So, to give context; On Wednesday, I went to the doctor’s and I was there for about 2 hours and a half. I had a fever, was throwing up, etc. The doctors just gave me nausea medication. Then, I spent another hour waiting for my medication to be given to me. After that I spent 30 minutes waiting for the bus to arrive. At this point I’m bound to look homeless. (which now I think was the case, since I had a hoodie and my hair was a mess) I was shaking, tired, hurting from a fever (it was pretty bad, that night I dreamed I was a wizard creating cubes of magic 😐 in the dark) and It was cold, REALLY cold. Finally- my bus arrived and I took my seat.
Immediately after, I was feeling sleepy but you got me F’d up if you think I’m going to sleep on a bus as a teenage girl. Listen, I was struggling. Every other second I’d wake up and go back to sleep. I never slept longer than 3 seconds.
Anyways, this is where the actual story begins. During one of my wake-ups, this lady was leaning over to me, I couldn’t see her face because I was wearing a hoodie. Since she was so close to me, I quickly grabbed my bag and lifted my hoodie. I thought she wanted to sit next to me because there were no other spaces. However, I saw that she quickly rushed to the back. I just shrugged it off but then I started to hear them talking about me. (For context, I’m Hispanic. I speak and write Spanish but I look white). Let’s called these two 1 and 2. 1, being 2’s friend- and 2 being the lady I looked at.
1 asks 2 if I looked at her, to which she responds that I did and she could tell I was on drugs. (Mind you they are speaking Spanish) Yo, when I tell you I had to physically hold my head in place to not snap and look at them- it’s an understatement. However, I was tired, running high on a fever, etc. So, I just texted my friends about these ladies as they continued to talk amongst one another about me. They kinda started talking more quietly at some point so I couldn’t hear anymore. BY SOME FREAKING MIRACLE, 1 GOT OFF AT THE SAME STOP I DID. I didn’t know what she looked like but I knew her voice and right before she got off she was saying bye to 2. Another two things that gave me a clue of who she was were also because when I got off, she looked at me, she had a disgusted face. And I, like a sassy teenager looked at her up and down and scoffed. 3rd clue being that every time I crossed the street she crossed to the street opposite of me. However- I wasn’t done.
I got an Idea, so I called the same friends I was texting earlier and thankfully they answered. I put them on loudspeaker and very loudly I started to talk in Spanish about the two old hags that had the nerve to judge people. I knew the lady heard cause I wasn’t being quiet. At all. And I know she doesn’t mind her own business. Basically, I was stating loudly how I was in the hospital for 4 hours and oh how dare people have the nerve to judge others etc, etc. Midway through this, I crossed the street to be in front of her and I basically started tearing her up on the phone (not really, I’m not that mean) but I could tell she felt guilty cause she stopped crossing the street. Then, I got home and my mom ‘yelled’ at me for not saying anything during the bus ride. 🤷‍♀️
Anyways, I know this isn’t a true petty revenge but I’ll probably be back when this happens again, but with more juicier revenge.
Edit to add: YA’LL I FORGOT A VERY IMPORTANT DETAIL. I was on my period during this. So not only was I sick with something ‘severe’, I was bleeding and sensitive. Bro, why can’t I suffer from one thing? I got to suffer from three?!😭
TL:DR: I was sick and sleepy and these old ladies started saying I was on drugs, coincidentally one of the two left on the stop I did so I called my friends and stalked talking shit back.

Firstly I would like to apologize for my very very bad English, it's not my 1st language but I will try my best to explain my experience clearly!
Sooo this was a couple of months ago me and my friend had planned to go to her house after having dinner at my house , we had decided to go to the collage from her house the next morning so we had our dinner than as the lazy person I am , I decided to wear uniform to avoid carrying extra clothes !( IMPORTANT PART : I had ironed and folded the uniform very nicely and kept it aside on the bed just the day before) . so I put the jacket and pant on(also my pants zip were broken but it was winter, we wore jacket and it covered it so I didn't really care) put the, shirt , tie , belts ,shocks in my school bag and we were ready to goo , I went to say bye to my mom and I SHOWED HER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ZIP ! My mom and my dad laughed and my mom told me that she'd fix it the next day and after having little conversation ON MY PANT ,we said good bye and went to my friends house ( my friend's house is just a few min away ) . We arrived at her house and I took off my pants and jacket ,I folded it and put in aside .Next morning, we wake up , i looked at the place where i had put the jacket and pant , the pant is missing , we both searched for so long all over the room every corner of the room but we couldn't find it , at last I wore my friend's another uniform.
We went to school and we both thought that the pant was probably in the room and we couldn't find it cuz we were in hurry . After school finished , I directly came back to my house and what did I find .. the same pant with broken zip , folded in the same way and in the exact same place from where I had picked it up before going to my friends house.
I'm not even exaggerating things I'm being very real . This is the event that I had really experience. Idk what really happened that night . Again , I apologise for my broken english . I tried my best to make it clear and understandableಥ⁠_⁠ಥ

As a driver, I know to avoid overt politicization of rides. It’s my car I know, but it is a business vehicle…
But I’ll recount a ride from upstate New York that I paid for as rider, just 2 days ago. Try not to be anti semitic to me (or anyone else).
It’s dark. It’s 2am. It’s a rideshare lot. And the driver gets out to load several bags.
Ride completes, at well lit hotel forecourt. On getting bags out, a huge flag unfurls from the raised trunk lid. It’s that flag (banned in many places, tv etc). But it’s on tv news a lot these days.
Surprised, I point to it, to driver. driver shrugs, saying I’m protesting flag suppression. And utters some familiar phase about another state. Then he velcros the flag back into its hidden position, tidies up stowage area, and bye bye.
My political opinions are irrelevant. But I do feel I had politics imposed on me, by subtle, nefarious means (similar to Reddit stalking).
And drives off

I thought it was an episode in one of the early seasons, apparently not.
Someone finds a red canvas-like bag with a body inside. It absolutely reeks of decomposing body and we see Sara vomiting into a trashcan. She can't get the odor off her body and someone she's interested in (not Grissom) comes by and smells it too. He quickly says bye

Venus jolted awake. Disoriented, she blinked at the sunlight filtering through the blinds, revealing the empty box of chocolate sprawled beside her in bed, like a sinful lover.
“Oh, God!” she groaned as she put her head in her hands.
The cell phone’s ring made her jolt again. Glancing at the screen, she saw Aiden’s name on the caller ID.
"Good morning, my love!" she answered, forcing a brightness into her voice.
"Happy birthday, beautiful! Sorry, I’m not there to celebrate with you today,” Aiden's voice, warm and familiar, crackled through the receiver. “Celebratory dinner when I get back on Friday?"
"Sounds perfect."
“Hey, did you get the chocolate and flowers I sent you?”
“Yes! Oh my God, the bouquet is gorgeous....and all peonies...my favorite.”
“How about the chocolate? Did you try any of them?”
Venus looked at the sad empty box and started putting the stray chocolate wrappers into it.
“I got the box. It looks so fancy, but I haven’t opened it yet.”
“I ordered them from this artsy chocolatier that has unusual flavors like saffron and rose water. I think you’ll like them.”
Venus got out of bed, carrying the box.
“Yum, can’t wait to try them. You’re so thoughtful.”
“It takes one to know one. Okay, gotta run. Have a meeting in a few. See you Friday. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
Hanging up, Venus surveyed the bed and floor to make sure there were no empty wrappers left behind.
Then, quickly, she headed to the kitchen and grabbed a large recycling bag.
She dumped the chocolate box in it and walked towards the trash can which was overflowing with all kinds of candy, cookie, and cake wrappers. She dumped those in the recycling bag as well and secured it with two fierce knots.
She scanned the kitchen, making sure she had not left any evidence behind.
Nothing.
She let out a sigh and said, “Siri, play Vivaldi.”
Classical music was her constant refuge. She would let it linger in the air and wash over her nerves.
As she listened to 'La Primavera' and relaxed, her gaze drifted to her favorite painting on the dining room wall. Sandro Botticelli’s "Birth of Venus".
The painting was supposed to be more meaningful that day. A congratulatory reminder of her existence from the goddess she was named after. Instead, she felt the goddess was mocking her for the shameful night before.
She escaped to the dressing room to change. Only to find her self-scrutiny intensified within its mirrored walls that reflected with brutal honesty.
Apparent were a subtle swell of her stomach, and a telltale puffiness around her eyes. She turned, observing her thighs. At least no changes there.
She could still fit into her clothes. Of course, she could. But what would she wear? What does one wear on her special day, she wondered.
She looked at her favorite dresses, and then, as if the day hadn’t started dramatically enough, she remembered. She couldn’t wear any of her dresses. Absolutely not.
Today was the day of her interview at Bayside Hospital. The place where she'd envisioned herself working ever since she was a teenager; her dream job.
She looked at her watch. Eight twenty-nine. Her heart sank. The interview was at nine.
No time for self-pity. Every second counted.
She looked at her formal wardrobe. Silk blouses peeked from their designated shelves. Their delicate fabrics and understated patterns hinted at a quiet femininity beneath the professional facade.
Rows of gleaming pumps, in classic black and pops of unexpected color, stood poised on a lower shelf, ready to conquer any meeting or conference room.
A single impeccably tailored blazer hung center stage, its sharp lines a testament to quiet authority.
But Venus had no time to ponder. She picked out a navy skirt and dark blue blouse. She had never thrown an outfit together this fast.
She ran to the bathroom. Her hair, usually styled in elegant waves, was yanked back into a messy bun secured with the first pin she could find.
A glance in the mirror confirmed the precarious state of her hair bun, but there was no time for adjustments.
She picked up her purse and shoved her feet into the closest pair of flats.
As she raced to the door, she remembered makeup. Oh well, this was an interview for a nutritionist, not a runway model, she told herself.
But there was one thing she could not forget. Getting rid of the recycling bag. That was a must. So that she could forget all about last night.
With a final yank on the door, Venus headed out, carrying the large recycling bag like a chubby baby.
At the apartment building's communal recycling area, she cast a furtive glance around, then dumped the bag in the bin and slammed the lid shut.
A feeling of relief washed over her. Now she could concentrate on what mattered.
She envisioned herself at the interview, as a picture of calm competence. She got this. After all, no one deserved the Senior Nutritionist position at Bayside more than her.
A bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a master's degree in food nutrition, both from an Ivy League school and top of her class - this was just the foundation. She also had a decade of clinical research experience and stellar recommendations from respected colleagues.
Maybe landing this job on her birthday was meant to be. The stars were aligned and ready to grant her heart's desire, she thought.
Suddenly, a vision of Botticelli’s Venus flickered in her mind. "Think you’ll be the Senior Nutritionist at Bayside? Think again. You're a fraud! A shimmering facade masking a mess. This dream will turn to dust in your hands, just like the cookies I watched you consume last night."
Goddess Venus was right. Human Venus was an imposter. A nutritionist with a secret sugar addiction and major binge disorder. A secret that she had kept from everyone, including her beloved husband.
No one knew that she craved and consumed the very foods she told others were detrimental to their health. Frosting-laden cakes, creamy dreamy shakes, and brightly colored candies that she had learned, through biochemistry courses, were almost toxic for human consumption.
Her confidence faltered as the weight of her secret pressed down on her. The steps that moments ago seemed light and purposeful now felt heavy, each one a reminder of the lie she was living.
But slowing down wasn't an option. She was already running late.
What she needed now was a release from the suffocating guilt and shame. To numb herself, to become emotionally empty. Yes, EMPTY…. like the box of chocolate she woke up next to.

So I work as an Amazon delivery driver which means I encounter customers from all over town frequently, and about an hour ago I actually ended up coming across 2 transphobic boomers while I was delivering in a senior apartment building. They held the door for me as I was dragging a bag of packages and said “there you go!” So I thanked them. Immediately the lady was surprised and said “omg I thought you were a girl!” And then the convo basically went like this
Me: well I’m trans so technically I am
B1: well not today you’re not (laughs)
B2: I’m going to head out
B1: no please don’t leave me alone there’s no cameras here (laughs again)
B2: (walks back to her) it’s alright I have cameras
B1: oh god I just want to go to heaven, I’m ready to go
B2: agrees
After that they just stare at me the entire time I’m delivering packages to their mailroom until I finally start heading out, and we both say good bye to each other. Ik the story itself wasn’t too bad I know there’s been worse incidents on this sub but I still found it amusing and shocking that I actually came across 2 transphobes out in the wild, which ig was bound to happen since I deliver in a lot of red areas and towns. I’m just glad that I passed as a woman :)

Goruck GR2 26L TB Synik 30 PD travel bag 30L CZ military 36L
I’ve been using the TB S30 for about 3-4 years as EDC and international travel. One bag to Japan several times, around Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and small trips in USA. I want one bag to be a travel bag AND EDC bag.
LOVE the TB organization and front pockets. Nobody can compare. The ease of access, their own volume not stolen by the main compartment, the various sizes to fit each thing you have perfectly. It’s a dream. And a bunch of other cool features.
BUT….to be honest the TB is just not convertible to wear loaded out. The bag sags, and the turtle back design puts all the weight towards the bottom, which sags the bag and loads the weight directly on my sacrum (I’m 5’10). With or without the hip straps it’s uncomfortable; limits mobility, makes you “ass heavy” like a 1982 Nissan 280Z….easy to fishtail in this bag. In other words, you feel a ballast weigh low that swings you around. It hindered me wherever I went, and I never felt comfortable carrying it, especially in Tokyo, for example trying to navigate Shinjuku station (busiest train station in the world) with 20 million people running at you from all sides….fishtailing my heavy ass right and left to make my way through the crowd. I also felt weighed down, “heavy” and less mobile. Like a slow, underbridge troll trying to dance ballet.
Despite the organization, despite the fact it’s an amazing EDC, despite the other neat features…after a few years, I was DONE.
Bye bye Tom Bihn.
Hello other choices!
Peak design….sleek and sultry as all hell. Smooth fabric and beautiful shape. I actually want to have sex with this bag. Lol. But, short story is…bag is a bit long, shoulder straps just OK, sits a little low and not so comfy. Hip straps and great actually, but still anchors you and restricts movement. But the killer for this bag is how it fails as an EDC. Top admin compartment is a fail. Too small gets eaten by internal volume. Other than that you have to get in the main compartment from the back. It’s just weird. Look there are plenty of things to love about this bag. And as a travel bag I think it’s good. But it’s not built for EDC. As sexy as it is, I have to dump it.
Cabin Zero. Amazing value for the price. Really, great straps and back panel. Good zips and compartments, simple and easy packing, and molle attachments. But in short….bag sags when it wear it, making it sit low, pressure on sacrum and all the negative effects that come with that. Like the TB bag in that regard.
Enter Goruck GR2 26L. Amazing. Works as a travel bag *and EDC. Sits high on back, waist and hips free to move (insert salsa dancing gif). You could actually Samba in this thing. Shoulder straps (once sternum strap is added) are perfect. Packs well, quick access pocket right inside second compartment. Second compartment great for EDC. Molle points let you attach some majorly cool shit, customization off the charts. And doesn’t weight that much more than anything else comparable.
I think I might marry this bag 😍

TW: Alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, suicidal ideation, sex abuse
This is going to be a LLLLLOOONNNNGGGGG one. This story goes back quite a way, but yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the ending to this story and I'm feeling it, still got some guilt about everything that happened, wondering what I could have done differently and I just want to vent it out and hope to get some closure from it.
This story started in 2010.
Characters in this story (names are fake, duh!):

• Me, Guy, 32M at the time, 45 now.
• My BFF Stephanie, 33F at the time.
• Stephen, 40M at the time, Stephanie's boyfriend.
• Maryse, 27F at the time.

