Ethan was very surprised about the gold-buying aspect of Modern WoW but the 'Classic' version of the game that was re-released in 2019 is on a new level.
Some quick background: The "WoW Token" was added in 2015 with heavy criticism as it allowed players to pay real money in exchange for gold, or gold in exchange for a 30 day subscription. This came after Activision acquired Blizzard 7 years prior, with every expansion released post-acquisition having lower and lower subscription numbers. The consensus in the community is Activision gutted the Customer Service and Moderation teams so illegal gold-buying was rampant and the WoW Token was just a way to make more money at the expense of the game instead of actually fixing the problem of gold buying.
When 'Classic' came out everything was great for a while until the end-game scene really started going. Rare herbs that were used for flasks (powerful raid consumable) were camped by bots so it was basically impossible to get one, and if you did the bots would fraudulently mass report your character for a 2-week ban. This lasted through the duration of Classic until the first expansion was released.
In addition to this, the Devilsaur Leather crafting reagent was locked down by the "Devilsaur Mafia" for a time, this consisted of 4 Massive Guilds and a few "Mercenaries" that would collude cross-faction to lock down the market and supply in the only zone you could get the leather from.
Some groups started doing 'GDKP' raids, in which when a piece of gear drops players get to bid gold for the item and whoever pays the most gets it. At the end of the raid the gold pot gets distributed to the raid (usually with an organizer cut of 10-20% to whoever made the raid, and an extra % or two for tanks). This system is pretty fair in that if you show up to a raid and don't get any gear you make money that you can spend towards your next gear piece regardless to what group you play with, however with rampant illegal gold buying it quickly became an unbalanced system where those who bought a lot of gold would have first pick at any items they want and competing non-gold buyers would only get the leftovers. This also really inflated the economy to the point where I had to GDKP on a second character to afford raid consumables to play with my guild that didn't GDKP as I didn't want to buy gold.
With GDKPs came GDKP scammers, guys who would make a raid and log off with the pot before distributing so they could sell the gold. When you consider classic raids were 40 people, this was often a LOT of gold. In response to this Discord servers were formed per server to have approved GDKP runs that reduced the number of scams significantly.
These servers became a hub for everyone on the server where player chatting, guild recruitment, and guild master collaboration could take place. These servers also often had a court system with judges and juries, if you were taken to court you had a chance to defend yourself and the judges would make a verdict. The judges had the power to place you on the Blacklist or Brownlist. If you were on the Blacklist it was basically over for your character, guilds would not recruit you and GDKPs would not roster you. The brownlist was more of a warning and would definitely make your life more difficult. There were even addons you could install that would filter out anyone on these lists so you couldn't even see them chat in-game.
When the first expansion re-release was announced (The Burning Crusade), there was significant amount of pushback against the 'deluxe edition' that came with a free mount and a level 58 boost, this was the first time in Classic that you could pay real money for an in game 'advantage' without violating the Terms of Service. The pushback was in general out of fear of the WoW Token and other micro-transactions coming that would negatively impact the game even more. There was a decent amount of bullying of those who bought the deluxe edition, a script went around that would make your character automatically /spit on a player using the deluxe edition mount whenever you were in range. In response to this, Blizzard changed the emote so it couldn't be directed. To this day in classic you can /moon other players but if you /spit you just spit on the ground.
With the announcement of the second expansion (Wrath of the Lich King), a similar deluxe edition was sold with a level 70 boost and significantly less pushback, as many of the content creators/community members behind the outrage had either quit or tired of complaining and sure enough the WoW token was added before the end of this expansion.
That's all the community drama I could recall so far, but the next expansion (Cataclysm) comes out this upcoming Monday so it'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Bonus - Guild recruiting in classic wow:
There's a website called warcraftlogs that you can upload the combat logs of your fights to and it will analyze your damage and give you a 'parse' (0-100, 0 is the least damage done to a boss in the world and 100 is most). When recruiting we'd use that as an indicator, personally I wouldn't take anyone lower than 95th-99th percentile depending on the content but my guild was a little more intense than most.

I'm 19 now. I met my ex friend around 2 years ago? So when I was 17. He was a year younger.
Trigger warning: SI/SH/SA
My ex friend was a covert narcissist (a narcissist that hides under insecurity and a need for validation, while their abusive tendencies and lack of empathy remains the same.)
I stood up for him, so much. I tried to validate him, I tried to please him but it was never enough. Even though I’ve been abused twice by narcissists, I never saw it coming.
And the reason I didn't catch it, is because when we first met, he said he had autism. So I trusted him, because he said he was always honest, and because he blamed his toxic tendencies on autism. He seemed so sad, and I wanted to support him. I left friends for him, I stood up for him when people talked bad about him.
To be clear, I'm not being ableist towards autistic people. This is not because of him not understanding social cues or anything like that. The main reason why I left him was because he called himself the "worst kind of narcissist" and even after I told him that was offensive to victims of abuse he just said, “oh.” Like I'm not even joking that was his exact response.
And when I tried to help him (I thought he was gaslighting himself) and my followers who might feel the same way (by making posts about how victims can gaslight themselves into thinking they're the abuser, by talking about narcissism and my own experiences with abuse,) he got really mad and told me "I suspect I have NPD,” and “the only reason why you posted that was because of me, the mere fact that you posted that shows that you look down on me, you have been extremely rude blah blah blah.” Notice that I do not cite him feeling offended by the content of what I posted, because he never said anything about that at all. Is it possible? Sure. But I am sick of feeling like I have to read his mind, I know now that it’s because of his toxic behaviors and manipulation.
I left him after that because he knew I had trauma from abuse, and he’s never been sensitive to that throughout our entire friendship.
I’ll call my ex-friend narcissist to spare myself the drama if he ever finds out what I posted. (He has 30,000 followers online and most of our mutual friends openly sided with him.)
This was a pattern with him. The way he acted whenever he was corrected, it was never an apology, it was him or his friend changing the subject. Oftentimes instead of apologizing he would start to nitpick what others did, like calling others “bad at writing,” and saying stuff like “I'm a better writer than all of you!” These toxic traits are not intrinsic to autism, and are clearly narcissism, right?
I would bring up more examples but obviously I can’t remember them all.
Many of the things he would say were really offensive and degrading towards me, even in group chats, but he would hide it behind a “joke.” None of his friends defended me because they clearly enable him or just didn’t believe me when I say he treated me like sh*t.
But anyways, here are some of the wonderful things he’s said:
“KS” (he knew that I have struggled with MDD and sal ideation for a long time. And he even said it himself, “I shouldn’t say that, (my name) would actually do it.” And he didn’t stop after that. He says this as a joke to a lot of scidal people. I never thought he wouldn’t actually care if I did or not, because I never expected such blatant cruelty from anyone.)
“Your mom isn’t that bad.” (I talked about my experiences with abuse with him on multiple occasions. She puts on a smile and is nice to visitors but she has prevented me from going in-patient when I was actively s*cidal amongst other things. He knew that she basically allowed me to strve myself etc. while calling me “ungrateful” and “selfish” when I didn’t perform well enough in school due to the abuse.)
This next one is so clearly awful, that it’s actually funny that he thinks it was okay to say.
“Me and his mom <3” and “I miss your mom’s cooking so much.” (He said this in a group chat full of strangers to me. After I reminded him I was abused by her, he said, “hate the artist not the art.”)
“Get therapy!” (After I told him about my experience with sual trauma. He has some himself, so it’s possible he was triggered. But we had another mutual friend who would talk about that stuff and would talk about s and he never had a problem with it.)
“Ped*phile” (I used to have a crush on him,) (I’m only a year older, so 17-18) he thought this was a funny joke to make in a group chat full of strangers.
“I want your shirt. Take it off” (I said I'm not wearing anything underneath, and he said “I don’t see a problem with that.” That was in public, I barely knew him at that point.)
“I hate you” and many other things along those lines.
“Get a job!” And “be my sugar daddy” (again, in a group chat full of strangers. I couldn’t get a job due to my eczema which was oftentimes a 10 on the pain scale!)
Some of these things, I didn’t have a problem with back then, because I have never been treated well and didn’t have any sense of self-worth. So I never said anything about it and blamed myself for being "oversensitive"
His actions didn’t really ever show love for me, besides public hugs and affection. He would frequently respond to texts dryly and I just kept talking to him because I thought that was just his thing. I really did have a lot of love for him, but I realize now that that was just my desire for him to stop breadcrumbing me.
Much of my life was me viewing bullying and abuse as “they just struggle with showing that they care in healthy ways.” But the bullying would be things like “I bet she sits her wrists” and “you look like you’re on the verge of s*cide.” (While laughing, of course.)
He said it himself, that he was jealous of me and the fact that I was skinny and passed well as a pre-hormone therapy trans guy. We’re both trans. (I don’t know how people in this subreddit feel about that, but please separate your opinions on that from me. Please focus on the fact that we’re all victims of narcissistic abuse.)
I also have an eating disorder like him, and he would say stuff like “it can’t be as bad as mine because you're skinny.” And like… he knows my body image issues have to do with size and he would size up in public and make me feel short and small when he knew I was insecure about that. He made me feel worthless while calling me handsome in public!
While I was friends with him, the second I did anything that offended him or made him feel an “ick” he would be VERY aggressive about asserting his perspective and would not give any leniency to me.
Some of the things I did to give him the “ick” were jokes I made. I'm warning you though it's really weird and probably very out of place for this subreddit 😅
So I would draw things based on dumb memes like Sonic x Pikachu (as a joke, and he knew that it wasn't my idea, he saw the original meme.) I sent him a video once of like worms on a string bondage (it was a satire/skit not graphic/not like corn) when he asked for drawing ideas and he liked the video I sent him, so I drew his character like that and later he cites that as a reason why he avoided me. When he literally acted exactly the same when it happened and kept talking to me as normal. He also didn't like that I took a screenshot of something that was extremely unfortunate. Like on Instagram there's "notes" which is a new feature that shows everyone's notes lined up. And sometimes they end up next to each other in a very unfortunate way. Basically I had posted his dog's name in all caps 4 times, and my friend had posted "I wanna get him pregnant." (Not intentionally.) And you can guess how that went. Like he took that the wrong way but he never said anything and he acted the same way for months! And it wasn't his autism, because I did clarify that it was a joke, and he has literally no reason to believe that because I have always been a very open advocate for victims of SA, women's rights, like I've never once been that type of person. I literally stood up for him so many times because people called him a creep, I've left so many friends bc they bullied others (one friend was even being blamed for r*pe threats!) and he still “believed” that, knowing that.
And to be perfectly clear- this is what he said to me: “I was just icked out, I never thought you actually meant any of it," also "You seem to have calmed down a bit, and now I can enjoy my time with you even more than before!" But at the same time he was like "I avoided you" "I didn't want to be friends with you" and just he didn't give off a "maybe I misunderstood" impression. He gave off a "my way or the highway impression." I don't have the screenshots anymore because I deleted our chat, but I remember having a panic attack and thinking about s**cide afterwards. Whatever he said, he made me feel like such an awful, disgusting person.
He also said he thought I was “on something.” (I kinda was)
I was really medicated at the time, (around a year ago??) My meds made me both extremely tired and impulsive (trazodone and prozac.)
And to top it all off, he constantly said stuff like "I'm not a good person" and like?? Why would you think that's okay unless it's self deprication, unless you are an awful person (as I've realized recently.)
Like whenever he makes an offensive joke, it’s always “It’s just a harmless joke! Don’t be so sensitive” and whenever someone else does, he either ghosts you, avoids you, gives no hint about what you've done, or he treats you like you’re the worst person in the world and he’s giving you God's grace by telling you what you did wrong. He also makes a lot of "I'm a god" "I'm an angel" type jokes. I thought it was sarcasm before but honestly after this?
The kinds of things I would do were heavily influenced by him and our mutual friend group's behavior. I copied what they did because I had little to no social experience due to bullying and isolation. I literally never had friends before I turned 17. Save for maybe one. (Who I also kept at a distance because I was s***dal and didn't want to hurt them when I followed through.)
And back to the most recent thing he did (which gave me a panic attack and landed me in a psych ward)
The way he approached me about the posts about narcissism I made to help him and others was so accusatory and passive aggressive. (This was after the "worst kind of narcissist joke) Then his friend texted the GC saying “(my name) check your dms” so another act of passive aggression. This friend was the main enabler who’s logic honestly makes no sense to me. She’s like, “it’s fine for him to make that joke, it’s not his job to come out about having narcissism if he doesn't want to, blah blah blah, diagnoses are hard to get.” Like genuinely wtf. Dropping the f slur in the closet is not okay just because you're secretly gay. Like don't make jokes about things you're not willing to be out about. Okay and even ignoring that, it's still so fcking offensive even if he is a narcissist because that’s like a pedfile joking about abusing children.
And the fact he just said “oh.” after I told him it was offensive. Not “I suspect I have npd” or “I'm sorry that was insensitive.” His response was so vague, a blatant lack of effort and empathy, and genuinely I don't think someone with NPD who actually is trying to change would do that.
Then his friend started following me! Not as an act of friendliness, as a social threat, clearly, as they’ve already established a pattern of passive aggression.
It was clear, that if I removed her as a follower or blocked her I would be the one that looked bad! The same way it would look if I said “huh, I haven’t gotten any dms from you” after she said “hey (my name), check your dms” bc I could have deleted it in requests. Then she could say I was a liar. I was starting to get triggered the second she began blindly defending and making excuses for (narcissist) in the groupchat.
She then began to stalk my story, and when she got to the post about how I wouldn’t be able to go to the convention with them (I didn’t say it, but I was so triggered that I was planning on going to the psych ward!) she sent me the skull and crossbones emoji, which, if you're older, is a laughing emoji to this generation. (Meaning dead from laughter.)
Because of the timing of the follow, I know that (narcissist) has been talking shit. Also because they’re best friends and that's what they do. So I know for a fact now, that his last text “right okay,” was sarcasm. And I block all of them.
One of our mutual friends, who I will call (Redacted) was someone I used to talk to almost daily! (Redacted) unfollows me on tiktok, so I block them too.
I block most associated with the group chat, because as far as I know they don't care about me, they've never texted me or spoken to me before, and they’ve almost always ignored my texts to the group chat anyways. They’re also (narcissist)’s friends, and never stood up for me when it came to his behavior in the GC, and were for the most part silent and praising of him.
Like, genuinely, I'm pretty sure (redacted) saw my private posts about my “I feel so unsafe, I want to die, I want to die.” And they still valued whatever (narcissist) said over me. All that talk about “Ily pooks” and shit was a lie.
For additional context (I know this is getting really long, I'm sorry, I just don’t want to leave any room for people victim-blaming me.)
I also struggle with depression-linked psychosis. Something I also fear he will use against me if I ever come out about his treatment of me publicly (but here we are.) My diagnosis doesn’t necessarily include "breaks from reality" and "not being able to tell what's real and what's not." Psychosis occurs in varying intensities. For me, it's mostly depressive hallucinations and I can tell that they aren't real. Many of my hallucinations are auditory and I have never allowed that to impact the way I viewed or treated others in real life, even if they said horrible things to me. They cause me anxiety but it is manageable for me.
It was steadily getting better for me before they decided to do this shit to me! Now I'm worse off than before, hallucinating daily, while he’s living the life of his dreams, and getting famous online.
He refuses to take accountability and that is a form of manipulation. It works for him. To act stupid and act like he can't empathize. He does it whenever he makes a mistake. He starts nitpicking someone else's behavior no matter the impact it has on others. My issue with them is not just what they did, it’s the fact that they want to socially threaten others into doing their bidding. Like, they didn’t have to bring the group chat into it. They didn’t have to be passive aggressive. They didn’t have to be so accusatory and it doesn’t matter if they have trust issues because honestly they were being a massive dick to someone who was always on their side from day one. (Not anymore!)
What happened to him was “I feel insecure because I think he’s calling me stupid.” So he basically called me an asshole, told me I was being rude, etc. etc. What happened to me though? I attempted twice. I don’t handle gaslighting well. That’s how I was abused. And I’m sick of people telling me it’s not his fault for taking advantage of my lack of self-worth, for taking advantage of someone who he knew to be vulnerable. I’m sick of hearing that I just need to “get therapy” and that I'm “equally as bad” or even that “I'm being overdramatic” etc. They made me relive my trauma from bullying to the point where I was hallucinating almost all-day every day, about them bullying me in the same ways I was bullied back then. I would constantly hear their voices making fun of me, bullying me, etc., or them planning to pull up at my house and attempt vandalism (another trauma that I have.) I have not stopped hallucinating him and his friends to this day. This impacts my ability to eat, sleep, and work. It’s literally torture. And I can hear him right now, saying “well, that's not my fault.” Like yes it is. Believe it or not you’re not entitled to treating your (ex) friends like shit just because you have NPD.
The really bad hallucinations started after everything was over. They don't impact my ability to recall events because again most of my hallucinations are auditory.
Honestly I'm just sick of this crap. If you made it this far, I really appreciate the time you’ve spent reading this.
I'm really tired of the victim blaming honestly

