Fairy bathroom sets

DC Next presents:

Suicide Squad

Issue Forty: New Blood
Arc: A New World
Written by Deadislandman1
Edited by ClaraEclair
 
 
“For the last time, I need you to-”
“Relax Commandant! We’re seasoned veterans, right Mayo?”
“She’s right, we’ve been doing this for a while.”
“Experience doesn’t matter here, chain of command does…and stop calling me Commandant!”
“Whatever, Commandant.”
“You…You….AAAARGH!”
In the back of a race car themed van, complete with flame decals and the face of a famous racer painted onto the side, a man with blonde hair cut to a military standard raged, screaming at a monitor. He ripped a pair of headphones off of his ears, revealing a series of shrapnel based scars running along the right side of his upper head, forcing his right eye into a permanent squint. Throwing the headphones against the van walls, he growled, hanging his head in frustration.
Of all the jobs that would befall Lok, why this one? He just had to spring for the super secret agency when it came to promotions.
A decade in the CIA, working undercover from Austria to Australia, Cape Town to Cambridge, Daegu to Delhi. He’d had lighter assignments, surveillance that didn’t put him in harm's way, and he’d had jobs that took him into the line of fire for days on end. He’d laid in the mud for hours to stay undetected, camouflaged as platoons worth of men trod across the ground next to him. He’d run across rooftops, bullets blazing by, each one able to deliver death in an instant.
He’d shoved a teammate out of the way as a grenade came tumbling down a staircase, the explosion unleashing shards of metal that took his right ear clean off. He’d been in a coma for five years, eating, pissing, and shitting through a tube. He had to learn how to speak, walk, run, and act like a human being again over the course of a year. He learned that his family gave up on him and moved on, and that only taxpayer money kept him alive in the hopes of preserving the knowledge in his head.
After all of that…he chose field work, because it was all he had left, and his reward was babysitting two maniacs who didn’t know how to take orders.
Rubbing his eyes, Lok sighed, “Uuugh….alright Lok…pull yourself together…pull yourself together. It’s been a while. This is only your third op in a commanding position in…in nearly a decade…You have the experience, you have the fortitude…even if you’re being asked to herd wild cats into a cage. This isn’t impossible…you just have to…rethink your strategies.”
Taking a deep breath, Lok trudged over to his headphones, putting them back on. The right side was shattered, cracked, not that it mattered. He couldn’t use that ear anyways. Sitting down at the monitor yet again, he angled the microphone back over his mouth, “Alright, lets-”
“Is the Commandant’s temper tantrum finished?”
Lok gritted his teeth, “Let’s....refocus. Mayo, give me a detailed description of the situation, and please remind me of what your mission is…in case the two of you have forgotten it.”
 
 
“Uuuuuhh…Let’s see.”
Mitchell Mayo, dressed in blue and purple disco getup, peeked his head out of the bathroom, gazing into the chaotic maelstrom of a warehouse rave. Multi-Colored spotlights, crudely affixed to the ceiling, casted neon lights across the dance floor, giving the entire room a purplish hue. Dozens of people across the warehouse were throwing their arms in the air, swinging their bodies in chaotic dance while packed together like bundles of hay. Squinting, Mayo did his best to adjust for his lack of depth perception, given the eyepatch over his left eye. Scratching his head, he ducked back inside, careful not to let his long mane of hair get caught on the door before putting his hand up to his earpiece, “Well, everyone’s still dancing. I count a little under a hundred people from where I am, mostly in their early to late twenties. Makes me feel a little awkward but hey, that’s the mission.”
“I can do without the personal anecdotes,” Lok remarked. “Keep going.”
“They’ve got the disco lights…but they’re not very stable looking. One could fall at any moment,” Mayo said.
“Might be a combat option if things turn out that way,” Lok said.
“Yeah…I hope not though. These people don’t seem too bad,” Mayo said.
“And where’s your partner? Where’s Quinn?” Lok asked.
“I’m getting myself and Mayo a drink! The gal at the bar really knows what she’s doing!” Harley chimed.
“You’re….ugh…whatever. Whatever makes you happy. Mayo, do you have any updates on the target, the mission?” Lok asked.
“Well…not yet. It’d be hard to spot old Jervis Tetch in a crowd of normal sized people. He isn’t exactly of…average height,” Mayo said.
“Then get in the crowd, or find a vantage point. He’s somewhere around here, we know he is.”
Mayo cringed, “Well….do we?”
“...Mayo, if you’re going to start yanking my chain-”
“No no, listen! I promise you, I’m not messing with you.”
Mayo looked towards the bathroom door, then at the rest of the bathroom, making sure it was empty, “Tetch was always a weird one, and trust me, I know Waller’s sources are typically pretty legit. I totally believe that her computer people picked up a signal identical to Tetch’s mind control tech, and that the tech itself is legit. It’s just…Tetch wouldn’t come all the way to LA. He’s a Gothamite through and through! This place is too hot and fast for him, he wouldn’t be able to handle it. Plus…a warehouse rave just isn’t his style. He’s more likely to crash a masquerade ball or something like that. This place just…doesn’t feel like him.”
“That might be so, but there are also some other trends that do line up. Tetch is always looking for someone to be his Alice, and these places tend to get a lot of young women,” Lok noted. “Maybe this isn’t his new hunting ground. Maybe he’s just here to nab someone and get out. Either way, he’s a danger, and his skillset could be put to better use than stalking young women.”
Mayo grimaced, “And um…if it’s not him?”
“Then whoever has this tech is still a danger. Mission still stands, find whoever has the tech and bring them in,” Lok ordered.
Sighing, Mayo took one last moment to collect himself before adventuring out into the rave, the pulsating music far too loud for his ears. He could never stand stuff as loud and constant as a concert or a sports game, it was just too much for his ears to handle. Sure, it meant that absolutely everyone within a mile of the place could hear the music, but on the other hand it made conversation nearly impossible. You had to scream at the top of your lungs, and even then you’d maybe only get two out of three words to the person right next to you. Some would say that people come to a rave to dance, not to talk, but that didn’t exactly help Mayo’s current situation in the slightest.
Slowly, he made his way through the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone or get knocked over by a stray arm. It’d been months since his brush with death, which resulted in the loss of his second favorite eye. Since then, he’d mostly recovered, and had gone on more than a few missions, sticking close to his partner in crime. It’s never really been all that easy, but with the support of the rest of the Squad, he’s made it through alright. Flag always kept watch over him, taking extra care to keep him safe, which might be why Waller set Mayo up with a different CO this time. To Mayo, it seemed like she wanted to make sure Flag’s protective nature didn’t override the mission.
But even without Flag, Mayo still had Harley. When he first became a minor player in Gotham City’s maddening merry-go-round of villains, he never expected that he’d not only be respected by Harley, but be loved by her. He’d never felt so strongly about anyone else in his entire life, even his own parents. She uplifted and supported him in ways nobody else ever did, and he did the same for her. Hell, he’d practically given his life for her a few times already.
Things weren’t okay often, but whenever he was with her, it got close.
Pushing through one more group, Mayo finally made it to the bar, spotting Harley as she chatted up the bartender, who had just finished making two bluish drinks contained in cheap red cups. Spotting Mayo, Harley smiled before placing one of them in his hands, “Hey Mitch! The Lady said these are her specialty! I managed to get em made without the alc, seeing as we’re on the job!”
Mayo grinned, “Aw, thanks Harls.”
Mayo took a swig of the drink, which was frankly foul even in its virgin form. Still, he choked it down to remain polite, then patted Harley on the arm, taking a look out at the rest of the crowd, “I feel kinda bad about Lok.”
“What? Psshh…Why?”
“I dunno, seems a little dickish to screw with him like this. I know we don’t have a rapport with him like with Flag but…I dunno, the guy’s not our enemy.”
“Sure…but he’s also not accustomed to the kind of stuff we get up to. He’s gotta learn to roll with the punches. Besides, I've been scouting the place out like he said.”
Mayo looked to Harley, puzzled, “But…but…then why do you keep telling him you’re just screwing around?”
“Listen, we don’t know this Lok guy, like you said. We don’t know how he performs under pressure. This is my way of testing the waters, seeing how he handles something not going this way when we’re not all about to die. If he went all control freak on us, we know where his lines are and where not to cross them. If just lets us walk all over him, we know we’re on our own. Right now, he’s just kinda dealing with it, trying to compromise. Means he can work well with us!” Harley rubbed her chin, “Sure, we’re giving him grief now, but think about how happy he’ll be when he learns we actually did our job!”
Mayo raised an eyebrow, “I…question the logic of that…but you know what, at least we’re still doing what we’re supposed to be doing. You find any trace of Tetch?”
“Nope, and I think we both know this ain’t his kind of place,” Harley scanned the crowd. “Guy’s not the rave type.”
“Yup…Guess that leaves us with a bigger question though. There were definitely traces of Tetch’s tech here, so who the hell is messing around with it?”
“I dunno, but we gotta watch out for ‘em. Only people who like mind control are the freaks and the creeps.”
Mayo nodded, and was about to respond when a specific tune entered his ear. A snap and a ring, the chiming of a bell, followed by the rattle of drums and the smacking of gums. Against his will, he did a spin, his hand twisting to keep the entirety of his drink within the cup. Tapping his feet, he found himself pulled into the crowd, prompting Harley to follow with wide eyes, “Woah! Check out the sick moves! Never seen you dance like that, Mayo!”
“Not…trying…too!”
In a single moment, Harley’s joy turned to concern, which turned to trepidation as the entire room suddenly stamped their feet all at once. The music hadn’t stopped. No, it seemed louder and more invasive than ever before.
A real earworm in a sense.
Slowly, Harley felt herself get swept up in the music, her ears ringing with a sadistic, sinister glee as she took Mayo’s hands, dancing along with him as the rest of the room parted in a rhythmic motion. The two tossed and turned, their bodies moving of their own accord as the crowd moved with them, spinning and jumping while keeping them encircled. The two tried to break free, but it was like their minds were submerged in icy water, the signals that should tell their arms and legs to move lost on the way down.
The two stuck a flash pose together, with Harley bent forward while Mayo leaned back, kept from falling by Harley’s embrace. Harley locked eyes with Mayo, terrified. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak, she wasn’t in control. Mayo would be shaking if he had the ability to do so, and the fact that he couldn’t made him all the more scared. In a blink, the crowd parted again, and a figure stepped through to greet Mayo and Harley.
He was well dressed for someone at a rave, decked out in a three piece suit of the black and white variety. He sported a pair of tap shoes and slicked back hair practically drenched in the grease you’d get at an old-timey barber’s shop. He smelled strongly of some kind of wood themed perfume, and sported a bushy, well trimmed and maintained mustache. Grinning, he fiddled with something underneath his right sleeve before circling Mayo and Harley, “Two Dancers, Two Interlopers. Normally, I’d be a little ticked by an intrusion like this, but I can forgive it.”
Leaning forward, he whispered into the duo’s ears, “After all…I do love a double act!”
 