Background and intro
I had known Stephanie for many years and we had the kind of friendship that made her BFs and my GFs uncomfortable to put it lightly. We had never crossed that boundary and I wouldn't consider us in the friendzone, we were just friend, but the kind of friend where she would sit on my lap with her arms around my neck or her head on my shoulder.
At the start of 2010, Stephanie met her then boyfriend, Stephen. He tolerated me and my friendship with Stephanie because I also had a gf back then. She liked Stephanie, wasn't at all jealous of my friendship with her, so he didn't deem me too suspicious. Then my gf and I broke up for reasons unimportant and all hell broke loose for Stephen. He became convinced that I would try and steal Stephanie from him. He insisted that Stephanie introduce me to her female friends or female friends of his. Thus began what I called the year of the 50 blind dates. It was probably closer to 20, but still I like saying the year of 50 blind dates. Most of them were unremarkable and never went beyond the first date. There are some fun stories in there if anyone wants to hear them eventually!
In July of that year, I had to switch gears because I had to focus up and study for a professional exam for a certification important to my career. This exam required close to 600-800 hours of study over a 3-4 month period. So I hunkered down, told Stephanie to stop the blind dates for now because I had to focus on that. She respected my wishes and, other a text here or there, we went low contact for the last two months before the exam.
Except for one fateful night in September. Her birthday was in September and she always threw these big bashes at her house. She would throw a big pool party that started around noon and would go on to the wee hours of the morning. I knew she would harass me to go to her party, so I made some quick math and figured I would lose more energy and time trying to dodge her calls, texts and most likely visits at my place than by just going to the party itself. So when she called me to ask, I just said: "Okay I'll go to your damn party, now git." I texted her I would get there in the evening probably around 8. She texted back "Great, can't wait. Now study, bitch!"
So I ultimately get there around 8PM. Basically everybody is already drunk off their gourd. Stephanie sees me, squeals in excitement and runs to me in her bikini and just jumps in the air and slams into me, wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist and gives me a big hug. I hug her back and just keep walking back to the pool where she had started, carrying her with me. I just duck my head around hers and say hi to Stephen, who just glares at me.
She drops back down and I give her her gift. We chat for a few seconds and says "There's beer in the fridge and food in the dining room." I told her I'd be right back.
I go inside and grab a beer from the fridge. I head to the dining room and the table is against the wall with a buffet of sandwiches, tomato pizza, salads, etc. I grab a plate and start putting food on it. I was focused on the task because I was starving. I barely noticed, sitting at the end of the table one of the most stunning woman I have ever seen. I just see her in my peripheral vision and I do a quick double take, quick glance at her and back to the food. I do that a second time. And finally a third time. At that point she is just straight up staring at me and I can't help but chuckle and whisper under my breath "Subtle Guy, sub-tle".
Thankfully she starts laughing too, saving me some embarassment. I look at her and greet her. She says "Hi, I'm Maryse and I'm guessing you're Guy?" I just nod and we start talking. At that point, I just thought I have no shot with her, she's so far out of my league that I'm just gonna talk to her until she sees one of the "models" hanging out by the pool and ditches me for him.
So I'm not feeling like I'm playing for anything, so I'm just myself and not nervous, just talking to her as I would any friend. We chat and she laughs at all my jokes, she gets all my cultural references. She never gets up or ditches me. The plate of food I had made and the beer I had gotten are sitting on the table next to me untouched, I was too busy with the convo to think about food or beer anymore.
After what felt like only 20-30 minutes, Stephanie comes in and tells me, fake grumpy: "So that's where you disappeared to. I invite my best friend to a party and he spends the whole night talking to someone else." I laugh and go: "What do you mean the whole night? I haven't been here that long." She says "Dude, it's 2AM. You've been here for 6 hours..." My jaw dropped and I just said: "Wow, time flies when you're having fun." Maryse chimes in, with a big smile: "It sure does!" That made me happy as you can imagine.
Now I was a little stuck because where Stephanie lived, there's no night service for the bus and the subway had been closed for an hour or so. I figured I would cab it. So I turn to Maryse and tell her: "It was absolutely lovely to meet you and I enjoyed our conversation very much." She says that she did too. I continued with "At the moment, my schedule is incredibly hectic. I'm basically working full-time, studying full-time and sleeping part-time. So I don't have a lot of free time, but if she was interested, whatever little free time I had, I would love to call her or text her to keep on getting to know her."
I see Stephanie in the backgroudnd, looking like a proud mama at how smooth that came out, knowing I was always anything but smooth with women, as proven by the string of blind dates! Maryse has a big smile and we exchange numbers. I go to Stephanie to wish her a happy birthday again. While I'm talking to her, my phone buzzes with a text from Maryse: "Just checking!"
I asked Stephanie "What's the best cab company to call in this area?" Maryse chimes in: "Where do you live?" I tell her where I lived and she goes "It's on the way to where I live, I can give you a ride if you want." Stephanie raised an eyebrow in surprise. I learned later, she did it because it absolutely was not on the way to her place, like, at all. I say that I would love that as it would give us a chance to keep talking.
We get in her car, driving to my place. We talk, she asks me what I'm studying as I hadn't mentioned it earlier. I tell her all about the boring maths I had to study. Much too quickly, we get to my place. She parks in front of my building and we keep talking. At some point, I tell her: "Normally, this is where I would try to "trick" you into coming up to my place..." She interrupts me: "You wouldn't need to trick me. I'm willing and able!"
I tell her that "As tempting as that sounds, I know who I am and I know that if you come up and things proceed to where they're going, I'm not going to be able to study for the rest of the month. I have a kind of obsessive mind and when I find someone or something I like, I can push everything else to the side in favor of that. So to make sure I can still focus on my studying, I have to go up by myself."
She looks at me, a little disappointed but then says, half-jokingly: "We don't have to go up, there's a backseat right there!" We laugh and I give her a kiss and wish her a good night. I managed to stay strong and go back to my condo. Damn it, why did I have to stay strong!!!
My exam was at the beginning of november. During the month of october, we texted a bunch of times and talked on the phone. We went for coffee a couple of times and dinner once. She respected my boundaries and never pushed for more, which I appreciated but also hated at the same time, if that makes sense. The exam came and it was a monster of a Friday. I slept for basically 18 hours after the exam as the adrenalin dropped and my system crashed.
I texted her when I woke up at around 1PM. She was working at the clothing store Stephanie owned. She said "I'm off at 5PM, wanna meet me." I said: "Duh! Why do you think I'm texting? ;)" So I met her at the store downtown. I asked if she wanted to grab a drink, go for dinner, or what. She proposed going to her place and getting some take out. Stephanie who was closing the store at that moment, came up to us and said: "Hey, so what are we doing?" I said: "WE, that is Maryse and I, are going to her place and getting some takeout. Bye!" I'm sure you'll understand when I tell you that no food was ever ordered that night!
Thus followed a whirlwind month of November where any free time we had was spent together, and I wasn't going to complain!
The troubles
By the start of december, things were still going great with us. One saturday night, we were having dinner at a restaurant and I mention that this coming Friday is my office Christmas party, that it's employees only, so we wouln't see each other that night. She tells me: "Oh sure, that's fine! It'll give me a chance to go see some girlfriends I've been neglecting lately." I said "Great! BTW I also got us a reservation at [this great restaurant she had mentioned a few times] for next Saturday, so we could go there and I'll tell you all about my party and you can tell me all about her night with the girls!"
That was settled, I thought. I was wrong. On Thursday, we had spent the evening together at her place and I was about to leave to go back to my place. She tells me: "So are you coming to meet me at the store tomorrow or do I go to your place?" I reminded her: "Neither, tomorrow is my office Christmas party and we won't see each other tomorrow." She said: "Oh right, I forgot." I asked her if she had made plans with her friends like she had mentioned last saturday. She said that they were all busy tomorrow and weren't available.
She suggested "If your party is boring, maybe you could come meet me." I retorted that it wasn't going to be, knowing who was going to be there.
"Yeah but what if?"
"But it won't"
"But what IFFFFFF?" she kept insisting and I kept saying no. After what felt like 30 minutes of that (probably only 2-3 minutes in reality), I had enough and just said to end the argument: "Okay, if it's boring, I'll come. but it won't be." She said: "Cool" with a big smile on her face. I came to learn that that smile meant "Challenge accepted".
The following night, my colleague and I were pregaming in a conference room before leaving for the party proper and my phone buzzes. Maryse was wishing me a good party. I replied. She texted me again. I replied. She texted again, but I was in a conversation with a colleague so I didn't reply or even look at the phone. My phone buzzes again. Still talking, and didn't want to be rude to my colleague. Another buzz. I just kept talking. Phone buzzes differently, she was now calling because I hadn't answered her texts.
"Why aren't you replying to my texts?"
"Hey, sorry, was talking to my colleague Patrick."
"What? you don't want to talk to me?"
"I am talking to you now."
"Why didn't you reply to my texts?"
"Because it would have been rude to my colleague to pull my phone out while talking to him."
"But you're talking to me now."
"Because I thought something was wrong, maybe it was an emergency."
"I wanted to talk to you, that's all."
"Well, gotta go back to the party. Talk to you later."
She kept texting and if I didn't reply right away, she would call after two or three missed texts. After about 2 hours of this, I stopped answering the texts. When she called back, I asked her: "Aren't you supposed to be working?" which started another round of guilt-tripping of "why are you asking me this? you don't want to talk to me?" At that point I had had enough and wanted to enjoy my party. I remembered that the Blackberry (no shaming old tech!) I had had an annoying feature, but I was hoping to put it to good use at that moment.
Whenever the battery would get really low, like less than 1%, it would let out an ear-piercing BEEP for about 3 seconds, reminiding you to charge it and giving you a heart attack all at the same time. It would do that even when you were in silent mode. It had happened a few days earlier when I was with Maryse. I figured, if I press a button on the Blackberry, it would make a beep too that could be heard through the phone. So while I was talking to Maryse, I pressed my thumb on the space bar for a good 3 seconds and sputtered; "what... the .... what?" trying to put on a somewhat believable performance.
She asked what that noise was and I tell her that it was my blackberry letting me know I was low battery and it might shut off any second. I told her "Listen I'm gonna wish you a good night, I'm having a good time at my party so I'll see you tomorrow at 5PM to go spend our evening together. I hope you have a good....." and hung up mid-sentence. I promptly shut my phone off and went back to the party. I concede that I may be a bit of an AH for that move.
The party was great, I got drunk much quicker than I expected owing to the fact that I hadn't had a drink in over two months because Maryse didn't drink so I didn't either when we were together, and we were always together. At 1AM, I went home and passed out on my bed.
This is another place where I may have been an AH. I didn't turn my cell phone back on and I unplugged my home line too, because I wanted to sleep the deep sleep of the drunkard. I woke up at around 1:30 PM, not knowing it was already too late. In my mind, I was meeting Maryse at 5PM to go out on the town that night. Maryse had other ideas as you'll see.
So like I said, I woke up at 1:30PM and was sticky with alcohol sweat, so I went straight for the shower to get clean again. While in the shower, my stomach grumbled with hunger and I started daydreaming of bacon and eggs. That pushed me out of the shower right quick. I dried myself off quickly, tied the towel around my waist and went to the fridge. No bacon.... booo. Looked at the egg compartment... no eggs... booo again. Okay then, how about a cream cheese bagel. No cream cheese, damn it. Look in the pantry, no bagels.... god. I was starting to get angry. Okay, cereals then. I pick up the cereal box, that mofo was empty and I get mad: "who's the idiot who puts the empty box back in the pantry?" I remembered I live alone.
I close the fridge dejected and see the grocery list stuck on the fridge, taunting me with everything I wanted to eat for breakfast written on it. But I felt like if I went to the grocery store hungry as I Was, I'm just gonna pay 600$ and not get one single healthy thing to eat. I then remembered there's a restaurant next to the grocery store that serves breakfast until 3PM. I get excited! I get dressed quickly, grab my wallet and keys, put my boots on, my coat on, wrap my scarf, my tuque and my gloves and go to the restaurant. If you notice, I didn't mention my phone in there.
I get to the restaurant and confirm that they still have breakfast and get even more excited when she confirms it. I order the "heart attack", at least that's how I nicknamed it: 3 eggs, 3 servings of bacon, 2 sausages, and, I guess to give one peace of mind, fruit (or to be precise, one single solitary slice of orange). Now that the food is ordered and coming I figured I would check if I have any messages. I pat the pocket where my phone always is. No phone. uh-oh. I start clutching evert pocket, no luck.
I wonder if I should go back home after the meal before going to the grocery store and decide against it, it would be too long a detour. So I scarf my breakfast down, rush through the grocery store. I get home and set my bags down in front of the fridge. I go pick up my blackberry. I turn it back on. The little tape icon tells me there are messages on my voicemail, at that time there were no red dots with a number in it to tell you how many.
I connect to the voicemail while starting to put the groceries away. The little automated voice tells me "You have 25 new messages." I pull the phone away from my ear, look at it in disbelief as if saying: "are you f'ing kidding me?" So I press 1 to start playing the messages.
Remember: Maryse knew I was at a party with a dead phone, no chargers and I probably wouldn't get home until 1AM. From 6:30PM, when my phone died, to 11:34 PM, when she went to sleep she left me 9 messages. BTW I know she went to sleep at 11:34PM because she left me a message saying "it's 11:34PM and I'm going to bed. Thinking of you." The 9 messages were in the same vein. These are the salient details, but the messages were all much longer.
She woke up at 7:15 the following day, I'll let you guess how I know that tidbit of information! She left me 5 more messages like those from the day before: 7:15 woke up. 7:35 going to take a shower. 7:55 out of the shower. 8:25 getting ready to leave for work 8:50 walking out of the subway to go to the store.
She leaves me another message at 9 that was different. She sounded very excited as if she had had the best idea in the world: "Hey it's 9AM, I'm about to start my shift. I know we're only supposed to meet after my shift, but what if you came and met me for lunch so you could tell me all about your party." I just did my best Scooby-Doo "Ruh-Roh" and chuckled that I blew that, not thinking the calamity that was awaiting me.
Another couple of messages to talk logistics: "I could take my lunch at 12 or 12:30, let me know which you prefer." "I'm taking my lunch at 12:30"
A slightly worried message: "It's 11:15 and you stil have not said if you were coming or not, are you okay?"
The first bomb goes off and I knew I was in trouble then: "Where are you? We're supposed to meet for lunch and you still haven't given me any sign of life, you're not answering your home phone either, what happened?" Reminder: we were not supposed to meet for lunch, she suggested doing so a couple of hours earlier and I never agreed to anything. I guess she told her colleagues I would meet her for lunch and it was now fact and could perhaps make her look bad in front of her colleagues.
The second bomb drops: "It's almost noon now, WHERE ARE YOU? Stephanie says you're probably sleeping off your drunk, but I don't believe her. I'm sure you got yourself a slut and cheated on me. Didn't you? didn't you, you asshole." Stephanie knows me very well, but that wasn't enough for Maryse it seems.
Ensued four more messages from 12:30 to 1:15, where she starts sounding more and more drunk and accusatory, spewing more attacks like in the message above. At that point I already knew it was over, there was no coming back from that. I can understand having trust issues, but that was nuclear. I don't tolerate jealousy because of horrible experiences with a couple of jealous toxic exes.
A final message comes in, and it's a different voice, that of my best friend being more than a little angry: "Hey Guy, listen, Maryse tells me you had a Christmas party yesterday, so I'm guessing you're sleeping off your drunk, still. But call me when you get this. I put Maryse, who's f'ing drunk, in the backstore so she can dry off and "do inventory". She can't be on the sales floor obviously and I just don't feel safe sending her home in the state she's in. Call me to tell me how you want to handle this."
At that point I had finished putting away my groceries and had put my boots and my coat on and was making my way to the subway to go to the store. I call Stephanie and tell her I got the messages and I was coming. She was right, I was sleeping off my drunk and had just woke up (didn't feel the need to mention the breakfast and grocery store). I ask her if she knows what I'm gonna do when I get there. She says that she knows and understands. She knows my bad history.
When I get out of the subway, I call her again before getting to the store. I ask her how she wants me to do this. It's her store and I don't want to create drama in front of her customers. Does she want me to wait outside and she tells Maryse to meet me in the street or do I go in the store and she takes me to the backstore and I do it there? She says to come to the store.
I walk in the store and every saleswomen on the floor looks at me and gives me the biggest case of the stink-eye. They only have Maryse's side of the story, so they think I did all these horrible things. I see Stephanie in the middle of the store and I walk towards her. She shakes her head and points me towards the cash register. I look over there and see Julia, a salesperson that I've known for a couple of years and really like, who also happens to be the biggest gossip in the store. I understand what Stephanie is trying to do. She's gonna make me tell her my story in front of Julia so Julia can spread the "good news" to the other employees and rehabilitate my name possibly.
So I get to the register and say Hi to Julia. She barely acknoledges me. Steph joins me. She asks me:
"How are you?"
"I was better an hour ago, before I listened to those voicemails. I had gone to our office party last night, had a great night, got drunk off my ass, got home at around 2 and woke up around 2."
Julia asks "Maryse told us you were supposed to meet her for lunch."
"No we weren't. I have a reservation for tonight at XYZ restaurant. I was supposed to take the day to do errands, stuff around the condo and meet her here at closing time. She suggested that it could be fun if I came at lunchtime to meet her, but that was never the plan."
Julia asks again "But why didn't you answer your phone?"
"It ran out of battery last night during the party and when I got home, I was so drunk that I forgot to plug it back in. I only plugged it when I woke up at 2. That's when the messages came in."
Julia asks "She says she tried calling your home line and you didn't answer and your machine didn't kick in."
"Yeah, that one's my fault, I knew I wanted to sleep and telemarketers have a habit of calling me early saturday mornings so I didn't want to be awoken by a call for a rug cleaning service, so I unplugged it yesterday morning, knowing I would be drunk when I got home and forget and be angry if I was awakened by a telemarketer."
Julia gave me a hint of a smile, showing me she was starting to believe me. She asked me a few more questions and then she asked what I was gonna do. I told her that whatever I'll do, I would tell Maryse first.
I looked at Stephanie and said: "Can you open the back store so I can go see her?" So we went to the backstore. As we reached the door, it swung opened and out popped Maryse, looking absolutely terrifying, I actually jumped back when I saw her. Her usual perfect makeup was completely smeared, her mascara streaking down her cheeks from the crying. Her hair was disheveled. She was a mess. Apparently, she had had enough of waiting back there and was planning on leaving the store to go home and had put her coat and boots on.
When she saw me, she went into an unhinged rant about me being an asshole for cheating on her, me not being great in bed, me not treating her right, etc. I let her vent everything she had to say, I looked at Stephanie and apologized for creating such a scene in her store. I tell Maryse we should go outside and talk in private. She keeps on yelling, but when I grab her hand to lead her outside, she follows.
When we get outside, her anger had started to wane a little, or maybe just her energy. I was able to talk to her to explain everything, how I had gotten drunk, had overslept (alone) and woke up at 2PM. I reminded her that we were only supposed to meet at 5PM not for lunch. The anger was leaving her and a smile almost appeared on her face. Through all of this I was being very calm and patient with her, which she interpreted as me not being mad at her. I then said in a firmer tone: "However..." and let it hang for a second.
The beginning smile vanished. I continued: "When you accused me of cheating on you, that broke me. That triggered memories of toxic exes who would always accuse me of cheating, not trusting me when I would tell them where I was, snooping on me, stalking me. Because of those experiences, I have a zero tolerance policy for jealousy. I told her that if she was behaving like after only two months of dating, it didn't bode well for the future and I have to protect myself."
At that, the tears started again and she just turned and ran/waddled away. I told her to wait, but she didn't hear me. I turned towards the entrance of the store to see basically all the employees and customers milling around the door trying to catch the drama. I went back inside to talk to my best friend. The mood had definitely changed and no one was giving me the stink eye anymore, but I didn't really care. I was just sad that it had ended, but proud of myself for having stood up for myself.
So AITA for getting drunk and keeping my phone turned off?
There is a lot more to this story and if you want to learn what happened afterwards, then read on.
The immediate aftermath
So I went back inside the store and talked to Stephanie. I told her that I had a reserrvation for XX restaurant and if she wanted to go with Stephen, she could take it, I wasn't in the mood for a dinner. She said "I already have plans for tonight, but thanks for offering." Julia said she would go with me if I wanted, but I just said that I wasn't in the mood to go out. I just wanted to crash and eat a pizza and get into a food coma.
Stephanie said she didn't feel comfortable leaving me by myself and I should join them at her house. They were having friends over to play board games and it could at least distract me a little. I said why not. So brimming with enthusiasm, I went to play bored games. I left early as I wasn't in the mood. I was feeling a little better, but still a bit down. I thanked Stephanie for the invite and left. I got home and just passed out on the bed.
I woke up at around 7AM the next morning and I saw along the corners of the window the tell-tale signs of a snow-drift and got excited as it was the first snow of the season. I pushed the curtains aside and looked on to see a beautiful white carpet outside. It was early enough that very few cars had marred the whiteness. I was admiring it when I noticed that, against the red bricks of the building across the street, there was a pink blotch. As I focused, the blotch became human shaped and I cleared my eyes enough to realize that it was Maryse and she was raising her cell phone to her ear.
On cue, my phone rings. I pick it up. Still sounding drunk, she asks me if we can speak. I ask her to give me five minutes to get dressed and I'll meet her down there. She asks why she can't come up. I say that I'm not sure I want her in my apartment. She says that it's cold out. I say: "Good, then this will be quick."
I get dressed and meet her outside. I'm still bleary-eyed from having woken up 5 minutes ago, but I try to get my wits together. I tell her that we're going to walk to the subway. It 's a 10-minute walk normally, but with her drunkenness, it might take 15-20 minutes. That's how long she has to tell me what she wants to tell me.
She wants to apologize for accusing me of cheating on her. She says she knows I'm a great guy and... I may be the A-hole at this point too, but I start to drift off in my little bubble and start daydreaming about, if I go back to bed, would there still be some residual heat or would it be cold? I could take a hot shower and warm the bed that way. I could still hear her in the background making excuses, saying how she had been cheated on, but I wasn't really listening.
During the daydreaming I notice it got quite quiet. I look on my left and she's not there, I turn around she's a good 5-6 steps behind me looking angry and she says: "you're not listening" I just say: "when you're right, you're right." I tell her that I understand she's been hurt too in the past, and I hope she can work to resolve her issues, but I was done and I'm going back to bed. I was a bit harsh there, but I was tired and still down.
I walk past her and get maybe 10 paces past her when I hear a scream coming from her. I turn around and I see her messing with something inside her coat. She pulls out a chef's knife with like an 8-inch blade. That wakes me the fuck up. Byebye bleary eyes, hello wakefulness. better than a cup of coffee or a red bull I tell you!
So she's got the knife, she's screaming something that I can't quite understand. She gets quiet and then she charges at me with the knife. If I'm being honest I could have stayed where I was and she probably would have missed me anyways, but someone charges at me with a knife, I'm gonna nope out of there. I take a massive side step and once she gets to where I was and realizes that I'm no longer there, she turns her head towards me and says heyyyyy.
At that point, I have a moment of clarity and see what's gonna happen. She's drunk running one way and looking another, I know she's gonna trip. As I predicted, she stumbled over her feet and starts falling to the ground. I start praying to god and anybody who would listen: "Please don't let her cut herself. I don't want to have to explain this to the doctors, EMTs and nurses. I don't want her drunk ass deciding to take revenge on me by saying I did it."
Thankfully, she winds up in a sitting position on the sidewalk holding the knife up and it was clean. Thank god for small miracles. She starts crying and, other moment of clarity, I know she's gonna turn the knife on herself now. I jump towards her and I realize I was right, the knife starts moving towards her left wrist. I tackle her, grab her right wrist and twist it so she drops the knife. I pick the knife back up and put it in my pocket. She looks at me crying and says: "Why did you stop me?"
I pick her up and take her back to my building. In my building there was a couch in the lobby, so I take her there and I sit her down and plop myself next to her. I look at her and wonder out loud: "What am I gonna do with you? What can I do?"
She goes: "Just let me go, I'll be good." I tell her that's not going to happen. I realize I have three options and I give her the three options.
"So here's the choice I give you.
1- I pull out my phone, call 911 and tell them about the attempted murder back there and they send the police to arrest you. I don't want to do that because that could derail your life and not get you the help you need. Besides, they might not do anything anyway as it's your word against mine.
2= I pull out my phone, call 911 and tell them about the attempted suicide back there and that you need to be placed on a 72 hour hold. I could do that, but at the same time, again it's my word against yours, so maybe they don't believe me.
3- I'm gonna hazard a guess here. From what I've seen, you have alcohol problems. So I'm gonna guess you were in AA, had been sober for a while, I want to say 6 months, maybe less, when we met."
She confirms my guess.
"alright so option 3, I'm guessing you had a sponsor in AA." she nods "we call them up and tell them about your relapse and what happened this morning. Can they come get you and take care of you?"
She takes her phone out and picks a contact and calls. She hands me the phone. Someone answers and I explain the situation. They said they were coming right away. I give them my address, they get here 15 minutes later. Maryse had fallen asleep in the meantime, so I wake her up gently and help her to the car. Off she went.
I went back to my apartment and just crashed back to sleep.
A month later
Mid-january, my phone rings and I see Maryse's number on there. I send her to voice mail. Another call. Voicemail again. 5 minutes later, Private number calling. "Gee I wonder who that could be." Voicemail once more.
Afterwards, I didn't get any unidentified callers for a little over a week. One afternoon, I was at work and my phone rings and it's a number I do not recognize. I pick up.
"Hello."
"Hi, is this Guy?"
"Yes, to whom am I speaking?"
"This is Hannah, Maryse's sponsor. we spoke last month." I started fearing the worst.
"Yes, I remember. How can I help you?"
"Maryse tried to reach you last week and you rejected the calls. I think it could help Maryse if you listened to what she had to say. You're obviously not obligated to entertain her, but I think despite everything that happened, you still care about her or you would not have called me that morning."
"You are right, I do still care about Maryse. I'm just not sure how good it would be for her to meet me this soon after everything that happened. I understand wanting to work through the 9th step and making amends, but..." She interrupts me.
"So you know about the steps."
"Yes I have friends in the program. which is how I could guess that she was in the program too that morning."
"You know it's important."
"I know. I know. How about this: we meet in public at a cafe, you would have to be there. Not necessarily at the table with us, but nearby in case she needs help, in case meeting me causes her pain. Tell her I promise to be in a more receptive mood than I was that morning."
So we make an appointment for that saturday afternoon.
I get to the coffee shop. She's already there, and so is her sponsor. I realize happily that she's not wearing makeup. I say happily because that means she understands that this is not a date, but something serious. She's still stunningly beautiful, and I feel sad almost right away.
I grab a coffee and go join her at the table.
"Hey" I say,
"Hey. So this is gonna be uncomfortable, but thank you for agreeing to meet me and for coming, I appreciate it more than you know. I'm sure you heard I quit the store."
"I have, I'm sorry about that, I hope you didn't do it just because of me."
"No, I needed time to focus on myself for now."
She proceeds to tell me about how I wasn't far off with my guess. She had been sober 4 months when we met. Now she had 39 days. She tells me that in AA, if you are single, they recommend not dating anyone new for at least the first year of your sobriety as it can cause issues, similar to what happened with us. I was like her "drug" and as long as I was available, she could get her fix. But the moment I wasn't available all hell broke loose, and that is what led her back to drinking that day.
I told her I'm glad to see her back sober again this quickly and I hope she can get all the help she needs from it. I ask her if she wants to talk to me about her drinking.
She starts to share a story about how she started drinking at around 11 years old. When puberty hit her, she got into a deep depression because the sexual feelings she was starting to feel were triggering responses. As a child she had been abused by two of her uncles repeatedly and her parents never believed her. They accused her of trying to make herself interesting. That was until they caught one of those uncles red-handed.
They finally believed and took the necessary steps to protect their daughter. But they were poor and they couldn't afford therapy. So she never really got help for it. At 11, she started self medicating the depression with alcohol. When alcohol wasn't enough, she added drugs.
At that point, I was full on crying. She asked me if I wanted her to stop. I told her that she doesn't have to stop. That the tears are there because that was one more thing we had in common. I was also a survivor of sexual assault as a child. In my case, it wasn't a family member, it was only a stranger, so it only happened once. But I also self-medicated with alcohol at the onset of puberty, switching to drugs later on too. I was lucky to avoid the pitfalls of addiction, but I was still dealing with my demons, slowly making peace with them.
So there we were, sitting at a coffee shop, both crying and holding each other. I tell her that I think it's great she's getting help for her alcoholism and addicion, but was she doing anything to help with the underlying issue, the original trauma? She said no, she couldn't afford therapy. I tell her that I am a member of a survivors group and if she is interested, I could get her into a meeting and perhaps learn to heal that part of herself too.
She said that she could give it a try. I tell her I have to talk to the other members to know if I can bring someone new and I would let her know. If they said yes, we would go to her first meeting together, I would introduce her and then we would coordinate so that I never went to meetings where she was. I wanted to do that because I wanted her first few meetings to be about healing and I didn't want our own history to be intertwined or mixed in with that.
After that, we left both feeling content and, while not necesarily happy, at peace if you will. Later on, I contacted Stephanie who was one of the "pillars" of the support group (that's how we met) to ask her if it was okay for me to bring in a new member to the group. She said sure. She asked if it was anyone she knew. I told her she would have to meet her at the meeting if she decides to come.
We were having a meeting the following day. I called Maryse, told her the time and place, and she said she would be there. She came to the group meeting and was shocked to see Stephanie there but Stephanie kinda guessed that it was Maryse I was referring to.
I introduce her, we start sharing stories, talking about how we're feeling, etc. The meeting was good and Maryse liked the vibe. So for the first six months after that, I never saw Maryse and we planned which meeting we would be attending to ensure we didn't cross paths. She started feeling much better.
After maybe 2 and a half years, she finally felt ready and she started dating again. She met someone and she fell for him. They were together for about six months, she looked happy. Unfortunately after about six months, she caught him cheating on her. We tried supporting her, being good friends, cursing his name, doing all the things we could to make sure she didn't relapse. But on April 5th 2014, she ODed on heroin. She was hospitalized for 2 weeks after that.
Hannah took her in and she set up a room for Maryse. She was still in a fragile state, so a group of her friends and I started taking turns watching over Maryse, making sure there was always at least one person there with her to keep her company.
Despite our vigilance, on May 14th 2014, when Hannah was out running a quick errand, she was gone maybe 15 minutes tops, Maryse found a way to cut her wrists and she died. We found a note saying that "the OD was not an accident, and neither was that. Thanks for everything you did for me. I love you all, but I can't do this anymore."
It feels good to write that story (I'll just ignore the fat tears rolling down my face!). Thanks for reading this far and sorry for the long story, I just started writing and couldn't stop. I apologize if it was a bit of a bummer.