So, in the last couple of months I've been in a safe enough space to begin healing from some of my past trauma and building my self esteem and self-love as a neurodivergent person. Honestly, it's been some of the most peaceful months of my life, but there have been, as I expected, moments when some events from my past and my childhood would resurface. I just remembered something that happened when I was around 12, so I wanted to share, because even though it's something that hurt me, there's a voice in my head that's telling me it's not that big a deal. So I'm hoping to get some outside perspective.
So basically, my class was preparing some sort of play. A few of us were chosen to act in a skit. However we weren't given a script, we were told to improvise. I cannot improvise at all, I've never been able to. I also always have bad social anxiety. Regardless, we all had to do it. When it was my turn to say something during the first rehearsal, I froze and just stood there awkwardly. It happened every time we rehearsed. And when it happened the teacher would turn it into a learning experience for others. While I stood there on the edge of tears, other kids would discuss my behaviour and why this would happen. Eventually, the teacher saw that I couldn't participate in the skit, so she gave me a different role - to help backstage. I was the only person who did this. My teacher had a rule where everyone had to participate, so I guess she had to find me something to do. While everyone was performing on stage and showing off their talents, I was delegated to carrying chairs. I ended up not showing up to the play at all. Figured they wouldn't miss me.
I don't know how it's affected me honestly. I didn't even remember it until just now, but the moment I did, the whole memory really started hurting. Everyone acted like it wasn't a big deal back then, so I believed it too, but now I can't help but feel like I was treated unfairly. Instead of giving me a chance or helping me find a way to participate, I was put on a spotlight in my scariest moment to be scrutinized by others and then cast aside.
If you have any opinions or advice, I'd love to hear it. But please don't be mean 🙏😭

Will be dropping the name somewhere sa gitna ng post. Pero recently my friend saw a hiring from her previous work. Isang SG Law firm ito. Pero nawala din yung hiring post. Probably meron na siyang nakitang for interview na potential candidate. Sorry kung super haba but I want to want people na hindi worth it yung sweldo kung sobrang bulok ng management and parang hindi ka tao itrato.
I really don't know where to start kasi sobrang redflag ng firm na ito and even though hindi ako ang directly nag work for this firm, I saw first hand kung anong nangyayari sa firm. From internal problems sa firm hanggang sa kind ng service na na pprovide nila sa mga clients bagsak na bagsak.
Simulan ko siguro dito...MICROMANAGER ANG LAWYER (MAY ARI NG FIRM). He constantly reiterates na he's not a micromanager and he doesnt like to meddle in the work of his people. Boy you're in for a pleasant surprise. Micromanager na napaka OC. Sa sobrang pagka micro manager niya, bubusisiin niya pati message na issend mo sa client. "We'll get back to you soonest" sabihin mo sa client, he will call you out and say "we dont say soonest. We say 2-3 days." Tapos only authorized to stick to the "script" ng auto replies sa clients, do not deviate daw. (so kahit hindi appropriate hanap ka nalang ng close) And then when you do send that holding message to the client he will say "Use your brain and think if it's appropriate"
Delayed sweldo. Ang sabi papasweldo tuwing katapusan, you'd have to follow up pa sa kanya para mag pa sweldo siya. Tapos magagalit siya na nag follow up ka. next time no need to follow up daw. Pero same pa din sa susunod na month delayed pa din and mahihiya ka mag follow up.
If I remember correctly, my friends said he only started hiring PH remote paralegals last october 2023, 4 initial hires and by january parang 5 or 6 na sila daw. Ung isang kasamahan nila, bigla nalang daw inalisan ng access sa outlook and sa dropbox without even saying anything sa tao na yun. Tapos nung kinausap bakit walang access, ang sabi matigas daw ang ulo kaya tatanggalin na siya.
He isn't just a micromanager, bully din siya. Ilang beses ko nakita umiyak ung friend ko sa sobrang pagka frustrated dahil pag sumunod ka (which mali mali naman ang utos kaya ang pangit ng firm) tapos pangit outcome galit sayo. And pag d ka sumunod and ginawa mo ung tama kahit ok outcome galit pa din sayo kasi hindi ka sumunod. Ang hirap lumugar. Sobrang trauma na ung friend ko bago mag message sa client mag tatanong pa muna saming barkada if tingin ba namin appropriate ung issend niya tapos sobra anxiety niya everyday kasi baka bigla siyang icall out. Nakakaawa mga tao don. Even their on site staff nakakaawa. That's just scratching the surface. Sobrang daming BS sa Tembusu Law na yan. Jonathan Wong ang poster sa OLJ.
As to the services they provide sa clients, Una sa lahat, bulok ang services nila. Sa sobrang sabog nila they miss deadlines and meetings and court hearings and then proceed to blame the paralegals who didnt "remind" or put the hearing dates on the calendar. When in fact these paralegals don't even have access to those dates. Kung saan makikita or mahahanap. How the hell will they know diba. Bukod dyan, I remember one story about a client na nag terminate ng service nila. Crim client daw ito and may investigation ata na naka sched na kailangan humarap sa police ng client. Sa sobrang sabog ng firm d nila alam ano uunahin so the weren't able to prep the client for that scheduled thingy. You know what the lawyer said? "Fake an illness get a certificate" para daw ma excuse and siguro ma resched. Nagalit ung nanay nung client anong klaseng advice daw yun.
Bukod diyan, since ang gulo nga internally, the don't respond to clients. They usa whatsapp and have GCs with the clients, it takes them days - weeks to respond to a simple yes or no questions. Pag nagalit ang client ang sisi nasa paralegals bakit hindi nag ssend ng "auto messages".
The pay sa OLJ na nakalay is 35k-45k, pero they're only actually offering 20,000 pesos lang as compensation sa Advertised rate sa OLJ is 35k-65k pesos. Scammer tlga. May inalis ata sila eh tapos papalitan kasi para mas mababa ang ipapasahod kaya ata nag hahanap.
Also found out he'll be interviewing someone tonight. Good luck sayo. Mag isip ka maigi and wag magpadala sa narcissist na yan.