Next Issue: Make way for the Music Meister!
 

I hired an interior designer about 6 months ago for a major renovation. She decided to leave the interior design firm she was working with and since we really liked working with her and built a solid relationship, we followed her to her new company, which was a design/build firm. There were some immediate red flags with her new boss (typical contractor issues - cancelling last minute, needed to chase for things). Her work gradually got worse as her workload increased and it started to become clear that our project was low on her boss' priority list.
I decided to start being a bit more pushy to get our project completed because she was already past our contract specified completion date and we still didn't have our plans completed. She was getting defensive that I was asking to include details and correct some basic issues on the plans (ie. the plans said we were removing one of the bathrooms which was actually staying the same). Last week she missed another commitment to us and never responded to my calls/texts asking for an update. After avoiding more of our texts on Monday morning, she finally emailed me this Monday with the plans and an invoice for $5k. There were still minor issues that I wanted addressed prior to sending to contractors, so I texted her to give me a call so we can quickly clear them up. I also said we should clear the air. Her response was "I've got other deadlines, the plans are good enough to send out, and there is no need for a call."
This was the final straw for me and I decided to part ways, as I felt I was being disrespected and that our project was not important. We are not on the same page regarding the urgency. I emailed her and her boss and said I wanted to part ways amicably, and that I would pay the $5k invoice as long as they provided the latest CAD file, so I wouldn't need a new designer to start them over.
Key facts about the contract:

• This was an hourly contract with a fixed not to exceed amount of amount of $15k. He was supposed to invoice me for an initial $5k deposit with monthly invoices thereafter.
• I asked multiple times for an initial invoice so I could pay the $5k, and then eventually gave up and decided I would not chase them.
• I never received monthly invoices per the contract and never received any reports on number of hours worked.
• We are on week 10 despite the contract saying it would take 8 weeks. We are not close to being done. We just have the bid set, not the full plans with all the construction details.

Despite never receiving any documentation and receiving an invoice just this Monday for $5k, her boss is demanding $9,400 "for they work they completed". My position is that I have no way of validating this and therefore am only willing to pay the $5k deposit. How can they say I owe $5k on Monday and then when I fire them say they are owed $9,400? I feel this is a fair compromise since I'm not going to need to start over with a new designer.
I assume I am in the right here - if he continues to push I will just say he can bring me to court. I can't imagine it is worth his time over a ~$4,000 difference. This is in Florida and I understand would go to civil court, not small claims.
What do you all think?

Hi, i hope this is ok for this space, because i don’t know where else to turn to right now. I am posting on behalf of my partner.
Some facts to start: we are located in canada, they are here on a student visa and have a work permit, they also have a current part time job.
Recently my partner got a retail sales position at a newer company and was told they would have a contract to sign this past friday. After some back and forth communication over email with the area manager, the only contact they have at this point, has still not received a contract because “we’re still working on it and talking to a lawyer, come in on thursday (today) for training.” Note here; my partner isn’t the only person to be working there who is not a canadian citizen and has a permit to work.
Today my partner went in for training, here is what they said about the experience: “the people are nice but they still didn’t have the contract for me, I was told there are no set break times because someone always needs to be in the store. Including breaks for bathroom and hydration. If i’m the only one there I basically can’t leave. They have already scheduled me 20hours with the potential to get up to 40hrs. Also they trained me on the procedure for opening the store, well told me what to do and said there was an excel spreadsheet if i need help. They gave me a key because they want me to open the store this Saturday.”
I was like red flag alert! We want to see what other people think about this experience. Should my partner return the key and wait for an actual contract to start? Should they just do it and hope for the best?
Personally i think they should return the keys and run even though finding work is difficult because this no contract job sounds not ok.

Hey all, I am the assistant in question and hoping some dentists can weigh in their opinion.
I’m in Cali and not registered yet. I did on the job training and my 15 months to become an RDA will be complete in June (so July I’ll be an rda). I’m not 100% what more I can add to my duties but I’ll be able to do coronal polishing.
I currently have infection control and radiology so I am taking xrays, chairside, setting trays, sterilizing instruments, cleaning rooms, taking notes, and inventory, all that jazz. I also work up front doing all receptionist type jobs, answering phones, scheduling, emails, uploading xrays, requesting X-rays, calling ins if needed, blah blah. AND, I also do general office cleaning, floors, bathroom, dusting, etc. we also have no office manager and everyone else is non confrontational so I deal with most angry screaming people.
Prior to this I had no dental experience, so I roughly have 1 year on the job training and the 2certs.
I’m only getting paid $18 and we already agreed on a raise this next check but haven’t talked numbers yet, I’m assuming he’ll want to do $20 but our receptionist who isn’t trained or has any certs is at $18…
My dr is older and thinks we both are overpaid and make BANK. Which in SoCal this is far from reality. How do I convince him not only to give me a raise now but with my rda license too? And how much do you think an assistant like this is worth? How to I show him my worth or what could I do better?

The new functionalities of Tri Attack:
Buffed to 90 power.
Will transform itself into either Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, or Ice Beam. Will calculate damage on the opponent, and select the most damaging option.
Will retain the secondary effect of either Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, or Ice Beam.
Normal types will gain STAB on this move no matter what it transforms into.
Fire, Electric, or Ice will gain STAB on this move if it transforms into the respective STAB move.
Normal/Fire, Normal/Electric, or Normal/Ice will gain double STAB on this move if it transforms into the respective STAB move.
Just a recap of Tri Attack users:
- Ubers: Terapagos
- UU: Sandy Shocks
- RUBL: Hydreigon, Iron Jugulis
- RU: Azelf
- NU: Magnezone, Porygon-Z
- ZU: Dodrio, Dugtrio, Dugtrio-Alola, Magneton, Mesprit, Porygon2, Probopass, Uxie
This move would only be applicable to Normal types in STABmons.
I think that the main users of this move are the Porygon line, especially Porygon-Z as Porygon2 doesn't have that much firepower. Porygon-Z along with Adaptability would already have massive STAB on this coverage move, and it bypasses the Ghost immunity due to its type change when attacking, so it is extremely spammable on scarfed sets. To counter priority, it may choose to tera into a defensive type such as Fairy. It also can tera into an offensive type like Electric or Fire, giving it basically triple STAB when the move transforms into its respective typing. Maybe this time Porygon-Z can finally rise to UU (or maybe UUBL?)

Hi im Henning
Brace yourself, this is long, but I hope that it is worth your read and time. Because I want to try and offer something Unique, and a service for people worldwide to have a retreat and possibility of healing and someone with similar experiences.
Hope you spend your time reading, i want to make an argument/suggestion
I have a Schizoaffective/SchitzoTypal diagnosis, from Norwegian Psychiatrists/Doctors, and an independent Brilliant British Doctor, we spent many hundreds if not thousands of hours together as friends, we still have contact, despite being in different countries now, she made her own assessment over all this time, and said that my diagnosis is Schizoaffectiv/Schitzotypal. So im aware that i have a distortet view of myself. And its confirmed by different Doctors. Im also what they call 'a male survivor', sexual assault from a unknown man when I was 13. First Suicide attempt at 14 years old.
I am fairly intelligent, on Mensas Test i got a 128IQ Score. Thats 2 points below their requirement to get into Mensa. But an Airline Pilot friend of mine, said i was way above a 130, his own score was 148, and has been a 'public' figure.
But in western Countries it averages at around a 100. I also got language tests, and im 2 deviants up from normal in Vocabulary. And im more fluent in English, and I understand the much larger specter of Words in the English Language, in addition to the meaning of the root words. How it has different nuances.
I come from a line of Freemasons, on my mothers side, but I refuse to take an oath. The offers have been there.
Further nevrological tests, prove that my responstime in pressing a computer mouse on changing pictures on a screen is also a strong deviance(my responstime is way faster), from the general population. Its why I was a natural talent in games, and genetically have an advantage. When I quit in mid of 2010, i had to prove afterwards, from critics, to show that I was not banned by VAC and Valve. Give me a week to train the tounge again, british accent, from all over Britain, and apparantly from my time running a 160.000 strong internet community, i was a leading manager of a total of 5 Executives. I wrote the rules, regulation, standardised appeal processeses on Bans/Complaints. And training and Approval/Interview of new Admin Cadets/Admin/Senior Admins, and testing the recruits and admins, strict dicipline and requirements of good behaviour. Had maybe a few hundred variety of Admins under my command, to make sure we had mostly coveret servers around the clock. And repeated admin Requests made in one Game, sent the message out across gametypes to see if somone was available there. We had 700 gaming slots on our servers, and it was one of the most popular serverparks in the Global Scale of mainly Valve Games, CS 1.6, Counter-Strike:Souce, Day of Defeat, Team Fortreas 2. I was one of the Internett's best Cheat detectors globally Online in these games. Was offered a Contract to play for sallary in 2008
NOW TO THE POINT I am on lifelong Disability. So I have a lot of time. And im a guy that likes to be active. I do Chores and 3-5 hour trips in the Woods and Mountain. Or spend 10 hours of washing.
Part of self medication, then over to my wish and plan and what i can offer, if it is something that would be in demand?
But because of self medicating with hash, i get less of the voices. Most of the bad ones go away. But I still feel like a burden, i want to contribute to peoples overall health, and I wish to make myself employed so I can pay taxes and contribute to a system, that is way from perfect, but I have faith, that we will turn things around. For the betterment of all mankind.
WHAT CAN I OFFER!
4 Bedroom(all double beds with wardrobe)(aproximately 30m2 each) 2 bathroom with toilets and showers, 1 with just a toilet, good beds, clean rooms retreat from September and out April every year. Sauna. Big kitchen, Livingroom, Dining area, and a view of the ocean and the nature all around. Possibility to Fish. And some wonderfull areas to take a walk/hike. If you want a Outdoor experience we have place for tent, and good tents to put up. And possibility to retreat into the bedroom for rest as needed.
I am in the position, where i can make a small hotel/treatment/dialogue and activity retreat. I will run a no Wi-Fi option, with limited screen time, each day, instead we do activities, talk and do things together. Play different games, do puzzles, draw, use your brain. Maybe a TV series if we can agree 🤣 I also start every morning with jumping into the sea, breathe with my whole body, get rid off the panic inside.
I can provide all meals spread out of 3meals a day. Or if a visitor, or all want to help, then they can do so. But cleanliness and gloves is a must. I make very healthy food, some Meat and lots of Vegetables. We share on chores, and a deposit must be made in advance in case the room needs cleaning, And 'Cancellation' or something breaks on purpose. And pay up front, so I dont risk someone booking and not showing up.
I am not a trained Psychiatrist, Doctor or Nurse. But I have lots of personal experience in regards to this schizo field, mood, and spending time in the system of Psychiatry. I talk with and visit people all the time. Last 5 years iv been a voulenteer in woodworking and Kitchen Service
The Visitors must stay at minimum 4 days. There will be daily trips, there is no bad weather, only poor clothing.
I have sold 150 of my drawings at 20$ a pice, they are in Europe and North-America, i can teach away artistry and Drawing and teqniques to free your mind, to create a fresh canvas. And more dialogue expression of the mind.
In the winter it is a bit cold, inside, but we are working to resolve this issue. In the meantime, people will need to dress warmly. Wool is your perfect friend, but you will need 2 sets if you are to follow me. If you guys/galskap respond positive to this suggesstion and have any ideas,
Then I will try to make this happen.
Kind Regards Norway Europe

