Hi! I have no question, just a ranty story.
So not revealing the names, but for 20 first years of my life I was called by a pretty girly name. It was ok for first 10 years, then I started to feel it's not me. It also was difficult to pronounce with my surname when answering the phone and I hated it very early age - in 90's we answered landline phone by saying "Firstname Lastname, hello?". I made up my new name by taking one letter off of other feminine name. It felt radical and that I broke that specific feminine thang, it was little odd, it felt good. It also is easy to pronounce, it's mellow, no sharpness or difficult repetition to it.
Turns out, it's a trendy girl name in my country now. Did not expect that. It's possible I didn't even come up with that myself even that's the story I tell myself. But even if it wasn't popular girl name, it still sounds too feminine now. The mellowness, the long vowel has begun to sound womanly again. I thought I broke that feminine name, but the sound of it is still almost the same. But mostly I'm bothered by how I have heard others hear that name. For them it's not the epitome of someone who is not neutral. That was the whole point of a new name, to give a clear message without needing to shout the obvious to everyone.
I don't want to change my name again. I have had this name now for 18 years, and I've gotten used to it, but this somehow feels off. Most common gender neutral names here are nature words, Cinnamon, Pine needle, White water, Autumn, Storm, Willow. They can be cool. It seems obvious that names also go in trends, and I basically think I should be happy to represent my decade.

What got done today: Content Creation:

• I posted my first reel on Insta/Facebook! - It was quite the rollercoaster of emotions and anxiety. Although it was a success, it was far from smooth.
  • First, I realized that I cannot use my YouTube video because reels come in a different size and it looked very choppy. So I scrambled and changed the formatting in Canva. It. Was. Not. Fun.
  • When I finally got it ready and figured out how to post the reel, I posted it to FB and Insta only to realize I forgot to add the hashtags. I was able to update the caption in one platform, but for the other I had to delete the video and repost.
  • Overall there was good reception to my brand launch and I saw family and friends repost the video.
• I worked on my reel for tomorrow, which is a short reel (about 15 secs). I went back and forth about creating a longer and comprehensive video, but sided to maintain my plan to alternate between long, short, long, short…

Website

• FB Link: Still no update on the broken Facebook link on the website. I followed up on Fiverr.
• Email Campaign: the good news is that MailChimp offers free emails under the free version. The bad news is that there is no automation. I looked into other providers but they seem to have a pay wall as well. I figured that I’ll use MailChimp for now until my email list gets bigger. I'll send out a weekly email.
  • I started working on a template. I will include a feature of the week, a survey, and perhaps one of our social media posts. What else should I include?

Insights:

• On a podcast about growing one’s business, the presenter suggested that I reach out to “micro-bloggers” for two purposes: 1) product review that could be shared in their channel or 2) a formal business partnership.
  • It got me thinking about the review route. If I reach out to 100 micro-bloggers/influencers to introduce them to MYNDER and if on average these folks spread awareness to just 10 people, then I’ll reach 10% of my goal. I will be thinking more about this plan.
• I saw a post on Reddit about Product Hunt. The post questioned the usefulness of Product Hunt, which has me rethinking this platform. I had created a campaign there but didn’t formally “Submit”. I need to do research on the ROI on this.
  • Does anyone have experience with PH?

Tomorrow To-Do

• Share promo video on insta
• Play around with MailChimp for email campaign
• Review keyword list received from Fiverr gig.
  Subscribers Email: 30 YouTube: 2 (but 26 views 😊) Instagram: 14
  

Demographics: Asian male, Competitive public high school, Michigan, not needing aid
Intended Majors: CS
SAT: 1520(770 RW, 750 M)
GPA: 3.88 UW
Coursework: 11 APS, 3 Honors, 2 Duel enrollment, 2 Ib
Awards:

1. AP Scholar
2. MHSAA scholar athlete 3x
3. Quizbowl 2x regional champion, Top 5 at states, national qualifier, top 100 performer in Michigan
4. Consistent top finisher in several competitive coding websites
5. Host state qualifier, regional finalist

Extracurriculars(not ranked in a particular order):

1. Quizbowl: Varsity captain(11,12), JV captain(10), Novice captain(9), OfficePresident(11/12). Created a application that maximizes our studying and practicing efficiency.
2. Swim: Competitive swimming for 8 years. JV(9,10) Varsity(11,12)
3. Recreation Club: Co-foundePresident(10,11,12)
4. Mental Health Club: Officer, organized a mental health appreciation week with over 1000 participants
5. Sales associate: highest rated employee for 20 weeks in a row

CS ECS:

1. Created an AI quiz bowl game that creates 100% unique questions after learning from 150,000 NAQT samples, played over 100,000 times
   
2. Freelance: creates websites and advertisements for companies
   
3. Social media: have a social media account where I post videos about competitive coding as well as giving tips and tricks on how to get better. 20,000 followers and 500,000+ views
   
4. Competitive Coding/ learning different coding languages: compete in a ton of coding competitions online as well as having self taught 4 coding languages at a proficient level.
   
5. STEM instructor during the summer
   

Essays/LOother:

1. LOR from AP CSA teacher 10/10
2. LOR from boss at job 10/10
3. LOR from counselor ?/10

Essays should be pretty good, I would consider myself as an above average writer.
Red flags: all 3 of my Bs have been in math classes and my sat math subscore is pretty low at a 750

Hi everyone. I recently interviewed with OAI and I'm just wondering what the experience has been for previous applicants/current applicants on waiting for results. How long did it take for ya'll to receive a CJO or a rejection? And whether or not anyone else from the April 2024 applicant pool has received news yet?
It's been about two weeks since my virtual and I can't help but feel antsy. (Still feeling good despite the anxiety, but we'll see of course!)
Furthermore, I realize with the nature of their flights, limited information is made public. But after some research and digging I found a couple influencers across platforms who seem to currently fly for Omni Air. However, I haven't really found anyone speak candidly about the company culture outside of simply where they've flown (even after they've left the company.)
Are there any Omni alumni out there who can tell me more about the reality they've faced working there either previous/present? What is it like flying long hauls? Sitting reserve internationally? Non-reving with them? Is it easy to connect with fellow FA's to explore new countries? And most importantly, if you enjoy charter over mainline/regional/low-cost carriers with a lot more domestic routes?
Anything helps.
Thanks!