Hello OKOP empire. Thank you for taking time to read this. it will be long but on to my story.
So I'm going to give background of the beginning of my life. It was my determining factor of why I didn't want anything to do with her. Names I use are not their real names.
When I was conceived my Bio mom (we'll call her Sally (17F) ) already had a little girl my bio half sis (call her Chrissy (1F) ) Chrissy would go to our babysitters house ( call her Jenny (34F) ) while Sally went to school. When bio Grandma (Call her Karen, don't know how old she was at that time) found out Sally was Pregnant with me, She was furious, According to my Bio Aunt (Deny (14F) ) Karen almost killed us. Deny said she had to step in and stop Karen from hitting Sally even more after she threw her down the stairs. After her rage subsided she took Sally and Chrissy to an apartment and said you want to be sleuthing around your old enough to live on your own. Sally kept trying to go to school as she dropped off Chrissy at Jenny's, then would go to a job and try to make things work.
Time goes on and I am born, I then started going to Jenny's as well sometimes spending the night with Chrissy as well at times.
Now Jenny was Babysitting in the day, EMT at night and did foster care with her husband Lee (38M). his job was teaching Spanish. Super hero's in my eyes FR.
After that month Jenny said she had not seen me and Chrissy for about 2 weeks. She got a call from social services asking her to go to Sally's apartment to check on her and the children. Jenny wasted no time at all grabbed her bag as her son (Josh (10M) ) asked to go with she said sure.
Jenny went up too the apartment door and knocked, with no answer but as they stood outside she could hear kids crying inside but still no one came to answer the door. She went and got the manager of the apartment complex and asked him to open Sally's door. But she had to call the cops and paramedics to come out before he could open the door. they had to stay outside for about 20 Mins for the emergency services to show. They finally get the door open and see Sally on the couch unresponsive. Jenny went to the bedroom door as one of the police officers had to break it down due to it being locked. I was only around 2 months old and Chrissy at this point was almost two years old and didn't know how to open doors at that time. So Josh went in with Jenny, seeing Chrissy trying to feed me a bottle that was filled with curdled milk. Josh looked at Jenny and said mom she looks dead referencing me. They rushed us to the hospital and found that Sally was alcohol poisoned and I was very dehydrated, underweight, eyes sunken into my sockets. Doctor told Jenny if i were not able to gain weight in 3 days i would be in ICU for failure to thrive ( basically all organs start to shut down and would basically be dying). Chrissy and I were put into Jenny's foster home that night. Jenny took us home and feed me close to 8-8oz bottles. she said it was the most amazing thing as i ate my skin turned back to a pinkish color my eyes came out and my body started filling out, never throwing up a drop.
Time goes on and we were put into the fosteadopt program. Karen wanted Chrissy but did not want me. She ended up taking Chrissy without finalizing papers with the court, taking off to another state.
I was a little over 2 yrs old when Jenny and Lee official adopted me. Now she was my mom and he my dad giving me 5 brothers and 1 sister. Big family I know
I was 6 yrs old when we had ready a weekly reader on adoption in school. A lot of what they were saying in it with how adoptees feel is exactly how I felt, also as my family would be talking about who got what from which parent. I asked who's eyes did I have and my mom would answer you have your mothers eyes. I got very confused about that then we read that weekly reader. So many questions had swirled in my mind. One day as my mom and I are walking into a Wal-Mart crossing the front where the cross walk is as I'm holding her hand, I asked her mom am I adopted? She looked at me with a pause and said well yeah you are in a more concerned voice then any other emotion. I didn't ask anymore questions for a few days, but one night I walked into my parents room and asked why did my family give me up and all my mom said was god meant for us to have you. I then asked if i had any sisters or brothers and she told me about Chrissy. Being so little I couldn't really deal with the thought of someone just threw me away and felt like I did something wrong and that's why my bio family didn't want me.
As I get older with a year or two in between i would keep going to my mom asking more questions. Now you remember my parents also did foster care as well and I would hear and comprehend at around 12 of the children coming to my home for things and they would tell me of there horrifying story of how they ended up in the system. A lot of them were horrible stories and I couldn't understand how a parent do something as bad as they did to their own children.
When I was Fourteen I went to my mom where my brother Josh was talking with her about something and said ok mom I am old enough to know what exactly what happened to me cause I deserve to know my story. I saw my brother and her share this look of like hey its time she should know kinda face. She then proceeded to tell me the whole story minus what i wrote about Karen and Sally bit cause she did not know about that. Deny is the one that filled me in about that. Deny was the one to call in with concerns about us that day my life was saved, to social services.
I spent many days with free time in computer class looking so hard for my half sister after that but since it was still so new at that point I could not find much out about anyone.
More time goes on and I was around 26 yrs old and I do a little google search looking for Sally sue to her being the only way i could possibly find my half sister. I had found a birth certificate that I had a very strong feeling that it was Sally's, A couple months go bye with no other hits and one day i see i have two message requests on FB one from Deny which she began by giving info about me where we lived and just personal info that no one else would of known except for the ones involved. i had another from Chrissy who was saying basically the same thing. I went numb. from the top of my head to the tip of my toes i felt like electricity was vibrating my body. I asked my husband what he thought he said its up to you love what ever you want to do i'm hear for you. so i begin to type and we had gotten to know each other. i went to their state and met them also met Karen. didn't really care for that but was told Sally was telling Chrissy and Deny to find me that was top priority to her for some odd reason. but anyway they asked if i would want to meet her, i answered im not sure im up for that yet.
I get back home after a 2 week visit and I was being asked many times to meet or at least talk with Sally. I finally said no i'd rather not cause i already have a wonderful loving mother and i rather not go down that road with Sally cause i couldn't get over her just leaving. Jenny gave permission for Sally to visit or send me letters as i grew as much as she wanted but she never sent anything or called. my adoption was an open/closed adoption. meaning Sally could contact me anytime and visit me where it was closed for the Bio father who was never in the picture. But Chrissy/Deny and I had a huge fight about it and are no longer in contact. its better cause it was a very toxic family and id rather leave the toxins out of my life.
So guys was I the AH for not wanting to meet/talk to Sally???
​

8 garbage bags of clothes, shoes, bags, artificial flowers, fabric, and yarn. 2/3 full for weight. BYE. (and half a dozen coats went to the dry cleaning coat drive!)
5 boxes half the size of a ream of paper, filled with books. Good riddance, field I never want to study again and books I didn't like!
Weeded a bunch of other things I need "approval" to get rid of but they're someone else's problem now.
Now to start using up craft supplies and wearing through clothes. And to planning a future!

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hey i am 15 soon 16. i am a level one autistik teen. and was diagnoised about 3 years ago.
me and my parenst are going on a trip un wensday. we are traveling to london, harry potter land for my 16 birthday.
i was earlier today talking with my mom about getting the help that i need, or i fell like i need, i hve a hared time exspresstion my self even more in uncomfterbale situations like overstimulating situations.
please understand this diagnoices is new to both me and my parents, and we dont get the best help in understanding where i am from. and that i love my parents waryy much
but when i tryed to ask my mom about packing a autism bac, accessebilety bag, and how you can get help in airlines when you are atusitck, which for me is wary hard, both explaning and asking for help.
my mothers response was tho she said she would try her best to make a autistik bag for me... was that "your not that autistik" this is somthing my parents have told me before.. i have also heard the phraise you are not autistik enugh.
and what i am really asking is help to explain to my mom how that made me fell.. how hurt i felt, and also try to understand what she was saying, what she ment bye thoes words. and since it is wary hard for me to talk to my parents about these things. i hoped maby you guess could help me
thabk you, have a wonderful day