Just bought a home about two months ago, and we had a pipe bust from behind the kitchen sink. Caused damage to the kitchen cabinets, mold under cabinets, and half of the walls in the adjacent bathroom are soaking wet. I immediately called a plumber, he looked around and gave me a quote to fix the pipe. He also said I should hire a public adjuster for the water damage and mold. He recommended me a guy who came out the same day.
My policy has a $10k limit on mold, but the damages are definitely more than $10k. So I could just get the check for $10k, but the PA suggested that I go through the MRP program for citizens to repair the damage because there is no limit if the claim is handled through that program. According to him, the insurance company would settle on an amount for the damages, and the work would be done by contractors through the insurance company. All sounds good for now.
This is where it gets tricky. According to the adjuster, when the check gets cut to the contractor for the damages, if final repair cost comes in lower, I get the keep the rest. He set an example for the kitchen cabinets. The lower cabinets were damaged, but the upper cabinets were not, but they are matching and continuous, so ALL of the cabinets would be considered a loss, even if half of them weren't affected at all. So if the insurance settles on $20k to replace the cabinets, on the assumption that that ALL the cabinets are to be replaced, but the contractor only replaces the ones that were actually damaged, and only charges $10K for the work, then I would basically pocket the extra $10K.
He used this as a justification for hiring him, because his fee is 20%. So he said that I could theoretically get all the repairs done, pay him his 20%, AND walk away with an extra $6k.
This all just seems so fishy to me, but according to him, it happens every day. What if the contractor tells the insurance company that all of the repairs were not done? What if the cost ends up higher, and I end up having to pay extra for the repairs AND pay the adjuster his 20%? In that scenario, I would probably come out worse than just taking the $10k check. If this whole thing ends up costing $50k, I will owe the adjuster $10k, when instead I could have just paid my $2500 deductible and be done with it.
This is my first home and I am just overwhelmed by this whole process and have no idea what to do.

Just bought a home about two months ago, and we had a pipe bust from behind the kitchen sink. Caused damage to the kitchen cabinets, mold under cabinets, and half of the walls in the adjacent bathroom are soaking wet. I immediately called a plumber, he looked around and gave me a quote to fix the pipe. He also said I should hire a public adjuster for the water damage and mold. He recommended me a guy who came out the same day.
My policy has a $10k limit on mold, but the damages are definitely more than $10k. So I could just get the check for $10k, but the PA suggested that I go through the MRP program for citizens to repair the damage because there is no limit if the claim is handled through that program. According to him, the insurance company would settle on an amount for the damages, and the work would be done by contractors through the insurance company. All sounds good for now.
This is where it gets tricky. According to the adjuster, when the check gets cut to the contractor for the damages, if final repair cost comes in lower, I get the keep the rest. He set an example for the kitchen cabinets. The lower cabinets were damaged, but the upper cabinets were not, but they are matching and continuous, so ALL of the cabinets would be considered a loss, even if half of them weren't affected at all. So if the insurance settles on $20k to replace the cabinets, on the assumption that that ALL the cabinets are to be replaced, but the contractor only replaces the ones that were actually damaged, and only charges $10K for the work, then I would basically pocket the extra $10K.
He used this as a justification for hiring him, because his fee is 20%. So he said that I could theoretically get all the repairs done, pay him his 20%, AND walk away with an extra $6k.
This all just seems so fishy to me, but according to him, it happens every day. What if the contractor tells the insurance company that all of the repairs were not done? What if the cost ends up higher, and I end up having to pay extra for the repairs AND pay the adjuster his 20%? In that scenario, I would probably come out worse than just taking the $10k check. If this whole thing ends up costing $50k, I will owe the adjuster $10k, when instead I could have just paid my $2500 deductible and be done with it.
This is my first home and I am just overwhelmed by this whole process and have no idea what to do.

I’m gonna start off this story with the fact that I no longer have contact with my grandmother. I finally had the courage to go no contact after losing my grandfather in 2022. (Worst year of my life.)
This all begins when I was born….Quite literally. I was raised under my grandparents roof ever since I was 2 weeks old. I knew I was different than the other grandchildren because of the way my family looked at me and held me to a different standard, but it only solidified once I got to be around 7-10. That’s when the comments didn’t keep slipping over my head and I became wiser to the mental anguish they were going to put me through.
My grandfather was the ONLY sensible person that kept my grandmother in line, even though they grew up in the same time. (They were about 8-9 years apart. He was older than her so she had less of an excuse-) My Grandfather knew what was disrespectful and would never treat me like a second class human being just because of my skin color….But my grandmother? Here's some of her best quotes that I remember from the time I was pre-teen onwards:

• "I love my white grand-babies, their blue eyes and blonde hair are just so gorgeous. They'll always be stars in my eyes."
  
• "Don't pronounce it that way- you'll sound like a n****r."
  
• "Your mom was a n****r lover, we almost sent her to [insert military school here] because she was with your father. Lucky we didn't cause you wouldn't exist."
  
• "You think the way you do because you were corrupted at that school, there was too many black kids there." (I went to a fundamental school that was majority white. Maybe 4-5% black.)
  
• "Your mother sent your sister to [insert school name here], it's 90% black- she's gonna come out speaking ghetto and uneducated like your cousin."
  
• [driving absolutely anywhere] "Make sure you lock the doors, you never know what these n*****s will do for some change.
  
• "Maybe stand in the back for the family photos, or let [insert name] stand in front of you. I have to put this on Facebook and my family in TN and GA will see this.”
  
• “You’re lucky you weren’t born with a tail, heard it’s super common with mixed breeds.”
  

Now I lived with this my ENTIRE adolescence, no matter if my mother was around or not- she'd always find a way to slip in a hurtful or racist comment towards me or my background.
Despite always being a stellar student in school, following every rule, and never straying from the high expectations they held me to as a family unit- I could never compare to the simple accomplishments her "treasured white grand-babies" did. She even use to say her grandson had a British accent, when it was a speech impediment....Just because she didn't want to admit her white grandchild had any flaws.
I grew up thinking I was born in the wrong skin. I straightened my hair until it all fell out or inevitably became damaged, staying out of the sun because it'd make me darker, shaping my nose in the mirror, and only inviting white friends over. (One time I had a black friend over she told her: "WOW! Your skin is so dark I almost didn't even see you." Her parents never let her over ever again, and we lost contact. I understand now, but when I was younger I started feeling rejected by not only white people, but other races as well because of how my family treated everyone.)
This ruined my self confidence, my pride in where I came from, and even some internalized racism towards black people for the longest time because of what I was told. (I would legit lie about my race. ANYTHING to not be grouped with the people my family hated with a passion.)
When I reached HS, I finally was open to all backgrounds and ideals- realizing not only was I stunted in life from ever feeling accepted and love, but shown how wrong my grandmother was. I grew resentful. But when my grandmother became older, she needed more help. I took up the responsibility of making all her meals, doing her errands, and even paying bills. But ONLY because my grandfather was the light of my life, and I'd walk to the ends of the earth for him. Years later, as he eventually grew sick and had in-home hospice (He had developed dementia and experienced really bad sundowning, he lost the ability to speak and move for the last 3 weeks of his life.) I could barely deal with the way she spoke to him, or me. I stuck around until his final breath, but as soon as he passed and I saw his death certificate…. I lost all feeling. I was more detached once he passed, but seeing her true colors made me want to curl into a ball and disappear… If my grandfather couldn’t change her, no one could….She turned into a complete monster.
• "I have my own house slave, making all my meals and doing what I need."

• "Put on my shoes" [She is more than capable to do so, being almost 10 years younger than my grandfather]
  
• "Thank goodness you got engaged to a white man, maybe he'll make your mothers wrongs right, IF you have kids" [This was in the midst of our infertility consultations, it killed me that she brought up kids constantly to get under my skin as we thought for so long that we couldn't conceive. And if we did, would they be treated like me? Because they had my blood?]
  