Will be dropping the name somewhere sa gitna ng post. Pero recently my friend saw a hiring from her previous work. Isang SG Law firm ito. Pero nawala din yung hiring post. Probably meron na siyang nakitang for interview na potential candidate. Sorry kung super haba but I want to want people na hindi worth it yung sweldo kung sobrang bulok ng management and parang hindi ka tao itrato.
I really don't know where to start kasi sobrang redflag ng firm na ito and even though hindi ako ang directly nag work for this firm, I saw first hand kung anong nangyayari sa firm. From internal problems sa firm hanggang sa kind ng service na na pprovide nila sa mga clients bagsak na bagsak.
Simulan ko siguro dito...MICROMANAGER ANG LAWYER (MAY ARI NG FIRM). He constantly reiterates na he's not a micromanager and he doesnt like to meddle in the work of his people. Boy you're in for a pleasant surprise. Micromanager na napaka OC. Sa sobrang pagka micro manager niya, bubusisiin niya pati message na issend mo sa client. "We'll get back to you soonest" sabihin mo sa client, he will call you out and say "we dont say soonest. We say 2-3 days." Tapos only authorized to stick to the "script" ng auto replies sa clients, do not deviate daw. (so kahit hindi appropriate hanap ka nalang ng close) And then when you do send that holding message to the client he will say "Use your brain and think if it's appropriate"
Delayed sweldo. Ang sabi papasweldo tuwing katapusan, you'd have to follow up pa sa kanya para mag pa sweldo siya. Tapos magagalit siya na nag follow up ka. next time no need to follow up daw. Pero same pa din sa susunod na month delayed pa din and mahihiya ka mag follow up.
If I remember correctly, my friends said he only started hiring PH remote paralegals last october 2023, 4 initial hires and by january parang 5 or 6 na sila daw. Ung isang kasamahan nila, bigla nalang daw inalisan ng access sa outlook and sa dropbox without even saying anything sa tao na yun. Tapos nung kinausap bakit walang access, ang sabi matigas daw ang ulo kaya tatanggalin na siya.
He isn't just a micromanager, bully din siya. Ilang beses ko nakita umiyak ung friend ko sa sobrang pagka frustrated dahil pag sumunod ka (which mali mali naman ang utos kaya ang pangit ng firm) tapos pangit outcome galit sayo. And pag d ka sumunod and ginawa mo ung tama kahit ok outcome galit pa din sayo kasi hindi ka sumunod. Ang hirap lumugar. Sobrang trauma na ung friend ko bago mag message sa client mag tatanong pa muna saming barkada if tingin ba namin appropriate ung issend niya tapos sobra anxiety niya everyday kasi baka bigla siyang icall out. Nakakaawa mga tao don. Even their on site staff nakakaawa. That's just scratching the surface. Sobrang daming BS sa Tembusu Law na yan. Jonathan Wong ang poster sa OLJ.
As to the services they provide sa clients, Una sa lahat, bulok ang services nila. Sa sobrang sabog nila they miss deadlines and meetings and court hearings and then proceed to blame the paralegals who didnt "remind" or put the hearing dates on the calendar. When in fact these paralegals don't even have access to those dates. Kung saan makikita or mahahanap. How the hell will they know diba. Bukod dyan, I remember one story about a client na nag terminate ng service nila. Crim client daw ito and may investigation ata na naka sched na kailangan humarap sa police ng client. Sa sobrang sabog ng firm d nila alam ano uunahin so the weren't able to prep the client for that scheduled thingy. You know what the lawyer said? "Fake an illness get a certificate" para daw ma excuse and siguro ma resched. Nagalit ung nanay nung client anong klaseng advice daw yun.
Bukod diyan, since ang gulo nga internally, the don't respond to clients. They usa whatsapp and have GCs with the clients, it takes them days - weeks to respond to a simple yes or no questions. Pag nagalit ang client ang sisi nasa paralegals bakit hindi nag ssend ng "auto messages".
The pay sa OLJ na nakalay is 35k-5k, pero they're only actually offering 20,000 pesos lang as compensation. Scammer tlga. May inalis ata sila eh tapos papalitan kasi para mas mababa ang ipapasahod kaya ata nag hahanap.
Also found out he'll be interviewing someone tonight. Good luck sayo. Mag isip ka maigi and wag magpadala sa narcissist na yan.

If u think about it....jerma is essentially what u would call a tv or radio personality....or in this case a media personality on twitch. people tune in to listen to them talk and their dialogue and the interesting things they have to say, what they actually do is not of any particular importance,its just gives them some content to talk about or serve as an inspiration while they are doing it..... although it does contribute to the entertainment at the same time.
I'm pretty sure more than anything jerma enjoys being a personality..the greatest proof being some of the skits he put up, the elbertson family dinner for one thing,I'm pretty sure that's his real family, they have to be extremely familiar with one another to behave like that with each other for an hour and no way someone could have scripted a dinner conversation like that and even the best actors in the world could adlibbed such a scene.....u could tell right away something was fake or off,u can tell when some people are pretending to be someone they are not, Like the skit where people auditioned to be jerma.....u can tell it's a fake made up persona instantly...people just aren't creative enough to craft an entire persona and how they would act or think instinctively with great nuance it would take months of writing and carefully crafting and great imagination like Hannibal lecter from Westworld and hundreds of takes to act out hundreds of scenes that make up a one hour long dinner...and even then the movie persona is a part of the actors personality,Anthony Hopkins in Westworld can only act out roles that is like him or suits him. It's insane to think that u can get a bunch of random people to pretend to be ur family members without a script for an hour on such levels of familiarity and insanity yet so normal. It's crazy to think about it but that was probably his real family and brothers...but in some high level meta chess game he's pretending it's not But the most importing was that was one of the most insane comedy gold ever,
Being a personality ..is not just something they have done for nearly all their adult lives and it's part of who they are being entertainers to give it up is mind boggling it would literally be giving up their identities....like Cedric the entertainer or Dave Chappelle or that guy on family feud whose been clinging on to television since forever
There are many personalities that had incredibly long careers,for example David letterman has been hosting late night for nearly 35 years, bob parker the price is right also for 35 years,or Howard Stern also had a 4 decade long career and is still going,even people like Alex Jones has been on air since the 2000s..I used to be obsessed with Howard Stern and jon steward back in the late 2000s and early 2010s and binge watch or listen to years of episodes..the fact is people tune in to watch or listen to these people because they are entertaining personalities.
There is nothing stopping jerma from having a career as long as that, especially when considering he is still in his prime and peak of popularity,its not like he's dragging and beating a dead horse for years like dsp.
I'm sure jerma enjoys being a personality and would easily do it for decades given the appropriate format and also maybe audience.
I mean why would he quit jerma 985?I'm pretty sure part of it could be he's been doing this for so long....and a huge part of it is his audience, If it wasn't for the fact that most of the audience he attracts the last few years are young,and getting younger,but as a man approaching forty, no matter how young and childish jerma acts sometimes which is part of his appeal to the younger kids and connects him to them,there is alienation and disconnect not only generational and cultural difference but young people talk very differently,like very young people,and think and act very differently,while jerma is just an tired old man and old soul inside..as old as asmongold exterior already looks...I don't envy him imagine being an old man already in ur late twenties or thirties and having to deal with a bunch of teens and early mid twenties in chat, not to mention the generational conflict in thinking and styles of logic not saying jerma is the eptiome of logic but he is an example of a thirty something year old male.interacting with such a chat and a certain level of toxicity for years on end can wear u down psychologically and mentally.
If he had the right platform and format of content and maybe a slightly different audience, slightly older and more matured like jon steward tonight show or Howard Stern back in the 2000s maybe jerma could have chugged on for a while more.

Link to original Twitter thread and script of the video
"I was in a class setting recently at the teacher wanted to share a YouTube Video with the class. The sidebar was filled with harmless, but slightly embarrassing related videos. I just kept thinking about how awkward and funny that was.
I was talking to the other boys about how I wanted to make a really dry skit, kinda inspired by Safdie Brothers movies. I just kept talking about how the sidebar should be filled with really incriminating stuff and Rocco blurted out "Yeah, like how to fuck dogs" I died laughing.
I originally wrote this thinking it would be for me and Shawn, but Shawn said Garrett should take the role. Plus Garret had a dog, so if he was willing to bring the Dog in, he'd be the best actor to work with the little buddy.
Originally the sidebar was filled with a bunch of weird political crap, but when it came time to make the thumbnails (I made them on Canva) I just used the basic template thumbnails they recommended. Seemed like generic videos ALL about dogs would be way funnier.
When we were editing this, I put most of the video together. But originally the opening video Garret shares was silent. Rocco said we should add clown music and "BOINK" sounds... which was a good call. made the whole opening way weirder and a LOT funnier.
The confrontation in the office was filmed with 2 cameras, and me and Garrett acted through the scene in 1 go. We wanted it to be as natural and awkward as possible, so we just ran the scene and filmed both actors at the same time. Took about 4 takes to get it right.
Johnny was behind the camera for the coffee pot scene. He REALLY wanted me to put my head against the door like Jack Torrance in the shining. I'm glad he did cause that scene was a lot longer, and we ended up needing to cut to an alternate shot to make it go faster.
I ended up creating an entire fake YouTube page for the opening "Funny Video" including fake info and a fake pinned top comment. These sections tell the story of a Youtuber who got dumped days after his parent died. He went to a convention and had a "Level 17" coronary event.
While editing, I cut a few jokes out to make the conversation go by as fast as possible. I was really nervous what the reaction would be to this video, but people seem to like it so that's great! Glad people like the new video!!"