Special thanks to u/SpacePaladin15 for creating the NoP universe.
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I'd also like to thank u/xskipy10 for their awesome fanart of the main cast as well as their recent Tohba meme and their fanart of Michael baysitting. You're work is a treasure!
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Thank you as well to u/Accomplished-Golf-59 for his take on Michael, Teylim, and Tohba in his submission for the Banner Art Contest, and u/Spacer_Catgirl4969 for their awesome music video featuring a pixel-art Dohkar in his bar. Be sure to give ALL of these awesome creators your love and support.
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And let's not forget u/Guywhoexists2812 who has been an awesome source of memes as well as sick pixel art, such as THIS and THIS!!!! And even THIS!!!!!! And how could I forget THIS!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!
​
Today, we join Khornel and Michael as they prepare for yet another protest show as they continue the fight against those abusing their power. LETTUCE...conclude...for now...
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First
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Previous
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Songs Mentioned/Used: Gives You Hell by The All American Rejects
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Memory Transcript Subject: Khornel, Krakotl Talent Manager Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
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Aaaand DONE!
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I turned my head from side to side, inspecting my handiwork. While I still wasn’t QUITE as good at it as Ms. Teylim, touching up my feather dye was becoming easier and easier with practice. I’d even experimented a bit this time, and I was really liking how it turned out.
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If only this crappy mirror wasn’t so smudgy.
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Regardless of the state of the motel’s bathroom mirror, I was satisfied with the way I looked. My blue and newly touched up orange feathers were complimenting each other perfectly. And the slight hint of pink along the border definitely helped the whole spectrum of colors come together.
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Perfect.
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Once I was out of the bathroom, I sat down on the bed I was sharing and went through my bag to make sure I had everything.
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Pad? Check!
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Client contracts? Check!
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Pens? Check!
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Extra pair of glasses in case he forgets…again…
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Check!
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Credits for the fare? Eeeehhh, we can walk.
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Other than that though, I had everything.
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“Hey… Khorry?”
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My crest perked up at the voice. I turned around to see Scolina working at the small table in the kitchen area.
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“Yeah? What’s up?”
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“Sorry… I know you’re about to leave, but could you…help me with this?”
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I gave her a reassuring smile as I came over. Looking at the page she was working on, it seemed she’d gotten stuck on one of the problems for her math courses. Since she hadn’t received any education in the facility, she had a lot to catch up on, especially considering she was only a cycle younger than me.
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“Oh, I see the problem. You were right to divide both sides of the equation here, but the problem is when you tried, you accidentally wrote the fraction upside down. Since you’re dividing the zero by something else, it should be on top.”
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“So when I accidentally put it on the bottom-“
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“You created an irrational loop because-“
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“You can’t divide by zero.”
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Scolina cradled her head in her paws, continuing to stare down at her homework.
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“Thanks, Khorry. Sorry I’m so dumb.”
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“Hey! Don’t you ever say that about yourself! You’re not dumb, ‘Lina. You’re just behind, and that isn’t your fault.”
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“But…but I-“
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“Listen, if I had a credit for every time I made a dumb mistake in just these past few months alone, we wouldn’t need to live here. Making mistakes doesn’t make you dumb, it just means you’re learning.”
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She sniffled a bit before wiping away at her with her arm, the small pink sleeve that covered her scar soaking up any tears that were forming.
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“Thanks, Khorry.”
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I bent down and draped my wings around my sister, giving her a nice warm hug. After everything, while she DID have a very touching reunion with her father, the absence of her mother and the introduction of Trivah, Dailo, and Trilly was a bit too much change to deal with all at once.
​
So we all decided that she’d stay with us for now until she’d adjusted a bit. It was odd at first, to be sure, but I liked having her here. Grandfather adored her and I had to admit, having a little sister, at least unofficially, was something I was definitely warming up to.
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“Always happy to help. Now, I’ll be working late tonight so be sure to get both yourself and grandfather to bed at a decent time, alright?”
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“Okay. Bye-bye, Khorry.”
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“Bye-bye, hatchling.”
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I ran my beak through her head fur, preening out a small tangle and freeing a spine that was loose. Once I’d disposed of it, I turned to head out the door, but not before stopping at the other bed, where Grandfather was sat, listening to the radio. His expression instantly brightened as he heard me coming.
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“Off to change the world again, Little ‘Nel?”
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“I’m gonna try.”
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“I know you will.”
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I knelt down and gave him his hug as well. I missed this. After so long without him, every hug was a nostalgic treasure.
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“And I’m not little anymore!”
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“Perhaps not, but you’ll always be MY Little ‘Nel.”
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“I know, Grandfather. I’ll be sure to make you proud out there.”
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“You already do, my child. Now go. And be sure to tell that future Grandson-in-law of mine to run a comb through his head fur from time to time. I can’t even see and I can tell how scruffy he looks.”
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I pulled away as felt my face turn warm, adding a splash of purple to the spectrum of color on my face.
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“It’s not like that! WE’RE not like that! …Not yet, anyways…”
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“Well, then tell him to hurry it up already! I want great grandpups before I die!”
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CAW! CRAW!
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“GRRRRGH!! NOPE! Not having this conversation! Goodbye! Love you!”
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“Love you too! Best of luck today!”
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“Bye-bye, Khorry!”
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I barely heard the taunts of my family behind me as I stomped out the door and slammed it. After taking a moment to settle my feathers back down, I walked down the hall to the next door over.
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Knock knock knock!
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“It’s open!”
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My mood instantly brightened from the kind, muffled, voice inside the room. I opened the door and was immediately greeted by the sight of Ms. Teylim making a meal, along with her adorable hatchling excitedly bouncing in his high chair.
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“Khornel, dear!”
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“NEWWY!!!”
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I walked over at a brisk pace before kneeling down to give them both hugs.
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“Where’s Michael?”
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“He should be-“
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SLAM!!!
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“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Lost track of time!”
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I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as my scatterbrained best friend and business partner sprinted into the kitchen area and quickly grabbed a slice of strayu from the table.
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“You ALWAYS lose track of time!”
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As much as I wanted to scold him for not being ready by the time I got here AGAIN, we didn’t have the time.
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“Let’s just get moving before we’re late.”
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“Right! Let’s go!”
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However, just as we were about to leave…
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“Ahem. Forgetting something, my joey?”
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Michael looked up for a moment and frantically began checking his pockets before looking back at Ms. Teylim. Her smug look said it all. After a quick facepalm, he immediately jogged back to the kitchen area and knelt down to give her a goodbye hug, as well as a peck on the cheek for good measure. Lucky…
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“Muah! Bye, Ma! Love you!”
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“Be careful!”
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“We will!”
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Once he broke free from the hug, he made one last side trip to Tohba’s high chair, already going to plant a kiss on the top of his head. Again, lucky…
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“MIKEY!”
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“Mmmmmmm-“
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“HEEHYEHAHAHA! TICKWES!!”
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“-mmmMUAH! Bye-bye, Bud! ¡Te amo!”
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“BYE-BYE, MIKEY!!”
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With his goodbye hugs and kisses out of the way he made his way over to me…
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My turn?!
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…Only to run right past me and out the door.
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Awwwe… Phooey…
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Dejected as I was, I chased after him and down the hall.
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“What?! I don’t get a kiss, too?!”
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“Buy me dinner first, Bird Brain!”
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“UGH!! You’re the WORST!!”
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Memory Transcript Subject: Dohkar, Venlil Militia Leader Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
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“COMMANDER ON DECK!”
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STOMP!
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My four brothers stood in a line in front of the bar, still as statues as I came down the stairs. I still wasn’t sure how to feel about most of them. While I left, they all stayed, and continued fighting for The Guild even when they knew what they were doing was wrong.
​
Still, I knew these men. They all trained with me, ate with me, stood by me…grew up with me, and now, they stood here, ready to fight with me. While I could never forgive them for standing by while the people I loved suffered, I am willing to let them prove they’re willing to change.
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“At ease.”
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I marched in front of them, inspecting each to make sure their garb and gear was in order. In some ways, it resembled their old Guild uniforms minus any actual environmental protection. However, instead of chrome, we wore the same white coloration of the APCs that had broken through the Guild Offices walls. Black boots, gloves and bandoliers offset the white of our suits. And finally, five stripes of bright, blazing, blue accented our new badges, reminiscent of not only the blue helmets of the UN troops that fought by our sides, but also the eyes of a particular human musician, one I was looking forward to hearing sing again.
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“Alright men, in order for this rally to go smoothly, we need to be on our guard. My most recent talks with Tevis didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped, but I did manage to get him to leave us be for the most part. While we WILL still have to deal with the Interim Guard being there, they won’t be coming nearly as armed or numerous as usual. They’re simply there to observe, nothing more. Keep your eyes on them, but don’t do anything rash, or let any of the civilians do so either.”
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I turned and marched down the line once more. While I was itching to move onto individual orders, there was the Mazik in the room to address.
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“Now, I know many of us are shaken by news of the archives on Talsk. Believe me, I am too, but that’s all the more reason for us to stay vigilant. The people are afraid, confused, and questioning everything. The Magistrate, on top of their normal nonsense, will be that much more desperate to keep control. It is our job to be the barrier between the people we serve, and those willing to use this crisis to exploit them. There will come a time to rest and collect our thoughts, but now is not that time. The people need us. This town needs us, and until that is no longer the case, we MUST remain strong.”
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“SIR!”
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Once I was at the end of the line again, I turned back around and began giving out individual orders, starting with-
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“Bennic, out of everyone else in the squad, you’re currently the one with the best rapport with the people. I’m having you in charge of evacuation in case something goes wrong. Keep your eyes peeled for escape routes and be ready to begin herding everyone together at a moment’s notice.”
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“Yes, sir.”
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Next in line was Abra, our weapon specialist. Out of everyone, he was our best shot, even better than me. But he ALSO had one of the itchiest flamer fingers among us as well.”
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“Abra, have you already made sure everyone’s gear is working properly?”
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“Yes, sir. Every sidearm, baton, and smoke bomb we have is cleaned, checked, and functional.”
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“Good, then I just want you to stay vigilant. Find some higher ground and keep an extra close eye on the Interim. The moment one of them tries something funny, I want to know.”
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“And if they try harming the civilians?”
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I furrowed my brow at him. I knew what he was getting at.
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“Aim for NON-lethal, and make sure you have proof that THEY were the aggressors first.”
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He gave a dejected chuff before responding.
​
“Yes, sir…”
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What am I going to do with you, little brother?
​
Next was Ento, probably the only other Yotul here in town other than Teylim and Tohba, were they still here.
​
“Ento, were you able to make your last diagnostics check on the sound equipment last paw.”
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“Yep! Everything on our end was working perfectly last I checked. We’ll still have to wait until they try connecting to know for sure, though.”
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“Do everything you can to make sure it works. Leave the Interim and civilians to us.”
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“Yes, sir!”
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Finally, there was our medic, Canuck. Besides Bennic, this Zurulian was probably the one I was closest with growing up, if only because I’d always get the brunt of Albiel’s punishments when I’d stand up for the others, and it was usually Canuck patching me up.
​
“Canuck, in the case of an emergency, I want you to return to Dr. Forrik’s clinic. Since he’s still caring for his wife, I need you there getting everything ready in case something happens.”
​
“You sure you lot will be alright without me there?”
​
“We’ll be fine. The clinic will need you more than we will.”
​
“Yes, sir.”
​
With one last turn, I inspected my squad one last time.
​
“One last question.”
​
“What is it, Ben?”
​
“What about our…junior recruit?”
​
I sighed and looked back towards the staircase leading upstairs, just in time to catch a pair of suspiciously Nevok-shaped ears dip back from around the corner. I made sure to speak loud enough for him to hear me.
​
“He is to stay here and hold the fort. And he should bear in mind, I don’t just let ANYONE watch over MY bar. This is a large responsibility I’m trusting him with, and I trust he won’t let me down.”
​
The ears reappeared and solemnly nodded before retreating back up the stairs. Once I was sure my point was made, I turned back to my squad.
​
“Alright, if that’s all, we’ve got protestors to escort! Let’s move out!”
​
“SIR!”
​
Memory Transcript Subject: Khornel, Krakotl Talent Manager Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
​
The Soulroot tram station was surprisingly bustling. I half-expected the place to be a ghost town like most places were after Cilani’s interview. But with the news breaking about the Farsul’s archives breaking, it seemed the people of Soulroot were out and about more than ever, either flocking to the many churches and chapels in the area, or simply deciding to pray at the Soulroot itself for answers…any answers.
​
“Damn. I always forget just how big that thing is.”
​
Speak of the devil…
​
We both gazed out the window of the tram car as it passed through the massive central park area of the city. In its exact center, dwarfing even the buildings surrounding the large, wooded park, was the city’s namesake: Kihri, The Soulroot. One of five massive Seraphim Trees spread across Venlil Prime.
​
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
​
“Yeah. I can’t believe it was so close. I would’ve loved to have visited here.”
​
“Maybe we will when we have time.”
​
“I hope so.”
​
Once we passed the park, we turned back around and returned to our pads. He was working on another instrumental while I decided to pull up our current client list. I suddenly remembered something as soon as the list loaded and I saw the newest addition.
​
“Oh! By the way! I got us a new client!”
​
“Oh, sick! Who are they?”
​
“A restaurant in the next district over. It’s called The Lackadaisy. It IS an hour-long tram ride there, but it pays well, AND I got us a few perks as well.”
​
“OoooOOOoo! Like?”
​
“Like us getting to eat AND take out half off on the paws we play there. It might not be dinner, but I’d say half off lunch and take out once a week isn’t half bad.”
​
“You da bird, ‘Nel. When do we start?”
​
“You are scheduled to play during the lunch rush in two paws. We are to enter through the back entrance and meet with co-owners Sylvon and Kenta.”
​
“Sylvon and Kenta. Got it!”
​
Now approaching: Five Meadows
​
“This is our stop.”
​
We knew the tram wouldn’t take us all the way there. The Magistrate’s lockdown had seen to that, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t hang out by the border. In fact, the border that separated Soulroot and Five Meadows had become a popular gathering spot for people from both towns to “voice their displeasure”, which was exactly why we were here. With the lockdown of Five Meadows in effect, the war still ongoing, and the news of archives now made public, the people’s opinion of the local Magistrate was at an all time low. It was time to take advantage of that.
​
Once we exited the tram and saw crowds growing on both sides of the fence separating us from our home, we immediately spotted the makeshift soundstage we’d be using, as well as several figures on the other side garbed in white. They only got clearer once we got closer. Michael was even more excited to see them as I was.
​
“Heya Dohk!”
​
Dohkar, dressed in the new uniform of the Five Meadows Militia, greeted us with a warm smile, being sure to stay a decent distance away for the electric fence.
​
“Mike, Feathers, it’s good to see you two are alright.”
​
“Likewise, nice duds by the way. Totally doesn’t make you look like an oompa loompa or anything.”
​
“Watch it, Ape. I’ll have you know it was Trivah who made these.”
​
“Shit! Is she alright?”
​
“She’s fully recovered and here with her family. You’ll forgive me if I don’t call them over. The last thing I want is Trilly and Dailo trying to get through this fence.”
​
“No worries. Just tell them I said hi.”
​
A yotul garbed in the same uniform ran up to Dohkar and greeted us with a nod.
​
“Everything’s set up, you two. Once you're connected, let me know and we’ll do a sound check.”
​
“Right!”
​
Memory Transcript Subject: Michael Ruiz Andrews, Human Street Musician Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
​
Breathe…focus…
​
Sometimes…I wonder if it was all worth it…
​
Breathe…focus…
​
In a lot of ways, life was the same as it was back on Earth. Here I was, stuck in a shitty apartment, well…motel room now, I guess. I still had a shitty landlord that hated my guts. I was still struggling to make ends meet, playing music I wasn’t all that crazy about for people I wasn’t all that crazy about. I still didn’t have any real direction to take my life in, or any real plans for the future. So…was it worth it?
​
Breathe…focus…
​
I’d lost almost everything I had. I lost my guitar, the only real thing I had to remind me of Dad, and everything he taught me. I lost pretty much all of my possessions. Hell, the only reason I had new clothes to use at all was thanks to the human embassy here in Soulroot. I lost my home a second time, just days after finally bringing myself to start calling it that. I even almost lost my life. My scar still itches from time to time just thinking about it. So…was it really worth it? Remembering all the pain, suffering, heartache, and loss I’d been through in these past few months, sometimes I really question it.
​
Breathe…focus…
​
But then…then I remember the GOOD times. I remember all the people I’ve met, all the songs and memories we’ve made together.
​
Breathe…focus…
​
I remember meeting Mom, and my baby brother. I remember singing for them for the first time. I remember sitting and eating breakfast with them, talking and laughing the early hours away. I remember watching Tohba and teaching him how to sing, just like Dad taught me. I remember meeting Dohk, his honest words and advice keeping me grounded when the world around me just didn’t make sense. I remember meeting ‘Nel, slowly but surely building a friendship and trust that I wouldn’t give for anything.
​
Hopefully she puts up with me long enough for me to finally be ready.
​
I remember all the strife and challenges I’ve gone through, knowing that I wasn’t alone for any of it. I remember all the things I’ve gained: A life, a family, a mentor, a partner…
​
A home…
​
Breathe…focus…
​
A home worth fighting for.
​
Breathe…focus…
​
A home worth living for.
​
Breathe…focus…
​
A home…worth playing for…
​
So breathe…focus…and play…
​
The speakers come to life with a chill beat, soft snares and shakers keeping the pace as the ambience builds. A triangle marks my entrance as I take over, plucking at Teyrin’s strings. I nod along with the bouncing melody, letting myself get into it. I see a few in the crowd begin swaying along as I begin to let my soul sing.
​
I wake up every evenin’…with a big smile on my face! And it never feels out of place!
​
It’s hard to not grin as I speak, letting the notes express my current mood perfectly. I make sure to give those Interim jerks guarding the border a smug look which they definitely don’t appreciate.
​
And you’re still probably workin’…at a nine-to-five pace! I wonder how bad that tastes!
​
When you see my face, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell!
​
When you walk my way, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives yooou hell!
​
I turn to ‘Nel, standing up on stage singing next to me. There’s no one I’d rather be up here with.
​
Now, where’s your picket fence, Love? And where’s that shiny car? Did it ever get you far?
​
You never seemed so dense, Love! I’ve never seen you fall so hard! Do you know where you are?
​
When I’m up here…and I think about my old life on Earth…
​
And truth be told, I miss you… (Miss you…)
​
And truth be told, I’M LYIN’!!!
​
We turn to the closest Interim chump keeping us from our home.
​
WHEN YOU SEE MY FACE, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!
​
WHEN YOU WALK MY WAY, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
​
WHEN YOU FIND A MAN THAT’S WORTH A DAMN AND TREATS YOU WELL!
​
THEN HE’S THE FOOL, YOU’RE JUST AS WELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
​
I hope it gives you hell!
​
Memory Transcript Subject: Jerrick, Nevok Fugitive Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
​
The mood of the song calmed for a moment. I watched the live broadcast just hoping nothing would happen. Everything going on was just so CRAZY. With the raid, the Magistrate taking over, and now the archives, it just made everything I did in the name of The Guild even more pointless.
​
Tomorrow, you’ll be thinkin’ to yourself, “Yeah, where did it all go wrong?” But the list goes on and on!
​
Everything I did for HIM…pointless…
​
And truth be told, I miss you… (Miss you…)
​
And truth be told, I’M LYIN’!!!
​
I hope you rot, Father…
​
WHEN YOU SEE MY FACE, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!
​
WHEN YOU WALK MY WAY, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
​
WHEN YOU FIND A MAN THAT’S WORTH A DAMN AND TREATS YOU WELL!
​
THEN HE’S THE FOOL, YOU’RE JUST AS WELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
​
Memory Transcript Subject: Michael Ruiz Andrews, Human Street Musician Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
​
A figure stands in my periphery… I know who she is…
​
Now you’ll never see! What you’ve done to me!
​
She’s not my mother…
​
You can take back your memories, they’re no good to me!
​
“You’ll never be rid of me, Blue.” I know…
​
You can hiss all your lies! You can look me in the eyes!
​
With that sad, sad, look that you wear so well!
​
But that just means you get to watch as I live my life without you in it.
​
[Warning!: You Are About To Access Restricted Files: Continue?: Y/N…]
​
[The Following Is A News Broadcast Archived By Magistrate Intelligence…]
​
[The camera opens on a female, human, reporter with green eyes standing in front of an energetic crowd…]
​
“WHEN YOU SEE MY FACE, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!!! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
“AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, THE “FREE FIVE MEADOWS” RALLY IS WELL UNDER WAY!”
​
“WHEN YOU WALK MY WAY, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!!! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
“AND YOU CAN JUST FEEL THE ENERGY OF THE CROWD HERE!”
​
“WHEN YOU FIND A MAN THAT’S WORTH A DAMN AND TREATS YOU WELL!!!”
​
“ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE FENCE, IT APPEARS THAT THE RUMORED “FIVE MEADOWS MILITIA” ARE ACTUALLY HERE GUARDING THE PROTESTORS!”
​
“THEN HE’S THE FOOL!!! YOU’RE JUST AS WELL!!! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
“HOPEFULLY, WE’LL BE ABLE TO GET AN INTERVIEW! UNTIL THEN, JUST LISTEN TO THIS!!!”
​
Memory Transcript Subject: Michael Ruiz Andrews, Human Street Musician Date:[Standardized Human Time] February 2, 2137
​
Breathe…focus…and ROAR!!!
​
To my old life on Earth!
​
WHEN YOU SEE MY FACE, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL!
“GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
To the Federation killing my people!
​
WHEN YOU WALK MY WAY, HOPE IT GIVES YOU HELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
“GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
To the Magistrate holding my hometown hostage!
​
WHEN YOU HEAR THIS SONG AND SING ALONG, THOUGH YOU’LL NEVER TELL!
“YOU’LL NEVER TELL!!!”
​
To every last asshole who thinks I’m a monster for what I am!
​
THEN YOU’RE THE FOOL, I’M JUST AS WELL! HOPE IT GIVES YOOOU HELL!
“GIVES YOU HELL!!!”
​
To that monster who took my mom, rotting in whatever cell he’s being held in.
​
WHEN YOU HEAR THIS SONG, I HOPE THAT IT WILL GIVE YOU HELL!
“GIVE YOU HELL!!!”
​
And lastly, to that figure, that voice in my head telling me I don’t deserve a home…
​
YOU CAN SING ALONG! I HOPE THAT IT PUTS YOU THROUGH HELL…
​
The End

