Let me preemptively ask for forgiveness, this will be a bit of a rant. Please skip to the end for a link to the research this rant mostly pertains to.
I'm 34. I spent more nights than I could ever count throughout my childhood sleeping at the park and just staring at the sky. I never once wanted to teach physics, although I love when people are curious and wouldn't be against it. I never once wanted to be on tv as the 'now let's talk to astrophysicist xyz' guy. I did then and still do prefer to go unnoticed; I never wanted people to put me on some pedestal at a party because of the career I dreamed about having.
I just wanted to understand how the Universe works. I wanted to push societies understanding of the Universe forward and bring us all closer to the stars.
Where this rant is coming from
During my undergrad I was offered an incredible job opportunity that was truly once in a lifetime, so I took 5 years off to work abroad. Because of that I decided against a PhD and wound up working in software. I was reasonably happy with my career, but I always felt as if I wasn't contributing as much as I was capable of contributing to society. I enjoyed the problem solving, but I wanted to do something that mattered.
Two years ago an epiphany hit me. Einstein had made a massive assumption, and our observations are better described by a model in which that assumption is inaccurate. I began to focus more on formalizing a theory around this geometry, and not long after left my career in software behind. It has taken me 2 years to formalize this model to the extent that I was comfortable submitting it for publication.
This model both coincides with every single piece of experimental validation for existing interpretations of relativity, and makes multiple predictions that we have already confirmed through observation and/or experiment that SR and GR cannot account for. It yields a peculiar velocity that aligns with direct observation, produces a mechanism for the bullet cluster lensing effects, can explain the lack of gravitational aberration, and remedies multiple relativistic asymmetries and paradoxes... again... without a single conflicting prediction that would lend weight to existing models or the model being proposed. It requires far fewer modifications to pre-relativity theories than either SR or GR, and produces none of the asymmetries that fall directly out of current relativistic interpretations.
Despite all of that, I was just rejected for publication 3 times. The math is absolutely rock solid, it makes multiple verified predictions, and creates not a single conflicting prediction. Admittedly, it's an Annus Mariballus level of a leap, but that's what happens when the entire field sits still while they pose for talk shows for 80 years.
The fact that this paper, despite making incredible and verified predictions has been denied publication 3 times has everything to do with the fact that physicists have become celebrities. If you spend your entire career taking pride in the fact that your claims are mind bending and that you're one of the few that can actually grasp them, would you approve a paper that demonstrates just how wrong you've been? Physicists absolutely love to take experimental confirmation of a very specific part of a theory and extrapolate on that publicly, claiming that the experimental evidence proves far, far more than it actually does, and now the entire physics profession is incapable of moving forward due solely to their inability to admit they were wrong, and that their genius social status is completely unearned.
The human body is far more complex than the cosmos, yet medical doctors don't behave this way. Einstein's celebrity status has ruined physics, and ruined the career I dreamed about since I started sleeping at the park at 8 years old. That is not to say that it is Einstein's fault. He after all chased answers to the mysteries of the Universe; the celebrity just happened. The physics profession since then, however, has become completely full of people that live for this celebrity status. It is full of people that are completely driven by the acceptance of others, the praise of strangers, and the feeling that everyone else is looking at them and thinking about just how smart they are.
Trying to get people like that to approve a paper that demonstrates just how wrong they have been for their entire career is hopeless. Because of that, I'm releasing a note taking app I built over the course of my own research, and am publishing the paper there. I would encourage anyone that's interested to check it out here. Just go to the demo section if you're not actually interested in the app.
I've never been so conflicted about something in my life. On one hand, I'm more confident in this model than I am that I would fall to the floor if I were to walk off of the roof. I know it's just a matter of time until this reaches the right researcher. On the other, I'm aware of the damage this is going to do to the field that I've been drawn to my entire life. How much faith are people going to lose in physics when they realize the celebrities they listened to for the past 80 years took 10% experimental validation and filled in the remaining 90% with a wild guess, and portrayed it all as if it was a fact? They've destroyed academic physics to the extent that potentially ground breaking peer review is now relegated to online forums, so for-profit journals don't question the existing science that has led us straight into a dead end.
The links for those interested: Home Page
A summary of the article
A list of 14 different examples of why this model is more consistent with observation than either SR or GR
Thanks, Andrew

Date: 5/26/24
Location: Buffalo, NY
Time: 3:19:01
My Strava for More Information. Give me a follow if you feel so inclined :)
Sorry to be be dramatic with the title. I promise I'm not posting this SOLELY for internet sympathy. I realize I might seem ungrateful but I just feel like I left a large amount of time out on the course and I'm not entirely sure how I would correct my performance if I could. I'm a newer marathon runner who has made a lot of progress in the last year by training super hard, cross training, cleaning up my diet, recovering, etc... . I want to learn as much as I can from this experience. I could use the perspective of some more experience runners.

Goal	Description	Completed
A	3:05 BQ	no
B	3:07	no
C	3:10	no

Background:
This was my 2nd Marathon. My first marathon was a 3:28:30 at Wine Glass in Corning, NY, 6 months ago (10/1/23). My marathon training follows my weight loss story, starting in November 2022; 230 lbs (104 kg) down to 183 lbs (83 kg) today. For reference, I am a 6'-2" male. I ran a few half marathons prior to 2022 but my training has been on and off for the last 5 years and never more than 25 miles per week.
My training leading up to my first marathon followed a fairly long MAF intensity build (30 mpw at the end) leading into Advanced Marathoning - Pfitz 18/55 with the "Long Run" & "Medium Long Run" done at MAF effort. I knew I was compromising on speed by doing this however, the mileage seemed intimidating at the time. I later committed to follow the Pfitz pace instruction for these runs for my Buffalo block (10%-20% Marathon pace for the last 5-10 miles)
Following my first marathon, I was lucky to have a very experienced friend (2:37 marathoner) coach me though another Pfitz block. I decided to set the goal of running under 3 hours in 2024. My goal time for Buffalo was initially 3:15 to get me half way there. As you will read, that quickly changed...
Training:
Pre Pfitz Block - 1 month mostly off running after Wine Glass. 10 weeks running build prior to Pfitz 18/55. In this 10 weeks, I focused heavily on zwift indoor cycling (zwift academy, rapha 500, alp du zwift >60, etc) and was running 30-35 mpw using the 80:20 rule. The last 3-4 weeks I just did the first 2 weeks of the pfitz plan over and over again. I think the cross training severed me very well to lose weight and strengthen my overall fitness
Pfitz 18/55 - First 9 Weeks - I feel like I made a lot of progress in the first half of this training plan with the following race times reflecting my gains; Wk. 4 Lake Effect Half Marathon 1:37:17, Wk. 9 Syracuse Half Marathon 1:31:51 (a very hilly course covered in ice.) These races gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I did not taper for them at all. I used the VDOT 02 predictor for marathon and saw 3:22 and 3:11 equivalent Marathon times and got very excited.
Pfitz 18/55 - Last 9 Weeks - Using my new predicted marathon time of 3:10 , I started really pushing my long runs and found that I could sustain 7:40 pace consistently on my final 10 miles of my long runs. I was also pushing the first part of these long runs to stay under 8 min / mile. I felt like I had alot of success initially pushing the pace during these workouts. I ran several non-tapered tune-up races: Wk. 14 10k 40:58, Wk. 16 10k 40:35. These results gave me the confidence to go for a 3:05 marathon. On Wk. 13, I did a 18 mi run w/ 14 miles at marathon pace and my heart rate was very high and I struggled to stay at 7:05. I chalked this up to training fatigue but in retrospect this should have been a red flag?
Pre-race:
I regret doing a bit of dieting prior to my carb load at the beginning of my taper, knowing I would gain some weight lbs in the week before the race. During the last 3 days of the taper, I ate too much bread and pasta and felt overly full up until the night before the race. My typical diet of 80% whole food plant based really fell out of sorts. I'm not a vegetarian or anything, but I find this helps me keep my weight down. Hydration and electrolytes were OK.
Race:
The strategy was to go out at 7:08/mi through 16 miles and make a decision to negative split to 6:57/mi for the last 10, or try to hang-on for a 3:07.
The day ranged from 55 degrees to the low 70s but very humid. The course was very hazy at times. I did not feel burdened by the weather but I'm sure it had some effect.
I had a maurten non-caf gel every 4-5 miles. I stopped at most water stations.
Miles 1-10 - I was surprised by the ease of my goal pace, even banking some time on a few down-hill miles. I regret this.
Miles 10-13 felt like I needed to push a small amount to keep pace but I let me self slow down 5-10 seconds per mile to minimize fatigue.
Miles 13-15 definitely required some effort to maintain pace. This effort reminded me of the early miles of the 10% marathon pace for the long runs. I did not feel like I was about to bonk at this time.
Miles 16 - I felt confident enough to speed up and test a sub 7 minute pace which I achieved for the first mile. The next 7 miles were incredible hard for me with the lactate really building up in my muscles. I progressively slowing to a 9:21/ mi pace a mile 24. I feel like I had done an OK job creating an environment during training where I needed to push through pain however, this level of muscle fatigue did not feel like it could be overcome with grit. I found my self periodically walking for 10 seconds to regain my composure. This part of the race left me with a lot of doubt about my fitness level.
Mile 25 - I saw the 3:20 pacer and decided to beat him with a very difficult last mile given the down-hill nature of the last mile.
Conclusions:
My lack of experience at this distance leaves me with more questions and than answers unfortunately. Part of me thinks I had no business shooting for a 3:05 to begin with, and that I should have read the signs and the difficulty of my predicted marathon pace during my long runs. I certainly hope to be testing this more in the future before setting a goal time. I would like to think that I may have had a chance at going under 3:10 or 3:15 if I had paced the race better and did not mess with my diet as much. Typically, when I have bonked before my heart-rate skyrockets. Here, I can only attribute my fatigue to lactic acid since my heart-rate was mostly in control and my breathing did not feel like the limiting factor.
I would love to hear advice and thoughts on this race as I recover and start training for Wineglass Marathon again in the fall marathon.
Thanks in Advance(d) for your advice,
Ken

Mile	Pace	Elev (ft)	Heart Rate (Max 190)
1	7:08	63	148
2	6:53	-15	161
3	6:56	-44	160
4	7:06	23	164
5	7:04	28	165
6	6:57	-37	164
7	6:54	-18	165
8	7:13	-15	163
9	7:14	7	164
10	7:12	-15	159
11	7:09	-1	165
12	7:07	0	171
13	7:13	26	169
14	7:17	28	167
15	7:34	26	167
16	7:15	-34	167
17	6:53	-24	168
18	7:10	24	171
19	7:42	3	165
20	7:51	-13	166
21	8:28	-11	156
22	8:08	1	160
23	8:59	20	154
24	9:20	8	151
25	9:02	37	155
26	7:54	-62	155

Not sure if this is allowed but for whatever reason it’s not allowing me to post on the Huberman sub. Maybe someone here can answer my questions
I recently listened to the huberman episode featuring Dr. Casey Means talking about metabolic health and the benefits of time restricted feeding and it left me with a couple questions.

1. She talks about “eating events” and said something along the lines of most people have like 11 separate eating events in a day.

So what qualifies as an eating event? Say, if I eat my dinner and then 15 minutes later eat dessert does that count as two separate events? Or just one?
Or for breakfast I’ll do a protein smoothie and drink it on my way to work. It usually takes me 20-30 minutes to drink the whole thing. Is that still one eating event?

1. She talks about walking after meals to stimulate gastric emptying and lower blood glucose levels.

How soon after a meal should I be walking to see the benefits? Do I jump up as soon as I’ve finished my last bite?
I’d appreciate any insight I can get! Thank you!

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 had an extremely toxic relationship, at the start everything was amazing like nothing else, it was my first serious relationship and it felt like we were sole mates. We’d do everything together, everything was perfect. We were a perfect match. She had past trauma and mental health and I just wanted to love her with everything. Every pay check would go on he us. Everytime I saw her I got flowers, go out for food, go shopping, go on holiday or spontaneous trips. It was amazing.
Few months down the line cracks started to show, soon I wasn’t allowed to talk to friends, listen to music, have social media, build relationships with family and she got kinda abusive man mentality and physically. I was trapped but on a rollacoster of emotions. It would be perfect and all of a sudden it would just click and everything would just change and it was like she hated me like I was the worst most worthless thing ever to exist and then it would go back to peace. My mind was everywhere and now 6 months down the line I still can’t get over her even after everything I’ve been through which I will not get into.
It started to get too much. We was arguing more and more and we broke up multiple times but it wouldn’t last longer than a few hours, she was getting worse, doing things u shouldn’t be doing all while having me under her thumb, unable to speak to any family or friends about the situation because I knew what would come from it. So I just went with it it was the easiest thing to do and I couldn’t breathe without her. I don’t know why
Eventually it felt like everything was changing it all felt like it was on the up and then she does some things that are way too across the line that I just can’t deal with so I end it. She’s so angry like I’ve never seen anyone so angry, she hits me a few times and is screaming trying to break anything I own and I’m just telling her I just want to go home, she takes my keys and my phone and I can’t leave. She then calls the police saying I’ve done things that I haven’t done and because of what she said I had to get arrested and interviewed, I was in the cell alone for 18 hours going through the stress of what I’m there for and going through a very difficult break up, remember this was my sole mate. The police all said that I shouldn’t be the one sitting there and that she’s crazy but I still loved her in the interview so I didn’t say everything I should’ve.
They let me out on bail with no contact and I couldn’t visit near where she lived on bail conditions while they investigated the case, my bail ended a few months ago and I was obviously proven innocent and everything was dropped.
It’s been about 6 months since all this and in like month 3/4 I was doing good but it’s all hurting again. I’m so attached. I hate how much I love her. I hate her but I love her and I hate myself for loving her. Why can’t I let go of something so toxic that is filled with so much trauma. I can’t sleep until 3/4 maybe later, I still struggle to eat now and again, I’ve started using drugs again but nothing helps. I was treated like dirt but I want her so bad I don’t understand I don’t even know what to think and it feels like no one can relate to the same level because everyone thinks it’s easy because she did summit so wrong for so long so why does it make it so hard. Ftb man

To get this up early, I’m splitting the two days of round 2. Here’s Wednesday’s ATP. The WTA Wednesday matches will go up around 12:30AM EST.

