hour ago, before our last class ended. So, I just waited out there. I didn’t know how long detention would last.
[pause]
VA: Well… I was gonna wait by the doors, but that janitor kicked me out. He said he still needed to quote-unquote “clean the corners”.
[pause]
VA: Yeah, he’s quite grumpy. Anyways, we’re here.
(The two of you walk to one of the tables in the pavilion. As you sit down, the VA sits down next to you.)
VA: So… (puts down his umbrella on the wooden table) are you still okay, or do you need some time?
[pause]
VA: Alright… take your time telling me what happened. (wraps his arms around you and gently moves closer)
[pause]
VA: Yeah… we did decide on not telling anyone about our relationship until we were ready. And yes, I know that everyone else figured it out already.
[pause]
VA: So… lemme get this sorted out: Maddison and her group of friends found out and made fun of our relationship..?
[pause]
VA: And did they start making fun of you today, or has this happened before?
[pause]
VA: This started yesterday?
[pause]
VA: Alright, so… after a day of them making fun of you, what exactly happened that landed you in detention?
[pause]
VA: (surprised) You slapped her in the face?!
(You don’t say anything, but you look away from him and dig your head into his chest, nodding afterwards in confirmation. The VA holds you even closer in comfort.)
VA: Hey.. again, it’s okay.
[pause]
(You let go of him. Stressed and upset, you explain how you’re not okay, as you begin to cry again. The VA hugs you again to calm you down.)VA: Hey, hey, listen to me… listen to me… there’s no need to be upset about what you did. Even though there were better options, you were in the right to do that. Not that I would recommend doing it again as an option, but if you have issues like this, just come talk to me… okay?
(You look up at him and nod.)
VA: Alright then. (takes off your hood and gently combs through your hair)
(As he comes through your hair, you ask him a question.)
[pause]
VA: Why did they do it?
[pause]
VA: Well.. first off, why do you think they did it?
[pause]
VA: You think they just wanted to make fun of you for that?
[pause]
VA: Okay… I might know why they made fun of you for dating someone.
[pause]
VA: What do I mean? Well.. lemme explain. So, before you and I met a few months ago, I used to be friends with Maddison. Sure, I was never romantically interested in her, but she’d used to always flirt with me at times. Now, I don’t know if she did like me the same way you do, but she could also just be jealous.
[pause]
VA: Well, think about it: have you ever even seen Maddison date anyone?
[pause]
VA: No, right? That’s because she never has dated anyone.
[pause]
VA: Now, you also have to take into the fact she’s friends with Joe. And as we both knew, Joe liked you in a… eeh… certain way.
[pause]
VA: And he knows that you and I are dating, so he’s jealous.
[pause]
VA: No, Joe probably isn’t just jealous of how you’re dating someone else. He’s jealous that you’re dating someone else.
[pause]
VA: No, it’s not the same way as what I just said. Joe’s jealous because someone has something special in their relationship that he doesn’t.
[pause]
VA: He doesn’t have you.
[pause]
VA: Look, every relationship is different. Whether it’s a dominant one, flirtatious, or even toxic… hopefully that doesn’t happen… Joe and other people don’t have you as their girlfriend.
[pause]
VA: Lemme also tell you something: I knew this person named Stephen, and he was dating this girl named Val. His friends found out, and they were jealous and constantly made fun of him. It got so out of hand that he was pressured to break up with Val.
[pause]VA: Look, you and I can tell them to stop making fun of our relationship. But if they’re gonna continue doing it, don’t break up like with what Stephen did. Don’t be pressured to listen to the mockery. Don’t listen to them. Move on, and walk forward, and just ignore them. I know it can be challenging, and I have been in those shoes before, but it’s okay to feel this way. You have me to take care of you, to cuddle you in times like this, and to make sure that you’re okay. I’ll be here every step of the way. If you need to hold my hand, don’t hesitate. I’m here for you, babe. And it’s all gonna be okay.
(The VA plays with your hair, and kisses you. You look up to him and kiss him in return.)
[pause]
VA: I love you too.
(You snuggle in closer to the VA, feeling his warmth and his beating heart. Eventually, the rain slowly stops.)
VA: Hey, the rain stopped.
(You look around to see the birds fly in to sing. You lean in to kiss the VA.)
[pause]
VA: You’re welcome, babe. Now come on, we gotta get back home. (begins to put his dry umbrella away in his bag)
[pause]
VA: Yeah sure, we can get some food on the way home. (he picks you up in his arms and helps you off from the table) Any ideas?
[pause]
VA: Yeah sure… ramen sounds good.
(As you and the VA walk away holding hands, the birds continue to chirp as the scene fades, ending the episode.)
THE END