Recommended watch: Liquid vs Secret game 1

Meta

https://preview.redd.it/ru0v1scdon0d1.png?width=500&format=png&auto=webp&s=97c679c35818a7c74b9bbc31a3c0ae13c1d2e182
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Data source: datdota.com

2-2

Boom vs Shopify Rebellion

Boom: 0-2 vs XG, 2-0 vs Heroic, 2-1 vs Secret, 1-2 vs GG
SR: 0-2 vs BB, 2-1 vs VP, 2-0 vs Liquid, 0-2 vs Aurora
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Boom were in a downward spiral post-laning stage. After back-to-back fights where the Morph was caught in a Static Storm and killed (the first time was almost griefing when he was agi shifting), Shopify barreled down mid and continued their aggression. SR fearlessly dove their enemies past tier 3s. Boom no longer wanted to be part of the game after 27 minutes. SR with the convincing opener. SR 1-0 Boom.
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The Bristleback became too much of a problem for Shopify. Boom's cores had considerable damage over time so SR needed short fights but there simply was no bursting the tanky cores on Boom with an Io backing them up. A lot relied on the Black Hole of Saberlight but a game-altering opportunity was never presented to Enigma. The final high-ground siege came with a Refresher on Brewmaster who bullied his opponents. The Dire couldn't even get close and even if they did, Kunkka's Water Park was too much of a nuisance. The Dire had to use their BKBs to run away. The Weaver with his BKB on cooldown got decimated in the aftermath. Enigma had to buyback and he forced a desperate Black Hole with no spell immunity which lasted less than a second. It was all Boom at the latter stages and they did a brilliant job forcing a game 3. Boom 1-1 SR.
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The two sides were fairly even early on but the lack of any impactful Chronos as the game progressed meant Boom had an easier time taking over. This is not an attack on Artour but that was a very lacklustre performance in an elimination game. Boom grew in confidence as the game got late (which shouldn't be the case against a Void). Boom had no trouble controlling and destroying the Void in fights. The final nail in the coffin came in the 40th minute. Void and his 2 supports get a kill on a solo Hoodwink. Void carelessly sticks around in the mid lane. Gets caught by a Grip. Dies for 90s with no buyback. On his respawn, the game is over. As a result of this loss, NA will be the only region not present in the playoffs and Boom will be the flagbearers of South America. Congrats to Boom. Boom 2-1 SR.

G2.iG vs BetBoom

G2.iG: 0-2 vs Liquid, 1-2 vs Secret, 2-1 vs AR, 2-0 vs Nouns
BB: 2-0 vs SR, 0-2 vs Aurora, 2-0 vs Mouz, 0-2 vs Spirit
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BetBoom were trying their best to make things happen around the map early on but iG were reacting accordingly and made sure the opposition didn't get much. As the match progressed, iG's grip on the game only became tighter. The Chinese greedy strat of the pos 4 becoming a core was in full effect. Boboka's Clinkz was phenomenal. He ended with a higher networth than Brew & Timber. The Bone Fletcher provided great scouting for his team and was an incredible source of damage during the fights. Along with Luna's toolkit and Slardar's control + minus armor, BB dropped like flies in the fights. It got one-sided real quick and the Eastern Europeans had no way back into contention. G2.iG 1-0 BB.
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The scripts were flipped for the second game. This time, it was BetBoom's turn to give a drubbing. G2.iG were spanked in the lanes. Boboka looked like he was trying to end global hunger with the way he was feeding in the laning stage. BetBoom snowballed and G2.iG got trampled on. We go to game 3. BB 1-1 G2.iG.
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The Slap Fighting Championship continues and it's G2.iG's turn to slap. BetBoom couldn't really get anything going. During the fights, they had to commit so much to take down 1 core target. TA became such a monster that even Sven didn't want to trade hits with her. The Zeus paired with the TA Traps gave great vision which complemented the long-range disables the supports of G2.iG had. Shoutout to xNova for the spectacular display on Disruptor. 0 deaths! A rushed blink dagger meant BetBoom had to be extra careful with their positioning. He gave his opponents hell with his Glimpse plays and gave his team an easy victory. After finishing 2nd in Birmingham, BetBoom continue to show their inconsistent end product and will bow out in the groups. As for G2.iG, after losing their first 2 series to start the tournament, they have woken up, won 3 straight series, and will be the second Chinese team to play in the playoffs. Congrats to them. G2.iG 2-1 BB.

Liquid vs Secret

Liquid: 2-0 vs G2.iG, 0-2 vs XG, 0-2 vs SR, 2-0 vs Mouz
Secret: 0-2 vs GG, 2-1 vs G2.iG, 1-2 vs Boom, 2-1 vs VP
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Secret looked like they were going to run away with the game. They had a great lead and a Sniper who looked untouchable with an Io backing him up. But Liquid had other plans. An Aegis siege for Secret at the 40th minute would be the beginning of their downfall. The Sniper's first life was the first casualty and chaos would ensue. Micke was incredible in weaving in and out of the fight while dishing out extreme damage to take out the opposition. DK would end up as the lone survivor for Secret as Liquid had a successful defense with no buildings lost. Secret's undoing continued in the Rosh pit. Secret were taking out Roshan but they only finished him once he was already in front of the twin gates. A brave 33 who went through the twin gates got rewarded as his Water Park secured him the Aegis. Secret would get decimated in the ensuing fight with only Engima surviving. Secret would continue to crumble. They could not offer the same high-ground defense as their opponents. Bane and Batrider were able to secure valuable targets before a defense could even be done. A lot was on the shoulders of Enigma's Black Hole but Insania understood the assignment. The Grip was patiently used to cancel Enigma's ult and dash any hopes Secret had. Liquid pulled off another incredible comeback. Liquid 1-0 Secret.
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The second game had a completely different script from the first. Secret were the ones who did the chasing but this time around, there was no catching up. Liquid accrued an insurmountable advantage. Secret did show a lot of fight despite the hole they were in but they had zero answers for Nisha's Timbersaw. Rizzrack was beyond dominant. He was completely untouched for the second half of the game and it all became too much for Secret in the end. Nisha takes his team to the next round. Liquid 2-0 Secret.

It comes with a spoonful of distrust for the self.. when you attempt to seek relation and comfort from others, even when that thing comes from a "negative" place.. and when i use the word negative I don't mean bad, I mean negative in the way a battery has a positive and negative side, there always needs to be a place for both sides of things
In the pursuit of being understood, trying to "improve" things for people, trying to spread joy and happiness by fixing as big and unattainable problem and solution that is possible, thereby forcing myself into a state of perpetual procrastination, the pain of meaning well, and hurting others in the path to try and heal people.. it does not feel good yet it seems people think I get joy out of it
I realize.. when people misunderstand me, misunderstand my rants or even on the fly statements, on the internet or real life.. if I start using more words, and more complex or abstract words it does NOT make you easier to understand.. it makes it harder for people sometimes.. being louder and more passionate and more detailed.. these things can be nuanced and just cause more problems, people just default to seeing rage, and associate rage with stupidity, which is understandable yet undesirable
People cannot read my mind, they do not know I assume they know what I know, i assume all people are intelligent to a degree, that I do not hate or discriminate any kind of person, they see my rage and assume I hate everyone and everything, where it is the complete opposite.. people cannot read my mind, they don't know I think highly of strangers and consider anyone I talk to a "friend", I speak too freely and get myself in trouble, I panic and defend myself sometimes, Ironically people saying normal statements come across as an attack to me.. i don't ever purposefully participate in hypocrisy
and god forbid, like me, you attempt to do all these things at once, having a loud passionate rant, using unnecessary words and complex theories to try and explain a simple feeling, accidently being a hypocrite, all while spewing a paragraph to a complete stranger, and despite wanting to express it, I do not relate to or seem to understand certain feelings or simple straight forward feelings, things either work, or they don't, and when something says "I work, I work like this" and then it doesn't work.. its a spiral
Even in the past, conversations and disputes, "losing" debates where I was objectively correct, and I mean socially losing because I accidently used an insult too soon, or showed I was angry, and by insulting someone I declare a loss? because I shake when I upset I lose? I'm not discussing bullying right now, but it will always exist because it is apart of the social game. Even I have bullied in an attempt to be like others.
its like the pain of having a wifi connection that -kinda- works, and the 'movie' freezes.. but you keep trying.. wait to buffer.. freeze again etc..
yet if there is no wifi.. a book or a painting is an easy task. at least for me personally..
I have been criticized and taunted and bullied into following rules my whole life any time i am different, yet when I try and get others, be like others, in this system, like people who make and accept the rules, it makes me wish they would to do as they do and not just as they say, its like I am the crazy one no matter which way I function, whether that be with or against the current
Government and bureaucracy (I hate spelling that word T_T ) ... easy to criticize these concepts as they function in reality, but on paper, if things really work both ways in the sense that between entity and individual things are always fair and spoken for, then life in this "Late neo capitalist nightmare", even communism on paper works, or would work or could be better.. I dunno, maybe it is just human error.. or maybe nature has a way
I find it hard to accept that "things do be how they are"
I don't think "regular capitalism" is bad per say, ex; two people make chairs, one person makes higher quality chairs, and one person makes lower quality chairs, they compete in prices and quality, contention is natural, and its good for the consumer to have choices, there is a reason competing brands are often across the road from one another, not across town. (think fast food chains all huddled up) its not a coincidence (can look up the ice cream stall on the beach dilemma for similar phenomena)
Advertisement.. truly one of the poisons that is connected to every issue I swear I have ever complained about..
Anyway, despite appearances, and my past, or my future, i don't actually smoke meth or and amphetes.. I do have a heavy past with EVERY drug. I have travelled many places, been many people, lived amongst many subcultures, from farm to city, analog to digital, I've done a lot, but I don't party or do drugs anymore, I live with my partner and build my life alone, a ways away from strangers theses days
I honestly thought -everyone- did things to the same extreme degree I have, everyone had extreme views, extreme trauma, and extreme attitudes they were just masking, but maybe I am just a little extreme at times.. sex workers.. drugs.. parties.. fast cars.. i thought that shit was NORMAL.. I don't know what normal is.. imitating others lead to a wild life
I am NOT mentally ill... I'm just Autistic.. I don't think that means I "need" to see a therapist anymore.. already done that. Everytime I am frustrated by something that is objectively and subjectively frustrating.. and well it is frustrating, years ago I was mis-diagnosed with BPD, it ruined my life and only added to my "meth head" behavior, I done healed my brain, I done my rounds in therapy and with doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and meds, been in and out of mental wards, arrested, convicted, you name it, I've done it. doesn't mean I'm proud of it just because I am proud of who I am now
I do not want to brag. or be a victim. or come across as a crazy. none of this is for attention, i actively hide from attention, I literally cannot avoid it, but I also still have thoughts worth sharing, all people do
I just want to share my thoughts and experiences in a passionate and honest way, to help others, I know people like me are out there.. not even just people who are like me, but anyone and literally everyone.. so sick of groups that "accept everyone" when they reaally mean "Accept everyone who is exactly like us".. social scripts and other forms of what I call "Toxic Positivity" which to me, is worse than just being toxic half the time
it doesn't bother me if no one ever reads this, or anything I write, I have novels of notes I don't know what to do with, either way, I appreciate you, I appreciate your time, even if you are here just to read the rants of a crazy, then well.. I love you for simply existing.
I know you are out there, and everything.. -something- just doesn't feel "right", you know?