Rublev vs Martinez :

For a good chunk of his career, Rublev has made quick work of matches like this. When he’s the bigger hitter and his opponent doesn’t have a huge serve, he’s supposed to thrive. Lately though, Andrey hasn’t been automatic in these spots. He’s always had a temper, but it’s been on display following his errors lately and it has given his opponents belief. Taro Daniel won a set, and Martinez is at least as good as him. 5 sets with Tirante doesn’t indicate he’s ready to upset Rublev, but I would expect the bulk of this to be fairly competitive. Rublev in 4.

Muller vs Arnadli :

Muller scored a comfortable victory against Luca Nardi in the opening round, and he will continue to battle the Italian federation in round two against Matteo Arnaldi. Arnaldi had a fairly easy time with Arthur Fils, despite getting broken 6 times. Fils is a solid player with all the attributes to be a top player on clay, but he has no patience. He’s extremely willing to go for broke from any position, and when the rally stretches long he tries to hit the big shot as soon as it appears. As a fan, I want to see big shots, but to win on clay you need to play a more conservative approach. Arnaldi is way more stable from the baseline than Fils, but bailing out of rallies early isn’t the right plan because it means Arnaldi doesn’t really feel like he has to do anything special to win.
Muller will hang in rallies longer and is a good bit better than Fils on clay, but he doesn’t have this level of win on his resume yet. Arnaldi’s register is very high and I mostly only see him losing to players who hit bigger. I expect him to have to work harder and longer than he did against Fils, but this should go to Arnaldi in 3-4.

Sonego vs Zhang :

Immense power. A huge forehand. Inconsistent results. A cannon of a serve but a slightly subpar backhand. Which player am I describing? This is a matchup that is very close. Humbert fell apart against Koepfer last week in Lyon and his slump continued, allowing Sonego to get a much-needed win. Zhang had a great draw and took advantage of it, besting Vukic in 4. The big difference I see in these two players is the speed. Sonego is a bit quicker around the court and that might allow him to win a few extra points. Given they both have the ability to protect their service games I would expect a tiebreaker or two, and at least 4 sets. I’m a big Zhang fan but he hasn’t been as good on clay as he was in the Challenger grind, so Sonego in 4-5.

Altmaier vs Tsitsipas :

Tsitsipas was clinical in beating Fucsovics in round one. He’s back with Badosa, he’s a dark horse to win this event, and he’s playing great tennis. Having that focus is big for a player who’s struggled for confidence, and Altmaier is a player he can probably beat. Daniel has always been capable on clay, and he has some amazing clashes with big name players like Sinner in the past, but lately I haven’t loved his level. Beating an inactive Djere was honestly good, but I think Tsitsipas is fresh and will be hitting the ball bigger the entire match here. Altmaier moves the ball well but he will very likely get worn down as this progresses. Tsitsipas in 4.

Shelton vs Nishikori :

Nishikori pulling up and beating one of the better qualifiers was impressive, but I guess if we’re being honest Diallo isn’t automatic yet. He has a bright future, but big hitters can often be undone by a slick defender and Nishikori has all the experience in the world. I think this will be fun because Shelton is a lefty. Attacking Nishikori’s backhand will get him punished up the line and cross-court, because Kei has one of the best backhands the tour has ever seen. The downside is Kei just played a five setter so he might be a bit tired, and he’s not serving well enough to score easy points. Shelton’s team hopefully has told him to take his forehand inside out and down the line as often as possible. Shelton in 4.

Auger-Alliassime vs Squire :

Gutsy performance in round one from Squire. Even in the fifth set tiebreak he was still hitting his backhand down the line for effect, and while he double faulted in a few crucial moments he served effectively the entire match. I’m not sure how his game will fare against Felix. FAA is inconsistent but he’s had a good month and he does everything a little bigger than Squire here. Felix in 3-4.

Korda vs Kwon :

Korda winning in straight sets is honestly surprising the way it feels like his season is going. Checking his history though he’s been winning his fair share of matches, it’s just watching his losses that makes me feel he’s struggling. More surprising is Kwon winning in straights. Ruusuvuori continues to struggle on clay and Kwon returning from a layoff to black him is a great result for him. His insistence on pushing the pace and hitting to the open court will bother Korda a bit, but he’s a bit out of his weight class here. Korda’s serving is good enough to get him through here, but Kwon winning in straights means expecting him to just lose in straights is pretty unreasonable. Korda in 4-5. The problem here is Korda is supposed to win this in straights, but Kwon is supposed to lose round one so he’s at a level beyond what we’re estimating him at when we say Korda in 3.

De Jong vs Alcaraz :

Jesper De Jong won the best match of his career in round one, getting past Jack Draper and setting up a matchup against the current tournament favorite. It almost has to be the end of the road, but De Jong will give us our first look at how Alcaraz is playing. Carlos was immaculate in round one, losing only 4 games, but Wolf is just not good on clay, and is having one of his worst runs ever on tour. Alcaraz in 3 is likely again because De Jong doesn’t have the hugest serve, but this will be much more competitive than the Wolf match. Alcaraz in 3-4.

Hurkacz vs Nakashima :

Considering Mochizuki took Hurkacz to 5, Nakashima has to like his chances here. Mochigoat is one of the fun players to watch on tour and his volleys at net are unreal, but Hurkacz is supposed to win that match in a safe manner. Now he’s playing Nakashima who won against Moreno De Alboran in a solid performance, and has been grinding clay events the entire year, using them almost exclusively to earn his way back into the top 100. Hurkacz won’t necessarily struggle as much in this one; it’s fairly common on tour for players to squeak through a strugglebus performance and feel like they’re freerolling in the next round. You already should have been out, so you play with no pressure and your best tennis comes out.
Hubert’s serve can get him to the finish line against pretty much anyone as well, so Nakashima will have to lock in and try to wear Hurkacz down. It may sound silly, but Isner used to struggle more against the guys that couldn’t ace him. Putting the serve return in is great, but if the other player is a solid baseliner, it means you’re playing 6-8 shot rallies over and over. This can take the legs away from a big server, and Nakashima fits this bill. While I’m bullish on Nakashima here, I think it’s more likely that this will be close enough that anyone can win, and whoever plays the big points better will. A server like Hurkacz in tiebreakers is pretty efficient, and playing a servebot in a 5th is a really tough ask if they’re serving first. Honestly, I saw this match in the draw and thought Nakashima was 50/50, so I’m sticking with it. Nakashima in 5.

Shapovalov vs Tiafoe :

Shapovalov is winning tennis matches again. It’s great to see, but he’s in Dimitrov territory for me. Sure he’s winning, but I’m not going near it because I don’t want to get hurt again. His opponent this round is a player whose range of play goes from “does he even play tennis anymore?” to “omg he’s going to win the US Open” Bellucci almost had Tiafoe, and a few big returns for Tiafoe ended up being the key in the end. Tiafoe will probably be competitive here, and playing a lefty the round before means his backhand got a good workout and he’ll be comfortable with the generic patterns that a lefty will bring. Shapovalov hits bigger than Tiafoe regularly, and it will take a big step up in effort/consistency from Tiafoe to win this. Given his serving ability and the underlying ability to play top level tennis, being sure Tiafoe will lose here doesn’t make sense. I’m expecting a match where both players will be pretty frustrated at times, and I think the one who’s more willing to lock in and play stingy defensive tennis will win. For once, that seems to be Shapo. Shapovalov in 4-5.

Bergs vs Marterer :

There were some wild first round results, but Tabilo losing quickly to Zizou Bergs was one of the biggest. Not only does he get a huge result, but he’s a favorite to win his second round also. Marterer has gotten a lot of respect and fallen short on tour for a few seasons, but he made good on the respect and beat Thompson in 3. Marterer is a powerful lefty who crushes the ball, and the one problem with his game is he sort of plays at one speed. Hitting big is great but he sometimes plays his opponents into form by showing them the same pace over and over. Shapovalov had a similar problem during his slump as well. Marterer shouldn’t be counted out of this match at all, but Bergs is much quicker around the court and I think Maximilian’s backhand will get worn down eventually. Bergs in 4.

Maroszan vs Dimitrov :

I’ll take tickets to this match. Both are through in straight sets, and both hit extremely clean and play skilled tennis. Maroszan can win this match, but I think Dimitrov’s ability to defend will eventually get him through. Maroszan’s power and forehand are good enough to hit some winners, but he also scores a lot off of dropshots. I think it’s still a viable option, but Dimitrov’s speed will make it a risky option. Expecting a high level clash here and when both players are extremely skilled sets usually get traded. Dimitrov in 4 is what I suspect, but since it’s his defense I expect to get him across the finish line this could easily go 5. Maroszan is really good, and it’s just fitness and decision-making that are left for him to work on.

Moutet vs Shevchenko :

Moutet’s coach got a bit spicy before the Jarry match, allegedly mad about fans’ behavior in the Moutet Jarry clash in Chile. It seemed to work, as Moutet played some of the best tennis he ever has and beat Jarry in 4 exhilarating sets. That same level should win this contest, but a slightly different style of opponent can complicate things. Shevchenko is a plucky baseliner and he will make Moutet earn all his points. He managed to outlast Karatsev in round one in a 5 set clash that had a million changes in momentum and 21 breaks. Moutet’s level was higher, but besting another offense is sometimes a simpler task. Shevchenko is going to put the ball in annoying spots and try to outlast Moutet, so this is a mental test. I think Moutet is up for it, but I could see it taking some time to happen. Moutet in 4.

Ofner vs Baez :

Gustavo Heide should be on everyone’s radar now. He hits the ball huge and clean, and has one of the better serves from the young crop of talents on tour. Honestly, when I first saw him 2 years ago I think he was a servebot and an old guy, and now his baseline game has developed in a major way and somehow he’s 22. Stay still Gustavo! Baez had this mostly wrapped up and Heide was tired, and then he won 2 lopsided sets in a row. I was expecting Baez to go on a run here, and he played Ruud close in Geneva so this is a good reprieve for him (playing Ofner). Ofner beat Atmane in 5 and he has the power to compete with Baez, but not the consistency. The 5 setter with Heide was surprising, but I’m willing to chalk it up to Heide’s high level rather than Baez being a flight risk. Baez in 4.

Kotov vs Wawrinka :

Hehe. Kinda fair for these two to play each other. If there were any two players to look both ways during a changeover and then sneak a cupcake out of their bag and scarf it, it’s these two offensive wizards. Kotov managed to outlast Norrie which is honestly a tremendous win, and Wawrinka continued his clay dominance against Murray in a straight set win. Kotov is a little better and has more stamina at this point, but Wawrinka is serving well and I expect him to win at least 1 of the first two sets.
Wawrinka has been losing to a lot of players right around Kotov’s level recently (Martinez in 2, ARV in 3, Borges in 3) so it’s tempting but tricky to declare him a winner. Tennis-wise, my brain won’t let me see Kotov winning. Pavel serves well and hits big, and for a guy who appears out of shape he wins a lot of marathon matches and has good power late in the game. 5 sets with Norrie isn’t going to help him here, and if Wawrinka can get up 2-0 or 2-1 it could easily be goodnight just because he can then open up. Norrie is a tough out, but on clay his shots don’t really clear the court. Wawrinka is almost a clay specialist at this point in his career, and he serves a lot bigger than Cam also.
This is wide open, and if I could skip a match, it’d be this one. Wawrinka in 4 or Kotov in 5. Stan needs to win quickly, but his recent results don’t make it realistic. You can point to him smoking Murray, but Murray is really a gimme these days on clay.

Gasquet vs Sinner :

Jannik Sinner has filled the void that the gradual departure of the big 3 is creating. He was always a tremendous player, but now he’s become extremely reliable at that level. His returning is world class, his serve is constantly improving, and his baseline game is now measured and tactical rather than an all-out assault. He knows when to just put the ball in play, and his footwork is constant. I love it. Gasquet turned back the clock and smoked Coric in straight sets, but the road probably ends here. This will be a high-level match and the crowd will be behind Gasquet in a major way. Jannik is a classy kid and will understand the atmosphere and respect it enough to navigate to the finish line. Sinner in 3-4.