I'm not quite sure how to handle this situation. My next door neighbor has been smoking weed and cigarettes in their apartment. I talked to my landlord about and they said they were going to handle it by sending a letter to all of the tenants reiterating there is a no smoking policy in all units. The smell went away for a week or 2. Over the last few days, I've been noticing the smell of cigarettes again. It's gotten to the point that I can't walk out of my apartment without suffocating/having pretty bad issues with my asthma because of the cigarette smoke in the hallway. My apartment is even starting to smell a little bit like cigarettes. Is there anything else I can do in this situation?

Hello everyone, I am a lurker of Naturalhair and I really need some advice. :( Scroll down for the TDLR, also sorry for the bad formatting and grammar, English is not my first language and I’m also typing this on phone.
I’ve been transitioning to natural since March 2020 (quarantine). Before, I’ve been using relaxers on my hair. I stopped using relaxers because I hated how much it burned my scalp and during January-February 2020, I felt a curl in the root my scalp and I liked the feeling of it 😭.
So, boom, March 2020 comes, before everything shut down, I told my mother that I wanted to do natural and I asked her if I can buy shampoo and conditioner. She agrees and I brought Shea Moisturizer Coconut and Hibiscus line. I washed my hair and I noticed my hair was half straight and half curly (transition stage). I was so eager to see the curls forming, and thought this was going to be a new chapter for my hair journey.
I started to wash my hair every Sunday because why not? One day, when I was getting ready to wash my hair, my mother stopped me and said “You don’t need to wash your hair every single week or every two weeks, you know?” I was kinda confused and said “I don’t?” Mind you, I was new at this and I was also watching youtube videos on how to do and style natural hair. She said “When you do natural, you braid hair to make it longer.” She offered to braid my hair since it was during the pandemic and everything was closed down.
So she braided my hair and I left the braids for about 2 months. (March-May). Then I left my natural hair out, let it breathe for a week, washed and blow dry, got braids again. (late May-early August). I got my first sew in during late August for back-to-school and kept it in for October. Okay so you get the gist. I’ve been putting weaves/braids/wigs in my hair and have not been able to fully let my natural hair out to breathe, just letting it sit for one week and put a protective style. This fucking pattern went on from March 2020 up to late 2023.
So it’s late 2023, I had enough of this. I wanted to know how to fully take care of my natural hair. I won’t lie, protective styles did help my hair a bit, but I wanted to fully take care of my hair. At this time, I shampoo and conditioned my hair every two weeks.
One day, as I was finish washing my hair my mother look at me and said, “Your hair looks like a mess. All your hair will fall out!” I brushed it off because I’m used to her saying stuff like this ever since I started my natural hair journey. Every time when she comb my hair, she would roughly comb out my hair and say “See, look! Your hair is falling out.” I’m also very tender-headed so when she say stuff like this it hurts my feelings and my scalp. Literally when my hair is in the transitioning stage she said she hasn’t seen anything progress and wanted me to do a relaxer.
In March or April 2024, I was flat ironing my hair, my aunt came in, saw me, and said “Why don’t you put a wig!?!? You’re a grow up woman now! You don’t need to do natural hair!” She then roughly grabbed the back of my hair. I wasn’t sure if she trying to pull it or anything. Then my mother jumped in and said “I keep telling her that and she don’t listen!” So not only my mother disliked my natural hair, but my aunt did too. My heart shattered hearing those comments but I eventually got over it.
Last week, I did mini braids on myself, and I went to go see my mother, and she looked at my hair “Don’t you see that you look ugly without no hair?” I just walked away from her. Few days ago, I went out with my auntie and she asked me what was I going to do with my hair now. I told her that I’m just going to take care of it and she said I shouldn’t leave my hair like that. I just changed the subject.
Now a few hours ago, I went downstairs and my mother yelled at me about my hair once again, but this time she said “Just cut all your hair off if you can’t do natural hair. Can you even afford to do natural hair?? Do something with your hair or cut them!” I ran up to my room and literally cried. I am crying while typing this post. I know I shouldn’t but I’m very sensitive T-T
TDLR: I’ve been trying to take care of my natural hair for years now, my mother and auntie criticizes my natural hair and rather me put protective styles such as wigs and braids to not show my natural hair I guess.
Things I wanted to add to the story since the post is pretty long.
• I was fully natural by early-mid 2021.
• When I washed my hair during my back to back protective style stage, I did have a lot of breakage while washing my hair :(
• I’m NOT hating on protective styles by the way, I LOVE putting on braids/wigs/weave. I just didn’t want to put it on the time, you know.
• On October 2022, I blow dry + flat iron my natural hair for my cousin sweet 16. I played a role in her birthday party court. There was seven girls including myself, and 4 of them were wigs and 3 of them plus myself included were natural. My mother told my cousin that she didn’t like the way my hair looked and wanted me to purchase a wig but obviously it was too late.
• Lately, I’ve noticed my mother has been giving me weird looks when I have my hair out. When I wear wigs she always see my face first, but when my hair out she look at my hair, then becomes angry.
• Outside of my home, a lot of people in my workplace like when I have my natural hair. When I did a high puff, one of my professor said I had “nice hair” I do two puffs in my hair for work and people usually find them cute. Someone said I look like Minnie Mouse hehe :) I hope that’s a compliment. Also someone that worked in a different department of my workplace looked at me and said “I love your hair, please keep doing natural” I was kinda surprised to hear that too.