I can understand that people dislike the show, I mean, it's okay not to like it if the narrative doesn't appeal you, it's so easy to just not watching it. However, I will never understand the active hate thrown not only to the show but also to the cast. The actors are not responsible of the flaws of the script and they work with what it's given to them. And I feel bad for them, because after all, they are working in the show with enthusiasm and illusion to deliver from their side, and yet, they keep being trashed and even bullied online by a ruthless "fandom" that somehow do not find anything positive in the show.
Why that joy in trying to humiliate everything involved in the series?

A friend of mine started playing Fates for the first time, so once again I got bitten by the “complaining about Fates” bug. In particular, watching chapter 18 of Conquest again after so many years really got me going, and while the general consensus I’ve seen online about this chapters writing was negative, I wasn’t that satisfied by any of the overviews of it I read. I decided to give it a shot myself.
Dissecting why something doesn’t work is fun and all, but I think it’s also important to be constructive which is why I wanted to rewrite this chapter alongside my criticisms. I really do think there’s a lot of potential here that could have been the highlight of the entire story, and so I’d love to try my hand rewriting this chapter to be what it could have been rather than what we got. I have most of it done already, but Reddit only has so many characters before it cuts you off and this post is plenty long enough as is, so I’ll save that for another part coming up soon. This will be part 1, explaining what the chapter is and elaborating on my issues with it, while part 2 will be rewriting it along with my thought process and explanations.
Recap: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Black_%26_White/Script
Corrin and Co are traveling when they decide to rest for the night at the nation of Izumo. They are greeted by Izana, the archduke of the kingdom, who seems to be a real goofball. After introducing himself, the levity is ended when it’s revealed the entire Hoshidan family has been invited here as well! Before any swords can be undrawn, Izana tells both parties that the kingdom has a strict neutrality pact neither of them can violate.
The scene cuts to later, where Ryoma enters Corrin and Xanders room to talk with them. Xander and Ryoma’s argument is cut short when Ryoma is dragged off by Nohrians. Turns out “Izana” is actually a Nohrian mage named Zola, who disguised himself to trick the Hoshidan royal family into a trap. Corrin and Xander don’t approve of such dishonorable methods to win, however, and fight to rescue their captives with Xander saying “we’ll win this war with honor or die trying”. After Leo kills Zola, the game cuts to later where we see Nohrians and Hoshidans alike having a meal, much to the delight of the real Izuma, who turns out is exactly as bizarre as the fake impression. Xander and Ryoma confirm with eachother that their fight will continue as usual, but Corrin states that no matter what happens they’re grateful they got to see both families eating together even if it’s not under the best circumstances, and the chapter ends with them saying they’ll revel in this feeling.
So on paper, I think this chapter is a great idea. Despite being at war, when one family is at the total mercy of the other, they lend a hand instead of kicking them while they’re down. This highlights how the two nations could accomplish so much together if only they weren’t at war with eachother. If utilized well, this could have been a great “eye of the tornado scene” emphasizing how tragic it is that these two families who share so much in common are forced by fate to fight eachother, making it all the more sorrowful when that’s brought to it’s conclusion through bloodshed. This would also encourage Conquest players to buy Birthright in a natural and subtle way as well now that they’ve had a nice sample of the other side. Of course, I don’t think this chapter was utilized well, and after reading the script again I believe it boils down to three major problems.
-Problem 1: The Lack of Worldbuilding Causes the Conflict to be Driven by Contrivances.
This is one of the many instances where the lack of fleshing out the world and it’s rules out really hampers the weight of the scenes. Unlike Awakening where there was a general cause-and-effect outlining the level structure, all of the Fates routes are much more individual and self-contained when it comes to chapters. This means the game has to really stretch itself to justify this elaborate setup being brought up and solved in one single chapter of regular length, and it’s very apparent when you write out the summary of events here.
Corrin and his army are just walking by when they happen upon the capital of the country. Corrin decides this would be a great place to rest for the night at and are instantly welcomed by its leader, who is also the only person in the game of that country. The entire Hoshidan family also just happen to bump into us because they coincidently came here at roughly the same time, with somehow neither party noticing the other until they were staring at eachother in the same room.
The only thing we know about this new nation we’ve never seen or heard about before is that it’s a peace-loving land with some sort of neutrality pact which means the two nations can’t fight here. What is the importance of this place that would entice all the Hoshidan royals to come over for a banquet in the middle of their country being invaded? Never explained. What exactly is this pact and what power does Izuno have to enforce it, if any? Never explained. Xander, prince of a nation at war and frontline general, has never heard of it. How does Garon or Iago never figure out or look into what happened here, considering the royals walked through their trap unharmed and everybody in charge of the trap vanished? Never brought up.
How many times here was this supposedly major event dependent on coincidences, seemingly important details left completely unexplained, and characters not knowing things that should be basic information of the world they live in? Things like all this quickly build up and make the world feel small scale and artificial, as if nothing truly exists until it’s in the peripheral vision of main characters. In a vacuum, this could all be excusable if the main meat of the chapter was just so dense and important that they just want a convenient excuse to delve into it. But about that…
-Problem 2: Nothing happens, either character-wise or plot-wise.
This is the only scene in both Birthright and Conquest where all eight of the royal families are together in one spot, and they’re unable to fight eachother. What a brilliant idea! How many great scenes could you come up with from this setup alone? How many directions could this move towards?

-The families bonding over their memories with Corrin (X)
-Calling eachother out for uncool actions, like Ryoma refusing to help Elise or Nohr siccing monsters on farming villages (X)
-Working together to defeat some threat they’d have trouble taking down on their own (X)
-Some cultural exchange (X)
-Some melancholy scene where, even if there’s a lot of resentment, they acknowledge how this may be the last time they ever get to have a meal with Corrin. (Somewhat?)
-Corrin sits down and has a mature conversation with his birth family elaborating on their choice to stay with Nohr (X)
-Some negotiation or debate between the two families about the future of their countries relationship, successful or not (X)
-Corrin being formally declared by the Hoshidan royals as a Nohrian, officially cutting them out of the family (X)

So what does Conquest do with this prompt? It does the unexpected route where all of them but Ryoma are shuffled out as soon as they’re introduced, captured offscreen, rescued offscreen, most of their dinner is offscreen, finishing their meal and leaving is offscreen, all of them sans Ryoma have barely any dialog, and none of them are even present in any of the CG’s.
We actually start off strong, Ryoma and Xander naturally puff out their chest and don’t get along when they’re in the same room, but seem to calm down when Corrin elaborates on how similar they are to eachother. But the game is so eager to get to fighting that it drags Ryoma away kicking and screaming before he even gets to share what he had to say to Corrin, let alone explore what having common ground means to the two of them.
1) I understand this is the Nohrian route so it makes sense the focus is mostly on them, but Takumi only gets three lines here, one of which is “…” Hinoka also only gets three lines, which I think is still more than she got in Birthright, and two of those lines are “You!” and “What are you doing here?”. Sakura lucks out as she’s the only sibling on either side who has anything to say whatsoever when Corrin says they’re grateful they could share another meal with the Hoshidans. That’s a start, but the fact remains Ryoma is the only sibling in the chapter whose remotely relevant, the rest could be omitted and nothing would change. They are only here to be damsels in distress heightening the stakes of defeating the local bad guy rather than providing any character development, checking up on how they are doing without Corrin and Azura, comparing and contrasting their differences between their counterparts, sharing any new information about them, foreshadowing Takumi’s possession, any notable interactions with their counterparts, etc. But no, nothing happens.
2) I also understand this is a video game and they don’t have all the time in the world before the next fight has to happen, yet Conquest is oddly completely uninterested in it’s own set-up. Zola, a minor chapter boss introduced and killed in this chapter, has more screentime and relevance here than any of the siblings, something you’d think would be the actual meat of the chapter they’d want to delve into.
The implications and weight of two dueling nations and families obligated to pause their fighting and dine with eachother could easily take up two or even three chapters as a pivotal arc, yet it’s completely blazed through as if the game considered it a cute novelty rather than a potential life-changing or history-changing moment. Simply put, it’s wasted potential, as if to say “Oh both of the two families meeting in a game about choosing between mutually exclusive families? Eh whatever.”
I wanna stick with just this chapter and not rewrite a good chunk of the entire story, but I can’t stress enough that in any other game this chapter would be the plot-defining moment paving the new way forward rather than chapter 15’s “we’ll expose Garon as a monster by helping him invade an innocent people.”
Neither of the two families are fighting because they outright want to, this isn’t a war about irreconcilable differences or mutually exclusive goals, the only reason for any conflict whatsoever as far as the game has shown us is that the guy in charge of Nohr is a sociopath who threatens to kill his own children at the drop of a hat. Sure, they probably won’t hold hands singing kumbaya after one extended conversation with eachother, but when all of them are in a truce far away from Garon’s authority having a meal together, nothing significant comes out of it plot-wise?
In fact, at the end of the day what significance happened here at all?

• -We learned about a new country, but we know very little about it and (other than Izama potentially joining the party later) absolutely none of it will be relevant after this chapter anyways.
• -Well, maybe this place is just set dressing so we have an excuse to meet up with our siblings again, but then nobody has any meaningful interactions, new info to share, planning ahead, or character development resulting from sharing scenes with them.
• -Then is the primary focus supposed to be on how this situation affects the Nohrian family? The antagonist and the conflict he brings is introduced and quickly solved without any consequences, with all the siblings instantly in agreement about stopping him. They don’t really talk amongst eachother about their feelings or how to go forward.