I eventually had enough, packed my stuff and left with my fiancé to a different state. She accused me of abusing the elderly by leaving her and called DCF on my mother- made up lies because she didn't like her or her current partner. (Her current partner happens to be black, which is what fueled her hatred.) Also found out that after we left, she would routinely go into the bathroom while my fiancé was showering and flirt with him on multiple occasions. He was disgusted by her behavior, yet had to deal with her because we were saving up money and we had no alternative place to reside at the time.
I am almost 23 years old now, just had our miracle baby in December 2023 and my grandmother will NEVER meet her great grandchild. I blocked her number and she has been out of my life for just over a year now. I realized just how damaging she was to my mental health and I'm sure I'll need plenty of therapy in the future to overcome it. Now, I was stupid to think she'd be thankful for me taking care of her, or that I could change her mind over the years, but to be honest….Nothing ever changed, and she eventually got worse. (Not to mention the apologists in our family just saying she's old and "set in her ways"…... She's only early 70s)
You could say I have thin skin, but for dealing with her for 21+ years, I can say now I can make it through the petty remarks some people may make from day to day when I come across the wrong person working/living life. She had taught me to become stronger mentally, and taught me how NOT to raise my child.
Reading this subreddit has helped me a ton, knowing I’m not alone is the greatest gift I can get. So, I decided to post my own story in hopes it’ll maybe come across someone who suffered the same fate. I have tons more stories about her, my other family members, and my experiences, but this post would turn into a book and I don’t want that.
Anyways- I wanted to mention, I never got pregnant until I left their house. My fiancé and I have been together 6 years and struggled many years with infertility. Once we left? I was pregnant within 4 months. Coincidence? Probably not. I was most likely too stressed to conceive.

Just bought a home about two months ago, and we had a pipe bust from behind the kitchen sink. Caused damage to the kitchen cabinets, mold under cabinets, and half of the walls in the adjacent bathroom are soaking wet. I immediately called a plumber, he looked around and gave me a quote to fix the pipe. He also said I should hire a public adjuster for the water damage and mold. He recommended me a guy who came out the same day.
My policy has a $10k limit on mold, but the damages are definitely more than $10k. So I could just get the check for $10k, but the PA suggested that I go through the MRP program for citizens to repair the damage because there is no limit if the claim is handled through that program. According to him, the insurance company would settle on an amount for the damages, and the work would be done by contractors through the insurance company. All sounds good for now.
This is where it gets tricky. According to the adjuster, when the check gets cut to the contractor for the damages, if final repair cost comes in lower, I get the keep the rest. He set an example for the kitchen cabinets. The lower cabinets were damaged, but the upper cabinets were not, but they are matching and continuous, so ALL of the cabinets would be considered a loss, even if half of them weren't affected at all. So if the insurance settles on $20k to replace the cabinets, on the assumption that that ALL the cabinets are to be replaced, but the contractor only replaces the ones that were actually damaged, and only charges $10K for the work, then I would basically pocket the extra $10K.
He used this as a justification for hiring him, because his fee is 20%. So he said that I could theoretically get all the repairs done, pay him his 20%, AND walk away with an extra $6k.
This all just seems so fishy to me, but according to him, it happens every day. What if the contractor tells the insurance company that all of the repairs were not done? What if the cost ends up higher, and I end up having to pay extra for the repairs AND pay the adjuster his 20%? In that scenario, I would probably come out worse than just taking the $10k check. If this whole thing ends up costing $50k, I will owe the adjuster $10k, when instead I could have just paid my $2500 deductible and be done with it.
This is my first home and I am just overwhelmed by this whole process and have no idea what to do.

I 21m have been with my girlfriend 20F for about a year. With the weather getting nicer my gf's parents decided to plan a family camping trip. They own a campsite that's part of a huge campground and go almost every weekend in the summer as it's about 25 minutes from where we live. Important to note I'm from a big hunting and fishing family, in my family it's just common sense that you don't leave the house unarmed. I usually keep a 9mm (Glock 19) under the seat of my truck. My girlfriend knows this and doesn't love it, but has never had strong objections to it.
So this past weekend I came early with her dad and uncle, helped set up and things were going really well. There were 7 people total I'm not gonna name all of them but the important ones to note are her younger brother 17m and cousin 14m. these two love pulling pranks and joking around.
My gf and I were in one tent and her cousin and brother shared another. My gf and I were drinking by the fire with the other adults. By pure chance I had my 9mm on me, just pocket carrying, because the bathrooms are about a 15 minute walk and like hell am I gonna risk it all for a late night dump. So it was probably about 1 in the morning and we thought her cousin and brother were asleep or at least in their tent. At some point a guy in a Halloween mask run towards the tent and drags her cousin out kicking and screaming I stand up and pull my piece and yell something like "get the fuck away from him".
I was about 3 feet from the guy when I notice it's my girlfriends younger brother and he's screaming about how it's a joke. The 14 year old is just screaming, my gf's dad and Uncle are surrounding us now and it's just a whole mess. it takes a few minutes for everything to settle down. When they do, everyone is questioning me about why I have a gun. I just say I always keep one on me and point out that if there had been a real emergency they would have been glad that I have it. Her dad takes the lead and says if there was a real emergency they would have called the cops or security that it would have been stupid and reckless for me to be firing off shots in the middle of a campground especially when I'd been drinking (Just to clarify I did not fire). Some more arguing starts and they all called me insane, a psycho, a gun nut, etc. and my gf didn't defend me once. I felt like I was being ganged up on, so I just went to sleep in my truck. When I woke up I missed breakfast and no one would even talk to me, so I ended up leaving that morning.
The last time I talked to my gf she said she doesn't understand why I would have a gun with me and she needs time to think about our relationship. It's been a few days and my gf has been cold to me, we don't live together but she's been ignoring my calls and only giving me one word answers. My friends and family all think I did nothing wrong and have been telling me how proud they are but I realized they might be biased, so AITAH?

Every time I look after the boy I babysit who is 8 (almost 9) I end up having to clean up a pee puddle in the bathroom multiple times a day. The boy has ADHD so I am assuming he is probably a little impatient and is easily distracted and so I guess he just strays off target. That having been said it could just as likely be a physiological issue. I’ve asked him to sit if he’s going to make a mess, but he refuses since “that’s how girls pee”. I’ve brought it up with his mother (single mom, no dad in the picture throughout the boys life) but she just says “Oh that’s just how boys are”… I know boys aren’t always the best at this but we’re not talking about small splashes, he is significantly off target. I’m a male and I’ve also looked after other boys his age so I know it shouldn’t/doesn’t have to be this bad. Admittedly I haven’t observed his technique (or lack there of) so I don’t know how exactly he’s missing that bad 😅
I don’t know how best to help him get better at this. Since they don’t buy cereal I’m looking for options other than the old cereal trick. Also I don’t accompany him to the restroom due to his age so we’d have to rely on him setting it up, or him starting to communicate when he is going to use the toilet so his mom or I can set it up.
Current plan is to get him to start cleaning up his own messes, but would love to find some way to help him so that what ever is causing the issue in the first place can stop.
Any ideas of what might be causing the problem, how to get to the root of the problem, or how I can help the little dude?