Writing this here because I felt like reaching out tonight, god knows you wouldn’t even respond if I did anyway.
The past 2 years and some has been tough. It definitely showed me how strong I was dealing with this and propelling my career farther than I ever had. What’s sad is I was doing it to impress you. To show you that you made a mistake. I can gladly say I’m living for myself now, but you still frequently cross my mind. I wish so bad I could erase the memory of you, it haunts me daily.
I do think we had to have some love if I still feel this way. Whenever you do say anything you tell me you loved me and nothing else. I truly wish I could know what your thoughts on us were/are because you were the best part of life. I hope that’s just the best thing in my life SO FAR. I do think I needed the separation to grow, god knows I handled the break up in the worst fashion so I probably needed a little heartbreak and perspective. But still I’d like to know if it sucked as much for you as it did for me, I think that’s probably not the case.
But anyways it helps to get my thoughts out, I still think I’ll paths will cross some day just probably not in the way I’m hoping they do.
You are still the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I go to bed. I at least hope one of us is happy, I’m getting there I promise. All I can do is be a little bit better each day. It is getting easier but I still miss you. Hope you and remy are thriving, love you.
-S

I just read a post about how Eunchae should be protected more, and I could not agree more in that the vitriol towards her has gotten way out of hand.
In that post, I noticed that people kinda brushed passed the controversy of her teasing high school students as a non-issue (which, don't get me wrong, it definitely is), but I'd like to provide some cultural context because it was this specific moment that garnered the most hate for her among Korean kpop stans. Coachella doesn't even come close.
I want to explain why her comments generated so much outrage, and in particular, how her words were taken out of context and purposely made to sound so much worse.
The Situation (and the context)
On a 3/17 Weverse ~11min, Eunchae made a bit of a joke where poked fun at students having to get up early, saying that "That must be hard~ I had to do that too at one point too~~" and the conversation then continues onward with the other members about how difficult it was to get up that early during their student days.
This was combined with another live on 9/07 ~27min (though the context starts a few minutes prior) with Kkura. In it, the two of the discuss conversations with their non-celebrity friends. Boomer Kkura tends to just talk or text, which surprises Eunchae, since she almost always prefers to facetime instead (don't worry Kkura, same). Kkura mentions that the first thing she asks her friends are, "you haven't gotten married yet right?" whereas Eunchae says that her friends have been recently talking about becoming high school seniors. That topic closes with Eunchae talking about a recent conversation she had video call she had with her close friend, who complained that she had to get up early, upon which Eunchae teased her and says, "I start at 11 tomorrow! Hella lucky~"
Maybe a bit of a crass joke in the first clip, but nothing too major, right?
The Attack (and the twisting of facts)
This is where the usual suspects come in: Twitter.
Disclaimer: I'm going to be completely honest here. I don't follow Pann or FMKorea or all the other niche online communities except since the HYBE/MHJ situatio, but while researching this topic, I searched Eunchae's name on both sites to see how the situation unfolded (I can't really search theqoo very well because that site has the worst user-friendliness I've ever seen).
The situation blew up on March 15th (as far back as I can find), with this Twitter post blowing up and a Pann post (now deleted, restored w/ Wayback).
(Note, regarding the deleted Pann post, it was referenced in this YouTube video by one of those trash drama Youtubers and had 150k+ views at the time of their video)