If there’s no juicy character interactions or exploration, and no setting up future events, then presumably the point of this big moment of Corrin and Xander leaping to save their enemies was made to show off that despite working in the same army, our heroes are indeed better than the swarms of war criminals under Nohr’s name we’ve seen and would never tolerate such things under normal circumstances. They’ve talked the talk about disagreeing with their father’s cruel methods, now here’s proof they’ll walk the walk, aren’t they such noble people? The way this is done however, opens up another can of worms…
-Problem 3: Protags come off as dicks
While our heroes are indeed more likeable and moral than blatant monsters like Garon and Hans, liking peace and disliking war crimes is not enough of a reason for a pat on the back. Our protags might not be burning villages for fun, but it’s difficult to take their proclaimed goal of peace seriously considering both the context of working for people who DO burn villages for fun and they way they handle themselves when presented with an opportunity to work on this supposed goal.
Corrin and Azura

• This is not seeing things under the worst possible interpretation to be a stick in the mud, Nohr is indeed invading Hoshido for no apparent reason and leaving war crimes wherever it’s armies go. Everybody in the building is aware of this to some extent.
  
• Azura and Corrin’s grand plan to expose Garon as a slime monster to his family indeed involves directly helping Garon conquer Hoshido, which they acknowledge will bring destruction and suffering that the nation and royal family have done nothing to deserve.
  
• Corrin and Azura are indeed presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here to sit down behind closed doors and communicate anything, just anything significant at all, to the royal family that still seems to value them, but our heroes don’t even try or seem to acknowledge that. Corrin doesn’t have any interactions with them that last more than a sentence or two, and Azura is never acknowledged nor speaks to them.
  
• And yet despite, all this, both Corrin and Azura are quite pleased with the turn of events here, with Corrin acknowledging they’ll “probably try to kill eachother next time they see eachother” but that they’ll “revel in this feeling.”
  

Azura in particular is problematic here. During Odovakar 's excellent overview of the problems with Fates writing, he goes into detail about how Azura’s line about “this is all quite heartwarming. We're like one big family...albeit, a dysfunctional one.” in particular comes off as incredibly tone deaf and tasteless given the circumstances of Azura and Corrin marching on one family’s homeland for the sake of the other family. What I think was also worth noting is the context leading up to that line…

Sakura: I was just, um...th-thinking...it's really nice to finally see you again. I'm glad you... I'm glad you f-found a way to be happy... Corrin: Sakura... I'm happy to see you too. Sakura: R-really? You mean it?! Oh, Corrin! Elise: HMPH! Back off, you! He/She's my brothesister! MINE! Sakura: Ah! I'm s-sorry! Corrin: Elise! Mind your manners, little one. Elise: But she's trying to take you away from me... She's my archnemesis

Whether intentional or not, this is actually a very clever microcosm of the family’s conflict acted out by the youngest and most innocent among them who probably weren’t even born when the conflict started. The Hoshidan loves their sibling, but their time with Corrin is interrupted by the Nohrian shoving them away and declaring Corrin for themselves. This is a great way to challenge our protags to some introspection about themselves.

Azura: Heehee! Corrin: Azura? Did you just...giggle?

Instead, Azura just finds this a real knee-slapper. I understand maybe this is just meant to be a cute image of imoutos fighting over oni-chan Corrin and nothing more, but the context makes it very hard to swallow the narrative’s insistence that all this is “heartwarming” as Azura puts it. Keep in mind that all the Hoshidan nobles are sitting at the same table watching all this. Do you think Ryoma also finds it funny that his little sister is scared off and declared an archnemesis by the daughter of the man who killed his father in cold blood? Do you think Hinoka also thinks it's like one big dysfunctional family when Corrin is preparing to march on her homeland with an army?
I get it, I totally know what they were going for, and in a vacuum it could be a great line making for a properly bittersweet moment. “Even if the two are at eachothers throats and the future is bleak, me and Azura are grateful we get to have at least one big normal dinner together like a real family.”
But the future is bleak because of Corrin and Azura participating in an invasion, the families are at eachothers throats partially because Corrin and Azura haven’t accomplished anything to reform Nohr. If anything, Corrin should feel great shame here. Elise just unintentionally reenacted the history between the nations where Nohr was clearly in the wrong, and Corrin is sitting directly across and staring at the family who’ve done nothing wrong to him yet are going to be hurt because of Corrin’s decision. Grateful they could spend time with them again? Maybe. But cheerful and laughing?

ProZD: D-did an alien write this game? blows gently

But at least Corrin doesn’t show outright contempt for the family they’re screwing over…
Xander and Leo

Xander: Corrin! There's no need to insult me like that. I could not possibly be anything like this sorry excuse for a prince. … Xander: We will win with honor or die trying. Come, Corrin. Let us go set free our sworn enemy. … Corrin: Heh, sorry... It's just that you and Ryoma really are so much alike. If you weren't on opposite sides of a war, I think you could have been great friends. Xander: Yeesh... Do me a favor and keep that nonsense in your head where it belongs. … Xander (to Ryoma): We only acted as Nohrian royals should. When we leave this place, you'll be nothing but an enemy to be defeated once more.

Okay, but why? Ryoma is not the one Xander overheard laughing to himself about how much he’s going to make Corrin suffer. How are the Hoshidan royals “nothing but enemies to be defeated” here when they’re just trying to defend their homeland from somebody who assassinated their king at a peace meeting? Where is all this contempt from Xander coming from?
It’s perfectly understandable he doesn’t get along super well with Ryoma because of the tensions between their nations, that makes sense, but I see no reason for why Xander is making several petty insults to his face unprompted, let alone so nonchalant and even somewhat eager to get back to waging a war Xander himself calls “a senseless war of greed and madness” in the epilogue.
He doesn’t treat his own people much better this chapter, declaring Zola and his henchmen as “traitors” to be “dealt with” for their dishonorable methods when ironically Zola taking over the country by disguising himself as the archduke is actually one of the least evil and self-destructive things we’ve seen the kingdom do so far. It must be emphasized that every sibling was in the same room watching Garon demand Xander kill Corrin if he interferes with killing POWs for his amusement, and half of them were in the same room when Garon ordered his henchmen to murder every singer they can find in a neutral country. So a few hundred or thousand innocent people, most of whom would presumably be young woman, murdered to snuff out potential assassins. Or Garon directly ordering the deaths of unarmed civilians in chapter 13 with Hans relaying “Villagers are just soldiers who haven’t picked up a sword yet.”
Xander talks a big game in this chapter about how “we’ll win this war with honor or die trying”, but how do you honorably win a war when your nation is constantly and openly rushing to pointless overkill brutality like this at every turn? What moral high ground does this country have that Xander is so determined to preserve he kills loyal soldiers over what he sees as sullying it, when at no point in the game does the influence of Nohr ever do anything but make life significantly worse? His sudden fervor towards doing the right thing is completely contrasted later on when Xander is the one telling Corrin there’s no justice to be found in war and you just gotta do what you gotta do rather than what’s morally right, in response to Corrin being upset the Nohrian army is killing woman and children who looked at them funny.

“Justice is an illusion, a fairy tale…Letting innocents die is a tragedy, but so is letting the chance for peace slip away. This is war. There is no such thing as a clean win when lives are on the line.”

“Justice is just a fairy tale, innocent people getting screwed over is something we have to accept in war because there’s no such thing as a clean win! But also we better win this senseless war of greed and madness with honor or die trying!”

• If “justice is an illusion”, how is killing Nohrian soldiers to free people who are apparently “nothing but enemies to be defeated” so you can fight them later on terms you prefer, directly prolonging a war which will lead to much more deaths on both sides, for the benefit of Nohr? By Xanders own logic, is this not letting the chance for peace slip away since there’s no such thing as a clean win? Forget Garon and Iago, I’m confident the citizens back home whose loved ones got conscripted would be the ones demanding his head if they found out about this. A very charitable interpretation is that ending the war this specific way will cause more chaos and fighting in the long-term compared to if they conquered and oppressed an innocent nation fair and square, but that’s nowhere to be found in the script whatsoever.
  
• If Xander believes in “We’ll win this war with honor or die trying”, why is he still following Garon? Garon is winning the war in part thanks to honorless and extreme acts of cruelty like blackmailing the Ice Tribe or making an example out of Scarlet’s body, yet instead of taking action against him like he does with Zola, Xander is instead the most loyal sibling to him to the point Corrin decides the best way to get him on his side is to expose Garon as a literal slime monster? Where’s Xander’s zeal of “Come Corrin, let’s go save our sworn enemies” when his father orders Hans is go through killing injured and surrendering foes who were promised they be spared? Where’s his conviction shown here about “not letting treachery go unpunished” when his father outright says he couldn’t care less about the welfare of his people and he’ll just kill anybody who complains to make an example?
  

I understand one might get the impression I’m going off topic or selectively picking and choosing quotes here from all over the game, but no matter how you look at it Xanders beliefs, morality, and priorities are just all over the place depending on what the plot needs him to do. This means not only is his motivation for helping his enemies here faulty no matter how you look at it, but it also makes the extreme lengths he goes to do so, killing his own subjects who won him victory on a silver platter because it wasn’t a “proper” victory, come off as baselessly self-righteous at best and outright cruel at worst.
I’m sure the game would assure us Zola and all his mooks are terrible people who had it coming, but the issue is no matter how virtuous you portray Xander and creepy you portray Zola, Xander is still directly managing the war for a megalomaniac and helping him achieve his goals in spite of his long history of open sadism and public crimes that make Zola look like a saint. By ignoring the clear root cause of Nohr's dishonor while going this hard against random goon's participating in dishonor, instead of being a gallant preserver of morals, he comes off like a bully who selectively picks and choices punishment.
On the topic of punishment, it particularly rubs me the wrong way how Leo just casually mercs Zola at the end, keep in mind Birthright confirms for all his faults he actually isn’t a complete monster like Garon and dies trying to help the protag.

Leo (smiling portrait): You’d probably rather die than live with the shame, correct? In that case…
Zola: Eek! No, please! M-m-milord... I was wrong! S-so wrong! I have seen the error of my ways! P-please...spare my unworthy life!!
Leo (still smiling): Make peace with it, Zola. Perhaps on the other side you will find forgiveness.