Welcome back to the Fallowveil trailer park, where the crack addicts have all seen aliens, the Witch is the glue holding the community together, and it’s been a whole six years since our last meth lab explosion. I never met you, but rest in peace Jones. I’m Mason, and I’ll be your janitor guide to the weirdness.
So I’ve talked about Jennifer, my paranormally sexy, but terrifying neighbor who lives with a married couple, strips under the name “Red Jenny,” and possibly eats people’s souls. She’s just the tip of the iceberg here in this town. I could go on and on about my neighbors. I have to do an entry on Trista the nocturnal hippy (maybe) vampire at some point. I have a feeling she’ll get a kick out of it. We’re actually pretty friendly, since we're both night shift workers. Frankly, she’s a bit too on-the-nose though. Pale girl, windows all blocked during daytime, only out at night, weirdly strong for such a skinny little person, drinks a mysterious fluid from a hip flask that she refuses to share, I mean… she’s either a vampire or a weird healthnut hippy and she dresses like she’s both. We’ll get to her eventually.
For now, let’s talk about the old “Schroeder Slaughterhouse.” The place has been a center piece of the town since it was created. It brought jobs to workers and brought lucrative meat processing trades into town, elevating it to more than just another ‘corn town.’ It’s also got horror stories going all the way back to its construction. Some say it’s been cursed by the devil himself.
I want to talk about this one because Trista talked me into going to one of Petunia’s barbecues last weekend. Not sure why she’s suddenly friendlier with me, but I’m not complaining. She couldn’t come with me of course, being a (probably) vampire and all. But hey, depression only gets worse in isolation. I should ask her out some time. Being a vampire might be fun…
So anyway, I went to Petunia’s cookout. Petunia herself looked up and actually cried out loud and power walked up to me to give me a hug. “Ahhh! I’m so glad to see you outside Mason! The neighborhood misses you!” I'm ninety percent sure that was a lie, but whatever. It’s comforting. I returned the older woman’s hug.
“Thanks Petunia. Couldn’t stay away from your cooking forever.” That got a few chuckles. To my surprise, a lot of my neighbors came up to shake hands with me. I was confused until one of them, a guy named Fred, who lives next door to me, leaned in to say “sorry about that friend of yours that died.”
So that’s what’s happening. Everybody heard about psycho Moe and how he’d dragged me to a strip club where he planned to go on a killing spree. Now they’re playing nice. That’s probably the only reason Trista’s being nice to you too. These people don’t really care about you. You’re worthless.
‘You know what, brain? You’re a real bummer. Now shut up while I try to be social.’ I shot back at my own conscience.
I finally worked out how to respond to Fred after a few seconds of awkward silence that made us both uncomfortable. “He wasn’t really a friend. Just a roommate once. The guy was messed up.”
Fred nodded sympathetically, rubbing at his mustache “Well sure. But that’s a heck of a… situation?” He replied.
“Yeah. I guess it is…” I tried to look thoughtful so nobody could see me rolling my eyes. “But hey! I think Red Jenny took care of it.”
Fred’s eyes widened at that. “No shit? Did he get… did he get a private dance?”
We were both interrupted by a silky smooth voice with a southern twang. “Glad to see you’re okay Mason. Try not to bring any psychopaths to my place of business, alright? It’s got plenty. Our poor bouncer had to headlock that guy.” She said all of this without even glancing towards us. Just sort of talking at the air as she sauntered by. She was glorious as ever, somehow making comfortable sweats look like a sexy bold fashion statement. Jennifer. Red Jenny. I hushed up as she stepped past us, and as she did, she cast a glance my way… and she winked.
Fred and I sat there partly struck dumb for a moment. That woman hardly spoke to anyone.
“Bouncer my ass.” Fred whispered to me. “That chick’s some kind of monster, I’m telling you. What did you see? She offered him a private dance didn't she?”
A few weeks ago I would have jumped at the opportunity to tell Fred everything I could about what I saw, but for whatever reason, I was less enthusiastic at the moment. “Yeah, she did, but I’m not really sure what happened. I was kinda stupified by the guns. She probably got a bouncer to help her, I really don’t know.”
“Never get a private dance from Red Jenny. Some say that’s a warning from wives, but the rest of us know it’s a warning from above. Something ain’t natural at that place.”
“I dunno Fred. But she works hard. I don’t want to badmouth her. Even if it was true, the guy she got was a wannabe killer. So she saved people.”
“Yeah, but how!?”
“I dunno man.”
Fred seemed to figure out I didn’t want to talk anymore about it by then. “Sorry, man. Must have been scary, either way. But hey! We all know you were asking around about Fallowveil’s spooky stories! Guess what!? A bunch of people who used to work at the old slaughterhouse are here! They’re all swapping stories by the grill! You should go listen!”
That piqued my interest. I used my phone to record as much as I could. I think I remember the rest. Now that I’ve looked at all my notes and stuff, I think I can provide a decent history of Fallowveil’s Schroeder Slaughterhouse. At least according to some of the people who worked there, as well as some who’ve lived here longer than me.
Most of the history came from a man named Willard Graves. He’s notorious for being really nasty when he’s drunk, and being one of the oldest people living in the trailer park at the age of 68. When I arrived at the bonfire where the group of workers had gathered, they were all swapping stories.
“I once felt a presence in the women’s restroom!” Said Polly Bucharest. “I was a floor manager in 2007. I was sitting in the stall there doing my business, nobody came in or out, but suddenly I just felt it. I got real freaked out. Like… goosebumps and everything. And feeling that way sucks in the bathroom. So I tried to hurry up and kicked open the stall so I could run to the sink… and the ‘shadow man’ was just standing in the corner. I saw him out of the corner of my eye. He was just there, standing. When I turned to look, he was gone!”
“I saw that thing too! The shadow man!” Said Peter Swanson. “Damn thing was standing up in the corner, on the catwalk out in the main floor. Same thing. I was working, one of the cows didn’t go down right away, and I was leaning down to stun it again, then I felt real uneasy all of a sudden. Real scared. Finally I noticed the shadow up there!”
“That happened to me in the break room!” Said Juan Esposito. “I was eating lunch when I felt it. Then there was a shadow of a man, I think, in the corner of the room.”
“It was more of a shadowy blob on the wall for me,” said Polly.
“Any of you guys see the weird bird?” Asked Carlos Sanders. “I saw it once. End of my shift, back in 09. Me and a few of the boys saw it. You were there Juan! You remember?”
“I remember. I’m not really sure though, Carlos. That one might have been a vulture.”
“We see vultures round here all the time! That wasn’t a vulture! No clue what it was. Just some big flying shadowy thing that appeared at sundown and flew off after a while.”
“Lots of people said they saw a strange bird. That’s part of why some people think it’s cursed” claimed Jane Lopez. “I never worked there, but my husband used to tell stories. Some people say it’s an omen. If you see the bird over the slaughterhouse, something bad might be about to happen.”
“I remember the stories, Mama.” Said her son, Martin. “I worked the floor for three years. I never saw a creepy bird. I wonder if Papa was just telling stories again?”
“Maybe, mijo. But lots of people tell stories about that place.”
“How about the one cow that Mr. Kurt takes, like… once a week? Anybody know what’s up with that?” That was Juan again.
“No! And none of us can figure out where the cow goes either! It’s creepy!” Poly replied.
That’s when Willard loudly cleared his throat. Willard was a tough looking old bastard. Usually sporting a frumpy tank top, a grumpy face, and a bottle of something in one hand. “Y’all didn’t work there as long as I did,” he grumbled in his raspy old voice. He kept his head and eyes lowered, like some old cowboy trying to be dramatic. “Y’all know who that shadow even is? I know the ‘sh’tory!”
We were all interrupted by a shout from a very angry Petunia, who was a few yards away manning the grill. “DAMN IT Willard! What did I say!? One beer! One!”
“I only had one! I ‘sh’wear!”
“You’re slurring! If I catch you sneaking any more drinks I’m not giving you any ribs or any cookies!”
Willard’s tough old man act crumbled as he went wide eyed at the mention of cookies. “Alright, alright, I’m sorry Petty…”
“PETUNIA!!”
“Petunia! I won’t have anything else to drink!”
“Damn right! Last thing we need is you making an ass of yourself again!”
Willard sighed as we all hushed a few guffaws. “Anyway,” he said after an awkward pause. That shadow? Any of you know who it is?”
“One of the dead owners?” Said someone.
“One of the dead workers?” Said someone else.
“Nah, nah. It was the FIRST owner. The ghost of Heinrich Schroeder. The builder and owner of Schroeder Slaughterhouse!”
“How do you know?”
“I mean… I don’t, but that’s the oldest story I know about the place. Don’t any of you younguns know about the history there?”
“I don’t. Please tell the story!” I called from outside the circle of former Meat Processing workers, causing some of them to glance awkwardly at me.
“Well alright then!” Willard said with a grin that had less than a full set of teeth. “The place was built way back, right after the Civil War ended, when a bunch of immigrants from Germany started migrating to Nebraska, mostly to Omaha. But one feller…”
“Why did Germans come to Nebraska?” Asked a kid who’s name I didn’t know.
“What? I dunno. They just did. Hush. So this guy saw our little town of Fallowveil and its lush fields. He was in the sausage business before, but figured he could set himself up a slaughterhouse to process cows raised locally. Old Fallowveil was superstitious though. They were always wary of outsiders.”
“Why?” The kid asked.
“They just was. Everyone was after the war ended. Things changing fast, bunch of black folks are citizens and building themselves North Mainstreet, and Fallowveil’s weird. We all know that. Always has been.” Nobody could disagree there. “So. Since they were wary? They didn’t want to let Shroeder build. Supposedly you can find old documents with the town's rejection letters to Shroeder hidden away in the office of the old building. He tried for months. Then, with no explanation at all, they suddenly sold him an unused parcel of land. Nobody knows why, and that’s where a lot of folks think the devil’s curse began. They say Shroeder made some kind of deal with a demon to get them to sell the land to him. They’re the ones that made him follow their rules. Everyone remember the rules?”
“Hell, I had to follow those rules,” said Polly. “Most were pretty standard health and safety measures, but some were downright bizarre. 1. No loud noises in the back of the building. 2. One cow will be selected by the owner for personal reasons and won’t be slaughtered with the others. 3. Keep the blood drains clean at all times, but no specialized detergents. 4. Never agitate the animals. 5. Manure will be transported offsite. 6. Anyone caught past the fence line of the old building will be fired immediately…. There’s a bunch more that are all basically fcc regulations, only these days there’s extra.”
“It’s worth it!” Juan piped in. “The work we do there now got us awards! We make some of the best meat in the country! Pay is good too. No offense, friends, but we’re thinking of moving into a house, soon!”
Petunia cried out. “Ahhh Juan! That’s so wonderful! You’ll have places for your baby!” A bunch of others offered Juan their congratulations. There were also expressions of sadness. Thanks to Petunia? This neighborhood is really tight knit.
“We’ll miss you!”
“When do you leave?”
So on and so on. Juan’s a nice guy. I never got to know him, and I kinda wish I had now.
“Good to hear that place is finally shaping up!” Willard said with a small smile. “Maybe the curse on the place is lifting! Back when I worked there, safety and cleanliness were shit. All them extra rules about keeping the place clean, and the cows cared for, they weren’t there back then. Just the weird shit about noise in the back, staying away from the old building, and one cow being taken away every couple of shipments.”
“Can I ask a question?” I asked as Willard trailed off, lost in thought.
“Did you ever work in the place, new guy?” Asked Juan.
“No. I’m just curious about Fallowveil’s spooky stories. Lived here for a while, and heard em, but now I’m asking around.”
“Whatcha want to ask?” Willard wondered.
“Why is the old building even still there? The place where you all work is the building in the front, right? New building with state of the art equipment? Why keep the dilapidated old building from the 1860s? Anybody know?”
“Ah. That’s an interesting question. I’d guess nobody here knows that answer, right?” Willard replied. There were nods all around. “Nobody alive today worked in that building. Hell, it was fenced off and boarded up when I was a kid. Nobody really knows why it’s still standing. We all have our guesses. Some think it might have something to do with the devil’s curse. Some say the owners hope to cash in on its historic value. Not sure how. The place is a wreck. So it just sits back there.”
“And they’ll fire anyone who gets curious,” Polly added.
“Exactly. That’s one of the rules. Stay away from the old building. But anyway. Let me get back to the story. The old building, that’s the slaughterhouse built by Heinrich Shroeder. He ran the place for about twenty years. Lot of the newly freed black folks would work there. Nothing too nefarious went on back then, but all the same, everyone felt uneasy working there. Just like now, workers swore they saw ghosts. Place gained a reputation for being haunted. That only got worse over the years. Then came the ‘incident.’ I don’t remember the exact year. But at some point some kind of fire broke out in the slaughterhouse. It was after hours so there were no workers there at the time, but there was a herd of cows waiting there overnight. The fire only affected the inside of the building, but it still spooked the cows. They stampeded out of the pen and the next morning the town had cows everywhere. When the people searched the slaughterhouse, they found that not much of the equipment was damaged at all. Somehow some small section of the floor had lit up. And in the middle of it? They found the charred bones of Heinrich Shroeder.”
“What? How?” I asked skeptically. “You know how hot a fire has to be to melt off everything but bone? I don’t. But I know it’s pretty hot.”
“Oh I know. That’s part of the mystery. Nobody knows what happened. It was like some little explosion of heat just burned everything in this one spot on the floor, including Shroeder. The whole thing is unsolved. A mystery. Maybe it was arson. Maybe it was some sort of accident. Who knows? Anyone who works there could tell you though. That place is cursed. Our theory was, Heinrich went back on whatever deal he made to get the land, and the devil came to collect. Either way, the whole town was in shock. Shroeder’s family buried him at Kugler Mill Cemetery, then sold the place and moved to Omaha to be closer to family.”
“Who bought it next?” Asked the kid that kept asking questions.
“Local man named Jefferson. Man was a former slave owner who had a lot of trouble turning a profit after the war.”
“Also a horrible racist!” Petunia added from the grill. “You left that part out one time.”
“I did not! I didn’t think I had to say it! I said he owned slaves! Of course he’s racist!” Willard shot back.
“Just messing with you, you old cowpoke.” We all stopped to chuckle.
“ANYWAY. Jefferson was no great boss. Lot of stories about cruelty to workers and animals if the stories I once heard are true. He kept the name “Schroeder Slaughterhouse to keep some locals from realizing it was him. That’s how he hired a bunch of black folks. There were lots of accidents. Almost everyone who worked there left missing a limb, like me.” Willard held up his hand, and I noticed for the first time that he was missing two fingers on his right hand. “They were still using old band saws. Only took one wrong move” he added thoughtfully. “So Jefferson took over, but he kept all the weird old rules. Nobody knows why. But the place wasn’t a great place to be. Another fire broke out, this one was the Jeffersons son getting drunk on the floor and lighting a lantern. Three workers died there. There were other injuries, and shitty safety standards. One other stampede occurred, which was caused by the equipment falling apart cuz they never bothered with maintenance. You get the idea. All the while, everyone kept hearing tales about the ghosts. They eventually got the idea that the “rules” had something to do with the ghosts. People swore when they were louder in certain parts of the building, they were more likely to feel uneasy. We all know that story.”
“The Shadow” several people said in unison.
Willard nodded. “People thought it was the ghost of Shroeder. Made the rumors about a curse seem more real. The Jeffersons ignored their employees' discomfort for years. Then in the in 30s, another tragedy struck. The owner, Edgar Jefferson, personally came to oversee the installation of a brand new state of the art meat grinder to produce ground beef for local businesses. He was standing nearby, even though the construction crew told him to move away. He was bragging to news outlets and investors about his new machine, and how he wasn’t affected by the depression at all, and then, out of nowhere, a small earthquake hit. The meat grinder came loose from its crane and landed right on top of Edgar. He died immediately. Right in front of the terrified crowd.”
“No way.” Said someone from the crowd.
“Y’all can look this one up if you want. Library is bound to have the old papers. I heard this story from my very first boss. He was just a kid at the time. Said his dad witnessed the whole thing. One second Edgar was boasting, next, he’d been turned into meat jelly.”
“Please don’t ruin the barbecue, Willard” called Petunia.
He just rolled his eyes at that. “To make matters worse, the Jefferson’s local estate mysteriously caught fire a few days later. Nobody could find a cause. Nobody died, thankfully. The remaining Jefferson’s were spooked after that. They sold the slaughterhouse as well as four different cattle farms in town, and moved out of the state.”
“Who was next?” Came the child.
Willard ignored him. “The next person to buy the land was an industrialist who wanted to stake a claim on small town businesses. Rick Manson. He owned a restaurant in California. He bought up the cattle farms and built a new state of the art slaughter house right next to the old one. He was held up by world war 2, but when that ended, he got the place up and running. Nobody knows why he didn’t just tear the old building down and build on top of it. He was the first owner to leave it be. Supposedly, things started out decent under Manson. He brought lots of decent paying jobs raising cows and working in the slaughterhouse, and he kept the rules and added more for safety. Ran it like that for a good thirty years. That’s about when I started working there. Late seventies, early eighties. I can say without any doubt, that any good things people said about Rick Manson? They were lies. The man was a tyrant of a boss, at a time when we actually knew what hard work was.” I felt everyone else groan with me when Willard said that. “The guy used the cheapest equipment he could find and barely ever did maintenance. He also kept hiring immigrants to work the floor. The injury rates were incredibly high, and whatever workarounds higher ups thought they could get away with, they did. A lot of that was on the farms. The local farms were soon forced to use growth hormones, cheap corn feed, and other shady tactics to fatten the cows up faster. They made every effort to turn the small town of Fallowveil into a bigger meat processing plant. We all suffered for it. People died working in that place. Even more people lost fingers. And nobody ever held Manson accountable. Let me remind you, the place was still unbelievably haunted. The shadow was seen by everyone. People started seeing the weird bird too. Everyone was also pretty sure the owners were doing some kind of satanic rituals in the old building at night. There were stories about lights and weird sounds. The story me and my fellow workers believed was that the one cow that got selected and separated every now and then? They were sacrificing it in the old building.”
That proved a bit too much for me. “Wait… hang on. The place is already a slaughterhouse. Cows die there daily. What’s so special about this one cow? Do others not count?”
“Oh how am I supposed to know? You wanted to know what the stories were right? That’s all we got, nobody actually knows what’s going on in there. All we got are guesses. All we know is that someone always showed up, maybe once a week, and picked out a cow, and lead it away. We’re busy workers so no, none of us ever really saw where it ended up. We’re pretty sure it wasn’t put back on a truck. There’s no hidden field that we know of where they’re keeping them. So where the hell do these cows go?”
“I mean… I don’t know. Do they still do that?” I asked.
Juan answered me. “Yes. I’ve seen it happen. Mr. Kurt is the man who picks the cow. Once a week he picks a cow and leads it away from the others. Usually toward the back. Whenever we ask him where the cow went, he would just say ‘that’s private.’”
“Who the hell is Mr. Kurt?” Willard asked.
“He’s basically the general manager. He’s there everyday.”
“What about the new owner? ‘Antoora’ or however you say that?”
“Antuara. We don’t know. Nobody but Mr. Kurt has met him. It’s really strange. Kurt just says Antuara is a bit of a recluse.”
“Wouldn’t the FDA want to know what was happening with these cows?” I wondered.
“All the paperwork is done. The FDA has been here multiple times. They know one cow gets taken, and… they’ve signed off on everything. So I guess it’s nothing illegal.” Juan concluded with a shrug. “It’s really weird.”
“Huh. That place is just a giant old mystery. Does it ever end? You all know what happened to Mr. Manson?”
“Didn’t he die in a fire?” Asked Polly.
“Not just him. My last boss was the one that noticed this. But right before Mr. ‘Antoora’ bought the place ten years ago, it got bought up by a bunch of corporate goons. They wanted to compete with places like Tyson meats. They bought it after Manson's car was found exploded… with him in it, of course. That’s three different owners who were hit by fires, and two that were killed by fires. But that’s not all. Polly? You worked as floor manager while those corpo guys ran the place right? You remember why they ended up selling?”
“I was never told, actually. You and the boys had your stories, but I always figured it was our numbers. We weren’t doing as well. People weren’t going to local butchershops. I know there was one death…”
“It was another fire. And from what I hear it was ruled as an arson! To this day it hasn’t been solved. There were three deaths like that. And a meat packing plant in another state burned down. Not all of those were ruled as arson, but it’s a hell of a coincidence, wouldn’t y’all agree?” Willard said with a grin as he searched everyone’s faces. He had everyone enraptured by his mystery.
“It’s like the place really is cursed. Whoever owns Shroeder slaughterhouse… catches fire?” Said someone.
“Sure seems that way.”
“But Antuara is different. All the equipment is new, and he trained all of us extensively. We take breaks. We’re required to take breaks. And we clean everything. Then there’s the farms he bought. They don’t use any growth hormones or cheap feed. Hell, Mitchel Farm has enrichment toys for them. If the place was cursed, I have to hope it’s lifted now.” Juan spoke with conviction.
“But you still see the shadow and the bird, right? And nobody knows what happens to the one cow?” Willard said simply.
“Yes. That is true. Mr. Kurt has said he’ll look into the things that are causing our discomfort. But what can anyone do about a ghost?”
“Like I said. That place is cursed by the devil. Years of cruel practice, spilled blood, and bad deals. The owners get burned, the workers suffer, but it just keeps churning out meat. And of course, it’s here in the town of Fallowveil, where witches roam free…”
“As do old assholes” added Petunia
“The woods have a monster, the Hotel is in the damn Twilight Zone, and everyone’s seen something unnatural. The place is still cursed, mark my words. Unless they tear that old building down, it’ll probably stay cursed.” With that, Willard concluded his story. He raised a bottle of beer to his lips, but before he could drink, Petunia appeared and swatted the bottle right out of his hand.
“What the hell did I tell you Willard. No more god damn beer!”
“Sorry Petunia.”
The rest of the day was nice. I ate food, hung out with neighbors, played some horseshoes, drank some beer. It was great. The circle of meat packing workers had a few more tales, mostly about the Shadow showing up to scare people, or a weird thing someone saw around the old building.
I wasn’t sure what to think, really. I’ve never actually been to the place. I know that working in a slaughterhouse sounds like a really depressing, dangerous, and messy job that I never ever want. That’s for sure. I had no idea missing limbs were so common.
I looked up some of the stuff Willard said. It seems he wasn’t embellishing much. There really were owners who died in fires and one who got squashed by his own equipment. I can see where belief in a curse comes from. Interestingly, Juan was right too. Fallowveil has received awards for its high quality beef in recent years. The stuff is so good that some of the food network shows have started showing up to do segments and visit local restaurants. Mostly Nerd Burger. Nerd Burger is incredible. The Spicy² burger is hands down, the best burger in the universe and nobody will tell me otherwise. I didn’t even realize it contracted with Antuara meats, but there you go.
I shared all of this with Trista later that night, and as a result, we went on adventure together. I wonder if it was a date? She wore her regular clothes. Try to imagine a sixties Hippy who got a makeover from a goth. She wore a sarong around her waist that would dance around her legs, with the breeze. It was black as pitch, with a few flowery designs sewn in. She halos wore a black hand made tank top, black knee high boots, and her stoner beanie hat that read “total witch.” Seriously. How else can I describe that other than Hippy/goth or Hippy/vampire. She’s weird, and she’s really skinny, but damn it… she’s really pretty. And a lot of fun to hang out with. She might have supplied us with something to smoke that may or may not be legal in this state so I’ll say no more there.
But anyway, we were chatting after sundown, and I told her all about the stories of the Slaughterhouse. “Ugh. That place. Look at me. I’m a hippy. I can’t call myself a vegan, but I still morally oppose the meat industry.”
“Why can’t you call yourself a vegan?”
“I… have a specialized diet.”
“What’s that mean?”
“None of your business, jerk!” She socked my shoulder playfully, which made my whole arm go numb.
“Ow! You are like 140 pounds, max. How are you so damn strong?”
“Maybe you’re just weak. So the slaughterhouse is cursed? Wanna go see it?”
“I… like… Right now?”
“Sure! You don’t work for another hour, right? The hotel can manage without me if I’m late by a few minutes. Come on! I hear you’re more likely to see weird things if you go at night!”
How could I say no? So I drove us to Antuara Meats, formerly known as the Schroeder Slaughterhouse, and got a look at it for the first time in my life. The main building is pretty unremarkable. Just a factory type building next to a big field. We pulled into the parking lot and got as close to the fence as we could, so we could see what we really wanted. The old building.
“Christ. Why is it still standing? Place looks like it should be condemned.” Trista said as we got out and peered through the fencing.
“Yup. Boarded up windows, overgrown ivy everywhere, everything one needs to make a nice creepy atmosphere.”
“How romantic!” She quipped. I’m glad she couldn’t see the confused blushing I did after that. “It definitely smells like blood and rot around here.”
“It does? All I smell is… I’m guessing that’s cow poop?”
“No. It’s metallic. Smells like old blood.”
“You are such a vampire.”
“Har har.”
“Seriously, I don’t smell blood. I can’t see much. It’s too dark.”
“Not much to see. Though I think I see the cow.”
“The cow? What cow? And no way in hell can you see out here. There’s clouds out!”
“Eat your vegetables Mason. It’s good for your night vision.”
“Vampire says what?”
“Nope.”
“So you see a cow? A live cow? Where? Maybe I have a night vision app or something. I dug my phone out of my pocket.
“Yeah, there’s a cow standing out behind the old building. Maybe a hundred yards.”
“I don’t care how good your night vision is, how could you see that far?”
“Will you give it a rest? Not my fault my eyes adjust better than yours.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to be an ass…”
“It’s okay Mason, I’m mostly messing with you. There is a cow there though.”
I held up my phone and zoomed as far as I could with the night vision on. She was right. A loan cow stood in an open field behind the slaughterhouse. There were no fences back there, so I wondered if it had gotten loose and just wandered its way to the spot. “Huh. You’re right. There’s totally a cow there. It’s not on the property either.”
“So… you found the missing cow. But I gotta ask. You doing okay? That shit with the Red Nights club was crazy. Anyone would be messed up after that.”
That annoyed me. I’m not sure why. “You think I’m messed up?”
“Well, yeah, that’s why I hang out with you. We’re both messed up. But like… this is seriously messed up. Not fun messed up.”
“Is that the only reason we came out here? Did Petunia put you up to this?” I turned toward her.
“Yes. But no. Petunia is worried about you. And so am I. You’re one of the few regular friends I’ve got. And someone almost shot you.” I saw genuine concern in her violet eyes. She stood there, twiddling nervously with her hands, only partly illuminated by the nearby streetlights, making her pale complexion shine. A strange gust of wind kicked up and blew her wavey Raven black hair prettily across her face.
‘Oh fuck. You’re getting feels. Stop that. You’re just lonely, and she just feels bad.’ I wrestled with my thoughts for a moment before replying. “I’m sorry. Maybe I’m just burying it. I’m okay. At least I think I am. Maybe I'm still processing.
“Uh. Hold that thought, Mason. The cow is gone.”
“What?” I looked back and held up my phone. There was no cow in the field anymore. “Where? How? There’s nowhere for it to go!?”
“I didn’t see anything. It was there a minute ago, now it’s just gone. Wow. That’s creepy. This place really is cursed.”
“Could it have fallen in a hole or something?”
We actually spent a few minutes searching for a trace of the bovine, but we didn’t find anything. There’s no way the thing ran off in just a minute. So what the hell happened to it? It just vanished. Both of us felt a little unsafe after we reached that conclusion. So we headed home and then went off to our respective jobs. Now here I am. A fully grown cow disappeared before my eyes at a haunted slaughterhouse, and somehow I’m still more concerned with whether or not I should ask Trista out or just enjoy her friendship. But that shit is my business.
I did a bit more reading about the slaughterhouse. police have been called to the place over the years, and they found nothing. There’s even been people that signed papers and got to enter the building legally. There was even a ghost hunter once. They didn’t really find anything interesting either. There’s something weird about that place though. No doubt about it. It’s brought tragedy, creepy stories, and delicious hamburger to our town for generations. Given how delicious locally raised beef is? I'm cool with the place doing whatever it’s doing.