There were also some pretty weird posts on Pann around this time, nitpicking her response in an EASY interview to say she thinks LSF was successful and spreading twitter posts of private documents to prove that she didn't get accepted to Hanlim (I will not be sharing this one.) Many comments at that point on Pann are still quite sympathetic to Eunchae, with the top comments defending her and telling the twitter bitches to go away (although the doxxing post still got 600+ upvotes and 300k+ views)
After this though, the narrative began to change, combining the clips above and turning it from Eunchae teasing students, to Eunchae teasing High School Seniors. And things began to take a huge shift.
After this began to spread, March 23rd, comments started to become more negative (example posts on March 17th and March 23rd).
Alright, I can hear you saying, students, high school students, so what?
Korean Seniors and the Suneung
If you're at all familiar with Korean culture, you know where I'm going with this.
The Suneung is the Korean equivalent of the American SAT, except it is so much more than that. If I had to explain it, the Suneung is your entire life. Imagine your college application, except screw your class grades, your extracurriculars, your letters of rec, your essay. The only thing that really matters is your SAT score.
It is a huge deal. The entire nation BBC article falls silent on the day of the Suneung. Stores close, construction stops, traffic is redirected, the stock market opens late. On the day of the Suneung, there are no flights.
It happens 1 time a year. Just once. If you miss it or get a bad grade, you repeat a year just to get a chance to retake it.
And high school seniors carry all of that stress. They are studying for a test that is the culmination of their entire education and determines their entire future. There are many, many stories of students falling into deep depression, even after doing well on the Suneung, because studying for that test consumed them to the point that they don't know what to do after it's over. These students study in excess of 15 hours a day, from 7am to 10pm.
You do not touch high school seniors, ever. There is a saying that even parents tiptoe around their kids once the test date nears.
Also, keep in mind that the primary demographic for kpop are young adults. People that are in school, preparing for this test that they will eventually have to overcome. Some of those people might be repeating a year (or two or three or four) while studying for that test.
And so, when the narrative shifted from Eunchae teasing a close friend about having to get up early to Eunchae making fun of High School Seniors for having to get up early, things turned ugly quick.
And then Coachella happened. And then MHJ opened her big mouth. And you guys know the rest.
So that's my little story. I hope this provided some insight as to why it seems like the hate for Eunchae seemed so particularly loud on the Korean side, and how she suddenly switched from nearly universally loved to the opposite.
In conclusion, fuck Twitter yo.
P.S. Is this post worth posting on the kpopthoughts subreddit? I'm split because it provides context, but also this has kinda flown by international eyes and I don't really want to accidentally add fuel to the flame. LSF and Eunchae have it hard enough as it is.
P.P.S. Sorry mods, I noticed the other post was removed. If this post breaks the rules, feel free to remove and I'll repost it in the weekly thread or something.

You’re lucky, You're reading this because you’re one of these three people:

1. You've been told your idea sucks by a friend or someone you look up to.
   
2. You’ve even consumed multiple million-dollar business idea videos on YouTube or TikTok that only give you vague advice like “put yourself out there” or “you need to market.”
   
3. You’ve probably wondered if you should quit your job, I mean you’ve seen multiple $1,000,000 success stories, it can’t be that hard, right?
   