Place: Kim Seol Jin's office
???: Jin. Take care of yourself, please. Seol Jin: You worry too much, Jeonu.
Seol Jin nuzzles Jeonu as he tends to his wounds.
Seol Jin: What will I do without you?
[North Gangseo (No 10): "Vanguard" Kim Seol Jin]: LR+, LR+, B(Awakened), C, MR
[North Gangseo (Personal Executive) Ha Jeonu]: 160 cm, 48 kg; B, B+, C, A+, A
Jeonu: Hey that tickles!
Jihu watched on.
Jihu: ...
[North Gangseo (Personal Executive) Jihu Yeon}: MR+, MR+, A (Ascended), E+, X
Seol Jin: Hey Jihu. Take care of the office while we're gone ok?
Jihu: Where are you going?
Seol Jin: The zoo.
Kim Seol Jin and Ha Jeonu
At the same time...
Chin and Adrienne: Let's go to the zoo!
Chin Chaosi and Adrienne Ciel
Adrian: I sense a disturbance in the force. We must go to the zoo.
???: Sure. Why not?
Adrian Ciel and ???
???: Pack your bags loser, we're going to the zoo. Hwangyan: Oke
Hwangyan and ???
Yeon Hwa: Zoo!
Zygarde Lee, Hae-in Kim and Yeon Hwa Lee
Place: Zoo
Zygarde: You see that... Yeon: Wah... Zygarde: No its Pandaa... Yeon: Paadaa... Hae-in simply laughed within herself.
[North Gangseo (No 5): "Commander" Zygarde Lee]: XX, XX, A+ (Ascended), SS, XX [Hae-in Kim]: MR, LR+, A(Awakened), B, MR+ [Yeon Hwa Lee]: ???,???, S,???,???
Adrienne: That looks like you.
She pointed at a monkey which was eating its shit.
Chin: No that's your brother.
Adrienne Ciel: ???, ???, A, A, ??? [North Gangseo (No 11): "Mad Dog" Chin Chaosi]: LR, MR, B+(Ascended), S, UR+
Unbeknownst to them, Adrian was watching them from a short distance away.
Adrian (stressed): That. Mother. Fucker. ???: Chill man. Look at that monkey, it's upside down. Adrian: Oh. Yeah. ???: Siscon.
Adrian could say nothing.
[North Gangseo (No. 2): "Genius" Adrian Ciel]: XX, XXX, A+ (Ascended), S, XX [North Gangseo (No 3) "Business Man" Mangu Yeong]: XX, XXX, A+ (Ascended), S+, X
A short while later...
Someone bumped into Seol Jin's leg.
Jeonu: Woah there. Hae-in: Yeon Hwa! I'm sorry. She's a slippery one. Jeonu: Oh it's fine. Seol Jin: Where have I seen those eyes before... Zygarde: Oh. Seol Jin: That's right it was Zy-
Seol Jin looked at the trio.
Seol Jin: No way. Are you serious?! Zygarde: Erm- Seol Jin: You're the last person I expected- Jeonu: Wait the person who helped us save Adrian's sister was her? Hae-in: Y-yeah. Jeonu: That's so cool... Zygarde: And I didn't expect you were gay... Seol Jin: Are we gonna have a problem? Jeonu: Jin!
[North Gangseo (No 10): "Vanguard" Kim Seol Jin] vs-
Zygarde: Nah. Enjoy your date.
Winner: Handshake
Seol Jin: Oh. Sure.
Seol Jin and Jeonu held hands as they walked away. Yeon was sucking on her thumb.
Yeon: Bye!
Seol Jin and Jeonu: Bye!
Hae-in (whispering): Cute couple. Zygarde (whispering): As long as he's happy, I don't see why I should say anything.
Around the same time...
???: I understand why you're here... But why you Mangu? Mangu: I was bored. Keoni.
[North Gangseo: Keoni]: SS-, S+, S, A+, A [North Gangseo (No. 1): "Emperor" Hwangyan]: XXX, XX, S(Ascended), A, XXX
Keoni: Since we're all here we should enjoy it together! Adrian: Er- Mangu: This siscon came here to spy. Keoni: You're still doing that? Adrian: You can never be sure!
???: Sure of what?
Adrian: You?! Adrienne: Siscon. Chin: Adrian?!
[North Gangseo (No. 2): "Genius" Adrian Ciel] vs [North Gangseo (No 11): "Mad Dog" Chin Chaosi]
[North Gangseo (No. 2): "Genius" Adrian Ciel]: XX, XXX, A+ (Ascended), S, XX
[North Gangseo (No 11): "Mad Dog" Chin Chaosi]: LR, MR, B+(Ascended), S, UR
Winner: Adrienne
Adrienne twisted the boys' ears.
Adrienne: No fighting.
Adrienne began scolding the duo, much to everyone's amusement
[Group A] ^new!
Chin Chaosi and Adrienne Ciel
Adrian Ciel and Mangu Yeong
Hwangyan and Keoni
[Group B] ^new!
Kim Seol Jin and Ha Jeonu
[Group C] ^new!
Zygarde Lee, Hae-in Kim and Yeon Hwa Lee
Meanwhile...
Place: Gogang-dong
[North Gangseo (No 6): "The Scourge" Kai Jin Ma]: X, X, A(Ascended), B+, X
[North Gangseo (No 7): "Swordsman" William Texiter]: X, XX, S (Ascended), A, X
Winner: Tie
A duo lay on the floor exhausted.
Kai: Fucking bastard... You've gotten faster...
William: You too...
???: Our seniors are strong...
[North Gangseo (No. 16): Won Hakjun]: 174 cm, 60 kg; SSR, SR, B (Awakened), B, SR [North Gangseo (No 18): Taekbeom Gu]: 181 cm, 61 kg; SR+, SR+, B (Awakened), A+, SSS+
Place: Zoo
Lunch...
Hwangyan: Seol Jin?!
Kim Seol Jin and Ha Jeonu
Adrienne: The Kali Arnis lady?!
Zygarde Lee, Hae-in Kim and Yeon Hwa Lee
Zygarde: Now I would like to start by saying- Keoni: You're the last person I expected- Seol Jin: I already said that. Keoni: F- Bummer Yeon: Bwummer. Hwangyan: She can talk?! Hae-in: She's 2.
Seol Jin cautiously approached Yeon.
Seol Jin: They look like marshmallows... Yeon (enraged): Gooo... Seol Jin: W-what?
Seol Jin tried touching her cheeks but was blocked by Yeon's hands.
Adrian didn't say anything. He only imagined Adrienne and Chin becoming like Hae-in and Zygarde. A tear rolled down his face.
The next day...
Zygarde: Evan?
Evan: I'm disappointed... How could you not show me her!
Evan scrolled through Zygarde's photos. He saw many pictures of the toddler.
Evan: It's good she never took after you! Zygarde: Bastard.

There's an abandoned supermarket where you can 'buy' anything for FREE!? That's awesome, and it sounds like a paradise to me! I'm so bored, I wanna go there now! Excitedly, I run upstairs and get in to my sister's room, she's busy texting on her phone. Then she notices me, standing at her door, smiling cheerfully. I ask if we can go to the abandoned supermarket because I want to get some snacks and cereals for the both of us, and maybe other stuff too. Turning off her phone, she thinks... Please, say yes, please say yes, please say yes!! She puts her phone down on the computer desk and looks at me.
"Sure, let me go get my car keys first."
"No need to! I have a weird guy friend who's gonna teleport us there in no time."
"Ah, alright then. Where's he, though?"
"He's in my room, making paper planes. I don't know why, but I think he likes them! Want me to call him?"
"Go ahead!"
I clear my throat, my weird guy friend is cool, like.. REALLY cool. He helped me out with my homework and also with my sister's car when it broke down for some reason.
"Rico!!"
My sister gets confused about the name I gave him, I happily tell her that I saw him watch a certain show about penguins, and that one of them seems to be his favorite. He even watched a ton of compilations that has the penguin, too! So, I decided to call him Rico. My weird guy friend shows up, peeking into my sister's room, staring at me. I cheerily greet him, then ask him politely if he can take us to the abandoned supermarket, he nods once. Woo! My sister stands up from her chair and walks over to me, then pats my head twice, smiling a little. Rico approaches us, we hold hands, and off we teleport to our destination! I'm so excited!! ... We are in the supermarket now. My sister and I are AMAZED.
"Wow, Annie.. this place is HUUUGE!"
"You're right, I didn't know that it was this big."
Oh boy, this is our first time being here, and I'm just sooo flipping happy! Everything here is free..! I thank Rico for taking us here, he gives me a thumbs up. Grabbing herself a shopping cart, Annie starts to walk around the building, thinking about what to get. I cheerfully run up to the carts. There are small ones, too?! Aww, they're cute! I grab one of them and begin to explore, Rico is with me. Hmm, I wonder what my sister is going to have? She likes noodles, so, obviously she's gonna 'buy' those. I'll go to the cereal aisle first! We reach there, and I look around... That cat is adorable! Taking the cereal box out, a new, exact same one appears in its place. Wow, I can have a bunch of them!? Cool! I put the box I'm holding in the cart, then take a few more out, also placing them in. Infinite cereals!! Okay, I'm done with this aisle, time for sweets..! Curiously, I ask Rico if he's ever been here before, he nods once. Ooooh! I tell him that I want to go to get some candy, but I don't know where the aisle is. He goes in front of me and beckons to me, wanting me to follow him. Okay, bestie! We walk through the supermarket, and then we get there. There are SO MANY types of candy here!! I thank him as I go to pick my favorite chocolates and other sweets. This place is awesome! Putting them in the cart, before we continue to explore, I hear someone in the next couple of aisles telling another person to apologize now. Wha...?
Then, we hear terrifying, glitchy screeching and whoever that person is.. is now screaming in agony. Rico and I are sweating profusely. Did they bump into a weird guy and forget to say sorry to them? I nervously gulp. Okay, I'll try to think of something happy so I don't get scared.. We walk around the building again. I'll get some strawberry milk! There's a pretty long fridge right over there. After we get there, I grab four of them and put them in the cart. I can't wait to drink them!
"Okay, Rico. Let's go to..."
Huh? Where did he go? I'm all alone. Eh, I'm kinda used to it. He's probably with Annie right now. Um, I think..? Resuming to explore the supermarket, I spot the potato chips aisle. Cheerily, I run a bit, then lift my legs off the ground, letting the small shopping cart to roll to the aisle. Wheeeeee!! It might be small, but it's still tough as the big ones! Reaching there, I put my legs back on the ground. That was fun..! Hmm, which one should I have... Oh, paprika, and some salt, too! Do I want vinegar..? Nah, not a fan of its taste. I put the potato chip bags into the cart. There's still a few more room for some items. I continue to roam through the building, then I stop near the escalators, looking up at the second floor. Does it have anything up there? Before I get to look for my sister, I start to see some weird guys walk up the escalators. I tilt my head in confusion. More of them show up, they are also going to the second floor. One of them notices me and waves hello, I do the same. Even MORE of the weird guys start to get up to the second floor. I wonder what they're going to do there? Hmmm... Oh, well, I'll go look for Annie! I continue to walk around, searching for her. But, I can't find her anywhere. Like, wow, this supermarket is so big, you can get lost in it if you don't know where you're going! While I go through the aisles, I hear chairs up on the second floor being moved around. Okay.. now I'm VERY curious. I wanna know what the weird guys are doing! Heading back to the escalators, I leave my shopping cart next to them.
I begin to walk up the escalators and reach the second floor. Whoa, there are a lot of them here! I'm sorta bad at counting, but I think there are about fifty weird guys. They are staring at me as if they knew that I'm going to be here soon. A few weird guys are busy sorting the cards... and they stop to stare at me, too. Taking a few steps forward, I curiously ask what they are doing, no response. Well, duh! They're mute. It looks like they're about to play a card game..? I get a bit nervous because of them staring at me, so I turn around to go back down.. and I jump in surprise when I find a weird mustache guy standing right behind me. I was this close to bumping into him, thank gosh I didn't! A bit awkwardly, I greet him, he reaches his hand out to me. What..?
"Umm, you want me to.. play with you?"
The weird mustache guy nods once. Uh, okay then..! I hold his hand and he takes me to a table with two empty chairs, we sit down. On the table, is a lot of cards stacked on top of each other, he grabs them and starts to sort them for a bit. He gives me seven of them, he's already holding seven of his cards. Putting the rest of them on the table's right side, we start playing.
...
This is fun!
...
Oh, I'm about to win! Um, the weird mustache guy is staring at me.. I'm a little uncomfortable now, heheh.
...
And DONE! Woo-hoo!! I won..! He gives me a thumbs up as the other weird guys applaud me for winning the game. They are so nice and friendly! He then begins to sort the cards again after I gave him mine. Another round? Alright, I have time to play again!
...
Oh, looks like he's going to win this time. Good for him!
...
I feel like someone is standing behind me, so I look over my shoulder. It's Rico! I happily greet him, he gently pats my head a few times. He's watching us play the card game.
...
The weird mustache guy won! I congratulate him, he responds by giving me a thumbs up again. Standing up from the chair, I tell him that I'm gonna go now, I have to look for my sister. He too gets up, and approaches us. He will be with us? Okay, I don't have any issue with that! Let's go! Rico holds my hand, then we go down the escalator to the first floor. I grab my small shopping cart.
"Rico, do you know where my sister is?"
He nods once. Cool! My silent friends and I wander around the supermarket, and we eventually find Annie, she's in the ice cream room. Ice cream!!! Excited, I run up and hug her. I tell her that I was looking EVERYWHERE for her. She laughs a bit, saying that I should follow her next time so I don't get lost again. I know, I know, haha. But, where did Rico go before he came back? That's a mystery I may never solve! My sister looks at my small cart to see what I have, and asks if I'm done with getting what I wanted, I say yup! What about her? Also the same. The abandoned supermarket is the best place EVER!!
"Let's go home, Rico!"
He, again, nods once. Ooh, wait.. I bid the weird mustache guy good-bye, he waves. Holding my sister and I's hands, Rico teleports us (and our shopping carts) back to our house. We are outside. I hope no one steals them! We take a few minutes getting our stuff in the house, and then after that, we sit on the living room couch, relaxed. Phew, that was a lot! Did Annie 'buy' noodles? Yup, and a BUNCH of them! It's getting dark now, I'm a bit tired.. but I'm not sleeping now. I wanna play with my friend first..!
Rico and I walk upstairs to my room, where we start to play with the paper planes he made. A few of them are big! While having fun, I slowly begin to drift off to sleep. My weird guy friend gently picks me up and puts me in my bed, tucking me in. I thank him, and I fall asleep.
This day was so much fun, I can't wait to go there again..!
HIBERNATION MODE: CONCLUDED.
AN INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS HIBERNATING?
GODDAMN IT!
... IT INDEED WAS WHOLESOME. BUT, I AM SURE THAT THE NEXT ONE WILL NOT BE THE SAME.. HEHEHEHEH!
SEE *YOU* SOON, SWEETHEARTS!
I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU...
​
​