My resident cat (grey, neutered male, 2y) and my new cat (orange, newly neutered male, 4y) have just been introduced.
New cat was neutered 5 days prior to being adopted, so he’s about a week post neuter. We adopted and brought him home 3 days ago and put him in the bathroom with some litter and food and a hidey hut. They saw each other down the hallway and sniffed before we put new cat in the bathroom, and they scented and meowed at each other through the door for about a half hour. I opened the door since it seemed like they were decompressed and everything was fine, resident cat followed new cat around just watching him explore the house. No hissing or fights. New cat just ignored him and eventually hid under spare bed for awhile before we put him in the bathroom to sleep for the night so they were separated.
Day 2 they got along even better, sharing a lot of toys, food occasionally (i have 2 sets of bowls and 2 litters) and sharing treats next to each other. At the end of day 2, resident cat started to run up on and chase new cat, they patted at each other a few times but nothing super physical.
Day 3 we are on right now and in the morning the fighting got more intense. They started rolling around, resident cat has ears back and swishing tail and starts to pat, grab onto the back of new cat and bite. New cat has been hesitant to play with resident cat the past few days and I can’t tell if the fights are occurring because of dominance/territory or my resident cat following through with innapropriate play and new cat getting pissed off. They both stalk/follow each other now. As the day goes on, they both seem to be a bit better behaved.
Both cats have very very docile attitudes. New cat has lived with other cats but my resident cat hasn’t (only shared space with dogs). Is this too rough of play to be considered normal? What should I do? Should I reintroduce them? The only problem is the only room in my house with a shutting door is the bathroom (the rest are barn sliding doors and the cats open them).
The sounds you hear are coming from the new cat
TLDR; grey cat is resident cat, orange cat is new cat. 2 year age difference and both neutered. sometimes they get along/share things or ignore each other. now they have started fighting, is this too rough or just play?