Well, let's just say you’ll be surprised. But trust me getting it right is easier than you think. You’ll soon see how easy it is to validate any idea!
1/ As someone who has consumed hundreds of vague pieces of content telling you how to start that $1 million startup without actually giving you anything concrete, I want to make validating your idea easy and practical for you. I'll be using Refro, a team management software we are in the process of launching, as a visual guide. Lastly, I want you to pay attention because I have a reward waiting for you at the end of this write-up.
(x)
2/ The first thing you need to do is to list out your network. Yes, network… network… network… and what I mean is the people that are immediately connected to you one way or the other. Relax, remember it's meant to be easy. Let me clear your doubt, pause for a minute, and ask yourself “How many contacts do I have on my phone?”. I’m sure it’s over 100 and this is me being modest. You’ll be surprised how much people are willing to help even if your immediate contact doesn’t have the information you need, get them to refer you to their network... This way, I went from having no network to speaking with university professors, folks at big companies like Oracle, and participants in startup incubators and I got to identify with their ideas and pain points which helped me form the base ideas for Refro.
3/ Now you're wondering, is that all? No relax a bit, good things take time. You need to gauge interest and if people have any interest in your product you trap them by collecting their emails, trust me they are your lifeline. How you communicate with your “trapped” audience is key as they’ll be first to use your product and also give you feedback. Here’s a protip to trapping your audience, use a waitlist website, it is the most natural and unsuspecting way. Here’s an example of mine - https://www.refro.space/ -. fancy, right?
4/ With the waitlist, it is extremely easy to get feedback on must-haves on your product and to communicate with your audience to validate the demand of your product. What you’ll need next is more people for your waitlist, so you need traction. What I used to gain more eyes on Refro project is product Hunt, This is the best starting point for SaaS(Software as a Service), Trust me you cannot go wrong here. As proof, My Refro project even got among the top product launches for the day,
With the waitlist, we identified must-have features and validated the demand. Next, we needed to find a platform for our target audience and build traction. If you’re a SaaS, a good starting point is Product Hunt. Not to brag, but guess who had one of the top launches for the day on Product Hunt? Refro.
5/ Now this is the final step to solidify your product image, build your MVP. An MVP is the simplest version of your product that allows you to test your concept with real users. It’s crucial because it helps you validate your idea with minimal resource
If you ever want to check out our MVP, you can always sign up on our website. And remember, I am here to help – reach out to me anytime if you have questions or need clarification. We're in this together!

For context I am 28, female, 150 lb I am taking no medications besides what my ent has been prescribing
I went away in June 2023, and dove into a pool, my ears were clogged from the dive and we left the next day via airplane. They cleared up a bit before the flight and I got home and everything was fine (it felt so).
About a month later, I had a tooth extraction, and right after I felt totally off. I attributed this mostly to the meds I was on at the time, but once all was healed, I still didn't feel normal. I noticed that my ear felt full and I felt a sort of off balance feeling.
Before going away on another trip, I went to urgent care to get my symptoms checked, they looked in my ear and noticed I had water in my right ear. They recommended mucinex and Flonase, which I took.
While away again, I noticed my right ear popped and drained, and I thought I was cured! A few hours later, I felt the fullness and off balance-ness again.
The day I got back from the trip, I went straight to an ENT. I was ordered and MRI which came back normal. I tried a round of steroids, which didn't do much. I tried a nasal steroid, which caused me to almost pass out and see stars. I took a VNG test and confirmed I had vertigo in my left ear (which I knew) and through vestibular therapy I was luckily relieved of the vertigo symptoms.
However I do still feel "off" almost like my eyes aren't catching up with my body and I get a dizzy feeling, but not vertigo like, almost a lightheaded dizziness. I went to vestibular therapy where my therapist said that she believed the issue is with my sinuses.
My most recent visit, my ENT checked my ear pressure after I told him my ear feels stuffy still, I feel like I can hear myself back when I talk sometimes, when my ears do pop they squeak like hell, I feel like I am seeing floaters and that I constantly have draining down the back of my throat. My ear pressure was -22 in my left ear and -94 in my right ear. He said this could be causing my symptoms and he has prescribed me things that should relieve any eustacian tube dysfunction.
I have been on the nasal spray azelastine for about a month now, and while it initially helped with some mild popping and a pop with a squeak that woke me up from my sleep, I still feel like things are not better.
I am at a total loss. I see my ENT Friday, please help!