(Side note: This is super long. Excuse any lousy spelling and punctuation.)
I was supposed to go out on a date with a co-worker Sergio but that didn't happen. My date was planned for the same day as my cousin Isabel's wedding day. I agreed to the date last Friday because I already knew I would not be attending Isabel's wedding. However, all that changed because my Family members were very upset and would not drop it. They didn't know my part of the story and they did not want to listen to it, they only knew Isabel's part which was an entire lie. Then they all decided that I was an a**hole and being 'overly dramatic' just from hearing her side. Overall it's a mess. I only went because I wanted the family to leave me alone. From all the drama and from Isabel running her mouth I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of thinking I was still in pain. I know her invite was just to make her seem like the bigger person but I know it's all a fake. Now the reason I was not going to attend was because Isabel stole my boyfriend Anthony and is now getting married to him. Honestly, it's all insane to me because everything has happened so fast.
Back story. Back on 12/19, I came back home early in the morning about 2am(ish) from work (I work a night shift). From the outside, you'd notice that all lights were off inside, so I assumed that Anthony was not there and would most likely be back at the apartment packing up his stuff. I recently just bought this house and already had all my stuff there. I texted him, told him I left work early, and asked if he could come home, but I got no response. I assumed he was asleep. However, he is usually up and waiting for me, but since we have been moving his stuff, it's been tiring. I had decided to shower and then get ready and get some food because I didn't have the energy to dig through boxes for pans to cook something. I got out of the car and started heading towards the front door. As I approached the door, I could hear music and stuff that no person ever wanted to hear in the early morning. I froze, and my mind went blank. I started to unlock the door slowly and quietly. I turned on the light and saw Isabel and Anthony doing the nasty on the couch. I screamed and began to cry out of anger. They screamed as well, and Isabel fell off of Anthony when he pushed her off of him. He, of course, like any cheating person, would say, "It's not what It looks like." I didn't say much because I didn't know what to say; I was speechless. I told Anthony, "Get out." and told Isabel, "Get out. I don't understand how you could do this to me. Just get out." Both of them quickly grabbed their clothing and got dressed. Anthony tried to talk to me, but I wasn't listening. He tried to hug and apologize and kept telling me he was sorry and loved me. I just told him we were over and I could never forgive him and to leave. He started to cry and just stood there staring at me, then looked over at Isabel, giving her a pissed-off look. She was standing there glaring at me. I honestly was ready to throw hands with her because I was so pissed off and the same with him. I didn't want things to escalate; I didn't want to deal with cops or wake up my new neighbors. At this point, I just wanted to sleep. I had to repeat myself multiple times for them to leave my house. They both refused to go, so I did threaten to call the cops, and that's what got them out. Anthony walked out first and didn't say anything. Isabel started to walk out, but before she walked out the door, she told me something I will never forget. She told me, and I remember what she said exactly word for word. She told me,
"You ruin everything. You ruined my love life when you stole Anthony from me. I knew him first and loved him first. You just came and stole him from me, You should know better than to be stealing someone's boyfriend. I never did anything to you for you to do what you did. You don't know how much pain you put me through. Don't talk to me ever again. I never want to see you. I don't want you around me at all. I hate you so much because you f***ed up my life. Don't talk to me. I hope your epilepsy kills you because that would make me feel so much better. It would be best for you to not be around anymore. I wish we weren't related. I wish you were dead."
There were a few things I wanted to say to that, but the 'I hope your epilepsy kills you' threw me off and hurt me even more. She walked out, slamming my door behind her. Few things I want to get clear. One when I met Anthony I didn't know she was in love with him. Two, they were not dating when we met or got together; they said they were just friends. Three, she never told me how she felt about him. I don't understand why she didn't just say something because if she had said something when he asked me out, I would have told him "No." and said the reason why. And Four, I was never told anything about the so-called 'Pain' I put her through. When she told me not to talk to or be around her, I thought it was better that way because I didn't want to talk to or be around her.
Fast forward to 2/14, I'm sitting next to Sergio and I am showing him a video on Instagram. I got a message from Isabel which was weird cause we had not talked since the cheating happened. I ignored the message and continued to show the video. I didn't care about whatever it was she messaged about nor did I even want to open it. After the video was over I went in and deleted the message without looking at it. Then I got another one from Isabel. Those messages kept coming in until I went in and blocked her. I didn't block her before because she didn't bother me after everything that happened. After the blocking, I just continued to scroll through Instagram. I stopped on a post that was posted by my cousin Eliyana (She is Isabel's youngest sister.) She posted a few videos and photos with the caption reading 'Congratulations to my sister Isa and future brother-in-law Anthony on their engagement. You guys make a beautiful couple.' Scrolling through the pictures I saw a few of my family members in it, some of our mutual friends, and then of course Isabel and Anthony. I sat at the table kind of shocked but then again not really. I was only shocked because I found it surprising that they would get married so soon and I thought it was a little too fast. Then I reminded myself that they had known each other for a very long time so I guess it might make sense in their twisted minds but it's whatever. I proceeded on with my night since the bell had rung to go back to work.
Time skip to when I got out of work the next day 2/15 technically speaking. I stood outside my work building waiting for my friends to come out. I checked my phone because I had left it in my bag in the breakroom cubby-hole thingy. While checking the notifications I had seen I got missed calls and a bunch of text messages from the family. Then got an incoming call from my cousin Ryan (Isabel's oldest brother). I answered it but as soon as I answered my friends came out. I had to tell Ryan that I would call him when I got home because I was busy at work. I hung up on him but doing so he was trying to talk. I continued to talk to my friends. We stood outside the work building for a good 15 minutes or so to wait for the parking lot to clear. Everyone is so in a hurry to get home it's insane but understandable because it's early as f*** and everyone is tired. When most of the lot was cleared we started to go our separate ways. I had given Sergio are ride so he was with me. We started walking to my car and reflecting on how the rest of our shifts went after lunch. Once we got to my car I unlocked threw my phone on the seat and opened up the trunk. I started to throw my lunch box, backpack, and other stuff in the trunk while Sergio put all his stuff in the back seat and got in the car. My phone started ringing again and I told Sergio to answer it. Didn't know it was my cousin trying to call me again. When Sergio answered he didn't even get a word in because my cousin started talking saying... "Dude. I know you are busy and you are at work but I need to talk to you about Isa and I don't- who the f*** are you? where's my cousin?" Lol, I did not know it was a FaceTime call and for me, it was kind of funny. Sergio proceeded to tell my cousin I was doing something and for him to hold on. My cousin was trying to yell at Sergio asking who he was and other nonsense. I got in the car and Sergio handed me my phone and told him "You didn't tell me if was a FaceTime call. haha." He laughed and said "Dude I wasn't even paying attention. I just answered it." Then we both laughed and I got on the FaceTime call. Saw my cousin sitting with his Girlfriend but she wasn't paying attention she had her headset on and was playing a video game. "What's up?" I asked. He proceeded to spill all that went down at my cousin's party. He told me how she made a speech and practically dragged my name through the mud. He told me to ignore all messages, vm, voicemails, and other methods when it came to the family trying to contact me. I told him I didn't plan on viewing anything or hearing anything and I was not surprised she talked sh*t about me. I also told him I wouldn't have answered the phone if he called either because I didn't know if he took her side or not. He understood why I told him that but he also said he could tell that she was lying but he wanted to also get my side of the story. I told him I'd have to talk to him once I got home and I would call him back later. He agreed and apologized to Sergio because he thought he had stolen my phone or something.
Once I had gotten back home I called my cousin before I passed out. I explained to him what happened when I got home from work that day. Then told him what she said to me about my epilepsy and how that added to not wanting to be around her but mainly because she said she didn't want me around. I told him word for word about what she said. I gave him every detail he needed and I spoke the truth. Then he gave me the breakdown of the story she told the family. She told the family that we were not together anymore but we were just living together because of the bills and both our names being on the apartment lease. She also advised the family that she was staying at the apartment because she was moving in once I was out. She told the family that everything that happened was at the apartment and I did what I did was out of jealousy and because I was crazy. She claimed I was just being a bch and didn't like that I was being replaced because he dumped me. She said she did nothing wrong because we were already broken up. She claimed to have reached out to me to talk about what happened but when she called I answered and told her to fk off and that I said some other nasty things to her that 'broke her heart' because words like that aren't meant to be said to family. During her speech that she did, she talked so much sh*t about me and some of the family agreed but some of the other family didn't.
Ryan went into detail about a lot of things she said. He explained to me that from his perspective her story did not make any sense. I explained my side of the story to him and he said it made more sense to him about what happened. He believed me and told me which family members believed her side was confusing because they knew some details the other side didn't. For example, they knew I got a house and from their understanding, we were still together because of a video I posted to Facebook about being so happy we got a house together. Another thing was that Anthony tried to keep it a secret but he opened up his big mouth about wanting to propose to me soon after getting everything situated. Therefore one side knew and the other didn't and I don't understand how they didn't. Overall Ryan believed me and apologized for Isa's behavior even though he shouldn't because he's not Isa and he had nothing to do with what happened.
My relationship with Anthony wasn't exactly perfect because what relationship is? However, we hardly fought and always trusted each other. When we did fight it was over the little things like washing dishes, taking trash out, and other stuff. We talked things out like we should. I thought I could trust him. Now I feel like I can't trust anyone.
Fast forward to 4/3. Time had passed and it felt like it went by quickly but as time went on I let go of everything that happened and slowly started to get over Anthony. As time passed I started to have a thing for Sergio because he was such a sweet guy. We started to spend a lot more time together outside of work as well. I also had barely spoken to the family except a few like Ryan, My grandmother, my Uncle (My Grandma's youngest son), and some of my other cousins. I also had to explain my story to the mutual friends I shared with my cousin and some of those friends believed me and others didn't so to me it was a whatever kind of thing I was over it. It's like you either believe me or you don't the choice is yours. Anyway, I went to Grandmother's house before heading to work to drop off some groceries I had gotten her and to tell her she didn't have to worry about her phone and electricity bill. When I got there I went inside and saw Isabel and Anthony sitting at the table sharing a meal with my Grandma. Just said 'Hi' and then looked away from them and looked at Grandma. I told her what I needed to tell her then was going to leave. Before I could leave she told me to sit and eat. I told her I had to get to work. She didn't take no for an answer and I of course was not going to argue with her so I sucked it up and sat down. They were talking about the wedding and I sat there in silence. Them talking about the wedding didn't bother me it was the staring coming from Anthony that bothered me. I continued to eat and ignore it but I was thinking about Sergio the whole time. My phone started ringing so I looked to see who was calling and it was Sergio. I answered my phone and they all looked at me. Sergio just wanted to know if we were going to take something for lunch or just eat whatever was at the snack area at work. I told him I could pick up a pizza or something for us before heading to work. Then we ended the call. Grandma asked me who it was that called and I told her it was one of my co-workers. We didn't talk about him after that. Once I had finished eating I told my Grandma thank you and I was going to head to get that pizza and head to work. Before I could leave my cousin gets up and heads to the counter going through a bag. She pulled out a pink envelope that had my name written on it in cursive and then handed it to me. Then tells me.
"I don't want to fight anymore. I want you to come to the wedding. I'm sorry and I want you to be there and you can bring a plus one if you want. This fighting is stressful I love you very much. Of course, I know that you know what you did was uncalled-for childish but we can overlook that."
My thoughts went elsewhere and wanted to say something but I didn't want to say anything in front of my Grandma. My Grandma didn't want anything to do with what happened and she didn't know much. She said she could never choose between her Grandchildren. I knew my cousin's apology was a fake one. I knew because she gave me a dirty look and she got away with it because she was facing away from my Grandma while I was facing towards her. I was fighting the urge to slap or punch her. I was no longer mad about her stealing Anthony from her I was mad at the fact that she said it was my fault when it wasn't, she was still going with her lies.
I grabbed the invitation anyway. I told my Grandma bye and left. I headed to get the pizza and then went to work. After doing all that I finally got to work and was sitting in the parking lot. I was frustrated and wanted to punch something. I wanted to throw and burn the invitation but I got curious and opened it up. The wedding was set for 5/10 at 4 pm till whenever I guess. I already made the decision that I would not be attending. I tore the invitation up and then got out of my car. I grabbed my stuff and then walked toward the nearest trashcan and tossed the invitation inside. I continued with my day.
Now to the present(ish). Back on 5/2, I was at work having lunch with Sergio. I've spent a lot of time in and outside of work with him and he confessed his emotions towards me and I told him how much I liked him as well. He asked me out on a date on our day off which was last Friday (The day of my cousin's wedding.) I agreed of course and I forgot about that date being my cousin's wedding but it didn't matter because I wasn't planning on going anyway. So I agreed to the date and he told me it would be a surprise what we would do and I agreed and didn't mind. I was just so happy that I was going to be going on a date with him because I had fallen so hard for this guy.
From that point on throughout the week I was getting calls and messages from the family asking if I would be attending my cousin's wedding. They knew she had given me an invitation but she was telling the family she was not sure if I was going to go. Now at the point like I had put I had forgotten about it. I told them I would not be able to attend because I had an important thing going on that I could not miss. Then I was told I needed to stop being childish and move on. Also being told I just need to be happy for Isabel and Anthony and stop being bitter. I told them I was not bitter I just had something important going on and it was not a lie. They claimed I was lying. They of course told me there was nothing more important than family and I would regret not going. I wanted to ignore them so much but they kept contacting me from so many different numbers and creating fake accounts just to message me and stuff. They even came to my house. It was getting super irritating.
Ryan even came to the house before I headed to work. Now Ryan I don't mind because we of course are getting along. He showed up a few hours before I had to go to work. I let him in knowing he was going to talk to me about going to the wedding. Our conversation wasn't bad or anything. He just told me that I should go to the wedding so it could shut the family up and prove to them I was over the situation (In which he knew I was. He even knew about Sergio because I told him about him.). He told me just like everyone else to bring a plus one and recommended I bring Sergio. (Now I didn't tell him I was going to go on a date with Sergio and of course, had not told him it was on the day of the wedding.). He told me it would prove a point to the family and I would win the war. Which made me laugh when he said that.
I knew he had a point though. If I went it would possibly shut the family up. It would be so that I could care less about them being in a relationship. However scared at the same time because anything is possible with my family it could end up being bad or good something you'd never know. I didn't even know who I could bring as a plus one that would keep me sane because I was not comfortable bringing Sergio because I didn't think he would feel comfortable. Another thing was if I decided to go then I would have to cancel things with Sergio and I don't want to. My heart broke just thinking about canceling. But then I decided that I might just go to the wedding because like my cousin said it might shut up the family. I was just disappointed I would have to cancel my plans and I hope he wouldn't be mad at me. Sergio does know everything about what happened with my family though because I vented to him about everything.
When my cousin left and I got to work I texted him that I would go. I would go to just prove a point. I was not happy at all I felt so sad. I needed to find a way fast to tell Sergio that I was not going to be able to go on a date with him. I sat in my car and Sergio tapped on my window. I opened the door and let him in. He scared me to be honest because I was in my world at that point. We sat in my car until it was time to go in. In that time I managed to find the words to tell him what I needed to tell him. I even told him how sad I was about it but also told him I wanted my family to leave me alone and they were stressing me out. He understood and told me he could understand I was under a lot of stress. I had asked if we could reschedule for the day after. I was scared he was going to say no. However, what surprised me was he asked if he could escort me just to help me prove my point but mainly because he still wanted to spend time with me. I told him only if he wanted to and if he felt comfortable and he said yeah. I told him the time and all the other stuff he needed to know.
Now wedding day rolls around 5/10. We go together and stuff feels so awkward and I'm about to lose my mind from all the awkwardness. The only one that was chill was Sergio which made me feel a little better. The family acknowledged us and was happy that I came. The other side who was still giving me problems was of course surprised and of course, talking about me being there. I was holding Sergio's hand as we walked into the venue. I talked to some of my family and introduced Sergio to them. They of course asked questions like how we met, how long we've been dating, and everything else. We sat down at a table with Ryan and his Girlfriend. We talked amongst ourselves. I started to ease up and not care about my family staring. When Ryan got up to go dance with His Girlfriend it was just me and Sergio sitting and talking up until he asked me to dance to a slow song they were playing. I told him I don't dance but he got me to dance anyway. While slow dancing I noticed my family still staring at us. Specifically, the side that was mad at me. I focused on Sergio as we danced and talked. We were laughing while dancing because I am a horrible dancer. When he spun me around I saw my cousin dancing with Anthony but as they were dancing their attention was on us the whole time. Once the song was over we went straight to the table. We honestly spent most of the night at the table talking. That was something I didn't mind because I love the times when we just sit and talk. Some of my family had come up to us and talked to us and I of course introduced Sergio to them. The night itself wasn't too bad we just kept to ourselves we only got up a few times from the table. We had left earlier than everyone else because I had proven my point and I just wanted to be alone with him and not spend so much time around the family. I said goodbye to the ones I do get along with.
Now for yesterday. Since Friday I've been continuing to get nasty messages. I swear I cannot win with my family. They told me I was being a hoe and being rude for bringing the guy that I cheated on Anthony with. I was told that I was stealing the spotlight from my cousin by bringing a more attractive guy than Anthony as my plus-one (Now that one made me laugh because I agree Sergio is more attractive but like I just found it funny that they said that because how is that even a thing?). They told me I was being petty. Told me that I embarrassed myself by coming. Told me I looked horrible. Was told that my cousin is upset I stole the spotlight from her and I did it on purpose. I was told I shouldn't have brought him with me because it was unnecessary and I was just trying to get attention. Then advised it was an a**hole move and if it was a stunt I was gonna pull I shouldn't have gone. That's just a few things that were said there was so much more.
I do not understand how I stole the spotlight or anything at all. I went and didn't do anything. I had one dance with Sergio and we stayed at the table talking. We talked to some of the family and that is all. They make it seem like I went and did something to my cousin. AITA?

o.. I know the title sounds intense but I promise you it’s not quite as bad as it sounds at least I hope not. So I (F 24) and my husband (M 53) are heavily in love despite the age gap. My husband is a very successful and wealthy lawyer and I am a stay at home wife, I cook and sometimes even clean so hubby has everything he could ever what right? Well at least that’s what I thought but last week he started calling me out and saying I do nothing and that I’m only with him for the money(which is entirely false) and then he left for the night to my MIL and FIL’s house, where clearly he talked sh** about his own wife to his stupid parents! Because the next morning I woke up to hundreds of angry dm’s and messages from his entire family cussing me out and calling me a gold digger, entitled b*ch, a useless lazy slt and more, but the one that stood out to me was the message from my MIL calling me a raging hre. Her disrespecting ME like this infuriated me and I’m shaking right now while writing this I’m THAT angry, so I done what any right person would do (don’t pretend you wouldn’t) I snuck over to their house when my husband and FIL were at work and inected my evil, psycho MIL with a certain ’mdicine’ (I can’t say on here) to kn0ck her out. Then when she was entirely kn0cked out, I put her in a b1n bag and put her in my boot, then I drove her up into some near by mountains where I have this cute little cabin and respectfully z1p-ti3d and t8ped, her to the wall and covered her mouth and eyes. So far obviously not bad, now here is maybe where I went a little wrong, because then I sc@1p3d her, and took off her cl0thes and left here there, in hope she’d fr33ze almost to deth then, obviously I’d give her back to my really attractive FIL, who whilst this was happening I planned on s*ducing, and starting a thr33some with him and my husband. Now I will admit I think maybe st3aling her man was a bit far but at the same time he’s so h0t how could I not? I will lyk when I give her back, but also like should I like feed her? And also how long does it take for a human to fr33ze til they’re blue? Anyway bye guys xx I will do part two soon

Is this some kind of sick joke?:

after the "burial" of "nie wiem" the lotad. the game kept throwing at me lotads... why? does it make the game feel good? thats like if it stapled a dead dog to its body and made barking noises next to the dogs owner. after that. i got ..................... (mudkip) to level 10 where it learns water gun. killer-420 (zigzagoon) picked up a great ball. which is cool. might catch something usefull with it. anyway. petalburgh gym is a normal type. nothing too threatning to my pokemon. level 8 on killer-420 and doggo-ette (poochyena) should be enough. ........................ will probably carry with water gun but i see that killer-420 could tail whip tackle and doggo-ette could howl tackle. so ye. someone told me that using hacking in rare candies is a good alternative. only rule being that you can only rare candy a pokemon untill its the same level as the strongest pokemon on your team.

DAD! I CHALLE- oh this kid wants a ralts.

K. the leader (i think) is my dad.. Wally. (W probably stands for wimp). wants a flippin pokemon (go harras birch not me omg like im trying to get as fast away from this god forsaken place and forget about the lotad and not help you catch one of dem growlers). aight turns out this goblin already has a zigzagoon (thats enough it can fetch you pokeballs stop harrasing me you wall). than we proceed onto the slowest bag traveling ever. alright that zigzagoon was my dads. should i be concerned that this man walks around with a level 7 zigzagoon that he lends to kids? kid left i hope i wont have to see him for..... 8 gym leaders. 4 elite four members. and 1 champion. unless wally somehow gets over being scared of eyeless shrooms and becomes champion

DAD! I CHALLE- OH WHAT NOW?!

turns out i was harrased into interacting with my dad for no reason.. he just said "go to dough borrow town and fight the gym leader there i dont care bye". some random dude called me a "rookie trainer or an ordinary kid". guess who is gonna wake up in an ice bath missing a kidney.

Glad to have read the rules.

so i read the rules and i saw "duplicate clause" where is i encounter a duplicate. i can go away and find a new one. so thats cool. i saw that i have 4 pokemon in my dex... that would be concerning but my current pokedex has only 27 or something slots. also.. turns out i was right thinking cheating in rare candies is cheating. ITS IN THE NAME. caught a wingull tho. named it flap dap. broke into a random persons house. no pokeballs so they must be poor. killer-420 landed a crit AGAIN. seriously. killer-420 is landing crit after crit. save some for the other party members

Thank god i trained

Lady cindy challenged me to a battle with her level 7 zigzagoon.. glad i trained pokemon especially since she had a FULL RESTORE!? WHAT?! I DONT EVEN HAVE A BADGE AND YOU BRING IN FULL RESTORES?! at least i got a payday (14 hundred pokebucks)

Are we there yet?

ok so i thought i could heal up flap dap and train it to level 6. nah there are the woods. a new member? flap dap only knwows. water gun. thouhgt i could peck innocent lotad's dont know if my sanity would allow me to

Jokes on you game. i was already going to.

in the forest. i read a sign saying about a safe way to train weak pokemon. have it lead the party. AND WHENEVER A BATTLE STARTS SWITCH IT OUT ASAP. anyway i encountered the one and only shroomish

2 crits in a row? what are the- oh damn....

yeah the shroomish got 2 crit absorbs nearly KILLING DOGGO-ETTE. switched her out for killer-420. i appreciate it trying to be the crit master.... but from what you read. you can guess.... killer-420 crit -1 defense on the shromish.... amazing support gone in an instant. i checked the optional rules to see if there is an optional "if 1st killed" clause. but no.... shroomish could have been so usefull. sigh. and if this much damage wasnt enough for killer-420. HE PICKED UP AN X-ATTACK!

You just love to torture me game

a random person asked me have i seen shroomish. i HAVE but I KILLED IT BY ACCIDENT. also we were met with an aqua grunt? some chemistry club people or smth i didnt pay attention.