It's been a year since the war.
The war where the heroes lost, the demon king won, and the entire land was plunged into darkness and despair. How haughty the humans and their allied were, proud of their chosen ones, light-blessed and equipped with the finest swords and armor. Yet the only news they received was that their entire party was wiped.
Thus, disappeared the hope.
The mighty walls that once stood tall, fell fast to siege. Morale amongst the kingdom and their pact nations quickly eroded into despair. The elves retreated into the forests, withdrawing to the protection of the Yggdrasil, the World Tree's blessing fading slowly to the darkness. The dwarves quickly traded loyalties, their talents in forging and smithing becoming easily translatable into a tool for the demonic forces. The merfolk withdrew their relations from the terrestrial, knowing that the sea at least would offer them a haven that the demons could not invade, at least not yet.
The demons were a poison rain upon a sugar cube, quickly dissolving human society.
But there were those that stood against the overwhelming darkness. Small outposts of humanity attempted their best to survive in this era, scavenging what remained of the world before, under the red skies of the demon king's rule. Those who still wielded magic and blade, dreaming of a day where races that didn't thrive on cruelty and evil could flourish yet again...
~~~
Hello! And yet another prompt from yours truly. This is a medieval fantasy roleplay, with main themes of post-apocalypse and survival, along with possibilities of things like enemies-to-lovers, adventure, romance, and more! It very much depends on how we decide to write it, as the world is pretty expansive!
Please note that I'm comfortable playing either role! Some prompts within the world the demon lord rules:

• A survivor of the war, is injured while trying to scavenge for magic crystals in the ruins of a once-city. They're found by a demon, but that demon doesn't immediately kill them or take them to the governor. Instead, they sympathize with the survivor, willing to shelter them and perhaps even listen to their story...
• The resistance effort is difficult, as mana potions become more and more scarce, in the advent of the growing darkness. Every night, the number of hellhounds grows. A new trainee in the resistance is partnered with a veteran, as reluctant as the professional is. But their bond grows, and they learn to rely on one another under the dark skies.
• The World Tree, Yggdragsil, is dying. The royalty of the elven kingdom has sent the heir out on a quest to find a way to revitalize their sacred oak, as it may provide a means to fend off the darkness. Who will they find on their journey, and what can remove the blight? Do they not realize, that the affliction to the Yggdragsil, translates to all those who are tied to it, thus sealing the fate of the fair folk if nothing is done?
• Have another idea that follows the same vein of these plots? Do tell me! We can also build something together.

~~~
About myself: I'm 25+, and I can only promise you lots of imagination and creativity in a roleplay. I prefer 3rd person, with about 2-7 paragraphs of detail and action in every reply. I'm usually able to reply a few times a day, depending on your timezone (I live in PST). I write female/male/non-binary, play a multitude of characters. I prefer using Discord.
About you: 21+, literate, and can write at least two paragraphs per reply. Preferably can reply one to a few times a day. Can play a multitude of characters as called for, and loves world-building! Preferably uses/prefers anime style face claims. Be willing to provide a writing sample, please.
Looking forward to exploring this wasteland with you!

Lots and lots and lots of coverage for this media roundup. We’ve got goals, we’ve got boos, we’ve got hot mics, we’ve got the Unipiper and so much more.
PORTLAND:
Tyson Alger / Oregonian: After rocky start, Portland Timbers rally back against San Jose to snap 9-game winless streak
“Yes, the Portland Timbers heard the boos.
How could they not?
They started flying early in the first half against San Jose on Wednesday night and only continued to gain steam when a pair of Earthquake goals sent Portland into the locker room down 2-0 at the break — all the momentum needed to achieve a club-record 10th game without a win.
And the Timbers Army responded accordingly, hailing down a thunderous shower of jeers as manager Phil Neville led the Timbers off the pitch. …”

Columnist Bill Oram: Oregonian: Timbers coach Phil Neville silences his critics — for one night, at least
“The pressure was mounting on Phil Neville and, you would imagine, inside of him, too.
The Portland Timbers manager had overseen a string of nine consecutive matches without a victory, dating back to March 9. Even the Trail Blazers have won twice since then.
Neville’s tinkering had not led to results. His adjustments weren’t working. Not well enough, at least.
And while the Timbers are a team with new faces and still integrating a new superstar, this is Neville’s show. He was the splashy coaching hire made last fall. As lackluster results stacked up, so too did Neville’s frustration. …
On the hot mic situation: “As Neville headed to the locker room on Friday, a broadcaster on the team’s radio feed was caught on a hot mic asking his producer if he wanted to coach the team because it “can’t be any worse.”
I’ve been in the press box for hundreds, if not thousands of sporting events, and trust me, as gallows humor goes, that made-for-X/formerly-Twitter moment is pretty mild. The announcer, Adam Susman, has apologized and hopefully that’s that.
We were all thinking some version of it. Or worse…”
(Worth reading this one in full imo)

Alex Barnes / Stumptown Footy: Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes - Instant Reaction
“The Portland Timbers lost 2-0 at home to the San Jose Earthquakes after another stale attacking performance and two more defensive mistakes… Is what I was prepared to write before an 74th minute Earthquakes red card flipped the game on its head. But for the first time since March 9, the Portland Timbers won a game of football in their typical drunken fashion — a much-needed four goal explosion in the final 15+ minutes of the match.
…
Were the Timbers fortunate to win? Unequivocally yes. Before the penalty San Jose was cruising. But at this point in the season, at their position in the table, it does not matter one bit. The team needs points, and points they earned. Whether that continues into their next match is a major question, but tonight felt like the pressure release valve was turned for the time being. Sometimes one moment is all it takes for the tides of a grueling MLS season to turn.”

Jeremy Peterman / Cascadia FC: Winning A Game Is Fun
“The Timbers’ winless streak is over, and the San Jose Earthquakes are still winless at Providence Park. Will this team ever play a normal game?
…
…This win is incredibly fluky in so many ways. But, at the end of the day, 3 points is 3 points. Now they have to turn this confidence into momentum. Some returning players can help with that. As long as the players believe they can win, they will put in match-winning performances. Inconsistency has been the calling card of the 2024 Timbers. Can they erase the individual mistakes while building a solid defensive shape that can attack directly? That’s what they have to solve. The 3-4-3 from tonight was an excellent start, and it will get better. The pieces to win games now are on this team. But they have to perform like it. But tonight is a good night to be a Timber. For the first time in 49 years of the club’s history, the Timbers have won a game by multiple goals after trailing by multiple goals. Winning a game is really fun. This team should do it more often.”

BONUS: Unipiper content
Tyson Alger / The I-5 Corridor: Timbers win plays second act to The Unipiper's song of redemption
“Redemption on Wednesday was scheduled for 7:35 p.m. In the minutes leading up, Kidd quietly waited in the Southwest corner of Providence Park, occasionally humming a few notes through his trumpet and making sure his sandals, embroidered with “Keep Weird” on their backs, were tight. At 7:34 p.m. he pulled on a Darth Vader mask. A minute later, he climbed onto the unicycle, found his balance, lifted the trumpet to his mouth and slowly started pedaling north. When the first notes hit smooth, Kidd came alive — playing a well-paced 80-second anthem that ended with Kidd using his one free arm to orchestrate the crowd into a frenzy.”