Hi Canadians, please deport anyone who is not contributing or adopting to Canadian culture. I am an Indian immigrant came in 2021. Completed my diploma and right now working as a systems analyst.
I get embarrassed af cause these people not only ruin their image, and my image but they are also ruining Canadas image. Now I may not be perfect but I love the fact about how we treat people here and I have seen the shift from being nice people to pissed off citizens.
Honestly, this shouldn’t even be a issue as there should be proper criteria’s for amount of immigration from a country and level of education with skilled labor laws implemented.
Most of the countries have implemented this and yes including India, which is bizarre cause there are many including me here.
Canada is paying Indians to send people here.
If I go to a career counsellor in India and ask them which field should I opt for. 6 out of 10 will say immigrate to another country and then hand you few options for agents and as you young and naive as every 16-18 year old is you do what you counsellor said. Moving forward it’s easy to immigrate here and everyone gets paid except the student and all this is because government can earn few bucks of cheap labor. This again effects Canada’s culture and heritage and moreover due to all mass immigration of idiots who don’t know how to write and read, Canadians are forced to resort to stereotypes and racism.
I myself never faced racism, in my opinion if I am nice everyone should be nice. These people buy business here and then sponsor there knowns to Canada and pay them shit wages due to which a high school graduate can’t get a fucking part time job cause some 35 year old needs to work at Tim Hortons.
The fact that we are not deporting someone who’s here on study visa when that person is at 30 or above of age speaks a lot. By 30 either you should have enough experience to travel wherever you want. Or just stay wherever tf you are.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone and feel free to ask me any questions.
At the end I would say- if you are going for immigration allow skilled workers to come to Canada and students from reputed schools from any country. Immigration should be of people with education and skills and not for people with arrogance, rudeness, low self care and with no care of others. Please and thank you.

I was hoping someone could help me or guide me in the right direction. I have never posted on this site before and it seems helpful. My husband is on Recovery Court formally know as Drug Court. His rights are being violated and they are trying to push him over the edge. I know I sound like one of them wives/mothers who acts like there family member does no wrong that is not the case at all. I see a man who started drug court so hopeful and because of the task evaluator constantly trying to find something on him he looks completely defeated. It is heart breaking. He spent years homeless on the streets and in prison, but he is one of the kindness man I know. He works full time hours over time on weekends he takes care my 3 children two of which are mine from previous relationship. He does every single thing that is thrown at him. There are 4 phases to drug court. It can be completed in 2 years. The first phase is 90 days. My husband started drug court December 2023 it is now May 2024 he is still on phase one. He had one relapse almost a year ago for 2 days and went back into treatment for 30. There is so so much more to say and explain that is happening gi just do not know who to turn to or where to go. We can’t afford a lawyer but his rights are being violated what are they allowed to do what are his rights? Are they allowed to just make you do anything they want? They threatened to make him quit his job bc he looks tired. She threatened in patient and then outpatient the other day bc she does not want him on any MAT which is not allowed. I am beyond my point and I know he is starting to crumble does anyone have any type of guidance m. There is more to story but too much to write. Thank you for listening :)

True Name: Sakamoto Ryouma
Class: Lancer
Source: Historical fact
Region: Japan
Gender: Male
Alignment: True Neutral
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Character Creator: Keikenchi
Character Design: pako
Character Voice: Kase Yasuyuki & Horie Yui
Appearance in Main Works: Fate/Grand Order

Strength: B	Endurance: C	Agility: B+
Magic: C	Luck: A-	Noble Phantasm: EX

Class Skills

Magic Resistance: C+
When Super Oryou gets serious, Oryou's hide prove quite the magical barrier, Ryouma!
Riding: EX
A special Riding Skill given to Ryouma for crossing the Bakumatsu period Japan riding the dragon that is the changing eras. It's a Skill exclusive for riding Oryou, existing separately from other Riding variants.

Personal Skills

Dragon of the Restoration: A
The man called a mystical dragon in a human body. His fleeting life briming of pride, crossing the Bakumatsu period Japan riding the dragon that is the changing eras solely for the sake of the people, was like a soaring dragon.
White Serpent of Takachiho: A-
The serpent who failed to become a dragon. The serpent, initially a black abomination held in contempt, aimed for the heavens in attempt to become a dragon, but ultimately, the serpent couldn't manage it.
Amanosakahoko (Pair): B
The pike of light fallen handle-first from heaven. The spear of the heavenly gods, which sewn together heaven and earth to seal the black abomination. Originally a single polearm, but taking the form of pair when weilded by the hero and the serpent.
The pike of light fallen handle-first from heaven is both a blessing and a curse.