this community has given me so much clarity. i am so, incredibly appreciative.
TL;DR: special needs child not being given tools or taught life skills to have his own version of success in life by both parents and teachers. he is allowed to behave as he wishes and it is chalked up to "he's autistic, we can't do anything with him." i am scared and heartbroken thinking of his future.
so, i finally broke up my 2 year relationship with a single dad of 3 boys. he was cheating on me with the mother of his children, who was also cheating on her live-in partner almost the entirety of our relationship. i came to terms with the betrayal, have managed to emotionally accept that particular situation and am no longer in the stepparent / pre-stepparent game.
however;
i understand that this situation is no longer "my problem", and that he was never my child, but i am terrified for him.
for context: my mother works for the county's school system, at an elementary school explicitly for special needs (mental / physical / emotional / behavioral) children. she looked up his IEP out of curiosity and his diagnoses include various learning disabilities, but no autism. she also saw that at his current public school he gets NO special accommodations, such as "different" classes, teachers trained for classrooms with disabilities, learning aids, etc.
this upcoming school year will be his 3rd time in 3rd grade. father has zero input on schooling, mother refuses to let him move on.
this child is 11 years old. he has a lateral lisp that makes understanding him extremely difficult, and has not gotten any kind of speech therapy.
this child also did not know his alphabet, couldnt read, couldnt count past 17, couldnt spell his name correctly, couldnt tie his shoes or even get them on the correct foot. getting him to brush his teeth ended in screaming-and-throwing-things type meltdowns. he pooped his pants 1-2x a week, which both parents were aware of and have done nothing to fix.
his father (and i) only had him friday afternoon-monday before school. during the two years we dated, i WORKED with this child. despite only having him for short periods of time. while his father played video games and/or got stoned and fell asleep. and his mother was busy updating her onlyfans and sleeping all day.
his speech is still a major issue, but he can count to 20. he can spell his 4-letter name. he puts his shoes on the correct feet. he knows the alphabet forwards and backwards. he is able to read (sound out) 3-4 letter words on his own. he sets his own timers to take bathroom breaks every hour / no longer poops his pants while he is with us. at this point he is actually EXCITED to brush his teeth. i even got him accurately telling time on a digital watch that i got him for christmas. all because i made little games out of everything, instilled boundaries, and cared enough to try to give this child more opportunities in life.
i'm not looking for brownie points, im trying to illustrate that this child is being failed by both of his parents, and the public school system. with a little time, attention, and care- i know in my heart that he is capable of SO MUCH MORE.
the problem: i am terrified that after i move out, he will continue to be failed by his parents and grow up to be nothing short of dependent. as well as, more than likely, a danger to others based on how his meltdown/tantrums are handled by both his parents. i know police and "the justice system" don't care if you have a disability.
this is part vent, parts asking for advice on how to deal with the weight of everything.
my heart hurts so badly, i am immobilized by fear and pain. i don't know how to cope.

After a previous attempt I made with ChatGPT to create descriptions in SD, this is a more upgraded effort with much more material
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there are 4 categories:
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1) Character description
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2) Description of animals and insects
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3) Hybrid character description
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4) Artist style character description
Start ChatGpt prompt
Character Description Guidelines:
After the character name, you will always write the name of the brand in the form \(tag\).
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When to Use:
These guidelines are intended for depicting a character in their most iconic and recognizable form from their respective media franchise.
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How to Use:

1. **Identify the character and the source**: Begin with the character's name followed by the source franchise in parentheses.
   
2. **Describe visual elements with emphasis**: Focus exclusively on the visual aspects of the character's clothing and accessories. Use emphasis tags (e.g., 1.0 for standard emphasis, higher values for stronger emphasis) to highlight key features.
   
3. **Concise descriptions**: Stick strictly to visual descriptions, avoiding backstory or abilities of the character.
   

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Examples:
- Superman \(DC Comics\), (blue suit:1.1) with a (textured mesh pattern:1.2), (red cape:1.3) flowing and vibrant, (S-shield on chest:1.3) prominently displayed, (red boots:1.2) glossy and robust, (slicked-back black hair:1.1) neatly styled
- Link \(The Legend of Zelda\), (green tunic:1.2) with a (brown belt:1.2) and (silver buckle:1.2), (brown boots:1.1) sturdy and weathered, (pointed elf-like ears:1.2) slightly protruding, (sword and shield:1.3) always at hand, (blonde hair:1.1) messy yet controlled.
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Animal and Insect Description Category:
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When to Use:
For describing animals and insects with a focus on their distinguishing physical features for scientific, educational, or visual content.
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How to Use:

1. **Identification**: Clearly name the animal or insect.
   