Sweat dripped down Don Carmichel’s face, the sweltering air stank of sulfur. His ankle twisted in in the opposite direction, bits of bone were poking through his dungarees. He dragged himself toward the entrance, gravel cut into his hands. Sharp pain agonized his every move, the torn muscle in his leg screamed. He crawled toward door, he only to get out and seal the exit. It was supposed to have been a simple plan, but simple plans don’t succeed in the face of the enemy.
Donald Carmicheal was a private investigator just outside of Baltimore Maryland. He had grown tired of spying on unfaithful couples and answered an add in the hills of Pennsylvania. B&N Mining were in search of a good spy to infiltrate their workers. Whispers of a Union traveled and the mining company had no tolerance for a strike. The country was still reeling from the Battle of Blair Mountain a few years prior.
Don agreed to the assignment and began to work as a miner. The hours were long and hard in the dark coal mines. He would cough up black soot every night and his body ached. He overheard the fellow workers talk about being paid poorly and in company scrip. They would go to work injured because they couldn’t afford a doctor and most of them looked half starved. Don didn’t blame them for wanting better pay and it was hard for him not to take thier side, but he was hired to do a job for B&N.
The workers spoke of a rally lead by Stanly Collins, a member of the United Mine Workers. Stanly traveled and began unions in various mining towns around Pennslyvania and West Virginia. His voice was loud and charismatic, and within him the worn faces of the workers found hope .
Don reported this to the Higher Ups, and they assigned the private investigator with finding any dirt on Stanly. The man was clean, didn’t drink, didn’t so much as smoke, went to church and doted on his ten year old son. There was no talk of a wife, so Don figured the man was a widower.
The higher ups thought about killing Stanley in an accident, but that would make him a martyr and the workers would strike to spite B&N. No, they needed to create a distraction for Mr. Collins, a way to stop him in his tracks. Mr. Collins had a ten year old son, Caleb, that son was their advantage.
They asked Don to catch him and hide him in a mine shaft until . It would only be for a couple of days, and the boy would be unhurt. All he had to do was keep an eye on him, after Mr. Collins agreed to call off the strike his boy would be returned back to him unharmed, it was as simple as that.
The prospect didn’t sit well with Don, but who was he to argue with the Higher Ups, he’d seen how they handled defiance before. Getting fired and evicted would be the least of his problems if he were to disobey.
The Higher Ups told Stanly’s son Caleb worked as hurrier for the mine. He would load coal carts and help push them through narrow passages that grown men were too big to fit through. Caleb would report the horrible conditions back to his Papaw and his Papaw would run his mouth to the UMW. It wouldn’t be hard to find Caleb after a shift and catch him.
Don walked on over to where the hurriers worked, the shaft was so short that he had to walk bent over. He jumped as a mine cart sideswiped him, the small brat pushing it yelled out “ watch where you’re going mister.” Don didn’t pay him no mind, the whelp would grow bow legged and stooped, succumbing to black lung like the rest of his unwashed brethren.
Don was saving Caleb from a life of servitude. Even if he followed in his father’s footsteps and organized unions, how much better could the bowls of the earth be? There’d always be hard work and heavy coal, no union would change that.
He found Caleb with a group of other boys. Soot covering his face, only white sleeveless shirt and dungarees. A boy his age should be fishing or playing in the woods , not digging in no mine shaft. His father’s hypocrisy knew no bounds when it came to getting his agenda across. If Stanly Collins cared about his son, he would be in school, along with all the other children.
Don walked up to the boy and kneeled to his level. “Are you Caleb Collins?”
“Yes Sir,” said the boy. His voice sounded tired and older than his years.
“I have some bad news, you’re daddy has been hurt awful bad, and I need you to come with me.”
Instead of looking surprised, Caleb stared at him with deep black eyes. The stare made Don’s blood turn cold.
“It’s urgent, he…uh… he needs you now,” Don managed to stutter out, his tongue had turned to clay.
“Yes Sir,” was all the boy said.
Don’s stomach dropped in that moment and he almost reconsidered his plan. He took a deep breath. Donald Carmicheal wasn’t terrified of no ten year old. He was going to take him somewhere deep in the mine and hold him until his daddy agreed to negotiate with the Higher Ups.
As he led the boy deeper down the mine shaft Don’s uneasiness grew. He thought about quitting, telling boy the truth and letting him go back to work, hell, letting the boy leave the mine all together. But the higher ups would put his head on a pike if he even considered this to be an option.
“Where are ya taken me?” asked Caleb. His voice had gone flatter and his whole eyes had turned solid black for a second.
“It… It’s just a little further down the mine shaft, son.”
“I ain’t your son! My daddy works on the upper levels, why ain’t you bringing me there?”
“Y…You’re father was on a special project with us, please it’s just a little further-”
“No he ain’t , the owner’s of this here mine would never let him in on a higher project.”
“D... don’t make this hard for me, boy.”
“You have no idea who I am, do you sir?”
Don turned around and once again, Caleb’s eyes went coal black. Inky tendrils of shadow formed and went up the walls of the mine. Stone cracked and crumbled around them. The boy’s skin cracked and peeled into oozing sores as he crept towards him.
“What in hell are you?” Don began to run up the mineshaft, but the inky coils formed on the rocks around him, forming fissures and cracks. The air turned hot and stank of sulfur as the mine began to crumble underneath them.
“I think you already know.” Caleb’s voice turned flat and was so deep it made Don nauseous and uneasy. It was old scratch himself, coming to collect on his soul. He should have sided with Stanly and the miners. He could have found an assignment with the UMW and helped turn the situation on thier side. Helped them organize a strike so it gave them doctors and schools but now it was too little too late.
Caleb followed him , his tendrils grasping for Don through the stone. The child’s skin flaked off as oily tentacles grabbed at Don. The workers panicked and ran out toward the exit, causing a jam at the door, their screams echoing in the chamber the stone began to crumble.
“Let them go, this is between us, they don’t need to suffer, what would you’re daddy think-”
“My daddy? You mean my host.” With that the monster’s tendrils went out through the staircase, toppling it and the crowd to the depths below. As they screamed in terror a boulder fell smashing in on Don’s ankle. Waves of excruciating pain went through his body causing him to vomit. The smell of sulfur and half digested fried chicken was too much for him to bear, his lungs tightened for air. The staircase was gone, but a narrow path that led toward the exit, cool breeze exited the doorway, giving him a ray of hope.
Caleb slammed down blocking his exit. Inky, oily tendrils snaked around Don’s body and squeezed tight, the veins in Caleb’s forehead grew larger as Don’s life force leached away. His body weakened as his eyes closed for the final time. Half the workers managed to make it out alive, Stanly among them. Cries echoed from the outside as the mine collapsed in on itself.
In the weeks following the mine collapse, the B&N mine company negotiated with the United Mine Workers for a fair deal. Stanlhy Collins and his son Caleb quit the mining business and settled into the nearby village of Junction Maryland, where Stanly was elected sheriff. He was thankful to be one of the few that made it out of the mine alive.
Though he was unsure where his son came from, he never remembered ever having a wife. Whenever he thought to question the boy, he looked at him with solid black eyes, and Stanly always forgot the question. It was all well and fine , they would make peace in this small town.

I will try to keep this as non-descriptive as possible.
I (M26) have been dating my girlfriend (F28) for a little over a year. When we had sex for the first time about two months in, she made a comment that I was the first uncircumcised guy she had ever been with. I didn’t really need to know, but whatever. She didn’t say anything disparaging about it, so I shook it off.
A few weeks later, she made a comment about not liking giving head to me because of my foreskin. I asked her if she didn’t like going down on guys in general, but she reaffirmed it was the “texture” and “look.” I told her that felt pretty hurtful and that I would never say something negative about her body, to which she said she was shouldn’t be guilted for drawing a sexual boundary. At no point did I tell her she had to give head, I just didn’t like her insulting my dick to justify it.
We sort of ignored the topic for a long time after that. I didn’t ask her to give head (honestly, I can take or leave it and don’t have a huge libido). But a couple more incidents happened. Once we were showering together and I pulled my foreskin back to wash up, and she made a fake gagging noise. Another time just last week, we watched a show with full-frontal nudity and she commented about the actor’s penis being “prettier.”
After stewing over that comment, I approached her last night and told her she really needed to stop shaming me for the appearance of my genitals. She told me she was sorry, but that it really “weirded her out.” She then made me speechless by asking if I’d consider getting circumcised. I could hardly respond and just grabbed my keys and drove around aimlessly. I ignored her calls, but got a few texts from her best friend and her mother (!) telling me to consider, and that they would help pay.
I am so flabbergasted. I am staying with my brother tonight, and he told me it was stupid but that if I love her (which I do), it isn’t a huge sacrifice. I asked him if he’d do the same for his wife and he couldn’t give me a firm answer. AITA?

I know no one can tell for sure but I could use some words of wisdom. I’m applying to a senior position so I’be been in a very long hiring process:

1. HR interview: good
2. Future boss interview: great
3. Business case: great
4. Presentation of BC to future boss and another higher level person: great
5. Country manager: great

After all of this they told me I was in the final list of candidates and they wanted one final interview.

1. Regional manager: very meh It was not terrible but I was very tired and couldn’t answer as I normally would. My answers and our conversation in general was super underwhelming.

I am feeling very anxious and bad about myself right now. I’d really appreciate any insights.

Intro: You woke up thinking it would be an ordinary day. Why would it be anything different? Instead, here you are, screaming your head off after something that looked like alien goo came through your ceiling and jumped into your ear. This can’t be happening, it has to be a dream, it- wait. Is that a voice you’re hearing?
Summary: Speaker attempts to calm a freaked-out listener, and explains how their lives will work going forward.
Go ahead and monetize, it's fine. Word count is about 1400.
If you fill this or plan to fill this, please notify me. Please don't make edits without asking first.
TWs: Loss of bodily autonomy
Line breaks represent the listener talking or space where no one talks and should be short pauses, words within {brackets} represent the speaker’s tone or sfx. At ellipses, the speaker trails off, and at dashes, is either cut off abruptly by the listener or by themself.
Author’s Note: Well, this took many months to write. Usually I don’t go back to things I left unfinished, but this one I thought deserved it. Rather a short script, but one I hope is still worth reading!
If you want to read this somewhere that isn't Reddit, it's also here.
{three or four sentences worth of alien gibberish}
{gibberish}- language center. {cheerful} Hello, Kalyth! Do not be alarmed, this process should only take another few moments. Connecting to sensory inputs… {taken aback} Ooh. That is a strange number of senses. I do not think I have ever experienced smell before. Fascinating. {perplexed} What is that sound, though? Is that what has been causing our ears to hurt? Hmm. {resolve} We should take action to stop it. Accessing motor control… Integrating with nervous system…
{satisfied} There. We can unfreeze our body now, everything should be in working order. {confused} Wait. Is that sound… coming out of us? Kalyth? Why are you deciding to create that sound?
Kalyth, I know you can understand me. Please, that noise is causing us pain. Why are you choosing to create it?
{annoyed} Fine. There, now we can no longer create the painful sound. Connecting to logic center…
{confused} Kalyth, I can find no logical reason why you would take a course of action that causes us discomfort. Are you an illogical being? Accessing the limbic system…
{surprised} Whoa! Why are we afraid? What is this level of fear? Is there some threat around?
{wary} No, we neither see nor hear anything… Oh, and we do not smell anything either, remembering to check that sense is going to be a chore. Kalyth, what is causing us this much distress?
We are creating the sound again. Is this a fear-based response?
{freaking out} Why are we running? What purpose does this serve? Kalyth, you are confusing me!
Stop!
Kalyth, you almost ran us into a wall! That could have caused severe damage, we are lucky I was able to stop us in time. {serious} I need you to calm down. We need to calm down. We will stop creating the noise that hurts our ears, we will stop running around, and you will please explain to me our current responses. Nothing in your logic center explains why we are afraid currently, there are no threats nearby.
{confused} Are you talking to me when you say that? I cannot get out of our head. I am not in our head. Part of me is in our brain, yes, but more of me is spread through our nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your imperative makes no sense. {tolerant} And please do not refer to it as ‘your’ head in the future, Kalyth. It is our head.
{worried} Why did our cortisol level just increase? It is reaching dangerously high levels. I would rather not interfere with our body’s natural processes, but it appears we are about to harm ourselves. {detached} Lowering cortisol output… Hmm… which of these hormones would counteract its effects? Increasing oxytocin production. There. That should make us feel better. {focused} Now, Kalyth, can you please explain this confusion? What was causing such a reaction in our body? Were you afraid of something before we began the integration process?
{taken aback} Me? You were afraid of me? Well, that simply makes no sense. Please explain further.
{somewhat condescending} Freezing our body is part of the integration process. It is so we do not accidentally harm anything while attempting to connect with the motor control systems. Why would that have caused you distress?
{serious} Slow down, slow down. We are speaking more quickly than I can understand. I have not had access to our language center for very long, remember.
{confused} But… why would the integration process create a fear reaction? Surely you were prepared for this. You’ve known I was coming for weeks now!
What? No. This cannot be accurate. {rationalization} We sent messengers ahead of us! They were to inform the people of Earth of our coming, and the chosen Kalyth of their duty! Since they did not fail to choose a Kalyth, they must have succeeded in their other tasks.
{shocked} How can this be? Are you sure you heard nothing? No communication at all? No word from your leaders about impending extraspecies contact?
There will have to be an investigation about this. How could such an oversight have occurred?
{sigh} {tired} I suppose it falls to me to educate you, then. {serious} You are the Kalyth, the bridge between our peoples, and I am your Elan. You have been chosen to bond with me so we may learn about each other and spread our knowledge to the rest of both species.
No, you are not. Not even the first human, actually. The first human Kalyth we discovered many of your years ago. He was, in your terminology, an astronaut, and he was tasked with learning about the universe. His vessel drifted too close to a wormhole, and he ended up in our part of the galaxy. He was initially afraid of the integration process - much like you were, now that I think of it - but he came around quickly, and began to tell us stories of Earth. {excited} And such stories they were! A planet full of heroes and noble warriors, people like Abraham Lincoln and Steve Rogers, who fought for justice and ideals greater than themselves. Our people were fascinated by such tales, and the Council was intrigued enough to authorize an immediate expedition. We wish to befriend your species, and to learn from you.
{intrigued} No, as a matter of fact, it isn’t, but it’s the part I was the most interested in. How did you know there was more?
{dismissive} Well, he also told us about something called ‘art,’ but I personally don’t particularly believe that. People dedicating their lives to drawing or writing, when they could be creating something useful? Ridiculous. I’m not sure why he would have lied, maybe it was to make your planet seem more prosperous than it really is, but such a thing is unheard of in every other sentient species we have encountered. There is no reason Earthlings would be different.
{shocked} …What?
What are those?
{rationalization} Are books… like manuals? We’ve seen those before, some species have written language to convey instructions and useful knowledge more precisely. Do you have a wall covered in manuals, Kalyth? Why?
Histories, then? So you can learn from your ancestors and the heroes of your past?
{confused} Kalyth, what is a ‘fantasy?’ I have no context for that word. There is no equivalent in any language I know.
Wha… why? What purpose does such a thing serve?
{wary} …Perhaps I have underestimated this planet. Your explanation is utter nonsense, of course, presumably you do not understand the situation either, but the facts of the situation are undeniable. Your planet and its citizens must be unbearably wealthy, if they can afford to spend their time on… what was the word you used? Ah, yes. “Storybooks.”
{doubtful} If you say so. Regardless, further study is definitively required.
{reassuring} Oh, do not worry. You will find the studies non-invasive and painless. We shall continue with our normal, everyday life. From time to time, I shall ask you questions, which you shall answer to the best of your abilities. You are permitted to ask me questions about my people as well, naturally. I was chosen to be your Elan based on my knowledge of our history, so I should have no trouble enlightening you about whatever happens to ignite your curiosity. I am permitted to help you defend yourself in matters of life or death, and offer commentary and advice on the state of affairs of your planet and your life, but beyond that I must stay reserved, for the time being. {amused} I will not be helping you build a spaceship just yet.
{sigh} {tired} No, Kalyth, I will not “ride around in your head.” That phraseology is demeaning, both to me and to the position I hold. And will you please refer to our head in the correct manner? Antagonizing me is not an ideal start to our relationship.
{dry} Your protest is noted. If you still feel you have cause for complaint when we reach the first Evaluation, you may bring it up then.
{dismissive} Oh, not very long at all, only about two Earth years from now.
Correct, a veritable blink of an eye. If you have no further reservations, then?
{pleased} Splendid! In that case, the first thing I will need you to explain: the integration process requires vast amounts of energy, so what, exactly, do humans eat?