• John Ross Ferrara / KOIN: Unipiper hits high note in Timbers national anthem redo

BONUS: Hot Mic

• Oregonian: Timbers radio announcer’s hot mic picked up by Apple TV broadcast: ‘Can’t be any worse’
• Awful Announcing: Hot mic catches announcer mocking MLS team and coach during Apple TV broadcast
• David Moore / The 18: ‘You want to come coach this team?’ Timbers announcer apologizes for hot mic moment

NATIONAL:
Sam Jones / MLS: Daily Kickoff
PORTLAND TIMBERS - 4 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES - 2
Evander (74'), J. Rodríguez (80, 90+10'), F. Mora (90') A. Pellegrino (31'), H. López (34')
San Jose were on the wrong end of an MLS After Dark special in Portland. The Timbers got back in the game with a 71st-minute red card/penalty combo and then got back in the game some more with a brace from Jonathan Rodriguez and a Felipe Mora goal.
The Timbers badly needed this one. It’s their first win in nine games. It doesn’t matter how it comes at that point – they just needed it to happen.
The Quakes did not need this. Just when it seemed like they were sorting some things out defensively, they fell apart in this one. Once again, it’s worth repeating that no one is concerned about the Quakes’ attack. Everything else though…

AI bot / The AP: Timbers Rally To Beat San Jose 4-2 And Snap Winless Streak
“Jonathan Rodriguez scored a pair of goals and the Portland Timbers snapped a nine-game winless streak with a 4-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night. …”

Graham Ruthven / Fotmob (published before the match): The Phil Neville-era is in trouble at Portland Timbers
“Derby defeats are difficult enough to digest without the additional consequences that came with the Portland Timbers’ painful home loss to the Seattle Sounders on Sunday. The result dropped Phil Neville’s team to the bottom of the Western Conference with the Timbers on a winless run of nine matches. Portland have problems.”

SAN JOSE:
The Mercury News: Hernán López scores in second straight game for Earthquakes, but San Jose win streak snapped in Portland
“Hernán López scored in his second straight match, but the San Jose Earthquakes allowed three goals in the final 16 minutes of regulation and another in extra time in a 4-2 loss at Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday night.
The Quakes (3-9-1) had won three in a row to move out of last place in the 14-team Western Conference, but fell back to the bottom of the standings with the loss. …”

INTERNATIONAL:
RCN News: Santiago Moreno gave an assist in a 'crazy' play in the MLS (Spanish)
“Santiago Moreno, who reached 101 games with the Portland Timbers, was in charge of finishing the game against the San Jose Earthquakes…”

So I went through with this manufacturer on Alibaba that game me some good samples, and I paid half of the amount that is owed for manufacturing. The total was $930 and, I paid half of that upfront. Now after seeing pictures of the items being manufactured, it looks like shit quality and the colors are not looking the same at all. I have to keep asking for corrections, but they still keep getting it wrong. They are unable to replicate what was provided to me from the samples, which I don't understand!
I don't know what to do at this point. Can I file for Trade Assurance even when the product is still being made and I've only paid for half? I don't want to continue with them anymore because they are not delivering what was promised based on the samples, and I do not want to waste even more of my money.
I asked a respresentative from Alibaba if it is still possible to file a refund, and they said that I can because Trade Assurance provides you protection at all stages of the manufacturing process and even if I only paid for half, but I'm still worried that they won't side with me because of the fact that I haven't paid in full and that they haven't shipped the product yet. Has anyone had this experience before? I don't know what to do. Will Alibaba's Trade Assurance actually help?
Also, if I can't get Trade Assurance to side with me, am I able to just stop manufacturing, ask to not pay for the other half, and just count my losses?

I had my first appointment back in October / November 2023 and was told I would hear from them within a month. I’m not quite sure what they meant by this, but I did receive a clinic letter - by post - in January ( which I had been clear in asking not to receive any correspondence by post )…? Additionally, I have been looking at going privately ( that’s a whole different story ) but that seems to be a bit of a minefield to navigate…
I know everywhere is stretched in terms of Clinical Reach, but it feels like I could be waiting a good deal longer having already waited 3 years for an initial appointment…

Hello, I don't know from what to start. I have serious trust issues with husband.We are 6 years married and 10 th years together. We have 4 years old child together , both in our early thirties.I had never looked into my husband s phone before.,About 2 years ago, I've discovered my husband had flirty chats with his female co worker and her photo saved on his phone. Ive confronted him and he said, they are just friends and working together bla bla, they didn't even see each other live, but they exchanged whatsup and were calling each other for work related things only, which is not true ofc.Later on I found out he was mentioning another female colleague describing her as his new target to his buddy.And I found out a bunch of communications about getting a whores and having a boys night out. Ive confronted him- he said its just a jokes, thats how they communicate, black humour, etc, that nothing happened and he would divorce me if he would have sex with someone else. After I found a sillicon ass in the bathroom and tones of anal porn on his laptop.Also, he was going to thai masser places to get happy ending during 2 years, he didn't want to tell, until I was keep on pushing. He said its not a cheating, cause he didn't cause me any direct pain and it has nothing to do against me. Also, when is out on a business trips he would never call, he just writes a messages that he gonna be doing this and that amd he will be out with supposedly no longer internet. When he went to his friends house for a week , he asked not to call, because he wants to rest from our constant conflicts. Basically, he turned everybody against me, and calling me obsessed paranoid person. I try to do my best to not go crazy from everything. These chances started when he got well paid job, I was with this person for 7 years and I would never believe it could be him, acting so selfish . Whenever I express my feelings, he just starts screaming and saying he is tired of my fantasies, he is not a cheater and if he would be , he would leave for good. And if I want to be with him, I should trust him. I feel like I leave in a nightmare. My circumstances are difficult, because I leave in a foreign coutry and Im totally alone here. I need a community of people whove been there and knows how hard is to not lose control and continue your life. Im desperate, because I thought we are family and its forever and last 2 years news Im discovering , give just a huge pain and insomnia. I dont know why I do it to myself and still keep on hoping that he will change. I dont even know who is he? Thanks for all advices.

In real life everything goes wrong, but I had a good day in AC. "Nook and Nooks Heim- und Gartenbedarf" opened, my favourite villager Kabuki sent me a letter with a trash bin, visited me AND gifted me bamboo.
I never had bamboo before. (What to consider when planting it? Near water?).
In AC Wild World there was a public bin where you sometimes found cool stuff and could put pit falls in. I am now so glad I do not have to pay money for getting rid of pitfalls!

I have a male cockatiel, who i've had for many years. I've lost track of how old he is, though I plan on checking with the store that sold him to me tomorrow and having them look at his little anklet for that. I do know he's between 10-15 years. I'll update tomorrow an exact age if I can.
He's had pin feathers for upwards of a year without really fully removing them. He has had a few weeks here and there where he's back to being soft again, no pin feathers. But they usually come right back, mostly on his head, but some in his tail, and his back. He will not let me try to pinch them off and help him, no matter how gentle I am. I understand they can be uncomfortable, and even painful so I truly try not to force it, though i'm getting worried. He also refuses to shower, which would at least help loosen the pin feathers. Over the many years i've had him, he's never let me shower him. And if he does, he only puffs up for a few moments and he does *try* to get wet, though he will not stand it for long enough for it to accomplish anything. I've tried baths, showers, misters, and he will not accept it. Regarding light and captivity effecting him, he had free reign of my bedroom. His cage is never closed unless I'm leaving the house, and there's nothing he can get into. I have sheer curtains and my blinds are always open, allowing lots of natural sunlight in each day, especially since my room is decently small and his cage is not far off from my window. He can go downstairs to the family living room, but it usually stresses him out, so I keep those sessions short, and keep him in my bedroom where I know he's comfortable.
Right now, my only idea is that, when my boyfriend gets his tiel next week, that maybe they could get along and his bird could help him preen, and vice versa. I plan on introducing them very slowly, especially knowing the large age difference, as he's getting a very young tiel and I have an old man haha. Good news, if they don't get along well, my boyfriend and I live separately as of right now.
Any advice on how to help my boy would be amazingly appreciated though, as I don't feel good banking on this new bird to help him, as i'm entirely unsure how that will go. I want to fix this, as I know his grumpy and mean behavior has been directly effected by him having such an uncomfortable time like this, and I really want to make him feel better