Noble Phantasm

Ryuu yo, Wadatsumi no Hara wo Yuke (My dear, venture through the vast oceans)

Rank: EX	Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm
Range: 2-70	Max. Targets: 700 persons

By offering the Amanosakahoko that Ryouma pointed at the heavens, the black serpent sheds her skin and grows wings, becoming a white serpent of such beauty that she could be mistaken for a divine dragon.
Clad in radiant-white arcanity from the Age of Gods, the White Serpent of Takachiho exerts tremendous power. This form possesses physical abilities beyond comprehension and can deploy a sturdy physical barrier, preventing any mediocre attack from hurting her, potentially making her the god of the new era.
Instead of becoming a dragon and soaring the skies, she chose to be the serpent travelling the sea with the hero.
Pronouns (Ryouma)

• First person: Boku/washi (in Tosa Dialect Mode)
• Second person: Kimi/oman (in Tosa Dialect Mode)
• Third person: Kare/kanojo
• Master: Master

Pronouns (Oryou-san)

• First person: Oryou-san
• Second person: Omae/name without honorifics
• Third person: Koitsu/are
• Master: Ningen/omae

Personality

Pretty much the same as a Rider. Oryou hasn't changed either.

Motives and attitude toward the Master

He wishes for his relationship with his Master to be like that between two friends from the same town. Oryou is relatively fond of them and doesn't mind helping out every now and then.

Dialogue examples

• Ryouma: "Let's get washing them all away, then." Oryou: "I'll scrub them hard."
• Oryou: "Yaaay. Oryou-san turbo peace."
• Ryouma: "Oh? Time for the Kaientai to go all out?" Oryou: "Right... Ryuu yo, Wadatsumi no Hara wo Yuke"
• Oryou: "Done. Time for Oryou's victory peace. You do it too, Ryouma." Ryouma: "L-like this?" Ryouma & Oryou: "Yaaay!"
• Oryou: "I am the White Serpent of Takachiho. For thy offerings, some frogs would be welcomed." Ryouma: "Hahaha, you can't keep a solemn face either, Oryou."
• Oryou: "Fine, I can let Izou ride the tip of my tail." Ryouma: "Make sure not to drop him."
• Oryou: "Now that you're a Lancer with no divinity, we can kick that Archer's butt. Good job, Ryouma. We're having frogs for dinner tonight." Ryouma: "I wish it were that easy."

Historical character and figure

A loyalist living through Japan's Bakumatsu. Born from a country samurai family in Tosa, he deserted his fief, studied under Katsu Kaishu, founded the Kameyama Shachuu (which would later become the Kaientai), intermediated the Satsuma-Choushuu Alliance, and devoted himself to the restoration of imperial rule, overall contributing a lot to the Meiji Restoration. However, his ideals fell to assailant's blade, thus he never got to see the age of Meiji.

Character in Fate/Grand Order

An aloof man on his mid-20s appearance-wise. He may be a master of the Hokushin Ittouryuu, but he’s actually a kindhearted guy who dislikes conflict to his very core. Instead, the mysterious belle by his side will take the lead.
His default Class is Rider, but circumstances lead to this manifestation of him as a Lancer.
This form, in possessing of the Amanosakahoko and one of the Three Knight Classes of the Holy Grail War, is a what-if possibility that Sakamoto Ryouma could have attained, and a Servant powerful enough to uphold the reputation of Hero of the Restoration.
If Sakamoto Ryouma is summoned as Heroic Spirit, he's restricted to only getting either the polearm or the serpent as a Noble Phantasm. That goes to show how much of miracle it is that he is capable of using both.
He is a master of the Hokushin Ittouryuu and his swordsmanship is a force to be reckoned with, but the course he practiced was for the naginata, so the Lancer class is where he can best put his prowess to work. In addition, Super Oryou is bursting with power. Together, they're an invincible Kaientai.

Regular weapons

• Ryouma: Amanosakahoko (because he snapped it in two, he has the ability to split it into two spears). Super Ryouma Gun (can switch into Sniper Mode). "And dontcha forget mah Mutsu-no-Kami Yoshiyuki¹".
• Oryou: Hyper Power-Up Oryou Martial Arts and easily spammable beams of something unknown.