Intro: You woke up thinking it would be an ordinary day. Why would it be anything different? Instead, here you are, screaming your head off after something that looked like alien goo came through your ceiling and jumped into your ear. This can’t be happening, it has to be a dream, it- wait. Is that a voice you’re hearing?
Summary: Speaker attempts to calm a freaked-out listener, and explains how their lives will work going forward.
Go ahead and monetize, it's fine. Word count is about 1400.
If you fill this or plan to fill this, please notify me. Please don't make edits without asking first.
TWs: Loss of bodily autonomy
Line breaks represent the listener talking or space where no one talks and should be short pauses, words within {brackets} represent the speaker’s tone or sfx. At ellipses, the speaker trails off, and at dashes, is either cut off abruptly by the listener or by themself.
Author’s Note: Well, this took many months to write. Usually I don’t go back to things I left unfinished, but this one I thought deserved it. Rather a short script, but one I hope is still worth reading!
If you want to read this somewhere that isn't Reddit, it's also here.
​
​
{three or four sentences worth of alien gibberish}
{gibberish}- language center. {cheerful} Hello, Kalyth! Do not be alarmed, this process should only take another few moments. Connecting to sensory inputs… {taken aback} Ooh. That is a strange number of senses. I do not think I have ever experienced smell before. Fascinating. {perplexed} What is that sound, though? Is that what has been causing our ears to hurt? Hmm. {resolve} We should take action to stop it. Accessing motor control… Integrating with nervous system…
{satisfied} There. We can unfreeze our body now, everything should be in working order. {confused} Wait. Is that sound… coming out of us? Kalyth? Why are you deciding to create that sound?
Kalyth, I know you can understand me. Please, that noise is causing us pain. Why are you choosing to create it?
{annoyed} Fine. There, now we can no longer create the painful sound. Connecting to logic center…
{confused} Kalyth, I can find no logical reason why you would take a course of action that causes us discomfort. Are you an illogical being? Accessing the limbic system…
{surprised} Whoa! Why are we afraid? What is this level of fear? Is there some threat around?
{wary} No, we neither see nor hear anything… Oh, and we do not smell anything either, remembering to check that sense is going to be a chore. Kalyth, what is causing us this much distress?
We are creating the sound again. Is this a fear-based response?
{freaking out} Why are we running? What purpose does this serve? Kalyth, you are confusing me!
Stop!
Kalyth, you almost ran us into a wall! That could have caused severe damage, we are lucky I was able to stop us in time. {serious} I need you to calm down. We need to calm down. We will stop creating the noise that hurts our ears, we will stop running around, and you will please explain to me our current responses. Nothing in your logic center explains why we are afraid currently, there are no threats nearby.
{confused} Are you talking to me when you say that? I cannot get out of our head. I am not in our head. Part of me is in our brain, yes, but more of me is spread through our nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your imperative makes no sense. {tolerant} And please do not refer to it as ‘your’ head in the future, Kalyth. It is our head.
{worried} Why did our cortisol level just increase? It is reaching dangerously high levels. I would rather not interfere with our body’s natural processes, but it appears we are about to harm ourselves. {detached} Lowering cortisol output… Hmm… which of these hormones would counteract its effects? Increasing oxytocin production. There. That should make us feel better. {focused} Now, Kalyth, can you please explain this confusion? What was causing such a reaction in our body? Were you afraid of something before we began the integration process?
{taken aback} Me? You were afraid of me? Well, that simply makes no sense. Please explain further.
{somewhat condescending} Freezing our body is part of the integration process. It is so we do not accidentally harm anything while attempting to connect with the motor control systems. Why would that have caused you distress?
{serious} Slow down, slow down. We are speaking more quickly than I can understand. I have not had access to our language center for very long, remember.
{confused} But… why would the integration process create a fear reaction? Surely you were prepared for this. You’ve known I was coming for weeks now!
What? No. This cannot be accurate. {rationalization} We sent messengers ahead of us! They were to inform the people of Earth of our coming, and the chosen Kalyth of their duty! Since they did not fail to choose a Kalyth, they must have succeeded in their other tasks.
{shocked} How can this be? Are you sure you heard nothing? No communication at all? No word from your leaders about impending extraspecies contact?
There will have to be an investigation about this. How could such an oversight have occurred?
{sigh} {tired} I suppose it falls to me to educate you, then. {serious} You are the Kalyth, the bridge between our peoples, and I am your Elan. You have been chosen to bond with me so we may learn about each other and spread our knowledge to the rest of both species.
No, you are not. Not even the first human, actually. The first human Kalyth we discovered many of your years ago. He was, in your terminology, an astronaut, and he was tasked with learning about the universe. His vessel drifted too close to a wormhole, and he ended up in our part of the galaxy. He was initially afraid of the integration process - much like you were, now that I think of it - but he came around quickly, and began to tell us stories of Earth. {excited} And such stories they were! A planet full of heroes and noble warriors, people like Abraham Lincoln and Steve Rogers, who fought for justice and ideals greater than themselves. Our people were fascinated by such tales, and the Council was intrigued enough to authorize an immediate expedition. We wish to befriend your species, and to learn from you.
{intrigued} No, as a matter of fact, it isn’t, but it’s the part I was the most interested in. How did you know there was more?
{dismissive} Well, he also told us about something called ‘art,’ but I personally don’t particularly believe that. People dedicating their lives to drawing or writing, when they could be creating something useful? Ridiculous. I’m not sure why he would have lied, maybe it was to make your planet seem more prosperous than it really is, but such a thing is unheard of in every other sentient species we have encountered. There is no reason Earthlings would be different.
{shocked} …What?
What are those?
{rationalization} Are books… like manuals? We’ve seen those before, some species have written language to convey instructions and useful knowledge more precisely. Do you have a wall covered in manuals, Kalyth? Why?
Histories, then? So you can learn from your ancestors and the heroes of your past?
{confused} Kalyth, what is a ‘fantasy?’ I have no context for that word. There is no equivalent in any language I know.
Wha… why? What purpose does such a thing serve?
{wary} …Perhaps I have underestimated this planet. Your explanation is utter nonsense, of course, presumably you do not understand the situation either, but the facts of the situation are undeniable. Your planet and its citizens must be unbearably wealthy, if they can afford to spend their time on… what was the word you used? Ah, yes. “Storybooks.”
{doubtful} If you say so. Regardless, further study is definitively required.
{reassuring} Oh, do not worry. You will find the studies non-invasive and painless. We shall continue with our normal, everyday life. From time to time, I shall ask you questions, which you shall answer to the best of your abilities. You are permitted to ask me questions about my people as well, naturally. I was chosen to be your Elan based on my knowledge of our history, so I should have no trouble enlightening you about whatever happens to ignite your curiosity. I am permitted to help you defend yourself in matters of life or death, and offer commentary and advice on the state of affairs of your planet and your life, but beyond that I must stay reserved, for the time being. {amused} I will not be helping you build a spaceship just yet.
{sigh} {tired} No, Kalyth, I will not “ride around in your head.” That phraseology is demeaning, both to me and to the position I hold. And will you please refer to our head in the correct manner? Antagonizing me is not an ideal start to our relationship.
{dry} Your protest is noted. If you still feel you have cause for complaint when we reach the first Evaluation, you may bring it up then.
{dismissive} Oh, not very long at all, only about two Earth years from now.
Correct, a veritable blink of an eye. If you have no further reservations, then?
{pleased} Splendid! In that case, the first thing I will need you to explain: the integration process requires vast amounts of energy, so what, exactly, do humans eat?

Join Ikigai Creative Agency as a Freelance YouTube Video Editor!
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My daughter is finishing up the 3rd grade. Over the summer I emailed the school district and had her tested for dyslexia. The testing started in Sept. and finished December (they drug it out). She qualifies and now has an IEP. She goes into school for services (reading, writing, and math) 4 days a week for 1.5 hours. This started in January. She still does homeschool at home. Recently they I was told that she is making improvements but she is still 2 grade levels behind. Her processing is slower, so it still takes a little more time when reading and writing things like “d &b”. I have asked what program they use (which I was told in a round about way that I wasn’t trained in it so they never told me).
We have been using “Explode the code”. While it seemed to be working at first such as the cvc words. She struggles with ccvc words. We are currently doing book 2 1/2 (and still have some of book 2 to do, but I wanted to give her more practice where she is struggling). I also have my daughter doing explode the code online. On some of the lessons online she will do really well and earn the paper airplane sticker. When it’s challenging for her, she will memorize the answers because she will have repeated it enough times. The sentences seem to be a stuggle (such as read 2 sentences and pick the correct one that matches the picture).
We have also tried nessy (online) I am not sure if I picked the wrong program, but it was too hard for her. She likes to read the Elephant and piggie books. I have her read bob’s books and decodable readers by reading street and I read to her (and her sister) every night.
Over the summer I would like to get something to focus on phonics/reading (and some light math) to help before going into this next school year.
I was debating on Recipe for reading or All about reading.
I was wondering if anyone has tried Recipe for reading? It is an Orton-Gillingham based program.
My Kindergartener is doing Explode the code as well and is currently on book 2.
Any other suggestions/ideas please send them my way.