So I decided to do a system test to ensure that everything was working well with Kolibri II (Laptop name). However, I received this error message with this particular failure ID (see pictures). I then opted to do a hard drive/SSD test and got the same result. I scanned the QR code that would lead me to HP Support and according to the report, the SSD installed has a critical failure and requires replacement. The thing is... as far as I know, Kolibri isn't suffering from any of the apparent symptoms for failure that would be expected (corrupted files, slow performance, crashes occuring during boot, SSD becoming read-only, etc.) when I installed Crystal Disk Info, everything turned out to be operating normally. I had also checked Computer Management and the SSD's properties and found nothing amiss. So, what gives? 🤔

Content Warning: Go around / emergency-ish landing
Two weeks ago, I flew to London for vacation. The flight was completely uneventful until it came time to land. As we were descending, the pilot came over the loudspeaker and announced that they were "aborting landing" (aka, a go-around) to "figure out an issue," and then the plane climbed back up in altitude. We circled Heathrow for more than 30 minutes, with zero updates from the pilots. It was terrifying, to say the least.
Because there was no news from the cockpit as we circled in the air, I was lowkey spiraling but kept reminding myself of the many comments and posts I've read about go-arounds from the pilots here. I also kept reminding myself that I was uncomfortable (and I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable) but safe – a technique that I learned from reading a book about combatting the fear of flying years ago.
Finally, the landing gear dropped (with a lot more noise than usual; I assume they manually released them), and the pilot announced that we would finally be landing but emergency vehicles would be on the runway as a precaution. 🙃 Sure enough, there were tons of firetrucks and other emergency vehicles on the runway. The pilot then announced that we had to be towed to our gate because the plane wasn't in "good condition," (I really don't understand what they meant by this lol, but hopefully someone can weigh in!) and then reminded everyone it was important to remember that we landed safely.
(They never told us the reason, but I assume it was a hydraulics issue.)
This was, quite frankly, the stuff of nightmares for me. I can't tell you how many times I have spiraled thinking about something like this happening to me. And then it happened, and it was... completely uneventful? A completely normal, boring landing. Our pilot's reminder seemed ridiculous to me at the time (probably because I wanted ALL the info lol), but in retrospect, he was so right: it's important to remember we landed safely!
I don't know how to end this post, but I just think it's interesting that something my anxiety built up to be a "worst case scenario" for me happened and it was 100% fine. Everything that the books and articles and experts on our sub say is completely true: the pilots are in full control, there are back ups for everything, and you will be fine.
I don't think I will ever shake this fear, but I honestly feel like a huge burden was lifted off of me after experiencing this, though I was understandably a little shaken up for a few days after it. I was a little scared to fly home after my vacation ended, but ultimately I spent my 10+ hour flight home completely unbothered.
Trust the experts, y'all!

PC

Discord Tag: 7up
Name and House: Ronnel Arryn
Age: 33
Cultural Group: Valeman
Appearance: Cheekbones poised like a falcon perched, an aquiline nose after a raptor's beak, a stature rivalling a mountain's (if it were the size of a tall man), and blue eyes the same color as the sky. Aside from a propagandist's parallels to whatever sigil their patron displays, Ronnel Arryn errs from the example of the aloof falcon. Once possessed of a heedless will, a brashness and an impatience, those qualities have been tamed in turn by fatherhood, husbandhood, and rulership—though those traits still persist, merely tinged by the manner that an elder brother might take with the younger. His hair has shifted from dirty blond to sandy brown with age, and a trimmed beard covers his jaw.
Trait: Inspiring
Skill(s): Blunt Weapons, Cavalryman, Tactician, Cunning (e)
Talent(s): Falconry, hunting (non-mechanical 🤫🧏‍♂️), dragonriding
Negative Trait(s): N/A
Starting Title(s): Lord of the Eyrie, Lord of the Vale, Defender of the Guarded Domains of Arryn, Warden of the East, Warden of the Green Fork, First and Last of His Name, the King Who Flew, Rider of Vhagar (sometimes), and the Last King in Westeros
Starting Location: Feast
Family Tree

AC

Name and House: Marq Hardyng
Age: 32
Cultural Group: Valeman
Appearance: A broad and ruddy man, blonde, brown-eyed, and bearded. Marq Hardyng wears his duty on his sleeve; that duty mostly being hunting with his milk brother.
Trait: Hale
Skill(s): Swords, Investigator (e)
Talent(s): Tourney lore x3
Negative Trait(s): N/A
Starting Title(s): Scion of House Hardyng
Starting Location: Feast