Related characters

Okada Izou
His best friend in their town. He wanted to stay best friends but their relationship never recovered from their split. After an incident where he got punched, they managed to return to their nostalgic ways.
Takechi Hanpeita
Former fellows who split off due to ideological differences. Takechi holds Ryouma in such regard that he believes Ryouma's presence would have spared the Tosa Imperialist Party from its failures. After an incident where they got punched, they managed to return to their previous ways.
Tanaka Shinbei
Takechi's right-hand man. In life, Shinbei kept Ryouma away from Takechi. He was probably annoyed at the faith Takechi had in Ryouma.
Nakaoka Shintarou
"It wounds me to disagree with Nakaoka in a discussion. Nonetheless, if I can't discuss with him, there is no one else worth discussing with."²
While Ryouma was frequently suspected, he was trusted by everyone. He and Ryouma compensated for what the other lacked.
Takasugi Shinsaku
They share mutual respect, with Ryouma acknowledging Takasugi as The Unicorn Prodigy and Takasugi acknowledging Ryouma as the Dragon Soaring the Skies. They also envy each other, believing one has what the other lacks.
Voyager
Ryouma can't hide his excitement about a rocket that can fly to space. Oryou gets competitive and begins an irregular training regime to fly to space.

Comments from the illustrator

Have a nice triiiiiiiip!!! Feels great to see those two having fun. I can hope they don't break any property or any debt-ridden alcoholic anywhere they go, but I know that's not a realistic expectation. (pako)

Translation notes

1) Sakamoto Ryouma's favorite katana. The same he uses in his Rider version.
2) Historical from the real Sakamoto Ryouma.

Hi all,
A little background, we are both in our early 20s, both virgins, and married for almost a year. I'm shaking as I'm writing this bc I haven't told this to anyone. As you can tell by the title, we have a sexless marriage.
wedding night/ homeymoon: i always though that guys are so excited for the wedding night, you know thats what i heard. he did touch me on our wedding night, but then said he was tired and went to sleep. we were flying out on our honeymoon the next day, i was so nervous for it. When we got to our destination, he was still tired and went to sleep. Even though they prepared this cute setup and wine and stuff. About two days later he was going to take his pants off, i asked if he brought protection and he said no, and the thing is I was ovulating (and all my friends told me to be "careful") so i told him we need protection. I thought that was something he could've thought on bringing you know. On one of the last days we did end up trying (at this point tho, i felt like i was begging bc i cried once abt it( i was overwhelmed and emotional) and i would suggest for us to shower together..anything to get us closer and make it less awkward, but it seemed like it made it more awkward bc he didn't want to but still did it. when we tried he couldn't stay hard and get it in, I was nervous and laughed.. and that was all.
When we got back, I cried i felt unwanted, unloved, not good enough, like something is wrong with me. I had multiple conversations with him and he would say that he's sorry, that he's not good enough for me. I tried to wear lingerie for him one day, but he just went to sleep. the next conversation i had with him and brought it up, he said it's because i was just laying under the covers. but I'm so nervous, i would think guys are just excited and want to see you regardless, it took so much for me to even put in on, idk what he wanted me to do! after some conversations and no change, i kind of am giving up. i am the only one ever brining this up. he never brought this up as an issue. it's like he's ok with it and it doesn't bother him. The only way we are intimate know is small kisses.
Side note, I love my husband so much and I know he loves me. I sincerely try so hard not to think about this because when I do i distance myself, get sad.. etc. so when I don't think about it everything is "ok" We cuddle, he's sweet and loving. I do think he does struggle to be a leader at times like praying or suggesting to read the bible, usually I am the one to suggest this. We get along well and I know he has good intentions always. I also try to be the best wife i can be and he always mentions how he loves me and that I am the best thing that ever happened to him.. but...
even though i hear him say all of this, i feel like i have so much neglection and anxiety built up because we have not had sex yet. I keep thinking he doesn't "actually" want me, and what if he's not telling the truth, what if it's the way i look, i keep overthinking that every girl he sees, that he will like her better than me. I have never been this insecure in my life and I don't know what to do. i want him to initiate, to WANT me!
It got to the point where sometimes he spends 30-45 min in the bathroom and i become so anxious and think he is watching porn and masturbating. i even confronted him about it and he was sad that i would even think that.
But how can i not think that?? he is not finding pleasure in me, where is he finding it? I'm having a hard time trusting him and i don't know what to do. I pray about it all the time. I'm trying to grow my relationship with God and get closer to Him. I have so much anxiety, fear, anger? and try to surrender it to God. Sometimes I wonder about his relationship with God, when we were dating he seemed like a godly man and knows his bible very well, but after we got married if i don't initiate prayer or bible reading, we don't do it.
I am so scared,i want everything to be ok, can this relationship work? what can i do? please any advice and prayers would be very appreciated.