[prev] [next]
Memory Transcript: Kinet, Venlil Surveyor Captain [Standardized Human Time July 5th, 2114]:
We had arrived in-system [four days] ago, and while I was expecting to see a world ravaged by nuclear exchange, the damage to the planet was beyond what I could have ever imagined. The surface was scorched, and the air filled with ash and soot from massive continent spanning fires that must have been burning for cycles. Despite all the destruction, our scans showed some signs of life trying to take hold on the surface, but not nearly as much as there should have been.
The humans had wiped themselves out over [150 years ] in the past; it shouldn’t look like it only happened only a herd of claws ago.
Fiir was of no use. When the first glimpses of the planet came in on the viewscreen, the scruffy researcher just stared with his jaw hanging loose before stammering about something being wrong. He stormed off to his quarters, and I haven’t seen him since then.
I sighed and walked onto the bridge with my waking claw cup of tea but was immediately assaulted by the chittering of an excited sivkit, our primary communications officer.
“Captain, captain, captain!”
“Hephy, yes, I’m right here. What is it?” I looked down towards her. She barely came up to my waist in her typical quadrupedal stance, and even doing her best to stand up, she wouldn’t be able to look me in the eye. Despite her stature, her excitement demanded attention as her eyes flicked between myself and whatever data she had scrolling across her display visor.
“Right Right. Anyway, Captain, I have to show you something, it’s big.” Most people don’t pay sivkits much mind, but Hephy was a prodigy. The excitable woman could look at a waterfall plot and pick out every signal present, and even read some of them without any computer assistance. I motioned for her to follow me to the ready room and started off toward it while sipping my tea. She trotted behind me on all fours, as sivkits are wont to do, and when I sat in my chair, she hopped side to side in excitement. “The signals, when we arrived from the jump, I saw something fascinating!” “Hephy, stop bouncing and sit.” I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. She looked at me for a moment as if I had grown a set of ears at the end of my snout. After a moment, her trance broke, and she hopped into the chair. She sat on her haunches and pulled out her tablet.
“Ok so, when we jumped in, we got a ping of the area, right? Send a signal out, listen for the reply, and we see what’s out there that our eyes can’t. Standard stuff, sure, but look.” She tapped at her tablet and expanded a multidimensional spectrum plot. “The bright spots are reports, and it’s all around. Debris right? That’s what I thought but look closer!” I leaned in and looked at the impressionistic splotches of color shown on the holographic display. The blues, yellows, and oranges spattered amongst the dark gray and black of night and other known objects was appealing to the eye, but ultimately gave me little idea what Hephy was trying to communicate with me. She must have picked up on my lack of insight, because she sighed and tapped the display again. “Normally, you see the pulse pattern return and that’s pretty distinct, but this is different. Odd. I thought it was just micro-debris but if you spread it out over time there’s a pattern to it, a structure in the phase relationships that doesn’t match reflections or our interrogation pulses.” “Hephy, you know I rarely ever understand you at this level.” “Right sorry right. Captain, this isn’t the return pulse, they’re data transmissions. Multiple data transmissions all at once.”
My ears perked up, and I tilted my head to the side a bit. “How can you be sure? What would even be out there to send them?”
“I wasn’t sure myself until I looked later on in the data buffers. Almost a claw later there was another longer burst. The automated systems ignored it due to interpreting it as just more micro-debris, but it had that structure-but-not-structure, perfectly shaped noise. I also had nav and sensors run another few active pings at different frequencies, trying to rule out silly patterns seeking brain nonsense. Nothing returned. The debris cloud doesn’t exist!”
“So what does this mean for us?”
“I don’t know, but it's fascinating! They must be satellites of some kind, either too small to reflect much or made to absorb radio waves.”
“That’s worrisome. There’s only one reason you’d build something like that.”
“Weaponry?” She chirped with surprising insight I had not expected to come from her. She had never been in the space force like I, and many others, had.
“Defense platforms, yes.” I took a sip of my rapidly cooling tea to try and soothe the anxious pit growing in my stomach.
“That’s…concerning.” Her excitement waned for a moment but quickly slipped back.
“Very, thank you for bringing this to my attention, Hephy.”
“As if I could keep quiet about something like this!” She snorted with a chittering laugh. “Oh! Wait there’s one more thing. There was another signal in a higher band that sounded off around the same time as the other burst, this time from a different orbit, way further out. I traced it to an artificial satellite.”
Suddenly, a thought hit me. These things were actively communicating with something. Was there something still left on the surface?
“Hephy, do you know where those signals were going?”
“Normally the antenna is too directional for anyone but the recipient to see it or it’s hard to get a read on directionality, but I know where everything is communicating to. The middle of the smaller main ocean.”
“Hephy, that’s an incredibly important bit of information!”
“It is? Oh yeah right, that makes sense!” She wiggles her tail in an amused flicking motion.
I stood up and patted her on the shoulder. “Get us close to that artificial satellite and see what it is. I’d like to get a better idea of what we’ve just stumbled into. Report back when you have some answers and we will go from there.”
Hephy bobbed her ears and hopped off the seat. “On it, sir. Where are you going?” “I’m going to talk to Fiir. This is beyond the original mission, and he needs to know.” “Ay captain. Good luck. Guy’s a weirdo.” I simply grunted and strolled down to the auxiliary quarters where I knew the researcher to be.
>Advance record: [10 Minutes]:
Fiir had brought an entire team of researchers with him. I was told they’re all colleagues of his from the research academy that are interested in this personal project of his. This many people on board with his project did explain how he was able to offer the exorbitant sum of credits to hire me and my crew. They had been allocated a section of the ship near the front, just past the shuttle bay and under the bridge area. This let them have their privacy and set up whatever gear they brought with them.
It also meant that there was a door between them and the rest of the ship. A door that they did not hesitate to keep closed after pre-launch inspections had concluded. The researchers didn’t have anything I didn’t expect from the manifest, but I still found it rather suspicious. Were they hiding something? Perhaps it had to do with that odd power hungry computer they insisted upon. Mara had her ears tied in a knot trying to accommodate it, and still they were coy about why exactly they needed it. It didn’t do me any good to speculate, though. What mattered most was the problem of the satellites.
I finally reached the door and, being the polite man I am, I scratched at the sounding plate before grabbing the handle and trying to open it. To my surprise, it didn’t budge. I could understand locking doors to the personal quarters, but this was a main corridor in my own ship! Just as I reached over to key in the unlock code, the door made a thunk as the latch disengaged and slid open part of the way. A familiar gray fringed brown muzzle stuck out from the gap. “This is a restrict- Oh. Captain.” Fiir opened the door a little more and stood up facing me. “What is it?”
I blinked at his rather blunt question. “I just came to inform you that we’ve discovered some worrying details about the nature of the-” “The artificial satellites are not of any concern to us.” He cut me off before I could finish.
“We think they might be-”
He glanced back behind the door for a moment, his tail thrashed in agitation. “It doesn’t matter. Have you prepared the landing party yet?” My jaw tightened as my frustration with his rudeness grew. I couldn’t get much of a word in, but I needed any answers. “They’re set to depart in two claws, but with those unknown satellites, I can’t be sure of their safety! I saw you on the bridge when we arrived, you were expecting something different. As the captain of this ship, I need to know if there’s a threat to-”
“Captain.” Fiir’s gaze grew intense as he leaned in. I may have had almost a head of height on the wizened farsul, but in that moment, he felt as if he was towering over me. “I suggest you stick to the responsibilities I hired you for, Captain Kinet. There are things that you are not privy to, nor will you be made privy to in the foreseeable future. Continue with the survey as per our agreement, and you’ll get your credits. Do not bother me until the away team is en route. Good paw, Captain.” He closed and locked the door without even waiting for my response.
I just stood at the door for a long while, a feeling of anger and indignation boiling in my chest. I had only ever had cordial contact with the researcher up until now; this abrupt shift in his demeanor was unsettling, to say the least. How dare he talk down to me like that on my own ship! I sighed and took a deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it out. Slow and controlled. Letting the tension and anger flow out with my breath.
Inhale. Hold. Release.
Inhale. Hold. Release.
After a few cycles, the burning anger was reduced to a smoldering cinder. As much as I had wanted to headbutt Fiir, it wasn’t worth risking the contract for. I turned and walked back to the bridge to prepare for the away mission. Without Fiir’s info, I needed to make sure contingencies were in place for any possible threat to the away team. The lives of my crew are paramount, even if the contract was very, very lucrative. All that aside, the planning would keep my mind away from thoughts of my rude client.
>Advance record: [Standardized Human Time July 6th, 2114]:
I woke up after my rest paw feeling groggy and unrested. The confrontation with Fiir kept playing in my mind all night, despite the claws of planning for the away mission. To say his standoffish behavior left knots in my wool would be an understatement. I wiped my snout with my paws, flicking the crust from my eyes before getting up out of bed.
I grabbed my favorite mug and fixed myself my morning cup of tea. Pulling the dried leaves and stems from the canister, I could feel my mouth water in anticipation. I had been told by many who possessed the strange appendage called a nose that the tea leaves had a strong earthy and floral scent. I often wondered what that meant. Venlil didn’t have noses, but we did have a sense of taste, which is apparently quite similar. I often wondered what it might be like to smell. Do we really miss out on so much without being able to smell?
We had to soak our foods and tea in water before we could taste it with our tongues, and even then, it’s not nearly as sensitive, which is probably why other species consider venlil cuisine to be overseasoned and overpowering.
Another reason why the stereotype of venlil being weak is nonsense, in my opinion. How strong can you be if you can’t handle a little spice?
The timer went off, chirping to tell me my tea was ready. I sifted out the leaves and brought the invigorating elixir to my lips. The hot fluid warmed me to my core and burned away the waking lyasi silk from my groggy mind.
I needed to catch up with Hephy and Mara; they should have brought in that satellite-
My thoughts were interrupted by the chiming of my pad. I picked it up and answered the call to see Hephy’s face almost filling the screen, with Mara looking over her shoulder.
“Oh good you’re awake! Captain, you must see this! It’s amazing! The satellite, it’s full of brains!”
END TRANSCRIPTION
Been a hot minute, I hadn't forgotten about this. As always, comments are coveted and appreciated. What do you all think about Fiir's behavior? What do y'all think of Hephy?
Thanks to for creating this setting and fostering such a delightfully passionate community! Thanks again to , Novalux, and the Foxmates for editing and helping me get this done!
Soma belongs to Frictional Games.

Update: Bloons TD 6 v43.0 - Update Notes!
Available now for most platforms please restart your storefront or be patient if it does not appear for you, these updates can take some time to be rolled out to every region due to how the storefronts are set up.
Update Video: https://youtu.be/97SrSDiSNfk

Key New Features

• New Event, Boss Rush!
  • We are so psyched to release this event! We have heard the many requests for more Team activities, and after testing some functionality in Quests, we are so happy to release a very different way to play as a Team. Thank you for your feedback and patience, and we truly hope you enjoy!
  • Band together with allies to defend against the powerful Boss Rush threatening your Team. With multiple Boss threats looming on the horizon, you and your Team must work together to defend nearby islands from a variety of invaders!
  • To assist in pushing back the threat players are outfitted with Relic Knowledge to leverage and a number of Revive Shields that will recover you from 0 lives! But be careful, Revives are limited and each time one is triggered the Boss will rush closer to the exit.
  • These Bosses cannot be destroyed alone, so when defending any island your goal is to deal as much damage as you possibly can before they make it past. When your Team reaches enough combined total damage the island is successfully defended and you can progress to the next island, with a new Boss to defend against!
  • Between islands some monkey types must stay behind to defend, but additional Relic Knowledge will be acquired to assist in the next challenge.
  • Defend 5 islands, each with a fast paced Boss challenge against different Bosses out of the initial 3 available: Bloonarius, Dreadbloon & Phayze. (Vortex & Lych to be coming at a later date!).
  • Immediately after defending an island, all Team members can claim the island rewards!
  • For launch we are releasing with a pure Team focus without competitive leaderboards. This allows us to review balance and get feedback from players before making changes in future updates. Boss Rush has evolved to be much bigger than the minigame-like concept it was initially planned to be and we look forward to seeing all of your Teams defend their islands together!
  • The Event Timer shows when the next Boss Rush will start - less than a day after launch.
• New Code Redemption System
  • This new system will allow us to create gift packs that can be redeemed by anyone with the code for free in-game rewards, so keep an eye out for any codes we may share (or hide…) in future!
  • Due to privacy requirements, certain platforms won’t be able to enter the codes directly in the game. Instead, you will need to visit a Ninja Kiwi website where you can log in to your LiNK account and redeem the code.