Biography

Little of the Last King’s early years are of much import; Ronnel Arryn was born to King Joffrey I and Queen Sharra Arryn. His few memories of his father were that of a pallid man, wan and sickly but still a king who bloody well fought the illness that plagued him.
Or perhaps those were just fanciful tales, an imagined story that supplanted the truth of the matter.
Joffrey Arryn did at least survive, if he did not fight. Ronnel’s siblings, Jonos and Roland, would be born in succession. The falcons grew in number, Joffrey’s ailment ceased, and—the gods took him away and brought Arwen Arryn into the world.
Shortly after his sister’s birth, Sharra Arryn dressed her son in royal regalia and placed a crown on his head, assuming rule as sole regent while the boy distracted himself with toys and games. He would be nursed with Marq Hardyng, and he and his milk brother grew to be quick friends.
The Queen Sharra could not rest. There were new contenders on the horizon, greater than what meager assaults the Hoares could occasionally muster against the Bloody Gate: the threefold conquerors atop their dragons. Where the ravens sent by Aegon were met with scorn by Durrandon and hubris by the Hoares, Sharra offered alliance. Her hand in marriage and the left bank of the Green Fork to be annexed into the Guarded Domains.
The dragons rejected the offer, and instead, a Velaryon fleet was sent to take Gulltown and establish a foothold. They were repelled and the Targaryen ships were sunk for that transgression, but Vhagar’s fire consumed the Grafton fleet with them.
Ronnel knew what war was. It was like those tales in storybooks, that of the Griffin King and the Winged Knight, the legends of the Battle of Sevenstars. He, Jonos, and Marq fashioned themselves as Jaime Corbray or Luceon Templeton and fought each other over who could best live up to Artys Arryn’s example. When the Gates of the Moon swelled with men-at-arms, knights, and levied smallfolk, the three would find the most fearsome looking of them and challenge them to duels. Once he heard of dragons, though, Ronnel was consumed. He begged his mother to let him lead a parlay under a peace banner just so that he could see them, but Sharra sent him off to the nurses or left him to kick rocks in the courtyard.
The banners gathered, and the defenses were headed by Lord Rodrik Hardyng. Orders were given, the soldiers were drilled. And Vhagar’s wings cast a shadow so large that it engulfed the Bloody Gate whole. Shouting on the ramparts and in the valleys, but high above in the Eyrie? Ronnel, then just eight, was in awe at the sight.
Sharra could only muster a smile when she returned to find her son on Visenya’s lap. An accord was struck, on Ronnel’s terms this time: he asked to fly on Vhagar and his mother would surrender the crown to the Targaryen Queen. The mercy that Visenya afforded was well-taken, though in Sharra’s mind, the threat of dragonfire crystallized.
A marked shift came then. There were no battles to be won, no politicking to be done that outweighed the import of her sons and her daughter. The Queen-Regent, now the Lady-Regent, empowered her son’s advisors and devoted her time to looking after her children. When Visenya returned after burning House Sunderland whole and gave reprimands, Sharra frowned and offered blunt words in turn, which the Queen acquiesced to. Their relationship thawed hence, though Ronnel had never wavered in his admiration of the Targaryen. A Winged-Knight-Come-Again. Perhaps he could ride a dragon of his own one day.
Ronnel was a rowdy lad and by the time he was of squiring age, he was content to leave the rule of his lands to his mother and whoever she picked as an advisor. Lords such as Lyn Egen, Willem Ryger, and Rodrik Templeton would come to advise the young lord or hawk with him. Lord Mathos Grafton became the most prominent of that cadre, his wisdom in old age allowing him more room for criticism. Ronnel wanted to while his time away with falconry and training, while the old lord reminded him of the issues that Targaryen reign brought.
At four-and-ten, Ronnel stole away from the Eyrie and gathered what boys and knights he could to face the mountain clans. He knew what war was; it was the Root Father and his savages, stealing and laying waste to the lands he was sworn to protect. It was in the throes of battle that Ronnel would be dubbed as a knight by some unknown dying man. The knighthood was left unmentioned, though the purpose he found for his rule—no, his guardianship—lingered.
In his victorious return to the Eyrie, Ronnel would be clouted on the ear for the stunt then barred from leaving for months. Visenya Targaryen landed once more in the Vale. This time, she took it as a home, and she was welcomed with open arms. Aegon’s heir was born in the Eyrie that year, dubbed as Laenor Targaryen and soon practically adopted by the Arryns as their younger sibling. Sharra would grow close to the dragon queen in the years to come.
A year later, Ronnel was sent to King’s Landing to squire for Orys Baratheon. Only a few months elapsed before he grew incensed with the Hand over one thing or another, and the squireship ended when the Arryn came to blows with his knight-master. Ronnel was sent back to the Vale, where he earned his spurs once more. Publicly this time, before a crowd of tourneygoers and then holding a vigil with oaths modeled after those of the Winged Knights.
Though he gave off the impression of a true knight by that time, he was more preoccupied with wine and women and the hunt than statecraft. In any room he entered, he laughed the loudest, boasted the loudest, fought the hardest, always with Marq at his side. Nothing but a scolding from his mother Sharra or a clout on the ear from his second mother Visenya could fetter him. He was a falcon, and he flew high and bright.
Such a lofty stature is bound to attract envy. As any elder brother would, he butted heads with his siblings often. His rivalry with his brother Jonos was much more than a sibling spat, however, though the nature and root of their rivalry is unknown to all but a select few. In later years, their quarrels grew louder and their rifts deeper, with Jonos having been sent thrice to play second fiddle to the Knight of the Bloody Gate, and threatened with taking the black twice as many times. Still, their early quarrels proved to be mere distractions, and they wreaked what havoc boy-lords would in taverns and winesinks.
But his lip had to become stiff the day his mother died, just a few months after he came of age and assumed power. Sharra Arryn's last words of advice ate away at his spirit.
"Kill the boy."
So he was offered at the altar, and so did Rhaenys Targaryen seize the opportunity. Ronnel Arryn would be wed to the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Serena Stark, and that match was confirmed by Sharra’s will. Yet numb, he received his wife to be in Gulltown with courtesy, and they were wedded with haste. Once a Princess of the North and now the Lady of the Vale, Serena found no home in the Eyrie. Ronnel came to avoid her; going on hunts, staying at the Moongates or even the Bloody Gate, and offering only short conversation in their rare meetings.
It came to a head when Serena stated her intention to return to Winterfell. Ronnel gave a shrug in response, and asked when she wanted to depart. Jonos could be his heir if need be, and his mother’s death still dragged his thoughts, so why bother at all?
The intervention of one dragon queen then another halted the split: Visenya reminded Ronnel that Aegon made two marriages work at once. A raven carrying a letter from Queen Rhaenys arrived, affixed with a ring wrought of Valyrian steel. Ronnel gave it to Serena as a peace offering.
There was no parting from the Targaryens’ grand plans, it seemed. So Ronnel’s marriage with Serena began anew. She would be introduced to the Vale and its customs with feasts and tourneys, sitting on councils and holding court as the Lady of the Vale. In the same vein, more familiar items and furnishings were brought in from the North, and Ronnel would journey to the weirwood tree that the mountain clans held sacred to try to pray with his wife. He did not hear the old gods’ whispers and could not bear the stillness, but the two came to understand one another, and their marriage grew warm. Their first child, Robar Arryn, was born a year later, and the Tourney by the Maiden’s Bay would be held in his honor.
Ronnel settled into his reign. His liveliness returned, though boyish pursuits were restrained with fatherhood. He replaced the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon after the Cavaliers proved more competent, sent tax collector after tax collector when Witch Isle grew silent (and nearly called the banners before being dissuaded), and ensured that the mountain clans and any other would-be invaders were quelled while Lae Targaryen was raised to be a greater king than their father. The Brotherhood of the Winged Knights, once decrepit, grew stronger after pieces of the Winged Knight’s armor were found.
His second child, a daughter, would be born then. Faced with the choice of naming her after Sharra or Visenya, she would instead be named after her great-grandmother Cynthea. Artos Arryn would follow four years later, his name chosen by the Lady Arryn.
Another day in the Eyrie. Five-and-twenty years after Aegon's Conquest, and near thirty years into Ronnel's reign. He slides a razor over his cheek and coughs once into a fist. Ronnel opens his palm to see droplets of blood. He wipes his cheek. A shaving cut, no doubt and no matter.
The next week while he sups with his family, the coughs come back. He excuses himself, blames his trip to the valleys with a chuckle, and Jonos meets his gaze with a sidelong glance before shirking away.
He sees his maester without telling anyone. And once more after a hunt. Soon, he is left sitting on his bed with grains of sweetsleep in hand and a warning: he would die. And soon.
Ronnel Arryn is honorable. He is just, or at least just enough. But when he bounces his son on his knee and looks into smiling grey eyes where his Stark mother's are oft stern, he wonders whether the next Targaryen to come to the Eyrie would let little Artos fly or burn him and his family whole.
It is not enough. Ronnel Arryn is not just enough. As the last king yet walking on the earth of this damnable regent's kingdom, he needs to ensure that the next monarch in Laenor Targaryen sits firmly on the Iron Throne before he dies—honor be damned if need be, by any means fucking necessary. That is his duty to the realm. That is his duty to his wife and children, and that will be his legacy.