Leo makes a fair argument that the stakes are too high and Zola can’t be trusted not to snitch, but this is bit sadistic, no? One of the most powerful people in the country is smug and sarcastic as he’s getting ready to execute somebody whose bleeding on the ground begging for his life and genuinely confused as to why we’re upset with him. I know the intent of “I was wrong! I have the seen the error of my ways!” is supposed to be him saying whatever Leo wants to hear to weasel out of punishment, but that’s exactly the thing, he’s fully cooperating and doing everything he can to appease this guy. And then he’s just killed like a dog without trial or final words, presumably using the spell that skewers you with tree branches.
Didn’t the game use killing defeated foes like this to establish Garon as a bloodthirsty monster? Why is Corrin just standing there watching this happen? This exact same scenario in Birthright has them jump to spare Zola, but here their disapproval is very meek and only voiced after the deed is already done. It’s still apparently too much for Leo though, who chastises Corrin for being “too soft…I envy your innocence.” And then he declares the matter settled on their behalf.
I’m sure this scene was meant to show off Leo’s pragmatism and strategy skills, but it just makes him look like a sociopath and Corrin look spineless. And that’s the biggest issue with this chapter to me, more than the plot being driven by contrivances that aren’t explained or the lack of any character development or interesting scenes taking advantage of the setup, the actions and dialog of our protags don’t match the noble heroes the narrative insists they are:

• Corrin is openly enjoying spending time with innocent people they’re throwing under the bus so Corrin won’t have to risk their relationship with the Nohrian siblings by directly fighting Garon. They then clearly disapprove of Leo executing a surrendering foe begging for mercy but stand idle watching it happen.
• Azura sits directly across her former family who’ve been very negatively impacted by her decisions and actions, and will continue to be so in the future, yet she’s giggling about the conflict and doesn’t seem to be taking the fact that her two families might kill each other seriously.
• Xander insults Ryoma as a sorry excuse for a prince, and afterwards kills his own subjects to prolong a war of aggression so it can be won the way he personally wants it to be won.
• Leo seems to be having a good time killing somebody who’s surrendered and begging for his life. He then chides Corrin for being “too soft” when they wish that didn’t have to happen.
• And again, for no apparent reason, neither Corrin or Azura do the bare minimum to clue to the Hoshidans about what’s going on or even have a meaningful conversation with them despite claiming to care for them. This is the golden opportunity they were hoping for, yet they apparently spend the entire dinner instead talking to eachother about how happy they themselves are.

These are not the actions of heroic characters.
Summary: Overall, this is a very bizarre chapter. It feels like something meaningful happens here at first glance, your brain sees what’s going on and knows that this is supposed to be a huge moment. Peaceful music playing, a very well-drawn CG of dozens of individual units, liberating a country from Nohrian control, Corrin and Azura are happy and say some lines that sound like they should be deep and impactful.
But when you step back and analyze the bigger picture and context, you find that more or less embodies all of Fates writing, both good and bad. It has a brilliant premise that gets your mind going, excellent presentation to accompany it, and some individual scenes or dialogue in a vacuum are very welcome. If you’re a casual player who just wants context for your favorite characters fighting, it’s easy to feel satisfied at first glance and move on thanks to those factors, especially since the gameplay and MyCastle are very fun. At the same time, there’s no denying the severe flaws that hamper the experience.
Despite being the hyped-up main draw of the chapter, our exciting premise that opens so many doors is almost completely neglected in favor of (once again) exposition on meaningless settings and characters that aren’t relevant anywhere else and also reminding us how evil Nohr is, to the point the chapter title is Black and White. The context makes it very difficult to take the plight of our heroes seriously due to their lack of action (both before and in the present) to achieve their proclaimed goal despite ample opportunity, the proaction they do have being unnecessarily extreme and self-serving, and a narrative that insists they are in the right at every turn despite the results clearly showing us otherwise. There’s definitely bits and pieces of something great buried in all this teasing us, otherwise I wouldn’t be interested enough to write this much all these years later, but as is it’s just a mess. An enjoyable mess, but a mess all the same.

But what do you guys think of Conquest Chapter 18: Black and White? Do you also consider it a wreck, or was there something positive here you believed I missed? What would you like to see in a potential rewrite of it?

Need feedback.. I am apparently banned from a medspa.. I have been going to for about a year & have had many expensive treatments.. the last one in question was the most expensive $2500.. We had a consult & because its a Procedure i haven”t had before had her write me a script for valiuum to have just in case it was too painful which ive done at other medspa”s with no issue, in fact they encouraged it… Well the day came & she gave me 6 of the most painful shots Ive ever experienced in my life.. I was litterally screaming & the procedure had not even begun… there was zero empathy shown to my discomfort more like angry that i dared to feel pain.. everyone has a different Pain tolerance…more of a feeling like let”s just get on with it i have other patients.. felt like an assembly line…so she started the Procedure & even with the numbing certain areas felt like my skin was being carved off.. so I had to stop & take the valuum which enraged her & she said now it will take 25 min to kick in to which i said no it will take 5 min which it did.. I even apologized profusely which I seriously regret..& I was met with stone silence… anyway we continued on 5 minutes later no more issues the valium kicked in & we finished.. now Im banned … I am not seeing something.. I know she is on a schedule but I had discussed this ahead of time & told her this is what i would do .. so confused & really beating myself up over it.. i do like the result i should add.. but I felt bullied & it was such a mean girl vibe.. Please be kind as I already feel bad enough..

Hello. Please keep in mind this is a throwaway. My friend is on Reddit but I am praying he won't see this. Anyways, I thought this might be the best place to put this. If not, it's ok. I'll put this somewhere else.
I am very concerned about my friend.. let's call him "Gem". He's a 16yo trans male, and from what I know about his past, he's been bullied a whole lot, ever since kindergarten, from what I know. In our school that we're at now, he gets bullied constantly, yet he is the therapist friend (Which from what I know, has been a thing for a LONG time. Since he was 13, I think?) . If we're having issues, he'll immediately text us. He will quite literally drop everything to help anybody in our friend group and out. Whenever we thank him, he just says "It's what I'm here for." He is also a content creator and he overworks himself constantly and makes a TON of stuff without taking breaks. He's also making a movie and stuff like that, but he's been doing this for a while so I'm worried he's getting too worn out and working himself too hard.
Just recently, he's started going quiet, and bringing a small plush to school, which he calls his "Anxiety Buddy". The quiet part is totally unlike him, because he's usually very talkative, and kind to everyone, no matter what they've done to him. But he's just- gone quiet. He will wave and talk sometimes, but most of the time he hugs his little anxiety buddy or writes in his script book and just looks honestly depressed, and I'm getting really worried about him. Is he getting depressed/possibly more depressed?? What does this mean, and what can I do to help him??

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/05/14/no-easy-answers-lds-parents-wonder
Might be behind a paywall, I have JavaScript turned off on the page so I can read it anyway 😅 I'll put up some quotes and give a tl dr: basically tons of research shows that waking up early as a teen is extremely bad for your mental health, but the church doesn't care.

A mounting body of evidence indicates that teens not only need more sleep than adults but also that hormonal shifts make it harder for them to go to bed before 10 or 11p.m. At the same time, researchers have gained a clearer picture of the risks associated with teenage sleep deprivation, among them serious mental health issues and substance abuse.
Tired teens, recent studies have discovered, are more prone to major depression and risky behavior, including drug experimentation. One study, published in 2023, found that sleep-deprived adolescents were about twice as prone to suicide ideation and consideration, even when adjusting for sexual identity, trauma, bullying and other related factors. Another, published the year before, suggested a possible link between poor adolescent sleep and an increased risk of schizophrenia.

The church won't make any changes, and the parents and kids are brainwashed into thinking it's worth the "sacrifice". They have other options, like online or late night classes, but since they're not the norm kids and parents still feel the pressure to keep the status quo and do regular seminary. It's a classic "cultural" problem where the church refuses to acknowledge the influence it has on the problems it causes.
My two cents: I definitely don't have any lasting sleep disorders exacerbated by seminary /s 🙄 Jazz band at my high school was before school, my freshman year I just went to seminary instead, but then we tried having seminary just for a handful of band kids after school. For whatever reason by my junior year we switched to extra early seminary at 5:45am (I know a ton of people that had it that early as well in other districts and states). I slept through every class that wasn't active (like band or drafting) every single day of that year and the next. I even had to drop out of honors pre-calculus because I just couldn't stay awake.
The kids in most classes referred to me as "that sleeping kid". Though to be fair it was pretty funny when I got the second highest score on the practice AP physics test and the guy who sits next to me was like "what?? He's asleep ALL THE TIME" (I didn't do as well on the actual test though 😅).
And now in my thirties it's almost impossible to even get out of bed without Adderall or a large amount of caffeine, and it's impossible to get to sleep without Ambien or a large amount of weed (and yes, that includes days where I didn't take stimulants, and vice versa). This research on how much sleep teens actually need is almost a decade old, and some high schools have even pushed back their start times because of it (and consequently saw a noticeable bump in their test scores). And the church still won't address this issue that's actually harming kids. They either don't care about the kids outside of Utah or really appreciate how much easier brainwashing is when you're sleep deprived.

Hello. Please keep in mind this is a throwaway. My friend is on Reddit but I am praying he won't see this. Anyways, I thought this might be the best place to put this. If not, it's ok. I'll put this somewhere else.
I am very concerned about my friend.. let's call him "Gem". He's a 16yo trans male, and from what I know about his past, he's been bullied a whole lot, ever since kindergarten, from what I know. In our school that we're at now, he gets bullied constantly, yet he is the therapist friend (Which from what I know, has been a thing for a LONG time. Since he was 13, I think?) . If we're having issues, he'll immediately text us. He will quite literally drop everything to help anybody in our friend group and out. Whenever we thank him, he just says "It's what I'm here for." He is also a content creator and he overworks himself constantly and makes a TON of stuff without taking breaks. He's also making a movie and stuff like that, but he's been doing this for a while so I'm worried he's getting too worn out and working himself too hard.
Just recently, he's started going quiet, and bringing a small plush to school, which he calls his "Anxiety Buddy". The quiet part is totally unlike him, because he's usually very talkative, and kind to everyone, no matter what they've done to him. But he's just- gone quiet. He will wave and talk sometimes, but most of the time he hugs his little anxiety buddy or writes in his script book and just looks honestly depressed, and I'm getting really worried about him. Is he getting depressed/possibly more depressed?? What does this mean, and what can I do to help him??

TITLE: HUNTER, FATHER
GENRE: Supernatural Drama
LOGLINE: A father with anger issues tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage son over the course of a camping trip, but their tenuous bond is pushed to a breaking point when they come face to face with a unicorn and he tries to kill it while his son attempts to stop him.
INFO: The script was a Finalist in the Screencraft Fellowship Competition in 2022, Top 10% in The Academy Nicholl Fellowship 2021 and placed in a bunch of other competitions and is currently on the Coverfly Redlist: https://writers.coverfly.com/projects/view/15d7beb3-4851-4dac-bb07-648dfa5e46c5/Hunter_Father
I am an NAACP Image Award winning producer and writer for children's animation and transitioning into live action features. I have a great director attached who has relationships with talent but we need a producer who can bring in initial equity before we can approach possible attachments. Once we have some initial capital, we could then reach out to the director's contacts at places like Saban, Lionsgate, Vertical among others for an MG.
Info on the director and myself available upon request.
NUMBER OF PAGES: 102
SETTINGS: School, Factory, House, Forest, Cabin, Hospital Room
ACTOR REQUIREMENTS:
Arlo Green (40s)(LEAD) - Slight beer belly, full beard; wrestles with his anger but genuinely wants to be a good father.
Rhett Green (15)(LEAD) - Skinny, messy hair; runs away from his problems and has a very active imagination.
Myriam Green (30s) - Wild, curly hair and a floral top; loving but overly protective.
Bruce (30s) - Square jaw, short hair, polo shirt.
Ranger Jacobs (50s) - Burly; chestmounted walkie talkie and holstered pistol.
Billy (15) - Chic geek; a bully.
Young Boss (20s) - Orderly, rigid, tucked in shirt; an asshole.
SCRIPT
PITCH DECK AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

I hope this is okay for this thread, if not just let me know. I used to love stand-up comedy. I thought it was hilarious. Some still is, but I find after awakening spiritually I just don’t have the same humor and I don’t find the comedians I used to like funny anymore. I saw a skit and whole joke was how people could “benefit from bullying”. And I just don’t think it’s funny. I’m of course not trying to bash anyone or be a bully myself by saying that, I just want some comedy that isn’t targeted at making fun of others. Any suggestions for who I could watch? Someone who sees life through a different lens?