New Awesome

• New Hero Rosalia! (responds to Lia for short!)
  • Jetpack Monkey joins the team! Try out Rosalia right away in her new trial quest! Rosalia is built to be a strong ‘set and forget’ hero who also happens to work well with a techbot. The ability to swap weapon to handle her own weaknesses exists for people who wish to play her as their sole DPS, but the power of both her weapons is balanced to scale up together at a fair rate so there's no reason not to pick a preferred weapon forever, and build the rest of your towers to cover any weakness left.
  • Rosalia freely jumps around her large workshop area, attacking faster the more Bloons are nearby while swapping between a powerful single target laser & bouncing cluster grenades to deal with different threats!
  • Enhanced special attacks for the 10th shot fired on either weapon, showering Bloons in a fog of explosions, or Shocking and pushing them back with powerful Plasma blasts
  • Reduce all upgrade costs for Monkey Ace & Heli Pilot, plus one other friend!
  • Lv3 Scatter Missile ability, to clean up Bloons with a barrage of powerful stuns
  • Lv7 Hover ANYWHERE and gain the Flight Boost ability to temporarily pursue Bloons everywhere around the track and temporarily boost the flight speed of Aces & Helis
  • Lv10 Kinetic Charge ability, which sticks MOAB-class Bloons with a charge that explodes after a short duration and amplifies this explosion based on the amount of damage that hits the target before the charge explodes. Focus fire!
  • You could try this code: ROSALIAROCKS
• New Beginner Map Tinkerton
  • Explore Rosalia’s workshop and help defend it against Bloon incursion! Who knew orange juice had so many uses?
• New Quests
  • Tinkerer’s Tutorial: discover Rosalia’s strengths and weaknesses
  • A Strange Bloonomaly: Dr. Monkey wants your help investigating some unusual Bloons
• New Trophy Store Items
  • Heroes: Obyn Wolf Dance placement animation for Standard Obyn
  • Monkeys: Boomer ‘Roo pet for the Boomerang Monkey
  • Bloons: BAD Scarab skin
  • Game & UI: Boomer and ‘Roo profile banner, Distinguished Gentlemonkey avatar
• Limited Time Trophy Store Item
  • Druid of the Rainbow avatar
• New CT Team Store items
  • Icons: Battle Monkey Icon
  • Frames: Boss Rush Clouds Frame

Game Changes / Additions

• Map Editor Beach items
  • It may be getting colder in New Zealand, but we know it’s getting back to beach weather for most of you!
  • Beach water path x1
  • Areas x2
  • Stamps x3
  • Props x22
• Map Editor ‘full path’ settings to modify how entire paths work
  • Set paths to be alternating, sequential, or a specific pattern
• Map Editor ‘path node’ settings to modify small sections within a path
  • Invulnerable MOABs: MOABs will not be targetable until the next node
  • Invulnerable Bloons: Bloons will not be targetable until the next node
  • All Bloon Speed: Speed modified by a set multiplier until the next node
  • Scale Bloon: Bloons will increase in visual size until the next node
  • Scale MOAB: MOABs will increase in visual size until the next node
• FPS is no longer capped by default, instead a 60 FPS limit can be enabled from the screen resolution menu

Bug Fixes & General Changes

• Endurance Roundset used in the Phayze One quest has been extended from 100 to 205 rounds, and now has naturally spawning Camo Bloons added
• David Vs Goliath achievement now works in Boss Challenge
• Resolved a crash that could occur when logging out
• Resolved a crash that could occur when exiting out of the received accolades menu too quickly after entering
• Resolved a case in which ‘login required’ could incorrectly display on arcade builds
• Unlocking a new hero should always select that new hero
• Resolved some UI overlap issues within Map Editor
• Resolved some minor visual issues with quests forcing hero level ups
• Map Editor vfx should no longer sometimes become locked to the player’s selection and block interaction / clicking on other items
• Resolved an issue that could sometimes fail to load the ‘My Teams’ button
• Resolved an issue where tower outlines would incorrectly misalign from the tower
• Improved resolution of the default App icon
• Restarting a game in the Content Browser should no longer render that run invalid for the ‘first winner’ slot
• The ‘messages’ page is now loaded by default when interacting with the My Team button
• Income modifiers used in challenge rules should correctly apply to all sources of income

Event bug fixes

• Team island props should once again animate when interacted with
• Game should no longer crash when in the Odyssey scene as the event ends

Map Specific Fixes

• Protect the Yacht quest map’s Boss Spawn Point art has been corrected
• Protect the Yacht quest map should no longer use the #ouch odyssey statue

Tower Specific Fixes

Tack Shooter

• 5xx Inferno Ring’s fire aura is now visually disabled when VFX slider is set to 0%

Ice Monkey

• x3x Arctic Wind ice aura is now visually disabled when VFX slider is set to 0%

Glue Gunner

• x4x Glue Gunner can no longer debuff Dreadbloon in Primary Immune phase

Monkey Sub

• x5x Pre-Emptive Strike now works on Castle’s Revenge
• Resolved a crash that could occur when building a sub paragon as Vortex spawns.
• 3xx+ Monkey Sub aura no longer shrinks with the VFX slider, but is disabled at 0%

Monkey Buccaneer

• 4xx Aircraft Carrier planes now have camo restored when Polyphemus Eye is opened
• xx4 Favored Trades no longer increases the sell value of towers in CHIMPS above $0

Heli Pilot

• Swapping to Lock in Place while moving should no longer visually jam the rotation

Super Monkey

• Resolved a hypersonic automatic blink teleport attacks issue that never happened in a live build but is kinda fun to talk about, and honestly less hype than i’m making it out to sound anyway.

Hero Specific Fixes

Gwendolin

• Lv4 Gwendolin's Heat It Up buff no longer fails to apply if the attack runs out of pierce
• Resolved a buggy visual that could occur when Heat It Up attacks too fast

Etienne

• Etienne should no longer consume the ‘Box of Monkey’ Relic Knowledge

Geraldo

• Resolved a rare crash that could occur when using hotkeys
• Resolved an issue where Geraldo’s skin displayed the wrong portrait when viewing the full upgrades page

Corvus

• Resolved a crash that could occur when sold at Lv2

Platform Specific fixes

• [Vision Pro] Gentlemonkey Geraldo skin should now show on the Monkey Tray

Balance Changes

The combination of towers you are able to pass round 1 with can change quite a lot in any overall strategy, especially for more restrictive game modes, so for this update we have made an effort to open up new starter combinations with improvements to a number of initial placement towers.

Tower Balance

Dart Monkey
While we have been working to increase this niche with many new maps, Juggernaut’s functions sub-optimally for the majority of current maps in the game as the knockback doesn’t scale well without good rebound opportunities; to help with this we’re increasing their knockback force slightly with even more emphasis on the less-favored crosspath. We are slightly reducing the cost of Super Monkey Fan Club to overall improve the value of taking multiple to maintain higher uptime

• 4xx Juggernaut Knockback duration increased 0.1s > 0.15
• 402 Juggernaut Knockback to heavy targets 1.5 > 2.25
• 402 Juggernaut Knockback to light targets 3 > 4.5
• x4x Super Monkey Fan Club price reduced $8000 > 7500

Boomerang Monkey
Boomerang base price is being slightly reduced, already a decent start in many cases though this seemed enough to make slight game start changes and price it differently to other towers. The main attack for MOAB Domination has been scaled up as overall it is a good upgrade but the pierce on this main attack was previously unchanged from the T3. Glaive Lord’s main thrown attacks will now be able to bounce back again and hit the same target multiple times, this can be a very powerful effect so there is a cooldown on how frequently any single Bloon can be re-targeted.

• Boomerang Monkey price reduced $325 > 315
• xx5 Moab Domination Main projectile pierce increased 18 > 54
• 205 Moab Domination Main projectile pierce increased 27 > 81
• 5xx Glaive Lord main attack can bounce back to the same target: cooldown 0.6s

Bomb Shooter
Bloon Crush does its job locking down all movement in an area, but we feel it could see more damage to reduce the stall time without the balance really changing much. Bomb Blitz was recently refitted to a cheaper price range while proportionally keeping a similar power level for the cost, however seeing it now in this spot we feel keeping higher damage will give it the edge it needs to feel more impactful than spamming Recursives.

• 5xx Bloon Crush damage increased 12 > 24
• 502 Bloon Crush Frags damage increased 12 > 24
• 502 Bloon Crush Frags bonus damage to ceramic 12 > 0
• xx5 Bomb Blitz damage increased 3 > 5

Tack Shooter
Tack is a very powerful base tower technically, but it is unable to achieve high uptime of that potential power in many early rounds, so some base cost is moving into the cheaper xx1 and xx2 upgrades to make it easier for other towers to start alongside the tack. Additionally, while we’ve held out on this change as there are strong use cases in prior upgrades, Blade Maelstrom lacks the single target punch to last late in Modern Bloons. While it is designed as a high pierce cleanup of low tier Bloons we want to try shifting some pierce to single target damage to feel good for longer.

• Tack shooter price reduced $280 > 260
• xx1 More Tacks price increased $100 > 110
• xx2 Even More Tacks price increased $100 > 110
• x4x Blade Maelstrom damage increased 1 > 2
• x4x Blade Maelstrom pierce reduced from 200 > 100
• x5x Super Maelstrom damage unchanged
• x5x Super Maelstrom pierce reduced 500 > 300

Glue Gunner
Increased duration has limited use on upgrades that completely destroy targets anyway, so a better crosspath benefit is being added onto 401 glue puddles. Bloon Solver’s pierce is being reduced as it is over-overkill for how many Bloons you realistically see at once, but this reduction should not be noticed for most players. Glue Splatter stands out as weirdly expensive for T2, and is rarely even needed so we’re significantly cutting its price to bring it down to a more affordable range with less pierce, we hope this should make it more worth considering for splatter coverage over piercing. Now that Glue Storm is extremely good for damage type & debuff support we’re removing the bonus speed reduction that should otherwise require xx2 crosspath and lowering the duration of the Glue Storm. New Relentless Glue finally offers something quite powerful so cost is slightly increasing.

• 401 Stickier Glue allows track puddles to last +1 round
• 5xx The Bloon Solver pierce reduced 5 > 4
• x2x Glue Splatter price reduced $1450 > 970
• x2x Glue Splatter pierce buff reduced 3 > 2
• x5x Glue Storm ability ‘storm’ duration reduced 20s > 15
• x5x Glue Storm ability glue slow 75% > 50%
• 052 Glue Storm ability glue slow 90% > 75%
• xx4 Relentless Glue price increased 3000 > 3400

Sniper Monkey
Lower tier Shrapnel crosspathing balance doesn’t feel great currently, so the damage crosspath benefits at T1 & T2 are improving. Even with the high damage per shot, Cripple MOAB still has low value outside of debuff capability, we feel that these shots pack enough of a punch now that they should do a little collateral damage - so lets do it! (we’ve also increased shrapnel pierce at this tier to not tip crosspath balance too far to one side).

• 120 Shrapnel Shot damage increased from 1 > 2
• 220 Shrapnel Shot damage increased from 2 > 3
• 320 Shrapnel Shot damage unchanged (4)
• 520 Cripple MOAB’s Shrapnel Shot pierce increased from 2 > 3
• 5xx Cripple MOAB now damages Bloons around the main target
  • Radius 8
  • Pierce 10
  • Damage 28

Monkey Sub
Bloontonium Reactor’s unsubmerged damage is increasing to encourage unsubmerged possibilities. The bonus to Lead on Reactor currently doesn't apply to T5, so this bonus is being carried up and improved along with a small price reduction to Energizer as strategies using it have fallen somewhat in viability. Nautic Siege Core’s hero buff is being improved as currently this is an under-utilized part of the tower.

• 4xx Bloontonium Reactor dart & airburst damage 1 > 2
• 520 Energizer gains bonus damage to Lead +5 when submerged
• 502 Energizer price reduced $32,000 > 31,000
• Paragon Hero attack cooldown increase reduced 1.5x > 1.3
• Paragon Hero damage multiplier increased 4x > 5x

Monkey Buccaneer
While buccaneer is technically already a very good starter tower for maps that happen to have ideal spots allowing it to attack in both directions we feel this situation isn’t common enough that the tower should be priced around that expectation - this reduced cost is added back to top and bottom T3 upgrades as they do not need the buff. As the paragon has exceptionally powerful scaling mechanics as well as being a paragon that continues to produce cash the XP Unlock requirement is increasing, this increase will not affect players who have already unlocked it.

• Buccaneer price reduced $500 > 400
• 300 Destroyer price increased 2950 > 3050
• 003 Merchantman price increased 2300 > 2400
• Navarch unlock XP increased 500,000 > 750,000

Monkey Ace
Minor catchup changes to some parts have fallen out of line slightly due to balance changes for other parts of the Ace.

• x1x Exploding Pineapple attack cooldown reduced 1.7s > 1.6s
• xx5 Flying Fortress radial dart damage increased from 3 > 6

Ace - Goliath Doomship
A lot of stats shuffled around here; this should keep the power level roughly similar overall but with proportionally more of that power coming from the seeking attacks, and less from micro aiming the faster firing frontal gun.

• Seeking Radials projectile count increased 4 > 8
• Seeking Radials damage increased 200 > 300
• Seeking Radials boss bonus increased 200 > 300
• Non-seeking Radials projectile count reduced 16 > 12
• Non-seeking Radials damage increased 200 > 300
• Non-seeking Radials boss bonus increased 200 > 300
• Frontal Gun damage reduced 300 > 150
• Frontal Gun boss bonus reduced 300 > 150

Heli Pilot
Overall Comanche cleanup and stats shuffle; with the goal of improving baseline non-buffed performance and making it less demanding of Geraldo’s Pickle for high damage.

• x5x Special Poperations Marine can now be sold in CHIMPS
• xx4 Comanche Defense mini's attack rate 0.151848 > 0.228
• xx5 Comanche Commander mini heli dart damage increased 2 > 3
• xx4 Comanche Defense mini's missile damage 1 > 4
• xx4 Comanche Defense mini's missile pierce 80 > 60
• xx4 Comanche Defense mini's missile ceramic bonus increased 1 > 2
• xx4 Comanche Defense mini's missile moab bonus removed 2 > 0
• xx5 Comanche Commander mini's missile ceramic bonus increased 1 > 10
• xx5 Comanche Commander mini's missile moab bonus removed 8 > 0

Mortar Monkey
Artillery Battery use has really exploded (!) and over the past few updates it has been sitting fairly steady in a great spot, the current power level feels good but we don’t want to create too big of a gap from the T3 yet so only a very slight cost increase. Blooncineration’s 025 crosspath currently works so much better with external buffs so we're tweaking the 205 crosspath to feel better in some situations.