Timeline

• 8-9 BC (33 now idk how BC works): Born the first child to King Joffrey I and Queen Sharra Arryn.
• 3 BC: Joffrey I dies of a chill. Ronnel is crowned king at age six.
• 1 BC: After House Grafton’s fleet is burned, the armies of the Guarded Domains gather at the Bloody Gate. Visenya’s landing.
• 2 AC: The Three Sisters burn.
• 4 AC: Ronnel begins squiring for Elbert Waynwood.
• 6 AC: Ronnel fights his first battle against the Sons of the Tree, and undergoes his first dubbing.
• 7-9 AC: Visenya arrives at the Eyrie. Ronnel departs for King’s Landing to squire for Orys Baratheon, returning after a fight with his knight-master. He is knighted once more at a tourney.
• 10-11 AC: Sharra Arryn dies, and the Arryns’ grief is cut short by a match arranged by Rhaenys and approved by the Lady-Regent before her death. Serena Stark and Ronnel Arryn are wed, and the marriage nearly falls apart before the intervention of the dragon queens.
• 12 AC: Robar Arryn is born. The Tourney by the Maiden’s Bay is called in the new heir's honor.
• 13 AC: The Cavaliers fight off the Painted Dogs outside the Gates of the Moon, and are given wardenship over them as reward. Marq Hardyng begins pursuing the tourney circuit.
• 15 AC: Cynthea Arryn is born.
• 19 AC: Artos Arryn is born.
• 23 AC: With Jonos Arryn settling into a discontent life at the Bloody Gate, the need for a sworn sword is lessened. Marq Hardyng travels to Essos to search for clues linking the Winged Knight to the Andal conquerors. He finds none, and returns a year later.
• Early 25 AC: An illness wells in Ronnel’s lungs. His maester tells him that he has about a year to live.
• Late 25 AC: The Arryns travel to the celebration near King’s Landing.

Sup porting Characters

• Cortnay Arryn, 54 (General): Ronnel’s uncle. Once a prince, Cortnay served variously as the Knight of the Gate, the Captain of the Guards, or an advisor. Cortnay is known for his exasperated sighs, and struggles to keep up when he hunts with his nephew. Still, he has a good head for tactics and participated in actions against the Mountain Clans and the Hoares.
• Jasper Arryn, 19 (General): Ronnel’s second cousin. Though removed from the main line of House Arryn, Jasper was raised in the Gates and remained a fixture in the Arryn household. He swore vows modeled after the Ash-Branded, though his cheery disposition seems to contradict them.
• Cynthea Corbray, 78 (N/A): The Queen-Grandmother claims to have been asleep when Visenya landed in the Eyrie, and preserved her coronet by hiding it in the Gates. She resides at the Gates of the Moon with the Cavaliers, and it has become tradition to pay one’s respects to her when passing through.
• Jonos Arryn, 31 (N/A): In another world, Jonos would be known as the Kinslayer, and he certainly possesses that propensity. Wed to Maris Grafton and perhaps favored by her lord grandfather, he has long since hated the Targaryens, and blames Visenya for his true mother’s death. Jonos’ truculence precedes him, and he is kept fettered with thankless offices.