Why drag me into it?

some researcher used me as a meat shield. and HOLY level 9 poochyena. i knew mudkip was the only one that can safely deal with threats like this. so yeah... i threw mud at it than watered it. anyway i know that so little happend but i already wrote a lot. so see ya next run update

It's been hard to find time to write this past week, but I'm chugging along, however sluggish. I also want to give a huge thanks to u/icallshogun for telling me how to use new-old reddit, because it's already saved me a bunch of time posting this single chapter.
I have a bad habit of last minute editing before I post chapters. I'll usually go over once or twice and switch up a few things. I didn't this time. Why am I telling you this? No idea. Enjoy.
A little PSA: if the next chapter button is missing, it's most likely in the comments (either that, or the next chapter isn't out yet), because sometimes reddit likes to say posts are more than 40k even when they aren't, making them impossible to edit. I just had this problem adding the link to chapter 12.
Many thanks to u/SpacePaladin for making NoP!
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Chapter 13: A million miles away
- Memory Transcription Subject: Arlene Brandy, Human Refugee
Date [Standardized Human Time]: October 20th, 2136
The refugee center crested the horizon, with UN banners draped from the second story, and signs marking some of the nearby buildings as temporary housing. I wondered how exactly they convinced people to hand over entire buildings for use. One of them wasn’t even an apartment building, it was offices.
There were more humans around, of course, with the venlil population extremely sparse, only a few brave enough to be anywhere near the ‘den’. I grabbed the door, and opened it, revealing the main lobby, which to my utter surprise, had a venlil at the desk along with a human.
It feels so weird to point out when people are human or not, but that’s just how it is now. I ambled towards the pair, keeping my movements slow and calculated, not to scare the guy. He noticed, and let out a chuckle.
“No need to worry about me ma’am. I’m quite used to humans by now.”
I relaxed, blushing a little. “That makes sense.”
“What do you need?” The venlil asked.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to get one of those datapads. I have family at home I need to get in touch with.”
“And you are?”
“Arlene Brandy.”
“Uh huh.” He clicked at the computer for a moment. “Well, you’re a little late to the party. We just got five hundred or so new residents, so we’re out of new pads, but I’m sure you can find someone willing to let you borrow theirs.”
“Shit.”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. You’re staying at Golden Ridge apartment 113, correct?”
“Yes, why?”
“I’ll have one sent to your door when we get a new shipment.”
“Thank you.” I turned to leave.
“Wait, we wont get more for a few paws yet. Why don’t you try asking to use someone else’s?”
I turned back around to the desk. “Can I use yours?”
"Sorry, mine doesn’t connect to the Earth networks.”
“Shit.”
“Please try not to swear so much, there are children around.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
The guy at the desk was so comfortable around me that it started making me uncomfortable. While the human at the desk didn’t even register me. I bet he was playing solitaire.
I entered the common room. People ambled, walked, teetered, and even ran around, from door to door and table to table. Seating was plentiful, but there weren’t any free spots, because the place was so packed. There really were a lot of them. Refugees, I mean. This was only a tiny fraction too.
How many more? Is there an end to it?
I searched for someone to approach, but found nothing. Everyone was grieving. I didn’t want to interrupt. I didn’t want to see it, I didn’t want to know it was there. My stomach turned in a horrible spiral, and I soon found myself bent over a toilet, ejecting breakfast. I was drooling over the bowl like a rabid dog, eyes watering and legs quaking. My diaphragm expelled one last gust of air, in a horrible coughing fit that lasted uncomfortably long.
I don’t know how I found the bathroom without help, it wasn’t marked very well. I’ve always been good at that sort of thing I guess, whatever ‘that sort of thing’ is.
On my way out, I washed my hands twice, not that it made a difference. The common room was still full of chatter and sobbing, quiet and boisterous both in their own right.
A man in a dress shirt sat alone at a table with his head in his hands. A mother cradled a baby in her arms, rocking him to sleep. In the corner of the room sat a group of people sitting on the ground playing monopoly. A boy ate a droopy sandwich next to a parent, munching listlessly. They all looked so tired. So tired that it could suck the breath right back out of you.
At one of the tables was a man with burns on his arms, and another bandaging him up. He winced when the bandages touched the splotches where blisters used to be, dry and scabbed. There was a good chance the burns were inflicted on purpose, by them. Monsters.
He locked eyes with me, his empty like all the rest. My head jerked away, embarrassment on my face like dye, the mask doing little to hide my frenzied posture. I power walked to another part of the room, behind a group of people conversing. I took off my coat so I wouldn’t overheat in the stuffy room… and also to blend into the crowd.
Staring at burn victims? What is wrong with you?
I looked down at myself. My boots were brown, my pants were black, and my shirt was as well, with a picture of an album cover on the front. My hands were twitchy, and my arm was still bandaged. I could’ve, should’ve lost the dressings by then, but I hadn’t got around to it. I put my coat back on
Since I wasn’t getting anywhere, I decided to take a trip down the hallways, into the dorms, where it was less crowded.
Down the halls, past a few turns, was an open door, with warm light spilling out, and cheerful discussion taking place inside. Taking a peek, I saw a group of 3 people, one of whom was a venlil, playing cards. The funny thing, is it was one of those grungy decks with pictures of naked ladies on them. Well, I don’t know if it was funny, but it stuck with me.
“Hello?” Spoke the venlil.
The other heads turned in my direction. I was discovered. A pang of cold crawled through my spine.
“O-oh, hi.” I tried and failed to act like I hadn’t been watching them for several seconds.
“Hey there, are you one of the new arrivals?” Asked the girl sitting next to the venlil.
“Uh, no, I’ve just been living in a different spot.”
“No wonder you look like shit.” Spoke a middle aged guy with scars. There was an ankle monitor on his leg, though I certainly wasn’t going to question him about it.
“Ben! Don’t be rude.” The girl replied.
“I’m not being rude. We all look like shit. Some of us are shit right now.” Ben mumbled.
“Well you don’t have to be so nihilistic about it.” She turned back to me. “Wanna join us? We could use a fourth.”
“No thanks. I’m trying to get in touch with my family.”
"Well if they’re here, I can find them. I know everyone here.” Said the girl, with a big grin.
"They’re on Earth. I just need to use someone’s datapad. The guy at the desk said we were out of new ones.”
“Did you break yours?”
A nervous laugh escaped me. It felt so weird to have a normal conversation. The last time I talked to a human was only a few days ago, but it felt much longer. Years maybe… or not. My shoulders felt tight, probably from the extra weight. I swallowed a lump that had been growing in my throat since leaving Earth, and my stomach got heavier as a result.
What did she lose?
I cleared my throat. “N-no, I never got one in the first place.”
“Well, no worries. You can use mine if you want. I’m Taylor by the way.” She smiled.
I didn’t smile back. The mask would’ve hidden it anyway. “Thanks. I’m Arlene.”
She handed me the weird alien phone, which I soon realized I didn’t know how to use.
The venlil piped up. “Want me to do it for you?” He stood up.
“Yes please.” I handed him the datapad.
He started tapping away at the device. “These things are super outdated. The interface is really clunky, especially the UN comms.”
I loomed over his shoulder, watching him type in a bunch of stuff into text boxes. “You have to login to make calls?”
“No, this is just the path the call will be taking. Where are you calling?”
“Wisconsin.”
“Where is that?”
“North America.”
*“*Okay, there we go.” He handed the datapad back to me. “Just type in the phone number and you’re good to go.”
“Thanks.” I started punching in the number.
“No problem. I’ve had to do it for Taylor a million times by now.” He chuckled.
“Hey, I know how to do it now!” She replied.
“Then why didn’t you show her how?”
Taylor snorted. “Because then you wouldn’t be useful anymore, and I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Whatever you say.” He flicked his tail.
“Hey, enough with the snarky tail language.” She crossed her arms.
“What did he say?” Ben asked.
“He said I was a goober.”
I looked up from the datapad. “You have a tail sign for ‘goober’?”
“Of course we do, why wouldn’t we?” He shrugged.
Ben raised his eyebrows, and Taylor laughed. I was still wearing the mask.
"Hey, do you mind if I uh… you know.” I pointed to my face.
“Oh please, you couldn’t possibly be uglier than Taylor.”
“You better be careful Talnek. You’d get a beating if you insulted a lady where I come from.” Ben stated.
Taylor punched Ben in the shoulder. “He’s just messing!”
I removed the mask, and set it down on a table. “Is it alright if I make the call outside?”
“Sure, as long as you don’t manage to brick the thing.” Talnek said, sitting back down at his cards with a snicker.
Taylor shot him a dirty look.
“Thanks again Taylor.”
She grinned like a little kid. “No prob bob!”
I stepped into the hallway, holding the datapad up to my face, and pressed the call button.
It rang.
And rang.
And rang…
Until the display lit up with the face of my dad. My lips curled up in a smile.
“Hey dad.”
“Ope!” He flinched, then grinned. “Hey there sweetie. Havin’ fun up in space?”
“Nevermind that! Are you guys okay? Did Luke make it back alright?”
“Oh we’re doing fine yet. Luke got discharged because of injuries. He got pretty banged up in a crash, but he’s alright.”
“Is mom around?”
"Sorry kiddo, she’s out of town getting gas for the generators.”
My eyes widened. “Generators? Is the power out? Have you been able to get dialysis?”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh don’t worry yourself. We’ve got diesel running the place.”
My hands left marks of sweat on the device. “You are getting your blood cleaned, right?”
“Yes, I am. Even if I wasn’t, your pa’s still got some fight left in ‘em.” He patted his bicep.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Jesus dad, you had me worried for a second there.”
He chuckled. “Don’t be. Try to have fun up there. No use worrying about somewhere you’re not.”
A sigh escaped me. “I’ll try.”
“That’s my girl! How are the aliens treating ya?”
I frowned. “Well, if I’m being honest, most of them are assholes.”
“That so?”
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve met a few that don’t mind me, but I can count them on one hand.”
“Well that’s better than nothing, ain’t it?” He raised an eyebrow in a joking manner.
I smiled a little. “I guess so.”
“So, tell me about these nice aliens then.”
“Sure- Hold on, is Luke there?”
“He’s sleeping right now. Doctor’s got him on the good stuff.”
“Is it that bad?”
He shouldn’t have enlisted. Asshole. He’s such an idiot. He could have died! “I wanna meet aliens” my ass.
*“*The doc says he’ll be up and at em in a few days, but the pain is still kicking him.”
*“*Is he alright? Like, is he shellshocked?”
Dad frowned. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask.” He looked past the camera. “He’s pretty bitter about the whole thing.”
My blood ran cold. I knew what it sounded like when he was downplaying something. “Dad. Is he gonna be okay?”
His expression softened. “Luke’s a strong boy. He’ll be okay.”
“He better. I’ll kill him if he’s not. You be sure to tell him that.”
Dad laughed. “Sure, sure. Back to the aliens, if you will.”
“My bad.” Warmth filled my face. “So there’s this guy who lives in my apartment building, right? I come back home after a day of trying, and failing, to get my hands on any materials, craft materials are super expensive here for some reason, by the way, and he’s coming home at the same time, so I say hi to him, and he jumps me!”
Maybe things would get better.
“Their claws are sharp! He scratched me up pretty bad, look.” I raised my arm to the camera, and my dad gasped in response.
"Whoa, that’s a lot of bandages.”
“Yeah, right? I may have put too much actually. Anyway, he charges me, and so I put him in a headlock, and I yell at him to calm down. It might have been a misplay on my part, I have to admit. What, with the venlil thinking we want to eat them and all that jazz.”
Dad nodded, eyes full of stars. This was nice.
“Well, he starts crying, and now I felt like an ass, so I try to calm him down, but he’s not having any of it. So I hand him a doll I made, but that didn’t do much either, so I ended up just having to leave him there. Would you believe it if I told you he came knocking on my door the next day? He wanted to learn felting!”
He burst into laughter, having to wiping a tear from his eye. “I have to say, you have the strangest way of making friends.”
Maybe I was worrying over nothing.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, so, I was trying to get wool, right? But there’s obviously no sheep here on venlil prime.”
“Oh, don’t tell me.”
“So I went around offering free haircuts.”
Dad started wheezing like he had sand in his lungs. He struggled to point a finger at me. “S-so…” He burst into another fit of laughter. “You went around with shears, offering haircuts to the fluffy aliens who think you want to eat them?”
“Yes, that’s exactly right. I give damn good cuts too.” I grinned, face full of mischief.
“So this friend of yours took you up on the offer? What’s his name?”
“Meba. And yes, I sheared him.”
“Okay, Meeh Baah? Are you pulling my leg?”
“Nope, that’s his real name. It means ‘little person’ in venlil, apparently.”
“You’re kidding! That is priceless! What happened then?”
“I sheared him, and then we went inside, and I taught him how to felt, and he got all flabbergasted when he saw me eat vegetables. He did this,” I held up a pointer finger, closing my eyes. “and then he said ‘You can’t eat vegetables, you’re a predator.’”
“Uh huh.”
“So after that, to skip to the good part, he has me follow him to work to *‘*protect him from humans’, and on the way back, just as we’re getting back to the apartments, he collapses in the hallway, hyperventilating and shaking.”
Maybe I could finally calm down.
“Oh no, was he okay?”
“Yeah, I brought him inside and calmed him down, but then the exterminators barged in! He stuffed me into a closet to hide me.”
Dad’s face swelled with disgust. “Ah yes, I’ve heard of them.”
“Well, they mess up the whole apartment, and they only leave because Meba is friends with their boss.”
“He’s buddy buddy with those folks?”
“Well, I don’t really know, but he used his connections to protect me, so I don’t mind. I was scared shitless the whole time. I barely kept myself still.”
“But you’re okay, right? They didn’t hurt you?”
"No, I was fine. I kind of blew up at him though. We made up though, and now he’s even comfortable around me with the mask off!”
“Mask?”
“The UN makes everyone wear masks in public so we don’t scare people.”
“I didn’t know it was that bad.”
“Yeah… it’s kinda scary sometimes.”
Home was still there.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure the rest of em will fall for your charm soon enough.”
“Yeah. After all, who could hate such an enchanting young lady?” I made a not so dignified face.
Dad shot a silly look right back, making us both laugh at our shared stupidity.
“So, since everything’s intact, when should I come home? I should be able to pretty soon.”
He smiled. “Hey, don’t worry about that. You should stay up there until the power comes back in… oh I don’t know, it should be on in a week or two. No reason to come back when the town is still out of whack.”
“What? But I can help out. Isn’t there work to be done?”
His eyes were warm. “Arlene, just have fun. We’ll be fine. Come home when it’s more comfortable.”
What?
“But I miss you guys.”
“I know, I miss you too.” He glanced off to the side for a moment. “But just wait a little longer. I want to roll the red carpet out for you. We’re not going anywhere.”
“Fine, but I expect a royal welcome.”
“Of course.” He grinned. “I better let you go, I have to make dinner.”
“Oh.. okay. I was hoping you’d be able to tell me about what’s going on in town.”
“Nothing crazy, just the usual but with flashlights instead of street lamps. Say hi to Meba for me.”
“Okay. Bye dad.”
“Bye kiddo. Try not to worry yourself so much.”
“I’ll try. I love you,”
“I love you too.”
He hung up the call, and home was gone again.
I popped back into the room to give Taylor her datapad back.
“How’d it go?” She asked.
“Good. I think.” I grabbed my mask, and handed her the device.
She smiled. “I’m glad. Want to stay for a bit? Today is pizza day.”
“I’m good. I should probably head out. Thanks though.”
“Wait a second, here.” Taylor handed me a card.
I turned it over in my fingers. It was off white with gold lettering. A business card. Very… eccentric.
“What’s this?”
“My info, so you can get in touch with me when you get a datapad. I’m kinda the self appointed caretaker of this place. If you need anything, anything at all, I’m your gal.”
I took another look at the card. “Thanks. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome! See you later.”
“See you.”
---
I sat on the bench by the office, legs crossed, working on a mini venlil, my third one actually. Yes, I was building an army. An army of little venlil that I would use for… something. Each one measured no more than four inches tall, with floppy yarn tails, and bits of blue yarn affixed for eyes.
They say the one who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. What do you get for one thousand woolen venlil?
“Arlene?” Meba was walking towards me. His eyes were unfocused, and his tail was motionless, like a doll’s. He dragged his feet on the ground, and his bag weighed on him like a heap of iron. To put it bluntly, he looked like shit.
“Oh hey there. Done with work?”
“Yeah. What are you making?” His voice was monotone.
“More mini venlil.”
He leaned over. “It looks like me.”
“It is made out of your wool. It would be worrying if it didn’t resemble you.”
“I guess. Does this one have a name too?”
“Not yet. Do you have any ideas?”
He thought for a moment, ears swiveling like satellite dishes. “Mulek.”
“Mulek it is. Is that a common name?”
“It was my father’s name.” He didn’t elaborate.
“Oh, speaking of which, my dad says ‘hi’.”
“He’s the… rancher, right?”
“Yeah.” I got up off the bench. “He’s not as scary as he sounds. If you met him, you’d realize his head is just full of muscles and fart jokes. Ready to go?”
He flicked an ear, and we started walking. The sheer complexity of venlil body language never failed to impress me. Not the ear flicks, those were easy, but the tail signals were insane.
“Hey, Meba?”
“Yeah?”
“What’s your job?”
“I’m a computer scientist. Why do you ask?”
“You look really tired. Six hours, sorry, I mean a claw and a half. It’s a long shift for venlil right?”
“Yes, but my job isn’t very physically demanding.”
“It isn’t taking a toll on you?”
“No.” He lied. I mean fuck, did he think I was stupid? I wasn’t, I think. If it wasn’t his job, it was something else.
“Really?”
“Yes, I just didn’t sleep well.” His eyes were drooping in real time.
Fine, be like that. If you won’t open up, I’ll just help another way.
“Do you want me to carry you?”
Meba stopped in his tracks. “C-carry me?”
“You aren’t very heavy. I could give you a piggyback ride the rest of the way.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“C’mon, I could use the exercise.” I crouched down, beckoning him over with my hands.
"Arlene, I can walk on my own.” He sounded offended.
"At least let me carry your bag.”
Meba sighed. “Fine.”
I stood up and grabbed his bag. “And away we go!”
We arrived at the station, just in time to catch the tube. Meba yanked his bag out of my arms to swipe his card through the terminal. This particular transport was packed to the brim with people, more than a few of them human. Meba visibly stiffened. He sat down, I remained standing.
“You okay?”
“Y-yeah. It’s just a-a lot.” He most definitely wasn’t, he was trembling like a leaf.
I stood between him and the crowd. “Better?”
“A l-little… thanks.”
“Hey, why don’t you work on the scarf, take your mind of things?”
“S-sure.” He grabbed the yarn ball from his bag, along with the crochet hook. Slowly, he removed the clip that was stopping it from unraveling, and stuck the hook through, starting right where he left off. He was definitely getting faster.
The tube rattled.
Outside, the city still breathed.
Kids coming home form school, people like us, coming home from work.
Same old same old.
In my mind, I pictured a fleet, swooping through star systems, making daring maneuvers, shooting down other vessels. So many lights. I imagined the metal stretching, and the hull creaking as it moved. I imagined the little people inside, scurrying around like ants, each wholly insignificant, but still, moving that massive shape.
I turned around to check on Meba.
He was still shaking, like a wet dog in the snow.
God, I miss Milo. Too bad they don’t let dogs on venlil prime.
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you gonna be alright?”
He looked up at me, with his funny little eyes. They were full of anger.
“Yes. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He let out a breath, clenching his jaw. “It’s so s-stupid it makes me sick.”
“Sorry?”
“There’s no t-threat. I shouldn’t be scared.”
I gave him a gentle shake. “Hey, it’s no big deal. You’re doing well.”
“I’m doing h-horrible. I hate these stupid instincts.” He growled. “H-how is this supposed to be an evolutionary advantage? I can b-barely think straight.”
“Take a deep breath.”
“B-brahk this.” He muttered. “You k-know, we’re famous for being w-weak. The b-best in the whole brahking f-federation.”
I frowned. “Don’t say that.”
“We c-can’t run, and w-we can’t fight.”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
“I can’t even c-control myself. I h-hate it.” He let the scarf slide back into his bag.
“Meba, you’re the bravest venlil I’ve met.”
“What d-does that say about us? That I’m one of t-the ‘brave ones’? It’s brahking p-pathetic.”
“Don’t say that about yourself.”
“Brahk! What else am I supposed to say?” He hissed, head finding its way into his paws. “It’s horrible. Horrible, horrible, h-horrible.”
I sat down next to him, and put my arm around his shoulder.
“This is s-so stupid.” He muttered.
“Tell me what happened?”
“No.”
A sigh escaped me. This was exhausting. “Okay.” I pulled him close.
He removed his paws from his face to look at me. “How am I gonna t-talk to Gram’s friend like this? I can’t even h-handle being around a few random humans. How am I going to deal with him e-eating in front of me?”
“You saw me eating, didn’t you?”
“That’s… d-different.”
“We don’t have to go if it makes you uncomfortable. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“N-no. I need to d-do this. I can’t keep b-being scared all the t-time.” He clutched at his fur.
I bent over to grab the work-in-progress scarf from his bag, and offered him the half finished garment.
Meba received the scarf, with eyes full of ash. “Thanks…” He continued weaving.
But before he could get into a groove, the brakes forced us to brace ourselves. We were home.
The ground still rumbled as we left the station, even with the rubbery pavement dampening the vibrations. The scent of rain was in the air, carrying with it a special tint from the alien soil. Wind was billowing now, whipping my hair and pushing against my thick greatcoat. Meba was somehow unbothered by this, thanks to his wool I assume. There weren’t clouds overhead, but that would change. My hands hid in their pockets.
‘Twas too cold madam!’ Said lefty.
‘Not for I! It’s simply more comfortable in here.’ Said righty.
We passed the yard, heading up to the second floor, and my apartment. I shivered.
*“*I think it’s gonna rain soon.”
*“*Huh? Why do you say that?”
*“*It smells like rain.”
He tilted his head, ears flopping along with it. “I thought human noses weren’t very strong?”
*“*Well, not for most things, but we can smell when it rains from quite a ways away.” I opened the door, and stepped inside, yanking my feet out of their shells. “Come on in.”
Meba followed with no hesitation, even when I deposited the mask on the coffee table. He plopped down on the couch, deflating for a few seconds before digging around in his bag for the scarf. I grabbed some snacks from the kitchen, and brought them to the couch. I plopped down beside him, and flipped the TV to a random channel. Hopefully lazing about would help both of us.
After a few minutes of zoning out to The Exterminators of all things, I managed to doze off somehow. Sights and sounds melded into goop, as my brain ceased exact function. Facts became obscured, no concrete understanding remaining. Static resonating with time stretching like putty, everything subjective, only in the moment.
A tower, in the desert, numbly stalking around crumbling balconies, arms like swarms, legs like chicken wire. No need to blink. Down below is something terrible, but it doesn’t matter. It is safe here. But snow falls, the sky tearing like an old t-shirt, is it? The weave becoming tighter, it stretches along the north, through to the south, a taut little line of cotton. Now I’m tearing too. The tower isn’t crumbling, but folding. ‘Here’s the sun’, I think, mind reeling back to wakefulness, a snout by my face. Milo?
“Who?”
“Huh?” I tried to sit up, bringing a hand to the kink in my neck. My mouth was dry with viscus saliva, the aftermath of a nap. When I made it about half way up, my skull collided with Meba’s freakishly solid face.
I fell back, gripping my forehead with a groan.
Meba jumped back, startled. “A-are you okay?”
"Ugh…” I curled up into a ball to further cradle the lump growing on my head. “Owwie…”
He started hyperventilating, almost jogging in place.
I grabbed him by the arm. “I’m fine. That just hurt like hell. What is it?”
The squirming stopped. “Sorry for waking you up. I just wanted to know if you think this is long enough.” He held up the scarf to my face, which was still partially covered by my other hand.
Jeez, more than enough. That thing must be at least 80 inches. How long have I been out?
“Yeah, need me to help you finish it off?”
“Yes please.”