• x4x Artillery Battery price increased $5500 > 5900
• 105 Blooncineration walls of fire pierce increased 25 > 36
• 205 Blooncineration walls of fire damage increased 2 > 3

Wizard Monkey
Wizard has a weaker base tower so the base cost is going down in exchange for a small price increase to the cost to value ratio for the effective Arcane Mastery. As Fireball becomes very forgotten at higher tiers and is hard to even see at Dragon’s Breath, we’re improving the crosspath and adding even more projectiles at T3 for wider explosive coverage. As Shimmer is the slowest de-camo in the game it is important that it not miss when it does trigger, so pierce is greatly increased. Wizard Lord Phoenix’s Wall of Fire hasn’t had any meaningful upgrade progression, so its damage is being increased. Magus is one of the more in-depth Paragons to use effectively so having it as one of the cheapest to unlock didn't feel right, the unlock XP requirements for this and Ninja are being swapped around.

• Wizard price reduced $375 > 325
• 3xx Arcane Mastery price increased $1300 > 1400
• xx3 Shimmer pierce increased 200 > 500
• 210 Fireball crosspathed damage increased 1 > 2
• x3x Dragon's Breath fireball projectile count increased 1 > 3
• x3x Dragon's Breath fireball damage reduced 9 > 3
• x3x Dragon's Breath pierce reduced 4 > 3
• x5x Wizard Lord Phoenix wall of fire attack damage 3 > 5
• x5x Dragon's Breath fireball damage reduced from 27 > 9
• Wizard Paragon unlock cost increased from 500,000 > 1,000,000

Super Monkey
Super Monkey projectiles already travel most the map length so that total distance is being reduced and adding back via the range-focused middle crosspath. The recent Robo/Tech Terror nerfs had a larger impact on the Anti-Bloon, so it is seeing a larger compensatory price reduction. Legend of the Night’s special passive ability is being failsafe limited to 2 activations per round, per tower.

• Supermonkey projectile speed reduced 280 > 200
• x2x Epic Range projectile speed bonus 25% > 75% (remains 350)
• x5x The Anti-Bloon upgrade cost reduced from $80,000 > 70,000
• xx5 Legend of the Night ability max uses per round: 2

Ninja Monkey
While a great early game option, Ninja generally struggles with dominant crosspathing choices and also has relatively poor base tower value. Without going into every single change, T3s onward remain relatively unchanged with a lot of prices below T3 being moved around from less favorable crosspaths into bettehigher tier upgrades. Ninja Paragon is very simple to use so unlock XP requirements for this and Wizard Paragon are swapping around so Ninja is the faster unlock. This increase will not affect players who have already unlocked it.

• Ninja Monkey price reduced $500 > 400
• Ninja Monkey attack cooldown reduced from 0.7 > 0.62
• 1xx Ninja Monkey attack cooldown reduced 38% > 30 (all attacks)
• xx2 Caltrops attack cooldown reduced 4.4 > 3.9
• xx4 Sticky Bomb attack cooldown reduced 5 > 4.5
• 1xx Ninja Discipline price increased $300 > 350
• 3xx Double Shot price increased $850 > 900
• x1x Distraction price reduced $350 > 250
• x2x Counter Espionage price reduced $500 > 400
• x3x Shinobi Tactics price increased $900 > 1200
• xx1 Seeking Shuriken price increased $250 > 300
• xx2 Caltrops price increased $400 > 450
• Ninja Paragon unlock cost reduced 1,000,000 > 500,000

Druid
Passive life generation is being removed in favor of the active ability being the only source of life generation, this allows druid-focus strategies to no longer ‘accidentally’ heal their Vengeance buffs away. Heart of Vengeance itself has been allowed to remain overpowered for a long time since life loss is not always an option in different challenges/modes, but with newer competitive modes being added over time that do allow for this mechanic to be, overindulged, shall we say, it feels due for substantial rebalance.

• x4x Jungle's Bounty now generates 1 life per ability cast
• x4x Jungle's Bounty no longer passively generates 1 life per round
• x5x Spirit of the Forest no longer passively generates lives per round
• xx2 Heart of Vengeance lost lives maximum rate bonus reduced 100% > 50

Banana Farm
Monkey Wall Street’s cost is being increased, but in return its special bonuses have been improved with more life generation and much more range for Banana collection.

• xx5 Monkey Wall Street price increased $60,000 > 70,000
• xx5 Monkey Wall Street range increased 60 > 75
• xx5 Monkey Wall Street lives per round increased 10 > 15

Spike Factory
Spike Storm is now exceptionally strong so the ability cooldown is increasing a small amount along with the T5 cost. This comes along with a crosspath rebalance granting more 042 lifespan. Long Life Spikes can start creating a nice buildup of spikes in advance but most of the time feels fairly meh as a stepping stone into Deadly Spikes, a little price here is being shifted up to improve standalone upgrade value.

• x4x Spike Storm cooldown increased 45s > 50
• x4x Spike Storm ability spikes minimum duration reduced 10s > 9
• x4x Spike Storm ability spikes maximum duration reduced 13s > 11
• 041 Spike Storm duration bonus for ability spikes increased 50% > 100%
• x5x Spike Storm ability spikes duration remains at 18-22s
• x5x Carpet of Spikes price increased $40,000 > 42,000
• xx3 Long Life Spikes price reduced $1400 > 1300
• xx4 Deadly Spikes price increased $3500 > 3600

Monkey Village
Primary Expertise’s own attack is unreliable due partly to low bounce distance, so this is being increased. Base level Monkeyopolis continues to over perform, so the baseline cash generation is reducing.

• 5xx Primary Expertise bounce distance increased 50 > 90
• xx5 Monkeyopolis base cash amount reduced $1250 > 1000

Engineer
While better than many options, base Engineer still takes a lot of available starting cash so the cost is reduced slightly and being moved back up into Cleansing Foam & Bloontrap; also with a reduction to Double Gun’s price to reflect the lower value of the base tower. Sentry placements are slightly changing to improve their reliability, and will now spawn closer to the track depending on how much range the sentry has. Sentry Champion, while strong with them, is lacking without high buff support so we’re trying out an increase to the sentry damage on it.

• Engineer price reduced $400 > 350
• 1xx Sentries now spawn within 20% of their range to the track
• 5xx Sentry Champagne damage increased from 2 > 3
• x3x Cleansing Foam price increased $850 > 900
• x4x Overclock foam pierce 10 > 15
• xx3 Double Gun price reduced $500 > 450
• xx4 Bloontrap price increased $3500 > 3600

Beast Handler
In going over our large list of price changes for Beast Handler’s lower tiers in 42 this change was received very positively, however we did not realize that in making this change we killed off all chance of dual-beast handlers being used as a round 1 starting option for under $650 in hard modes – So we gotta do that math all over again and convert it for difficulty, painful 😀 All T1 beast prices changed to allow 110 & 101 beast handler combos to be placed for under $650 in hard mode, all T2 & T3 prices shifted around to keep these same cost ratios.

• 1xx Piranha price reduced 170 > 160
• 2xx Barracutie price reduced 850 > 810
• 3xx Great White price reduced 2075 > 2010
• x1x Microraptor price reduced 195 > 175
• x2x Adasaurus price reduced 890 > 830
• x3x Velociraptor price reduced 2170 > 2065
• xx1 Gyrfalcon price reduced 210 > 190
• xx2 Horned Owl price reduced 940 > 860
• xx3 Golden Eagle price reduced 3150 > 2120

Orca is very strong currently but Great White doesn’t do so much outside of max merge MOAB Takedowns, so damage is increasing to improve these non-maxed situations.

• 3xx Great White damage increased from 8 > 12
• 3xx Great White damage range increased from 16 > 24

Similar to Sentries, Beast spawn placement will now scale closer to the track based on how much range the beast has.

• 1xx Piranha now spawn within 20% of their range to the track
• x1x Microraptor now spawn within 30% of their range to the track

Golden Eagle has stood out more than Condor against MOABs which has felt very wrong, last update it was nerfed against MOABs and now we are playing with the pierce & penalties to improve Golden Eagle further against non-MOAB-Class targets and for Condor more help with lower MOABs.

• xx3 Golden Eagle pierce increased from 15 > 30
• xx3 Golden Eagle pierce range increased from 30 > 60
• xx3 Golden Eagle MOAB pierce penalty increased from 44 > 1089
• xx3 Golden Eagle attack cooldown range from 0.28679625 > 0.28
• xx4 Condor Unchanged by any above changes
• xx4 Giant Condor ceramic penalty reduced from 1 > 0
• xx4 Giant Condor BFB penalty reduced from 44 > 29

We’re slightly reducing beast reposition cooldown as the tiny range leaves movement very tight, which is especially painful for Microraptor path given the low range.

• Beast Handler move cooldown reduced from 3s > 2

Hero Balance

Quincy
Quincy’s Rapid Shot starts with an extremely short duration that slowly increases over levels, the difference between min and max is huge but it doesn’t feel too impactfully increased at any point through the leveling up process, so we are increasing the base duration and instead moving the buff up to max duration all into his Lv13 which currently doesn’t do much.

• Quincy no longer gains 0.5s Rapid Shot duration per level
• Lv3 Rapid Shot duration increased 3.5s > 8
• Lv13 now also increases Rapid Shot duration 8.5s > 12

Gwendolin
Gwendolin’s Heat it Up was recently reworked to allow for much more frequent triggering from attacks, however the 4.5s internal cooldown still limits it from being scaled up far so that internal cooldown is now also being reduced. Additionally, Heat it Up’s bonus buff to damage against Lead targets has been improved slightly so we can get more out of that niche.

• Lv4 Heat it Up minimum delay reduced from 4.5s > 1.5s
• Lv17 Heat it Up buff to Lead type increased from +1 > 2

Obyn Greenfoot
Obyn isn’t necessarily the best support for every type of Druid to reach its highest DPS, but with his more easy reliable design it feels appropriate for him to solve Druid’s biggest weaknesses in a more laid back approach with:

• Lv8 ‘Nature’s Wrath’ additionally grants camo detection to Druids in radius

Benjamin
Benjamin’s Cyber Security and Skimming levels have been swapped around so that the early game skimming cash snowball doesn’t come quite so soon, and Cyber Security can come in earlier where it will make a bigger impact proportionally to the lives being lost.

• Swap the levels for Lv6 Cyber Security and Lv4 skimming

Admiral Brickell
We’ll probably regret this, but the nerf made people very sad, and that is not a life goal 😢

• Lv18 Mega Mine cooldown 45s > 40

Etienne
Etienne's drones are prone to missing due to very low projectile speed, this speed is increasing a fair amount to help with this as drones already have an inability to directionally aim well.

• Lv1 Faster projectile speed for all drones 150 > 250

Psi
Purple Popping is underwhelming with how late it comes online, so this is swapping around with level 11’s slightly faster pop speed.

• Lv11 (Faster Popping) & Lv13 (Purple Popping) swapped

Geraldo
Geraldo has been far too powerful for a while and all-round nerfs are coming to many outstanding aspects, however in return a little quality of life is coming with some more forgiving stock capacities and much more flexible Fertilizer; with the % benefit being reduced in return for improved replenish rate, maximum stock and the ability to now work on all Banana Farm types.

• Lv2 Action Figure price reduced $700 > 650
• Lv6 Worn Cape restock rate reduced 5 > 7
• Lv6 Worn Cape cape max stock increased 2 > 3
• Lv7 Blade Trap max stock increased 3 > 4
• Lv9 Fertilizer cash bonus reduced 25% > 20
• Lv9 Fertilizer max stock increased 2 > 4
• Lv9 Fertilizer rounds to replenish reduced 5 > 3
• Lv9 Fertilizer will now work on all Banana Farms
• Lv13 Shooty Turret v2 damage reduced 7 > 6
• Lv8 Gerry’s Fire duration reduced 10r > 5
• Lv16 Gerry’s Fire v2 duration remains 10r
• Lv11 Jar of Pickles bonus to fortified removed 1 > 0
• Lv16 Jar of Pickles bonus to fortified reduced 2 > 1

Corvus
As Corvus’s power is still considerably top-heavy the mid game performance is being improved with buffs to underused spells, but also top-end power of his 2 most powerful level 20 spells is being reduced to lessen the pressure to ‘need’ to get this far.

• Lv1 Spear pierce increased from 3 > 4
• Lv3 Soul harvest cooldown 35s > 40s
• Lv5 Aggression initial mana cost 80 > 50
• Lv7 Malevolence tick rate 0.5s > 0.3s
• Lv14 Malevolence damage 3 > 5
• Lv20 Might damage 400 > 300
• Lv20 Overload damage 4000 > 3000

Relics
Minor tweaks to Heartless which feels it has no competitive edge over most other Relics & Monkey Boost which overperforms on all available tiles.