Title: None (suggestions welcome) Genre: Sci-fi Word count: 2694 Feedback desired: general impression
Chapter 1: The boy and his mother
1.1 The farm
Hagr stood at the edge of the farm, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of Zandarius stretching out before him. The sky above was a canvas of swirling purples and blues streaked with the faint glow of distant stars. A cool breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it the enticing scent of Heyla flowers.
With a sigh, Hagr set down his mechanic wheelbarrow, the last of his chores for the day completed. He began to make his way back towards the farm, his footsteps crunching softly against the rocky terrain. As he passed through the pink and green garden, the aroma of his mother's porridge drifted towards him, tempting his hunger.
Despite eating the same meal every day, Hagr's stomach grumbled with anticipation. The suuka porridge was all he needed right now, its warm, comforting embrace promising to chase away the chill of the evening.
Arriving at the farm, Hagr took in the familiar sight of their plascrete igloo. Half of the structure was comprised of little octagon windows, through which the warm glow of a fire emanated from the chimney. It was home, humble yet comforting in its simplicity.
Entering the igloo, Hagr found his mother, Altha, bustling about the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Hagr, dear, could you set the table?" she called out, her voice gentle yet firm. Hagr nodded, a small smile playing at his lips as he arranged the mismatched dishes in their usual places. Each plate was different, yet they always ended up in the same spot, a testament to the routines of their daily life.
Once the table was set, Hagr ignited the moonlamp, casting a soft yellow glow across the igloo walls. Altha emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming pot of suuka porridge. "Careful, Hagr," she warned as she placed the pot on the table. "It's hot." Hagr nodded as he heard this many times before, his mouth watering at the sight and smell of the hearty meal before him. They ate in silence, the only sound of the clinking of spoons against bowls as they savored each mouthful.
After a moment, Hagr broke the silence, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Do you ever wonder what's beyond Zandarius, Mumu?" he asked. Altha hesitated, her expression guarded. "I don't know, Hagr," she replied softly. "But we have everything we need right here on the farm." Though disappointed by her response, Hagr nodded in understanding. Perhaps someday they would have the chance to explore together. Altha caught his eye and winked, a small glimmer of hope in her gaze.
As they finished their meal, Hagr and Altha moved to the small kitchen area to wash the dishes. The kitchen was cluttered yet cozy, with shelves overflowing with pots, pans, and utensils. Beyond the kitchen, the interior of the igloo was a snug retreat from the harshness of the outside world. A small cupboard, crafted from Zandarius rare Bennam wood, stood in one corner, its doors closed tight to conceal its overflowing contents. Nearby, a plush couch with pillows offered a comfortable spot to relax after a long day's work. Opposite the couch, a large hammock hung from the ceiling. Above it, a smaller hammock swayed gently in the breeze, providing a cozy nest for Hagr during the night. Every inch of space was utilized to its fullest, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy within the cramped confines of the igloo.
As the hour grew late, Altha reminded Hagr of their upcoming journey to Kihar. With a yawn, Hagr climbed into his hammock, gazing up at the stars through the little octagon windows above. "Goodnight, Hagr," Altha whispered, her voice soft in the quiet of the night. "Goodnight, Mumu," Hagr replied, his eyes closing as sleep overtook him. And with that, he drifted off, thoughts of tomorrow's journey fading into the comforting embrace of dreams.
1.2 The Trip
Hagr awoke to the gentle light filtering through the little octagon windows of their igloo. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he glanced around and noticed that his mother's hammock was empty. Mu-mu?" he called out, but there was no response.
Curiosity piqued, Hagr peered outside and spotted his mother tending to the kikkamoos, their pig-like creatures with reptilian legs and Fluffy tails. With a swift motion, he leaped out of bed, his movements practiced from years of experience. After quickly dressing himself, he hurried outside, calling out to his mother. "Altha!" he yelled, using her full name in his urgency. His mother turned towards him with a warm smile. "Haggie!" she called back, using his pet name.
Hagr wasted no time and dashed off to fetch Tsjoopa, their trusty mechanical unicycle cart already loaded with goods for trade. As he returned with the cart, he found his mother waiting back at the farm. "Ready to go, Hagr?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Absolutely!" Hagr exclaimed, brimming with energy. And so, they set off on their journey to Kihar, the nearest town for trading.
The road ahead seemed endless, traversing through vast and barren plains broken only by occasional patches of vegetation. Sparse woods flanked the roadside, offering concealment but little wildlife, a testament to Zandarius' unforgiving environment.
After a few hours of travel, they finally reached a landmark known as the Sharp Knives, a crossroad marked by sharp rocks jutting out of the ground. "We’re here, the Sharp Knives," Altha remarked, her gaze sweeping over the rugged terrain. "We're halfway there, Hagr." Hagr nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Already? Time flies when you're in good company." A mischievous glint sparkled in Altha's eyes as she reached into the cart. "Speaking of good company, I brought something special for our halfway mark." Hagr's interest was piqued. "What is it?" With a dramatic flourish, Altha revealed a small container of sosuuka, a sweeter version of yesterday's porridge. "Sosuuka!" Hagr exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic despite his familiarity with the dish. Altha chuckled at his feigned excitement. "I thought it might be a nice treat for our journey." Hagr grinned, playing along. "Absolutely! Thanks, best mumu on Zandarius." Lost in thought, Altha gazed into the distance, her attention drawn to the gathering ominous clouds on the horizon, a harbinger of stormy weather to come. "We might have some rough weather ahead," Altha remarked, her voice tinged with concern. Hagr glanced up at the darkening sky. "Should we stop and wait it out?" Altha shook her head. "We need to keep moving. We can't afford to delay our journey." Guess we'll have to save the view for another time," Hagr sighed, reluctantly agreeing with Altha's decision while she nodded in understanding. "But, after all," Hagr declared, puffing out his chest with a hint of pride, "at ten years old, I'm practically a grown man! I can handle anything, even eating sosuuka on the way without spilling a drop." Altha burst into laughter at his boast. "Sosuuka without spilling? I'd sooner believe kikkamoos could fly!" Hagr joined in her laughter, the sound echoing across the desolate landscape as they continued on their journey to Kihar.
1.3 Arrival in Kihar
As Hagr and Altha approached Kihar, the plascrete town sprawled out before them, its streets winding like intricate mazes through the heart of the city. In stark contrast to the barren landscape of Zandarius, Kihar was a vibrant tapestry of life, with lush vegetation adorning every corner. Hagr’s eyes roamed over the cityscape, taking in the sight of the bustling alleys and the constant mist of smoke that hung in the air. Despite having visited many times before, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the bustling energy of the tradetown.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the city, the tantalizing aroma of food mingled with the sounds of chatter and laughter, tempting Hagr's senses and reminding him of the porridge-filled days back on their farm. Finally, they reached the local market, a bustling hub of activity where traders hawked their wares amidst the thick scent of spices and exotic foods. "First stop, Old Taramor's," Altha announced, her voice carrying above the din of the market. Hagr's thoughts drifted to Taramor, the old, grumpy trader who had been a fixture in Kihar for as long as he could remember. Despite his rough exterior, Taramor was one of the few honest traders left in the city, and Hagr had always respected him for it. "Sounds good to me," Hagr replied, his tone positive.
As they approached Old Taramor’s, Altha hopped off the Tsjoopa and turned to Hagr. "Hagr, could you fetch a crate of Heyla bottles from the back of the cart?" she asked. Hagr nodded silently, already moving to comply.
Entering the shop, they found Taramor snoozing behind his counter, the cluttered shelves and dusty displays a testament to his lack of care for his surroundings. Altha hesitated, reluctant to disturb the old trader, but time was of the essence. "Taramor," she whispered, her voice barely audible. No response. Again, a bit louder this time “Taramor”. Still no response. Growing impatient, Hagr couldn't help but raise his voice. "Taramor!" Startled awake, Taramor shot upright, his eyes wide with surprise. "What the hell's going on?" he grumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Oh, it's just you two," he muttered, recognizing Altha and Hagr. Altha gestured to Hagr to take a look around while she spoke with Taramor. Hagr nodded and wandered through the cluttered shelves, his curiosity piqued by the assortment of strange and exotic items on display. In the background, a television played the news, and the volume turned low but still audible. A news reporter's voice cut through the air, reporting on the recent assassination of a high-ranking official. The military had already neutralized one suspect, but two others were still at large. The camera footage showed two figures cloaked in dark red and black, their faces obscured. Zooming in on one of the suspects, the reporter noted a tattoo of a three-headed monster on their neck, linking them to the notorious syndicate known as the Three-Headed Beast. "People are urged to remain vigilant," the reporter concluded, "and to report any sightings of the suspects to the authorities." "Hagr," Altha called out, pulling him from his thoughts. Quickly, he set down a strange-looking coffee maker he had been inspecting and hurried over to join them.
Outside, Hagr turned to his mother, concern etched on his face. "How did the trade go?" Altha hesitated before answering, her tone guarded. "It wasn't as successful as we had hoped, but we'll manage." Trying to sound confident, Hagr responded, "No need to worry, Mumu. We'll make it work."
As they made their way back through the bustling market, Hagr glanced at his mother. " Can we get some Uja skewers now?" Altha smiled warmly. "Absolutely, Hagr. Let’s grab some delicious Uja," she said, turning on their trusty, albeit rusty, Tsjoopa.
1.4 No place like home
As Altha and Hagr made their way home in the fading light, a bird soared above them, its silhouette dark against the dusky sky. They were nearing their farmstead, the exhausting trip almost at an end. Hagr turned to Altha, his curiosity piqued. “What is coffee?” he asked, stumbling over the unfamiliar word. Altha pondered for a moment before responding, “I’ve heard of it. It’s some sort of black drink. Similar to Puggatree juice, they say it gives you energy.” Hagr wrinkled his nose in distaste. He had never been fond of Puggatree juice, finding its thick texture and slimy consistency unappealing. With a shake of his head, he decided he didn’t want to try coffee after all.
As they chatted, unaware of the figure watching them from afar, the landscape growing darker with each passing moment, they finally arrived at the farm.
Altha unloaded the traded goods from the Tsjoopa, and with a nod to Hagr, she motioned for him to stow it away in the barn. Hagr complied, placing the Tsjoopa in the barn, where sturdy plascrete walls and reinforced wooden beams protected it from the harsh winds. With the task done, he made his way back to the igloo. As he approached, he noticed that the interior was unusually dark, the comforting glow of the moonlamp absent. With a sense of unease gnawing at him, he entered cautiously.
To his horror, he found himself face to face with a cloaked figure in dark black and red, his alien eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Before he could react, he spotted his mother on the floor, tears streaming down her face, with another figure standing over her, a scarred human face, and a sinister three-headed beast tattoo on his neck. “Mumu!” Hagr screamed in terror. The figure with glowing eyes uttered incomprehensible words, while the scarred man cursed, "We can't leave any witnesses, Deskva.” Altha whispered urgently, "Hagr, stay calm. Everything will be fine." Hagr looked at his mother in disbelief, his heart pounding in his chest. "What's going to happen?" his voice trembled with fear. The scarred human scoffed, "We can sell the boy on the black market, but the woman? She's too old to bother selling. Not worth the hassle, Des." With brute force, Deskva grabbed Hagr, who fought against his captor with all his might. "Please, let me go!" Hagr pleaded, his voice desperate as he struggled against Deskva's grip. As Hagr cast a desperate glance at his mother, tears welling in his eyes, the scarred man turned his attention to Altha, deeming her of no value. Without hesitation, he drew his pistol, aimed, and fired, the shot piercing through Altha’s skull with a sickening thud echoing through the silent igloo. Hagr’s world shattered as he watched his mother fall, tears blurring his vision, bile rising in his throat. Before he could comprehend what was happening, a brutal blow to his head sent him spiraling into darkness.