A fanfiction of The Nature of Predators by SpacePaladin15 https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/u19xpa/the_nature_of_predators/
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Memory Transcription Subject: Hilsfeer, Thafki Immigrant
Date [standardized Earth time]: September 20, 2137
The second half of the walk back home was peaceful, soaked in the calm atmosphere that our little rest on the beach had evoked. I still have the faint taste of the banana on my tongue, with the yellow fruit easily satiating my appetite while also blessing me with its deliciousness. Honestly, I don’t know how Roesh could only find it ‘meh’. Oh well, more for me then.
By the time we got back home, dawn was truly over and morning had arrived. Roesh unlocked the front door and the two of us headed for the kitchen to put our new fruits and vegetables in the fridge. We still have so many to try, and what we’ve got should last us at least a few days, depending on how filling Earth’s produce tends to be.
Right now, the two of us have flopped down on the couch in the living room, recovering from carrying those heavy bags all the way from the store. Roesh is curled on top of one of the oversized pillows, while I’m splayed out on my back across the couch cushions. I let my eyes wander around the room, falling onto the bare, off-white walls. Everything in this house feels very new, and the scale of things in particular makes it all seem quite alien, but I can tell that in due time it will start feeling more and more home-like.
Eventually, my gaze falls down until it rests on the photos we’ve placed on the small table in front of the couch. My tail gives a small happy sway at the sight of not only our wedding photo, but the photos of our family and friends as well. Hold on a moment… we haven’t called anyone since arriving on Earth, have we? Well, I certainly have to rectify that, don’t I? I roll myself over and slide down onto the floor, walking over to retrieve the holopad. Roesh’s ears perk up at my movement.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling our families. Yours first or mine?”
Roesh groans.
“Let's just do my mother first.”
I navigate to our contacts list and select his mother. The pad rings for barely a few seconds before the call connects and Sinash’s face fills the screen. Just like her son, her fur is a faded shade of blue-grey, with relatively thick, black whiskers, although her ears are a little more rounded than Roesh’s.
“Hilsfeer dear, it’s so good to hear from you!”
“Hello Sinash, how are you?”
“Good good, I’ve just been waiting to see if you two got to Earth alright. Everything did go smoothly, didn’t it? How’s my little Ro-ro doing?”
Roesh’s ears flick in annoyance at the nickname his mother uses, but I catch the humoured twitch that soon follows. I turn the pad to face him, and he sways his tail contently behind him as he speaks up.
“Hi mum, we’re both fine. There wasn’t any difficulties with the trip, so we arrived on Earth safe and sound.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. Is everything going alright? Have you eaten?”
The two of us give an affirmative flick of the tail. I’m the first to speak up.
“Yes Sinash, we have. We’ve already tried out some Earth fruits, and they’re really good!”
Roesh tails bumps against the back of the couch as it wags with joy.
“They actually are quite nice. I had what was called a ‘pear’, which I think you’d enjoy, mum.”
Sinash gives a light chuckle. Although, I can’t help but notice something seemed a little… off about it.
“That’s great to hear… So uh, how is your new house? Is it alright?”
Despite her previously joyful tone, a small hint of nervousness creeps in. I shuffle over on the couch so that both of us can be in view of the camera at the same time.
“Oh it’s massive! Obviously, it was made with Humans in mind after all, but hey, we aren’t complaining, are we Roesh?”
He gives a small laugh as his tail bumps against me.
“Certainly not. The doors are a little annoying since we have to reach up to grab the handles, but the size of the couch, bed and bathtub more than make up for it.”
At the mention of the bathtub, Sinash’s ears perk up.
“Huh, so the Humans do have the concept of hygiene. That’s good to hear, I hope you’ve been making good use of it, Ro-ro.”
Roesh’s ear flicks in annoyance once more. We did use it last night… although the hygiene aspect fell to the wayside in favour of just needing some time to calm down after the day’s events.
“Of course mum, just last night.”
For some reason, Sinash seems to be in disbelief at that.
“Last night… You saying you haven’t had one today?”
“Uh, it’s still the morning mu-“
“No excuse! No pup of mine will neglect his own hygiene. Go on, have one now.”
Roesh and I briefly glance at each other.
“Bath, Roesh. Now.”
Sinash’s stern ‘mum voice’ comes out, and Roesh slides off the couch immediately.
“Alright, alright. Goodness, the tide’s got you in a twist.”
He stalks over to the bathroom, and I’m left watching him leave in confusion. A deep sigh from my holopad draws my attention back to Sinash, whose ears are drooping in worry.
“Sorry for that dear, I just… saw the opportunity. I really need to have a one-on-one with you.”
My confusion is replaced with a small swell of nerves. Sinash’s joyful attitude has faded away.
“Hilsfeer, how is he handling it all? The move, and the… neighbours.”
Oh, of course.
“He’s… making progress. We were both a little anxious, but we’re steadily working on that. Today, Roesh even spoke to a Human. He’ll be fine, trust me.”
She stares at me blankly for a moment, eyes slowly falling out of focus as she seems to sink deep in thought. Soon, she sniffles, her eyes beginning to water.
“I’m sorry, it’s just, I haven’t stopped fretting ever since you two got on that ship. There are so many things that can… for stars’ sake you’re on Earth! You are surrounded by predators. Even if they d-don’t eat sapients… I can’t. I just can’t. What if-?”
“Sinash, look at me.”
She rubs at the tears trailing down her cheeks and looks back up to meet my eyes. I hold her gaze.
“Do you remember when Roesh first introduced me to you?”
“…Of course I do.”
“Do you remember what I promised you?”
She stares blankly at me.
“Hilsfeer…”
“Roesh needed me. I needed him. There was nothing you or his father could’ve said, or did say, that would change that. Nothing has changed since then. There is nothing Earth can do to us."
The silence hangs in the air for a moment.
“…When he first brought you home, I couldn’t believe that he… But, when I saw the way he looked at you….”
She lets out another deep sigh.
“Keep my pup safe, please.”
I make sure my ears stand tall, confident and determined.
“You have my word.”
She takes a little while to calm herself down, wiping away the last of the tears. Eventually, she looks back up to me, her ears no longer drooping so much.
“Thank you, Hilsfeer… I’m sorry for breaking down on you like that. I’ll let you get on with your day before Ro-ro gets out the bath.”
I snicker slightly.
“Knowing Roesh, he’ll probably be in there for the rest of the day.”
She giggles slightly, and I’m glad to see her spirits being raised, even just a little bit.
“You’re not wrong. He’s always loved the water more than anyone else in the family. Either way, have a good day, Hilsfeer.”
“Bye Sinash, talk to you soon. Roesh and I are just a call away… and uh- please say hello to his father for me.”
She pauses briefly at my request, but gives ann affirmative flick of her tail anyway. The call disconnects, and I’m left staring at the blank holopad. I sit there for a moment, and eventually notice that the corners of my own eyes are beginning to water too. I wipe them dry, and turn my attention back to the holopad. I decide to call one of my siblings. I’m sure Riskasa would love to hear all about what Earth is like, after all, he’s been a little more… open to the idea of living among Humans than my parents have.
The holopad rings for a little while, and just as I start to think that Riskasa’s busy or something, the call finally connects. Immediately the noise of a chattering crowd and background music comes out loud and clear, revealing that my brother is at some sort of party or get-together. He seems to in the middle of dashing up a flight of stairs in order to get to a quieter area to take the call, his excitement coming out in his voice.
“Hilsfeer! I was just wondering when I’d get a call. How’s everything? How’s Earth?”
His attitude is a nice change of pace after the last call.
“Hi Riskasa. It’s all going well so far, Roesh and I are settling in easily enough. I see you’re already celebrating not having to see me in person.”
“Ha! Not everything is about you, yah narcissist. It’s Sunchi’s birthday, so a bunch of her friends are over.”
My ears flick in curiosity.
“Whose Sunchi? That name doesn’t sound familiar…”
Riskasa’s ears begin to take on a purple hue as he blushes.
“Oh, she is… uh… Well, after you got married… I figured it was time to step up my game.”
“You’re dating someone?”
His blush deepens, accompanied by a joyful wag of his tail.
“Yeah.”
My tail starts to wag alongside his.
“Congratulations Risk'! For how long?”
My brother’s tail falters.
“I uh… it’s been a while, since before the Federation collapsed. We decided against telling anyone in my family yet since she’s uh… she’s a Zurulian.”
My ears perk up in surprise, before sinking back down in sympathy.
“Yeah, I understand why you don’t want to tell mum or dad.”
He gives a dry chuckle.
“I knew you would. Two sons that won’t give them bio-grandpups. They’d be fuming. Though, they might finally get off my case about letting my little brother get married before me. I’m happy for you Hil’, but by the tides, you couldn’t wait a little?”
We both break out into much lighter laughter after that.
“Hey, not my fault you’ve always been too nervous to shoot your shot.”
“Is that so? I could’ve sworn Roesh once told me that he was the one who asked you out first.”
I guess it’s my turn to blush, though I quickly give a dismissing wave of my paw.
“Who cares about the specifics.”
With an annoyingly triumphant look, he readjusts the holopad in his paws as his ears flick in curiosity and whiskers twitch in excitement.
“Anyway, enough of that stuff. I want to know everything about Earth!”
I give another small chuckle at my brother’s fascination with the planet, yet another thing that our parents don’t seem all too fond of.
“I don’t know if I can tell you everything, but I’ll do my best. What do you want to know?’
“Well, last time we spoke you told me that you’d gotten a place by a beach, right? How’s the alien waters treating you?”
“Ah, we haven’t actually been able to go for a proper swim yet. Been a little tired since the move.”
A little white lie won’t hurt anybody.
“Fair, how about the beach itself then?”
“It’s nice, from what I’ve seen. There’s a big wooden boardwalk running along the sand’s edge actually. Humans set up their stalls down the middle of it during the day, and you should see just how crowded it gets.”
“Sounds awesome. I can’t imagine the sort of freaky things some of those Humans sell.”
“Hey now, I know the idea of them eating meat is a little-”
“Oh no, not meat. I’m talking about the frozen milk and stuff.”
My mind takes a second to process what Riskasa said.
“The what?”
“Yeah, weird right?”
I stare at my brother, stupefied as I try to simply fathom what he’s on about. Suddenly, his ears perk up in realisation.
“Oh, sorry. Should’ve probably mentioned that Sunchi joined the Zurulian-Human exchange program back when that started up. Her partner runs an ‘Ice-creamery’ or whatever, so I’ve had some time to come to terms with the concept.”
I pinch the bridge of my snout and sigh.
“Just when I thought Humans were mostly normal people… Well, thanks for talking, Risk’. I don’t want to keep you from the party much longer, so thanks for talking to me.”
“Thanks for calling, it’s good to see you’re enjoying yourself on Earth so far. Say hello to Roesh for me, alright?”
“I will, and you make sure to wish Sunchi a happy birthday.”
“Of course. Alright, talk to you soon, Hil’!”
When the call disconnects, the sudden silence of the house catches me off guard. I guess the sounds of the party had just become white noise. I put the holopad down on the couch as I slide down onto the ground, before heading over to the bathroom. With a thump of my tail against the door to let Roesh know I’m coming in, I open the door and peer inside. My husband’s face peeks up over the rim of the bathtub, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in a long time. Sinash and I were right, he really does love water.
“How long have I been in here?”
“Eh, not too long. I called Riskasa, and he says hello. Do you want anything while you’re in the bath?”
Roesh seems to think for a moment, eyes still locked onto me. Eventually, I can see a slight blush forming.
“…You?”
I let out a surprised huff.
“Someone’s in a flirty mood.”
Roesh ducks his head back down below the edge of the bathtub, calling out to me as he does so.
“So, are you going to join me or not?”
“Hmmm… sure. I might as well.”
Just as I take a few steps into the bathroom though, I hear something coming from the hallway. A strange ringing sound, reverberating throughout the house. Roesh swiftly pokes his head above the bathtub again, looking confused.
“The doorbell?”
Doorbell. Right, that’s what it was. That means someone is at our door. I send a questioning look towards Roesh, who meets my gaze. He sinks slightly back down again, looking nervous, but that quickly gives way to a determined gaze once more.
“Can you get that?”
I give him a happy, affirmative flick, and head back out of the bathroom. I close the door behind me, and walk over to the front door.
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About 4years ago I was throwing a birthday for my oldest son I decorated, baked the cake, and invited to all his friends. Which also meant that I invited my two besties and their kiddos as well. Well we were also trying to be nice and invite M and her daughter who we will call A. Before M arrived we were par taking in a certain lettuce and finishing up my make up well as I finished up I was doing the mom thing at the party games, prizes, presents,food, cake, etc. well my two besties were hanging out in the kitchen waiting on me to finish up my motherly duties for the party that way the kids could go play. M was talking to my besties saying “omg I hope B’s(me)husband does flirt with me” (for context my husband could not stand this girl at all) and proceeds to say “I know I look better than B but I just don’t want him to flirt with me in front of her.” She’s saying all this to my besties. I finish up and I meet with my besties in my kitchen and we start cleaning up my besties start telling me what’s up with M. They hesitated to tell me do to my act first think later attitude, but when you have kids you keep your composure until your kids are out of site, plus I didn’t want to ruin my son’s day. They were shocked I didn’t react like I usually do. I decided to get some petty revenge on M. As the party was wrapping up I was handing out the gift bags and I gave A M’s daughter hers and I hugged them and said bye thank you for coming and all that. She left…… I look at my besties and said “get the lettuce and sit down we ride at sundown.” They looked at me confused we did our thing and sun set came and so did the revenge. I said “get the industrial plastic wrap (we have a food trailer) and let’s go.” They wonder where we are going they see we pull up in front of M’s house. We get out and take the three industrial plastic wrap rolls and start wrapping M’s car. We used all three it was pretty thick around the doors she had to cut it free. Before we wrapped the car we covered the wind shield front and back in post it notes that said learn your lesson and stay in your lane. She discovered it the next morning my besties get phone calls asking if they told me what she had said. They said “duh! of course!” she did not realize how close we were. They call me and tell me to expect a call from M. M calls and she told me what she found. “She said really it’s not her fault married men want her”. I told her “sweetheart you are a delusional little girl no man in their right mind wanted you” I also said”married men want you ok….. then tell me why you BD was in my DM’s?” She got quiet. I hung up the phone and the rest is history. So AITA?