Note: Here it is one more time: An Introduction To The Book That Is Me : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Note: But here are a few extras this time. If you are interested in doing this series in its entirety, you do not have to do "Coma" as part of it. That's a spin-off. You absolutely can, but it is not a requirement to make the series make sense. I included it as part of this series for your reading enjoyment. Likewise, "Coma" can be done as its own thing if you want. You don't have to do the rest of the series to make it work.
Also, I've been contacted by a few people to say that they'd like to do just one-offs from pieces of these, but not do the whole series. Absolutely. Feel free. Do only part 2 or part 6 or parts 3 and 5 only, or whatever you want. For the most part, I think each chapter can work on its own. If you want to do that but feel that a little tweaking is necessary to make that work, go right ahead.
Note: The rest of my scripts so far: Masterlist for edgiscript : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
Part 6: [F4M] Lilly's Saga - Part 6 of 7 [Morning After Kidnapping] [Appreciative Victim] [Yandere Trying To Trust] [Sweet] [Playful] [Wholesome] : ASMRScriptHaven (reddit.com)
And we're off. Here's the final piece.
------------------------------------

Part 7

Lilly: Hey, you’re finally awake.
(Singsong voice.) Good morrrrrrning. (Giggles.) How are you doing?
(Pause.)
(Speaking like everything’s the usual boring thing until told otherwise. She knows the explosion is coming and she's reigning it in right now.)
Fine? Good. That’s good.
(Pause.)
Me? I’m fine. Yeah. Fine.
(Pause.)
How long have I been sitting here? Oh, you know, just a few minutes. I think. Maybe longer. I’m not sure, to tell you the truth. You know I used to dream about this day; watching you while you sleep, but then you wake up and smile at me.
(Pause.)
Why have I been sitting here now watching your adorable face as you sleep? Well, I suppose it’s so as soon as you woke up I could say
(Explosively happy.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
(Squeals and embraces listener.) Come here, you.
(Several kisses.)
And I always miss that spot on your ear somehow. (Giggles. Kiss.)
I love you so much, babe. I just wanted to be here when you woke up so I could tell you that. This is your day and I wanted it to be wonderful from your first moment.
We’ve been a couple for nearly a year, and it has been the most amazingly romantic, most wondrous year I’ve ever experienced. My love, you are the most loving, caring, perfect person a girl could ever hope for.
(Pause.)
(Chastising the listener.) Ah, ah, ahhhh. One, yes you are perfect so don’t contradict me. And two, shut up. It’s your birthday so only I get to tell you how great you are.
(Pause.)
(Giggles.) Yes, those are the birthday rules, now shut up.
(Becomes lovingly serious.)
Babe, I know I tell you every day that I love you, but… I love you.
I love you so much. I meant it when I said you’re the most loving, caring person I could have ever hoped for. From the first time you rescued me from those bullies, to last week when you took me on that walking tour of all of the chocolatiers in the area because of a casual comment I made about how chocolate is my favorite thing next to you, you have always been there for me.
And yes, before you say that you haven’t always been there for me, I know we both had a rough go of it for a while there, but that only serves to prove my point. It was your love that got me out of my darkness, and my love that got you out of yours.
Remember that dream you told me about that you had when I had drugged you and brought you here the first time? The one about me rescuing you from your fears? That let me know that you were already aware that I loved you and you were even letting me love you in your mind, your heart, and your soul.
You being there for me means also that you allow me to be there for you. The fact that you let me love you then and that you continue to let me love you now is another piece of the puzzle that reveals how wonderful you truly are. I know because you’ve done nothing but make sure I know every minute of every day that this is all about us; not me, not you, US, together. You don’t just love me unreservedly, you let me do the same for you. I love the fact that you let me love you as much as you love me.
(More romantically blissful in the remembrance now.)
You’re the one who took me to my mother’s grave and then sat down with me and told her just how special I was and how much you were going to look after me. And then you graciously let me find your parents’ gravesite and allowed me to do the same for you.
You let me pause my video game every time you enter the room so I can give you a kiss and let you snuggle in next to me before I keep playing. I know it sounds kind of trivial, but it means so much to me that you don’t tell me I don’t have to do that and that I should just keep playing. You happily accept that seemingly small token of my love for you and by doing that you make me feel loved in return.
You cry at every single movie we watch.
(Pause.)
Ok, yes, you didn’t cry during Airplane. That would have been weird. Also, I told you to shut up, so shut up. (Giggles.)
But I love it that you feel safe enough with me to do that. Do you know how endearing it was when I got to hold your face to my chest and stroke your hair while you cried at Marley and Me? And, yes, I cried too, but my point still stands.
There are a thousand little things I could say that would all testify as to how perfect you are for me, but the one that means the most is the fact that you’re there. You’re there when I wake up every morning. You’re there when I go to bed every night. You’re there when it’s easy and you’re there when it’s difficult, and I know that you’re not going anywhere. You’ll always be there.
When I first brought you here all tied up, I had trouble for a while finally letting you go completely, and you helped me through that as well. You broke through my fear of losing you by always being there. I have known for a long time now that you always will be with me.
(Pause.)
No, sweetie, I haven’t relapsed at all. I love you and I trust you. I know that you love me too and you’ll always be there for me.
(Pause.)
Then why are you tied down to the bed right now.
(Seductively.) Why, babe, I believe I already answered that one when I told you… Happy birthday.
(Giggles.)
(Kiss.)

I’ve tried so hard to keep watching but the writing and production has started to impact my enjoyment of the show so much. As a teen who was bullied from 12-16 Liam’s story rings so true to me, including the suicide attempt (for me it was plural - not saying that for sympathy, just fact). Aside from Paul’s MND storyline (which I wish feels rushed) everything else is a nonsense, unnaturally acted and scripted, and I cannot bear the sound and visual effects that are being employed. This is not the Corrie that I grew up with (I’m 46 nearing 47) and I watch out of loyalty and because my late mum would want me to, but it’s getting so bad. It makes me sad.
Edit: I put a comment replying to the post but to the person who commented and then deleted: it was tough but I’m doing ok now ❤️. If you’re going through something similar - or if you have - you can get through this. I have bad memories that hurt but my good ones outweigh those now.

I made a new account for this lol and I am not sure if this is breaking the rules but for the last year I've been questioning if I have autism. I never thought about the possibility until I became friends with two people with diagnosed autism. Both were surprised when I said I'm not autistic because they said my behaviour is similar to them, but that also might be because I just copy everyone else so I seem less weird. My therapist also says I am exhibiting a lot of traits of autism and every time I see a meme about autism I usually relate to it on a spiritual level.
So why I think I might be autistic? Mainly because of struggles in socializing, repetitive behaviours, intense interests since I was a child but I often copy others around me, script conversations in my head, practice conversations with Ai bots so I'm not called weird because I would get called weird as a child a lot and I was even bullied. I hate making eye contact and talking, but I've learned how to force myself to because as a child I would often be told “look at me when I'm talking” or that “not talking is disrespectful”. Sometimes in public I get really excited when someone mentions an interest Im really passionate about so I feel overwhelmed by energy and I just want to flap my hands and jump around but I can't because I might be called weird and when I don't it feels like I'm holding in a sneeze it's a terrible feeling.
Here is some more:

• Bad coordination. Constantly bumping into things, bad at sports.
• Eating the same 3 foods everyday because I will gag at other food mainly because of textures. As a child this was really bad apparently I would only drink chocolate milk and my parents had to blend food for me to eat.
• Passionate interests. I get so obsessed about something I start constantly thinking about it and I could go on about them for hours and hours in general I just try to learn everything I can about it. When I am doing things rested to my interests I forget to eat and take care of myself.
• Repetitive behaviours like biting and chewing things (especially pencils and phone cases I know it's weird but I can't help it), taking things apart and putting them back together, lining items up. Listening to the same song for multiple hours at a time.
• Sensory issues. Like I said with food before but I am VERY sensitive to light and smell. I will hold my breath when there is a smell I don't like and get massive head aches from light. I usually am not annoyed by sounds but when things are too loud I get stressed out and cannot focus on my task or I get really angry and leave the room. I also am ok with touching hands but when people are hugging me or touching me anywhere that isn't my hands I get stressed. When there is too much stimulus I get stressed out, might start crying, and have trouble speaking so I usually just ignore everyone when that happens but they think I'm rude.
• I struggle with social interactions a lot. I hate eye contact and talking to other people and I wish I could just be at home all the time. I don't hate talking to people themselves there is just so many rules I don't know about and understand. I will often get stressed and overthink if people think I'm weird or hate me or not and I can never tell when people are sarcastic so people call me dense. I also am also apparently very rude but I'm just saying the truth because I think lying is bad so now I am very very careful about the words I say so nobody thinks I'm rude. I also laugh when sad things happen and idk what to do about it. Social interactions are stressful because I always have to exaggerate my facial expressions and talk sing songy when I just want to be monotone and with a neutral expression like I actually am.

Why I might not be autistic

• I can do a lot of tasks at once I actually prefer to do it that way because I have a really short attention span and have a lot of trouble focusing on things that are not interesting
• I hate routines because they are stressful I don't want to do things perfectly I like doing things whenever I have the energy too and that is at random.
• My symptoms aren't that bad. It makes my life harder I feel but it's not super bad because I have been able to handle it. One of my autistic friends has a very hard life rn.
• I am a teenage black girl and I heard most autistic people are white boys so I'm literally the opposite

I know some of these behaviours are normal but I have been looking into something called autistic burnout and I feel like I'm going through that right now. This week has been very stressful and I hate pretending to be like everyone else and people STILL think I'm weird so I've gotten very stressed and I can't do my homework or get out of bed I can't even do research on the interests I love or draw and I can't physically talk either. This has happened a few times before but I have school tomorrow and I know my mom will force me to go to school but I can't talk and everyone will think I'm even weirder and ignore me. If I get a diagnosis I might be able to get treatment that will help me with this behaviour and prevent it from happening again.
So should I ask my mom if I can get diagnosed (it is free where I live bc I'm a minor) and if yes how? Shes kind of ableist because she has called me autistic as an insult before but she might be able to understand. Sorry for the long post 😭