Epicurus' Kitchen. There is a link in my profile.
I can say that I am a professional in camera and editing. But I'm new to Youtube. As you can see while watching the footage, my shots and food are really good. Editing wasn't bad in my opinion either.
To try something different from tens of thousands of recipe channels, I determined the following format: While the male chef is cooking, we talk about history, while the female chef is cooking, we talk about philosophy and art. You can watch the sample video according to your interests :)
Since I cannot speak English fluently, I used AI Voice. But is the reason why the videos are not watched because the AI voice is bad, or is the content boring? I needed feedback because I wasn't sure how I could improve it. Because my viewers so far have not given any feedback.
The editing process requires serious effort. I need feedback without editing any more videos.

We have had a terrible insect infestation problems since this past winter when my wife was pregnant. Our baby is now one month old and doing well.
I’ve tried the less toxic methods like Terro borax gel and DE, with no success. It was only this permethrin residual (like RAID) that worked, and I only ever carefully syringe-injected it 2-3x underneath the baseboards in a couple rooms (with my wife/kid out of the house for rest of the day). I also sprayed it outside the house near the foundation. I wash my hands thoroughly after each use. However there’s still risk of residuals being transferred around the house/dermal exposures.
I’ve been reading more about the risks of pesticides, and there are lots of studies showing increased odds ratio of leukaemia with household pesticide, and specifically permethrin, exposure in pregnancy or early infancy. (though most are case control, have recall bias, small sample, etc.) There are some meta analyses too.
I feel terrible 😢 Has anyone else gone down this rabbit hole before?
Good review paper https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/4/461
Meta analysis:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749121009581?via%3Dihub#sec4
Random studies: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31522
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935123017036#:~:text=Childhood%20leukemia%20risk%20was%20potentially,OR%201.41%2C%2095%25%20CI%200.75

I just want to say,
I am truly blessed to have been able to know you and spend time with you. Even though at the time I thought we had forever, I know that not all things are meant to last in this life.
From the first time I met you I remember truly being infatuated in a way no one else had made me feel before. And when it didn’t work, I thought maybe we were destined to be star crossed lovers in some tragic romantic way. But when you came back into my life 10 years later, I thought I would be ready to get it right this time. Maybe we were just waiting for the stars to align.
Unfortunately, I guess we weren’t ever meant to be. Maybe if I started working harder and finding a purpose earlier in life. Or maybe if you didn’t have a child to raise now, who knows? But in this life, it wasn’t part of the plan.
You said that being around me made you feel like you had to dull yourself. I’m sorry that instead of making you shine, my personality somehow made you dim your light. I guess you needed someone more exciting, someone more outgoing. You needed a golden retriever, when I’ve always been a black cat. I’m sorry that I made you feel like you had to dilute yourself and suppress your personality when with me.
Some of my favorite memories are the simple ones. Like every time you tried to interact with the stray cat who decided to choose my front yard as his new home. 90% of the time he’d give you no reciprocation, and you’d do that eye roll you always do when you’re annoyed. That was my favorite expression of yours. It’s the same one you’d do when I told a stupid joke, or said something dumb, or I was purposely being a dick.
I’d see your eyes light up when I made you a card or gave you a gift, to show you how special I thought you were. You told me your love language was gifts and acts of service, maybe I should have done more of that.
Unfortunately I had a late start in life, and I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m not able to get you all the things you want or take you on trips. The consequences of a failure to launch. It’s no one’s fault but my own. I dont talk about my struggles, my financials, or anything I'm going through. We all know men dont like to show weakness. But I was doing all I could, tried to plan accordingly, I just didnt have the financials to give you anything more.
I wish that i knew when it was you decided I wasn’t the one for you, maybe I would have tried harder or cherished our time together more. I threw out all the photos and letters, deleted all the pics. How were you unhappy when in all the letters and messages you were singing my praises? You looked happy to me. Yet you were apparently looking for an exit the whole time, thats hard to grasp.
There will probably always be a part of me that still loves you, and one of my biggest regrets in life will be that I somehow fumbled you and was not able to keep you in my life. I’ve accepted the fact that just because I love someone, doesn’t mean they are obligated to love me back. And just because from my perspective I was doing everything right and everything I could, I know that you didn’t have to see it that way. I know that you dont have to wait for me to figure my life out. And you arent obligated to teach me how to love better. I just thought thats something you WOULD do.
I hope one day I can look back at this and see the good times without feeling like there’s a knife in my chest. I pray that you find whatever it is you’re looking for. Maybe one day you’ll look back and see I tried my best too, and appreciate all the ways I tried to show you I cared in my own way. A product of my environment I suppose, I didnt grow up with a lot of love being shown. No birthdays, no hugs, no kisses, no feelings. I didnt understand how to do that.
I heard you might be seeing someone else already. Its only been a month. I was supposedly your best friend, you supposedly loved me, I guess that was all talk. You tossed me aside without even a conversation. Thats pretty shitty to me, but I dont want to think about it anymore. You said you'd be happier without me, so it is what it is.
I know we’ll never see each other or speak to each other again, but hopefully putting these thoughts into the universe will somehow get to you on a spiritual level, and that’s good enough for me.
I’ll see you in another life, when we’re both cats.

We have had a terrible insect infestation problems since this past winter when my wife was pregnant. Our baby is now one month old and doing well.
I’ve tried the less toxic methods like Terro gel and DE, with no success. It was only this permethrin residual (like RAID) that worked, and I only ever carefully syringe-injected it underneath the baseboards in a couple rooms (with my wife/kid out of the house for rest of the day). Ive had to do this maybe 3x over the last few months. I also sprayed it outside the house near the foundation, which I understand is much lower risk. I wash my hands thoroughly after each use. However there’s still risk of residuals being transferred around the house/dermal exposures.
I’ve been reading more about the risks of pesticides, and there are lots of studies showing increased odds ratio of leukaemia with household pesticide, and specifically permethrin, exposure in pregnancy or early infancy. (though most are case control, have recall bias, small sample, etc.) There are some meta analyses too, which show positive association.
I feel terrible 😢 Has anyone else gone down this rabbit hole before?
Good review paper https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/4/461
Meta analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749121009581?via%3Dihub#sec4
Random studies: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31522
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935123017036#:~:text=Childhood%20leukemia%20risk%20was%20potentially,OR%201.41%2C%2095%25%20CI%200.75