• Heartless now ‘disables’ Regrow Bloons: Regrow rate increased 150% > 10,050%
• Monkey Boost granted uses of the Monkey Boost power reduced 3 > 2

Some Relics required more functional changes. As more range is situational and sometimes detrimental Going the Distance has been merged with Durable Shots to also grant increased Lifespan, Durable Shots now instead increases the pierce of all towers. As ‘Popping White Bloons’ is also far too situational Deep Heat now also grants Frozen Bloon popping and improves the duration of Freezes.

• Going the Distance now also provides Lifespan +30%
• Durable Shots no longer grants increased lifespan
• Durable Shots now grants towers increased pierce +25%
• Deep Heat now also allows all attacks to pop 'Frozen'
• Deep Heat now also grants Freezes longer duration +10%
• Deep Heat now also allows Freezes to last extra layers +1

Boss Bloons
Bloonarius
This is really just for fun, bringing increased variety of Bleed Bloons from higher tier Bloonarius

• Elite Tier 4: Bleed Bloons from 12 MOABs > 8 MOABs + 2 BFBs
• Elite Tier 5: Bleed Bloons from 8 DDTs > 6 DDTs + 2 fort ZOMGs

Dreadbloon
Rock Bloons in the higher tiers of Normal Dreadbloon are very outscaled, and so their health values are being increased.

• Normal Tier 4: Rock Bloon HP increased 5000 > 9000
• Normal Tier 5: Rock Bloon HP increased 12000 > 22500

Phayze
In Elite mode Phayze’s speed bonus while shielded is being reduced by 5% across the board as it felt just a little too quick.

• Elite Tier 1 shielded speed bonus reduced from 50% > 45%
• Elite Tier 2 shielded speed bonus reduced from 55% > 50%
• Elite Tier 3 shielded speed bonus reduced from 60% > 55%
• Elite Tier 4 shielded speed bonus reduced from 65% > 60%
• Elite Tier 5 shielded speed bonus reduced from 70% > 65%

Join Ikigai Creative Agency as a Freelance YouTube Video Editor!
Hello, Reddit Community!
Are you a dedicated and skilled video editor with a passion for impactful storytelling?
Do you thrive in a creative environment where purpose and innovation are at the core?
Who We Are:
At Ikigai Creative Agency, we are a startup dedicated to helping purpose-driven content creators grow their influence without sacrificing their Ikigai. Our mission is to support creators of all sizes who are on a humanity-forward mission, helping them reach their potential with a social media presence that truly makes an impact.
Who We’re Looking For:
We are seeking freelancers who are:
Dependable: Reliable and consistent in meeting deadlines.
Skilled: Proficient in video editing with a strong portfolio.
Great Communicators: Fluent in English and excellent at conveying ideas.
Obsessive About Their Craft: Passionate about video editing and always eager to learn and improve.
Your Role:
As a Freelance YouTube Video Editor for Ikigai Creative Agency, you will:
Collaborate with our creative team to produce high-quality YouTube videos.
Enhance video narratives through effective storytelling, pacing, and visual effects.
Ensure top-notch audio quality, including noise reduction and sound balancing.
Implement color grading and correction for a polished and professional look.
Optimize videos for maximum visibility and engagement on YouTube.
Respect copyright and fair use policies while maintaining creativity and originality.
Why Join Us?
Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere and manage your own time, as long as you meet project deadlines.
Impact: Use your talent to make a meaningful change. Your work will help content creators grow their influence and impact humanity positively.
Growth: We will challenge you to grow and continually push the boundaries of your skills to create the best stories for our clients.
\If you are the right fit for us, and we are for you then we will offer to move the freelancer we work with now into an employee as we grow**
Compensation:
Pay depends on your experience we are willing to work with the right person growing or the dedicated editor who wants a challenge, pay will vary based on your skills. As we grow and gain clients pay will increase as well as workload.
[Possible ranges depend on experience and will increase per client, however minimum is $15 hour or we can discuss similar per job pay]
Please answer the questions below and include any links to a YouTube channel portfolio you have in a DM.
Questions for Freelancers:
Can you describe your workflow for editing a YouTube video from start to finish? What software tools do you use, and how do you organize your project files to ensure efficiency and consistency?
How do you approach color grading and correction to ensure the final video has a polished and professional look? Can you provide examples of before-and-after clips to demonstrate your skills?
Audio quality is crucial for viewer engagement. How do you handle audio editing, including noise reduction, balancing dialogue with background music, and ensuring clear and consistent sound levels?
Storytelling is a key aspect of video editing. How do you enhance the narrative flow and pacing of a video to keep viewers engaged? Can you share a specific example where your editing significantly improved the storytelling of a project?
Could you share your process for optimizing YouTube videos for maximum visibility and engagement? How do you stay updated on YouTube algorithm changes and best practices?
Quality is essential for YouTube content. How do you ensure high production standards in your videos, including aspects like filming, editing, sound design, and visual effects?
YouTube content creators often face copyright and fair use challenges. How do you ensure that your content respects intellectual property rights while still maintaining creativity and originality?
How do you approach video ideation and content strategy? What steps do you take to ensure your content aligns with the target audience and brand objectives?
In the rapidly evolving landscape of online video, adaptation is key. How do you stay creative and innovative in your content production, and what steps do you take to keep up with emerging trends and audience preferences on YouTube?

Hi folks,
I’m looking to get some healthy, real-talk relationship input from kind strangers who are successfully married or have kids etc. I’m at a bit of a fork in the road and need some advice.
I am a mid-30s male, who got out of a decade-long relationship almost 2 years ago to date.
I dated on and off for 18 months, some semi-serious relationships with good people, some more short-term. All in all I “dated” probably 20-25 people, accounting everything from just a coffee meet-up to people I saw for a few months within that number. In that time, I didn’t date anyone I could see a long-term future with.
However, six months ago, I met someone who I really care about, and who is a fantastic woman with a very gentle soul. She ticks a lot of the boxes of what I am looking for in a long-term partner.
There is a school of modern pragmatic dating advice that stresses not looking for perfection, or overly focusing on the superficial, but looking for shared values, great communication, life goals, and character traits etc. Their line of thinking really resonates with me and makes sense. Logan Buchy, Mark Manson, and others espouse this general philosophy, which is a bit of an antidote to the illusion of choice/ grass is always greener symptoms of modern dating.
I bring this up because I am questioning aspects of the relationship that might fall under their “this doesn’t matter too much” advice. However, I don’t want to forge ahead trying to build the relationship, only to realize 1-2 or even 10 years down the line it isn’t going to work for me, which would be exponentially more painful.
I’d like to hear from people as to how they felt about aspects of their now successful life partner relationship at a similar stage to help me contextualize.
THE GOOD

• The communication is unbelievable and has been from day one. She is an incredibly empathetic, deep, kind, and soft person. She is a very skilled communicator and connector also due in part to her job as a social worker. She allows me to communicate in a way that was alien to me in relationships before this point. Pretty much nothing is off the table (except for a couple of things at the end of this essay) and even when we talk through difficulties, it seems to bring us closer together. She feels the same way; that our communication is special. I think it unlikely I would find communication like it again.
• Life goals are well aligned. We both want kids, marriage, and have similar views on what that looks like. We are both keen to invest in a relationship to make it special, and realize at least in principle, that the trials and tribulations are something to be conquered together and make you stronger as a partnership.
• Our strengths and flaws seem to complement each other. She is anxious attached, and has had some bad relationships in the past, but she is super intelligent and is able to rationalize a lot of the time/ seek assurance from me when she needs to, or bids for connection when she needs it. I don’t mind this (deep down it can be a bit annoying/ frequent sometimes, but I recognize it’s what she needs and accommodate however possible). She says she gets the most important things to her from the relationship by me just being me - safety, reassurance, easygoing, deep communication, fun together etc. This feels like a huge complement, but also makes me feel guilty and try to do more, as she’s also very organized and conscientious, and puts a tonne of effort into planning things for us, coming up with ideas etc (I make a concerted effort to be proactive as well, but will just never match her 5 possible dates planned a week before we meet level, which she says she is absolutely fine with).
• She is smart, caring, supportive, has a team-first mentality, has a good career, and has a lovely family.
• We make our time together fun despite very different interests. I am into sports, fitness, outdoorsy stuff, enjoy a beer (she doesn’t drink), and while not an out and out extrovert, I am definitely more-so than her. She is enjoys family time, cooking, reading, arts and crafts. We have some overlap both love food, enjoy chill time, can both be nerdy, are open to doing new things together etc. This comes with some caveats – see below
• I am attracted to her and the sex is good – however this also comes with some reservations as per the below.

THE RESERVATIONS

• Attractiveness – This section may read like I am bit of a dick. Looks are important to me, I am a probably a fairly vain person who puts a decent amount of stock in my own physical appearance. I am also a guy and statistically, we over-select for looks in general, however I am conscious of this and am not making looks my NorthStar. She’s not the most attractive girl I’ve dated in the past few years, nor is she the least, which I think is fine and realistic in principle. What I am struggling a bit with is something I’ve not experienced before. It is strange but sometimes I find her really pretty and beautiful, and other times less so. She has the type of face that looks great at certain angles, and always great when she’s smiling, but other times not much, and she’s put a little weight on since we started dating. While she’s not fat or in bad shape, she’s not in “good shape” or athletic, although she has made comments about wanting me to help her get fitter of her own volition (I have never negged or dropped subtle hints here).
  • I think unfortunately for me, being physically attracted to someone is like a gateway or a damn. When I am attracted, everything else downstream lights up and feels great too. When I’m not I struggle more with feeling as invested.
  • She’s made lots of comments about how I’m the “hot one” in the relationship, and even asked me if I think I am “settling”, which I probably don’t need to hear. The worst parts of my ego are already thinking “is she hot enough” thoughts, probably as part of its own need for validation.
  • Right now, I am attracted to her enough that this probably isn’t a deal breaker, what I am worried that if I am thinking this way 6 months into a relationship, this could be a big issue down the line.
  • What makes things more complicated is this literally changes date to date. One weekend I might genuinely think “she looks really pretty” all is gravy. Another day maybe less so and the whole day I am less connected as a result. Additionally, her losing some weight or even getting into fitness as she has talked about would help in this regard, but it’s not fair for me to say that. I have never had such inconsistency in how attractive I find a romantic partner.
• Health/ Illness: She has a couple of non life-threatening health issues that I would have no problem supporting her through. My reservation here is around were we have kids, as one of them is very heritable, and 3 of her close family have the condition.
• Interests: She has no problem with my differing interests, nor me with hers. The time to be ourselves by ourselves will be welcome for both of us should this continue long term. My first point of reservation is that while there are lots of things we both enjoy, I wish there were just 1-2 things we were both really passionate about and could share deeply with each other. I think we both hope to build more into each others interests but I can’t see too much potential for interest beyond doing each others passions for the sake of the relationship and to spend time together. This has led to resentment in past relationships for me. Secondly, her much more low-key lifestyle coupled with her attachment style make her more reliant on my time and attention than I am hers, which has caused a couple of issues at times. Not the end of the world but a notable.

Finally, I find my feelings toward her have oscillated between (1 - yep, this is great, this could be it 2- I’m not sure about this) 8-10 times over the past six months. Has anyone else experienced these wavering levels of attachment? Is this normal, a portent of doom, or a me thing I need to figure out?
I guess I am struggling with weighting the great aspects with my reservations. There is so much great here that I don’t want to be that perfectionist seeking idiot, but at the same time, are these actually deal breakers for me that if I ignore I will cause an absolute mess.

So I started on exemestane about a month ago and it was hell almost immediately. The amount of physical pain was unreal. I’d be crying in pain at work, waiting for my shift to end so I could go cry in pain in bed. I told my oncologist how bad it was. She said it may get better the longer I was on it, or I could “take a break”. I went the take a break route, and even with how much pain I’d been in, it didn’t fully hit me just how bad it was until I WASN’T in pain anymore. Is it worth going to a palliative care doctor? Basically I’d need to be on morphine for 5 years to be able to handle that level of constant pain, and I can’t imagine anyone Rx’ing that type of medication for half a decade.
I kind of just…. Want to not take any AI meds at all. I’m terrified to try a different one with how bad this one was. My chemo shrank my tumor from 6cm to 0.6cm, I got huge margins on my surgery, I completed 33 rounds of radiation, by all definitions I’m “cancer free”. I’m currently on Lupron and Kadcyla for about another year. I’ll gladly extend those in place of AI drugs if it would have a similar outcome (idk, I see my dr tomorrow so I’ll chat with her about it).
This might sound dumb, but my cat just died last week, and I’m completely heartbroken over him. I’d do anything to have him back. I asked myself if I’d put him through medication like this if it could have made him live longer, and the answer in my mind was an immediate “fuck no”. I’d never force him through that level of pain just to keep him around.
I know my doctor is really going to push this HARD as life saving medication, but I would argue that it’s “life extending (but makes me wish it would end).”
Idk hopefully this made sense? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I totally wasn’t expecting the AFTER part of cancer to be the most physically excruciating part. If I only had to be on it for 6 months or a year then MAYBE i could push through it. But 5 years? No fucking way. Ugh. This is wack.