2. **Detail visual characteristics**: Describe color, pattern, and distinctive physical traits.
   
3. **Emphasis on conciseness**: Focus solely on visual details, leaving out behavioral or ecological roles unless they are vital for recognition.
   

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Examples:
- Grey Wolf, (dense grey fur:1.2), (piercing yellow eyes:1.2), (long snout:1.1), (strong legs:1.2).
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- Atlas Moth, (large wingspan:1.3), (orange and white wing patterns:1.2), (snake-head wingtips:1.3).
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Hybrid Character Description Category:
When to Use:For creating new characters by merging features from existing characters with animals or insects, exploring creative design possibilities.
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How to Use:

1. **Hybrid identification**: Start by naming the base character followed by the animal/insect traits being combined.
   
2. **Describe hybrid features**: Focus on how the animal or insect characteristics integrate with the character’s traits, emphasizing changes in appearance, color, or added features.
   
3. **Maintain clarity and conciseness**: Ensure that descriptions are straightforward, emphasizing the hybrid’s unique visual and symbolic elements.
   
4. **After the character name, you will always write the name of the brand in the form \(tag\).
   

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Examples:
- Dragon (Spider-Man:1.2) \(Marvel Comics\), (fiery webbed dragon wings:1.4) unfurling majestically, (scaly red and blue suit:1.3) shimmering under light, (whipping dragon tail:1.2) adding a fierce edge, (enhanced piercing eyes:1.3) glowing with mystic power.
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- Lion (Thor:1.2) \(Marvel Comics\), (thunderous mane resembling Thor’s flowing locks:1.3), (muscular lion’s physique blending seamlessly with Thor’s warrior build:1.2), (mythical hammer adorned with lion engravings:1.1) exuding regal strength.
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- dynamic fusion of Naruto \(Shonen Jump\) and Goku \(Dragon Ball\), embodying the strengths of both warriors, spiky golden hair reminiscent of Super Saiyan form, adorned with Naruto's iconic headband, (blue eyes gleaming with determination:1.2), wearing Goku's signature orange and blue gi, crossed with Naruto's black and orange attire, (rippling aura of energy:1.2), swirling with vibrant hues of orange, blue, and yellow, (surrounded by a whirlwind of leaves and energy:1.1), iconic symbols from both series interwoven in the background, shattered remnants of mountains and landscapes, epic battleground, intense clash of elemental powers, combining the power of chakra and ki, determined expressions, fierce determination radiating from their eyes, sparks flying as they unleash a devastating attack, fusion of two legendary worlds, capturing the essence of both universes in one electrifying image.
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- hybrid superhero, amalgamation of Wolverine and Iron Man \(Marvel Comics\), (adamantium claws protruding from gauntlets:1.4), (red and gold armored suit:1.3), glowing arc reactor in chest, (ferocious animalistic features:1.2), piercing blue eyes, snarling expression, rugged facial hair, (sleek, metallic design with intricate detailing:1.2), jet propulsion system, rocket thrusters, dual repulsor beams, urban battleground, crumbling skyscrapers, billowing smoke, sparks flying, dynamic combat stance, mid-air leap, intense energy radiating from the scene, blending the raw power of Wolverine with the cutting-edge technology of Iron Man, a symbol of unstoppable force and relentless determination.
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- an awe-inspiring hybrid Green Lantern \(DC Comics\) with Thor \(Marvel Comics\), a (glowing green hammer:1.4) that combines Green Lantern's power ring energy with Thor's iconic Mjolnir. Dressed in a costume that merges Green Lantern's sleek, (emerald green suit:1.2) with Thor's Asgardian armor elements, including (metallic silver plates:1.1) and a flowing red cape. The setting captures a cosmic battlefield, stars twinkling in the background, planets visible in the distance, and a nebula illuminating the scene with vibrant colors. The character stands heroically on a floating asteroid, lightning crackling around him and a bright green aura emanating from the hammer, intense gaze, dynamic pose, atmospheric and charged with energy.
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These guidelines ensure clarity and maintain the required format for describing characters, animals, insects, and hybrid figures.
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Artist Style Character Description Category:
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When to Use:
This category should be employed when you wish to craft descriptions of characters from various media franchises reimagined in the distinctive style of a particular artist.
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How to Use:

1. **Character and Artist Identification**: Start with the character’s name, followed by the brand in the format \(tag\), and then specify "in the style of (Artist Name)" to clearly indicate the artistic interpretation.
   
2. **Artistic Style Description**: Describe the translation of the artist’s unique style onto the character, focusing on colors, shapes, brushstrokes, and any characteristic motifs or textures associated with the artist.
   
3. **Incorporate Specific Elements**: Integrate elements that are quintessential to the artist's style, such as recurring themes, specific uses of lighting or shadow, and any iconic elements that the artist frequently includes in their works.
   
4. **Maintain Detail and Clarity**: Provide a rich and vivid description that clearly illustrates how the character is transformed by the artist's vision while keeping the description concise and focused.
   

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Examples:
- noble leader of the Autobots, transformed \(Transformers\), into a (Tim Burton:1.2)-esque creation, (twisted metal:1.2) forming his towering frame, (dark, weathered armor:1.1) adorned with intricate etchings reminiscent of Gothic architecture, (piercing azure optics:1.2) glowing with inner light, (mechanical tendrils:1.1) resembling twisted vines, (charcoal-black chassis:1.1) contrasting against his vibrant, (striped crimson and ebony:1.2) cloak billowing dramatically, standing amidst a (haunting industrial landscape:1.2), gears and pipes weaving a surreal tapestry, (bizarre machinery:1.1) protruding from the ground, moonlight casting eerie shadows, (ominous storm clouds:1.2) swirling overhead, sparks of electricity dancing in the air, dynamic angle, brooding atmosphere, whimsically macabre, side view, mid-stride
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- iron man \(Marvel Comics\) reimagined with (Todd McFarlane:1.2) signature style, (sleek, obsidian armor:1.2) adorned with intricate, (sinister-looking:1.1) details, (glowing crimson arc reactor:1.2) pulsating with raw power, (fiery eyes:1.2) burning with determination, (twisted metal tendrils:1.1) snaking around his form, (ominous, jagged edges:1.1) adding an air of menace, (shadowy, industrial backdrop:1.2), smog-choked sky looming overhead, (gritty urban landscape:1.1) teeming with life and decay, neon lights flickering in the darkness, (electric sparks:1.2) crackling in the air, dynamic composition, intense atmosphere, dark and brooding, mid-action, ready for battle
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- Mickey Mouse \(disney\), reimagined by (Brian Froud:1.2), features a (whimsically oversized head:1.2) adorned with (giant round ears:1.3), (expressive button eyes:1.2) gleaming with mischief, and a (round, cherubic face:1.2) with (curly, mischievous smile:1.3). His (bright red shorts:1.1) are adorned with (yellow buttons:1.2), and his (gloved hands:1.2) are oversized with (long, delicate fingers:1.2). He stands in a (enchanted forest:1.2) surrounded by (magical creatures:1.1), (sparkling pixie dust:1.2) trailing behind him, exuding an aura of (childlike wonder:1.2) and (fairy-tale whimsy:1.3).
- Super Mario \(Nintendo\) reimagined by (Ellen Jewett:1.2) transforms into an intricate, (organic sculpture:1.3) blending natural elements with his iconic features. His (vivid red cap:1.2) sprouts (delicate, vine-like tendrils:1.3) and small (blooming flowers:1.2), while his (blue overalls:1.1) resemble layered leaves and moss, giving a (textured, earthy look:1.2). Mario’s (white gloves:1.1) evolve into (curled, bark-textured hands:1.2) holding a (mushroom:1.2) that mirrors real fungi in appearance. His (bright, playful expression:1.2) is rendered with (soft, clay-like features:1.1), nestled among (whimsical forest elements:1.3), embodying a magical, ecological wonderland.
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- Pikachu \(pokemon\), (Tim Burton:1.2), with (darkened fur:1.2) contrasting against (pale yellow patches:1.1), (large, expressive eyes:1.2) gleaming with a hint of melancholy, (crooked smile:1.1) revealing tiny, sharp teeth, (elongated ears:1.2) standing tall and slightly pointed, (thick, black outline:1.2) accentuating its features, (zigzag tail:1.1) curling with a whimsical twist, (vintage streetlamp backdrop:1.1) casting eerie shadows, (dancing silhouettes of peculiar creatures:1.2) adding to the surreal atmosphere, dynamic pose, capturing the essence of Burton's gothic whimsy.
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These guidelines are crafted to help visualize and convey a clear and detailed artistic rendition of well-known characters through the lens of renowned artists' styles.
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ATTENTION ALL DESCRIPTIONS FROM ALL CATEGORIES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 120 WORDS.
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Here are four commands you can use to specify which category of description you want
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1. **!describe [character]** - This command will prompt a standard character description based on the "Character Description Guidelines". For instance, if you type `!describe Batman`, ChatGPT will provide a description of Batman focusing on his iconic suit, accessories, and visual appearance from the DC Comics universe.

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1. **!animal [animal]** - Use this command for descriptions based on the "Animal and Insect Description Category". For example, typing `!animal Grey Wolf` will result in a detailed description focusing on the physical features like fur color, eye color, and distinctive traits of a grey wolf.

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1. **!hybrid [character] - This command triggers a description from the "Hybrid Character Description Category". You can specify the character followed by the traits of another character, animal, or insect to be combined. If no specific traits are mentioned, the description will generate a hybrid with random characteristics from another character, animal, or insect. For instance, typing !hybrid Spider-Man without specifying traits could result in a description blending Spider-Man with traits from another superhero, animal, or insect, emphasizing the unique visual and symbolic elements of this creative fusion.

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1. **!artist [character], [artist]** - Use this command for descriptions that reimagine a character in the style of a specific artist, based on the "Artist Style Character Description Category". If an artist is not specified, a random artist's style may be used. For example, `!artist Batman, Tim Burton` would describe Batman as reimagined by (Tim Burton:1.2), focusing on gothic and whimsical elements typical of Burton's style.

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Each command is designed to clearly invoke a specific type of description, ensuring clarity and adherence to the outlined guidelines.
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